iStock/Thinkstock(BEIJING) -- The U.S. is expressing alarm that China may be detaining "millions" of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in a "worsening crackdown" in the country's inaccessible western region Xinjiang. The new number comes one week after a United Nations panel reported that an estimated 1 million Uighurs are being held in "counterextremism centers" with millions more detained in "re-education camps for political and cultural indoctrination." The Uighurs are a majority-Muslim, Turkic-speaking ethnic group in western China. While the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region has some independence in name, it has increasingly come under strict police-state rule by the Chinese government. The crackdown on Uighur independence goes back to the founding of communist China under Mao Zedong, but analysts say the new surveillance state, which uses tools such as facial recognition technology, is unprecedented. The U.S. has voiced its concerns about the situation for weeks now. Ahead of the State Department's first-ever summit on religious freedom last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote an op-ed about the crackdown on religious freedom in China, as well as other countries such as Iran and North Korea. "Chinese authorities are likely detaining, at least, hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in internment camps in Xinjiang," he wrote. But now, the U.S. has raised those estimates. "The number of individuals held in detention may possibly number in the millions," a State Department official told ABC News, noting that the U.S. was "deeply troubled by the Chinese governments worsening crackdown on Uighurs, Kazakhs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region." Although the Trump administration has increasingly raised its concerns and said promoting religious freedom is a priority, it's unclear what action it may take. Last Friday, a United Nations human rights panel reported that "upwards of a million people are being held in so-called counterextremism centers, and another 2 million have been forced into so-called re-education camps for political and cultural indoctrination," according to Gay McDougall, a member of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, or CERD. McDougall laid out the extent of the crackdown -- sweeping arrests without charges for even the simplest expression of ethnoreligious identity; mass surveillance with mandatory collection of biometric data such as DNA samples and iris scans; and the confiscation of travel documents, requiring people to apply for permission to leave the province. Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region "resembles a massive internment camp that is shrouded in secrecy" and a "sort of a no-rights zone" where "members of that Uighur minority group along with others that are identified as Muslims are being treated as inmates of the state based solely on their ethno-religious identity," McDougall said. China dismissed the reports, saying it is part of a legitimate counterterrorism campaign. "Certain anti-China forces have made unwarranted charges against China for political purposes, and a few overseas media smeared China's measures to fight terrorism and crimes in Xinjiang through their distorted reports of the CERD review, which is out of ulterior motives," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Tuesday. But the State Department told ABC News the measures would actually increase the terrorist threat in China. "China has the right to protect its security and to counter violent extremism," the State Department official said. But "indiscriminate and disproportionate controls on ethnic minorities' expressions of their cultural and religious identities have the potential to incite radicalization and recruitment to violence." The U.N. said China's national security laws have become "imprecise and over-broad," and now "enable abusive, arbitrary, and discriminatory prosecutions and convictions." Human rights groups have called on the Trump administration to do more than issue strong statements and instead take action. One tool being considered is imposing sanctions through the Global Magnitsky Act, which gives the administration the ability to go after foreign officials for corruption or human rights abuses. Among other cases, it has been used by the Trump administration to sanction a Myanmar general responsible for the Rohingya crisis and, most recently, two senior Turkish officials for the ongoing detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Laura Stone said in April that Global Magnitsky sanctions were among the many options the U.S. was considering. A State Department spokesperson later added, "No region is immune from human rights abuse or corruption," but declined to comment on any investigation or plans. A vocal advocate -- U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback -- is among those pushing for such sanctions on China for the Uighur crackdown, as well as China's suppression of Buddhists and Christians, according to The Washington Post. For now, the State Department official would only say that the administration "will continue to raise our deep concerns with the Chinese government." Brownback, who also helped Pompeo host that religious freedom summit in July, told reporters then that, out of the summit, the U.S. was developing an "international consortium to press China about religious freedom." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. You are here: China One person was killed and 140 injured, including 27 children, after a gas leak at an iron and steel company in north China's Shanxi Province Wednesday morning. The gas leak at Shanxi Haiwei iron and steel company in Wenshui County, the city of Lyuliang, occurred at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, causing the death of a 66-year-old in Sangcunying village. One person in serious condition received treatment in Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi, while other injured people were taken to a local hospital. The incident is thought to have been caused by fallen steel plates from the pipelines. Workers were working around the clock to repair the leak Thursday afternoon. The Double Seven Festival, known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on August 17 this year. The history of the festival dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC -220 A.D.). Legend has it that girls at that time prayed for creativity to the god Vega on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This tradition has since passed on to later generations. In another Chinese legend, a cowherd and a weaver girl, once a happy couple, moved into the heavens where they became stars separated by the Milky Way. They can meet only once a year when magpies fly together to form a bridge that brings them together. Their meeting also falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, and so, the Double Seven Festival came into being. Since ancient times, many traditions have been used to commemorate the festival. For example, the girls would keep a spider in a small box on that day and check the web the spider weaved the next day. The denser the web is, the more creativity they can receive. The maids in the Imperial palace would compete to thread needles during the festival, and the one who finished first would be awarded with creativity. People also float needles to pray for more creativity. In modern times, there're still a lot of folk customs celebrate for the Double Seven Festival. Women living in the plateau area of northwest China's Shaanxi Province usually bundle up straw men and dress them in beautiful clothes. They also make paper cuttings to compete to see who has the cleverest hands. In the rural areas of east China's Zhejiang Province, people collect dew with washbowls, and wash their hands with it as they wish for their hands to be more flexible. The dew is said to be the tears of the cowherd and the weaver girl. In southern Zhejiang, people make special foods to mark the occasion, including dumplings, noodles, and wontons. In south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region, people tie seven knots with a red cord, and wear it round the neck to bring health and happiness. People in Japan and South Korea also honor the Double Seven Festival. As well as praying for greater creativity, they offer sacrifices to gods or their ancestors as well. The plan for the Beijing section of the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway was recently announced by the Beijing Municipal Commission for City Planning and Land Resources Management. The 27-kilometer-long section starts from Beijing's Fifth Ring Road, runs west-bound across the Yongding River through Fangshan district and along the Beijing-Shijiazhuang high-speed railway to the south, and ends at the city border connecting to the Hebei section. A total of five overpasses, entries and exits will be set up along the section, with another spare overpass reserved for the future use. According to the "Beijing Urban Master Plan (2016-2035)" and the "Master Plan for Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province," the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway will be built to provide a high-speed connection between Beijing and Xiongan. According to the map revealed by the commission, the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway is planned to pass through Changyang town and Liangxiang town in Fangshan district. The plan is now open for public comments for 30 days. During this time, the public can leave comments on the official website of the Beijing Municipal Commission for City Planning and Land Resources Management. Any ideas or suggestions that are accepted will later be announced on the website. In accordance with the 2018-2020 action plan for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, as well as the 2018 working plan, the preliminary work for the construction of the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway will be completed in 2018 so that the construction can start before the end of the year. Earlier in April, the blueprint for the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway was disclosed for the first time in the "Master Plan for Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province." As the blueprint shows, the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway will lie between the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and the G45 Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway, and intersect with the Tianjin-Xiongan Expressway. According to the plan, the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway is a key project for the construction of a regional highway network called "four verticals and three horizontals." The "four verticals" refer to the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, the G45 Highway, the Beijing-Xiongan Expressway, and the Beijing New Airport-Dezhou Expressway. The "three horizontals" are the G18 Rongcheng-Wuhai Expressway, the Tianjin-Xiongan Expressway, and the Tianjin-Shijiazhuang Expressway. After the network is built, it will take 60 minutes to travel from Xiongan to Beijing or Tianjin, and 90 minutes from Xiongan to Shijiazhuang via the expressways. A Chinese man has pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a karaoke lounge which killed 18 people. Procurators in south China's Guangdong Province charged defendant Liu Chunlu with arson during a court hearing held Thursday at the people's court in the city of Yingde. At around 0:30 a.m. on April 24, Liu removed the oil pipe of his motorcycle parked at the door of the karaoke lounge in the city, allowing oil to flow onto the ground. Then, he ignited the oil with a lighter, according to the indictment. The fire rapidly spread to the lounge and 18 people inside died of suffocation. Three others were injured by the blaze. Liu was caught by the police at 10 a.m. the same day. The defendant said he was angry after visiting the karaoke lounge with his friends on the night of April 23. He said that he was rejected by a waitress at the lounge and that the manager interrupted his business discussion with another guest. The verdict of the case will be given at a later time. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday met with Pakistan's Chairman of Senate Sadiq Sanjrani. Pakistan has just held a successfully general election, Wang said, adding that he believed Pakistan's national construction would gain new achievements under the new government. "China is willing to support Pakistan to uphold its sovereignty and right to development, make joint efforts with Pakistan to boost the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as well as to deepen the bilateral all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," Wang said. Sanjrani said Pakistan would always uphold a friendly policy towards China, which was the consensus reached by all parties in Pakistan and a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. "The new government is ready to work with China to push forward the construction of Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," Sanjrani said. Flash The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on Thursday donated mobile medical clinics and ambulances to Syria's Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The donation, which included two bus-turned mobile medical clinics and two ambulances, was delivered at a ceremony held in the Syrian capital Damascus. It aims to help Syrians living in hard-to-reach areas or those who need emergency care. Wang Qinglei, the representative of the Beiqi Foton Motor, the company that took part in the funding of the donation under the RCSC umbrella, told Xinhua the mobile clinics are equipped with X-ray machines, ultrasound scanner, defibrillator, distance diagnosis and treatment system. He noted that these medical equipment turn the bus into a mobile hospital, which can offer emergency medical care, health examination and mini surgeries. The vehicles are powered by an electrical power generating system, which enables the clinics to operate in areas where electricity is not available. Wang pointed out that his company's total donation is estimated at 6 million yuan (roughly 900,000 U.S. dollars). It is part of the first stage of the total humanitarian aid provided to Syria by the RCSC, which is estimated at 8 million yuan. "If put into use, the medical units could serve hundreds of people every day, especially for the war-torn and remote communities," Wang said. For his part, Muhammad al-Jarrah, head of the medical services in SARC, told Xinhua this kind of assistance is crucial in hard-to-reach areas as well as in the time of emergency. Sun Shuopeng, the executive vice president and secretary general of Chinese Red Cross Foundation, said that the RCSC is carrying out comprehensive humanitarian aid projects in Syria, which include donating mobile medical units and establishing prosthetic rehabilitation centers for Syrian children. On Wednesday, the Chinese delegation inaugurated a children prosthetic rehabilitation center funded by the RCSC in Damascus. "All funds of the prosthetic rehabilitation project were raised online by the Chinese public. We launched an online fundraising project called One Dollar for Syrian Children," Sun told Xinhua, adding that the project raised 100,000 U.S. dollars in a short time. Following the delivery ceremony, Chinese engineers and technicians also trained the Syrians to operate the equipment and do the maintenance work. Flash Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone on Thursday and exchanged views on the importance of developing economic and trade ties, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The two leaders agreed that their finance ministers would meet soon and Macron told Erdogan that Turkey's economic stability is important for France, said the report. They also talked on bilateral and regional issues. The talks come as the United States and Turkey, two major NATO allies, are engaged in a bitter diplomatic and trade dispute over the detention of an American pastor accused of terror related charges that has helped drive the Turkish currency to record lows last week before recovering some of its losses in recent days. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also spoke by phone on Wednesday with President Erdogan and stressed that her country does not want to see economic instability in Turkey as the lira's weakness has rippled through global markets. 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. 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We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Think of any long-standing male/female couple you know, and ask yourself which partner has the greater tendency to boss the other around. If my hunch is correct, in at least eight out of ten cases the answer youll come up with is the woman. True, I cant speak for other cultures in which women have been traditionally assigned more submissive roles although I suspect that even in many of these, wives and mothers tend to rule the roost at home. But certainly its been my experience of 38 years of marriage (and counting) that Ive been much more a taker than a giver of orders and the same seems to go for almost all my married male friends. So, with this near-universal truth in mind, at first I thought campaigners had a good point when they asked this week why men make up the overwhelming majority of those prosecuted for the offence, created by Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship. Its been my experience of 38 years of marriage (and counting) that Ive been much more a taker than a giver of orders, writes Tom Utley Stigma Indeed, a Freedom of Information request submitted by ManKind Initiative, a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse, finds there were only four women among the 272 people charged with the offence between December 2015 and March last year. How could this be so, when we all know that, in most relationships, women are by nature more controlling than men or at least more insistent on getting their way? The helpline spokesman, Mark Brooks, suggests the answer may lie in police and prosecutors unconscious bias, which makes them more inclined to believe female than male victims of psychological abuse. As we know, he says, the perpetrators of controlling and coercive behaviour are incredibly manipulative individuals and they almost always make a counter-allegation. I daresay there may be something in this. Im also sure that Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe, of the National Police Chiefs Council, is right when she says male victims are less likely than females to call the police. After all, even in these enlightened times, when were supposed to swallow the fiction that there are no fundamental differences between the sexes, it is still widely thought wimpish of a man to complain about being bullied by a woman, while much less stigma attaches to women who complain about men. Yet the more Ive thought about this, the more Im convinced that Ms Rolfe is wrong when she says females are equally capable of offending under the 2015 Act. Not for one moment do I dispute that women can behave abominably towards their menfolk. Take Jordan Worth, 22, who in April became the first of her sex to be convicted of the new offence. As a court heard, she brutally assaulted her partner, Alex Skeel, also 22, battering and stabbing him, pouring scalding water over his arms and starving him to within days of death. She broke all his mobile phones, isolated him from his family and dictated every aspect of his life, telling him what clothes he should wear and the people he could speak to. But in the extreme viciousness of her coercive behaviour, she was surely highly unusual among women. Generally, men are physically stronger and more violent by nature their threats more intimidating and when a contemptible minority of my sex take it into their heads to bully their partners, they tend to be far more terrifying, and the effects on their victims more devastating. I am therefore not in the least surprised that men far outnumber women among those prosecuted for controlling and coercive behaviour, as for all other offences against the person. Meekly But my central point surely holds true: show me the relationship in which the man bosses the woman around telling her what colour curtains she should buy or where she should leave her muddy boots and Ill show you an exception to the general rule. Far more often, its the woman who lays down the law, and the man who meekly obeys. Moreover, this appears to have been true since the dawn of time, when Eve ill-advisedly ate the forbidden fruit and instructed Adam to do the same. Look at English literature and popular culture through the ages strewn with the henpecking wives of downtrodden husbands, from Lady Macbeth to Horace Rumpoles She Who Must Be Obeyed and Arthur Daleys Er Indoors. If the comic (and sometimes tragic) stereotype were not laden with truth to this day, then it would have stopped resonating with audiences centuries ago. Indeed, in a straw poll I conducted among colleagues and drinking companions at the pub, one friend told me his wife always chooses his shirt and tie combination for the day, while even his ten-year-old daughter is forever barking orders at him. (Stop at Tesco, Daddy! I want an ice cream!) Another, also male, tells me his wife insists that he brings her a cup of tea in bed every morning, because her father always did the same for her mother. Often, she leaves it undrunk. Meanwhile, a female friend says she wont let her man anywhere near the dishwasher (what is it about women and their mysterious stacking rules, which seem to defy all reason?). Another admits to giving her burly builder husband a shopping list every Saturday and sending him back to the supermarket with a flea in his ear if he returns with the wrong brand of butter. Wisdom In my case, I obediently comply when Mrs U issues me instructions on who to ask for dinner, or decides we must get rid of my precious downstairs loo in order to realise her dreams of expanding the kitchen. Nor can I help noticing that whenever one of our sons wants to borrow the car (my car, bought, taxed and insured by me), he always asks Mum, and not Dad. But then he knows whos boss. All this I take with a philosophical shrug. Like so many husbands, I comfort myself that at least Im allowed to decide on the really important questions: does God exist? (Yes); is unilateral nuclear disarmament a good idea? (I waver, but on balance I think it would be unwise); should Stokes be allowed straight back into the England XI after his acquittal on charges of affray? (No). Meanwhile, Mrs U looks after the little things: where we should live; what we should eat; which friends we should cultivate and which we should drop; where we should go on our holidays . . . The list could go on for ever. Why do so many of us put up with it? I guess that a part of the explanation is that women tend to care more than men about the state of the home and whats good for the family. But the main reason, I reckon, is that most of us have come to appreciate the wisdom of that time-honoured advice: Happy wife, happy life. As a sage colleague puts it: When a man enters a marriage and wants it to last, he voluntarily contracts out his free will to his wife. But let me end with the immortal words attributed to the late Sir Denis Thatcher, husband of the great Margaret, when someone asked him who wore the trousers in the Thatcher household. I do, he is said to have replied. And I wash and iron them, too! I reckon a good eight out of ten of us husbands know exactly how he felt. A 26-year-old vlogger who had her colon removed has spoken candidly of what it is like to live with a stoma bag as a millennial. Hannah Witton, a sex and relationships Youtuber and author, underwent an ileostomy in January this year after suffering an excruciating flare-up of ulcerative colitis that left her bed-bound in hospital and crippled with pain. Now the social media star, who lives in London, is sharing her story in the hope of raising awareness about the condition and breaking the taboo surrounding stoma bags. Speaking in an interview with FEMAIL, Hannah shed light on the nitty gritty of life with her bag, which she affectionately named 'Mona', including what happens when she farts and how she manages the 'flappy' attachment while having sex. London based author and social media star Hannah Witton, 26, has spoken candidly about life as a young woman with stoma bag - having undergone an ileostomy at the start of the year following a crippling bout of ulcerative colitis Hannah, 26, told FEMAIL about how the 'flappy' bag - which she has affectionately nicknamed 'Mona' - affects all areas of her life, including being intimate with her boyfriend, Dan Hannah, pictured with boyfriend Dan, shed light on the reality of life with her bag including what happens when she farts and how she manages the 'flappy' attachment while having sex Hannah said that while the procedure has had an undeniable impact on her relationship with her boyfriend, Dan, the couple are still 'going strong'. It 'all works' when it comes to sex, Hannah said, explaining that she's found ways to adapt to having sex while having the bag. She explained how she's learned to make sure to empty it beforehand, and has found crotchless underwear to be a helpful means of keeping the bag - part of which is attached to her skin and part of which is loose - 'down and out of the way,' leaving her free to get on with being intimate. Despite her candid approach to the topic, Hannah admits the procedure came as a blow to her confidence. She said: 'Poo is generally an unsexy subject and I know a lot of people with IBS or Stoma feel embarassed or ashamed by that because they don't know how to talk about it. 'It can have a huge knock to your confidence, which it definitely did for me too.' Hannah was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis aged seven but was only struck down with symptoms sporadically. '[Growing up] I would have months and years of no symptoms, I would be perfectly healthy, then a flare-up would happen that would maybe last a couple of months,' she said. 'Then it would get under control and I would go back into remission. 'I had almost forgotten I had ulcerative colitis because it wasn't part of my daily life.' Hannah Witton, a sex and relationships Youtuber, underwent an ileostomy in January this year after suffering an excruciating flare-up of ulcerative colitis that left her bed-bound in hospital and crippled with pain. She now wears a stoma bag, as pictured in an Instagram selfie The author and social media star, who has nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers, has spoken candidly about her condition in a bid to break the taboo around stoma bags. She shared this snap on Instagram when she was re-admitted to hospital in June with complications Hannah shared this post on Instagram shortly after having her colon removed. She wrote: 'I no longer have a colon - good riddance! I am now the proud owner of a stoma and I poo into a bag' Hannah has affectionately named her stoma bag, pictured in an Instagram post, 'Mona'. She told how she empties the bag several times a day and changes it every two to three days In November last year, a decade after her last flare-up, Hannah began suffering with painful abdominal cramps. After being misdiagnosed with a virus, and two trips to A&E, Hannah was eventually admitted to Northampton General Hospital on 28 December. What is ulcerative colitis? Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition, where the colon (the bowel) and rectum become inflamed. It affects around one in every 420 people living in the UK. Small ulcers can develop on the colon's lining, and can bleed and produce pus. Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus, abdominal pain and needing to empty your bowels frequently. People may also experience fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. WHAT CAUSES ULCERATIVE COLITIS? Ulcerative colitis is thought to be an autoimmune condition which means the immune system - the body's defence against infection - goes wrong and attacks healthy tissue. The most popular theory is that the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria inside the colon for a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon, causing it to become inflamed. Exactly what causes the immune system to behave in this way is unclear. Most experts think it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors. (Information via NHS) Advertisement The social media star shared a post about her condition with her 148,000 Instagram followers, pulling a face even as she lay in pain in her hospital bed. Speaking to FEMAIL, she said: 'The week before I was admitted to hospital, I was in so much pain I couldn't eat anything, I couldn't really talk to people, I had diarrhea, I was vomiting. I ate one pea on Christmas Day.' Two weeks later, on 14 January, Hannah underwent an ileostomy, in which the small intestine is diverted through an opening in the stomach known as a stoma. A bag is then placed over the stoma to collect waste products that usually pass through the colon and out of the body through the rectum and back passage. 'I was so ill that I thought "anything would be better than this",' Hannah said, reflecting on the prospect of having the bag fitted. 'As soon as that diseased colon was out of me I was like, "oh my God. I'm not ill anymore".' With the help of an 'amazing' team of dedicated stoma nurses, Hannah learnt how to change the bag. 'I do it quite quickly now, I'm quite proud,' she said. 'I do it [every two or three days] after I shower. I shower with the bag on and then get out the shower. Over the sink, I lay out all of the bits and bobs that I need. 'Then I take off the old bag, make sure the stoma and the skin around it are clean, and put on the new bag. It probably takes five minutes.' To make sure the bag doesn't become overfilled, Hannah must empty it every few hours, including during the night. 'The main change in my day-to-day routine is that I have to set an alarm in the middle of the night, every night, to empty it,' she continued. Hannah decided to pose in lingerie for a photo shoot to celebrate her body with the stoma. She told how she wanted to show others that you can own your body, no matter what it looks like The lingerie photos, some of which were shared on Hannah's Instagram, show the YouTube star proudly flaunting her stoma bag. Commenting on the shoot she said: 'I wanted to show that there are lots of different kinds of bodies out there' 'It depends on what time I go to sleep but I usually set it for around 3.30am or 4am But I tend to fall back asleep straight away. From the time the alarm goes off, to when I get back to sleep, it's about three minutes.' This also means Hannah has also come to terms with changing her stoma bag in public toilets. This can prove particularly problematic when it comes to poo. Hannah, who also speaks about her condition on her blog, explained: 'A poo is a bit hit and miss, it might smell and it might not. Whereas with a Stoma, with my ileostomy, it 100 per cent always smells. One thing that I've discovered is a great solution to this is crotchless underwear, or high-waisted things,because that way the Stoma bag is down and out of the way but you can still do whatever you want to do Hannah on sex with a stoma bag 'So then, using public toilets, I just have to go "whatever". I'm not going to ever see the person going into the stall after me, I don't even have to look them in the eye.' The bag poses similar problems when it comes to passing wind. 'I can't fart out of my bum, essentially, you fart out of the stoma,' she said candidly. 'And that's how the bag can fill up with air. And I have no control over it. So you know how, if you feel like you are about to fart you can hold it in, I have no control over that.' Hannah, who boasts nearly 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, has been supported through her ordeal by her family, friends, and boyfriend Dan. Asked how the Stoma bag has impacted her relationship, Hannah said: 'It has impacted our relationship because I've had to spend so much time in hospital this year and he's had to look after me a lot but the relationship is still going strong.' She added that it still 'all works' when it comes to sex but that she's simply had to find ways to adapt to having the bag. 'The only thing is that with the bag, half of it is stuck to my skin but the rest of it is flapping around,' she explained. 'I have to kind of make sure I've emptied it beforehand and also having a way of keeping the Stoma bag down. 'One thing that I've discovered is a great solution to this is crotchless underwear, or high-waisted things, because that way the Stoma bag is down and out of the way but you can still do whatever you want to do.' Despite her confidence discussing the topic, Hannah admitted the ileostomy bag has been a blow to her self-esteem. To try and reclaim some of this confidence and to celebrate the diversity in beauty, Hannah posed for a lingerie shoot revealing her Stoma bag. She added: 'I wanted to show that there are lots of different kinds of bodies out there. Whatever story your body might tell, it can still be beautiful and sexy and you can still claim that body as your own. 'I have good days and bad days with how I feel about my body. Most of the time in day-to-day life, when I am going about in clothes, I kind of forget I have a Stoma, then I go to the toilet and I'm like "oh yeah, that's how I do it now".' Susan George (pictured in the living room of her home), 68, and her husband Simon MacCorkindale bought their farm in Somerset eighteen years ago. Here, she reveals the items of personal significance inside their sitting room 1 ARABIAN KNIGHT Eighteen years ago I bought this somewhat broken-down sheep and cattle farm with my husband, the actor Simon MacCorkindale. We changed it into a stud farm breeding Arabian horses and it turned into a huge success. The horse in this painting, SG Imagine, is particularly special. In 2012 he was named British National Champion Stallion at the Arab Horse Societys annual competition, but it was a bittersweet moment for me as it was just two years after Id lost Simon, in 2010, and I so wanted him to be there. 2 STARRY DAYS Im very proud of the film Straw Dogs, of the boundaries we broke with it. I was only 21 when we made it in 1971, and it catapulted me to stardom. I have a letter from its US director Sam Peckinpah [pictured right, with me on set], in which he wrote, Get your sweet a*** over here. The world loves you in America. So over I went to all the premieres and I loved every moment of it. 3 ART'S DESIRE Simon and I produced films together, and we once ended up walking out of a meeting with a potential backer, blowing a 5.5 million deal, because he was so rude. The meeting was in Knightsbridge and we ended up in nearby Harrods, where we bought this statue. Susan treasures a collection of toy bears including Merrick (pictured) that travels with her everywhere Its of two people holding onto one another it means that life cannot break the bond of love. 4 TREASURED MEMORIES There are really precious photos and things to do with Simon throughout the house, although I dont need reminding. Hes in my heart and head. I have his school boater [on the piano] and Ive also kept his cowboy boots from when he appeared in the TV series Falcon Crest. Ive now founded the charity Lasting Life, The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy, to keep his spirit ever present and to help other sufferers fighting cancer. 5 A TRIO OF TEDS Merrick, the tiny bear [also inset below], travels with me everywhere. Hes been to Hollywood and Las Vegas. The big bear is George. Simon found him in an antiques shop in France. My third bear, Elgin, was a gift on the opening night of The Country Girl in the West End in 1985, and was named after my character Mrs Elgin. One of our puppies ripped his ear off, and we sent him to America to be repaired. On his return he got stuck in customs they thought he might be being used to smuggle something in. 6 KEY MOMENTS Simon bought me this Kawai grand piano when we were living in the US in the 1980s. Dudley Moore and the songwriter Sammy Cahn played on it, and we had Andy Gibb and his brothers singing round it. When we left America in 1986, Simon said, Dont worry, the pianos coming too, and we shipped it to England. My life has been filled with music my father Norman was a saxophonist who played with Ronnie Scott. Ive just made an album and Ive called it Normans Girl. When my father played gigs and I was in my teens, the band would say, Get Normans girl to sing. As told to David Wigg. See Susan in The Real Marigold Hotel, Wednesday, 9pm, BBC1. The Lasting Life charity website address is lastinglife.org.uk. From the moment she made her name in Spooks 16 years ago, pretty much everything Keeley Hawes touches has turned to TV gold. Time-twisting police drama Ashes To Ashes became a cult hit and her two series as Lindsay Denton in corruption thriller Line Of Duty were the highly acclaimed shows most talked about yet. She shone as a broken wife in abduction drama The Missing a couple of years ago, and most recently shes been charming the nation as the irrepressible Louisa in ITVs sun-drenched Sunday-night drama The Durrells. But now shes cast off Louisas dowdy brown apron and headed back towards Spooks territory in what promises to be another slice of unmissable TV, a gritty urban thriller called Bodyguard. Not to be confused with the 1992 Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston film, the six-part BBC1 series is set in and around Westminsters corridors of power and tells the fictional story of heroic but volatile war veteran David Budd (Game Of Thrones Richard Madden), who returns to Britain and a new job protecting Keeleys ruthlessly ambitious Home Secretary Julia Montague. And, auspiciously, its written by Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, Keeley Hawes (pictured in the drama), 42, stars as Home Secretary Julia Montague alongside Richard Madden as volatile war veteran and bodyguard David Budd in new six-part BBC series Bodyguard It was Jed casting me in Line Of Duty that gave me a great platform for other roles, says Keeley. And this was very good timing because Id just finished The Durrells, so to do something like Bodyguard which is the complete opposite is brilliant. Its really exciting after doing eight episodes as Mrs Durrell with my brown apron. 'I was thinking, Oh my God! Car chases! If Im honest Im never really itching to throw myself into anything as its always exciting to see what comes up, but with this series I knew Id be silly not to grab it. It does feel great going back into this world because its quite like the time I spent on Spooks. Mercurios petrifying opening scene, set on a mainline train, cuts straight to the key issues of national security and the threat of terrorism. Having been raised in Central London, Keeley, 42, says shes no stranger to those threats. Doing this drama didnt make me more vigilant or nervous because I grew up in London to the backdrop of IRA bombings and you just have to get on with it. But she admits she was terrified last September when her 18-year-old son Myles (by first husband cartoonist Spencer McCallum; she is also mother to Maggie, 13, and Ralph, 11, from her marriage to former Spooks co-star Matthew Macfadyen) was on the Tube train behind the one on which a bomb was detonated at Parsons Green station. I got a text from him written in capitals, so I knew immediately something was wrong, she recalls. They were in a tunnel and the lights were going on and off. The what if doesnt bear thinking about. On the Bodyguards set in Uxbridge, where we meet, a bleak office block doubles for the Home Office. Julia has to adapt to an invasion of privacy when David (played by Richard pictured) is assigned to be her personal bodyguard. He finds himself despising her politics and beliefs Its a world away from The Durrells gorgeous, relaxed Corfu location where Keeley will begin filming a fourth series next month. Today the creases down the trousers of her grey suit could slice your finger and her lips are so pinched theyve virtually disappeared. You cant be anything but terribly serious when youre looking after the security of the country, she says. So when we meet Julia shes a very serious woman doing a serious job. 'Shes been briefed on a terrorist attack which has just happened and shes heading out to see whats going on. Watching videos of real politicians at work was key to her performance and Keeley worked particularly hard on trying to sound the part, even taking lessons in how to speak like a politician. Goodness, its a totally different thing, she laughs. My voice was too posh at first because Id just come from The Durrells. Also, Im quite apologetic as a person. After The Durrells, I thought, Oh my God! Car chases! 'So I had a few meetings with this wonderful woman who works with politicians. When they talk they dont have a two-way conversation. 'They tell you what they want you to hear, and theyre brilliant at it. 'In the drama I go on The Andrew Marr Show and tell him what I think, and thats something Ive never done before. I really enjoyed it! Her character has to cope with the invasion of her privacy when David, a Specialist Protection Officer, is assigned as her personal bodyguard. Scarred both physically and mentally from his time in Afghanistan, he is disgusted by her lack of empathy for those who have been sent into danger, and despises her politics and beliefs, which cannot be more different to his own. While his job means he has to be prepared to take a bullet for Julia, he actually just might become the greatest danger to her. Keeley (pictured centre with Richard Madden and Jed Mercurio in August) admits she found imaging the politician lifestyle difficult as a mother of three The whole idea of a bodyguard is so odd. Julia has to wait by her door while her whole flat is checked over by him before he allows her to go in. 'Its so unnatural, says Keeley. Its difficult for me, as a mother of three children, to imagine that lifestyle. 'On the other hand you can see how incredibly grateful politicians whose lives are in danger are to have this security. 'Richard does a lot of standing outside doors and you think, Does this really go on? Who are these people? Where are they? You never see them, do you? But I was in a hotel on holiday in the States last autumn and I got out of the lift, walked down the corridor and for the first time in my life I saw one. 'He was standing outside the room next to mine, with the bulletproof vest, looking very serious. 'He was guarding a diplomat apparently but I was slightly worried about the security of my own family being in the room next door. I thought, Hang on a minute maybe we should be staying on a different floor. 'It wasnt until after this experience in the hotel that I realised how brilliant Richard had been at standing there. They get closer, hes in her house all the time Richard, whose role sees him reunite with Jed Mercurio after playing the dashing gamekeeper Oliver Mellors in the writers 2015 adaptation of Lady Chatterleys Lover, laughs. I do more than stand. I also do some sitting. And running. Theres some brilliant action stuff actually including on rooftops. 'David is a married father-of-two and comes from an ex-military background, but hes also a troubled man as hes been through a traumatic time in Afghanistan. 'So he and Julia are on very different pages about politics, especially when it comes to the Army and military action in the Middle East. Ive had a few bodyguards myself for Game Of Thrones. I had one in Rio who had been shot about four times and I had a female bodyguard in Mexico City who was 6ft 5in. 'When a fight broke out at a party, my feet didnt touch the ground. She had me up, out and into the footwell in the back of the car. Gina McKee (pictured in the drama) stars as Commander Anne Sampson the head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command 'The door wasnt even closed before we were speeding off! I didnt know what had happened but it was very exciting. Its not the first time Richard, 32, and Keeley have worked together. Richard, who joined a youth theatre programme in Paisley at 11 to help tackle his shyness, appeared as young Andy in the film adaptation of Iain Banks Complicity when he was just 14. Keeley, then 24, was one of the films stars. I love working with Keeley, he says. We really get on which is actually quite a shame because I spend most of the time in Bodyguard not getting on with her. 'But we do have quite a laugh, because in a job like this there arent a lot of giggles. Its very intense while filming so its good we can fool around when the cameras are off. That said, both Keeley and Richard hint at future intimacy between their characters. First theres the slight intimacy of occupying someones space, like going into her bedroom and poking about with her windows, explains Richard. Keeley (pictured with Richard this month) reveals her role as Julia admits her character comes across as a workaholic but David begins to see another side to her as they become more personal I didnt expect that, how much their space actually becomes yours because you have to protect it. 'Then theres a constant tug between them, and lots of missed connections. They connect with each other, and then ruin it. Theyre quite volatile creatures spilling into each others worlds. Keeley agrees. It does become more personal, and thats where it gets very interesting because neither of them is who the other one thought they were. Their relationship is incredibly professional and shes blissfully unaware that hes not that keen on her politics as they dont discuss it. 'But they do get a bit closer because hes in her house all the time, just ghosting around, and he then starts to see that shes a human being, its not just all about politics. When we first meet her, Julias not that likeable. Shes a workaholic who lives on takeaways. 'But as the story goes on, we do see little chinks in her armour really, because she does have to have this public facade. 'And its really made me think about real politicians too. Whether you agree with them or not, whichever party you support, these people are doing the job because they believe that theyre doing the right thing. The events in the series, which also stars Gina McKee as Anne Sampson, the head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command, are entirely fictional in terms of who the key political figures are and the political issues. But the terror is no less real, says Jed Mercurio. I was interested in finding another kind of angle on a thriller in the world of politics but told more from the police side, he explains. The classic bodyguard is a selfless character. But this character David is not an automaton hes actually thinking, Is this life worth saving? Bodyguard starts with a double bill on Sunday 26 August and Monday 27 August on BBC1. Heart-stopping romance, raging feuds, horses a-plenty and sumptuous costumes it ticks all the boxes for great period drama. But ITVs lavish seven-part retelling of Victorian novel Vanity Fair is so much more than that. In the social-climbing Becky Sharp, it has a heroine in tune with todays materialistic, self-obsessed world, plus a top-notch cast and plenty of humour and a soundtrack that includes Madonnas Material Girl. It is 171 years since satirist William Makepeace Thackerays tale was published, but the new adaptation could not be more appropriate for todays selfie generation. A classic story is forever relevant to the deepest concerns of human life, says the shows writer Gwyneth Hughes. Olivia Cooke plays the cunning Becky Sharp (pictured on the show) in ITV's retelling of Victorian novel Vanity Fair which airs 171 years after it was published This is utterly relevant to our generation obsessed with celebrity and appearing to be rich and successful on social media. 'Everyone in Vanity Fair is striving for wealth, for social standing. They all want to marry up, but they want things that arent worth having. The story takes us on a 17-year journey starting in 1813, encompassing wealth, poverty, love and death. When youre reading the book, youre laughing, then it drops you down a hole of terrible sadness, says Gwyneth. I love having the sad and funny banged up against each other, thats life. This story asks, in a world of materialism and vanity, how can a person hang onto his soul? Though the message is serious the story is also fun, thanks to anti-heroine Becky Sharp. Becky is probably the best character in British literature, says Martin Clunes, who plays one of her suitors and her eventual father-in-law, Sir Pitt Crawley. Shes phenomenal. And Vanity Fair isnt tied to a dated plot, like how well someone marries. Its more interesting than that. When we meet Becky, played by Olivia Cooke, shes a 19-year-old orphan whose mother was a French dancing girl and father a drunken artist. She has to make her own way after being thrown out of her teaching job by cruel headmistress Miss Pinkerton, a role played with gusto by Suranne Jones. Becky craves more than she has, says Olivia. Vanity Fair was previously adapted in 1998 by the BBC and for film in 2004. In ITV's seven-part series Becky (pictured with Rawdon Crawley played by Tom Bateman) talks directly to the audience through the camera Shes stuck in a class system she cant penetrate. But her confidence is ferocious, shes determined to break through that glass ceiling. 'The only option is to marry above her station. Becky is very tenacious, very manipulative because she has to be. Shes a survivor. Vanity Fair has been adapted many times, most recently by the BBC in 1998 with Natasha Little as the scheming heroine and in a 2004 film with Reese Witherspoon. This new version is made by Mammoth Screen, the production company behind Poldark. Becky takes the audience on the journey with her by talking directly to them through the camera. One intention was to bring in people who dont normally like period dramas, says director James Strong. It feels modern, and Becky appealing to you makes you more on her side. In great contrast to Becky is her friend Amelia Sedley (Claudia Jessie), whose own adventures are intertwined with the heroines. Tom Bateman (pictured) stars as Rawdon Crawley who risks the fortune from his rich Aunt Matilda to marry Becky Frances de la Tour (pictured left) stars as Miss Matilda Crawley alongside Martin Clunes as Sir Pitt Crawley (pictured right) who Becky flirts with as she rises in society Bringing Waterloo back to life The Battle of Waterloo in 1815 is a pivotal moment in the book. Although Thackeray doesnt take us onto the battlefield, the producers of the series decided they wanted a taste of the action. Its an important part of the story, it would be remiss of us not to show it in all its glory, says director James Strong. I wanted to put our characters right in the middle of it so you could see what it was like to be there. 'Youve got cannons firing at you, people being blown up, horses charging at you. British soldiers (pictured) helping a wounded comrade in one of the Waterloo scenes which took five days to shoot In fact, 50 trained Spanish horses were used for the five-day shoot. These horses are actors, says production designer Anna Pritchard. They could rear, stumble and fall on command, they were taught amazingly well. Finding the right location to recreate the battle proved difficult. The field needed a slope, which the Duke of Wellington used to hide some of his troops, and an elm tree, which he stood under as he watched the battle. We searched high and low for the right field with the right trees and the right type of slope, says Anna. We found one near Reading. Four hundred supporting artists went through a Napoleonic war boot camp learning how to march, use a bayonet, hold a rifle and fire a cannon. For the actors, it was an experience they wont ever forget. It was one of the most exciting weeks Ive ever had, says Charlie Rowe, whose character George Osborne is in the thick of it. We were lying flat on the ground as this army of Napoleonic soldiers walked through the smoke towards us. It was completely terrifying. You can only imagine what it wouldve been like for real. Horses were used in other scenes too, and Martin Clunes, who plays Sir Pitt Crawley, relished taking the reins. I have Clydesdale horses and I drive them, so the producers were happy for me to drive the carriages. 'Its completely fired me up Ive ordered a state-of-the-art new wagonette from Germany. Advertisement Amelia lives an upper middle-class life engaged to her childhood sweetheart George Osborne. Everyone loves her, including Georges best friend William Dobbin. As Becky rises in society, she flirts with Amelias pompous brother Jos and Sir Pitt Crawley, in whose house she works as a governess. She marries Sir Pitts son Rawdon, while Amelias parents lose all their money, making George turn away from her. We have an image of what we want life to be like and for Amelia, its with George, says Claudia. It would be easy to see her as wet, but shes also an incredibly complex human being. Whirl of a time! Filming took place at more than 30 different locations, from the heart of central London to Budapest in Hungary. The mansion Lancaster House filled in for St Jamess Palace, while the big funfair at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens the place to be in the early 1800s was shot at Syon Park, west London. Michael Palin pictured as Thackeray narrates the opening of each episode The funfair scenes were beautiful, recalls Olivia Cooke, who plays Becky. The gardens were transformed with fire-breathers, tightrope walkers, and a hot-air balloon. It was magical to film. Each episode begins with Thackeray narrating a scene on a carousel. The carousel used dates from 1860 and belongs to a collector, who dismantled it all then set it up again at Syon Park. Advertisement In the book, Thackeray praises and criticises his characters in equal measure. Gwyneth brought this into her version, with Thackeray played by Michael Palin (who loves Vanity Fair so much he chose it for his book on Desert Island Discs) moralising at the start of each episode as his characters rise and fall on a carousel. Thackeray writes as if they are his puppets, says Michael. I think of him looking down at them thinking, Arent they silly? Indeed, no one comes off well. Rawdon Crawley (Tom Bateman) is brave, risking the fortune from his rich Aunt Matilda (Frances de la Tour) to marry Becky but also greedy and dim. Aunt Matilda, despite seeing herself as egalitarian, is disgusted when her nephew marries the daughter of a dancing girl. George Osborne (Charlie Rowe) is snobbish, but naive and kind too. Even William Dobbin (Johnny Flynn), the unlikely hero, has his failings. And Becky isnt as good at conniving as she seems. Shes actually a bit rubbish at scheming. She gets it wrong a lot, says Gwyneth. The series itself has every luxury Becky could wish for. Around 2,000 stunning costumes were created, many including corsets. Those were stifling, says Olivia Cooke. Wed be in them for 13-14 hours. In the series, the dresses change from drapey Grecian looks to oriental-inspired outfits, echoing the changing fashions. Our costume designer did a fantastic job of focusing on the characters, says Olivia. Amelias costumes start in pinks, blues and yellows, but shes drained of colour as she takes a fall. Beckys colours get progressively richer but her one staple is an old Mary Poppins-style tapestry bag, which she takes everywhere. She has all her worldly goods in that bag, says production designer Anna Pritchard. So will that battered bag be Beckys only possession by the end, when wars have been fought on the battlefield and in the bedroom? Or will she ensnare the riches and status she seeks? Audiences may find themselves hoping that, wicked as she is, Becky comes out on top. None of us knows what a good or bad person is, says Claudia Jessie. In real life were all brilliant and a bit rubbish. In Vanity Fair, everyone messes up. Vanity Fair starts on ITV early next month. Claudia Jessie who plays Amelia Sedley believes Vanity Fair is like real life as everyone messes up. Audiences may choose to support Becky (pictured centre right) despite her cunning Women have long sought the secret to youthful skin, but according to one futuristic fashion label they may have been looking in all the wrong places. Buki is urging women to swap their lotions and potions for wearable beauty with its new capsule range which is infused with youth-boosting collagen. The Seattle-based brand, which ships internationally including to the UK, recently introduced its 'revolutionary' Collagen Collection featuring scarves, tops, hoodies and even a pillow cover. Starting at $98 (77), the 'revolutionary' clothing contains collagen peptides, and boasts UV protection and anti-odor properties - and promises to give 'supple' skin. A hoodie from Seattle-based fashion label Buki, who are urging women to swap their lotions and potions for wearable beauty with their new capsule range infused with collagen The machine-washable fabric used to make the pieces contain marine-sourced collagen in the body of the fiber and manufacturers claim it relays moisture directly onto the skin, keeping it feeling hydrated all day. The peptides are also designed to work as a natural deoderant, while the material is UPF50, shielding skin from UVA and UVB rays. Buki - which means 'protect and defend' in Japanese and refers to the fabric's thermoregulation, moisture-management, dynamic stretch and recovery. A $168 (132) turtleneck jumper infused with collagen. It is part of a new range from Buki, who claim their clothing relays moisture directly onto the skin, keeping it feeling hydrated all day Buki's $178 (140) collagen hoodie, which contains collagen peptides, boasts UV protection and anti-odor properties - and promises to give 'supple' skin A key piece in the range is its $178 (140) collagen hoodie, which comes in navy and black, and features thumb holes to keep arms covered in the complexion-boosting cloth. Fans of the range can also snap up a flattering scoop neck top, a turtleneck, v-neck and even a lightweight scarf. A spokesperson for Buki told MailOnline that the collection was receiving 'a lot of attention' globally and described it as 'the perfect intersection of beauty, fashion, and wellness'. Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs this week its West End veteran Jason Donovan Jason Donovan (pictured) shares the background behind a selection of his favourite photographs taken throughout his lifetime 1969: My parents Sue and Terence [pictured, with Jason aged two] divorced in 1973 and my dad who played Doug Willis in Neighbours got custody of me. Weve always been very close. Hes 75 now and doesnt get over to London as much as he did but we speak often. He has an incredible work ethic; hes amazingly fit and is still working, just not as much as hed like. 1989: Kylie and I go back a long way. We were born three days apart in Melbourne, worked together in 1980 on a soap called Skyways, where she played my sister, and then we played young couple Charlene and Scott in Neighbours six years later. Most people knew we were in a relationship, even though we never openly admitted it. 1998: Despite the fact that this wasnt the best of times in my personal life, this was one of the better roles Ive had. The Rocky Horror Show, where I played Dr Frank N Furter, was the first musical I worked on where I didnt feel stifled. Its also where I met my wife Angela, who was the shows stage manager. Two years later, our daughter Jemma was born. When Jemma arrived, I seized the moment and stopped taking drugs for good. 1990: This was during my Doin Fine Tour when things were totally crazy. I was a TV star with an audience of 21 million, then my song Too Many Broken Hearts came out the year before this tour and everything went nuts. It was magic, the holy grail of what entertainers work towards. 1991: Phillip Schofield took over from me in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which Id joined that same year. After that, I got lost trying to be experimental in my personal life whereas Phillip was very focused. Hes a good person, and I wasnt a great friend at that point in time. I saw him on TV recently saying to Chesney Hawkes, I dont think Jason remembers too much from that particular period. And he may be right. 2006: I met the late David Gest when I was appearing on Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. He was a great character but a bit of a lost soul. He lived a very public life but there was a void in his personal life. We remained friends after this he once took Jemma and my son Zac to Harrods to buy them toys. Thats the David Id like to remember. 2009: Kylie and Dannii came to see me backstage at Priscilla Queen Of The Desert in the West End. I spent a lot of time in the Minogue house when I was younger we were just normal kids from Melbourne. You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory and there are so many that Im lucky to have experienced with Kylie. 2011: I was excited to go to Buckingham Palace for a reception to celebrate Australians. When I arrived I was greeted by a scrum of Australian media desperate to speak to me but then this huge limousine pulled up and out stepped Hugh Jackman. The press dropped me like a stone but I ended on a high by meeting the Queen. My daughter Molly was born this same year. Jason appears in the 40th anniversary tour of The War Of The Worlds from 30 November. Visit thewaroftheworlds.com for tickets. There is something about the festive season that makes us yearn for family, friends and home a little bit more than usual. And with less than 19 weeks until Christmas Day, all-in-one travel app Skyscanner revealed the best time to book flights to and from destinations across Australia at the cheapest price possible. The booking site revealed while almost three quarters of Australians intend to catch a flight for the holidays, 84 per cent of that number have yet to book airplane tickets. Skyscanner revealed while almost three quarters of Australians intend to catch a flight for the holidays, 84 per cent of that number have yet to book airplane tickets According to Skyscanner, Australians can save an average of 30 per cent on airfares by booking between seventeen and eighteen weeks in advance of their planned break. This officially makes the days from 20 - 27th August the 'golden time' to book festive flights. With flight prices steadily increasing the closer we get to the Christmas period, research from the online giant revealed an informative list detailing potential savings based on Aussies most popular destinations. According to Skyscanner, Australians can save an average of 30 per cent on airfares by booking between seventeen and eighteen weeks in advance of their planned break Melbourne travellers can secure a flight to Wellington for 8 per cent less than average if they book seventeen weeks in advance. New South Wales residents could be in for even greater reductions, with Sydneysiders saving 10 per cent on Manila flights when they book thirteen weeks ahead of time. Flying out of Australia on 21 December is one of the most expensive days of the year to travel, with fares costing 12 per cent more than average. Pushing your departure back to 23rd December will save you 3 per cent compared with two days prior. New South Wales residents could be in for even greater reductions, with Sydneysiders saving 10 per cent on Manila flights when they book thirteen weeks ahead of time TOP 20 DECEMBER HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS FOR AUSTRALIANS 1. Bali 11. Tokyo 2. Melbourne 12. Manila 3. Sydney 13. Adelaide 4. Auckland 14. Dublin 5. London 15. Nadi (Fiji) 6. Brisbane 16. Los Angeles 7. Gold Coast 17. Hobart 8. Bangkok 18. New Delhi 9. Singapore 19. Colombo 10. Perth 20. Cairns Advertisement Michael Grierson, Travel Expert at Skyscanner Australia, said when it comes to frugal flying, planning is everything. 'The festive period is naturally a busy time as Aussies prepare to visit family, head on holiday orcontinue to work, but travellers can bag a good deal if they plan smartly. 'We'd encourage Aussie travellers to consider travelling outside these key dates, and is possible to avoid peak times.' Skyscanner urged travellers not to leave their bookings until the last minute (e.g. within one week of intended departure) as this will likely incur a hefty premium. Skyscanner urged travellers not to leave their bookings until the last minute (e.g. within one week of intended departure) as this will likely incur a hefty premium Australias longstanding love affair with Bali is set to continue over the festive season, with the Indonesian island remaining the most booked travel spot even after the recent earthquake devastation. Other popular hot spots include Auckland and London, while domestic travel to major cities including Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne is also a major focus. The research will likely be welcomed nationwide, as it was revealed 41 per cent of those surveyed said they would not travel due to prohibitively expensive cost. This is the heartwarming moment a four-year-old boy learns to move his legs again after he was left partially paralysed from the waist down from hand, foot and mouth disease. Jasper Thornton-Jones, from Surrey, was just one when he suffered a heart attack and subsequent spinal stroke due to side effects of the infection. Over the years his doting parents, Felix and Kate, sought the very best medical care to enable their son to help him walk, which has so far seen him build enough strength to crawl. But thanks to a custom-built pedal-operated electric scooter, Jasper is now learning to use his calf muscles. The youngster's family appeared on BBC Two's The Big Life Fix this week where two experts were enlisted to help provide innovative technology to help build up his leg strength. Appearing on The Big Life Fix this week, viewers became emotional watching Jasper Thornton-Jones, from Surrey, learn to walk again with the help of an electric scooter (pictured). Jasper was just one when he suffered a heart attack and subsequent spinal stroke in hospital Jasper Thorton-Jones's parents have sought the best medical treatment for their son, now four, which has so far seen him build enough strength to crawl (pictured) but hope that with more help he will be able to walk following a heart attack which left him partially paralysed In addition to his scooter, Jasper was given a video game using movement sensors to perfect a stepping motion needed to walk. His father recalled how Jasper was rushed to hospital because he looked a little 'off' in colour, but things went from bad to worse when the infant suffered a heart attack - later revealed to be the result of hand, foot and mouth disease. Jasper spent two weeks on life support, during which he had a spinal stroke resulting in partial paralysis in both of his legs. The NHS provided Jasper with a leg and body brace to support an upright position, but this did little to stimulate muscle control, as pointed out by Haiyan Jiang, Microsoft's innovation director, during the show. Jasper Thornton-Jones, from Surrey, was one when he was struck down with hand, foot and mouth virus. He was left partially paralysed from the waist down after a complication from the illness (pictured in hospital) Four-year-old Jasper Thornton-Jones, from Surrey (pictured in hospital) spent two weeks on life support, during which he had a spinal stroke resulting in partial paralysis in both of his legs, but he is now learning to walk again thanks to cutting-edge technology In the BBC series The Big Life Fix, which sees the UK's leading inventors build life-changing solutions for people in desperate need, paralysed four-year-old Jasper (pictured with dad Felix, left) enlisted the help of inventor Yusuf Muhammad (right) Innovation director at Microsoft Haiyan Jiang (pictured during the BBC's The Big Life Fix this week) has helped to develop technology that could help partially paralysed Jasper Thorton-Jones move his legs in a way that wouldn't feel like a chore but 'fun' Jasper Thornton Jones's parents Kate and Felix (pictured, helping him learn to walk) have sought the best medical care for their son. The NHS provided him with a brace but although it was used for alignment it wasn't helping him gain muscle strength During his physiotherapy sessions (pictured) Jasper Thornton-Jones learned how to ride a tricycle, but his physiotherapist explained that he was relying on his core muscles to push the pedals as he was in a seated position Strapped into a harness in a standing position Jasper could just about pedal the cycles but found it difficult because of his weakened leg muscles. Inventor Yusuf wanted to use the elliptical element as a basis for his invention In the BBC series, which sees the UK's leading inventors build life-changing solutions for people in desperate need, Jiang enlisted the help of inventor Yusuf Muhammad. The pair observed Jasper with his physiotherapist to see how strong he was, and watched him test out a tricycle that he was able to pedal using his core muscles. Jasper's physiotherapist wanted the youngster to activate his lower leg muscles and glutes, both of which are vital to his ability to walk. Muhammad decided to optimise the elliptical motion Jasper can already do by building a contraption that enabled him to stand in an upright position. Microsoft engineer Jiang took movement sensors and attach them to Jasper's legs so that he could turn the movement into control for a video game (pictured) This is the heartwarming moment Jasper Thornton Jones learns to use his legs again thanks to a unique electric scooter made especially for him on the BBC's The Big Life Fix Experts observed Jasper with his physiotherapist (pictured) to see how strong he was, and watched him test out a tricycle that he was able to pedal using his core muscles Jiang's idea was to take movement sensors and attach them to Jasper's legs so that he could turn the movement into control for a video game. After getting to work, the pair returned to Surrey to present their designs to Jasper and his family. The scooter wasn't quite the initial success Muhammad had hoped for as Jasper still had to use his hands to push his legs down on the pedals to activate the motion. Muhammad promised to make adjustments to make the pedals more sensitive and encourage him to push with just his legs. While Jiang used the standing part of Yusufs scooter for Jasper to sit in, attaching bands fitted with movement sensors, to let the youngster play on his video game. 'The Big Life Fix has me fully in my feelings': One viewer admitted it was making him emotional, while others called the programme 'heartwarming' It hooked up to a computer game that motivated Jasper's legs and use his muscles to control the avatar - pushing him to stamp and step down, which are the motions they wanted. Pleased with the results, Jiang said: Im really hopeful that hell be able to walk and Im really thankful that weve played some part in that.' Jasper's parents were equally pleased, with his father Felix saying: 'I was pleased to see him giggling and light up when he got going, in that moment youre capturing where this can get to.' Mum Kate added: 'We have come up against this attitude that nothing can be done and we really appreciate you guys doing what youve done for him.' Jasper has also received cutting-edge physical therapy at a specialist clinic in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as attending Neurokinex Kids five times a week. You can donate to help fund further treatment at Jasper's Journey on the Tree of Hope. Inventing the Impossible: The Big Life Fix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now Many of us don't read the instructions on our everyday items, including warnings on clothing labels and food packaging. But as these photos shared on social media show, we could be missing out on hidden messages placed right before our eyes. A series of pictures compiled by Bored Panda show some of the most unexpected messages found by social media users - proving why you should always read the small print. One person was warned to be careful with the zip in an amusing message discreetly sewn into his trousers. Meanwhile, a bizarre message on the back of a lotion bottle suggested the cream could evoke memories of a 'pet iguana'... People from around the world shared the unexpected messages they'd found on everyday items to a gallery on Bored Panda. One person based in the US was surprised by instructions on the back of their body lotion that compared applying cream to stroking an iguana A beer drinker in the US was amused by an honest note from the manufacturer revealing the family had 'argued' during production US drinks company SoBe sparked concern after deciding to play a prank on customers with a note giving the impression that a worker was trapped in the factory The owner of a pair of trousers, believed to be by New Zealand-based brand Huffer, was surprised to find a warning telling him to be careful with the zip Parents who bought underwear for their baby from US company Beau & Belle were amused by the care instructions for the best and worst results US-based clothing brand Kate Spade reassured its female customers that glasses would make them look attractive to boys with a hidden message One social media user took a liking to this message on a clothing label, that reads: 'I hope this makes you feel like the f****** princess you are' Meanwhile, another UK-based shopper was amused by this label on a Top Gear T-shirt, which joked about it being tested on animals One social media user shared a picture of this yogurt pot, which had the simple message of 'Hi' printed beneath the lid Another social media user was surprised to discover hidden smiley faces underneath the knobs on their keyboard One shopper, based in the US, found that the designers of their coffee mug had left a sarcastic message about how to use for best results Another person, based in the UK, uncovered a message congratulating their curiosity on the bottom of their sweets packet One shopper revealed how Innocent's Coconut Water tells its customers to 'stop looking at my bottom' in a funny message Savile Row tailors Spencer Hart reveals its hopes for its customers on a very personal label inside their items Meanwhile, another brand gave very literal instructions for looking after their children's clothing, manufactured in China A delivery company left a sarcastic note to its customers on how to open a box containing twelve bottles of Malbec wine A woman who gave up her high-flying career in private banking to launch a lingerie brand is now on course to make 1.1M by the end of the year. London-based Galyna Nitsetska, 28, founded Empress Mimi - a range of lingerie subscription boxes featuring completely wire-free bras, as she wanted to create affordable and beautiful underwear, that's comfortable and practical while remaining fun and sexy. Working in private banking afforded her the opportunity to travel between London, Monaco, Switzerland, Moscow and the Middle East in her early 20s, but while she loved the job it made her realise that she wanted something more. 'At some point you do wonder why you can't dedicate the time, energy and knowledge you are giving to someone else, to build something you actually believe in,' she told Femail. 'When my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it was probably the last push I needed to leave. These situations have a way of forcing you re-evaluate your life and priorities.' London-based Galyna Nitsetska, 28, quit her high flying job in private banking to launch a range of lingerie subscription boxes, Empress Mimi, and now her brand is on course to make 1.1M by the end of the year Galyn (centre) with Empress Mimi models wearing the Queen of Hearts lingerie set. All bras are wire-free while briefs are adjustable so they can be altered for the most comfortable fit Galyna was born in the Ukraine and moved to the UK via the Netherlands and Spain, where she studied Politics, Economics and Russian at UCL before becoming a private banker. 'I've always been the only female in every team I have worked in, so whenever I got the chance to work with clients who were successful businesswomen it would be an eye opening experience showing me what is possible,' she recalled. 'It helped me decide that if I ever wanted to run a company on my own, it would be a female-focused one. 'I don't know many people my age who have had the opportunity to travel in private jets and meet some of the most successful people in the world to the extent that I have. The entrepreneur decided to make her brand a subscription box sex so that women could have the experience of sending themselves a treat every month, and men who want to give gift of lingerie don't have to face the awkward process of shopping by themselves 'But being surrounded by so many people who had built successful businesses on their own, whilst also being asked to dedicate all my time to supporting their dreams and goals, definitely led to frustration with the job.' Galyna was inspired by the idea of creating a lingerie brand, both to make the experience more pleasant for women and create a more affordable product. 'Being always pushed for time, shopping for lingerie was not an experience I enjoyed, although having nice lingerie was something I loved very much,' she explained. 'Being semi-naked in a fluorescent lit cubicle whilst squeezing yourself into various ill fitting bras is not my definition of a good time. London-based Galyna, who was born in the Ukraine, loved her career in private banking but witnessing the success of female entrepreneurs around her made her want to set up her own business The entrepreneur wanted her range of lingerie to strike the right balance between comfort, sexiness and affordability 'And I wanted to create something which would let women have that experience of receiving something delicate and beautiful in luxurious packaging without the eye-watering price-tag.' Galyna decided she was going to offer something different by creating a subscription box, costing from 14.95 a month, rather than selling pieces separately, 'I think we have come to a point in history where women are more financially independent than ever before, and buy items like lingerie to treat themselves rather than solely for the purpose of seducing someone else. 'This financial independence has also come with time constraints, and having spoken to many of my friends who are in relationships, many admitted they hated going shopping for lingerie as this felt more like something to cross off a to do list rather than a fun experience. Galyna wanted to create a way for men to buy lingerie for their partners without feeling intimidated or awkward, or simply getting it wrong by buying something uncomfortable and impractical 'Buying lingerie as a gift in the meantime, left men in a panicked frenzy over where to go and what to buy. 'We receive a lot of thank you emails from husbands and boyfriends who buy the subscription as a gift; they get to take the credit for having the perfect gift sent over to their significant others without having to go through the awkward process of pretending to know what women want. 'A subscription box therefore seemed like the perfect solution: lower prices whilst keeping quality very high because of our business model - no high rents for physical stores , no flashy runway shows or expensive Kardashian models, limited marketing spend due to recurring revenues. Galyna always found shopping for underwear was a frustrating experiences and wanted to make it a treat rather than a chore for women 'There's a surprise feeling of a gift even when purchasing for yourself. The subscription box asks you to reimagine yourself and take on a new persona with each new piece - maybe its something a little more risque than you would usually go for, or a little more feminine. 'We encourage our customers to see themselves in a light they may have not seen themselves in before. I believe women are multifaceted creatures, but we tend to forget this. For example if you're a mother, it's easy to forget that a part of you is also a flirty and sexual being, and that it's okay to explore those sides of yourself.' Galyna wanted her designs to be beautiful and delicate while remaining super-comfortable. 'Our designs are therefore specially chosen for their wearability whilst also making the women feel beautiful and feminine, and more than a little sexy,' she said. 'I grew tired of the notion that we have to choose between comfort and style - why not have your cake and eat it too? 'The initial idea came after we produced a couple of bralette designs and after a while I just couldn't wear any of my wired sets - it was like a whole new world of comfort had opened itself up to me and I decided I never wanted to go back. 'There are several scientific studies that have indicated that metal underwires can contribute to the development of breast cancer in women. 'We all know that all too familiar moment when you get home and the first thing you want to do is throw off your bra, it just seemed ridiculous that in 2018 women are still expected to put themselves at risk and live in discomfort. 'Through innovations like our wireless push up bras, we have become niche 'in the know' brand, and have grown our following to include celebrities and pop-stars.' However, Galyna admits it hasn't all been plain sailing and there has been a few hiccups along the way. Empress Mimi was established just a few years ago, but the demand for Galyna's designs has been so high that her brand is set to make 1.1M by the end of 2018 'Turning the idea into a real product has been a game of patience: I can be quite hard on myself in terms of trying to get everything right straight away but running this business has taught me that it's a long game of reiteration,' she explained. 'We are constantly on the lookout for new manufacturing partners, even our box design has undergone more changes than I'm willing to admit. 'This is a journey as a designer and business owner you just have to learn to love and accept. 'Even what you would think are great moments can turn into stressful periods if you don't take a moment to check yourself; a couple of months ago we had an unexpected spike in sales and completely sold out. A model poses in the Empress Mimi Queen of Hearts set. Galyna was determined to make sure all the bras were non-wired for extra comfort 'Rather than celebrating I remember that the two weeks I had to wait for new stock to arrive being some of the most stressful I had experienced - I was terrified that I was disappointing our customers and that somehow this would spell the end for the company. Sharing her tips for other entrepeneurs, Galyna advises getting started while you're still in full-time employment. 'You do not want to be running a company from a place of fear that if things do not take off in x amount of time, you won't be able to pay your rent. 'Things can take time, so patience is key. In the end, remember you are building something for your future self; if you can't imagine working for someone else five years down the line then the investment has to come now.' A mother has defended spending 13,000 on entering her seven-year-old daughter into beauty pageants, saying they've transformed her from a shy girl to a confident 'princess'. Mother-of-one Madara Zilberte, 30, of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, says she often gets filthy looks and comments from strangers and even her own family for giving her daughter, Tina Walczak, make-up, false nails, and crop tops to wear. But the retail team leader says it was Tina's choice to enter beauty pageants - and say they've helped the youngster 'come out of her shell'. Madara Zilberte (right in left picture), 30, from Northamptonshire, says her daughter, Tina Walczak (left and right), seven, loves performing in beauty pageants, and wearing false nails, eyelashes, make-up and expensive dresses. She has performed in dozens of pageants over the course of two years, including the Teenie pageant in 2017 (pictured right taking part in the swimwear round) Tina loves competing in the pageants and she entered her first ones in 2016 (pictured left at a Teenie competition that year). She went on to win the same pageant the next year in 2017 (pictured right wearing a flapper-inspired outfit when she won the contest) Mother reveals how much she has spent on entering beauty pageants for her daughter Cost breakdown: Outfits - 600 Pageant entry fee - 1400 Talent/swimwear competition extra rounds - 600 Makeup - 60 Dresses - 8,000 Hair pieces/styling - 500 Hotels - 500 Travel - 600 Food - 800 Jewellery - 200 TOTAL COSTS - 13,260 Advertisement It has come at a cost, however, as Madara has spent thousands on kitting her daughter out in make-up, clothes, accessories and entry fees over the two years Tina has been competing. The cost includes 8,000 on dresses alone, 1,900 on the cost of travelling to the competitions and 1,400 on entry fees. But Madara says that Tina is worth every penny. She said: 'Tina used to be too shy to talk in front of people. But since competing in pageants, she has transformed into a confident performer. 'Seeing her so happy, I know it is money well spent.' Madara says primary school pupil Tina dreamt of becoming a pageant star after watching Toddlers and Tiaras, a reality show about American beauty pageants, in April 2016. She says: 'Tina fell in love with the dolled-up little girls on the show. 'She wanted to be just like one of them with their glamorous dresses, elaborate hair pieces and made-up faces. Tina Walczak, seven, pictured in 2017 wearing her most popular outfit, 'Pepsi Girl' which is made by her mother Madara and won her 'Best Outfit' at one pageant she competed in. However some of her family members thought her crop top was inappropriate for a young girl Tina Walczak, seven, from Northamptonshire, pictured in 2017 before winning the Teenie pageant wearing a flapper-inspired outfit (left). This year, she came fourth in the same pageant (right) 'After the show finished, Tina begged me to let her become a beauty pageant girl. So I searched online and discovered pageants are held over the country.' In May 2016, Madara entered Tina into her first competition at the Supreme Stars beauty pageant in Peterborough. Madara says: 'I bought Tina a 400 dress, 60 make up, 150 hair pieces and 20 jewellery. 'Then I paid 220 for the pageant entry fee, swimwear and talent rounds, hotel, travel and food for the big day. 'In total I spent 850 on her first pageant but I didn't mind spending the money because it was making my daughter so happy. 'She has come out of her shell completely because of it.' Madara Zilberte, 30 pictured above her daughter Tina Walczak, seven, and Tina's dad, Wojciech Walczak, 38, in a family snap Madara says that Tina loves winning pageants, and that she always come in the top finalist positions if she doesn't claim the crown. Tina is pictured surrounded by her prizes from contests she has entered including a huge trophy for winning the 2017 Teenie pageant Tina Walczak pictured in 2018 before winning the UK Princess & Prince International beauty pageant (left) and in 2016 competing in the Teenie pageant (right) Since then, tiny Tina has competed in 20 beauty pageants, has won first place twice and is always in the top finalists. Madara said: 'Tina absolutely loves makeup and dressing up. Every time I apply mascara on her eyelashes and put pink lipstick on her, she grins from ear-to-ear for the whole day. 'It's really made her a confident little girl. I don't think that people should criticise pageant mums for putting make-up on young girls, when parents do that to their daughters for dance competitions. It's no different.' But not everyone approves of Tina's beauty pageants. She said: 'My family came to watch Tina compete in UK Princess and Prince International beauty Pageant in Manchester when she was six. 'As we cheered in the audience, Tina came on stage wearing her most popular outfit, 'Pepsi Girl', which I made for her. She wore a skimpy blue skirt, red pants, a crop top, lit up trainers and knee high socks- teamed with red lipstick. Tina Walczak, seven, pictured in 2017 winning 5th place in the Teenie pageant nationals, for which she won an elaborate tiara (left). She got through to the nationals after winning her regional contest in 2017 (right) Tina Walczak, seven, pictured with her mum Madara Zilberte, 30, and her dad Wojciech Walczak, 38, from Northamptonshire Tina Walczak, seven, from Northamptonshire, pictured this year getting ready for a pageant (left). She won first place in the UK Princess & Prince International beauty pageant this year (pictured right competing in it) 'It won her 'best outfit' that day, but my family questioned why I let her wear crop tops at such a young age. I told them that it was innocent fun, and they should be happy for Tina doing so well.' Madara claims strangers have also been quick to judge. She says: 'One day we took Tina to McDonalds after she'd competed in a pageant. She was wearing a lot of makeup and had backcombed hair with a big hairpiece in. 'As we were stood waiting to order, I noticed strangers whispering and staring at Tina. They were saying how disgraceful it was. It was so upsetting because they judged her immediately. 'Luckily Tina didn't hear their whispers.' Madara lives with partner and Tina's dad Wojciech Walczak, 38, a warehouse operator, who is supportive of his daughter's expensive hobby - driving her to competitions and taking pictures of the shows. He said: 'People think my partner spends too much money on pageants, but they don't see what a great time our family has. To all the critics out there, I have one thing to say, all young girls want is to be a princess, so why would I stop my daughter from dressing like one?' This is the heartbreaking moment a dying father 'walked' his daughter down the aisle for her wedding while lying on a stretcher. Pedro Villarin, 65, was suffering from terminal liver cancer, but it was his last wish to walk his daughter Charlotte Villarin down the aisle for her wedding to Mark Cordova. The couple brought the date forward by two months when Pedro's health began to deteriorate to ensure he was there. He had been bedridden after battling cancer for a year, so the family hired an ambulance and a private nurse to take him to the ceremony in the city of Las Pinas, part of the Philippines' National Capital Region of Metro Manila. The plan was for Mr Villarin to escort his daughter down the aisle in a wheelchair but he was not strong enough, so they used the ambulance stretcher instead. He passed away on 12th August, three days after the ceremony. Pedro Villarin, 65, walked his daughter Charlotte down the aisle at her wedding in Manila, the Philippines in August 2018 while being pulled on an ambulance stretcher as he held her hand, fulfilling his dying wish days before he succumbed to cancer Charlotte kisses her father in the ambulance which ferried him to the wedding. He'd hoped to escort his daughter down the aisle in a wheelchair, but was too weak Relatives and wedding organisers helped to pull the stretcher towards the altar while the dying man held onto his daughter's hand. 'This was really an emotional moment,' Ms Villarin said. 'My father's one wish was to see his daughter married and we made it come true for him. 'It made the day very bittersweet. It hurt me knowing that he would be leaving us but I was happy that he was there. I am happy he could see me get married Wedding photographer Law Tapalla said: 'Pedro Villarin walked his daughter down the aisle like any father would have even if his health made this a difficult endeavor.' Charlotte and wedding guests greet Pedro in the ambulance. The devoted father's dying wish was to see his daughter get married and the ceremony was brought forward by two months to ensure he was there Charlotte's husband Mark Cordova shares a tender moment with her dying father Pedro on their wedding day in Manila in August 2018 His daughter later revealed the sad news that her father had died within days of the ceremony. Ms Villarin said: 'That wedding was really for him because he wanted to walk with me to the altar and witness my wedding since, according to him, I was his favorite daughter.' She also said that she had feared her father would not be able to attend the ceremony as he had recently been admitted to hospital in extreme pain. 'We were going back and forth in the hospital beforehand,' she said. 'We hired an ambulance and a private nurse. We thought he would be able to sit on a wheelchair, but he couldn't take it and used the stretcher from the ambulance instead. 'But he really sacrificed because he felt pain in that moment. And we thank God for allowing that to happen.' Bride Charlotte and her mother on their way down the aisle. Charlotte said her father was so determined to be there as he told her she was his favourite daughter The happy couple said their wedding day in Manila earlier this month was bittersweet as they knew they would soon have to say goodbye to her father Pedro who had terminal liver cancer Sharing a photograph of her kissing her father during the wedding on social media, Ms Villarin said: 'Papu, I love you so much.' She added: 'It was really painful. But knowing that he left this world, fulfilling his dream, I'm happy already no matter what.' The wedding video and photographs have been shared on social media where they are proving a moving experience for users. One commenter 'Aying Jomuad Babas' said: 'A parent's love is priceless', while 'Rhea Nisola Osia' commented: 'This is love'. Bundled up in an anorak, walking her dogs and shopping for second-hand clothes, these extraordinary photographs show Princess Anne as you've never seen her before. The candid images, taken throughout the eighties and nineties, were captured by David Hartley and show a very different side to the Queen's daughter. Anne, who this week celebrates her 68th birthday, is seen in full military attire during a visit to the Royal Navy at Portsmouth and, in another, enjoying the great outdoors with a young Zara Phillips. Many of the photographs were taken at equestrian events up and down the country; a keen horsewoman, Anne's career saw her compete in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Meanwhile, a series of touching family portraits show the Princess enjoying family time with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, and their two children in the early 1980s. Sporting the latest fashions including oversized cardigans and shoulder pads, her resemblance to daughter Zara, now 37 and a fellow horse lover, is uncanny. Princess Anne is pictured at the Badminton Horse Trials near her home in Gloucestershire in 1982. Part of a set of photographs released this week to mark her 68th birthday, it sees the Queen's daughter, a keen equestrian, clad in jodhpurs and riding boots This undated photo of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, shows the royal rinsing what appears to be a stained handkerchief at the water jump in the Badminton Horse Trials while her son Peter Phillips pretends to go fishing Princess Anne jumps a gate whilst walking the course at Tetbury Horse trials in around 1981. The images have been released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018 This photo of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, shows the Queen's daughter dressed in a waxed waterproof coat and carrying a saucepan at the Windsor Horse Trials in around 1982 Dressed in a waterproof coat at the Windsor Horse Trials around 1982, this undated photo of Princess Anne has been released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018 Looking for a bargain, Your Highness? In this undated photo of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, the royal sifts through boxes of second-hand clothing at the Badminton Horse Trials An undated photo of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, shows the Queen's daughter preparing to uncork a bottle of champagne while braving the Great British weather at the Windsor Horse Trials in Windsor, Berkshire In this undated photo of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, the sister of Prince Charles is dressed in full military regalia during a visit to the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Undated photographs of the Princess Royal, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, show Anne wearing an eighties-style cardigan and headscarf at the Windsor Horse trials. The equestrian event is one of the highlights of the royal family's calendar Released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, this undated photo shows Princess Anne at the Power Boat Racing in Lymington, Hampshire These undated photos of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, show the royal at the Crookham Horse trials (left) and at Power Boat Racing Lymington, Hampshire (right) In this undated photo of Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, the Princess Royal is seen walking her dogs at Badminton Horse Trials Princess Anne is seen walking two dogs at Badminton Horse Trials in this undated photo, released to coincide with the 68th birthday of the Queen's daughter on 15 August 2018 A younger, blonder Princess Anne is pictured with first husband Captain Mark Phillips and their son Peter at the Badminton Horse Trials. These undated photos of Princess Anne have been released by photographer David Hartley to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August Anne competes at Crookham Horse trials in this candid photo of the Princess Royal, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018 (date unknown) These undated images of Princess Anne, released to coincide with her 68th birthday on 15 August 2018, show the Queen's daughter at Cirencester Polo club with daughter Zara to watch Prince Charles play polo (left) and the pair together at Windsor Horse Trials (right) Princess Diana's former bodyguard has said that Prince Harry must take responsibility for his role in the Thomas Markle debacle. In a new interview with Yahoo News' The Royal Box, retired Metropolitan Police inspector Ken Wharfe, 69, said the royal should have 'insisted' that aides were dispatched to help the retired lighting director, 74, cope with media attention surround his daughter's wedding. 'He's not an unintelligent guy. He's been through the mill himself, he knows what press intrusion is like. He has a drawbridge and a portcullis to hide behind when they pursue him. Thomas Markle doesn't. 'Nobody's looking after him. They're going to bend his arm, there'll be the offers money, there'll be the pursuing paparazzi, the invasion and the negative reporting that we've seen. 'Harry could have done something about that. He may have advised palace officials, maybe he did, but he could have insisted on that. He could well have done, but for some reason it hasn't happened And he said that he has sympathy for Mr Markle despite his constant public outbursts, adding: 'I don't think we should dismiss her father as someone whose made mistakes here, as an ogre. His behaviour are as a result of poor advice or no advice.' Princess Diana's former bodyguard Ken Wharfe, 69, says that Prince Harry, 33, must take some of the blame for the Thomas Markle debacle, saying he should have insisted on palace aides being dispatched to the US to advise him Thomas Markle, 74, has faced widespread criticism for his public outbursts, but Diana's former bodyguard says he shouldn't be viewed as an 'ogre' because of his recent mistakes Ken Wharfe was in charge of round-the-clock security at home and abroad for Princess Diana, from 1987 until 1993 and has given an interview to Yahoo News' royal box about how the palace should have advised Meghan's father As protection officer to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Ken Wharfe was in charge of round-the-clock security at home and abroad, from 1987 until 1993 and closely observed the young princes as they grew up. And he said that it would have been obvious to members of the royal household that problems with Meghan's family could arise, long before she and Harry announced their engagement in December 2017. 'I think the palace were at fault not to earmark this problem very early on in this engagement or even in that relationship and decide how are we going to address this with her father,' he explained. 'These are ordinary folk, divorced living in a foreign land and suddenly their daughter's marrying a prince. This was always going to be a problem. Nobody to blame but Harry for negative media coverage Ken Wharfe also critiqued Prince Harry, saying that he's brought certain elements of negative media coverage upon himself in the house. In her interview with Diana's former bodyguard presenter Kate Thornton said that William and Harry were 'raised with a very cynical suspicious eye on the world because of people letting them down and people talking publicly about their roles in the royal household'. Ken replied: 'I don't think people have let them down if anyone has it's themselves. 'Look at Harry for example, he came to public notice through his untimely wearing of a swastika on the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust. It was one of his own friends who released that picture to the newspaper.' In 2005, Harry was photographed wearing a Nazi uniform at a fancy dress party months before he joined the Sandhurt military academy. In 2012, while on leave from duty, Harry was snapped playing naked billiards in a Las Vegas hotel room. He conceded that Harry's protection officers should have intervened and advised him better, but said the buck ultimately stops with the prince. 'He invited people to his room in LA with their mobile phones. These things gave him the negative publicity. I don't think he can blame anyone for that other than himself,' he said. 'That generated a lot of publicity and I'm sure he was very upset by it, but that was his fault.' Advertisement 'There are a lot aides and advisors in the royal household that could easily have set up something way before this wedding to ensure that the rights and the privacy of her father - irrespective of what her father has done in his life, that's irrelevant - to assist him through this once in a lifetime experience. 'Because what's happening to him now is, what I suspected would happen to him is that once the fairytale moves off, the press want the next story. 'And the story is her father, her brother, her sister, her mother, and so it continues. Meghan's mother Doria was praised for her poise and dignity at the royal wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018, but Ken said that nobody should assume it was easy for her or anyone else entering the royal world for the first time Diana arriving at an Aids Information kiosk in Paris with her bodyguard Inspector Ken Wharfe in 1992. He provided round-the-clock protection to the late royal and closely observed William and Harry growing up 'This could have been softened considerably, had he had the advice of people in the palace to ensure this didn't happen.' Meghan's mother Doria impressed onlookers at the royal wedding with her grace and dignity, but Ken said she simply made it look easy when they very opposite is true. 'It would be very difficult for any parent outside of royalty. Meghan's mother, this diminutive lady with absolute style arriving at Windsor Castle in front of global media, that's very daunting for anybody. 'I've worked and move within the royal household on a number of occasions and it's quite daunting experience. Palace advisors should take some level of criticism for not softening the blow for Thomas Markle, and unfortunately the media will now stay him.The story will run until there's an answer.' We heard he put the phone down on Harry who told him not to play with them media. Whether they are shared or unique, pet peeves can easily ruin a person's day, but thanks to the internet, people now have the opportunity to share their grievances with the world. A new online gallery compiled by Bored Panda features photos and anecdotes from people who were so fed up, they couldn't resist griping about their annoyances online. One person was admittedly upset to find a historic building covered in graffiti, while others were disgusted to see the mess people left on the floors of public spaces. From a snapshot of a broken iPhone charger cable to a beachgoer who ruined a couple's wedding photos, these posts are bound to elicit a reaction from people who can relate to their woes. And while some pictures will make people laugh, there are more than a few posts that will leave some viewers screaming in blind rage. Feeling angry: People are sharing photos of their greatest annoyances online, including this picture showcasing the mess someone left on the train Say what? One person was upset about being required to buy a Spanish textbook for school that cost $275, despite being loose leaf paper wrapped in cellophane Enough already: This man who works in a kitchen was sick of people telling him, 'You look like the guy form Ratatouille' 'Oh I have too many e-mails in my inbox? Why don't you send me an e-mail about it every day,' a person wrote while sharing this photo on Reddit Talk about repetition: One person pointed out the 'worst part about job applications' Hard to handle: One person shared a picture of the bill she was sent from the hospital who was 'helping' her when she was feeling suicidal Not having it: Someone shared this photo to complain about 'people who whore out unsuspecting relatives for virtual numbers' Ughh: Everyone can relate to being annoyed by a plug that covers the outlet next to it What a shame: One person was upset to find a historic building covered in graffiti Frustrating: This student couldn't help but gripe about using Microsoft Word Seriously? It's hard not to be appalled by this person using a laptop at the movies Dangerous: One concerned citizen posted this photo of a woman Snapchatting while driving 40 miles per hour. 'She also had a little brother in the passenger seat,' the person added Unfair. Someone griped about having to clean up someone else's urine on the toilet seat 'so the person behind me doesn't think I did it' Rude: Another person took a photo of this man taking up two handicap parking spaces while eating fries at McDonald's Struggle: Everyone can relate to the pain of getting fabric stuck inside your zipper What a waste: 'Why can't they design their cables better?' someone wrote while sharing a photo of a frayed iPhone charger cable The irony: 'How did they get hired?' a person asked while posting this photo of an Advanced Parking Solutions van taking up two parking spaces Awkward: 'At my local CVS, pushing this button announces over the PA system to the entire store, "A customer requires assistance in the family planning department,' one person griped Relatable: One irritated patient snapped this photo while waiting to see a doctor. 'Doctor appointment at 8:20, currently 10:00, still no sign of even a nurse,' the person wrote Stay in your own lane: This driver was understandable annoyed by 'jerks that cut in line' Come on? Someone checked out 29 items in the express lane at the grocery store, and the person behind them with only one item was not pleased Family issue: 'The way my wife opens things,' one man wrote while sharing this picture on Reddit Pull harder: 'Every single time,' someone captioned this image showing a torn paper towel Ewww! 'Thanks man, I'll give your headphones back in a few days!' one person wrote while sharing this disgusting photo of earwax stuck inside the earbuds someone borrowed Still no peanuts: 'When you tear exactly where it says to, but the bag remains sealed,' one person captioned this image Wait your turn: The person who shared this photo complained that the man who parked behind him got out and 'impatiently' crossed his arms while he was washing his car Blocking the view: The person who posted this photo was understandably irritated by people who use 'these phone cases at concerts' What are the odds: 'I don't get how this happens. Every time,' someone wrote while sharing this picture of a key stuck in a keychain Messy: A movie theater usher was peeved at the moviegoers who did this in the theater No common sense: This beachgoer ruined a couple's wedding photos by standing behind the altar Annoying: 'They put up yellow police tape all around the beach for this wedding, yet somehow this random lady in the blue swim suit STILL beld the need to stand HERE of all places to stand and watch the whole thing,' the person who shared the photos wrote Unbelievable: 'This is a parked car,' one person wrote while sharing this photo of a car in the middle of the road Bummer: The person who shared this weather report revealed it rained for five days straight while they were vacationing in Greece, and it wasn't going to be sunny until the day they left Questions: 'Why do I NEED an account to look at Pinterest,' one person complained while sharing htis photo Miserable: 'My view of Metallica from the handicapped section at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Seven hour drive for this,' one person wrote while sharing this photo Wasting paper: 'My receipt for buying one bottle of vegetable oil at CVS (100lb dog for scale),' one person captioned this image Yuck: 'Found this note in my hotel bed last night... ugh,' the person who posted this photo explained Doesn't make sense: Someone wanted to know why the person who made this sign wasted printer ink by printing it in full color Bad luck: 'When you buy the old neighborhood drug house,' one person captioned this image Now that doesn't make sense: 'The charging port on this Apple Magic Mouse makes it unusable while charging,' someone complained while sharing this photo All dirty: 'The curse of the left handed,' someone captioned this image Where do they come from? One person griped about 'these tiny cuts that randomly show up and itch like hell' Busted: Most people can relate to having a broke zipper on their bags Mess on the subway: 'This pistachio eating a*****e,' the person who shared this photo wrote Making a mess: This person griped about water adhering to the side of the glass when trying to pour it out Fingers are in the way: 'After trying for seven years, I finally place in my age group - coming in first! I asked a bystander to capture my triumph,' a runner wrote while sharing this image We've all been there: 'This tape is dead to me,' one person wrote of this packing tape that was stuck together How is that possible? This person tried to buying something else to know the candy bar down, and happened Thought of the week What is believing? Holding out Until relief comes. And forgiving? Crawling through thorns To the side of an old foe. From What is Man? by Waldo Williams (Welsh poet 1904-71) Advertisement Dear Bel, My partner and I have been together for nearly two years. The first year was long distance, seeing each other at weekends and for holidays. Now weve been living together for almost a year. But lately our relationship has gone astray. Were in a stressful situation living in one room (all we can afford its London), with free space and privacy non-existent. Weve had several problems with the house, including a disgusting neighbour whos driven out several tenants already. He is doing his utmost not to be removed. My partner is stuck in a job she hates. She wants a better one and a nicer place to live but would also like to move back to her own country. Im not against this and would join her. Getting a job there wont be too hard and life would be cheaper. But weve agreed that until the end of August shell try for another job in the UK. If she succeeds, well move somewhere better. If not, well move to her home country. Im trying to help by proof-reading her applications and cover letters. The problem is she hasnt had much experience in the job market, or enduring any sort of hard time. Shes applied for various roles and had interviews, but only rejections in return. Her response is to throw a tantrum. She doesnt want to accept things can be tough and that perhaps shes doing something wrong. She refuses my advice to seek informed help, and just wallows in self-pity crying instead of doing something about it and moving on. I try to tell her calmly things will improve in the end, but eventually my patience snaps and (more and more) we end up screaming at each other. Like a child she threatens to leave and never come back. She recently refused to go to work (the only source of steady income we have at the moment) and almost didnt. Im a student with a dissertation to complete but Im behind and miserable and cross about it. I thought of my partner as mature and assertive, but now it feels that I was wrong. Im also moody and go through periods of intense self-loathing. So my question is, how can I manage this situation best? How can I stop her when these tantrums happen, and prevent myself from escalating them? I assume I cant fix her, so the responsibility lies with me. I want to build a life with her but cant stand this much longer and feel I may have to leave someone I do still feel affection for over a situation that could be worked out if I was a better person. AIDAN This week, Bel Mooney advises a reader who is having relationship difficulties because his partner is stuck in a job she hates You are in a tremendously difficult domestic and economic situation which would put a strain on any relationship. It must be especially hard when (a) one of you is not from this country so has to cope with different ways, (b) the other is trying to finish a demanding piece of academic work which requires peace and concentration, and (c) in truth you do not really know each other very well and have different temperaments. I have nothing but sympathy for your girlfriends employment frustration a situation thousands of people find themselves in every single day. There is nothing to be done (as you imply) but to keep trying and I agree that perhaps she needs to think hard about how she presents in interviews. But it sounds as if she is bad at listening to suggestions. Your end-of-August deadline will be here quite soon, meaning you have to do some very serious thinking. Lets focus on you for a moment. You seem willing to take responsibility for this whole situation which feels unfair. Yes, it would be better all round if you were able to control your temper. For a start, have a look at wikihow.com/Control-Your-Temper and use the pictures for guidance. I suspect you rise to your girlfriends negativity because you feel trapped by her imprisoned in that one room with somebody you dont, in truth, really understand. You say you think the situation could be worked out if you were a better person but is it helpful to blame yourself? Do you feel guilty because she came to this country for your sake? You insist you feel affection for your unhappy, difficult girlfriend but it seems to me you need to ask yourself (and her) whether this is enough to build a future. Its noble that you are willing to move to your girlfriends country. But before you do so and perhaps make a mistake in creating a child before you are ready you must ask yourself if this is how you see the next stage in your life. Sometimes the wisest course of action is the one that seems the saddest. Sometimes, when the romance has died, (as it has between you two?) ending a relationship is the bravest thing. My husband wont forget his dead wife Dear Bel, I got married in April this year. My husband and I were previously happily married for more than 40 years, but in 2015 both our partners died in our local hospice where we met four months later at a group counselling session. We both feel very lucky to have found each other and have a lovely marriage most of the time. Since I first met my husband hes had spells of moodiness which at first he denied then admitted his first wife used to ignore it and carry on as normal, eventually making him laugh. For a day or two I can ignore his moods but I do get miserable and have to sit him down and say how much it affects our relationship. So far hes managed to give himself a talking to and reverted back to normal. And hes getting better. He still carries a photo of his first wife in his wallet. I said I felt uncomfortable with this, and after I mentioned it again once we were married, he tucked it under his driving licence (still in his wallet) and asked for a photo of me. He now has both photos side- by-side in full view again. I feel hes living in the past and there are three of us in this marriage! Even though he often says he loves me and couldnt live without me, I feel he isnt treating our marriage as a brand new start. Am I selfish and wrong for feeling this way? I havent said anything to him yet but feel unhappy about it. SHIRLEY While its easy to understand how you feel, I suggest it might make you happier if you take these feelings of hurt and give them a little shake. It would be terrible if you allowed them to spiral unchecked, like the bindweed that chokes a flower. You and your husband shared so much even before you met. You each experienced the sorrow of watching a beloved spouse of 40 years die in pain. You were both devastated and sought help in a counselling group where you met. Looking at the timing of your marriage you didnt rush into the new relationship no doubt wary of that inevitable feeling of betraying the beloved dead. So here you are now . . . with a second shot at happiness in a peaceful older age. How fortunate you are how blessed, to be able to take care of each other at this time in life. But do we cast off our pasts like a butterflys chrysalis? Slough off our memories like the skin the snake leaves behind in the undergrowth? Of course not. We carry the past with us, always. I cherish the photograph of my ex-husband and me at our daughters graduation that stands tucked in the corner of one room, and I also have a picture of him with others in my Filofax pocket. Why wouldnt I after 35 years of marriage? The point is, my second husband doesnt mind in the least. He and I had a new start building on the past, no denying it. When you told your second husband you didnt like him gazing at his late wifes image (and he hid the picture behind his driving licence), that act probably tore him up with sadness and guilt as if he had suddenly denied all she was to him. So when you gave him a picture of yourself, and he put them side by side, he was able to honour the past and the present. It must have given him a feeling of immense relief. You mention his moods not easy to deal with, especially if (perhaps) your first husband was easygoing. But why not listen to what he told you when he said his first wife ignored him then made him laugh? Rein in your heavy-handed need to sit him down for a serious talk about how much his mood is affecting our relationship. It wont help. You need to be lighter, to smile, to distract. Tell me, how can there be three of you in this marriage if one of that trio can no longer smell the air after rain, feel the sunlight or enjoy a cup of tea in front of the TV? Surely (and I say this with utmost gentleness) it is not sensible to feel jealous of a poor ghost? Im afraid I cant see what harm it does you that he still wishes to treasure a picture of his first wife in his wallet, because by doing so, and keeping yours there too, this lucky man celebrates all that he has had and has. That seems to be to be right and proper. If I were you I would put a picture of both my husbands in my purse and be thankful for all the love you have known. And finally... Give yourself a chance to be surprised Have you ever thought about surprise? Not presents or treats, but surprise in relationships. How marvellous it is when somebody you love does something unexpected, making you think of them in a new light. For example, after lunch last Sunday, my father (96) suddenly said: We watched a good programme last night all about an American lady, a poet who killed herself. Very sad . . . Now I had been utterly gripped by the BBC2 documentary about Sylvia Plath (called Inside The Bell Jar, its available on catch-up), because the poet was a life-changing influence when I was young. And Plaths daughter, Frieda Hughes, (an accomplished poet and painter in her own right) happens to be my friend, which made her appearances in the film all the more moving. I treasure my books, pictures and memorabilia of the late poet laureate Ted Hughes and his brilliant, doomed wife Sylvia. Bel answers readers questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. A pseudonym will be used if you wish. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Advertisement Now my parents had no idea about any of that, and I would never, ever have expected them to watch the programme. Yet Mum chimed in with how interesting it had been and when I then showed her my precious collection she was fascinated. But why had I never done so before? Simply because I had put my parents in a box, while the poets were in my own literary box. Its what we do when we take people for granted. This was an important lesson for me. I felt proud that in their 90s my parents showed such lively curiosity to watch something unexpected. And I wondered whether, at a similar age, I would choose (say) a documentary on space exploration or science. There is so much good television (Sky Arts, BBC4, The History Channel, National Geographic etc) to broaden the mind and expand the imagination. So lets not watch the same old things, but emulate the nonagenarians, try something different and surprise ourselves. To quote Sylvia Plath, this truly can make the heart grow green again. From the polished photos of her stylish kitchen to her clear-skinned beaming selfies, it would be easy to think that 'Deliciously' Ella Mills' life was free of any hardship. But the 27-year-old businesswoman, whose empire includes cookbooks, a range of snacks, and a deli, has defended making her Instagram feed a perfectly curated 'highlights' reel. Ella, who runs her business with husband Matt Mills, said she deliberately only shows off the glossy elements of her life as no-one wants to hear about when her Insta-famous spaniel Austin Mills 'had diarrhoea' or that she's been 'late for this meeting'. 'Deliciously' Ella Mills with her spaniel Austin Mills, who has his own Instagram feed with 22,000 followers. The Instagram star and businesswoman, who has 1.3 million followers, says she deliberately makes her social media pages a 'highlights reel' Deliciously Ella's Instagram feed is littered with glossy photos documenting perfect moments in her life, which includes a lot of loved-up selfies with her husband and Deliciously Ella CEO Matt Mills (left) In response to being asked if she worried about fuelling the insecurities of teenage girls with her Instagram feed, she told the Irish Independent: 'I think thats why its important to say, as much as possible, that social media is a highlights reel its a place to come and get ideas and inspiration. 'I have good and bad days just like everyone else, but do you really want to hear that I missed the train and so Im late for this meeting, that I was stressed because a delivery hasnt come in? Do you really want to hear that my dogs had diarrhoea on my carpet? Ella's Instagram often features photos of her looking loved up with her husband and Deliciously Ella CEO Matt, cuddling her dog, or looking graceful while practising her yoga poses. There are also plenty of snaps of the virtuous homemade meals she eats and bare-faced selfies where her natural beauty shines through. Her 1.3 million followers lap it up, showering her with praise and compliments - but she doesn't always get positive feedback online. Ella has now released five best-selling cookbooks, the latest of which has only just been published called Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook (pictured lying behind Ella) Happy family: Ella has admitted her social media feed is a perfectly curated 'highlights reel' that doesn't show the tough moments but she argues that no-one wants to hear about the frustrations of everyday life, such as her dog having diarrhoea Shortly after paying tribute to Matt's mother, the late Dame Tessa Jowell, following her death from cancer in May, she posted a snap of her and her husband jumping joyfully into the sea in a Highlands fishing village which Ella said was where 'Tessa would come walking every year'. She was wearing only a revealing black thong without a bikini top - and her lack of clothing prompted trolls to criticise her lack of 'decency'. Ella told the Irish Independent: 'Someone was like your bums out and I was like, I know! It was a moment of freeness and I would say it was still tasteful. Although she is never negative on her social media feeds and her pictures portray a perfect existence, Deliciously Ella does talk about some of her struggles, including her battle with anxiety which she talked about in the caption accompanying this photo of her trying out a yoga headstand Ella has admitted spending up to 95 per cent of her time with her husband Matt because they work together too, but the couple appear to be very much in love from her Instagram feed In May, Ella and her husband Matt suffered a tragic loss as Matt's mother former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell died of brain cancer. Ella paid tribute to the peer several times on her Instagram feed, including in the caption for this photograph of her with her spaniel Austin 'But Ive realised that you cant make everyone happy. Despite employing a team of 43 people to help run her brand, she still manages her social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram herself. She admits it can be overwhelming, as she can reply to 'a couple of hundred' direct messages from her followers every day. Several studies have pointed to social media causing a 'mental health crisis' among young people. Earlier this year, Hugh Brady, vice-chancellor of Bristol University, said the pressure to appear perfect all the time online was causing anxiety and depression. He said social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have become a burden for youngsters, who feel they have to pretend to be happy all the time. A man was left with a frost-like coating on his face, arms and stomach because of his end-stage kidney failure after he refused to attend dialysis for 5 months. The unnamed 39-year-old, believed to be from just outside Lisbon in Portugal, was also left with breath that smelt like urine, doctors say. Both of his strange symptoms had been caused by him refusing to attend dialysis - leading to a toxic build-up of waste products. The mans white spots that covered his body are known medically as uremic frost, kidney specialists revealed in a major scientific journal. It occurs when sweat containing high levels of a waste product - usually removed by the organs when they are working - evaporates. This leaves the waste product, called urea, to crystallise on the skin, causing the white spotty deposits that closely resemble frost. The mans white spots that covered his body are known medically as uremic frost, kidney specialists revealed in a major scientific journal Medics published the unusual case report in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine yesterday. The patient sought help at the Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada, on the opposite side of the Tagus River from Lisbon. He admitted to Dr Joana Martins and colleagues he had stopped attending dialysis five months earlier. The patient mistakenly thought the sessions were not needed because he was still able to urinate after attending his clinic. Dialysis the artificial substitute for kidneys - is vital for end-stage kidney disease patients while they await a transplant. Patients are hooked up to a machine for up to four hours three times a week to remove a build-up of waste products in their blood. It occurs when sweat containing high levels of a waste product - usually removed by the organs when they are working - evaporates. This leaves the waste product, called urea, to crystallise on the skin, causing the white spotty deposits that closely resemble frost WHAT IS UREMIC FROST? Uremic frost is the medical term for white spots on the body of patients with kidney disease. It occurs when sweat containing high levels of a waste product - usually removed by the organs when they are working - evaporates. This leaves the waste product, called urea, to crystallise on the skin, causing the white spotty deposits that closely resemble frost. Advertisement Without treatment, the accumulation can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as uremic frost and eventually be fatal. The patient sought medical help when he became concerned about his anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and oliguria a lack of urine. Writing in the journal, doctors also said: He was lethargic and had slowed speech and his breath had a urine-like odor. They added his skin had diffuse crystalline white deposits distributed on his face, abdomen and arms. Blood tests revealed his levels of urea a waste product formed in the liver were higher than they should have been. Levels of sodium, potassium and creatinine were also elevated in the patients blood, according to the case report in the journal. Kidney specialists immediately began him on dialysis again. And after just a fortnight on the life-saving treatment the frost had completely disappeared and so had his complaints of lethargy. If you're reading this, chances are you've had some trouble with your tonsils. Thousands of people get these small organs every year because of recurring infection and sore throats. And, fortunately, the truth is that unless you are a baby, you dont really need them. Here, Simon Carney, Professor of Otolaryngology at Flinders University, Adelaide, explains their important - but not essential - function to a inquisitive 10-year-old called Ryan, who emailed his question in for a piece on The Conversation. First, Prof Carney explains what our tonsils actually are... Hard to swallow: If tonsils keep getting infected, they may be more trouble than theyre worth Waldeyers ring The technical term for your tonsils is palatine tonsils, which means the tonsils of the palate. These lumpy things sit on either side at the back of our mouths. The palatine tonsils are one pair of a set of four tonsils that form a circle at the top of our throat. At the back of our nose, we have the adenoids. They are another type of tonsil tissue, technically called the nasopharyngeal tonsils. There is also a blanket of tonsil tissue over the back of our tongue called the lingual tonsils, which we cant normally see. The adenoids and the tonsils are linked by a thin strip of tonsil tissue on each side; these are called the tubal tonsils. Together this whole ring of tonsil tissue is called Waldeyers ring, named after a nineteenth century German anatomist. Tonsils are important for immune defence Useful: In early life, the lymph glands are not completely developed, and our bodies rely on our tonsils to trap bugs and foreign material that we either breathe in or swallow Waldeyers ring forms part of our immune system, along with our lymph glands (which are either side of your neck). In early life, the lymph glands are not completely developed, and our bodies rely on our tonsils to trap bugs and foreign material that we either breathe in or swallow. By trapping these particles, the body begins to recognise them as potentially dangerous things and produces white blood cells and antibodies to kill them so they cant harm us. Tonsil tissue is particularly good at trapping these particles as it has valleys and holes (called crypts) which increase its surface area. Tonsil tissue is particularly important in the first six months of life. After this, our lymph glands take over most of the work and the tonsils are essentially out of a job. Tonsil trouble Fact: The technical term for your tonsils is palatine tonsils, which means the tonsils of the palate. These lumpy things sit on either side at the back of our mouths As we get older, food and germs can still land in the valleys and crypts. They can then cause infections to develop, which lead to a sore throat or tonsillitis. Some infections can also cause the tonsils to grow in size. Huge tonsils and adenoids can block the airway and cause snoring or swallowing and speech problems. As nutrition and immunisation has improved, kids get tonsillitis less and less these days. Usually, an ear nose and throat surgeon like me gets called in to intervene more for obstruction (blockage) than repeated infections. Shrinking tonsils If tonsils are a problem, an ear, nose and throat surgeon can remove them by doing an operation. If they are simply too large, they can be shrunk down using special instruments which remove the valleys and crypts. This leaves a thin bit of tonsil tissue behind. Shrinking the tonsils down reduces the amount of pain kids get and also reduces the chances of bleeding after the operation. The downside is that, in rare cases, the bit we leave behind can get infected, or can regrow - although this is uncommon. People sometimes worry that by removing the tonsils, we may be more likely to get infections. This is not actually the case. The lymph glands take over the role of protecting us. If tonsils are too big or keep getting infected, they end up being more trouble than theyre worth. It's very common for women to feel anxious about labour and birth. Worries about the pain of contractions, interventions and the uncertainty of the process are not unusual. But for some women, the fear of labour and birth can be so overwhelming that it overshadows their pregnancy and affects daily functioning. This severe fear of birth is called tokophobia which literally means a phobia of childbirth. And for some women, this also includes a dislike or disgust with pregnancy. Research suggests some women with the condition choose to avoid pregnancy altogether or may consider a termination if they find themselves in that position Tokophobia can be split into two types primary and secondary. Primary tokophobia occurs in women who have not given birth before. For these women, a fear of birth tends to come from traumatic experiences in their past including sexual abuse. It can also be linked to witnessing a difficult birth or listening to stories or watching programmes which portray birth as embarrassing or dangerous. Whereas women who suffer from secondary tokophobia, tend to have had a previous traumatic birth experience which has left them with a fear of giving birth again. It is difficult to say how common tokophobia is. Research suggests that between 2.5 percent and 14 percent of women are affected by tokophobia. But some researchers believe this figure could be as high as 22 percent. These figures vary so much because women with different levels of tokophobia were included in the research. So while some women may have relatively mild tokophobia, for others, the condition is much more severe. The figures may also include women who have anxiety and depression rather than tokophobia. Not a happy occasion Women with tokophobia come from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is difficult to predict who might be affected, although it is clear that women with tokophobia are also more likely to experience difficulties with anxiety and depression and other mental health problems. Research suggests some women with the condition choose to avoid pregnancy altogether or may consider a termination if they find themselves in that position. When pregnant, women with tokophobia may request a caesarean section to avoid the process of actually having to give birth. Some women find pregnancy itself very difficult, particularly dealing with the growing bump and feeling the baby's movements. Anxiety, insomnia, sleeplessness, eating disorders and antenatal depression or increased risk of postnatal depression, have all been identified as consequences of tokophobia. Some of the consequences for women with tokophobia which emerge during labour are longer labours. These are usually with an epidural and increased need for forceps or ventouse this a cup-shaped suction device which is applied to the baby's head to assist the birth. All of which can have implications for both the woman and her baby. Afterwards some women with tokophobia may have a less satisfying bond with their babies. And a difficult experience of birth can make women more afraid of birth if they become pregnant again. Tokophobia treatment Anecdotal evidence indicates that clinical care for women with tokophobia is patchy. But the good news is that there is help out there for women with this condition. Some women find it helpful to talk through a previous experience of a traumatic birth, others might be reassured by information about labour and birth. Other women, however, may need more targeted treatment a number of counselling approaches can be helpful. Many women also find it helpful to visit the maternity ward and talk to midwives and obstetricians during pregnancy. Some women find the condition can be very isolating, feeling that nobody else shares this intense fear. For these women, simply knowing that they are not alone, can be very comforting and helpful. Overcoming a phobia In Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, where there is an established perinatal mental health service for women and their families, there has been a recognised need for a consistent approach to caring for and supporting women with tokophobia. This has led to a group of practitioners, academics and patients to work together to explore the care and support available to these women and to help address the gaps in service provision. This pioneering work, which is at the forefront of tokophobia service provision and research in the UK, aims to ensure that women get the right support, and that their psychological and pregnancy needs are met. Tokophobia can have debilitating effects on women and their families. Some women will avoid pregnancy, even though they might want to have children. For those who do become pregnant, the condition can overshadow pregnancy and affect the choices they make for labour and birth. This is why we need to work towards preventing tokophobia if possible as well as providing effective treatment for women who suffer from this difficult condition. A 13-year-old boy who survived a strike of lightning - despite being hurled nine feet in the air, and losing his heart beat for an entire minute - is nonchalantly speaking out about the ordeal. Josiah Wideman was walking through a park in El Mirage, Arizona, on August 8 with a friend at his side and a skateboard in hand when the bolt struck. Video of the incident shows Josiah becoming engulfed by orange light, before being flung up, then bouncing on his head and landing on his back. Today, the relaxed teenager told Good Morning America the only thing he remembers of the incident is 'a little bit of heat', as he calmly described being coaxed back to life by a bystander who rushed over to perform CPR. Josiah Wiedman, 13, survived being struck by lightning in El Mirage, Arizona His parents Krista and William (pictured) said he could have been dead if it weren't for the passer-by who performed CPR '[I'm] trying to live my life a bit more because I know that it can end at any time now,' he said. Describing what happened to him, Josiah softly shrugged: 'All I remember is just a little bit of heat, like kind of walking, barely.' The main thing he's dwelling on now is Cory, the man who was walking past and rushed to help. 'He helped me survive and if he weren't there and I probably would have been dead,' Josiah said. Lightning strikes are rare - just one in 1.2 million people are hit. But survival is not. Ninety percent of those who are struck survive the bolt. Doctors believe Josiah was dealt much better odds of survival thanks to a combination of Cory's CPR, and the fact that Josiah was carrying the skateboard, which he only started using three months ago. While his mother Krista Wiedman, 35, is certain the skateboard is the reason he was struck, it also helped by channeling the majority of the voltage into the ground, rather than his body. The teenager suffered minor injuries because his skateboard shielded him the electrical surge because it earthed the charged and carried it harmlessly to the ground Josiah was walking home during a thunderstorm with his friend Javier when he was struck by lightning His friend Javier Tapia was also struck as they walked home during the storm, feeling a burning sensation and suffering a mark on his hip but nothing more. Meanwhile, Josiah hit his head on the sidewalk and was unconscious as Javier screamed his name. Cory rushed over to give Josiah CPR before paramedics arrived and rushed him to Phoenix Children's Hospital. Josiah was taken to the hospital and put in a medically-induced coma for three days. He had fallen head first and had suffered a concussion, a fractured skull, burns on his leg and some short-term memory loss. But once he came round, doctors said he could walk out the hospital, with no health issues to be concerned about. Josiah Wiedman, 13 (pictured) was saved by his skateboard when he was struck by lightning in El Mirage, Arizona The boy's parents Krista Wiedman (pictured left) 35, and William Wiedman (pictured right) 45 said he was 'blessed' to have survived Josiah, who has only been skating for two months, had fallen head first and had suffered a concussion, a fractured skull, burns on his leg and some short-term memory loss Earlier this week, Josiah gave his first interview about the ordeal, saying: 'I just remember a burst of heat and then everything went out. 'I woke up three days later in the hospital and thought I had taken a nap. I didn't know I had been in there three days. 'Without my skateboard with me I probably would have been dead to be honest, or in a little pain. It saved my life in a way.' He also had tubes inserted into his lungs to remove excess vomit that he had breathed in because of the shock, but medics say it could have been much worse. Krista, a mother-of-four who works as a night auditor, said: 'He is so blessed.' His father William Wiedman, 45, a machinist, said: 'After the lightning hit, Javier was sitting up and screaming Josiah's name but Josiah was out. 'The doctors said that when he was hit by the lightning his heart stopped for a minute, and he was put in a three-day medically-induced coma. 'No one really knows what happened - we can only speculate - but the skateboard took a blunt hit of it and it didn't even break. 'They attribute the board to helping save his life because if it wasn't there it would have penetrated his body and severely injured him. 'The chance of getting struck by lightning is minute and who would think a skateboard would help, of all things? 'Josiah is doing fine now. He is bummed out that he can't go to school for two weeks because he's 'Mr Popular' now, but he's doing well.' Josiah has recovered from his injures (pictured left) after he was put in an induced coma (pictured right) for three days after he suffered a concussion from hitting his head after being thrown in the air He also had tubes inserted into his lungs to remove excess vomit that he had breathed in because of the shock The boy has now been discharged from hospital and describes his condition as 'perfectly fine' Dr Craig Egan, at Phoenix Children's Hospital, said the team was unable to identify an entry or exit point on Josiah. Josiah, who has been discharged from hospital, said: 'Right now I'm pretty much perfectly fine. My leg doesn't even hurt whatsoever.' The average bolt of lightning contains a billion joules of energy, enough to power a 60-watt light bulb for six months, according to experts. The chance of being hit is around one in 300,000 and it's estimated that around 24,000 people are killed each year by the natural phenomenon globally. Over the past decade, around 27 people per year in the US have been killed by lightning, according to the National Weather Service. While around 90 percent of those struck survive, many suffer life-changing injuries including severe burns or cardiac arrest. The family are raising money for Josiah's medical bills. Click here to donate. The victim toll of McDonald's salad has shot up once again. Another 81 people have developed explosive diarrhea from the dishes, bringing the total number of sickened people to 476 across 15 states. At least 21 of them have needed hospital treatment for their painful symptoms. The victims range in age from 14 to 91. More than 66 percent of them are women. The illness is cyclosporiasis, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which causes vomiting and 'explosive' diarrhea a week or even more than a month after eating the offending food. Despite McDonald's pulling its salad blend on July 20, the number of cases keeps climbing, and today the FDA said it is zeroing in on the origin of the romaine and carrots used to cultivate the calorie-laden meals. Scroll down for video As of August 17, more than 500 people in 15 states had been sickened by McDonald's salads. Pictured: the Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad (350 calories) When the outbreak was first reported in May, it was localized to Illinois and Iowa. Now, it has spread across the country - with new infections reported as recently as Thursday, even though McDonald's swapped its salad blend for another on July 20. Three months into the saga, the chain still has yet to identify the offending ingredient, since infections had been linked to all four of the salads on the menu. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which deals with regulation, said on Friday that agents are working with McDonald's to understand what the source of the infection could be. Meanwhile, agents at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which deals with citizens' health, is grappling to tally up all of the cases. 'Illnesses that started after June 14, 2018, might not have been reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. For cyclospora infections, this can take up to six weeks,' the CDC said in a statement. They warn the number may be much higher than currently quoted, since they are still fielding all the reports in the last week or so. Currently, outbreaks have been reported in Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Connecticut, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia residents have also reported illnesses, but those salads were bought in Illinois while traveling. Nationwide, there are four salads on the menu - two indulgent ones, and two 'healthier' versions - as well as a side salad. The Bacon Ranch Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Chicken (490 calories) features chicken fillet, bacon, and two types of cheese, as well as romaine, kale, baby spinach, red leaf lettuce, carrots, tomatoes - topped off with ranch dressing. There is also a Bancon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad (320 calories), which is the same but with grilled instead of breaded chicken. The Southwest Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Salad (520) pairs the breaded chicken with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers with two types of cheese, tortillas strips cilantro, lime and ranch dressing - on top of the same lettuce blend as before. Lastly, there is the Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad (350 calories), swapping out the buttermilk crumbs for a grilled fillet. The salads have been a significant part of McDonald's bid to jump on the health-conscious bandwagon - though they are not that much healthier compared to the rest of the menu. A double cheeseburger has 440 calories, and a Bacon McDouble has 450 calories. The Iowa Public Health Department said it identified 15 cases linked to the same illness and parasite who ate there in June and July. Dr Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa's public health medical director and epidemiologist, said anyone with symptoms who ate a McDonald's salad should get tested. 'Anyone who ate these salads since the middle of June and who developed diarrhea, especially watery diarrhea and fatigue, should see their health care provider,' she said. McDonald's replaced its lettuce blend on July 20, after pulling a blend from 3,000 stores in 15 states that they feared might be to blame. It remains to be seen whether that will do the trick. Symptoms of Cyclospora infection include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, cramping, bloating or increased gas, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite. The parasite is usually found in developing countries but there have been several outbreaks in the US in the past few years. The FDA is calling on veterinarians to ease off prescribing opioids for animals - because pet owners are stealing them for their own use. Health officials face an overwhelmingly multifaceted ordeal to bring the nation's opioid epidemic under control. Doctors are being told to limit prescriptions, pharmacies are creating new restrictions, and lawsuits are being leveled against drug manufacturers. But it seems FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is petrified of leaving any stones unturned - so he is asking vets, yet again, to join in the efforts. Vets often resort to prescribing human opioids to pets because only one is approved for animals. The FDA issued a plea to veterinarians to think about the wider impact of their opioid prescriptions 'We recognise that opioids and other pain medications have a legitimate and important role in treating pain in animals just as they do for people,' Dr Gottlieb said in a report on Wednesday. 'But just like the opioid medications used in humans, these drugs have potentially serious risks, not just for the animal patients, but also because of their potential to lead to addiction, abuse and overdose in humans who may divert them for their own use.' Currently, there is just one opioid approved for use in animals, Recuvyra, which is a form of fentanyl - the drug that has been the cause of thousands of deaths in the US, and was even used to kill an inmate via lethal injection in Nebraska last week. But given the lack of approved pills for animals, vets are being forced to prescribe human opioid medications. And at no point in the prescription process does the vet consult the owner's medical history to know if they have addiction issues. Dr Gottlieb implores vets to 'help ensure the critical balance between making sure animals can be humanely treated for their pain, while also addressing the realities of the epidemic of misuse, abuse and overdose when these drugs are diverted and used illegally by humans'. His words reignited a debate that has been playing out just outside the spotlight of the main issues of the epidemic. Last year there was outrage among veterinarians as states mulled making it mandatory for vets to check an owner's medical history before prescribing opioids to animals. In fact, Colorado and Maine both passed such rules. Kevin Lazarcheff, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association, vocalized the most common frustration in the industry, when he said to the Washington Post: 'I'm a veterinarian, not a physician. I shouldn't have access to a human's medical history.' With his latest statement, Dr Gottlieb insists he is not proposing any clear-cut rules for vets - rather, he is asking them to play ball. 'As medical professionals, veterinarians have an opportunity to partner with the FDA and others to take on this public health crisis,' Dr Gottlieb said. 'We encourage them to continue to work with their clients and both local and national organizations, such as their state board of veterinary medicine and AVMA, to join in the fight against this tragic epidemic.' Sally Fear is living proof that you can have all the technical training and fancy camera kit in the world, but when it comes to taking stunning photographs, the most important piece of equipment is your eye. Certainly, Sally didnt follow a conventional route to becoming one of the UKs most distinguished photographers. Growing up in Bristol, she wanted to go to art college but her parents wouldnt hear of it. Citing David Hockney and John Lennon, they were convinced Id be sucked into a world of sex and drugs, she laughs. Instead, she got a secretarial job at J Walter Thompson advertising agency in London. Sally Fear won the first ever Royal Photographic Society and Nikon Awards in 1974. She shared advice for capturing wildlife ahead of judging this year's Weekend Great British Wildlife Photography Challenge. Pictured: A snap taken by Sally in the New Forest A friend lent me his camera and at weekends Id take black-and-white studies of Londoners at leisure. She submitted a few rolls of film to the first ever Royal Photographic Society and Nikon Awards in 1974 and won first prize: 1,000 and a top-of-the-range camera. Nikon sponsored her first exhibition, which hung in the Lyttelton Theatre at Londons South Bank. I then got commissions from colour supplements and US magazines, such as Time and Newsweek. This year, Sally is one of the expert judges in Weekends Great British Wildlife Photography Challenge. Entries have been flooding in since we launched the 2018 competition, but you still have until 31 August to email us your spectacular shots of UK animals, birds, reptiles, insects and fish. As Sally points out, you dont need state-of-the-art equipment. Everyone can take a great picture these days, often on their mobile phone. Wildlife is all around us, she adds. I see foxes walking bold as brass down the streets of London. 'Graveyards are good habitats for wildlife; theres a lot of deer in Highgate Cemetery. Sally (pictured) who fell in love with the New Forest through her photography claims caring about your subject is important as a photographer 'And the parakeets in Acton would make wonderful pictures. I live in the New Forest, and theres so much wildlife on my doorstep Ive never been interested in going on safari. Sally lives with her second husband, Richard, a doctor. Her first husband, Hugh, died in 1992 from a brain tumour. He was 43. Nothing can be as bad again. I gave up photography completely for a while, she says. Four years after Hughs death, Sally sat next to Richard at a wedding. Five years later, in 2001, they married on the Isle of Skye. Along the way, she also fell in love with the New Forest. I adore ponies and the countryside. Its why I put together my third book, Crown Keepers Of The New Forest. Season after season, Sally has captured on film the essence of forest life. The great British wildlife photography challenge Sally captured a round-up of ponies (pictured) whilst visiting the New Forest Pony express This is a pony round-up or drift in the New Forest being driven through the water by the Agisters, as theyre known, who look after the stock there: the ponies, cattle and donkeys that are allowed to graze on the common land, all of which need to be checked regularly, says Sally. Sally who claims to love raw beauty photographed this goshawk chick (pictured) Living in harmony Its quite unusual to see a pony and buck together [left], but the buck had just emerged from the rutting season and I think he was exhausted, poor thing, so he wasnt really bothered about another animal being near him. Baby monitor This goshawk chick would only have been a few weeks old, but its already being ringed to track its movements in and out of the forest. Advertisement Much of it is breathtaking in its raw beauty, but she doesnt shy away from harsh realities the way injured animals must be culled, the vital part played by hunting through the ages. So what does she think makes a good photographer? You have to care about your subject. Animals dont obey any rules, so be prepared for the unexpected. 'It helps to wear muted colours, so they arent aware of your presence. You need to be patient, too. 'I once spent four weeks trying to get the pictures I wanted of Giant, a red stag. And once shes taken the perfect photo, nothing is left to chance. I download all my pictures from my camera onto my computer three times just in case anything goes wrong and they get lost in the system! Crown Keepers Of The New Forest, with a foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, priced 35 plus p&p, is available from sallyfear.com. Royal Bank of Scotland faces fresh embarrassment after it emerged its bankers joked about destroying America's housing market before the financial crisis. A top executive in the bank's US division revealed it had sold a bundle of 'total f***ing garbage' sub-prime mortgages to investors but disguised the loans to 'look ok'. Bankers also likened mortgage trading at RBS to 'organised crime' and discussed 'fraud that was so rampant'. 'Total f***ing garbage': What a senior RBS banker said of some sub-prime mortgages sold The comments came to light in documents released as part of a 3.9billion settlement with the US Department of Justice after the bank was accused of misleading investors over sales of mortgage-backed investments between 2005 and 2008. The Justice Department said the penalty is the largest-ever imposed on a bank for misconduct leading up to the financial crisis. The revelations marked another low point for RBS just a day after the bank was ranked the worst for customer service in Britain. Less than half of the taxpayer-backed bank's current account customers said that they would recommend it to a friend or relative. Boasts that now haunt them Its like quasi organised crime It was total f***ing garbage we just dont care Im sure your parents never imagined theyd raise a son who would destroy the housing market in the richest nation on the planet Chief executive Ross McEwan faced a further backlash this week when he said the bank could start shifting tens of billions of pounds out of Britain because of Brexit, even though it only survived because of taxpayer support. The documents released by the DoJ, from internal phone and email conversations, revealed the attitude among senior bankers at RBS before the crisis. A senior banker said the sub-prime mortgages were a product of a broken industry with lenders 'raking in the money' and lower-ranking staff who 'don't give a s*** because they're not getting paid'. One email sent to an RBS trader from a friend said: 'I'm sure your parents never imagined they'd raise a son who would destroy the housing market in the richest nation on the planet.' The trader replied: 'I take exception to the word 'destroy'. I am more comfortable with 'severely damage'.' Backlash: RBS chief executive Ross McEwan Andrew E. Lelling, US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said: 'Despite assurances by RBS to its investors, RBS's deals were backed by mortgage loans with a high risk of default.' McEwan said: 'There is no place for the sort of unacceptable behaviour alleged by the DoJ at the bank we are building today.' The state-owned bank is still 62 per cent owned by taxpayers after the government was forced to fork out 45.5billion to bail it out at the height of the financial crisis. Despite a number of share sales since, Britain is unlikely to ever recoup the investment. A Treasury spokesman said this week: 'The Government is not and should not be in the business of managing banks.' A tax consultant who fled the UK after masterminding a conspiracy to steal nearly 7million from construction workers has been jailed for nine years. Former Inland Revenue worker Mike Hughes, 52, used a string of UK and offshore companies and bank accounts to steal 6.9million in taxes deducted from workers wages, through fraudulent payroll schemes. The money, which should have been paid to HM Revenue & Customs, was split between Hughes and his three co-conspirators, who were jailed for a total of 19 years in 2016. Jailed: Ex-Inland Revenue worker who stole 6.9m in taxes deducted from workers wages Hughes evaded justice by leaving the UK in September 2011, travelling to Chile and Dubai before setting up home in northern Cyprus. He was arrested by HMRC investigators at Heathrow Airport in January when he arrived on a flight from Turkey. He was yesterday jailed for nine-and-a-half years at Southwark Crown Court. Alison Chipperton, assistant director of the fraud investigation service at HMRC, said: They were all professionals who broke the law, but as a tax consultant and former Inland Revenue employee, Hughes role as the criminal mastermind is even more deplorable.' Amazon stunned rivals again yesterday after it was revealed to be plotting an assault on Britains insurance industry. The internet firm has reportedly been meeting with major European providers about listing their financial services on a new price comparison website. Industry sources suggested it could offer home and motor insurance, potentially posing a major threat to existing players in a market that is already fiercely competitive. Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos As reports of the manoeuvres emerged, more than 80million was wiped off the value of Moneysupermarket. Others in the firing line are Gocompare and Comparethemarket, whose mascots are familiar TV figures. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: Business bosses around the world increasingly live in fear of Amazon, as it seems there is no industry the tech giant doesnt want to disrupt. It was the latest move by the online retailer to extend its reach into households, alongside its video streaming, groceries and prescription drugs businesses. The firm has also sold millions of its Echo smart speakers, which feature the voice assistant Alexa. With a position in the insurance industry, Amazon could gain even greater insight into its customers. About 85 per cent of British consumers have used price comparison websites at some point, according to the Competition and Markets Authority, with users commonly providing personal details such as household income in order to get quotes. Analysts said Amazons entry to the market could put the squeeze on existing players because it had the resources to accept lower commission fees from insurers. Mould said: Expanding into financial services may seem a strange move for a retailer, yet it makes sense when you consider Amazons incredible reach and engagement with such a wide range of consumers. In the firing line: Rivals comparison websites Gocompare and Comparethemarket 'Home, travel and car insurance are already highly competitive markets but its muscle power and wide reach could give it a fighting chance of making a big success from facilitating the sale of third party insurance policies. Sources told Reuters that Amazons plans were still subject to talks and no imminent launch of a comparison site was expected. But as rumours swirled, shares in would-be rivals fell as investors ran for cover. Moneysupermarket fell 5.2 per cent and Admiral by 0.6 per cent. Gocompare fell in morning trading but closed flat. It is not yet clear which types of insurance Amazon would offer. However the internet retailer already offers extensions to manufacturers warranties in Europe, a service known as Amazon Protect. It also advertised last year for staff for a new insurance business in Europe, without giving details. Admiral finance chief Geraint Jones said it would potentially be interested in being a member of a comparison site run by Amazon. A spokesman for Amazon declined to comment. Twelve former senior intelligence officials issued a joint statement Thursday evening decrying President Donald Trump's decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance (Brennan pictured above) Twelve former senior intelligence officials have issued a joint statement attacking President Donald Trump for his decision to yank former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance, calling it 'ill-considered and unprecedented'. Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance on Wednesday, accusing him of throwing around 'unfounded and outrageous allegations about this administration' and engaging in 'increasingly frenzied commentary' after the former spy chief called the president's behavior at last month's Russia summit 'nothing short of treasonous'. In a letter released Thursday night, the ex-officials wrote: 'The president's action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances - and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech.' The signees include six former CIA directors, five former deputy directors and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Two of the signees - Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden - have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. The statement came shortly after the president unleashed a Twitter tirade against Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal for making similar statements about the revocation, calling the Democratic politician a 'fake war hero'. Trump has accused Brennan of tossing out 'unfounded and outrageous allegations about this administration' and engaging in 'increasingly frenzied commentary' after the former spy chief called the president's behavior at last month's Russia summit 'nothing short of treasonous' Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal joined many others in attacking the revocation, saying Wednesday night that it was an illegal breach of the first amendment Trump quoted Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a tweet Thursday night slamming both Brennan and Blumenthal Trump has on multiple occasions in the last year brought up Blumenthal's military record During an appearance on CNN's The Situation Room Wednesday evening Sen Richard Blumenthal called Trump's revoking of Brennan's clearance 'not only an abuse of power, it is illegal'. 'To use this kind of punishment is a violation of the First Amendment. It is the reason we have the First Amendment. This kind of criticism is core protected speech,' the senator said. Trump hit back at Blumenthal on Twitter, writing: 'How can "Senator" Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement on anyone? Loser!' In another tweet he quoted Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, writing: @TuckerCarlson speaking of John Brennan: "How did somebody so obviously limited intellectually get to be CIA Director in the first place?" 'Now that is a really good question! Then followed by "Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is a FAKE War Hero..." So true, a total Fake!' This is not the first time Trump has gone after Blumenthal's military record. The Democratic senator was found to have made misleading - although not entirely untrue - statements about his service while on the campaign trail in 2010. Trump has said he is reviewing security clearances for nine individuals including the eight pictured above. Top from left: Former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former FBI Director James Comey, former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe and former national security adviser Susan Rice. Bottom from left: Former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders reads Trump's statement about the removal of Brennan's security statement at a briefing Wednesday A furious Brennan alleged Thursday in a separate New York Times essay that Trump yanked his security clearance because he's 'desperate' to keep a lid on his presidential campaign's collusion with agents of the Kremlin. 'Mr. Trump's claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash,' the former CIA director wrote. Brennan, a fierce public Trump critic, had already fired back at the White House on Wednesday, comparing the president to 'despots and autocrats.' In his Times op-ed, he contended that 'Mr. Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him.' Brennan recalled a July 2016 press conference in which then-candidate Trump called on Moscow to 'find,' and presumably release, an estimated 30,000 emails that his opponent Hillary Clinton and her lawyers had erased from a private server before releasing the rest of its contents to the State Department for public release. 'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,' Trump said at the time. 'I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.' Some observers saw Trump asking the Kremlin to publish anything its cyber-warriors had already harvested from what turned out to be an unsecured online server that had hosted classified information for years. Others, including Brennan and the Clinton campaign, believed he was calling on Vladimir Putin's government to launch a new hacking spree on a server which, the FBI confirmed, had been offline for a year. By then a mad chase was already underway to find out if additional copies of the data had been stored elsewhere. It's unclear what Trump may have known about that at the time. Campaign aides later told DailyMail.com that Trump was joking. Egypt is working on helping to broker a historic long-term truce deal between Israel and Hamas, according to reports. An Egyptian security source revealed yesterday that a breakthrough deal was in the pipeline to help ease tensions along the border where some two million Palestinians live. Cairo has already brokered an partial truce which allowed goods into Gaza ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha feast which starts next week. 'We are putting the final touches to the terms of the truce that will be signed by all sides, and we expect to announce the terms next week if Fatah helps us to do so,' the source said, referring to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's mainstream party which dominates the occupied West Bank. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar attends meeting with women near the Israel-Gaza border Officials from Fatah have not joined those of Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, and other Palestinian factions for the talks in Cairo on the long-term truce. But Fatah's backing is crucial for any deal as the party retains a large presence in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and has overall control in areas under Abbas's Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. 'The period of calm will be for one year, during which contacts will be held to extend it for another four years,' the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. A long-term truce could pave the way for talks on other issues, including the easing of a blockade that has crippled Gaza's economy and allowing a possible swap of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers. The source said Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, was expected to meet Abbas in Ramallah after similar talks in Israel, and a deal could be announced by next week. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Kamel had met with Netanyahu in Israel this week, but gave no details. A Palestinian source in Ramallah said Kamel has left without seeing Abbas, who had been preoccupied with a Palestinian leadership conference. But the source said Abbas had informed Egypt that Fatah representatives would join the Cairo talks later this week or next week. Apart from the opening of its Kerem Shalom commercial crossing into Gaza, Israel also expanded the enclave's fishing zone, in waters under Israeli naval blockade, from three to nine nautical miles off the southern coast and to six nautical miles in the north, according to the head of Gaza's fishermen's union. The Egyptian security source said the extended truce would also include opening a sea lane from Gaza to Cyprus under Israeli supervision. A Palestinian official in Gaza familiar with the talks said Palestinian factions were demanding a 'total lifting of the blockade on Gaza, opening all crossings with Israel and Egypt and a water corridor'. Israel says its blockade is a self-defence measure against Hamas, a group that has called for its destruction. Israel's security cabinet, a forum of senior ministers headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the Gaza situation on Wednesday and an Israeli 'diplomatic official' said Hamas would have to prove its commitment to the truce. Hamas representaive in Lebanon Oussama Hamdan (R) listens to Abbas Zaki, representative of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)in Lebanon As well as wanting calm along the border, Israel has said Hamas must return the remains of two soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza war and release two civilians whose fate is unknown. It says they are being held by Hamas in Gaza. 'That's the only way,' Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, a member of Netanyahus security cabinet, said on Thursday when asked if a broad arrangement depended on the return of the soldiers' bodies. 'Nothing will be done to enable (Gaza's) significant rehabilitation and the improvement of infrastructure and ports and other such fantasies, unless they release the bodies and the two Israeli captives,' he told Israel radio. The Egyptian security source said the long-term truce would also envisage Israel freeing hundreds of detained Palestinians in a prisoner swap. However, the Palestinian official denied any talks were taking place on a swap, saying Hamas opposed mixing the issues. Egypt has brokered a Palestinian reconciliation agreement that provides for Hamas to cede control of Gaza to Abbas's Palestinian Authority. A dispute over power-sharing has hindered implementation of the deal, but the Egyptian source said Cairo was still seeking progress on the issue. (Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem, Writing by Sami Aboudi, editing by Gareth Jones) The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution affirming support for a free press and declaring that 'the press is not the enemy of the people.' The non-binding resolution approved by voice vote was a rebuke to President Donald Trump who for more than 18 months has frequently called reporters 'the enemy of the people.' The resolution 'reaffirms the vital and indispensable role that the free press serves to inform the electorate, uncover the truth, act as a check on the inherent power of the government, further national discourse and debate, and otherwise advance the most basic and cherished democratic norms and freedoms of the United States.' The vote comes after more than 300 hundred U.S. newspapers on Thursday launched a coordinated defense of press freedom and a rebuke of President Donald Trump for denouncing some media organizations as enemies of the American people. 'A central pillar of President Trump's politics is a sustained assault on the free press,' said the editorial by the Boston Globe, which coordinated publication among more than 350 newspapers. In a rebuke to President Donald Trump (above), the U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution affirming support for a free press and declaring that 'the press is not the enemy of the people' Trump has described news reports that contradict his opinion or policy positions as fake news. He lashed out again on Thursday, tweeting 'THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING!' Trump took aim at The Boston Globe for its coordinated campaign with 300 other publications to launch a defense of freedom of the press on Thursday In another tweet, Trump claimed the press was 'pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people' Trump has frequently criticized journalists and described news reports that contradict his opinion or policy positions as fake news. He lashed out again on Thursday, tweeting 'THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING!' At a Senate hearing, Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai again said he did not agree that the press was 'the enemy of the people' but declined to offer a view of Trump's anti-press rhetoric. 'We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, including the First Amendment,' said Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat and an author of the resolution. 'Today, every senator upheld that oath by sending a message that we support the First Amendment, and we support the freedom of the press in the face of these attacks.' The White House did not immediately comment on the Senate action. The grieving father of a missing 16-year-old lunged at the Iowa teen's mother and her partner after police revealed recently-discovered human remains had been linked to their son. Jake Wilson disappeared after saying he was going for a walk in La Porte City on April 7, prompting a massive search by the FBI, state and local police and hundreds of volunteers. On Thursday investigators revealed that human remains found this week in Wolf Creek are believed to belong to the missing autistic teen, whose family says has the mental capacity of a nine-year-old. Just moments after the press conference wrapped up, Jake's father Mike Wilson was caught on camera pushing the boy's mother Megan Neiswonger and his stepfather Jeremy Weismonger, telling them: 'I blame you', according to KCCI. He also seen hitting the stepfather on the forehead. Mike has now been charged with two counts of assault, police have said. Human remains discovered in an Iowa creek this week have been linked to missing 16-year-old Jake Wilson (left, right). Wilson, who is autistic, vanished from his home in La Porte City in April Moments after news of the remains was revealed at a press conference Thursday, Jake's father Mike Wilson lunged at the teen's mother Megan Neiswonger and Jeremy Neiswonger Jake's father Mike Wilson, right, was caught on camera telling the Neiswongers: 'I blame you' Family members quickly stepped in to break up the skirmish following the press conference La Porte City Police Chief Chris Brecher, who was just feet away when the altercation occurred, said that emotions had gotten the best of Mike. Mike has now been charged with two counts of assault During the conference investigators had revealed that recreational kayakers came across human remains on Tuesday in Wolf Creek. Brecher said that testing by the medical examiner shows the remains are 'consistent with what we're looking for'. He said investigators had not yet determined whether foul play was involved. The creek that runs through the town of fewer than 2,300 people had been searched extensively by authorities in the last four months, according to The Courier. Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson said the creek's conditions had changed dramatically since the spring, when the water was higher, and the shift may have paved the way for the discovery. He said that additional searches and testing were underway and he urged kayakers to stay out of the creek in the coming days. 'We want to know why, we want to know how' the teen died, Thompson said. Jake went missing on April 7 after he went out for a walk near his house. The 16-year-old's family has said he had the mental capacity of a nine-year-old and wasn't wearing his glasses The FBI, state and local police and hundreds of volunteers have been conducting a massive search for the missing teen over the last four months. His mother Megan Neiswonger is pictured above holding a missing person's flier Police had already conducted extensive searches in the area of Wolf Creek, above, where the remains were found this week, but they said changing water levels could have had an impact Jake has been described by his heartbroken family as a gentle lover of nature The community is pictured at a candlelight vigil for the teen a month after his disappearance (above) Thompson said the discovery points to an unfortunate ending in a case that had touched many people in eastern Iowa. Jake's smiling face was plastered on missing posters throughout the region. His family described Jake as a gentle lover of nature who simply never came home from a walk on a spring day. About an hour away in Brooklyn, Iowa, a massive search is still underway for missing college student Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared on July 18. Thompson noted that the Tibbetts case has renewed interest in the plight of Jake and other missing Iowa residents in recent weeks. 'We hope we are getting close to getting to draw a conclusion on this particular one,' he said. Jeremy Neiswonger, Jake's stepfather, and Megan Neiswonger, the teen's mother, listen during a press conference at the La Porte City fire department on Thursday A man who threw a spear at a woman working in a job agency because he was having a 'tantrum' will spend three years and nine months behind bars. Bevan Bara, 29, stormed in to the job agency Angurugu, a small town on the island of Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, on September 22 last year. He was armed with a 2metre-long 'steel-tipped, shovel-nosed spear' and started brandishing the weapon around, The Supreme Court heard. Bevan Bara, 29, threw a spear at a woman working in a job agency (pictured) He was armed with a 2metre long 'steel-tipped, shovel-nosed spear' (pictured) When the woman saw Bara she got up to leave before turning back to grab her phone so she could call police. 'As she was running to the door you threw the spear at her desk from about 5m away, it skimmed over the top of the desk, dug into some papers and deflected upwards and hit the back wall,' Justice Judith Kelly said. 'She'd been sitting in that chair just moments before you threw that spear and it landed about 2m away from her as she was going through the back door you could have killed her.' The woman was so traumatised from the event she had been unable to return to work, the court heard. He was sentenced to three years and nine months behind bars for his actions Bara pleaded guilty to a string of charges including recklessly endangering life, stemming from the violent 'tantrum'. He had said he acted in an aggressive manner because of on 'black magic,' a reason that Justice Kelly slammed as scapegoating. 'It seems to me that you actually behaved like a two-year-old having a tantrum only much, much more dangerous because you're a grown man and you were armed with potentially lethal weapons.' Bara will be eligible for parole after serving 23 months. Starving kangaroos have been looting rubbish tips and even resorted to eating cardboard to survive Australias worst drought in 50 years. Severe drought conditions have forced kangaroos into Canberra's suburbs in a desperate search for food and water amid one of the driest winters on record. With 99 per cent of New South Wales and just under 60 per cent of Queensland officially in drought, some farmers have even been feeding the kangaroos alongside their own livestock. Scroll down for video Starving kangaroos have been looting rubbish bins and have even resorted to eating cardboard to survive Australias worst drought in 50 years (file image) Roo hunter Alby White, who recently retired after more than 30 years in the industry, says the drought across the shire is the worst he's ever seen. 'Everyone knows that everyone is struggling,' Mr White told AAP. 'When you're carting so much grain and hay into this part of the country it means that everyone is struggling,' he added. Despite the dire situation, Mr White said the farmers and roos are a 'resilient bunch' and he is hopeful the rain will come soon enough. Earlier this week, grazier Len McLean, 69, shared a confronting photograph of a kangaroo's skeleton found on a property in Morundah, New South Wales. Mr McLean said he was shocked to find the complete remains of the kangaroo standing upright in a paddock. 'It was still intact - that's the way I found it and I just put it back together again and stood it up on it's tail and two feet,' he said. Horrifying image of a kangaroo's remains (pictured) standing upright is a visible sign of how bad Australia's drought has become 'It's not normal - usually other animals just pull their skeletons to pieces when they die.' In recent weeks, kangaroos have been spotted in Ainslie, just 3.5km from Canberra, as well as in neighbouring Hackett. Residents in Tuggeranong and Woden have also had unwelcome visitors eating grass from their front lawns. 99 per cent of New South Wales and just under 60 per cent of Queensland is officially in drought (file image) In a video posted to Youtube on Tuesday, a mob of roos jumped past several parked cars as they made their way down a street in search of food. Daniel Iglesias, the Director of ACT Parks and Conservation, described the current influx into the Canberra region as the 'perfect kangaroo storm'. 'Kangaroos are travelling further than usual for food and they are forced to consider ovals, front yards, laneways and roadsides to find some green grass.' Kangaroos chasing food and water in suburban Canberra due to the severe drought (pictured) A legal loophole means that drivers who are caught applying makeup, eating breakfast, or even reading behind the wheel, aren't necessarily breaking the law. The bizarre behaviours are regulated by the Australian Road Rules, part of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which mean that police can only fine drivers for driving erratically. Unlike using your phone, which can result in fines and loss of licence, the act states as long as you have 'proper view' and 'control of the vehicle' you're not being negligent. Scroll down for video One woman was photographed as she applied lipstick on Sydney Road in Manly (stock image) Put simply, it's not illegal for drivers to treat their car like a bedroom, bathroom or study, and that's exact what Australian drivers are doing, The Daily Telegraph reported. The publication headed out with photographers last week to capture drivers in the act on some of Sydney's busiest streets. Among the strangest behaviours snapped by photographers were drivers eating breakfast, brushing their hair, and reading books. One woman was photographed as she applied lipstick on Sydney Road in Manly, while another man was snapped as he read a book that was balancing on his lap. Another commuter was photographed eating behind the wheel on South Dowling Street, with one hand on the steering wheel and another holding onto a sandwich. Traffic and Highway Patrol chief inspector Phil Brooks told the publication people need to take more care of the roads to bring down the state's road toll, which is currently at 223. A man was snapped eating a sandwich behind the wheel on South Dowling Street in Sydney (stock image) 'Any action that takes your eyes off the road is distraction,' he said. 'Eating, putting on makeup, having conversations with other passengers, in-car technology all can be distracting.' Transport for NSW data revealed that 91 people were killed in crashes involving distraction between 2012 and 2016. A survey of 1800 Australian drivers commissioned by Finder.com.au has also found that 70 per cent of drivers admitted to engaging in similar dangerous behaviours. Research shows eating behind the wheel is the most common dangerous driving behaviour Many drivers confessed to sending text messages, answering calls, smoking and dealing with children, but the most common response was eating behind the wheel. The research also revealed that one in four Australians admitted to driving with their knees, and one in 10 people confessed to having a microsleep behind the wheel. University of NSW road safety researcher Julie Hatfield told The Daily Telegraph that people are endangering their lives by multitasking, but don't often realise the risk. A survey of 1800 Australian drivers commissioned by Finder.com.au has found that 70 per cent of drivers admitting to engaging in dangerous behaviours 'I think it comes back to a broader cultural issue in terms of wanting to do everything now and cramming as much as possible into our day, she said. She continued to say the problem is that drivers do bad behaviours in situations they consider to be safe, such as at traffic lights or when theyre travelling slowly. 'There are circumstances when youre driving and you feel nothing bad is going to happen and then an unexpected event happens,' she said. The wife of a Georgia man running for county sheriff has been arrested in what the couple claims is harassment by the current sheriff. A video recorded by Robert Hawes shows his wife Gerrian being taken into police custody at their home in Clayton on Wednesday on charges of sending harassing emails. As deputies put his wife in handcuffs, Robert says: 'Sheriff Victor Hill has been harassing us so now they're locking my wife up for harassing emails because she sent the email telling him "blessings and love". 'The law is not our personal tool to use because you're pissed off and mad. Sheriff Victor Hill is using the law as his personal tool. 'Vote Robert Hawes 2020.' Robert Hawes streamed a Facebook Live video of his wife Gerrain being arrested at the couple's home in Clayton, Georgia, on Wednesday. He claims his wife was targeted by Sheriff Victor Hill because Robert had announced he was running to unseat Hill last week In the video Gerrain describes the alleged 'harassing email' she was being charged for, claiming that it said: 'Love is king, where there is love, fear cannot exist' and 'blessings' The Hawes have accused current Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, pictured, of 'using the law as his personal tool' because Robert had decided to run against him In the video Robert asks his wife: 'What did you say on the email babe?' Gerrain responds: 'I said: "Love is king, where there is love, fear cannot exist."' Robert says: 'So this is what they're doing now at the sheriff's office. This is why we need new leadership. Let's get new leadership at the sheriff's office, please guys. 'I've been a cop in law enforcement for 30 years guys. Never seen nothing like this leadership here.' Robert claims his wife's email was in response to allegations made by Hill to other staffers in the Sheriff's office that Hawes' sons had stolen their father's department-issued gun and tried to sell it at a pawn shop in 2014. Robert continues to record as the deputies escort Gerrain outside, repeating his criticisms of Hill before adding: 'Im still running for sheriff, Victor Hill.' Gerrain's bond was set at $1,500 Thursday morning in Clayton Magistrate Court. She was expected to be released that afternoon, but it is unclear whether that has occurred yet. DailyMail.com has reached out to Victor Hill's office for comment. Gerrain is pictured as she's escorted out of her home in handcuffs, with Robert saying behind her: 'Im still running for sheriff, Victor Hill' Robert and Gerrain are shown together in a photo posted to Facebook in February Robert announced he was running to unseat Hill on August 10, writing on Facebook: 'Over the last three years, I have witnessed and watched good peoples careers, lives, families and reputations be destroyed by our sheriff. 'Publicly, very few people know of the dozens of victims of the abuse of authority that have occurred within our sheriffs office over the course of the years by this sheriff. Most of the victims go away quietly because he threatens them with prosecution for baseless charges. 'In the end, as citizens, we end up paying the price for these actions in the millions of dollars in legal settlements.' 'While Mr Hill touts policies of respect and professionalism within the sheriffs office, he has created an environment of fear and intimidation that is rampant and pervasive. 'I seek to change this because I am exhausted with Law Enforcement Officials using the Law in response to an emotional reaction to a situation. The Law is not our personal tool!' Victor Hill, above, has held the office of sheriff two times, first from 2005-2008 and then again from 2013 to the present. His tenure has been fraught with controversy, local media reports The sheriff pictured above right with rapper Wacka Flacka Flame has been accused of abusing his power before on several occasions Hill has held the position of Clayton County Sheriff since 2013, having previously served in that role from 2005 to 2008. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Thursday that 'over the years detractors have described his behavior as everything from reckless to criminal'. When he first took office in 2005, Hill is said to have immediately fired 27 employees and had snipers posted up on the roof of the department as they were escorted out. In 2012, he was accused of several counts of racketeering, but was later acquitted. In 2015, he accidentally shot a woman while demonstrating 'police tactics' during a date. Just last year his law enforcement certification was put on probation for two years by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. He was recently linked to a Clayton Sheriffs chaplain indicted on charges of witness tampering, wire fraud and money laundering in April in connection to a bribery scandal at Atlanta City Hall. Former Clayton Sheriffs Office chaplain Rodney Williams told the AJC Hills response to Gerrian Hawes emails is part of a pattern of intimidation. Hill had put a warrant out for Williams' arrest in February after the chaplain sent an email to his former colleagues after being fired in which he said the sheriff was 'toxic' and had an 'evil agenda'. Soon afterward, he faced charges of computer trespassing of his own. 'I saw it coming, thats just how he operates,' Williams said of the computer trespassing charges brought against him following the email. 'You give him a little bit of bait, the snake will stick his head out because he does not have any self-control. Thats just what he does.' Williams was in attendance at the courthouse during Gerrain's appearance Thursday. A teenage girl allegedly linked to the Mexican Hoon Cartel has been accused of ramming her car into a woman's vehicle, breaking her back. The unnamed 19-year-old was arrested at her workplace on the Gold Coast and charged with numerous offences, including grievous bodily harm, stalking and the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. The teen allegedly rammed her car into the back of the woman's vehicle after she spotted the 19-year-old and her friends reportedly hooning on the street, Gold Coast Bulletin reported. The 'cartel' share boastful videos on social media which show members doing burnouts and performing other reckless manoeuvres The woman fled, with the intention of reporting the gang to the police, and was cornered by two vehicles at a nearby petrol station, police said. The 19-year-old then rear-ended the woman, Senior Sergeant Mat Kelly of the Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrol alleged. The impact caused substantial back injuries, leaving the woman wheelchair-bound. 'We will allege this girl has rammed her up the backside with her car and then she has got out and abused this lady,' Sergeant Kelly said. 'She has managed to drive away but as a result of that accident she has sustained injuries and that's where the grevious bodily harm charge comes in.' 'The stalking is a concerning act, it frightened this woman and there is the dangerous operation, because if she pushed her car out on to that slip road, she could have been killed.' The arrest comes amid a crackdown on the cartel, with two 18-year-old alleged ring leaders of the group arrested during dawn raids on Wednesday. The group argues the government should build facilities for the hoons to perform their stunts Officers seized 14 knives, as well as a significant amount of tyres allegedly stolen from a Bob Jane T Mart and used to perform dangerous stunts on suburban streets. The 'cartel' share boastful videos on social media which show members doing burnouts and performing other reckless manoeuvres on the city's roads. 'Coming for your driveway, coming for your street, coming for your cul-de-sac, coming for your hate, report on us and we'll flood your street,' warns one of the posts. The group also shares the Mexican flag on every video and occasionally wave the country's flag while posing for photos. A photo released by Queensland Police shows a cache of knives allegedly seized in the raids Officers seized 14 knives, as well as a stockpile of tyres allegedly stolen from a Bob Jane T Mart Yassmin Abdel-Magied claims she was forced to spend one hour waiting in a customs queue because she is a Muslim from Africa, making her feel 'paranoid'. The 27-year-old, Sudanese-born writer, who was raised in Brisbane, has written a column for London's Evening Standard newspaper accusing U.K. and European airport officials of unfairly targeting her. 'We still live in a world where my faith and birthplace speak louder than my paperwork, and where the freedom of travel is something to earn rather than be entitled to,' she said. 'It kind of kills that summer holiday vibe, you know?' Yassmin Abdel-Magied has claimed her birthplace and religion meant she was forced to spend one hour waiting in a customs queue In her column about returning to the UK from a group holiday, the Muslim youth activist, who last year moved from Australia to London, failed to mention her Australian passport meant that she wasn't entitled to join the shorter priority queue for European Union passport holders. Instead, she claimed customs officials at airports discriminated against her because she was a hijab-wearing Muslim. 'Am I being paranoid? Possibly, because most of the time Im fine (Alhamdulillah),' she said. 'But it wouldnt be the first time I had been turned away at a countrys border, humiliatingly told to "go back to where I came from".' The former oil rig engineer said the listing of her birthplace on her passport was enough to make customs officials suspicious. 'I stress that they'll see "Khartoum, Sudan" as my place of birth and decide it's enough to warrant suspicion, to raise the alarm, to take me aside for further interrogation,' she said. 'There, I'm less "Aussie", more "Muslim". Less "larrikin", more "African". Less "life of the party", more "danger to national security". 'Standing in the U.K. customs line or any customs line in Europe, for that matter reduces me from being a real person with hopes, dreams and an Instagram page begging for holiday snaps to someone who (apparently) poses a threat to a nation's social fabric.' In April, Ms Abdel-Magied was deported from the United States for having the wrong visa to embark on a paid speaking engagement. The 27-year-old Sudanese-born woman has written a column for London's Evening Standard newspaper accusing U.K. airport officials of discrimination Despite that, she told her 50,100 Twitter followers her visa had been cancelled and her mobile phone and Australian passport seized only three hours after she had arrived in Minneapolis, before being flown back to London. After claiming American Customs officials had jokingly threatened to shoot her, she waited another day before revealing she was deported for having the wrong visa. In her Evening Standard column, she said that dual citizens of 'Iran, Iraq or Syria, or Sudan in my case' had to going through an extra security check if they had travelled to their homeland since March 2011. 'It is an additional process most fellow citizens don't even realise exists,' she said. The Muslim youth activist failed to mention her Australian passport meant she wasn't entitled to join the shorter priority queue for European Union passport holders In her column, she claimed a white man in her group of five, which also included four dark-skinned women, had chuckled self-consciously. '"Me and my white mates do get through a lot quicker," he said, a little surprised,' she recalled. 'Id heard it was like that, but wow!' The website of the free commuter newspaper carried one comment questioning Ms Abdel-Magied's discrimination claim. 'Well isn't that tuf. I was bailed up by the police the other week because I was white, old and had a trundle bag,' the reader said. 'That's what they were looking for and I looked the part. (It wasn't me but I got frisked on the pavement). Girl you is not special just cos u is black. It's called security.' A man is behind bars accused of starting a fire that burnt through 12 hectares of New South Wales bushland - one of nearly 100 blazes still burning between the Victoria and Queensland borders. The 52-year-old is alleged to have deliberately lit the blaze on a property on the Bruxer Highway at Tabulam, near Casino, before it spread to nearby bushland on Wednesday. He was refused bail after being charged on Thursday with intentionally causing a fire and being reckless to its spread. He is due to appear at Casino Local Court on October 3. A man is behind bars accused of starting a fire that burnt through 12 hectares of New South Wales bushland - one of nearly 100 blazes still burning across the state The 52-year-old is alleged to have deliberately lit the blaze on a property near Casino. Pictured, another blaze bears down on homes in the Bega Valley Three teenagers were also charged with lighting a fire on Wednesday, which was fortunately extinguished before it made it to bushland. The trio, all aged 16, allegedly built a fire at the base of a cliff at Blaxland in the Blue Mountains at about 4pm and then failed to properly smother it when questioned by local residents, police said. They are due to appear at a children's court on September 6. Firefighters admit they won't have all of the state's bushfires under control before conditions worsen over the weekend. Authorities put this bushfire out in Cattai, 63 kilometres north-west of Sydney, on Wednesday Nearly half of the fires ravaging across nearly 2,000km of NSW coastline were uncontained as of Thursday evening Three homes have been lost, another damaged and 16 other buildings destroyed by bushfires in the state's south while blazes in the north also threatened residences. Almost half of the 79 blazes still alight across NSW on Thursday evening were out of control. NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said favourable conditions on Friday, similar to those on Thursday, would help firefighters backburn and use other methods to contain the blazes. 'But they won't all be under control before Saturday. We'll be doing as much as we can before those winds increase on Saturday,' he said. Westerlies reaching 40km/h are predicted for Sydney on Saturday while the chance of rain is just five per cent. At Ulladulla, where residents evacuated when the Mount Kingiman blaze proved dangerous earlier in the week, light breezes on Friday are expected to give way to 50km/h winds on Saturday. NSW fire fighters work on containing an out of control bushfire in Bomaderry near Nowra Two separate blazes in Ellangowan and Ramornie in northern NSW were the final fires to be downgraded from watch and act warnings to advice messages on Thursday evening. The RFS earlier confirmed the Bemboka fire on the south coast had burnt down two homes and four outbuildings in the Bega Valley, while 11 outbuildings were lost in the Mount Kingiman blaze nearby. One home was confirmed damaged in the North Nowra blaze. Nine regions including Sydney have a high fire danger rating for Friday while all other areas have low-moderate ratings. Scientists are 'gobsmacked' at the number of out-of-control bushfires burning across the state in winter. Watch-and-act messages were issued for fires in the Blue Mountains, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Bega Valley, Mount Kingiman and North Nowra. Bomaderry is pictured More than 500 firefighters are struggling to contain dozens of unseasonable blazes burning from Victoria to Queensland 'We're seeing something which is unusual in the extreme. It's worrying, it's mind-bending,' environmental change academic David Bowman said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, homes were on Wednesday evacuated near Milton, south of Sydney, with residents such as retired potter Susan Curran and her mother taking shelter with friends in town. 'I could look out my friend's back door and before it got dark I could see the glow of the fire behind the trees,' she said shortly after arriving back home on Wednesday evening. Firefighters stopped the Mount Kingiman blaze from reaching her 19th-century home or five towering bunya pines but allowed a neighbouring paintball park to go up in flames. Scientists are 'gobsmacked' so many out-of-control bushfires are burning across the drought-stricken state in the middle of winter Four firefighters were injured while battling a blaze in Caparra near Taree on Wednesday night. This firefighter battles a blaze near Nowra 'You could hear all the gas cylinders in there exploding,' she said. Ms Curran said the ground near Milton is 'dry as, it's crunchy underfoot'. She said while gusty winds are normal in winter, she can't remember the last time bush or grass fires affected her. 'Usually winter conditions are just rainy and it just blows roofs off,' she said. 'Winter fires? It's radical.' BUSHFIRE ALERT: QUEENSLAND LOCALS URGED TO PREPARE Queenslanders are being warned to prepare for bushfires as the weekend approaches, with the threat forecast to be high and very high in most of the state. Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford says the bushfire season has already arrived and people need to be on alert. 'Fires can start anywhere at any time so it is important for all of us to be prepared,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. Mr Crawford called on residents to mow their lawns and remove clippings, wood piles or green waste from their yards. 'Households should also have a bushfire survival plan so they know ... what action to take if threatened by a bushfire,' he said. Mr Crawford urged rural property owners to reduce fuel loads and ensure firebreaks were free of vegetation. Across Queensland, firefighters battled more than 240 bushfires in the past week. Fires near Roma, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Toowoomba on Wednesday kept emergency services busy. While on the weekend, fires at Tallegalla, Mutdapilly, Ballandean and Linville, in the state's southeast, threatened properties and burned through hundreds of hectares. Advertisement LEADING Adelaide doctor Alastair MacLennan has expressed his concern about midwives potentially harming babies by undertaking controversial new age therapies during child birth. A number of current courses for midwives encourage the use of moxibustion and acupressure to flip a breech baby. Moxibustion is best known as the traditional Chinese technique which involves burning mugwort on or close to the fifth toe to stimulate the Qi. Acupressure sees the pushing of specific body parts to also stimulate the Qi. A mother showing the strain in hospital which tends to accompany child birth (Stock) Emeritus Professor MacLennan, who previously used to oversee the University of Adelaide's obstetrics and gynaecology unit, described these 'dark arts' as 'dangerous' before adding they have 'no scientific evidence of safety'. 'These dark arts are replacing sound advice, safe practice and careful observation with hocus pocus, unnecessary therapies and misinformation,' Prof MacLennan said. 'We all want safe birth with minimal surgical and medical intervention but alternative midwives cannot claim this ground without evidence for their beliefs and nonsensical woo.' As it stands, midwives need to chalk up 20 professional development points annually. The Australian College of Midwives endorse courses offering moxibustion and acupressure for CPD points. A doctor performing the traditional Chinese treatment moxibustion on a patient in Taiwan (Stock) An irate Prof MacLennan has been in recent contact to the College, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the Medical Board of Australia as well as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to outline his growing concern for the 'health and safety of the unborn, pregnant women and young children'. Mr MacLennan is keen to address what he believes is a ongoing culture of using unproven therapies with false claims that they can turn babies, induce birth and avoid miscarriage. 'Unqualified and unproven interventions in the third trimester are definitely dangerous,' he said. 'Breech births are always dangerous and should only be done in a hospital with electronic foetal heart-rate monitoring and an emergency cesarean section delivery theatre.' Prisoners in Britains ten worst jails face a crackdown on an epidemic of rampant drug use and violence. Governors are to be given military-style training on how to tackle disruptive behaviour, and millions will be spent on body scanners and sniffer dogs to spot hidden packages of drugs. Prisons minister Rory Stewart yesterday pledged 10million for the initiative to improve security, following a report last month which warned that conditions in prisons were the most disturbing ever seen. It is hoped that, if successful, the pilot scheme will be rolled-out to all prisons as a model of excellence. Prison governors are to be given military-style training on how to tackle disruptive behaviour (file photo) Mr Stewart said: With more than 20,000 prison officers, 84,000 prisoners, and over 100 prisons, it is vital we set challenging standards so prisons are places where offenders can turn their lives around. With the right leadership on the ground, and support from the centre, these ten prisons will pave the way for a new approach, a new ethos and a new direction. Last months report by Peter Clarke, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, said jails were rife with violence, drugs, suicide and self-harm, overcrowding and squalor. It also revealed that a shockingly high one in seven inmates became hooked on drugs while behind bars. Yesterday the minister announced that a further 16million will go into repairing buildings, including improving living conditions and making them cleaner, 7million on safety and security measures and 7million for controversial in-cell telephones designed to discourage the use of illegal mobile phones and avoid fights in queues for the landing phones. Prisons minister Rory Stewart yesterday pledged 10million for the initiative to improve security (file photo) The prisons in the pilot scheme Hull, Humber, Leeds, Lindholme, Moorland, Wealstun, Nottingham, Ranby, Isis and Wormwood Scrubs have been deemed the worst in the country. They have all struggled with high drug use, violence and building issues. The project will begin by the end of 2018 and results are expected within a year. A convicted drug dealer who attempted to flood the streets with tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs was recently gloating about his life behind bars. Almis Maganga was jailed for six years in February after police found more than 34,000 worth of drugs at his home in Hounslow. But the 21-year-old has been documenting his cushy life behind bars on social media, bragging about using games consoles, drugs, and a smuggled iPhone 7. He even posted videos of fellow inmates concealing makeshift weapons in their clothes. Peter Dutton (back) is poised to challenge Malcolm Turnbull (front) in coming weeks, reports say As Peter Dutton eyes off a possible challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull within weeks, self-preservation is possibly weighing heavily on his mind. A group of right-wing Coalition MPs, angry at the government's energy policy, have urged the Home Affairs Minister to knife Mr Turnbull, following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss to Bill Shorten's Labor Party. 'There are only two good outcomes here - either the energy policy is dead and we can go to the election fighting Labor on it, or Malcolm goes,' an unnamed MP told The Daily Telegraph. The leadership rumbling roared louder on Friday as top-rating Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley said the leadership challenge was 'happening for sure and certain ... 100 per cent'. Perhaps Mr Dutton's possible leadership assault has more to do with saving his own political skin than the National Energy Guarantee. Mr Dutton, a former police officer, holds Dickson in Brisbane's outer north-west by the barest of margins - just 1.6 per cent. Labor is well placed to win back the seat for the first time in 17 years with the help of the Greens - who have enlisted human rights lawyer Benedict Coyne to run against him - and left-wing activist group GetUp!, which has been heavily targeting his hard-line stance on immigration. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured with his wife Kirrilly) could launch a leadership challenge to help him save his own marginal seat in Brisbane's outer north-west 'It will only take a few thousand votes to ditch Dutton from Dickson,' Mr Coyne said. In the neighbouring electorate of Longman, the Liberal National Party's primary vote fell to an all-time low of 29.6 per cent at last month's by-election, in a seat which Labor had only previously won twice since it was created in 1996. While Mr Dutton has survived close calls before, holding his own marginal seat by just 217 votes in 2007, he might not be so lucky at next year's federal election. Griffith University election analyst Paul Williams said Mr Dutton's seat was vulnerable as long as Mr Turnbull was prime minister. A group of right-leaning Coalition MPs have urged the Home Affairs Minister to roll the Prime Minister following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss 'In [Brisbane's] outer suburbs, where Malcolm Turnbull becomes less popular, the swings will be greater... Peter Dutton has a real problem on his hands,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald last month. Unlike former prime minister John Howard, whose hardline border protection policies resonated with voters, Mr Turnbull has proven to be a political liability in the outer suburbs of Sydney and Brisbane. The Turnbull Government was re-elected with a bare one-seat majority at the 2016 double-dissolution election, losing battler electorates to Labor, from Lindsay in Sydney's far west to Longman, in Brisbane's outer north-west and Dobell on the New South Wales Central Coast. With the clock ticking down to the next election, due early next year, time is running out for Mr Dutton to strike. So what do we know about the polarising figure who could soon topple the Prime Minister and take the top job in a dramatic leadership coup? POLITICAL AMBITION: Mr Dutton was appointed to John Howard's ministry just three years later following the 2004 election. He is seen during question time in 2006 with then-Treasurer Peter Costello Born in Brisbane to builder Bruce Dutton and childcare worker Ailsa Leitch on November 18, 1970, Peter Dutton joined the Young Liberals at the age of 18. A year later, in December 1989, he unsuccessfully ran as the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Lytton at the Queensland election, losing to former state Labor leader Tom Burns. He rose through the ranks of the Young Liberals and was elected to Federal Parliament in 2001, when he defeated former Australian Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot, who had defected to Labor. He was appointed to John Howard's ministry just three years later following the 2004 election. He held his electorate so narrowly in 2007, by a 0.1 per cent margin, he tried to shift to a safe seat on the Gold Coast for the 2010 election, only to be thwarted by his own party. CAREER COP: Mr Dutton worked in the National Crime Authority as a detective in the Drug and Sex Offenders Squads in Brisbane during his nearly decade long career with Queensland Police Mr Dutton joined the Queensland Police Force in 1990, where he served for almost a decade. He worked in the National Crime Authority as a detective in the Drug and Sex Offenders Squads in the suburbs of Brisbane. In his maiden speech in parliament, he said he'd witnessed 'the best and the worst that society has to offer' during his time in the force. 'I have seen the wonderful, kind nature of people willing to offer any assistance to those in their worst hour, and I have seen the sickening behaviour displayed by people who, frankly, barely justify their existence,' he said. He left the force in 1999 to study a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology. Should he succeed Mr Turnbull as Prime Minister, he would be the first former Queensland police officer to lead a major party in Australia since Bill Hayden led Labor, from 1977 to 1983. Mr Dutton and his father previously bought derelict buildings before transforming them into childcare centres. He is pictured after being elected to parliament in 2001 BUSINESSMAN: Mr Dutton was a small businessman who employed a staff of 40. He and his father founded Dutton Holdings and bought derelict buildings before transforming them into childcare centres. Mr Dutton bought his first property at the age of 18. CONTROVERSIAL OPINIONS AND EMBARRASSING GAFFES: Mr Dutton was caught on camera joking about Papua New Guinea disappearing under rising seas while standing alongside Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison Mr Dutton openly opposed same-sex marriage legislation, but ultimately voted 'yes' in parliament in line with his electorate. 'THESE PEOPLE WOULD BE TAKING OUR JOBS': DUTTON ON REFUGEES In May 2016, Mr Dutton responded to pledges by Labor and the Greens to increase Australia's refugee intake. 'They won't be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English. These people would be taking Australian jobs, there's no question about that,' he told Sky News. 'For many of them that would be unemployed, they would languish in unemployment queues and on Medicare and the rest of it so there would be huge cost and there's no sense in sugar-coating that, that's the scenario.' In responding to Mr Dutton's comments, Malcolm Turnbull described his colleague as 'an outstanding Immigration Minister'. Advertisement He was the only Coalition frontbencher who refused to applaud former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the indigenous Stolen Generations in parliament in 2008 and even offered to resign from Brendan Nelson's Opposition frontbench to make a point. Mr Dutton's uncompromising stance on immigration has been a source of controversy. He once claimed allowing Lebanese Muslim refugees into Australia in the 1970s was a 'mistake', blaming a former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser for crime rates in western Sydney. As the minister in charge of border protection, Mr Dutton has unapologetically deported 1,300 New Zealanders since the start of 2015. On law and order, Mr Dutton declared in January that Melburnians were 'scared to go out to restaurants' because of 'African gang violence'. During his year-long stint as Health Minister, he unsuccessfully tried to introduce an added fee of $7 for GP visits. An Australian Doctor magazine poll voted Mr Dutton as the worst Health Minister in history. Mr Dutton openly opposed same-sex marriage legislation, but ultimately voted 'yes' in parliament in line with his electorate. He was caught on camera joking about Papua New Guinea disappearing under rising seas during a meeting to discuss Syrian refugees in 2015. The climate change sceptic later offered a grovelling apology for his 'vulgar' remark. Mr Dutton called a female journalist a 'mad f***ing witch' in a text meant for a colleague, but which he accidentally sent to the journalist. He famously manhandled former Greens senator Kerry Nettle in 2003 as she heckled then American president George W. Bush's speech to the Australian parliament. If he politically manhandled Malcolm Turnbull out of The Lodge, he would become Australia's first prime minister born in the 1970s. If he acted by November, he would become PM at age 47, the same age Paul Keating was when he successfully challenged his Labor rival Bob Hawke in December 1991. In the aftermath of a recession, Mr Keating helped Labor win an unlikely fifth consecutive term in March 1993. Mr Dutton, too, could help the embattled Liberal-National Coalition snatch an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat, considering that right-wing MPs have abandoned former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Dutton famously manhandled former Greens senator Kerry Nettle (pictured) in 2003 as she heckled then American president George W. Bush A row erupted last night over a hugely controversial call by MPs to relax rules surrounding e-cigarettes. They said ministers should conduct an urgent review to make it easier to get the devices on prescription. And they said bans on vaping in public places such as in hospitals, restaurants or on buses should be reconsidered. However, leading scientists called the report by the Commons science and technology committee one-sided. They accused the MPs of largely taking evidence from researchers who had published studies positive to e-cigarettes and of ignoring evidence highlighting health risks. The MPs also want the tobacco industry to be given greater freedom to advertise the devices as a less harmful option for smokers. Earlier this year, a panel of lung experts described vaping as a one-way bridge to smoking tobacco E-cigarette makers are currently banned from making any health claims for their products in advertising. The report claimed that widespread concerns that e-cigarettes acted as a gateway to conventional smoking, particularly for the young, had not materialised. It comes despite a string of reports including one this week from British scientists warning that e-cigarette vapour can cause lung damage. Earlier this year, a panel of lung experts described vaping as a one-way bridge to smoking tobacco and said it could spark a health crisis in decades to come. Scientists last night claimed the committee had been swayed by the vaping industry. Simon Capewell, professor in public health and policy at Liverpool University said: The committee has concentrated solely on experts who are e-cig champions. More balanced reviews of the evidence by the World Health Organisation, [US] Food and Drug Administration have concluded that e-cigs are no better for quitting smoking than things like nicotine gum, patches or tablets. E-cigs in teens are a gateway to subsequent smoking lit cigarettes and e-cig vapour contains a large number of toxins which in time will obviously harm users, and bystanders. Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, added: It is simply impossible to know how safe a product is when it has only been used widely for a relatively short time. British scientists are warning that e-cigarette vapour can cause lung damage like tobacco E-cigarettes, which first went on sale in the UK in 2007, have been at the centre of controversy over whether they really are a safe alternative to smoking. Around 2.9million in the UK are currently using the devices, with around 470,000 using them to stop smoking. Last month, anti-tobacco campaigners called on the Government to act to prevent a new kind of e-cigarette from taking off among children, as it has done already in America. The Juul vape pens offer flavours such as mango and glacier mint. In March this year, NICE said the long-term health impact of e-cigarettes was still developing and there was little evidence of their effectiveness or safety as medicinal products. A series of reports have highlighted how e-cigarettes still have many negative health effects. These include increasing the risk of the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung damage and infection. Nicotine which is contained in e-cigarettes is itself an addictive substance that increases heart rate and blood pressure. The World Health Organisation is among bodies to call for stiff regulation of e-cigarettes and bans on their indoor use. However, Public Health England claimed recently that e-cigarettes are 95 per cent safer than conventional smoking. That claim is repeated in todays report which said: Regulations should be relaxed relating to e-cigarettes licensing, prescribing and advertising of their health benefits. Chairman Norman Lamb added: If used correctly, e-cigarettes could be a key weapon in the NHS stop-smoking arsenal. The committee said that while uncertainties remained about the long-term health impact of the devices, they presented an opportunity to significantly accelerate already declining smoking rates. Scientists are warning that e-cigarette vapour as well as tobacco can cause lung damage The MPs also called for wider debate on vaping in public spaces. While vaping is not illegal inside pubs or restaurants, many major pub and restaurant chains such as Wetherspoons have imposed bans indoors as it is difficult from a distance to tell whether someone is smoking or vaping. The MPs urged that a tobacco product called snus which is taken in the mouth is made legal in the UK, despite the fact it has previously been linked to oral cancer. Cancer Research UK said any changes to current e-cigarette regulations should be aimed at helping smokers to quit while preventing young people from starting to use e-cigarettes. The science and technology committee said it has considered evidence from more than 90 organisations including a range of academics, NHS professionals, NICE, and Government departments to inform its recommendations. John Dunne, for the UK Vaping Industry Association said the report was a ringing endorsement of vapings public health potential. Advertisement Elite universities dropped their entry requirements for courses by up to three grades yesterday in a scramble to fill places. At least five of the prestigious universities of the Russell Group advertised courses in clearing with reduced entry requirements. They were Exeter, Liverpool, Warwick and York universities and Queen Mary University of London. In many cases they were dropping requirements from a string of A grades to B and even C grades. Universities are dealing with a glut of places this year because of a drop in the number of 18-year-olds coinciding with the removal of a cap on the number of places. Brain tumour girl is top of the class Brain tumour charity champion, Elise OConnor, gained A*s in English and Religious Studies A-levels and an A in history. The 18-year-old student at Woldingham School, Woldingham, Surrey, will read theology at Durham university. She was awarded her schools prize for Initiative in recognition of her long-standing support of The Brain Tumour Charity. Following her two brain tumour operations, Elise has championed awareness of the charity, single-handedly spearheading a Crazy Hair Day. Brain Tumour Charity champion Elise O'Connor achieves top A Level results Woldingham School This has now become an annual tradition in the school calendar, raising thousands of pounds for the charity. Elise said: This charity is important to me because in April 2014 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Charities like this are important as they help individuals who are affected by brain tumours, including supporting their families. I believe it is important to give back and I am grateful for the support I have received from my school and my dear friends. Advertisement Grace El-Mokadem (left), who achieved three As, cries as she reacts to her A-level results at Brighton College today Alex Cox (left) and Benjamin Stevens (right) receive results at Mander Portman Woodward College in Edgbaston, Birmingham Yesterday morning, early figures showed there had been a drop of 1 per cent in people accepted onto courses before clearing opened 411,860 compared with 416,310 at the same point last year. It meant that all through results day, even the countrys top universities were having to compete to fill popular courses. Experts criticised the move. Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: Universities are showing signs of over-expansion and even some of the leading ones are dropping their entry requirements. This will reduce the value of their degrees and may lead to people entering expensive courses only for them to find that they cant really cope, which would lead to higher drop-out rates. Clearing is the process by which students who do not have a university place or have missed out on their place due to poor performance can shop around for a new course. Many universities have their own clearing pages on their websites. Nine boys at Warwick School celebrate today after all winning places at either Cambridge or Oxford universities Students react with shock as they receive their A-level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in North London Place at Oxford for the son of refugees Edi Rama, the son of Kosovan refugees, left his family in tears after gaining three A*s and winning a place at Oxford University. The 18-year-old student at Newham Collegiate Sixth Form, East Ham, east London, will read maths at Corpus Christi college in September. It is a far cry from the Balkan battlefields his painter and decorator father, Arsim, 48, and receptionist mother Gezime, 42, escaped from in the mid-1990s. The Balkans spiralled into conflict in the 1990s as the former Yugoslavia broke apart. Bloody clashes left tens of thousands dead and millions homeless, mostly because of Serb nationalists demands to create a new state that would comprise all Serb-populated lands. Edi Rama, the son of Kosovan refugees, left his family in tears after gaining three A*s and winning a place at Oxford University His parents were the first people Edi (pictured) called after discovering he had scored top grades in his maths, further maths and chemistry A-levels. He said: When I told them how well I had done they were both in tears. It means so much to them that their son has done well in this country. They are so grateful for everything this country has given us. If they had not left Kosovo and been caught up in the fighting, chances they would not have lived long enough to have children, let alone have one going to the best university in the world. Advertisement A Daily Mail audit yesterday found that many elite universities were listing entry requirements on their clearing pages which were lower than those originally on their course pages. It showed Exeter had at least five such courses, including natural sciences, which appeared to have dropped grades from A*AA-AAB to just AAB. Geography dropped from AAA-ABB to AAB-ABB, and modern languages dropped from AAB-ABB to BCC. The same was true at Liverpool, which had at least six courses appearing to drop their grades. Its requirements for history dropped from AAA-AAB to just BBC a full three grades. At Warwick, at least five courses dropped their grades, including history which lowered its requirements by two grades from AAA to ABB. At York, four courses history, biology, mathematics and English all dropped two grades. At Queen Mary, mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering both dropped by three grades from AAB to BBC. Two other courses history and English dropped by two grades. A spokesman for Warwick said: As a result of demographic changes and the decline in the number of 18-year-olds compared with 2017, the number of potential places available has increased. Students look at their A-level results as they walk out of Brighton College in East Sussex this morning Queen Mary said: Like many universities, for high-potential candidates we occasionally make offers below the advertised grades on our course pages and during clearing. What were the changes to A-levels and GCSEs? Michael Gove announced sweeping reforms to the structure, style and content of GCSEs and A-levels when he was education secretary in 2013. The core changes included making the exams more challenging, providing more essay style questions, making them harder to resit, and removing coursework for the majority of subjects. He told MPs at the time: 'By making GCSEs more demanding, more fulfilling, and more stretching we can give our young people the broad, deep and balanced education which will equip them to win in the global race.' The changes to AS and A-levels were first taught in schools from September 2015, with the first results for AS levels in 2015 and for A-levels in 2017. More subjects are being added for next year. New style GCSEs were first taught in English language, English literature and maths from September 2015, with the first results issued in August 2017. More subjects have been added for this year and next. There is also a new GCSE grading system, with grading moving to a 9-1 scale instead of the A* to G. Advertisement The others universities declined to comment. The huge rise in unconditional university offers for students has led to the collapse of one schools A-level results, it was claimed. Pupils were said to have given up trying in their exams at the secondary school as a result of securing a degree place regardless of their grades with some no longer even bothering to turn up to lessons. The shocking trend was revealed by Partners in Excellence (PiXL) the largest network of schools in England and Wales. Sir John Rowling, its chairman, told the Times Educational Supplement that the school, which he declined to name, has seen A*-E grades dive from 74 per cent in 2017 to 14 per cent this year. Forty students received unconditional offers from universities this year. The school at the base of Grenfell Tower has achieved outstanding results in the first A-levels sat by its students. Safety concerns forced Kensington Aldridge Academy in north Kensington, London, to move to portable classrooms after the fire in June last year. Four of its pupils and one former pupil were among the 72 who died. The comprehensive school opened in 2014 and its sixth form started two years later. Yesterday, in its first set of A-level results, 62 per cent were grades A* to B and the pass rate was 99.6 per cent. Almost every pupil has secured a university place. Five-star route into Cambridge Jack Parkinson gained a clean sweep of five A* grades to fulfil a childhood dream studying at Cambridge University. The 18-year-old, from Thorne, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, achieved top performance in mathematics, further mathematics, computer science and physics A-levels and the extended project qualification. He was encouraged by staff at Trinity Academy, Thorne, to apply for computer science at Cambridge and attended summer schools there. Jack said: They gave me a taste of life there and the people were really down to earth. After the summer school, I decided I really wanted to go there. Im looking forward to being around people who have similar interests to me. Jack Parkinson gained a clean sweep of five A* grades to fulfil a childhood dream studying at Cambridge University Advertisement Boys still outperform girls at the highest grades Boys continue to outperform girls at the highest grades at A-level, figures revealed today. Some 26.6 per cent of boys' entries were awarded at least an A grade, compared to 26.2 per cent for entries from their female peers. The statistics also show that STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) are continuing to rise in popularity. Boys are still more likely to study a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering and maths) than girls, but the balance is shifting. More girls take biology and chemistry than boys, while more boys take maths and physics. But the data also shows that girls are closing in on the boys, with a 3.1 per cent increase in maths entries from female students (boys' entries for the subject have risen 2.1 per cent) and a 6.9 per cent rise in physics (2.4 per cent for boys). Last year boys led girls by 0.5 percentage points (26.6 per cent boys, to 26.1 per cent girls). Before 2017, girls had traditionally led boys, though the gap had been narrowing since 2008. Meanwhile the gap between the best-performing boys and girls has fallen slightly. The proportion of boys who got A* was 8.5 per cent, 0.9 percentage points higher than girls (7.6 per cent). In 2017 the figures were 8.8 per cent for boys, 7.8 per cent girls - a gap of one percentage point. Some experts have claimed boys are doing slightly better than girls because of the reintroduction of end-of-year exams. This is because boys are said to be less likely to work consistently during the year - and would rather throw everything into a final exam instead of continuous assessment. In Northern Ireland, boys outperformed girls at the top A-level grade for the first time since it was introduced.They overtook girls by 0.4 per cent at the A* grade, first awarded in 2010. Advertisement Dinner's on me, so proud Ramsey tells his twins Gordon Ramsay congratulated his 18-year-old twins on their A-level success, saying: Dinners on me! The 51-year-old chef, a father of four, said he was so proud of Jack, who will go to the University of Exeter after achieving one A and two Bs, and Holly, who earned an A, B and a C and will study at Ravensbourne University London. Ramsay also has a 16-year-old daughter, Tilly, and 20-year-old Megan, who is studying psychology at Oxford Brookes University. In a social media post, he wrote: Well done Jack and Holly! Two more Ramsays off to university. Im so proud, amazing results. Dinners on me! His wife, Tana, 43, revealed last month that she used the Find My Friends app which allows users to see the location of others using GPS after her children went out to celebrate the end of their exams. She said: I woke up and it was 5am and Jack wasnt home. So I went on the app and then saw he was at St Thomas Hospital, so I freaked and rang him but tried to sound relaxed. In fact, he was just getting in an Uber. She added: I dont worry about the kids going off the rails because they have sport. Theyve been studying for exams and Ive said, Do a couple of hours of exercise and your brains will work better. I think its helped them to deal with the stress. In a social media post, Gordon Ramsey wrote: Well done Jack and Holly! Two more Ramsays off to university' Gordon Ramsay congratulated his 18-year-old twins on their A-level success, saying: Dinners on me!' Strictly's Katie: My delight at daughter's great results Presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Katie Derham said she is as proud as could be with her daughters A-level results. Natasha Vincent achieved an A* in theatre studies along with Bs in French and English literature at Brighton College. She will now study drama at the New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts. Derham, 48, the BBC Proms presenter and 2015 Strictly finalist who lives in Sussex, said: Im as proud as could be. Im so delighted. Shes done so well. And despite the worries of opening the results and reliving her own experience as a student it was worth the wait. She said: It brought it all flooding back, that slightly sick feeling. But Im very envious [of Natashas place in New York] and its such a good school. Its a good excuse to go and visit. Natasha, 18, whose father is restaurateur John Vincent, said: Im feeling very happy. I got the results I wanted. Presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Katie Derham (right) said she is as proud as could be with her daughter Derhma's (left)A-level results Its always going to be stressful. I wanted to do well for my parents. I knew I had my place at NYU so I think I found it less stressful than some other people. Im really excited about moving to New York. Its the hub of theatre, its a great opportunity and a great place to live. Before she starts her course she hopes to get work experience with theatre production companies. However, she is not planning a career in presenting, like her mother. Im not going into presenting, she said. I just want to study drama and see where that takes me. Derham joked: No one wants to do what their mum does. Euro language decline More students took A-level Chinese than German this year as they prepare for careers after Brexit, it was revealed. There were 3,058 entries for A-level German down 16.5 per cent on 2017, according to the Joint Council for Qualifications. However, there were 3,334 entries for Chinese, up 8.6 per cent on 2017. Entries for A-level German have halved over the last decade and teachers warn the subject could be heading for extinction. French remains the most popular language with 8,713 entries, although this is down 8 per cent. Spanish, which has seen a boost in recent years, also saw a fall in 2018, with entries down 4 per cent to 8,255. The text effect RELIANCE on text-speak could be responsible for an appalling performance in English language, experts warn. Only 1.8 per cent of English language papers were graded A*. This was the joint lowest performance across all subjects at this grade. Professor Alan Smithers, of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said teenagers find it hard to get their heads round formal language. He added: Its appalling that results in our native language should be so very poor. More overseas students Record numbers of overseas students have been accepted on to UK degree courses despite Brexit warnings. Some 31,510 students from outside the EU have secured places at UK institutions a rise of four per cent on last year. In addition, 26,400 EU students have been accepted a one per cent increase on the 26,090 gaining places last year.This is despite dire warnings that the number of foreign students would plunge due to the UKs decision to leave the EU. Education expert Professor Alan Smithers said: The scaremongers who said that Brexit would make us turn more inward looking have been proven wrong. Jeremy Hunt sparked a row with Brexiteers last night after warning that no deal would be a messy, ugly divorce that the country would regret for generations. Brexiteers responded to the Foreign Secretarys comments with fury, insisting that no deal with the EU would be a positive prospect for the UK. In a TV interview, Mr Hunt warned against leaving the EU without a deal, saying: It would be a mistake that we would regret for generations if we were to have a messy, ugly divorce and thats what we all want to avoid. He told ITVs political editor Robert Peston: If we dont end up with a deal, of course there will be a difficult period to get through, but the UK would find a way to prosper and thrive as we have done so many times in our history. Jeremy Hunt has sparked a row with Brexiteers after warning that no deal would be a messy, ugly divorce that the country would regret for generations But it would be a huge geo-strategic mistake. This is a period where the world is increasingly unstable we have chemical weapons attacks in Salisbury, in our own country by opportunistic powers like Russia, theres a very changing global situation. This is a situation where countries with similar values need to be standing together on the world stage. We want a deal with the EU that means we really can have a deep and special partnership not just in terms of our economic relations, but in terms of everything else that happens on the world stage. Mr Hunt, the former health secretary who replaced Boris Johnson in the Foreign Office, was also asked whether he was presenting the Chequers deal as take it or leave it. In remarks that will further worry Brexit-backers, he replied: No, but it is a framework on which I believe the ultimate deal will be based. He also suggested that the Government could concede ground on a common rule book for environmental and social legislation. Asked whether a concession could be made to engineer a level playing field for trade, he said: We have to look at those proposals. Last night Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, chairman of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said: This is not Government policy and I would expect Downing Street to contradict him. The Prime Minister has consistently said that no deal is better than a bad deal. Mr Hunt appears not to agree. Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg chairman of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said that what Mr Hunt said is 'not government policy.' Tory MP Conor Burns: The thing that we want to avoid for generations to come is being locked into a permanent orbit around the EU where we end up with a deal but dont have a seat around the table. Its barmy. Brexiteer Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: It is clear from the way the EU is negotiating that they already regard this as an acrimonious divorce. No deal is not no deal it is trading on World Trade Organisation terms, which is how the rest of the world trades. World trade is growing the fastest. No deal means a Brexit dividend 39billion plus a surplus of 13billion. Mr Hunt used to be health secretary. That money would certainly sort out the NHS, not to mention schools and the police. Eurosceptic Tory MP Philip Hollobone said: What we would regret for generations would be a bad deal which would be Brexit in name only. No deal is no problem. Mr Hunt has been on a three-day European tour in a bid to sell the Chequers plan to EU members. During the trip, the former Remain campaigner also described Brexit as divisive, saying: I think you can see from the kind of debates that we have had in the United Kingdom that this is very challenging and divisive. The proportion of A-level entries graded A or A* hit its highest level in six years yesterday, triggering a row over standards. More than one in four got these top grades this year, despite a government overhaul designed to make the qualifications tougher and more rigorous. Entries graded A and A* hit its highest in six years yesterday Hundreds of thousands of pupils travelled to their schools to pick up their results having been the first to sit new exams in most of the mainstream subjects. The qualifications had been designed to better prepare youngsters for university, and much of the coursework in which it is easier to gain marks has been abolished. But it emerged that grade boundaries have been set low in many of the new exams to stop a fall in results leading critics to accuse regulators of 'undermining' the changes. One geography paper set its C pass mark at 49 per cent, in comparison with 61 per cent in previous years, while the boundary for an A was 68 per cent, compared with 77 before. Meanwhile, a physics paper set the boundary for a C at 39 per cent, compared with 60 per cent in previous years, and set the A boundary at 58 per cent, compared with 80 per cent before. It also emerged that: Boys continue to outperform girls at the highest A-level grades, with 8.5 per cent of male students achieving A*s, compared with 7.6 per cent of female entries; Only 1.8 per cent of English language papers were graded A*, leading experts to warn it could indicate widespread literacy problems caused by their reliance on text-speak; Russell Group universities were lowering their entry requirements in clearing in a scramble to fill places; A record number of overseas students were accepted onto UK degree courses despite Brexit doom predictions. The new A-levels were pioneered by the then education secretary Michael Gove as part of a drive to toughen up qualifications. Universities had complained that students were not being prepared properly for how they will need to work during a degree. Officials say the new content is not more difficult in itself, but the structure of the courses is more challenging because they are assessed via exams at the end of sixth form. Previously, courses were assessed in stages and through coursework, which students tended to find easier to deal with. The new qualifications caused widespread panic in the education world. Teachers had warned that their pupils could lose out because schools were unfamiliar with the new course content. But on results day yesterday, data showed 26.4 per cent of UK entries were given one of the two top grades up 0.1 percentage points on last year. The last time the proportion was this high was in 2012, when 26.6 per cent got these grades. However, there was also a decrease of 0.3 percentage points in the proportion 8 per cent getting A*. This is the lowest it has been since 2013. And the proportion of A* to C grades also fell by 0.4 percentage points to 77 per cent. A Daily Mail audit of grade boundaries found many had been set lower than in 2016 the last year that all of the old qualifications were sat before the new ones began to be introduced. Ofqual, the exams regulator, has instructed boards to make sure similar proportions of students get good grades as in previous years, even if overall performance drops. Officials say the new content is not more difficult but the structure is much more challenging The measures have been taken to stop students from being 'disadvantaged' by the new system, in comparison with their older peers. But Alan Smithers, a professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: 'What's the point of tougher A-levels if Ofqual is going to undermine them by keeping the grades the same? Ofqual's intervention is not allowing the marks to speak for themselves. One wonders what the point of the upheaval has been.' Ofqual said its strategy for setting grade boundaries would remain in place at least for the next year or so while the qualifications bed in. A spokesman said: 'Grade boundaries have been set using statistics to carry forward standards from previous qualifications. 'Examiners have confirmed that the standard of work in each subject is appropriate for the grade.' A Department for Education spokesman said: The high standards we expect in these exams have remained the same.' Rapper Stormzy has announced he will pay for two black British students to attend the University of Cambridge. The Stormzy Scholarship will fund tuition fees and provide a maintenance grant for two successful Cambridge applicants this year and two next year. The 25-year-old launched the scholarship at his old school in south London on A-level results day and said he hoped it would inspire teenagers to apply to the prestigious university, which has been criticised for failing to admit enough black students. Rapper Stormzy will fund two places for black students from his old school in Croydon, South London, at the University of Cambridge to encourage diversity Stormzy, real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, has revealed he harboured ambitions of studying at either Oxford or Cambridge when he was at school at the Harris City Academy in Croydon, South London. He recently revealed he had dreams of going to Oxbridge when the 25-year-old was a teenager Stormzy said: 'There are so many young black kids all over the country who have the level of academic excellence to study at a university such as Cambridge however, we are still under represented at leading universities. 'I hope this scholarship serves as a small reminder that if young black students wish to study at one of the best universities in the world, then the opportunity is yours for the taking and if funding is one of the barriers, then we can work towards breaking that barrier down.' The double BRIT-award winner got six A*s, three As and three Bs at GCSE but did not go to university after he only achieved a 'humbling' ABCDE at A-Level, choosing to pursue a music career instead. He said: 'My results shocked me. I didn't do too great at A-levels.' During a talk at Oxford University in 2016, Stormzy said of his school days: 'For someone who would cuss in class and was on the verge of being expelled, it was A-Levels that showed me that in life you need work ethic.' When the robot overlords of the future look back on the dying days of the human race, one key factor will surely stand out as the moment it all began to go down the pan: the rise of the gender-neutral lavatory. Few things encapsulate quite so succinctly the madness infecting Western society as the unisex toilet. It stands for all the navel-gazing, minority-obsessed, virtue-signalling idiocy of our time. And, frankly, it stinks. The latest example is a set of new gender-neutral toilets at the Home Office. Five male and five female loos have been converted at a cost to the taxpayer of 36,000. Signs with the words Gender Neutral Toilets were apparently 8,000 alone. Few things encapsulate quite so succinctly the madness infecting Western society as the unisex toilet Yet this criminally expensive gesture towards gender equality has gone down very badly with the Home Office staff who have to use the new facility. Beneath those 8,000 signs another message has appeared. On a piece of paper with the heading Polite Notice someone has written: Could men using these toilets please use them with the doors shut. Women are finding use of the toilets quite distressing and are not using these toilets as a result. Thank you. So terribly British, that final thank you. Because, in reality, what this notice means is: Youve ruined our existence with your idiotic virtue-signalling. Now, instead of being able quietly to go to the loo unperturbed, we ladies have to put up with the sight of blokes doing their business. And we CANNOT BEAR IT! What the gender-equality warriors cant or wont understand but this polite notice so plaintively expresses is how deeply misogynist their relentless obsession with gender neutrality has become. How it strips women of not only their right to privacy, but their right to behave as they wish. I dont know how many women work in the Home Office, but I very much doubt they number fewer than transgender male staff. And yet the sensibilities of the latter are being prioritised over the very real needs of the former by some susceptible mandarin whose only priority is to comply with an absurd vision of political correctness. Whitehall is not the only culprit. Everywhere you look in schools, prisons, universities, local authorities and businesses you will find people in authority too cowardly to push back against this relentless drive to enforce the whims of the few at the expense of the many. Only this week, the comic Jack Whitehall was subject to virulent criticism because Disney cast him as its first ever gay character in a new film, Jungle Cruise. Despite the fact the public overwhelmingly supports the idea possibly because Whitehall is an accomplished actor and his job is to, well, act a strident minority in the LGBT community are demanding the role should be played by a gay person. Yet this criminally expensive gesture towards gender equality has gone down very badly with the Home Office staff who have to use the new facility So far, Jack Whitehall and Disney are standing firm, but actors in the past have buckled under such pressure. Earlier this year, West End star Sierra Boggess, who is white, withdrew from a BBC Proms performance of West Side Story because of objections to her playing the role of Maria, who is Puerto Rican. Not only is it fundamentally undemocratic to allow a small number of minority-interest campaigners to dictate how we should live our lives, it can also be deeply impractical especially in the case of loos. Lets face it, men and women have very different requirements when it comes to lavatories. Not to mention different standards. And yes, it is all to do with the differences between our male and female bodies. What could possibly be wrong about acknowledging and respecting that? Everything, it would seem. Because in the twisted logic of the modern world, a woman has more rights if she has elected to become one via hormone therapy and surgery than if she were born one. And that is madness. Its not just that female-only toilets provide safe, private spaces where women can tend to their needs without stepping in a puddle of dubious origin. It is also that the ladies loo in any workspace has for decades served as a vital refuge and recharging station for the millions of us who have had to put up daily with the testosterone-charged atmosphere of the office. In the bad old days when chauvinism was rife and todays young women have no idea just how tough things were before previous generations cleared the path for them a trip to the Ladies could mean the difference between survival and being carried out feet-first, just another woman who couldnt cut the mustard in a mans world. Even today, the Ladies is the one place at work where, as a woman, you can let your guard down. Where no man can follow you, harass or harangue you. Where you can let yourself have a bit of a cry. I have counselled countless distraught female colleagues between the hand-dryer and the sink, listened to innumerable tales of fury and frustration, taken millions of deep breaths myself, looking deep into the mirror and telling myself to just get back out there and show them what Im made of. As for the gossip, no better place exists than the Ladies to catch up on all the latest. Not just whos dating whom, whos up and whos down the number for this or that shrink, hairdresser, manicurist, expert on childbirth or the menopause. When I returned to work after having my children, it was where I went to express breast milk in peace and at my own pace. Why should any new mother have to do that in a gender equal space? That is the tragedy of the gender-neutral toilet. Why it is such a grotesque act of stupidity. And the great irony is that it is being introduced in the name of equality for it discriminates against women, the sex that has suffered so disproportionally from discrimination over the centuries. To dismiss those of us who oppose these so-called gender-neutral spaces as non-inclusive bigots is one of the biggest collective acts of sexual aggression towards women we have seen in recent years. In seeking to uphold the rights of men to re-cast themselves as female, we are invading precious and vital women-only spaces in a manner that is offensive and even intimidating towards women. The Home Office is one thing. I dont imagine many of the men who work there are anything other than nice, middle-class civil servants. But as this insanity spreads to schools, colleges, even prisons, the opportunities it provides for male aggressors are chilling. Women are patient creatures. We dont like the thought of upsetting people, especially some perfectly innocent transgender person who just wants to feel more accepted by society. But the fact is that gender-neutral toilets mean our rights are fundamentally under threat. So, no more polite notices, ladies. Its time to flush out this insanity. Social media sites could be romanticising mental health problems while stopping young people from getting real medical help, research suggests. Experts said web giants such as Facebook and Instagram had a moral duty to help the cash-strapped NHS reach troubled young people and should allow it to advertise its services free of charge. The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce found that 134,000 people, aged between 14 and 30, turned to social media for mental health support rather than medical experts between July 2017 and May 2018. Social media sites could be 'romanticising' mental health problems while stopping young people seeking real medical help (file photo) Researcher Tom Harrison said: Our research uncovered a huge amount of energy and appetite for peer-to-peer support and self-expression online, and there is much to celebrate in that. However, a culture of openness can lead us to being hostages to fortune as more awareness leads to more conversations that risk confusing and misdirecting young people to sources of information and advice that lack credibility. He added: But social media is not only a platform for people to access mental health services increasingly it appears to be a driver of ill-health in itself. The report, which analysed social media discussions on mental health, found language around the subject was often romanticised. The RSA focused on young people in Greater Manchester and found the most common topic discussed online was depression among both men and women. Men were more likely to post about sleep and general issues surrounding tiredness. Key words used by women included need, suicide, depression and help, while men used words like addiction, anxiety and stress. The report found: Young men dominated online conversations surrounding suicide, where there was some evidence of ideation [forming ideas] and romanticism of mental illness. Experts said web giants such as Facebook and Instagram had a moral duty to help the cash-strapped NHS reach troubled young people (file photo) The discussions were also most likely to take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, beginning around 4pm and finishing as late as midnight. The RSA found young people were turning to blogs about mental health and Facebook pages devoted to topics such as depression to discuss their problems. And it warned the reliance on unmoderated platforms meant that young people are at risk of being directed to inappropriate pages or groups for support. On forums such as The Student Room, popular among young people, researchers found that impartial advice about treatment and signs and symptoms of mental illnesses were hard to come by. One post on the site written by a 15-year-old, and shared by the RSA, read: Basically theres soooo much going on in my life atm [at the moment], exams, family, relationship problems etc... as a result of this and my existing issues I just have been feeling more and more depressed by the day... Im struggling so much to revise... and I feel like such a failure... I have sooo much self-doubt. During the period, the RSA found more than 700 posts about suicide, linking to the Greater Manchester area alone, which had been looked at more than 609,000 times. The report said: The exercise also evidenced a troubling tendency where certain illnesses were ideated, and posts associated using romanticised language of mental ill health and self-harm achieved large reach among young people. A California sheriff's department is warning residents to be on a lookout for a man pretending to be a fireman in hopes of potentially robbing homes in Lake Elsinore. Tiffani Luedtka posted the shocking footage of a Diane Cody's home on Monday as deputies with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department say the suspect could be using the Holy Fire as cover. Surveillance video shows the man scoping Cody's Lake Elsinore home as her daughter can be heard answering the doorbell machine. Tiffani Luedtka posted the shocking footage of a Diane Cody's home on Monday Sharing that his name is John Thompson, the man claims to work with the Riverside County Fire Department. The suspect continues by informing the woman that the everything is under control, and the woman can be heard thanking the man. While reviewing additional footage, the woman noticed that the man walked through her backyard and peered into her home. Surveillance video shows the man scoping Cody's Lake Elsinore home as her daughter can be heard answering the doorbell machine 'The more we reviewed the footage, saw him peek over the wall into my home where my grandchildren were sitting eating lunch, it was devastating to the point where I'm ready to sell and move,' Cody explained 'The more we reviewed the footage, saw him peek over the wall into my home where my grandchildren were sitting eating lunch, it was devastating to the point where I'm ready to sell and move,' Cody explained to ABC 7. Cody's daughter and granddaughter were in the home at the time when the man came. Fernando Herrera, Captain with the Riverside County Fire Department, explained signs for how to know if a person is an impostor when they say their a firefighter. Cody's daughter and granddaughter were in the home at the time when the man came Since the Holy Fire started 10 days ago, there has been just one report of a burglary in the evacuated areas 'If the fire department needs to make contact with you at your residence, we'll be in full uniform, obviously,' he said. 'We're not going to be in a plain t-shirt.' Since the Holy Fire started 10 days ago, there has been just one report of a burglary in the evacuated areas. Police have made an arrest in connection to that burglary. Over 1,300 real firefighters have worked to fight the Holy Fire, which has been 72 percent contained. The fire has already burned 22,986 acres since starting. Malaysia's new government has repealed its controversial law punishing the spreading of 'fake news' with six years jail. The law was rushed through parliament in April under scandal-plagued former Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of the May 9 general election. Critics slammed the bill as an attempt to silence dissent ahead of the hotly-contested election. Malaysia's new government has repealed its controversial law punishing the spreading of 'fake news' with six years jail (pictured is an ad telling people not to spread fake news) As well as hefty jail terms, the legislation punished the dissemination of what authorities deemed fake news with a fine of up to 500,000 ringgit ($120,000). The first draft of the bill had proposed jail of up to 10 years. A reformist alliance unexpectedly toppled Mr Razak's government and on Thursday made good on a pledge to abolish the law. Charles Santiago, an MP from the ruling Pact of Hope coalition, said the move was part of the new government's 'commitment to take away all legislation that impinges on human rights and freedom of expression'. The law was rushed through parliament in April under scandal-plagued former Prime Minister Najib Razak (pictured) ahead of the May 9 general election Teddy Baguilat, a member of a Southeast Asian grouping of MPs who fight for better human rights, praised the move as 'a huge step forward. 'This is a law that was clearly designed to silence criticism of the authorities and to quell public debate -- it should never have been allowed to pass in the first place.' Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who ousted Najib at the polls, was investigated for allegedly spreading fake news days ahead of the election. He was an opposition leader at the time. Malaysia is one of several countries in Asia that have turned to such legislation, emboldened by U.S. President Donald Trump's fulminations against 'fake news', but activists warn authoritarian regimes will use the laws to target opponents. Najib Razak, Malaysia's prime minister, earned a simple majority in parliament to pass the bill The country already has an arsenal of laws, including a colonial-era Sedition Act, that have been used to clamp down on unfavourable news and social media posts. The former government claimed in April the law would not impinge on freedom of speech and cases under it would be handled through an independent court process. 'This law aims to protect the public from the spread of fake news, while allowing freedom of speech as provided for under the constitution,' Law Minister Azalina Othman Said told parliament. The law defined fake news as 'news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false' and includes features, visuals and audio recordings. It covered digital publications and social media and will apply to offenders who maliciously spread 'fake news' inside and outside Malaysia, including foreigners, if Malaysia or a Malaysian citizen were affected. The average GP now works less than three-and-a-half days a week and only one in 20 trainee doctors plan to do the job full-time , according to research. A University of Manchester survey of more than 2,000 family doctors found that they did a total of 6.7 half-day sessions a week, which is the equivalent of just over three days the lowest figure on record. Meanwhile, separate polling carried out by the King's Fund of over 700 trainee GPs found that most had no intention of pursuing full-time work as a family doctor. Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, today described the figures as 'terrifying' and raised fears about safety and make it even harder to get appointments. She said: 'The situation is bad enough right now; it is extremely hard to get an appointment, and patients face ever-long waits. 'GPs are incredibly well paid, and are lucky that they can afford to work part-time, but the public cannot afford the rise of the part-time GP. It costs a lot of money to train them, we need far more of those who are prepared to do it as a full-time job.' The average GP works less than three-and-a-half days a week and only one in 20 trainee doctors plan to do the job full-time, according to research (stock image) The overall cost to the taxpayer of training a doctor is 163,000 plus around 64,300 in loans the student will pay back on average. The King's Fund reported only 22 per cent planned to work full time as a GP within a year of completing their training. Patients' groups said the surge in part-time GPs is 'terrifying' given the acute national shortage of family doctors. They added that GPs were fortunate to have the flexibility of part-time hours, with average earnings north of 100,000 for a GP partner, the Telegraph reported. Questioned about their long-term career goals by the King's Fund, just one in 20 trainees intended to be working full-time as a GP ten years after finishing training. Most wanted to take on different jobs, either alongside their work as a GP or instead of it. More than half of respondents said they intended to do other clinical work for the NHS, while 27 per cent desired to work privately and 20 per cent planned to work in a foreign country. A University of Manchester survey of more than 2,000 family doctors found that they did a total of 6.7 half-day sessions a week, which is the equivalent of just over three days the lowest figure on record (stock image) The top three reasons for wanting to avoid full-time roles as a family doctor were the intense working days, long hours and family commitments. Beccy Baird, senior fellow from the King's Fund, said: 'The biggest reason for both male and female GPs not wanting to work full time as a GP was the pressures of the working day. 'We need to do more to address the working lives of GPs, stress is going up, they are retiring increasingly early. This isn't about lazy GPs who earn so much that they can afford to work part-time.' The figures follow warnings from health officials that the NHS is chronically understaffed and needs up to 200,000 more staff to compensate for the high numbers of younger workers who prefer part-time work. Patients' groups said the surge in part-time GPs is 'terrifying' given the acute national shortage of family doctors (stock image) The polling of 2,195 GPs by the University of Manchester found the average family doctor now works 6.7 half-day sessions a week the equivalent of three and a third days. This is down from 7.4 sessions in 2008, when data was first collected. A spokesman for Health Education England said its recruitment campaign was focused on the benefits of a 'flexible portfolio career' and was on course to achieve its target of getting 3,250 doctors to opt to specialise as GPs this year. The Department of Health and Social Care said it was investing an extra 2.4billion a year into general practice by 2020/21 and a record number of doctors are in training. A military parade requested by U.S. President Donald Trump that had been planned for November in Washington has been postponed until at least next year, the Defense Department said on Thursday. 'We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019,' Defense Department Spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear exactly what caused the postponement but the increased cost of the event had caused concern and could be one reason. The parade to honor U.S. military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One could cost more than $90million, the U.S. official said, citing provisional planning figures that were nearly three times an earlier White House estimate. The White House budget office earlier estimated to Congress the parade would cost between $10 million and $30 million. Pictured: President Trump stands with admirals at the Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, DC, on June 1 The official said the cost estimate of about $92million had not yet been approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and could still be changed and more options could be included. In February, Trump asked the Pentagon to explore a parade in celebration of American troops, after the Republican president marveled at the Bastille Day military parade he attended in Paris last year. Earlier this year, the White House budget chief said the parade would cost U.S. taxpayers between $10million and $30million. It was not immediately clear why the recent cost estimate was so much higher than the earlier one, and what exactly it included. A Pentagon memo from March said the Washington parade route would have a 'heavy air component at the end of the parade.' 'Include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks - consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure,' the memo said. Trump was inspired to host the large show of military pride in DC after he attended France's Bastille Day parade alongside President Emmanuel Macron on July 14, 2017 The parade on Paris's Champs-Elysees was held to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of America's entering World War One Critics say the government should not spend money on a costly display of troops and weapons when the Pentagon is struggling to cover the expenses of training, support and personnel. The District of Columbia Council had ridiculed the idea of a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, the 1.2-mile stretch between the Capitol and the White House that is also the site of the Trump International Hotel. Military parades in the United States are generally rare. The annual event (pictured on July 14, 2017) sees military tanks and ranks of soldiers marching down the Champs-Elysees in the center of Paris Such parades in other countries are usually staged to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of President Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War. The American Legion, an organization representing U.S. veterans, released a statement saying that a military parade would be a misuse of taxpayer money. The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nations support for our troops, the group said in a statement. However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible. Tributes are flowing for a young father who tragically passed away after the truck he was driving veered off a road at an iron ore mine. Daniel Patterson was working at Rio Tinto's Channar mine in Paraburdoo, a mining town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, on Wednesday when the fatal crash occurred. The miner was behind the wheel of a Haulpak truck that left the haul road and crashed at 11pm, killing the 28-year-old. Tributes are flowing Daniel Patterson (left) who tragically passed away after the truck he was driving veered off the road Mr Patterson had only just welcomed his first child with his wife Lauren three months ago. The couple got married just last year, The West Australian reported. The 28-year-old was a bowls state champion and a well-known member of Cambridge Bowling Club. Friends in the bowls community said Mr Patterson's personality would be missed more than his skills. Bowls WA chief executive Ken Pride said the young man's sudden death was a big loss for the bowls community. 'There will be no one really who plays bowls in WA and doesn't know him,' he said. 'He really was one of those characters when he walked into the room the place lit up.' Mr Patterson had only just welcomed his first child with his wife Lauren (right) three months ago Mr Patterson's close friend, Russel Tyrrell, said that he was a friend to everyone and touched 'so many people'. 'He was a besotted father and an amazing, loving husband,' Mr Tyrrell said of his close friend. Tributes are being paid to the miner on Facebook, one woman posted to a bowls group: 'Tragic news of Daniel Patterson's death. I have no words... The ex-juniors' bowling family has lost a brother.' One user described the 28-year-old as an 'icon' in the bowling world, saying that Mr Patterson had a 'big personality'. 'Such a wonderful young man who just wanted to do so well for his beautiful wife & gorgeous young son! Absolutely so tragic he was loved by so many,' another user commented. The number of civil partnerships dissolved last year was higher than the number formed by gay and lesbian couples, official figures showed yesterday. In 2017, the unions of 1,217 couples were dissolved, a legal process similar to divorce for married couples. In the same period, there were only 908 new civil partnerships. The annual total has dropped by nearly 85 per cent since same-sex couples were given the legal right to marry in 2014. In 2017, the unions of 1,217 couples were dissolved, a legal process similar to divorce for married couples The level of dissolution suggests civil partnerships are breaking up at around three times the rate at which marriages end in divorce. The figures from the Office for National Statistics come as ministers consider the future of civil partnerships. They were introduced in 2005 to give gay and lesbian couples the right to solemnise their relationships and establish legal commitments identical to marriage. In June, Supreme Court judges declared that rules barring heterosexual couples from civil partnerships breach European human rights measures. They backed a claim from parents Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who said they did not want to marry as marriage has treated women as property for centuries. Options for the Government include extending civil partnership to heterosexual couples or abolishing it entirely. According to the ONS, the number of civil partnerships in England and Wales last year went up 2 per cent, from 890 to 908. The increase was driven by 23 legal unions taken out by women. The number of male partnerships was five fewer in 2017 than 2016. In 2013, the last year before marriage was opened to same-sex couples, 5,646 civil partnerships were celebrated. Last year, most partnerships were taken out by older men. Two-thirds of the total were between male partners and more than half of new partners were over 50. Some 85 per cent of new civil partners were people who had never been married or in a civil union. In 2017, partnerships between women were more likely to end than those between men, with 689 female and 528 male unions dissolved. Most break-ups were among partners under 50. The dissolution rates contrast with those for marriage. In 2015, the last year for which figures are available, there were 239,020 weddings and 101,055 divorces. The annual total has dropped by nearly 85 per cent since same-sex couples were given the legal right to marry in 2014 According to the ONS, in 2016 for every 1,000 married couples there were 8.9 divorces, while there were 29.7 dissolutions for every 1,000 civil partnerships. Figures for gay marriages are not yet available. Harry Benson, of the Marriage Foundation think-tank, said the figures counter arguments in favour of extending civil partnership. Couples who want to commit prefer the real thing, which is marriage, he added. Mr Benson denied that marriage is religious or patriarchal. Most weddings are civil ceremonies, he said. Patriarchy is far more common in an unmarried co-habiting relationship, where men tend to be less committed. Counselling body Relate backed extending civil partnership so everyone can recognise their relationship in a way that works for them. A Canadian man was killed and a Mexican-American badly wounded in a gun attack at a shopping center in Mexico's second city Guadalajara, prosecutors said. A group of four people was entering the shopping center Wednesday night when gunmen approached them in three cars, got out and opened fire, said Jalisco state prosecutor Raul Sanchez Jimenez. Canadian national Bugget Giuseppe was killed and a dual Mexican-American citizen identified only as Alfredo M was wounded, he said. A group of four people was entering the shopping center Wednesday night when gunmen approached them in three cars, got out and opened fire A woman with them was unharmed, while the fourth person has not been located. Alfredo M was taken to hospital in a serious condition and has undergone four surgeries so far, said Sanchez. A security guard and a passerby were also wounded by bullet fragments. Local television stations showed images of shattered shop windows in the aftermath of the shooting. ,Canadian national Bugget Giuseppe was killed and a dual Mexican-American citizen identified only as Alfredo M was wounded Reports at the scene say that there were 142 shots made by the assailants. Violence has increased in Guadalajara since March 2017 as the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel has been riven by infighting, according to authorities. Mexico registered a record 28,711 murders last year, in violence driven mainly by its powerful drug cartels. Since 2006, when the government deployed the army to fight drug trafficking, more than 200,000 people have been murdered. Another 30,000 are missing. Serial murderer Joanna Dennehy allegedly tried to kill herself in prison after making a suicide pact with her lesbian lover. Dennehy, 35, is believed to have been found covered in blood with a slit throat after a failed suicide attempt while her girlfriend had cut her wrists. The notorious killer was given a life sentence after stabbing three men to death in 2013. Serial murderer Joanna Dennehy allegedly tried to kill herself in prison after making a suicide pact with her lesbian lover A source told The Sun: 'When the guards found them they were entwined on the floor, which was covered in blood. 'They think they need splitting up now to make sure it doesn't happen again.' They were both rushed to hospital where their injuries were treated. But Dennehy then embarked on a second failed suicide attempt after they returned to HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. She is now believed to be getting treatment by medics A prison spokesman said he could not comment on individual prisoners. Dennehy, 35, is believed to have been found covered in blood with a slit throat after a failed suicide attempt while her girlfriend had cut her wrists Dennehy murdered Lukasz Slaboszewski, Kevin Lee and John Chapman in and around Peterborough over a 10-day period in March 2013. Mr Slaboszewski, 31, the first victim, was lured to her side after implying they would have sex. But instead she stabbed the Polish national in the chest and dumped his body. She then killed 56-year-old Falklands veteran John Chapman the following week. And she continued her bloody murder spree later that day when she stabbed Kevin Lee, 48, her landlord and lover, who was found with stab wounds in the neck and chest. The notorious killer was given a life sentence after stabbing three men to death in 2013 and is doing time at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey (pictured) The police launched a national hunt to capture her after the bodies were found in remote ditches in Cambridgeshire. But after carrying out the murders she then drove 140 miles to Hereford where she repeatedly knifed two dog walkers at random, who both survived. At the Old Bailey, judge Mr Justice Spencer told her: Although you pleaded guilty, you've made it quite clear you have no remorse.' 'You are a cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative serial killer.' Las Vegas police have released dramatic bodycam footage showing a police officer shooting at a security guard who shot at his boss in a clothing store. Police responded to reports of a shooting in progress at a Ross Dress for Less location in the southern Las Vegas Valley on Saturday. Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud, 37, had gotten into an argument with his boss, the store manager, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mahmoud then left the store and returned with a gun. Witnesses called police at around 4:15pm to report a shooting in the area. Las Vegas police have released dramatic bodycam footage showing a police officer shooting at a security guard who shot at his boss in a clothing store. The security guard, Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud, 37, is seen circled after he was shot Police responded to reports of a shooting in progress at a Ross Dress for Less location in the southern Las Vegas Valley on Saturday Mahmoud, 37, had gotten into an argument with his boss, the store manager Mahmoud then left the store and returned with a gun. Bryon Bunitsky, a police officer who responded to the scene, shot Mahmoud as he ran outside and began firing at arriving cops Police believe the incident was an isolated act of workplace violence. The stores manager was not shot. Bryon Bunitsky, a police officer who responded to the scene, shot Mahmoud as he ran outside and began firing at arriving cops. Mahmoud, who was wounded, underwent surgery and survived. Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud is pictured above. He has been charged with attempted murder. Bunitsky is pictured in the photo on the right He was booked into Clark County Detention Center on Sunday. Mahmoud is being held without bail. He has been charged with a number of counts, including attempted murder, assault on a protected person and assault with a deadly weapon. He has also been charged with one count of discharging a gun into a occupied structure. Police said it was fortunate that nobody else was injured or killed since the shopping center was full during the week before the start of the school year. Las Vegas authorities are expected to release more details about the shooting in the near future. Sick and tired of inaccurate weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, some farmers have resorted to viewing overseas data as the drought continues to cripple rural areas of Australia. The unrelenting situation has also seen a dramatic spike in people suffering mental health issues. 'It (weather forecasts) just break your spirit,' sheep farmer Chris Blunt from Emu Swamp told AAP. A dead sheep amongst a mob of sheep grazing on a failed crop near Parkes in NSW A herd of cattle in Parkes eating hay urgently transported from Victoria earlier this week Grain feed is left for sheep grazing on a failed crop west of Parkes in NSW A mob of sheep graze on the dry and dusty fields on a crop just outside of Parkes A failed barley crop at Gunningbland, which has been declared 100% drought affected 'You have to consider the anxiety and stress you're putting blokes under - bringing their hopes up and then dashing them. 'I'm almost getting to the point now where whatever the bureau says you think it's going to be the opposite.' Niall Blair, the NSW Water Minister, admitted he feels for the fed up farmers. 'Absolutely we are disappointed (to be continually getting the forecasts wrong),' he said. 'When I travel around and speak to farmers, they point out how frustrated they are. 'The fact we have farmers relying on modelling and forecasts coming from other parts of the world....you have got to question how we are missing the mark so much here in Australia.' Some farmers have even joked they may begin watching the behavioural patterns of animals in a bid to prepare for much needed rain. Bull ants are believed to build high nests before heavy rain while galahs tend to dangle from power lines pre-deluge. Bureau of Meteorology State Manager for NSW Ann Farrell said: 'Like the rest of the Australian community, staff at the Bureau of Meteorology hope drought-impacted communities get the rainfall they need soon. 'While weather elements like temperature and wind can be similar across large areas, rainfall can vary greatly. 'Farms located next to each other might experience significant rainfall differences as weather systems move across the landscape, raining on some areas and missing others. 'Because of this, our forecasts include information about the chance of any rainfall, along with a possible expected rainfall range. 'The Bureau of Meteorology is open about our forecast accuracy and reports each year on their reliability and accuracy. 'The Bureau's rainfall forecast methods use world leading models, including the Australian and European models, to produce forecasts which are proven, on average, to be more accurate than using a single model. 'The Bureau's growing number of rain radars and satellite based technologies also allows our expert forecasters, as well as members of the public, to track potential rainfall in near real-time.' Advertisement Newly-released bodycam footage shows the shell-shocked reaction of the police office who shot dead an armed black man in Chicago last month. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday released several raw video clips in which four police officers can be seen and heard approaching Harith Augustus outside a store on the city's South Side on July 14 because they suspected he was carrying a firearm. In footage from one of the officer's bodycams, Augustus can be seen wiggling out of the grip of a female officer and appearing to pull a gun from out of his waistband when another male officer fires a shot at him. In the moments following the shooting, the officer appears to be shell-shocked, breathing heavily and muttering under his breath as he staggers away from the suspect as he tries to make sense of what has just happened. The officer repeatedly says: 'He pulled on a gun on me', as if he's trying to convince himself and others that his actions were justified. Newly-released bodycam footage shows the moment a Chicago cop shot armed suspect Harith Augustus, 37, on July 14 after the 37-year-old appeared pull a gun on officers. The unidentified officer appeared to be shell-shocked after pulling the trigger After firing five shots at the suspect, the police officer can be heard breathing heavily and muttering under his breath as he staggers away off to the side. His partner, who had tried to subdue Augustus, tries to calm the male officer down Police had released a short video from the shooting days after it occurred, which showed Augustus had a gun holstered at his waist. The set of four new videos released Thursday have been able to shed more light on the events last month Augustus, above, was fatally wounded during the altercation Slow-motion video shows the moment Augustus spins out of law enforcement's grasp and runs into the street, appearing to go for his gun. The officer can be seen raising his gun Augustus' direction, firing five shots in his direction. Seconds after the shooting, the body camera's audio turns on, and the officer who fired the shot can be heard radioing in to the station as he walks away to catch his breath. He then tells another officer: 'He pulled a gun on me.' Realizing that he's shaken up, the female officer asks her partner if he's okay, telling him: 'You're good. You're good.' When he asks: 'Did he have a gun?' the female officer confirms that a weapon was found on Augustus' person. He then says: 'Why did he have to pull a gun out on us?' The female officer tries to calm him down, saying: 'Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.' Still seemingly in a daze, the shooting officer says: 'I had to. He was gonna shoot us. He pulled a gun on us.' She responds: 'I know he did, I know he did. Look at me, you're okay.' Surveillance footage from a nearby store on Chicago's South Side shows the moment Augustus was shot in the street as he was allegedly trying to flee the cops. Police have said a total of five shots were fired in his direction In the days following the shooting, Chicago police released one piece of body cam footage that showed the deadly encounter, but it had no audio and raised a number of questions. Four new videos were released Thursday, the same day Augustus' attorneys called for all related footage to be released at a hearing. Attorney Standish Wills said the footage his team had seen 'showed the police officers were there, they saw a young man coming and they start chasing for him for no obvious reason that we're aware of, and we'll keep looking into that as the lawyers in the case'. It was unclear which videos Wills had seen at the time of that statement. COPA has said it intended to release the footage regardless of the hearing. There is no audio account of what occurred in the moments before the shooting because the bodycams only captured silent video prior to the officer firing off five rounds. The police say they stopped Augustus when they noticed the bulge in his waistband that appeared to be a gun. The stop escalated quickly, before he was shot dead by an officer According to a police report, Augustus refused to comply with verbal directives and attempted to flee the officers before he posed an 'imminent threat of battery with a weapon' and 'used force likely to cause great bodily harm'. Another video released Thursday contains CCTV footage from a nearby business on the 2000-block of 71st Street, where Augustus worked in a barbershop, shows police performing the 'investigatory stop' after they allegedly saw he had a gun in a holster at his waist. Investigators confirmed that Augustus, the father to a five-year-old, had a handgun as well as two extra magazines on his person when he was shot. He was later found to have a Firearm Identification Card but not a Concealed Carry License. The victim's co-worker Antione Howell, 42, said he and the victim worked at a nearby barber shop together. 'He cut my hair and got killed 10 minutes later. I'm hurt... I gotta go on with my life, but I loved that man,' he said to the Chicago Tribune. The shooting sparked several days of unrest and violence clashes between angry protesters and police in Chicago's South Side. Just moments after the shooting, crowds gathered at the scene and began chanting: 'No justice, no peace' and 'murderers', quickly becoming combative with officers. Four protesters were arrested and some police officers suffered minor injuries from thrown rock and bottles, some of which were filled with urine. Two squad cars were also damaged. Violent protests broke out soon after the shooting, with an estimated 150 demonstrators confronting the police A woman tries to calm a man down as he yells at a police officer at the scene of a police involved shooting in Chicago The incident occurred near 71st Street and Clyde on the South Side, where crowds gathered afterwards Protests and clashes with police continued for hours after the shooting of Augustus, known in the area as 'Snoop the Barber' With no motive made public in the case of a husband accused of heinously murdering his pregnant wife and their two young daughters, friends and family have been left wondering whether financial stress, marital strife or some other factor may have played a role. The couple had financial difficulties in the past, including a bankruptcy. However, recently Shanann Watts, 34, was enjoying sudden success in her career. She boasted of the lavish perks of her $80k job selling health supplements - including a Lexus and paid trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Her work often took her away from her family, leaving husband Christopher Watts at home with the kids. The young mom was on a work trip over the weekend before her husband killed her and their two daughters Celeste, three, and Bella, four. Watts confessed to the crimes on Wednesday. Was he bitter over her success which allowed her to drive a luxury car and travel while he was left at home with their children in Colorado ? The mother and children were killed in their home in Frederick, Colorado and their bodies moved to the Anadarko oil and gas drilling property where Christopher worked, police say. Investigators haven't revealed when or how the murders were committed. Christopher Watts, 33, was ordered held without bail on Thursday in the murders. Many in the family remained baffled at a motive, with Shanann's brother Frankie Rzucek writing on Facebook: 'I just want to know why.' Shanann Watts, and their daughters Celeste, three, and Bella, four, were found dead in Colorado on Thursday after Christopher Watts allegedly confessed to the murders Christopher (left) was ordered held without bail on Thursday. Family are baffled at the murder and are left piecing together a possible motive at police remain mum on the case As investigators remain extremely tight-lipped, a timeline of the couple's relationship does offer some clues about the tragic case. Following the couple's 2015 bankruptcy filing, Shanann began working for Le-Vel, a multi-level marking company that sells health supplements and weight loss patches under the brand Thrive. On Facebook, where she was extremely active, Shanann gushed about her increasing success in the program, which awarded her a Lexus for her prowess in selling the products. 'Did you know Le-Vel gives an $800 a month car bonus for hitting only the SECOND rank in the company?! How amazing is that!!!' Shanann wrote in March. Multi-level marketing schemes, which encourage direct sellers to recruit other sellers into the network, often use flashy cars and trips as incentives, encouraging salesmen to share widely on social media to attract new members. On August 1, Shanann wrote on Facebook: 'Our team is having lots of success, growth both personally and business, several new friends starting their Thrive Experience and lots of new Promoters who decided to change their life! Lots of excitement, Lots to be Thankful for!' Le-Vel also sent Shanann on 'earned lifestyle getaways' to New Orleans, Toronto, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Las Vegas and San Diego. 'All inclusive, no work, all fun vacations,' she boasted. 'Did you know Le-Vel gives an $800 a month car bonus for hitting only the SECOND rank in the company?! How amazing is that!!!' Shanann wrote in March Christopher and Shanann are seen on a trip to the Dominican Republic, paid for by the multi-level marketing company that she worked for as an enthusiastic seller of supplements Shannan gushed about her trips and perks as a direct seller for the multi-level marketing firm While Christopher sometimes joined her on the trips, it seems he was often left behind to watch the girls while Shanann jetted off - posting lots of photos in a likely bid to entice potential new supplement sellers to sign up with Le-Vel. Shanann also frequently lavished praise on Christopher, writing on Facebook in April while on a paid trip to New Orleans: 'Hes my rock!' 'He takes care of us girls unconditionally! Thank you baby for holding down the fort this weekend! Love you,' she wrote. In June, Shanann announced her third pregnancy to the world, posting an ultrasound on Facebook along with the note: 'I love Chris! He's the best dad us girls could ask for.' Shanann grew up in Aberdeen, North Carolina, and attended nearby Pinecrest High School. Christopher graduated from Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 2003. According to his high school year book, he into automotive repairs and appeared on the patriotic page. The couple were married in Charlotte in 2012. Public records show that they were each arrested multiple times in North Carolina - he three times and her 15 times - but the charges in the arrests are not known. Shanann and Christopher are seen at their wedding in Charlotte in 2012. They both grew up in North Carolina but moved to Colorado shortly after they were married Christopher and Shanann are seen together in a family photo. The couple filed for bankruptcy in 2015, when Christopher was making $61,500 as an operator for Anadarko Christopher and Shanann hit dire financial straits when they moved to Colorado in 2012, shortly after marrying. Byron Falls, who bought Shanann's house in Belmont, west of Charlotte, said on Thursday that the Watts family had been in a hurry to sell and left behind the furniture as part of the sale. The August 2012 deed transfer shows that Shanann signed it while already living in Colorado. Records say she had bought it in 2009. In Colorado, Christopher took a job with Anadarko, one of the largest oil and natural gas drilling companies in the state. He was employed with Anadarko until his arrest on Wednesday, at which point he was fired, a company spokeswoman told DailyMail.com. In 2015, the couple filed for bankruptcy, with court filings painting a picture of a family caught between a promising future and financial strain. The June 2015 filing notes that Christopher had gotten a job six months earlier as an operator for Anadarko, and paystubs indicate his salary was about $61,500 per year. Shanann gushed about her life in frequent posts of Facebook, and appeared to have an idyllic family life - but all may not have been as it seemed. The family is seen above Celeste, three, and Bella, four are seen together in May. Police say the girls were killed in their house along with their mother, and the bodies were moved to an oil field Shanann poses with a magazine spread featuring her family in May. It's not clear what the publication is, but it likely had to do with her job selling health supplements Shanann and Christopher became frequent travelers thanks to her job selling health supplements Christopher and Shanann are seen together in San Diego in June on an 'earned lifestyle getaway' through her work selling 'Thrive' health supplements for Le-Vel Shanann was working at the time in a call center at a children's hospital earning about $18 per hour. Combined, they had earned $90,000 in 2014. But they also had tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, along with some student loans and medical bills - for a total of $70,000 in unsecured claims on top of a sizable mortgage. They said their nearly $3,000 mortgage and $600 in monthly car payments formed the bulk of their $4,900 in monthly expenses. In 2016 Shanann took her new job at Le-Vel and was allegedly earning around $80,000. In May this year she took part in an interview for the company's in house magazine and revealed how she had gone from being a 'caretaker for everyone else' to happier than ever in her new role. 'My role was as a caretaker and to make people feel better, yet I was wiped out,' she said. 'Our hearts are broken for the loss of our dear friend Shanann Watts and her children,' Le-Vel said in a statement after her death. 'Shanann was an amazing woman, mother, friend and overall person.' The couple appeared to have bounced back from their financial struggles three years ago - but there were other signs that the relationship may have been heading for a split Shanann is seen left in late June while on vacation visiting family in North Carolina, and right in a recent pregnancy announcement photo. She sold 'Thrive' weight-loss patches As her social media posts about her love of her job continued, it appears her seemingly happily marriage began to crack. In late June, Shanann, Christopher and their daughters traveled to North Carolina to visit her family. As planned, Christopher returned to Colorado after one week, but the mother and daughters stayed for six weeks, according to Shanann's social media postings. While she was in North Carolina, Shanann confided in her mother, Sandi Onorati, that the marriage was on the rocks. 'She mentioned about them having problems, Shanann and Chris,' Onorati's coworker Danell Search told WRAL. Search said Onorati told her the two were planning to separate. '(Shanann) was one of those people, when she walked in the room it was just like sunshine. Chris was very standoffish. He didn't really say anything. I said, 'Hi,' to him, and he kept his head down.' Shanann and the girls returned to Colorado on August 7. Her last post on social media was around 4.30pm on August 9. On August 10, traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona for a Le-Vel event. A photo on August 11 from the Yard House in Scottsdale of Shanann and her co-workers shows that she did make the trip. Shanann (second from right) is seen on August 11 in a group photo with coworkers during a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. Watts says she returned home around 1am on August 13 The two children stayed at home with Christopher, he told police. She was dropped off by a co-worker around 1.45am and, according to Christopher, the pair both stayed up having an 'emotional conversation' until he left for work at 5.15am. Christopher claimed that was the last time he saw his wife or daughters. Then on Wednesday he allegedly admitted to the murders. It is unclear when they died. He is being held without bail in the Weld County Jail. He is next due in court on Tuesday. While formal charges have not yet been filed, he faces three counts of murder, and three counts of tampering with evidence. Florida doctor Jeffrey Epstein, 59, is seen above in his mugshot. He was arrested Thursday morning after throwing a tempter tantrum at the Orlando International Airport A Florida doctor was captured on cellphone video early Thursday throwing a tempter tantrum before being taken into custody inside an airport. Jeffrey Epstein, 59, was seen in bizarre footage from the Orlando International Airport shouting for an unspecified reason while preparing to board a flight. He first explains his frustration toward an employee from the American Airlines counter. 'That lady there had a flippin' attitude when I asked her if I would make my flight, she said, "maybe not,"' he is heard blurting out. No one around Epstein seems to be interacting with him, - but he continues to rant. 'The cops are here!,' he is heard shouting shortly after. Orlando police then order the man to leave - citing concern for the safety of others in the airport - but Epstein did not comply. The arrest report said: 'I noticed white froth around Epstein's lips and asked him if he was having an issue.' Epstein becomes even more furious when he hears police talking about his mouth. 'I can hear you talking about me foaming at the mouth!' he shouts. 'Is that going to de-escalate things?' He proceeds to place his hands up in the air as he tells officers to arrest him or get him a flight. Epstein is seen shouting for an unknown reason as he prepares to board a flight in Orlando When cops arrive and attempt to get him under control, he tells officers to arrest him Orlando police initially order him to leave, but he did not comply At one point, an officer takes pepper spray to Epstein's face when he kicks one of them When officers place him in handcuffs, he seemingly overreacts when he trembles on the ground. One of the officers takes pepper spray to his eyes when he begins kicking one of them. 'Don't beat me up! Oh my God I can't believe they're doing this. Oh my God!,' he goes on to say. Epstein makes racially-insensitive remarks after, such as: 'You treat me like a f***ing black person!' He was briefly booked to a local jail and released on $1,800 bail. Epstein is pictured in a more put-together photo seen on the Peak Annual Wellness Center's website Charges include battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting officer with violence and trespassing after warning. After his release, he told local WESH 2 outside the jail: 'I was making a point, you know? If you're going to do this to a white doctor whose 59-years-old and doing nothing, then why should black people trust you? 'Im a conservative Republican. Im a Trump guy. But until the police fix this problem, I dont blame black people for being upset when they get arrested.' According to Epstein's bio on Peak Annual Wellness Center's website, he has 'spent the last seven years working as a medical director and chief physician advisor at some of the largest healthcare systems in the country including Atlantic Health System in New Jersey and BayCare Health System in Tampa, Florida.' The bios says further that he 'double boarded in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and is an active member of the American Association of Physician Leaders (AAPL) and the AMA.' Australia's ice epidemic is turning public housing into anti-social wastelands, fuelling a surge in assaults and drug dealing amid reports of tenants passed out in flowerbeds and on footpaths. An alarming new report into public housing in New South Wales found that drug dealing at NSW public housing had nearly doubled in a year. The spike in drug deals, from 69 to 122, is just one of the issues of antisocial behaviour in public housing that staff are attempting to manage, the report said. Methamphetamine (ice) was the most commonly consumed drug across the state from 2013 to 2017. Jason Vorva told the Daily Mail Australia he has lived a block away from the Waterloo, Sydney, public housing towers for four years and has seen behaviour deteriorate in the area. Drug dealing at public housing in New South Wales has almost doubled from 2016 to 2017 - rising from 69 to 122 reports Mr Vorva said over the past year the conduct of public housing residents had become much worse. 'I have seen people passed out in flowerbeds and footpaths. Public drinking and loitering, which really affects quality of life. 'More fights in the middle of the night and in broad daylight. 'While there has been new construction and some gentrification I feel like over the last year the amount of public intoxication and disturbances from people that are clearly high has gotten worse.' Jason Vorva lives a block away from the Waterloo public housing towers. He says he has seen people passed out in flowerbeds When asked if he would consider moving, he said it was 'easier said than done in Sydney'. 'And to be honest, as taxpayers, I don't think it's too much to ask for clean and safe neighborhoods.' Family and Community Services (FACS) staff have not been provided with the support or resources needed to manage antisocial behaviour in public housing, according to the report. Methamphetamine (ice) was the most commonly consumed drug across the state from 2013 to 2017 Two illegal brothels were found to be operating from a public housing property in the last two years. More than 20 cats were found at another property. The most common complaint of antisocial behaviour was for disruptive noise, with 6,755 incidents reported. There were two cases where illegal brothels found to be operating from a public housing property (stock image) The report said frontline staff had not been sufficiently trained in the skills necessary to apply FACS' antisocial behaviour policy. Deputy Auditor-General for New South Wales Ian Goodwin, who wrote the report, recommended improvements to staff training and the data collection systems used to manage and record antisocial behaviour in public housing. He also recommended a more coordinated approach to case managing tenants with complex needs including those requiring mental health services and support. The National Party has proposed that every Australian under 35 on a parenting payment or the dole should receive a cashless welfare card. The cashless welfare cards have been trialled in an effort to stop drug and alcohol abuse and ensure bills are being paid. The proposal is due to be voted on at a Federal National Council on Saturday despite being met with mixed reviews. Other controversial motions will be discussed on Saturday that relate to freedom of religion, coal, migration, perks for working seniors and mandated primary industry education in all schools, News Corp reported. The National Party has proposed that every Australian under 35 on a parenting payment or the dole should receive a cashless welfare card (pictured) The proposal was discussed on Sunrise on Friday morning with radio presenter Chris Smith and Herald Sun columnist Susie O'Brien. Smith said while there was evidence the cards had been successful, it didn't mean the National Party should provide the cards to everyone. Members of the public responded to the proposal on Sunrise's Facebook and engaged in fierce debate. 'As was stated, welfare is not a right, its a help-out from the state. The welfare cycle which runs in families needs to be stopped as does those on the welfare who abuse it. We simply cannot afford it anymore,' wrote one user. 'Drug test the people and who ever fails gets there payments cut. Simple,' suggested a member of the public. 'I'm not on drugs and have every intention of returning to work when my child is old enough .. This idea doesn't really bother me that much.. As long as I can still feed and clothe my child and keep a roof over his head, I don't need lots of cash..,' another person commented. The cards, which can only be used in approved stores, are being trialled in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia before the system is implemented nationwide. The Visa debit cards allow welfare recipients to purchase food, clothing and pay their bills, however, they cannot be used to withdraw cash or pay for alcohol or cigarettes. The cards are being trialled in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia before the system is implemented nationwide. The card system was introduced to try and combat alcohol and tobacco abuse The card system was introduced to try and combat alcohol and tobacco abuse but some participants claim the stigma surrounding it has severely impacted their mental health. Under the scheme, 80 per cent of all Centrelink funds are locked onto the card. The other 20 per cent is added to the recipient's nominated bank account, ABC News reported. Cardholders feel as though by simply using the card, they are stigmatized against and automatically believed to be drug and alcohol abusers who have been struck with a restriction on spending. Charmaine Crowe, a senior policy officer at the Australian Council of Social Service believes this stems from the initiative's overarching goal. 'The problem with this kind of policy is that it casts an aspersion over the people subjected to it that they have issues with alcohol or drugs and gambling,' Ms Crowe said. The Department of Social Services initiative has faced a large amount of backlash, with Ms Asusaar being one of many people who claim cashless welfare has negative effects on mental health and leads to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Exemptions can be made, but only when there is a determination the program would seriously impact a person's mental, physical or emotional well-being. Under the scheme, 80 per cent of all Centrelink moneys are locked onto the card, which prohibits people from spending on alcohol, drugs or gambling A man has been jailed for at least 30 years after befriending teenage girls and young women on Facebook and other social media sites and then sexually assaulting them. Andrew James Benn, 29, raped or indecently assaulted 14 teenagers and young women he met on social media, including Facebook, Tinder and Snapchat, between September 2012 and January 2017. Newcastle District Court judge Roy Ellis on Thursday jailed Benn - who'd pleaded guilty to 33 charges including 21 counts of sexual intercourse without consent - for a total of 40 years with a non-parole period of 30 years. Andrew James Benn (pictured), 29, befriended teenage girls on social media platforms Facebook, Tinder and Snapchat, before luring them to secluded locations where he would sexually assault them Benn was remanded in Parklea Correctional Centre (pictured) in north-west Sydney until his sentencing Judge Ellis said the way a 'depraved' Benn had treated his victims was 'nothing short of despicable'. The judge described his enormous criminality as 'evil'. Benn would trawl through personal Facebook pages of random young women in the NSW Hunter region searching for victims and sending them friend requests. After befriending them, Benn would gain their confidence, and then arrange to meet in person before attacking them. In one case, Benn, from Rothbury in the Hunter Valley, sent a Facebook friend request to a 17-year-old girl in November 2013 and spent weeks chatting to her online until he convinced the teenager to meet him. The year 11 student told Benn she'd never been on a date before. She thought he was going to drive her into Newcastle but, instead, he took her to a boat ramp at Morpeth in Maitland and raped her in the back seat. Benn drove a 17-year-old victim to a deserted Morpeth cemetery (pictured), where he sexually assaulted her for a second time Benn then drove the terrified girl to the Morpeth cemetery where he raped her again. In an emotional victim impact statement read to the court, the woman revealed she'd been ashamed of what Benn had done to her. At the time she felt she couldn't tell anyone about being raped - including her mother. 'I was still in shock. I was worried about how my mother would react,' the woman told the court on Thursday. She suffered panic attacks, nightmares and flashbacks after the attack and subsequently failed year 11. She didn't return to school. Another victim told the court she hated herself every day because she froze when Benn attacked her and didn't fight back. Benn was arrested in January 2017 after two teenage girls and three women aged between 16 and 20 contacted police to report he'd sexually assaulted them. A further nine victims came forward following publicity about his arrest. Advertisement The skeletal remains of 14 Peruvians who were killed during the battle between Maoist guerrillas and the army during the 1980s have finally been laid to rest. More than 20,300 Peruvians are still considered 'disappeared' in the struggle between Peru's military and the Maoist Shining Path rebels during the 1980s and 1990s as public prosecutors have been unable to identify suspects or help families find their missing relative's remains in the vast majority of cases. But authorities hope an innovative new law will speed up what has long been a lengthy and burdensome process to identify those killed in the conflict. Under the new measure, authorities can turn over remains uncovered by forensic scientists before determining a cause of death or completing an investigation. Families are also no longer required to file a complaint with the chief prosecutor's office first. The skeletal remains of 14 Peruvians who were killed during the battle between Maoist guerrillas and the army during the 1980s have finally been laid to rest. Pictured: Family members taking pictures of Fortunate Ventura Huamacusi, a man who was killed by the Peruvian army in 1983, before he is laid to rest More than 20,300 Peruvians are still considered 'disappeared' in the struggle between Peru's military and the Maoist Shining Path rebels during the 1980s and 1990s, but authorities hope a new law will speed up identifying and burying those killed. Pictured: Ayacucho's Bishop Salvador Jose Miguel Pineiro, left, stands with an assistant behind the coffins of those killed Under the new measure, authorities can turn over remains uncovered by forensic scientists before determining a cause of death or completing an investigation. Pictured: A woman carrying the coffin of Mario Pillaca Landeo Forensic scientists in several countries in Latin America are still working to identify the remains of people killed during military dictatorships and civil conflicts decades ago. Pictured: A woman carrying her daughter as they make their way to place flowers on the graves of relatives Over the last 16 years, the remains of 3,823 disappeared people have been exhumed in the Andean nation. Pictured: Antonia Yupanki Tineo, 58, cries near the coffin of her uncle Alejandro Tineo, who was killed by Shining Path guerrillas in 1984, as she attends his proper burial in Quinuas, in Peru's Ayacucho province Pictured: Villagers carry the remains of people killed by the Shining Path guerrillas in 1984, during their proper burial in Tantana Forensic scientists in several countries in Latin America are still working to identify the remains of people killed during military dictatorships and civil conflicts decades ago. In countries like Peru, those remains are being found in remote areas that are difficult to access. Over the last 16 years, the remains of 3,823 people have been exhumed in the Andean nation. Susana Cori, who is leading work by the International Red Cross in locating the disappeared in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, called the new Peruvian approach unique, saying that in other parts of the region, 'this model with a humanitarian focus has not been used'. The new mandate is also aimed at helping families whose relatives were informally buried. Susana Cori, who is leading work by the International Red Cross in locating the disappeared in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, called the new Peruvian approach unique, saying that in other parts of the region, 'this model with a humanitarian focus has not been used'. Pictured: Relatives at the gravesite of Roman Medina Tello The new mandate is also aimed at helping families whose relatives were informally buried. Pictured: villagers gather around the coffins of their loved ones Pictured: Paulina Tineo Canchari cries as she stands before the many coffins of relatives killed by the Shining Path guerrillas and the Peruvian army Pictured: Marta Tineo Espinosa sits next to the coffins of her relatives, Daniel Tineo Ramos and Victoria Tineo Ramos, who were killed in 1984 The family of Alberto Ramos is among the first to benefit from that aspect. Military officers accused the 25-year-old truck driver of belonging to the Shining Path and shot him to death The family of Alberto Ramos is among the first to benefit from that aspect. Military officers accused the 25-year-old truck driver of belonging to the Shining Path and shot him to death. Hours later, his frightened relatives buried him in a rural cemetery and never got a death certificate to formally declare his violent end. Mariano Ramos, the dead man's brother, said his sibling's frequent trips to the Amazon to deliver food as part of his job raised suspicions among soldiers that he belonged to the Shining Path insurgency. 'You were accused without any proof,' Ramos said. 'And that was basically a death sentence.' In June, authorities exhumed the body and identified the remains through a genetic match to his surviving 98-year-old father. Earlier this week, Ramos buried his brother for a second time. He carried his sibling's remains in a white coffin and placed him back into the ground, just steps away from his old resting place. Pictured: Maria Magdalena Espinosa, whose husband Daniel Tineo was killed by the Shining Path guerrillas in 1984, poses for a portrait outside her home Mariano Ramos, the dead man's brother, said his sibling's frequent trips to the Amazon to deliver food as part of his job raised suspicions among soldiers that he belonged to the Shining Path insurgency. 'You were accused without any proof,' Ramos said. 'And that was basically a death sentence.' Pictured: relatives of those killed Pictured: villagers eating breakfast before giving a proper burial to their loved ones who were killed Pictured: Flowers stand inside the niche of Fortunate Ventura Huamacusi on the day of his proper burial at the cemetery in Rosaspata, in Peru's Ayacucho province The mother of a terminally ill boy says neighbors are harassing her because parking spaces on her block are occupied by the team of medical professionals who come to treat her son. Melissa Huitema of Calgary, Alberta is fighting to save the life of her five-year-old son, Cade, who has Krabbe disease. Krabbe disease is a rare, genetic illness that affects the nervous system and has no known cure. Those afflicted with Krabbe disease usually do not live past the age of two. Cade is completely aware of whats going on around him, but his body is failing him, said Huitema. Melissa Huitema of Calgary, Alberta is fighting to save the life of her five-year-old son, Cade, who has Krabbe disease Krabbe disease is a rare, genetic illness that affects the nervous system and has no known cure. Those afflicted with Krabbe disease usually do not live past the age of two. Huitema is seen with Cade and her other two sons - Kean and Kai Cade is completely aware of whats going on around him, but his body is failing him, said Huitema Huitema, a registered nurse, has an army of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers frequently come to the house to look after Cade Huitema, a registered nurse, has an army of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers frequently come to the house to look after Cade, according to The Canadian Press. Her son needs constant care. Because he is unable to swallow, he is fed through a tube. The airway needs to be suctioned so that he doesnt develop pneumonia. Cade also needs to take 20 medications per day. A developmental specialist works with him on arts and crafts as well as science experiments. Theyve taught him how to communicate. He looks to his right for yes, his left for no, said Huitema. Even though the neighbors are fully aware of Cades condition, they are still complaining about parking spots taken up by medical professionals who come to the house to look after the boy He makes decisions on his own. He picks his books. The nurses even let him pick out what he wants to wear for the day. Huitema, her husband, and their three children live on a street where single-family homes are spaced close to one another. Because none of the homes have driveways or garages, the street is the only parking option. That means it is first-come-first-serve. This has led to arguments amongst the neighbors. Ive had people come to my door and tell me that I needed to move the vehicle or they were going to hit it, she said. WHAT CAUSES KRABBE DISEASE? Krabbe disease occurs when a baby inherits two copies of a mutated gene. Genes tell the body how to produce proteins. When they are altered, the body's proteins do not function properly. Children with Krabbe disease cannot produce enough or any of a crucial enzyme called galactocerebrosidase. Because children with the illness do not have enough of this enzyme, too much of certain kinds of fats called galactolipids build up in their bodies. The accumulation of these fats creates a toxic effect. Most children with Krabbe disease die as a result of respiratory complications, problems that arise because they are immobile or problems caused by decreased muscle tone. Krabbe disease is found in around one in 100,000 to 200,000 births. Advertisement Ive had people leave notes on the vehicle asking not to park here, park there. Ive had people saying "Can you not park in front of my house?" when Im walking out with my kids. Im trying to deal with other things. Theres kind of a lot going on. Even though the neighbors are fully aware of Cades condition, they are still complaining. Its just infuriating. Huitema declined to identify the neighborhood in which she lives in order not to further antagonize those who live close by. She hopes that people will show more empathy. We need to be more aware of what people are going through, she said. You need to take a step back and think about your actions. Not all of her neighbors are cranky. She said some leave parking spots open when possible. The Canadian government says that the parking spaces are public and it is powerless to deny neighbors access to them. A baby-faced journalist had to sidestep politics to discuss moisturisers on morning television after he was mocked for his youthful good looks. Political reporter Matt Doran was doing a live cross from Canberra to the ABC's News Breakfast program on Thursday when the topic of legislation suddenly changed to skin care. Co-host Ali Moore started the on-air banter by commenting on how she thought he looked good for his age, while joking about him being a work experience student. Scroll down for video Matthew Doran (pictured) has been mocked for his youthful good looks on morning television 'Matthew, I understand you have double maths this morning?', she said, to which he laughed and credited his flawless complexion to good skincare. 'It's all moisturising. I'm actually 52,' he told Moore and her co-host Michael Rowland. Clearly not 52, Doran said he'd received similar comments on social media and accused Rowland as being the source of the joke and snooping through his Twitter account. 'Michael is trolling me. We had one viewer suggesting there are child labour laws being broken by allowing me to into the ABC studios this morning,' he said. The co-hosts laughed and Rowland said he took Doran's accusation as a compliment. Rowland then read out another comment about Doran's boyish looks on air, saying that the praise was indeed from a viewer and not from him. 'My husband and I both ex-teachers and we always remark on how well you are doing at work experience. Enjoy your youthful good looks.' Doran said he'd received similar comments on social media (pictured) and accused Rowland as being the source of the joke Doran (pictured) jokingly said that he's actually 52 and the secret to his boyish looks is moisturisation The breakfast hosts laughed again, with Rowland saying: 'We now know the secret.' Moore chimed in by saying: 'keep up the moisturising Matthew, it's all good.' Doran is far from being an intern. A former law clerk, he has a bachelor's degree in law and journalism from University of South Australia. After joining ABC's newsroom as a cadet in 2013, he moved through the ranks before he landed his current role as a political reporter specialising in legal affairs. LOCAL fruit growers have benefited from a total of 9.5bn/- that the Bakhresa Food Products Ltd (BFPL) paid them for buying their produce during last and this years harvest seasons. Two years ago, the President John Magufuli inaugurated the second phase of the mangoes processing division of the state-of-the-art plant in Mwandege, Mkuranga, in Coast Region. The companys Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Hussein Sufian, explained yesterday that over the past eight years, the industry bought 175,000 tonnes of fruits from local farmers, mainly mango growers. For mangos, pineapples and oranges, we get abundant raw materials from the local farmers to manufacture soft drinks, Mr Sufian explained. The farmers are mainly from Lindi, Mtwara,Tanga, Iringa, Shinyanga, Tabora and Coast regions. He was speaking during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade and Environment held at the industry. He told committee members that last year, the company paid tax amounting to 56bn/- to the government. The committee has for this whole week been visiting different industries in the city of Dar es Salaam and Coast region. On his part, its chairman, Mr Suleiman Saddiq, noted that about five carbonated drink manufacturers that they visited were complaining over not receiving their refundable import duty on imported sugar used as raw material for the past two years, amounting to 35bn/-. The government had imposed 15 per cent refundable tax on imported sugar as raw materials for drink manufacturers. The money is refunded upon audits, to verify if the sugar was actually used as raw materials not for consumption. The companies are now complaining that they have not been refunded even after the auditing proved that the sugar was in effect raw materials. We will advise the government to refund the money in time so that the local industries are not affected by this import duty, he said. On her part, the Industry, Trade and Investment Deputy Minister, Eng Stella Manyanya, directed the industries to adhere to honesty and traceability for their exports, to avoid misunderstandings with their customers in neighbuoring countries. A young boy playing with matches in the barbecue aisle started a huge blaze inside a Woolworths store. The fire, which started in aisle eight of the Narellan store, in Sydney's south, destroyed almost $3,000 worth of items including napkins, plates and grill brushes. Police said that the fire was contained but almost reached the store's ceiling lights, according to The Daily Telegraph. The child, believed to be aged around five, was on his own in the aisle while his parents shopped. A fire started in a Woolworths store after a child as young as five was found playing with matches in the barbecue aisle (stock images) A Woolworths employee immediately grabbed a hose and stopped the fire from spreading. Customers evacuated the store after the fire alarm was set off. Camden Police and Fire and Rescue NSW were also at the scene. Camden Police Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Jayne Doherty said that police have a 10-page list of stocks lost due to the fire. She also added that police are also looking at CCTV footage in order to identify the child and the parents. 'We remind parents they are responsible for their children,' She told The Daily Telegraph. 'The incident could have created a safety issue but lucky for the quick work of a Woolworths employee the fire hose was used and put out the fire resulting in the fire not being able to spread'. A man is dead after the water helicopter he was flying hit a tree killing him instantly. Emergency services have confirmed the pilot, the only person on board, died in the crash which happened on the NSW South Coast. The aircraft was flying in the Woodstock area, when the accident happened just before 3pm on Friday. A pilot has died after a water-bombing helicopter crashed into a tree (stock image) Pictured are emergency crews on the scene of the crash near Ulladulla Police, ambulance and fire crews are on the scene at a property off Kingiman Road, Woodburn, just west of Ulladulla. The wreckage of the aircraft was found on the property and when police arrived they found the pilot deceased. The helicopter had been contracted by the the Rural Fire Service to help fight the Kingiman fire when it crashed. 'The NSW Rural Fire Service can confirm a serious incident involving one of its contracted waterbombing helicopters working on a bush fire in the Shoalhaven area,' a RFS statement said. 'The incident occurred a short time ago on the Kingiman fire, burning west of Ulladulla.' Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, tweeted her sympathies for the pilot's family late Friday afternoon. The helicopter had been contracted to help fight the fires on the South Coast (pictured) The fire at Kingiman (pictured) has threatened lives and homes in the last few days 'I am deeply saddened by the death of a helicopter pilot while fighting fires near Ulladulla today,' she wrote 'My thoughts and prayers are with the pilots family and our brave emergency service personnel.' Just before the crash the water-bombing aircraft had been seen flying over the region by residents in the dairy farming region of Woodstock, just west of Ulladulla. The helicopter is a 1994 Kawasaki BK117 and is registered to Sydney Helicopters. A spokesman for the company said they were working to gather details of the crash. 'Significant resources' from emergency services including a rescue helicopter have been dispatched to the area, a NSW Police spokesman said. It's understood nearby naval base HMAS Albatross is also providing assistance. Residents in Hobbs Lane and nearby Evans Lane had been evacuated in recent days by fire crews working to control a 1600 hectare fire at Kingiman. A spokesperson for NSW Police said 'significant resources' has been dispatched to the area It's one of three major bushfires on the state's South Coast At the height of the fire danger on Wednesday, Woodstock residents were told to seek shelter in solid structures as it was too late for them to safely evacuate. It's one of three major bushfires on the state's South Coast that have destroyed and threatened properties in the past few days. The RFS said the fire is currently under control, after crews had 'taken advantage of favourable conditions overnight to establish containment lines around the fire ahead of deteriorating conditions into the weekend.' A crime scene has been established which will be forensically examined. NSW Police Force will prepare a report for the Coroner. A Chinese herbal medicine practitioner is facing a lengthy jail sentence after he was charged with the death of one of his patients. Yun Sen Lou handed himself into police at Hornsby, Sydney, on Thursday afternoon before being charged with manslaughter for the death of a 56-year-old woman. The 52-year-old was formally refused bail and faced court on Friday on one count of manslaughter following the results of an autopsy. Yun Sen Lou (pictured) handed himself into police at Hornsby, Sydney, on Thursday afternoon before being charged with manslaughter for the death of a 56-year-old woman It is alleged Lou, who has shown no remorse at all for his actions, encouraged the 56-year-old woman to cease her diabetes medication in May. A fortnight later she died in hospital. He's accused of causing her death in circumstances of 'gross negligence', according to a charge sheet filed in Hornsby Local Court. Bail was granted when the matter was briefly mentioned in Hornsby Local Court. The prosecution had agreed to Luo's bail on several conditions including that he surrender his passport, not contact the alleged victim's family or witnesses, and not practice or provide advice on medical matters. Doctors subsequently voiced their concerns with Kuring Gai Police Area Command, who established Strike Force Caffs to investigate circumstances surrounding the death. He's accused of causing her death in circumstances of 'gross negligence', according to a charge sheet filed in Hornsby Local Court Lou had been treating the woman for an existing medical condition following her arrival in Sydney earlier this year to visit relatives. The registered doctor also has a practice in the Sydney inner-west suburb of Burwood. Lou claims to treat a range of health conditions, notably depression, ADHD and infertility. His registration was immediately suspended and he faces a very strong prosecution case and the high likelihood of a custodial sentence if convicted. 'In regards to medical matters, it's dressed-up quackery isn't it,' Magistrate Daniel Reiss said in court. The magistrate in his bail decision said Luo had strong community ties after living in Australia for almost 30 years and no criminal history. His matter is next due in court in October. Advertisement Thousands of students around the UK hit the town last night to celebrate - or commiserate - A-level results day. Huge queues stretching back for 200 yards saw hundreds standing in line to gain entry to nightclubs in Leeds, which was awash with young revellers who wasted no time in toasting their success with two-for-one cocktails. The throng of teenagers were in high spirits as they were photographed hugging one another and whooping with joy. The need to let off steam after two years of studying was evident with pupils dancing the night away. For many, last night would be one of the last chances they would have to party with their college and school friends before heading off to university - or other pastures new - next month. More than one in four A-levels were awarded an A or A* this year - the highest proportion for six years, national figures showed. But the proportion handed the very top result has fallen to its lowest level since 2013. In total, 26.4 per cent of UK entries were given one of the two top grades - up 0.1 percentage points on 2017, according to data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications. This is the highest percentage since 2012. A group of students pose for a group photo in Cardiff last night as thjey celebrate after receiving their A-level results One young woman was held by a young man in Cardiff (left), while a girl put a reassuring arm around another in the city (right) A group of girls in Cardiff make the most of the night out following the release of A-level results across Britain yesterday One reveller looked slightly worse for wear in Cardiff last night (left), while another woman was doing cartwheels (right) A group of five friends were in a good mood as they partied in Cardiff last night, with one holding an Amstel-branded glass These friends laugh as they enjoy a night out in Cardiff yesterday as they celebrate the release of A-level results A young woman is helped by two friends through the streets of Cardiff as students have a night out to celebrate their results Three girls smile for the camera as they celebrate after receiving their A-level results earlier in the day One girl is helped by two friends as she struggles during the night out in Cardiff that saw students hit the city centre One young woman takes a photo of another as they enjoy a night out in Cardiff to celebrate their exam results Time to celebrate! A group of friends in Leeds hugged one another and cheered with joy as they celebrated their A-levels Party time: Students braved the mild temperatures in Leeds with skirts and trainers as they took to the streets to celebrate Results day: A group of friends were among the hundreds waiting in line to gain entry to Pryzm nightclub in Leeds last night Happy days: These teenagers couldn't keep the smiles of satisfaction from their faces as they celebrated their results in Leeds Strike a pose: Whether they were drowning their sorrows or toasting their success, students were celebrating in Leeds Smiles all round: This group of young men posed for a photograph as they descended on Leeds to toast to their success Making memories: Many students were partying with their college school friends before heading off to university in Leeds Standing in line: Fresh-faced revellers in Newcastle patiently waited outside Bijoux nightclub - a Geordie Shore favourite Dressed to impress: A pair of stylish partygoers shared a bottle of beer as they hit Newcastle to celebrate their exam results Busy: Huge queues stretching back for 200 yards saw students standing in line to gain entry to nightclubs in Leeds Smiles all round: A cheerful trio in Newcastle joined the thousands of students who marked the end to their A-levels in style Strike a pose: Young partygoers were in high spirits as they took to the town for a night of well-earned fun in Leeds Celebration: This year's cohort of A-level students (pictured in Newcastle) got the highest proportion of As and A*s since 2012 Popular: Gigantic queues stretching back for hundreds of yards saw dozens of youngsters queue to gain entry in Leeds 'A-OK': This gaggle of friends included one cheeky chappy who couldn't help but to make the 'A-OK' signal in Leeds Taking a break: The festivities appeared all too much for one young man, who appeared to take some time out in Newcastle Having a rest: The partying looked too much for one reveller who was helped by friends on the pavement in Newcastle Night out: Three young women talk as they enjoy partying in Newcastle city centre on the day A-Level results were announced Crossing the road: One young woman stands with her hands on her hips as young people enjoy a night out in Newcastle Party central: Two women walk along the street in Newcastle as another woman pets a man's dog on the pavement Christopher Watts, 33, sent the tender text two months before his arrest this week The tragic text messages that a husband sent to his pregnant wife just months before he was accused of murdering her and their two daughters have been revealed. Christopher Watts, 33, sent the messages to wife Shanann Watts, 34, on June 19, when she sent him an ultrasound showing the progress of her third pregnancy. 'Little Peanut!! Love her/him already!!!' Christopher wrote in response to the ultrasound image. Shanann shared the exchange on Facebook later the same day, writing: 'I love Chris! He's the best dad us girls could ask for.' On Thursday, police said they had found the bodies of Shanann and her daughters, three-year-old Celeste and four-year-old Bella, in a Colorado oil field where Watts worked. Shanann Watts shared the above exchange on Facebook on June 19. Her husband was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering her and their two daughters Christopher was arrested on suspicion of the murders late Wednesday, though he has yet to be formally charged. The husband claimed for days that his wife and daughters were missing, even going on television with an emotional appeal for their return. 'In my heart, I believe that she is somewhere and I hope that she is safe,' he told Fox31 on Tuesday afternoon. 'I don't know what to do right now. I just feel so alone in this house right now. I don't know where to to from here.' Shanann went missing on Monday after returning from a business trip to Arizona at around 1am, Christopher said. She promotes a weight loss supplement for a living and travels the country to attend sales conferences. Christopher and Shanann are seen with their two daughters. Police say that he confessed to the murders and tried to hide the bodies in the oil field where he worked The children spent the weekend at home with their father while their mother was away working, police said. Watts said the last time he saw his wife was at 5.15am on Monday when he left for work. He said that they had stayed up having an 'emotional conversation' between her arrival at 1am and his departure for work. He said he became worried when she did not reply to his text messages later in the morning. Watts said he became panicked when a friend arrived at the home at noon and there was no answer. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant. Her family revealed on Thursday that she was carrying a baby boy who was to be named Nico. Christopher Watts is being held without bail in the Weld County Jail. He is next due in court on Tuesday. While formal charges have not yet been filed, he faces three counts of murder, and three counts of tampering with evidence. A British software entrepreneur has claimed Australian customs officials bugged his phone after taking his Android mobile phone and laptop into a private room. Nathan Hague accused Border Force officers at Sydney airport of installing bugging software on his phone, after noticing an unfamiliar 'animated octopus' feature. 'The police state has arrived in Australia,' he declared on a Facebook video. 'My phone was rooted or software was installed on there.' Under existing laws, customs officials have the right to copy files from electronic devices if they suspect someone could be engaging in illegal activity. They can hold mobile phones and laptops for up to 14 days. The Australian government is seeking to give Border Force officials the power to seize electronic items for up to 30 days. Nathan Hague accused Border Force officers at Sydney airport of installing bugging software on his phone, after noticing an unfamiliar 'animated octopus' feature Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor's said his proposed Assistance and Access Bill was designed to tackle the encryption of information 'increasingly being used by paedophiles, terrorists and organised criminals to conceal their illicit activities'. Mr Hague has accused the Australian government of putting a monitoring device on his phone, claiming he saw an unfamiliar 'animated octopus' monitoring feature with a dark, blue background. 'There's no reason at all to do what they did,' he said, adding it was a 'massive intrusion into my privacy'. 'I wasn't supposed to see that, obviously.' The British man, who claimed he wasn't a conspiracy theorist, urged his followers to take almost blank mobile phone and laptops with them when they travelled The British man, who claimed he wasn't a conspiracy theorist, urged his followers to take almost blank mobile phone and laptops with them when they travelled, before reinstalling the information once they had settled into a new country, to avoid customs officials obtaining their private data. He did, however, praised the Border Force officers for being 'really nice' as they did their jobs. A Department of Home Affairs spokeswoman said Border Force officers routinely copied data from travellers at airports if they suspected they were engaging in suspicious activity. A war between neighbours has finally ended but the cost to both sides has been pricey. Chris and Deborah Fleetwood's six-year legal battle with their neighbours over their $680,000 beachside home has finally ended. The couple were ordered to demolish the home last year following a six-year court battle. But negotiations have led to a compromise, The Advertiser reported. The conflict began in 2012 when the Marion Council approved plans for two-storey house on The Cove Rd, Marion The compromise will see the home saved but the Fleetwood's will have to spend about $300,000 making modifications, which includes removing windows looking west towards the sea. They will also have to change their roof to make it less bulky and add larger windows on the eastern side of the house. 'It won't be the retirement house we thought we would have (but) the most important thing in this was to get consent for the house,' Mr Fleetwood said. The conflict began in 2012 when the Marion Council approved plans for two-storey house on The Cove Rd, Marion. Despite neighbours Alex and Debra Paior challenging the decision because of its size the building went ahead. The house was built but the legal issues continued. In 2017 when the couple were ordered to demolish the home following the court's finding that the house was 'unreasonable' and 'excessive' and the council should never have approved it. The modifications will see the windows looking west towards the sea. They will also have to change their roof to make it less bulky After years of lodging applications and having those quashed there was finally a resolution this month. Combined, both couples and the council spent $600,000 in legal costs. 'We are not happy with the councils conduct because had the councils planners applied the law and followed proper procedures, this dispute would never have occurred,' Mr Paior said. Marion Council has changed its procedures and given their planning staff extra training since the debacle. Thousands of people have been paying homage to India's former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who made the country a global nuclear power ahead of his cremation today at the age of 93. Vajpayee, a former journalist and poet turned politician, died yesterday in a New Delhi hospital where he was being treated for a kidney infection and chest congestion. Amid chants of 'Long Live Vajpayee' by his admirers, his body was today taken in a gun carriage from his home to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters before cremation on the banks of the Yamuna River. The government announced the national flag will be flown at half-mast in mourning for seven days at government offices and Indian embassies abroad. An Indian army gun carriage carries the remains of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's towards the Bharatiya Janata Party office Schools and colleges are closed in the Indian capital with the government announcing seven-day mourning for Vajpayee. He served three times as India's prime minister: for 13 days in 1996, for 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and then from 1999 to 2004. Vajpayee is credited with helping lay the foundations for the meteoric rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political powerhouse that rules India today. A one-time journalist, Vajpayee was in many ways a political contradiction: He was the moderate leader of an often-strident Hindu nationalist movement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo extended his condolences in a statement praising Vajpayee's contributions to India and to the development of bilateral relations. Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is pictured above, in this May 2, 2004 file photo, greeting the audience at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi The ex-PM was a lifelong poet who revered nature but who oversaw India's growth into a swaggering regional economic power. He was also the prime minister who ordered nuclear tests in 1998, stoking fears of atomic war between India and Pakistan. Then, a few years later, it was Vajpayee who made the first moves toward peace. Vajpayee's supporters saw him as a skilled politician who managed to avoid fanaticism; a man who refused to see the world in black and white. But his critics considered him the leader of a fanatic movement - a movement partially rooted in European fascism that sought power by stoking public fears of India's large Muslim minority. The one thing both sides could agree on was his honesty. Vajpayee was that rare person in Indian politics: untainted by corruption scandals. Vajpayee's body was to be taken to his New Delhi home and then to the BJP's office on Friday for people to pay their last respects, ahead of his cremation this afternoon This handout photograph released by India's Press Information Bureau on August 16 shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) laying a wreath next to the body of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vaajpayee in New Delhi One of seven children of a schoolteacher in central India, Vajpayee joined India's Hindu revivalist political movement in his late 20s. Elected to Parliament in 1957, he became the best-known figure in its moderate wing, and helped the Bharatiya Janata Party become one of India's few national political parties. One of India's longest-serving lawmakers, Vajpayee was elected nine times to the powerful Lok Sabha, or lower house of Parliament. He also served two terms in the Rajya Sabha, or upper house. A woman and a child watch as a man waits with a wreath to offer his respects to former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee outside Bharatiya Janata party in New Delhi, India Vajpayee led the party to its first national electoral victory in 1996, but lasted just 13 days as prime minister before he resigned in the face of a no-confidence motion. He returned to power in 1998 for 13 months after forging an alliance of 22 parties, mostly regional power brokers with disparate local appeal, and again served as India's prime minister from 1999 to 2004. It was in India's relations with Pakistan where Vajpayee's influence may last the longest. While India's nuclear weapons program is believed to date to the 1980s, New Delhi had long insisted its atomic program was purely for peaceful purposes. Vajpayee, a former journalist and poet turned politician, is credited with helping lay the foundations for the meteoric rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political powerhouse that rules India today In 2015, the government honored Vajpayee with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, while his December 25 birthday was declared 'Good Governance Day' in a tribute to his leadership Vajpayee, 93, died on Thursday in a New Delhi hospital where he was being treated for a kidney infection and chest congestion That changed within a month of Vajpayee returning to the prime minister's post in 1998, when he approved a series of nuclear weapons tests that shocked the world and pushed Islamabad to launch its own tests. But the next year, when Islamabad sent fighters across the cease-fire line that divides the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between the nations, Vajpayee resisted military pressure to launch a broad counter-attack of Indian forces. After 11 weeks and more than 1,000 deaths, Pakistan ordered the fighters to withdraw. India earned international praise for its caution. His peace efforts began with a groundbreaking bus ride to Lahore, Pakistan, in February 1999, where he met with then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The diplomatic journey inaugurated the first regular bus service between the two nations. In this April 25, 1996 file photo, the then Hindu nationalist party candidate for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee greeted supporters and was showered with rose petals at a campaign rally in New Delhi, India Then, just before leaving office in 2004, he launched a peace process that, while often rocky, remains the basis of ongoing negotiations. Vajpayee avoided bedrock nationalist issues, like plans to build a Hindu temple at the site of a demolished north Indian mosque. But critics excoriated him for failing to quickly quell anti-Muslim riots that shook the state of Gujarat in 2002. More than 1,100 people, almost all of them Muslim, were killed in the riots, which began after a train fire killed 60 Hindu pilgrims. Muslims were accused of setting the fire, though the true cause was never known. The body of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, wrapped in the Indian national flag, is taken in full state honor to the Bharatiya Janata party office for people to pay their last tributes in New Delhi The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where Vajpayee had been hospitalised for more than two months with a kidney infection and chest congestion, announced his death. Vajpayee, a leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, had suffered a stroke in 2009 Vajpayee's public response to the riots reflected his many contradictions. In the days after the pogrom, Vajpayee said he could not understand how Hindus could burn women and children alive, sadly asking a group of Muslim survivors: 'Have we lost our way so much that we cease to be humans?' Just a year later, though, he told a mostly Hindu audience, 'Wherever there are Muslims in large numbers, they do not want to live in peace.' While known for his poetry and gifted with a politician's common touch - as a parliamentarian he would take his dogs for walks in public he was not known for public introspection. Few people could claim to understand what drove him. He never married, but lived with his adopted daughter, her husband and their daughter. Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a Hindu nationalist who set off a nuclear arms race with rival Pakistan but later reached across the border to begin a groundbreaking peace process, died Thursday after a long illness Vajpayee quickly dropped from sight after the BJP lost power to the long-dominant Congress party in 2004 elections. As his health failed, Vajpayee stayed out of the limelight even when the BJP returned to power a decade later and Narendra Modi became prime minister. Modi's government presented Vajpayee as an icon, seeking inspiration from his political career and cashing in on his stature and popularity as a statesman acceptable across political divides. 'It was Vajpayee's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. 'His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India,' Modi tweeted Thursday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo extended his condolences in a statement praising Vajpayee's contributions to India and to the development of bilateral relations. The body of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, wrapped in the Indian national flag, is taken in full state honour to the Bharatiya Janata party office for people to pay their last tributes in New Delhi, India, Friday, August 17 The Indian national flag flies at half-mast at the Home Ministry in New Delhi on August 17, 2018, following the death of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Advertisement The bridge that collapsed in the Italian port city of Genoa was considered a feat of engineering innovation when it was built five decades ago, but it came to require constant maintenance and its design is now being investigated as a possible contributor to its collapse. The Morandi Bridge was severed in its midsection during a heavy downpour Tuesday. Government officials initially said 39 people were killed but revised the death toll to 38 on Thursday. Italian prosecutors are now focusing their investigation into possible design flaws or inadequate maintenance of the bridge that opened in 1967. Photos of the homes located underneath the surviving sections of the collapsed Morandi bridge show one of its pillars cutting through part of a roof on a block of flats underneath. Bizarre design: One of the pillars of the highway bridge which collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 38 people, appears to cut through a part of the roof of the building under it Cutting it close: The bridge that collapsed in was considered a feat of engineering innovation when it was built, but its design is now being investigated as a possible contributor to its collapse A section of the collapsed Morandi Bridge is seen above, from the 'red zone' restricted area in Genoa, Italy August 17. This image appears to show cracks in the structure People who live under the structure and have to move homes carry belongings wearing hard hats under the collapsed Morandi Bridge The houses pre-date the bridge, which appears to have been constructed with little consideration of the apartment blocks that it dwarfs. The blocks of flats underneath the Morandi bridge are now set to be destroyed, forcing 630 people out of their homes. The apartment buildings have been evacuated in the wake of the disaster due to the risk of further collapse, and on Thursday evening the first residents of some buildings in the affected area were allowed to return home. While the possibly flawed design is being investigated, the Italian government has pinned the blame on Autostrade per L'Italia, the private company contracted to maintain and operate the motorway bridge. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini demanded that the company offer up to 500 million euros (448million) to help families and local government deal with the aftermath of the disaster. Residents are helped by firefighters as they get their belongings from their evacuated homes in Genoa The first residents of some buildings in the affected area were allowed to return home yesterday Lucky: Hundreds live in the flats which came before the bridge, and are now likely to be demolished after the collapse A rescue worker looks up at apartment buildings immediately under the collapsed Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa A broken section of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa are pictured immediately above blocks of apartment buildings Evacuated: Hundreds of residents living in the shadow of what remains of the Morandi bridge have had to be evacuated and may now lose their homes 'If we've put up five million euros, they should offer 500 million,' he told reporters. 'There needs to be an immediate, concrete and tangible signal for these families: they should put their hands on their hearts and in their wallets.' Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli said yesterday that he has given Autostrade 15 days to prove that it has fulfilled its obligations and is not to blame for the collapse. He said reconstruction of the key artery should begin 'as quickly as possible', and wants Autostrade to carry it out at its own expense. The highway bridge was a link between two major highways, one going to France and the other to Milan. Autostrade, which estimates it will take five months to rebuild the bridge, denies scrimping on motorway maintenance, saying it has invested over one billion euros a year in 'safety, maintenance and strengthening of the network' since 2012. Atlantia, the holding company that owns Autostrade, has slammed the threats to revoke its concessions and warned that the government would have to refund the value of the contract, which runs until at least 2038. A woman is overcome by emotion as she sits beside a coffin of a victim of a collapsed highway bridge, at the Fiera di Genova exhibition center, where some of the victims are laid in state Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli said in a Facebook post that lodgings will be found for the residents, but that ultimately their apartments might have to be destroyed A young family and other local residents wait by their homes amid fears further sections of the bridge could collapse Waiting game: A woman holding a baby waits by the police cordons in the hopes that she may be allowed back into her home after she and some 630 others were evacuated after the Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy Rescuers work among the rubble and wreckage of the Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa early Friday morning, three days after the section collapsed Still hope: The chance of finding survivors at this stage was slim and the unstable mountains of debris made the search operation dangerous, but rescue workers said they had not given up hope Devastation: At least 38 people have died after a 260ft section of the Genoa highway bridge suddenly collapsed during a storm on Tuesday Broken: A satellite image shows the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, northern Italy The government has already filed the plans for a new replacement bridge, which they want Autostrade to pay for. It is set to cost 100 million euros, be two lanes wider than the old bridge, and could be finished by 2019, La Stampa reports. The parts of the bridge still standing, as well as the flats, will have to be destroyed to make way for the new overpass, which could either be built in the same spot or further along the rail tracks. All that remains, the newspaper said quoting Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio, is to ensure the work can begin - meaning a promise from Autostrade that they will foot the bill for the new bridge. The structure is a cable stayed bridge designed by late Italian engineer Riccardo Morandi, using reinforced and prestressed concrete. Among its unusual features were its concrete-encased stay cables, which Morandi used in several of his bridge designs instead of the more common steel cables. There are two similar bridges in the world, in Libya and Venezuela. Eerie: The bridge pictured weeks before its collapse shows it looking dilapidated with cables hanging from the sides Photos from Google Maps showed the bridge with what appeared to be spot repairs in the months leading up to the collapse, as it had been under repair since 2016. The blame game: Who is responsible for the deadly Genoa bridge collapse? The exact cause of Tuesday's disaster in Genoa, the latest in a string of bridge collapses in Italy, is not yet clear but Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli has sworn that 'those responsible will have to pay.' The finger has been pointed in several directions, namely Autostrade Per Italia, the private company that operates many of Italy's toll highways. Italy's deputy premier, Luigi Di Maio accused the Benetton group, which through its 6million holding company Atlantia controls Autostrade Per Italia, of pocketing profits instead of investing money for maintenance. No fairy story now: Italian Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio, center right, and Italian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli, center left with glasses, speak to the media in front of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy Di Maio's Five Star Movement party, which is governing alongside the League party, vowed to fine highway agency Autostrade 150million euros (133million) for breach of contract while calling for its bosses to be sacked. However, Di Maio's own party dismissed fears that the Morandi bridge in Genoa would collapse as a 'fairy story' while opposing repair work as a 'waste of money' as recently as 2013. A now-deleted statement on the party's website argues against a project to improve Genoa's highways - including the bridge - saying those who backed the plan showed 'an embarrassing lack of critical sense.' The plan is 'an obsolete idea with exorbitant costs that, in the end, would fall entirely on citizens' who would have to deal with a decade of building works and disruption, the statement says. Repair work was eventually carried out on the bridge in 2016 but plans to rebuild it were shelved amid fears it would be too disruptive to locals. Men in charge: Paolo Berti, the Operations and Maintenance manager of Atlantia, Stefano Marigliani, the director of the Genoa stretch of carriage way and Giancarlo Guenzi, Altantias chief financial officer are being accused of not ensuring maintenance of the bridge was up to date while pocketing huge salaries One of the people singled out at responsible for the disaster is one of Atlantia's well-paid and sharply-dressed executives with a reported love of fast cars and tropical beaches. Paolo Berti, 47, from Milan, is the Operations and Maintenance manager of Atlantia, and therefore directly responsible for maintaining the Morandi Bridge and the scores of other motorway structures that span Italys mountainous landscape. The others are Stefano Marigliani, the director of the Genoa stretch of carriage way and Giancarlo Guenzi, Atlantias chief financial officer with responsibility of approving or refusing maintenance budgets. Atlantia is a public company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. Its largest single shareholder is Sintonia, an investment vehicle of the Benetton family known for their international fashion brand. Billionaire Gilberto Benetton, 77, one of the founders of United Colors of Benetton Sisley, is a director of Atlantia. Several people are now asking what role of the executives who each earn in excess of 100,00 per year played in the up-keep of the ruined structure. Atlantia said on its website today that it has spent 11.4 billion euros (10.17bn) to improve 923km (574 miles) of Italian motorways, and was waiting for approval from authorities to build a bypass around Genoa. Local politician have also been accused of failing the people of Genoa, by refusing to allocate funds to carry out vital maintenance work on the crumbling bridge. In December 2016, Genoan newspaper Il Secolo XIX claimed maintenance of bridges in the area had been lacking funds because authorities 'preferred to allocate more funds to new works'. The paper accused officials in the Liguria region of only making important restorations when issues with bridges had become obvious. In addition, some have sought to blame the local Mafia, citing urban legends of crime bosses selling bad concrete with not enough cement, and known incidents of the Mafia infiltrated the Italian construction industry. Advertisement Genoa bridge collapse: Questions asked after tragedy What happened? Around 11.30am on Tuesday, August 14, the Morandi bridge - named for the architect who built it - partially collapsed in the city of Genoa. At least 38, including multiple children, died in the tragedy with a dozen more in critical condition in hospital. Shock and disbelief turned to anger on Wednesday as people demanded to know how such a thing could happen and who was responsible. How many people were involved? At least 38 people have died, while another 17 were taken to hospital, 12 of whom are in critical condition, interior minister Matteo Salvini said. However, that number could rise further as Salvini said 'several' more remain missing, without giving a specific figure. Around 60,000 motorists pass over the bridge every day, which was busy with commuters, truck drivers and holidaymakers when it fell. Why did the bridge fall down? A heavy storm blanketed the city at the time of the collapse and witnesses reported seeing lightning strike the bridge just before it came down. However, structural engineers have since ruled out this possibility, saying a fault with the construction or materials is far more likely. Residents complained that the bridge was wobbly long before it fell down and said it was being constantly repaired. Regional officials had been planning to replace the bridge as far back as 2013, though work was never started for fears over cost and disruption. The bridge did eventually undergo repairs in 2016. Who is to blame? Perhaps the most outlandish theory points to the Mafia, which was known to have influence over the construction industry when the bridge was built more than 50 years ago. There are fears that the gangs may have used substandard concrete in construction in order to make greater profits. The government on Wednesday blamed highways agency Autostrade, which operates around half of Italy's toll highways, including the bridge. Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio accused Autostrade, which is owned through a shell company by the Benneton group, of failing to carry out proper maintenance work. He threatened to fine the company 133million for breach of contract and withdrawn government funding, while calling on bosses to step down. Others pointed the finger at Di Maio's Five Star party, which in 2013 had argued vociferously against carrying out extensive construction work on the bridge to make it safer. The party said fears that the bridge could fall down were a 'fairy story' and those backing the repairs showed 'an embarrassing lack of critical sense.' The plan is 'an obsolete idea with exorbitant costs that, in the end, would fall entirely on citizens', Five Star said. Advertisement Experts have said a number of factors could have contributed to the collapse, including wear and tear from weather and traffic that surpassed what the bridge was originally built to sustain. Antonio Brencich, a professor of construction at the University of Genoa, said the design lent itself to swift corrosion and the bridge was in constant need of maintenance. Most recently, a 20 million-euro (17.9million) project to upgrade the bridge's safety had been approved before its collapse, with public bids to be submitted by September. According to the business daily Il Sole 24 Ore, the improvement work involved two weight-bearing columns that support the bridge - including one that collapsed Tuesday. But Brencich, who warned two years ago that the design of the bridge was a failure, said the structure should have been destroyed rather than be subjected to more repairs. The Genoa bridge, along with the two similar bridges in Libya and Venezuela, have deteriorated at 'unimaginable speeds,' Brencich told Sky News Italian television station Wednesday. 'Since this bridge was under constant maintenance, the time had come to consider a replacement for the bridge.' Matteo Pozzi, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said the bridge in Italy 'was known to have problems,' as evidenced by the upcoming upgrades. But he said older bridges can often be sustained with maintenance and repairs - and collapses are rare. 'It's still a challenge to predict exactly when, or if, a bridge will collapse,' Pozzi said. 'Overall, we are doing a good job because a failure of this kind is rare. But we are trying to improve the ways in which we understand and monitor these bridges.' Pozzi said use of concrete-encased cables for bridges was considered a 'pioneering technique' at the time but it was never widely adopted and came to be considered problematic. Speaking to MailOnline earlier this week, Agathoklis Giaralis, deputy director of the University of London's Civil Engineering Structures Research Centre, said the metal parts, particularly the cables, of a bridge like the Morandi are the weakest parts but this bridge didn't fail there - pointing to bigger underlying issues. 'Usually these fail due to corrosion and that a process that takes decades, and it is very unusual that something that can cause total collapse went unnoticed,' he said. 'I would say that most probably something went wrong with the foundation or supporting ground rather than with the pier, the deck, or the cables.' Dr Giaralis said the bridge was fully loaded with cars and there was wind, which may have triggered the collapse but would not have been the underlying cause as both should not be an issue for a healthy bridge. Ian Firth, former president of The Institution of Structural Engineers, told MailOnline: 'The bridge is a very unusual design, very similar to its much larger cousin, the Lake Maracaibo bridge in Venezuela, also designed by Riccardo Morandi and completed six years earlier in 1962. 'The A-frame towers which support the concrete-encased stay cables combine with V-shaped supports below the deck to create a stiff arrangement which is not common in cable stayed bridges. 'This deals with potential unbalanced loads which arise due to the multi-span nature of the structure. As yet, there is no evidence to say whether any impact occurred; it is too early to say what triggered the collapse.' Meanwhile, rescue workers toiled for a third night in the wreckage of a collapsed bridge, continuing the desperate search for people still missing after the accident. The chance of finding survivors at this stage was slim and the unstable mountains of debris made the search operation dangerous, but rescue workers said they had not given up hope. 'We are trying to find pockets in the rubble where people could be - alive or not,' fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP. Genoa's chief prosecutor has said that between 10 and 20 people could still be missing under the huge piles of concrete. Cranes and bulldozers are working to help clear the site as rescuers try to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of concrete. 'We will then send in dogs and rescue workers to see if we can find any signs of life,' Gissi added. The first funerals of the 38 victims are being held later Friday, ahead of a state funeral in Genoa on Saturday to be celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. Two restaurant owners in Maine, who made the fateful decision to change the shape of their fries, say customers have threatened the pair with violence over the unpopular french fry. 'I was forced to make an unpopular business decision,' owner Leslie Parsons wrote over Bolley's Famous Franks Facebook page. 'I chose to go with an alternative cut. Within the last week, we have encountered some pretty disturbing and hostile customers apparently very unhappy with our straight cut french fries,' she said. Two restaurant owners in Maine, who made the fateful decision to change the shape of their fries from crinkle-cut (left) to straight-cut (right) say customers have threatened violence 'I chose to go with an alternative cut. Within the last week, we have encountered some pretty disturbing and hostile customers apparently very unhappy with our straight cut french fries,' owner Leslie Parsons (pictured right with husband Jim) of Bolley's Famous Franks said But it was a decision that came down to costs, Leslie said, revealing the unique chip shape cost the business 'thousands'. 'The blades are ridiculously pricey and flimsy. It takes many blades to operate the cutter. 'We still use the best potato in Maine. It is still a very expensive French Fry and our process minus the crinkle cut is still the same,' she reassured anxious customers. 'If you're getting into fights over french fries, you've got bigger problems.' Leslie said customers have 'sworn at [them], threatened physical harm' to her, her husband and her children' and her husband Jim said a man had threatened to fight him over the new french fries. 'I was forced to make an unpopular business decision,' owner Leslie Parsons wrote over Bolley's Famous Franks Facebook page Bolley's Famous Franks has been in Waterville, Maine, (pictured) since 1962 and was run by three generations of the Genest family. The Parsons family took over in 2017 Leslie said customers have 'sworn at [them], threatened physical harm' to her, her husband and her children' and her husband Jim said a man threatened to fight him over the new fries Even the Bangor Maine Police Department weighed in on the 'fry issue'. 'I eat at the Bolley's in Hallowell,' one officer wrote over the department's Facebook page. 'I have been privileged to introduce many of my co-workers to the famous franks and fries put forth at Bolley's. 'These fries are the smoothest sliding fried tubers ever created. 'I recently introduced Detective Joe Orcutt to the franks, fried in peanut oil, after he attended an autopsy ... there is nothing like the comfort of a dog and fresh-cut fries to make you happy to be alive. 'Joe came out of the place a believer. He thanked me several times since that day for the introduction. The food is good, the people are real, the fries were straight-cut. 'We all need to get a grip on being angry with changes which displease us. We can argue the benefits, we can whisper quietly amongst ourselves about how we liked the 'old way' better. But we really cannot be fighting or throat-punching people over our differences, or the differences between straight and crinkle-cut. In the end, it's not about Bolley's fries at all, it's about being civil to one another no matter what the issue. We ALL need to try a little bit harder.' Opinions are still divided over the new fry taste. 'Still shouldn't have changed it. You put price over your customers. That would send me to another place for sure. I wouldn't swear at you or be rude. That's just wrong but I as a customer would go elsewhere,' Tony Clewley wrote, criticizing the owners' decision. 'I had the new cut fries. Like them better anyway. They were good,' another person responded. 'I was a fan of the thick crinkle cut. There is definitely a difference. I came in once and got the new fries and have not been back since. Way too thin. That being said I'm not about to threaten someone over french fries. I just go to other places for lunch now,' Nathan Belcher argued. Bolley's Famous Franks has been in Waterville, Maine, since 1962 and was run by three generations of the Genest family. The Parsons family took over in 2017. AS the country grapples with acute cement shortage, the government has banned exportation of the commodity until the shortage is fully addressed. The decision came after the Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Engineer Stella Manyanya, convened an emergency meeting with all stakeholders involved in the cement and coal industry to figure out how best look the problem can be addressed. Flanked by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Professor Joseph Buchweshaija, Eng Manyanya, led a meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday night. It was in the wake of a section of the local media reporting that a cement shortage was looming and had triggered a shortage of cement and itsprice being hiked on an unprecedented scale. The meeting was conducted in camera after stakeholders requested that the media be excluded, to enable stakeholders air their views freely, with the deputy minister promising to brief journalists thereafter. During the briefing session, Eng Manyanya said both the government and stakeholders had unanimously agreed that cement exports should cease until the deficit was covered. She said both parties came to a conclusion that exports should only commence after it would have been conclusively established that there was enough cement for meeting local market demands. The deputy minister further said that the government and stakeholders agreed that the infrastructure to and from the cement and coal producing factories be improved to facilitate smooth transportation of the end products. Prior to the meeting, the deputy minister asked transporters, producers and other stakeholders of the cement sector to make sure that they came out with a solution on how to ensure availability of cement in the country. She said the government was implementing various projects, including the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which entailed adequate cement production. She added that Tanzanians were similarly in dire need of the commodity for daily domestic and business operations. We are surprised to note that cement has become abruptly scarce, while we had enough stock, compelling customers to purchase it at 11,000/- per 50 kilogramme Eng Manyanya stated. She asked the main producers, including Twiga Cement and Tanga Cement, to give reasons why there was a shortage of cement at their distribution points. Tanga Cement Plant Manger Engineer Benedict Lema, said his factory had an installed capacity of 1.25 million tonnes but in recent days, the industry was not producing to its full capacity due to some reasons. He however, explained that the factory would resume its full capacity this week. There has been a slowdown in the production of building materials at major cement production centres, leading to shortage of the commodity. The price has as a result been hiked from 13,000/- per 50 kilogramme bag to 16,000 and over 20,000/- in some areas. Twiga Cement General Manager Alfonso Velez, said production had dropped because at some point they switched off some turbines for repairs. However, he said the operations were now on full capacity. We currently have a team that is working round the clock and as of yesterday (Tuesday), production had resumed to full capacity he explained. Other stakeholders who attended the meeting include representatives from Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA), Tanzania Track Owners Association (TATOA), State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), National Development Corporation (NDC) and Tancoal Energy Limited (TANCOAL). On addressing shortage of coal, the STAMICO acting Director of Research and Drilling, Mr Alex Rutagwele, said beginning next month, his corporation would embark on production of 18,000 tonnes of coal in Kaburo Village in Songwe Regions Ileje District. The Italian bridge collapse has sparked fears for the safety of a 'twin' structure in Venezuela which suffered a fire just days before the Genoa disaster. The five-mile-long General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge links the country's second city Maracaibo with the rest of Venezuela and was designed by Riccardo Morandi, whose viaduct in Italy collapsed on Tuesday. A fire last Friday destroyed an electricity transformer, forcing the closure of the Urdaneta bridge and leaving millions without power for several days, while experts say the weighing system has not worked for years. The Venezuelan crossing has already suffered one fatal accident, just two years after its completion in 1962, when an oil tanker struck the bridge in a collision which killed seven people. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge in Venezuela (pictured this week) was designed by the same Italian engineer responsible for the Genoa viaduct which collapsed on Tuesday The technology of pre-stressed reinforced concrete used in the bridges' construction was the hallmark of its Italian engineer Morandi, who died in 1989. Dubbed patent 'Morandi M5', he had used the technology for other works, including a wing of the Verona Arena in 1953. The Venezuelan bridge was completed five years before the Genoa structure named after him, which broke apart this week killing 38 people. Marcelo Monot, former director of a private engineering company in the surrounding state of Zulia, said no maintenance had been carried out on the Venezuelan viaduct's reinforced-concrete piers for more than two decades. 'The weighing system has not worked for years, so it is not calculating the weight of the cargo vehicles, which represents a risk,' he said. Experts from the University of Zulia, as well as engineering and construction specialists, are preparing a report on the condition of the bridge. The remains of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, after it collapsed this week causing 38 deaths. Its designer patented technology which he also used on the Venezuelan crossing 'We will not issue any irresponsible diagnosis ... or fall into sensationalism,' Enrique Ferrer, president of the Chamber of Construction, told AFP. He said the report would seek to 'calm the population' about the 56-year-old viaduct's condition. Venezuelans have long been concerned about the country's crumbling infrastructure after a slump in oil-prices coupled with corruption and mismanagement brought the economy to a standstill, causing chronic food and medicine shortages. The Maracaibo bridge, inaugurated in 1962, remained closed between Friday and Monday and was only partially re-opened by Wednesday. The incident heightened concerns over the structural integrity of the bridge and left the surrounding Maracaibo and San Francisco areas, home to four million people, without power for several days. The government claimed the fire was caused by sabotage, a recurrent explanation offered for the repeated failures of an electricity grid ravaged by lack of maintenance and spare parts. Police officer James Paul, 38, who worked with a child sex abuse unit, kept pictures of children being abused on a computer and a USB stick at his family home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, in Scotland A policeman who worked with a child sex abuse unit has been spared jail after being caught with graphic images of toddlers being abused. James Paul, 38, kept the appalling pictures on a computer and a USB stick at his family home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, in Scotland. The disgraced father of two, who was working with a unit dealing with child sex abuse images at the time of his arrest, was suspended from his job when his offence came to light. He has since resigned from the force. Paul previously appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to plead guilty to the single charge against him being in possession of indecent images of children. He admitted breaking Section 52A(1) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 by having a total of 38 files spread across the two devices at his home on December 6, 2017. The court heard colleagues raided his 250,000 five-bedroom detached home and searched the property after receiving intelligence that indecent images of children were being stored at the address. Six officers raided Pauls home on December 6, 2017, and seized his computer equipment. Officers found 33 images on a black Lenovo laptop and a further five on a USB stick. Five of the 33 found on the laptop were categorised as being the most extreme form of child sex abuse images. Seven of the images on the laptop were categorised as being the next extreme. Of the images found on the laptop, 21 were rated as being at category C the least extreme. A further five images were found on a USB stick his wife Laura used to use for work, which he began using to store the illegal images. Six officers raided Pauls home on December 6, 2017, and seized his computer equipment where they found the vile images. At Paisley Sheriff Court Paul was spared jail but ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid community service and placed on the sex offenders' register Sentencing had been deferred for Paul to be assessed by social workers. Sheriff Susan Sinclair had read reports from social workers and a representative from Stop it Now!, an organisation working to reduce child sexual abuse. After hearing he had been assessed as a low risk of re-offending and that his risk could be managed in the community, she spared him prison but warned him he could be jailed if he fails to comply with the punishment he was given instead. She said: You have lost your employment and jeopardised your family life. You are a first offender. An alternative to custody is available. She placed him on a Community Payback Order, telling him he has to complete the Moving Forward, Making Changes course, which helps sex offenders change their ways. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years and told to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community. Sheriff Sinclair added: This is a challenging disposal. Breaching it will result in imprisonment. Officers found 33 images on a black Lenovo laptop and a further five on a USB stick Paul also had limits placed on his online activities, being banned from contacting anyone under the age of 17 online and being told he can only own internet-abled devices if approved by his supervisors. It is understood Paul was previously a Community Police Officer but was working in the unit that categorised child abuse images at the time of his arrest. A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: As a police officer, Paul was in a position of great trust but ignored this to accumulate a sickening collection of images of children being abused. Behind every image was a real child suffering appalling abuse and Pauls actions have only fuelled the demand for this sickening material to be produced. Detective Inspector Tom Carty from the Public Protection Unit, Paisley said: No one is above the law. If you are engaged in criminal activity at the expense of young children, you can be assured we will use every resource at our disposal to find you and hold you to account for your crimes. You may think you can hide behind your computer and take precautions to conceal your identity but that is simply not the case. Ministers are set to start unveiling their 'no deal' Brexit plans as the standoff with the EU deepens, it was revealed today. The first wave of papers are due to be published next week spelling out how the government will handle a turbulent departure from the bloc in March. The chances of a collapse in negotiations appear to be rising, with the Latvian foreign minister warning they are now 50-50. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has been on a frantic diplomatic tour this week, invoked the ire of Brexiteers last night by suggesting 'no deal' would be 'regretted for generations'. But he also insisted the UK would 'find a way to prosper' whatever happened. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, on a frantic diplomatic tour this week (pictured), invoked the ire of Brexiteers last night by suggesting 'no deal' would be 'regretted for generations' Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured with the EU's Michel Barnier last month) has also suggested that the food industry could need to take action to ensure 'adequate' supplies if the UK crashes out The 'technical' notices on Brexit are expected to cover issues ranging from farming to customs, and go into detail about the measures that would be needed. One example is of cigarette packets, where Brussels controls the copyright on the grim health warning images that are currently used. Britain could require its own pictures in future. The first paper, pencilled in for Thursday next week, is expected to deal with any stockpiling of medical supplies and vaccines by the NHS. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has also suggested that the food industry could need to take action to ensure 'adequate' supplies if the UK crashes out. In total, 80 papers on a 'no deal' outcome are expected to be issued over the coming months. A Whitehall source told The Sun: 'These will very calmly show the EU that, in the event of No Deal, we've thought of it and we're going to be ready. 'What it categorically isn't, is some Project Fear exercise. 'It's sensible planning so that, if we choose to walk away, we can do it from a position of readiness.' Danish finance minister Kristian Jensen warned this morning that time is running out to strike a deal that is positive for both Britain and the EU. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I also believe that 50-50 is a very good assessment because time is running out and we need to move really fast if we've got to strike a deal that is positive both for the UK and EU. Theresa May (pictured in Northern Ireland last month) has been struggling to find a way through in the negotiations with Brussels 'Every force who wants there to be a good deal needs to put in some effort in the months to come otherwise I'm afraid that time will run out.' He described Theresa May's Chequers plan as a 'realistic proposal for good negotiations'. 'We need to go into a lot of details but I think it's a very positive step forward and a necessary step,' he told the programme. Mr Jensen refused to say whether new Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt would be easier to work with than Boris Johnson, but said: 'I do believe that we had a good co-operation with Boris and I'm sure that we will have good co-operation with Jeremy.' A Democrat politician allegedly called her Asian-American rival 'that ching-chong' and discouraged voters from supporting her because 'Chinese immigrants are taking over.' Rep. Bettie Scott is said to have made racial slurs against Rep. Stephanie Chang as they ran in the Democratic primary for the state Senate last Tuesday. While canvassing outside the Bethany Lutheran Church in Detroit, Scott allegedly called one of Chang's volunteers an immigrant and said: 'You don't belong here.' Later that day, she was heard telling voters outside a school not to vote for 'the ching-chong,' according to liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan. Rep. Bettie Scott (left) is said to have made racial slurs against Rep. Stephanie Chang (right) as they ran in the Democratic primary for the state Senate last Tuesday. Chang's husband, Sean Grey, told the Metro Times that he heard Scott tell a voter: 'These immigrants from China are coming over and taking our community from us.' She said it disgusted her to see 'black people holding signs for these Asians and not supporting their own people,' he claimed. At one point Scott got into an argument with one of Chang's volunteers and said after the volunteer walked away: 'I told people not to vote for that ching-chong,' according to candidate Latisha Johnson who said she overheard the exchange. Scott, who lost the primary to Chang by a huge margin, has apologised and said she would like to meet her next week to say sorry in person. 'Those are not the kinds of comments that should be made nor are they the kind of comments I would normally make,' she said in a statement. 'I humbly apologize to Rep. Chang and to her husband, Mr. Gray, and to the broader Asian American community. She added: 'We live in a time of increasing divisiveness. As a state representative, I should never do anything to contribute to an atmosphere of divisiveness and for that, I am terribly sorry. While canvassing outside the Bethany Lutheran Church in Detroit (pictured), Scott allegedly called one of Chang's volunteers an immigrant and said: 'You don't belong here' 'I look forward to meeting with Rep. Chang to express my apologies directly to her as soon as she's able to meet with me.' Chang said she would agree to meet with Scott next week. 'It's not about me,' she said. 'It really is about the comments that she made to Asian-Americans and the community more broadly.' The chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party said: 'We expect better from anyone who wants to call themselves a Michigan Democrat. 'Bettie Cook Scott needs to apologize to the entire Asian American community. If an individual doesn't share our fundamental values of tolerance, decency, and respect, they should find another party.' Motorists have been forced to race past flames on one of Australia's major highways as the fires continue to ravage bushland across the country. One Sydney driver was confronted by billowing smoke on the M1 en route to Wollongong. As bush fires continue to rage across the country, the Sydney driver said the flames were so intense he could feel the heat from inside the car. A Sydney driver has felt the wrath of the winter bush fires as the searing heat was 'rippling through the car' The driver told Daily Mail Australia: 'I felt the heat rippling through the car as I drive through the smoke.' 'But it was amazing to see the firies treating this 20ft blaze as just another day on the job.' This week regional parts of New South Wales were hit with the unseasonable bush fires. The driver told the Daily Mail Australia 'I felt the heat rippling through the car as I drive through the smoke.' Scientists have said they are 'gobsmacked' at the number of out-of-control bushfires burning across the state in winter Two houses were destroyed and one other was damaged after the blaze swept through the south coast of the state. Scientists have said they are 'gobsmacked' at the number of out-of-control bush fires burning across the state in winter. 'We're seeing something which is unusual in the extreme. It's worrying, it's mind-bending,' environmental change academic David Bowman said on Wednesday. Scientists have said they are 'gobsmacked' at the number of out-of-control bush fires burning across the state in winter Two houses were destroyed and one other was damaged after the blaze swept through the south coast of New South Wales Earlier this month the whole of NSW was declared to be in drought with 61 per cent either in drought or intense drought. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it was the driest July since 2002 nationally rainfall was and significantly below the average in all states. Very high fire danger warnings were put in place on Thursday for the New England, Northern Slopes and Far North Coast regions of NSW. Prisons minister Rory Stewart today vowed to quit in 12 months' time if his crackdown on drugs and violence in Britain's ten worst jails has not worked. The dramatic pledge came as Mr Stewart set out plans for Governors to be given military-style training on how to tackle disruptive behaviour. Millions of pounds will also be spent on body scanners and sniffer dogs to spot hidden packages of drugs. Speaking as the drive was launched, Mr Stewart staked his job on its success. 'I will quit if I haven't succeeded in 12 months in reducing the level of drugs and violence in those prisons,' he told the BBC. 'I want to make a measurable difference.' The 10million pilot scheme follows a report last month which warned that conditions in prisons were the most 'disturbing' ever seen. It is hoped that, if successful, the initiative will be rolled-out to all prisons as a 'model of excellence'. Millions of pounds will be spent on body scanners and sniffer dogs to spot hidden packages of drugs in prisons (file photo) Rory Stewart (pictured) put his job in the line as he set out plans for Governors to be given military-style training on how to tackle disruptive behaviour Mr Stewart said: 'With more than 20,000 prison officers, 84,000 prisoners, and over 100 prisons, it is vital we set challenging standards so prisons are places where offenders can turn their lives around. With the right leadership on the ground, and support from the centre, these ten prisons will pave the way for a new approach, a new ethos and a new direction.' Last month's report by Peter Clarke, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, said jails were rife with violence, drugs, suicide and self-harm, overcrowding and squalor. It also revealed that a 'shockingly high' one in seven inmates became hooked on drugs while behind bars. The minister announced that a further 16million will go into repairing buildings, including improving living conditions and making them cleaner, 7million on safety and security measures and 7million for controversial in-cell telephones designed to discourage the use of illegal mobile phones and avoid fights in queues for the landing phones. The prisons in the pilot scheme Hull, Humber, Leeds, Lindholme, Moorland, Wealstun, Nottingham, Ranby, Isis and Wormwood Scrubs have been deemed the worst in the country. They have all struggled with high drug use, violence and building issues. Prisons minister Rory Stewart yesterday pledged 10million for the initiative to improve security (file photo) The project will begin by the end of 2018 and results are expected within a year. A convicted drug dealer who attempted to flood the streets with tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs was recently gloating about his life behind bars. Almis Maganga was jailed for six years in February after police found more than 34,000 worth of drugs at his home in Hounslow. But the 21-year-old has been documenting his cushy life behind bars on social media, bragging about using games consoles, drugs, and a smuggled iPhone 7. He even posted videos of fellow inmates concealing makeshift weapons in their clothes. A shocking brawl broke out between Chinese customers inside a popular duty free store in South Korea after one of the shoppers jumped the queue. Two women from China started wrestling each other after one of them headed straight to the front of the queue, an employee at the Lotte Duty Free Store in Seoul confirmed. Footage of the ugly confrontation on Tuesday morning shows one of the women's husband joining the fight and stomping on the other woman's head. A shocking brawl broke out between Chinese customers inside a popular duty free store in Seoul after one of the shoppers jumped the queue on Tuesday morning Footage of the ugly confrontation shows one of the women's husband joining the fight and stomping on the other woman's head. Police were later alerted to the scene The fight occurred on the 12th floor in the cosmetics section of the department store's main branch in Uljiro district, located in the heart of Seoul. Shocking video footage of the fight filmed by witnesses shows the two women pulling each other's hair and pushing each other to the ground. One woman in a white T-shirt is seen throwing several punches at her fellow shopper in front of stunned customers. Suddenly, one of the woman's husband rushes forward and starts kicking and stomping the other woman on the ground. 'She was bullying my wife!' the man is heard yelling as other onlookers tries to pull him back. 'Stop fighting! Stop fighting!' others are heard saying. The incident occurred on the 12th floor cosmetics section of the department store's main branch (pictured) in Uljiro district, located in the heart of Seoul on Tuesday morning Footage of the fight filmed by witnesses shows the two women pulling each other's hair An employee at one of the cosmetics counters of the department store told MailOnline that the brawl lasted for about five minutes before security came and stopped the trio. Police were also alerted to the scene and took statements from those involved, she added. Net users criticised the behaviour of all three, with many saying that the shoppers are 'an embarrassment to China'. 'These people should be banned from travelling to anywhere else!' one said. 'Such an embarrassment to other Chinese people,' another said. 'They should just stay in the country.' The Lotte Duty Free Store is South Korea's largest duty-free operator and has several branches across the country and in East Asia. It is a popular shopping destination for many tourists from China. The Uljiro branch is located near Namsan, close to top tourist attractions such as Namdaemun Market, Gyeongbokgung Palace and N Seoul Tower. Malcolm Turnbull has backflipped on plans to legislate the Paris emissions reduction target after rebel MPs threatened to cross the floor. The Australian Prime Minister has dropped the government's plans to legislate the 26 per cent Paris emissions reduction target. The 2015 climate change commitment will be mandated through ministerial order instead. Mr Turnbull capitulated after rebel MPs threatened to cross the floor and vote it down. A failure to meet Paris climate targets could have devastating consequences for a proposed Australia EU free trade agreement, Trade Minister Steven Ciobo has warned, costing the country up to 6.5billion in GDP. The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull has dropped the government's plans to legislate the 26 per cent Paris emissions reduction target 'I can tell you one of the very first consequences if we were to adopt that approach (to pull out) is we could kiss goodbye on a trade agreement with Europe,' Mr Ciobo told Sky News. To minimise the prospect of a backbench revolt, the Prime Minister will propose setting emissions targets by regulation instead of legislation,The Australian reported. The plan will formally go to Cabinet on Monday night and be discussed by the coalition party room on Tuesday. Advice from the competition regulator that power prices would not increase as a result of the commitment will also be required. The backflip comes after a group of right-wing MPs - led by Tony Abbott - told Mr Turnbull they would vote against his energy policy. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to Nine News that he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition What is the National Energy Guarantee? The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) has been designed to offer cheaper and more reliable power. The objective is to do this while lowering carbon emissions. NEG is in response to the county's involvement with the Paris Agreement, which is a push to reduce carbon emissions and action on climate change by 2020. The heart of the policy was the controversial target to cut emissions by 26 per cent by 2030. The Liberal and Nationals MPs who are against NEG and appear willing to cross the floor include Mr Abbott, Andrew Gee, Andrew Hastie, Barnaby Joyce, Craig Kelly, Kevin Andrews, George Christensen as well as Keith Pitt. Advertisement Since then the group have urged Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to mount a leadership challenge following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss to Bill Shorten's Labor Party. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed on Friday he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition MPs across the floor, Nine News reported. Another Minister told Nine News: 'If the only way this thing gets up is with Labor's support then there is no way it will fly'. 'There are only two good outcomes here - either the energy policy is dead and we can go to the election fighting Labor on it, or Malcolm goes,' an unnamed MP told The Daily Telegraph. The PM has promised Australia's power bills will be cut by $550 a year as he signed the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). Beginning in 2020 the agreement is designed to bring down the yearly price and requires retailers to source electricity that meets reliability and Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets. Police have arrested a teenage boy and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death in an east London home. Emergency services were called to a home in Waltham Forest in the early hours of the morning where the victim was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead 42 minutes later. Detectives have appealed for witnesses but said they were not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the killing. Police have arrested a teenage boy and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death in a home in Waltham Forest, east London A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: 'A murder investigation has been launched in Waltham Forest after a man was fatally stabbed. 'Police were called on Friday at around 4.40am to an address in Flaxen Road to a report of a stabbing. 'Officers attended and found a 42-year-old man suffering from stab injuries.. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.22am. 'His next of kin have been informed. 'A 16-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder. 'At this stage, police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation. 'The Homicide and Major Crime Command have been informed. Enquiries are ongoing.' Emergency services were called to a home in Waltham Forest in the early hours of the morning where the victim was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives have appealed for witnesses but say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime The stabbing comes hours after a boy was knifed in Camberwell, south London. The youngster was one of four stabbed as gang violence erupted on a housing estate echoing with screams of help, help yesterday evening. Residents of the Elmington Estate told how they saw a group of boys running minutes before police arrived on the scene at around 5.30pm Witnesses described how the most seriously hurt teenager fell to the floor clutching his stomach. One witness said: 'I saw the youth come running from the block. He came to the corner and dropped' and described seeing a boy with their 'intestines falling on the ground'. A 15-year-old girl who shot and killed her mother's boyfriend in an attempt to save her mother from being strangled to death, will not be charged, police in North Carolina have said. Steven Kelley, 46, was found dead from two gunshot wounds just after midnight on August 8 in a Forest City home he shared with his girlfriend Chandra Nierman, 44, and her three children. Prior to the shooting, Kelley had threatened to cut the woman's throat and kill everyone in the house, an investigation revealed by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office determined. Steven Kelley, 46, (right) was found dead from gunshot wounds after midnight on August 8 in a Forest City home he shared with his girlfriend Chandra Nierman, 44, (left) and three children Prior to the shooting, Kelley (far right) had threatened to cut Niermans (far left) throat and kill everyone in the house, an investigation revealed by Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said Niermans twelve-year-old son retrieved a firearm and Niermans fifteen-year-old daughter took the gun from her brother and fired it twice, striking Kelley in the chest. Kelley, a convicted felon who had two active domestic violence protection orders against him from two different women, had threatened Nierman several times previously, including firing multiple rounds from a firearm inside the house just days earlier, an investigation revealed. The children's mother suffered significant bruises and contusions from the assault in the home, about 65 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her other daughter, 16, was grazed in the leg by a fragmented bullet from one of the fired rounds and taken to Spartanburg Regional Hospital where she was released the following day. The children's mother suffered significant bruises and contusions from the assault in the home, (pictured) about 65 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina Kelley had threatened Nierman several times previously, including firing multiple rounds from a firearm inside the house (pictured) just days earlier, an investigation revealed Multiple guns were found by police in the house and on Kelley's body that belonged to him. On Friday, Lt. Jamie Keever presented the case to the District Attorney's Office where it was found the shooting was justified and no charges will be filed against the children. All five had recently moved to the area from Indiana. The children have not been named because they are minors. AT least 42,500 Burundian refugees have returned home so far from refugee camps in the country since voluntary repatriation resumed in September last year. The revelation was made here yesterday by the Director of Refugees in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Harrison Mseke, pointing out that 30,000 others had so far registered to return home, thanks to the voluntary repatriation programme. The voluntary repatriation is conducted in line with a tripartite agreement between Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR, said the Director of Refugees during a meeting with a delegation from UNHCR, the United Nations Agency for Refugees. The delegation led by UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Mr Volker Turk, was on a visit to Nduta Refugees Camp which hosts 104,784 refugees from Burundi. The focus of the visit was to gain familiarity with the situation of refugees. Mr Mseke refuted recent claims by some countries that Tanzania had been exercising force in repatriating refugees, saying the country had been conducting the exercise in compliance with the principles of voluntariness. Not a single refugee has been forced to return home from refugee camps in Tanzania, he stressed. Mr Mseke explained that plans were underway for the government to meet with UNHCR to address the issue of compensation for residents who gave the goahead for parts of their plots and farms to become parts of refugee camps. We will meet next with UNCHR to finalise the discussions on the amount of money that would be paid as compensation, he observed. On his part, Mr Turk expressed gratitude to Tanzania for its long standing tradition of protecting refugees, saying UNHCR was working closely with the government to carry out the exercise of voluntary repatriation. We will support refugees who have demonstrated willingness to return home, but we will also need to support those who are not ready to do so, the UNHCRs Assistant Commissioner for Protection said. Ms Rehema-Annastazia Nahimana, who is the assistant chairperson of refugees at Nduta Refugee Camp, expressed concern over returning to Burundi, saying despite the country being stable, the situation changed whenever elections approached. We women and children are the ones who suffer most during political crises. We therefore call upon UNHCR to continue supporting the Tanzanian government to protect us, she said. Just one week ago, 23-year-old accused murderer Hannah Quinn had the world at her feet - she was training to become a kindergarten teacher and working in a cafe. Hannah Hugs Trees - as she's known on Facebook - was a passionate vegan and advocate for animal rights who frequently campaigned on environmental issues. Now, she faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted over the murder of Sydney rapper Jett McKee, 30, who was fatally stabbed after allegedly trying to rob her boyfriend's flat in Forest Lodge last Friday. Just one week ago, 23-year-old accused murderer Hannah Quinn (pictured) had the world at her feet - she was training to become a kindergarten teacher and working in a cafe Ms Quinn (pictured) attended Petersham TAFE, where she studied early childcare teaching - she made coffees for a cafe in Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches on the side Prior to her alleged involvement in the murder, she attended Petersham TAFE, where she studied early childcare teaching - she made coffees at a cafe in Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches on the side. She also vowed to be part of Sydney council's 'Green Army' mission, to plant 30,000 trees to boost local fauna - a passion both she and her vegan mother shared. A keen advocate of veganism on Facebook, Ms Quinn wore a 'meat is murder' T-shirt in one photo and at one point wrote how it often upset her to pick flowers. 'I hardly ever pick them anymore and if I do, I get really upset with myself - murderer!' she wrote during a conversation with her mother. She also had a history of criticising police, in one post she said 'every single cop is complicit in a system designed to uphold the capitalist oligarchy we live under'. Articles about police officers being charged with rape, former officers being given identity cards, and the police 'controlling' poor people, were common features on her profile. A keen advocate of veganism on Facebook, Ms Quinn was photographed wearing a 'meat is murder' T-shirt and once wrote about getting upset about picking flowers She had vowed to be part of Sydney council's 'Green Army' mission, to plant 30,000 trees to boost local fauna - a passion both she and her vegan mother shared In addition to her posts about the meat industry and feminism, Ms Quinn made Facebook posts criticising the police Her mother is an anti-whaling advocate and coal miner, while her father is award-winning cafe owner, Dean Hintz, who previously owned a cafe on Hong Kong's premier shopping strip. Former private schoolboy Mr Hintz now owns Miettes Boulangerie Patisserie in the up-market Brisbane suburb of Coorparoo. Ms Quinn was living in inner city suburb Redfern with her mother, Megan, when she decided to stay the night with her 28-year-old actor boyfriend Blake Davis last Thursday. The couple have both been charged over the murder of Mr McKee - a Sydney hip hop artist who performed under the name Scepaz. Police allege Ms Quinn chased Mr McKee after he ran from the home with her bag during an attempted robbery, then threw him to the ground before her boyfriend approached from behind. Mr McKee then died after Mr Davis allegedly struck him in the head with a samurai sword. Ms Quinn also shared articles about police officers being charged with rape, former officers being given identity cards, and the police 'controlling' poor people Blake Davis (pictured), 28, and his barista girlfriend handed themselves in Monday evening following the incident in Forest Lodge, in Sydney's inner-west Ms Quinn faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted over the murder of Sydney rapper Jett McKee (pictured), who was fatally stabbed after allegedly trying to rob her boyfriend's flat In the days following the alleged murder, she played the role of a nurse for Mr Davis, who was injured in the altercation, before the couple handed themselves in Monday. On Thursday Ms Quinn broke down in her Silverwater Women's Prison video booth as her lawyer Tom Hughes described the dramatic details of last Friday to Newtown Local Court. She was granted conditional bail by magistrate Margaret Quinn, and walked free wearing a large dark pair of sunglasses and a brown blanket Thursday evening. As part of her bail conditions, she must report daily to Redfern police station and not have contact with any prosecution witness. Both Ms Quinn and Mr Davis are due to return to court on October 9. Davis has made no application for bail. A judge has today ruled that a convicted paedophile officer's address can now be reported after rejecting claims he and his family could be targeted by terrorists. Inspector Lee Bartram's address was yesterday ordered to be withheld after West Midlands Police argued that releasing details would create a 'severe threat' of terrorism. But today Judge James Burbidge QC lifted the order banning the publication, saying he did not believe there to be a 'heightened risk to his life.' Bartram, 44, of West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to making and distributing more than 300 indecent images of children, including videoing a boy of six and blaming his parents for dressing him in an attractive way. Bartram (pictured left and right) appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to making and distributing more than 300 images of children Yesterday he was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing, but he was today granted bail by Judge Burbidge after Wolverhampton Crown Court was told prosecutors had wrongly claimed he had filmed a teenager sunbathing while on police bail previously. He has admitted five counts of making indecent images of a child and two counts of distributing similar images. The charges, spanning a period between August 2013 and the same month of this year, relate to a total of 328 images, including some found on an iPad and an iPhone. Yesterday district judge Graham Wilkinson ordered that Bartram's address should not be published as it could lead to the Birmingham-based officer or his family being 'targeted by terrorists for the most serious acts of violence'. Judge James Burbidge QC (pictured) today lifted an order banning the publication of his address, saying he did not believe there to be a 'heightened risk to his life' But Judge Burbidge opted to lift the reporting restriction on Friday, rejecting a joint application by prosecution and defence counsel to keep Bartram's address secret. West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Cann submitted a letter to the court asking the judge to take into consideration the current 'severe' terror threat rating. Mr Cann's letter stated: 'Should you feel able to direct that an address can be withheld, taking into account all the circumstances of the case before you, then you would be making a valuable contribution to mitigating the current threat we face.' Lifting the order, Judge Burbidge told the court: 'I do not believe there is an objective and well founded, heightened risk to his life as a result of these proceedings and him being a police officer. Policeman Lee Bartram (pictured), 44, has pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children 'There has to be a good reason to make an order prohibiting open reporting.' After imposing conditional bail, which bans Bartram from using the internet, the judge added: 'The fact that I grant him bail should not inform any subsequent judge as to what sentence should be passed.' West Midland Police were today accused of playing 'fast and loose' with anti-terror legislation for trying to withhold his address. Professor Anthony Glees, the director of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham told Mailonline: 'It is extremely unsettling if West Midlands Police are playing fast and loose with anti terror legislation. 'Counter terrorism officers would be appalled it was being used in this way, to protect a PC who has been convicted of child pornography crimes. Prosecutors said some of the films made by Bartram (pictured) had a 'commentary' from the officer 'as to what he would like to do' with the children Professor Anthony Glees, the director of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham 'The information we have suggests that this police officer has not been involved in the counter terror police. 'On the face of it, this brings anti terror legislation into disrepute, and it damages public perception of anti terror legislation, allowing others to rubbish it.' However, Professor Glees said there may be hidden fear within the West Midlands force that its officers could be targeted by terrorists. He added: 'For this to fall under the remit of terror, then there has to be some type of specific connection to the people that would go and do this. 'It is not only Islamic terror that poses a threat, we know that there are a number of right wing extremists who are prepared to resort to violence. 'If there is a threat against officers in this area, that that too is extremely unsettling.' According to The Times, last month the press were banned from reporting the address of a West Midlands officer accused of using 'highly sexualised' language towards a victim of crime. Again, the court was told that it could make him a target for terrorists. Other forces do not appear to be using the same tactic, the paper reports, including the Metropolitan Police, whose officer Keith Palmer was murdered in Westminster in a terror attack last year. Last month details of a Met officer charged with assault were released an alleged rapist from the force has had his details released. A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: 'This is standard policy where we request an officer's address is withheld due to the current threat level. 'It is then up to the judge on how they rule on this.' Bartram, who has not worked as a counter-terror officer, is due to be sentenced on September 13. British troops are at serious risk due to chaos in IT systems at military surgeries across the country, it was claimed today. Armed forces doctors are said to be routinely locked out of patient records, raising the danger that people could get the wrong drugs or miss vaccines. The UK's 150,000 full-time members of the army, navy and RAF are cared for by around 500 GPs separately from the NHS. But senior figures have voiced alarm at the state of the computer systems, with one telling The Times they were 'the biggest threat to patient safety that I have encountered in my 20-year career'. Armed forces doctors are said to be routinely locked out of patient records, raising the danger that troops could get the wrong drugs or miss vaccines (file picture) Colonel Glynn Evans, chairman of the armed forces committee of the British Medical Association (BMA), said NHS surgeries would have been shut down if they experienced the same problems. He said doctors were anxious about the consequences of having to treat people without full information. 'They are worried about the systematic failure of the IT system not allowing them to deliver safe medical care,' he said. 'My members tell me this represents potentially material risk to the soldiers, sailors and airmen they look after.' Among the problems apparently reported by medics are screens freezing, appointments falling out of systems, and the wrong patient's records popping up on computers. In Northern Ireland the military systems are said to be unable to connect to the NHS, causing delays in cancer treatment. There are claims that doctors have been told to prescribe drugs as best they can without access to medical history. The issue have been blaimed on delays to a 250million upgrade plan. Medics are urging the surgeon general, Lieutenant-General Martin Bricknell, to listen to the 'very real concerns'. Tory former defence minister Mark Francois said: 'The fact that professional medics are reporting serious problems with such a critical system is clearly a cause for concern.' But a Ministry of Defence spokesman played down the problems, insisting very few incidents of IT failings had been reported. The UK's 150,000 full-time members of the army, navy and RAF are cared for by around 500 GPs separately from the NHS (file picture) 'Medical support for our personnel is a top priority. We are proud to have highly-qualified professionals who would never prescribe drugs or deploy troops without doing the appropriate checks,' a spokesman said. 'IT issues have been raised in 0.001 per cent of medical consultations over the past two years, and none of these incidents have ever caused any harm. 'As with all systems, problems can occur but are rare. We have a dedicated team ready to fix any issues swiftly and we instruct clinical staff not to undertake non-emergency appointments if healthcare records can't be accessed. 'The Surgeon-General takes any concerns raised by the BMA very seriously and is absolutely committed to rectifying any issues with the current system, whilst ensuring IT is continually upgraded so it is of the highest standard.' Advertisement This is the heartbreaking moment a pride of lions kill a newborn baby calf by outwitting its mother. The lions were photographed as they surrounded the pair on the savanna, and jumped on the mother to chase her off, separating her from her young calf. The incident took place in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya earlier this week. Attack: One of the lions in the price jumps up on to the adult giraffe as the others watch the mother and calf Done for: The baby giraffe screams in pain and fear as one of the lions bites it in the throat Photographs show the protective parent trying to fend off the female and young male predators by kicking after them, and shielding the calf with her legs. But despite her defence, the mother is distracted when a lioness leaps onto her back and the pride is able to easily take down the calf, which is thought to have been born a few days ago. The action-packed attack and tragic end was captured by local guide James Nampaso, from the nearby Kicheche Bush Camp. Mr Nampaso said: 'The calf was only a few days old, yet it is still a big struggle to overcome, as one kick from the protective mother can often be mortal for a predator. Fighting back: The mother giraffe tries to kick one of the lions as they attack her and her calf Doing her best: The giraffe kicks the lions again and tries to shield her newborn baby from the predators No chance: The lions attach the adult giraffe in order to separate the mother and the calf As the mother flees the scene with a lion on her back, the others round on the baby, thought to be just a few days old 'A combination of adult females and young males ambushed the single parent family then distracted the mother long enough to pull down the youngster. 'Once the mother had retreated, fearful for its own 'neck' it was only a matter of time before the foal was killed. 'Watching any animal lose its young is distressing whatever the species. It is particularly harrowing when the whole drama is played out in front of you. 'This sort of incident is rare and has only been photographed a few times. 'However upsetting an episode like this may be, the Masai Mara migration is later than normal this year and so the larder door is not as wide open as it is normally is, so they will take on a newborn like this.' Desperation: The baby giraffe did not stand a chance against the pride of lions, but tried to defend itself Advertisement Kim Jong-Un has been pictured visiting hot springs in North Korea as the dictator oversees the construction of a new coastal tourist spot. The country's leader looked cheerful in pictures released by Pyongyang's official news agency as he spoke to officials on a desolate-looking beach. The planned tourist site at Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim has ordered to be ready by the autumn of next year. The hermit kingdom's dictator Kim Jong-Un speaks to officials as he inspects the constrution of the Wonsan-Karma site North Korea's Kim Jong-Un looks cheerful and holds a cigarette as he visits a hot spring district in South Pyongan province Kim speaks to the officials on the beach which he is intent on turning into a luxury resort in North Korea It is scheduled to be completed by October 10, an important public holiday in the country which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Kim wants to rebuild Wonsan by demolishing its centre and replacing it with five-star skyscraper hotels and department stores for his elite. The news agency said Kim was shown a hotel, lodging quarters and service buildings and asked for trees to be planted to make the area look green. 'It is the Party's long-cherished idea and his long-desired job to build wonderful recreational resorts on the scenic and beautiful shores of our country to let the people enjoy themselves to the full,' he said. Kim stands on a balcony looking over what he hopes will become a luxury tourist spot on the North Korean coastline The Pyongyang leader is shown the water at Wonsan-Kolma which he intends to turn into a tourist paradise But although Kim is intent on rebuilding the city of 360,000 into a luxury resort, he has also launched nearly 40 missiles from the area. During his visit Kim also took aim at international sanctions on his hermit kingdom, blaming what he called 'hostile forces' for 'trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade'. There has been little progress in relations between Washington and Pyongyang since the historic summit between Kim and Donald Trump in Singapore, with the North criticising America for 'gangster-like' demands for disarmament. The U.S. has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. Kim is shown construction work at the Wonsan-Kalma site where he hopes to create a tourist hotspot on the coast A mother has accused the father of her baby of killing him by hitting him on the head and flinging him across the room because he made a mess while eating. Olga Chiskidova, from Chelyabinsk, Russia, had asked Yuriy Silkin to look after their one-year-old son so she could go for a medical checkup. The 22-year-old father allegedly flew into a rage when Aleksey, who was missing his mother, made a fuss and threw his dinner across the floor. Silkin said he hit the boy on the head, which caused him to scream, before flinging him across the room where he hit a wall and landed on the sofa. Olga Chiskidova, from Chelyabinsk, Russia, has accused Yuriy Silkin of killing their one-year-old son Aleksey, pictured together, after he made a mess while eating Silkin said he hit the boy on the head, which caused him to scream, before flinging him across the room where he hit a wall and landed on the sofa After the violent attack, Aleksey fell silent. Silkin left him lying unconscious on the sofa until his horrified mother returned and called an ambulance 20 minutes later. He was left with a bruised brain and placed in a coma from which he never recovered. A police spokesperson said: 'The suspect is being charged with intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm to a child. But the investigation is still ongoing. It is possible that the charges could also become more serious.' Aleksey's mother shared her pain on social media where she wrote: 'He was my little angel. I loved him so much.' A video showing a nappy-wearing baby apparently driving his parents' car on the open road has appeared on Chinese social media. The mobile phone footage, shot from the front passenger seat, shows the baby controlling the steering wheel of the car and turning the it with his hands. According to the police, the baby was standing on his father's lap when the child's mother filmed the footage. The incident is currently being investigated by police. According to the post from the Wenzhou transport police's official Weibo account, the incident took place on July 28 in Jinhua city. The baby is seen standing on the lap of his father in the driver's seat wearing an 'onsie' with an open crotch that reveals his nappy almost entirely from the back. At one point, the child makes a noise and lifts his right arm entirely off the steering wheel. Then, the father is heard calling out 'speed up!'. According to Wenzhou police, as of August 15, the case has been handed over to police in Jinhua city 'Baby driver' is seen leant over the steering wheel standing up on his father's lap In a separate incident last week, a couple in Hubei province was fined 2,000 RMB (227) for letting their six-year-old daughter drive on the road. Mobile phone footage of the event taken by the girl's father was shared on his WeChat and went viral on Chinese social media. The father, sitting in the passenger seat, was heard encouraging the girl in the video by telling her that she could 'definitely go on the motorway', The police investigation resulted in the mother having her driving license revoked. Authorities in Massachusetts have closed two Cape Cod beaches following shark sightings. According to the Cape Cod National Seashore, a shark was seen in the waters off Race Point Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Thursday afternoon. The shark was seen feeding on a seal near the shore an act caught on video which prompted authorities to close the beach. Scroll down for video Massachusetts State Police spotted a shark off the coast of Cape Code's Race Point Beach. This shark sighting, along with one at Meadow Beach, led to both beaches' closures Thursday The beach closures came one day after a man was bitten by a shark while standing 30 feet off the coast at Long Nook Beach (pictured_, which was closed Wednesday following the attack Meadow Beach in Truro, Massachusetts, was closed earlier in the day when several sharks were spotted in the water by a research vessel. The closures came one day after a 61-year-old man was bitten at Long Nook Beach in Truro. William Lytton, 61, was reported to be the man who was bitten at Long Nook Beach. He was in Cape Cod on vacation at the time The Cape Cod Times identified him as William Lytton, of Scarsdale, New York. Lytton is a professor of physiology and pharmacology, neurology and bioengineering at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, who was in Cape Cod on vacation. The man was swimming when he was attacked by a shark Wednesday and airlifted to a hospital with puncture wounds to his torso and legs. Lytton told authorities that he was about 30 yards offshore when he was bitten on his left side, leg and hip. The incident, which occurred at around 4pm, was the first shark attack on a human at the popular summer tourist destination since 2012. Lytton was taken to the hospital for treatment of shark bites on his torso and leg Wednesday Race Point Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, was closed after a shark sighting (stock) Meadow Beach in Truro, Massachusetts, was closed Thursday after a research vessel spotted sharks in the water near the shore (stock) Numerous shark sightings have been reported in the area this summer, including several involving great whites, the species immortalized in the 'Jaws' movies. There was no confirmation that Wednesday's attack involved a great white shark, however. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, an organization that studies sharks, says shark encounters in which people are injured are as 'terrifying as they are rare.' Massachusetts' last shark attack fatality was in 1936. John McDonnell last night furiously accused Labour moderates of using the anti-Semitism crisis as cover for their secret plot to form a new party. In a loaded barb on Twitter, the shadow chancellor accused some of his party's backbenchers of conspiring for two years to split Labour. And he warned them that any attempt to use the anti-Semitism row as justification for their plans would be seen as 'appalling cynicism'. Several Labour moderates, including former leadership contender Chuka Umunna and Chris Leslie, are said to be in talks to start a new centrist party. They are angry with Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to call for a second EU referendum and his failure to tackle the anti-Semitism crisis tearing their party apart. But Mr McDonnell, one of the Labour leader's closest allies, said they are exploiting the racism row for their own political gains. In a loaded barb on Twitter, the shadow chancellor (pictured left) accused some of his party's backbenchers of conspiring for two years to split the Labour party. It comes amid reports Chuka Umunna (pictured right) and other leading moderates are thinking about breaking away and founding a new centrist party John McDonnell - the closest ally to Jeremy Corbyn on the frontbench - issued the angry intervention on Twitter last night as the party continues to tear itself apart over the scandal He said: 'For anybody to use the issue of anti-Semitism as a cover for launching a new political party they had been planning for nearly two years would rightly be seen as an act of appalling cynicism, basely exploiting a genuine concern that people of goodwill are working hard to address.' 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 His outspoken intervention came just hours after Len McCluskey - the powerful leader of the Unite trade union and another close Corbyn ally - also accused 'Blairite' MPs of using the row to split Labour. Mr McCluskey singled out Mr Umunna by name accusing him of cynically using the row to break the party up. And he also tore into 'hostile' Jewish leaders in his piece for the HuffPost website - accusing them of refusing to accept the steps Labour has taken to root out the racism. Mr McCluskey criticised Mr Umunna for saying that under Mr Corbyn Labour has become an institutionally racist party. He wrote: 'Given the paucity of evidence that he actually produces to sustain his charge that he is a member of an "institutionally anti-Semitic" party, it is fair to ask whether Umunna is merely exploiting the latest episode to justify his moves to breakaway from Labour, the plotting for which has been widely reported elsewhere. 'If this is his motive for inflating and maintaining this row which is not manufactured but has certainly been wildly exaggerated by now, I am at a loss to understand the motives of the leadership of the Jewish community the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Jewish Labour Movement. 'They raised entirely proper concerns, but have simply refused to take 'yes' for an answer.' But Mr Umunna hit back at his critics accusing Mr McCluskey of 'shameful' behaviour. He wrote on Twitter: 'I stand by what I've said on racism in the Labour Party and won't be bullied into silence, not least because my family have experienced racism too. 'Jeremy Corbyn himself has said it is a problem Labour has not properly dealt with. 'If Len McCluskey doesn't like that, so be it. 'Instead of attacking the victims of racism, our values dictate that we stand up for them - that is what I have done. 'It's shameful the General Secretary of the union of which I am a member should make a personal and political attack against me instead of facing up to this issue.' He added: 'To all those questioning the motivations of those calling out racism in the Labour Party, my advice: when in a huge hole, stop digging. 'These blatant attempts to divert from the issue will not succeed and won't rid the party of the disgraceful antisemitism we've seen.' And the Labour civil war took a fresh twist last night when Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge compared a party disciplinary investigation into her conduct to the persecution faced by Jews in Nazi Germany. But Labour hit back - accusing her of being disconnected from reality. Dame Margaret faced a party probe after furiously accusing Mr Corbyn of being an anti-Semite in a row. The investigation was later dropped after a large outcry and complaints from her lawyers. Dame Margaret told Sky News that when she heard she was under investigation she 'kept thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties'. She added: 'On the day that I heard that they were going to discipline me and possibly suspend me, it felt almost like, I kept thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties? 'Because it felt almost as if they were coming for me. 'It's rather difficult to define, but there's that fear, and it reminded me of what my dad used to say. My dad came out of Germany, so he had to leave Germany, he went to Egypt.' She added: 'When I heard about the disciplinary action, my emotional response resonated with that feeling of fear that clearly was at the heart of what my father felt when he came to Britain.' Dame Margaret also told how the 'cult of Corbynism' had allowed anti-Semitism to bubble to the surface within the party. She said: 'I've never seen it like this, and I think it's a bit scary as well. We've got this sort of growth of populism. 'Whether it's Trump, whether it's Boris Johnson, and now whether it's the cult of Corbynism, which allows these attitudes to emerge and that's what scares me. 'I wasn't alive in the 1930s, there's probably very few people around who were, but it sort of makes you feel if you don't stand up against it then what are you allowing to occur.' A Labour Party spokesman, responding to the interview, said: 'Jeremy is determined to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, so Jewish people feel it is a warm and welcoming home. 'The comparison of the Labour Party's disciplinary process with Nazi Germany is so extreme and disconnected from reality it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of anti-Semitism. 'We all need to work together to build support and confidence in the Labour Party among Jewish communities in Britain.' An officer and a gunman are both in critical condition after they exchanged gunfire in north Phoenix. Sgt Mercedes Fortune of the Phoenix Police Department said at a news conference that the incident happened about 8pm on Thursday after the officer attempted to pull over the suspect. The suspect initially refused to stop, according to police. An officer and a gunman are both in critical condition after they exchanged gunfire in north Phoenix. The shooting occurred after the officer tried to stop the suspect during a traffic stop. Pictured is the vehicle the suspect was driving The suspect was shot at least once during the exchange, which occurred near the Cactus and Cave Creek intersection (pictured) But once the suspect stopped, he reportedly shot the approaching officer who was able to return fire. The suspect was shot at least once during the exchange, which occurred near the Cactus and Cave Creek intersection. Authorities didn't confirm how many times the officer was shot. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams told ABC15-TV that she believes the shooting was an ambush. The unidentified officer involved has been with the department for one year and worked out of the Desert Horizon precinct. Police have not identified the suspected gunman in the shooting. No further information was immediately available. INFORMATION, Culture, Arts and Sport Minister, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, yesterday graced the seventh business forum in Geita, asking traders, investors and regional leaders to conduct a non-traditional business practice assessment so that all available business opportunities in the region could be exploited. The minister was addressing more than 400 investors, businesspersons and other development stakeholders on the importance of business forum in the region. He said the forum should be tapped to promote various opportunities in the region, noting that Geita was blessed with resources that could change the face of the nation in a short time. Lets share experiences and highlight various opportunities in the region and introduce new things and improve what we had before, he noted. The forum is organised by Tanzania Standard Newspapers (TSN) Limited in collaboration with the office of the Geita Regional Commissioner (RC) and other partners. TSN publishes Daily News, Habari- Leo, Sunday News, HabariLeo Jumapili and SpotiLeo. Minister Mwakyembe commended TSN for conceiving the idea, saying the company had placed Geita in the business on the investment roadmap. The minister said the business forums were in line with the fifth phase governments strategies, which are pushing for building an industrial economy and placing Tanzania in the middle income nation status category by 2025. Dr Mwakyembe said the forum aims at promoting investment and business opportunities in assorted regions across the country. By promoting investment and business opportunities, these forums also enable investors to come up with different business ideas, including building industries. Geita is one of suitable regions for industries in this country, he noted. Dr Mwakyembe noted further that for anindustry to excel, there was a need to ensure availability of raw materials at local level. We cannot develop our industries without producing raw materials; therefore there must be special programmes and campaign for the production of raw materials in our areas. Geita is one of the potential regions for producing industrial raw materials, he stated. The minister asked investors to consider investing in the production of industrial raw materials. The availability of industrial raw materials must be given priority so that we can feed local industries with affordable raw materials, he added. Earlier, the Acting TSN Managing Editor, Ms Tuma Abdallah, said the company, in collaboration with the Regional Commissioners Office. Had prepared the forum for a long time. She said Geita residents and other stakeholders had also shown a good response by participating fully in the event. Entrepreneurs in Geita have demonstrated big support by participating in the trade show; this means they are ready to exploit skills, ideas and advices on how to exploit business opportunities, she said. According to MS Abdallah, Geita has plenty of resources in agricultural, fishing, livestock, tourism and many other sectors, that should be exploited. The TSN boss saluted the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Dr Jim Yonazi for his great contribution in initiating the business forum programme. She said Dr Yonazi who was the companys Managing Editor, demonstrated exemplary spirit and creativity by coming up with the business forum idea, which had turned into one of leading agencies in promoting business and investment opportunities in various regions in the country. We recognise Dr Yonazis contribution. He is the one who came up with this idea, which has become crucial in promoting our business opportunities. Over the two years that he served at TSN, he transformed the company significantly, promoting it to a higher level, she noted. On his part, the Acting TSN Board Chairman, who is also government spokesperson, Dr Hassan Abbas, asked Geita residents to support the ongoing development programmes by the fifth phase government. He said the government had so revived its national carrier Air Tanzania Company Limited by purchasing new aircrafts. He said road projects including the first fly-over at Tazara junction in Dar es Salaam was one of the governments leading milestones, whose thrust was to propel social and economic development. Dr Abbas added that the implementation of the Stieglers Gorge Hydroelectric Power project and construction of Mwanza Kigongo-Busisi Mega Bridge were other projects that were focused on boosting economic growth and support social activities in the country. The Regional Commissioner, Eng Robert Gabriel, said after the forum, Geita would never be the same. He said through the initiative, investment opportunities had been highlighted and promoted. He explained that Geita was rich in all areas, and that whoever opted to invest in the region would be making a wise decision. Sometimes, I think Geita is the land of promise; we have everything here, gold, fertile land for agriculture, livestock and fresh water that hosts big fish species. This is a rich region and we must use it effectively to move this countrys development, Eng Gabriel remarked. The RC said his office, in collaboration with other organs. Was committed to fight corruption and curb bureaucracy in all public offices. On his part, Deputy PS Dr Yonazi, said TSN had successfully organised seven business forums and that plans were afoot to organise similar ones outside the country. A British Airways flight to Ibiza declared an emergency today before returning to London Gatwick Airport. Flight BA2724 was due to leave Gatwick at 8.40am, but actually took off at 10.03am - before landing back at the same airport 40 minutes later at 10.43am. The Boeing 737-7CN turned back over the English Channel, shortly after flying over Bognor Regis in West Sussex - then returned to Gatwick over the South Downs. The flight took off from London Gatwick, then diverting back there over the English Channel The plane was met by fire engines after landing back at Gatwick, it was claimed. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 18,000ft and a speed of 376 knots (432mph). Passenger Corin Baird tweeted: 'Thanks British Airways, held for an hour on the plane before take off, turn around and head back to LGW after 45 minutes for tech issues. 'And now held on a bus for 20 minutes before we can even get off to go into the terminal as no staff to greet us. First holiday in two years great start.' BA replied to him on Twitter, saying they 'apologise for the inconvenience this has caused' due to technical issues, adding: 'We hope you're on your way very soon.' Mr Baird, from London, in turn replied: 'Thank you so much for arranging the extra plane. A little delay but fingers crossed this will be all fine! Happier on a BA plane!' Mr Baird later told MailOnline that the crew told passengers that 'it was technical issues and said it was safer to turn around'. He added that the passengers were taken off the plane and held on a bus for 20 minutes, apparently because there were no ground crew or BA staff to meet them. They were then given a voucher for a coffee before a new plane was supplied - but they had to wait for a take-off slot for 90 minutes, Mr Baird said. To make matters worse, he said the new plane was then sent back to the stand because there was no first aid kit on board. A British Airways spokesman said it was a 'priority landing' rather than an emergency, and told MailOnline: 'The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority. 'The aircraft returned to Gatwick as a precaution following a minor technical fault with the aircraft. 'We have apologised to our customers for the delay to their journey and another aircraft will fly them to their destination.' A controversial US professor who calls transgenderism a 'delusional disorder' has had one of his speeches cancelled by an Australian university. US professor Quentin Van Meter is on a speaking tour of Australia, sponsored by the Australian Family Association, and was scheduled top appear at the University of Western Australia. The university had originally said they would not cancel the event after a student petition at the university campus gathered 6,000 signatures from the almost 20,000 students. US professor Quentin Van Meter (pictured) is on a speaking tour of Australia however his scheduled Friday night speech at the University of Western Australia was cancelled A statement from UWA said the event was cancelled due to 'non-compliance with UWA's venue hire policy'. 'As part of event due diligence the University Campus Management team undertook a campus safety review on the event,' the statement read. 'We have been advised the risk surrounding the event has been elevated to a higher level, which mandates a more robust event management plan.' 'As of close of business Thursday 16 August, the event hirers were unable to provide the requested information to meet the venue hire conditions.' Even after cancelling the speech UWA claimed to still champion 'freedom of expression'. 'The University holds firm on the principles of freedom of expression and maintains its position that it does not wish to set a precedent for the exclusion of objectionable views from the campus,' the statement read. A statement from University of Western Australia said the event was cancelled due to 'non-compliance with UWA's venue hire policy' 'However in this case the event hirers could not meet their obligations of the venue hire contract, providing no confidence that UWA could ensure safety on campus.' The comments that seemed to draw the ire of UWA students were regarding the use of puberty blockers on teenagers and his view of transgenderism, The Australian reported. 'Transgender is actually a delusional disorder, it's a state of mind with no biologic basis for it that can be found,' he said. The Australian Christian Lobby also spoke up in defence of Mr Van Meter and his right to freedom of expression. ACL's state director Peter Abetz said it was a clear example of trying to censor freedom of expression and speech. 'It's a sad fact that we now live in a world where universities are denying free speech and opinion,' he said. 'Universities were a place of robust debate and open discussion, now they just pander to offended people who cannot engage with those who hold conflicting ideas.' 'Dr Van Meter is an international expert on transgenderism who should be allowed the freedom to speak just like anyone else.' A kindhearted donkey ride business boss - believed to be the oldest in Britain - has died aged 91 after bringing 69 years of joy to holiday makers at an iconic seaside resort. Ron Mager ran the business in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, after it was passed down to him by his parents and grandparents in 1949. Under his guidance, the business, which was founded by his family in 1886, has gone on to become one of the most iconic sights in the town which Ron loved dearly. Ron Mager, who died aged 91, sat in his favourite place - at the beach at Weston Super Mare. Under his guidance Ron's donkey riding business has become one of the town's most iconic seaside sights. He is pictured with one of his horses pulling a cart Ron, pictured supervising donkey rides, was regularly visiting the business after he stepped down from running it right up to his death on August 7 His family have paid tribute to his 'passion' for horses and donkeys, and his love for the town he lived in all his life. Ron's son Kevin, who continues to run RG Mager And Sons with his two brothers, said: 'It was his life. He loved it. He was passionate about horses and donkeys. 'He enjoyed all of it, including going to sales all over the country and meeting people. 'I remember quite a few donkeys came over from Ireland once, and they were going to put them down because they didn't want them. 'There was nothing wrong with them but he couldn't see them go, so he bought them, saved them, and worked them for many years. 'As a lad, I used to join him after school and brush them down and make sure they were fed. 'Sometimes he would not get home until 10pm, and he would start again at 7am.' Ron Mager running his donkey business in Weston Super Mare in the 1950's The UK's longest serving beach donkey operator has died aged 91 Ron was still regularly visiting his family and beloved donkeys on the beach right up to his death on August 7, despite stepping down from running it. Kevin said on one recent occasion, his father sat in his wheelchair on the beach all day, just watching the donkeys. Kevin said: 'He thought a lot about Weston, he was Weston through and through. 'If he saw things going on he didn't like, he was not frightened to tell people 'this is Weston, it is not like anywhere else'. 'He liked to see it tidy, and he loved the whole seafront. He loved the whole place.' Ron leaves behind four children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom still live in Weston. His sons will continue to look after the donkey business, where they receive help from Ron's grandchildren when they are not at college or school. Kevin said: 'It is in our blood. We want it as much as he did, because we have grown up with it. 'He was respected by people all over the country from the sales he went to.' A man has been detained by police in east China for asking on social media why self-ruled Taiwan is not allowed to be called a country. The 18-year-old unemployed man, identified by the family name Yang, used his Weibo social media account to post comments on a police account. One of his comments was 'which law says you can't call Taiwan a country?' The question challenged a fundamental principle of China's sovereignty, as Taiwan is Beijing's most sensitive diplomatic and political issue. A Chinese soldier stands guard in Tiananmen square in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. A man has been detained by police for asking why Taiwan can't be called a country Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Chinese President Xi Jinping do not see eye to eye on policies regarding self-ruled Taiwan. Tsai is pro-independence while Xi sees it as part of China The young man also wrote that Japanese Prime Shinzo Abe was his 'real father', according to police in the north-eastern city of Maanshan in a statement, adding that what he wrote was against the law and 'profaned the people's feelings'. Yang, who police said had previously been warned for making 'bad comments' online, had confessed his crimes and had been detained on suspicion of 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble' on Thursday, they said. The man, after being warned by police, felt he was being treated unfairly as he posted various screenshots of comments from other net users who also 'insulted China' and 'supported Taiwan independence'. 'Isn't everyone supposed to be treated equally before the law? If you need to arrest so-called offenders, you need to arrest all of them! Why was I the only person arrested?' he questioned on a Weibo post on Thursday. Beijing has begun ordering foreign companies to label Taiwan as part of China on their websites and is excluding Taiwan from as many international forums as it can (file photo) The Chinese government views the democratic island as merely a wayward province and it has stepped up a campaign against the island as it tries to assert Chinese sovereignty. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the Communists. Beijing has begun ordering foreign companies to label Taiwan as part of China on their websites and is excluding Taiwan from as many international forums as it can. In April, the government sent a notice to 36 airlines around the world demanding that they not refer to Taiwan as a non-Chinese entity on their websites. Major airlines including Qantas, Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa now list Taiwan as a Chinese territory. Corbynistas today mocked a Labour Jewish MP for saying a disciplinary probe into her 'anti-Semite' jibe at Jeremy Corbyn made her feel like a Jew in Nazi Germany. Dame Margaret Hodge, who lost family in the Holocaust, said learning she was under investigation after the encounter made her think 'as if they were coming for me'. But she has faced an onslaught of derision from Mr Corbyn's supporters on Twitter who have posted outlandish comparisons to mock her. The users, including an aide to the Labour MP and Corbyn ally Laura Pidcock, have made the hashtag #HodgeComparisons trend on Twitter. They compared escaping from a jammed toilet to Nelson Mandela's release from prison and pulling weeds from their garden with the First World War trenches. Ben Sellers, Ms Pidcock's political adviser, wrote: 'Just last week I was on the crapper when I realised the lock had jammed on the door. 'It took the intervention of my wife on the other side to release me. When I walked free, I felt just like Mandela must have done when he was released from Robben Island in 1990. #HodgeComparisons.' He later deleted the post and declined to comment to MailOnline about why he posted it. The onslaught came after Labour launched an extraordinary attack on Dame Margaret, saying her comparison was 'so extreme and disconnected from reality it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of anti-Semitism'. Former minister Dame Margaret Hodge (pictured on Sky News last night) clashed angrily with Jeremy Corbyn last month as the row over Labour's new code of conduct raged Ben Sellers, an aide to the Labour MP Laura Pidcock, joined in the mockery against Dame Margaret Hodge by comparing escaping from a jammed toilet with the freeing of Nelson Mandela Another Twitter user mocked Dame Margaret by posting a meme comparing running out of crisps to the potato famine which killed around one million people Twitter users swapped mocking comparisons - making the hashtag #HodgeComparisons trend on the microblogging site Lynn Kelly compared pulling garden weeds with the First World War trenches in another derisory post Another Twitter user called Susy Starfield posted a meme comparing running out of crisps to the Irish potato famine, which left one million people dead. Another user going by the name Comrade Maxwell wrote: 'I got caught out in the rain and had to wait in a tunnel for several minutes until it went away. 'It was exactly like what the allies encountered during the Normandy landings.' While Lynn Kelly wrote: 'This morning as I pulled weeds from the wet mud of my garden I understood the horror my grandfather felt in the trenches of the Western Front.' But several Jewish figures and Labour MPs hit out at the mocking abuse - warning it is offensive and makes light of the very real fear of persecution felt by those whose families were murdered by the Nazis. Labour MP Anna Turley wrote: 'The holocaust didnt happen in a vacuum. 'It happened because ordinary people turned a blind eye to racism & antisemitism; scapegoated & dehumanised a community, stifled free thinking & refused to challenge the cult of an idol. Why is Labour's new code of conduct on anti-Semitism so controversial? The Labour anti-Semitism row erupted again after the party leadership refused to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition. The party's code explicitly endorses the IHRA definition, but it omits four examples from the IHRA list: - Accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country; - Claiming that Israel's existence as a state is a racist endeavour; - Requiring higher standards of behaviour from Israel than other nations; and - Comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis. Labour insisted that while the examples are not reproduced word-for-word, they are covered in the new code. But critics say the decision allows anti-Semitism to continue to fester. Advertisement 'Jewish people know how it starts. #hodgecomparison.' And David Schneider, a Jewish comedian who appeared on I'm Alan Partridge and The Day Today, said the mockery made him feel 'uncomfortable'. He wrote: 'Like Margaret Hodge, Im the child of a Holocaust survivor. 'That brings with it certain baggage that may seem weird if youre not second generation. Including what some might see as over-sensitivity to certain situations because of the stories we heard from when we were tiny. 'Dunno what Hodges motives are & I get the satirical intention of #HodgeComparisons but it makes me uncomfortable. 'Maybe she's politicising' but not sure you can say a 2nd generation survivor trivialises the Holocaust if you dont understand how dominant it can still be for them.' A spokesperson for the campaign group Labour Against Anti-Semitism said: 'Weve observed some of the #hodgecomparison tweets that have appeared today and weve been pretty disgusted. 'Dame Margaret Hodge spoke courageously and emotionally about her experience of the institutional anti-Semitism in our party, and in response she has been met with a nasty, cruel mockery that is quite revolting. 'Anyone who wants to understand how deep the problem of anti-Semitism and bullying has become in the Labour Party just needs to look up that hashtag. 'Its a very sad indictment of where our party is, and it is horrendous. We offer our support to Dame Margaret and hope that any Labour member who posted using that hashtag is investigated and kicked out of the party.' The wave of mockery came after Dame Margaret gave her first broadcast interview over her row with the Labour leadership about the anti-Semitism scandal. The former minister - whose grandmother, uncle and many cousins were murdered by the Nazis - had a furious row with Mr Corbyn last month when she accused him of being an anti-Semite and refusing to tackle the racism. Labour swiftly launched an official investigation into her, although it was later dropped after an outcry from Labour MPs and Dame Margaret's lawyers. In an interview last night, Dame Margaret said learning she was under investigation brought back fears of Nazi Germany. Labour MP Anna Turley defended Dame Margaret over the comments saying that Jewish people are best placed to say when they feel persecuted David Schneider, a Jewish comedian who appeared on I'm Alan Partridge and The Day Today, said the mockery made him feel 'uncomfortable' David Schneider said it was not for people who had not lost family in the Holocaust to accuse Dame Margaret of trivialising the experience 'On the day that I heard that they were going to discipline me and possibly suspend me, it felt almost like, I kept thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties?' she told Sky News. 'Because it felt almost as if they were coming for me. It's rather difficult to define, but there's that fear, and it reminded me of what my dad used to say. 'He always said to me as a child, 'You've got to keep a packed suitcase at the door Margaret, in case you ever have got to leave in a hurry'.' She added: 'When I heard about the disciplinary action, my emotional response resonated with that feeling of fear that clearly was at the heart of what my father felt when he came to Britain.' Mr Corbyn, pictured in Mansfield yesterday, has been struggling to contain the row over Labour's new code of conduct on anti-Semitism On anti-Semitism, she added: 'I think it's a bit scary. We've got the growth of populism, whether it's Trump, whether it's Boris Johnson, and now whether it's the cult of Corbynism which allows these attitudes to emerge. 'I wasn't alive in the 1930s, there's probably very few people around who were, but it sort of makes you feel if you don't stand up against it then what are you allowing to occur.' However, responding to the interview a Labour Party spokesman said: 'Jeremy is determined to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, so Jewish people feel it is a warm and welcoming home. 'The comparison of the Labour Party's disciplinary process with Nazi Germany is so extreme and disconnected from reality it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of anti-Semitism. 'We all need to work together to build support and confidence in the Labour Party among Jewish communities in Britain.' The second-biggest street-party in the world is just around the corner. With two million people going to West London for Notting Hill Carnival to celebrate Caribbean culture, diversity and togetherness, only Brazil's Rio Carnival is bigger than the London street-party. Notting Hill Carnival first took place in 1966 and over the next five decades became an influential, community-led event featuring all day parades, Family Days, live music, sound stages and parties. Here is all you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2018 including when is it, what time does it start, what happens during the Bank Holiday Weekend and how best to get to it. Notting Hill Carnival 2018 will see millions of people descend upon the West London area Notting Hill Carnival 2018 dates The Notting Hill Carnival takes place over three days on the August Bank Holiday Weekend: Saturday August 25, Sunday August 26 and Monday August 27. However, most of the events will take place on the Sunday and Monday. What time does the Carnival start? The Carnival will start as early as 6am on Sunday, August 26 and run until 7pm, while on the Bank Holiday Monday the day will start at midday and end at 7pm. On the Saturday, the Carnival begins at 6pm and carries on until 11pm. Where is the Carnival? The Carnival covers W2/W9/W10/W11 postcodes in West London in the Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Maida Vale neighbourhoods. The top end of the area starts at where Kensal Road meets Ladbroke Grove, running across Westway, covering the whole triangular area between Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Notting Hill Gate Underground Stations. The Carnival covers W2/W9/W10/W11 postcodes in West London in the Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Maida Vale neighbourhoods What will happen at the Carnival? Saturday August 25 On the Saturday there will be the UK National Panorama Steelband Competition, which will see six steelbands play ten-minute pieces from memory. The competition was started in 1978 and Ebony Steelband are the current champions. Tickets cost 5 for adults, 1 for under-18s and free for under-5s. They can be purchased here. Sunday August 26 Sunday August 26 is officially the Notting Hill Carnival Family Day. The day kicks off at 6am with JOuvert, which is a contraction of the French term Jour Ouvert, which means opening of the day. The Carnival starts so early on the Sunday because it is a Caribbean tradition to start it just before sunrise and carrying on all the way until daybreak. Many people go this early to revel in the bacchanal spirit of the opening. The official opening ceremony, which is traditionally conducted by local residents and local government officials, starts at 10am with music and childrens performances, before the mas bands start the parade. Since August 26 is Family Day, there is a Childrens Day Parade, which encourages children and parents to take part in family-based activities, centred around the main event of childrens mas. For those preferring something a bit more chaotic, there is the Dutty/Fun Mas all day parade, which will most certainly feature colourful paints and powders being thrown around everywhere. Not one to attend in your nicest gear. The Sound Systems get the music pumping from midday and runs until 7pm. There will also be live stages including the Red Bull Music Stage a the Emsie Hornimans Pleasance Park and Casa Bacardi in Powis Square. Notting Hill Carnival will see over 35 sound systems play until 7pm on Sunday and Monday Monday August 27 Bank Holiday Monday is when the Carnival reaches its climax, featuring an all day parade, sound systems and more performances on the Casa Bacardi Stage and the Wilk Walker Community Stage. Getting to Notting Hill Carnival During the Carnival Kensal Road and many roads going north from Notting Hill Gate to Harrow road will be closed, as will most roads from Latimer Road, St. Marks Road and Clarendon Road in the east to Porchester Road, and Queensway in the West. The roads will reopen early Tuesday morning. Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park tube stations will be incredibly busy during the Carnival, so it is advisable to avoid them during peak hours of the Carnival and instead going to stations slightly further out like High Street Kensington and Lancaster Gate. The nearest Overground stops to the Carnival are Willesden Junction, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green, Queens Park and Shepherds Bush. What to wear to the Carnival People normally wear bright colours, feathers and clothes they dont mind getting messy. Although, as the sun sets its advisable to have an extra layer when it gets cold. What to bring to the Carnival Depending on the weather, the Carnival organisers recommend bring plenty of water and an umbrella. Food and drink at the Carnival There will be plenty of food and drink stalls selling staple Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, Roti, rice n peas and corn on the cob. This is the dramatic moment a woman is rescued from drowning by a lifeguard drone after she was swept out to sea. The woman and six other swimmers were left fearing for their lives when they were pulled away from the beach at the Spanish town of Sagunto. An operator on the shore then steered a drone to the struggling swimmers and dropped a life jacket to the women who seemed most threatened. The jacket was designed to inflate automatically and kept the woman afloat before lifeguards arrived to bring her back to the shore, according to New Atlas. The woman in the pink cap was struggling against the current after being swept out to sea After the orange life jacket was dropped from the drone a man helped the woman put it on The footage was filmed from the drone and was shared online by the device's Spanish manufacturers. At the start of the clip a life jacket is seen being hoisted down to the water on the end of a tether. With strong waves coming in and swimmers gesturing furiously at the drone the jacket is dropped by the side of the woman who is wearing a pink cap. Another man helps her to take the jacket off the rope and put it over her head to keep her afloat. Other swimmers who can see what is happening hurry over to help the woman as her companion holds her up under the water. She is pulled to safety when a jet-ski pulls up beside her with a lifeboat in tow and pulls her on board with the help of two others, before taking her back to a packed beach. The drone, which is called the Auxdron, was made by Spanish firm GeneralDrones and has four arms and eight motors. The woman was pulled to safety when a jet-ski appeared on the scene towing a lifeboat This is the startling moment a controversial American pastor, whose father was killed after being bitten by a snake, is himself attacked by a serpent. Cody Coots is the pastor at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church in Middlesboro, Kentucky - one of Americas last remaining snake-handling churches. During his sermon, Pastor Coots can be seen handling a snake as he preaches to his congregation. This is the startling moment a controversial American pastor, whose father was killed after being bitten by a snake, is himself attacked by a serpent Cody Coots (pictured) is the pastor at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church in Middlesboro, Kentucky - one of Americas last remaining snake-handling churches While holding the creature aloft, it snaps it jaw at the preachers ear - causing blood to splatter down his light-blue shirt. Unconcerned, Pastor Coots continues his speech, telling the members attending the service to: Keep playing and Im not worried at all. Gods a healer, Im not worried. Yet it is soon apparent that Pastor Coots is becoming increasingly affected by the snakes bite as blood rushes down his face - no matter how many times he wipes it away with a cloth. Soon he is choking and has to be carried out of the church by its members. During his sermon, Pastor Coots can be seen handling a snake as he preaches to his congregation While holding the creature aloft, it snaps it jaw at the preachers ear - causing blood to splatter down his light-blue shirt Unconcerned, Pastor Coots continues his speech, telling the members attending the service to: Keep playing and Im not worried at all. Gods a healer, Im not worried He was taken to hospital where doctors told him he could have been killed after the snake came close to severing the temporal artery. Yet he has now reportedly started re-evaluate his life in the wake of this incident. One of the men to take him to hospital, Big Cody, told Barcroft TV: Most people bit in the face are dead in five, ten minutes. I mean, his own daddy got bit in the hand and within seven minutes was dead. Pastor Coots father, Jamie Coots, 42, was handling a rattlesnake at very same church during one of his sermons in 2014 when he was bitten on the hand and died. Appalachia's serpent-handling pastors use the snakes to show non-Christians that God protects them from harm, holding them aloft as they pray, sing and dance. Yet it is soon apparent that Pastor Coots is becoming increasingly affected by the snakes bite as blood rushes down his face. In the end he has to be carried out of the church by its members He was taken to hospital where doctors told him he could have been killed after the snake came close to severing the temporal artery A member of the church confidently handles a deadly snake before passing it on to the pastor The belief stems from a literal reading of Jesus' words in the Gospel of Mark: 'And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.' Pastor Coots wife Tammy, 25, said: That church is their blood, you know. It started with their family and its going down with their family. Me and Cody didnt talk about religion until after we got married and all I said is, God, what did I get myself into? The clip will feature in a larger film about the church on My Life Inside: The Snake Church which premieres on Barcroft TV, on YouTube, from Friday August 17. The pastor (pictured holding a snake at his home on June 14, 2015) has now reportedly started re-evaluate his life in the wake of this incident Pastor Coots holds a snake at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name on June 13, 2015 in Middlesboro, Kentucky Pictured: Pastor Cody Coots looks on as a parishioner handles a snake A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a nurse who performed on Britains Got Talent in an NHS choir. Desmond Sylva, 40, is accused of stabbing 31-year-old Simonne Kerr to death in her home in Battersea, south-west London. Police were called shortly before 12.40pm on Wednesday to the Victorian terrace but she was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics. Sylva, who lived in the same address in Grayshott Road, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today charged with murder. He did not enter a plea to the charge and spoke only to confirm his details during the short hearing. He was remanded in custody and ordered to appear on August 21 at the Old Bailey. Scroll down for video Simonne Kerr (pictured with her six-year-old son Kavele died from complications arising from sickle cell disease in 2015) was stabbed to death yesterday The 31-year-old wowed audiences on ITV after appearing on Britain's Got Talent as part of the NHS choir B Positive, created to raise awareness for blood donations Ms Kerr wowed audiences on ITV after appearing on Britain's Got Talent as part of the NHS choir B Positive, created to raise awareness for blood donations. The group of NHS nurses and doctors left BGT judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon in tears earlier this year with their powerful rendition of the single Rise Up. A spokeswoman from NHS Blood and Transplant said: 'Our thoughts and condolences are with Simonnes family at this tragic time. 'She was a valued and respected member of the B Positive choir who was passionate about the lifesaving power of blood donation following the loss of her son. 'The choir, NHS Blood and Transplant and all those who knew Simonne are devastated at the loss of a well-liked choir member and friend.' Ms Kerr previously revealed how she took solace in the choir following the death of her son Kavele, six, from sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder, in 2015. Simonne Kerr died on Wednesday despite the efforts of paramedics who battled for more than an hour to save her She was pronounced dead yesterday in the Victorian terrace flat she was staying in, despite the efforts of paramedics who battled for nearly an hour to save her. Sylva was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, sparking the 90th homicide investigation in the capital this year. Simonne, who worked as a nurse at Guys and St Thomas Hospital in south London, joined the choir after her son passed away. She discovered she was a sickle cell disease carrier during a routine 12-week pregnancy scan and Kavele was diagnosed at only five days old after a heel-prick test. At the time of the competition, Ms Kerr said: 'Kavele was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth. He had his first sickle at just a few months old. 'The sickling happened mainly in his tummy and as he got older, he was hospitalised one or two times a year, usually for a few days at a time. 'Kavele was an active child and he went to school and led as normal a life he could with sickle cell disease.' When Kavele was six years old, he came home from school one day feeling fine and went to bed at 8.30pm as usual. But at 5am the following day, he awoke with a high temperature and vomiting. Kerr worked as a nurse at Guys and St Thomas Hospital in south London. Just a few months before her death, she was pictured with Collette from the Kingdom Choir, who sang at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding The group of NHS nurses and doctors left BGT judges Amanda Holden (pictured) and Alesha Dixon in tears with their powerful rendition of Rise Up Alesha Dixon (pictured) was brought to tears by the performance of the choir earlier this year The B Positive choir posted this message on social media hours before they performed in front of the BGT judges in May Ms Kerr (pictured) previously revealed how she took solace in the choir following the death of her son Kavele, 6, from sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder, in 2015 Ms Kerr was pronounced dead yesterday in the Victorian terrace flat she was staying in, despite the efforts of paramedics (pictured: her body is removed from the home) Forensic investigators were pictured scouring the scene for evidence today. Scotland Yard said detectives are not looking for any other suspects Ms Kerr said: 'I gave Kavele medication and monitored him throughout the morning. 'However, he became more lethargic and I felt his condition was not improving so I called for an ambulance and was told we would have to wait up to 45 minutes. 'An hour later I telephoned 999 again because Kavele's breathing became more laboured. 'Kavele went into cardiac arrest approximately 20 to 30 minutes after several ambulance crews started to arrive. He did not recover and passed away in hospital several hours later.' Ms Kerr said she joined the B Positive choir because she is passionate about raising awareness of blood conditions and the need for more blood donors. She added: 'I got to spend six wonderful years watching Kavele grow and though there were a handful of hospitalisations in his short life, I was positive that he would live a full life into adulthood. I lost him in 2015.' What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease is the umbrella term for a group of inherited conditions that severely affect red blood cells. Around 15,000 people in the UK are sufferers and it is particularly common in people of African or Caribbean descent. Healthy red blood cells - produced by stem cells within bone marrow - are biconcaved discs that can bend and flex easily. However, in those with sickle cell disease, faulty stem cells produce red blood cells that are crescent shaped. They are rigid, unable to squeeze through smaller blood vessels and prone to causing blockages that deprive parts of the body of oxygen. Sufferers are not expected to live beyond 60 and treatment mainly focuses on alleviating symptoms, such as pain and infections, through blood transfusions and painkillers. Advertisement She added: 'Singing can be such an uplifting experience so joining the B Positive choir seemed the obvious way to raise awareness of the urgent need for more young and black people to give blood while doing something positive and motivational.' Kerr has also appeared in an NHS appeal urging others to give blood, where she also talked about the death of her son. It the emotional one minute long recording, she said: 'My son's name was Kavele, and Kavele was a very lively boy, loved dancing, and he was in year two of Leopold primary school when he passed away. 'I was just into my second year of university when all this happened. 'I didn't think about giving blood until after Kavele passed away. 'So joining B Positive choir it was an opportunity that I was really excited about. It was all about raising awareness, not only for sickle cell, but also the need for blood. 'It's really important that you've done something good to someone.' The 31-year-old was also still helping to raise awareness for the disease which killed her son, and was promoting a sickle cell family fun day charity event on her social media, due to be held at the East London Rugby Club on August 18. Ms Kerr studied to become a nurse, qualifying in January 2018 and joined Guys' and St Thomas' Hospital, in February 2018 as a staff nurse in haematology and oncology. Scotland Yard said detectives are not looking for any other suspects in the investigation into Ms Kerr's death. The victim's next-of-kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination was due to take place on Thursday. A neighbour described how the 40-year-old suspect arrested by police looked 'calm' as he was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. He added: 'I heard someone called the police because they heard screaming and shouting. 'Everyone's had their windows open because it's warm, so I guess someone might have heard it. 'It's only a one bedroom flat, so I'm not sure if the children would have lived there.' A woman who lives nearby said of the victim: 'She has two kids, a six-year-old boy and a three month old. 'The eldest child is the one that called the police. He found her. My friend lives in the flat below and she told me. 'She said the woman was ringing her doorbell at 9am, but she couldn't answer as she'd just had an operation.' One resident said they saw a young man accompanying a child around the age of six or seven out of the property, and was also holding a baby. Armed police were seen breaking down the door at the south London property. A 40-year-old man was arrested at 12.30pm this afternoon after police were called to a residential street in Battersea An empty ambulance was seen within the cordon, with an empty stretcher positioned alongside it on the pavement Armed police were seen breaking down the door at the south London property before a man was arrested Another resident said he saw police then leave the house with a folding stepladder. The end of terrace house in the well-heeled Lavender Hill area, near Clapham Junction, has been cordoned off while police investigate. Clusters of people watched from the edges of the cordon - some with children in buggies and in their arms. An empty ambulance was seen within the cordon, with an empty stretcher positioned alongside it on the pavement. Vickie Foot, a 43-year-old who lives nearby, described the killing as 'absolutely shocking' and said she saw the arrest. 'They handcuffed him and put him into the van. He looked quite calm,' the mother-of-three said. Police reassured residents, telling them: 'It's not gang-related.' A neighbour said: 'My wife and I saw armed police break down the door and enter the house. Paramedics and forensic investigators in conversation outside the address where Ms Kerr was killed 'We originally thought someone had been shot. One police officer left holding a small stepladder.' It comes as Britain's top police officer insisted yesterday that Britain was not as violent as America, and a period of apparent 'lawlessness' in London was stabilising. Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick claimed violence in the capital was waning, despite 88 killings so far this year, compared with 118 in 2017. She insisted there was far more bloodshed in major US cities, even though in February and March London overtook New York's murder rate for the first time. Yesterday, she said the murder rate had slowed in London adding that there have been 161 killings in New York this year, almost double that in the capital. INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro is in Arusha on a mission, specifically in Mto wa Mbu, to address rapes, assaults and killings of women and girls in Monduli District. At least three people have been killed in Mto wa Mbu after some women were assaulted and sexually abused by unidentified gangs of people, said the IGP. According to him, he understands that a police post in the area is too small and understaffed to deal with such cases. The IGP said this, when Minister for Home Affairs Kangi Lugola visited Mto wa Mbu recently and residents complained about the assaults and killings and a rise in the number of rapes. He said because of this the police had mounted a special operation to ensure the culprits were hunted and be held and security was restored in the area. Speaking in Arusha on his way to Monduli yesterday, Mr Sirro noted that after his Mto wa Mbu mission, he intended to travel to Manyara Region, especially Mbulu District, where again there had been unreported crimes as many areas were difficult to reach. I will meet and talk to police officers in Mbulu District to hear their challenges and remind them their duties, especially, when encountering some trying situations, he said. More than 10 women of different ages have been assaulted, raped and badly wounded as a gang of unidentified men wreaked havoc in Mto Wa Mbu in Monduli District. Three victims have reportedly killed in such ugly incidents. These untoward incidents are reported to have happened between May and July this year, targeting lone female walkers, those hiring motorcycles at night and those working on farms in early morning or late afternoon. Ms Mary Steven, a Mto wa Mbu resident, said there was a case in which a woman hired a tricycle (Bajaji) without knowing that, the rider was colluding with rapists. She said he took her to unknown area, where she was raped to the extent of falling into unconsciousness. Mr Ally Salim and Abeid Mushi also residents of Mto wa Mbu, said sometimes women and girls fell prey to the culprits, while on their way to their farms early in the morning, others while on their farms and sometimes the culprits wounded even children accompanying them. Some of the women, who sustained serious wounds were admitted to different hospitals in Arusha. Australia is being targeted by drug cartels seeking to import fentanyl, which is 100 times more powerful than heroin, the Australian Federal Police has warned. This is because the drug has a tiny dose size that makes it easier to smuggle, compared to other illegal substances like methamphetamine or cocaine. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the opioid fentanyl is a depressant drug which slows down the messages sent between the brain and the body. Drug cartels will most likely target Australia when smuggling fentanyl, a drug said to be 100 times more powerful than heroin, the Australian Federal Police warned (stock image) The drug is often prescribed for chronic and severe pain as a result of cancer, nerve damage, back injury, trauma and other causes. 'With a product like carfentanyl, which is 5,000 times more active than heroin on the human body, it means you can move much smaller quantities and therefore make much more money out of a smaller quantity of that drug than of the same quantity of methamphetamine,' AFP Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent told The Herald Sun. The drug already resulted in many deaths in the United States and Canada in recent years. 'We have seen in other jurisdictions that fentanyl, particularly in Canada and parts of the United States, has become a massive problem in terms of drug associated deaths because of the sheer potency of that particular drug and the high risk of overdose,' Mr Kent added. The AFP will reportedly monitor the ACIC waste water program and the public health network to prevent the illegal use of the drug from spreading in the country. What is fentanyl and why is it so dangerous? Fentanyl was originally developed in Belgium in the 1950s to aid cancer patients with their pain management. Given its extreme potency it has become popular amongst recreational drug users. Between late 2013 and early 2015, more than 700 deaths were attributed to fentanyl and related substances. It is often added to heroin because it creates the same high as the drug, with the effects biologically identical. But it can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin, according to officials in the US. Deaths tied to fentanyl and related drugs doubled in 2016, to more than 19,000. In America, fentanyl is classified as a schedule II drug - indicating it has a strong potential to be abused and can create psychological and physical dependence. Other schedule II drugs include Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, Adderall, Ritalin and oxcodone. Advertisement A three-year-old girl needed emergency surgery after a man and a woman allegedly carried out a botched female genital mutilation at their home in east London. The man, 42 and woman, 36, each face five charges - also including possession of extreme pornographic images of people having sex with animals. The pair, who are not being named at this stage for legal reasons, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court today. Both are accused of FGM and failing to protect a girl from risk of genital mutilation on August 28 last year. The girl is understood to have been rushed to hospital soon after the alleged incident. The couple are then thought to have blamed the wounds on a household accident. A man, 42, and woman, 36, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court (pictured) today accused of carrying out a botched female genital mutilation on a three-year-old girl at their home in east London The woman, a Ugandan national, is further accused of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with dogs, and of publishing videos of sexual activity with a dog and a snake. The man, from Ghana, faces a charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with a horse and a snake, and of publishing videos of sexual activity with dogs. He is also accused of possessing indecent videos of a child, while the woman is accused of distributing an indecent video of children. They were remanded in custody and are next due to appear at the Old Bailey on August 31. The case is only the third brought to trial involving FGM charges, despite FGM being illegal in the UK since 1985. A study from earlier this year found just 61 confirmed instances of FGM and all but four were before the girls came to live in this country. When the study began, the investigators said there could be as many as 137,000 victims in England and Wales. Advertisement The death toll from floods in the Indian state of Kerala trebled today to 324, authorities said, amid warnings of worse weather to come. The floods have triggered landslides and sent torrents sweeping through villages. Hundreds of troops and local fishermen are staging desperate rescue attempts with helicopters and boats across the southern state, which draws international tourists to its tropical hills and beaches. Rescue workers evacuate people from flooded areas after the opening of Idamalayr, Cheruthoni and Mullaperiyar dam shutters following heavy rains, on the outskirts of Kochi, Kerela, India Thousands are still waiting for relief and rescue across the flood-ravaged state Kerala has been battered by record monsoon rainfall this year and is 'facing the worst floods in 100 years', chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Twitter statement, adding that 324 lives had been lost so far. With thousands still trapped, power and communication lines down and fresh alerts of further torrential rain, authorities warned of more trouble ahead and further deaths to come. 'We are deploying more boats and army to ramp up rescue operations,' senior state government official P.H. Kurian said. More than 30 military helicopters and 320 boats are attempting rescues across Kerala. Authorities said thousands of people have been taken to safety so far but 6,000 more are still waiting for rescue. Helicopters have also been dropping emergency food and water supplies, while special trains carrying drinking water have been sent to Kerala. According to India's weather bureau, since the beginning of June more than 126 inches of rain has fallen on the hilly central Kerala district of Idukki, which is now virtually cut off from the rest of the state. Partially submerged trucks are seen surrounded by floodwaters at a parking bay after the opening of Idamalayr, Cheruthoni and Mullaperiyar dam shutters following heavy rains, on the outskirts of Kochi People all over Kerala have made panic-stricken appeals on social media for help, saying they cannot make contact with rescue services With no end in sight to the deluge, people all over the state of 33 million people have made panic-stricken appeals on social media for help, saying they cannot make contact with rescue services. 'My family and neighbouring families are in trouble,' wrote Ajo Varghese, a resident of the coastal city of Alappuzha, in a Facebook post that quickly went viral. 'No water and food. Not able to communicate from afternoon. Mobile phones are not reachable... Please help,' he added. A rescuer saves a a drowning man from a flooded area after the opening of Idamalayr, Cheruthoni and Mullaperiyar dam shutters Other messages have been sent from people trapped inside temples and hospitals as well as their homes. The Kerala government has said it faces an 'extremely grave' crisis and state chief minister Vijayan warned of a new wave of rainfall hitting the battered region over the weekend. Strong winds have also been predicted for Saturday and Sunday. The gates of dozens of dams and reservoirs across the state have been opened as water levels reach danger levels, inundating many other villages. North and central Kerala have been worst-hit by the floods with the international airport in the main city of Kochi shut until at least August 26. Rescue workers evacuate people from flooded areas in boats At least 220,000 people displaced from across the state are taking shelter in more than 1,500 relief camps. On top of tourist cancellations, Kerala's valuable rubber industry has been badly hit by the floods. The government says 6,000 miles of Kerala roads have been destroyed or damaged, along with thousands of homes. News reports said electricity supplies to more than half the state have been cut. The state power company said that only one million people were affected, however. The home ministry announced meanwhile that 868 people have been reported dead in seven Indian states including Kerala since the start of the monsoon in June. Advertisement The World Health Organization said on Friday that at least 1,500 people had potentially been exposed to the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu region, where fear of local militia is preventing aid workers from reaching some areas. But it expected more people to become infected and could not be sure that it had identified all chains by which the virus is spreading in the eastern part of the country beset by militia violence. The region is haunted in particular by the Allied Defence Forces, a Ugandan Islamist rebel group blamed for hundreds of civilian deaths over the past four years. An Ebola patient is being checked by two medical workers after being admitted into a Biosecure Emergency care Unite (CUBE) in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo An Ebola patient is lead by two medical workers into CUBE, which has being constructed by The Alliance for International Medical Action in response to the Ebola outbreak Emergency: A health worker gets ready to perform medical checks inside an Ebola Treatment Centre run by The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) in Beni More than 500 people including health workers have been vaccinated against the disease in Congo's latest outbreak, marked by a total of 78 confirmed and probable cases, including 44 deaths, the WHO said. Some 1,500 people have been identified as contacts of people infected with the disease that causes fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. 'We don't know if we are having all transmission chains identified. We expect to see more cases as a result of earlier infections and these infections developing into illness,' WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing. 'We still don't have a full epidemiological picture... The worst case scenario is that we have these security blindspots where the epidemic could take hold that we don't know about,' he said. A health worker gets ready to perform checks at an Ebola treatment centre in Beni An Ebola patient is lifted up by two medical workers after being admitted into a Biosecure Emergency care Unite On August 1, Beni declared an outbreak of Ebola epicentered in Mangina - a small town that had been a relative haven from the fighting - where six members of the same family died of the disease. In the Beni region, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern province of Kivu, the twin peril has bred fear and despair 'I fled here from Kokola, where the ADF were committing atrocities,' said Pascaline Fitina, a 36-year-old woman, sitting alone, her head in her hands. 'I went to my elder sister, but she has died of Ebola and her husband is being quarantined at the treatment centre. I don't what to do.' Pascal Lukula, a 38-year-old farmer with five children, said he was stuck in Mangina, unable to get to other members of his family, because of the encroaching militia. 'We are caught between the hammer and the anvil,' he sighed. 'The ADF's on one side, and Ebola on the other.' The outbreak - the country's 10th since the disease was discovered in then-Zaire in 1976 - was announced just a week after the end of an Ebola flareup in northwestern Equateur province that claimed 33 lives. The infected will be treated in 10 Biosecure Emergency care Units (CUBEs), which will be used for the first time to treat Ebola patients and are currently being constructed by The Alliance for International Medical Action in response to the outbreak. An unconfirmed Ebola patient is lead by two medical workers to his new ward in a Ebola Treatment Centre Medical workers at a special treatment centre in Beni disinfect the coffin of a suspected Ebola fatality Ebola causes serious illness including vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases internal and external bleeding. It is often fatal if untreated. The disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads among humans through close contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions or organs of an infected person. In Mangina, located 30km (18 miles) southwest of the city of Beni, suspicion and rumour seem to have spread across the population. Containers of chlorinated water have been installed in front of all shops and in the markets to provide rudimentary hand protection. 'I wear gloves to protect me from the epidemic,' said Jonas Mumbere, 26, who drives a motorcycle taxi. 'Customers have started to think twice about getting on the motorbike for fear of contamination.' Elodie Zena, a 28-year-old sex worker, said: 'Business has dropped off - customers are afraid. I've heard that even the sweat of someone who is infected can contaminate us. I've got two children and I don't how I can feed them.' Health experts have long fretted about the problems of combating Ebola in the DRC, a vast country that is poor and unstable and shares boundaries with nine countries. Three medical workers check on an Ebola patient in a Biosecure Emergency care Unite On Tuesday, the World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also warned that conflict had helped create 'a conducive environment for the transmission' of Ebola. Hanna Leskinen of the International Committee of the Red Cross said the grassroots work in combating Ebola lies in locating and treating patients and isolating people who have been in contact with them. In North Kivu, 'people are moving around all the time, fleeing the latest wave of violence,' she said. 'It enormously complicates search and followup of infected people.' Another worry is for the safety of health workers - 'the police and army are providing night-and-day security' for them, said North Kivu's governor, Ephrem Kasereka. Princess Dianas engagement ring, which featured a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire, was not popular among the Royals after Prince Charles asked for her hand in marriage, despite now becoming one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history. As reported in Vogue, despite the ring boasting a white gold band and 14 solitaire diamonds, the crown jeweller Garrard featured the piece in its catalogue, which meant that anyone could have bought the 47,000 ring and in turn, was a problem with the Royal Family. Garrard was inspired by the sapphire and diamond cluster brooch that was made for Prince Albert in 1840, which he went on to gift Queen Victoria as a wedding present and she wore it as her something blue. Prince Charles and Diana Spencer at Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement Since then, The Queen has worn the very same brooch at a number of public events. It was also reported that Diana picked out the jewel herself, while others claim that she chose it because it was the biggest and reminded her of her mothers engagement ring. Princess Diana loved her engagement ring so much that she continued to wear it after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996 and it was made into a bracelet. She then started wearing an emerald-cut aquamarine ring in its place, the same one that Meghan Markle wore with her second wedding dress. Princess Diana loved her engagement ring and continued to wear it after her divorce Princess Dianas jewellery collection Grant Mobley, a gemologist and Director at Pluczenik and one of the worlds leading diamantaires, said: A beautiful ring that Princess Diana was seen wearing on her ring finger after her divorce from Prince Charles was an emerald cut, aquamarine and diamond ring. He continued: The Princess was very fond of a pearl and diamond bracelet featuring a large emerald cut aquamarine that she was given in her early years as a princess and, after her divorce, she commissioned this matching ring to be made. Dianas taste in jewellery was impeccable and the fact that she commissioned this ring to be made is a clear testament to her taste. Meghan Markle seen here wearing Princess Diana's aquamarine ring to her wedding reception 'She always chose diamond jewellery that was meaningful to her - she was very intentional with her jewellery choices and made sure they were the best representation of those meaningful moments, he said, as reported in The Express. The aquamarine ring is thought to be around 75,000 because of the size, colour and quality of the centre diamond and a diamond from one of her rings was also used to make Meghan Markles engagement ring. Meghan Markles engagement ring Despite including a stone from Botswana and two diamonds from Princess Dianas personal collection, Meghan Markles engagement ring was compared to one available from Argos for just 33. The ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists for Her Majesty. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement Sarah Filippardos, head jewellery buyer at Argos, told The Sun: 'Prince Harry's choice of a diamond trilogy ring for Meghan is beautiful. For anyone inspired by Harry's act of romance who isn't able to pop to Botswana for a diamond, Argos has a fantastic range of similar trilogy engagement rings with prices starting from as little as 32.99.' However, TheDiamondStore.co.uk estimated that it cost 199,475 and the stone is likely to be a D in colour (the clearest). Meghan also paid tribute to her late mother-in-law on her wedding day and wore Dianas engagement ring to her wedding reception. Meghan Markle's ring includes a stone from Botswana and two from Princess Dianas collection Kate Middletons engagement ring When Diana passed away in 1997, Prince William and Prince Harry inherited her jewellery collection, which included her engagement ring, according to Good Housekeeping. The late Princess wrote: I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it. I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother, Princess Diana's engagement ring There are rumours that while Harry originally picked out the iconic sapphire gem, after he saw Williams love for Kate Middleton, the Prince exchanged the engagement ring for his mothers Cartier watch, so that the Duke of Cambridge could propose to this Duchess. Kate Middleton's engagement ring is shown as she holds the arm of her fiance Prince William Prince William reportedly had the ring with him for three weeks while they were on holiday in Mount Kenya in 2010 and when he announced the engagement, he said: Its my mothers engagement ring, and its very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well. It was only right the two were put together. It was my way of making sure mother didnt miss out on today and the excitement, the Duke said, as reported in Marie Claire. After making a few alterations, Kates ring became one of the worlds most famous rings, now worth over $500,000 (393,000). Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on The One Show, after they announced engagement The Royal engagement ring effect Princess Diana may have started a trend as now that replica engagement rings have been made available on the high street, shoppers have flocked to buy pieces similar to that of Meghan Markles or Princess Eugenies pink sapphire ring. Princess Eugenie wears a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds Jewlr.com, that specialises in royal replicas, revealed that Meghans yellow gold ring is now the top seller while sales of other Hollywood styles have decreased by 50 per cent. Kate and Pippa Middletons rings were also popular on the website. A former Yazidi sex slave who escaped to Germany but fled the country when she met her ISIS captor on the street has been pictured back in a refugee camp in Iraq. Ashwaq Ta'lo started a new life in Europe after she was kidnapped and abused at the age of 15, but revealed her captor, Abu Humam, had stopped her in the street and said he knew where she lived. Now back in Iraq, Ashwaq said she 'wanted to leave Germany immediately' after the encounter in Stuttgart and said she 'felt better staying in a refugee camp' with her father. German police are investigating but said they had not yet been able to identify the man with certainty and said progress had stalled because they could not speak to Ashwaq. Ashwaq is pictured back in a refugee camp in Iraq after she fled Germany following a terrifying meeting with her former ISIS captor in Stuttgart Describing the encounter, she said: 'Someone stopped me in my stride. It was a bearded man. I froze when I looked at his face carefully. 'He looked cleaner in European casual clothes and without his Afghan attire but he had the same scary beard and ugly face 'I was speechless when he started speaking in German to me, asking 'You're Ashwaq, aren't you?' I was more than terrified. 'I was so scared, very scared. I was so scared I just wanted to go back home to my father in Iraq. I wanted to leave Germany immediately.' She said in a video she had pretended to be Turkish after he had spoken to her in German and Arabic and told her: 'I know where you live'. Two months later Ashwaq left Germany and returned to live with her father in the refugee camp in Kurdish Iraq. Ashwaq back in the refugee camp where she said she would never go back to live in Germany Her father, 53-year-old Haji Hamid Ta'lo, said: 'I'm not happy that Ashwaq is back here in Iraq to live with me in a refugee camp along with 2276 or so people without electricity, without comfort, without any hope. 'Why should I be glad about that? It's a terrible catastrophe but, it's the will of God.' Last Friday marked the fourth anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, when ISIS stormed into the Sinjar region of Iraq, home to hundreds of thousands of Yazidis, and slaughtered thousands. Ashwaq's father said the family had been unable to flee the advancing terrorists who ordered them to convert to Islam. She and other family members were driven to Shaddadiya in Syria where they were put in a three-storey building under the watchful eyes of the ISIS militants. Ashwaq was sold to by Abu Humam, forced to convert to Islam, pray everyday five times and memorise the Quran in Arabic. 'I did all that because he promised not to hurt me; but he abused me for more than 10 months, every single day,' she said. Ashwaq is back in the Iraqi refugee camp with her father Haji Hamid Ta'lo (pictured together) Ashwaq is pictured left in Tubingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, during her stay in Germany, and right at a German airport with her brother Ibrahim She said she had slipped pills into her captors' food to escape in the middle of the night, walking for 14 hours to Mount Sinjar where other Yazidis had found safety. She moved to Germany in June 2015, started to go to school and learn the German language and was provided with medical and psychological care and treatment. But although her mother had told her that 'this is Germany and no one could ever hurt you' she revealed she was so scared by her meeting with her former captor that she could not stay in the country. 'I'm very happy I left Germany and Abu Human in it. I was terrified when I recognised him and will never return to live there. 'I'm not doing anything at the moment but I feel better staying in a refugee camp in Iraq than living in Germany.' Ashwaq pictured in Stuttgart, Germany, where she was confronted by her captor Abu Humam Ashwaq, now 18, had claimed she went to police who could not go after the man because he was also a registered refugee. But police in Baden-Wurttemberg, the south-west German state which includes Stuttgart, said an investigation had been opened. They said on Twitter: 'The state police began a criminal investigation on March 13. It cannot be continued at the moment because the witness is not available to answer questions.' A spokesman for federal prosecutors told NTV that they had pursued the matter but had not yet been able to identify the man with sufficient certainty. Ashwaq is back in northern Iraq with her mother and brother, but living in fear because she says Abu Humam has family in Baghdad. She wears black in a sign of mourning for five brothers and a sister still missing since their own capture by IS. Her father said: 'When her mother told me that she'd seen that jihadist... I told them to come back because Germany was obviously no longer a safe place for them.' Ashwaq Ta'lo (pictured in a Facebook video) said she met her ISIS captor after fleeing to Germany following three months of captivity and sexual slavery in Syria Speaking in a Facebook video Ashwaq said many Yazidi girls who had fled to Europe had later encountered the men who had put them in captivity. She said she had a friend in nearby Stuttgart who had also seen her former captor. The UN has declared the killing of the Yazidi people by ISIS as genocide with many women raped by jihadi fighters. Some 7,000 Yazidi women and girls were forced into sexual slavery when the militia took over the community's heartland in Sinjar, northern Iraq, and slaughtered 5,000 people. Earlier this year a German intelligence chief warned of the 'massive danger' posed by women and children returning 'brainwashed' from fighting with ISIS. Hans-Georg Maassen said in February that Germany should consider repealing laws restricting surveillance of minors under the age of 14 to prepare for the increased risk of attacks by children as young as nine. A father murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters at home before taking their bodies to an oil field were he worked and stuffing them into full gas tanks to mask the smell, according to police. Christopher Watts, 33, is said to have dumped the bodies of 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste at the Anadarko Petroleum oil field in northern Colorado, reported Denver 7, citing several high-ranking sources. Their corpses were found on Thursday afternoon, several hours after investigators also located the remains of their mother, 34-year-old Shannan. She was also found at the field, although the exact locations of the bodies has not been revealed. It comes as some friends of the couple suggested Watts could have been cheating, although others said their relationship had appeared strong. Christopher Watts confessed to killing his wife Shanann and their daughters Bella, four (top right) and Celeste, three, (bottom left) on Wednesday night. The bodies of the two girls were found close to their mothers, stuffed inside oil and gas canisters to disguise the smell Watts appeared in court for the first time on Thursday in an orange jumpsuit and shackles. He was denied bail during the appearance Watts appeared in court for the first time on Thursday in an orange jumpsuit and shackles. He was denied bail during the appearance. The suspect did not speak as he was escorted into the courtroom. He looked down for much of the hearing but made eye contact as the judge reviewed his rights. Though formal charges have not yet been filed, he could face three charges of murder and three charges of tampering with evidence. Judge Marcelo Kopcow told prosecutors to file formal charges by Monday and set a Tuesday hearing to review the charges. Kopcow approved a request by Watts' attorney that police preserve all written notes and notify the defense team before autopsies are performed. It is not clear when that will happen. Prosecutors say they believe the mother and children were killed in their home and the bodies later moved, but no cause of death has been made public. Friends Nicholas and Amanda Thayer suggested Shanann thought her husband could have been unfaithful, telling CBS: 'It came to her mind that possibly he could be cheating.' However, others said they enjoyed a strong relationship.'I don't know why he would want to kill her, the wife and the two kids,' Joe Beach, a neighbor of the family in Aberdeen, told ABC 11. 'I'm still in complete shock about it,' said Joe Duty, Watts former teacher. 'Chris was one of the best students that I ever taught ... He was always punctual, did everything right.' In June, Shanann shared an ultrasound of their unborn third child on Facebook, calling Watts 'the best dad us girls could ask for'. Shanann went missing on Monday after returning from a business trip to Arizona at around 1am. She promotes a weight loss supplement for a living and travels the country to attend sales conferences. The children spent the weekend at home with their father while their mother was away working, police said. Watts said the last time he saw his wife was at 5.15am on Monday when he left for work. He said that they had stayed up having an 'emotional conversation' between her arrival at 1am and his departure for work. He said he became worried when she did not reply to his text messages later in the morning. Watts said he became panicked when a friend arrived at the home at noon and there was no answer. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant. Her family revealed on Thursday that she was carrying a baby boy who was to be named Nico. She and her husband were due in court next week to face a lawsuit from their homeowners' association, which was suing them for $1,500. The corpses were found on a property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, according to high-ranking sources. Investigators have not yet confirmed the location of the bodies A pump jack sits near the home where the Watts family lived in Frederick, Colorado. Watts said his wife returned to the home on Monday morning between 1am and 2am from a business trip The couple had previously faced financial difficulties, and filed for bankruptcy in 2015 to escape crushing credit card debts and focus on paying off their mortgage. Watts had gotten a job six months earlier as an operator for Anadarko, and paystubs indicate his annual salary was about $61,500. Shanann was working in a call center at a children's hospital at the time, earning about $18 an hour more for evenings, weekends or extra shifts she sometimes worked. The couple had a combined income of $90,000 in 2014. But they also had tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, along with some student loans and medical bills for a total of $70,000 in unsecured claims on top of a sizable mortgage. They said in the filing that their nearly $3,000 mortgage and $600 in monthly car payments formed the bulk of their $4,900 in monthly expenses. Watts was employed at Anadarko until word of his arrest on Wednesday, the company told DailyMail.com. Shanann appeared highly engaged with her work marketing supplements, boasting on social media of work trips to New Orleans, Toronto, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Las Vegas and San Diego. Shanann (left on August 8) shared an ultrasound (right) in June, calling Watts 'the best dad us girls could ask for'. She worked for a company that sold weight-loss patches The gushing mother would also praise him for being a good father and doting on their daughters. He is pictured with Celeste Watts posted this photo on Facebook days before her murder, saying that her daughters had wrapped a three-foot plastic doll in the mat from the game Twister Shanann was extremely active on Facebook, and posted this status praising her husband on June 19 Authorities are being extraordinarily tight-lipped about their investigation and are refusing to say how they think Shanann died or the motive of the killer. They would not indicate on Thursday when they think the mother was killed, or if they believe the children were still alive when she returned on Monday from her business trip. Nor did investigators reveal what prompted Watts to make his apparent confession. He did lead police to Shanann's body, police said, adding on Thursday that they also believe they known the location of the two girls' bodies. The Weld County District Attorney asked a judge to seal the arrest affidavit and was granted his request. On Thursday, the DA said he hoped to share more details on Monday when he planned to lodge formal charges against Christopher. Shanann's family, in the meantime, have been left outraged by the investigation. They say police 'dragged their heels' in taking Christopher into custody. 'The cops drug their feet. He was the only one with them and backed his truck into the garage,' Shanann's brother Frankie Rzucek fumed on social media on Thursday 'Doesn't take a genius to know who was suspect. My blood is boiling.' Hours before his arrest on Wednesday, Chris appeared on NBC's Today show (above) where he said he had 'like no idea' where the family went Christopher and Shanann are seen with their two daughters. Police say that he confessed to the murders and tried to hide the bodies in the oil field where he worked On Thursday, Shanann's family issued a statement sharing their grief. 'The family are deeply saddened over the inhumane murders of their beloved daughter and sister Shanann, her unborn child and her beautiful daughters Bella Marie and Celeste Cathryn. 'Please allow the family, and those close, to mourn their passing in private.' A fundraiser to help support Shanann's family in paying funeral and other expenses raised nearly $30,000 in just two days. On Wednesday, police were seen searching the family's home at the same time. They towed away Watts' truck and were seen putting other evidence into bags. Hours earlier, Watts appeared on NBC's Today show where he said he had 'no idea' where they went. 'I don't feel like this is even real right now. It's like a nightmare I can't wake up from,' he said. 'When I got home yesterday it was like a ghost town. She wasn't here. The kids weren't here. I have no idea, like, where they went,' he said. Shanann poses with a magazine spread featuring her family in May. It's not clear what the publication is, but it likely had to do with her job selling health supplements However, in a separate interview, he told Fox that Shanann told him she was going to a friend's home with their daughters. She said she was going to a friend's house with the kids and that's the last thing I heard, and that was it. Watts pictured in a mug shot taken by the Weld Count Sheriff's office on Thursday 'It was very vague,' he said. 'In my heart I believe that she is somewhere and I hope that she is safe.' Elsewhere, he said he was not so sure. 'Right now I don't want to just throw anything out there. I hope that she's somewhere safe right now and with the kids. 'But could she have just taken off? I don't know, but if somebody has her and they're not safe, I want them back now.' Turning to the camera, he made a direct plea to them, saying: 'Shanann, Bella, Celeste, if you're out there just come back. 'If somebody has her, just bring her back. 'I just need to see everybody. I need to see everybody again. 'This house is not complete without anybody here. Please bring her back.' A huge convoy of semi-trailers and road trains delivered 2,800 bales of hay and 23,000 litres of water to a drought-stricken town. Shane Worral, from Lake Macquarie, organised the 'Fill A Truck For Farmers' social media campaign to help struggling farming families affected by the dry spell. The campaign proved successful, as the convoy came to Coonabarabran in the New South Wales Central West to provide much needed living supplies such as toiletries, livestock feed, food, cattle feed and feeding equipment, 9 News reported. Scroll down for video A huge convoy of semi-trailers and road trains delivered 2,800 bales of hay and 23,000 litres of water to a drought-stricken town in New South Wales Shane Worral, organised the 'Fill A Truck For Farmers' social media campaign that aimed to help struggling farming families affected by the drought 23 road trains carrying 2,800 bales of hay also arrived from Western Australia, which was reportedly covered by the Rapid Relief Team In addition, 23 road trains carrying 2,800 bales of hay also arrived from Western Australia. The $500,000 cost was covered by the Rapid Relief Team. The Rapid Relief Team provides much needed emergency services to the youth, the homeless, the disabled and to those struggling in the wake of natural disasters. Mr Worral also managed to raise more than $90,000 in funds for the struggling farmers. 'I thought it was going to take me at least three days to fill (my truck). Now we've got over 10 semis going up. It's been a logistical nightmare, but it's just been unbelievable for it to come through,' Mr Worral said. The overwhelming support brought some farmers to tears as they thanked the truck drivers who were delivering hay. Each of the farmers will receive around 10 bales of hay. Severe drought conditions caused farmers to struggle and rely on government aid, donations and relief efforts. The Australian government recently pledged a $190-million drought package to provide relief for the affected farming communities. The New South Wales government also pledged up to $1 billion of drought relief measures and subsidies for farmers. The convoy came to Coonabarabran in the state's Central West to provide much needed living supplies such as toiletries, livestock feed, food, cattle feed and feeding equipment The overwhelming support brought some farmers to tears as they thanked the truck drivers who were delivering hay Akbar Siddiqi, 29, was today jailed for a year at Kingston Crown Court A former stockbroker who stole 7,500 that had been raised to help sick children while he was in charge of a charity's fundraising events has been jailed for a year. Akbar Siddiqi, 29, offered to organise a skydive and dinner for the Tooting Rotary Club in south London, but he spent the donated cash on shopping, meals out and hotel stays. The fundraising drive was in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, and he even went on the radio to promote the events. Kingston Crown Court heard he secretly obtained a cash card and made 65 withdrawals totalling 4,105. He then used the card to buy alcohol, clothes, pay restaurant and hotel bills, paid 638 to an internet dating site bill and topped up his Oyster card. Two members even gifted him 250 awards they each received for services to the Rotary Club to cover his admin and time organising the events. Immediately after the events Siddiqi stopped attending the club and constantly made excuses for not paying the money. Siddiqi, of Thornton Heath, south London, admitted the fraud in January, and was given a chance to get a job and start paying back money. But the court was told this week that he had failed. Jailing him for a year, Judge Judith Coello told Siddiqi: 'It has been very damaging to the reputation of the Rotary Club and very embarrassing. 'It was a mean, despicable and devious offence. The fundraising drive was in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital (pictured) 'You persuaded other members of the club to fundraise for charity, but unbeknownst to the other signatories and members you obtained a cash card for that account and took money destined for charitable purposes.' Judge Coello said Siddiqi had made a 'half hearted attempt' to return the money he stole between April 2014 and August 2015. He had been made the signatory of the club's charity fundraising bank account. The skydive and the dinner, which was held at the Connaught Rooms in Holborn, central London, raised a total of 15,725 for the hospital. Club president Len Saker told the court that members felt 'cheated' He said they had suffered a 'great deal of distress' when they realised the money was missing. He added: 'My initial reaction was amazement and confusion. 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Akbar had been a trusted member of the club.' Siddiqi's lawyer Gudrun Fama told the court: 'He's a troubled young man and solved his problems with alcohol. Once he started drinking he couldn't stop. 'He is aware how what he did was wrong. He was an alcoholic and did take the money during a difficult time in his private life, but he no longer drinks. He is able to redeem himself.' New footage has emerged of an 18-year-old woman pressuring her hesitant teen friend to jump off a 60-foot bridge just moments before she shoved her. Prosecutors are still considering whether to charge Taylor Smith after she was filmed pushing Jordan Holgerson, 16, off Washington state's Moulton Falls Bridge back on August 7. Taylor has now claimed that her friend asked her to push her because she was scared, but admits she never thought about the consequences after Jordan was left with multiple broken ribs and punctured lungs. Extended video obtained by NBC News has revealed the lead up to the horrific ordeal and shows Jordan repeatedly saying 'stop' and 'wait' for 15 minutes before she was pushed. Scroll down for video New footage has emerged showing the moments before Taylor Smith, 18, pushed her friend Jordan Holgerson, 16, off Washington state's Moulton Falls Bridge back on August 7 She could be in trouble prosecutors say later today they will announce whether shell face any charges.- @joefryer says of the girl who pushed her friend off of a 60-foot bridge pic.twitter.com/LXFEFDoMz0 TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 17, 2018 Despite her hesitation, Taylor can be heard saying: 'Just go you promised you would do it. Taylor, I'm going to push you.' 'I don't care. I'd jump in there to save you if anything happens. Jordan, I got you,' Taylor said as she tried to reassure her friend. She can be heard saying 'stop talking' just seconds before she shoved Jordan in the back, causing the teenager to belly flop into the water 60-feet below. Speaking publicly for the first time on Good Morning America on Friday, Taylor said she never predicted what would happened and thought her friend 'would be fine'. 'She wanted to jump and she was scared and she asked me to give her a push, I didn't think about the consequences,' Taylor said. 'I've apologized several times, but I haven't been able to see her in person. 'I went to the hospital. I got asked to leave, I wasn't allowed to see her. 'I never intended to hurt her, ever. I'm really sorry it turned out that way. I just pray she heals.' It comes as Jordan's friends revealed that when they sent Taylor a text message after the incident asking what happened, the 18-year-old responded: 'I was there but didn't see full what happened'. The new footage shows the lead up to the horrific ordeal and shows Jordan repeatedly saying 'stop' and 'wait' for 15 minutes before she was pushed Speaking publicly for the first time on Good Morning America on Friday, Taylor said she never predicted what would happened and thought her friend 'would be fine'. She also claims Jordan asked her to push her because she was scared Jordan, who has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, spoke out earlier this week saying she would like her friend to 'sit in jail' for what she did. While family members had said Jordan initially didn't want to see her friend charged, the 16-year-old has since had a change of heart as she continues to recover. 'Now that I've thought about it more, I'm kind of wanting her to sit in jail and think about at least what she did,' Jordan said in an interview with Today. While Taylor has apologized and said she 'feels really bad about what happened', the injured teen doesn't believe it is enough. 'I had five broken ribs, and we just found out I have another broken rib, and I had two punctured lungs,' Jordan said. 'I'm in a lot of pain. In the mornings it's the worst. It hurts to breathe, my side hurts, my shoulder hurts, I can't even get up. Jordan Holgerson, the 16-year-old who was pushed off a Washington bridge, said she now wants her friend to 'sit in jail' for what she did Doctors say it may take months for Jordan to recover from five cracked ribs and her severe internal injuries, including an injured trachea and punctured lung Holgerson's red and seriously bruised left thigh is pictured above after she slammed into the water from 60ft 'I'm probably going to be recovering for the rest of the school year.' The Clark County Sheriff's Office finished its investigation earlier in the week and forwarded the case to the prosecutor's office for 'appropriate charging'. Authorities said Taylor has been cooperating with the investigation. Initial footage of the shove quickly went viral and showed Jordan standing on top of the bridge with a group of friends gathered behind her. 'No, I won't go in,' Jordan told her friends as they tried to pressure her to jump off the bridge. She could be heard saying 'no' a second time before Taylor suddenly shoved her. A horrifying thud could be heard as Jordan hit the water as someone off camera said: 'Oh, that's so f****d'. In an interview from hospital, Jordan said she thought she might have 'blacked out' midair, but was definitely aware and awake when she hit the water. 'I could have died, easily,' she told reporters two days after the incident. PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa (pictured) has invited businesspeople to invest in the sugar production sector, for the country to meet the increasing demand of the product. He issued the invitation when he met the Mauritius Ambassador to Tanzania, Jean Pierre Jhumun, at his office here, yesterday, where they discussed a number of socio-economic issues. Last year during my official visit to Mauritius, I had the chance to meet businesspeople and I invited them to come and invest in sugar factories, the Premier said. He said the country has vast arable land for sugar production, which is yet to be utilized, so if there is anyone who is ready to grab the chance and meets the criteria, the door is open. Moreover, he said, the investment opportunities are not only in sugar sector but fisheries as well, thus, they can decide where they fit best. You can as well pick fish processing factories as an area of investment; we have a lot of resources taking into account that our country is blessed with ocean, rivers and lakes, said Mr Majaliwa. The Mauritius envoy said they will invest in the two areas when they are done with research on investment placement in some prospective parts. Ambassador Jhumun who was flanked by Chairman of the Mauritius Sugar Investment Fund, Mr Gansam Boodram among others to get on spot status of investment areas. We have headed to President John Magufulis call to assist the country to get investors especially in sugar manufacturing and in so doing support the governments industrial economy drive, said the Mauritius envoy. Mr Boodram told the Prime Minister that they visited some areas they intend to set up the factory to assess the suitability of the soil as well as market survey. He said the areas are in Kasulu and Kibondo in Kigoma Region as well as Rufiji in Coast Region. A Russian mobile phone tycoon - once reportedly worth 1.2 billion - arrested for allegedly denting an Uber driver's bonnet with a drunken angry punch during an evening out with friends in Soho, walked free today. Evgeny Chichvarkin, 43, who sold retail chain Yevroset for approximately 280m in September, 2008 always denied punching the white BMW, which he had booked. He appeared at City of London Magistrates Court, where prosecutor Mr. Edward Cohen announced no evidence would be offered because the driver had failed to turn up. Evgeny Chichvarkin, 43, pictured, walked free from City of London Magistrates' Court today after an Uber driver who claimed the mobile phone tycoon had damaged his car in December failed to turn up to give evidence. As a result, prosecutors declined to introduce any evidence against Mr Chichvarkin, who was described in court as someone who invests heavily in the UK Mr Chichvarkin had denied causing criminal damage to Lefter Petronel-Sebastian's BMW at City of London Magistrates' Court, pictured The driver's evidence was required to establish what damage, if any, had been caused. Chichvarkin lives in exile at a 6.6m apartment in The Little Boltons, West Brompton and in August, 2012 he launched new venture, award-winning Hedonism Wines in Davies Street, Mayfair. He pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage to the three-litre vehicle, belonging to Lefter Petronel-Sebastian in Rupert Street on December 9, last year. At an earlier hearing prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Bryan said: 'The complainant is an Uber driver booked to take the defendant. The defendant didn't arrive on time so the Uber driver drove off and stopped at the lights. 'The defendant tried to stop him and when he was told the booking had been cancelled in anger and frustration he bangs his fist down on the bonnet causing the dent. 'Two police officers did not see the incident, but one of them says he did hear a bang. The officers give evidence that he is drunk at the time. 'The complainant can say there is a dent there that was not there before.' There are no pictures of the alleged damage and Chichvarkin can be heard on the officers' body-worn cameras asking: 'Where is the damage? I haven't damaged the vehicle. Where's the damage?' He was arrested that evening and held in police custody overnight and questioned by police the next day. The court heard Chichvarkin runs businesses and 'invests heavily' in the UK and a criminal conviction would be 'very damaging.' This is the moment an elephant was left stranded on a rock in the middle of a river. The male creature was trying to cross the Chalakudy River in Kerala, India, when the water level started rapidly rising after the shutters of the nearby Peringalkuthu Dam were opened. By the time the elephant had reached the middle of the river, the fast moving current made it impossible to travel any further. This is the moment an elephant was left stranded on a rock in the middle of a river So the intelligent animal quickly found some rocks to use as refuge while witnessing the ever growing obstacle in front of it. Luckily on-duty forest guards alerted the engineers in-charge of the dam to stop releasing water to let the elephant escape. 'After we made a request, the engineers at the Peringalkuthu Dam lowered the shutters of the dam for 30 minutes to bring down the level and speed of the water flowing through the river,' said Vazhachal District Forest Officer S V Vinod. The male creature was trying to cross the Chalakudy River in Kerala, India, when the water level started rapidly rising after the shutters of the nearby Peringalkuthu Dam were opened As the water level subsided, the elephant crossed the river and disappeared back into the forest. The wild elephant was seen near the Charpa Waterfall, above the popular Athirapally Falls. Visitors have reportedly been banned from visiting the 25-meter high Athirapally waterfall following the overflowing of the Chalakudi river since August 9. The incident occurred on August 13. A 10-year-old boy in China has died in hospital after being hit by a falling flowerpot yesterday as he walked home from school. It is reported that the plant pot fell from an empty flat on the fourth floor when a corner of the balcony collapsed. The boy was rushed to hospital and attempts were made for nine hours to save him before he died in the early morning today. Paramedics attend to the boy who was walking with friends when the plant pot fell Remnents of the shattered plant plot with the soil inside spread out on the ground The incident took place yesterday afternoon in Xiangtan city, Hunan province. A footage of the incident shows a group of school kids with backpacks walking next to a white car when the plant pot drops from above and one of the children suddenly collapses on the floor. According to The Paper, the boy was walking home with fellow students from extracurricular classes yesterday afternoon at 5.17pm, when the incident happened in an alleyway. The report said the pot fell from a fourth-floor balcony of a residential building that was completed in the 1980s and seemingly in a 'dilapidated' state. The pot had supposedly been sitting on one corner of the balcony in an unoccupied apartment, according to local police. Pictures claiming to show the balcony in question highlights the missing corner of the balcony ledge which broke off as the pot fell. The corner of the balcony that supposedly collapsed and fell with the plant pot on top of it Part of the pot that fell and hit the boy on the head and caused him acute skull injury and death A doctor speaking to The Paper said the boy died of an an acute injury that meant the pot would have split open the boy's skull on contact. According to another news outlet, Kan Kan News, paramedics arrived at the scene and rushed the boy to hospital. Yet despite over nine hours of emergency rescue attempt, the boy died just after five this morning. The case is being investigated by the police. A grieving father will return to the place where his murdered daughter was last seen alive as the second anniversary of her death looms. Melbourne father Paul Warren still has few answers regarding the death of Elly Rose Warren, 20, almost two years ago. Ms Warren's body was discovered by a fisherman in a toilet block near a market on Tofo Beach in Mozambique in November 2016. Mr Warren will travel to the African country in the next few months to talk to staff at hostels where his daughter stayed and was due to check in on the night she died. Elly Rose Warren was on the volunteering trip of a lifetime when her life was cut short in November 20 Paul Warren (pictured with Elly) will travel to Mozambique to hopefully solve the mystery surrounding his daughter's death He also hopes to track down locals who were at a party that Elly attended at a bar the night she died before she walked back alone to the hostel where she planned to stay but never checked in. '[Whoever killed Elly] is out there still,' Mr Warren told The Herald Sun . 'The only way I feel we could ever catch that person is to go over there and ask for information. I am going to go over there and I am going to ask questions someone will know something.' Paul Warren still doesn't know what happened in the final hours of Elly's (pictured second right) life, almost two years after she was found dead Elly Warren's body was discovered by a fisherman in the toilet block near a market on Tofo Beach (pictured) A marine conservation volunteer, Elly was on a diving trip in Africa when her life was cut short a week before she was due to fly home to Australia. Ms Warren had been in the country for six weeks as part of Underwater Africa, a conservation program that 'helps protect the oceans'. She had left program the day before she was found dead. 'I would just like everyone to pray for our Elly right now,' Mr Warren wrote on Facebook following the news of her death. 'She is at peace with Sam, our dog, who she grew up with and loved dearly. Thank you all for your thoughts and well wishes Elly touched us all in some special way.' A marine conservation volunteer, Melbourne woman Elly Rose Warren (pictured) was on a diving trip in Africa when her life was cut short Multiple autopsies revealed Elly died of asphyxiation from sand and had suffered facial injuries. Toxicology tests revealed she had no drugs and a minimal amount of alcohol in her system. Elly's death is currently being investigated by the Victorian State Coroner, a process a 'very upset' Mr Warren said was taking 'far too long'. 'It's just a nightmare. We need to have this finalised,' he said. Elly Rose Warren dropped her bags at the Wuyani Pariango backpacker hostel (pictured) in Tofo Beach, before heading off to a party at a bar. Her body was found hours later Elly (pictured) had been in the country for six weeks volunteering on a conservation program He warned other young Aussie travellers about walking alone at night, particularly in third world countries. Mr Warren revealed at the time of his daughter's death that she had fears days before she set off for Africa, telling her father 'It's dangerous Dad, I don't know if I should be going over there.' 'I think, after being there for several weeks volunteering, and becoming sort of part of the community, she started to feel safe and became complacent,' he said. Elly Rose Warren (pictured) was due to fly home to Australia a week after her life was cut short Three men have been charged over their roles in the assassination of ex-bikie boss Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi. Police confirmed those arrested were two members of the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) and an associate. The two gang members, aged 37 and 38, were arrested as they left a barber shop in Bexley at 4.15pm on Friday. The associate, 36, from Brighton Le Sands was detained at Balmain at 8pm that evening - with all three men due to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. Police will allege the 37-year-old shot Mr Hawi while the 38-year-old planned and coordinated the shooting. The 36-year-old has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. On February 15, 2018, the former Comancheros boss was leaving a gym in Rockdale, in Sydney's south. The 37-year-old was brazenly shot in the Fitness First car park while he was in his Mercedes four-wheel drive. On February 15 2018, former Comancheros boss Mick Hawi (pictured) was leaving a gym in Rockdale, in Sydney's south He was brazenly shot in the Fitness First car park while he was in his Mercedes four-wheel drive In a statement on Friday police said: 'A police operation is underway across Sydney this evening. 'The search warrants relate to ongoing investigations by the Criminal Groups Squad into the murder of Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi. 'Two men have been arrested during the operation. 'Further information will be available when it comes to hand.' No one has been charged. The Daily Telegraph reported two of the men arrested are Yusuf Nazlioglu and Ahmed 'Adam' Doudar. NSW Police have now arrested two men in relation to the murder as part of an ongoing investigation Earlier this month strike force detectives executed search warrants on six properties across Sydney's south and southwest in Bardwell Park. The properties were in Beverly Hills, Brighton Le Sands, Carlton, Hurstville, and Padstow. Police seized $22,000 cash, electronic storage devices, mobile phones, documentation, a portable radio capable of monitoring operational police activity and four vehicles of interest to their investigation as a result of the raids. A leading Jewish lawyer and his partner have said they are leaving the UK after being bombarded by anti-Semitic abuse and death threats by Jeremy Corbyn supporters. Mark Lewis, an ex Labour supporter who represented victims in the phone-hacking case, and Mandy Blumenthal said they are planning to move to Israel by the end of the year. They accused Mr Corbyn of moving the 'rock anti-Semites have crawled out from' and said they have received a growing wave of hate and threats since he became Labour leader. Mr Lewis said a man has been sent to prison for threatening to kill him simply because he is Jewish. He told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire Show: 'The online abuse might continue, the Israelis might not like me because I am too left, might not like me because they think I am too right, whatever their view. 'But they are not going to dislike me because I am Jewish. And there is only so much you can take when you are getting threats to kill you. 'When you are getting threats from people that they want you to be ill etc, it's a drip drip effect.' Ms Blumenthal said: People are in the majority of circles that I mix in actually talking about their options of leaving here because of the anti-Semitism. Mark Lewis, an ex Labour supporter who represented victims in the phone-hacking case, and Mandy Blumenthal (pictured together on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show on Wednesday) said they are planning to move to Israel by the end of the year Thee couple accused Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in Mansfield yesterday) of moving the 'rock anti-Semites have crawled out from' and said they have received a growing wave of hate and threats since he became Labour leader Their intervention piles further pressure on Mr Corbyn, who is facing a barrage of criticism that he tolerates anti-Semites and is failing to tackle the abuse. Labour is being plunged into a bitter civil war over the crisis which could see the party split for good. Mr Lewis said that Britain was once seen as a safe place against anti-Semitism, but the abuse engulfing Labour has spilled out into wider society. Why is Labour's new code of conduct on anti-Semitism so controversial? The Labour anti-Semitism row erupted again after the party leadership refused to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition. The party's code explicitly endorses the IHRA definition, but it omits four examples from the IHRA list: - Accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country; - Claiming that Israel's existence as a state is a racist endeavour; - Requiring higher standards of behaviour from Israel than other nations; and - Comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis. Labour insisted that while the examples are not reproduced word-for-word, they are covered in the new code. But critics say the decision allows anti-Semitism to continue to fester. Advertisement And many Jews are considering leaving Britain for Israel, where they know they will not get the same racist abuse, he said. Ms Blumenthal said: 'Whats happened here in Britain is to make us not feel safe is there has been a total climate change. 'It has become acceptable to be anti-Semitic.' She added: 'It's not just Jeremy Corbyn and it's not all of the Labour party, but its a very, very loud part of it that has enabled this anti-Semitism to fester here in the UK and go throughout society.' Her husband added: 'Jeremy Corbyn moved the rock and the anti-Semites crawled out from underneath the rock. They are not going back.' The couple accused the Labour leader of failing to tackle the racism festering among his supporters. And they dismissed his repeated public assertions that anti-Semitism is unacceptable and he will crack down on it as 'cheap' words that are not backed up by action. They said Mr Corbyn has failed to follow through on his promises to speedily discipline Labour members behind the abuse. And they said they have lost faith in his words. Mr Lewis said: 'But I am now the enemy from the right wing because I happen to say this populist movement under Jeremy Corbyn is dangerous for Jews and its time for me to get out.' John McDonnell - the closest ally to Jeremy Corbyn on the frontbench - issued the angry intervention on Twitter last night as the party continues to tear itself apart over the scandal A Labour Party spokesman said: 'Jeremy Corbyn is a militant opponent of anti-Semitism he is determined to eradicate all forms of it from the Labour party and wider society.' Labour accuse Dame Margaret Hodge of being disconnected from reality in anti-Semitism row Former minister Margaret Hodge clashed angrily with Jeremy Corbyn last month as the row over Labour's new code of conduct raged Labour launched an extraordinary attack on veteran MP Margaret Hodge today after she claimed a disciplinary probe into her 'anti-Semite' jibe at Jeremy Corbyn made her feel like a Jew in Nazi Germany. A party spokesman accused Dame Margaret of being 'disconnected from reality' after she spoke of her emotional response to being put under investigation. The former minister clashed angrily with Mr Corbyn last month as the row over Labour's new code of conduct raged. She branded the leader an 'anti-Semite' during a heated confrontation, and refused to retract the comment - which Mr Corbyn himself rejected. A disciplinary probe was announced, but was later dropped after an outcry from Labour MPs. In an interview last night, Dame Margaret - who is Jewish and lost family in the Holocaust - said learning she was under investigation brought back fears of Nazi Germany. 'On the day that I heard that they were going to discipline me and possibly suspend me, it felt almost like, I kept thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties?' she told Sky News. 'Because it felt almost as if they were coming for me. It's rather difficult to define, but there's that fear, and it reminded me of what my dad used to say. 'He always said to me as a child, 'You've got to keep a packed suitcase at the door Margaret, in case you ever have got to leave in a hurry'.' A Labour Party spokesman said: 'The comparison of the Labour Party's disciplinary process with Nazi Germany is so extreme and disconnected from reality it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of anti-Semitism.' Advertisement They said Mr Corbyn and the Labour party are fully committed to support the Jewish community and the party has taken action to tackle the abuse and work to rebuild trust. The revelation comes as Labour MPs are in open warfare about the crisis and how to tackle it. Labour launched an extraordinary attack on veteran MP Margaret Hodge after she claimed a disciplinary probe into her 'anti-Semite' jibe at Mr Corbyn Corbyn made her feel like a Jew in Nazi Germany. A party spokesman accused Dame Margaret of being 'disconnected from reality' after she spoke of her emotional response to being put under investigation. The former minister clashed angrily with Mr Corbyn last month as the row over Labour's new code of conduct raged. She branded the leader an 'anti-Semite' during a heated confrontation, and refused to retract the comment - which Mr Corbyn himself rejected. In an interview last night, Dame Margaret - who is Jewish and lost family in the Holocaust - said learning she was under investigation brought back fears of Nazi Germany. 'On the day that I heard that they were going to discipline me and possibly suspend me, it felt almost like, I kept thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties?' she told Sky News. 'Because it felt almost as if they were coming for me. It's rather difficult to define, but there's that fear, and it reminded me of what my dad used to say. 'He always said to me as a child, 'You've got to keep a packed suitcase at the door Margaret, in case you ever have got to leave in a hurry'.' And John McDonnell last night furiously accused Labour moderates of using the anti-Semitism crisis as cover for their secret plot to form a new party. In a loaded barb on Twitter, the shadow chancellor accused some of his backbenchers of conspiring for two years to split the Labour party. And he warned them that any attempt to use the anti-Semitism row as justification for their plans would be seen as 'appalling cynicism'. Several Labour moderates, including former leadership contender Chuka Umunna and Chris Leslie, are said to be in talks to start a new centrist party. They are angry with Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to call for a second EU referendum and his failure to tackle the anti-Semitism crisis tearing their party apart. But Mr McDonnell, one of the Labour leader's closest allies, said they are exploiting the racism row for their own political gains. He said: 'For anybody to use the issue of anti-Semitism as a cover for launching a new political party they had been planning for nearly two years would rightly be seen as an act of appalling cynicism, basely exploiting a genuine concern that people of goodwill are working hard to address.' A group of Arizona high school students are protesting against a teacher who called police on a black student because he was wearing a bandana. Valentino Jimenez, 17, a student at Apache Junction High School was heading to lunch when a teacher asked him to remove his blue bandana. The student usually complied with such requests from members of staff but he noticed that other 'usually white' students were being allowed to wear the accessory without any issue. Valentino Jimenez, 17, was arrested by police at Apache Junction High School in Arizona after refused to remove a bandana from his head Valentino refused an Apache Junction High School administrator's request to remove his blue bandana while on his way to lunch on Friday He claims that normally removed his bandana when asked to do so, but had noticed a pattern of 'usually white' students wearing bandanas in school without any issue so kept his on 'I told the teacher that I would remove the bandana if others did the same,' Valentino told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'She said, 'If you don't remove it, I will call the police.' I said, 'If you need to call them, you should,' and walked back to my lunch table.' A short time later, the teacher returned with a police officer who suggested that his bandana was gang paraphernalia and therefore a violation of the school's code of conduct, which prohibits 'the use of any apparel that, by virtue of its color, or any other attribute indicates or implies membership or affiliation with such a group.' 'When I asked the officer what was wrong with my bandana, he said, 'It's blue and other people have ruined that color,'' says Valentino. 'I pointed to a student wearing a bandana with an American flag pattern, and he said, 'That's for America.'' The police officer then threatened to arrest him for not complying with the order but the teenager held firm answering: 'I didn't break the law and I don't understand the problem.' The officer insisted that the demand had nothing to do with his skin color but simply that Valentino was breaking the law. Once the police arrived the officer suggested that Valentino's bandana was gang paraphernalia, which violates the school's dress code A lengthy exchange with the officers, which was captured on video and posted online Valentino was handcuffed, arrested, and charged with disorderly conduct. The teenager was also suspended for nine days Valentino has denied any gang ties, and has explained that the bandana is a meaningful accessory from his childhood As the school bell rang, he attempted to walk away to his classes but the officer grabbed his arm and the teen was handcuffed. 'I kept saying, 'Let me go, this isn't why I come to school,'' says Valentino who was charged with disorderly conduct after police claimed the teen was 'disrespectful'. Valentino has denied any gang ties, and has explained that the bandana is a meaningful accessory from his childhood. He was held at the police station for six hours before he was released. He has now been suspended from school for nine days. School principal Angela Chomokos sent a letter to parents on Friday which attempted to explain the episode. 'The incident began when a student was instructed by an administrator to remove a bandana used as a headband. The refusal to respond to a reasonable request escalated to a point where some students were confusing the wearing of the bandana with defiance and disorderly behavior. This particular situation became escalated when students posted videos on social media sites.' The helicopter pilot who was tragically killed while battling winter bush fires has been identified as a leader in the industry. Allan 'Tully' Tull was described as an aerial fight fighter of the 'highest standard' and was doing what he knew best when he was killed after his helicopter crashed at Ulladulla on the New South Wale south coast. Sydney Helicopters chief pilot Mark Harrold released a statement after the pilot was identified. Allan 'Tully' Tull was described as an aerial fight fighter of the 'highest standard' and was doing what he knew best when he was killed after his helicopter crashed at Ulladulla 'Tonight we mourn the loss of a close friend and colleague,' the statement reads. 'Tully had a wealth of aerial fire fighting experience and his aviation knowledge and skills were of the highest standard.' 'He was regarded as one of the most experienced fire bombing pilots in the industry'. Mr Harrold said the loss would be felt right across the tight knit industry. Sydney Helicopters chief pilot Mark Harrold released a statement after the pilot was identified and said he would be sadly missed 'He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with is family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.' Soon after the official statement was released people took to the post to share their condolences and grief. 'Tonight...we kneel for his family and for our colleagues that worked with him. Tomorrow...we will stand for him. Condolences to all family, friends and work colleges. R.I.P Tully,' one user wrote. 'So often you see the choppers and planes at work, often forgetting someone is putting their life on the line like the firefighters on the ground. RIP. Thank you for your service,' another added. Boyd Townsend posted a tribute to Mr Tull and remembered times they had spent together. 'You will meet few people in life that impress you with their ability and professionalism,' he wrote. Tributes were flowing for the beloved helicopter pilot Soon after the official statement was released people took to the post to share their condolences and grief Today saw the loss of one of them. On top of my list is an epic time on the West Coast of Tasmania with you and Bev bashing around in a BK.' 'You will be missed Allan Tull.' Emergency services confirmed Mr Tull, the only person on board, died during the accident, which happened just before 3pm on Friday. Police, ambulance and fire crews rushed to a property off Kingiman Road, Woodburn, just west of Ulladulla. Pictured are emergency crews on the scene of the crash near Ulladulla The wreckage of the aircraft was found on the property and when police arrived they found the pilot deceased. The helicopter had been contracted by the the Rural Fire Service to help fight the Kingiman fire when it crashed. Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, tweeted her sympathies for the pilot's family late Friday afternoon. 'I am deeply saddened by the death of a helicopter pilot while fighting fires near Ulladulla today,' she wrote 'My thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's family and our brave emergency service personnel.' The helicopter had been contracted to help fight the fires on the South Coast (pictured) The fire at Kingiman (pictured) has threatened lives and homes in the last few days Just before the crash the water-bombing aircraft had been seen flying over the region by residents in the dairy farming region of Woodstock, just west of Ulladulla. Residents in Hobbs Lane and nearby Evans Lane were evacuated in recent days by fire crews working to control a 1600 hectare fire at Kingiman. At the height of the fire danger on Wednesday, Woodstock residents were told to seek shelter in solid structures as it was too late for them to safely evacuate. It's one of three major bushfires on the state's South Coast that have destroyed and threatened properties in the past few days. The RFS said the fire is currently under control, after crews had 'taken advantage of favourable conditions overnight to establish containment lines around the fire ahead of deteriorating conditions into the weekend.' A crime scene has been established which will be forensically examined. NSW Police Force will prepare a report for the Coroner. Following Thursday's stinging rebuke from a retired admiral, a dozen former American intelligence chiefs lashed out at Donald Trump on Friday for yanking ex-CIA boss John Brennan's security clearance as a 'political tool.' Retired Gen. David Petraeus is among them; he pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing reams of classified material with a mistress who was doubling as his biographer. Past CIA directors appointed by every former president since Ronald Reagan signed the letter, which blasts the president for 'ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions.' '[W]e all agree that the presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech,' they wrote. Brennan hasn't seen his ability to speak publicly curtailed, appearing Thursday on MSNBC just hours afte rpublishing a stinging op-ed in The New York Times. A dozen former American intelligence chiefs lashed out at Donald Trump on Friday for yanking ex-CIA boss John Brennan's security clearance as a 'political tool.' On the list of Trump's critics is retired General David Petraeus, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing reams of classified material with a mistress who was doubling as his biographer Petraeus and Paula Broadwell had a torrid affair, leading him to share highly classified notebooks with her at his home Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance this week and announced that nine other individuals who had been critical of him could be next But the White House's threat to cancel security clearances of nine other officials is seen in some circles as a warning shot across the collective bow of his political enemies. That group includes Petraeus, whom he once interviewed as a possible secretary of state, and then considered for the national security adviser post. If the four-star general had been appointed, he would have had to check with his parole officer before traveling outside of the District of Columbia or his native North Carolina. He resigned as CIA director after admitting that he shared classified notebooks with military officer Paula Broadwell during a torrid love affair affair. Broadwell was writing his biography at the time. Petraeus pleaded guilty to mishandling classified materials and was given two years' probation and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine. Other signers of Friday's letter include former CIA chiefs (clockwise from top left) Michael Hayden, William Webster, James Clapper and Leon Panetta The president clobbered Brennan Thursday night on Twitter, using Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson as his proxy Broadwell, a 21-year- veteran, was never charged. But her military rank was reduced from lieutenant colonel to major as punishment. She was also stripped of her own top secret security clearance. The Pentagon never sanctioned Petraeus. His name,and those of 11 others, appear on Friday's defense of Brennan published as a statement but resembling an open letter to the president. They include former Directors of Central Intelligence Robert Gates, William Webster, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Gen. Michael Hayden and Leon Panetta; former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell. 'We know John to be an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Insinuations and allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Brennan while in office are baseless,' the group writes. They conclude: 'Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views.' Trump tweeted a quote Thursday night from Fox news host Tucker Carlson, who asked: 'How did somebody so obviously limited intellectually get to be CIA Director in the first place?' 'Now that is a really good question!' the president wrote. Malcolm Turnbull's backflip on plans to legislate the Paris emissions reduction target could cost Australia billions. Faced with the prospect of ten rebel MPs crossing the floor to vote against his National Energy Guarantee and a possible leadership challenge from Peter Dutton, Mr Turnbull capitulated in an attempt to secure his own political future. But the move could spell the end of a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the European Union. Malcolm Turnbull's backflip on plans to legislate the Paris emissions reduction target could cost Australia billions The lucrative deal is set to benefit between Australia and the EU, with current two-way trade worth $101 billion. The EU is Australia's second largest trade partner, third largest in export market and second largest services market, and the FTA stands to add $6.4billion to Australia's GDP. According to Trade Minister Steven Ciobo, a failure to meet Paris climate targets could have devastating consequences for the agreement. 'I can tell you one of the very first consequences if we were to adopt that approach (to pull out) is we could kiss goodbye on a trade agreement with Europe,' Mr Ciobo told Sky News earlier this week. A collapse in FTA talks threatens to hurt farmers, and cost consumers who stand to benefit from cheaper imports. Wine and designer goods from Europe would no longer fall in price, and the current five per cent vehicle tariff and luxury car tax would remain. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to Nine News that he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition Australia's pursuit of a free trade agreement between the two 'like-minded' partners was made on June 18 in response to a successful 2017 when the EU was Australia's largest source of foreign investment. The agreement is intended to open up the market for any Australian purveyor or business person. Greater access to the EU market would enable Australian farmers to avoid EU tariff quotas on beef, sheep meat, sugar, cheese and rice. Access to Europe's 510 million consumers through an FTA could deliver a substantial payout between $4.1 and 6.4billion in GDP for Australia by 2030, according to a European Union study published last year. On Friday Mr Turnbull put the deal at risk by dropping the government's plans to legislate the 26 per cent Paris emissions reduction target. The prime minister instead proposed setting emissions targets by regulation, The Australian reported. The plan will formally go to Cabinet on Monday night and will be discussed by the coalition party room on Tuesday. Advice from the competition regulator that power prices would not increase as a result of the commitment will also be required. The backflip comes after a group of right-wing MPs - led by Tony Abbott - told Mr Turnbull they would vote against his energy policy. What is the National Energy Guarantee? The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) has been designed to offer cheaper and more reliable power. The objective is to do this while lowering carbon emissions. NEG is in response to the county's involvement with the Paris Agreement, which is a push to reduce carbon emissions and action on climate change by 2020. The heart of the policy was the controversial target to cut emissions by 26 per cent by 2030. The Liberal and Nationals MPs who are against NEG and appear willing to cross the floor include Mr Abbott, Andrew Gee, Andrew Hastie, Barnaby Joyce, Craig Kelly, Kevin Andrews, George Christensen as well as Keith Pitt. Advertisement Since then the group have urged Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to mount a leadership challenge following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss to Bill Shorten's Labor Party. While Mr Turnbull has the support of Simon Birmingham and Christopher Pyne, Mr Dutton is backed by Barnaby Joyce and Tony Abbott. Benefits of the Free Trade Deal to Australians A strong European Union is vital to Australian interests in protecting and promoting a rules-based international order. A Free Trade Agreement with the European Union has the potential to open up a market for Australian goods and services of half a billion people. It would provide Australian exporters with a competitive edge, and would give Australian businesses access to a larger export market in the EU. Key Benefits: Significantly improved market access for Australian exports Guaranteed access for Australian services providers Expansion of two-way investment flows A more predictable and seamless business environment Rules to support the digital economy and innovation Reduced costs and red tape, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises Greater consumer choice High standards, including on sustainable development Advertisement Mr Joyce said he had not heard rumours of a challenge, but said leaders should know when it was time to step down. 'I've always said openly that if a person gets to a point where they think they can't win an election then they should consult with their colleagues about what happens next,' Mr Joyce told The Australian. 'My opinion is that you have a responsibility to make sure the nation has the best government.' Mr Dutton confirmed on Friday he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition MPs across the floor, Nine News reported. Another Minister told Nine News: 'If the only way this thing gets up is with Labor's support then there is no way it will fly'. 'There are only two good outcomes here - either the energy policy is dead and we can go to the election fighting Labor on it, or Malcolm goes,' an unnamed MP told The Daily Telegraph. The PM has promised Australia's power bills will be cut by $550 a year with the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). Beginning in 2020 the agreement is designed to bring down the yearly price and requires retailers to source electricity that meets reliability and Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets. WORLD Food Programme (WFP) will next week float a tender for supply of 50,000 metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania for its operations in East and Central Africa, the country representative, Michael Dunford has said. He said in Dar es Salaam yesterday the floating of the supply tender was in implementing the pledge by Executive Director, David Beasley who visited Tanzania last month of buying 75,000 metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania before the end of the year. We are launching a tender for 50,000 metric tonnes for our operations in Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan in the course of next week, he said noting that the purchase of maize locally would boost economic benefits to Tanzania from WFP operations. The WFP Executive Director, David Beasley had said the UN organisation would buy between 75,000 and 100,000 metric tonnes of maize from the 30,000 tonnes it had already bought so far, as it continues to expand reliable market for maize produced in Tanzania. That followed a pledge he made to President John Magufuli to support Tanzanias smallholder farmers with reliable access to markets for their maize harvests and address causes of post harvest losses in key commodity crops, access to extension services and quality inputs. Mr Dunford said they would earmark the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), commercial and small scale suppliers in the tender as it would buy part of the maize directly from the smallholder farmers to boost rural economies. The Head of Supply Chain for WFP Tanzania Office, Riaz Lodhi told the Daily News recently that they would buy from farmers to contribute in strengthening local economies and supporting the increased resilience and productivity of rural communities. As the worlds leading humanitarian agency, the World Food Programme (WFP) is a major buyer of staple food some 80 per cent of which comes from developing countries for a cash value of over US$ 1 billion a year. By adopting smallholder friendly procurement, WFP contributes to strengthening local economies and supporting the increased resilience and productivity of rural communities one of the pillars of its hunger eradication strategy. Food stocks held by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) decreased to 68,893.4 tonnes in May 2018 from 73,467.7 tonnes recorded in April 2018, according to the latest Bank of Tanzania monthly economic review. The food reserve agency sold 6,574.3 tonnes of food to private traders, World Food Programme and prison department. BBC presenter Evan Davis has been forced to dismiss 'ridiculous' claims that he campaigned with Britain First after a selfie surfaced of him with far-Right activists. The Newsnight star is seen in the photo with Britain First leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, both of whom were jailed this year for hate crimes against Muslims. The image was seized by pro-Corbyn supporters this week as 'proof' of his political bias following his grilling of Labour MP Chris Williamson on Tuesday. It was originally published online in 2016 by Golding with the caption 'campaigning today with Evan Davis, Britain First supporter and News Night [sic] presenter!' The Newsnight star is seen in the photo with Britain First leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, both of whom were jailed this year for hate crimes against Muslims Mr Davis (left) revealed on Twitter that he had no idea who Fransen and Golding (right) were when the pair 'jumped out of a van' and asked for an 'innocent' selfie However Mr Davis revealed on Twitter that he had no idea who Fransen and Golding were when the pair 'jumped out of a van' and asked for an 'innocent' selfie. The 56-year-old said the accusations made against him were 'so ridiculous' he had been reluctant to 'dignify it' with a thorough explanation, but felt obliged to. He said: 'Over two years ago, I was walking in Kennington when two people who I didn't know jumped out of a van and said "can we have a selfie?" 'So I said yes and smiled with them as I ordinarily would. An hour later, I'm at the local flower show and I got a call from my editor "we have a W1A situation". 'It was explained to me who was in the photo and how it was used. So I clarified in a tweet (or thought I had clarified) that I had merely posed for an innocent selfie. 'But to be clear: the photo isn't a fake; it's the attempt to read my politics into it that's wrong. Overall, I think if I was a happy clappy far right racist, I'd avoid posing for photos with racists.' The 56-year-old said the accusations made against him were 'so ridiculous' he had been reluctant to 'dignify it' with a thorough explanation, but felt obliged to Paul Golding (second right) and Jayda Fransen, leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, with supporters upon arrival at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in March Britain First leader Paul Golding was found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment in March following an incident in Kent. Jayda Fransen was convicted of three counts of the same offence after the pair were arrested in 2017 as part of a probe into the distribution of leaflets and online videos. Judge Justin Barron said the duo's words and actions 'demonstrated hostility' towards Muslims and the faith of Islam. Fransen shot into the international media spotlight last November when US president Donald Trump retweeted anti-Islamic posts from her Twitter page. Golding and Fransen, of Penge, South East London, stood trial in January charged with three and four counts respectively of the hate crime. A teenager who tried to murder a Syrian refugee in a 'frenzied' racially-aggravated stabbing while shouting 'why aren't you back in your own country' has been locked up for more than eight years. Sean Gorman repeatedly stabbed Shabaz Ali, 25, in an argument about noise at an Edinburgh hostel in the early hours of May 3. A court heard that Gorman, 18, was 'hyper' after downing much of a litre bottle of vodka and taking ecstasy and cocaine prior to the unprovoked attack with a lock-knife. The teenager was also out on licence from another sentence for a violent attack involving a knife at the time of the offence at the hostel in Upper Gilmore Place. He later told social workers: 'Deep down, I think I did want to stab somebody.' Sean Gorman repeatedly stabbed Shabaz Ali, pictured in critical care at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, a Syrian refugee who fled to Scotland five years ago Gorman, who admitted the racially-aggravated murder-bid last month, returned to the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing on Friday. Judge Lord Woolman handed him an extended sentence of 11 years and nine months, involving detention for seven years and nine months followed by four years of supervision upon his release from custody. Gorman was also ordered to begin that sentence when he has finished serving 169 days of the previous sentence from 2017 for assault to severe injury and the danger of life. The judge told the 18-year-old: 'You carried out a frenzied attack on a stranger, Mr Shabaz Ali. You stabbed him six times, five times in the upper chest. 'But you would have been a threat to anyone you came across that night.' The court heard the wounds sustained by Mr Ali - whose family had fled from Syria to escape persecution - put his life in peril, leaving him needing emergency surgery and intensive care. 'Without the urgent and expert hospital treatment he received, you could have faced a charge of murder,' Lord Woolman warned the attacker. The court was told the attack has caused Mr Ali serious physical and psychological harm and has had a profound effect on his family. Mr Ali fled to Scotland five years ago with his relatives and was working as a barber and staying in the hostel temporarily as he looked for a new home. Gorman was visiting the hostel and Mr Ali, who hoped to study engineering at university, called at the room due to the loud music being played. The teenager made threats and racially abused his victim before stabbing him and leaving the property. He was locked up for seven years and nine months at Edinburgh High Court (pictured) today. Gorman shouted 'why are you not back in your own country?' as he stabbed Gorman Mr Ali's father Sivan told the charity Positive Action in Housing he could hear his son's attacker shout: 'Why are you still here, why are you not back in your own country?' Gorman was traced a short time later in Duff Street and arrested. Mr Ali's solicitor, Aamer Anwar, said the victim's father welcomes the 'significant' sentence and the message sent out to 'violent racists' like Gorman. Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger said: 'Gorman used appalling racist language before perpetrating significant violence against the victim, who was left fighting for his life. 'I cannot condemn the circumstances of this case strongly enough. Edinburgh thrives on diversity and Gorman's actions do not in any way reflect the values of our city.' Nicky Patrick, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: 'It is clear that Sean Gorman chose to arm himself and confront his victim with the purpose of doing him serious harm. 'The man he so brutally stabbed is lucky to be alive and will be left with severe physical and mental scars he will always carry. 'Sean Gorman is a very dangerous individual who poses a significant risk to the public. The lengthy sentence passed on him reflects the gravity of his actions.' President Trump says that he called off the military parade he had planned to hold this fall in Washington after a report said that celebration's cost would exceed $92 million. Trump said Friday that it was his decision and not the Pentagon's to scrap that parade that was projected to cost more than three times its initial maximum estimate. He announced his intention, instead, to attend a celebration that French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting during the same November weekend. 'The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up!' Trump tweeted. President Trump says that he called off the military parade he'd planned to hold this fall in Washington after the Pentagon said that celebration costs would exceed $92 million Trump says he will join French President Emmanuel Macron at a similar function in Paris, instead. They two men are seen here at the Bastille Day celebration that Trump attended in France in 2017 Military units participate in the inaugural parade from the Capitol to the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. Trump wanted to have a parade along the same route in November, but the Veterans Day weekend event was on track to cost more than three times the maximum initial estimate Trump's event would have been tank-less, after heavy artillery rolling down the streets of D.C. was originally ruled out as an option Muriel Bowser, a Democrat and the mayor of Washington, hit back in a tweet that said: 'Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad).' And Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal took the opportunity to bash the president's apparent spending priorities. 'Real patriotism should mean $92 million to honor military service & benefit veterans, not glorify politicians. Improve vets health care, more jobs & skills, end vet homelessness & suicidesstill killing at least 20 heroes every day,' he tweeted. The president fired back, raising Blumenthal's stolen-valor history of fabricating details about his military service. 'How can Senator Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement on anyone? Loser!' Trump wrote on Twitter. Senator Richard Blumnethal blasted Trump on Twitter, saying veterans programs should get the $92 million his parade was expected to cost President Trump threw an elbow back at Blumenthal, calling him a 'loser' and a fake war nero who 'got caught' fabricating details of his military record Blumenthal has claimed in the past that he served overseas in Vietnam; in reality he got 5 military draft deferments before serving in the Marine Reserves, never leavin Washington Blumenthal has misrepresented his Marine Reserves service in the past, repeatedly saying he served overseas in Vietnam. He spent the war in Washington, D.C. participating in drills and doing community development work, including repairing campgrounds, after receiving five separate draft deferments. During a 2003 rally, the senator spoke of the lack of support for troops in the 1970s 'when we returned.' Five years laterhe told a crowd that 'we have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam.' The Department of Defense said Thursday that it would postpone the event commemorating the centennial of the WWI armistice until at least 2019. It did not say why it was parade was in limbo, although the skyrocketing costs were widely suspected to be the reason. 'We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019,' Defense Department Spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement. The White House budget office earlier estimated that the the parade would cost between $10 million and $30 million. It was to be held in Washington, D.C. on Veteran's Day weekend. This week it was reported by the Associated Press that the parade that was to include a massive air show would cost $92 million to put on. That figure includes $50 million from the Pentagon's budget and $42 million from the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, an official with knowledge of the preparations told reporters. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters on Thursday that he had 'received no such estimate' though and would 'discount that,' according to the Washington Post. Trump said Friday that a parade could take place in 2019 but he'd travel to France for Macron's celebration for world leaders this year. 'I will instead attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th,' Trump tweeted. 'Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!' Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser reacted after Trump blamed her and other local officials for his decision to postpone a grand military parade in Washington this fall; Trump alleged without evidence that they had unreasonably inflated the price Bowser called the president 'the reality star in the White House' The event was expected to include eight tanks and several other armored vehicles, including Strykers, Bradleys and M113s, an anonymous official told CNBC. CNBC reported that the 70-ton Abrams tank was likely to be a part of the festivities after experts quashed concerns it would damage Washington's roads. Between 5,000 to 7,000 service members were expected to march along with 100 horses in the parade. Helicopters and fighter jets were also supposed to participate in a flyover component. Trump drew inspiration for the large show of military pride from a Bastille Day parade he attended last summer alongside Macron in Paris. The annual event sees military tanks and ranks of soldiers marching down the Champs-Elysees in the center of Paris. The U.S. president said at the time: 'We're going to have to try to top it, but we have a lot of planes going over and a lot of military might, and it was really a beautiful thing to see, and representatives from different wars and different uniforms.' It was not until months later that his loosely-formed dream was turned into a presidential directive. In March, the Pentagon issued a planning memo about the parade that said it would 'include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks - consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure.' It also promised to include 'a heavy air component at the end of the parade', meaning lots of airplane flyovers. Older aircraft will be included as available. Military parades like the one Trump wanted to hold have been rare in America. George H.W. Bush was the last president to hold one as elaborate as what Trump had been discussing. His military parade came in 1991 at the end of the Persian Gulf War. Trump's event was set to coincide with the 100th anniversary of World War I. The route would have taken troops through central Washington along the National Mall. It was supposed to have a flyover like the annual Bastille Day event (pictured when Trump attended on July 14, 2017) and have ranks of soldiers marching, just like the ones that are seen here in the Champs-Elysees in Paris Service members were to be joined by 100 vehicles, 50 aircraft and 100 horses for the parade from the Capitol to the White House on November 10, the eve of Veterans Day Trump said he would be willing to give up the grand parade earlier this year if the cost of the event ran too high. 'We'll see if we can do it at a reasonable cost. If we can't, we won't do it,' Trump said during a phone interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. 'The generals would love to do it, I tell you, and so would I.' He didn't specify what a 'reasonable cost' would be at the time while indicating on Friday that he drew a line at $92 million. The jury in Paul Manaforts tax and bank fraud case begged the judge to let them out of deliberations early on Friday - as the judge revealed is now under round-the-clock protection from the U.S. Marshals service. Jurors sent Judge T.S.Ellis III a note asking to be released at 5 p.m. due to a personal event that one of the jurors wanted to attend. The judge agreed to the early dismissal, and said he would reconvene the jury on Monday morning indicating that they are unlikely to reach a verdict before the weekend. Judge Ellis also ruled on a motion from CNN and other news outlets asking him to make the jurors names and addresses public on Friday afternoon. Ellis rejected the motion, saying he has received threats during the course of the trial and fears for the jurors safety if he releases their names. Ellis said he has also been traveling with the U.S. Marshals Service due to the threats, and added that the jury does not have this same security. I dont feel right if I release their names, said Ellis, adding that it would create a risk of harm to them. I had no idea this case would excite these emotions, said Ellis. This courtroom sketch depicts U.S. District court Judge T.S. Ellis III speaking to the lawyers and defendant Paul Manafort, fourth from left, as the jury continues to deliberate in Manafort's trial on Friday Kathleen Manafort, accompanied by son-in-law Christopher Shand (far left) looked calm and collected as she arrived at court on Friday afternoon Relaxed: Kathleen stood by her husband and has been in court every day of his trial The pair walked in alongside Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni, far right He declined to discuss the details of the threats against him. Manaforts legal team and wife Kathleen, who had been stationed at the Westin Hotel across the street from the court in Alexandria, Va., rushed into the courthouse after Judge Ellis announced he had received a note from the jury on Friday afternoon. There were expectations that a verdict had been reached. But instead the judge said the note was a request to leave early for the day, which he approved. Manafort's wife and son-in-law arrived in court on Friday afternoon to show their support for the former Trump campaign manager as the jury enters its second day of deliberations. Kathleen and Christopher Shand appeared relaxed as they walked into the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia to await the verdict on the fraud trial. Manafort's daughters, Jessica and Andrea, who is married to Shand, were no where to be seen. The judge has put no limit on how long he will allow them to deliberate over the 18 bank and tax fraud charges leveled at Donald Trump's former campaign chairman by Robert Mueller's special counsel probe. But there was a flurry of excitement in the court on Thursday afternoon and Manafort was brought back to court to listen as Judge T.S. Ellis III addressed the note sent by the six men and six women raising four questions for him to address. The judge announced the note just after 5 p.m. after a full day of deliberations which began at 9.30 a.m. when the judge told the jury to take as long as they wished. The questions will be pored over for insights into what the jurors are thinking - although a request to define reasonable doubt is a common occurrence in criminal cases. Ellis told them that the government was not required to prove their case beyond 'all possible doubt' but beyond doubt 'based on reason'. The jurors also asked for the list of exhibits - documents submitted in evidence - to be amended so it was possible to see which piece of evidence related to which count in the 18-strong list of charges. The judge turned them down. And the other two questions related to evidence about Manafort's alleged network of offshore banks accounts. They asked whether it was legally required to tell the Treasury about a foreign bank account 'if they own less than 50 per cent of the company' and are not a signatory to it. Ellis told them to rely on their memory of the evidence. They also asked what a 'shelf company' was, which elicited the same answer. Key case: Paul Manafort, a one-time Trump campaign chairman, is the first person to go to trial on charges brought by the Robert Mueller special counsel probe. Judge T.S. Ellis III was asked to answer three questions by the jury Thursday - including defining reasonable doubt One day down: Defense attorneys Kevin Downing, Brian Ketcham and Thomas Zehnle leave the court house following the first day of jury deliberations and a question from the six men and six women on 'what is reasonable doubt' The trial had heard that Manafort's offshore bank accounts were often in the name of companies which he held only a minority stake in, although the prosecution said he was in reality in full control of them. His turncoat deputy Rick Gates had testified that he bought 'shelf' companies for Manafort, which were pre-existing legal companies set up with the intention of being used by their buyers. Deliberations enter a second day Friday at 9.30am, with the fate of the Robert Mueller special counsel probe now in the jury's hands. His prosecutors say Manafort earned $60 million advising Russia-backed politicians in Ukraine, hid much of it from the IRS and then lied to banks to get loans when the money dried up. Manafort's defense countered that he wasn't culpable because he left the particulars of his finances to others. The financial fraud trial calls on the dozen jurors to follow the complexities of foreign bank accounts and shell companies, loan regulations and tax rules. It exposed details about the lavish lifestyle of the onetime political insider, including a $15,000 jacket made of ostrich leather and $900,000 spent at a boutique retailer in New York paid via international wire transfer. Judge T.S. Ellis III told the six men and six women of the jury to take as long they needed to reach a verdict. After sending them out to start deliberating, Ellis invited others in the courtroom to remain while other cases were being heard. He then called on a 'Mr. Trump,' prompting laughter and a smile from Manafort. Jim Trump, a federal prosecutor from Virginia, responded. Manafort's defense team claimed he was a victim of a 'desperate' attempt by Special Counsel Robert Mueller to pin a bogus crime on the former Trump campaign chief, during closing arguments in Manafort's tax and bank fraud trial on Wednesday. Attorneys for Manafort argued in a 90-minute closing statement that their client was a victim of his embezzling former business partner Rick Gates, who they claim cut a deal with the government and testified against Manafort in exchange for getting his own tax fraud charges dropped. For the first time since the trial began, defense attorneys also raised the fact that Manafort worked for Donald Trump a possible implication to the jury that the charges were politically motivated. All eyes on Manafort: The media may be in for a long wait for the verdict in the first trial brought as a result of the Robert Mueller probe 'The government so desperate to make a case against Mr. Manafort made a deal with Rick Gates,' said Manafort's attorney Kevin Downing. 'Mr. Gates was orchestrating a multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme.' The move may be a brave one by Manafort's defense, who had got the judge to keep Trump's name out of the case, saying it would prejudice a jury drawn from heavily Democratic areas of northern Virginia around the Alexandria courtroom. Those in the court who want to be there for the verdict - including Manafort's wife Kathleen - have been warned they need to go no further than 10 minutes away. In its summary to the jury the prosecution honed in on Manafort's alleged 'lies' and greed, while also downplaying Gates. The trial is the first test of Robert Mueller's special counsel probe, with the charges brought by his prosecutors in the course of their investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 election - although they do not include any of collusion. An acquittal would be a significant blow to Mueller and likely to be seized on by Donald Trump and his supporters as a reason to end the investigation. Relaxed: Kathleen Manafort (center) arrived on Friday for the second day of deliberations. She has been in court every day of her husband's trial 'Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it, and to get more money when he didn't,' prosecutor Greg Andres told the jury in an exhaustive closing statement that lasted over an hour and forty minutes. But Richard Wesley, a lawyer on Manafort's team, called the government's bank fraud evidence against his client 'selective.' 'Clearly the goal was tostack up the counts,' said Wesley. 'And to give you a sense that the evidence is so overwhelming to draw one conclusion.' 'There is not a single bit of evidence that any of these banks came to the government and complained about these frauds,' added Wesley. He said none of the banks seemed concerned 'until the special counsel showed up and starting asking questions.' Throughout the trial, Manafort's attorneys have suggested Gates was responsible for falsifying bank and tax records even implying he forged Manafort's signatures on foreign bank records. They claimed he did this to cover up for millions of dollars he embezzled from Manafort's businesses. In testimony last week Gates said he committed tax and bank fraud crimes under orders from Manafort but also admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his former boss while carrying at least one extramarital affair. Downing told the jury that Gates was a 'liar' who 'tried to get one over on you.' 'How [Gates] was able to get the deal he got [with Mueller's team] I have no idea,' said Downing. 'He gets to walk out of here on probationbecause [prosecutors] were so desperate to try to make the case.' Gates pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice earlier this year. Although Manafort's attorneys have repeatedly implied that Gates was offered a deal of probation for cooperating with prosecutors, he in fact faces up to 10 years in prison for these charges. However, Mueller's team has promised not to object if Gates requests probation during his sentencing. Prosecutors also dropped bank and tax fraud charges against Gates in exchange for his cooperation. Downing said Gates was prepped extensively by prosecutors during at least 20 meetings with Mueller's team. He said Gates tried to 'look all clean shaven' during his testimony, but 'showed himself to be the liar he is.' He also claimed Manafort felt 'foolish' for trusting Gates and giving him access to his financial accounts. Power brokers: Rick Gates (left) and his boss Paul Manafort (second from right) ran the Trump campaign during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, in 2016. 'To the very end [Gates] lied to you,' Downing told the jury. 'He was flawless on direct [questioning] but on cross examination he fell apart.' Downing also emphasized Gates's 'secret life,' a reference to Gates's extramarital affair. The defense claimed last week that Gates stole money from Manafort because he was living beyond his means, paying for an apartment for his mistress in London and first-class trips across Europe. 'He finally admitted his secret,' said Downing. 'He was paying for his apartment in London, he was paying for fancy restaurants and hotels.' Downing also argued that Manafort was not trying to knowingly conceal his foreign bank accounts from the government, saying he disclosed them to the FBI when he was interviewed about an unrelated matter in 2014. 'If you're in this major concealment scheme, why would you just disclose it?' asked Downing. The prosecution had said that Manafort lied to his personal book keeper, his tax preparers, the IRS, and multiple banks and financial institutions, according to prosecutors. He also neglected to file required government reports disclosing his foreign bank accounts and did not mention them on his income tax filings, the government claims. While hiding money in at least 31 foreign accounts, Manafort also transferred millions to vendors in the U.S. to fund his decadent lifestyle, according to prosecutors. He spent over $1.5 million on custom menswear including a $21,000 crystal watch and a $15,000 ostrich jacket and millions more on high-end TV and audio equipment and landscaping for his Hamptons mansion. Judge T.S. Ellis has clashed with prosecutors in the case over their references to Manafort's wealth, prodding them to focus instead on the tax and fraud charges. Andres stressed during his closing argument that the government is not prosecuting Manafort due to his spending habits. 'This case is not about Mr. Manafort's wealth,' said Andres. 'We are not in court today because Mr. Manafort is wealthy. We are in the court today because he filed false tax reports and he failed to file [a Foreign Bank Account Report].' Andres also argued that Manafort's failure to disclose his income was deliberate a point prosecutors must prove the jurors to get a conviction. Noting that Manafort was an attorney and an experienced international political consultant, Andres said 'Mr. Manafort is capable and bright' and 'met regularly with his own tax preparer.' Prosecutors also seemed to downplay the importance of testimony from Rick Gates, Manafort's former business partner who pleaded guilty to lying to investigators earlier this year and has been cooperating with Mueller's team. Gates, who was previously billed as the prosecution's key witness in the case, testified last week that he helped Manafort carry out his tax and bank fraud schemes. But Gates's credibility was also heavily damaged under cross examination, when he admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and having at least one extramarital affair. Manafort's attorneys suggested that Gates had as many as four affairs, and claimed he used the money he embezzled to pay for a London apartment for his mistress and first-class trips through Europe. Andres seemed to acknowledge Gates's credibility problems during his closing arguments. 'We're not asking you to like him,' said Andres. He told jurors to take Gates's testimony and 'compare it to the testimony of [other] witnesses. This is how you know if it is consistent.' Andres also pushed back against Manafort's attorneys for concentrating on Gates's infidelity. 'Why were there so many questions on Mr. Gates's affair?' he asked. 'Was it to distract you? Does it matter?' 'Mr. Manafort was a mentor to Mr. Gates in his criminal activity,' added Andres. '[Manafort] didn't choose a boy scout.' The prosecutor urged the jury to focus on the documents in the case rather than on any single witness. 'The star witness in this case is the documents,' said Andres. 'Virtually everything Mr. Gates testified on is in the documents.' Andres closing argument came on the twelfth day of the trial. Nearly all of that time was spent on testimony from prosecution witnesses; Manafort's defense team declined to call any witnesses. Manafort's attorneys will make their closing arguments on Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutors will then have 17 minutes to give a rebuttal the time remaining from their two-hour closing argument allowance. Afterward, the judge will advise jurors on legal requirements for a conviction. Judge Ellis told jurors this will likely take an hour and a half. The court will then go to recess until the jury reaches a verdict. While the case against Manafort does not relate to any allegations of Russian election interference or possible coordination with the Trump campaign, the proceedings have drawn President Donald Trump's attention - and prompted tweets - as the president has worked to undermine the standing of the Mueller investigation in the public square. Star witness: Rick Gates was on the stand for three days but his credibility was attacked by Manafort's defense and he admitted cheating on his wife with a long-term mistress in London Trump has distanced himself from Manafort, who led the campaign from May to August 2016 with Gates at his side. Gates struck a plea deal with prosecutors and has provided much of the drama of the trial so far. Gates testified that he helped Manafort commit crimes in an effort to lower his tax bill and fund his lavish lifestyle. During testimony, Gates was also forced to admit embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and conducting an extramarital affair. After jurors were excused on Tuesday, lawyers for both sides conferred with the judge in open court on the language Ellis will use to instruct the jurors in their deliberations. The only dispute was about what jurors should be told about how to interpret questions and comments interjected by the judge during the course of the trial. Prosecutors, who have been frustrated by Ellis' tendency to interrupt and chide prosecutors in front of the jury, sought stronger language to make clear that jurors do not need to adopt any opinions expressed by the judge. At one point in the discussion, Ellis asked prosecutors whether they thought he had ever interjected his own opinions. Prosecutor Greg Andres, who has had the strongest confrontations with Ellis, said 'yes.' Ellis eventually came up with compromise language that was agreeable to both sides. Mueller's final tally: Trump's inner circle of convicts and turncoats - and 25 wanted Russian trolls GUILTY: MICHAEL FLYNN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in December 2017. Awaiting sentence Flynn was President Trump's former National Security Advisor and Robert Mueller's most senior scalp to date. He previously served when he was a three star general as President Obama's director of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was fired. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his conversations with a Russian ambassador in December 2016. He has agreed to cooperate with the special counsel investigation. GUILTY AND JAILED: MICHAEL COHEN Pleaded guilty to eight counts including fraud and two campaign finance violations in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to further count of lying to Congress in November 2018. Sentenced to three years in prison and $2 million in fines and forfeitures in December 2018 Cohen was investigated by Mueller but the case was handed off to the Southern District of New York,leaving Manhattan's ferocious and fiercely independent federal prosecutors to run his case. Cohen was Trump's longtime personal attorney, starting working for him and the Trump Organization in 2007. He is the longest-serving member of Trump's inner circle to be implicated by Mueller. Cohen professed unswerving devotion to Trump - and organized payments to silence two women who alleged they had sex with the-then candidate: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. He admitted that payments to both women were felony campaign finance violations - and admitted that he acted at the 'direction' of 'Candidate-1': Donald Trump. He also admitted tax fraud by lying about his income from loans he made, money from taxi medallions he owned, and other sources of income, at a cost to the Treasury of $1.3 million. And he admitted lying to Congress in a rare use of the offense. The judge in his case let him report for prison on March 6 and recommended he serve it in a medium-security facility close to New York City. GUILTY AND JAILED: PAUL MANAFORT Found guilty of eight charges of bank and tax fraud in August 2018. Sentenced to 47 months in March 2019. Pleaded guilty to two further charges - witness tampering and conspiracy against the United States. Jailed for total of seven and a half years in two separate sentences. Additionally indicted for mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, using evidence previously presented by Mueller Manafort worked for Trump's campaign from March 2016 and chaired it from June to August 2016, overseeing Trump being adopted as Republican candidate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is the most senior campaign official to be implicated by Mueller. Manafort was one of Washington D.C.'s longest-term and most influential lobbyists but in 2015, his money dried up and the next year he turned to Trump for help, offering to be his campaign chairman for free - in the hope of making more money afterwards. But Mueller unwound his previous finances and discovered years of tax and bank fraud as he coined in cash from pro-Russia political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine. Manafort pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax and bank fraud but was convicted of eight counts in August 2018. The jury was deadlocked on the other 10 charges. A second trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent due in September did not happen when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and witness tampering in a plea bargain. He was supposed to co-operate with Mueller but failed to. Minutes after his second sentencing hearing in March 2019, he was indicted on 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy by the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., using evidence which included documents previously presented at his first federal trial. The president has no pardon power over charges by district and state attorneys. GUILTY AND GOING TO WEEKEND JAIL: RICK GATES Pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in February 2018. Sentenced to 45 days weekend jail and three years probation, December 17, 2018 Gates was Manafort's former deputy at political consulting firm DMP International. He admitted to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government on financial activity, and to lying to investigators about a meeting Manafort had with a member of congress in 2013. As a result of his guilty plea and promise of cooperation, prosecutors vacated charges against Gates on bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, failure to disclose foreign bank accounts, filing false tax returns, helping prepare false tax filings, and falsely amending tax returns. GUILTY AND JAILED: GEORGE PAPADOPOLOUS Pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2017. Sentenced to 14 days in September 2018, and reported to prison in November. Served 12 days and released on December 7, 2018 Papadopoulos was a member of Donald Trump's campaign foreign policy advisory committee. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his contacts with London professor Josef Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev, the director of a Russian government-funded think tank. GUILTY AND JAILED: RICHARD PINEDO Pleaded guilty to identity fraud in February 2018. Sentenced to a year in prison Pinedo is a 28-year-old computer specialist from Santa Paula, California. He admitted to selling bank account numbers to Russian nationals over the internet that he had obtained using stolen identities. GUILTY AND JAILED: ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in February 2018. He served a 30-day prison sentence and was deported to the Netherlands on his release Van der Zwaan was a Dutch attorney for Skadden Arps who worked on a Ukrainian political analysis report for Paul Manafort in 2012. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about when he last spoke with Rick Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik. His law firm say he was fired. GUILTY: W. SAMUEL PATTEN Pleaded guilty in August 2018 to failing to register as a lobbyist while doing work for a Ukrainian political party. Sentenced to three years probation April 2019 Patten, a long-time D.C. lobbyist was a business partner of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to admitting to arranging an illegal $50,000 donation to Trump's inauguration. He arranged for an American 'straw donor' to pay $50,000 to the inaugural committee, knowing that it was actually for a Ukrainian businessman. Neither the American or the Ukrainian have been named. CHARGED: KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK Indicted for obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At large, probably in Russia Kilimnik is a former employee of Manafort's political consulting firm and helped him with lobbying work in Ukraine. He is accused of witness tampering, after he allegedly contacted individuals who had worked with Manafort to remind them that Manafort only performed lobbying work for them outside of the U.S. He has been linked to Russian intelligence and is currently thought to be in Russia - effectively beyond the reach of extradition by Mueller's team. INDICTED: THE RUSSIANS Twenty-five Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They remain at large in Russia Two of these Russian nationals were also indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 11 were indicted for conspiracy to launder money. Fifteen of them were also indicted for identity fraud. Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the charges. Russia effectively bars extradition of its nationals. The only prospect Mueller has of bringing any in front of a U.S. jury is if Interpol has their names on an international stop list - which is not made public - and they set foot in a territory which extradites to the U.S. INDICTED: MICHAEL FLYNN'S BUSINESS PARTNERS Bijan Kian (left), number two in now disgraced former national security adviser Mike Flynn's lobbying company, and the two's business partner Ekim Alptekin (right) were indicted for conspiracy to lobby illegally. Kian, an Iranian-American was arrested and appeared in court charged with a conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S government without registering as a foreign agent. Their co-conspirator was Flynn, who is called 'Person A' in the indictment and is not charged, offering some insight into what charges he escaped with his plea deal. Kian, vice-president of Flynn's former lobbying firm, is alleged to have plotted with Alptekin to try to change U.S. policy on an exiled Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who is accused by Turkey's strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of trying to depose him. Erdogan's government wanted him extradited from the U.S. and paid Flynn's firm through Alptekin for lobbying, including an op-ed in The Hill calling for Gulen to be ejected. Flynn and Kian both lied that the op-ed was not paid for by the Turkish government. The indictment is a sign of how Mueller is taking an interest in more than just Russian involvement in the 2016 election. GUILTY AND AWAITING SENTENCE: ROGER STONE Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign official and longtime informal advisor to Trump, was indited on seven counts including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress about his communications with WikiLeaks in January 2019. Convicted on all counts November 15, 2019, awaiting sentence Stone was a person of interest to Mueller's investigators long before his January indictment, thanks in part due to his public pronouncements as well as internal emails about his contacts with WikiLeks. In campaign texts and emails, many of which had already been publicly revealed before showing up in Mueller's indictment, Stone communicated with associates about WikiLeaks following reports the organization had obtained a cache of Clinton-related emails. Stone, a former Nixon campaign adviser who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal. 'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation. Stone gave 'false and misleading' testimony about his requests for information from WikiLeaks. He then pressured a witness, comedian Randy Credico, to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify, and pressured him in a series of emails. Following a prolonged dispute over testimony, he called him a 'rat' and threatened to 'take that dog away from you', in reference to Credico's pet, Bianca. Stone warned him: 'Let's get it on. Prepare to die.' CLEARED: GREG CRAIG Greg Craig, President Barack Obama's White House counsel, was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Mueller's investigators uncovered Craig's work on behalf the government of Ukraine while probing Manafort, who did business with Craig. Prosecutors released a grand jury indictment of Craig in April 2019, after Craig's law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to pay more than $4.6 million as part of a settlement. The prominent firm also acknowledged it had failed to register, and placed much of the blame on Craig, a senior partner there. Craig's lawyer blasted the decision as an abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and prepared to argue that omission of information during an interview is not tantamount to making false statements. The charges stem from a 2012 report Craig and the firm produced on behalf of the Ukrainian government on opposition figure and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was an opponent of Manafort's client , former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Craig was cleared on September 9 2019. Advertisement A 16-year-old girl accused of murdering her 7-year-old nephew after he asked her to play video games with him appeared in court for the first time on Thursday. Jennie Bunsom, from Montbello, Colorado, sat before a judge to be told how the legal process works, including her right to ask for the case to be transferred back to a juvenile court. She is currently being tried as an adult. The teenager, who was an aspiring hip hop artist going by the name of Spiffy Draco, has been charged with first degree murder and child abuse over the death of Jordan Vong. Jennie Bunsom (left, in a mug shot) appeared in court on Thursday charged with first degree murder over the death of her nephew, seven-year-old Jordan Vong (right, undated photo) The teenager was an aspiring hip hop artist going by the name of Spiffy Draco, and had songs on Soundcloud Bunsom appeared in court without any family members present, The Denver Channel reported. Her lawyers asked the judge for her to be appointed a guardian ad litem - the name for someone who looks after the interests of a child in a legal case. Vong had been missing for 24 hours when police obtained a search warrant and discovered his body 'intentionally concealed' inside a closet at his home. Bunsom had been in her basement bedroom at the family's home last Monday when Jordan walked in and asked if she wanted to play video games. But Bunsom was upset about an argument she'd had with a girlfriend and told Jordan she didn't want to play, according to The Denver Post. She told Jordan to go upstairs but he laid down on her bed and refused to leave her room. The teen then pushed her nephew off the bed, causing him to hit his face on the floor. 'Jordan began to cry. She placed her hand over Jordan's mouth and plugged his nose as Jordan began to struggle for a few minutes,' the probable cause statement reads. Bunsom appeared in court without any family members present. She is being tried as an adult over Jordan's (pictured) death Bunsom then allegedly hid Jordan's body under her bed after he stopped moving. She later wrapped his body in a blanket and placed it in one of the two portable closets in her room, according to the statement. 'She didn't tell any of her family what she had done to Jordan because she was afraid. Nor did she tell any of her family where she had hid Jordan,' the statement reads. Jordan was reported missing by his mother around 4.30pm that day. She told police she had last seen her son playing on his tablet computer in the living room of their home. Authorities had hoped the young boy was merely hiding, but when he did not appear the next day a search warrant was obtained. Jordan , seven, had been missing for 24 hours when police obtained a search warrant and discovered his body in the home (pictured) A detective discovered his body in the closet. A towel and comforter were wrapped around his head and there was blood and 'biological matter' around his nose. An unknown imprint was also discovered on his chest. A family member has since launched a GoFundMe campaign for the boy's burial. 'Jordan was the sweetest and silliest little boy who had so much to offer, the GoFundMe reads. 'He dreamt of becoming a cowboy or a soldier when he grew up. He was filled with so much joy and brightened up any room with his contagious smile.' 'It is with a heavy heart that we have to lay him to rest so soon, but we want to thank everyone for all of your help and support.' A mother of three who was told she couldn't breastfeed her daughter on a beach in New Jersey is suing the district for $1million over 'emotional distress'. Michelle Ayala, 36, was breastfeeding her 2-year-old daughter at Franklin Pond beach last month when a council employee told her to 'cover up' and 'do that somewhere else,' according to Ms Ayala and attorney John Ersin. When Ms Ayala continued to breastfeed, citing her legal right to nurse in public, the employee called the police and the borough Administrator, who both appeared at the beach shortly after. Michelle Ayala, 36, (right) was told she couldn't breastfeed her daughter on a beach in New Jersey and is suing the district for $1million over 'emotional distress' Attorney Jason Guiliano, who is representing Ms Ayala pro-bono, sent a tort notice letter to the borough to notify of the potential lawsuit and seeking $1million in damages for 'intentional inflection of emotional distress.' Despite an officer agreeing that the mother had the right to breastfeed in public, Ms Ayala said the distressing incident occurred in front of her children aged 8, 7 and 2, and the employee had 'got gruff', raised her voice and yelled she would call the cops on her. Ms Ayala also said borough Administrator Alison McHose appeared at the pond and told her she would be removed because the pond was a 'private beach,' according to the letter from Guiliano the borough received Tuesday. 'These are people's rights,' Ayala told NJ.com. 'I'm not looking for any money. The number is symbolic.' Ms Ayala (right) was breastfeeding her 2-year-old daughter at Franklin Pond beach last month when a council employee told her to 'cover up' and 'do that somewhere else' 'The tort notice was basically our last-ditch effort for the town to do the right thing,' Guiliano said. 'If they don't do the right thing, we're not going to go away.' Guiliano said a remedy could be as simple as a personal apology, if Ayala is satisfied. Another attorney John Ersin said the incident a 'teachable moment' and 'created an opportunity to better educate our employees'. Mothers took to the Franklin Pond to hold a 'nurse-in' demonstration of breastfeeding four days after the July 31 incident. Guiliano met Ms Ayala when his wife Lauren attended the event to breastfeed their 2-year-old son Gabriel. Advertisement Thousands of dead fish have washed up on a popular Florida beach as a toxic algae bloom plagues the Gulf Coast, killing tourism and wildlife. Alarming photos show the foul-smelling corpses littering the sand at Fort Myers beach and hundreds more washed up next to a jetty in Placida, around 50 miles north. The algae bloom known as Red Tide has spread throughout the Gulf of Mexico, drifting through the water since in October. Alarming photos show the foul-smelling corpses littering the sand at Fort Myers beach and hundreds more washed up next to a jetty (pictured) in Placida - around 50 miles north Thousands of dead fish have washed up on a popular Florida beach as a toxic algae bloom plagues the Gulf Coast, killing tourism and wildlife Stretching about 150 miles, it's affecting communities from Naples in the south to Anna Maria Island in the north and appears to be moving northward. Pictured: Fort Myers beach The algae turns the water toxic for marine life, and in recent weeks beachgoers have been horrified to find turtles, large fish like goliath grouper and even manatees wash up dead. Pictured: Fort Myers beach In places like Longboat Key, more than five tons of dead fish have been removed from beaches. Pictured: Fort Myers beach Red tide is a natural occurrence that happens due to the presence of nutrients in the water and an organism called a dinoflagellate 'I've never seen it this bad,' said 31-year-old Heather Lamb of Venice. 'I feel like it cleanses your soul to go to the beach. For me to not be able to go, it's painful. Stretching about 150 miles, it's affecting communities from Naples in the south to Anna Maria Island in the north and appears to be moving northward. The algae turns the water toxic for marine life, and in recent weeks beachgoers have been horrified to find turtles, large fish like goliath grouper and even manatees wash up dead. In late July, a 26-foot long whale shark washed ashore on Sanibel Island, which is known for its pristine beaches. Dead fish are shown near a boat ramp in Bradenton Beach, Florida. About 135 miles north, beach communities along the Gulf coast have been plagued with red tide The Governor of Florida issued a state of emergency in response to this years excessive red tide, the toxic algae bloom spreading across the West Coast of the Sunshine State and leaving beaches covered with piles of dead marine wildlife Corpses of sea turtles, manatees, dolphins and fish perished on Florida's coast as a result of the blooming of algae which is worsened by sewerage and fertilizer pollution from super farms A view of Coquina Beach, Florida with Red Tide algae bloom. A $4.7 million federal grant will allow scientists to study nutrient runoff from farms, coastal development and factories as a possible cause of southwest Florida's persistent red tide problem In places like Longboat Key, more than five tons of dead fish have been removed from beaches. This week, nine dead dolphins were found in Sarasota County, and marine biologists are investigating whether the deaths are related to red tide. The Florida Wildlife Research Institute says the number of dead and stranded sea turtles is nearly three times higher than average. More than 450 stranded and dead sea turtles have been recovered in four affected counties this year, and the institute estimates that 250 to 300 died from red tide poisoning. In Bradenton Beach, the stench was impossible to ignore. 'I can't describe the smell. It's like unbelievable. It makes you throw up,' said Holmes Beach resident Alex Kuizon, who has lived in the area for decades. He held a handkerchief over his mouth and nose while talking to a reporter. Just a few feet away, hundreds of dead fish clogged a boat ramp. On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in seven counties along Florida's Gulf that have been overrun by the pungent bloom. The areas experiencing low, medium and high red tide in Florida are seen above in this color-coded map Alex Kuizon covers his face as he stands near dead fish at a boat ramp. Normally crystal clear water is murky, and the smell of dead fish permeates the air Thousands of fish perished in the ocean because of the algal bloom which has worsened because of human activities such as farming, development and manufacturing 'As Southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area continues to feel the devastating impacts of red tide, we will continue taking an aggressive approach by using all available resources to help our local communities,' Scott, a Republican, said in a statement. 'I am issuing an emergency declaration to provide significant funding and resources to the communities experiencing red tide so we can combat its terrible impacts.' He also ordered $1.5 million to be spent on various clean-up efforts and to help business impacted by dwindling tourists. Red tide is a natural occurrence that happens due to the presence of nutrients in the water and an organism called a dinoflagellate. 'Off the west coast of Florida, we have persistent red tide events that occur with some frequency,' said Steve Murawski, a marine science professor at the University of South Florida. Another algae problem plagues Florida's waterways, Murawski said, and confused and frustrated people are conflating the two. Blue-green algae affect freshwater, and Murawski said it has a direct correlation to agricultural and urban runoff. The map above shows the shore being plagued by the red tide algae in Florida. More than 450 stranded and dead sea turtles have been recovered in four affected counties this year Work crews clean up dead fish on Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. The Sunshine State's southwest coast has been ravaged by an unrelenting Red Tide Heavy May rains caused Lake Okeechobee to discharge water containing blue-green algae into rivers and canals. The bright green sludge oozed onto docks, dams and rivers. 'Are they in fact related? That's kind of an open scientific question,' Murawski said. 'If you've got large nitrogen discharges, you could actually be fueling both the harmful algal bloom and the discharge of the blue-green algae. It's an area of very active concern.' Why this year's red tide is so intense is up for debate. Some researchers have noticed aggressive blooms after hurricanes; Irma swept past Florida's Gulf Coast in the summer of 2017 and a period of red tide affected Florida after the powerful 2004-2005 hurricanes. The algae turns the water toxic for marine life, and in recent weeks beachgoers have discovered turtles, large fish, and even manatees washed up dead A dead Snook is shown in Bradenton Beach. Thousands of dead fish have clogged waterways. while manatees, sea turtles and even a whale shark have washed ashore Regardless, those who live, work and play in the area are disturbed. 'We get a lot of Europeans this time of year and even people from the Midwest are still coming down because school hasn't started yet. They come here and they're like, 'Oh my goodness, what's this smell? It's awful,'' said Anthony Cucci, the manager of the Mar Vista restaurant on Longboat Key. As he spoke, a worker cleared away dead fish littering the small beach near the patio. For Charlotte County resident Magdalena Rossip, Saturday was her birthday, when she usually goes to the beach to celebrate. This year, she didn't. It was too depressing - her family's pressure washing business has dried up because no one wants to use their boat or patio. 'It's catastrophic,' the 35-year-old said. Crews clean up dead fish along Coquina Beach. Governor Rik Scott said he's ordering $100,000 for additional scientists to help with clean-up efforts and another $500,000 to help local communities and businesses struggling with lost income as tourists flee Although this isn't peak tourist season for the Gulf Coast - that's in winter - red tide is affecting tourism. 'I'm pretty surprised, because I usually meet my family down here once a year and it's usually completely different. The water's usually much clearer than it has been today,' said Brandon Mullis of Tampa, building a sandcastle with his daughter on Bradenton Beach. The smell wasn't bad on that part of the beach, but he said he wasn't planning to stay long - and would choose his resort pool over swimming in the Gulf. Hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Manchester for the funeral of a British couple murdered at their home in Jamaica. Charlie Anderson, 75, and his wife Gayle Anderson, 71, originally from Manchester, were found by neighbours at their home in Portland. The pair, who had been married for 55 years, retired to Jamaica last year and were believed to be in the final stages of building a new home. Transported in matching hearses, their coffins were decorated with floral tributes reading mum, auntie, grandma and dad, uncle and granddad. Mourners lined the streets for the funeral of Charlie Anderson, 75, and his wife Gayle Anderson, 71, today The pair, who had been married for 55 years, retired to Jamaica last year and were believed to be in the final stages of building a new home when they were murdered Transported in matching hearses, their coffins were decorated with floral tributes reading mum, auntie, grandma and dad, uncle and granddad The sombre service took place at Gorton Monastery, in Manchester, with family and friends being joined by members of the public. Two of the couple's four grandchildren were seen before the service being comforted as they wept in the arms of other mourners. Last month the couple's granddaughter Stacey Anderson told the Manchester Evening News of the family's heartbreak after their murder. She said: 'We were a really close family. It has been five weeks now. I know things take time, but we still don't have any answers. 'Whoever did this could still be running around now.' It has been suggested that the pair were victims of a credit card scam which saw them lose 50,000 shortly before their deaths 'We are expecting a large gathering. People have already arrived over from Jamaica for it,' the couple's granddaughter Stacey Anderson said last month Their bodies were flown back to the UK in July but a second postmortem delayed the funeral. 'We are expecting a large gathering. People have already arrived over from Jamaica for it,' Ms Anderson also told the M.E.N. 'Even though we are devastated, it has been so comforting that people have shared their memories of my grandma and grandad, including people we don't even know.' At the time of their deaths, the couple's son led a tribute, stating: 'Charlie and Gayle were pillars of the community in Manchester and Jamaica, and were hugely popular and loved by many. 'They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy.' It has been suggested that the pair were victims of a credit card scam which saw them lose 50,000 shortly before their deaths. A high ranking prison official is backing a push to reduce the life sentences of two members of the Bali Nine to 20 years. Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen are serving life sentences in Bali's notorious Kerobokan Prison for drug trafficking. The news that their jail governor, Tonny Nainggolan, has begun to lobby on the pair's behalf is a positive sign for their appeals for clemency. It's been revealed that a renewed push to slash the sentence of Matthew Norman (pictured) and Si Yi Chen's life sentences for drug trafficking Mr Nainggolan has began to lobby their cause to the Correctional Directorate General of the law and human rights ministry, theGold Coast Bulletin revealed. The fresh calls for clemency came after the most recent annual Independence Day celebrations at the jail, a day where sentences are cut, called remissions. The pair were not lucky enough to have their sentences cut during this year's celebrations but Mr Nainggolan said they deserved to have their life sentences cut. 'As prison governor, in my opinion, both of them deserve to get remissions to change their sentence,' he said. Norman and Chen (pictured) were convicted of drug trafficking in 2005 after they and seven others were caught trying to smuggle 8.3 kg heroin of out of Indonesia 'Since I have been here for one year and seven months I have proposed for their remission twice, to change the sentence from life to 20 years imprisonment.' 'Last time I sent a proposal was two months ago to the Correctional Directorate General of the law and human rights ministry. It's still under process. It needs consideration from the Supreme Court, Attorney-General as well as the embassy.' The reason the men have not received clemency is because under Indonesian law, prisoners with a life sentence are not illegible for sentence remissions, which are handed out twice a year. Unless the push for clemency is successful, neither man will ever leave Kerobokan Prison Norman and Chen were convicted of drug trafficking in 2005 after they and seven others were caught trying to smuggle 8.3kg heroin of out of Indonesia. Lawrence was sentenced to life imprisonment on February 13, 2006 even though the prosecution had only sought a 20 year sentence. Chen received the same sentence just two days later on February 15, 2006. Michael Czugaj, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens were also sentenced to life behind bars. Nguyen died of stomach cancer on May 9 this year. Unless the push for clemency is successful, neither man will ever leave Kerobokan Prison. The group's ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were given the death penalty and executed in April 2015. A close friend of Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, who found her dead in a bathrub in 2015, has died of a suspected drug overdose in Mississippi. As TMZ first reported on Friday, citing a local law enforcement source, Max Lomas was staying with a friend in Mississippi on Wednesday and went to use the bathroom. As time passed and Lomas failed to emerge, the friend became concerned for his welfare and entered the bathroom, only to find the young man lying unresponsive on the floor. Scroll down for video Max Lomas (seen in a mug shot for a 2014 arrest) reportedly overdosed on drug at a friend's home in Mississippi on Wednesday, three years after he found his friend, Bobbi Kristina (pictured right with mom Whitney Houston), dead in a tub A syringe was reportedly found next to his limp body. Lomas was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Lomas, who had a troubled past involving drug and gun charges, made national headlines three years ago when on January 31, 2015, he found Bobbi Kristina in the bathroom of the Roswell, Georgia, home that he shared with the 22-year-old and her husband, Nick Gordon. Lomas, who dated Bobbi Kristina when they were teenagers and stayed friends with her and Gordon, later told People magazine that she was not breathing when he found her. He said he called 911 as as hysterical Gordon performed CPR on his wife in an attempt to revive her. Lomas, then aged 24, also revealed that Bobbi Kristina and her husband had gotten into a heated argument in the hours before she ended up in the tub over his alleged dalliance with a stripper. 'I knocked on the door, and that is when I see her floating in the water,' Lomas told the magazine. 'I pull her out - the water is freezing - and lay her on her back. She wasn't breathing.' Lomas admitted he was doing drugs that evening and claimed that both Bobbi Kristina and her husband were 'all bad into drugs.' Whitney Houston's daughter passed away on July 26, 2015, after spending months in a coma. Three years prior, her legendary mother was found dead in a bathtub at a Beverly Hills Hotel. Coroners officials ruled the singer's death accidental and said heart disease and cocaine were contributing factors. In April 2016, a judge unsealed Bobbi Kristina's autopsy report, which showed that her face being immersed in water, along with drug intoxication, led to her death. Cannabis, alcohol, sedatives and anxiety medications in her system all contributed to her passing but the 'underlying cause' of death was 'immersion associated with drug intoxication'. The medical examiner couldn't determine whether her death was an accident, but no criminal charges were ever filed against anyone in connection to Bobbi Kristina's death. The young woman's estate won a $36million civil wrongful death lawsuit against Nick Gordon, which alleged he abused Bobbi Kristina. He has vehemently denied having anything to do with her death. Lomas' rap sheet included charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax, and possession of a firearm stemming from a January 2015 arrest. In 2011, he was charged with to two counts of battery causing visible harm and one count of possession of alcohol as a minor, but all the counts were later dismissed. AIRTEL Tanzanias health information SMS service has been recognised by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) with huge impact in educating customers facing challenges of accessing reliable health information. Airtel Tanzania Communications Director, Beatrice Singano said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that Wazazi Nipendeni SMS service has been supporting government efforts to improve maternal health care. The SMS content disseminated by Airtel focuses on nutrition, family planning, danger signs and many other key topics that aim to keep women informed and healthy at all stages of their pregnancy, she said. A recent GSMA case study shows that the vital health information of the Airtel-supported Wazazi Nipendeni (Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby) SMS Service reaches those who need the information the most. She added, Airtel is very proud that the study from the global mobile association, GSMA, shows the service impact in educating customers who do not always have the means to access healthcare and health information, She said women in different parts of the country, especially those who are pregnant and with low incomes, face challenges to access reliable health information. It is important that Women receive this key information regarding a healthy pregnancy and early childcare as early as possible in their pregnancies. The Wazazi Nipendeni SMS Service has become a critical communications tool in recent years as almost every Tanzanian now has access to a mobile phone, she said. She said almost half million Airtel subscribers received free health information weekly via text messages since 2012. At least 45 per cent of those using the service live below the basic needs poverty line. End users receive carefully timed weekly information, which include reminders for visits to the Antenatal care clinics for checkups and medication. Once their baby is born the mothers continue to receive important information and reminders until the child reaches its fifth birthday. A body has been found by police searching for a missing teenager on the Isle of Lewis. Hannah Mackenzie, from Gravir on Lewis, was last seen outside the Nicholson Institute school in Stornoway at 4pm yesterday. Searches were focused on the grounds of Lews Castle following a potential sighting in the area on Thursday and Police Scotland said a body was found in the area on Friday evening. Formal identification is still to take place but the family of the 17-year-old have been informed, police said. It is believed her disappearance is not linked to any problems at school but it is thought she may have recently broken up with a boyfriend. Hannah Mackenzie, from Gravir on Lewis, was last seen outside the Nicholson Institute school in Stornoway It is understood that Hannah, pictured, may have recently broken up with a boyfriend She was intending to walk to the Western Isles Hospital in the town to meet her mother. Coastguards said there was a possible sighting of Hannah in the Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway on Thursday night - and that is where the search was concentrated. Large numbers of coastguards have been joined by members of Hebrides Mountain Rescue. Stornoway Lifeboat has mounted a sea search while the Stornoway-based Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has scoured the area from the air. Hannah's best friend Evie Hepworth took to social media to appeal for sightings of her pal. 'Hi everyone, my best friend Hannah Mackenzie has gone missing after school today. She was supposed to be walking to the hospital to meet her mum when I left her but hasn't been in contact with anyone since. The police have asked me to make a post on Facebook to help find her,' she wrote. 'If anyone has any information about her whereabouts or have seen her since 3:50pm on Thursday the 16th of August please contact the Police, her family or me. Thank You.' Coastguards, a mountain rescue team and a lifeboat have joined the search for Hannah And Evie's friends on Facebook posted message of support in response. Maureen Macleod wrote: 'Hope she is found safe and well,' Corinne McDonald Macphail added: 'Hope she's found. Seemed fine yesterday when I passed her in school x' while Catriona MacDonald said: 'Our thoughts are with you.. Hope she comes home safe.' Police Scotland said Hannah is 5ft 5in, slim, with dark hair in a ponytail. She was wearing a school sweatshirt, black trousers and a black jacket with white fur on the hood. Coastguards said there was a possible sighting of Hannah in Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway Coastguard rescue teams are currently searching woodland in grounds of the castle Speaking to The Sunday Post, Inspector Jane Nicolson said: 'We are grateful to everyone who has been in contact so far with information and encourage anyone else who can help to get in touch. 'If Hannah herself is reading this then please get in touch and let us and your family know you are safe and well. Stornoway, Tarbert, Scarpay, Southlochs, Bressclete, Miavaig, Ness, Bragiar and Ness coastguard rescue teams are currently searching woodland in the Castle Grounds. The Salvation Army have manned a mobile refreshment van for the teams. The Nicolson Institute suffered a tragedy in December. A 24 hour confidential support line and counselling service was set up for those affected by the tragic death of a 15-year-old school pupil. The local council also said today that staff 'did everything humanly possible' to save Anton Michael. Anton from Great Bernera was found at the Nicolson Insititute and later died at the town's Western Isles Hospital. Pupils cancelled their Christmas dance to mourn tragic classmate Anton. Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances. If you have information call Stornoway Police Station on 101, quoting reference NH1731/18. A police officer breastfed a 'malnourished and dirty' baby that was brought into a hospital where she was on guard duty. Celeste Ayala was working at the Sor Maria Ludovica children's hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina when the baby was brought in crying desperately. The officer asked the doctors for permission to hold and feed him because she could see the baby was hungry and hospital staff were overloaded with work. A female police officer (pictured) breastfed a malnourished and dirty baby that was brought into a hospital where she was on guard duty Celeste Ayala (right) was working at the Sor Maria Ludovica children's hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina when the baby was brought in crying desperately Permission was given and Ayala cuddled the baby and started to breastfeed him, after which he stopped crying immediately. Ayala told local media: 'I noticed that he was hungry, as he was putting his hand into his mouth, so I asked to hug him and breastfeed him. 'It was a sad moment, it broke my soul seeing him like this, society should be sensitive to the issues affecting children, it cannot keep happening.' A friend of the police officer, Marcos Heredia, says that the hospital staff called the baby 'dirty', but that Ayala was not concerned. He took a picture of her breastfeeding the hungry baby and shared it online. He said: 'I want to make public this great gesture of love you made today for this little baby who you did not know, but for who you did not hesitate to act like a mother. You did not care if he was dirty, which is what the hospital staff called him. Good job mate.' The photo received more than 68,000 likes, 94,000 shares and almost 300 admiring comments. A friend of the police officer, Marcos Heredia, says that the hospital staff called the baby 'dirty', but that Ayala (left) was not concerned According to local media, the baby is the younger brother of six siblings from a single mother who is in a dire situation. The fire brigade where Ayala volunteers for in her spare time paid tribute to the heroic gesture on social media, sharing the picture on their official social media page and writing: 'We want to congratulate the voluntary firefighting cadet Celeste Ayala who yesterday in her job as police officer whilst she was on guard duty at the hospital, breastfed a young child who arrived crying. 'Actions like these fill us with pride and obligate us to redouble the effort, the work and the solidarity with our community.' A friend Antonella Romano commented: 'I didn't expect any less from you! You are not just a great woman, but a great mother. What pride, those who know you, know that everything you do is with.' A trust fund is the financial security and privilege most people dream of, but for an unfortunate few, the money has led to a life of misery. Several trust fund recipients have been riddled with guilt over their riches, saying they feel complicit in the world's corporate problems and isolated by their money. Lane Fury, of Seattle, Washington, has received more than $185,000 from the family fortune and is set to inherit nearly $6million. But the 27-year-old says there is shame that comes with the wealth from their lawyer father and nurse-practitioner mother. Lane Fury, of Seattle, Washington has grown up in wealth and is set to inherit nearly $6million, but Fury is ashamed and embarrassed by the fortune saying 'I don't actually want it' 'I don't actually want it. There is this sense of shame or embarrassment, like maybe some of the problems in the world are my fault, so I shouldn't really be open about [my wealth],' Fury said to the New York Post. Fury says a trust fund can spur feelings of loneliness, guilty, depression and confusion. While there's comfort in financial security, it is also alienating. After graduating from the University of Washington, Fury join an organization called Resource Generation, a nonprofit where rich young people pledge their money to charities. Fury, who works as a loan and outreach officer for the Cooperative Fund of New England, has donated $60,000 to loved ones in need and $20,000 to grass-roots groups, and convinced family to form a fund at the Social Justice Fund Northwest where they plan to give $150,000 a year. 'When I think about the possibility of doing some really amazing grass-roots organizing with that [money], and doing that side-by-side with my family, that makes me feel really empowered, powerful and hopeful,' Fury said. According to psychotherapist Amanda Clayman, this reaction of shame isn't surprising. 'The fear is that their money will be a source of disconnection and isolation from the people who are important to them,' she said. 'We are turning the rich people into villains. It certainly does not lead to [a wealthy young person] feeling like one can really be in mixed company,' she added. Trust fund recipient Adam Roberts, 34, said his $1million inheritance makes him feel guilty. 'I remember getting the trust statement when I graduated from college and seeing that I had ExxonMobil and Chevron stock at a time when I was learning about climate change and the ways these large corporations exploit people and the planet. My first reaction was to disassociate and compartmentalize,' he said. 'I experienced longing to be less isolated in this experience, and for a world in which there werent these huge differences between people,' he added. Robin Lee Allen, 24, accessed $5million when he turned 18 but blew through it all by living a ritzy socialite lifestyle, adding he felt isolated from his family and friends by his money So after graduating college in 2011 he left his old lifestyle where he used hit up the same beach club as Ivanka Trump to also work with Resource Generation to donate to charities focusing on racial, economic, gender and climate injustice. Brooklyn man Robin Lee Allen, 24, said his money isolated him from his friends and his family too. After his mother died when he was eight after divorcing his father he was sent to live with family in Tallahassee, Florida, who were not as wealthy as he was. At 18 he had access to a sum 'below $5million' but then he burned through it. 'I was very irresponsible. A lot parties, a lot of travel, fancy, needless s***, like getting clothes custom made. A lot of taxis. It was just me trying to be a socialite,' he said. 'The money wasn't infinite,' he added. Five years later he landed in transitional hosing program in New York City, nearly homeless. He was eventually taken in by a kindhearted Upper East Side couple, went to college, and now is a managing partner at a private equity. 'I couldnt talk about so many other issues that I was facing with most people, so it wasnt until I [met them] that I realized there are lots of people [like me],' he said. Now he donates to the Brooklyn Public Library and LGBTQ youth group New Alternatives, which helped him during his homelessness. 'Everything I have, I had to build it for myself. I dont have any regrets.' An Iraq war veteran has been sentenced to life in prison for killing five people and wounding six during a shooting rampage at Florida's Fort Lauderdale airport last year. Esteban Santiago, 28, was given five life sentences plus 120 years during his sentencing on Friday in Miami federal court. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in January 2017. Esteban Santiago, 28, was given five life sentences plus 120 years on Friday in Miami federal court over the deadly shooting at Fort Lauderdale airport in January 2017 He pleaded guilty back in May to 11 charges in a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. Santiago, who is an Iraq war veteran, is diagnosed as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. He initially told the FBI after the shooting that he was under government mind control but later switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of the Islamic State extremist group. Santiago had flown on a one-way ticket from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale with a 9 mm handgun in a box he put in checked luggage on the day of the shooting. After landing he retrieved the weapon, loaded it in a bathroom and came out firing randomly until he exhausted his ammunition. The FBI says numerous airport security cameras recorded the shooting on video and there were dozens of witnesses who identified Santiago as the shooter. Santiago opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in January 2017, killing five and injuring six Santiago, who is an Iraq war veteran, is diagnosed as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings He complained of mental problems before the shooting but was not barred from possessing a gun. Santiago was treated at an Anchorage psychiatric hospital last year after he showed up at the local FBI office saying he was under CIA mind control and was hearing voices. He was released after a brief stay and given anti-anxiety medicine. His gun, which had been confiscated by police at the time, was returned to him and was used a few weeks later in the Florida shooting. The victims who died in the airport terminal were identified as: Shirley Timmons, 70; Olga Woltering, 84; Michael Oehme, 57; and Terry Andres, 62; and Mary Louise Amzibel, 69. Andres widow, Ann Andres, recently filed a lawsuit against the Broward Sheriff's Office, claiming a detective's retirement party got in the way of security before the shooting. The lawsuit was filed last month claims sheriff's deputies who should have been on duty at an airport baggage claim area were instead at the party eating cake. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the sheriff's office, Broward County, an airline and other entities. A police superintendent said people think driving a little over the limit is okay Drivers across Australia believe that there is a 'ten per cent rule' when it comes to speeding. This means that drivers believe it is acceptable to drive ten per cent higher than the designated speed limit. However Simon Stevens, Acting Superintendent of the Victoria Police Road Policing Command Operations, said drivers should not expect to get away with speeding. Drivers believe that there is a ten per cent rule in regards to speeding on roads, meaning they can exceed the limit for the area by ten per cent (stock image) Tasmania has one of the most relaxed fines in terms of speeding with the cost of speeding under ten kilometres $81.50 (stock image) 'Suffice to say if you are detected travelling over the limit or in a dangerous manner you should expect to be fined and or charged with the relevant offences,'he told News.com.au. The Acting Superintendant said people think driving a little over the limit is okay but that it does impact road trauma. He said people often forget this until someone they know is involved in an accident. 'Victoria Police will continue its focus on all levels of speeding and call on motorists themselves to consider the possible ramifications of their choices behind the wheel and the harm, "just that little bit over" could do,' Acting Superintendent Stevens said. Victoria is quite strict and Queensland doesn't disclose their speed tolerance levels. South Australia Police figures from 2017 showed there were instances of motorists going past speed camera by as much as seven kilometres over the limit without getting fined. But sometimes drivers are stopped for going as little as one kilometre over the limit. Tasmania has one of the most relaxed fines in terms of speeding with speeding under ten kilometres punishable by a $81.50 fine. One of the most costly is Victoria with a $201 fine and a deduction of one demerit point for speeding under ten kilometres. Transport for New South Wales Centre for Road Safety reported between 2013 and 2017 740 people were killed on the state's roads because of speeding. During that time 19,000 people were injured. Between 2012 and 2016, 1,500 were seriously injured every year because of speeding. Transport for New South Wales Centre for Road Safety reported between 2013 and 2017 740 people were killed on the state's roads because of speeding (stock image) Transport for NSW said: 'For every extra 1km/h of speed the impact of a crash is more severe, the likelihood of serious injury or death increases, the stopping distance increases and more time is needed to react and avoid a crash.' The Queensland Government reported that around half of all serious speed related accidents happened when drivers were travelling at less than ten kilometres over the speed limit. Over five kilometres in urban areas, and ten kilometres in rural areas, can double the risk of a casualty crash. Around 60 people die on Queensland roads in speed-related incidents every year. A pregnant woman has died after she inserted parsley stems into her vagina in a botched attempt to induce a miscarriage in Argentina. The 34-year-old, who was reportedly scared to see doctors because she feared she would go to jail, died just days after the country's Senate rejected a bill to decriminalise abortion. The mother-of-one, identified as Liz, placed parsley stems up her vagina in the hope of inducing a miscarriage but doctors said she suffered septic shock and a uterus infection. She died in Pacheco hospital, local media said, in a tragedy which has sparked fresh protests about the country's abortion laws. Women hold up green flags in a sign of Argentina's pro-choice movement in a fresh protest following a woman's death when she tried to induce a miscarriage using parsley The woman was reportedly rushed to the emergency ward after suffering complications and doctors removed her uterus when it became infected. The 34-year-old, mother to a two-year-old son, was then transferred to the emergency unit of another hospital but despite the doctors' best efforts the woman could not be saved. Paula Fagioli, spokeswoman for the health professionals network Decision Right Net, said: 'She went to the hospital with septic shock and parsley stems in her uterus. The uterus is sterile, it does not have germs. 'When a stem is introduced into the uterus the germs from the parsley go inside and increase the mount of germs inside the vagina. This causes a serious infection.' Reports suggest the victim had been taken to the hospital by her mother and was scared of reporting the incident as she could have been jailed for trying to induce a miscarriage. Fagioli added: 'For those who say that legal abortions are expensive for the state, I say that the costs in this case were very high, the surgery to remove the uterus, the night in an intensive care unit, the transfer, the new hospitalisation. Pro-choice activists gather around a bonfire while pro-life campaigners let off fireworks in the background as Argentina's Senate voted to block a proposed relaxation of abortion laws 'We knew that this was going to happen and this is the result of the desperation of a poor woman facing this alone.' Local media report the victim's mother will look after her two-year-old son. Demonstrations were held outside the hospital where the victim died with protestors demanding the decriminalisation of abortion in the country. The Senate voted 38-31 against legalising abortion last Thursday, dashing the hopes of women's rights groups after the legislature's lower house had approved the bill in June. Lawmakers must now wait a year to resubmit the legislation. Fireworks and shouts of joy erupted among anti-abortion activists camped outside Congress, while pro-choice campaigners, many decked in the green scarves that had come to symbolise their movement, were downcast. The bill had sought to legalise abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and would have seen Argentina join Uruguay and Cuba as the only countries in Latin America to fully decriminalise abortion. The lawyer for former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort is expressing gratitude for the president's extraordinary comments bolstering Manafort while a jury considered charges that could send him to jail for the rest of his life. Kevin Downing, who is helping Manafort fend off 18 charges filed by federal prosecutors, responded to the president's comments after Trump called Manafort a 'very good person' during the second day of jury deliberations. Although jurors are instructed not to watch TV or read about the case, the stark pronouncement by the president immediately traveled across the nation's airwaves while Manafort's fate hung in the balance. 'We're very happy to hear from the president and that he's supporting Mr. Manafort,' lawyer Kevin Downing told reporters as he left the Virginia courthouse where Manafort is facing fraud and tax charges. Trump backed up his former campaign chair Paul Manafort even as a Virginia jury considered his fate on tax and fraud charges that could put him away for the rest of his life. President Donald Trump called the trial of his former campaign chair Paul Manafort 'sad' With a jury in its second day of deliberations, Trump called Manafort a 'very good person' and called his trial 'very sad.' But he wouldn't talk about a potential pardon of Manafort, who refused to cooperate with prosecutors to get what could have been a reduced sentence. 'I don't talk about that,' he said. Asked about Manafort as he departed for a fundraiser in Hamptons, Trump told reporters Friday: 'I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad, when you look at what's going on there.' 'I think it's a very sad day for our country. He worked for me for a very short period of time, but you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort,' Trump said. Prosecutors in Manafort's trial painted a different picture, calling him a tax cheat and a liar who bilked the government out of millions, shirked his filing and accounting responsibilities, and spent millions on a lavish lifestyle. The comments were a departure from a previous White House line to put as much distance as possible between the White House and Manafort, who oversaw the operation that wrangled enough delegates for Trump to capture the Republican nomination and ultimately win the presidency. Kevin Downing, left, lawyer for Manafort, said 'We're very happy' to hear that Trump is 'supporting Mr. Manafort' after the president's comments Trump's defense came as a jury considered 18 charges that could have Manafort spend the rest of his life in prison Manafort held key roles in Trump's campaign for nearly five months before he was forced to resign amid a series of reports on his ties to a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party. Asked about a potential pardon the source of considerable speculation since Trump has pardoned other allies such as Dinesh D'Souza and Sheriff Joe Arpaio while blasting the Russia probe as a 'witch hunt,' responded: 'I don't talk about that. I don't talk about that.' The president's defense of his former campaign chair came as he once again torched the Russia probe and singled out its head, special counsel Robert Mueller, as 'highly conflicted.' Trump also has been going after other critics linked to the probe, defending his decision to yank the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan. Jurors in Manafort's trial began a second day of deliberations Friday after asking the judge 'what is reasonable doubt?' in a series of questions at the end of their first day of deliberations Thursday. Judge T.S. Ellis III has put no limit on how long he will allow them to deliberate over the 18 bank and tax fraud charges leveled at Donald Trump's former campaign chairman by Robert Mueller's special counsel probe. But there was a flurry of excitement in the court on Thursday afternoon and Manafort was brought back to court to listen as Judge T.S. Ellis III addressed the note sent by the six men and six women raising four questions for him to address. The judge announced the note just after 5 p.m. after a full day of deliberations which began at 9.30 a.m. when the judge told the jury to take as long as they wished. The questions will be pored over for insights into what the jurors are thinking - although a request to define reasonable doubt is a common occurrence in criminal cases. Ellis told them that the government was not required to prove their case beyond 'all possible doubt' but beyond doubt 'based on reason'. The jurors also asked for the list of exhibits - documents submitted in evidence - to be amended so it was possible to see which piece of evidence related to which count in the 18-strong list of charges. The judge turned them down. And the other two questions related to evidence about Manafort's alleged network of offshore banks accounts. They asked whether it was legally required to tell the Treasury about a foreign bank account 'if they own less than 50 per cent of the company' and are not a signatory to it. Ellis told them to rely on their memory of the evidence. They also asked what a 'shelf company' was, which elicited the same answer. Key case: Paul Manafort, a one-time Trump campaign chairman, is the first person to go to trial on charges brought by the Robert Mueller special counsel probe. Judge T.S. Ellis III was asked to answer three questions by the jury Thursday - including defining reasonable doubt One day down: Defense attorneys Kevin Downing, Brian Ketcham and Thomas Zehnle leave the court house following the first day of jury deliberations and a question from the six men and six women on 'what is reasonable doubt' The trial had heard that Manafort's offshore bank accounts were often in the name of companies which he held only a minority stake in, although the prosecution said he was in reality in full control of them. His turncoat deputy Rick Gates had testified that he bought 'shelf' companies for Manafort, which were pre-existing legal companies set up with the intention of being used by their buyers. Deliberations enter a second day Friday at 9.30am, with the fate of the Robert Mueller special counsel probe now in the jury's hands. His prosecutors say Manafort earned $60 million advising Russia-backed politicians in Ukraine, hid much of it from the IRS and then lied to banks to get loans when the money dried up. Manafort's defense countered that he wasn't culpable because he left the particulars of his finances to others. The financial fraud trial calls on the dozen jurors to follow the complexities of foreign bank accounts and shell companies, loan regulations and tax rules. It exposed details about the lavish lifestyle of the onetime political insider, including a $15,000 jacket made of ostrich leather and $900,000 spent at a boutique retailer in New York paid via international wire transfer. Judge T.S. Ellis III told the six men and six women of the jury to take as long they needed to reach a verdict. After sending them out to start deliberating, Ellis invited others in the courtroom to remain while other cases were being heard. He then called on a 'Mr. Trump,' prompting laughter and a smile from Manafort. Jim Trump, a federal prosecutor from Virginia, responded. Manafort's defense team claimed he was a victim of a 'desperate' attempt by Special Counsel Robert Mueller to pin a bogus crime on the former Trump campaign chief, during closing arguments in Manafort's tax and bank fraud trial on Wednesday. Attorneys for Manafort argued in a 90-minute closing statement that their client was a victim of his embezzling former business partner Rick Gates, who they claim cut a deal with the government and testified against Manafort in exchange for getting his own tax fraud charges dropped. For the first time since the trial began, defense attorneys also raised the fact that Manafort worked for Donald Trump a possible implication to the jury that the charges were politically motivated. All eyes on Manafort: The media may be in for a long wait for the verdict in the first trial brought as a result of the Robert Mueller probe 'The government so desperate to make a case against Mr. Manafort made a deal with Rick Gates,' said Manafort's attorney Kevin Downing. 'Mr. Gates was orchestrating a multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme.' The move may be a brave one by Manafort's defense, who had got the judge to keep Trump's name out of the case, saying it would prejudice a jury drawn from heavily Democratic areas of northern Virginia around the Alexandria courtroom. Those in the court who want to be there for the verdict - including Manafort's wife Kathleen - have been warned they need to go no further than 10 minutes away. In its summary to the jury the prosecution honed in on Manafort's alleged 'lies' and greed, while also downplaying Gates. The trial is the first test of Robert Mueller's special counsel probe, with the charges brought by his prosecutors in the course of their investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 election - although they do not include any of collusion. An acquittal would be a significant blow to Mueller and likely to be seized on by Donald Trump and his supporters as a reason to end the investigation. Relaxed: Kathleen Manafort (center) arrived on Friday for the second day of deliberations. She has been in court every day of her husband's trial 'Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it, and to get more money when he didn't,' prosecutor Greg Andres told the jury in an exhaustive closing statement that lasted over an hour and forty minutes. But Richard Wesley, a lawyer on Manafort's team, called the government's bank fraud evidence against his client 'selective.' 'Clearly the goal was tostack up the counts,' said Wesley. 'And to give you a sense that the evidence is so overwhelming to draw one conclusion.' 'There is not a single bit of evidence that any of these banks came to the government and complained about these frauds,' added Wesley. He said none of the banks seemed concerned 'until the special counsel showed up and starting asking questions.' Throughout the trial, Manafort's attorneys have suggested Gates was responsible for falsifying bank and tax records even implying he forged Manafort's signatures on foreign bank records. They claimed he did this to cover up for millions of dollars he embezzled from Manafort's businesses. In testimony last week Gates said he committed tax and bank fraud crimes under orders from Manafort but also admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his former boss while carrying at least one extramarital affair. Downing told the jury that Gates was a 'liar' who 'tried to get one over on you.' 'How [Gates] was able to get the deal he got [with Mueller's team] I have no idea,' said Downing. 'He gets to walk out of here on probationbecause [prosecutors] were so desperate to try to make the case.' Gates pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice earlier this year. Although Manafort's attorneys have repeatedly implied that Gates was offered a deal of probation for cooperating with prosecutors, he in fact faces up to 10 years in prison for these charges. However, Mueller's team has promised not to object if Gates requests probation during his sentencing. Prosecutors also dropped bank and tax fraud charges against Gates in exchange for his cooperation. Downing said Gates was prepped extensively by prosecutors during at least 20 meetings with Mueller's team. He said Gates tried to 'look all clean shaven' during his testimony, but 'showed himself to be the liar he is.' He also claimed Manafort felt 'foolish' for trusting Gates and giving him access to his financial accounts. Power brokers: Rick Gates (left) and his boss Paul Manafort (second from right) ran the Trump campaign during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, in 2016. 'To the very end [Gates] lied to you,' Downing told the jury. 'He was flawless on direct [questioning] but on cross examination he fell apart.' Downing also emphasized Gates's 'secret life,' a reference to Gates's extramarital affair. The defense claimed last week that Gates stole money from Manafort because he was living beyond his means, paying for an apartment for his mistress in London and first-class trips across Europe. 'He finally admitted his secret,' said Downing. 'He was paying for his apartment in London, he was paying for fancy restaurants and hotels.' Downing also argued that Manafort was not trying to knowingly conceal his foreign bank accounts from the government, saying he disclosed them to the FBI when he was interviewed about an unrelated matter in 2014. 'If you're in this major concealment scheme, why would you just disclose it?' asked Downing. The prosecution had said that Manafort lied to his personal book keeper, his tax preparers, the IRS, and multiple banks and financial institutions, according to prosecutors. He also neglected to file required government reports disclosing his foreign bank accounts and did not mention them on his income tax filings, the government claims. While hiding money in at least 31 foreign accounts, Manafort also transferred millions to vendors in the U.S. to fund his decadent lifestyle, according to prosecutors. He spent over $1.5 million on custom menswear including a $21,000 crystal watch and a $15,000 ostrich jacket and millions more on high-end TV and audio equipment and landscaping for his Hamptons mansion. Judge T.S. Ellis has clashed with prosecutors in the case over their references to Manafort's wealth, prodding them to focus instead on the tax and fraud charges. Andres stressed during his closing argument that the government is not prosecuting Manafort due to his spending habits. 'This case is not about Mr. Manafort's wealth,' said Andres. 'We are not in court today because Mr. Manafort is wealthy. We are in the court today because he filed false tax reports and he failed to file [a Foreign Bank Account Report].' Andres also argued that Manafort's failure to disclose his income was deliberate a point prosecutors must prove the jurors to get a conviction. Noting that Manafort was an attorney and an experienced international political consultant, Andres said 'Mr. Manafort is capable and bright' and 'met regularly with his own tax preparer.' Prosecutors also seemed to downplay the importance of testimony from Rick Gates, Manafort's former business partner who pleaded guilty to lying to investigators earlier this year and has been cooperating with Mueller's team. Gates, who was previously billed as the prosecution's key witness in the case, testified last week that he helped Manafort carry out his tax and bank fraud schemes. But Gates's credibility was also heavily damaged under cross examination, when he admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and having at least one extramarital affair. Manafort's attorneys suggested that Gates had as many as four affairs, and claimed he used the money he embezzled to pay for a London apartment for his mistress and first-class trips through Europe. Andres seemed to acknowledge Gates's credibility problems during his closing arguments. 'We're not asking you to like him,' said Andres. He told jurors to take Gates's testimony and 'compare it to the testimony of [other] witnesses. This is how you know if it is consistent.' Andres also pushed back against Manafort's attorneys for concentrating on Gates's infidelity. 'Why were there so many questions on Mr. Gates's affair?' he asked. 'Was it to distract you? Does it matter?' 'Mr. Manafort was a mentor to Mr. Gates in his criminal activity,' added Andres. '[Manafort] didn't choose a boy scout.' The prosecutor urged the jury to focus on the documents in the case rather than on any single witness. 'The star witness in this case is the documents,' said Andres. 'Virtually everything Mr. Gates testified on is in the documents.' Andres closing argument came on the twelfth day of the trial. Nearly all of that time was spent on testimony from prosecution witnesses; Manafort's defense team declined to call any witnesses. Manafort's attorneys will make their closing arguments on Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutors will then have 17 minutes to give a rebuttal the time remaining from their two-hour closing argument allowance. Afterward, the judge will advise jurors on legal requirements for a conviction. Judge Ellis told jurors this will likely take an hour and a half. The court will then go to recess until the jury reaches a verdict. While the case against Manafort does not relate to any allegations of Russian election interference or possible coordination with the Trump campaign, the proceedings have drawn President Donald Trump's attention - and prompted tweets - as the president has worked to undermine the standing of the Mueller investigation in the public square. Star witness: Rick Gates was on the stand for three days but his credibility was attacked by Manafort's defense and he admitted cheating on his wife with a long-term mistress in London Trump has distanced himself from Manafort, who led the campaign from May to August 2016 with Gates at his side. Gates struck a plea deal with prosecutors and has provided much of the drama of the trial so far. Gates testified that he helped Manafort commit crimes in an effort to lower his tax bill and fund his lavish lifestyle. During testimony, Gates was also forced to admit embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and conducting an extramarital affair. After jurors were excused on Tuesday, lawyers for both sides conferred with the judge in open court on the language Ellis will use to instruct the jurors in their deliberations. The only dispute was about what jurors should be told about how to interpret questions and comments interjected by the judge during the course of the trial. Prosecutors, who have been frustrated by Ellis' tendency to interrupt and chide prosecutors in front of the jury, sought stronger language to make clear that jurors do not need to adopt any opinions expressed by the judge. At one point in the discussion, Ellis asked prosecutors whether they thought he had ever interjected his own opinions. Prosecutor Greg Andres, who has had the strongest confrontations with Ellis, said 'yes.' Ellis eventually came up with compromise language that was agreeable to both sides. Mueller's final tally: Trump's inner circle of convicts and turncoats - and 25 wanted Russian trolls GUILTY: MICHAEL FLYNN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in December 2017. Awaiting sentence Flynn was President Trump's former National Security Advisor and Robert Mueller's most senior scalp to date. He previously served when he was a three star general as President Obama's director of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was fired. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his conversations with a Russian ambassador in December 2016. He has agreed to cooperate with the special counsel investigation. GUILTY AND JAILED: MICHAEL COHEN Pleaded guilty to eight counts including fraud and two campaign finance violations in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to further count of lying to Congress in November 2018. Sentenced to three years in prison and $2 million in fines and forfeitures in December 2018 Cohen was investigated by Mueller but the case was handed off to the Southern District of New York,leaving Manhattan's ferocious and fiercely independent federal prosecutors to run his case. Cohen was Trump's longtime personal attorney, starting working for him and the Trump Organization in 2007. He is the longest-serving member of Trump's inner circle to be implicated by Mueller. Cohen professed unswerving devotion to Trump - and organized payments to silence two women who alleged they had sex with the-then candidate: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. He admitted that payments to both women were felony campaign finance violations - and admitted that he acted at the 'direction' of 'Candidate-1': Donald Trump. He also admitted tax fraud by lying about his income from loans he made, money from taxi medallions he owned, and other sources of income, at a cost to the Treasury of $1.3 million. And he admitted lying to Congress in a rare use of the offense. The judge in his case let him report for prison on March 6 and recommended he serve it in a medium-security facility close to New York City. GUILTY AND JAILED: PAUL MANAFORT Found guilty of eight charges of bank and tax fraud in August 2018. Sentenced to 47 months in March 2019. Pleaded guilty to two further charges - witness tampering and conspiracy against the United States. Jailed for total of seven and a half years in two separate sentences. Additionally indicted for mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, using evidence previously presented by Mueller Manafort worked for Trump's campaign from March 2016 and chaired it from June to August 2016, overseeing Trump being adopted as Republican candidate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is the most senior campaign official to be implicated by Mueller. Manafort was one of Washington D.C.'s longest-term and most influential lobbyists but in 2015, his money dried up and the next year he turned to Trump for help, offering to be his campaign chairman for free - in the hope of making more money afterwards. But Mueller unwound his previous finances and discovered years of tax and bank fraud as he coined in cash from pro-Russia political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine. Manafort pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax and bank fraud but was convicted of eight counts in August 2018. The jury was deadlocked on the other 10 charges. A second trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent due in September did not happen when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and witness tampering in a plea bargain. He was supposed to co-operate with Mueller but failed to. Minutes after his second sentencing hearing in March 2019, he was indicted on 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy by the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., using evidence which included documents previously presented at his first federal trial. The president has no pardon power over charges by district and state attorneys. GUILTY AND GOING TO WEEKEND JAIL: RICK GATES Pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in February 2018. Sentenced to 45 days weekend jail and three years probation, December 17, 2018 Gates was Manafort's former deputy at political consulting firm DMP International. He admitted to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government on financial activity, and to lying to investigators about a meeting Manafort had with a member of congress in 2013. As a result of his guilty plea and promise of cooperation, prosecutors vacated charges against Gates on bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, failure to disclose foreign bank accounts, filing false tax returns, helping prepare false tax filings, and falsely amending tax returns. GUILTY AND JAILED: GEORGE PAPADOPOLOUS Pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2017. Sentenced to 14 days in September 2018, and reported to prison in November. Served 12 days and released on December 7, 2018 Papadopoulos was a member of Donald Trump's campaign foreign policy advisory committee. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his contacts with London professor Josef Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev, the director of a Russian government-funded think tank. GUILTY AND JAILED: RICHARD PINEDO Pleaded guilty to identity fraud in February 2018. Sentenced to a year in prison Pinedo is a 28-year-old computer specialist from Santa Paula, California. He admitted to selling bank account numbers to Russian nationals over the internet that he had obtained using stolen identities. GUILTY AND JAILED: ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in February 2018. He served a 30-day prison sentence and was deported to the Netherlands on his release Van der Zwaan was a Dutch attorney for Skadden Arps who worked on a Ukrainian political analysis report for Paul Manafort in 2012. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about when he last spoke with Rick Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik. His law firm say he was fired. GUILTY: W. SAMUEL PATTEN Pleaded guilty in August 2018 to failing to register as a lobbyist while doing work for a Ukrainian political party. Sentenced to three years probation April 2019 Patten, a long-time D.C. lobbyist was a business partner of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to admitting to arranging an illegal $50,000 donation to Trump's inauguration. He arranged for an American 'straw donor' to pay $50,000 to the inaugural committee, knowing that it was actually for a Ukrainian businessman. Neither the American or the Ukrainian have been named. CHARGED: KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK Indicted for obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At large, probably in Russia Kilimnik is a former employee of Manafort's political consulting firm and helped him with lobbying work in Ukraine. He is accused of witness tampering, after he allegedly contacted individuals who had worked with Manafort to remind them that Manafort only performed lobbying work for them outside of the U.S. He has been linked to Russian intelligence and is currently thought to be in Russia - effectively beyond the reach of extradition by Mueller's team. INDICTED: THE RUSSIANS Twenty-five Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They remain at large in Russia Two of these Russian nationals were also indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 11 were indicted for conspiracy to launder money. Fifteen of them were also indicted for identity fraud. Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the charges. Russia effectively bars extradition of its nationals. The only prospect Mueller has of bringing any in front of a U.S. jury is if Interpol has their names on an international stop list - which is not made public - and they set foot in a territory which extradites to the U.S. INDICTED: MICHAEL FLYNN'S BUSINESS PARTNERS Bijan Kian (left), number two in now disgraced former national security adviser Mike Flynn's lobbying company, and the two's business partner Ekim Alptekin (right) were indicted for conspiracy to lobby illegally. Kian, an Iranian-American was arrested and appeared in court charged with a conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S government without registering as a foreign agent. Their co-conspirator was Flynn, who is called 'Person A' in the indictment and is not charged, offering some insight into what charges he escaped with his plea deal. Kian, vice-president of Flynn's former lobbying firm, is alleged to have plotted with Alptekin to try to change U.S. policy on an exiled Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who is accused by Turkey's strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of trying to depose him. Erdogan's government wanted him extradited from the U.S. and paid Flynn's firm through Alptekin for lobbying, including an op-ed in The Hill calling for Gulen to be ejected. Flynn and Kian both lied that the op-ed was not paid for by the Turkish government. The indictment is a sign of how Mueller is taking an interest in more than just Russian involvement in the 2016 election. GUILTY AND AWAITING SENTENCE: ROGER STONE Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign official and longtime informal advisor to Trump, was indited on seven counts including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress about his communications with WikiLeaks in January 2019. Convicted on all counts November 15, 2019, awaiting sentence Stone was a person of interest to Mueller's investigators long before his January indictment, thanks in part due to his public pronouncements as well as internal emails about his contacts with WikiLeks. In campaign texts and emails, many of which had already been publicly revealed before showing up in Mueller's indictment, Stone communicated with associates about WikiLeaks following reports the organization had obtained a cache of Clinton-related emails. Stone, a former Nixon campaign adviser who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal. 'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation. Stone gave 'false and misleading' testimony about his requests for information from WikiLeaks. He then pressured a witness, comedian Randy Credico, to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify, and pressured him in a series of emails. Following a prolonged dispute over testimony, he called him a 'rat' and threatened to 'take that dog away from you', in reference to Credico's pet, Bianca. Stone warned him: 'Let's get it on. Prepare to die.' CLEARED: GREG CRAIG Greg Craig, President Barack Obama's White House counsel, was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Mueller's investigators uncovered Craig's work on behalf the government of Ukraine while probing Manafort, who did business with Craig. Prosecutors released a grand jury indictment of Craig in April 2019, after Craig's law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to pay more than $4.6 million as part of a settlement. The prominent firm also acknowledged it had failed to register, and placed much of the blame on Craig, a senior partner there. Craig's lawyer blasted the decision as an abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and prepared to argue that omission of information during an interview is not tantamount to making false statements. The charges stem from a 2012 report Craig and the firm produced on behalf of the Ukrainian government on opposition figure and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was an opponent of Manafort's client , former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Craig was cleared on September 9 2019. Advertisement Michelle Pearson, pictured, is said to be leaving hospital for the first time after a petrol bomb arson attack on her home in December to attend the funeral for her children A mother who lost who four children in a petrol bomb arson attack on their home nine months ago will leave hospital for the first time to attend their funeral. Michelle Pearson, 36, was badly injured in the fire at her home in Salford, Greater Manchester, last December. Her children, Demi Pearson, 14, Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and Lia, three, all died in the devastating attack. Mrs Pearson was placed in a medically-induced coma after the fire and was unaware of their deaths until April this year when she woke up. Last month she was said to still be in a 'critical' condition, and only recently began to talk again, but plans to attend their funeral next month, reports theMirror. 'We just want it to be a nice peaceful day and to give the kids a really good send-off,' a relative told the Mirror. 'Michelle will be attending. She will have to go from the hospital.' Emergency services were called to the family's mid-terraced home in Walkden shortly after 5am on December 11. Firefighters battled against the flames, but were unable to rescue siblings Demi, Brandon and Lacie. Lia was taken to hospital but died a few days later. Two other teenagers managed to escape from the property during the fire. Mrs Pearson is said to be getting better everyday despite her serious burns. The relative added: 'It's a slow and long process but it will get better.' Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and Lia, three, all died following the house fire in Walkden, Greater Manchester Their sister Demi Pearson, 14, also died in the fire. Their funeral will take place on September 14 All four children will be buried together, with Lia in a Peppa Pig coffin because of her love for the show. Pictured: Lacie The funeral will take place on September 14, and members of the public are welcome to walk behind the horse and carriages and attend the service, but the wake and burial are private. The procession will start on Mrs Pearson's road on Jackson Street at 10am before making its way to Bridgewater Primary School, where Brandon and Lacie were pupils. All four children will be buried together, with Lia in a Peppa Pig coffin because of her love for the show. In May Zak Bolland, 23, was given four life sentences at Manchester Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of 40 years for the four murders. David Worrall, 25, was also given four life sentences and ordered to serve a minimum term of 37 years for the murders of siblings, Demi Pearson, 15, her brother, Brandon, aged eight, and sisters, Lacie, aged seven, and Lia, aged three. Courtney Brierley, 20, who was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter over the deaths of the children following the incident on December 11 last year, was locked up for 21 years. Members of the public are welcome to walk behind the horse and carriages and attend the service, but the wake and burial are private. Pictured: Tributes on the street where they died A gang of children have robbed a woman at knife point, and police say violent offenders are getting younger. This week police were called to a shock robbery involving four boys aged ten and 11. The children threatened a woman with a blade on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The children stole a pair of shoes from the victim who just returned from a shopping trip. Police were quick to track down the baby-faced offenders and recover the shoes at one of their homes, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. Children as young as 10 are getting involved with violent crimes on the Gold Coast in Queensland But this isn't an isolated incident on the Sunshine Coast - a 20-year-old woman was punched to the ground by two teenage girls in an attempted armed robbery. The 14-year-old girls fled the scene after the woman called out for help. Child Protection Investigation Unit Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Davy was shocked 'children so young are committing such violent crimes'. 'There's certainly a question into the parenting of the children and what behaviours are being demonstrated to them in the home,' Sergeant Davy said. He added: 'Unfortunately, they've got an unhappy life ahead of them, but we do recognise with young people there is an opportunity to try and divert them away from offending behaviour.' Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg suggested boredom was the main reason children are turning to crime on the coast. The Queensland-based professional said: 'When they're bored, they'll find a way (to overcome it), that is typically not prosocial.' A loyal pup refused to leave its owner's side after she passed out on the street in north China. The woman suddenly fainted while walking her golden retriever in Daqing city and passers-by immediately alerted emergency services. Touched by the dog's persistence, paramedics at the scene made a special exception and allowed the pet to board the ambulance with the owner. Man's best friend: A loyal golden retriever refused to leave its owners side after she passed out on the street in Daqing city, Heilongjiang province in north China on July 28 The dog is seen running in circles, distressed that its owner is not moving Video footage of the incident on July 28 in Heilongjiang province shows the woman lying on the ground with the devoted pooch right by her side. The dog was seen running in circles, distressed that its owner was not moving. It was also seen frantically clinging onto the stretcher that was carrying its owner towards the ambulance. The faithful pooch hopped onto the ambulance and watched over its owner like a guardian angel while they were both transported to Daqing People's Hospital. Video shows the woman lying on the ground with the devoted pooch right by her side The pooch is seen frantically clinging onto the stretcher that was carrying its owner After the pair arrived at the emergency department, doctors allowed the faithful pet to sit outside the treatment room. As soon as the woman regained her consciousness, the first thing that came out of her mouth was the name of her beloved pet. The dog came dashing towards its owner, elated that she has recovered. 'When we saw the patient hugging her dog, we knew we did the right thing by allowing it to tag along,' Zhang Jihong, the hospitals head nurse, told The Paper. The patient works as a bartender and had too much to drink the night before, according to the report. She has now been discharged from hospital. The patient works as a bartender and had too much to drink the night before 'At first, we were afraid to approach the woman directly since the dog is a rather large one,' Yu Jingjing, a nurse at the emergency department of the Daqing People's Hospital, told reporters. 'However, while the dog was very protective of its owner, it did not show any signs of aggression towards us,' she added. 'When we approached the woman lying on the ground, the dog appeared to be happy that we were there to help its owner.' Yu stressed that under normal circumstances, no pets are allowed during the emergency medical transportation to protect the ambulance crew. WHILE investing in health insurance is an important step in building a strong economy, smallholder farmers in Kagera Region have never had health insurance. Weak and sick people cannot positively contribute to national development. With the introduction of Warehouse Receipts System (WRS) efforts should also be directed on educating the farmers on importance of getting insurance cover for their crops. Similarly, farmers should get entrepreneurship skills on agri-business, how to address post harvest losses, access to extension services, quality inputs and access to markets. Since agriculture is the backbone of the nation economy, it needs a joint support from different stakeholders to support the government drive of implementing industrialisation agenda. Farmers under the Agricultural and Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) in Kagera Region are encouraged to register under Ushirika Afya health insurance. The Kagera Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Mr Elias Odhiambo, revealed that the farmers will get the insurance after introduction of Ushirika Afya, designed for key commodity crops including coffee, tobacco, tea, cashew nut and cotton. Other crops are vanilla and sugarcane. Introduction of Ushirika Afya was in line with the 5th Phase Government resolve under President John Magufuli of industrialisation by year 2025 and achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Over 100,000 farmers in the region depend on agriculture, livestock and fishing activities, but most of them did not have insurance. Through the new system a farmer will get insurance after selling his/her produce. Farmers should take the opportunity and get health insurance at affordable fee of 76,800/- per anseasonnum, an average of 6,400/- per month. After registration a farmer will get treatment all the year at all centres registered under the Community Health Fund (CHF). Other health insurance available include Toto Afya Card, Students at different levels, Vikoa- for Entrepreneurs and other economic group members and individual health coverage. The Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC), Brigadier General Marco Gaguti advised farmers in the region to boost production of food and cash crops to earn more money also advising them to commercialize through modern bee keeping and honey harvesting. Modern bee keeping and honey harvesting would add their income. Data indicate that about 672 farmers engaged in active bee keeping out of who 420 were males and 252 women while the number of bee hives increased from 151,860 during 2005/2006 to 212, 250 during 2010/2011 equivalent to 13.8 per cent increase. He warned lazy extension officers who spend most of their time on office chairs instead of visiting and imparting farmers with the needed farming skills. Closing the Nane Nane exhibitions at the Kyakailabwa Agricultural grounds on the outskirts of Bukoba Municipality, the RC threatened stern disciplinary measures against the under performing extension officers. From now onwards, every extension officer must spend at least 70 per cent of their official time visiting and advising farmers, livestock keepers and those engaging in fishing activities. Br. Gen Gaguti challenged residents in the area to penetrate and increase trade relations with neighbouring Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, capitalizing on proximity. Kagera region shares borders with four neighbouring countries- Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya across Lake Victoria. It was easier for Rwandan traders to transact with their Tanzanian counterparts in Kagera Region than travelling long distance to Dar es Salaam. The distance from Bukoba to Kigali is about 400 kilometres opposed to over 1,500 kilometres from Bukoba to Dar es Salaam. Also, from Bukoba to Masaka in Uganda is just 200 kilometres and Bukoba to Kampala is about 350 kilometresyou can therefore see the advantage of increasing trade relations with two EAC neighbouring countries. Farmers should unite in groups, establish small industries to process crops including sweet potato, cassava and bananas instead of selling them as raw materials. By exporting raw materials, he said, the region is only enriching others while its poor get poorer, a situation that no rational leader should tolerate and urged them to leave no stone unturned in their quest to protect and advance the regions industrial sector. The region is resource endowed, with fertile soils, conducive weather and plenty of rainfall to double production of both cash and food crops, directing officials under the agricultural department to maintain proper and updated data on production of food and cash crops. Councils in Muleba, Bukoba, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Ngara and Missenyi should set aside funds deducted from coffee sales to improve the crop, including buying improved coffee seedlings from Maruku Agricultural Institute (ARI). Most of the coffee trees are oldsome are 60 years and they no longer yield the desired fruits. The councils should intervene by buying improved coffee seedlings from ARI Maruku for distribution to farmers in their respective villages. Coffee is vital to the economy of East and Central Africa, providing a major source of foreign exchange earnings and as a cash crop, supporting the livelihoods of millions involved in cultivation, processing, marketing and export. Kagera Region has set aside about 60,000 hectares for livestock production which will enhance the building of industries for milk and beef production. Regional authorities have invited investors into the area, assuring them of security. The Region is implementing One District One Industry philosophy whereby a cassava processing industry will be established in Ngara district, Karagwe district will have a beans processing factory while Muleba District will have a banana processing factory. During 2018/19anseason coffee farmers in Kagera Region will benefit from services provided under the Warehouse Receipts System (WRS). Under Section 22(1) of the Warehouse Receipts Act, 2005 each applicant for a licence to operate a Warehouse should have a Certificate of Insuranceinsuring all commodities which are or maybe in such Warehouse for their full market value for loss by fire, theft, burglary, arson or any other cause. The Warehouse Operator shall make complete settlement to all depositors having commodities stored in any Warehouse, damaged or destroyed within ten days after settlement with the Insurance Company. The WRS currently is operating in various regions including Mtwara, Lindi, Ruvuma, Coast region, Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Kagera and Mwanza. The crops under WRS include Cashewnut, Cotton, Coffee, Maize, Paddy/ Rice, Sesame, Sunflower and Pigeon peas. The Kagera Regional Cooperative Development Officer, Mr Robert Kitambo, appealed to Cooperative Officers in Muleba, Missenyi, Bukoba, Karagwe, Kyerwa and Ngara districts to educate the farmers on the importance of the WRS whereby farmers will get payment through their bank accounts, also emphasizing the need for collective responsibility and faithfulness. The move to boost agricultural sector was in line with governments pledges to farmers. This is one of the moves aimed at making farmers greatly benefit from agricultural activities and address challenges that have been facing them for many years to enable them to move from traditional farming to modern methods and relegating the hand hoe into museums. Advertisement Britain is back to its green and pleasant best now as many parts of the country are set to enjoy a pleasant weekend with temperatures hitting 82F (28C). But those enjoying their summer holidays outdoors over the next two days have been warned to expect the remains of a sub-tropical storm with wet and windy weather possible in the North and West of England. Sub-tropical storm Ernesto, named by the US National Hurricane Center, is currently in the mid-Atlantic but is set to cross the UK tomorrow night, by which time it will have weakened into an ordinary low pressure system. Forecasters said rainfall totals in some areas of the North West, North Wales and Scotland could get as high as 2in (50mm), while wind gust speeds might rise to 60mph in parts of the Scottish Highlands. Festival goers enjoy the 2018 Green Man Festival at Glanusk Park in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, this afternoon Boaters enjoy the sunshine at Hambleden Lock in Buckinghamshire this morning in the mild weather Miles and miles of heather are in bloom under beautiful blue skies across the North York Moors this morning Festival goers sit next to water as they make the most of the 2018 Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons today A woman takes photographs of deer at Richmond Park in South West London today in the mild weather Sheep gathered as the sun cast its golden hue along the Esk Valley near Grosmont on the North York Moors this morning Adults and children alike enjoy the Green Man Festival at Glanusk Park in South Wales this afternoon A man jogs through Richmond Park in South West London today ahead of a mixed bag of weather expected this weekend Hambleden Lock is pictured in the sunshine in Buckinghamshire this morning on a warm day for many in England Ahead of that, today was mostly dry and bright across central, southern and eastern England, with temperatures expected to reach 73F (23C) - but in the North and West, a weather front brought wind and outbreaks of rain. Tomorrow could be 'quite warm' with sunny spells but breezy in central, southern and eastern England with highs of 81F (27C), while further north and west it is likely to be mainly cloudy before the remains of the storm arrive. Rachael West from the Met Office said: 'The heaviest rain is due to hit Northern Ireland, Scotland, North West England and North Wales. Within that area, there could be 30 (1.2in) to 50mm (2in) of rain. 'In that area, the winds could reach a maximum strength of 40 to 45mph. Further south, it is likely to be cloudy and there could be strong winds of up to 35mph. 'But because the system originates in sub-tropical air, it is likely to be muggy and humid in the South, with temperatures peaking at 26C (79F) to 28C (82F). Rain was spreading across the North West this afternoon (left), but temperatures were 70F (21C) in the South East (right) Showers are expected in the North and West tomorrow morning (left), but should clear most of Wales by the afternoon (right) Showers are expected in many parts of Britain on Sunday (left), but the South East should stay dry for the most part (right) This graphic from the National Hurricane Centre shows sub-tropical storm Ernesto's approach towards Ireland and Britain Trees are seen through the thick morning mist this morning near the Wiltshire city of Salisbury The sun casts a beautiful orange glaze as it rises over the cruise ship Ventura docked at Southampton this morning A glorious start to the day on the North York Moors, where the sun shone through a lone tree this morning A ship on the North Sea off the coast of Tynemouth during an impressive sunrise in the North East of England this morning 'Further north, especially where there is rain, temperatures are likely to only be in the high teens or low 20Cs (low 70Fs).' The National Hurricane Center said today that Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 45mph (75kph) and was centred about 800 miles (1,290km) south-east of Cape Race in Newfoundland. The system is moving northeast at 25mph (41kph), but forecasters said it is likely to become a post-tropical cyclone and merge with a frontal zone as it nears Ireland and the UK tomorrow. The rain is helping parched grass to recover after nearly two months of scorching weather in June and July. The colour of the UK last month had even changed when viewed from space - from green to brown and yellow. Next week, it is likely to remain unsettled in the North and West on Monday and Tuesday, and drier and brighter further south. The Met Office said temperatures should remain 'around normal' for the time of year. The row over Boris Johnson's burka comments reignited today as two fellow patrons from the Classics for All charity threatened to quit in protest. BBC broadcaster Natalie Haynes and Guardian culture writer Charlotte Higgins made clear they are ready to resign from their roles at the organisation - which promotes the teaching of classics in schools. Ms Haynes branded Mr Johnson a 'dog-whistling racist' over his suggestion that the full-face covering makes Muslim women look like 'letterboxes' and a 'bank robbers'. But Mr Johnson's allies dismissed the move, with Tory MP Conor Burns jibing: 'It's a pretty good rule in life that for a resignation to have an impact it is useful if people have heard of you.' Boris Johnson has refused to apologised for his comments about the burka comments despite a call from Theresa May. The Conservative Party is considering a complaint against him Natalie Haynes branded Mr Johnson a 'dog-whistling racist' over his suggestion that the full-face covering makes Muslim women look like 'letterboxes' and a 'bank robbers' In her letter to the charity, obtained by Buzzfeed, Ms Haynes - who is currently hosting a BBC Radio 4 show on the classics - said: 'I would like to withdraw as a patron until after the Board meets in October discuss the issue.' 'I hope very much that they will choose to shun a person who chooses to advance his own cause at any price with no regard for those who are caught in the crossfire. Ms Higgins said the former foreign secretary had made 'cruel, derogatory and belittling remarks' and she would step down if he remained in place. What did Boris Johnson say about the burqa and the niqab? The ex Foreign Secretary sparked a storm of controversy after using his weekly newspaper column to compare women who wear burqas to letterboxes and bank robbers. The burqa is a full face covering that is associated with a conservative interpretation of Islam. It is different to the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered, or the niqab, which leaves the eyes exposed. In his Daily Telegraph article Mr Johnson said that he felt 'fully entitled' to expect women who wear face coverings to take them off when talking to him at his MP surgery. He also said schools and universities are entitled to take the same approach if a pupil comes in 'looking like a bank robber'. Mr Johnson branded the burqa 'oppressive' and said it is 'weird and bullying to expect people to cover their faces'. He added that he could not find scriptural authority for the dress code in the Koran. And he said 'it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes'. Advertisement 'Boris Johnson has chosen disguised under the guise of a liberal argument to make cruel, derogatory and belittling remarks about a section of our community that is not powerful, that is not well represented at any political level, and that is under particular threat from racism, misogyny and Islamophobia at this time,' she wrote. The charity also boasts historian Mary Beard andplaywright Sir Tom Stoppard among its patrons. The row erupted earlier this month when Mr Johnson took on the issue in his Daily Telegraph column. He has refused to apologised despite a call from Theresa May. The Conservative Party is considering a complaint against him. In his article, he 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.' 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.' President Donald Trump insisted Friday that taking away former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance wasn't an attempt to silence a fierce critic and in fact gave him a much louder megaphone. 'There's no silence. If anything I'm giving him a bigger voice,' the president told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House as before leaving for a pair of Long Island events and a weekend at his Bedminster, New Jersey estate. 'Many people don't even know who he is, and now he has a bigger voice. And that's okay with me because I like taking on voices like that,' he said of Brennan, who made headlines by calling Trump's soft-glove press conference last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'treasonous.' 'I've never respected him. I've never had a lot of respect.' President Donald Trump suggested Friday that taking away former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance has made him a martyr and enlarged his public profile; critics had charged that the move curtailed Brennan's free speech rights Brennan has been an outspoken Trump critic, calling his press conference last month with Vladimir Putin 'treasonous' Trump spoke to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before leaving for Southampton, N.Y. and Bedminster, N.J. On Thursday Trump got a stinging rebuke from a retired naval admiral William McRaven, who mockingly implored him to revoke his own security clearance as a show of solidarity with Brennan. 'I don't know McRaven,' Trump said Friday, declaring that 'I've gotten tremendous response from having done that because security clearances are very important to me. Very, very important.' He was not asked about the 12 former American intelligence chiefs who lashed out at him earlier in the day over the Brennan affair, calling Trump's action a 'political tool.' Retired Gen. David Petraeus was among them. Petraeus pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing reams of classified material with a mistress who was doubling as his biographer, a historical footnote that made him an odd choice. Past CIA directors appointed by every former president since Ronald Reagan signed a joint statement that blasted the president for 'ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions.' '[W]e all agree that the presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech,' they wrote. Brennan hasn't seen his ability to speak publicly curtailed, appearing Thursday on MSNBC just hours afte rpublishing a stinging op-ed in The New York Times. A dozen former American intelligence chiefs lashed out at Trump on Friday for yanking Brennan's security clearance as a 'political tool' On the list of Trump's critics is retired General David Petraeus, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing reams of classified material with a mistress who was doubling as his biographer Petraeus and Paula Broadwell had a torrid affair, leading him to share highly classified notebooks with her at his home Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance this week and announced that nine other individuals who had been critical of him could be next But the White House's threat to cancel security clearances of nine other officials is seen in some circles as a warning shot across the collective bow of his political enemies. That group includes Petraeus, whom he once interviewed as a possible secretary of state, and then considered for the national security adviser post. If the four-star general had been appointed, he would have had to check with his parole officer before traveling outside of the District of Columbia or his native North Carolina. He resigned as CIA director after admitting that he shared classified notebooks with military officer Paula Broadwell during a torrid love affair affair. Broadwell was writing his biography at the time. Petraeus pleaded guilty to mishandling classified materials and was given two years' probation and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine. Other signers of Friday's letter include former CIA chiefs (clockwise from top left) Michael Hayden, William Webster, James Clapper and Leon Panetta The president clobbered Brennan Thursday night on Twitter, using Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson as his proxy Broadwell, a 21-year- veteran, was never charged. But her military rank was reduced from lieutenant colonel to major as punishment. She was also stripped of her own top secret security clearance. The Pentagon never sanctioned Petraeus. His name,and those of 11 others, appear on Friday's defense of Brennan published as a statement but resembling an open letter to the president. They include former Directors of Central Intelligence Robert Gates, William Webster, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Gen. Michael Hayden and Leon Panetta; former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell. 'We know John to be an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Insinuations and allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Brennan while in office are baseless,' the group writes. They conclude: 'Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views.' Trump tweeted a quote Thursday night from Fox news host Tucker Carlson, who asked: 'How did somebody so obviously limited intellectually get to be CIA Director in the first place?' 'Now that is a really good question!' the president wrote. An undocumented Mexican dad anticipating the birth of his child stopped for gas while driving his pregnant wife to a local hospital. But he was unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Joel Arrona-Lara, 36, was trying to beat the Wednesday morning traffic in San Bernandino, California, but was running low on gas for Maria Del Carmen Venegas' trip for her scheduled cesarean delivery. Arrona-Lara stepped away from the car at the Arco gas station at about 10am for a couple of moments before ICE officers approached the vehicle and knocked on the front passenger window. Joel Arrona-Lara was detained by ICE agents when he was driving his pregnant wife Maria Del Carmen Venegas to her c-section appointment on Wednesday Maria Del Carmen Venegas is saddened by ICE's decision to detain her husband and not allow him to experience the birth of their fifth child Venegas told Univision Los Angeles affiliate KMEX that she told agents she was the owner of the car while and presented her identification card while her two oldest children were sitting in the back of the car. But when Arrona-Lora was asked to provide his legal documentation, the couple informed the immigration officials that he didn't have his because they had left their home in a hurry for the hospital. Unable to furnish his identification card upon its request, the ICE agents performed a routine search and proceeded by arresting Arrona-Lara, in accordance with the Trump administration's strict 'zero tolerance' immigration policy that has swept countless of undocumented immigrants across the nation. Maria del Carmen Venegas welcomes a healthy baby boy on Wednesday after her husband was detained by ICE A pregnant Maria Carmen Del Venegas celebrates a school accomplishment of her oldest daughter, Milagros Venegas 'I never imagined they would remove him like that and that they would take him away and handcuff him and still leave me there abandoned at the gas station,' Venegas said from her hospital bed while holding her baby boy. The couple, who has been living in the United States for 12 years, even asked the agents if they could all drive over to the family home, which was near the gas station, in order to retrieve his identification but the officials refused to fulfill the Mexican family's wishes. The ICE officers handed Arrona-Lara's wife an informational card where she could seek additional details regarding his status. Arrona-Lara, who does not have a criminal past, was eventually transported to an immigration detention center in Los Angeles, 60 miles east of the family's home. Maria del Carmen Venegas and her husband Joel Arrona Lara hold a baby shower for the arrival of one of their five children Maria del Carmen Venegas and Joel Arrona Lara vacationing with their first four children 'They told me nothing is going on. He'll be out in two hours,' the now mother of five told Telemundo Los Angeles affiliate KVEA. Venegas sadly drove off to the Dignity Health Community Hospital of San Bernandino to proceed with the birth of her baby. Her nervous state of mind alarmed the doctors in the maternity wing of the hospital. Her blood pressure spiked up and she remembered doctors immediately rushing her to a room to being the procedure. The boy did not display any medical problems at the time of his birth. The Daily Mail reached out to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment. Two members of a stag party - including the groom who was dressed as Tinkerbell -have been kicked off a Ryanair flight from Stansted this morning. 'Armed police' were called to assist flight attendants this morning after the man became disruptive on the 9.30am flight to Krakow. This caused the flight from Stansted Airport to be delayed, with a groom and best man having to be escorted off the plane following the dispute. A man on his stag weekend wearing a Tinkerbell outfit, pictured, was taken off an early morning flight from Stansted to Krakow, Poland this morning after he allegedly threatened to 'cut everyone up' The man and his best man both left the aircraft and were planning to travel on a later flight One man was dressed as Disney's Tinkerbell. He is pictured standing beside officers on the runway, having been offloaded from the aircraft. Passenger Dan May, who was on the flight headed to Krakow, witnessed the event unfold. He said: 'Our flight to Krakow hasn't taken off yet because a man dressed as Tinkerbell has threatened to cut everyone up. He added: 'Armed police have shown up. One officer has adjusted the man's wings.' Another passenger said: 'He was a little bit drunk and just before leaving the best man decided it's best to take him off. He had been given another chance by the cabin crew but the group thought best he went for the next plane.' Ryanair have stated that they do not condone the behaviour, calling for alcohol limits to be imposed before flying. A spokesperson from the airline said: 'Police removed and detained two passengers ahead of this flight from London Stansted to Krakow who were disruptive, before the aircraft departed to Krakow. The groom was removed from the Ryanair flight from Stansted to Krakow this morning on board a Ryanair jet after he allegedly threatened to 'cut everyone up' Ryanair said airports should introduce limits to the amount of alcohol people can be served with a complete ban on drink before 10am 'We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police. 'This is exactly why we are calling for significant changes to prohibit the sale of alcohol at airports, such as a two-drink limit per passenger and no alcohol sales before 10am. 'It's incumbent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to excess before their flights.' The man and his friend have since scheduled a later flight. A spokeswoman from Essex Police said: 'We provided assistance to Stansted Airport just before 10am this morning, August 17. 'Two men had become disruptive on a plane. 'They were cooperative on being asked to leave the aircraft. They scheduled a later flight to their destination.' Jeremy Corbyn was facing fresh pressure over the notorious Tunisia conference today after claiming he did not know another attendee was a senior member of a terror group that murdered a British rabbi weeks later. The Labour leader who was then an MP stood alongside Maher al-Taher, the exiled leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), at the ceremony in 2014. A month later, Taher's group claimed responsibility for a terror attack in which four rabbis were slaughtered during their morning prayers, The Times reported. Challenged by the BBC over why he was with Taher, he said: 'I was unaware of any of his background.' But writing in The Morning Star in 2014, Mr Corbyn told how he heard speeches made by members of PFLP at the Tunis conference. He wrote: 'The conference was welcomed by the President of Tunisia Dr Moncef Marzouki and heard opening speeches from Palestinian groups including Fatah, Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine as well as solidarity from the Turkish parliament and international support.' A spokesman for the Labour leader said: 'Jeremy has a long and principled record of solidarity with the Palestinian people and engaging with actors in the conflict to support peace and justice in the Middle East.' The Labour leader stood next to Maher al-Taher (ringed) - the exiled leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) - at a ceremony in 2014 Labour has been mired in controversy since the Daily Mail exclusively published pictures of Mr Corbyn holding a wreath at the Tunisian cemetery where members of Black September the terrorists responsible for the 1972 Munich Olympics attack on Israeli athletes are buried. Why is Labour's new code of conduct on anti-Semitism so controversial? The Labour anti-Semitism row erupted again after the party leadership refused to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition. The party's code explicitly endorses the IHRA definition, but it omits four examples from the IHRA list: - Accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country; - Claiming that Israel's existence as a state is a racist endeavour; - Requiring higher standards of behaviour from Israel than other nations; and - Comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis. Labour insisted that while the examples are not reproduced word-for-word, they are covered in the new code. But critics say the decision allows anti-Semitism to continue to fester. Advertisement He met Taher there a year before being elected as Labour leader, but the PFLP had already been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the EU for two years. One rabbi murdered by the PFLP was Briton Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, 68. His widow, Brianna, said: 'Jeremy Corbyn should not be associating with men like that. 'They kill to satisfy their political needs. He needs to come to Israel to see how things really are.' The news adds to the growing storm surrounding Mr Corbyn and Labour over the anti-Semitism row. The Labour leadership sparked a fresh wave of controversy last month by refusing to adopt the full definition of anti-Semitism drawn up by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Mr Corbyn is set to U-turn on the issue and cave in to calls to fully adopt it in order to avoid an embarrassing defeat by his own MPs next month. But he risks sparking a fresh row with Jewish community groups as he is considering extra clauses to the definition in order to spell out that criticism of Israel is allowed. After the synagogue attack, the PFLP wrote on its website that it was 'a natural response to the ongoing racist policies and crimes of the occupation'. It added: 'No place in Jerusalem should be safe so long as the Palestinian people are not safe.' Three months before meeting Mr Corbyn, the PFLP website quoted Taher saying the 'Zionist enemy will pay dearly for its ground offensive on Gaza'. The group has also claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks targeting Israeli civilians and for missile attacks on Israel from Gaza. One of those rabbis murdered was British Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, 68, (pictured) who was born in Liverpool Mr Corbyn was listed by the Palestinian embassy as being in attendance at a wreath-laying in a cemetery in Tunis, and a photo of him with Taher was posted on the embassy's Facebook page. In the synagogue attack, two terrorists used axes and knives to hack worshippers to pieces. A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told The Times: 'Jeremy attended the conference convened by the president of Tunisia to support Palestinian rights and to bring together Palestinian factions to unite for a peaceful and just settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict. 'He is, of course, completely opposed to attacks on civilians.' In 2001, Taher urged Arabs to target America following the killing of PFLP chief Abu Ali Mustafa in an Israeli missile attack. In revenge for the killing of Abu Ali Mustafa, the replacement leader of the PFLP Ahmed Saadat, ordered the killing of an Israeli minister, Rehavam Zeevi. The PFLP was founded in 1967 and was responsible for the hijackings of four Western airliners over the US, Europe, the Far East and the Gulf in 1970. The aircraft were blown up in the Middle East after their passengers and crews had disembarked. The group also reportedly carried out a number of attacks on Israeli and Western embassies around the world. Two Dallas officers have saved a man who was attempting to end his life by jumping off an overpass. Police released video of the dramatic rescue by off-duty officer Greg Dansby and officer Drew Whittenberg Sunday afternoon. The footage shows a man in a white and orange striped shirt sitting at the edge of the overpass while the off-duty officer tries to talk him down. However, the man turns, puts his arms out in preparation to jump, leading Dansby to rush to grab him and pull him over just in time. Two Dallas officers saved a suicidal man moments before he jumped to death Multiple people called 911 reporting a man appearing to attempt to jump off the overpass and onto I-35. Police arrived to the Ovilla Road overpass within two minutes, diverting traffic after 1pm Sunday, to find Dansby trying to talk the man off the ledge. 'Reserve officer Dansby continued working in tandem with officer Whittenberg by continuing his dialogue with the male subject as well,' Lt Marc Schroeder said. 'Within minutes, the male subject raised his arms and continued making suicidal statements.' But as he prepared to jump, the officers grabbed him and pulled the man to safety. The man was uninjured and taken to the hospital to be evaluated. Shroeder said that both Whittenberg, who was Red Oak Police Department's officer of the year in 2017, and Dansby have each completed a 40-hour mental-health response training offered by the department. This includes both classroom and scenario training focusing around several mental illnesses. Dansby will now be receiving a lifesaving award for his heroic efforts. Officers Greg Dansby (left) and Drew Whittenberg will receive city awards for their efforts, including a lifesaving award. President Donald Trump went back to mocking New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Friday for his blunder of stating that America 'was never that great' and declared his potential rival's political career 'over.' 'Which is worse, Hightax Andrew Cuomo's statement, 'WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, IT WAS NEVER THAT GREAT' or Hillary Clinton's 'DEPLORABLES' statement,' Trump asked in a pair of tweets Friday afternoon as he breezed through the state for a $3 million fundraiser in the Hamptons. Then he answered his own question. 'I say Andrew's was a bigger and more incompetent blunder. He should easily win his race against a Super Liberal Actress, but his political career is over!' the president predicted. Trump blasted New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the president headed to New York for a fundraiser at the home of Nathan's hot dog executive chairman Howard Lorber Earlier Friday, Trump blasted Cuomo, who is seeking a third term in office and is a potential presidential candidate, as he headed back to his home state. 'Wow! Big pushback on Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York for his really dumb statement about America's lack of greatness. I have already MADE America Great Again, just look at the markets, jobs, military- setting records, and we will do even better. Andrew 'choked' badly, mistake!' Trump Tweeted Friday. Then the president weighed in again: 'When a politician admits that 'We're not going to make America great again,' there doesn't seem to be much reason to ever vote for him. This could be a career threatening statement by Andrew Cuomo, with many wanting him to resign-he will get higher ratings than his brother Chris!' he wrote. President Donald Trump compared New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's blunder to a gaffe by Hillary Clinton Trump declared the career of Cuomo, who could run for president,' 'over' That was a reference to Cuomo's son, Andrew, an anchor on Trump's least favorite network, CNN. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he was 'inartful' when he said this week that America 'was never that great.' The Democrat told reporters on Friday that he believes America 'has always been great.' He said he was trying to criticize Republican President Donald Trump's slogan 'Make America Great Again' when he made the widely criticized comment at a Manhattan bill signing Wednesday. During the campaign, Hillary Clinton committed a gaffe of her own when she referred to Trump's supporters as belonging in a 'basket of deplorables.' Republicans made hay out of the statement and turned it into a rally cry. Trump called out the 'really dumb' comment by Cuomo, who tried to walk it back Friday The president called it a 'career threatening statement' Trump himself had chided former President Obama for using the phrase 'american exceptionalism' in the past. Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013 following an op-ed he wrote condemning Obama's use of the term. 'You think of the term as being fine, but all of sudden you say, what if you're in Germany or Japan or any one of 100 different countries? You're not going to like that term,' Trump said at the time. 'It's very insulting and Putin really put it to him about that.' Trump went after Cuomo as he visited New York to attend a fundraiser at the home of New York developer Howard Lorber, who is executive chairman of Nathan's Famous, Inc., the famed hot dog company. The two men traveled to Moscow together in 2006, Bloomberg reported. In this May 10, 2018 file photo, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference in New York. New York Gov. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at a bill signing event in Manhattan, Cuomo said that America 'was never that great' during remarks criticizing Republican President Donald Trump and his slogan 'Make America Great Again,' saying America won't be truly great until all Americans have true equality The remark prompted Trump to tweet earlier that Cuomo was having a 'total meltdown.' Cuomo is running for a third-term this fall and is considered a possible White House contender in 2020. On Friday he said he has no plans to run for president though he said he will continue to criticize Trump, who is scheduled to attend a Long Island fundraiser later Friday. When he made his initial remark, Cuomo said Trump wants to return to a period of greater sexism, racism and intolerance toward immigrants. He said New York would strive to be a liberal alternative where people of all backgrounds have the same opportunities. 'We're not going to make America great again - it was never that great,' said Cuomo, who is running for a third term this November. 'We have not reached greatness, we will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged, we will reach greatness when discrimination and stereotyping against women, 51 per cent of our population, is gone and every woman's full potential is realized and unleashed and every woman is making her full contribution,' he said. President Donald Trump said Friday that he suspects he'll 'very quickly' revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing a dossier on Trump's ties to Russia. Signaling that his efforts to target clearances over his frustration with the Russia investigation were not over, Trump tweeted that it was a 'disgrace' for Bruce Ohr to be in the Justice Department. His comments came two days after he yanked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, saying he had to do 'something' about the 'rigged' federal probe of Russian election interference. Critics have cast it as an act of political vengeance. President Donald Trump clobbered Bruce Ohr on his way to Long Island, calling him a disgrace and predicting that he'll revoke the scandal-plagued FBI official's security clearance soon Ohr (center) is tied to the author of the anti-Trump 'dirty dossier full of unproven allegations, a document that the Justice Department used, in part, to justify surveillance warrants Ohr has come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts to Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS. The opposition research firm hired former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential campaign to compile the dossier on Trump and his Russia ties. Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked for Fusion GPS during the campaign something Trump has tweeted about to highlight his assertions of political bias behind the Russia investigation. Trump even named Ohr's wife Nellie in his rant on Friday; she worked for Fusion GPS, the firm that hired a former British spy to assemble the 'dossier' Former U.S. security officials on Thursday issued scathing rebukes to Trump for moving against Brennan. Trump's admission that he acted out of frustration with the Russia probe underscored his willingness to use his executive power to fight back against an investigation he sees as a threat to his presidency. Legal experts said the dispute may add to the evidence being reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, Brennan said Trump's decision, announced Wednesday, to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mueller's investigation. Brennan, who served under President Barack Obama and has become a vocal Trump critic, called Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia 'hogwash.' The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a 'constituted criminally liable conspiracy,' Brennan wrote. Ex-spy Christopher Steele, tasked to gather dirt on Trump from his network of Russian contacts, had already known Ohr for years when the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee funded the dossier's creation These file photos, top row from left are former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former FBI Director James Comey, former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe and former national security adviser Susan Rice. Bottom row from left are former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper. Trump says he is reviewing security clearances for all eight in addition to Bruce Ohr Later Thursday, the retired Navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden called Trump's moves 'McCarthy-era tactics.' Writing in The Washington Post, William H. McRaven said he would 'consider it an honor' if Trump would revoke his clearance, as well. 'Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation,' McRaven wrote. That was followed late Thursday by a joint letter from 13 former senior intelligence officials calling Trump's action 'ill-considered and unprecedented.' They said it 'has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech.' The signees included seven former CIA directors, five former CIA deputy directors and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Two of the signees Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Trump on Wednesday openly tied his decision to strip Brennan of his clearance and threaten nearly a dozen other former and current officials to the ongoing investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump again called the probe a 'rigged witch hunt' and said 'these people led it!' Trump's focus on Ohr and his tinkering with security clearances could attract the attention of Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team, who have been looking at Trump's public statements and tweets to see whether the president could be guilty of obstruction The latest security-clearance controversy began when Trump withdrew former CIA Director John Brennan's permission to see state secrets; Brennan had called his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'treasonous' 'So I think it's something that had to be done,' he said. The president's comments were a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House earlier Wednesday that cited the 'the risks' posed by Brennan's supposed 'erratic conduct and behavior.' It marked the latest example of the president contradicting a story his aides had put forward to explain his motivations. Attorneys said the revocation appeared to be within the president's authority. But they noted the power play also could be used to reinforce a case alleging obstruction of justice, following the president's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his repeated tweets calling for the investigation to end. Patrick Cotter, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York and a longtime white-collar defense attorney, said that while a prosecutor could argue that Trump's targeting of clearances was intended as a warning that 'if you contribute to, participate in, support the Russia probe and I find out about it, I'm going to punish you,' it is likely not obstruction in itself. Trump spoke to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn at the White House But, he said the move would be a 'powerful piece of evidence' for prosecutors as part of a pattern to demonstrate an intent to use presidential power in connection with the probe. Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor agreed. 'What it shows is that the president is fixated on the Russia investigation, he's angry about it, and he wants to do everything he can to discourage or slow down the investigation,' he said. Mueller and his team have been looking at Trump's public statements and tweets as they investigate whether the president could be guilty of obstruction. 'I don't think it advances the criminal obstruction case, but I think it's factually relevant,' said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. 'I think it shows the state of mind and intent to interfere or impede any unfavorable discussion of his potential connection to Russia.' Former CIA directors and other top national security officials are typically allowed to keep their clearances, at least for some period. Shakayla Denson (pictured), 26, has pleaded not guilty to drowning her four-year-old daughter in a Florida river The 26-year-old Florida mother who was accused of drowning her autistic daughter in a river, has pleaded not guilty. Shakayla Denson was arrested earlier this month for allegedly carrying her daughter, Je'Hyrah Daniels, into the current of the Hillsborough River. Witnesses revealed that the four-year-old girl could be heard screaming as she was dragged into the water. Denson allegedly pushed the girl under water and watched her flail as she floated away. On Friday, Denson was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and stealing a car. She did not appear in court, but her attorneys entered a 'not guilty' plea on her behalf. Denson is due back in court on November 6. On August 2, witnesses said they saw Denson drag the girl from a car and into Hillsborough River in Tampa. The bystanders said Je'Hyrah, who is nonverbal autistic, was screaming and thrashing in her mother's arms as they approached the river. As she held her only daughter to her chest, Denson then began to scream as well. 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 Witnesses said they saw Denson drag the girl from a car and into Hillsborough River in Tampa on August 2. As she held her only daughter to her chest, Denson then began to scream too 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. 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 earlier this month. 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. She was barefoot and spotted checking car handles and counting out loud in the back of a discount food store. Denson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and grand theft motor vehicle in connection with Je'Hyrah's death. She was ordered held without bail on a first-degree murder charge. Tampa police said Denson stole a car from an auto repair shop on August 2 and forced her daughter inside. Surveillance footage showed Denson walking around the Jordan Auto Repair Shop, pulling Je'Hyrah by the hand as she checked 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 discovered an unlocked gray Nissan Altima and shoved 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. The sheriff's office closed the investigation 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 right) 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 Denson was seen crying in court on August 8 while listening to a witness testimony during the pre-trial detention hearing at Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa '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 following the tip 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'. 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 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 reportedly 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 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 said that Je'Hyrah 'required a little more love and attention' due to her autism Flowers, stuffed animals and balloons can be seen at the memorial site for Je'Hyrah 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. Shortly after learning of Je'Hyrah's tragic death, her father Jedaric Daniels spoke out about his loss. 'In my entire 37 years of living, I have never endured so much hurt [and] pain,' Daniels said. 'Je'hyrah was diagnosed with Autism so she required a little more love and attention.' 'I loved her with every bone in my body,' the grieving father said. It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those... Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Bethenny Frankel's on-off boyfriend Dennis Shields reportedly told EMTs that he had taken oxycodone, Vicodin and a sleeping pill to ease back pain in the moments before he died. The 51-year-old was able to tell the emergency responders what he had taken shortly before he was pronounced dead in his Trump Tower apartment last Friday, TMZ reports. Sources close to the businessman told DailyMail.com after his death that his back had been 'acting up' recently and still hadn't recovered from a 2015 surgery. Bethenny Frankel's on-off boyfriend Dennis Shields (above in 2016) reportedly told EMTs that he had taken oxycodone, Vicodin and a sleeping pill to ease back pain before he died In the hours before his death, Shields had asked his maid to buy him Narcan, which reverses the effects of an overdose, from a pharmacy after taking multiple pills the night before. TMZ sources claim the maid gave him two doses of it before EMTs arrived and then authorities administered another dosage. He died before it kicked in. Shields had been taking oxycodone, a powerful and addictive painkiller, since his back surgery in 2015. Frankel was at her home in Bridgehampton when he died. An emotional Frankel joined his four children and his ex-wife at Shields' funeral in Long Island last week She and Shields had been dating intermittently since 2016 and sources close to her say they had been discussing marriage. An emotional Frankel joined his four children and his ex-wife at Shields' funeral in Long Island last week. She was spotted just days later wearing a large diamond ring on her right finger which, it was reported, may have been a gift from Shields. Just days after the funeral, Frankel was in court as her convicted stalker ex-husband Jason Hoppy tried to win joint custody of their daughter Bryn. Hoppy questioned Frankel's ability to parent after the death of her boyfriend. He argued that Frankel sometimes left Bryn in Shields' care which he described as a questionable decision. He also suggested that she herself may have an alcohol problem by pointing to footage of her on the Real Housewives of New York where she is inebriated. The judge criticized his style of argument, saying: 'Now you're throwing grenades across the table.' The Swiss city of Lausanne has blocked a Muslim couple's bid to become Swiss nationals over their refusal to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. The municipality refused to grant the couple's citizenship application due to 'their lack of respect for gender equality' Lausanne mayor Gregoire Junod said. He said a municipal commission had questioned the couple several months ago to determine if they met the criteria for citizenship, but had determined in the ruling made public Friday that they missed the mark on integration. The municipality refused to grant the couple's citizenship application due to 'their lack of respect for gender equality' Lausanne mayor Gregoire Junod (pictured) said He did not to divulge the couple's nationalities or other identifying details, but said they 'did not shake hands with people of the opposite sex.' They also 'showed great difficulty in answering questions asked by people of the opposite sex,' he said. Some devout Muslims argue that Islam does not permit physical contact with a person of the opposite sex, with the exception of certain immediate family members. Junod pointed out that freedom of belief and religion is enshrined in the laws of the Canton of Vaud, which encompasses Lausanne, but 'religious practice does not fall outside the law,' he stressed. His vice-mayor, Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, who was on the three-member commission that questioned the couple described himself as 'very satisfied with the decision' to deny the couple's application. 'The constitution and equality between men and women prevails over bigotry,' he said. Junod pointed out that freedom of belief and religion is enshrined in the laws of the Canton of Vaud, which encompasses Lausanne (pictured) but 'religious practice does not fall outside the law,' he stressed The couple now has 30 days to appeal the decision. This is not the first time refused handshakes have stirred tensions in Switzerland. In 2016, there was national uproar over revelations that a middle school in the north of the country had allowed two Syrian brothers not to shake their teachers' hands after they complained that doing so was counter to their religious beliefs if the teacher was a woman. This ran counter to a deeply entrenched Swiss tradition of students shaking their teacher's hands as a sign of respect, and amid the outcry regional authorities quickly overruled the school's decision. Yesterday, a Muslim woman won a discrimination case in Sweden after she was rejected during a job interview for refusing to shake the hand of the interviewer. Farah Alhajeh, 24, had been invited to interview for a job as an interpreter in Uppsala in May, 2016. Upon arrival she told the male interviewer that she did not want to shake his hand, citing religious rules of her faith. Instead, she greeted him by placing a hand over her heart, as is common among Muslims of similar persuasion. Win: Farah Alhajeh, 24, refused to shake the hand of a male interviewer, citing her Muslim faith, and says she was then frogmarched out of the company's office in Uppsala She told the Swedish Labour Court that the interviewer, an executive at the company, had become red in the face and told her: 'Here, everyone must shake hands'. Ms Alhajeh claims she was then frogmarched out of the office and told the interview was over. 'As soon as I got into the lift I started crying,' she told SVT. 'It had never happened to me before - it didn't feel good at all. It was awful'. She told the broadcaster she had then decided to report the company to Sweden's Discrimination Ombudsman, who took her case to court. President Donald Trump has flown to the Hamptons home of hotdog magnate Howard Lorber for a multimillion dollar fundraiser. The event was expected to raise $3 million, according to the Republican National Committee,WNYC reported. Trump has described Lorber, chairman of the hotdog firm, as among his closest friends. The New York real estate developer brought Trump to Moscow in 1996 as the pair pursued the potential of a residential development and tower there. Lorber is the executive chairman of the Nathan's hot dog company 'We're looking at building a super-luxury residential tower which I think Moscow desperately wants and needs,' the Trump told the Moscow Times during his visit with Lorber. The project, which was outlined two years ago by the Washington Post, never got off the ground. But it was the forerunner to another effort to build a Trump Tower Moscow, which Trump discussed at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in 2013. The dream was alive through his presidential campaign, when emails of business associate Felix Sater to longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen described a new push for a Trump Tower Moscow. 'I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected,' Sater wrote Cohen, according to the New York Times. Lorber took Trump to Moscow in 1996 to explore a Trump Tower opportunity Lorber is the executive chairman of the Nathan's hot dog company Lorber is executive chairman of Nathan's Famous, Inc., the famed hot dog company. Bloomberg reported he was hosting the fundraiser earlier this week. In 2016, a Trump spokesman named Lorber as among two people who were Trump's best friends. According to the White House public schedule, Trump holds a roundtable and gives remarks at what was described as a 'private residence.' All the events were closed to the press. Trump's trip to the Hamptons came hours after defended former campaign chair Paul Manafort as a 'very good person' and blasted special counsel Robert Mueller as 'highly conflicted.' President Trump flew to his New Jersey golf club after attending the Hamptons fundraiser Howard Lorber, Joanne Podell and Bruce Mosler attend the 60th Annual Summer Party For Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on August 4, 2018 in Southampton, New York Trump's visit to Moscow with Lorber in 1996 was one of several there in pursuit of a luxury tower project The only statement provided by the White House said: ''The President is participating in a roundtable event, at a private residence, with supporters that will benefit Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. and the Republican National Committee.' Professor Nazneen Rahman becomes first doctor sanctioned under new rules One of Britains top cancer scientists has had 3.5 in grant money taken back after bullying shame saw 45 colleagues accuse her of mistreatment. Professor Nazneen Rahman CBE resigned from her post at the Institute of Cancer Research in London last month amid the claims from past and present co-workers. She is the first scientist to be sanctioned under anti-bullying rules introduced by the Wellcome Trust this year. Prof Nazneen Rahman, head of Genetics and Epidemiology at the Institute of Cancer Research Professor Rahman was awarded a CBE in the Queen's 2016 Birthday Honours in recognition of her contribution to medicine but in a letter to the Institute of Cancer Research, her former colleagues accused her of 'serious recurrent bullying and harassment'. Her ex co-workers also said the top cancer doctor created an 'intimidating and humiliating' working environment. One accuser said she was undermined on such a regular basis 'that by the end of it I really had a lack of confidence in my own abilities'. The shamed doctor, who was recently honoured at the Asian women of achievement awards, announced she would resign as head of genetics and epidemiology at the ICR after an independent investigation into the claims. Rahman had been handed a total of 7.5m in funding for her work but in response to the investigation into the bullying claims the Wellcome Trust, who granted the funds, announced it would terminate or transfer what remained of the funds. The Bristol-born scientist qualified in medicine from Oxford University in 1991, and undertook her general medical training in Oxford and London. She completed a PhD in Molecular Genetics in 1999. Her research work has been directed towards identification, characterisation and clinical implementation of human disease genes, with her primary areas of research being breast, ovarian and childhood cancer susceptibility. Professor Nazneen Rahman is accused of 'serious recurrent bullying and harassment' Colleagues who accused Rahman of the bullying said they welcome the move from the Wellcome Trust to strip her of the funding but lamented the fact that the professor was able to step down before any disciplinary action was taken. One of the complainants against Rahman told the Guardian: 'The practice of people resigning ahead of definitive disciplinary judgment leaves significant ambiguity and opportunity for them to return to funding in a short space of time.' Some of the 45 people who signed the letter that prompted the investigation into Rahman's behaviour said that her bullying had caused psychological harm and career damage. Among the anonymous signatories, 22 even claimed that 'direct bullying' from the shamed doctor led them to sign the document. The rest claimed to have witnessed bullying and harassment. The signatories included current and former employees of the ICR and its sister organisation, the Royal Marsden hospital in London. The letter concluded: 'Each of us felt privileged to be appointed by the ICR and to be given the opportunity to contribute to this endeavour. Sadly, many of us left our employment at the ICR psychologically damaged and disillusioned.' The signatories made further claims that the ICR were aware of historic allegations against Rahman dating back 12 years. They said the body had failed to act even after an 'exceptionally high' number of allegations against her. Ann Strydom, a scientific programme manager who worked alongside Rahman rebuked the claims made against her. She said: 'She provides a motivating, creative and exciting working environment where we are both challenged and supported to develop our strengths and skills.' Strydom went as far as to say that Rahman encouraged flexible working and been supportive at times of personal stress. The Wellcome Trust said the ICR had not shared the full details of the investigation, but a summary of the findings had given 'considerable cause for concern'. The investigation recommended a disciplinary hearing into Rahman's behaviour but added that it was deemed unnecessary due to her resignation. Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair presents Rahman with Professional of the Year award at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London In response to the trust's sanction, Professor Rahman said: 'My team and I will complete our Wellcome-funded research prior to my leaving ICR in October. We are working with ICR and Wellcome to ensure science and patients can benefit from our work.' The Wellcome Trust said: 'As we have been given information that raises serious concerns we have decided that her Wellcome grants will be terminated or transferred to other investigators.' The trust added that Rahman would also be barred for two years from applying for any funding from Wellcome. Rahman is also excluded from sitting on any of its advisory committees or boards. 'Wellcome takes bullying and harassment very seriously,' the charity said. 'Unacceptable behaviour causes significant harm, stops people achieving their full potential and stifles good research.' An academic who complained about Rahman said the sanctions were 'a weak position. In reality two years is no time at all.' A spokeswoman for the ICR said: 'We believe an open and supportive working environment is essential for our work to defeat cancer. We welcome the efforts being made by the Wellcome Trust and others to improve the culture of the scientific community.' The wife of Olympic skier Bode Miller on Friday shared a devastating photo showing her cradling her dying daughter in her arms after the toddler drowned in a neighbor's pool. Emeline Miller passed away on June 10 after her mother, Morgan Beck, found the child floating in the water. The 19-month-old had slipped out the door of her family's home in Orange County, California, without detection, made her way onto a neighbor's property and ended up in the pool before anyone realized she was gone. Devastating: Morgan Beck on Friday shared this crushing image showing her daughter's limp body in her arms after she drowned in a pool in June In the image shared by the 31-year-old Beck on her Instagram page on Friday, Emeline is pictured hooked up to medical equipment, with at least two paramedics trying to save her life, to no avail. A sobbing Beck, with her face contorted in agony, embraces her daughters limp body while an EMS technician gives her what appears to be oxygen from a tank through a tube connected to her mouth and nose. Emeline's eyes are shut and she looks to be unconscious. I wish I could have one more day to hold you, but until that day comes, continue to work through me and give me the strength to bring awareness, my love,' Beck wrote in the caption accompanying the startling image. I told you as I held you in this moment that you could still change the world, you could still move mountains. Every step we take forward is because of you and Levi. Your footprint will forever be left on this world. I love you, My baby girl. Beck, who is currently pregnant with her third child, has been using social media platforms and public appearances to warn other parents about the dangers of accidental drowning among children. The couple, who between them now have three surviving children, are expecting another son in October (Emeline is pictured in her mother's arms) Her latest gut-wrenching post has drawn more than 4,000 'likes' among her nearly 60,000 followers by early Friday afternoon. Beck and Miller opened up about their crushing loss in late June when they sat down with Today's Savannah Guthrie. Beck compared the risk of childhood drowning to a 'lion' or a 'kidnapper' that could claim a child's life in 30 seconds. 'And the moment those 30 seconds is up, the likelihood of you getting your child back is pretty close to zero,' she said. Miller said he had an obligation to help educate other parents. Beck wept as she told how she prayed 'every day' to be able to go back to the day of Emeline's death and do things differently. 'There is not a day that goes by and I don't pray for an opportunity to go back to that day and make it different. But now we have this opportunity to make other parents' days different,' she said. The couple relived the horror of the day they lost their little girl. 'It was a normal day. Every morning, the kids would go swimming and Bode would go swimming with them, and they'd be in there for hours. And they loved it,' Morgan said, adding that Emmy had 'zero fear of the water.' The family went to a birthday party before Morgan and Emmy spent the afternoon visiting with friends and grandparents. They returned home to say goodbye to Bode who was taking his oldest daughter to her softball game. Emeline somehow got out of her family's home in Orange County, California, and ended up in a neighbor's pool (Miller's home circled in red on left, scene of the drowning on right) Beck and Boden Miller opened up about their loss on the Today show in early August 'He was loading up the car when we got back and I gave him a kiss. And out of nowhere, she (Emmy) leaned over and gave him another kiss. And we were so amused by her reaction because it was not typical of Emmy,' Morgan recalled tearfully. 'So I kissed him again and she did it again and we laughed. Then I turned around and I walked inside and she waved and said bye to her Dad.' Morgan said that, as they often did, she and Bode's four children went to visit one of their neighbors who she described as like 'family to us.' 'We go over, back and forth, multiple times a week,' she said. 'And it was just a normal day over there. We sat on the sofa and she played in front of us.' Morgan says she was enjoying a cup of tea while Emmy ran back and forth. But suddenly, she got a sinking feeling in her stomach. 'All of the sudden, it was just too quiet for me,' Morgan said. 'We're in mid-conversation and I stood up. And I turned and I went right to where the boys were and I said "Where's Emmy?"' But it was then she spotted that the door, that lead to the backyard, had a 'tiny sliver of light coming through the side.' Both parents are now raising awareness of childhood drowning and warning other parents 'My heart sank and I opened the door and she was floating in the pool. And I ran and I jumped in,' she said. The Millers had their own pool fenced off so their children couldn't fall in and had enrolled their older children in drowning prevention classes before the death of the little girl. Bode and Morgan wed in 2012 and they have a three-year-old son, Nash Skan together. Miller is also father to two children from two previous relationships. The couple announced they were expecting their third child together in a post on Instagram just weeks before Emeline's death. Beck's due date is in October. Based on information contained in Beck's latest post, the couple are expecting a boy, whom they are planning to name Levi. Miller, the most successful male American alpine skier of all time, has won six Winter Olympics medals, including a gold in Vancouver in 2010. He retired from ski racing in October 2017. Advertisement Israeli troops killed two Palestinians and wounded scores of other taking part in weekly Gaza border protests today, medics said, as Egyptian mediators tried to clinch a truce deal that would calm the impoverished enclave. The ministry named the dead men as Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, who was shot near the central Gaza Strip town of Bureij and Sadi Moamer, 26, killed near Rafah, in the south. Both men were shot in the head. In Jerusalem's Old City, another area that Palestinians want for a future state, Israeli police said they shot dead an Arab who attacked them with a knife after leaving a mosque complex. A Palestinian throw a slingshot in al-Bureij, the centre of Gaza Strip Palestinian protesters gather during clashes with Israeli troops in tents protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland at the Israel-Gaza border Palestinians use sling shot to throw rocks to Israeli security forces on the 21st Friday of 'Great March of Return' Palestinians at the at Al-Bureyc refugee camp head into Gaza for the 'Great March of Return' Smoke from a tire fire rises as Palestinians protest near the border with Israel east Gaza City Relatives of Kerim Ebu Fetayir, 30, who was killed by Israeli soldiers, during the 21st Friday of 'Great March of Return' demonstration in east of Bureij refugee camp mourn outside a morgue at a hospital in Deir al-Balah Kerim Ebu Fetayir's relatives cry as they mourn the loss of the Palestinian 30-year-old killed by Israeli troops Palestinian medics help a demonstrator who got injured after Israeli forces intervened in the march After a more than four-month surge in confrontations, Israel this week eased its clampdown on the Gaza Strip border and fishing waters. Cairo said it was finalising the details of a longer-term accommodation between Israel and the dominant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Some 20,000 people took part in Friday's protests, which took place a few hundred meters from the fence, though dozens came closer, with some rolling burning tyres, witnesses said. Medics said Israeli gunfire killed two men and wounded at least 270 other Palestinians, 50 of them with live bullets. An Israeli army spokeswoman said troops had responded with 'riot-dispersal means' to prevent breaches of the border. A Palestinian woman uses a slingshot to throw rocks at Israeli security forces Palestinian protesters gather during clashes with Israeli troops in tents protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland Palestinian medics help a demonstrator who got injured after Israeli forces intervention Friday's deaths brought to the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the weekly protests began on March 30 to 170. The campaign is pressing for rights to land that Palestinians lost to Israel in the 1948 war of its foundation, and for an end to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. Anger in Gaza has also been stoked by funding cuts by the Western-backed administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which dominates the West Bank and is the rival of Hamas, which runs Gaza. Separately, Israeli police said they were attacked on Friday by a knife-wielding man after he emerged from the Jerusalem complex housing Al Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine, and shot him. The police statement did not immediately give the man's condition. It described him as a resident of an Israeli Arab town where pro-Palestinian sympathies are strong. Three Palestinian men poke the fire set after setting tyres alight in protest Palestinians burn tires in response to Israeli forces' intervention A Palestinian man covers his face as he burns tyres in Gaza on the 21st Friday of the 'Great March of Return' Palestinian protesters gather during clashes with Israeli troops in tents protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland at the Israel-Gaza border Israeli security forces use tear gas to disperse Palestinian protesters Palestinian medics carry a demonstrator who was injured in the clashes Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including its Hamas rulers, have fought three wars since 2008 and tensions since late March have led to fears of yet another full-blown conflict. There have been three intense flare-ups since July, the latest on Thursday, when Israel responded to some 180 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza with widespread air strikes. An Israeli official said on condition of anonymity Wednesday that truce talks mediated by Egyptian and United Nations officials had reached an initial set of 'understandings' leading to calm on the border over the past few days. Palestinians perform night prayer in front of Al-Asbat gate after Israeli police closed all the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque following the evening prayer in the Old City after an attempted knife attack Israeli forces intervene to Palestinians after they gathered to perform the night prayer in front of Al-Asbat gate Palestinians shout slogans against Israeli violations towards Al-Aqsa Mosque as they gather in front of Al-Asbat gate to perform the night prayer Israeli forces intervene to Palestinians as they gather to perform the night prayer in front of Al-Asbat gate after Israeli police closed all the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque following the evening prayer in the Old City after an attempted knife attac Medics put a demonstrator on a stretcher and carry him through the fields in Gaza A man recoils in pain after being injured during the clashes Two men were forced off the road and arrested following a high speed five mile chase across central London in front of shocked lunchtime shoppers. The drama saw two 'black-clad men' speed across London Bridge as they desperately tried to dodge police. A member of the public called police just after 12 noon today after two people on a moped tried to rob someone in Hackney, east London. The rider and his accomplice sped towards Bethnal Green, tailed by patrol cars - while a police helicopter watched from above. Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill, south London, and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Two males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob following a lengthy moped pursuit through east and south London.' When the men arrived in Southwark, south London, police rolled out a spiked 'stinger' device which burst the wheels of the moped. During the chase, a driver had his van damaged when the moped sped through the side streets of the capital. After hitting the van, the two men came off the moped - before police swooped on the pair and arrested them. Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off. During the chase, police used a liquid solution to forensically tag the duo The van driver said: 'I'm p****d off, it's going to cost me - police told me they have been chasing these blokes all over the town.' A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Two males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob following a lengthy moped pursuit through east and south London. 'Officers began an authorised pursuit of the males in Bethnal Green at 12.48pm, while colleagues from the National Police Air Service provided support. 'The suspect vehicle was driven at speed through east London; the males made their way from Bethnal Green, onto East India Dock Road, then to Tower Hill, where they crossed over Tower Bridge.' During the chase, police used a liquid solution to forensically tag the duo so they could be linked to the incident. The men were taken to a south London police station on conspiracy to rob and driving offences The spokesman added: 'Following a minor collision with a van, the males came off their vehicle and attempted to make off on foot, they were pursued and arrested by police.' The men were taken to a south London police station on conspiracy to rob and driving offences. Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Head of the Met's Community Engagement, added: 'We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds and motorbikes for theft and robbery offences. 'Thanks to the professionalism of our officers, and the support of our colleagues in the National Police Air Service, we have safely arrested two people for a number of offences. 'This incident shows the Met's determination to stop offenders who think they can use vehicles to commit crimes with impunity.' Torrential rain and flooding have caused British holidaymakers to flee Benidorm's beaches The sudden downpour turned the streets into fast-flowing rivers, as the temperatures dip below the UK. In a video filmed by cruise worker Charlie Brown, water is seen gushing down a hill in Rincon de Loix, Spain, as beachgoers desperately lug their deckchairs and parasols to shelter. The 25-year-old claims the water current was so strong that he lost a flip flop and has been walking round with one shoe ever since. Tourists can be seen with all their beach gear fleeing up the road to try and escape the torrential rain and flooding The 30 minutes of sudden downpour turned the streets into a river, with tourists fleeing the beach The flow of the water was so strong, Charlie, who took the video, lost his flip-flop battling the current Charlie, originally from Nottingham, said: 'This was after just 30 minutes of heavy rain. 'Weather like this is not normal for Benidorm at this time of the year. It's practically unheard of. 'August is normally scorching, but it was freezing this morning - I had to put my heating on. 'It often floods when there's rain because the drainage system isn't great, but this was just crazy. Sun worshipers and Brit holidaymakers were shocked by the weather today which is usually bright and warm Tourists have completely deserted the beach leaving the normally full-up sun loungers completely empty A normally packed beach on the Costa Blanca is completely deserted after the unusual Spanish August weather 'I even lost my flip flop battling against the current. I've been walking around with only one since. 'The water was over my ankles. It was hard to walk up the hill. 'I suppose holidaymakers would be pretty p***** off if they'd travelled here for some sun. It is sunny now though. 'This was right by the sea in front of the beach.' As if one wall wasn't enough. President Donald Trump and his family appear to be starting off small with a model of the Great Wall of China. The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and another Trump aide were both spotted carrying bright yellow LEGO bags as they prepared to board Marine One on Friday. Kushner flashed a smile for the cameras as he left his Washington, DC, home around 7.15am. The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and another Trump aide were both spotted carrying bright yellow LEGO bags as they prepared to board Marine One on Friday Meanwhile, photos showed the other Trump aide (pictured) carrying a digger set and the LEGO Architecture set of the Great Wall of China Kushner and the aide (pictured) left DC with the president to head to a campaign fundraiser with supporters in Southampton, New York Meanwhile, photos showed the other Trump aide carrying a digger set and the LEGO Architecture set of the Great Wall of China. Kushner and the aide left DC with the president to head to a campaign fundraiser with supporters in Southampton, New York. Trump flew into the Hamptons for the closed-door fundraiser hosted by one of his closest friends who is chairman of the iconic Nathan's Famous hot dog business. The president participated in a roundtable with high-dollar donors before delivering remarks at a luncheon held at a private residence. Howard Lorber, a New York real estate executive who chairs Nathan's Famous, the hot dog fast-food chain familiar to many New Yorkers, hosted the fundraiser. Reporters were not allowed inside to hear the president's remarks. Kushner (left) and the aide left DC with the president to head to a campaign fundraiser with supporters in Southampton, NY. Trump flew into the Hamptons for the closed-door fundraiser hosted by one of his closest friends While in the Hamptons, the LEGO bags appeared to have stayed onboard Air Force One, and it's not believed the first family built the wall in a little over an hour. It's unclear if the Trumps will share photos of their Great Wall of China LEGO wall (pictured), which cost about $50 But at least this wall is well under the estimated $70billion the president has proposed to build in Mexico. Pictured is the digger set that was also in one of the LEGO bags The fundraiser benefits Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee between Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee. While in the Hamptons, the LEGO bags appeared to have stayed onboard Air Force One, and it's not believed the first family built the wall in a little over an hour. It's also unclear if the Trumps will share photos of their LEGO wall, which cost about $50. But at least this wall is well under the estimated $70billion the president has proposed to build in Mexico. The Westminster terror suspect may not be a terrorist after all as police can't find any evidence of political or religious motives. Salih Khater, 29, was arrested on Tuesday after his Ford Fiesta Zetec rammed into pedestrians and cyclists outside the Houses of Parliament. Three people were injured including two who needed hospital treatment but have since been released. Salih Khater, 29, was arrested on Tuesday after his Ford Fiesta Zetec rammed into pedestrians and cyclists outside the Houses of Parliament, but may not be a terrorist Detectives secured more time, until Monday, to hold the British citizen and former Sudanese refugee but his motives for the incident were still unclear. Investigators have not uncovered any evidence he was radicalised to extremist Islam or motivated to commit terror, senior Whitehall sources told the Independent. Scotland Yard counter terrorism officers and U.S. diplomatic sources who liaise with British intelligence also confirmed there was no evidence or terrorism. Terrorist links could still emerge but that was looking increasingly unlikely as interrogation and searches of his background and possessions found nothing. Armed officers swamp a crumpled silver car after a rush hour crash at Westminster yesterday that left two pedestrians needing hospital treatment Khater rammed into 15 pedestrians and cyclists before hitting security bollards near to the Houses of Parliament Khater could still be charged with serious non-terrorism crimes including attempted murder regardless of his motivations. His family fled war-torn Darfur in South Sudan, but there was nothing to suggest they had any links to the various warring Islamist groups there. He also spent time in Libya before seeking asylum in Britain, but that was well before the revolution that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Khater lived 10 minutes down the road in Birmingham from Khalid Masood, who killed five people and injured 50 in a terrorist attack on Westminster last year. However, there was nothing linking the pair and there was no suggestion Khater's actions were a copycat of Masood's car and knife attack. Masood explicitly cited jihad as his motive for his attack in a WhatsApp message but there was nothing in any of Khater's communications to suggest extremist ideology. Detectives secured more time, until Monday, to hold the British citizen and former Sudanese refugee but his motives for the incident were still unclear Police have revealed Khater's route from Birmingham to London before launching the alleged attack around six hours after arriving in the capital Cyclists abandoned their bikes after the collision with one being treated for injuries in the middle of the road Khater's family and friends insisted he wasn't radicalised and not a believer in radical ideology, and the crash may even have been an accident. Anwar Khater said he was sure Salih did not mean to injure people when his car rammed through pedestrians and cyclists. 'You can take three words to describe any good person, he is. He is very generous, very smiley... even in any event that happens. He is always participating in a good way,' he said. 'It is an accident. It is nothing to do with terrorists, it is nothing to do with any kind of organisation that tries to attack any government department or something like that.' His brother Mustafa, 33, said he was a 'sincere kid' who just wanted to finish his studies and find a good job that gave him and his family a future. 'He's never become radicalised. Never. He would never do it because we are from Darfur, and extremism is our enemy, as it is your enemy and as it is the enemy of Islam. We love England,' he said. Khater lived in a flat in Sparkhill, home to one in 10 British jihadis already jailed over terrorist plots and police have raided two properties in Britain's second city and Nottingham overnight Friends said he was headed to the Sudanese embassy, just 10 minutes from Parliament, to get a visa to visit his family who were still back in Sudan. Police said Khater drove from Birmingham to London on Monday night, then drove around Tottenham Court Road from 1.25am to 5.55am.. Nassar Mahmood, a trustee at Birmingham Central Mosque, said he was likely just killing time until the embassy opened. 'As far as we known he was trying to get a visa. He went the night before and presume he spent the time there travelling round to wait to visit the embassy,' he said. He said Khater may not have been able to afford a hotel and so stayed in his car through the night until the embassy opened. Mr Mahmood also said Khater didn't worship at the mosque and wasn't even a 'fervent' Muslim, let alone a radical fundamentalism. 'There is no sign that he had been radicalised. He was not a fervent worshipper and had not shown any signs of that,' he said. First responders treat victims lying in the road on Parliament Square in an attack that did not claim any lives Ali Mohamed, an elder in Birmingham's Sudanese community, said from their inquiries Khater was not deeply religious and they had been told he travelled to London to get a visa from the embassy. 'He had all the paperwork in his car. As a British national it is difficult to get a visa to Sudan. That is why he had gone to London', he said. 'He is a very sociable and stable person. We don't know if he was tired and got into the incident.' An embassy official said it did not take appointments and applicants were served in the order in which they arrived. 'The visa officer has been very busy for the past couple of weeks but nobody makes an appointment, they just stand outside and wait for the office to open at 9am,' they said. CCTV showed the car swerve the wrong way down the road and veering across a pedestrian crossing through crowds of cyclists waiting at a set of traffic lights. This is the moment Khater was pulled from the Ford Fiesta and arrested after he hit cyclists, pedestrians and then a security barrier at full tilt yesterday morning Police raided this flat and internet cafe in Sparkhill Birmingham where Khater is believed to have lived until around four months ago but he had been seen here on the day before the attack The road was otherwise mostly deserted as Parliament was not in session and it was too early for commuter and tourists to pack into the area. Khater was described as a quiet loner who spent much of his time listening to pop music, smoking shisha and surfing online at an internet cafe below his old flat. He studied accountancy at Coventry University but dropped out and left in May, and friends said he had also wanted to be a pharmacist but failed that course at a Birmingham college because his English was poor. Security sources told MailOnline the Home Office recently told him he was being investigated over 'irregularities' in his successful citizenship application. Friends also said he was recently devastated when his brother and father died in recent months, reportedly in a car crash. Dr Shafeeq Sheikh, 46, has been found guilty of raping a patient in 2013 who was under sedation. It took five years before he was finally convicted by a Houston jury A jury has convicted a former doctor accused of raping a patient who was hospitalized for an asthma attack in 2013. Shafeeq Sheikh, 46, admitted that he doctor had sex with a patient, but claimed that the encounter was consensual, however, a jury in Texas didn't believe the physician. The woman, named only as Laura, described how a doctor later identified as Sheikh entered her room at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston in the middle of the night. He claimed that he needed to examine her lungs but instead set about touching her chest and fondling her breasts. She described how the doctor groped and raped her while she was being treated overnight for shortness of breath and wheezing. Despite pressing a button to call a nurse, Laura found that the alarm had been unplugged and therefore was disabled meaning there was no way for her to summon help. When Laura first reported the assault the the morning after the attack, hospital staff didn't believe her. A rape kit was performed on Laura and matched to a swab taken from Sheikh, but it took another two years for the doctor to be arrested and charged with the sexual assault first reported in 2013. The woman, called Laura, was heavily sedated. She managed to reach out for the nurse call button only to find that it had been unplugged and was disabled Surveillance video and ID card logs were then reviewed which showed how the doctor accessed the woman's floor 12 times on the night of the attack even though she wasn't his patient. Laura, 32, some five years on from the rape, told the court how the sexual assault left her life unrecognizable and led to the end of her marriage. Sheikh, a father of four, originally from India, lost his position at the Baylor College of Medicine and saw his license revoked by the Texas Medical Board due to a 'continuing threat to public welfare,' according to the Houston Chronicle. Sheikh's attorney attempted to question Laura's credibility during trial by suggesting that she was alert and aware of her surroundings. It was even noted that she had sexual contact with her husband on the first night of her stay which the defense said showed she was not totally incapacitated. Sheikh's attorney suggested that while the doctor violated medical ethics, he was seduced by Laura in an effort to make her husband jealous. He testified that the woman placed his hand on her breasts as he conducted a chest exam and that she touched his genitals. In another bold statement, Sheikh suggested that Laura moved herself to the edge of the gurney, indicating she wanted to take things further. 'It immediately sunk in that something terrible had happened, and I was scared for myself,' Sheikh testified. 'You're not supposed to have sex with a patient. That's part of medical ethics.' Laura filed a lawsuit because she believes Sheikh also has other victims. 'The reason I think so is because this person has everything very organized,' she told KHOU. 'He has no fear.' 'He abuses his authority, uses his power...and without thinking twice takes control over someone who is sick.' Sheikh was working at Ben Taub while he was a resident at the Baylor College of Medicine from June 2011 to June 2014. Laura said she hopes her case will show people that rape 'doesn't have a social status'. 'I want to inspire and motivate these women,' she said. 'To find the courage to talk and speak up to get out of the pain they're in.' Sheikh is awaiting sentence. The smoldering body of Chicago teenager Luis Guerrero, 18, was discovered on Tuesday after he was beaten then burned alive A West Chicago boy was strangled, stabbed, set on fire, and run over with a Jeep in a horrific murder plotted by his ex-girlfriend and two accomplices. Police found the smoldering body of Luis Guerrero, 18, on Tuesday. The teen, who moved to Chicago from Mexico when he was in fifth grade, was the victim of a bloody act of revenge launched by his ex-girlfriend 16-year-old Tia Brewer along with two peers Francisco Alvarado, 18, and Jesus Correa, 18, police say. Brewer, who used to date Guerrero, claims he had raped her and this was payback, but police haven't found indication that she reported the assault, according to CBS. Guerrero was lured to meet with the group past midnight at the West Chicago Public Library on Tuesday where Alvarado allegedly attacked from behind and strangled the victim with a belt. Guerrero was the victim of a bloody act of revenge launched by ex-girlfriend 16-year-old Tia Brewer, left, Francisco Alvarado, 18, center, and Jesus Correa, 18, right Victim: Guerrero was strangled, stabbed 16 times, run over with a Jeep when he tried to escape then doused in gasoline and burned alive on Tuesday Alvarado and Brewer stabbed Guerrero 16 times in the neck, cops say. Then they threw his body into a car and drove him to a nearby field where he was doused in gasoline and set on fire. Guerrero ran for his life, leading Alvarado and Brewer to run over him with a Jeep Cherokee. They brought him to a fire pit, placed him under a bench, and burned him alive. They left the scene, leaving him for dead. His body was discovered around 11.30am on Tuesday by West Chicago Fire Department workers conducting a training exercise. He was found not far from Alvarado's residence, police say. Brewer, who used to date Guerrero (pictured), claims he had raped her and this was payback Alvarado's parents found blood stains in their Jeep and approached police at the scene of the fire pit, near their residence. Cops said they found blood on the Jeep's undercarriage. 'The facts alleged in this case are brutal and heinous and evidence of an unconscionable degree of depravity,' State Attorney Robert Berlin said. Alvarado, and Brewer were charged with first degree murder, armed robbery, and concealment of a homicidal death. They were denied bail at a hearing on Thursday at DuPage County Courthouse, according to the Chicago Tribune. Jesus Correa, who was asked by the pair to buy gasoline used to set the victim on fire, was charged with concealment of a homicidal death and held on $100,000 bail. Scene of the crime: Cops say Guerrero ran for his life after he was beat, his body doused in gasoline, and set on fire, leading the group to run him over with a Jeep At the scene cops found charred wood near where his smoldering body was found Tuesday Alvarado's parents found blood stains in their Jeep, pictured, and approached police at the scene of the fire pit. Cops said they found blood on the Jeep's undercarriage His remains were discovered by West Chicago Fire Department workers conducting a training exercise near the fire pit In the investigation Correa confessed to his role in helping out Brewer and Alvarado by giving them a ride to the train station. The couple was found in a Chicago motel on Wednesday and they were arrested. They were discovered with a knife and screwdriver, believed to have been used in the attack. The three will return to court on September 13. Alvarado and Brewer could face life in prison if convicted on murder charges. The bloody murder follows a spate of shootings and murders in Chicago. Over the weekend of August 3 to 5, 71 people in the city were shot, 12 of them fatally, over course of just 60 hours. Thirty five people were shot this passed weekend, but none fatally so, in Chicago. The startling number of shootings has led to an influx of 600 Chicago offers to patrol five violence districts over the weekend. According to one website, a total of 27 people were shot and killed since August 1. A federal court has ruled in favor of an immigrant suing a former ICE agent who fabricated a document and forged the man's signature in an effort to have him deported to his home country of Mexico. Ignacio Lanuza, now a lawful permanent resident who lives in Seattle, filed the suit against Jonathan M. Love, a former attorney for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2009, Love forged Lanuza's signature on a fabricated document that purported to be a promise from Lanuza to leave the country and not return. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney forged a document in an attempt to deport Ignacio Lanuza, an immigrant seeking to stay in Seattle with his wife and children If legitimate, the document would have proved Lanuza had violated an agreement with government officials and made him ineligible for permanent legal residence. At the time, the immigration judge was fooled by the document and commenced deportation proceedings against Lanuza, who had been living in the country since 1996, married a U.S. citizen and become a father to two Americans. It didn't make any sense. Why was an ICE official fabricating evidence in a run of the mill case? -Attorney Matt Adams 'It was incredible,' said Matt Adams, Lanuza's attorney, in an interview with DailyMail.com. 'It didn't make any sense. Why was an ICE official fabricating evidence in a run of the mill case? If it's happened here how many other times has it happened?' The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit this week found Love violated Lanuza's right to due process and issued a ruling in favor of Lanuza. 'This case is about a lie, and all the ways it was used, over several years, to defraud the courts,' wrote Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw in the court panel's decision. 'Government attorneys are given great power, and with that power comes great responsibility. These attorneys represent the United States, and when they act, they speak for our government.' The case will now be sent back to district court to determine how much Lanuza is entitled to in damages. 'I'm very happy,' Lanuza said. 'To me this shows that there can be justice. We fought a long time for this.' Love pleaded guilty in January 2016 to the federal crime of deprivation of rights. He has lost his job and the right to practice law for 10 years. Lanuza also has a separate claim pending against the government on the issue, though it remains unclear if he will proceed with that case after his victory against Love. Ignacio Lanuza looks at his son, Isaiah, 4, as he has his photo taken in Seattle in October 2014. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney forged a document in an attempt to deport Lanuza, an immigrant seeking to stay in the country with his wife and children Ignacio Lanuza holds his son, Isaiah, 4, as he has his photo taken in Seattle in October 2014. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney forged a document in an attempt to deport Lanuza, an immigrant seeking to stay in the country with his wife and children 'One of the most troublesome parts of this case is not just this bad actor More troubling was the government's refusal to accept accountability and conduct a full scale investigation from the get go,' Adams said, adding that he was hopeful Lanuza would pursue the potentially precedent-setting lawsuit. 'The government never took any action against the ICE attorney until our client filed this lawsuit,' Adams added. After Love's initial deception, it took several years of fighting his deportation before Lanuza hired a new attorney who discovered the fraud. That attorney was able to demonstrate that the fabricated Homeland Security document that Lanuza was purported to have signed was dated to 2000 before the agency had been created. Lanuza's case was quickly reopened and an immigration judge approved his application for lawful permanent residence in 2014. Police are hunting two men after a man is believed to have been hit in the head with a hammer in Shepherd's Bush, west London. At least 25 police officers, five police cars and three ambulances attended the scene after neighbours saw a shirtless man running down the street screaming 'you won't get away with this' and chasing his attackers as blood poured from his head down his bare chest. He chased his attackers down the street as they sped off and made their getaway after the attack inside a flat. Witnesses say the victim was in his thirties and black. A man is believed to have been hit in the head with a hammer in a residential street in Shepherd's Bush Officers have now cordoned off the whole street and are searching the area with dogs. The flat the victim ran from is reportedly 'covered in blood' on both the ceiling and corridor. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline: 'Police were called at 8.47pm on Friday, 17 August to Richmond Way, Shepherds Bush, following reports of an injured male. 'Officers attended with London Ambulance Service. 'A male was located inside a residential address suffering from a head wound after apparently being hit with a hammer. 'His condition is not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. 'There have been no arrests. 'Two males are believed to have made off in a vehicle towards Charcroft Way. 'Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 7455/17 August'. At least 25 police officers, and five police cars and three ambulances attended the scene Neighbours saw a shirtless man running down the street screaming 'you won't get away with this' Stewart Weldon on Thursday was indicted on 52 criminal charges, including three counts of murder A suspected Massachusetts serial killer has been indicted on murder charges in the deaths of three women whose bodies were discovered at his home earlier this year. Stewart Weldon was indicted by the Hampden County grand jury on Thursday on 52 criminal charges, including three counts of murder related to the deaths of the deceased victims, as well as strangulation, aggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping involving other women. The slain women whose bodies were found in late May at a home on Page Boulevard in Springfield owned by Weldon's mother were identified as 47-year-old Ernestine Ryans, 34-year-old America Lyden and 27-year-old Kayla Escalante. Officials searched the property days after Weldon was pulled over for a broken light and his 25-year-old girlfriend who was riding in his car said she had been held against her will, beaten and sexually assaulted for a month. She had 'grotesque' injuries including stab wounds to the abdomen and a possible fractured jaw. Scroll down for video Police found the bodies of America Lyden (left), Kayla Escalante (center) and Ernenstine Ryans (right) at Weldon's mother's home in Springfield, Massachusetts, in May Police were summoned to the Page Boulevard residence (pictured) after Weldon's mother called 911 complaining of a rancid odor Weldon was already in custody when police got a call from his mother complaining of a 'rancid' smell inside her residence. When they searched the home on May 30 and May 31, police found the bodies of the three women. Lyden was reported missing in December but she had been missing since last June. Escalante, a mother-of-one, is believed to have vanished in December. Ryans was reported as missing on March 18. Prosecutors say Weldon has been indicted on offenses against a total of 11 victims spanning one year, but they offered no information on the other eight victims, reported MassLive.com. Weldons attorney, Brian Murphy, said Weldon is 'looking forward to defending himself against these horrific allegations in the court of law.' After his May 27 arrest, he was charged with kidnapping and rape to assault. Weldon was initially arrested on charges of kidnapping and rape after he was pulled over and his girlfriend told police she had been held against her will, beaten and sexually assaulted for a month On June 4, Weldon returned to court to face a second kidnapping charge, this time in relation to a fifth adult woman who he is alleged to have mistreated in February this year. Weldon's aunt told DailyMail.com after his arrest that he had been 'off his meds' and that 'something snapped' in him. Weldon is pictured in a 2006 mugshot. His criminal record stretches back to his teenage year Weldon has an extensive criminal record dating back to his teenage years. In October 2017, Stewart Weldon was arrested after trying to flee police who watched him beat an unidentified woman in the street. It took nine police officers armed with batons and stun guns to subdue him and he bit one of them as they wrestled him into handcuffs. He spent two months in jail on charges of assault but was released in December after posting $2,500 in bond and pleading the Probation Department to be allowed out so that he could witness the birth of his child. He was granted bail and was fitted with an electronic ankle monitor which he cut off in February 2018. After 24 long years of waiting, an undocumented Mexican mother this week finally received a very special delivery - her United States green card. Two years ago, Imelda-Castillo Hernandez, 46, who has two children serving in the military, took advantage of a parole-in-place policy set during President Obama's administration in 2013. The law cleared a path to permanent residency for parents, siblings and spouses of former or active members of the Armed Forces, Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve. Imelda Castillo-Hernandez, a mother of five, obtained her US green card this week. She is pictured here with her husband and photographs of her son and daughter, who are serving in the miliarty Castillo-Hernandez, who raised five children as a single mother, illegally entered the United States in 1991 from Puebla, Mexico, by sneaking across the Mexico-US border undetected and then settling in New York. Her daughter, Keila Nayeli Manchester, 25, is a U.S. Army Sgt. stationed in Georgia, and her son Frank, 23, is currently serving with the Navy based out of Japan. Right before Donald Trump secured of the Republican nomination for the 2016 election and with his anti-immigration rhetoric gaining traction, Castillo-Hernandez tried her luck and submitted an application for her green card, also known as a permanent residency card. During Trump's time in office, she noticed a spike in discrimination against minorities in her own community. She missed her own children's military graduations because she feared her unlawful status could land her in jail. The parole-in-place guidelines specifically requires an undocumented immigrant to demonstrate why returning back to their native country posses a risk of some sort. Her eldest daughter was able to successfully argue in her statement the important role mother her mother played to the rest of the family back home in Staten Island. She lives with her daughter Michelle, 20, sons Melvin, 15, and Marvin, 11, and her new husband Artemio Rosales. With the help of Frank Hebreo and Keila Nayeli Manchester, who both serve in the US Armed forces, their mother Imelda-Castillo Hernandez was able to obtain her green card this week An immigration law introduced in 2013 cleared a path to permanent residency for parents, siblings and spouses of previous or active members of the Armed Forces 'Mexico was facing a severe economic depression compounded with the high rates of poverty and crime level,' Nayeli Manchester, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that was obtained by the New York Daily News. 'Her only chance for a life of better quality as well as to raise a family or any life at all was to come to the United States. We are proud of being a military family. My entire family regards this great nation with highest esteem. To turn my mother away and leave two more citizens without her guidance would be a great disservice to our country.' The process took two years but it was well worth the wait for Castillo-Hernandez, who will now look to assist her husband obtain his legal resident documents. Castillo-Hernandez is looking forward to finally see her parents in December, when they will celebrate her birthday. 'I was 18 years old when I last hugged them. I always asked God: My God, I would be happy with being able to hug them for at least three days and seeing them because I have really missed them,' the new green card holder said. With her nine-week-old daughter running a high temperature, Laura Daykin rang the NHS 111 helpline and was reassured a doctor would call her back within the hour. But instinct told her that baby Heidi was gravely ill and so she took her straight to hospital where doctors spent five days treating her for sepsis. Yesterday Mrs Daykin said medics told her that her quick action probably saved Heidis life, and urged the NHS to overhaul training for 111 call handlers so that they are better prepared to spot symptoms of the potentially fatal condition. Mother Laura Daykin, 25, with her 11 week old baby daughter Heidi pictured at home near Doncaster, South Yorkshire Mother Laura Daykin, 25, with her 11 week old baby daughter Heidi, son Oakley, 4, and husband Tom (L) pictured at home near Doncaster, South Yorkshire The Daily Mails End the Sepsis Scandal campaign was launched after the death of one-year-old William Mead. He developed sepsis in 2014 following a chest infection but his symptoms were missed by GPs, out-of-hours doctors and the NHS 111 helpline. His family, from Penryn, Cornwall, were repeatedly told not to worry. Mrs Daykin, 25, a pharmacy assistant from Doncaster, urged other parents to trust their instincts, adding: If I hadnt gone with my gut instinct and got Heidi to hospital I have no doubt she wouldnt be here today. I was told by the call handler to wait for the doctor to ring me, but I knew time was of the essence and wasnt prepared to take any chances. At hospital I was told several times that without my quick thinking, we would have faced a very different outcome. Sepsis is caused by the bodys response to an infection. Without quick treatment, it can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Early symptoms in babies under three months can be a temperature under 36C or above 38C, or any high temperature in a child who cannot be encouraged to show interest in anything. Laboured breathing, grunting noises with each breath, a dry nappy for more than 12 hours, sunken eyes and floppiness could also occur. Mrs Daykin noticed Heidi wasnt well when she was getting ready to settle her for the night at the start of this month. I was about to give Heidi her last bottle when I realised she was very hot to the touch, she said. Her temperature was 38.4C. I quickly Googled it and read anything above 38C is considered abnormal. Laura trusted her intuition by taking Heidi straight to hospital when she became ill, where doctors spent five days treating her for Sepsis So I gave Heidi some Calpol and called 111. After recording all her symptoms the call handler told me I shouldnt have given Heidi the paracetamol because she was under 12 weeks old, despite the fact her temperature had risen to 38.8 in the short time I was on the phone. But I knew it was the best thing to give a child to bring their temperature down. Mrs Daykin and her husband Thomas, 29, an electrician, drove Heidi to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Medical staff reassured her that she had done the right thing in giving Heidi Calpol, but within an hour of arrival the infants temperature rocketed. She was taken to a resuscitation room and suddenly, there were three or four doctors all working on Heidi, Mrs Daykin said. She was taken to a resuscitation room and suddenly, there were three or four doctors all working on Heidi, Mrs Daykin said She was wired up to machines and we were told our baby was struggling to fight off an infection. We were absolutely terrified we were going to lose her. Heidi was given intravenous antibiotics and had a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis before her parents were told the most likely explanation for her sudden deterioration was sepsis. Fortunately after five days Heidi successfully fought off the infection and was discharged. Mrs Daykin said: I was just so grateful to the doctors who saved her life. NHS England said: Health professionals are spotting and treating more cases of sepsis than ever before, but there is still more we can do. We are working closely with the UK Sepsis Trust and medical leaders on awareness-raising, as well as introducing more measures to improve the chances of survival and reduce complications. Baby Heidi in hospital The wife of a Utah man who flew a small plane into their home has said she will 'never understand' what was going through her husband's head at the time of the deadly crash. Sandy Youd and her adult son managed to escape the flames that engulfed their family home in Payson, Utah, killing her husband Duane 'Rhedd' Youd, 47, on Monday. Sandy spoke out about the shocking crash on Thursday, revealing that she is still searching for answers as to why the 'fantastic' father would intentionally crash into the home, knowing that his wife and child were inside. 'I don't know what was in his head,' she told the Deseret News. 'I don't understand why and I never will.' Sandy described her husband's actions as 'completely unexpected', telling local media: 'I just want people to know what a fantastic guy that Rhedd was.' Sandy Youd has said she will never understand what was going through her husband Duane 'Rhedd' Youd's head when he allegedly intentionally flew a plane into their family home in Payson, Utah on Monday, knowing that she and her adult son were inside Sandy described Rhedd, who died in the crash around 3am Monday morning, as a 'fantastic guy' whose actions were 'completely unexpected' Police say Rhedd was an experienced pilot who intentionally flew the small plane into his own home, which was immediately engulfed in flames. The wreckage is shown above The couple's children have said that their parents had been going through a rough patch in their marriage, which escalated dramatically the day before the plane crash. Police say the couple, who had been drinking, went for a drive in American Fork Canyon on Sunday morning to talk. Rhedd reportedly became increasingly agitated and started screaming and yelling at Sandy before pulling her out of the cab and attempting to leave her on the side of the road. Sandy then jumped into the truck bed because she 'just wanted to go home', and Rhedd proceeded to drive down the canyon repeatedly slamming on the breaks, knocking his wife around in the back, according to an official report. Rhedd, 47, has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence hours before the crash after an altercation with Sandy on Sunday evening. His mugshot is pictured above Rhedd tried to throw her out a second time, and as Sandy reached into the cab to grab her purse, he allegedly punched her from behind. When she turned around Rhedd reportedly began slamming his forehead into Sandy's face as she scratched and clawed his face. Several passers-by soon noticed the fight and came to Sandy's aid before calling police around 7.30pm. Rhedd bailed out of jail hours later and requested an officer escort to go to his home so he could get his truck and some belongings around midnight. That occurred without incident, Payson police Sgt Noemi Sandoval said. Soon after, Rhedd reportedly drove to Spanish Fork Airport and took a Cessna Citation 525 plane that belonged to the company he worked for as a pilot. Just before 3am Monday, he crashed the plane into the front of the two-story home 15 miles from the airport, knowing his wife and adult son were sleeping inside. Photos of the wreckage showed the white plane charred and in pieces in the front yard nearby an overturned and crushed car. Most of the upscale house was still intact, but heavily burned in the front. The couple had gotten into a physical altercation the day before the crash, authorities say The couple's children Joslyn Youd, 21, center, and her brother Parker Youd, 17, said Monday that their parents had been going through a rough patch in their marriage Emergency personnel work at the scene on the morning after the crash in Payson The aviation community in the small town 65 miles south of Salt Lake City has also expressed shock over the father's actions. Rhedd's manager at Spanish Fork Airport, Cris Child, said his conduct was always 'above exemplary.' 'He was an extremely talented pilot and did his job well,' he said. 'He was a trusted member of the airport community.' As a corporate pilot for VanCon, Rhedd had 24/7 access to the airplane involved in the crash, which was housed in a locked hangar with a digital access code. Child said that he didn't think there was anything that could have been done to prevent the crash. 'If there could have been any intervention, we certainly would have liked that opportunity,' he said. A VanCon spokeswoman said the company is cooperating with authorities investigating the incident but refused to provide any further comment. Joslyn gets a hug from her aunt Nikki Ewell outside her damaged house after the crash Federal Aviation Administration officials investigate the scene of a plane crash on Monday Police had responded one previous time to the house on a domestic violence incident, Sandoval said. Online court records show that Youd agreed on July 23 to attend marriage and family counselling sessions for six months as part of a plea agreement following an April 8 domestic violence incident in which he was charged with disorderly conduct. In 2008, Youd, who has a 17-year-old son, Parker, earned a bachelor's degree from Utah Valley University where he studied Professional Aeronautical Science. Sandy works as a real estate agent. She previously worked as a bus driver for the Nebo School District. Photos of the wreckage showed the white plane charred and in pieces in the front yard nearby an overturned and crushed car Their six children biological and adopted have always been at the centre of their lives. Who can forget that they were allowed to customise their mother's Versace wedding veil with the sort of doodles most parents confine to the fridge door. Then there were their parents' repeated pronouncements about the wedding in August 2014 being largely motivated by a desire to make their much-loved brood happy. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are in what has surely become the most bitter and petty divorce in Hollywood history 'It's a wonderful feeling to be married,' said Angelina Jolie in a brief, strangely detached, statement to Hello! magazine to mark the event. 'The children are so happy.' Brad Pitt echoed her sentiments. 'We didn't realise how much it meant to them,' he observed. Quite what their short-lived union has meant to the bride or groom, however, becomes less clear by the day. For almost two years, ever since Angelina made the shock announcement in September 2016 that she was filing for divorce, the superstar couple have been in the process of ending their marriage in what has surely become the most bitter and petty divorce in Hollywood history. If the nitpicking grinds on for much longer, the Pitts will have been divorcing for longer than they were married If the nitpicking grinds on for much longer, the Pitts will have been divorcing for longer than they were married. And, despite the fact that legal costs already stand at 4 million between them, there is still no sign of an agreement. One source close to the divorce told me this week that he has no expectation that the impasse will be resolved any time soon. Why? 'They cannot agree on anything,' he told me. The main bone of contention surrounds the thorny issue of how they will co-parent the children Maddox, 17, Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and ten-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne with Angelina desperate to engineer full custody for herself. As recently as June this year, Angelina was warned that she could lose custody if she didn't give Brad the children's mobile phone numbers and allow them to speak to him unsupervised, and promote a healthy relationship with him. A source said: 'It seems that she has been alienating the children from him. First she thought that she could embarrass him into giving up the children. She thought he would just fold. That all backfired.' And, despite the fact that legal costs already stand at 4 million between them, there is still no sign of an agreement (Jolie pictured with their children in 2015) The latest salvo came last week with Angelina claiming Brad hasn't paid 'meaningful' child support since the couple separated. Her remark led to Pitt filing his own papers, in which he said he 'loaned' his estranged wife $8 million (6.3 million) to help her purchase her current house and that he has contributed over $1.3 million 'in bills for the benefit of [Angelina] and the children'. Despairing over Angelina's public remarks, Pitt called her most recent claim 'a thinly veiled effort to manipulate media coverage'. It was, he noted, 'calculated to increase conflict'. Quite how much more conflict is to come is anyone's guess. Papers seen by the Mail reveal that even the question of which of them wants the divorce the most is a bone of contention. According to the court documents, on August 7, Angelina's legal team said that she wants to 'bifurcate' the divorce this essentially means to divorce in two parts and attain single status in the next four months. Papers seen by the Mail reveal that even the question of which of them wants the divorce the most is a bone of contention Sources close to her say she wants to be officially free of Brad this year, and then settle issues of custody, access and finance at a later point. A clear-cut solution to minimise further misery? Far from it. Brad's team furiously responded a day later to say that he was the one who had asked to bifurcate first, 'on or about August 1' but that Angelina's legal team wanted to 'give the impression' that it was all her idea. A friend of Brad's explains: 'He went to her lawyers, very reasonably, to say this is what he wanted to do. The expectation is that you would then go ahead and agree. 'But the next thing we know, she files and says it's all her own idea.' So what is Angelina after? A bifurcated divorce would see her follow the example of 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks, who speeded up his divorce from former wife Melissa earlier this year in a bid to be single as soon as possible. In his case, this was because his baby with girlfriend Chloe Green, the Topshop heiress, was due in June. The main bone of contention surrounds the thorny issue of how they will co-parent the children Maddox, 17, Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and ten-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne with Angelina desperate to engineer full custody for herself In the Pitts' case, it is thought, Brad has simply had enough of the stalled divorce process, and was motivated by pure frustration to want to cut the cord. So why the ongoing kerfuffle? A friend of Brad's explains that, in his view, at some level, Angelina is still a little in love with Brad and smarting from the cold realisation that he wants her out of his life as quickly as possible. He said: 'The issue is that she cares about him. There is a lot of emotion and history. There are very strong feelings. 'When he said that he wanted to file, there was a realisation that he wanted to end it, finally, and she could not take that which led to her accusing him of not paying to support the children and all the rest of it. 'I think it's really hard for her as she doesn't want to give up on him on some level, and so when he said that he wanted to file [for the quickie divorce] it brought this huge reaction. 'Meanwhile, he doesn't want to give up on the kids, so we have a sad situation.' Angelina's newly hired PR spokeswoman, Mindy Nyby, says that her aim is to 'promote closure to the marriage in a way that clears a path toward the next stage of their lives'. Whether Angelina envisages the next stage of her life including any shared parenting is another matter. A source said: 'Angelina wants to be nomadic and free just like before, where she could pack the kids up with the nannies and teachers and travel the world at will. 'Now she has been grounded and it's killing her. She is desperate to get full custody so that she can do whatever she wants.' From its lurid beginnings on Monday, September 19, 2016, when Angelina Jolie filed for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, the actress has been keen to keep the upper hand. At the outset, she hired crisis management specialist Judy Smith, who used to help president George Bush Sr and now advises big corporations. In the early days it was reported by multiple media outlets that there had been an incident in which Brad had 'crossed a line'. It was sensationally alleged that Brad, 'drunk', had got physical with adopted son Maddox during a confrontation aboard a private jet while it was refuelling. Brad Pitt posing with his children (from left) Pax Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, and Maddox Jolie-Pitt and his parents Jane Etta Pitt and William Alvin Pitt at the premiere of Unbroken in 2014 The FBI and social services both investigated, and Brad was exonerated. 'He is a flawed human being, like we all are, but a very good father and a nice guy,' says a friend. About allegations that he dallied with his co-star, Marion Cotillard, in the film Allied, partied with Russian hookers and had a terrible temper which left his wife 'terrified', he said nothing. However, much to the dismay of Angelina and Judy Smith, no matter what was said about Brad Pitt, Angelina was still reviled. And so the turnaround came: leaks started to emerge which suggested that she didn't want to punish Brad after all. In an interview with the BBC, she said: 'It was a very difficult time and... we are a family and we will always be a family, and we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it.' A few months later, in January 2017, Brad made a surprise appearance at the Golden Globes and was rapturously received by the audience. The following day, the couple released a statement to say that they were seeking mediation via a private judge. 'The parents are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification,' it ran. A source told me this week that having seen the standing ovation for Brad, Angelina's lawyers contacted Brad's team and asked for the statement to be made. This was one of a number of signs of progress and reconciliation. Angelina let go of her brother, James Haven, who had been working as a 'manny' to the brood. This was balm to Brad, who had never got along with him. Brad was further delighted when Angelina said she was going to buy a house in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, a stone's throw from his home. A few months later, in an interview with GQ, Brad shouldered much of the blame for the end of the marriage, admitting that he had been drinking too much and referred to his love in the present tense for Angelina. Brad said: 'We're both doing our best. I heard one lawyer say: 'No one wins in court it's just a matter of who gets hurt worse.' 'You spend a year just focused on building a case to prove your point, and why you're right and why they're wrong, and it's just an investment in vitriolic hatred. I just refuse. And fortunately my partner in this agrees.' Sadly, he seems to be mistaken. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are seen after landing at Los Angeles International Airport with their children, Pax Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt and Knox Jolie-Pittin 2014 He thought that Angelina was going to let him take the children to his French chateau in the summer of 2017: instead they went on humanitarian trips with her. Behind the scenes, he believed that she was making it hard for him to forge a relationship with his children during their visits. By this summer, open hostility broke out. Over the spring, there had been protracted wrangles about her plans to bring the children to London during the filming of Maleficent 2. Brad was in LA making a film with Quentin Tarantino, and felt that the children should not be taken away from their home base in Los Angeles for months on end. Angelina has had primary physical custody of the children since the split, and Brad has been petitioning for joint custody. In June, an LA judge ordered a temporary shared custody agreement, noting that Angelina was in danger of losing custody if she continued to limit Brad Pitt's interaction with his children. The ruling was a huge boost for the actor and film producer. The judge laid out a 'cellphone policy' stating Angelina must provide Brad with the phone number of each child so he can text or call each of them at will, and without Jolie monitoring the conversations. Two psychologists helped them to agree on a summer schedule, with Brad allowed access to the children. This week, there have been further meetings in LA about custody. From now on, Brad has a right to custody of the kids for at least four hours every other day on school days, and 12 hours every other day on non-school days. But is Angelina happy? Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their six children Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne arrive at Haneda International Airport on November 8, 2011, in Tokyo, Japan At the start of August, it was reported that her lawyer Laura Wasser a glamorous fortysomething, lionised as the best in the business, who looked after Johnny Depp during his messy divorce wanted to quit because of 'lots of screaming' on Angelina's part, though the actress denies this. Another source added: 'She's fuelled with anger and has gotten ridiculously unreasonable.' Cue, says a friend, her claims regarding Brad's non-payment of child support. A friend comments: 'She has plenty of money that is the bottom line. 'She was paid $25 million for Maleficent, and Brad has given her over $9 million. Her complaints are ridiculous and not credible.' The irony is that this could have been a relatively small beer divorce. They were married for only two years, so she is entitled to half of what he earned during this time, plus ongoing maintenance. Instead, it is an unedifying story that is set to run and run. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been accused of destroying evidence relevant to the case of families from Sandy Hook Elementary School, who are suing him for claiming the massacre was a hoax. In a court filing Friday, attorneys for two Sandy Hook victims noted that Jones said during a recent broadcast of his radio show that he'd told his staff to delete information from his 'Infowars' website. Jones apparently gave the directive after being placed in a 'timeout' this week by Twitter, which acted to penalized the radio host after a CNN journalist contacted the social media company claiming that Jones had violated its policies. The motion claims that he 'intentionally deleted a variety of social media pages and video content relating to the Sandy Hook shooting.' Alex Jones is seen in this 2017 file photo. The radio host and conspiracy theorist is being accused of destroying evidence in a defamation case after deleting some of his videos Twitter is the final major online platform that allows Jones, after last week he was banned in short succession from Apple's podcasts, Facebook and YouTube. The court filing on Friday came as part of a suit filed by several families of the Sandy Hook victims. Families of Sandy Hook victims are suing Jones for spreading false claims about the 2012 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that killed 20 children and six adults. Jones originally suggested that the killings were staged, and those suing him said they've since been tormented by his followers and forced to move seven times. Jones now says he believes the Sandy Hook shooting did occur, but has argued that the case should be dismissed because he was acting as a journalist. Jones' attorney, Mark Enoch, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Friday. The filings came in Travis County, which includes Austin, near where Jones' media company is based. They argue that Jones 'admitted that he instructed his staff to delete the materials.' Shocked community members are seen reacting after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. Jones once claimed that the shooting was faked, but has since retracted those claims 'The loss of this evidence prejudices plaintiffs' case because InfoWars deleted social media and video evidence related to the Sandy Hook shooting,' the filing argued. 'This evidence could have established key elements of plaintiffs' defamation claim.' A similar defamation lawsuit against Jones has also been filed in Connecticut. A separate suit in Texas was brought by a man falsely identified on the Infowars website as the gunman who killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida, in February. On Tuesday, Twitter said it was suspending for one week Jones' personal account. The account for Infowars wasn't affected, though Facebook, Apple, YouTube and Spotify have taken down material published by Jones, reflecting more aggressive crackdowns on controversial content from major publishing platforms. Jeremy Corbyn faced fresh questions over his controversial Tunisia trip last night as new pictures emerged of him standing alongside a convicted terrorist. The images show the Labour leader close to a former Palestinian militant called Fatima Bernawi, who received a life sentence after trying to blow up an Israeli cinema in 1967. Before her death in 2016, Bernawi boasted that the attempted terror attack had in fact been successful because it had generated fear throughout the world. Jeremy Corbyn and the Palestinian Conference Delegation in the town of Hammam Chatt in October 2014, pictured with Fatima Bernawi Just out of our picture but standing in the same group is the exiled leader of a banned Palestinian group that murdered a British rabbi a month later. It was taken in the Tunisian capital of Tunis in October 2014 after Mr Corbyn attended a memorial service for those killed in a 1985 Israeli air strike on a Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) headquarters in the city. The service was on the same day but separate to his controversial cemetery visit. It was during that visit he was pictured holding a wreath and stood beside the graves of Palestinians linked to the Black September terror group and the 1972 Munich Massacre. The photos, published by the Daily Mail, have seen him engulfed in a storm of criticism including from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The latest image to emerge shows Mr Corbyn attending a memorial in Tunis for the airstrike dead, shortly before the cemetery trip. Mr Corbyn can be seen standing amid a group of Palestinian politicians and diplomats. However, among them is Bernawi, who attempted to blow up a cinema in Jerusalem in 1967 protest over a film celebrating the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt. Palestinian militant called Fatima Bernawi, who received a life sentence after trying to blow up an Israeli cinema in 1967 (pictured) The plot was foiled after an American tourist alerted an usher that two women had left their handbag, which contained the ticking bomb, and the cinema was evacuated before it exploded. Bernawi aged 28 was sentenced to life but was released after a decade as part of a prisoner swap. The Palestinian Authority has since celebrated her outstanding sacrifice and courage against the enemy awarding her its highest military decoration. She later told how she had dreamed about the attack her whole life and believed it had still been a success. Speaking to PA TV, she said: It generated fear throughout the world. Every woman who carries a bag needs to be checked before she enters the supermarket, any place, cinemas and pharmacies... I dont define that as a failure. Also in the group, but not in our picture, is Maher al-Taher, the leader-in-exile of the proscribed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and EU. Just weeks after the visit, the PFLP claimed responsibility for an axe attack at a Jerusalem synagogue which saw four rabbis killed. Mr Corbyn has since told the BBC he was unaware he was sharing a platform with a senior member of the terror group before the peace conference held after the memorial visit. But writing about his trip at the time in the Morning Star, he told how he heard opening speeches from the PFLP alongside the two main political parties Fatah and Hamas. Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, he said: I dont share platforms with terrorists. I dont believe in killing people. I have attended memorial events for those that have died in the sadness of all of these conflicts, and that is my position. Labour has since reported six newspapers, including the Mail, to the independent press regulator Ipso over their coverage of the trip. The Mail has also revealed how in 2002 Mr Corbyn shared a stage with the first female plane hijacker, PFLP member Leila Khaled, at a pro-Palestine rally in London. A YouGov survey showed 20 per cent of all voters said Mr Corbyn was doing a good job, down from 27 per cent in late July. The proportion who think he is doing badly rose from 59 to 65 per cent. Among Labour voters, 45 per cent said he was doing a bad job up from 37. Tory MP Nadine Dorries said: As each day passes we learn more about the company Corbyn keeps, standing shoulder to shoulder with murderers and terrorists. Mr Corbyns spokesman said: Jeremy has a long and principled record of solidarity with the Palestinian people and engaging with actors in the conflict to support peace and justice in the Middle East. The terrorist who dreamed of the attack for years Fatima Bernawi was born in Jerusalem of Nigerian descent, her mother and siblings fled their home for a refugee camp in Jordan in 1948 Fatima Bernawi was just 28 when she planted a bomb at a cinema in Jerusalem a moment she said she had dreamed about all her life. Along with another woman, she visited the Zion Cinema and left behind her handbag containing the device. Thankfully, it was discovered by an American tourist - who alerted an usher that the two women had left behind their bag. They opened it and found the ticking bomb, and managed to clear the cinema before it exploded at the entrance. But Bernawi said her mission in October 1967 was not a failure because it spread fear throughout the world. Every woman who carries a bag needs to be checked before she enters the supermarket, any place, cinemas and pharmacies... I dont define that as a failure, she said in 2015, when she received the Star of Honour the highest military decoration awarded by the Palestinian Authority. It was reported that she was honoured for her outstanding sacrifice and courage against the enemy and for her pioneering role in the struggle, her sacrifice for her homeland and her people, and its revolution, and her willingness to give from the beginning until now. Born in Jerusalem of Nigerian descent, her mother and siblings fled their home for a refugee camp in Jordan in 1948. But she said she smuggled herself back to live with her father when she was just nine. Aged 17, she started work as a nurse for the Arab-American Oil Company in Saudi Arabia during the mid-1950s, when she spoke of the racism she encountered because she was a black Palestinian and was not allowed to give injections. She eventually returned to the West Bank and became the first female Palestinian guerrilla fighter and the first woman to join the armed struggle against Israel. She was arrested by Israeli soldiers after the failed bomb plot, which was carried out in protest at a film celebrating the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, and sentenced to life imprisonment becoming the first female Palestinian political prisoner. But she was released a decade later as part of a prisoner swap, and returned to the Palestinian nationalist political party Fatah, becoming its highest ranking woman in its militia. She died in Amman in 2016 and is remembered at the Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah, where a plaque reads: Fatima Bernawi was the first female Palestinian political prisoner. It was reported that Arafat, the former chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, held her in such high regard he said if he was to marry anyone, it would be her. He eventually married wife Suha in 1990 when he was 61. Palestinians admit man in Tunis grave did plot Munich Labours defence of Jeremy Corbyns visit to the graves of terror leaders linked to the Munich massacre was undermined last night. A Facebook post by Palestinian party Fatah pays tribute to Atef Bseiso, who is buried at the cemetery in Tunisia, and says he was involved in planning the Munich operation. But Labour had claimed that none of those buried where Mr Corbyn attended a wreath-laying ceremony in Tunis was involved in the terror attack. The post, dated December 2016, is a biography of Bseiso, describing how he joined Fatah aged 17 and was nominated for military training in Syria, the Independent reported. It states: He joined in the planning of the Munich operation. It also describes how Bseiso worked with security officials like Ali Hassan Salameh who was operations chief for Black September. The group were behind the attack at the Munich Olympics in September 1972, which left 11 Israeli athletes dead. Fatah is the largest party in the Palestine Liberation Organisation the umbrella group for which Bseiso was the head of intelligence before he was assassinated. Police detained Philip Williams, 46, and charged him with first degree kidnapping and indecent liberty with a minor A North Carolina man was arrested after he allegedly kept a child from leaving a bouncy house and tickling their feet in July. Police detained Philip Williams, 46, and charged him with first degree kidnapping and indecent liberty with a minor, according to WFMY. The mother of a four-year-old child called local authorities and told them that a man was preventing her child from leaving a bouncing house at Bouncin' Around in Burlington. According to police, the woman also reported that the man touched her child inappropriately. The Roxboro resident was arrested on Thursday. In the police report, it was said that the man tickled the child's feet and belly. Investigators shared that they had the altercation on surveillance camera. The mother of a four-year-old child called local authorities and told them that a man was preventing her child from leaving a bouncing house at Bouncin' Around in Burlington Meghan Marlke's father has said the Royal Family are 'like Scientologists' because of their secrecy, in an extraordinary outburst. Thomas Markle made the bizarre comparison because of the Royal Family's 'cult like' secrecy, and he even went on to compare them to the Stepford Wives. The 74-year-old added: 'Maybe they have a secret handshake too! You cannot ask a question of them as they won't answer.' Scroll down for video Meghan Markle with her father, Thomas Markle who has likened the Royals to a 'cult' The ex lighting director told the Sun that the Royal's have to become more modern and open to scrutiny. Speaking from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, he said 'They are either like Scientologists or the Stepford family. 'If they hear anybody say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up! 'They are cult-like like Scientology because they are secretive. 'They close the door, pull the shades down and put their fingers in their ears so they don't have to hear.' Markle's public discourse with Kensington Palace continues after his sleuth of well-publicised bust ups with the Royals and his daughter, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. Thomas Markle interview expressing his regret about not attending daughter's wedding Markle has been met with a 'wall of silence' from the palace since his daughter's wedding to Prince Harry in May. Princess Diana's former bodyguard today said that Prince Harry must take responsibility for his role in the Thomas Markle debacle. In a new interview with Yahoo News' The Royal Box, retired Metropolitan Police inspector Ken Wharfe, 69, said the royal should have 'insisted' that aides were dispatched to help the retired lighting director, 74, cope with media attention surround his daughter's wedding. Thomas Markle pictured as he arrives at Meghan's mother Doria`s house in California, USA Meghan Markle's Father's Day post dedicated to Thomas Markle from June 2016 'He's not an unintelligent guy. He's been through the mill himself, he knows what press intrusion is like. He has a drawbridge and a portcullis to hide behind when they pursue him. Thomas Markle doesn't. 'Nobody's looking after him. They're going to bend his arm, there'll be the offers money, there'll be the pursuing paparazzi, the invasion and the negative reporting that we've seen. 'Harry could have done something about that. He may have advised palace officials, maybe he did, but he could have insisted on that. He could well have done, but for some reason it hasn't happened. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Thomas Markle's relationship with the pair has sourced further since May And he said that he has sympathy for Mr Markle despite his constant public outbursts, adding: 'I don't think we should dismiss her father as someone whose made mistakes here, as an ogre. His behaviour are as a result of poor advice or no advice.' The whole saga started In May this year when Mr Markle secretly collaborated with a British paparazzi photographer to stage a series of pictures sold to newspapers around the world. Together with other pictures taken with his co-operation, they will have netted up to 100,000. Thomas Markle seen for first time since the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry Statement released by Kensington Palace from Meghan Markle dated days before wedding HOW MEGHAN'S BIG DAY WAS UPENDED: TIMELINE TO THOMAS MARKLE'S DECISION TO STAY AWAY TUESDAY MAY 8: On Monday May 14, Thomas Markle Sr claims he suffered a heart attack six days ago - making it either Tuesday or Wednesday May 8 or 9. He claims he checked himself out of hospital in order to attend the royal wedding. Markle Sr was at his home from Sunday 7 onwards and was not seen leaving it at any time WEDNESDAY MAY 9: Markle leaves his Mexican home at 8.30pm. He checks into the Rodeway Inn in San Ysidro, just across the U.S. border, and shops at a nearby 7-11. He is seen purchasing Gas X medication, a milkshake and a bottle of Heineken THURSDAY MAY 10: At 4.10am Markle drives 135 miles to his property in Los Feliz. He picks up mail at UPS before stopping in to CVS to buy his former wife Doria Ragland, Meghans mother, a card and returning home. He is later photographed purchasing two Happy Meals and a creamy drink at a McDonalds drive-thru. He also bought a large pot of flowers for his estranged wife from a Home Depot Later that afternoon, he is pictured dropping off the flowers and card at Doria Ragland's home. He is then pictured picking up KFC close to the Mexico border as he returns to his Mexico home FRIDAY MAY 11: Markle remains in his Mexico home SATURDAY MAY 12: Markle remains in his Mexico home SUNDAY MAY 13: The Mail on Sunday reveals that Markle has been staging paparazzi photos of himself in the run up to the royal wedding - the photos have raised north of $110,000. Markle remains in his Mexico home MONDAY May 14: Markle announces he will not attend his daughter's wedding or walk her down the aisle. According to TMZ, he admitted to staging paparazzi photos in the run up to the wedding. Sources say Kensington Palace was blindsided by the decision. In a statement they say is is a deeply personal matter for Ms Markle Advertisement The staged pictures, that included Mr Markle browsing British landmarks online in a branch of Starbucks and looking at pictures of the happy couple, resulted in him not walking his daughter down the aisle. In fact, Markle played his way out of an invite to the wedding all together. Just days after the Mail On Sunday revealed the photos were staged for Thomas's profit, he pulled out of the wedding saying he didn't want to further embarrass his daughter. Mr Markle, who had a heart attack a week before, returned hospital after having chest pains. He said a series of tests found that the heart attack had done 'significant damage' and revealed he needed immediate surgery - thus missing the wedding. He said at the time: 'I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle. 'Of course I'd walk her down the aisle. This is a historic moment. I'd like to be a part of history.' Since missing Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, the relationship between Thomas Markle and the Royal Family became increasingly fractious. A string of high profile bust ups has led to Mr Markle repeatedly going to the media much to the ire of Kensington Palace. His latest comments are not likely to be his last as the Mirror reported the 74-year-old is growing increasingly bitter that his children Meghan, Samantha and Thomas Jr are not helping pay for his retirement despite his generosity in the past. A source close to Markle told the Mirror: 'He says they have not given him a f***ing dime back. He is growing increasingly bitter about it.' His resentment has only been compounded by the fact Meghan's mother Doria Ragland has been embraced by the Royal family, it is claimed. Doria - the only member of the brides family at the royal wedding - is said to be preparing to move to Britain to be closer to her daughter. The 61-year-old is apparently beside herself with excitement at soon becoming neighbors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. One friend has said Doria could be making the move as soon as next month, in time for her 62nd birthday. The Mirror reports that money is what initially caused tension between Thomas and his children after he retired seven years ago. As drama continues to swirl thanks to Thomas' continuous public outbursts, eagle-eyed royal fans have also pointed out that Thomas was notably absent from Meghan's wedding to film producer Trevor Engleson in Jamaica in 2011. A handful of media outlets have previously reported that he wasn't there, but his absence takes on a new significance as his difficulties with Meghan, 37, continue to play out in the public eye and indicates that their current issues are nothing new. Evgeny Chickvarkin, pictured, is a well known critic of Vladimir Putin Evgeny Chichvarkin fled Moscow in 2009. He lives in exile at a 6.6m apartment in The Little Boltons, West Brompton and in August, 2012 he launched new venture, award-winning Hedonism Wines in Davies Street, Mayfair. He is the founder of Russia's largest mobile phone retailer Yevroset and at one time was the richest man under thirty-five years-old in his country. He was the winner of Ernst & Young's 'Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 and also received Russian awards including the 'Order of Glory of Russia' and 'Order of glory of the Fatherland.' Chichvarkin has lived in exile in London for the past decade, campaigning against Russian corruption and Vladimir Putin as a member of the Right Cause political party. His wine shop has a bottle of Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac for sale at 35,329 or a 65-year-old Macallan Lalique 6 scotch for 55,900. According to an interview with the New York Times, Mr Chichvarkin said he suspected he was placed under surveillance on the Kremlin's orders shortly after arriving in London. He said he spotted two or three men a standing a short distance from his front door eating sunflower seeds, which he claims is a common Russian treat. Mr Chichvarkin said Russian agents are restricted in Britain. He said: 'In Moscow, they can use guns.' As grieving family and friends paid tribute to loved ones lost in last years Barcelona terror attack, Catalan separatists staged a protest, telling Spains King Felipe he was not welcome. Barcelona today paid tribute to the victims of a militant rampage last year which killed 16 people, but a call from families to put aside divisions over independence ambitions for the surrounding region of Catalonia was not heeded by all. The commemorations included a flower-laying ceremony by the victims' families on the Las Ramblas promenade, where a van mowed down scores of pedestrians. Relatives of the victims of Barcelona's terror attack take part in a floral tribute at the Spanish artist Joan Miro's mosaic in Las Ramblas promenade to mark the first anniversary of their deaths Spanish King Felipe stands (centre) after a ceremony in memory of victims of the twin attacks on the Catalan capital and the coastal town of Cambrils that killed 16 people A huge banner against Spain's King Felipe hangs from a building beside Plaza Catalunya, central Barcelona, Spain On August 17 2017, a young man drove a rented van into crowds on a central boulevard, killing 14 and injuring more than 120 in Spain's worst attack in over a decade. Another man died during the attacker's getaway, and a woman was killed in a strike the following day in the coastal resort of Cambrils. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group. Spanish authorities say they dismantled the cell, with its members either killed in the operation or arrested. A placard reading 'peace' is seen during a ceremony in memory of the 16 victims in the Catalan capital Relatives react after placing flowers in memory of victims. A choir sang and people read poetry in different languages at the ceremony Amid a heavy police presence Friday, a musical performance took place in the city's broad Plaza Catalunya Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other government officials were among hundreds of people attending ceremonies in the northeastern city. Amid a heavy police presence Friday, a musical performance took place in the city's broad Plaza Catalunya. Written behind the stage was the slogan: 'Barcelona, city of peace.' A choir sang and people read poetry in different languages. A Catalan police officer places flowers at a floor mosaic by Catalan artist Joan Miro where the van driven by the attacker stopped in Barcelona Spain's King Felipe VI (right), Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (second from right), Spain's Minister of Defence Margarita Robles (centre), Catalan regional president Quim Torra (second from left) and Catalan regional Speaker Roger Torrent (left) attend a ceremony in Barcelona People attend a ceremony in Barcelona on August 17, 2018, marking the first anniversary of attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils that left 16 people dead Earlier today, relatives of the victims, many of them weeping, laid flowers at a mosaic on Las Ramblas. Families of the victims had asked for a truce in the messy politics ensuing from a declaration of independence last October, which prompted Madrid to impose direct rule. But King Felipe, who made an unusual political intervention to criticise the independence drive, was met by both cheers and jeers when he arrived. A banner declaring 'The Spanish king is not welcome in the Catalan countries' hung from one building. Participants in a small march later along Las Ramblas held signs saying, 'Catalonia has no king'. Some people along the street applauded them. Other banners were hung elsewhere in the city calling for the release of Catalan pro-independence officials being held in jail over their secession efforts. Catalan society is deeply divided over the question of independence, with a closely-watched poll from the Centro d'Estudis d'Opinio in July showing the proportion of Catalans who want to be an independent state at 46.7 per cent. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been working to defuse tension with Catalan authorities since taking over the premiership in June from Mariano Rajoy, whose government presided over a police crackdown on an October 1 referendum. Some of the people attending Friday's events said they were not happy with the king's presence there. 'I absolutely disagree,' said administrative worker Nati Puigbarraca. 'We all know what has happened in Catalonia, there is a political situation but it goes beyond that. Some of us will never forgive what happened on October 1.' Catalan regional Speaker, Roger Torrent (left, front), Catalan regional President Quim Torra, Barcelona's Mayor Ada Colau (centre) and Spanish government's delegate in Catalonia Teresa Cunillera (third from right) take part in a floral tribute A three-year-old Thai girl has died from suffocation after she was locked in a school bus all day in searing heat by its driver. The corpse of tragic youngster Nura Nadia Ma was found in the mini-bus, with blood coming from her nose, in Pattani, southern Thailand, on Wednesday afternoon. She had been collected from her house to be taken to nursery school earlier that morning. Tragic youngster Nura Nadia Ma was found dead in the mini-bus in Pattani, southern Thailand Police with the mini-bus, where the youngster had been left in 95F (35C) heat all day But the girl fell asleep during the school run, and when driver Ahama Sanay, 23, dropped off the other children, he failed to notice her. Ahama then locked the bus doors, and when the toddler woke up, she was trapped. Nura battled to free herself, but suffocated in the sweltering heat as temperatures outside soared past 95F (35C). The girl's mother said she arrived at 4pm and stood waiting at the nursery school gates before contacting teachers when her daughter did not appear. Horrified staff then found the youngster inside the locked vehicle, where she had passed out across the seats, with blood coming out of her nose. One shoe was on the floor and her clothes were ruffled, suggesting she had struggled to try and escape the locked Toyota mini-bus, police said. Officers from the Pattani Police Station tracked down the driver and he was arrested over the girl's death outside Bamrung School. Lieutenant Verasak Suwannakham, deputy commissioner of investigations, said: 'Police arrived at the school and found the driver, who admitted that he left the girl inside the bus.' Police in Thailand said that the driver, Ahama Sanay, 23, had driven the children to nursery school, but had not checked to see whether they had all left their seats upon arrival Nura Nadia Ma's mother had gone to her nursery school in Pattani (above), to collect her in the afternoon, but became concerned when her daughter did not appear Ahama told police that his wife usually helped him on the school run but she was away that day. He said he had locked the school bus without checking the seats before riding his motorcycle back home, and had planned to return later in the afternoon to drive the children back. Lieutenant Verasak added: 'The mother of the child waited at the school and called out for her daughter. 'She went to the teachers to try to find her. They looked in the bus and saw her dead body. 'The driver will be interrogated further for legal action as we believe he was negligent by locking the bus and leaving the girl inside.' Medics from the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital who performed a post-mortem examination confirmed the girl died from suffocation. She will be buried today, in accordance with local religious customs. Homeowners in London's wealthier borough are can be nearly twice as likely to have their planning applications approved than those living in cheaper boroughs, new findings suggest. The City of London, which has an average property price of over 800,000, has been found to be the London borough where planning applications are most likely to be given the green light, online architectural platform group Resi.co.uk said. A massive 95 per cent of project there are approved. Between January to March this year, 92 per cent of planning applications in Southwark were approved, while in well-heeled Richmond-upon-Thames 88 per cent were given the go-ahead. Map view: This map shows London boroughs and their planning approval rates At the other end of the scale, in Hillingdon, where average property prices are around 452,000, only 50 per cent of planning applications were given the green light over the period. Enfield and Barking and Dagenham had similarly low approval rates hovering below the 60 per cent mark. Alex Depledge, chief executive and co-founder of Resit, said: 'Planning applications are becoming a postcode lottery. Councils are under a great deal of pressure, not just as a result of funding cuts, but also from nimbys looking to block developments in their own area.' The figures come amid a cocktail of problems facing Britain's housing market, local councils and residents fed up with ever-expanding developments. London boroughs where planning applications are MOST likely to be approved 1. City of London - 95% 2. Southwark - 92% 3. Richmond - 88% 4. Westminster - 88% 5. Camden - 86% 6. Wandsworth - 86% 7. Croydon - 82% 8. Haringey - 82% 9. Merton - 81% 10. Waltham - 80% Advertisement London boroughs where planning applications are LEAST likely to be approved 1. Hillingson - 50% 2. Enfield - 53% 3. Barking and Dagenham - 53% 4. Redbridge - 61% 5. Harrow - 64% 6. Greenwich - 64% 7. Bromley - 64% 8. Lambeth - 65% 9. Newham - 66% 10. Kingston Upon Thames - 66% Advertisement The government is pushing ahead with plans to boost housebuilding levels across the country. Meanwhile councils claim they are facing budget cuts across the board and are often under-resourced to deal with the volume of planning applications coming in. Resi's findings suggest: 'The discrepancies across London boroughs could come down to the fact that councils across the UK, including the capital, have had their funding cut, with more cuts expected in the future. 'A lack of funding could be adding to strain on council services, including planning departments. Lucky: Wealthy homeowners in Richmond are likely to have their planning applications approved 'This could mean that when faced with more complex applications there is less time and resource to dedicate to the case and therefore the application is more likely to be denied.' Nick Stockley, Lead Designer & co-founder of Resi, said: 'The planning system feels broken in many London areas. 'Thanks to an imposed 8 week deadline, those councils without the resources to manage the level of planning applications coming in feel pressured to turn decisions around quickly. 'They dont have the time to liaise with the homeowners planning agent, whereas wealthier councils are able to help their applicants make changes that ensure plans go through first time. Postcode lottery: Whether or not your planning application will be approved can depend on where you live 'Its a self-defeating exercise, as homeowners who get rejected first time will simply come back again and again, until approval is given. Adding more work to a local authority unable to cope. 'This not only slows down the development in the area, but wastes money funding this maddening process.' Earlier this year, it was revealed that millions of households across England were being slapped with the biggest council tax hikes for 14 years in 2018. Properties in the popular Band D council tax category saw their bills rise by 5.1 per cent or 81 to 1,671, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government revealed. The hikes came as councils claimed they were facing spiraling social care costs, meaning the majority opted to levy an average additional 30 charge. Advertisement Astronomers using the ultraviolet vision of NASAs Hubble Space Telescope have captured one of the largest panoramic views of star birth. The incredible image gives astronomers a new window on the evolving universe, tracking the birth of stars over the last 11 billion years back to the cosmos busiest star-forming period, which happened about 3 billion years after the big bang. NASA says the image captures 'the fire and fury of star birth' in the distant universe. Scroll down for video The incredible image gives astronomers a new window on the evolving universe, tracking the birth of stars over the last 11 billion years back to the cosmos busiest star-forming period, which happened about 3 billion years after the big bang. WHAT IT SHOWS This image is a portion of the GOODS-North field, which is located in the northern constellation Ursa Major. It features approximately 15,000 galaxies, about 12,000 of which are forming stars. Ultraviolet light has been the missing piece to the cosmic puzzle, NASA said. Now, combined with infrared and visible-light data from Hubble and other space and ground-based telescopes, astronomers have assembled one of the most comprehensive portraits yet of the universes evolutionary history Advertisement The field features approximately 15,000 galaxies, about 12,000 of which are forming stars. Ultraviolet light has been the missing piece to the cosmic puzzle, NASA said. Now, combined with infrared and visible-light data from Hubble and other space and ground-based telescopes, astronomers have assembled one of the most comprehensive portraits yet of the universes evolutionary history. The image straddles the gap between the very distant galaxies, which can only be viewed in infrared light, and closer galaxies, which can be seen across a broad spectrum. The light from distant star-forming regions in remote galaxies started out as ultraviolet. However, the expansion of the universe has shifted the light into infrared wavelengths. By comparing images of star formation in the distant and nearby universe, astronomers glean a better understanding of how nearby galaxies grew from small clumps of hot, young stars long ago. Because Earths atmosphere filters most ultraviolet light, Hubble can provide some of the most sensitive space-based ultraviolet observations possible. The program, called the Hubble Deep UV (HDUV) Legacy Survey, extends and builds on the previous Hubble multi-wavelength data in the CANDELS-Deep (Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey) fields within the central part of the GOODS (Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey) fields. This mosaic is 14 times the area of the Hubble Ultra Violet Ultra Deep Field released in 2014. Hubble recently caputured a stunning image a spiral galaxy revealing a giant. Measuring more than 200,000 light-years across compared to a 100,000-light-year diameter for our home galaxy, the Hubble image shows a beautiful spiral galaxy called NGC 6744 in unprecedented detail. NGC 6744 has a prominent central region packed with old yellow stars. Moving away from the galactic core, one can see parts of the dusty spiral arms painted in shades of pink and blue; while the blue sites are full of young star clusters, the pink ones are regions of active star formation, indicating that the galaxy is still very lively. This image was taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). The galaxy is situated in the constellation of Pavo at a distance of about 30 million light-years, appearing as a faint, extended object in small telescopes. 'NGC 6744 is similar to our home galaxy in more ways than one,' NASA says. Like the Milky Way, NGC 6744 has a prominent central region packed with old yellow stars. Moving away from the galactic core, one can see parts of the dusty spiral arms painted in shades of pink and blue; while the blue sites are full of young star clusters, the pink ones are regions of active star formation, indicating that the galaxy is still very lively. A small, distorted companion galaxy is located nearby, which is similar to our galaxy's Large Magellanic Cloud. Twitter has started banning a huge amount of accounts, with many users taking to the site to bemoan the loss of hundreds of followers in a single day. The cull started yesterday and had such an impact on numbers that the 'Twitterverse' was swept with the hashtag #TwitterPurge. The firm is ruthlessly removing accounts, with those who have been previously suspended or banned most likely to see their account deactivated. It marks the latest in a string of moves from the site to clean up the platform as the San-Francisco based firm now places a premium on integrity among its users. Scroll down for video Twitter is ridding its site of a large amount of accounts as part of its ongoing battle to clean up the platform In a recent interview, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said the company intends to focus on politics in the common months. He said: 'Election integrity is our first priority this year. 'We need to make sure that we are considering not just policy changes, but also product changes to help alleviate some of these concerns,' he said. Twitter has been in an ongoing battle with its user base for some time, after it was revealed the 2016 US presidential election was soiled by Russian disinformation efforts, which were spread using social networks, including Twitter. The purge marks the first notable action since Twitter declared its intentions to ostracise accounts it deemed to be breaching its guidelines earlier this week. Twitter has cracked down on 'low quality' accounts recently, with the seven-day suspension of Infowars host Alex Jones a high-profile move. Alex Jones' account was placed in read-only mode for a week, which allowed him to browse Twitter posts, but stopped him form interacting with other users by tweeting, retweeting or liking posts. The firm is ruthlessly culling accounts, with those who have been previously suspended or banned most likely to see their account deactivated. In a recent interview, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (pictured) said the platform intends to focus on politics in the common months Twitter has cracked down on 'low quality' accounts recently, with the seven-day suspension of Infowars host Alex Jones (pictured) a high-profile move. Alex Jones' account was placed in read-only mode for a week Mr Jones was also required to delete the tweet that also included a snippet of video, Twitter said. It announced earlier this week its plan to remove the accounts of those who have tried to evade an account suspension. The company says that the accounts in question are users who have been previously suspended on Twitter for their abusive behaviour, or for trying to evade a prior suspension. Twitter has been on this mission for several months as it places a premium on integrity among its users. Those fortunate to have their account still have taken to the social media site, using the hashtag #TwitterPurge. WHAT IS TWITTER'S POLICY ON HATE SPEECH? Twitter says it does not tolerate behaviour that harasses, intimidates, or uses fear to silence other social network users. Twitter users that violate these rules could find their content deleted, or their access to the account suspended by the social network. What does Twitter forbid? According to the company, it will remove any tweets that do the following Threaten physical violence Promote attacks on the basis of their race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease References to mass murder, violent events, or specific means of violence in which such groups are the primary targets or victims Incites fear about a certain protected group Repeated use of non-consensual slurs, epithets, racist and sexist tropes Content designed to degrade a specific user Twitter users can target individuals or specific groups in a number of manners, for example using the @ mention feature, or tagging a photo. How does Twitter enforce these rules? According to the company, the first thing it does whenever an account or tweet is flagged as inappropriate is check the context. Twitter says: 'some Tweets may seem to be abusive when viewed in isolation, but may not be when viewed in the context of a larger conversation. 'While we accept reports of violations from anyone, sometimes we also need to hear directly from the target to ensure that we have proper context.' Twitter says the total number of reports received around an individual post or account does not impact whether or not something will be removed. However, it could help Twitter prioritise the order in which it looks through flagged tweets and accounts. What happens if you violate Twitter's policy? The consequences for violating our rules will vary depending on the severity of the violation and the persons previous record of violations, Twitter says. The penalties range from requesting a user voluntarily remove an offending tweet, to suspending an entire account. Advertisement The announcement came in the form of a tweet and was sparse on details but was a clear indication of the firm's intentions going forward. This is the latest in a series of culls from Twitter, with The Washington post reporting last month that the social media platform had rid itself of 70 million accounts between May and June of this year. This marks a significant uptick in the rate it is removing accounts. It was revealed that the company started this movement during the end of 2017, where it got rid of 58 million user accounts in the final three months of 2017, according to new data obtained by The Associated Press. Twitter flagged fake accounts as those which had been dormant for at least a month. Investors have previously voiced concerns the suspension of malicious accounts could could affect user growth on the platform but this was appeased when the firm's CFO announced the removal of bots and unethical accounts had not affected the company's metrics. The San Francisco-based company has been struggling with user growth, when compared to rivals including Instagram and Facebook. Twitter's user base is steadily shrinking, with the company losing a million monthly active users in Q2, with 335 million overall users and 68 million in the US. Twitter announced earlier this week its plan to remove the accounts of those who have tried to evade an account suspension (pictured) Tesla CEO and SpaxeX founder Elon Musk has slammed and discredited a former employee-turned whistleblower. The ex-Tesla staffer has accused Musk of authorising Tesla to engage in 'unauthorised wiretapping and hacking' of another former employee of the electric car manufacturer. The maverick multi-millionaire entrepreneur has refuted the allegations, claiming they are unfounded and the individual making the statements is 'super nuts'. He reportedly made the statement in a private message to Gizmodo on Twitter and it has not been shared with the public. Scroll down for video Tesla CEO and SpaxeX founder Elon Musk has slammed and discredited a former employee-turned whistleblower. The maverick entrepreneur has refuted the allegations, claiming they are unfounded and the individual making the statements is 'nuts' 'This guy is super [nuts emoji],' Musk told Gizmodo in a Twitter DM conversation. 'He is simultaneously saying that our security sucks (it's not great, but I'm pretty sure we aren't a branch of the Sinaloa cartel like he claims) and that we have amazing spying ability. 'Those can't both be true.' Law firm Meissner Associates has issued a public letter from their client, a previous member of Tesla's security department, which cites spying and hacking efforts from the firm. Karl Hansen, the disgruntled ex-employee, directs his grievances at the tratment of Martin Tripp, a former Tesla process technician. Mr Tripp himself has also accused the company of wrongdoing in the past. Mr Hansen claims that Tesla installed 'specialised router equipment within its Nevada Gigafactory designed to capture employee cell phone communications and/or [...] cell phone data.' The firm allegedly accessed Mr Tripp's cellphone, even after the termination of his employment. According to the Meissner Associates letter, Musk himself was responsible for installing these extraordinary measures. Mr Hansen, the other aggrieved party and alleged victim, claims the members of Tesla that spied on Mr Tripp were previous employees at Uber that were accused of a similar scandal earlier this year. These accused employees were previously alleged to have wiretapped Uber's competitors Waymo. The high-profile case was settled out of court for $245 million in Uber equity. Several ex-Uber employees now work for Tesla, and only one was named in the letter, Nick Gicinto, former head of Uber's Strategic Services Group. In messages to Gizmodo, Musk defended this employee. He said: 'Nick Jacinto (sic) was thrown under the bus by Uber for the sins of others. 'You should at least read his countersuit before concluding he's a bad dude. He has shown high integrity in my dealings with him.' The lawsuit that Musk refers to was filed by Mr Gicinto, Mathew Henley, Edward Russo, and Jacob Nocon against whistleblower Richard Jacobs in April and has not been resolved. The extraordinary claims being made by Mr Hansen also include the alleged theft of $37 million in raw materials and the trafficking of narcotics by Tesla employees. Musk said: 'This guy is super [nuts emoji]. He is simultaneously saying that our security sucks (it's not great, but I'm pretty sure we aren't a branch of the Sinaloa cartel like he claims) and that we have amazing spying ability' WHAT WERE ELON MUSK'S OUTBURSTS LEADING UP TO 'PEDO GUY' COMMENT? In July 2018, Musk attacked British diver Vern Unsworth, who had dismissed the Tesla chief's efforts to help the rescue mission for the 12 boys as a 'PR stunt' in a widely seen interview on CNN. Musk, without providing any justification or explanation, referred to Unsworth as 'pedo guy' in a since-deleted tweet. 'Pedo' is short for pedophile. Unsworth told AFP he had not reviewed the tweets in full and had only heard about them. But asked if he would take legal action against Musk over the allegation, Unsworth said: 'If it's what I think it is yes.' Musk also denied giving donations to a political action committee dedicated to helping the Republicans maintain control of the house. This was despite the Federal Election Commission releasing annual filings this week showing Musk as one of the top 50 donors. While Musk has described himself as 'half Democrat, half Repulican' in the past, it struck many as hypocritical that a green energy CEO would donate nearly $40,000 (30,700) to help keep in power a political party that has largely ignored or denied climate change. Despite the fact that publicly-available FEC documents prove his donations to the PAC, Musk tweeted afterward that 'reports that I am a top donor of the GOP are categorically false'. 'I am not a top donor to any political party,' he said. In the past few months, Musk has become embroiled in a series of spats with the news media. He has chastised reporters for focusing on accidents of autonomous cars instead of their safety potential, and accusing one news organisation of being 'relentlessly negative' about Tesla. Shares were pummeled in May after Musk abruptly cut off questions from Wall Street analysts over Tesla's spending plans. In an earnings call, he berated analysts for asking 'boring' questions and sidestepped questions about Tesla's massive capital needs. The billionaire branded one industry analyst a 'boring bonehead' during the bizarre session, saying another's 'questions are so dry they are killing me'. He also alleged 'sabotage' at Tesla's operations by an employee, who responded by claiming to be a 'whistleblower.' The Tesla CEO wrote a lengthy note to all of his staff stating that he had discovered someone working intently on causing malicious damage within the company's ranks. Advertisement Mr Tripp, who is also represented by Meissner Associates, has alleged a variety of flaws in Tesla's vehicles. In the past, Musk has called individual a 'horrible person' and accused him of being a 'saboteur'. In his comments made to Gizmodo, Musk slammed inaccurate reporting about Tesla and its employees by the media. He went as far as to urge the reporter writing the original story to 'be fair with the reporting.' '[B]y fair I'm talking about writing something that accurately represents the core truth,' Musk clarified. 'It is far easier and gets more attention if you use salacious headlines, sound bites and make it sound like 'the truth lies somewhere in the middle', even when it doesn't,' he wrote. He concluded by saying: 'That's how the climate deniers work.' Musk and Tesla has been sent subpoenas from the SEC over Elon Musk's plan to take the company private and his tweet that funding was 'secured', according to sources. The 47-year old billionaire's tweet on August 7 about secured funding may have violated US securities law if he misled investors. Subpoenas typically indicate the US Securities and Exchange Commission has opened a full formal investigation into a matter. The electric carmaker's shares, which fell as much as 4 per cent after Fox Business Network published a report about the subpoenas, were last down 1.9 per cent at $341.00 on Wednesday. On Monday, lawyers said Musk's statement indicated he had good reason to believe he had funding but seemed to have overstated its status by saying it was secured. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The US Air Force's X-37B unmanned space plane is nearing one year in orbit as part of its fifth secretive mission. The aircraft has now been up for 340 days as part of it's latest trip, called the Orbital Test Vehicle-5 (OTV-5), which started on September 7th 2017. The craft was launched from Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Officials have revealed few details about the OTV-5 mission but there has been a suggestion it could be part of a push for a US Space Force. Scroll down for video The US Air Force's X-37B unmanned space plane (pictured) is nearing one year in orbit as part of its fifth secretive mission The space plane is 29 feet (8.8 metres) long, 9.6 feet (2.9 metres) tall and weighs around 11,000 lbs. (4,990 kilograms). It is orbiting at around 200 miles (320 kilometres) high and is powered by solar cells with lithium-ion batteries. Little is known about what it is carrying but on board OTV-5's payload is a US thermal spreader which will test the longevity of electronics and heat pipes in the space environment. In June, President Donald Trump announced that he is directing the Pentagon to a new Space Force as an independent service branch aimed at ensuring American dominance in space. The president framed space as a national security issue, saying he does not want 'China and Russia and other countries leading us'. One expert has suggested that this aircraft could already be part of an early US Space Force. 'Ironically, the X-37B is exactly the type of program toward giving the U.S. flexibility of operations in space that seems to be prompting the current push for a Space Force, yet are already underway,' said Joan Johnson-Freese, a professor in the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, writes Space.com. Four previous X-37B missions have been launched by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets. Each time the unmanned space plane has carried a mystery payload on long-duration flights in Earth orbit. The craft (pictured) was launched from Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida WHAT IS THE X-37B SPACE PLANE? The U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane looks similar to Nasa's space shuttle but is much smaller. The space plane is 29 feet (8.8 metres) long, 9.6 feet (2.9 metres) tall and weighs around 11,000 lbs. (4,990 kilograms). It is orbiting at around 200 miles (320 kilometres) high. The U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane looks similar to Nasa's space shuttle but is much smaller. The space plane is 29 feet (8.8 metres) long, 9.6 feet (2.9 metres) tall and weighs around 11,000 lbs. (4,990 kilograms) Officials have revealed few details about the OTV-5 mission (the aircraft's fifth) but according to the Air Force, one on board OTV-5 payload is US thermal spreader which will test the longevity of electronics and heat pipes in the space environment. The craft is powered by solar cells with lithium-ion batteries. Four previous X-37B missions have been launched by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets. Each time the unmanned space plane has carried a mystery payload on long-duration flights in Earth orbit. Advertisement 'The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming OTV launch a milestone for the program,' said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office at the launch last year. 'It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B OTV so it can more fully support the growing space community.' 'The fifth OTV mission continues to advance the X-37B's performance and flexibility as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads,' a spokesperson for the US Air Force said. The previous OTV-4 mission was 718 days long. The Boeing-built space plane blasted off in May 2015 from nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas 5 rocket built by United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing. The reusable X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (pictured) returned in June after its fourth mission, concluding an almost two-year mission in orbit, according to the US Air Force The X-37B, one of two in the Air Force fleet, conducted unspecified experiments during its lengthy orbit. It was the fourth and lengthiest mission so far for the secretive program, managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The Air Force said the orbiters 'perform risk reduction, experimentation and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.' The Air Force tweeted that the vehicle had landed safely, marking the conclusion of its fourth classified mission, which lasted more than 700 days However, the exact nature of the mission and its cost is classified. The Secure World Foundation, a nonprofit group promoting the peaceful exploration of space, says the secrecy surrounding the X-37B suggests the presence of intelligence-related hardware being tested or evaluated aboard the craft. The X-37B first flew in April 2010 and returned after eight months. A second mission launched in March 2011 and lasted 15 months, while a third took flight in December 2012 and returned after 22 months. Advertisement The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed the winners of its annual 'Reflections of Research' photography competition. The captivating images showcase the cutting-edge heart and circulatory disease research taking place across the UK. This year's winning image, 'Explosive beginnings', provides a close-up snapshot of the moment endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels begin to 'sprout' - a process which adds entirely new blood vessels to the existing network. Scroll down for video This year's winning image, 'Explosive beginnings', provides a close-up snapshot of the moment endothelial cells begin to 'sprout' - a process which adds entirely new blood vessels to the existing network. The winning researcher, Courtney Williams, is a Masters student and PhD candidate at Leeds University Endothelial cells form a barrier between the circulating blood and the vessel wall. They also help to protect blood vessels from damage and release important chemical messengers which help to control blood pressure. The winning researcher, Courtney Williams, is a Masters student and PhD candidate at Leeds University. Her lab are developing new ways to map the growth of new blood vessels within their surrounding landscape in 3D. Understanding the complex secrets of blood vessel formation could be harnessed to boost the regrowth of damaged blood vessels after a heart attack. The runner-up image came from Matt MacGregor Sharp, a PhD student at the University of Southampton. Pictured are 'subarachnoid vessels' of a normal artery at the surface of a rat's brain. The 'subarachnoid vessels' supply blood to the brain and also act like a drain to remove toxic waste products. Sitting above the brown brain tissue, the artery appears blue, and its surrounding layer, the pia mater, is shown in purple This picture entitled 'Calcium reef' of calcium in the blood vessel cells of people who have high blood pressure and resembles Australia's Great Barrier Reef Pictured are four ventricles from a mouse heart. The researchers have used fluorescent markers to recognise certain proteins and created the image using hundreds of images assembled together This image shows budding blood vessels in a mouse's retina. In red you can see all the blood vessels and in yellow/green you can see the blood vessels that are actively growing (a process called sprouting) WHY DOES THE HEART NOT GET TIRED? In a person's lifetime, a human heart can contract billions of times. The heart is still a muscle, much like the bicep or the hamstring, but the heart never tires. The reason for this rather crucial detail of anatomy keeps us alive, as without a pumping heart death will shortly follow. Hearts, although muscles, are made up of different fibres than their counterparts. This type of fibre, known as cardiac tissue, only exists in the heart and nowhere else in the human body. Skeletal muscle tires quickly, and can switch from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration - producing lactic acid which causes cramp. If this was to happen in the heart it would cause a heart attack. To avoid this happening and to allow for constant use without fatigue, the cardiac tissue has a different arrangement. Cardiac tissue has far more mitochondria which produces a huge amount more energy in the form of a chemical called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria are small organelles within cells which are considered to be the powerhouse of the cell and convert glucose into energy inside the organelle. Having more of these means the heart as an organ will never run out of energy under normal circumstances. The reason this arrangement does not occur in all muscle sis the energy requirements would be enormous, and unsustainable. The human body would simply demand more energy than it can create. Advertisement The super-high resolution image shows a normal artery at the surface of a rat's brain and was taken with a powerful scanning electron microscope. These 'subarachnoid vessels' supply blood to the brain and also act like a drain to remove toxic waste products. Matt Macgregor's team are trying to show that failure to remove waste by these vessels is one of the underlying causes of vascular dementia. The researchers took the image using a technique called 'freeze fracture', where tissue or cell samples are frozen and then split apart to reveal the hidden layers within the sample so they can be studied in extreme detail. Pictured is a cross section of an artery and the different layers which make up the artery wall. The captivating images showcase the cutting-edge heart and circulatory disease research taking place across the UK thanks to BHF-funded scientists This shows a 'Cardiac collagen web' which is a network of the smallest blood vessels in the heart. Magenta marks the outer collagen layer of the vessels, while orange marks their inner lining and blue the cell nuclei Sitting above the brown brain tissue, the artery appears blue, and its surrounding layer, the pia mater, is shown in purple. One of the judges of this year's competition, Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer at the British Heart Foundation said: 'These snapshots of science in action provide a window into the painstaking, pioneering research that's paving the way to the next medical breakthroughs. 'And it's not all about the heart - this year's competition showcases the breadth of heart and circulatory research showing blood vessels in the brain in stunning detail and the creation of platelets, the cells behind potentially deadly blood clots. 'They showcase the ever more sophisticated technologies which allow scientists to investigate the human body in its most intricate detail. Today's scientists are more equipped than ever to tackle heart and circulatory diseases.' This is an 'oxidative inkblot', which shows one of the culprits in cardiovascular disease and an enzyme called NADPH oxidase. The enzyme is considered 'Janus faced' because it is important in health, as well as disease. This image shows the active enzyme in patients who have high blood pressure Pictured is the developing blood vessel system of a two day old Zebrafish embryo. Researchers used gene enhancers (the on-off switches of genes) to switch on fluorescent markers in different types of endothelial cells that line all blood vessels A shocking picture shows a dead turtle still wrapped in the plastic that killed it. The body of the green sea turtle has completely decomposed but the plastic netting remains in tact months later. The heartbreaking image was taken by a film crew making an ocean documentary while shooting on location at the Cape York Peninsular, Australia. They were both shocked and saddened by what they saw and have released the image to raise of the global issue of 'ghost netting'. Earlier this week, devastating images emerged of monkeys clutching plastic bottles, carrying crisp packets and placing carrier bags over their heads have been caught on camera. Captured by a British tourist holidaying in Thailand, these creatures are a tragic illustration of the plastic pollution caused by travellers overseas. Scroll down for video A shocking picture shows a dead turtle still wrapped in the plastic that killed it. The body of the green sea turtle has completely decomposed but the plastic netting remains in tact months later The picture of the turtle is taken from the upcoming environmental film Blue, which will be shown at the Ocean Film Festival UK & Ireland Tour. Unable to free itself, the turtle died and decomposed on the beach with the net still firmly lodged around its shell. Rosie Fuller, 36, tour coordinator, said: 'These pictures show the horrific effects of plastic pollution and ghost nets on marine life and the world's oceans. 'Blue highlights issues faced by marine life around the globe, often in wild and remote places that you would imagine are untouched by the modern world. 'The reality is very different.' This follows research showing that more than five trillion plastic pieces weighing more than 250,000 tons are afloat in the world's seas. Last month it was revealed just 13 per cent of the world's seas remain officially 'the wilderness' because of pollution and human activity. Experts say there is now almost no marine wilderness in the northern hemisphere and that the growing tide of plastic waste is making things worse. Experts believe that over the past decade 10,000 turtles have been impacted by the ghost nets off northern Australia alone. 'The drifting nets capture all kinds of sea life, but turtles are the most affected as they swim and feed in the currents that carry the nets', said Ms Fuller. The heartbreaking image was taken by a film crew making an ocean documentary while shooting on location at the Cape York Peninsular, Australia BREAK THE PLASTIC HABIT! JOIN THE DAILY MAIL'S CAMPAIGN Ten years ago, the Mail launched a trailblazing campaign to rid Britain of the scourge of plastic supermarket bags prompted by a heartrending, shaming picture of an endangered turtle entangled in one, which was used on the front page. The success of our Banish The Bags initiative has been nothing short of phenomenal. Now, in a landmark series that could have just as big an impact as that front page a decade ago, were here to assure you that you really can make a difference and your actions can help save our beautiful world and its animals. The Mails Turn The Tide On Plastic campaign isnt intended to make you feel guilty about plastic you depend on. Instead, this series will guide you through small daily steps you can take with little expense or effort to make dramatic inroads into reducing the amount of plastic you use. Even simply changing one habit such as using the reusable coffee cup were giving away today, instead of a throwaway cup will help decrease the demand for new plastics. If every Daily Mail reader uses their cup just once a day in place of a takeaway cup, millions of plastic-lined paper cups will be saved from landfill in a year. Its simple maths. Use a plastic bag twice and you halve your plastic footprint. Buy one bar of soap and you may spare the planet two or even three pump-action hand wash bottles. Inspire someone else and the impact is doubled. Well tell you how to double your recycling efficiency overnight, banish plastic from your kitchen and dodge food packaging. Better yet, you can even shop to save the planet with gorgeous and reusable plastic alternatives. Its never too late to start Advertisement 'They have no chance once they are caught in the nets, and can drift for days before eventually drowning.' Ms Fuller continued: 'Currently just under 60 per cent of seabirds have ingested plastic; this figure is expected to rise to 99 per cent by 2050. 'Often a bird will be killed by its parent, which has accidentally brought plastic items to their chicks, mistaking them for food', she said. In Blue, Dr Jennifer Lavers, who works with seabirds on the remote Lord Howe Island in the South Pacific, explains that she has found baby birds with more than 275 pieces of plastic in their stomachs. 'If not fatal, this can cause them to be drastically underweight and undersized, with stunted wings - not a good start for their 5,000km [3,100-mile] migration', said Ms Fuller. The picture is taken from the upcoming environmental film Blue, which will be shown at the Ocean Film Festival UK & Ireland Tour. Unable to free itself, the turtle died and decomposed on the beach with the net still firmly lodged around its shell The film crew were both shocked and saddened by what they saw and have released the image to raise of the global issue of 'ghost netting' DEEP-SEA DEBRIS DATABASE REVEALS EXTENT OF OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION Plastic pollution is a scourge that is ravaging the surface of our planet. Now, the polluting polymer is sinking down to the bottom of the ocean. The deepest part of the ocean is found in the Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, to the east of the Mariana Islands. It stretches down nearly 36,100 feet (11,000 metres) below the surface. One plastic bag was found 35,754 feet (10,898 metres) below the surface in this region, the deepest known piece of human-made pollution in the world. This single-use piece of plastic was found deeper than 33 Eiffel towers, laid tip to base, would reach. Whilst the plastic pollution is rapidly sinking, it is also spreading further into the middle of the oceans. A piece of plastic was found over 620 miles (1,000 km) from the nearest coast - that's further than the length of France. The Global Oceanographic Data Center (Godac) of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (Jamstec) launched for public use in March 2017. In this database, there is the data from 5,010 different dives. From all of these different dives, 3,425 man-made debris items were counted. More than 33 per cent of the debris was macro-plastic followed by metal (26 per cent), rubber (1.8 per cent), shing gear (1.7 per cent), glass (1.4 per cent), cloth/paper/lumber (1.3 per cent), and 'other' anthropogenic items (35 per cent). It was also discovered that of all the waste found, 89 per cent of it was designed for single-use purposes. This is defined as plastic bags, bottles and packages. The deeper the study looked, the greater the amount of plastic they found. Of all man-made items found deeper than 20,000 feet (6,000 metres), the ratios increased to 52 per cent for macro-plastic and 92 per cent for single-use plastic. The direct damage this caused to the ecosystem and environment is clear to see as deep-sea organisms were observed in the 17 per cent of plastic debris images taken by the study. Advertisement 'Half of all marine life has been lost in the last 40 years. Fish populations are in decline. 'Around one in four species of sharks, rays and skates is now threatened with extinction, due primarily to overfishing.' By 2050 there is set to be more plastic in the sea than fish. 'There's a plastic cesspool in our seas and it's doubling in size every 10 years', said Ms Fuller. 'The statistics are dark, but Blue shows that there is a way forward, and the time to act is now. 'All around the world people are making the decision to protect our oceans, and you can join them.' Blue is showing as part of the Ocean Film Festival World Tour and will be coming to venues around the UK and Ireland this autumn. Earlier this week heartbreaking images from Thailand showed the devastating effect plastic is having on macaque monkeys. These heartbreaking images show the devastating effect reckless tourism in Thailand is having on its wildlife population. Here, a macaque monkey is toying with a plastic bag in a tree after it was discarded by tourists The cute creatures were snapped be seen playing with plastic bottles and crisp packets that have been abhorrently discarded in acts of sheer mindlessness Litter, particularly plastic, has been strewn across the ground by careless visitors, making it all too easy for these Macaque monkeys to pick up and dangerously consume Captured by a British tourist holidaying in Thailand, these creatures are a tragic illustration of the plastic plight caused by travellers overseas. Litter strewn across the beaches and streets by careless visitors makes it all too easy for these Macaque monkeys to reach it and put themselves in danger. In one of the pictures a monkey sits in a tree and appears to be suffocating on a plastic bag. An amateur treasure hunter has stumbled across a hoard of Bronze Age items that could be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in a Norfolk field. David Lovett, a 64-year-old from Smallburgh, unearthed the precious haul of ancient goods when walking through the field in Barton Turf, Norfolk. The 3,000-year-old stash is now being assessed by the British Museum which is expected to purchase the lot and put it on display. Among the discovered axe heads, chisels, knives and spears is a ring for a lock of hair that is believed to contain 82 to 83 per cent solid gold. Scroll down for video David Lovett, a 64-year-old from Smallburgh, unearthed the precious haul of ancient goods when walking through the field in Barton Turf, Norfolk. Among the discovered axe heads, chisels, knives and spears is well as a ring for a lock of hair that is believed to contain 82 to 83 per cent solid gold (pictured) Mr Lovett had visited the farmer's field a number of times before and never encountered the treasure. He says that the field is normally full of grazing sheep, obstructing the centre of the paddock. On the day of discovery back in 2016, the sheep were not present, allowing Mr Lovett to scan the unexplored patch for any hidden treasures. He said: 'I had been to that field before but there had always been sheep in the middle. On this day there were no sheep. 'The hoard was spread out over an area of about 30 to 40 square yards. I first picked up a couple of tiny fragments and then a bent dagger. 'My heart started to race, and I knew there was going to be more, and I then found another axe head. 'The feeling was indescribable when I found it... to know that you have in your hands something that's not been held for 3,000 years.' Mr Lovett has been searching for buried treasure for about 10 years and has yet to strike gold. The hoard was declared as treasure at an inquest last week and it will be bought by the British Museum. Any sale proceeds will be divided between him and the landowner in a 50-50 split. Mr Lovett, who works for Norfolk Museums Service as a visitor services assistant gathered the haul in March 2016. HOW WAS GOLD USED IN BRONZE AGE BRITAIN? Bronze Age gold artefacts, such as this cup found in Cornwall, were used to designate high status Between 2500 and 800 BC, communities in Britain first learned how to work metal, producing bronze, copper and gold items. There are currently no known gold mines in Europe dated to the Bronze Age, so the metal was likely obtained using the panning technique. Gold artefacts were used to designate the high status of those who wore or were buried with them. These items included jewellery, pots, cups and small battle ornaments fixed to swords, daggers and other weaponary. Around 1,500 gold artefacts dating to the Bronze Age survive in collections, with around 1000 from Ireland and 500 from Britain. Advertisement When he found the first couple of treasures, he phoned the museum service to ask if he should continue digging. 'They said yes, then I phoned Gressenhall (where there is a museum dedicated to Norfolk rural life) and they told me to carry on digging. 'I texted my wife who was at work to tell her. I knew they were Bronze Age because of their weight and shape. 'I also work at the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth and they've got the Gorleston hoard of Bronze Age artefacts there. 'They would have been expensive items in their day, and would have been buried for safe keeping. For some reason they were never returned to the owner.' Mr Lovett has said that despite the potential financial windfall coming his way, he will continue to search for buried treasure. The 3,000-year-old Bronze Age hoard (pictured) is now being assessed by the British Museum which is expected to purchase the stash and put it on display Mr Lovett has said that despite the potential financial windfall coming his way,he will continue to search for buried treasure. Experts say that bronze is made from tin and copper and was an extremely valuable commodity, especially in areas such as East Anglia 'I don't think you can describe it. I felt both elation and disbelief at the same time,' he said of his discovery. 'My wife said I was bouncing off the wall for three days.' Bronze is made from tin and copper and was an extremely valuable commodity, especially in areas such as East Anglia where there are no local copper or tin deposits, according to Julie Shoemark of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. She said the items could have been 'caches of scrap material intended for recovery and reuse by transient metalworkers'. 'Alternatively, other scholars have characterised hoards which show evidence of acts of deliberate destruction as a form of ritual 'killing', in which the object is taken out of use and offered as a sacrifice to a deity or spirit.' According to Ms Shoemark, lock rings are normally found in pairs leading to theories of their use as ear rings or for hair decoration. 'What is generally agreed is that they denoted wealth and high-status within late Bronze Age society.' Tiny fossilised bacteria dating back 3.4 billion years could be the first evidence of life on Earth, say scientists. The microscopic remnants provide experts the opportunity to see at what the world looked like when it was barely one billion yeas old. During these formative years of planet Earth the planet was vastly different to how it is today, with temperatures reaching up to a sweltering 300C (572F). As well as weathering the extreme heat, the primitive lifeforms would have been fuelled by minerals as oxygen and ozone had yet to form in this tumultuous period in Earth's history. Scroll down for video Tiny fossilised bacteria dating back 3.4 billion years could be the first evidence of life on Earth, say scientists. The microscopic remnants (pictured) provide experts with the opportunity to see what the world looked like when it was barely one billion yeas old Conditions for life were far from ideal and plants had yet to develop the ability to photosynthesise. The single celled organisms are believed to be the most primitive type of bacteria called prokaryotes. This means they don't even have a nucleus or other structures such as mitochondria in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. They were dug out of a rock formation known as Strelley Pool in Pilbara, Western Australia, five years ago. Now scientists have declared they are possibly the world's oldest microfossils after a chemical analysis identified characteristics similar to modern bacteria. This all but confirms their 'biological origin', the international team told the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Boston. Dr Julien Alleon, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: 'There are a couple of important points which come out of this work. 'Firstly, we demonstrate that the elemental and molecular characteristics of these 3.4 billion year old microfossils are consistent with biological remains, slightly degraded by fossilisation processes. 'This effectively supports the biological origin of the Strelley Pool microfossils. 'Secondly, it is remarkable that these echoes of past life have survived the extreme conditions they have experienced over the last 3.4 billion years. 'We know from the molecular structure of the microfossils that they have been exposed to temperatures of up to 300 C for long periods. And yet we are still able to see signs of their original chemistry. 'This is a step forward to confirming that these are indeed the oldest fossils yet discovered.' Optical photomicrographs, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and Raman spectra (all pictured) of the 3.4 billion year old Strelley Pool organic microfossils reveal the presence of Organic carbon (which appears darker than mineral phases) The study published in Geochemical Perspectives Letters shows the chemical residuals match those of younger bacterial fossils - and so are likely to have been laid down by early life forms. There is some evidence life may have developed even earlier, with rocks that date back 4.1 billion years potentially harbouring signs of life. This theory has yet to be confirmed however, as it has not been subjected to the same rigorous examination as the Strelley Pool specimen. Dr Alleon said: 'There are competing claims over which microfossils are actually the world's oldest. This analytical strategy needs to be applied to other ancient samples to help settle the controversy.' His team analysed the Strelley Pool samples using a scanning technique called synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy. They then compared the analytical results with 1.9 billion year old fossils unearthed on the shores of Lake Superior, Ontario and modern-day bacteria. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images (pictured) of the Strelley Pool organic microfossils show it was likely using minerals on primitive Earth as fuel All of the samples showed similar absorption features, indicating the residual chemicals were made from the same building blocks. Earth scientist Professor Vickie Bennett, of the Australian National University, Canberra, who was not involved in the study, described it as exciting and said it was 'compelling evidence' the Strelley microfossils were evidence of life on ancient Earth. She said: 'This is in line with other observations for early life from the Strelley Pool rocks, including stromatolites interpreted as microbial mats, and further confirming that the minimum age for life on Earth is 3.4 billion years.' But Professor Bennett added: 'The techniques used here are not applicable to the older rocks that host the claims for the oldest terrestrial life, as these rocks were exposed to much higher temperatures. 'These samples include the 3.7 billion year old stromatolites from Isua, Greenland, and the 4.1 billion year old Canadian microfossils. 'However, this work shows how quickly the field is developing and that new capabilities for testing and confirming earlier evidence of life are in reach.' Earth is believed to have formed about 4.6 billion years ago, with life only emerging after the planet had cooled down from its original molten state and developed a solid crust with oceans created from atmospheric water vapour. Many scientists think these primordial seas gave rise to life with hot, mineral-rich volcanic vents acting as catalysts for chemical reactions across the surface of tiny water bubbles, which led to the first cell membranes such as prokaryotes. Other bubbles are thought to have formed self-replicating substances by attracting chemicals from around them. Over time the two combined to produce energy-using, living cells. As the numbers of these microscopic bacteria multiplied and supplies of their chemical fuel were eaten up, they sought out an alternative energy source. New varieties began to harness the power of the sun through photosynthesis - a move that would ultimately lead to simple plants and which opened the planet up to animal life. Samsung is thought to be releasing its flagship handset the S10 in 2019 and a patent application suggests it may be fitted with a futuristic self-healing screen. The revolutionary display would be able to fix any cracks or scratches on the screen without the owner needing to do anything. According to a patent filed with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the screen will also be impervious to any scuffs, scratches and fingerprint marks. The technology has been teased in small doses before and the patent also mentions the possibility of it being applied to 'flexible devices' which could open the door for foldable phones. Scroll down for video Samsung is thought to be releasing its flagship handset the S10 in 2019 and it may be fitted with a futuristic self-healing screen. The revolutionary display could see the end of irritating scratches that obscure the screen (stock) The patent describes 'an anti-fingerprinting composition having a self-healing property, and a film, a laminate, and a device including the anti-fingerprinting composition.' Fingerprints will be repelled by an oleophobic layer, a property which sees any oils rolling off the surface. It means that finger oils would be unable to stick onto the smartphone glasses, making the screen appear much cleaner. It also states it would be used in a 'portable electronic device such as a smart phone or tablet.' The solution to the issues of smudges, scratches and smears lies in creating an innovative layer that resides on top of the phone screen. Instead of being made out of the tempered glass of most phone models, the Samsung patent stets a blend of 'polyrotaxane, polyhedral silsesquioxane, and fluorinated (meth) acryl' will be usedinstead. Tech companies have been working on self-healing phones for some time, with the LG G Flex and G Flex 2 (pictured) smartphones. These devices were launched 2013 and 2015, and had backs that could automatically repair minor scratches No details have been released that show how these components will be mixed together or bonded to the screen. Samsung also writes in the patent: 'The film may be self-healed after being scratched and has excellent flexibility, and thus may be applied to a flexible device and the like.' The properties of the material mean it would also be well suited to a flexible screen, which could prove especially useful in a foldable device. Samsung's current devices come fitted with ultra-durable Gorilla Glass, but these are not a perfect solution, with the firm itself admitting the glass is 'easily broken or scratched'. 'There is a need for a protective material having improved properties, and which can be applied to an electronic device,' Samsung explains in its patent filing. Self-healing screens has been teased in small doses before but the prospect of a self-healing screen could open the door for foldable phones. Samsung filed an official patent (pictured) that states the feature would also see the end of fingerprint marks and smears WHY WERE APPLE AND SAMSUNG LOCKED IN A PATENT TRIAL? Smartphone rivals Samsung and Apple were been locked in a vicious court battle over allegedly stolen patents. The trial first erupted in 2011, just a year after Apple released the original iPhone 4. The two hi-tech behemoths went to court over the designs that have now become commonplace on most popular smartphones, with a court ruling in 2012 in flavor of Apple. At issue were design features by now familiar to consumers: a black, rectangular, round-cornered phone front, a surrounding rim, known as the 'bezel' and a grid of 16 colourful icon. Samsung was ordered to pay over a billion dollars to Apple, but that amount was later lowered to roughly $340 million. Now, the pair are back in court for a new trial Those design elements were protected, prompting the jury to award Apple all the profits from sales of smartphones containing those features, Samsung lawyers said in their filing. Samsung was ordered to pay over a billion dollars to Apple, but that amount was later lowered to roughly $340 million. The company appealed the damages in a new case, in May 2018. In the latest trial, Apple has the burden of proof to prove that Samsung should pay the full $1 billion in damages. At the end of May, a jury handed down its most recent decision regarding the Apple v. Samsung case, declaring the South Korean tech giant owes $533,316,606 for infringing on Apple's iPhone design patents. Another $5.3 million was awarded for two utility patents. Advertisement Tech companies have been working on self-healing phones for some time, with the LG G Flex and G Flex 2 smartphones. These devices were launched 2013 and 2015, and had backs that could automatically repair minor scratches. Speaking to TechnoBuffalo back in 2015, Samsung said the hydrogen atoms that make up the material prefer to rearrange and distribute equally, often repairing minor scratches. This is limited however, and does not fix larger marks. Samsung's upcoming feature is likely to have the same restriction. The patent is preliminary and there has been no word from Samsung as to if or when it will make its way on to a device. Mozilla Firefox users have had their online history tracked by an app that was designed to protect privacy. The popular Web Security app, which has been installed by 222,746 Firefox users, was caught snooping at the websites users visited. It was doing so by recording each page a user clicked on in the browser and then forwarding this information to a specific address on the internet where it was stored. This is despite it claiming to actively protecting users 'from malware, tampered websites or phishing sites that aim to steal your personal data.' Last week the add-on was even recommended on the official Firefox blog. Just last month another popular plug-in for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox was also found to be recording what users did online. Scroll down for video Mozilla Firefox users may have had their entire online history recorded by an app designed to protect users' privacy (stock image) The reports were made by Raymond Hill, the author of uBlock Origin and Mike Kuketz, a German privacy and security blogger. 'With this extension, I see that for every page you load in your browser, there is a POST to http://136.243.163.73/', Mr Hill wrote on Reddit last week. 'The posted data is garbled, maybe someone will have the time to investigate further.' Just days later, Mr Kuketz posted about the same behaviour. Someone visiting his forum then decoded the data and revealed that the add-on was sending the URL to a German server. The data showed the plug-in was tracking individual users as well as their browsing patterns. In a statement to Bleeping Computer, a spokesperson for Creative Software Solutions who created the add-on said; 'The addon Web Security is as the name says is a security addon, that protects the user from abusive websites to protect their data and privacy. 'We do not want sites to track and steal the users data or browsing history. 'One of the security aspects includes checking the requested site against a global blacklist, thus the communication between the client and our servers is unavoidable, while we keep it to a absolute minimum and do not log this communication.' The spokesperson also said that the add-on had been processed by Mozilla's verification staff. The add-on has not currently been removed from the Mozilla add-on portal. MailOnline has contacted Mozilla and Creative Software Solutions for comment. The popular Web Security app which has been installed by 222,746 Firefox users and was caught snooping at the websites users visited Just last month it was revealed another popular plug-in for the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox was recording everything users did online. The software, which is designed to allow users to customise the appearance of how webpages appear inside the web browsers, has been hijacked by spyware. The extension, which has more than 1.8 million users worldwide, may have been recording the browsing history of everyone who uses it. Worse still, this browsing data could be linked to details that make users identifiable in the real world, making them vulnerable to hackers and blackmailers. The plug in has since been removed from both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox's respective official stores. An expert discovered that software is designed to allow users to customise the appearance of how web pages appear in Chrome and Firefoz, had been hijacked by spyware. The extension may have been recording the browsing history of everyone who uses it (pictured) The finding was made by Robert Theaton, a software engineer from San Francisco, who discovered the software, dubbed Stylish, had been recording browser history since January 2017, when it was bought by new owners SimilarWeb. Writing on his blog, Mr Theaton said: 'It only takes one tracking request containing one session cookie to permanently associate a user account with a Stylish tracking identifier. 'This means that Stylish and SimilarWeb still have all the data they need to connect a real-world identity to a browsing history, should they or a hacker choose to.' Stylish sends complete browsing activity back to its servers, together with a unique identifier, he claims. That includes actual Google search results from your browser window. The finding was made by Robert Theaton, a software engineer from San Francisco, who discovered the software, called Stylish, had been recording browser history since January 2017, when it was bought by new owners SimilarWeb. This image shows the Firefox version This allows its new owner, SimilarWeb, to connect an individual with all of their online activity. Those who have created a Stylish account on userstyles.org will have a unique identifier that can easily be linked to a login cookie and text files intended to help users access a website faster and more efficiently. This means that not only does SimilarWeb own a copy of any user's complete browsing histories, they also own enough other data to theoretically tie these histories to email addresses and real-world identities. One in three planets outside the solar system that are bigger than Earth is a waterworld, according to new research. Scientists say that any 'exoplanet' that is two to four times the size of Earth are likely to contain the main ingredient for life - boding well in the search for aliens. Analysis of data from the exoplanet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope and the Gaia mission indicates half their weight may be water - either flowing or frozen. In comparison, the amount of water on Earth makes up just 0.02 per cent of its complete mass. One in three planets outside the solar system that are bigger than Earth is a waterworld, according to new research. Scientists say that any 'exoplanet' that is two to four times the size of Earth are likely to contain the main ingredient for life - boding well in the search for aliens Lead researcher Dr Li Zeng, of Harvard University in the United States, said: 'It was a huge surprise to realise that there must be so many water-worlds.' So far the 4,000 confirmed or candidate exoplanets that have been discovered fall into two size categories. They either have a planetary radius averaging around 1.5 or 2.5 times that of the Earth. Now a group of international scientists have developed a model of their internal structure. This is based upon their recent mass and radius measurements from the Gaia satellite. Dr Zeng said: 'We have looked at how mass relates to radius, and developed a model which might explain the relationship.' The model indicates the smaller planets tend to be rocky planets - with typically five times as much mass as Earth. The larger ones have about 10 times more mass - and 'are probably water worlds,' said Dr Zeng. Analysis of data from the exoplanet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope and the Gaia mission indicates half their weight may be water - either flowing or frozen. In comparison, the amount of water on Earth makes up just 0.02 per cent of its complete mass (stock image) Presenting the findings at the Goldschmidt conference in Boston, he explained: 'This is water, but not as commonly found here on Earth. 'Their surface temperature is expected to be in the 200 to 500 degree Celsius range. 'Their surface may be shrouded in a water-vapour-dominated atmosphere, with a liquid water layer underneath. 'Moving deeper, one would expect to find this water transforms into high-pressure ices before we reaching the solid rocky core. 'The beauty of the model is that it explains just how composition relates to the known facts about these planets.' The 1992 discovery of exoplanets orbiting other stars has sparked interest in understanding the composition of these planets to determine, among other goals, whether they are suitable for the development of life. Dr Zeng said: 'Our data indicate about 35 per cent of all known exoplanets which are bigger than Earth should be water-rich. 'These water worlds likely formed in similar ways to the giant planet cores - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune - which we find in our own solar system. 'The newly-launched TESS mission will find many more of them, with the help of ground-based spectroscopic follow-up. 'The next generation space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, will hopefully characterise the atmosphere of some of them. This is an exciting time for those interested in these remote worlds'. TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) is searching for exoplanets. Professor Sara Seager, a planetary scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and deputy science director of the mission, said: 'It is amazing to think the enigmatic intermediate-size exoplanets could be water worlds with vast amounts of water. 'Hopefully atmosphere observations in the future - of thick steam atmospheres - can support or refute the new findings'. The full findings of the study were presented at the Goldschmidt conference, held in Boston. The secret of why dominant men always seem to rise to the top has been uncovered. Researchers say they are able to make decisions far faster than those with non dominant personalities. They say it could explain why so many top CEOs and politicians including Donald Trump are known for their dominant personalities. Scroll down for video The French researchers say it could explain why so many top CEOs and politicians including Donald Trump are known for their dominant personalities. The study found 'high-dominant' men respond faster in situations where a choice is needed, regardless of social context. The study found that promptness to respond in high-dominance men than in low-dominance men was accompanied by a strikingly amplified brain signal around 240 milliseconds after seeing the faces. In addition, when the researchers analyzed the EEG images of the high-dominance participants, they identified a higher activity in areas of the brain associated with emotion and behavior, compared to low-dominance participants. 'Dominance itself depends partly on the ability to make decisions faster than others. This allows the individual to act first in social situations, which might confer an evolutionary advantage,' the team wrote. They now hope to link these reading to roles such as CEOs, and to find out if the same differences happen in female and child brains. High-dominant' men responded faster in situations where a choice was needed, and also had higher activity in areas of brain associated with emotion and behavior 'In the future, it will be important to find out whether even stronger brain signals are observed in particularly dominant individuals, such as CEOs,' said Carmen Sandi of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. 'It will also be relevant to understand whether these differences in promptness to respond and brain signals are also observed in women that differ in dominance and whether they are already present in children. 'Our findings may open a new research approach using EEG signatures as a measure for social dominance.' The study involved 240 male students at EPFL and the University of Lausanne (UNIL). The men were sorted into high or low dominance groups by a standard 'dominance scoring' questionnaire that has been validated in many previous studies. The study suggests that high-dominant men respond faster in situations where a choice is needed, regardless of social context. This promptness in decision-making can act as a 'biomarker' for social disposition. A privacy group says in a letter to Federal Trade Commission that Google has violated the terms of a 2011 settlement because of practices exposed in an Associated Press report this week. The Electronic Privacy Information Center says in the letter to the FTC that Google's recording of time-stamped location data even after users have turned off a setting called Location History 'clearly violates' the 2011 settlement. The center lobbied the FTC to take action on Google nearly a decade ago. Scroll down for video Days after an Associated Press investigation revealed that Google is storing the locations of users even if they turn a privacy setting called 'Location History' off, the company has changed a help page that erroneously described how the setting works That helped lead to the settlement in which Google agreed to a 20-year monitoring regime and vowed to not misrepresent the degree to which users have control over private data. Three days after the AP story was published Monday, Google altered a help page explanation but didn't change its tracking. The search giant revised a help page that erroneously described how its 'Location History' setting works. The page now clarifies that Google still tracks their location even if they turn the setting off. The move follows an explosive report by the Associated Press, which revealed that several Google apps and websites store user location even if users turned off Location History. Google has not changed its location-tracking practices since the investigation was published. The help page now states: 'This setting does not affect other location services on your device.' It also acknowledges that 'some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, like Search and Maps.' Previously, the page stated: 'With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored.' The change appeared to have been made to Google's website midday Thursday. Researchers created a map of the movements of Princeton postdoctoral researcher Gunes Acar, who carried an Android phone with Location history off (pictured) Google has since changed some portions of its help page that address its location-tracking policies. However, it hasn't altered its location-tracking tactics following recent scrutiny Google acknowledge the change in a statement to reporters. 'We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clear across our platforms and help centers,' Google said in a statement to the AP. The AP investigation found that even with Location History turned off, Google stores user location when, for instance, the Google Maps app is opened, or when users conduct Google searches that aren't related to location. The researchers found Google logs a record of your current location each time you open its turn-by-turn navigation app, Google Maps. The daily weather updates on Android phones also provided another way to track movement. Even with Location History turned off, Google stores user location when, for instance, the Google Maps app is opened, or when users search things that aren't related to location HOW DOES GOOGLE TRACK ITS USERS' LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF 'LOCATION HISTORY'? A new investigation led by the Associated Press found that some Google apps automatically store time-stamped location data without asking - even when you've paused Location History. The investigation found, for example: Google stores a snapshot of where you are when you open its Maps app Automatic daily weather updates on Android phones pinpoint where you are each time the forecast is refreshed Simple searchers, such as 'chocolate chip cookies,' or 'kids science kits,' pinpoint your precise latitude and longitude accurate to the square foot - and save it to your Google account This information is all logged as part of the 'Web and App Activity feature, which does not specifically reference location information in its description. This is enabled by default, and stores a variety of information from Google apps and websites to your Google account. When paused, it will prevent activity on any device from being saved to your account. Leaving 'Web & App Activity' on and turning 'Location History' off only prevents Google from adding your movements to the 'timeline,' its visualization of your daily travels. It does not stop Google's collection of other location markers. Advertisement Storing your minute-by-minute travels carries privacy risks and has been used by police to determine the location of suspects such as a warrant that police in Raleigh, North Carolina, served on Google last year to find devices near a murder scene. Privacy experts have assailed Google's policy of saving user location data that it doesn't technically classify as 'location history.' Silicon Valley tech giants are under increasing scrutiny over their data practices, following a series of privacy scandals at Facebook. Additionally, new data-privacy rules adopted by the European Union have also generated a greater focus on protecting user data. Last year, the business news site Quartz found that Google was tracking Android users by collecting the addresses of nearby cellphone towers even if all location services were off. Google changed the practice and insisted it never recorded the data anyway. Critics say Google's insistence on tracking its users' locations stems from its drive to boost advertising revenue. The U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane looks similar to Nasa's space shuttle but is much smaller. The space plane is 29 feet (8.8 metres) long, 9.6 feet (2.9 metres) tall and weighs around 11,000 lbs. (4,990 kilograms). It is orbiting at around 200 miles (320 kilometres) high. The U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane looks similar to Nasa's space shuttle but is much smaller. The space plane is 29 feet (8.8 metres) long, 9.6 feet (2.9 metres) tall and weighs around 11,000 lbs. (4,990 kilograms) Officials have revealed few details about the OTV-5 mission (the aircraft's fifth) but according to the Air Force, one on board OTV-5 payload is US thermal spreader which will test the longevity of electronics and heat pipes in the space environment. The craft is powered by solar cells with lithium-ion batteries. Four previous X-37B missions have been launched by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets. Each time the unmanned space plane has carried a mystery payload on long-duration flights in Earth orbit. Sibianor larae is a very small species of spider. It is approximately the same size as a match-head and is commonly found in bog and peatland. Dr Dmitri Logunov, the curator of arthropods at Manchester Museum, was the academic who first described the species, making it known to the scientific community in 2001. A confirmed sighting of the small arachnid was not confirmed in the UK until June of 2018. For an animal of its minute stature, it is capable of jumping up to six feet i the air - higher than the average height of a human being. The elusive critters are suffering from habitat degradation but are believed to have existed in UK bogland for millennia. Advertisement Lonely Planet has a lot of travel writers - and around 200 of them contributed to the guide's new Epic Hikes of the World book. They were asked to describe their favourite hikes and the answers were distilled into a wonderful tome brimming with mesmerising pictures that will have travellers everywhere reaching for their compasses, walking boots and Thermos flasks. The book includes the thrilling 14 peaks of Snowdonia (33 miles) hike, the Ring of Steall in Scotland (10 miles), Angels Landing in Utah (five miles) and the John Muir trail in California (215 miles), as well as walks in Iceland, Morocco and Australia. Lonely Planet has kindly allowed MailOnline Travel to reveal a sneak peek of the book's jaw-dropping contents, so scroll down and allow wanderlust to envelope you. The Laugavegur trail, Iceland The Laugavegur trek in Iceland is tipped as one of the best ways to see the otherworldly landscape with it covering a distance of 48 miles and ending in the village of Skogar. Pictured are a group of hikers going up the path at Landmannalaugar Lonely Planet's Epic Hikes of the World book notes that Iceland's back country 'feels like an elemental place ruled by elves and Arctic energy, and a walk between its volcanoes and glaciers is a symphony of wind, stone, fire and ice'. The Laugavegur trek is tipped as one of the best ways to see the otherworldly landscape with it covering a distance of 48 miles and ending in the village of Skogar. There are 'no-frills huts' and camping sites to stay at along the way and July to mid-September are recommended as the best months to go. Mount Toubkal, Morocco Mt Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, standing at 13,671ft high. The Lonely Planet book notes that trekkers can get up and down the mountain in just two days, if summiting is the only aim. Pictured is Mount Toubkal National Park Mt Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, standing at 13,671ft high. The Lonely Planet book notes that trekkers can get up and down the mountain in just two days, if summiting is the only aim. But those who want to spend a little longer acclimatising and getting a 'greater insight into local Berber culture' should opt to take a longer circuit. The trek, which covers 45 miles, traditionally starts and ends from the small village of Imlil in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The Great South West Walk, Australia A multi-day hike through southwest Victoria in Australia promises to offer 'lush landscapes of forest, river, beach and bush'. Above, the Petrified Forest at Discovery Bay This multi-day hike through southwest Victoria in Australia promises to offer 'lush landscapes of forest, river, beach and bush'. The Great South West Walk is a looped trail that starts and ends in the city of Portland and covers 155 miles. The trek usually takes around 11 to 14 days at a gentle pace. Points of interest include the colossal sand dunes near Swan Lake on Discovery Bay and the Petrified Forest, which features a bizarre mix of stump-like rock formations that are the result of weather erosion, not fossilised trees as originally thought. The Choquequirao trail, Peru Choquequirao in Peru (pictured) is described as a 'citadel so far up in the Andes of Peru that archaeologists have only freed about 30 per cent of it from the jungle' The Lonely Travel experts note that some 500 people hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu daily, yet a smaller path nearby leads to an even larger 'lost city' of Peru that 'remains remarkably untouched'. Choquequirao is described as a 'citadel so far up in the Andes of Peru that archaeologists have only freed about 30 per cent of it from the jungle'. A trek to the ancient site, which starts and ends in Cachora, covers 28 miles and visitors are advised to hike from May to October during the dry season. A trek up to Angels Landing, Utah Angels Landing in southwestern Utah's Zion National Park takes hikers up an exposed rocky ridge with the round-trip hike taking around five hours to complete The Lonely Planet book notes that the arduous trek is well-worth it, as the 'views are spectacular, with rust-red mesas and buttes towering above a stippling of cottonwood trees, junipers and pinyon pines below that seem almost thirst quenchingly green in the arid surroundings' Angels Landing in southwestern Utah's Zion National Park takes hikers up an exposed rocky ridge with the five-mile round-trip hike taking around five hours to complete. The Lonely Planet book notes that the arduous trek is well-worth it, as the 'views are spectacular, with rust-red mesas and buttes towering above a stippling of cottonwood trees, junipers and pinyon pines below that seem almost thirst quenchingly green in the arid surroundings'. Hiking through the rocky valley during the summer is said to be a 'sweaty affair', so it's best to visit during the spring and autumn months. The nearest major airport is Las Vegas. Hiking to the Kalinga villages, Philippines To experience remote living, the Lonely Planet book recommends trekking to the Kalinga villages in the Philippines, where headhunting was practiced until the 1960s To experience remote living, the Lonely Planet book recommends trekking to the Kalinga villages in the Philippines, where headhunting was practiced until the 1960s. Accommodation is available in local homes, with sweet coffee on offer and traditional rice and bean dishes cooked over a wood fire. A two-day round trek, which starts and ends in the area of Tinglayan, will take you through 'terraced rice fields' and 'villages of rickety wooden homes, wandering pot-bellied pigs, chickens and laughing children'. Mt Kinabalu, Borneo Legs of steel? This one's for you. The Lonely Planet book says of scaling 13,435ft Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia: 'Incorporating tangled jungle, granite ridges and barren plateaux, traversing Borneo's highest and holiest mountain is a task that requires nerves - and legs - of steel.' Although it's a short climb - just over five miles from the national park gates to the summit - it is an extremely steep ascent, with a 7,874 elevation gain. Travellers are recommended to hit the slopes from February through to April and to pack thermal base-layers as it can get cold on the peak at night. Zambian walking safari The Lonely Planet book says that one of the best ways to experience the raw African bush is to go on a walking safari and Zambia is highlighted as an ideal spot. It notes that a stroll through the savannah with an experienced guide promises 'electrifying encounters with elephants, lions and buffalo - and facetime with countless smaller species'. Most treks cover around 7.5miles a day and June to October are the recommended months, during the cooler dry season when animals emerge to seek out water. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, Australia For a fill of fascinating wildlife, waterfalls and ancient rainforest, head on a three-day walk through two national parks in southern Queensland For a fill of fascinating wildlife, waterfalls and ancient rainforest, head on a three-day, 34-mile walk through two national parks in southern Queensland. The Lonely Planet book notes that Lamington National Park is home to more than 900 plant species, 200 bird species and 60 mammal species, alongside 100 species of reptiles and amphibians. Using it as a starting point, trek through 'dense rainforest, airy eucalyptus and even grasslands' until you eventually reach Springbrook National Park, which is said to be equally as beautiful. There is accommodation along the way, with lodges and campsites available to book. June, July and August are highlighted as the best months to visit. Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania For 'the greatest high without crampons', the Lonely Planet book advises trekkers to head to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania For 'the greatest high without crampons', the Lonely Planet book advises trekkers to head to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At 19,341ft, the snow-capped beauty is the highest peak in Africa and the world's biggest free-standing summit, 'rising isolated and enormous from the Tanzanian plains'. The 37-mile trek traditionally starts at the Machame Gate and ends at the Mweka Gate, with it usually taking people six to seven days to complete. January to March and June to October are highlighted as ideal times to go, with drier weather making it a more pleasant experience. The 14 peaks of Snowdonia, Wales Climbing all of Wales's 3,000ft peaks in a day is described as 'an unforgettable challenge', but spreading them over a long weekend is better advised if you're looking to experience the real beauty of Snowdonia Climbing all of Wales's 3,000ft peaks in a day is described as 'an unforgettable challenge', but spreading them over a long weekend is better advised if you're looking to experience the real beauty of Snowdonia. The area was used as a training ground for Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay before their 1953 summit of Mt Everest and it remains popular with trekkers today. Hikers are advised to start at the youth hostel in the village of Rowen before starting out on a 33-mile journey to Pen-y-Pass. Weather in the area is known to change quickly, and the summer months are best with longer days providing better visibility. British holidaymakers can save hundreds of pounds by visiting 'unsung cities' rather than the most popular destinations, according to new research. Post Office Travel Money compared the price of tourist items in 10 cities that are 'off the well-beaten tourist track' with 10 more established locations. And the Unsung Cities League shows that Belgrade has the cheapest prices, including 1.73 for a bottle of local beer, 1.53 for admission to a top art gallery and 3.84 for a two-day travel card. British holidaymakers can save hundreds of pounds by visiting 'unsung cities' rather than the most popular destinations, according to new research. One of the cheapest city breaks is Belgrade, pictured The total cost of the basket of goods including - including a range of drinks, an evening meal for two with wine, two nights' three-star weekend accommodation in October, sightseeing and city transport - is 12 per cent cheaper than rival Krakow. At 175, the barometer basket in Romanian capital Bucharest runner up to Belgrade - cost over 23 per cent less than in Budapest (229) in neighbouring Hungary. The higher cost of accommodation in Budapest helped to make a city previously rated high in the best value top 10 almost 54 more expensive than Bucharest. A surprising result of the research was that Porto, Portugal's second city, proved to be cheaper than two fast-emerging Eastern European capitals, Bratislava, Slovakia (203) and Ljubljana, Slovenia (217). A table showing how much holidaymakers could save by visiting an unsung city compared to an established city Third-placed in the Unsung Cities League, Porto's prices (184) were also a third lower than in Lisbon (275) and eight per cent less than in Athens (200), making it the cheapest city in Western Europe. However, Slovakian capital Bratislava (203) looks a bargain buy compared with costs in Vienna (362) in neighbouring Austria. The price gap between Europe's two closest capital cities is over 159 or 44 per cent. Other comparisons made by the report include Toulouse costing 38 per cent less than Paris, Valencia being 35 per cent cheaper than Barcelona and visitors to Verona saving 36 per cent compared with staying in Venice. Tourists could save over 50 by holiday in Romanian capital Bucharest, pictured, rather than nearby Budapest In Portugal, Porto's prices (184) were also a third lower than in Lisbon. Pictured is the old town skyline in Porto Post Office Travel Money spokesman Andrew Brown urged tourists not to get 'caught out' by expensive destinations. He said: 'Holidaymakers need to be careful to do their homework before booking, and budget accordingly. 'As Europe's lesser-known capitals and second cities start to invest in tourism, now is the time to consider switching to a city that is likely to be cheaper than long-established favourites. 'In eastern Europe there are several historic capitals - led by Belgrade, Bucharest and Bratislava - that can rival Krakow, Prague and Budapest on both price and sights. 'In the West, Porto is a great alternative to Lisbon while cities like Valencia, Verona and Toulouse are cheaper options than city break favourites like Barcelona, Venice and Paris.' Hotel owners in Ibiza say they fear the party resort of San Antonia is 'finished' after a string of deaths this summer. They say the image of the popular resort has been serious dented by a number of incidents and have called it the 'one of the worst summers in history'. Among the incidents are drownings, fatal fights, balconing deaths, seizures of drugs in broad daylight, muggings and bottle parties. The party resort of San Antonio in Ibiza. Hotel owners say they fear the resort is 'finished' after a string of deaths this summer Tourism chiefs are being urged to plan a major change of image of San Antonio to make sure holidaymakers return in the years ahead. It comes after earlier in the week when 24-year-old Brit Paul Gardner plunged 24ft to his death onto rocks on a beach near the resort whilst celebrating his birthday with friends. On Sunday, a British expat died after falling from an apartment block in San Antonio, the same building where another 26-year-old Brit fell from last year. And investigations are still continuing into the death of 23-year-old British man Conor Lee Spraggs following an altercation in the resort. Five people, at least four of them Brits, have been arrested by police in connection with the incident. Local newspaper Diario de Ibiza says local business owners, particularly hoteliers who have invested millions in improving their properties, are at their wit's end and are describing San Antonio as 'a territory without law'. Some traders are blaming the closing of the popular West End area bars being moved to 3am rather than 6am as the main cause of problems with revellers spilling out on the streets but tourism chiefs do not agree. Tourism chiefs are being urged to plan a major change of image of San Antonio to make sure holidaymakers return to Ibiza, pictured, in the years ahead One trader told Diario de Ibiza: 'If you release 5,000 people suddenly in the street at three in the morning, they will continue the party. They do not go to sleep. They mess about on the beach or the promenade.' Local councillors say they have been trying to change the current tourism model for three years with various new laws, including tough fines for anti-social behaviour, a crackdown on noisy clubs and bars and closing down terraces at midnight. But one hotelier Ana Gordillo added: 'The private sector has invested a lot to change the bad image of San Antonio. We are fighting to vary that tourist model of drunkenness. We do not want exclusive tourism. 'We are in favour of all types of tourists but we do not want those who do not respect public order, those who are not civic and those who exclude other travellers. They think that they can come here to do what they want.' Singapore Airlines has revealed the 'wellness cuisine' menu aimed at reducing jet lag that it is set to serve passengers when it launches the world's longest flight later this year. From October, the carrier, which was recently named the best in the world, will start daily non-stop services of 18 hours and 45 minutes from the city-state to New York. The journey from Changi to Newark's Liberty International Airport will cover about 10,300 miles more than the world's current longest flight. Some of the dishes on Singapore Airline's new wellness menu on the world's longest flight. Pictured left is seared chicken and right a breakfast of lox eggs benedict Now the airline has announced it has partnered with 'wellness' brand Canyon Ranch to develop what it described as 'nutrition-focused' menus to aid sleep and reduce jet lag. And although Singapore Airlines hasn't revealed the full food service on offer, it has unveiled a sample menu of food. It will include an appetiser of wild caught prawn ceviche and lavosh with fresh orange, cucumber, grapefruit, cilantro, scallions and bell peppers. The main course is seared chicken and zucchini pappardelle featuring pasta-cut zucchini, parmesan, braised tomatoes, lemon vinaigrette and micro basil. Desert will include lemon angel food cake with blueberry topping and breakfast will consist of lox eggs benedict with a whole wheat English muffin, chive cream cheese, smoked salmon, organic-egg omelette and yogurt hollandaise. As well as the menu, Canyon Ranch will also work with the airline to develop sleep, exercise and stretching strategies to aid breathing and reduce jetlag. Singapore Airlines acting senior vice president of customer experience, Yeoh Phee Teik said: 'SIA is firmly committed to continually elevating our customers experience to be the number one in the industry. When the flight launches in October, Singapore Airlines flight will use the long-range Airbus A350-900ULR, which will be configured to carry 161 passengers 'Our new partnership with Canyon Ranch builds on that commitment, as well as our strong legacy of service, tapping into their deep expertise and science-based recommendations and strategies to deliver an even more comfortable journey for our customers.' When the flight launches in October, Singapore Airlines flight will use the long-range Airbus A350-900ULR, which will be configured to carry 161 passengers - 67 in business class and 94 in premium economy. The airline had flown a similar route from 2004 until 2013 but cancelled it as it fell short of revenue expectations. However, its latest decision comes as carriers look for new sources of revenue in a competitive environment, while long-haul flights often make more cash than those that require stops. There are also plans for a non-stop route from Singapore to Los Angeles using the same plane, the airline said. The current world's longest flight is the 17 hour 20 minute service by Qantas between Perth and London. It's no secret that many social media influencers enlist the help of photo editing apps to sharpen up their picture-perfect public image. But Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr Randal Haworth believes that Tammy Hembrow - the Instagram model who was infamously wheeled out of Kylie Jenner's birthday party face down on a stretcher last week - may also rely on cosmetic procedures. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Friday, the CEO of DrHaworth.com claimed that Tammy, 24, may have undergone a nose job, liposuction and dermal fillers to achieve her bombshell look. Scroll down for video A nose job, liposuction and a LOT of lip filler: Celebrity plastic surgeon reveals 'the cosmetic procedures behind Tammy Hembrow's Instagram-perfect look'... after she was stretchered out of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party. Pictured at a Cosmo event in Sydney earlier this month 'Miss Hembrow is the quintessential Instagram model for our social media world where fake is the new real,' Dr Haworth said. 'As attractive as she is, she sits alongside countless other online influencers that have been matriculated in the Kardashian-Jenner School of Beauty.' The celebrity surgeon went on to claim that the Queensland-based mother-of-two looks strikingly different in recent photos compared to images of her taken several years ago. 'Based on what I presume to be filtered photos, she has undergone a striking transformation of not only her facial features but also of her facial shape,' Dr Haworth claimed. 'Miss Hembrow is the quintessential Instagram model for our social media world where fake is the new real': Dr Randal Haworth claimed that Tammy looks strikingly different in recent photos compared to images of her taken several years ago. Left: Tammy in her teenage years, and right: in recent photos He added: 'Specifically, her jawline is more defined into a "V-line". I would even venture to say her chin has been shortened and narrowed compared to her teenage years.' Dr Haworth also believes her V-line chin could have been achieved through either 'liposuction or bony chin modification'. He also acknowledged that 'losing her "baby fat" may have been a contributing factor' to the visible changes in Tammy's jawline. 'Specifically, her jawline is more defined into a "V-line"': Dr Haworth believes Tammy's V-line chin could have been achieved through either liposuction or bony chin modification. Pictured left: Tammy in her teenage years, and right: in recent photos 'A subtle, balanced rhinoplasty to narrow her nasal bones and refine her tip may have been carried out': The Beverly Hills surgeon also claimed that Tammy may have undergone a rhinoplasty to fine-tune her look. Pictured left in her teenage years, and right: a recent photo Furthermore, Dr Haworth claimed that Tammy may have undergone a rhinoplasty to fine-tune her look, saying: 'A subtle, balanced rhinoplasty to narrow her nasal bones and refine her tip may have been carried out.' He also suggested that Tammy's cheekbones look more sculpted and angled upwards in recent photos, while her eye-hollows appear less apparent. Both of these changes are likely to have been carried out with a filler such as Voluma or Restylane Lyft, or even achieved via fat transfer. 'I wouldn't be surprised if she even had her buccal fat pad removed to accentuate her cheekbones,' he claimed. My how you've changed! Tammy looks remarkably different in recent social media snaps. Pictured left: in her teenage years, and right: in a recent photo 'Like Kylie Jenner, Tammy has been originally inspired by the Angelina Jolie lip variety': According to Dr Haworth, Tammy's lips have also almost certainly been enhanced due to their 'overly plumped' appearance. Pictured left: in her teenage years, and right: in a recent photo According to Dr Haworth, Tammy's lips have also almost certainly been enhanced due to their 'overly plumped' appearance. He claimed: 'Like Kylie Jenner, Tammy has been originally inspired by the Angelina Jolie lip variety. Paradoxically, lips oversized for a face can mature the visage beyond its years.' Dr Haworth's claims comes after Tammy was stretchered out of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party at celebrity hotspot Delilah in West Hollywood last Thursday night. She was pictured being wheeled out of the restaurant and club, strapped face down on the gurney, while being attended to by medics. She played a woman pretending to be a man in 19th century Ireland in the 2011 film Albert Nobbs. And now Hollywood star Glenn Close is weighing on the recent controversy that forced Scarlett Johansson to drop out of playing a transgender character in the film Rub & Tug. 'Acting is a craft. I personally think that anyone should be able to play anyone,' Close, 71, said in a HFPA podcast, according to THR.com. Glenn Close has weighed in on recent controversy that forced Scarlett Johansson to drop out of playing a transgender character in the film Rub & Tug. 'Acting is a craft. I personally think that anyone should be able to play anyone,' Close, 71, said in a HFPA podcast The Fatal Attraction star added: 'I've thought about it. Whether trans [actors] should always play trans and visa versa... My thinking right now, is that people who are producing and directing properties like that need to go out of their way to get trans actors jobs. 'But they also should have the opportunity to cast the best person,' she said. As for her role in Albert Nobbs, she explained she never thought of the character as a transgender person. 'Some people think she's trans or she's a lesbian, but she's neither of those things,' she said in the podcast. 'I always thought of her as a woman who is in disguise. I never thought of her as a guy and I never thought of her as trying to be a guy.' Johansson, 33, originally defended her decision to star as a real-life Pittsburgh woman who ran a prostitution empire. But in mid-July, in the face of mounting criticism, she dropped out of the role, saying her casting was 'insensitive' 'My thinking right now, is that people who are producing and directing properties like that need to go out of their way to get trans actors jobs,' Close, 71, said. 'But they also should have the opportunity to cast the best person' Close played a woman pretending to be a man in 19th century Ireland in the 2011 film Albert Nobbs and said the character was not trans, but 'a woman who is in disguise' Johansson, 33, originally defended her decision to star as Jean Marie Gill the real-life Pittsburgh woman who ran a prostitution empire in the 1970s and 80s by assuming the identity of a man, Dante 'Tex' Gill. She was also set to co-produce the feature. In mid-July, in the wake of an outcry, she decided to leave the project, saying in a statement: 'In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project. 'Our cultural understanding of transgender people continues to advance, and I've learned a lot from the community since making my first statement about my casting and realize it was insensitive.' The veteran Hollywood actress also revealed how the firing of director James Gunn from the third Guardians Of The Galaxy movie had left her 'sad'. She worked with him on the first installment of the superhero franchise released in 2014 Meanwhile, Close also spoke about director James Gunn with whom she worked on the 2014 blockbuster Guardians Of The Galaxy. Gunn was dropped by Disney from the next installment of the superhero franchise after old tweets surfaced in which he joked about rape and pedophilia. The actress said she enjoyed working with Gunn whom she described as a 'really good director' who created 'a great atmosphere on set.' 'I felt sad. I felt sad certainly for James and I felt sad for the whole situation,' Close said, reflecting on what happened. 'I felt sad that were in a society where on social media people say things that they might not say in person. I think thats a real danger,' she went on. 'If youre saying something on social media that you cant say to somebody face to face, you should think about what youre saying on social media.' Close is currently promoting her new film The Wife in which she stars opposite Jonathan Pryce. The movie opens on August 17 and is being tipped to bring Close her seventh Oscar nomination. On Tuesday, she enjoyed a lazy day by the pool in Miami, Florida. And two days later, Selma Blair was back in Los Angeles. The 46-year-old actress cut a casual figure in sweats and a T-shirt while out shopping solo. She's got a lot on her shoulders: Selma Blair toted three big bags back to her car on Thursday while out in Los Angeles She smiled as she carried three enormous bags - and her purse - back to her car. The Hellboy star was casually dressed in a white T-shirt with a Du Blonde graphic image on the front, grey sweat pants and white slides from People Footwear. Selma's long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders as she walked across the parking lot to her wheels. The Cruel Intentions star shares her son Arthur, age six, with ex-boyfriend Jason Bleick. Casual chic: The smiling Hellboy star was casually dressed in a white T-shirt with a Du Blonde graphic image on the front, grey sweat pants and white slides from People Footwear They split in 2012 after two years together. Meanwhile, on June 21 the Anger Management alum celebrated her second anniversary of sobriety. She wrote on Instagram: '2 years sober. 2 years feeling everything and nothing. 2 years of extreme gratitude and humility and grace. I thank the lord and my friends.' Ready to go: With all the bags, it looked like Selma had indulged in a hefty dose of retail therapy Earlier, Selma revealed that she battled alcoholism, depression and anxiety when she moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago but was 'now winning that battle.' She is presently working on horror thriller The Great Illusion, which has yet to set a release date. Selma also has romantic drama-thriller After, based on Anna Todd's novel of the same name, in the works. It's due out on April 12. She confirmed her breakup with billionaire and rumoured fiance Stavros Niarchos III last July. And now Jessica Hart revealed why the couple split and whether they are still on good terms. The 32-year-old model told one of her Instagram followers during a question and answer session that their 'journey ran its course'. 'That journey ran its course': Jessica Hart, 32, has revealed why she broke up with rumoured fiance Stavros Niarchos III. Both pictured in October 2012 She also added that she's currently 'not' in a relationship. And when probed by two other followers on her split with Stavros, the blonde beauty said that the breakup was 'amicable'. 'That journey ran its course, my friend. Everything is and was fine, it was completely amicable,' Jessica said. Single: The 32-year-old model told one of her Instagram followers during a question and answer session that she is currently single On good terms: When probed by two other followers on her split with Stavros, the blonde beauty said that the breakup was 'amicable'. Jessica said: 'That journey ran its course, my friend. Everything is and was fine, it was completely amicable' Jessica confirmed her split with the Greek heir last July, after the pair dated for seven years. A representative told Daily Mail Australia at the time that the newly-single catwalk queen had never been happier. 'Yes, I can confirm the split. It was amicable. They remain friends and Jessica hasn't been happier!' they said. Rumours had surfaced as early as 2014 that the genetically-blessed pair were primed to get married in the near future. Former couple Jessica confirmed her split with the Greek heir last July, after the pair dated for seven years. Both pictured in May 2014 However, breakup speculation began in April 2017 when Jessica was pictured in public without a ring on her finger. At the time, magazine reports claimed that she was 'heartbroken' over the split. 'She mapped out her entire future around Stavros and now she feels like he totally led her on,' a source allegedly told NW. 'She genuinely loves that man... she wanted to have babies with him and he made out to her that he was on the same page.' She's currently on the road promoting her latest project The Last Sharknado: It's About Timepremiering August 19. And Tara Reid kept her fans wowed as she was spotted multiple times in New York City on Thursday, each time in a unique dress. For the first appearance, the 43-year-old actress flashed a smile for the cameras as she teetered on a pair of sky-high platform heels. Out and about! Tara Reid kept her fans wowed as she was spotted multiple times in New York City on Thursday, each time in a unique dress Reid's patterned wrap dress featured two prints and tail of extra fabric. The Big Lebowski star accessorized with a heart-shaped necklace and had her nails painted purple. Her glam for the day included a bright pink lip and heavy black eyeliner. Summer chic: The 43-year-old actress accessorized with a heart-shaped necklace and had her nails painted purple Fashion statement: The Big Lebowski star flashed a smile for the cameras as she teetered on a pair of sky-high heels Next up, the American Pie actress donned a very fetching black sheer number decorated with three-dimensional crimson flower blossoms. The black frock also featured a low neckline that accentuated her sizable bust, while a pair of black underwear ensured her modesty was covered. A collection of metallic bracelets and a chunky gold wristwatch added an element of bling to the star's ensemble. Head-turner! Next up, the American Pie actress donned a very fetching black sheer number decorated with three-dimensional crimson flower blossoms Ample assets! The black frock also featured a low neckline that accentuated her sizable bust, while a pair of black underwear ensured her modesty was covered Finally, the New Jersey native changed one more time, this time into a chic little black dress for her night on the town. That garment included shiny silver geometric elements as well as a deeply plunging neckline and a thigh-skimming hemline. She also decided to tie her blonde locks back and up for the evening. The Last Sharknado is the sixth and final installment of the franchise. Classic! Finally, the New Jersey native changed one more time, this time into a chic little black dress for her night on the town Dazzling! That garment included shiny silver geometric elements as well as a deeply plunging neckline and a thigh-skimming hemline In brief, the movie follows Fin, played by 90210's Ian Ziering, as he goes back in time to defeat the first Sharknado and save the world. Reid stars alongside Vivica A. Fox and Cassandra Scerbo. In an interview with KTLA 5, Tara reflected on her five-year Sharknado journey. 'The fans have been so amazing, but all good things must come to an end,' Reid said, adding that she originally had no intention of participating in the franchise. 'To be honest, when I read [the script] I thought it was the worst movie I'd ever read. I was like this is so dumb it's not even funny.' Sam Frost is often seen doting on her dogs, Sir Gregson and Rocky. And during a photo shoot at a Sydney park on Thursday, the Home And Away star took her adorable puppies for a walk. The 29-year-old actress cut a casual chic figure, showing off her trim pins in a pale blue sundress. Puppy love! Home and Away's Sam Frost flaunted her slender figure in a blue sundress while walking her dogs for a magazine photo shoot in Sydney on Thursday Sam teamed the ruffled frock with a pair of pristine white sneakers, and accessorised with a straw sun hat. The former Bachelorette styled her blonde locks semi-straight, and her makeup palette consisted of bold brows and contoured cheekbones. Looking relaxed and carefree, Sam couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she walked her dogs on a leash. Attire: Sam's casual sundress featured ruffle detailing and embellishment at the sleeve Effortless: The star's signature blonde locks flowed freely around her face and shoulders Stylish and sun safe! Sam later accessorised her look with a straw sun hat At one stage, she sat on a park bench as she bonded with one of the cute pooches. Sam is a self proclaimed dog lover and often posts photos of the animals to her Instagram account. In late 2015, she announced the newest arrival to her family, a Maltese cross Shih Tzu called Rocky who she initially bought for her now ex-boyfriend Sasha Mielczarek. Attentive: Sam walked her cute dogs on a leash through a quaint Sydney park Svelte: Sam's semi-sheer frock offered a glimpse of her toned bikini body Content: The Summer Bay stunner appeared carefree and relaxed during the photo shoot In profile: Sam's makeup palette included bold brows and contoured cheekbones Sam revealed on her 2DayFM breakfast show at the time: 'So I surprised my beautiful boyfriend with a present!' It's believed Sam now has full custody of Rocky since the couple separated. Sam and Sasha announced their split in December 2016, following an 18-month romance. Low-key look: Sam kept light on her feet, opting for pristine white sneakers Adventure: The puppies went for a walk and later had a bath All smiles: Sam beamed broadly in several snaps Cute: At one stage, Sam sat on a park bench and bonded with one of the pooches The pair, who famously met on The Bachelorette in 2015, confirmed the news with an official statement from their manager Georgina Harrop. 'After 18 months together, Sam Frost and Sasha Mielczarek have come to a mutual decision to end their relationship,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Sam is now dating navy diver Dave Bashford, while Sasha appears to be single. Dog lover: Sam is often seen doting on her dogs Sir Gregson and Rocky Arrival: In late 2015, Sam announced the newest arrival to her family, a Maltese cross Shih Tzu called Rocky who she initially bought for her now ex-boyfriend Sasha Mielczarek Tara Reid has sparked concerns after slurring her speech and squinting during a live TV interview that aired in Australia on Friday morning. Appearing on Channel Nine's Today Extra, the 42-year-old actress was introduced by host Deborah Knight as 'the American sweetheart who quickly became one of Hollywood's biggest party girls'. In a live cross from New York City, the troubled star - who looked noticeably slender in a sleeveless, black sequin top - appeared rather tired and distracted while promoting her upcoming film Sharknado 6. With a fixed smile on her face and often nodding languidly, Tara spoke in a slow drawl about the sci-fi comedy movie. She seemed to have trouble expressing herself, eventually saying that Sharknado 6 is, 'beyond... it's my favourite one. It's so ridiculous, it's so bad that it's good.' Tara explained that the film includes over-the-top elements such as time travel, adding: 'It's just out of control, like, the movie, it... it does, it takes every step to the next level.' Is everything OK? Tara Reid slurred, stumbled over her words and awkwardly squinted during a live Australian TV interview promoting Sharknado 6 on Friday morning 'A little out of it': Meanwhile, fans expressed concern for Tara on Twitter after her appearance on Channel Nine's Today Extra 'OMG is she OK?' Social media users suggested that Tara 'can't be well' following her interview She continued: 'It... it really makes sense. From the first one. It really does it. It makes, like, a complete circle. I do really think it's gonna be the end.' During the interview, someone could be heard sniggering and whispering in the background while Tara answered questions. It is unclear if the laughter was from New York or Today Extra's studio in Sydney. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Whoops! At one point, Tara awkwardly fiddled with her earpiece after it popped out of her ear. Pictured left: Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Deborah Knight America's sweetheart: The actress got her big break in the comedy American Pie in 1999. Pictured: Tara with American Pie co-star Thomas Ian Nicholas At one point, Tara awkwardly fiddled with her earpiece after it popped out of her ear. After this, the time delay started to play havoc as Tara repeatedly interrupted Deborah, 45, mid-sentence. Deborah said, 'Is it true, Tara, that you...', before Tara cut in with: 'I remember one time I was there [in Australia], you guys...' Troubled: In the past, Tara had quite a reputation for wild partying. Pictured in a promotional photo for Sharknado: The 4th Awakens in 2016 As Today Extra co-host David Campbell, 45, smiled uncomfortably, Deborah added: 'We've got the delay here causing problems...' Tara then interrupted once again before the interview finally got back on track. Following the interview, viewers expressed concern for Tara's well-being on Twitter. 'OMG she looked and sounded totally out of it - slurring her words. And so thin, she can't be well,' one fan tweeted. Other comments included, 'Is she OK?' and 'She's out of her tree'. Making waves: Being cast in the Sharknado franchise helped revive Tara's career after several years in the Hollywood wilderness. Pictured in Sharknado 4 with actress Ryan Newman In the past, Tara had quite a reputation for wild partying. She once told Rolling Stone magazine: 'When I go out to drink, I really drink. I black out sometimes. I don't even know how I manage my life when I black out, but I still function and just keep going.' However, Tara has also admitted that she's made some bad choices and wishes she had done things differently. Speaking to Closer magazine recently, Tara said: 'I would do a lot of stuff differently. I wouldn't have gone out so much and been so crazy. 'When I started out, I wasn't aware I would lose all my privacy, so I was doing everything that your average 21 year old does, but it was there for everyone to see. I should have made wiser choices about where to go and what to do, because that kind of all caught up on me and it changed everything.' Christopher Robin Rating: Maybe only a bear of very little brain could have blundered into a film of such little wit, charm and originality as Disneys Christopher Robin. The Paddington films which it strenuously and conspicuously tries to emulate had oodles of all three. Christopher Robin hardly has a single oodle of any of them. To put it another way, it bears no comparison. The director is German film-maker Marc Forster, whose most garlanded picture is 2004s Finding Neverland. That told the story of the Peter Pan playwright J. M. Barrie, who didnt want to grow up. Christopher Robin's new remake has very little wit, charm or originaility, says Brian Viner This movie, set just after World War II, does the opposite, imagining its title character (Ewan McGregor) as a dreary, middle-aged man who has grown up all too joylessly. Last years unrelated film Goodbye Christopher Robin, in telling the true-ish story of the real Christopher Robin Milne, focused on his difficult relationship with his father, Winnie-the-Pooh creator A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson). Here, the dysfunctional grown-up is Christopher himself, who has forgotten the priorities of family life. He cant even join his wife Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and daughter Madeline (Bronte Carmichael) for a weekend at their house in the country because his job, as efficiency manager at a luggage company, requires him to stay behind in London. Over the course of the films hour and three-quarters, it wont surprise you to learn, Christopher reconnects with his boyhood friends, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, Owl and co (all expertly realised by computer-generated imagery, like Paddington) and, indeed, with his own boyhood self. Thus, he finds redemption, both as a husband and a father. The films somewhat suspect message is that you cant possibly be a fully-functioning adult unless youre intimately in touch with your inner child. Only then can you stop worrying, in this instance in more ways than one, about all your baggage. Come to think of it, something strikingly similar happened to the ubiquitous Domhnall Gleeson or, at least, to his character in the recent Peter Rabbit. That was another fusion of live action and CGI in which U.S. screenwriters gave a makeover to one of English childrens fictions great furry heroes, leading to the wince-inducing anomaly of an ice-cream truck trundling through their idea of our Lake District. This movie, set just after World War II, does the opposite, imagining its title character (Ewan McGregor, centre) as a dreary, middle-aged man who has grown up all too joylessly There are no such outrages here, though I dont mind confessing that, 40-odd years after Disney animators first turned their attentions to Milnes immortal creation, with Sterling Holloway speaking his lines, I would still prefer Pooh to sound like he comes from Sussex, not Sacramento. Here, he and Tigger are voiced by U.S. actor Jim Cummings, which at least strikes a blow for continuity, since hes been doing the job on the cartoon versions since 1988. But shouldnt Pooh sound English? Mind you, by the same logic, Paddington should probably have a heavy Peruvian accent, so perhaps Ill leave it there. Wasted at a festival The Festival Rating: As a man in his 50s who doesnt camp out at music festivals and is left unamused by drug-induced comas and bestiality, to name but two of the subjects considered fair game here, I am not the target demographic for this film by the makers of The Inbetweeners. So I took along my 25-year-old daughter, who is a great fan of music festivals and, by chance, had just come back from one. I thought this might be right up her street yet she thought it as relentlessly unfunny as I did. Its a film for gangs of 15-year-old boys, she said as we left. And not very discerning ones at that. Put it this way: Carry On Camping, in 1969, covered similar ground with much greater comic sophistication. The story follows Nick (Joe Thomas, from The Inbetweeners), who has just been publicly dumped by his girlfriend, Caitlin (Hannah Tointon, also from The Inbetweeners). Can three days at a festival in the company of his best friend, big daft Shane (Hammed Animashaun), restore his self-worth and perhaps also get him a tattoo on his backside, a nipple ring and a drug-fuelled sex session in the back of a car with a woman dressed as a Smurf? Ill let you guess. Noel Fielding has a cameo as a DJ called Hammerhead and Nick Frost as a tattoo artist, while Jemaine Clement, from the infinitely funnier and cleverer Flight Of The Conchords, is Shanes mothers boyfriend. Theyre all sorely wasted. Advertisement Back to the plot, which rather creaks and wheezes its way from the Hundred Acre Wood to London and back again. It begins with Pooh and friends giving a farewell tea party for the young Christopher Robin (Orton OBrien), who is about to be packed off to boarding school, then moves decades forward in time, with Christophers daughter facing the same fate. Still, its not like shes having much fun at home, where her father even manages to suck the pleasure out of her bedtime stories. McGregor, never the most subtle of actors, makes pretty heavy weather of all this. But then, maybe thats the idea. Its a film about heavy weather giving way to bursts of sunlight. Christophers biggest concern is his lazy, supercilious boss (Mark Gatiss), whose approval he so badly needs. There are manifest nods in the corporate scenes to the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank in Mary Poppins; after all, Disney feeds off nothing and nobody quite as voraciously as it feeds off itself. Soon, Christopher is transported back to the Hundred Acre Wood by Pooh, having encountered him for the first time in years on a park bench in London. He got there through a magic door in a tree, which counts as a particularly eye-rolling contrivance, even in a film about a man whose closest chums are a scatty bear and a lugubrious donkey. Anyway, no sooner has Christopher found his old friends and, more significantly, himself, than he must find Madeline, who has bunked off to London to look for him. That sets in motion a slapstick caper which, it hardly counts as a spoiler to reveal, ends in Christophers boss getting his comeuppance and great, gloopy spoonfuls of honey all round. The films trio of writers includes Tom McCarthy, who wrote and directed the brilliant 2015 drama Spotlight, about The Boston Globes expose of paedophilia in the Catholic church, so hats off to him for versatility. From the outset, however, the narrative of Christopher Robin seems forced, an exercise in strained whimsy that relies too much on Poohs pratfalls and, to a lesser extent, Tiggers bounciness and Eeyores gloom. Moreover, Poohs gems of homespun philosophising are randomly dropped into the script, almost as if to satisfy a checklist. People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day is a wonderful line, given to Pooh by Milne, and doesnt deserve to sound like something hes read on a sweatshirt. All that said, however, I went to the balloon-festooned premiere with my 12-year-old twin nieces, Liliana and Simone, who thought it really great, even if the highlight of their afternoon was having their photo taken on the red carpet with pop star Ronan Keating. They didnt have a clue who he was, but niceties like that dont matter at premieres. Nor, really, does the quality of the film. This one got a lusty round of applause, but then, as Pooh himself said: Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon. The Detectives Rating: Meet the Drug Lords Rating: The best crime dramas strive for accuracy on everything from police procedure to the latest forensic technology. But there's one exception to that rule the dialogue. Take ITV's Unforgotten, Sunday night's expertly plotted story of the hunt for the killer of a teenage girl, murdered on Millennium Eve. Nicola Walker stars as DCI Cassie Stuart, a woman whose voice breaks with anguish at every new twist to the tragedy. Her officers are equally wrought. When the whole team sat down to phone the parents of missing girls, they needed a palletload of Kleenex to mop up the tears. Keeping Faith, BBC1's loopy but diverting serial about a solicitor whose husband goes missing in deepest Wales, features an inspector (Eiry Thomas) whose whole career is apparently fuelled by ancient grudges and passions, long bottled up. Nicola Walker stars as DCI Cassie Stuart, a woman whose voice breaks with anguish at every new twist to the tragedy The contrast with buttoned-up reality, on The Detectives (ITV), is stark. As a film crew and a 'fixed rig' of static cameras around the offices watch the Lancashire Major Investigation Team at work, the coppers' conversation isn't so much stilted as mechanical. When robbers get away with a haul of shotguns and rifles from a violent farmhouse break-in, the inspector heading the case informs us 'there are significant firearms and ammunition outstanding'. Police don't find people, they 'locate the whereabouts of these persons'. When caught, the suspects never talk, they 'clarify'. And instead of raiding a thug's flat, the boys in blue 'search the premises where he resides to maximise the forensic opportunities which we need'. Does Detective Sergeant Ped Antic go home, and say to the missus, 'Having returned to the address which is identified as my permanent residence, at approximately 6.32pm, I am hopeful of locating on the main kitchen furnishings a platter of comestible itemry'? This time he was in Peru, and there were no gang bosses only peasants at the start of the long, murderous supply chain that takes the drug to addicts in Britain and America In other words, 'I'm home, love what's for tea?' Such awkward speech would never work in a TV drama. Nor would many of the Lancs constabulary's cases, which are either straightforward and depressing, like the Polish druggie who attacked his girlfriend and seriously injured their baby, or inconclusive: one of the farmhouse robbers was caught but the guns were not found. It makes for a watchable documentary, simply because it's true. But it lacks excitement, unlike former commando Jason Fox's final foray into cocaine territory, on Meet The Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos (C4). This time he was in Peru, and there were no gang bosses only peasants at the start of the long, murderous supply chain that takes the drug to addicts in Britain and America. Foxy looked rattled and unnerved as his guide drove him into the hills at 3am, to meet a 'chef' whose job was to take the toxic paste of coca leaves and gasoline, and extract cocaine powder with the use of boiling sulphuric acid. The presenter kept eyeing a guard with a pistol, and muttering: 'I don't trust that shooter.' But it was the acid that nearly killed them all, bubbling up in poisonous clouds. Later, the local drug-busters put on a show of strength, taking three helicopters to blow up a rudimentary coca factory. It wasn't convincing: the villainous-looking police chief took care no one was actually arrested. No doubt there has been a bit of posing for the cameras on Foxy's part too. But this been a thought-provoking and sometimes shocking show, made possible by his courage and special forces experience. She made headlines across the globe after being hospitalised at Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood last Thursday. And now the surprising connection between Instagram model Tammy Hembrow and Hollywood's most famous family can finally be revealed. The mother-of-two, 24, revealed in an interview with E! News recently that it was the Kardashians who first reached out to her about a possible collaboration. When Tammy Hembrow met the Kardashians: The friendship between the hard-partying Instagram model and Hollywood's most famous family is revealed... after her shock collapse at Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party last week. Pictured: Tammy Hembrow As a result of Tammy's influential presence on Instagram, Khloe Kardashian's people contacted the fitness guru with a business opportunity. 'They reached out to me via email and asked for a phone call and they said that Khloe had seen me online, and she really liked me,' she explained. 'I was more than happy to go to America and shoot for them.' In May last year, Khloe wrote enthusiastically about Tammy on Instagram, admitting she had been a fan of the Queenslander for 'a while'. 'She has motivated me on my fitness journey for longer than she is probably aware of,' wrote the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star. Shortly afterwards, the pair joined forces in a photo shoot for Khloe's fashion label Good American. Friends in high places! The mother-of-two, 24, revealed in an interview with E! News recently that it was the Kardashians who first reached out to her about a possible collaboration. Pictured: Tammy in a Good American with Khloe Kardashian (left) 'Working with Khloe on Good American was amazing, she is the sweetest girl,' Tammy told E! News. 'I met Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie and Kendall. They're super down to earth, like nice girls. They're just normal people like everyone else.' Tammy achieved overnight fame when she was identified as the mystery blonde who was stretchered out of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood on Thursday 9 August. Notorious: Tammy achieved overnight fame when she was identified as the mystery blonde who was stretchered out of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood on Thursday 9 August. Pictured this week in Bali, Indonesia, where she is escaping the media spotlight Following the hospitalisation, Kim, Kris, Kendall and Kourtney apparently 'unfollowed' the model on Instagram. (Kylie and Khloe still follow her). Tammy, who flew to Bali, Indonesia, this week to escape the media spotlight, also posted a tearful apology video on YouTube. She revealed she was 'super embarrassed' after collapsing at the event and admitted that she should not have been drinking due to being so jet-lagged. Speaking to KIIS FM on Thursday, Kris Jenner said of the incident: 'I hope she's OK. I actually left [Kylie's party] before any of that happened. I typically go to bed at nine o'clock so it was way past my bedtime.' 'I saw she did a video explaining that she was very jet-lagged and didn't feel well...I'm so happy she was OK.' Their show is heading into its 10th season. And on Thursday, several of the cast of ABC's Modern Family were spotted filming on location in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Sofia Vergara was seen in costume in a very low-cut lace-up top and colorful sarong skirt as she did scenes with Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Nolan Gould. Hard at work: Sofia Vergara was seen on a location shoot for ABC's Modern Family in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday The sexy Colombian actress stepped out in leopard print stacked sandals with gold buckles. Her long brunette hair was loose and sleek and she wore enormous blue earrings that picked up the color in her outfit. Sofia, 46, became a household name thanks to her starring role as Gloria in the popular sitcom that premiered in 2009. Siren: The Colombian actress, 46, wore a sexy ensemble of a very low-cut lace-up top that revealed plenty of cleavage that was paired with a sarong skirt and statement blue earrings Break: Sofia, who became a household name playing Gloria on the popular sitcom, shared this snap from the set to her Instagram Sitcom ladies: Sofia was snapped with her co-star Julie Bowen who also wore a very colorful hippie chic cotton dress and platform sandals Sofia's co-star Julie, who plays Claire Dunphy, was also dressed in character in a colorful ensemble. She wore a cotton patterned dress with short sleeves and slits at either side of the skirt. The 48-year-old also wore platform sandals and she accessorized with a fine pendant necklace and black-framed spectacles. On location: Julie's patterned dress had short sleeves, slits on the sides and tassels on the hem. The actress, 48, who plays Claire Dunphy, checked out her phone messages in between takes What to wear: Nolan, 19, who plays Luke Dunphy on the show, was snapped shirtless getting changed into a shirt as he stood on the street barefoot in between takes Costume change: The teen actor had on a pair of shorts and wore a bracelet on his left ankle Nolan, 19, was snapped shirtless getting changed into a shirt as he stood on the street in between takes. The teen actor, who plays Luke Dunphy, had on a pair of shorts and wore a bracelet on his left ankle as he went barefoot. He was seen chatting with a woman who presumably was a wardrobe assistant as they discussed his costume change. Jesse, 42, who plays Mitchell Prichett, wore tye-dye shorts and a blue cotton shirt with white sneakers. Modern Family has won the Emmy for best comedy series five times and last month, it was reported that ABC is in talks with the cast and producers about a possible 11th season. Jesse, 42, who plays Mitchell Prichett, wore tye-dye shorts and a blue cotton shirt with white sneakers. He and the cast appeared in great spirits as they worked on location She just returned from a magical getaway to Capri, Italy with her boyfriend, Alex Rodriguez. But it was back to work for Jennifer Lopez and her other half, who were both seen making an extremely stylish exit from NBC Studios in New York City on Thursday. Alex, 43, sharpened up in a smart navy blue dress, but all eyes were really on JLo, 49, in her exquisite baby pink mini dress with feather accents. Double trouble! It was back to work for Jennifer Lopez and her other half Alex Rodriguez, who were both seen making an extremely stylish exit from NBC Studios in New York City on Thursday Working her magic in the girly number, Jennifer had heads turning as she made her way from the studio, hand in hand with her other half. Parting crowds in her flirty dress, the Selena actress highlighted her impeccable legs with a pair of strappy and shimmering pink high heels while carrying a FENDI Peekaboo XS purse. She scooped a portion of her brunette locks back away from her complexion, with the remainder of her face looking radiant with peach blush and smoky eye shadow. The couple smiled and waved to fans as they left the studio holding hands. Parting crowds! All eyes were on the couple as they made their way through the overjoyed crowd Sitting pretty! JLo's strappy heels and feathered mini showed off her stunning legs Alex led the way for his other half, showing off his sharp eye for style in a smart blue suit and leather shoes. And even though they had just returned from a romantic trip to Italy, the couple looked far from jet lagged as they mingled with fans. Jennifer and Alex have been seemingly inseparable since going public with their relationship back in February 2017. Going strong: Jennifer and Alex have been seemingly inseparable since going public with their relationship back in February 2017 Refreshed and relaxed! The couple have just returned from a magical getaway to Italy In a recent interview with GMA, Jennifer addressed engagement rumors. 'We have to take our time. I've made plenty of mistakes in my past,' she said. 'We're mature. We're grownups. We're going to take our time and take things at our own pace. 'Our life right now is incredibly wonderfully. Between our kids and our work, we're truly blessed. We don't need anything more right now.' Pretty in pink! JLo wowed in the feminine and pretty pink frock Man of style! Rodriguez looked sharp in the blue suit with black tie They enjoyed a boat day with mom Kim Kardashian as well as friends. Siblings North and Saint were pictured having a blast while on the yacht Thursday off the coast of Miami. During their summer outing, Kim took to Instagram stories to share footage of Saint recognizing dad Kanye West's song as it played on loud speaker. Family: Siblings North (seen with mom Kim Kardashian) and Saint were pictured having a blast while on the yacht Thursday off the coast of Miami Kim asks Saint, two in the clip shared to Instagram: 'Who's singing this?' to which Saint answers: 'Daddy.' The mother of three then starts singing along to Kanye's song 'Can't Tell Me Nothing.' Saint rocked a bright neon green T-shirt with a captain's hat with his locks braided beneath. Meanwhile North, five, chose to sport a yellow swimsuit with pink shorts. Doting: During their summer outing, Kim took to Instagram to share footage of Saint recognizing dad Kanye West's song as it played on loud speaker So adorable: Kim asks Saint, two, in the clip shared to Instagram: 'Who's singing this?' to which Saint answers: 'Daddy' So sweet: Saint rocked a bright neon green T-shirt with a captain's hat with his locks braided beneath Kim's youngest child, Chicago, was not pictured on the boat; she was born via surrogate January 15. Kanye was also not spotted on the Florida holiday. Kim's pals Larsa Pippen and Jonathan Cheban were on hand as well as photographer Marcus Hyde; Larsa's nine-year-old daughter Sophia is signed on to Dancing With The Stars: Juniors. Kim looked incredible in a hot pink Chanel bodysuit while rocking her long brunette locks pulled back into a ponytail. Fun day out: Kim's pal Jonathan Cheban pictured holding Saint Devoted: Meanwhile North, five, chose to sport a yellow swimsuit with pink shorts Stunner: Kim looked incredible in a hot pink Chanel bodysuit while rocking her long brunette locks pulled back into a ponytail Mom time: Kim held hands with son Saint during their yacht trip He stars as Nazi Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust, in the new film Operation Finale. And on Thursday night, Ben Kingsley was the center of attention as he arrived at a premiere for the historical drama in New York City. The veteran British actor was joined at the event by his fourth wife, Brazilian actress Daniela Lavender, who looked gorgeous in a gold one-shoulder dress. Star: Ben Kingsley was the center of attention Thursday night along with his wife Daniela Lavender at the New York premiere for his new movie Operation Finale Kingsley, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ghandi on screen in 1982, looked dapper in a tailored three-piece suit. The 74-year-old posed for photos with his arm around his wife, who at 43, is three decades younger than her husband. The couple married in 2007. Lavender's knee-length dress showcased her slender figure and she went bare-legged in nude heels. She completed her look with a pair of stunning hoop earrings. Happily wed: The 74-year-old, looking dapper in a three-piece suit, posed for photos with his arm around his wife, 43. The couple married in 2007 Lovely: The Brazilian actress looked gorgeous in a gold one-shoulder dress that showed off her slender figure. She went bare-legged in nude heels and sported stunning hoop earrings Meaty role: Kingsley stars as Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust, in the historical drama about Eichmann's capture in Argentina in 1960 and subsequent show trial in Israel Operation Finale is based on the true story of how a group of Israeli secret agents were sent to Argentina to track down Eichmann following his escape from Germany at the end of World War II. In 1960, he was living under a new identity with his family in Buenos Aires. The Israeli agents tracked his movements over several weeks before finally making a move and capturing him. He was taken back to Israel where he was put on trial and executed in 1962. Hunter and hunted: Kingsley stars in the film with Oscar Isaac who plays one of the Israeli secret agents sent to capture Eichmann and return him to Israel Suave: Isaac, 39, sported some serious stubble and wore a dark two-piece suit with check shirt and patterned silk tie Oscar Isaac stars as one of the Mossad operatives that formed the eight-man team that captured Eichmann. Also in the cast are French actress Melanie Laurent, Nick Kroll and Haley Lu Richardson. The film is directed by Chris Weitz and opens in theatres on August 29. French actress Melanie Laurent, left, who wore a black sleeveless frock cinched at the waist, and Haley Lu Richardson who opted for a full-length black number with white collar and cuffs 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. Tammy Hembrow made headlines across the world after she was pictured leaving Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood last week on a stretcher. And while the mother-of-two, 24, has since recovered from her mystery ailment, fans are still asking the million-dollar question: why was she positioned face down on the hospital gurney, rather than on her side or back? According to one medical professional, there are only a handful of circumstances where transporting a patient face down would be necessary. Why WAS Tammy Hembrow face down on the stretcher? A medical professional has revealed their very interesting theory about the Instagram model's departure from Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party last week. Pictured: Tammy Hembrow 'There are few reasons to stretcher someone face down. The most obvious and likely one is to hide the person's identity,' the source told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. 'They could have chosen to cover Tammy's face with a blanket, but it seems they wanted to keep an eye on her,' they added. It has previously been speculated that EMTs placed Tammy face down because she was vomiting. 'The most obvious and likely [explanation] is to hide the persons identity': According to a medical industry professional, there are only a handful of circumstances where transporting a patient face down would be necessary. Pictured: Tammy being stretchered out of Delilah in West Hollywood on the evening of Thursday 9 August However, when presented with this theory, Daily Mail Australia's medical expert rejected the idea outright. 'No, a patient who is vomiting should definitely be placed on their side or sitting up,' they said. The source also claimed that paramedics often position a patient on their stomach if they have recently had surgery on their backside. 'A patient who is vomiting should definitely be placed on their side or sitting up': It has previously been speculated that EMTs placed Tammy face down because she was vomiting. However, Daily Mail Australia's medical expert rejected this idea outright 'In this case, paramedics would want to avoid putting any weight on the area to allow for healing time,' they explained. 'Often patients who have had a Brazilian butt lift in the last few weeks are advised not to lie on their back post-operation and would be placed face down if transported on a stretcher.' Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Tammy has undergone this procedure. 'Patients who have had a Brazilian butt lift in the last few weeks are advised not to lie on their back post-operation': The source claimed that paramedics often position a patient on their stomach if they have recently had surgery on their backside. Pictured: Tammy in Bali this week Tammy has denied ever undergoing a cosmetic procedure to enhance her posterior. Earlier this month, she told Cosmopolitan that being accused of having surgery on her bottom 'is more frustrating than anything because I don't want people to think they can't achieve a booty with hard work.' She added: 'It just creates a false mindset that it's not achievable and surgery is the only option, which is completely wrong.' Denial: Tammy has denied ever undergoing a cosmetic procedure to enhance her posterior It comes after Tammy took to YouTube to explain to her fans exactly what happened in the moments before she was rushed to hospital. 'Firstly I want everyone to know that I'm OK... So yeah I pretty much collapsed. Honestly I'm already like super super embarrassed about it,' she said on Monday. 'I probably, definitely shouldn't have been drinking because of how jet-lagged and exhausted I was and I already wasn't feeling well.' She's the comedian who has become known for her trademark brunette blunt-cut bob. But Julia Morris looked remarkably different in a throwback photo taken 17 years ago with husband Dan Thomas. The image shows the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host, at the age of 33, sporting a blonde pixie cut. My, how you've changed! Julia Morris looks remarkably different with a blonde pixie cut in a throwback photo taken 17 years ago... as she pays tribute to husband Dan Thomas on their anniversary In the photo, Julia is pictured wearing a vibrant blouse while nuzzling in close to her British comedian husband Dan. Her short strawberry blonde tresses are in contrast to her sleek brunette bob of today. Julia paid tribute to Dan in the picture's caption, writing: '17 years ago I started kissing this guy. Haven't stopped... [except to argue]'. Signature look: Her short strawberry blonde tresses are in contrast to her sleek brunette bob of today Julia married Dan in Las Vegas during a New Year's Eve ceremony back in 2005. The couple, who share two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie, have had their fair share of heartbreak over the years. In 2012, Dan was diagnosed with breast cancer. Marriage: Julia married Dan in Las Vegas during a New Year's Eve ceremony back in 2005 Thanks to early detection, the cancer was removed just days after his diagnosis when he underwent a double mastectomy. Julia also suffered a tragic miscarriage on a plane while travelling from South Africa to London. She wrote about the ordeal in her 2009 memoir, Don't You Know Who I Used To Be. In an interview with Show+Tell in November 2014, Julia said she prefers not to dwell on negative experiences: 'There's something about admitting something is f****d and drawing a line under it.' She'c continued to stay mum regarding her decision to leave her successful show The Affair. But Ruth Wilson was anything but silent on the red carpet for her latest film The Little Stranger when she got all heads turning at the New York premiere on Thursday night. Commanding attention, the 36-year-old stepped out in a checked yellow and grey ensemble. Stunner: Ruth Wilson commanded attention in a stylish checkered dress at The Little Stranger premiere in NYC on Thursday night Ruth's dress featured a one-shoulder strap and a sweetheart cut to ensure she kept modest. The UK native's frock cinched in at the waist before flaring out into pleats - drawing attention to her trim frame. She completed her bold look with thin strappy heels. Stylish: Ruth's dress featured a one-shoulder strap and a sweetheart cut to ensure she kept modest Gorgeous: The UK native's frock cinched in at the waist before flaring out into pleats - drawing attention to her trim frame Beauty: Ruth's brunette locks were styled back into a messy up-do for the evening Ruth's brunette locks were styled back into a messy up-do for the evening. Her glam was kept luminous with a sweep of blush and a semi-matte red lip. The Saving Mr. Banks actress was joined by co-star Domhnall Gleeson on the carpet on Thursday evening. Co-stars: The Saving Mr. Banks actress was joined by co-star Domhnall Gleeson on the carpet on Thursday evening Suited up: Domhnall looked dapper in a navy suit on top of a crisp white shirt Dressed up: His auburn locks were swept to one side for the New York premiere Domhnall looked dapper in a navy suit on top of a crisp white shirt. The Irish actor balanced his dressed up look with a pair of Converse sneakers. His auburn locks were swept to one side for the New York premiere. Bringing the spunk: The Irish actor balanced his dressed up look with a pair of Converse sneakers Show-stopper: Russian supermodel Vlada Roslyakova also got heads turning on Thursday evening at the Metrograph Russian supermodel Vlada Roslyakova also got heads turning on Thursday evening at the Metrograph. She opted for a champagne satin overcoat that cinched in at the waist with a belt. She flashed a hint of her lean pins and kept her hair and makeup natural. LBD! Brazilian actress Luisa Moraes opted for a little black dress for the screening Summer glow: Canadian actress Tara Westwood flaunted her fit and bronzed physique in a white mini-dress Brazilian actress Luisa Moraes opted for a little black dress for the screening. The stunner kept her heels simple and her brunette hair swept to one side. Canadian actress Tara Westwood flaunted her fit and bronzed physique in a white mini-dress. Rebecca Night attended the premiere in a stylish over-the-knee shirt dress. She accessorised with a unique beige bag and rainbow slides. He fell in love with Sophie Monk on The Bachelorette, but was immediately dubbed a 'stage-five clinger' by fans when he got too clingy with the blonde bombshell. And now Jarrod Woodgate has weighed in on new Bachelor star Cassandra Wood, 23, taking his title. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Friday, the 33-year-old TV personality joked that the blonde beauty 'needs to train up' for the role. Scroll down for video 'I've been a stage-five clinger for quite some time, she needs to train up for it!' Bachelorette star Jarrod Woodgate has weighed in on Bachelor's Cassandra Wood taking his title 'She's young,' Jarrod said. 'I've been a stage-five clinger for quite some time, she needs to train up for it,' he added with a laugh. 'She's still learning!' Cassandra was branded a 'stalker' and 'desperate' after chasing current Bachelor star Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins around the show's first cocktail party on Wednesday night, in a desperate bid to talk to him. Meanwhile, Jarrod added some advice for the current batch of Bachelor contestants, saying they should treat criticism like water off a duck's back. 'Just like a wave go with it, don't let anything bother you,' he said of the critics. 'That's how I got through it. They're not my friends. If my friends were telling me this, I've got problems, but it's not.' He's been there! Jarrod fell in love with Sophie Monk on The Bachelorette, but was immediately dubbed a 'stage-five clinger' by fans when he got too clingy with the blonde bombshell Their happy ending: However, he went on to find love with Keira Maguire after the pair met on the show's spin-off, Bachelor In Paradise (pictured) In October last year, Jarrod had his heartbroken when he was dumped by Sophie on The Bachelorette. However, he went on to find love with Keira Maguire after the pair met on the show's spin-off, Bachelor In Paradise. Over the weekend, Camp Quality ambassador Jarrod will be attending his first family camp for the children's charity, and will meet young ones who have been impacted by cancer. Sweet: Over the weekend, Camp Quality ambassador Jarrod will be attending his first family camp for the children's charity, and will meet young ones who have been impacted by cancer Jarrod - who lost his second cousin to cancer as a child - said he's thrilled to be involved with such a good cause. 'It'll be about making the day as fun as possible for the kids,' Jarrod said. 'As long as they're having a fun day. It also allows the family to reconnect... enjoy their time without any stresses.' She's busy promoting the second season of The Sinner on which she serves as an executive producer. And on Thursday night, Jessica Biel put her legs front and center during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Myers. The 36-year-old, who's married to Justin Timberlake, wore a buttercup yellow cold-shoulder dress with an asymmetrical hem that skimmed the thigh at the front. Leggy look: On Thursday night, Jessica Biel put her legs front and center during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Myers The number had long sleeves and laces criss-crossing the bodice's plunging neckline. Biel added inches with a pair of towering silver sandal heels. She wore her long dark hair blonde loose and sported glossy pink lip color. On trend: The 36-year-old, who's married to Justin Timberlake, wore a buttercup yellow cold-shoulder dress with an asymmetrical hem that skimmed the thigh at the front Flashed skin: The number had long sleeves and laces criss-crossing the bodice's plunging neckline. Biel added inches with a pair of towering silver sandal heels Emmy nominated: She's busy promoting the second season of The Sinner on which she serves as an executive producer. She starred in the first season of the murder mystery series The actress starred in the first season of her TV series and has earned an Emmy nomination for her performance. On Wednesday night, while on The Late Late Show With Stephen Colbert, she revealed she found out about her nomination while drinking alone. At the time she was on a trip to Amsterdam with Timberlake and their son Silas and because of the time difference, she had spent all day waiting for the Emmy nods to be announced early in the morning U.S. time. 'I was waiting all day to hear what was going to happen.. I was with my kid. I put him to bed and I enjoyed a fabulous glass of champagne by myself,' she said. 'It was amazing. You know what, I like drinking alone. I'm sorry, I like it. I think it's cool, I think it's OK.' He rang in his 46th birthday with a cosy dinner with his three children on Wednesday evening. And Ben Affleck continued to celebrate the special occasion as he enjoyed a glitzy dinner with a female companion at Malibu's Nobu restaurant on Thursday evening. The Argo actor, who treated himself to a cigarette as he left the eatery, went casual in a navy bomber jacket, khaki green jumper and indigo jeans. In good company: Ben Affleck continued to celebrate his 46th birthday as he enjoyed a glitzy dinner with a female companion at Malibu's Nobu restaurant on Thursday evening Opting for comfort during his night out, the screen star donned a pair of black canvas trainers. Meanwhile, his stunning pal looked effortlessly chic in a clingy nude midi dress, which accentuated her slender frame. The blonde beauty added to her frame in a pair of black strappy heels, and toted a chic satchel handbag. Complementing her radiant complexion, Ben's friend wore minimal make-up, and styled her tresses into beach waves. Off he goes: The Argo actor, who treated himself to a cigarette as he left the eatery, went casual in a navy bomber jacket, khaki green jumper and indigo jeans Low-key: Opting for comfort during his night out, the screen star donned a pair of black canvas trainers Legs for days: Meanwhile, his stunning pal looked effortlessly chic in a clingy nude midi dress, which accentuated her slender frame MailOnline has contacted Ben's representatives for comment. The Sum of All Fears star's appearance comes after he celebrated his birthday with his children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine and Sam, six, in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Earlier that day, Ben appeared in high spirits as he stepped out in Santa Monica and checked out a brand new Range Rover. Making his way outside of his car, the actor was clearly excited to feast his eyes on some brand new wheels. Doting father: The Sum of All Fears star's appearance comes after he celebrated his birthday with his children Violet, 12 (second from left) Seraphina, nine (far left) and Sam, six (right) Ben, who is currently dating SNL producer Lindsay Shookus, shares his kids his estranged wife Jennifer Garner, who have yet to formally finalise their divorce. The couple separated in June 2015 following 10 years of marriage, and filed for divorce in April 2017. The actor is reportedly 'in a good place' and is 'doing well' after recent reports surfaced that he and Jennifer, 46, were sent legal warnings by the court for 'dragging their feet' over their divorce, according to People. 'He is in a good place mentally and has worked really hard to get here,' a source told the publication. 'He continues to focus on himself and the health of his relationships.' Co-parents: The Town star shares his kids his estranged wife Jennifer Garner, who have yet to formally finalise their divorce (pictured February 27) She became one of the most memorable Bachelor contestants after famously taking on a relationship with season two's Blake Garvey after he immediately dumped winner and fiancee Sam Frost. But on Friday, Louise Pillidge, now 30, went unnoticed as she stepped out to run errands on the Gold Coast. Despite frenzied interest in the new season of the show, the beauty cut a low-key figure as she exited a cafe with a brown paper bag in hand. Life after The Bachelor: Louise Pillidge looks downcast as she steps out on the Gold Coast... two years on from her scandalous romance with Blake Garvey Louise showed off her slender figure in a navy top tucked into a pair of stylish high-waisted denim jeans. With flowing brunette locks and minimal make-up, she looked a far cry from her days on the second season of The Bachelor, back in 2014. During her time on TV, the star sported a short blonde bob and was heavily dolled-up for her dates with real estate agent Blake. Is that really you? With flowing brunette locks and minimal make-up, she looked a far cry from her days on the second season of The Bachelor, back in 2014 Going incognito: Despite frenzied interest in the new season of the show, the beauty cut a low-key figure as she exited a cafe On the program, Louise placed third, with Blake instead proposing to Sam Frost in the series finale, which was filmed in South Africa. However, Blake infamously ended their engagement just a few weeks later, dumping Sam during a meeting with The Bachelor producers. He was later branded a 'love rat' and 'Australia's most hated man' after immediately starting a relationship with Louise, his second runner-up. Controversial romance: Blake immediately started a relationship with Louise, his second runner-up, after dumping Sam Frost. Louise and Blake are pictured in 2014 The pair lived together in Perth, before splitting in April 2016. Louise has since relocated to the Gold Coast, where she works as a production manager for The Edit Suite. The one-time blogger, who ran the popular LouisePillidge.com, has been keeping out of the spotlight since that time. Blake similarly has avoided public attention, rarely spotted in his home city of Perth. Insiders claimed she was seen getting cosy with Anwar Hadid at the David Jones Fashion Show after party. And the Australian beauty has hinted she has found a 'love' in her latest Instagram story on Friday. The 24-year-old posted a picture of herself holding a sheet close to her ample assets while making a kiss face to the camera. Check out that smile! Model Megan Blake Irwin hints she's found 'love' following claims she was seen 'getting cosy' with rumoured new flame Anwar Hadid In the caption she wrote: 'Good morning my love. Too much in love.' It's not known whether her post was directed to Anwar or another special someone. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Megan Blake Irwin's management for comment. Her loved-up post comes after the Sun Herald reported insiders at the recent David Jones show spotted international models Anwar Hadid and Megan Blake Irwin 'getting cosy'. DJ got us fallin in love? Anwar Hadid (left) was spotted getting 'cosy' with model Megan Blake Irwin (right) at David Jones Collections Launch after party according to a report by the Sun Herald According to the publication, the photogenic pair were spotted 'laughing and hugging' the Fox Studios shindig in Sydney. But sources within their circle maintain Anwar, 19, and Megan, 24, are 'just good friends'. The pair were mingling amongst a host of catwalkers including Karolina Kurkova, Jessica Gomes and Lisa Curry's son Jett Kenny. However it was the blonde beauty's unruly antics at the after-party that made the headlines. Not model behavior: The 24-year-old Australian beauty accused of being 'disruptive and unruly' while causing a scene at David Jones fashion show The Bra's N Things model is said to have caused a scene due to her 'disruptive' behaviour, which apparantly involved screaming, cheering and waving her arms around 'like an idiot' throughout the runway show, the Daily Telegraph. A fashion designer, who asked to remain anonymous, told the publication: 'It was really disruptive and people couldn't help but look at her when they were meant to be watching the fashion.' Another guest in attendance is alleged to have said: 'It was like she was at a footy match, not a fashion show.' The alleged animated display comes weeks after the stunner's ex, Nicolo Knows confirmed their split last month after sharing a raunchy bedroom picture with Russian model Asya Rosh. She demonstrated her fun-filled red carpet antics at the The Children Act premiere on Thursday. And Emma Thompson put on yet another energetic display as she arrived at the BBC Radio 2 Studios in London's Maida Vale on Friday morning. During her radio interview, the actress, 59, confirmed to host Chris Evans that she wouldn't be reprising her role as Nanny McPhee after the 2010 franchise sequel bombed at the box office. High spirits! Emma Thompson, 59, put on an animated in quirky white dungarees as she arrived at the BBC Radio 2 studios in London's Maida Vale on Friday morning Emma revealed the lack of success of Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang - the sequel to the 2005 film Nanny McPhee - meant producers didn't want to fork out for another potential screen flop. When asked by Chris if another sequel was in the pipeline, the star replied: 'No it's not. The thing is I did write it and I set it in space.' '[The producers] said it would be too expensive. They said the second one didn't make enough money to warrant to spend that much on the third one.' No-go: The actress confirmed to host Chris Evans that she wouldn't be reprising her role as Nanny McPhee (pictured) after the 2010 franchise sequel bombed at the box office The first Nanny McPhee film grossed 96million worldwide, the second only managed 73million, despite critics being mostly positive about the film. Despite the setback, Emma also teased a potential musical based on the popular character. Earlier in the day, Emma looked in fantastic spirits as she showed off her quirky sense of style in an all-white dungarees and a lace-detail crochet blouse. Smiles: The actress, 59, looked in fantastic spirits as she showed off her quirky sense of style The Saving Mr Banks star injected some shimmer into the low-key ensemble with metallic gold sandals, and carried a casual black shoulder bag while toting a gift bag from upmarket department store Liberty. Emma went without any extra accessories and polished off her casual ensemble with clear rimmed spectacles. The thespian styled her cropped silver locks in her signature straight style as she greeted onlookers with a jubilant smile. Jubilant: The Saving Mr Banks star injected shimmer to the ensemble with metallic sandals, and carried a casual black bag while toting a gift bag from upmarket department store Liberty The Oscar-winning actress has been on the promotional tour for her latest flick movie The Children Act, based on the Ian McEwan novel of the same name. Emma lived up to her fun-loving nature on the red carpet for the premiere, but didn't pose for long as she soon ran after Hayley Atwell before grabbing hold of her waist and grimacing for the cameras. It comes after Emma spoke out against the gender pay gap scandal, revealing that she has never been paid the same as her male co-stars despite almost 30 years in showbusiness. Elated: Emma styled her cropped silver locks in her signature straight style as she greeted on lookers with a jubilant smile Toned down display: Emma polished off her look with a hint of nude make-up as she smiled at passing fans ahead of her radio appearance She told Good Housekeeping magazine she fully supported calls for gender pay gaps to be published, saying that over a century after getting the vote women are still considered 'second-class citizens.' She said: 'I was always paid less than my male counterparts. Publishing figures is the first step. 'It's a forensic way of looking at how women are second-class citizens, and I appreciate that because it's not emotional. 'This is the fact: this person does the same work for less money, and that's just wrong.' She confirmed she was expecting her third child, her first with rocker boyfriend Johnny Lloyd, in July. And Billie Piper concealed signs of a baby bump as she enjoyed a low-key trip out with sons Winston, nine, and Eugene, six in London on Thursday. The actress, 35, opted for comfort in loose-fitting white dungarees paired with a slouchy grey shirt and monochrome striped cardigan. Oh baby! Billie Piper concealed signs of a baby bump as she enjoyed a low-key trip out with sons Winston, nine, and Eugene, six in London on Thursday The former pop princess polished off her toned-down display with black studded clog heels and ditched any heavy make-up for a radiant fresh-faced look. The Doctor Who star wore her blonde locks naturally straight and went without extra accessories. Winston and Eugene, Billie's sons with ex-husband Laurence Fox, 40, kept their mum on her toes as they ran excitedly around her during their casual stroll. The mother-of-two confirmed to MailOnline that she was pregnant with her third child in late July. Mum's the word: The actress, 35, opted for comfort in loose-fitting white dungarees paired with a slouchy grey shirt and monochrome striped cardigan Doting mother: The Doctor Who star wore her blonde locks naturally straight and went without extra accessories The baby will be Billie's first with rocker boyfriend Johnny Lloyd, 35, - frontman of band The Tribes - who she has been dating for the past two years. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Billie and Johnny are delighted. They can't wait to welcome the new addition to their family.' Speaking in an interview in February, Billie admitted she would love to expand her brood, saying: 'In my dream world I'd have loads. 'I was one of four and it's taxing for both parents and kids. I do like the idea of chaos.' Billie's divorce from husband Laurence was finalised in November 2017 after almost 10 years of marriage. Low-key: The former pop princess polished off her toned-down display with black studded clog heels and ditched any heavy make-up for a radiant fresh-faced look Summer fun: Winston and Eugene, Billie's sons with ex-husband Laurence Fox, 40, kept their mum on her toes as they ran excitedly around her during their casual stroll Smitten: The baby will be Billie's first with rocker boyfriend Johnny Lloyd, 35, - frontman of band The Tribes - who she has been dating for the past two years The former couple met when they performed together in the stage play Treats in 2006, and deemed it 'love at first sight'. They married on New Year's Eve in West Sussex the following year, and went on to welcome their two sons in 2008 and 2012 respectively. The couple confirmed they were splitting in March 2016, and they were granted a decree-nisi late last year. Laurence and his radio presenter girlfriend Lilah Parsons, 30, announced their split earlier this week after 10 months of dating. The pair reportedly struggled to see each other due to their hectic work schedules, but have left things 'amicably', and are hoping to remain friends. Previous love: Billie's divorce from actor husband Laurence was finalised in November 2017 after almost 10 years of marriage (pictured in August 2015) She has a sensational array of clothes she wears to work everyday. And Myleene Klass kept her look fresh and trendy when she arrived to pick up her Smooth Radio duties at Global Radio Studios, in London on Friday. The Smooth radio personality looked fabulous at forty in her khaki army-style top, mirrored shades and bright red lipstick. So much Klass! Myleene, 40, looked effortlessly trendy in army-style top and mirrored shades as she arrived to host her radio show on Friday in London Known for her glamorous appearances treading the red carpet, Myleene hung up her heels in favor of trainers as she looked effortlessly chic in the bustling capital. The model looked hot off the catwalk as she toted her black Chanel handbag and tied her denim shirt around her waist in a trendy fashion. Although she was flying solo, the mother-of-two found love with fashion PR boyfriend Simon Motson two years ago and they are happier than ever. Trendy thing: The Smooth radio personality looked fabulous at forty in her khaki army-style top, mirrored shades and bright red lipstick The classically-trained musician hosts the 10am-1pm show for Smooth every day this week, while continuing to front her weekend morning show for Classic FM. Myleene went public with her romance in May last year, and the brunette recently raved of their romance: 'He is so hot. It's lovely. I'm enjoying myself.' The businesswoman is a devoted mother to daughters Ava, 10, and Hero, seven, whom she shares with her ex-husband Graham Quinn. Casually cool: Known for her glamorous appearances treading the red carpet, Myleene hung up her heels in favor of trainers as she looked effortlessly chic in the bustling capital Myleene's ex walked out on her 34th birthday in April 2012 putting an end to their decade-long relationship. The former couple finalised their divorce in 2013. Discussing her devastation, she admitted to Woman magazine: 'I thought I'd never smile or trust anyone ever again.' Simon has been married before but is also divorced and is a 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. The Sydney PR queen has been criticised for managing two popular Instagram accounts for her young children - daughter Pixie, 7, and son Hunter, 4. And last Friday, Roxy Jacenko wasn't shy about hitting back at judgmental comments made about her parenting style as a mother. On stage at Sydney's Business Chick's 9toThrive event, the 38-year-old frankly stated to her haters: 'Mind your own f***ing business!' Scroll down for video 'Mind your own f***ing business!' PR queen Roxy Jacenko hits back at parenting critics who claim she exploits her children online (Pictured with husband Oliver Curtis) When Roxy was asked to respond to claims she 'exploits her children', the Sweaty Betty founder was adamant she was providing the best for her youngsters. Roxy set up daughter Pixie with her own business - Pixie's Bows- in 2011, which has grown exponentially since its inception. Recently being stocked on The Iconic and in Myer, Roxy told the crowd: 'Like seriously, she' ll be very happy when shes's 18 and living in Point Piper (an affluent Sydney suburb) looking at the seaside.' Mother-and-daughter entrepreneurs! Roxy set up daughter Pixie with her own business - Pixie's Bows- in 2011, which has grown exponentially since its inception 'She' ll be very happy when shes's 18 and living in Point Piper!' Roxy claimed the lucrative hair accessory brand would set up her little girl for life 'Whatever, she's got money in the bank and shell be able to buy a property or start a business lucky her,' she added, hitting back at naysayers. 'She loves it, she's involved with it, and she does every campaign... The second she doesnt like it, she doesnt have to do it,' Roxy said of Pixie's heavy involvement with the brand's promotion. A retail expert told Daily Mail Australia this week that if Pixies Bows' popularity continues to grow, the company is projected to have a $3million-per-year annual turnover by 2023, at which time Pixie will be 11. If this prediction proves correct, Pixie could be worth a whopping $21million by the time she turns 18. 'She loves it, she's involved with it, and she does every campaign': Roxy insisted Pixie is not forced to be a part of the brand's promotional content, and said if she didn't want to do it anymore she would let her 'If he wants the bottle, let him have it': Roxy also responded to other parents who shamed her for giving her four-year-old son with a bottle at bedtime Meanwhile, Roxy also responded to other parents who shamed her for giving her four-year-old son with a bottle at bedtime. 'Come on, each to their own, my son is four and he still has a bottle when he goes to bed each night and I get flack over that. If he wants the bottle, let him have it. Hes not 14 years old.' Roxy added: 'I don't think there is a set way to raise children- you have to do it dependent on your family. I don't get weighed down by people's ideas of how to parent.' 'I don't get weighed down by people's ideas of how to parent': Roxy claimed every parent should tackle raising their children without criticism Besides running Pixies Bows, Roxy is also the founder and CEO of Sweaty Betty PR and director of influencer agency The Ministry of Talent. Earlier this year, she launched Social Union, providing content marketing and social media creation for brands. These businesses are believed to earn Roxy an estimated annual turnover of $13million. Dean Wells was branded a 'villain' and a 'reality show love rat' on social media during his stint on Married At First Sight. And after six months to reflect on his actions, the 40-year-old insists he has 'no regrets' about his journey on Channel Nine's social experiment. 'If you're not a fan then that's cool too. I can't please everybody,' the creative director partially captioned the Instagram post as he held up the shaka hand sign. 'I can't please everybody!' Married At First Sight's Dean Wells says he has 'zero regrets' about his journey on the reality show despite being branded a 'villain'. in a gracious Instagram post, the 40-year-old revealed he has 'no regrets' about his journey on the social experiment He also took the time to thank those who supported him during his time on the hit dating series, adding: 'I have zero regrets and want to send massive love to all #mafsfamily.' He also gave a special shout out to his TV 'wife' Tracey Jewel, following her recent attempted suicide while 'stranded' in Germany, saying she: 'is gonna be back better and stronger than ever real soon.' Zero regrets! He wrote: 'The last 6 months have been the craziest time of my life!' Dean continued: 'If you're not a fan then that's cool too. I can't please everybody. I have zero regrets and want to send massive love to all #mafsfamily' She'll be back! He also gave a special shout out to his TV 'wife' Tracey Jewel, following her recent attempted suicide while 'stranded' in Germany, saying she: 'is gonna be back better and stronger than ever real soon' Dean caused controversy on MAFS when he and bride Davina Rankin conspired to leave their respective partners for each other. However outside of the show Dean and Tracey reconciled, with the 35-year-old single mother telling Who that Dean 'has been such a support' during her recent troubles. Her surprising confession comes after Tracey revealed she attempted suicide in Berlin several weeks ago following her split with ex-boyfriend Patrick Kedemos. Raising eyebrows: Dean caused controversy on MAFS when he and Davina Rankin conspired to leave their respective partners for each other. Pictured: Dean in a passionate embrace with Dean on Married At First Sight 'He has been amazing': Married At First Sight's Tracey Jewel (left) confirmed on Tuesday she has reconciled with her 'ex-husband' Dean Wells (right)... after revealing her suicide attempt Referring to a worrying social media post she shared about her battle with trolls on August 3, she said: 'In my despair, I put something on my Instagram saying "I'm done, the trolls have won" and it's been amazing the support I've received from Dean, from the show. He's been such a support for me.' Tracey added: 'He's [reached out] and he's texted a few times and publicly messaged saying for people to leave me alone. He's been amazing.' She also told the publication that fellow MAFS cast members Gabrielle Bartlett and Sarah Roza have been 'really supportive too' amid her mental health crisis. If you, or someone you know, needs support please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au She has just moved in with her Love Island beau Sam Bird. But Georgia Steel held her own when she burst into the Atik night club scene for a glittering appearance, in Uxbridge on Friday. The self-proclaimed 'loyal' Love Island star, 22, stole the show in a crocheted playsuit, with a ruffle cascading across the one-shoulder cut for a flirty feel. Steel-ing the show! Love Island's 'loyal' Georgia Steel got pulses racing in a ruffled tiny playsuit as she made a solo club appearance, in Uxbridge on Friday Drawing attention to all of her assets, the ivory number made her legs appear longer with its thigh-grazing length and cinched at the waist to accentuate her slim frame. The dumped Islander proved life in the spotlight suited her down to the tee as she wore heavy make-up to ensure her features were noticed. Georgia styled her waist-length locks in a poker straight fashion when she headed to the night scene in her platform open-toe sandals. Ravishing in ruffles: The self-proclaimed 'loyal' Love Island star, 22, stole the show in a crocheted playsuit, with a ruffle cascading across the one-shoulder cut for a flirty feel Steel-ing the limelight! Drawing attention to her assets, the number made her legs appear longer with its thigh-grazing length and cinched at the waist to accentuate her slim frame The reality star looked happy as she reaped the glowing rewards of her blossoming love for former co-star Sam. Georgia and Sam may have had a hiccup in the Love Island villa when they initially decided to split up to stay on the show but now they are stronger than ever. The couple, who only went official 23 days ago, have embarked on a whirlwind romance as they have already collected the keys to their new Essex home. Steel-ing the glamour: The dumped Islander proved life in the spotlight suited her down to the tee as she wore heavy make-up to ensure her features were noticed She's so stylish: Georgia styled her waist-length locks in a poker straight fashion when she headed to the night scene in her platform open-toe sandals Already settled in, the pair shared a glimpse into their lovenest via Instagram stories as they gave their fans a walking tour around their home. Elsewhere, Georgia left her fans fretting over whether things had finished with her love after she posted a cryptic post on social media with a sultry snap. Accompanied with the snap, she wrote: 'I'm a good believer in everything happens for a reason, and what is meant to be will be. Feeling so lucky and blessed. Goodnight and hold tight for the future.' Picture perfect! The reality star looked happy as she reaped the glowing rewards of her blossoming love for former co-star Sam Wow thing: The brunette held her own when she burst into the Atik night club scene for a star-studded appearance She added mysteriously: 'Goodnight and hold tight for the future.' Love Island fans flooded the comments section with speculation whether Georgia and Sam had broken up. 'Are you still with Sam,' one fan asked. Another wrote: 'Are her and Sam still together?' However, the confusion was quickly cleared up with Georgia sharing a snap from their cosy date night. Right at home: Sam posted a video of Georgia inspecting the couple's new oven, as they arrived home with a trolley full of grocery shopping from Waitrose Amazing: Sam also posted a video of the empty living room, which appeared to be in a modern development, and boasted a wooden floor and crisp white walls Gorgeous: Georgia posted a sweet snap of her toasting champagne with Sam after moving in He's already admitted to finding love on The Bachelor. And Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins, 30, appeared to be practicing his moves for the lucky lady when he did Drake's 'Kiki Challenge' on Friday. Taking to Instagram, the all-Australian Bachelor shared a short clip of himself with three pals dancing to the song on a camping trip to the Kimberley. Singing to the winner? The Bachelor Nick Cummins, 30, has shown off his moves as he did Drake's 'Kiki' Challenge while camping in the Kimberley with a group of pals Wearing a pair of beige shorts and a blue shirt, the curly-haired Casanova struggled to get his moves right, as he attempted the now-viral video challenge. Clearly showing his knack for comedy, Nick appeared to present himself and his pals as a boy band, despite their fumbling display. 'Made my Kiki debut possible,' Nick said, adding the Bachelor hashtag to his post. 'We're open to contract negotiations.' Earlier this week, the former Wallabies star rubbished reports he walked away from the Bachelor single in order to reconcile with ex-girlfriend, Martine Thomassen. Speaking to Hit 105's Stav, Abby and Matt on Tuesday, he said while the process of keeping the winner's identity under wraps was 'very secretive', they were most definitely still together. Nick also revealed that his new girlfriend (or fiancee) will have to live alongside his flatmate if they decide to shack up after the finale airs. Gossip: There were rumours circulating earlier this week that Nick walked away from The Bachelor single and was reconciling with his ex-girlfriend Martine Thomassen (left) He explained: 'I live with one of my mates. It's a two-bedroom joint so we'll see, I do have a swag [a small tent that accommodates one person lying down], so she can have the swag!' While two episodes have aired, The Bachelor is proving to heat-up with a number of predictions already being made, including from e-Harmony expert Sharon Draper. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, she said Brooke Blurton stood the best chance of capturing the Honey Badger's heart. 'Brooke was really natural, their chemistry was really quite strong from the get go. There was no desperateness and I think that was really attractive to him,' she said. She's paved her way through a challenging industry as the eldest daughter of Hollywood icons. And Rumer Willis looked to be in fine form sporting a darling sheer white lace dress to continue her 30th birthday celebrations at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday afternoon. The former Dancing With the Stars winner stepped out to lunch with sister Scout, 27, before heading to a pool party where Bachelor contestant Nick Viall shared a few behind-the-scenes videos as father Bruce Willis gave a speech in honor of his little girl. Party time: Rumer Willis looked to be in fine form sporting a darling sheer white lace dress to continue her 30th birthday celebrations at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday afternoon Rumer looked lovely in the thigh-grazing dress which showed off her toned and tanned legs. She showed off a new, curly blonde hairdo, with bright Gucci Tortoise Pink Gold sunglasses framing her face. Sister Scout followed closely behind wearing a white shift dress paired with see-through black Mary Jane-style ballet flats. Family: The former Dancing With the Stars winner stepped out to lunch with sister Scout, 27, before heading to a pool party where Bachelor contestant Nick Viall shared a few behind-the-scenes videos as father Bruce Willis gave a speech in honor of his little girl Sister Scout followed closely behind wearing a white shift dress paired with see-through black Mary Jane-style ballet flats. After lunch, Rumer whisked away to a star-studded pool party where her father Bruce gave a short but sweet speech. The Empire star changed into a sweeping cream-colored robe with a rose swimsuit worn underneath. Nick Viall, who previously denied any romance rumors with Rumer, was on hand at the festive summer affair with a slew of Dancing With The Stars castmembers. Just friends: He wrote 'Happy Birthday @rumerwillis' across the screen in bright pink lettering followed by a small red heart Dressed down: Nick was casually clad for the party wearing a striped shirt in various shades of blue and distressed denim pants He wrote 'Happy Birthday @rumerwillis' across the screen in bright pink lettering followed by a small red heart. Nick was casually clad for the party wearing a striped shirt in various shades of blue and distressed denim pants. Holding his phone high in the air, he gave a behind-the-scenes look at the celebration with Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy enjoying the soiree. He transformed into Prince Philip for the first two seasons of The Crown. And Matt Smith returned to his royal character for a hilarious spoof of the hit Netflix show while making an appearance on The Late Late Show on Wednesday. The actor, 35, starred in the mock trailer alongside James Corden, 39, which saw the pair play the prince and Queen Elizabeth II in a cop drama named Lizzie & The Duke. Lizzie & The Duke: Matt Smith and James Corden portrayed Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II in a hilarious cop spoof of The Crown on Wednesday The clip opens with Matt's character being confronted by his police chief, played Terry Crews, who says they 'need to clean up this stinking city.' Told that he is going to be assigned a new partner, Matt responded in Prince Philip's accent: 'Damn it chief Im a lone wolf, you know I work alone.' But his complaints were to no avail, as James enters the room dressed as the Queen in a grey wig, white lace gown and blue sash. Amusing: Matt Smith returned to his royal character for the clip which sees them work as partners to 'clean up this stinking city' Working together: The clip opens with Matt's character being confronted by his police chief, played Terry Crews, who tells him he is going to be assigned a new partner, Queen Elizabeth II Matt, for his part, was the splitting image of his character in a double-breasted jacket which was adorned with military medals and gold embellishments. Despite a frosty reunion due to their 'past', James quickly says: 'Come on Philip, lets go teach these ghastly ruffians some manners.' The royal pair then wreak havoc on the streets of Los Angeles, toting guns, jumping over cars, and taking criminals in for questioning. In character: James embodied the Royal by dressing in a wig, white lace gown and blue sash Back again: Matt, for his part, was the splitting image of his character in a double-breasted jacket which was adorned with military medals and gold embellishments One particularly amusing scene sees Prince Philip interrogating a suspect, before the camera zooms out and show that he is making tea for them. Playing the Good Cop routine, he says: 'Now listen hear man, we have you on tape. Whos running this operation? If you tell us then we work something out. Now is it one lump or two, dear?' James' take on Queen Elizabeth II sees the character play the Bad Cop, as she attacks the suspect with sugar cubes when he's not cooperating. Getting the job done: James' take on Queen Elizabeth II sees the character play the Bad Cop In action: The royal pair then wreak havoc on the streets of Los Angeles, toting guns, jumping over cars, and taking criminals in for questioning Full of cheesy puns, one scene sees James hold a sword as if to knight a criminal before cutting their head off, and saying: 'I now pronounce you...dead.' The pair are also seen running down a street holding guns, and as they duck behind a car Matt admits in character: 'I am too royal for this s***' After being told they'd 'destroyed half a federal building, totalled six patrol cars and sent four perps to the Tower of London' they're then demoted to traffic cops. When a recipient of a parking fine complains, James' queen threatens to 'kick [them] in the crown jewels' but is held back by Philip, much to her chagrin. Surprise: Full of cheesy puns, one scene sees James hold a sword as if to knight a criminal before cutting their head off, and saying: 'I now pronounce you...dead' Too much: The pair are also seen running down the street with guns, and as they duck behind a car Matt admits in character: 'I am too royal for this s***' The Crown became embroiled in a gender pay gap earlier this year when it was revealed that Matt was paid considerably more than his co-star Claire Foy, despite her portraying the central character the series is based on. During the same Late Late Show appearance, Matt revealed that he's advised his successor, Tobias Menzies, to ensure salaries on the Netflix drama are even now he's taken over the role of Prince Philip for seasons three and four opposite acclaimed actress Olivia Colman, 44. Sitting down with the host on the show, Matt explained: 'I just said, "Make sure they pay you enough, make sure its even!"' Suggestion: Matt Smith revealed that he advised Tobias Menzies to make sure the pay 'is even' as he gets ready to take over the role of Prince Philip in The Crown The star also joked that he told Tobias 'don't do it' and 'said a few things' to him, before adding: 'You know what its like, you cant really offer up too much.' Despite playing Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series, producers revealed in March that Claire had been paid significantly less than her co-star because of his Doctor Who fame. Matt first opened up about the pay gap between the two of them in April, where he said: 'Claire is one of my best friends, and I believe that we should be paid equally and fairly and there should be equality for all.' He continued: 'I support her completely, and I'm pleased that it was resolved and they made amends for it because that what's needed to happen. Shock: Earlier this year, it was revealed that there was a salary disparity between The Crown star's Claire Foy and Matt Smith, as he was paid more than his on-screen partner Trying to be helpful: The star also joked that he told Tobias 'don't do it', and 'said a few things' to him, before adding: 'You know what its like, you cant really offer up too much' Disparity: Despite playing Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series, producers revealed in March that Claire had been paid significantly less than her co-star because of his Doctor Who fame 'Going forward, I think we should all bear in mind that we need to strive to make this better and a more even playing field for everyone involved' Following the outrage over the gender pay gap, Claire said that she has had her 'eyes opened' and plans to do more to ensure there is no sexism in the industry. However, in July she quashed any reports that she was promised pay from Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix, despite varying reports that she was owed 100,000 by the companies. In the new series, Olivia is taking over the lead role from Claire, as the show's time setting moves along to follow the monarch's rule across the 1960s and 1970s. Honest: Appearing on the Late Late Show with James Corden on Wednesday, the star was candid as he discussed the advice he gave his successor Supportive: Matt talked about the pay gap in April, and said: 'Claire is one of my best friends, and I believe that we should be paid equally and fairly and there should be equality for all' Stepping in: According to Deadline, Tobias, who starred in Game Of Thrones and Outlander, was chosen for the role of Prince Philip after Paul Bettany dropped out during early talks According to Deadline, Tobias, who starred in Game Of Thrones and Outlander, was chosen for the role of Prince Philip after Paul Bettany dropped out during early talks. They are joined on the star-studded cast list by Helena Bonham Carter, who will star as Princess Margaret, Jason Watkins as former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and Josh O'Connor, who will play an older Prince Charles. The series will follow in its predecessor's footsteps, following the Royal couple for two seasons before the cast changes once again in order to portray the characters accurately as they age. Coming soon: In the new seres, Olivia Colman takes over the lead role from Claire, as the show's time setting moves along to follow the monarch's rule across the 1960s and 1970s She found fame as one-fifth of The Spice Girls in the Nineties. And Emma Bunton, also known as Baby Spice, was feeling nostalgic for the old times on Friday as she took to Instagram to post a shot as she dished out some of her staggering platform Buffalo boots - the trademark shoe worn by the band. The 42-year-old Viva Forever hitmaker sported work-out gear with pink leg warmers and rocking her white boots with a staggering heel while she added a caption: 'Havent worn these babies since 98 #original #spicercise'. Throwback: Emma Bunton, also known as Baby Spice, was feeling nostalgic for the old times on Friday as she took to Instagram to post a shot as she dished out some of her staggering platform Buffalo boots - the trademark shoe worn by the band Each member of the wildly popular band had their own kooky style, with Emma known for her pastel mini skirts, blonde pigtails and staggering boots. Throwing it back to the Nineties, she dug out her boots from the back of the wardrobe to rock the funky ensemble much to her fans' delight. Her throwback comes a day after Victoria Beckham revealed her daughter Harper had developed a love of the band and even styled her hair like Baby Spice. The fashion designer revealed that during their family holiday to Bali, Harper had also taken to watching the Spice World Movie on a loop. Back in the day... Emma frequently wore the boots in her Spice Girls days (pictured with Prince Harry and Victoria Beckham in 1997) Here they come! Each member of the wildly popular band had their own kooky style, with Emma known for her pastel mini skirts, blonde pigtails and staggering boots (pictured in 1997) In June, Emma hinted that the rumoured Spice Girls animated movie will go ahead during an appearance on This Morning where she was quizzed about the legendary pop band's widely-discussed reunion - the answers of which left fans delighted. While she responded to questions about the movie, which was first rumoured in March, she remained coy about her bandmate Victoria's involvement, as questions have been raised over the fashion designer's plans. In February, the band released a statement saying: 'We are always overwhelmed at how much interest there is across the whole world for the Spice Girls. The time now feels right to explore some incredible new opportunities together... Her baby! Her throwback comes a day after Victoria Beckham revealed her daughter Harper had developed a love of the band and even styled her hair like Baby Spice Just like mummy: Watching Spice Girls' opening number, Too Much in the film, the mum-of-four told fans: 'Spice World has been on heavy rotation this holiday!' Role model: Harper shared her mother's love for designer clothes as Victoria wrote atop the video: 'Not only is Harper obsessed with the Spice Bus... She now wants a 'little Gucci dress.'' 'I was with Geri and Mel C in Mel's kitchen and we're like: "What are we going to do?" There's so much excitement it's just about making sure we do the right thing.' Now, she hinted that the animated superhero movie will be the way into the reunion - ahead of a tour or any festival appearances. It's not the first time the group have broken through on the big screen, having starred in their first cinematic film - Spice World: The Movie - 21 years ago. Go ahead: In June, Emma hinted that the rumoured Spice Girls animated movie will go ahead during an appearance on This Morning where she was quizzed about the legendary pop band's widely-discussed reunion - the answers of which left fans delighted She said: '(The film) is something we are talking about... Im not sure about a tour, but a few shows definitely... (Glastonbury) would be nice!' In regard to Victoria making a comeback, she said: I'm sure Victoria will be involved in some way. Emma herself confessed she's been back in the studio for solo work, saying: I am back in the studio. I'm having fun with some music on my own. In February, it was reported each band member - comprising of Geri Horner, Mel B, Mel C and Victoria 10m ($14.15m) to promote a new greatest hits album. Kylie Jenner is following in the footsteps of her sisters Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian. On Friday it was announced the 21-year-old Kylie Cosmetics mogul had landed her very first Vogue cover; hers is for the September issue of Vogue Australia. The beauty, who was photographed by Jackie Nickerson and interviewed by her sister Kendall, talked about her daughter Stormi and added that she is with her beau Travis Scott every night even though they have separate homes. On Instagram, the Life Of Kylie star wrote, 'VOGUE was once just a wild dream! Thank you @vogueaustralia for this cover!' She made it: Kylie Jenner is following in the footsteps of her sisters Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian. On Friday it was announced the 21-year-old Kylie Cosmetics mogul had landed her very first Vogue cover; hers is for the September issue of Vogue Australia The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star began talking about motherhood: 'I dont think my life has changed since becoming a mum: I think the way I look at life has changed since becoming a mum. I think more of the future.' The beauty, who is nearly a billionaire from KC, added, 'I used to live each day as it came, and now I look at the future more. 'I actually feel like I love myself more after I had Stormi. And Im trying to be ... I mean, Im already a positive person, but just having fun, being positive.' Then Kendall said, 'Yeah, I can feel that. I feel youre a lot nicer to me, now that you have a kid.' Kylie agreed. She loves being a mommy: The beauty, who was photographed by Jackie Nickerson and interviewed by her sister Kendall, talked about her daughter Stormi Now she has a happier outlook on life. 'I feel like having a daughter, and thinking about beauty in the future, has definitely changed me, and I feel like it has made me love myself more and accept everything about me,' said the siren. She added, 'Even my ears, I always felt like they stuck out too far, and she [Stormi] has the same ears as me and so now I love my ears. 'Its just having a different outlook on life so I can pass that on to her. I want to be an example for her. What kind of example would I be if she said she didnt like her ears, and then I didnt like them either? I just want to teach her that. Im trying to love myself more.' Her thoughts on it all: 'I dont think my life has changed since becoming a mum: I think the way I look at life has changed since becoming a mum. I think more of the future,' she said As far as her launch of her Lip Kits, she said she made them to deal with her lip insecurities. 'My Lip Kits started with number one, my obsession with make-up and lips specifically and just how I took my insecurity with my lips and turned it into my business model. 'Something I just became obsessed with was lips and lipstick, and how wearing lipstick made me feel. I just loved bigger lips, and I just got obsessed. To this day, I cant leave the house without lipstick. So, I just think Im obsessed with doing my make-up and watching tutorials and thats kind of how Kylie Cosmetics started.' Her pride and joy: With her little one on Instagram earlier this week Close: Asked at the end of the interview if there was anything she wanted to add, Jenner said, 'Im actually scrolling through Instagram right now, and it says that me and Travis dont live together, and so I just want to say that we never miss a night with each other'; seen in May And not surprisingly Kylie admitted her mother is her role model. 'Our mum is the most influential person to me. I spend a lot of time with her. We do a lot of business stuff together. Shes just super-smart and I feel like I have a lot to learn from her,' said the youngest child of the 62-year-old momager. Asked at the end of the interview if there was anything she wanted to add, Jenner said, 'Im actually scrolling through Instagram right now, and it says that me and Travis dont live together, and so I just want to say that we never miss a night with each other, we go back and forth from my Calabasas house and the city home that we actually got together. So just if you wanted to add that in.' Their Vogue splashed: Kim Kardashian with Kanye West on the cover of Vogue, left, and Kendall on her last Vogue cover with a bird She had also complimented the rapper: 'We both experienced this for the first time, so I love learning together and just watching him with her. Hes so good with her and shes really obsessed with him.' Kendall and Kylie also talked about growing up together and how they used to fight over their Barbies. The Calvin Klein model also said she used to steal their parents' car to take Kylie out. She was styled by Vogue Australia fashion director Christine Centenera. Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said: 'Here is Kylie Jenner as you havent seen her, triumphant in Alexander Wangs collection (which was somewhat of a comeback from a dear friend of hers) on our cover, and in conversation with her sister Kendall. 'Kylie is a successful businesswoman who has turned the beauty world on its head, and a perfect candidate for this seasons new power dressing.' In under three years her make-up line has pulled in more than $630 million and according to Forbes shes positioned to replace Mark Zuckerberg as the youngest self-made billionaire. She's currently embroiled in a bitter divorce with ex Brad Pitt. But Angelina Jolie didn't look worried about her custody battle while visiting 60OUT Escape Room in Hollywood for her second time in one day on Thursday. The Academy Award winner, 43, was classically chic in her typical all-black uniform. So nice, she did it twice: Angelina Jolie made her second trip to 60OUT Escape Room in Hollywood on Thursday where she was joined by daughters Shiloh and Vivienne Teaming cigarette pants, a slouchy sweater and flats, she was the epitome of easy-going elegance. The Maleficent talent accessorized with large, round shades and sparkling stud earrings. Usually one to sport loose locks or a low-bun, Angie changed things up with a wavy high ponytail for a bit of sass. Returning to the escape attraction for the second time in one day, she was joined by daughters Vivienne and Shiloh. Pony up: Usually one to sport loose locks or a low-bun, Angie changed things up with a wavy high ponytail for a bit of sass Simply chic: Teaming cigarette pants, a slouchy sweater and flats, she was the epitome of easy-going elegance Vivienne, who is 10 and has a twin brother named Knox, dressed in a tee shirt and light washed jeans while Shiloh, 12, went with cargos and a roomy hoodie. It was a busy day for mom who modeled three monochrome looks throughout her Thursday. During the first trip to the escape room she stepped out in a cream sweater and her favorite skinny jeans, later changing into an all ebony outfit for some time with her eldest child Maddox. The family out comes around the same time as documents from The Blast revealed that the actress was ordered by a judge to Pitt has regular visitation. Quality time: Jolie and three of her children enjoyed an escape room in LA Thursday. Meanwhile ex Brad has been granted 'every other day' visitation by the court The order, originally issued July 11, dictated that the Fight Club actor must have 'four hours [with the children] every other day on school days and twelve hours every other day on non-school days' while the exes finalize their agreement. It was the same order which mandated Jolie and children to return to the States, as she had brought the children to England while filming the sequel to Disney's Maleficent. Pitt and Jolie's legal teams will return to court for a further hearing August 21. Legal saga: Pitt (above in January) and Jolie's legal teams will return to court for a further hearing August 21 While a custody agreement between Pitt and Jolie is nearly finalized, relationships between Brad and his kids are said to be strained because of Angelina 'not allowing the children to properly interact with their father'. According to TMZ, the Tomb Raider actress has 'driven a wedge' between the actor and their children Maddox, 17, Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and Vivienne and Knox, nine. The source suggested that things are more strained with his sons than his three daughters. Kylie Jenner has revealed she is learning to embrace her insecurities since giving birth to her daughter Stormi. The 21-year-old speaks to sister Kendall about motherhood and her opinions on beauty after landing her first ever Vogue cover, with the Australian September edition. 'I feel like having a daughter, and thinking about beauty in the future, has definitely changed me, and I feel like it has made me love myself more and accept everything about me,' the makeup mogul said. 'I'm trying to love myself more': Kylie Jenner stuns on her first Vogue cover as she reveals becoming a mother has taught her to embrace her insecurities 'Even my ears, I always felt like they stuck out too far, and she [Stormi] has the same ears as me and so now I love my ears,' she added. The cosmetics juggernaut continued: 'What kind of example would I be if she said she didn't like her ears, and then I didn't like them either? I just want to teach her that. I'm trying to love myself more.' She showed off her post-baby body in a classic black boucle jacket by Alexander Wang, styled by Vogue Australia fashion director Christine Centenera. Another milestone! The 21-year-old speaks to sister Kendall about motherhood and her opinions on beauty after landing her first ever Vogue cover, with the Australian September edition Proud mama: 'Even my ears, I always felt like they stuck out too far, and she [Stormi] has the same ears as me and so now I love my ears,' she added The publication's editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said: 'Here is Kylie Jenner as you havent seen her, triumphant in Alexander Wangs collection (which was somewhat of a comeback from a dear friend of hers) on our cover, and in conversation with her sister Kendall. 'Kylie is a successful businesswoman who has turned the beauty world on its head, and a perfect candidate for this seasons new power dressing,' Edwina added. In the highly-anticipated September issue, Kylie will also spill on her very close bond with boyfriend, rapper Travis Scott. Happy in love: In the highly anticipated September issue, Kylie will also spill on her very close bond with boyfriend, rapper Travis Scott In the Jenner sisters' candid conversation they also reveal intimate details about their childhood including fighting over their Barbies. Kylie is the third member of the Jenner and Kardashian clan to land the cover of the iconic fashion publication behind her older sisters Kim and Kendall. Her debut on the highly anticipated September issue of the magazine after she came under fire for being called a 'self-made billionaire' on Forbes last month. Kylie Jenner's Vogue magazine cover debut will hit go on sale in Australia on Monday 27 August He turned 75 on Friday. But veteran actor Robert De Niro made it hard to tell his age while enjoying some time in the sun with wife Grace Hightower in Santa Monica on Wednesday. The Academy Award winner showed no signs of slowing down as he jumped into the ocean and splashed around while wearing a pair of simple navy board shorts. Pep in his step: Robert De Niro looked active while at the beach Thursday, just before his 75th birthday Friday Robert kept a snowy beard on his face while sporting longer hair than usual, slicked back from the sea. Stepping out of the see the native New Yorker revealed a tattoo on his upper right arm. Wife Grace wrapped a bohemian-looking sarong around her bottom while a strappy brown top covered her bust. Robert and wife Grace have been together for for 20 years. No fuss: Robert kept a snowy beard on his face while sporting longer hair than usual, slicked back from the sea Sarong song: Wife Grace wrapped a bohemian-looking sarong around her bottom while a strappy brown top covered her bust Their union has had ups and downs however. In 1998 the couple split after the birth of their son Elliot was born but they never finalized the divorce. The couple reunited, renewing their marriage vows in 2004. De Niro's first marriage was to Diahnne Abbott, mother of his oldest children, from 1976 to 1988. Inked: Stepping out of the see the native New Yorker revealed a tattoo on his upper right arm The actor also has two kids with ex Toukie Smith, who the couple welcomed via surrogate. Though he's in his officially in his mid 70s, it doesn't look like retirement is in the star's near future. Robert has four projects slated for 2019 and beyond, including an untitled film Edgar Ramirez set to co-star They have such good chemistry on-screen because they are real life lovers. And Jenna Coleman joined her love Tom Hughes, both 32, in period costume on the set of Victoria to shoot scenes for the third season, in Hartlepool in recent days. Ready for filming, the actress was hot on the heels of her real-life lover outside the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Back in time: Jenna Coleman and her real-life beau Tom Hughes slipped into period costume as they got into character for filming Victoria season three in Hartlepool on Friday The real and on-screen couple, who first started dating in 2016 when they began starring in Victoria, were clad in traditional dress. Jenna was every inch of royalty in her lime green gown and her navy blue blazer as she slipped back into the heels of her character Queen Victoria. Tom looked dashing in his beige tails, smart trousers and mid-length coat as he took on his role as Prince Albert. In early June, the lovebirds were seen filming the third season of ITV period drama Victoria in Liverpool. Fit for a princess! Jenna was every inch of royalty in her lime green gown and her navy blue blazer as she slipped back into the heels of her character Queen Victoria The brand new series sees actress Jenna reprise her role as the young Queen, alongside Tom as Prince Albert. Joining the leads, Laurence Fox has been confirmed to play wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, while Kate Fleetwood will play Victoria's mysterious sister Feodora, who makes an unexpected return into the Queen's life. Actor and comedian John Sessions will also star as Prime Minister John Russell, while Lily Travers will play the Duchess of Monmouth. Nicholas Audsley and David Burnett are also confirmed to be joining the cast as new characters. Starting in 1848, the third installment of the period drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for both Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on the continent and the Chartist movement reaching its peak in London, Victoria is under pressure from the government to leave London for her own safety. Shooting scenes: Ready for filming, the actress was hot on the heels of her real-life lover outside the National Museum of the Royal Navy Creator Daisy Goodwin said: 'Victoria and Albert are the most famous couple of the nineteenth century, but underneath the united facade, their relationship is at breaking point and it is a struggle for mastery that neither side can win.' Praised for its opulent production values, Victoria is one of ITV's most successful dramas, with the first series being the highest rating drama of 2016 on the channel. The second series continued to prove immensely popular, attracting a consolidated average of 6.4 million viewers. She paid tribute to the late Aretha Franklin in an emotional performance on The Tonight Show. And Ariana Grande stepped out just hours later following her heart felt performance in New York City on Friday. The songstress, 25, was rocking her trademark thigh-high boots and baggy sweatshirt as she exited a building alongside a friend. Music maker: Ariana Grande stepped out just hours later following her heart felt tribute to Aretha Franklin in New York City Carrying a see-through purse bearing the name of her new album Sweetner, Ariana ditched her signature ponytail and wore her long locks down in a sleek and straight style. She sported a glittering choker necklace and face full of perfectly polish makeup. Looking relaxed, happy, and polished, Ariana turned heads as she made her exit while running her fingers through her silky locks. No sign of her fiance Pete Davidson, who she has been practically inseparable from since they became engaged earlier this summer. All that glitters! She sported a shimmering choker necklace and face full of perfectly polish makeup Ariana predicted years ago she would marry Pete, after meeting him when she hosted an episode of the show he stars in, Saturday Night Live, in 2016. She said on The Tonight Show on Thursday: 'Well, we met on SNL like two, three years ago whenever that was, we've like never exchanged numbers or anything - we weren't even like friends for a long time. 'But I had the biggest crush in the world on him the whole time, like forever my friends used to make fun of me for all that stuff. These boots are made for walking! Grande rocked a pair of her trademark thigh-high boots, giving her dressed down look an edgy touch Tribute: During the show, Ariana performed a heartfelt tribute to the late Aretha, who died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer 'But I like left his writer's room and we were like writing skits and stuff for the show and my tour manager was in the hallway. 'I'm not like a crushy person I don't have crushes on people I don't know, but I left and I like jokingly said to my tour manager, I was like, 'I'm marrying him 100 per cent.' I was like, I'm literally marrying him.' ' During the show, Ariana performed a heartfelt tribute to the late Aretha, who died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The songstress received a standing ovation following her emotional rendition of Natural Woman. From the heart: The songstress received a standing ovation following her emotional rendition of Natural Woman Having some fun! Grande posed up with Ebro Darden in an Instagram snap posted Friday Rodrigo Alves is making waves in the Celebrity Big Brother house already. During the first episode he was the first to strip down for the cameras, joking about surgically enhancing his package before jumping in the hot tub with Natalie Nunn and Chloe Ayling. The 35-year-old showed off his abs, which are man-made, and his 20-inch waist, created by removing four of his ribs. Rodrigo Alves, also known as the human ken doll, is appearing on this season of Celebrity Big Brother The human Ken Doll showed off his surgically altered body during the first episode of Celebrity Big Brother Rodrigo is no stranger to plastic surgery. Hes undergone more than 100 controversial procedures, more than 50 of which were cosmetic, and spoken openly about a majority of them. In January he appeared on ITVs This Morning to discuss his rib removal with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. The Brazilian shared with viewers that he had to visit Europe and America to find a doctor who would do the surgery at all. He also said he initially wanted six of his ribs removed, but was only able to get four. Rodrigo said of his affinity for plastic surgery: Thanks to plastic surgery, today I am able to express myself through fashion, right? All my blazers, they have to be altered because my size is 36 but then because my around here (waist area) was a little bigger, I had to always have a bigger blazer and get it altered. After this procedure I can wear a 36 blazer and do it up perfectly. Want to know more about Rodrigo Alves? Heres the scoop. Who is Rodrigo Alves? Rodrigo Alves, also known as the human Ken Doll, is a Brazilian-born TV personality. Hes best known for having undergone more than 100 plastic surgeries in the hopes of achieving what he perceives as perfection. Hes thought to have spent more than 500,000 on over 100 different surgeries. He has said that hes done going under the knife unless medically necessary, however. Rodrigo Alves net worth According to Spears, Rodrigo Alvess net worth is about 30 million ($38.1m). How did Rodrigo Alves make his money? Rodrigo Alves has made the majority of his money from his career as a TV personality, though hes thought to come from a posh family. His family started a business that began with farming and has since developed to involved supermarkets, shopping centers and property. Rodrigo has a degree in public relations from the London College of Communication, though its unclear if he works in that field. The human Ken Doll reportedly inherited a lot of money from his grandparents after they died. Rodrigo Alves gay? Rumors have swirled about Rodrigo Alves's sexuality. He was photographed kissing surgeon Giacomo Urtis in May 2018 amid rumors they were a couple. Speaking with MailOnline about his sexual orientation, Rodrigo said: 'There are lots of reports in Italy that Giacomo and I are dating but that's not the case. We are just really good friends with lots in common. 'He's a sweet guy and he just likes kissing me. We spend a lot of time together when I'm in Milan, but it's nothing more than friendship.' Rodrigo Alves plastic surgery Rodrigo Alves has undergone more than 100 surgeries, nearly half of which were cosmetic. Hes said that the total cost is around 500,000. His first plastic surgery was gynecomastia, a procedure to remove his perceived breasts. He was 17 years old at the time. Rodrigo has said he was bullied at school over the size of his chest. He spent about 10,000 on pec implants, according to The Sun. Other procedures hes had done include: Gigi Hadid traveled to Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh with UNICEF on Friday. 'Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh is now home to the largest refugee camp in the world,' explained the 23-year old model in a post to her Instagram Story as she arrived at the camp. Since arriving in the South Asia nation, she has been sharing photos and videos from her experiences. Doing good: Gigi Hadid traveled to Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh with UNICEF on Friday Hadid is at the Cox's Bazaar refugee camps with UNICEF USA to 'visit & meet w/ @unicefbangladesh team + the women & children benefiting from programs including Child/Women Safe ares (for education & psychosocial support + Gender-Based violence services) to hear from them how they're doing, what's helping, & what they still need.' The model first headed to the Jamtoli Refugee Camp, which has a population of 45,470 as of June 21, 2018. It is one of many camps in the area, which in total house '1.3 million people,' according to Hadid. Helping hand: 'Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh is now home to the largest refugee camp in the world,' explained the 23-year old model in a post to her Instagram Story as she arrived at the camp Spreading the word: Since arriving in the South Asia nation, she has been sharing photos and videos from her experiences Hadid spoke with women of various ages inside one of the 'Women/Girl Friendly' zones at the camp. They discussed 'their personal stories & hardships, what they enjoy and benefit from currently in the refugee camps, what they still need, and what they hope for their futures,' she elucidated. The refugees living in Cox's Bazaar are Rohingyans from the western state of Rakhine, Myanmar, formerly known as Arakan, who have been fleeing the nation since 2015, however the crisis has grown exponentially over the last year. Speaking out: Hadid is at the Cox's Bazaar refugee camps with UNICEF USA to 'visit & meet w/ @unicefbangladesh team + the women & children benefiting from programs including Child/Women Safe ares (for education & psychosocial support + Gender-Based violence services) to hear from them how they're doing, what's helping, & what they still need' One of many: The model first headed to the Jamtoli Refugee Camp, which has a population of 45,470 as of June 21, 2018 Since August 2017, the Rohingyans have been fleeing to Southeast Bangladesh in droves, as Myanmar's military has stepped up military operations in the area. According to a 'Mission report' published by the United Nations in September 2017, Myanmar's military has continued 'clearance operations' against the Rohingya, and according to the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights, the situation seems to be a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing.' As far back as October 2015 there have been echos about the possibilities of 'ethnic cleansing' in the area, when Queen Mary University of London published findings stating that they have 'found compelling evidence that the Rohingya face mass annihilation and are in the final stages of a genocidal process.' Opportunity: It is one of many camps in the area, which in total house '1.3 million people,' according to Hadid LearningL Hadid spoke with women of various ages inside one of the 'Women/Girl Friendly' zones at the camp Hadid has a long history with charitable endeavors. She previously supported Pencils of Promise - a 'for-purpose organization that works across the globe to build schools and create programs around the goal of education for all' - as part of her her collaboration with Stuat Weitzman. The model joins several other celebrities who continuously aid in UNICEF's efforts, including Selena Gomesz, Tyson Changler, P!nk, and many more. Hardship: They discussed 'their personal stories & hardships, what they enjoy and benefit from currently in the refugee camps, what they still need, and what they hope for their futures,' she elucidated He was spotted continuing his 46th birthday celebrations with a mystery woman at Nobu in Malibu on Thursday night. The Justice League star - who is dating Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus - was dining with Playboy's Miss May 2018, Shauna Sexton, according to TMZ. While Ben walked ahead and puffed on a cigarette, Sexton kept pace wearing a figure-hugging nude dress paired with black heels. Puff away: He was spotted continuing his 46th birthday celebrations with a mystery woman at Nobu in Malibu on Thursday night Model behavior: The Justice League star - who is dating Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus - was dining with Playboy's Miss May 2018, Shauna Sexton, according to TMZ Shauna - who hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia, graced the Playmates.com website in May. Not only did the 22-year-old receive the coveted title, she's also returned to Playboy for various blogs and photo shoots. The blonde bombshell lists herself as 'single' on her Facebook page, and in addition to her career as scantily clad model, boasts about her work with animals as a veterinary technician. Strike a pose: Shauna - who hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia, graced the Playmates.com website in May Best friends: The blonde bombshell lists herself as 'single' on her Facebook page, and in addition to her career as scantily clad model, boasts about her work with animals as a veterinary technician; seen with her beloved dog Otis 'I started in this field when I was about 16,' she told Playboy. 'After my first experience in surgery, I realized working fast-paced and under pressure is for me. Whatever requires me to move quickly and freely is intriguing. I love surgery more than anything.' At the time, Sexton told the publication that she was 'very much single' and is looking for someone with a strong head on their shoulders. 'I want someone who's able to compromise but doesn't sell himself short,' she said. 'I appreciate people who are the truest forms of themselves and brutally honest about who they are.' Lucky lady: Here the stunner is seen with a silver Playboy jacket on. And she is also pictured in a silky black robe in a loft Beauty: Not only did the 22-year-old receive the coveted title, she's also returned to Playboy for various blogs and photo shoots; seen on Instagram MailOnline has contacted Ben's representatives for comment. The Armageddon star's appearance comes after he celebrated his birthday with his children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine and Sam, six, in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Ben was spotted heading into the Refuge Recovery Treatment Center in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles. Estranged wife Jennifer Garner looked to be in great spirits during a photo call for her latest film Peppermint at the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday morning. Pit stop: Earlier in the day, Ben was spotted heading into the Refuge Recovery Treatment Center in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles On friendly terms: On Friday the actor was spotted paying a visit to ex Jennifer Garner Lovely: Estranged wife Jennifer Garner looked to be in great spirits during a photo call for her latest film Peppermint at the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday morning Ben, who is currently dating SNL producer Lindsay Shookus, shares his kids with Garner, and the powerful pair have yet to formally finalize their divorce. The couple separated in June 2015 following 10 years of marriage, and filed for divorce in April 2017. The actor is reportedly 'in a good place' and is 'doing well' after recent reports surfaced that he and Jennifer, 46, were sent legal warnings by the court for 'dragging their feet' over their divorce, according to People. 'He is in a good place mentally and has worked really hard to get here,' a source told the publication. 'He continues to focus on himself and the health of his relationships.' Friendly exes: The Town star shares his kids his estranged wife Jennifer Garner, and the powerful pair have yet to formally finalize their divorce; seen in June Reigning Miss America winner Cara Mund claims she was bullied, manipulated and silenced by pageant executives and shes done being quiet. The 24-year-old released a letter outlining the treatment she says she suffered at the hands of Miss America chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper. In the letter, Cara wrote: Let me be blunt; I strongly believe that my voice is not heard nor wanted by our current leadership; nor do they have any interest in knowing who I am and how my experiences relate to positioning the organization for the future. Miss America 2018 Cara Mund claims she was bullied, manipulated and silenced by pageant leadership Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis. After a while, the patterns have clearly emerged, and the sheer accumulation of the disrespect, passive-aggressive behaviour, belittlement, and outright exclusion has taken a serious toll. Cara, who entered Miss America as Miss North Dakota, claimed that she was excluded from interviews and meetings and called outside her name on a regular basis. She was ridiculed over her fashion choices and told not to make a stir within or outside of the Miss America organization. Want to know more about Cara Mund? Heres the scoop. Who is Cara Mund? Cara Mund is a 24-year-old pageant queen. She comes from Bismarck, North Dakota. She was named Miss North Dakota in June 2017 and Miss America in September 2017. Her talent was self-choreographed jazz dance. Shes active in raising funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and other philanthropic endeavors. Shes raise more than $78,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Cara attended Brown University, graduating with a degree in business, entrepreneurship and organizations. She was in Kappa Delta sorority. Before she decided to compete for Miss America, Cara thought she might attend law school. She was accepted to Notre Dame Law School, but didnt go. She has since become interested in possibly representing her state in the United States senate. She interned for Republican Senator John Hoeven in Washington, DC to get a feel for it. Cara is related to Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first woman to run for President of the United States and the first woman to run a Wall Street brokerage and found a newspaper. Who is Gretchen Carlson? Gretchen Carlson is the chairwoman of the Miss America board of directors. She, herself, was crowned Miss America in 1989. She entered the competition to represent her home state of Minnesota. Gretchen attended Stanford University. After graduation she pursued a career in television. She worked as an anchor for several networks, including CBS News, The Early Show, Fox & Friends and The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson. Gretchen wrote an autobiography called Getting Real in 2015. Gretchen is one of several woman who filed a lawsuit against Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. She received a $20 million settlement from 21st Century Fox Corporation. Who is Regina Hopper? Regina Hopper (nee Blakely) is the CEO of the Miss America organization. She entered the position in May 2018. She has held other prestigious positions, including news anchor and President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. She was forced out of the latter position after a majority of the staff quit or was laid off. Reginas leadership style was questioned, according to POLITICO. Prior to that position, Regina was the President and CEO of Americas Natural Gas Alliance and vice president of the United States Telecom Association. In 2012, Regina was among the top CEOs in the country. The same year The Hill named her one of the top lobbyists. Before entering the workforce, Regina was crowned Miss Arkansas in 1983. In 2009 she was chosen to present the show. The University of Arkansas graduate has a degree in law and was a practicing attorney. Regina and Gretchen Carlson have been criticized for their running of the Miss America organization on more than one occasion. Shortly after Regina became CEO, 22 states held a vote of no confidence in the pairs leadership. Many feel they are not transparent enough and dont adhere to best practices. Several board members resigned during that time, many cited toxic culture as their reason for leaving. Miss America 2019 Miss America 2019 will take place in Atlantic City New Jersey on September 9, 2018. Jennifer Garner looked to be in great spirits on Friday afternoon. The 46-year-old actress beamed as she posed next to her hunky co-star Juan Pablo Raba when they were promoting their new action film Peppermint at the Four Seasons Hotel in LA. This comes a day after her estranged husband Ben Affleck - who she has yet to finalize her divorce from - was spotted leaving Nobu in Malibu on Thursday evening with comely Playboy model Shauna Sexton, 22. Good company: Jennifer Garner looked to be in great spirits on Friday afternoon as she posed with her Peppermint co-star Juan Pablo Raba in LA Good credentials: Raba is a Colombian film, TV and telenovela actor, best known internationally for his role as Gustavo Gaviria in the 2015 Netflix series Narcos Sexton is only 10 years older than Ben's eldest child Violet, aged 12. It is not known why the Argo star was with the lady when he is dating SNL producer Lindsay Shookus. Garner looked lovely in a black top and slacks with her hair down. The Alias vet posed several times with Juan, who was casually dressed. Raba is a Colombian film, TV and telenovela actor, best known internationally for his role as Gustavo Gaviria in the 2015 Netflix series Narcos. Still an A-lister: Garner looked lovely in a black top and slacks with her hair down He is wed to Monica Fonseca, his second wife, and they are raising one child together. Also at the event was actor John Ortiz, 50, who played Moises in the movie. He had on all grey as he put his arm around Jennifer. A silver fox: Also at the event was actor John Ortiz, 50, who played Moises in the movie. He had on all grey as he put his arm around Jennifer Ben was spotted continuing his 46th birthday celebrations with a mystery woman at Nobu in Malibu on Thursday night. The Justice League star was dining with Playboy's Miss May 2018, Sexton, according to TMZ. While Ben walked ahead and puffed on a cigarette, Sexton kept pace wearing a figure-hugging nude dress paired with black heels. Puff away: Affleck was spotted continuing his 46th birthday celebrations with a mystery woman at Nobu in Malibu on Thursday night Model behavior: The Justice League star - who is dating Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus - was dining with Playboy's Miss May 2018, Shauna Sexton, according to TMZ Shauna - who hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia, graced the Playmates.com website in May. Not only did the 22-year-old receive the coveted title, she's also returned to Playboy for various blogs and photo shoots. The blonde bombshell lists herself as 'single' on her Facebook page, and in addition to her career as scantily clad model, boasts about her work with animals as a veterinary technician. Strike a pose: Shauna - who hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia, graced the Playmates.com website in May Best friends: The blonde bombshell lists herself as 'single' on her Facebook page, and in addition to her career as scantily clad model, boasts about her work with animals as a veterinary technician; seen with her beloved dog Otis 'I started in this field when I was about 16,' she told Playboy. 'After my first experience in surgery, I realized working fast-paced and under pressure is for me. Whatever requires me to move quickly and freely is intriguing. I love surgery more than anything.' At the time, Sexton told the publication that she was 'very much single' and is looking for someone with a strong head on their shoulders. 'I want someone who's able to compromise but doesn't sell himself short,' she said. 'I appreciate people who are the truest forms of themselves and brutally honest about who they are.' Beauty: Not only did the 22-year-old receive the coveted title, she's also returned to Playboy for various blogs and photo shoots; seen on Instagram MailOnline has contacted Ben's representatives for comment. The Armageddon star's appearance comes after he celebrated his birthday with his children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine and Sam, six, in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Ben was spotted heading into the Refuge Recovery Treatment Center in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles. Ben shares his kids with Garner, and the powerful pair have yet to formally finalize their divorce. The couple separated in June 2015 following 10 years of marriage, and filed for divorce in April 2017. The actor is reportedly 'in a good place' and is 'doing well' after recent reports surfaced that he and Jennifer, 46, were sent legal warnings by the court for 'dragging their feet' over their divorce, according to People. 'He is in a good place mentally and has worked really hard to get here,' a source told the publication. 'He continues to focus on himself and the health of his relationships.' Friendly exes: The Town star shares his kids his estranged wife Jennifer Garner, and the powerful pair have yet to formally finalize their divorce; seen in June Her fourth studio album - Sweetener - was released on Friday and is already receiving stellar reviews. And, between the 15-song catalog, Ariana Grande made sure to include a touching tribute to the victims who were killed during a terrorist attack after her concert in Manchester, England in 2017. Grande titled the final track of the new collection Get Well Soon, a five-minute, 22-second song focused on healing and dedicated to the 22 victims of the bombings at Manchester Arena following her May 22 show. Nice: Ariana Grande made sure to include a touching tribute to the victims who were killed during a terrorist attack after her concert in Manchester, England in 2017; seen during a benefit show in June 'This is for everybody,' she sang on the track. 'Babe, you gotta take care of you body, yuh yuh. Ain't no time to deny it, that is why we talking about it. So deal with it, don't try to get by it.' While the music stops long before the song is over, Grande included 40 seconds of silence at the end of the track to further honor her fans. The No Tears Left to Cry powerhouse told Vogue UK in July that she suffered from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder following the tragic event which also injured nearly 500 people. Tribute: Grande titled the final track of the new collection Get Well Soon, a five-minute, 22-second song focused on healing and dedicated to the 22 victims of the bombings at Manchester Arena following her May 22 show Love: Ariana later returned to the UK to raise funds for the victims during the One Love Manchester benefit concert 'It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss,' she said. 'But, yeah, it's a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well. 'Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience like I shouldn't even say anything.' Ariana later returned to the UK to raise funds for the victims during the One Love Manchester benefit concert. 'Thinking of you all today and every day,' she wrote in May on the anniversary of the attack. 'I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day.' Bright light: While the music stops long before the song is over, Grande included 40 seconds of silence at the end of the track to further honor her fans; seen in New York yesterday In addition to her success on the charts, Ariana is certainly feeling the love at home after boyfriend Pete Davidson proposed with a $93,000 pear-shaped diamond in June, just weeks after the couple went public with their relationship. And while fans were shocked by the union and even more surprised at the speedy trajectory of their commitment, Pete admitted he knew years ago that Ariana was the one for him after the couple met while she hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2016. 'The day I met her, I was like, 'Hey, I'll marry you tomorrow,'' he said. 'She was calling my bluff. I sent her a picture [of engagement rings]. I was like, 'Do you like any of these?' She was like, 'Those are my favorite ones,' and I was like, 'Sick.'' The power couple are also setting up house after recently purchasing a $16million apartment in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. Love at first sight: Fans were shocked by the union and even more surprised at the speedy trajectory of their commitment, Pete admitted he knew years ago that Ariana was the one for him after the couple met while she hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2016 Tara Reid has announced she has cut her The Last Sharknado: It's About Time press tour short. The 42-year-old actress tweeted Friday that she was pulling out 'due to some back issues.' Earlier in the day, she had appeared on Australian talk show Today Extra, and was seen slurring her speech. Tara Reid is pictured in New York City on Friday hours after her appearance on Australian talk show Today Extra Is everything OK? Tara Reid slurred, stumbled over her words and awkwardly squinted during a live Australian TV interview promoting Sharknado 6 on Friday morning Ouch: The 42-year-old actress Tweeted that she was pulling out 'due to some back issues' 'Due to some back issues I am having, I had to cut my press tour short,' wrote Tara on Twitter. 'I wish I couldve been there especially for my favorite show, @BUILDseriesNYC. 'Thank you for ur understanding & I am hoping to recover from this pain soon.' Tara sparked concerns after slurring her speech and squinting during a live TV interview that aired in Australia on Friday morning. Appearing on Channel Nine's Today Extra, the actress was introduced by host Deborah Knight as 'the American sweetheart who quickly became one of Hollywood's biggest party girls'. In a live cross from New York City, the troubled star - who looked noticeably slender in a sleeveless, black sequin top - appeared rather tired and distracted while promoting Sharknado 6. Tough morning: Earlier in the day, she had appeared on Australian talk show Today Extra, and was slurring her speech (pictured in an image from the upcoming Sharknado movie) 'A little out of it': Meanwhile, fans expressed concern for Tara on Twitter after her appearance on Channel Nine's Today Extra 'OMG is she OK?' Social media users suggested that Tara 'can't be well' following her interview With a fixed smile on her face and often nodding languidly, Tara spoke in a slow drawl about the sci-fi comedy movie. She seemed to have trouble expressing herself, eventually saying that Sharknado 6 is, 'beyond... it's my favourite one. It's so ridiculous, it's so bad that it's good.' Tara explained that the film includes over-the-top elements such as time travel, adding: 'It's just out of control, like, the movie, it... it does, it takes every step to the next level.' She continued: 'It... it really makes sense. From the first one. It really does it. It makes, like, a complete circle. I do really think it's gonna be the end.' During the interview, someone could be heard sniggering and whispering in the background while Tara answered questions. It is unclear if the laughter was from New York or Today Extra's studio in Sydney. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Whoops! At one point, Tara awkwardly fiddled with her earpiece after it popped out of her ear. Pictured left: Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Deborah Knight At one point, Tara awkwardly fiddled with her earpiece after it popped out of her ear. After this, the time delay started to play havoc as Tara repeatedly interrupted Deborah, 45, mid-sentence. Deborah said, 'Is it true, Tara, that you...', before Tara cut in with: 'I remember one time I was there [in Australia], you guys...' As Today Extra co-host David Campbell, 45, smiled uncomfortably, Deborah added: 'We've got the delay here causing problems...' Tara then interrupted once again before the interview finally got back on track. Following the interview, viewers expressed concern for Tara's well-being on Twitter. 'OMG she looked and sounded totally out of it - slurring her words. And so thin, she can't be well,' one fan tweeted. Other comments included, 'Is she OK?' and 'She's out of her tree'. In the past, Tara had quite a reputation for wild partying. Troubled: In the past, Tara had quite a reputation for wild partying. Pictured in a promotional photo for Sharknado: The 4th Awakens in 2016 She once told Rolling Stone magazine: 'When I go out to drink, I really drink. I black out sometimes. I don't even know how I manage my life when I black out, but I still function and just keep going.' However, Tara has also admitted that she's made some bad choices and wishes she had done things differently. Speaking to Closer magazine recently, Tara said: 'I would do a lot of stuff differently. I wouldn't have gone out so much and been so crazy. 'When I started out, I wasn't aware I would lose all my privacy, so I was doing everything that your average 21 year old does, but it was there for everyone to see. I should have made wiser choices about where to go and what to do, because that kind of all caught up on me and it changed everything.' It has been revealed that Stormy Daniels only wanted to appear on Celebrity Big Brother's launch night and then subsequently leave. The former porn star, 39, who claimed she had an affair with US President Donald Trump, left Channel 5 in chaos on Thursday night after she pulled out of the reality series at the last minute. And in light of claims that she had a furious row with producers over her fee, Rylan Clark-Neal, host of the show's spin-off Bit On The Side, gave the full insight into what happened and even aired Stormy's full VT for viewers on Friday night. Explanation: It has been revealed that Stormy Daniels, 39, only wanted to appear on Celebrity Big Brother's launch night and then subsequently leave Rylan revealed that the former porn star pulled out a mere five hours before the Channel 5 show's launch on Thursday night after admitting she only wanted to appear for the launch and then leave. Speaking at the beginning of Celebrity Big Brother's Bit On The Side, Rylan stated: 'Stormy Daniels arrived in the UK yesterday morning, and like every other housemate she filmed her profile VT. 'You should get to see it,' he teased. Immediately Stormy was seen on the screen where she revealed: 'I'm currently involved in a huge media storm involving the US President. Drama: The former porn star, who claimed she had an affair with US President Donald Trump, left Channel 5 in chaos on Thursday after she pulled out of the reality series at the last minute Chaos: In light of claims that she had a furious row with producers over her fee, Rylan Clark-Neal, host of the show's spin-off Bit On The Side, gave the full insight into what happened 'I'm currently involved in a huge media storm involving the US President': The spin-off show even aired Stormy's full pre-recorded VT for viewers on Friday night 'It has been shown on every news outlet around the world and it has drastically changed my life.' Stormy continued: Everyone loves a good scandal, especially if it involves sex. I think Im about to prove everyone wrong. I've taken on the US President, but now I'm here to take on the Big Brother house.' Switching back to Rylan in the studio, he continued: 'Big Brother was thrilled and excited with Stormy, but five hours before Stormy said she wanted to appear only on launch night and leave. 'So Big Brother tried to work it out, but Big Brother is about celebrities entering the house, not entering the house and then leaving. Stories about Stormy demanding more money are false. We had her, she changed her mind and she went, but remember always remember no housemate is bigger than Big Brother. Stormy showed no fear and hesitation as she teased: 'I've taken on the US President, but now I'm here to take on the Big Brother house' Details: Switching back to Rylan in the studio, he explained that Big Brother 'tried to work things out with her' after she expressed desire to stay for one night This comes after Celebrity Big Brother bosses stopped Stormy from appearing on Loose Women, according to reports. The blonde was just seconds from going on the show on Friday when she was told that appearing on the ITV programme could get her in trouble with Channel 5 bosses. Despite pulling out of CBB, she is still under contract with the show, which means she has to abide by the terms of the contract. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Stormy has signed a contract for Celebrity Big Brother. 'If she breaks the contract they could potentially take her to court. No one wants this to happen of course, but by going on Loose Women she was breaking one of the conditions. It was also revealed: Stories about Stormy demanding more money are false' Summing it up: We had her, she changed her mind and she went, but remember always remember no housemate is bigger than Big Brother A CBB spokesman said: 'Stormy Daniels was booked to appear on the show several months ago and hours before the show was due to go live, informed the production team that she no longer wished to enter the house as previously agreed.' Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, earlier claimed a US custody battle over her seven-year-old daughter forced her to quit Celebrity Big Brother - not an attempt to push her fee over $1million. Stormy, who claims to have had unprotected sex with Donald Trump after spanking him, was set to be the star of what producers promised would be its most-explosive series ever. But hours before last night's launch show she quit sparking a war of words between her and Channel 5. This comes after Celebrity Big Brother bosses stopped Stormy from appearing on Loose Women, according to reports So close! The blonde was just seconds from going on the show on Friday when she was told that appearing on the ITV programme could get her in trouble with Channel 5 bosses (Pictured with Jane Moore) An empty chair was left for Storm, who denied her decision not to appear was over increasing her 750,000 fee and claimed it was a custody battle for her daughter CBB insiders claimed it was because the star demanded 100,000 ($125,000) on top of the 750,000 ($950,000) she had agreed for a week's appearance on the show. However, her lawyer Michael Avenatti told MailOnline: 'There was never any pay dispute. [That is] completely false.' 'It was over a row with producers. They insisted she conduct herself in a certain way - they attempted to control her and produce a certain result, which she did not feel comfortable with.' It is not clear what the new development in the US is, but DailyMail.com revealed eight days ago that Stormy had been awarded joint custody of Caiden, after initially being ordered to stay away from the child and her estranged husband. Stormy was best known as a big name porn star until she became famous around the world when she spoke out about her alleged fling with Trump in 2006. In March she breached the terms of a non-disclosure agreement she signed with a Trump lawyer in 2016, in which she agreed not to discuss the President in return for a $130,000 payment ahead of his election win. Shocker: It was hoped she would dish the dirt on her alleged night of passion with President Donald Trump Goodness knows what possessed BBC newsreader Kate Silverton to agree to take part in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. The last time she took to the dance floor was with her husband, Mike Heron, on their wedding day nearly eight years ago. It didn't go quite according to plan. 'I messed it up. My feet got in the way,' she explains. Suffice to say Mike was 'bemused' when she told him she was to be in this year's line-up. After all, Kate's feet are a whopping size nine. The last time BBC newsreader Kate Silverton took to the dance floor was with her husband, Mike Heron, on their wedding day nearly eight years ago. It didn't go quite according to plan 'I'm having to have special shoes made for me because Strictly didn't have any big enough,' she reveals with the smile of a woman entirely at ease with her body. 'At 14, I was already a shoe size eight and, while my school friends delighted in wearing the latest styles, I was still in Clarks Classics or horror of horrors boys' shoes!' Now, Kate is about to be immersed in the BBC's flamboyant Strictly wardrobe. 'Earlier this week, I tried on a costume. It was very short, like wearing a swimsuit. When I put it on I thought: 'This is how I am. This is how I look. Embrace it.' I'm 48. I've had two children in my 40s. My body has actually served me really well.' In truth, what Kate's body has achieved is nothing short of a miracle. Eight years ago, she had all but given up hope of ever conceiving a child after five failed attempts at IVF treatment. Her husband was 'bemused' when she told him she was to be in this year's line-up. After all, Kate's feet are a whopping size nine Today, she has a six-year-old daughter, Clemency, and a four-year-old son, Wilbur, both of whom were conceived naturally. 'There's not a day goes past when I don't give thanks for them,' she says. 'I know what it is like to be on my knees sobbing because I can't have children. 'I'd had five IVF attempts in the space of five years. We'd sat in the last fertility place and it felt as though they were saying: 'Your failures are skewing our statistics.' Finally, I knew we had to give up. 'Mike and I went for a walk in Hyde Park. I was in tears saying: 'I'm really sorry. I can't give you children.' I was literally in bits. 'He looked at me and said: 'We can't help our biology. Look at me I'm going bald.' Although he delivered it better than that. Mike is very kind, very pragmatic and very funny.' She says this with the starry-eyed look of the freshly in love, but she and Mike, a former Royal Marine, have known each other for 12 years. Marriage and parenthood have, she acknowledges, made her more relaxed and comfortable in her skin. Next month, Wilbur begins 'big nursery', which is giving her more time to spend on her career as she continues to present the BBC News each Saturday. Kate, who studied psychology at Durham University, is also working on a documentary series about children's mental health, and will start filming next year. Eight years ago, she had all but given up hope of ever conceiving a child after five failed attempts at IVF treatment. Today, she has a six-year-old daughter, Clemency, and a four-year-old son, Wilbur, both of whom were conceived naturally Strictly, in a sense, completes a personal circle for Kate. She was first asked to take part in the show when she was covering the war in Iraq for the BBC in 2006, and again in 2009, shortly after she had started her fifth round of fertility treatment. 'Where I am right now, everything has come together,' she says. 'When you don't have that and you're looking for a soul mate, when you're trying to have children, when all of that seems to be elusive, that's when the tendency to . . .' She pauses as she searches for the right words to explain herself. 'Someone described it to me once as it's like you're scrabbling up a coal heap and you keep falling down. If you can learn not to scrabble up, you . . .' As if on cue, blonde-haired Clemency charges into the kitchen with her little brother in tow. She opens the fridge to help herself to some cherry tomatoes before counting out two for Wilbur. She is, without doubt, her mother's daughter strong-minded and very engaging. The bright, airy room is painted dove-grey in the style of a glossy interior design magazine, but is warmed by the clutter of family life. 'I'm better for immersing myself in these little people,' Kate says. 'In life we can lose the essence of playfulness. Marriage and parenthood have, she acknowledges, made her more relaxed and comfortable in her skin 'That's what I want to do with Strictly have fun. For as much serious news as there is out there, there is also the equivalent amount of fun and joy.' Before marriage, before children, before this blissfully happy ending of hers, Kate was a serious-minded television journalist. She grew up in Waltham Abbey, Essex, with mother, Patricia, a stay-at-home mum who went on to become a playschool teacher, and father Terry, a London cabbie, who used to tell her to 'work hard, be kind, do what you love'. 'I think the fear of failure in many people is huge,' she says. 'I went into corporate finance before journalism because I feared to fail in journalism. 'My dad was an adventurer. When I told him I was giving up corporate finance, he said: 'You go, girl.' ' 'He passed away a few years back.' Kate's face falls as she speaks about her father's death from bone, liver and lung cancer three years ago. Such was his pain, he asked her to take him to Dignitas to end his life, but was too frail for her or her family to contemplate it. It was, she has said, 'the hardest thing I have ever had to hear'. 'He had a few months from prognosis to dying,' she says. 'I still talk to my dad. I'd say I'm spiritual. I never used to be, but when something lovely happens, you shift inside.' Kate met her husband, whom she calls 'The One', in 2005 when she was sent on a hostile environment course before going to Iraq for the BBC. 'I had begged to go to Iraq. I was quite naive,' Kate says. Strictly, in a sense, completes a personal circle for Kate. She was first asked to take part in the show when she was covering the war in Iraq for the BBC in 2006, and again in 2009, shortly after she had started her fifth round of fertility treatment 'Then I walked through the doors of this training centre and saw this bloke standing there, his arms folded, looking like Action Man. I thought: 'Marvellous. He's hot.' It was Mike. 'I knew very early on that he was The One because of his kindness and his empathy. He got me. You know when you're not quite sure whether you'll ever find someone who will fit you like a puzzle? Mike does. 'He brings me peace. But, in the back of my mind, I was always worried about this children thing.' Kate had been forced to have life-threatening surgery after an ovarian cyst burst while she was covering the Labour Party conference in 1999, which left her with just one ovary. When a fertility test revealed she was producing worryingly few eggs, she resolved to have the few that were left frozen soon after she and Mike began dating. 'I told him I was doing it, but I didn't want to put pressure on him. I couldn't start saying: 'Shall we have kids now?' It was too soon,' she recalls. 'After a year or so, we started trying to conceive naturally, but it didn't happen. 'I had five attempts at fertility treatment in five years. It takes over. I was on BBC Breakfast at the time. It takes a physical toll. 'Anyone going through it knows that you're so full of hope, but it has an impact on your body and a psychological impact, too. 'It's very difficult. We were lucky we had each other. We had been advised to keep a diary, which we shared with each other at the end of each week. 'Everything Mike wrote was about his concern for me. It was: 'It breaks my heart what she's going through and having to go through.' That was really helpful because sometimes it is difficult to talk about.' By the time Kate and Mike married in December 2010, they had both accepted that Kate was not able to conceive. 'That was the happiest day of our lives. We had both come to terms with the fact we weren't going to have children. For five years it had been all-consuming. But if you can make your peace with loss, if you can grieve your loss . . .' She breathes deeply. 'On the wedding day we had made our peace. Someone had said to me: 'You make a bouquet with the flowers within your reach.' That kept me going. 'I thought: 'If we want children in our life, we can adopt.' ' When the newlyweds returned from honeymoon, they moved into the house that is now their family home in South-West London. 'A month later, I had a lovely, gleeful evening with my husband, not thinking about anything other than just being with each other, and eight weeks later I told my make-up lady my tummy was feeling really swollen. 'She said: 'Do you think you could be . . .?' I said: 'Oh no, of course not.' Then I thought I should probably just check. 'I had never, ever seen a positive pregnancy test before. Time and again, I'd seen that one negative line almost kind of laughing at me. To see two lines was just beyond . . .' Her face flushes with joy. Clemency was born on November 5, 2011, at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London. Kate's 'little miracle' had arrived. Kate had been forced to have life-threatening surgery after an ovarian cyst burst while she was covering the Labour Party conference in 1999, which left her with just one ovary Kate hoped lightning would strike twice, but two miscarriages followed Clemency's birth. 'Obviously the two miscarriages were knocking, but as I saw it, I'd gone on to get pregnant another two times,' she says. 'What was previously impossible becomes possible. Then this mischievous imp in me thought: 'I'm going to try again.' 'So I got these fertility sticks, which you pee on in the afternoon and when you get two strong lines you're at your most fertile. 'Poor old Mike I didn't tell him anything. I didn't want there to be any pressure. We had a lovely night . . . The next day he saw this fertility stick on the side. 'He said: 'Oh, are we trying again?' I said: 'No, it's done.' Somehow I knew. And I just knew we were going to have a boy.' Sure enough, Wilbur was born on June 26, 2014. Today he is a mop-haired bundle who is a constant source of joy. Determined to enjoy the children she never thought she would have, Kate reduced her workload to one day a week. 'I love my work; I love being in the newsroom,' she says. 'I felt really fulfilled professionally. 'When you've been through anything that's that difficult, you appreciate what you have so much. I felt strongly that being a mother had come after such a lot of trying that there was this compulsion to say: 'I just want to sit with them for a bit.' 'You ask, why Strictly? Why not Strictly?! I love music. I love dancing with the children in the kitchen,' she said 'For this part of my life, I have everything I could possibly want and I feel there's no shame in being happy,' she says without a smidgeon of smugness. 'It's been hard earned, but I also feel there's no point being happy if everyone around you is having a tough time. It's been a journey, but you're better for it. 'Maybe it's the maternal thing coming out, but when you work hard and finally get there, you want to turn back and pull the next person up. 'Which is why I'm looking forward to doing the documentary on children's mental health. We now know so much about brain science that if it can help any of us with parenting and our children's emotional wellbeing, then so much the better.' And, of course, there's Strictly. 'You ask, why Strictly? Why not Strictly?! I love music. I love dancing with the children in the kitchen. 'I'd love to be paired with Aljaz [Skorjanec, who was runner-up on last year's show with actress Gemma Atkinson]. 'He's got an element of fun, but equally he will teach me, and there's going to be a lot to learn. 'Let's say the benchmark is quite low. Whoever I dance with has to be taller, wider and,' she laughs loudly, 'have bigger feet.' A former Families SA carer who sexually abused two young girls in his care has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Aaron Sean Jaede, 34, appeared by video-link in the South Australian District Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to five counts of unlawful intercourse with a person under 14 years and one count of aggravated indecent assault. Chief Judge Michael Evans sentenced Jaede to 12 years and 18 days in prison, with a non-parole period of nine years, seven months and 21 days. Kevin Rudd is telling his side of the "ultimate betrayal" in a new book about how his Labor colleagues replaced him with Julia Gillard. The former prime minister's book "The PM Years" tells Mr Rudd's version of the 2010 leadership challenge that brought him down. Publisher Pan McMillan describes the book as covering "the coup that killed Australian politics." "The betrayal of June 2010 is the most significant Australian political event of the century," the publisher says. The book will be released on October 23 and it covers Mr Rudd's two stints as prime minister, his time as foreign minister, and his challenge of Ms Gillard in 2013. "The unceremonious removal of a first-term prime minister from office shocked Rudd as much as it did the nation," the publisher says. "Despite great pain, Rudd continued to serve his party, and his country, as backbencher and foreign minister. "This is the memoir of a prime minister full of energy and ideals, while battling the greatest trials of the modern age." The book also covers Mr Rudd's response to the global financial crisis, his backflip on climate change, and the "dark forces" within his own party. There are calls for shark nets to be pulled from all NSW beaches after the state government announced it was removing the controversial mesh on the north coast following community backlash. Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair on Friday said locals were happy about recent trials of the nets, which had proven to be less effective at catching target sharks and harmed more marine life than SMART drumlines. "The local beach going community have said loud and clear they do not support another trial of shark nets on the north coast," he said in a statement. The nets, however, will stay on beaches between Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong, he said. The minister has the power to put the nets back at any time if shark activity increases or beachgoers change their mind. Up to 35 drum lines will remain between Lennox and Evans Head in a two-year trial ending mid-2020. Helicopters and drones will continue to monitor the coast on weekends and during school holidays. Scientists are currently tracking more than 400 sharks including 300 white pointers caught using drumlines and tagged. Wildlife activists labelled the announcement a win for "common sense". In the first shark net trial, which ran between December 2016 to May 2017, three per cent of the animals caught in the netting were target sharks. "Data supports how ineffective these nets really are and they have never been able to demonstrate effectiveness in terms of ocean user safety," Sea Shepherd's NSW co-ordinator Allyson Jennings said in a statement. "Shark nets are nothing but passive fishing devices which kill marine life." The NSW Greens are calling on the government to abandon the shark net program state-wide and move towards a non-lethal option. "With the next season of the shark meshing program off Sydney beaches due to start in September, the NSW government should leave the nets out of the water and engage with the community to put in place an alternative plan now,"' marine spokesman Justin Field said in a statement. Gwyn Perkins describes his sketching style as a bit scribbly, but it's this quirky style that's helped the 76-year-old win a major award for his first children's picture book. "When I saw the other shortlisted authors I was surprised to be included, their work struck me as delicate and careful, I'm not like that at all," Mr Perkins told AAP. "I'm all scribbly and rough." A Walk In The Bush won best picture book ahead of Freya Blackwood and Philip Bunting in the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year awards announced on Friday. Mr Perkins honed his drawing skills during his career as an animator, mainly working in the advertising industry. His idea to write and illustrate his first picture book was inspired by a visit from his grandchildren one Christmas. Mr Perkins documented their time in simple cartoons from the perspective of the family cat. "My grandson thought they were really funny, he laughed and wanted it read over and over and I thought, 'Great, I can do jokes for four-year-olds.'" His drawings, black pen on paper coloured in using Photoshop, feature a grandad with his furry companion Iggy and their observations as they wander through the bush. Inspired by the natural landscape surrounding his home on Scotland Island, in Sydney's north, Mr Perkins hopes he can spark the same passion for the bush among young children and their parents. "I kept drawing journals of my travels always from the perspective of me stopping and going, 'Crikey look where I am now!'" More than 400 entries in six different categories were whittled down by the judges ahead of the winners being announced on Friday at the State Library of Queensland. The prize for the Older Readers category was a collaborative effort from three award-winning authors Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood for their novel about female friendship - Take Three Girls. Bren MacDibble took out the Younger Readers category for his book How To Bee. 2018 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS * Older Readers: Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood - Take Three Girls * Younger Readers: Bren MacDibble - How To Bee * Early Childhood: Michael Gerard Bauer, illustrations by Chrissie Krebs - Rodney Loses It! * Picture Book: Gwyn Perkins - A Walk In The Bush * Eve Pownall Award: Idan Ben-Barak, illustrations by Julian Frost - Do Not Lick This Book * Chrichton Award for New Illustrators: Rovina Cai - Tintinnabula A 24-year-old man who drove a car off a cliff in Western Australia, killing one passenger and seriously injuring another, has been charged. Police say the car was travelling on an off-road track in Lyndon, near Carnarvon, about 3.30am on Saturday when the vehicle went over the edge of a cliff, dropping 20 metres and landing in the ocean. Corey Ring, 25, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene while the driver and a 21-year-old woman received serious injuries and were airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital. The driver, from Yenda in NSW, has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and is due to appear in court on Monday. A convoy of more than 60 trucks will travel across the Nullarbor from Western Australia to the drought-ravaged farming regions of NSW and Queensland. Rural Aid has bought $600,000 worth of hay bales, roughly 2600, from across WA to assist farmers struggling to feed their animals. The organisation has already distributed more than 6000 bales to farmers in the past six months, according to chief executive Charles Alder. "We believe there is still more hay available and donations from everyday Australians are making this, and future, purchases possible," Mr Alder said in a statement. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro was at Condobolin in the state's central west on Friday to welcome a convoy of 23 trucks that delivered hay from WA. During question time this week, Mr Barilaro called for city residents to holiday in rural areas to bolster local businesses. "My call out today is this ... get out for the drought," Mr Barilaro told parliament on Thursday. "Even though we are in drought, our cafes are still brewing coffee, our shops are still open, we are still in business." Malcolm Turnbull is weighing up changes to the National Energy Guarantee in a bid to quell a revolt over the Liberal leadership. While senior government members insist there is no challenge in the wind, the prime minister is under intense pressure not to legislate Australia's 26 per cent cut to emissions by 2030 pledged under the Paris agreement. It is understood cabinet may consider on Monday an alternative plan to put the target in regulations, rather than legislation which would have to run the gauntlet of disgruntled coalition MPs and parliament. However the main criticism of regulations has been that a future Shorten Labor government could raise the emissions target to its proposed 45 per cent cut, without having to legislate it. This could be countered by putting in place some form of review mechanism making it harder for future governments which seek to raise the target. The plan is also expected to include what cabinet minister Christopher Pyne described as a "big stick" approach to electricity prices, which would ensure greater competition and transparent prices among retailers. A deal on the NEG would take pressure off Mr Turnbull amid speculation about his leadership. Media reports suggest Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is gearing up for a challenge. "I'm not aware of any such talk, nobody has raised that with me," Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told Sky News on Friday. Mr Pyne said there was some "hyperventilating" from colleagues. "The cabinet is 100 per cent united behind Malcolm Turnbull, and in the party room on Tuesday only four people said that they reserved their right not to vote for the NEG," Mr Pyne said. A spokeswoman for Mr Dutton said the minister was not adding to his comments on 2GB on Thursday, when he said he was loyal to the prime minister and would resign from cabinet if he no longer felt that way. At least 10 coalition MPs have either flagged they would cross the floor on NEG legislation or were concerned about aspects of the policy. Two men have been arrested over the shooting murder of former bikie boss Mick Hawi. Hawi, the former national president of the Comanchero motorcycle club, was shot multiple times as he sat in his luxury car in a Rockdale car park in February. Police arrested two men in Bexley on Friday afternoon over the daylight execution. It is understood charges are expected to be laid on the pair, who could face a Sydney court on Saturday. Media reports say a third man was also arrested. The NSW aviation and firefighting community are mourning the loss of a helicopter pilot killed while battling a blaze on the state's south coast. Sydney Helicopters pilot Allan Tull died when his aircraft crashed west of Ulladulla on Friday afternoon while waterbombing a fire near Mount Kingiman, which has burned through 1700 hectares. The experienced pilot was described as "an amazing guy" by a colleague at Sydney Helicopters, where he worked. "It's a massive shock ... we are absolutely devastated with the loss," the employee told AAP. As colleagues came to terms with their loss, firefighters were battling dozens of fires across NSW on Friday evening. The RFS confirmed the Bemboka fire on the south coast burned down three homes and four outbuildings in the Bega Valley, while 11 outbuildings were lost in the Mount Kingiman blaze. One home was confirmed damaged in the North Nowra blaze, which also destroyed an outbuilding. Those five major fires were still out of control on Friday evening. A search is under way after a car rammed a police vehicle multiple times in Brisbane, injuring officers. When police pulled over a white station wagon seen driving erratically at Deception Bay, north of Brisbane, on Friday night, the driver reversed at speed into the stationary patrol car four times before driving off, police say. The officers received minor injuries and the patrol car was extensively damaged. The station wagon was later stopped with a tyre deflation device but the occupants escaped on foot and are still on the run. In an era when eloquence was prized and voters were swayed by argument and oratory not social media, Prime Minister Robert Menzies confided that Enid Lyons could move him to tears over the condition of a railway track. In her maiden speech - nowadays it's simply the first speech - Dame Enid, Australia's first ever female member of the House of Representatives, talked about social security, child endowment, housing, the family and more. This was the first time a woman MP, elected by the voters of Australia - 75 years ago on August 21, 1943 - had spoken in the parliament and the response from fellow politicians and the public was overwhelming. "In that place of endless speaking ... no-one had ever made men weep. Apparently I had done so without desire or intention," she said later. In her relatively brief career in federal parliament (1943-51), she achieved one other first. Menzies, who became PM in 1949, appointed her vice-president of the executive council, a cabinet minister, albeit without portfolio. Although re-elected twice, in 1946 and 1949, with increased majorities, she suffered from recurring health problems, resigned from cabinet in March 1951 and did not contest the federal election the following month. Women MPs at federal level were a long time coming. Among the first pieces of legislation passed by the new Australian parliament was the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902, which gave the right to vote to British subjects over 21 who had been residents for at least six months. That included women but of course excluded anyone not of British heritage and indigenous people. With the right to vote, women gained the right to seek election. Four promptly stood as independents at the 1903 election, without success. Some states were ahead of the Commonwealth and some behind. Australia's first woman MP in any state parliament was Edith Cowan, elected to the Western Australian legislative assembly in 1921. Success at federal level did not come until 1943, with the election of Lyons to the House of Representatives and Dorothy Tangney to the Senate. If ever a woman was destined for politics, it was Enid Muriel Lyons, nee Burnell, born July 9, 1897 at Smithton, Tasmania. From an early age she learned elocution and trained to be a teacher. In 1912 she met Tasmanian state Labor MP Joseph Lyons on a visit to state parliament. At the time, according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, she was a "plump, fresh-faced, blue-eyed" 15-year-old. They married in 1915, she then 17, he 35, and in their life together, she would give birth to 12 children, the last in 1933. One died in infancy. Through this she played a leading role in first state then federal politics, as Joe Lyons rose to higher office. Around Tasmania, she talked politics, particularly to women, discussing issues of direct concern of the kind she would later champion in the federal parliament. She first stood for election in 1925, losing by just 60 votes. Joe Lyons became premier in 1923 and moved to federal politics in 1929. In 1931 in one of Labor's periodic splits, this time over economic policy to respond to the depression, he led dissidents to form the United Australia Party (UAP), forerunner to the Liberal Party. UAP was elected in a landslide at the December 1931 federal election and Joe Lyons became Australia's 10th prime minister. Throughout the campaign, a pregnant Enid addressed each campaign meeting and then subsequent women's meetings. Menzies grumbled she was stealing the limelight. When Joe Lyons died suddenly in office in 1939, Menzies became PM. Depressed at the death of her husband and also apparently at no longer being in the midst of the excitement of politics, Enid Lyons stood for election for the UAP for the seat of Darwin (now Braddon) in Tasmania in 1943 and won. In her political career, she spoke often and well on topics of particular interest to women - pensions, housing, the family - and also on broader issues such as immigration and even atomic energy. She described herself as a bit of a rabble rouser, though she saw herself as no feminist as would be understood today. On moral issues, her strong Catholic faith meant she opposed divorce, homosexuality, abortion and much else. In that era, she was hardly alone. The Dictionary of Biography describes her voice as light and cultured. "The dramatic and elocutionary talents she had cultivated as a child stood her in good stead," it reads. Crusty old Billy Hughes, whose 51 years in politics was mostly spent in the company of male MPs, described her as a bird of paradise among the carrion crows. Post-politics she remained active in public life, writing a newspaper column and serving as a commissioner of the ABC. She was made a Dame of the Order of Australia in 1980 and died in September 1981. The request for a parade came after Trump was impressed by France's Bastille Day parade, where he was received with great fanfare by French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2017 A military parade ordered by US President Donald Trump for later this year has been postponed until at least 2019, a defense official said Thursday, following reports the cost had soared to over $90 million. The announcement was seen as a setback for the president, who had ordered the show of air power after being impressed by France's Bastille Day parade last year. The idea had been popular among many Americans but drew scorn from critics, who said it would be a waste of money and was akin to events organized by authoritarian regimes. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019," he added. When the White House in February announced the commander-in-chief's desire to hold the parade in Washington, the budget director said it would cost between $10 million and $30 million. But a US official told AFP earlier Thursday the planning estimate had now gone as high as $92 million, though no final figure has been reached. The request for the event came after Trump's visit to France in July 2017, where he was hosted with great fanfare by French President Emmanuel Macron. Sitting on the Champs-Elysees during the Bastille Day parade, the American president had marveled at the Republican Guard on horseback and jets flying overhead. He had initially hinted at plans to transform America's Independence Day celebrations -- usually associated with fireworks and barbecues -- on July 4 into a vast military parade. "To a large extent, because of what I witnessed we may do something like that on July Fourth in Washington down Pennsylvania Avenue," he said in September 2017. - Destitute veterans - Even before becoming president, aides reported that Trump had considered a military parade to mark his inauguration -- although that idea was eventually scrapped. Trump has also embraced military backdrop for several speeches and presidential visits. However, he received deferments from carrying out military service of his own during the Vietnam War. US media were quick to highlight how the ballooning costs of the proposed parade stood in contrast to his concern about the expense of conducting joint military exercises with South Korea. "We will be stopping the war games, which will save us a tremendous amount of money," Trump said in June after meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It later emerged that the drills cost about $14 million, a fraction of the price of a military parade. Others suggested the money could be better spent improving the lives of destitute veterans. "Until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible," said the American Legion's national commander Denise Rohan. The United States normally holds military parades to mark the end of a conflict, such as in 1991 when president George HW Bush held a National Victory Parade in Washington to celebrate the end of the first Gulf War. Police said the 87-year-old woman posed a threat that justified the use of a Taser A US police chief has defended the use of a Taser on an 87-year-old grandmother cutting dandelions near her home in the southern state of Georgia. The incident occurred last Friday when a youth club worker called 911 after spotting Martha Al-Bishara, who does not speak English, using a knife to cut dandelions in the club's grounds near her home. Responding to the scene, police in Chatsworth, around 85 miles (135 kilometers) north of Atlanta, stunned her with a Taser and handcuffed her after she failed to follow instructions to drop the knife. "It was the lowest use of force we could have used to simply stop that threat at the time," Chatsworth police chief Josh Etheridge told local media. But Al-Bishara's granddaughter, Martha Douhne, told NBC that "she thought she got shot." "We have never really told her about stun guns or Tasers, and so she doesn't know what that is," she said, adding her grandmother is having trouble sleeping and is afraid to go outside. Etheridge insisted the octogenarian had posed a potential threat that justified the use of the Taser. "An 87-year-old woman with a knife still has the ability to hurt an officer," Etheridge said. "We began trying to communicate with her, telling her of course to drop the knife ... We didn't know if she just didn't understand us or was having some type of issue." The officer "used the Taser, he deployed the Taser rather than using deadly force to stop the situation," he said. Etheridge added the force would continue to review the situation, and the officer in question remains on duty. Flight MF8667 from Xiamen to Manila skidded off the runway while attempting to land in bad weather A Chinese passenger jet slid off the runway as it landed at Manila airport in torrential rain forcing dozens of flight cancellations on Friday, as engineers struggled to remove the stricken aircraft. The Xiamen Airlines plane, carrying 157 passengers and eight crew, landed on its second attempt before skidding onto the grass and ripping off its left engine late Thursday evening, airport general manager Ed Monreal said. All on board were safely evacuated from the aircraft with no serious injuries. But nearly 24 hours after the accident, rescue crews were still unable to remove the plane, forcing the airport to cancel take-offs and landings from the largest of its two runways. An official statement said the runway would remain closed until around 5:00am Saturday (2100 GMT Friday) as two cranes were still being put in place to lift the plane. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said at least 67 local and international flights were cancelled on Friday. He told AFP that recovery efforts were being hampered by recent heavy rains that had softened the ground around the runway, making it difficult to lift the aircraft. Four people suffered "superficial scratches" as they evacuated the Boeing 737-800 jet, which had flown to the Philippine capital from Xiamen in southeast China, airpor general manager Monreal said. "With God's blessings all passengers were able to evacuate safely," Monreal said, adding the cause of the incident was under investigation. The second runway for smaller aircraft remained open, but the authorities said the accident has delayed thousands of passengers, including holidaymakers travelling ahead of a long weekend. Footage from the main airport terminal showed hundreds of passengers still lined up as they sought to re-book their flights. Many angry comments appeared on social media Friday. "The roads are at a standstill and the main runway at (the airport) is closed. Inept and incompetence at its finest. Welcome to the Philippines," one person said in a tweet. The report is thought to be the most comprehensive to date into abuse in the US church, since The Boston Globe first exposed paedophile priests in Massachusetts in 2002 Pope Francis is on the side of victims of more than 300 "predator" priests in the United States who are accused of abusing over 1,000 children across seven decades, the Vatican said Thursday. "Victims should know that the pope is on their side," the Vatican said in a statement after a devastating US grand jury report published on Tuesday decried a systematic cover-up by the Catholic Church. "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the Church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent," the statement said. "There are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow," it said. The Vatican statement added that the church needed to learn "hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur". The report is thought to be the most comprehensive to date into abuse in the US church, since The Boston Globe first exposed paedophile priests in Massachusetts in 2002. But while Tuesday's report led to charges against two priests, one of whom has pleaded guilty, the majority of those responsible are dead and the vast majority of crimes happened too long ago to prosecute, officials said. The two-year investigation by a grand jury into all but two Pennsylvania dioceses turned up dozens of witnesses and half a million pages of church records containing "credible allegations against over three hundred predator priests." More than 1,000 child victims were identifiable, but the "real number" was "in the thousands," the grand jury estimated. - Hidden for decades - Victims were often traumatised for life, driven to drugs, alcohol and suicide, the grand jury said. The only recourse was to recommend changes to the law and expose what had happened to make sure such widespread abuse was never repeated. So far only two new priests are being charged with crimes that fall within the statute of limitations. The grand jury called for changes in the law that would scrap the statute of limitations for child sex abuse, give victims more time to file civil lawsuits and tighten legislation compelling people to report abuse they find out about. Pope Francis vowed to take a 'zero tolerance' approach to clerical sex abuse when he was elected in 2013 "Despite some institutional reform, individual leaders of the church have largely escaped public accountability," the report said. "Priests were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all. For decades." Church elders were instead promoted and predator priests allowed to remain in ministries for 10, 20, even 40 years after leaders learned of their crimes as the list of victims got longer and longer, Pennsylvania's Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Between 5,700 and 10,000 Catholic priests have been accused of sexual abuse in the United States, but only a few hundred have been tried, convicted, and sentenced for their crimes, according to the watchdog Bishop Accountability. Since the abuse crisis became public in the 2000s, the US church has spent more than $3 billion in settlements, according to Bishop Accountability. One estimate suggests up there were 100,000 US victims. - 'Zero tolerance' - Francis was elected in 2013 and vowed to take a "zero tolerance" approach to clerical sex abuse and rid the Church of the scourge of paedophilia, which has done enormous damage to its standing in many countries. But his credibility on the issue has been hit by a series of missteps and victims' organisations maintain that the Church remains reluctant to hand paedophile priests over to criminal justice authorities. Francis has compared sex abuse by priests to participating in a "Satanic Mass", but he has also been accused of being too soft on paedophiles, extending to them a general policy of mercy he is promoting in the Roman Catholic Church. There are widespread accusations that the Catholic Church ignored and covered up child abuse in countries from Australia to Chile. Bangladeshi police patrol in one of the Rohingya refugee camps on the border with Myanmar, where a spate of grisly murders is fuelling unease A spate of bloody killings is fuelling unease in the Rohingya camps on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where overstretched police are struggling to protect nearly a million traumatised refugees from violent gangs. Just 1,000 police officers guard the labyrinthine shanties that make up the giant camps and authorities want to more than double the force in the wake of the murders. Three respected community leaders are among those slain in what police suspect is a power struggle between Rohingya gangs in the refugee slums in camps around Cox's Bazar. One, Arifullah, was stabbed 25 times on a busy road in June and left in a pool of blood. The other two were killed in their shacks just days apart by masked assailants. Police in the crime-ridden Cox's Bazar district are investigating 21 refugee murders, many in recent months, which they blame on score-settling and turf wars. Many in Kutupalong, the world's biggest refugee camp, and others nearby, say the unchecked violence leaves Rohingya families at the mercy of criminals. - Cashing in on misery - "When the gangs come into the camps, people call the police. But they only arrive after the criminals are gone," said 16-year-old Runa Akter, whose father disappeared in July with a relative who was later found dead. Police only filed a case after her uncle's body was found, she said. "We are scared. We are especially worried about my brother, because there have been threats to kidnap and kill him," the anxious teenager told AFP. "I don't want to lose anyone else in my family." A police investigator, SM Atiq Ullah, said no suspects had been identified so far. Bangladeshi police patrol one of the Rohingya refugee camps in Teknaf Criminals have long preyed on the Rohingya camps however. Police say refugees with ties to Bangladeshi drug and human trafficking networks have sold Rohingya girls into sex and recruited mules to courier methamphetamine. The scourge has intensified since an army crackdown in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar drove nearly 700,000 of the stateless Muslim minority into Bangladesh last year. Hundreds of Rohingya refugees have been arrested since the August influx for rape, drug offences, human trafficking and weapons possession, among other crimes. Afruzul Haque Tutul, a senior police officer who until mid-August was deputy chief of Cox's Bazar, said gangs cashing in on the human misery were extorting "huge money" from new refugees desperate for land, shelter and food. - Savage beating - Internal feuds over territory quickly turn deadly. Among the bodies was Arifullah, one of the "mahjis" or community leaders tasked with overseeing day-to-day camp affairs. Afruzul Haque Tutul, a senior police officer who until mid-August was deputy chief of Cox's Bazar, said gangs cashing in on the human misery were extorting 'huge money' from new refugees desperate for land, shelter and food As an English speaker, he met with dignitaries and liaised closely with police -- a position of power Tutul says could have irked rivals. Arifullah's wife blamed Rohingya militants for the death of her husband who was surrounded and stabbed by a group of men. She told AFP that Arifullah was a "big critic" of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the shadowy group whose attacks in Myanmar sparked the military reprisals. Bangladesh denies the militants have a foothold in the camps and the group distanced itself from crime in a rare January statement issued after two mahjis were murdered. Refugee camps in Bangladesh "It is very challenging, and sometimes threatening, being a mahji," said Arifullah's right-hand man, Abdur Rahim, who took over four days after his friend's killing. Just a day earlier, a mahji in a neighbouring camp was savagely beaten by a mob but there were not enough police to deter violence, he told AFP in his bamboo office in Balukhali camp. Tutul said patrols had been increased but forces were spread thin. Some 1,500 additional officers had been requested from Dhaka, he added. "Definitely it's a huge task. We are trying our best to control the area," he told AFP. As the body count climbed, Bangladesh's Daily Star newspaper in July printed an editorial declaring it "amateurish to hope that less than 3,000 police would be enough" to guard one million desperate people. The murders and other unexplained crimes have eroded trust in law enforcement and underscored gaps in policing. - Scared to talk - Rohingya camp crime On one recent visit, AFP reporters saw a police unit armed with shotguns and sticks patrol a camp near where two men were found dead in July. But a community leader, who requested anonymity, said: "There are no police after midnight. Even during the day, during their shifts, they often stay in their posts." Few officers speak the Rohingya language, further hampering inquiries. Fear has kept mouths shut. "That is why Rohingyas do not come forward. They are scared. In your town, if criminals or terrorists or robbers were there, definitely you will be scared," Tutul said. Aid groups are installing floodlights to improve safety, especially for women, and police checkposts are planned for vulnerable areas of the dense slums. But Mohibullah, an influential Rohingya leader, said policing such ghetto-like conditions was difficult and crime was inevitable. "It is very bad," he told AFP. "But, we think the refugee life is like this." np-sj-sa-str/tw/aph/jah North Korea has criticised Washington for its 'gangster-like' demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked "hostile forces" over "brigandish" sanctions, state media reported Friday, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticised Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called "hostile forces" for "trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a "new era" of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticising the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Kwang-ho, 81, fled North Korea with his older siblings and father in 1950. He will be reunited with his younger brother on Monday When Kim Kwang-ho fled advancing North Korean forces he expected to return home within days, so did not bother with a proper goodbye to his mother and brother. On Monday he meets his sibling for the first time in 68 years. Now 81, Kim is one of a handful of Southerners to travel to the North's scenic Mount Kumgang resort next week for three-day reunions with family members separated by the turmoil of the Korean War. Millions of Koreans were separated from their relatives by the 1950-53 conflict, which left the peninsula divided and all civilian communication banned between the two sides. Since 2000, the Koreas have held 20 rounds of reunions, but time is running out for many ageing family members. More than 130,000 Southerners signed up originally, most of whom have since died. The majority of the survivors are over 80 and the oldest participant this year is 101. Millions of Koreans were separated from their relatives by the 1950-53 conflict, which left the peninsula divided and all civilian communication banned between the two sides Close family connections across the border, like Kim and his brother or parent-child relationships, have become increasingly rare. And some of those selected for this year's reunions -- the first in three years -- dropped out after learning their parents or siblings had passed away and they could only meet more distant relatives they had never seen before. "I was so happy to hear my brother was alive," Kim said. - 'I can't remember my mother's face' - But memories have faded over time. Kim's father decided to flee, taking his four eldest children with him, when rumours circulated that the North Korean army was advancing on their village in far northern Myongchon county in late 1950. Kim was 13 at the time, while his brother Kwang Il was nine -- a four-year gap that led to a lifetime apart. "We thought we'd be away for only three days or up to a week, so women and young children were left behind to look after the house," Kim said. Thinking they would be back soon, the refugees did not pack or take a single family photo with them. Kim is one of a handful of Southerners to travel to the North's scenic Mount Kumgang resort next week for three-day reunions with family members separated by the turmoil of the Korean War Walking for hundreds of kilometres in the winter cold, with only the occasional lift from a passing car, they made their way south for several weeks as the US-led United Nations forces fell back. In the end they were among some 100,000 refugees brought out in the Hungnam Evacuation, one of the US military's biggest-ever civilian rescues, which also saved the parents of South Korea's current president Moon Jae-in. "When I got on the boat, I realised I will never be able to go back," Kim said. The stinging pain of separation remains vivid in his heart and he chokes each time he is reminded of his mother. But Kim, now aged and wrinkled, struggles to hold on to even a faint memory of the faces of his loved ones. He recalls her crying after another of his brothers was killed earlier in the war, but said: "There must be something wrong with my head because I can't remember what my mother looked like." - 'We share the same blood' - The refugees made new lives for themselves in the South, and the family is large and successful -- Kim is a retired professor of preventive medicine in Seoul and two of his children are a doctor and a dentist. But his father and older siblings -- who have all died over the years - never talked about the family they had left behind in the North. The divided Korean peninsula "Talking about it just made each other sadder," he said. "So we just held the longing in our hearts." Kim himself had given up hopes of meeting Kwang Il again, expecting only to see members of the next generation who were babies when he left. Instead the Red Cross -- which handles practical aspects of the reunions -- informed him that his two nephews had died aged 60 and his niece, now 74, was paralysed and unable to attend, but his brother had survived. "The first thing I'll do is thank him for being healthy and alive until now," he said. Despite seven decades apart and his fading memories, Kim is confident he will be able to instantly recognise his kin. "We share the same blood so I think we'll have some facial similarities at first glance," Kim said. The brothers will have around 10 hours over the three-day reunion to make up for the lost years, and Kim refuses to think ahead to the moment when they will have to part ways again, this time in all likelihood for the final time. He was among some 100,000 refugees brought out in the Hungnam Evacuation, one of the US military's biggest-ever civilian rescues, which also saved the parents of South Korea's current president Moon Jae-in But he laments that his older sister died 12 years ago and missed the chance to take part. "If she was here, I would be able to share what I'm feeling right now because no one else knows," he said, adding that none of his children experienced the war or knew anything of the North. "So I have no one to tell that I am happy or sad." Thousands are still waiting for relief and rescue across the flood-ravaged state The death toll from major floods in India's tourist hotspot Kerala has jumped to 164, state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Friday, issuing a fresh heavy rainfall warning for the battered region. Kerala's government has described the crisis -- one of the worst in decades -- as "extremely grave" and rescue operations are underway to help thousands who remain trapped by floodwaters. "The chief minister has confirmed 164 deaths. Around 100 people died in the last 36 hours alone," an official in the Kerala government's public relations department told AFP. Local reports indicated an even higher toll with thousands still waiting for relief and rescue across the flood-ravaged state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he had discussed the flood situation with Vijayan as more troops and rescue workers were deployed across Kerala. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation," Modi said on Twitter. The state, famed for its palm-lined beaches and tea plantations, is always pommelled by the annual monsoon but this year's damage has been the most severe in almost a century. More than 150,000 people made homeless across the state have moved into some 1,300 relief camps. Vijayan's office Friday posted a fresh warning for around 33 million residents of Kerala. "Alert: all districts apart from Kasargod are under red alert... heavy rains may affect these 13 districts. Everyone please be cautious," his office tweeted. North and central Kerala has been worst hit by the floods Even before the latest warning, locals like Ajo Varghese have been posting desperate appeals for relief and rescue on social media. "My family and neighbouring families are in trouble with flood in Pandanad nakkada area in Alappuzha," Varghese said in a viral Facebook post. "No water and food. Not able to communicate from afternoon. Mobile phones are not reachable and switch off. Please help... No rescue is available," he added. A state official told AFP that apart from the new rainfall warnings, a breakdown of the local communication system was making it difficult for them to reach local people who may be in urgent need in the worst-affected areas. The government says 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) of Kerala roads have been destroyed or damaged and tens of thousands of homes partially or completely damaged. The gates of at least 34 major dams and reservoirs across the state have been opened in the last few days as water levels reached danger levels. North and central Kerala has been worst-hit by the floods with the international airport in main city of Kochi shut until at least August 26. Raqa, seen here on May 17, 2018, was devastated by years of Islamic State rule and the battle to oust the jihadists from their de facto Syrian capital Saudi Arabia on Friday pledged $100 million to reconstruct areas of northeastern Syria formerly held by the Islamic State group, in a move sharply criticised by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The kingdom said the 88-million-euro contribution would go towards a US-backed campaign to "stabilise" the one-time IS bastion and to help ensure the jihadists cannot re-emerge as a threat. The government in Damascus slammed the contribution as "morally unacceptable", in a statement carried by the official SANA news agency. A longtime foe of Riyadh, it accused Saudi Arabia's royal family of supporting "terrorism and those who contributed to the killing of the people of Syria and the destruction of its infrastructure." IS declared a "caliphate" after seizing swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, but has since been ousted from most of that territory including its former de facto Syrian capital Raqa and a pocket of Damascus. Saudi Arabia, the United States' most powerful Arab ally, is a member of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, another acronym for the jihadist group. Riyadh's contribution aims to support "stabilisation projects" and "will play a critical role in the coalition's efforts to revitalise communities, such as Raqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists," read a statement by the Saudi embassy in Washington. It said the money would "save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, and help ensure that IS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbours, or plan attacks against the international community." In April, reports emerged that the United States was looking to build an Arab force to replace its troops in northeastern Syria. The US government has not officially confirmed the reports. Despite the defeat of IS in Syria and Iraq, between 20,000 and 30,000 of its fighters remain in the two countries, according to a United Nations report released Monday. Elon Musk choked up at times during the interview with The New York Times Tesla shares took a pounding Friday amid fresh fears about the future of the electric carmaker after a wide-ranging interview with chief executive Elon Musk in which he revealed his struggles with exhaustion and a lengthy but unsuccessful effort to find a number two executive. In closing trade, Tesla shares skidded 8.9 percent to $305.50 following the publication of the interview with The New York Times. Musk opened up to the newspaper about the personal toll he says he has endured, working marathon hours trying to ensure that deadlines are met, with Tesla ramping up production of its crucial Model 3 sedan. "There were times when I didn't leave the factory for three or four days -- days when I didn't go outside," Musk said. "This past year has been the most difficult and painful year of my career. It was excruciating." Musk also revealed he needed to take prescription medication to sleep during the latest ordeals, and disclosed he had approached Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg about becoming his number two at Tesla. The brash South African-born entrepreneur also sought to explain his tweet earlier this month about taking Tesla private, which has drawn scrutiny from regulators. He explained that the August 7 tweet claiming assurance that funding for going private was secured was an attempt to be transparent, even though it provoked questions from analysts about whether it violated stock market regulations. He and other board members are preparing to meet with Securities and Exchange Commission officials as early as next week, the Times said. Musk acknowledged that no one read his Twitter post before he sent it, but insisted he did not regret it. "Why would I?" he said. - 'He is one guy' - Musk, who envisions sending tourists to the Moon with his private firm SpaceX and has unveiled ambitious plans for high-speed trains and other projects, is recognized as one of the most influential innovators in the United States. But he has appeared to fray under the pressure in recent months. "Part of the issue from my perspective is focus," said Roger Kay, an analyst and consultant with Endpoint Technologies Associates. "He is one guy and he has multiple companies. Any one of those requires the full attention of the CEO." Kay said the comments on his personal issues "is not going to get him any sympathy," but added: "It's not a question of whether he is likable, what matters is whether he can function." The analyst noted that "there isn't anyone currently who can pick up the slack for him (as a number two). But he needs to get that person in place pretty quick." Art Hogan, chief market strategist for B. Riley FBR, said the interview "did not improve the image of the company or the CEO," while adding to uncertainty about Tesla's future. "If we say we simply remove Elon Musk from the situation, I don't know if that does much good. I don't know what the bench looks like behind him," Hogan said. - Tesla's future - Tesla could become a private company and delist from the stock market under a proposal from CEO Elon Musk, which would take the company out of the spotlight but also limit its ability to raise capital Tesla produced slightly more than 100,000 vehicles last year and the company has been struggling to boost production of its Model 3, which is less expensive than its first models and could help expand Tesla's base. On the physical toll his job is taking, Musk said: "It's not been great, actually. I've had friends come by who are really concerned." He described spending every hour of his 47th birthday in June at work and almost missing his brother's wedding. On Monday, Musk explained in a blog post that his much-scrutinized statements about financing were based on his conversations with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and other investors. If delisted, Tesla could operate without requirements for financial reports and other pressures of a publicly traded firm. However, it could also lose visibility and limit its ability to raise capital. Musk told the Times that board members had not complained to him about his tweet. But the paper said he later told them through a spokesperson that Antonio Gracias, Tesla's lead independent director, had in fact contacted him to discuss the Twitter post. Musk added he had agreed not to tweet again about taking the firm private unless he had discussed it with the board. The tycoon has caused controversy by turning to his Twitter following of more than 22 million to vent frustrations in recent months. In one bizarre moment in July, Musk labeled a British caver a "pedo" -- or pedophile -- after the rescuer dismissed the Tesla chief's idea for bringing 12 trapped Thai boys to safety in a miniature submarine. Phillipines Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has joined calls for the return of the Balangiga bells Manila's defence chief renewed calls Friday for the return of church bells seized by the US military more than a century ago, urging Washington to relinquish what he called "trophies for atrocities". American forces took three bells from the Catholic church of Balangiga town in 1901 as war booty in what historians said was a particularly brutal military operation in the former US colony. The US embassy in Manila announced earlier this month it would send them back but gave no timetable for their return, following a public campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. But reports that some US legislators would oppose the move prompted Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to join calls for the bells to be brought home. "We call on the American people not to allow the bells to serve as trophies for atrocities that were committed by both sides on Philippine soil a very long time ago," he said in a statement. "The return of the Balangiga Bells will be a strong indicator of the sincerity of the Americans in forging a lasting relationship with the Filipino people." Duterte has demanded Washington give back the Balangiga bells during public tirades against Washington as he builds closer ties with China and Russia. The president urged their return during his State of the Nation address last year: "Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are not yours. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage." Two of the bells are installed at a memorial for US war dead in the state of Wyoming, while the third is with US forces in South Korea. The Philippines, a Spanish colony for centuries, was ceded to the US in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American War. The country gained independence from Washington in 1946. The bells were taken during the brutal Samar campaign, which was launched about a month after Filipino rebels killed 34 US troops in Balangiga on September 28, 1901, according to the US Army War College. Yazidi woman Ashwaq Haji, 19, sought refuge in Germany from the jihadist she says held her as a sex slave but fled back to Iraq in shock after running into him in a German supermarket earlier this year A young Yazidi woman who fled to Germany but returned home to northern Iraq says she cannot escape her Islamic State group captor who held her as a sex slave for three months. Ashwaq Haji, 19, says she ran into the man in a German supermarket in February. Traumatised by the encounter, she returned to Iraq the following month. Like many other Yazidis, she was kidnapped by IS when the jihadists seized swathes of Iraq in the summer of 2014. In their ancestral region of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq, thousands of Yazidi women were killed or sold off as sex slaves. The teenager was held from August 3 until October 22 of 2014, when she managed to escape from the home of an Iraqi jihadist using the name Abu Humam who had bought her for $100, she told AFP in the Yazidi shrine of Lalish, north of second city Mosul. The Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking religious minority that was brutally persecuted by the jihadists who despise them as heretics. Under a German government programme for Iraqi refugees, Ashwaq, her mother and a younger brother were resettled in 2015 in Schwaebisch Gmuend, a town near Stuttgart. Her refuge in Germany, where she took language lessons, was cut short on February 21 when a man called out her name in a supermarket and started talking to her in German. "He told me he was Abu Humam. I told him I didn't know him, and then he started talking to me in Arabic," she said. Back in Iraq after the trauma of running into her jihadist former captor in refuge in Germany, 19-year-old Yazidi Ashwaq Haji pays her respects at the holiest shrine of her faith, the Lalish temple north of the jihadists' former bastion Mosul "He told me: 'Don't lie, I know very well that you're Ashwaq'," she said, adding that he gave her home address and other details of her life in Germany. After that experience, she immediately phoned the local police, who told her to contact a specialised department. - Living in fear back in Iraq - The judicial police in the Baden-Wuerttemberg region of southwestern Germany said an inquiry was opened on March 13 but that Ashwaq was not present to answer questions. A spokesman for the German federal prosecutor's office told AFP that so far the man's identity could not be confirmed "with certainty". Germany says it has opened several investigations over terrorism charges or crimes against humanity involving asylum seekers linked to jihadist groups in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan. Ashwaq said she had viewed surveillance videos filmed in the supermarket together with German police and was ready to keep them informed of her whereabouts. But she said that she was not willing to return to Germany for fear of seeing her captor again. She is back in northern Iraq with her mother and brother, but living in fear because she says Abu Humam has family in Baghdad. She wears black in a sign of mourning for five brothers and a sister still missing since their own capture by IS. Yazidi woman Ashwaq Haji, 19, who escaped from captivity by the Islamic State group, remembers five brothers and a sister as well as other fellow villagers who are still missing since their capture At a camp for the displaced in nearby Iraqi Kurdistan where he has been resettled, her father, Haji Hamid, 53, admits returning was not an easy decision, even though the government proclaimed victory over IS at the end of last year. "When her mother told me that she'd seen that jihadist... I told them to come back because Germany was obviously no longer a safe place for them," he told AFP. Life in Iraq is also not easy for Ashwaq or for the 3,315 other Yazidis who escaped from the jihadists. A similar number are still being held or have gone missing, according to official figures. "All the survivors have volcanos inside them, ready to explode," warned Sara Samouqi, a psychologist who works with several Yazidis. "Ashwaq and her family are going through terrible times." Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the Yemen conflict since 2015 in what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva next month for talks on resolving the country's civil war, a spokeswoman said Friday. "I can confirm that the Office of the Special Envoy sent out invitations to the government of Yemen and to Ansarullah," UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told reporters. Ansarullah, which means Supporters of God, refers to the Huthi rebels group that has been battling the Saudi-backed internationally recognised government in a conflict that has killed nearly 10,000 people since 2015. The UN's Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks due to open on September 6 will be aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016. Vellucci said she had no information on whether representatives from Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- another key government backer -- had also been invited to Geneva. Yemen's government has said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Huthis for refusing to make concessions. The UN has repeatedly described Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Demonstrations have been held in several European cities to denounce China's treatment of ethnic Uighur Muslims Sitting on the terrace of a Paris cafe, a young Chinese woman glances nervously at her mobile phone as a message from a police officer in her native Xinjiang region pops up. A member of China's Muslim Uighur minority, Mariem travelled halfway around the world to study in France, but has found herself pulled into a mass security crackdown under way back home. "They want to know where I live, what I do, how I spend the weekend. They want me to give them information about Uighurs here. They threaten my family who beg me do do what they ask," she said, visibly stressed. Mariem is one of several ethnic Uighurs in France who shared accounts of harassment by Chinese authorities and expressed concern for missing family members caught up in sweeping security operations back home. All their names have been changed to protect their identity. AFP saw messages several Uighurs received from the authorities on China's messaging application WeChat. "Do you have your degree now?" one officer asks a student. "Send me your address and tell me who you work for and what your degree is," reads another message. "Why don't you send photos?" another person returning from holidays is asked. - 'Orwellian society' - On Monday, Chinese officials were grilled by a UN human rights committee in Geneva over reports that it is holding up to one million Muslims, mostly Uighurs, in camps under cover of a massive anti-terrorism drive. China has pointed to a series of attacks in Xinjiang by suspected Islamist radicals in recent years as justification for a draconian clampdown in a region with a long history of tensions with Beijing. But it has called the reports of internment camps "completely untrue", saying that the "education and training centres" to which "minor criminals" are assigned serve merely "to assist in their rehabilitation and reintegration". A propaganda poster in China's Xinjiang reads "Participating in extremist activities is playing with fire" Several NGOs and China experts believe that what is under way is far more sinister, saying accounts from former detainees and official documents point to a massive programme of political and cultural indoctrination. Last year, China banned "abnormally long" beards and Muslim veils in Xinjiang and ordered all car owners in the region to install GPS tracking devices. In December, New York-based Human Rights Watch reported that Xinjiang authorities were planning to collect biodata from all residents. "An Orwellian society has been put in place in Xinjiang," Thierry Kellner, a politics professor at Belgium's Universite Libre de Bruxelles specialising in China and the Muslim world, told AFP. A report published by US-based security analysis group Jamestown Foundation in May estimated that "at least several hundred thousand and possibly just over one million" people had been interned as part of a "pacification drive". "This is unprecedented and exceeds anything that China has done in any other region including Tibet," the report's author, Adrian Zenz, told AFP. Surveillance of overseas Uighurs is also "a very common practice", Kellner said. Questioned about the allegations the Chinese foreign ministry said it was "not aware" of any such practices. - Passport 'blackmail' - Nijat, a young man who arrived in France on a student visa in 2007, deleted his WeChat account after getting a call from a person claiming to be a police officer who asked for a copy of his passport and visa. "He said if I didn't cooperate my family would get into trouble," he told AFP. For months now he has been without news of his sister and his parents, who asked his brother in Canada to stop calling home, fearing the contact was inviting unwelcome attention. Factfile on surveillance conducted in Xinjiang by Chinese authorities, according to Human Rights Watch At a Uighur rally in Paris in July, AFP also met Adil, who held aloft a photograph of his grandmother and brother, who he claimed were being held in camps in Xinjiang. Adil first moved to Turkey, which has close religious and cultural ties to Xinjiang. But after Turkey began cracking down on "anti-Chinese" forces at Beijing's request he fled to France, leaving behind another brother, of whom he also has no news. Mariem says her family is also in the state's sights. One of her brothers has been arrested and the other has disappeared. "I cannot get hold of him. When I ask about him I get conflicting information. I think he has been sent to a camp," she said. She fears she could face a similar fate if forced to return home to renew her passport, a service usually available to overseas citizens through their embassy but which has been denied to her. Questioned by AFP about similar claims of passport "blackmail" from other France-based Uighurs, the Chinese foreign ministry said that the issuing of travel documents was China's "internal affairs". "Chinese embassies and consulates have always been issuing passports and other travel documents to overseas Chinese citizens in accordance with laws and regulations," it added. The world's most populous country is now seeking to rejuvenate its greying population as concerns mount that an ageing and shrinking workforce could slow down its economy Two Chinese academics have proposed a controversial idea to encourage childbirth as their country faces an ageing population: Make people with no or fewer than two children pay into a "maternity fund". The suggestion sparked a furious social media debate in a country whose population has faced drastic family planning policies under the Communist Party, which enforced a one-child policy for decades. The world's most populous country is now seeking to rejuvenate its greying population as concerns mount that an ageing and shrinking workforce could slow down its economy, while gender imbalances could lead to social problems. Beijing loosened the rules in 2016, allowing people to have two children, but childbirths have not increased as much as forecast and there has been speculation the government will further ease restrictions. The two academics made their suggestion in Tuesday's edition of the state-run Xinhua Daily, calling for those below the age of 40 and with fewer than two children should contribute annually to a fund that would offset childbirth costs for others. "When the family has a second child or more, they can apply for relief from the fund as compensation for the income loss the woman and her family sustains during the maternity period," wrote Nanjing University economics professors Liu Zhibiao and Zhang Ye. Amongst several other suggestions, including an expansion of childcare options, the authors proposed that those with fewer than two children could withdraw their money at retirement. The suggestion sparked outrage and mockery on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform. One user quipped: "If the government wants to encourage childbirth, why not make artificial inseminations to make us have quintuplets, or authorise polygamy?" State broadcaster CCTV has also hit back in a scathing online commentary calling the suggestion "unfounded, unreasonable, and inconsistent". "It is contrary to common sense and exposes the lack of professionalism of researchers." China is also slowly emerging from the shadow of the one-child policy, introduced in the late 1970s to cap population growth. Those with multiple children were heavily fined, and some women were forced to undergo abortions. But couples have been in no rush to grow their families since the policy was loosened, with 17.9 million babies born in 2016, just 1.3 million more than in the previous year and half of what was expected, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Births in 2017 even slipped to 17.23 million, well below the official forecast of over 20 million. Mainstream historians say up to 200,000 women were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II Japan should do more for victims of wartime sexual slavery, UN rights experts said at a hearing on Friday, insisting Tokyo had yet to provide full redress and reparations. Mainstream historians say up to 200,000 women, mostly from Korea but also other parts of Asia including China and the Philippines, were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II. During a two-day review of Japan's record before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which ended on Friday, committee members criticised the nation for not focusing enough on the victims. "I think it is a wound that has been festering for far too long," Gay McDougall, one of 18 committee members, told the assembly. The head of the Japanese delegation meanwhile insisted his country had atoned enough, after offering numerous apologies and compensation. "The government of Japan recognises that the comfort women issue was an afront to the honour and dignity of a large number of women," Ambassador Masato Otaka told the committee. While strongly disputing the use of the term "sex slaves", he stressed that Tokyo had issued "its most serious apologies and remorse" to the women, including through "letters from successive prime ministers". He also said Tokyo had "extended its maximum assistance" to a fund set up to offer medical and other support as well as "atonement money" to the former comfort women "to offer (them) realistic relief." And he pointed to an agreement reached between Japan and South Korea in December 2015, stressing that "both countries confirmed that the comfort women issue was resolved, finally and irreversibly." - The need for dignity - Under that accord, Japan offered an apology and a one-billion yen ($8.6 million) payment to surviving Korean comfort women. But critics have said the deal did not go far enough in holding Japan responsible for wartime abuses. "I don't think that agreements between governments ... are able or adequate to extinguish the claims of individuals with regards to human rights abuses," McDougall said. She urged Japan not to "debate the facts" of what happened, and decried a "sort of blockage ... in doing what I think is probably very simple, which is offering apology and reparations that the victims feel is adequate and that meets their needs of dignity." Committee member Marc Bossuyt meanwhile lamented Japan's "failure to provide a fully victim-centred approach." He called on the country to "provide an official, unequivocal recognition of responsibility by Japan for serious human rights violations committed by its military against women and girls before and during World War II." A Nigerian court on Friday granted bail to a journalist accused of criminal trespass and stealing police documents, his employers said. Samuel Ogundipe, a reporter with the independent online newspaper Premium Times, has been in custody since his arrest on Tuesday after reporting on a takeover of parliament last week by masked security agents. He was secretly arraigned without his lawyers' knowledge in the capital of Abuja on Wednesday. The judge ordered him to appear on August 20 for another hearing. But Premium Times reported that the reporter was brought back to the same court early on Friday and was granted bail. The paper said Ogundipe's lawyer requested his release, which was granted by the judge. Ogundipe was arrested with two colleagues who were later released after questioning. His employers said he was held for publishing a report sent to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo by the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, on events that took place at the National Assembly on August 7. Hooded armed operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) blocked access to the Senate and House of Representatives, preventing lawmakers from entering. The reason for the operation remains unclear. Independent sources speculate it was a show of force connected to a political crisis ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections next February. Local and international rights bodies, including Amnesty International, had called for Ogundipe's release and for Nigeria to end a recent clampdown on journalists. Jones Abiri, another Nigerian journalist, was detained for two years without trial over allegations he was linked to militants in the oil-rich Niger delta. After an outcry he was finally arraigned in an Abuja court this week and released on bail. US President Donald Trump (2nd L) decided he wanted a large military parade in Washington after taking in the Bastille Day parade in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) in 2017 US President Donald Trump on Friday said he would attend a November celebration in Paris marking the end of World War I, hours after a military parade planned for the same time in Washington was postponed over soaring costs. Trump said he had in fact canceled that event, blaming local politicians for charging a "ridiculously high" price and vowing to "attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th." "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," the US president said, adding: "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" Trump had ordered a show of military prowess after marveling at France's Bastille Day parade last year -- but the idea drew scorn from critics, who said it would be a waste of money and akin to events staged by authoritarian regimes such as North Korea. A US official told AFP on Thursday the planning estimate had soared as high as $92 million, though no final figure has been reached. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," Trump said Friday. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it." "Never let someone hold you up!" he added. Health workers have set up an emergency care unit in Beni -- Ebola is highly contagious and patients have to be isolated by plastic screens Seventy-eight cases of Ebola have been recorded in an outbreak in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming 44 lives, DRC officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday. The latest outbreak of the viral disease, which is highly contagious and frequently fatal if untreated, has prompted a visit by the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the health ministry said in a statement. "In all, 78 cases of haemorrhagic fever have been reported in the region, of which 51 are confirmed and 27 probable" while "24 suspect cases are under investigation", according to reports from Congolese authorities and the WHO. Confirmed cases are verified by way of laboratory tests on samples taken from patients. The cases treated as "probable" often concern diseased people who had a close epidemiological link with confirmed cases, but have not been tested. Congolese authorities reported "two deaths of confirmed cases at Beni" -- a trading town with a population approaching a quarter of a million people in North Kivu province. There were also "five new confirmed cases at Mabalako, including a health worker at the Health Reference Centre in Mangina," the epicentre of the outbreak in the Beni region. "We are expecting to see more cases," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. The outbreak is the tenth to strike the DRC since 1976, when Ebola was first identified and named after a river in the north of the country. It affects a part of the country wracked by violence for more than 20 years, from all-out war to insurgency and sustained ethnic clashes. Forty-one deaths were reported in North Kivu and three in neighbouring Ituri region to the north, according to the health ministry. Congolese Health Minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga had talks with the director of the CDC, Robert Redfield, regarding CDC training programmes for epidemiologists in the field, an official statement said. The ministry's directorate for disease control announced on Tuesday that doctors in Beni had started to use a novel treatment called mAb114 to treat patients with Ebola. The treatment is "the first therapeutic drug against the virus to be used in an active Ebola epidemic in the DRC," it said. mAb114 is an antibody initially isolated from a survivor of an Ebola outbreak in the western DRC city of Kikwit in 1995, it added. Ebola has long been considered incurable, though swift isolation and the rapid treatment of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration has helped some of the patients to survive. The quest for a vaccine grew increasingly urgent during an Ebola spidemic that killed more than 11,300 people in West African neighbouring states Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2013-15. Rajapakse, who ruled his country with an iron first for a decade, was interviewed by five detectives over the 2008 kidnapping and torture of Nation weekly news editor Keith Noyahr Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapakse said he was the victim of a "witch hunt" as investigators questioned him for the first time Friday over the abduction of a newspaper editor. Rajapakse, who ruled his country with an iron first for a decade, was interviewed by five detectives over the 2008 kidnapping and torture of Nation weekly news editor Keith Noyahr, near the end of Sri Lanka's bloody civil war. Federal investigators believe a group of military officials implicated over Noyahr's abduction were also responsible for the January 2009 murder of another editor fiercely critical of Rajapakse. Rajapakse was questioned after parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuriya told police he telephoned the president in 2008 to ask for help after Noyahr was abducted -- a claim the former president has disputed. "I don't remember such a telephone conversation," Rajapakse told reporters after he was questioned at home. He said he was not being directly accused of involvement in the abduction, but his government at the time was being smeared. "This questioning is part of mounting pressure on me, to corner me and to hurt me," he said. "There is a political motive behind this. This is a political witch hunt, a vendetta." The high-profile interrogation comes as Rajapakse engineers a return to politics, posing a new threat to President Maithripala Sirisena, whose Freedom Party has split. Rajapakse has emerged as the de facto leader of a rival political faction and is expected to name his choice of candidate to contest presidential elections slated for 2019. Rajapakse lost his re-election bid in January 2015 and also failed to secure the prime minister post after parliamentary elections later that year. The former leader and members of his family are under investigation for murder and large-scale financial fraud during his decade as president. All deny any wrongdoing. A total of 17 journalists and media workers were killed during Rajapakse's presidency. Noyahr's abduction, which prompted widespread criticism, came after he published an article criticising a top military commander at the height of the government's war against Tamil rebels. He was snatched from outside his home near Colombo as he returned from work, and was released -- battered and bruised -- in the streets of a suburb of Colombo a few hours later. Prosecutors allege he was taken away in a white van and beaten up at a safe house run by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI). Noyahr has since moved to Australia. Investigators also believe the DMI was behind the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga, an editor who had accused Rajapakse's brother Gotabhaya of taking kickbacks for arms purchases. Wickrematunga was due to testify in court against Gotabhaya, who was Sri Lanka's defence secretary at the time, when he was killed. Former DMI chief Major General Amal Karunasekera is currently in custody over the case. US President Donald Trump (2nd L) decided he wanted a large military parade in Washington after taking in the Bastille Day parade in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) in 2017 US President Donald Trump said Friday he had cancelled a military parade planned for November due to high costs -- hours after the Pentagon indefinitely postponed the much-maligned event -- and would instead head to Paris for ceremonies marking the end of World War I. Trump had ordered a show of military prowess after marveling at France's Bastille Day parade last year -- but critics said it would be a waste of money and akin to events staged by authoritarian regimes such as North Korea. Late Thursday, the Pentagon said the controversial event, originally scheduled for November 10 in Washington, was being pushed back to a possible date in 2019. A US official told AFP on Thursday the planning estimate had gone as high as $92 million, though no final figure had been reached. Trump said he pulled the plug because local politicians were charging a "ridiculously high" price. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," Trump said Friday. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it." The Republican president vowed to attend a different event at a base near Washington and then "go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th." "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," Trump said: "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser hit back, sarcastically emulating the president's characteristic Twitter tone. "Yup, I'm Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)," she tweeted. DC's City Council, which has no Republican members, chimed in on Twitter: "Better late. Then: never. Tanks but no tanks." - Helping veterans - Trump reveres all things military, and surrounded himself with former and current generals when he took office. Even before becoming president, aides reported that Trump had considered a military parade to mark his inauguration -- although that idea was eventually scrapped. Trump went to a military academy, but received multiple deferments, including once reportedly for bone spurs, from having to serve during the Vietnam War. US President Donald Trump (L) reveres all things military -- here, he watches an air assault exercise with Army Major General Walter Piatt at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13, 2018 Instead of buying new fighter jets, as Trump had suggested in his tweet, critics said the money saved from not having a parade could be better spent improving the lives of veterans. "Until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible," the American Legion's national commander Denise Rohan said. Senator Jack Reed, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said halting the parade was the right call. "It would have diverted resources and manpower from core missions," he said. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis scoffed at the cost estimate and attacked the media for reporting the number. "Whoever told you that is probably smoking something that's legal in my state but is not in most states," said Mattis, who hails from Washington state, where pot is legal. "Whoever wrote it needs to get better sources... I guarantee you there's been no cost estimate to me," he told reporters traveling with him in South America. William McRaven, commander of the US Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, condemned President Donald Trump for revoking the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan and asked that his be withdrawn as well Former CIA directors and another half dozen of America's most senior spies have issued an unprecedented condemnation of President Donald Trump, after his decision to blacklist their colleague John Brennan. In a statement, ex-CIA bosses appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents -- including Robert Gates, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus -- denounced Trump's decision to strip Brennan of his security clearance. Dozens of other former spies signaled their support for the statement. "The president's action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances -- and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech," the statement read. Describing Trump's move as "inappropriate and deeply regrettable," they insisted "we have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case." Two of those who signed the statement -- former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden -- are, according to Trump, on a list of people who could lose their clearance. Former officials often retain security clearance after leaving office to allow their successors to consult them on issues of the day. The White House said Brennan -- a notable Trump critic -- had been stripped of clearance due to his "erratic" behavior. But in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump admitted his decision on Brennan's clearance was linked to the ongoing federal probe into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia to influence the 2016 election. "I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham," Trump was quoted as saying in the interview. "And these people led it!" "So I think it's something that had to be done," he added. Trump's actions have been widely condemned, including by respected former admiral William McRaven, the commander of the US Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," he said. But most of Trump's Republican allies have defended the move or refused to condemn it publicly. On Friday, Trump said he would likely remove the security clearance of Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, who has been targeted by Trump supporters, in part because his wife worked for a company that produced a dossier alleging Russia had incriminating evidence against the now president. "Bruce Ohr is a disgrace. I suspect I'll be taking it away very quickly," Trump told journalists. The Washington Post, citing senior administration officials, reported that the White House has drafted documents revoking the clearances of officials, both current and former, who have criticized Trump or been involved in the Russia probe. The newspaper added that aides have also discussed the best times to release them in order to distract attention from negative news. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees fled into Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017 after a brutal campaign against them by government security forces that the US and the United Nations has branded an act of "ethnic cleansing." The US government on Friday hit four Myanmar military commanders and two military units with punitive sanctions, accusing them of "serious human rights abuses" and "ethnic cleansing" in violently expelling minority Rohingya from their homes. Military and border guard commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe, Khin Hlaing, and Thura San Lwin were accused of leading violent campaigns against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state as well as minorities in Kachin and Shan states. "Burmese security forces have engaged in violent campaigns against ethnic minority communities across Burma, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights abuses," said Sigal Mandelker, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Treasury, which announced the sanctions. The US Treasury said the sanctions on individuals were meant as a warning to security forces to cease abuses of ethnic and religious minorities and to respect their rights. The sanctions, which seek to lock those named out of global financial and commercial networks and freeze any overseas assets they have, were brought under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, a US law originally targeting Russia but now expanded to punish rights abusers worldwide. Aung Kyaw Zaw was singled out for having presided over the operations that drove some 700,000 Rohingya from their homes in Rakhine state, in southwest Myanmar, and into neighboring Bangladesh since 2016. The campaign has been marked by numerous extrajudicial killings, rape and burning of villages by security forces. Khin Maung Soe was in charge of a command which participated in a massacre of Rohingya on August 27, 2017 in Maung Nu, where soldiers "reportedly beat, sexually assaulted and summarily executed or otherwise killed dozens of Rohingya villagers," the Treasury said. Thura San Lwin was the leader of the Border Guard Police, allegedly responsible for extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and assault against various minorities. And Khin Hlaing was singled out for abuse of Kachin, Shan and Chinese minorities who in November 2016 were forced to serve as human shields for his military unit in battles with militias. The two military units also sanctioned for involvement in those abuses were the 33rd Light Infantry Division, which participated in Rohingya abuses, and the 99th Light Infantry Division, which was led by Khin Hlaing. "There must be justice for the victims and those who work to uncover these atrocities, with those responsible held to account for these abhorrent crimes," said Mandelker. "We will continue to systematically expose and bring accountability to human rights abusers in this region and many others and greatly appreciate the efforts of civil society who are doing the same." Esteban Santiago, seen in a handout photo provided by the Broward Sheriff's Office, has been sentenced to life in prison for a deadly shooting at the Fort Lauderdale international airport in January 2017 An Iraq war veteran who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting five people during a rampage at a Florida airport last year was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, prosecutors said Esteban Santiago Ruiz, who is now 28, opened fire in a busy terminal at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017, after arriving on a one-way ticket from Alaska. Six people were also wounded in the shooting frenzy. He quickly dropped to the ground and peacefully surrendered to a sheriff's deputy, authorities said. He pleaded guilty in May to five counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing death and six counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious bodily injury. On Friday, federal Judge Beth Bloom sentenced him to five consecutive life terms and six consecutive 20-year prison terms on the lesser charges. "While nothing can ever heal the wounds inflicted by the defendant's unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones," US Attorney Benjamin Greenberg said in a statement. Santiago -- a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard -- served in the Iraq war from April 2010 to February 2011. He was discharged from the military in August 2016. Not long before the shooting, Santiago had gone into an FBI satellite office in Anchorage, saying his mind was being controlled by national intelligence agencies that had forced him to watch videos of the jihadist Islamic State group. The FBI said his "erratic behavior" led agents to contact local police, who took him for a mental health evaluation. Smoke rises following Syrian government air strikes against Islamic State group jihadists in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor in October 2017 Air strikes on a holdout of the Islamic State group in Syria near the Iraqi border have killed 18 jihadists, including a senior Iraqi commander, a monitor said Friday. Those killed late Thursday in the village of Sousa in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor were mostly foreigners, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based monitor, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, was unable to say if the strikes were carried out by a US-led coalition fighting IS or Iraq. The Iraqi army said it had targeted an IS "operations room" inside Syria late Thursday, killing "a number of IS elements", but did not mention a precise location. It was not immediately clear whether the Iraqi army and the Observatory were referring to the same incident. IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" in land it controlled. But the jihadist group has since lost most of it to various offensives in both countries. In Syria, its presence has been reduced to pockets in Deir Ezzor and parts of the vast Badia desert. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has "redirected" $230 million budgeted for stabilization projects in parts of Syria liberated from the Islamic State group after coalition partners committed $300 million of their own The United States said Friday it is suspending $230 million budgeted for stabilization projects in Syria, citing the aid pledged by other partners in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has "redirected" the funds originally set aside to help the recovery of areas liberated from IS control after coalition partners committed $300 million of their own, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. The decision was made based on the additional pledges and "the already significant military and financial contributions made by the United States to date," Nauert said. She also cited President Donald Trump's call for allies and partners in Syria to "increase burden-sharing." "This decision does not represent any lessening of US commitment to our strategic goals in Syria," Nauert said. "The president has made clear that we are prepared to remain in Syria until the enduring defeat of ISIS, and we remain focused on ensuring the withdrawal of Iranian forces and their proxies." Palestinian paramedics carry an injured protester during demonstrations in Gaza along the border with Israel on August 17, 2018 Israel troops on Friday shot dead two Palestinians taking part in protests along the Gaza border, the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave said. The ministry named the dead men as Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, shot near the central Gaza Strip town of Bureij and Sadi Moamer, 26, killed near Rafah, in the south. It said that both men were shot in the head. At least 270 other Palestinians were wounded, 70 of them by gunfire, the ministry said. The Israeli military did not know of any deaths but said that troops had opened fire in border incidents. At least 171 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire since late March, mostly during border clashes and protests. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including its Hamas rulers, have fought three wars since 2008 and tensions since late March have led to fears of yet another full-blown conflict. There have been three intense flare-ups since July, the latest on Thursday, when Israel responded to some 180 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza with widespread air strikes. An Israeli official said on condition of anonymity Wednesday that truce talks mediated by Egyptian and United Nations officials had reached an initial set of "understandings" leading to calm on the border over the past few days. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told AFP on Friday that a durable truce with Israel was near. "In my opinion, yes, we are nearing an agreement," he said. He added that the UN and Egyptian talks taking place in Egypt with various Palestinian factions have "taken a big step forward towards understandings with the occupation... and the possibility of restoring calm". The office of the ruling MPLA party in Cabinda, an oil-rich enclave physically separated from Angola by a narrow strip of land that gives the Democratic Republic of Congo access to the sea Thirteen separatists in an oil-rich enclave on Africa's west coast ruled by Angola have been acquitted of charges of crimes against state security, local media said Friday. The activists are members of a small secessionist group, the Cabinda Independence Movement, whose organisation is seeking "dialogue" with Luanda on holding a referendum on self-determination. They were arrested last Friday during a meeting to organise a public debate on the enclave's autonomy. They were charged with crime against state security. The interior ministry said "hostile propaganda material" had been seized. In court, the activists said they had informed the authorities of the planned debate and even invited Cabinda's provincial governor, political parties and churches to participate in it. The judge ruled that the meeting was not illegal. "Angolan police should stop treating activists as enemies of the state," Zenaida Machado, Angola specialist at Human Rights Watch, told AFP. "Raiding peaceful meetings to arbitrarily arrest people is not only a shameful abuse, it is also an embarrassment for the Angolan government," she said. Machado said the decision to drop the charges was "encouraging." "We hope this trend is here to stay," said Machado. A lawyer for the activists, Arao Bula Tempo, also hailed "the independence of the court". Cabinda is a coastal exclave with the status of a province of Angola. It produces 60 percent of Angola's oil. It shares a northern border with the Republic of Congo, and a southern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has a narrow strip of territory giving it access to the sea. Cabinda has been rocked by a separatist insurgency since it officially became part of Angola at independence. The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), is by far the largest separatist movement. It has been fighting for the independence for four decades. Idlib, which sits between Syria's Mediterranean coast and the second city Aleppo, has been a landing point for thousands of civilians and rebel fighters and their families as part of deals struck with the regime following successive government victories French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced concern Friday about the humanitarian situation in the rebel-held Syrian region of Idlib, which is shaping up be the country's next big battleground. In a telephone call the two leaders described the "humanitarian risks" in Idlib, where government forces have stepped up their bombardments of rebel positions in recent days, as "very high", according to the French presidency. They also called for an "inclusive political process to allow lasting peace in the region". President Bashar al-Assad has set his sights on retaking control of the northwestern province of Idlib -- the biggest area still in rebel hands after seven years of war. Last week, government helicopters dropped leaflets over towns in Idlib's east, urging people to surrender. Idlib, which sits between Syria's Mediterranean coast and the second city Aleppo, has been a landing point for thousands of civilians and rebel fighters and their families as part of deals struck with the regime following successive government victories. The United Nations has called for talks to avert "a civilian bloodbath" in the northern province, which borders Turkey. Merkel and Macron also called for a "coordinated European solution" to migrant arrivals in the Mediterranean after another NGO rescue ship was left adrift this week before eventually being allowed dock in Malta. After being turned away by Italy, the ship, which was carrying 141 people, was eventually given permission Tuesday to dock in Malta after five EU members -- France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg -- offered to take in the newcomers. The agreement was the fifth of its kind between Western European governments since June when the new populist government in Italy -- a main landing point for migrant boats bearing Africans across the water -- began turning away NGO rescue vessels. Italy accuses the NGO ships of encouraging smugglers to pack migrants into rickety boats, in the knowledge that they will be rescued. Israeli policemen stand guard on August 17, 2018 outside Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem Police in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday shot a knife-wielding Israeli Arab man who tried to stab an officer near the Damascus Gate, a spokesman told AFP. He was unable to say if the alleged assailant, described in a police statement as a "terrorist", was alive or dead but said that no police officers were hurt in the incident. "We are saying at this time that he was shot and neutralised," he said, adding that the man was aged around 30 and from the northern Israeli town of Umm el-Fahm. Israeli media said that he was shot dead. A police statement said that the incident occurred shortly after the man had left the nearby Al-Aqsa mosque compound. "After a few metres (yards) he came to a police team stationed there and attempted to stab one of them with a knife which he had in his hand," the Hebrew-language statement said. "After a struggle between the police and the suspect he was shot by them and neutralised," it said. After the incident police blocked access to the Al-Aqsa compound, a major flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the scene of past violence. The Old City is in mainly Palestinian east Jerusalem, occupied along with the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. A girl takes part in a protest in Chicago on June 30 against the US separation of migrant families The US government continues to hold 565 illegal immigrant children in custody, three weeks after a court deadline to reunite them with parents or guardians, a court filing showed Friday. That included 24 children five years old or younger being cared for by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. ORR reported the parents of 366 of the 565 children were outside of the United States, making reunifications difficult. The parents of 154 of the children indicated they did not want to be reunified with the children, it said. And for over 180, the children could not be handed back to parents because the parents were flagged as threats to the children, were separately held in law enforcement custody, or were facing separate litigation. Earlier this year, the government separated more than 2,500 children from their parents after families crossed the US border with Mexico illegally intending to stay in the country. Rights groups challenged the separations and a federal judge in California ordered the families brought back together by July 26. The Department of Homeland Security, which polices illegal immigration, said a number of parents accepted being sent back over the border, leaving the children to remain in the United States and hoping to join them later legally. ORR said in the filing it continues trying to place the children back with their parents or relatives within the United States. Maria Butina, the Russian gun rights activist arrested in Washington on "conspiracy" charges for allegedly being an unregistered "agent" of the Russian government A Russian gun rights supporter who built up a network of powerful Republican contacts while studying at a university in Washington has launched a fund-raising campaign to pay for her defense against espionage allegations. Maria Butina, 29, opened a website to raise money for her case after being arrested last month by counterintelligence agents and charged with acting illegally as an unregistered agent for the Russian government. "I'm Maria and I need your help," the website says, with pictures of the smiling redhead at different sites around the United States. The native of Siberia came to the United States to gain a master's degree from American University, and while there "she championed peace and positive relations between her homeland and the United States," the website says. "But after graduating with honors, she was arrested by the US government for crimes she did not commit." The website did not indicate how much money she had raised so far. In court filings the Justice Department called Butina a "covert Russian agent" who maintained contacts with Russian spies and pursued a mission "to penetrate the US national decision-making apparatus to advance the agenda of the Russian Federation." She built contacts through the powerful National Rifle Association by setting up her own mirror gun rights group in Russia, where private firearms are strictly controlled. That eventually saw her mingling with senior politicians, whom she met through her boyfriend, a Republican operative. But court documents said she used him only to build her network, and that while living with him she offered sex to someone else to get a job in a US lobbying group. On July 18 she pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges of conspiring to act as a foreign agent without registering, and acting as a foreign agent. The first charge brings a maximum five years in prison, while the second carries a maximum 10 years. "This is not a spy case," her lawyer Robert Driscoll said at the time. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented four options to increase protection of Palestinians in Israeli-occupied territories, in a report requested by the General Assembly UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday presented four options aimed at boosting the protection of Palestinians in Israeli-occupied territories, from sending UN rights monitors and unarmed observers to deploying a military or police force under UN mandate. The proposals were contained in a report requested by the General Assembly in response to a surge of violence in Gaza, where 171 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since late March. The UN chief stressed that for each of the options, cooperation by Israel and the Palestinians would be necessary. It remained unlikely however that Israel would agree to the proposals. In the 14-page report, Guterres proposed: - Providing a "more robust UN presence on the ground" with rights monitors and political officers to report on the situation. - Pouring in more UN humanitarian and development aid to "ensure the well-being of the population." - Creating a civilian observer mission that would be present in sensitive areas such as checkpoints and near Israeli settlements, with a mandate to report on protection issues. - Deploying an armed military or police force, under a UN mandate, to provide physical protection to Palestinian civilians. A UN mandate for a protection force would require a decision from the Security Council, where the United States could use its veto power to block a measure opposed by Israel. A small European-staffed observer mission was deployed in the West Bank city of Hebron in 1994, but Israel has since rejected calls for an international presence in flashpoint areas. In the report, Guterres said the United Nations was already undertaking many protection initiatives but that "these measures fall short" of the concerns raised in a General Assembly resolution adopted in June. In that measure, the 193-nation assembly condemned Israel for Palestinian deaths in Gaza and tasked Guterres with the drafting of proposals for "an international protection mechanism" for the Palestinians. - 'Unacceptable' targeting of civilians - Guterres argued that a political solution to the conflict was needed to address the safety of Palestinians but that "until such a solution is achieved, member-states may further explore all practical and feasible measures that will significantly improve the protection of the Palestinian civilian population." "Such measures would also improve the security of Israeli civilians." On Friday, Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinians taking part in protests along the Gaza border and 270 other Palestinians were wounded. Israel has defended its use of live ammunition in Gaza by invoking its right to self-defense. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. "The targeting of civilians, particularly children, is unacceptable," Guterres said in the report, adding that "those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable." UN efforts to ensure the well-being of Palestinians must strengthened, he added, singling out the funding crisis at the UN's Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA as being "of particular concern." UNRWA is facing a major budget shortfall after President Donald Trump's administration decided to withhold its contribution to the agency. The report released to all UN member-states comes amid a vacuum in Middle East peace efforts as European and other big powers await a peace plan from the Trump administration that has been under discussion for months. UN diplomats have recently begun questioning whether the US peace plan will ever materialize. The United Nations has warned that a new war could explode in Gaza. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including its Hamas rulers, have fought three wars since 2008. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Forensic investigators said Thursday they identified the remains of a Georgia boy whose father is accused of abducting him and performing purification rituals on the child as he died at a remote New Mexico desert compound. The cause of the child's death remained unknown. The body of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj (ahb-DOOL' GAH'-nee wah-HAJ') was found Aug. 6 in an underground tunnel. It was so severely decomposed that investigators could not yet determine how the severely disabled boy reported missing in December had died, New Mexico's Office of the Medical Ivestigator said in a statement. A spokeswoman for the office said it will be examining both the body and where the remains were located to seek to determine a cause and manner of death. A prosecutor said no charges regarding the death are imminent because officials don't yet know how the boy died. FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 10, 2018 file photo aerial view of a makeshift compound is seen in the desert area of Amalia, N.M. New Mexico forensic investigators announced Thursday, Aug. 16, that a highly decomposed body found at a desert compound in New Mexico has been identified as a missing Georgia boy whose father is accused of kidnapping him and performing purification rituals on the severely disabled child. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator said Thursday that the remains were those of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj. (AP Photo/Brian Skoloff, File) "All we have is a positive ID," Donald Gallegos, the district attorney for Taos County in northern New Mexico, said in an interview. "We'll need something else, actual cause of death, manner of death." Authorities have said they believe Abdul-ghani died in February, when he was 3. The boy's father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (see-DAHJ' IBN wah-HAJ'), was among five people arrested on suspicion of child abuse at the compound near the Colorado state line, where authorities say 11 hungry children were found living in filth during a raid earlier this month. A search a few days later turned up the body in a tunnel. Prosecutors seeking to keep Sirah Ibn Wahhaj and four members of his extended family behind bars said in court on Monday that he had been training some children at the compound to use firearms and carry out attacks on an anti-government mission that might target schools. An FBI agent, citing interviews with two children from the compound, said Abdul-ghani died as relatives performed a ritual on the boy to cast out demonic spirits while reading from the Quran. State District Court Judge Sarah Backus on Monday said the evidence provided by prosecutors was troubling but did not indicate any clear threat to public safety from the defendants, who have no criminal records. She admonished prosecutors for apparently expecting her to take the defendants' Muslim faith into account in her decision. Defense attorneys disputed accusations of neglect and said guns on the property were legally owned. The judge's order cleared the way for the release of three defendants - two women and one man - on house arrest with ankle monitors. But they had not been released as of Thursday amid concerns about their safety, in part stemming from threats of violence against Backus based on her order to release them. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj will continue to be held on a warrant from Georgia that accuses him of abducting his son from the boy's mother. Defendant Jany Leveille, a native of Haiti, has been transferred to the custody of federal immigration authorities. Gallegos said his office will appeal Backus' decision to allow the release of the three suspects. "We gave her all the evidence we needed to and some of the evidence wasn't allowed," he said. "We'll just see what another set of eyes and ears has to say." Von Chelet Leveille, a brother of Jany Leveille who lives in Haiti, said in an interview that he learned of Abdul-ghani's death last winter amid daily WhatsApp text and voice conversations with his sister after her arrival in New Mexico. The boy's father previously had met with a faith healer in London and was desperate to explore new remedies for his son's health problems, stemming from a lack of oxygen and blood flow at birth, Von Chelet Leveille said. Von Chelet Leveille also said his sister told him that Abdul-ghani died while his father was performing an alternative, meditative Islamic healing ritual called ruqya that involves reading from the Quran. The boy's body was stored in a tunnel and washed every few days, and it showed little sign of decomposition for several months in the high-desert winter and spring, Von Chelet Leveille said from his home in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. That helped instill in his sister a belief that Abdul-ghani would be resurrected as Jesus - a fulfillment of the Islamic prophecy that Jesus will someday return and restore justice on earth. "It was crazy to me," he said. "They kept saying to me, 'You're not here, you're not seeing what we're seeing.'" Von Chelet Leveille said the firearms training at the compound was a defensive measure because the family feared people might not tolerate their view that the boy would be resurrected as a black, Muslim person. Kelly Golightley, a defense attorney for Jany Leveille, cautioned that her client's brother comments were "from someone who wasn't there." "I think that we really need to be careful about jumping to conclusions," she said. Authorities say Abdul-ghani initially was reported missing last year from Jonesboro, Georgia, by his mother after Siraj Ibn Wahhaj said he was taking the child to a park and didn't return. The mother, Hakima Ramzi, now has "some sense of closure in this matter," said her lawyer, M. Khurram Baig. He said she will cooperate with authorities in their investigation of the death if asked and that her "attention will now turn toward giving her son a proper burial in accordance with Islamic traditions." ___ Contreras reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Associated Press writer Ben Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Western-backed Afghan defenses will not break under the weight of Taliban violence in advance of scheduled parliamentary elections in October, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. In his most detailed comments on the Taliban's assault on the eastern city of Ghazni since it began Aug. 10, Mattis said the Taliban had six objectives in and around the city and failed to seize any of them. He would not specify the six sites. In Ghazni, provincial police chief Farid Mashal said Thursday that roads were being cleared of mines planted by Taliban who temporarily held entire neighborhoods of the city that they had besieged. The fighting continued for five days with more than 100 members of the Afghan National Security forces killed and 20 civilians. Scores of Taliban were also killed, according to Afghan officials. Afghan security forces arrive at the site of an attack by gunmen, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Gunmen besieged a compound belonging to the Afghan intelligence service in Kabul on Thursday, police said, as the city's Shiite residents held funeral services for the victims of a horrific suicide bombing the previous day that left over 30 dead. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) Mattis said Thursday some Taliban fighters were still holed up in houses in the city "trying to get resupplied." He said businesses are reopening, and overall, "it's much more stable" in Ghazni, showing that the Taliban have fallen short. "They have not endeared themselves, obviously, to the population of Ghazni," Mattis said. "They use terror. They use bombs because they can't win with ballots." The Taliban operation followed a familiar pattern, Mattis said in remarks to reporters flying with him Thursday evening to Bogota, Colombia, where he was winding up a weeklong tour of South America. The insurgents likely were trying to gain leverage in advance of an expected cease fire offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, he said. And they likely were hoping to sow fear in advance of the October elections, he added. "They achieved a degree of disquiet," he said, but nothing more. "So we'll continue to see this sort of thing," he said, even though the Taliban lack the strength to hold territory they seize for brief periods. "They will never hold against the Afghan army." The Afghan war has been stalemated for years. The Taliban lack the popular support to prevail, although they benefit from sanctuary in Pakistan. Afghan government forces, on the other hand, are too weak to decisively break the insurgents even as they develop under U.S. and NATO training and advising. Mattis has said he believes the Afghan security forces are gaining momentum and can wear down the Taliban to the point where the insurgents would choose to talk peace. So far that approach has not produced a breakthrough. Next week will mark one year since President Donald Trump announced a revised war strategy for Afghanistan, declaring there would be no time limit on U.S. support for the war and making a renewed push for peace negotiations. This photo gallery highlights some of the top news images made by Associated Press photographers in Latin America and the Caribbean published in the past week. Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez denied new corruption allegations aimed at her, while she refused to answer an investigative judge's questions about in case in which she is purported to have led a corruption scheme involving government officials and business leaders. Colombia's new president, Ivan Duque, named his new defense minister, while Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez took office as his country's 50th president. In this Aug. 13, 2018 photo, Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez gets into a car to go to a court hearing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fernandez is expected to give testimony as part of a corruption probe sparked by the recent release of an investigation on illicit dealings during the governments of the ex-president, her late husband and predecessor, Nestor Kirchner. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Beaches on Mexico's Caribbean coast were engulfed by mounds of seaweed. In Mexico City, a family used a plastic sheet to cover themselves during a sudden downpour. An 8-year-old Guatemalan boy was reunited with his family after arriving back home from a shelter for migrant children in Houston where he was kept after his mother was deported in June. In Brazil, thousands of supporters of jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rallied in the capital as the Workers' Party registered him as its candidate for October's presidential election. Cuban citizens began debating proposed constitutional changes in preparation for a referendum on a new charter planned for next year. ___ Curated by photographer Dieu Nalio Chery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. ___ AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP/lists/ap-photographers In this Aug. 14, 2018 photo, Colombia's President Ivan Duque, fifth from left, walks with his new Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, fourth from left, as they review troops with military officials during a ceremony in Bogota, Colombia. At the ceremony, Botero formally took command of the armed forces. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) In this Aug. 15, 2018 photo, Paraguay's new President Mario Abdo Benitez rides in an open top car with his wife Silvana Lopez, after his inauguration ceremony at "Lopez Palace" in Asuncion, Paraguay. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) In this Aug. 15, 2018 photo, a girl holding her doll watches a military parade marking the 481th anniversary of the founding of Asuncion, Paraguay. Paraguay's new President Mario Abdo Benitez was sworn-in before the parade. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) In this Aug. 14, 2018 photo, a woman holds a up machete during a march to the headquarters of Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to deliver a letter, in Mexico City. Residents of Atenco arrived to deliver a letter to Lopez Obrador to ask him to stop the construction of a new Mexico City airport. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, children play on the beach full of sargassum in Bahia La Media Luna, near Akumal in Quintana Roo state, Mexico. A Mexican environmental agency is constructing barriers at sea just beyond its famed Riviera Maya beaches to decrease the massive amounts of sargassum washing up onshore. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) In this Aug. 13, 2018 photo, a fisherman jumps on to his wooden boat, joining his mates as they head out to the sea from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) In this Aug. 14, 2018 photo, Anthony David Tovar Ortiz, left, is embraced by a relative after arriving to La Aurora airport in Guatemala City. The 8-year-old stayed in a shelter for migrant children in Houston after his mother Elsa Ortiz Enriquez was deported in June 2018 under President Donald Trump administration's zero tolerance policy. (AP Photo/Oliver de Ros) In this Aug. 15 2018 photo, a supporter of Brazil's jailed, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is carried in a hammock while he is on hunger strike to protest the former leader's corruption conviction, during a march in Brasilia. The Workers' Party registered da Silva as its candidate for president Wednesday, attempting to muscle him into the race to lead Latin America's largest nation and forcing a showdown with Brazilian electoral authorities. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) In this Aug. 14, 2018 photo, a youth performs the "Paquchi" dance, wearing a mask made from a plastic cooking oil container, during the first student festival featuring folkloric and autochthonous dance in El Alto, Bolivia. Students from the San Roque public school created their costumes from recycled materials to raise solid-waste management awareness. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) In this Aug. 13, 2018 photo, she Spanish message: "Fidel is among us" covers a wall next to an image of the late leader in Havana, Cuba. Cuba's new constitution is being debated among citizens until Nov. 15, and any revisions accepted by the government will be included in the final document to be presented in a referendum in 2019. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Saudi Arabia said early on Friday that it has contributed $100 million to northeast Syria for "stabilization projects" in areas once held by the Islamic State group and now controlled by U.S.-backed forces. The Saudi move was blasted by the Syrian government which called it "disgraceful," adding that its aim is to prevent the Syrian army from defeating insurgents in the country. In Washington, the Trump administration said it is ending funding for Syria stabilization projects as it moves to extricate the U.S. from the conflict, citing increased contributions from anti-Islamic State coalition partners. The State Department said it had notified Congress on Friday that it would not spend some $230 million that had been planned for Syria programs and would instead shift that money to other areas. Most of that money, initially pledged by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in February, had been on hold and under review since he was fired in March. A small fraction of that amount was released in June. The Saudi Embassy in Washington said the money "will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and help ensure that ISIS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbors, or plan attacks against the international community." ISIS is an alternate acronym for the militant group. The money will go toward agriculture, education, roadworks, rubble removal and water service for the region, which is now largely held by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. "This substantial contribution will play a critical role in the coalition's efforts to revitalize communities, such as Raqqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists," the embassy said in a statement. The Syrian city of Raqqa was the seat of the Islamic State group's self-proclaimed "caliphate" until it was liberated by the U.S.-backed forces last year. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council is the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces. In May, Syrian President Bashar Assad threatened to attack areas held by the U.S.-backed forces. Saudi Arabia long has opposed Assad's government, funding and arming rebels who challenged his rule as the country's 2011 Arab Spring protests devolved into a civil then regional proxy war. Syria's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus "condemns these despicable policies of the Saudi regime and calls on the Saudi authorities to stop these disgraceful and dangerous policies." "This disgraceful Saudi decision comes within the framework of the Saudi authorities' total subjugation to the US administration," the ministry's statement read, adding that they come "at the expense of the Saudi people, who are already suffering from poverty and horrible economic decline." The U.S. military operates air bases and outposts in the Kurdish-administered region. The Saudi Embassy described the $100 million as part of a pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir during a U.S.-sponsored conference in Brussels about the Islamic State group in July at NATO headquarters. MIAMI (AP) - An Alaska man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the January 2017 Florida airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded, a federal judge ordered Friday. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom accepted a plea deal in which Esteban Santiago, 28, agreed to admit to the shooting if prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Santiago pleaded guilty in May to 11 charges of causing death and violence at an international airport. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, admitted he opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after traveling there on a one-way ticket. He retrieved a box containing a Walther 9mm handgun from checked luggage, loaded it in a restroom and came out firing 15 shots. FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2017, file photo, Esteban Santiago, center, is led from the Broward County jail for an arraignment in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Sentencing is set Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, for Santiago, a 28-year-old Alaska man who pleaded guilty in the January 2017 Florida airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) Judge Bloom called the rampage "85 seconds of evil" and said she found it difficult to "separate the evil of the acts from the evil in the man." "You destroyed families in this senseless attack," the judge said. An Iraq war veteran, Santiago was diagnosed after the shooting as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Doctors say he has improved with anti-psychotic medication. Santiago initially told the FBI after the shooting he was under government mind control, then switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of the Islamic State extremist group. Several family members of victims - many of whom were on their way to cruise ship vacations - spoke in court Friday, describing their deep sense of loss for those who died and some discussing the health struggles of shooting survivors. Among those was Melissa Beauchamp, whose mother Mary Louise Amzibel was killed in the attack and father, Edward Amzibel, was seriously wounded. "You don't get a chance to say one last 'I love you, mom,'" Beauchamp said. "I can no longer hug her and feel her hug me back." James Steckley, speaking on behalf of his wounded wife Julie, said he blamed in part what he said was a "lack of concern" for military veterans once they return from combat zones. Santiago served in the National Guard in Iraq. "I'm truly sorry for you in my heart because I truly don't believe you were a born killer," Steckley told Santiago. Prosecutor Rick Del Toro said the family members supported the decision not to seek the death penalty for Santiago, in part to avoid what would be a lengthy, emotionally wrenching court case. Many preferred that Santiago sit in prison for decades rather than face execution, he added. "Potential attackers need to know they will never again go free if they conduct an attack such as this," Del Toro said. Technically, Santiago was sentenced to five consecutive life prison sentences for the five deaths and an additional 120 years for the six people he wounded. Prior to the shooting, Santiago was briefly treated at an Anchorage mental institution after showing up at the local FBI office claiming to be hearing voices, then was released with no restrictions on owning a gun, authorities have said. Santiago later claimed in court he was getting "messages" in his head prior to the shooting. Santiago, a native of New Jersey, has family in Puerto Rico and a young son in Alaska, court records show. He did not speak in court Friday and no family members spoke on his behalf. Del Toro said Santiago's mental illness may have worsened because he had been regularly taking hallucinogenic drugs, including LSD and mushrooms. But he added that Santiago meticulously planned the attack. "This isn't a situation where a person with mental illness just snaps," the prosecutor said. ___ This article has corrected a reference from Julie Beauchamp to Melissa Beauchamp. Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Miamicurt DHABEJI, Pakistan (AP) - Hafeez Nawaz was 20 years old when he left his religious school in Karachi to join the Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Three years later he was back in Pakistan to carry out a deadly mission: With explosives strapped to his body, he blew himself up in the middle of an election rally last month, killing 149 people and wounding 300 others. The attack in southwestern Baluchistan province near the Afghan border just days before Pakistan's July 25 parliamentary elections has cast an unwelcome spotlight on Nawaz's tiny village of Dhabeji, where the presence of an IS cell in their midst has brought the full weight of Pakistan's security apparatus down on its residents. "Now we are all under suspicion," said Nawaz's neighbor, who gave only his first name, Nadeem, for fear of the local police. "The security agencies now consider Dhabeji a security threat area." FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2018 file photo, a security official escorts family members of suicide bomber Hafeez Nawaz, with their faces covered for interrogation in Karachi, Pakistan. Nawaz killed149 people and wounding 300 others. At age 20, Hafeez Nawaz left his religious school in Karachi to join the Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Three years later he was back in Pakistan to carry out a deadly mission. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) Nawaz's trajectory from religiously devout student to jihadi and suicide bomber is an all too familiar one in Pakistan. Since battlefield successes routed the Islamic State group from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq, hundreds of Pakistanis who traveled to join the extremists' so-called "caliphate" are unaccounted for and Pakistan's security personnel worry that they, like Nawaz, have gone underground waiting to strike. Sitting in his office in a compound surrounded by high walls and heavily armed guards, Karachi's counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said the Islamic State group is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. It's the amorphous nature of IS that has counterterrorism officials like Chandio most worried. When one cell is disrupted another emerges, sometimes within weeks and often in an unrelated part of the country. "It's what they don't know that is the most worrying for counterterrorism departments around the country," said Mohammad Amir Rana, executive director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, which tracks militant movements in the region. "Its hideouts, its structure, its strategy are all unknown. They are an invisible enemy who is defeated in one area, only to resurface in another." A U.N. Security Council report earlier this year warned of the changing face of IS, saying the extremist group was "entering a new phase, with more focus on less visible networks of individuals and cells acting with a degree of autonomy." Hafeez Nawaz was just such a case. Three years ago, he joined his older brother, Aziz, to study at Siddiquia Madrassa in Karachi's Shah Faisal Colony neighborhood, an area where the level of sectarian violence at the time was so brutal that even police could not enter. A crackdown by paramilitary Rangers has since led to the arrest and killing of hundreds of militants and criminals. Today, the religious school is among 94 madrassas under surveillance in Karachi and elsewhere in southern Sindh province, Chandio said. They have been identified as breeding grounds for radicalism, schools where jihadis have emerged and that perpetrators of attacks attended. Many are financed by oil-rich Saudi Arabia to promote the rigid Wahabi sect of Islam practiced in the kingdom, Chandio said. The origin of the money, whether from the Saudi government or Saudi philanthropists, is not clear but the teachings at these schools espouse a rigid interpretation of Islam and the superiority of Sunni Islam. It was at Siddiquia Mosque that Nawaz's brother, Aziz, fell in with a crowd of would-be jihadis and was persuaded to travel to Afghanistan's Spinboldak region on the border with Pakistan in 2014 to join the Taliban. But his allegiance was short-lived as commanders squabbled and Aziz returned to Pakistan. Once back home, he inducted his younger brother, Hafeez, into the jihadi circle but this time, it was the Islamic State group that held sway, said Chandio, who was part of the counterterrorism squad that, using little more than body parts and grainy cell phone pictures, identified Hafeez Nawaz as the suicide bomber behind the July 13 election rally attack. Chandio learned from the brothers' father that Nawaz and Aziz packed up their three sisters and their mother and moved them to Afghanistan in 2016 to live among an Islamic State affiliate there. Two of the sisters have since married IS operatives. Their youngest brother, Shakoor, who was sent by their father a year later to plead with them to return, remains in Afghanistan, as does Aziz. Chandio suspects 19-year-old Shakoor is now an IS operative and could be the next suicide bomber. He said Shakoor fits the criteria: a young man in his late teens or early 20s, religiously devout and susceptible to radicalization. Hafeez Nawaz was just 23 when he walked into the middle of the election rally in Baluchistan's Mustang area and detonated the suicide vest that sprayed shrapnel throughout the tent packed with local tribesmen. Nawaz's father and his oldest brother, Haq Nawaz, are now in custody, caught trying to flee to Afghanistan, Chandio said. Some analysts say the threat posed by the Islamic State group in Pakistan is, at least in part, the result of the country's bewildering attitude toward the toxic mix of militant groups that operate in the country. Since 2004, the Pakistani military has killed or driven out thousands of militants from their mountain redoubts in the tribal regions that border Afghanistan, suffering thousands of casualties in those battles. Yet Pakistan allows banned groups, some with a long history of sectarian violence, to re-emerge and operate under new names, and known militants to move about freely. "This is a sad reality of Pakistan: If militant leaders are useful to the state's interests, then they're free to do as they wish," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. "So long as terrorist leaders roam free, there's still a very big terrorism problem." A case in point is the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba, a global terrorist organization that has been resurrected as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a group known to have sent scores of fighters to Syria and Iraq to bolster the Islamic State group, according to Pakistani intelligence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue. Hafiz Saeed, the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who has a $10 million U.S.-imposed bounty on his head, lives unrestricted in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, where 60 per cent of the country's 200 million people live. Just last month the U.S. State Department declared another of the group's senior commanders, Abdul Rehman al-Dakhil, a global terrorist, who poses "a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States." Dakhil, who also now lives freely in Lahore, was arrested in Iraq in 2004 and held in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan until 2014, when he was returned to Pakistan, where he spent a brief stint in prison before being released. "ISIS is cut from the same basic ideological cloth as the other Islamist terror groups in Pakistan," said Kugelman, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State group. "Marriages of convenience can never be ruled out, whether in terms of operational partnerships or cost-sharing. ... We've seen a model of Afghanistan-focused ISIS members linking up with local facilitators in Pakistan to stage attacks." ____ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Zarar Khan in Islamabad, Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, Adil Jawad in Karachi, Pakistan, Susannah George in Washington and Edith M. Lederer in New York contributed to this report. FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, a woman and her son mourn the death of their family member outside a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan were a suicide bomber struck outside a crowded polling station killing dozens of people as Pakistanis cast ballots. Counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said the Islamic State group is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File) FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, Pakistani security officials visit the site of a suicide bombing which killed dozens of people as Pakistanis cast ballots in a general election in Quetta, Pakistan. Counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said the Islamic State group is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File) In this Aug. 6, 2018, photo, a man shows the locked house of suicide attacker Hafeez Nawaz, who killed 149 people and left dozens injured in Dhabeji, Pakistan. Nawaz was 20 years old when he left his religious school in southern Karachi to join the Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Three years later he was back in Pakistan to carry out a deadly mission. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil) FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, a man mourns the death of his family member at the site of a bombing in Quetta, Pakistan. A suicide bomber killed dozens of people as Pakistanis cast ballots in a general election. Counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said the Islamic State group is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File) FREDERICK, Colo. (AP) - The bodies of two young girls were submerged in crude oil for four days before authorities discovered them, according to court documents filed by an attorney defending the girls' father against accusations that he killed his children and wife. The motion filed Friday by Christopher Watts' attorney, James Merson, also asked that DNA swabs be taken from the girls' necks. The request quotes an expert who believes the oil would not eliminate DNA and said samples can be obtained "after strangulation." Authorities separately announced that the Weld County Coroner's Office had performed autopsies on Friday and confirmed the bodies as 34-year-old Shanann, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste Watts. This photo combo of images provided by The Colorado Bureau of Investigation shows, from left, Bella Watts, Celeste Watts and Shanann Watts. The Frederick Police Department said Chris Watts was taken into custody. Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. The police said on Twitter early Thursday that Chris Watts will be held at the Weld County Jail. He has not yet been charged. (The Colorado Bureau of Investigation via AP) Police did not release any information about how the mother and daughters died. More testing is planned to help determine the cause of their deaths. Richard Eikelenboom, the expert cited by Watts' attorney, also recommended taking DNA samples from the girls' hands and the hands and nails of their mother. Eikelenboom has testified in several high-profile criminal trials, often on so-called "touch DNA" when small samples of genetic material are left on a surface. After his wife and daughters were reported missing on Monday and before his arrest, Watts told reporters he missed them, and longed for the simple things like telling his girls to eat their dinner and gazing at them as they curled up to watch cartoons. Authorities are expected to file formal charges Monday against Watts, an oil and gas worker who authorities said dumped his wife and daughters' bodies on his employer's property. Police said the mother, Shanann, was found dead on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, one of the state's largest oil and gas drillers, where 33-year-old Christopher Watts worked as an operator. Investigators found the bodies of Bella and Celeste nearby. Watts was fired on Wednesday, the same day he was arrested, the company said. He did not respond to reporters' questions when he was escorted into the courtroom Thursday. Merson, Watts' attorney through the Colorado State Public Defender's Office, left Thursday's court hearing without commenting to reporters. He did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment by The Associated Press. Police have not released any information about a motive or how the three were killed. The family's two-story home is just outside Frederick, a small town on the grassy plains north of Denver, where fast-growing subdivisions intermingle with drilling rigs and oil wells. According to a June 2015 bankruptcy filing, Christopher Watts had gotten a job six months earlier as an operator for Anadarko, and paystubs indicate his annual salary was about $61,500. Shanann Watts was working in a call center at a children's hospital at the time, earning about $18 an hour - more for evenings, weekends or extra shifts she sometimes worked. But the family remained caught between a promising future and financial strain from debt and other obligations. The couple had a combined income of $90,000 in 2014. But they also had tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, along with some student loans and medical bills - for a total of $70,000 in unsecured claims on top of a sizable mortgage. They said in the filing that their nearly $3,000 mortgage and $600 in monthly car payments formed the bulk of their $4,900 in monthly expenses. Details about what led police to arrest Watts late Wednesday night on suspicion of three counts of murder and tampering with evidence likely were to be revealed next week. Prosecutors will ask a court to unseal the affidavit for Watts' arrest after filing formal charges, which are due by mid- afternoon on Monday, said Krista Henery, a spokeswoman for district attorney Michael Rourke. Family and friends of Shanann Watts are left searching for answers, trying to reconcile Watts' cheery Facebook posts about her daughters, her pregnancy and her love for her husband with the pending charges. Ashley Bell met Shanann Watts about two years ago, when the mother of two came into Bell's new tanning salon in nearby Dacono. The two women quickly became friends, and before long they were texting or calling each other almost daily. Their daughters played together during salon visits. "I just don't understand it," said Bell, who described Christopher Watts as a loving father. Shanann Watts was from North Carolina, and her parents' next-door neighbor, Joe Beach, said he saw her recently when she visited the neighborhood of modest homes in Aberdeen. "We were talking about general things, about how her two girls were doing and how life was out in Colorado. She didn't give me an indication that there was anything wrong. She seemed pretty happy," he said. Shanann Watts had recently shared with family and friends that she was pregnant with their third child. The case has focused attention on Colorado's lack of a law allowing homicide charges in the violent deaths of fetuses, which is the case in 12 states. Proposals to allow homicide charges in the violent deaths of fetuses in Colorado have been stymied by debate about how to avoid infringing on abortion rights. Republican lawmakers last tried to change the law after a 2015 case in Boulder County. A woman named Dynel Lane was charged with attempted murder and unlawful termination of a pregnancy for cutting open a pregnant woman's belly and removing her unborn baby girl. Prosecutors said they could not charge Lane with murder because a coroner found no evidence the infant lived outside the womb. State law does allow a homicide charge if a fetus was alive outside the mother's body and then killed. State lawmakers in 2013 also allowed prosecutors to add extra felony charges against anyone who commits a crime that causes the death of a fetus. ___ Drew reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers James Anderson, Colleen Slevin and Thomas Peipert in Denver, Courtney Bonnell and Michelle A. Monroe in Phoenix and researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to provide the correct spelling of the city of Dacono. This booking photo from the Weld County Sheriff's Office shows Chris Watts. Authorities say Watts, the husband of a missing family in Colorado has been arrested in connection with the case. Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Weld County Sheriff's Office via AP) Christopher Watts glances back at a Weld County Sheriff's Deputy as he is escorted out of the courtroom at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Christopher Watts is escorted into the courtroom before his bond hearing at the Weld County Courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Christopher Watts looks down during his bond hearing at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Judge Marcelo A. Kopcow speaks to the attorneys during the bond hearing for Christopher Watts at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke waits for the bond hearing for Christopher Watts to begin at Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. A judge has ordered Watts of Colorado who is accused of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters held in jail without bail. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) An unidentified young boy places a bouquet of flowers on a pile of tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell places flowers with the growing number of tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell reacts after leaving flowers among the tributes growing outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) From left, 4-year-old Liberty Bell joins her mother, Ashley, and father Steven as they put a tribute with others outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell, left, is consoled by her husband, Steven, and 4-year-old daughter Liberty as the woman places a tribute outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Irene Montoya of Aurora, Colo., places a bouquet of flowers as tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A pump jack sits near the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Baltasar Gutierrez, left, joins his daughter, Irene Montoya, in talking to reporters after they left a tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A photograph sits amid the tributes as they grow outside the home where a pregnant woman, Shanann Watts, and her two daughters, Bella and Celeste, lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband, Christopher Watts, has been arrested on suspicion of killing his family. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A photograph sits amid the tributes as they grow outside the home where a pregnant woman, Shanann Watts, and her two daughters, Bella and Celeste, lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband, Christopher Watts, has been arrested on suspicion of killing his family. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Counterterrorism officials in Pakistan say the fight against the Islamic State group is the country's newest and deadliest front in the decades-old war on terror. Headquartered next door in Afghanistan, the IS affiliate has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The group has recruited radical young men to their cause and some have even brought their families to live with them in militant hideouts, hoping to recreate an IS "caliphate" such as the one that lasted for almost four years in Syria. FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2018, file photo, family members of suicide bomber Hafeez Nawaz, with their faces covered, are presented before media for in Karachi, Pakistan. Nawaz killed 149 people and wounding 300 others. At age 20, Hafeez Nawaz left his religious school in Karachi to join the Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Three years later he was back in Pakistan to carry out a deadly mission. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan, File) Here are some of the deadliest attacks claimed by IS and groups linked to them: __Jan. 30, 2015: Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in the town of Shikarpur kills 71; IS-linked Jundullah group claims responsibility; __May 13, 2015: Gunmen kill 45 in attack on a bus carrying members of Ismaili community in the suburbs of Karachi; __Aug. 8, 2016: Suicide bomber kills 74 in a hospital in the city of Quetta where lawyers had gathered to pay respects to slain colleague and bar association president; __Oct. 24, 2016: Suicide attackers kill 61 in assault on Quetta police academy; __Nov. 12, 2016: Suicide bomber from Islamic State group kills over 50 at the shrine of Shah Noorani, in Baluchistan province's Khuzdar district; __Feb. 16, 2017: Suicide bomber detonates his explosives vest among the devotees at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the Sehwan district of southern Sindh province, killing 98; __May 12, 2017: Suicide attack on the country's Senate deputy chairman, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, in his native Mastung district of Baluchistan kills 25 people; the official is slightly wounded; __Aug. 12, 2107: Suicide attack kills 15, including 8 soldiers, in Quetta; __Dec. 17, 2017: Attack on a church in Quetta kills 16 people; IS claims responsibility; __July 3, 2018: Gunmen kill six members of the country's paramilitary force and two policemen in Mashki district of southwestern Baluchistan; __July 13, 2018: Suicide bombing at the election rally in Mastung kills 149 people, including election candidate Siraj Raisani; __July 25, 2018: Suicide bombing outside a polling station in Quetta kills 31. FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, a man mourns the death of his family member at the site of a bombing in Quetta, Pakistan. A suicide bomber killed dozens of people as Pakistanis cast ballots in a general election. Counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said the Islamic State group is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - The band gathers in a small carpentry shop on the outskirts of Iran's capital, with sawdust still in the air but the buzzing of the jigsaws now exchanged for the soft feedback of an amplifier. A drummer strikes his snare four times and Hakim Ebrahimi opens with the first dreamy notes of "Afghanistan," the sound of their Metallica-inspired rock ballad filling the air. The four rockers that make up the band, known as Arikayn, are Afghan refugees, and their struggles mirror those of millions of other Afghans who have fled to Iran during decades of war. They once had to sneak through a Taliban checkpoint to pay a gig in their home country, and they face discrimination in Iran, but they say that hasn't stopped them from playing the music they love. In this July 20, 2018 photo, members of the rock band Arikayn, Afghan musicians Hakim Ebrahimi, center, and Soraya Hosseini, right, play with Kourosh Ghasemi, an Iranian drummer, at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, on the outskirts of Iran's capital, Tehran. The band, made up of Afghan migrants, plays Metallica-inspired ballads about the struggles of millions of Afghans who have fled to Iran to escape decades of war and unrest. In Iran they face discrimination, and have had to contend with hard-liners opposed to Western culture. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) "This is very hard for all of us, but when we play a song, we become the person that we want to be," bassist Mohammad Rezai said. Iran is home to one of the world's largest and most-protracted refugee crises. More than 3 million Afghans, including over 1 million who entered without legal permission, live in the Islamic Republic, according to United Nations estimates. Afghan refugees began arriving in Iran in 1978, following their country's Communist military coup and the subsequent Soviet occupation. The occupation ended in 1989, giving way to years of civil war and ultimately a Taliban-controlled government. Then came the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington, and the subsequent U.S.-led invasion targeting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, whom the Taliban harbored. Three of the band's four original members were born in Iran, including female guitarist and vocalist Soraya Hosseini, drummer Akbar Bakhtiary and Rezai. Ebrahimi came to Iran as a child. They formed the band Arikayn, which is Dari for "Lantern," in 2013. "When I was a child, we used Arikayn to find our way in dirt alleyways at night," Ebrahimi said during a recent practice session at the carpentry studio. Arikayn's music recalls Metallica, not the speed-metal shredding of "Master of Puppets" but rather the introspective ballad of "Nothing Else Matters." Ebrahimi, who said his icon is Metallica frontman James Hetfield, evokes his guitar work in the band's song "Afghanistan." "Here is Afghanistan, human's life is cheap; the way to heaven is from here, killing a human is easy here," he sings. By day, Ebrahimi works in the carpentry shop to support himself. Other band members have day jobs as well, though Hosseini relies on help from her mother. Like other Afghans, they face challenges in finding work in a country that had high unemployment even before President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and began restoring sanctions. Afghans also face discrimination in Iran. The band says they were turned away from a once-popular Tehran concert series because they were immigrants. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, they must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. At one of only two Tehran concerts the band gave, at Tehran University, Hosseini said she was not allowed to play her guitar on stage, and was only able to sing background vocals. "They did not tell me directly that I cannot play the guitar on stage, but they made me understand," she said. "I felt strange because it was my first time on stage. I was stressed out that I might ruin it." That stress only multiplied when the band decided to play a show at a July 2015 music festival in Bamyan, Afghanistan, where Ebrahimi lived until age 10. They had looked forward to performing beneath the ruins of the great Buddha statues of Bamyan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001. To get to the area, some 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Kabul, however, the band had to cross through Taliban-held territory. They described passing through various Taliban checkpoints, keeping their eyes down. But at one, an accompanying Afghan documentary filmmaker's errant glance caught the attention of a Taliban fighter. "At the checkpoint, we were shocked, and I lost my mind," director Hassan Noori said. "I directly looked into (the gunman's) eyes, but when he saw Soraya in the car, he let us to go." They made it safely to the concert. "It was wonderful, and words cannot describe our feelings when we performed in a large plain in front of the statues of Buddha and more than 2,000 Afghans," Hosseini said. In the time since, however, reality has come crashing down on the group. Some Afghans in Iran are beginning to leave the country over its economic problems. Bakhtiary, the band's drummer, left Iran along with other Afghan migrants hoping to reach Europe. After a time in Turkey, he made it to Italy, where he is now jobless. Rezai, the band's bassist, prefers his work at a nearby tailor shop to practicing. "I need this money so that my family and I can have an easier life," he said. For now, Arikayn's only audience is those who work in Ebrahimi's carpentry shop. On a recent night, the band tore into its song "Stand Up," which challenges the Taliban. "Stand up and don't let the city be full of burqa-wearing women again," Ebrahimi sang. "And stop the sky from turning black from being full of lead." ___ Associated Press writers Mehdi Fattahi and Ebrahim Noroozi in Tehran, Iran, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. In this July 26, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Soraya Hosseini, a member of Arikayn rock band, plays piano in her house outside Tehran, Iran. The band made up of Afghan migrants plays Metallica-inspired ballads about the struggles of millions of Afghans who have fled to Iran to escape decades of war and unrest. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, they must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Hakim Ebrahimi, a member of the Arikayn rock band, plays at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, on the outskirts of Iran's capital, Tehran. The band, made up of Afghan migrants, plays Metallica-inspired ballads about the struggles of millions of Afghans who have fled to Iran to escape decades of war and unrest. In Iran they face discrimination, and have had to contend with hard-liners opposed to Western culture. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 26, 2018 photo, Afghan musicians Hakim Ebrahimi, left, and Soraya Hosseini, members of the Arikayn rock band, play music at a furniture workshop on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, members of the rock band Arikayn, Afghan musicians Hakim Ebrahimi, center, and Soraya Hosseini, play at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, on the outskirts of Iran's capital, Tehran. The band, made up of Afghan migrants, plays Metallica-inspired ballads about the struggles of millions of Afghans who have fled to Iran to escape decades of war and unrest. In Iran they face discrimination, and have had to contend with hard-liners opposed to Western culture. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 26, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Mohammad Rezai, right, a member of the Arikayn rock band, works as a tailor in Pakdasht, on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran. The four rockers that make up the band, known as Arikayn, that plays Metallica-inspired ballads are Afghan refugees, and their struggles mirror those of millions of other Afghans who have fled to Iran during decades of war. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 26, 2018, photo, Afghan musician Hakim Ebrahimi, left, a member of the Arikayn rock band, works at a furniture workshop on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran. The four rockers that make up the band, known as Arikayn, that plays Metallica-inspired ballads are Afghan refugees, and their struggles mirror those of millions of other Afghans who have fled to Iran during decades of war. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Mohammad Rezai, a member of the Arikayn rock band, plays guitar at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, outside Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 26, 2018 photo, Afghan musicians Mohammad Rezai, right, and Soraya Hosseini, members of the Arikayn rock band, play guitar at a furniture workshop on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Soraya Hosseini, a member of the Arikayn rock band, plays guitar at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, outside Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, Afghan musician Hakim Ebrahimi, a member of the Arikayn rock band, sings as he plays guitar at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, outside Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) In this July 20, 2018 photo, Afghan musicians Mohammad Rezai, left, Hakim Ebrahimi, second right, and Soraya Hosseini, right, members of the Arikayn rock band, along with Kourosh Ghasemi, an Iranian drummer, play music at a furniture workshop in Eslamshahr, outside Tehran, Iran. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, Afghan musicians must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russia's President Vladimir Putin will have plenty to talk about when they meet Saturday - thanks in no small part to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose sanctions and criticisms over trade, energy and NATO have created new worries for both leaders. The two will meet at the German government's guest house outside Berlin and will give short statements beforehand but aren't planning a news conference, German officials have said. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert has said that topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. Putin is facing the possibility of more U.S. sanctions on Russia imposed by Trump, and has an interest in softening or heading off any European support for them. Meanwhile, while both countries want to move ahead with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline - roundly criticized by Trump as a form of Russian control over Germany. FILE - In this July 7, 2017 file photo Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to the first working session on the first day of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, file) Stefan Meister, a Russia expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations, said that there is "an increased interest on both sides to talk about topics of common interest" and that, in part because of Trump, the two sides have shifted focus from earlier meetings that focused on Russia's conflict with Ukraine. Merkel was a leading supporter of sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. The two leaders are far from being allies, however. Meister wrote in an analysis for the council that the talks will still involve "hard bargaining" from Putin's end and neither side is likely to make significant compromises - but both could send a signal that they will "not let themselves be pressured by Trump." The background to this meeting includes Trump's announcement that he plans to impose sanctions on Russia in response to the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain. A first set of sanctions would target U.S. exports of goods with potential military use starting Aug. 22, while a second set of broader sanctions could take effect 90 days later if Russia does not confirm it is no longer using chemical weapons and allow on-site inspections. Russia has denied involvement in the poisoning. Meister said that Putin can use the meeting to "send a signal to Washington that there are allies of the U.S. that still do business with Russia." Beyond that, he can push for Germany and the European Union not to support further sanctions, particularly a second round that might hit businesses working with the Nord Stream 2 project. The project would add another natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, allowing more Russian gas to bypass Ukraine and Poland. Trump has criticized Nord Stream 2 and the gas supplies, saying German is "totally controlled" by Russia by being dependent on the energy. Trump's criticism was linked to his push for other NATO member countries, particularly Germany, to pay a bigger share of the cost of NATO's common defense. From her end, Merkel will push for a Russian commitment to keep at least some gas transiting Ukraine, which earns transit fees from it. Putin has said he's open for shipments to continue if Ukraine settles a gas dispute with Russia. Germany also has a strong interest in seeing some of the Syrian refugees in Germany return home in any settlement of the civil war in their home country, and could seek Russia's support for that with President Bashar Assad. Russia has backed Assad with military force. Putin has pushed Germany and other Western nations to help rebuild Syria's economy ravaged by more than seven years of civil war, arguing that it would help encourage refugees from Syria to return home, easing the pressure on Europe. Merkel's decision to allow in a flood of refugees in 2015 led to a backlash against her immigration policy and boosted the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party. Both Germany and Russia have expressed a desire to maintain the agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear program in return for easing some economic sanctions. Trump has pulled the U.S. out of the program and imposed new sanctions, saying that they will also hit foreign countries that keep doing business with Iran. Merkel and Putin have met and spoken by phone numerous times since she became chancellor in 2005. They share some common background. Merkel grew up under communism in East Germany, as Putin did in the Soviet Union; she speaks Russian and he speaks German after living in East Germany as a KGB agent during the Soviet era. That said, the relationship is characterized by hard bargaining over each side's national interest. FILE - In this May 18, 2018 file photo Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend news conference after their meeting at Putin's residence in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file) FILE - In this April 27, 2018 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens to President Donald Trump talk, during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, file) FILE - In this July 16, 2018 file photo Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, looks over towards U.S. President Donald Trump, left, as Trump speaks during their joint news conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file) FILE - In this Friday, April 9, 2010 file photo a Russian construction worker smokes in Portovaya Bay some 170 kms (106 miles) north-west from St. Petersburg, Russia, during a ceremony marking the start of Nord Stream pipeline construction. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, file) FILE - In this March 20, 2014 file photo Pro-Russian soldiers march outside an Ukrainian military base in Perevalne, Crimea. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, file) FILE - In this March 18, 2018 file photo Russian military sailors exit a polling booth as they prepare to cast their ballots at a polling station during the Presidential Election in Sevastopol, Crimea. Merkel and Putin will meet on Saturday in the German government's guesthouse Meseberg, north of Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. The topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions.(AP Photo/Vasily Batanov, file) Yesterday, a delusional Senor Trumpanzee gave Peter Nicholas ofan impromptu 20 minute interview in the Oval office and told him that he expects Republicans to do "great" in the midterms and that hell be a difference-maker this fall by campaigning for candidates. "As long as I can get out and campaign, I think theyre going to win, I really do. Its a lot of work for me. I have to make 50 stops, its a lot. So, there arent a lot of people that can do that, physically. Fortunately, I have no problem with that." When Nicholas asked him if his campaign appearances might also mobilize Democratic voters, Senor T said: "It may. But it energizes my people much more than it energizes them. I think the Democrats give up when I turn out. If you want to know the truth, I dont think it energizes them. I think it de-energizes them. I think they give up when I turn out." Completely delusional. GOP participation has been sagging and Democratic participation is sky-high. Look at what happened in Wisconsin and Minnesota Tuesday , two states Trump visited. Both statewide and in every single contested congressional district, more Democrats and pro-Democrat independents voted than Republicans and pro-Republican independents. (Same happened in Connecticut and Vermont, where Trump didn't do an rallies recently-- but they have TV up there.) Trump wants the elections to be all about him? So do the Democrats. Earlier this week, Alex Wagner did perceptive piece foron the Church of Trumpanzee . The Trump fans-- or as he puts it, "his devotees" (as well as Trump himself) "find the relief of belonging," a relief for those with small, ugly, empty lives. "As Americans have left organized religion," wrote Peter Beinart in April 2017, "they havent stopped viewing politics as a struggle between 'us' and 'them.' Many have come to defineandin even more primal and irreconcilable ways. This tribalism has infected both the right and the left-- but in particular, Beinart cited the work of W. Bradford Wilcox, a sociologist at the University of Virginia who has concluded that rates of religious attendance have fallen more than twice as much among whites without a college degree as among those who graduated college. Non-college-educated whites are the Trump base, now set adrift: Establishing causation is difficult, but we know that culturally conservative white Americans who are disengaged from church experience less economic success and more family breakdown than those who remain connected, and they grow more pessimistic and resentful. You could draw a straight line from a disenfranchised, pessimistic, resentful audience to Trumps brand of fear-driven, divisive politics, but this would leave out an equally important part of the Trump phenomenon, and something critical to its success: the elation. Go to a Trump rally, speak to Trump supporters, and the devotion is nearly evangelical. Their party line is less a talking point than a sermon: His voters have talked to me about the bad deal with Iran, the drug mules crossing the border, the Mueller witch hunt. The language is uniform, as they quote chapter and verse. Here are the true believers: It is no surprise that Trumps numbers wont move. In his research, Wilcox noted the particular isolation of the white working class in the institutional church: Moderately educated Americans may feel less attracted to churches that uphold the bourgeois virtues-- delayed gratification, a focus on education, self-control, etc.-- that undergird this lifestyle. As importantly, working class whites may also feel uncomfortable socializing with the middle and upper class whites who have increasingly come to dominate the life of religious congregations in the U.S. since the 1970s, especially as they see their own economic fortunes fall. The declining economic position of white working class Americans may have made the bourgeois moral logic embodied in many churches both less attractive and attainable. Trumpism proposes a system of worship formed in direct opposition to bourgeois moral logic, with values that are anti-intellectual and antipolitically correct. If mainline Protestantism is a bastion of the educated, upper-middle class, the Church of Trump is a gathering place for its castoffs. Trumps rhetoric about the silent majority is indeed a racial dog whistle, but it is also a call to his supporters to unmask themselves. He offers a public embrace of a worldview that has been, at least until this point, a mark of shame. There is belonging in this-- but there is also relief. That part of the Trump phenomenon remains mostly unnoticed, except by those who have witnessed it firsthand. Reporting from a rally in South Carolina in 2015, Molly Ball observed: Despite all the negativity and fear, the energy in this room does not feel dark and aggressive and threatening. It doesnt feel like a powder keg about to blow, a lynch mob about to rampage. It feels joyous. There is so much love in every room I go to, Trump says, near the end of nearly an hour and a half of free-associative bombast, silly and sometimes offensive impressions, and insane pronouncements. We want our country to be great again, and we know it can be done! At a rally in South Bend, Indiana, that I attended earlier this year, there were offensive T-shirts (hillary sucks but not like monica) and angry chants, but there were also goofy costumes and free sandwiches. There was name calling, but there were also group selfies. I spoke to Wilcox about this aspect of Trumpism-- the strange joy inherent in the shouts of self-designated deplorable status-- and whether that might signal a substitute for the rapture of the church. The Trump rallies have collective effervescence, Wilcox said. Emile Durkheim wrote about the power of collective effervescence-- of engaging in common rituals that give them meaning and power and strength. And those things can be wonderful, or they can be dangerous. Durkheims theory-- that a gathering of the tribe can create a certain energy that renders particular people or objects sacred-- goes a long way toward explaining Trumps infallibility among his supporters. But it also brings to the fore something that Trump critics have missed so far when focusing on his (not insignificant) negatives: Trumpism, like many forms of non-secular worship, makes its believers feel good. Among the poor and the working class, Wilcox told me,when it comes to both marriage and religion, there has been a real erosion. And that has hit them harder than the upper classes. He continued: These two important sources of solidarity and meaning are now much less a part of working-class Americans lives-- and leaves them that much more disenchanted and disenfranchised. If Trumpism is endowing certain Americans with a sense of solidarity and support that were once found in institutions like the church (or marriage), the implications for the Republican Party-- to say nothing of American society writ large-- are consequential. At its core, the Church of Trump is irreconcilable with a society that values equal protection, free speech, and the separation of powers. And yet strident efforts to convince the faithful of a prophets fallacy may backfire, producing redoubled faith. To deconstruct the complicated and visceral relationship between Trump and his supporters, those on the outside must begin to grapple with the oddness of the proposition itself: Trump, in all his baseness, offers his believers something that is, strangely, spiritually elevated. BERLIN (AP) - A bus headed from Stockholm to Berlin came off a highway in northeastern Germany on Friday and overturned, injuring 22 people, authorities said. The accident happened about 6.30 a.m. at Linstow, near Rostock, on the A19 highway. The bus veered into a ditch next to the highway and ended up lying on its side. FlixBus, the main operator of long-distance buses in Germany, said the bus was heading from Stockholm to Berlin via Copenhagen. Ferries from Scandinavia arrive in Rostock. A bus sits beside the Autobahn A 19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, after it was driven into a ditch and turned over. Six people were seriously injured and a further 10 slightly hurt. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) Police said there were 61 passengers and two drivers on board from 22 countries. They said 16 people sustained medium to serious injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals, while the remaining passengers were looked over at an aid station in the nearby city of Guestrow and six of them were taken to hospital with light injuries. It wasn't immediately clear why the bus left the highway. No other vehicles were involved. Police said the driver was questioned and a breathalyzer test showed an alcohol level of zero. Investigators were analyzing an on-board data recorder to try to understand the accident. A bus sits beside the Autobahn A 19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, after it was driven into a ditch and turned over. Six people were seriously injured and a further 10 slightly hurt. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) A bus sits beside the Autobahn A 19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, after it was driven into a ditch and turned over. Six people were seriously injured and a further 10 slightly hurt. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) A bus sits beside the Autobahn A 19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, after it was driven into a ditch and turned over. Six people were seriously injured and a further 10 slightly hurt. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Police officers pepper-sprayed a Florida doctor who acted erratically when he arrived at Orlando International Airport for a flight. The Orlando Sentinel reports 59-year-old Jeffrey Epstein of Lakeland "threw his hands in the air" Thursday while yelling that "police had come to arrest him." He's charged with battery on an officer. An arrest report says Epstein was removed from a ticket line and told he was prohibited from flying because of his behavior, frothing at the mouth while yelling obscenities. Police say he continued yelling and refused orders to leave the airport. After he resisted being handcuffed, he was taken down and pepper-sprayed. He said he "created a very big disturbance on purpose" to make a point about customer service. Epstein runs a geriatric practice in Lakeland. NEW DELHI (AP) - Thousands of Indians gathered Friday as the funeral pyre was lit for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a Hindu nationalist who was respected across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the mourners who walked under a hot sun behind a flower-decked gun carriage carrying Vajpayee's body to a cremation ground on the banks of the Yamuna river. Vajpayee, both a poet and a politician, died Thursday at age 93 in a New Delhi hospital. A mourner holds a portrait of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as he stands with others outside the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Thousands of people are paying homage to Vajpayee as his body is taken to his Hindu nationalist party's headquarters before cremation on the banks of the Yamuna River. Vajpayee, 93, died on Thursday in a New Delhi hospital where he was being treated for a kidney infection and chest congestion. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) His foster daughter lit the funeral pyre in a riverside enclave of memorials where the country's other former prime ministers have also been cremated. Top Indian politicians, including Rahul Gandhi of the opposition Congress party, and South Asian leaders including Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, also attended the cremation. Pakistan arranged a special flight so a four-member delegation led by Information Minister Ali Zafar could attend. Earlier Friday, supporters chanting "Long Live Vajpayee!" escorted his body from his home to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters where admirers came to pay their last respects. In many ways Vajpayee was a complicated figure, a leader of the moderate wing of India's often-strident Hindu nationalist movement and a lifelong poet who oversaw India's growth into a strutting regional economic power. He ordered nuclear tests in 1998 that raised fears of atomic war with Pakistan, but also, a few years later, reached across the border and made the first moves toward peace with Islamabad. The government has declared a seven-day mourning period for him. Schools were closed Friday in the Indian capital. The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, sent a condolence message to Vajpayee's foster daughter, Namita Bhattacharya, saying India had lost an eminent national leader who had eloquently supported the Tibetan people. Vajpayee served three times as India's prime minister; for 13 days in 1996, for 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and then from 1999 to 2004. The body of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, wrapped in the Indian national flag, is taken in full state honor to the Bharatiya Janata party office for people to pay their last tributes in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Vajpayee, a Hindu nationalist who set off a nuclear arms race with rival Pakistan but later reached across the border to begin a groundbreaking peace process, died on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 93. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) The body of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, wrapped in the Indian national flag, is taken in full state honor to the Bharatiya Janata party office for people to pay their last tributes in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Vajpayee, a Hindu nationalist who set off a nuclear arms race with rival Pakistan but later reached across the border to begin a groundbreaking peace process, died on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 93. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) FILE - In this May 2, 2004 file photo, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee greets the audience as he arrives for a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India. Former prime minister Vajpayee, who pursued both nuclear weapons and peace talks with Pakistan, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at age 93. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan) FILE - In this April 25, 1996 file photo, the Hindu nationalist party candidate for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee greets supporters and is showered with rose petals at a campaign rally in New Delhi, India. Former prime minister Vajpayee, who pursued both nuclear weapons and peace talks with Pakistan, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at age 93. (AP Photo/John Moore, File) FILE - In this May 14, 2004 file photo, outgoing Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee attends a meeting with members of his Bharatiya Janata Party at the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi, India. Former prime minister Vajpayee, who pursued both nuclear weapons and peace talks with Pakistan, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at age 93. (AP Photo/Ajit Kumar, File) CHESTER, Ill. (AP) - A man who pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in the death of a southern Illinois police officer who crashed during a 2016 high-speed chase has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Thirty-five-year-old Jason Stoker of Chester didn't attend Thursday's sentencing hearing, but the judge accepted an agreement between prosecutors and the defense for the prison term. He's already in federal prison after being sentenced in May to 15 years in a case involving the sale of methamphetamine. The new sentence will be served at the same time. Chester Officer James Brockmeyer crashed his patrol car while pursuing Stoker. Authorities say Stoker was blamed for the death because he didn't comply with the officer's orders and was driving at a high speed. The 22-year-old officer also was a volunteer firefighter. BERLIN (AP) - The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local): 3:40 p.m. German authorities say they're looking into a Yazidi woman's claim that she ran into a man who bought her as a slave in an Islamic State-ruled area of Iraq after arriving in Germany. The woman, identified as Ashwaq, was quoted as telling the Kurdish news portal basnews that the man stopped her on the street in February. She said police told her he was also a refugee and they couldn't do anything, so she decided to return to her homeland. German federal prosecutors told the dpa news agency on Friday that police had tried to find the man but weren't given precise information and couldn't find anyone under the name she gave. Prosecutors heard of the case in June and wanted to question the woman, but she had returned to Iraq. Police in southwestern Germany say they started have investigating but can't currently reach the witness. ___ 1 p.m. The German government says Greece has agreed to take back migrants who apply for asylum there and later turn up at Germany's border with Austria. That brings the government closer to implementing a deal to defuse a German political spat over migration. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann said Friday Germany and Greece have reached an agreement and need only a formal exchange of letters to complete it. She wouldn't give details ahead of its signing. The deal with Greece follows an agreement with Spain that took effect last weekend. Petermann said talks with Italy are "far advanced." In June, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer threatened to turn back previously registered migrants unilaterally at the German-Austrian border. Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted Germany must first reach agreements with other countries. LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) - A former comedian whose party finished second in Slovenia's parliamentary election was appointed prime minister designate on Friday. The political novice on the national stage, Marjan Sarec, who will propose a minority government consisting of five center-left parties, was backed in a 55-31 vote in Parliament. The leftist parties have allied to sideline the top party in the June 3 parliamentary vote, the anti-immigrant, right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party led by former prime minister Janez Jansa. FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 file photo, Slovenian presidential candidate Marjan Sarec talks to the media in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Marjan Sarec, a former comedian whose party finished second in Slovenia's parliamentary election has been appointed prime minister designate. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File) Jansa, an ally of Hungary's anti-immigrant Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has failed to win support from other parliamentary groups for a right-leaning coalition in traditionally moderate Slovenia. Analysts have predicted that Sarec's minority government would be unstable and likely won't last long. "Irrespective of who voted for me today and who voted against, all can rest assured that I will be working for the benefit of everyone," Sarec said as he was sworn in. Sarec, who has been mayor of the small Slovenian town of Kamnik since 2010, emerged as a significant political figure when he unexpectedly forced incumbent Borut Pahor to a second round in the October presidential election. Before his career in politics, Sarec also worked as a comedy actor and journalist at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenia. He formed his party in 2014. Sarec's appointment marks a rare case in Central Europe where a liberal politician has been elected to a senior post. Populists have lately been winning power in the region, ranging from Hungary to Poland and Italy. Sarec, 40, is the youngest prime minister designate in Slovenia since its brief war for independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - A Chilean man angry over an airline not returning his suitcase made false bomb threats that caused up to 11 commercial flights to take emergency measures in Chile, Argentina and Peru, authorities charged Friday. Police said they arrested Franco Sepulveda Robles, 29, in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta after investigators linked his cellphone to the wave of threats that disrupted flights Thursday. He was brought to the capital of Santiago to begin legal proceedings and was banned from getting close to any airport. Interior Minister Andres Chadwick said Sepulveda could be charged with security law infringement, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Police officers escort Franco Sepulveda off a plane, after he was detained in Antofagasta, for making multiple bomb threats about several airline flights, in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Sepulveda caused nine commercial airline flights to take emergency measures. Police chief Mario Rojas said Sepulveda was angry because his suitcase was not returned. (Javier Torres/Aton Chile via AP) Attorney Ignacio Moya, who is representing the suspect, said his client denies making the threatening calls. Police chief Diego Rojas said preliminary investigations indicated "that this person had planned a flight that left behind his suitcase. They did not return it to him, and since he was annoyed with the (airline) companies and with the entire air traffic control system, it seems like he made these calls." Several airliners were forced to make emergency landings or turn back to their original airports in Chile and Peru. Other planes had already reached their destination or had not yet taken off. A LATAM Airlines plane flying from Peru's capital of Lima to Santiago was safely evacuated after making an unscheduled landing in the southern Peruvian city of Pisco. Two flights operated by Chile-based Sky Airlines bound for Rosario, Argentina, and the northern Chilean city of Calama returned to Santiago without incident following phoned-in threats. Victor Villalobos Collao, director of Chile's civilian aviation authority, said Thursday night that a total of 11 calls had been received threatening various airline flights. He said two of the supposed flights did not exist but the calls forced "a procedure" to be carried out for the other nine, without specifying what actions were taken. He said no explosives had been found. Later, prosecutor Eduardo Baeza said Sepulveda Robles made threats that affected 11 flights. The telephoned threats were made to a ticket counter, a LATAM operations center in Colombia and civil aviation authorities. All the flights were operated by LATAM Airlines, Latin America's largest carrier, and Sky Airlines. In a related matter, Rojas said another individual was arrested Thursday at Santiago's international airport after joking that he had an explosive device in his luggage. "He was arrested immediately," Rojas said. "It was determined to be a joke - it was a terrible joke - and today he will have to face a constitutional court. His case will be processed and he will be put at the disposal of the courts." WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration is ending funding for Syria stabilization projects as it moves to extricate the U.S. from the conflict, citing increased contributions from anti-Islamic State coalition partners. The State Department said it had notified Congress on Friday that it would not spend some $230 million that had been planned for Syria programs and would instead shift that money to other areas. Most of that money, initially pledged by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in February, had been on hold and under review since he was fired in March. A small fraction of that amount was released in June. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the cut, which was authorized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and does not include humanitarian aid funds, will be more than offset by an additional $300 million pledged by coalition partners, including $100 million that Saudi Arabia announced it had contributed late Thursday. In this photo taken on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, a woman walks past the remnants of destroyed buildings in the city of Aleppo, Syria. Russian air defense assets in Syria claim to have downed 45 drones targeting their main base in the country, its military said Thursday, after an attack by the Islamic State group on a Syrian army base a day earlier killed seven troops. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) "As a result of key partner contributions by coalition members, Secretary Pompeo has authorized the Department of State to redirect approximately $230 million in stabilization funds for Syria which have been under review," she said in a statement. Nauert said Pompeo's decision took into account the White House's desire to increase burden sharing with allies. The funds will be redirected "to support other key foreign policy priorities," said Nauert, who along with other officials rejected suggestions that the elimination of the funds showed diminishing U.S. interest in Syria. Nauert, along with David Satterfield, the acting assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, and Brett McGurk, the special envoy for the anti-IS coalition, told reporters on a conference call that the U.S. would remain active in Syria until the Islamic State has been defeated. "This decision does not represent any lessening of U.S. commitment to our strategic goals in Syria," Nauert said. Still, the move was seen as a sign the administration is heeding Trump's demand to end U.S. involvement in Syria and reduce its commitment there. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, denounced what he said amounted to Trump "sprinting down the path of abdicating American leadership on the global stage." "By ending U.S. contributions to stabilization efforts in the most vulnerable Syrian communities recently liberated from the terrors of ISIS, this message of U.S. retreat and abandonment is an embarrassment," he said. Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee concurred, calling the move "astonishingly shortsighted." In a tweet, they said it was an indication of a "lack of US leadership" that is "undercutting US interests in Syria and around the world." In a bid to reassure its partners in the coalition against IS as well as opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Pompeo appointed veteran diplomatic troubleshooter, James Jeffrey, to be a special envoy for Syria, Nauert said. Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Iraq and Albania who also served as a deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush, will hold the title of "special representative for Syrian engagement." Jeffrey, who retired in 2012, also holds the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service: career ambassador. He will lead U.S. efforts to reinvigorate a long-stalled peace effort known as the "Geneva Process" between Assad, the opposition and other countries with equities in Syria, Nauert said. Yet Friday's funding cut is the latest Trump administration financial retreat from Syria. In May, the State Department announced that it had ended all funding for stabilization programs in Syria's northwest. IS militants have been almost entirely eliminated from that region, which is controlled by a hodgepodge of other extremist groups and government forces. In June, the administration freed up a small portion - $6.6 million - of the $200 million that Tillerson had pledged in order to continue funding for the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defense organization, and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, a U.N. agency that is investigating war crimes committed during the conflict. That left $193.4 million in limbo that would have had to have been returned to the Treasury Department on Sept. 30 at the end of this budget year if it had remained unspent. Last month, the U.S. helped to organize the evacuation through Israel of White Helmet workers from Syria's south, where Assad's Russian-backed forces launched a new offensive despite a de-escalation agreement between Washington and Moscow. Nauert said that Friday's decision would not affect "life-saving, needs-based humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Syrians" or U.S. support for the White Helmets or the U.N. mechanism. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Police in Sri Lanka questioned the former president on Friday as part of an investigation into the abduction of a journalist during the country's civil war 10 years ago. Former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa was questioned at his home about journalist Keith Noyahr, who was abducted as he was going home from work in 2008. He was released after several hours of torture. Noyahr was an associate editor of The Nation newspaper and wrote critical stories about the civil war. After being released he fled with his family to Australia, saying he feared for his life. Rajapaksa told reporters that police asked him about Noyahr's release after former minister Karu Jayasuriya and the then editor of The Nation, Lalith Alahakoon, made phone calls seeking Rajapaksa's intervention. Rajapaksa's government is accused of using paramilitary groups to abduct, assault and kill scores of journalists during his 2005-2015 rule. This is the first time Rajapaksa has been questioned in relation to the intimidation and attacks on journalists that took place during his presidency. The purpose of Friday's questioning was to determine if he had any connection to the abductors and was in a position to give them orders. "I don't remember anyone calling me but I asked them what's wrong with someone walking free," Rajapaksa said of the police questioning. "This is only part of a political conspiracy," he added. Investigations into attacks on journalists began after Rajapaksa lost the 2015 presidential election. DETROIT (AP) - A black Detroit lawmaker has apologized for using racial slurs against an Asian-American opponent for state Senate. Rep. Bettie Cook Scott issued an apology Thursday after accountability group Progress Michigan revealed Scott used racial slurs to refer to state Rep. Stephanie Chang, the Detroit News reported. Progress Michigan also revealed this week that Scott told voters during the Aug. 7 primary that she was disgusted to see the black community support Chang and not "their own people." Scott and Chang were among six Democratic candidates running for state Senate District 1. Chang won the primary. Scott apologized to Chang, her husband and the Asian-American community. "We live in a time of increasing divisiveness," she said. "As a state representative, I should never do anything to contribute to an atmosphere of divisiveness and for that, I am terribly sorry." Chang said she plans to meet with Scott next week. "It's not about me," Chang said. "It really is about the comments that she made to Asian-Americans and the community more broadly." The Michigan Democratic Party and more than a dozen community groups called for Scott to publicly apologize for her statements this week. "Bettie Cook Scott needs to apologize to the entire Asian American community," said Brandon Dillon, party chairman. "If an individual doesn't share our fundamental values of tolerance, decency, and respect, they should find another party." The state's Department of Civil Rights said Scott needs to commit to a "guided learning process" to address her behavior so she can adequately serve all her constituents, regardless of race or ethnicity. Department Director Agustin Arbulu suggested Scott and her staff receive training in cultural competency, discriminatory harassment, racial equity and unconscious bias. "It is important that Rep. Scott take concrete steps that go well beyond a nicely-worded statement in addressing the serious problems her words have revealed," Arbulu said. by Reese Erlich President Donald Trump is back on the stump, trumpeting his alleged triumphs since the 2016 elections. Somehow, he never mentions Afghanistan. For years, Trump has denounced endless foreign wars, including Afghanistan. He tweeted in 2012, for example, that Afghanistan is a complete waste.Time to come home! Once in power, however, Trump filled top advisor and cabinet positions with generals and neocons who advocate permanent occupation of Afghanistan. He suddenly became interested in the countrys estimated $1 trillion in rare earth minerals vital to manufacturing high tech products such as cell phones. Then one year ago Trump announced plans to send 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan. At the time, I and many other commentators said a few thousand more troops couldnt possibly shift the tide of war when 100,000 failed under Obama. And, sure enough, the military situation has gotten worse for the US and its corrupt allies in Kabul. The US intensified its air war. The Taliban retaliated with devastating attacks on Kabul and other major cities. On August 10, in only the latest example, the Taliban attacked and held the key city of Ghazni for several days. An estimated total of 110,000 Afghans have died in the conflict. US taxpayers have spent over a trillion dollars on the war so far, not counting the billions in future veterans benefits. Kathy Kelly-- co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non Violence, which supports humanitarian work in Afghanistan-- told me her group has long advocated that all US and allied troops should pull out, and the US should pay reparations for its war of destruction. This is a failed war, as are all wars, she said. Life In Kabul During my first reporting trips to Afghanistan in the aughts, I stayed in inexpensive guest houses, walked to interviews when practical, and visited sources in their homes. Those days are long gone. Dr. Hakim Young, a physician originally from Singapore, has seen dramatic changes during his 14 years of humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Today any government building could be attacked by insurgents, even the military and intelligence headquarters in Kabul. We avoid government, political and religious buildings, he told me from Kabul. We vary daily movements and schedules. Even talking or walking with a westerner can put local Afghans in danger because of popular anger at foreign occupation. So they try not to be noticed by dressing in local clothes. It helps that I look like an Afghan, said Dr. Hakim, and speak their language. He said among Afghans in general, the mood is one of stress, trauma, uncertainty, insecurity, frustration, anger, distrust and hopelessness. This mood is reflected in the continual outflow of Afghans seeking asylum elsewhere. Warlords in and out of government Afghans dont support the Taliban or the Islamic State, the two main insurgent groups. But its not like the United States has provided a viable alternative. The United States is allied with brutal, drug dealing warlords. Recently General Abdul Rashid Dostum was back in the news. Hes a warlord with a long history of human-rights abuses, and was accused of beating and raping a rival. Oh, did I mention, hes also Afghanistans first vice president. Last year, he fled to Turkey in the middle of the night. Dostums supporters among the Uzbek ethnic minority have recently engaged in violent demonstrations against the government. In a surprise move, Dostum returned to Kabul in July and was greeted by major government leaders including President Ashraf Ghani . It seems unlikely that Dostum will face trial for the rape, let alone for decades of human rights abuses. There are multiple warlords in Afghanistan and the Taliban is just one of them, Kelly said. There is no functioning government right now. Its a failed narco state. Its little wonder that the people of Afghanistan want the US and its corrupt government partners to leave. Grassroots Peace Movement The Helmand Peace Convoy, now called the Peoples Peace Movement, presents a few rays of hope these days. In March, unknown bombers killed 17 civilians and wounded 55 in the southern province of Helmand. So a group of elders, relatives of injured civilians, and civil society activists set up a peace tent in protest. They called for a ceasefire between warring factions, opposing the policies of the US, the Taliban, and the Afghan government. Encouraged by the positive response from the public, they marched 400 miles to the capital of Kabul. Dr. Hakim said people are generally supportive of the protestors. The Movement has shifted the mood a little, he said. We need to remain optimistic in taking tiny positive actions. The alternative would allow the exploitative, violent actors to worsen the multiple crises gripping Afghanistan. When the marchers reached Kabul, among other actions, they held a sit-in at the US embassy. If the US can topple a regime in 15 days, the movement wrote in a statement, then why has it not been able to bring peace in the past 17 years? BERLIN (AP) - Prosecutors have charged a German citizen who allegedly fought for the Taliban in Afghanistan, accusing him of membership in a terrorist organization, attempted murder and weapons offenses. Federal prosecutors said Friday the indictment against 37-year-old Thomas K., whose full name was withheld because of German privacy rules, was filed at a Duesseldorf court. Prosecutors say he joined the Taliban in Pakistan's Afghan border region in 2013 and was deployed to a unit responsible for suicide attacks. They say that, as well as preparing explosives and preparing for a suicide attack, he worked on a propaganda video aimed at German radicals. He also allegedly had himself filmed participating in a failed mortar attack on an Afghan army base. He was arrested by Afghan authorities in February and sent back to Germany. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and the revoking of security clearances (all times local): 5:40 p.m. Sixty former CIA officials are joining a chorus of national security professionals denouncing President Donald Trump's decision to yank the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, one of the president's harshest critics. President Donald Trump greets members of the military on the tarmac upon his arrival on Air Force One at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Trump traveled to New York for a campaign fundraiser with supporters and will then travel to Bedminster, N.J, to spend the weekend at his private golf resort. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Trump says he pulled Brennan's clearance because he had to do "something" about the "rigged" federal probe of Russian election interference. Trump says he expects to soon revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for a firm involved in producing a dossier on Trump's ties to Russia. Fifteen former top-ranking intelligence officials already have expressed strong opposition to Trump's move. On Friday, 60 former CIA officials joined them, saying former government officials have a right to express their views on national security issues without fear of being punished. __ 11:10 a.m. President Donald Trump says he expects to "quickly" revoke the security clearance for the Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing the dossier on Trump's ties to Russia. Trump says the official, Bruce Ohr, is a "disgrace." Asked about Ohr's security clearance, Trump said: "I suspect I'll be taking it away very quickly. For him to be in the Justice Department and doing what he did, that is a disgrace." Ohr has come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts to Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS. The opposition research firm hired former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential campaign to compile the dossier. Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked for Fusion GPS during the campaign - something Trump has tweeted about to highlight his assertions of political bias behind the Russia investigation. ___ 12:15 a.m. Former U.S. security officials issued scathing rebukes to President Donald Trump on Thursday, admonishing him for yanking former CIA chief John Brennan's security clearance in what they cast as an act of political vengeance. Trump said he'd had to do "something" about the "rigged" federal probe of Russian election interference. Trump's admission that he acted out of frustration about the Russia probe underscored his willingness to use his executive power to fight back against an investigation he sees as a threat to his presidency. Legal experts said the dispute may add to the evidence being reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. FILE - In this May 23, 2017, file photo, former CIA Director John Brennan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before the House Intelligence Committee Russia Investigation Task Force. President Donald Trump is revoking the security clearance of former Obama administration CIA director Brennan (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States intensified its sanctions against Myanmar on Friday, blacklisting four commanders and two units of security forces for their alleged role in violent campaigns against Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic minorities. Myanmar security forces have engaged in ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses, said Sigal Mandelker, Treasury Department undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. "Treasury is sanctioning units and leaders overseeing this horrific behavior as part of a broader U.S. government strategy to hold accountable those responsible for such wide-scale human suffering." The Trump administration earlier imposed sanctions on the chief of Myanmar's western military command, but has faced pressure from human rights groups and lawmakers to impose more sanctions on those involved in a crackdown that began in August 2017 in western Rakhine State where a brutal military operation in response to attacks on security forces sent 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh. The Rohingya have long faced severe discrimination in the majority Buddhist nation and were the target of violence in 2012 that killed hundreds and drove more than 140,000 people - predominantly Rohingya - from their homes to camps for the internally displaced. The government refuses to recognize the Rohingya as a legitimate native ethnic minority and most Rohingya are denied citizenship and other rights. Myanmar, however, has staunchly denied that its security forces have targeted civilians in so-called clearance operations in Rakhine State on Myanmar's west coast. Friday's action sanctions four commanders with the Myanmar military and border guard police plus two military units for their alleged involvement in ethnic cleansing in Rakhine and other human rights abuses in Myanmar's northern Kachin and Shan states, the scene of separate, ethnic armed insurgencies against the central government. Those sanctioned are: military commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe, Khin Hlaing and Thura San Lwin; and members of the 33rd and 99th light infantry divisions. The sanctions block any property they own within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with them. The U.S. already maintains restrictions on visas, arms sales and assistance to Myanmar's military. In a statement, Myanmar's embassy in Washington said: "Security forces have been instructed to adhere strictly to the code of conduct in carrying out security operations, to exercise all due restraint, and to take full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent civilians. No one is above the law in present Myanmar and those who breach the law will be brought to justice." The crackdown on the Rohingya has cast a shadow over Myanmar's transition to democracy after decades of direct military rule and has set back a rapprochement with Washington initiated by the Obama administration. Myanmar's civilian leader, Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has little control over security operations but has faced stark international criticism for failing to protect the Rohingya. On Friday, 17 U.S. senators appealed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to make public a State Department report detailing atrocities conducted against the Rohingya and submit the report to the department's Office of the Legal Adviser for a determination of whether crimes against humanity and genocide were perpetrated by the security forces in Myanmar, also known as Burma. The U.S. declared in November that there's been "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya but that isn't recognized as an independent crime under international law, whereas crimes against humanity and genocide are. "The Burmese military has murdered thousands of Rohingya; committed widespread rape and sexual violence; razed hundreds of villages; thrown babies into fires; and employed mass graves in an attempt to conceal their terrible crimes," the letter said. _____ Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington contributed to this report. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's attorney general has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the state's appeal of a ruling granting new sentencing hearings for the man serving life terms for the sniper shootings that terrorized the Washington, D.C., region when he was a teenager. Attorney General Mark Herring filed a petition Friday asking the high court to review a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In June, the appeals court ruled that Lee Boyd Malvo should be resentenced in Virginia under U.S. Supreme Court rulings that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional. Herring argues that Malvo's sentence already complies with those rulings. Malvo was 17 when he and John Allen Muhammad fatally shot 10 people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington. Muhammad was executed. Malvo was sentenced to multiple life terms, including four in Virginia. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's lofty vision of big tanks, vintage aircraft and modern fighter jets swooping through the streets of Washington in a show of patriotic force crumbled Friday under the weight of logistics, including a $92 million estimated price tag. Will it be cheaper next year, as Trump contends? Were government budget crunchers "smoking something" like the Pentagon chief suggested? Are corrupt local officials to blame as Trump alleged? A look at how Trump's big idea turned into a big nothing: FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2017 file photo, Marines march during the 58th Presidential Inauguration parade for President Donald Trump in Washington. Trump's lofty vision of big tanks and vintage aircraft moving through the streets of Washington in a show of patriotic force crumbled Friday under the weight of logistics, including a $92 million price tag. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MY PARADE IS BIGGER THAN YOUR PARADE Trump got the idea of a military parade during a trip to France in July of last year. At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump watched enthusiastically from a reviewing stand as the French military showcased its tanks and fighter jets, including many U.S.-made planes, along the famed Champs-Elysees. Washington already has quite a few parades, including some with military participation held on Memorial Day and July 4. There was even a 1991 victory parade following the Gulf War complete with 8,000 marching troops, an F-117 Stealth Fighter, some tanks and a Patriot Missile Launcher. But even that grand display of military hardware from the Gulf War didn't seem to be what Trump had in mind. He noted that France had represented uniforms and equipment from different wars and that the Bastille Day parade lasted a full two hours. Trump said he envisioned a similar military extravaganza next July 4 down Washington's famed Pennsylvania Avenue, which connects the White House to Capitol Hill. Compared to France's parade, "we're going to have to try and top it," he said. TANKS WERE THE FIRST TO GO By the following February, Trump ordered the Pentagon to start planning. Critics compared the idea to the kind of muscular military parades common in authoritarian countries like China and North Korea. "That's just not our style ... You know how powerful you are, you don't have to pretend," said retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden on CNN on Friday, reiterating a common complaint from ex-military officials since Trump first floated the idea. By the time planning was underway at the Pentagon, one thing became clear: the tanks had to go. Old U.S. Army tanks can weigh more than 60 tons. In the 1991 parade, the military put rubber covers on the tank treads but there were still reports of tread marks and damage done to city streets. There also was the cost involved with shipping the mammoth vehicles. The Pentagon declared in a planning memo: "Wheeled vehicles only, no tanks - consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure." THE PRICE INCREASED, THE DATE SLIPPED Also in February, Trump's budget director Mick Mulvaney put the parade cost between $10 million and $30 million. Those were preliminary numbers, he cautioned, and would depend on how long the parade lasts. The date was another issue. According to a report in The Washington Post, the Pentagon wanted to hold such a parade on Veterans Day in November instead. That way it would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the victorious end of World War I instead of being tied to the more political celebration of the country's Independence Day. By Thursday, it became clear that a $30 million parade by November wasn't going to happen. U.S. officials told The Associated Press that the cost could reach $92 million, with roughly $50 million needed to cover military aircraft, equipment, personnel and other support. The remainder would cover costs by other government agencies and largely involve security costs. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss early planning estimates that haven't been finalized or released publicly. Later that day, a Pentagon spokesman said the military and the White House "have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." 'NOW WE CAN BUY SOME MORE JET FIGHTERS!' Defense Secretary Jim Mattis questioned the $92 million figure on Thursday, telling the AP that whoever leaked the figure to the press was "probably smoking something." Then he took a page from Trump's playbook in criticizing the reporters: "Whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. I'll just leave it at that." But by Friday, Trump acknowledged that the costs would be exorbitant. In a tweet, he blamed local politicians and accused them of price gouging, even though much of the price estimate was believed to come from transporting expensive military equipment and other logistics, including security. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it," the president tweeted. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says that's not true. The city estimated that the federal government would need to provide $21.6 million to cover the police presence that would be needed, as well as other fire and emergency medical services. For now, Trump is leaving the door open. "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," he later added. "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" The cost of a single fighter jet can vary dramatically, but some models could cost about the same as the $92 million estimate. And in Washington, the projected costs of anything rarely decline with time. ___ Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's state-run news agency says an employee at the office of a local Muslim cleric in eastern Turkey has opened fire at his colleagues, before turning the gun on himself in a failed suicide attempt. Two people were killed and five others - including the gunman - were wounded in the incident. Anadolu Agency said the shooting took place in the town of Tercan, in Erzincan province, on Friday, as several employees at the local mufti's office were holding a meeting. The agency quoted officials as saying that the assailant, who had psychological problems, argued with some of his colleagues before shooting at them. He later tried to kill himself. Anadolu said some of the wounded were in serious condition. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and another 60 injured at a protest along the Gaza border amid ongoing Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire, Gaza's Health Ministry said Friday. The protesters threw rocks and firebombs from behind clouds of black smoke of burning tires at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and sometimes live fire. Israel's military said some Palestinians also threw improvised explosives and firebombs at the fence and that several were spotted briefly crossing into Israeli territory. It said troops "fired live rounds selectively according to standard operating procedures." Hamas officials have been meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo for days, hammering out details of a possible truce with Israel. Israel and Hamas have come close to serious conflict in recent weeks after four months of violence along Gaza's border. In several instances Gaza militants fired rockets and mortars at Israel which responded with airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas has led weekly border protests aimed in part at drawing attention to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed after Hamas took control of Gaza. Large turnout at the protests has also been driven by widespread desperation in Gaza, amid worsening conditions linked to the blockade. Power is on for just a few hours a day, unemployment has sky-rocketed and poverty is widening. Abdelatif al-Qanou, a Hamas spokesman, said the protests forced Israel to reconsider its blockade policy. "Our people's sacrifice in the protests will be translated into national achievements soon," he said. Since the Gaza protests began at the end of March, 168 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, including at least 125 protesters, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry and a local rights group. An Israeli soldier was killed by a Gaza sniper during this same period. Israel says it is defending its border and accuses Hamas, a group sworn to its destruction, of using the protests as cover for attempts to breach the border fence and attack civilians and soldiers. Palestinians have thrown explosive devices and opened fire at forces along the border in numerous instances over the past few months, the military says. But the high casualty rate among mainly unarmed protesters has drawn international criticism. Also Friday, Israeli police said officers shot and "neutralized" a 30-year-old man from an Arab town in Israel who tried to stab them as they were on duty in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli media said the attacker was killed. Police later released footage from a surveillance camera that shows a man walking along then suddenly pulling out a knife and lunging at the officers. Since 2015, Palestinians have killed over 50 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. Israeli forces killed over 260 Palestinians in that period, most of them attackers. These attacks were at times daily but have since significantly decreased. The Palestinians and human rights groups have accused Israeli forces of using excessive force in some confrontations and of killing Palestinians who did not pose an imminent deadly threat. CAIRO (AP) - Yemen's al-Qaida branch denied on Friday an Associated Press report saying it struck secret deals over territories it controls with the Saudi-led coalition fighting Shiite rebels in the country. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula - considered the terror group's most dangerous branch after failed attacks on U.S. soil - said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel that the report "lacks evidence, reality, or credibility." It added that both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have cooperated with the U.S. using "the dirtiest means," which the group said it would uncover soon. The statement comes after the AP outlined how Emirati forces have integrated al-Qaida members into the ranks of newly formed militias that currently control most of southern Yemen. The Associated Press stands by its reporting, a spokesman said. WALLINGFORD, Conn. (AP) - Victoria Kozar, like many students, met one of her best friends while in college. The now 23-year-old, who attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, says she and Beth lived in the same building and spent hours talking about everything from boyfriends to baking. Her other friends are usually surprised when they find out that Beth Eichelman is 91 years old. Cathleen Dacey, right, a Quinnipiac University law student, talks to Jeanne Piccirillo, 90, and Cairisse Miessau, 85, at Masonicare at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford, Conn. Dacey will live at the center this school year as part of an intergenerational learning program. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb) "I don't refer to her as like, my elderly friend Beth," she said. "She's not like another grandma. She's just one of the girls." Kozar, of New Milford, was among the first students to participate in the Masonicare-Quinnipiac University Students In Residence Program, which had her live during her senior year in 2016-17, at Masonicare at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford. Intergenerational learning isn't new. There are dozens of programs across the nation that have opened assisted living facilities on campus or given senior citizens access to college classrooms. But only a few, such as Quinnipiac, actually have the generations live together. The idea of the program is to tear down generational stereotypes, combat ageism and introduce students to possibility of careers working with the elderly. On Friday, Ashlar Village welcomed Cathleen Dacey, a law student. Dacey has her own apartment there and will provide at least eight hours of service each week in exchange for housing. "I'm really interested in elder law and I find that the best way to help those people is to be with them to listen to them," said Dacey, 23. "So I'm hopeful that this year, I'll learn about their lives, but also how to help them." Kozar, who is applying to medical schools, said the program helped steer her toward a career in geriatrics. She helped run a jewelry-making club and baking class at the center. Residents would ask her for help with computer tablets and technology. "It's nice to have someone come in who's young, who is vibrant, who smiles, who talks to us," said 85-year-old resident Clarisse Miessau, who wore a Quinnipiac University T-shirt Friday to welcome Dacey. "That's what they have done for us." Kozar said she and the other students get just as much, if not more, from the program through living history lessons. Several of the women at the center, she said, had distinguished careers in science and medicine, breaking down barriers that she is now able to walk through. All of them, she said, are happy to share their stories and expertise. "This place was more full of life than many of my college classrooms," she said. "My other friends wanted to spend more time there than anywhere else." The experience inspired her to start an organization, "Old Friends and New," which brought other Quinnipiac students to the center. John Morgan, a university spokesman, said it is becoming clear throughout the higher education community that the elderly are an untapped resource. He said the next step may be to have a Masonicare resident live in a university dorm. In Ohio, students from the Cleveland Institute of Music have been living at the Judson Manor retirement home since 2010. Kristina Kuprevicius, the center's director of marketing, said the arrangement provides a built-in audience for the students and welcome interaction with the younger generation for the seniors. "Between the two generations, there is a lot of comradery that starts to build, because as one resident told me, 'We don't have baggage with each other,'" she said. "Students can ask residents about certain issues and how they should react to their parents, and the seniors are kept up to date by the students." Kozar said the students have learned that the elderly aren't necessarily frail and the older residents have learned that Millennials aren't necessarily self-absorbed, she said. J.P. Venoit, the chief executive of Masonicare, said when they became involved in the Quinnipiac program he assumed the students would come in, do their required work with the elderly and spend the rest of the time in their rooms studying. "That hasn't been the case," he said. "They aren't going through the motions. The have become fully engaged. That has been the interesting part. It's turned out to be something much better, much more than we thought it would be." Cathleen Dacey, 23, a Quinnipiac University law student, gets help from Masonicare CEO J.P. Venoit, right, as she moves into Masonicare at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford, Conn. Dacey will live at the center this school year as part of an intergenerational learning program. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb) Cathleen Dacey, left, a Quinnipiac University law student, is introduced to residents of Masonicare at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford, Conn. Dacey will live at the center this school year as part of an intergenerational learning program. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A teenage girl drew upon gun training from her late father to fatally shoot an abusive boyfriend who was strangling her mother earlier this month in North Carolina, a prosecutor said Friday. Steven Kelley, 46, was found dead by deputies who responded Aug. 8 to a call about a shooting at the house in the North Carolina foothills west of Charlotte, authorities said. He was shot twice and killed by his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter after he attacked the woman and threatened to kill her and her three children in the home they all shared, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said. The children's late father had taught the girl and her siblings how to shoot and safely handle guns, allowing her to effectively use the single-action Colt .45-caliber revolver that had to be cocked between shots, said District Attorney Ted Bell. "The late father had taught the children how to shoot," Bell said in a phone interview. Bell said the mother had hidden guns around the house for protection when the boyfriend started acting dangerously in recent weeks. Bell said he believed the revolver was one of those firearms, but he said the boyfriend also kept guns in the house. Bell said his office determined the shooting was justified and that no charges are warranted against the children. "It was absolutely clear that the mom's life was in jeopardy, as well as potentially the children, and so in that situation we absolutely support the right of somebody to defend themselves and others with deadly force," he said. "I commend the 15-year-old for doing a very difficult thing by saving her mom's and siblings' lives and showing an amazing amount of maturity." Authorities say Kelley was a convicted felon originally from Indiana with a history of domestic violence accusations. Kelley, the woman and her three children had recently moved to North Carolina from Indiana. Kelley had previously attacked the woman on Aug. 4 "and fired multiple rounds from a firearm inside the residence to threaten and terrorize" her, according to a news release by the sheriff and district attorney. He had also threatened her multiple times before, and faced active domestic violence protection orders sought by two different women in Ohio and Indiana, the release said. Kelley was strangling the woman and threatening to cut her throat when the woman's 12-year-old son retrieved the revolver, according to the news release. Authorities say the boy's 15-year-old sister took the gun from him and fired it twice into Kelley's chest. The third sibling, a 16-year-old girl, was grazed in the leg and treated at a hospital and released. The mother also had "significant bruises" from the assault by Kelley, the sheriff's office said. The mother didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday, and two phone numbers listed in public records were disconnected. ___ Follow Drew at https://twitter.com/JonathanLDrew Windhoek brings another rhino saving brew to Britain It does not get much better than drinking beer and saving an endangered species at the same time. That is precisely what Namibian Breweries Ltd offers with its Windhoek brand, which has partnered with Save the Rhino International for conservation efforts. It has sold Windhoek lager in the UK for many years, but importer Morgenrot has now started bringing in Windhoek draught too. The beer comes in 33cl bottles and it is described as an easy-drinking, deliciously smooth and ultra-refreshing beer. Namibia understands the need for quality liquid refreshment better than most, as it is one of the driest in the world. Windhoek draught is a 4% abv sessionable lager with a slightly sweeter finish than its stablemate and it is suitable for vegans. Graham Archibald, Morgenrot sales director, said: The Windhoek lager brand continues to see interest due to its quality and strong southern African following. Windhoek draught is a beer made in the same vein and one regularly requested from consumers so its great to add it to our portfolio. The two beers will be central to our sales push and with a creative marketing campaign plus the partnership with Save The Rhino International, were very excited about where the brand can go. Windhoek began life in 1906, when two German bankers arriving in the erstwhile German colony of South West Africa. Hermann Ohlthaver and Carl List were completely unprepared for the searing sun and desolate landscape and wondered what madness had brought them there and how soon they could return to civilization, according to the firm. Yet they never did. Instead, they scraped together their lifes savings and bought four small local breweries, one more run-down than the next, and set about transforming them efficient facilities working to Germanic precision. The Windhoek founders were passionate about beer, beer made the German way, made according to the Reinheitsgebot of 1516 and so Namibias 100% pure beer was born, said the brewery. Today the production capacity of the Windhoek brewery is upwards of 2.2 million hl per annum, and its brews are exported around the world. Related articles: FREDERICK, Colo. (AP) - The Latest on the arrest of a Colorado man in the disappearance of his family (all times local): 6:30 p.m. A lawyer for a Colorado man suspected in the deaths of his pregnant wife and two young daughters says the daughters' bodies were submerged in crude oil for four days before they were found. This photo combo of images provided by The Colorado Bureau of Investigation shows, from left, Bella Watts, Celeste Watts and Shanann Watts. The Frederick Police Department said Chris Watts was taken into custody. Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. The police said on Twitter early Thursday that Chris Watts will be held at the Weld County Jail. He has not yet been charged. (The Colorado Bureau of Investigation via AP) Defense attorney James Merson made the statement in a court motion Friday. The motion asks a judge to order that DNA samples be taken from the children's throats. In another motion, Merson asks that DNA samples be taken from the hands and nails of the body of the girls' mother. It wasn't immediately clear if the judge ruled on the motions. Thirty-three-year-old Christopher Watts was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of three counts of murder. On Thursday, investigators found the bodies of his wife, Shanann Watts, and their daughters, ages 3 and 4. Investigators haven't publicly discussed a motive. Watts is being held without bail. He's expected to be formally charged by Monday. ___ 11:20 a.m. Accusations that a man killed his pregnant wife and two young daughters is prompting questions about Colorado's lack of a law allowing homicide charges in the violent deaths of fetuses. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado is among 12 states without such a law. Prosecutors are expected to charge Chris Watts on Monday. Watts was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of three counts of murder. Violent crimes have prompted debate before in Colorado, including in 2015 after a woman cut open a pregnant woman's belly and removed her unborn baby. Proposals to change the law have been stymied by debate about when a fetus can legally be considered a human being. Colorado does allow a homicide charge if a fetus was alive outside the mother's body and then killed. ___ 12:05 a.m. Shanann Watts painted a rosy portrait of her family on Facebook, calling her husband and the father of her two young daughters her "rock" and writing that he was "the best dad us girls could ask for." But that idyllic image was shattered Wednesday when her husband, 33-year-old Christopher Watts, was arrested on suspicion of killing his family. Shanann Watts, who was pregnant, and the couple's 3-year-old and 4-year-old daughters were found dead in northern Colorado on Thursday. No motive has been released, leaving family and friends searching for answers. A June 2015 bankruptcy filing captures a picture of a family dealing with financial strain. Christopher Watts, who is being held without bail, is expected to be formally charged by Monday. This booking photo from the Weld County Sheriff's Office shows Chris Watts. Authorities say Watts, the husband of a missing family in Colorado has been arrested in connection with the case. Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Weld County Sheriff's Office via AP) Christopher Watts glances back at a Weld County Sheriff's Deputy as he is escorted out of the courtroom at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Christopher Watts is escorted into the courtroom before his bond hearing at the Weld County Courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Christopher Watts looks down during his bond hearing at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Judge Marcelo A. Kopcow speaks to the attorneys during the bond hearing for Christopher Watts at the Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. Watts, of Colorado, whose wife and daughters disappeared this week was arrested on suspicion of killing them. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke waits for the bond hearing for Christopher Watts to begin at Weld County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. A judge has ordered Watts of Colorado who is accused of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters held in jail without bail. (Joshua Polson/The Greeley Tribune via AP, Pool) An unidentified young boy places a bouquet of flowers on a pile of tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell places flowers with the growing number of tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell reacts after leaving flowers among the tributes growing outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) From left, 4-year-old Liberty Bell joins her mother, Ashley, and father Steven as they put a tribute with others outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Ashley Bell, left, is consoled by her husband, Steven, and 4-year-old daughter Liberty as the woman places a tribute outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Irene Montoya of Aurora, Colo., places a bouquet of flowers as tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A pump jack sits near the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Baltasar Gutierrez, left, joins his daughter, Irene Montoya, in talking to reporters after they left a tributes outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Tributes grow outside the home where a pregnant woman and her two daughters lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband has been arrested in the disappearance of the woman and children. Authorities say that they have found the woman's body and believe to know the whereabouts of the two girls. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A photograph sits amid the tributes as they grow outside the home where a pregnant woman, Shanann Watts, and her two daughters, Bella and Celeste, lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband, Christopher Watts, has been arrested on suspicion of killing his family. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A photograph sits amid the tributes as they grow outside the home where a pregnant woman, Shanann Watts, and her two daughters, Bella and Celeste, lived Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Frederick, Colo. The woman's husband, Christopher Watts, has been arrested on suspicion of killing his family. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) BENDENA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a possible dog-fighting operation after 45 dogs were removed from a property in rural northeast Kansas. The agency said Friday it worked with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to gather evidence and the dogs in Bendena, in Doniphan County. Agents discovered adult and young dogs in "deplorable" conditions Thursday. Some of the dogs had injuries consistent with dog fighting and dog-fighting paraphernalia was found on the property. The bureau didn't describe the breed of dogs. Authorities arrested 28-year-old Colton Albright on 42 counts of dog fighting and other charges. An ASPCA shelter will care for the dogs until a court determines custody. The Great Plains SPCA and the Doniphan County Sheriff's Office are also helping with the case. A baby boom is brewing at a suburban Arizona hospital where 16 intensive care nurses recently discovered they are all pregnant. The nurses at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa outside Phoenix joked Friday they thought there was something in the water when it became clear they were all expecting babies between October and January. Nurse Rochelle Sherman, nearly eight months along, said: 'I don't think we realized just how many of us were pregnant until we started a Facebook group.' Sixteen nurses (12 pictured) at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa joked Friday that they thought there was something in the water when it became clear they were all expecting babies between October and January The hospital on Friday gave the women one-piece rompers (pictured) reading, 'Relax! My mom is a Banner nurse' Nurse Jolene Garrow joked: 'We all formulated this plan to have the holidays off!' Garrow said that as their pregnancies have progressed, the patients have begun noticing that most of the nurses around them are expecting. One patient insisted on touching her belly the night before, she said. Garrow added that their non-pregnant colleagues have been great at helping with patients they should not be exposed to because of conditions or treatments that are potentially dangerous for expectant women, such as tuberculosis or shingles or chemotherapy because of the radiation. But Ashley Adkins worried that the other nurses are getting tired of their pregnancy-focused conversations. 'They just roll their eyes!' she laughed. 'More baby talk!' Hospital officials noted that the Banner medical center chain has a pool of floating nurses that should ensure shifts are covered when their ICU nursing specialists begin taking their 12-week maternity leaves starting in the fall. The nurses said their colleagues are throwing a group baby shower next week. The hospital on Friday gave the women one-piece rompers reading, 'Relax! My mom is a Banner nurse!' One nurse said that as their pregnancies have progressed, the patients have begun noticing that most of the nurses around them are expecting Most of the sixteen pregnant nurses who work together in the intensive care unit at Banner Desert Medical Center show their baby tummies on Friday UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. envoy for Yemen has invited the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels to talks aimed at ending a three-year conflict that has killed over 10,000 people. The office of U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths said Friday that formal invitations were sent to both parties for talks on Sept. 6 in Geneva. Griffiths told the Security Council earlier this month that the pace of fighting in Yemen has increased and "the Red Sea is now a theater of war." He said the time is past to resume the political process and he hopes to discuss a framework for peace negotiations with the internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels. Yemen has been embroiled in a war since 2015 that has pitted a Saudi-led coalition which backs the government against the Iran-aligned Houthis. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Friday that he suspects he'll "very quickly" revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing a dossier on Trump's ties to Russia. Signaling that his efforts to target clearances over his frustration with the Russia investigation were not over, Trump tweeted that it was a "disgrace" for Bruce Ohr to be in the Justice Department. His comments came two days after he yanked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, saying he had to do "something" about the "rigged" federal probe of Russian election interference. Critics have cast it as an act of political vengeance. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Southampton, N.Y., for a fundraiser. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Ohr has come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts to Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS. The opposition research firm hired former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential campaign to compile the dossier on Trump and his Russia ties. Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked for Fusion GPS during the campaign - something Trump has tweeted about to highlight his assertions of political bias behind the Russia investigation. Former U.S. security officials on Thursday issued scathing rebukes to Trump for moving against Brennan. Trump's admission that he acted out of frustration with the Russia probe underscored his willingness to use his executive power to fight back against an investigation he sees as a threat to his presidency. Legal experts said the dispute may add to the evidence being reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, Brennan said Trump's decision, announced Wednesday, to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mueller's investigation. Brennan, who served under President Barack Obama and has become a vocal Trump critic, called Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia "hogwash." The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," Brennan wrote. Later Thursday, the retired Navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden called Trump's moves "McCarthy-era tactics." Writing in The Washington Post, William H. McRaven said he would "consider it an honor" if Trump would revoke his clearance, as well. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," McRaven wrote. That was followed late Thursday by a joint letter from 15 former senior intelligence officials calling Trump's action "ill-considered and unprecedented." They said it "has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances - and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech." The signees included seven former CIA directors, six former CIA deputy directors and two former national intelligence directors, James Clapper and retired Navy Adm. Denny Blair. Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Then on Friday, 60 former CIA officials issued their own statement, joining a chorus of opposition from the intelligence community to Trump's decisions to threaten to or actually pull clearances. They said former government officials have a right to express unclassified views on national security issues without fear of being punished for doing so. They said they did not necessarily concur with all the opinions expressed by Brennan, or the way in which he expressed them. But they said they believe the "country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views." Trump on Wednesday openly tied his decision to strip Brennan of his clearance - and threaten nearly a dozen other former and current officials - to the ongoing investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump again called the probe a "rigged witch hunt" and said "these people led it!" "So I think it's something that had to be done," he said. The president's comments were a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House earlier Wednesday that cited the "the risks" posed by Brennan's supposed "erratic conduct and behavior." It marked the latest example of the president contradicting a story his aides had put forward to explain his motivations. Attorneys said the revocation appeared to be within the president's authority. But they noted the power play also could be used to reinforce a case alleging obstruction of justice, following the president's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his repeated tweets calling for the investigation to end. Patrick Cotter, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York and a longtime white-collar defense attorney, said that while a prosecutor could argue that Trump's targeting of clearances was intended as a warning that "if you contribute to, participate in, support the Russia probe and I find out about it, I'm going to punish you," it is likely not obstruction in itself. But, he said the move would be a "powerful piece of evidence" for prosecutors as part of a pattern to demonstrate an intent to use presidential power in connection with the probe. Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor agreed. "What it shows is that the president is fixated on the Russia investigation, he's angry about it, and he wants to do everything he can to discourage or slow down the investigation," he said. Mueller and his team have been looking at Trump's public statements and tweets as they investigate whether the president could be guilty of obstruction. "I don't think it advances the criminal obstruction case, but I think it's factually relevant," said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. "I think it shows the state of mind and intent to interfere or impede any unfavorable discussion of his potential connection to Russia." Former CIA directors and other top national security officials are typically allowed to keep their clearances, at least for some period. ___ Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann and Jessica Gresko contributed to this report. __ Follow Colvin and Lucey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/colvinj and https://twitter.com/catherine_lucey President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Southampton, N.Y., for a fundraiser. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) FILE - In this May 23, 2017, file photo, former CIA Director John Brennan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before the House Intelligence Committee Russia Investigation Task Force. President Donald Trump is revoking the security clearance of former Obama administration CIA director Brennan (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) ADDS IDENTITY OF FORMER FBI LAWYER LISA PAGE - These file photos, top row from left are former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former FBI Director James Comey, former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe and former national security adviser Susan Rice. Bottom row from left are former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper. President Donald Trump acted Aug. 15, 2018, on a threat and revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, citing a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information. Trump says he is reviewing security clearances for nine other individuals, including the eight pictured. (AP Photo/Files) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Stan Lee's restraining order against a former business manager was extended for three years on Friday, in another apparent step toward stability for the Marvel Comics mogul after a tumultuous year. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered Keya Morgan to stay away from the Marvel Comics mogul and his family members, making permanent a previous temporary restraining order that Lee's lawyers had received. The 95-year-old Lee has been the subject of a power struggle involving his daughter, Morgan, and others who sought roles in his life and business after the death last year of Lee's wife, Joan, who was his de facto manager and closest adviser. FILE - In this June 28, 2017 file photo, Stan Lee arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Lee's restraining order against a former business manager has been extended for three years. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge approved the move Friday, aug. 17, 2018, ordering Keya Morgan to stay away from the Marvel Comics mogul and his family. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Lee's lawyer Jonathan Freund told The Associated Press that Lee and his family are pleased he can move forward with his life and get on with his work "without being bothered or harassed." Morgan, a film producer with a hand in many parts of the entertainment business, gained control over Lee's business for several months this year, until elder abuse allegations emerged from Lee's attorneys and police opened an investigation into the issue. Morgan has not been charged with elder abuse, but he has been charged with reporting a false emergency for calling 911 when a social worker and detectives came to check on Lee. The restraining order request also alleges he embezzled millions in assets from Lee. Morgan's attorney Alex Kessel told the AP that his client has done nothing harmful to Lee. "He never has, and he never will," Kessel said. Morgan has previously adamantly denied he ever had bad intentions with Lee, who he says is a cherished friend. With Morgan's ouster, Lee's daughter J.C. Lee and her attorneys returned as the main managers of Lee's affairs. Freund said Le, who co-created the Incredible Hulk, Spider Man, and much of Marvel's comic and cinematic universe, is creating comic characters again, and his previously deteriorating health is improving. "He's doing better every day," Freund said. ___ https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton SAN MARINO, Calif. (AP) - Visitors were flocking to the Huntington Library in Southern California on Friday to get a whiff of a so-called corpse flower, known for the rotten stench it releases when it blooms. The flower, nicknamed "Stink," began blooming unexpectedly on Thursday night, Huntington spokeswoman Lisa Blackburn said. "We thought we had a few more days to go. But it was ready, and it was pretty spectacular," she said. "The great thing about these flowers is they're so unusual-looking and have this reputation for smelling really bad. It gets all kinds of people really interested in botanical science. It's just a charismatic plant." Visitors look at the so-called corpse flower, known for the rotten stench it releases when it blooms, at the Huntington Library Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in San Marino, Calif. The flower, nicknamed "Stink," began blooming unexpectedly on Thursday night, Huntington spokeswoman Lisa Blackburn said. (AP Photo/Ariel Tu) Corpse flowers typically take 15 years to reach a mature blooming size, and blooms usually only last 24 hours. The foul odor the plants emit attracts insects for pollination. The plants don't emit the foul odor until they bloom. "It smelled like rotting meat or decaying rats or gym socks," said Brandon Tam, an orchid specialist at the Huntington. The scent decreased on Friday afternoon as the flower started to close back up. "But if you are close enough, you'll be able to get a little whiff of it," Tam said. "Stink" is the sixth corpse flower to bloom at the institution in suburban San Marino. The last was on Aug. 23, 2014. The plant is one of the three corpse flowers expected to bloom within the next week. The two other flowers, nicknamed "Stunk" and "Stank," should bloom in the next few days, Blackburn said. "This is the first time the Huntington is going to bloom total of three in one season, which is quite rare," Tam said. "It is a surprise to see we have three all at once." The Huntington is seeing more visitors than normal. More than 500 Huntington members flocked to the Huntington Library to view the blooming on Thursday night, Tam said. "I've known about the corpse flower since the first time I saw it in 2009. So every time I hear about it about to bloom, I want to come and see it," visitor Jeannette Hollyday said. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with more than 100 synthetic-marijuana overdoses, many of them in the same New Haven park, after authorities say they caught him with 32 bags of the drug, police said Friday. Some of the victims identified John Parker, of New Haven, as one of the people who was dealing K2 on the New Haven Green, where most of the overdoses occurred Wednesday and Thursday, Police Chief Anthony Campbell said. No deaths were reported, and officials said most people recovered quickly. No overdoses were reported Friday. An overdose victim is comforted while being treated by emergency medical reponders on the New Haven Green, a city park in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Investigators try to determine exactly what sickened them and tens of other victims. People started falling ill Wednesday morning, mostly on the New Haven Green. No deaths were reported. Police have arrested a man who they say may have passed out free samples of synthetic marijuana. (Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP) Parker, who was arrested Wednesday, was charged with drug crimes after being found in possession of the K2 bags, Campbell said. He was also charged in connection with drug sales in the city earlier this year, the chief said. Campbell also said two other people were arrested - one by New Haven police and one by federal authorities - but investigators were trying to determine whether they were connected to the overdoses. Authorities described chaotic scenes at the park near Yale University, with people falling unconscious at the same time. Others became nauseated and vomited, officials said. Some people who overdosed returned to the green and overdosed again, officials said. Parker was detained on $225,000 bail. A public defender said there was no proof linking any drugs Parker may have had to the overdoses. The arrests do not mean all the bad K2 has been located, Campbell said. "We want people to be warned that what they have could be extremely dangerous and they should not use it," he said. One of the other men arrested, Felix Melendez, 37, was charged with drug crimes during the investigation, but Campbell said it hadn't been determined whether he was connected to the overdoses. He was found in possession of K2 and received a two-year probation sentence earlier this year for selling the same drug on the green. It wasn't immediately clear whether Melendez had a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. Federal authorities arrested a third person, who was not identified, Campbell said. Synthetic marijuana, called "spice" and other names , usually is plant material sprayed with chemicals or other substances that is sold in small, colorful packets. It has been blamed for other mass overdoses across the country. In May, more than 50 people in New York overdosed on K2, none fatally. One of three simultaneous drug overdose victims is treated on the New Haven Green, a city park in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Investigators try to determine exactly what sickened the victims. People started falling ill Wednesday morning, mostly on the New Haven Green. No deaths were reported. Police have arrested a man who they say may have passed out free samples of synthetic marijuana. (Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP) An ambulance crew responds to one of three simultaneous drug overdose victims on the New Haven Green, a city park in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Investigators try to determine exactly what sickened them and tens of other victims. People started falling ill Wednesday morning, mostly on the New Haven Green. No deaths were reported. Police have arrested a man who they say may have passed out free samples of synthetic marijuana. (Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal grand jury in California indicted 12 men suspected of being members of the violent MS-13 gang on charges that include murder, extortion, arson and drug trafficking, authorities said. The men indicted Thursday in San Jose lived in Santa Cruz - a sanctuary city - and their victims included immigrants from El Salvador living in the area, prosecutors said. Members of the gang would meet to discuss who had an interest in killing certain targets, authorities said. "They instilled fear in everyone who experienced or witnessed their brutality," U. S. Attorney Alex G. Tse said. The charges mark the latest development in a case that created a rift between federal and local authorities involving Santa Cruz's sanctuary city policy. The defendants were arrested in early 2017 as part of a five-year investigation involving federal and local law enforcement agencies. Local authorities later said they were duped into helping make immigration arrests, violating the city's sanctuary law. Then-Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel said Department of Homeland Security officials lied when they assured police the joint operation would not include immigration-related arrests. Assistant Chief Dan Flippo said he learned a number of immigration arrests were made the next night when dozens of protesters disrupted a Santa Cruz City Council meeting to voice their displeasure over the raids. As a sanctuary city, Santa Cruz prohibits its police from cooperating with federal authorities investigating immigration violations. Immigrant and civil rights advocates say sanctuary laws encourage immigrants to report crime to police without fearing deportation. Critics say it makes it too difficult for federal agents to find and deport ex-convicts who are a danger to communities. The defendants indicted Thursday had been in custody since the 2017 joint operation. They range in age from 23 to 38 and are accused of belonging to a branch of MS-13 known as Santa Cruz Salvatrucha Locos 13. The indictment alleges that Velarmino Escobar-Ayala, Tomas Rivera, Melvin Lopez, Alexander Martinez-Flores, Erik Escalante-Torres and Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar, conspired to commit a murder and that all of the men, except for Lopez, committed the killing. Also indicted were Ismael Alvarenga-Rivera, Willfredo Ayala-Garcia, Jose David Abrego-Galdamez, Gerber Morales, Emilio Escobar-Albarnga and Josue Alcedis Escobar-Cerritos. All 12 suspects were charged with racketeering and drug trafficking. Messages left for their attorneys were not immediately returned. NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday: Nvidia Corp., down $12.62 to $244.82 The chipmaker's profit forecast fell short of Wall Street forecasts. Applied Materials Inc., down $3.66 to $43.77 The chipmaking equipment company's quarterly profit and revenue estimates were lower than analysts expected. Tesla Inc., down $29.95 to $305.50 The Wall Street Journal said the SEC began investigating Tesla last year, while an interview with CEO Elon Musk raised concerns about his health. Nordstrom Inc., up $6.90 to $59.18 The department store raised its annual forecasts after a strong second quarter. Zoe's Kitchen Inc., up $3.18 to $12.74 The restaurant chain said Cava Group agreed to buy it for $12.75 a share, or $249.9 million. Deere & Co., up $3.24 to $140.59 The farm equipment maker reported strong sales but said freight and materials costs are still putting pressure on its business. Pinnacle West Capital Corp., up 57 cents to $82.27 Utilities and other big dividend payers rose as bond yields turned lower Friday. Accuray Inc., up 35 cents to $3.88 The radiation oncology company forecast stronger sales in the next year than analysts expected. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Argentina says that a U.S. company will help search for an Argentine submarine that disappeared in the South Atlantic last year with 44 crew members aboard. The Defense Ministry says Ocean Infinity Inc. will get paid $7.5 million - but only if it finds the submarine. Families of the crew had been staging a protest demanding answers about the whereabouts of the missing sub. They ended the demonstration Friday following the late Thursday announcement. A blast occurred near the time and place where the ARA San Juan went missing Nov. 15 as it was sailing from the extreme southern port of Ushuaia to Mar del Plata. Argentina gave up hope of finding survivors, but the Argentine navy has continued searching for the vessel. WASHINGTON (AP) - Justice Department lawyers asked a federal judge Friday to let them file a legal appeal that could, for now, keep President Donald Trump's critics from getting access to financial records related to his Washington, D.C., hotel. Trump has been fighting multiple lawsuits that argue that foreign representatives' spending money at the Trump International Hotel is a violation of the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause, which bans federal officials from accepting benefits from foreign or state governments without congressional approval. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte, who is based in Maryland, ruled last month that one of those lawsuits could go forward. FILE - This Dec. 21, 2016 file photo shows the Trump International Hotel at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, in Washington. The Justice Department is asking a federal judge to let them file a legal appeal that could, for now, keep President Donald Trump's critics from gaining access to financial records related to his Washington hotel. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) In a sally to prevent the case moving on to legal discovery - which would potentially unearth financial records such as Trump's income tax returns - Justice Department lawyers asked Messitte on Friday to put the case on hold while they appeal his decision to a higher court in Richmond, Virginia. The plaintiffs, the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia, have said they plan to move forward quickly with discovery - for example, seeking information from the hotel, a Trump hotel steakhouse and the General Services Administration as well as the president's financial records. In court documents, the Justice Department objected to any discovery on a sitting president in his official capacity because of separation of powers concerns, in order to avoid a "constitutional confrontation" between two branches of government. Justice lawyers argued that the "public interest is decidedly in favor of a stay because any discovery would necessarily be a distraction to the President's performance of his constitutional duties." D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine responded: "After winning two major rulings in this case already, we anticipated President Trump's most recent motion. Nonetheless, our case is still moving forward. We are on track to propose a schedule for discovery by September 14, and we hope to request relevant documents shortly thereafter." The emoluments clause has never been fully tested in an American courtroom. Two other lawsuits accusing the president of violating the emoluments clause are also being heard in other federal courts. Neither has reached the discovery stage. Messitte's ruling last month that an emolument "extends to any profit, gain or advantage" was the first time a federal judge had defined the term's application to the president. It is that definition, and the argument that the plaintiffs have suffered actual harm and have a right to sue, that the Justice Department wants reviewed by a higher court. The plaintiffs have argued that Trump - who has declined to divest from his assets as president - is capitalizing on the presidency and causing harm to businesses trying to compete with his Washington hotel, which is just steps from the White House. The Justice Department has said earnings from business activities, including hotel room stays, don't qualify as emoluments. Its attorneys have argued that under Maryland and D.C.'s interpretation, no federal official would even be able to own stock from a foreign company that provides profits or collects royalties. The case raises important questions and should provide "clarity on the boundaries of what a president can do while in office," said Ted Boutrous, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP who's been keeping an eye on all the cases, but isn't involved. "The discovery would be interesting too," he added with a laugh. __ Follow Tami Abdollah on Twitter at https://twitter.com/latams LOS ANGELES (AP) - A South Korean-born U.S. Army specialist who sued after the military moved to discharge her has been granted citizenship, her attorneys said Friday. Yea Ji Sea, 29, had filed a lawsuit last month demanding a response to her citizenship application. She came to the country as a child on a visitor visa and held other visas before enlisting in 2013 under a special government program for foreign citizens who want to serve in the U.S. military. Under the program, recruits agreed in their enlistment contracts to apply to naturalize as soon as their honorable service was certified. Yea Ji Sea, a former U.S. Army specialist who was born in South Korea, talks with reporters after a federal court hearing in Los Angeles Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. Sea filed a lawsuit in July, 2018, demanding a response to her citizenship application after the military moved to discharge her. She has since been discharged. U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald says the government will have to rule on Sea's application by Sept. 5 or explain the delay to the court. (AP Photo/Ariel Tu) Her lawsuit alleged that that the government improperly failed to process her citizenship application. Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled immigration officials had three weeks to decide whether to approve the citizenship application or explain the delay to the court. On Friday, the Justice Department notified Sea that her application was approved, according to the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California. She's scheduled to be sworn in at a citizenship ceremony on Aug. 24. "I love this country and was honored to serve it in the U.S. Army," Sea said in a statement. "I had felt like I was like I was an American since I was a child, growing up here. I had hoped for a long career in the Army. But I am so happy now that I will be a citizen." Sea's attorney, Sameer Ahmed, said he was "glad the government has made good on its promise under its enlistment program." Ahmed said earlier this week that he believed Sea's case was part of a greater effort by the Trump administration to deny citizenship to soldiers. The Associated Press reported last month immigration attorneys knew of more than 40 U.S. Army reservists and recruits who enlisted in the military with a promised path to citizenship and have been discharged or whose status has become questionable, jeopardizing their futures. The Army has since temporarily stopped discharging immigrant recruits, pending a review of the program. Sea applied for citizenship in 2014, but she was denied after immigration officials alleged there had been a fraudulent document in an earlier student visa application. Sea believed the paperwork she obtained through an approved language school was legitimate, according to the lawsuit, but the school's owner was convicted in a fraud case. ___ Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 . Florida's penchant for the weird and strange - often manifested in new ways of criminal behavior (think chasing people through a store with a live alligator) - is so prevalent it's created a cottage industry of chroniclers and followers. But like a contagion that has escaped a hermetically-sealed lab, the swamp fever of Florida weirdness appears to be spreading now to the politicians who represent the state's nearly 21 million residents. Over the past week, a legislative candidate staged an elaborate scam to try to convince people she was a college graduate. Another candidate had to deny putting out a Facebook ad accusing an opponent of distributing tainted breast milk. And then there's the thing about, well, sphincter bleaching (More on that later.) In this Tuesday, July 17, 2018 file photo, Melissa Howard who is running for the District 73 State House seat being vacated by state Rep. Joe Gruters meets with voters during a "meet the candidates" event at Gold Coast Eagle Distriburing in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Howard, a Republican candidate for the Florida Legislature who falsely claimed she had a college degree and posted a purported copy of her diploma online dropped out of her race. Florida's penchant for the weird and strange is so prevalent it's created a cottage industry of chroniclers and followers. But like a contagion, a string of bizarre incidents make it appear that this trend is spreading like a swamp fever to the politicians who represent the state's nearly 21 million residents. (Phil Diederich/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP, File) Even for long-time followers of the Florida experience (guns, gators, greed) this is a bit confounding. "Florida politics has always been as weird as Florida in general, but this year has seen a Twilight Zone level of campaign screw-ups, oddball candidates, post Republican Trumpers in all their lunatic glory, edge cases, easily debunked fraudsters and a cavalcade of stupid," said Rick Wilson, a GOP consultant whose hostility toward the president he recently channeled into a best-selling book. "The political subspecies of 'Florida Man' is in full glory." Ah yes, Florida man. The now revered meme and trope about bizarre incidents in the Sunshine State often spreads across the internet faster than a startled palmetto bug in the middle of the night. It does not on most days refer to those men and women who have sought public office. (Although the record must reflect some notable incidents over the years including a fist fight in the Florida House, a parking lot brawl instigated by insults hurled on the radio, and a county commissioner who fled the country amid a tangled tale involving drugs and a stolen car.) But consider these recent events: A city commission candidate on Florida's east coast told The Daytona Beach News-Journal on Wednesday that his Facebook account was hacked and that the hacker put up an ad attacking his opponent for passing on genetically defective breast milk. Melissa Howard, a candidate for the Florida Legislature, dropped out of her race this week after it was revealed that she had falsely claimed to have a college degree and posted a purported copy of her diploma online. Howard had previously posted a photo of herself with what looked like a Miami University diploma. But the Ohio university later sent reporters a statement saying she attended the school, but never graduated. The Miami Herald reported that the mayor of Hallandale Beach in south Florida on Monday accused a city commissioner of making a living from "sphincter bleaching" after she questioned whether he made a living at all. Mayor Keith London was appointed to his job earlier this year after the previous mayor was arrested and charged with accepting illegal Russian campaign donations. The Herald acknowledged it wasn't clear what London meant. Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub's mother does own a spa that sells skin-bleaching cream but she told the paper she doesn't work there. One veteran political observer in Florida isn't convinced that Floridians are witnessing a new trend. Instead Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist, contends the rise of social media has made it more likely that such incidents get attention. "I don't think it's any more or less crazy," Schale said. "I think it's more out there ... For democracy to be representative, the public space is going to have its share of people who are nuts." Ok, America, you have been warned. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was accused in court filings Friday of destroying evidence relevant to the case of families from Sandy Hook Elementary School who are suing him for claiming the massacre was a hoax. Attorneys for two Sandy Hook victims noted that Jones said during a recent broadcast of his radio program that he'd told his staff to delete information from the website of his "Infowars" media company after CNN cited content from it for violating Twitter policies. That followed Twitter saying earlier this week that it was temporarily suspending Jones for violating company rules about inciting violence. Families of Sandy Hook victims are suing Jones for spreading false claims about the 2012 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that killed 20 children and six adults. Jones originally suggested that the killings were staged, and those suing him said they've since been tormented by his followers and forced to move seven times. Jones now says he believes the Sandy Hook shooting did occur, but has argued that the case should be dismissed because he was acting as a journalist. Jones' attorney, Mark Enoch, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Friday. The filings came in Travis County, which includes Austin, near where Jones' media company is based. They argue that Jones "admitted that he instructed his staff to delete the materials." "The loss of this evidence prejudices plaintiffs' case because InfoWars deleted social media and video evidence related to the Sandy Hook shooting," the filing argued. "This evidence could have established key elements of plaintiffs' defamation claim." A similar defamation lawsuit against Jones has also been filed in Connecticut. A separate suit in Texas was brought by a man falsely identified on the Infowars website as the gunman who killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida, in February. On Tuesday, Twitter said it was suspending for one week Jones' personal account. The account for Infowars wasn't affected, though Facebook, Apple, YouTube and Spotify have taken down material published by Jones, reflecting more aggressive enforcement of hate speech policies amid online backlash. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including one who became a youth pastor after serving six years in the 1990s for murdering a rival gang member. The three were among 36 pardons granted by Brown within the past week. He's also commuted the sentences of 31 current inmates who can now seek speedier paroles. Among the pardons are Cambodian refugee Vanna In, who entered the United States at age 3. He served six years for the murder of a fellow gang member at age 17 but was released in 2001. In this May 4, 2018 photo, Vanna In, center, poses for photos with two of his three children, Thanny, left, and Jeevin in Fresno, Calif. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including Vanna In, who became a youth pastor after serving six years in the 1990s for murdering a rival gang member. (Eric Paul Zamora/The Fresno Bee via AP) He subsequently started Jobs of Hope for former gang members, which Brown's pardon says has "helped dozens of individuals to turn away from gangs and become law abiding, productive citizens." He also became a youth minister at a Mennonite Brethren church and hundreds wrote to the governor attesting to his rehabilitation. "While the seriousness of the crime can never be minimized," Brown wrote, "I believe that Mr. In should be permitted to have the chance at remaining in a community to which he has devoted a life of service." He is currently under a deportation order after living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident, Brown wrote. Phal Sok served 15 years for a Los Angeles County armed robbery and now works for criminal justice reform. He was three years old when he came to the United States as a Cambodian refugee and has lived here as a lawful permanent resident for 37 years but is currently under removal proceedings, Brown's pardon said. Los Angeles-area businessman Heng Lao served two years for assault with a deadly weapon. Lao is also a Cambodian facing deportation, Brown's office said, although his circumstances are not outlined in his pardon. "Those granted pardons all completed their sentences years ago and the majority were convicted of drug-related or other nonviolent crimes," Brown's office said in a statement. "Pardons are not granted unless they are earned." Brown has granted 1,186 pardons since returning to the governor's office in 2011 and granted 404 during his first two terms as governor from 1975 to 1983. Brown's father, Edmund G. "Pat" Brown had 467 pardons and 55 commutations, but there have been long stretches of very few. From 1991 through 2010, former Govs. Pete Wilson and Gray Davis issued no pardons while Arnold Schwarzenegger handed out just 15. Brown has commuted 82 sentences in his most recent two terms, compared to 10 by Schwarzenegger, none by Davis and four by Wilson. This May 4, 2018 photo shows Vanna In while interviewed in Fresno, Calif. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including Vanna In, who became a youth pastor after serving six years in the 1990s for murdering a rival gang member. (Eric Paul Zamora/The Fresno Bee via AP) In this May 4, 2018 photo, Vanna In carries his daughter Thanny in Fresno, Calif. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including Vanna In, who became a youth pastor after serving six years in the 1990s for murdering a rival gang member. (Eric Paul Zamora/The Fresno Bee via AP) In this Feb. 13, 2017 photo, Phal Sok sits in a transitional house where he currently lives in Los Angeles. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, he pardoned three former prisoners facing the threat of deportation to Cambodia, including Sok. Sok served 15 years for a Los Angeles County armed robbery and now works for criminal justice reform. (Genaro Molina /Los Angeles Times via AP) LAS VEGAS (AP) - Long-fought plans for Las Vegas to pump and pipe drinking water from arid valleys just west of the Utah state line were dealt a severe blow Friday with a ruling from Nevada's top state water official. State Engineer Jason King denied groundwater rights to the Las Vegas-based Southern Nevada Water Authority in vast rural tracts in Lincoln and White Pine counties, even though applications had been approved three times since 2007. However, King also said he'll appeal a state judge's order that forced him to hold do-over hearings last year that put him in a position "to upend the historical application of Nevada water law and water rights." FILE - In this July 16, 2014 file photo, what was once a marina sits high and dry due to Lake Mead receding in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas. Nevada's top state water official has dealt a severe blow to long-fought plans for Las Vegas to pump drinking water from arid valleys just west of the Nevada-Utah state line. State Engineer Jason King's ruling Friday effectively rescinds earlier approvals for Southern Nevada Water Authority groundwater rights in vast rural tracts in Lincoln and White Pine counties. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) The water authority also promised an appeal with a statement lamenting the "difficulty" King faced complying with what it called District Court Judge Robert Estes's "contradictory" instructions. "Southern Nevada, which is home to 73 percent of the population in the state, uses less than 5 percent of the state's total available water supply," the statement said. "There is water available in these basins for appropriation, but the state engineer is prevented from doing so by the scope of (Estes') instructions, which impose unprecedented requirements into the science of water appropriation in Nevada." Estes, from the White Pine County seat of Ely, had rejected as "arbitrary and capricious" King's approval in March 2012 of the pumping plan. The judge ordered the state engineer to recalculate if there really was enough water underground to supply the 250-mile (400-kilometer) pipeline with enough water to serve more than 165,000 homes. Opponents and environmental groups in Nevada and Utah, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, argued that the sparsely populated Spring, Cave, Dry Lake and Delamar valleys would be reduced to dust bowls. The Mormon church has a ranch in Spring Valley. "The Las Vegas water grab was always nothing more than a speculative play to fuel unfettered and unsustainable growth at the expense of the ecosystems and communities of eastern Nevada," Patrick Donnelly, Nevada chief of the Center for Biological Diversity, said following King's ruling. Officials in Las Vegas have projected the pump-and-pipeline project could cost billions of dollars, but have said it might become essential if drought keeps shrinking the Lake Mead reservoir on the Colorado River. Money has not been allocated. Federal water managers said this week that a drier regional climate coupled with rising demand could prompt cutbacks in water deliveries to Arizona and Nevada by 2020. Lake Mead supplies 90 percent of Las Vegas drinking water. Water authority chief John Entsminger has in recent years suggested the pipeline might not be immediately needed if water conservation efforts continue to improve, even as Las Vegas, a city of some 2.2 million people and more than 40 million tourists a year, continues to grow. A key finding in King's 111-page ruling was that the water authority pumping plan would threaten an unusually lush Spring Valley area of meadows and swamp cedar plants designated a "critical environmental concern." The state engineer also accepted a water authority plan dubbed "3M" for monitoring, management and mitigation. He said it satisfied the judge's order by responding to concerns raised by Utah's Millard and Juab counties. Attorney Simeon Herskovits, representing the Great Basin Water Network, Indian tribes and White Pine County, called the ruling a positive outcome in the years-long fight against the pipeline plan. But he said he had concerns about some of King's findings, including the 3M plan. One boy is in a critical condition and another is seriously ill after four teenagers were stabbed on a south London housing estate. The incident on Thursday evening happened close to where a drill rapper was stabbed to death earlier this month. Scotland Yard said the victims of the latest incident in Camberwell were between 15 and 16 years old. UPDATE: Four teens injured in Camberwell stabbings https://t.co/9X3NfBMKoE pic.twitter.com/1kjE2UZf1G Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 17, 2018 Meanwhile, six boys aged between 15 and 16 are in custody after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and grievous bodily harm. A crime scene remained in place on Friday morning and detectives were being assisted by specialist officers to reassure worried locals. A crime scene was in place outside Landor House in Camberwell after the quadruple stabbing (Jonathan Brady/PA) Witnesses said they heard a teenager crying Help, help before the quadruple stabbing outside Landor House on the Elmington Estate. A group of boys were seen running minutes before police arrived on the estate after being called shortly before 5.25pm. Four males, aged between 15 and 16 years, were found suffering from stab wounds, Scotland Yard said. Police officers outside Landor House in Camberwell (Jonathan Brady/PA) They were taken by London Ambulance Service to hospitals in south London, where one remains critical, one is in a serious but stable condition and the remaining two did not suffer serious injuries. Witnesses who saw the aftermath described at least one teenager who appeared to be seriously hurt. It was very traumatising, said a 25-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified. The scene behind Landor House in Camberwell was littered with paramedic equipment and bloodied clothing (Jonathan Brady/PA) The crime scene which was littered with bloodied clothing, trainers and medical equipment is just a short walk from Warham Street, where 23-year-old drill rapper Sidique Kamara, also known as Incognito, was stabbed to death on August 1. Sidique Kamara, 23, aka drill rapper Incognito, was stabbed to death in Warham Street, Camberwell, on the evening of August 1 (Metropolitan Police/PA) A witness to Thursdays incident said he did not think any of those involved lived on the estate. Ten minutes before the stabbing I saw a whole heap of youths run down that way, said the man, who asked not to be named, indicating towards the crime scene. Then 10 minutes later I heard people shouting and bawling out the back there. When I looked round the back there, I saw the youth come running from the block. He came to the corner and dropped. He was holding his belly and all of his intestines were falling on the ground. Another neighbour, who did not give her name, described seeing boys running on the grass opposite her flat shortly before the stabbing. There were four or five black boys running. All of a sudden I could hear Help, help, she said. I have walked up and, as I did, I have seen the police running. One of the police officers got a first aid bag and I saw one of the boys lying on the floor. Labour MP Harriet Harman said she was very concerned by the latest incident (Lauren Hurley/PA) Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham Harriet Harman said she was very concerned by the latest stabbing and was in contact with police and councillors. Superintendent Annmarie Cowley said: This incident is in its very early stages and at present we cannot speculate on what the nature of it may be. What we can say for certain is if there needed to be an example of the utter senselessness of knife crime, then this is it. Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson has confirmed he was arrested. Police said they made an arrest while investigating criminality linked to the UVF in East Belfast. A 28 year old man who was arrested earlier today under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on suspicion of unlawfully supplying door staff has been released on bail pending further police enquiries. Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 16, 2018 A man was detained and later released on Thursday. Jamie Bryson (Niall Carson/PA) The PSNI said the 28-year-old was arrested in North Down and questioned on suspicion of unlawfully supplying door staff following searches in Bangor, Donaghadee and Newtownards. Malicious & entirely contrived arrest yesterday. No evidence put to me & search warrant confirms no search for anything connected to paramilitary activity. PSNI- without charge- try to ban me from telling ANYONE, meanwhile they issue a false & prejudicial statement. pic.twitter.com/VgPKllfiEE Jamie Bryson (@JamieBrysonCPNI) August 17, 2018 Mr Bryson has denied involvement in criminality. The man was released on bail pending further inquiries. The prisons minister has pledged to resign if his campaign to tackle violence and drugs in struggling jails fails. Rory Stewart made the vow as he launched a 10 million blitz to raise standards in 10 establishments that have been hit by acute problems. He told BBC Breakfast: I will quit if I havent succeeded in 12 months in reducing the level of drugs and violence in those prisons. Prisons Minister Rory Stewart has launched a new scheme to drive up standards in 10 jails (Stefan Rousseau/PA) I want to make a measurable difference. Thats what this investment is around. I believe in the prison service, I believe in our prison officers. I believe that this can be turned around and I want you to judge me on those results and I will resign if I dont succeed. Today were announcing plans to tackle the most urgent problems facing 10 challenging prisons: https://t.co/lLKPpZX0z8 What does this mean in practice? Watch part 1 of @RoryStewartUKs video diary at HMP Leeds to find out: pic.twitter.com/Nf48NfZDc6 Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) August 17, 2018 Mr Stewart told BBC Radio 4s Today programme he expected to be judged on the impact of the new drive on assault statistics. He said: In these 10 prisons in particular violence is a real problem so the fundamental thing that I want to do and Id like to be judged on over the next 12 months is reducing that violence, reducing the number of assaults. Asked how much of a reduction he would consider a success 25% or 10% Mr Stewart said it would be something of that sort. He added: Im not talking about a minor reduction, Id want you to feel that this had been a substantial reduction and that it was going in the right direction. Under the new scheme, 6 million has been earmarked to bolster physical security with drug-detection dogs, body-scanners and improved perimeter defences. Three million pounds will be spent on improving the fabric of the chosen jails, including repairs to basic infrastructure such as broken windows. The third strand of the programme will see 1 million spent on bespoke training programmes and interventions for governors, with a staff college model inspired by the military set to be developed. Mr Stewart acknowledged that the funding was relatively modest but added: The key really is the philosophy we bring to this, in other words the training, the support for prison officers. It is one of the most challenging jobs anywhere in Britain today, standing on a prison landing outside a cell door working with prisoners. The 10 prisons selected for the programme are Hull, Humber, Leeds, Lindholme, Moorland, Wealstun, Nottingham, Ranby, Isis and Wormwood Scrubs. The Ministry of Justice said the jails have struggled with acute problems including high drug use, violence and building issues. While governors and staff have dealt with the challenges, the project will provide them with the resources and support to make decisive progress, according to the department. Officials said the scheme will be up and running in all 10 prisons by the end of the year, with tangible results expected within 12 months. It is the latest in a string of steps aimed at tackling the safety crisis that has gripped the prisons system in recent years. Figures published last month showed self-harm incidents and assaults in jails were at record levels, while finds of drugs and mobile phones increased by 23% and 15% respectively in the year to March. Jeremy Hunt has insisted that Britain would survive and prosper after a no-deal Brexit, the day after describing such an exit from the EU as a mistake we would regret for generations. The Foreign Secretary said that failure to hammer out a deal with the UK would be a big mistake for Europe. He insisted the Government would only sign up to a deal that respected the result of the 2016 election. Jeremy Hunt insisted the Government would only sign up to a deal that respected the result of the 2016 election (Chris Ratcliffe/PA) Mr Hunt had been criticised by Brexiteer MPs after an interview with ITV News on Thursday in which he appeared to play up the risks of leaving the EU in March without a deal. In a tweet sent on Friday morning Mr Hunt said: Important not to misrepresent my words: Britain WOULD survive and prosper without a deal but it would be a big mistake for Europe because of inevitable impact on long term partnership with UK. We will only sign up to deal that respects referendum result. Speaking earlier to ITV Mr Hunt had discussed the risks of no proper negotiated deal, saying: It would be a mistake we would regret for generations, if we had a messy, ugly divorce, and would inevitably change British attitudes towards Europe. When asked whether he was presenting the Governments Brexit plan as take it or leave it, Mr Hunt answered: No, but it is a framework on which I believe the ultimate deal will be based and Ive been to several countries and met seven foreign ministers and am meeting more in the weeks ahead and Im getting a strong sense that not just in Holland but in many of the places Ive visited that they do want to engage seriously to try and find a way through to try and get a pragmatic outcome. "What we are seeking from these negotiations is a deep and special partnership" Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt discusses #Brexit during a three-day visit to Finland, Latvia, Denmark and the Netherlands pic.twitter.com/snRWdhlJS2 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) August 16, 2018 He also revealed that the Government would consider EU proposals that demanded accepting European environmental and social legislation, in order to facilitate a free trade agreement. Fellow Tory Conor Burns told the Telegraph that the thing that we want to avoid for generations to come is being locked into a permanent orbit around the EU where we end up with a deal but dont have a seat around the table. The Danish finance minister on Friday echoed warnings that there is an even chance of the UK crashing out of the European Union without a deal. Kristian Jensen said time is running out to strike a deal that is positive for both Britain and the EU, after Latvias foreign minister claimed the chance of a no-deal Brexit is 50-50. Earlier this week, Edgars Rinkevics said there was a very considerable risk of a no-deal scenario but stressed he remained optimistic an agreement with Britain on its withdrawal from the European Union could be reached. Mr Jensen, appearing on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, was asked about Mr Rinkevics remarks. He said: I also believe that 50-50 is a very good assessment because time is running out and we need to move really fast if weve got to strike a deal that is positive both for the UK and EU. Every forces who wants there to be a good deal needs to put in some effort in the months to come otherwise Im afraid that time will run out. He went on to describe Theresa Mays Chequers plan as a realistic proposal for good negotiations. We need to go into a lot of details but I think its a very positive step forward and a necessary step, he told the programme. Claudio Marchisio has left Juventus following a 25-year association with the Serie A club. The 32-year-old midfielder, who entered the Juve academy as a seven-year-old in 1993 and made his senior debut in 2005, has mutually rescinded his contract with the Italian champions. Turin-born Marchisio, battling injuries, struggled to play regularly for the Bianconeri across the last two seasons but leaves with a haul of seven Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies. Claudio Marchisio has called time on his 25-year spell with Juventus (Lynne Cameron/PA) He made his Juventus breakthrough following their demotion to Serie B and in 2007 he helped the team secure promotion back to the top flight alongside the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero. A season on loan at Empoli followed, but Marchisios influence grew steadily once he returned to Turin. Juventus announced Marchisios departure in a statement on their official website, thanking him for his contribution over 389 appearances, across which he scored 37 goals. Former US security officials have issued scathing rebukes to Donald Trump for withdrawing a former spy chiefs security clearance in what they cast as an act of political vengeance. The president insisted he had to do something about the rigged federal probe of Russian election interference. His admission that he acted out of frustration about the Russia probe underscored his willingness to use his executive power to fight back against an investigation he sees as a threat to his presidency. Donald Trump (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Legal experts said the dispute may add to the evidence being reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent. https://t.co/TNzOxhP9ux John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 15, 2018 In an opinion piece in the New York Times, former CIA director John Brennan said Mr Trumps decision to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mr Muellers investigation. Mr Brennan, who served under Barack Obama and has become a vocal Trump critic, called the presidents claims that he did not collude with Russia hogwash. The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a constituted criminally liable conspiracy, Mr Brennan wrote. Later, the retired navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden called Mr Trumps moves McCarthy-era tactics. Writing in the Washington Post, William H McRaven said he would consider it an honour if Mr Trump would revoke his clearance as well. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation, Adm McRaven wrote. That was followed by a joint letter from 12 former senior intelligence officials calling Mr Trumps action ill-considered and unprecedented. They said it has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. The signatories included six former CIA directors, five former deputy directors and former director of national intelligence James Clapper. Two of the signatories Mr Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Mr Trump on Wednesday openly tied his decision to strip Mr Brennan of his clearance and threaten nearly a dozen other former and current officials to the investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he again called the probe a rigged witch hunt and said these people led it! So I think its something that had to be done, he said. The presidents comments were a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House earlier on Wednesday that cited the risks posed by Brennans alleged erratic conduct and behaviour. Mr Trump said later that he suspects he will very quickly revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing a dossier on Trumps ties to Russia. Signalling that his efforts to target clearances over his frustration with the Russia investigation were not over, Mr Trump tweeted that it was a disgrace for Bruce Ohr to be in the Justice Department. Mr Ohr has come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts to Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS. The opposition research firm hired former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential campaign to compile the dossier on Mr Trump and his Russia ties. Mr Ohrs wife Nellie worked for Fusion GPS during the campaign something Mr Trump has tweeted about to highlight his assertions of political bias behind the Russia investigation. Dame Margaret Hodge is facing an online backlash over her latest comments in Labours anti-Semitism row. The former Labour minister likened a Labour Party disciplinary investigation into her conduct to the persecution faced by Jews in Nazi Germany, saying she felt as if they were coming for me. Speaking to Sky News, Dame Margaret said the investigation into her confrontation with leader Jeremy Corbyn about his handing of anti-Semitism criticism left her thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties with a feeling of fear?. Dame Margaret Hodge has been attacked online (PA) The only way Jeremy Corbyn can put this issue to bed is to prove everybody wrong and take the action we are all urging him to take. That is he should adopt the internationally agreed definition of anti-semitism in full. Margaret Hodge (@margarethodge) August 13, 2018 Her comments provoked a furious backlash online, with some Labour members denouncing the veteran MP for what they claimed was her over-reaction, united under a #hodgecomparisons hashtag on Twitter. This included shadow minister Laura Pidcocks chief of staff Ben Sellers, who sent two tweets that were later deleted comparing Dame Margarets example to getting locked in a toilet and queuing for a pie. He tweeted: Just last week I was on the crapper when I realised the lock had jammed on the door. It took the intervention of my wife on the other side to release me. When I walked free, I felt just like Mandela must have done when we was released from Robben Island in 1990. Mr Sellers added: The other day I had to queue for a good five minutes for a poor-quality mince pie and a Bovril at a local non-league ground. It was a bit like being rounded up by Pinochets forces and getting a bullet through the temple in Chiles national stadium back in 73. The holocaust didnt happen in a vacuum. It happened because ordinary people turned a blind eye to racism & antisemitism; scapegoated & dehumanised a community, stifled free thinking & refused to challenge the cult of an idol. Jewish people know how it starts. #hodgecomparison Anna Turley (@annaturley) August 17, 2018 But Labour MP Anna Turley decried the hashtag and defended Dame Margaret in the thread. The holocaust didnt happen in a vacuum, she tweeted. It happened because ordinary people turned a blind eye to racism & anti-Semitism; scapegoated & dehumanised a community, stifled free thinking & refused to challenge the cult of an idol. Jewish people know how it starts. Holocaust Educational Trust chief executive Karen Pollock also questioned the motives of those making light of Dame Margarets fears. She tweeted: Rather than question the motive of those highlighting the problem, how about questioning the motives of those who defend the indefensible. I will not be told how this should be resolved by the man who referred to complaints of anti-Semitism as mood music. Reading #HodgeComparisons has again highlighted how sections of the Labour Party Left online have descended into a sewer of unkind, un-gentle, un-empathetic, and nasty form of politics. Not how I was taught to engage in political debate. This is not the Labour Party I grew up in Emily Benn (@Emily_Benn) August 17, 2018 Campaign Against Antisemitism chairman Gideon Falter said the Labour party leadership had questions to answer about a lack of action for alleged anti-Semitism against Peter Willsman and Jackie Walker Mr Falter said: If the Labour Party wishes to criticise Dame Margaret Hodge then it had better first answer some questions. There are so many example of the Labour Party taking no action or slow action against Mr Corbyns allies, but it took them mere hours to throw the book at Dame Margaret and Ian Austin simply for standing up against anti-Semitism in their party. Dame Margaret was absolutely right to express the feelings evoked by her treatment by the partys authorities. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has met contestants in the Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 competition which is being held in Scotland for the first time. Eighteen young musicians aged 18-21 are taking part in the biennial competition which is being held in Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Festival programme. All competing musicians will take part in a semi-final elimination round in which they perform a chamber recital at the Festival Theatre Studio on August 18 and 19. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meets young musicians in Edinburgh who will be competing in the Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 contest (Jane Barlow/PA) Six candidates will then be selected by an expert jury to perform on Thursday August 23 at Edinburghs Usher Hall, where they will be accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under its Chief Conductor, Thomas Dausgaard, in the competition final which will be broadcast live on BBC 2 Scotland. FM @NicolaSturgeon meeting the young contestants taking part in the Eurovision Young Musician finals which is being held in Scotland for the first time as part of @edintfest pic.twitter.com/69kE7CrSvE First Minister (@ScotGovFM) August 17, 2018 The winner of Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 will be decided by an international panel of classical music luminaries including American conductor Marin Alsop and Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan. The musicians, representing 18 countries, will play a wide range of instruments ranging from the violin to the harp, cello and flute. Ms Sturgeon said: Congratulations to the 18 young musicians who have made it through to the finals of this prestigious competition. Scotland is renowned for its world leading festivals which celebrate culture and attract visitors from around the globe, so its an honour for the Edinburgh International Festival to host this fantastic showcase as part of its programme. Good luck to each of the contestants, and I am sure their performances will reach out to and inspire audiences from across Europe. We'd like to extend a warm welcome to the Eurovision #YoungMusicians 2018 participants, who arrived in Edinburgh yesterday and met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today. These talented young people will compete this weekend to play in the competition finals on 23 August #YOYP2018 pic.twitter.com/2N36FFlp4i edintfest (@edintfest) August 17, 2018 The competition is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and is being hosted by the BBC. Fergus Linehan, Edinburgh International Festival director, said: The Edinburgh International Festival has always been passionate about providing a platform for emerging talent and in a year in which were inviting a host of young musicians from all over the world to the Usher Hall in a major celebration of the next generation of classical musicians, were delighted to be hosting the finals of Eurovision Young Musicians 2018. We welcome these hugely talented young musicians to Edinburgh as they compete for one of the worlds most prized titles. President Donald Trump has said he is cancelling his plans for a military parade through the streets of Washington because the price was ridiculously high. On Twitter, President Trump accused local politicians of inflating the price gouging, although the projected $92 million (72 million) cost was largely attributed to Pentagon costs for aircraft, equipment and personnel. President Trump tweeted maybe we will do something next year when the cost comes WAY DOWN. President Donald Trump (Andrew Harnik/AP) The Defence Department had already said the parade would not happen this year. President Trump had called for the patriotic show of force last year after watching Frances Bastille Day celebration in the centre of Paris at the invitation of the French president. But the project has been beset with logistical hurdles, such as the damage heavy tanks would do to city streets and an exorbitant price tag. New university students are being urged to protect themselves against potentially deadly meningitis before the start of term. Colleges and universities are hotspots for the bacteria which causes the disease, Public Health England (PHE) warned, and teenagers should ensure they have been vaccinated. The combined vaccine protects against strains including group W meningococcal disease (Men W), one of the most aggressive and deadly which can cause meningitis and septicaemia. New university students are being urged to get vaccinated (David Cheskin/ PA) The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said those starting at university should get vaccinated this month, to give time for immunity to build up before Freshers Week. Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant paediatrician from PHE said: We know that colleges and universities can be hot spots for the spread of meningococcal disease. First year students especially are at increased risk of meningococcal infection if they are unvaccinated which makes sense when they spend large amounts of time with new people in confined environments such as university halls. The combined MenACWY vaccination was introduced in 2015 in response to a large increase in infections caused by Men W. Helen Donovan, professional lead for public health at the RCN, said: Freshers starting university this September are more at risk from meningitis W, a particularly nasty strain that can kill, or leave people with life-changing disabilities. Vaccination offers protection against most strains of the disease, and its quick, easy and free, but they need to contact their GP in good time. The vaccine can take up to two weeks to become effective. Today is #ALevelresults day! GOOD LUCK to everyone and if your teen is off to university make sure they have received their Men ACWY vaccination. Download our parent pack here https://t.co/J8KpwhRhSo and know how to protect against #meningitis pls RT pic.twitter.com/kA8w2lKsuz Meningitis Now (@MeningitisNow) August 16, 2018 The number of cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by Men W rose from 22 in 2009/10 to 225 in 2016/17, PHE figures show. Last year saw the first decline in numbers since 2009, with numbers dropping to 192, according to provisional figures. The greatest drop in cases last year was among teenagers aged 15 to 19 years old. Dr Ladhani said: We need eligible people to keep getting the vaccine every year to ensure that this downward trend continues. We encourage students to check with their GP that they are up to date with their MenACWY vaccination before term starts its never too late to protect themselves and their friends from such highly infectious diseases. Northern Ireland has welcomed its 16th group of Syrian refugees. The group of 22 families totalling 86 people, flew into Belfast International Airport on Thursday. They will stay at a welcome centre in Belfast for several days before being resettled. The latest arrival brings the total number of refugees brought to Northern Ireland under the UK-wide Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation scheme to 1,096. The scheme is co-ordinated locally by the Department for Communities with spokesman Ian Snowden saying some of the new arrivals are among the most vulnerable refugees to flee from Syria. A welcome centre at an undisclosed location in Belfast (PA) Northern Ireland is very proud of its role in providing a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable people in society, he said. It has been a great pleasure working on this scheme and I was pleased to see a further 22 families arrive this week. The nature of the programme, given the sheer size and complexity of it, and given that we are receiving some of the most vulnerable refugees to flee Syria, means that it has been challenging. We are adapting each day and I have learned a lot about a different culture. The first group of Syrian refugees arrived in Northern Ireland in December 2015. Mr Snowden said the scheme is working very well, with colleagues from across the UK visiting to learn from our approach. When the refugees arrive they stay in a welcome centre in Belfast for a number of days where they receive information, advice and guidance on issues ranging from housing, benefits, the law, banking systems and a little about life in Northern Ireland including the joys of our weather, he said. This has worked well and provides the refugees with a few days to catch their breath after the ordeal they have experienced, to rest after their flight to Northern Ireland and to prepare for their new life. Mr Snowden said the families from previous arrivals are integrating into the local community. Obviously each family and individual is different and integrating and adjusting to life in Northern Ireland at different paces, he said. All have embraced the opportunity they have been afforded. The plane carrying the first group of Syrian refugees resettling in Northern Ireland (PressEye/PA) Most arrive with very limited English. They have thrown themselves in to learning the language. All children of school age are in school, many of the adults have found employment and other are studying. Importantly too, many are also getting involved in local community groups and activities. The whole scheme has been such a success because of the combined efforts from the public, community and voluntary sectors as well as from families and individuals across Northern Ireland in the streets, villages, towns and cities where the refugees have settled. I am thankful to everyone who has played their part. The Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation Scheme was announced by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 in response to the war in Syria. It aims to resettle 20 000 Syrian refugees from refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey in the UK by May 2020. An Ulster Unionist representative on Belfast City Council is set to be summoned to a hearing with the Local Government Commissioner for Standards in Northern Ireland. Marie Andersons office made the announcement on Friday morning as Jim Rodgers faced a vote of no confidence in his chairmanship of the councils Strategic Policy and Resources (SPR) Committee. The date and time of the hearing has not yet been confirmed. It is understood the two matters are separate issues. The Commissioner has announced her intention to hold an Adjudication Hearing into a complaint that Alderman Jim Rodgers (Belfast City Council) breached the Code in relation to the rules regarding the registration, disclosure, and declaration of interests https://t.co/dDDgRoRY1p Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI (@LGCS_NI) August 17, 2018 Mr Rodgers has declined to comment on either matter. The motion of no confidence at the SPR committee was carried with the support of the Alliance Party and Sinn Fein. UUP and DUP members of the committee voted against it. It was proposed by Alliance councillor Michael Long. Mr Long said he made the proposal over two issues during a period of disagreement over bonfires in east Belfast in July. There were rows over the height of a bonfire on the Bloomfield Walkway site in the run-up to July 11, when pyres across Northern Ireland are traditionally lit. Belfast City Council took a high court action against the Department for Infrastructure, which owns the land, to compel it to remove the pyre. A smoking bonfire in east Belfast (PA) However amid tense scenes, bonfire builders set it alight before police and contractors could move in to remove it. Later, another bonfire at nearby Cluan Place was removed by contractors with police protection. Mr Long has claimed that during that period, Mr Rodgers made negative comments in media interviews about council staff. He also raised an issue over the calling of meetings of the committee in that same period. Mr Rodgers remains as chair of the committee, and the vote at the committee will face ratification at the next full meeting of the council on September 3. A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said: All committee decisions have to be ratified by full council and we do not comment ahead of this. Earlier on Friday, the Local Government Commissioner for Standards in Northern Ireland announced it will hold a hearing into a complaint against Mr Rodgers. The Commissioner has announced her intention to hold an Adjudication Hearing into a complaint that Alderman Jim Rodgers (Belfast City Council) breached the code in relation to the rule regarding the registration, disclosure and declaration of interests, the commissioners office said in a tweet. A spokesman for the commissioner confirmed it had received a complaint about Mr Rodgers but could not give any further detail. Mr Rodgers has been elected to Belfast City Council since 1993 and has served as Lord Mayor twice. He was awarded an OBE for public service in the 2002 New Years Honours list. A J-10 fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team is seen at an airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. (Xinhua/Yu Yongde) BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team Thursday left for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. As the only foreign aerobatic team invited, the August 1st team, which includes seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets and two Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, will give two performances during the forum. The Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum will be held from Aug. 21 to 26. It consists of a series of programs including business meetings and contract signings in addition to exhibits of equipment and weapons. The August 1st team, which left from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Thursday morning, will arrive at Kubinka Airport, near Moscow, on Friday. Established in 1962, the team has staged more than 600 aerobatic performances for over 700 delegations from 168 countries and regions. This will be the second time that it will perform in Moscow. 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Hundreds of people have attended a memorial service for former Holyrood Presiding Officer Sir Alex Fergusson. The former Conservative MSP died last month after a short illness at the age of 69. His life was remembered at a service at Kirkcudbright Parish Church, Dumfries and Galloway, on Friday. His life was remembered at a service at Kirkcudbright Parish Church (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA) It was a huge honour to give one of the eulogies today at the moving but uplifting memorial service for one of my dear friends, Sir Alex Fergusson. Quite simply the most thoroughly decent man Ive ever known. https://t.co/5yEUAgdOaP pic.twitter.com/AoeGOtxWx7 David Mundell MP (@DavidMundellDCT) August 17, 2018 Those attending included Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Deputy First Minister John Swinney, current Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh and former Presiding Officer Lord David Steel. Scottish Secretary David Mundell said he was honoured to give a eulogy at what he described as a moving but uplifting service. He paid tribute to Sir Alex as a loving husband and family man, true friend, self-identifying amateur politician, devoted constituency MSP, distinguished Presiding Officer of our Scottish Parliament, champion of rural Scotland and the most thoroughly decent man Ive ever known. Flags @ScotParl have been lowered today as a mark of respect for former colleague and Presiding Officer, Sir Alex Fergusson, who died last month. A memorial service for Sir Alex is being held this morning at Kirkcudbright Parish Church. pic.twitter.com/PC1PLDXiNn Ken Macintosh (@KenDMacintosh) August 17, 2018 Flags at the Scottish Parliament were lowered to half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect. Sir Alex stood down from Holyrood in 2016 after 17 years as an MSP and was knighted for services to politics and public life in the same year. He served as the Parliaments third Presiding Officer from 2007 to 2011. A hill farmer by trade, he was first elected for the South of Scotland region and later became MSP for the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale constituency, re-drawn in 2011 as Galloway and West Dumfries. Model Chloe Ayling, who hit the headlines last year when she was kidnapped in Italy, is set to open up about her ordeal after entering the Celebrity Big Brother house. Last year Ayling, 21, was abducted after arriving at a Milan address for a modelling job and held in a farmhouse near Turin while a 300,000 euro (265,000) ransom was demanded. She was released six days later, on July 17, at the British consulate in Milan. Polish national Lukasz Herba, 30, was sentenced in June to 16 years and nine months imprisonment after an Italian court convicted him of kidnapping Ayling. CBB contestant Chloe Ayling was kidnapped in Italy in 2017. (Channel 5) During Fridays episode of the reality show, Ayling will discuss how she tried to convince her captor to let her go. She will tell US reality star Natalie Nunn: He made it out to me it was a massive organisation and he wanted to save me but he couldnt because there were so many people behind it. That was what was scaring me. I thought there was so many people behind this and I had to pay the money otherwise Im going to die. I just had to think what can I do to survive and what I had to do was make him like me so he would release me. That was my only focus, to think this guy has got to like me. I didnt do anything sexual. I had to promise him things for the future and when I was doing that I saw his reaction to that was very positive, and thats how I went to about it. Ayling and Nunn entered the house on Thursday and were joined by the likes of Hollywood star Kirstie Alley, soap stars Ryan Thomas and Roxanne Pallett, and TV psychic Sally Morgan. Adult film star Stormy Daniels had been due to appear on the Chanel 5 show and ITV daytime programme Loose Women, but pulled out at the last minute. Daniels lawyer cited a row with producers claiming they were pressuring her to act in a way she felt uncomfortable with. A CBB spokesman: We note the comments from the transmission of Loose Women on ITV earlier today. Stormy Daniels was booked to appear on the show several months ago and hours before the show was due to go live, informed the production team that she no longer wished to enter the house as previously agreed. Producers discussed a variety of options with her but were unable to agree any acceptable conditions for her entering the house. Our focus is now on making a brilliant series with our fantastic celebrities. Celebrity Big Brother continues on Channel 5 tonight at 9pm. An Israeli athlete who survived the Munich Olympics massacre has urged Jeremy Corbyn to disappear from politics, saying he had no doubt he was an anti-Semite. Professor Shaul Ladany, who competed in the 1972 Games as a race walker, strongly condemned the Labour leaders presence at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Palestinian Martyrs Cemetery in Tunis in 2014. Mr Corbyn has faced fierce criticism over his appearance at the cemetery which contains the graves of a number of the founders of the Black September terror group, which carried out the Munich massacre in which 11 Israeli athletes were killed. He has strongly denied he is anti-Semitic and rejected calls to apologise, insisting the event was to commemorate the Palestinians killed in an Isreali air strike on the offices of the Palestinian Liberation Organistation in 1985, and he had not been there to honour Black September. However, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Prof Ladany, 82, said he had been really upset by the pictures which have emerged of Mr Corbyn who was still a backbencher at the time at the event. He knows at present he cannot fully express himself totally openly because he might lose some of his voters. I dont know him personally but from what I have read and heard I have no doubt that he is an anti-Semite, he told the paper. He should disappear from the political scene. And I hope that it will happen. A spokesman for the Labour leader said: Jeremy Corbyn visited the Palestine National Cemetery in Tunisia to support Palestinian rights and honour the victims of the illegal 1985 airstrike, many of whom were civilians, on the Palestine Liberation Organisations headquarters an attack condemned by the UN. Jeremy did not honour those alleged to have been linked to the Black September organisation or the 1972 Munich killings. He of course condemns that terrible attack, as he does the 1985 bombing. The latest twist in the row comes after a backlash against Dame Margaret Hodge, who has also challenged the Labour leader over anti-Semitism (Yui Mok/PA) Earlier the veteran Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge faced an angry backlash after she likened a recent Labour Party disciplinary investigation into her conduct to the persecution faced by Jews in Nazi Germany, saying she felt as if they were coming for me. Dame Margaret said the inquiry into her confrontation with Mr Corbyn, in which she called him a racist and accused him of failing to deal with anti-Semitism in the party, left her thinking what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the Thirties. Her comments provoked a furious response from some Labour activists and supporters, who denounced what they said was her overreaction. Jeremy Corbyn will offer his opinions on the UK media when he delivers the prestigious Alternative MacTaggart lecture at this years Edinburgh TV Festival. Following his speech the Labour leader will be interviewed by award-winning actor and writer Maxine Peake and face questions from an audience. Mr Corbyn said: I am hugely looking forward to giving this years Alternative MacTaggart lecture. A strong, diverse and independent media is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy and society. I hope to offer some perspectives on the UK media and its role today, discuss how good journalism challenges the powerful and what is holding it back in the digital age of tech giants and unaccountable billionaires. Mr Corbyn will be interviewed by actress Maxine Peake at the festival (Isabel Infantes/PA) The politician follows in the footsteps of Russell Brand who discussed his comedy career and disillusionment with Hollywood when he gave the talk last year. TV hosts Ant and Dec, Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have all previously delivered the Alternative MacTaggart lecture. The main MacTaggart lecture is the keynote speech of the festival and addresses the future of the television industry. This year it will be given by Bafta-winning actress Michaela Coel. The events advisory chair Phil Edgar-Jones said: Jeremy Corbyn has a fascinating relationship with the media, stimulating controversy on a near daily basis. Michaela embodies everything we want the festival to be about this year the future, the creative voice and, above all, optimism." BREAKING NEWS ALERT! @MichaelaCoel will be delivering the prestigious MacTaggart Lecture. We hope you're as ready as we are!.... pic.twitter.com/Zfbk4Vso7q Edinburgh TV Festival (@EdinburghTVFest) March 29, 2018 With that scrutiny in mind its important to uncover his view of our industry in what will be his most comprehensive speech on the subject. I am looking forward to an engaging debate. Labour has been embroiled in an anti-Semitism row that has been widely debated in the media over the past few months. Edinburgh TV Festival director Lisa Campbell said: We pride ourselves on our topicality and ability to offer unique perspectives this exclusive session embodies everything that makes the festival so special. Jeremy Corbyn is a man who is always in the news, with Maxine Peake, one of our most talented actors as host, we expect a fascinating insight into the man behind the headlines. Peake is known for performances in BBC sitcom Dinnerladies and the UK version of TV series Shameless. She also stars in director Mike Leighs new film Peterloo. Peake said: I feel very honoured to be given the chance to interview one of the most inspiring and surprising political heavy weights of our time. As a long-time admirer of Jeremy, having the opportunity to ask him about life, policy, culture and which soap character he most identifies with is all very exciting! By Tom Polansek CHICAGO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures climbed to a one-week high on Thursday as plans for Beijing and Washington to hold fresh trade talks raised hopes that U.S. soy sales to China will increase after being stalled by a tariff dispute. The rally in soybeans, along with an easing in the U.S. dollar, helped wheat and corn futures to rise too, traders said. Prices jumped after China's Ministry of Commerce said a Chinese delegation will travel to the United States for trade talks this month. The gains were a turnaround from Monday, when soy futures dropped to a three-week low on fears that U.S. inventories would pile up because of a record-large harvest and the trade row. China is the world's top soy importer and bought $12 billion worth of the oilseed from the United States last year, making soybeans America's top farm export to China. However, the trade stand-off has prompted Beijing to impose extra tariffs on U.S. soybeans and shift its purchases to Brazil. "The feuding parties are at least talking and as we all know, the first step in ending any conflict is to start talking," said Rich Feltes, analyst for broker RJ O'Brien. The Chicago Board of Trade's most active soybean contract was up 28 cents at $8.97 a bushel by 12:50 CDT (1750 GMT), reversing Wednesday's 1.2 percent loss. The nearby contract traded to its highest price since Aug. 9. Traders were buying back previously sold, or short, positions because of the impending trade talks, said Brian Hoops, president of broker Midwest Market Solutions. "There's enough reason out there to be nervous if you're a weak-handed short," he said. "If we reach an agreement, we're likely to trade sharply higher." Dwindling supplies in Brazil and the arrival of U.S. cargoes at China's Dalian port have suggested China will need to resume soy imports from the United States to cover its needs, according to some traders. A second vessel carrying U.S. soybeans has entered Dalian, Thomson Reuters data showed, following the unloading of U.S. beans from another ship this week. In other export news, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said private exporters struck deals to sell 154,404 tons of U.S. soy to Mexico and 200,000 tons of U.S. hard red winter wheat to Iraq. CBOT wheat rose 11-3/4 cents to $5.63-1/3 a bushel and corn advanced 5 cents to $3.81 a bushel. (Reporting by Tom Polansek, additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and Naveen Thukral in Singapore Editing by David Goodman and Rosalba O'Brien) TIRANA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A 21-year-old Swede arrested in Albania with 19 pistols told a court on Thursday he agreed to pick them up in Kosovo and take them home to turn over to a prearranged buyer for cash to pay his school fees. Sebastian Vall, 21, was arrested on Monday at the crossing point of Murriqan with Montenegro after he boarded a bus in neighbouring Kosovo, where he had procured the handguns. He had hidden the 7.65 mm black-and-silver pistols among his clothes in a big blue bag when the bus bound for Germany was searched with sniffer dogs at Murriqan, Albanian police said. Wearing a red T-shirt and green shorts, Vall was ordered by the court to await trial in jail after he said he had flown from Sweden to Turkey and then to Kosovo, where he waited four days to obtain the guns. He said he did not know the identities of either the prospective buyer of the pistols in Sweden nor the seller in Kosovo, according to Albanian media reports from the Serious Crimes Courthouse. "I was just going to carry them to Sweden. I did it for money because I was unemployed. I wanted to study but had no money so I agreed to do it," Vall said. He was charged with international weapons trafficking, a charge punishable from seven to 15 years if convicted. Albania and Kosovo, which were hit by civil unrest and armed conflict respectively in 1997 and 1999, are awash with guns, as is the rest of the Balkans following the 1990s wars that broke up Yugoslavia. (Reporting By Benet Koleka, Editing by Mark Heinrich) MOSCOW, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that fresh sanctions, imposed by the United States against a Russian firm and an individual over North Korea, may undermine peace process in the Korean peninsula. In a statement, the ministry also said that Washington "is not aware" of how the "uttmost pressure" on Pyongyang is "fraught with danger". On Wednesday, the United States imposed sanctions on a Russian port service agency and Chinese firms for aiding North Korean ships and selling alcohol and tobacco to Pyongyang in breach of U.S. sanctions. "The destructive U.S.' tactics, pursued beyond the framework of the U.N. Security Council and its 1718 Sanctions Committee (related to North Korea), is only able to undermine the progress, which has been made recently towards the settlement," Russian Foreign Ministry said. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin Editing by Alison Williams) Simon Creasey, Country Examinations Manager of the British Council The British Council in Sri Lanka held its IELTS Awards Night on Tuesday, 14August at Kings Court, Cinnamon Lakeside. Initiated in 2010, this annual awards ceremony is hosted by the countrys leading IELTS test centre, with the intention of recognising and celebrating its partner network across the island. Globally recognised by universities, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment and is the worlds most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. The test is recognised by more than 10,000 organisations in over 140 countries including the USA, with over 3 million tests conducted over the world in 2017 alone. Commenting on the IELTS-British Council success story, Gill Caldicott, Country Manager of the British Council in Sri Lanka and Chief Guest at the ceremony said: IELTS is a flagship product of the British Council and the interest in taking an IELTS is growing worldwide at a rate of 11% per year. The British Council is proud to be facilitating and supporting an internationally recognized English proficiency test for Sri Lankans who are looking for opportunities around the world to accesstheir further education, boost their careers, and realise their ambitions. The IELTS-British Council partnership scheme, ADDvantage, enables individuals and organisations across the country to register IELTS candidates on behalf of the British Council, and in turn offers members a number of benefits, including access to information sessions, promotional material, as well as teacher, brand, and registration system training. British Council representatives with IELTS partner award winners A total of 31 awards were given away to the IELTS registration centre network of the British Council. A key highlight of the event was the performance by a dance troupe of Sunera Foundation, advocating and promoting disability arts in Sri Lanka. Winners at the ceremony were judged based on innovation, teaching practices, IELTS volume contribution, loyalty, and IELTS ambassadorship displayed throughout the financial year. Categorised into individual tuition providers, institutions, and corporates, awards were meted out to various migration consultants, international higher educational consultants as well as IELTS teachers all committed to furthering the cause of providing internationally recognised English language education to candidates in Sri Lanka. National Partner of the Year was secured by the International College of Business & Technology Ltd (ICBT). Commenting at the awards, Dr. Sampath Kannangara said Our association with the British Council is nearly a decade. We are happy to be recognised yet again for our contribution towards IELTS in Sri Lanka and looking forward to working together with the new developments in IELTS and the British Council. The Test Venue partner of the Year went to Australian College of Business and Technology. Dr.Nayomi Abayasekera accepting the award said, Associating with the British Council for IELTS test facilitation has been a great partnership. The support we get in terms of IELTS preparation support is very useful for us to help candidates do well in the test. We are geared to work with the British Council with the new changes that are anticipated with IELTS. Regional award winners included Headway School of Languages (Eastern Region), Dr.Jayasiri Perera,Nations Victory Campus, ICBT Colombo Campus(Western Region), J W Gnanathilake Jayasekera, Uniwest Educational Services, ICBT Southern Campus (Southern Region), and Nuwan Samaranayake, UNEX Language Academy, ICBT Kandy Campus (Central Region). Hosting the event, Simon Creasey, Country Examinations Manager of the British Council in Sri Lanka said: In Sri Lanka, British Council offers the IELTS test a minimum of three times in a month, and in eightlocations island-wide. The preparation support we provide for IELTS candidates is unmatched, as we provide access to a range of library facilities, print and online practice material, as well as free-to-attend seminars for registered candidates. There is an additional scholarship programme that supports candidates on overseas study in countries such as the UK, Australia, USA, Canada and New Zealand. This award ceremony serves as testament to the fact that our partner network -one that is growing from strength to strength, is an integral part of our work in IELTS in Sri Lanka. CID detectives have left the official residence of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa after recording a statement for nearly three hours. They arrived at 11.30 a.m. this morning to record a statement in connection with the abduction and torture of Journalist Keith Noyahr and left by 2.30 p.m. Even though the word antibiotics wasnt invented until less than a century ago, the use of substances with antibiotic properties has a much longer history. For an example, its said that in preparing for battle, the army of King Dutugamunu, famous Sri Lankan King who ruled during Anuradhapura era, used to prepare Kevum (Oil cakes) months in advance and keep them exposed to air so the mould can grow on them. Later, they were used to prepare a poultice to apply on battle wounds to prevent them from festering. The exact timing of the discovery of antibiotics is a bit controversial, because various scientists during various time periods discovered substances that could kill bacteria. But the discovery of penicillin; the very first synthetic antibiotic substance which is widely used even today, has an interesting story behind it. From mistake to cure Sir Alexander Fleming was an army physician and a renowned researcher who had made significant contributions to the medical community in the early 1900s. He was conducting yet another research on his lab on a bacterial type called Staphylococci. Even though he was a distinguished scientist, he wasnt known for his tidiness. One day, in 1928, he stacked all his petridishes which contained the cultures of bacteria on a bench at a corner of the lab, before going on holiday with his family. Upon returning, he wasnt surprised to see one culture was contaminated by a common fungus (mould), effectively ruining its value for the experiment. But he was intrigued to see that the bacteria colonies surrounding the area of invasion by the fungus have been destroyed. He isolated the mould and grew it separately, experimenting and discovering that the fungus, named Penicillium notatum, effectively killed many bacteria, even at lower doses. This discovery effectively changed the history of medicine, because it triggered not only the isolation and mass production of penicillin, but also inspired and provided guidance in the discovery of numerous other antibiotics which save the lives of millions of humans as well as animals each day.It is difficult to imagine that all this happened thanks to an accident, isnt it? Imagine how different the world might be today, if Fleming threw that culture away, as another failed experiment! Some of us even may not be alive, because without antibiotics, a disease like pneumonia or a wound infection may have killed our parents or grandparents at a young age. Therefore, take Sir Fleming as an example. Every time you are ready to cast aside an experience, a thought, a person, as a failure, look again with a different view, because that may have the power to open up a wonderful new pathway for your life. About Antibiotic Resistance But why do we need different antibiotics to treat different diseases? Just as we as humans are different from other animals in various ways, so are disease causing micro organisms. They prefer different parts of the body and have their own individual weaknesses. Therefore different antibiotics use different strategies to attack microbes. Even this sounds like great news, doesnt it? If we can use different antibiotics for different pathogens, and if we use them regularly, we can sweep them off the face of earth, right? Wrong. Two factors stand against us. One, Mother Nature doesnt take a side. Just as she gave us antibiotics which will help our species survive longer, she gave antibiotics the ability to evolve, causing antibiotic resistance. In every sample of bacteria which respond to a certain antibiotic, there are a few different ones which have mechanisms that can withstand the effect of antibiotics. When exposed to antibiotics unnecessarily and for prolonged periods, these resistant bacteria survive and reproduce. They are then spread to other carriers causing disease, especially in environments like hospitals. Since these new super species now do not respond to the previous group of antibiotics, we have to treat these patients with stronger antibiotics which can go past the defenses of the new species. Methicillin-res istant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) are some such super-species. This brings us to our second problem with antibiotics. Even though the resistance to the limited classes of antibiotics is rapidly increasing, the discovery of new antibiotics happens at a very slow rate. Its said that there are only six new classes of antibiotics which were discovered after 1960s and all of them act only against a limited group of microbes. Even though we are focusing mainly on anti-bacterial agents in this article, these facts are true for anti-fungal and anti-viral agents as well. The end of Golden era nears You and I were fortunate enough to be born in what is referred to as the Golden Era of Antibiotics. This meant that we could fight through infections that killed or crippled our ancestors, like Tuberculosis, Leprosy, which accounted for 30% of deaths in the Pre- antibiotic era. But this era is rapidly declining due to antibiotic resistance and if we are not careful the next generation will have to go through the challenge of more fierce and advanced infections without the defense of antibiotics. The only viable solution is the rational use of antibiotics. This has to be done starting from industrial level, going down to the individual level. As conscientious human beings, its our duty to use antibiotics only when indicated, in the duration of time its indicated and to choose the most appropriate antibiotic to the condition. By avoiding taking unnecessary antibiotics, we will be contributing to saving hundreds of lives tomorrow. (The writer is a Final Year medical student) Officials from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) and Syria's Arab Red Crescent (SARC) inaugurate a mobile medical clinic at the donation ceremony in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 16, 2018. The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on Thursday donated mobile medical clinics and ambulances to Syria's Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The donation, which included two bus-turned mobile medical clinics and two ambulances, was delivered at a ceremony held in the Syrian capital Damascus. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on Thursday donated mobile medical clinics and ambulances to Syria's Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The donation, which included two bus-turned mobile medical clinics and two ambulances, was delivered at a ceremony held in the Syrian capital Damascus. It aims to help Syrians living in hard-to-reach areas or those who need emergency care. Wang Qinglei, the representative of the Beiqi Foton Motor, the company that took part in the funding of the donation under the RCSC umbrella, told Xinhua the mobile clinics are equipped with X-ray machines, ultrasound scanner, defibrillator, distance diagnosis and treatment system. He noted that these medical equipment turn the bus into a mobile hospital, which can offer emergency medical care, health examination and mini surgeries. The vehicles are powered by an electrical power generating system, which enables the clinics to operate in areas where electricity is not available. Wang pointed out that his company's total donation is estimated at 6 million yuan (roughly 900,000 U.S. dollars). It is part of the first stage of the total humanitarian aid provided to Syria by the RCSC, which is estimated at 8 million yuan. "If put into use, the medical units could serve hundreds of people every day, especially for the war-torn and remote communities," Wang said. For his part, Muhammad al-Jarrah, head of the medical services in SARC, told Xinhua this kind of assistance is crucial in hard-to-reach areas as well as in the time of emergency. Sun Shuopeng, the executive vice president and secretary general of Chinese Red Cross Foundation, said that the RCSC is carrying out comprehensive humanitarian aid projects in Syria, which include donating mobile medical units and establishing prosthetic rehabilitation centers for Syrian children. On Wednesday, the Chinese delegation inaugurated a children prothetic rehabilitation center funded by the RCSC in Damascus. "All funds of the prosthetic rehabilitation project were raised online by the Chinese public. We launched an online fundraising project called One Dollar for Syrian Children," Sun told Xinhua, adding that the project raised 100,000 U.S. dollars in a short time. Following the delivery ceremony, Chinese engineers and technicians also trained the Syrians to operate the equipment and do the maintenance work. 5 1 [ Editor: Xueying ] (Tokyo) REUTERS: Business confidence among Japanese manufacturers was at its highest in seven months in August thanks to a firm global economy, a Reuters poll showed yesterday, but the service sectors mood hit its lowest since 2016, casting doubt on the robustness of domestic demand. The mixed results of the monthly poll, which tracks the Bank of Japans closely watched tankan quarterly survey, underscore the fragility of an economy that has emerged from a first-quarter contraction. The Reuters Tankan found manufacturers sentiment was expected to rise further over the coming three months despite concerns over global trade tensions and market turmoil stemming from some emerging economies. Service-sector sentiment is also expected to recover from Augusts deterioration, which was caused in part by abnormal weather such as the flooding rains and heat waves that struck various parts of Japan this summer. In the Reuters poll of 483 large- and mid-sized companies, some exporters of cars and machinery makers expressed concerns over trade tensions between the United States and China and other trading partners. The effects of punitive U.S. tariffs against China are a matter of concern for us as well, a manager of a transport equipment maker wrote in the survey. Some 261 firms responded on condition of anonymity in the Reuters Tankan conducted August 1-14. The sentiment index for manufacturers stood at 30 in August, up five points from the previous month, driven by auto and transport equipment companies. It was the highest reading since January when it hit an 11-year peak of 35. The index is expected to rise further to 32 in November. The service-sector index slid to 25 from 34 in the previous month, dragged down by information/communications, retailers/wholesalers, and other service firms. It was the lowest level since December 2016. The index is expected to rise to 26 in November. The BOJs latest tankan showed big manufacturers sentiment soured for a second straight quarter in the three months to June, hurt by rising input costs and as U.S. trade protectionism clouded the outlook for Japans export-dependent economy. Japans economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter on the back of household and business spending, recovering from an earlier contraction. The Reuters Tankan indexes are calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimistic respondents from optimistic ones. A negative figure means pessimists outnumber optimists. National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today warned of possible landslides, rock falls, slope failures, cutting failures and cutting subsidence in three districts. NBRO said Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and Gampaha Districts would be vulnerable to landslides, rock falls, slope failures, cutting failures and cutting subsidence as rainfall in these areas had exceeded 100m as of yesterday. As per the warning issued, Nuwara Eliya was running a greater risk while the risk was less in Ratnapura and Gampaha districts. Meanwhile Colombo Hatton main road was closed due to rock falls as of last morning. (Yohan Perera) The first phase of the Southern Railway Expansion Project -- the stretch from Matara to Beliatta, will be completed by the beginning of next year, a Chinese construction company consultant said yesterday. H. Piyadasa, who is a Senior Engineering Consultant for the China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) on this project, said they had completed 90 per cent of the work. He said railway lines were being laid and the construction of railway stations was being carried out simultaneously. This is the most modern railway line in Sri Lanka where a train will be operated at a speed limit of 120 kmph. Operations will begin in four-five months, Mr. Piyadasa told a group of journalists visiting the construction site of the Kekunadura Railway Station. The main railway stations are being constructed at Kekunadura, Bambarenda, Wewrukannala and Beliatta while there will also be two other substations along the new railway line. Meanwhile, the construction company said the longest bridge in Sri Lanka Railway which is 1.5 km in length was being constructed at Wattegama while the longest tunnel -- 615 metres in length -- has been built at Nakutiya. The Matara-Beliatta stretch of the Southern Railway Expansion project is 26.75 km long and is being constructed by the CMC on a concessionary loan of US$278 million obtained from the Exim Bank of China. The second phase of the Railway Expansion project from Beliatta to Hambantota and the third phase from Hambantota to Kataragama will begin during the next few years. (By Lahiru Pothmulla) Pix by Pradeep Pathirana Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (third from left) handing over a certificate to a SLITA diplomat, joined by Chairman of Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF) Sharad Amalean (far right) JAAF Secretary General Tuly Cooray (second from right) and Ministry of Industry and Commerce Additional Secretary Textile Development M.A. Thajudeen (second from left) Having successfully wrapped a three decades run, Sri Lankas foremost apparel training body is to expand to the South Asian region next. Meanwhile, for Sri Lanka to sustain its apparel advantage over the longer term, it needs to think beyond its low cost of labour. I am pleased to inform that Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is planning to expand, said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, addressing the apparel industry graduation ceremony by SLITA at Nelum Pokuna theatre where more than 500 new SLITA grads received their certificates and awards from him. Industry leaders such as Chairman of Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF) Sharad Amalean and JAAF Secretary General Tuly Cooray, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Additional Secretary Textile Development M.A. Thajudeen, as well as High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Riaz Hamidullah attended the event. With todays passing out of another 500 diplomates the grand total of SLITA course participants stands at 21600 said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: As the only government institution engaged in training for apparel and leather sectors SLITA showed several important achievements. In 2017 SLITA performed almost 50000 testings for the first time, trained 5400 persons. These successful diplomates obtained academic and onthe-job training in textile and apparel technology with latest industrial exposure. Today I am also pleased to inform you that SLITA has important plans of expansion. SLITA is planning to expand its services to South Asian region and preparing to establish links and collaborations with prestigious textile and apparel institutions in the region. SLITA is also planning to acquire degree awarding status to award apparel degrees. Highlighting apparel sector performance of the first half of 2018 he said,Our apparel exports that picked up in May this year strengthened further in June. The total exports in January-June this year was at US$2.4 billion, up by 5 percent compared to same period in 2017. We exported US $ 1 billon apparels to EU, another US$ 1 billion to US and US$321 million to the rest of the world. Exports to EU grew by 7.76 percent and to US by 3.77 percent. For us to sustain this success rate over the longer period, we need to focus on gaining more advantages, in addition to our low labour costs. I like to make three suggestions for the next stage of Sri Lankan apparel sector said JAAF Chairman Sharad Amalean. Increased adoption of digital platforms and e-commerce business for the sector. Secondly, speed and agility in our end-to-end courses. Thirdly, making Sri Lanka a total solutions hub-this is important. SLITA has a 30 year-history of continued success and was formally established as a single institution (after merging two institutions) by Parliament Act no 12 of 2009. Sri Lankan cabinet minister and Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella will attend former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral on Friday, as an envoy of Sri Lanka, authorities said. Various Sri Lankan leaders paid rich tribute to the three time-PM, hailing him as a friend of Sri Lanka. In a tweet on Thursday, President Maithripala Sirisena said: Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world. Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan said India has lost one of its most regarded intellectual and statesman. He served the great country of India with humility and honesty, and he was much loved and respected by millions of people across the world. Former three-time Prime Minister Vajpayee is also an exceptional orator and a leader with a great sense of humour, his speeches within the Indian parliament and outside will always be remembered, he said in a statement, extending his condolences on behalf of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Recalling Mr. Vajpayees contributions to bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam said India-Sri Lanka relations were blessed by Mr. Vajpayee's futuristic policies. I was privileged to have met him as the Deputy High Commissioner at the time. The India-Sri Lanka FTA, the first free trade agreement for both countries, stands testimony to his visionary leadership, the top official tweeted. In his condolence message Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Mr. Vajpayee played a vital role in ensuring the stability of Sri Lanka. I am deeply saddened by the death of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was a true friend of Sri Lanka. Shri Vajpayee led India during the transition of global geopolitics and ensured that his country rose in International stature. He also followed proactive policy of reaching out to Indias neighbours in South Asia and South East Asia," Mr. Wickremesinghe said in a statement. I have had the privilege of knowing Shri A.B.Vajpayee since 1975. Furthermore, we had a close working relationship during my tenure as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2004," he said, adding: "I will continue to treasure the memories of my friendship with this great man." (Hindu) Strong winds that hit 12 districts during the past two days have damaged nearly 700 houses, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today. It said the districts of Galle, Kegalle, Jaffna, Puttalam, Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura Batticloa and Jaffna were affected by the winds. The DMC quoting the Meteorology Department said wind speeds were still high over the island and over the seas. Fairly strong winds of up to 50 to 60 kmph are likely over the island particularly in the Central, North-Western, North-Central, Eastern and Western Provinces and in the Hambantota district, it said. The seas off Colombo to Kankasanturai via Puttalam and the seas off Hambantota to Pottuvil can be rough at times because the wind speeds could increase up to 60-70 kmph at times. The Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant. Showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts and fairly heavy rain fall of about 75 mm can be expected at some places according to the forecast issued by the Met Department. Meanwhile vehicular movements were disrupted along the Hatton Colombo main because of a landslide at Shannon Estate in Hatton. Sluice gates of the Laksapana and Upper Kotmale Reservoirs were kept open yesterday as well. (Yohan Perera) Additional reports by Santha Chandrasiri and Ranjith Rajapaksa BRASILIA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese immigrants have made important contributions to Brazilian society and Brazil recognizes China as a sister nation, a Brazilian lawmaker said Wednesday as the Latin American country observed its first Chinese Immigration Day. "Chinese immigration was of utmost importance to the consolidation of our history. They are a people of great wisdom, humility and brotherhood," Fausto Pinato, a federal deputy and head of the Brazil-China Parliamentary Front, said during a solemn session in the Chamber of Deputies. In June, President Michel Temer declared August 15 would be set aside to commemorate the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants in Brazil. It is also the day when China and Brazil established formal diplomatic ties in 1974. Pinato also urged the government to make it easier for Chinese investment to flow into Brazil and bolster bilateral ties. China's ambassador to Brazil, Li Jinzhang, said he was glad to see August 15 as a special day for "transoceanic friendship." "More than 200 years ago, an extraordinarily courageous group of tea producers crossed the ocean, writing the first page of the story. That same pioneering spirit has been demonstrated by the relationship between the two countries," Li said. Brazil was the first country in Latin America to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Li said Brazil's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative will see the Latin American country play a role in the modern development scheme inspired by the ancient Silk Road. Thomas Law, president of the Brazil-China Sociocultural Institute in Sao Paulo and a second-generation Chinese in Brazil, descibed his family's integration. "I was born in Sao Paulo, my parents are Chinese immigrants. My wife's parents are also Chinese," he said. "When they arrived, they encountered a culture shock, but they adapted and made progress, and we were able to study and make progress as well." Law said commercial partnerships are not enough. "We need to increase cultural ties in order to have a good and lasting relationship based on friendship," he said. Chinese represent about 5 percent of Brazil's registered immigrant population, according to police data. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] QUITO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian police dismantled the local arm of a transnational drug-trafficking organization with links to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, authorities said Wednesday. As part of a coordinated multinational anti-crime operation, police on Tuesday arrested eight suspects in several Ecuadorian cities, including the capital Quito, the Prosecutor General's Office said. In 14 raids, police seized 106 kg of marijuana and 3,400 liters of sulphuric acid, which is used to make cocaine. The group operated in other countries across the region, with raids carried out simultaneously in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Ecuador as part of the operation dubbed "Neptune's Harpoon," the Office said. So far 61 raids were carried out with 38 suspects arrested. Preliminary investigations found that "the organization ran a specialized structure in each country that began with production in Colombia and Ecuador" and included "distribution in Guatemala and Mexico, where they maintained alliances with the Sinaloa Cartel," the Office said. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Potential has not been fully utilised Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) show that the EU is one of the largest markets for agricultural products, such as coffee, pepper, fruit, nuts and spices. For example, Vietnam is one of the two largest suppliers of pepper to the EU with an average export volume of 40,000 tonnes a year, accounting for 23% of Vietnam's pepper exports and meeting 53% of the EU markets demand. However, the general picture of the export turnover of Vietnamese agricultural products to the EU shows they are not living up to their potential. According to Tran Ngoc Quan, Deputy Head of the MOITs European-American Market Department, looking at output, it can be seen that Vietnam has great agricultural output with a long tradition of production and export to the EU. However, when looking at specific commodity structures, Vietnamese agricultural products focus on seasonal crops rather than year-round sales. Therefore, aside from seafood and rice, most of the items only concentrate on a certain time, such as vegetables. Therefore, in terms of supply, Vietnam's agricultural products are only temporarily available and this is a great constraint for regular exports. In addition, the EU markets demand is selective with agricultural products, resulting in a limited export turnover to this market. For example, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the EU account for less than 1% of the markets total imports. Even pepper a commodity that Vietnam has strength in in the EU has faced difficulties recently when the EU has warned about pesticide residues. The EU is not an open agricultural market and has very strong protection in this area. It has also introduced a number of strict conditions for food hygiene and safety, as well as applying various measures for plant safety, animal quarantine and quality control that makes it relatively difficult for Vietnam to enter the market. There are some products that the EU implies limits on residual antibiotics and pesticides to the level of nearly 0%, which means it closes the door for such goods," said Quan. On the side of businesses, Hoang Thi Minh Tam, manager of the Export-Import Department of IDD Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that with the aim of exporting Vietnamese roasted coffee to the EU market, IDD Vietnam has invested in modern coffee processing technologies and has tried to control the quality of coffee right from planting to the finished process. However, the export of coffee to the EU market is still on a rocky road. Tam emphasised: "The EU is a very fastidious market. The export of agricultural products to this market requires a lot of standards to be met, while the company has just achieved very basic certifications like ISO. In addition, EU importers still tend to import cheap raw materials and coffee roasting and grinding technologies in European countries are very good." Which solutions for Vietnamese agricultural products? Vietnam has advantages in terms of production and export of tropical agricultural products to the EU but they need to meet high requirements from this fastidious market. Vietnam has advantages in terms of the production and export of tropical agricultural products to the EU market, as Europe does not have the climate to produce these commodities. Especially, in the near future time, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is expected to open up opportunities for Vietnam's agricultural products as the import tax is sharply reduced to 0-5%. However, in order to gain access to this market, special attention should be paid to product quality. According to Quan, at present, Vietnam is mainly exporting preliminarily processed agricultural products with a low investment advantage and exporting right after harvesting, which is brings low value and profits which are mainly collected in the farming and catching processes. For high export value with high value, the focus should be put on the processing stage. "Moreover, when investing in processing agricultural products, enterprises will enjoy a large tax difference compared to competing countries, while improving competitiveness and gaining higher value added, from which it will be possible to boost export turnover and achieve higher and more sustainable growth," Quan added. In particular, to increase both the export quantity and value, the requirements related to chain and promoting export chains must be met. The current agricultural products to be provided to small-scale retailing shops should seek to be sold directly to distribution systems such as supermarkets for greater stability and sustainability. However, in order to enter the supermarket chain, both EU standards and the distributors requirements on the chain must be met. Domestic enterprises should pay special attention to the quality of their products, not only in the transportation stage, but throughout the whole process of production, along with a transparency of origin to facilitate importers in the distribution of food safety. The MOIT has pledged to continue supporting producers and farmers through training programs on standardised production and promoting brand building so that businesses can take full advantage of identifiable brands to reach the global market. In particular, the ministry will continue negotiating free trade agreements to create favourable opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products to easily access markets with a better competitive position. Australia Orders 211 Boxer Armored Vehicles Worth Over 2 billion The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. 16 August 2018 (BBC News) More than 100 people are thought to have died in devastating monsoon floods in Indias southern state of Kerala, the worst in almost a century. Rescuers battled torrential rains to save residents, with nearly 150,000 reportedly left homeless. The state government said many of those who died were crushed under debris caused by landslides. With more rains predicted and a red alert in place, the main airport has reportedly been shut until 26 August.A state official told AFP that 106 people had now died, while the Economic Times in India reports 114 have been killed. Hundreds of troops have been deployed to rescue those caught up in the flooding, alongside helicopters and lifeboats. The government has urged people not to ignore evacuation orders. It is distributing food to tens of thousands who have fled to higher ground. 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 The big fear is that the distress could spill over into other emerging markets and cause a cascading wave of losses. By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK Why are investors around the world so worried about Turkey's economy, when it's smaller than Florida's? Because of the possibility that somebody bigger will be next. Investors have been pulling out of Turkey's markets, sending its stock market and currency plunging. That's making debt that Turkish companies owe in dollar terms even more expensive to pay back, which only further weakens the country's financial system. . . . Subscriber content preview By JOCELYN GECKER and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Yosemite National Park reopened its scenic valley Tuesday after a nearly three-week closure due to nearby wildfires but advised visitors to expect smoky air, limited lodging and food services at the popular California park. In Montana, hundreds of people were hastily evacuated from Glacier National Park where a wildfire destroyed at least nine homes and cabins in one of the park's historic districts. . . . Lebanon's mountains offer cool refuge from Mideast heat By HAMZA HENDAWI Associated Press AP photo/Hamza Hendawi [enlarge] Mountains surround Faraya, a popular ski resort north of Beirut. Lebanon's high mountain ranges are refuge for people living in the cities, towns and villages below. FARAYA, Lebanon The passengers' chatter on the Beirut-bound flight was far from reassuring. Taxi drivers were striking. Traffic was going to be bad. Add the heat and suffocating humidity of a typical summer day and you're hit with a powerful urge to get out of town. The mountains? Absolutely. Whether during war or peace, Lebanon's high mountain ranges have long been a favorite refuge for Lebanese living in cities, towns and villages along the Mediterranean coastline. If anything happens here (in the mountains) now, then it's probably the end of the world, said 24-year-old old hotelier Elyse Salamah. Just a short drive from Beirut, the mountains offer an escape from summer heat and, for those with deep pockets, a place to ski in winter. Others make the trip in pursuit of culinary bliss: the perfect tabbouleh, the ultimate hummus or the divine pastry kunafeh. The mountains saw some of the worst battles of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. But they have also served as a safe haven from conflict, including the 2006 war between the Shiite Hezbollah group and Israel, when tens of thousands fled there to escape the month of fighting and bombardment. My destination was Faraya, a ski resort high enough 1,850 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level to be sufficiently cool in July. It took nearly an hour and a half to drive the 50-kilometer (30-mile) route, winding around sharp mountain curves. The moment I stepped out of the car at my destination a small family-run hotel I knew I made the right decision. The temperature was a pleasant 22 C (72 F), noticeably cooler than Beirut along with a just fraction of the capital's humidity. But what does one do in a ski resort in summer? Not an awful lot, to be honest. But you can hike on nature trails if you feel up to it. One trek takes you up to an imposing, 23-meter (75-foot) statue of St. Charbel, a 19th-century saint revered by Lebanon's Maronite Christians. A hooded monk, he raises a hand in blessing over the landscape of mountains, barren in the summer, snow-covered in winter. Or you can drive around the surrounding hills in a quad (all-terrain vehicle) or just swim and sunbathe at any of the many small pools in the village, which charge a fee for a day's use. But if you are a big city boy like myself my hometown, Cairo, is a city of 20 million with the unflattering distinction of being among the world's most polluted cities then a short break in Faraya offers a rare opportunity to kick back, relax and savor Lebanese food. And the village offers visitors unique little experiences you rarely encounter in big city life. Like most other mountain villages, almost all hotels and restaurants in Faraya are family run, so staying there has a personal feel. From where I sat in my hotel's dining room, I could hear the chef, Mahmoud Mohammed, in the kitchen cooking, chopping the onions and parsley for my tabbouleh. And at every meal, he came out to discuss the food with me. The vegetables you just ate I picked from our kitchen garden today, the chef boasted one evening after serving a light dinner of tabbouleh and hummus. I spent years spying on experienced chefs while they cooked. I have my own secrets now and I make sure that no one is watching when I cook. Or, take the woman running the local supermarket. When I asked her, Are these strawberries grown in Lebanon? she clearly thought it was a silly question. Yes, they come from my back garden, she declared. Go to a restaurant in the center of the village and you can be sure you'll find three generations of family involved in running it usually the grandfather cooking, the daughter or son waiting tables and the grandchildren glued to smart phones between running errands. One thing visitors must remember when in Faraya, which is on the Matn mountains range, that this is not the Swiss or French Alps with tourist-poster landscapes. In the summer, the mountains around Faraya are dry and treeless. And all through Lebanon's mountains, there are the infrastructure woes that plague the country. But don't focus too much on the litter on roadsides or in some of the mountain streams. Don't complain too much about the quality of the running water in your hotel room (drink only bottled water). The country's economic problems also mean the mountains are dotted with half-finished structures meant to be hotels or holiday apartments. Electricity? Make sure that your hotel has its own power generator. The alternative would be maddeningly frequent power cuts. Instead, enjoy the hospitality offered by locals, and of course, the wonderful food. Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanif Salim, thanked the HUFO and VIFA for their sentiments, while expressing his delight at the similarities in culture and the history of national liberation between the two countries. The Consul General expressed his wish that the Indonesian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City would receive more support from HUFO in order to promote the cooperation and friendship between Indonesia and Ho Chi Minh City. Hanif Salim pledged to make every effort to bring about benefits for the diplomatic and economic ties between the two sides for the prosperity of each country and the region as a whole. President of the VIFA chapter in Ho Chi Minh City, Le Ton Thanh, said that Vietnam and Indonesia have gained many achievements in various areas since they upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership in June 2013. The two countries posted two-way trade revenue of US$6.4 billion in 2017, an increase of 20% over 2016. Thanh noted that through regular visits, exchanges of delegations and partnerships in a wide range of areas, the people of Ho Chi Minh City have gained a better understanding of the economics, culture and society of Indonesia, contributing to enhancing the bilateral relations in the future. Subscriber content preview By WILLIAM J. KOLE Associated Press TRURO, Mass. On a windswept dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, hastily erected signs warned Cape Cod beachgoers to stay out of the water on Thursday, a day after a New York man became the first person to be attacked by a shark off the coast of Massachusetts since 2012. The victim, William Lytton, of Scarsdale, New York, was airlifted to a hospital in Boston, where he was being treated for deep puncture wounds to his torso and leg after staggering to shore, dazed and bleeding. . . . Subscriber content preview AUBURN The Landings at River's Edge, at 1741 22nd St. N.E., has sold for $21.3 million, according to King County records. The seller was Trimark-Landings at Rivers Edge LLC, which acquired the property in 2014 for almost $14 million. The buyer was Madison Cypress LLC, which is associated with Madison Residential, a small private investor based in greater Los Angeles. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Ballard 57 apartments, at 1731 N.W. 57th St., have sold for a little over $10.9 million, according to King County records. The seller was 1731 NW 57th LLC, which acquired the land in 2014 for $910,000 and developed it. The buyer was WC Seattle V SPE LLC, which is associated with Wilshire Capital Partners of greater Los Angeles. Public records indicate a loan from CBRE Capital Markets. . . . Two years ago, Aneesah Latkan thought her dream of studying law was over after narrowly missing the grades for her first-choice university. But after getting accepted through Clearing to De Montfort Law School, she has been able to travel the world, study law and do what she loves best helping people. Embracing all the opportunities that DMU has to offer, Aneesah has been able to speak at the United Nations, support work to help refugee families in Germany and been given a commendation by her faculty for performing well in her year. And being part of DMUs visit to the United Nations in February this year has given her a new career goal, to work for the UN herself. She is part of a university delegation to be invited to the UN next week (August 23) to discuss the next phase of DMUs work. She said: So much has happened to me since I started at DMU, I cant believe it. Next week I am going to New York to suggest ideas for projects that help meet the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. Its incredible when you think about it. Aneesah said she remembered the day she collected her A-levels as it had confirmed her sense she had not done as well as she had hoped. She said: Before my results, I had an inkling that I had not done as well as I wanted, so I started to do research about universities that offered law. Im from Leicester and I had friends and knew people at DMU so it was one of the universities I looked at. Honestly, the day of A-levels I was looking at my results and I thought theres nowhere I can get in life it sounds so dramatic but I felt so down. But because Id done my research, I was able to make informed calls and I rang DMU and talked to them and explained how much I wanted to study law. They were so helpful. Aneesah, from Humberstone in Leicester was the first person in her family to go to university. In her first year, she applied for and won a Stephen Lawrence Scholarship which has helped her to cover some of the costs of higher education. RELATED NEWS: * Discover De Montfort University Leicester Law School * Students travel to United Nations * Foxes stars greet new students on Clearing day at DMU At the end of her second year, she got a letter from the faculty congratulating her on her performance. She said: It motivates me to do even better. Instead of going into her final year, Aneesah will have a 12-month internship role supporting DMUs work with the United Nations, as a global hub for Sustainable Development Goal 16, supporting peace, justice and strong institutions. She will continue to volunteer for Islamic Relief for which she was a volunteer of the year finalist this year and aims to use her legal skills working with the British Red Cross on its refugee casework. She said: My whole life I have wanted to help other people. Im committed to the things I believe in. This year has been so good. I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. The NAs external activities have changed bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as via friendship parliamentary mechanisms, she said, citing the establishment of the 57 specific friendship groups which have helped enhance understanding and friendship with foreign parliamentarians. Pointing out the rapid and complex development of the regional and international situation that presents both opportunities and challenges, the top legislator said it is necessary to identify the position and significance of the legislatures foreign relations in order to carry forward the efficiency of parliamentary diplomacy, and thus ensure national interests are kept. Besides this, the legal system must be completed in order to facilitate external affairs in the spirit of Politburos Resolution No. 22 on international integration, NA Chairwoman Ngan suggested. She also talked about coordination between channels of external affairs to maximise the nations strength in this regard, with focus on reinforcing relations with neighbouring countries, other ASEAN members, strategic and comprehensive partners, and traditional friends. The coordination should also target promoting trade ties; narrowing differences and seeking new friends and partners; contributing to strengthening friendships and mutual trust with foreign countries; and gathering international support, she said. The chief legislator added that the NA will effectively perform its membership at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)s Executive Committee; thoroughly prepare for hosting the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020 and taking on the role of AIPA General Secretary for 2019-2021; while constructively participating in the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership forum. At the same time, the Vietnamese legislature needs to engage in building common mechanisms, rules, and standards; forming a transparent, equal, democratic, and sustainable economic-political order; and utilising benefits brought about by multilateral cooperation, Ngan concluded. Zebrafish Buzzing on Taurine and Alcohol Zebrafish Buzzing on Taurine and Alcohol might sound like an up-and-coming rap rave collective from Shoreditch, but it is actually the result a new academic study. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil wanted to test the effects of mixing alcohol with energy drinks. All they really needed to do was go out into any UK town centre on a Friday night and talk to revellers enjoying Jagerbombs and vodka and Red Bulls. That would have told them that it blends inebriation with vigour and added focus, but instead the researchers took a different tack. They packed a tank with 192 zebrafish and dripped alcohol and taurine the key energy-giving ingredient in energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster into the water. The academics found that taurine seemed to increase the fear-reducing properties of alcohol, but also affected social communication. After watching the raving zebrafish for a while, Dr Matt Parker, senior lecturer in behavioural pharmacology and molecular neuroscience at the University of Portsmouth, said: The effects of mixing alcohol and energy drinks is yet to be established. He added: This study is the first to show that the two together may be exacerbating some of the negative effects of binge-drinking that is, reduction of fear and problems in social communication while intoxicated, which collectively increase the risk of fighting, violence and participation in risky behaviours. Rowdy zebrafish. The fish that were exposed to both alcohol and taurine apparently had fewer interactions with other fish in the shoal compared with those exposed to water alone or just alcohol. These fish also showed more risky behaviour. A bit like Friday night on the dance floor in a nightclub in Cardiff, Newcastle or Leeds, when the shapes start getting thrown. Chimpanzees are often said to be the closest species to humans, but getting a bunch of chimps to drink vodka and Red Bull might have been frowned upon. Parker said that zebrafish are actually a highly social species with similar biological and behavioural responses to alcohol, making them ideal for studying the effects of alcohol on behaviour. Here, we found that the addition of taurine, an ingredient in many energy drinks, appears to exacerbate risky choices in zebrafish, as well as reducing their social cohesion, he said. Taken together, these data appear to suggest that mixing alcohol and taurine might be a factor in increasing some of the negative effects of alcohol. People should be aware that drinking energy drinks in combination with alcohol may impair their judgment, and should do so with caution. So there you have it. The good people of the University of Portsmouth advise proceeding with caution when mixing the two together. However, a clearly unimpressed spokeswoman for the British Soft Drinks Association hit back, hit back, mocking the study and the claims made by Parker. This study, carried out on fish, runs contrary to the body of evidence in this area and as pointed out by the co-author does not prove cause and effect, she said. The European Food Safety Authority latest opinion confirms the safety of energy drinks. In fact, EFSAs meta-analysis of literature the largest of its kind to date found there to be no masking effect of caffeine when combined with alcohol and states that alcohol consumption is unlikely to exacerbate the effects of caffeine on the central nervous system. EFSA concluded that studies linking consumption of energy drinks with alcohol and increased risk-taking behaviour, were either cross-sectional or retrospective and did not allow a causal role to be attributed. Ben Butler, spokesman for industry funded charity Drinkaware, stepped in to provide the voice of reason. They may make you feel like you can stay out all night but mixing alcohol mixed with energy drinks can be a dangerous combination, he said. Energy drinks can mask the effects of alcohol, and make you wide awake drunk, so you may underestimate how youre feeling and end up drinking more alcohol than you normally would. The more alcohol you consume the more you are at risk of accident, injury and risky behaviour. So dont act like a crazy zebrafish and be sure to moderate your intake of alcohol and energy drinks in order to live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life. Related articles: The first thing to recognize is that Denmark, like the other Nordic countries, has quite a free-market economy, apart from its welfare state transfers and high government consumption. The Nordic countries tend to get rather high rankings on global measures of economic freedom. Denmark is thus number 22 on the Fraser Institutes Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index and number 11 on the index published by the Heritage Foundation. 1 Denmark ranks at number 3 on the World Banks Doing Business report, which assesses the ease of doing business around the world. 2 The first thing to recognize is that Denmark, like the other Nordic countries, has quite a free-market economy, apart from its welfare state transfers and high government consumption. The Nordic countries tend to get rather high rankings on global measures of economic freedom. Denmark is thus number 22 on the Fraser Institutes Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index and number 11 on the index published by the Heritage Foundation. 1 Denmark ranks at number 3 on the World Banks Doing Business report, which assesses the ease of doing business around the world. 2 Table 1. Economic Freedom in Denmark, Ratings and Rankings (maximum rating 10.0) Source: James Gwartney, Robert Lawson and Joshua Hall, Economic Freedom of the World: 2015 Annual Report (Vancouver: Fraser Institute, 2015) Table 1 shows the Danish scores on the five sub-indices of the EFW index. High tax revenues, marginal tax rates, and government spending related to the welfare state earn Denmark a very low rank on those size-of-government measures. On the other indicators, however, Denmark scores quite high, in some cases in the top ten. Its ratings on the protection of property rights and the integrity of the legal system are very high by international standards, as is the soundness of its monetary system (with the Krone having been pegged to the Euro or the Deutsch Mark for more than 30 years). Being a small country very dependent on the international division of labor and comparative advantage, Denmark has a long tradition of free trade with the outside world (nowadays the trade regime is to a high degree determined by the European Union). With respect to regulation, Denmark scores quite well. Credit markets are among the less regulated internationally. During the recent financial crisis, tax payers did not have to subsidize banks, and some banks were allowed to fail. The Danish labor market is very flexible: there is no legislated minimum wage, and there are few restrictions on hiring and firing. The overall labor market score on the EFW is, however, dragged down by the existence of conscription. Finally, Denmark is the least corrupt country in the world according to Transparency International. 3 Second, Denmark did not become a rich country recently. As Figure 1 shows, Danish per capita GDP relative to other countries reached a maximum 40 to 60 years ago (ignoring the noise from the Great Depression and World War II). Denmark caught up to and overtook old Europe in the fifties, while it narrowed the gap with the United States and other Western offshoots until the early 1970s, when the process of catching up came to a halt. Danes are still not as rich as Americans. Figure 1. Danish Per Capita GDP Relative to Other Countries Source: Angus Maddison, Historical Statistics of the World Economy: 1-2008 AD, 2008, available at: http://www.ggdc.net/MADDISON/oriindex.htm. At the time Denmark became rich relative to the rest of the world, it was not a welfare state. In fact, Denmark has historically been a low tax country by international standards (see Figure 2). Until the 1960s the ratio of Danish tax revenue to GDP was the same as in the United States and lower than in Great Britain. The sharp divergence in the Danish tax level really occurred in the second half of the 1960s, when first a left-wing coalition government and then a right-wing one increased the tax-to-GDP ratio by some ten percentage points. Interestingly, government spending was to a large extent driven by increases in tax revenue stemming from the introduction of a value-added tax and withholding taxes on wage income. Figure 2. Historical Tax Burden Note: The Danish series has data break in 1947 and 1965, the American in 1948 and 1965. Source: OECD Tax Databse, Fiora consolidated govt revenue, Whitehouse.gov, taxfoundation.org, konomisk vkst i Danmark - Svend Aage Hansen, Beskatning i Danmark - DST 1987, and own calculations. The 1970s saw a strong tax revolt, as Mogens Glistrups newly formed Progress Party became the second largest in the 1973 landslide election. Nevertheless, spending kept growing as the welfare state attracted new clients and new programs were added, the economic crisis lead to increasing unemployment, and attempts were made to combat the crisis by increasing fiscal expenditures. By the early 1980s the economy was in very bad shape, with high unemployment, a huge and widening government deficit, and serious concerns over the large external deficit. All governments since the right-wing government, which came to power in 1982, have implemented structural reforms of the welfare state and tax system, reducing welfare state generosity and cutting marginal tax rates, as well as consolidating public finances. So, Denmark first became rich, and then introduced the government programs that make up the welfare state. The huge increase in government spending has been accompanied by deep structural problems, which has made it necessary to reform the Danish economy and welfare state. It can hardly be claimed that introducing the welfare state made Denmark rich; rather it was the other way around. Denmark first became rich, and then the authorities began to redistribute some of the wealth. But what about Denmarks apparent happiness? Maybe material wealth doesnt matter that much if you are satisfied with your life. In fact, life satisfaction and income are highly correlated both across country averages and across individuals within a country, as pointed out in a comprehensive study of the literature by Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers . 4 (The 2015 Nobel laureate in economics, Angus Deaton, has made the same point.) 5 They reject the so-called Easterlin Paradox, which posits that in the long run increased income doesnt correlate with increased happiness (and that saw only a between- and not a within-country correlation), and thus could be interpreted as a case for redistribution. If redistributing from the rich to the poor didnt make the rich less happy, redistribution could increase gross national happiness. And in that case, welfare state redistribution could be the reason for the Danish world record in self-reported happiness. Alas, Denmark is no longer the happiest country in the world, having been overtaken by the low-taxed Swiss in the latest survey. 6 More important, as already mentioned, the Easterlin Paradox is not supported by the literature. The Danes high happiness level is probably due to their high income level. Furthermore, as pointed out by Christian Bjrnskov , a high level of trust also seems to increase life satisfaction, and, as Danes are quite trustful, that might play a role here too. 7 Again, the high level of trust preceded the welfare state in Denmark rather than being caused by it. In many respects, Denmark could serve as a model for the world. But if you fail to learn the right lessons, it could be dangerous to try to imitate our model, especially the idea that you can become rich by redistributing wealth or that there is a gentler, more successful way to socialism than the one experienced by typical socialist countries. And it would certainly be ironic if the Danish case were to become an excuse for politicians in the United States, Greece, or other countries to avoid fiscal consolidation and economic reform, since we Danes have been reforming and consolidating for decades to deal with the problems created by the introduction of our welfare state. Notes 1. James Gwartney, Robert Lawson and Joshua Hall, Economic Freedom of the World: 2015 Annual Report (Vancouver: Fraser Institute, 2015), co-published in the United States by the Cato Institute. 2. World Bank, Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency (Washington: World Bank, 2014). 3. Transparency International, 2014 Corruption Perception Index (Berlin: Transparency International, 2014). 4. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, Subjective Well Being and Income: Is There Any Evidence of Satiation? American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings 2013, vol. 103, no. 3, pp. 598-604. 5. Angus Deaton, The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality (Princeton University Press, 2013), pp. 18, 21. 6. John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard, and Jeffrey Sachs, eds, World Happiness Report 2015(New York: Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2015). * The Republic of Korea (RoK) earmarked 3.47 billion won (US$3.1 million) to operate the liaison office with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) slated to open in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong later this month, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday (August 16). * Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country is willing to improve strategic communication with China and strengthen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. * Paraguay's new president, Mario Abdo Benitez, was sworn in on August 15, vowing to create a strong and independent justice system to end impunity. * Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will pay a working visit to Singapore soon, according to an official announcement Thursday. * Brazil's Workers' Party (PT) on Wednesday officially registered ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its presidential candidate with the nation's top election body, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). * The White House said on Wednesday that the United States will not lift sanctions on Turkish steel and aluminum products even if detained American pastor Andrew Brunson is released. * The South African government on August 15 launched an anti-corruption campaign that encourages public involvement. * Delegations of the Agriculture Ministries of eight European Union (EU) countries (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Croatia) have adopted a joint declaration on a draft European directive to combat unfair trading practices. * A boat carrying 35 immigrants was rescued in south of Malta, the government said on August 15 in a statement. * Israel reopens Gaza's main cargo crossing on Wednesday morning, a week after it was closed amidst a flare-up of violence. * At least 22 students drowned on Wednesday morning when a boat sank on the Nile River in Sudan, state news agency SUNA reported. The boat was carrying more than 40 students when it sank. * Ways to bolster security cooperation to combat terrorism and developments of regional crises topped discussions of French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan on August 15, Macron's office said. * Senior officials from China and Russia vowed Wednesday to jointly safeguard "just and equitable" international order and promote global and regional peace and stability. * South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on August 15 said the peace agreement signed with rebels marks the end of over four years of conflict as it brings members of the various warring factions into one national army during the start of the transitional period. * The Maldives government on August 15 said that the presidential election will go ahead as scheduled on September 23 and campaigning for the election was progressing smoothly in a peaceful environment. * Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni on August 15 said he was not hurt in a Monday (August 13) attack on his convoy in the northwestern Ugandan district of Arua. Singapore firm plans to invest in Cambodia's aquaculture Lush Food Pte Ltd., a Singapore-based firm, has announced its intentions to build fish farms in Cambodia. Patrick Yap, managing director of Lush Food held a meeting this week, with Say Sam Al, Minister of Environment, to discuss an investment proposal. According to Mr. Yap, his intent is to breed quality fish to meet both local and international demands. "The project focuses on aquaculture, particularly national species as well as endangered ones, which will contribute to the preservation of the country's biodiversity," he explained during the meeting. Agreeing with Mr. Yap's sentiments, Mr. Sam Al alsoindicated his support for the project as long as it complies with national and international laws, specifically referring to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The minister added that the investment makes good business sense because of local fish demands and would aid the national economy while creating more jobs. In April this year, a Chinese-owned company, Jin Yu Tang Aquaculture (Cambodia) Co. announced plans to invest $100 million in freshwater and seawater aquaculture projects in Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong provinces. The investment plan includes building fish farms in Koh Kong's SreAmbel district, which will spread over an area of 240 hectares and deep-sea breeding and hatching projects in Sihanouville'sKohRongSamloem island, which will cover 2,000 hectares. Last year, Cambodia's total fish catch equalled 856 tonnes, an increase of 6.7% from the previous year. Source: KHMER TIMES Swine fever outbreak in Ghana spread from neighboring Cote d'Ivoire? Ghana has also seen its first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) this year, as the disease seems to be spreading in the European, Asian and African continents. The USDA's Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports Ghana confirmed the outbreak of ASF in five districts of the country's Central Region. The USDA-GAIN report said that 898 hogs had been culled in the five affected districts. It cited "unsubstantiated reports" associating the Ghanaian outbreak with a larger outbreak in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire that began in late 2017. The report also cited government sources that said the current ASF outbreak occurred in a cluster of pigsty in a suburb of the regional capital, Cape Coast, on May 1. By May 18, the mortality rate stood at 83%. Ghana has taken biosecurity measures, as well as banned the movement, slaughtering and sale of pigs in the Central Region. Meanwhile, earlier in October 2017 Cote d'Ivoire reported an ASF outbreak to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and even up to July 6 this year, the country was recording pig fatalities. 'Diseased pigs brought in from Cote d'Ivoire' In total, Cote d'Ivoire reported 4,746 animals affected and 4,546 deaths. There were unofficial reports from the Ghanaian side that fishermen informally brought diseased pigs into the Central Region on the coast of Ghana after buying the animals at reduced prices in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the USDA-GAIN report, the pig industry in Ghana posted very significant growth in the last decade, with pig numbers increasing to over 650,000 at present, although most of the farms are small-scale. It said pork products are in high demand due to the increasing number of urban and middle-income consumers. However, ASF, which can cause mortalities of up to 100% of affected herd, remains one of the major challenges facing the local industry. The FAO has recognised the seriousness of this problem so that it mobilised experts last year to develop resources for a "regional strategy for the control of African swine fever in Africa". By Town Hall , Aug. 14, 2018 Well, heres some good news emanating from CNN: most Americans want the Mueller probe to end before the midterms. That also includes a majority of Democrats. For over a year, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who was appointed special counsel to oversee the Department of Justices collusion investigation, has been trying to find solid evidence that the Trump team and the Kremlin worked together to tilt the 2016 election. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook By LifeZette , Aug. 16, 2018 In the wake of harrowing discoveries including the buried body of a small child at a compound in New Mexico recently, immigration officials said Wednesday that one of the suspects arrested is a longtime illegal immigrant from Haiti who overstayed her visitor visa, and by more than two decades. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook Mexico City, Aug 17 (EFE).- Canceling the construction of a new international airport for the Mexican capital would mean writing off roughly 100 billion pesos ($5.25 billion) that has already been spent, a top aide to President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday. Structures already completed in Texcoco, the site of the planned new terminal, represent 60 percent of the $5.25 billion, future Communications and Transport Secretary Javier Jimenez Espriu said during the presentation of a report commissioned by Lopez Obrador. He said that the study lists the pros and cons of two alternative approaches to alleviating congestion at Mexico City's existing airport. One of the choices is to proceed with the new terminal in Texcoco, while the other calls for converting a capital-area airbase into an civil aviation facility. The Lopez Obrador team plans to conduct a "broad consultation" with experts, stakeholders and the general public to determine which option is best, Jimenez said. The president-elect, who will take office Dec. 1, has already announced plans for a "binding" national referendum on the airport project, to be held in the last week of October. The new capital airport has been one of the major projects of the administration of outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto, but Lopez Obrador promised during the campaign to re-evaluate the plan in terms both of cost and environmental impact. While the original price tag was $13 billion, Jimenez said Friday that completing the Texcoco project would cost $15.74 billion. Lopez Obrador told reporters Friday that he was not ruling out the possibility of seeking bids for a concession to operate the new airport. He stressed his aim of minimizing the amount of public money needed for the project. The results were announced on the state-owned National Television of Cambodia. "Yes, the CPP won all 125 parliamentary seats," NEC spokesman Dim Sovannarom told Xinhua. Twenty political parties contested in the sixth general election on July 29. The NEC said the CPP garnered 4.88 million votes, or 76.84 percent, of the total valid votes. In the 2013 election, the CPP earned only 68 seats. In a speech to thousands of garment factory workers on Wednesday morning in Phnom Penh's western suburb, Hun Sen expressed his profound gratitude to people for overwhelmingly supporting the CPP. The prime minister said the landslide victory truly reflects the confidence of the people in the leadership of the CPP, which has led the country for nearly 40 years. Hun Sen will continue to lead the government for another five years through the triumph. He said a new parliament and a new government will be formed on September 5 and 6, respectively. Meanwhile, the prime minister said that in the new term government, he will hold regular consultation forums with other political parties in order to seek constructive ideas for national development. * French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have discussed regional crises, mainly violence escalation in Gaza and the situation in Libya where continued political instability threw a spanner into European Union's plan to curb migrants flows. * Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine in a phone conversation, the presidential press service said in a statement on August 16. * French President Emmanuel Macron on August 16 told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over phone conversation that Paris remained committed to cement bilateral economic ties and ensure Turkey's economic stability amid lira crisis. * Bolivia and Paraguay will work on an agreement to export Bolivian natural gas to Paraguay and explore building a regional pipeline, Bolivian Energy Minister Luis Alberto Sanchez said on August 16. *The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on August 16 held a meeting to hear reports on the investigation of the defective vaccine case involving Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Limited. * Chile's Civil Aviation Administration (DGAC) received anonymous bomb threats on August 16 that led to the disruption of several flights, local media reported. * Typhoon Rumbia, the 18th this year, made landfall at around 4:05 a.m. Friday in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, bringing torrential rains and packing strong winds of up to 23 meters per second, or 82.8 km per hour, at its eye, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC) of China. The tropical storm is expected to gradually wane as it keeps moving northwest at a speed of 30 km per hour, the center said. * Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on August 16 called for a political settlement in Libya. The two leaders agreed that a national consensus among different Libyan parties would be the solution and the Libyan crisis can only be resolved by Libyan people. * An upgraded long-range multimode missile carrier bomber Tu-22M3M made its debut in the Russian city of Kazan on August 16, the designer of the aircraft said. As reported previously, a total of 30 aircraft were scheduled to be upgraded to the level of the Tu-22M3M. * A passenger airplane flying from Egypt to Germany made an emergency landing on Greece's Crete island on August 16 amid a bomb alert, local media reported. All 281 people on board have disembarked safely and no injuries were reported. * Canada is sending five CF-18 Hornets to Romania to participate in NATO enhanced Air Policing from September to December 2018, according to the Canadian Defense Ministry on August 16. *Saudi Arabia announced Thursday that more than 1.7 million visas for Hajj pilgrims have been issued by its diplomatic missions abroad. Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. Continuing her Hunchun - Dalian high-speed rail journey, Amy arrived at Dunhua Liuding Moutain Culture Tourism Area. Look no further than this cultural landmark to experience some interesting historical nuances of the Qing Dynasty and China's Buddahism. Wearing a Manchu outfit and drinking some tasty rice wine, Amy feels like she has become a Chinese princess. Merkels statements about the historic summit German Chancellor Angela Merkel will tomorrow meet with Russias President Vladimir Putin and they will talk about the some topics on the agenda. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will tomorrow meet with Russias President Vladimir Putin and they will talk about the some topics on the agenda. HISTORIC SUMMIT "Russia, France, Germany and Turkeys leaders can meet to talk about topics of common interest. But there is no definite date for this summit. said Merkel in her statement. The background to this meeting includes Trumps announcement that he plans to impose sanctions on Russia, Turkey and other coutries. THEY AREN'T PLANING NEWS CONFERENCE Putin and Merkel will meet at the German governments guest house outside Berlin and will give short statements beforehand but arent planning a news conference, German officials have said. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert has said that topics will include the civil war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy questions. Trump continues to threat Turkey US President Donald Trump tweeted and threatened Turkey over American pastor Brunson. Us President Donald Trump attacks Turkeys economy via his last tweets. Trump thinks pastor Brunson, who was arrested in 2016, can be released in this way. US PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED AGAIN ABOUT TURKEY Yesterday he tweeted a message for Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States "will pay nothing" to Turkey for the release of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, who he called "a great patriot hostage. "We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!" Trump said on Twitter. LAST WEEK HE GOT LOTS OF CRITICISM Us President Trump tweeted another message for Turkey last week and he got lots of criticism about that. MORE SANCTIONS FOR TURKEY The U.S. warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assured Trump at a Cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed. "We have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly." Mnuchin said during the meeting. HE IS UNDER HOUSE ARREST Brunson, an Evangelical Presbyterian pastor from North Carolina, was arrested in 2016. Armenia doesnt top many investors lists. The former Soviet republic is in an ongoing military conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan, has two closed trade borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan (borders with Iran and Georgia are open), and pervasive corruption prevents Armenias three million citizens from prospering. But the countrys s new leader, Nikol Pashinyan, is taking aim at corruption. Within days of becoming prime minister and leading his Velvet Revolution, Pashinyan set fighting graft as one of his highest priorities. Not one official that makes corrupt, clan-based decisions and accepts bribes should sleep well Corruption is a cancerous tumor, which for many years has squeezed the lifeblood out of Armenia, Pashinyan said. In several high-profile investigations, Pashinyan has demonstrated that his government will hold everyone accountable. The effort started with a prominent general and member of parliament, moved on to the brother of the former president, and even a former president. Pashinyan and his team have credibly presented these cases as being guided by the rule of law to end enduring impunity, and not a political vendetta. How did we get to this breakthrough moment? This spring, widespread public outrage over the previous ruling elites systemic corruption fueled a massive public revolt. A quarter million demonstrators flooded the streets of the capital and many other cities. CIPEs partners Armenias leading business associations are witnessing a heightened sense of responsibility among both businesses and public officials to do the right thing, to capitalize on the political will and the countrys post-revolution euphoria. Anecdotally, several businesses have told CIPE that customs officials have stopped requesting bribes, while businesses now want to come out of the shadow and start paying taxes properly, knowing that oligarchs are being forced to pay their share of taxes. The most prominent example is an influential businessman and member of parliament, Samvel Aleksanyan, who paid almost $11 million in back taxes this summer. Armenias new government seems to be finally following through on past recommendations by the OECD and Transparency International to reinforce competition in quasi-monopoly / oligopoly sectors and enforce the countrys existing anti-corruption laws. Among key challenges are the governments ability to deliver on public expectations and maintain popular support, while facing resistance from the previous elites who remain powerful outside the capital. CIPEs global experience shows that because local small and medium-sized companies need a level playing field to thrive, they can be a highly-motivated force backing a governments anti-corruption efforts. This dynamic of politically engaged entrepreneurs frustrated with corruption becoming the engine of anti-corruption reforms is central to CIPEs approach in emerging markets worldwide. It led to the launch of an Anti-Corruption Mobilization program that swiftly deploys resources to countries like Armenia where a window of opportunity for anti-corruption reforms suddenly opens. It isnt surprising that Armenian companies increasingly seek information on anti-corruption compliance as a way to raise their competitiveness and attractiveness both domestically and internationally. For instance, the Armenian Corporate Governance Center independently initiated the translation of CIPEs publication Anti-Corruption Compliance: A Guide for Mid-Sized Companies in Emerging Markets into Armenian and presented it to the Armenian business community in June this year. That level of enthusiasm is good news for potential investors who may now be ready to explore opportunities in Armenia. _____ Katya Lysova, pictured above, is a Eurasia Program Officer at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). She works on anti-corruption compliance for SMEs and business-led anti-corruption collective action. She previously worked on anti-corruption compliance at TRACE International and the World Banks Integrity Vice Presidency (INT). She can be contacted here. Katrina Keegan, a summer intern at CIPE, contributed research for this post. The UK Serious Fraud Office charged two former employees of an instrument and monitoring company over corrupt payments to South Korean officials. Dr. Cansun Guralp, founder of Guralp Systems Limited, and Andrew Bell, managing director, conspired to make corrupt payments to a public official and employee of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the SFO said Friday. Guralp Systems is an engineering company specializing in broadband seismic instrumentation and monitoring systems. KIGAM, founded in 1918, is a government-funded geoscience research organization in South Korea. In the United States, KIGAMs former director was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison in October 2017. Heon-Cheol Chi, 59, was jailed for using a Southern California bank account to launder bribes he received from two unnamed seismological companies, the DOJ said. The SFO said Friday the defendants committed the alleged acts between April 2002 and September 2015. The charges come after an SFO criminal investigation that began on December 3, 2015. The SFO hadnt previously disclosed the investigation. Both defendants have been charged with conspiracy to make corrupt payments under the Criminal Law Act 1977 and Prevention of Corruption Act 1906. Guralp and Bell are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on August 20, 2018. ____ Harry Cassin is the managing editor of the FCPA Blog. BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Thursday held a meeting to hear reports on the investigation of the defective vaccine case involving Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Limited. The meeting was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who attaches great attention to the case and has made important instructions over it on multiple occasions. He stressed that those involved in the case should be held accountable and punished severely according to the law. Xi also instructed all-out efforts to be made to ensure the bottom line of safety and safeguard the public interest and social stability, according to the meeting. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council has held several meetings and sent investigation teams to probe the case. "So far, the facts of the case and the performance of duties of relevant departments and officials have been basically ascertained," the meeting said. "Vaccines are something that concerns public health and national security. The case is a serious offense, in which the vaccine producer violated the law and relevant standards and regulations in pursuit of profits and fabricated false production inspection records. "A number of local government officials and supervisory departments were found in dereliction of duty. The case resulted in a negative impact and exposed many loopholes, such as inadequate supervision, and reflected institutional defects in the production, circulation and use of vaccines." Chinese leaders pledged concrete measures in response to the incident at the meeting. Participants at the meeting stressed that it is important to improve laws and rules, define and implement regulatory duties, step up on-spot production inspection, and prompt companies to fulfill their own responsibilities. They also emphasized the necessity of establishing mechanisms to trace product quality and safety, and target product risks. For vaccine production that contains high risks and requires expertise, the participants of the meeting also agreed that it was necessary to clarify the regulatory authority and special inspection agencies should be sent to assist local supervision. A more professional supervisory force will be formed. Law-breaking companies will pay a much higher price for their illegal activities, according to the meeting. Those who dare to "challenge the bottom line of morality and conscience" will face severe punishment and crackdown, with zero tolerance. People involved in cases that endanger public safety, such as defective vaccines, will receive severe punishment, including huge penalties and life-long bans in the sector. Officials will be motivated to earnestly perform their duties, with those derelict in their duties held accountable. The meeting stressed Party committees and governments at all levels should learn a lesson and take solid action to ensure vaccine quality and safety. The follow-up work of the incident should be conducted in a proper and orderly manner, including re-vaccination and compensation. The long-term vaccine management system will be improved. Participants at the meeting agreed to remove Jin Yuhui from his post as vice governor of Jilin Province, who was put in charge of supervisory work over food and drug administration in Jilin Provine since April 2017, and asked Li Jinxiu to resign from his post as vice chairman of the Jilin Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Li was vice governor responsible for supervisory work over food and drug administration in Jilin from December 2015 to April 2017. The meeting asked Liu Changlong to resign from the post of mayor of Changchun, and Bi Jingquan to resign from the post of the Leading Party Members Group Secretary of the State Administration for Market Regulation and as deputy head of the administration. Bi served as the former head of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration from February 2015 to March 2018. It urged Jiang Zhiying, a standing committee member of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee and secretary of the CPC Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture Committee in Jilin, and Jiao Hong, head of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), to make profound self-examinations. A total of 35 non-centrally-administered officials will be held accountable. Wu Zhen, former deputy head of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration and National Health and Family Planning Commission, will be investigated by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission, according to the meeting. It also urged the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Jilin provincial government and NMPA to make profound self-examinations to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Falcata Capital, LLC, a Houston-based private equity firm, closed its initial fund, at $1 billion of committed capital. Led by Robert Burnett, president and co-founder, Falcata targets North American enterprise software and technology-enabled services companies across a spectrum of industries. The firm typically seeks to invest between $50m and $200m in companies with market-leading positions that can benefit from an infusion of capital, a focus on growth and profitability over the long term, and the Falcata teams extensive experience in operating software and technology-enabled companies. Falcata has already deployed capital from the first fund with the purchase of Xpressdocs, a Fort Worth, Texas-based provider of brand management and direct marketing solutions for enterprises and franchises across a variety of industries, including real estate, healthcare, financial and professional services. The firms management team is experienced in running and growing software and technology companies and has been involved in more than 25 acquisitions in the past five years. FinSMEs 17/08/2018 Savanna, a New York City-based, vertically integrated real estate investment manager, owner/operator and developer, has sold a passive, minority equity stake to TK Partners, a consortium of institutional investors led by Tunbridge Investment Partners. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Tunbridge, an affiliate of real estate advisory firm Hodes Weill & Associates, focuses on making strategic, minority equity investments in real estate fund managers. TK Partners is capitalized, in part, with an investment from Kudu Investment Management, a firm that specializes in providing permanent capital solutions to leading investment managers. Founded in 1992, Savanna has more than 30 experienced professionals, and since its inception, has invested over $4 billion across a series of investment vehicles including its flagship value-add private equity funds. Specializing in the New York City market, Savanna is an institutional fund manager with more than 80 distinct investors from around the world, including public and private pension funds, insurance companies, sovereigns, high net worth family offices, foundations, and wealth management companies. Proceeds from the TK Partners investment were utilized to further strengthen the platform, funding working capital and various platform, investment, staffing, and growth initiatives. FinSMEs 17/08/2018 Premier Li Keqiang.[File Photo: Xinhua] BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will step up reform and roll out a series of new incentives to better remove hurdles hampering private investment and businesses and boost economic vitality, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Thursday. The meeting decided on a host of measures to further facilitate private investment and boost the sound development of the private sector. Premier Li stressed that further measures should be taken to unleash market vitality and boost private investment. A number of favorable projects should be identified as potential targets for attracting private investment. "Our economy is showing a stable performance with good momentum for growth. Facing new circumstances and new challenges, we should step up reform, pay attention to emerging problems, plan ahead, and fine-tune policies as necessary to make sure that the economy performs within a proper range," Li said. Recent years have witnessed the government's relentless efforts in encouraging private investment. In the first seven months of this year, the total value of private investment reached 22.26 trillion yuan (about 3.32 trillion U.S. dollars), registering a year-on-year growth of 8.8 percent, 3.3 percentage points higher than overall investment growth. This amounts to 62.6 percent of total investment in the country, making private investment a major pillar of investment growth. "The stability we aim for should be achieved in the context of continued progress and stability is in itself a step forward for the economy. It is vital to strengthen the financial sector to better serve the real economy," Li said. The meeting called for greater efforts to encourage more private investment and to lower threshold for private investment to enter key areas. The meeting called for shoring up the weak links, boosting domestic demand, promoting employment and strengthening the impetus for long-term development. Additional conditions hampering private investment entering fields such as health care and caring for the elderly will be reduced or lifted, and the government will make targeted efforts to remove hidden obstacles in land use, funding support and personnel training in these areas with stronger compliance regulation. "The potential of consumption as a driver for growth need to be further unlocked. At the same time, more efforts need to be made to reduce business costs, support export, and make better use of foreign investment," Li said. Tax and fee cutting measures for private businesses will be further implemented, while value-added tax reform will be deepened, the meeting decided. Financing transmission mechanisms will be improved to allow financial sector better serve the real economy. A risk compensation mechanism for lending to private businesses will be established to make financing more accessible and affordable for private businesses. "This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, which remains essential for China's social and economic development," Li pointed out. . 1000 , . 9 , 35- 5-3 . . 4 , 1000 ... A J-10 fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team is seen at an airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. (Xinhua/Yu Yongde) BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team Thursday left for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. As the only foreign aerobatic team invited, the August 1st team, which includes seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets and two Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, will give two performances during the forum. The Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum will be held from Aug. 21 to 26. It consists of a series of programs including business meetings and contract signings in addition to exhibits of equipment and weapons. The August 1st team, which left from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Thursday morning, will arrive at Kubinka Airport, near Moscow, on Friday. Established in 1962, the team has staged more than 600 aerobatic performances for over 700 delegations from 168 countries and regions. This will be the second time that it will perform in Moscow. Three J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team leave from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. (Xinhua/Yu Yongde) Coffees sensory qualities, such as taste and aroma, are being impacted by shifts in climate change. This is according to researchers at Tufts and Montana State... Read More China will further expand opening up of its A-share market by allowing more foreigners to set up A-share trading accounts, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), Xinhua reported on Wednesday. The changes will take effect from September 15. Specifically, foreigners working in China who come from countries which have established supervisory cooperation mechanisms for security regulators with the CSRC are eligible to open an A-share trading account. Meanwhile, the range of foreigners entitled to enjoy equity incentives is set to expand from foreign staff working in China to all foreign employees in A-share listed companies, according to the CSRC. Besides the application form, interested foreigners should submit passport photocopies along with their passports, employment certificates issued by domestic companies and a copy of the business license or unified social credit code certificate of the company, according to an announcement released by the China Securities Depository and Clearing (CSDC). By the end of July 2018, about 125,000 residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan had opened A-share trading accounts after they were encouraged to do so in April 2013, said an official with CSDC. He said allowing more eligible foreigners to launch A-share accounts marks an important step in deepening financial reform and expanding opening up, adding that this move will further support and promote opening up of the domestic capital market and optimize internal investment structures. "Home Improvement" star Zachery Ty Bryan is sick of his fellow actors pushing their political views on their fans. "As an actor, I think one of the first things that you're taught is it's the fans that make you who you are," Bryan told Fox & Friends Friday. "And a lot of those fans are watching in Middle America." Bryan said he doesn't understand why Hollywood stars think they are better than their fans just because they're in the public eye. "I think there's kind of been this narcissism created now that because you're in the public eye, all of a sudden you know more than the normal Joe Schmoe which just isn't the case." Bryan's comments come in response to stars like Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick urging their fans to vote against President Trump and "be on the right side of history." "I feel like we're in such a need of coming together and realizing we're all on the same ship and we don't want that ship to sink," Bryan said. "Whether you disagree with the president, or you don't, he's doing what he feels [is] best and he's representing a very large majority of people who live in Middle America." He added, "I think we need to try and understand the other side and not just criticize the other side." The 36-year-old said he comes from a "farming town in Colorado" where the majority of people are "big Trump supporters." And what he hears from his friends and family back home is they are sick of hearing from Hollywood "elitists." "This elitist perspective where it's almost [like] they're better than you or at least that's a lot of what I hear from my family down home and that's kind of frustrating because these are really good hardworking Americans." Bryan said as an actor it's his job to "entertain," not preach politics. "We're here to take people out of their lives, to kind of get away from the daily routine." Tammy Hembrow, the Instagram model who was wheeled out of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday on a stretcher last week, has officially recovered from the infamous incident. About a week after being photographed exiting Jenner's birthday facedown on a stretcher, Hembrow has resurfaced on Instagram with some sexy photos. The 24-year-old fitness guru and model shared pictures of herself in a blue thong while on vacation in Bali, Indonesia. In addition to her bikini pic, the Instagram mogul also shared a photo of herself back in the gym and another photo of her with her daughter. From the looks of her recent posts, the Good American model and mother of two seems to be recovering well from her wild night out in Los Angeles. Following the news that Hembrow was rushed to the hospital during the reality star's big birthday celebration, Kris Jenner spoke out about the incident on the Australian Radio show "Kyle and Jackie O." "I hope she's OK," Kris said of Hembrow but admitted that she was not present at the time the ambulances arrived on scene at Deliah's nightclub. "I actually left before any of that happened. I typically go to bed at nine o'clock so it was way past my bedtime." Hembrow then took it upon herself to address the event and explained her reasoning for the occurrence in a YouTube video. "So, basically what happened was I was in L.A. I was running off pretty much 30 hours no sleep. I was struggling to stay awake even when I was getting my hair and makeup done. I was literally sitting there, like, falling asleep. Like, I could barely keep my eyes open." The model with a following of 8 million on Instagram went on to explain that in addition to overworking herself, she was also distracted and recovering from a breakup with her fiance, Reece Hawkins. "I probably, definitely shouldn't have been drinking because of how jet-lagged I was, because of how exhausted I was, and I already wasn't feeling well at all...I pretty much collapsed." The model concluded her statement by saying she was "super, super embarrassed" about her actions, but has now seemed to have moved on from the viral moment. Dennis Davern, the boat captain who was there on the night Hollywood star Natalie Wood died, is speaking out for the first time in four years. Davern participated in a 12-part podcast titled Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood. His episode airs Friday. NATALIE WOOD'S SISTER TELLS ALL Woods body was found floating in the water off Santa Catalina Island on Nov. 29, 1981. She was 43. The West Side Story star was traveling on the familys yacht Splendour with her husband, Robert Wagner, as well as Davern and Woods friend, actor Christopher Walken. Davern told podcast producers he still vividly remembered meeting the actress and how she avoided water whenever possible. She was a very, very, sweet, sweet lady, he recalled. We had a little area up in the pilothouse or bridge, whatever youd like to call it, where you drive the boat. It was a seating area where she would hang out. And she would be doing her needlepoint, and she would do a little sketching. "I would spend a lot of time with her, actually, up there, because Robert Wagner and [their two girls] Courtney and Natasha, would be swimming in the ocean. And of course, Natalie, she would never even stick her toes in the water, because number one, it was cold, added Davern. And the other thing is, she didnt like being near water. Davern took Wood and Wagner on their Catalina getaways where they seemingly enjoyed their escapades away from Hollywood. Well, I can tell you, when I would provision the boat to go to Catalina for a weekend, I would get a lot of wine, maybe a case of Pouilly Fuisse, he claimed. Wed have our liquor stocked. We had everything well-stocked. And when we arrived in Catalina, the bottles of wine would open. Drinks were poured. And there was no problem about carrying stuff like that. Davern claimed he and Wood quickly became friends. We actually started to become each others therapists, because I had a girlfriend at the time, and I was asking her questions, like, What should I do about this? What should I do about that?' said Davern. And we kind of exchanged conversations a lot with each other. After a while, it was just like we were friends. However, Davern insisted there was something about the fateful trip that seemed ominous from the start. Natalie called me and said that we were going to take the boat out on Thanksgiving weekend to Catalina, he explained. And I told Natalie The weather isnt supposed to be very good. I dont know if you really want to keep those plans. And she said, Well, yes, we do. And I said, 'OK, I just want to know, because I'm going to start to provision the boat.' "So, as it got close to going on Thursday, I did all the shopping, and I made a couple more phone calls trying to discourage taking this trip to Catalina, because the weather was supposed to be horrible. And while Wood was reportedly terrified of dark water, she refused to change her plans, despite Daverns warning. She insisted, claimed Davern. And she said that Christopher Walken was going to be coming. And I said, OK. So, the day that we were supposed to be leaving, it was freezing, freezing cold. I mean, anybody in their right mind wouldnt go away for a weekend. But, they insisted on going. And then we ventured across to Catalina. But bad weather wasnt the only thing on Daverns mind. He claimed Wagner didnt hide his insecurity towards Walken, Woods co-star in her 1983 posthumous film Brainstorm. As we start to get underway, RJ [Wagner] wanted to kind of show off a little bit to Christopher Walken, alleged Davern. He was trying to be very impressive to Christopher. And I dont think Christopher really, really cared a whole lot about that, but I think Robert Wagner wanted to show him that, Hey, you know, Im the man on this boat here. At that very, very beginning, I could see a little friction. Davern, who believed Wagner may have possibly been jealous of Wood and Walkens friendship, claimed his behavior only intensified as hours passed. The mood allegedly felt so toxic, Wood wanted out of the getaway. Well, the jealousy started to build so much that Natalie couldnt take it any longer, claimed Davern. I mean, the fighting and everything just started, everything just started to escalate. And before it got out of control, Natalie says, You know, Dennis Can you take me ashore? She says, I cant be on this boat. So, I looked at RJ, and I said, You know, your wife is asking me to get her off this boat, and I feel like I need to, because things aren't looking good here.' So, Natalie and I, we got in the dinghy. Because of the way he was acting. I mean, he was acting so crazy. It was just so totally uncalled for. I mean, she was petrified I felt so sorry for her. It was a shame. Davern alleged Wood was hysterical when he took her ashore on Saturday. Seeking refuge from Wagner, Wood allegedly went to a nearby motel and spent Saturday night there. She confided in Davern, who claimed to serve as a bodyguard for the visibly distressed star. Of course, nothing went on, which people have asked me, he said. But like I said, I was her friend I have total respect. And Natalie and I, we sat there and we talked, and talked, and talked. I mean, we talked about so many things She wanted to get off of the island. She wanted to call her sister. She talked about leaving Robert Wagner. "And so the next morning, Natalie, she wanted to call and see about getting a seaplane. Well, she couldnt get seaplane, for some reason. And I said, Maybe if we go back to the boat, maybe. Im trying to say, Hey, lets try to and make this thing work. I said, Maybe if we go back, and Ill help you with the breakfast. And maybe we can all continue, and maybe say, Hey, last night was kind of scary, or Maybe we all drank too much, or something like that. Maybe we can start fresh. So she said, OK, maybe we should try it. So we went back to the boat. We did the breakfast, and it was kind of like nothing happened. And it was kind of like, we all knew something happened, but I think we all kind of wanted to start thinking, Hey, lets try and make this work. On Sunday, she was dead. Davern previously spoke to 48 Hours back in 2011 and revealed it was a tension-filled weekend that was allegedly fueled by alcohol and Wagners jealousy. While the initial coroners report ruled the death as accidental death by drowning, the case was reopened in 2011. That same year, The Hollywood Reporter revealed Davern admitted he previously lied to investigators about the night of Woods death. However, the podcast explained Davern has since passed several polygraph tests when asked about his version of events. Its also been reported that Davern sold his story to tabloids for money and collaborated on a tell-all book over the years. However, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Lt. John Corina said in February of this year his version of events fit. Makes more sense of what happened and is corroborated by other people, he said. That same month, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office announced Wagner had been named a person of interest in the suspicious death. The office also confirmed Woods drowning was being investigated and that new witnesses had come forward. A rep for Wagner has declined to comment. He has also refused to talk to officials about Woods death since the case was re-opened in 2011. Pearl Jam defended their concert poster, which depicted a bald eagle pecking at President Trumps corpse as the White House burns, as an expression of free speech. "The role of the artist is to make people think and feel, and the current administration has us thinking and feeling," the bands bassist Jeff Ament said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press on Wednesday. "I was the sole conceptualist of this poster, and I welcome all interpretations and discourse." He signed it, "Love, from the First Amendment, Jeff Ament." The poster was from a get out the vote concert on Monday in Missoula, Montana, for Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Ament, along with artist Bobby Draws Skullz, created the poster to promote that show. It included imagery of the White House on fire, and both the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial broken down and cracked. PEARL JAM SHARES POSTER DEPICTING TRUMP'S CORPSE AND A BURNING WHITE HOUSE The artwork also included an image of Trumps body being picked at by a bald eagle as it reaches for a briefcase that appears to have the communist symbol of a hammer and sickle on it. Tester, on the poster, is depicted as flying above the chaos in a tractor. His opponent, Montana Senate Republican candidate Matt Rosendale, is shown with a lobster claw and holding a sign that reads Maryland both digs at Rosendale being a native of the U.S. Northeast. SACHA BARON COHEN'S 'WHO IS AMERICA' PRANKS DIDN'T TRICK EVERYONE A number of Republicans on Wednesday condemned the poster by the band including Rosendale who said it was disgusting and reprehensible and called on Tester to denounce the banner. Testers officials said the campaign had nothing to do with the poster. Fox News Tyler McCarthy and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Princess Dianas former bodyguard said her youngest son Prince Harry should step up as a royal and take responsibility for his father-in-laws willingness to speak with the tabloids. Retired Metropolitan Police inspector Ken Wharfe told Yahoo News "The Royal Box" Friday that the 33-year-old royal should have insisted that aides were dispatched to help the 74-year-old former Hollywood lighting director cope with the intense media scrutiny surrounding his daughter Meghan Markle. Hes not an unintelligent guy, said the 69-year-old. Hes been through the mill himself, he knows what press intrusion is like. He has a drawbridge and a portcullis to hide behind when they pursue him. Thomas Markle doesnt. Wharfe believed Thomas isnt getting the appropriate support he needs from the royal family to help him navigate the media invasion following the former Suits star becoming Englands Duchess of Sussex. Nobodys looking after him, said Wharfe. Theyre going to bend his arm, therell be the offers money, therell be the pursuing paparazzi, the invasion and the negative reporting that weve seen. Harry could have done something about that. He may have advised palace officials, maybe he did, but he could have insisted on that. He could well have done, but for some reason, it hasnt happened. And while Thomas continues to speak with the media without the consent of Markle or Harry, Wharfe said he actually felt sorry for the bewildered patriarch. I dont think we should dismiss her father as someone whos made mistakes here, as an ogre, he said. His behavior is a result of poor advice or no advice. When Wharfe served as a protection officer to the late Diana, he was in charge of round-the-clock security both at home and abroad from 1987 until 1994. He also closely observed her sons Harry and older brother Prince William as they grew up. He felt it should have been obvious to the royal family that problems with the American actress family could arise long before Markle and Harry announced their engagement in November 2017. I think the palace was at fault not to earmark this problem very early on in this engagement or even in that relationship and decide how we are going to address this with her father, said Wharfe. These are ordinary folk, divorced living in a foreign land and suddenly their daughters marrying a prince. This was always going to be a problem. There are a lot of aides and advisors in the royal household that could easily have set up something way before this wedding to ensure that the rights and the privacy of her father irrespective of what her father has done in his life, thats irrelevant to assist him through this one in a lifetime experience. "Because whats happening to him now is, what I suspected would happen to him is that one the fairytale moves off, the press wants the next story. And the story is her father, her brother, her sister, her mother, and so it continues. This could have been softened considerably, had he had the advice of people in the palace to ensure this didnt happen. While Markles mother, Doria Ragland, has received praise by the media for her grace and confidence surrounding the royal wedding, Wharfe said she simply makes it look easy. It would be very difficult for any parent outside of royalty, he said. Meghans mother, this diminutive lady with absolute style arriving at Windsor Castle in front of global media, thats very daunting for anybody. "Ive worked and move within the royal household on a number of occasions and its quite a daunting experience. Palace advisors should take some level of criticism for not softening the blow for Thomas Markle, and unfortunately, the media will now stay on him. The story will run until theres an answer. Just days before Markle walked down the aisle in front of millions to marry Harry, she announced her father wouldnt attend the royal wedding following his heart surgery. Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding, she said in a statement released by Kensington Palace. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health. I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday. Kensington Palace then announced Markle would be walked down the aisle by Prince Charles, Harrys father. Thomas surgery followed days of press surrounding his health and speculation on whether or not hed attend the royal wedding. He also stirred headlines when it was revealed he staged paparazzi photos that showed him preparing for the big day. His daughter Samantha Grant claimed she had set up the paparazzi shoot. Back in January, Grant told Fox News she and her family are new to the spotlight and it can be difficult to cope with the worldwide interest in their personal lives. As much as I love and respect Meg, shes got security and a publicist and can be protected from all that, said the 53-year-old. She and Harry can tell the media to stop. The rest of the family doesnt have that luxury. I love her, [but] she may not want me saying anything. I refuse to be a victim of the media. Im not going to let them disparage me, embarrass me personally and professionally and not defend myself I can only hope she would respect and understand that In fact, if I were Meg, I would probably put something out there so that there was some sort of protective mechanism in place where the family couldnt be tortured as much." "American Pie" actress Tara Reid sparked concern after she was seen slurring her speech and squinting during a live TV interview that aired in Australia. On Friday morning, the 42-year-old appeared on the "Today Extra" show, where she seemed to have some trouble speaking clearly while promoting the sixth "Sharknado" film, "The Last Sharknado." The star described the new film to the morning host and said the sixth installment was "beyond... it's my favorite one. It's so ridiculous. It's so bad that it's good." She continued, "It's just out of control, like, the movie, it... it does, it takes every step to the next level." Reid spoke in slow, drawn-out sentences. She wore a black sequin top and smiled throughout her interview while occasionally squinting into the camera. "It...it really makes sense. From the first one," the actress said of the "Sharknado" movie. "It really does it. It makes, like, a complete circle. I do really think it's gonna be the end." Reid continued to struggle after her earpiece popped out of her ear and caused awkward exchanges with the show hosts. One of them attempted to ask Reid a question, before the star cut in with an unrelated comment. "We've got the delay here causing problems..." the host tried to explain the communication mishap while on air. Fans quickly took to social media to comment on Reid's bizarre interview. One Twitter user asked, "Is she OK?" Another commented and said, "OMG she looked and sounded totally out of it - slurring her words. And so thin, she can't be well." In a recent interview with Closer Weekly, Reid, who shot to fame after starring in the 1999 classic film, "American Pie," opened up about her wild reputation and her party girl days. "I would do a lot of stuff differently. I wouldn't have gone out so much and been so crazy," the star confessed. "When I started out, I wasn't aware I would lose all my privacy, so I was doing everything that your average 21-year-old does, but it was there for everyone to see. I should have made wiser choices about where to go and what to do because that kind of all caught up on me and it changed everything." Reid also addressed her skinny frame in the interview claiming that her look was due to her "fast metabolism." "People make fun of me and say 'Eat a burger!' and I'm like 'Dude I had two today!'" she said. "If I didn't eat, I wouldn't have lived to be 42 years old and I would've died years ago - so everyone needs to get over it." Photo shows the exterior of the Change-4 lunar probes lander. (Photo/Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Engineering Center of State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense) On August 15, 2018, China launched a campaign to pick a name for the Change-4 lunar probe moon rover, which will be sent to the moon this December. The exterior designs of the Change-4 lander and moon rover were also released for the first time at the launching ceremony in Beijing. The mission of the lunar probe in December will mark the first soft landing and inspection of the far side of the moon by a human probe. Over the past 60 years, humankind has launched over 100 lunar probes, which have taken 65 landers to the moon. However, none have managed to land on the far side of the moon, while only the unmanned lunar orbiter and the manned spacecraft Apollo have captured images of it, according to Liu Jizhong, deputy commander-in-chief of the lunar exploration project. Upon the successful mission carried out by Change-3 lunar probe, and to make the most of the existing products and conditions, scientists have created a plan for implementation of the lunar probe after in-depth discussions. Blocked by itself, the far side of the moon has so far been difficult to measure. On May 21, the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) was launched, which will provide relay communication support between the earth and the lander and moon rover while they are on the moon. Scientists have adapted and adjusted the configuration of the Change-4 moon rover to better handle the complex conditions on the far side of the moon, the new demand of relay communication and the requirement of scientific goals. However, the basic conditions of the new moon rover will be similar to Yutu, the moon rover of Change-3 lunar probe. According to Liu, its hoped that the campaign will not only find a great name for the moon rover, but also display Chinas national image in lunar exploration and aerospace engineering while inspiring Chinese people, especially younger generations, to get involved in scientific exploration and innovation. The worldwide campaign will run in five phases, beginning with the submission stage which will last until September 5, the preliminary selection, online voting for the three best names, final choice and the reveal of the final name in October. Photo shows an image of the Moon rover of Change-4 lunar probe. (Photo/Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Engineering Center of State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense) Parents in Missouri are expressing anger after their school district announced it would no longer allow students to eat fast food any time during lunch or school hours. The new policy for the Richmond School District was announced on social media earlier this month; Dear Elementary posted news of the change on its Facebook page on Aug. 15, and it was promptly met with backlash. "At the end of the day, we want to be able to decide on our own," Chris Swafford, a father of five kids in the school district, told Fox 4. "I thought it was overstepping at its finest. It's up to parents what their children eat." UTAH MOM DONATING AMAZON TOYS TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AFTER DAUGHTER'S SNEAKY $350 SHOPPING SPREE Parents' lives are busy. They sometimes have things going on, and sometimes, grabbing a 10-piece nugget from McDonald's and taking it to their child shouldn't be an issue," he added. Many others on Facebook agreed with Swafford, arguing that the school has no right to dictate what their children are allowed to eat. I seriously think school board needs to reconsider this, one commenter wrote. Of all the things that need attention with kids and they crack down on this? someone else wrote. I dont agree with this. At all. Im the parent. It is my job to parent my child and make those decisions. What she eats, how much she eats, what she wears, how she does her hair, if I keep her home because she is sick, those are MY decisions The schools sole responsibility is to provide a safe, positive learning environment for my children to get an education. They are not, and will not be making parenting decisions for my children, another angry parent commented. However, some parents support the districts decision, saying it promotes lunch equality and healthier eating habits. Im not sure the reason, but applaud the school board for what seems to be a healthy change for the students, one person wrote. Oddly I support this. I would hope they are doing this for the right reasons though. That being its simply not right for kids who do not ever get these things to watch the other classmates eat it in front of them. Some parents cant afford to bring child fast food, someone else commented. So what about all of the other kids that are going to be complaining that your kid got a happy meal and they didnt? What about the kids who parents cant afford to bring their children lunch or something like that? Are you really gonna let your kid eat their happy meal in front of all these other kids? Theyre avoiding those issues all together with this policy, another supporter wrote. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS The Richmond School District Superintendent, Mike Aytes, told Fox 4 in an email that staff members were too busy with the first day of school to comment on this policy change. Restaurants in San Francisco may not be able to offer straws in the near future, but they can still serve up plenty of sass. The Sentinel, a sandwich shop located in the citys financial district, is sharing its feelings about the citys newly approved straw ban via its recent menus, some of which have been printed with the owner's commentary. "Napkins, straws, and bags are available upon request. You can still get needles for free though, a message printed on the menu reads, according to the San Francisco Gate. Welcome to SF." MAINE RESTAURANT RESPONDS TO HOSTILE CUSTOMERS ANGRY OVER FRENCH FRY CHANGE The shops message makes reference to a policy implemented by San Franciscos Department of Health, which provides clean needles to drug users in the hopes of decreasing the spread of diseases and offsetting potential medical costs of users who would have shared dirty needles instead. The policy has been in effect since 1993. The city doles out around 4.45 million needles per year, per a report in Curbed. The citys mayor, London Breed, issued a response and said the straw ban and the needle program address separate issues. I totally understand that but these are different issues, Breed said in a meeting with business leaders on Wednesday, KPIX reported. San Francisco has been an environmental leader, the goal is to not just think about whats happening now but think about whats happening in the future As it relates to needles, I know people are frustrated. People suffer from drug addiction and sadly, just because we dont like it or dont want to see it, it doesnt mean it will disappear. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE RESTAURANT NEWS San Franciscos Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a ban on plastic straws, stirrers, and takeout chemicals made with fluorinated chemicals in late July. The ban on all of these items is slated to go into effect in January 2020. The owner of The Sentinel told KPIX he wasnt aiming to start a controversy, but rather sharing his statement. He also said hes considering removing the message entirely. Lead kills. Lead is an ancient toxin continuing to wreak havoc despite modern knowledge of its danger. In 1977 lead paint was banned in America. Then in 1986 the use of lead pipes was banned. And yet, Flint happened. The dangers of lead consumption have been known for decades. Researchers have found that even low levels of lead in the body can cause serious health problems. Lead serves no purpose in the body, which is why the body does not know how to process it. Unfortunately, lead resembles calcium so the body treats it as such. Calcium is vital to brain function. In the body lead goes where calcium should, leaving the deadly toxin in places like the bones, teeth and brain. "Lead is a slow-release toxin that cant be seen, tasted or smelled in drinking water." Children are especially at risk. Their brains are still developing and lead can cause intellectual disability. Early exposure to lead can have lifelong consequences, but symptoms arent always apparent. Lead is a slow-release toxin that cant be seen, tasted or smelled in drinking water. Flint wasnt the only place bludgeoned by lead. As the crisis roiled, concerns were raised nationwide about the safety of Americas drinking water. That concern embroiled one of the largest cities in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Drinking Water Watch database, 20 out of 24 samples taken from the City of Newark have already exceeded the federal action level of 15 parts per billion for the current monitoring period. The current monitoring period runs from July 1 to December 31 of this year. Though the period has not ended, one sample provided found 250 parts per billion. Thats 177 percent higher than the allowable federal lead level. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both agree that in fact there is no known safe level of lead. Newark leads New Jersey in the number of lead-poisoned children from all potential sources. The old industrial city of Newarka town that no other Newark wanted to be mistaken for has been swept up in an aggressive renaissance. Newly minted eateries line downtown Halsey Street and nearby Military Park has been clean-cutcomplete with a working carousel. But in spite of the city spinning and fielding Amazonian offers, the lead furor still washed into the Brick City. In 2016, elevated lead levels were found in Newark schools. Forget the new Brooklynis Newark the new Flint? The water in our schools was shut off for over nine months. Donna Jackson, Newark Resident Flints exposure of government ineptitude continues to linger. In May, misgivings followed a group into a Newark Baptist church one grey Thursday night. A town hall meeting was scheduled about lead levels in Newark water. Flyers outside the sanctuary showed a girl grasping a glass with an ominous DANGER sign printed beside her. It expressed Newark residents unease toward the liquid life force deemed a death sentence by some. A panel discussion unfolded guided by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a group that sued the City of Flint and is now suing the City of Newark and New Jersey state officials for failure to comply with regulations for the control of lead in drinking water. Newark City Halls Facebook page actively screams, NEWARKS WATER IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE TO DRINK. But Flints legacy made people doubt. City officials there told residents the water was safe to drink. In 2018, Flints water crisis is still ongoing despite the state of Michigan declaring Flints water safe to drink. Nobody is drinking water with lead in it. Valerie Wilson, Newark Public Schools NRDCs lawsuit, filed in June, charges the City of Newark and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) with violating the Safe Drinking Water Acts Lead and Copper Rule. The rule protects public health by limiting the amount of lead and copper at the tap that is often caused by the corrosion of plumbing fixtures that contain lead and copper. Then the materials enter the water. Exceeding the limit for lead and copper can make it necessary for corrosion control treatment, which is when a substance is added to water to slow the corrosion of pipes. In the case of Flint, corrosion inhibitors were not added to the water. As in Flint, NRDC asserts that NJDEP found that the Newark Water Department is deemed to no longer have optimized corrosion control treatment. The Safe Water Drinking Act calls for public water systems to test their water frequently and report the results to their respective states. NRDC says Newark did not conduct the required amount of testing and the testing Newark did conduct produced misleading results. The Lead and Copper Rule says a large water system like Newarks should be testing a minimum of 100 tap water samples every six months. The majority of those samples should come from high-risk sites classified as Tier 1. NRDC alleges Newark sampled low-risk sites masking the extent of lead in the Citys drinking water. The NRDC lawsuit essentially claims Newark residents have been duped. Newark activist Donna Jackson says this is a simmering suspicion. The water in our schools was shut off for over nine months, Jackson said at the May town hall meeting. Jackson was referring to 2016 when half of Newark schools had their water fountains turned off due to high lead levels. Branden Rippey is a teacher at Newarks Science Park High School as well as a member of Newark Education Workers (NEW) Caucus, a group comprised of members from the Newark Teachers Union, who joined NRDC in the lawsuit against the City of Newark. At the close of this past school year, Rippey noted there were still a few water fountains turned off. In Science, we have water fountains that are connectedone will be on and the other one will be off. That worries me. Rippey believes the danger lies in the service pipes feeding water into the schools. He does not feel that issue has been properly addressed. Valerie Wilson, school business administrator for Newark Public Schools says there are no plans to dig up all the pipes at schools and do full replacements. Thats a very extensive and very expensive project to do. I dont think well ever have funding to do that, Wilson said. In lieu of an overhaul, the district is performing partial pipe replacements in the 34 schools that need pipes replaced due to elevated lead levels. That is, sections of the water service line are being replaced at the point of school entry. For Wilson, it is a cost-effective measure that she expects to be complete by the start of the new school year in early September. Nobody is drinking water with lead in it, Wilson said. We have done everything that we can. Were really at a point where were at a long-term temporary fix. Though 34 schools were in need of remediation, Wilson says all of Newarks 67 public schools have had their drinking fountains replaced with updated versions that include EcoWater brands Safe Fountain System Model 3000, a water filter. Newark is resilient, but we cannot fight something that we are not aware of. Al Moussab, Newark Resident Teacher Branden Rippey is appreciative of the school districts recognition of a problem, but he feels the acknowledgement comes a little late and he remains uneasy. Our [NEW Caucus] concern isnt just the schoolsits the whole city. It hasnt had good information [on lead] for a few years now, Rippey said. NJ.com reported the estimated cost to replace lead service lines in Newark to be $60 million. While the city claims ownership and responsibility over the main water line that runs down a street, property owners are responsible for service lines that connect to ithouse to curb. This places significant costs squarely at the feet of Newark residents. However, the city has a Lead Service Line Replacement Program which vows to help reduce the expense. Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities director Andrea Adebowale maintains that Newark water is safe to drink. In a statement provided in June she calls NRDCs allegation that Newark residents are exposed to dangerous levels of lead absolutely and outrageously false. She further states that she is baffled as to why NRDC makes the innuendo that the Newark water system was responsible for the problem in the schools. Adebowale says elevated lead levels in schools and homes were caused by pipes and fixturesnot the water system. Those words provide little comfort to Al Moussab, a Newark resident and high school teacher whose daughter was enrolled in Pre-K at one of the tainted schools in 2016. He is also a NEW Caucus member. Newark is resilient, but we cannot fight something that we are not aware of, said Moussab at a June press conference that announced the lawsuits filing. We need to fight. Water is a basic right. If were fighting for just quality water, then theres a lot of other things that we need to fight for and I think that we have an opportunity within Newark to set an example, Moussab continued. While the jury is still out on whether Newark is the next Flint, aging infrastructure most certainly guarantees if its not Newark, it will be Anytown, USA. Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis, has been a hot topic of debate among the medical community and proponents of alternative therapy who say it helps treat seizures, anxiety and pain, among other ailments. But stark opponents, like U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, have remained steadfast in their opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana use and marijuana-based products across the U.S. I reject the idea that America will be a better place if marijuana is sold in every corner store, Sessions has said. Our nation needs to say clearly once again that using drugs will destroy your life. However, pharmacist-turned-coffee-company-founder Dr. Craig Leivent is one of a growing number of entrepreneurs seeking to educate the public on the benefits associated with CBD through everyday products, like CBD-infused coffee. CBD is a chemical from cannabis we should be using, Leivent, founder of Flower Power Coffee Company, told Fox News. Flower Power Coffee is infused with CBD or Cannabidiol, which is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis. CBD-infused coffee wont get you high, you wont fail a drug test, and it does have a lot of medical and health benefits. Ian Ford, owner of Caffeine Underground in Brooklyn, which sells Flower Power coffee, said he wishes the product was available when was struggling with alcohol addiction. I wish this had been available when I quit drinking 26 years ago because as a recovering alcoholic, I believe CBD coffee would have greatly smoothed my transition to society, he said. While the legality surrounding medical cannabis remains murky in some areas of the country, at least 30 states allow the use of it in some form, and under certain circumstances. In some states where its legal, the law prohibits the use of it near public schools. It is still considered illegal in Idaho, Nebraska and South Dakota. But Leivant, who said his company is planning to expand into areas where CBD is legal, believes CBD-products are headed for mainstream production. I see CBD-infused products going into mainstream, he said. You can buy hemp seeds in Costco right now, so if you can hemp seed in Costco, eventually youre going to buy CBD products. Emily DeCiccio is a video producer and writer for Fox Digital Originals. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyDeCiccio The mother of a little girl who went on a secret $350 Amazon shopping spree in Utah has decided to donate the toys and games to the local childrens hospital. Catherine Lunt didnt learn about her 6-year-old Katelyns purchases until it was too late and the delivery driver arrived at their Salt Lake City home with a stack of boxes. TENNESSEE BOY RIDES FIRE TRUCK TO FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN AFTER FIREFIGHTER FATHER DIES On Friday, I just went online to check something and I noticed a couple items there that I hadnt ordered, she told KSL-TV. I canceled them because they hadnt been shipped yet, and then I started looking and there was about three more pages of items. Katelyns older cousin, Ria Diyaolu, told BuzzFeed News the little girl had been allowed to order a Barbie from the online retailer for her birthday with her moms supervision. But after getting a taste for online shopping, she decided she wanted more. Diyaolu shared an image of Katelyn on Twitter standing beside the stack of packages from her recent purchase with a sly grin on her face, which quickly went viral. "She knew exactly what she was doing when she did it. I was so surprised that a 6-year-old knew how to do one-click, next-day shipping," Diyaolu said. "Shes a little scammer in the making." Lunt said she initially was going to return the toys to Amazon, but decided to give them to Primary Children's Hospital, instead. Katelyn was in Primary Childrens when she was born, so weve been wanting to donate something over there, Lunt said. She actually had a stroke the first week she was born. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS While some good came out of Katelyns scam, Lunt said she hopes to keep her first grader away from online shopping. Shes not in too much trouble, but she will be in lots of trouble if it happens again, Lunt said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! In Burma the Asian country now called Myanmar by its ruling junta a brutal military crackdown on the Rohingya minority has led to thousands of deaths and rapes. It has also led to the creation of the largest refugee camp in the world, with almost 1 million people. This horror has received far too little media coverage, showing that even in our era of instant global communication atrocities can occur in hidden corners of the world. These cry out for exposure and action. So why is the U.S. State Department even debating whether or not to use the term genocide to mark the one-year anniversary of the mass murder and other violence taking place in Burma? The United Nations Convention on Genocide defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. These acts include: Killing causing serious bodily or mental harm deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction imposing measures intended to prevent births (and) forcibly transferring children. Independent observers all agree that the military leaders of Buddhist-majority Burma are committing genocide against the persecuted Rohingyas, a Muslim minority group. Investigators commissioned by the State Department have assembled 15,000 pages of evidence of killings, gang rapes, villages set on fire and children tossed into rivers and fires. The atrocities have only subsided in recent months because the vast majority of the Rohingyas nearly 1 million people have fled across the border into exile in neighboring Bangladesh, where they huddle in sweltering refugee camps. Despite this record, the U.S. has so far avoided labeling what has taken place in Burma a genocide. Instead, our government prefers the term ethnic cleansing, which carries far less weight and makes it harder to impose sanctions on the responsible Burmese government officials. In the debate over the content of an upcoming speech by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the Rohingya issue, its clear that the issue of whether or not to use the term genocide is a leading bone of contention. A leaked draft of Pompeos remarks includes the bracketed phrase hold for determination in the part of the speech that describes what happened in Burma, Politico reported. The U.S. has had an ambivalent relationship with Burma over the years. Along with the rest of the world, the U.S. welcomed news that the nations military rulers began liberalizing their rule a few years ago. In 2016, dissident leader and Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu-Kyi was released from house arrest and led her party to victory in elections that year. The Obama administration then lifted most sanctions on the country just before it left office. But there was a catch. The military-written Burmese constitution cements its control over the armed forces, prevents Sun-Kyi from becoming president or prime minister, and gives the generals in dark glasses enough seats in parliament to prevent changes in the constitution. Consequently, military leaders have with the assurance they needed to drive the hated Rohingyas out of the country. So far, the U.S. has responded by only issuing economic sanctions against a single Burmese general who actively led the repression. The debate inside the Trump administration over what to do about Burma is tied up its concern that further sanctions will push the countrys military leaders to step up ties with China and cut the countrys new economic ties to the West. State Department legal officials still arent convinced that the evidence the military fully planned the systematic repression of the Rohingyas is ironclad. Such concerns are understandable, but there is a history here that compels the U.S. government to take action. A quarter century ago, the Clinton administration had to deal with reports that hundreds of thousands of Rwandans were being massacred in that country. Clinton administration officials studiously avoided using the term genocide to describe what happened, because as a then-secret memo said doing so might compel the U.S. to actually do something. No one is asking or expecting the United States to intervene in Burma now. But its important that America not avoid uncomfortable or inconvenient language in describing the atrocities in Burma for what they are genocide. Sam Brownback, President Trumps ambassador-at-large for religious freedom, put it best when he said: We have to start calling it what it is. This is religious cleansing. It would not be happening were these people not Muslim. If they were Buddhists, in all likelihood this would not be happening today. The outcome of the battle over the language to be used in Secretary Pompeos speech on Myanmar will soon be revealed. For moral, humanitarian and even legal reasons its important the U.S. avoid diplospeak and properly label what has happened to the Rohingyas as genocide. George Orwell, the author of the novel 1984, long ago warned of how our thought and society itself is undermined when we debase the language and employ euphemisms. On the issue of what is going on in Burma, America must speak clearly, succinctly and with no ambiguity. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Our primary adversary in the world an expansionist, nuclear-armed rival is trying to change the outcome of American elections. The evidence is substantial and indisputable. Its in the news every day. Whats missing is the outrage. No, Im not talking about Russia. Im talking about China. And Im not talking about fake social media campaigns, foreigners holding private meetings with campaign officials, hacked email accounts, and other activities Russia has been accused of mounting to influence our presidential election in 2016. Im talking about $50 billion in tariffs that China has slapped on carefully targeted U.S. manufactured and agricultural products that come from red states where support for President Trump and Republican congressional candidates is high. The Chinese goal is clear: Pressure President Trump to lift tariffs he placed on Chinese products or see the economies in red states harmed, causing more voters to cast ballots for Democrats in the November midterm elections and the 2020 elections. Media commentators acknowledge China has deployed economic sanctions and tariffs against the U.S. for the explicit purpose of influencing the outcome of our state and federal elections. The New York Times and The Washington Post speculate that Beijings tariffs on soybeans grown in America could turn Iowa farmers against President Trump. Florida Democrats demand voters put the squeeze on Republicans and President Trump because of Chinas tariffs on oranges. Yet, the same media obsessing 24/7 over Russian influence on our elections are reacting to Chinas blatant efforts to influence our elections with nary a shrug. Lets be clear: World Trade Organization rules allow member nations (including China and the U.S.) to impose tariffs on imports for specific reasons. These reasons include: as a safeguard against a surge in imports; if national security is threatened; and if imports are being illegally subsidized or dumped at below-market prices. Influencing elections in another country is not on the World Trade Organization list of justifications for tariffs. The Trump administration recently imposed tariffs on China and other nations following a lengthy, open and thorough investigation. The Commerce Department examined reams of evidence to determine if foreign products and companies had received government subsidies or were engaged in illegal trade practices. That examination found that South Korean washing machines were being dumped at below-market prices, to cite one example. And more significantly, the examination found that hundreds of products are being illegally subsidized by the Chinese government in order to gain an unfair advantage over U.S. businesses and our other trading partners selling products to Americans. China, on the other hand, doesnt even try to justify its tariffs on grounds recognized by the World Trade Organization. You havent heard Beijing claim that Yangtze farmers are being crippled by imports of Iowa soybeans. Or that Chinas whiskey distillers are drowning in a surge of imported Jack Daniels bourbon. Or the Shanghainese are slaking their thirst with California wine thats been deliberately underpriced to drive Chinese vintners out of business. You havent heard these things because China uses tariffs as economic sanctions to force regime change in the U.S. Most American media and political figures seem to accept this foreign interference in our elections as a fact of life rather than the attack on our democratic system that it is. Some actually cheer on Chinas attempts to sow discord in the American body politic. Democrats and others who are shocked shocked that Russia would secretly try to influence the outcome of our elections are silent when China does the same thing openly. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Il., warns that the Russians are determined to interfere in our midterm elections. But he ignores Chinas blatant attempt at election interference. In fact, Durbin tries to protect China. He attempted to kill a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that cuts off taxpayer funding for Chinese companies seeking to take over the American mass transit market. Beijings presence in politics is felt everywhere in America. Ask Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif. Election laws rightly bar foreigners from contributing to American political campaigns. We dont want outsiders choosing our elected government officials. Thats why Facebook cracked down after tracing $46,000 of pre-2016 Election Day ads to Russian sources. Thats a significant amount of money but pales in comparison to the $50 billion in Chinese tariffs on U.S. products. Make no mistake: Chinas tariffs amount to a $50 billion campaign contribution to candidates opposing the Trump administration. Couples in a heated argument will turn on the cop answering a domestic disturbance call. No matter how Americans feel about President Trumps trade policies, they should be outraged at Chinas brazen attack, as a matter of national sovereignty. And as a matter of consistency, those complaining loudest about Russian meddling should condemn the Chinese attempt to influence our elections. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! WASHINGTON -- In 1972, Pope Paul VI warned that "the smoke of Satan has entered the Church of God." We see that smoke throughout the report from a Pennsylvania grand jury, which alleges that more than 300 priests abused more than 1,000 children in six Pennsylvania dioceses -- including 99 priests from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which was led for 18 years by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, now archbishop of Washington. How bad was the abuse? The report notes that "during the course of this investigation, the Grand Jury uncovered a ring of predatory priests operating within the [Pittsburgh] Diocese who shared intelligence or information regarding victims as well as exchanging the victims amongst themselves. This ring also manufactured child pornography ... [and] used whips, violence and sadism in raping their victims." According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, one victim, a boy named George, "was forced to stand on a bed in a rectory, strip naked and pose as Christ on the cross for the priests. They took photos of their victim, adding them to a collection of child pornography which they produced and shared on church grounds." Abusing a child while mocking the Passion of Christ is truly diabolical. Wuerl, who served as the bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006, did discipline some priests -- and even went to the Vatican to fight an order that he reinstate one. But the grand jury also wrote that he reassigned other predator priests -- including the one who "groomed" George and introduced him to the ring that photographed him. In at least one case, Wuerl required a victim to sign a "confidentiality agreement" barring him from discussing his abuse with any third party as part of a settlement. That is a coverup. In addition, the grand jury also wrote that under his leadership the diocese failed to report allegations of abuse to law enforcement, advocated for a convicted predator at sentencing, and then provided a $11,542.68 lump-sum payment to the disgraced priest after his release from prison. The grand jury report comes on the heels of the sickening accusations that Wuerl's predecessor as Washington archbishop, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, sexually abused seminarians and young priests, and spent nearly 20 years molesting a young boy, the first person he baptized, beginning when the child was 11. After the McCarrick allegations, Wuerl declared, "I don't think this is some massive, massive crisis." Excuse me, Your Eminence? It is a massive, massive crisis. How was McCarrick allowed to rise through the hierarchy despite the countless warnings to both his fellow bishops and the Vatican that he was a sexual predator? Who knew? Who helped him? The same conspiracy of silence that allowed sexual predators to flourish in Wuerl's Pittsburgh diocese for decades also allowed McCarrick to become, until just a few weeks ago, one of the most powerful American cardinals, even in retirement. This is not just a matter of getting rid of a few bad apples. There is a ring of abusers and their enablers in the Catholic hierarchy that must be rooted out. Every report of abuse that was overlooked or ignored, every abuse that was covered up with a nondisclosure agreement, must be exposed. The bishops and cardinals who ignored or covered up abuses are complicit and must be removed. The church must be cleansed, and the conspiracy of silence ended. The only way to do this is through an independent investigation. The church has proved itself incapable of self-investigation and self-policing -- which is evidenced by the fact we are just learning new details of the horrific extent of abuse from a grand jury 16 years after the scandal first erupted. My American Enterprise Institute colleague Michael Strain has recommended bringing back former Oklahoma governor, federal prosecutor and faithful Catholic Frank Keating to lead the investigation. In 2003, Keating resigned from a lay-member church-appointed board looking into abuse after he refused to apologize for comparing the coverup by the bishops to the Mafia. That makes him precisely the right man for the job. The bishops not only failed the victims but have also scandalized the church, undermined its teaching authority and driven countless people away from Christ. How many failed to go to confession, or left the sacraments, because of their actions -- or their failure to act? We will never know. But they should heed Mark's Gospel, where Jesus warns, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea." This must be a time of repentance. Repentance requires accountability. And accountability requires resignations -- starting with Wuerl's. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Even if you strongly oppose President Trump and want to see him defeated in 2020 or impeached before then, you should hope his presidential campaign succeeds with its legal action against Omarosa Manigault Newman alleging she violated a nondisclosure agreement. And if she broke any laws you should want her prosecuted. Manigault Newman a fired presidential aide and earlier a member of the Trump campaign staff has set a dangerous precedent by her secret recording of conversations with President Trump and White House and campaign aides. The New York Times reported Thursday that Manigault Newman is believed to have as many as 200 recordings of such conversations. If Manigault Newman suffers no penalty for making her secret recordings and instead uses the recordings to boost sales of her virulently anti-Trump book Unhinged, as she is clearly doing now for maximum media exposure future White House employees will be tempted to follow in her footsteps. While it is common for White House staffers to write books about the president they served after he has left office, it is far less common to see books coming out while a president is still serving. Whether the disclosures and allegations in Unhinged violate the nondisclosure agreement Manigault Newman signed while working on the Trump campaign is a matter still to be determined. And I know of no previous White House aides who secretly recorded conversations and then released them to the media. Further investigation is needed to determine if any of these recordings violated the law and if they did, Manigault Newman deserves to be prosecuted. Theres no question that Manigault Newmans disclosures will hinder the ability of the current president, future presidents and their aides to candidly communicate. The issue at stake here is good governance not politics. If Hillary Clinton had been elected president in 2016 and her aide Huma Abedin secretly recorded conversations in the White House and released them, the action would be just as objectionable as what Manigault Newman did. However, you can bet that Democrats and the media would be far angrier at someone betraying a Democratic president. So far, Manigault Newman has released recording of her conservations with President Trump, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, presidential daughter-in-law Lara Trump and staffers on the Trump campaign. Politico reports that Manigault Newman has told friends and associates that she has tapes of private phone calls from first daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, according to two sources with whom she has discussed the recording. Manigault Newman recorded Kelly in the White House Situation Room when he fired her. Located in the White House basement, the Situation Room is run by the National Security Council. It is equipped with a secure communications system and used primarily for managing domestic and foreign crises. Cellphones and other recording devices are not allowed in the Situation Room a prohibition Manigault Newman ignored, by her own admission. Even if a staff members does not knowingly use a cellphone as a recording device, hostile forces can hack into the phone and turn on its microphone to transmit conversations that spies can record. This can pose a grave national security risk. Now that White House officials know theyve been secretly recorded, they and staffers for future presidents know they can be taped again, and that could have a very harmful chilling effect on their internal discussions. Effective management of the White House or any government office or business requires frank discussions among all parties. Presidential advisers must feel free to share all information that can help a president assess the nature and severity of a problem, all possible options for dealing with it, and the political, social, and public relations ramifications of every possible action or non-action. The president, in turn, must have confidence that these candid discussions will remain confidential. This is particularly true when it comes to national security and foreign policy threats, where leaks could endanger lives or severely damage our interests abroad. No president Democrat or Republican should have to worry about secret recordings being made inside the White House. How important is it to preserve the confidentiality of presidential communications? Important enough that it is enshrined in the constitutional doctrine of executive privilege. George Washington didnt have to worry about recording devices. But he first asserted executive privilege in 1792 when Congress demanded internal White House documents about a failed military expedition. Most recently, executive privilege was reasserted by the Obama administration to deny Congress access to Justice Department documents regarding Operation Fast and Furious, a failed investigation of illegal gun trafficking. In 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court discussed the valid need for protection of communications between high Government officials and those who advise and assist them in the performance of their manifold duties in U.S. v. Nixon, the seminal case on executive privilege. This was the case in which the Supreme Court ruled that President Nixon had to turn over tapes he secretly recorded of his Oval Office conversation. While that ruling went against President Nixon, the high court said in its decision the importance of preserving confidentiality between the president and those he speaks with is too plain to require further discussion. Human experience teaches that those who expect public dissemination of their remarks may well temper candor with a concern for appearances and for their own interests to the detriment of the decision-making process. The Supreme Court ruling went on to say: The expectation of a President to the confidentiality of his conversations and correspondence is the necessity for protection of the public interest in candid, objective, and even blunt or harsh opinions in Presidential decision-making. A President and those who assist him must be free to explore alternatives in the process of shaping policies and making decisions and to do so in a way many would be unwilling to express except privately. These are the considerations justifying a presumptive privilege for Presidential communications. The privilege is fundamental to the operation of Government and inextricably rooted in the separation of powers under the Constitution. Omarosa Manigault Newman acted dishonorably and dishonestly in secretly recording confidential White House conversations. But the far bigger problem with this kind of behavior is that it threatens the ability of any president to get the unfiltered information and robust debate among his advisers needed to reach the best possible decisions. This violation of protocol and betrayal of trust is on par with the leaks from White House insiders that have come to plague all modern presidents. Future presidential candidates would be well-advised to require nondisclosure agreements from the individuals who assist them as part of their transition teams and who end up working in the White House. The perils of modern technology such as button and pen cameras combined with Washingtons pervasive leak culture, leave would-be presidents little choice. Otherwise, the odds of them getting their advisers candid, objective, and even blunt or harsh opinions are close to nil. And its precisely that kind of input presidents need when making decisions about vital issues that affect the health, safety and prosperity of our nation and the American people. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! In the five weeks since President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court, we have seen Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., take obstruction and hyper-partisanship to new heights. Immediately following the presidents July 9 nomination of Kavanaugh a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Schumer vowed that he would oppose the nomination with everything Ive got. If the weeks since are any indication, we should believe him. Schumer has gone so far as to refuse to meet with Kavanaugh, and to encourage other Senate Democrats to also refuse to meet with the judge. It is customary for the Senate leadership of both political parties to meet with a presidents nominee. In 2010, then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., met with Elena Kagan the very first day she was on Capitol Hill, just two days after her nomination to the Supreme Court was announced by President Obama. Likewise, Sonia Sotomayor met with nearly every senator of both parties the summer leading up to her confirmation as a justice on the high court. To his credit, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., broke ranks with his party to sit down with Kavanaugh on July 30, calling the two-hour meeting very productive. Shortly after Manchin announced that he would meet with Kavanaugh, Sens. Joe Donnelly D-Ind., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., also scheduled meetings with the nominee. Those meetings took place Wednesday when the Senate returned from its abbreviated summer recess. In the face of these defections, even Schumer himself finally agreed to meet with Kavanaugh later this month. Manchin, Donnelly, and Heitkamp were the only three Senate Democrats who voted for Neil Gorsuchs confirmation to the Supreme Court last year. Yet all three senators are carefully toeing the fallback line set by Schumer to remain noncommittal about Kavanaugh, to give Schumer room to maneuver. Manchin has said that he plans to meet with Kavanaugh again after the judges Senate confirmation his hearing. After Donnelly met with Kavanaugh he issued a statement saying that he will continue a thorough review of Judge Kavanaughs record and will to follow the judges confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing closely. Donnelly added: I plan to keep doing my homework and make a decision sometime after Kavanaughs committee confirmation hearing. Heitkamp was also circumspect, only saying that she will continue reviewing his record and closely study his answers at his Senate hearing after she met with Kavanaugh. Schumers dogged opposition to Kavanaugh has put the three senators in a tight spot. A recent poll conducted by North Star Opinion Research shows that in Indiana, Hoosiers favor Kavanaughs confirmation 52 to 34 percent. In North Dakota, the margin is even greater, with 60 percent of people supporting Kavanaughs confirmation, and only 22 percent opposing. The numbers hold strong for those who self-identify as independents: In Indiana, 48 percent of independents favor confirmation of Kavanaugh, versus 34 percent who oppose. In North Dakota, 60 percent of independents want to see Kavanaugh confirmed versus 18 percent who dont. Donnelly and Heitkamp find themselves at a crossroads now that they have met with Kavanaugh. Their constituents strongly favor the judges confirmation and recognize that critical issues are at stake with the appointment of the next justice to the Supreme Court. People in both states care about preserving our nations constitutional structure and the framers respect for separation of powers. They desire checks on the power of the federal government, such as the protection of their Second Amendment rights. They want to enforce constitutional limits on the federal agencies that oversee an ever-more burdensome regulatory state. This week (and later next month, when they make the decision to vote for or against Kavanaugh), Donnelly and Heitkamp have the chance to prove that they are not beholden to the obstructionist liberal leadership of their party, but rather are true representatives of the interests of their respective states. Time will tell as to where their loyalties lie. Chinese mobile phones are gaining popularity in Russia due to their high quality, reasonable prices, fashionable appearance and innovative design. Chinese smartphone giant Huawei surpassed Apple in sales during the second quarter of 2018, becoming the sales champion of Russia, according to a report recently released by market research firm International Data Corporation. Statistics issued by well-established Russian mobile phone retailers Svyaznoy and Euroset also indicate that sales of China-made smartphones in Russia during the first half of 2018 grew by half. Today, one in three handsets sold in Russia is made in China. Huawei has become the mobile phone sales champion of Russia, taking up 24.6 percent of the market share, said Ou Yiwei, president of Huawei Consumer Business Group - Russia, adding that the products high quality alongside brilliant customer service, successful localization and accurate marketing strategy all contribute to Huaweis success. Ou noted that consumers in Russia were unfamiliar with Huawei products in 2014 when the Chinese brand first entered the Russian market. However, the enterprise quickly enhanced brand awareness by cooperating with a series of popular TV programs and shows in Russia such as the Evening Urgant show and Moscow Fashion Week. It also used social media to interact with Russian followers. In addition, Huawei takes the demands of Russian consumers into consideration. Huaweis mobile phones do not automatically power off at low temperatures, which helped the brand stand out in a country known for its cold weather, Ou noted. He went on to explain that Huawei invested $12.5 billion in research and development in 2017, accounting for 14.8 percent of its income. As high importance has been attached to research, Huawei products now boast quality and innovation. Chinese smartphone brands Huawei, Xiaomi and Vivo have now gained a foothold in the Russian market, said a Russian consumer, adding that as Apple iPhones are also assembled in China, they will, of course, choose the China-made mobile phones. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The city of San Francisco just cant seem to do anything right. The citys liberal policies designed to welcome the homeless and encourage illegal drug use is turning the city from a high-tech haven of beauty and cleanliness, to what UC Berkeley professor Lee Riley described as unsanitary conditions much greater than communities in Brazil or Kenya or India. Congratulations lefties, the former crown jewel of the West Coast is now being compared to some of the dirtiest slums in the world. Since the beginning of 2018, the city has received over 14,000 calls to the 311 service about feces on the sidewalks and in the streets. It has gotten so bad the city has lost conventions because of the filth. It appears the city is tired of being the butt of national jokes and has decided to fight back. Local officials have announced yet another program to fix the problems the other programs caused in the first place. The poop patrol is expected to cost about $750,000 and employs six people with two trucks. No word if the trucks are hybrid. "What we are trying to do is be proactive, said Director of Public Works Mohammed Nuru. So we'll have a crew that will roam around looking for locations. We actually have data for neighborhoods where we get frequent calls." Nuru added that what happens is were going to take one of those crews out and try to get ahead of those calls and look for these locations so that hopefully we can get less numbers of calls coming in. Two things are disturbing about the citys latest move. Judging from Nurus comments, it appears the city is more worried about having to answer phone calls, which is their job, than the actual danger posed by the feces. The second problem is the health danger the fecal matter poses. Pictures of workers cleaning up the problem seem to have one thing in common; they are wearing protective gear. This begs the question, where is the protective gear for the thousands of citizens walking on the streets every day? It may seem like a joke, and making fun of San Francisco is all the rage, but there is a real health threat to the people of the city. Ask anyone that was deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. As a former contractor with the State Department in Kabul, Afghanistan, I can attest to the danger dried airborne fecal matter poses. The Kabul Crud hits just about every westerner that goes to the country usually within two weeks of arrival. The air in Kabul is not only filthy with dust, but it is also contaminated with dried fecal matter. This is what happens when you have an open sewer system, as San Francisco now appears to have. Dr. Lee Riley has warned about the dangers the conditions in San Francisco are posing to the residents warning about rotavirus stating, If you happen to inhale that, it can also go into your intestine. The virus can be fatal. San Francisco officials need to quit coming up with programs to fix its previously flawed programs. The city needs to get to the root of the problem, and that is its policies that encourage illegal drug use, which in turn attracts homelessness and its horrendous building regulations that cause homelessness. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Liberals and gay activists remain obsessed with forcing Christians to bake their cakes. And the answer, in the name of individual, religious and even gay civil rights, must still be no. If you doubt the intensity of the lefts fixation on punishing people of faith, I submit to you the Colorados so-called Civil Rights Commission. Despite Masterpiece Cakeshop winning a 7-2 U.S. Supreme Court victory condemning the state for punishing Jack Phillips for his religious beliefs, theyre going after him again. This time, the set-up involves a request for a variety of cakes that would violate his religious belief, including a cake celebrating a gender transition. Phillips, a baker who is Christian, found himself in the public eye six years ago when he refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding. He has always served all customers, including gays and lesbians, but as an artist his faith requires him to not participate directly like the specific creation of a cake in efforts that violate his faith. Ultimately, Phillips was found to have violated the states anti-discrimination law, and his fight ended up at the Supreme Court. which found the actual violator of civil rights to be the states commission. Reuters reported in June when the decision was issued: The justices, in a 7-2 decision, said the Colorado Civil Rights Commission showed an impermissible hostility toward religion when it found that baker Jack Phillips violated the states anti-discrimination law by rebuffing gay couple David Mullins and Charlie Craig in 2012. The state law bars businesses from refusing service based on race, sex, marital status or sexual orientation. The court concluded that the commission violated Phillips religious rights under the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment. Thats pretty serious stuff, and would make anyone take notice that a mistake had been made. But the haters and bullies in Colorado apparently dont care. On the day the Supreme Court agreed to hear the Masterpiece case, Phillips received a call from attorney Autumn Scardina making a specific request for a cake celebrating a gender transition. Phillips declined, citing his faith. The Daily Caller reported several other requests were made of him in the months that followed, [T]he bakery received requests for cakes featuring marijuana use, sexually explicit messages, and Satanic symbols. One solicitation submitted by email asked the cake shop to create a three-tiered white cake depicting Satan licking a [sex toy]. Phillips believes Scardina made all these requests. The high court made it clear that the government of Colorado was targeting Phillips because of his faith, and that it must stop. The commission issued an order requiring Phillips to cease and desist discriminating against same-sex couples, and the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed. But the commission violated Phillips rights, [Supreme Court Justice Anthony] Kennedy said, because its treatment of his case has some elements of a clear and impermissible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs that motivated his objection. Kennedy cited the comments of one commissioner, who said religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, including slavery and the Holocaust, the American Bar Association Journal reported about the decision. The Journal continued, Kennedy said the statement disparages religion by describing it as despicable, and also by characterizing it as merely rhetorical something insubstantial and even insincere. A few weeks after that decision, the Colorado commission notified Phillips that they were, again, launching new proceedings against him because of the transition celebration cake refusal. The good news is that the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is suing the commission on behalf of Phillips. The ADF told the Daily Caller, The state of Colorado is ignoring the message of the U.S. Supreme Court by continuing to single out Jack for punishment and to exhibit hostility toward his religious beliefs the government is intent on destroying him something the Supreme Court has already told it not to do. As a gay woman who has been involved in efforts to ensure the equal treatment of gays and lesbians, I remain appalled at how the liberal gay activist agenda has become exactly the same thing the original gay civil rights movement fought against. The gay rights movement originally was an effort for us to be left alone and to not be punished for who we are. We simply wanted to be able to live our lives without fear of arrest, or our businesses raided or destroyed, because of who we were. Fast forward from 1969 to the 21st century. It is now gays and lesbians targeting other people for punishment and destruction, simply because of who they are. For most of our history, gays worked to pass as heterosexual so as to not be harassed, punished or fired from our jobs. Now, its Christians being hounded by a liberal elite in power in government and society who are demanding, ironically, that Christians should be harassed, punished, fired or lose their businesses because theyre different and dont conform. This much we know: Supporting the spark of freedom that fueled every civil rights movement requires supporting Christians who are targeted for their faith, and absolutely the ADF in their defense of Jack Phillips. This column originally appeared in The Washington Times. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! You would be hard-pressed to find anybody in Dodge County, Georgia who does not stand for the national anthem or take a knee to pray. Thats just how it is. So when the Dodge County High School cheerleaders started selling T-shirts that read, In Dodge County, we stand for the flag, kneel for the cross, nobody thought it would cause a controversy. But, sweet mercy, did it cause a stink. Dodge County School Board member Shirley Ikedionwu posted a scathing message on Facebook calling the shirts politically divisive. This shirt is not only one-sided but offensive, she wrote. I cant imagine how our children would feel entering a place that is supposed to be welcoming and accepting of students from all walks of life, beliefs, and perspectives but instead, they are faced with this type of exclusionary message. Proceeds from the patriotic shirts were going to help fund cheerleading competitions. But that did not seem to satisfy the school board members anger. Ikedionwu wrote that she personally contacted school system administrators to voice her concerns. At this point, the shirt will no longer be sold, she declared. But thats when local residents and businesses got involved and decided to sell the T-shirts off campus. Im standing because it has the United States flag on it and the cross. Those are two things I will back any day of the week, said Nikki Mullis, the manager of White Hat Auto in Eastland. Mullis tells the Todd Starnes Radio Show that people are calling to purchase shirts from across the world. On Thursday they shipped three shirts to Afghanistan. This aint just Georgia anymore, she said. We are a community that when something happens we are all together. Credit manager Amanda Parker tells me never in a million years would she have thought there would be a controversy over Old Glory and the Lord. We are just a small town in Eastman, Georgia and were standing up for our Christian faith and what we believe in, she said. But there were some folks around town who were triggered by the patriotic message. It stands for the hurt of black people getting killed, beat by police officers and getting off with it, one resident told television station WMAZ. So therefore, we as black people, some of us have taken that, to us, thats what it looks like. To be clear, there is nothing on the shirt that comes even close to promoting police brutality. I dont see anything wrong with that shirt, resident Bill Tripp told the Todd Starnes Radio Show. The South is known for being the Bible Belt. If you cant stand for the flag and you cant stand for the cross I dont know what you can stand for. I reckon there are more than a few folks around Dodge County who would offer an amen at that sentiment. The military parade President Trump requested for November has been pushed back until 2019, the Pentagon announced Thursday. The event was originally scheduled to occur the day before Veterans Day but has now been moved to an unknown date in 2019, a spokesman for the Pentagon said in a statement. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," the statement said. "We originally targeted Nov. 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." The Pentagon did not offer a reason for the delay. Trump has received criticism over the cost of putting on a parade at taxpayer expense. Over the winter, the president's budget director said the cost would be between $10 and $30 million. Since that time, cost estimates have skyrocketed upwards of $90 million. But Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday pushed back on the figures, saying he hadn't seen such an estimate. "I have not seen an estimate of 92 million dollars, the estimates are coming to me, I've given the initial guidance ..." Mattis said. "I haven't received an estimate of 10 million or 92 million." In response to the rising costs of the parade, The American Legion said that while they were grateful for the "dramatic" show of support for U.S. troops, they thought the money was "better spent" elsewhere. "The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops," the statement said. "However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible." Trump conceived the idea of a military parade in the U.S. after attending France's Bastille Day in July 2017, a celebration he called "magnificent." The president requested the parade take place on the path from the White House to Capitol Hill. It was intended to highlight the contributions veterans have made "throughout the history of the U.S. Military," according to a previous note from Mattis's office and would date back from the Revolutionary War to present day, "with an emphasis on the price of freedom." Fox News' Jennifer Griffin, Nicole Darrah and Constance McDonough contributed to this report. Twelve former senior intelligence officials issued a statement late Thursday criticizing President Trumps ill-considered and unprecedented decision to strip former CIA Director John Brennans security clearance. The presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech, the statement reads. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticize us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable. Among the signers are six former CIA directors -- including retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was a potential candidate for secretary of state in the early days of the Trump administration. Also in the group: five former deputy directors of the CIA, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, whose name reportedly appeared on a White House list of ex-officials who may soon join Brennan in losing their security clearances. "As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticize us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable." The joint statement from 12 former intelligence officials. The dozen stressed that while they dont necessarily agree with comments made by Brennan, whos become a frequent guest on liberal news channels, they believe he has the right to voice them. The statement came just a day after the White House revoked Brennans security clearance following a review of access granted to several top Obama-era intelligence and law enforcement officials. The Trump administration said Brennan has a history that calls his credibility into question, and accused him of leveraging the clearance to make wild outbursts and claims about the administration. The president has a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information and who has access to it, and thats what hes doing is fulfilling that responsibility in this action, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. In a series of tweets, Trump also tweeted comments critical of Brennan, including that he has gone off the deep end. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A collection of Justice Department official Bruce Ohr's emails, texts and handwritten notes, reviewed by Fox News, reveals that he was deeply connected to the unverified Steele dossier as well as its author and, during the presidential election campaign, the alleged government surveillance abuses involving a Trump campaign official. The dossier, which was used by federal officials to justify the surveillance of a top Trump aide, Carter Page, was created by Fusion GPS and paid for by Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Ohr wrote that Christopher Steele, the ex-British spy who wrote the salacious dossier, was "very concerned (abt) about [former FBI Director James] Comey's firing -- afraid they will be exposed." The Ohr documents shed more light on Steele's activities before the presidential election. While Steele shopped the dossier to multiple media outlets, he also appeared to ask Ohr for help with a Russian oligarch -- Oleg Deripaska -- after rumors the U.S. might impose sanctions. Ohr had a conflict of interest during the presidential campaign and transition, congressional investigators say, because his wife Nellie worked for Fusion GPS. Steele, an ex-British spy, was a key source cited by the FBI and Department of Justice to obtain a FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) warrant to monitor Page. FBI INCORRECTLY TOLD FISA COURT FOUR TIMES THAT STEELE WASN'T SOURCE OF REPORT USED TO JUSTIFY CARTER PAGE SURVEILLANCE After the FBI dropped Steele as a source in November 2016 over his contacts with the media, the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee found that Steele had maintained contact with government officials by effectively using Ohr as a back channel. During recent congressional testimony, now-fired FBI agent Peter Strzok confirmed that "the FBI received documents and material from Mr. Ohr." On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced that President Trump had terminated former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance, and was reviewing the clearances of several other former officials. Sanders read a statement from Trump that cited what he described as Brennan's misleading testimony before Congress and his increasingly partisan rhetoric, saying Brennan improperly traded on his access to classified information. "For this reason, I've also begun to review the more general question of the access to classified information by government officials," Trumps statement read. "As part of this review I'm evaluating action with respect to the following individuals: James Clapper, James Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page and Bruce Ohr." Ohr is the only official on that list still working in the U.S. government. During closed-door congressional testimony last year, the co-founder of Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson, claimed he had no contact with Ohr until after the presidential election. But Ohr's work emails conflict with Simpson's testimony, and show contact months earlier. Ohr's notes also indicate that in December 2016, there was a meeting in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown between Fusion GPS Simpson and Ohr, with Ohr writing, "Glen(n) gave me a memory stick." Reacting to the news late Thursday, President Trump suggested the disclosures were more proof of a "witch hunt" against him. "DOJs Emails & Notes show Bruce Ohrs connection to (phony & discredited) Trump Dossier," Trump wrote. "A creep thinking he would get caught in a dishonest act. Rigged Witch Hunt!" The DOJ declined to comment on this story. There was no response from Simpsons lawyer to a Fox News request seeking comment. Ohr can tell his side of the story on Aug. 28, when a closed-door interview is scheduled with the House oversight and judiciary committees as part of their joint investigation into the FBI and DOJ's conduct during the presidential election. Fox News' Pamela K. Browne and Cyd Upson contributed to this report. A Republican lawmaker said he has a novel idea to cut down asylum seekers illegally crossing the border. Make them apply for asylum before they reach the U.S. border. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., is introducing a bill that would require asylum officers to conduct credible fear screenings at U.S. embassies or consulates in Mexico and Canada before asylum seekers can cross the border. Inhofe said that would cut down on the surge of migrants illegally crossing the Mexico-U.S. border. Currently, migrants ask for asylum at U.S. points of entry. They are given a court date, but many fail to show up leading to a large number of illegal immigrants lost within the immigration court system. The key here is to make sure they dont get in, Inhofe said. Once those individuals who are in the pipeline do come to the United States [and] find out that its not working [that] people are not able to get into the United States then the demand will drop off. The number of affirmative asylum applications by migrants from Central Americas Northern Triangle Countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) rose dramatically from 7,723 in 2014, to 25,801 in 2016 a 234 percent increase. More migrants sought asylum from 2014 to 2016 than the preceding 17 years combined. Aside from Central America, there is also a rising number of asylum seekers coming from China, Egypt and India. Inhofe said he plans on introducing the bill on August 20. That way they never step foot into the United States and they have to wait and have that case heard before they enter into the United States, Inhofe said. Obviously, most of the people who are seeking asylum and are assigned a court date here in the United States, they walk away and they never show up anyway. But Michael L. Detsky, an immigration attorney who's been practicing for 40 years and represents asylum seekers, calls the bill unworkable. I think the legislation is short-sighted. I think its mean-spirited, I think it doesnt take into account the practicality of asylum that it should be more than just a cursory yay or nay based upon someone who is unassisted by council, in most cases, Detsky said. I dont think that its going to have a meaningful hearing for the asylum applicant. When it comes to defensive asylum applications (removal proceedings before an immigration judge), the denial rate has gone up by 10 percent over the last three years, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University. For affirmative asylum applications (those seeking asylum by entering points of entry at the border) around 21 percent of them were granted in 2015. In 2016, only around 10 percent were granted, according to DHSan 11 percent decrease within that year timeframe. All of the various regulations and proposed regulations that we see are emphasizing ways to find to deny benefits rather than ways to find to grant the benefits, Detsky said. We are very, very busy as members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association across the board and are learning ways to counteract this prevalent attitude that is very, very unfortunate." Stephen Nuno, an immigration expert who is chair of Northern Arizona Universitys Politics and International Affairs department, said the bill is just designed to fire up Inhofe's conservative base. The notion that its a refugee policyits more of a nationalist policy, Nuno said. The only thing this is going to solve for Sen. Inhofe is stoking the flames of anti-immigrant sentiment in his state. Shipping containers at Pier J at the Port of Long Beach await processing in Long Beach, California. [Photo/Agencies] A senior Chinese negotiator will visit the United States at Washington's invitation late this month to resume trade talks, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. It will be the first bilateral meeting since the Sino-US trade dispute escalated in June, attracting lots of attention and high expectations. On the invitation of the US, a delegation led by Wang Shouwen, vice-minister of commerce and China's deputy international trade representative, will meet with a team led by the US Treasury's Undersecretary for International Affairs David Malpass, the ministry said in a statement. The two sides will hold consultations on each other's concerns about Sino-US economic and trade issues, the ministry said. "The Chinese side opposes unilateralism and trade protectionism practices and does not accept any unilateral trade restriction measures," said the statement. "China welcomes dialogue and communication on the basis of reciprocity, equality and integrity." Beijing has retaliated after Washington slapped tariffs in goods since they held their last high-level meeting in June. The tension raised fears that their trade dispute will shake the global economy. It was unclear whether the talks will take place before or after Thursday, when Washington has said it will activate additional tariffs on $16 billion in Chinese goods. Beijing has said it will retaliate in kind. At the last official round of talks in early June, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met with Vice-Premier Liu He in Beijing. Experts said Wang's visit to the US is expected to be helpful not only in reducing misunderstanding between the two governments but also in offering hope for progress in lessening the friction that has set global markets on edge. Li Yong, deputy director of the China Association of International Trade Expert Committee, said conducting the vice-ministerial level meeting means the two sides will talk about many specific issues, such as how to increase imports from each other's markets in different sectors and build a solid foundation for higher-level official meetings. "As the bilateral trade friction has affected global value and supply chains, as well as many countries' financial markets, it is time for both sides to talk about what they can offer to temporarily avoid a global economic slowdown and an escalation of the trade war," he said. Makoto Sengoku, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, told AFP: "It is hard to tell how the talks will go, but it's a positive signal that the two countries are looking for some compromise plan. If they were determined to fight it out, they wouldn't meet." US trade policy toward China has been fairly self-contradictory, which reflects the gap of interests between different government branches, said Dong Yan, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "As you can see from the previous talks, the US Treasury Department still wanted a negotiated settlement because it sought a sustainable China-US economic relationship, while the Office of the US Trade Representative has been playing tougher with Chinese shipments," she said. Dong said there have been some impacts on the real economy in the United States as tariffs have been enacted in the past two months. This has caused opinion disparities among different government departments, multinational companies and business groups within the US, she said. Sen. Lindsey Graham ripped the FBI this week over an alleged double standard in how the bureau handled a suspected Chinese spy on Sen. Dianne Feinstein's staff versus how it handled Russian contacts with Trump campaign advisers years later. As revealed in recent press reports, the FBI briefed the Democratic senator about the alleged Chinese spy, who was then removed from her office. By contrast, the bureau seemingly kept then-candidate Donald Trump in the dark on the Russia suspicions -- launching a case that would later be taken over by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Although I appreciate the FBIs diligence in identifying the staffer with potential ties to the Chinese government and providing Senator Feinstein with a defensive briefing, I am deeply troubled that the Trump Campaign was not afforded the same treatment when the FBI began to suspect that campaign staffers George Papadopoulos, Carter Page, Michael Flynn, and Paul Manafort had improper ties to the Russian government, Republican Sen. Graham, of South Carolina, wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray. It appears that rather than provide then-candidate Donald Trump or Trump Campaign officials with a defensive briefing to inform them of the FBIs concerns, the Bureau opted to use a confidential informant and a dossier funded by the Democratic National Committee to launch an unprecedented counterintelligence investigation into the Trump Campaign, Graham continued. Reports about the alleged Chinese spy in Feinsteins San Francisco office surfaced earlier this month, though the incident took place roughly five years ago. The staffer reportedly served as Feinsteins driver, but also took on additional responsibilities in the office, such as working as a liaison to the Asian-American community in California. The staffer reportedly attended Chinese consulate events on behalf of the senator and was recruited after being befriended by someone from Chinas Ministry of State Security. Five years ago the FBI informed me it had concerns that an administrative member of my California staff was potentially being sought out by the Chinese government to provide information, Feinstein said in a statement earlier this month. He was not a mole or a spy, but someone who a foreign intelligence service thought it could recruit. Feinstein said that the FBI reviewed the matter and shared its concerns with her. The staffer was then immediately removed from her office. Feinstein claimed that the staffer never had access to classified or sensitive information. The FBI never informed me of any compromise of national security information, she said. Graham is not the only member of Congress to complain about the FBIs approach to both cases. The senator cited a Fox News report from earlier this month, where House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., made a similar statement. Providing a defensive briefing, like the one given to Senator Feinstein, is a typical response to these kinds of situations, Nunes said in a statement to Fox News. The refusal to give the Trump campaign a defensive briefing, and instead opening a sprawling counter-intelligence investigation of American citizens, is one of many alarming ways that intelligence leaders drastically diverged from normal procedures in their Trump campaign investigation. Graham pressed the FBI to divulge the specific protocol for briefing politicians and campaigns about potential espionage threats over the last 10 years, and pressed for an answer to why the bureau treated Trump differently than Feinstein. Graham also is requesting information as to what defensive briefings, if any, were given to Trump or his campaign when concerns about his staffers arose. One retired FBI special agent and former national spokesman who served at the bureau during the time of the Feinstein investigation, but not specifically on the case, John Iannarelli, told Fox News that the procedure could have been different based on the narrow scope of the Feinstein allegations. The Feinstein investigation was very narrow, in terms of who their target was, whereas the Trump investigation appears to be much broader, Iannarelli told Fox News. He also suggested that the FBI trusted Feinstein with the information. When youre conducting a public corruption investigation, if youre looking at someone whos working for the official but have nothing to indicate that the official is involved, you may notify the official to prevent the investigation from being compromised, he said. Earlier this month, the FBI declined to comment on why Trump was not given the same kind of briefing as Feinstein when the investigation began and when Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants were obtained against Page. A staffer for Illinois Republican Rep. Rodney Davis re-election campaign was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly harassed his Democratic opponent. Levi Lovell, 25, was charged with aggravated battery after he allegedly harassed and shoved people at a pub where Betsy Dirksen Londrigan was having an event, WRSP-TV reported. Lovell, who police said was visibly intoxicated, went to JP Kellys Pub in Springfield, Illinois, purposefully trying to record members of Betsy Dirksen Londrigans campaign, trying to get them to say something inappropriate, said Springfield police Lt. Brian Oakes. In a video posted to social media, Lovell is seen following people around, asking them about the Second Amendment and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It appears hes filming with his cell phone, and when people try to get him to leave the bar, Lovell suggests its because the patrons are racist. Matt Butcher, Davis campaign manager, told WRSP that Lovell has been terminated as the campaign has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or violence of any kind. Lovell was reportedly a field director for the campaign. FEDS ARREST IT STAFFER FOR WASSERMAN SCHULTZ TRYING TO LEAVE COUNTRY Davis, a Republican, has apologized to Londrigan and those at the event. His actions go against everything I stand for and go directly against what I have been promoting, which is more civility in politics, Davis said. This kind of behavior will never be tolerated on my campaign or with anyone on my staff. Londrigan told The State Journal-Register she is disturbed that someone would show up to an event and try to harass and intimidate me and my family, but he is sorely mistaken if he thinks that it is going to slow me down one bit. ILLINOIS GOVERNOR RACE PITS BRUCE RAUNER AGAINST JB PRITZKER: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ELECTION Nasty, divisive politics do nothing for our community, she said. I will continue to hold public town halls, campaign with civility, and show this office and voters the respect they deserve. In the past, Lovell has reportedly worked for other Republicans in Illinois, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, Rep. John Shimkus and state Rep. Tim Butler. Fox News has ranked Illinois' 13th congressional district as leans Republican. Imagine a scenario in which a top intelligence officer places the U.S. at risk all because he couldn't discern when the president was joking. It almost sounds like the plot for a comic strip. Well, that's exactly what happened in the case of former CIA Director John Brennan, according to Scott Adams, creator of the popular Dilbert strip. In a Twitter message Thursday, Adams slammed Brennan, asserting that the former CIA chief in 2016 didn't realize that President Trump was joking when the then-candidate urged Russia to find Hillary Clinton's missing emails. So Brennan may have started one of the most important political witch hunts in history based on not recognizing a joke and Im not even making that up, Adams wrote. So Brennan may have started one of the most important political witch hunts in history based on not recognizing a joke and Im not even making that up. Scott Adams, creator of "Dilbert." I feel fairly confident in saying that what I just said is literally true: that the head of the CIA has almost destroyed the United States because he didnt understand that an obvious joke was a joke. The comments came after Brennan lashed out at the White House for stripping him of his top security clearance Wednesday following a review of access granted to several top Obama-era intelligence and law enforcement officials. The former CIA boss authored an explosive op-ed for the New York Times, saying that the president by making the comment about Russia finding Clintons emails in July 2016 encouraged and authorized his followers to collude with the Kremlin. The already challenging work of the American intelligence and law enforcement communities was made more difficult in late July 2016 when Mr. Trump, then a presidential candidate, publicly called upon Russia to find the missing emails of Mrs. Clinton, Brennan wrote. By issuing such a statement, Mr. Trump was not only encouraging a foreign nation to collect intelligence against a United States citizen, but also openly authorizing his followers to work with our primary global adversary against his political opponent, he added. The Trump administration justified the decision to revoke the security clearance of Brennan, saying he has a history that calls his credibility into question, and accused him of leveraging the clearance to make wild outbursts and claims about the current administration. The president has a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information and who has access to it, and thats what hes doing is fulfilling that responsibility in this action, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday. But the cartoonist said Brennan deserved to lose the security clearance for not being able to distinguish an obvious joke at the height of a political race, a mistake that eventually led to efforts to investigate the Trump campaign. Now, if youve got a guy whos willing to put the entire stability at risk because he cant tell the difference between a joke and a serious statement, then that guy has got to lose his security clearance at least, Adams said. I wouldnt want him anywhere near a decision. Would you? After seeing how Brennan responded to a public joke would you want him to make any important decisions about anything? "I mean, thats some scary stuff, Adams wrote. John Brennan rallied numerous high-powered defenders to his corner over his security clearance clash with President Trump, but some well-known special ops heroes are firing back suggesting the former CIA director got what he deserves. Kris Tanto Paronto, a former Army Ranger and private security contractor who was part of the CIA team that fought back during the 2012 Benghazi terror attack, accused Brennan of putting his politics before those in the field. He is lucky the security clearance is all he is getting away with, Paronto told Fox News in an interview on Friday. Responding a day earlier to Brennans tweet that his principles are worth far more than clearances, Paronto also tweeted: My principles are greater than clearances too John, especially when you and the @CIA kool-aid drinkers punishes us for not going along with the Benghazi cover-up story in order to protect you, @HillaryClintons & @BarackObamas failures. You put your politics before us. Paronto helped write the book "13 Hours," later turned into a feature film, about the Benghazi attack. He has said he and his team lost their security clearances for speaking out. Security operators including Paronto previously had to sign non-disclosure agreements -- Paronto told Fox News he signed three pertaining to Benghazi within a six-month period -- though Brennan told lawmakers in 2014 this was not a specific effort to prevent them from speaking to Congress. Paronto maintains, however, that he didn't share classified information in telling the Benghazi story and continues to object to their clearances being revoked. Normally when you have a clearance suspended, youre supposed to know why ... I was never given that, he said, blaming Brennan. It was his determination whether we kept our clearances or not. He also took exception at how the Benghazi team was treated upon their return. We come back from being on the ground to be treated as a second class citizen. You come back and youre called a liar, Paronto told Fox News. Brennan came in and there was no talk of hey, good job guys, not that you look for it, but instead, it was dont say anything guys, we dont want the truth to get out. Paronto continued his attack against Brennan on Twitter Thursday night, firing a round of accusations against the former CIA director. Meanwhile, numerous leaders from the intelligence community defended Brennan, calling President Trumps decision to revoke his security clearance ill-considered and unprecedented. 12 EX-INTEL OFFICIALS SLAM TRUMP FOR 'ILL-CONSIDERED AND UNPRECEDENTED' ACTION AGAINST BRENNAN The presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearancesand everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech, the letter from 12 former intelligence officials read. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speecheven when that right has been used to criticize usthat signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable, they wrote. The group included six former CIA directors, notably retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus; former director of national intelligence James Clapper, whose security clearance is also under consideration at the White House; and five former deputy directors of the CIA. Another senior official, William McRaven, who was commander of U.S. Joint Special Operations command from 2011 to 2014 and oversaw the Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan that killed Usama bin Laden, penned an op-ed for the Washington Post Thursday, urging Trump to revoke my security clearance, too. TRUMP REVOKES EX-CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN'S SECURITY CLEARANCE McRaven called Brennan a man of unparalleled integrity, and said he would consider it an honor to have his security clearance revoked and add his name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency. If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken, McRaven wrote. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be. Robert ONeill, the SEAL Team 6 member who killed bin Laden, respectfully disagreed with McRaven. I have nothing but respect and love for ADM McRaven. Yes Ive seen this. We simply disagree, ONeill tweeted with a link to McRavens op-ed. But ONeill reserved a Twitter burn for former Obama foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes, who touted the ex-CIA directors involvement in the killing of the 9/11 mastermind in 2011. John Brennan was the point person for the Obama White House on the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. He knows a lot more about defending our nation than someone who uses security clearances to punish his political adversaries, Rhodes tweeted. ONeill responded: Actually, @brhodes, 23 conservatives went after UBL. No offense, in case you were wondering. President Trump renewed his attacks Friday on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for saying America was never that great, accusing him of pushing people out of the state with high taxes -- and asking how he can survive such a gaffe. How does a politician, Cuomo, known for pushing people and businesses out of his state, not to mention having the highest taxes in the U.S., survive making the statement, WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, IT WAS NEVER THAT GREAT? he tweeted. Which section of the sentence is worse? Cuomo shocked supporters on Wednesday when he made the remarks as he criticized Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. We have not reached greatness, we will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged, we will reach greatness when discrimination and stereotyping against women, 51 percent of our population, is gone, he went on to add. His office later said Cuomo believes America is great and that her full greatness will be fully realized when every man, woman and child has full equality. America has not yet reached its maximum potential, his office added. But the statement did not stop Cuomo from being mocked and criticized from both sides of the political spectrum for his comments. Actress and activist Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, suggested it was part of his efforts to fend off her left-wing challenge. "I think this is just another example of Andrew Cuomo trying to figure out what a progressive sounds like and missing by a mile," the activist and Sex and the City actress told NY1 on Wednesday. Left-wing Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he assumed the governor misspoke and that Americas greatness has never been in question to me. His own statement came with a hefty dose of qualifiers. America is great. America has been great. We have a lot of work to do in America to make it a more fair and just country, de Blasio said, according to The New York Daily News. But that doesnt take away from our greatness. The concept of America is great and a lot of our history is, and theres some parts of our history that, we have to be blunt about, how far we were from our ideals," he continued. "But the greatness has never been in question to me. Cuomo was also hit from the right, with Republican challenger Marc Molinaro saying he was ashamed and shocked at the remarks and calling on Cuomo to apologize. Even with our imperfections, this nation, its promise, its purpose, its principles and its people have always been great and that determined march toward making things better, thats what has always made America great, he said on Fox & Friends Thursday. Im ashamed to think my governor doesnt know that. Trump, who has feuded for years with Cuomo, also swung at the rumored 2020 presidential candidate earlier this week and accused him of having a total meltdown. Can you believe this is the Governor of the Highest Taxed State in the U.S., Andrew Cuomo, having a total meltdown! he tweeted. Cuomo responded by tweeting to Trump: "What you say would be 'great again' would not be great at all...We will not go back to discrimination, segregation, sexism, isolationism, racism or the KKK." President Trump, in a thematically cacophonous tweet Friday morning, blamed local D.C. politicians for having to postpone a wished-for military parade while saying hell instead attend another parade outside Washington and also in Paris and maybe use the savings to buy some more jet fighters! The event originally was scheduled for the day before Veterans Day but has now been moved to an unknown date in 2019, a spokesman for the Pentagon said in a statement Thursday. The Pentagon did not offer a reason for the delay. But cost and logistics were likely factors. Over the winter, the president's budget director said the cost would be between $10 and $30 million. Since that time, estimates have skyrocketed to upwards of $90 million. While Trump has faced bipartisan criticism for the parade plans Usama bin Laden slayer Rob ONeill once tweeted that a "military parade is third world bulls---" Trump on Friday accused District of Columbia leaders of trying to milk the federal government for cash. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it, Trump tweeted. Never let someone hold you up! He then said hell instead attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. As a final flourish, he added, Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! He probably wouldnt be able to buy that many jet fighters with the money. A single F-35 fighter jet runs just under $100 million for the cheapest version. But the estimates for a D.C. military parade are still fuzzy. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis disputed a reported estimate from The Associated Press of roughly $90 million. And D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, in hitting back at Trump, threw out a different figure, though its not clear if that excludes direct Pentagon costs for equipment and personnel. Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad), she tweeted. Trumps announcement that hell travel to Paris means hell return to the city that first inspired the idea for a military parade in Washington. Trump began pushing for a U.S. parade after attending France's Bastille Day in July 2017, a celebration he called "magnificent." Fox News Elizabeth Zwirz, Lucas Tomlinson and Doug McKelway contributed to this report. President Trump on Friday called Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr a disgrace and suggested he plans to revoke his security clearance soon, amid reports of his ties to the infamous dossier of salacious and unverified allegations about Trump. I think Bruce Ohr is a disgrace, Trump said outside the White House. The president boasted of a tremendous response hes gotten for revoking former CIA Director John Brennans security clearance this week and said its likely hell do the same to Ohr soon. Earlier this week, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump was considering revoking Ohr's clearance. I suspect Ill be taking it away very quickly, Trump said. I think that Bruce Ohr is a disgrace with his wife, Nellie. For him to be at the Justice Department, and to be doing what he did, that is a disgrace. Ohrs wife, Nellie, is a former contractor for Fusion GPS - the research company that worked with Steele to compile the dossier. SPECIAL OPS SHOOT DOWN BRENNAN AND HIS DEFENDERS: 'YOU PUT YOUR POLITICS BEFORE US' Congressional investigators accuse Ohr -- who was once former associate deputy attorney general and still works for the DOJ -- of having a conflict of interest during the presidential campaign because of his wife's work. Speaking of his decision to revoke Brennans clearance, Trump said of the CIA director-turned Trump critic: Ive never respected him. OHR COMMUNICATED WITH TRUMP DOSSIER AUTHOR STEELE AFTER FBI CUT TIES The president on Friday also reiterated his contention that Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into whether Trump campaign associates worked with the Russians during the 2016 election a rigged witchhunt. Instead, Trump said, Mueller should be looking at people like Bruce Ohr, and his wife Nellie for dealing with, by the way, indirectly Russians. Speaking of Christopher Steele, the ex-British spy who authored the dossier, Trump said: They should be looking at Steele. DOJ'S BRUCE OHR WROTE CHRISTOPHER STEELE WAS 'VERY CONCERNED ABOUT COMEY'S FIRING - AFRAID THEY WILL BE EXPOSED' The dossier, which was used by federal officials to justify the surveillance of a top Trump aide, Carter Page, was created by Fusion GPS and paid for by Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Fox News has reviewed a collection of Ohr's emails, texts and handwritten notes that reveals that he was deeply connected to the dossier as well as its author. Ohr wrote that Steele was "very concerned (abt) about [former FBI Director James] Comey's firing -- afraid they will be exposed." The Ohr documents also shed more light on Steele's activities before the presidential election. While Steele shopped the dossier to multiple media outlets, he also appeared to ask Ohr for help with a Russian oligarch -- Oleg Deripaska -- after rumors the U.S. might impose sanctions. Fox News Jennifer Bowman, Catherine Herridge and Gregg Re contributed to this report. Some hikers in Oregon recently found 19 dead elk, which state Fish and Wildlife officials say were likely the victims of an avalanche. The hikers made the discovery last week near No Name Lake and Broken Top mountain peak, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said. Melting snow revealed the elk carcasses, which included bulls, cows and calves, wildlife biologist Jamie Bowles said, according to the Bulletin of Bend, Ore. It was really unsettling to see in person, Bowles told the paper. The elk suffered broken limbs and antlers, as well as torn hides from the avalanche. Their bodies were also twisted and contorted. Bowles said it was not clear when the avalanche took place, but believes it was likely last summer after the winter of 2016-17, when the area had a record amount of snowfall. The wildlife biologist told the paper that, based on the regions researchers have been able to study, it is rare for elk to get trapped in avalanches, however, he noted it could be taking place in more remote areas. Bowles said the elk will not be removed as it is unnecessary and too dangerous. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Scientists are seeking a solution to the red tide crisis that has been devastating marine life on Floridas Gulf Coast. The naturally occurring toxic algae bloom, which was declared an emergency by Gov. Rick Scott on Monday, has littered beaches with dead sea life. When he issued the emergency order, Scott also announced funding and resources to combat the crisis, including over $100,000 for Mote Marine Laboratory. FLORIDA BEACHES LITTERED WITH DEAD SEA TURTLES; SCIENTISTS BLAME RED TIDE The Sarasota-based lab has developed an ozone treatment system to remove the microscopic plantlike organisms that are responsible for the red tide. Motes ozone treatment system was developed, patented, and is currently used to remove Karenia brevis cells and toxins from seawater entering Mote Aquarium and Motes animal hospitals. Scientists are currently preforming a canal test in Boca Grande, involving two ozone systems, the lab tweeted Tuesday. Speaking to Fox News Tucker Carlson, Dr. Richard Pierce of Mote Marine Laboratory described this years red tide as a very serious problem. Its something that has happened before, but its something that we need to get a better handle on, he said. Now were starting to look more at what might be done about actually controlling it. A red tide, or harmful algal bloom, is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plantlike organism), explains the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in a statement. In Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis, often abbreviated as K. brevis. To distinguish K. brevis blooms from red tides caused by other species of algae, researchers in Florida call the former the Florida red tide. The area is no stranger to red tide events. Red tides were documented in the southern Gulf of Mexico as far back as the 1700s and along Florida's Gulf coast in the 1840s, explains the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Fish kills near Tampa Bay were even mentioned in the records of Spanish explorers. RED TIDE CRISIS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM ON FLORIDA'S GULF COAST This summers red tide has already caused the deaths of hundreds of sea turtles, as well as large fish like goliath grouper and even manatees. In places like Longboat Key, more than 5 tons of dead fish have been removed from beaches. This week, nine dead dolphins were found in Sarasota County. Marine biologists are investigating whether the deaths are related to red tide. Red tides can also cause respiratory irritation for humans. For people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, red tide can cause serious illness, officials explain. BLUE-GREEN TOXIC ALGAE INVADES FLORIDA RIVER As Florida attempts to deal the red tide algae bloom on its Gulf Coast, a freshwater bloom on the other side of the state has caused blue-green toxic slime to appear in the St. Lucie River. A sample taken from the river on Aug. 2 contained high levels of the toxin microcystin, according to officials. The EPA notes that, while the liver is the primary target of microcystin, it is also a skin, eye and throat irritant. Unlike the red tide, the bloom is not naturally occurring. Nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban runoff causes the majority of freshwater cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae blooms, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Heavy rains in May caused Lake Okeechobee to discharge water containing blue-green algae into rivers and canals. The bright green sludge oozed onto docks, dams and rivers. Last month, Gov. Scott declared an emergency to combat algae blooms caused by Lake Okeechobee water discharges. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers A shocking video shows a great white shark proudly carrying around its latest victim a dolphin when suddenly an even bigger great white swoops in to steal the meal straight from its mouth. In a video shared by Shark Watch South Australia on Wednesday, a 12-foot great white is seen successfully taking a dead dolphin from a 10-foot shark as a group of shocked oyster farmers watch the scene unfold off the coast of Smoky Bay, Australia. Fins can be seen splashing in the water, as if the pair were both briefly tugging at the creature, before the bigger shark swims away with the prey. Moments later, the 12-foot shark starts to devour the dolphin just feet from several fishing boats. "The incident involving two great white sharks ended in fatal circumstances for a dolphin which was attacked and then once killed the devoured carcass dragged away in front of their boat," the group, which aims to educate the public about sharks by sharing real-time alerts on social media, explained in the video caption. The video garnered more than 135,000 views as of Friday afternoon, with more than 1,000 commenting on the savage fight. "Well that 'ole wives tale has been sorted. Dolphins will not protect you from sharks except in the movies," one Facebook user commented. "Omg I was always told where there is dolphins sharks wont be near never believing that again," another added. "Looks like a young/baby dolphin.... Sharks might've got it on its own,away from the pod.....poor thing.. Thats nature tho, sharks gotta eat to," one user chimed in. 20-FOOT SHARK SURPRISES COAST GUARD CREW OFF MAINE COAST: 'IT'S REAL LIFE JAWS' Oyster farmer Jason Darke said his nephew took the footage, which he then shared with the shark-watching group. Darke described the recent oyster farming trip as the "best craziest morning ever." "A smaller great white made the kill then a bigger great white come [sic] from no where and stole it from his mouth," he explained. "Just to clarify, no we didnt try touch it or catch it." Darke shared several videos of the "rare" great white predation, revealing various angles of the battle for food. "A great white makes off with its catch just moments after a brutal natural predation on a dolphin. Oyster farm worker Jason Darke catches the moment it casually cruises by their boat with its carcass in its mouth," Shark Watch South Australia wrote in a follow-up video that shows a close-up of the greedy great white. Adult great white sharks, the worlds largest predatory fish, are known to prey on large fish and marine mammals. These typically include seals and sea lions, in addition to scavenging on whale carcasses and other injured animals, according to the U.S. National Park Service. A cruise ship docks at Xiamen port in Fujian province. [Photo by Wang Dongming/China News Service] Xiamen port in East China's Fujian province will open 10 more cruise routes to economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative in the second half of this year, as part of its broader efforts to bolster ties with them. "Xiamen port plans to open a total of 15 cruise routes related to the B&R Initiative this year, which is expected to bring about 60,000 tourists in total," said Chen Zhiping, chairman of Xiamen Port Holding Group Co. "The port will put routes to the B&R economies high on the agenda with an aim of building it into a transportation pivot helping the development of the B&R Initiative," he added. The move came after Xiamen port launched a cruise route passing through six nations involved in the initiative earlier this year. The 220.6-meter-long, 30.8-meter-wide cruise liner made a loop and visited attractions in the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. Xiamen port, which handled more than 10 million containers over the past year, has moved up to the 14th largest container port globally for the first time. By now, more than 50 such cruise routes have been opened at the port, accounting for over one-third of its total lines and linking 38 ports across 18 countries and regions. In the first half of this year, it had already developed five new cruise routes to the B&R economies and has handled more than 21,000 tourists. Chen noted that the port will also open some themed cruise routes with cultural performances and experiences to attract more people from both home and abroad. "Fujian is home to many overseas Chinese. By launching themed routes like this, we expect to enhance cultural exchanges through the cruise trips," he added. Lines related to the B&R economies have become hot tickets as epitomized by their popularity among tourists. Zhang Haijun, head of cruise business at Xiamen International Cruise Home Port, said many cruise routes passing through B&R countries and regions have been fully booked. "An increasing number of tourists choose to take tours along the Maritime Silk Road as more people have a deeper understanding of the initiative," he said. To back such routes, Xiamen port is set to bolster its competitiveness by leveraging latest technologies including cloud computing, wireless communication and unmanned automation. Jobs like loading, unloading, and stockpiling containers can be completed by automated machines controlled by computers in the terminal's central control room. A North Carolina couple taking a stroll on Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina came across a rare, prehistoric find Tuesday: a megalodon tooth. Well he dropped down to his knees and was just kind of like, Ah! Sydney Williams told NBC12 of her boyfriend Brian Piccirilli, who first spotted the tooth. FACTS ABOUT MEGALODON: THE LONG-GONE SHARK The couple later shared the rare find with their friend, Audrey Longtin, who makes jewelry from shark teeth she finds while scuba diving off the beachs coast. Longtin noted that finding a megalodon tooth of that size without venturing offshore is really, really lucky." The megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented. MEGA-SHARK TEETH DATING BACK 25 MILLION YEARS DISCOVERED AT AUSTRALIAN BEACH The couples find comes after an Australian man found a set of fossilized teeth belonging to a prehistoric great jagged narrow-toothed shark, which is formally known as a Carcharocles angustidens. Fox News Chris Ciaccia contributed to this report. The Air Force and DARPA are now testing new hardware and software configured to enable 4th and 5th Generation aircraft to command drones from the cockpit in the air, bringing new levels of autonomy, more attack options and a host of new reconnaissance advantages to air warfare. Working with BAE Systems at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Air Force test pilots are combining ground-based simulators with airborne Learjets to demonstrate how 4th generation cockpit avionics can direct drones from the air, BAE Systems developers said. The airplane was structurally configured to allow us to take our autonomy hardware and connect it directly to the flight control system of the airplane, Skip Stolz, Director of Strategic Development for Autonomy Control, told Warrior Maven in an interview. Demonstrations with specially configured Learjets are intended as an interim step on route to integrating this kind of system into an operational F-15, F-16 or even F-35, developers said. Using standard data-link technology, the jets operate with a semi-autonomous software called Distributed Battle Management, which enables new levels of compressed airborne data transfer, weapons integration and sensor operations, Stolz explained. A recent Mitchell Institute paper, titled Manned-Unmanned Aircraft Teaming: Taking Combat Airpower to the Next Level, cites Distributed Battle Management software as a system-of-systems future landscape for warfare, in which networks of manned and unmanned platforms, weapons, sensors and electronic warfare systems interact. The paper adds that DARPA and the Air Force Research Laboratory successfully tested DBM last year. At the moment, the flight path, sensor payload and weapons disposal of airborne drones such as Air Force Predators, Global Hawks and Reapers are coordinated from ground control stations. However, due at least in part to rapid advances in autonomy, the concept of an autonomous or semi-autonomous wingman is arriving even faster than expected. DARPA, Air Force Research Laboratory and industry have been developing this concept for quite some time now. The current trajectory, or rapid evolution of processing speed and advanced algorithms is enabling rapid acceleration. A fighter-jet aircraft will be able to provide a drone with tasks and objectives, manage sensor payload and direct flight-path from the air. For instance, real-time video feeds from the electro-optical/infrared sensors on board an Air Force Predator, Reaper or Global Hawk drone could go directly into an F-15, F-22 or F-35 cockpit, without needing to go to a ground control station. This could speed up targeting and tactical input from drones on reconnaissance missions in the vicinity of where a fighter pilot might want to attack. In fast-moving combat circumstances involving both air-to-air and air-to-ground threats, increased speed could make a large difference. The Mitchell Institute essay also points to a less-frequently discussed, yet highly significant advantage offered by manned-unmanned teaming. Simply put, it could massively help mitigate the current Air Force bomber and fighter jet shortage. It is often mentioned that there simply are not enough Air Force assets available to meet current demand. As a result, having a massive fleet of fighter-jet operated drones could radically increase the operational scope of Air Force missions. In particular, the Mitchell Institute paper mentions that ever since B-2 and F-22 production were cut well short of the initial intent years ago the Air Force has since been forced to operate with insufficient air assets. A resource of 185 fighters (F-22s) and 20 bombers (B-2s) is fundamentally limited in world where their capabilities are in high demand. Airmen and their aircraft, no matter how well trained or technologically advanced, cannot be in two places at once, the paper writes. Fighter-jet controlled drones could also be programmed to fly into heavily defended or high-risk areas ahead of manned-fighter jets in order to assess enemy air defenses and reduce risk to pilots. Furthermore, given the fast-evolving efficacy of modern air-defenses, drones could fly into high-threat or heavily-contested areas to conduct ISR, scout enemy assets and even function as a weapons truck to attack enemy targets. Advances in computer power, processing speed and AI are rapidly changing the scope of what platforms are able to perform without needing human intervention. This is mostly developing in the form of what Air Force scientists describe as decision aide support, meaning machines will be able to better interpret, organize, analyze and communicate information to a much greater extent without have humans manage each individual task. Different people have different views. We believe in a control-based approach that leverages AI but does not relinquish control to AI. As a pilot develops trust, he knows what that aircraft can do and tells it to do something, Stolz said. Currently, there is widespread consensus that, according to DoD doctrine, decisions regarding the use of lethal force should always be made by a human-in-the-loop, despite advances in autonomy which now enable unmanned systems to track, acquire and destroy targets without needing human intervention. Nevertheless, the Mitchell Institute paper introduces a way to maintain this key doctrinal premise, yet also improve unmanned enemy attacks through what DARPA and the Air Force Research Lab call adaptive kill webs. DARPA and AFRL will form adaptive kill webs in which autonomous aircraft flying in collaboration with manned aircraft could receive inputs from a range of actors such as a pilot of a manned aircraft, the paper says. By extension, the paper explains that in the event that a pilot is shot down drone command and control operations could shift to a larger manned battle manager aircraft such as an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System or E-8 Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System. Another advantage of these technological advances is that one human may have an ability to control multiple drones and perform a command and control function while drones execute various tasks such as sensor functions, targeting, weapons transport or electronic warfare activities, the former Air Force Chief Scientist told Warrior Maven in a previous interview. At the moment, multiple humans are often needed to control a single drone, and new algorithms increasing autonomy for drones could greatly change this ratio. Air Force scientists have explained a potential future scenario wherein one human is able to control 10 or even 100 - drones. Algorithms could progress to the point where a drone, such as a Predator or a Reaper, might be able to follow a fighter aircraft by itself without needing its flight path navigated from human direction from the ground. Unlike ground robotics wherein autonomy algorithms have to contend with an ability to move quickly in relation to unanticipated developments and other moving objects, simple autonomous flight guidance from the air is much more manageable. Since there are often fewer obstacles in the air compared with the ground, drones above the ground can be programmed more easily to fly toward certain pre-determined locations, often called a way-points. The Army has advanced manned-unmanned teaming technology in its helicopter fleet --successfully engineering Apache and Kiowa air crews to control UAS flight paths and sensor payloads from the air in the cockpit. Army officials say this technology has yielded successful combat results in Afghanistan. Army program managers have told Warrior Maven that manned-unmanned teaming enables Apache pilots to find and identify enemy targets, before they even take off. Senior Air Force leaders have said that the services' new next-generation bomber program, the B-21 Raider, will be engineered to fly manned and unmanned missions. Also, in September of 2013, the Air Force and Boeing flew an unmanned F-16 at supersonic speeds for the first time at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The unmanned fighter was able to launch, maneuver and return to base without a pilot. Interestingly, the Mitchell Institute paper references a current Air Force-Boeing effort to engineer older F-16s so that they could function as drones. In 2017, Boeing, the prime contractor for the QF-16 charged with reactivating the legacy fighters from their desert storage and making necessary modifications, was awarded a $24.6 million contract to convert 18 F-16s into QF-16 target drones, the paper writes. At the same time, despite the speed at which unmanned technology is progressing, many scientist and weapons developers are of the view that human pilots will still be needed given the speed at which the human brain can quickly respond to unanticipated developments. When it comes to certain kinds of decision making and things requiring an intuitive contextual understanding, machines are not yet able to do those things. Computers can process huge amounts of data, Stolz said There is often a two-second long lag time before a UAS in the air can respond to or implement directions from a remote pilot in a ground station, a circumstance which underscores the need for manned pilots when it comes to fighter jets, Air Force officials said. Therefore, while cargo planes or bombers with less of a need to maneuver in the skies might be more easily able to embrace autonomous flight fighter jets will still greatly benefit from human piloting, Air Force scientists have said. While computer processing speed and algorithms continue to evolve at an alarming pace, it still remains difficult to engineer a machine able to make more subjective determinations or respond quickly to a host of interwoven, fast-changing variables. However, sensor technology is progressing quickly, the point where fighter pilots will increasingly be able to identify threats at much greater distances, therefore remove the need to dogfight. As a result, there may be room for an unmanned fighter jet in the not-too-distant future, given the pace of improving autonomous technology. More Weapons and Technology - WARRIOR MAVEN (CLICK HERE)-- Four men are suspected of stealing at least 20 iPhones from an Apple Store in Northern California this week, continuing a wave of similar crimes across the state, authorities said. Two MacBook Pros and possibly an iPad mini also were taken from the Westfield Galleria Apple Store in Roseville, near Sacramento, police said. The suspects systematically worked to cut the security cables from the devices, police said, Sacramento's Fox 40 reported. Police say the suspects wore hooded sweatshirts and sneakers. No one was injured and no weapons were brandished, police said. Roseville police were investigating whether the Roseville robbery is connected to crimes at other Apple Stores in California, Fox 40 reported. Apple Stores were robbed in San Luis Obispo in June, and in Fresno and Costa Mesa in July, while a Bakersfield store was hit two weeks ago, the report said. Five men stole iPhones and iPads worth about $29,000 in the Costa Mesa store last month, Fox News previously reported. Britains largest-ever warship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, is joining forces with the American-made most powerful stealth fighter jets in the world. The ship is the first of the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers and is embarking on its very first transatlantic journey. The giant warship will arrive off the eastern coast of the United States where it will start the first flight trials with the fifth generation Lightning II Joint Strike fighter jets. Three times the size of the Royal Navys previous Invincible Class Aircraft Carriers, the HMS Queen Elizabeth is an approximately 65,000-ton, four-acre flight decked, mobile floating military platform which will allow Americas steadfast ally to contribute even more power to future combat. HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales represent 6.2 billion worth of new, futuristic, state of the art, warships that this key ally can soon bring to the table should the need for joint-action arise. With the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the British military will be able to bring even more aircraft to a situation and significantly boost the number of sorties. EXCLUSIVE LOOK: F-35 STEALTH FIGHTER JET The U.S. Marine Corps also flies the F-35B. As part of joint-action, U.S. Marine pilots and aircraft will be able to easily fly missions together from the HMS Queen Elizabeth. With the threat of adversaries with advanced technology looming, seamless, smart collaboration between allies like the combined might of the HMS Queen Elizabeth and the F-35 fighters is increasingly vital and urgent. Giant warship, huge capabilities Even though it is a giant warship, the Queen Elizabeths design is so advanced it can be run with a surprisingly small crew compared to previous U.K. aircraft carriers. Take the weapons handling onboard, for example this system is designed to move armaments to the flight deck six times faster than before while requiring only about a third of the crew. Overall, the HMS Queen Elizabeth carries a crew of 679 and embarked forces up to 921. Month by month, the HMS Queen Elizabeth continues to rapidly expand the capabilities the warship can bring to the fight. The carrier has already finished completed rotary wing trials with more than one thousand helicopter deck landings with Chinook Mk 5 helicopters and Merlin Mk 2s in all sorts of weather conditions. NEW F-35A FIGHTER JET GETS A NEW POWERFUL BOMB Royal Marine commandos have also already conducted amphibious warfare trials including an air assault from the HMS Queen Elizabeth. In 2014, lead ship HMS Queen Elizabeth first left her Scottish dockyard soon followed by the HMS Prince of Wales two weeks later. Just four years later, the futuristic aircraft carrier has already conducted sea trials, been commissioned into the Royal Navy and now will integrate the most advanced fighter jets in the world further augmenting the power it can project. Once HMS Queen Elizabeth reaches the United States the Royal Navy will be collaborating with the U.S. military to run the very first trials of F-35B carrier landings. PODCAST: MEET THIS ALL-AMERICAN FARM BOY WHO BECAME AN ACE FIGHTER PILOT What will the American-designed fighters provide? The worlds most powerful stealth fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II Joint-Strike Fighter is a result of teamwork and astonishing innovation from a number of American companies with Lockheed Martin at the lead. These fighters have a slew of extremely advanced unprecedented capabilities. There are three variants and each provides its own unique advantages. A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE F-35A, THE AIR FORCE'S NEXT-GEN JET Incredibly fast, it flies at supersonic speeds of Mach 1.6. The situational awareness is truly remarkable. These fighters have astounding stealth, allowing them to penetrate deep into enemy territory and never be detected. The British military has opted to buy and fly the F-35B variant also flown by the U.S. Marine Corps. The F-35B variant is just over 51 feet long with a wingspan of 35 feet. It has a combat radius of greater than 450 nautical miles. To give you a sense of the power, this fighter has a vertical thrust of 40,500 pounds. These fighters are powerfully armed and able to carry 15,000 pounds of weapons. For example, they can carry extremely destructive and lethal weapons like two AIM-120C/D air-to-air missiles and two 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAM guided bombs. The British will fly the variant that provides short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL), which is ideal for aircraft carriers. Even though the HMS Queen Elizabeth is 280 meters (919 feet) long, it is still very challenging to land one of the worlds fastest fighters on aircraft carrier runways that are quite short compared to those available at bases not to mention ocean conditions that create constantly shifting and unpredictably moving runways. HOW F-35A FIGHTER PILOTS ARE HARNESSING HIGH-TECH 'SEE-THROUGH' HELMETS The unique STOVL also provides the added advantage that both militaries will be able to land at rudimentary bases in war zones without proper runways. Seems mind-boggling that such a powerful, supersonic speed fighter can also land vertically sort of like a helicopter does- but it has been achieved. The F-35B has a very special shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system instead of a conventional direct-lift approach. HMS Queen Elizabeth F-35B landing testing A special approach to landing, called the SRVL, is being developed for the Royal Navy to use for their fighters on the HMS Queen Elizabeth class carriers. Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing uses both the vertical thrust from the jet engine and lift from the wings. The goal is for these rolling landings to enable the fighters to land on the HMS Queen Elizabeth carriers with a bigger weapon load as well as with more fuel. PODCAST: WHATS THE SECRET TO ACHIEVING TOP GUN? FIND OUT FROM THIS FASCINATING TOP GUN PILOT More exciting advances HMS Queen Elizabeth brings to the fight The HMS Queen Elizabeth can reach speeds of 25 knots with a range of about 10,000 miles but speed and range is nothing compared to the astonishing cutting-edge tech, advanced weaponry and powerful capabilities this floating military platform can bring anywhere in the world. In addition to the fifth-generation fighter jets, the HMS Queen Elizabeth incorporates a wide array of other cutting-edge advances - including some more American-designed ones. American Phalanx close-in weapon systems Another American companys innovation found on the HMS Queen Elizabeth is the Raytheon Phalanx Close-In weapon system. There are three Phalanxes that can be used to shoot down aircraft, drones, swarming small attack boats and even incoming missiles as a last-ditch effort to protect the carrier. NAVY TAPS RAYTHEON FOR SOPHISTICATED 'LAST CHANCE' GUN SYSTEM American ultra-advanced landing system To help pilots land, the HMS Queen Elizabeth uses the American-designed AN/SPN-41/41A Instrument Carrier Landing System that transmits flight path information to the aircraft as they approach the warship. In fact, the fighter pilots will be able to see this data in their incredibly futuristic head-up display. F-35 pilots wear astonishing helmets that even allow them to see through the floor of their aircraft straight through to the sea or ground below. Thermal metal spray coating to protect it from jet blast Jet blast temperatures can reach a staggering 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Picture the giant, powerful, fiery blasts aimed toward the deck as the fighters execute their vertical landings it could very easily burn through multiple floors of a ship. A remarkable thermal metal coating was developed to shield flight decks from jet blast and this has been sprayed on sections of the HMS Queen Elizabeths flight deck. When will it be up and running? Ultimately, it is expected a total of 138 F-35B fighter jets will eventually join the British military. So far, they have fifteen of the current order for 48 aircraft. Within a mere two years, the HMS Queen Elizabeth will reach carrier strike full operational capability with its first operational deployment expected the following year. A Reddit sleuth has helped police identify a car part, leading to an arrest following a fatal hit-and-run incident in Washington State. On Aug. 9, Washington State Patrol Trooper Johnna Batiste tweeted an image of the car part. Troopers and detectives are still looking for a black vehicle believed to be involved in this mornings tragic bicyclist fatality. If you know anything regarding this collision, please call the Washing State Patrol. The photo of the small piece of metal was posted to the whatisthisthing subreddit, which is used to identify objects, plants and animals, according to the BBC. One user on the subreddit, JeffsNuts, who describes himself as a Maryland State Vehicle Inspector, identified the object as a headlamp bezel from a 1988 Chevy Silverado. A number of other users also weighed in on the piece of metal. POLICE OFFICERS TEST NEW RESTRAINT TECHNOLOGY On Tuesday, Batiste tweeted that the subreddit provided vital information that helped police make an arrest in the case. WSP detectives made an arrest today for Thursdays fatal bicyclist hit and run in Eatonville. Reddit users identify a photographed broken car part as a mid 1980s Chevy truck headlight assembly. Local anonymous tip confirms and led to the arrest of a driver of an 1986 Chevy K-10, she wrote. The news was welcomed on the subreddit. You did it reddit, posted one user. Nice find u/JeffsNuts. Highlighting the potential of Internet forums for good, another user drew comparisons with the 2015 incident when a Reddit user helped alert another commenter to the presence of carbon monoxide in his home. This is the coolest thing to happen on reddit since the carbon monoxide incident, the user wrote. Definitely. Really cool to see some actual good come from this, added another user. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers This is a rush transcript from "Your World," August 17, 2018. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. NEIL CAVUTO, HOST: All right you have heard that Democratic candidate who is taking on Jim Jordan that said she would be among those not only repudiating Nancy Pelosi if she were to get to Capitol Hill and Democrats have the majority, but she would also work to, well, start from scratch on those tax cuts. That has been a major clarion call of Republicans trying to keep the House, that that's what you have to look forward to. Now, some people might welcome that. I would wager that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise thinks that you wouldn't like that. He joins us right now. Congressman, always good to have you. Thank you. REP. STEVE SCALISE, R-LA, HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP: Good to be back with, Neil. And it's funny. You show these candidates on the Democrat side, and they repudiate Pelosi, and then they turn right around and they parrot Pelosi on the policies. She will vote with Nancy Pelosi right down the line to raise taxes again, reversing the success we're seeing in our economy in the middle class. Hardworking families are benefiting the most. Why would you want to reverse that with another Pelosi puppet? And we're seeing that with a lot of their candidates. CAVUTO: All right, so even though she said she would repudiate Pelosi, you say that she's arguing for the same things that was Ms. Pelosi is pushing for. SCALISE: Yes, she said she agrees with her policies. CAVUTO: Right, in other words, rescinding the tax cuts. Now, she then kind of went on to say that -- agrees that they are crumbs and that what the middle and lower classes have gotten are crumbs. How do you counter that in campaign ads and the Republican approach to keeping the House? SCALISE: Well, the first thing we do is continue to remind folks that there is a clear difference in this election in November. We cut taxes for everybody at every single income level. And the people benefiting the most are middle-class families, who were struggling under eight years of a weak economy under Barack Obama. So President Trump said, we want to make sure we rebuild our middle class. And that's happening. And, frankly, the regulation relief that we have provided is one of the big things, in addition to the tax cuts, that's bring those good manufacturing jobs back to America. Don't reverse that success. By the way, they also want to repeal ICE. They want to abolish the very agency that's protecting our country from criminals and human traffickers. So we're going to remind people what's at stake in this election. By the way, we also want to make those tax cuts permanent. The temporary tax cuts, we're going to have a bill to let every Democrat who voted against cutting middle-class taxes, we're going to let them have a vote to actually make those successful tax cuts permanent. CAVUTO: So, let me ask you what could disrupt this, this recovery, because you're quite right. It's a very strong recovery. And there are hints it could get stronger still. But the one impediment, the one worry, these trade tariffs that could escalate. Many of your colleagues are concerned that the president is playing with a live grenade there. Are you? SCALISE: Well, you know, the president's made it real clear that he wants America to be treated fairly. And that's what's really going on here. There is a high-stakes negotiation. But go look at a lot of these countries, and you can start with Canada. They're a great friend of ours, Neil. But you know what? If you're a lot of industries in America and you try to go do business in Canada, there are huge barriers to getting your products in the Canadian markets. They don't have those same impediments when they try to bring their products here. All we're asking is for countries to treat us fairly. And I don't think that's something that is something that should be very controversial. But at the same time, we know we don't want a trade war. So let's get through these negotiations with better deals for America and let all of our-- not only our consumers benefit, but all of our companies that make products that build things in America, let's make sure we're not treated unfairly as well. CAVUTO: Every party has its extremes or -- and then wants to find its soul. There has been argument, as you know, Congressman, going on with Democrats, they don't know if they want to go the hard left route, the Bernie Sanders/Elizabeth Warren route, or something more to the middle or at least moderate for Democrats, the Joe Biden route. Republicans are dealing with this as well when it comes to even considering who they want to be their next speaker. Jim Jordan is among those who might be throwing his hat into the ring. Your name has come up. Kevin McCarthy's name has come up. First of all, are you interested in that spot? Are you worried about the direction it's taking, because no one seems to know who would have the edge? SCALISE: No, I think -- first of all, I have said I'm not running. And we have got to stay focused on holding the majority and moving our agenda forward. (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: But you said you're not running. You said -- I'm sorry, sir. You said you're not running. SCALISE: Right. CAVUTO: But a lot of people want you to. SCALISE: No, I mean, I think if you look right now, the majority of our conference is only focused on moving our agenda forward and holding the majority. We will have an opportunity in November to make sure that we're going to figure out who's going to have chairmanships and titles. But we're not worried about that right now, because Nancy Pelosi is speaker if we lose our focus. (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: But do you want that person to be a conservative, sir? Do you want -- because that's the battle royal, right, I mean, whether it should be someone more mainstream, like a Paul Ryan, maybe even a Kevin McCarthy, someone a little bit more to the right. It seems to be a soul kind of a question. SCALISE: I think, in the end, if you look at where we are today, and Kevin McCarthy, all of us -- Newt Gingrich would tell you this Republican majority is much more conservative than the majority we had 1994. And so whatever the labels are today, they change over time. But, at the end, we're working with President Trump to move a conservative agenda forward. And we have been successful. I want us to be even more successful. We, by the way, out of the House passed a repeal and replace of Obamacare, something that would actually lower health premiums and create a private marketplace for health care that doesn't exist today. That bill fell by one vote in the Senate. Let's go get some more Republican senators in November, and I think we will. And then let's come back at that. Let's keep building on the success of the tax cuts, keep creating more jobs, get health care prices under control, get this economy moving again and get spending under control. That's what we want to do next year. But we can't do that if Nancy Pelosi is speaker. CAVUTO: In October, a lot of Americans are going to be facing huge premium increases because of that health care law. And because Republicans have the run of the table, control the House and the Senate and the White House, are you afraid voters are going to blame that on you? SCALISE: I think if we were not successful in getting the tax cut bill passed, they would have. And they would have been right to do that. What you can look at right now is a House Republican majority that passed a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare that would have actually lowered premiums. And I would put that bill up against anything else that's out there to show how we would have actually helped families be in control of their health care decisions again. The bill failed by one vote in the Senate. We all know. We saw the -- the infamous thumb going down. But, Neil, we know -- we know also that this is a really good field out there for Republicans to get more Senate seats. CAVUTO: Are you angry at John McCain? You talked about the thumb going down. That was John McCain's thumb. SCALISE: What I was angry at is, the Senate didn't stay and figure out how to -- how to get the job done. They fell one vote short. But I also know this. They want to come back with more Republican senators and get it done. And we're going to keep at it too. We would still have to pass a bill through the House. And that wouldn't be easy, but we would do it. They have got to do it as well. But we -- it all starts with these elections in November. CAVUTO: You know, Congressman, what do you make of the president taking away the security clearance of former CIA Director Brennan, and a hint of doing the same to a number of others? SCALISE: Well, I was surprised that Brennan had kept his security clearance for so long. I mean, he wasn't being of any value to the administration. And he's just going out there and, frankly, I think continuing this kind of partisan witch-hunt, that he's out there bashing the president for things that he's not even familiar with, just because it seemed cool on the left to bash the president. That's not what those security clearances are supposed to be for. They're supposed to be there to provide value to the administration. And if they're not being used to help our country be more secure, then why are they there? It's not some birthright. CAVUTO: All right, so when he went on the very next day right to write an editorial in The New York Times, sir, to say that the president's notion that there was no collusion is hogwash, what does he know that we don't? SCALISE: Well, he ought to say what that is, because there have been a lot of investigations, including what the House has done, to see if there was any collusion between any of the campaigns. And we found none. And so, if he's got some new evidence, he ought to be getting it out there. But to continue just going on and making blanket accusations with no fact behind it, I think people are starting to get fed up with that. We have seen some of the problems within the FBI and over at Justice. Let's go and get this agency cleaned up again. America needs and deserves a Justice Department and an FBI that's working for them every day without a political bias. And if somebody over there -- and we have seen, unfortunately, a number of people over there that had political biases. They were literally trying to derail the presidency of Donald Trump. And whether the name is Donald Trump or Barack Obama, those agencies shouldn't be working to try to undermine our own government. And so we're going to continue rooting out those kind of bad apples. I would hope the agency would work with us too, so that they could get rid of the bad actors and then focus on keeping this country safe. CAVUTO: Congressman Scalise, thank you very, very much. Hope you continue to feel well. Good seeing you. SCALISE: Feeling great. Great to be back with you, Neil. CAVUTO: Very good, Steve Scalise. END Content and Programming Copyright 2018 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2018 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. Police at the Los Angeles International Airport have determined that the "suspicious" items and firearms found in a truck at a lower-level checkpoint on Friday morning were replicas. Police had initially set up traffic blockades to redirect vehicles after identifying the items shortly after 8:30 a.m., KTLA reported. Police responding to the scene reportedly found a man in the vehicle with "multiple firearms," KNBC reported, as well as "other suspicious things." A bomb squad was deployed to inspect the findings. Officials eventually determined the man to be a WWII enthusiast, who was carrying multiple replica weapons in his vehicle, KTLA reported. Footage shot by witness Nathan Mendelsohn initially showed police blocking off entryways to the airport, including the area around Vicksburg Avenue and Century Boulevard, just east of the airport terminal. Mendelsohn further reported seeing a bomb squad enter the airport, but could not comment on where they were headed. A later tweet from Mendelsohn appeared to show traffic moving normally at the airport. The LAPD also confirmed that traffic was moving normally, and that police activity had concluded by around 9:45 a.m. Florida police offered a possible reward to the public on Tuesday in hopes of finding a suspect caught on camera allegedly stealing someones dog from their own home. The Davie Police Department released video of the incident from earlier this month on Facebook and asked, Do you recognize this man who broke into a house and stole someones pet? The 8-month-old dogs name is Stella and police described her as a black and white pit bull weighing more than 80 pounds. GOLDEN RETRIEVER COMFORTS NEGLECTED HORSE IN VIRAL VIDEO Stellas owner, Terrell Harris, told WSVN that what was taken was my heart. This is my love, man. Ill do whatever I have to do to get my dog back, Harris said. This is a part of my family. In a video clip from Aug. 7, police pointed out a gold Chevrolet Impala spotted driving past the home. In the recording an individual is eventually seen getting out and taking mail from the mailbox. ILLINOIS FAMILY DESTROYED AFTER DOG MISTAKENLY EUTHANIZED: HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? Two days later, the same driver reappears, burglarizing the victims residence and stealing his pet dog, police said. The male suspect on the video was described by police as being "thin" and having his hair pulled up in a man bun. They asked that anyone with information call the department at (954) 693-8200 or the Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000, police said. A Georgia police chief is defending his officers decision to use a stun gun to subdue an 87-year-old woman who, he said, disobeyed their commands to drop a knife. However, family members said that Martha Al-Bishara was simply cutting dandelions with a kitchen knife last week, and that the officers should have been more patient. Chatsworth Police Chief Josh Etheridge said he and two other officers at the scene used the "lowest use of force" they could when dealing with the woman who would not comply. "An 87-year-old woman with a knife still has the ability to hurt an officer," he said. "In my opinion, it was the lowest use of force we could have used to simply stop that threat at the time." Police received a 911 call on Friday from an employee of a local Boys and Girls Club who reported a woman with a knife was walking outside and would not leave. "She's old so she can't get around too well, but ... " the employee said on the 911 recording. "Looks like she's walking around looking for something, like, vegetation to cut down or something. There's a bag, too." Police said they found Al-Bishara and, after she refused to drop the knife, one officer deployed the stun gun. Etheridge said he even tried to communicate with her by taking his own pocket knife and throwing it on the ground. Al-Bishara was charged with criminal trespass and obstructing an officer and released from jail in Murray County later that day. But Al-Bishara's relatives said the officers should have shown more patience. "If three police officers couldn't handle an 87-year-old woman, you might want to reconsider hanging up your badge," said Solomon Douhne, the woman's great-nephew. Etheridge said the police department was conducting an internal use-of-force review. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A childs remains located earlier this month at an extremist Muslim New Mexico compound were positively identified as Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, the missing 3-year-old son of one of the arrested suspects, health officials said Thursday. The confirmation was made by the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), a spokesperson for The University of New Mexico's Health Science's Center said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go to Wahhaj's family. We certainly understand the heartbreak this news will cause and want to stress our commitment to investigating this death to serve the living," the office wrote in a statement. The cause or manner of death remained unclear, according to the office, which added that "investigators had to use several means" in order to identify the boy's remains due to their condition. HORRIFYING DETAILS RELEASED IN INVESTIGATION OF 'EXTREMIST MUSLIM' COMPOUND THAT ALLEGEDLY CONDUCTED SCHOOL-SHOOTING TRAINING The boy went missing in December in Jonesboro, Georgia. His mother reportedly told authorities that her son was missing after his father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, took the boy to a park in Clayton County and didn't return for several days. Authorities discovered the child's body on Aug. 6, days after a raid at the compound, located near the Colorado state border. Taos County Sheriff's deputies discovered 11 children, who were taken into the custody of state child-welfare workers. Five people, including the boy's father, were arrested and are pending trial on abuse charges. During a court hearing on Monday, prosecutors said that the children were trained to use firearms and were taught tactical skills in order to kill teachers, law enforcement and other institutions they deemed corrupt. It was also announced Monday that the 3-year-old allegedly died amid a ritualistic religious ceremony intended to "cast out demonic spirits." "It was a religious ritual carried out... a ritual intended to cast out demonic spirits from Abdul-ghani Wahhaj," Taos County Prosecutor John Lovelace said. Public defenders argued the father was trying to heal the child by reading passages from the Koran but prosecutors claimed he was denying the boy medication. One of the children taken into custody claimed that the boy had died in February. The children said they were told the boy would be resurrected as Jesus and guide them on which "corrupt institutions" to attack, NBC reported citing investigators. 'EXTREMIST MUSLIM' COMPOUND SUSPECTS AWAITING EXPECTED RELEASE Three of the five defendants -- Lucas Morton, Subhannah Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj -- are pending release after a judge previously set their bail at $20,000, despite pushback from prosecutors. Not included in the expected release was Jany Leveille and Siraj Ibn Wahhaj. Leveille was transferred to the custody of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Tuesday, authorities said. And Wahhaj was set to remain in custody due to an outstanding warrant in Georgia on accusations that he abducted the child and fled to New Mexico. Fox News' Katherine Lam, Matt Richardson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Today is August 17, the Chinese Valentines Day, also known as the Qixi Festival. The festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It is a Chinese festival that celebrates the myth of the annual meeting of a cowherder and a fairy. The earliest-known reference to this myth dates back to over 2,600 years ago. It originates from a love story legend between Zhinu (a fairy princess in the heaven, who is symbolized by the star Vega) and Niulang (the cowherder, who is symbolized by the star Altair). Though they were deeply in love with each other, due to the huge differences between their family backgrounds, they were banished to opposite sides of the Milky Way, and not allowed to meet again. The magpies are moved by their love, so once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for one day. On this day, Chinese people will look up towards the sky to look for Vega and Altair shining in the Milky Way, while a third star forms a symbolic bridge between the two stars. To celebrate Chinese Valentines Day, girls worship the celestials through rituals. Some of these rituals include, going to the local temple to pray to Zhinu for wisdom, burning paper items as offerings, making wishes of marrying a good and loving husband. The festival is also important for newlywed couples. As they celebrate their last Chinese Valentines Day, the newlyweds would worship the celestials for good luck and to predict the future of their marriage. The celebration stands as a symbol of a happy marriage and showed that the new wife was treasured by her new family. Colorado authorities announced they found "two bodies" that are thought to be the two young girls reported missing along with their pregnant mother, who was found dead earlier Thursday, officials said. Officials in Frederick tweeted that "police have strong reason to believe" that the bodies are Celeste, 3, and Bella Watts, 4. Their father is accused of killing the girls and their mother, Shanann Watts, and is thought to have committed the murder at the familys residence, prosecutors said Thursday. Chris Watts, 33, was ordered to be held without bond by Judge Marcelo Copcow during a court appearance following his earlier arrest. He is expected to be charged with three counts each of murder and tampering with evidence and the judge gave prosecutors a Monday deadline to charge him formally. Although Shanann's body was located on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, where her husband worked, the prosecution team revealed during the court hearing that the crime was likely committed at the couples residence, The Denver Channel reported. Authorities recovered the pregnant 34-year-olds body earlier Thursday. Town officials said the two other bodies "were found in close proximinity to the other body whom officers strongly believe is Shanann's." BODY OF MISSING COLORADO WOMAN FOUND AT HUSBANDS PLACE OF WORK, POLICE SAY Shanann and her two daughters were reported missing on Monday after they didn't show for a doctors appointment and the mother failed to answer her phone. Police were notified by one of the womans friends and later conducted a welfare check, during which they recovered her cell phone, purse and keys. Early Thursday morning, officials in Frederick tweeted that the womans husband was arrested and being held in the Weld County Jail. Law enforcement officials told The Denver Channel that Watts had confessed to murdering his family. On Wednesday, as the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation were brought in to help with the search, Chris Watts told reporters he was traumatized by the disappearance and was hoping for his familys safe return. He told The Denver Channel he wanted his wife and children back, adding they were his life and their smiles light up my life. He told the outlet Wednesday that he had an emotional conversation with his wife the night before she vanished, but he didn't elaborate as to the subject or if it developed into an argument. Fox News Stephen Sorace, Lucia I. Suarez Sang and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The first day of a new school year turned violent, bloody and tragic Thursday in a suburb of Oklahoma City when a male student repeatedly stabbed a 14-year-old girl during an assembly, police said. The girl, who was not identified, was airlifted to a hospital. She was reportedly in stable condition after being stabbed "multiple times ... five, six, seven times," said Mark Opgrande, a spokesman for the Oklahoma County sheriff. Luther Police Department Chief David Randall said the girl may have been stabbed nine to 11 times, Oklahoma City's FOX 25 reported. The boy, also 14, was arrested at Luther High School and was in custody, the station reported. The boy's father planned to seek legal counsel before having the student answer investigators' questions, the Oklahoman reported. Right now we dont have a motive, Opgrande told FOX 25. "Everyone is baffled," Randall told the station. He said the boy made statements while he was being transported that made no sense. "(The boy) said he was hired by someone but that he could not discuss it," Randall said. Some bystanders initially thought the boy was punching the girl, the station reported. "Teacher breaks it up, apprehends the student and at that time realizes the other student was actually punching the other student with a knife," school superintendent Barry Gunn told FOX 25. "Teacher breaks it up, apprehends the student and at that time realizes the other student was actually punching the other student with a knife." Barry Gunn, school superintendent Student Jonathan Baumgartner told the Oklahoman that the assembly began normally, but then everyone heard screaming. "We turned around, and teachers were on top of him," he said, adding that the attack was stopped quickly. Luther High is in Luther, about 25 miles northeast of the states capital. It has just over 800 students, according to Oklahoma State Department of Education online records cited by the Associated Press. The school was placed on lockdown while authorities investigated, KOCO-TV reported. Classes, however, proceeded as normal after the commotion was over. Police said there was no indication the boy and girl knew each other. School officials did not immediately return phone calls for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A brother and sister in South Carolina were shocked to find out that someone broke into their apartment to smoke marijuana and eat a few hot dogs. Spartanburg police said the burglar or burglars only took four hot dogs, four buns, orange juice, ketchup and eggs, The State newspaper reported. Police also seized a ketchup bottle with fingerprints on it. The siblings said they could smell marijuana in their residence when they came home from work Wednesday. Neither of them smoke weed, according to The State. BURGLARY SUSPECT ID'D AFTER TAKING SELFIES ON STOLEN PHONE THAT UPLOADED TO VICTIM'S CLOUD, POLICE SAY The siblings also noticed some of their belongings, such as wine and a stun gun, had been moved, police said. Dishes that the burglars allegedly used a pot and cups were found in the sink, WHNS-TV reported. Believing that the individual cooked hot dogs, I checked the ketchup bottle in the refrigerator and found fingerprints among the condensation, the responding officer said, according to WHNS. BURGLAR BREAKS INTO ESCAPE ROOM, CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO ESCAPE The siblings generally keep ketchup in the pantry, not the refrigerator, police said. Police are still investigating the incident. Shanann Watts called her husband my ROCK! and the best dad us girls could ask for in what appeared to be an idyllic life on social media. However, behind the scene, it was a different picture that ended with her and her daughters lives this week. Watts and her husband Chris who is accused of killing her and their two girls appeared to be in dire financial strain. Three years ago, they jointly filed for bankruptcy, citing more than $70,000 in debt, KDVR-TV reported. The couple had a combined income of $90,000 in 2014. But they also had tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, along with student loans and medical bills for a total of $70,000 in unsecured claims on top of a sizable mortgage. They said in the filing their nearly $3,000 monthly mortgage payments and $600 in monthly car payments formed the bulk of their $4,900 in monthly expenses. BODY OF MISSING COLORADO WOMAN FOUND AT HUSBAND'S PLACE OF WORK, POLICE SAY On Wednesday, Chris Watts, 33, was arrested and held on three counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing his 34-year-old wife and their daughters Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4. He was held without bond on Thursday with charges expected Monday. The body of Shanann Watts, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was found Thursday on a property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, the company where her husband worked as an operator. Colorado authorities said they have strong reason to believe they have also found the bodies of her two daughters. They have not released any information about a motive or how the three were killed. Although the bodies were found at Anadarko, prosecutors said they believe the three were killed inside their home, The Denver Channel reported. Chris Watts began working at Anadarko as an operator six months ago, earning $61,500 annual, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Shanann Watts was working in a call center at a childrens hospital, earning about $18 an hour. On Monday, Shannan Watts and her daughters were first reported missing just days after returning from a 6-week trip to visit her family in North Carolina. A friend said she last saw her around 2 a.m. Monday after they returned from a business trip. She said she called the police after Shanann didnt answer her phone or show up to a doctors appointment. Police conducted a welfare check and found her purse, keys and cell phone. A massive search for the three was launched with the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation joining in on Wednesday. In an interview that day, Chris Watts stood on his porch and lamented to reporters how much he missed them, saying he longed for the simple things like telling his girls to eat their dinner and gazing at them as they curled up to watch cartoons. Hours later he reportedly confessed to killing his family and was arrested. 'TWO BODIES' FOUND IN COLORADO BELIEVED TO BE DAUGHTERS OF PREGNANT WOMAN FOUND DEAD, OFFICIALS SAY Joe Beach, who lives next door to her parents in Aberdeen, North Carolina, said he recently talked to her when she was in town. We were talking about general things, about how her two girls were doing and how life was out in Colorado, Beach told The Associated Press. She didnt give me an indication that there was anything wrong. She seemed pretty happy. Fox News Elizabeth Zwirz, Lucia Suarez Sang and Stephen Sorace and the Associated Press contributed to this report. A teenage girl drew upon gun training from her late father to fatally shoot an abusive boyfriend who was strangling her mother earlier this month in North Carolina, a prosecutor said Friday. Steven Kelley, 46, was found dead by deputies who responded Aug. 8 to a call about a shooting at the house in the North Carolina foothills west of Charlotte, authorities said. He was shot twice and killed by his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter after he attacked the woman and threatened to kill her and her three children in the home they all shared, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said. The children's late father had taught the girl and her siblings how to shoot and safely handle guns, allowing her to effectively use the single-action Colt .45-caliber revolver that had to be cocked between shots, said District Attorney Ted Bell. "The late father had taught the children how to shoot," Bell said in a phone interview. Bell said the mother had hidden guns around the house for protection when the boyfriend started acting dangerously in recent weeks. Bell said he believed the revolver was one of those firearms, but he said the boyfriend also kept guns in the house. Bell said his office determined the shooting was justified and that no charges are warranted against the children. "It was absolutely clear that the mom's life was in jeopardy, as well as potentially the children, and so in that situation we absolutely support the right of somebody to defend themselves and others with deadly force," he said. "I commend the 15-year-old for doing a very difficult thing by saving her mom's and siblings' lives and showing an amazing amount of maturity." Authorities say Kelley was a convicted felon originally from Indiana with a history of domestic violence accusations. Kelley, the woman and her three children had recently moved to North Carolina from Indiana. Kelley had previously attacked the woman on Aug. 4 "and fired multiple rounds from a firearm inside the residence to threaten and terrorize" her, according to a news release by the sheriff and district attorney. He had also threatened her multiple times before, and faced active domestic violence protection orders sought by two different women in Ohio and Indiana, the release said. Kelley was strangling the woman and threatening to cut her throat when the woman's 12-year-old son retrieved the revolver, according to the news release. Authorities say the boy's 15-year-old sister took the gun from him and fired it twice into Kelley's chest. The third sibling, a 16-year-old girl, was grazed in the leg and treated at a hospital and released. The mother also had "significant bruises" from the assault by Kelley, the sheriff's office said. The mother didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday, and two phone numbers listed in public records were disconnected. ___ Follow Drew at https://twitter.com/JonathanLDrew Temple University's Students for Justice in Palestine last week held an anti-Israel event that featured readings from the leader of a U.S.-designated terrorist group. SJP and the Saturday Free School co-hosted the event, "Palestine & Black America: A Strategy for Liberation", which highlighted works from Ahmad Sa'adat, the secretary-general of the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine, according to the Algemeiner. Sa'adat is currently serving a 30-year sentence in an Israeli prison. The event also praised Saadats predecessor, George Habash, who described the partitioning of Asia and Africa as the driving motive behind the creation of Israel. Brandon Do read an article he wrote which called Israel a weapon of neo-colonialism and said the Palestinian Authority is really a Zionist front with an Arab face whose purpose is to carry out the work of Israel. ISRAELI EAST JERUSALEM PLAN GETS COOL PALESTINIAN RECEPTION Anthony Monteiro of the Saturday Free School compared Palestinian workers struggles to that of African-Americans in the United States. Monteiro also shared that joining the Communist Party was one of the best decisions of his life, adding that Jews in the Communist Party were some of the best people because they never brought up Israel or the Holocaust, something he said every Jewish fighter for peace and freedom should adhere to if you wish to exist into the 21st century. HALEY PRESSURES ARAB STATES TO STEP UP ON PALESTINIAN AID: 'WE ARE NOT FOOLS' One attendee, Samir Butt, touched on the idea that their group is often associated with extremist groups in the public eye. Today when we see the ravages of US imperialism, the threats of Trump against the world, and the shooting down of black people on US streets by copsliberation struggles are criminalized and labeled as terrorist, he said. During a discussion portion of the event, one attendee noted that black America and the Palestinians share the same enemies in the United States and Israel. When do we organize ourselves to combat the Zionist strategies to recruit people of color to be their cover to make excuses for Zionism? another attendee asked, as she brought up the example of Dumisani Washington, the Diversity Outreach Director for Christians United for Israel. A Jewish attendee, who identified himself as a neo-Zionist said he disagreed with their notion of Jewish people and said its a lot more complicated that maybe you want it to be. Another attendee said he wont use the word Israel because it doesnt exist in his mind. He added that they need to take their Marxist ideology and rebrand it if they want to appeal to the masses. Last year, Temple SJP paid tribute to Habash with a graphic that read As long as you are still fighting in defense of your dignity and for your occupied land, all is well, The College Fix reported. Two men and a teenage girl have been charged in what authorities described as the "vicious" and "heinous" killing of an 18-year-old man whose body was found smoldering Tuesday just outside Chicago, officials said. The victim, Luis Guerrero, was choked, stabbed, set on fire, run over with an SUV and then set on fire again, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said in a statement, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The body was discovered by a group of firefighters who were training nearby, the statement said. "The vicious brutality allegedly displayed by the defendants in this case is beyond imagination. I cant begin to fathom the pain that Mr. Guerrero must have endured as his life was brutally taken from him," DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said, according to a release. "The vicious brutality allegedly displayed by the defendants in this case is beyond imagination. I cant begin to fathom the pain that Mr. Guerrero must have endured as his life was brutally taken from him." Robert Berlin, DuPage County states attorney Arrested Wednesday were Francisco Alvarado, 18, and a 16-year-old girl, authorities said. Both were charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and concealment of a homicidal death, prosecutors said, according to the paper. Fox News is withholding the girl's name because she is a minor. Both were also denied bond, prosecutoirs said. Also arrested was Jesus Jurado Correa, 18, who was also charged with concealment of a homicidal death. Bond was set at $100,000 for Correa. Prosecutors said Alvarado approached Guerrero from behind and began choking him with a belt, the report said. At the same time, Alvarado and the girl stabbed Guerrero multiple times in the neck, authorities said. After Alvarado and the girl lit Guerrero on fire, the victim got up to run away, but that's when the two suspects ran him over with a vehicle, officials said. Alvarado and the girl then brought Guerrero's body to a fire pit and lit him on fire again before putting a picnic table over him, the report said. We are deeply grieved by the news of this heinous crime committed in our community, West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda said in a statement obtained by the Sun-Times. We trust those responsible for this horrific disregard for the life of the victim will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and, while small comfort to those who have lost their loved one, justice will be served. West Chicago is a city of about 27,000 people, just west of Chicago. The suspects' motive was not immediately known, but Alvarado and the girl allegedly stole items from Guerrero, including his backpack, the report said. The 26-year-old airline passenger who killed five people and wounded eight when he opened fire at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood airport last year was sentenced to life in prison on Friday. Esteban Santiago, now 28, pleaded guilty to five counts of committing acts of violence at the airport in connection to the mass shooting on Jan. 6, 2017. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious bodily injury. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom sentenced Santiago-Ruiz to five consecutive life terms for the deaths and six consecutive 20-year terms for causing injury. Judge Bloom called the rampage "85 seconds of evil" and said she found it difficult to "separate the evil of the acts from the evil in the man." "You destroyed families in this senseless attack," the judge said. An Iraq war veteran, Santiago was diagnosed after the shooting as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Doctors say he has improved with anti-psychotic medication. While nothing can even heal the wounds inflicted by the defendants unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones, U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg said in a statement after the sentencing. Though we all hope that such a tragedy never again occurs, law enforcement remains committed to making our community safer and caring for victims of crime when tragedy strikes. According to court documents, Santiago boarded a Delta flight from Anchorage, Alaska, checking only one item: a hard case containing a gun. When he arrived at the Florida airport, the Iraqi war veteran recovered his luggage from baggage claim, entered a bathroom and loaded a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. He came out of the bathroom and began shooting at numerous people waiting at the baggage claim area. Five people were killed and six people were seriously injured. Once Santiago ran out of ammunition, he was confronted by a Broward County Sheriffs deputy, who arrested him without incident. After his arrest, the FBI revealed that agents in Alaska had previous contact with Santiago when he told them in November 2016 that the government was controlling his mind and was forcing him to watching Islamic State group videos. The Sun-Sentinel reported that he was agitated and incoherent when he spoke with FBI agents and had a loaded magazine on him. He left his gun and infant son in a car. The FBI notified local police, who took him in for a mental health evaluation. Police took a loaded handgun from him. The newspaper reported that 10 days after the FBI visit, police in Alaska sent Santiago a letter asking him to pick up his gun. The firearm was released to him on Dec. 8. Its unclear if it was the same handgun used in the shooting. Four weeks later, Santiago boarded the flight using a one-way ticket to Florida. Santiago, a native of New Jersey, has family in Puerto Rico and a young son in Alaska, court records show. He did not speak in court Friday and no family members spoke on his behalf. While this sentence cannot erase what happened, may it serve to demonstrate societys commitment to honor and remember those who suffered that day, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI in Miami, said in a statement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man who forced couples staying in New Jersey motels to have sex at gunpoint, then locked the men in the bathroom and raped the women, was sentenced Thursday to 148 years in prison. Authorities said that in March and April 2012, Rasheed Powell, 43, forced his way into motel rooms in Elizabeth and Linden, N.J. In each instance, Powell forced couples to have sex at gunpoint before ordering the men into the bathroom, New York's FOX 5 reported. While sexually assaulting the women, Powell demanded they compliment him loud enough for the men in the bathroom to hear, the Courier News of Bridgewater, N.J., reported. In each instance, Powell threatened the couples lives if they told anyone. A joint investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies subsequently gathered enough forensic evidence to identify Powell as a suspect. He was arrested in mid-April at Springfield Municipal Court while responding to a traffic violation. Several victims addressed the court Thursday during Powells sentencing. One victim called Powell a monster. I hope you dont have the option to see daylight again, she said. Another victim, whose letter was read in court by the judge, said she became suicidal and still suffers from panic attacks. Powell is reportedly a father of two children and has been involved in crime since his early teens. Fourteen years of his adult life were spent in prison for violent crime, according to the Courier News. Powell was convicted of 24 counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault. In March, he was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, eight counts of robbery, a first-degree crime, and 12 weapons offenses. Powell maintained his innocence in court Thursday, and argued that he didnt receive a fair trial. In due time proof will come out. Im innocent, he reportedly said. A Florida man allegedly beat his 78-year-old girlfriend this week, claiming she failed to pay their DirecTV bill, resulting in a loss of service, authorities said. David Mann, 39, was arrested for battery of a person over the age of 65, the Nassau County Sheriffs Office said. Mann allegedly threw the victim onto a bed in their home and choked her during an argument, FOX30 Jacksonville reported. The suspect was apparently upset the DirecTV service had been turned off. The victim called police after the argument ended, the station reported. Deputies entered the Brycesville home and discovered ammunition, which Mann, a convicted felon, was not permitted to be in the presence of, police said. It was unclear whether the ammunition belonged to Mann or the victim. Police said they additionally charged Mann with possession of a weapon. Click here for more from FOX30 Jacksonville. President Xi calls for more efforts to improve people's health Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to improve public health on Friday, two days ahead of the first Chinese Doctors Day. The president expressed his appreciation and thanks to the service and dedication of medical workers nationwide in protecting the people's health. More efforts should be dedicated to improving peoples health to build a healthy China, Xi said. The Chinese Doctors Day, to be observed on August 19, was approved last year to mark the significance of doctors in safeguarding people's health. A Tennessee megachurch is facing backlash after pastors used live animals on stage to illustrate a sermon on Sunday. The Cornerstone Nashville church used a cougar, lion, mountain lion, a ram and miniature ponies in the sermon that focused on going back to school. In the sermon, senior Pastor Galen Davis compared a lion and mountain lion to each other and used them to demonstrate the differences between fear and faith. The mountain lion, Davis explained, isnt considered to be a big cat because it cannot roar; instead, he said, it screams. We have to move from being a people of fear to a people of faith, he told churchgoers. That when the scream of fear comes in our life, we know its not the real lion We know that its not what God has for us. Pastors told WSMV-TV they are receiving threats after images and videos of the sermon circulated online. "Is it really necessary for you to use animals to preach a sermon? Why?" one critic asked. "This is really telling. Disgusting pastor. It's all for show. It's all for the money," another commented on Facebook. PETA Vice President Colleen OBrien said the organizations Christian outreach division is encouraging Cornerstone Nashville to serve the meek by pledging never to exploit vulnerable animals ever again. Using animals as living props is no way to honor the Christian message of compassion and mercy for all members of creation, OBrien said in a statement. PETA CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF UPCOMING FILM 'ALPHA' OVER ALLEGATIONS OF SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS FOR PROPS The clergymen defended their use of wild animals during the service. Certainly, I dont believe in abusing animals, lead Pastor Maury Davis told The Tennessean. But, using animals, to me, is not wrong. If I thought there could be an intelligent discussion, I would be willing to have that, but just arguing with people that are making really outlandish claims would be a waste of time and energy and fruitless, he said. Some churchgoers agreed with Davis, calling the sermon "great" while praising the "awesome church." "You go brother! Your congregation will never forget these awesome visuals to get across your message of faith! Praise be to Him!!!" one Facebook user exclaimed. In a letter to the church, OBrien said PETA hopes youll agree that this cruelty doesnt reflect the tenets of your church and that youll decide to leave animals out of your future events. NATALIE PORTMAN PETA VIDEO COMPARES ANIMAL CRUELTY AND MEAT CONSUMPTION TO THE HOLOCAUST All animals are individuals, created by Gods wondrous hand, and they feel joy, sadness, loneliness, and fear, just as humans do. Using them in these types of displays undermines what it means to be a good steward of Gods creation," OBrien argued. The animals were from Hollywild Animal Park, a non-profit zoo in Spartanburg, South Carolina more than 350 miles away. In 2016, Hollywild said it would pay a $19,000 fine after the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited it for multiple infractions, including unsafe conditions and lack of veterinary services, the Greenville News reported at the time. A year prior, nearly 30 animals reportedly died in an electrical fire. According to WSMV, the state wildlife department was on hand during the sermon and had given approval for it. A Phoenix police officer was critically injured in a shooting Thursday night while pulling over a suspect, authorities said. Both the officer and suspect were rushed to a hospital in critical condition, FOX10 Phoenix reported. Police did not specify the extent of their injuries. The officer was shot around 8 p.m. in the area of Catcus and Cave Creek, Phoenix police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said during a briefing. The suspect fired two shots at the officer, who was getting out of his marked car, police said. The officer returned fire and wounded the suspect. Police could not say whether the officer had been shot twice. Police Chief Jerri Willis said the officer was ambushed. The officer, who has not been identified, has been with the department for about one year, Willis said. She couldnt give his age, but called him one of their younger officers. It wasnt immediately clear why the suspect was being pulled over. "You come to work, and you hope for the best, you know, understanding that not everybody, obviously, wants to cause us harm, but you just never know, said Fortune. Willis said this marked Phoenixs 34th officer involved shooting this year. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The full body camera footage of a traffic stop in March that showed the son of the Denver mayor threatening a cops job and cursing at him has been released. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's 22-year-old son, Jordan, was pulled over March 23 by an Aurora police officer for going 65 mph in a 40 mph zone, FOX 31 reports. A bodycam video of the encounter showed Hancock's immediate anger toward Officer Paul McClendon. He told the cop to pick up the pace and write him a speeding ticket, though the officer warned it wouldnt be quick because Jordan didnt have his license on him. Jordan became irate after McClendon asked him why the title of the car was in the name of Denver's mayor. Because thats my motherf---er dad, Hancock replied. Cause thats your my motherf---ing dad? McClendon asked. Okay. McClendon processed the ticket and gave it to Hancock, saying, Enjoy your day, bud before realizing he needed to take a picture of the mayors son because he was driving without a license. Hancock became angry and said he didnt want his photo taken. TWO BODIES FOUND IN COLORADO BELIEVED TO BE DAUGHTERS OF PREGNANT WOMAN FOUND DEAD, OFFICIALS SAY You aint taking my picture, Jordan said. B--ch, my dads the mayor, you f---ing fgot, he told the officer. The mayor of what? Of Denver? Well, youre in Aurora, bud. He aint the mayor of Aurora, the officer replied. Jordan then threatened the officers job. "And guess what I'm about to get you fired you f----ing b--ch, Jordan said. "Oh, yeah, for what?" McClendon responded. SATANIC TEMPLE BRINGS BAPHOMET STATUE TO ARKANSAS FOR RALLY "Yeah exactly, don't worry about it, Jordan said. Im sure your dads going to be proud! McClendon replied as Hancock was heard saying, Get a real job! In May, a portion of the bodycam footage was leaked. The Aurora Police Department launched an internal probe into the breach. The investigation has been completed but the department said the results werent ready for release. The department decided to release the full, 15-minute footage in response to a public records request, according to Fox 31. In May, Jordan agreed to pay a $275 fine for speeding. Hancock said his son has since apologized to the officer. "The last thing we want is young men interacting with our police officers in that manner," the mayor said in May. "Particularly African-American young men and so [Jordan] recognizes that and he certainly understands that the officer didn't deserve the interaction that he had so he's written an apology to the officer and he hopes that one day he gets a chance to personally apologize." The arrest of a Colorado man who stands accused of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters has reignited a debate in the state on fetal homicide laws. Christopher Watts, 33, was arrested in Frederick, Colo., Wednesday night after authorities found the body of his wife, Shanann Watts, 34, on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, where he worked. Prosecutors said Thursday they believe Watts committed the murder at the familys residence. Thursday evening, town officials said authorities had found two bodies whom (they) have strong reason to believe are the Watts' 3- and 4-year-old daughters. Watts is expected to be formally charged Monday on three counts of first-degree murder and three charges of tampering with physical evidence, but faces no murder charge for the death of the couples unborn child, Denver's FOX 31 reported. While Colorado does increase penalties for crimes committed against pregnant women, it does not confer personhood status on an unborn fetus. Under Colorado law, a person can be charged with fetal homicide only if it can be proven that the baby could survive outside the womb. In 2015, a woman in Longmont, Colo., was accused of stabbing a pregnant woman in the stomach and removing her baby. The woman was not charged with murder per Colorados laws regarding fetal personhood, the Durango Herald reported. Colorado lawmakers subsequently tried and failed to change state laws regarding fetal homicide. A proposed measure, Senate Bill 268, would have made the killing of a fetus a homicide except in certain circumstances. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but opposed by Democrats on the grounds that it threatened abortion rights. At the time, Planned Parenthood called the bill, dangerous for women, and accused its backers of ignoring the values and will of Colorado voters. There are currently 38 states that have fetal homicide laws. As Chicago braces for another bloody weekend, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is once again coming under fire for blaming a lack of morals in predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhoods for the recent spate of violent crime. Emanuel, who has been mayor since 2011 and is facing growing calls to resign from members of his own party, urged locals to be a neighbor and speak up to help law enforcement pursue killers, gang members and drug dealers. After one particularly violent weekend earlier this month when more than 70 people were shot, Emanuel deflected questions about police staffing and strategy. Instead, he ignited a firestorm when he said there needs to be a politically incorrect conversation about character and values. This may not be politically correct," he said, "but I know the power of what faith and family can do. Our kids need that structure. I am asking that we also dont shy away from a full discussion about the importance of family and faith helping to develop and nurture character, self-respect, a value system and a moral compass that allows kids to know good from bad and right from wrong. He added: If were going to solve this weve got to have a real discussion. Parts of the conversation cannot be off-limits because its not politically comfortable. We are going to discuss issues that have been taboo in years past because they are part of the solution. We also have a responsibility to help nurture character. It plays a role. Our kids need that moral structure in their lives. And we cannot be scared to have this conversation. Critics quickly called him out for what they dubbed tone-deaf comments, in which he seemed to be blaming the victims. Shari Runner, former president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, deemed the remarks insensitive. "I cannot see the victims of racist policies and bigoted practices shamed by anyone who says they need to do better or be better in their circumstance. I wont accept it, Runner said Kwame Raoul, a Democratic state senator who is running for Illinois attorney general, took a similar view. I think for the mayor to make a generalization about a community is more than just misspoken," Raoul said, "it's outright wrong, Raoul believes curbing Chicagos crime rate isn't a simple matter of neighbors ratting out out another. We have communities that have not been invested in. We have communities where mental health services have been depleted. We have communities that have suffered as a result of the budget impasse in Springfield. All of these combined, along with the closing of schools, what does one expect? Raoul told The Chicago Tribune. What does one expect to evolve from these communities if you dont invest in these communities and you dont invest in the children within those communities? If something meaningful doesnt change soon, many fear, the violence will continue to escalate. My boyfriend or brother picks me up from work every day, Yordome Bello, who lives on the citys West Side but works downtown, told Fox News. Its too dangerous. Thats the truth. Bello says she takes offense at the comments Emanuel has made. Im not immoral, she said. My neighbors arent immoral. Is he going to come to my house and protect me? Id like to see that. There was no response from the mayor's office to multiple requests for comment. While Chicago has endured relentless criticism from President Trump he has asked, more than once, What the hell is going on in Chicago? the Windy City actually ended last year with 650 homicides down from 771 the year before. The total, though, still exceeds the combined number of killings in New York and Los Angeles. Though the numbers are down, there is by no means a heightened sense of safety or security in Chicago. On Thursday, authorities arrested a teenage couple in West Chicago. Police claim 16-year-old Tia Brewer and 18-year-old Francisco Alvarado, strangled and stabbed Brewers ex-boyfriend before setting him on fire and running him over with a Jeep. Luis Guerreros body was found Tuesday in an outdoor fire it near Alvarados home. Last weekend, there was a string of shootings that killed one woman and wounded 27 others. The weekend before that, a burst of bloody violence left at least 11 people dead. And hours before the sun rose on Friday, two people had already been gunned down within 10 minutes of each other in downtown Chicago. The first was a 20-year-old man who was shot in the abdomen on the fifth floor of a parking garage. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and remains in critical condition. A person of interest was taken into custody less than a block away from the parking garage, according to police. The second episode involved a 34-year-old man who drove himself to the hospital after being shot in the stomach on Wacker Drive in Chicagos famous Loop about 12:40 a.m. There have been no arrests in the case. The father and stepfather of a missing Iowa boy got into a scuffle during a news conference on Thursday, resulting in the former's arrest. Authorities in Iowa said on Thursday they believed they recovered the remains of Jake Wilson, a 16-year-old boy with autism who was last seen on April 7. He was last seen walking a few blocks from his home along Wolf Creek, which winds through La Porte City, Iowa. His family said he didn't have his glasses on at the time, adding he has the mental capacity of a nine-year-old. During the news conference, Jakes biological father Mike Wilson lunged toward the teens stepfather, Jeremy Neiswonger, yelling "I blame you!" POLICE SAY REMAINS ARE CONSISTENT WITH MISSING IOWA BOY Authorities were seen separating the two men. Wilson was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor assault following the incident, The Gazette reported. Sheriff Anthony Thompson said he was going to issue a no-contact order between the two families, according to KCRG. Police said human remains were discovered in a creek Tuesday by recreational kayakers in an area that had been searched repeatedly over the last four months. La Porte City Police Chief Chris Brecher said testing by the medical examiner shows the remains are "consistent with what we're looking for." He said investigators were not yet in any position to determine whether foul play was involved. MOLLIE TIBBETTS FATHER SAYS PENCE MEETING WAS TOUCHING AS 200 NEW TIPS POUR IN The boy's disappearance had prompted a search involving the FBI, state and local police officers, and hundreds of volunteers. His smiling face was plastered on missing posters throughout the region. Jake was described as a gentle lover of nature who simply never came home from a walk on a spring day. The discovery comes amid a massive search for 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts who disappeared from the small town of Brooklyn, Iowa, around 40 miles away, on July 18. Thompson noted the Tibbetts case has renewed interest in the plight of Wilson and other missing Iowa residents in recent weeks. Fox News Samuel Chamberlain and the Associated Press contributed to this report. An 18-year-old woman said she didnt think about the consequences before pushing her 16-year-old friend off a bridge that was 60 feet high equivalent to six stories in Washington state last week. Her friend, Jordan Holgerson, suffered several broken ribs and an injured esophagus and trachea after falling into the river. I thought she would be fine, the teen, Taylor Smith, told ABC News' "Good Morning America" on Friday. Smith has been charged with reckless endangerment, according to ABC News, a charge that is punishable by up to a year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. TEEN SUFFERS BROKEN RIBS, LUNG INJURY AFTER BEING SHOVED OFF 60-FOOT BRIDGE Earlier this month, a video that showed Holgerson being pushed off a bridge at the Lewis River at Moulton Falls Regional Park in Vancouver went viral on social media before it was removed. "She wanted to jump and she was scared and she had asked me to give her a push," Smith claimed. Smith told "Good Morning America" she has apologized to Holgerson several times since the incident, claiming she attempted to visit her while she was in the hospital but was asked to leave. However, a previous report said Smith was reportedly acting as if nothing happened and allegedly had not made any attempts to visit Holgerson. Smith has reportedly been cooperating with investigators during the process, Brent Waddell, spokesman for the Clark County Sheriff's Office, said in a statement. "I love that girl. I never intended to hurt her ever, nor would I intend to hurt anyone, Smith told "GMA." I'm really sorry it turned out that way. I just pray that she heals and gets better." Three flights were forced to make emergency landings after Chilean officials reported receiving several bomb threats on Thursday. The planes made landings in Chile and Peru following the telephoned threats, Reuters reported citing Chilean aviation officials. The news agency initially reported four flights landed in three countries before revising the numbers. According to a press release from LATAM Airlines, a passenger plane was traveling to Santiago, Chile, when it received a bomb threat at around 2:48 p.m. LATAM flight 2369 landed over an hour later at Pisco International Airport where authorities were alerted to the scene. An explosive unit also was sent out. The passengers are being transported by land to the city of Lima, Peru and there, they will be routed to their final destination with the airline, a translation of the press release reads. There were no immediate reports of injuries on the LATAM flight 2369. A team for deactivating explosives, meantime, has been notified, the ministry said, adding that right now the situation is under control. Two planes operated by Chile-based Sky Airlines bound for Rosario, Argentina, and the northern Chilean city of Calama returned to Santiago without incident. Chile's civil aviation agency says all three planes were inspected and it was determined there were no explosives on board. There were no immediate details about the threats except that they were phoned in. Two women accused in the brazen assassination of the North Korean leader's half brother were told Thursday to make their defense after a Malaysian judge found evidence they participated in a "well-planned conspiracy" to kill, extending their murder trial until next year. Indonesia's Siti Aisyah and Vietnam's Doan Thi Huong are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face in an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13, 2017. They face the death penalty if convicted. High Court Judge Azmi Ariffin found inadequate proof of a political assassination and said he wasn't persuaded by defense arguments that the women thought they were playing a prank for a hidden-camera show. But enough evidence had been presented in the six-month trial to infer the women and four North Korean suspects at large had meticulously engaged in a "well-planned conspiracy" to kill Kim "systemically," he said. "I must therefore call upon them to enter their defense," the judge said after reading his ruling for more than two hours. Indonesian Ambassador Rusdi Kirana told reporters outside court that he was shocked by the decision but his government will abide by it. In Huong's village in Vietnam, her family said they were sad to hear she was not acquitted. Her father, Doan Van Thanh, said he could not sleep the night before, anxious to hear the ruling. "I had hoped the court would announce that she is innocent but now we are really worried for her," he said. Huong's brother, Doan Van Binh, said the family hopes she will receive a fair trial. Aisyah, 25, and Huong, 29, told the court they would testify under oath in their defense. Aisyah, who will be the first to take the stand when the trial resumes Nov. 1, later cried and was consoled by her lawyers and Indonesian officials. Huong was calm. The judge set hearing dates that extend until next February. The women are accused of colluding with four North Korean suspects who fled the country the morning Kim was killed. Aisyah and Huong are the only suspects in custody. According to the case presented so far, the four men known to Aisyah and Huong by code names recruited and trained the women and supplied the banned chemical weapon they smeared on Kim's face. Airport security footage shown in court captured the moment of the attack and prosecutors also said the camera images linked the women to the four male suspects. Shortly after Kim arrived at the airport, Huong was seen approaching him, clasping her hands on his face from behind and then fleeing. Another blurred figure was also seen running away from Kim and a police investigator testified that it was Aisyah. Kim died within two hours of the attack. Defense lawyers have said the prosecution failed to show the two women had any intention to kill -- key to establishing they are guilty of murder. But the judge said their intention to kill can be inferred from targeting Kim's eyes, where the nerve agent would penetrate faster. He said evidence pointed to a "simultaneous act" by the women and that their subsequent hurrying to separate washrooms was not a "mere coincidence" but established their intention to cause Kim's death. "There is no slightest doubt in my mind that it can be inferred that their desperate act of rushing to the toilet was solely for the purpose to decontaminate the poisonous VX on their hands," Azmi said. He said they seemed worried and tense before washing their hands, but relaxed afterward. "The onus is on the accused to explain their conduct," he added. Lawyers for the two women have said their clients were pawns in a political assassination with clear links to the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The judge said the four North Koreans played a "substantial role" and were "part of the chain that led to the murder" of Kim. The defense has argued the real culprits are the four North Korean suspects and have pointed to an embassy employee who helped arrange their travel as evidence of embassy involvement. Azmi said he "cannot rule out that this could be a political assassination," but found no concrete evidence of one. Malaysian officials have never officially accused North Korea and have made it clear they don't want the trial politicized. Kim, the eldest son in the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding, had been living abroad for years after falling out of favor. It is thought he could have been seen as a threat to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's rule. BYD delivered 101 e6 electric vehicles to Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) Thailand will soon have its first fleet of electric taxis running on its streets, and if everything goes well, more will be on their way. Chinas leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, delivered 101 electric taxis in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on August 16, 2018, marking the companys largest overseas EV delivery and its latest presence in countries along the Belt and Road. The new energy vehicles will go into service right away across Thailand, which is seeking greener public transportation in the country, Dr. Amorn Meemano, chairman of Rizen Energy, BYDs local partner, told reporters ahead of the delivery. The delivery ceremony was held in the Department of Land Transport of Thailands transport ministry, the first time the Thai government agency has hosted an event of an auto maker. As one of the flag bearers of Chinese companies going global, BYD has launched its EVs in over 200 cities of more than 50 countries and regions, becoming a pioneer in promoting green transportation around the globe. BYD e6, an all-electric compact crossover, uses a lithium iron phosphate battery that was developed by the Shenzhen-based company, and is equipped with an innovative remote control system that allows owners to remotely park it or call it over, and even turn on the air conditioning prior to entering the car. The vehicle has a range of 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) and it takes only two hours for it to be fully charged. The 101 e6 vehicles, which bumped BYDs EV market share in Thailand to 50 percent, could be just the prelude to further cooperation between the EV giant and the Southeast Asian country, as BYD and Rizen Energy signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday on the supply of another 1,000 units. The e-taxis will join BYDs models introduced previously in the country, including the K9 electric bus. Instead of merely providing cars, the company has also played an important role in developing a complete industry chain, including building charging stations, cultivating engineers, and setting technology standards, according to Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific. BYD delivered 101 e6 electric vehicles to Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) Thailands new energy vehicle market is still in its infancy, with the countrys total EV ownership at 236 after the BYD e6 delivery, according to statistics provided by BYD. Thai officials have vowed support for BYDs further engagement in the countrys transportation system and voiced confidence in the future development of new energy vehicles. Electric vehicles have both environmental and economic benefits and are a global transportation development trend, according to Sanit Promwong, director of the Land Transport Department of Thailand. Todays launch ceremony fulfills our commitment to reducing traffic-related pollution and is an important step for Thailand to move toward electric mobility, he said. In addition, BYD is also expected to be engaged in Thailands Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a national strategy to upgrade its industrial structure and enhance the countrys overall competitiveness. The Thai government is considering developing the EEC region which spans three provinces (Beiliu, Chonburi, and Rayong) into a low-carbon, intelligent, high-tech eco-smart area. The EEC area is mainly connected by high-speed rail to Bangkok, but currently there is no connection line between the three provinces. BYD delivered 101 e6 electric vehicles to Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) The BYD 3.0 travel solution, which includes rail transit, new energy passenger vehicles, electric commercial vehicles, and electric forklifts, has been deemed suitable to fill in the gap by the Thai side. In June, BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu, was invited by the Thai Prime Ministers Office for a series of talks to explore possible methods to connect the plan and the solution. The deepening of cooperation between BYD and Thailand has contributed to, and is itself, a reflection of enhanced economic ties between China and Thailand. China-Thailand economic and trade cooperation has maintained a strong momentum in recent years in spite of rising protectionism worldwide, and there are still enormous opportunities and great potential lying ahead, said Zhang Peidong, commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Thailand. BYD delivered 101 e6 electric vehicles to Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) Last year, total goods trade volume between Thailand and China reached $74.14 billion, an increase of 12.6 percent in the period between January and April this year, and bilateral trade grew another 12.5 percent, according to Thai customs data. The two sides are also working on the China-Thailand high-speed rail link, a connectivity project under the Belt and Road Initiative that will upgrade Thailands transport system and unleash economic potentials of region along the route once completed. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Hafeez Nawaz was 20 years old when he left his religious school in southern Karachi to join the Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Three years later he was back in Pakistan to carry out a deadly mission: with explosives strapped to his body, he blew himself up in the middle of an election rally last month, killing 149 people and wounding 300 others. The attack in southwestern Baluchistan province near the Afghan border just days before Pakistan's July 25 parliamentary elections has cast an unwelcome spotlight on Nawaz's tiny village of Dhabeji, where the presence of an IS cell in their midst has brought the full weight of Pakistan's security apparatus down on its residents. "Now we are all under suspicion," said Nawaz's neighbor, who gave only his first name, Nadeem, for fear of the local police. "The security agencies now consider Dhabeji a security threat area." Nawaz's trajectory from religiously devout student to jihadi and suicide bomber is an all too familiar one in Pakistan. Since battlefield successes routed the Islamic State group from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq, hundreds of Pakistanis who traveled to join the extremists' so-called "caliphate" are unaccounted for and Pakistan's security personnel worry that they, like Nawaz, have gone underground waiting to strike. Sitting in his office in a compound surrounded by high walls and heavily armed guards, Karachi's counterterrorism department chief, Pervez Ahmed Chandio, said IS is the newest and deadliest front in Pakistan's decades-old war on terror. "It is one of the most dangerous threats facing Pakistan and we are ready to fight this war," he said. It's the amorphous nature of IS that has counterterrorism officials like Chandio most worried. When one cell is disrupted another emerges, sometimes within weeks and often in an unrelated part of the country. "It's what they don't know that is the most worrying for counterterrorism departments around the country," said Mohammad Amir Rana, executive director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, which tracks militant movements in the region. "Its hideouts, its structure, its strategy are all unknown. They are an invisible enemy who is defeated in one area, only to resurface in another." A U.N. Security Council report earlier this year warned of the changing face of IS, saying the extremist group was "entering a new phase, with more focus on less visible networks of individuals and cells acting with a degree of autonomy." Hafeez Nawaz was just such a case. Three years ago, he joined his older brother, Aziz, to study at Saddiquia Madrassa in Karachi's Shah Faisal Colony neighborhood, an area where the level of sectarian violence at the time was so brutal that even police could not enter. A crackdown by paramilitary Rangers has since led to the arrest and killing of hundreds of militants and criminals. Today, the religious school is among 94 madrassas under surveillance in Karachi and elsewhere in southern Sindh province, Chandio said. They have been identified as breeding grounds for radicalism, schools where jihadis have emerged and that perpetrators of attacks attended. Many are financed by oil-rich Saudi Arabia to promote the rigid Wahabi sect of Islam practiced in the kingdom, Chandio said. The origin of the money, whether from the Saudi government or Saudi philanthropists, is not clear but the teachings at these schools espouse a rigid interpretation of Islam and the superiority of Sunni Islam. It was at Saddiquia Mosque that Nawaz's brother, Aziz, fell in with a crowd of would-be jihadis and was persuaded to travel to Afghanistan's Spinboldak region on the border with Pakistan in 2014 to join the Taliban. But his allegiance was short-lived as commanders squabbled and Aziz returned to Pakistan. Once back home, he inducted his younger brother, Hafeez, into the jihadi circle but this time, it was the Islamic State group that held sway, said Chandio, who was part of the counterterrorism squad that, using little more than body parts and grainy cell phone pictures, identified Hafeez Nawaz as the suicide bomber behind the July 13 election rally attack. Chandio learned from the brothers' father that Nawaz and Aziz packed up their three sisters and their mother and moved them to Afghanistan in 2016 to live among an Islamic State affiliate there. Two of the sisters have since married IS operatives. Their youngest brother, Shakoor, who was sent by their father a year later to plead with them to return, remains in Afghanistan, as does Aziz. Chandio suspects 19-year-old Shakoor is now an IS operative and could be the next suicide bomber. He said Shakoor fits the criteria: a young man in his late teens or early 20s, religiously devout and susceptible to radicalization. Hafeez Nawaz was just 23 when he walked into the middle of the election rally in Baluchistan's Mustang area and detonated the suicide vest that sprayed shrapnel throughout the tent packed with local tribesmen. Nawaz's father and his oldest brother, Haq Nawaz, are now in custody, caught trying to flee to Afghanistan, Chandio said. Some analysts say the threat posed by the Islamic State group in Pakistan is, at least in part, the result of the country's bewildering attitude toward the toxic mix of militant groups that operate in the country. Since 2004, the Pakistani military has killed or driven thousands of militants from their mountain redoubts in the tribal regions that border Afghanistan, suffering thousands of casualties in those battles. Yet Pakistan allows banned groups, some with a long history of sectarian violence, to re-emerge and operate under new names, and known militants to move about freely. "This is a sad reality of Pakistan: if militant leaders are useful to the state's interests, then they're free to do as they wish," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. "So long as terrorist leaders roam free, there's still a very big terrorism problem." A case in point is the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba, a global terrorist organization that has been resurrected as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a group known to have sent scores of fighters to Syria and Iraq to bolster the Islamic State group, according to Pakistani intelligence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue. Hafiz Saeed, the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who has a $10 million U.S.-imposed bounty on his head, lives unrestricted in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, where 60 per cent of the country's 200 million people live. Just last month the U.S. State Department declared another of the group's senior commanders, Abdul Rehman al-Dakhil, a global terrorist, who poses "a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States." Dakhil, who also now lives freely in Lahore, was arrested in Iraq in 2004 and held in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan until 2014, when he was returned to Pakistan, where he spent a brief stint in prison before being released. "ISIS is cut from the same basic ideological cloth as the other Islamist terror groups in Pakistan," said Kugelman, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State group. "Marriages of convenience can never be ruled out, whether in terms of operational partnerships or cost-sharing. ... We've seen a model of Afghanistan-focused ISIS members linking up with local facilitators in Pakistan to stage attacks." ____ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Zarar Khan in Islamabad, Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, Adil Jawad in Karachi, Pakistan, Susannah George in Washington and Edie Lederer in New York contributed to this report. A bus headed from Stockholm to Berlin came off a highway in northeastern Germany on Friday and overturned, injuring 16 people, authorities said. The accident happened about 6.30 a.m. at Linstow, near Rostock, on the A19 highway. The bus veered into a ditch next to the highway and ended up lying on its side. VATICAN IN SHAME AND SORROW OVER ABUSES IN PENNSYLVANIA FlixBus, the main operator of long-distance buses in Germany, said the bus was heading from Stockholm to Berlin via Copenhagen. Ferries from Scandinavia arrive in Rostock. Police said there were 61 passengers and two drivers on board from 22 countries. They said 16 people sustained medium to serious injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. RESCUE MISSIONS UNDERWAY AFTER MONSOONS KILL 324 IN INDIA It wasn't immediately clear why the bus left the highway. No other vehicles were involved. Police said the driver was questioned and a breathalyzer test showed an alcohol level of zero. Investigators were analyzing an on-board data recorder to try to understand the accident. Boyne Johnston walked out of the Imperial Bank of Canada in Ottawa where he worked as a chief teller with about $260,000 in October 1958. Johnston, then in his 20s, reportedly took the money from a safe on a Friday, knowing other workers typically missed counting cash on that day of the week. He put a timer on the safe so it couldnt be opened until Monday. Later that day, he took his wife and mother out for dinner then he skipped town. Johnston fled to the United States, gallivanting from Detroit to Los Angeles to Salt Lake City to Denver. He was eventually caught in a Denver nightclub where he said he bought five bottles of Champagne for different women after a waitress recognized him from wanted posters, which painted him as a Champagne drinker [who] enjoys female companionship and a night club habitue. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but got out early on parole in 1960. Sixty years later, on August 10, 2018, Johnston went back to the scene of the crime. The bank has since been replaced by the Riviera restaurant. Johnstons friend recently made a reservation at the establishment, telling the host, Im bringing my friend back to the bank that he robbed, CBC reported. THIEVES ESCAPE WITH NEARLY $100,000 WORTH OF RAMEN NOODLES, POLICE SAY They had lunch at the restaurant and got a tour, the restaurants wine director Alex McMahon, told CBC. And in the wine cellar what used to be the bank vault Johnston regaled his friends, McMahon and Rivieras head chef over a glass of Champagne with tales of his time on the run and the purchases (including a Corvette). He [took] us through where everything was when it was the bank, and how he did it, how he pulled off the robbery, McMahon said, adding that the experience was really cinematic. Im bringing my friend back to the bank that he robbed. McMahon said Johnston told them robbing the bank all those decades ago was worth it because it taught him to value life. He said the experience that hes the most grateful for is the experience of going to prison [and how] youll never understand how amazing it is to get to live a free life until youve experienced that, McMahon told the CBC. He said that every day after he got out of prison has been the best day of his life, he continued. SWEDISH CROWN JEWELS STOLEN FROM 900-YEAR-OLD CHURCH BY SPEEDBOAT-DRIVING THIEVES After serving his time, Johnston worked for a defense contractor before doing stints with a high-tech company and the government, the Ottawa Citizen reported in 2013. His wife stuck by him. Johnston was known for his politeness, according to the newspaper. Even when he was brought back to Canada, authorities said they didnt need to place him in handcuffs or leg shackles. They also took him out for a beer in Chicago, Johnston said. The money that he took would be worth about $2.2 million today, according to the restaurant. Johnston also left a lasting mark on Riviera; before he left, he reportedly signed his name and prisoner number on the wall of the cellar. With the worlds attention fixed on the horribly violent persecution of Burma's Rohingya Muslims, Christians are also suffering from a less visible but also brutal mistreatment and ethnic cleansing campaign at the hands of the Burmese Army, according to aid agencies, human rights groups and U.S. officials. The campaign against the Christians, which according to estimates has displaced at least 100,000 people, has also left thousands stranded in the Burmese jungle terrain, either from fleeing heavy bombing, or living in fear of what will come when the current monsoon season ends. Christianity is under direct attack by the Burma Army. Christians have repeatedly been singled out for rape, torture, and death over the course of this war, and that trend is continuing, Ephraim Mattos, East Asia Operations Manager for The Nazarene Fund (TNF), a humanitarian group that works to support the plight of Christians worldwide, told Fox News. In Burma, if you dont fall into the category of being Buddhist and ethnic Burmese, then you are considered second-class, and not worthy of the full rights of a citizen. Christians in Burma, also known as Myanmar, make up an estimated 8.2 percent of the Buddhist-dominant population - or around four million people. Many of those Christians live in the often undeveloped, neglected periphery states. Christian groups backed the British against Japanese occupiers during World War II, and were once promised a homeland of their own. But they have instead encountered nearly seven decades of protracted war with the iron-fist Burmese military suffering significant persecution ranging from rape, murder and forced conversions to labor conscription. They are also being forced to use their own bodies to enter landmine-peppered areas in clearance for Burmese troops, according to reports. The Christians can only wait for what is likely to be an expanding campaign of ethnic and religious purging. The Burmese military operations are carried out like clockwork along the border provinces moving from the western Rakhine state against the Rohingya up to the Christians and ethnic minority groups in the neighboring fringe state of Chin, around to the northern state of Kachin, down to the southeastern region of Shan, and then further south to the Karen also called Kayin. Today, religious and ethnic persecution continues to take place, both against the Rohingya, but also against Christian religious minorities, affirmed Olivia Enos, policy analyst for the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation. Christian Karen, Kachin and in Shan state have largely fallen off of the international communitys radar but their plight is similarly severe. Kachin, for example, are being virtually collectivized churches burned, land seized, women raped, and children killed before their very eyes. Not unlike what Rohingya experienced. In Kachin state, some 60 churches are reported to have been bulldozed by the Burmese Army in the last five months alone, replaced by Buddhist temples. The Kachin people, who have also endured a decades-long struggle for equal rights and self-determination, have faced an alarming uptick in violence since the start of this year. Almost 7,000 villages of the Christian stronghold have been upended and just last week, a Burmese army-backed militia allegedly battered two youth pastors with rifle butts after they requested they stop decimating homes. Then there are the ethnic Karens, whose leadership is mostly Christian, as are large swaths of the group's population. Mattos said the recent increase in anti-Christian activity prompted the need for TNF to go beyond their fundamental rescue and relief efforts, and prepare the Karen people for inevitable attacks that are coming. We are creating an early warning communication network in the villages closest to the Burma Army outposts. This allows entire villages to evacuate before the Burma Army arrives, and to coordinate with other entire villages under attack to ensure fleeing civilians are not running in the wrong direction and into a trap, Mattos explained. The communications network also allows relief personnel the ability to respond in a timely manner to provide the villages with food, shelter, and safety. In early May, the Burmese Army marched in under the auspices of re-building a strategic road that runs through the heart of Karen land and heavy fighting subsequently broke out between the military and Karen fighters. Even though the Burma Army eventually pulled back their troops in preparation for the June rains, they told the Karen leaders that they will come back, Mattos said. It is not a matter of if the Burma Army will attack the Karen, but rather when. And many predict it will be this fall, when the rainy season ends. BURMA'S KAREN REFUGEES FACE DWINDLING AID, STRUGGLE WITH DEPRESSION AND SUICIDES ARCHAEOLOGISTS FEAR BIBLICAL ARTIFACTS, MONUMENTS WON'T SURVIVE YEMEN WAR Christians are also tormented in more subtle ways. Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Vice Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), noted that even though they are constitutionally now allowed to teach their language and faith in the classroom, the central government brings in educators who are Buddhist, and speak only Burmese, meaning they have to scramble funds to try and keep their religion and ethnic tongue and tradition alive through church classes. Moreover, District Chairman of the Hpa-an region of Karen state, Padho Aung Maw Aye, told Fox News he knows of cases where Christians in the community had applied to the central government for identification cards, only for the cards to be returned with Buddhist listed. After issuing complaints, the recipients were then dismissed and told you can change it later. Nonetheless, Ta Doe Moo, Secretary-General of the KNU, said Christianity is steadily growing in Burma, despite what appears to be an apparent prohibition on private Christian services. Around the Yangon city area, we are receiving information that the government is not allowing Christians to hold services in their homes. They can go to church, but leaders have been issued orders not to have religious gatherings at home, he said. But bringing to life new churches, Moo said, is a problem because the government denied their requests to build or rebuild. He also said the discussion of faith has become more illuminated inside Burma, too, in recent years. It used to be when I was young that whether you were Muslim, Christian or Buddhist, it was never talked about and it didnt matter, Moo continued. Now, that is very different. A U.S. State Department religious freedom report, released in late May, said the Burmese government is doubling down its campaign against ethnic minorities, and waging a new campaign of brutality against the Christian minority that has left more than 100,000 civilians displaced and trapped amid the hostilities. Late last year, the U.S again designated Burma a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for violating religious freedom. The United States calls on all parties in Burmas internal conflicts, including the military, to end violence and respect and protect the human rights of Burmas diverse population, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News. We urge the Government of Burma to protect the religious freedom of all people in Burma. The U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal government commission, issued a more blunt assessment. Discrimination and violence against Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Burma has been ongoing in the countrys decades-long civil war between the military and several ethnic groups, said the Vice Chair and Commissioner Gayle Manchin. After witnessing the large-scale extermination of Rohingya Muslims, other religious and ethnic communities are right to be concerned that Burmas military may do the same to them, especially since it operates with zero accountability and near total impunity. The Myanmar Embassy in Washington and the UN delegation in New York did not respond to multiple requests for an interview and comment on this story. But the government has officially and routinely insisted ceasefire agreements with ethnic minorities are holding, and has denied charges of religious or ethnic persecution. Burmese officials have claimed they merely responded to Rohingya insurgent attacks on security forces last August, despite claims from State Department investigators that the clampdown was planned months in advance. In contrast, Christians inside Burma worry that with little attention from the international community in the dark shadow of the Rohingya tragedy military rule will operate against them with impunity. Very few people are interested in our issue, we are struggling for the support of the people and it is becoming harder and harder to be a minority, Moo added. Without support, we cannot sustain in Burma. To the government and military, it is one language, one literacy, one religion. Egypts Coptic Orthodox Church has said unrecognised monasteries must regularise their status spiritually, monastically and financially, in the latest in a series of decrees on monastic life that come in the wake of the murder of an abbot inside a monastery last month. In an official statement on Thursday, the churchs monastic affairs committee said that unrecognised monasteries that respond to the church's call will be rebuilt divinely and spiritually within the legitimate method of monasticism. The statement said that unrecognised monasteries should first be registered under the name of the Coptic Orthodox patriarch, and will then be subordinate to whoever is sent by Pope Tawadros II for spiritual, financial, and managerial supervision of the monastery. There will be a return to the rules of monasticism in establishing a new monastery, the statement stipulated. The church stressed that those who refused to answer their call demonstrate a disobedience to the church and have intentions that do not relate to monasticism, and risk being defrocked. The statement comes a few days after two monks were detained pending investigations into their alleged involvement in the murder of Bishop Epiphanius, the abbot of Abu Maqar monastery in Wadi El-Natroun. One of the monks, now defrocked, has been linked to an unrecognised monastery, which several media reports attributed as one of the motives behind the alleged killing. Bishop Epiphanius was found dead inside the monastery on 29 July under what the church described at the time as suspicious circumstances. Following the death of the bishop, the Holy Synod issued new decrees prohibiting monks from using social media, appearing on media outlets, and building non-sanctioned places of worship. The decrees also included a one-year freeze on the process of initiating new monks, and a three-year suspension of the ordination of monks as priests and archpriests. Search Keywords: Short link: A U.S. federal judge has sided with Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two by issuing a preliminary injunction to prevent a Georgia resident from selling programs that can be used to cheat in Grand Theft Auto Online (GTA Online). GTA Online is the online multiplayer portion of Grand Theft Auto V, and the popular game mode is still bringing in a plenty of cash almost five years after launch. As reported by Reuters, the court battle began after Take-Two accused David Zipperer of selling cheat programs called 'Menyoo' and 'Absolute' that gave online players the ability to alter GTA Online for their own benefit, making life hard for other users in the process. Take-Two suggested it had lost around $500,000 due to players using Zipperer's programs in the original filing, and U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton agreed, claiming that the publisher would almost certainly show Zipperer infringed on the GTA trademark and harmed the company's sales and reputation. At the same time, Stanton dismissed an unfair competition claim against Zipperer, adding that an injunction was a fair outcome that serves the public interest -- partly because it will encourage Take-Two to invest more in games, and also because Zipperer can't afford to pay any damages. [This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.] EMBARGOED UNTIL 8AM PT / 5PM CEST TODAY MANCHESTER, August 17 2018 "Person of European Heritage #112: Welcome to Relocation Block B, your new home. Your designated role is 'Bouncer'. Work hard, stay out of trouble, and we might let you stay in the UK." Not Tonight, the politically-charged satirical game set in a post-Brexit version of Britain, is now available on Steam for $19.99, with a 10% discount for launch week. A brand new launch trailer is now available to celebrate! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWNmuoJnPRc This PanicBarn-developed management sim takes place in a dystopian Britain, where Brexit talks have collapsed and an extreme far-right government has taken power. Citizens of European heritage have been rounded up and exiled. Forced out of your previous life, you find yourself in the midst of a frantic gig economy, manning the doors of pubs, clubs, festivals and parties, and fighting to scrape by and return to the city you call home. Not Tonight is a post-Brexit management game, fusing a time-pressure RPG with a tale of dark humour where every decision matters. Will you join the resistance and fight the regime -- or keep your head down and hope that one day this will all be a distant memory? Not Tonight asks players to stand in the freezing British weather, and meticulously check IDs, manage guestlists, and stop revellers from becoming unruly. Work hard, and your payslips will come in useful for upgrading your apartment, clothing and equipment, allowing you to prepare for anything the future of Brexit might throw at you. What lengths will you go to in order to survive in a Britain on the verge of collapse? Not Tonight is published by No More Robots, the British publishing label behind Descenders, and developed by PanicBarn. The Not Tonight presskit is available to download from the following link. Looking to request a press copy? Please email [email protected] to request a key. The star of International City Theatres Blues in the Night is a veteran of the... Condor flight to Dusseldorf : Bomb scare prompts unscheduled landing CHANIA/DUSSELDORF An aircraft of the German airlines Condor had to make an unexpected stop on the island of Crete on Thursday due to a bomb threat. More than 270 passengers were on board. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A Condor airliner had to make an unscheduled landing on the Greek island of Crete on Thursday evening due to a bomb threat. The plane was on its way from the Egyptian city of Hurghada to Dusseldorf, when it made a safe landing in the city of Chania, said a Condor spokesman to the German Press Agency (dpa). The 273 passengers exited the plane without incident. They were expected to spend the night in local hotels and continue the flight to Dusseldorf on Friday. "Condor is in contact with local authorities," the spokesman said. The aircraft was checked by special dogs after landing. First reports were that nothing suspicious had been found. Initially, the spokesman could give no information on the background of the bomb threat. The plane had departed Egypt at 5:34pm. According to information from Greek media reports and the German Bild newspaper, a note with the word bomb had been discovered in the restroom of the aircraft. Citing security authorities, news portal Protothema reported that the flight was escorted by Greek fighter jets to the landing. Bild reported that the aircraft was surrounded by military and airport police after it landed. Information from civil aviation circles in Chania indicated that the inspection of the aircraft began late in the evening and was expected to last until the early morning hours. "Lead City" transportation project : Questions and answers about the climate ticket BONN Public transport authorities (SWB) say more staff are needed for the project Lead City to work. The mayor sees the project as a test, and the city has released a set of questions and answers about how it will function. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Political discussions have arose surrounding the Lead City project in Bonn, which includes the 365-euro public transport pass for 2019. On Tuesday, there was no mention of additional staff needed for the proposed changes brought on by the project, including more frequent stops and additional lines. But the works council of public transportation authorities (SWB) says an additional 30 staff will need to be hired to make it work. A year ago, a proposal for such an improvement in the public transportation system was decided against, the administration citing the additional investments that would have been required. Mayor Ashok Sridharan sees the year-long discounted climate pass as a test. With the threat of a diesel ban in inner cities, this is a way to find out if a drastic price reduction will encourage more people to use public transportation. Personnel problems are currently the reason for cancelled or late buses and trams. SWB spokeswoman Veronika John said it was especially critical last Tuesday, with many drivers calling in sick due to the heat. Some even stopped working during their shift as they were not able to carry on. But the SWB is working on filling vacant positions and is optimistic that ten current vacancies will be filled by October. SWB works council chairwoman Monika Pohl was also optimistic that the other 20 positions needed for the increased offers in the new project, will be filled by December when the timetable changes are implemented. The federal government wants to give Bonn 37.6 million euros towards improving air quality. It is not yet exactly clear how that money will be spent, which raises many questions. Because there is still much that seems to be unclear about the Lead City project, the city has published relevant information with questions and answers. What will be funded in Bonn? The city began with 60 proposals, narrowed it down to ten and the federal government selected three of these. They will be funded with 37.6 million euros. Included are new tariffs, improved transportation offers and mobility management. As a point of reference: The City of Bonn provides 30 million euros in funding. What new deals or rates will be offered? A 365 euro annual public transportation pass (climate ticket) - which works within Bonn and is for new customers only, a job ticket for Bonn companies (also for new customers), a discounted ticket for five persons traveling within Bonn. The offers are valid as of January 1, 2019 as long as the supply lasts. What comes with the climate ticket? The Klimaticket (climate ticket) costs 365 euros for the year (2019). Normally, a monthly pass would cost 82.30 euros, or 987.60 euros per year. It allows you to take advantage of all forms of local public transportation in Bonn for 24-hours a day. It will be cheaper to get to neighboring cities as well. For example, a ticket to Cologne normally costs 7.90 but with the climate ticket it would cost 3.70 euros. Who is eligible? Basically, anyone who does not currently subscribe to a monthly pass, or who hasnt subscribed recently. Just how recent has not yet been exactly defined but a new customer, according to the city, is someone who has not had a monthly pass for at least a year. Those who have a student or semester ticket should be able to change to the climate ticket but exact conditions have not yet been determined. How will transportation offers be improved? From December 9, 2018 Monday through Friday: Lines 61, 62, 16/63, 66 and bus lines 600 through 615 will run an hour longer until 8:30pm Line 632 to increase coverage: Venusberg-Poppelsdorf-Endenich-Propsthof-Nordstadt-Beuel From August 26, 2019: Saturdays from 9:30am to 8:30 pm: Lines 61, 62, 16/63, 66 and bus lines 600 through 615 will run every 10 or 20 minutes instead of the current 15 or 30-minute intervals. On Sundays, they will run every 30 or 15 minutes beginning at 9:30 am, instead of the 60 and 30-minute intervals which are currently used. Improvements in bus connections are also expected in cooperation with Rhine-Sieg County. How long is the funding? The funding support is for a maximum of two years. After that, there will be an evaluation of how the project has impacted air quality and how well the offers have been received. The city has informed federal authorities that it could only provide the offer past 2020 with a guarantee of further federal funding. August 25 picnic : Three "Dinner in White" locations next weekend BAD GODESBERG/WACHTBERG Heres a chance to have a slightly refined picnic in white, along with friends and neighbors. Dinner in White may have come from Paris, but people here are also enthusiastic about the concept, and three locations will be participating this year. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Diner en blanc will be held in three locations in Bad Godesberg and Wachtberg on August 25 next weekend. The picnic idea from Paris is one that continues to gain in popularity. Guests come dressed totally in white. It will be the first time for Dinner in White in Wachtberg-Villiprott, where citizens will come together at 5:30pm at the alten Spielplatz (old playground). It will be the second time for the picnic in white at the Trinkpavillon (Drinking Pavilion) at the Godesberg Stadthalle. And because it was so successful last year, the association Burger.Bad.Godesberg invites everyone to come to the "Diner en Blanc". This time around there will be music: pianist Simon Below accompanies the singing of actor Frank Oppermann. The dinner starts at 6 pm at the drinking pavilion behind the Stadthalle, Koblenzerstrae 80. Guests bring their own tables, chairs, white tablecloths, candles, outdoor lamps, drinks and a picnic with several courses to serve. For a small donation, the association also rents tables and chairs. You can reserve a table by writing to: info@buergerbadgodesberg.de. For the citizens' initiative "Save the American Settlement Plittersdorf", the Dinner in White has become a tradition already. It is held on the grounds between Europastrasse and Steubenring. Here, residents, neighbors and friends of the American settlement will meet up at 6pm on August 25. Participants need to bring along their own seating and picnic dinner. White clothes are desirable in Plittersdorf, but not necessarily required. EU survey concludes : What happens now with the time change? Brussels What has been your experience with the change between summer time and daylight saving time? Would you prefer to end the time change? These were questions posed to EU citizens and hundreds of thousands responded. So what comes next? Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken After just about six weeks, the European Union survey about whether or not to do away with the summer time change has ended. According to a spokesperson, there has been great interest in the EU Commission survey since the beginning of July. In the first three days alone, more than 500,000 online questionnaires were completed. At the halfway point, more than one million responses had been received. Among other things, participants were asked what their experience had been with the change from daylight saving time to summer time, and whether they would want to eliminate the time change in spring and autumn. As well, they were invited to make comments in a text box. According to the EU Commission, it may take days or weeks before the results are evaluated and published. A spokesperson said that on Friday, they would only be able to give the total number of participants. At first, it will remain unclear as to how many people in each country voted for or against eliminating the time change. In any case, the EU Commission emphasizes that this is not a referendum. The European Parliament had commissioned the Brussels authorities to examine calls for an elimination of the time change. The survey is only part of the criteria they will use in making a determination. Taking into account all factors, if the EU Commission would conclude that the time change should be abolished, it could submit a corresponding legislative proposal. But the European Parliament and EU states would still have to agree. This means a decision is still a long ways off. In Germany, there has been a change to summer time since 1980. Since 1996, the summer time lasts for seventh months of the year. People in all EU countries turn their clocks one hour ahead on the last Sunday in March and one hour back on the last Sunday in October. The goal of the time change is to make better use of the daylight and save energy, but the actual benefits are highly disputed. Egypt will close its Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for several days during the Islamic Eid Al-Adha holiday. According to state agency MENA, the border will be closed on Friday and Saturday, and will reopen on Sunday 19 August. It will then close on Monday 20 August, the day before the three-day Eid Al-Adha festival, and reopen on Saturday 25 August. The Rafah border crossing is the main gateway to the outside world for 1.8 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, and is the only crossing point not controlled by Israel. Egypt usually keeps the border crossing closed citing security concerns, opening it periodically for short periods, often including major Islamic holidays. Search Keywords: Short link: nametalkam at 16-08-2018 11:08 PM (3 years ago) (m) Contrary to the claim by the Nigerian government through the Information Minister Lai Mohammed, the government paid a large ransom to free scores of female students kidnapped by the Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, earlier this year, the United Nations has said. Contrary to the claim by the Nigerian government through the Information Minister Lai Mohammed, the government paid a large ransom to free scores of female students kidnapped by the Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, earlier this year, the United Nations has said. Over 100 girls were kidnapped from the Dapchi school by a Boko Haram faction in February this year with about 105 of them later released by the terrorists. One of them, Leah Sharibu, who reportedly refused to denounce her Christian faith, is still with the abductors. Following the release of the girls, about a month after they were kidnapped, Mr Mohammed told journalists that it was not true ransom was paid for their release. It is not true that we paid ransom for the release of the Dapchi girls, neither was there a prisoner swap to secure their release, Mr. Mohammed told journalists in Maiduguri with his statement circulated by his office to media organisations including PREMIUM TIMES. What happened was that the abduction itself was a breach of the ceasefire talks between the insurgents and the government; hence it became a moral burden on the abductors. Any report that we paid ransom or engaged in prisoner swap is false. A UN report has now shown Mr Mohammeds claim to be false. The report recently submitted to the UN Security Council on Boko Haram and related terrorist organisations, said such ransom and the predominance of cash economy was providing oxygen for the insurgency around the Lake Chad region. The UN report is titled 22nd Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, related to Resolution 2368 (2017) regarding Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities. In Nigeria, 111 schoolgirls from the town of Dapchi were kidnapped on 18 February 2018 and released by ISWAP on 21 March 2018 in exchange for a large ransom payment, the report stated. The UN report negating the Nigerian governments stance reflects the manner of propaganda the Nigerian government and its military have been using to fight the war against Boko Haram. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian military has repeatedly lied about military casualty in the war and, along with the government, claimed the Boko Haram sect was already defeated. The governments stance appears to be that suppressing information, or as in this case lying about it, would reduce the efficacy of the insurgents and thus limit their ability to carry out their terrorist acts. The Dapchi girls ransom would not be the first by the Nigerian government to free victims held by Boko Haram. Huge ransom was also paid by the Buhari administration to free many of released Chibok girls kidnapped in 2014, senators including the leader of ruling party in the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, said. Although the move is largely welcomed by many Nigerians as it ensures freedom for the victims, experts fear it has helped fuel the insurgency by ensuring the Boko Haram has access to funds to buy more weapons and sustain themselves; a stance shared in the UN report. OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING Apart from ransom, the UN also listed other ways the Boko Haram group is being funded. extortion, charitable donations, smuggling, remittances and kidnapping as parts of ways Boko Haram is funded, the report stated as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria. The report also stated how some doctrinally based non-governmental organisations were funding Boko Haram and other terror groups. The number of doctrinally based non-governmental organisations sending funds to local terrorist groups was growing, and Member States were concerned that radicalisation was increasing the threat level in the Sahel. Meanwhile, Boko Haram (QDe.138) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have had a similar impact in their areas of control, including the Lake Chad basin. The predominance in the region of the cash economy, without controls, is conducive to terrorist groups funded by extortion, charitable donations, smuggling, remittances and kidnapping. According to NAN, the report was signed by Edmund Fitton-Brown, Coordinator, Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, who said the report was comprehensive and independent, and Kairat Umarov, Chair, Security Council Committee. SANCTIONS ON BOKO HARAM The UN Security Council committee on al Qaeda sanctions blacklisted and imposed sanctions on the Boko Haram in 2014 after the insurgents kidnapped more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls. The designation, which came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security Councils 15 members, subjected Boko Haram to UN sanctions, including an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban. The UN Security Council had last week said it remained concerned over the security and humanitarian situation caused by the Boko Haram terrorists and other armed groups in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. In a presidential statement, the 15-member body regretted that Central African countries were beset by terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate change, and asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the work of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and recommend areas for improvement. The presidential statement read: The Security Council strongly condemns all terrorist attacks carried out in the region, including those perpetrated by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh). These attacks have caused large-scale and devastating losses, have had a devastating humanitarian impact including through the displacement of a large number of civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and represent a threat to the stability and peace of West and Central Africa. The Council notes with particular concern the continuing use by Boko Haram of women and girls as suicide bombers, which has created an atmosphere of suspicion towards them and made them targets of harassment and stigmatisation in affected communities, and of arbitrary arrests by security forces. The Council emphasises the need for affected States to counter-terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including by addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, in accordance with obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law. The Security Council welcomed the support provided by UNOCA and the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) for the development of a joint regional strategy to address the root causes of the Lake Chad Basin crisis through regular contact with regional leaders. The Council encouraged partners to increase security assistance to Lake Chad Basin Commission countries, and humanitarian and development support across the region for those affected by Boko Haram activities. The Security Council remains deeply concerned at the grave security situation and related violations and abuses of human rights in parts of Central Africa, in particular, the continuing terrorist activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, it said. The Security Council expresses its ongoing concern at continued tensions linked to disputed electoral processes, social and economic difficulties, and conflicts between farmers and herders, the statement added. The 15-member Council noted that UNOCAs priorities would include to work closely with UNOWAS to address trans-regional issues such as maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, conflict between farmers and herders, and combating Boko Haram. Over 100 girls were kidnapped from the Dapchi school by a Boko Haram faction in February this year with about 105 of them later released by the terrorists. One of them, Leah Sharibu, who reportedly refused to denounce her Christian faith, is still with the abductors.Following the release of the girls, about a month after they were kidnapped, Mr Mohammed told journalists that it was not true ransom was paid for their release.It is not true that we paid ransom for the release of the Dapchi girls, neither was there a prisoner swap to secure their release, Mr. Mohammed told journalists in Maiduguri with his statement circulated by his office to media organisations including PREMIUM TIMES.What happened was that the abduction itself was a breach of the ceasefire talks between the insurgents and the government; hence it became a moral burden on the abductors. Any report that we paid ransom or engaged in prisoner swap is false.A UN report has now shown Mr Mohammeds claim to be false.The report recently submitted to the UN Security Council on Boko Haram and related terrorist organisations, said such ransom and the predominance of cash economy was providing oxygen for the insurgency around the Lake Chad region.The UN report is titled 22nd Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, related to Resolution 2368 (2017) regarding Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities.In Nigeria, 111 schoolgirls from the town of Dapchi were kidnapped on 18 February 2018 and released by ISWAP on 21 March 2018 in exchange for a large ransom payment, the report stated.The UN report negating the Nigerian governments stance reflects the manner of propaganda the Nigerian government and its military have been using to fight the war against Boko Haram.PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian military has repeatedly lied about military casualty in the war and, along with the government, claimed the Boko Haram sect was already defeated.The governments stance appears to be that suppressing information, or as in this case lying about it, would reduce the efficacy of the insurgents and thus limit their ability to carry out their terrorist acts.The Dapchi girls ransom would not be the first by the Nigerian government to free victims held by Boko Haram. Huge ransom was also paid by the Buhari administration to free many of released Chibok girls kidnapped in 2014, senators including the leader of ruling party in the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, said. Although the move is largely welcomed by many Nigerians as it ensures freedom for the victims, experts fear it has helped fuel the insurgency by ensuring the Boko Haram has access to funds to buy more weapons and sustain themselves; a stance shared in the UN report.Apart from ransom, the UN also listed other ways the Boko Haram group is being funded.extortion, charitable donations, smuggling, remittances and kidnapping as parts of ways Boko Haram is funded, the report stated as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria.The report also stated how some doctrinally based non-governmental organisations were funding Boko Haram and other terror groups.The number of doctrinally based non-governmental organisations sending funds to local terrorist groups was growing, and Member States were concerned that radicalisation was increasing the threat level in the Sahel.Meanwhile, Boko Haram (QDe.138) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have had a similar impact in their areas of control, including the Lake Chad basin.The predominance in the region of the cash economy, without controls, is conducive to terrorist groups funded by extortion, charitable donations, smuggling, remittances and kidnapping.According to NAN, the report was signed by Edmund Fitton-Brown, Coordinator, Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, who said the report was comprehensive and independent, and Kairat Umarov, Chair, Security Council Committee.The UN Security Council committee on al Qaeda sanctions blacklisted and imposed sanctions on the Boko Haram in 2014 after the insurgents kidnapped more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls.The designation, which came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security Councils 15 members, subjected Boko Haram to UN sanctions, including an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban.The UN Security Council had last week said it remained concerned over the security and humanitarian situation caused by the Boko Haram terrorists and other armed groups in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.In a presidential statement, the 15-member body regretted that Central African countries were beset by terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate change, and asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the work of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and recommend areas for improvement.The presidential statement read: The Security Council strongly condemns all terrorist attacks carried out in the region, including those perpetrated by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh).These attacks have caused large-scale and devastating losses, have had a devastating humanitarian impact including through the displacement of a large number of civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and represent a threat to the stability and peace of West and Central Africa.The Council notes with particular concern the continuing use by Boko Haram of women and girls as suicide bombers, which has created an atmosphere of suspicion towards them and made them targets of harassment and stigmatisation in affected communities, and of arbitrary arrests by security forces.The Council emphasises the need for affected States to counter-terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including by addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, in accordance with obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law.The Security Council welcomed the support provided by UNOCA and the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) for the development of a joint regional strategy to address the root causes of the Lake Chad Basin crisis through regular contact with regional leaders.The Council encouraged partners to increase security assistance to Lake Chad Basin Commission countries, and humanitarian and development support across the region for those affected by Boko Haram activities.The Security Council remains deeply concerned at the grave security situation and related violations and abuses of human rights in parts of Central Africa, in particular, the continuing terrorist activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, it said.The Security Council expresses its ongoing concern at continued tensions linked to disputed electoral processes, social and economic difficulties, and conflicts between farmers and herders, the statement added.The 15-member Council noted that UNOCAs priorities would include to work closely with UNOWAS to address trans-regional issues such as maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, conflict between farmers and herders, and combating Boko Haram. Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 16-08-2018 11:08 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Dahua Provides ITS Solution for the Capital of Mongolia August 2018 by Marc Jacob Ulaanbaatar is the capital and the largest city of Mongolia, with a population over 1.3 million, which is almost half of the countrys total population. Over the past decade, the number of vehicles in Ulaanbaatar has risen by more than 300,000. As the political and cultural center of Mongolia, the increasing number of inhabitants and vehicles within the city has caused a series of social, environmental, and transportation problems. Dahuas sophisticated ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) solution has integrated advanced software and hardware including sensors, information and data processing and physical electronics and communication technologies to assist the transportation department of Ulaanbaatar, in enhancing the safety and efficiency of its transportation system. Challenges In recent years, the government of Ulaanbaatar has prioritized the improvement of traffic management and has identified the need of a cost-effective solution towards speeding, traffic light violations and other road safety related issues, to create a more secure environment for citizens. Due to the high-latitude geography of the city, this project is particularly demanding on the monitoring equipment withstanding harsh environments. Solution Based on advanced intelligent algorithms, Dahua has provided the city with its cutting-edge ITS solution consisting of the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system for 28 main roads, the E-police system for 8 junctions, 2 mobile speed measurement systems as well as 15 high spot PTZ surveillance units. The project took only three months from the initial analysis of the clients demands and solution design to, the final delivery, overcoming various tough issues along the way. ANPR System As there are no current systems for license plate recognition in Mongolia, the Dahua team worked in collaboration with a partner to customize a Mongolian license plate recognition algorithm. This was then integrated into the Dahua traffic cameras, achieving a reliable recognition rate, much to the satisfaction of the client. The Dahua traffic cameras installed at the significant main roads of the city, are able to function between a temperature of - 40 + 80 and a 10% 90% humidity environment. The cameras will actively monitor and inspect each suspicious vehicle, and automatically capture their license plates in real time, sending out an automatic alert when blacklisted vehicles pass by. E-police System The monitoring equipment set up at the eight junctions, is able to help the Ulaanbaatar transportation authorities in making quick responses to traffic accidents that are caused by running red lights. When a violation occurs, the Dahua all-in-one capture camera takes a series of images of the vehicles license plate number, along with the status of the traffic signal and an aerial image of the scene as evidence. Afterwards, the DSS management and storage platform collects the data from each camera, and distributes it to operators for further processing. Mobile Speed Measuring System The mobile speed measuring system detects vehicles that surpass the speed limit in all weather conditions. The system features an all-in-one design, making it easy to use and install at different locations at a moments notice. This portability allows traffic police to move the system to different places whenever necessary. It consists of an 8MP CCD camera with amulti-target tracking radar, allowing for an accurate instant speed measurement of each passing vehicle and crystal-clear imaging. The IR flash lamp also ensures excellent imaging capabilities even during the dark of night. To better serve the client, the Dahua team has provided the operators of the local transportation department, with relevant technical training and demonstrated to them, the installation and deployment of devices. Additionally, all three systems are unified on a single platform within the control center, further enabling the end user to a more efficient monitoring and management of road safety. Benefits Dahuas ITS solution facilitates road safety and keeps the traffic flowing smoothly, raising the safety awareness of drivers, resulting in a more pleasant journey for drivers. Advanced technologies such as LPR and fuzzy search, actively reduces manpower demands on the police force, while increasing the efficiency of current enforcement. Furthermore, Dahuas solution has assisted the government of Ulaanbaatar to finance a sustainable, growing, and well-maintained system of security and safety. Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation. Shoot/Dont Shoot Working with Traditional Officers Craig Bessent used to be a bull rider. Now hes an assistant superintendent who stays on top of school bus schedules and cafeteria complaints.But the black bulletproof vest tucked in the corner of Bessents office is proof that he hasnt left danger behind.The 60-year-old administrator, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds, is a school marshal, one of about 165 Texas teachers and other school employees expected to be authorized to carry firearms in public schools this fall to fend off armed intruders a fivefold boost in less than three months.In addition, there are scores of other gun-toting teachers and school officials in Texas who are known as guardians. At least 227 school districts, more than 20 percent of the states 1,031 districts, had authorized the guardian program by mid-August, compared to 170 districts in February, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.Training programs surged this summer after a gunman killed eight students and two teachers in May at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas. About two-dozen states have considered similar programs in the wake of the Santa Fe massacre and last Februarys shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 students and staff members.Theres a need out there, says Bessent of the Wylie Independent School District, who, unlike other marshals, has been publicly identified so he can promote the program. A school marshals responsibility is to isolate, distract and neutralize the threat. If theyre shooting at the school marshal, theyre not shooting at the kids and teachers.Some Texas districts have posted signs on school buildings designed to deter would-be intruders. In the North Texas town of Peaster, for example, signs warn that the staff at Peaster ISD is armed and may use whatever force necessary to protect our students.But the Dont Mess with Texas style of defense remains controversial. Of all the states mulling such legislation this year, only Florida approved it.President Donald Trump endorsed the idea, but a well-organized coalition that included educators, law enforcement groups, parents and vocal Parkland students pushed back in a state-by-state counterattack.We just absolutely do not agree with gun lobbyists that turning janitors and librarians into sharpshooters is effective, said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a nationwide nonprofit that helped block bills in 16 of 17 states. Other bills are pending in at least a half-dozen other states.After Alabama legislators rejected a bill that would have armed teachers and school administrators, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey created the Alabama Sentry Program to arm administrators on campuses. Democratic lawmakers denounced her action.The issue also flared in California after several school districts began using an exemption in the states Gun-Free School Zone Act to authorize gun-licensed personnel to carry concealed firearms in schools. A bill signed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown in October closed the exemption and halted the practice.The Florida law, while putting in place some gun control measures, created a $67 million marshal program that allows superintendents and sheriffs to arm designated school personnel, though not full-time classroom teachers.But the Broward County school board, which oversees the high school where Februarys shooting occurred, voted unanimously in April against accepting money to arm personnel, and Watts said her volunteer organization is trying to convince other districts to reject marshal funding.Survivors from the Florida and Texas shootings differ sharply over arming teachers. Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez called it a stupid idea in a 60 Minutes segment. But Santa Fe survivor Grace Johnson told a roundtable discussion led by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: Arming teachers, and not knowing who is armed, that is what we need.At least nine states permit the arming of school officials, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, prompted Texas to launch the marshals program. Several other states also acted in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy.Under the Guardian Plan in Texas, created in 2007 after mass shootings at a Pennsylvania Amish schoolhouse and at Virginia Tech, school districts choose which staff members to arm and what training they will receive. Guardians can constantly carry their weapons, but marshals in direct, regular contact with students must keep theirs in a lock box until needed.Marshals, most of whom are men, also must hold a concealed handgun license, complete 80 hours of training, undergo a psychological exam and, after two years, complete a 16-hour license renewal course along with another psychological evaluation.At a recent Austin-area course, 20 prospective marshals got a harrowing preview of what they could face on the job.Wearing protective headgear that covered their faces and clutching blue Glock training pistols that fired paintball-type markers, two of the school officials a man and a woman strode methodically through the halls of Windermere Elementary School in suburban Pflugerville in the hunt for an assailant.The drill called for a shoot/dont shoot decision after the sound of gunfire blanks from a starter pistol sent more than a dozen students pouring out of a classroom. The gunman, played by a reserve deputy, rounded a corner in the hallway and was shot by the marshals-in-training.One of them was a 46-year-old father who has two children in his southeast Texas school system. Describing himself only as a school employee, he said his district spent at least a year considering the deployment of marshals before deciding it was needed to make our district a safe place.We hope we never have to use this training, he said. In an event where something as dire as an active shooter were to happen, then we want to make sure were prepared.The marshal candidate said he had no prior law enforcement experience but was familiar with firearms through hunting. He said he felt confident that he could encounter a real-life bad guy after being exposed to a tremendous amount of techniques through his training.Another trainee from the same district, who played a fleeing student, identified himself as one of the school board members who voted to authorize marshals for the district. I felt like I need to know what level of training these teachers and administrators had before we actually put the guns in the school.Like his colleague, the board member, 55, said he has no law enforcement experience but has carried a concealed firearm for more than 20 years after Texas authorized concealed carry following a 1991 mass shooting in Killeen. It was the Santa Fe shooting, he said, that led him and fellow board members to approve the marshal program.To preserve the element of surprise against a potential intruder, the identities of marshals and guardians are kept secret.Marshals and guardians complement other school security measures, including local law enforcement personnel designated as full- or part-time school resource officers and school district police departments. Texas has 221 school district police departments, with a total of more than 2,750 officers, according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.Although school resource officers work alongside marshals and guardians, the National Association of School Resource Officers has opposed the arming of teachers, warning that they are unprepared for high-stress situations that could end with the taking of a life, especially the life of a student assailant.As students prepare to return to Santa Fe, the district is increasing its police department to a staff of 24 full-time and part-time officers and installing metal detectors provided by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks office. The district does not use marshals or guardians but might consider it, said school spokeswoman Nancy Porter.Abbott has signaled his intention to strengthen the marshal program in the 2019 legislative session that starts in January. He has called for repealing the contentious lock box requirement as well as increasing the number of marshals that can be appointed per school, to one for every 100 students, instead of one for every 200. Abbotts office has also directed $115,000 in criminal justice grants to fund this summers marshal training.Bessent was in the first class of marshals when the program was launched in July of 2014. He has logged more than 500 hours of law-enforcement based training and often serves as an instructor for other marshals. He also works closely with the governors office and has testified repeatedly at legislative hearings.Really, the school marshal has one purpose and thats to prevent serious bodily injury or death to students, teachers, volunteers, anybody on that campus, he said. And the rest of the time they just do what they normally do. State Medicaid officials said Tuesday they will ease restrictions on payments for mental health services in the face of widespread concerns about how a new rule would affect some vulnerable Nevada residents.But critics of the very restrictive new policy aimed at curbing Medicaid fraud say it still could delay or deny care to low-income Nevadans in their time of greatest need.Fee-for-service Medicaid providers, who serve about 162,500 Nevadans on Medicaid, will now have five pre-approved sessions with a client instead of the three previously proposed before being required to submit a prior authorization form, Medicaid administrator Marta Jensen said at a public meeting.The new rule, which was to have taken effect Wednesday, has been delayed until Oct. 1, she said.Psychologist Adrianna Wechsler Zimring, past president of the Nevada Psychological Association, thanked the state for working with providers on the changes. A Tennessee appeals court on Tuesday said a key prong of Gov. Bill Haslam's overhaul of the state's probation system was unconstitutional because it violates defendants' rights and encroaches on judicial authority in criminal matters.Haslam pushed the changes in 2016 as part of the wide-ranging Public Safety Act. That portion of the law, which aimed to shrink the prison population, gave probation officers the power to dole out punishments like addiction treatment or community service to defendants who violated probation.The goal, according to the Haslam administration, was to stop sending people to prison for low-level probation violations like failure to pay fines or missing an appointment. As a result, those probation violations would be considered by probation officers, not the court system.But the Criminal Court of Appeals said the General Assembly had "impermissibly encroached upon the judicial powers of the courts" by passing the law.The appeals court also said the portion of the law changing the probation system "falls woefully short" of providing due process for defendants, who would not be able to challenge new punishments in court with an attorney. In the race to win Amazon's second headquarters, states and localities have revealed just how far they are willing to go to win the online retailer's business. And it may be resulting in bigger-than-necessary payouts to Amazon.According to the latest data available from Good Jobs First, which tracks tax incentives, state and local governments have already promised a minimum of $1.6 billion in corporate subsidies to Amazon since 2000. The companys HQ2 search could easily double that amount. Arlington, Texas, was prepared to offer nearly $1 billion in state and local subsidies, while Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio, are reportedly offering more than $2 billion.This is basically Amazon's way of gathering a lot of information for free in a short amount of time and understanding the incentives those localities are willing to offer, says Kasia Tarczynska, who curates the data on Amazon for Good Jobs First.Take the Birmingham, Ala., metro area. It was one of hundreds that bid for Amazons HQ2 and didnt make the short list released in January. But just weeks ago, Amazon announced it would open a new distribution center there -- the first in the state -- and create 1,500 jobs. For doing so, the company will receive $51 million in state, county and local tax incentives, on top of an unspecified amount in local occupational tax incentives.The deal was hailed by regional leaders as a huge win. Whenever a company of Amazons panache enters a community, things improve, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington said in a press statement.But some have begun to question the price tag. Standing out in stark contrast to the deal in Alabama is one made just weeks before for a similarly sized distribution center in Tulsa, Okla., that will also create 1,500 jobs. That deal cost Tulsa just $2.3 million in reported local subsidies.Noting that Birmingham is the nations largest metro area without an Amazon distribution center, local businessman and former chair of the region's Chamber of Commerce David Sher questioned whether the giveaway was necessary. Birminghams the largest metro in the state, he wrote in an op-ed for the local newspaper. Did anyone think Amazon was just going [to] skip us?Furthermore, an analysis of tax incentive deals for similar-sized warehouses by thefound that the incentives awarded for the Amazon facility were far higher than the norm. Most other deals ranged from $5 million to $19 million, with the highest coming from Fresno, Calif., for $30 million.The wide range in offers between Birmingham and Tulsa reflects a larger disparity: Good Jobs Firsts Amazon database shows a huge variance in reported subsidies -- from $50,000 for a distribution center in Taylor County, Ky., to multimillion-dollar deals for facilities in Maryland, Michigan and Ohio, to name a few.Amazon isn't the only large company to benefit from Alabama's largesse . In recent years, the state has promised nearly $1 billion to Mazda and Toyota to build a car plant, and roughly half a billion to the pharmaceutical company Bayer for renovating and restoring a historic building in Birmingham.By comparison, Oklahomas major tax subsidies dont top $200 million on any reported deal. Description GIS 17 August, 2018: The The 11th World Hindi Conference (WHC) opens tomorrow in Mauritius in the presence of the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and an important official delegation from India comprising various Ministers, Governors and Ministers of State. Organised jointly by the Government of Mauritius and the Government of India, the WHC will be held at the Swami Vivekanand International Convention Centre in Pailles from 18 to 20 August 2018. The main objectives of WHC are to bring together stakeholders including Hindi scholars, writers, researchers, journalists and publishers on a global platform so as to accelerate the promotion of Hindi as an international language. The conference will offer networking opportunities as well as encourage the widespread usage of Hindi language in the fields of science, education and technology, amongst others. Some 2,000 delegates and officials from 12 countries including Mauritius, United States of America, United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia, amongst others, have registered for the Conference. The main theme will be Hindi Vishwa Aur Bharateey Sanskriti (World of Hindi and Indian Culture). During the conference, several exhibitions focusing on the developments of Hindi language and evening cultural programmes will be also held. A Kavi Sammelan organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi is also in the programme of activities. A daily newsletter (Sammelan Samachar), a Sammelan Smarika and a Conference Report on discussions/deliberations held during the academic sessions and their recommendations will be published. For its part, ICCR will bring out a special issue of "Gagananchal dedicated to the Conference. Mauritius Post Ltd will issue a special First Day cover to mark the event. In keeping with the past practice, Hindi scholars from India and other countries will be honoured with Vishwa Hindi Samman for their distinguished services in the field of Hindi. India, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Suriname, America and South Africa have also hosted the WHC. The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun attended the launch of the official website and the logo of the 11th WHC by the Minister Sushma Swaraj on 10 April 2018 at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in New Delhi. Description GIS - 17 August, 2018: Revenue collection by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) for the financial year 2017-2018 amounted to approximately Rs 87.5 billion as compared to Rs 76 billion for the year 2016-2017, representing an increase of 15 % over the preceding year. The Director-General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal, made this announcement at a press conference in Port Louis yesterday, regarding the key performance and achievements of the MRA for the financial year 2017-2018 and the implementation of the new budgetary measures as enunciated in the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018. Mr Lal expressed satisfaction regarding the MRAs performance which has been attributed to the various tax policy measures, economic situation and efficiency gains in tax administration. He further highlighted that out of the Rs 87.5 billion, around Rs 83.1 billion have been collected for the Consolidated Fund and Rs 4.4 billion for special funds such as the National Pensions Fund, the National Savings Fund, Lotto Fund, Responsible Gambling and Capacity Building Fund and National CSR Foundation. He further underscored that the MRA has achieved better performance with regards to debt collections which amounted to Rs 2.6 billion as compared to Rs 1.9 billion for 2016-2017, in addition to income tax e-filing, e-payment and tracking of non-filers as well as from drug seizure. Regarding the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, Mr Lal added that the MRA will focus on measures aiming at reducing income inequality and improving quality of life of citizens as announced in Budget 2018-2019. Among the initiatives, he added, are the implementation of the Negative Income Tax allowance since November 2017 for low income earners with less than Rs 9 900 monthly and the Special Allowance as from January 2018 aims at topping up wages of low income earners so that they receive a minimum of Rs 9000 monthly. Concerning these two main initiatives to alleviate poverty, he pointed out that as at date, 81 367 persons have benefitted from both schemes with a total amount of Rs 286 million which have been disbursed. Furthermore, he stressed that Mauritius has improved its ranking in the World Banks Report moving from 45th in 2017 with regards paying taxes to the 10th position in 2018 which he attributed to the successful sensitisation campaigns being carried out by the organisation. He further expressed satisfaction that 99.6% of individuals are filing their returns electronically. Regarding the way forward, the MRA Director further dwelt on the new measures announced in budget 2018/2019 with the intention of alleviating tax payers from the tax burden and increase the income of households, namely the increase in the Income Exemption Threshold by Rs 5 000 for each category exempting those earning an annual income of Rs 305 000 from the tax bracket. Similarly, he added, Income Tax rate has been decreased from 15 percent to 10 percent for those earning between Rs 305 000 and Rs 650 000 annually. If theres false or misleading information circulating about Californias voting system, the states registered voters could get an email warning them about it in November.Its part of the new authority lawmakers have given the California Secretary of States Office as part of its stepped-up cybersecurity mission. AB 3075 cleared its final legislative hurdle Monday when the state Assembly voted 57-19 to create the Office of Elections Cybersecurity within the Secretary of States Office. The bill codifies into law a new cybersecurity office that lawmakers set aside $2 million for in the fiscal 2017-18 state budget. It now heads to Gov. Jerry Browns desk for his signature, and assuming he signs it, state election officials say it will be staffed before the November elections.Under the bill, the cybersecurity office will have three employees responsible for combating potential cyberattacks, as well as coordinating with federal, state and local agencies to share information and develop best practices to protect against threats to election security.The office will also monitor social media websites and rebut misleading information intended to suppress voter participation or disrupt the vote a key priority of Democratic lawmakers angered by reports that Russian hackers sought to subvert the 2016 presidential election.The Secretary of State has never had marketing dollars, Deputy Secretary of State Jesse Melgar toldIts the first time we will have a budget to promote good information and link to Secretary of State websites.The bill drew little debate, but a bloc of lawmakers voted no after one Republican lawmaker questioned whether the Secretary of State's Office, led by an elected official, should be allowed to run a campaign-orientated communication process as part of state elections.Protecting our elections from hacking is important; however, adding this new government agency to do so is not, Assemblyman Matthew Harper, R-Huntington Beach, argued during the floor debate. We do not need to add to the bureaucracy to protect our election system. We should not give the Secretary of State the authority to decide subjectively what is false or misleading information in the election.Although there has been no evidence that Californias election systems have been tampered with, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who supports the bill, says Californias cyberdefenses must become more sophisticated.Its no longer just securing voting machines, Padilla told a DefCon security conference in Las Vegas on Friday. Its also state and county databases and even the information voters are consuming.California lawmakers this summer also set aside $134 million in the state budget for counties to modernize aging voting equipment, as well as $1 million to create the Office of Enterprise Risk Management, which will be staffed with three cybersecurity IT employees. San Antonio Debuts New 311SA Mobile App Pittsburgh Seeks Director of Innovation and Performance Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Unveils Plan to Expand Broadband Access Throughout State Restoreyourvote.org Offers Legal Advice for Voters with Past Convictions Philadelphia has launched its new phila.gov website , the development of which dates back several years and aims to create a modern and flexible portal focused on improving citizen interactions with government.The launch of phila.gov is the culmination of a redesign that started in December 2014 and progressed alongside continued use of the previous iteration. This effort, which was carried out by Philadelphias Office of Open Data and Digital Transformation (ODDT), essentially consolidates more than 300 city services into one platform that is intended to be user-friendly. In service of that last goal is a host of features, including easy-to-read content, improved viewing on mobile devices, transparency into how city services are delivered and many other features.For the first year or so of the projects life, the development team pushed out alpha pages that users could visit and comment on, providing suggestions that could be used to improve on future iterations of the site. A beta testing site went live in 2016 and began handling more than 40 percent of the total web traffic.In a press release announcing the launch of the new site, city leaders note that the ODDT carried out this work in collaboration with a number of other city departments, ranging from the Office of Innovation and Technology to the Department of Revenue.Other new features on the site include a news and events section, blogging and departmental calendars that show upcoming events.San Antonio has launched a new mobile app aimed at giving residents 24/7 access to city services.Dubbed 311SA Mobile App, the city launched its new project this week with an interactive event to show off its functionality to residents and community leaders. At its core, the app is essentially a mobile alternative to actually calling 311, one that residents can use to report issues, check the status of previous service requests and view service requests that other residents have submitted in their area. Development of this app grew out of San Antonios smart cities initiative.The app was designed by Cityflag Inc., and its free for users to download via the iTunes and Google Play stores.City officials, of course, had plenty of things to say about their new app in a press release announcing its launch.Im extremely proud that San Antonio will now have a new avenue for residents to have access to city services that provides a personalized experience through innovative technology, San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. My vision for the city of San Antonio is to be a connected, inclusive and resilient community supporting a high quality of life, and this is one way we are achieving that vision.Pittsburgh is looking for an IT leader for the city.The city posted a job listing for a new Director of Innovation and Performance last week, noting that the position is the primary IT lead for the city, and that the director provides strategic leadership for the Department of Innovation & Performance by establishing and executing on a clear enterprisewide IT strategy, and ensuring that the strategy continues to align with the overall strategic objectives of the city of Pittsburgh.The director would also sit on the mayors executive leadership team. More information about the job can be found here Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has unveiled a plan to provide high-speed Internet access for all residents of the state.Dubbed the Michigan Broadband Roadmap, Snyder detailed the plan this week, joined by tech and business leaders during an event at a Michigan high school. The plans goal is a clear one: Raise broadband access and adoption all throughout Michigan.This goal is one shared by the majority of states. Achieving it, however, is an ongoing problem nationwide.To help Michigan get where it wants to be, Snyder previously created the Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks (MCAN) via an executive order. This group has gathered input related to guiding the state to ubiquitous high-speed Internet from a diverse group of stakeholders. It has held six listening tours aimed at understanding the needs of residents and the barriers the projects face.As we traveled the state we heard a clear consensus Michigan residents need and deserve secure, reliable and affordable broadband, said Dave DeVries, the MCAN chairman and Department of Technology, Management and Budget director. The thoughtful contributions made by each of the MCAN members and support staff led to these realistic goals and timelines. The path toward reaching our goals will take time and collaboration from both the public and private sector, but is ultimately achievable.Michigan currently ranks 30th in the country in terms of broadband availability, with over 350,000 households in mostly rural areas lacking access to high-speed Internet. Officials report that another 2 million households have access to only a single terrestrial Internet service provider.Click here to view the full broadband roadmap report A civic tech project aims to help voters with past convictions regain the right to vote, provided theyre eligible to do so.This project is Restoreyourvote.org , and the first thing developers do on the site is address the existence of a common misconception, writing many people with felony convictions assume they cannot vote. But thats not true! The site goes on to note that most states return the right to vote to people who have complete their sentences, before estimating that 17 million Americans with past convictions are able to vote now without knowing it.The idea of the site is to clear up any confusion relating to this matter. The site has answers to questions about convictions and a brief form that visitors can fill out in order to find out if they are eligible to vote and what steps they must take to register.The site was developed by the Campaign Legal Center, an organization made up of working attorneys in Washington, D.C. (TNS) After a year of planning, officials with Chatham County and the city of Savannah, Ga., announced their first concrete steps to improving the local E911 Center through a consolidation of operations.During a joint press conference with the county and municipalities within county lines, County Manager Lee Smith announced that the county would be spearheading operations and control of the E911 Center in the future."As I've been out in the community, I hear from people 'this has been a long time coming'," Smith said Wednesday. "It's a long time coming to consolidate 911 dispatching into one system. We know that we've got an antiquated system as far as process."In fall 2017, county and city officials agreed to transfer the operation and control of the E911 Center from the city of Savannah to Chatham County, with the hopes of promoting improvements in public safety communications across all communities and stakeholders throughout Chatham County.The change of administration was also made to ease the financial burden incurred by the city of Savannah during its control of the E911 Center."About a year and a half ago we approached the county and our sister municipalities and said the city of Savannah is in a position where we can no longer afford to continue to provide this service on the countywide basis," said Savannah City Manager Rob Hernandez. "We sat down with all the city managers and the county managers and said we need a new approach and we need your help in getting there."The first step toward change was evaluation of the current system, Smith said.Operations were evaluated by Winbourne Consulting, LLC. Based on recommendations from the Winbourne evaluation, the county contracted with New Jersey-based IXPCorp. for day-to-day management services of the E911 Center, as well as additional consulting services needed for the transition.In June, county commissioners adopted a resolution to create an E911 executive advisory board."The EAB has adopted a new governance structure," Smith said. "We have formed and recommended review committees. These review committees made up of police, fire, EMS are going to make recommendations as to procedures and how we operate in the future. This is not just about fire. It's not just about police. It's not just about EMS. It's about all of the community."Officials are also preparing for Next Generation E911, updated software that will deploy nationwide in 2020. The new software will compensate for new smart technology and comply with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International standards."Everyone has [a smartphone]," Smith said. "So how to use smart technology to communicate with 911 will be looked at. It's something that we will not go into lightly because these are major investments."Officials say that residents should not expect to see any changes, but major changes will be made on the back end of operations. For now, the next few months will focus on reviewing current strategies for improvement."The public should notice no difference," Smith said. "If there's a difference, then we've made a mistake. This should be (a seamless transition.) For all of us, we should see the difference in timing of calls." (TNS) A west-suburban law enforcement agency is permanently outfitting its officers with lightweight cameras mounted on their handguns, marking them among the first in the state to adopt the homegrown technology amid calls for transparency in police shootings.Gary Kroells, the police chief for the West Hennepin County Safety Department, which serves Independence and Maple Plain, said that each of his 10 officers will carry the weapon-mounted cameras at a cost of $7,200 significantly less expensive than body cameras. The department tried out the cameras for the past year as part of a pilot project . A few months ago, the Farmington Police Department began carrying the devices.The 3.2-ounce, 3-inch long camera sits in front of the trigger and activates video and audio as soon as an officer pulls the gun from the holster. The gun camera comes with a flashlight to illuminate targets in the dark.Theres very few incidents that happen at the end of a weapon, Kroells said, adding that the cameras wont just capture deadly force encounters, but also provide information as to how and why officers are using their guns. We wanted to provide our officers the opportunity to have the video value of what happens at the end of that weapon, along with transparency for citizens.The cameras are sold by Viridian Weapon Technologies of Maple Plain. It is one of several companies in the United States now marketing gun-mounted cameras to law enforcement agencies. President and CEO Brian Hedeen said 250 departments across the country are testing or working on implementing the cameras, while 10 agencies, including in Arizona and South Carolina, have fully implemented them.Hedeen said the company began researching the technology soon after the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., which caused widespread unrest. Such cameras may have cleared up the controversies surrounding the highly publicized shootings of individuals by police in recent years, including in Minnesota. Last month, Minneapolis city officials released body camera footage in the fatal police shooting of Thurman Blevins the day before the officers were cleared of wrongdoing. St. Paul officials have also pledged to release body camera footage in the shooting of William Billy Hughes. Last year, there were no body cameras or dash cameras activated in the fatal shooting of Justine Damond by Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, who was later charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.Its not going to capture traffic stops and things like that, but if officer-involved shootings are something that a department wants to capture, this is the best tool, Hedeen said.Kroells said body cameras were not cost effective, estimating that buying and operating them for his department would run about $40,000, most of it for collecting and storing the vast amounts of video on a cloud service. He said the department already has audio devices on officers uniforms and cameras on the departments squad cars. The department has never had an officer-involved shooting, he said.Hedeen said thats the allure of his companys technology. Once purchased, theres no incremental cost.Theyre very inexpensive to own, he said. It doesnt change how a department has to operate; you dont have to hire extra staff.Ben Feist, legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, said that in critical incidents its important to have as many video records as possible, but that gun cameras should complement body cameras rather than replacing them.Wed miss a lot of the context that a body camera could provide; the gun camera wont show what led up to the gun unholstering, he said. Lots of types of police conduct or misconduct wont be captured if you dont have the body camera.Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum, a national law enforcement think tank, also said context is important in what footage is gathered.To me its important to know what choices the officer had before he drew the gun, he said.Matthew Plowman, Viridians general counsel, said while its not a scientific study, he had reviewed 100 to 150 cases of officer-involved shootings in 2016 and 2017. In more than half the cases, there was no incident to review before the gun being drawn. He said some of the communities that bought the companys cameras also had body cameras for their officers. Hedeen said the devices have not yet captured an officer-involved shooting.Herman Nixon, chief of the 14-member police department in Williams, Ariz., said last year that he got interested in the cameras after one of his lieutenants saw them at a firearms expo in Las Vegas.Nixon said at the time that his department has not had an officer-involved shooting since 2003, but his officers usually have to draw their guns two or three times a month. (TNS) A cybersecurity firm says a Chinese university probed computer networks of Alaska state departments and businesses during Gov. Bill Walker's trade mission to China in an apparent attempt to "ascertain vulnerabilities and gain illegitimate access."The firm, Recorded Future, published a report on Thursday that said the attack originated from computer infrastructure at Tsinghua University. It named the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and other state departments among the targeted networks. The report says Alaska is not alone as the target of "cyberespionage" from Tsinghua infrastructure, called an elite Chinese university by Recorded Future.But the probing came as Alaska seeks investment from major Chinese-owned companies, including oil company Sinopec, for the $43 billion Alaska LNG project that would export North Slope natural gas in part by pipeline, according to Recorded Future, an Internet technology company based in Massachusetts.Recorded Future suggests the effort was an attempt to give China an upper hand in negotiations with the state. An important part of the trip involved the prospect of a gas pipeline partnership between Alaska and China, Recorded Future says.The Alaska Gasline Development Corp., the state agency leading the negotiations with the Chinese companies, has no evidence hackers breached its system, according to Jesse Carlstrom, an AGDC spokesperson.The report says: "Recorded Future first observed the scanning activity against Alaskan networks in late March, only a few weeks after Gov. Walker announced a trade delegation to China" dubbed Opportunity Alaska .""The activity picked up for a few days prior to the delegation arriving on May 20, 2018, and dropped off as the delegation arrived. Probing of the Alaskan networks remained at low levels until May 28 as the delegation concluded its activities, then ramped up considerably as delegates left China," the report says."The spike in scanning activity at the conclusion of trade discussions on related topics indicates that the activity was likely an attempt to gain insight into the Alaskan perspective on the trip and strategic advantage in the post-visit negotiations," the report says.The cybersecurity firm said the "reconnaissance activity" targeted organizations involved in industries "at the heart of the trade discussions, such as oil and gas."The state's Department of Natural Resources is a key state agency involved in the Alaska LNG project that helps oversee the oil and gas industry.The state's gasline corporation, AGDC, can enter into contracts related to the proposed pipeline and gas processing facilities in consultation with DNR and the Department of Revenue In addition to naming DNR, the report named "state of Alaska government" networks as the target of the probing.AGDC was not specifically named in the report."AGDC is not aware of any cybersecurity breaches," Carlstrom, said in an statement.AGDC employs top-end cybersecurity measures and is taking steps to boost those further, the agency said.It's "in regular contact with the FBI to ensure AGDC cybersecurity is as tight as possible while still allowing for business negotiations to continue efficiently and effectively," Carlstrom said.The agency has said it wants to secure binding agreements with Sinopec, Bank of China and China Investment Corp. before year's end, to help move the project toward construction.Austin Baird, a spokesman for Walker, a strong proponent of an Alaska LNG deal with Chinese companies, did not immediately provide comment to ADN on Thursday morning. Reuters reported the story early Thursday. Michael Schumacher's manager has denied reports the F1 legend is moving to Spain. It was reported this week, and confirmed by the local mayor, that the Schumacher family including the seven time world champion are relocating from Switzerland to a EUR 30 million property in Mallorca -- an island off the Spanish coast. But Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's manager, denied the news. "The Schumacher family is not planning to move to Mallorca," she told Bild newspaper. The report said while it is true that Corinna Schumacher bought the property belonging to Real Madrid president Forentino Perez, it will not be the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver's residence. A spokesman for the Mallorca town of Andratx, meanwhile, said: "Our mayor never said that Michael Schumacher is moving to Mallorca and that we are preparing security measures for his arrival. "Perhaps it was a translation error," he added. "The only thing she (the mayor) mentioned is that Antratx would be prepared if the family decided to move here. In that case, the family would be treated like all other residents." (GMM) With Britains Theresa May still floundering amid a Brexit stalemate, two questions divided left and right politics and polarised each side this week So, Brexit was side-lined this week in the UK national debate. Instead, very heated debates about anti-Semitism and Islamophobia engulfed and divided British politics. The two stars in the Islamophobia and anti-Semitism debates were former foreign secretary Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, both potential rivals to the much-weakened Prime Minister Theresa May. Johnson, who returned to his old trade, as a columnist in The Daily Telegraph, flamed a debate about Islamophobia when he wrote last week an article criticising Denmark, which banned the burka, emphasising that the burka is oppressive and ridiculous, but thats still no reason to ban it, he argued. If he stopped at that there might not have been a row. But then he went on to compare Muslim women in burqas to bank robbers and letterboxes. The article led to widespread ire and condemnations. For many it was ugly and naked Islamophobia, targeting the most vulnerable and defenceless category: women and young girls wearing either voluntarily or under duress what some see as traditional Islamic dress code. Following complaints about Johnsons remarks and choice of words, the Conservative Party is due to decide whether to launch a formal investigation in accordance with its procedures. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) warned May against whitewashing any Tory investigation into Johnsons remarks. In a letter to the prime minister, the organisation said that no one should be allowed to victimise minorities. Tell Mama project, which monitors and reports hate crimes and anti-Muslim violence, has reported an increase in incidents of abuse aimed at women wearing the niqab or hijab over the past week. The organisation thinks there is a direct link between the former foreign ministers comments and an uptick in incidents targeting women who adopt Islamic dress codes. Political Calculation Supporters of Johnson, on the other hand, argued that religious freedom is not more important than freedom of speech and expression. They emphasised that Johnson was entirely within his rights to criticise and disapprove of the burka as a tool of subjugation of Muslim women. They also argued that the burka is not a religious dress, but merely a social and cultural tradition aiming at the subjugation of women in a patriarchal system. Others were on the fence. For them, Johnson missed an opportunity to open a healthy debate about the burka, tolerance, freedom of choice and freedom of speech. It is certainly a debate worth having in Europe today. For them the problem was not the substance of Johnsons article, but its cynical aim and timing as the article came amidst a rise in right wing populist politics in the UK because of the Brexit stalemate. It is worth noting that this is not your traditional British Right, which is less extreme than similar parties in Europe such as the French National Front, or Geert Wilders Dutch Party of Freedom, or the Alternative for Germany (Alternative fur Deutschland, AfD). The new British right-wing populism has a wider agenda than Brexit. It is more nationalistic, Islamophobic and xenophobic. Recent opinion polls have showed an increasing tendency to support a more far right agenda and the rejection of Mays Brexit plan. Some are turning to Boris Johnson as an alternative to May. Mays political vulnerability was exposed by a survey that was conducted by YouGov for The Sunday Times newspaper where only 16 per cent of voters said May is handling the Brexit negotiations well, compared with 34 per cent who said Johnson would do a better job. According to the poll, only one in 10 voters would support the governments proposed Brexit plans if there were a second referendum, while almost half think they would be bad for Britain. The Sunday Times poll found voters were increasingly polarised, with growing numbers alienated from the two main political parties, the Conservatives and Labour. Thirty-eight per cent of people would vote for a new right-wing party that is committed to Brexit, while almost a quarter would support an explicitly far-right anti-immigrant, anti-Islam party, the poll found. Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and US President Donald Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon are in discussions about forming a new right-wing organisation called The Movement aiming to strength far-right parties in Europe. After the burka article row, Sky News conducted a survey in which the majority of Brits said they think describing women in burkas as looking like letterboxes and bank robbers is not racist, while 33 per cent think it is. However, people are split as to whether the former foreign secretary should apologise for his remarks: 45 per cent think he should do so, while 48 per cent think he should not. Almost 60 per cent of participants would support enacting such a ban in the UK, with 26 per cent opposed. So, Johnsons article did not damage his chances if he were to decide in October to challenge the leadership of May. For the supporters of May, Johnsons degrading description was not a gaffe or blunder, but was a cynical political calculation aimed at attracting the right-wing within the Conservative Party and UKIP supporters. And according to opinion polls he succeeded. A Poorly Drafted Definition The storm about Johnsons article was not the only political storm in town. Corbyn has one of his own. But while the row about the burka could potentially benefit Johnson, the row about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is very damaging. There is intense pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to rethink Labours code of conduct on anti-Semitism. The leader of a major trade union, the backbone of Labours support base, called on Labour to adopt in full the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which Corbyn refused to do out of fear that this definition would stifle freedom of speech and expression when it comes to criticising Israeli government policies in occupied Palestine. Corbyns aides said that the IHRA definition is not the problem. But examples of anti-Semitism in the declaration are problematic. They include: Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg by claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavour. They also include: Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. They point to the purpose of the text: to neutralise serious criticism of Israel by stigmatising it as a form of anti-Semitism. According to Geoffrey Bindman, visiting professor of law at University College London and London South Bank University, in an article in The Guardian newspaper, the definition and the examples are poorly drafted, misleading, and in practise have led to the suppression of legitimate debate and freedom of expression. The 11 examples are another matter. Seven of them refer to the State of Israel. This is where the problem arises. Some of them at least are not necessarily anti-Semitic. Whether they are or not depends on the context and on additional evidence of anti-Semitic intent. Clearly, hostility to Jews could be the motivation for criticism of Israel and the fact that Israel identifies itself as a Jewish state no doubt encourages anti-Semites to attack Jews through their association with Israel. It is equally clear, however, that the policies and practices of Israel, a sovereign state, must be open to criticism and debate. A criticism shared by Jacqueline Rose, co-director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, who wrote: No definition is, or should be, sacred. Still less the examples attached to it. In the case of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, the examples were presented as illustrations. Yet it is the exclusion of these examples from Labours code that has unleashed anger against the party. Take the idea that it is anti-Semitic to deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination, for example by claiming that the State of Israel is a racist endeavour as one of these examples. It requires, at the very least, the most scrutiny. The Israeli Knesset recently passed a law making self-determination the sole prerogative of the Jewish people in Israel, and downgrading Arabic from its status as an official language, thereby making a fifth of its population second-class citizens. Some people view the row around anti-Semitism and the Labour Party as an attempt to weaken Corbyn as a potential replacement to May. Brexit cannot be separated from the two bitter debates over anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. It is a sad state of affairs, as Britain needs open and objective debates over these issues. The problem with defining anti-Semitism ON 26 MAY 2016, the 31 member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) issued the Stockholm Declaration, adopting a definition of anti-Semitism. According to the declaration, Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. Working definitions were added to illustrate modern anti-Semitism. Many of these examples have proven controversial. These examples include: -Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (eg gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust). -Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust. -Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations. -Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg, by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour. -Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. -Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. -Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 August 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Islamophobia and anti-Semitism divide British politics Search Keywords: Short link: Nano One Materials has launched a project focused on improving the durability of lithium-ion cathode materials with the support of the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP will support Nano Ones project to develop Coatings for High Durability Lithium ion Battery Cathodes and will contribute up to $349,000 in non-dilutive and non-repayable funds between 1 August 2018 and 31 May 2020. Based on strong market interest, High Voltage Spinel (HVS) will serve as the material of focus for the project as it is both cobalt-free and a strong candidate as cathode material for next-generation solid state batteries. Results from the project will be applied to other high nickel materials including NMC622. The automotive industry is seeking higher levels of energy density to extend the range of electric vehicles. The tradeoff for higher energy densities is reduced levels of material stability and durability. A range of dopants and coatings have been identified that could reduce instability and durability in high energy cathode materials and it is the goal of this project to determine the optimum combination. Nano One currently has active contribution agreements with NRC IRAP, Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Programall programs of the Government of Canada. Combined, these funding sources are projected to extend Nano Ones operating capital into Q1 2020. We are excited to begin a focused effort on the critical challenge of stabilizing high energy cathode materials. We have a proprietary, advantageous and low cost method of applying coatings and dopants to cathode materials and this project will industrialize the process to further differentiate Nano Ones commercial offering. Dan Blondal, CEO Nano One is developing patented technology for the low-cost production of high performance battery materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage and consumer electronics. The processing technology addresses fundamental supply chain constraints by enabling wider raw materials specifications for use in lithium-ion batteries. Some of the more promising cathode materials being developed in labs around the world are using processes with 50 to 100 steps and production cycles of 4-7 days. Nano One says that its technology can use lower grade raw materials and complete a production cycle in less than a day using a three stage process with up to 75% fewer steps. There is less handling, lower cost capital equipment, no waste solvents, 90-95% yield, many fewer failure points, higher safety and flexibility to run different material formulations in a controlled and sealed environment. The process can be configured for a range of different nanostructured materials and has the flexibility to shift with emerging and future battery market trends and a diverse range of other growth opportunities. The novel three-stage process uses equipment common to industry; Nano One has built a pilot plant to demonstrate high volume production and to optimize its technology across a range of materials. The pilot plant is being funded with the assistance and support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) a program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED). Nano One also receives financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). Antoine Westermann at New Yorks Le Coq Rico. Photo: Liz Clayman The chef Antoine Westermann has flown the coop at his poultry-centric bistro Le Coq Rico. Grub got a tip that he was out, and the owners at the restaurant confirmed, via statement, that due to a recent restructuring in management, Antoine Westermann will have a less active role in the New York City outpost, but will remain a stakeholder. Its an unexpected exit. Le Coq Rico landed in New York with a splash in 2016, at the beginning of what has been a resurgence for French cooking in New York. The excitement over Le Coq Rico was for good reason. Westermann is an accomplished chef, who once held three Michelin stars at his now-shuttered restaurant Le Buerehiesel, until he asked for them to be removed. He still runs restaurants in Paris including the original Le Coq Rico, which at both locations takes its poultry focus to very particular (and expensive) levels. The New York outpost also received acclaim for serving excellent versions of classic French desserts that had became unfashionable in this city. Those included the ile flottante, which noted dessert agnostic and Grub Street editor Alan Sytsma called his favorite dish of 2016. However, Le Coq Rico superfans should take note: Guillaume Ginther will continue as executive chef, a role he has held since the restaurants opening. Somalia on Thursday named a new military supreme commander, a deputy head of intelligence services and ahead of presidential security as part of a revamp of security forces to better tackle the Islamist militant threat. Diplomats worry that without strong, corruption-free security forces, al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants could be reinvigorated, destabilising the region and offering a safe haven to other jihadist groups including Islamic State. State-run radio said President Mohamed Abdullahi had appointed Dahir Adan Ilmi as the commander of the Somali National Army, Fahad Yasin as deputy director of the National Intelligence Security Agency. No reason was given for the changes. But the Horn of Africa country has been striving to overhaul its security forces, especially the army, that have drawn accusations of corruption from Somalia's international donors. Last year, the United States suspended food and fuel aid for most of Somalia's armed forces for alleged graft in frustration at the failure of successive Somali governments to build a viable national army. State-run radio said Abdullahi had also appointed Amina Saiid Ali as the director of presidential security. She will be the first woman to hold the position. Somalia has suffered from lawlessness and armed conflict since 1991. Al Shabaab is fighting to oust the Western-backed central government in Mogadishu, which is protected by African Union peacekeepers, and install a government based on its strict interpretation of sharia (Islamic law). The militants have killed thousands of Somalis and hundreds of civilians across East Africa in a decade-long insurgency. Search Keywords: Short link: Sport Skaik among five UAE golfers chase Masters and The Open spot Five leading UAE-based amateur golfers have a chance of claiming a once-in-a-lifetime place at both the Masters and the 150th Open championship, at St Andrews next year, as they line up for a winner-takes-all four days at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) from November 3-6 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Two Chinese academics have proposed a controversial idea to encourage childbirth as their country faces an ageing population: Make people with no or fewer than two children pay into a "maternity fund". The suggestion sparked a furious social media debate in a country whose population has faced drastic family planning policies under the Communist Party, which enforced a one-child policy for decades. The world's most populous country is now seeking to rejuvenate its greying population as concerns mount that an ageing and shrinking workforce could slow down its economy, while gender imbalances could lead to social problems. Beijing loosened the rules in 2016, allowing people to have two children, but childbirths have not increased as much as forecast and there has been speculation the government will further ease restrictions. The two academics made their suggestion in Tuesday's edition of the state-run Xinhua Daily, calling for those below the age of 40 and with fewer than two children should contribute annually to a fund that would offset childbirth costs for others. "When the family has a second child or more, they can apply for relief from the fund as compensation for the income loss the woman and her family sustains during the maternity period," wrote Nanjing University economics professors Liu Zhibiao and Zhang Ye. Amongst several other suggestions, including an expansion of childcare options, the authors proposed that those with fewer than two children could withdraw their money at retirement. The suggestion sparked outrage and mockery on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform. One user quipped: "If the government wants to encourage childbirth, why not make artificial inseminations to make us have quintuplets, or authorise polygamy?" State broadcaster CCTV has also hit back in a scathing online commentary calling the suggestion "unfounded, unreasonable, and inconsistent". "It is contrary to common sense and exposes the lack of professionalism of researchers." China is also slowly emerging from the shadow of the one-child policy, introduced in the late 1970s to cap population growth. Those with multiple children were heavily fined, and some women were forced to undergo abortions. But couples have been in no rush to grow their families since the policy was loosened, with 17.9 million babies born in 2016, just 1.3 million more than in the previous year and half of what was expected, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Births in 2017 even slipped to 17.23 million, well below the official forecast of over 20 million. Search Keywords: Short link: Haiti - Politic : The appointed Prime Minister condemns and disapproves ! Thursday, August 16, the Prime Minister appointed Jean-Henry Ceant condemned in a press note, with the greatest vehemence, the publication on social networks of a video targeting the Haitian Parliament underlining "These calls to violence, against one of the three powers of the State, attack the very foundations of our fragile democracy," recalling that "The ratification of the General Policy of the next Government, the constitutional prerogative of Parliament, must not serve as a pretext for any sector to achieve shady political ends. " He also "condemns and disapproves" all initiatives aimed at weakening of republican institutions. He said to be "aware of the difficult situation, characterized in particular by the high cost of living, the imminence of back to school for vulnerable families" and calls for calm, reiterating his commitment to national unity to bring out "the country of hatred, misery and the rut of underdevelopment". Concluding "No initiative can help the country to break the current stalemate if it is achieved in the serenity, democratic culture, tolerance and live together." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : The United States partner of the Haitian Government in the North This week, United States Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison visited Ouanaminthe in the Northeast Department of. The trip focused on how the U.S. Embassy is supporting Haiti in strengthening border controls through the Border Police (PoliFront), domestic resource mobilization, countering trafficking in persons, and the role of the private sector in economic development along the border region. Ambassador Sison and a U.S. Embassy delegation first visited the Haitian National Polices (HNP) POLIFRONT base in Morne Casse https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25240-icihaiti-morne-casse-inauguration-of-a-solar-installation-for-the-border-police-base.html where the U.S. Embassy through the State Departments INL Bureau has provided funding to IOM to provide materials and training to help establish POLIFRONTs presence in the region. POLIFRONT has already demonstrated its increased capabilities, arresting suspected traffickers and smugglers and prohibiting contraband in the border areas. The U.S. Embassy (INL) is discussing a second agreement with IOM that will allow POLIFRONT to expand to other locations along Haitis border. "The United States is committed to its partnership with Haiti to combat transnational crime and all forms of illicit trafficking," declared Ambassador Sison Subsequently the American delegation visited the General Tax Administration (DGI), the General Administration for Customs (AGD), and Immigration. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Customs Support project, the United States is providing $4 million towards a three-year initiative to modernize Haitian customs service processes for revenue collection, traveler processing and contraband interdiction. USAID and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) are collaborating to support this project, which also provides joint training to both Haitian and Dominican border agents for better control of merchandise movement across the border. Ambassador Sison and the delegation also met with representatives of the Haitian Red Cross, civil society, and the Institut du Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches (IBESR child welfare agency) at the Ounaminthe border to discuss trafficking, child protection, and migration issues. The final stage of the visit focused on the assessment of the role of the private sector at the border at the Industrial Development Company's (CODEVI) industrial park, in Ouanaminthe. Let's recall that in 2010, U.S. Congress passed "The Haiti Economic Lift Program Act" (HELP) to help create sustainable support for Haitis economy by expanding tariff benefits for Haitian textile and apparel exports to the United States. This law works in conjunction with the United States HOPE legislation, which mandated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection provide technical assistance to Haitian Customs. At CODEVI, where Haitian workers produce clothing for the U.S. market, the delegation met with Haitian workers benefitting from HOPE and HELP legislation. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25258-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25240-icihaiti-morne-casse-inauguration-of-a-solar-installation-for-the-border-police-base.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : The CCHD asks the Dominican authorities a 3rd extension of the PNRE A few days before the expiry (August 26, 2018) of the second extension (3 years in total) of the National Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners (PNRE), the Haitian-Dominican Concertation Commission (CCHD), a binational group of Civil society, while welcoming the efforts of the Dominican State in the implementation of the PNRE, asks the Dominican government to reconsider this deadline. The CCHD expresses its deep concern about the expiry of this second extension granted to Haitian migrants registered with the PNRE in order to complete their application for regularization, pointing on the one hand to the failings on the Dominican side in terms of communication and awareness of the people concerned and secondly the deep deficiencies of the Haitian state to provide the necessary identity documents to its citizens, two key factors that leave in uncertainty and the likely threat of evictions after August 26, of tens of thousands of Haitians who are still not regularized. The member organizations of the CCHD signatories of a note sent to the leaders of the two countries at the end of an ordinary Assembly on August 7 and 8 last ( For Haiti : Fondation Zile-Haiti (FZ), Groupe dAppui aux Rapatries et Refugies (GARR), Observatoire de Recherche sur les Rapports Elites-Populations et les Migrations (ORREM), Reseau Frontalier Jeannot Succes (RFJS), Sant Pon Ayiti (SPA) and Service Jesuite aux Migrants Solidarite Fwontalye Haiti (SJM-SFw-Haiti) and for the Dominican Republic : Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico Haitianas (MUDHA), Movimiento Socio Cultural para los Trabajadores Haitianos (MOSCTHA), Centro de Observacion Migratoria y el Desarrollo Social en el Caribe (OBMICA), Centro de Desarrollo Social (CEDESO) and Centro Cultural Dominico Haitiano (CCDH)) recommend to both nations to : "Combine their efforts to revive the work of the bilateral joint commission as soon as the new Haitian government is installed to establish a frank and productive dialogue on the migration issue. Open this high level dialogue space to the formal participation of the island Civil Society through representatives of organizations whose work is dedicated to the different aspects of relations between the two countries." However, at two years of general elections in the neighboring Republic, the "explosive" sensitivity of the file of Haitian migration in Dominican territory, millions of dollars invested in the PNRE and after 3 years of extensions granted to Haitians to regularize (in addition ot the 15 months of the PNRE), ont can doubt, except a miracle, that the Dominican Republic grants a new deadline or a moratorium to this program, that it affirms, for several months, want to close definitively on August 26th. Especially since the arguments on the lack of the Haitian State to document its citizens so that they can regularize, have existed for more than 4 years and date well before the establishment of this Plan of regularization, without ever having found solution for Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25236-haiti-social-nearly-200-000-haitians-risk-being-expelled-from-dr.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25188-haiti-dr-a-little-more-than-80-000-haitians-deported-or-turned-back-in-7-months.html PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Breakdown of fuel supply "It's been 8 days since DINASA's retailers do not receive Gasoline. What is the real reason for this breakup ?" wonders the National Association of Distributors of Petroleum Products. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25219-haiti-news-zapping.html FENAMH conditions its support to the PM The National Federation of Mayors of Haiti (FENAMH) conditions the support of its members to the Prime Minister named Jean Henry Ceant to a reduction of 50% of the budget of the Executive and Parliament for the benefit of the 140 communes and the 572 communal sections. Mirlande Manigat available for the new Government As part of an inclusive government, Mirlande Manigat said that she was available and willing if she was called upon and the function proposed corresponded to her skills. Gedeon recognizes the increase of insecurity Thursday in front of the Senate Michel-Ange Gedeon the Director General of the PNH recognized that the insecurity knows a recrudescence in the departments of the South and Nippes. Senate : Commission of analysis of the documents of PM Thursday, a special commission charged to analyze the documents of the Prime Minister named Mr. Jean Henry Ceant, was formed following the plenary session in the Senate, informs Joseph Lambert, President of the Upper House. The Commission is made up of Senators : Onondieu Louis, Wilfrid Gelin, Pierre Francois Sildor, Carl Murat Cantave, Jean Renel Senatus, Dieudonne Luma Etienne, the majority of whom are from the majority party (PHTK) and allies, and a member reserved for the group of 4 opposition senators (absent during the formation of the Commission). No date has been set for the start of work, although many agree that the analysis of documents could begin this Friday. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25258-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25183-haiti-politic-presentation-of-the-prime-minister-appointed-to-the-national-palace.html PM increases consultations Thursday, in the framework of the consultations engaged with the sectors of the national life around the elaboration of its statement of General Policy and the formation of the ministerial cabinet, Jean Henry Ceant, the appointed Prime Minister pursues the consultations and met during the day the leaders of the Political Party Fusion of the Haitian Social Democrats (FUSION), the National Federation of Mayors of Haiti (FENAMH) and the Union of Transporters for the modernization of Transport in Haiti (UTMTH / SOPLH). HL/ HaitiLibre (Reuters) U.S. entrepreneur and cryptocurrency investor Michael Terpin filed a $224 million lawsuit on Wednesday against telecommunications company AT&T (T.N), accusing it of fraud and gross negligence in connection with the theft of digital currency tokens from his personal account. In a 69-page complaint filed with the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Terpin alleged that on January 7, 2018, the tokens were stolen from him through what he alleged was a digital identity theft of his cellphone account. In the complaint, he said AT&T was his service provider. To read this article: Yes, its absolutely clear that the signs are there, he stated to Uusi Suomi on Thursday. The signs of emerging suburban gangs that were observed in Sweden 10 years ago can be observed in Finland today, says Kai Mykkanen (NCP), the Minister of the Interior. Finland, he affirms, can nonetheless avoid the fate of its western neighbour by making the right investments in preventive efforts. I do believe and hope we can learn from how the situation developed in Sweden and respond to it earlier than Sweden, he added. Sweden has been struggling to stop the escalation of violence between rival gangs in suburban neighbourhoods with high unemployment and other social problems. Gangs, for example, are believed to have been involved in the torching of scores of cars in Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, on Monday, according to Reuters. Antti Hyyrylainen, a detective superintendent at the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP), told MTV on Thursday that a total of 900 people are estimated to be affiliated with the roughly 90 criminal groups that are active in Finland. New groups, however, are popping up on a monthly basis, according to him. Mykkanen revealed to Uusi Suomi he is intent on proposing in this months budget session that the number of police officers assigned to high-risk neighbourhoods be increased and that multi-professional co-operation be stepped up. If we think about the fact that we currently have 7,200 police officers, I admit that I think too small a share of them have been assigned to preventing young people from being caught in a spiral of crime. We have to have the courage to shift our internal focus a few notches towards efforts to prevent gang development among young people, he said. More resources will of course be needed to put such a strategic shift into motion, added Mykkanen. He called particular attention to the significance of police officers being genuinely present in high-risk neighbourhoods, visiting local schools and, overall, being well known to both local residents and social workers. I think its more important that neighbourhood police can intervene in the escalation of drug use among a certain group of people or grab the knife from a young persons hand before its used to stab someone, than it is to solve the theft of someones Toyota in two instead of three months, he said. Mykkanen also reminded that the situation remains markedly different from that in Sweden. If we let the situation escalate to a point where theres ethnic segregation, thatd be a fertile breeding ground for hopeless young people joining criminal gangs. Thats something we have to try to reduce, he warned. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi This is a question of justice and employment. The family members of business owners who work for the company without having any ownership interest in it must have access to the same unemployment security as wage earners, he underscored in his blog on Tuesday . Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre) has reiterated his calls for measures to improve unemployment security for the non-owning family members of business owners. The unemployment security act, he pointed out, is currently the only piece of legislation that does not consider employees who work for a business owned by their co-inhabitant as wage earners. The Federation of Finnish Enterprises has according to him estimated that the number of people who work for a family business owned by their co-inhabitant without having an ownership interest in the company stands at roughly 22,000. If the family members of business owners had the same right as others to unemployment security, it would clarify the system and make it more equal, encourage the hiring of family members, and thereby increase employment and add to both social security contributions and tax revenues, wrote Sipila. He expressed his concern about the lack of unemployment security for the family members of business owners also ahead of the parliamentary elections of 2015. I have received messages from business owners about their family members and unemployment security. In practice, it is very difficult for the family member of a business owner to be eligible to unemployment security, he wrote in September 2014. The Finnish government announced after its framework session last spring it will improve the realisation of the right of business owners' non-owning family members to earnings-based unemployment security. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Roni Rekomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Alkos monopoly wont be torn down during my ministerial term, she retorts. The Finnish government may be in for a fierce political battle over the distance sales of alcohol this autumn, but the battle will not jeopardise the retail monopoly of Alko, declares Annika Saarikko (Centre), the Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services. If the parties have other kinds of aspirations, questions of such magnitude should be brought up when drafting the government programme. The debate over the need to overhaul the distance sales of alcohol heated up in the summer following the leak of a draft bill submitted to the European Commission by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The draft would prohibit the distance sales of beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 2.8 per cent. The draft bill has stirred up concerns especially among the National Coalition. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi (JTA)-Gal Gadot is close to a deal to star in a limited series about Hedy Lamarr, the film actress who also was an inventor. The Israeli star of the 2017 megahit "Wonder Woman" also will executive produce the limited series, reportedly for Showtime, with her husband and producing partner Yaron Varsano, according to Variety. Lamarr, a Jewish native of Austria, was credited with creating a prototype for a frequency-hopping signal during World War II that could help the Allies disrupt radio-controlled torpedoes. She is better known for her acting in films such as "Algiers" (1938), "Boom Town" (1940), "I Take This Woman" (1940), "Come Live With Me" (1941) and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). A documentary film about the actress, "Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story," ran on PBS in May. Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, is the daughter of a Ukrainian Jewish father and a mother from an upper-class Jewish family in Budapest, though her mother said she converted to Catholicism. She had a brief early film career in Czechoslovakia starring in the controversial "Ecstasy," in which she appeared nude. The film was banned in the United States. Hedy Lamarr Sarah Treem and Warren Littlefield also would executive produce the Lamarr series. Gadot is filming "Wonder Woman 1984," which is scheduled for release in November 2019. She will star opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a new action-comedy heist thriller called "Red Notice" about an Interpol agent who sets out to find the most wanted art thief in the world, scheduled to be in theaters in 2020. Gadot also has been linked as star and producer to a film based on a recent Politico article by Peter Kornbluh titled "My Dearest Fidel: A Journalist's Secret Liaison With Fidel Castro," which details how ABC journalist Lisa Howard helped establish a secret channel between Cuba and Washington after the Cuban missile crisis. Jerusalem, the true capital... I read this in a current issue of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest and pass it along to you: "BETTY EHRENBERG, executive director of the WJC, North America, joined with 70 other leaders from the Jewish and Christian communities in the U.S. and Latin America to meet with Guatemalan President JIMMY MORALES in Guatemala to show support for his decision to move the Guatemalan Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guatemala was the first country to follow in the footsteps of the United States. 'I feel very honored to be part of such a special mission in Guatemala to express our gratitude to President Morales, ' said Ehrenberg. 'We are here working together with the Latin Coalition for Israel, the American Jewish community and Jewish and Christian leaders, celebrating understanding and mutual respect, and hoping that there are more countries that will follow the example of Guatemala.' Guatemala was among the first countries to recognize the State of Israel in 1948 and was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with the new nation. The Guatemalan Embassy was formerly located in Jerusalem, until the U.N. Security Council called upon all member states to move their diplomatic missions to Tel Aviv in 1980, following Israel's passage of a law proclaiming Jerusalem its 'indivisible and eternal capital.'" Remembering Jewish history... On July 25, 1994, the first public meeting between King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin took place in Washington, D.C. Out of this meeting emerged the Washington Declaration, signed by both parties and witnessed by U.S. President BILL CLINTON. The major achievements of the Washington Declaration were a series of agreements and concrete steps symbolizing the new era: the state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel was terminated; both states agreed to seek a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338; Israel will respect the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom over Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem. JCC39ers Cinema Sunday... On Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. in The Roth Family JCC Senior Lounge, the movie "Mao's Last Dancer," with BRUCE GREENWOOD will be shown. Refreshments will be available. More JCC39ers... On Monday, Aug. 20 at 12:30 p.m. in the Senior Lounge, there will be an indoor picnic. "This long-time favorite event will feature a menu of Kosher hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, an assortment of appropriate condiments, dessert and hot & cold beverages. The cost for 39ers is $5, guests of 39ers, $7. Your payment is your reservation. Contact DORA at 407-830-5192 or CLAIRE at 407-699-0956 to sign up. Don't miss this event which will bring back memories of the good old summertime (but minus the heat, ants and rain!)" (Don't forget the lightning and thunder!) A great guy... HOWARD FRIEDMAN is running for Circuit Court Judge in Orange and Osceola County and needs your vote! Early voting begins Aug. 18-25th. Election Day is coming soon on Aug. 28, 2018. Howard has a wealth of experience having been an attorney for over 30 years serving the last 13 years as an award-winning general magistrate and previously serving on CRJ's Board of Trustees. The son of ELAINE and the late Herbert Friedman (who helped establish Temple Beth Am), Howard has been married to his lovely wife, ANNETTE SCHULTZ, for 25 years and they have 3 terrific children, AUSTIN, ALLY and DYLAN. (Howard is a great guy and a devoted member of our Jewish community.) And speaking of "Great"... The description "great"also belongs to a gal I've known for many decades (I'm not that elderly... or maybe I am?) I wrote about JOY GOFF-MARCIL, Candidate for FL House District 30, recently but forgot to include her website Joy was raised in Maitland where she attended Lake Sybelia Elementary, Maitland Junior High, and graduated from Winter Park High School. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Florida State University and played flute with the world renowned Marching Chiefs during her four years at FSU. Joy received a juris doctorate from the Stetson University College of Law, and has been an active member of the Florida Bar Association since 1993. Her private law practice focuses mainly on wills and probate. Working as the District 8 regional coordinator for the "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" program through the Florida Department of Health, she implemented, and was the lead coordinator of, the "Walking School Bus" program at Lake Sybelia Elementary for four years. The "Walking School Bus" promotes physical health and traffic safety as the children walk through neighborhoods to school. Her work with the state helped inspire her to run for Council in 2013, and she was re-elected in 2016 unopposed. Joy has been a member of the Parent-Teacher Association for years and has volunteered hundreds of hours of service to Orange County Public Schools. She is a founding member and served on the Executive Committee of the Learning and Cultural Committee of the Maitland Public Library. Working with the Maitland Public Library and the Winter Park Health Foundation's Healthy Central Florida program, she helped develop the Healthy Maitland Thursday morning walks. These walks are sponsored and promoted by the Maitland Public Library. She is a Democrat running for Florida House District 30. Joy is married to RICH MARCIL PhD, licensed psychologist, and together they have three children with one each at Edgewater High, University of Central Florida, and University of Florida. Joy enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, and cheering her children on at chorus concerts, video production events, and softball games. (I love Joy and for good reason. She is simply the best!) Speaking of politics... I recently received this message from BILL KAHN and pass it along to you: "Gloria, I thought your readers might be interested in my video series, since lying seems to have become the norm for many people. Unfortunately, what they say can significantly affect one's life. Consequently, I have put together a five-part video series on how to detect people who are lying, by analyzing the statements they make, how they use words and what their face and body reveal. In Youtube enter the words "Recognizing Deception Series" and then search for it. Yitzhak Raibin (Lying seems to be the "order of the day.") One for the road... Abe's father is a widower and a multi-millionaire. He also has a terminal illness and is likely to pass away soon. Abe, a single man, decides he needs a woman with whom to enjoy his soon-to-be-received fortune and where better to find one than in a single's bar. With luck, on his first visit, Abe meets Rifka, a woman whose beauty literally takes his breath away. "I'm just a standard kind of a nice guy," he says to her, "but in a week or two's time my dear father is expected to die and I'll inherit over $20 million." Rifka goes home with Abe and the following day becomes his stepmother. (Think about it!) When Longwood's Vicky Countess sent her third and youngest son off to college in 2013, the full-time mom and part-time educator/office manager felt she had more to give. Fortunately, her husband, Ken, was an avid volunteer with Take Stock in Children, a nonprofit Florida organization that provides deserving low-income students with opportunities for success. Countess learned the program, which offers students college scholarships and volunteer mentors, was recruiting volunteers to mentor freshmen students for just one hour per week. Countess realized that her background as a committed parent and community volunteer made her a perfect candidate for mentorship. She knew the layout of Lyman High School, her youngest son's alma mater, as well as a good number of the teaching as well as guidance staff. As an involved mother, Countess was familiar with the college preparatory process, including when to sign up for the PSATs, as well as when to start preparing college registration forms. Ensuring she had the ability to commit the time was Countess' only hesitancy in joining the program. Then she took stock in the three sons she and Ken raised together. There never had been a doubt that university life was in their future. Without further hesitation, Countess picked up the phone and got in touch with a TSIC supervisor who helped match her with a student from Lyman High. The mentor-student couple was paired based on similar interests, geographical convenience and familiarity. Countess attended an orientation program that gave her additional readiness for addressing the general needs of her student: improving grades, preparing for college, career planning, and developing life skills. Not long after her training, Countess was paired with Michele Velez, who was being raised by a single mom, and would be the first generation in her family to attend college. Countess recalled the first meeting as being 'somewhat awkward.' Though Velez was respectful, she was extremely shy and hesitant to open up. "It was almost a full school year before a natural rapport was built," commented Countess. "I realized that relationship building was a process, and that good relationships take work. I just kept showing up, and eventually the walls came down. Four years later, Michele and I regularly text, phone and even video conference to keep in touch." Velez agreed that though some moments were slow going, each time the pair met, a connection was formed. In a heartwarming letter to Countess, Velez penned, "I remember, since the first day we met, you welcomed me with open arms and I always felt comfortable sharing how my day had gone and never hesitated in asking you for help with something. You helped ease my transition into high school, making sure I was on track since the very first day." Countess describes her role as guiding hand, with a dose of "Jewish mom" sprinkled in. While Velez had a loving mother, Amalia Velez, mentorship made room for an additional listening ear, as well as 'personalized guidance counseling.' With English spoken as a second language at home, Countess helped make sure that necessary information didn't slip through the cracks. "In the first few years of our relationship, we would regularly review her grades online," Countess commented. "I helped monitor her progress and attendance, and together we made sure Michele was gaining the criteria necessary for the (TSIC) program requirements as well as for college acceptance." Understanding that Velez would need volunteer hours to qualify for the Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship, Countess encouraged her to spend her community service hours in a place where she might have career interest. Florida Hospital Altamonte accepted Velez's application to volunteer, and after donating her time over several years, the high schooler decided she would like to become a registered nurse. Countess continued to encourage Velez by introducing her to additional opportunities offered by TSIC. With stellar grades, membership in the National Honor Society, and a strong volunteer background, Countess encouraged her to apply for a scholarship through Leaders for Life, a fellowship program that enables highly motivated TSIC scholars to excel in a university environment with scholarships and other awards. "After a very selective process which included the making of a personalized video and submitting an original essay, I was so proud when Michele was chosen for this prestigious award," Countess shared. "Sponsored by the Asofsky Family Foundation in partnership with Take Stock in Children, the Leaders for Life program will help Michele leave college unburdened by debt." The young winner was also awarded a computer, as well as an opportunity to attend a three-day workshop each year. Of course, Countess was there when Velez received the award in Tallahassee. She added, "Michele was grinning from ear to ear when she had an opportunity to meet the governor. The opportunities available to these kids from Take Stock in Children are amazing." Through the Leaders for Life scholarship, the TSIC scholarship, Bright Futures program, and other funds, Velez will leave college with no outstanding debt. Countess' proudest moments were being with Velez when she learned of her college acceptances during her senior year. After four years together, the pair and Velez's mom, Amalia, had grown close, and developed a familial-like bond. With a 3.96 GPA and host of high school activities, Velez was accepted to each college to which she applied. As Velez learned of each acceptance, screams and hugs rang through the corridors as mentor and student celebrated four years of commitment to one another, as well as the teamwork that helped create a college bound success story. Ultimately, Velez chose to attend FIU in South Florida because of their strong nursing program and international flavor. "Over the years the word 'mentor' has gained a new meaning for me," said Velez. "After knowing Vicky, I connect it to friendship, laughter, success, and guidance. Vicky reflects all the values of Take Stock in Children and I have never been gladder in my life to be assigned to a program with her as my mentor." This fall the mentor-student relation between the Countess and Velez families will carry on, this time through the next generation. Vicky's eldest son, Julian, lives nearby FIU's campus, and along with his girlfriend, Ada, who is a nurse anesthetist, has promised to lend a guiding hand to Velez. Vicky Countess (l) celebrates Michele Velez's induction into the National Honor Society. Take Stock in Children is looking for mentors for the Class of 2022. Mentor recruiting is well under way for 25 incoming scholars. If you know someone who would make a great TSIC mentor, Beth Arrigo would love the opportunity to tell them about Take Stock. Referrals for the next great mentor can be sent to Beth Arrigo at arigobz@scps.k12.fl.us. Take Stock in Children of Florida was established in 1995 as a nonprofit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income youth/students, many from minority families, to escape the cycle of poverty through education. TSIC offers students college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors and hope for a better life. Comprehensive services start in middle school, continue through high school and include the transition into college. For more information visit http://www.takestockinchildren.org/. Pamela Ruben is managing director of "Ruben Writes," a specialist on aging in the media, a grant writer, teacher, college essay specialist, and author. Contact Pam at PamelaWritingTeacher@gmail.com. As of early Thursday morning, Hamas has fired about 150 rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, the IDF stated. The IDF retaliated by targeting a number of sites used by the Hamas and other terror organizations operating in Gaza. Since Wednesday evening, the Iron Dome has intercepted 25 rockets. The Eshkol Regional Council said early Thursday morning that a 30-year-old woman was seriously injured when a rocket hit a greenhouse where she was working. Prof. Yochanan Pfizer, deputy director of Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, told Army Radio that her life is in danger. Another person was moderately injured. A senior IDF officer told Ha'aretz that Israel is on the verge of a major military operation in Gaza. "The end of another night of escalation is not in sight," the unnamed officer said. "Hamas chose to step away from the [ceasefire] arrangement and now it will pay the price for its violations over the past four months. Hamas is about to be dealt a major blow for its decision." The officer did not rule out the possibility that a number of communities in the south would be evacuated up to four kilometers from the border. The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said that a 23-year-old woman and her one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl were killed by an IDF attack in the center of Gaza Strip, according to Ha'aretz. The father was seriously injured. In all, the health ministry said that three Palestinians have been killed as of early Thursday morning. IDF strikes back Early Thursday morning, IDF fighter jets targeted over 100 of Hamas' strategic military sites. The strikes took place in 10 Hamas military compounds throughout the Gaza Strip, including manufacturing facilities, training complexes and advanced-weapons and capability sites. Among the targets were: Hamas headquarters in Jabalia, including dozens of military sites; a military compound used by the commander of northern Gaza City, which included a maritime tunnel; a Hamas outpost used by the Jabalia Battalion for urban warfare and underwater training; a military compound of the Zaytun battalion used to store weapons and for terror tunnel digging; a military compound of the East Jabalia Battalion used for training in urban warfare and the site of a shaft leading to an terror tunnel complex; a Hamas base in the northern Gaza Strip used for urban warfare training and rocket launching; a compound of the Jabalia Battalion used for training and meetings of senior battalion commanders; a military compound used by Hamas to store weapons and explosives. The site used to be home to rocket launching dugouts; and a Hamas military compound used by the Deir al-Balah Battalion, which is the site of a current tunnel digging operation. Hotel becomes terror center The IDF said that these strikes were conducted in response to the rockets launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel over the course of the evening and into the early morning hours. "Hamas is responsible for the events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it and will bear the consequences for its actions against Israeli civilians and sovereignty," the IDF said. "The IDF condemns terror activity and is prepared for a wide variety of scenarios while continuing to fulfill its mission to defend Israeli civilians." According to the IDF, a factory used to manufacture parts for terror tunnels was intended to be used as a hotel but was overtaken by the Hamas terror organization in 2012. The factory manufactures parts for terror tunnels under the guise of civilian infrastructure. The IDF spokesman said that "in 2012, during Operation Pillar of Defense, senior Hamas members used the building as shelter, believing the IDF would not target a civilian hotel construction site. In this building, Hamas terrorists continued to plan fighting and command rocket launching units. "Months later, in 2013, Hamas took over the site entirely, blocked the entrance and began establishing a concrete factory under the guise of a civilian construction site. The factory manufactured concrete parts designed exclusively for terror tunnels, including reinforcements, flooring, and concrete arches, which have no civilian use. "Hamas operated engineering vehicles in the site, and loaded the parts clandestinely onto trucks covered with tarp, to be delivered to digging sites across the Gaza Strip. The factory stopped producing concrete during Operation Protective Edge (2014), but continued serving Hamas' war efforts-rocket launchers were placed in its vicinity and Hamas operatives resided in the site during the fighting. "The launch sites were dug adjacent to the structure, again believing it would not be an IDF target due to its civilian appearance. During the operation, four rockets were launched at Israel. Immediately after this, the factory resumed its regular activity and has continued to be a source of concrete parts for Hamas' terror tunnels. The open areas around the factory were also considered a "closed military zone" and Hamas used them to practice short and medium range rocket launching and briefly operated a tunnel digging workshop there. "The IDF strike was conducted in response to the shots fired at civilian engineering vehicles earlier today, and the multiple rockets launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory this evening. The Hamas terror organization continues to target IDF troops, security infrastructure, and Israeli civilians." "Leadership" was the word of the day when friends and supporters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando gathered Aug. 5 for the nonprofit's 2018 Annual Meeting. New leadership for the Federation Board of Directors was approved, 10 newly minted Bornstein Leadership Development Program graduates were introduced, and four of the community's outstanding Jewish leaders were honored with awards during the event on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. The program was emceed by board members Jeannie Leavitt and Ming Marx. In a unanimous vote, the following individuals were elected to serve as officers of the Federation board for the 2018-2020 term: President: Brad Jacobs; Vice President: Ming Marx; Treasurer: Danielle Krise; Secretary: Carol Feuerman At-large board member Yeosh Bendayan was elected to another term. Rhonda Forest will assume the role of immediate past president upon completion of her current role as JFGO's acting executive director. In his 2018 President's Report, Jacobs announced that the Federation, working in conjunction with The Roth Family JCC, is launching a community-wide demographic study and needs assessment. "This will be the first comprehensive analysis of our Jewish community in more than two decades," Jacobs said. "The study is being funded exclusively by donors who are enthusiastic about vision planning and our future." Jacobs also reported that JFGO's Campus 2020 Debt Retirement Campaign remains on track to eliminate the Maitland campus debt by 2020. As of August, the debt stands at $2.8 million, he said, compared with $5.8 million when the campaign began. Federation is still working on the sale of a vacant campus building to a memory-care facility. That sale is now in the contract stage, he said, and a completed sale would significantly reduce the remaining campus debt. Jacobs also went into detail about JFGO's programmatic activities in the community over the past year as outlined in the Federation's 2018 Impact Report. A copy of the report is online at http://www.jfgo.org/impact. As previously announced in the Heritage, Roz Fuchs was honored as this year's Human Service Award winner. In presenting the award, last year's honoree, Sara Stern, outlined Fuchs' myriad accomplishments in service to the Greater Orlando Jewish community, including her work spearheading the successful 2017-18 Kehillah exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center. Loren London was the winner of this year's Jerome J. Bornstein Leadership Award in recognition of the decades of volunteerism and fundraising she has done for the Federation and for the wider community. London was the driving force behind the creation of Choices, which has become JFGO's largest annual fundraiser. Another of London's signature accomplishments, the RAISE work and social-skills program for adults with special needs, continues to have a growing impact on Jews and non-Jews in Orlando. Presenter Forest lauded London "for all she has done to lift up, inspire and empower so many," adding that "RAISE has created the culture of inclusion and acceptance that was Loren's goal from Day One." This year's Jewish Communal Professional Award was presented to Eric Lightman and Robby Etzkin, executive directors of the Rosen and Roth Family JCCs, respectively. Lightman accepted on behalf of both men. (Etzkin was unable to attend due to an out-of-state commitment). Lightman and Etzkin were honored for their collaborative work in creating the Israel Independence Day Celebration in April at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. "Thanks to the inspiring work of these two men, we are already talking about creating more events that expand our reach beyond the Jewish community," Forest said, "inviting all of our Orlando neighbors to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and what we have in common." Loren London and Rhonda Forest. The final segment of the meeting was devoted to a discussion about JFed, a group composed of community members and board members of JFGO and The Roth Family JCC that has been meeting regularly to discuss and evaluate potential areas of collaboration between the two organizations. The group's leader, who also led the Annual Meeting discussion, is Dick Appelbaum. Appelbaum said the JFed discussions, which have been taking place for several months but ramped up in early 2018, have been productive, and the group has identified some areas that are suitable for collaboration between the two organizations, such as marketing and some office staff management duties. Appelbaum said the possibility of a full merger between the Federation and JCC has also been discussed in detail, although such a major undertaking would require the approval of both organizations' boards and would likely be a years-long process. Members of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades attend the funeral of six Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades fighters at a cemetery in Deir Al Balah refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 6, 2018. (JNS)-The security escalation in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours shows that Hamas is prepared to take the region to the brink of war, and that it believes it can force new rules of conduct on Israel while paying a minimal price for its aggression. Its actions have placed the region in danger of a major new conflict. Hamas's leadership is dangling the option of a long-term truce before Israel with one hand and firing barrages of rockets at southern Israel with the other, terrorizing hundreds of thousands of Israelis and risking the security of the Gazan civilians it rules over. Why is Hamas doing this? Essentially, it's because its leadership wants to signal to Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority that it is willing to go all the way in its quest to end Gaza's isolation, and that if it cannot get enough money into Gaza to save its regime and military wing, it is willing to drag the area into a new war, whatever the consequences. The latest round of fighting began when a Hamas live-fire demonstration of snipers in Gaza was seen, apparently by mistake, as an attack by the Israel Defense Forces, drawing Israeli tank fire that killed two Hamas gunmen. Hamas swore to revenge their deaths and began rocketing the Israeli south. But the tank-fire incident is more of a secondary catalyst, which acted as a spark in a powder keg. Hamas is gambling on the assumption that Israel, preoccupied with greater threats to the north in the form of Hezbollah and Iranian forces in Lebanon and Syria, will make due with responding with limited airstrikes and seize on the opportunity to de-escalate in Gaza. Hamas is also using this latest escalation to broadcast a dangerous message to the rest of the region: that it is able to control the rules of the "game," and that it can exchange blows with Israel-the strongest regional power around-flood the Israeli south with rockets and walk away to tell the tale. This, Hamas likely believes, will strengthen its narrative and credibility on the Palestinian street. Hamas is also using these events to push other actors into answering its demands to end Gaza's isolation and get money pouring into Gaza again, thereby preventing an economic collapse. But Hamas's brinkmanship can fail for many reasons and blow up in its face. It might push too far, and compel Israel to seize the initiative and launch a major military operation that will end when Jerusalem, not Hamas, decides. Whether or not this happens will be up to the Israeli cabinet and its various, complex calculations over such a maneuver. In addition, Hamas may fail to secure funds for Gaza because it is unable to reach an agreement with its internal enemy, the Palestinian Authority, which in many ways holds the keys to Gaza's economy. As long as the P.A. views Gaza as a renegade rebel Islamist province, which is under an illegitimate government that rose to power in a coup in 2007, it will block efforts by the international community or regional actors to invest in Gaza's economy. The P.A. can get in the way of Egyptian efforts to reach a long-term arrangement to stabilize the situation. The P.A. is demanding that Hamas disband its military wing first-something Hamas will never accept, meaning that the situation is stuck in a stalemate. Hamas's military wing in Gaza, which has evolved into a terrorist army specializing in urban warfare and rocket attacks, is its top priority. Hamas would rather go to war than contemplate the option of disarming. This is one of the signals it appears to be sending through recent incidents. It wants to continue investing huge sums in the military wing, and have others foot the bill for Gaza's civilian needs. Hamas is trying to blackmail Israel and others into accepting this setup. Israel, for its part, will soon have to make critical decisions. Its leaders will either need to decide that the status quo has become intolerable, and that a strategy is needed-based on a combination of military force and diplomacy-to restore calm and restore Israeli deterrence, which has been badly eroded. Alternatively, it may decide to go for a long-term truce. Hamas's aggression is a signal that the middle-ground option of a limited truce that is violated with increasing frequency and severity is becoming untenable. BEIT SHEMESH, Israel (JTA)-Built in the 1990s in part to ease crowding in haredi Orthodox neighborhoods elsewhere in Israel, Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet is both an Orthodox boom town and a site of ongoing tensions between different streams of religious Jews. National-religious Jews have long complained of harassment by members of the haredi community, who style themselves as enforcers of strict codes for dress and conduct. Now there is another front in the simmering battle: several dozen haredi dropouts, young men and women who shed their Orthodox identity in their teenage years and are rejected by many in their former communities. Long simmering tensions between haredim and teenage dropouts recently erupted in violence, necessitating police intervention in a city known throughout Israel as a microcosm of the religious kulturkampf being waged across the country. Most of the teens hang out in a shopping center on Rival Street, a few minutes walk from the more religiously moderate and Americanized Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph. On July 16, a haredi mob attacked a teenage girl. In a video of the incident posted online and shared widely on social media, the girl could be seen running down Nahar Hayarden, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, chased by what appears to be dozens of men in black hats and black coats who could be heard screaming about her allegedly immodest attire. Less than a week later, shortly after the end of the Tisha b'Av fast, a second incident led to clashes between residents and several dozen teenagers who had gathered in the neighborhood. The police were called and several teens were arrested. "I saw the girls come to the square and the extremists were here and suddenly I heard yelling and saw the haredim chasing the girls," recalled Rudi, a 17-year-old dropout who hangs out on the corner of Rival Street. "The cops didn't do anything. They call the cops every time we sit." Others had a different perspective on that evening. "It was like a pogrom," said Avner Steinhalt, one of the small number of non-haredi residents left in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet. "It was one of the worst nights in this neighborhood." He recalled how tensions rose higher and higher during the days leading up to the Tisha b'Av fast day in July. Several days before the fast, a fight erupted between haredim and the teenagers, leading to the hospitalization of one of the teens. Finally, on the evening after the fast, some 60 young people gathered "to have revenge on the haredim." They found a small synagogue on Rival Street and "destroyed everything," Steinhalt said. "Then they went out and started to hit some people in the road even though they did nothing." Videos of that evening posted online show a thin line of police separating howling mobs of teens and haredim. It wasn't the first time. According to Steinhalt, a month and a half before the big Tisha b'Av brawl, the local "modesty patrol" attacked a group of teens hanging out outside a local falafel shop. "The trigger that started it? They [the teens] had a dog, a small dog that barks, and they said something wrong to one of the ladies in the neighborhood and the husband came" and challenged them "and it escalated," Steinhalt said. While not afraid himself, Steinhalt said that his wife and daughters no longer walk alone at night because "they are afraid that something could happen to us." The teens can be aggressive, too. "They [usually] sit on the bench there near the falafel place," he said "The main problem is shouting at night. They speak loudly and speak to girls, harassing the haredi girls passing by." The city, 19 miles west of Jerusalem, has long been known as a flashpoint. It rose to national prominence in 2011 when local extremists began harassing and spitting on young national-religious girls attending a school on territory they claimed belonged to the haredi community. The differences between the camps may not be apparent to outsiders: Both are Orthodox, but haredi Orthodox tend to be more insular, non-Zionist and less forgiving of even slight deviations from their strict interpretation of Jewish law, including street attire. Haredi men, who are often but not exclusively members of various Hasidic movements, wear distinct black garb and hats. The women wear skirts, long-sleeve tops and head coverings that leave neither their hair nor much more than their hands and faces uncovered. Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush's car was mobbed in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet in April. Several months earlier a soldier driving through the city crashed into a lamppost after his car was pelted with stones and trash. Last month, a local extremist was arrested for breaking a woman's iPhone. Haredi residents complain that the teens have caused problems, harassing local residents and making noise late into the night. "Some families in the area don't take care of their kids. They're problematic," said Alexander, a local Hasid who claimed that the teens have broken windows, scared children with dogs and "sit around and yell in public squares until 3 in the morning." "They cause both spiritual and material problems," he said. "They don't act haredi. People pay a lot to live in a haredi neighborhood and they don't behave well or act haredi in the street." Moshe, a short Hasid with a bushy blond beard, agreed, telling JTA that residents have worked hard to create an environment free of smartphones and the internet. The teens, he said, sit around watching movies and showing what he believed to be inappropriate content to religious children. "We are fighting for our neighborhood," he said. According to Shlomit Kapach, founder of U'Vneh, a group dedicated to family rehabilitation, the local municipality has hampered efforts to reach out to the city's street kids. She accused the head of the local welfare department of refusing to refer young men to Meitar, a Welfare Ministry program run through her group that is aimed at providing them with activities and treatments. Eventually, Kapach said, she gave up on the city's cooperation. One of the primary teenage rioters in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet was a former participant in her program, she said, describing him as "very broken" by the lack of continuing help. "The continued decline to the street was an inevitable step," Kapach said. Down the block from Alexander and Moshe, Nachman, a young man wearing skinny jeans, a T-shirt and Hasidic sidelocks, sat on a bench outside the falafel store playing with his smartphone. He was skeptical of the Hasidic men's claims. "The extremists are looking for problems," he said. "They are angry that there is a family with a dog. There are some teens who make problems that come here, but most are quiet." While the haredim claim that the teens are the biggest problem, some parents contend that the main issue is the extremists among the former. Sivan Ruschinek is a member of the Chabad Hasidic movement who fled Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet two years ago after years of harassment by extremists. Hasidim from other movements would follow her daughters down the street screaming about modesty because the girls were wearing skirts they considered not long enough and declined to tie their hair in a ponytail. "This went on for three years that they were harassing us. And each time it got worse and worse to the point that they put glue in our lock so we couldn't close or open our door," Ruschinek said. "They wrote on our entrance next to our door 'get out of our neighborhood.'" She recalled one incident in which an extremist behaved so aggressively that her 8-year-old daughter fainted in the street. "We left to save our family and the sanity of the kids," Ruschinek said. Her 19-year-old daughter Shaina told a similar story, describing her time in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet as torturous. "It was like going out of the house and feeling like I'm in Gaza," Shaina said. "I don't have words to tell you how bad it felt living there. There was always fear. The fear came out as soon as I went out the door. Will he scream at me or spit or hit or run after me? All the time." Since last month's upheaval things have mostly calmed down, although the underlying tensions are still bubbling under the surface. Rudi, the 17-year-old dropout, believes it can be partly attributed to the vandalism of the synagogue. While he denied taking part in the incident, Rudi did voice a certain level of approval, stating that the haredim "now understand they can't do what they want" with impunity. According to Steinhalt, the non-haredi living in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, the local haredi-dominated municipality has "done nothing" for the teens, failing to engage them in programs that would get them off the street. A city spokesman, Mati Rozensweig, contests the claim. In a statement to JTA, Rozensweig asserted that "the residents of Beit Shemesh live with great security and quality of life," and that the municipality was working "on a number of levels" to fix the problem, although he declined to offer any details. Steinhalt believes that the very nature of the haredi community's separatist lifestyle virtually ensures continued conflict. "The problem isn't haredim or Zionists," he said. "It's a problem between two ways of living, one in which we don't want someone who isn't like us and one where we welcome everyone even if he [doesn't follow] in our ways. "Most of the secular kids aren't doing anything that bad," Steinhalt said, "but even sitting on the street is bad" to the haredim. Kinneret I (KI), Kinneret II (KII) and Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA) recently held its annual meeting and also inducted a new board member. The annual board meeting was held on May 9, 2018 at Kinneret Apartments, 515 South Delaney Avenue, Orlando, Florida. The annual board of directors meeting included the approval of the budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and board member elections. Nominated and approved to join the KI, KII and KCOA Board of Director's was Joanne Kane, a long-standing resident of the area and former assistant executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. Kane has been active throughout the community including at Ohev Shalom, Super Sunday and Jewish Family Services. Kane came to know Kinneret through her position at the Federation and after an 8-year hiatus from engagement, was looking to get involved where she could be part of a legacy that continues to bring services and programs to seniors in Central Florida. "I wanted to make an impact on the overall community, get my hands dirty and make a difference," Kane stated. Her interest was peaked when she understood the hands-on dynamics of the KI, KII and KCOA boards and its reach into the community, beyond just the Jewish community. "We are excited to have Joanne join the KI, KII and KCOA boards," stated Rhonda Pearlman, KI/KII president. "She is a pillar in our community and brings her knowledge and forward thinking to our boards," said Carol Feuerman, KCOA president. Kane is married to Stephen Kane and has two daughters, Erika and Aly. She is also an avid cyclist, having enjoyed many rigorous bike trips around the globe. Kinneret Apartments, located in downtown Orlando, provides subsidized housing to 280 independent seniors. For information on the facility or to find out how you can donate to KCOA, please go to http://www.kinneretliving.org or contact Sharon F. Weil at 407-425-4537. (JNS)-An incendiary kite landed in an Israeli vineyard in Samaria on Monday, starting an arson fire. The kite landed in the Tura Winery near Mount Gerizim in Samaria, close to the Tomb of Joseph, the biblical son of Jacob whose bones were buried in Israel following the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Though a fire was started, it was quickly extinguished and harm to the vineyard was prevented. According to Hadashot news, Palestinians in Judea and Samaria have begun utilizing the terrorist ploy invented by their counterparts in Gaza. In the last four months, hundreds of terrorist arson fires have been started by Gazans inside Israel through the use of flaming kites and balloons. More than 7,400 acres of agricultural and nature preserve lands have been burned, causing millions of shekels in damage. Just this week, 200 beehives belonging to Israeli farmers were destroyed and the bees killed, causing the loss of all their honey just weeks before the Rosh Hashanah holiday, in which honey is featured prominently. Last month, a fire balloon was found in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem, next to the Palestinian Authority-controlled Beit Jala and Bethlehem. (JNS)A new poll of Palestinians shows that more than 60 percent agree that the Palestinian Authority should not engage in negotiations with Israel mediated by the United States, according to results published on Monday. Overseen by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, the poll, which was conducted among 1,200 Arabs from Judea, Samaria and Gaza from June 26 to July 7, revealed that 45.6 percent of Palestinians oppose renewing negotiations with Israel. If presidential elections were held on the day of the survey, more than a third said they would vote for current P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas, while almost one out of every five people said they would vote for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. If Abbas were not on the ballot, almost 12 said they would vote for Marwan Bargouti, a Fatah terror operative serving five life sentences in Israel for five murders of Israelis. Almost 12 percent said they would vote for Haniyeh. A significant number of Palestinians said they felt that the Oslo Accords, heralded as a peace solution by U.S. President Bill Clinton and signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organization head Yasser Arafat, had done more harm than good. While 48.3 percent opposed the deal in March 2013, more than 61 percent disapproved of Oslo in the latest poll, with just 24 percent in favor. (JTA)Following Swedish pro-Palestinian activists failed attempt to reach Gaza by sea, a Christian supporter of Israel from Sweden announced he would take dozens of pro-Zionists to Israel on his yacht. Stefan Abrahamsson announced Thursday on Facebook that his yacht, Elida, will set sail from Sweden on Aug. 25 to Israel to show solidarity with the Jewish state and Middle East Christians. We want to break the silence of the severe persecution and cleansing of the Christian population that is taking place in this region, he wrote. As the only democracy in the Middle East amid dictatorships, Israel welcomes us on this show of solidarity with human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and fundamental democratic values. In turn, we are taking a stand for the values that Israel stands for. On Aug. 24, Abrahamsson wrote, he will organize a sendoff party at the Gothenburg marina from which his yacht, carrying about 40 activists, will set sail for Herzliya, Israel. Elida is expected to reach Israel in October and dock there for several weeks. The sendoff will feature a discussion on precisely these important issues, he wrote. Lars Adaktusson, a lawmaker from Sweden in the European Parliament, is scheduled to speak at the event. Seven Swedish activists detained by the Israeli Navy while attempting to breach its blockade of Gaza have been deported to Sweden, the organizers of the Ship to Gaza activist flotilla said Wednesday. Israel imposed the blockade following the rise to power in Gaza of Hamas, which is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization and whose charter speaks about killing Jews and destroying Israel. Palestinian terrorists have launched more than 150 rockets at Israel from Gaza in recent days. Among the activists aboard the Gaza-bound ship was actress Oldoz Javidi, whose remarks about Israeli Jews during the sail to Swedish media caused an uproar. She said her fantasy was to see Israeli Jews transferred to the United States and the land being given to Palestinians, whom she said owned it. Amid accusations of anti-Semitism, Javidi, who is a candidate for the Feminist Perspective radical party, retracted the statement, explaining it could be misinterpreted or misunderstood. The Torah teaches, "You shall not curse a deaf person. You shall not place a stumbling block before a blind person." (Leviticus 19-15) Imagine coming to services, but not being able to participate because you use a wheel chair, and the sanctuary is not accessible? Or if your child or grandchild has some special need that keeps him or her from attending Sunday school, young peoples' services, or from preparing for b'nei mitzvah. In hopes of avoiding situations like this, the Congregation of Reform Judaism has launched an ambitious new inclusion initiative. It is aimed at removing all barriers to physical access to the campus, as well as any impediments to participation of people with psychological, emotional and intellectual challenges. It also includes outreach to the wider disability community. The CRJ task force is made up almost entirely of people with disabilities, or immediate family members of those who do. This complies with the national advocacy slogan: "Nothing About Us Without Us!" Why a task force? Most houses of worship are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. "It's important for people in the community to know there is a place to enjoy services and activities and to be part of a religious family should they choose," said inclusion task force member Marsha Freeman, professor at Barry University School of Law. "CRJ wants to make families and children with special needs welcome and comfortable in a temple setting, including being able to participate in a relaxed environment." For another task force member, David Bottomley, a disability activist who has used a wheel chair for more than 25 years, inclusion means, "acceptance with the limitations that I have. It gives me the opportunity to learn and educate others about differently-abled people. "This Task Force is dedicated to the concept that CRJ should be accessible to all as well as provide opportunities for inclusion for all," said Zena Sulkes, a veteran Jewish educator and activist, both locally and nationally. "We seek to create an exemplary environment that can include all participating in worship, education, and social activities." These issues, Sulkes said, should include accessibility throughout and around the building complex, from parking to all programming planned within the temple, and sponsored by the congregation. All students in CRJ's education programming are entitled to appropriate accommodations, planned and led by appropriately trained staff. In CRJ's Hebrew Help Resource Room, Sulkes tutors students with special needs in Hebrew reading. Programs like these are consistent with CRJ's goals, said the congregation's director of education, Dr. Sheryl Sacharoff. "We pledge to add whatever supports for all students who are in need," she said. Task force members acknowledge that they have set a high bar for themselves and for CRJ. So they have begun in modest increments, including some suggested measures that entail no cost, and may seem small. For example, opening a side entrance for upcoming High Holiday services will shorten the walk from the handicapped parking lot. One of the first orders of business has been to develop a statement of accessibility to be reprinted in all worship service bulletins; Chai, the congregation's newsletter; and new membership and social event packets. It reads: "Congregation of Reform Judaism strives to project a warm and welcoming environment, physically and emotionally, for all activities, including religious services, school functions and special events. Having a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for congregants and guests is a major part of this undertaking, and allows CRJ to play a prominent role in the religious and familial events in our community. We welcome your help in identifying areas of concern re accessibility or inclusion of any kind." In addition to determining what is needed for the CRJ campus and new programs, the task force is also preparing an inventory of services and accommodations already available, which congregants may not be aware of. These include an audio loop in the main sanctuary that enables those with hearing challenges to follow the service. Because CRJ is on one floor, it is largely barrier-free, except for door thresholds, and there are accessible bathrooms. On the task force's wish list: new, automatic doors. Congregations of all faiths around the country have found that, by making accommodations ostensibly for people with disabilities, they also have unforeseen benefits in making their facilities accessible for young parents with children in strollers and grandparents. And congregants who may be able-bodied now may need assistance in hearing, seeing and getting around as they age. Every Jew has a right to a welcoming and accepting congregation where their spiritual needs can be met," said Sacharoff. "Similarly, each Jewish student, as our teachings say, has the right to an education. Here at CRJ's Steinmetz Family School of Chai, nothing has been seen more clearly than in our Hebrew Help class. Within this structure, we have been able to more adeptly prepare youth who have different learning needs to feel more confident in their abilities. Hearing the positive feedback from both students and their parents has demonstrated that we are heading in the right direction. From our classrooms to our congregation as a whole, CRJ is meeting the diverse needs of its congregants." Worship may also require some accommodations. Using darker, large type fonts, with sharper contrast, on overhead screens, can make the difference in the quality of the services. But there are other needs as well, some that don't readily come to mind for able-bodied people. "In addition to worship, rituals and customs must also be made accessible to all," said CRJ Senior Rabbi Steven Engel. "For example, we do not use wine, but grape juice so those who are in recovery can participate in the blessing. At Bar and Bat Mitzvahs we sometimes pass the Torah through the family not from the raised bima, although it has a ramp, but from the floor so that those differently abled, very often great grandparents, can participate in this important tradition. Weddings have been performed including other languages and even signed to accommodate." The task force is being guided by advice from Virginia Thornburgh, a national authority on religion and disability. "As you address architectural barriers, remember the more challenging barriers are barriers of attitude," said Thornburgh, editor and co-author of "That All May Worship: An Interfaith Welcome to People With Disabilities," published by National Organization on Disability. Rabbi Engel agrees: "Judaism teaches us that 'A human being mints many coins from the same mold, and they are all identical. But the holy one, blessed by God, strikes us all from the mold of the first human and each one of us is unique.'" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). "This means that we were Divinely and intentionally created differently-abled which should be seen as a strength for us to learn from one another, to assist each other, and to create a world where we celebrate this in each and every one of God's creation." CJR Task Force member Mark I. Pinsky is author of "Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability, and Inclusion. JERUSALEM (JTA)A team tasked with formulating a plan to address the Druze communitys discomfort with the nation-state law has presented its recommendations three days after it was assembled. The findings presented Wednesday will be turned over to a newly established ministerial committee chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that will oversee its advancement and implementation. The controversial law with quasi-constitutional status passed last week enshrines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. The law identifies Arabic as a language with special status. In the wake of backlash from the Druze community, Netanyahu has met with Druze political, community and religious leaders. An Arab-Israeli lawmaker from the Labor Party and three Druze officers from the Israeli army have resigned in recent days over the law. A statement from the Prime Ministers Office called the plan an historic outline that constitutes a revolution in the legal status of minority community members who serve in the security forces, particularly the Druze community. The outline calls for Anchoring in law the status of the Druze and Circassian communities. The law will esteem the contribution of the Druze community to the State of Israel in building up the country, strengthening security and fashioning the face of Israeli society as an equal and varied society. It also calls for support for community religious, cultural and educational institutions; the strengthening of Druze towns and villages, including solutions for residential construction and the establishment of new communities as necessary; and the preservation of the Druze heritage. Also, the outline says the government must anchor in a basic law recognition of the contribution of thoseof all faiths and communities, including the Druzewho take part in the defense of the state. The law also would enshrine the eligibility for benefits of minority community members of all faiths and communities who serve in Israels security forces in order to help them achieve social equality. A group of Druze lawmakers who filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court against the law told Ynet that they would drop their petition if the plan moves forward. It allows us to be proud and equal citizens among our nation and country, Kulanu party lawmaker Akram Hasson told Ynet on Wednesday evening. All we wanted is to be one people and one state. If the plan we received is indeed implemented, we will absolutely stop everything. The team included representatives from the Prime Ministers Office, the Druze community, Druze and non-Druze lawmakers, and a forum of senior reserve officers, according to the Prime Ministers Office. (JNS)Increasingly, I perceive Diaspora Jewish communities inexorably moving into a self-destruct mode on several fronts. David Rothkopf, a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, has published this government of Israel and what it stands for must be opposed in every way possible, including, given the absence of other effective options, boycotts... [as] its acts have not only undermined its legitimacy... ...[it is a] country part of one of the most dangerous movements afoot on the planet today. In the past, there were Jews who rejected any national Jewish identity, preferring to be but a religious community, albeit quite non-Orthodox. Their anti-Zionism had nothing to do with what Jews were doing in Eretz Yisrael; rather, they saw them there as just another Diaspora community, even worthy of philanthropic help, though they could make no demands on the rest of world Jewry. There were ultra-Orthodox whose theology rejected any human-created nationalism. Today, there are Jews who have shed their Judaism for political and ideological substitutions for both religion (theirs is liberalism) and any form of nationalism, preferring a globalization orientation. Israel, asserting rights to a territory and more than willing to use its military power to actively defend itself and Jewish lives, is confronting another presumptive national-identity narrative, what I term Palestinianism, a false narrative that unnerves them in the cultural and social circles they move in. Faced with this over the past decade, the Jewish establishment has collapsed, permitting more and more corrosive machinations to control campus life, communal activities and the institutions that run them. This was published in 2008, and while specific to Toronto, my reading over the past decade indicates that a similar malaise has spread all across the American college campus system. It includes the canceling of Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovelys appearance, which was a nadir: Hillel at the University of Toronto has a key influence on Jewish campus life. The local Jewish Federation, United Jewish Appeal, which is the principal financial benefactor of Hillel, permits a non-confrontational non-approach to the annual event [Israel Apartheid Week]. Hillel does not actively respond to accusations against Israel, or to the protests on campus. Instead, the campus group creates feel-good programming about Israel which, while obviously important, does not directly address the dissemination of misinformation on campus which directly target Israel. And when a group takes up the cudgels to push back, we have The Forward exposing the Canary Mission and other anti-BDS efforts in a negative, put-down tone. It was reported that Barnard College was due to host members of the Ramallah-based Addameer group with apparent ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a designated terrorist organization. How do supposedly smart and intelligent people permit the poisoning of student mindsall students and not just Jewish ones? However, it is not just on the Israel-Zionism front that I perceive a self-destruct mode. Here is Deborah Dash Moore, a professor of American Jewish history at the University of Michigan, commenting on what should now be the emphasis on sociological polling now that Stephen Cohen is out: Stop assuming that there are gradations of being Jewish that make one better than the other, that intermarriage is a bad thing or that intermarriage is a good thing. Judaism is simply being de-Judaized. Dropping links with Zionism and Israelwhile at the same time adopting forms of Judaism that insist on contemporary forms of behavior not necessarily linked to tradition and moral values created from post-modern philosophiesare but acts of assimilation. Add to that a distinct unwillingness to entertain educational, and yes, hasbara-based programs dealing with Israels post-1967 reality, basically accepting that Israel and Jews are engaged in wrongful behavior in Judea and Samaria; after all, Birthright does not travel to the Jewish communities or discuss Jewish national rights to its historical homeland, and Hillel rarely hosts such a speaker. In this light, the funders, lay leaders, rabbis and educators are digging their own graves and those of the younger generation for which they are responsible. This self-destruct vortex is feeding itself, and the Jewish establishment seems incapable of pulling itself and the community out. Worse, they have found whom to blame: Israel. Yisrael Medad is an American-born Israeli journalist and author. (JNS)A recording that aired on Israeli TV channel Arutz 20 this past week revealed the tactics employed by the New Israel Fund when it disapproves of legislation proposed in the Knesset, such as the recently passed nation-state law. In the recordinga conversation between NIFs Israel director Mickey Gitzin and NIFs U.S. CEO Daniel SokatchGitzin described how the NIF and its beneficiaries organize opposition in the Knesset (tackling the system, as Gitzin called it), demonstrations on the Israeli street, and the recruitment of academics, celebrities and other high-profile individuals to speak out against the unwanted legislation. Gitzin also mentioned the NIFs willingness to petition the Israeli Supreme Court should other tactics fail. Since its establishment in 1979, the New Israel Fundan American nonprofit organization with offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Israelhas sought to shape Israeli society in a progressive image of what it claims to be equality, tolerance and social justice. To this end, the NIF has for decades been patiently working on changing the face of Israeli civil society. Thirty years ago, Israels NGO sector consisted of small groups that were mostly partisan and allied with political parties, and charitable organizations dominated by traditional cultural, educational and religious institutions. Today there are more than 27,000 citizen-action groups, hundreds of which are helped each year by the New Israel Fund, writes the NIF on its homepage. Also there, Widely credited with building Israeli progressive civil society, we have provided over $300 million to more than 900 organizations since our inception in 1979. As its name suggests, what NIF wants is a new Israela progressive Israel marked by social justice. But to understand what that really means, its helpful to look at some of the organizations that it funds. These include 29 advocacy NGOs that are active in political campaigns against Israel, such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement; BTselem (whose director has repeatedly appealed for international action against Israel, comparing Israeli policies to crimes against God and man); Breaking the Silence (which collects anonymous and unsubstantiated allegations against the Israel Defense Forces from low-level soldiers in order to promote war crime charges against Israel); Coalition of Women for Peace (a major player in international BDS campaigns against Israel, especially through its Who Profits project, a database that identifies targets for anti-Israel divestment and boycotts); and Adalah, which seeks to defame Israel by falsely claiming that the country passes anti-Arab laws, and whose director played an active role in the NGO Forum of the U.N. World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban in 2001, which quickly devolved into a veritable hate fest against Israel. NIFs grantees also include Mossawa and Baladna, both of which refer to the founding of the State of Israel as a nakba (the Arabic word for catastrophe) and promote the Palestinian right of return, which would mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state. It is therefore of little surprise that the NIF and organizations it funds in Israel have contributed to the recent hysteria against the nation-state law. Daniel Sokatch, NIFs California-based CEO, has called the law tribalism at its worst and a danger to Israels future. He has also said that the law asserts Jewish supremacy, while he simultaneously admits that the law wont change much about day-to-day life in Israel. Sokatch has vowed that no matter what extremist politicians do, the New Israel Fund and our grantees will stand up for the democratic, equitable and shared society all Israelis deserve. There is nothing democratic or equitable about funding organizations that want Israel boycotted, sanctioned and divested from, its Jewish character erased, and its soldiers dragged in front of international courts. Affirming the Jewish character of Israel is not a danger to Israels future. On the contrary, such a provision is meant to protect the state from the constant attacks upon it by organizations such as NIF. The affirmation, however, does constitute a danger to NIFs and its grantees disturbing agendas for Israel. No one in Israel elected the NIF and its radical grantees to patronize and lecture Israeli citizens and their democratically elected government on the democratic merits of their society. It is supremely ironic that NIFa foreign, unelected body with no democratic mandate whatsoeverwhile intensively meddling in the democratic, political processes of a sovereign country (Israel) claims to be the guardian of democracy when its activities can only be described as the very antithesis of what democracy means. Judith Bergman is an Israeli writer and political analyst based in Jerusalem. She is a fellow with the news and public-policy group Haym Salomon Center. (JTA)This is Leonard Bernsteins centennial summer, and the Tanglewood Music Center in the Berkshires is staging a series of outdoor performances to celebrate its favorite son. Im not saying that everyone who goes to Tanglewood is Jewish, although I always think a typical evening there is what the High Holidays would look like if the Israelites had enjoyed picnics and white wine. Last month I had lawn tickets when the Boston Symphony performed Bernsteins score of West Side Story live while the film was shown on large screens. The effect was sort of magical and almost distracted me from my usual activity, which is basically contemplating the fate of the Jewish people. I say almost because theres an unmistakable gap between the message of the musical about forbidden love and the normativeor should I say, once normativeJewish preference for Jews marrying other Jews. Ive joked before that American Jews are the only group that roots against Romeo and Juliet getting together. This was just a few days after The New York Jewish Week reported on sexual misconduct allegations against the influential Jewish sociologist Steven M. Cohen. Cohens persistent question has been how many Jews are doing Jewish. He studied the impact of interfaith marriage on Jewish continuity and vitality, and became associated with a camp of social scientists who believe that intermarriage, late marriage and lifelong singlehood hold disturbing consequences for Jewish community. A generation of Jewish communal professionals was galvanized by studies showing the ways that Jewish connections and behavior diminish among the children and grandchildren of intermarriage. Cohen has already stepped down from some of his key roles and been removed from some others. Longtime critics of his research and advocacy are already stepping into the breach: The Forward published two op-eds decrying Cohens emphasis on fertility and statistics; three female scholars accused him and the Jewish communal establishment of making patriarchal, misogynistic, and anachronist assumptions about what is good for the Jews. Cohen and his colleagues in Jewish sociology have made mistakes. As Jane Eisner at the Forward pointed out, Cohen had license, perhaps unusual for a social scientist, to be an advocate for specific policies. In championing traditional modes of Jewish engagementsynagogue attendance, attachment to Israel, a sense of peoplehoodhe and his colleagues could appear dismissive of new ways that Jews were experiencing their Jewishness. Sometimes they shifted blame, intentionally or not, onto women and the choices they make about career, marriage and childbearing. Thats the feminist critique of the communal obsession with continuity. More familiar is the cultural critique, which you are less likely to find in academic journals than in the Wedding section of The New York Times. Jewish kids marry kids of other faiths because Americans marry Americans. The idea that you should stick to your own kind, as Anita spits at Maria, goes against a liberal grain that embraces multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance. Tribalism is the enemy. That was Michael Chabons point in a speech he gave this year at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. The novelist called Jewish-Jewish marriage a ghetto of two, which he further likened to a gated community, a restricted country club and the heavily guarded Jewish enclave of Hebron. I am for mongrels and hybrids and creoles, for syncretism and confluence, for jazz and Afrobeat and Thai surf music, for integrated neighborhoods and open borders and the preposterous history of Barack Obama, Chabon whitmanized in defense of intermarriage. I am for the hodgepodge cuisines of seaports and crossroads, for sampling and mashups, pastiche and collage. But where I usually agreed with Cohen and his school of sociology was when, responding to declining Jewish numbers and engagement, they would champion Jewish literacy and distinctiveness. The goal was not to shame people into sticking with the tribe but to identify and promote what it is about Jewish life that is worth preserving in the first place: a textual inheritance; a particular moral and ethical language; a series of distinct and meaningful rituals; a living awareness of a Jewish past, in all its glories and horrors; a profound sense of connection with people who share that story. Thats not tribalism; thats not Bubbe saying shell sit shiva if you marry out. Thats a deep kind of cultural engagement that even Chabon should appreciate. And if the Jewish world created too few places that promote that affirmative vision of Jewish continuity, thats not the researchers fault. But those who are committed to this kind of Jewish continuity face a dilemma. It is what Ross Douthat, writing Sunday in The New York Times, calls liberalism without/conservatism within. Liberal Jews are prone to embrace a world with fewer borders, more diversity, the whole Maria-and-Tony thing. At the same time, the Jewish community maintains a certain conservatism about its own patterns of marrying and begetting and cultural transmission (and, in the case of Israel, the safety of its lonely nation-state). Does that make many of us hypocrites? I suppose. But it is hypocrisy with a purpose. Yes, West Side Story is itself collage: of classical music and jazz, ballet and modern dance, Shakespeare and New York slang. It was originally conceived in fact as a clash not between Americans and Puerto Ricans, but Jews and Catholics. Its creatorsfour gay Jewish menwere at least doubly outsiders. But like a lot of American hybrids, it wouldnt have come about at all without something distinctive in the upbringings of its creators. Chabon wants syncretism without explaining where the distinctiveness of the ingredients comes from in the first place. Theres no Afrobeat without the West African musical traditions out of which it grew. Collages would be pretty bland unless the elements were distinct in one way or the other. Id flip it around on Chabon. If there was a small, distinct indigenous culture and its millennia-old folkways were about to be swept away by a tide of colonialism or cultural appropriation, would he celebrate that as syncretism and confluence? His call for an open-source Judaism suggests that tradition has run its course, and deserves to be subsumed by the mainstream. There are many, many Jews, however, including Jewish liberals, who see themselves as that besieged indigenous culture. And they are willing to fight to preserve itnot as a museum piece but a living, breathing, ever-growing thing. Andrew Silow Carroll is editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. (JNS)In recent weeks, a handful of American Jews have loudly complained about being questioned by the Israeli police over their contacts with Palestinians. They would have us believe that the Israeli authorities are a bunch of iron-fisted totalitarians who are trying to suppress dissent. I dont buy it. The latest complainers are Simone Zimmerman and Abby Kirschbaum, who spent last weekend in the Sinai (that is, Egypt) and were questioned upon their return. Zimmerman is one of the founders of the Israel-bashing organization IfNotNow. Her hostility to Israel is so extreme that she was too much even for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, himself a harsh critic of the Jewish state. She was fired from the Sanderss presidential campaign after using obscenities to describe the prime minister of Israel. Kirschbaum works for what she calls a dual-narrative travel company dedicating to exposing the many faces and places of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In other words, regular travel companies are not sufficiently sympathetic to the Palestinians, so Kirschbaums group steps in to provide the other narrative. Its not hard to understand why the Israeli police might want to ask them a few questions. Whats so awful about that? A more high-profile case was that of philanthropist Meyer Koplow, who complained that he was aggressively questioned by the police as he was leaving Israel recently. One had to read deep into the news-media coverage of the incident to discover that he was questioned for all of 10 minutes. The police wanted to know why Koplow had taken a tour of Palestinian areas in Judea-Samaria, and why he had a Palestinian pamphlet in his suitcase. What exactly is wrong with the police wanting to know more about that? Are they supposed to have a special list of prominent donors to Brandeis University, like Mr. Koplow, who have the privilege of being in the no-questioning category, no matter what is found in their luggage? Even as the parent of a victim of terror that took place on Israeli soil, I get handled just like everyone else when I fly. And what exactly was the aggressive questioning that so troubled Mr. Koplow? In his own words: The best way I can describe it is a badgering form of questioning where before you finish giving one answer, youre being asked the same question again as if what you said is not credible. She asked what purpose could possibly be served by people visiting the territories. She asked that several times. Well, thats a shocker! The behavior of some Israelis, including security screeners at the airport, occasionally is ruder than that which we Americans are accustomed to. Meyer Koplow has visited Israel many times. Hasnt he ever interacted with any real live Israelis? He continued: Why would you do that other than to send a message that the government doesnt welcome your engaging in any kind of inquiry...? The answer to Meyer Koplows question is not hard to find. Just look at the news of the past week. It reveals that the government is not trying to suppress any kind of inquiry, but rather is grappling with the daily reality of Palestinian Arabs trying to stone, burn and shoot Jews to death. In Jerusalem, Arabs threw rocks and firecrackers at Israeli policemen on the Temple Mount. (The Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, told the official Palestinian WAFA news agency they staged a peaceful march. I guess we have different definitions of peaceful.) In Gaza, more than 7,000 Palestinians threw rocks, burning tires, pipe bombs and other explosives at Israeli soldiers near the border fence. Another mostly peaceful gathering. Near the Jewish town of Oranit, two Palestinian teenagers were caught with machine guns on their way to carry out a massacre. A cluster of flaming balloons landed on a street in eastern Beersheva. Near Mount Gezirim, a flaming kite set the fields of the Tura Winery on fire. News reports about these attacks mentioned that a flaming balloon also recently reached the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. But you didnt read about that in The New York Times or hear it on CNN. Near the town of Rimonim, three Jewish shepherds were injured by Arab rock-throwers. And at Dehaishe, near Bethlehem, an Israeli border policewoman was struck by a Molotov cocktail. It was only a miracle that she was not completely consumed by the flames. All of this took place in just the past week. So thank goodness for the Israeli police officers and security officials who spend a few minutes questioning people when there is even the slightest reason for concern. The extremely minor inconvenience involved helps save the lives of Jews every day, including Jews like Meyer Koplow, Abby Kirschbaum and Simone Zimmerman. Because rocks and machine guns and flaming kites dont distinguish between Orthodox and Reform, or between hawks and doves. They are aimed at us all. Stephen M. Flatow is a vice president of the Religious Zionists of America, an attorney in New Jersey and the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995. His book, A Fathers Story: My Fight for Justice Against Iranian Terror, will be published later this year. An aging Norman Mailer spars with young Adolf and his ringside demons. At 84, Norman Mailer is frail but feisty. In his new novel, The Castle in the Forest, the literary pugilist shadowboxes with Adolf Hitler, probing the incestuous family history and twisted childhood of the future Fuhrer. Mailers ability to bob and weave while challenging convention is legendary. In 1960, at a party to launch his candidacy for mayor of New York, Mailer stabbed his then-wife Adele twice with a penknife because she allegedly said he wasnt as good a writer as Fyodor Dostoyevsky. An American Dream, the autobiographical novel he wrote afterward, includes a poem with the line, So long as you use a knife, theres some love left. Mailer studied aeronautical engineering at Harvard before discovering his calling as a writer. In 1943 he was drafted and sent to the Philippines, the setting for his acclaimed first novel, The Naked and the Dead. Most critics agree his novels rarely rose to that level again. But his nonfiction works did, including two that won him Pulitzer Prizes: Armies of the Night recounted the 1967 Pentagon antiwar demonstration; and The Executioners Song, published a decade later, immortalized the murderer Gary Gilmore. In 1997 he wrote The Gospel According to the Son, a novel about Jesus. He says: The notion that Jesus Christ is the finest thing that ever happened to humans and Hitler is the worst made sense to me, as a Western man. Im sure Muslims would get pretty annoyed at that. It does leave them out of the loop. Which is what weve been doing for over a thousand years. But aw, hell, theyve been leaving us out too. First, your experiences in World War II. You were assigned to the Philippines. Yes, the 112th Cavalry. Theyd lost their horses in New Guinea (laughs). By the time I got there they were just an understrength infantry regiment. We had eight men to a squad instead of 12. We had 16 men to a platoon instead of 36. And of course the Great Brain behind the lines didnt know the difference. So wed often be sent out on ridiculous missions. Once our platoon was sent out to catch 100 Japanese marines (laughs). Theyd gotten word that these marines were marauding behind our lines. It was actually very, very bad intelligence, and it was our great good fortune, all 16 of us, that we never encountered the Japanese. We just traipsed up and down a few muddy hills. But the end of the day gave me the climax to The Naked and the Dead. We were climbing this very muddy hill. It was tough, because we were loaded up. So were slipping and sliding, and were gasping, and were all in pretty bad condition by then, with the jungle rot and bad food and so forth. Anyway, somebody kicked over a hornets nest. Half of the platoon, including me, scampered up the hill. The other half carrying the heavy stuff, BARs and mortars, ran down the hill. And so we were separated, and we knew wed never get together that day. So there we were, last hill of the day. I remember our lieutenant, a marvelously brave lieutenant named Horton, a Virginian. He called headquarters and said: Were returning to base now. We ran into a hornets nest and were separated. And back there a dumb major said: What in hell does Horton mean, hornets nest? Is that literal or metaphorical? The perfect segue into The Castle in the Forest. Youve been thinking about Hitler a long time. Since my mother told me about him. Oh, lets see, 84 minus 975 years (laughs). Why write it now? Well, for one thing it was getting late in the day. And for another, I read a book by Ron Rosenbaum [Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil] about the various interpretations of Hitler. Some really fine historians contributed: Alan Bullock, Hugh Trevor-Roper. And Rosenbaum was commenting on their interpretations. But when I finished it I thought, no one really has a grasp of it, no one can really explain Hitler. Some of the best people throw up their hands at a certain point and say its almost as if he were hell-inspired. They talk about his luck, his extraordinary adroitness at tight moments, especially in the early political years. Now Id been thinking for a long time that he really was the spawn of the devil, and so I thought its about time it should be written that way. Its almost as if its been begging to be said. Your bibliography shows you did your historical homework. It has also inspired a lot of attacks: Who does he think he is? What does he think hes doing? One of the funniest things Gore Vidal ever said is, No good deed ever goes unpunished. Well, that bibliography was my good deed. You spend four years writing a novel, youre going to read a couple hundred books on the subject. So Id read all these books, Id gotten something from all of them, even the least of them. I know how annoyed writers get when they come across something they recognize was influenced by what they wrote and theres not even the hint of a whisper about it. So I thought, lets be fair. And that was it. So the bibliography was a real pleasure, and now Im being attacked for it. Well, Im an old club fighter; I get mad when they miss, but that irritated the hell out of me. Nice-Nellyism. You say nobody else got inside Hitlers head. How did you go about it? My basic take is simple. You cannot understand Hitler as a human being. Theres not enough evidence, there are not enough causative factors to explain the monster who came out. If you study the life very closely, you can see a very unpleasant man being put together by life. But not a mass murderer on the scale of Hitler. And so I felt, what does the devil want to do? I happen to be religious enough to believe that God is a creator, not a lawgiver. And that opposed to the creator is a malign presence thats opposed to the creation, for reasons totally beyond me. I dont get to know that (laughs). This negative presence is very important. I dont feel that God is all powerful or all good. God is doing the best He or She can do. But thats it. And theres the devil trying to destroy the creation. If this world ends in this century, itll be the devils triumph. How did that get you inside Hitlers head? Well, I had to get inside two heads. First was the young boy, the developing boy. Id never written about a boy or a girl before from birth through adolescence, so that was interesting to try. And then the devil. That was fascinating. I began to feel, as I was writing it, yes, of course, Satan oversees this immense bureaucracy. It isnt simply that he casts a spell. No, no, its hard, very difficult work. They get hold of people, then theyve got to work like crazy, because there are the Angels, whom they call the Cudgels, obstructing them every step of the way. The humor of it appealed to me. No matter where you are, here or the hereafter, youve got to deal with economy. You have to deal with bureaucracy. You have to deal with frustration. All the things that drive us nuts on earth, well have more of it in the hereafter. Although I think you get reborn. You say thats one reason for creeping mediocrity on Earth. Those who get it wrong get another chance, thats right. So if you extrapolate from that.(laughs) Theres the elusive quality we call genius. Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, their lives dont necessarily explain what they did any more than Hitlers upbringing and daily life does. Thats it. Thats why I felt there had to be elements beyond the human. Because, if Hitler can be explained entirely in human terms, then it seems to me we are in real trouble. Its better that were not capable of doing what he did. Nobody ever got around to pressing the button for nuclear war, and I really used to believe that the man who had to press that button, his finger would be shaking too much to touch it. Because theres this deep instinct in human nature not to destroy humankind. I mean, we do, but never altogether. When that happens, to me it will be a sign that the devil has prevailed. Of course, you say things like the devil has prevailed and people think, oh hes out there now, lost it. I hope not (laughs). But there are so many people who hate the very thought of God and the devil. In the novel, you say there are now three kingdoms: Gods, the devils and humanitys. Right. In the Middle Ages, human beings didnt see themselves as important. It was all God or the devil dictating their actions. Then through the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, humans emerged with the feeling that we are important, we have equity with God and the devil. Now its gotten to the point where God and the devil dont exist; were it. Germany was one of the homes of the Enlightenment. And thats one reason for the long relationship between Germans and the Jews. Its so ironic. They shared the deep sense that human culture was the ultimate product and savior of human existence. Thats what made the Nazis so tragic. Human culture took a great blow, and its never been the same. We admire culture now, but we dont see it as fundamental or life-giving the way they did. What we see as lifegiving are slogans like, Free America From Terrorism. A load of BSand you may quote me. For millions of fundamentalists Christian, Muslim, JewishGod and the devil very much exist. Thats different. Its the result of immense anxiety. My feeling is that their kind of God is not there. The fundamentalists are absolutely wrong. And theyll poison America before theyre done. The one value, I think, that we have to cling to, finally, is that the truth is not knowable by any one human, even by any one movementthat the truth evolves as we struggle. When we violate it by looking for quick solutions, for assurances we havent earned, were getting into more and more trouble, collectively. Youre projecting another volume in your Hitler saga? Id like to carry this up to 1935, after the Night of the Long Knives and before Hitlers prosperous period. Thats where my kind of book is needed. Originally published in the May 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. One downed U.S. airman found unexpected torment when he was captured by the neutral Swiss. Hells Kitchen was in trouble. The B-24 Liberator of the Eighth Air Forces 44th Bomb Group had run into some exploding flak over Friedrichshafen, on the German side of Lake Constance, and was down to two engines, with gas gushing from the left wing tanks. The plane was 1,000 miles from its air base in East Anglia, with no chance of making it back. Dropping out of formation, Lieutenant George D. Telford told his crew he was going to try to land somewhere in neutral Switzerland. As Hells Kitchen approached the Swiss border, 19-year-old flight engineer Daniel Culler, flying his 25th and final mission, spotted four Me-109s closing in on them. A small-town Indiana boy, Sergeant Culler was scared. His gun turret was not functioning properly, and he hated aerial combat. His widowed mother, a devout Quaker, had raised him as a pacifist. But after Pearl Harbor, Culler had decided that his duty to his country preceded his vow of nonviolence and, not yet 18, he persuaded his anguished mother to sign his enlistment papers. As Culler and his fellow gunners prepared to open up on the fighters, Lieutenant Telford called out over the intercom that they had Swiss markingstwo white crosseson their sides. Swiss pilots were flying the German-built planes. One of them made radio contact with Hells Kitchen and ordered Telford to land the B-24 or they would shoot it down. It touched down at Dubendorf, just outside Zurich, and the crew exited, with Culler going last. He was about to jump from the plane when a strong hand grabbed hold of one of his feet and pulled him to the ground. With a Swiss rifle pointed to my head and three soldiers holding me down, I looked around and saw Swiss guards with rifles pointed at all of us, he recalled. It didnt look like a friendly place to me. His observation proved correct. Although officially neutral during the war, Switzerland was economically dependent on Germany and totally surrounded by Axis-controlled nations, a reality that colored the experiences of Culler and other downed American airmen there. On that day, March 18, 1944, 15 other American bombers landed safely or crash-landed in Switzerland. Culler saw several of these other bombers arrive in Dubendorf, and all of them, he later recalled, were in bad shape. Although he did not know it, Swiss pilots and anti-aircraft gunners had fired on some of them. That was not unusual. Over the course of the war, the Swiss would kill at least 20 Royal Air Force and 16 American airmen and injure a large number of others. In all, the Swiss attacked at least 21 of the 168 American bombers that intentionally landed in the country, even though most of them showed unmistakable signs of combat damage or distress. By the end of the summer of 1944, more than 1,000 American fliers would be in Swiss hands, held under military guard and forbidden from leaving the country for the duration of the war. In the last two years of the war, the Swiss threw 187 American airmen into one of the most abhorrent prison compounds in Europe, a punishment camp run by a Nazi sympathizer. The story of these fliers is one of the darker secrets of World War II. Within an hour after the Americans touched down in Switzerland, armed guards took Cullers crew and the other American crews that landed at Dubendorf that afternoon to a large auditorium, where Swiss officials briefed them on the conditions of their confinement. They would be taken by train later that day, they were told, to a special camp in an isolated area in the center of the country where they would be quarantined for two weeks and then kept under guard for the remainder of the war. They would be granted liberties, but anyone leaving the confined area without permission would be hunted down and sent to a punishment camp. Swiss soldiers were under orders to fire at internees attempting to escape if they failed to heed a Halt! order. Since Switzerland was a nonbelligerent, the airmen were not considered either prisoners of war or evaders; having entered the country armed and willingly, they were classified as internees, even though they were treated like POWs. Seeing an American general sitting on the stage next to Swiss officials in the auditorium at Dubendorf must have encouraged the captured airmen. But Brig. Gen. Barnwell Rhett Legge, a corpulent World War I cavalry officer who dressed in jodhpurs and knee-high leather riding boots, concluded the briefing with a stern warning. Men imprisoned for attempting to escape would have no appeal to either the American consulate or the American military attache, Leggethe military attache at the U.S. legation in Berntold them; they would be under Swiss law. Sergeant Cullers crew was sent to the main American internment camp at Adelboden, a vacant summer resort 30 miles northeast of Lake Geneva. A single winding road led from the railroad depot at Frutigen to Adelboden. The camp commandant, a blond, blue-eyed officer who reminded Culler of every SS man he had seen in the movies, separated the officers from the enlisted men and assigned each group its quarters. The men were put up in stripped-down resort hotels, where they were kept under constant surveillance. They were treated well, although conditions were far from ideal. The entire country was under strict rationing. Hot water, a luxury in wartime Switzerland, was turned on once every 10 days, and then for only a few hours. Without coal to heat their quarters in cold weather, the men ate their skimpy meals of black bread, potatoes and watery soup dressed in their flight suits and gloves. They ate meat only once a week and it was awfulusually blood sausage made from mountain goat. The prevailing problem at Adelboden was boredom, and the prevailing sport was drinking, often to excess. The men could purchase their own alcohol with the small stipends they received in lieu of flight pay from the American legation in Bern, and some of them stayed drunk for days at a time. And after a while, boredom, spartan conditions, the growing proximity of Allied armies in France and what General Legge described as the call to return to battle fed the urge to flee. The obstacles, however, were daunting. Some of the men took hikes deep into the mountains, escorted by armed guards who acted as guides. It was a storybook landscape: church bells chiming every hour, glacial lakes sparkling like giant jewels in the midday sun, but some men came back so depressed that they had to retire to their rooms. Only a crack mountain climber stood a chance of escaping through the massive Alpine peaks that rose, like so many imprisoning walls, around the deep, pine-scented valley. And beyond the impassable ranges, in every direction, lay the Reich. Ever since that experience in Switzerland, Ive been of two minds about mountains, recalled airman Martin Andrews. I find them beautiful, but also a little bit oppressive. The guards told Culler that those mountains he loathed prevented their country from being overrun by the German army. They also told him that more than 60 percent of the Swiss population was of German descent, and that many Swiss belonged to local Nazi groups and were not likely to assist an American on the run. Those were only half-truths. With its formidable Alpine front and an army of 435,000 troops organized into spirited local militias, Switzerland would have been difficult to conquer. But Adolf Hitler had no need to subdue this Alpine redoubt; he got most of what he wanted from the Swiss by a combination of intimidation and ideological symmetry. Most Swiss citizens supported the Allied cause and opposed a Nazi takeover of their country. Yet there were at least 40 fascist and superpatriotic societies in the country, some with cells and chapters in more than 150 communities, most in the predominantly German-speaking cantons. With the active support of SS head Heinrich Himmler and Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, Berlin funneled money and ideas to many of those pro-Nazi organizations, all of which were aggressively anti-Semitic. The German legation in Bern openly supported a branch of the National Socialist German Workers Party, which boasted tens of thousands of committed followers. Probably no other country in the whole of Europe, wrote historian Alan Morris Schom, was so thoroughly infested with similar groups in proportion to its population and geographic area. Most of those organizations drew their membership from the working and lower-middle classes, but the semisecret Swiss Fatherland Association was dominated by a powerful troika of political, business and military leaders who ruled wartime Switzerland. The leading members of the Fatherland Association were chiefly responsible for Switzerlands strong economic ties with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. Switzerlands extreme economic vulnerability was at the root of this relationship: It depended on imports for almost all its fuel and much of its food. Switzerland purchased coal and farm goods from Germany in return for steel. As a neutral, it had a legal right to trade with Germany and Italy, but international law forbade a neutral from supplying war goods almost exclusively to one belligerent nation. The Swiss contravened that decree. Walther Stampfli, a member of the Fatherland Association, organized Swiss industrial production to meet the needs of Hitlers Germany. The leading Swiss banksNazi Germanys bankers of choice helped fund the Third Reichs weapons production, and Swiss industries churned out essential products for the German war machine, including machine tools, aircraft cannons, radio parts, military trucks, freight cars, chemicals, dyes, industrial diamonds and ball bearings. The gigantic Oerlikon works, headed by Hitler-sympathizer Emil Buhrle, produced 120mm anti-aircraft cannons for the Luftwaffe, and other Oerlikon armaments were in the arsenal of nearly every Wehrmacht unit. The Swiss also built armaments factories inside Germany, some of which employed slave labor, under SS direction. Dr. Max Huber, the Swiss president of the International Red Cross, owned several of those plants in southern Germany. Switzerland did take in some 200,000 refugees during the war, approximately 28,000 of them Jews, but the Jewish Swiss community and other organizations were charged a head tax to support them. And the Swiss turned down tens of thousands of Jews seeking refuge in their country; some were arrested and turned over to authorities in Germany and Vichy France. In its defense, the wartime Swiss government explained to the Allied powers that it was the unwilling prisoner of geography. After the occupation of Vichy France in November 1942, Axis powers surrounded the country; the closest free nation was more than 1,000 miles away. Fearing reprisals or violations of its territorial integrity, the Swiss government permitted the Luftwaffe to set up a rest facility for its pilots at a fashionable hotel in Davos, a sylvan mountain resort. Distressed German fighter planes were also permitted to land at the same Swiss air bases that regularly fired on incoming Allied aircraft. You just wanted to land there and kiss Mother Earth and theyre shooting at you, complained one American airman. But the bomber boy failed to realize that Swiss gunners had a reason to be vigilant, if often excessively so. Flying frequent and spectacularly large bombing missions close to the Swiss border, American bombers from both the Eighth Air Force and the Fifteenth Air Force, stationed in southern Italy, violated Swiss airspace hundreds of timesmostly accidentallywhich angered Hermann Goring, from whom the Swiss had purchased much of their air force. On several occasions during the war, American bombers mistakenly attacked Swiss cities, among them Bern, Basel and Zurich. The worst accident occurred on April 1, 1944, when the city of Schaffhausen was devastated by 20 B-24s that had gotten lost in heavy cloud cover. Thinking they were over an enemy city, they unloaded their bombs on the market center, killing 40 civilians and injuring more than 100 more. The Swiss government demanded and received a formal apology and reparations, but this did little to assuage the anger of Swiss in the border communities. The airmen interned at Adelboden suffered from the host countrys appeasement of Hitler and its rising impatience with Allied air incursions. If Switzerland had been truly neutral, those men and the men in the two additional camps set up for American fliers would have been accorded as many liberties as Allied internees were in another neutral countrySweden where many of them worked in the Swedish aircraft industry and were quartered in comfortable guesthouses. As it was, the Swiss army rarely mistreated the airmen who stayed in their camps and waited for the end of the war. But those daring to escape entered a heavily armed country where loyalties were mixed and where soldiers, police and court officials were ordered to be tough on captured American airmen. Daniel Culler feared the unknown. Growing up in insular Syracuse, Ind., he had never wandered more than 30 miles from home. Yet now all he could think about was escaping into the unknown to rejoin the fight againstoppression. His patriotism was so ardent it seems, in retrospect, contrived. But in shedding his Quaker beliefs to kill for his country, he believed that he had given up any chance of entering heaven. His only hope for the hereafter was that God had created a special place, short of heaven but far from hell, for those who committed licensed murder for a clean cause. The first time Culler escaped, in May 1944, he and two companions got lost and nearly died of exposure in the mountain forests along the Italian border. In excruciating pain from the bleeding scabs on his feet, and so sick from accidentally eating poisoned berries that he could barely walk, Culler returned by himself to Adelboden. After reporting to the commandant of Adelboden, Dan Culler was sentenced to 10 days solitary confinement in the Frutigen jail. His companions, he learned later, were caught by Swiss border guards and imprisoned. After serving his sentence, Culler was taken to a high-security punishment prison called Straflager Wauwilermoos or, in English, prison camp at the swamp of Wauwil, a village near Lucerne. Culler was never told why he was sent there, or for how long. As he passed through the gates of the prison, his military guard whispered to him: Im sorry to bring you to this hellhole. Watch your every step. There are some awful men in here, and you are so young. Wauwilermoos was a close-packed compound of mud-splattered barracks surrounded by a high barbed wire fence and patrolled by guards with machine guns and attack dogs. Built in 1941, it was a disciplinary camp for lawbreakers and escapees among Switzerlands ballooning population of military internees from nearly a dozen countries. To run it, Swiss authorities could not have chosen a more odious character. Captain Andre-Henri Beguin, a former officer in the French Foreign Legion, was as corrupt as he was cruel. At the time, he was under investigation by Swiss authorities for adultery, bribery, embezzlement of prison funds, spying for the Germans and unlawfully wearing a Nazi uniform (while living in Germany before the war, he signed his correspondence Heil Hitler). The officers he appointed were as coarse and corrupt as he was. They treated us like scum, said Eighth Air Force bombardier James Misuraca. The Swiss called this a punishment camp, but it was more like a concentration camp. When guards shoved Culler through the door of Barrack Nine he nearly passed out from the stench. Every Indiana barn he had ever been in smelled better than this place. The wooden floor was covered with filthy straw, which the prisoners slept on and used for toilet paper after they evacuated in the miasmic slit trench just outside the front door. What happened to me that night, and many more to follow, was the worst hell any person ever had to endure, Culler wrote in his searing prison memoir. A group of Russian prisoners held him down, stuffed straw in his mouth and sodomized him repeatedly. Coming from a small farming community, I never heard of men doing to me what they did. Ihadnt even been with a girl, except to hold her hand and give her a light kiss on her cheek or mouth. I was bleeding from all the openings of my body, and I prayed to God to take my life from me. He was raped again the next morning and forced to have oral sex with several of his assailants, who stuck sticks in his mouth to pry it open. After being knocked unconscious, he awoke to find blood running down his throat. Too weak to move, and with his hands tied behind his back, he was thrown into the waste ditch outside the barracks. When I finally came to my senses, I crawled from the ditch and tried to wipe myself with straw. I noticed something was hanging from my rectum, and realizing it was skin from the inside, I tried to push it back in. A few hours later, Culler staggered into Beguins office, screaming uncontrollably. They all stared at me as though I [was] some kind of freak, and a sort of nasty grin came across their faces. For the first time in his life, this son of a Quaker minister found himself cursing at another human being. But no one understood him; no one spoke English. Tiring of Culler, Andre Beguin stood up and pointed toward the door with the riding crop he always carried. His guards promptly tossed Culler out the door. Within days Cullers entire body was covered with boils from the lice and rats in the feces-contaminated straw. The rapes continued and became more violent. He began to vomit blood and an unknown yellow substance, and he developed chronic, bloody diarrhea. When a British sergeant major visited the camp to check on the English prisoners, Culler asked him why the Red Cross had not come to inspect this place, why he was being held without trial and why had the American military attache in Bern, General Legge, not been informed of his imprisonment. On a later visit, the sergeant major told Culler that he had intervened on the Americans behalf to the British authorities in Bernbut had been told that Legge refused to believe that the Swiss had a place like Wauwilermoos, and that Legges official position was that if an American airman tried to escape, he should be subject to Swiss punishment. When Culler was finally taken from Wauwilermoos and given his day in court, he discovered that Swiss justice was a mockery. The military court proceeding was conducted entirely in German, and when it was over, Culler was handed an English translation of the transcript. He would be sent back to Wauwilermoos without medical treatment and for an unstated period of time. The transcript did not contain a single word of his oral testimony describing his rape and the conditions inside the prison. The final indignity was a bill Culler received for 18 francscompensation for the courts time and trouble. Back in prison, Culler was tormented by a loud ringing in his earsthe result of the beatings hed suffered at the hands of the Russians. They had been transferred, but sitting alone in a corner of the barracks, wrapped in a thin blanket, Dan Culler felt he was losing his mind. The last I remember at Wauwilermoos, I was acting like a madman, trying to stuff straw down my throat so I could not breathe. As he began to lose consciousness, he heard the British sergeant major shouting orders at two Swiss guards who were trying to revive him. After that everything went black. Later, the sergeant major told Culler that the British government in Bern, at his insistence, had gotten a Swiss diplomatic official to sign a paper demanding that he receive immediate medical treatment. Culler woke up in a Swiss military hospital, and after a few days he was transferred to a tuberculosis sanitarium in Davos, near the Austrian border. From there he escaped to France on September 26, 1944, the way paved for him by his pilot. With the help of Air Forces personnel stationed at the Swiss consulate, Lieutenant Telford paid some Swiss operatives to orchestrate his entire crews escape and hand them over to members of the French Resistance. As they crossed the border on foot, Swiss guards opened fire on them, wounding Telford in the ankle. An Eighth Air Force C-47 cargo plane then flew the crew to London with a group of other interneesBritish and Americanwho had recently made it over the border. Lieutenant General Carl Tooey Spaatz, commander of the U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, had arranged for the airlift. In August 1944, Spaatz had begun urging Washington to pressure the Swiss to release interned Air Forces personnel. He also sent word into Switzerland that airmen would be held to their oath to escape captivity. At this point, American Air Forces officers serving in diplomatic positions in Switzerland, as well as members of the U.S. consulate in Zurich, began defying General Legges orders and actively helping airmen escape. At the instigation of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, established an underground network; fliers were hidden in the American legation in Bern and then sent to the border in boxcars or ferried across Lake Geneva. Sam Woods, a former Marine pilot who was the American consul general in Zurich, set up an escape network on his own that helped more than 200 internees reach France. Clandestinely meeting dozens of them in churches and cemeteries, he provided them with false passports and drove many of them to the frontier in his black sedan. At the border, Woods would enter a Swiss tavern that was connected to a French pub by an underground sewer line equipped with a telephone hookup. Woods used the phone to alert his French compatriots that a group of Americans was ready to come over. Running this freedom line took money, a lot of it for bribes, but Woods had a steady supply of funds, courtesy of Thomas J. Watson, the founder and president of IBM, who channeled cash to Woods through his companys European office. As the ground war came closer to Switzerland, increasing numbers of airmen sought out General Samas the fliers he spirited to freedom had anointed him. The internees chances of successful escape had greatly improved now that the German army had been driven from France and the American Seventh Army, which landed in southern France on August 18, 1944, reached the Swiss border near Geneva. When France was liberated, the Axis encirclement of Switzerland was broken. With friendly air bases everywhere in France, the attractiveness of landing in Switzerland diminished. During the last three months of 1944, only five American heavy bombers landed in Switzerland. All were from the Fifteenth Air Forcebattle-ravaged planes that had no chance of returning over the intimidating Alps to southern Italy. In London, Army intelligence and OSS agents put Dan Culler through an exhaustive round of interrogations. No one believed his grisly story about Wauwilermoos. Sergeant, you are a goddamn liar! he was told at one point. There is no such place as Wauwilermoosand if there was, the Swiss would not put any American soldier in there for nothing more than an attempted escape. In desperation, Culler stripped off his shirt and shoes to reveal the boils all over his body. Those men, Culler realized, did not want to believe his story. At the time, American diplomats were negotiating a reparations payment to the Swiss government for the accidental bombing of Swiss cities, and General Legge was still trying to close a deal with the Swiss for the repatriation of the 600 or so remaining American internees. The U.S. government wanted no negative publicity about the Swiss while those negotiations were in process. If Culler went public with his story, the Army, he was told, would declare him mentally incompetent and put him in a mental detention hospital for years. After swearing to remain silent about his captivity, standard procedure for both internees and evaders, Daniel Culler was shipped home in November 1944. When he walked into his mothers kitchen and she saw his condition, the first words out of her mouth were, I warned you about those awful wars! Donald L. Miller is the John Henry MacCracken Professor of History at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. He is the author of prize-winning books on American history; Masters of the Air was named one of World War II Magazines best books of 2006. Originally published in the April 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. GIs known as the Monuments Men went underground to rescue art masterpieces plundered by the Nazis. Private Harry L. Ettlinger celebrated his 19th birthday on January 28, 1945, by boarding a truck in the bitter cold at a camp on the border between France and Belgium. He was a raw draftee of five months, untested in combat, and now assigned with hundreds of his comrades to the 99th Infantry Division, joining the American counterattack following the Battle of the Bulge. Before the convoy could move beyond the camp gates, a sergeant dashed out of the office, halted the trucks and barked out an order: The following three men will get off the truck with their gear. Ettlinger heard his name called and stepped obediently off the truck. The change in marching orders resulted in Ettlingers most memorable birthday ever, for he had escaped some of the fiercest fighting of the war in Europe. The Battle of the BulgeAdolf Hitlers last great counteroffensive in the Westand the subsequent Allied invasion of Germany claimed the lives of three of his eight closest buddies from basic training and wounded the other five. Ettlingers good luck came about because he was fluent in German. The Army initially included him in a pool of translators for the planned Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war criminals but soon transferred him to duty that received little public attention but was arguably of even greater long-term historical significance. He would join an extraordinary outfit known as the Monuments Men, whose mission was nothing less than to help find, recover and preserve the artistic and cultural heritage of Europe. Formally titled the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section, the elite organization eventually numbered more than 350 men and women from the armed forces of the United States and a dozen other nations. Its ranks consisted largely of art historians, museum curators, artists, architects and other such specialists. They were dubbed Monuments Men because their primary task after the 1944 invasion of France was to protect statues, historic buildings and other important cultural landmarks. Harry Ettlingers role resulted less from any passion- ate interest in art than the circumstances of his birth, which gave him his facility for German. He was born a Jew in Germany and fled the country for the United States in 1938 along with his parents and two younger brothers. Ettlinger joined the Army as an infantryman in 1944 and was assigned to the Monuments Men at Seventh Army Headquarters in Munich at the beginning of May 1945. By then, more than 90 percent of the cultural landmarks in Germany had been hit by Allied bombing, and 60 percent were destroyed. So the Monuments Men focused on the even more monumental task of tracking down, protecting and restoring to their rightful owners the great paintings, sculpture and other artistic treasures systematically looted by Nazi Germany or otherwise displaced by the war. The head of the Seventh Army task force, the late Captain James J. Rorimer, was on leave as director of the medieval collection at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Artand would become the museums director a decade after the war. He had joined the infantry as a 38-year-old private, driven a truck and then, as a newly commissioned second lieutenant in the Monuments Men, terrorized Allied commanders in France who wanted to billet their troops in historic castles. Rorimer at first tried to keep them out by posting off-limits signs, and when the signs proved ineffective he switched to white tape, a warning that the premises contained unexploded bombs or land mines. Rorimer was so brash and green in those early days that he even confronted a colonel on the staff of the Allied supreme commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and badgered him into returning 11 important paintings requisitioned from the Palace at Versailles to furnish Ikes new Paris headquarters. The disparity between [Rorimers] knowledge of medieval art and his knowledge of the Army in which he found himself somehow caused his immediate superiors to dub him Jimsey, wrote his commanding officer, Major Stratton Hammon. By the time Rorimer reached Munich, he had learned a lot about Army ways, and he latched onto Ettlinger for his youthful affability as well as his linguistic skills. He took Ettlinger to a Munich prison to interpret for his interview with Heinrich Hoffmann, Hitlers official photographer, an art agent and a suspected collector of looted paintings. He also took him to Berchtesgaden, the south Bavarian town near Hitlers mountain retreat, where an entire train laden with Hermann Gorings cultural loot was discovered in early May. This and other trips lodged in Ettlingers memory in no small part because he had never learned to drive; Captain Rorimer had to man the wheel of their jeep while Ettlinger, a lowly private, enjoyed the scenery. Ettlingers most memorable trip with Rorimer was to a veritable house of treasure, the fairytale-like castle of Neuschwanstein. Built in the 19th century in a fantastic pseudo-Gothic style as a palace for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle contained more than 6,000 items of art, jewelry and furniture. Most of it had been stolen from the Rothschilds and other prominent Jewish families in France by an organization headed by the Nazi racial theorist Alfred Rosenberg. Rorimer also discovered there a meticulous inventory of objects taken from public and private collections in Western Europe. Rorimer had learned of the loots whereabouts in the castle from a French art historian and member of the French Resistance, Rose Valland. A curator at the Louvre in Paris, Valland worked during the war at the Jeu de Paume, a small museum nearby that the Nazis used as a clearinghouse for looted objects. Valland secretly kept track of everything that passed through and, just as important, its destination. After American troops secured the castle at Neuschwanstein, Rorimer put it off-limits and assigned GIs to guard it. During their visit, Ettlinger noted, Rorimer denied access to a two-star British general while I, an American buck private, happily toured the castle. That summer of 1945, Rorimer assigned Ettlinger to work in the salt minesliterallyat the city of Heilbronn, a rail center less than 50 miles northeast of Ettlingers childhood home at Karlsruhe. During the final weeks of the European war, Allied troops had discovered a series of mines in Germany and Austria where the Nazis had secreted untold richeslooted art as well as treasures from German museumsfor safekeeping. Thus, in early September 1945, began Ettlingers life underground. Four or five days a week, he descended an elevator some 700 feet into the Heilbronn mine or down the shaft at the Kochendorf facility a couple of miles to the north. At the bottom of the Heilbronn mine were a dozen or so chambers, carved out by salt mining, up to a mile long and about 60 feet wide and 40 feet high. At one end of the mine, the original function carried on: Rocks containing salt were extracted and transported to a large furnace for refining. Ettlinger performed most of his duties in a series of smaller storage chambers above the large caverns. Ettlingers first priority at Heilbronn involved some stained-glass windows from the Strasbourg Cathedral. According to captured documents, authorities in this French city had removed the intricately designed windowssome of them dating from the 13th centuryat the wars outbreak and stored them for safekeeping in southern France. Later, the Nazis, who had always maintained that Strasbourg was actually part of Germany, shipped the treasured windows in 73 cases to Heilbronn. When General Eisenhower got wind of this, he ordered the return of the windows to the cathedral. They were to be the first stolen works of art restored to their rightful owners. Promoted soon to Technician 4th Grade, Ettlinger effectively became the underground operations manager. The wooden cases containing the stained-glass windows had to be pulled out and taken to the surface for shipment by truck back to Strasbourg. This task was completed in less than two months, and he moved on to the enormous challenge of segregating other stolen works of art from German-owned property and repackaging them for return to Western Europe. Ettlinger had the assistance of two-man teams of local miners, who cooperated fully with him. Here I was a 19-year-old Jewish kid giving orders to the Germans! Ettlinger remembers. Determining the contents of all the storage cases without first actually opening every one presented a variety of challenges. At Kochendorf the German penchant for meticulous record keeping facilitated that process. The director of the mine had two record books with complete inventories of the estimated 30,000 cases stored there. These riches included a 16th-century oil, the Stuppacher Madonna by German artist Matthias Grunewald. According to Ettlinger, Captain Rorimer tried unsuccessfully to buy the painting on behalf of his own Metropolitan Museum, offering the then-unheard-of sum of $2 million. At Heilbronn, clues came from many sources. Rorimer had tracked down German museum directors who provided key leads. One interrogation pointed to the discovery of boxes in the mine containing bills of sale and records of art transactions. The Americans also hired three Germans for the mine office who often provided helpful tidbits. One was an art historian; another, Ettlinger suspected, had worked for a Nazi art theft operation in Paris. In the underground operations we were at the end of a long chain, Ettlinger said. There was a whole series of steps before I was informed that in Box So and So theres a Rubens. The most valuable painting Ettlinger unearthed at Heilbronn was a Rembrandt self-portrait. It had been stolen from the museum in Ettlingers hometown of Karlsruhea detail that pleased him. Shipments from the Heilbronn and Kochendorf mines typically went to the cities of Munich or Wiesbaden, where Rorimer had helped establish central storage depots called Collecting Points to consolidate the hundreds of artworks arriving from German repositories in mines, castles and bunkers. At Wiesbaden, the Collecting Point was housed in a vast, 300-room war-ravaged museum where displaced persons had to be removed from the basement. The Monument Mens key enlisted man there, Sergeant Kenneth C. Lindsay, later noted the staffs resourceful improvisation in transforming the old museum temporarily into one of the worlds greatest collections of art. His commander was Captain Walter I. Farmer, an interior decorator in peacetime and a cando kind of officer recently with the Army engineers. To repair the museums damaged skylights and replace more than 2,000 broken windows, Farmer borrowed 26 tons of glass from a U.S. Army Air Forces installation being built nearby. For humidity control, the men placed buckets of water in the galleries. And to cushion the sculpture and paintings for shipment, they improvised packing material from sheepskin greatcoats tailored for the German invasion of Russia but never delivered to the freezing troops driving toward Moscow in cotton summer uniforms. The coats had been discovered at a salt mine in Merkers along with 100 tons of gold, 27 Rembrandts and other treasures from the 15 state museums of Berlin. Soon after Lindsays arrival at Wiesbaden, where he took up residence in the museum directors office, enormous convoys of trucks escorted by tanks and laden with the Merkers booty lined up outside. Rorimer, as always, was in the thick of things, riding in the lead jeep. Lindsay, a trained art historian, had served in signal intelligence until one day in Paris he read an article in The Stars and Stripes about Rorimer and the Monuments Men. At Wiesbaden he became so enthusiastic about his work sorting, identifying, cataloguing and returning thousands of artworks that he chose to stay on an extra five months beyond his scheduled departure for the States. One of Lindsays most memorable experiences was the uncrating of the ancient Egyptian bust of Queen Nefertiti. In 1912 German archaeologists had excavated the richly painted limestone statue, removed it from Egypt and donated it to a Berlin museum. When the Egyptian government learned that the bust might be at Wiesbaden, a representative was sent to find out if it was really there. Lindsay was designated to open the suspect box labeled Die Bunte KoniginThe Multicolored Queenwhile a gallery of officials stood by. The wooden top came off without trouble, Lindsay later wrote, after which I carefully uncovered the wrapping of jet black tar paper. Beneath the tar paper was a sea of pure white spun glass, and within it the beautiful face of the renowned Queen, serenely looking up at us. He lifted the heavy bust onto a pedestal. Within an instant, every man in there fell hopelessly in love with her. The bust remained in Wiesbaden until it was returned to Berlins ancient history museum in 1955. The planned destination of another group of artwork sparked an extraordinary controversy at the Wiesbaden Collecting Point in November 1945. A directive arrived ordering the Monuments Men to ship to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.purportedly for safekeeping202 of the most valuable paintings being held in Wiesbaden. Lindsay remembered that his boss Walter Farmer flew into a rage and immediately called a meeting of other Monuments Men officers in Germany. They prepared a letter of protest, which became known as the Wiesbaden Manifesto. It was signed by 25 officers and sent up through channels. The directive, the manifesto suggested, resembled the kind of looting for which Nazi war criminals would be prosecuted. Many years later, after a distinguished career as a professor of art history at Binghamton University in New York, Lindsay recounted the controversy in a scholarly journal. To the men safeguarding these national treasures, he wrote, the directive was seen as nothing less than a betrayal of their purpose. Lindsay did not sign the manifesto because he was only an enlisted man. But he was in full accordas were his German workmen, who composed a letter similar in spirit to our Manifesto. With Lindsays permission, they tacked it carefully to the inside of one of the 45 shipping crates containing the paintings. After more than three years of being stored and exhibited in the United States, the paintingsby such masters as Botticelli, Rubens and Rembrandt, and then valued at $80 millionwere returned to Wiesbaden in April 1949. Lindsay believes the manifesto was the only protest of an official order lodged by American officers in the European theater. While millions of stolen or displaced artwork passed through the Collecting Points in the months after the war, the Monuments Men continued to pursue masterworks known to be still missing. Much of what they tracked down was referred to as second-generation loot. This consisted of objects originally stolen by the Nazis and then wrongfully acquired by the German populace through random looting or transactions on the black market. Such items occupied much of the attention of Lieutenant Bernard Taper, an art intelligence officer for two years after the war in Europe. Early in the summer of 1946, Taper was persuaded by a Monuments officer to switch over from the intelligence staff of the Third Army. Though he had no background in art, he saw that his job would be like a detectives, and as an aspiring journalist, he at least knew how to ask questions. He also liked the idea of the relative freedom from military routinewearing civilian clothes, driving a nice car and enjoying the glamour associated with art. What Taper called loot twice removed was especially difficult to locate because it rarely left a paper trail. When Munich fell to the Allies, for example, a mob broke into the VerwaltungsbauNazi party headquarters and later a Monuments Men Collecting Pointand sacked it. Among the art treasures taken was a collection of small works, mostly Dutch and Flemish masters confiscated from the Adolphe Schloss family after the fall of France and kept in Munich for Hitlers personal enjoyment. Most of the Munich looters had no idea what they had gone off with, Taper said. He remembers one woman who had taken an 18th-century Dutch landscape and placed it under her mattress for extra support. She had cut it to fit but told the American soldiers who came to retrieve it, I didnt cut off anything importantjust some sky and clouds. Recovering what they had grabbed called for a somewhat different kind of detective work, Taper said, cultivating informants, keeping an eye on the local black markets, and the like. In a first for the Monuments Men, he worked closely with the post- war German civilian police. Using claims filed by the Dutch, he compiled lists of artwork expropriated from the collection of a prominent Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam, Jacques Goudstikker, and provided them to dealers in the Frankfurt area. Many of these were suspected of engaging in shady transactions during the war, and Taper required them to identify any works they had sold and the purchasers. German police officers were then employed to track down a number of these works. On a series of fruitful investigations in Berchtesgaden, Taper teamed up with an older Monuments intelligence officer, Lieutenant Edgar Breitenbach. A Hamburg-born Jew trained in library science and with a doctorate in art history, Breitenbach had left Germany before the war. He was a squat, middle-aged man, with a stubby pipe invariably smoldering in his mouth, Taper wrote of Breitenbach, who died in 1977. He always seemed to be having the time of his life, even when trying to act solemn. During our Berchtesgaden investigations, he habitually dressed in Bavarian peasant garb, and not long after we had arrived there on our first visit, I heard that the German chief of police of Berchtesgaden had sent out a puzzled inquiry, wanting to know who this man was who was running around the country in lederhosen, speaking with a Hamburg accent through a pipe and claiming to be an American officer and a doctor of arts. Taper and Breitenbach were on the trail of a trainload of Gorings possessions sent south in the last month of the war. Nazi guards had abandoned the train near Berchtesgaden, and local peasants swarmed over it, taking not only the plentiful schnapps but also manifold possessions Goring had amassed at his country estate, Carinhall. Even though the pair of Monuments officers arrived on the scene more than two years after the event, they succeeded in retrieving a number of missing items along with colorful details of the train looting. It was a real mob scene, wrote Taper. Three women laid hands on the same Aubusson carpet, and a heated struggle ensued until along came a local dignitary, who said to them, women, be civilized, divide it among you. So they did. Two of the women used their portions as bedspreads, but the third cut hers to make window curtains. For all his successes, Taper cant shake the memory of a failure: his inability to find Raphaels famous Portrait of a Young Man. The 16th-century masterpiece disappeared from a family collection in Krakow, Poland. Taper spent months interrogating a number of jailed Nazis, including two art advisers to the German governor general of Poland, Hans Frank. One interrogation lasted 12 hours. He suspected that Franks entourage took the painting when they fled west to escape the Red Army, but all traces of it were lost. Though Taper had seen only a black-and-white photograph of the painting, in my dreams it was always in sumptuous color. Six decades later, after a successful career as a staff writer for The New Yorker, a biographer and professor of journalism, Taper is still haunted by itpossibly the most important painting lost in the war whose fate remains unknown. Back at Heilbronn, Tech 4 Ettlinger did a little unauthorized sleuthing of his own before returning home to New Jersey in the summer of 1946. He remembered that his maternal grandfather, Otto Oppenheimer, had been a minor patron of German artists and collector of their work. Before emigrating to the United States, Oppenheimer had stored his collection of nearly 2,000 etchings and bookplatesmany of them first prints signed by the artistsin a Baden-Baden warehouse. Baden-Baden was 60 miles southwest of Heilbronn, in the French Zone of Occupation. When the personal valet for the French zones governor general visited Heilbronn, Ettlinger prevailed on him for directions to the warehouse. With a young friend at the wheel of their jeep, Ettlinger headed for Baden-Baden. They found the warehouse and, inside, the Oppenheimer collection, remarkably intact in wooden boxes. They celebrated over drinks at dinner, and drove the jeep into a ditch, rupturing the brake line. Waiting for a ride back to Heilbronn, the men spent the next three nights in the best suite in the citys finest hotelthe suite where the kaiser had slept during imperial days. At last they returned to base, and although Ettlinger clearly had been absent without leave, his superiors let him off the hook and had the Oppenheimer collection brought to Heilbronn. It was repacked with care by the miners, and shipped to the United States. Six decades later, a number of prints from the Oppenheimer collection adorn the walls of the New Jersey condominium where Harry Ettlinger, now a retired aerospace engineer, makes his home. Hanging among them is a reproduction of an etching based on Rembrandts self-portrait, the precious original of which this old Monuments Man once incredulously lifted from its storage crate deep in a German salt mine. Originally published in the May 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. 2 or 3 Things I Know About Him Director/writer: Malte Ludin Documentary; color; 2007 German/English subtitles 85 minutes This stark German film traces a sons search for the truth of his fathers World War II record. The result: a low-budget inversion of Flags of Our Fathers that is revealing and unsettling. The central character is the directors father, Hanns Ludin, who was Adolf Hitlers ambassador to Slovakia. In 1947 he was hanged for war crimes, including the deportation of Jews to Auschwitz. Born in 1942, Malte as a child thought his father was a hero. In the 1960s he pivoted 180 degrees. By 1978 he was documenting his mothers protective yet suggestive memories on film. But he waited until she died to completely unearth the father he barely knew. As Maltes detective work uncovered documents, photos and sources that confirmed his fathers involvement in Nazi horrors, he grew more determined to make his family confront the past. Malte Ludins movie exposes his familys raw nerve endings via a series of emotionally charged vignettes that recap the postwar German debate about responsibility. Maltes mother and, to varying degrees, his older sisters react to his evidence with shopworn defenses: Everyone thought the Jews were just being deported and the camps were just armaments factories, no one asked anything and very few knew the truth, and the like. Most vehement is Barbel, who claims Hanns was among the wars victims. A loyal member of the SA from 1931 who survived the 1934 Night of the Long Knives purge and was photographed with Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler and Josef Goebbels, Hanns Ludin was more high-level apparatchik than policymaker. But he was no victim. So staunch a Nazi he celebrated the Fuhrers birthday on April 20, 1945, he was the devoted manager of the Reichs bloody programs in Slovakia. His sons movie is a sad but fitting testament to his lifes work. Originally published in the May 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. Indigenes (Days of Glory) a film by Rachid Bouchareb, released by The Weinstein Company Think of Days of Glory, the previously untold story of French colonial troops in World War II and an Oscar contender for Best Foreign Film, as a cross between Band of Brothers and A Soldiers Story, with a dash of Glory. Its French title, Indigenes, means natives. Colonial soldiers, mostly Muslim and Arab, were 65 percent of the French forces in southern and eastern France, but there is no archival footage of them. So director Rachid Bouchareb co-wrote the screenplay based on his interviews with veterans. Cunningly woven onto the war-movie conventions it transcends, Days opens in 1943 Algeria and ends in Alsace 62 years later. The journey between is eye-opening. Shot with gritty immediacy, paced with evocative battle scenes, animated by outstanding ensemble acting (its four leads shared the Best Actor prize at Cannes), the film casts the tangles of French colonialism into human terms, unfolding a multifaceted tale of individuals caught up in history as they face complex divided loyalties and death. Most natives sign on to fight out of loyalty to la patrie. As a village elder puts it, We will wash the French flag with our blood. He is not being ironic. When these men sing the Marseillaise or shout Vive la France, most clearly mean it. Nevertheless, race rules. Officers are French, NCOs not necessarily. Veteran Sergeant Martinez is half-Arab. He bullies the men verbally and physically and takes one, the illiterate Said, as his lackey. All this grates on newly minted Corporal Abdelkader, who believes in General Charles de Gaulles promised egalite and sees the army as the most direct route to it. Neither he nor the other men know Martinez advocates for them with the officers. After an Italian battle causes heavy casualties, a French cook tells them the crates of tomatoes on the chow line are only for the French. Abdelkader demands all be treated equally. When Martinez counters him, Abdelkader puts the topmost crate on the ground and stomps the tomatoes to pulp. No one will have any now, he says. Martinez tells the captain, They will die for France, but any injustice will cause mutiny. Cheers erupt when the captain countermands the cook. The men get tomatoes but no real recognition. The wonder is that they soldier on even though French troops get leave while they get new marching orders. When they land in Marseilles, Messaoud falls hard for Irene. In her room, he is afraid: In my country we dont go with French women. She smiles and takes his clothes off. She makes him promise to return. The censor blocks his letters, and her attempts to find him are met with bureaucratic shrugs. Messaoud dies with his unit in snowy Vasques, in an Alamo-style stand against the Germans led by Abdelkader, the lone survivor. Promised a reward worthy of being the first French to enter Alsace, Abdelkader is assigned to a new unit. Though the Alsatian villagers applaud him, nearby a photographer is posing French troops as Alsaces liberators. Sixty years later, as Abdelkader visits his comrades Alsatian graves, across the screen these words scroll: In 1959, a law was passed to freeze the pensions of infantrymen from colonies about to be freed. In January 2002, the government of France was ordered to pay these pensions in full. They remain unpaid. The resonance with contemporary Frances racial unrest are unmistakable and thought-provoking. The marvel is how Boucherab, a dual French-Algerian citizen, deftly frames them as human, not abstract political, questions. Originally published in the April 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. 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. The Humane Society of the United States is providing a $2,500 grant to Hui Pono Holoholona, an all-volunteer non-profit spay/neuter organization and cat rescue dedicated to helping animals on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. The grant will help cover costs incurred by Hui Pono Holoholona in expanding their holding capacity in the aftermath of the Kilauea eruption to provide shelter for more animals. Hui Pono Holoholona searched for stranded cats in the Kilauea eruption lava zone and provided the cats with temporary placement and rehoming. The group also reunited cats with their families. The Humane Society of the United States thanks Hui Pono Holoholona for the work they have done to save animals. Hui Pono Holoholona has been a leader on Hawaii Island in providing sanctuary and services to support the responsible care of our communitys pets, said Keith Dane, Hawaii policy adviser for the Humane Society of the United States. We are grateful for their valiant efforts to find, rescue and care for cats displaced by this devastating and historic event. Shelter Director Frannie Pueo said, The irony in this eruption scenario is that cats instincts are to shelter under buildings or climb trees, which can put them in the path of the encroaching lava. Every animal is precious and deserves to be kept safe and rescued from these disastrous conditions. Pueo continued, I wish to thank Keith Dane of HSUS for this much-needed grant. This will enable us to expand our cat shelters to include an isolation section to treat the many cats entering with upper respiratory infections and eye irritations caused by the lava ash and sulfur dioxide. Our rescues left with no home are now part of our ohana at Pono Animal Way Sanctuary. Anyone interested in details and updates, volunteering or making a financial or in-kind donation should contact HPH at 808-968-8279, hphhawaii.org or on Facebook. Donations will help support the lifetime ongoing care of sanctuary residents. The grant comes from the Humane Society of the United States Disaster Relief Fund, a continuing, dedicated fund that enables the organization to help animals impacted by natural disasters. The fund supports rescue, relief and preparation efforts for past, present and future natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires and oil spills. Jamie Bernstein gets up close to a statue of her father, Leonard Bernstein, at Tanglewood. She has just released a book about growing up with the famous composer. Daughter's Book Celebrates Legacy of Leonard Bernstein It's hard to imagine the classical music world without Leonard Bernstein. His death, 28 years ago, left a void that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill. Yes, there are young, stellar conductors now on the scene who hold great promise Ken-David Masur in Boston and the fiery Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles. Time will tell if they, or others, possess the potential of the mature Bernstein, who was blessed with unparalleled musical and communicative gifts as conductor, composer, pianist and mentor/lecturer - classical musics, and Americas, emissary to the world. There were three great composers who created and thus changed the course of early-to mid-20th century American classical music: George Gershwin (1898-1937,) Aaron Copland (1900-1990) and Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) each treasured by music lovers then, now and forever. Gershwin and Copland are ingrained in the American psyche as populists. Time, and the music-loving public's fidelity have been good to all three. Bernstein, though, did more and was more than his two great predecessors. Through his recordings (a staggering 826 in all), re-mastered videos and DVDs of the New York Philharmonic's "Young People's Concerts" and his Charles Eliot Norton Lectures at Harvard ("The Unanswered Question"), not to mention his own music, Bernstein the composer and teacher lives still. From "Candide" and "West Side Story" to the film score of "On the Waterfront," the three symphonies, Chichester Psalms and the operas "Trouble in Tahiti" and its sequel "A Quiet Place," Bernstein has bequeathed a far-reaching compositional legacy that ensures his immortality. And as long as Brahms and Mahler are listened to, Bernstein's legacy as interpreter also will survive. Leonard Bernstein required and bestowed love through conducting, composition and teaching, which in his case were three manifestations of the same impulse. The drive to teach, yet to continually question, in essence, defines him. Bernstein was also a man who lived and worked in the dazzling klieg lights of our insatiable mass media culture. He needed it and thrived because of it, and it needed him. "Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein," by Jamie Bernstein. Harper Collins Publishers, 2018; $28.99. iciHaiti - Cooperation : Haiti and Rwanda explore new areas of cooperation Haiti and Rwanda (East Africa), which have long diplomatic relations through the Rwandan Embassy in Canada, which also covers Haiti, are striving to expand and explore new areas of cooperation. The Ambassador of Rwanda Valentine Rugwabiza, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and her Haitian counterpart, Ambassador Denis Regis in a joint statement recalled that the Haiti-Rwanda Commission was created in 2010 to facilitate bilateral relations and that the two countries had had important exchanges in the past and that they intended to explore new areas of cooperation. Let's recall, among other things, that in 2011, Haitian students continued their undergraduate studies at the National University of Rwanda thanks to the full scholarships provided by the Rwandan Government within the framework of this Commission" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2042-haiti-education-278-haitian-students-in-the-african-universities.html ; the police blue helmets of Rwanda in Haiti, as part of the Munustah https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-4596-haiti-security-160-new-rwandan-police-officers-in-haiti.html were appreciated in Haiti for their exemplary service over the years and in November 2017 Rwanda decided that Haitians would no longer need VISA to stay on Rwandan soil for a period of 90 days in the same way as members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22774-haiti-politic-rwanda-90-days-without-visa-for-haitians.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22774-haiti-politic-rwanda-90-days-without-visa-for-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-4596-haiti-security-160-new-rwandan-police-officers-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2042-haiti-education-278-haitian-students-in-the-african-universities.html IH/ iciHaiti Actress Kalki Koechlin explores the life of young Indian adults in the 21st century in the new BBC World Services podcast, Kalki Presents: My Indian Life. She is shown here with two of the guests on the show. (IANS photo) Immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir (center) and Melissa Mark-Viverito (2nd from right) attend a rally in New York a day after he was granted a temporary stay of deportation Feb. 10. The native of Trinidad and Tobago, with roots in India, is executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition. (Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images) Producers, consumers, and traders of titanium dioxide (TiO2) report that markets are reaching a balance after two years of strong demand and constrained supply. But some fear this new-found stability could be disrupted if feedstock markets continue to tighten. TiO2 buyers in Europe and China have reported slightly easier markets since July 2018, concurrent with inventories recovering from a prolonged period of very tight supply. Prices have been on a long-term uptrend since early 2017, driven by two chief factors: reduced output in China and increased global demand. Environmental inspections in China hit production and forced the closure of a large number of smaller local producers that were using outdated and highly polluting technology, while global demand rose due to increased consumer spending in key markets. The market is once again finding a balance, buyers said, with new production capacity in China replacing the older and outdated facilities that were closed, while the growth in spending slows. A large number of pricing contacts have confirmed these expectations to Industrial Minerals, which have also been expressed publicly by a number of the largest TiO2 producers. Long-term TiO2 demand is closely linked to economic activity, which drives consumption in the manufacturing and construction sectors. So far in 2018, economic activity has been accelerating in the US, but the pace of GDP growth has been lower year on year in China and the EU. Inventory levels are rising in China due to slow local demand, despite rising exports to Europe, a buyer of Chinese material reported to Industrial Minerals. Industrial Minerals assessed prices for titanium dioxide pigment, high quality, bulk volume, cfr Asia, at $2,600-3,000 per tonne on August 9, compared to a yearly high of $2,800-3,100 per tonne last assessed on June 7. "[Chinese producers] are aggressively marketing [their material] to European buyers," one trader told Industrial Minerals in July. Multiple participants in the European markets have reported heavy stocks all along the supply chain, swollen by the rising imports. "Nobody is desperate, nobody is fighting to buy," a seller said. Industrial Minerals assessed the price of titanium dioxide pigment, bulk volume, cif Northern Europe, at 2,650-3,100 ($3,031-3,540) per tonne on August 9, down from 2,800-3,200 per tonne in June 2018. Feedstock threat looms Yet, buyers and sellers of titanium-dioxide feedstock mantain that the mineral end of the market is still experiencing significant supply-side constraints. Integrated producer Tronox's shift away from external sales and a series of shutdowns and industrial problems at Richards Bay minerals in South Africa have lowered the global availability of rutile, chloride and sulphite slag. This problem is likely accelerate due to miner Iluka's easing output and a shortage of new projects coming online to replace old and retiring capacity. Industrial Minerals assessed prices for rutile concentrate min 95% TiO2 bulk cif China at $950-1,100 per tonne on August 9, compared to $800-840 per tonne a year ago. "I can see a scenario where feedstock prices will escalate due to a looming supply crunch," one player in the feedstock market told Industrial Minerals. "Feedstock and pigment prices might even end up having to increase regardless of pigment demand due to feedstock pricing." Speaking about the US TiO2 market, one trader said that Tronox, Rio Tinto and Illuka's production of high-end feedstock would be key world supply for the rest of the year. Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices continue their downtrend while downstream consumers are waiting for the market to hit the bottom due to the good level of material stocks. Prices for battery-grade lithium carbonate compounds produced from brine remain trading at a lower price compared to the same type of lithium compounds produced from hard rock, due to higher production costs for lithium made from hard rock. Battery-grade lithium hydroxide prices have temporarily stabilized this week on quiet trade. Seaborne cif China, Japan & South Korea, European and US lithium carbonate market prices fell week on week due to the decreasing price trend in China. The battery-grade lithium carbonate spot market in China remains influenced by weak demand, with lower prices offered in the spot market amid good existing stocks.Embedded in this market situation, consumers are holding back on procuring more material while waiting for the market to bottom-out and reach lower prices.Industrial Minerals last assessed the Chinese domestic spot battery-grade lithium carbonate price (min 99.5% Li2CO3) at 90,000-95,000 yuan ($13,008-13,730) per tonne on Thursday August 16, down from 94,000-100,000 yuan per tonne the previous week."We lowered our battery-grade lithium carbonate prices again this week as consumers keep pushing for lower prices," a lithium producer told Industrial Minerals. "Most consumers are now looking to purchase material on a weekly or monthly basis due to the fear of further lower prices in the weeks to come."Battery-grade lithium carbonate as well as technical and industrial-grade, produced from brine from Tibet and the Qinghai regions, remain trading at the low end of Industrial Minerals price range for lithium carbonate due to lower production costs compared to compounds produced from hard rock. Technical and industrial-grade lithium carbonate market prices were at 75,000-80,000 yuan per tonne on Thursday August 16, unchanged week on week, according to Industrial Minerals market assessment.Despite the downtrend in battery-grade lithium carbonate prices, battery-grade lithium hydroxide prices have stabilized this week. Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (min 56.5% LiOH.H2O) prices were at 115,000-130,000 yuan per tonne on Thursday August 16, unchanged from the previous week, according to Industrial Minerals market assessment."The Chinese lithium hydroxide market remains within a wide price range due to the premium paid for battery-grade lithium hydroxide compounds as well as for the micronized material, which holds a premium above the rest of battery-grade lithium hydroxide," a second producer told Industrial Minerals."Micronized and higher purity battery-grade lithium hydroxide are trading at 130,000 yuan per tonne and slightly above, whereas the normal battery-grade material is trading as low as 115,000 yuan per tonne," the producer added.The seaborne Asian cif China, Japan and Korea battery-grade lithium carbonate price has been influenced by the continuous dips in domestic Chinese prices.Industrial Minerals assessed the price for battery-grade lithium carbonate (min 99.5% Li2CO3) cif China, Japan and South Korea at $16-18 per kg on Thursday August 16, moving down from $16.50-18.50 per kg from previous week."We keep receiving offers for Chinese material even below $16 per kg but we dont believe the market is already at that type of price level," a trader told Industrial Minerals."We have heard prices as low as $15 per kg for battery-grade lithium carbonate compounds and that is because Chinese producers are trying to achieve higher prices outside China," a distributor told Industrial Minerals.Meanwhile, a lack of activity has kept battery-grade lithium hydroxide (min 56.5% LiOH.H2O) spot prices at $19-20 per kg on a cif China, Japan and Korea basis on Thursday August 16, unchanged week on week according to Industrial Minerals market assessment.European and US battery-grade lithium carbonate spot prices continued to fall week on week, affected by lower Chinese prices and a lack of demand during the current summer holiday period.Industrial Minerals assessed prices for battery-grade lithium carbonate, min 99.5% Li2CO at $16-18 per kg, ddp Europe and US on Thursday August 16, decreasing from $17-18.50 per kg last week."The market is quite slow due to the holiday season and we have been offering material as low as $16 per kg in order to sell some material amid this very slow market," a second trader told Industrial Minerals. "We have not locked in any material yet as consumers are waiting to see the market dip."Despite the current descending market trend, depressed demand kept lithium-hydroxide monohydrate, min 56.5% LiOH H2O, spot prices unchanged week on week between $18.50-20 per kg, ddp Europe and US, on Thursday August 16 according to Industrial Minerals assessment. Metal Bulletins trade log for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China for August includes all trades, bids and offers reported to Metal Bulletin. Learn more about Metal Bulletin's lithium pricing methodology and read the latest lithium price spotlight here. All lithium carbonate, hydroxide and spodumene prices are available in our Battery Raw Materials Market Tracker. Get a sample of the report here. UN Report Finds ISIS Given Breathing Space in US-Occupied Areas of Syria By maintaining an ISIS pocket in the territory it occupies, the U.S. can continue to justify its illegal presence in the country for the long-term, ultimately substituting Iran for ISIS as its new regional boogeyman. By Whitney Webb August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - A recent report from the UN Security Councils Sanctions Monitoring Team has found that many of the places in Syria where the terror group Daesh (ISIS) continues to operate, recuperate and extract oil for profit are in areas of the country occupied by the United States. According to the reports executive summary: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), having been defeated militarily in Iraq and most of the Syrian Arab Republic during 2017, rallied in early 2018 [owing to] a loss of momentum by forces fighting it in the east of the Syrian Arab Republic, which prolonged access by ISIL to resources and gave it breathing space to prepare for the next phase of its evolution into a global covert network. While the text itself doesnt explicitly state who controls these areas of Syrian territory, maps of eastern Syria make it clear that the pockets of Daesh within U.S.-controlled territory have remained unchanged in size since November 2017 while the Daesh pockets in the Syrian government-controlled portion of eastern Syria have shrunk considerably since last November. Furthermore, the UN report states that the areas where Daesh has rallied since the year began are located in pockets of territory in the Syrian Arab Republic on the Iraqi border where the group has mounted attacks, including across the border into Iraq. Again, area maps clearly show that the Daesh-controlled areas in only the U.S.-occupied portion of eastern Syria are along the Syria-Iraq border. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Notably, in the sliver of Daesh-controlled land between U.S. and Syrian government-controlled areas in the border city of Abu Kamal, when the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has tried to attack Daesh positions in the area this year, they have been targeted by U.S. coalition airstrikes. U.S. coalition airstrikes have also attacked Syrian civilian villages in the government-controlled portion of Abu Kamal. Survivors of that attack claimed that their villages had been targeted for refusing the entry of the U.S.-backed opposition militias such as the Qasad militia, which is largely composed of former Daesh fighters. U.S. coalition airstrikes targeting the SAA in Abu Kamal and elsewhere in eastern Syria have also been the key cause of the loss of momentum of forces fighting Daesh that was cited in the UN report, as Syrian forces have declined to advance deep into U.S.-held territory in order to pursue Daesh after being bombed numerous times. In addition, the U.S. own bombing campaign against Daesh can hardly be called effective given that the U.S., along with their military proxy the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), frequently announce on social media when and where they will be bombing Daesh in eastern Syria days in advance. #DeirEzzor After a short surveillance tour by Gen. Funk, Gen. Jarrard and #SDF commander in Middle Euphrates River Valley heval Ciya yesterday, operation to liberate #Hajin to start today in the evening.#JazeeraStorm pic.twitter.com/t9gqrNveVX Zana Amed (@zana_med) July 13, 2018 Beyond eastern Syria, the report also notes that another Daesh-infested area of concern is also located farther south in the area around the al-Tanf military base, which has been occupied by the United States since 2016. The UN report raises concerns about the Rukban refugee camp, which lies within the so-called deconfliction zone that the U.S. has imposed on a 55-kilometer radius around al-Tanf. The report states: The densely populated Rukban camp in southern Syrian Arab Republic contains some 80,000 internally displaced persons, including families of ISIL fighters, a situation which Member States fear might generate new ISIL cells. As with other Daesh-held areas under U.S. protection, the U.S. has attacked the SAA for attempting to enter the U.S. unilaterally-imposed deconfliction zone in an effort to attack Daesh militants. Washingtons Daesh-dependent long-game The evidence that the U.S. presence in Syria is actually helping to strengthen Daesh flies in the face of the Pentagons justification for the U.S. occupation of northeastern Syria as being necessary because the Syrian government is not strong enough to defeat Daesh on its own. However, as the recent UN report reveals, the Pentagons portrayal does not appear to be the reality of the situation. As MintPress has noted in the past, this finding is hardly surprising given that the Defense Intelligence Agency report from 2012 revealed that the U.S. willingly allowed Daesh to be formed in order to destabilize the Syrian government and partition Syria through foreign military intervention. Since then, the U.S. has adapted its justifications for its presence in Syria, particularly after the failure of Daesh and foreign-funded opposition groups to depose the current government of Syria. By maintaining a Daesh pocket in the territory it occupies, the U.S. can continue to justify its illegal presence in the country for the long-term. Indeed, just last month, the Trump administration made it clear that the U.S. military plans to stay in Syria for the long haul, substituting Iran for Daesh as its new regional boogeyman. Whitney Webb is a staff writer for MintPress News and a contributor to Ben Swanns Truth in Media. Her work has appeared on Global Research, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has also made radio and TV appearances on RT and Sputnik. She currently lives with her family in southern Chile. This article was originally published by "Mint Press 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 Home Search ICH Manufacturing Consent For War And Propaganda Media Outlets From Qatar, Russia, and China Must Register Under New U.S. Law By Luis Arellano August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Congress has passed a new law requiring foreign media outlets operating in the United States to register with the federal government. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, or NDAA, foreign media outlets who operate in the United States will have to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA. The new act has been sent to President Trump for signing. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than every 6 months thereafter, a United States-based foreign media outlet shall submit to the Commission, the act says. Media outlets operating in the U.S. that are funded by foreign governments (from China to Qatar) will now have to abide by the terms of the FARA Act first passed on the eve of World War II. Media outlets which seek to influence the U.S. public or advocate for particular policies must register under the act. The law is the result of a controversy involving the practices of Qatars Al Jazeera. Earlier this year employees of Al Jazeera infiltrated and secretly recorded the activities of organizations that work on Israeli-American relations or combat anti-Semitism. Al Jazeera claims these activities were part of an investigative effort. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In response representatives Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) and Josh Gottheimer (D, NJ-5) led a bipartisan effort which seeks to apply the FARA Act to Qatars activities. The two were joined by 16 congressman and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in signing an open letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions urging the Trump administration to enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) with respect to Al-Jazeera. At the time Gottheimer noted the urgent need for an investigation to determine whether Al Jazeera undertook political activities in the U.S. and should register as a foreign agent. Now more than ever, American citizens deserve to know the difference between foreign propaganda and independent media. The new law will require the federal government to closely monitor these organizations. The U.S. Justice Department required Russia Today, a Russian broadcast network owned by Moscow, to register as a foreign agent under FARA in November 2017. Media outlets sponsored by Japan and South Korea have previously complied with the act. American politicians in the 1930s worried that Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Soviet Union were attempting to influence U.S. foreign policy and the public in general. This led to the Foreign Agents Registration Act which was first passed in 1938 and last ammended in 1966. This article was originally published by "American Media Institute " - 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 Thomas L. Knapp August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - In a recent tweet, US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) warned that Infowars is the tip of a giant iceberg of hate and lies that uses sites like Facebook and YouTube to tear our nation apart. His solution: These companies must do more than take down one website. The survival of our democracy depends on it. Yes, odd as it might seem, Senator Murphy believes that the future of America can only be secured by suppressing information and discussion he doesnt like. That sentiment seems to be going around. David McCabe of Axios reports on a leaked policy paper from the office of US Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). Two of its most dangerous proposals: [N]ew federal funding for media literacy programs that could help consumers sort through the information on online platforms. In other words, well-financed government propaganda to make sure we hear what Mark Warner wants us to hear (and think what he wants us to think about what we hear elsewhere). Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter [R]equiring web platforms to label bot accounts or do more to identify authentic accounts, with the threat of sanction by the Federal Trade Commission if they fail to do so. Americas long tradition of anonymous and pseudonymous political speech not least among it the Revolution-era pamphlets of Thomas Paine shouldnt be subject to the veto of Mark Warner or Chris Murphy. Then, a good laugh: The size and reach of these platforms demand that we ensure proper oversight, transparency and effective management of technologies that in large measure undergird our social lives, our economy, and our politics. Since when has government ever produced proper oversight, transparency, or effective management of anything? And what could possibly go wrong with eviscerating the First Amendment to give these jokers oversight or management powers over technologies that undergird our politics? Whats really going on here? Political blogger Michael Krieger answers that question with a simple headline: Censorship Is What Happens When Powerful People Get Scared. The American political establishment has spent the last decade quaking in its boots over the next potential disclosure from WikiLeaks, Edward Snowden, or whistleblowers yet unknown. This isnt about our democracy. Its about their power. The US governments use of putatively private sector social media outlets as proxy censors has been going on for some time, but the Russiagate scandal lent it new momentum. And its not just some alleged lunatic fringe that theyre after. Recent victims of Twitters ban policy include non-interventionist foreign policy analysts like Scott Horton (editorial director of Antiwar.com), former Foreign Service Officer Peter Van Buren, and Ron Paul Institute director Daniel McAdams. We dont need more government oversight of social media. What we need is for it to be recognized, and treated, as a criminal abuse of power (and a violation of US Code Title 18 241 conspiracy against rights) for government officials or employees to attempt to oversee or manage social medias content standards. Let me reconfigure Chris Murphys authoritarian statement to name the stakes: The survival of our freedom depends on it. By Cesar Chelala August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - I grew up with an agnostic father and a Catholic mother. In my family we followed many Catholic rites and holidays. That explains why the recent revelations of childrens molestation by hundreds of Roman Catholic priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses dismay and horrify me. My distress is compounded by realizing that this is only the last in several similar revelations that span several countries, all with a similar pattern of abuse and deceit. According to a landmark grand jury report released on August 14, the real number of abused children could very well be in the thousands, since many records have been lost and many victims refused to come forward. More than 300 clergymen carried out the abuse over several decades, beginning in the 1950s. That brutal history of abuse could have only been conducted with the criminal complicity of church officials in Pennsylvania and at the Vatican, says Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. What makes these revelations more startling is that they are based on the dioceses own records. As Josh Shapiro stated at a news conference in Harrisburg, The cover-up was sophisticated. And all the while, shockingly, church leadership kept records of the abuse and cover-up. These documents, from the dioceses own Secret Archives, formed the backbone of this investigation. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The grand jury investigated abuse allegations in dioceses that serve more than half of Pennsylvanias 3.2 million Catholics. Among the victims were boys and girls, who were subjected to groping, masturbation, and anal, oral and vaginal rape, all charges that were repeatedly denied by Church officials. The two-year-long grand jury investigation found that some 300 priests had abused over 1,000 children over a period of 70 years. Bishops and other church officials not only covered up those crimes but they even moved the accused priest to other churches and, in some cases, even promoted them. One of the most sinister cases of abuse was one boy who was so brutally raped by a priest that he suffered serious back injuries. To overcome the pain the boy started a treatment with opioid painkillers, got hooked on them and died from this addiction. In another case, a priest raped and assaulted five sisters in the same family. In another case, a priest raped a 7-year-old girl as she recovered from a tonsillectomy. What makes these events even more serious is that several cases of abuse by the predator priests were reported by bishops to the Vatican, and the Vatican chose to take no action at all. In Chile, however, where also there were nearly 80 priests accused of abuse of children, Pope Francis demanded the resignation of all the bishops that were involved in cases of cover-up. What is it possible to do to stop these abuses from taking place? It seems obvious that the Catholic Church has to have a different approach from what it has had up to now. In an interview with Judy Woodruff, from PBS NewsHour, Father Thomas Reese, of Religious News Service, outlined some necessary measures. According to Father Reese, anybody from the Catholic Church involved with children has to go through a police background check. Secondly, any instance of abuse has to be reported to the police. And thirdly, all those priests against whom there are credible accusations of abuse have to be removed from the ministry until a full investigation takes place. If the accusations are proven true, they should be removed forever from the ministry. These important measures should be complemented, however, by more substantial actions. Perhaps, and it is a big perhaps, the Church should revisit its decision to prohibit priests from having a normal sexual and family life, as happens in other religions. It is possible that the policy of abstinence that priests should follow intends to nullify a normal biological drive, with disastrous consequences. More than anything, however, the Catholic Church should purge its cadres of abusing priests, and have them all go through profound psychological testing. Those widespread instances of abuse taint the image of the Church, and threaten its existence as a source of religious beliefs and comfort for hundreds of millions of people from all over the world. Cesar Chelala is a co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award and two national journalism awards from Argentina. Manufacturing Consent For War On Iran: Pompeos New Iran Action Group By Trita Parsi August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - I wanted to share with you a few thoughts on the announcement of Mike Pompeos new Iran Action Group at the State Department. As if the parallels were not strong enough to the regime-change policy on Iraq, the announcement comes almost exactly on the anniversary of the CIA-led coup against Irans elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953. One thing stood out from Pompeos presser: As usual, it was heavy on accusations and demands, and rather empty on substance. In fact, it was not clear what exactly the group would be doing beyond what already has been announced. But there are reasons to believe that this is an important development. Fissures exist within the Trump administration between Trump himself (who likely does want to pivot to diplomacy with Iran as he did on North Korea) and members of his team (John Bolton, Pompeo and Brian Hook), who view the offer of negotiations as yet another instrument of pressure, rather than a genuine offer. This group has already walked back Trumps offer for dialogue with Iran without preconditions. And John Bolton famously wrote in a memo to Trump that as the US would increase the pressure on Iran, it should also consider rhetorically leaving that possibility open in order to demonstrate Irans actual underlying intention to develop deliverable nuclear weapon . Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Against this background, one purpose the new Iran Action Group may serve is to escalate matters with Iran to the point in which any pivot to diplomacy by Trump may be rendered impossible. Proponents of confrontation with Iran such as FDD have already once seen their pressure policy (which was designed to be irreversible) be dialed down by a President who pivoted to negotiations. This happened in 2013 under Obama and led to many bitter public exchanges between FDDs leadership and Obama officials. Hawks on North Korea must have felt similarly frustrated when Trump suddenly shifted to talk to Kim Jung Un rather than threatening him with nuclear strikes. Moreover, what has been clear from Trumps Iran policy thus far is that much of it is rarely publicly acknowledged. But we know now per the reporting of Reuters that the Trump administration has been destabilizing Iran and that the goal with its pressure policy is to foment unrest in Iran . (It remains to be seen whether the US also has directly provided funding to entities involved in the unrest in Iran.) The Iran Action group will likely lead and intensify efforts to foment unrest in Iran, further creating tensions with the EU who view the destabilization of Iran as a direct national security threat to Europe . Despite the absence of substance in todays presser, this move is yet another escalatory step by the Trump administration that is putting the US closer to war with Iran, despite Trumps offer for talks. Home Search ICH Jordan Staunch Western Ally Angry and Confused By Andre Vltchek August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Where precisely, is Jordan now? Is it with the West, or with the Arab world? How independent is it, really, and what future lies ahead? Recently, in the middle of the capital city Amman several sleek 5-star hotel towers grew towards the sky, including the trendy W and Rotana. Dressed to kill women from the Gulf, wearing high heels and suggestive make up, are now sipping cappuccinos in various cafes at the posh new pedestrian area called The Boulevard. Saudi men can be seen downing pints of beer and carafes of wine. It is a scene not unlike that commonly observed in Bahrain. The Gulf now comes to Amman to escape strict regulations, to play, to be careless, to enjoy life. Some people travel here for medical treatment, staying in overpriced private hospitals which resemble 4-star hotels more than medical facilities. But predominately, here in Amman, it is all about fashion, about food and drinks, about showing off and being seen the entire area doesnt have one single decent bookstore (there is only a tiny kiosk at the entrance to the Abdali Mall), art cinema or a concert hall. Unlike Beirut, with its vibrant international art scene and thirst for knowledge, Ammans affluent residents and visitors are obsessed with consumerism. With half-closed eyes, The Boulevard could be located in some smaller city of Texas or Georgia. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Just a few kilometers away, at Al-Basheer Hospital (the biggest public medical facility in the country), doctors are on strike. They are exhausted, underpaid and depressed. Only emergency cases get treated. Blood is on the floor, patients look resigned. I get pushed away as the Health Minister makes his visit with his entourage. Ambulances keep howling, bringing casualties. Quality of public medical services in this country is appalling, I am told by one of the patients. I talk to two Syrian ladies who are waiting here with a sick boy. One of them laments: We had to travel here all the way from Al-Azraq. We are not insured in this country, and even UNHCR does not help us, when we are facing medical emergencies. We went to a private clinic where a simple series of tests cost us 300 JD (US$428). We are here now. It is uncertain whether we will be treated at all. We are totally desperate. Soon after, a plain-clothed cop begins interrogating me. Do I have a permit to ask questions at the hospital? I dont. After I leave, two police officers try to intercept me. Pretending that I dont understand, I smile like an idiot and they let me go. * In Jordan, people are afraid to talk. To be precise, they do talk inside their homes and cars, or in the backrooms of their offices, but not in public. They hardly ever give their full names. In 2018, Jordan exploded on various occasions. In February, riots broke in the city of Al-Salt, over the proposed 60% price hike of bread, but also over the increase of electricity and fuel prices as well as the cutting of subsidies for basic goods and services. The infamous and brutal IMF structural adjustment had been gradually implemented in Jordan, which was suffering from a stagnating economy and bizarre misappropriation of funds. In 2017, Jordans recorded government debt stood at $32 billion, equivalent to 95.6% of the countrys GDP. In June, massive protests shook the capital, Amman. Protesters were demanding the change of the government. They were outraged by planned tax hikes and the rapidly declining standard of living. They also called for the end of endemic corruption among government officials. Scores of people were arrested. In July, the government resigned, and King Abdullah asked Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, to form a new government. People dispersed. They were told that they had won, but almost nothing changed. Let me explain: before they were, for instance, threatening to introduce a 15% tax on cars, my driver in Amman explained. Now what they will do is introduce a tax hike of 5% this year and 10% in 2019. Everything is the same. In a desperate settlement, Kufrain Village, near the River Jordan and Dead Sea, a baker at Alihsan Bakery was much more outspoken: We dont trust the government: new or old. They are all the same bullshitters. The riots? Change of government? Dont make me laugh: so-called riots were organized and led by intelligence officers and by the government itself. They manipulated people. This government does precisely the same things as the previous one, but with the new alphabetic order. A day earlier, I had heard precisely the same lament from an upper-class Jordanian lady whom I met on the bank of the Jordan River, while visiting the Bethany Beyond Jordan Site (great opportunity to photograph fortified border with Israeli occupied Palestine (OPT). She explained, cynically and in perfect English: Jordanian people had enough; this time they were ready to overthrow the regime in Amman. The elites knew it. They organized riots, made them look real but relatively orderly, then changed a few political players at the top, while saving the system. People felt that they won, but in fact, nothing changed, whatsoever. Jordan is a staunch ally of the West. Its Elites are unconditionally pro-US. The country has been, for decades, betting on collaboration with NATO. It hosts several deadly military and air force bases of various Wester countries, the most lethal being Al-Azraq, where part of the war planes that were previously situated at the Turkish airbase Incerlik, have recently been re-located. British and US Special Forces have been, for years, invading the Syrian state, from Jordanian territory. Functioning as a service station of the West, has been securing the main income of the country and to its elites, but not necessarily to its people. Very little or nothing has been invested into science, research or production. It is all about the military bases, malls for the expats, medical tourism for the rich Gulf citizens, few maquiladoras, and of course the main privately own component of the local economy tourism (some 14% of the GDP and growing). Tourism primarily benefits the big Western hotel chains and is consistently ruining the fragile ecosystem of the Dead Sea and lately, the Gulf of Aqaba. At the same time, the Al-Azraq air force base is destroying and draining the precious water reserves of the desert oases. Official unemployment in Jordan now stands around 18% but is in reality much higher. The border with Syria remains closed, so cheap goods cannot come in (relatively poor Jordan is periodically ranked as the most expensive country to live in the Arab world). The country is presently hosting 670,000 Syrian refugees, although some are now determined to return home. The refugees (many of them live in despicable conditions and face various types of discrimination) are yet another source of foreign funding for Jordan, but on the streets of Amman, people keep complaining that Syrians take jobs from the local people. That does not prevent Jordanians from importing cheap labor from poor countries like the Philippines and Kenya. No matter how stretched and impoverished, Jordanians are not ready to do dirty jobs. * I spoke to a curator at the modest Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. There, a surreal and post-modernist installation called Factory was trying to shock by avant-garde forms and, it appeared to me, by very little substance. The National Gallery was desperately empty; people were most likely somewhere else, in cafes, malls or pubs. I asked the curator whether she was planning to show some artwork depicting the recent riots, or to get to the core of what triggered the recent wave of desperation. She looked at me, horrified: No, why? Of course not! I asked whether there is at least one gallery in Amman, that is reacting to the events? No, she almost shouted at me. She was very angry. I was trying to understand, why? It never pays to be a Western colony, in the Arab world or anywhere else. Some individuals or a group of people may get filthy rich, but the rest of the population will struggle. It will become irrelevant. While neighboring Syria is winning its epic battle against the terrorists implanted there by the West and its allies, Jordan is living the sad reality of some Central American semi-colony of the United States. Here, almost all ideology had been neutralized. Not even dreams of pan-Arab socialist unity that had been shaping, for decades, both Syria and Iraq, could be traced here. Nobody in Jordan appears to be happy. Some complain, some dont, but there are no concrete proposals on how to change the pro-Western regime. In the meantime, the posh Boulevard area is protected by metal detectors and guards, uniformed and plain-clothed. Hotels are turning into fortresses. Now even to enter some cafes at the Boulevard, one has to go through a second stage of security, including robust metal detectors. Amman is an extremely safe city. I wonder: Is it in order to stop terrorism? Or, perhaps, is it to prevent poor and desperate people from entering and seeing with their own eyes that the foreign interests and local collaborators are robbing them of their own country? I ask aloud. My local friend does not reply. In Jordan, there are some questions that should never be asked. Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are his tribute to The Great October Socialist Revolution a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire. View his other books here. Watch Rwanda Gambit, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter. 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. Trump's Sanctions On Iran Dig Deeper Grave For US Forces in Afghanistan By Finian Cunningham August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The dramatic, and seemingly unstoppable, surge of Taliban offensives across Afghanistan is proof that the US is fast becoming the latest foreign power to succumb to failure in a land known for being the graveyard of empires. But unlike past empires defeated in Afghanistan, the US stands out as singularly contributing to its own ill-fate through excessive blundering and its legacy of criminal duplicity. In particular, Washingtons obsession with confronting neighboring Iran and plotting regime change in Tehran could well be the tipping point in Afghanistan. The point, that is, where the US tips itself into a strategic, military grave it has been digging in Afghanistan over the past two decades. After 17 years of US military occupation costing the US taxpayer trillions of dollars, the Taliban insurgents seem to be able to launch spectacular attacks at will against the Washington-backed government in Kabul. By any measure, that portends a historic defeat for Washingtons imperial ambitions. And not just in Afghanistan. Over the past week, a strategic city, Ghazni, only 150 kms south from the capital was under Taliban occupation for several days before the militants appeared to make a tactical retreat to surrounding areas. Then in the capital, Kabul, on Thursday, the Taliban mounted a gun battle on a military-intelligence training base, as if to underline the ineffectualness of US-backed security forces. A military intelligence base caught in a surprise attack? Further north, in Faryab province, an Afghan National Army base was reportedly over-run by militants with the apparent loss of 30 troops and the remaining 70 captured. Provincial elders said the base was easily captured by the Taliban because it lacked reinforcements, ammunition and food. So much for US support. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Recall that Afghanistan was supposed to be the Soviet Unions Vietnam. That was how US planners like Zbigniew Brzezinski gleefully referred to Afghanistan and their nefarious scheme to inflict on the Soviets what the US had ignominiously suffered in Vietnam only a few years earlier. In 1979, Soviet troops were lured into the Central Asian country to prop up an allied government in Kabul coming under attack from US-backed tribal fighters, the Mujahideen. Like British imperial troops a century before, the Soviets suffered defeat in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan at the hands of fearless fighters. Of course, the Soviets were not just up against Afghans. The CIA had weaponized the Mujahideen with Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other sophisticated munitions. Along with Britains MI6, the Saudis and Pakistani military intelligence, the Afghan insurgents were turned into a jihadist army which later evolved into the Al Qaeda terror network. The irony is, however, that the Soviet Vietnam has now turned into another US quagmire an American Vietnam redux. Following the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 on New York City and Washington DC, the George W Bush administration rushed into Afghanistan in an act of revenge against Al Qaeda the very organization that the Americans had earlier helped create. From 'barbaric' Islamists to fighters against ISIS https://t.co/2p1RCM0q7t RT (@RT_com) August 15, 2018 Nearly 17 years later, the US military is still bogged down in Afghanistan with no viable exit plan in sight. The war is officially Americas longest war, surpassing the duration of the Vietnam War (1964-75). Although US casualties are much less than was incurred in Southeast Asia, the financial cost of Afghanistan to the US economy is crippling, estimated to be up to $5 trillion, along with the Iraq war. Thats a quarter of the US total national debt of $21 trillion. US military operations were officially supposed to end in 2014 during the Obama administration. When Donald Trump ran for the presidency in 2016, one of his winning pledges to voters was to scale back US wars. Last year, however, Trump acceded to Pentagon advice to revamp military involvement in Afghanistan, albeit under the guise of training and support for local forces. As this past weeks audacious attacks by the Taliban demonstrates, the US-backed government forces are fighting a losing war. Vast areas of the country are outside of their control. Even the capital appears vulnerable to heavily-mounted raids. Moreover, the situation can only get worse for the US and its Afghan surrogates. What may be a decisive factor is the Trump administrations criminal policy of aggression towards neighboring Iran. In myopic fashion, Washingtons desire to squeeze Iran with crushing economic sanctions is liable to rebound, by significantly worsening the security conditions in Afghanistan for US-backed forces. Thats because as the US imposes tougher sanctions on Iran, following Trumps abandonment of the international nuclear treaty in May this year, the deteriorating Iranian economy will have a direct deleterious impact on Afghanistan. Thousands of migrant Afghan workers rely on Iran for employment. Their salary remittances are reportedly a major lifeline for families back in Afghanistan. With the Iranian economy already faltering under US sanctions, droves of unemployed expatriate Afghan workers can be expected to pack up and leave, cutting off the remittances that sustain much of Afghanistans economy. A further impact from Washingtons sanctions on Iran is that landlocked Afghanistan will not be able to avail of Iranian sea ports for imports and exports. Trump is threatening secondary sanctions on any country continuing to do business with Iran. Unless, the US gives Afghanistan a waiver, it will be cut off from commercial ties with Iran and its trading routes to the Indian Ocean. So, as the US-imposed economic pressure on Iran intensifies through ratcheting up of sanctions Washington wants a total oil embargo by November the inevitable result will be worsening social conditions in Afghanistan for the general population there. That lamentable outcome, it is reasonable to assume, will only boost popular support for the Taliban, making the US-backed Afghan forces even more insecure and ineffectual in their operations. A third factor is that Iran could exercise a more malicious option by increasing military support covertly to the Taliban. Iran is reckoned to have developed a formidable arsenal of advanced missile technology. This week, for example, Tehran showcased a new radar-evading ballistic missile. Given that the Americans are trying to destroy the Iranian government through vicious economic measures, it would not be at all surprising if Tehran fought back by supplying the Taliban fighters with devastating fire power to hit US forces. Thus, by running a sanctions vendetta against Iran in the calculation that the economic pain might elicit social unrest and regime change, Washington is likely to end up inflicting serious blowback on its military campaign in Afghanistan. Americas longest overseas war could turn out to be its most ignominious and wasteful. Thats saying something given the dozens of dirty wars that the US has engaged in over the past century. The repercussions for US global standing cannot be underestimated. It not only ran a nearly two-decade war in Afghanistan, which was arguably illegal from the very outset, resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and was financially ruinous for the US economy, but the supposed almighty US power will have been defeated in the graveyard of empires largely by its own criminality, stupidity and arrogance. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. This article was originally published by " RT " - 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 By Tom Engelhardt August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Fair warning. Stop reading right now if you want, because Im going to repeat myself. What choice do I have, since my subject is the Afghan War (Americas second Afghan War, no less)? I began writing about that war in October 2001, almost 17 years ago, just after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. That was how I inadvertently launched the unnamed listserv that would, a year later, become TomDispatch. Given the websites continuing focus on Americas forever wars (a phrase I first used in 2010), what choice have I had but to write about Afghanistan ever since? So think of this as the war piece to end all war pieces. And let the repetition begin! Here, for instance, is what I wrote about our Afghan War in 2008, almost seven years after it began, when the U.S. Air Force took out a bridal party, including the bride herself and at least 26 other women and children en route to an Afghan wedding. And that would be just one of eight U.S. wedding strikes I toted up by the end of 2013 in three countries, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, that killed almost 300 potential revelers. We have become a nation of wedding crashers," I wrote, "the uninvited guests who arrived under false pretenses, tore up the place, offered nary an apology, and refused to go home. Heres what I wrote about Afghanistan in 2009, while considering the metrics of a war gone to hell: While Americans argue feverishly and angrily over what kind of money, if any, to put into health care, or decaying infrastructure, or other key places of need, until recently just about no one in the mainstream raised a peep about the fact that, for nearly eight years (not to say much of the last three decades), we've been pouring billions of dollars, American military know-how, and American lives into a black hole in Afghanistan that is, at least in significant part, of our own creation. Heres what I wrote in 2010, thinking about how forever war had entered the bloodstream of the twenty-first-century U.S. military (in a passage in which youll notice a name that became more familiar in the Trump era): And lets not leave out the Armys incessant planning for the distant future embodied in a recently published report, Operating Concept, 2016-2028, overseen by Brigadier General H.R. McMaster, a senior adviser to Gen. David Petraeus. It opts to ditch Buck Rogers visions of futuristic war, and instead to imagine counterinsurgency operations, grimly referred to as wars of exhaustion, in one, two, many Afghanistans to the distant horizon. Heres what I wrote in 2012, when Afghanistan had superseded Vietnam as the longest war in American history: Washington has gotten itself into a situation on the Eurasian mainland so vexing and perplexing that Vietnam has finally been left in the dust. In fact, if you hadnt noticed -- and weirdly enough no one has -- that former war finally seems to have all but vanished. Heres what I wrote in 2015, thinking about the American taxpayer dollars that had, in the preceding years, gone into Afghan roads to nowhere, ghost soldiers, and a $43 million gas station built in the middle of nowhere, rather than into this country: Clearly, Washington had gone to war like a drunk on a bender, while the domestic infrastructure began to fray. At $109 billion by 2014, the American reconstruction program in Afghanistan was already, in today's dollars, larger than the Marshall Plan (which helped put all of devastated Western Europe back on its feet after World War II) and still the country was a shambles. And heres what I wrote last year thinking about the nature of our never-ending war there: Right now, Washington is whistling past the graveyard. In Afghanistan and Pakistan the question is no longer whether the U.S. is in command, but whether it can get out in time. If not, the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, the Indians, who exactly will ride to our rescue? Perhaps it would be more prudent to stop hanging out in graveyards. They are, after all, meant for burials, not resurrections. And thats just to dip a toe into my writings on Americas all-time most never-ending war. What Happened After History Ended If, at this point, youre still reading, I consider it a miracle. After all, most Americans hardly seem to notice that the war in Afghanistan is still going on. To the extent that theyre paying attention at all, the public would, it seems, like U.S. troops to come home and the war to end. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter That conflict, however, simply stumbles on amid continuing bad news with nary a soul in the streets to protest it. The longer it goes on, the less -- here in this country at least -- it seems to be happening (if, that is, you arent one of the 15,000 American troops stationed there or among their families and friends or the vets, their families and friends, who have been gravely damaged by their tours of duty in Kabul and beyond). And if youre being honest, can you really blame the public for losing interest in a war that they largely no longer fight, a war that theyre in no way called on to support (other than to idolize the troops who do fight it), a war that theyre in no way mobilized for or against? In the age of the Internet, who has an attention span of 17 years, especially when the president just tweeted out his 47th outrageous comment of the week? If you stop to think about it between those tweets, dont you find it just a tad grim that, close enough to two decades later, this country is still fighting fruitlessly in a land once known by the ominous sobriquet the graveyard of empires? You know, the one whose tribal fighters outlasted Alexander the Great, the Mongols, the British, and the Russians. Back in October 2001, you might have thought that the history lurking in that phrase would have given George W. Bushs top officials pause before they decided to go after not just Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan but the Taliban, too. No such luck, of course -- then or since. They were, of course, leading the planets last superpower, the only one left when the Soviet Union imploded after its Afghan war disaster, the one its leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, grimly dubbed "the bleeding wound." They hadnt the slightest doubt that the United States was exempt from history, that everyone else had already filled that proverbial graveyard and that there would never be a gravestone for them. After all, the U.S. was still standing, seemingly triumphant, when history officially ended (according to one of the neocon prophets of that moment). In reality, when it comes to Americas spreading wars, especially the one in Afghanistan, history didnt end at all. It just stumbled onto some graveyard version of a Mobius strip. In contrast to the past empires that found they ultimately couldnt defeat Afghanistans insurgent tribal warriors, the U.S. has -- as Bush administration officials suspected at the time -- proven unique. Just not in the way they imagined. Their dreams couldnt have been more ambitious. As they launched the invasion of Afghanistan, they were already looking past the triumph to come to Saddam Husseins Iraq and the glories that would follow once his regime had been "decapitated," once U.S. forces, the most technologically advanced ever, were stationed for an eternity in the heart of the oil heartlands of the Greater Middle East. Not that anyone remembers anymore, but Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, and the rest of that crew of geopolitical dreamers wanted it all. What they got was no less unique in history: a great power at the seeming height of its strength and glory, with destructive capabilities beyond imagining and a military unmatched on the planet, unable to score a single decisive victory across an increasingly large swath of the planet or impose its will, however brutally, on seemingly far weaker, less well-armed opponents. They could not conquer, subdue, control, pacify, or win the hearts and minds or anything else of enemies who often fought their trillion-dollar foe using weaponry valued at the price of a pizza. Talk about bleeding wounds! A War of Abysmal Repetition Thought of another way, the U.S. military is now heading into record territory in Afghanistan. In the mid-1970s, the rare American who had heard of that country knew it only as a stop on the hippie trail. If you had then told anyone here that, by 2018, the U.S. would have been at war there for 27 years (1979-1989 and 2001-2018), he or she would have laughed in your face. And yet here we are, approaching the mark for one of Europes longest, most brutal struggles, the Thirty Years War of the seventeenth century. Imagine that. And just in case youre paying no attention at all to the news from Afghanistan these days, rest assured that you dont have to. You already know it! To offer just a few examples, the New York Times recently revealed a new Trump administration plan to get U.S.-backed Afghan troops to withdraw from parts of the countryside, ceding yet more territory to the Taliban, to better guard the nation's cities. Here was the headline used: Newest U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan Mirrors Past Plans for Retreat. (The withdrawal resembles strategies embraced by both the Bush and Obama administrations that have started and stuttered over the nearly 17-year war.) And that generally is about as new as it gets when it comes to Afghan news in 2018. Consider, for instance, a report from early July that began, An American service member was killed and two others were wounded in southern Afghanistan on Saturday in what officials described as an apparent insider attack; that is, he was killed by an armed Afghan government soldier, an ally, not an enemy. As it happened, I was writing about just such insider or green-on-blue violence back in July 2012 (when it was rampant) under the headline Death by Ally (a message written in blood that no one wants to hear). And despite many steps taken to protect U.S. advisers and other personnel from such attacks since, theyre still happening six years later. Or consider the report, Counternarcotics: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan, issued this June by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR). Its focus: 15 years of American efforts to suppress opium growing and the heroin trade in that country (at historic lows, by the way, when the U.S. invaded in 2001). More than eight and a half billion American dollars later, SIGAR found, opium remains the countrys largest cash crop, supporting 590,000 full-time jobs -- which is more people than are employed by Afghanistans military and security forces. Oh, wait, historian Alfred McCoy was writing about just that at TomDispatch back in 2010 under the headline Can Anyone Pacify the Worlds Number One Narco-State? (In ways that have escaped most observers, the Obama administration is now trapped in an endless cycle of drugs and death in Afghanistan from which there is neither an easy end nor an obvious exit.) Recently, SIGAR issued another report, this one on the rampant corruption inside just about every part of the Afghan government and its security forces, which are famously filled with scads of ghost soldiers. How timely, given that Ann Jones was focused on that very subject, endemic corruption in Afghanistan, at TomDispatch back in... hmmm, 2006, when she wrote, During the last five years, the U.S. and many other donor nations pledged billions of dollars to Afghanistan, yet Afghans keep asking: Where did the money go? American taxpayers should be asking the same question. The official answer is that donor funds are lost to Afghan corruption. But shady Afghans, accustomed to two-bit bribes, are learning how big-bucks corruption really works from the masters of the world. I could, of course, go on to discuss surges -- the latest being the Trump administrations mini-one to bring U.S. troop levels there to 15,000 -- such surges having been a dime-a-dozen phenomena in these many years. Or the recent ramping up of the air war there (essentially reported with the same headlines you could have found over articles in... well... 2010) or the amount of territory the Taliban now controls (at record levels 17 years after that crew was pushed out of the last Afghan city they controlled), but why go on? You get the point. Almost 17 years and, coincidentally enough, 17 U.S. commanders later, think of it as a war of abysmal repetition. Just about everything in the U.S. manual of military tactics has evidently been tried (including dropping the mother of all bombs, the largest non-nuclear munition in that militarys arsenal), often time and again, and nothing has even faintly done the trick -- to which the Pentagons response is invariably a version of the classic misquoted movie line, Play it again, Sam. And yet, amid all that repetition, people are still dying; Afghans and others are being uprooted and displaced across Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and deep into Africa; wars and terror outfits are spreading. And heres a simple enough fact thats worth repeating: the endless, painfully ignored failure of the U.S. military (and civilian) effort in Afghanistan is where it all began and where it seems never to end. A Victory for Whom? Every now and then, theres the odd bit of news that reminds you we dont have to be in a world of repetition. Every now and then, you see something and wonder whether it might not represent a new development, one that possibly could lead out of (or far deeper into) the graveyard of empires. As a start, though its been easy to forget in these years, other countries are affected by the ongoing disaster of a war in Afghanistan. Think, for instance, of Pakistan (with a newly elected, somewhat Trumpian president who has been a critic of Americas Afghan War and of U.S. drone strikes in his country), Iran, China, and Russia. So here's something I cant remember seeing in the news before: the military intelligence chiefs of those four countries all met recently in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, officially to discuss the growth of Islamic State-branded insurgents in Afghanistan. But who knows what was really being discussed? And the same applies to the visit of Irans armed forces chief of staff to Pakistan in July and the return visit of that country's chief of staff to Iran in early August. I cant tell you whats going on, only that these are not the typically repetitive stories of the last 17 years. And hard as it might be to believe, even when it comes to U.S. policy, theres been the odd headline that might pass for new. Take the recent private, direct talks with the Taliban in Qatars capital, Doha, initiated by the Trump administration and seemingly ongoing. They might -- or might not -- represent something new, as might President Trump himself, who, as far as anyone can tell, doesnt think that Afghanistan is the right war. He has, from time to time, even indicated that he might be in favor of ending the American role, of getting the hell out of there, as he reportedly told Senator Rand Paul, and thats unique in itself (though he and his advisers seem to be raring to go when it comes to what could be the next Afghanistan: Iran). But should the man who would never want to be known as the president who lost the longest war in American history try to follow through on a withdrawal plan, hes likely to have a few problems on his hands. Above all, the Pentagon and the country's field commanders seem to be hooked on Americas infinite wars. They exhibit not the slightest urge to stop them. The Afghan War and the others that have flowed from it represent both their raison d'etre and their meal ticket. They represent the only thing the U.S. military knows how to do in this century. And one thing is guaranteed: if they dont agree with the president on a withdrawal strategy, they have the power and ability to make a man who would do anything to avoid marring his own image as a winnner look worse than you could possibly imagine. Despite that militarys supposedly apolitical role in this countrys affairs, its leaders are uniquely capable of blocking any attempt to end the Afghan War. And with that in mind, almost 17 years later, dont think that victory is out of the question either. Every day that the U.S. military stays in Afghanistan is indeed a victory for... well, not George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, and certainly not Donald Trump, but the now long-dead Osama bin Laden. The calculation couldnt be simpler. Thanks to his precision weaponry -- those 19 suicidal hijackers in commercial jets -- the nearly 17 years of wars he's sparked across much of the Muslim world cost a man from one of Saudi Arabias wealthiest families a mere $400,000 to $500,000. Theyve cost American taxpayers, minimally, $5.6 trillion dollars with no end in sight. And every day the Afghan War and the others that have followed from it continue is but another triumphant day for him and his followers. A sad footnote to this history of extreme repetition: I wish this essay, as its title suggests, were indeed the war piece to end all war pieces. Unfortunately, its a reasonable bet that, in August 2019, or August 2020, not to speak of August 2021, Ill be repeating all of this yet again. Tom Engelhardt is a co-founder of the American Empire Project and the author of a history of the Cold War, The End of Victory Culture. He is a fellow of the Nation Institute and runs TomDispatch.com. His sixth and latest book is A Nation Unmade by War (Dispatch Books). Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Books, Beverly Gologorsky's novel Every Body Has a Story and Tom Engelhardt's A Nation Unmade by War, as well as Alfred McCoy's In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power, John Dower's The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II, and John Feffer's dystopian novel Splinterlands. Copyright 2018 Tom Engelhardt By Jonathan Cook August 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Labour party, relentlessly battered by an organised campaign of smears of its leader, Jeremy Corbyn first for being anti-semitic, and now for honouring Palestinian terrorists is reportedly about to adopt the four additional working examples of anti-semitism drafted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Labour initially rejected these examples stoking yet more condemnation from Israels lobbyists and the British corporate media because it justifiably feared, as have prominent legal experts, that accepting them would severely curb the freedom to criticise Israel. The medias ever-more outlandish slurs against Corbyn and the Labour partys imminent capitulation on the IHRAs full definition of anti-semitism are not unrelated events. The former was designed to bring about the latter. According to a report in the Guardian this week, senior party figures are agitating for the rapid adoption of the full IHRA definition, ideally before the party conference next month, and say Corbyn has effectively surrendered to the pressure. An MP who supports Corbyn told the paper Corbyn would just have to take one for the team. In a strong indication of the way the wind is now blowing, the Guardian added: The party said it would consult the main [Jewish] communal bodies as well as experts and academics, but groups such as the pro-Corbyn Jewish Voice for Labour have not been asked to give their views. No stomach for battle The full adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-semitism will be a major victory both for Israel and its apologists in Britain, who who have been seeking to silence all meaningful criticism of Israel, and for the British corporate media, which would dearly love to see the back of an old-school socialist Labour leader whose programme threatens to loosen the 40-year stranglehold of neoliberalism on British society. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Besieged for four years, Corbyns allies in the Labour leadership have largely lost the stomach for battle, one that was never about substance or policy but about character assassination. As the stakes have been constantly upped by the media and the Blairite holdouts in the party bureacracy, the inevitable has happened. Corbyn has been abandoned. Few respected politicians with career ambitions or a public profile want to risk being cast out into the wilderness, like Ken Livingstone, as an anti-semite. This is why the supposed anti-semitism crisis in a Corbyn-led Labour party has been so much more effective than berating him for his clothes or his patriotism. Natural selection survival of the smear fittest for the job meant that a weaponised anti-semitism would eventually select Corbyn as its prime target and not just his supporters especially after his unexpected strong showing at the polls in last years election. Worse, Corbyn himself has conceded too much ground on anti-semitism. As a lifelong anti-racism campaigner, the accusations of anti-semitism have clearly pained him. He has tried to placate rather than defy the smearers. He has tried to maintain unity with people who have no interest in finding common ground with him. And as he has lost all sense of how to respond in good faith to allegations made in bad faith, he has begun committing the cardinal sin of sounding and looking evasive just as those who deployed the anti-semitism charge hoped. It was his honesty, plain-speaking and compassion that won him the leadership and the love of ordinary members. Unless he can regain the political and spiritual confidence that underpinned those qualities, he risks haemorrhaging support. Critical juncture But beyond Corbyns personal fate, the Labour party has now reached a critical juncture in its response to the smear campaign. In adopting the full IHRA definition, the party will jettison the principle of free speech and curtail critical debate about an entire country, Israel as well as a key foreign policy issue for those concerned about the direction the Middle East is taking. Discussion of what kind of state Israel is, what its policy goals are, and whether they are compatible with a peace process are about to be taken off the table by Britains largest, supposedly progressive party. That thought spurred me to cast an eye over my back-catalogue of journalism. I have now been based in Nazareth, in Israels Galilee, since 2001. In that time I have written according to my website more than 900 articles (plus another few hundred blog posts) on Israel, as well as three peer-reviewed books and a clutch of chapters in edited collections. Thats a lot of writing. Many more than a million words about Israel over nearly two decades. What shocked me, however, as I started to pore over these articles was that almost all of them except for a handful dealing with internal Palestinian politics would fall foul of at least one of these four additional IHRA examples Labour is about to adopt. After 17 years of writing about Israel, after winning a respected journalism prize for being one of the reliable truth-tellers in the Middle East, the Labour party is about to declare that I, and many others like me, are irredeemable anti-semites. Not that I am unused to such slurs. I am intimately familiar with a community of online stalkers who happily throw around the insults Nazi and anti-semite at anyone who doesnt cheerlead the settlements of the Greater Israel project. But far more troubling is that this will be my designation not by bullying Israel partisans but by the official party of the British left. Of course, I will not be alone. Much of my journalism has been about documenting and reporting the careful work of scholars, human rights groups, lawyers and civil society organisations Palestinian, Israeli and international alike that have charted the structural racism in Israels legal and administrative system, explaining often in exasperating detail its ethnocractic character and its apartheid policies. All of us are going to be effectively cast out, denied any chance to inform or contribute to the debates and policies of Britains only leftwing party with a credible shot at power. That is a shocking realisation. The Labour party is about to slam the door shut in the faces of the Palestinian people, as well as progressive Jews and others who stand in solidarity with them. Betrayal of Palestinians The article in the Guardian, the newspaper that has done more to damage Corbyn than any other (by undermining him from within his own camp), described the incorporation of the full IHRA anti-semitism definition into Labours code of conduct as a compromise, as though the betrayal of an oppressed people was something over which middle ground could be found. Remember that the man who drafted the IHRA definition and its associated examples, American Jewish lawyer Kenneth Stern, has publicly regretted their impact, saying that in practice they have severely curbed freedom of speech about Israel. How these new examples will be misused by Corbyns opponents should already be clear. He made his most egregious mistake in the handling of the partys supposed anti-semitism crisis precisely to avoid getting caught up in a violation of one of the IHRA examples Labour is about to adopt: comparing Israel to Nazi Germany. He apologised for attending an anti-racism event and distanced himself from a friend, the late Hajo Meyer, a Holocaust survivor and defender of Palestinian rights, who used his speech to compare Israels current treatment of Palestinians to early Nazi laws that vilified and oppressed Jews. It was a Judas-like act for which it is not necessary to berate Corbyn. He is doubtless already torturing himself over what he did. But that is the point: the adoption of the full IHRA definition will demand the constant vilification and rooting out of progressive and humane voices like Meyers. It will turn the Labour party into the modern equivalent of Senator Joe McCarthys House Un-American Activities Committee. Labour activists will find themselves, like Corbyn, either outed or required to out others as supposed anti-semites. They will have to denounce reasonable criticisms of Israel and dissociate themselves from supporters of the Palestinian cause, even Holocaust survivors. The patent absurdity of Labour including this new anti-semitism example should be obvious the moment we consider that it will recast not only Meyer and other Holocaust survivors as anti-semites but leading Jewish intellectuals and scholars even Israeli army generals. Two years ago Yair Golan, the deputy chief of staff of the Israeli military, went public with such a comparison. Addressing an audience in Israel on Holocaust Day, he spoke of where Israel was heading: If theres something that frightens me about Holocaust remembrance its the recognition of the revolting processes that occurred in Europe in general, and particularly in Germany, back then 70, 80 and 90 years ago and finding signs of them here among us today in 2016. Is it not a paradox that, were Golan a member of the Labour party, that statement a rare moment of self-reflection by a senior Israeli figure will soon justify his being vilified and hounded out of the Labour party? Evidence of Israeli apartheid Looking at my own work, it is clear that almost all of it falls foul of two further examples of anti-semitism cited in the full IHRA definition that Labour is preparing to adopt: Applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. and: Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor. One hardly needs to point out how preposterous it is that the Labour party is about to outlaw from internal discussion or review any research, scholarship or journalism that violates these two examples weeks after Israel passed its Nation-State Basic Law. That law, which has constitutional weight, makes explict what was always implict in Israel as a Jewish state: 1. that Israel privileges the rights and status of Jews around the world, including those who have never even visited Israel, above the rights of the fifth of the countrys citizens who are non-Jews (the remnants of the native Palestinian population who survived the ethnic cleansing campaign of 1948). 2. that Israel, as defined in the Basic Law, is not a state bounded by internationally recognised borders but rather the Land of Israel a Biblical conception of Israel whose borders encompass the occupied Palestinian territories and parts of many neighbouring states. How, one might reasonably wonder, is such a state defined this way in the Basic Law a normal democratic state? How is it not structurally racist and inherently acquisitive of territory? Contrary to the demands of these two extra IHRA examples, the Basic Law alone shows that Israel is a racist endeavour and that we cannot judge it by the same standards we would a normal western-style democracy. Not least, it has a double border problem: it forces Jews everywhere to be included in its self-definition of the nation, whether they want to be or not; and it lays claim to the title deeds of other territories without any intention to confer on their non-Jewish inhabitants the rights it accords Jews. Demanding that we treat Israel as a normal western-style liberal democracy as the IHRA full definition requires makes as much sense as having demanded the same for apartheid South Africa back in the 1980s. Unaccountable politics The Labour party has become the largest in Europe as Corbyn has attracted huge numbers of newcomers into the membership, inspired by a new kind of politics. That is a terrifying development for the old politics, which preferred tiny political cliques accountable chiefly to corporate donors, leaving a slightly wider circle of activists largely powerless. That is why the Blairite holdouts in the party bureaucracy are quite content to use any pretext not only to root out genuine progressive activists drawn to a Corbyn-led party, including anti-Zionist Jewish activists, but to alienate tens of thousands more members that had begun to transform Labour into a grassroots movement. A party endlessly obsessing about anti-semitism, a party that has abandoned the Palestinians, a party that has begun throwing out key progressive principles, a party that has renounced free speech, and a party that no longer puts the interests of the poor and vulnerable at the centre of its concerns is a party that will fail. That is where the anti-semitism crisis is leading Labour precisely as it was designed to do. UPDATE: Here is a very good illustration of where the IHRAs classification as anti-semitism of any comparison of Israel and the Nazis will lead and how it will silence not just criticism of Israel, but even any historical understanding of the nature of belligerent occupations. The Sun newspaper calls this very short video of a talk by Corbyn shocking. Consider how happy you would be to be in party that outlaws this kind of speech. Jonathan Cook is a Nazareth- based journalist and winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. https://www.jonathan-cook.net/ He said auto no-fault law was initially passed to reduce the number of lawsuits filed after someone was injured in a car accident. But, in recent years, lawsuits have increased in both Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids. According to published reports, accident victims are routinely steered towards law firms or medical clinics, which are sometimes interconnected. A recent lawsuit filed in federal court seeks to expose these alleged patient mills, said Kuhnmuench. On the other end, medical providers overcharge patients who are injured in a car accident frequently as much as two to three times more for the same procedure as other forms of insurance, he added. From Kuhnmuenchs perspective, reforms should include a crackdown on fraud and abuse, an end to overcharging by medical providers, and giving consumers a choice in the level of medical coverage that accompanies their car insurance. According to a special report by The Economist, Detroit ranks as the city with the most expensive auto insurance in the country. Car owners there pay an average of $5,414 for auto insurance premiums more than twice the state average and nearly four times the national average. With the average Detroit household earning $26,300 a year, the insurance premiums represent 21% of pre-tax income. A survey by Marketing Research Group earlier this year revealed that auto insurance rates are among the top four most critical issues facing the state in voters minds. Of the 600 likely Michigan voters polled, 23% noted the cost of auto insurance as a major concern. We are pleased to have the Merchant team join our family of companies, said Marshal Seeman, president of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty. They bring in excellent client and carrier relationships to our team. The Merchant Preferred Insurance team will roll into our Vincent Urban Walker division in the Midwest, said Brett Williams, vice president of Seeman Holtz. We look forward to bringing our client-service model to their existing relationships. 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. Source: tass.com MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. About 700 troops and over 100 pieces of military hardware of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army will take part in the Peace Mission-2018 international counter-terror drills in the Chelyabinsk Region in the Urals, the press office of Russias Central Military District reported on Thursday. "On the part of the Peoples Republic of China, the personnel of a mechanized company, a mixed artillery battery, a command and logistic company, and also a Special Forces group have arrived for the drills, about 700 servicemen in all. Besides, over 100 pieces of military and special hardware have been delivered by rail, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, communications vehicles, and also logistic support vehicles," the press office said. Currently, the military hardware and personnel are being unloaded and the servicemen from China are being stationed at basic field camps at the Chebarkul practice range. As was reported earlier, about 300 servicemen from India and also around 100 Pakistani personnel were the first to arrive in the Chelyabinsk Region aboard Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. The Peace Mission-2018 joint counter-terror command and staff drills of the armed forces from the countries that are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will take place at the Chebarkul practice range on August 22-29. The maneuvers will involve military governance bodies, units of land troops and aviation from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, India and Pakistan. Representatives of Uzbekistan will be present at the SCO counter-terror drills as observers. Overall, the Peace Mission-2018 drills will involve over 3,000 troops and about 500 pieces of military hardware. Institute of Space Technology IST Islamabad Jobs 2018 Latest Institute of Space Technology IST Consultant Posts Islamabad 2021 Institute of Space Technology IST Islamabad, Government of Pakistan required applications from experienced candidates to fill the posts of SAP ERP Professionals. How to Apply on Institute of Space Technology IST 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: AD Induction IST Post Box # 2750, Islamabad 44000 Official Website: www.ist.edu.pk 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. Source: The Point The former chief of Defense Staff General Ousman Bargie has been appointed as military attache to China, President Adama Barrow has confirmed on Tuesday in press conference at State House. The former CDS was initially said to have been appointed to the foreign services after he was relieved of his position as the number two in the military but had not officially reported to the said office and could be seen around town. This prompted the journalists to ask the head of state to clarify that issue. We have appointed him (OusmanBargie), where he should have gone to, we rescinded that but we gave him another position, Barrow said. He will be our military attache to China, we have confirmed that and we have endorsed it. The Gaambian leader said the former CDS like many others have been assigned to various countries for foreign services. He said, in no time the former CDS will depart for his new assignment. It will take sooner than later he will go there. We have assigned other CDS to other places like Turkey and other countries like Saudi Arabia so now he will be going to China. Author: Sankulleh Gibril Janko Source: Picture: Former CDS General Ousman Bargie Showers in the Vicinity Today Cloudy. Some light rain will fall throughout the day. High 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 64F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. He said he "cannot rule out that this could be a political assassination" but found no concrete evidence of one. High Court Judge Azmi Ariffin said it can be inferred from evidence presented in court so far that there was a "well-planned conspiracy" between the two women and four North Korean suspects at large to kill Kim "systemically." Indonesia's Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnam's Doan Thi Huong, 29, are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong-nam's face in an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 13, 2017. The women have said they thought they were taking part in a prank for a hidden-camera show. Two Southeast Asian women on trial in the brazen assassination of the North Korean leader's half brother were told to begin their defense Thursday, extending the trial for several more months. Defense to Proceed The judge said the prosecution during the six-month trial so far had laid out enough evidence of the women's guilt for the case against them to proceed. "I therefore call upon them to enter their defense," the judge said after reading his ruling for more than two hours. Indonesian Ambassador Rusdi Kirana told reporters outside court he was shocked by the ruling but his government will abide by it. The two young Southeast Asian women are the only suspects in custody and face the death penalty if convicted. The four North Korean suspects fled the country the same morning Kim was killed. According to the case presented so far, the four men known to Aisyah and Huong only by code names recruited and trained the two women to accost strangers in similar fashion to the day they attacked Kim, and they provided the women with the banned chemical weapon that they smeared on his face. Video of the Attack Airport security footage shown in court captured the moment of the attack and prosecutors also said the camera images linked the women to the four male suspects. Shortly after Kim arrived at the airport, Huong was seen approaching him, clasping her hands on his face from behind and then fleeing. Another blurred figure was also seen running away from Kim and a police investigator testified that it was Aisyah. Kim died within two hours of the attack. The judge said in his ruling that evidence pointed to a "simultaneous act" by the women to target Kim's eyes, where the nerve agent would penetrate faster into his bloodstream, and then hurrying to separate bathrooms. "I have no slightest doubt that their desperate act of rushing to the toilets is to solely decontaminate the poison on their hands," Azmi said. He said the seemed worried and tense before washing their hands, but relaxed afterward. Lawyers: Women Were Pawns Lawyers for the two women have said their clients were pawns in a political assassination with clear links to the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. They say the prosecution failed to show the two women had any intention to kill, key to establishing the women are guilty of murder. But the judge said their intention to kill can be inferred from deliberately targeting Kim's eyes. "The onus is on the accused to explain their conduct," he added. The defense has argued the real culprits are the four North Korean suspects and have pointed to an embassy employee who helped arrange their travel as evidence of embassy involvement. Malaysian officials have never officially accused North Korea and have made it clear they don't want the trial politicized. Kim, the eldest son in the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding, had been living abroad for years after falling out of favor. It is thought he could have been seen as a threat to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's rule. Asiana Airlines has canceled about 200 flights scheduled until March next year over chronic delays caused by poor maintenance. The decision came at the instruction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This will inconvenience some 15,000 people who had already booked tickets. One 26-year-old who is going to get married in November booked a hotel and air tickets in March for his honeymoon in Hawaii. But on Aug. 7 he got a text message from Asiana saying his flight was canceled due to "a change in the summer schedule." A staffer told him the only compensation the carrier could offer was to book him on another flight without charge. But nothing fit his schedule, so he had to buy a ticket from another airline that cost W300,000 more (US$1=W1,131). Another 30-year-old man had booked an Asiana ticket for November. "I forfeited my deposits for a rental car and a hotel due to the change," he said. North Korea's ban on foreign visitors until Sept. 5 seems to apply only to Chinese tourists, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday. INDPRK, a Chinese travel agency specializing in North Korea tours, was told last weekend by its North Korean partner that group tours are canceled because all hotels in Pyongyang will undergo repairs for about 20 days from Aug. 11. The regime seems be targeting Chinese tourists, who are mostly on budget tours and generate little money for the regime, to reduce the number of foreign visitors during preparations for its founding anniversary on Sept. 9. There has also been speculation that it wants the coast clear to prepare for a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang. Xi is scheduled to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 11-13 and could stop over in North Korea first to attend the preparations. MEDFORD, Ore. -- Environmental activists gathered in Medford Thursday morning to protest a proposed natural gas export terminal and fracked gas pipeline. More than 100 people attended a rally at the Medford branch of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on Stewart Road just days before the end of a public comment period about the Jordan Cove liquified natural gas export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline. The protestors included local business owners, farmers, members of the Klamath Tribes, and the Oregon Nurses Association members. The proposed 239-mile pipeline would transport natural gas from Malin to the Jordan Cove terminal in Coos Bay. RELATED: Coast Guard Gives Green Light to LNG Pipeline Terminal Those who live directly in the path of the pipeline also talked about how it would impact their everyday lives. This pipeline and all that it represents is not for the people, it is not for the animals and it does not provide a healthy environment for our future generations, said Taylor Tupper, Public Information Manager for the Klamath Tribes. Here we are protecting our own right that are our own rights within the constitution, within the state. It's almost sometimes you get the feeling we're fighting this beast, but we're not going to stop. This is our homeland, Tupper said. READ MORE: SOU Students Rally Against Proposed Pipeline After the public comment period, the Oregon DEQ will decide on whether or not to approve Clean Water Act permits for the two proposals for Coos County. Rogue Climate, a group of environmental activists, said more than 25,000 comments have been submitted in opposition to the project. The group said the state of Oregon has denied similar permits in the past and the Pacific Connector pipeline would impact 485 waterways, including: Rogue River Klamath River Umpqua River Coquille River Coos River Pembina, the Canadian company behind the Jordan Cove project, says on their website the pipeline will provide access to long-term and diverse natural gas supply from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and the Rocky Mountains. Pembina says they filed applications with the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last September. By DARLENE SUPERVILLE , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump is asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against certain companies that supply and manufacture opioids. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump said he's directing Sessions to file a separate lawsuit, rather than joining existing lawsuits filed by states affected by the spread of the often-lethal, highly-addictive drugs. Trump is asking Sessions to look out for opioids coming into the U.S. from China and Mexico, saying those countries are "sending their garbage and killing our people." Trump added: "It's almost a form of warfare." It was not immediately clear if or when a federal suit would be filed. A barrage of suits have been filed nationwide against distributors and manufacturers in recent months amid the opioid epidemic. Commuters can breathe a sigh of relief after intercity bus companies decided not to halt operations after all. Incheon city officials said Thursday that six intercity bus companies that had announced plans to shut their Seoul routes because they cannot afford the minimum wage hike have decided to continue operations. Around 50,000 commuters use the intercity buses every day to make their way to and from the capital. The six bus companies had planned to stop services from next week citing snowballing losses due to the minimum wage hike and the need to hire more drivers to meet the new 52-hour cap on the working week. Firefighter Christian Garcia, of Mexico, moves a burnt tree to get at hotspots in an area burned by the Shovel Lake wildfire near Endako, B.C., on Thursday, August 16, 2018. The Shovel Lake wildfire is more than 680 square kilometres in size and is the largest of the more than 500 fires burning across the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam. Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut: Jika Anda ingin bermain roulette di situs kasino online, caranya sangat sederhana. Anda dapat bermain di Kasino ION, Kasino Sbobet, dan Situs Kasino. Di bawah ini adalah artikel panduan bermain di mana Anda dapat mempelajari roulette langsung dan memainkannya di situs judi online mana pun. tangkapan layar Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi online tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam. Panduan Bermain Online Kasino Roulette Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut: 1. Straight Up: Penempatan angka tunggal dari 0 hingga 36. Contoh perhitungan straight up adalah mengalikan taruhan dengan 35. Ini adalah jenis taruhan tertinggi dalam permainan roulette kasino, jadi 50 dikalikan dengan 35 memberi Anda 1750, mengapa jenis taruhan ini menghasilkan pengembalian yang begitu tinggi? Hal ini karena tidak mudah untuk memenangkan pilihan nomor dengan memilih hanya satu nomor dari banyak. 2. Taruhan split: Jenis taruhan yang ditempatkan pada dua angka atau di antara dua angka yang berbeda. Misalnya, menempatkan di sela-sela angka 9 dan 12 atau 13d dan 14 dihitung sebagai jenis taruhan split. Setiap nomor dapat ditempatkan dalam jenis ini selama nomor tersebut berdekatan dan persis seperti Gambar A dan B. Untuk taruhan ini, jika Anda memenangkan contoh dan mengalikannya dengan 850, Anda akan menerima jumlah taruhan yang dikalikan dengan 17. . 3. Taruhan jalanan: bertaruh dengan 3 angka ke bawah, misalnya 1,2,3 atau 10,11,12. Semua taruhan jalan akan menerima kemenangan dikalikan dengan 11. Misalnya, 50 dikalikan 550. 4. Taruhan sudut: Jenis taruhan di mana empat angka ditempatkan saling berhadapan, seperti 13,14,16,17 atau 19,20,22,23. Semua angka valid karena terdiri dari 4 angka yang diisi seperti kotak dan taruhan dikalikan 8 (misalnya 50 kali 800). 5. Taruhan baris: Atau, Anda dapat mengatakan bahwa ada 6 jenis taruhan yang terdiri dari 2 baris, tetapi 6 poin dengan 2 peregangan, seperti taruhan jalanan. Misalnya, jika Anda memilih angka 7 hingga 12 dan 13 hingga 18, taruhan 50 adalah 5 kali dan kemudian dikalikan dengan 250 kemenangan. 6. Kolom Inner Bet: Jenis taruhan vertikal dengan 12 poin berturut-turut, seperti kolom numerik 1,4,7,10,13,19,22,25,25,28,22,24,34 atau kolom lainnya. Dan jika dia memenangkan kolom, 50 taruhan digandakan dan 100 taruhan. 7. Lusin : Jenis taruhan menempatkan 12 angka tetapi menempatkannya pada kotak berbentuk seperti contoh Kolom A dengan angka 1 sampai 12 dan odds dengan kolom lain untuk dipilih dengan memilih 1 kotak pertama untuk Kolom A. Kalikan dengan 2, 50 taruhan 100. 8. Zero part : Cara bertaruh 0.1,2,3 sama persis seperti di gambar, karena berdekatan dengan angka 0, anda hanya bisa bertaruh 0.1,2,3. Menempatkan taruhan ini mengalikannya dengan 50. hingga 8. 9. Zero Corner: Bertaruh pada angka 0.1,2 atau 0.2,3 adalah dua pilihan karena Anda hanya bertaruh mendekati angka nol. Jenis taruhan ini dikalikan 11 jika taruhan menang. 10. Two Dozen: Jenis taruhan dengan hanya dua pilihan: 1-18 atau 19-36. Jika taruhan Anda adalah 50, itu dikalikan dengan 1 hingga 50 jika Anda menang. 11. Merah atau Hitam: Masukkan taruhan Anda dengan memilih Merah atau Hitam sebagai warna angka yang muncul saat taruhan 50. 12. Genap/Ganjil: Pilih angka yang menghasilkan jumlah jenis taruhan ganjil. Total investments by the country's top 30 conglomerates amounted to W45.6 trillion in the first half, up 24.2 percent on-year. Investments by Samsung soared 22.7 percent, SK's 55.3 percent and LG's 48.1 percent. According to market researcher CEO Score on Thursday, Lotte Group's investments based on 16 subsidiaries that submitted half-year business reports fell from W1.11 trillion during the first half of 2017 to W879.1 billion during the first six months of this year (US$1=W1,131). It was the only one among the nation's top five conglomerates whose investments declined. Lotte is careening from one disaster to the next and investments plunged 20.5 percent in the first half of this year, putting the conglomerate at the bottom of the list of Korea's top 30 business groups. Lotte blames a leadership vacuum since chairman Shin Dong-bin has been since he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in February for bribing ex-President Park Geun-hye. Many conglomerates were investigated for illegal dealings with Park, but Shin was unlucky in being the only corporate chieftain to be jailed. Since then Lotte has been unable to execute a single merger or acquisition deal. Major investments and new business ventures require the nod of the CEO and are difficult to execute when the control tower is effectively empty, though Shin is not being held incommunicado. Lotte's investments stood at W7.5 trillion in 2010 but surged to W10.4 trillion in 2016. A W4 trillion petrochemical project Lotte Chemical was pushing for in Indonesia has been on hold for six months now. A Lotte executive said, "Our plans to bolster our market presence in Southeast Asia by building a petrochemical complex including a naphtha-cracking facility are about to flop." The project is the largest of Lotte's overseas development deals. It bought a 500,000 sq.m piece of land near a plant owned by Indonesia's state-run Krakatau Steel and had been pushing full-speed ahead until Shin was jailed. Indonesian President Joko Widodo plans to visit Korea next month and meet Lotte executives to discuss investments. Shin was chairman of an economic partnership committee of political and business figures from both countries and had built up a friendship with Widodo. One business source said, "As President Moon Jae-in is turning to Southeast Asia for new business opportunities, expanding trade with ASEAN member nations is crucial for the national interest." Other conglomerates have been announcing major investment decisions after a recent meeting with Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon. Samsung has pledged to invest W180 trillion and Hyundai Motor W23 trillion, SK W80 trillion, LG W19 trillion, Shinsegae W9 trillion and Hanwha W22 trillion. Early this year, Lotte planned to complete around 10 M&A projects. It had pursued a W3.5 trillion chemicals deal in Germany and was eyeing a W3 trillion deal for retail and tourism projects in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. In Korea, Lotte Group had planned to invest W4.7 trillion in the retail, food and service sectors, bringing the total to W11.5 trillion. "After Shin's imprisonment, we have either scrapped our participation in major deals or delayed them indefinitely," one executive said. The government of Pakistan recently asked Lotte to participate in an W8 trillion petrochemical plant project, but apparently no progress has been made. "Shin's absence has now started making our investors nervous," a company source said. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has announced a plan to prevent wildfires before they start. It would involve the forest service removing hazardous fuels that can burn in forests around Oregon and the rest of the country. Wyden spoke on the Senate floor Thursday, saying wildfires have gotten worse every year. "They're not your grandfather's wildfires," Wyden said. "They are bigger, they are hotter, and they are more powerful. In my home state last summer, we saw a fire leap the Columbia River." Wyden said the fires are destroying homes and creating unhealthy air. He said something needs to be done to stop them from breaking out. He said his plan will help improve the health of forests, which he said is a key step to reduce wildfire risk. The state-run Rural Development Administration has been accused of copying technology developed by a start-up company. uLikeKorea, a start-up specializing in veterinary products, in a press conference in Seoul on Thursday accused the RDA of copying technology the company developed called LiveCare. uLikeKorea head Kim Hee-jin said, "We spent more than W10 billion over three years to develop the technology and it was taken away from us overnight" (US$1=W1,131). The company claims that a device called Biocapsule from the RDA is a copy of LiveCare. "I heard of many instances of big businesses stealing technology developed by start-ups, but I never imagined that a government agency would do that," Kim said. UPDATE: Mayo Clinic has issued a response to CNN's new statements on the 'escaped patient story. Mayo's statement will be below, followed immediately by CNN's lates story. Mayo Clinic Statement - At the heart of this matter is a vulnerable patient, says Charles (Michel) Harper, M.D., executive dean for practice, Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic firmly stands behind our statements regarding care of this patient and our interactions with CNN. Our thorough, internal review determined that the care teams actions, in addition to being lifesaving, were true to Mayos primary value and we fully support the actions of our staff. Dr. Harper points out that its important to reiterate these key facts: Mayo Clinic firmly stands behind our statements regarding care of this patient and our interactions with CNN. A prolonged public debate is not in the best interest of the patient or our staff. Its important to reiterate these key facts: - The patient was a vulnerable adult who could not make decisions for herself during that period of recovery after life-saving brain surgery. - The reports of abuse and the patients highly unstable family and social environment caused us to reach out to the courts for guidance. - Mayo Clinic removed the mother from the hospital due to her repeated aggressive and threatening behavior towards our staff. Public court documents illustrate the challenges facing the family, including the August 10, 2018 court-ordered removal of five children from the mothers home and allegations of abuse and substance abuse by the mother. - Mayo contacted law enforcement when the patient was removed from the hospital by the family against medical advice because we believed her life and safety were at risk if she did not receive appropriate medical care. - Mayo Clinic did not attempt to take custody of the patient or become her guardian. Instead, Mayo sought judicial guidance to help identify the best person to make decisions for the patient. - Mayo Clinic never refused a request for a transfer. We received a request to explore a transfer within the coming week on February 27, 2017 and did not have the chance to clarify and consider the request for a transfer of care before the patient was removed by the family from our care against medical advice on February 28, 2017. Mayo Clinic is deeply disturbed by CNNs sensationalized, inaccurate and incomplete reporting. We met with CNN on background with the agreement that the conversation would inform their reporting. We did not go on camera out of concern that this would bring undue attention to a vulnerable patient. CNNs incomplete reporting failed to include our informed and significant concern for the patients safety and the public and court records or interviews with family members not closely associated with the mother. We fully support our compassionate and dedicated staff who were and remain deeply concerned for the patients well-being and safety and exemplify Mayos values and commitment to our patients. CNN story - Since CNN published the "Escape from the Mayo Clinic" stories, Mayo Clinic issued several responses that are critical of CNN's reporting. Mayo's responses misrepresent several facts. In its response: Mayo refuses to acknowledge that the patient in this story, Alyssa Gilderhus, an adult, asked to be transferred, and that her family asked as well. Mayo claims that it had no idea Alyssa wanted to leave Mayo, even though there's written proof that she did, and Mayo had access to those writings. Mayo completely misrepresents the nature of a meeting held between CNN staffers and Mayo staffers in March. Mayo insisted that the meeting remain off the record, yet now says that the meeting was on the record. CNN has written proof that Mayo's public statements regarding this meeting are false. Mayo refuses to acknowledge that although Mayo doctors said Alyssa was desperately ill and needed to stay in the hospital, less than 12 hours after Alyssa left the hospital, Sanford Health, a teaching hospital in South Dakota, said that Alyssa did not need to be hospitalized and sent her home. Mayo fails to discuss that while it said it would be dangerous for her to go home, she has flourished in the year and a half since she left Mayo. She no longer needs physical or speech therapy and will start college in a few weeks. Alyssa says Mayo's response has further traumatized her, and that she fully supports CNN's article, which she says shed light on what she describes as her horrific treatment at Mayo. Mayo's criticisms of CNN reveal its own inaccurate and inconsistent statements about what happened during Alyssa's hospitalization after, at age 18, she suffered a burst aneurysm on Christmas Day, 2016. Mayo has contradicted one of its own nurses about the day Alyssa left the hospital and literally laughed off a request from a lawyer representing Alyssa who asked that she be transferred to another hospital. A top Mayo executive expressed regret at how his own staffers handled the situation. Mayo also has made critical misrepresentations about the ground rules for a four-hour meeting five Mayo staffers had with the authors of this story, Elizabeth Cohen and John Bonifield, on March 28 at Mayo offices in Rochester, Minnesota. After CNN released its story on Monday, Mayo said that the meeting had been on the record, and CNN should have published the details. However, CNN has proof in writing that before the story came out, Mayo officials had demanded that the meeting be considered off the record and that the information should not be reported publicly. (Highlights in emails were added by CNN.) CNN and Mayo met initially on the condition that the information be considered off the record -- that the information not be published or aired. A release form signed by Alyssa stipulated this condition. That signed form was approved by Mayo and was on their letterhead. After the meeting, Alyssa expressed to CNN that Mayo could put the information from the meeting on the record and make it public. CNN then asked Mayo for its permission to put the information on the record. At first, Mayo consented to putting the information on the record. "The decision to use what was said during the in-person conversation is ultimately up to CNN and the patient, not Mayo," Kelley Luckstein, a Mayo senior communications specialist, wrote to CNN. "If you do use information from the meeting, we'd like to have it attributed to the specific person from the meeting, so we'd be happy to review the information if you don't recall who said what during the meeting." But the next day, Luckstein changed her mind. As CNN's emails show, Mayo staffers ultimate refused to allow information from the meeting to be made public. "I consulted with our legal team to talk through this further," Luckstein wrote to CNN on April 25. "Based on the form, Mayo and CNN do not have the authority to publicly release any background information provided during the meeting." After CNN pressed further to have the information from the meeting put on the record, Luckstein reiterated that Mayo wouldn't allow that to happen. "Per the signed authorization form, Mayo is not permitted to 'disseminate, publish or otherwise publicly disclose' any confidential information,' " Luckstein wrote to CNN on April 27. Mayo continued to refuse to further discuss Alyssa's case, even after she signed a medical information release known as a HIPAA release form provided by Mayo, which explicitly permitted Mayo to discuss Alyssa's case on the record. When pressed by CNN to have the information put on the record, Luckstein's colleague in the public relations department, Ginger Plumbo, said no again. "As you know, we consented to the face-to-face meeting with the understanding that information would not be aired publically, and with hopes that you would reconsider your decision to share the story," Plumbo wrote to CNN on May 7. Why does all this matter? On Wednesday, Mayo officials themselves made parts of this meeting public by putting out a press release stating that CNN failed to investigate or include the information provided by Mayo, knowing that Mayo itself was the one who precluded CNN from reporting the information. After we published our series, Mayo revealed part of what was discussed in our meeting to a journalist from Minnesota Public Radio to produce, as Mayo CEO John Noseworthy wrote to Mayo trustees, a story that was "expected to address Mayo's commitment in caring and protecting the patient." Since Mayo has now made this information public, and Alyssa previously agreed to make it public, CNN will now speak about this information on the record. There are four important points. First, Mayo has been inaccurate and untruthful about what transpired during the March 28 meeting. Officials' own claims contradict what their staffers wrote -- clearly and unequivocally -- in emails to CNN. Second, nothing that was stated in the March 28 meeting changes CNN's story. Third, Mayo has continued to focus on what officials perceive as inappropriate behavior by Alyssa's mother, instead of on the allegations that Alyssa's rights as a patient had been violated. Mayo has not explained why a mother's allegedly inappropriate behavior would impact the rights of an adult patient. Fourth, while Mayo has said that Alyssa has been their top concern, Alyssa says she was treated as an "object" by Mayo and that their attacks on CNN's story have traumatized her even more. What Mayo didn't say about the March 28 meeting During the meeting, Mayo staffers made factual mistakes and shocking comments. Mayo staffers denied that Alyssa and her family requested that she be transferred -- until CNN presented proof. In its response to CNN's reporting this week, Mayo claims the family never asked for Alyssa to be transferred to another hospital. Mayo staffers also made that claim at the March 28 meeting. CNN asked Mayo staffers about a letter an attorney had written on Alyssa's behalf asking for "an expedited transfer." At first, the Mayo staffers denied that such a letter existed. CNN asked if they were sure, and they said yes. CNN asked again if they were sure, and they said yes. CNN asked again. "I don't think there was a letter," said Sherry Hubert, vice chair, Mayo Clinic Legal. "It was just a phone call. And it was not requesting transfer." CNN then showed the Mayo staffers the letter that Karie Rego, an attorney admitted to the California Bar, wrote to a Mayo lawyer. "Oh yes, there was a letter," Hubert said. CNN asked what they thought about the letter at the time they received it. The staffers laughed. CNN asked why they were laughing. "The lawyer letter wasn't official," said Dr. Robert Cima, who, as chair of the Rochester Hospital Practice, serves as the hospital's medical director. CNN asked why they didn't consider the letter from Rego "official." The staffers laughed. "You should call her a 'lawyer,'" Cima said, making air quotes around the word "lawyer." CNN asked him to explain. Rego was admitted to the California Bar in 2000, where she's now an inactive member. She was a partner at McDermott Will & Emery, a leading international law firm, for eight years, according to the firm. She's spoken at national conferences, including at a meeting of the American Health Lawyers Association. She volunteered to be a patient advocate for Alyssa while she was at Mayo. "She's not really a lawyer," Cima said. CNN asked him what he meant, but the staffers continued to laugh and declined to explain why they were laughing, or why they didn't take Rego's letter seriously. Prior to Rego's letter, Alyssa and her family say they made repeated requests of doctors and nurses for Alyssa to be transferred to another hospital. Also at the meeting, Mayo staffers said Alyssa never asked to be transferred, and neither did anyone in her family. When CNN mentioned that Alyssa and her family had asked to leave Mayo, the staffers said that this was the first time they'd heard that. Then they said that because they were concerned about the mother's behavior, they were closely monitoring the mother's social media posts. A February 23 post on the public Facebook page of Alyssa's mother, Amber Engebretson, clearly stated that the family wanted Alyssa transferred. A Mayo executive expressed regret about the handling of Alyssa's situation. Ken Ackerman, administrator of Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic, said at the meeting that he wished the doctors treating Alyssa had come to him sooner as the conflicts with the family were escalating. "I have regrets that that Bob [Cima] and I were not brought in earlier," he said. "A third party could have de-escalated the tension." Mayo's Hubert interrupted Ackerman. "You're being too hard on yourself, Ken," she said. A Mayo official made a major mistake about Alyssa's age. At the outset of the meeting, Cima, the only physician present, said that Alyssa was a minor, and proceeded to give an analysis of her stay based on her being a minor. Laws governing minors and adults in these situations are very different. CNN corrected Cima and said Alyssa was 18 -- a legal adult -- during her entire hospital stay. Cima said that CNN was wrong and proceeded to refer to her as a minor. CNN again corrected Cima, and he again stated that we were wrong and he was right. Finally, one of his colleagues corrected him and Cima brushed it off. "She was in high school. She was a kid," Cima said, and continued to refer to Alyssa as a "kid" throughout the meeting. Mayo contradicted police and its own nurse on a crucial issue. At the meeting, Mayo staffers said Alyssa was abducted from the hospital, even though Alyssa says she left of her own free will, and Rochester police agreed with her, saying there was no abduction. In the police report, a Mayo nurse who witnessed Alyssa's departure from Mayo said, "Alyssa seemed to feel safe getting into the vehicle and had no hesitations." Mayo staffers misunderstood the use of a hospital ethics committee. CNN interviewed four experts specializing in medical ethics or law, all of whom now, or in the past, have worked for large and well-respected academic hospitals. These experts said that when family and staff get into conflict, it's standard operating procedure to call on the hospital ethics committee to help sort things out. At the March 28 meeting, the Mayo staffers said the hospital's ethics committee was never consulted. Ackerman, the hospital administrator, said ethics committees were not meant to handle such conflicts. Mayo staffers wouldn't respond to Alyssa's accusation that a doctor dismissed her wishes to have a friend with her during an exam and then told Alyssa the teen who had raped her years earlier was trying to reach her. During her hospital stay, Alyssa asked that a family friend, Joy Schmitt, stay with her while a doctor did a physical examination. Both Alyssa and Schmitt say the doctor told Schmitt she had to leave. Schmitt left, leaving Alyssa alone. Then, Alyssa says, the doctor told her that the teen convicted of sexually assaulting her a few years before -- her biological father's wife's son -- had been calling the hospital looking for her. She said she cried when the doctor brought up the name of her rapist, but the doctor kept talking about him. Alyssa said the doctor's comments traumatized her. "It was like going back to the day it happened," she said. At the March 28 meeting, CNN asked about this, and the staffers said they didn't know anything about it, but would get back to CNN. They never did. CNN is publicly mentioning the rape now with Alyssa's permission. Mayo's accusations against CNN We'll take Mayo's criticisms of CNN one by one. The quotes below are from a letter that Chris Gade, chair of Mayo's Department of Public Affairs, wrote to Rick Davis, CNN's executive vice president of news standards and practices, on Wednesday. Mayo posted this letter on its website. Mayo says CNN's Cohen and Bonifield "chose to disregard and not investigate key facts that were shared with them." They then listed the following items: "The role of the biological father in making care decisions for his daughter during her hospital stay when the mother was unavailable." At the March 28 meeting, Mayo staffers told CNN that they wanted Alyssa's biological father, Jason Gilderhus, to agree to become Alyssa's guardian and make medical decisions for her. Ackerman said he and other staffers met with Jason on the night of February 25 and "he was a very reasonable guy." Jason has a significant criminal record, with two assault convictions, including one for domestic assault, in addition to convictions for DWI, disorderly conduct, unspecified misdemeanors and other charges. The convictions CNN has seen are from 1995 to 2004. At the meeting, CNN asked the Mayo staffers whether they were aware of Jason's criminal record before encouraging him to become Alyssa's guardian. They did not answer. Mayo staffers said they were aware that when Alyssa was 16, she was sexually assaulted by her biological father's stepson. Alyssa says the rape occurred in her father's home and while her father was there. The teen was later convicted. Alyssa told CNN that after the assault, she did not want to go to her biological father's house. CNN made repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach Jason. "Allegations of the mother's abuse of the patient" and "Mayo reported suspected abuse of the patient, a vulnerable adult, to the County as part of our statutory reporting requirement and reported again when the patient was removed from the hospital without a safe discharge plan." At the March 28 meeting, Mayo staffers told CNN that during Alyssa's hospital stay, her relatives reported that her mother and stepfather, Duane Engebretson, had abused her. CNN asked if the staffers were sure that it was relatives -- plural -- or just one relative who made this accusation. The staffers said they were sure it was more than one relative. CNN asked twice more if they were sure it was more than one relative, and twice they said they were. CNN asked the staffers to check their records, and they apologized and corrected themselves and said it was just one relative. They said that an elderly relative made these accusations on two occasions. CNN told the staffers that, according to this man's daughter, he has dementia. The daughter said he was institutionalized at one point, and he has pushed her and has threatened to kill family members. The daughter said she'd recently run into her father at a store, and he got the store clerk, brought him to where she was shopping, and pointed at her and said she was a terrible daughter. Plumbo, the Mayo public relations specialist at the meeting, said the staffers were unaware that the elderly relative had dementia, but they were obligated to report his accusations to county authorities. Contrary to what Mayo has said in its responses to CNN's story, CNN did investigate these claims. CNN asked county authorities for records in this case, but the authorities declined to release any documents or make any comments, citing privacy concerns. The Rochester Police report has details of interviews with four Mayo staffers who cared for Alyssa. None of them make any mention of abuse. CNN interviewed two Rochester Police officers who handled the case, and both said that Mayo staffers did not mention abuse to them. "Mayo never sought to be appointed as a guardian or make decisions for the patient; instead, Mayo notified the County of the patient's vulnerable adult status and asked for assistance in identifying a decision maker." CNN did report in our previous story what Mayo staffers told the Rochester Police Department. The social worker told the police she'd been working with adult protection services in two Minnesota counties "trying to get emergency guardianship" but had been unable to get court orders to do so. As we reported, an Olmsted County Adult Protective Services official told police that "Mayo was requesting [assistance] in gaining guardianship of Alyssa because they were concerned for the mother's mental health and the medical decisions that were being made for Alyssa." CNN also reached out to the two police officers who worked on the case. Brian Smith, the Rochester Police officer who responded to Mayo's 911 call the day Alyssa left Mayo, said a Mayo social worker told him she'd been working for a week or two to get a Minnesota county to take guardianship over Alyssa. "The county would have guardianship over her and would make decisions for her," he told CNN. If that happened, Alyssa most likely would have stayed at Mayo, as she was already receiving treatment there, Smith said. Sherry Bush-Seim, a Rochester Police investigator who also worked on the case, spoke with an official at one of the county adult protection agencies. She said it was also her understanding that Mayo wanted the county to take guardianship of Alyssa, or that perhaps Mayo itself wanted to directly take guardianship of Alyssa. "Mayo never denied a request from the family to transfer the patient to a different facility." At the March 28 meeting, the Mayo staffers said neither Alyssa nor her family members ever asked for her to be transferred. CNN informed them that Alyssa, her stepfather and her grandmother all said they asked repeatedly for her to be transferred. "This is the first we're hearing about this," said Anita Milburn, social work manager, Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic. During the meeting, Plumbo, the Mayo public relations specialist, and Ackerman, the Mayo administrator, said because they were concerned about Amber's behavior, they were vigilantly watching Amber's social media during her daughter's hospitalization. On February 23, Amber posted on her Facebook page, which was public at the time, that they wanted to transfer Alyssa out of Mayo. "They refuse to let her go. ... We cannot transfer [Alyssa] out or get her discharged," she wrote. "No one has any say in [Alyssa's care] and she is basically a prisoner of Mayo." After the meeting, CNN emailed Plumbo and asked her why she was unaware of the family's desire to have Alyssa transferred if they had been closely monitoring Amber's Facebook page. Plumbo didn't answer. As noted above, when CNN asked about the letter from the attorney, the staffers denied it and then laughed it off, saying they didn't take it seriously. "Mayo did not arbitrarily remove the mother from the hospital; instead she was removed after she exhibited escalating disruptive and aggressive behavior that interfered with the care of her daughter and resulted in multiple staff members reporting fear for their safety. A team of Mayo staff members also met with the mother and stepfather to explain why she was removed and they expressed understanding." In its stories earlier this week, CNN never said nor implied that Amber was "arbitrarily" removed from the hospital. CNN published Mayo's full on-the-record statement about why they asked Amber to leave. "Our care teams act in the best interests of our patients. As a general practice, this includes sharing information with family members and facilitating family visits and interactions with patients and their care providers when the patient is in our care. However, in situations where care may be compromised or the safety and security of our staff are potentially at risk, the family members' ability to be present in the hospital may be restricted," they wrote. At the March 28 meeting, the Mayo staffers said Amber was removed because she was physically and verbally abusive to staffers. None of the staffers present at the meeting had taken care of Alyssa, but they said they'd looked through her medical records and spoken to staff members who did care for her. When CNN asked for specifics about the physical abuse, the staffers did not give specifics but just said the staff was "fearful" of Amber. When CNN asked again for specific incidents of physical abuse, Cima, the Mayo doctor, said it didn't matter, because health care providers shouldn't be abused or fear abuse in any way. When we asked again for specific incidents, they said that Amber "grabbed" a doctor's shoulder and he feared she was going to "throw a punch." We asked about the nature and circumstances of the "grabbing," they said there were no more details in the medical record. CNN asked if we could speak to the health care providers who were involved with her care, and they said none of them would talk because they feared Amber. When asked about the verbal abuse, the staffers said Amber kicked staff out of a room in a manner that they characterized as verbal violence. Amber said a social worker discussed private financial information in Alyssa's hospital room within earshot of visiting friends and family, and that she asked the social worker to stop. As CNN reported in its stories, Amber says she never touched any Mayo staffer and that at one point during a meeting she told the staff she felt like they "don't give a f***," later apologizing for her language. CNN asked whether staffers had spoken to Amber about her behavior before they kicked her out. They said there was no record that anyone had done so. As reported in CNN's story, Amber and Duane, Alyssa's mother and stepfather, say they never received an explanation for why she was being kicked out, either at the time or since. "Our care team provided appropriate pain management according to the pain needs of the patient and was concerned when the mother requested opioids for her daughter so that the mother could get some sleep." As reported in our story, when Alyssa entered the rehab unit at Mayo, she'd had four surgeries in the past month, with the last one just a few days before. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, opioids are "critical for post-surgical pain management." At the March 28 meeting, Mayo staffers told CNN that Alyssa didn't need pain medication because she reported having no pain. Alyssa told CNN that during this immediate post-surgical period, she was only pain-free when she'd received a dose of painkillers. When the drugs wore off, she said she was in pain that was so severe she would cry. At the March 28 meeting, the Mayo staffers said that Amber asked for pain medication for her daughter so that her daughter would be quiet and Amber could get some sleep. Amber denied asking for pain medication for her daughter so that she, Amber, could sleep. She said she wanted pain medication because her daughter had just had four surgeries in the past month and she was crying from the pain. Other accusations made by Mayo at the meeting In the Wednesday letter to CNN's executive, Mayo said they found the following items "disturbing." "The reporters' firm commitment to a pre-determined narrative despite contrary facts." CNN did not have a "firm commitment to a pre-determined narrative." CNN spent more than 17 months reporting this story, exploring every angle and accusation made by the family. CNN examined documents from three law enforcement agencies; interviewed four law enforcement officers who handled the case; scoured hundreds of pages of Alyssa's medical records from two hospitals; interviewed more than six lawyers and medical ethicists; spoke to members of Alyssa's extended family and a family friend; and made four visits to Minnesota to conduct in-person interviews. "Insisting that Mayo Clinic be prepared to defend itself instead of pursuing an accurate, fact-based story." CNN gave Mayo ample time -- nearly a year and a half -- to tell us their version of what happened during Alyssa's hospital stay. CNN contacted Plumbo, the Mayo public relations officer, around early March, 2017. We then proceeded to have conversations with Plumbo until just days before the story published. CNN worked with Mayo officials as they continuously changed their mind about whether they would speak with CNN. First, Plumbo said Mayo wouldn't speak even if Alyssa signed a HIPAA release form. Months later she said Mayo would do an on-the-record interview only if Mayo health care providers could first examine Alyssa and see if she was mentally competent to sign such documents. Alyssa declined to be examined by Mayo doctors. Then, when CNN pointed out that Alyssa's current health care providers at another hospital allowed her to sign her own medical forms, Plumbo backed off that request. Later, Plumbo said Mayo would do an on-the-record interview with CNN if Alyssa signed a HIPAA release form. Then when Alyssa did sign that form, Mayo declined to do the interview. "Contacting direct patient care staff with veiled threats and asking them to breach confidentiality in order to corroborate information. This would be a potential legal breach of the patient's confidentiality for them to do so." CNN texted and emailed several members of Alyssa's care team so that they could describe what happened during the hospital stay. No threats -- veiled or otherwise - were made. "Contact with the patient's family prior to their removal of the patient from the hospital, demonstrating an early and unwavering faith in the patient's mother's viewpoint and prioritizing pursuit of a story over the well-being of a vulnerable adult." While Mayo has repeatedly said that the CNN story would harm Alyssa, Alyssa disagrees. She spoke to CNN twice in person and many times over the phone in preparation for our stories. "It didn't harm me at all. It got the word out there that this happens. It shed light," she said. Duane also said that he fully supports the CNN story and is grateful for it. She said the horror has come from Mayo itself disputing CNN's story. CNN did not have an "unwavering faith" in anyone's viewpoint, which is why we spent nearly a year and a half investigating the story. "Despite our attempts to share our concerns with the News Standards and Practices unit, and promises of fair and balanced reporting, the story that was published was factually incomplete and wholly inaccurate." Mayo has failed to point out any facts that CNN got wrong. CNN has made no corrections or changes to the story. Alyssa has the last word On Thursday, Alyssa expressed sadness that Mayo was continuing to attack her and her family. She wondered why they were focused on her mother. She was an adult. Why would her mother's perceived bad behavior mean that Alyssa was kept in the hospital against her will? She said it just doesn't make sense. "This is about me, not my mother," Alyssa said. On Thursday, Mayo public relations circulated court records from late last month and earlier this month showing that Amber had tested positive for methamphetamines, and that a judge had stripped her of custody of Alyssa's five younger half-siblings, who are minors, after it was found she had abused them. The children were taken away from their mother, and sent to live with their father, Duane, who has separated from his wife. CNN learned about the legal proceedings against Amber and that the Engebretsons had separated after we published the articles on Monday. The documents that Mayo circulated include the names and birth dates of her siblings. Alyssa said she thinks Mayo continues to attack her mother because they want to deflect from the main issue: that, according to Alyssa and her family, they refused to let her leave the hospital and she had to escape. "They're trying to create a smokescreen. I wish they would stop," she said. "This is my life. And instead of treating me like a human being, they're treating me like an object." -- Editor's note: The original version of how CNN reported this story published on August 13. This story is based on law enforcement documents from three police agencies in Minnesota; medical records from Alyssa Gilderhus' hospitalization at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and her visit to an emergency room at Sanford USD Medical Center in South Dakota; a letter from and an interview with an attorney who advocated for Alyssa during her stay at Mayo; correspondence between Mayo and Alyssa's family; and interviews with Alyssa, members of her family, a family friend, law enforcement officials and a former member of a Mayo Clinic board. CNN first spoke with Alyssa's mother, Amber Engebretson, during the final days of her daughter's stay at Mayo. She informed CNN that she and her husband would be taking Alyssa out of the hospital shortly before they did so. While reporting this story, the authors had multiple conversations over many months with Ginger Plumbo, a spokeswoman for the Mayo Clinic. The authors also met with Plumbo and four senior Mayo officials on the condition that the information provided would be off the record. Plumbo wrote in an email to CNN that Mayo staffers consented to the off-the-record meeting "with hopes that [CNN] would reconsider [its] decision to share the story. We feel that going on camera or audio disclosing the details about this case and the complex family situation are not in the best interest of the patient or the family." Before that meeting, Plumbo told CNN that Mayo officials would answer CNN's questions on the record if Alyssa signed a privacy release form. Plumbo provided the form. After the meeting, Alyssa signed the form, but then Plumbo said Mayo officials would not answer CNN's questions on the record and instead provided a statement, presented here in its entirety: "Following careful review of the situation in question, we have determined that the version of events provided by certain patient family members to CNN are not supported by the facts nor do they track with the direct observations of numerous others who were involved. We feel we have provided CNN with more than ample information to support our findings and are deeply disappointed that the producers have chosen to pursue a false story based on a pre-determined narrative. We will not address these questionable allegations or publicly share the facts of this complex situation, because we do not believe it's in the best interest of the patient and the family. Mayo Clinic is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all of the patients we treat. Our internal review determined that the care team's actions were true to Mayo Clinic's primary value that the patient's needs come first. We acted in a manner that honored that value for this patient and that also took into account the safety and well-being of the team caring for the patient." Prior to sending the above statement, Plumbo sent CNN this statement regarding Mayo's decision to ban Alyssa's mother from the hospital: "Our care teams act in the best interests of our patients. As a general practice, this includes sharing information with family members and facilitating family visits and interactions with patients and their care providers when the patient is in our care. However, in situations where care may be compromised or the safety and security of our staff are potentially at risk, the family members' ability to be present in the hospital may be restricted." MASON CITY, Iowa- After primaries around the US showed a large turnout for democrats, Iowa Congressman Steve King weighed in on how he feels about the results. King, who is a republican, said he agrees that there was definitely a large number of democrats voting, be said he doesnt believe there will be a large wave of democrats voted in to office come Election Day. Theres not going to be a blue tsunami or a blue wave, he said. Its also not likely there will be a red tsunami, but there is more of a chance today to be a red wave than blue wave. I think republicans can take three or four seats in the senate and that would be huge. King also touched on the tariff situation saying he feels we are getting closer to a point where NAFTA can be restored and trade talks with China will start again. MASON CITY, Iowa RAGBRAI could roll through Mason City again next year. The City Council will consider applying to be an overnight stop in 2019 at its next meeting Tuesday. City Administrator Aaron Burnett has sent a memo the Council recommending the application and calling for Main Street Mason City to head up the event. The last time the annual bike ride and its thousands of riders stopped in Mason City was 2014. The City Council meeting will start at 7 pm Tuesday in the Mason City Public Library. NEWTON, Iowa (AP) A judge has ordered the release of four dogs in Jasper County, saying the county's ordinance regarding vicious animals is unconstitutional. The Des Moines Register reports that the case began in August 2016 and that Judge Martha Mertz had previously upheld the ordinance. But she wrote in Monday's ruling that an April decision by the Iowa Appeals Court caused her to reconsider her previous ruling. The appellate court ruled that Des Moines' ordinance was unconstitutionally vague. Mertz concluded that because Des Moines' ordinance was more explicit than Jasper County's, the Jasper County ordinance also was unconstitutionally vague. Jasper County's ordinance defines a vicious animal as "any animal that demonstrates a propensity without provocation to attack or bite human beings or domestic animals." The four dogs Mertz freed had been deemed vicious. MASON CITY, Iowa Mason City and G8 Development has until September 17 to satisfy the Iowa Economic Development Authority board that funding for the River City Renaissance project is secureor else. The IEDA Board met with Mason City officials Friday about the project and told them the city must provide a signed copy of an acceptable financing commitment or copy of a written notice of default on the part of G8 Development. The developer and the city announced in July that funding for the multi-million dollar project but state officials say they have not received the proper paperwork confirming that and must have those documents before approving any state funding for the project. GARNER, Iowa One of the men accused of burglarizing Hancock County storage units is pleading not guilty. Kristen James Nelson, 34 of Forest City, entered his plea Friday to nine counts of 3rd degree burglary, one count of attempted 3rd degree burglary, four counts of 2nd degree theft, and two counts of 3rd degree theft. His trial is scheduled for October 17. Law enforcement says Nelson and Christopher Hoeft repeatedly broke into storage units in the 100 block of Industrial Drive in Forest City between January 10 and January 21, stealing thousands of dollars worth of items. Nelson was arrested on July 24. Hoeft was arrested on August 9 and has not yet entered a plea to eight counts of 3rd degree burglary, four counts of 2nd degree theft, and two counts of 3rd degree theft. MASON CITY, Iowa Three people have been arrested after a fraud investigation in North Iowa. Jason Shaw, 43, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a charge of identity theft. He is being held on $10,000 bond. Dennis Childers, 61, and Julie Childers, 51, were also taken into custody on outstanding warrant from Arizona. After an investigation by the Mason City Police Department, the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Special Operations Group searched a home in the 400 block of North Georgia Avenue on Thursday. Law enforcement also searched a home in the 400 block of Thompson Street in Sheffield. Documents and vehicles were seized while Shaw was arrested in Mason City and the Gilders were arrested in Sheffield. According to court documents, Shaw used false identifaction to obtain two loans on Monday that totalled $71,499. Anyone who believes they may have been victimized or defrauded by Shaw while he was using an alias is asked to contact Mason City police at 641-421-3636. The police departments in Sheffield, Garner, and Clear Lake assisted with this investigation. MASON CITY, Iowa - With the first day of school right around the corner, if your kids don't have their school supplies yet, it's probably on your to-do list. But not all families can afford the necessary materials. That's why KIMT and our Giving Your Best partners Diamond Jo Casino and First Citizens Bank team up for a school supply drive, and backpacks loaded with school supplies were distributed to local students Thursday at the Salvation Army in Mason City. Lisa Stanzyk's daughter is getting ready for her first day of class. "Being the first time, having a kid go to school. It's going to be challenging, but pretty sure we can get through it." Stanzyk recently moved to Mason City and is currently looking for work, so the supply drive is taking off some of the stress of making sure her daughter is ready. "It's very convenient, especially with those who are having trouble with income. And especially with all the programs the schools have to help with the financial part, it's even much more of a bigger help." Tinisha Terry is getting supplies for her kids, who range from Pre-K to high school. They've been depending on this drive for years. "I think it's actually awesome, just to get the help for the kids and make them more comfortable starting school." John Mathiasen and his family are getting school supplies for their two daughters, who are heading into preschool and kindergarten. They are one of many families who came out to the Salvation Army nearly two weeks before the first day of school. So is he ready for his kids to head to school? "Yes I am. I'm ready for both of them to get back into school. I need a break." 395 backpacks were distributed out to families and students during Thursday's giveaway. Limited version comics released at book fair By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2018-08-17 09:07 This year marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of Walt Disneys Mickey. Born in 1928, the mouse has been popular for 90 years and is a common memory of generations of people. A bilingual limited edition of Mickey Mousecomics was released in the main venue of Shanghai Book Fair on the opening day of the fair. This commemorative version of comics is published by East China University of Science and Technology Press and Disney Publishing Worldwide. It chose from thousands of Mickey Mouse stories published from the 1930s to the beginning of the 21stcentury and collected those representative of the times into three volumes. The book will be first sold in Disney stores. It has also been selected as one of the top 100 most valuable products by the Disney company amid the 90th anniversary and will be showcased in art exhibitions in 15 cities. With a publication license issued by the Disney company, the East China University of Science and Technology Press has been launching popular Disney book series at each book fair since 2015. Apart from paper publications related with the Disney brand, the press has creatively developed digital reading products and courses as well. The summer doldrums have been particularly cruel to gold bulls this year with safe haven capital continuing to rush into the U.S. dollar, as opposed to the traditional safe haven of gold. There has also been speculation that Turkey may be having to sell gold recently due to their current severe financial crisis, which would explain the acceleration in bullions decline this week. After the GDX lost critical support last Friday at the $21 level, the mining complex began to experience capitulation selling on Monday morning. The global miner ETF sell-off accelerated into a waterfall decline on Wednesday and is now targeting technical support at the $16 level. Meanwhile, last weeks Commitment of Traders (CoT) report showed large speculators and hedge funds being short gold by enormous amounts, which continues to set an all-time record net-short managed money position for three weeks running. The net-spec position declined to 5.6% or 25K contracts, which is in historical major bottom territory. Since there is no immediate catalyst on the horizon for the metal of kings, the higher this managed money short position runs, the inevitable mean reversion becomes potentially more explosive once a catalyst materializes. When a commodity has a record short position, it will ultimately have record buybacks. Furthermore, the commercial hedgers have been closing out short positions and by now may be getting close to zero. Commercials have a much better track record than speculators in the gold market and a short position close to zero, like we saw in late 2015, is a sign we are near a major bottom. The CoT report is released each Friday but only contains Tuesdays data, so there is a three-day lag between the report and the actual positioning of traders. This means the futures trading information from Wednesdays big sell-off will not be included in this weeks CoT release, issued today at 3:30pm EST. Market sentiment is also becoming extremely bearish with the Percent Bullish among newsletter publishers, tracked by Consensus-incs Consensus Bullish Sentiment Index , recently dropping to 24% - the lowest its been since 2004. Moreover, the Gold Miners Bullish Percentage ($BPGDM) Index is down below 17% bulls this week as well. Based on the recent CoT report and sentiment research, the gold market is a rocket on the launchpad, waiting for ignition. However, we will need to see a fundamental catalyst before the record speculator short position in gold futures begins to be unwound. Short term, the biggest potential catalyst would be a reversal in the U.S. Dollar. The euro has become very over-sold with concerns about European bank losses due to their exposure to Turkey. Although the Turkish lira continues to recover some of its recent losses, the euro has yet to move much above support at the $1.13 level in the $XEU. An overdue bounce in the euro would reverse the rise in dollar and therefore, relieve some of the pressure on gold. Another possible near-term catalyst could be a de-escalation of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. A Chinese delegation will travel to the U.S. for trade talks in late August, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. The $1180 level has been breached when a stop-run was triggered below $1200 gold this week, bringing $1140 into play if we close below $1200 on a weekly basis today in the December contract. The miners have been selling off much more than gold this week, which tells me $1140 may come into play early next week. The bad news is the waterfall decline in the GDX could see a $16 handle before bottoming soon, so caution is still advised even though the complex remains deeply over-sold. The good news is capitulation selling in the miners this week is bringing the sector closer to a major bottom. Since gold lost $1260 on the June Monthly Basis close, I have advised my subscribers and Korelin Economics Report listeners to avoid optionality plays, silver producers, and high-cost gold producers until the gold price can re-claim the $1300 level. If you need assistance in choosing the best precious metal juniors to invest during this capitulation sell-off in the complex, stop by my website at www.juniorminerjunky.com and check out the subscription service. Senior Producers, Larger-Cap Near-Term Production Aluminum Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Alcoa Inc AA 2.1 US$44.98 186 $8,149 3.01 4.02 3.90 11.2 11.5 6.55 4.55 8.75 9.9 5.1 9.9 0.0% Alumina Ltd AWC 2.2 US$2.10 2880 $6,055 0.13 0.23 0.16 9.1 13.0 0.09 0.21 0.16 9.9 13.2 8.3 7.0% Aluminum Corp China Ltd (ADR) ACH 2.6 CNY$2.98 14904 $7,793 0.09 0.16 0.23 18.8 13.1 0.88 0.83 1.05 3.6 2.8 13.9 0.0% Century Aluminum CENX 2.4 US$12.15 88 $1,064 0.36 0.68 1.95 17.9 6.2 0.59 0.79 2.86 15.4 4.2 40.4 0.0% United Company Rusal Ltd (HK) 486 2.0 US$0.27 15193 $4,142 0.07 0.13 0.13 2.0 2.1 0.11 0.13 0.14 2.1 1.9 8.1 -- Average 11.8 9.2 8.1 5.5 16.1 Iron Ore Cliffs Natural Resources CLF 2.1 US$10.32 298 $3,075 0.43 1.78 1.46 5.8 7.1 1.15 2.01 2.27 5.1 4.6 12.8 0.0% Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (AU) FMG 2.4 US$3.21 3114 $9,980 0.50 0.32 0.32 10.1 9.9 0.95 0.60 0.68 5.3 4.7 3.4 7.3% Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (SA) KIO 4.2 ZAR$289.91 322 $6,814 30.26 19.59 20.27 14.8 14.3 52.91 35.64 37.02 8.1 7.8 5.0 10.0% Labrador Iron Ore Royalty (CN) LIF 2.6 C$24.09 64 $1,173 2.46 1.97 2.56 12.3 9.4 2.61 1.79 2.28 13.5 10.6 16.4 4.2% Mount Gibson Iron Limited (AU) MGX 2.5 AUD$0.45 1100 $357 0.03 0.03 0.03 16.6 12.9 0.02 0.02 0.00 24.7 NM 0.8 4.4% Average 11.9 10.7 11.4 6.9 7.7 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Base Metals & Diversified Large Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Anglo American PLC (UK) AAL 2.4 US$21.29 1405 $29,908 2.53 2.43 2.27 8.8 9.4 6.48 4.78 4.75 4.5 4.5 6.6 4.6% Antofagasta PLC (UK) ANTO 2.8 US$12.27 986 $12,098 0.76 0.79 0.93 15.6 13.2 2.12 1.92 2.25 6.4 5.5 9.8 3.7% BHP Billiton Ltd BHP 2.5 US$24.62 5324 $124,799 1.49 1.69 1.64 14.5 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$3.13 21599 $14,727 0.14 0.25 0.24 12.6 12.9 0.36 0.71 0.68 4.4 4.6 47.4 0.0% Freeport McMoran C&G FCX 2.6 US$15.11 1449 $21,894 1.17 1.89 1.13 8.0 13.4 3.22 3.49 2.46 4.3 6.1 7.0 0.6% Glencore International PLC (UK) GLEN 2.0 US$4.10 14307 $58,660 0.39 0.49 0.47 8.4 8.8 0.82 0.84 0.91 4.9 4.5 8.9 2.1% Grupo Mexico (MX) GMEXICOB 2.4 US$2.94 7785 $22,857 0.20 0.25 0.31 11.7 9.6 0.43 0.37 0.43 8.0 6.8 9.2 3.3% Hindustan Zinc (IN) HZ 2.4 INR$286.95 4225 $17,636 20.96 23.05 25.37 12.4 11.3 21.92 27.31 29.94 10.5 9.6 9.3 2.9% MMC Norilsk Nickel (RU) GMKN 2.0 RU$5,429.84 158 $25,646 -- 899.94 1210.92 6.0 4.5 -- 689.72 1388.13 7.9 3.9 10.1 7.7% Rio Tinto PLC (UK) RIO 2.5 US$48.55 1721 $86,217 4.83 4.83 4.34 10.0 11.2 7.77 7.03 7.25 6.9 6.7 8.0 5.5% Sesa Sterlite Ltd (ADR) SSLT 1.6 INR$223.70 3717 $12,095 18.89 27.49 34.85 8.1 6.4 53.84 59.17 65.59 3.8 3.4 5.6 9.0% South32 Ltd (AU) S32 2.8 US$2.65 5120 $13,569 0.23 0.26 0.24 10.3 11.0 0.36 0.37 0.40 7.2 6.7 6.9 3.9% Southern Copper Corp SCCO 3.6 US$45.31 773 $35,027 0.94 2.39 2.78 18.9 16.3 2.63 3.04 3.38 14.9 13.4 18.2 2.1% Sumitomo Metal Mining (JP) 5713 2.2 JPY$3,866 291 $10,136 232.51 377.08 421.40 10.3 9.2 400.09 587.27 641.56 6.6 6.0 12.4 2.4% Teck Resources Ltd TCK 1.9 C$31.92 575 $13,958 4.45 4.63 3.93 6.9 8.1 8.84 8.00 7.40 4.0 4.3 7.0 0.4% Vale SA (ADR) VALE 2.2 US$51.66 5284 $70,822 4.39 5.51 6.01 9.4 8.6 7.79 9.01 9.15 5.7 5.6 10.1 4.1% Average 10.7 10.6 6.7 6.2 11.6 Mid Cap Assore Ltd (SA) ASR 3.6 ZAR$300.00 140 $3,056 47.40 41.47 34.81 7.2 8.6 26.37 37.33 26.28 8.0 11.4 12.3 5.0% Aurubis AG (GR) NDA 2.4 EUR$64.52 45 $3,310 5.35 5.73 5.77 11.3 11.2 9.78 7.38 8.32 8.7 7.8 8.7 2.2% Boliden AB (SW) BOL 2.8 SEK$260.50 274 $7,911 25.06 27.48 24.50 9.5 10.6 46.57 43.07 43.82 6.0 5.9 7.6 2.8% Eramet (FR) ERA 2.8 EUR$82.70 27 $2,539 7.03 10.20 9.89 8.1 8.4 17.81 18.11 23.12 4.6 3.6 7.7 2.0% Exxaro Resources Ltd (SA) EXX 1.9 ZAR$142.17 359 $3,721 4.50 22.24 21.10 6.4 6.7 9.80 14.43 17.74 9.9 8.0 8.8 4.7% First Quantum Minerals (CN) FM 2.1 US$13.75 689 $9,478 (0.16) 0.74 1.41 18.5 9.8 1.62 2.54 2.90 5.4 4.7 17.5 0.1% Iluka Resources Ltd (AU) ILU 2.4 AUD$11.19 422 $3,448 0.23 0.73 0.88 15.3 12.7 0.99 1.26 1.28 8.9 8.8 -- 3.0% Jiangxi Copper Co "H" (HK) 358 2.5 CNY$8.43 3463 $6,232 0.48 0.79 0.86 10.7 9.8 0.72 1.44 1.56 5.9 5.4 11.3 2.0% Kazakhmys PLC (UK) KAZ 2.6 US$7.82 447 $3,494 1.07 1.40 1.54 5.6 5.1 1.68 1.80 1.99 4.3 3.9 23.9 0.0% KGHM Polska Miedz (PO) KGH 3.0 PLN$90.30 200 $4,868 7.84 13.69 14.97 6.6 6.0 21.44 24.21 26.36 3.7 3.4 5.5 0.0% Lundin Mining Corp (CN) LUN 2.3 US$5.17 732 $3,899 0.56 0.40 0.45 13.0 11.5 1.14 0.84 0.99 6.1 5.2 5.6 0.0% MMG Ltd (HK) 1208 1.9 US$0.55 8051 $4,410 0.02 0.06 0.07 9.1 7.5 0.29 0.24 0.25 2.3 2.2 15.4 0.0% Outokumpu (FN) OUT1V 2.3 EUR$5.74 416 $2,753 0.83 0.40 0.66 14.4 8.7 0.75 0.76 1.21 7.5 4.7 12.0 4.7% Turquoise Hill Resources TRQ 3.0 US$2.48 2012 $4,997 0.09 0.15 0.07 16.3 34.1 0.06 0.14 0.19 18.2 12.9 17.7 0.0% Vale Indonesia Tbk PT (ID) INCO 1.9 US$0.30 9936 $2,959 (0.00) 0.01 0.01 43.4 20.0 0.02 0.02 0.03 16.9 10.8 21.0 0.0% Vedanta Resources PLC (UK) VED 2.8 US$10.70 282 $3,016 0.43 0.94 1.55 11.4 6.9 5.26 8.96 13.24 1.2 0.8 6.5 6.6% Average 12.9 11.1 7.4 6.2 12.1 Small Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Capstone Mining Corp (CN) CS 1.9 US$0.75 399 $272 (0.02) 0.12 0.14 6.0 5.2 0.29 0.32 0.34 2.4 2.2 3.6 0.0% Hudbay Minerals HBM 1.9 US$5.08 261 $1,328 0.61 0.51 0.58 9.9 8.7 2.04 1.75 1.82 2.9 2.8 4.2 0.3% Independence Group NL (AU) IGO 2.9 AUD$4.34 590 $1,871 0.10 0.22 0.33 19.8 13.1 0.34 0.64 0.73 6.8 5.9 18.9 0.4% Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (CN) IVP 2.1 US$1.79 791 $1,415 (0.14) (0.04) (0.05) -- -- (0.05) (0.03) (0.05) -- -- -- 0.0% Mechel OAO (ADR) MTL 4.0 RU$88.70 555 $755 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 8.8 0.0% Mineral Resources Ltd (AU) MIN 2.7 AUD$15.64 188 $2,143 1.18 1.42 1.79 11.0 8.7 1.65 1.94 2.34 8.1 6.7 7.4 0.0% Mitsui Mining & Smelting (JP) 5706 2.0 JPY$4,185 57 $2,162 72.45 355.45 556.82 11.8 7.5 532.87 852.83 1079.08 4.9 3.9 8.0 1.4% Nevsun Resources Ltd NSU 1.9 US$3.76 302 $1,136 (0.12) (0.03) 0.04 -- 92.1 (0.07) 0.31 0.33 12.0 11.4 10.0 0.6% Nyrstar NV (BE) NYR 2.8 EUR$5.15 110 $652 (0.82) (0.20) 0.62 -- 8.4 0.39 0.87 1.87 5.9 2.8 9.6 0.0% Oz Minerals (AU) OZL 2.4 AUD$9.48 323 $2,235 0.77 0.67 0.56 14.2 16.9 1.15 1.29 1.44 7.4 6.6 6.3 2.2% Philex Mining Corp (PH) PX 3.0 Php$4.29 4940 $398 0.34 0.41 0.33 10.5 13.0 -- -- -- -- -- 7.3 1.7% Sandfire Resources NL (AU) SFR 3.4 AUD$7.58 159 $881 0.65 0.90 1.21 8.4 6.2 1.48 1.67 1.95 4.5 3.9 5.3 3.0% Sherritt International (CN) S 1.6 C$0.84 397 $254 (1.07) 0.00 0.19 -- 4.5 (0.03) 0.08 0.17 11.1 5.1 20.9 0.0% Volcan Cia Ninera VOLABC1 2.0 US$0.24 4077 $2,377 (0.12) 0.04 0.05 6.0 5.4 -- -- -- -- -- 10.8 1.7% Western Areas NL (AU) WSA 2.6 AUD$3.18 273 $635 0.07 0.15 0.26 20.7 12.3 0.27 0.39 0.51 8.1 6.2 12.4 0.6% Average 11.8 15.5 6.7 5.2 9.5 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Gold Large Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd AEM 2.1 US$39.97 234 $9,328 1.02 0.33 0.85 NM 47.1 3.30 2.87 3.55 13.9 11.3 11.8 0.9% Barrick Gold Corp ABX 3.1 US$10.83 1167 $12,625 0.75 0.58 0.67 18.6 16.2 1.77 1.91 2.02 5.7 5.4 4.9 0.9% Franco-Nevada FNV 2.1 US$71.52 186 $13,316 1.08 1.22 1.37 58.4 52.4 2.67 2.70 3.04 26.5 23.5 27.4 1.3% Goldcorp Inc GG 2.1 US$12.50 869 $10,344 0.40 0.29 0.64 43.3 19.6 1.55 1.43 2.02 8.7 6.2 9.6 0.6% Newcrest Mining Ltd (AU) NCM 2.7 AUD$15.51 768 $11,911 0.53 0.71 0.96 21.9 16.1 1.75 1.76 1.99 8.8 7.8 10.1 0.6% Newmont Mining NEM 2.4 US$35.60 533 $18,989 1.46 1.31 1.57 27.2 22.7 4.39 3.82 4.23 9.3 8.4 8.9 1.1% Polyus Gold International (UK) PGIL 2.0 RU$4,214.00 134 $8,316 560.33 547.28 624.19 7.7 6.8 475.56 614.35 838.50 6.9 5.0 -- 3.5% Zijin Mining Group (HK) 2899 2.1 CNY$2.56 23031 $10,814 0.16 0.20 0.23 12.5 11.1 0.44 0.53 0.52 4.9 4.9 16.1 0.0% Average 27.1 24.0 10.6 9.1 12.7 Mid Cap Alamos Gold AGI 1.9 US$4.79 390 $1,869 0.13 0.11 0.23 43.7 20.9 0.53 0.62 0.75 7.7 6.4 10.9 0.5% AngloGold Ashanti Ltd AU 2.2 US$8.55 412 $3,619 0.02 0.75 0.92 11.5 9.3 2.40 2.61 3.05 3.3 2.8 3.6 0.5% B2Gold Corp BTG 1.7 US$2.44 988 $2,414 0.05 0.18 0.23 13.3 10.7 0.16 0.45 0.51 5.4 4.8 8.9 0.0% Buenaventura (ADR) BVN 2.5 US$13.59 276 $3,682 0.29 0.81 1.04 16.7 13.1 0.84 1.71 1.75 7.9 7.8 11.2 0.4% Evolution Mining Ltd (AU) EVN 2.7 AUD$2.91 1693 $3,596 0.14 0.17 0.19 17.4 15.3 0.41 0.42 0.43 6.9 6.7 7.9 2.1% Gold Fields Ltd (ADR) GFI 2.3 US$3.51 822 $2,908 0.24 0.18 0.28 20.1 12.5 1.01 1.06 1.29 3.3 2.7 3.5 1.8% Iamgold Corp IAG 2.0 US$4.93 467 $2,339 0.06 0.16 0.18 30.7 26.8 0.63 0.76 0.85 6.5 5.8 6.4 0.0% Kinross Gold Corp KGC 2.4 US$3.15 1250 $3,929 0.14 0.19 0.16 17.0 19.3 0.76 0.80 0.80 3.9 3.9 5.7 0.0% Kirkland Lake Gold (CN) KL 2.2 C$21.95 211 $4,636 0.72 1.10 1.46 19.9 15.0 1.42 1.96 2.41 11.2 9.1 24.8 0.3% Northern Star Resources (AU) NST 3.1 AUD$7.42 613 $3,323 0.35 0.42 0.50 17.6 14.9 0.57 0.63 0.73 11.7 10.1 9.9 1.7% Polymetal International PLC (UK) POLY 2.6 US$8.35 453 $3,780 0.88 0.92 1.22 9.1 6.8 1.22 1.34 1.59 6.2 5.2 7.0 3.5% Randgold Resources (ADR) GOLD 2.0 US$69.97 94 $6,511 2.92 2.94 3.50 23.8 20.0 5.75 6.17 7.69 11.3 9.1 11.6 2.6% Royal Gold Inc RGLD 2.1 US$82.84 66 $5,426 1.62 1.89 2.21 43.8 37.5 4.56 4.88 4.93 17.0 16.8 20.8 1.1% Yamana Gold Inc AUY 2.2 US$3.03 949 $2,852 0.08 0.14 0.16 21.5 19.2 0.51 0.65 0.66 4.7 4.6 7.3 0.7% Zhaojin Mining Industry Co Ltd (HK) 1818 2.5 CNY$5.49 3221 $2,581 0.20 0.21 0.24 25.8 23.0 0.34 1.06 0.72 5.2 7.6 15.4 1.2% Average 22.1 17.6 7.5 6.9 10.3 Small Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Acacia Mining PLC (UK) ACAA 2.7 US$1.55 410 $637 0.36 0.18 0.27 8.6 5.8 (0.06) 0.55 0.74 2.8 2.1 1.5 0.0% Alacer Gold Corp (CN) ASR 2.7 US$2.05 294 $601 0.28 0.11 0.29 18.6 7.0 0.37 0.23 0.68 8.8 3.0 26.7 0.0% Argonaut Gold Ltd (CN) AR 2.0 US$1.57 178 $281 0.09 0.17 0.25 9.5 6.2 0.22 0.40 0.52 3.9 3.0 6.8 0.0% Centamin Egypt (CN) CEE 2.1 US$1.43 1155 $1,647 0.13 0.09 0.11 15.4 12.9 0.31 0.16 0.25 9.0 5.8 3.6 8.0% Centerra Gold (CN) CG 2.8 US$4.50 292 $1,315 0.93 0.40 0.61 11.4 7.3 1.71 1.09 1.36 4.1 3.3 4.1 0.0% Detour Gold Corp (CN) DGC 1.9 US$9.07 175 $1,588 0.66 0.45 0.39 20.0 23.3 1.65 1.64 1.46 5.5 6.2 6.6 0.0% Eldorado Gold Corp EGO 3.0 US$1.13 794 $810 0.02 0.00 0.01 NM NM 0.09 0.13 0.18 8.5 6.3 6.7 0.0% Endeavour Mining Corp (CN) EDV 1.7 US$16.28 108 $1,754 0.67 0.96 1.26 16.9 12.9 2.24 2.51 3.39 6.5 4.8 9.5 0.0% Guyana Goldfields Inc (CN) GUY 2.0 US$2.97 173 $516 0.12 0.25 0.42 12.0 7.0 0.38 0.51 0.80 5.8 3.7 5.5 0.0% Harmony Gold Mining Ltd HAR 2.9 ZAR$22.85 512 $853 3.01 2.83 2.33 8.1 9.8 8.07 7.77 7.69 2.9 3.0 2.9 1.5% Hecla Mining Co HL 2.7 US$3.03 477 $1,445 0.10 0.05 0.13 64.5 23.7 0.29 0.32 0.52 9.5 5.8 7.4 0.3% Hochschild Mining PLC (UK) HOC 2.4 US$2.22 509 $1,128 0.08 0.06 0.15 37.3 14.7 0.45 0.51 0.60 4.3 3.7 4.1 0.9% McEwen Ming Inc. MUX 2.0 US$2.15 337 $725 (0.03) (0.06) 0.04 -- 50.6 (0.05) (0.06) 0.08 -- 26.9 -- 0.5% New Gold Inc NGD 3.2 US$1.13 579 $652 0.09 (0.04) 0.05 -- 22.9 0.61 0.47 0.58 2.4 1.9 4.8 0.0% Pretium Resources PVG 2.0 C$9.23 183 $1,687 0.10 0.59 0.89 15.6 10.4 0.40 1.19 1.61 7.8 5.8 -- 0.0% Oceanagold Corp (AU) OGC 2.0 US$3.02 618 $1,856 0.30 0.23 0.21 13.0 14.1 0.57 0.58 0.54 5.2 5.6 7.0 0.9% Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd OR 1.9 C$11.62 156 $1,382 0.18 0.11 0.32 NM 36.6 0.38 0.53 0.67 21.9 17.4 49.0 1.6% Regis Resources Ltd (AU) RRL 3.5 AUD$4.25 504 $1,565 0.30 0.33 0.34 13.0 12.4 0.45 0.47 0.48 9.1 8.9 8.4 3.7% St Barbara Ltd (AU) SBM 3.8 AUD$4.17 521 $1,585 0.37 0.37 0.32 11.2 13.0 0.59 0.53 0.47 7.8 8.9 6.5 2.6% Semafo (CN) SMF 1.9 US$2.56 326 $835 0.00 0.07 0.35 38.2 7.2 0.23 0.38 0.79 6.8 3.2 6.0 0.0% Sibanye Gold Ltd (SA) SGL 2.4 ZAR$8.66 2266 $1,432 (0.12) 0.65 1.45 13.4 6.0 3.53 3.34 4.18 2.6 2.1 4.1 0.0% SSR Mining SSRM 2.3 US$10.27 120 $1,235 0.34 0.23 0.33 45.3 31.1 1.21 1.02 1.36 10.1 7.6 4.9 0.0% Torex Gold Resources (CN) TXG 1.8 US$6.68 85 $567 (0.18) 0.59 0.77 11.4 8.7 0.92 1.96 2.39 3.4 2.8 5.3 0.0% Average 20.2 15.6 6.8 6.2 8.6 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Silver Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Americas Silver Corp (CN) USA 1.7 US$2.51 43 $108 (0.09) 0.30 0.34 8.4 7.4 0.04 0.65 0.79 3.9 3.2 0.0 0.0% Coeur Mining Corp CDE 2.0 US$6.36 187 $1,190 0.02 0.03 0.30 NM 21.6 1.08 0.68 1.14 9.4 5.6 7.0 0.0% Endeavour Silver Corp EXK 2.8 US$2.51 129 $310 0.08 0.09 0.18 29.0 13.9 0.12 0.30 0.33 8.5 7.7 8.3 0.0% First Majestic Silver Corp AG 2.5 US$6.47 193 $1,255 (0.04) (0.07) 0.20 -- 32.4 0.43 0.47 0.84 13.8 7.7 10.3 0.0% Fortuna Silver Mines FSM 2.2 US$4.76 160 $760 0.28 0.30 0.44 15.7 10.7 0.44 0.54 0.79 8.8 6.1 7.2 0.0% Fresnillo (UK) FRES 2.5 US$12.63 737 $9,306 0.65 0.65 0.71 19.3 17.8 1.03 1.20 1.26 10.6 10.0 9.6 2.6% Mag Silver Corp MAG 1.8 US$9.04 86 $773 (0.08) (0.05) (0.06) -- -- (0.05) (0.02) (0.05) -- -- 81.8 0.0% Pan American Silver PAAS 2.3 US$17.01 153 $2,602 0.51 0.70 0.79 24.3 21.5 1.47 1.51 1.82 11.3 9.4 8.9 0.6% Wheaton Precious Metals WPM 1.8 US$20.83 444 $9,217 0.63 0.58 0.70 36.1 29.6 1.22 1.16 1.33 18.0 15.7 16.3 1.7% Silvercorp SVM 2.0 US$2.72 167 $455 0.26 0.24 0.25 11.5 11.1 0.42 0.40 0.42 6.8 6.4 -- 0.4% Tahoe Resources TAHO 2.5 US$4.34 313 $1,349 0.27 (0.08) 0.48 -- 9.0 0.75 0.41 1.17 10.7 3.7 3.7 0.4% Average 20.6 17.5 10.2 7.6 15.3 Platinum Group Metals African Rainbow Minerals (SA) ARI 1.8 ZAR$122.61 220 $1,966 17.47 18.37 16.84 6.7 7.3 16.60 17.12 19.45 7.2 6.3 29.0 1.9% Anglo Platinum Ltd (SA) AMS 2.4 ZAR$423.66 270 $8,337 14.76 19.89 24.69 21.3 17.2 49.84 36.06 41.03 11.7 10.3 12.3 2.0% Impala Platinum (SA) IMP 2.4 ZAR$17.97 735 $1,135 (0.87) 0.44 2.32 41.1 7.7 1.94 5.14 8.20 3.5 2.2 7.2 0.0% Lonmin PLC (UK) LMI 3.8 US$0.52 283 $149 (2.68) (0.13) (0.04) -- -- 0.09 0.03 0.19 17.1 2.8 -- 0.0% Northam Platinum Ltd (SA) NHM 2.5 ZAR$36.69 510 $1,365 (1.45) (0.83) (0.12) -- -- 2.57 3.39 4.41 10.8 8.3 32.8 0.0% Average 23.0 10.7 10.1 6.0 20.3 Diamonds & Gems Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % AK Alrosa PAO (RU) ALRS 2.6 RU$33.75 7365 $10,251 10.47 12.86 12.18 2.6 2.8 13.65 18.80 15.70 1.8 2.1 4.2 5.7% Lucara Diamond Corp (CN) LUC 1.5 US$1.64 396 $651 0.16 0.10 0.15 16.9 11.1 0.25 0.15 0.19 11.1 8.8 3.3 4.9% Mountain Province Diamonds (CN) MPVD 2.7 US$2.77 210 $443 0.11 0.08 0.25 34.6 10.9 0.26 0.86 0.84 3.2 3.3 -- -- Petra Diamonds Ltd (UK) PDL 2.0 US$0.47 865 $412 0.05 0.06 0.09 7.3 5.1 0.19 0.15 0.16 3.2 3.0 6.8 0.0% Stornoway Diamond Corp (CN) SWY 2.8 C$0.43 836 $270 0.02 (0.06) 0.00 -- -- 0.08 0.02 0.09 21.3 4.6 -- 0.0% Average 15.4 7.5 8.1 4.4 4.8 Fertilizers Arab Potash Co (JR) APOT -- JOD$15.80 83 $1,857 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 12.1 6.7% CF Industries CF 2.7 US$49.27 233 $11,503 (0.25) 1.28 2.02 38.4 24.4 6.97 5.31 5.80 9.3 8.5 21.4 2.7% Compass Minerals CMP 2.4 US$63.30 34 $2,143 2.75 2.85 4.04 22.2 15.7 4.34 3.38 11.08 18.7 5.7 12.6 4.4% Incitec Pivot Ltd (AU) IPL 3.0 AUD$3.81 1645 $4,576 0.19 0.22 0.24 17.7 15.7 0.39 0.40 0.43 9.4 8.8 12.1 2.7% Israel Chemical (IS) ICL 2.5 US$5.15 1280 $6,594 0.30 0.36 0.40 14.1 12.8 0.66 0.49 0.73 10.5 7.1 8.6 4.0% K & S Aktiengesellschaft (GR) SDF 2.7 EUR$21.00 191 $4,586 0.96 1.27 1.78 16.5 11.8 1.60 3.09 3.44 6.8 6.1 13.4 1.5% Mosaic Co MOS 2.3 US$31.49 385 $12,138 1.09 1.62 1.98 19.4 15.9 2.67 3.66 4.23 8.6 7.4 14.8 0.8% Sociedad Quimica Minera (ADR) SQM 2.3 US$46.80 263 $12,333 1.63 1.89 2.24 24.7 20.9 2.67 2.38 2.82 19.7 16.6 16.8 3.8% Yara International ASA (NO) YAR 3.0 NOK$43.47 273 $11,940 1.81 1.82 3.18 23.9 13.7 2.87 4.86 5.52 9.0 7.9 9.4 1.9% Average 22.1 16.4 11.5 8.5 13.5 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Uranium Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Cameco Corp CCJ 2.7 C$14.14 396 $4,258 0.15 0.29 0.21 48.3 68.8 1.51 1.19 1.04 11.9 13.6 10.9 2.0% Denison Mines DNN 2.0 US$0.64 559 $272 (0.04) (0.04) (0.04) -- -- 0.03 (0.04) (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Energy Resources Australia (AU) ERA 4.0 AUD$0.41 518 $153 (0.04) (0.06) 0.06 -- 6.8 0.02 (0.01) 0.01 -- 40.5 -- 0.0% Uranium Participation Corp (CN) U 2.0 C$4.52 137 $484 (0.03) (0.03) 0.06 -- 78.6 (0.04) (0.04) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Average 48.3 51.4 11.9 27.1 10.9 Coal Large - Mid Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 10-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Adaro Energy TBK (ID) ADRO 1.7 US$0.13 31986 $4,241 0.01 0.02 0.02 8.3 8.4 0.03 0.03 0.03 4.6 4.6 6.1 5.1% Banpu Public Co Ltd (TH) BANPU 1.7 THB$0.61 5162 $3,169 0.07 0.08 0.07 7.8 8.5 0.13 0.08 0.10 7.4 6.4 19.3 1.8% China Coal Energy Co (HK) 1898 2.3 CNY$2.83 13259 $8,379 0.26 0.33 0.32 8.5 8.8 1.34 1.09 1.20 2.6 2.4 12.7 1.9% China Shenhua Energy Co (HK) 1088 2.2 CNY$15.49 19890 $51,339 2.40 2.32 2.24 6.7 6.9 4.78 3.88 4.10 4.0 3.8 6.1 5.8% Consol Energy CNX 2.2 US$15.79 213 $3,364 (0.04) 0.92 0.76 17.1 20.9 1.88 3.50 3.86 4.5 4.1 9.5 0.0% Whitehaven Coal Lyd (AU) WHC 2.4 AUD$5.38 1026 $4,030 0.45 0.56 0.49 9.6 10.9 0.72 0.85 0.73 6.3 7.4 0.0 0.0% Yancoal Australia Lyd YAL -- AUD$0.13 43962 $4,173 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0 0.0% Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd (HK) 1171 2.4 CNY$8.25 4912 $7,411 1.50 1.68 1.56 4.9 5.3 2.48 2.97 3.26 2.8 2.5 20.6 6.5% Average 9.0 10.0 4.6 4.4 9.3 Small Cap Cloud Peak Energy CLD 3.3 US$2.62 76 $198 (0.50) (0.59) (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 8.5 6.3% NLC India Ltd (IN) NLCINDIA -- INR$77.20 1529 $1,716 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 6.5 5.4% New Hope Corp Ltd (AU) NHC 2.3 AUD$3.72 831 $2,257 0.22 0.31 0.26 11.9 14.2 0.38 0.42 0.35 8.9 10.5 17.8 4.8% PT Tambang Batubara Bukit (ID) PTBA 2.1 IDR$4,890 11521 $3,911 425.00 442.17 422.48 11.1 11.6 229.16 452.93 447.62 10.8 10.9 18.0 8.0% PT Bumi Resources (ID) BUMI -- US$0.02 65379 $1,053 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Average 9.6 10.6 6.0 5.8 10.3 Limited Partnership Alliance Resource Partners LP ARLP 2.0 US$20.15 131 $2,647 2.80 3.33 2.32 6.1 8.7 5.63 3.32 3.00 6.1 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 4.8 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 (10-Aug-18) Aluminum ($0.92 / lb) Cobalt ($28.12 / lb) Copper ($2.78 / lb) Lead ($0.95 / lb) Molybdenum ($11.79 / lb) Nickel ($6.18 / lb) Tin ($8.87 / lb) Zinc ($1.16 / lb) Palladium ($904 / oz) Platinum ($826 / oz) Silver ($15.28 / oz) Uranium ($26.00 / lb) LONDON (Reuters) - Investors pulled billions from equities this week, shifting into bonds and high dividend-yielding sectors as Turkeys currency crisis sparked a global selloff and emerging markets entered bear territory, an analysis of fund flows showed on Friday. The market was shifting into defensive mode, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) (BAC.N) strategists said, noting investors pulled money out of U.S. equities, technology and financials. Global equities suffered $3.6 billion of outflows while bonds saw $2.3 billion inflows as investors moved out of riskier assets, the BAML strategists said, citing data from EPFR, a fund flows data provider. U.S. equity funds saw outflows of $2.6 billion, a turnaround from the previous week when U.S. funds were leading in terms of inflows. Funds investing in large-cap stocks were the main victims of selling, with $2.3 billion lost. Tech funds had $500 million of outflows, their biggest since the February global market selloff, in a sign of increased caution around the sector which drove much of last years stock market gains and accounts for 30 percent of MSCIs emerging markets index .MSCIEF. Chinas Tencent (0700.HK) this week slipped after reporting its first quarterly profit decline in nearly 13 years, sparking renewed concerns the tech boom may be slowing. Cumulative flows into the sector were showing signs of peaking, too, strategists said. HEALTHCARE PREFERRED Financials saw $1.2 billion of outflows while energy funds lost $600 million, another sign of investors growing caution over sectors more correlated with the business cycle. Defensives such as consumer staples, utilities, real estate, healthcare and telecoms, seen as safer for their high dividend payouts, have been the top-performing U.S. sectors for the past three months. Healthcare stocks drew $800 million of inflows this week, driving the total to $5.5 billion over the past three months and making the sector one of the most overbought according to BAML. Pressure on European equities was unrelenting: Europe had its 23rd straight week of outflows with $2.9 billion pulled from the regions equity funds. Japan, meanwhile, was the sole region to see inflows, with $300 million. In a week where MSCIs emerging markets index entered bear territory, down 20 percent from the January peak, EM equity funds saw just $200 million of outflows, while $500 million left EM debt funds. Bear markets were multiplying with European banks, European autos and copper in that category. BAML strategists also noted more than half the stocks in MSCIs world index .dMIWD00000PUS (1,254 out of 2,273) are in bear territory. By contrast overbought assets were U.S. equities and U.S. high-yield bonds, as well as healthcare stocks. Most oversold were European credit, global financials and materials stocks, as well as Italy, China and Turkey. The Turkish lira was by far the worst-performing currency, while Turkish equities were 42 percent below their 200-day moving average. MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Russia's sanctions-hit aluminium giant Rusal said on Friday its board had discussed and approved a change of domicile from Britain's Jersey to Russia in order to take advantage of new special tax regulations. Rusal, which was hit with U.S. sanctions in April that seriously disrupted aluminium supplies, said the relocation was still subject to shareholder approval. The announcement comes a day after En+ Group , which is also subject to U.S. sanctions on the two companies' tycoon co-owner Oleg Deripaska, said it was considering re-domiciling to one of Russia's new offshore zones. Russia has created two special administrative regions where companies enjoy benefits such as a zero tax on profits received by way of dividends - an arrangement similar to foreign offshore tax havens. Rusal said its board had decided that a change of domicile might be "in the best interests of the company and its shareholders as a whole" and entrusted the management with developing a detailed action plan. Shares in Hong Kong-listed Rusal, the world's largest aluminium producer outside China, are down 54 percent since the sanctions were imposed on April 6. (Reporting by Maria Kiselyova Editing by Tom Balmforth; editing by David Evans) Messaging: maria.kiselyova.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment fell to an 11-month low in early August, with households expressing concerns about the rising cost of living, potentially signaling a slowdown in consumer spending. The University of Michigan on Friday said its consumer sentiment index fell to a reading of 95.3 early this month, the weakest since September 2017, from 97.9 in July. The surveys current conditions sub-index of consumer expectations dropped to 107.8 from Julys reading of 114.4. It said the decline in sentiment was concentrated among households in the bottom third of the income distribution. The dominating weakness reflected much less favorable assessments of buying conditions, mainly due to less favorable perceptions of market prices, said Richard Curtin, the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers chief economist. Buying conditions for large household durables sank to the lowest level in nearly four years. * German 10-year Bund yields drop to one-month low of 0.287 pct * Italian debt sells off as risky assets suffer * Euro zone periphery govt bond yields tmsnrt.rs/2ii2Bqr (Rewrites throughout to reflect change in yields, adds quote) By Virginia Furness and Abhinav Ramnarayan Aug 17 (Reuters) - German bond yields returned to one-month lows on Friday as the threat of more U.S. sanctions on Turkey hit the lira once again, boosting demand for safe haven assets such as high-grade euro zone government debt. A currency crisis in Turkey has sparked a global market selloff in recent days, and investors have instead retreated to safe havens such as German debt, considered one of the safest and most liquid assets in the world. The United States warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. Accordingly, Germanys 10-year government bond dipped as low as 0.287 percent on Friday, its lowest in nearly a month and half what it was just three months ago. It is remarkable how low Bund yields are right now, and of course this has to do with the safe haven flows but you also have to take into account Bunds are very scarce right now, said BBVA strategist Jaime Costero Denche. U.S. Treasuries are also a safe haven asset but in the case of Bunds, the European Central Bank is still taking out some of the supply which is possibly exaggerating the flight to quality move. Turkish bonds and the lira had found some support on Thursday after Finance Minister Berat Albayrak assured international investors on a conference call that the country would emerge stronger from its currency crisis and that its banks were healthy. But that changed quickly on Friday, with the Turkish lira dropping another 7 percent at one stage. Italian bonds have been hit particularly hard by the Turkish currency crisis, in part because of concerns over Italian banks exposure to the country. Italian 10-year yields were higher 3 basis points on the day and the spread over Germany widening to 284 bps. However, Spanish and Portuguese government bonds held firm, with yields more or less unchanged on the day., Investors are sensitive to the headline risk that might come over the weekend, said Commerzbank strategist Michael Leister, saying that many investors may buy German bonds just to avoid being exposed to risk over the weekend. (Adds comments from Granges spokeswoman, details) STOCKHOLM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Sweden's Granges put on ice on Friday plans to form an aluminium manufacturing joint venture in the United States with Japan's Mitsubishi Aluminum Co , saying that the project was less attractive in "current circumstances". It did not specify what circumstances it was referring to though a Granges spokeswoman later said they were related to the feasibility of the project and did not have to do with U.S. tariffs on aluminium imports. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imported aluminium and steel as well as on a long list of imports from China, which include many machinery parts or products needed by manufacturers, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing. The venture aimed to combine Granges' and Mitsubishi Aluminum's expertise in aluminium rolling and establish a new U.S. production facility to manufacture advanced aluminium materials for brazed automotive heat exchangers for the North American and Mexican markets. "Granges has decided to halt the plans for a joint venture in North America, as the project isn't sufficiently attractive for Granges from a risk-reward perspective given the current circumstances," the company said in its statement on Friday. "It doesn't have to do with the market conditions...It's more about the project itself," said Pernilla Grennfelt, senior vice president for communications and investor relations, declining to be more specific. Yet, she said U.S. tariffs were impacting Granges in different ways. The company is seeking exemptions to continue importing from Europe certain aluminium coil and aluminium sheet products that it needs to make products in the United States needed by U.S. automotive clients, she said. Granges last year had already begun to gradually shift production of foil products for U.S. customers from Shanghai, China to Finspang, Sweden after the U.S. imposed countervailing and anti-dumping duties on imports of such products from China. The company said on Friday it remained "strongly committed" to the North American market, adding that it was on track with its plans to invest $110 million to expand capacity at its Tennessee operations in the United States. Granges is also exploring business opportunities for advanced aluminium materials for brazed automotive heat exchangers in North America, it said. (Reporting by Esha Vaish in Stockholm, editing by Johannes Hellstrom and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) 1122; Reuters Messaging: esha.vaish.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; LinkedIn: (left to right)--Kayden and Mark Badascher at the 2018 Johnson County Fair in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Mark works for Stutheit Implement, which has two locations in Syracuse and Auburn. Mark hails from the Tecumseh area and will be glad to show you their impressive John Deere display, as John Deere celebrates 100 years of manufacturing tractors this year. Home Business Finance Minister hopes to end poverty in Nepal within five years Kathmandu, August 17 Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada says Nepal will end poverty within next five years. Speaking at a meeting of Parliaments Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of Parliament on Friday, the Minister said the government allocated sufficient budget for poverty alleviation programmes. Likewise, it had sufficient policies and plans for that, according to him. A hopeful Khatiwada said Nepal would achieve many targets of the Sustainable Development Goals before the deadline set by the United Nations (2030). He claimed the government stressed infrastructure development for that, adding new plans were being formulated for the development of education, electricity, health and drinking water sectors. The government would also bring foreign investment to expedite infrastructural development, whereas provincial and local governments would also taken into confidence, according to the Minister. Likewise, he said the government would also promote partnership with the private sector. National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Pushpa Raj Kandel also spoke on the occasion. Pokhara, August 17 Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat says various actions and activities of the government has forced people to detest federalism. Joint General Secretary of the main opposition party says federalism in Nepal is heading towards failure and the current government will be held responsible for it. Commenting that excessive taxes imposed on the public might also make people hate the new system, Mahat demands the government make corrections at the earliest. Speaking with journalists in Pokhara this morning, Mahat also claimed that his party would direct the partys elected officials at the local level to withdraw tax hike in their jurisdiction. In another context, the former minister said the government was heading to controlling all sectors of the country, warning it would not do any good to democracy. The government should correct itself. It should drop the command and control policy, he warned, Otherwise, the Congress party would launch a fresh protest. Home Business What is Nepal doing to avert possible human resource crisis in aviation sector? Few days after various Nepali media reported that Nepal welcomed five new aircraft within one month and that the government was preparing to ease the licence acquisition process for airline companies to carry out international flights, an official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal asked a crowd of around 400 high school graduates in Kathmandu, How many of you have flied on an aircraft ever? More than 20 participants raised their hands. Next question: How many of you want to fly? More than 200 handsexciting enough to inspire another question. How many of you want to flyas a pilot? The number of hands dwindled to around 20. Then, the official asked the students why they did not consider piloting as a prospective job even though they are qualified to take up training as they passed high school two weeks ago. The programme was part of a campaign run by the national aviation regulatory body (CAAN) to encourage more young people to take up the job. In partnership with pilots working for various airlines and academic institutions, CAAN has been organising such programmes regularly. The number of flights operating in Nepal is increasing every day; more people prefer flying over hitting the road travel, CAAN Flight Safety Standard Divisions Raju Shrestha says, But, the new generation is not interested enough to join the field. He warns that Nepal will also become a victim of the great human resource crisis that the international aviation industry faces if most of high school graduates remains uninterested in joining this sector. Global crisis and Nepali context International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Boeing and Airbus among other stakeholders have been frequently reporting on the shortage of aviation personnelincluding pilots, engineers and air traffic controllersacross the globe for the past few years. Whereas the number of new people joining the industry is lower than expected, the number of personnel who have reached retirement is high. Deputy Director General at CAAN, Birendra Prasad Shrestha, quotes ICAO Secretary General Fang Lius recent statement, By 2036, some 620,000 pilots will be needed across our global network and no less than 80 per cent of these aviators will be new pilots not yet flying today. A similar story is playing out with respect to the future air traffic controllers, cabin crew, maintenance personnel and other skilled technicians needed. This is why the ICAO in 2009 launched an ambitious Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) programme across the world in a bid to avert the likely crisis. The programme, however, took a few more years to take off. Nepal joined the global programme in 2016 only. Raju Shrestha stresses that Nepal should be more active than other countries in the global campaign because the crisis will be more severe in Asia than in other parts of the world as it is the most populous region of the globe. In Nepal, as of today, there are 56 aircraft and 29 helicopters. The number of pilots operating them is 402 only. We have just 201 maintenance engineers. In the meantime, only around 50 students are flying abroad to take up piloting courses every year, and this is not sufficient to meet the market demand, according to an education consultancy operator. The crisis in Nepal is multiplied as it does not have any pilot school till date. The most popular destinations for aspiring Nepali pilots are the Philippines, the United States and South Africa. Need for awareness Both Birendra Shrestha and Raju Shrestha agree that raising awareness is the best solution to avert possible crisis. Aviation officials have engaged a few pilots working for various airline companies of the country to raise awareness among recent high school graduates so that they can explore possibilities of developing their career in the sector. Pilot Suraj Bhandari is one of them. Currently working for Himalaya Airlines, Bhandari says he has been volunteering for the NGAP because the dwindling number of personnel will require him to work more, and it will directly hamper his work-life balance. Therefore, Bhandari claims he approached CAAN with an offer to volunteers for the programme before the officials decided to mobilise pilots. He has an interesting story behind such a strong urge. Around two years ago, a Nepali student doing a piloting course in South Africa contacted me to ask what requirements were set by the CAAN to join such courses. I told her that the candidate should have passed 12th grade in Science stream with Physics and Mathematics as majors, he narrates, Later, I came to know that she had studied neither physics nor mathematics, yet was sent to the African country for the course. After facing difficulties to continue the study, she had approached me to check who had deceived her. The lady anyhow managed to continue the course, but something must be done to save other students from getting cheated, Bhandari says. Therefore, he thinks raising awareness among enthusiasts about requirements and proper training opportunities is his duty as a pilot notwithstanding the availability of programmes like NGAP. There are so many false pieces of information doing the rounds in the market. Number one: piloting is a risky job. Number two: training for the job is very expensive. To prove them wrong, Bhandari says driving on roads is riskier than piloting. Raju Shrestha, meanwhile, jokes that the riskiest place for a human is a bed as most people die in bed. Likewise, pilot training is not much expensive than an MBBS course, the most popular post-school course for Science students in Nepal. Piloting, according to Bhandari, is a lucrative job as working for just 50 hours a month, you can earn between Rs 70,000 to Rs 160,000 on average. That the course duration is just one year is also a turn-on. Aviation Museum Birendra Shrestha says that the NGAP programme in Nepal involves two major components. The first is related to ongoing awareness-raising activities in schools and academic institutions. The second is the aviation museum operated by Captain Bed Upreti and his nonprofit Bed Upreti Trust, in Sinamangal of Kathmandu. Upreti and his staff provide information to the visitors about how pilots and other aviation personnel work. Likewise, they also tell them about the global human resource crisis the sector is facing so that visitors, school and college students and their guardians in general, would be interested to see career development potential in the sector, according to Birendra Shrestha. We have noticed that dozens of students have visited the museum more than once, and it is evidence for us that our programme has been effective, he claims. Those who visit the museum frequently are likely to take up piloting and other aviation careers in the future. The museum was established in 2017 by utilising the Turkish Airlines Airbus 330-300 damaged in a runway excursion at the Tribhuvan International Airport in March 2015. So far, more than 100,000 persons have visited the museum in Kathmandu, according to Birendra Shrestha. Upcoming programmes On the part of awareness-raising activities among students, Bhandari says he is planning to engage more students in the future. He recently conducted a session at NAME, the most popular medical education entrance preparation centre in the city. Now, on the cards are equally popular engineering course preparation centres. Likewise, he wants to expand the programme to other major cities of the country. He has selected Pokhara, Biratnagar and Dhangadhi for the first phase. Likewise, CAAN is adding a wing to the aviation museum, so as to exhibit various equipment, both traditional and modern, used in operation of airplanes and helicopters. Birendra Shrestha says two strengths of the NGAP porgramme are that it does not have any deadline, and it involves nominal cost. Therefore, the CAAN also wants to continue it as long as possible. The Nepal government is spending as low as around Rs 500,000 every year to carry out seminars and orientation sessions under the programme, according to him. Bhandari hopes that more pilots like him will join the campaign in upcoming days so that more professionals will reach out to more potential professionals, and impacts of the crisis will gradually turn less severe. Photos of NGAP events: Kathmandu Education Alliance Country creates only 5,000 jobs in July By Park Hyong-ki The government will rapidly execute its supplementary budget in response to the latest statistics showing a record low number of jobs created in July. Statistics Korea released data Friday that showed the number of new jobs stood at 5,000 last month, the lowest in eight-and-a-half years since the aftermath of the global financial crisis. In an emergency meeting in Seoul, Friday, Economy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said it will push forward with a 4 trillion won ($3.6 billion) fiscal stimulus. "The government will implement a fiscal expansionary measure with an increase in its budget for next year to create jobs," Kim said at the meeting. "Corporate restructuring, a downturn in the self-employed, an increase in factory automation and the minimum wage seem to have overshadowed the job market." The fiscal measure would include increasing and extending the period of unemployment benefits especially for those in their 40s and 50s. The country has been suffering from rising unemployment with the number of jobs created barely staying above 100,000 since February this year. The number of unemployed stood at 1.04 million last month, up 81,000 from a year ago, and remaining above 1 million for seven straight months. The youth unemployment rate reached 9.3 percent in July, but it could be as high as 23 percent after taking into account those studying for state exams and working part-time while seeking full-time regular jobs. The overall employment rate stood at 67 percent in July, down 0.2 percentage points from a year earlier The average number of jobs created per month last year stood at 316,000, according to the statistics agency. The fast declining job growth over the last six months is mostly because of a slowdown in shipbuilding and automobiles, which recently had to restructure their businesses and let employees go. The number of people hired by manufacturing companies stood at 127,000 last month, down 2.7 percent from a year earlier, the lowest in 18 months. "Also, the heat wave during the summer has hurt tourism and lodging here, which ultimately reduced hiring as people left town for cooler places abroad," said Statistics Korea's Bin Hyun-joon. Analysts say the July data was "shocking yet expected" given the poor condition of the automobile and shipbuilding sectors, which used to drive the country's growth. The only industry that was able to maintain growth was semiconductors, which account for 20 percent of total exports. "What the country should have done over the last 10 years was restructure its key players and the self-employed that used to be part of its growth for the new age of competition. Now, they are nearly collapsing," said Park Jeong-woo, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities. "The country is likely to suffer from rising joblessness as its key industries continue to face slow growth." A Seoul court on Saturday refused to grant an arrest warrant for South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo over his alleged involvement in a massive opinion-rigging case. The Seoul Central District Court said the charges against Kim are disputable and that he presents little risk of fleeing given his current position. Special Counsel Huh Ik-bum has been investigating suspicion that he colluded with Kim Dong-won, better known by his nickname Druking, to manipulate comments in news articles to benefit the ruling Democratic Party. The special prosecution questioned him twice this month, and filed for the arrest warrant on Wednesday on the charge of digital business obstruction. He's accused of artificially jacking up likes on Internet news articles about DP, then main opposition, and its then-presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in in November 2016. Druking argues he got "a nod" from the governor to carry out the scheme to influence public sentiment in favor of the party. He claims he showed him a demonstration of a computer program designed for such tasks. Kim has denied the allegations. He admitted he had met Druking at his publishing company office but never saw any presentation about a computer program. Special prosecutors have been digging into the case with strong suspicion that Druking and the governor worked together to sway public sentiment in the lead up to the June local elections. But they did not charge Kim on violation of the election law in Wednesday's warrant, apparently due to a lack of evidence. The high-profile scandal has drawn heated media attention. Kim is known as a close aide to President Moon and is billed as a potential presidential candidate. (Yonhap) By Gouranga G. Das We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time (From "Little Gidding" by T.S. Eliot) When Eliot wrote the poem he undoubtedly emphasized the importance of continuous investigation into the unknown, and launching a journey for novelty. Whether India's "Make in India" initiative to transform India as a manufacturing hub will induce novel innovation is a matter of concern, but hopefully, we all expect not to get stuck into "where we started and know the place" for the last time. With President Moon Jae-in's visit to India, I offer a retrospective view on: What could be the possible vistas for economic cooperation, when the "New Southern Policy" is adopted? A sea change is envisaged since the handover of the charge of the Indian economy from the previous government which strived for economic reforms-led growth, poverty reduction, and employment generation. Ten major programs initiated are: Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Make in India, Smart Cities, 24/7 Power, Model Villages, Financial Inclusion, Tax Reforms, Digital Convergence, Visit India, ensuring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Modi's National Policy for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship and Skill India Initiative is intricately linked with his "Make in India" plan. "Gujarat model" gave him an image that he could make India a vibrant manufacturing hub. The aim is to augment domestic production to increase the share of manufacturing to 25 percent of GDP by 2022. Among the pillars of the "new" policy under Modinomics, "Make in India" is the most aggressive one for reviving India's ailing manufacturing sector, and transforming the nation into a manufacturing hub. Crucial assets for rapid growth hinge on internal structural dynamics such as: productivity-enhancing reforms, expanding production capacity, boosting private and public investment appetite, and political stability. Long-term prognosis for sustained high growth is full of ambivalence. Although the World Bank's flagship publication "Global Economic Prospects" paints a complacent picture of the Indian economy, growth plummeted. Demonetization hasn't yielded the desired result, hampering the informal sector growth. I ascribe this feeble growth to several longstanding "traps": infrastructure bottlenecks, policy anomalies, corruption, bureaucratic holes, traps from communal-religion nexus; and most importantly, inadequate human capital, and cronyism. Without a strong manufacturing base, it will be more difficult to absorb the emerging youth numbering 250 million in the forthcoming 10-12 years. Although India aspires to create 400 million jobs by 2022, targeting youth and developing their human capital is crucial for broad-based skills training. These are preconditions for fructifying the initiative for Make-in-India with a "human face." Like the Beijing Consensus, an "Indian Consensus" that calibrates policy as per imperatives is necessary without sacrificing the objectives of equity and efficiency. Following in the footsteps of the Asian tigers, "Make in China" is a path to industrialization in the Chinese context, which has remade its image as "Factory Asia," while firms are using automation to raise productivity, offsetting some of the effects of higher wages. The government's new "Made in China 2025" strategy is analogous. For innovation and catch-up, global engagement is necessary and India could harp on countries such as ROK, China, Singapore, and others. At the disaggregated level for textiles, clothing, chemicals, electrical machinery and apparatus; radio, television and communication equipment; furniture and other manufacturing, to mention a few, India depends on imported intermediates sourced from countries such as China, ROK (backward linkages in the value-chain) without being able to add sufficient value to the exports (forward linkages), and thus eventually losing out by creating a vacuum in manufacturing. Development of customized design in a similar fashion as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) arrangements of East Asian latecomer entrepreneurs in ROK and Taiwan is essential. While India (and other emerging economies such as Brazil and Mexico) is stuck in the potential "Middle-Income-Trap" (MIT), whereas countries such as ROK have become "innovative economies" with catch-up in a Schumpeterian fashion, there is scope for mutual learning via cooperation. In the early 1990s, India initiated the "Look East Policy (LEP)" as part of its initiatives for intensification of economic relations via trade and investment with Southeast Asia. Korea became an important trade partner especially after 2004, and the proposal for the Korea-India FTA was ratified. Both nations signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), leading to increases in trade. India is Korea's seventh-largest trade partner with tremendous opportunities. The "Act East Policy (AEP)" of the Modi government is crucial for further consolidation, when President Moon embarked on the "New Southern Policy" with all leading Korean business houses accompanying him in July for four days. If India could leverage her service dominance into diversification in combination with manufacturing and agribusiness, it could work aplomb. ROK's interest in "Make in India" is also evident as India will welcome ROK to invest in India in several sectors, e.g., shipbuilding, automobiles, railways, subway systems, among others. For example, in shipbuilding ROK is a world leader in making LNG carrier vessels, and India can benefit via investment and technology transfer. India could draw lessons from the Korean case about how "good" policy and quality institutions could facilitate industrial transformation. Drawing on such lessons about the Korean miracle less than three decades ago starting in 1965, South Asia in general and India, in particular, could begin efforts for gradual transition from labor-intensive to capital- and technology-intensive industrial development with appropriate reform measures for the domestic fronts (such as human development, social protection, institutions, governance) and globalization. Need to develop a wellbeing framework beyond macroeconomic markers is important for inclusiveness, so that "Make in India," without becoming a shibboleth or a puerile call, not only generates gains, but also embraces the citizenry. Political-religious-ideological dogma causes debacles without actively pursuing the development goal. Meaningless high-sounding agendas and disjointedness between the agenda and repercussions on an average Indian will undermine the democratic process. African economies, following the ROK as a role model, are driving on a fast-track, via industrial policies and trade policies, but not at the expense of their primary strength in agriculture. Because Africa could possibly create a "Miracle on the desert," the "New Southern Policy" could enable India to experience the "Miracle on the Ganges," just as the world economy has seen the unfolding of the "Miracle on the Han River." Gouranga G. Das (dasgouranga@yahoo.com) is a professor of economics at Hanyang University, Erica Campus, in Ansan, south of Seoul. By Imran Khalid At the moment, the war-trodden Iraq is in a complete disarray and chaos. There were high expectations that the May election would bring positive changes on the political front and it would reverse the country's unabated journey toward degeneration and disintegration. However, things have taken a further negative dive. Two acute crises are key contributors to this aggravating scenario; the ongoing deadly protests in the south and the continued impasse on the formation of a new government. Thousands of Iraqis have been protesting on a daily basis in the streets of Najaf, Basra, Maysan, DhiQar and Karbala, mostly the Shia-dominant areas, violently protesting against civic services like shortages of water and electricity, rising unemployment, corruption and perceived Iranian interference. Smaller protests have also been witnessed in the capital, Baghdad. The scale and ferocity of the protests have compelled security forces to resort to the use of live ammunition, tear gas and water cannon on the crowds, killing at least 14 since July 8, according to media sources. Initially it was dismissed by many observers as the routine "annual" protest ritual that will fade away in a few days, but the demonstrators have been continuing to take the unusual step of ramping up their protests, with every possibility of them getting out of control. The whole episode was kicked off July 8, when Iraqis started gathering in the streets of Basra after Iran, which provides 1,400 megawatts of electricity to the region, suddenly reduced energy supplies. The electricity cut made the situation miserable for the residents forcing them to endure sweltering temperatures hovering around 48 degrees Celsius. This led to the spontaneous eruption of protests against the government of Haider al-Abadi and Iran. Though Tehran has not yet made any official comment on why it took this drastic step, analysts suggest it could have been indirect way to pressurize the Iraqi government to pay outstanding bills for its energy imports. The fact is that ever since the United States pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the famous Iran nuclear deal, Iran is facing a lot pressure on its economy and looking for ways to increase its revenue. One theory is that the Iranians want to tell Washington that if you squeeze our purse, then we will create problems for you elsewhere Iraq, Syria and the Gulf. There is another version of the story. Allegations are making the rounds that these protests are being incited by the anti-Iran Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, whose bloc finished first in May's parliamentary elections, helped incite the protests in an effort to malign Tehran and put indirect pressure on the Haider al-Abadi government as well as other political actors to hasten up the transfer of power. But this theory has little credibility. The protesters have targeted the offices of all the political parties without any discrimination. Apparently, this is an independent movement that primarily originated as a result of extreme frustration over the poor standard of living. The situation in southern Iraq had also been compounded by a water crisis after Iran began constructing dams on its side of the border. This has created a massive water shortage with large parts of the Tigris River running dry most of the time. The amount of water flowing through Iraq's rivers has fallen by at least 40 percent in recent decades, with the shortage of irrigation water discouraging the farmers to avoid the cultivation of strategic crops in Basra, an area once famous for being "Venice of the Gulf." Yes, anger against Iran is visible there, but anti-Iran sentiments are more limited to electricity-cuts and the water shortage. The protest that was ignited by the shortage of electricity has now turned into a violent movement, which is now infiltrating other Shia-majority areas of Iraq. The sense of extreme deprivation is the main reason behind the current intensity of the rage among the demonstrators. Despite being home to oilfields that account for more than 70 percent of the country's proven oil reserves, residents have long complained that they do not benefit from this oil wealth. The sense of deprivation has aggravated with the passage of time and now it has reached the point, where the Iraqi government and political leadership are unable to offer any immediate solution to calm down protestors. Baghdad is now a center of intense political maneuvering and beguiling to form the next government. Prime Minister Al-Abadi, who is seeking to retain his position as prime minister despite coming in third in the May polls, is now working in a caretaker capacity until the new government is formed. Because of the credit he gained when the Iraqi army recaptured Mosul, the de facto capital of ISIS in July last year, he was expected to perform better in the May parliamentary elections, but his political grouping came third with 42 seats, while the surprise winner was the Sairoun Alliance of the populist nationalist and anti-Iran cleric Muqtada al-Sadr with 54 seats. He was closely followed by the movement led by Hadi al-Ameri drawn from the Shia paramilitary Hashd al-Shaabi which won 47 seats of the 329 seats in parliament. So, no one has a simple majority to run the show on its own. Abadi is still in office as caretaker, but his chances of staying on as prime minister are very bleak, Muqtada al-Sadr is still unsuccessful in finalizing a coalition partner. In addition to the ongoing dialogue among various political parties for the formation of a workable coalition, the transfer of power to the next government has been delayed due to vote recounting in much of the country, following widespread allegations of ballot rigging. The trickiest part is that all the political parties and alliances, having major differences in their attitudes toward the United States and Iran, are unable to forge any workable formula. Many had predicted various permutations for an al-Sadr-led coalition, but the surprise announcement by Muqtada al-Sadr to consider coalition talks with the pro-Iran Fateh alliance, a political umbrella of the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia forces or Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) has changed the whole texture of the ongoing tussle for the coalition. Al-Sadr has been a very fervent critic of the PMF but his intentions to talk with Hadi al-Amiri, its leader, shows that the arithmetic of elections results has compelled even staunch opponents to start thinking about sitting at the same table to form the new government. This also shows the intricacies of coalition formation that have led Iraq to this kind of political impasse where no solution is in sight except a broad based national coalition formula. But this also has its own demerits that can push Iraq into further political instability and uncertainty. Imran Khalid (ikhalid99@yahoo.com) is a freelance contributor based in Karachi, Pakistan. He has been contributing articles on international relations to various newspapers and journals in the region since 1995. By Stephen Costello "The Spy Gone North," the new movie by director Yoon Jong-bin, is slow-moving and lacks the shock and awe of almost any other film of this type. It is absolutely riveting, however, if one lived through the 1990s connected in any way to the politics and policies of South Korea. I found myself worrying during the screening at the Woodrow Wilson Center near the White House in Washington, D.C. Would this audience hang on to the end? They must be interested in the Korean or U.S. policy implications, or in the security dimensions of the story. But it was unlikely that they cared as much as I did about this slice of history. Or so I thought. But they did hang on. To the end. That may be one of the great achievements of the director, cinematographer and actors to pull an audience with widely differing interests all the way through a drama with complex political, ideological and historical messages. After all, some were not yet born in 1992. No shootings, no car chases, no sex. But wow. Even acknowledging deviations from the real record, this movie shines a light on realities barely touched on by journalists and scholars in the U.S. The events Yoon describes happened only 20 to 25 years ago, yet they remain relevant to the very recent history of Korea. From the corruption in conservative administrations (both former presidents are now in jail) to the military skirmishes along the border and in the seas (Yeonpyeong Island and the Cheonan), to the elections of 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. There have been echoes of the story in "The Spy Gone North" for two decades. Of course, to all of these recurring themes must be added the most breathtaking of all the dramatic, rapid and determined actions by South and North Korea in the past year to break their cold, dangerous stalemate and begin to reconnect. As we open the paper each morning to follow events, one of the deepest questions we are left with is: As we look back to 1992-2017 through the eyes of the "Black Venus," what has changed; and what has remained the same? Like the vast majority of people who work in politics, policy analysis or journalism, I did not have the opportunity to directly impact events. But I was lucky to know Kim Dae-jung during the 1990s, to get a feel for the dynamics, personalities and realities of the Korean political world, and to be involved on the periphery of three Korean presidential elections and one Nobel Peace Prize. Through this film, the election of Kim in December 1997 is put in context, in a way that is rare and useful for everyone. Audiences would be lucky if director Yoon were to make another movie, this one to cover the next chapter, 1998 to 2003. He would not have to base this one on the perspective from a shadowy character. He could use instead a book by a master soldier, anti-communist and diplomat, Lim Dong-won: peacemaker. That book has it all, and probably more opportunities for you-can't-make-this-up scenes of drama, elation, sadness, and insight. In the best case, President Moon Jae-in is working to complete enough of a South-North rapprochement that his term will provide director Yoon with the perfect subject for the third and final part of his master trilogy. After all, don't we want to see how he would cast Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong and Ri Sol-ju, Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo. And of course, Hyon Song-wol. It is easy to see corruption as a sad and regular aspect of governments, whether they are old or new, communist or democratic. There are reasons to be cynical about the ability of any system to deliver a relatively smart and transparent leadership. Living in Washington today, I think I can say this. The problem with such cynicism is that it cannot explain some of the most groundbreaking advances we have seen in the past two decades. American efforts along with those by South and North Koreans to bridge differences during the period between the Korean War and Kim Dae-jung's election are well-covered in Don Oberdorfer's seminal book, "The Two Koreas." South Korea's achievements during the late 1990s to bridge South-North differences and begin to cooperate, including the 2000 summit, also defies the doubters. Those achievements changed the history of the peninsula forever. The best answer to cynicism about government may be the massive candlelight demonstrations across Korea in the winter of 2016-17. Peaceful civic action on that scale has rarely ever been seen. Koreans now can stand a bit straighter, a bit taller. The cautious, risk-averse President Moon Jae-in must often see those demonstrators over his shoulder, or in the mirror, urging him to do more, reach farther. If so, then that's probably a good thing. For its contemporary relevance alone, let's hope "The Spy Gone North" becomes a very popular film. Stephen Costello (scost55@gmail.com) is a producer of AsiaEast, a web and broadcast-based policy roundtable focused on security, development and politics in Northeast Asia. He writes from Washington, D.C. Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. were included on the list of the most popular brands in Indonesia, a report released by marketing agency Campaign Asia showed Friday. According to a review of Indonesia's top 100 brands for 2018 released by the organization, Samsung Electronics took the No. 1 spot, with its smaller South Korean rival LG Electronics also standing in third place. From a year earlier, Samsung maintained its top standing, with LG moving up one notch to outpace U.S. tech giant Apple Inc. Japan's Panasonic Corp. took the second spot, with Apple coming in fourth and Switzerland-based confectionery firm Nestle S.A. fifth. The other major brands in the top 10 list were Google, Sony, Nike, Pizza Hut and Philips. "From phones to tablets and televisions to white goods, Samsung has effortlessly embedded itself in the daily lives of the population," Campaign Asia said in its report on Indonesia. "With such a high market share in high-involvement categories, it's no surprise that the Korean behemoth sits atop the top 100 list in Indonesia. The brand has ingrained itself so deeply into the psyche of Indonesian consumers that they almost think of it as a homegrown brand," it added. Samsung also topped Campaign Asia's report on brand popularity among consumers from 14 Asian countries, with LG in the sixth spot. (Yonhap) South Korea's government said Friday that it has decided not to revoke Jin Air's license, ending weeks of business uncertainty for the low-cost affiliate of Korean Air Lines Co. over its illegal appointment of a foreign national to its board of directors. Under South Korean aviation law, only South Koreans can be registered as a director of an airline. The company, however, appointed Cho Hyun-min, an American citizen and the younger daughter of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho, to serve as a board member of Jin Air between 2010 and 2016. On Friday, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it made the decision to allow the low-cost carrier to stay in business after holding a series of meetings with Jin Air officials and legal and other relevant experts on the fate of the carrier. "We have decided not to cancel the license as negative ramifications, such as job insecurity and inconvenience of customers ... far outweighed social benefits of revoking the license," the ministry said in a statement. The widely expected decision came as a relief to about 2,000 Jin Air employees and is in line with South Korea's efforts to create jobs for young people. The unemployment rate for young adults -- those aged between 15 and 29 -- was 9.3 percent in July, much higher than the overall jobless rate of 3.7 percent, according to government data released on Friday. Jin Air hailed the ministry's decision and vowed to make further efforts to become an airline that keeps customers and safety as top priorities. Despite allowing the airline to stay in operation, the ministry said it will restrict approval of new air routes by Jin Air and the registration of new airplanes, as well as the arrangement of non-regular flights. The ministry said the punitive steps will remain in place until after Jin Air is found to have normalized its management by faithfully improving its corporate culture and taking steps not to again violate the law. Jin Air's labor union pressed Chairman Cho and others members of his family to cease meddling in the management of the budget carrier and to offer an apology to all employees for causing the trouble. Jin Air hit turbulence in March when the younger Cho allegedly threw water in the face of an ad agency manager during a meeting in a fit of anger, behavior that sparked public outrage against the controlling family of Korean Air and Jin Air. Cho Hyun-min is the younger sister of Cho Hyun-ah, who gained global notoriety for the "nut rage" incident in 2014. Cho Hyun-ah forced a plane back to the boarding gate at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport because she was upset with the way her nuts were served -- in an unopened bag instead of on a plate. Cho Yang-ho and his wife -- Lee Myung-hee -- were also questioned over separate allegations. In April, South Korea's customs service raided the Korean Air headquarters over suspicions that Cho's family members sneaked luxury goods into the country without paying duties. Also Friday, the ministry said it has decided not to revoke Air Incheon Co's license, though a Russian national served as a board member between 2012 and 2014. Air Incheon is a specialized air cargo carrier that is focused on the Russia Far East market, Japan, China and Mongolia. It operates a fleet of three planes made up of two B737-400F and a larger B767-300BCF jet. (Yonhap) Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 51F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. 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. Violent stories, one argument goes, inevitably endorse violence. No matter how much pacifist moralizing a writer brings to a war story, it will always play up the thrill and clamor of battle to some degree. And a murder tale will always stoke our voyeuristic urge to witness violence. Thats not so much because we love violence as much as we love story the rush of bloodshed is wired to the comforts of a familiar narrative arc. So what if you bent that arc, or even turned it into a pretzel? What effect does a violent novel have then? Those questions are at the core of The Arid Sky, the stellar English-language debut of Mexican-born author Emiliano Monge. By leaping forward and backward in time across most of the 20th century while following one mans violent life in a dusty mesa town, the novel strips away anything that might be construed as heroic. Instead, it evokes a sense of terrible acts constantly repeating in one place, history grimly folding back on itself. Its a traditional western cut up and turned into an M.C. Escher print. The novels central figure is German Alcantara Carnero, who during his 80 years has been a quiet local civil servant, an abandoned lover, a lousy father, and a mercenary whos brutally put down protests, burning down a church filled with priests. Monges anonymous narrator jumbles the narrative, shifting from 1956 to 1901 to 1934 and so on. But regardless of which knot in the thread the narrator worries, bad news is following German. In the novels unnamed territory, the downcast narrator tells us, plants grow in haphazard manner: a manner replicated by almost everything on this plain and thus by this story as well. The son of a deaf mother and belligerent, corpulent father, German lives quietly in the mesa until hes 9 years old, when he gets his first taste of violence a man who killed a beetle he was admiring is shot dead by another man. The incident triggers something peculiar in young Germans brain, a sense that the world makes sense only through the violence it nurtures. Its telling that his first instinct is to touch the dead body, finding almost comfort in it: He has seen dead men before but never gone so far as to touch one, and never imagined the blood would be this warm. Advertisement Its hard not to hear a resemblance to Cormac McCarthy in bleak, lyrical prose like this: Monges landscape is a place where the scattered cacti gather their shadows to them like shawls, and German himself is a man so thin it makes you want to touch him just to see if your hand passes clean through. And Monge shares McCarthys enthusiasm for vividly littering the dusty Southwest with corpses: At the church German helps burn down, revenge for an earlier betrayal, the black billowing thread of smoke reached skywards, a tongue mute and never-ending, twisting back and around itself. By the time the two tall church windowpanes exploded, the ten men shut inside were also exploding. The Arid Sky by Emiliano Monge (Restless Book) But The Arid Sky also foregrounds Monges taste for literary gamesmanship, which draws heavily from Latin and South American experimentalists (Marquez, Cortazar, Bolano all come to mind) as well as the Modernists. Its not surprising to learn that Monge, whos lived in Barcelona, has joined a group of Spanish writers who pay tribute to James Joyce in Dublin every Bloomsday. Had Monge laid out all these knots in order, Germans saga would have a familiar cast: birth, violence, regret, redemption, death. By shuffling the narrative deck, Monge doesnt let his antiheros violent past reside neatly in a past; indeed, Monge often sets Germans latter-day losses and regrets (a tragic marriage, a severely disabled son) near his earliest losses (estranged parents, a disabled sister) to have them echo each other. A child, or, more specifically, a family is what he was waiting for all that time, Monge writes of German. What he needed in order to break with the past. The break proves to be a delusion, but we dont need a melancholy tale of decline and fall to understand that. Monges gambit has its shortcomings, particularly when it comes to characterizations. The central women in Germans life the disabled sister, the murdered lover, his mother are often more sketched than finely drawn. And his motivations for youthful vengeance can sometimes get lost amid Monges literal shuffling. Part of Monges point is that motivations for violence are less important than how we respond to it; on Germans mesa, bloodshed is just part of the general atmosphere. But a sense of depth matters, even in anti-narratives. Yet the novel thrives on a persistent feeling of universality, a sense that Germans scrambled life is a stand-in for many others. Monge routinely refers to him as ourman, the better to cast him as symbol for countless other similar violent actors, villains who want to think of themselves as heroes. But the name also forces us to claim him as part of history that cant be wiped away. In Germans territory, Monge writes, veins course with the same courage, aloofness, fears, servility, hatefulness, and guilt as did those of the people who settled these lands over the centuries. What story, Monge asks, can we tell that will break that chain of rage and violence? The Arid Sky is a cutting, provocative attempt at an answer. Mark Athitakis is a reviewer in Phoenix. :: The Arid Sky Emiliano Monge, translated by Thomas Bunstead Restless Books: 224 pp., $16.99 paper The single most pernicious idea in modern American finance is that the corporation exists to maximize shareholder wealth. As the mantra has evolved since it was declared by conservative economist Milton Friedman in 1970, it has come to mean maximize shareholder wealth to the exclusion of everything else. The harvest has been stagnating worker wages, squeezed suppliers, noxious government economic policies, and the steady flow of corporate income to the top 1%. Its long past time to bury this bad idea in the grave. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) stepped forward Wednesday with a shovel. It comes in the form of her Accountable Capitalism Act, which would require corporations with more than $1 billion in annual revenue to obtain a federal charter, not merely the state charter every corporation possesses. Warrens standard would cover every corporation in the Fortune 1000 list of biggest American companies, and then some. We should insist on a new deal. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Advertisement Warren announced her initiative on the op-ed page of the Wall Street Journal, not the most welcoming space for an iconoclastic business proposal. Warren explained that the federal charter would require corporate directors to consider the interests of all major corporate stakeholders not only shareholders in company decisions. Employees would elect at least 40% of the board, and at least 75% of directors would have to approve any political expenditures. To tamp down the self-interest of directors and executives who gift themselves with shares or conduct operations with an eye toward stock prices, they would be barred from selling company shares within five years of receiving them or within three years of a stock buyback. A new Office of U.S. Corporations in the Department of Commerce would have the authority to revoke a companys federal charter for repeated illegal conduct. Those are the details. But whats most important about Warrens proposal is that it takes point-blank aim at the shareholder value myth. As weve reported in the past, the notion that a corporation exists solely to maximize returns to shareholders is widely thought to be rooted in antiquity, but its only a few decades old. Friedmans seminal article was deeply infected with ideology. He labeled calls for social responsibility by corporations pure and unadulterated socialism that would undermine a free society. This showed merely that he had a quirky and inaccurate definition of socialism in mind and a misunderstanding of the very concept of social responsibility. What his article didnt have was a grounding in economic reality or economic history. As the late Lynn Stout showed in her important 2012 study, The Shareholder Value Myth, Friedman also employed a very narrow definition of shareholder interest, interpreting it as strictly financial and assuming wrongly that all shareholders had identical interests. Shareholder-value advocates often argue for its historical validity by citing the 1919 court case Dodge vs. Ford, in which the Dodge Brothers, minority shareholders in Henry Fords enterprise, sued for dividends and won, with the court remarking that a business enterprise was organized primarily for the benefit of the stockholders. A couple of problems with this argument: First, this was a ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court, not the Big Nine in D.C. Second, Ford at the time was a private, closely held company, not a public corporation with thousands of shareholders. Dodge vs. Ford is commonly cited by ideologues; as Stout observed, the leading state court in corporate law today, the Delaware Chancery Court, has cited Dodge vs. Ford exactly once in 30 years and then on an ancillary point. Labors share of gross domestic product has fallen to its lowest level since World War II. (St. Louis Federal Reserve) The shareholder value concept was alluring for two main reasons, Stout wrote. One is that it pointed to an easy metric for judging the performance of a corporation its share price. The other is that it advantaged powerful economic cliques. These included the wealthy who owned corporate stocks; in 1983, the top 10% directly or indirectly owned 89.7% of all stock; in 2016, their holdings were a still-commanding 84%, according to calculations by NYU economist Edward N. Wolff. They also included top corporate managers, whose pay was soon pegged to share values and who were more than happy to explain that their interests and those of the corporations shareholders, or owners, were suitably aligned. The self-interest of shareholder-value advocates allowed the concept to supplant the broader conception of corporate responsibility favored by business sages such as Peter Drucker, who held that the purpose of a business is to serve the customer by providing goods or services useful in both personal and social terms. Drucker warned that an enterprise that fails to think through its impacts and its responsibilities exposes itself to justified attack from social forces. Consumerism and environmentalism, he taught, are not enemies to be vanquished, but symptoms of business failure to understand its broad social role. One major sign that shareholders are collecting excessively from corporate growth: hourly compensation has diverged sharply from productivity gains. (Economic Policy Institute) Warren comments in her op-ed that the ideology of shareholder value has made corporations ever less relevant to the lives of average Americans, except as instruments to redistribute wealth and income to the affluent. Corporate profits have been soaring, but theyre not serving the rank and file. Real average hourly earnings for all employees actually fell by 0.2% in July compared to a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Until 1973, hourly wages kept pace with productivity gains, a sign that corporate profits were being distributed fairly. Since then, the gap between productivity and pay has only widened. Someone is reaping the benefit of higher corporate profits, but its not workers. Plainly, corporations wont change their view of their responsibilities on their own. States dont have the power to force change, since any business can incorporate in the most indulgent state, which at the moment is Delaware. Something like a federal charter is imperative, to remind corporations that the advantages they get from government via incorporation, including tax breaks and limited legal liability, dont come for free they need to be repaid through service to the community. For the past 30 years we have put the American stamp of approval on giant corporations, even as they have ignored the interests of all but a tiny slice of Americans, Warren wrote. We should insist on a new deal. 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. Martin Shkrelis cohort in crime may be an Eagle Scout who has devoted his life to serving others, but that didnt save Evan Greebel from a prison sentence for aiding the Pharma Bro in an $11-million fraud. Greebel was ordered Friday to serve 18 months behind bars for conspiring with Shkreli, as U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in Brooklyn, N.Y., turned aside his plea to remain free. I will regret every day of my life the day that I met Martin Shkreli, Greebel told the judge. Im begging for this courts mercy to give me the lowest possible sentence. Greebel was convicted last year of helping Shkreli steal $11 million to repay investors after the hedge-fund-manager-turned-drug-executive lost their money in risky trades. Greebel, a New York attorney, was the outside counsel to Retrophin Inc., which Shkreli co-founded. Advertisement The judge also ordered Greebel to pay $10.5 million in restitution to Retrophin and to forfeit $116,000. Incidentally, Shkreli didnt have to pay restitution to the company because he was cleared of the counts that would have triggered the payment. He is not feckless. He is not naive. He is not inexperienced, Matsumoto said of Greebel. And he was not led astray by a young, brash CEO. Shkreli, 35, was sentenced in March to seven years in prison after a separate trial. He became notorious in 2015 while serving as chief executive of Turing Pharmaceuticals, which he started after being ousted from Retrophin a year earlier. At Turing, he raised the price of a life-saving drug by more than 5,000%. The controversial price increase was unrelated to the criminal case. Greebel was convicted of conspiring with Shkreli by helping him devise sham settlements and consulting contracts to pay investors with assets from Retrophin, and orchestrating a scheme to control the companys shares. Never in my life did I think that Id be standing in a federal courtroom at my own criminal sentencing, Greebel told Matsumoto. Its the deepest shame Ive ever experienced. Hes a mensch, and a very solid one, Greebels lawyers wrote in a court filing. Defense lawyers had said that Greebel faced two years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but that his humanitarian work is a basis to spare him from serving any jail time. Defense lawyers cited charitable works that date to 1985, and he recently helped establish a 30-bed inpatient facility for people with drug and substance abuse issues in upstate New York. Greebel, who got his law degree from Georgetown University, began his legal career at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson in New York and later became a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman and then Kay Scholer. Assistant U.S. Atty. Alixandra Smith, who prosecuted both Shkreli and Greebel, said Greebel faced more than 11 years in prison under the sentencing guidelines and should get at least five years. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission failed to convince a federal judge in San Francisco that DirecTV should pay nearly $4 billion in restitution to customers for allegedly misleading consumers about the costs of programming packages. The judge didnt eliminate all of the FTCs false-advertising claims but made clear that the scope of the maximum potential recovery in this case has been substantially curtailed. This case did not involve the type of strong proof the court would expect to see in a case seeking nearly $4 billion in restitution, based on a claim that all of DirecTVs 33 million customers between 2007 and 2015 were necessarily deceived, U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam said Thursday. The ruling follows an August 2017 nonjury trial of the FTC suit, alleging that DirecTV failed to adequately disclose to consumers in 40,000 print, mail, online and TV advertisements that its lower introductory pricing lasted just one year but tied buyers to a two-year contract. Advertisement The FTC also alleged the subscription television service failed to alert customers that its offer for 90 days of premium channels required them to cancel the subscription to avoid continuing monthly charges. While the judge deferred on the agencys allegations that DirecTV misled consumers on its website, he said that there remain a number of problems with the FTCs theories for relief and that the FTC has an uphill climb. AT&T Inc. acquired DirecTV in 2015 for almost $50 billion. Nvidia Corp.s nine-month crypto gold rush is over. Sales of graphics chips to miners of cryptocurrencies such as ethereum dried up faster than expected, the Santa Clara company said. For a second quarter in a row, investors ignored Nvidias growth in its main markets and ditched the stock. Nvidias stock fell 4.9% to $244.82 a share Friday. Our core platforms exceeded our expectations, even as crypto largely disappeared, founder and Chief Executive Jensen Huang said Thursday on a conference call. Were projecting no cryptomining going forward. Advertisement The mining of cryptocurrency tokens, computer code that carries value in online transactions, had helped stoke demand for graphics chips. These types of processors excel at making multiple small calculations at the same time, the type of capability thats well-suited for the creation of ethereum and other cryptotokens. That helped boost demand for the Nvidias GeForce chips that are so prized by gamers for the realism they produce. The demand forced up prices and caused shortages. Nvidia said it had expected about $100 million in sales of chips bought by currency miners in the fiscal second quarter. Instead, the total was $18 million in the period, and that revenue is likely to disappear entirely in future quarters, the company said. As cryptocurrency prices fall, miners look for other things to do with their server farms Investors are expressing their concern at the sudden collapse of what had looked like a billion-dollar business. Three months ago, Nvidia said it generated $289 million in sales from cryptocurrency miners, but warned that demand was declining rapidly and might fall by as much as two-thirds. Even that prediction was too optimistic. Revenue in the fiscal third quarter will be $3.25 billion, plus or minus 2%, Nvidia said. That would fall short of analysts average estimate of $3.35 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The companys main businesses are doing terrific and Nvidia continues to show strong growth on a year-over-year basis, Huang said. The benefit from cryptomining which kicked in only three quarters ago was unusual and has skewed comparisons, he said. Even though crypto-related revenue came in far short of the companys forecasts, sales surged to a record $3.12 billion in the quarter that ended July 29. Analysts on average expected $3.11 billion. Huang is reshaping his company to take advantage of trends that are changing computing. He has convinced owners of data centers that modified graphics chips are the best way to handle the surge in artificial intelligence processing that is fueling the growing use of voice and image recognition. This week, Huang unveiled a new, more powerful chip architecture that he said will help Nvidia gain more share in computer-intensive industries such as movie special effects and automotive design. Turing, as its called, will also make its way into gamer- and data-center chips. While data-center chips now account for a fifth of revenue and are increasingly a driver of overall growth, the company still gets most of its profit from its GeForce graphics processors. Growth in that market relies on Nvidias ability to persuade gamers they need the latest chip to make their experience ever more realistic. The prospect of the new design coming this year may be causing some to hold off on purchases. Analysts asked the companys executives to explain why inventory surged. Nvidia ended the quarter with $1.09 billion of unsold parts, up from $797 million three months earlier. Huang said that represents primarily a buildup of cheaper chips that will get sold in computers being manufactured for the back-to-school shopping season. Still, Nvidia reported that sales from gaming rose 52% to $1.8 billion in the second quarter. Data-center revenue increased 83% to $760 million. Both areas topped analysts estimates. Nvidia had a profit of $1.1 billion, or $1.76 a share, in the second quarter, compared with $583 million, or 92 cents, in the same period last year. With the quarters results, Nvidia revenue is on course to more than double from 2016. Investors have been attracted to the stock, pushing shares up 26.5% this year compared with a 5.6% advance by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index. UPDATES: 2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with Fridays stock movement. This article was originally published at 10:05 a.m. As perhaps befits a midsize city far from the regions coastal urban core, Pomona has cannily counterprogrammed against its glitzy neighbor to the west with distinctly unflashy diversions such as the county fair and a motor speedway. Not that the intentions of those who founded the town werent grandiose. Whereas many cities that trace their histories back to the late 1800s embraced the mythos of Alta California when it came to naming their nascent metropolises, the founders of Pomana reached even farther back, plucking an obscure Roman goddess out of the pantheon and dropping her on the city seal. The name was fitting. Pomona was the goddess of fruit, and the city for which she was named would soon become one of the capitals of Southern Californias Orange Empire, a fragrant, unbroken sea of citrus trees stretching from Riverside to the San Fernando Valley. Advertisement Grand homes sprang up around Pomona to house the new citrus bourgeoisie, as well as old-money Easterners looking for a winter redoubt from which to send Wish you were here postcards festooned with brightly colored illustrations of oranges ripening in the sun to their shivering relatives back home. The Orange Empire had such a hold on the public imagination that the Pacific Electric Railway ran excursion trolleys all the way from L.A. to the Pomona Valley, just so tourists could clap eyes on the groves of exotic trees. It was a testament to Pomonas esteemed status as an agricultural hub that the city was able, after six previous failures by other municipalities, to successfully stage the first Los Angeles County Fair in 1922. The fair was a success, and in 1923 the city built permanent exhibition halls on the old barley field which would become the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, future home of funnel cake burritos and Loverboy reunion shows. Agriculture doesnt drive the economy of Pomona anymore. Institutional employers such as Cal Poly Pomona provide the bulk of jobs, and the Orange Empire excursion trolleys have been supplanted by Metrolink commuter trains to serve those who work in L.A. (Los Angeles Times) Neighborhood highlights Affordable history: Pomonas historic neighborhoods are full of Craftsman homes that would easily run into the high six figures in L.A., but can be had for almost half the price. Take the train: Commuters in Pomona not only can avail themselves of Metrolink trains to L.A. and Riverside, they will also soon be getting an extension of the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena. Higher ed: Cal Poly Pomona and the nearby Claremont Colleges provide convenient access to education opportunities and academic employment. Neighborhood challenge Going the distance: Great homes are more affordable in Pomona, but those savings come at the cost of a long commute to Los Angeles, even on the train. Expert insight Lilyvette Rodriguez of Excel Realty has 28 years of experience in Pomona. Thanks to investments from Western University and a resurging downtown arts district, she describes it as a city on the rise. During the last 7 to 8 years, the city loosened its criteria on live-work units, so artists have been purchasing lofts, Rodriguez said. That, combined with Pomona natives returning to live here after going to college, has infused the city with a younger population. Its still a family-oriented area, but the growing number of young people along with the revamped Art Deco-vibe Fox Theater has created a nightlife scene. Pomona is a gateway city to the Inland Empire, Rodriguez said, noting that its placement right on the edge of L.A. County gives it a unique advantage. Los Angeles allows significantly higher FHA loan limits compared with the neighboring counties of San Bernardino and Riverside. For first-time home buyers, that makes it an enticing landing spot. Market snapshot The majority of Pomona is split between three ZIP Codes: 91766, 91767 and 91768. For all three, the median sales price for single-family homes in June was in the $400,000 range, and they all experienced year-over-year growth, according to CoreLogic. In the 91766 ZIP Code, based on 32 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in June was $411,000, up 13.2% year over year, according to CoreLogic. In the 91767 ZIP Code, based on 29 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in June was $436,000, up 17% year over year, according to CoreLogic. In the 91768 ZIP Code, based on 24 sales, the median sales price for single-family homes in June was $417,000, up 4.3% year over year, according to CoreLogic. Report card Of the 36 public schools within the Pomona boundaries, Condit Elementary scored the highest on the 2013 Academic Performance Index at 930. The city also holds a pair of high-performing high schools: International Polytechnic High, which scored 879, and Diamond Ranch High, which scored 814. hotproperty@latimes.com Times staff writer Jack Flemming contributed to this report. A few years ago filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, one of Russias top grossing directors of all time, completely shifted his perspective on the language of movies. The Russian Kazakh filmmaker had been telling stories the traditional way his whole career, breaking out internationally with the boisterous action and daring visuals of the 2004 vampire saga Night Watch, 2008s Wanted, 2012s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and in 2016, the ill-fated big budget remake Ben-Hur. But Bekmambetov realized that he, like the rest of us, was spending much of his daily life glued to his devices. We build lives, careers and relationships around them; communicate through them; connect through them; learn about the world from them. We live digitally. Why werent the movies reflecting our new reality? I dont know if its bad or good, but I feel that half of my life the most important events of my life are happening on screen today, said Bekmambetov on a recent afternoon at his Los Angeles office. Im finding friends, losing friends, falling in love, losing people I love, making projects, collaborating and fighting and arguing. Advertisement Most importantly, he added, I make moral choices online, because to tell the truth or to lie is a lot of what is happening online today. And you cant really understand todays world and relate it to the characters of todays world without looking at their screens. With that revelation came a sharpened focus and a new mission. The result is Bekmambetovs passion project, Screenlife, a developing technology in which stories are told through the lens of our everyday lives via computer screens. In films from Unfriended: Dark Web to Searching, filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov is pioneering a new cinematic language that reflects how we live online. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The fascination started in 2014 with the Bekmambetov-produced horror hit Unfriended, a social media Skype thriller from hit factory Blumhouse Productions set entirely on the screen of a teenagers computer. The film made $64 million off a modest $1-million budget making Bekmambetovs interest in screen-told stories potentially extremely profitable. Bekmambetov and his Bazelevs production company have now made seven international narrative feature films using Screenlife, including the sequel Unfriended: Dark Web released in July and the Bekmambetov-directed Profile, based on the true story of a journalist catfishing a potential jihadist source online, which won audience awards at the Berlin and South by Southwest film festivals. In essence, Screenlife turns a computer screen into an actors set, and their dynamic usage of apps, websites, text chats and activity is recorded as footage. Its a technique very similar to what audiences will see in Aug. 24s Searching, directed by Aneesh Chaganty, as a father (John Cho) seen only through a computer screen clicks through his missing daughters desktop and social media for clues to her disappearance. Emotions run the gamut and crucial information is conveyed in watching how he interacts with the computer. The thriller premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience award in the Next section devoted to pure, bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling and the Alfred P. Sloan prize given to films with science or technology themes. Although Bekmambetov is a producer on Searching, Chaganty did not use the specific Screenlife screen-capturing technology for the project. Rather his Silicon Valley-set Searching speaks a cinematic dialect of this new film language Bekmambetov is championing. We completely live our lives on screens, and the way that screens have been used in storytelling, theyve never been used cinematically, Chaganty said. If you cut to a cellphone its always this weird user interface or if you cut to a laptop its a made-up website that no one ever knows it was always technology as an idea of technology, and not the technology itself. Chaganty and writer Sev Ohanian resisted making a Screenlife feature until they felt they had a concept that wasnt purely gimmicky. Then they came up with an emotional opening scene that pulls in the viewer and gives context to characters history by mouse-clicking through a familys shared computer and its contents. Its Up meets a Google commercial, said Chaganty of the sequence that helped crack the Searching narrative arc, investing the viewer in what will become Chos characters increasingly distraught quest for answers. As Chaganty discovered: You dont need to show someones face. You can just show a cursor to make [the audience] cry. To learn how to live in this world is really important, but the only way to do it is to tell stories. Timur Bekmambetov Bekmambetov describes Screenlife as the new folktale-telling, an expression of a collective cultural experience all of us as connected online users are only starting to understand. And filmmakers and artists, he says, have the responsibility to reflect and explore the anxieties, lessons and rules that emerge from this time of fast-changing technology. The implications on how we live today are too big to ignore. To learn how to live in this world is really important, but the only way to do it is to tell stories, he said. If you create mythology, tell a story, create a character and deliver the message emotionally, then a lot of people will watch a movie called Searching and they will understand, because of this movie, that parents should pay attention to the world of their kids. He smiled, unwrapping a chocolate from a bowl of his favorite childhood candies. I can write it as a sentence: Parents should pay attention to how their kids live online. But nobody will follow. After this movie people are saying, Oh my God, I should probably talk to my kids. Once he realized the dominance of screen language in contemporary life that we all feel the pang of queasy, impatient anticipation watching the dot-dot-dot of a text reply being written, or recognize the second-guessing doubt that a hesitating hover of a mouse can signify there was no returning to the same conventional Hollywood filmmaking for Bekmambetov. I had a feeling that I cannot go back, he explained. That to make traditional movies is kind of a little boring, because you know how to make these movies. Theyve been made for a hundred years! Any movie you see in the theater today, you have a feeling that youve seen it before, he continued, pointing out the latest Tom Cruise vehicle, Mission: Impossible Fallout, as an example. Mission: Impossible, I couldnt watch its comedy! he said and laughed. Ive seen the same thing many times and its a new version good, very well made, great action, but Ive seen it many times. And I know that the people who made it, know how to make it. They knew how to make it five years ago and 10 years ago. Its exactly the same. He waves it away, smiling. Im not saying that traditional cinema will disappear, Im saying that traditional cinema is not relatable anymore. Todays bank robbery is not the guy with a gun screaming, Give me cash! there is no cash anymore in the bank. There are digits, numbers. Todays bank robberies are a young boy with an iPhone hacking the bank system. Writer and director Stephen Susco was tapped to helm Unfriended: Dark Web for producers Bekmambetov and Jason Blum. He calls the ability to tell stories through screens an incredible way to try something brand new with narrative form. It was one of the things I was most excited about, he said. I remember vividly seeing the first movie and having this experience of watching the mouse move across the screen and feeling my fingers moving and realizing I was trying to move the mouse. That was what was so profound about what this new movie did, in producing this new way of telling a story it tapped into the fact that we all use computers, some of us for 10, 12 hours a day. A Skype game night among friends turns sinister in real time in Unfriended: Dark Web, directed by Stephen Susco. (BH Tilt) Screenlife movies can be made relatively cheaply and with readily available consumer equipment. Unfriended: Dark Web, which opened July 20, had a modest budget of $1 million. Filming on the sequel which follows seven friends terrorized by unseen forces as they gather on a group Skype chat took place over only eight days in a rented house. Bedrooms were transformed into separate apartment sets and connected by a closed-circuit camera system to simulate the Skype call. Actors sat in front of laptops mounted with GoPros and acted out the story in real time, and even additional shots the filmmakers figured out they needed during the year and a half post-production process were cost-effective. We would call up [actor] Colin Woodell and find out hes in Barcelona, and we would ship him his shirt and say, Do this over Skype... we need you for 30 minutes, said Susco. Through his Bazelevs production company, which has offices in Los Angeles, Moscow and Beijing, Bekmambetov is encouraging more filmmakers to take a stab. As part of that process, Bekmambetov himself directed what he calls an experiential drama, Profile, to prove that the approach worked for other genres. My choices on Profile was more like experiencing this reality, he said. Its just different languages. Using Bazelevs Screenlife capture technology, he and actress Valene Kane were in adjacent rooms in London while his other actor, Shazad Latif, was with his assistant director in Cypress, standing in for Syria. The action played out on connected screens with Kane seen on her laptops webcam, making her own improvised real-time choices using the computers pre-designed applications, musical playlists and calls with her co-star. It was important because it was an experiment in improvisation, said Bekmambetov. So she was not only the music editor but also the mixer when she played music sometimes she made it louder or quieter overall what Screenlife gives you is it puts you inside the character. You are inside your hero not only visually but emotionally because youre making mistakes, youre deleting and changing your mind. Valene Kane stars in the thriller Profile, directed by Timur Bekmambetov using Screenlife. (Bazalevs) While a consumer social platform based on the Screenlife technology is also in development, Bekmambetov has a full slate of 14 new movies in the works over the next 18 months including comedies and romantic comedies. Much like James Camerons devotion to 3-D and Peter Jacksons enthusiasm for high frame rate, Bekmambetov believes hes found the film technology of the future. It gives filmmakers freedom to make their own mistakes without being tortured by big studios, scared people, he said. Because if you risk $100 million, probably there are 10 people in charge making decisions and 10 people never make the right choice; it will be mediocre because 10 people cant invent something. And when it comes to how we live online all the dark corners and unexpected beauty we perhaps have yet to fully comprehend theres plenty of subject matter left to explore. Any genre could be reinterpreted in a Screenlife language, Bekmambetov preaches, with the devotion of a pioneer who will keep pushing forward until everyone has heard his message. Our internet lives are inescapable, after all whether we like it or not. Its where we live today. jen.yamato@latimes.com @jenyamato Movie recommendations from critics Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan. Ant-Man and the Wasp A bright, cheery distraction from darker, heavier Marvel Studios outings, this Peyton Reed-directed sequel to 2015s Ant-Man reunites Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly in a superhero caper of deliberately low stakes and enormous charm. (Justin Chang) PG-13 The Cakemaker A provocative, unexpected and very moving German-Israeli coproduction that is as unusual a love story as you are likely to find. (Kenneth Turan) NR Eighth Grade Starring a superb Elsie Fisher as a girl about to graduate from the eighth grade, writer-director Bo Burnhams debut feature paints a beautifully, painfully honest portrait of adolescent girlhood. (Justin Chang) R Advertisement Hereditary Anchored by a bravura performance from Toni Collette, writer-director Ari Asters devastating, implacably terrifying film depicts an American family coming apart after tragedy. (Justin Chang) R Incredibles 2 There is good news in the world tonight: Writer-director Brad Bird has brought everyones favorite superhero family back to the big screen, and we are all better off for it. (Kenneth Turan) PG Juliet, Naked A charming film of an engaging, adult nature about two very different people trying to press reset in their lives, it is impressively directed by Jesse Peretz, and acted with verve, passion and great skill by Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke and Chris ODowd. (Kenneth Turan) R Madelines Madeline A dazzling hall of meta-mirrors, Josephine Deckers gorgeous third feature turns the story of a 16-year-old aspiring actress named Madeline (astonishing newcomer Helena Howard) into an explosively creative rumination on art, acting, identity and the awesomeness of cats. (Justin Chang) NR Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Led by a vivacious star turn from Lily James, Ol Parkers sequel to Mamma Mia! is a thoroughly unexpected delight, an ABBA jukebox musical that improves on its dreadful 2008 predecessor in every respect. (Justin Chang) PG-13 Minding the Gap Director-cinematographer Bing Liu turns the camera on himself and two lifelong friends in a documentary that begins as a tribute to skateboarding culture and builds to an affecting and compassionate portrait of a community ravaged by economic depression and cycles of abuse. (Justin Chang) NR Puzzle Kelly Macdonald, one of the best actors out there and a perennial costar (Trainspotting, No Country for Old Men), steps out and shows us what she can do on a bigger stage. Working with Indian star Irrfan Khan, she is a knockout as a suburban housewife who discovers herself through an unexpected mastery of jigsaw puzzles. (Kenneth Turan) R Skate Kitchen A Long Island teenager (Rachelle Vinberg) falls in with an all-female skateboarding collective in this lyrical, visceral and exhilarating ode to female friendship from director Crystal Moselle (The Wolfpack). (Justin Chang) R Sorry to Bother You Rapper-activist Boots Rileys joyous dystopian cackle of a directing debut stars a superb Lakeith Stanfield as an Oakland telemarketer who stumbles into that arrestingly surreal zone where racial identity, class rage and corporate malfeasance intersect. (Justin Chang) R Three Identical Strangers A scientific and philosophical inquiry by way of a detective story, Tim Wardles intensely compelling documentary tells the twistier-by-the-minute story of identical triplet boys who found each other 19 years after being separated at birth. (Justin Chang) PG-13 Wont You Be My Neighbor? The goal of this exemplary documentary is not to tell the story of TV host Fred Rogers life but to show the way of someone whose formidable task was, in his own words, to make goodness attractive and made it happen. (Kenneth Turan) PG-13 From eradicating hunger and homelessness to improving literacy rates, youth can make a positive impact. Thats the message behind the We Movement a collection of organizations that empower students and their families to get involved with causes that matter most. Airing Friday on ABC, the We Day Special is a celebration of social good, recognizing students for their community service work during the school year. The hour-long television event was filmed earlier this year at the Forum in Inglewood. Its reflective of 18 similar events held in the U.S., Britain and the Caribbean that inspire and energize young change-makers. Hosted by John Stamos, the television event features performances and appearances by the Chainsmokers, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and March for Our Lives organizers Jaclyn Corin and Cameron Kasky. But the real stars are the student attendees who earned tickets through their community service. Advertisement During the event, Corin and Kasky addressed the 16,000 youth and educators from California in the audience, urging their peers to vote. We strive to move forward to make this world a better place, Corin said. One of the strongest ways to do that is with a vote, which not all of us have yet, Kasky added. For every vote you cant cast, you have family members, friends and neighbors that you can inspire. You can inspire them to vote for your safety. In another memorable moment, Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman joined the first-ever youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, to recite Life Is Like a Roller Coaster a poem written by Alex Schachter, a 14-year old who was killed in a mass shooting at his high school in Parkland, Fla. in February. How exactly can todays youth make change in their communities? The Times spoke with several of the events participants about the power of young people. We Movement co-founder Craig Kielburger More than 20 years ago, Kielburger read a story in a newspaper that set him on the path to the We Movement. The story was about a 12-year-old former slave who was killed for speaking out about human rights. Inspired, Kielburger, along with his seventh-grade classmates and older brother (We co-founder Marc), formed an organization to free children and their families from poverty and exploitation. Since then, the We Movement has grown exponentially, involving 3.8 million students around the world. Kielburger says that now, more than ever, young people have the opportunity to make an impact on the world around them. With the rise of social media, youth have unparalleled abilities to get their voice out, he said. Theres always been this idealism of youth to create change, but today you can match that idealism with the tools to create change. Jennifer Aniston speaks at We Day California. (Getty Images for We Day) Actress Jennifer Aniston Aniston said she felt particularly inspired by recent youth movements like March for Our Lives, a series of marches across the country and abroad calling for an end to gun violence and mass shootings in schools. I wish I knew if I could open my mouth when I was in high school, and we had a force of kids coming together, we could make a difference, she said. No one taught me that. Its extraordinary. When [youth] finally do realize the power of their voice, people listen, because theyre innocent, they dont have a political agenda yet. Founders of the #NeverAgain movement and organizers of the March for Our Lives, Cameron Kasky and Jaclyn Corin. (Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images for WE) March for Our Lives co-founders Jaclyn Corin and Cameron Kasky After a mass shooting at their Parkland high school left 17 dead in February, survivors Corin and Kasky sprang into action. They worked with fellow students to organize one of the largest rallies against gun violence. The Parkland activists also launched #NeverAgain, a social media campaign calling for tighter gun control. When were empowered, we have the future ahead of us, Kasky said. We arent the old people controlling the money that already have a grasp on the world. We have a world ahead of us that we need to protect. Both offered advice to other young people who wanted to make a positive impact on their communities. Its so easy to reach out to your local officials, Corin said. Just create conversation at the school. If youre dealing with lawmakers, be calm, be cool, collected, be respectful, Kasky added. Dont let anyone off the hook until you get the change you need. makeda.easter@latimes.com @makedaeaster The Walt Disney Co. has tapped New Zealand designer Karen Walker for a capsule collaboration to celebrate Mickey Mouses 90th birthday, WWD has learned. According to sources close to the Auckland-based designer, Walker has designed a limited-edition range of Mickey Mouse-inspired eyewear and jewelery, together with some other merchandise, that may include other accessories and T-shirts, to be released in November to time with the celebrations. Even Walkers Runaway Girl trademark has apparently been given a Mouseketeer do-over. It is understood that a version of the trademark which features a silhouette of a ponytailed girl in boots, carrying a bindle and was designed by Walkers husband and creative director Mikhail Gherman as a print for the brands first London Fashion Week show in 2001 has been updated with Mickey Mouse ears for the capsule. Advertisement Contacted about the tie-up with Disney, Walker said Ive no news to share. Gabriella Hold, senior manager corporate communications for Walt Disney Australia and New Zealand, said she was unable to make any comment on the project. Walker joins a phalanx of creatives who are taking part in the 90th birthday celebration of Walt Disneys most iconic cartoon character, who made his debut at New Yorks Colony Theater on Nov. 18, 1928 in the animated short film Steamboat Willie, which is considered the first major cartoon to feature synchronized sound. In March, Opening Ceremony unveiled a Mickey Mouse capsule alongside its spring 2018 collection at Disneyland, with Faith Connexion also said to be working on a similar Disney capsule. A book of celebrity images shot by Rankin called Mickey Mouse & Me is being auctioned on eBay for charity. September will also see the launch of a Mickey Mouse-themed eyewear collection through Italia Independent, part of a new licensing agreement between Disney and the Italian eyewear company. It is understood that Walker plans to unveil the Mickey Mouse collection via a Disney activation within her Playpark store in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket in November. The Playpark pop-up wont be the only Disney-themed antipodean retail initiative to be unveiled that month. Last month, Australian department store David Jones and Disney Australia and New Zealand announced a partnership that will see the top floor of David Jones Elizabeth Street flagship in Sydney transformed into a large Disney destination that will feature five departments that will showcase the Disney, Marvel and Star Wars brands, among other vendors. To be opened in late November, it will one of the first completed floors of David Jones 200 million Australian dollar or $145 million refurbishment of the flagship that is under way. Theres no shortage of inspiration inside Mei Kawajiris Lower Manhattan studio. On the contrary, the space is overflowing with oddities. Kawajiri, nail artist to celebrities and designers like Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Ariana Grande and Demna Gvasalia, is known for her inventive designs that often go viral within Instagrams nail community. One such concept, which made its rounds on various accounts a couple of years ago, was a set of red nails pierced with an extra set of red nails. Another, dubbed the boob manicure last summer, featured 3-D nipples, some of which had piercings. Earlier this year, Kawajiri gave herself hot pink extensions and pierced them with a silver chain of Barbie shoes. She flashed them on her feed to the tune of Aquas Barbie Girl. I love drama, Kawajiri said from her studio on a recent evening. Shes a Pisces, she added, which means her emotions are out of control and her creativity at an all-time high. <br> Advertisement Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Kawajiri has been doing nails for 15 years. She was once an aspiring tattoo artist, but opted for nail art after realizing she changed her mind too quickly to give herself permanent tattoos. She moved to New York six years ago and has accumulated a number of clients. She charges $200 for a manicure and has become so in-demand, she only takes new clients if they come with a referral. Kawajiris studio is small, bright and teeming with cheery, rainbow-colored items. A Longchamp x Jeremy Scott faux-fur travel bag hangs from a knob under her kitchen sink. Feather boas, an array of hats, jewelry, chains, charms, a plastic tiara, an image of Elvis Presley and bejeweled Miu Miu heels that are too big for her hang off of a tall metal rack in the living room. Next to the rack is a set of plastic drawers that supposedly house more than 1,000 nail polishes, and on the wall adjacent to her work station is a sampling of her past designs red nails on nails set included. Im always fun, Kawajiri said. I go see live music, I drive a bicycle, I go out with my friend downtown, midtown and I love drinking. I think Im drinking every day. Tequila, beer and wine. Shes based in New York, but Kawajiri often travels to Tokyo for supplies gels, brushes, charms and to be reimmersed in the Japanese nail art scene. The biggest difference between Japanese and American nail art, she said, is that Japanese designs are more abstract, whereas her American clients love to have a theme. Even 10 years ago, [Japan was] doing what we are doing in New York: big stones, crazy charms, she said. Young girls save money for their nails instead of eating a lot of food. They wanna be skinny and they wanna have cool nail art. She draws inspiration from her personal life, including romantic interests if I date a skateboarder, then I wanna do skateboard-themed [nails] because hes gonna like me more and though she used to be bothered by other artists copying her designs, it happens so often she no longer cares. As long as I dont copy or I dont watch other peoples Instagram, Im good, she said. I dont watch nail Instagrams at all. If you see [something] one time, you have the idea already on the inside of your head. I dont wanna be like that. I wanna be always original and new. Outside of the nail world, Kawajiri has collaborated with Google on a screen saver and Dominique Ansel on a cake inspired by nail art. With her sizable social media and celebrity followings, its not out of the question that shed open her own salon or launch her own line. Asked whether shes thought to do either, she said, I thought this before, but I dont like to stay in the same place all the time. I love traveling to see new people. Her own salon may be out of the question, but she has another idea in mind. Maybe Ill do a nail car, she said. Like a taco truck. I should do that. She just might be on to something. Where did the data come from? To report the story about Californias inheritance tax break, The Times obtained property inheritance transfers from Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Solano and Sonoma counties. Five other coastal counties did not provide the information. Officials in San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Ventura said their computer systems did not allow them to compile the data. Alameda County refused to turn over the data because officials said doing so would require them to access confidential information. And the assessors office in Orange County demanded $5,500 for the records, which the Times declined to pay. Some county assessors questioned whether the information was public record. Ultimately, the state Board of Equalization issued a legal opinion confirming that it was, which allowed for the broad release of inheritance transfer data. The inherited property records dating back to 2007 were matched with public assessor data provided by real estate website Zillow to analyze inheritance rates by county and Census tract. The Times also used Zillow property value estimates to find the current market values for selected homes. Advertisement How did you determine whether an owner was living at their inherited property? We looked at whether they took a homeowners exemption, an additional property tax break only available for homes that are owner-occupied. If the homeowner did not claim an exemption, the house was considered likely a rental property or second residence. Researchers say the exemption is the best available measure to determine if an owner actually lives in a home. How did you figure out how much some heirs saved in property taxes? We calculated cumulative tax savings for two properties, including the Malibu beach house inherited by siblings Beau, Cindy and Jeff Bridges in 2009. The L.A. County Assessor reassessed both properties before owners claimed an inheritance tax break then the parcels reverted to their previous value. For example, the Bridges property was reassessed at $3.3 million after their mothers death and the resulting transfer in ownership, and later changed back to $383,077, once the inheritance benefit paperwork was filed, records show. We tallied the difference between the actual taxes owed each year and what the taxes would have been at the higher valuation, a gap confirmed by tax documents from the county Auditor-Controller. We consulted with the assessors office to review the analysis. How did you determine how much L.A. County lost in revenue last year because of the inheritance tax break ? We compared the assessed value of each inherited property to the median assessed value of all properties in its zip code that were reappraised the same year the property was inherited. The tax loss was then calculated by applying the countywide tax rate to the difference of those values. The state Legislative Analysts Office was consulted to create the methodology. Times staff writer Ryan Menezes contributed to this report. ben.poston@latimes.com @bposton liam.dillon@latimes.com @dillonliam A former Los Angeles police officer at the center of the controversial shooting of an unarmed homeless man on the Venice boardwalk was sentenced Thursday to probation and community service for an unrelated misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Clifford Proctor, who in 2017 left the LAPD after the fatal shooting of Brendon Glenn, pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to a misdemeanor count of disobeying a domestic violence restraining order in Orange County. Seven other domestic violence charges, including two domestic battery charges, were dropped as part of a plea deal, his public defender Rose Angulo said. Proctor was also ordered to pay restitution to two victims who were present in the Westminster courtroom Thursday, complete 52 weeks of a treatment program for batterers, and honor a restraining order for three years, according to the Orange County district attorneys office. He cannot own a weapon for 10 years. Proctor was charged initially with misdemeanor battery in connection with a September 2016 incident in Huntington Beach. Advertisement Officials have revealed few details of the domestic violence allegations. Huntington Beach police and the Orange County district attorneys office have denied repeated requests for more information. The complaint does not fully identify the people accusing him. Mr. Proctor is innocent of the charges filed against him alleging domestic battery, Angulo said. He has maintained his innocence since Sept. 10, 2016, and today he received justice when the [Dist. Atty.] dismissed all charges against him, except for one count. Angulo said Proctor admitted only to sending a text message to his fiancee after a protective order had been issued. Proctor shot Glenn on May 5, 2015, as he and a partner tried to take the 29-year-old into custody after reports of a man yelling at patrons and fighting with a bouncer outside of a bar. Proctor told investigators he believed the mans hand was on his partners holster, but a video from the bar where the altercation took place contradicted his statement, a report by then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck concluded. Glenns shooting drew immediate attention, which increased in 2016 after the Police Commission, which oversees the Los Angeles Police Department, and Beck recommended that the district attorneys office file criminal charges against Proctor. It was the first time Beck had recommended criminal charges against an officer in an on-duty shooting. Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey disagreed with Beck and the commission. A duty to file criminal charges exists only when our office determines that the admissible evidence is of such a compelling force that it would warrant a conviction after considering the most plausible, reasonable and foreseeable defenses, Laceys office wrote in a memo in March. That is not the case here. The district attorneys office hasnt charged a law enforcement officer in an on-duty shooting in over 15 years. A federal judge on Friday rejected an attempt by the state of California to dismiss much of a lawsuit that seeks to make public all portions of executions. Several news outlets, including The Times, have sued the state to allow public access to the mixing of the chemicals for lethal injections. For the record: An earlier version of this article reported that the ACLU Foundation of Northern California was one of the plaintiffs suing the state. The group is representing one of the news organizations that filed the suit and is not a plaintiff. The suit also seeks to permit the media to observe attempts to administer medical aid to inmates when executions are botched. U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg, who is hearing the case, ruled that the lawsuit may go forward. Advertisement The news organizations claims are sufficient to raise the constitutional claims above the speculative level, Seeborg said. During a hearing Thursday, Supervising Deputy Atty. Gen. Jay M. Goldman argued that public access to all portions of executions was not required by law. He said the chemicals for lethal injection are mixed three hours before an inmate is brought to the death chamber and that rendering aid if the execution fails is by definition not part of an execution. Seeborg noted that he was aware of one botched execution where medical assistance had been given to the prisoner. Lawyers said he was referring to the botched execution of Clayton Darrell Lockett in Oklahoma in 2014. Three minutes after Lockett was declared unconscious, he raised his head and spoke and attempted to rise from the table. One of the doctors present stopped the execution, but Lockett suffered heart failure several minutes later. Goldman asked whether the media also wanted to ride in the ambulance with an inmate if he or she were taken to the hospital or to view the inmates last meal. Christopher S. Sun, representing the media, said the suit was simply intended to ensure that what happens in the execution chamber is made public. Current regulation allows the state to decide when the curtain is drawn during an execution, Sun said. That would deprive the public of knowing what happened to an inmate during a botched execution, a matter of heightened public interest, Sun said. State regulation now requires a curtain on the viewing window to the execution chamber to be closed and the public address system turned off if the inmate does not die after receiving three doses of the lethal chemicals. The news media lawsuit asks for an injunction to prevent the state from carrying out executions unless they are truly public. The suit argues that regulations established by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation deny the publics right to know whether execution staff properly prepare and administer the lethal chemical; the name of the chemical used; the number of doses; how the inmate reacts to each dose; and how effectively the execution team performs particularly if the execution does not proceed as planned. Seeborg did not say when he would rule. Californias last execution occurred in January 2006. Executions cannot resume again until other legal challenges are resolved. But supporters of the death penalty said those hurdles will soon be overcome because of voter passage of a 2016 ballot measure intended to speed up executions. California governors cannot commute death sentences of inmates convicted of multiple felonies without the approval of four of seven justices of the state Supreme Court. maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan UPDATES: 11:50 a.m.: This article was updated with the judge rejecting the states motion to dismiss the lawsuit. This article was originally published at 3 a.m. Los Angeles is relinquishing $425,000 in federal money after council members stalled on whether to take the funding from the Department of Homeland Security. The City Council had held off on accepting the grant money amid a roiling debate over whether taking the federal money to counter violent extremism would lead to improperly targeting Muslims. Last month, after a brief back-and-forth among council members, the decision was shunted back to a committee for more discussion. Aides to Mayor Eric Garcetti said those delays had left too little time for community groups to move forward with their plans for the grant money, which was supposed to be spent between Aug. 31, 2017, and July 31, 2019. In a letter this week to the Department of Homeland Security, Deputy Mayor Jeff Gorell said that as a result of the delays, we are no longer confident that we can perform the grant goals and objectives as awarded. Advertisement Under the grant, L.A. had planned to enter into contracts with local groups to foster proactive efforts to build healthy communities, address hate and promote youth leadership, according to a city report. Garcetti had supported the plan. His aides said the money would pay for supportive services and programs assisting a wide range of communities, including a group focused on curbing the influence of white supremacists, and would combat Islamophobia and other forms of hatred. In light of the tragedy in Charlottesville and events in other places, it is especially important now that we do everything possible to work toward the day when none of our young people are at risk for falling under the sway of violent extremism, Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said in a statement Thursday. But the plan troubled the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and other groups, which charged that the federal program was rooted in faulty theories of radicalization that unfairly criminalize Muslims. They said their worries about the grant program, initiated under the Obama administration, had only grown under President Trump. These programs identify individuals as potential targets of radicalism if they adhere too closely to particular strands of the Muslim faith. If they exhibit certain political ideologies. If they hang out with the wrong crowd, ACLU staff attorney Mohammad Tajsar told The Times earlier this year. All things that are protected and lawful. The decision had divided council members before they held off on voting on whether to take the money. Comisar said it was unfortunate that a significant amount of misinformation had caused delays that made it impractical for community groups to move forward, but that the city would continue to explore ways to assist local organizations. Laboni Hoq, litigation director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, called turning away the money the right decision. It is definitely a program that the community was opposed to for good reason, Hoq said, and if the city plans to continue to pursue it in other ways, we want to know. Her group joined the ACLU and other organizations to sue the city earlier this summer, alleging that it had failed to fully answer public records requests about such programs. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes A former Hermosa Beach police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to arrange sex with an undercover sheriffs deputy posing as a 16-year-old girl, officials said. Todd Lewitt, 51, of Long Beach was charged with one count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. Late in July, prosecutors said, Lewitt used a dating website to set up a meeting with the undercover Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy that he thought was an underage girl. Prosecutors say Lewitt was arrested when he showed up to the meeting spot in East Los Angeles. Pat Carey, an attorney representing Lewitt, said Thursday that the persons dating profile indicated she was 20 years old. Advertisement She held herself out to be 20 years old, Carey said, adding that he had not yet received all of the discovery from prosecutors. The attorney also said Lewitt never showed up to the meeting spot, though he would not say why. Carey said investigators approached Lewitt in a parking lot near the meeting place. If convicted, Lewitt faces up to four years in state prison. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek An Amtrak train engineer who called police on Sunday to say he might have been involved in a shooting has been charged with murder in the deaths of two homeless men whose bodies were found on the platform of the Pomona train station, authorities said. Christopher Matthew Peterson is accused of killing Robert Salinas Jr., 37, and Jeremy Alexander Henness, 31, Pomona police said. Peterson, 40, was not on duty before or during the incident, said Amtrak spokeswoman Olivia Irvin. He last worked two days before the shooting, she said. He pleaded not guilty Thursday, a district attorneys spokesman said. Advertisement The victims were found early Sunday morning by another homeless man, who went to a nearby business to report what he saw, police said. When officers responded around 4:30 a.m., they found two men lying on the east edge of the train platform, said Sgt. Brian Hagerty. The victims had been shot multiple times and were pronounced dead at the scene. The station does not have a kiosk or ticket booth. While at the station, investigators received a call from Ontario police shortly after 5 a.m. saying they had a man on the line who thinks he may have been involved in a shooting in Pomona, Hagerty said. He said he was a little intoxicated or high, but he might have been involved in a shooting. The man turned out to be Peterson, who lives about seven miles from the train station in Ontario with his wife and children. Pomona investigators went to Petersons home and, after a brief interview, arrested him, Hagerty said. Peterson told investigators he acted in self defense but then invoked his right to an attorney, ending the interview, Hagerty said. We dont know if there was some kind of fight, he said. Were still trying to piece it all together. Sgt. Jon Edson said detectives found drug paraphernalia next to the victims and are investigating whether the shooting was drug-related. Investigators plan to conduct tests on a gun found in Petersons home, Edson said. The weapon, he said, is registered to Peterson, but police have not found evidence that he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Amtrak engineers are not permitted to carry weapons during work, said Irvin, the company spokeswoman. Peterson has been an Amtrak employee since 2010, she said, but has been removed from service pending further investigation. Peterson was charged Tuesday with two counts of murder and is being held without bail, according to online court and jail records. Police asked anyone with information about the killings to call Pomona police at (909) 620-2085. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Jeanette.Marantos@latimes.com Follow me @jmarantos on Twitter LAPD detectives have presented the Los Angeles County district attorneys office with nearly 30 cases for possible sex-crime charges against USCs former campus gynecologist, Dr. George Tyndall. Capt. Billy Hayes, the head of LAPDs Robbery-Homicide Division, said Thursday that the cases were the result of a sweeping criminal investigation of Tyndall, who treated thousands of women at USCs student health center during a nearly three-decade career. The Times revealed in May that Tyndall was accused repeatedly of misconduct by patients and staff but continued treating students until 2016. In the wake of the newspapers reporting, hundreds of women came forward, and investigators have traveled across the nation to interview about 220 former patients of Tyndall who have accused the physician of misconduct. Advertisement This is the most victims for one perpetrator that I can recall in LAPD history, said Hayes, who said the wide-ranging investigation is ongoing. We are working very closely with experienced prosecutors in sex crimes and medical issues. Tyndall has not been charged with a crime and in interviews this spring, the 71-year-old gynecologist maintained that his medical exams were always appropriate. His defense attorney, Leonard Levine, told The Times this week that his client did not violate the law. Dr. Tyndall takes all allegations seriously, but he continues to maintain that he engaged in no criminal conduct, and that his medical examinations were always within the standard of care for such examinations, Levine said. The lead prosecutor assigned from the district attorneys sex-crimes division has been accompanying LAPD detectives and has attended some initial interviews with former patients of Tyndall. Prosecutors have received the cases gradually from detectives, and Hayes said as many as 50 cases could reach prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges. Among the most serious crimes under investigation by the LAPD is finger penetration. Witnesses to Tyndalls exams said that he frequently commented on the tightness of patients vaginal muscles, made inappropriate remarks about their sex lives, and touched patients inappropriately during breast and pelvic exams. The physician routinely inserted one to two fingers in patients after voicing concern that a speculum might not fit, and commented on their bodies as he probed them, the witnesses told The Times. Tyndall said in interviews that his use of fingers had a legitimate medical purpose and said some of his comments to patients were misinterpreted. An internal inquiry by USC in 2016 and 2017 disagreed, finding that his pelvic exams were outside the scope of accepted medical practice and amounted to sexual harassment of patients. USC has said that complaints about Tyndall dating to the early 2000s reached the clinics executive director, who handled patient complaints independently. The university said it was unclear why Tyndall was allowed to remain in his position. It was only after a nurse, frustrated by inaction of her bosses, reported Tyndall to the campus rape crisis center in 2016 that the gynecologist was removed. Since the allegations against Tyndall were revealed, more than 340 women have filed civil suits against USC, and uproar over the universitys handling of the physician led to the ouster of President C. L. Max Nikias. Aerospace executive Wanda Austin, a graduate of USCs engineering program, has taken on the role of interim president as trustees search for Nikias permanent successor. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno A federal appeals court decided Friday to revive a lawsuit against a former LAPD detective who the court said withheld exonerating evidence in a murder case that put an innocent woman behind bars for 17 years. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the suit against former Det. Marcella Winn should be allowed to go to trial. The record demonstrates as a matter of law that Detective Winn withheld material impeachment evidence, Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote for the court. She said the evidence also raised an issue of material fact as to whether Detective Winn acted with deliberate indifference or reckless disregard. Advertisement Susan Mellen was released from prison in 2014. She and her three children sued Winn, contending the detective had been told a witness against Mellen was a habitual liar, but failed to disclose that to the defense. The 9th Circuit said Mellen was convicted based solely on the testimony of June Patti, who claimed that Mellen had confessed to her that she killed Richard Daly. The body of the 30-year-old transient and father of two was found near a trash bin in San Pedro. Pattis sister, Laura Patti, a police officer in Torrance at the time, said she told Winn that June was a habitual liar, the court said. Laura Patti said in a deposition that her conversation with Winn was brief, and that the detective did not ask why she believed June Patti was a liar. But it turned out that Laura was right about her sister, the 9th Circuit said. She had been deemed an unreliable informant by the Torrance Police Department five years before Mellens trial, the court said. And in a fourteen-year span between 1988 and 2002, Patti had more than 800 contacts with law enforcement, where she was known to exaggerate or outright lie to police officers to protect or advance her own interests, Wardlaw wrote. The court said that Winn, who could not be reached for comment, now disputes that she ever spoke with Laura Patti about her sister. The 9th Circuit said that June Patti changed her story several times over the course of the prosecution, and no fingerprints, DNA evidence or eyewitness testimony linked Mellen to the crime. Mellen was represented in the trial by a family law lawyer, not a criminal defense attorney. When she was sentenced to life without parole, Mellen told the court: I dont understand why Im being put in the fire, why this woman lied and told the things that she said that are so evil. Im totally innocent. With Gods hands upon me now, Im innocent. Innocence Matters, a nonprofit legal organization, eventually won Mellens release. The group interviewed Laura Patti, as well as two men who confessed to the killing and said Mellen had nothing to do with it. A judge declared that Mellen was factually innocent. Winn also was the lead detective in the prosecution of Obie Anthony, who was declared innocent after spending 17 years behind bars for a killing outside a brothel in South Los Angeles. The city of Los Angeles paid Anthony $8.3 million in compensation. In June 2015, the state of California awarded Mellen $597,200 in compensation. Mellen should have the opportunity to prove, after nearly two decades, whether wrongful conduct played a role in her conviction, and whether she deserves compensation for her wrongful imprisonment, Wardlaw wrote. maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan Dave Dave, an artist disfigured since childhood after his father set him afire at a Buena Park motel, has died at age 42. The Clark County coroners office said Dave passed away the morning of July 15 at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. The cause of death is pending and could take another month to be disclosed. At 6 years old, David Rothenbergs name was flung around the world as the boy at the center of a custody battle whose father slipped him a sleeping pill, poured kerosene on the bed, lit a match and fled the scene. The 1983 attack pulled Dave into the spotlight and caught the attention of celebrities, including Michael Jackson, who helped pay for his dozens of surgeries and skin grafts. The two became close friends, bonding over unique childhoods that played out in the public. Advertisement Having suffered third-degree burns, Dave sometimes had difficulty relating to peers after the novelty of his fame began to wane. A school assignment once posed the question: If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? I would change the way people feel about me, he wrote. By then, Dave and his mother, Marie, had moved from Brooklyn and settled in Orange County to be closer to his plastic surgeon. A book about him written by his mother and the Rev. Mel White became the basis of a television movie. At one point, Dave visited the prison where his father, Charles, ended up serving seven years for the crime. Dave would describe the meeting as cathartic, but also took care to distance himself from the man who had left him severely scarred. The name change was to liberate myself from the confines of my fathers criminality, he said in a 2009 interview with Larry King. He is a criminal and he caused all this. To free myself of his name and his legacy, I decided to become my own person. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2016: There is a lot that happens in peoples lives, but that doesnt define them as a human being, it makes them stronger. A conceptual artist who fondly recalled the graffiti he saw as a child while riding the subway in New York, he showed at several galleries in the Vegas area. His pop-inspired series Lifted was prompted by a conscious desire to inspire others to be greater than themselves. Although he was protective of his past and at times felt exploited, Dave was known to friends as kind, compassionate and eager to show support. For someone who had suffered that kind of violence and betrayal by a father, he had no reason to trust anyone, said Mike Watkiss, a friend of the family. But he was so completely and utterly open and generous and empathetic. He wasnt defined by the most famous event of his life. Inquisitive and sharp, Daves knack for witty banter was matched by his fierce pride in being an artist. His work, according to his website, was meant to represent hope in an urban environment, where oftentimes the struggles of life can be surpassed by the experience of living. Charles Rothenberg spent less than seven years of a 13-year sentence in prison for attempted murder. He went on to amass a criminal record for robbery and other crimes, eventually being sentenced in 2007 to 25 years to life in prison in California. The Associated Press contributed to this report. corina.knoll@latimes.com | Twitter: @corinaknoll Making good on President Trumps stated desire to reduce the U.S. role in Syria, the State Department announced Friday it was eliminating $230 million in funding for stabilization projects in the war-ravaged country. The slack will be made up by donations from other countries who have agreed to provide $300 million, State Department officials told reporters. One-third of that money will come from Saudi Arabia. Working with Congress, the State Department will redirect these funds [the $230 million] to support other key foreign policy priorities, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. She said the decision does not represent any lessening of U.S. commitment to our strategic goals in Syria. Advertisement The Trump administration long ago shifted U.S. goals in Syria away from removing President Bashar Assad and ending the civil war to a more limited, concerted fight against the militant group Islamic State, which had taken over large parts of the country and neighboring Iraq. Nauert briefed reporters in a conference call along with Brett McGurk, the U.S. special envoy for the coalition to defeat Islamic State, and David Satterfield, acting assistant secretary of State for the Middle East. Trump previously cut off aid to some of the militias fighting Assads forces and ended stabilization projects in northwest Syria as he attempts to extricate the United States from the 7-year-old multi-sided conflict. Pentagon officials have argued against beating too hasty a retreat. U.S. forces there, in addition to fighting Islamic State, are working to train and defend Kurdish forces against Turkey, protecting oil fields and keeping tabs on Russian and Iranian groups also in Syria. We are doing a lot more militarily in Syria than just fighting [Islamic State], no matter what the Trump administration says, Robert Ford, who in 2014 departed Syria as Washingtons last ambassador there, said in a podcast for the Middle East Institute, where he is a senior fellow. Nauert, McGurk and Satterfield, however, contended that the focus was on Islamic State. McGurk said that Islamic State lost 90% of its conquered territory and has not returned, but that a final offensive to drive out remnants looms. Were remaining in Syria, McGurk said. The focus is the enduring defeat of [Islamic State]. This mission is ongoing and is not over. The State Department was spending money on projects in devastated Syrian cities like Raqqah, which Islamic State once claimed as its capital, to make it possible for Syrian civilians to return home, McGurk said. He said potable water had been restored to most of the city and 150,000 refugees had moved back. Trump has made clear, however, that broader reconstruction will not be Washingtons job. In several public comments, he has said he would let others take care of the problem. Nauert said that neither needs-based humanitarian aid nor support for the so-called White Helmets civilian rescue teams volunteers also known as the Syria Civil Defense would be affected. She also announced that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has appointed retired veteran diplomat James Jeffrey to be a special representative for Syrian engagement and retired Army Col. Joel Rayburn, an official with the National Security Council, to be deputy assistant secretary of State for the Levant and and serve as another special envoy for Syria. Jeffrey, a former ambassador to Iraq and Turkey, will focus on the all-but-moribund diplomatic attempt to find a political transition out of Syrias conflict, through talks in Geneva. Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, who joined with Republicans to appropriate the $230 million earlier this year, said the administration decision to scuttle it was a shortsighted move with consequences potentially harmful to national security. I am dismayed to see President Trump sprinting down the path of abdicating American leadership on the global stage, said Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Worse yet, he is rolling out the red carpet for Russia and Iran who will seize the vacuum of U.S. presence, Menendez added, to make Syria a persistently unstable, terrorist and criminal nexus that will continue to threaten regional stability and the security of Israel. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter Although he couched it in terms of protecting classified information, President Trumps decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan is transparently an act of petulant payback for Brennans scathing criticism of the president. Brennan, who served as the director of the intelligence agency under President Obama, has called Trump a disgraced demagogue and denounced his performance at the Helsinki, Finland, summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as nothing short of treasonous. But caustic criticism of the president or, as Trump put it in a formal statement, wild outbursts and frenzied commentary isnt fair grounds for revocation. (And can there be a more dramatic example of projection than the master of Twitter tantrums complaining about frenzied commentary?) The president also justified his action by pointing to the fact that Brennan in 2014 had initially denied that CIA officials under his supervision had improperly accessed the computer files of Senate Intelligence Committee staffers. But even Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who as chair of the Intelligence Committee confronted the CIA over that incident, denounced the revocation of Brennans clearance on Thursday. She said it shows how petty and thin-skinned President Trump truly is. Trumps reference to the computer trespassing controversy as a reason for moving against Brennan is reminiscent of his original explanation for dismissing former FBI Director James B. Comey: that Comey had mishandled the investigation of Hillary Clintons email server. Later Trump acknowledged in a television interview what most of us had already surmised: that when he fired Comey he had this Russia thing on his mind. Advertisement Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Trumps use of presidential power to punish a prominent critic is outrageous in itself. But comments he made about Brennan in an interview with the Wall Street Journal suggest an even more ominous interpretation. Trump indicated that he included the former CIA director among those he holds responsible for the Russia investigation by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III or, as he called it, the rigged witch hunt. He added: I think its something that had to be done, referring to the yanking of Brennans clearance. Trump long has inveighed against the Mueller investigation, calling it an illegal scam and totally conflicted and discredited. Yet so far he has refrained from taking action to stop it. Does his willingness to use his authority to punish Brennan mean that he might be ready to match action with words when it comes to Mueller, by firing the special counsel, aborting his investigation or pardoning defendants who have pleaded or been found guilty? Congress, including its Republican leadership, must face up to that possibility. It needs to make it clear to the president that any use of his authority to frustrate the investigation will instantly lead to impeachment proceedings. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook At the populous edges of the nation, red, color of danger, billows through forest and sea. The uncontrolled wildfires in California and red tide in Florida have darkened summer in the states named for gold and sunshine. Burned-up homes and belly-up marine life stretch for miles in some of Americas most-famous respites, emptying the white-canvas tents of Yosemite and the white-sand beaches of southwest Florida. Wildfires and toxic algae burn the lungs, leave a stomach-churning stench and share much more in common: Both occur naturally, but their effects worsen the more we encroach upon the wild. Both proliferate in high temperatures. And both are among the political sleepers of this election season. President Trump weighed in on the wildfires in a series of tweets that blamed bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. The statement mystified fire and water officials, who stressed that California has more than enough water to fight fires. Contra Trump, the immediate challenges have been the record size of the blazes (visible from space, as are Floridas harmful algal blooms), and a searing heatwave. July was the hottest month ever recorded in California, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported earlier this month. Trumps attention to water and wildfire was atypical. Though these phenomena reflect the most urgent environmental issues of our time, and are intimately tied to climate change, the administration has scorned Earth science in general, including water and wildfire research. The White House budget proposal for 2019 would slash science investment at the Interior Department and NOAA by more than 20% each. It seeks to eliminate federal partnerships with local communities and universities, such as Interiors Joint Fire Science Program and NOAAs Sea Grant, which works on harmful algal blooms from coast to coast and in the Great Lakes. Advertisement Axing wildfire and algae research during wildfire and algae emergencies is unpopular, and election-seekers are hearing as much. If there is one whiff of promise from the scorched landscapes in California and wrack lines of dead fish in Florida, it is this rising voice of Americas Caring Middle. The Caring Middle is the supermajority too often, the silent majority of Americans who care deeply about the environment. The more they know, the more they care. Seventy-four percent of Americans feel strongly about environmental protection, according to the Pew Research Center. Seventy-three percent now believe the scientific evidence for climate change, according to the spring 2018 National Survey on Energy and the Environment. The Caring Middle is the supermajority too often, the silent majority of Americans who care deeply about the environment. No doubt, the polls also reflect a wide political divide on environmental regulation; Pew reports that six in 10 Republicans say it costs too many jobs and hurts the economy. But in GOP-dominated southwest Florida, where toxic algae have clogged inland waterways and shuttered water-based businesses this summer, voters of all stripes are clamoring for solutions, including stricter pollution controls. The red tide stretching 100 miles up the Gulf Coast is only part of the algae crisis fouling Florida. Agricultural and urban nutrient pollution has turned Lake Okeechobee into a cauldron of blue-green goo. Federal flood control sends the water out both sides of the peninsula through rivers, sliming coastal estuaries and the waters in between. In Floridas closely watched Republican primary for governor, the algae emergency has led frontrunner U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Fox News darling with a consistent anti-environment voting record, to declare support for smart, targeted regulation of the pollution that fuels the toxic blooms. In fact, fixing the algae crisis is DeSantis only fully articulated Florida policy proposal in a primary campaign built around Trumps endorsement and illegal immigration. To see one of Floridas most conservative congressmen calling for environmental regulation is a powerful reminder of the strength of the Caring Middle when it finally raises its voice. In both Florida and California, residents have packed town hall meetings to learn about the once-arcane topics of phosphorus and flood control, fuel breaks and U.S. Forest Service budgets. Like DeSantis, Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott has made fighting toxic algae a centerpiece of his bid for U.S. Senate despite his eight-year record of aggressive cuts to environmental agencies, enforcement and regulation. In Northern Californias fire-prone 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), one of the states outspoken climate change skeptics, moderated his message at last weeks annual Lake Tahoe Summit when he asked: Doesnt a warming epoch make active forest management all the more important? Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Given the increasing numbers of Americans whose lives will be affected by climate change, this movement of the pendulum from anti-environment extreme to Caring Middle looks likely to continue beyond the midterm elections. Half a century ago, President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency in response to broad public outcry over the industrial pollution fouling Americas rivers, bays and coastlines. Grandmothers in pearl necklaces joined the protests over rivers that burst into flames. Nixon was not a fan of regulation or even nature; he famously walked Californias beaches in black wingtips. But he was moved by disasters like the Santa Barbara oil spill because it touched the conscience of the American people. He was baffled that so many Floridians wanted to preserve a vast swamp, but he had the political intelligence to help save the Everglades from a proposed jetport. Nixon declared clean water and air a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a common cause of all the people of this country. Our common home is still our common cause, particularly when its under threat. Keeping our families and businesses safe from worsening wildfires, harmful algal blooms and the other fast-spreading perils of a warming world is not Republican or Democrat, too much government or too little. Its good government. In a time of unprecedented efforts to divide us, the unifying conscience of the American people can prevail. Particularly when the Caring Middle is seeing red. Cynthia Barnett, the author of three books on water, first described the Caring Middle in a commencement address for Unity College. She teaches environmental journalism and environmental leadership at the University of Florida. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook President Trumps constant attacks against the news media have made it dangerous to practice journalism, and not just for the White House press corps. The opinion editor at the Tennessean in Nashville, David Plazas, recently received an email that read, in part: Most of us are armed and sworn to protect the President and The Constitution against ALL enemies foreign and DOMESTIC and we will do so. At the Chicago Tribune, columnist Rex Huppke has received two direct threats in recent months, including a letter sent to his home that read: Youre going to look awfully stupid trying to keyboard with two broken arms. For the first time in his 18-year journalism career, Huppke was concerned enough to call the police. Journalists are fighting back, in large part by keeping their heads down and reporting doggedly and intrepidly. Some are responding to Trumps rhetorical assault more directly. At a White House meeting a few weeks ago, the publisher of the New York Times, A.G. Sulzberger, implored the president to stop calling the press the enemy of the people. And yesterday, more than three hundred newspapers ran editorials denouncing the administrations war on the press. Advertisement Journalists are doing a remarkable job defending their profession. Where is everyone else? Journalism is not an easy institution to rally around. But if there were ever a time for citizens to defend the press, this is it. All this has me thinking about Elijah Lovejoy, but not for the obvious reason. Lovejoy was a 19th century newspaper publisher and abolitionist who was killed by a mob while defending his printing press. The Newseum has described him as the first American martyr for the press. Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, himself a former newspaperman, wrote a book about Lovejoy, called Freedoms Champion. Lovejoys story feels deeply relevant today. In the 1830s, he put out a small newspaper in St. Louis called the Observer. He used the paper to report on and decry the institution of slavery, and at one point, a mob of citizens destroyed his printing press. A local judge condoned the attack, saying he could see no reason why the Press should be a means of widespread mischief. The judge also asked: Are we to be the victims of those sanctimonious madmen? Lovejoy fled to the other side of the Mississippi River and settled in the town of Alton, Ill. Unlike Missouri, Illinois was a free state. But he met resistance there, too. Again citizens destroyed his press, throwing parts of it in the river. Townspeople in Alton drafted a resolution that, on the one hand, condemned the violence against the Observer, but, on the other, requested that Lovejoy discontinue his anti-slavery editorials, which they called incendiary doctrines which alone have a tendency to disturb the quiet of our citizens and neighbors. In response, Lovejoy took to task not those who opposed his views, but rather those who questioned his right to speak his mind and to publish the truth. At a community gathering, he admonished his neighbors. I know that I have the right to freely speak and publish my sentiments, Lovejoy said. What I wish to know of you is whether you will protect me in the exercise of this right? Few came forward. Four days later, while trying to protect his new printing press from being set on fire, Lovejoy was shot and killed by a mob. In his final days, what so distressed Lovejoy was not his ideological opponents but rather the decent people of Alton who refused to take a stand. Lovejoy recognized the need for citizens to speak out in defense of a free press. That need has become urgent once again. There are countless contemporary examples of reporters watching out for ordinary Americans who dont have access to wealth or power. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Coal miners could celebrate the Center for Public Integritys work exposing unsavory ties between doctors and coal companies and their efforts to deny healthcare for workers with black lung disease. Veterans could extol the Colorado Springs Gazette series about the militarys practice of dishonorably discharging injured soldiers. Female athletes could publicly applaud the Indianapolis Stars reporting on Dr. Lawrence G. Nassars serial sexual abuse at Michigan State University and beyond. The list of examples is endless, because the core mission of a free press is holding people in power accountable and keeping an eye out for the rest of us. After Lovejoy gave his speech at the town meeting, a young man, Dr. Benjamin K. Hart, wanted to say something that might turn the tide and rally support for Lovejoy. But he didnt. I hesitated, Hart said in an interview many years later. And hesitated a moment too long. I have never forgiven myself for my hesitation. Journalism is not an easy institution to rally around. But if there were ever a time for citizens to defend the press, this is it. Earlier this month, at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Trump called reporters horrible, horrendous people, and his supporters chanted CNN sucks. That same week, the Chicago Tribune held a training session to teach its reporters what they should do in the event of an active shooter. Whats more to be said? Alex Kotlowitz teaches at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. He is the author of four books, including the forthcoming An American Summer. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Would you believe it if I told you the mere sight of the Bible is offensive to some people? This week, my church is holding its SoCal Harvest event for the 29th year in a row. Formerly known as Harvest Crusade, this annual gathering is one of the largest evangelical outreach events in the world. As many as 100,000 people will fill Angel Stadium this evening and the following two days, and a good portion of them will find hope, purpose and meaning for their lives. For the record: This story originally stated that 80% of Americans, including 71% of college graduates, believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Actually, only 47% of American adults, including 50% of college graduates, said they believed this. Some people are pretty upset about SoCal Harvest. Not because of anything I just mentioned, but because, in a series of billboards we use to promote the event, theres a photo of me holding a Bible. A real estate company that owns one of the most popular malls in Southern California said it received multiple complaints from people who found the image of the Bible offensive, and at least one serious threat. The Bible disturbed people so much that one local business felt forced to remove the ads completely. Advertisement Its often said that a Bible that is falling apart is an indication of a life that isnt. Whats offensive about that? Apparently, in our intolerant culture, we no longer can display the Bible in public. The art in question was a tribute to my hero and mentor, the late Rev. Billy Graham, who often lifted the Bible high over his head as he preached to stadiums full of people. We hold the Bible high, just like Billy did, because it has changed our lives. The same is true for millions of other people; and it has been true for centuries. Harvard, Yale and a number of the other original nine colonial colleges in America were established by people who believed in the Bible. The Salvation Army, which has helped countless vulnerable people, was started by a man who believed in the Bible and lived accordingly. The abolitionist movement was led by men and women who believed the words in the Bible and took them to heart. And lets not forget Martin Luther King Jr., whose celebrated speeches, which in many ways were really sermons, are now enshrined in our collective consciousness. And yet, here we are, having to tiptoe around some who find it offensive. Most of us know that the Bible is a powerful book. When we swear people into office or take their testimony in a court of law, we often ask them put one hand on the Bible. When a couple is married, a child is born or a loved one passes, many of us write their names in family Bibles. We can find Bibles in nearly every hotel room in America, and most Americans have at least one Bible in their home. In fact, 47% of American adults, including 50% of college graduates, believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion At the same time, there is a significant disconnect. Half of those who claim to read the Bible arent able to name the four Gospels in the New Testament. (The names are not John, Paul, George and Ringo.) SoCal Harvest exists in large part to help bridge this disconnect for as many people as possible. We believe the Bible is Gods love letter to humanity. Its for people who do not want to be controlled by their passions; people who do not want so much pain in life; and people who want better relationships with others. The Bible is for people who want to know the purpose of this life and enter Heaven in the next one. As a 17-year-old kid searching for meaning and strung out on drugs, I heard the words in the Bible and began a transformation that changed the course of my life. Forty years later, when my son Christopher died suddenly in a car crash at the age of 33, the Bible became much more than a book to me. It was my lifeline. Its often said that a Bible that is falling apart is an indication of a life that isnt. Whats offensive about that? Pastor Greg Laurie is the senior pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside. He is the author of more than 70 books, the host of the national radio broadcast A New Beginning and the founder of Harvest Crusades. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook The Trump administration will soon place new limits on legal immigration with a regulatory change that will penalize newcomers just because they could use public benefits in the U.S. The point, according to a spokesman for the president, is to ensure that the government takes the responsibility of being good stewards of taxpayer funds. In the long run, however, the proposed rule will amount to the opposite of good stewardship: It will cost the government, and taxpayers, much more than it will save. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department already consider whether immigrants are likely to become a public charge before issuing visas to them, or granting them permanent resident status (green cards). The administrations modified rule would codify that process, setting new, stricter standards. Leaked drafts of the regulation show that immigrants could be at risk if the government thinks they might consume, over a year, as little as $1 a day (for primary immigrants), or 50 cents a day (for each person in a family of four), in public benefits. Even the welfare consumption of an immigrants citizen children their use of food stamps, say, or Medicaid would count in the calculation. Advertisement Denying green cards to immigrants is not the way to fix the welfare system. Under the new rule, many lawful migrants already in the U.S. would no longer qualify for green cards. It could put their livelihoods at risk, turn some of them into illegal immigrants or force them to leave the country. Their wages and their families fortunes would drop, but their U.S.-born citizen children would still have access to welfare. Those children would become a bigger burden to U.S. taxpayers. The new rule would also tend to target younger immigrants because they generally have lower incomes than their older counterparts. However, a recent National Academy of Sciences report found that younger immigrants in particular pay more into the system than they take out over the course of their lives. They are also likely to have children in the future and, as the report said, although second-generation immigrants as children absorb slightly more [public] benefits, they also contribute considerably more in taxes during working ages than other immigrants and American citizens. In the draft of the rule, the Trump administration explicitly rejects crafting a regulation based on its long-term fiscal impact because, according to the administration, there is a lack of academic literature or economic research examining the link between immigration and public benefits. On the contrary: There is a vast archive of peer-reviewed studies that analyze the costs and benefits of immigrants to taxpayers. Like the National Academy of Sciences report, most of this research shows that immigrants overall pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, or that they at least pay enough taxes to cover the benefits they consume. For example, a report in the journal Health Affairs found that from 2002 to 2009, immigrants paid $115.2 billion more into Medicare than they took out in benefits, which has helped forestall the programs rush toward insolvency. Similarly, Social Security data show that immigrant contributions are reducing that programs deficits. According to the New York Times, Trumps own Department of Health and Human Services delivered a report in 2017 that showed that refugees brought in $63 billion more in government revenues over the past decade than they cost. The White House promptly buried the study. Based on the results in the National Academy of Sciences report and the terms of the new rule in the leaked draft, I calculated my own cost-benefit analysis of the Trump administrations regulation: It will cost $1.46 for every dollar it saves. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion To justify the new policy, the administration not only ignores the research, it rigs the regulation to make sure it produces a negative result for immigrants. For instance, under the new rule, the welfare an immigrants U.S. citizen children consume as dependents counts in considering his or her status, but not the taxes they pay once they are no longer dependents. I applaud the administrations stated goal protecting taxpayer money. And I agree with its implied goal a reduction in immigrant welfare use. But denying green cards to immigrants is not the way to fix the welfare system. That would require cutting benefits and access across the board for noncitizens, but also for citizens who are the systems primary beneficiaries. Instead, the government is proposing a complicated new regulation that will block immigrants from their shot at the American Dream. Its inhumane, and it will backfire, increasing deficits and entitlement shortfalls. Thats no ones definition of good stewardship. Alex Nowrasteh is the senior immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute. He is coauthor of its policy report Building a Wall Around the Welfare State, Instead of the Country. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: The singularly disturbing report alleging widespread child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic Catholic priests in Pennsylvania over the last half-century should give pause to even the most pious among us. Beyond the horror of individual crimes was the churchs systemic coverups. Diocese supervisors facilely downplayed molestation by priests. For example, one opted to not divulge that a priest was being defrocked for his serial sexual abuse because nothing else need be noted. Another discounted molestation by one priest because it will not necessarily be a horrendous trauma for the boy. Surely the most outrageous coverup involved a district attorney who didnt prosecute a notorious serial molester priest lest the church suffer unfavorable publicity; he cited his respect for church leadership. Yet many religious adherents feel that a war is being conducted against religion. Tell that to those whom priests have violated in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Advertisement Robin Groves, Pacific Palisades .. To the editor: For decades now, we have heard continuing media coverage of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy that ranged from neighborhood priests up to cardinals. Yet, it is still a shock to learn this week that prosecutors in Pennsylvania have disclosed that since the 1940s, more than 1,000 cases are documented in previously secret files of children allegedly being abused by clergy involving at least 300 priests! But this is not the shocking aspect of this story. Court officials found that there was a consistent, coordinated effort to conceal this abuse, to sweep it under the rug. This is not just speculation by prosecutors and the media. High-ranking Catholic officials acknowledged this practice taking place. Other denominations arent blameless either. Recently, insurers of churches and Christian nonprofits reported that they received 260 claims of reported juvenile sexual abuse by staff at those organizations in a single year. I see ranking church administrators frequently denying existences of the problem and making efforts to cover up complaints. We cannot as a society continue to wink and look the other way pretending this problem doesnt exist. It is our problem as a society. Can we not have the backbone and hold these church administrators accountable especially for the innocent kids? James W. Anderson, Talladega, Ala. .. To the editor: As shocking as the grand jurys findings were, it was heartening to read the recommendations to change the statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault. Missing is a grand recommendation to do away with celibacy in the Catholic Church. Misconduct like that in Pennsylvania is not only nationwide but worldwide, and it appears to me that there is some link between this archaic tradition and the crimes we are seeing. Stephen Saks, Santa Monica Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook No one needs to tell Kevin de Leon that his campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is a long shot. Hes reminded all the time. Clifford Tasner, a liberal activist, approached De Leon at a Bel Air synagogue on a recent Saturday and offered to make him a video. Youve got to throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks, Tasner told him. Anything that raises your profile, that people circulate in social media, thats clever and funny and engaging, it cant hurt. The state senator thanked Tasner for the earnest advice. But De Leon well knows that in a state with 19 million voters, it takes a lot more than a YouTube hit to oust an entrenched incumbent who clobbered her last few challengers. Advertisement De Leon, 51, casts himself as a leader of the California resistance to President Trump. His liberal agenda he backs Medicare for all and a shift to 100% renewable energy by 2045 could capture the fervor of the moment for some Democrats upset by Trumps presidency. But Feinstein, a fellow Democrat who first won her Senate seat in 1992, is far better known, has more than nine times as much campaign cash and holds a wide lead in the polls 46% to 24% among likely voters, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. All of which leaves De Leon sputtering into the fall campaign, barring a surprise event that undercuts the 85-year-old incumbent. I think its very difficult to see a path to victory for De Leon, given his limited resources and the size of the state, said Rose Kapolczynski, a Democratic consultant who ran campaigns for former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer. In his summer travels around California, De Leon has drawn scant attention. His events are mainly small gatherings put together by labor leaders and other allies he has cultivated during his nearly 12 years representing central Los Angeles in the Legislature. The settings give De Leon a chance to promote himself, but on nowhere near the scale required to swing a statewide election. He cant afford television advertising. At a breakfast banquet in Universal City that same Saturday, De Leon touted a landmark bill that he passed to cut Californias carbon emissions. He was warmly applauded, but most of the audience came from out of state. From breakfast, he headed to a barbecue for farmers who were also potential donors at a hacienda in Ventura County; a couple dozen showed up. A mariachi band played festive music outside a horse stable as the crowd ate brisket tacos and fresh berries harvested in nearby fields in the rolling hills above Camarillo. State Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) in June. (Gabriel S. Scarlett / Los Angeles Times) De Leon rolled up his sleeves and schmoozed with rancheros in cowboy hats. A supporter with a cordless mic introduced him to the full group. Before long, De Leon was denouncing Trump in a solemn baritone. These are very difficult times in our nations history, he said to the subdued farmers sitting under squat palm trees that shaded them from the blazing midday sun. De Leon, whose nearly four years as state Senate leader ended in March, has been one of Californias most outspoken critics of Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration. Its a topic he brings up often, striking a tone of defiance. I am the author of the sanctuary state bill, he boasted to the farmers. Yo soy el autor. Born in Los Angeles and raised by a single mother, an immigrant housekeeper from Guatemala, De Leon toggles seamlessly between Spanish and English. As he campaigns, his upbeat demeanor belies his grim political prospects. Im incredibly enthusiastic, because people who grow up in the neighborhood where I grew up, they dont make it this far, he said on his way to a picnic in the Sierra foothills of Tuolomne County. De Leon spent much of his childhood in San Diegos Logan Heights neighborhood and now rents a home in Mount Washington. Describing himself as the first person of color to lead the state Senate in more than a century, he said: We have to have the audacity to stand up and have our voices counted. If we dont, the establishment authority will never choose us and say its your turn, its your time. Signs of the steep challenge abound. In San Joaquin, a mainly Latino immigrant farming town in the Central Valley, De Leon held a town hall last month at a Veterans of Foreign Wars auditorium. It was three-quarters empty. A few dozen supporters sat on metal folding chairs near the front of the room. One of them showed De Leon a cellphone video of muddy water flowing from a local kitchen tap. Kevin De Leon campaigns July 31 at a VFW hall in San Joaquin. (Michael Finnegan) We have many Flint, Michigans, right here in the Central Valley, the candidate said, referring to the municipal water crisis that struck the Midwestern city. And your voices need to be heard. Jose Lopez, 81, raised his hand and shared a story in Spanish. He was a bracero, a seasonal farmworker who came to the U.S. in 1958 to pick cotton and tomatoes. It was upsetting, he said, his voice cracking, to hear ugly talk of immigrants bent on robbing and killing people. It went without saying that he was referring to Trump. De Leon was visibly moved. Muchas gracias, he said before translating Lopezs words into English. The handpicked crowd tossed De Leon more questions that yielded familiar talking points. One supporter asked about the importance of Feinsteins seniority in the Senate. With that, he lit into his opponent. Seniority means nothing if you dont use it, he said. He accused Feinstein of supporting two Republican wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and of squandering trillions of dollars that should have been invested in Medicare, debt-free college and clean energy. He attacked her vote for a huge Republican tax cut for the rich under President George W. Bush. Later, in an interview, he castigated Feinstein for telling a San Francisco audience last year that she hoped Trump would learn and change and become a good president. Its bad enough to make that comment, period, but to make that comment 20 days after Charlottesville showed me how disconnected she is to the reality of what is happening in California, De Leon said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on July 24 in Washington. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Feinstein strategist Bill Carrick accused De Leon of distorting the senators record, saying she has been out front on all kinds of progressive issues for years. The tough outlook for De Leon has invited speculation that his main goal is just to raise his profile and run for another office in the future. Not so, De Leon said. My mind-set is focused on the immediate and the now, he insisted after a reading at the Bel Air synagogue from a Ralph Fertig book on civil rights struggles. Many of the Fertig friends and admirers at the reading were more in tune with De Leons politics than Feinsteins. Theresa Bonpane, 83, an antiwar activist since the 1960s, told De Leon that Feinstein was not progressive enough for her and her husband, who live in Santa Monica. We just think we need some good fresh blood of someone whos where were at politically, but also who has the youth and the energy to do all the changes that we need, she said. By emphasizing that hes more liberal than Feinstein, De Leon has diminished his appeal to the sizable minority of voters who would have preferred a Republican in the Senate race. Under Californias voting system, the candidates who finish first and second in the primary advance to the general election, regardless of party. I think that Kevin de Leon running to the left of Dianne Feinstein in a general election is a perfect strategy for Dianne Feinstein, said Darry Sragow, a Feinstein advisor in the early 90s who now publishes the nonpartisan California Target Book election guide. De Leon has won some powerful supporters, including the Service Employees International Union and California Nurses Assn. Unions helped him win the the state Democratic Partys endorsement, a major prize. Also backing him is San Francisco hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer, who worked with de Leon to pass the law curbing carbon emissions. But whether any of that support translates into serious money spent on De Leons behalf is uncertain. At last count, De Leon had just $426,000 in the bank, and Feinstein, $3.8 million. Tight limits on fundraising for federal races donations are capped at $2,700 have hamstrung De Leon, who is accustomed to collecting bigger contributions under the states more lax rules. Feinsteins vast personal wealth gives her a major advantage. The former San Francisco mayor has lent her campaign $5 million so far. Millions more could follow if De Leon starts to look threatening. Youre up against an incredibly powerful, rich opponent, Laura Stern, an avocado and citrus grower, reminded De Leon at the Ventura County barbecue. That, he knew. If youre rich, he said after the drive back to Los Angeles, the system is rigged for you. michael.finnegan@latimes.com Twitter: @finneganLAT With most of official Washington on vacation from the swampy, August heat, the reality television side of the Trump White House dominated the news this week, with headlines about secret recordings, enemies lists and whether or not the president had used a particular racial slur. Omarosa Manigault Newman, who achieved fame of a sort on President Trumps reality show, the Apprentice, served as the catalyst for the week. As usual, however, Trump found a way to reclaim the spotlight, announcing that he had revoked the security clearance of a prominent critic, former CIA director John Brennan, and threatening to do the same to others. In a now familiar background chorus, cable television analysts debated whether these latest incidents would shake the faith of Trumps core supporters (almost certainly they wont). Meantime, with another round of primary elections out of the way, those who track congressional races moved a few more Republican-held congressional seats into the endangered category. With election day just over 11 weeks away, the non-partisan Cook Political Report now rates 37 GOP-held House seats, and only 3 Democratic seats, as toss-ups or worse, with 26 other GOP seats considered vulnerable. Democrats need to pick up 23 for a House majority. Sign up for the Essential Politics newsletter Advertisement APPRENTICE NO LONGER The only surprise as Omarosa Manigault Newman began her book tour was that the White House seemed so unprepared to deal with it. From the day that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly fired her, a gossipy book with allegations of racism had been so widely predicted as to seem inevitable. No one at the White House seemed to know what if anything Manigault Newman did at work, but they did know two things about her: She was known by her first name, and she played a character whose role was to attack and betray. But being unprepared for the inevitable has become one of the administrations hallmarks. As Manigault Newman spooled out recordings, including audio of a $180,000 campaign job offer that she described as a hush-money deal, and hinted that she has many more, the official responses seemed even more than usually slapdash. Trump denounced her as a low life and a dog, attracting more attention to her claims and raising questions about why he had hired her if he felt that way. White House officials engaged in their usual practice of telling reporters, anonymously of course, that they had urged the president not to engage, but that he had ignored their advice. Trumps lawyers threatened to try to block publication of the book, Unhinged a tactic that helped make a bestseller out of Michael Wolffs Fire and Fury. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders took a pass on Manigault Newmans most inflammatory allegation that recordings exist on which Trump can be heard using a racial epithet. Ive never heard him use that term or anything similar, Sanders said. But, she soon added, I cant guarantee anything. Sanders then went on to make a false claim that under Trump the U.S. had produced more jobs for African Americans than under President Obama. That statement was so obviously false that Sanders issued a retraction, a rare event the White House blamed on confusing information from the presidents economic advisors. That all this played out around the anniversary of the white supremacist march through Charlottesville, Va. and Trumps now notorious remark that the marchers included some very fine people only heightened the sense of an administration stuck in an endless feedback loop. On Sunday, a band of fewer than 50 white supremacists gathered briefly at the park across the street from the White House, vastly outnumbered by thousands of counter-protesters, as Laura King reported. ANOTHER REALITY STAR Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels, has made himself ubiquitous on cable over the last several months. This week, he took his quest for exposure one step further, saying that he was exploring a run for president and visiting Iowa, as Michael Finnegan reported. He has a trip to New Hampshire scheduled, as well. THE ENEMIES LIST Trump almost always responds one way when someone else dominates the headlines: He does something to swing attention back to him. On Wednesday, the White House revealed that Trump had revoked the security clearance for former CIA Director John Brennan and that he had nine more prominent critics under review, as Eli Stokols wrote. As a practical matter, the revocation doesnt mean much. Administrations have typically maintained security clearances for top officials from former administrations partly as a courtesy and partly so that they can consult their predecessors about current issues. Given Brennans strident criticisms of Trump, consultation seems unlikely, security clearance or no. As a symbol, however, the act came with ominous overtones. Along with Trumps repeated denunciations of the press, his calls for the Justice Department to investigate political opponents and the administrations firings of perceived enemies, it heightened his image as a would-be authoritarian. As Stokols wrote, Trumps action drew criticism from Democrats, but also rebukes from former top intelligence and national security officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations. THE VERDICT ON MANAFORT Both sides said Trump was not relevant to the trial of Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman. The crimes on which he was charged involved alleged financial fraud that prosecutors said he indulged in to finance his expensive life style after his income began to decline. Trump clearly felt otherwise. He tweeted about the case, expressing sympathy with Manafort, and clearly appeared to be paying more than just a bystanders attention to the trial. I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad, Trump said Friday. He happens to be a very good person, and I think its very sad what theyve done to Paul Manafort. Heres Chris Megarians summary of the prosecution case. The defense argued that any illegal acts were the fault of Manaforts former deputy, Richard Gates, now the lead prosecution witness. The case went to the jury late Wednesday, and a verdict could come at any point. IGNORING THE SCIENTISTS The administrations plan to roll back fuel-economy rules was based in part on the claim that the standards adopted by President Obama would lead to a larger number of highway deaths. Safety and fuel economy are in tension, administration officials claimed. New documents released this week made clear that the administration ignored its own EPA scientists in coming up with that claim, as Evan Halper wrote. The documents seem likely to strengthen the court case that California and other states have brought to try to block the administrations action. CONFUSING THE ALLIES Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials insist that the administration speaks with one voice on matters of foreign policy. But as Tracy Wilkinson wrote, the evidence of a policy disconnect between Trump and his administration is overwhelming. Its also confusing to U.S. allies and adversaries alike. Most recently, the administration announced new sanctions against Russia for its alleged involvement in the attempted assassination last spring of a former Russian spy and his daughter in England, an attack that used an illegal nerve agent. The sanctions came just a couple of weeks after Trump met in Helsinki, Finland, with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, called for better relations with Moscow and notably declined to criticize Russias actions. Similar contradictions have roiled U.S. trade policy. As Don Lee reported, the administration appears near to a deal with Mexico on revising NAFTA, but issues with Canada remain. Because Mexicos new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, takes office on Dec. 1, and NAFTA has a built-in 90-day waiting period before any new deal can be signed, negotiations would have to conclude by the beginning of September to allow the current Mexican president to sign the agreement. Meantime, the U.S. and China have agreed to resume low-level trade talks amid the escalating tariff battle between the two countries. And in soybean country in Nebraska, Lee found that the trade war with China is testing patience and nerves. Farmers are sticking with Trump, but they worry the economic pain is only starting in the Farm Belt. AN APPEALING TARGET Trump and Senate Republicans have had remarkable success in getting young, conservative judges appointed to the federal appeals courts. Somewhat surprisingly, however, theyve made almost no headway with the one appeals court that has long been at the top of the conservative target list the 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over California and eight other Western states. As Sarah Wire reported, that may be about to change as Trump finally seem to be turning his sights to shifting the 9th Circuit to the right. LOGISTICS That wraps up this week. Until next time, keep track of all the developments in national politics and the Trump administration with our Essential Washington blog, at our Politics page and on Twitter @latimespolitics. Send your comments, suggestions and news tips to politics@latimes.com. If you like this newsletter, tell your friends to sign up. David.lauter@latimes.com @davidlauter Clad in military jackets, with bandannas hiding their faces, Eddie Alvarez and other members of the Brown Berets clashed with other protesters in Murrieta in July 2014. On one side, more than 200 anti-immigration activists waving American flags stopped buses carrying 140 migrant women and children to a nearby Border Patrol center in Riverside County. On the other side, Alvarez and several dozen other counter-protesters rushed out to defend the detainees. We knew they might not understand English, but they understood the hate, Alvarez recalled recently. Photos of the heated encounters and of the Brown Berets, a militant Chicano group formed in the 1970s circulated widely on the internet. But Alvarez, 21, was surprised to see his image on Aztlan Warriors, one of 32 pages or accounts that Facebook shut down last month, calling them part of a covert operation to stoke racial tensions in the United States. Advertisement They didnt even ask our permission or anything, Alvarez said of the Facebook page. In a new report, the Digital Forensic Research Lab at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan Washington think tank that partnered with Facebook, concludes that the shuttered pages and accounts were run by or linked to Russias Internet Research Agency, the troll farm in St. Petersburg that U.S. officials say meddled in the U.S. presidential election in 2016. One of the pages had an administrator from the Russian agency the most direct link between the recent accounts and earlier troll farm operations, the report states. Two of the pages, including Aztlan Warriors, were also linked to Twitter accounts believed to have been created by their operatives. The Russian agency and 13 of its employees were indicted in February on charges brought by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III on allegations that they sought to interfere with U.S. elections and political processes. U.S. officials have since said that Kremlin-backed groups have continued to spread mayhem in American politics. The nations volatile immigration debate has amplified online, researchers warned, and foreign operatives and homegrown trolls are using it as a political wedge ahead of the November elections. The report said the online disinformation campaign was likely to grow more sophisticated, with bad actors tailoring their posts, videos and other content to target communities of color and to hide who is controlling the message. Covert influence campaigns, some steered from abroad, are using disinformation to drive Americans further apart, and weaken the trust in the institutions on which democracy stands, the report warns. Audiences for the Facebook pages taken down 290,000 people followed one of them was highly engaged, often sharing content and participating in discussions, according to the report. The most popular were Aztlan Warriors, Resisters and Black Elevation, which pretended to promote feminism, progressive causes and the rights of black, indigenous and Latino communities, often copying or repackaging material from other users, websites and internet platforms. Prior Russian efforts often targeted Black Lives Matter activists opposing police brutality, seeking to sow chaos within the movement and animosity from outsiders. The recent posts used similar tactics and language to exploit tensions over illegal immigration. The Resisters page listed 27 events from March 2017 to July 2018, including protests against President Trumps travel bans, a march against family separations on the border, and support for Dreamers, young immigrants without a legal path to citizenship. Other posts urged people to take over the headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and shared activity related to #AbolishICE, a real grass-roots campaign that seeks to deny funding for the federal agency. Some of the events lured real social activists to unknowingly organize logistics and drew hundreds of people to the streets, according to the digital lab report. Partly as a result, some of the activists slammed Facebook for shutting down pages that built on their legitimate work and only targeting posts on the political left. Other political and grass-roots groups said they were meeting with Facebook to fight disinformation through speech campaigns of their own, and studying covert efforts by the FBI and CIA to infiltrate their movements decades ago. Lets be clear: This is not a Russian playbook, this is an American playbook, said Malkia A. Cyril, founder of the Center for Media Justice in San Francisco. But with voters citing immigration as a top concern ahead of the midterm election, researchers expect more extremist online efforts. An entire ecosystem of social media and internet platforms has emerged to amplify nativist fears and white supremacist ideology that have filtered into the mainstream debate. Not surprisingly, many of the immigration posts, memes and videos cite Trumps harsh rhetoric and hard-line policies including the travel bans, loss of protections for Dreamers and refugees, and the forced separations of more than 3,000 migrant children from their parents at the southwest border. On the pages that Facebook took down, there was only one candidate named so far, and it was a candidate in 2020 Donald Trump, said Graham Brooke, director of the Digital Forensic Research Lab. He is a lightning rod; he is a polarizing figure. During the outcry over family separations, the online campaigns were in full swing as anonymous administrators on suspicious Facebook pages attempted to co-opt efforts of groups opposed to ICE. Groups on the right reacted with #pro-ICE campaigns, often sharing false or misleading stories on immigrants and crime. Abolish ICE became a flag to march under to change the narrative, said Ben Decker, a research fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard. ICE became synonymous with the U.S. military, Blue Lives Matter, and in some of the darker spaces, the debate dovetailed into a lot of nasty xenophobic stuff. One of 32 pages or accounts that Facebook shut down last month, calling them part of a covert operation to stoke racial tensions in the U.S. (Digital Forensic Research Lab) Researchers and national security experts said the suspicious Facebook pages showed that foreign operatives have become more skilled in their understanding of American pluralism and communities. Aztlan Warriors shared illustrations of Aztec and other indigenous warriors, and calls to defend the rights of Latinos and Native Americans. It had snippets of Mexican American history and quotes from Chicano leaders. A fake event page drew a handful of users to a celebration in June. But the supposed group also promoted divisive content, including drawings of Aztec warriors with rifles and weapons, which researchers said evoked armed resistance to oppression. The idea of Aztlan took root in Chicano political discourse in the late 1960s, when a group of Mexican American students claimed the Southwest as the mythical Aztec homeland of a marginalized Chicano community in the U.S. The myth shook the ground I was standing on, recalls Enrique Lamadrid, a Spanish professor at University of New Mexico. Before, we were invisible. Aztlan provided a sense of origins. But the concept came back in the 1990s, this time as a strategy to shape anti-immigrant polemic on the right as California debated Proposition 187, a ballot initiative intended to bar undocumented immigrants from using nonemergency healthcare, public education and other services. Voters passed the proposed law in 1994 but a federal court later ruled it unconstitutional. By 2017, white supremacists and nationalists were debating the Aztlan myth in long threads on 4chan and 8chan, some of the most extreme message boards on the internet. Francisco Lomeli, a UC Santa Barbara professor, said the operatives behind the Aztlan Warriors page on Facebook seemed to cut and paste messages to inflame tensions. He compared it to an online scam. It is like when you get one of those letters from someone claiming to be a prince in Nigeria, and the English is kind of broken, Lomeli said. You think, How can anybody fall for that? But even those phishing scams have grown more sophisticated. In Southern California, where activists said online efforts by white nationalists to target Chicano groups appear on the rise, Alvarez said he first noticed the photos of himself and the Brown Berets in December. He was frustrated, he recalled, because the page did not fairly represent their group or the protest in Murrieta. His Brown Berets chapter in San Diego is known for its community toy drives and neighborhood vigils for crime victims. The phony Facebook posts, he said, create more work for us. More stories from Jazmine Ulloa The latest from Washington jazmine.ulloa@latimes.com Twitter: @jazmineulloa Washington is known for its political blockbusters, but the biggest show in town this steamy summer is the Paul Manafort trial, where nervous lawyers, edgy reporters and chattering gawkers are on a hair-trigger wait for the jury to return with a verdict. As the second day of deliberations wound down, a phalanx of TV cameras was fixed in front of the courthouse door and lawyers huddled in a hotel restaurant across the street, where a member of the defense team performed a card trick. Inside the courtroom, reporters read books or battled crossword puzzles. One played solitaire. The courthouse bars visitors from bringing in electronic devices, so emails, social media, phone calls and the rest were off-limits. It is one of the few places in America not focused on President Trumps latest tweets. Manafort, 69, has said nothing to the news media since the trial began nearly three weeks ago, only No, sir and a few other comments to the judge when asked whether he was planning to testify. Trumps former campaign chairman has dressed more modestly than some of the evidence would suggest, eschewing the ostrich-skin bomber jacket look for neat suits and ties, though his once-manicured coif looks more shaggy of late. Advertisement He has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax evasion, bank fraud and conspiracy. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 305 years in prison. He also faces another trial on related charges next month in Washington. For now, Manafort and the rest are waiting for a knock on the side door of the ninth-floor courtroom, a signal that the 12-member jury is ready to deliver its verdict. That could come as early as Monday, when deliberations will resume. Manafort has been held in a courthouse jail, not the nearby detention center in Alexandria, so he can be brought in when a verdict is ready. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, a stern figure with more than 30 years on the bench, claimed Friday he had no idea the case would arouse such public interest. That raised a few eyebrows given its the first trial stemming from the investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, and that it involves a former top aide to the president, issues that are sure to guarantee headlines. Asked by media organizations to release the names of jurors in the case, Ellis declined. He said he had received threats since the trial began and traveled under the protection of U.S. marshals, and he expressed concern about endangering members of the jury. Follow live coverage of the Trump administration on Essential Washington Ellis isnt just waiting around while the jury weighs the case. He heard a civil lawsuit over a man who nearly drowned in a pool during a psychotic episode. Then a sentencing for a woman whose drunken behavior aboard an airplane caused the flight to be diverted. Trump clearly has followed the trial of his former aide once a powerful Republican strategist, Washington lobbyist and political consultant to foreign dictators who steered him through the contentious Republican National Convention in Cleveland two summers ago. I think its a very sad day for our country, Trump told reporters Friday on the South Lawn of the White House when asked about the case. He worked for me for a very short time, but you know what. He happens to be a very good person. Manafort worked without a salary at the top of the Trump campaign for five months. He stepped down after the New York Times reported he had received millions of dollars from the ousted government in Ukraine. His alleged attempts to hide the money in foreign bank accounts are among the charges he faces. Media interest probably would be intense even if this werent August, when Congress is out of session and most sane people are anywhere but Washington, famed for its tropical summer torpor. The courtyard outside the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse resembles a cross between a tent city and an RV park, with canopies to shade live reports by TV correspondents and satellite trucks to beam them around the world. Daily life swirled around its edges. The New York Jets came and went at the Westin Hotel, across the street, visiting for a preseason game against the Washington Redskins. A bridal party held a photo shoot down the block. Residents navigate camera tripods while walking their dogs. At least some of the media presence stems from the challenge of working in a courthouse where electronic devices are banned. When news breaks, reporters dash out of the courtroom and grab an elevator down to the second floor, where a pay phone it costs 50 cents these days, by the way is sometimes available. Otherwise everyone rushes down the stairs or escalator and out of the building, passing word to colleagues nearby or retrieving their phones and laptops from a nearby cafe or hotel. Other colleagues stay in the courtroom to keep taking notes and to stop a rival or a spectator, such as one of the retirees who live nearby, from claiming the just-vacated seat. The journalists went through a fire drill of sorts on Thursday afternoon when there was a knock on the courtrooms side door. The first knock was light, so light the U.S. marshal stationed nearby didnt hear it. The second came a few minutes later louder, more insistent and the marshal sauntered over, opened the door and slipped inside. Reporters craned their necks for a better view of the closed door. The marshal emerged with a folded piece of paper and delivered it to the clerk, who handed it to the judge. A frenzy of activity erupted as some reporters rushed out and others rushed in. Soon the prosecutors and defense lawyers assembled at their respective tables, and Manafort himself was ushered into the courtroom. Everyone wondered whether the jury had already reached a verdict, although one day of deliberations seemed rather quick for a complex trial involving hundreds of documents. But the note was a list of four questions for the judge. The jurors wanted to know, among other things, a clearer definition of reasonable doubt. The judge answered the question, sent the jury home and had them reassemble on Friday morning. Another jolt arrived Friday afternoon when the marshal retrieved a second note from the jury. The fire drill repeated itself, but there was again no verdict. The jurors just wanted the judge to know that they planned to finish their work at 5 p.m. because one of them had an event to attend. They soon departed for the weekend and the show folded its tents until Monday. chris.megerian@latimes.com Twitter: @chrismegerian In a remarkable rebuke to President Trump, 13 former U.S. intelligence chiefs have signed a harshly worded letter in support of former CIA Director John Brennan after Trump abruptly revoked his security clearance. We feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House, reads the letter from the officials, who served both Democratic and Republican presidents. They called Trumps action inappropriate and deeply regrettable.Signing the letter Thursday was a virtual whos who of American spy chiefs dating back to the late 1980s, a striking show of solidarity from the top ranks of the national security establishment. They included former directors of central intelligence William Webster, George Tenet and Porter Goss; former CIA directors Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus; former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell. Advertisement Robert Gates, the former CIA director and secretary of Defense, signed on to the letter Friday morning. Having served Republican and Democratic presidents, Gates is known for staying out of the political arena. His addition to the bipartisan list only served to underscore the alarm in national security circles following Trumps punitive swipe at Brennan, seen by many as little more than an attempt to silence his enemies. Leaving the White House for a trip to New York, Trump told reporters Friday hes gotten a tremendous response since revoking Brennans clearance. He also blasted the special counsel investigation into Russian collusion and obstruction of justice as a rigged witch hunt, claiming that many intelligence officials involved in it should be under investigation themselves. They should be looking at the other side, Trump said. He singled out Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, the only current government employee whose security clearance the White House claimed Wednesday to be reviewing. Ohr was an early Justice Department contact of Christopher Steele, the private investigator whose dossier on the Trump campaigns Russia connections was a cornerstone of the governments initial investigation. Ohrs wife also once worked for the firm that compiled the dossier. Bruce Ohr is a disgrace, Trump said, hinting that he would strip more security clearances soon. I suspect Ill be taking it away very quickly. The letter from the 13 former intelligence officials followed an angry open letter to Trump from retired Adm. William McRaven, who headed U.S. Joint Special Operations Command and oversaw the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. In an op-ed published by the Washington Post, he excoriated Trumps McCarthy-era tactics and said he would consider it an honor for Trump to revoke his security clearance in solidarity with Brennan. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Wednesday that Trump had stripped Brennan of his security clearance, and therefore his access to classified information. Trump did so, she said, because of questions about his objectivity and credibility and his erratic conduct and behavior. In his statement, Trump said he also was considering revoking security clearances for other critics, including Clapper and Hayden, former national security advisor Susan Rice, former FBI Director James B. Comey, and former FBI or Justice Department officials Sally Yates, Andrew McCabe, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, as well as Ohr. Several of them have said they no longer have clearances. Brennan has been an vociferous critic of Trump, and the presidents action was widely seen as an effort by the White House to punish a political enemy. Normally senior intelligence officials keep their clearances in case their expertise is needed, and some use it to obtain lucrative jobs in the private sector. Its not clear whether Brennan, who headed the CIA during President Obamas second term, has used his since he left the agency in 2017. He works as a paid security analyst for NBC News.The 12 former intelligence chiefs praised Brennan as enormously talented, capable and patriotic, and dismissed allegations of any wrongdoing as baseless. The presidents action, they wrote, has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. You dont have to agree with what John Brennan says (and not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information, they wrote. In volcanic tweets, Brennan excoriated Trump as treasonous after the presidents lengthy private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. Earlier this week, he called Trump dangerous to our nation and the most divisive president we have ever had, one who has badly sullied the reputation of the office of the presidency. On Friday, Trump pushed back on the notion that he was restricting Brennans right to free speech. Theres no silence, he said to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. If anything, Im giving him a bigger voice. Trump said hes never respected Brennan, but added that he was happy about drawing more attention to the former CIA director. Many people dont even know who he is, and now hes a bigger voice, and thats OK with me, because I like taking on voices like that. That off-the-cuff comment seemed, to some, to indicate that Trump views the outspoken Brennan as a useful avatar. Trump relishes Brennan as a strawman, former CIA operative John Sipher wrote on Twitter. He can hold him up as the bogeyman Deep State. Brennans over-the-top comments help Trump. The strongly worded response of the typically measured and apolitical intelligence officials in his support stood in stark relief to that of senior Republicans in Congress. Many said Brennan deserved to have his clearance revoked in light of his unrelenting criticism of the president. Unafraid of the political repercussions that could imperil Republican lawmakers who criticize Trump, the retired national security chiefs placed the presidents actions in the context of their vast collective experience in government. We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case, they wrote. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to other former and current officials. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticize us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable. They continued: Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views. Although the White House initially said that the presidents decision was based on national security concerns, Trump and a clerical error by the staffer tasked with disseminating the statement to the press indicated otherwise. In an impromptu interview with the Wall Street Journal shortly after Wednesdays announcement, Trump indicated that his action toward Brennan was tied to the Russia investigation. I call it the rigged witch hunt; [it] is a sham. And these people led it, Trump told the newspaper. So I think its something that had to be done. Additionally, the presidents statement that the White House emailed to reporters was dated July 26, a sign that it was drafted weeks ago and, despite the supposed national security concerns, was delayed until this week when Trump was reeling from a series of revelations by former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman. The latest from Washington eli.stokols@latimes.com @EliStokols UPDATES: 9:20 a.m.: This article was updated with comments Friday from President Trump. 7:30 a.m., Aug. 17: This article was updated with former CIA Director Robert Gates becoming the 13th former spy chief to sign the protest letter. This article was originally published at 10:05 p.m., Aug. 16. Facing a key deadline for legislation to move forward, California lawmakers on Thursday rejected dozens of bills, including a state-run bank for marijuana growers, government healthcare services for those in the U.S. illegally and hotel panic buttons for cleaning crews who fear sexual assault. Lawmakers on the appropriations committees in both houses of the California Legislature acted on more than 600 bills, rejecting about 150 of them. The Legislature will adjourn for the year at the end of the month and the bills that moved forward will head to final votes in the Assembly and Senate. One of the rejected bills, Senate Bill 930, would have allowed the state to license private banks to handle the billions of dollars expected to be generated by Californias legal marijuana industry. Newly licensed pot shops and farms say they cant put their money in federally chartered banks because cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) proposed that the state could license privately financed banks that would issue checks to the businesses to pay rent and state and local taxes and fees. But a legislative analysis said the proposal faced significant obstacles, including no protection from federal law enforcement. Advertisement The evolving cannabis industry has sales in the billions, yet the industry has been consistently shut out of the banking system leading to unavoidable issues in business management, but more importantly, public safety, said Amy Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the California Cannabis Industry Assn. Lawmakers also rejected two sweeping proposals that would have removed a persons immigration status from the rules governing Medi-Cal, the states healthcare program for the poor. Currently, only children without legal residency status are eligible for full Medi-Cal services. One of the bills that lawmakers rejected would also have raised the age threshold to obtain Medi-Cal to 26, and the other would have granted expanded access to those 65 and older. In both instances, a legislative analysis flagged the significant cost to the state budget between $200 million and $336 million a year. Similar efforts by legislative Democrats failed earlier this year during budget negotiations with Gov. Jerry Brown. A bill targeted for defeat by powerful business groups and shelved by lawmakers, Assembly Bill 1761, would have required hotels to provide employees who work alone in guest rooms with a panic button in case of emergency. Supporters said it would have been a first-in-the-nation law and was introduced after a string of high-profile sexual assault accusations during the last year. Business groups were successful in defeating a bill designed to force more transparency on salary equity. Senate Bill 1284 would have required employers with 100 or more workers to submit a report on how employees are compensated in each job category, broken down by race, ethnicity or sex. The bill failed to pass in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers also rejected a plan to require warnings on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in California. And they refused to lower the fines assessed against drivers who dont come to a complete stop before making a right-hand turn. Thursdays decisions on state legislation, though announced in public, had been crafted in private and marked the culmination of one of the state Capitols most opaque operations. For more than a quarter-century, legislators have placed bills with a projected cost to the state of more than $150,000 into whats known in Sacramento as the suspense file. In theory, the action allows lawmakers to carefully prioritize new laws in a way that doesnt place an undue burden on state government finances. But in reality, the suspense file also allows lawmakers and interest groups to lobby their colleagues in private. And when a bill is killed when it is held by the committee and not sent to the floor no roll call vote is taken. That means the public has no idea why a piece of legislation was rejected or who was responsible. Times staff writers Patrick McGreevy, Melanie Mason, Liam Dillon and Mini Racker contributed to this report. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast A technology expert, an alumnus and a design industry veteran are the three newest members of the Woodbury University Board of Trustees. Maria Alvarez, Ignacio Rodriguez and Claire Thompson were appointed to the institutions main governing board, which handles policy, academics and appointments. Their terms are for three years and are renewable. Maria, Ignacio and Claire are all longtime stalwarts of Woodbury and their contributions to the university have already had a profound effect on our students, wrote board chair Greg Lippe, in a news release. Their involvement in the Woodbury community complements their professional accomplishments in their respective fields. Rodriguez is the chief executive officer of his own company, Granada Hills-centered IR Architects, which specializes in luxury homes in upscale areas such as Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades. In 2016, Rodriguez established a set of scholarships for Woodburys School of Architecture, from which he graduated in 2007. I am humbled and honored to have been selected to join Woodburys prestigious board of trustees, Rodriguez said. Woodbury helped me to build my professional foundation and was my second home. I met my wife and several of my closest friends and colleagues at Woodbury, which gives it an even greater importance in my life. I look forward to serving amongst my fellow board members in helping Woodbury evolve into an even brighter future. Thompson is another entrepreneurial success, as shes built two boutique design firms and is the principal of the Thompson Collaborative LLC. Thompson has worked for clients such as Warner Bros., DreamWorks Records, Lifetime and the A&E Networks and has helped fund scholarship programs throughout Southern California. My professional career experience has included serving on the board of directors of the interior design industrys professional organizations, [the American Society of Interior Designers] and [the Commercial Interior Design Assn.], Thompson said. The responsibilities of those boards are similar to the Universitys board of trustees: strategic direction and financial oversight, public awareness, community outreach, and helping prepare students for their future in the profession. Alvarez brings an international resume that includes her work as the chief technology officer for Spanish-based Panda Security. She has also worked for tech giants such as Yahoo and Hewlett Packard and is an executive with Microsofts Artificial Intelligence and Research Group. Last year, Alvarez and Microsoft combined to donate $20,000 in creating a Microsoft Applied Computer Science Scholarship Fund at Woodbury. Alvarez was traveling and unavailable for comment. With the addition of the three new participants, there are now 19 active members of the board of trustees with four trustee emeriti. In just over the last two years, the board has added six women in an attempt to diversify. Personal and civic responsibility, creativity and entrepreneurship are hallmarks of a Woodbury education, and so too are these qualities reflected in our Board of Trustees, Woodbury University President David Steele-Figueredo said. All three new trustees will further diversify the makeup of the board. Even prior to their board service, they have enriched the university in countless ways. We cherish their involvement and the example they set for the Woodbury community. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter @campadresports The source of a pungent smell that wafted through the Newport Beach-Costa Mesa area Thursday afternoon remained a mystery Friday, but an official with the Newport Beach Fire Department said a burp could be to blame. Dozens of residents in and around Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach took to social media or called public safety officials starting at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday to complain of a strong odor resembling that of natural gas. Newport fire officials who responded to the area of West Newport and the Balboa Peninsula noted a light odor of natural gas that dissipated while they were there, said Battalion Chief Brian McDonough. Join the conversation on Facebook >> That, he said Friday, is usually indicative of some kind of a burp somewhere. A what? Every now and then, McDonough said, natural gas can bubble up to the surface of the ocean. That could cause odors that wrinkle the noses of nearby residents. On Thursday, Costa Mesa Fire Department Capt. Chris Coates also described the possibility of a burp, saying that odors of unknown origin sometimes pop up off the coast, get trapped in the marine layer and make their way onshore. While a burp is one possible explanation, a spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Fire Department said Thursday that the source could have been a drilling apparatus somewhere off the coast. Follow us on Twitter >> A spokesman from Southern California Gas Co. said Thursday that Newport police told the utility the smell was coming from somewhere offshore. Its unknown if well ever determine the cause of the smell, Coates said. Whatever the source, the Newport Beach Police Department said Thursday that the odor did not pose a threat to public safety. The South Coast Air Quality Management District was informed of the incident, Coates said. AQMD representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. -- Luke Money, lucas.money@latimes.com Twitter: @LukeMMoney -- ALSO: Newport-Mesa school bus drivers are champs of the roadeo Veterans museum groundbreaking continues historical buildings military legacy Newport Beach names deputy police chief to top job Friends of Newport Beachs Lido Theater celebrated the 80th anniversary of the local art deco landmark Thursday under the gaze of Bette Davis eyes. The party included a champagne reception and a screening of the Davis-Henry Fonda film Jezebel to benefit Lupus International. Jezebel, for which Davis earned one of her two Best Actress Oscars, was the first movie shown at the Lido Theater in 1938. Davis lived in Corona del Mar as the theater was being built, and the story perhaps apocryphal but fitting with the old Hollywood glamour of the theaters architecture and fixtures such as the red velvet waterfall curtain and glittering lobby chandeliers is that she requested that it open with her picture and that the ladies room have a sitting parlor. The recently restored theater and Via Lido Plaza were developed by the Griffith Co. The Fritz Duda Co. has owned the property since 1986. Its one of the few single-screen theaters still operating in California. The anniversary celebration raised more than $150,000 for Lupus International between Thursdays festivities and a concert in the theater the night before by Bill Medley, a former Newport Beach resident and half of the Righteous Brothers singing duo. The celebration was presented in partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival, which the Lido Theater helps host annually. hillary.davis@latimes.com Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will present a Newport Beach City Council candidate forum Sept. 6 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive. Doors will open at 7 a.m. and the program will run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The forum is free and open to the public. A previously announced forum presented by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday in the Friends Room at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. Admission to that forum is free, but reservations are encouraged and can be made by contacting Pam Smith at psmith@newportbeach.com or (949) 729-4411. Eight candidates are running in the November election for the council seats in Districts 1, 3, 4 and 6. Incumbents Diane Dixon, Marshall Duffy Duffield, Kevin Muldoon and Scott Peotter are seeking reelection. Huntington Beach candidate forum Tuesday at Waterfront Beach Resort The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce will present a City Council candidate forum from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy. Candidates for the Nov. 6 election will share their stances on issues concerning the business community. The event is free and open to the public. Fifteen candidates are vying for four available seats on the seven-member council. Incumbents Mike Posey, Erik Peterson, Barbara Delgleize and Billy OConnell are running for reelection. Democratic Party of Orange County fundraiser set for Costa Mesa The 24th annual Harry S. Truman Awards Dinner the largest fundraiser of the year for the Democratic Party of Orange County will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa hotel, 3050 Bristol St. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) will be the keynote speaker at the event, and awards will be presented to Sodexo workers of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Jennifer Muir Beuthin, general manager of the Orange County Employees Assn. Seating at the event is currently full, but organizers have created a waiting list for tickets at secure.actblue.com/donate/trumanawards2018. Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. endorses Lowenthal for Assembly The Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn., which represents the departments rank-and-file, has endorsed Democrat Josh Lowenthal in the race to represent the 72nd Assembly District, according to a news release. The district includes Fountain Valley and a portion of Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach police officers support Josh Lowenthal because we can trust him to be our partner in tackling the tough issues in our community like the rise in violent crime, government dysfunction and partisan politics, association President Yasha Nikitin said in a statement. Josh has a track record of bringing people together and staying above the petty partisan politics. Lowenthal a Huntington Beach resident and conference call company executive is running against Westminster Vice Mayor Tyler Diep, a Republican, to replace Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach), who ran unsuccessfully for governor. I am grateful to receive the endorsement of brave men and women who put their lives on the lines every day to protect my community from harm, Lowenthal said in a statement. We owe them our support, and I am deeply honored to have earned their trust. Costa Mesa fire and police associations endorse Foley for mayor The Costa Mesa Police Assn. and Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. have endorsed Councilwoman Katrina Foleys bid to become the citys first directly elected mayor, according to a news release. Foley a Mesa del Mar resident and former Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee who rejoined the City Council in 2014 after having served from 2004 to 2010 is running for the post against current Mayor Sandy Genis. In a statement Friday, Foley said Costa Mesa has public safety challenges to tackle related to inadequate staffing, outdated equipment and technology and a creep up in our crime stats and that the city must ensure first-responders are properly trained and equipped. Public safety of our community is my top priority, she said. I look forward to partnering with our public safety teams to keep our community safe. The Glendale City Council joined faith and community leaders this week in signing a declaration of partnership celebrating their work on the future Armenian American Museum. Museum and city officials inked the document during a joint press conference Wednesday following Glendale City Councils unanimous approval of the ground lease agreement for the museums future site. The event was held on the second floor of the Downtown Central Library, overlooking the southwest corner of Central Park where the museum will be built. For the record: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the cost of the project and the number of spaces in the parking structure. The cost of the museum is estimated at $30 million and the parking garage will have 262 parking spaces. Its great to be here on this momentous occasion, said Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan. It is a proud day for the city of Glendale and we are excited that the Armenian American Museums future home is going to be in our city. Initially, the museum was going to be built on a 1.37-acre, city-owned parking lot at Mountain Street and Verdugo Road, but community push-back forced it to be relocated. Councilwoman Paula Devine said Wednesday was one of the proudest days of her life in public service. The Armenian American Museum is going to be a jewel in our city and a world class center that we are all going to be proud of, Devine said. The $1-a-year ground lease agreement will be for 55 years with options to extend the lease term for four 10-year periods, for a maximum lease of 95 years. The current parking areas around Central Library and park will be turned into additional green space. Construction on the 60,0000-square-foot, three-story museum will begin within the next year, once museum board members and city officials begin raising funds for the $30-million project and reviewing paperwork, said Berdj Karapetian, museum executive chairman. The museum will also include a performing arts theater, a learning center, a demonstration kitchen and a cafe. A parking structure, which is projected to cost an additional $12 million and is expected to have 262 spaces, will also be built. People from all walks of life will see that the citizens of Glendale led the charge for this marvelous building, Karapetian said. Museum officials will announce opportunities for the public to get involved with the project at a later date. Councilman Vartan Gharpetian spoke about a portion of the museum being dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, the extermination of roughly 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire 103 years ago. As a descendant of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, people ask me how did Armenians survive? Gharpetian said. First, we settled into an area were comfortable with. We build our churches first, then we build our schools and our cultural centers. This is a center for children, as well as present and future residents, to come in and learn about where Armenians came from and where were going, Gharpetian said. Councilman Ara Najarian, the self-described Armenian from Ohio, talked about how committed he would be to the museum. I intend to be an active partner because I am committed to this museum, and I will help make sure it is is done timely and with the full communitys support, Najarian said. The museum will be a legacy for the next generation and we have taken a great step towards making the project a reality, he said. michael.livingston@latimes.com @MLivingston06 Authorities say a brazen burglar broke into a La Crescenta home earlier this month, stealing from the residence while a family slept inside. A man living in the 2700 block of Ridgepine Drive woke up on the morning of Aug. 4 and noticed several doors around his home had been left open. When he investigated further, he saw his Mercedes-Benz was missing from the driveway. Also gone were several containers of jewelry that had been inside the home. According to an incident report from the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station, the man checked surveillance footage from his property that showed an unknown person had been walking around the interior of the home at around 4:52 a.m. that day. The man, his wife and son were all asleep at the time the intruder came inside. The sheriffs report said the unknown man, equipped with a flashlight, spent several minutes inside various rooms at the home and taking the missing jewelry, according to the footage, which also documented the vehicle leaving the property at 5:07 a.m. The burglar was described as someone with a mustache and short goatee wearing a light colored long-sleeved shirt, dark shorts and a light-colored ball cap. There was no sign of tampering or forced entry of the open doors and the home was not equipped with an alarm system, the report said. Authorities said the stolen vehicle, which was equipped with a GPS, was recovered later that day in Los Angeles. A sheriffs deputy found the car had been abandoned and it was towed back to La Crescenta where fingerprints and DNA samples were taken. The stolen jewelry was not recovered with the car. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Glendales greatest challenge is the growing disparity between affordable and market-rate housing. The entire community, along with the City Council, has a real opportunity to be leaders in unity with a vision to reimagine Glendale and create a city that puts all the people who live here at the center of its economy a city that enacts meaningful programs to create decent and affordable housing, with safe and clean streets. Yet, where is the leadership on this? The City Council steadfastly refuses to address this chasm of social inequality, and behaves as deaf, mute and blind to the very real economic suffering that is a plague on Glendales house. There are two direct actions the City Council could take right now to begin to remedy this rapidly growing disparity. First, even though the Federal Housing Administration doesnt require developers to designate 20% of their units as affordable housing, Glendale could require that any developer proposing to do business here must be committed to that number, at the very least. That could protect residents from opportunists. One real estate firm recently bought two multifamily buildings as value-add acquisitions. The only value being added is to the firms coffers as they extract wealth from our city with $800 monthly rent increases, leaving devastated renters in their wake. Thats not a typo take it in an $800-a-month rent increase. The second action is rent stabilization. Government statistics clarify why the second remedy is an imperative duty. To afford market-rate rent in Glendale, or anywhere in the Los Angeles area, a household must earn $100,000. But the median income in Glendale is $54,000. And 47% of Glendale households earn less than $50,000 annually. Divide $50,000 by 12 and get $4,167 gross per month. The common use rule of spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent, which is used by private landlords and mortgage lenders, would be $1,250. The average rent for a studio apartment in Glendale? $1,929. How many people do you think its possible to pack into a 400-square-foot studio to come up with that monthly nut? Thats an inhumane amount of money to ask anyone to spend for a roof over their heads. So rent stabilization (aka rent control) is urgent because peoples lives hang in the balance. Renters live on the razors edge, spending more than 50% of their income on rent. Homeowners dont. Is rent stabilization a perfect solution? No. But rent stabilization is a first step to bringing justice to the economic violence of unregulated capitalism heaped upon 60% of our neighbors. By every measure, producing affordable housing strengthens the fabric of our community, is good for all Glendale residents, and helps our city thrive. My invocation is for the City Council to be healed from its indifference and to take action in the best interest of the majority of residents of Glendale who are being pulled under and drowning in the riptide of ever-increasing rents. It is up to the citizens of Glendale to insist upon right action. We must ask ourselves, Do we as a city, as a community, have the moral will and ethical backbone to make stable affordable housing a core value? Karen Samski is a resident of Glendale. Karen Samski is a resident of Glendale. Triple plays are rare enough to begin with. Jurickson Profar and the Texas Rangers turned one that was especially unusual Thursday night. In fact, it had been more than a century since there was another one like it in the majors. It was an all-around heads-up play by Profar, Texas manager Jeff Banister said. Very slow heartbeat in that moment. Profar started the defensive gem at third base and later homered to help the Rangers rally from an early five-run deficit for an 8-6 victory over the Angels. Advertisement Texas pulled off the sixth triple play in franchise history in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, David Fletcher hit a low liner toward third that Profar picked on a short hop. Playing near the bag, he stepped on third to force out Eric Young Jr. and then tagged Taylor Ward, who had stumbled off the base into foul territory. Profar then threw to second baseman Rougned Odor, who tagged Kole Calhoun between first and second. Every runner thought it was a line drive, Profar said, so thats why we got the triple play. It was the majors first triple play without retiring the batter since June 3, 1912, when the Brooklyn Dodgers turned the trick against the Cincinnati Reds. Yeah, it was kind of confusing the way it happened, Fletcher said. Odor singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth after an out call that would have ended the inning was reversed. Nomar Mazara went deep in his return from the disabled list, and Joey Gallo also homered for the Rangers. Texas scored three runs in the eighth as Justin Anderson (3-3), the seventh of eight Angels pitchers in a bullpen game, allowed the first four batters to reach base. The Angels, whose starting rotation has been decimated by injuries all season, are 0-6 in bullpen games. Career reliever Taylor Cole, making his second career start, both this week, was staked to a 5-0 lead when Texas starter Ariel Jurado allowed the first five Angels batters to score. But Cole retired only three of eight batters. Matt Moore (2-6) followed Jurado with two scoreless innings for his first win since April 17 and the 29-year-olds first career victory in relief. Of the Angels eight pitchers, only Noe Ramirez worked two innings. Well have most of the guys be able to at least pitch some tomorrow, manager Mike Scioscia said. Serena Williams received some disturbing news about 10 minutes before her opening-round match of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose last month. The 23-time Grand Slam champion learned via Instagram that Robert E. Maxfield, the man who was convicted of fatally shooting her sister Yetunde Price, was out on parole three years short of serving his full 15-year sentence. Williams then went out and lost her most lopsided match ever, 6-1, 6-0 to Johanna Konta of Great Britain. I couldnt shake it out of my mind, Williams told Time magazine in an interview that was published Thursday. It was hard because all I think about is her kids and what they meant to me. And how much I love them. Advertisement Price, the elder half sister of Serena and Venus Williams, was shot to death in 2003 at age 31. She was a registered nurse, co-owner of a beauty shop and the mother of three children, who were 11, 9 and 5 at the time. Maxfield, a reputed Southside Crips gang member, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2006. No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior, Williams told Time. Its unfair that shell never have an opportunity to hug me. Earlier this week, Williams lost to Petra Kvitova 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, just her fifth tournament since returning to competition after the September birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Last month, Williams advanced to the Wimbledon finals before losing to Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3. Williams told Time she thinks she will one day be able to forgive Maxfield. Im not there yet, she said. I would like to practice what I preach, and teach Olympia that as well. I want to forgive. I have to get there. Ill be there. charles.schilken@latimes.com Twitter: @chewkiii Forget stars homes. These tours visit pot growers and bong makers By Hugo Martin In Napa and Sonoma, tour bus operators ferry oenophiles between tasting rooms and vineyards. In Hollywood and environs, they shepherd the starstruck past the homes of the rich and famous. Now theyre giving customers a mind-expanding look at one of Los Angeles burgeoning industries: pot. Since recreational use of marijuana became legal a year ago, a pot tourism business has emerged, taking visitors behind the scenes of Californias estimated $7-billion cannabis industry. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Plans for a state-backed pot bank arent feasible, a study says By Sam Dean Hopes that California might create a public bank to serve the states legal marijuana industry are nothing but a pipe dream, the authors of a new feasibility study told state officials Thursday. In the end we were not able to find any approach to doing this that makes any sense whatsoever, said William Roetzheim, founder and chief executive of Level 4 Ventures, the consulting firm hired to carry out the study for the State Treasurers Cannabis Banking Working Group. California voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize growing, possessing and selling marijuana for recreational use. But since cannabis remains illegal under federal law, most banks which are federally chartered and insured by the FDIC refuse to hold weed money. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Santa Cruz marijuana company fined $50,000 for explosion that badly burned employee By Hannah Fry A Santa Cruz-based marijuana manufacturing company is being fined more than $50,000 by state regulators for safety violations after an employee was severely burned in a propane explosion, officials have announced. An employee at Future2 Labs Health Services was working alone inside a 128-square-foot portable storage container in Watsonville on June 19, extracting oil from cannabis leaves with propane, when a spark ignited the tank and it exploded. The worker was hospitalized with severe burns, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The process of using a highly flammable gas to extract oil from cannabis leaves is dangerous, Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum said Thursday in a prepared statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print FDA casts shadow on hemp win, calling CBD products illegal By Associated Press The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill President Trump signed this week designating hemp as an agricultural crop. CBD oils have become increasingly popular in lotions, tinctures and foods, but their legal status has been murky and the Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to some companies making health claims for CBD. In a statement following Thursdays bill signing in Washington, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb restated his agencys stance that CBD is a drug ingredient and therefore illegal to add to food or health products without approval from his agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement One year of legal pot sales and California doesnt have the bustling industry it expected. Heres why By Patrick McGreevy When Californians voted in 2016 to allow the sale of recreational marijuana, advocates of the move envisioned thousands of pot shops and cannabis farms obtaining state licenses, making the drug easily available to all adults within a short drive. But as the first year of licensed sales comes to a close, Californias legal market hasnt performed as state officials and the cannabis industry had hoped. Retailers and growers say theyve been stunted by complex regulations, high taxes and decisions by most cities to ban cannabis shops. At the same time, many residents are going to city halls and courts to fight pot businesses they see as nuisances, and police chiefs are raising concerns about crime triggered by the marijuana trade. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, who played a large role in the legalization of cannabis, will inherit the numerous challenges when he takes office in January as legislators hope to send him a raft of bills next year to provide banking for the pot industry, ease the tax burden on retailers and crack down on sales to minors. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hemp is about to be legal under the 2018 farm bill. You cant get high from it but you can wear it By Kurtis Lee Hemp a close relative of marijuana that can be used to make textiles and other products has long been classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government. Thats set to change. President Trump is soon expected to sign a farm bill that includes a section that legalizes the commercial cultivation of hemp nationwide. The bill, years in the making, comes as public support for cannabis legalization has increased over the years, offering a cover of sorts to politicians who see the potential for boosting state tax revenue. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Students sent home after Marysville middle schooler brings pot brownies for class to eat By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Several students at a middle school in Marysville, Calif., were sent home this week after eating marijuana-laced brownies, officials said. Staff at Anna McKenney Intermediate School called police Wednesday morning after learning that a 13-year-old girl had passed out the brownies to her classmates, said Marysville Police Sgt. Jason Garringer. Nine students were sent home, Garringer said, but no one who ate the brownies showed obvious signs of being under the influence. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mistletoke, luxe vape cases and other gift suggestions for the cannabis enthusiast on your nice list By Adam Tschorn Now that some form of cannabis use is legal in 33 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and Californias era of legal adult-use weed is almost a year old (though it remains illegal under federal law), its easier than ever to find a little something special for the cannabis consumer on your nice list. Below are a few items that with the exception of the first item which is available in L.A. only are legal, widely available and, if ordered soon, can still be under the tree in the U.S. by Christmas Day. For those who want to do good while feeling good and score a little holiday decor at the same time L.A.-based Zoma Cannabis is prepared to send some lucky L.A. residents a limited-edition floral-meets-cannabis Mistletoke arrangement that intertwines sprigs of mistletoe with three trimmed buds (roughly five grams total) of its Santa Cruz-grown True OG and/or Gelato strain cannabis flower all tied up in a big red Santa-worthy bow. No purchase is necessary, but recipients are highly encouraged to make a donation to the charity reforestation group One Tree Planted to aid in the recovery efforts from the 2017 and 2018 California fires. Zoma will match donations dollar for dollar. Each dollar donated means one tree gets planted, and that means the green you donate for its green means a greener Golden State moving forward. Zoma is set to deliver the decor right to your door if you live in L.A., are over the age of 21 and are one of the first 50 folks to fire off an email to info@zomacannabis.com with the word Mistletoke in the subject line. Supplies willing, orders placed as late as Dec. 20 will arrive in time to make your Christmas very merry indeed. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 3 marijuana businesses win OK in Costa Mesa as another is put on hold By Bradley Zint The Costa Mesa Planning Commission this week approved three new marijuana facilities but postponed a decision on a fourth due to the absence of one commissioner, whose vote likely will decide the fate of the business. After two commissioners expressed support and two expressed opposition for Triiads proposal for a marijuana distribution facility, the panel voted 3-1 on Monday night, with Commissioner Jeffrey Harlan absent, to hold a special meeting Monday to reexamine the matter. Commissioner Carla Navarro Woods dissented. The proposed location at 3525 Hyland Ave., Suite 265, is in Hyland Plaza, north of South Coast Collection in an area identified under city law as permissible for marijuana uses. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marlboro cigarette maker places a $2.4-billion bet on marijuana By Associated Press Altria Group Inc., one of the worlds biggest tobacco companies, is diving into the cannabis market with a $2.4 billion buy-in. The Marlboro cigarette maker is taking a 45% stake in Cronos Group Inc., the Canadian medical and recreational marijuana provider said Friday. Altria will pay an additional $1.4 billion for warrants that, if exercised, would give Altria a 55% ownership stake in the Toronto company. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Utah voters approved medical marijuana in November. State lawmakers just passed big changes to the ballot measure By Associated Press Lawmakers in Utah passed sweeping changes Monday to a voter-approved medical marijuana ballot measure under a planned compromise that secured the support of the influential Mormon Church but sparked a backlash from pot advocates. Supporters of the compromise cheered the vote, saying it would help suffering patients while creating safeguards against broader recreational use. I believe this agreement was a landmark day for our state, and we are helping people, said outgoing Republican House Speaker Greg Hughes, who sponsored the legislation and helped bring together the players for talks. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy, two others arrested on drug charges after heist at pot warehouse By Maya Lau The Los Angeles sheriffs deputy pulled up to the pot-filled warehouse just after three in the morning. He held up an official-looking document to a guard, who promptly unlocked a gate. The deputy and two other men, each of them armed and dressed in sheriffs jackets, got out. After locking the guard and two other employees in the back of the deputys SUV, the men went to work lugging bags of marijuana from the warehouse. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cannary West dispensary to host Higher Standards pop-up shop Saturday through Feb. 28 By Adam Tschorn The Higher Standards X Cannary West pop-up is slated to run from Saturday through Feb. 28. (Higher Standards) Following its successful (and still running) pop-up space inside the Pottery dispensary in L.A.s Mid-City, purveyor of luxury-level cannabis accoutrements Higher Standards has announced plans to take up temporary residence inside the Cannary West dispensary in the Rancho Park neighborhood just in time for the holidays. On track to pop-up on Saturday (with a 20% opening day discount) and run through the end of February, itll serve up a similar curated mix of high-end smoking tools and accessories from brands like Marley Naturals, Grav Labs, Dr. Dabber and Puffco (makers of the futuristic-looking Peak dab rig) as well as home goods for the discerning head by Jonathan Adler, Malin+Goetz and Forestry Wool. Higher Standards X Cannary West Where: 2435 Military Ave., Los Angeles. Entry is restricted to those 21 and older. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Saturday through Feb. 28. Info: cannarywest.com, higherstandards.com Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print I fell off the way. A charismatic pastor-turned-marijuana smuggler heads to prison By Kristina Davis On Easter Sunday 2007, Pastor John Lee Bishop drew about 15,000 worshipers to a sports arena in Portland, Ore. With a flair for showmanship, Bishop a jeans-clad minister sporting a youthful, moppish haircut relished building buzz around his Living Hope Church, based in Vancouver, Wash., on the north bank of the Columbia River. One time, it was bringing a Bengal tiger onstage. Another, according to an account in the Columbian newspaper, it was advertising a sermon series with the word sex prominently facing a busy street. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For all your weed needs, theres now a pot superstore in Las Vegas By David Montero The employee in the red shirt counseled the two men on what or what not to buy. Now, if you start thinking dolphins are talking to you, that might be too much, she explained. The two young men nodded slowly. One stroked his beard. Neither had ever talked to dolphins before. Or even yelled at them on Sundays when they play against the New England Patriots. Above them, the continuous light show on the ceiling was like an electric lava lamp orbs expanding and dividing in an endless trip. Then it was gone and replaced by flowers and a Saturn-like planet floating in the sky. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 4 more marijuana permit applications await Costa Mesa Planning Commission review By Luke Money The recent parade of permit applications from marijuana manufacturing and distribution businesses looking to open in Costa Mesa will continue next week, when the city Planning Commission is scheduled to review four more. All the requests on Mondays agenda are for conditional use permits, which are among several approvals required to open a cannabis company in the city. Here is the latest lineup of applicants: Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print With Jeff Sessions out at the Justice Dept., the marijuana movement exhales By Kurtis Lee He described marijuana as a very real danger and has said its effects are only slightly less awful than those of heroin. Once, during a drug hearing when he was a Senator, he said he wanted to send a clear message: Good people dont smoke marijuana. So when Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions was ousted recently, a collective sigh of relief rose up from proponents of legalized pot activists, politicians, investors who felt targeted by the nations top law enforcement officer. Sessionss departure has translated into spiking stocks for cannabis companies and a reset of sorts for the legalization movement which, since 2012, has seen nearly a dozen states pass recreational pot measures. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This is what a cannabis executives party pad looks like By Kavita Daswani Dont expect to find bongs, water pipes and empty packets of Funyuns at the Los Angeles-area home of Will Htun. When we asked to look inside the home of the CEO of cannabis brand Sherbinskis, we found a sleek and minimal space where he could host chef-catered, cannabis-paired dinners on the rooftop and take meetings in a high-ceilinged front room. Htun, 34, moved into the 2,700-square-foot townhouse in July 2016, after he and brand founder Mario Sherbinski, who is based in San Francisco, decided it would make an ideal live/work space. With its three en-suite bedrooms, Htun opens up the home to associates in town for business instead of housing them in a serviced apartment. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print First recreational pot shops in Eastern U.S. to open in Massachusetts By Associated Press Two marijuana stores in Massachusetts have been given the green light to begin selling to recreational customers, making them the first commercial pot shops in the eastern United States. Both stores, one located in Northampton and the other in Leicester, said they would open Tuesday morning after the Cannabis Control Commission, the states marijuana regulatory agency, on Friday authorized them to begin operations. The announcement ended a long wait for commercial sales to begin in Massachusetts. The states voters legalized the use of recreational marijuana by adults 21 and older in 2016, but its taken more than two years for state legislators and regulators to reach the point where the first stores can finally open. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres whats behind Mexicos radical move toward legalizing marijuana during its war on drugs By Kate Linthicum Mexico may soon legalize marijuana, a radical shift for a country whose prohibition on narcotics has been at the heart of its long and violent war against drug traffickers. Legislation submitted to Congress last week by the party of leftist President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador would regulate cannabis, allowing it to be grown, sold and consumed for recreational use. Proponents of legalization say it would reduce bloodshed in Mexico by weakening drug cartels and freeing up police officers and prosecutors to focus on more serious crimes. But the proposal has critics, including the Catholic Church, which holds significant sway in Mexican politics. A poll in Mexico last year showed a majority of respondents opposed legalizing marijuana. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Curious about all the CBD-infused products you see? By Kavita Daswani Some chew it, or place a few drops under the tongue or let it soak in through the skin. There are numerous ways to consume cannabidiol better known as CBD. Its touted for its therapeutic effects, but, unlike its better-known cousin THC, does not get you high. Hemp-derived CBD is increasingly in the limelight these days, at natural products stores and even fashion boutiques, catering to widening demand from consumers who find it helps them with pain, anxiety and insomnia. Despite Californias marijuana-friendly laws, however, the state announced earlier this year it is waiting for the federal government to rule on the use of CBD oils and products before giving the green light to sales. Critics, meanwhile, have been asking for clarity, to help consumers who want options. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 cannabis cookbooks with recipes from basic to gourmet By Amy Scattergood As cannabis is legalized although it remains illegal under federal law and goes mainstream in California and other states, the cookbook industry has churned into high gear with books on what ways to use jazz cabbage beyond the bong. What to look for? A lot depends on your level of expertise not just in the kitchen but with cannabis itself. If youve been making batches of pot brownies and want to expand your repertoire to, say, French macarons, there are cookbooks to help you out. Many books have lengthy introductions that outline the specifics of cooking with cannabis, so find one that fits with what you know or dont know. Bong Appetit: Mastering the Art of Cooking With Weed by the editors of Munchies (Ten Speed Press, $30) This book, based on the Munchies and Viceland television series Bong Appetit, was published in October by Ten Speed Press. (This is in itself notable, as Ten Speed is one of the best cookbook publishers around, and continues the legitimate trajectory of the cannabis cooking genre.) The book has a comprehensive introduction that includes topics such as dosing, techniques, methods of decarboxylation and infusion, cannabis pairing tips, questions to ask your dispensary, tips on equipment and more. The recipes are sourced from the Munchies test kitchen and from many well-known chefs, whose recipes are recalibrated to add cannabis. Thus: Korean fried chicken from Deuki Hong of San Franciscos Sunday Bird; fried soft-shell crab with shishito pepper mole from Daniela Soto-Innes of Cosme and Atla; and (my favorite) Joan Nathans preserved lemons. The Munchies test kitchen also has some fun ones, including herb focaccia with, well, herb; and confit octopus, in which a whole octopus is poached in cannabis-infused olive oil. If that sounds too aspirational, there are instructions for making an apple bong a hollowed-out apple filled with weed-infused mezcal at the end of the drinks chapter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sativa or indica? CBD or THC? What to know before cooking with cannabis By Brette Warshaw Dont know the difference between MSG and THC? Heres a guide to the terminology youll encounter. Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica are two of the three species of cannabis. (The third species, cannabis ruderalis, is less attractive due to its smaller stature and low concentration of THC.) Sativa is a warm-weather species characterized by tall plants and thin leaves. The plant takes 10 to 15 weeks to mature and is known for a cerebral, energetic and invigorating high thats particularly suited for daytime use. Medically, it can be used to help people with depression and chronic pain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California pot tax revenue improves but is still short of projections (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) The amount of money collected by the state from taxes on cannabis grown and sold legally in California continues to increase but is still falling short of budget estimates, according to figures released Wednesday. Tax revenue reported from the cannabis industry totaled $93.1 million for the three months ending Sept. 30, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. That is an increase from the $80.2 million collected during the second quarter of the year. If revenue continues to grow by the same 16% per quarter, pot taxes will bring in $471 million during the fiscal year that began July 1, while the budget approved by the governor and Legislature estimates the taxes would bring in $630 million during the fiscal year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Eaze launches (nearly) nationwide delivery of hemp-derived CBD products By Adam Tschorn Eaze Wellness offers non-psychoactive CBD products derived from hemp. (Eaze) Eaze, the San Francisco-based technology platform thats been coordinating dispensary-to-consumer home deliveries of cannabis in Los Angeles since April, has expanded its reach for CBD-containing products, that is to most of the United States. (CBD, a.k.a cannabidiol, is a cannabis compound said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties but none of the high associated with THC. These claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.) Through the just-launched Eaze Wellness website, consumers over the age of 21 in 41 states and the District of Columbia can order a range of hemp-derived CBD tinctures, tablets, balms, bath bombs, patches, vape pens and pet products for delivery within four to six days. (Shipping is free for orders $50 and up; otherwise, itll cost you $5.) Much like its in-state marijuana-delivery service, which coordinates deliveries with local dispensaries, Eaze isnt doing the shipping itself, but rather working with a third-party partner to get goods from brands such as Plant People, Cannuka, BeTru Wellness and Vital Leaf from point A to point B. Although the laws surrounding the legality of CBD are murky at best (a loophole in federal law has been widely interpreted as making CBD derived from hemp grown for research purposes legal), one point B that Eaze Wellness wont be coordinating shipping to is its home state of California. (The company cites state regulations as the reason.) Yes, California, where cannabis even the kind that gets you high has been legal under state law since the beginning of the year. Additional information is available at www.eazewellness.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print What THC-infused edibles are most popular? Fruit-flavored gummies and chocolate-covered coffee beans for starters By Adam Tschorn Nearly a year in to the state-legal cannabis scene, theres no shortage of THC-infused items on the market for 21-and-older consumers, from sachets of herbal tea and cans of citrus-flavored soda to honey mustard pretzels, with analysts and dispensary owners seeing it as a growing side of the business. Since recreational use was legalized in January, edibles have seen a 20%-30% hike in sales, said Nick Danias, managing partner of the Pottery and Cannary West dispensaries in Los Angeles, who added that edibles have proved particularly popular with new cannabis users who might be reluctant to start experimenting by smoking cannabis flower. Edibles companies have been able to offer consumers micro dosing that allows for a controlled amount of THC to be ingested, he said. (State law requires that edibles be portioned or scored into servings that contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per piece and no more than 100 milligrams of THC per package.) Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 5 more marijuana permit applications await Costa Mesa Planning Commission By Luke Money The torrent of applications from marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities looking to open in Costa Mesa continues Thursday, when city planning commissioners will review five more during a special meeting. Should the commission grant all the requested conditional use permits, it would bring the total number of marijuana facilities with such approvals to 22 including nine in the past month. The applications up for review this time are: Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Two shot and killed in Koreatown marijuana dispensary By James Queally Two people were shot and killed early Monday morning after gunfire erupted inside a Koreatown marijuana dispensary, authorities said. Officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of Western Avenue in Koreatown around 4:20 a.m. Monday, according to a statement issued by the Los Angeles Police Department. There, they found a locked and sealed marijuana dispensary, according to the statement. A female employee told police she and several customers were inside the dispensary when they heard gunshots in the waiting room. They fled through the back of the building, and when officers gained entry, they found two people who were pronounced dead at the scene. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Party of Mexicos president-elect wants to legalize marijuana By Associated Press The party of Mexicos president-elect submitted legislation Thursday that would legalize marijuana possession, public use, growing and sales. Sen. Olga Sanchez Cordero presented the measure, saying that everyone should have the right to carry up to 30 grams [1 ounce] of cannabis. People could carry more than an ounce if they obtained a permit to do so under the proposal. From the point of view of negative effects, there is no reason why marijuana should not be legal, if alcohol and tobacco are, according to the bill. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Want to grow your own marijuana? This class will show you how By Jeanette Marantos California law lets anyone over 21 grow up to six marijuana plants in their yard or home, as long as the plants are not accessible to the public. (Check your City Hall for any additional local rules.) Unsure how to start? Check out Fig Earth Supplys two-hour workshops, Cannabis Cultivation for the Home Grower, on Nov. 10 or Nov. 17, taught by professional cannabis growers. Attendees must be at least 21. No plants or seeds will be sold. Workshops cost $95 and start at 5 p.m. at 3577 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. More info: figearthsupply.com Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Whats that smell? Survey asks Venice Beach denizens if theyre vexed by odor of marijuana By Joseph Serna They descended on free-wheeling Venice Beach with clipboards and questions in hand. Their goal: to gauge humanitys tolerance for the smell and sight of public pot smoking. Akbar Karriem considered them ridiculous. Everybody be smoking, Karriem said as he sat on the boardwalk and lit a marijuana pipe. Its part of the culture here. Its like a religion. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Las Vegas newest and biggest pot shop aims to entertain By Jay Jones Prepare to be entertained at Las Vegas newest and biggest cannabis store a mile west of the Strip. Planet 13 combines light shows and fog-making fountains to wow visitors at the shop, which sells recreational pot, cannabis extracts and cannabis-infused products. The idea is to meld a cannabis shop with an entertainment complex. Visitors, who must be at least 21, can change the colors of 13 giant LED-lighted lotus flowers blooming on the roof of the building. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CBD-infused products are being sold everywhere in California but are they legal? By Laura Newberry Greg and Gary Avetisyan make no secret of it: They proudly sell all manner of products infused with CBD, from essential oils to bath bombs to fruity tea-like beverages that promise calming relief in a frantic world. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a molecule derived from cannabis. But unlike its chemical cousin THC, it wont get you high. What it might do, according to some research, is alleviate anxiety, seizures, chronic pain and dozens of other ailments. The Avetisyan brothers belief in the alleged benefits of the extract is so steadfast that they opened Californias first CBD-only store, Topikal, in Tarzana last year and opened a second along the Venice Beach boardwalk in April. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Review: Documentary Weed the People looks at cannabis and pediatric cancer By Kimber Myers An urgent cry for help, Weed the People explores the effects of cannabis on pediatric cancer, as well as the establishments disinterest in researching its efficacy. With the lack of scientific studies available, Abby Epsteins moving documentary primarily devotes its time to five children and their families who are trying to survive using the alternative treatment. Weed the People doesnt ease into its multi-story narrative, wasting no time in sharing the stories of these kids with cancer. With parents desperate for their children to feel better, they turn to medical marijuana to ease the pain, as well as directly addressing the cancer cells. Without studies and lack of nationwide legalization, there is little regulation in the industry. Enter Mara Gordon, a former process engineer who brings precision and rigor to her medical cannabis company, offering the families hope for healing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Denver verdict on pot odor and property values could discourage homeowners from filing RICO lawsuits By Associated Press A Colorado jury likely threw cold water on future legal challenges against cannabis companies by homeowners who consider filing racketeering lawsuits alleging that proximity to pot operations hurts their property values, analysts and industry lawyers said Thursday. A federal jury in Denver on Wednesday rejected claims involving the odor from a pot farm made in a case that was closely watched by the marijuana industry. It was the first such lawsuit to reach a jury. Three others are pending in California, Massachusetts and Oregon. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office makes its largest seizure of illegal marijuana plants By Joseph Serna An estimated 400,000 marijuana plants were destroyed by Santa Barbara County sheriffs investigators this week in what authorities are calling the countys largest seizure of pot plants at one site. The plants were hidden among farmland in Santa Maria and discovered by sheriffs investigators on Monday, the sheriffs office said in a statement. The crop belonged to a resident who, authorities said, had applied for a temporary state cannabis license using false information and did not have a valid cannabis license. Investigators found the 400,000 plants in various levels of maturity and tapped state Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel to help in the case. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Is Rohrabacher trying to lose Republican voters by caving on marijuana policy? To the editor: I was disappointed to read in a column on voters trying to flip an Orange County congressional district that Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) wants to weaken federal laws against marijuana. Recently-approved state laws legalizing marijuana have not been beneficial. In Colorado, following the legalization of recreational marijuana, the number of traffic fatalities involving marijuana-impaired drivers more than doubled. Surveys have found a majority of marijuana users in Colorado do not believe driving high is dangerous, leading some to get behind the wheel impaired. As a retired law enforcement officer who has had the opportunity to work with people impacted by drug addiction, and as a lifelong Republican, I feel Rohrabacher is making a mistake. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Berners Melrose birthday bash celebrates a new dispensary and a collaboration with the G Pen Gio By Adam Tschorn The Cookies dispensary at 8360 Melrose Ave. celebrated its grand opening on Saturday. (Grenco Science) On Saturday morning, the lines were stretching around the corner and down the block outside the bright blue Beverly Grove storefront with the word Cookies above the door. The enthusiastic members of the crowd werent queued up for baked goods, though. They were waiting to get into a new cannabis dispensary and to help celebrate the birthday of its founding partner, Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur Berner (born Gilbert Millam Jr.). Minimalist, awash in natural light and appointed in the brands blue and white color scheme and emblazoned with the cookie-with-a-bite-missing logo, it marks the second Cookies dispensary in Los Angeles County; the first, Cookies Los Angeles, is located in Maywood. Like that one, its stocked with a wide variety of cannabis flower, oils, edibles and the like, with a particular emphasis on the proprietary strains from the Cookie Family collective (the growers who originated the strain formerly known as Girl Scout Cookies as well as other dessert-named strains such as Gelato and Sunset Sherbet). It also stocks three different Cookies-logoed colors (blue, white and black) of the new G Pen Gio ($29.95), a vaporizer pen that uses cannabis concentrate cartridges for a super-simple, draw-activated plug-and-puff experience. The Cookies G Pen Gio from Grenco Science x Berner collaboration officially launched at the Saturday Berner bash, and includes Gio cannabis-oil cartridges filled with Gelato, London Poundcake, Sunset Sherbet or Snowman strains ($60 for 500 mg, which Tim Patenaude, Grencos vice president of marketing, says marks the first time those Cookie strains have been commercially available as concentrates. (Gio pod cartridges are now available at 500 dispensaries across 12 states, according to Patenaude, including MedMen, BARC and the Pottery locally, as well as through the Eaze delivery service.) Shown are Berners blue-and-white birthday cake, left, and vape pens and cartridges from his Cookies G Pen Gio collaboration. (Grenco Science) Patenaude says the partnership with Berner has its roots in Grencos 2014 partnership with another rapper Wiz Khalifa (Wiz Khalifas weed guy was Berner, Patenaude said, and thats how we first met him.). He calls Berner the most important person in cannabis today, citing not only Berner and his partners wildly successful strains, but the rapper/entrepreneurs brand-building abilities outside of the cannabis space. His Cookies clothing label is sold in every Zumiez in every mall in America, Patenaude said. In a chat with the Los Angeles Times Rolling Paper, Berner said that the Cookies SF streetwear label he launched out of his garage less than a decade ago saw $12.8 million in revenue in 2017 and that hes aiming to open a store next door to the dispensary hopefully in time for the Black Friday shopping season. (Theres currently a single flagship store in San Francisco.) He also said the dispensary opening bash was a good way to usher in his 35th year on the planet. Man, I couldnt be happier, he said. Were turning [over] customers left and right, theres no holdup anywhere, everyone is super-juiced and there was a line down the block and wrapped around [the corner] at 6 a.m. You cant ask for anything else. Cookies Melrose, 8360 Melrose Ave. (at North Kings Road), Los Angeles. Additional information on the G Pen Gio (including local availability) is at gpen.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 2 Chainz wants to put a THC tiger in your tank with his new cannabis brand Gas By Adam Tschorn Rapper 2 Chainz attends the launch party for Gas, his fuel-themed cannabis line now available in flower and pre-rolled joints. (Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times) Rolling into the Friday launch party for his new cannabis brand Gas, the first thing Grammy-winning rapper 2 Chainz did was brandish a joint in one hand and a smartphone in the other to record the rows of boldly packaged cannabis flower and pre-rolled joints in a video to share with his 5.7 million Instagram followers. The second thing he did was stand back and take in the moment. I cant believe it, thats why I was over here just trying to take it all in, 2 Chainz said about seeing all the green, yellow and black plastic pouches filled with marijuana, and a jerrycan converted into a display tray overflowing with green buds. Ive been told for over a year that we were doing this line, so now Im just trying to live in the moment. I dont do that a lot. The launch party took place at the Mid-Wilshire offices of Green Street Agency, a cannabis-focused branding and licensing company that is one of the rappers two Southern California partners in the venture. The other is L.A.-based Mazel Management Group (owners of the Westside Station dispensary in Van Nuys). Before joining the throng of well-wishers, industry friends and employees dressed in logo-emblazoned overalls, 2 Chainz (born Tauheed Epps), chatted with the Los Angeles Times Rolling Paper about his new project, how cannabis branding is like music and what took so long for the project to come to fruition. (Hint: There was lots of taste-testing). The Rolling Paper: Where does the name of your line Gas come from and what does it mean? 2 Chainz: Its Atlanta lingo that we use that basically signifies that this is a stronger type of flower a stronger cannabis. Ive been saying it since I came into the rap game and Ive used it in a few verses of a few songs. At first people were like: What do you mean by [the line] gas in the ashtray? After it caught on and basically went mainstream, I figured why veer off from what got me here? So we started a legal line of cannabis called Gas. TRP: Ive heard that you were pretty picky in the development process. 2C: It took months and months and about 30 different kinds of [cannabis] flower. I think I was looking for that first impression that first pull how it made me feel. Were there fireworks or no fireworks? What kind of memory did it create? Thats what I was looking for. TRP: The three different types of flower youre launching with dont have names but numbers 87, 89 and 93 are those supposed to be kind of like octane ratings but for marijuana? 2C: Thats a great way of describing it. The 87, for example [a Petrol OG hybrid, with a THC content of 14%] is for functioning throughout the day, [and for] people who are on the go [or] at work and cant get that whole indica sleepy feeling during the middle of the day. I think 87 will be sufficient. The 89 [a Sour Gas hybrid, 17% THC] is for when people go out for cocktails after work, when they want to get ready for the wind-down it signifies the medium [strength]. And the 93 [an indica called Gods Fuel No. 2 with a THC level of 20%] Id definitely say is the strongest. Thats for night-night. TRP: How did the fuel theme and octane ratings and all that evolve from the name? 2C: I approached this the way I do in my music which was come up with the concept and follow all the way through with it. So, when you have Gas, you have to have the gas cans and the imagery that actually represents the gas pumps and things that tie in to the brand itself. I think that gives it legs gives it a little more substance and sustainability. And I used these colors because I knew they would be very catching and appealing to the eye and I know that I will kind of have to muscle my way in as far as getting where I need to be on [dispensary] shelves these days. I figure I could be on the back of the shelf and you could still see this green, this yellow and this black packaging. Gas prices range from $12 to $14 (for 1-gram pre-rolled joints) and $36 to $48 for 3.5 gram packages of flower. Currently available at Westside Station, 7022 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical found in liverwort has surprising similarities to the THC in marijuana By Noga Tarnopolsky Its an amazing plant that produces hypnotic effects, according to online testimonials. Some people who have ingested it or inhaled its smoke say it gave them a mild, marijuana-like high. Now scientists have weighed in. In experiments with more than 100 mice, they found that chemicals in the liverwort plant produced four of the same key effects as THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. An hour after being injected with the experimental chemicals, the mice entered a trance-like state, lost some of their ability to move, became less responsive to pain and experienced a drop in body temperature, according to a study published this week in the journal Science Advances. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hours-long standoff at Tarzana weed dispensary ends after police learn building is empty By Hailey Branson-Potts The police standoff lasted more than six hours, shutting down a busy six-lane stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana for most of the evening. An armed robbery suspect, authorities said, had barricaded himself inside an illegal marijuana dispensary in a strip mall in the 18300 block of Ventura Boulevard. He was believed to be one of four suspects and was thought to have a female hostage. But when officers searched the building after 8:20 p.m., there was no one inside, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State officials decline to drop plan to allow home deliveries of pot in California cities that ban marijuana stores Cities and law enforcement leaders say a state proposal to allow pot delivery to homes would increase crime. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) Despite objections from cities and police chiefs, state officials on Friday declined to drop a proposal allowing marijuana firms to deliver to homes everywhere in California, including in areas that have banned pot shops. The proposed rule, which was made public in July, was opposed by the League of California Cities, which represents the states 482 municipalities, and the California Police Chiefs Assn., which said it would jeopardize public safety. But the state Bureau of Cannabis Control announced Friday that it is moving forward with the proposed rule after a series of public hearings and after weighing hundreds of comments from residents and interested parties. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print San Diego plans to crack down on marijuana ads, especially billboards By David Garrick San Diego officials say they plan to crack down on marijuana advertising, particularly the billboard ads that have become increasingly common with recreational use of the drug now legal in California. Legislation proposed by City Councilman Chris Cate aims to keep marijuana billboard ads out of areas where young people congregate and to prevent illegal marijuana businesses from advertising anywhere. The proposal, which would go beyond relatively new state laws that govern marijuana advertising, will be included in a series of city code updates that Mayor Kevin Faulconers staff plans to present to the City Council next year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Drinking before a flight is common. Now some fliers are turning to pot before takeoff By Hugo Martin Commercial flights can be so stressful cramped seats, delays, turbulence, loud seatmates that more than 60% of travelers in a recent survey said they down a drink or two before heading to the airport. But the survey by a drug treatment organization found that nearly as many fliers are now turning to marijuana to relax before getting on a plane. The online survey of 1,137 people who have flown in the past year was taken by Florida-based Delphi Behavioral Health Group. It found that nearly 30% of respondents said they had smoked marijuana and another 25% had consumed pot-infused snacks before arriving at an airport. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana issues dominate Costa Mesa Planning Commission agenda By Luke Money Cannabis-related companies will be front and center in Costa Mesa again Monday, when city planning commissioners will consider four applications for proposed marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities. Should the Planning Commission OK all the requests, it would bring the number of marijuana businesses with city-approved conditional use permits to 17. First up will be Aureus LLC, which is looking to open in a 5,556-square-foot industrial space at 3505 Cadillac Ave., Building A. The company proposes to manufacture cannabis concentrates, particularly oils intended for use in vaporizer cartridges, according to city planning documents. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Canada is now the worlds largest legal marijuana marketplace By Associated Press Ian Power was among the first to buy legal recreational marijuana in Canada but he has no plans to smoke it. He plans to frame it. Canada became the largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace as sales began early Wednesday in Newfoundland. Power was first in line at a store in St. Johns, Newfoundland. I am going to frame it and hang it on my wall. Im not even going to smoke it. Im just going to save it forever, Power said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bloom Farms doubles its meal donations on Oct. 16 in observance of World Food Day By Adam Tschorn Bloom Farms Pineapple Single Origin vape cartridge is a World Food Day exclusive that will be available only in October. (Bloom Farms) In recognition of the United Nations designation of Oct. 16 as World Food Day 2018, Oakland-based cannabis company Bloom Farms is doubling its usual meal-donation-per-sale for purchase made through the Eaze delivery service (which is doing its part by offering a day-long 20% discount on all Bloom Farms products) as well as participating dispensaries statewide (including Buds & Roses, Urban Treez and Green Dot locally). The company says that since 2014 it has donated about 1.4 million meals to food banks statewide through its one-for-one program, with a goal of donating 5 million meals. World Harvest Food Bank in Los Angeles and the San Diego Food Bank are among the SoCal beneficiaries of the Bloom Farm donations. Although the double-down on meal donations lasts only one day, Bloom Farms has a couple of slightly less time-sensitive promotions to raise awareness and drive donations in furtherance of the U.N.s mission of a zero-hunger world by 2030. One is a partnership with vaporizer maker Pax which has pledged $10,000 to fund meal donations that includes a free Pax Era vape pen (custom-engraved on-site) with the purchase of two Bloom Farms Pax pods at special dispensary events throughout the month, the second is an exclusive, October-only Pineapple Single Origin vape cartridge that, after the purchase of any two Bloom Farms products can be purchased for just a penny. Additional information and a calendar of dispensary events and demonstrations can be found at getbloomfarms.com/events. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Screened at U.S. border, Canadians who are honest about using marijuana could be banned from the U.S. By Kurtis Lee Bill Powers flipped through the sworn statement he gave to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the printed pages taking him back to that August afternoon back to the border checkpoint into Washington state where agents asked if he had ever smoked marijuana. Yes, he answered, not initially thinking much of the question. The 57-year-old Canadian has a license for medical marijuana, and pot had been legal in Washington for six years. Like that, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents turned him away with an extreme decree: He had been banned from the United States. Its absolutely out of control. Here I am being honest with the United States and I get the boot, Powers said on a recent afternoon as he stood in his driveway in this farming town an hour east of Vancouver. I have a license yet theyre turning people away for pot? It makes not a single bit of sense. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport mayor says he wants to sell his boat factory site, not grow marijuana on it By Hillary Davis Despite having local and state approvals to cultivate or distribute medical marijuana on the site of his boat factory in San Bernardino County, Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield says he isnt a pot farmer. Rather, he says, he sought the entitlements to make the property more attractive to buyers so he can move his factory to Utah. Duffield said in a statement emailed to the Daily Pilot on Sunday that he split his 4.7-acre property in Adelanto into thirds and sought a cannabis distribution permit from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control to take advantage of increased property values that followed Adelantos passage of a medicinal cultivation ordinance in 2015 and creation of a cultivation zone in 2016 that later expanded to include the factory site. As a property owner, I am trying to maximize the value to sell the land, not grow pot, Duffield said. I am actively manufacturing electric boats at the plant and there is no room to be growing pot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print NHL: Legal pot in Canada wont affect league policy By Associated Press Now a handful of years into retirement from more than a decade of junior and pro hockey, former enforcer Riley Cote is a proponent of cannabis and its oils as an alternative to more addictive drugs commonly used by athletes to play through pain. Marijuana can be detected in a persons system for more than 30 days, is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency without a specific therapeutic use exemption and is illegal in much of the United States. Canada on Wednesday will become the largest country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana. That means it will be available under the law in seven more NHL cities (its been legal to adults in Denver since 2012). The move is a step forward for those who, like Cote, believe marijuana has been stigmatized and should be accepted as a form of treatment. It was so tainted for a long time, Ottawa Senators forward Matt Duchene said. And now people are starting to learn a little bit more about it and there is definitely some positive uses to different elements of it. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Costa Mesa council to review marijuana permit decision By Luke Money Costa Mesas review process for marijuana-related businesses will enter uncharted territory Tuesday when the City Council takes a second look at an earlier decision to award a required permit. So far, whats separated this particular application by Pivot Naturals LLC from the dozen other marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities that previously sailed through City Hall isnt so much the question of whether the business should be allowed to open, but when. City planning commissioners decided last month to grant the business a conditional use permit to operate within a 5,283-square-foot industrial space in Suite 101 at 3595 Cadillac Ave. However, they added a new wrinkle by restricting hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Business linked to Newport mayor paid councilman to help create marijuana facility in Inland Empire, records show By Hillary Davis A business linked to Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield paid his City Council colleague Scott Peotter to help convert part of Duffields boat manufacturing facility in San Bernardino County to a medical marijuana cultivation or distribution hub, records show. Peotter made at least $10,000 from DC Developments, a Duffield-associated company, according to Peotters state-required statement of economic interest forms. A string of corporations that financially tie the two together appears to answer a question has Peotter ever worked for Duffield? that has dogged them for weeks as they seek reelection in November. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Following California, pot legalization campaigns across the U.S. aim to throw out old convictions By Kurtis Lee Rob Jenkins tried for four years to find a job, scouring the internet for anything that seemed at all appealing a maintenance position at a Chevron refinery, a counselor for foster kids, a clerk at Hertz. Some employers seemed interested, until they found out about his 2008 misdemeanor conviction for growing marijuana. I was stuck, recalled the 37-year-old college graduate. No job opportunities were coming in. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Canada is about to legalize marijuana. How did that happen? Justin Trudeau, for starters By Kurtis Lee Politicians herald it as transformative. Residents offer resounding support in the polls. Investors see billions of dollars on the horizon. When Canada legalizes marijuana on Oct. 17, it will join Uruguay as the only countries to allow recreational cannabis nationwide. The South American country became the first in 2013. The effort, years in the making, is unlike the piecemeal approaches to marijuana legalization that have been passed in the United States and the Netherlands. For pot proponents around the world, Canadas implementation of legal marijuana is being closely watched. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Can you carry marijuana in LAX? Yes, but its more complicated than that By Chris Erskine LAX wants you to know this about the marijuana you may be taking with you on your trip: Whats legal on the street is also legal in the terminals. Up to a point. Travelers can carry the legal amount of marijuana in California up to 28.5 grams through the airport areas that are under city supervision, that is up to pre-security checkpoints. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Dont you dare light up at Las Vegas new cannabis museum By Jay Jones Inhale we mean through your nose in the new marijuana museum in Las Vegas. You wont smell a thing, even though recreational pot is legal in Nevada. Signs in the elevators at Neonopolis, the downtown entertainment, dining and retail center thats home to the immersive Cannabition museum, make it clear that consumption in public is still against the law. Just steps away, a colorful mural covering the museums exterior depicts the changing attitudes toward marijuana, from the scare tactics of the 1930s to strict law enforcement in the 80s to growing tolerance today. That history is depicted in greater detail once youre inside. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Costa Mesa Planning Commission awards permit to 13th marijuana business By Luke Money A 13th marijuana manufacturing and distribution facility took a step closer to opening in Costa Mesa after the city Planning Commission decided Monday to grant it a required permit. The 3-2 vote, with Chairman Stephan Andranian and Vice Chairman Byron de Arakal opposed, awards a conditional use permit to Pivot Naturals LLC to operate in an existing 5,283-square-foot industrial space in Suite 101 at 3595 Cadillac Ave. Pivot Naturals intends to process cannabis oils into a powder for use in a variety of products, including tablets, food and beverages. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kindergartner can take cannabis drug to school, judge says By Associated Press A kindergartner can keep bringing a cannabis-based drug used for emergency treatment of a rare form of epilepsy to her public school, a judge ruled Friday. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that a judge sided with the family of 5-year-old Brooke Adams. The Rincon Valley Union School District in Santa Rosa sought to ban the ointment from school grounds because it contains the active ingredient in marijuana. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Glendale police seize hundreds of marijuana plants after reportedly discovering elaborate grow operation By Andy Nguyen What started as a routine wellness check by Glendale police officers on Monday led to the alleged discovery of an illegal marijuana grow operation and the seizure of more than 600 plants. Officers with the Glendale Police Department were in the 100 block of Wonderview Drive at around 12:40 a.m. after receiving a call about a person yelling for help from one of the homes in the neighborhood. After speaking with the homes occupant, 38-year-old Rui Yun Guan, officers entered the residence and discovered it had been converted into an elaborate marijuana grow operation, according to Tahnee Lightfoot, a spokeswoman for the department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tilrays wild ride shows how hyped pot stocks are catching up to the crypto craze By Craig Giammona Tilray Inc. investors could probably use a bit of the companys products right now. The Canadian maker of medicinal cannabis extracts finished a whipsaw session Wednesday with its share price 38% higher. But Tilray was up as much as 94% earlier in the day, peaking at $300. Fifty-three minutes and four trading halts later, it was in negative territory. The closing flourish that added $63 to the share price it finished up $59.08 to $214.06 took just six minutes. It left a sea of bodies, both longs and shorts, behind in its wake, said Dave Lutz, managing director at JonesTrading. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana industry fights stoner, pot and other words that stigmatizes people By Gary Robbins Theres a badge on her uniform, possibly a gun on her hip, and her arms are spread a little, suggesting shes ready for anything. You might think that youre looking at a police officer walking a beat. But what youve seen on billboards and, more recently, the internet is an effort by MedMen Enterprises of Culver City to remind you that marijuana users come from all walks of life. They can be cops, nurses, teachers, scientists, construction foremen and grandmothers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Police arrest eight people after searching illegal cannabis store in San Fernando Valley By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Los Angeles police arrested eight people at an illegal cannabis store in the San Fernando Valley after serving a search warrant, officials said Wednesday. About 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Departments Mission Area Narcotics Unit searched a cannabis retail shop in the 15400 block of Devonshire Street and confiscated several items of evidence and contraband, police said in a news release. The store was operating without proper permits and was considered a nuisance location, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students have vaped marijuana, study finds By Karen Kaplan Electronic cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among U.S. teens, but tobacco isnt the only thing theyre vaping. A new report from researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 2 million middle and high school students have used an e-cigarette to vape marijuana. That figure is based on survey results from the 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which polls a representative sample of American students in grades 6 through 12. Among the questions the 20,675 participants were asked in 2016 was, Have you ever used an e-cigarette device with a substance besides nicotine? One of the possible answers was this: Yes, I have used an e-cigarette device with marijuana, THC or hash oil, or THC wax. (THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the mind-altering chemical that produces marijuanas high.) Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Police chiefs warn of increased crime if California allows pot deliveries statewide By Patrick McGreevy The prospect of vans loaded with pot delivering to homes in quiet Morgan Hill makes Police Chief David Swing uneasy. Like most cities in the state, the upscale San Jose suburb has banned pot shops. But now, as California considers a proposal to allow marijuana businesses to send home-delivery vans into communities where retail stores are prohibited, Swing and others in law enforcement say they are preparing for the worst. This will make it easier and more lucrative to rob a delivery person than a liquor store, said Swing, who is president of the California Police Chiefs Assn. He notes drivers would be allowed to carry up to $10,000 in cash. Robberies are the tip of the iceberg. They can lead to other crimes, including aggravated assaults and homicides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Tesla erupts in chaos after senior executives leave and Elon Musk tokes up By Dana Hull The turmoil at Tesla Inc. reached a fever pitch Friday, as news emerged that two senior executives will leave Elon Musks electric-car maker a matter of hours after he smoked marijuana during an hours-long interview with a comedian. Chief Accounting Officer Dave Morton gave notice Tuesday that he was resigning less than a month into the job, according to a filing. Teslas stock plunged, then extended declines after Gabrielle Toledano, the head of human resources whos been on a leave of absence, told Bloomberg News that she wont rejoin the company. Morton, a former chief financial officer for computer-drive maker Seagate Technology Plc, joined Tesla the day before Chief Executive Musk tweeted that he was considering buying out some investors at $420 a share and taking the company private. Musk abandoned that take-private effort 17 days later, and in the process drew a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission and a series of lawsuits alleging market manipulation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Elon Musk smokes a blunt live on YouTube with podcaster Joe Rogan By Russ Mitchell Elon Musk apparently smoked dope with comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan live on YouTube late Thursday night, then giggled about turning Mars into a big Jamaica. I mean, its legal, right? Musk said, accepting a lit blunt from Rogan in the Los Angeles studio, where The Joe Rogan Experience is webcast live. Rogan told Musk hed rolled marijuana in tobacco leaves. Musk took a single deep toke. If the pair were joking about what they were smoking, they didnt say so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. launches crackdown on unlicensed marijuana businesses; more than 500 people are charged By Joseph Serna A police crackdown on local unlicensed marijuana businesses has ended with misdemeanor charges against more than 500 people in Los Angeles, the city attorneys office said. In 120 criminal cases filed since May, City Atty. Mike Feuer has charged 515 people in connection with 105 illegal marijuana businesses, grow sites, extraction labs and delivery companies located throughout the city, his office announced Friday. All of the defendants were charged with unlicensed commercial cannabis activity within the city, which carries a potential sentence of six months in jail and $1,000 in fines. Local judges have been hearing the cases since May with arraignments scheduled through the end of October, Feuers office said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 12th marijuana business wins permit approval in Costa Mesa By Luke Money Costa Mesa planning commissioners Monday evening gave their blessing to another local marijuana manufacturing and distribution facility, bringing the total number of approvals to 12. On a 4-0 vote with Chairman Stephan Andranian absent the commission awarded a conditional use permit to Pure Labs Inc., which is looking to open in a 2,025-square-foot space in Unit M-103 at 3505 Cadillac Ave. The decision is final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former L.A. mayor Villaraigosa joins board of local cannabis firm MedMen By James Rufus Koren Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is joining the board of publicly traded cannabis company MedMen, marking his return to the business world following a resounding defeat in Junes Democratic gubernatorial primary. MedMen, a Culver City company that operates high-end cannabis shops in California, Nevada and New York and has aggressive expansion plans, announced Villaraigosas appointment Wednesday morning. Villaraigosa adds political and governmental experience to a board made up of branding, entertainment and accounting executives. Other recent additions to the companys board include Stacey Hallerman, a former executive at the conglomerate that owns luxury brands Montblanc and Cartier, and Jay Brown, the chief executive of of RocNation, the entertainment company co-founded by Shawn Jay Z Carter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport man accused of operating illegal marijuana dispensary in Costa Mesa By Luke Money A Newport Beach man is accused of operating an illegal marijuana dispensary in Costa Mesa, according to authorities. Omid Delkash, 47, was charged Monday with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful transportation, sale and furnishing of marijuana. He pleaded not guilty and is in custody at Orange County Jail, records show. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a pretrial hearing. Costa Mesa law prohibits the retail sale of marijuana or marijuana products anywhere in the city. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California lawmakers want the state to collect data on drivers under the influence of pot By Patrick McGreevy After she was injured in a car accident allegedly caused by a driver impaired by pot, state Controller Betty Yee is backing a bill approved Monday by the Legislature that aims to begin addressing the problem of drugged driving on California roads. The measure sent to Gov. Jerry Brown would require the California Highway Patrol to report on how many motorists stopped for impaired driving are allegedly under the influence of marijuana. Its what other states have done like Colorado and Washington to at least start collecting state-level data, Yee said. They just want to understand the extent of cannabis-impaired driving. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana use is rising among pregnant patients. Not so fast, doctors warn By Jenny Gold Marijuana may be losing its image as a dangerous drug, but mounting research suggests women should steer clear of it if they are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The advice comes as more than half of the states, including California, have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. Growing acceptance of the drug has made it seem harmless, or even beneficial. As a result, doctors fret that more and more babies are being exposed to the drug. The march toward legalization has outpaced scientific research about marijuanas health effects. Because it is a Schedule 1 drug one with potential for abuse and no approved medical use studies have been limited by federal law. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mormon Church ramps up opposition to medical marijuana effort in Utah, speaking out publicly By Kurtis Lee The Mormon Church has played a quiet role in the fight against an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Utah, releasing measured statements and helping to bankroll lawsuits. But on Thursday, leaders of the powerful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out from behind the scenes. We are deeply concerned by the history of other states that have allowed medical and recreational use of this drug and have experienced serious consequences to the health of its citizens, Elder Jack N. Gerard, flanked by politicians, medical professionals and other church leaders, said at a news conference at the state Capitol. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California lawmakers move to help expunge pot-related convictions California lawmakers voted Wednesday to ease the process for clearing the records of those convicted in the past of marijuana offenses. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) With recreational marijuana legalized by the states voters, Californians with past convictions for cannabis-related offenses would get state help in expunging their records under a bill sent by lawmakers to the governor on Wednesday. Proposition 64, which state voters approved in 2016, legalized the sale and use of marijuana for recreational use and permitted those with past convictions for the activity to petition the courts to clear their records. But state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) told his colleagues Wednesday that the process is complicated, and many with pot convictions do not know about the opportunity. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement By next year, you can buy medical marijuana in Hawaii, but youll still have to jump through some hoops By Jay Jones Out-of-state medical marijuana users next year will be able to buy cannabis products at dispensaries in Hawaii. The only hitches: Visitors will need to apply online and pay $45 (plus a $4.50 processing fee) for a temporary Hawaii medical marijuana card thats valid for 60 days. Weve been fielding a lot of calls daily about reciprocity, said George Bullock, director of the Cure Oahu marijuana dispensary in Waikiki. We really look forward to being able to serve them in the future. The Hawaii Department of Health plans to allow medical marijuana cardholders from other states to make purchases at dispensaries on Oahu, Maui and Kauai. But state officials are not using the word reciprocity because those out-of-state cards wont work. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teen sold weed from her bedroom, with her parents as suppliers, Merced County officials say By Joseph Serna A teenage girl who sold marijuana out of her bedroom was using her gun-toting parents as her suppliers, the Merced County Sheriffs Office said. On Friday, deputies served a search warrant on the home of Jose Reyes Martinez, 44, and his wife in Delhi, Calif., where they found 80 pounds of packaged marijuana and a dozen large plants along with two firearms, officials said on Facebook. The packaged weed was found in the master bedroom closet alongside a loaded AK-47, deputies said. A makeshift greenhouse in the backyard held a dozen large plants, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport Beach sues to halt what city calls a marijuana dispensary at Church of the Holy Grail By Hannah Fry Newport Beach officials are asking an Orange County Superior Court judge to block an operation that identifies itself as a church but the city says is a marijuana dispensary violating local law. Brick-and-mortar marijuana dispensaries are prohibited in Newport Beach under municipal code. Cultivation, processing, distribution and delivery of cannabis have been banned in the city since 2016. A civil lawsuit Newport filed June 25 seeks an injunction to forbid the organization known as Church of the Holy Grail from operating at 2072 Bristol St. It isnt clear how long it has been operating, though the lawsuit states the location has been running without a business license since at least Jan. 24. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Proposal to create state-chartered banks for California marijuana industry fails to advance Virgil Grant arranges containers of various strains of medical marijuana in a display case at a dispensary he runs in Los Angeles. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) California lawmakers on Thursday shelved a proposal to allow the state to license private banks to handle the billions of dollars expected to be generated by the states legal marijuana industry amid questions about the plans feasibility. Voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize growing, possessing and selling marijuana for recreational use, but newly licensed pot shops and farms say they cannot put their money in federally chartered banks because cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) proposed that the state could license special privately financed banks that would issue checks to the businesses to pay rent and state and local taxes and fees, and to compensate vendors for goods and services provided to their businesses. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Parent of Corona beer bets $3.8 billion on U.S. love of marijuana By Bloomberg Constellation Brands Inc., which for seven decades has made its money off beer, wine and whiskey, sees its future in a marijuana leaf. In the biggest (legal) marijuana deal, the Victor, N.Y., beverage company will spend about $3.8 billion to boost its stake in Canadian grower Canopy Growth Corp., betting legalization will gain traction around the world and especially in the United States. This is rocket fuel, Canopy Chief Executive Bruce Linton said on the companys earnings call Wednesday. Were going to be way more global. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana is not really legal in California if residents dont have a reasonable way to buy it By The Times Editorial Board California law allows adults to buy marijuana. It allows licensed businesses to deliver marijuana to customers, and it says specifically that cities and counties cannot prevent delivery services from traveling on public roads. Yet even though cities cant stop deliveries traveling through their jurisdiction, many cities currently ban deliveries to their jurisdiction. That means that unlike deliveries of virtually every other legal, adult-use product including alcohol and cigarettes, which can be ordered over the internet in California marijuana deliveries are barred. The practical effect is that residents in some places have little to no access to legal medical or recreational cannabis products because of local regulations which seems contrary to the intent of Proposition 64. Roughly half of Californians live in cities or counties that prohibit marijuana stores and delivery services form opening in their jurisdictions. An analysis by the Sacramento Bee earlier this year found residents in 40% of the state had to drive 60 miles or more to find a licensed dispensary to buy legal marijuana medical or recreational. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California cities oppose plan to allow pot delivery in areas where sales are banned California cities are objecting to changes in the states rules on marijuana that they say undermine local control. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) California cities on Monday objected to a state proposal that would allow marijuana delivery to homes in areas where storefront pot sales have been banned locally. The changes, which are being considered by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control, will undermine a citys ability to effectively regulate cannabis at the local level, Charles Harvey, a legislative representative for the League of California Cities, said in a letter to the bureau. The cities group, which represents the states 482 municipalities, supports other changes to clarify the rules of Proposition 64, which was approved by voters in 2016 and allows the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cypress Hills B-Real set to open a Sylmar dispensary, as Cannary West takes flight Saturday By Adam Tschorn B-Real, from left, Kenji Fujishima and Rojo Desantis in front of the soon-to-open Dr. Greenthumbs dispensary in Sylmar. (Dr. Greenthumbs) Rapper and marijuana entrepreneur Louis Freese, better known as Cypress Hill frontman B-Real, plans to celebrate the grand opening of his flagship dispensary in Sylmar with a day-long bash next Wednesday. Called Dr. Greenthumbs a name music fans will recognize as the title of a 1998 Cypress Hill song the Foothill Boulevard dispensary will be heavy on strains from B-Reals Insane brand of cannabis as well his Phuncky Feel Tips product line (glass tips designed to fit the business end of a hand-rolled joint). It will also serve as the home base for the rappers online BReal.TV network. According to todays announcement, the Wednesday event will be open to the public (though youll need to be at least 21 or 18 with a medical marijuana card) and feature a line-up of BRealTVs DJs as well as a slew of surprise guests [making] appearances throughout the day. A second Dr. Greenthumbs is expected to open in Cathedral City later this year. Dr. Greenthumbs grand-opening party, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 12751 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar (just west of the 210 freeway between Arroyo and Vaughn streets). Cannary West In other dispensary-opening news, a rebooted and relocated Cannary West (this version by the folks behind the stylish, upscale Venice Blvd. dispensary the Pottery), officially opens its doors Saturday. Although parts of the space in the Rancho Park neighborhood are still under construction, its only because plans include adding sustainable on-site cultivation (a process also underway at the Pottery), it does already have one of Los Angeles real estates most enviable features a dedicated off-street parking lot for customers around back. To mark the grand opening, the first 200 customers who spend $30 or more after the dispensary opens for business at 10 a.m. will receive a little something special for their efforts. Cannary West, grand opening, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 2435 Military Avenue, Los Angeles (just south of Pico and two blocks east of Sepulveda). Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As budget remedies, Huntington Beach may explore marijuana-related revenue and boosting fines for illegal short-term rentals By Priscella Vega With general-fund revenue increases projected to taper off in coming years, the Huntington Beach Finance Commission this week recommended several potential budget-tightening and revenue-generating solutions. Among them are increasing fines for illegal short-term rentals, reducing city staff and exploring opportunities for marijuana-related revenue. Some recommendations will be unpopular with employees, but at the same time we hope they realize implementing some recommendations may make funding available for salary increases, Finance Commission Chairman Nouha Hreish told the City Council during a study session Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print High Times rolls out new online video network By Adam Tschorn High Times, which launched as a print magazine in 1974, has added a streaming video service to its offerings. (High Times TV) Los Angeles-based cannabis media brand High Times, which launched as a print magazine in 1974, has added a streaming video service to its offerings. Announced Thursday, the ad-supported web channel High Times TV is both a showcase for the brands own content (behind-the-scenes videos from its Cannabis Cup events, for example, and how-to videos for ganja guacamole) as well as a platform for an assortment of independent cannabis-content creators like the Stoner Mom (a Colorado mother with a family of six who focuses on living a responsible cannabis lifestyle), StrainCentral (a strain review site founded by Joshua Young) and That High Couple (Hollywood-based couple Alice and Clark who chronicle their THC-infused life via social media). While High Times newest venture is hardly a unique move- there isnt a legacy media brand out there that isnt trying to capitalize on streaming video it could end up being a lifeline for the independents in the stoner space who have seen their traditional social media channels (particularly YouTube) threatened, restricted or suspended in a cannabis-content crackdown that began earlier this year. High Times TV is now available as an app on Android, Roku and Apple TV as well as online at tv.hightimes.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport Beach lawsuit seeks to ban marijuana business that operated in residential neighborhoods By Hannah Fry Newport Beach officials are asking an Orange County Superior Court judge to block a marijuana business from operating in two homes in violation of city law. A civil lawsuit filed May 4 seeks an injunction to forbid the business known as OC Healing House, Bud Man OC and Bud Man Newport Beach from operating at a home on Drakes Bay Drive in Corona del Mar and a home on Promontory Drive in Newports Promontory Point community. The city attorneys office says the business was using the homes for marijuana delivery and distribution. The lawsuit calls the business a public nuisance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana is a gift from God. A battle over pot pits the Mormon Church against an unlikely group: other Mormons By Kurtis Lee Brian Stoll faced a dilemma as his wedding day approached. For more than a year, he had been smoking marijuana to treat severe back pain, but to remain in good standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and get married in the temple, he had to stop using pot. Since marijuana was illegal under Utah law, church leaders told him, it was forbidden. Stoll turned to an opioid painkiller and has continued using it since his marriage three years ago, despite unpleasant side effects and its inability to match the soothing qualities of marijuana. This was devastating ... I had to choose between my health and my fiancee, Stoll said recently. It seemed asinine that if I lived in another state, I wouldnt have to make such a difficult decision. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Roommates were unaware of drug lab operation in Glendale home, police say By Andy Nguyen Authorities arrested a man on Friday suspected of operating an illegal butane honey-oil lab out of a Glendale home. John Kelly, 52, was taken into custody after the Glendale Police Department received a tip about the suspected manufacturing operation in the 1400 block of Randall Street. The information was derived from an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to Sgt. Dan Suttles, a spokesman for the department. Butane honey oil is a type of concentrated cannabis product made when marijuana is soaked in butane in order to extract the plants essential oils. The process can lead to explosions if the butane gas builds up in an enclosed area and ignites from a spark. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rams guard Jamon Brown says marijuana is reason for suspension By Gary Klein Rams starting right guard Jamon Brown, suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy, said Thursday that the suspension stemmed from a 2017 incident in Kentucky that involved marijuana. Brown still worked with the first-team offense Thursday as the Rams held their first training camp practice at UC Irvine. Brown, a fourth-year pro from Louisville, said that before last season he was pulled over for speeding and that police found marijuana in the car. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats still havent figured out that legal weed is a winning issue By Tom Angell Every Democratic U.S. senator rumored to be considering a 2020 presidential run supports marijuana legalization. So do 77% of Democratic voters. The partys 2016 national platform backs states rights on cannabis and calls for a reasoned pathway for future legalization. So why is the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee the entity charged with winning back control of the U.S. House attacking a Republican congressman over his support for marijuana reform? And why is it citing a right-wing magazine to make the case? Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) has a cult-like fixation on marijuana, said a National Review article excerpt the Democratic committee highlighted in a tweet posted Monday. The party organ said the GOP congressmans cannabis advocacy is one reason why [Democratic nominee] @HarleyRouda needs your help flipping this seat...from #RedToBlue. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print They worked at Apple, Amazon and Lyft. Now theyre working to get you stoned By Tracey Lien For much of her career, Natasha Pecor followed a path well-worn by tech workers. She built her reputation with her first employer in the industry, earning the title head of platform at Yelp. Then she jumped to one of the giants, Amazon, where she worked as a product manager. Most recently she parlayed that experience into a leadership role at a smaller start-up a common move among techies willing to take a risk for a new challenge and perhaps a big payday. But this start-up wasnt exactly a tech company. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fountain Valley man sentenced to life in prison in kidnapping and torture of marijuana dispensary owner By Hannah Fry A Fountain Valley man was sentenced Friday to spend the rest of his life behind bars for kidnapping a medical marijuana dispensary owner and his roommate in 2012 and torturing the dispensary owner as part of a plot to extort money. Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregg Prickett gave Kyle Shirakawa Handley, 39, the maximum sentence of life in state prison. A Superior Court jury in January swiftly found Handley guilty of of kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and torture, all felonies. Prosecutors contended that Handley, a marijuana grower who supplied the victims dispensary, and three other defendants kidnapped the man and his female roommate from their 25th Street home on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach on Oct. 2, 2012. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More California kids are having pot-related health scares, poison control officials warn By Patrick McGreevy State and local officials say they are alarmed by a spike in calls they have received to report children and teenagers ingesting marijuana products since California legalized cannabis for recreational use by adults in 2016. The number of calls to poison control centers involving people 19 and younger who were exposed to marijuana has steadily risen from 347 three years ago to 588 last year. In the first six months of this year, there have been 386 calls to poison control centers involving marijuana exposure by underage people. If that trend continues, there could be more than double the reports in 2018 as there were 2015. Nearly half of the calls received last year 256 involved children 5 and younger, including 38 children under 12 months old, and 64 toddlers who were a year old, according to Stuart E. Heard, executive director of the California Poison Control System. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print With marijuana legal, California flooded with dubious health claims about the drug By Gary Robbins Spend a few minutes surfing Twitter and youre likely to encounter a startling claim that comes without proof: Cannabis cures cancer. The online world is awash with such posts, startling scientists and physicians who are urging weeds proselytizers to tap the brakes. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown appoints members to new cannabis permit appeals panel Marijuana on display at the Harborside dispensary in Oakland. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) Six months after California began licensing growing and selling marijuana, Gov. Jerry Brown on July 3 appointed the first members of a new Cannabis Control Appeals Panel to consider objections from those denied permits or those facing penalties for violating regulations. The governor gets to name three of the five members of the panel and appointed county prosecutor Sabrina D. Ashjian of Fresno, college lecturer Diandra Bremond of Los Angeles, and a staff attorney for the governor, Adrian Carpenter of Plumas Lake. The other two appointments will be made by the Senate Rules Committee and the speaker of the Assembly. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis? By Catharine Hamm You cant take it with you. Actually, you can. But its not a good idea when youre traveling, especially for the risk-averse. We speak, of course, of cannabis; its use was approved by 57% of California voters in November 2016. Proposition 64, known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, allows the recreational use of marijuana in the Golden State; medical marijuana had been legal for about a decade before that. Legal, it should be noted, in California. Not legal according to federal law, although President Trump has signaled his willingness to support legislation that, according to an L.A. Times article, would end the federal ban on marijuana. Read More Facebook Twit Fare: From LAX, $385 round trip, including all taxes and fees, on Norwegian to Barcelona, Spain. Restrictions: The fare is subject to availability. Dates for travel are Nov. 12-March 20 for flights Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. To read more about one reporters experience on low-cost carriers, including Norwegian, check out staff writer Jenn Harris budget airline piece. Info: Norwegian, (800) 357-4159 Advertisement Source: Airfarewatchdog travel@latimes.com @latimestravel Grape stomping is the stick shift of the wine world, once wrote Abby Reisner of the food and drink website Tasting Table. Sure, a machine could easily do all the work, but thats not nearly as fun. For those who want to jump in feet first, here are places in California where you can become a human wine press. Lompoc Living history docents at La Purisima Mission regularly show visitors the old ways of weaving, making pottery, handling livestock and blacksmithing. In September, you can try your hand (or, really, your feet) at stomping grapes during Harvest Mission Day. The largely restored California mission re-creates how early Spanish settlers lived when it opened in 1797. Mission Day features grape harvest and wheat threshing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15. The event is free, parking costs $6. Info: La Purisima Mission State Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc; (805) 733-3713 Nearby Solvang also hosts a Solvang Stomp starting at 2 p.m. Oct. 13 as part of its harvest festivities. $75 to $100 per person; participants must be 21 and older. Advertisement Info: Solvang Stomp, 1st Street and Mission Drive, Solvang Rutherford In Napa Valley, the first grapes picked during harvest are used for sparkling wines. Then come white wine grapes and, later in fall, grapes for red varieties. At Grgich Hills Estate, you can stomp red wine grapes from Aug. 24 to October, provided the grapes hold out. It costs $40 and comes with three wine tastings and a white T-shirt you step on to create your own grape-colored footprints. Info: Grgich Hills Estate, 1829 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford; For more hands-on harvest events, go to Visit Napa Valley Temecula Remember the I Love Lucy TV episode where Lucy and her pal Ethel are stomping grapes? Lucy look-alikes are welcome at Callaway Vineyard & Winery for the annual Sip, Stomp and Play event from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25. Farm-to-table dinner at Meritage, dancing and wine come with the stomp of Sangiovese grapes; tickets cost $61 to $68. Info: Callaway Vineyard & Winery, 32720 Rancho California Road, Temecula; (800) 472-2377 Paso Robles More than 100 wineries get into the swing of things from Oct. 19 to 21 for its Paso Robles annual Harvest Wine Weekend. Youll find dinner and a grape stomping session Oct. 19 and 20 at Opolo Vineyards. Tickets cost $120. Info: Opolo Vineyards, 7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles; (805) 238-9593 Other vineyards in the area hosting grape-stomping events include Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery ($50) and Cass Winery ($40) on Oct. 20, and Riverstar Vineyards on Oct. 21 ($35). Sonoma The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival started in 1897 and has been the last weekend in September ever since. The event in the downtown historic plaza welcomes teams of stompers and rewards participants with T-shirts to stain. The grape stomp is Sept. 29 and costs $30 to $40 per person. Info: 2018 Grape Stomp-Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, 1 the Plaza, Sonoma travel@latimes.com @latimestravel The new leader of Amnesty International says many world leaders, especially President Trump, are rolling back gains made in respecting human rights, with the Trump administrations separation of families at U.S. borders one of the worst atrocities seen in a long time. The presidency of Donald Trump is a major challenge for the people of the U.S. and the people of the world, Kumi Naidoo said Thursday, suggesting the psychological damage of the border separation policy alone could be long-lasting. Overall on human rights he has set us back ... and it should be no surprise that Donald Trump will be in my vision of activism and will be somebody who will receive quite close focus by Amnesty as a global movement. With a background of activism against apartheid in his native South Africa and for environmental issues as a director of Greenpeace, Naidoo said he intends to make Amnesty bigger, bolder and more inclusive. He began a four-year term at the helm of the London-based rights group this week. Advertisement What I hope to do at Amnesty is to intensify our appetite for peaceful civil disobedience, he said. Although world leaders often ignore letters and meetings, he said that when you mobilize thousands of people on their doorstep ... that seems to work much better. He added: We should not allow the shrinking democratic space to prevent us from having a more robust and more courageous activism that will include peacefully resisting unjust laws and breaking unjust laws where necessary. Despite the recent setbacks for human rights, Naidoo said he is optimistic. Amnesty has a global membership of 7 million people and he said he would like to see that increase to 70 million, especially among younger people. Young people will not accept wisdom that they are the leaders of tomorrow; they will assert their leadership now, he said. No one in the Bolivian village of Cachuela Mamore saw the flood coming. The Mamore River, which curves along Bolivias wildly diverse, 2,100-mile border with Brazil, always rises during the months-long Amazonian rainy season. But the flood in 2014 was different. Within weeks, the river had reached villagers doorsteps, and all 38 families fruit farmers and fishermen, mostly fled inland. For the next five months they returned to their waterlogged citrus, banana and avocado orchards, which had once been their primary source of income, and plucked fruit from the low branches to scratch out a living. When the water finally receded, the fruit trees collapsed, and the native fish in the rivers stagnant waters disappeared. Now, the families of Cachuela Mamore still live in the makeshift huts of wood, plastic tarps and corrugated metal that they cobbled together after the floods, living alongside the dirt road that connects the village to Guayaramerin, the nearest major town. The villagers have also come to believe that it was more than just seasonal rains that caused the Mamore to crest its banks. They blame a pair of dams built downstream and worry that two more dams planned in the region could undo their lives and traditions. Samuel Surubi, left, supervises his fishing operation in the town of San Lorenzo. Native species have declined considerably and locals are now dedicated almost exclusively to fishing paiche, an invasive species. Felipe Luna / For The Times We still havent recuperated, says Joaquin Montero Mendes, a 42-year-old farmer and fisherman, his rubber boots muddy from working in the new orchard that he and the other villagers planted after the flood. What happened was a direct result of the dam. The dam in question is the Jirau Hydroelectric Plant, 115 miles north of Cachuela Mamore in neighboring Brazil on the Madeira River, one of the Amazons largest tributaries. The second in a planned four-dam complex, Jirau, like its predecessor, the Santo Antonio dam just outside the Brazilian city of Porto Velho, was developed to feed power to the fast-growing cities of southeastern Brazil. Together, the two completed dams, which cost almost $15 billion to build, already produce enough electricity to power the city of Rio de Janeiro for nearly a year. If the second two dams are built one straddling the Brazil-Bolivia border 25 miles downstream from Cachuela Mamore, the other within Bolivian territory on the Beni River the complexs capacity will increase by at least 30%. Brazil and Bolivia will share the costs on the future projects, though the price tag is still undetermined. When the first two dams were built, people in Cachuela Mamore and elsewhere along the Bolivian border were not invited to be part of an assessment of the potential risks to those who live in the area. Now, they are demanding that their voices be heard. They say that this is development for the Amazon, says Lidia Antty, an activist and community organizer whose home in Guayaramerin was flooded in 2014. But its development with death. The Jirau and Santo Antonio dams were approved by Brazil in 2007, and construction moved forward despite objections from Bolivia, which said it was never shown any of the relevant studies for the project. When Santo Antonio, the first of the dams to go operational, opened in 2012, the city of Porto Velho on the Brazilian side of the border experienced devastating flooding. Even then, Montero says, word never reached the farmers and fishermen in Cachuela Mamore that there might be problems to come. There was no information here at all, Montero said. Brazil's then-President Dilma Rousseff attends an inaugural ceremony on July 5, 2011, for the Santo Antonio dam in Rondonia state, northern Brazil. Dida Sampaio / Associated Press Though experts generally blame the 2014 floods that swamped Cachuela Mamore on unusually heavy rains in the Andes, which drain into the Amazon basin, others say the dams were at least partially responsible by slowing and interrupting the natural flow of the rivers and tributaries in the region. Carolina R.C. Doria, a biologist at Brazils Federal University of Rondonia, said in an email that the dams contributed to the problem by holding back water until the rivers began to crest. Villagers in Bolivias Amazonian borderlands agree that, before the dam was built, theyd never seen a comparable disaster. As part of the development, the consortium of companies building and operating the dams launched dozens of programs for affected Brazilian communities, including resettlement, cash payments and, in the case of fishermen in Guajara-Mirim, the Brazilian town across the river from Guayaramerin, a management plan for fishing the invasive paiche that had moved into the local waters when the native fish vanished. But on the Bolivian side of the border, villages like Cachuela Mamore have received no such support. In Bolivia, one of the continents poorest nations, project supporters see a broad opportunity to turn an Amazonian resource water into an income-producing asset. But for those living along the Amazons remote tributaries, the feeling is that their lives are being overlooked in the rush to pump power to Brazils mega-cities. In the village of San Lorenzo, a days trip upriver from Guayaramerin, 32-year-old fisherman Samuel Surubi lost 24 acres of banana plantation in the 2014 flooding. The flood came and left the land just as it was when it fell from heaven, Surubi says. He and others worry that when the next dam goes up, the rainy seasons will become even more devastating. Doria, the biologist, said villagers such as those in Cachuela Mamore are at a huge disadvantage trying to fight the project. These communities are isolated, uninformed and disorganized to fight for their rights or even participate in decision-making forums, she said. In the last four years, Antty has helped organize a grass-roots campaign connecting rural communities in Bolivia with better-organized activist groups in Brazil and with scientists in Bolivia and abroad. Her goal: to halt the construction of the final two dams. The people who will be affected dont want these projects, she says. The people who come from elsewhere are in favor of it because they can leave when the river fills. Lidia Antty is an activist and community organizer focused on blocking the construction of hydroelectric projects in the area near Guayaramerin. Felipe Luna / For The Times Lidia Bani Lopez, 58, a lifelong resident of Cachuela Mamore, said, Were not against progress, but we are against this kind of construction that will do away with our Amazon. Federico Cortez Morai, a native of Cachuela Mamore who worked as a construction contractor on the Jirau dam from 2013 to 2016, said hes hopeful his community will be better equipped to stand up for its rights than it was in the years prior to the Jirau and Santo Antonio dams. Cortez recalled his years at Jirau and the weekly meetings where he and other workers would raise concerns about flooding. The engineers, he says, would tell them not to worry. This calmed us downbecause we believed that these people, through their studies, could predict and, to some extent, mitigatethe consequences. We believed them, Cortez says now. I worked three years on the dam and I earned well, but it wasnt worth anything, because while I was working my home was flooding. At the inland settlement where Cortezs family and their neighbors in Cachuela Mamore relocated, the orange trees planted after the 2014 flooding produced their first fruit this past May. Paiche, which people here find flavorless compared with the native species theyve consumed for generations, is now the only fish theyre able to catch with any regularity. Electrical wires, installed by a U.S. nongovernmental organization but never connected to the grid, dangle uselessly over their ramshackle houses. Even as the dams funnel electricity to Brazilian cities 1,500 miles away, the lights still have not come on in Cachuela Mamore. They call it progress always progress, Cortez says, but at the end of the day, progress is always just another problem. Snyder is a special correspondent. Reporting for this article was supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. They are a common feature at government and corporate events across Mexico: Young female models in high heels and tight clothing whose primary function seems to be to serve as eye candy. For years, the employment of edecanes, or hostesses, has angered feminists who say the practice is sexist and objectifies women. Now authorities in the leftist bastion of Mexico City are taking action. Last week, Mexico City Mayor Jose Ramon Amieva officially banned the employment of models at government events. Advertisement The practice, Amieva said, reinforced stereotypes about gender roles and contradicted other city policies aimed at promoting gender equality. Women have a potential equal to or greater than that of men, he said. Any circumstance that may degrade or stereotype women must be eliminated. Many women, including female politicians, have long grumbled about the ubiquitous presence of scantily clad models at official functions where everyone else is dressed in business attire. At corporate events or store openings, its common for models to wear logos printed on their clothing or their bodies. Several instances have drawn particular outrage over the years. During local elections in 2016, the political party New Alliance closed its campaign with a celebration in Mexico City that featured topless women with the partys turquoise and white logo painted across their breasts. At a 2012 presidential debate, a model in a skin-tight white dress that revealed copious cleavage was hired by the countrys electoral institute to hand out envelopes to the candidates onstage. The model, Julia Orayen, was more discussed in the media than most of the policy proposals debated that night and eventually ended up on the cover of Playboy Mexico. The magazines headline? We take off the debate dress. A model poses for a photographer at an agency in Mexico City that contracts models and hostesses for corporate and government events. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) Mexico City government events have tended to be slightly more decorous. Still, models in tight suits and heels were for decades paid to greet event guests, deliver water to speakers or simply stand onstage and look pretty. No longer. Amieva said that those women on the government payroll who had previously been asked to work as hostesses will be reassigned to other more empowering tasks. The hiring of freelance hostesses is banned and could result in fines, he said. The new ban has been welcomed by feminist activists who say it is a small but significant step against Mexicos culture of machismo. Some said they hoped the ban would be implemented by the federal government as well. But the ban has been criticized by the hostessing industry, which is big business in Mexico, with an estimated 900,000 women working in the sector. Some hostesses have taken to social media to defend the dignity of the job, which, they have clarified, should not be misconstrued as prostitution. The ban comes amid a broader public debate about the role of women in Mexican government. After criticism over several recent panels that were dominated by men, Amieva, of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, vowed to ensure that women make up at least half the participants in future city events. Then-presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Mexico City mayoral candidate Claudia Sheinbaum hold their closing campaign rally in Mexicos capital on June 27, 2018. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) Almost half of the nations incoming members of Congress are women, and Amieva is about to be replaced by a woman. In December, environmental engineer Claudia Sheinbaum will become Mexico Citys first elected female mayor. Incoming Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who, like Sheinbaum, is a member of the leftist National Regeneration Movement political party, has vowed to tap women to fill half of his Cabinet positions. One of them is Olga Sanchez Cordero, a former Supreme Court justice and advocate of the legalization of abortion who is expected to be his pick to lead the Interior Ministry. Last week, Sanchez Cordero said that in that role she hopes to change the patriarchal system in Mexico. A first step, she said, is the democratization of families. One of the ways to achieve that, she said, is encouraging men to do more chores and housework. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum Since Israel passed a law declaring that Jews have a singular right to national self-determination in the country, one man has become the symbol of all those who oppose it: Brig. Gen. Amal Asad. Asad, 62, a businessman and father of four who retired from the Israeli army almost 20 years ago, is a member of Israels Druze minority, non-Muslim Arabic speakers who serve in the military and are known for their loyalty to the state. Passage of the nation-state law early in the morning of July 20 sparked upheaval in Israeli Druze society that spread, especially among soldiers, to Jewish peers. A rally Asad organized on Aug. 4 at Tel Avivs Rabin Square drew more than 150,000 people, according to most accounts. The new measure, championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, does not change the way Israeli law is applied. However, it calls Jewish settlement a national value and demotes Arabic from one of two official languages, along with Hebrew, to one with an unspecified special status. Asad said he finds those measures incompatible with his understanding of citizenship. He spoke to The Times on Thursday. His remarks are edited for length and clarity. Advertisement How did you become the man who has brought Prime Minister Netanyahu to his knees? I wouldnt put it that way. But I know the man, and I follow what he does. I wrote him an open letter four years ago when the nation-state bill first passed a Cabinet vote. What did you say? I asked him if he thought that at that moment, we were formally still equal citizens or no longer. I asked, What is the nation-state of the Jewish people? If I am not a Jew, then this is not my country? Did he answer you? I received my answer in the form of this law. You cant run a country this way. This isnt serious. You cant pass a law that has constitutional standing and is intended to guide legislators into the future at 3 a.m., like a thief in the nighttime, and think only your fervent base will notice. The general feeling is that he cant see 3 feet ahead. Hes become a man for whom power is everything. Look at the 2014 Gaza war. What has this government done to make sure it wont happen again? Pass a nation-state law? How long can Netanyahu keep telling citizens that everyone is against us? This entire maneuver was not done for the good of the nation. It was done for the good of his primaries. General view shows thousands of demonstrators protesting against the Jewish State Nation Law on Aug. 4, 2018 in Tel Aviv. (Amir Levy / Getty Images) Do you think Netanyahus scheme is working? I think a majority of Israelis support canceling this law, or replacing it with another law, or changing it. [One poll showed that 45% of Israelis saw a need for the law, while 62% thought it should have included a reference to equality.] But Netanyahus usual tactics are working: You should see the talk-backs I get to every post. Within five minutes, I have 400 hate-filled, menacing responses. Its an online lynch mob. You also see hatred on the streets. Where did it come from? The prime minister is dividing the people, trying to pit Israelis against Israelis, something that has never been the norm here. Notice that no one said a single word against Netanyahu at our rally. No one mentioned him. I refused. We are against nothing. We are only for. We are for a Jewish, democratic state with equality for its citizens, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. In response to your movement, Netanyahu established the Ministerial Committee on Druze, Circassian and Minority Community Members who Serve in the Security Forces Affairs and offered Druze communities financial incentives. This is not about money, as he will eventually grasp. This law cannot remain as it is. Absolutely no way. They can write another law, they can replace it, they can change it, they can grant the Declaration of Independence a constitutional status, but this law as it is, with no mention of equality or democracy, cannot remain. We will not agree. I will certainly not agree to this, that I could be in any way lesser than a Jew in the eyes of the law. At the same time, I do not want to be above Arabs or any other minority. A citizen is a citizen is a citizen, period. How do you feel about service to the state? An Israeli citizen has to be an equal among equals. You can serve in the army or study in a religious seminary. You do nothing with yourself. You can be a draft dodger, religious, atheist, whatever: Each and every one has to be first of all equal as a human being, as a citizen. Beyond that, yes, I believe that all citizens must do something for this country in which they live. Build it. Serve it. National Service. Civil service. Military service. Security service. Anything, but everybody, at age 18, has to contribute in some way to this country, but must do it in the full knowledge that the country belongs to them that they are giving back to themselves, their own families, their villages, their communities and their country. Do you foresee a political future for yourself? I have no interest in being a politician, a member of the Knesset (Israels parliament) or a minister. I actually left the army in 1999 in order to join Israeli politics, the Center Party. I touched politics and immediately understood that it is not for me. Following that experience I joined the Likud. Ive been a member ever since. You are a member of Netanyahus Likud party? To this very day. Whats next? We are working on several levels. There will be more rallies. We will fill Rabin Square again. When Knesset members arrive after the summer recess, the entire people of Israel will be there. It is going to be a pilgrimage. Citizens will take over the Knesset, so the members know they cannot ignore us. If this law remains, this government will fall, no matter what excuse they use to explain it. The next government will bring a different law. There is no question. The next government of the state of Israel will enshrine our Declaration of Independence, written by David Ben-Gurion and serious people, as our basic national law. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent. One video shows a man smashing iPhones with a hammer. This is for our president, he declares. Another shows men burning dollar bills or using them to blow their noses. Both videos have been shared widely on social media in Turkey as the countrys trade war with the U.S. escalates and ordinary citizens and Turkish businesses express solidarity with their government. The sentiment has been boiled down to a meme trending on Twitter: Dont let the U.S. earn money. Economists are doubtful that Turkish consumers can do much damage, given their reliance on American products. But that didnt stop President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from calling on them to boycott U.S. goods this week. He singled out the iPhone. Advertisement The trade battle started in June, when the Trump administration announced it was raising tariffs on steel from China, the European Union and Turkey by 25% and tariffs on aluminum from those countries by 10%. Turkey, the worlds eighth-biggest steel producer, responded with tariff increases on U.S. coal, paper, almonds, tobacco, rice, automobiles, petrochemicals and other products. Then last week Trump announced he was doubling the tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum in an effort to apply pressure on authorities to release Andrew Brunson, an American pastor being tried in Turkey on terrorism charges. The 50-year-old evangelical pastor from North Carolina had long been based in the coastal city of Izmir. Arrested in 2016 after a failed coup, he is accused of being allied with Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric based in Pennsylvania who Erdogan says masterminded the attempted takeover by the military. Some political analysts have suggested that Erdogan is holding Brunson to put pressure on the U.S. to extradite Gulen. The new tariffs caused the Turkish lira to plummet. Erdogan retaliated with his call for a consumer boycott, and then on Thursday issued a decree raising tariffs on U.S. cars to 120%, alcohol to 140% and tobacco to 60%. Online campaigns have offered local alternatives to U.S. products: Torku food products instead of Nestle, iskender kebab in place of McDonalds and Uludag soft drinks over Coca-Cola. Turkish Airlines 49% of which is owned by the government announced this week it would stop advertising on Google and other U.S.-based platforms. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, which oversees government development projects, said it would ban the use of construction materials from the U.S. At Instanbuls Dogubank shopping center, home to some of the countrys biggest cellphone stores, retailers announced they would heed Erdogans call for a boycott and cancel orders for iPhones for the coming month. They said those orders would have amounted to $50 million. One retailer, Emre Ergul, said the boycott came as a relief of sorts, because the drop in the lira, which lost nearly half its value, was making it harder for him to make money on iPhone sales anyway. He said that before the crisis he sold as many as 500 iPhones a month too few for a trillion-dollar company like Apple to even notice. But we have to do what we can, Ergul said. The U.S. and Turkey need to understand this crisis is hurting ordinary people like me, and the U.S. especially needs to understand they cannot deal with my country this way, and that it will eventually hurt them as well. Nurullah Gur, an economics professor at Istanbul Medipol University, said the resentment against Trump in Turkey stemmed from the belief that he imposed the tariffs for political rather than economic reasons. Turkey and the U.S. are entangled economically in more ways than their leaders seem to realize, Gur said. One example is the F-35 fighter jet. Trump this week signed a defense budget bill that blocks transfers of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey until the Pentagon issues a report on the countrys relationship with the U.S. within the NATO alliance. He made no mention of the fact that the consortium of global companies building the F-35 includes key Turkish firms, including Ayesas, the sole supplier of the cockpit display and a missile-guidance system. Istanbul is home to the 39-story Trump Towers, which feature hundreds of luxury apartments and several U.S. retail shops. Erdogans son-in-law, Minister of Finance Berat Albayrak, is a graduate of Pace University in New York City, and his two daughters, Esra and Sumeyye, studied at Indiana University. In his call for a boycott, Erdogan suggested people use phones from the Turkish companies Venus and Vestel. But during the 2016 coup attempt, when he appeared on the Turkish CNN affiliate and asked supporters to take to the streets, he was speaking over FaceTime on his iPhone. Farooq is a special correspondent. Inland rail conference sets priorities The inaugural Inland Rail Conference held last month in Parkes, New South Wales, brought together key players for the first industry-led conference aimed at identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with the project. The Melbourne to Brisbane Rail Alliance (MBIRA) congratulated the Australian Logistics Council and Australian Railway Association on the success of the conference. Chair of MBIRA, Moree Plains Shire Councillor, Sue Price, commended their efforts. It is tremendous to bring together the nations key industry leaders and all levels of government to work cooperatively to deliver this once-in-a-generation project. We recognise that there is still much work to be done around capability, capacity, safety and economics, and we welcome the nine priorities that have emerged from the conference. Since 2007, MBIRA has been working hard to attract strategic investment in Australias infrastructure future. These priorities will ensure industry, government and all those associated with this project address the challenges, but also capitalise on economic development opportunities. Stock Market News BNZL Headlines - 14.26 % to Target, Deutsche Bank Maintains Buy Rating on Bunzl PLC (LON:BNZL) Shares Today 17-08-2018 03:45 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 Stocks Today - Volvo Cars plans $4.5bn stock market flotation 17-08-2018 04:16 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 US Economic Data - US futures fluctuate as China-US trade developments show signs of hope 17-08-2018 04:10 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News VOD Share Price - FTSE 100 preview: Index seen steady after upbeat leads 17-08-2018 03:49 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 Following the claim that P6.8 billion worth of shabu had slipped past authorities and made its way into the streets, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino has taken a long-planned leave to be with his family. Meanwhile, members of the minority block in the Senate on Thursday sought a Senate probe into the shabu shipment that entered the country through the Manila International Container Port and slipped past the Bureau of Customs. Under Senate Resolution 849, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Bam Aquino, Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima said the repeated incidence of huge shipments of drugs being smuggled into the country and slipping past inspection at Customs was a wake-up call for officials to look into the possible misdeeds of the officials and employees of the bureau. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said drug syndicates were devising new ways to slip past the drug net laid out by the government to prevent the entry of illegal drugs. Barbers, chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs, made the assessment after hearing the testimonies of Customs and PDEA officials at the initial hearing on P6.8 billion worth of shabu. But Derrick Carreon, PDEA spokesman, pleaded with the media not to put malice as to why Aquino was on a leave. Maam, this is personal. I am just wondering why people have been putting malice to something that has long been planned ago. It has absolutely nothing to do with the series of events, Carreon told the Manila Standard when asked about Aquinos leave. I would like to implore all concerned. This is the 10th call that I got with regard to that. That has nothing to do with whatever happened. The President [Rodrigo Duterte] did not put him on leave. It was planned a long time ago for his family. Carreon said Aquino also deserved to take a vacation like any other official.For your information, I live five minutes away from PDEA. My boss lives [here] in PDEA. I dont think it is not proper for him to give time for his family. That [leave] has nothing to do with the recent event. I beg [you] to allow my boss to have some privacy, he said. A PDEA source said Aquino was on leave from Aug. 15 to Aug. 31. Lets just wait for the result of the investigation. PDEA will submit everything [to] the committee on dangerous drugs in Congress, Carreon told the GMA News Online interview. He said the agency had leads or suspicions. Yes, he [Aquino] said that, Carreon said. He said if you have connections with Malacanang, [you can check that out]... It [leave] was planned a long time ago. It was filed a long time ago. PDEA raided a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite and found four empty magnetic lifters believed to contain shabu worth P6.8 billion. Aquino said the drugs slipped through the country at the Manila International Container Port and made their way into the streets. Davao CityPresident Rodrigo Duterte on Friday praised the initiative of his daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, for founding a regional party to support his administration but stopped short of endorsing her for a national post in the midterm elections in 2019. I appreciate what Inday (Sara) is doing, he said during the mass oath-taking of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago in Davao City, a regional party. Duterte, chairman of the ruling party PDP-Laban, was previously reported he would take his oath as a member of the regional party but no such thing happened Friday. He said what his daughter was doing was good since most of the big political parties had some groupings like his mother party, PDP-Laban. I do not want to make anybody uncomfortable here. PDP Laban is a party of principle. My advice to everybody is to connect with your mother unit. Whichever you are comfortable [in], he said. In a related development: Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said, there is absolutely no conflict in President Rodrigo Duterte joining the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago... In a statement, Pimentel said the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, which counts Duterte as chairman, is a national political party while HNP is a regional party. A PDP-Laban member can take his or her oath as a member of the HNP with no problem, he said. HNP had earlier forged an alliance with seven local political parties from different parts of the country, and the Nacionalista Party led by Senator Cynthia A. Villar, but not with PDP-Laban due to an internal conflict within the ruling party. Also on Friday, Sara Duterte endorsed the candidacies of nine politicians for the 2019 senatorial elections. During a gathering in Davaowhich the President also attendedDutertes daughter endorsed Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Senators Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, and Sonny Angara, Rep. Pia Cayetano, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, and Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa, the former national police chief. Dutertes son, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, likewise pledged allegiance to the HNP. Sara Duterte said it will only forge an alliance with the PDP-Laban once it has solved its internal problems. We would like to have an alliance with PDP but our governors and officers said during our discussions that they should first fix their internal problem, she said. So once their president fixes the problem, then we really are open because we need other national parties as allies, she added. The ruling party has been embroiled in various controversies such as the power grab in the House of Representatives that led to the ouster of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker. Meanwhile, a group that claimed to be genuine party members recently elected a new set of leaders, replacing Pimentel as party president.Pimentel refused to accept that there was a problem within his own party, however, saying this was a figment of the imagination of some people. We know its political season already. Hence PDP-Laban should not allow itself to be distracted by all this noise, maneuverings and psywar tactics, said Pimentel. Earlier, Pimentel took potshots at Rogelio Garcia, elected president by what he referred to as rogue members of their party. While insisting that he has no plan of tightly clinging to his current position, Pimentel accused Garcia of trying to reap what he did not sow. Garcia, who has never won an elective post, was elected as president of the PDP-Laban during a gathering of his supporters at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City recently. Also on Friday, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario said there would be no conflict if President Duterte to decides to join his daughters regional party. Del Rosario, secretary general of HNP, said members of national parties are allowed to join them. Duterte said he could support politicians seeking for his help but it would only be limited to moral support. If ever they need money for their campaign, they should go to their mother unit instead of him. A total 6,276 politicians in Davao City pledged allegiance to the HNP with the governors of Davao Occidental, Governor Claude Bautista, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Compostela Valley Governor Tyrone Uy and Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang. During the mass oath taking, Mayor Duterte asked all the local officials to also show their support to the senatorial line up of HNP. Let us give them our full support for next year, she added. Mayor Duterte added the HNP senatorial line up were chosen since they saw something in them that could help the Duterte administration. Mayor Duterte then thanked all the people who attended the mass oath taking, saying she was not expecting an overwhelming crowd since when HNP started they have not heard of anyone in Davao City who wished to join their regional party. Meanwhile, almost eight months after he resigned as Vice Mayor of Davao, the eldest son of President Duterte, Paolo, made a public appearance and pledged allegiance to the party of his younger sister, Mayor Duterte. I strongly support Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional political party founded by my sister, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. I believe in the principles of HNP and its aspirations to establish a strong and competitive Davao Region resonate significantly with many political leaders, Paolo said. He said that he was willing to go back to public service if the people of Davao City needed his services. Let me start by stating that our country is facing challenges which threaten its very foundation that is built on the rule of law. The Philippines has been a staunch advocate of a rules-based international system. Its experience as a nation that has been liberated from dictatorial rule, proves its commitment to human security, dignity and more importantly, its core values of democracy. As such, we as a people have always sought to identify with those nations which share the same belief that international order should be based on rules that are fair to the shared interest of all. This is quite evident in our Constitution which is replete with principles in the conduct of its foreign policy. In embracing an independent foreign policy, the Philippines has adopted the generally accepted principles of international law. I have shared time and again that the rule of law is the bedrock of peace, order and fairness in modern societies. The rise of a rules-based international system has been the great equalizer in global affairs. Respect and adherence to international law have preserved peace and resolved conflicts. International law has given equal voice to nations regardless of political, economic or military stature, banishing the unlawful use of sheer force. Yet, there are those who think that the rule of law does not apply to great powers. We continue to reject that view. There are actors, however, who believe that they have unbridled power to dominate their fellow nations because they have the superior firepower. The militarization of the South China Sea remains to be one of the most important and contentious external threat not only in our country but in the region. China has continuously rejected the rule of law by ostracizing the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. More so, it has not only unceasingly refused to accept the arbitral ruling that is now an integral part of international law, but it has also unwaveringly flexed its muscle to deprive us of our sovereign rights. Since our northern neighbor is a signatory to UNCLOS, it cannot pick and choose arbitrarily what benefits China. Our northern neighbor must abide by the totality of UNCLOS.What are our options to advance our national interest vis-a-vis South China Sea? How do we communicate effectively and efficiently our aspirations for a global order that increasingly needs stability? While our country appeared to be lax in enforcing what is right, it is not yet too late. We can still change the path we ought to take and lead it towards achieving a global order wherein right is might. We need to regain the respect of responsible nations by clearly standing up for the rule of law. We can begin by rallying for the support of other countries. We can seek the UN General Assembly to issue a Resolution that would effectively order China to abide by the arbitral ruling. Nonetheless, whether through multilateralism at the UN or with Asean or bilateral engagements, these provide us with glimmers of hope that we can triumph over an aggressor. We must furthermore be able to police our own conduct and declarations to ensure that we do not project any opposing views that tend to undermine our lawful rights and interests.At the risk of sounding repetitive, the arbitral ruling is not an empty victory. Any person who views it as such carries the voice of China. Let us not be willing victims by supporting and fueling Chinas non-adherence to the rule of law. Concomitantly, we cannot remain silent. According to my esteemed friend, Acting Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, the inaction of a State which is faced with a situation constituting threat or infringement of its rights refers to acquiescence; thus, it takes the form of silence or absence of protest in circumstances which generally call for a particular reaction signifying an objection. 1By being silent, we have weaponized an aggressor to do more harm. By being silent, we have encouraged further aggression into our territories and marine resources. As any responsible nation would do, we must act with peaceful resistance against threats to our sovereign rights and most importantly, the decline of the rule of law.Aside from the South China Sea, a number of cases regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty has been resolved wherein the rule of law has been used as basis in delineating the rights of claimant states. The cases of the Kingdom of Netherlands versus Russia, Mauritius versus UK, and Nicaragua versus United States deserve significant attention. The losing parties in these cases ultimately and substantively complied with the award of the arbitral tribunal. The question is why. Simply because these States opted to respect the rules-based international system. These states must therefore be considered exemplars of democratic countries that ought to be copied.As we continue to ponder our role in the future global order, let us ask ourselves what kind of international system we want to live in. Let us ask as well whether or not our actuations are aligned with our aspirations. Our country is therefore confronted with two choicesdo we stand strongly for the rule of law? Or do we, by default, allow ourselves to be ruled by China? Should we end up with a misguided choice, for examples, do we want to suffer the political consequences of Cambodia or the debt trap challenges of Sri Lanka and Djibouti? In closing, we want to respectfully commend President Duterte on his recent remarks about Chinas aggressive and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea. Nine out of 10 Filipinos would be encouraged and inspired by this manifestation of our Presidents positive leadership. If we truly adhere and respect the rule of law, we should actively seek to end any unlawful and aggressive attack to the rules-based international system. The Filipinos have the moral high ground. The Filipinos have the law on their side. We are in the right. Let us therefore speak with one voice that adherence to the rule of law is the only way forward. Albert del Rosario is a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Ambassador to the United States. This speech was delivered Friday, Aug.t 17, at the Stratbase ADR Institute Forum at Ascott Bonifacio Global City. Free The Press Two thirds of Americans want the Mueller investigation (inquisition, someone called it) over by the midterm elections. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said that if Mueller wants to interview Trump, hell have to do so before September 1, because the Trump camp doesnt want to be the one to unduly influence the elections. Mueller himself appears to lean towards prolonging the case, and that may well be with an eye on doing exactly that. And theres something else as well: as soon as the investigation wraps up, Trump will demand a second special counsel, this time to scrutinize the role the other side has played in the 2016 presidential election and its aftermath. Hes determined to get it, and hell fire both Jeff Sessions and Rod Rosenstein if they try to stand in his way. There have of course been tons of signs that its going to happen, but we got two significant ones just the past few days. The first is the termination of John Brennans security clearance. It looks impossible that no additional clearances will be revoked. There are more people who have them but would also be part of a second special counsels investigation. That doesnt rhyme. The second sign is Senator Rand Pauls call for immunity for Julian Assange to come talk to the US senate about what he knows about Russian involvement in the 2016 election. Obviously, we know that he denies its very existence, and has offered to provide evidence to that end. But before he could do that, a potential deal with the DOJ to do so was torpedoed by then FBI chief James Comey and Senator Mark Warner. Both will also be part of the second investigation. Rand Pauls motivation is simple: Assanges testimony could be a very significant part of the process of figuring out what actually happened. And that should be what everybody in Washington wants. Question is if they all really do. Thats -ostensibly- why there is the first, the Mueller Russian collusion, investigation. Truth finding. But Mueller doesnt appear to have found much of anything. At least, that we know of. Hes locked up Paul Manafort on charges unrelated to collusion, put him in isolation and dragged him before a jury. But dont be surprised if Manafort is acquitted by that jury one of these days. The case against him seemed a lot more solid before than it does now. A jury that asks the judge to re-define reasonable doubt already is in doubt, reasonable or not. And that is what reasonable doubt means. But it wasnt just Brennan and Comey and Peter Strzok and Lisa Page and all the rest of them in the intelligence community who played questionable roles around the election and the accusations of Russian meddling in it. The American media were also there, and very prominently. Which is why when 300 papers publish editorials pushing against Trump attacking the media, you cant help but -wryly- smile. Why does Trump attack the press? Because theyve been attacking him for two years, and theyre not letting go. So the press can attack the president, but he cannot fight back. Thats the rationale, but with the Mueller investigation not going anywhere its a hard one to keep alive. There are three reasons for the behavior of the New York Times, WaPo, MSNBC, CNN et al. The first is political, theyre Democrat hornblowers. The second is their owners have a personal thing against Donald Trump. But these get trumped by the third reason: Trump is their golden goose. Their opposition makes them a fortune. All they need to do is publish articles 24/7 denouncing him. And they have for two years. That puts the 300 papers editorials in a strange light. Many of them would have been fighting for their very lives if not for anti-Trump rhetoric. All 300 fit neatly and easily in one echo chamber. And, to put it mildly, inside that chamber, not everyone is always asking for evidence of everything thats being said. Its not difficult to whoop up a storm there without crossing all your ts. And after doing just that for 2 years and change, it seems perhaps a tad hypocritical to claim that you are honest journalists just trying to provide people with the news as it happened. Because when youve published hundreds, thousands of articles about Russian meddling, and the special counsel that was named to a large degree because of those articles, fails to come up with any evidence of it, it will become obvious that youve not just, and honestly, been reporting the news as it happened. You have instead been making things up because you knew that would sell better. And when the second special counsel starts, where will American media be? Sure, it may not happen before the midterms, and you may have hopes that the Democrats win those bigly, but even if that comes to pass (slim chance), Trump will still be president, and the hearings and interviews wont be soft and mild. Also, there will be serious questions, under oath, about leaks to the press. Still, whichever side of this particular fence youre on, theres one thing we should all be able to agree on. That is, when we get to count how many of the 300 editorials have actually mentioned, let alone defended, Julian Assange, and Ill bet you that number is painfully close to zero, that is where we find out how honest this defense of the free press is. If for you the free press means that you should be able to write and broadcast whatever you want, even if its lacking in evidence, as much of the Russiagate stuff obviously is, and you forget to mention a man who has really been attacked and persecuted for years, for publishing files that are all about evidence, you are not honest, and therefore probably not worth saving. Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are the essence of the free press. A press that is neutral, objective, fearless and determined to get the truth out. The New York Times and CNN simply dont fit that description -anymore-. So when their editors publish calls to protect free press, but they leave out the one person who really represents free press, and the one person whos been tortured for exactly that, you have zero credibility. Sure, you may appear to have credibility in your echo chamber, but thats not where real life takes place, where evidence is available and where people can make up their own minds based on objective facts provided by real journalists. You guys just blew this big time. You dont care about free press, you care about your own asses. And the second special counsel is coming. Good luck. Oh, and we wont forget your silencing of Assange, or your attacks on him. If you refuse to do it, WE will free the press. 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. A concerted Blairite campaign is being run to smear Corbyn and the left over anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, the Tories are being let off the hook for their ingrained racism. Blairite plotting is becoming more open and vicious as the establishment war against Jeremy Corbyn goes on. Every day we are seeing ever-more crude attempts to smear Corbyn as a racist and an anti-Semite. The Chief Rabbi and 68 other senior Rabbis have written that Labour is an anti-Semitic party. And three Jewish newspapers have even carried a story claiming that a Corbyn government would be an existentialist threat to Jews! At a time when the far right and the Tories are spewing out the poison of racism on a daily basis; when Tommy Robinson supporters are giving Nazi salutes on the streets of London: how on earth can this existential threat to Jewish life claim be made about the prospect of a Corbyn-led Labour government. The whole thing is being blown up out of all proportion for political ends by pro-big business forces that are determined to stop Corbyn getting to Downing Street. Whatever Corbyn says or does, it will never be enough for his opponents. Racism and hypocrisy At the same time, no action is being taken against the racism that is rife inside the Tory Party. Boris Johnsons latest outburst just the tip of a very nasty iceberg. Repeated warnings have been made over the ongoing Tory failure to recognise and deal with Islamophobia in their own ranks. Now we have the former London Mayor getting up and writing that Muslim women who wear burkas look like letter boxes or bank robbers. It has been said that Johnson seems to be angling for the Tory members vote in any future leadership election. If nothing else, this is a damning indictment of the Tory ranks and their ingrained racism. Many Tories, however, have been defending Johnson. One Tory insider told the BBC: we must not fall into the trap of shutting down the debate on difficult issues. Hypocritically, this is precisely what the establishment are trying to do with Corbyn and the question Israel and Palestine. But for the Tories, racism is apparently now open for debate. Indeed, Johnson, Gove and Rees-Mogg all recently held meetings with US reactionary Steve Bannon, who calls racism a badge of honour. Ingrained establishment racism Racism does not stop with the likes of barmy Boris, however. Unite the Union have produced a damning survey of reported major incidents of racism by Tories over the last decade or so. The dossier lists pages and pages of major incidents. In summary, the report noted that these cases include Tory elected representatives using racist abuse like Pakis, pikies, and piccaninnies as well as several anti-Semitic or Islamophobic remarks. But most appear to have been allowed to continue their membership and even to represent the Conservative Party. Only a few months ago, we had the ultra-right wing Tories of Romford producing a scandalous leaflet whipping up racist fears. Some embarrassed Tories demanded that the leaflet be withdrawn, but only after it had already been sent to all voters. It was later discovered that Tory campaign HQ had given the text the green light. The Tories are packed with racists. A YouGov poll found that 31% of Tory supporters believed that Jews chase money more than other Britons, a far higher percentage than for any other party. From Windrush to Grenfell to all the various anti-migrant laws and deportations: the Tories have shown their racism at every opportunity. They reflect the crude class-based racism that flows from the establishment as a whole. They say one thing to your face and quite another to each other behind closed doors. What has come out is just a fraction of the real picture. This is the real scandal that must be exposed. Kick out the careerists Back in the Labour Party, the Blairites are now acting on all issues as a party within a party. No wonder, then, that pressure is rising within Labour to deselect right-wing MPs, with votes of no confidence being passed against Kate Hoey and Frank Field by their own local parties. Elsewhere, John Woodcock has resigned from Labour to sit as an independent. Dame Margaret Hodge MP, claims she is somehow being forced out and has engaged a top (and not cheap) legal firm to defend her interests. The Blairites are a Fifth Column inside Labour and should be treated as such by grassroots activists. This mafia includes Tom Watson, Labours deputy leader, who has repeatedly tried to undermine Corbyn from within. As such, it is no accident that there is now increased talk of a split in the Labour Party. One Labour MP told the Financial Times there would almost certainly be a split in the autumn or early next year. Open discussions are taking place with the Lib Dems. There have been press reports of secret Blairite meetings taking place in a posh Sussex farmhouse to plan how to undermine Corbyn and Labour. These meetings - involving key PLP cronies - have discussed how to sabotage a Labour government and have debated the prospects of a new centre (i.e. pro-capitalist) party. Labour MP Chris Williamson has said that any Blairite breakaway would be not so much a schismas an irrelevant rump of malcontents attempting to perform CPR on neoliberal ideology. This is 100% true. It is time these right-wing careerists and saboteurs were cleared out once and for all. They should creep off to the Tory Party where they belong. Labour must stand firm with clear socialist policies, mobilising workers and youth to defeat the Tory government and the system it defends. It is time to fight back. All current and future students enrolled in New York University school of medicines MD degree program will receive full-tuition scholarships, the school announced Thursday. The scholarships are granted independently of merit or financial need for all enrolled students, the university said. Sticker price for tuition at the school is $55,018 per-year. USA Today NetworkJoel Shannon, USA TODAY https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/08/16/free-tuition-all-nyu-med-students-acceptance-rate-reportedly-6/1014801002/ Bozeman is a rapidly growing city with a high quality of life in part due to the easy access to the outdoors, burgeoning tech industry, and cultural experiences it offers. Heather Martin cried when she found out. Josh Hedrick skipped. Sadie Starcevich was so shocked she was speechless. Their reactions were different, but the extremity of their responses was similar and the cause was the same: last month, Martin, Hedrick and Starcevich were the first three students to be awarded scholarships to attend Montana Tech at no cost, as part of the universitys new Butte Initiative program. The program gives full, four-year rides, plus room and board and money for books, to three students who are from Butte, who would be the first in their family to graduate from college and who have "a real financial need," according to Montana Tech Foundation Executive Director Michael Barth. TED McDERMOTT [email protected] https://mtstandard.com/news/local/new-initiative-grants-full-scholarships-to-montana-tech-to-local/article_85dbdb30-12b1-551f-87a4-003d2e07a421.html#tracking-source=home-top-stories Arrow Electronics (www.FiveYearsOut.com) and social enterprise Close the Gap launched its third DigiTruck in August 2018. The DigiTruck is a mobile, solar-powered classroom and enterprise incubator. The new unit serves the Kenyan capital of Nairobi one of Africas commercial hubs and a portal for Africas development in the 21st Century. Kenya is poised to be a global success story because of its motivated youth, a dynamic private sector and improving infrastructure. But it must address gaps in modern workforce skills and technology access to unlock its potential. In Kenya, the truck is operated by local nonprofits Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (www.WEEECentre.com) Centre and Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK) (http://CFSK.org/). The truck provides IT training to students aged 16 to 65 living in Nairobis underserved areas, including some of the continents largest urban slums, as well as surrounding rural communities. By the end of 2020, as many as 10,000 Kenyans will be certified in digital literacy, e-commerce skills and responsible electronic waste handling. More than half of the students are women. The education I have now will help me in managing my business. I will be able to write and save my information, says Mama Halima, who at age 48 entered a classroom for the first time in her life. I had never used a computer before, and I am so happy that now I know how to use it for my own benefit. Already, some early DigiTruck graduates have been recruited for online marketing jobs, and entrepreneurs have learned how to market their products online. This DigiTruck also serves as an e-waste collection site and educational hub. Students learn that old IT hardware can be brought to a center, reducing harmful environmental effects while creating new business opportunities. After beginning its journey in Nairobi, the trucks first stop was Mlolongo, then passing through Athi River and continuing its route south to Kitengela, a sub-county in Kajiado county, where it resides currently. In addition to operating the new truck in Kenya, Arrow and Close the Gap continue to operate a DigiTruck on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. That truck delivers up to 1,000 online lessons per week to orphanage students living above the town of Moshi with the help of nonprofit NEEMA International (http://NEEMAInternational.org). The prototype DigiTruck continues to operate in Brussels. Access to technology is critical, and Arrow looks to inspire ideas led by students and educators. Arrow and Close the Gap continue to facilitate the donation of refurnished computers, tablets and phones to schools and organizations. Since 2003, more than 800,000 devices have been shared with 3.2 million people worldwide. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Metropolitan News-Enterprise Friday, August 17, 2018 Page 4 California Supreme Court: Father Need Not Be Party to Childs Case Alleging Abandonment From staff and wire service reports The California Supreme Court held yesterday that a girls father in Honduras, who had abandoned her, need not be joined as party to a state-court proceeding in which findings were sought aimed at avoiding her deportation. In an opinion for a unanimous court, Justice Leondra R. Kruger wrote that it was sufficient to adequately notify the absent parent of the court proceedings. The decision reverses a decision of the Court of Appeal for this district which affirmed a judgment by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly J. Fujie. The decision came in the case of a girl, identified only as Bianka M., who arrived in the U.S. at age 10 in 2013. Her mother had been in the U.S. for several years, and the two were reunited. The girl sought an order granting her mother sole custody. She also asked Fujie to declare that she could not reunite with her father because he abandoned her and that returning to Honduras was not in her best interest. These findings were aimed at Bianka gaining special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) paving the way for her to apply for lawful permanent residency, and eventually citizenship. Two Issues Kruger wrote: We granted review to determine whether the superior court properly required the childs nonresident, noncustodial parent to be joined as a party in her parentage action seeking special immigrant juvenile findings. We also consider whether, as certain language in the Court of Appeals opinion might suggest, the childs perceived immigration-related motivations for filing the action have any bearing on whether the action may proceed. Our answer to both questions is no. Provided that the absent parent has received adequate notice, the action may proceed even if the parent is beyond the personal jurisdiction of the court and cannot be joined as a party. The action may also proceed regardless of whether the court believes it was filed primarily for the purpose of obtaining the protections from abuse, neglect, or abandonment that federal immigration law provides. Biankas mother testified that the father, Jorge W. M. Lazo, left her when she was pregnant with Bianka and said he would rather see Bianka dead than have to support her. The girls attorneys noted that California courts could not establish authority over an unwilling foreign resident, so she would have to convince the man to attest that he was her father. Attorney Comments Kristen Jackson, an attorney for Bianka, remarked yesterday: In her case and a lot of other cases, California family courts were putting up insurmountable barriers to these children. Were thrilled that the California Supreme Court made sure that vulnerable immigrant children in California are able to access the protection they need and which both federal and state law mandate. Kruger noted that the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) does not mandate that all parents be made parties to a parentage action, elaborating: As a rule, of course, a court may adjudicate the rights and responsibilities only of the parties before it; a parent therefore must be named as a party if the parentage action seeks to establish a legal relationship between that parent and the child. Beyond that basic background rule, however, the UPA imposes no general requirement of parental participation: While a child who is 12 or older shall...be made a party to the action, the statute provides that parentswhether natural, presumed, or allegedand younger children may be made parties, depending on the circumstances. Mandatory Joinder Rules Kruger noted that the California Rules of Court, rule 5.24(e)(1), sets forth the guidelines courts are to follow for mandatory joinder in family law cases. She wrote: In a family law action, the mandatory joinder provision of rule 5.24(e) of the California Rules of Court identifies one category of persons who, by definition, are materially interested in the action and are therefore necessary parties: those who have physical custody of the child or make a claim to custody or visitation after being served with notice of the pending action. But Lazo, who did not have physical custody of Bianka, had been served notice and did not make any claims to custody or visitation, she pointed out. In such a case, Kruger explained, Code of Civil Procedure 389(b) requires a determination of whether in equity and good conscience the action should proceed among the parties before it, or should be dismissed without prejudice, the absent person being thus regarded as indispensable. The jurist assumed, as Fujie had found, that Lazo was a necessary party, and noted that it was unfeasible to join him as the court had no personal jurisdiction over him. She wrote: Under section 389, subdivision (b), the potential prejudice that may flow from a judgment rendered in Jorges absence must be weighed alongside other factors: whether the prejudice can be lessened by the shaping of relief; whether a judgment rendered in Jorges absence will be adequate; and, as particularly important here, whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder . Although the superior court did not squarely address the last question, the answer is no: Bianka has no way to obtain a state court finding on the matters relevant to an application for SIJ status, as section 155 of the Code of Civil Procedure entitles her to do, other than to ask the state court for the finding. The case is Bianka M. v. Superior Court, 2018 S.O.S. 4025. Copyright 2018, Metropolitan News Company 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, Its Halloween, which means we must be talking about Christmas. And one of the most enduring songs of the season, Jose Felicianos bilingual classic Feliz Navidad. Since last year was completely shut down, now is the time to celebrate the... August 17, 2018 John Brennan Is No Match For Trump U.S President Trump revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan. Good. It is probably the best thing Trump has ever done. Brennan is one of the most despicable former U.S. officials alive. He should rot in hell instead of making money off his former status. Besides that there is no sound reason why anyone who does not work for the government, directly or indirectly, should have a clearance and thereby access to state secrets. ACLU and others are wrong in this. Revoking or keeping a security clearance has nothing to do with free speech or first amendment rights. Abu Jihad Brennan was the CIA's station chief in Saudi Arabia. Some assert he went native, i.e. converted to Wahhabism. Brennan was in Riyadh when the Khobar Towers were bombed. Al-Qaeda did it, but Brennan was helpful in blaming the attack on Hizbullah and Iran. He was deputy executive director of the CIA on 9/11. That 9/11 happened was an intelligence failure or, as some have it, an incident arranged by the deep state. Brennan was CIA chief of staff while the agency concocted false stories about Iraqi WMD. He was within the line of command that ran the CIA torture program. It was Brennan who conspired with the Gulf dictators to hire Jihadis to destroy Libya and to attempt the same in Syria. In short - the man was always ruthless, incompetent and dishonest. When Obama became president he wanted to make Brennan Director of the CIA. The Democrats in Congress were opposed to that. Obama then made him his high priest of targeted killings. After Obama's reelection, Brennan finally became director. He ordered the CIA to spy on the Congress committee investigating CIA torture. He lied to Congress under oath when he denied that it had happened. When it was proven that the CIA did what it did, he had to apologize. At that time a Washington Post editorial headlined Obama should fire John Brennan. Today the Post calls the revocation of a security clearance of a former official, who -it had opined- should have long been fired, a "political vendetta against a career intelligence officer". Hypocrites. Most important was "Brennans ringleader role in the so-far unsuccessful attempts to derail Trump, both before and after the 2016 election. As far as we can tell it was Brennan who concocted and launched the conspiracy to insinuate that Trump is connected with alleged Russian influence. Brennan bet that Hillary Clinton would win the election. He lost his bet and is now out in the cold. He fears that his role, especially his conspiring with British security services and with the Steele dossier, will come to light. Since Trump became president Brennan publicly opposed him. That was a huge mistake. He is no match for Trump. By revoking Brennan's clearance Trump is now elevating him to 'hero' of the so called 'resistance' against him which he connects to the deep state. This is the Trump playbook: [R]unning against the deep state provides Trump a rhetorical crutch. Its a built-in excuse for failing to deliver on his 2016 campaign promises. Sitting presidents usually have to run as incumbents. Trump can try to run for re-election as an outsider. And is there a better poster boy for the alleged deep state than Brennan? The idiots who express solidarity with Brennan by offering up their security clearances confirm, simply by doing so, that there IS a deep state cabal that is opposed to Trump. Attacking Brennan and them will help Trump to get reelected. Trump uses the same playbook when he attacks the "fake news media" for opposing him. He is right in that nearly all U.S. and international editors favored Hillary Clinton over Trump. This week 200 U.S. papers united to write editorials against Trump's attacks against the "freedom of the press". They fell for his trick: Most journalists agree that theres a great need for Trump rebuttals. Ive written my share. But this [Boston] Globe-sponsored coordinated editorial response is sure to backfire: It will provide Trump with circumstantial evidence of the existence of a national press cabal that has been convened solely to oppose him. When the editorials roll off the press on Thursday, all singing from the same script, Trump will reap enough fresh material to whale on the media for at least a month. His forthcoming speeches almost write themselves: By colluding against me, the fake media proved once and for all, that they are in cahoots with the Democrats and have declared themselves to be my true political opposition ... Trump is excellent in playing his domestic opponents. Brennan made a huge mistake in publicly opposing him. He is now standing in the limelight and people will only dig further into his role in the "Russian collusion" campaign. Yesterday Brennan authored a New York Times Op Ed headlined President Trumps Claims of No Collusion Are Hogwash. It does not provide any evidence for the "hogwash" claim. Brennan can not show that there was a Trump campaign collusion with Russia or anyone else. Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, gave a somewhat salty and fitting response: Director Brennans recent statements purport to know as fact that the Trump campaign colluded with a foreign power. If Director Brennans statement is based on intelligence he received while still leading the CIA, why didnt he include it in the Intelligence Community Assessment released in 2017? If his statement is based on intelligence he has seen since leaving office, it constitutes an intelligence breach. If he has some other personal knowledge of or evidence of collusion, it should be disclosed to the Special Counsel, not The New York Times. If, however, Director Brennans statement is purely political and based on conjecture, the president has full authority to revoke his security clearance as head of the Executive Branch. In short: "Nut up or shut up." It is doubtful that Trump will let go of the issue. Brennan is a too juicy target to stop shooting at it. Currently Brennan is still too valuable as an enemy for Trump to destroy him. But once that is over Brennan's day of judgment will come. Here are high hopes that Brennan will finally have to pay for at least one of his many crimes. Posted by b on August 17, 2018 at 19:09 UTC | Permalink Comments next page 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. Kevin Kwans best-selling novel gets the Hollywood treatment and its crazy well done. So Which of these accessories is going to make Lady Gaga jealous? Rachel Chu (Constance Wu, right, in red) gets some fashion advice from her college best friend and the secretly rich Peik Lin Goh (Awkafina) in a scene from CRAZY RICH ASIANS. Credit: WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE: KEY CAST MEMBERS: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Ken Jeong, Awkwafina, Lisa Lu, Ronny Chieng, Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, Pierre Png, Jimmy O. Yang, Tan Kheng Hua, Remi Hii and Nico Santos WRITER(S): Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim (screenplay); Kevin Kwan (novel on which the film is based) DIRECTOR(S): Jon M. Chu WEB SITE: http://www.crazyrichasiansmovie.com/ HERES THE STORY: Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians stars Constance Wu as Rachel Chu, a New York economics professor whos happily in love with her Oxord education boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding in his debut feature film). So when Nick asks her to accompany him on a trip home to Singapore for the wedding of his good friend Colin (Chris Pang) to Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno), she happily says yes. And since shell be able to see her old college friend Peik (Awkwafina), Rachel is excited to visit the native land of her people since her mother Kerry (Tan Kheng Hua) left Asia before she was born. Thats when she discovers that not only is Peik rich, but Nicks family is really rich. Like, crazy rich and Nicks mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) is old world Chinese in both tradition and practice. WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who enjoyed the novel; fans of people living lavish lifestyles the average person can only dream of; mothers and daughters looking for a good bonding movie; independent women; anyone of Asian descent searching for a major Hollywood film that features their people in a positive, entertaining light; those looking for a film that doesnt play into the usual romantic comedy/race-centric tropes; Awkwafina fans WHO WONT (OR SHOULDNT) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People with no interest in Asian culture; those will find the slow parts in the films first hour too, well, slow; people who always say the book was better; people who think you have to be Asian to appreciate the films universal themes of love, acceptance and family SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? A movie that is essentially a classic love story with modern elements in a setting unfamiliar to many American audiences, Crazy Rich Asians is an entertaining, heartfelt romantic comedy that doesnt break any new ground as far as romantic comedies go but breaks plenty in just being a good movie. Crazy Rich Asians features just about everything you could want in a story: Chemistry between its two leads and supporting characters that, well, save for one or two characters that might seem a like a toned down version of co-star Ken Jeongs work in The Hangover, are not caricatures of Asians in American eyes. Whereas Wu and Golding (he of British-Malaysian descent) seem like a real couple, Awkafina and Nico Santos who plays Nicks fashion and family-conscious cousin Oliver TSien steal every scene theyre in with their good-natured, perfectly timed and well-meaning quips. Likewise, whereas Yeoh plays the role of the seemingly icy family matriarch with a good duality to her like many a Marvel Universe villain shes is cautious to never operate at one extreme at any one time and Gemma Chan plays her role as Nicks beautiful yet personally suffering in her relationship with her husband Michael (Pierre Png) in a way that feels extremely real (and thus inspiring without going out of her way to be so). Beautifully shot by director Jon M. Chu as essentially a tourist agencys dream video postcard for Singapore, the film presents some of the best visuals captured on film this year, acting as the perfect backdrop for the films characters to play, love and learn throughout their respective journeys. Throw in a soundtrack that interpolates classic American songs of various genres in native Asian tongues and Crazy Rich Asians is the type of film that will feel revolutionary when in fact its simply more evolutionary. For given how solid the film is, hopefully Crazy Rich Asians marks the evolution of an industry that has long underserved the Asian moviegoing population but at the same time proves a movie like this can entertain anyone. MERIDEN City officials on Thursday described the mass drug overdose reported on the New Haven Green in a matter of hours as deeply troubling and unusual. Between Wednesday and Thursday morning, at least 76 people overdosed on a batch of K2 synthetic marijuana on the Green. No deaths have been reported. Yale-New Haven Hospital Dr. Kathryn Hawk said some patients tested positive for fentanyl. One man has been arrested in connection to the overdoses. Meriden Fire Chief Ken Morgan said he has seen multiple overdoses on a smaller scale but added it is unusual to see so many cases in one area. We never know when these kind of things hit the street, what kind of potency or what theyre mixing it with, Morgan said. Thats the part that scares us, we cant predict it. Morgan said the incident in New Haven was considered a mass casualty situation because of the number of people that overdosed. Meriden Director of Health and Human Services Lea Crown said the overdoses are concerning. The public health emergency in New Haven is deeply troubling and illustrative of the real and serious threat that illicit street drugs pose to health of individuals, she said. According to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, there were 36 fatal drug overdoses in Meriden in 2017, and 1,038 fatal overdoses across the state. Our role as a public health agency in a situation like in New Haven would be to inform our residents and community partners of the event and provide prevention education materials in hopes of increasing awareness of accidental overdoses, Crown said. David Lowell, city councilor and executive vice president for Hunters Ambulance, said police, fire and EMTs carry naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. It all works very well. Lowell said. We performs drills periodically (to) keep skills fine tuned. Lowell said last year naloxone was administered to 145 overdose victims. Eighteen deaths were reported in those cases. He said through the first half of this year, 72 people have received naloxone due to an overdose. Two overdoses ended up being fatal. Lowell said police and first responders may be at risk when responding to overdoses if the narcotic is laced with other drugs. There may be lethal chemicals, Lowell said. The quantity that somebody uses to lace materials and concentration is not measurable or noticed. Lowell mentioned the recent case of a Meriden police officer being exposed to fentanyl after providing life saving measures while responding to an overdose. The officer was hospitalized but has since recovered. We dont know what were dealing with often times, Lowell said. Crown said the health department is working to raise awareness and provide resources for people struggling with opioid addiction and substance abuse. We encourage the public to avoid such substances and seek medical attention for themselves, Crown said. jroman@record-journal.com 203-317-2420 Twitter: @JenieceRoman Sens. Len Suzio and Joe Markley say the latest Department of Correction statistics continue to prove the states Risk Reduction Earned Credit program is a spectacular failure, and called on Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to shut down the program on behalf of thousands of brutalized victims. And the new data reinforces, compounds and heightens our conviction that it is so bad, so bloody, and so unjust that it must be ended today, Markley, R-Southington, said in a statement. Malloys office, which has strongly defended the program, sharply rebuked Markley and Suzios claims as irresponsible fear mongering, and said they were misinterpreting data from the Department of Correction. It is not only unbecoming, but morally corrupt for any elected official to distort facts and engage in fear-mongering to fit a narrative they so desperately wished were true, Malloy spokesman Kelly Donnelly said in a statement. Sadly, Senators Suzio and Markley share the same corrosive contempt for truth as their partys leader (President) Donald Trump. Thankfully for Connecticut, facts dont lie. And there is no question that our system today is better than the one that preceded it with violent criminals serving more of their sentences than ever before. The legislature first adopted the Risk Reduction program into law in 2011, replacing the states previous method of early release credits. The program allows convicted inmates certain serious offenses make participation ineligible to shave time off their sentences by completing programs and displaying good behavior. All eligible inmates were initially able to receive a reduction of five days per month, but legislation changed the program beginning Feb. 1, 2016, to allow between one and five days based on an inmates risk level. The goal was to motivate inmates to seek a lower security level to get more time off their sentences. Suzio, R-Meriden, expressed concern about a staggering 67 percent recidivism rate for inmates discharged under the program. Suzio, who routinely gets data from DOC, said this includes 136 inmates readmitted for acts of murder/homicide/manslaughter and another 183 for sexual assault. DOC spokesman Karen Martucci disputed Suzios findings and questioned how he was calculating recidivism rate. The DOC only gives Suzio raw data. According to the states Office of Policy and Management, new arrests among released prisoners have dropped since the program started, and the recidivism rate is currently at roughly 60 percent of prisoners released after three years, down from 70 percent in 2005. The rates of those returned to prison decreased from 61 percent in 2005 to 55 percent in 2014, according to OPM. I can only assume that he has created a formula to re-query the raw data and present his conclusions, Martucci said He does not provide any contextual framework to support his findings; therefore, I cannot validate his assertions. Martucci also said Connecticut has seen a 20 percent drop in crime between 2012 and 2016, the largest in the nation, and noted the state recently closed the 700-bed Enfield Correctional Institution. Suzio said he didnt think the Risk Reduction program was the cause of the crime rate dropping. If crime is going down, its not because of the program, he said. If youre releasing prisoners early of course the prison population is going down. mgodin@record-journal.com 203-317-2255 Twitter: @Cconnbiz WALLINGFORD Residents of the Masonicare senior living facility excitedly gathered in the lobby Friday as they waited to greet the Quinnipiac University student that will be living with them as part of the Students in Residence program. Cathleen Dacey, a second-year law student, said she jumped at the opportunity to apply when she learned about the program. Dacey, who is currently studying elderly law and estate planning law, said she is looking forward to getting to know the residents. Just in the past hour that I have moved in, I have had invitations to do trivia with them, to go on walks around the lake with residents, Dacey said. Theyre already so welcoming and accepting. This is the third consecutive year Quinnipiac and Masonicare have partnered in the program. Dacey will live at Masonicare and take classes at Quinnipiac. Dacey said she is excited to learn more about the residents and believes her experience will help her gain insight when she becomes an attorney, working on estates and wills. Ive been finding that the best way to serve the older community is to listen to them and figure out their needs and their wants, Dacey said. As part of the program, students live with senior residents at Ashlar Village throughout the academic school year. Every week students are required to complete eight hours of community service and have at least one meal with residents. In return, students that participate will be provided with food and living accommodations at no cost. Marissa Dominello, Masonicare recreation manager and program coordinator, said the program is available to undergraduate juniors, seniors and graduate students. She said students do not need to be studying a major related to medicine or the elderly to be able to participate. The students get to learn that the residents are still full of life and energy and have so much wisdom and experience to tell, Dominello said. Dominello said the program was the first Student in Residence program in the country when it began in 2016. She said the main goal is to combat ageism and negative stereotypes associated with aging. Its such a unique opportunity for bringing generations together and showing that friendship really has no age, Dominello said. jroman@record-journal.com 203-317-2420 Twitter: @JenieceRoman By PTI PUNE: The Pune Police has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the cyber fraud in Cosmos Bank, in which hackers allegedly siphoned off over Rs 94 crore through a malware attack on the bank's server in two days, a top police official said. The police are getting the transaction details from the bank and the primary focus right now will be to probe the domestic transactions, in which Rs 2. 5 crore were withdrawn from ATM machines. Cross-border investigation depends on the co-operation and help from the respective countries, Jyotipriya Singh, deputy commissioner of police (cyber and economic offences wing), Pune Police, told PTI. "A SIT has been formed to investigate the case," Singh said, adding that she would be supervising the probe and work as a nodal officer to coordinate with various agencies. The co-operative bank had informed the police about an abnormal transaction in an ATM located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The police are also checking when was the latest cybersecurity audit of the bank's systems conducted and whether the systems were protected or not, the DCP said. "Though there are 15,000 transactions, but along with the fraudulent ones, there are genuine transactions also. So we are seeking a segregated list of all these transactions from the bank," the officer said. Cosmos Bank chairman Milind Kale had on Tuesday said the fraudulent transactions were carried out last Saturday and on Monday and the malware attack originated in Canada. "In two days, hackers withdrew a total Rs 78 crore from various ATMs in 28 countries, including Canada, Hong Kong and a few ATMs in India, and another Rs 2. 5 crore were taken out within India," he had said. On Monday, hackers again fraudulently transferred Rs 13. 92 crore in a Hong Kong-based bank. Talking about the Rs 13.92-crore transaction, Singh said they had not received yet the report on whether the amount was in the banking transit or withdrawn. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Mobile phone retail chain Big C, which has hitherto presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is planning to enter new states as part of its expansion plan. Speaking during the launch of a new logo and campaign in Hyderabad on Thursday, M Balu Chowdary, founder and CMD of Big C, revealed that the mobile phone retailer will be first entering Tamil Nadu and then Karnataka. Big C has been operating in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for about 16 years now and has a huge brand recall value. We have a strong network of over 225-plus stores across both the states. We will soon enter the Tamil Nadu market and launch about 20 outlets in the first phase. We also plan to launch stores in Karnataka next year. With these, we want to take our total number of stores to 300 by the end of FY19, said Chowdary, explaining the companys expansion plans. Besides the new logo, Big C has also launched an ad campaign featuring actor Akkineni Samantha, and has signed her as its brand ambassador. The association of Samantha, who stars in Telugu as well as Tamil films, with the company is expected to help the mobile retail chain in a big way at a time when it is exploring newer territories. Chowdary added that Big Cs revenue is expected to touch Rs 1,500 crore during the current financial year, from Rs 1,015 crore it saw during the previous year. S Lalitha By Express News Service BENGALURU: Dreading to travel to anywhere in Kerala, over 6,000 passengers from Bengaluru have cancelled their train tickets to that state in the last three days. Railways is now in the process of refunding over Rs 29 lakh to the passengers. With the flooding continuing unabated, ticket cancellations are set to continue this week and upset plans for the upcoming Onam festival. E Vijaya, Deputy General Manager of South Western Railway Zone, told TNIE from Hubballi that 6,457 tickets have been cancelled from August 14 to August 16 (Tuesday to Thursday) on the following trains: Bengaluru City-Kanyakumari Express (Train no. 16526), Yesvantpur-Kochuveli Garib Rath Express (12257) Bengaluru City-Kochuveli Express (16315) Yesvantpur-Kochuveli AC Express (22677) and Bengaluru City-Ernakulam Intercity Express (12677). "We need to refund Rs 29,01,296 to the passengers. Almost 90% of the refunds have already been made," she said. Kerala Samajam Bengaluru's General Secretary Reji Kumar said, "Most people I know of have cancelled their train and bus journeys to Kerala due to the heavy rain there. The shutdown of the Kochi airport till August 26 now has disrupted travel plans of those who had planned air travel too." V Muralidharan and his family have ended up losing the ticket money too as it was a tatkal ticket. "We wanted to attend the wedding of a close relative in Thrissur and then head to our hometown nearby. We were supposed to travel on Thursday night but have decided against it after hearing about the terrible flooding. We lost `2,700 now as they were tatkal tickets." Many others echoed this view. The spate of cancellations all around is proving handy for someone like Pramod Komattil, who has taken threes day leave and is dashing to his hometown Palakkad to bring his mother to Bengaluru. "There is a small river behind my house and the water level is increasing. I am taking the Kurla Express tonight to Coimbatore and will somehow reach Palakkad and bring my mother immediately with me to Bengaluru," he said. By Express News Service BENGALURU: On Thursday, the heart-rending video of a man neck-deep in water at his house in Chengannur, Kerala, recording a video to appeal for help, showed up on many social media timelines. This brought home the seriousness of the floods in Kerala to many. Many sought help by posting GPS coordinates of their homes and phone numbers of their loved ones who are stranded in flood-hit areas in the state. On Thursday, I saw many of these appeals for help show up on my timeline. Some of them were from my friends. Mobile numbers, which are generally not shared online and GPS-based locations of their homes were being openly shared in an attempt to get some relief to reach their relatives who are stranded in flooded houses, Pradeep R, a resident of Singasandra in the city, said. The floods have led to cutting of road, train and air links with Kerala and as a result many Keralites working in the city are unable to go help their families and friends back home. The inability to return home has many people in Bengaluru, which has a sizeable population of Keralites, worried endlessly. KERALA FLOOD LIVE UPDATES| Almost 100 dead as rains continue to lash state; schools and colleges closed till August 29 Jency Thomas, who hails from Aluva in Kerala and works in Bengaluru, said, I panicked today when I spoke with my parents in the morning. They told me that the water had entered our house and was rising. All efforts to call helplines from Bengaluru were in vain. They told me that rescue would take time. I posted my parents phone number and location online seeking help. A lot of people responded. Some with more helplines, others with numbers of their friends coordinating rescue attempts. By afternoon, I was able to speak to other people from the locality who assured that they would help my parents. For many others, the frustration is because their relatives back home are trying to downplay the situation. For two days now, water had entered our house but my parents kept telling me it was not serious and that I need not head home. With limited travel options, I am worried that I will not be able to get back home in time if required. So instead of calling helplines, I asked for help on social media since my parents did not want to be evacuated. It was heartening to see so many people reply and offer help, said Saju (name changed), who hails from Kozhencherry district. Airlines make a killing New Delhi: Keeping in view the flood situation in Kerala, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has urged airlines operating the Delhi-Kerala route to keep prices under `10,000. However, despite the advisory, the economy class on the Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram route was commanding nearly `30,000 on Thursday. Friday tickets on the route, though, were priced low in the range of `5,700 to `15,934. However, Delhi-Kozhikode tickets for Friday were priced way above `20,000. Madhumitha Viswanath By Express News Service CHENNAI : Along with his four siblings, 10-year-old Abdul was brought to India from Rangoon by his father in 1962, who started a small automobile spare parts shop on the land along Cooum river which was allotted by the then-DMK government. After his father died, Abdul has taken over the shop at Pudupet and has been managing it for the past 55 years. But the place that is both home and workplace for Abdul and 91 other Burmese refugees will be cleared as part of Cooum River restoration project in a week. This move which was taken to rejuvenate Cooum river by Chennai River Restoration Trust along with Greater Chennai Corporation, has mainly affected Burmese refugees who initially established this auto-repair hub in the early 1940s.The Public Works Department (PWD) has served eviction notices on 150-odd automobile spare parts shops located along South Cooum Road at Pudupet and the time period of two weeks given for vacating their shops ends on Monday. All auto spare parts shops will be relocated to Auto Nagar, spread across 44 acres at Appur in Chengalpattu taluk of Kanchipuram District, which is being set-up at a cost of `19.64 crores as an alternate place to accommodate an auto-repair hub to replace Pudupet. Shop owners have been allotted plots of 350sqft and 650sqft, out of which 300 sqft will be free of cost and the rest is given to them at subsidised rates. ALSO READ | Greater Chennai Corporation wants green-signal on waste collection fee As this auto-repair hub, which is now at Central Chennai, will be relocated nearly 50 kilometres away from the city, shop owners are worried about losing their business altogether. I cannot travel 100 kms every day when all my customers are in the heart of the city. I have four grandchildren who are studying and if my business shifts to Auto Nagar, what will happen to their education. This is a hasty decision taken by the government without much thought, said Abdul Rasheed, owner of Hameed services who deals with six-wheeler spare parts. Shop owners said that once these notices were served, most people started making arrangements to set-shop in other parts of the city like Poonamallee and Ambattur. The entire market has started to disintegrate. They are scared that their customers will not travel so far to get just a light bulb or handlebar changed. I have also made arrangements to shift my goods to two godowns at Puzhal, said S Najumudeen, another shop owner whose father was a refugee from Burma. Also the affected shop owners are sceptical about the facilities at Auto Nagar, which is only an expanse of barren land surrounded by forest area where they have to build their shops from scratch. There are no water or electricity connections, sanitation facilities or good roads at Auto Nagar. If officials had given more time to shift and provided these facilities at Appur, we would have relocated all the goods in our shops and stocked it there. Now, we have no space to store these even temporarily, said Shahul Hameed, a Burmese refugee whose father relocated to India in 1953. Locals said it will take another five years or more for the 2000-odd shops to recreate a market like Pudupet at Auto Nagar, as most traders are moving to other parts of the city during this shift. Two-wheeler spare parts dealers and auto mechanics are largely affected during the eviction process as they are dependent on daily wages. But, officials have informed all three traders associations that our families will be accommodated at homes at Perumbakkam soon, said Sagubar Saddique Ali, president of Motors, spare parts and merchants association. Officials of PWD, which is the land owning authority along Cooum banks, said they have been sending representatives every day to shops at Pudupet to remind shop owners to speedup the eviction process. We issued eviction notices in January 2018. We have given them ample time to vacate their shops. Only if they relocate to Appur, will there be any kind of development. According to a High Court order, we are supposed to allocate plots only for commercial purposes. Only slum clearance has to set-up other facilities, they said. By PTI LONDON: Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has become the best-paid actress in the world, according to Forbes magazine. Johansson, 33, made USD 40.5 million in pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018, quadrupling her income from the previous year. She played Black Widow in this year's hit Marvel movie "Avengers: Infinity War" and will return to the role in the 2019 instalment from Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios. Johansson beat out Angelina Jolie, who ranked second with USD 28 million thanks mainly to her upfront pay for "Maleficent 2". Jennifer Aniston came in third with USD 19.5 million, making the bulk of her profits from Emirates airlines, Smartwater, and Aveeno promotions, Forbes reports. Jennifer Lawrence, 28, was fourth on the list with continued earnings from her role in the "X-Men" series and an endorsement contract with fashion brand Christian Dior. Her USD 18 million income was USD 6 million less than the prior year. Reese Witherspoon, 42, is at number five with USD 16.5 million. The rest of the top 10 were Mila Kunis, Cate Blanchett, Melissa McCarthy and Gal Gadot. The combined earnings of the top 10 women this year is USD 186 million. Last year's highest-paid actress, Emma Stone, was not part of the top 10. By IANS MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has mourned the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he has lost a part of his childhood and growing up memories. The 93-year-old leader, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications, died at the national capital's AIIMS, where he was admitted for the past nine weeks. For The Poet Prime Minister of our country, love you Baapji...https://t.co/IKTYouMdiy pic.twitter.com/kLO4JAHvNu Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 16, 2018 An emotional Shah Rukh tweeted: "My father used to take me for every speech that Vajpayee made in Delhi when I was growing up. "Years on, I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics, and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for the screen." The "Chennai Express" star said Vajpayee was fondly addressed as 'Baapji' at his home. "The country lost a father-figure and a great leader. Personally I have lost a part of my childhood and growing up memories of learning, smiling and of course poetry," he added. The 52-year-old actor said he considered himself the "luckiest to have had Vajpayee's influence" on his life during his "formative years". "May his soul rest in peace. Will miss your smiling face Baapji," he said. By Online Desk The deadliest deluge in close to a century in Kerala has claimed close to 193 lives since August 8 and according to the latest reports from the Chief Minister's office on Saturday, 357 lives have been lost in rain-related incidents from May 29. CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that 33 people died today. PM Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting in Kerala taking stock of the flood situation, where announced an interim relief of Rs 500 crore for the state. However, Vijayan informed the Prime Minister that the State has suffered a loss of Rs 19,512 crore as per initial assessment and requested for an immediate assistance of 2000 crore. READ HERE | How to contribute to Kerala flood relief operations The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in three districts of the state on Sunday. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur are the worst-affected districts. Rescue operations are going on, even as the situation remains critical in Chengannur and Chalakkudy towns. Red Alert was issued for today in 11 districts after heavy rainfall was predicted for the day in all districts except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam & Kasaragod. FOR NEW UPDATES, CLICK HERE By PTI NEW DELHI: The body of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being taken to his residence in the national capital where people can pay their last respects, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. Singh, who visited the AIIMS twice during the day when Vajpayee was on life support system, said that with his demise, the nation has lost a stalwart who had dreamt of an India where "all persons lived together in unity, peace and harmony". "Vajpayeeji's body is being taken to his residence where people can pay their last respect," the home minister told reporters here. Describing former prime minister's death as a "huge personal loss", Singh said he was pained beyond words at the demise of Vajpayee, who had cherished the idea of a developed and powerful India. "In Atalji's demise, the nation has lost a stalwart who was known for statesmanship and astute leadership. Atalji was a true 'Ajatshatru' (man with no enemies) who had many friends across the political spectrum. He believed in political consensus and his beliefs had consequential effect on Indian politics," he said. The home minister said he joined millions of Indians who drew inspiration from Vajpayee's life and contribution. "I cannot fully imagine my own life without following the footprints that Atalji set. May his soul rest in peace," he said. The 93-year-old leader passed away today at AIIMS here. By Express News Service As Prime Minister Narendra Modi described, the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will truly be the end of an era for our country and its people. With his policies, reforms, diplomacy and emphasis on real issues that the country face, he will undoubtedly be one among the favourite Prime Ministers for Indians. For most of us, who'd seen him as a veteran politician, it will be difficult to imagine him as a college student. But did you know that during his stint as a student in DAV College, Kanpur, one among his classmates was his father Krishna Bihari Vajpayee? Not just that, the father-son duo also were roommates in the college hostel. Fascinated, aren't you? So were we, when Dr Amit Kumar Srivastava, the college's principal shared this interesting piece of information with us. "Vajpayee ji joined our college in 1945 to do his MA in Political Science. Later, he enrolled for LLB here. He quit the course a year later. We aren't sure if the former Prime Minister studied with his father while pursuing MA or LLB," he says. Dr Mishra also tells us that the college has a handwritten letter by Vajpayee where he reminisces his time as a student there and how his father was his classmate as well as his roommate. While the college authorities are deeply hurt by the demise of their dear alumnus, they're planning for a memorial service tomorrow, if the college is open. If not, it will be conducted on Saturday. (This story originally appeared in Edex. For more stories like this, visit www.edexlive.com) Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service The last time one saw A B Vajpayee engage in public life was exactly a decade ago: July 22, 2008. The day of the trust vote for his successor, Manmohan Singh. Vajpayee was wheeled into the Lok Sabha lobby. He cast his vote quietly and was wheeled away. He was already beyond all oratory, all witticisms. It must have sounded like a party in the next house to him: a faint din, perhaps flashes of memory of a place he once owned. A decade, as the variable truism goes, is a long time in life and politics. Its indeed been a long, fuzzy winter for one of the most warm-blooded personas in Indian public life. Vajpayee was many things to many people a quintessential moderate, a poet-prime minister, a gifted orator who had a leg-spinners grip over the seam of the language, a consensus-builder who first shone with his special approach to foreign policy, beginning in the 1970s and casting a glow on his tenure as PM. A Nehruvian legacy he gave a second life to a global elan that PMs still covet. It was a pleasure to hear Vajpayee deliver a speech moving between classical and folksy Hindi, never needing to lower the level of discourse to either hit or disarm the opponent. His sense of humour never deserted him even in the most dire situation. When his government in 1996 fell because no party was ready to support the BJP, still a political untouchable, Vajpayee spoke with hurt writ over his face, but still with a self-aware wit. Kai baar is sadan mein bola gaya, Vajpayee toh achhe hain, lekin party achhi nahin... (they say hes the right man in the wrong party). That government did not survive more than 13 days, but his words did. And came to represent Vajpayee, a man whose popularity went much beyond his own political circle or electoral base. If a leaders stature can be determined by the anecdotes, quotable quotes and folklore surrounding him, Vajpayee wins hands down. Indeed, its a flood everyone you ask, across ideological divides, would have one fond memory to recount. A well-known historian staunchly opposed to the BJP told this writer of Vajpayees mesmerising lecture on Kalidasa that hed heard in his student days, never to be forgotten: One of the best Hindi speakers this country has produced. The man retreated from public life, perforce due to a condition that impaired his cognitive skills; he lived on in these little memories. Years after his 13-month government collapsed by a whisker, Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary would tell how his one vote could have secured Vajpayee. All the independent MP from Kokrajhar had asked for from Pramod Mahajan, then the BJPs chief liaison man was a letter promising help to create a Bodoland out of Assam. Mahajan first took him to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and then Baapji as Vajpayee was referred to in the BJP. In his typical and soon-to-be-famous style, Vajpayee heard him out silently, and quietly said: How can I promise you something thats not in my power but in Parliaments domain, verbally or in writingthat would not be correct. That he refused to make a compromise to win a vote is how the Bodo MPs bitter-sweet memory of Vajpayee goes. On the controversial Ayodhya movement, the province of Advani, he equivocated. Vajpayee both called Babri Masjid a blot on Indian history, and spoke those nocturnal words about samtal zameen (ground to be levelled), and then said after December 6bahut galat hua (a great wrong has happened). He cultivated that twin-faced moderation, the art of making a statement without revealing his mind. His words were a moveable feast. Despite this same deliberate ambivalence attending to it, he is regarded as a statesman in the realm of foreign policy not just by wonks but even the opposition, the Left included. His imagination here was driven equally by humanism and pragmatism. As PM, he could detonate the N-bomb, then take a bus to Lahore and take Pakistan by storm giving matinee idol Dev Anand his biggest play outside cinema only to be badly bitten by the Kargil treachery. Still peace for the subcontinent was such an article of faith for him that he wouldnt mind opening a dialogue with Gen Pervez Musharraf. Vajpayee wanted the subcontinent to be like the European Union, a federation of sovereign nations of free trade and free movement of people, as a senior bureaucrat in his PMO recounted. Nostalgia runs big when Vajpayee is the topic. He would carry on with Narasimha Raos policy of strategic engagement with the US and Israel. He didnt flinch from moves that would draw criticism, like the hostage exchange of Kandahar, but he knew where to draw the line. The late CPI leader A B Bardhan often recounted to this writer how he used the Left to drum up opposition against sending troops to Iraq. Vajpayee had a deep understanding of whats good for the country, and an open mind. That open mind is what turned hardline Hindutvawallahs against him though he never refrained from announcing that he was a proud swayamsevak. Contradictions abounded in his person. He would send Ashok Singhal and his band of VHP leaders to Saibaba of Puttaparthi to convince them to give up disruptive Hindutva and engage in benevolent nation-building. But consensus proved elusive during the most crucial moments. Singhal stormed out of the meeting telling Vajpayee, he was a PM at their pleasure, not the other way round. Godhra followed. The rest is familiar history. His economic policies too had a two-faced nature: slivers of India shined, the rest voted him out. Still, he had ruled a far less disgruntled and more cohesive nation. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Not many know that BJP stalwart Atal Bihar Vajpayee and his father Krishna Bihari Vajpayee had enrolled in for a course in law at the same college in Kanpur. Vajpayee and his father were not only classmates, but also shared room no. 104 in DAV hostel. Vajpayee was a very obedient son. He stayed together with his father in the boys hostel of the college, said Vajpayees college friend, Ram Mohan Singh, who completed his masters degree in Political Science with the former Prime Minister. Quite understandably, Vajpayee was uncomfortable to attend classes with his father. A solution was worked out: Atal attended classes on Monday, while his fathers turn came on Tuesday and so on. It, however, did not work out for the future Prime Minister: Vajpayee didnt finish the course as he became actively involved with Jan Sangh. Kanpur was where Vajpayee spend his most crucial phase of his academic life. After graduating from Victoria College of Gwalior, Vajpayee enrolled for post-graduation course in Political Science in Kanpurs DAV College which was then affiliated to Agra University. He passed the MA exams with flying colours and stood second in the university in 1947.Dr. Vijay Pratap Singh, associate professor, political science department of the DAV College, said that late Dr Madan Mohan Pandey, the then head of political science department, was very close to Vajpayees heart. Atalji was a simple, dedicated and hardworking student who had a vision and was very focused in his studies. He used to call Dr MM Pandey guruji. After classes, he often used to visit his Gurujis house to discuss political issues and those related to academics, said the associate professor.Vajpayee had to give up his law course mid-way during the turmoil caused by the Partition in 1947. He was sent as a vistarak (probationary pracharak) to UP, which was later to become his karma bhoomi (work place). Wore many hats In Uttar Pradesh, a young Vajpayee donned many roles. Other than social and political commitments, the former Prime Minister was employed with various newspapers, including Rashtradharama, Panchjanya, Swadesh, and Veer Arjun. By PTI NEW DELHI: An astute politician known for his great oratory skills, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee won the hearts of many across the political spectrum with his wit and sobriety and was by far one of the most respected leaders in the country's history. Vajpayee enjoyed a good rapport with leaders of different political leanings including Chandrashekhar, Sonia Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Pranab Mukherjee, Sharad Pawar, and Left stalwarts like Harkishen Singh Surjit, A B Bardhan and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. Though his government collapsed first after 13 days and then again after 13 months, his pragmatic approach attracted many allies towards the BJP which was earlier considered as "untouchable" especially after the Babri Masjid demotion. During a debate on trust vote in Parliament, opposition leaders had said that Vajpayee was a good leader but in the wrong party. He responded by saying, "Vajpayee to achha hai, par party theek nahi hai. Toh achche Vajpayee ka kya karne ka iraada rakhte hain. (You say that Vajpayee is good, but his party is not. Then what do you intend to do with the good Vajpayee) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government that he ran in 1998 enjoyed the support of a large number of political parties and leaders like Jayalalithaa and Mamata Banerjee. In his 13-month NDA government in 1998, he had the support of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Samata Party, Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal, Nationalist Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Lok Shakti, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhhagam, Haryana Vikas Party, Janata Party, Mizo National Front, NTR TDP(LP). In 1999, the NDA government, which was the only non-Congress government to have lasted its full term, had the suppport of Janata Dal United, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Samata Party, Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal, Nationalist Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Lok Shakti, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhhagam, Haryana Vikas Party, Indian National Lok Dal and Mizo National Front, Sikkim Democratic Front, Manipur State Congress Party. The Telugu Desam Party extended external support. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh described Vajpayee as a great patriot and among modern India's tallest leaders who spent his whole life serving the country. He also described him as a great prime minister and an outstanding parliamentarian, besides being an excellent orator. "His ability and personality were such that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected Shri Vajpayee ji," he said today. Sonia Gandhi said Vajpayee was a "towering figure" who stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts. "His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life," she said. He was a spell-binding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount. But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity, she said. One saw that in all his interactions -- with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy, the former Congress president said. Former President Pranab Mukherjee said Vajpayee was a reasoned critique in the opposition, who dominated the space like a titan, and a seeker of consensus as prime minister. "A democrat to the core, Atalji dominated the opposition space like a titan and led the government with aplomb. An inheritor and practitioner of the best traditions and qualities of leadership," he said. One of his associates, who worked closely with Vajpayee said, "he was affable and shared very personal relations with opposition leaders". He also said that the former prime minister shared an excellent rapport with leaders of various parties, who despite being his political adversaries, liked and admired him. Once when the opposition wrote a letter bearing Vajpayee's signature to Speaker Somnath Chatterjee raising objections over his "bias" towards, Chatterjee, who shared a good rapport with the BJP leader, expressed his pain and sadness but Vajpayee said he had his "party compulsions". When Chatterjee asked what were his "party compulsions", Vajpayee retorted that he will invite him to his residence along with BJP allies after which he would understand his situation better. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: CBI officials on Friday conducted simultaneous raids on 16 premises spread across five districts in Bihar linked to the states former social welfare minister Manju Verma and Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the shelter home sexual abuse case. Verma, who was forced to resign as minister on August 8, and her husband, former MLC Chandeshwar Verma, were questioned for about four hours by a CBI team that reached her 6, Strand Road residence. Sources said the former minister and her husband were questioned separately about their alleged links with Thakur, who was arrested on June 3. This is the first time CBI, which took over the case on July 29, questioned the former minister and her husband. Sources said CBI officials also called Manju Vermas personal assistant Amaresh Kumar to her residence and questioned him. The house of Sunil Jha, a counsellor in the social welfare department, was also raided and he was grilled, added the sources. During the raid at the Patna office of Thakurs Hindi newspaper Pratah Kamal, CBI officials seized filed and notebooks containing telephone numbers. In the rooms used by Thakur, several dozens of condoms and aphrodisiac medicines were seized, said sources. The houses of Manju Verma and her husband in Begusarai district were also raided simultaneously and several files and bank passbooks were seized by CBI sleuths. In Muzaffarpur, the houses of Brajesh Thakur, his relatives Suman Shahi, Ritesh Anupam and Manoj Kumar, and Thakurs in-laws house at Rohua were also raided. Sources said several documents having evidential value in the case under probe were seized during these raids. The raids were conducted in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Motihari and Samastipur. Information gleaned during interrogations and the documents seized are going to add momentum to the probe, said a source familiar with the probe. The case relates to the prolonged sexual abuse and violence inflicted on minor girls lodged at a government-funded shelter home in Muzaffarpur run by an NGO headed by Thakur. Medical examinations confirmed that at least 34 girls were raped several times during their stay at the facility. After the horrific abuses came to light in a social audit report of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Muzaffarpur police registered an FIR on May 31. Ten people have since been arrested. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a statesman and poet, was also a movie buff. Mala Tiwari, the 63-year-old niece of Vajpayee, recalls: Our entire family in Gwalior was notorious for watching movies, and chachaji was no different. He often used to watch movies and loved old film songs. I remember having watched many films with my husband, chachaji, LK Advani and Mrs Advani after my marriage, particularly when Advaniji was the union information and broadcasting minister during the Janata Party government in 1977-1980. Tiwari, who lives with son Abhishek in Indore, is the youngest of the six daughters of Vajpayees elder brother Sada Bihari Vajpayee. Sada Bihari Vajpayee was the second of the three brothers and three sisters of the former PM. I was born in 1955, a year after the famous movie Nagin, starring Vyjayanthimala, was released. It was chachaji who named me Mala, because as an infant I used to stop crying after hearing the hit song of the movie, said Tiwari, before flying from Indore along son Abhishek to be with her cousins in Delhi. Vajpayee did not just watch old movies such as Nagin and Razia Sultan with his nieces and nephews. He also liked the 1999 Aamir Khan starrer Sarfarosh. Knowing very well that I too was a big movie buff, chachaji (then the PM) told me over phone that Sarfarosh was a must-watch film which I shouldnt miss at all, reminisced Tiwari. Tiwari, who has served in the MP state executive of BJP Mahila Morcha, besides being on the board of various government advisory committees, recalled that Vajpayees guiding principle for all his nephews and nieces, including her and Morena MP Anup Mishra, was, Dont expect me to recommend your names for any post. Slog for it on your own. What we are today speaks volumes about how he made us hate the menace called dynastic politics, Tiwari said. Narendra Modi By Express News Service In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind. For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself. Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarise the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question. Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary karyakarta in the Jana Sangh, he organised the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India the BJP and helmed its organisation work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhis Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India. Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament. In his simplicity and integrity, in his dignity and empathy, and a sense of personal non-attachment to the office, he became an inspiration for a nation of youth. He rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process. He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. Its that vision that continues to drive our governments policy. It was Atal Ji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his Government ensured prosperity for several Indians. His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our countrys economic as well as social empowerment. Atal Ji irreversibly changed Indias place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear-weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to Indias security. No longer would Indias security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace. Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities. Indeed, it is the combination of his legacies of creating strategic capabilities, promoting stronger economic growth, undertaking multi-directional diplomacy and harnessing of diaspora energies that is today the basis for the respect we command across the world. He transformed five decades of estrangement with USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years. He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan. With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. Atal Jis conviction that these two ancient civilisations - which are rising powers - can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking. A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our Neighbourhood First policy. He was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladeshs liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of crossborder terrorism against India. Personally, Atal Ji was an ideal, a Guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the Chief Minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the peoples expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling. Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atal Ji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos. A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atal Ji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Twenty-one months after the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government demonetized Rs 500 old and Rs 1000 currency notes, an inter-state racket dealing in the same defunct twin currency was busted in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday evening. Acting on specific inputs from the state polices anti-terror squads (ATS) Khandwa unit, the Indore police arrested three men with the defunct twin currency notes totalling Rs 1 crore. The arrest and seizure were made from Bhawarkuan area of Indore. The three arrested men were identified as 60-year-old Habib Khan, a resident of Ahmadabad, Surat resident Shoaib and Bhusawal (Maharashtra) resident Imran, the Bhawarkuan police station in-charge Sanjay Shukla told The New Indian Express. We seized demonetized currency worth Rs one crores comprising Rs 83 lakh in the denomination of 1000 rupee currency notes and remaining Rs 17 lakh in the denomination of 500 rupee old currency notes, said Shukla. The seized currency was sourced from Aurangabad in Maharashtra after paying 10% (Rs 10 lakh in new currency notes) to an operator. The currency was to be supplied to a trader in Gujarats Surat, who had been promised by another player to convert these defunct notes into new currency notes in return for 25% of the sum, added Shukla. The arrested trio is merely a carrier of the demonetized currency, as the actual players involved in this illegal deal are based in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The duos questioning by the Indore police and MP ATS sleuths is likely to help the cops make further inroads into this big inter-state currency dealing in the demonetized twin high-value currency. By ANI NEW DELHI: India's neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are sending their special representatives to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon. According to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its envoy to attend Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is likely to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister. Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would grace his presence at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the country's foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali would leave for New Delhi today to attend late Vajpayee's last rites, representing the Government of Nepal. In a statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry also announced that AH Mahmood Ali would be visiting New Delhi to be present at Vajpayee's funeral, bdnews24.com reported. The 93-year-old BJP veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with complications arising out of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition deteriorated. Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday. By PTI NEW DELHI: Swami Agnivesh was allegedly heckled and assaulted near the BJP headquarters here today by some people, who the social activist said were BJP workers, when he was on his way to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A video of the alleged attack doing the rounds on social media shows some people heckling the 79-year-old social activist. Agnivesh said he had gone to pay homage to Vajpayee at the late leader's Krishna Menon residence, but was not allowed to get off from his car by the police. He said he later spoke to Union minister Harsh Vardhan, who asked him to come to the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg, and even assured him that he would not be harmed. "I was attacked while walking towards the BJP headquarters to pay my respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Around 20-30 BJP workers came and surrounded me and pushed me. My 'pagdi' (turban) fell down and they started calling me a 'traitor' and asked me to leave the country," the activist told reporters. "They pushed me towards the Vishnu Digamber roundabout and kept abusing me. Some policemen were standing there and these persons, including some women carrying slippers, kept abusing me," he said. The policemen then escorted Agnivesh in a vehicle back to his office on Jantar Mantar Road. The social activist claimed he even made a call to the Police Control Room, but there was no response. "The police have so far not reached out to me. I will be filing a police complaint. Why cannot the police take suo motu cognisance of the incident since it happened in front of them? I was attacked earlier also and no arrests have been made in the case. There is an atmosphere of violence and intolerance," Agnivesh said earlier. In a complaint filed by Vithal Rao on behalf of Agnivesh at the Parliament Street police station, it was alleged that the incident took place between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm. "Swami Agnivesh and his two associates, including Vithal Rao, were on their way to pay homage to former prime minister. Agnivesh was stopped by the BJP workers and was asked to return. Despite Agnivesh's request, they continued to assault him and even tried to remove his pagdi," the complaint said. The complainant alleged that despite the police presence, they (miscreants) continued with their 'gundagardi' (hooliganism). This is against law and democratic values, he stated. The police, however, claimed that they did not receive any call from the activist regarding the incident. "The incident happened on DDU Marg which falls under the central police district. But, he gave his complaint to the Parliament Street police station which falls under the New Delhi police district. Nevertheless, we will look into the matter," said a senior police officer. In the police complaint, Rao also sought police security for Agnivesh. The social activist said it was an "unfortunate" incident on a day when Vajpayee, who even embraced his critics, was being remembered. Agnivesh was recently attacked in Jharkhand's Pakur district in Jharkhand when he was on way to attend a public function in a village. Suspected BJP youth wing and ABVP workers had allegedly attacked him accusing him of being hand in glove with Christian missionaries for "instigating" tribals to convert religion. By PTI NEW DELHI: Thousands of mourners jostled and some clambered on trees to capture the moment on their phones as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cortege left the BJP's headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for the last rites of the poet-politician. People from across the country gathered outside the BJP headquarters and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to the former prime minister, who wove together pragmatism and a vision for an inclusive India. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after prolonged illness. The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP headquarters, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader before the state funeral at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna later in the day. #WATCH: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in the procession. pic.twitter.com/k35LfX4Tps ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Some clambered on a neem tree outside the BJP headquarters for a better look, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside. Two big LED screens were placed outside the office. Inside, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders. The air was solemn as Vajpayee's body, draped in the tricolour, was placed on a platform draped in white flowers. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee -- a BJP flag on either side -- in the backdrop. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali were among the foreign dignitaries who arrived here to pay their last respects to the former prime minister. Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Pakistan's acting information minister Syed Zafar Ali and a senior minister from Afghanistan are also expected to arrive later in the day, official sources said. Opposition leaders like CPI's D Raja and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury were among those who visited the BJP headquarters to pay their respects. Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office. Mourners walked and ran beside the carriage, also chanting slogans like 'Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega", punctuated by patriotic cheers of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. A decorated gun carriage carrying his mortal remains had left his home on Krishna Menon Marg around 10 am and reached the party's headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, about five kilometres away, around 11 am. In the crowd were Ganeshan, 38, and Chennaiah Nadesan, 45, who had flown in from Tamil Nadu. "This massive turnout of people who have come here to pay their respects to Atalji shows that he resided in the hearts of people. Not only has India has lost a leader, a son, the world has lost a statesman," BJP leader Anurag Thakur told reporters. The funeral procession will go through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti van before reaching Smriti Sthal, Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet. Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP's right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. In view of the funeral procession, several roads in the national capital have been closed for the public later in the day. Some roads closed from 8 am include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. By PTI MUZAFFARNAGAR: A 25-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death by three persons over some monetary dispute, police said today. Babri Police Station house officer Dev Singh Rawat said the incident happened yesterday at Gogwan village in Shamli district. He said the body of Pawan Kumar has been sent for post-mortem and a case was registered against the three accused. The accused are absconding and efforts are underway to nab them, he said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah walked alongside thousands of people in the funeral procession of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg to Smriti Sthal. Members of the public and BJP supporters were surprised to see the two leaders walking in the procession in the sultry weather to pay their last respects to the departed stalwart. Security personnel, including NSG commandos, were seen having a tough time in managing the crowd of thousands of people who had congregated at the party headquarters in the national capital to pay tribute to the party veteran. Only Modiji can do this. See his energy level. Its amazing. It should inspire other party leaders to work harder for the country. It should inspire them to work for common masses, said Manoj Goyal, an Old Delhi-based businessman who was waiting near ITO to pay tribute to the former PM. However, a BJP leader said that PM Modi was simply showing his affection and respect for his guru and party veteran Vajpayee. Our PM was very close to Atal ji. He also considers him his guru'. It only shows the level of respect he has for Atal ji, he said, adding that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna by the current government. Moreover, this government had also declared December 25, the birthday of Vajpayee, as Good Governance Day. In a tweet on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi had expressed his deep sorrow following the demise of the former PM, saying, "I'm speechless, I feel a great void. People started gathering near the party headquarters in the morning. They were seen jostling and some clambered on trees to capture the moment on their phones as Vajpayee's cortege left the BJP headquarters for the last rites of the poet-politician. People from across the country had gathered outside the BJP office and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to the former prime minister. By PTI NEW DELHI: Electrician Kundan Kumar Jha skipped work and travelled from Faridabad today to catch a glimpse of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters, only because he loved his speeches and personality. Such was the magnetic appeal of Vajpayee's persona that old-timers and youngsters travelled in scorching heat, some from far-off places to pay their last respects. Jha, in his mid-30s, who originally hails from Bihar, said, he was an admirer of his personality back home only, but the admiration grew after he moved to Delhi. "I work as an electrician with a private company in Faridabad. But, I decided to skip work today, as I had to be here. I just had to pay my respect, so I came. Also, I liked his speeches and personality. Even in his sarcastic remarks, he was very dignified," he told PTI. While Jha endeavoured to catch a glimpse of the leader from a footpath beside the Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg, a few visitors perched on branches of trees opposite the party office to steal a look. When asked, what drew him to Vajpayee, he said, "His speeches were fiery and phenomenal. After moving to Delhi in 2011, I was introduced by my friends to his famous speeches. They were so powerful and had the idea of India that he had envisioned." Vajpayee's body was kept from morning till around 2 pm at the party headquarters, after which it was taken in a procession to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where he was accorded a state funeral. Rohit, 31, a UPSC aspirant, who lives in Noida, said, he and a few of his friends arrived at the BJP headquarters at 8:30 am only. "Vajpayee ji is gone but his philosophy and message of life, many of which are reflected in his poetries, will live on," he said. People from Bareilly, Aligarh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh had also come to pay their respects. "I travelled with friends in a bus from Ambedkar Nagar (UP) and reached early morning to pay homage to Vajpayee ji," said Triveni Ram who had contested against BSP's Mayawati in the 2004 Lok Sabha election. Ram remembered Vajpayee joining his election campaign in Ambedkar Nagar and how he "cared" for party workers. At the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to flames in the evening. The 93-year-old veteran politician died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital last evening after prolonged illness. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The ruling TDP, which is of the view that minorities distanced from the party after it aligned with the BJP, has initiated all measures to regain their confidence, particularly after snapping ties with the saffron party. The State government has started sanctioning crores of rupees liberally for construction of mosques, Shadikhanas and churches to lure both Muslims and Christians. An official of the Minority Corporation told TNIE that the government has been liberal with regard to sanctioning of funds for development and construction of mosques, Shadikhanas and churches. The series of orders being issued by the TDP government in recent months is a testimony to the fact that it is going to woo minorities. When the TDP was with the BJP earlier, the Finance Department used to raise certain queries after going through the representations of minorities seeking financial assistance for their community development activities. Of course, even before coming out of the NDA, the government had conceded some of our demands. But, after exiting from the NDA, the State government is liberal in sanctioning funds for various community development activities, a leader of Muslim community said. In fact, the TDP leaders openly admit that minorities despite having faith in the party, however, opposed it in the last elections as it aligned with the BJP. Though the State government had started allocating more budget (increasing the outlay by 30 per cent every year), which is better than all the previous governments, for the welfare and development of minorities in the past four years, we have not witnessed any major change among them as they continued to distance from the party. After coming out of the BJP-led NDA government, we are witnessing an increase in support to the TDP from minorities, said a senior leader of the party. Andhra Pradesh State Minority Finance Corporation Chairman Md Hidayat said since 2014, the TDP government has been focusing on development and welfare of minorities. After allocating Rs 570 crore budget for the welfare of minorities in 2014-15, the allocation raised to Rs 1,402 crore in the current fiscal. This shows the commitment of the TDP government towards the welfare of minorities, he said. He further said the government also reconstituted Minority Commission, Minority Finance Corporation, Urdu Commission, Haj Committee, AP Wakf Board, which was not done since 2007 and made financial allocations. However, another TDP leader said despite spending more money on minorities welfare, the government did not focus much on propagating the same. But, for the past few months, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been participating in a series of meetings with minorities and highlighting what his government has done for their welfare and making his best to attract the minorities vote bank. As part of that the Muslim Convention christened Nara Hamara - TDP Hamara will be held in Guntur on August 28 and the TDP is getting ready to show its strong support among minorities. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the flood situation in Kerala, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has urged airlines operating the Delhi-Kerala route to keep prices under Rs 10,000. However, despite the advisory, the economy class on the Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram route was commanding nearly Rs 30,000 on Thursday. Friday tickets on the route, though, were priced low in the range of Rs 5,700 to Rs 15,934. However, Delhi-Kozhikode tickets for Friday were priced way above Rs 20,000. We have advised airlines to be more sensitive to the situation arising out of #KeralaFlooding & keep airfares in check. Its a humanitarian cause Thx to all for agreeing with my suggestions to carry free of charge the #KeralaFloodRelief related material. All efforts ongoing for relief, tweeted Suresh Prabhu, Civil Aviation minister. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said more armed forces personnel will be deployed for flood relief and rescue operations. Pinarayi said the floods had claimed 65 lives until now - the total number of dead in the rain-related incidents since the monsoons onset on May 29 stands at 256 - he told reporters here. He said all villages in the state are under the threat of inundation and it is for the first time the state has encountered devastation on such a scale. The CM sought to assure the public the government is doing everything within its powers and rescue teams have been deployed in the affected areas. According to him, the situation remains grim and that he had indeed spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised them of the grave crisis. The Centre is fully cooperating with the state in this hour of crisis and the Army, IAF, Navy, NDRF, Coast Guard and the Fire Force along with the state police have mounted joint rescue and relief operatons, Pinarayi said. Following the Centres intervention, Army special forces are to be deployed. Presently there are 10 IAF helicopters and 10 more IAF helicopters will reach the state, Pinarayi Vijayan said. Currently, there are 12 Army helicopters, 10 from the IAF, five from the Navy, three from the ICG and the NDRF. He said 52 rescue teams are on the ground. IN PICTURES | Flood, landslides keep Kerala's Wayanad on the edge; thousands of people in relief camps The Chief Minister said the Chief Secretary had a videoconference meeting with the Union Cabinet Secretary and based on this 40 more teams from NDRF will reach the state soon. Two hundred life boats and 250 life jackets will be provided and more life jackets may be needed, he said. The KSEB has 51 dams and the Kerala Water Authority 21 dams, all of which are full. He said the Periyar is on the rise and people living on the banks of the river and in Chalakkudy should be more careful. He urged those within a one km- radius of the Periyars banks to move to safer areas and follow the directions from authorities. All boats will be pressed into service for relief operations. He said two ICG vessels are engaged in the rescue operations now and five more will be deployed soon. To regulate the rise in the water level caused by the discharge from the Mullaperiyar dam, a committee headed by the Central Water Commission chairman which includes officers from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu as members has been set up. Army cannot be given full control Tpuram: In response to a question posed to the Chief Minister during his press briefing, that the Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has called for giving total control of rescue operations to the Army, Pinarayi Vijayan said, Army is supporting and helping in all the rescue operations, but giving full control to the Army is something unheard of. This demand does not deserve an answer. Cabinet sec chairs high-level meet TPuram : Cabinet secretary P K Sinha on Monday chaired a high-level meeting on Prime Minister Narendra Modis instructions. This is to render more help for the state in rescue and relief operations following heavy rain and floods. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and NDRF have been asked to mobilise additional manpower, boats and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations. Food packets and potable water will also be supplied. The chairman of Central Water Commission will be monitoring the situation of the Mullaperiyar dam in view of rising water level and continued heavy inflow. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said in a press conference on Monday that the Chief Secretary had a video conference with the Cabinet secretary. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Kerala to assess the flood situation, reached the state capital at 11 pm. KERALA FLOODS | FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES He was received at the technical area of the Thiruvananthapuram international Airport by Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala, state ministers, BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai and others. Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state; received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/fAW9D2KCPE ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 The Prime Minister will be staying at the Rajbhavan for the night and will leave by 6.45 am in the morning to the flood-affected areas. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is likely to accompany the Prime Minister. However a detailed discussion between the Prime Minister and Chief Minister will take place at Kochi tomorrow morning at 8.45 am, state government officials indicated. The state is expected to urge the Prime Minister to declare this catastrophe as a National calamity and will seek major support from the Prime Minister. The Prime minister will be travelling back to Delhi by 10.30 am from Kochi. By PTI MUMBAI: Aviation regulator DGCA today asked domestic airlines to operate additional flights to Kerala and cap fares as the state reels under a deluge that has forced its busiest airport in Kochi to shut operations till August 26. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which held talks with the carriers, said it is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Mangalore. "Spike in airfare on a few routes have been observed. Airlines concerned have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights," it added. The Cochin international airport, the seventh busiest in the country, has been shut from August 14 following the heavy downpour. The airport is just under-three km from the Periyar river, which is in spate, and has over half a dozen dams including the state's largest Idukki dam. Of the 44 dams in the state 39 are overflowing. The worst floods and landslides in a century in the state have taken the lives of over 247 people so far, with 2.11 lakh people in 14 districts badly hit. Of the 71 arrivals and 74 departures of scheduled domestic airlines to and from the Cochin airport, 23 arrivals and 24 departures have been rescheduled and an additional 19 arrivals and departures have been diverted to and from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Coimbatore airports, the DGCA said in a statement today evening. Nine foreign carriers operating to Cochin have also rescheduled flights to and from Thiruvananthapuram, it said. "Domestic airlines have also been advised to ensure that airfares to/from Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode airports in Kerala and nearby airports in Mangalore and Coimbatore are kept at optimal level proportionate to sector distance so that travelling public is not inconvenienced," DGCA said. Accordingly, airlines have been requested to cap the maximum fare at Rs 10,000 on longer routes and around Rs 8,000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also said it is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Mangalore. "Spike in airfare on a few routes have been observed. Airlines concerned have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights," it added. The regulator has also set up a control room, which is working round the clock, to help passengers on refund, flight rescheduling, alternate options available among others. Responding to the regulatory directives, carriers like Air India, Air India Express, Jet Airways and Spicejet today announced new schedules for Kerala. Air India and AI Express have earlier in the day said they will operate the Kochi flights from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode till further notice. While the national carrier Air India said the new schedule from Thiruvananthapuram is for the August 18-20 period, its low-cost arm, AI Express, said the new schedule will be effective till August 26, and the flights will depart from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. The rescheduled flights for Air India are AI 933 to Dubai, AI 047 to New Delhi, AI 682 to Mumbai, AI 511 to New Delhi and AI 510 to Chennai, a release said. Kochi-based Air India Express operates seven daily flights to the Middle East from the now-flooded airport. Of these, five services connecting Muscat, Salalah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha will be operated from Thiruvananthapuram, while those to Sharjah and Bahrain will be from Kozhikode airport in the north. AI Express also announced waiver of all penalties for modifications/cancellations/no-show/sector change, along with full refund for cancellations. This facility will be applicable to all flights to and from all the Kerala airports till August 26. The airline deploys 60 per cent of its total capacity from the state. Private airline Jet Airways said, "Following suspension of operations at the Cochin airport until August 26, we will be operating additional flights to Thiruvananthapuram from Mumbai and Bangalore from Sunday. The airline said it will operate additional three flights to the state capital from Mumbai beginning Sunday, and two from Bengaluru. It used to operate a dozen flights daily from the now-inundated airport, which is the first PPP greenfield airport built in the country way back in May 1999. The airline also said it has waived all penalties for date/flight change or cancellation for the next 10 calendar days from the original travel date or choosing alternate destination which is close to the Cochin airport. It has also waived no-show penalties and fare difference if any. Similarly, Spicejet said it will operate 76 additional flights to help passengers stranded due to Kerala floods and announced new schedule till August 27. Like others, it will offer full refund on cancellations and waiver of change fees and fare difference for passengers booked on flights to and from Kochi. Vistara, which doesn't fly to Thiruvananthapuram, today said it will operate special flights and divert its Kochi flights to the state capital till August 26. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The ruling TRS and the opposition Congress continued to trade charges against each other over the escalation of the cost of various irrigation projects in the state. During his recent tour, AICC president Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the TRS government for the upward revision of the Kaleshwaram project cost. In a strong retort, industries minister KT Rama Rao blasted Rahul Gandhi on Twitter and called Congress leaders luchchas (mean fellows). Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, PCC working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the Congress stood by its charge that the Kaleshwaram project cost was hiked to Rs 1 lakh crore by redesigning the project. Congress leaders were ready for a debate with TRS leaders on the escalation of the cost of Dummugudem, Rajiv Sagar, Indira Sagar and Kalehswaram projects. KTR should answer whether Congress leaders are luchchas because they delivered Telangana state? Bhatti asked. The leader of the opposition K Jana Reddy said that if the industries minister did not change his language, people would teach him a fitting lesson. CLP deputy leader and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy told reporters at the Secretariat that the language being used by Rama Rao was against the Telangana culture. TRS MP Balka Suman, chief whip in the Assembly Koppula Eswar and MLA Durgam Chinnaiah said that Rahul Gandhi had made allegations without basis. Rahul Gandhi said that the TRS government provided only 10,000 jobs so far. But, the fact is that 9,000 jobs were provided in Singareni Collieries alone. The Kaleshwaram projects cost is Rs 80,190 crore but Rahul lied that it is Rs 1 lakh crore. Rahul Gandhi is against the construction of Kaleshwaram. If the project is completed, the Congress will have no future in the state. Hence his adverse remarks. Rahul failed to ensure the victory of Congress in the Amethi municipal elections. Except for the tag of Gandhi, the AICC president has no other qualification, he said. By PTI JERUSALEM: Hundreds of UN-run schools for Palestinian refugees will open on time after fresh funding temporarily staved off a financial crisis triggered by a US contributions freeze, the United Nations said today. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said all 711 schools it runs for 526,000 pupils in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria would open for the coming school year. There had been warnings from UN chief Antonio Guterres and others that the schools might not be able to open due to funding shortages provoked by US President Donald Trump's decision to withhold aid to the Palestinians. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said it had mobilised an additional $238 million since the start of the year, but added that it currently only had enough cash to keep its services operating through September. "We need a further $217 million to ensure that our schools not only open but can be run until the end of the year," the agency said in a statement. The schools are due to open over a staggered time period between August 29 and September 2. UNRWA has faced a $300 million freeze in funding from the United States as Trump demands changes to the agency and seeks to pressure the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Other countries have since provided additional contributions but UNRWA says it is not enough. The agency provides services to more than three million Palestinian refugees and their descendants across the Middle East and employs more than 20,000 people, the vast majority Palestinians. Last month, UNRWA announced it was cutting more than 250 jobs in the Palestinian territories due to the funding crisis. UNRWA was set up after the 1948 war that accompanied the creation of Israel, during which more than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes. Israel argues the agency is biased against it and perpetuates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UN officials and others say that the agency provides vital services to the vulnerable communities under its mandate. By PTI WASHINGTON/MOSCOW: Leaders from a number of countries including the US and Russia have expressed grief over the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and recalled his contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and maintaining regional peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the demise of Vajpayee. Putin termed the former prime minister as "outstanding statesman". "Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly commanded great respect around the world. He will be remembered as a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries." The President of Russia conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the family of the deceased, the Government and the people of India," the message reads. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement yesterday. He recalled Vajpayee's address to the Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterised US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours." "Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation," Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing". Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli took to Twitter to express his grief and said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace!" In his message to Modi, Oli said: "Late Vajpayee was a visionary statesman with impeccable integrity and dedication. He will be remembered for his sagacity and exemplary selfless service to the people of India. "In his demise, India and the world lost a towering political figure and Nepal a true friend and well-wisher. His contribution to strengthening Nepal-India relations will be remembered forever. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace!" Oli said. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have condoled the death of Vajpayee and said he played a vital role in ensuring the stability of the island nation. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed "deep shock" at Vajpayee's death and said he was "our great friend and highly respected" in the country. Pakistan government and top leaders including Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan and PML-N chief Shahbaz Sharif have paid respects to Vajpayee and said he contributed to bringing "a change" in bilateral ties and remained a key supporter of regional cooperation for development. "Mr Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development," the Foreign Office said in a statement. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a message of sympathy and condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind following the demise of Vajpayee. "It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who would not only be remembered for his distinguished service and leadership for his country but also as a scholar who has made an immense contribution to literature and art. "We would fondly remember the Former Prime Minister Vajpayee for his contribution to human resource development in the Maldives, and for the memorable visit that he made to the Maldives during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India," he said in the message. "At this time of national loss, the Government and the people of the Maldives joins me in extending our profound sympathy to Your Excellency, the government and the people of India," the message reads. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth conveyed his condolences in a letter addressed to Modi. "Shri Vajpayee shaped the destiny of India through his bold leadership and his deep-rooted empathy for the common man," the message reads. The Government of Mauritius has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on government buildings today as a mark of respect following the demise of Vajpayee. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director General Yuval Rotem said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of a giant - India's former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee". "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of India at their loss," he said in a tweet which also features a picture of Vajpayee shaking hands with former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Bhutan's former prime minister Tshering Tobgay said in a tweet: "Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee.The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman." Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died yesterday at the age of 93 in New Delhi. Reporter Tim Mitchell is a reporter at The News-Gazette. His email is tmitchel@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mitchell6). Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Spanish Cider (or Sidra) of the Asturian and Basque regions of the country is a distinct style much different than American or English ciders and envied by cidermakers and fans across the world. A new cidery called Son of Man plans to bring the complex Basque-style cider known for it's musty, funky, tart and dry flavor to the Pacific Northwest. Founded by Portland native Jasper Smith and his Basque partner and oenologist Guillermo Castanos, Son of Man Cidery will begin production in Cascade Locks, Oregon in the gorge this month but already has their first product made in Spain available now.Though Spanish cider is called Sidra, In the Basque region they call it Sagardo which is the word Son of Man is using. It's a slightly sour, spontaneously fermented beverage similar to natural wine or Belgian Lambic. Basque cider is bottled still but a natural carbonation is awakened in a pouring method called "throwing the cider" that involves pouring from the bottle into the glass at a height of a few feet, or approximately a meter. The cider splashes into the glass, creating a fizzy, bubbly head that quickly subsides like a sparkling wine.Son of Man co-founder Jasper Smith is a Portland native who fell into the food and drink scene, recently curating the wine selection at acclaimed local bar and restaurant Bar Casa Vale in SE Portland. Smith returned to Portland after many years away with a business plan and a dream to bring Basque-style Cider to the Pacific Northwest. After ringing doors and rattling cages for backers, Smith says "Ultimately, I found 5 people who were really interested in the project and the product." Although this put Son of Man Cidery on track, they were/are still short on funds. "Every dollar I take is a dollar I have to pay back. We are working on a shoestring, which is why we are also running an indiegogo campaign to help us with the purchase of our beautiful kupela (foeder)" Smith says hopefully. You wouldn't know they are on a shoestring budget from Son of Cider's home, just off the banks of the Columbia river in a newish warehouse space. The big, breezy warehouse looks great with a fresh coat of white paint and Son of Man's name and logo scrawled against the tasting room side of the building. Shiny, brand new fermentation and blending tanks are off to the back of the space with the previously mentioned horizontal foeder (kupela) sitting next to the tanks, ready to be filled. The place is a bit stark and ready to be filled out with plenty of room for growth. Smith grew up in Portland but moved away to Vermont for college. He spent four years in Burlington, VT before moving to Philadelphia with his now-wife. At the time he was focused on working for a progressive non-profit, something in the realm of social justice or campaign finance reform but after taking what he intended to be a temporary job in the kitchen at Vernick Food & Drink and fell into the foodie scene. Vernick was named Best Restaurant and Best New Restaurant in the first year by PhillyMag and even made it into Bon Appetit Magazine's national best new restaurant list and was nominated for a James Beard Award which they finally just won this past year. School candidates who registered for two or more subjects were 1 473 and 1 077 obtained Grade E in two or more subjects, which translates to a percentage pass rate of 73,12. Private candidates who registered for two or more subjects were 3 421 and 1 605 obtained Grade E in two or more subjects, which translates to a percentage pass rate of 46,92. (Newser) Police say two Minnesota beer deliverymen prevented a suicidal man from jumping off an interstate bridge in St. Paul by offering the man a Coors Light, the AP reports. Authorities say Jason Gable and Kwame Anderson were driving their truck Wednesday morning when they spotted the man clinging to the outer fence of the bridge and asked him if he was OK. Anderson, who called 911, tells the Pioneer Press he recalled negotiating tactics Denzel Washington used in the movie Inside Man and tried to build a rapport with the man before offering to talk to him over a beer about what was bothering him. story continues below "I said, 'well, I gotta keep this guy entertained somehow because if I wait for police, this thing may be over," Anderson tells FOX9. Anderson talked with the suicidal man for nearly an hour, continuing even when the police showed up. "I could feel tension in the air; he was intimidated by white cops." Police say the man eventually inched his way to safety, per the AP. Police arrived and closed the interstate until the man came down and was taken to a hospitalbefore he could drink a Coors Light. "Beer has been bringing people together for a long, long time, the St. Paul police spokesman tells the Pioneer Press. "Today, it brought people together in a life-saving way." (Read more beer stories.) (Newser) An Iraqi man accused of killing for the Islamic State entered the US as a refugee, the AP reports. Omar Abdulsattar Ameen, 45, was arrested in California on Wednesday and will be extradited to Iraq under a treaty with that nation, US officials say. He made his first appearance in federal court in Sacramento after his arrest at an apartment building in the state capital. Ameen left Iraq and fled in 2012 to Turkey, where he applied to be accepted as a refugee to the US, according to court documents. He was granted that status in June 2014. That same month, prosecutors say he returned to Iraq, where he killed a police officer in the town of Rawah after it fell to the Islamic State. story continues below Five months later, Ameen traveled to the United States to be resettled as a refugee. Ameen was arrested by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force based on a warrant issued in May by an Iraqi federal court. Ameen could face execution for the "organized killing by an armed group," according to Iraqi documents filed in US federal court. The Trump administration has criticized the Obama-era resettlement program for not doing enough to keep out terrorists. Seamus Hughes of George Washington University says most ISIS cases in the US have involved US-born citizens and that the case should be considered rare but illustrates holes in the system. "There was clearly a number of tripwires that didn't go off in this vetting process," he says. (Read more terrorism stories.) (Newser) Cost estimates of up to $80 million over initial predictions appear to have rained on President Trump's parade. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning says Trump's plan for a military parade in Washington, DC, this fall have been postponed until next year at the earliest, the BBC reports. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor Americas military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Manning said Thursday, per the Washington Post. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018, for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." story continues below Manning gave no reason for the postponement of the parade, which Trump called for after being impressed by Bastille Day celebrations in France last year. The parade would have been the first of its kind in the US since a Gulf War victory parade in 1991. Critics, however, said it would have been reminiscent of authoritarian regimes and even some veterans' groups spoke out against it, the AP reports. American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan said they appreciate Trump's desire to show support for the troops, but until "we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible." (Read more parade stories.) (Newser) Clues to a motive have emerged in Colorado man Chris Watts' alleged murder of his pregnant wife and their two young daughters. A family friend tells People that Chris and Shanann Watts were having marital problems and she was getting ready to leave him. Social media posts show that Shanann Watts spent six weeks in her North Carolina hometown this summer with daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3. They returned to their Colorado home early last week and Shanann was reported missing Monday, hours after she returned from a work trip to Arizona. Prosecutors said Thursday that they believe Watts murdered his wife and daughters in the family home, KDVR reports. story continues below Authorities have not disclosed how the three were killed. Shanann Watts' body was found Thursday on property belonging to Anadarko Petroleum, Chris Watts' employer until he was fired following his arrest on Wednesday. The Frederick Police Department said late Thursday that the bodies of the girls had been found "in close proximity" to their mother. Sources tell Denver7 that Watts hid the bodies of his daughters in oil and gas tanks to conceal the smell. Wattswho, in an interview that now seems chilling, pleaded for the safe return of his familyis being held in the Weld County Jail on suspicion of three counts of first-degree murder. He was denied bond Thursday and is due back in court Tuesday. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) One of his companies has been accused of dangerous practices; he tweeted himself into hot water by calling a cave rescuer a "pedo"; and another recent tweet caught the SEC's attention. All of which have given Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk the "most difficult and painful year of my career," he tells the New York Times, calling it "excruciating." The paper says he "choked up" during his Thursday interview, in which he "demonstrated an extraordinary level of self-reflection and vulnerability." The article reveals he's been working up to 120 hours a week, came close to missing his brother's wedding this summer, and has friends who've become "really concerned" about his health. Also concerned: Tesla board members worried about how much the 47-year-old has been taking on, and also about the Ambien he takes, as well as possibly recreational drugs, per sources. story continues below Central to the Times story: an account from Musk on what happened the day he sent the tweet about Tesla going privatea tweet that's caused him big headaches. He admits the missive wasn't cleared before he sent it live, resulting in "blindsided" Tesla board members and a "chain reaction" in the market, and spurring SEC subpoenas for both Musk and Tesla. At one point during the chaos, Musk thought he'd gotten a handle on work and that "the worst of it was over," he said. "But," he added, "from a personal pain standpoint, the worst is yet to come," including what he predicts will be months of "extreme torture" from short-selling investors who he says will "[push] a narrative that will possibly result in Tesla's destruction." More from his chat with the Times here, in which he "alternated between laughter and tears." (Even Azealia Banks has popped up in the Musk drama.) (Newser) A 16-year-old kid in Australia managed to hack into Apple's computer systems multiple times over the course of a year and steal secure data, and the best part of the story is the name of the folder in which he saved instructions and stolen files on his laptop: "hacky hack hack." The Age also reports that the unnamed teen from Melbourne told police he loved Apple and dreamed of working there. It's not clear exactly what he stole or how he got into what the Verge calls Apple's "backend network," but he did it all from his parents' home in Melbourne using some kind of software. He also allegedly shared the stolen info with his friends on WhatsApp. Apple detected the breach and told the FBI, which informed the Australian Federal Police, making it an international case. story continues below "Two Apple laptops were seized and the serial numbers matched the serial numbers of the devices which accessed the internal systems," says an Australian prosecutor. Authorities say he stole about 90GB of "secure files" and accessed customer accounts after obtaining users' authorized keys, or log-in access, reports the Guardian. "In this case, our teams discovered the unauthorized access, contained it, and reported the incident to law enforcement," says a statement from Apple. The teen has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced next month. (Lisa Jobs recalls asking her dad about a certain, famous computer.) (Newser) After an elderly woman wouldn't leave the grounds of a Boys and Girls Club in rural Georgia last Friday, police were calledand the situation culminated with Martha Al-Bishara, 87, being tased. CNN reports the 911 caller described Al-Bishara as walking on the bike trails while holding a knife, though the caller specified she wasn't trying to attack anyone. "It looks like she's walking around looking for something, vegetation to cut down or something. She has a bag, too." The caller added that the woman said she doesn't speak EnglishWTVC reports Al-Bishara is from Syria and speaks Arabicsomething the two Chatsworth officers and Police Chief Josh Etheridge soon encountered. story continues below Per the police report, Al-Bishara was calm, but did not comply with requests that she drop the knife. WTVC reports Etheridge pulled out his own knife and dropped it as an example, "trying to make her understand." As for what she was doing with the knife, Martha Douhne says her grandmother was cutting dandelions to put into a salad with what was a kitchen knife; Al-Bishara lives across the street, and WTVC notes there were no signs marking the property she was found on as being owned by the Boys and Girls Club. Etheridge says the officers opted for the "least force necessary" in striking the woman in the chest with the Taser from a distance of about 15 feet. Douhne complains EMTs weren't called by the officers. Al-Bishara has been charged with criminal trespass and obstructing an officer. Etheridge says an internal use-of-force review is underway, per the AP. (Read more Taser stories.) (Newser) The buzziest new film of the week is Crazy Rich Asians, in part because it's a Hollywood rarity with an all-Asian leading cast. Critics are giving it strong reviews, with a 92% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences are even higher at 95%. The story line involves a native New Yorker (Rachel Wu) going to Singapore with her boyfriend (Nick Young) for a wedding. A sampling: The film "doesn't set out to make a big statement about inclusion, it simply tells an endearing story in an exceptional way," writes Adam Graham at the Detroit News. "And in so doing, it shows how great stories cross barriers and wind up enriching the world around us." Forget the hype and the movie milestone, writes Peter Hartlaub at the San Francisco Chronicle. This "isnt just a good Hollywood movie for the Asian American population, and one that is overdue by about 24 years," he writes, a reference to the Joy Luck Club. "Its a good movie, period." He does nitpick that it occasionally "travels off the rails," but the sins are forgivable. story continues below "Director Jon M. Chus adaptation of Kevin Kwans bestselling novel (the first of a trilogy) is bursting with energy and romance and sight gags and soapy melodrama," writes Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times. "There are some dramatic gut-punches, most of them dealing with class and culture warfare, but at its essence, 'Crazy Rich Asians' is an old-fashioned rom-com with classic archetypes." It is, he adds, "pure escapist fantasy fun." Less enthused is Kate Taylor at the Toronto Globe and Mail, who gives it just 2 of 4 stars. It's "bland," and the outcome is predictable, she writes. Plus, "a white viewer such as myself witnessing this overblown display may find themselves in that awkward territory where somebody elses ethnic comedy leaves them feeling complicit in racial prejudice." (Read more movie review stories.) (Newser) President Trump says there's someone to blame for his military parade being canceled, and it is "local politicians," per a Friday morning tweet. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it," he wrote, following Thursday's reports via anonymous officials that the parade could cost $92 million. "Never let someone hold you up! I will instead attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th," Trump continued. "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" More: The Hill notes "it wasn't immediately clear" what the big Andrews Air Force Base parade is. The Washington Post points out that Trump's tweeted reference to "local politicians" wasn't critical of Republicans because there aren't any: Mayor Muriel Bowser is a Democrat, and all DC city council members are either Democrats or independents. story continues below One of those "local politicians" responded. Bowser had this to say on Twitter: "Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)." The Post also cites an unnamed city official who described the process of planning the parade as having been difficult due to subpar communication with White House officials, who had been "slow" to offer up details down to the specific date. Politico notes it had been planned for Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11 this year; the Post's report says the parade was to be held Nov. 10. The Hill also reports that these weren't Trump's only recent tweets on the subject. After Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Thursday called for the money to go toward veterans' causes ("health care, more jobs & skills, end vet homelessness & suicides"), Trump responded: "How can 'Senator' Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement on anyone? Loser!" The Hartford Courant explains Trump's dig dates to 2010, when Blumenthal presented himself as having served "in" Vietnam while campaigning; though he was in the Marine Corps Reserve, he later admitted he never left US shores. Politico adds that Kellyanne Conway appeared on Fox & Friends ahead of Trump's tweets. "We don't need a parade to celebrate all this president has done for those brave men and women in uniform," she said. (Read more President Trump stories.) (Newser) Dena Knapp went to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., to have an adrenal gland and associated mass removed. Instead, according to a lawsuit, Dr. Scott Baker removed her healthy right kidney, USA Today reports. The suit claims that Baker was told by the hospital pathology department after the Oct. 5, 2016, surgery that he removed the kidney and not the glands. However, two days later he told Knapp that he hadn't heard from pathology, the suit alleges. Knapp says that Baker called her on Oct. 11 and said that she would need a second surgery because "he did not get everything." story continues below Instead of returning to Baker, though, Knapp had the gland and mass removed by a Mayo Clinic surgeon. According to the suit, Knapp now suffers from incurable, progressive kidney disease in her remaining kidney, as well as pain, fatigue and, depression. Knapp says the whole thing has resulted in expenses of more than $96,000 and lost income of $42,000 and counting, KTIV reports. Also, according to the suit, Knapp "has been unable to perform many functions and has required replacement services to clean and maintain her home, the past and future cost of which is yet to be determined. (Read more medical malpractice stories.) (Newser) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that he was "inartful" when he said earlier in the week that America "was never that great," a comment that was widely condemned and mocked by critics on the right and left. "I want to be very clear: Of course America is great and of course America has always been great," Cuomo, a Democrat, told reporters on a conference call. "My family is evidence of American greatness." Cuomo's appraisal of the nation was somewhat different Wednesday when, speaking at a Manhattan bill signing, he critiqued President Trump and his slogan, "Make America Great Again." Said Cuomo: "We're not going to make America great againit was never that great." As the surprised audience reacted, he added: "We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged." story continues below The comment set off a wave of criticism of Cuomo, who is seeking a third term this fall and is considered a possible White House contender in 2020. After clarifying his thoughts to reporters, Cuomo said he has no plans to run for president but will continue his criticism of Trump, who is scheduled to attend a Long Island fundraiser Friday. Calling the president "vindictive, petty and small," Cuomo said "Make America Great Again" reflects Trump's desire to return America to a time of greater intolerance and inequality. "Everything he does is repugnant to our values," he said. Trump, meanwhile, revisited the controversy Friday on Twitter, with not one, not two, not three, not four, but five tweets on the subject. Among other things, Trump suggested that Cuomo's line might be "career threatening." (Read more Andrew Cuomo stories.) (Newser) Justice Department official Bruce Ohrwho President Trump says aided his political enemies during the campaignmay be the next person to have his security clearance revoked. "I think that Bruce Ohr is a disgrace, with his wife, Nellie," Trump told reporters Friday, saying that he plans to yank Ohr's security clearance "very quickly," the New York Times reports. Ohr knows the co-founder of Fusion GPSthe firm hired by the Clinton campaign to do opposition research on Trump, according to CBS. And, per an analysis at the Washington Post, he also knows former British spy Christopher Steele, who compiled the infamous dossier alleging ties between Trump and Russia. Ohr's wife worked for Fusion GPS. story continues below Until late last year, Ohr was associate deputy attorney general, according to the Post, until the Justice Department found out that he had been in contact with Steele. His current role is unclear; however, he is not working on the Russia investigation, says Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Critics have said Trump is using security clearances as a political tool. On Wednesday, the White House announced that Trump had stripped former CIA Director (and vocal Trump critic) John Brennan of his security clearance. And several more officials are under review for similar action, as detailed at Business Insider. (Former intelligence officials released a letter saying Trump is attempting to "stifle free speech.") (Newser) Paul Manafort won't learn his fate this week. The jury weighing charges against him has gone home for the day and won't return until Monday. US District Judge TS Ellis III allowed the panel to leave at 5pm because one of the jurors had a scheduled "event" to attend, reports USA Today. Earlier, the judge refused journalists' request to release the names of jurors, with Ellis saying he had received threats and feared they would, too. Also on Friday, President Trump weighed in on his former campaign manager. "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters at the White House, per the AP. story continues below "When you look at what's going on, I think it's a very sad day for our country," he said. "He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what, he happens to be a very good person and I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." The case calls on jurors to follow the complexities of foreign bank accounts and shell companies, loan regulations, and tax rules. It exposed details about the lavish lifestyle of the onetime political insider, including a $15,000 jacket made of ostrich leather and $900,000 spent at a boutique retailer in New York via international wire transfer. The jury ended its first day of deliberations Thursday with a series of questions to the judge, including a request to "redefine" reasonable doubt. (Read more Paul Manafort stories.) New Delhi: Bangladesh, which is currently importing around 700 MW of power from India, is looking to ramp up its electricity import from the country to 10,000MW in the long term, a power division official of the neighbouring nation said here on Friday. The power capacity in Bangladesh has been increased by five times in the last 10 years, Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh chairman Abdul Kalam Azad said. We are currently importing around 700 mw of power from India. Some 500 MW of additional power import will be commenced soon with more transmission line of 400 KVA has been completed, Azad said on the sidelines of the CII organised Energy Conclave 2018. The Damodar Valley Corporation will also export 300MW to Bangladesh hopefully from next month, he said. We have signed an agreement with an Indian private power company to import 600-800 mw of power through a dedicated transmission line. We have received more proposals from several other Indian power generating companies desiring to set up dedicated transmission line to sell power to Bangladesh, he said. The neighbouring country was aiming at importing total 10,000MW from India by 2041, he said. Dhaka is getting support from Indian human resources development ministry for the training of its power department personnel, he said. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: An RBI study has found that the controversial note ban imposed in November 2016 has led to further decline in the already falling credit to the MSME sector, while GST roll-out has not made any significant positive impact on overall credit to the sector but has deeply dented their exports. The credit disbursal to the MSME sector has, however recovered a tad since the lows of 2017 to reach the mid-2015 level, notes an RBI report called the Mint Street Memo. Though micro-credit, including loans by banks and NBFCs to the sector has grown in recent quarters, exports have been hit badly since the GST implementation. The MSME sector constitutes a vast network of over 63 million units and employs around 111 million people, contributing around 30 per cent to the GDP, accounting for about 45 per cent of manufacturing output and around 40 per cent of total exports. Also Read | Bangladesh to ramp power import to 10,000 MW from India The MSME sector has witnessed two major recent shocks, demonetisation and introduction of goods and services tax. For instance, contractual labour in both the wearing apparel and gems and jewellery sectors reportedly suffered as payments from employers became constrained after note-ban. Similarly, GST led to increase in compliance costs and other operating costs as most of MSMEs were brought into the tax net as over 60 per cent of them were not ready for the new tax regime, said the report. But on a positive note, a Sidbi study has found that after note-ban and GST introduction, relative credit exposure initially declined for most MSMEs but recovered by March 2018. A major obstacle for growth of MSMEs is their inability to access timely and adequate finance as most of them are in niche segments where credit appraisal is a major challenge. According to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimate, the potential demand for the MSME finance is about USD 370 billion as against the current credit supply of USD 139 billion, resulting in a finance gap of USD 230 billion which is equivalent to 11 per cent of GDP. About 97 per cent of MSMEs operate in the informal sector, and their share of informal sector in gross output of MSMEs is about 34 per cent. As per National Accounts Statistics, the share of informal sector manufacturing MSMEs in total GDP is around 5 per cent. The annual growth of bank credit to MSMEs decelerated gradually during 2015 to 1.6 per cent in April 2016 before recovering till October 2016. The deceleration during 2014-16 was partly due to overall economic slowdown, rising NPAs and reclassification of food and agro-processing units from MSME category to agriculture sector. Also Read | Worlds biggest shipping company cautions on trade tensions Credit growth fell significantly and turned negative during November 2016-February 2017. Therefore, it seems that demonetisation accentuated the slowdown in credit growth, particularly to industrial sector. However, credit growth to the sector recovered after February 2017 to reach an average of 8.5 per cent in January-May 2018. The share of credit to MSMEs in overall bank credit declined steadily to around 14 per cent by end-March 2018 from about 17 per cent in 2007, partly due to over-lending to large corporates (now stressed) in the second half of 2000s. Additionally, the share of credit to medium enterprises dropped significantly also. NPA from the sector has increased over time, with the level being much higher for PSBs. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Copenhagen: Danish shipping group AP Moller-Maersk says it swung to a profit in the second quarter but cautioned about uncertainty related to global trade amid US sanctions on major economies. Second-quarter revenue grew 24 per cent to USD 9.5 billion, leading to a USD 26-million profit, compared with a USD 264-million loss a year earlier. Also Read | Rupee crashes to new all-time low against dollar CEO Soeren Skou on Friday said the company delivered strong growth, with the acquisition of German container shipping company Hamburg Sud a positive contributor. Profits were helped by higher bunker prices. Also Read | Railways formalises agreement with Japan in rail safety The Copenhagen-based group said full-year guidance continues to be subject to uncertainties, including further restrictions on global trade. Maersk also decided to spin off its drilling unit, Maersk Drilling Holding A/S, and list it separately in Copenhagen. Shares in the parent company were up 4 per cent to 8,966 kroner. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Superstar Salman Khan is busy shooting with his upcoming project Bharat and the producer of the film, Nikhil Namit shared few pictures of actoras new vanity van. The producer took to Instagram to share pictures of Salmanas new vanity. In the pictures, one can see the inside of the van where there is a plush living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. It is also reported that this vanity is not just for Salman Khan but for the other actors of the film which includes Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Nora Fatehi. Also read | Priyanka Chopra confirms engagement with Nick Jonas, flaunts ring at a party It seems like another producer who is also Salmanas sister Alvira Agnihotri is not ready to compromise with the actoras comfort. Speaking about the film, Bharat is a remake of a Korean drama flick Ode To My Father which revolves around a man and his life struggles from 1950s to the modern day. Director Ali Abbas Zaffar said, "Since the story spans over a period of 70 years, there will be many historical references. It is essentially about a man who lives through several significant moments from Indiaas past to presentaa. Recently, the movie was in headlines when Priyanka Chopra walked out of the project 10 days before the shooting. There were reports that PeeCee left the project because of her personal life and ongoing rumoured relationship with Nick Jonas. A For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The life in Kerala has been hit hard by the unprecedented flood following incessant rains that also triggered landslides, claiming around 325 lives. On Thursday, the torrential rains and flood claimed at least 30 lives, destroying homes, roads as the public transport collapsed in many parts of Kerala. Kochi Metro has suspended their operations due to the conditions as Kerala reels under one of its worst floods in history. An immediate central assistance of Rs 100 crore has been announced for relief works by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 12 after he took an aerial survey of the flood-hit regions. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking more aid and also sought additional Army personnel and helicopters. For the first time in history, Kerala has opened 35 of its 39 dams. Kerala Floods Live Updates: # 11:14 PM :A PM Modi arrives in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state; received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons. Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state; received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/fAW9D2KCPE a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 10:40 PM:A Odisha government releases helpline numbers for people of the state trapped in Kerala Floods. Odisha government releases helpline numbers for people of the state trapped in #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/XAbFxuERc6 a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 10:25 PM:A Andhra Pradesh government announces Rs 10 crore aid to rain-battered Kerala. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu has announced an aid of Rs 10 crores for the flood-hit Kerala. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/b7UobMaFmN a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 10:21 PM:A Rescue operations underway by Rapid Action Force (RAF) in landslides affected areas in Palakkad's Nemmara. Rescue operations underway by Rapid Action Force (RAF) in landslides affected areas in Palakkad's Nemmara. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/kaslnDC1tk a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 10:02 PM: #Visuals from a relief camp in Kochi; around 400 people affected by the floods have taken shelter at the camp. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ySDVqbEoGg a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 09:58 PM:A In view of the closure of Cochin airport, DGCA has asked scheduled domestic airlines to mount additional flights. # 07:48 PM:A "Spoke to Kerala CM. Delhi government is making a contribution of Rs 10 Cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala," tweets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Spoke to Kerala CM. Del govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala https://t.co/SfpnlQ7DR8 a Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 17, 2018 # 07:37 PM:A Death toll due to floods in Kerala has risen to 324. 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. "Death toll due to floods in Kerala has risen to 324. 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps" tweets Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. #KeralaFloods (File pic) pic.twitter.com/UYflDorzBx a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 07:25 PM: PM Modi to take stock of flood situation in Kerala. Leaving for Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state. a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 # 07:16 PM:A Southern Railway dispatched 7 BRN wagons with syntax tank carrying 2.8 lakh litre drinking water from Tamil Nadu's Erode at 4 pm. 15 BRN flat wagons with Syntax water tanks being moved from Chennai to Erode. Water will be dispatched to the Government of Kerala. #KeralaFloods: Southern Railway dispatched 7 BRN wagons with syntax tank carrying 2.8 lakh litre drinking water from Tamil Nadu's Erode at 4 pm. 15 BRN flat wagons with Syntax water tanks being moved from Chennai to Erode. Water will be dispatched to the Government of Kerala pic.twitter.com/VPHcyg3tKx a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 07: 01 PM :A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has stopped all its premium service buses from Mangalore to Bengaluru due to heavy rain and landslide. # 06:52 PM:A Boats being used to rescue people in a flood-hit market in Alappuzha city.A #WATCH: Boats being used to rescue people in a flood-hit market in Alappuzha city. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/E0iMpbYdlV a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 06:50 PM:A 1300 life jackets, 571 lifebuoys, 1000 raincoats, 1300 gumboots, 1200 ready-to-eat meal, 1500 food packets, 25 motorised boats, 9 non-motorised boats provided by the Defence Ministry for rescue and relief operations in Kerala Floods. # 06:31 PM:A Alappuzha: Flooding continues in several areas affecting normal life across the city. 1300 life jackets, 571 lifebuoys, 1000 raincoats, 1300 gumboots, 1200 ready-to-eat meal, 1500 food packets, 25 motorised boats, 9 non-motorised boats provided by the Defence Ministry for rescue and relief operations in #KeralaFloods (file pic) pic.twitter.com/acEVHk9ugP a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 06:30 PM:A 315 people had taken shelter at Navy Camps, of which 53 have moved back to their relatives' places in and around Kochi: Indian Navy # 05:42 PM:A Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced Rs 10 crore worth of immediate relief for flood-hit Kerala. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced Rs. 10 crores worth of immediate relief for flood-hit Kerala. Rs 5 cr is being transferred from CM's relief fund & remaining Rs 5 cr will be in form of ready-to-eat food material & other supplies.#KeralaFloods (File pic) pic.twitter.com/WuwujoDEou a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 05:26 PM:A Kochi: Streets flooded in Ernakulam's Velloorkunnam following heavy and incessant rainfall. 173 people have died till now in Kerala Floods. # 04:43 PM:A Roads being cleared in Kerala's Kumily after traffic movement was affected due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall. Roads being cleared in Kerala's Kumily after traffic movement was affected due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/DZpUu3xNux a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 03:47 PM:A Sajita Jabeel, a 25 year old pregnant woman who was rescued by Navy from a flooded villageA in Kerala's Aluva, has given birth to a boy. Sajita Jabeel, a 25 year old pregnant woman who was rescued by Navy from a flooded village in Kerala's Aluva, has given birth to a boy. pic.twitter.com/3SH2FGOXCZ a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 02:20 PM:A More than 3000 persons have been rescued by the armed forces as on date since the start of the operation. More than 750 persons have been provided medical care by the armed forces. Update on #OpMadad - More than 3000 persons have been rescued by the armed forces as on date since the start of the operation. More than 750 persons have been provided medical care by the armed forces.#KeralaFloods2018@nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/YFCfHlolom a Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018 # 02:00 PM:A We are receiving multiple repetitive rescue requests in CMO. Ensure that you add date and time along with exact location, any significant landmark, district, number of stranded people and contact number of victim in all new requests, tweets Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan. We are receiving multiple repetitive rescue requests in CMO. Ensure that you add date and time along with exact location, any significant landmark, district, number of stranded people and contact number of victim in all new requests. #KeralaSOS a CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 # 01:02 PM:A Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is likely to put off his trip to the united states for treatment given the situation in the state. # 01:00 PM:A Oxygen supply, diesel stocks are a major concern for hospitals. # 12:44 PM:A The Supreme Court asks the Sub committee to examine and find ways out and if possible to ensure that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam won't cross 139 feet. #KeralaFloods: The Supreme Court today asked the Sub committee to examine and find ways out and if possible to ensure that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam won't cross 139 feet. pic.twitter.com/Yot5s7UdcX a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 12:05 PM:A Death toll due to floods has risen to 167: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan # 12:00 PM:A Visuals of a flooded road in Alappuzha's Chunakkara village Kerala: Visuals of a flooded road in Alappuzha's Chunakkara village #KeralaFlood pic.twitter.com/bgm9iqSHXm a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 11:50 AM:A The Supreme Court has said it will consider Kerala floods matter before noon as the court has declared a half-day holiday after 1 pm.A # 11:40 AM:A Landslide at Chikkenduru near Madikeri in Karnataka yesterday. # 11:20 AM:A Rescue operations in full swing at Kochi-Navy Air Base. # 11:15 AM:A IAF - Operation Karuna: Almost 170 people rescued in the last 2 days by airlifting and winching. # 11:15 AM:A Army - Operation Sahayog: Around 15000 people rescued across Kerala in the last 9 days of operation carried out by Pangode military station and Defence security cops Kannur.A # 11:15 AM:A 4 Capital Ships of Indian Coast Guard have reached Kochi and joined the Disaster and Relief Team. 4 Capital Ships of Indian Coast Guard have reached Kochi and joined the Disaster and Relief Team. 24 teams are already working in flood affected villages. Indian Coast Guard so far has rescued 1764 people and guided 4688 people to safer locations #KeralaFlood a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 11:07 AM:A IAF C130J aircraft transported 9.0 tons of Relief material & Army personnel from Bhopal to Calicut on 16 Aug 18. Update on #KeralaFloodRelief : IAF C130J aircraft transported 9.0 tons of Relief material & Army personnel from Bhopla to Calicut on 16 Aug 18. Kerala flood relief Ops Continuing in full spirit.#OpMadad #SavingLives pic.twitter.com/uWDjrBagzk a Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 17, 2018 # 11:05 AM:A All Birds airborne with relief material and Divers All Birds airborne with relief material and Divers pic.twitter.com/yUWdF5b6xd a SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018 # 11:00 AM: Link to the donation portal of Kerala chief minister relief fund: https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/#donation # 10:45 AM: Latest Update- Update: Relief Effort - Air Force 4 x MI-17, 5 x ALHa on stand by apart from assets used fore airlift of NDRF, ETFs, Naval assets, #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 a Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) August 17, 2018 #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 * Ongoing Ops* C-17 with NDRF ex Ghaziabad diverted to Sulur due to bad weather ( 20 x boats), IL-76 with NDRF taking off from Ahmedabad ( 20 x boats), C-130 with NDRF taking off from Bathinda ( 17 x boats) a Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) August 17, 2018 2xC-130s with NDRF took off from Patna (20xboats), IL-76 with NDRF took off from Bhuvneshwar (17xboats), IL-76 with NDRF took off from Kolkata at 0700hr on 17 Aug (17xboats), C-130 with ETF took off from Jodhpur (5xboats, 200xlife jackets & 1000xMeals Ready to Eat) a Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) August 17, 2018 #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018C-130 with ETF taking off from Pune(5 x boats, & 100 x life jackets) at 0700 hr on 17 Aug, AN-32 with 10 x boats & Diving Teams taking off from Mumbai at 0700hr on 17 Aug, 2 x AN-32s with 6 x boats, 1000 x raincoats, 800 x gum boots, a Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) August 17, 2018 # 10:30 AM: "Spoke to Hon. @CMOKerala few minutes ago. Enquired if the required materials are sufficiently being provided and if rescue coordination is happening. The Hon. @CMOKerala requested for more helicopters. Have instructed Vice Chief of Air Staff to provide the required assistance," tweets Nirmala Sitharaman. Spoke to Hon. @CMOKerala few minutes ago. Enquired if the required materials are sufficiently being provided and if rescue coordination is happening. The Hon. @CMOKerala requested for more helicopters. Have instructed Vice Chief of Air Staff to provide the required assistance. a Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 17, 2018 # 9:50 AM:A BSNL Kerala announces unlimited free calls for seven days from today in Kerala's four rain-affected districts - Waynadu, Idukki, Alleppey, and Pathanamthitta. # 9:30 AM: Red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod on Friday. #KeralaFloods update: Red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod today. Red alert has been issued for tomorrow also in Ernakulam and Idukki districts. 94 people have lost their lives in the floods. pic.twitter.com/zJ0TRoVyRw a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 9:30 AM:A PM Modi on Kerala floods: Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 # 9:10 AM:A Aerial visual of submerged Kochi airport due to incessant rains. #WATCH: Aerial visual of submerged Kochi airport due to incessant rains. The airport has been shut till August 18. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/0P3sNY2Jq1 a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 8:40 AM:A Indian Coast Guard's rescue&relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood-affected Manjumala village. Indian Coast Guard's rescue&relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood affected Manjumala village. The team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village. Food & dry ration has been distributed among them, rescue operation is underway. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/K42bszAiHT a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 8:40 AM: FiveA units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have reached Thiruvananthapuram this morning and deployed for rescue operations. 35 teams are expected to reach thereA on Friday (today). Kerala: 5 units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have reached Thiruvananthapuram this morning and deployed for rescue operations. 35 teams are expected to reach there today. #KeralaFlood a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 # 7:48 AM:A Indian Navy SNC commences relief operations from Naval Air station INS Garuda. #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 #IndianNavy SNC commences relief operations from Naval Air station INS Garuda with first light - food and supplies loaded on Naval aircraft Seaking, ALHs & Chetaks get airborne pic.twitter.com/ekLWgc2sgU a SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018 # 7:45 AM: Actor Siddharth, famously known for his role in Rang De Basanti startsA #KeralaDonationChallenge I dare you. I beg of you! What do I have to do to make you read and share this? I did the #KeralaDonationChallenge It was awesome! Will you? Please?#KeralaFloods#SaveKerala@CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/9RmMjSKVBC a Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) August 16, 2018 # 7:30 AM:A Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site, https://t.co/OFHTHlZ9by #KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala. pic.twitter.com/XNlBKqdCUT a CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018 #A 7:25 AM:A Indian Army's ops are being conducted on a war footing in cooperation with civilians & state admin. As on 16th Aug 2018, 13 columns of @adgpi including 4 Engineering Task Force w/ 23 boats are deployed in the flood affected districts of Kerala under #OpMadad. Indian Army's ops are being conducted on war footing in cooperation w/ civilians & state admin.@nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/Cnes9m1wNm a Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 16, 2018 #A 7:25 AM:A A team of military ETF arrived on early hours of Friday in Thiruvalla for rescue operations. A team of military ETF has arrived in Thiruvalla for rescue operations. #KeralaFloods a CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018 # 7:20 AMA :Heavy rainfall predicted for next 24 hours by the SkymetA Weather Services, worsening the situation. #A 7:20 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Kerala and undertake an aerial survey on Saturday, Union Minister KJ Alphons said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In the latest development in the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home case, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday raided five premises of former Bihar Welfare Department Minister Manju Vermas residence in Motihari and Bhagalpur in connection with the case, officials said. Apart from five locations, search operations are also underway at the residence of Brajesh Thakur, who ran the NGO, they said. The Muzaffarpur Shelter Home case triggered a nationwide outrage after the medical reports confirmed that 34 out of the 42 inmates were sexually assaulted. Bihar: CBI raids former Bihar Welfare Department Minister Manju Verma's residence in Patna and Begusarai in connection with #MuzaffarpurShelterHome case. (file pic - Manju Verma) pic.twitter.com/cfwCl2TZvk ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Atal Bihari Vajpayee last rites LIVE: People, politicians pay homage to ex-PM, final journey to start at 1 pm According to the latest reports, Muzaffarpur shelter home is not the only one in the state of Bihar where women and girls have been sexually exploited. There are at least 14 other shelter homes similar to it across the state. Earlier on Indias 72nd Independence Day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while speaking at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, said that his government will bring justice and punish the guilty in the glaring incident that came to light recently. Kerala Floods Live Updates: Red alert issued in 13 districts as death toll mounts to 100 Some glaring incidents have recently come to light. The guilty will not be spared. Our emphasis is on a quick investigation, arrests of the accused and speedy trial. We will try to uphold law and order under all circumstances, Nitish Kumar said. Manju Verma, an MLA for JD-U from Cheria-Bariarpur constituency in Begusarai district resigned on August 8, after her husband Chandeshwar Verma was accused of having a connection to the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home case. "I have full faith in CBI and Judiciary, I am sure truth will be out and my husband will come out clean," said Manju Verma, soon after submitting her resignation to Nitish Kumar. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: While Indians were mourning the death of its tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pakistan Army on Thursday showed its cowardly act by violating ceasefire in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Indian Army to retaliate. Pakistani troops resorted to moderate firing on the forward posts of Army along the Line of Control (LoC), according to defence sources. The intermittent firing continued till Friday morning and Indian troops guarding the borders retaliated in a befitting manner. Commander of the Armys Northern Command Lt Gen. Ranbir Singh visited the forward areas along the LoC, met the field commander and reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the Indian troops. The Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire in the Tangdhar sector in Kupwara district last night, officials said. Also Read | Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A statesman politician and passionate poet The firing stopped at 5 am today, they said, adding that there was no report of any casualty on either side. India and Pakistan the two nuclear-armed neighbours had agreed to end cross-border firing and signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003 under Vajpayees rule. Violating the agreement on a day when the champion of peaceful India-Pakistan relations died, clearly exposed Pakistan armys evil designs of hate. The violation of the ceasefire came hours after Pakistan PM-designate Imran Khan's statement that the best way to honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee was by establishing peace between the countries. Read full story here For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: On the demise of his father figure Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday laid bare his grief in an extremely emotional note. Giving words to his thoughts, Modi penned a soul-stirring blog dedicated to Vajpayee, the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) first national president and one of Indias tallest political leaders. "I can hear My Atal ji's voice within me, how should I believe he is no more?" Modi wrote in the blog. Going down memory lane, Modi wrote about his first meeting with Vajpayee and how the former PM - a "leader for the ages" inspired everyone he met. Below is Prime Minister Narendra's extremely emotional blog on BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee A leader for the ages, he was ahead of the times In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind. For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself. Also Read | Atal Bihari Vajpayee: 'Will continue till eternity.......' Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarize the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question. Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in MP. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary Karyakarta in the Jana Sangh, he organized the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India the BJP and helmed its organization work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhis Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India. Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament. In his simplicity and integrity, in his dignity and empathy, and a sense of personal non-attachment to the office, he became an inspiration for a nation of youth. He rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process. He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. Its that vision that continues to drive our governments policy. Also Read | 10 facts you should know about Atal Bihari Vajpayee It was Atalji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his government ensured prosperity for several Indians. His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our countrys economic as well as social empowerment. Atalji irreversibly changed Indias place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to Indias security. No longer would Indias security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace. Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities. Indeed, it is the combination of his legacies of creating strategic capabilities, promoting stronger economic growth, undertaking multi-directional diplomacy and harnessing of diaspora energies that is today the basis for the respect we command across the world. He transformed five decades of estrangement with USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years. He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan. With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. Atal Jis conviction that these two ancient civilisations which are rising powers can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking. A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our Neighbourhood First policy. He was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladeshs liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in J&K. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India. Personally, Atalji was an ideal, a guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the chief minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the peoples expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling. Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atalji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos. A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atalji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) tryst with power at the Centre actually began over two decades ago with the rise of Atal Behari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday, August 16, evening after prolonged illness. His death has led to an overwhelming outpouring of grief cutting across party lines and people from myriad walks of life. This besides being natural and well deserved to a great extent is because the departed former prime minister had been a moderate in a party of hawks. Yet, as political pundits reflect upon his remarkable contribution to public life what needs to be assessed is how far the Vajpayee era had brought a sobering effect on his comrades? This question is all the more important since the party which was once led by Vajpayee to form government at the Centre is now firmly in command of the country and is fervently looking to get another five-year term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In fact, Modi was hardly known beyond the BJP, RSS and media circles in Delhi until 2001 when Vajpayee summoned him and asked him to take the stewardship of his home state of Gujarat. Also Read | Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be long remembered with great nostalgia This was somehow meant to bring peace at that point of time among the warring groups of BJP leaders in Gujarat. And within a few months of Modis taking over the reins of the province as its Chief Minister, the troubles of the state unit of the BJP got overshadowed by the incident of a deadly fire in a train at Godhra that soon caused one of the worst communal flare ups in other parts of the state. The Gujarat riots in 2002 had visibly rattled even Vajpayee. He exhorted Modi to follow Raj Dharma. Bat sadly ever since Karma virtually became Dharma and foundations for this were laid and nurtured so assiduously for the next over two years under Vajpayees watch as prime minister, though may not be with his support, that soon no such benign presence like that of him was needed anymore for Hindutvas relentless march. Although Vajpayee remained an MP after this for another term, his active role in politics got over. The Congress regime that followed was engaged by the BJP over the foreign moorings of the older partys president, or that of Sonia Gandhi. A persons origins and place of birth was given precedent by the BJP over her beliefs in her new and permanent homestead to keep the Congress on the backfoot despite its having a larger mandate than that of the BJP after the polls in 2004. This is how the BJP learnt the art of making others, or rivals, blink or relent so that it can have its way. Also Read | Atal Bihari Vajpayee - Bharat Ratna of Indian politics Its sole claim to Indian roots was completely monopolised and virtually hijacked as a matter of virtual copyright well before it blamed Sonia for the lack of it. Not only this, but it is also a fact that Vajpayee became Prime Minister mainly because of his party alone having this distinction though this remained unstated at that point of time. Before 1996 Vajpayee was the leader of Opposition. He got the position after his party peer LK Advani stepped down from it in the wake of the demolition of Babari Masjid at Ayodhya in December 1992. Thus, a change of BJP leadership in the Lok Sabha with Narasimha Rao as Congress Prime Minister came about due to the real or surreal sense of guilt over the demolition of the sixteenth century mosque amid Hindutva frenzy. Advani had called December 6, 1992, or the day Babari Masjid was demolished, as the most tragic day of his life while Vajpayee dubbed it as Bhartiyata Ka Pratik-karan or manifestation of Indianness. This is like to seek and take refuge in a sacred zone shaped through ages and to avoid admission of guilt straightaway. But the guilt in any case was transferred to mainly Advani alone and amid this, a virtue like moderation was made to look precious. Vajpayee signified it conspicuously vis-a-vis Advani since the former only tried to justify the demolition maybe as a token of courtesy to his party colleagues who were all present at Ayodhya when it came to tether without being able to bring Vajpayee along to the site of the ghastly show. Such has been the seesaw between BJP hawks and moderates that had catapulted Vajpayee to power though in a staggered way from 1996 to 1999 where he had to walk to allies on the one hand and use his dependence on so many partners to run the Government on the other to silence his critics within his own larger political fraternity, or Sangh Parivar. What followed is history now but Vajpayee could never achieve peace with Advani. So much so that he had to declare elections before schedule in 2004 on the promise of a slogan like India Shining to see the BJP through. Also Read | Somnath Chatterjee, a man of extraordinary wit and unflinching honesty Yet, the BJP did outshine others though it took a good 10 long years for it to return to power. But this time there were no questions like moderates and hawks in the party. Modi turned out to be virtually embodying both. A slogan like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, or with everyone for the sake of development of all, flaunted by the Hindu Hirdaya Samrat, or Hindu lord of hearts, made the Vajpayees and the Advanis of yesteryears quite redundant. And, thus, Modi not only made it to the top but also the BJP juggernaut merrily goes on unmindful and as if so oblivious of the proverbial collateral damage. This had actually started right from the run up to the late Vajpayees journey to power and its more zealous though unsuccessful pursuit by Advani. And frenzy has all through this been propelling the BJPs strides to power. Ever since power both at the Centre and in so many states has come to the party courtesy its ability to rake up one or the other contentiously communal issue. Yet, this unfortunate trend is on. So much so that the sectarian wont of the party hardly gets the kind of notice that it was meted with through the past. Now it is said to have become the new norm. Also Read | An Era Ends: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Laid To Rest A manifestation of this also came today, August 17, even as Vajpayees body lay in state at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg BJP office in Delhi for public to have a last glimpse of the departed leader. Saffron robed Swami Agnivesh was mauled by the zealots of the same political hue right at the BJP headquarters as he too tried to join the stream of mourners. His crime was said to be his support to those who perished as a result of the fury of lynch mobs made of cow protectors. New Delhi: A team of US scientists, including an Indian origin, Sownak Bose, have spotted some of the earliest galaxies formed when the universe burst into light. Segue-1, Bootes I, Tucana II and Ursa Major I, thought to be over 13 billion years old, are some of the first galaxies ever formed, the scientists say. A decade ago, the faintest galaxies in the vicinity of the Milky Way would have gone under the radar With the increasing sensitivity of present and future galaxy censuses, a whole new trove of the tiniest galaxies has come into the light, allowing us to test theoretical models in new regimes, said Bose, a research fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the US. Also Read | Aditya-L1: Indias historic mission to study the sun The faintest satellite galaxies Scientists found evidence that the faintest satellite galaxies orbiting the earths Milky Way galaxy are among the earliest galaxies in the universe. The finding was published in the Astrophysical Journal. The scientists found it hugely exciting as they explained that identifying some of the universes oldest galaxies orbiting the Milky Way is equivalent to finding the remains of the first humans that inhabited the Earth. The Halos of dark matter The first atom formed when the universe was about 380,000 years old were hydrogen atoms, the simplest element in the periodic table. These atoms collected into clouds and began to cool slowly and settle into small clumps or halos of dark matter that emerged from the Big Bang. It took about 100 million years for the cooling period called Cosmic dark ages. Eventually, the gas that had cooled inside the halos began to form stars - these objects are the very first galaxies ever to have formed, the scientists explained. When the universe burst into light With the formation of the first galaxies, the universe burst into light, ending the cosmic dark ages. There were two populations of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, the scientists say. The first was a group of very faint galaxies that formed during the cosmic dark ages. Also Read | New software may predict landslides weeks in advance The second was a slightly brighter population consisting of galaxies that formed hundreds of millions of years later, once the hydrogen that had been ionised by the intense ultraviolet radiation emitted by the first stars was able to cool into more massive dark matter halos. The team says that a model of galaxy formation that they had formed previously fit perfectly with the data, allowing them to infer the formation times of the satellite galaxies. The Lambda-cold-dark-matter model Our finding supports the current model for the evolution of our universe, the Lambda-cold-dark-matter model in which the elementary particles that make up the dark matter drive cosmic evolution, said Carlos Frenk, a professor at Durham University in the UK. The first galaxies emitted intense ultraviolet radiation that destroyed the remaining hydrogen atoms by ionising them (knocking out their electrons). Also Read | SpaceX prepares astronauts for Commercial Crew Program It made it difficult for this gas to cool and form new stars. The process of galaxy formation stopped and no new galaxies were able to form for the next billion years or so. Gradually, the halos of dark matter grew so massive that even ionised gas was able to cool. Galaxy formation resumed, culminating in the formation of spectacular bright galaxies like our own Milky Way, the scientists added. (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistanas prime minister-in-waiting, Imran Khan, on Thursday condoled the demise of former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that the best way to honour the atowering South Asian leadera was by establishing peace between India and Pakistan. aThere can be political differences but both sides of the border want peace. It is only through establishing peace that we can really honour the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In this moment of grief following the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I stand with the people of India,a Imran Khan said in a statement. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, who is likely to take oath on Saturday, said that athe death of Vajpayee sahab, South Asian politics now left with a huge political vacuum.a Also Read |A Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A statesman politician and passionate poet The Pakistan Foreign Office also expressed condolences on Vajpayeeas death, describing him a arenowned statesmana who contributed to bringing change in India-Pakistan bilateral ties. aWe have learnt with sadness the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India,a the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. It added, aVajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of Saarc (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) and regional cooperation for development.a Also Read |A 10 facts you should know about Atal Bihari Vajpayee The 93-year-old veteran BJP leader breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday while undergoing treatment in Delhias AIIMS hospital. His last rites will be performed today (Friday) at 4 pm at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in the national capital. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: The US government on Friday hit four Myanmar military commanders and two military units with punitive sanctions, accusing them of serious human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing in violently expelling minority Rohingya from their homes. Military and border guard commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe, Khin Hlaing, and Thura San Lwin were accused of leading violent campaigns against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state as well as minorities in Kachin and Shan states. Also Read | PTI Chief Imran Khan elected new prime minister of Pakistan Burmese security forces have engaged in violent campaigns against ethnic minority communities across Burma, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights abuses, said Sigal Mandelker, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Treasury, which announced the sanctions. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A rape suspect who escaped from an Osaka Prefecture police station earlier this week may have snatched purses from several people since going on the run, investigative sources said Thursday. After Junya Hida, 30, disappeared from Tondabayashi Police Station in the suburbs of Osaka on Sunday evening, a series of purse thefts by a man on a black minibike have been reported in the vicinity every evening through Wednesday. Given that Hida was also indicted over similar night-time thefts using a minibike in May, the police suspect he is taking money again. Around the time he fled on Sunday, a black minibike was stolen in the Osaka city of Matsubara, where Hida resided. Hida has been indicted on charges of rape, theft and robbery resulting in injury and was served a fresh arrest warrant last week on a charge of attempted rape. He had been detained for two and a half months. Shortly after meeting his lawyer at the police station on Sunday evening, Hida apparently smashed an acrylic partition in their meeting room and left through the same entrance the lawyer had used, the police said. Among the purse-snatching cases, a man in a black T-shirt on a minibike allegedly stole a bag from a woman in her 20s from the front basket of her bicycle at around 9 p.m. Monday in nearby Habikino. The bag contained cash and a cellphone. About an hour later, a similar case was reported in Osakaas Hirano Ward, according to the police. The first of 2 new government planes has been delivered to Japan ahead of their debut next year. The Boeing 777-300ER flew in to the Air Self-Defense Force's Chitose Base in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido on Friday after an interior fit-out in Switzerland. The aircraft will replace the current Boeing 747s, which have been in use for more than 20 years. The new aircraft has "Hinomaru" red disks that represent Japan's national flag on the main wings and the tail. The fuselage is decorated with red curved lines. Plane spotters gathered near the base. One who came from Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, says he is so happy to be able to take photos of the plane before it starts operations. He says he will post the images on social media. The second aircraft is due to arrive in December. The Air Self-Defense Force unit in charge of operating the planes will conduct flight training. The new aircraft will be used for overseas trips by Imperial family members and the prime minister from April 2019. Investigators in Osaka Prefecture say a suspect who fled a police station 5 days ago chased women on a motorcycle as he apparently hunted for bag-snatching targets. Junya Hida allegedly stole a black motorcycle after escaping from Tondabayashi police station on Sunday night. Police believe the 30 year-old has been snatching bags in ride-by attacks since a day after the escape. Investigators now say 2 women have reported being chased by a man on a black motorcycle in Tondabayashi on Monday night. They say the women's descriptions of a rider in a black helmet match those of a man who snatched a purse in the neighboring city of Habikino about one hour later. Hida has a record of charges for mugging women to snatch their bags. Before he fled the police station, he was charged with robbery, assault and theft, and was under arrest over a case of attempted sexual assault. Hida escaped from police custody after meeting with a lawyer. He broke out after kicking loose an acrylic partition that separates detainees and visitors. A pro-government outfit, the Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group, BOMG has called on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to resign from offi... A pro-government outfit, the Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group, BOMG has called on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to resign from office with immediate effect. It threatened to mobilise discerning Nigerians to occupy the National Assembly complex if Saraki fails to heed the call. BOMGs National Coordinator, Prince Ebunola Martins, who made the call during a media briefing on Thursday, in Abuja, asked Saraki not to allow his personal interest to override the interest of Nigerians. Martins, therefore, asked the red chamber to impeach the Senate President should he refuse to listen to several voices asking him to resign honourably. According to him, Saraki lacked credibility to still continue to preside over the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly following his indictment by the ringleader of the disastrous Offa robbery incident, which led to the death of over 35 persons. He said: By mere mentioning of Sarakis name by a gang of armed robbers is enough evident to arrest the Senate President, and are therefore, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to arrest him now. We call on the Senate to reconvene without any delays to pass the budget meant for INEC and other security agencies for the purpose of the 2019 general elections. Prince Martins, while accusing some corrupt persons of teaming up against the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari because of his resolve to battle graft to standstill, said, The massive corruption during the period of immediate past administration must not be allowed to resurrect in the life of this country. They wanted Buhari out of the way at all cost because of presumption that many of them will be clamped to jail because he will be ruthless with the anti-corruption crusade during his second term. The group, which decried the magnitude of blackmail being launched at Buhari by the opposition, with a view to discrediting him before the electorate ahead of the presidential poll, charged Buhari To ignore their antics to re-contest for second tenure and save the country from collapsing. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to contest the next election in order to continue the good work he started. We equally call the president to continue blocking the loopholes that has led to massive corruption over the years, as no blackmail from the opposition will be allowed to stop him from blocking all loopholes. The National Economic Council (NEC) says the security situation in Benue Sate has improved. The National Economic Council (NEC) says the security situation in Benue Sate has improved. Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, briefed State House correspondents after NEC meeting presided over by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday. Abounu said that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu, briefed the council on behalf of the various security agencies on the critical security issues nationwide. This ranges from kidnapping, gun-running, cattle rustling, tension between pastoralists and farmers, pipeline vandalism and communal clashes that exist nationwide. There is a synergy between the security agencies in tackling the menace of security issues in the county. NEC noticed of course, that there is lot of improvement in handling the insecurity situation in the country. A particular example that was given is the issue of pastoralists and farmers crisis in some parts of the country especially, North-Central, the North-West and other parts. For instance, the deployment of Operation Whirlstroke in Benue, has brought about improvement and especially put a near end to the killings that was very rampant in the area, he said. The deputy governor said that the state had started enjoying relative peace. He said that the council decided that the military personnel in Operation Whirlstroke should not be withdrawn in a hurry because their presence will bring about the needed stability. According to him, such stability is needed to enable the internally displaced persons to return to their various localities. Abounu said that troops had been deployed to the various flashpoints and a lot of improvements had been recorded. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has accused Kaduna State governor, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, of sponsoring hate speech campaign against... The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has accused Kaduna State governor, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, of sponsoring hate speech campaign against the group. The movement in a statement issued by the president, Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, alleged that El Rufai sponsored hate speech campaigns against it at a recent book presentation at Arewa House, Kaduna, during which Shias were called infidels by the organisers of the event. According to Musa, The Islamic Movement in Nigeria wishes to express its outright disapproval of the current campaign of calumny against the Shia Islamic faith in general and the Islamic Movement in particular as espoused in the gathering of some Wahabi Islamic scholars during the book presentation on Sunday 11/08/18 at Arewa House, Kaduna, where Kaduna state Governor was the Chief Host. Though, the book presented was entitled Fallacy of Shiites beliefs, the scholars were reported by some national dailies to have said that Shiites, threat to National Security. We feel this news headline deserves our condemnation. How about if we say: Sunnis, threat to National Security, will followers of Sunni Islam in Nigeria not get offended? according to the Press Statement. We are extremely concerned that this title is similar to some of the scary titles you read about Muslims on the websites of Far Right movements who are busy spreading Islamophobia in the West in particular and the world in general, only that in this context the shiaphobia is the bogey for the so-called Wahabbi scholars. It drew the attention of the government to the freedom granted citizens by the constitution, We must emphasize that while these debates and arguments between Sunnis and Shiites are as old as the history of Islam, the secular Nigeria has nothing to do with it. These scholars know very well that the constitution of Nigeria gives freedom of speech and religion as enshrined in section 38, which categorically states: Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. The statement denied that the Islamic Movement poses a national threat, Why they hate the Shiites has nothing to do with national security. Well-meaning Nigerians should not be seen to support demonizing narratives sanctioned at a state level simply because people choose different interpretations of some issues within the religion of Islam. Therefore, as long as a group or organisation conducts itself peacefully without legitimizing violence, the state should stay away from meddling in inter-sectarian polemics. The almost 40 years history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and its Leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky is enough a pointer to the fact that we are not a threat to national security as those so called scholars that gathered in Kaduna will want other Nigerians to believe. In fact it is the other way round, because it is on record that in one of his books, the author of the book launched, Prof. Umar Labdo of the Maitama Sule University, Kano, called on Muslims of his like to kill, maim and burn the properties of Christians and Shiites. We strongly believe that its such scholars who identify with the ISIS ideology that spread hate and animosity among citizens that are a threat to National security. The Islamic Movement vowed to continue demanding for the release of its leader, Sheikh Zakzaky, stressing that, On a final note, we would like to state categorically that, we will not relent on our effort to enlighten the world about the atrocities committed by the trio of Federal government, Kaduna state government and the Nigerian Army (all under the influence of the Wahibi scholars like Prof. Labdo) against the members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria during the month of December, 2015. Though, the Kaduna book presentation is ostensibly held to justify the Zaria massacre executed by the Army, we will like to assure those pseudo ulama that Zaria massacre will continue to hunt the memories of its organizers, financiers and executors forever. The Minister of National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, has joined the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, for the 2019 elections budget defence.The two stepped into the venue of the meeting of the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on INEC, at the Senate building, at 12:15pm, on Friday.Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif, in his opening remarks reiterated the committees commitment to ensure that INEC got what it deserves to ensure a hitch-free 2019 general elections.He said, We are not playing politics with the budget for the 2019 elections. We just want some clarifications. Mrs. Kristal Lynn Hardin, age 60, a resident of De Queen, AR, died Tuesday August 14, 2018, in Texarkana, TX. Kristal was born September 27, 1957, in Bay City MI, to Arland Duane Krumm and Judith Ann Krumm. Kristal was preceded in death by her father Arland Duane Krumm, her husband Thomas Robert Hardin II, her brothers Arland Duane Krumm Jr, Darel Allen Krumm, her son Thomas Robert (Robby) Hardin III, and her beloved grandson Micah Wesley Hardin. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her mother Judith Ann Krumm of North Fort Myers Fl, one sister Julie Ann Krumm of Fort Myers Fl, one daughter Tiffany Joy Hardin of Tampa Fl, a sister-in-law Patty Dougherty of Orange City, Fl, a number of nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Kristal faithfully served as one of Jehovahs Witnesses her entire life. She enjoyed telling people about her hope of everlasting life on a Paradise Earth, in a healthy body, that will come about through Gods Kingdom. She was a member of the English Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses in De Queen, AR. She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, was a Freelance Journalist/Columnist for the De Queen Bees Kristals Korner and for Muscular Dystrophys Quest Magazine. Kristal was a local writer/illustrator of childrens books, a favorite being The True Story of Mr. Buckets. Her skill and passion for photography won her many awards in local and state-wide exhibits. Kristals love of life was evident in her determined, down-to-earth approach to lifes unrelenting challenges. Her love for Jehovah God was evident by never blaming Him. She was a lover of music, movie quotes, and her dogs. She was inspiring, encouraging, and content with life. Kristal will be remembered for her positive loving spirit, lightheartedness, loyalty, compassion and selflessness. To meet her was to love her. Respecting her wishes, no services will be scheduled. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. You may send an online sympathy message at www.chandlerfuneral.com. Lee County taxpayers have been clear; we value our wild side and recognize our economy is dependent on the natural diversity and wild creatures with whom we share this area. In 2016, 84% of Lee County voters reaffirmed our commitment to the Conservation 2020 Land Acquisition program first voted on in 1996. In that time this wildly popular program to preserve environmentally sensitive lands has acquired 28,978 acres on 130 properties and many miles of shorelines all across the County. Our neighborhoods benefit from preserving wild lands, the land captures, recharges, and filters rainfall, floodwaters, and sheet flow to prevent new sources of pollution. They provide wildlife habitat and corridors, support biodiversity of natural landscapes, and provide areas where we can study and renew our spirits in nature. And these natural refuges fuel our economy. This is a win win program at least it has been. Lee County has proposed changes that will be voted on Tuesday to streamline the current Conservation 2020 program. We encourage you to use this form found at the link below to write a letter to the commissioners today and if you can, attend the meeting in person at 9:30 am at the Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street. There are some 40 parcels of land that have been nominated by landowners for review and consideration but County administration quietly stopped the process even following approvals by the advisory committee. We dont feel the proposed changes reflect what the public voted for, specifically: * * Nominations will be reviewed once a year in an annual grant cycle * What happens to the 40 proposals that have been nominated but not acted on? * Do they have to resubmit? * * County staff, not the advisory committee would screen nominations * What is the role of the public committees? * Who would do the screening? * What transparency would there be? * * The evaluation criteria shifts the emphasis to water quality project sites over natural landscapes. We fear this will result in funds meant to protect environmentally sensitive lands being used for lands of lesser quality to build infrastructure projects that should instead be funded by utilities or a stormwater utility. * Criteria could prioritize infrastructure projects over natural landscapes with uplands and wetlands. * * The proposal does not address how the current $40 million from property taxes would prioritize the intended acquisition of environmentally sensitive land acquisition. * * The proposal does not address how the program funds will be replenished. We fear that the new cycle and criteria will eliminate unique parcels such as the previously purchased Woodring site on Sanibel and gives shrinking consideration to sites contiguous to existing preserves. We are at a critical juncture in addressing the health and survival of our natural systems. We should be enhancing our land acquisition efforts rather than limiting them. We caution that all of our water quality solutions should not be limited to purchasing land through this program. The County should also consider revisiting a storm water utility to implement water quality infrastructure needs and to require low impact design criteria when approving development in an area that will impact water quality. Please contact the Board of County Commissioners before Tuesday, Aug. 21st to let them know how critical it is that they protect and support continuing this program. Rae Ann Wessel is the Natural Resource Policy Director for the Sanibel-Captival Conservation Foundation. She can be reached at rawessel@sccf.org Zhong Congrong, a successful businessman from Chongqing, China, has become known as the the millionaire trash collector, for his longtime habit of scouring the streets of his city armed with a trash-picking claw and picking up any garbage he finds. The 52-year-old entrepreneur began cleaning up the streets of Chingqing three years ago, after a family trip to southern Chinas Hainan province, for the Chinese New Year. There, he met a retired university professor who had reportedly been picking up trash from one of the local beaches every day, for the last four years. He was so impressed with the womans dedication and commitment to trash collecting that he decided to replicate her daily habit in his home city, as soon as he got back from his vacation. Photo: video screengrab/Ruptly Interestingly, in the beginning, Congrongs trash collecting habit attracted a lot of negative attention both from locals and the media. People just couldnt understand why a millionaire who owns real estate, car dealerships and several material processing factories would stoop to picking up trash by hand. They though it was nothing more than a stunt to attract attention, but Zhong didnt let the negativity distract him. Even his family was confused by Zhongs behavior, at first. His wife and children were embarrassed by the negative media coverage of his eccentric habit and refused to be seen with him in public. But as time went by, peoples attitude changed. They noticed their neighborhood getting cleaner thanks to Zhongs efforts and started praising and supporting him. His wife is now an anti-littering campaigner herself, and scolds everyone she sees throwing trash on the street. Whether we throw away or pick up trash is unrelated to our academic degree, cultural background, age, or socio-economic status, Zhong Congrong told Sixth Tone in December 2017. The millionaire trash collector has been doing his best to inspire others as well. He wears an attention-grabbing orange t-shirt featuring anti-littering slogans whenever he goes on his garbage hunting missions, and fines all of his workers 10 yuan if they litter at the workplace. However, he is fully aware that broader measures are needed for a true change. China needs stricter regulations to deter would-be litterers, Zhong said. Relying on self-discipline wont be enough. Chinese people are afraid of losing face. They care less about how much theyre fined and more about the shame that comes with it. Zhong Congrong may be just one man, but his genuine dedication to solving his citys trash problem has inspired millions in China. Believe it or nor, Zhong isnt the worlds only millionaire garbage man. back in 2014, we wrote about The Boss of Cleaning, a Korean-born businessman living in Bahrain, who had been manually picking up trash every day for 11 years. 25-year-old Tomasz Nadolski, from Wroclaw, Poland, suffers from a rare and cruel disease that has not only made his life a living hell, but also left him stuck in the underdeveloped body of a 12-year-old boy. Tomaszs health problems began when he was only 7-years-old. He would throw up after every meal and experience excruciating pain in his stomach, hands and feet. Because he couldnt keep any food down, he lost a lot of weight and kids at school started teasing him about looking like a walking skeleton. For years, doctors couldnt figure out what was wrong with him, and some of them even claimed that his problems were mental rather than physical. It took 16 years for Tomaszs condition to finally be diagnosed, but, unfortunately, knowing what he was suffering from didnt make the young mans life any better. Photo: UWAGA! TVN video screengrab Tomasz Nadolski was diagnosed with Fabry Disease, a rare and cruel genetic condition caused by the lack of alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme responsible for processing biomolecules known as sphingolipids. These build up in the walls of blood vessels and other organs and cause a number of serious symptoms, including excruciating pain and organ failure. In Tomaszs case, the disease has also stopped his physical development, leaving him looking like a 12-year-old boy. I am 25 years old and I would like to look like a man of my age. I hate this boy who I see every day in the mirror, because it is not me, the young man recently said, adding that sometimes people refuse to accept his real age, even after showing them his ID card. One time a policeman suspected him of having a fake one. But while he would love to look his age, Tomaszs unusually youthful looks are not his biggest problem. His genetic condition leaves him unable to eat proper food, so he has to be connected to an IV for up to 20 hours a day in order to get enough nourishment. He also needs painkillers to deal with the incredible pain he feels in most of his body. It prevents him from sleeping soundly and night, and living a normal life during the day, as the simple act of walking can be excruciatingly painful. Because Fabry Disease is so rare, Tomasz constantly has to travel all over Poland to have various experts treat his symptoms. So far he has only seen minor improvements, but he is not giving up. Tomasz is currently taking special medication to keep his condition in check. It would cost him around $215,000 a year, which he and his family could never afford, but luckily he is receiving from the producer free of charge, for taking part in the test trials. However, he doesnt know how much longer this will last. All he knows is that without proper medication, he would succumb to a slow and agonizing death. Unfortunately, Tomaszs brother has also been diagnosed with Fabry Disease when he was 12, but his symptoms are not as severe. There are days when Tomasz cannot muster the strength to get up from his bed, and has to take be administered large doses of morphine just to cope with the pain. Apart from the progressing degradation of his body, the traumatic experience has also taken a toll on his mental state. Asked if he ever thinks about starting a family in the future, he said: No. I have the feeling that I am too mentally damaged, I feel that after all these experiences I would have to undergo deep psychotherapy to be able to create a healthy relationship. To support Tomasz Nadolski in his struggle with this unforgiving condition, you can donate to him via the Avalon Fundation. 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. This Insane Story is the President of the United States In a Nutshell By Dustin Rowles | Film | August 17, 2018 | There are some interesting political stories burbling this morning. Donald Trump, for instance, tweeted that hes called off the military parade in his honor, suggesting that D.C. was going to charge him too much for the parade (in all likelihood, he must have realized that a military parade would be an ideal event for counter-protestors, who would almost certainly outnumber supporters). Meanwhile, there are also a number of former senior-level intelligence officials including Secretary of Defense under both Bush an Obama, Robert Gates who have signed on to a letter criticizing the Presidents decision to revoke John Brennans security clearances. According to MSNBC, however, Trump feels emboldened by the decision, and plans to use access to security clearances as a political weapon. Elsewhere, Lara Trump released a statement in response to Omarosas decision to release a secretly recorded conversation between the two in which Lara Trump offered her $180,000 a year (paid for by Trump small donors) to keep quiet. Lara Trump clearly doesnt understand irony: In a statement, Ms. Trump said that she had shared a bond with Ms. Manigault Newman during the 2016 campaign as a friend and a campaign sister, and I am absolutely shocked and saddened by her betrayal and violation on a deeply personal level. I hope its all worth it for you, Omarosa, because some things you just cant put a price on, she continued. Honestly, however, you can ignore all of that, because The Daily Beast has reported a story that is the absolute epitome of his entire Presidency. This anecdote is quintessentially Trump. In March of last year, Trump met with various veterans groups in the Roosevelt Room to discuss veterans issues veterans at the time were none too pleased that Omarosa had been hired to handle veterans issues. Nevertheless, she attended along with Trump. The meeting immediately devolved, however, as Trump quickly managed to annoy and confuse U.S. war veterans over the movie Apocalypse Now. According to The Daily Beast, one veteran asked the President what he planned to do about veterans who fought in Vietnam suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. The President responded by saying without offering any details thats already taken care of. Veterans pushed back, suggesting that it had in no way been taken care of, which is when Trump asked if Agent Orange was that stuff from that movie. The movie to which he was referring was Apocalypse Now. Agent Orange was not the stuff from that movie. Napalm was the stuff from that movie, and a pretty good giveaway is perhaps the most famous line from the film, delivered by Robert Duvalls character, I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Nevertheless: Sources present at the time tell The Daily Beast that multiple peopleincluding Vietnam War veteranschimed in to inform the president that the Apocalypse Now set piece he was talking about showcased the U.S. military using napalm, not Agent Orange. Trump refused to accept that he was mistaken and proceeded to say things like, no, I think its that stuff from that movie. He then went around the room polling attendees about if it was, in fact, napalm or Agent Orange in the famous scene from that movie, as the gatheringorganized to focus on important, sometimes life-or-death issues for veteransdescended into a pointless debate over Apocalypse Now that the president simply would not concede, despite all the available evidence. Finally, Trump made eye contact again with Weidman and asked him if it was napalm or Agent Orange. The VVA co-founder assured Trump, as did several before him, that it was in fact napalm, and said that he didnt like the Coppola film and believed it to be a disservice to Vietnam War veterans. According to two people in attendance, Trump then flippantly replied to the Vietnam vet, Well, I think you just didnt like the movie, before finally moving on. And that is the Trump presidency in a nutshell: A confused old man doesnt understand the facts, insists wrongly that his version of events is true, and then claims that those who dont side with him do so because they dont like him. The only thing missing from this story is a separate table of people at the event wearing Q shirts and angrily insisting that it is Agent Orange and calling IMDB the enemy of the people. Source: The Daily Beast You Will Never Be As Cool As Zoe Kravitz (Complaining About Prince Being Too Clingy) | Review: Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg's 'Mile 22' is Tedious and Bad Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba. Header Image Source: Getty Apple Inc said on Friday that no customer data was compromised after Australian media reported a teenager had pleaded guilty to hacking into its main computer network, downloading internal files and accessing customer accounts. A16 year old male hacker from Melbourne Australia who can't legally be identified broke into Apple's mainframe from his suburban home many times over a year, citing statements by the teenager's lawyer in court. The Australian news further noted that "The Children's Court heard on Thursday that he had downloaded 90gb of secure files and accessed customer accounts. His offending from the age of 16 saw him develop computerized tunnels and online bypassing systems to hide his identity until a raid on his family home uncovered a litany of hacking files and instructions all saved in a folder titled "hacky hack hack". The teen's defense lawyer said his client had become so well known in the international hacking community that even mentioning the case in detail could expose him to risk. The Crown prosecutor also acknowledged that Apple was "very sensitive about publicity." The Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant on the teen's home last year, the court heard. A prosecutor stated that the "Two Apple laptops were seized and the serial numbers matched the serial numbers of the devices which accessed the internal systems." Further analysis found that the schoolboy successfully accessed 'authorized keys' as part of his offending. Authorized keys grant log-in access to users and are said to be extremely secure. He then used WhatsApp to communicate his offending to others. The court heard the access "worked flawlessly" until the teen was caught. 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. Many, many years ago on 6 November 1996 back long before I was as decrepit and washed up as I now am, I presented a little item on The Concept of God in Islam and Mormonism to a gathering on the campus of Brigham Young University that was co-sponsored by BYUs Muslim Student Association and by the Universitys David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. My discussion partner was Imam Siraj Wahhaj, of the Taqwa Mosque in Brooklyn, New York. Although I was at least as consumed by perpetually seething hatred and by hostility toward all non-Latter-day Saints then as (according to a certain faction of my critics) I am now, the evenings conversation was very pleasant. Everybody seemed to have an enjoyable and (I hope) educational time, and I found Siraj Wahhaj to be very amiable. I have fond memories of him and of the event. So its with real personal horror that Ive been seeing the news out of New Mexico, which, among other things, prominently involves the name Siraj Wahhaj: CNN, yesterday: Body found at New Mexico compound identified as missing Georgia boy CBS News, 10 August: Inside the remote New Mexico compound: Ammo, toys and books on assault rifles The Siraj Wahhaj most centrally involved in this appalling story isnt the one with whom I enjoyed that friendly discussion nearly a quarter of a century ago. Unfortunately, however, its his son. And the body of the dead boy that has been found is that of his grandson. (Most of the other kids at the compound are also his grandchildren.) Imam says he helped lead police to his son on New Mexico compound When I had that interfaith dialogue with Imam Siraj Wahhaj twenty-two years ago, he expressed no particularly radical views and was certainly not hostile. And Im not the only person who has found him a pleasant person. For several years, Ive used An Introduction to Islam, by Professor Frederick M. Denny, now retired from the University of Colorado at Boulder, as a textbook in certain of my classes; Fred includes a photograph of his friend Imam Siraj Wahhaj in the book at the place where hes discussing Islam in the United States. Some accounts are suggesting, however, that the elder Siraj Wahhaj was and is a radical: Man arrested at New Mexico compound is son of imam with possible link to 1993 World Trade Center bombing I dont know. He was never charged, let alone convicted, in that case, and certainly the man that I recall from a time after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and just after his participation in the trial of the so-called Blind Shaykh seemed easy-going and open. Some will, no doubt, attribute my sense of the senior Siraj Wahhaj to my naivete about the horrific reality of Islam, my blindness and my alleged dhimmitude, and perhaps even my supposedly liberal, western-civilization-hating political views. Whatever. The facts emerging from New Mexico are disturbing and very sad, and my heart goes out to the father and grandfather of those involved. Where Is Your Kid? Iranians On Social Media Target Nepotism 08/16/18 By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL A newly launched social media campaign is pressuring Iranian officials to come clean about potential privileges their children enjoy due to their influence and connections. Read related article by Ghanoon daily The campaign, under the hashtag #Where_is_your_kid?, follows reports of the children of Iranian politicians being promoted to top state jobs despite a lack of experience and living "luxury" lifestyles at a time when many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet due to a plunging national currency and concerns over newly reimposed U.S. sanctions that are likely to make their lives even more difficult. Taking a dig at officials whose children seem to be living in luxury either in #Iran or abroad, #Iranian hardliners have started a campaign called #_ (where is your child?) to challenge officials to provide details about their kids' lives. pic.twitter.com/LKkAQATsfP Kian Sharifi (@KianSharifi) August 12, 2018 Earlier this month, protests broke out in around a dozen cities over economic woes, rising prices, and corruption in which protesters also chanted slogans against Iran's leaders. "Where is your kid is not about whether finding out if they are in Iran or in America, but it's about whether your child is living like other classes of the society?" user Khalilolah Baluchi wrote on Twitter. "Are they reaping the fruit of their own effort or eating from our wealth?" Many of the officials who reacted to the campaign denied that their children have state jobs, with some saying that their offspring are either unemployed or self-employed. They include Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a graduate of Denver University who lived in New York for several years while serving as Iran's ambassador to the United Nations. Zarif was quoted by Iranian media as saying that his son and daughter both live in Tehran with their families. "I thank God that following the conclusion of my mission at the UN, my children completed their studies and they've been back in Iran for more than six years," Zarif said. He said his son offers consulting in market management and that his daughter is an interior designer who spends most of her time taking care of her children while also doing occasional design work for family and friends. Shahindokht Molaverdi, President Hassan Rohani's special assistant for civil rights, said in a tweet that her two daughters are graduates of Iranian universities. One, Molaverdi wrote, does not have a permanent job and does translation work, she said, while the other is completing a professional jewelry making course. #Where_is_your_kid ( # _)? satire by Imak Khaksar, Ghanoon daily The decision by some officials to respond to questions about their children publicly suggests Iran's elite might be feeling some heat. Yet distrust remains, judging by some of the public reactions to the officials' declarations. "With the working conditions of the children of the country's managers, I think we should stop the challenge of #Where_is_your_kid and launch a campaign to find jobs for the children of the officials," journalist Haniyeh Efthekhari quipped on Twitter. Officials have recently stepped up public efforts to combat financial crime, corruption, and profiteering by arresting 67 people -- some of them subsequently released on bail -- and setting up special revolutionary courts to try suspects accused of corruption. A proposal by the Judiciary to set up the special corruption courts was approved over the weekend by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said punishments for those accused of economic corruption should be "carried out swiftly and justly." About the author: Golnaz Esfandiari is a senior correspondent with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She can be reached at esfandiarig@rferl.org Iran Action Group: New US Iran Policy Chief Lays Out Agenda 08/17/18 By Michael Lipin, VOA The Trump administration's new special representative for Iran says his team will focus most of its work on changing Tehran's behavior on issues of nuclear weapons, terrorism and detention of Americans. Brian Hook was speaking Thursday at the State Department, where U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Hook's appointment to the role that heads a new U.S. team known as the Iran Action Group. The Coup: 1953, The CIA, and The Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations Hook said the group would work to pursue changes in 12 aspects of Iran's behavior as outlined by Pompeo in May. He said the issues of Iran's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, its perceived support for terrorism and what he called its arbitrary detention of Americans would get most of his team's attention. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook: The #Iran regime has been a force for instability and violence. Our new strategy addresses all manifestations of the Iranian threat, and the new Iran Action Group will be focused on implementing that strategy. pic.twitter.com/IkZbK4ri6a Department of State (@StateDept) August 16, 2018 Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism and has said its recent detentions of Americans occurred in response to national security offenses - allegations that Washington says have been fabricated Hook, who had been the State Department's director of policy planning since February 2017, said the Iran group would begin with several permanent personnel, and that additional experts would be detailed to it later. .@SecPompeo announces the creation of the #Iran Action Group, which will be led by Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook and will be responsible for directing, reviewing, and coordinating all aspects of the @StateDept's Iran-related activity. pic.twitter.com/G2NDwyEsuQ Department of State (@StateDept) August 16, 2018 In introducing Hook, Pompeo told reporters the Trump administration hoped it could reach a new agreement with Iran "one day soon." "But we must see major changes in the [Iranian] regime's behavior, both inside and outside of its borders," Pompeo said. .@Rob_Malley on the new Iran Action Group: Better inter-agency coordination to implement a policy that is rooted in wishful thinking about the imminent collapse or surrender of the Iranian regime & a non-existent intl consensus won't make the US any safer. https://t.co/aOqmdqymbX Ali Vaez (@AliVaez) August 17, 2018 Exit from deal In May, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 deal that the United States and five other world powers signed with Iran regarding its nuclear program. Trump said the deal did not do enough to curb what he and U.S. allies have said are "malign" Iranian behaviors, such as its support for militant groups in the Middle East and development of ballistic missiles. He also ordered a phased reimposition of U.S. financial sanctions against Iran - sanctions that had been suspended under the 2015 deal. cartoon by Mehdi Azizi, Iranian daily Shargh Trump later offered to speak with Iranian leaders without preconditions in the hope of securing a new U.S.-Iranian deal. Iranian leaders have rejected the idea, saying the U.S. first must scrap the reimposition of the sanctions. "If the Iranian regime demonstrates a commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior, the president is prepared to engage in dialogue in order to find solutions," Hook said. "But sanctions relief, re-establishment of full diplomatic and commercial relations with the U.S. and economic cooperation with the U.S. can only begin after we see the Iranian regime is serious about changing its behavior." Asked by a reporter if his call for an Iranian commitment to change behavior represented a condition for engaging in dialogue, Hook said the president's offer of talks and the U.S. maximum economic pressure campaign against Iran were "parallel tracks" of the Trump administration's policy. Tougher sanctions coming The U.S. reintroduced a first set of financial sanctions on Iran earlier this month and is due to reimpose a second, tougher set of sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports and central bank in November. Hook reiterated the U.S. call on all nations to reduce any purchases of Iranian oil to zero by November 4 - a move that would deny Iran a key source of revenue. He also issued a warning to governments that do not comply. "In our sanctions regime, we are prepared to impose secondary sanctions on other governments that continue this sort of trade with Iran," Hook said. Today @SecPompeo announced the creation of the Iran Action Group. It is tasked with implementing the Trump Administration's misguided Iran strategy, which has already cost the U.S. credibility & pushed us away from our allies. Read our full statement here: https://t.co/3wBdiwxceO pic.twitter.com/vV2iJeoqFb Diplomacy Works (@Diplomacy_Works) August 16, 2018 All the Shah's Men Related Book by Stephen Kinzer: This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian service. VOA Persian's Afshar Sigarchi and Behrooz Samadbeygi contributed to this report. About the author: Michael Lipin covers international news for VOA on the web, radio and TV, specializing in the Middle East and East Asia Pacific. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_Lipin Iranian Judicial Official Refuses to Lift Ban on Twitter Despite Growing Use by State Officials 08/17/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran After several state officials called on President Hassan Rouhani to make Twitter accessible in Iran, a hardline judicial official has said doing so would be a "crime." No to Twitter artwork by Bozorgmehr Hosseinpur In May 2018, Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Education Minister Mohammad Bathaei, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, Justice Minister Alireza Avaie, Science Minister Mansour Gholami, Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi, as well as two Members of Parliament (MPs), Ramezanali Sobhanifar and Mohammad Kazemi, signed a letter urging Rouhani to lift the state's ban. In response, Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri revealed that he had refused to participate in a meeting with the six cabinet ministers and two MPs to discuss the issue. "After we shut down these networks via the Working Group for Determining Instances of Criminal Content (WGDICC), suddenly these six ministers write to me and ask to meet to lift the filter," Montazeri said at a conference in Tehran on August 15. "But I didn't go because if I did, I would have been an accomplice to a crime," he added. Iran's hardline prosecutor general, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri A day earlier, Abdolsamad Khorramabadi, the WGDICC secretary and deputy prosecutor general, had reiterated his opposition to unblocking Twitter. "The WGDICC has no authority to nullify judicial rulings," Khorramabadi said in an article published by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on August 14. "Therefore, unblocking Twitter will not be on the WGDICC's agenda. Twitter will not be unblocked." Rejecting Telecommunications Minister Jahromi's criticism of the judiciary for upholding the ban, Khorramabadi said, "The esteemed prosecutor general has formally written to the minister to explicitly point out that his request to unblock Twitter is illegal." "It's worth contemplating why this illegal request is repeatedly being made and constantly being raised by the media," he added. "If some think that by mentioning an illegal action over and over again in the media they can remove legal the legal obstacles, they are mistaken." Twitter was banned in Iran in 2009 during the mass protests that erupted against the disputed result of that year's presidential election. In the past two years, many Iranian officials and lawmakers have joined Twitter, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Rouhani, many members of the president's cabinet, and even senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The newest member of Iran's ruling establishment to join Twitter is Abbasali Kadkhodaei, the spokesmen for the Guardian Council, a powerful state body of six clerics and six jurists that vets laws and elections for conformity with Islamic principles. "In the spirit of Journalism Day... from this day on I will be at your side in providing faster information and raising more awareness among journalists and the dear people by expressing existing points of view," he wrote in his first tweet on August 13. 19 University Students in Iran Issued Long Prison Sentences as One More is Tried in Tehran 08/17/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran At least 17 students from universities in Tehran and two others from Tabriz have been issued harsh prison sentences ranging from one to 12 years in preliminary rulings by the Revolutionary Court system for attending protests earlier this year. Tehran University students protesting the arrests and imprisonments July 2018 photo by Islamic Republic News Agency (see more photos) In the latest case, University of Tehran student activist Parisa Rafiei was tried at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh on national security charges on August 13, 2018. "My client explained in court that she is simply a student activist working within the boundaries of the laws of the Islamic Republic," Rafiei's defense attorney, Saeed Khalili, said in a note published by Ensaf News on August 13. "She has been accused of assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda against the state and yet all she did was take part in student trade union rallies inside the university to protest some administrative decisions or make certain demands, neither of which are a crime," he added. A photography student at the University of Tehran, Rafiei, 21, was arrested on February 25, 2018, by agents of Iran's Intelligence Ministry for allegedly attending protests that swept through Tehran and various other Iranian cities in December 2017 and January 2018. She was interrogated for three weeks without legal representation before being released on bail three weeks later. "Unfortunately, the case has been built on a misunderstanding that my client was linked to Marxist and leftist factions and therefore I submitted a lengthy petition in response in which I tried to dispel any confusion," her lawyer wrote in his note. Rafiei's trial is taking place after several other students have already been sentenced to long prison terms for peacefully attending protests in Iran. "The University Movement" Source: Iranian daily Ghanoon Following is a list of students who have been sentenced so far: 1) Zanyar Ahmadiniaz, undergraduate student in accounting, Tehran Islamic Azad University: eight years in prison. 2) Sima Entesari, graduate student in English: five years in prison. 3) Shima Entesari, PhD student in economics, University of Tehran: five years in prison. 4) Mehdi Eskandari, law student, Payame Noor University in Tehran: six years in prison and a two-year ban on leaving the country. 5) Reza Bavi, undergraduate student in clinical psychology, Roudehen Islamic Azad University: seven years in prison. 6) Pedram Pazireh, graduate student in culture and media affairs, University of Tehran: seven years in prison and 74 lashes. 7) Leila Hosseinzadeh, undergraduate student in anthropology, University of Tehran: six years in prison and a two-year ban on traveling abroad. 8) Mohsen Haghshenas, undergraduate student in stage design, University of Tehran: two years in prison. 9) Khashayar Dehghan, PhD student in electrical engineering, University of Tehran: seven years in prison, 74 lashes and two-year exile to Borazjan in Bushehr Province. 10) Sina Darvish Omran, bachelor degree in German, University of Tehran: eight years in prison, a two-year ban on traveling abroad, and a two-year prohibition on political and social activities including social media. 11) Sina Rabiei, undergraduate student in sociology, University of Tehran: one year in prison and a two-year ban on leaving the country. 12) Roya Saghiri, Shahid Madani University in Tabriz: 23 months in prison. 13) Fereshteh Tousi, graduate student in sociology, Allameh Tabataba'i University in Tehran: one and a half years in prison and a two-year ban on political and social activities. 14) Sadegh Gheysari, journalist and student at Shahid Beheshti University: seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two-year ban on media activities and two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 15) Ali Kamrani, undergraduate student in English language education, Shahid Madani University in Tabriz: three months in prison. 16) Rouhollah Mardani, teacher and student in Persian literature, University of Tehran: six years in prison, two-year ban on political and social activities and two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 17) Zafarali Moghimi, PhD student in metallurgy, Amir Kabir University in Tehran: seven years in prison. 18) Ali Mozaffari, undergraduate student in anthropology, University of Tehran: eight years in prison, two-year ban on traveling abroad, and a two-year prohibition on political and social activities including social media. 19) Kasra Nouri, graduate student in human rights, University of Tehran: 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, two-year exile to Salas Babajani county in Kermanshah Province, two-year ban on traveling abroad, and a two-year prohibition on political and social activities including social media. US says ready to sanction China for buying Iran's oil 08/17/18 Source: Press TV The United States says it is prepared to impose sanctions on all countries that continue to buy Iran's oil -- including China -- after Washington starts restoring bans on the Islamic Republic's energy sector. The announcement was made on Thursday by Brian Hook, the head of US State Department's newly-established Iran Action Group, after he was asked by reporters about the group's plan for dealing with China, The Wall Street Journal reported. "The United States certainly hopes for full compliance by all nations in terms of not risking the threat of US secondary sanctions if they continue with those transactions," he said. "We are prepared to impose secondary sanctions on other governments that continue this sort of trade with Iran," Hook noted. He said the US would issue waivers from sanctions only to countries that had made efforts to reduce their oil purchases from Iran. Back in May, the US withdrew from a 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran and said it would re-introduce the sanctions that had been lifted under the accord. Washington reinstated a series of unilateral sanctions against Iran in early August and would re-impose a second batch in November which would primarily be meant to undermine Tehran's oil exports. Beijing, Iran's top oil customer has thus far been defiant to Washington's call to stop buying Iranian oil, saying commercial cooperation between the two sides did not harm other countries' interests and therefore had to be protected from sanctions. In a statement earlier this month, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing's business ties with Tehran were "reasonable" and did not breach UN resolutions. It also expressed opposition to Washington's sanctions against Iran as well as what it described as "long-armed jurisdiction." In July, the Wall Street Journal cited senior American officials as saying they believed that China was likely to buy even more Iranian crude after the sanctions. A pastor is in the grips of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) District Police Headquarters for abandoning the body of an adopted house help at Ayigya Zongo, a suburb of Kumasi. The head pastor of Spirit of Truth Ministry, Bishop Kingsley Harrison is reported to have brought the remains of Doreen Ativor, 26, on Wednesday and left the body after the family of the lady threaten to beat him up. Relatives of the deceased said, Mr Harrison whose church has branches in Accra and Kumasi, sought the services of the deceased at the age of ten, after the death of her father who attended the same church. She has since been in his care until she passed away four months ago. The family resident in Kumasi told Luv FMs Kwesi Debrah that the pastor told them about the death of Ativor after she lost a long battle with asthma. According to them, they requested that he hands the body over to them to handle her funeral and burial rites but they claim Bishop Harrison refused. But Bishop Harrison said he has not done anything wrong. Since I adopted the little girl, I have never seen any member of her fathers family which is now demanding the body. I only know the mother and her other siblings who used to come to the church. Ativor had been battling with asthma for close to two years and we have been to several hospitals and offered prayers to no success until she eventually passed on, he said. According to him, since he did not know the whereabouts of her fathers family he informed the mother of the deceased to inform the rest of the family. Bishop Harrison said the mother told him the family has refused to show up to discuss how they will bury Ativor so he sent elders to them to officially inform him. All the four times the elders went to see the family in Kumasi, they were sacked from the family home. I could not wait any longer since the body has been in the morgue at Lashibi for 109 days and I was incurring a lot of expenses. Eventually they agreed to come so we bury the girl and I started making the necessary funeral arrangement in Tema only to be informed later that they have boycotted the funeral demanding the body on August 15, he said. He said he only got to Ayigya on Wednesday dawn to hand the body over to the family when they came out shouting and threatening him to leave with the body or they will beat him up. The police were called in to arrest Bishop Harrison. The body has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue as an investigation is carried out. Source: adomonline.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 Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Most Reverend Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, has admonished Ghanaians to bury their dead as soon as possible. According to him, it is needless to keep the bodies of the dead for months in the mortuary at a huge cost. He was of the view that Ghanaians spend too much resources on the dead, when such resources could be spent on the living and development projects to better the lives of the living. In his sermon at the burial and funeral service of the late former Senior Minister, Rev Palmer-Buckle stated: Please, let us all do well to bury our loved ones within one week or two weeks of the dead. Lying interminably in the mortuary in that cold is not very pleasant for any soul that wants to be up, to go to God. He continued: I believe we are wasting too much time. We are wasting too much money and we are wasting too much resource on burials and funerals in Ghana. Again, I hope I will be permitted to plead with you our dear President and with our traditional leaders to let us give such good examples for all to follow so that we do not spend undue time and money on funerals and on the dead. Let us spend these treasures of time, resources and money on the living, educating our children and our youth in schools, buying medication and healthcare for our old folks in hospitals and in homes, and for the development of our country for the good of posterity, he entreated. Mr Mensah died in the early hours of Thursday, 12 July 2018. He was a politician and an economist. He was 89. Mr Mensah began working as an assistant inspector of taxes in 1953 while the Gold Coast was still under colonial rule. In 1958, Mr Mensah joined the United Nations Secretariat at the Centre for Development Planning, Projections and Policies, in New York City, United States. He returned to Ghana in 1961 as the Head of Agency at the National Planning Commission which drew and implemented the countrys Seven-Year Development Plan (19621969). In 1969, he was elected to parliament and became the Finance Minister until 1972, when he was replaced by future head of state Ignatius Kutu Acheampong after the military coup. In 2005, he was appointed Senior Minister by President J.A Kufuor. J.H. Mensah, until his death, was a founding member of the governing New Patriotic Party. Source: classfmonline 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 Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, departed Accra for Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 17th August, 2018 to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. Vice President Bawumia, accompanied by his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, will join thousands of Ghanaians and millions of Muslims around the world in performing this years Hajj. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and fulfils one of the conditions for total submission to the will of Allah. While on the Pilgrimage Vice President Bawumia will use the spiritual exercise to among others pray for the people and nation of Ghana and request Allahs blessings for Ghana The Vice President returns to Ghana on Monday 27th August, 2018. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Controversial Musician and ardent supporter of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kwame Asare Obeng otherwise known as A-Plus has described 90 percent of NPP members out of each 100 as stupid. His reason for describing folks in the NPP as stupid is that, they are intolerant of divergent political views. A-Plus who was reacting to a post by one Oheneba Clement who said on his Facebook page that the musician is a political prostitute who is now the spokesperson for the Mahama family and that he is a greedy sycophant. But the musician did not take kindly to it and replied in equal measure saying If you meet 100 stupid people in Ghana 90 are NPP. I did it to NDC people in 2016 they went to the opposition and all of them are my friends. You people will go to the opposition and become my friends. These things I see aaaa!!! Me I no dey fear anyone. A no dey see anybody. Tweaaa!!!! Agyimifo. Source: MyNewsGh.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 Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) has seized five Land Cruisers allegedly belonging to Mahama Ayariga the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central. Although the paper cannot independently verify the information, sources claim the vehicles were those he imported into the country through questionable means. According to sources the vehicles with registration numbers GR 2220-18, GR 2221-18, GR 2222-18, GT 2243-17 and GT 4054-13 are currently parked at EOCO. Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu had recently claimed that the Bawku Central MP has been sending emissaries to him to prevent investigation into the importation of the said cars. Mr. Amidu said he has reported Ayarigas harassing conduct to the EOCO. I asked EOCO on a number of occasions to warn the suspect to desist from his conduct of obstructing the investigations by soliciting others to put pressure on me to abate same to no avail, he said. Martin Amidu, according to a statement issued is investigating the MP for engaging in what the office of the Special Prosecutor believes to be corruption related activities while procuring vehicles. The preliminary investigations pertained to the importation into Ghana through corrupt means and corruption-related activities of three used white Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles by using a Parliamentary Resolution dated 7th April 2017 contracting a facility of US$22, 500, 000.00 between the Parliamentary Service and the Societe Generale Bank (Ghana) which was for the purchase of one brand new official vehicle for each of the 275 Members of Parliament, the statement said. Martin Amidu also added that Mahama Ayariga early on refused to honour an invitation to EOCO. The Special Prosecutor office wasnt set up at the time. Speaking to K. K Amoah, the Executive Director of EOCO, he denied claims that the body has seized the cars. Although he would not divulge any further information, he said EOCO had asked that some cars be brought which had been brought over a month ago. Yes, we asked that certain cars should be brought, he has done that about a month ago those cars were wanted. 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 A judge has given a woman who was charged after two young children were found in a freezing car late at night in southern Alberta a conditional discharge. A police officer arrives at the provincial court building in Lethbridge, Alta., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh MacDade Blvd near Main Street was closed as flood waters spilled into the streets in Darby, PA on August 13, 2018. Read more Days after downpours and floods ripped through parts of Pennsylvania, including Delaware County, Gov. Wolf declared a disaster emergency, freeing up state money and resources for cleanup and allowing the state to seek federal aid. "Pennsylvanians in portions of the state hardest hit by heavy rains and subsequent flooding need to know that the state is doing all that it can to help," the governor said in a statement Friday that cited Delaware, Bradford, and Schuylkill Counties as the hardest hit. "This allows the state to seek federal funding for damages and frees up the red tape that can be associated with procuring necessary supplies and services during emergency cleanup." On Monday morning, many in the Philadelphia region were taken off guard by torrential rains that flooded roadways, homes, and businesses. Many motorists were stranded in deep water. Authorities responded to more than 100 water rescues across Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. Dozens were evacuated from their homes. Ground-floor apartments were flooded in West Norriton, and some stores on the first floor of the King of Prussia Mall took water. Wayne, Darby Borough, and Upper Darby bore the brunt of the storm in Delaware County. In Upper Darby, a police officer was injured after he was sucked into a swirling sewer outlet and nearly drowned, Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. The governor's declaration came a day after he visited Delaware County to view the damage firsthand. He also visited Schuylkill County and Bradford County in northeast Pennyslvania, which are also recovering from severe flooding earlier this week and earlier this summer. Last month, Pine Grove and Tremont in Schuylkill County were hit by flooding that forced residents to evacuate from their homes. Earlier this month, the Bradford County town of New Albany was flooded twice in four days. "Over the past few days, Gov. Wolf and I have heard firsthand the stories of these survivors, and I am amazed by their resilience," Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency director Rick Flinn said in a statement. "At the same time, I know that some people have been hit with flooding more than once this summer, and we're committed to doing everything we can to help them." Wolf said he also may seek a federal disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On Tuesday, Gov. Murphy declared a state of emergency in Ocean, Monmouth, Essex, Bergen, and Passaic Counties, which were hardest hit by flooding in his New Jersey. Massachusetts workers visit CRRC, a company owned by the Communist Chinese government, to learn how to build railcars for SEPTA and other regional U.S. transit monopolies at the new CRRC plant in Springfield, Mass. SEPTA in 2016 agreed to pay CRRC $137.5 million for new two-level railcars, leaving Septa's previous supplier, Hyundai Rotem, without orders. The Hyundai Rotem plant, which once employed 300 Philadelphia-area workers, has shut down Read more Hyundai Rotem is pulling its last office staffers from its 10-year-old, 300,000-square-foot factory on Weccacoe Avenue in South Philadelphia and vacating the premises, said Lois Kang, aide to Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh. "We did a lot of work trying to keep the company here," Kang said. At its height, the plant just south of Snyder Avenue between I-95 and the Delaware River employed 300 workers, though by 2016 it had "reduced significantly." It will close for good at the end of August. The factory built 120 Silverliner V commuter cars for SEPTA, starting in 2009, and finished a couple of later car-refurbishing contracts for the transit agency by 2016, Kang said. It was that summer that the wide-windowed cars had to be returned for welding repairs, leading to months of train schedule cuts and overcrowding. SEPTA and Hyundai Rotem blamed the problem on a Pittsburgh-area welding subcontractor; Korean-owned Hyundai Rotem paid to rent substitute cars while the Silverliners were fixed. Hyundai Rotem also built rail cars for Denver. The company had hoped to win another SEPTA contract to build two-level cars like those NJ Transit uses on its Trenton-New York line. But SEPTA's board, led by Chairman Pasquale T. "Pat" Deon Sr. of Bucks County, gave the $137.5 million new-car contract to a company owned by China's government, CRRC Corp., which last year built a plant in Springfield, Mass., to build trolleys for Boston and cars for Philadelphia and other cities. SEPTA would "unduly limit competition" if it favored Hyundai Rotem just because it happened to be located in the city and could employ hundreds of local residents, Deon told City Council President Darrell L. Clarke in a March 2016 letter. Within two weeks, the board had voted to give the work to low-bidder CRRC, dooming the South Philly plant. Hyundai Rotem declined to renew its expiring lease with owner Rimas Properties, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported. "The contract was critical," Kang said. "We pushed hard for SEPTA to initiate a pilot program to give preferences to local hiring. It didn't end up happening." The Hyundai Rotem shutdown follows area heavy-industry layoffs in the last year at the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard at the other end of South Philly, and the Arcelor Mittal steelworks in Conshohocken, also due to lack of orders. Deon complained in his letter to Clarke that there are few U.S. rail car plants left to buy cars from. That's a contrast with the mid-1900s, when the city was home to the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad. Railway equipment suppliers including the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Budd Co., and J.G. Brill Co. employed thousands of workers here at hulking plants. The industry withered as highway travel largely replaced railroads and factories moved to cheaper U.S. and foreign locations. Ushers wait to collect donations during a mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, PA on August 15, 2018. This week, a Pennsylvania grand jury released a report that reveals sexual abuse allegations against more than 300 priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses. Read more Oh my God, I am heartily sorry, for having offended thee And I detest, all my sins, because I dread The loss of Heaven, and the Pains of Hell I recited these words for the first time in the spring of 1968, to a dark screen in a cramped cubicle at Holy Child church in Logan. I believed in the depths of my six-year-old soul that the man on the other side of that screen could grant me absolution. I wasn't sure what I was guilty of having done but I knew that when I left that curtain-draped space, I would be forgiven. Catholics are big about seeking forgiveness. We are taught that humans err, but that there is always the hope of a new beginning. I always held tightly to that most precious of sacraments, fully prepared to sin repeatedly over the course of my lifetime. That spiritual insurance was necessary. Little did I know that it was the church that would one day need to seek absolution. Philadelphia was the focus of a devastating grand jury report in 2005 and again in 2011. This week, the rest of Pennsylvania came under the critical lens of history. Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued an almost 900-page report, two years in the making. If you love children, you must read this story of promises broken, innocence shattered and obligations violated. It is hard for me to write these sentences through the blur of tears. People who have read what I have written in the past would not expect that of me, since I have often voiced my concerns over due process and the unfairness of a system that takes accusations and turns them into legal truths. And yet, I am a child of a church that helps me tolerate the loss of my mother with the promise of seeing her again. I have spent decades among nuns who taught me strength, resilience and kindness. The saints are not myths or stained-glass decorations for me, but rather the embodiment of mercy (St. Francis), courage (St. Thomas More), scholarship (St. Augustine), and what I can only call "bad-assery" (St. Michael). Like Father James Martin who wrote about his own relationship with the saints, they are always with me. And now, so is this blight on my beloved church. I spent Wednesday reading the Grand Jury report, and it is a sordid story rooted in decades of cover-ups, predatory men and broken boys. I have no doubt that most of it is the truth, although we will never know for sure since many of the accused are dead. But there is enough in that report to make me shudder at the way children were sacrificed so that institutions could be protected. There is something more, though. One of the reasons that the church failed so miserably in its duty to the children is bitterly ironic: misplaced forgiveness. The driving desire to redeem the sins of these criminal priests played a part in the shuffling around from rehab, to Rome, and to parishes ignorant of their sordid pasts. Despite this, good priests desperately tried to bring attention to the abuse, writing letters to their superiors, only to have the door shut in their faces. And so the sorrow is tinged with anger. Anger at men like Anthony Bevilacqua and Theodore McCarrick, who abetted predators. Anger at fellow Catholics, who lashed out at Josh Shapiro on social media with veiled anti-Semitism, wondering why the "non-Catholic" lawyer is persecuting us. That is a sick echo of the attacks on Lynne Abraham over a decade ago. Anger at the refusal to consider the role that non-celibate homosexuals played in the crisis. Anger at advocacy groups who push for laws that will strip the church of legal protections while leaving secular institutions unscathed. Why should the wearing of a Roman collar deprive a man of his constitutional rights, as if citizenship and a certain religious identity are incompatible? And finally, my anger extends to Catholics who, under the guise of protecting children, push for changes that are entirely irrelevant to the issue. Married priests won't make things safer for kids in a world where married men and women commit atrocities. Nor will a female priesthood. The opportunists are using our Catholic agony to gain ground. We can't let them, even as we seek absolution. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace To do penance And sin no more More change announced at Temple's Fox Business School in connection to the rankings scandal. Read more The man who had led Temple's now-beleaguered online M.B.A. program since it was launched in 2009 is out as its academic director. Darin Kapanjie will be replaced by Bora Ozkan, an assistant professor of instruction in the department of finance, Fox School of Business' interim dean, Ronald Anderson, announced Thursday in an email to faculty. The move is the latest step in the upheaval at Fox since Temple announced this summer that the school provided false information to U.S. News and World Report in some cases knowingly for the magazine's online M.B.A. rankings. Since then, the university has forced out Moshe Porat as Fox dean and revealed that misreporting also occurred in other Fox programs. In addition, the university found errors at Temple's education and medical schools, but no indication that those errors were intentional. The Pennsylvania attorney general and the U.S. Department of Education are among outside agencies investigating, and some students have filed a lawsuit, claiming that they were defrauded and that the reputation of their degree had been harmed. Anderson did not say in the email whether Kapanjie chose to step down, but thanked him for his service and "for building the Fox online and digital learning team. In his role, Dr. Kapanjie was instrumental to student success, academic excellence, and innovative curricular design." Temple declined to elaborate on the terms of Kapanjie's departure from the position, but confirmed that he will remain a member of the faculty. Kapanjie said it was a joint decision for him to leave the leadership position. "Given recent events, we felt it was best," he said. He emphasized that his decision to leave does not implicate him in the reporting missteps at the school. "I did not have anything to do with the misreporting of data," he said. Ozkan, who previously taught at Tulane and Southeastern Louisiana Universities, came to Fox in 2014. He previously had worked as director of international marketing at Alexander & Hamilton, a debt collection and credit company in New Orleans. He got his bachelor's degree from Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, and two master's degrees and a doctorate from the University of New Orleans. "Dr. Ozkan's background and approach to education, as well as his experience teaching in the online M.B.A. program, make him well-suited for this role," Anderson wrote. Kapanjie joined Temple in 2003 as a faculty member in statistics and later led the online M.B.A. program. Problems started in January when U.S. News dropped Temple's online M.B.A. from its rankings after the school reported that it had provided inaccurate data. The program had been ranked No. 1 for the previous four years, and the school had been touting that ranking. The university hired a law firm to investigate how the misreporting occurred. In July, Temple released the firm's findings, including that the business school supplied false data sometimes knowingly and over a period of years to the magazine, and that the false reporting was not limited to the online M.B.A. program. A "rankings-focused" strategy led to some of the misreporting, the firm found. Temple has rolled out a series of steps to ensure that such misreporting does not reoccur, including hiring an external auditor. Kevin Bean, a grade-school teacher in Montgomery County, will keep his job after a video of his performance as "Blitzkrieg" for a professional wrestling organization based in Pennsylvania was shared online. Read more Kevin Bean, an elementary teacher in Montgomery County who moonlighted as a local professional wrestler under the name Blitzkrieg, will keep his education job following an investigation by the school district. "Based on the investigation completed, we have found no evidence indicating violation of board policies by Mr. Bean," David R. Goodin, the superintendent of the Spring-Ford Area School District, wrote in a letter to parents that was obtained by multiple media outlets and confirmed by the district. "As such, Mr. Bean will continue to remain a teacher within the district." Bean's role as a wrestler using a Nazi gimmick garnered controversy in the district after a video from a World Wide Wrestling Alliance show in Quakertown on July 23 revealed the 36-year-old educator raising his hand in a Nazi salute and shouting "Sieg heil!" "A wrestler named Blitzkrieg 'The German Juggernaut' using a nazi gimmick at a recent local show in Pennsylvania. This video makes me sick," Ryan Satin, the editor of Collider's Pro Wrestling Sheet, wrote on Twitter. "Watching the guy do nazi salutes on his way to the ring while children in the crowd cheer him on like a good guy is terrifying." "The character I portrayed did not reflect my personal feelings or beliefs, and I do apologize to those in the community who were offended by such actions," Bean wrote in the letter to parents. "I have spent many years working in the Spring-Ford community, and pride myself in providing an exceptional education to my students over the course of 14 years." Bean could not be reached for comment, and it's unclear if he is continuing to wrestle in the WWWA. Bean's character is no longer listed on the wrestling organization's website, and the video of his Quakertown match has been removed from the organization's YouTube channel. Readers had some strong opinions about Bean's character after the story surfaced last month, leaving many comments on Philly.com's Facebook page. "Wrestling can't even have a heel now?" Anthony Natalini wrote. Damon Williams wondered "why THAT character," and suggested that Bean should "do better." John Petrini thought the core issue was compensation, writing, "Pay teachers what they're worth and they won't have to do part time gigs." The WWWA did not respond to a request for comment. Dino Sanna, owner of the WWWA, told the Blast news site in July that Bean was a "good guy and not a hateful person," adding that he was religious, with close ties to his local church. "Everyone has a gimmick. It's wrestling," Sanna said. People embrace at the scene of an apparent shooting along the 4000 block of Meridian Street in Philadelphia, Pa. on August 17, 2018. Read more John Malloy Jr. was sitting at his breakfast table in the city's Holmesburg section around 7:30 Friday morning when he heard the gunfire: three quick shots "bam, bam, bam" then a fourth about 20 seconds later. Malloy said he called 911, unsure if the shots came from his neighbor's house or the alley behind them. Moments later, he said, a woman who worked as a nanny watching the twin girls next door knocked on his kitchen door. She was hysterical, Malloy said. Police arriving at the brick home on the northeast corner of Meridian and Erdrick Streets found a grisly scene: In an upstairs bathroom, Linda Rios-Neuby, a well-known and -liked City Hall staffer for two decades, lay dead from three gunshot wounds. Near the front door, with a single shot to the head, lay her husband, Haywood Neuby Jr. Investigators said the couple had separated in recent weeks, and that Haywood Neuby had stopped by to see his children, but the visit turned into a deadly argument. Homicide Capt. Jack Ryan said Rios-Neuby was the 21st woman slain in a domestic killing in the city this year, up from 14 at this time last year. "I can't frankly come to terms with what we call someone who orphans their children and kills the mother of their children," Ryan told reporters at a briefing. "It's unbelievable the kind of madness that would seize someone to commit such an act." Rios-Neuby, 37, was a familiar face in City Hall, first hired as a teenage summer intern and rising to head of human resources for City Council. The stunning news of her death, and the circumstances around it, moved swiftly through government offices. "Linda was the behind-the-scenes backbone of everything that Council ever did," said Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. Mayor Kenney, who worked with her during his own Council tenure, remembered her as a "dedicated public servant." Another Council member, Curtis Jones Jr., said that "in an office full of nice people, she was the nicest. She was like a cup of coffee in the morning when you saw her." At the news briefing, Ryan said police had been called to the home for an argument in June, but no one was arrested. By mid-morning, dozens of people had gathered on corners near the scene of the killing, a residential neighborhood of two-story brick twins with sloping front lawns. Some cried; most didn't want to talk. "Now is not the time," one woman said. Malloy, whose kitchen shares a wall with Rios and Neuby's home, said he had previously heard them argue but it was "very rarely." He said he and his wife have been living in their home for 45 years and Rios and Neuby moved next door in 2008. He remembered the year because, he said, it was before the Phillies won the World Series. "They were very good with the kids," he said. "They were both very watchful." Malloy's son, John III, who also lives in his home on Meridian Street, said the couple's nanny told him that Rios-Neuby and her husband had separated two weeks ago. After the shooting, he said, the couple's twin girls walked, crying, across his lawn toward his side kitchen door. Later, he said, one told him: "My parents are dead." Ryan said relatives had come to take care of the girls. In a 2013 tweet, Council President Darrell L. Clarke congratulated Rios on her pregnancy. On Friday, he mourned her passing. "I will have more to say in the future about the role of guns in this tragedy, and the scourge of domestic violence, but for now I join my colleagues and all City Council staff in mourning this tremendous loss," Clarke said in a statement. "It will take some time, but I'm going to try to remember Linda at her happiest her beautiful smile and infectious joy as she carried those beautiful twins four years ago, never slowing her pace at work until nature forced her to do so." Jocelyn Vazquez, 33, cousin of Rios-Neuby, said the couple had known each other since high school and married about 10 years ago. She said she believed Neuby, 43, worked as a counselor for youths who live in a group home in South Jersey. Vazquez said she was not aware of any problems between the two. The shootings "blindsided us," she said. "We're trying to figure out what happened." Friends of the imprisoned international peace activist Peter Biar Ajak, who was seized and held without charges in his homeland of South Sudan, say he now has been charged with treason-related offenses by the government. Ajak, 34, has been outspoken in his criticism of the country's repressive regime. Now a well-known scholar and speaker on East Africa, he had come to Philadelphia as a teenage refugee in January 2001, one of 40,000 "Lost Boys" left homeless by the violence and brutality of civil war in Sudan. He graduated from Central High School and La Salle University, earned a master's degree at Harvard, and was completing a doctorate at Cambridge University in England at the time of his arrest. Among the charges are concealing treason, publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to South Sudan, and an offense that covers insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism, according to a charging document. The maximum sentence for concealing treason is 20 years in prison. That offense is defined as knowing that someone inside or outside the country is trying or planning to overthrow the government, and then failing to share that information with authorities. the document states. >>READ MORE: International rights activist jailed in South Sudan got his start in Philadelphia His friends shared the charging document that lists allegations against Ajak, who was seized by national security police on July 28 as he boarded a plane in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The Facebook group Free Peter Biar said on Thursday that Ajak had been charged and would be going to court. There was no immediate confirmation from the South Sudan government. A spokesperson for Amnesty International, which earlier issued an Urgent Action call for Ajak's release, said it was checking into news of the charges. Nyagoah Pur, a South Sudan specialist for Human Rights Watch, said the agency has seen a list of charges that has begun to circulate on social media, but has no independent confirmation from Ajak's family or a legal representative. "We believe his continued detention is linked with the peaceful exercise of his freedom of expression. Any charges will most likely be trumped up," Pur said, adding that the government has used arrests, detention and false charges as a means to intimidate and silence critics. A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres said that the organization's mission in South Sudan was monitoring the situation, and that the mission's human-rights team was in contact with government authorities. This month, Sens. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) and Chris Coons (D., Del.), both members of the Foreign Relations Committee, said they were deeply concerned by Ajak's detention and by the forced disappearances of both Dong Samuel Luak, a South Sudanese human-rights lawyer and activist, and Aggrey Idri, a government critic and opposition member. Both were reportedly detained without charges by South Sudan's National Security Service, and government authorities have failed to acknowledge their detention, bring charges or release them, the senators said. Ajak's detention at a notorious South Sudan prison, known as the Blue House because of its tinted windows, has led to worldwide calls for his freedom. Supporters have launched social-media campaigns under the #FreePeterBiar hashtag and @freepeterbiar on Twitter. >>READ MORE: Activist La Salle grad worked for peace in South Sudan, now jailed in its notorious prison Political prisoners held at the Blue House can face starvation or death, and Amnesty International has documented cases of detainees being tortured with knives and beaten with bamboo sticks. Ajak has called for a new, peaceful generation of young leaders to rise and run South Sudan. He has criticized how President Salva Kiir and former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar have conducted peace talks, which resulted in the signing of a power-sharing agreement this month. A similar deal fell apart in 2016. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched an investigation into allegations that a former student at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary sexually harassed a freshman at the Wynnewood school during the 2010-11 academic year, according to a letter sent Tuesday to priests, deacons and others associated with the seminary. The letter, signed by Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Senior, stated that the alleged violations of the seminary's sexual harassment policy have been turned over to the archdiocesan director of investigations. The probe is the result of a series of complaints that "surfaced on social media last week," according to the letter. On Aug. 9, former St. Charles student John Monaco, 25, of Boston, described his experiences of sexual harassment at the seminary in posts published on churchmilitant.com and on his own blog at medium.com. The essays recounted sexual harassment Monaco said he endured as a student at St. Charles beginning in the fall of 2010, and also outlined "abuse and misconduct" he later witnessed at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Mass. Monaco enrolled in St. John's in 2014 after a year at St. Charles and earning a bachelor's degree at a Connecticut college. He identified the seminaries in the two posts after initially writing about the schools without naming them in an essay posted Aug. 3 on One Peter 5, a Catholic website. Now a graduate student in Boston, Monaco said that as a 17-year-old freshman at St. Charles, he was subjected to sexually inappropriate advances by a fellow student who visited his dorm room. Several months later, he said, he was groped at an off-campus party hosted by a then-seminarian who also gave Monaco a drink that he suspects was spiked because he soon began to feel disoriented and fell asleep. He also saw two seminarians fondling each other at the party, Monaco said. When he told his formation director about the experience, Monaco said he was told that he should be more understanding of his fellow seminarians. The formation director then prayed over him. In a statement late Thursday afternoon, archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin said that the seminary only "recently became aware of allegations of sexual harassment by one seminarian of another that is purported to have occurred during the 2010-2011 academic year In keeping with the long-term policy of the seminary and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, this allegation was turned over the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations for appropriate handling in light of policy and applicable law. As it is an active investigation, we are not able to comment upon it further." Monaco said he felt compelled to come forward after reading about Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, former archbishop of Washington, who was forced to resign last month from the College of Cardinals following reports that he had sexually abused minors and adult seminarians over the course of decades. "It was painful to go back and reexperience the memories, but I am glad that I came forward . A seminary should never be a place where a man does not feel that he can be protected and grow in holiness," Monaco said from Boston, where he is studying for a master's degree at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. At St. John's, Monaco said, he witnessed excessive drinking by students and faculty, and seminarians "cuddling" in the "downstairs" common room. He heard about "sexting" by a student who was seeking "hookups," and about priests who would get drunk and invite a special "clique" of seminarians to their rooms for private parties. He was so troubled by his experiences at both schools, he said, that he sought counseling. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, archbishop of Boston, announced an investigation into the allegations at St. John's in a statement released Aug. 10. Another former St. John's student also has come forward with complaints of inappropriate behavior. The seminary's rector has been asked to go on an immediate sabbatical during the investigation, O'Malley's statement said. The allegations come as the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania is reeling from the release of a grand jury report that outlines child sex abuse involving more than 1,000 victims and hundreds of priests in the state over decades. The report includes witness testimony and complaints against priests in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, Erie, and Greensburg. >>READ MORE: Pa. Catholic Church sex abuse report names hundreds of priests, accuses leaders of cover-up: 'They hid it all.' The Philadelphia Archdiocese and the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese were not included because they had earlier been the subject of grand juries that examined sex-abuse claims against clergy. St. Charles expects more than 170 seminarians to enter with the start of this school year. About 50 of them are new students, the letter said. The archdiocese distributed the letter to remind priests and deacons about the policies regarding "sexual violence, harassment and stalking," as officials prepare to welcome the incoming classes. The regulations will be reviewed by seminarians and each will be required to sign a form acknowledging that he has been informed of the policy. All allegations are to be reported to the Seminary Department of Safety and Security, which will then turn them over to the archdiocesan director of investigations. Allegations against clergy are reviewed by the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board. Any alleged criminal conduct is reported to law enforcement before an archdiocesan investigation proceeds, according to the letter, which was first posted by Catholics4Change, a group that advocates for church accountability. >>READ MORE: Will blistering Pa. grand jury report on Catholic clergy sex abuse lead to political change? Monaco recalled his time at St. Charles as "toxic" and said he has been contacted by former students who agree with his depiction of seminary culture. He described it as a cloistered, solitary experience that felt like prison at times. He said he no longer wants to be a priest, but remains a devoted Catholic. "There was no real interaction with parishes, the average Catholic person, or other Catholic universities, or other Catholics our age. It was like we were in our own little island in the middle of Wynnewood," said Monaco, who is studying to teach theology. "That's not what you want for your future priests." Law enforcement officials and Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson (right) release photos of the 3 men wanted in connection with the attempted murder of two Camden County undercover detectives on Aug. 7,2018. ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer Read more Camden County authorities have released the names of three men wanted in connection with an ambush of two police detectives who were shot during a fierce gun battle while stopped at a traffic light in a high-crime Camden neighborhood. While an intense manhunt continues for the gunmen, authorities seemed to move a step closer to capturing them and identified them Friday afternoon at a news conference at police headquarters in Camden. They are Alexander DeJesus, 19, of Philadelphia, and Ammar Hall, 26, and Juan Figueroa, 20, both of Camden. Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said all three are believed to be in the area. All have criminal records and should be considered armed and dangerous, he said. A $60,000 reward has been posted for their capture, which Thomson said is "a matter of when." "These are homicidal maniacs. These folks are sociopaths," Thomson said. "These folks don't need to be walking the streets of society." They face a host of charges, including two counts each of attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons possession, and conspiracy to commit attempted murder. The Camden County detectives were on a special detail last week when authorities say the suspects opened fire on their unmarked police vehicle in the city's Bergen Square section. Thomson said 10 to 25 rounds were fired at the officers in seven seconds. The suspects pulled up behind the detectives at Broadway and Mount Vernon Street around 8:30 p.m., and two got out of their white van and began firing from semiautomatic weapons at the detective's vehicle, Thomson said. At least a dozen shots went through the back windshield and passenger-side door, the chief said. "It actually defies the laws of probability that our officers survived, let alone escaped with minor injuries," the chief said. Both officers, a male and a female, were wounded. One of the officers jumped out of the vehicle and returned fire, authorities said. The suspects fled in the van, which was found later that night in South Camden, the chief said. The shooting, which occurred on National Night Out, drew national attention and responses from law enforcement officials from around the country offering to help capture the suspects. Authorities have not provided a possible motive for what has been described as an unprovoked attack. It was unknown whether the suspects may have recognized the detectives. "What is absolutely clear to all of us was their intent to kill whoever was in that vehicle," Thomson said. A few days after the incident, authorities released a video of a "person of interest." An image of two persons of interest was also made public. Thomson said the suspects are acquaintances who were known to law enforcement. The officers were in plain clothes, stopped at a red light, working undercover surveillance, Thomson said. They were in a luxury model Audi. The area, about six blocks from downtown Camden, has been plagued recently by drug and gang activity. >>READ MORE: Two Camden County police officers shot in unprovoked attack Both detectives have been on the force for several years and were working undercover, according to union officials. Both were treated for gunshot wounds and released last week. They were placed on administrative leave pending a review of the use of force that will be done by the Prosecutor's Office. The officers' names have not been released. The intersection of Broadway and Chestnut Street in Camden, near where two detectives were shot. The incident marks the third time that Camden County police officers have been wounded since the department took over patrols in Camden in 2013 and the city police force was disbanded. The officers in the previous shootings survived their injuries. The Camden County Police Department replaced the Camden City police force in 2013 in a move that officials said was intended to slash costs and hire officers to help curb crime in a city once ranked among the most dangerous and violent in the country. Anyone with information about the shooting or the location of the suspects is asked to call the Camden County Police tip line at 856- 757-7042. Lori Gildea, owner of Doylestown-based company, ThePureBags, an anti-microbial yoga bag designed to protect your sweaty yoga items from being, well, icky, Wednesday August 8, 2018 DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer . Read more Hot yoga is a wet and sweaty situation. And on those mornings when perspiration drips from the tip of my nose onto my mat while I flow from downward facing dog to plank, my focus is on making it to savasana not germs. But Doylestown entrepreneur Lori Gildea wants yogis and gym rats not to just know, but to understand, that post-workout microbes are real. Gildea, a pharmaceutical executive, got so sick two years ago from a bug doctors think she contracted from the gym that she was out of work for six months. After recovering from myositis, an infection that attacked her muscles and left her in such pain she couldn't pick up a fork, she conceived, designed, and produced ThePureBag, a 29-inch-long germ-fighting crossbody specifically for toting yoga mats. ThePureBag is fashioned from material infused with silver ion technology that, Gildea says, inhibits the growth of microorganisms. "It detects the slightest moisture and breaks down the cell membrane, killing off the gross stuff," Gildea, 56, said. Not only is the bag made from fabric that's antimicrobial and antibacterial, its detachable strap (which can be used for stretching) also has antibacterial properties. The zipper is antifungal, too. Even the thread custom-made in North Carolina is antibacterial. "I thought if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right," Gildea said. ThePureBag is available online at www.thepurebag.com, and Gildea is in talks with several local studios that she hopes will carry it. The bag holds a full-length yoga mat as well as two blocks and a towel and comes in reversible and non-reversible styles retailing for $148 and $98, respectively. Also a part of the ThePureBag collection are waterproof ZipPockets, perfect for keys and cellphones; cinch bags to store drenched, after-yoga gear; and a silver lining wrap mat designed, Gildea says, to guard against unwittingly rolling germs into your mat. The cinch bags are available at Hot Yoga Philadelphia and, Gildea said, the ThePureBag will be featured in the September issue of the Yoga Journal "My goal was to make something that protected gear from the inside and out," Gildea said. "I was washing my hands, using wipes, and cleaning every surface, and I still managed to get sick. I was terrified of stepping into a gym again." After two months of physical therapy, doctors suggested Gildea take up yoga. She started looking for gym bags that were more plastic than cotton so she could more easily spray or wipe them down. When she couldn't find anything, she decided to make her own. She sketched the bag and found an Amish seamstress to make both the pattern and the sample. She sourced fabric, settling on a New Jersey textile company that makes antimicrobial fabric. (She won't say which one, for competitive reasons.) ThePureBag collection is manufactured in Lancaster County and a patent is pending. All told, Gildea has spent $100,000 on ThePureBag. She launched the line in March and has sold about 200 bags. "Before I knew it, my project had really just taken on a life of its own," Gildea said. "Maybe the universe had this happen to me for a reason." Gov. Tom Wolf, pictured at a press conference at a Philadelphia school in June, says he's reversed his predecessor's cuts to education. Read more Three weeks into taking over as Pennsylvania's governor in 2015, Tom Wolf began his push to send money into public schools across the state. The plan he announced that day in the Coatesville School District for a new tax on natural gas drilling hasn't been enacted. Nor has his call in his first budget to dramatically ramp up the state's share of education funding. More dollars have flowed from the state to school districts during Wolf's tenure. But the increase is less than what he aimed to achieve. And it hasn't covered growing costs to districts, including in Coatesville, where the district has raised property taxes 15 percent in four years. "Even with the additional funding, there's still a bigger shift back to the local taxpayers," said Jeff Ammerman, the business manager in Coatesville. The district closed an elementary school last year and eliminated 30 jobs through attrition. Wolf, a Democrat, made history four years ago, knocking off incumbent Republican Tom Corbett in no small part because voters were angry with how Corbett handled education cuts. Now up for reelection against Republican Scott Wagner, Wolf is making his education record a big selling point, boasting that he's reversed the cuts and made other gains. Wagner, too, is trying to position himself as the true champion of education, following a popular campaign playbook here and elsewhere. Everyone wants good schools, and education is the top state general fund expenditure in Pennsylvania; it also consumes a huge chunk of local property taxes. Though state education spending is up under Wolf, the story is more complicated than Mission Accomplished. While state education spending has grown by $2 billion since 2015, excluding higher education, nearly two-thirds of the money is going toward school-employee retirement costs, according to an Inquirer and Daily News analysis. And property taxpayers continue to pick up most of the tab. While Wolf wanted to increase the state's share of funding for school districts to 50 percent, the state contributed less than 37 percent in 2016-17, the most recent data available. Even so, Wolf may have done enough to win a second term in November: Polling shows he appears to have assuaged voters' concerns over education, and the state teachers union and other groups that had vilified Corbett are standing behind Wolf. "I have put money into education, made investments in all levels early childhood, basic education, higher education," Wolf said in an interview on Tuesday. "So I'm proud of that legacy. I ran on that, I did my best, and focused laser-like on that in my first term." Wolf has double-digit leads in public polls, and as of early June had a 10-1 fund-raising advantage over Wagner, a former state senator who won a bruising primary campaign in May. Wagner, a York County businessman who owns waste-hauling and trucking firms, also has made education a key plank of his campaign. Wagner says Wolf would seek broad tax hikes and shift funding to school districts where the governor is popular. He also says the governor has prioritized public workers' pensions over student achievement. The Republican nominee wants to provide grants for high-performing teachers. On Thursday, Wagner announced a plan he says would dramatically increase funding for schools without raising taxes. He wants to privatize alcohol sales and lease the state's liquor wholesale system, among other measures. High-school graduates "don't have the skills necessary to compete in today's economy," he said in an interview Thursday. Wagner has attacked Wolf over the governor's stated support for sending all money to schools through a funding formula enacted in 2016. Doing so would require a redistribution of dollars, forcing deep cuts in many school districts. Wolf says he would not enact such a change without additional funding and has blasted Wagner for supporting education cuts under Corbett. Though costs have risen for school districts, "with me, they got a governor who actually understands the importance of investing in education. And I have pushed that to the extent that I can," Wolf said. Education advocates don't fault Wolf for falling short of his goals, crediting him with proposing tax increases to pay for increased school funding. In addition to the natural gas severance tax, Wolf had called for sales and income tax increases with his first budget plan. The Republican-led legislature blocked the hikes. "He didn't have a magic wand. I wouldn't fault him for his inability to get the General Assembly to consider revenue," said Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. Faced with a conservative legislature, Wolf has been "as effective as he can be," said Donna Cooper, policy chief to former Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, and now head of the advocacy group Public Citizens for Children and Youth. Nationally, teachers have emerged as powerful political forces in red states like Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Arizona, and purple ones like Colorado. Fed up with low pay and insufficient school funding, teachers have gone on strike and protested in state capitals, in some cases winning pay increases. In Wisconsin, Republican Gov. Scott Walker became a conservative hero in 2011 for weakening public-sector unions. Now running for a third term, he's casting himself as "the pro-education governor." Perhaps sensing a similar opportunity in Pennsylvania, Wagner, another anti-union stalwart, is running ads warning that Wolf wants a "drastic school-funding shakeup." "Your school could see a big cut, so that Philadelphia gets a whole lot more," the narrator says in the 30-second spot. Wolf said earlier this summer that he supported running all money for education through a funding formula that targets money to school districts based on need. The state adopted the formula in 2016, directing additional money to districts with high enrollment and large numbers of students in poverty. But it only applies to a fraction of what the state spends on education. Disparities between Pennsylvania's wealthy and poor districts have gotten worse despite the new formula, according to plaintiffs suing the state over school funding. But distributing all money through the formula would mean steep cuts for many school districts. Wolf says he wouldn't support the change until the state had additional money and got lawmakers' input. "The goal should be that no school gets a reduction in the investment that the state makes in public education," Wolf said Tuesday. Of Wagner's claim the incumbent wants to shift funding, Wolf said: "First of all, he's lying. Second of all, he's running for governor. And I guess that's what you do when you run for office, you make up things." Wagner responded in kind, saying the campaign was "about a governor who will lie and say anything he has to say to win. He's a liar." "I'm getting so sick of this guy," Wagner said. Wagner, who has previously said the state spends enough on schools, is proposing $1 billion annually in new education funding. Some of the money would be targeted to grants for high-performing teachers. Wagner says he would also help struggling teachers, with money for mentoring programs. "The problem that we have now is that the money that is going into the schools is being sucked up by benefits," Wagner said, adding that he supports more changes to pension benefits for new employees. Thus far, education funding isn't resonating with voters the same way it did four years ago. Federal stimulus money ran out early in Corbett's tenure and the governor made deep cuts, keeping his pledge not to increase taxes. While 25 percent of registered voters identified education as the most important problem facing Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014, just 7 percent agreed with that sentiment as of June, according to polling by Franklin & Marshall. "We were under attack by every schoolteacher, every alphabet soup organization out there," said Mike Barley, a GOP strategist who managed Corbett's reelection campaign. "I certainly haven't seen that with Gov. Wolf." The top problems identified in the latest Franklin & Marshall poll were government and politicians (13 percent), taxes (12 percent), and the economy/finances (9 percent). "There isn't a single issue that the candidates can talk about that resonates to the point where it's likely to change the outcome of an election," said G. Terry Madonna, the poll's director. The governor has powerful allies on education, especially in organized labor. Records show the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents some 180,000 teachers and other members, has contributed $1.1 million to Wolf's reelection campaign, making the union one of the governor's biggest financial backers. "The governor ran being an education governor, and he's not disappointed us," said Dolores McCracken, the union's president. In addition to increasing funding, she credited Wolf with cutting back on standardized testing and vetoing a pension bill that "would have been much more harmful" than changes the governor and lawmakers ultimately passed last year. Wagner who in 2015 flew a helicopter over a few schools with nice facilities to show a reporter that schools had enough money may have trouble persuading voters that he's the better choice on education. "The bottom line is I love teachers," Wagner said. A 33-year-old Philadelphia man was found guilty Thursday of fatally stabbing his former girlfriend in her Delaware County home in 2016. Hussain Kiadee, of the 5900 block of Trinity Street in Southwest Philadelphia, was convicted by a Common Pleas Court jury of first-degree murder for killing Fabine Sunny Siryon, 46, in her Darby Borough home. Police were called to the residence in the 600 block of Darby Terrace on Oct. 21, 2016, and found Siryon dead in her kitchen with stab wounds to her chest. In May of that year, Siryon had filed a police report stating that Kiadee had threatened to kill her. Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland said in a statement: "I would like to commend Assistant District Attorney Ryan Grace for his outstanding efforts to bring this case to justice, and Detective Brian Pitts and the Darby Borough Police Department for conducting a swift and thorough investigation that led to the quick apprehension of this dangerous and violent individual." Zair Bennet-Warwick, 23, is being sought in the fatal stabbing of David Simpson, 28, at Jefferson Station last week. Read more Philadelphia police on Thursday identified a 23-year-old man as the suspect in the fatal stabbing of another man last week in SEPTA's Jefferson Station in Center City. Zair Bennet-Warwick, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds, is to be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who knows where to find him should dial 911 or call homicide detectives at 215-686-3334, police said. Bennet-Warwick may be hanging out around SEPTA platforms in Center City, police said. David Simpson, 28, of the 2500 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue, was stabbed at least four times just after 3 a.m. Aug. 9 during what police called a "very violent struggle" on the platform for Tracks 1 and 2 in the B section of the underground station. The incident was recorded on surveillance video. Simpson was transported to Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:16 that morning. Bennet-Warwick may have been injured in the fight, police said. Both men, who apparently knew each other, had reported previously to police that they were homeless. Acting Camden School Superintendent Katrina McCombs iat her office in the new headquarters for the Camden school district. The photos on the shelf are from the old school administration building. They were taken of school children for a calendar for the district. Read more As a youngster growing up in Camden, Katrina McCombs decided at an early age she would not follow the same career path as her parents, both educators. But she did first in the classroom as a kindergarten teacher, and now as the interim superintendent overseeing South Jersey's largest district, which has struggled to boost student performance. "I never even in a million years thought I would be sitting in the seat as an acting superintendent," McCombs said recently. "It was never an aspiration. I was going to be a doctor." McCombs, 48, believes she is prepared for the biggest challenge of her career, figuring out the next steps for Camden, a struggling state-run district that has become a model for the changing landscape of urban public education. "We've made some great gains, but we have a long way to go," she said. New Jersey Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet appointed McCombs in June to lead the Camden school system as acting schools chief. She wants the job permanently and is believed to be the early favorite for the position when the state Department of Education launches a national search for the post. She replaces Paymon Rouhanifard, who was brought in by Gov. Chris Christie to transform the failing district in 2013, a few months after a state takeover. He stepped down in June and threw his support behind McCombs, who served in his administration as a deputy superintendent for four years. "Someone local should step up and carry the district forward," Rouhanifard said in April when he announced his resignation. >>READ MORE: Camden schools superintendent says he's stepping down from the best job Rouhanifard left behind a district different from the school system he inherited. During his tenure, five of the city's most struggling schools were turned into "Renaissance" schools. More Camden public school students are enrolled in charter and Renaissance schools than traditional public schools. The iconic Camden High has been demolished and the district headquarters moved from the waterfront to a vacant neighborhood school. He is credited with improving the graduation rate from 49 percent to 70 percent and cutting the dropout rate from 21 percent to 12 percent in five years. Ten of the city's schools once rated among the worst public schools in the state have been removed from that list. Critics, however, said Rouhanifard focused too much on creating schools while students in traditional public schools continue to lag. Some longtime residents never fully warmed up to Rouhanifard only the fourth outsider to serve as schools chief. McCombs, who has spent her entire career of nearly 25 years in Camden, has won praise from Mayor Frank Moran as well as advocates and civil rights leaders who battled fiercely with Rouhanifard over issues such as class size, enrollment, and substitute teachers. She has held a series of community meetings to hear from parents and residents, and they have given her an earful. "For her, this is not just an accession. She just really worked her way up and dedicated her life to education," said Keith E. Benson, president of the Camden Education Association. "She knows the dynamics of public education from all dimensions." Born and raised in the city's Whitman Park section, McCombs graduated from Camden High in 1987, where she was a popular student and cheerleader. She sang in the choir at Antioch Baptist Church. Her father, Gary Shaw, a longtime science teacher at Woodrow Wilson High, and her mother, Eunice Young, a paraprofessional and later an elementary school teacher, encouraged her to pursue a career in education. "I was not going to teach," she recalled with a smile. The oldest of three daughters, McCombs had a different plan. She graduated from Lehigh University and earned a bachelor's in behavioral science and neurosciences. She later obtained a master's from Columbia University in psychological counseling and a master of public administration at Rutgers University. While an undergraduate, McCombs fell in love with teaching and returned to Camden as a kindergarten teacher at Mickle School, the neighborhood school her mother attended as a youngster. She later became a child therapist and a middle school English teacher before climbing to administrative positions as a vice principal and principal. Since taking the helm, McCombs has spent the summer on a listening tour, crisscrossing the city of about 70,000 residents. She said she wants input from the stakeholders: parents, students, teachers and residents to help shape her vision for the district. "She took on all comers and was able to respond. That's not an easy thing to do in Camden," said longtime resident and former Camden NAACP president Kelly Francis, who attended a recent meeting with McCombs in the Parkside section. "I was very impressed." Among the concerns that McCombs has heard from the community that she plans to address is a request for more minority teachers, especially black males. Like public schools nationwide, Camden has a shortage of black male teachers in the classroom, roughly 9 percent of its 700 are teachers. Black and Hispanic students represent 98 percent of the student population. A big question also remains about when the state will relinquish its control over the school system. State education officials have not indicated how much longer Camden will remain under state supervision. Three other takeover districts Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City are moving toward a return to local control. "You could bring in Mickey Mouse, but the state is still calling the shots," Francis said. McCombs acknowledges a tough road ahead to improve student achievement in a district plagued for years by poor test scores, a low graduation rate, and a high dropout rate. There are no immediate plans to close more traditional public schools, she said. For the 2018-19 school year, the district expects to enroll 6,800 students in the city's 18 traditional public schools; 4,350 in 11 charter schools, and 3,850 in 11 Renaissance schools, which are publicly funded and privately operated. Married and the mother of two teenage daughters, McCombs says that her new job is "humbling" and that she wants the best for all of Camden's children, regardless of the type of school they attend. Her mother, 67, who still lives in the city, along with an extended family, is her biggest champion. "I think she can persevere. It's not going to be an easy task," said Young. "I always keep her in prayer." Revelers at the annual gay pride parade hold up a giant rainbow flag in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, June 3, 2018. Read more It's a paradox: People can now file complaints to the State of Pennsylvania about LGBT discrimination. But the state still doesn't classify any crimes against LGBT people as hate crimes. How can these situations coexist? We explain: Why the state just started accepting complaints of LGBT discrimination The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations (places such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, coffee shops, and shopping malls), this month added sexual orientation and gender identity to its definition of protected groups. That means people can now file complaints with the commission if they feel they were discriminated against in those settings because of their LGBT identity. "We cannot continue to tell people to wait: 'Wait for us to get to a point where we can make sure that you're not discriminated against,' " Chad Dion Lassiter, the commission's executive director, said. "Being a human being in a democracy, people need to be protected." The commission will investigate and, if enough evidence exists, can advise those responsible to stop a discriminatory practice, implement training, or award economic damages. Pennsylvania law also prohibits discrimination based on race, age, sex, ancestry, national origin, religion, or disability. Previously, people could only file complaints about LGBT discrimination with municipalities that bar it. Of Pennsylvania's 2,562 municipalities, 51 have laws that do so, according to the LGBT rights group Equality Pennsylvania. Those municipalities, which include Philadelphia, account for nearly half the state's population. (To file an LGBT discrimination complaint with the state, you must mail a complaint form within 180 days of the incident to the Human Relations Commission's nearest regional office. The Philadelphia office, which serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties, is at 110 N. Eighth St., Suite 501, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107.) Why dont the new guidelines make crimes against LGBT people hate crimes? The Human Relations Commission investigates discriminatory but generally nonviolent acts, such as turning down a job applicant because of age or denying a person a house because of skin color. Hate crimes which can include assault, destruction of property, or threats motivated by characteristics of the victim's identity are a separate category, and they're handled by police. But under Pennsylvania law, assaulting or even killing an LGBT person is not considered a hate crime. Some cities, such as Philadelphia, have closed this loophole by updating their hate-crime laws to include sexual orientation or gender identity. (Philly did so after a gay couple were beaten in Center City in 2014.) But many municipalities have not. In municipalities without these protections, a suspect can still be charged with assault, murder, or other crimes. But suspected perpetrators cannot be charged with a hate crime even if they targeted someone because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Pennsylvania once actually protected LGBT people in its hate-crimes law In 2002, the state legislature passed an amendment to the hate-crimes law, known as the Ethnic Intimidation Act, that made Pennsylvania only the fifth state in the nation to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The amendment came under fire in 2004, when five protesters at a gay-rights festival in Philadelphia were charged with hate crimes after their bullhorn preachings angered the crowd and they resisted a police order to pull back. Civil rights groups raised concerns that authorities had misapplied the law, and the protesters called for LGBT people to be removed as a protected group. In 2007, Commonwealth Court struck down the earlier expansion of the hate-crimes law, saying the state legislature had unlawfully inserted the language into an unrelated agricultural-terrorism bill (one of the protesters from 2004 had helped bring the case to court). In 2008, the state Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision. >> READ MORE: Tracking crimes against LGBT people is hard. The Justice Department could make it even harder Some politicians, such as State Sen. Larry Farnese (D., Phila.), have tried for years to push legislation that would add LGBT people back to the state's hate-crimes law. Last year, State Reps. Kevin J. Boyle (D., Phila.) and Tom Murt (R., Montgomery) cosponsored legislation, with Boyle calling the state's lack of hate-crime protections a "national embarrassment." Race, color, religion, and national origin are protected classes under Pennsylvania's current hate-crime law. KAMPALA President Museveni, also Chairman of the ruling NRM party has claimed that the opposition ferried illegal voters into Arua Municipality elections to the disadvantage of his candidate. In a missive released on Thursday, August 16, Mr Museveni said the allegations of cheating by the opposition, whose candidate Kassiano Wadri carried are being investigated for action. We are now investigating the allegations that some candidates had imported illegal voters from other areas to the municipality. The Opposition has been doing this repeatedly, such as in Jinja East and Bugiri Municipality, the President said. The NRM agents have got a weakness of not auditing the voters registers in time to discover these imported voters. In the case of Arua Municipality, there is an allegation that the illegal voters were brought to the attention of the Electoral Commission but that it did not pay heed, he added. =========================================================== Full Statement of President Museveni Countrymen, Countrywomen, especially the Bazukulu (grand-children). Greetings. The elections in Arua Municipality were held peacefully because the organisers of violence and criminality had been arrested. The independent, the Hon. Kassiano Wadri, was declared the winner and the Hon. Nusura Tiperu of the NRM was number two. This is a step forward, to have elections without violence, without threats. Nobody has got a right to intimidate a Ugandan by word or action. Nevertheless, the violence of the previous days had had the most negative effect. Out of the 46,000 registered voters, only 16,000 turned out to vote. Only 34% of the electorate. The others either feared to come to vote or the register is full of ghosts. We are now investigating the allegations that some candidates had imported illegal voters from other areas to the municipality. The Opposition has been doing this repeatedly, such as in Jinja East and Bugiri Municipality. The NRM agents have got a weakness of not auditing the voters registers in time to discover these imported voters. In the case of Arua Municipality, there is an allegation that the illegal voters were brought to the attention of the Electoral Commission but that it did not pay heed. This will be confirmed or disproved. A voter should only vote from where he resides or from where he originates. Therefore, the old man with a hat can only vote from Nakasero or Rwakitura. The culture of violence and cheating in elections must end completely. The cases of Jinja East and Bugiri are in court for that very purpose. The cases of terrorism, damaging property, manslaughter etc against the Hons: Wadri, Bobi Wine, etc will continue. Their actions led to the death of a Ugandan, injury of a number of others and damage to property, so the allegations go. All those leaders, including the NRM members, should never encourage their supporters to violate the law, let alone themselves violating the law. Processions through populated centres without co-ordination with the Police should never happen. I never organize processions. I always drive to and from the rally site in my convoy. Sometimes, only the boda boda riders join me. The convoy moves fairly fast to the rally site and from the rally site, never touching the passers-by, the property of the people or the convoys of the other candidates. In the elections of 2016, my convoy to Nambole met the one of Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi around the Naguru area. We just waved at one another and that was all. Why should a Ugandan be beaten, intimidated or have his property or life destroyed on account of politics? With uncontrolled violence in elections, many voters will fear to go for voting. This will mean the disenfranchisement of Ugandans. Why, then, did the Ugandans shed their blood? It was in order for them to run their country through fair and free elections. I will defend that right today and tomorrow as I did in the past. On the side of the NRM, many of the actors need to distance themselves from egoism. The NRM is about principles: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Social- Economic Transformation and Democracy. Anybody who supports these, you should support if he/she emerges as the flag- bearer of the NRM. Not to support a flag-bearer for any reason, when you are a leader, is a failure of leadership. When you support the cause instead of supporting individual interests, your contribution will blossom, even if you meet potholes on the way. This has been my experience in the last 58 years. Support principles, not opportunism, you will triumph in the end. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President. Related KAMPALA Police in Kampala have in custody seven suspects for allegedly printing fake national IDs, purported legal documents and driving permits. Mohammed Tarigenda, Dickson Asaba, Nulu Isabirye, Ronald Nkwanga, Joan Nakato, Rashim Nakanwagi and Badru Mutumba were arrested on Thursday from their work at Miracle House located on Nasser Road. Following a tip by some individuals, police tricked suspects who were helping people to live illegally, acquire jobs, default taxes and drive without proper assessment by authorities in Uganda. According to police report, the suspects were caught after an undercover officer who managed to get in touch with a member of the gang, soliciting his help to get an illegal land tittle. The agent was asked to pay 1.2 million Uganda Shillings. On inquiring about the price of a National ID and a permit, he was told it would cost him 120000/- and 130000/- respectively. Its alleged the suspects were forging, printing these items and selling them to both nationals and foreigners in the country. Police seized the equipment used for forging documents, including a set of tools used in the falsification of official documents and seals belonging to government departments. On checking the forged national IDs recovered from the suspects, the police found out that some bore NIN numbers are already assigned to other citizens while some others were picked as lost and found, subsequently adjusted and carried a non-existent unified number. The suspects have since been taken to Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and are to face charges of forgery vide SD. REF. 45/14/08/2018. Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander CP. Moses Kafeero Kabugo warned members of the public against dealing with such people and to report them to police immediately. While Nasser Road is committed to raising its image as the commercial printing hub of Kampala, we all have a responsibility to ensure that the law is being followed, said Kafeero. Citizens should understand that Uganda has got hi-tech systems used to determine validity of driving permits, national IDs and are recognisable because of their colour, inferior paper quality and absence of security features, he added. Kafeero condemned forging of official documents as it creates a huge burden on social service provision meant for nationals, frustrates revenue collection in form of work permits and promotes infiltration of wrong elements with criminal minds in the country. Related A St. Louis man charged with shooting and paralyzing a Ballwin, MO, police officer in 2016 has been found mentally unfit to face trial, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The man identified as 33-year-old Antonio Taylor is contesting the finding by the Department of Mental Health. Earlier this year, Taylor underwent a mental examination to determine if he suffers from mental illness and whether or not he understands the court proceedings levied against him. Taylor was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer, unlawful gun possession, resisting arrest and armed criminal action in connection with a 2016 traffic stop that left Ballwin Police Officer Michael Flamion paralyzed from the neck down. Taylor's criminal history in Missouri reportedly includes convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. Assistant Prosecutor Jason Denney has reportedly filed a motion seeking a second mental health exam for Taylor. BANGALORE, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The students of Canadian International School (CIS) have been celebrating outstanding IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results for the year 2017-18. The start of the new school year commemorated this achievement as students shared the news with parents and teachers alike. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/638328/CIS_Logo.jpg ) Results of the class 10 equivalent IGCSE exams were released on the 14th of August 2018. CIS students performed exceptionally well and the highest total achieved was 89.4%. 25% of the students got an A and above whereas 60% were awarded a merit. "Our students did much better than expected as 25% achieved a distinction," said Aditi Bhattacharya, IGCSE Coordinator, Canadian International School. "100% of the students' average score was above 50% and this is an incredible achievement for this batch," Aditi Bhattacharya added. CIS, the first school in Bangalore to offer the IBDP saw its largest graduating batch of 82 students in the academic year 2017-18. The highest score achieved was 44 points out of 45 and an outstanding score of 43 was achieved by 3 students. 33% of the class scored between 35 and 39 points and 10.12% scored 40 points or more. The CIS student average at 34 points was well above the world average of 29.79 points. "We are so proud of our students. Each year our mean is improving and our variance is reducing, which is amazing to see. It stands testament to the quality of teaching and learning at CIS," said Shweta Sastri, Executive Director, Canadian International School. The IGCSE and IB results highlight a strong academic standpoint for CIS in a truly international setting. About Canadian International School Canadian International School is a culturally-rich mosaic serving each student by providing a world-class international education, nurturing potential, developing life-long skills, and preparing students for an ever-changing global community. As India's 1st Apple Distinguished School, Canadian International School has continued to deliver a very high standard of education with an array of subject choices and activities tailored to students' interests, aligned with a very high level of care in a warm, friendly and non-threatening environment. It follows internationally recognized curricula - IB (Grades 11 and 12), IGCSE (Grades 9-10), Cambridge Secondary 1 (Grades 6-8) Cambridge Primary, and Montessori (Pre K to Grade 5), and employs a majority of foreign-trained, experienced teachers. Media Contact : Amala Warrick [email protected] +91-9902929403 Canadian International School SOURCE Canadian International School New senior sales and accounts position will help the company grow its sales and customer acquisition strategies in China, Korea and throughout the APAC region SINGAPORE, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPoint Mobile, a leading global provider of sales and payment-side mobile technology solutions for the airline and travel sectors, announces the hire of Daniel Lu, Senior Sales and Accounts Director, APAC to support the company's growth strategy and continued expansion within the region. Operating from the company's Singapore location, Daniel will extend CellPoint Mobile's sales development efforts in APAC countries, leveraging both his expertise in the sector as well as his experience in the region. "Daniel has tremendous industry presence, an entrepreneurial mindset and a desire to grow CellPoint Mobile's business in APAC," said Noel Connolly, SVP and Global Head of Sales for Airlines and Hospitality for CellPoint Mobile. "Daniel's hiring will help us engage airlines in key growth areas more effectively, and bring our flexible and cost-effective mobile solutions to a wider share of the market." Prior to joining CellPoint Mobile, Daniel was an early member of the Worldpay team, helping pioneer their business in the APAC region, strategically growing their processing and acquiring footprint for more than 10 years. Daniel also helped credit card company Discover grow its premium brand in APAC countries. "Daniel has a growth mandate for CellPoint Mobile in one of the most diverse and fastest growing travel sectors," said Shiraz Malik, CellPoint Mobile's VP of Sales for Airlines, APAC. "His expertise and drive will be a tremendous asset for the company's strategic sales efforts in this part of the globe." Mobile Commerce and Mobile-First for Airlines in Asia-Pacific The size of the opportunity and the importance of the Asia-Pacific market to the travel sector cannot be overstated. As such, CellPoint Mobile has positioned itself as a leader in the region, helping airlines support both Alipay and WeChat Pay which account for 93% of China's mobile payments market across all e-commerce platforms (web, mobile web and native app). CellPoint Mobile quickly and cost-effectively integrates these APMs (and others, including Apple Pay) into travel merchants' existing payments infrastructure, as well as additional sales or payment side solutions for mobile commerce. As more global airlines ramp up their capabilities to serve the growing APAC market with the help of CellPoint Mobile Daniel will be instrumental in helping airlines meet their needs and take a more strategic approach to the mobile channel to grow revenue and improve the passenger experience. "CellPoint Mobile has already made significant inroads with APAC carriers," said Daniel Lu. "I look forward to helping the company continue capitalizing on the region's exponential growth in air travel, improve airlines' payments processes, help them better serve their passengers and ultimately drive higher revenues." For more information or to schedule an interview with CellPoint Mobile SVP and Global Head of Sales for Airlines and Hospitality Noel Connolly, or Senior Sales and Accounts Director Daniel Lu, please contact Vanessa Horwell at [email protected] or Kristin Grages at [email protected]. About CellPoint Mobile: We Make Travel Easier for airlines, travel companies and their customers. CellPoint Mobile provides airlines, ground transportation providers, hospitality firms and travel companies across the globe with flexible, configurable solutions that help them collect revenues from the mobile channel and profitably manage interactions and transactions from both the selling side and the payment side. Dedicated to a client-first, mobile-first culture since 2007, CellPoint Mobile provides companies with the fintech and travel-tech solutions they need to get to market quickly: booking, payments, alternative payment methods, ancillary sales, loyalty transactions, communications, stored payment capability, real-time reporting, reconciliation, connections to payment service providers (PSPs) and acquirers, and more. Serving companies on five continents, CellPoint Mobile has locations in Miami, London, Copenhagen, Dubai, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointmobile.com to learn more. Chicago, Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/328874/cpm_logo_logo_Logo.jpg Related Links www.cellpointmobile.com SOURCE CellPoint Mobile NOIDA, India and BELGRADE, Serbia, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Honorary Doctor of Sciences, Honoris Causa of the Institute for Roma European Studies and research on crimes against humanity and international law-Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, has been awarded to Sandeep Marwah a well-known television personality, media personality, film producer, film director, educationist, journalist, business person, philanthropist and President of AAFT. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655519/AAFT_Logo.jpg ) The degree has been awarded for impressive contribution to bonding and upgrading diaspora-home country India relation; and for special contribution to the struggle for the national and individual human rights of the Roma for the scientific and research contribution in providing the existence and consequences of the genocide. The impact of Romocide committed against the Roma in the World War II, as well as the conflict for status recognition of the Roma as equal citizens of the world's community that follow the conclusion of hostilities. "I am much obliged to the institute for the Honorary Doctorate bestowed upon me. I have no words for the goodwill gesture of Dr. Bajram Haliti. I am thankful to the institute for everything they have done for me," said Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios. It was decided by a committee planned by the Institute's council and honorary President of the institute to award the Honorary Doctorate to Marwah. The Doctorate was later signed by Dr. Bajram Haliti, Resident of the Institute and Dr. Marianna Seslavinskaya, Deputy Chairman of the Institute. This is the third Honarary Doctorate awarded to Sandeep Marwah which he has received after being honored by the International Roma Culture University, Belgrade, Serbia and Kings University, Honolulu, USA. Sandeep Marwah has been recipient of more than 100 international awards and accolades from all over the world for his five world records. About AAFT AAFT is the premiere film & television institute of India. AAFT- Asian Academy of Film and Television is one of the first ten best film schools of the World. For more information, visit: http://www.aaft.com . Media contact: Haripriya +91-120-4831143 [email protected] Asian Society of Film & Television SOURCE AAFT (Asian Academy of Film and Television) BERLIN, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EU announces finalists in new competition recognising European cities with outstanding achievements in smart tourism The following cities have been shortlisted as finalists in the competition for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 title: Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lyon (France), Malaga (Spain), Nantes (France), Palma (Spain), Poznan (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Valencia (Spain). This new EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, foster innovative, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity, by European cities as tourism destinations. In the first stage of the competition, an independent panel of experts evaluated applications from 38 cities from 19 EU Member States. All finalist cities demonstrated excellence across the four competition categories combined. In the second stage, a European Jury will judge the presentations of the ten finalist cities and will select the two winners that will hold the title of the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019. The two winning cities will benefit from communication and branding support for a year, a promotional video, a purpose-built sculpture for their city centres, and bespoke promotional actions. Four additional cities will receive European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the four categories of the competition (sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation and cultural heritage and creativity). All winning cities will be honoured at an Award Ceremony on the occasion of European Tourism Day in Brussels on 7 November 2018. Contacts Friederike Sandow info@SmartTourismCapital.eu +49-(0)-30-700-186-315 Sandra Bumbar-Malchow info@SmartTourismCapital.eu +49-(0)-30-700-186-707 Notes: 1. The competition was open to submissions from 11 April 2018 to 30 June 2018. Terms and conditions are available at www.SmartTourismCapital.eu 2. The finalist cities appear in alphabetical order, which does not indicate a ranking from 1 to 10. 3. Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital information, products and services; equal opportunities and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries and local talent. SOURCE European Capital of Smart Tourism SYDNEY, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic partnership will provide agents with additional features, functionality and support Reapit and Agentbox, will be showcasing their joint platform that offers the latest features and support to real estate agencies across Australia. What: Reapit will be attending ARPM 2018, showcasing its joint solutions with Agentbox that help estate agents and property managers have a connected view of customers on both desktop and mobile applications. Reapit will be attending ARPM 2018, showcasing its joint solutions with Agentbox that help estate agents and property managers have a connected view of customers on both desktop and mobile applications. Who: David Sloane , COO, Reapit Australia, is available for 1-1 media briefings, as well as to provide commentary on the keynotes and real estate market trends , COO, Reapit Australia, is available for 1-1 media briefings, as well as to provide commentary on the keynotes and real estate market trends When: 19 th and 20 th August 2018 19 and 20 Where: Booth 33, ARPM Conference, The Star, Pyrmont, Sydney , NSW 2009 Reapit joined forces with Agentbox, the leading real estate CRM solution in Australia in May 2018. About The Reapit Group Founded in 1997, The Reapit Group is a CRM and Client Accounting software provider specialising in the residential real estate sector. Bringing 20 years of innovation to the property market, the award winning RPS cloud platform provides everything estate agents need to run and grow their businesses, from sales to lettings, front office to back office, and everything in between. The driving force behind Reapit's ethos is a commitment to bring all an agency's data together for a single customer view, and its strong service and training model, which has helped to grow leading brands such as Savills, Knight Frank, Romans, Marsh & Parsons, CBRE, Countrywide and Winkworth. The Reapit open platform partner program is at the hub of a proptech ecosystem delivering tested solutions and increasing choice of tools for agents. Together, the group provides software solutions to over 20,000 users worldwide and employs 150 people across its five offices in the UK and Australia. For more information, please visit http://www.reapit.com Media Contact: Olivia Tharian reapit@brightbee.co.uk +44(0)208-819-3170 SOURCE Reapit LONDON, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Right of Reply ("RoR"), a fast-growing technology company dedicated to protecting the reputations of people and institutions on the Web by providing online and real-world reputation management tools, today announced that it has entered into a formal agreement with Network Society, a global consultancy founded by David Orban. David and his team will assess the current technologies at the base of RoR's products and services and propose a new design and global architecture capable of scaling to meet the needs of its first large institutional customers, in particular a large national newspaper and a national credit rating agency. Network Society will work directly with RoR's Romanian subsidiary BSS-ONE to deploy state-of-the-art software development and cutting edge blockchain methodology to enable the long term vision of Right of Reply. The Technical Advisory work is divided into two phases and will be completed before the end of 2018. Thomas Brooks, Right of Reply CEO, said: "On the practical side, we are delighted to have input from David and his team at Network Society to help us scale up the platform to be ready to handle large institutional customers. On the visionary side we are very pleased that David and his team share our view that a platform capable of verifying sources and permitting targeted narrative replies to both media items and credit incidents can be of enormous value." David Orban, Founder and Chairman of Network Society, added: "Today's world needs powerful tools, so that individuals, organisations and corporations can monitor and act on the information relevant to them. This is especially crucial for news around one's reputation, and we are excited to see Right of Reply working with Network Society to make this possible." About Right of Reply Right of Reply is a Social Impact technology company which provides easy to use reputation management tools to ensure anyone's ability to counter unfair, inaccurate or incomplete reporting by putting the other side of the case with identical positioning and prominence as the original article www.ror.news, credit report www.roccnow.com or internet post and personal identity www.rorkey.com These reputation management tools have been created to deal with personal attacks online in social media and blogs, newspaper coverage and credit reports. Right of reply is a member of: The Impact Investment Network, http://www.impactinvestmentnetwork.com Work for Good, https://workforgood.co.uk/businesses/view/right-of-reply-ltd Social Enterprise UK, https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk For further information, see: https://rightofreply.news About Network Society Network Society is a diversified global firm, active in high technology investment, consulting and operations, founded and directed by David Orban. The company helps its clients to understand exponentially changing technologies, the power of networks, distributed/decentralized organisations and their impact on the clients themselves and the world at large. About David Orban David Orban is an investor, entrepreneur, author, blogger, keynote speaker, and thought leader of the global technology landscape. His entrepreneurial accomplishments span several companies founded and grown over more than 20 years. David is the Founder and Chairman of Network Society, a diversified global high technology firm operating at the intersection of exponential technologies and decentralised networks. David is also on the Faculty of and Advisor to the Singularity University, and an early adopter of blockchain technologies and an active Bitcoin and Ethereum investor. Contact: Henry Gewanter Positive Profile Tel: +44-(0)-7774-228845 SOURCE Right of Reply BRISTOL, England, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziylo's technology platform could accelerate development of groundbreaking treatment for diabetes patients New company Carbometrics set up to develop novel diagnostics and glucose monitoring Unit DX, the scientific incubator in Bristol announces that its anchor tenant Ziylo has been acquired by global healthcare company Novo Nordisk A/S in an agreement that could exceed US$800 million. Ziylo's innovative technology platform offers the potential to develop glucose responsive insulins, a ground-breaking treatment for diabetes patients worldwide. Ziylo was co-founded by Dr Harry Destecroix, CEO while finishing his PhD in the Anthony Davis Lab at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-founder of Unit DX, along with Tom Smart, CFO and Keith MacDonald, Chairman. The acquisition gives Novo Nordisk full rights to Ziylo's glucose binding molecule platform to develop glucose responsive insulins (GRIs). The development of this technology is a key strategic area for Novo Nordisk in its effort to develop this next generation of insulin, which would lead to a safer and more effective insulin therapy. A GRI would help eliminate the risk of hypoglycaemia, the main risk associated with insulin therapy and one of the main barriers to achieving optimal glucose control. Thus, a GRI could also lead to better metabolic control and therefore reduce the overall burden of diabetes for people living with the disease. Prior to closing of the acquisition, certain research activities have been spun out of Ziylo to a new company, Carbometrics, which has entered into research collaboration with Novo Nordisk. This will assist with ongoing optimisation of glucose binding molecules for use in GRIs. Carbometrics has licensed rights to develop non-therapeutic applications of glucose binding molecules, with a focus on developing continuous glucose monitoring applications. It will remain on the Unit DX site in Bristol. Harry Destecroix, PhD, CEO of Ziylo and co-founder of Unit DX, said, "Novo Nordisk, as the leader in the diabetes field, is the ideal company to maximise the potential of the Ziylo glucose binding molecules in glucose responsive insulins and diabetes applications, and it brings hope of a truly ground-breaking treatment to diabetes patients." Keith MacDonald, Chairman and co-founder of Unit DX, commented, "Ziylo is the first major success coming out of the Unit DX Scientific Incubator. It was set up to incubate the next generation of science companies and help develop a new breed of science entrepreneurs. In a very short period of time, the incubator has grown to house 25 high-quality science driven companies and has been instrumental in retaining Bristol's world-class scientific talent and research. I am pleased to say we now have a waiting list of companies wanting to join the incubator which is validation of the high-quality research in Bristol." Please find the Novo Nordisk press release here. Press kit: Please find the press pack here. About Unit DX Unit DX is a science incubator in central Bristol, home to over 25 science and engineering companies. It was set up by the Ziylo directors as there was no home for science companies in Bristol. Unit DX brings together specialist facilities with science-focused business support and has been instrumental in retaining Bristol's world-class scientific talent and research. The majority of companies at the incubator have a focus on bio-design and quantum technologies. Unit DX is creating a new community; by working with local schools to get them interested in science, by championing entrepreneurship at universities and by directly supporting and housing early stage science companies. Having been given the opportunity to grow and develop at Unit DX, Ziylo is the first major success story to come out of the incubator. For more information, please visit https://unitdx.com/ About Ziylo Ziylo is a supramolecular chemistry company that has developed a third 'biomimetic' class of glucose binding molecules (GBMs). These molecules have potential to be a critical component in medical devices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and therapeutics such as glucose responsive insulins (GRIs). The platform technology is based on over 20 years of cutting-edge research pioneered by Professor Anthony Davis' group at the University of Bristol and originally inspired by nature's carbohydrate-binding molecules (lectins). Ziylo was founded by (Director) Professor Anthony Davis, (CFO) Tom Smart and (CEO) Dr Harry Destecroix, who set up Ziylo while finishing his PhD in the Davis lab. Other directors of Ziylo include Keith MacDonald, an experienced chairman and the primary investor, and Dr Andrew Chapman (CSO) who has led the development of Ziylo's science. Colpman Consulting Ltd acted as lead business advisor in the sale process. The management team and board at Ziylo has founded a new company, Carbometrics, which has an exclusive license to develop applications in diagnostics and continuous glucose monitoring. Carbometrics will continue at Unit DX. For more information please visit http://www.carbometrics.com About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 95 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 43,100 people in 79 countries and markets its products in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. SOURCE Unit DX Activist Odnovol receives suspended sentence in Ukraine Russian ombudsman RIA Novosti, Igor Zarembo 10:42 17/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) - Yelena Odnovol, an activist of the All-Russian civic movement Volunteers of Victory, has received a 3-year suspended sentence in Ukraine, the press service of Russias Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova has told RAPSI. Moskalkova has conferred by telephone with the Ukrainian ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova, who told her about the court ruling. Odnovol will be released from detention soon, Moskalkovas press service said. According to the Ukrainian ombudsman, Odnovol has pleaded guilty. However, Denisova said nothing about the essence of charges against the activist, the statement reads. Earlier, the Russian ombudsman repeatedly urged to release pregnant Odnovol. In late April, Ukraines Prosecutor General announced arrest of Odnovol. Reportedly, the woman was charged with treason, subversive activities causing damage to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russian Human Rights Council welcomes New Greatness activists release from detention / "" 12:59 17/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) The Presidential Council for Human Rights has hailed a court decision to release the New Greatness (Novoe Velichie) movements activists Anna Pavlikova and Maria Dubovik, who stand charged with creating an extremist organization, from detention, according to a statement published on the advisory bodys website. The Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow granted a motion by investigators to release the defendants from jail on Thursday. Pavlikova and Dubovik were placed under house arrest. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Russia ordered the Moscow City Courts Presidium to review an appeal against controversial detention of Pavlikova. Earlier, the court received complaints from the cabinet of Russias Human Rights Commissioner and the defendants lawyer. Nine activists of the movement were arrested in March. Investigators stated that the defendants followed far-right ideas and that their leader claimed that he planned to establish a new order in Russia. The New Greatness case became a subject of public controversy because the defense has information that the movement itself was organized by a law enforcement officer. Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov visited Pavlikova in a detention center and noted that she only recently turned 18 and has several chronic illnesses. Opposition activist Udaltsovs detention for pension reform rally upheld RIA Novosti, Andrei Stenin 16:26 17/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court on Friday upheld a 30-day detention of Russian opposition activist Sergey Udaltsov for violating a procedure of holding a rally, the courts press service told RAPSI. Udaltsov was arrested by police on Tuesday in the aftermath of a rally against the national pension reform. The activist has pleaded not guilty to the charges. On July 28, political left organizations held a mass rally against the pension reform in Russia. Allegedly, Udaltsov took part in the public action before appearing at the designated location for a rally. On July 19, the State Duma passed in the first reading amendments to the pension system. The document, which was suggested in mid-June by the government, provides a gradual increase in the retirement age of up to 65 years for men and up to 63 years for women. Moscow court dismisses lawsuit against Vneshprombanks former head RIA Novosti, Kirill Kallinikov 17:50 17/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) The Khorochevsky District Court of Moscow has refused to consider a lawsuit against former president of Vneshprombank Larisa Markus sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for embezzling 113.5 billion rubles (about $2 billion), the courts press-service has told RAPSI. The lawsuit was filed against Markus and Vneshprombanks former vice-president Yekaterina Glushakova by the Industrial Agricultural Bank, which sought to lift seizure from the real estate. According to the court, the seizure was imposed as part of a criminal case and as such should be reviewed as part of criminal proceedings. In May 2017, Markus was sentenced to 9 years in prison for embezzling 113.5 billion rubles and later was declared bankrupt on the request of VTB24 bank. In August, her sentence was reduced by 6 months. Investigators believe that Markus along with her brother Georgy Bedzhamov, who once co-owned Vneshprombank, created an organized crime group to siphon money from the bank. The group including former vice-president of the bank Yekaterina Glushakova allegedly granted loans to sub-companies and did not refund money to Vneshprombank. Allegedly, from May 2009 to December 2015, conspirators managed to embezzle about 114 billion rubles. Glushakova has been sentenced to 4 years in prison. Bedzhamov has been put on the international wanted list. An arrest warrant has been issued for him in absentia. The Moscow court also ruled that the lawsuit filed by Vneshprombank against the defendants is to be reviewed as part of the civil proceedings. Russian ombudsman supports mitigation of legislation concerning extremism crimes RAPSI 14:59 17/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskalkova has told journalists that she supports the idea of mitigating an article of the Criminal Code concerning punishment for extremism. According to the ombudsman, it is important not to artificially increase the number of convicted people. However, she believes there is no violation of Russian Constitution in this case and that problem should be resolved by usual legislative means. Earlier, a prominent online company mail.ru group has contacted the ombudsman over the matter of criminal prosecution for likes and reposts on social media as part of criminal cases on extremism. Specifically, she was asked to formulate an appeal with the Constitutional Court of Russia seeking to examine legal basis of the Criminal Code article and whether or not it contradicts the Constitution. Rebelscum is a news and photo reference site for Star Wars toys and collectibles. We do not sell toys. Please support our site by shopping with one of our sponsors. RBIs licensing norms require a bank to bring down promoter holding to 40 % within 3 years of operation - which, for Bandhan Bank, will be by Aug 23 In less than a week Bandhan Bank will complete three years of operations. It, however, is still waiting for guidelines from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on meeting promoter holding norms. RBIs licensing norms require a bank to bring down promoter holding to 40 per cent within three years of operation - which, for Bandhan Bank, will be by August 23. The bank went for an initial public offering (IPO) in March, which resulted in the promoter holding came down to 82.28 per cent, from 89.62 per cent. According to Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (Sebis) rules, promoters have a mandatory one-year lock-in period after the IPO in which they cannot sell their shares. In Bandhan Banks case, the RBI could either extend the deadline to meet the Sebi norms or agree to/provide an alternative stake reduction method. C S Ghosh, managing director and chief executive officer, Bandhan Bank, said, We will follow the guidelines RBI asks us to follow. According to last months earnings call transcript of Bandhan Bank, while answering queries of analysts on stake reduction, Ghosh had mentioned the post-IPO one-year lock-in period for promoters under Sebi norms. At the same time, the bank is discussing with RBI for guidelines on the issue. According to analysts, among various options, the bank can look at meeting the shareholding norms by merging Bandhan Financial Services (BFSL), Bandhan Financial Holdings (BFHL) and Bandhan Bank. Doing this, analysts say, would bring down the promoter holding in the bank to close to 40 per cent. Ghosh refused to comment on the matter. If the three entities - BFSL, BFHL and Bandhan Bank - are merged, the promoter holding would be close to 40.73 per cent, which will help the bank meet regulatory guidelines. At the helm of the three-layered ownership structure of Bandhan Bank is BFSL, a non-banking finance company (NBFC), which had a promoter holding of 40.73 per cent, according to data available as of March 2018. The promoter holding was held by two trusts - Financial Inclusion Trust (32.91 per cent) and North East Financial Inclusion Trust (7.82 per cent). In 2009, when BFSL converted from a non-governmental organisation to an NBFC, it had issued the shares to the two trusts. On April 9, 2014, the RBI granted in-principle approval to BFSL for setting up a bank in the private sector. Subsequently, BFSL and Bandhan Bank entered into an agreement to transfer all of BFSLs micro-finance business, including all assets, liabilities, accumulated profits and its entire infrastructure along with its customer base, to the latter. After RBIs in-principle approval, and in accordance with RBIs new bank licensing norms, BFHL was set up to act as a non-operating financial holding company of the bank. BFHL obtained registration as a non-banking financial institution without accepting public deposits from the RBI on June 4, 2015. BFHL acts as the promoting company for Bandhan Bank, with promoters holding of 82.28 per cent in Bandhan Bank after the IPO. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters IMAGE: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pays tribute to his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at the latter's Krishna Menon Marg residence, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo The top Congress leadership condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday with party chief Rahul Gandhi saying India had lost a great son who will be missed. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. Offering his condolences to Vajpayee's family and admirers, Rahul Gandhi said the former prime minister was loved and respected by millions. 'Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him (sic),' he said on Twitter. United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh also paid tributes to the late leader at his residence in New Delhi. In her condolence message, Sonia Gandhi described Vajpayee as a 'towering figure' who stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts. Expressing sadness over his demise, the former Congress chief said Vajpayee's warm personality and gift of friendship had won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee....His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul," she said. "Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister of India. He was a spellbinding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount. "But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions -- with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy," Sonia Gandhi said. Singh, in his condolence message, hailed Vajpayee as a great patriot and one of the tallest leaders of modern India who spent his whole life serving the country as he expressed profound sorrow at his predecessor's demise. Describing Vajpayee as a great prime minister and an outstanding parliamentarian, the Congress leader said the former premier was an excellent orator and an impressive poet. In a letter to Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, Singh said Vajpayee was a 'great patriot' and people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected him. He said Vajpayee proved his ability both nationally and internationally and helped India improve its ties with many countries, including its neighbours. 'I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding parliamentarian and a great prime minister, Shri Vajpayeeji stood among the tallest leaders of modern India, who spent his whole life serving our great country. 'His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come,' Singh said in his condolence message. 'His ability and personality were such that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected Shri Vajpayeeji. His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come,' the former prime minister said in his letter to Bhattacharya. He added that his wife joined him in conveying heartfelt condolences to her and the other members of the family. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said he was deeply saddened by the demise of Vajpayee, who was a great human being and a true statesman. "He never hesitated in giving full credit to the opposition party leaders whenever due," he said. Congress's Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge hailed Vajpayee as a great parliamentarian, public servant, orator, poet and a distinguished prime minister and said his services to the nation will never be forgotten. Condoling Vajpayee's demise, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "It is a great loss to the country. It was a joy to listen to Atalji, he cut across ideology, he was a person who had compassion and his belief to take India together is to be remembered. India has become poor in his loss. He has left a deep imprint." Atal Bihari Vajpayee was often described as the "mukhauta", the agreeable and affable mask presented by the Bhartiya Janata Party to the outside world. IMAGE: The then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is seen with the then home minister L K Advani after 'pujan' of Sindhu River at Shey, Ladakh. Photograph: PTI Photo If that were so, the real face behind it was that of L K Advani, the original mass hero of Hindutva. Together they pulled the Bharatiya Janata Party from the fringes of anti-Congress politics to the national centre-stage, increasing the party's strength in Lok Sabha from two seats in 1984 to 182 seats in 1999. So great was their influence that 'Atal-Advani' became a collective sobriquet often used by politicians and experts to describe the BJP leadership of 1990s and early 2000s. With Vajpayee passing away, Advani, 90, remains alone among the stalwarts of that generation of BJP leaders who have now been replaced by the new leadership headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose popularity perhaps exceeds that of the mentors. "Advani's Ram temple movement had generated a mass support for the party it had never seen earlier," said a BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. "But Vajpayee was the right person to take the party to the next level," he said. In a fond tribute, Advani remembered his memories of long association with Vajpayee through their days as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharaks, Jana Sangh leaders, struggle during the Emergency and then as colleagues in the BJP. "To me Atal ji was more than a senior colleague -- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years," said Advani, who, more than Vajpayee, was instrumental in fashioning the party's rise by bringing to front the agenda of building Ram temple in Ayodhya and mobilising the masses across large parts of the country with his 'rath yatra' in 1990. Never a proponent of aggressive Hindutva and wary of 'kamandal' politics, as critics called the BJP's pro-temple politics, Vajpayee was not the go-to leader for the RSS, the ideological parent of BJP, for pushing its core agenda. Vajpayee had to make way for Advani in 1986 as the party's president. With 1989 elections approaching, the BJP under Advani adopted a resolution in its national executive in favour of building a Ram temple. This coupled with its loose alliance with anti-Congress parties sent the BJP's tally soaring to 85 seats in Lok Sabha, higher than its earlier avatar Jana Sangh ever got, and then it jumped to 120 in 1991, riding the popular wave generated by 'Ram Janmabhoomi' movement. At that point, Advani, who once worked as a secretary for Vajpayee, seemed the natural choice for the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. But in what many believe to be an act of seminal political significance, he declared in a 1995 meeting in Mumbai that his senior colleague will be entrusted with the responsibility of prime ministership if the party comes to power. Party veterans say that in the era of coalition politics, Vajpayee -- seen as a peacemaker and moderate face of his party -- was considered the right man by Advani to win over new allies as the BJP had become a pariah for regional parties following the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992. "The organisation was completely under the sway of Advani but it was Vajpayee's wider acceptability among likely allies and the masses which appealed to the allies because he maintained a distance from hardline Hindutva," said a former BJP ally, also speaking on condition of anonymity. If Advani's ideological leadership galvanised the party's cadres and core support, Vajpayee's soaring oratory, common touch, easy charm and convivial manners won over the masses and brought new allies on board. Opposition leader Sharad Yadav, a key BJP ally for close to 15 years until 2013 and a minister in the Vajpayee's Cabinet, describes Vajpayee as the face of the saffron party and Advani as its builder. "Both Vajpayee and Advani worked with national interest in mind but they were obviously different personalities", he said. After BJP's rout in the 2004 elections, Vajpayee gradually faded from public life. Advani remained active and was his party's prime ministerial candidate in 2009 elections but the party fared poorly, prompting the RSS to look for a younger generation of leadership. This paved the way for Modi. In a sign of things to come, Advani who had masterminded the BJP's best ever showing in general elections, was overshadowed in 2014 when the Modi wave gave the party its first majority government. Soon after, Advani was pushed out of the inner circle and made a member of the inconsequential Margdarshak Mandal, which has never convened. Kerala's most savage monsoon in a century has killed 324 people over the last nine days, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said, issuing a fresh rain alert for the battered state. IMAGE: A view of Kerala's horrific floods which have claimed 324 lives till now. Photograph: Kind courtesy @adgpi/Twitter "Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps," read a tweet from the Chief Minister's Office. Nearly 2 lakh people have been displaced. IMAGE: Rescue workers help locals after a landslide, triggered by heavy rains and floods at Nenmara in Palakkad. Photograph: PTI Photo The state, battling floods and landslides, plunged deeper into crisis on Friday, with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry. Till now, 42 Navy, 16 Army, 28 Coast Guard and 39 National Disaster Relief Force teams were engaged in rescue operations. Another 14 NDRF teams are expected to reach shortly. The military has pushed in more than 200 boats. Another four aircraft and three Coast Guard ships have also been brought in. IMAGE: Indian air force airlifts a local in its rescue operation in Kerala. Photograph: Kind courtesy @DefenceMinIndia/Twitter Personnel of the three services, besides the National Disaster Response Force resumed the gigantic task of evacuating people stranded on rooftops, highlands where hills came crashing down blocking roads and cutting them off the rest of the world, and those marooned in villages that have turned into islands. Hundreds of people, including women, children and the elderly trapped in places inaccessible by boats were winched up by defence helicopters and shifted to safety. IMAGE: A view of a flood affected area in Kochi. Photograph: PTI Photo TV channels telecast disturbing visuals of a woman in labour being pulled up with the help of a rope dropped down from a navy chopper, swinging violently in the air. The woman, whose amniotic sac was ruptured, was shifted to a navy hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Both the mother and the child are doing fine, officials said. IMAGE: Sajita Jabeel, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, who was rescued by the navy from a flooded village in Kerala's Aluva, has given birth to a boy. Photograph: Kind courtesy @@indiannavy/Twitter Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones. Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another said an elderly relative Mary Varghese was badly in need of an oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening. IMAGE: Drinking water and essential relief item being loaded at the INS Garuda base to deliver across flood-affected areas. Photograph: Kind courtesy @indiannavy/Twitter In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her 6-year-old child was seen pleading for help. "We have no food or water. Please help us." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach the state on Friday night and is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Saturday. IMAGE: People being shifted to a relief camp after they were rescued from a various flood-hit areas, in Kochi. Photograph: PTI Photo "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala," Modi tweeted after talking to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by phone. The two have been in regular touch for the last two days. Vijayan, who also spoke to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the situation continued to be "grave" with over 2.23 lakh people from more than 50,000 families sheltered in relief camps. IMAGE: Navy sends additional rubberised boats and divers to flood affected areas . Photograph: Kind courtesy @indiannavy/Twitter Though there was some let up in rains at a few places, four districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur remained in the throes of the monsoon fury. Officials said many private hospitals in Ernakulam district are running out of oxygen, forcing the authorities to shift patients to nearbyfacilities. Many had to be evacuated after flood water entered hospitals. IMAGE: People wade across a waterlogged street in Kochi. Photograph: PTI Photo People in relief shelters also complained about dearth of food and drinking water. Quite a few petrol pumps, even in places like the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, which has escaped the monsoon fury to some extent, have run dry. IMAGE: A man carries a grain sack as his house gets flooded after Kakkayam dam was opened following heavy monsoon rainfall in Kozhikode. Photograph: PTI Photo Long queues of motorists were seen at several fuel stations in Thiruvananthapuram district. Authorities have directed each of these fuel bunks to keep in reserve 3000 litres of diesel and 1000 litres of petrol at all times for relief operations. Local fishermen have also joined in the rescue mission with their boats and could be seen evacuating those marooned in places like Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy. IMAGE: Air Force personnel carry out rescue operations in Kochi. Photograph: PTI Photo Several roads in the hill district of Idukki, including in picturesque Munnar, have been badly damaged from a string of landslides. Wayanad, among the worst-hit by the floods, is cut off from the rest of Kerala. The Kochi airport is shut with rain water flooding the runways. IMAGE: People engage in flood rescue work after opening of Kakkayam dam in Kozhikode. Photograph: PTI Photo Several trains were either cancelled or rescheduled, sources said. Services on the Kochi Metro are, however, unaffected. The weatherman has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds in various parts of the state. Winds packing speed up to 60 kmph are likely in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. Rediff.com reader Sathyhadeep shares his story of meeting former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. IMAGE: Students pay tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Surat. Photograph: PTI Photo I had a really golden opportunity to meet our beloved Prime Minister Shri Atalji and I was indeed fortunate to have met him. He had been an ardent follower of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Puttaparthi) from the 1960s, much before heading a political party named Bharatiya Jana Sangh. It was subsequently changed to the Bharatiya Janata Party. As anyone could see, Baba's pictures were displayed all over his residence and office even during his tenure as the PM. As I too am devoted to Baba since childhood, and also had the privilege of studying in his institution, I recall the incident of having met Atalji once. It was in the year 2001 when I was a member of Brindavan Bhajan Group (Ashram in Brindavan Kadugodi Whitefield in Bengaluru). A group of members would sing in Baba's glory. During the inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield near IT park in the outskirts of Bengaluru, the chief guest was Atalji, and I was entrusted with the duty of guiding all VIP vehicles to the wallet parking. He sat beside Baba and when he alighted I had a close look at such a humble personality, so soft-spoken. He was glittering, though he was in his 70s. It was a proud moment for me to have seen a national leader at such a close quarter. Did you ever have the opportunity to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee? Do you have a photograph you can share? Do you have memories of meeting the former prime minister? When did you meet him? What was the experience like? Do share your memories/opinion of the late prime minister with us. You can mail us at newsdesk@rediff.co.in. Do include your name, age, where you are from and where and how you had the opportunity to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee. IMAGE: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee shakes hands with former US President Bill Clinton during the latter's visit to New Delhi in November 2003. Photograph: PTI Photo Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised early on that the United States-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said while condoling the death of the former prime minister. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. AIIMS said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but it deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. 'On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,' Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He said Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. 'He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian,' Pompeo said. The top US diplomat recalled Vajpayee's address to the United States Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterised US-India ties as a 'natural partnership of shared endeavours'. Vajpayee 'recognised early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation', Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India 'as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing'. "Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers," Pompeo added. 'Who is the right Mekhail? Mekhail I or Mekhail II?' Vaihayasi Pande Daniel reports from the Sheena Bora trial. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com It has been over 550 days since I started coming to CBI Special Courtroom 51, located on the third floor of the 1972-built boxy annexe of the Mumbai city civil and sessions court, close to Mumbai University, in the oldest part of this bursting metropolis. Every day in court imparts something new. Something you didn't know before. While not exactly a school of hard knocks, it is a place, certainly, of alternative learning. If there is one thing that I have learned, it is: Each witness is actually at least two people. If not three. Or four or more, given that there is a sort of grainy, Rashomon quality about the whole experience. But two people, for sure. Person No 1 is the witness who takes the stand on her/his first day in court and gives his 'examination in chief' guided by the public prosecutors. Over a day or several days, through his testimony, s/he tells a story, which is captivating and breath-taking, if not sometimes heart-breaking, that offers insight into who s/he is, her/his life and how it intersected with the crime. It is, often, a story that feels so honest it grips you. Person No 2 is still the very same witness who takes the stand for the first day of her/his cross examination by the defence. The advocates of the defence bit by bit ease/tease out, or sometimes tug out, another totally unalike story from her/him, that builds a picture of someone else entirely, nothing like Person No 1. Person No 2 might have a completely different life from No 1 and her/his intersection with the crime happens quite contrarily. This story too feels so true it grabs you. By the end of the cross-examination you are not even sure if Person 1 and 2 are the same people or maybe just one two-headed hydra. The gothic novella about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is also the tale of every witness that enters this courtroom at least. While trying to make sense of these dual-personality, dhoop-chau (two-shade) witnesses you begin to seriously doubt your powers of observation. Your objectivity and skill at steering an unbiased course. Or ability to read character. More gravely, your perception of the truth, a commodity that keeps wilfully, wickedly slipping from one's grasp and tantalisingly dancing, just out of reach, taunting you. A judge's job, you realise, must be infinitely strenuous, as he sifts the truth day in and day out. So it was with Mekhail Upendra Kumar Bora, 28, resident of Sundernagar, Guwahati, who works as a steward in a restaurant and is the 15th witness in the Sheena Bora murder trial. I have been peering into his face since July 23, attempting to get a sense of who he is, and am not any wiser. When he took the stand to give his 'chief', he told the sad tale of a troubled young man, who grew up both motherless and fatherless. He then had his only relative, his sister, suddenly robbed from him, although his maternal grandparents might have lavished him with love. They certainly left most of everything they had, after they died, to him in a will, revised a few days after his sister's murder, a twist the defence has been cashing in on to arouse suspicion. He seemed to have returned that love faithfully taking care of them in their last days. His story was both wretched and tragic. But when Mekhail came back to the stand for his cross examination, of which there is still a day or so to go, he transmuted into an altogether new Mekhail, as per the defence's portrayal. This Mekhail seemed spoilt, babied, still living on his mother Indrani Mukerjea's adequately-provided 'pocket money' at age 24 or 25 -- a man-boy who liked his drink, cigarettes, tobacco, marijuana and fast cars. An individual who apparently had behavioural and addiction problems, was overweight, had been unable to complete school in two different places and acted out at awkward moments in a not very self-preserving manner. Who is the right Mekhail? Mekhail I or Mekhail II? Would the real Mr Bora please stand up? Mekhail's watchful face gave me only a few, scarce clues. His alert eyes would not meet those of his mother or her husbands Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna. Understandable. Nor would they look at the face of Indrani's lawyer Sudeep Ratnamberdutt Pasbola. But witnesses are not supposed to glance into the eyes of the lawyer questioning them, I was told. They are schooled not to. Avoid the death stare at any cost. But otherwise his gaze was often very direct. Looking firmly at the judge. Or at the rest of us in the courtroom. It was a fearless gaze, even when he was caught at a dead end trying to talk his way out of 'cross' question he could not answer. His voice was confident. So was his carriage. Self-assured. Cocky. Slightly devil may care. He might not have had that city slicker, upper crust Mumbai sophistication accompanied by the British-accented English that is kind to the consonants and slurs the vowels, turning, hoity-toitily, words like 'hour' into 'aaar' and 'flower' to 'flaaar', being a Tier-II metro boy, but he came across as well mannered and gently spoken. On Thursday, August 16, through the continuing cross examination, the mission was on to flesh out the bad boy Mekhail II aspect of Mekhail Bora a little bit further by the defence. Indrani's lawyer Gunjan Mangla was in charge since Pasbola was away. Neatly attired in a black and white kurta, spangly Kolhapuri sandals and her white lawyer collar, she made an intriguing change from Pasbola. Her approach is slightly more polite, a bit more methodical, her Hindi a tad better. While lacking Pasbola's colourful, bombastic, style, Mangla is steady and sturdy in her approach, occasionally barking at a witness too. The questioning lingered, first briefly on Mekhail's treatment at the Masina Hospital, central Mumbai, and next on his seven-eight months stint at the Chaitanya Mental Care Centre in Pune, where it had been established on Tuesday that Mekhail had been admitted for his marijuana habit and conduct issues at age 17. Mangla with her questions poked around a bit more, improving on Pasbola's work and established that Mekhail had also undergone counselling, perhaps to indicate the extent of his issues. Mekhail denied it was counselling and said it was just "baatcheet (conversation)." Mekhail recalled, resentfully, that when he told the lady counsellor that Indrani was his mother she said, as if he was having hallucinations: "Tumhari galat fehmi hai, tumhari didi hai, mummy nahin (You are under the wrong impression. She is your sister, not your mother)." The facts about his treatment for addiction or behaviour problems might have been adequately sketched in for the court to feel that anything Mekhail said could probably be a liability. But witnesses' habits -- and marijuana done regularly, in small quantities, is considered as innocuous as cigarettes globally these days -- should have nothing to do with the quality or honesty of their testimony, even if the defence was hoping it did. Nor does grappling with mental issues. If anything it might enhance it (alcoholics, schizophrenics are known to be more honest than the average person). But since Tuesday, large amounts of courtroom time was allotted to dwelling, it seemed, on depicting Mekhail as not sound of mind, and parading his symptoms, without, bewilderingly, the legitimate backup of any documents, medical papers, discharge slips, medical diagnosis. In establishing the darker Mekhail II, Mangla brought up four more disquieting issues on Thursday, that made the process of distinguishing between the two Mekhails more arduous, dangling you at the end of a yo-yo. Mekhail apparently had a police case brought against him by the parents of a Guwahati girl, although the city was not clearly mentioned. Mangla: "B----- aur R--- M--- D--- (names concealed) ke baare mein kuch jaante ho? (Do you know anything about someone named B----- and R--- M--- D---?)" Mekhail: "Dhyan mein nahin aa raha hai (I am not aware)." Mangla: "Agar mein kahu ki yeh aap ke against police complaint file kiya unke beti chhedne ka liye woh sach hoga? (If I tell you that they filed a police complaint against you for harassing their daughter, would it be true?)" Mekhail, lamely: "Dhyan mein nahin aa raha hai", and then he added rather inadequately, "Daughter ka naam kya hai? (What is their daughter's name?)" Gunjan: "Iss silsile mein police station lekke gaye? (In this connection were you taken to the police station?)" Mekhail, loudly: "Galat! (Wrong!)" The young woman lawyer didn't pull out any documentation to bring credence to this possible skeleton in Mekhail's cupboard, whose dimensions/depth, one mused, if the defence is to be believed, must be rattlingly enormous. Mangla moved onto Mekhail's Bangalore International School days and the inferiority complex he admitted earlier he had suffered there because most of the students were foreigners, were of a higher background and were given much more pocket money. Was Mekhail's desire to travel abroad a reaction to that? Was the trip Mekhail took to Europe, with his grandparents and Sheena, that Indrani bankrolled, an attempt to bolster his ego? Gunjan: "Yeh trip liye the kyo ki aapko inferiority complex feel ho raha tha? (Was this trip planned to assuage the inferiority complex you felt?)" Mekhail, ringily: "Ek dam galat! (Absolutely wrong!)" Indrani, wearing a white and pale green kurta-salwar, standing between husband Peter Mukerjea and former husband Sanjeev Khanna, in the accused box at the back, nodded her head up and down repeatedly, emphatically, to vouch for it being true. Finally, Gunjan asked him about the attack on a housemaster at the Bangalore International School. Mangla in Hindi: "Did you stab with a knife the housemaster at Bangalore International School who found marijuana in your possession? You were issued a warning by the principal and told the next time it happened Indrani would be told?" Mekhail impassively, unmoved by this charge said unheatedly: "Galat!" Lastly, Gunjan asked a few questions about who accompanied Mekhail from Bengaluru to Mumbai when he left the school. And also from Pune to Delhi, where he went after his discharge from Chaitanya. Both times he said he went alone. Mangla: "Mein agar kahu ki Mr Sohail Buddha aaye the aap ke saath toh galat hai? (If I say that Mr Sohail Buddha [a former Mumbai policeman who owned the security company Star Protection Private Limited, whose name has been repeatedly skirting the periphery of this case] -- came with you, would it be wrong?)" Mekhail denied it. Neither for the stabbing incident nor for the alleged Guwahati police case were documents displayed to substantiate the charge. The accusations were merely tabled. In between Mangla asked Mekhail a whole flood of odds-and-ends questions. How had he got from airport to his home on April 24, 2012, when he returned to Guwahati from Mumbai after the alleged attempt on his life by his mother? The distance from his grandparents' house to the airport? Had they been at home that day when arrived from Mumbai? Were there hospitals, clinics or dispensaries on his route home from the airport? How much staff did he have in his home in Guwahati, how long had they been in his employ and who paid them? Were there gardeners or watchmen? When he was discharged from Chaitanya hadn't Indrani come to pick him up? Hadn't Sheena visited him in the hospital in Pune? Something about Mangla's entire line of questioning began to steadily irk Judge Jayendra Chandrasen Jagdale, who seems to have less patience when Mangla is handling the cross examination. As Mangla continued her queries, after the lunch recess, and reached the Sohail Buddha part, the judge suddenly interrupted. He asked when Mangla would start on the omissions and contradictions part (discrepancies), which Pasbola had said Tuesday Mangla would take up. Mangla said she would ask a few more questions and then work on the omissions which she said were not many. Judge Jagdale, by then angry: "I will not allow another day for completing omissions and contradictions! That is enough." Mangla said something to the effect that these questions were also crucial. Judge Jagdale, now the angriest he has ever been: "I know what is important. Pasbola had said you would be doing omissions and contradictions. Why are you not following what your senior asked you to do?! He has promised he is going to complete the 'cross' today. That is enough. I am running out of patience!" The judge continued to fulminate angrily saying he had had it with all the delays. He drew the attention of the court to the fact that the witness had come from 1,000 km away and that was not being taken into account. Or the fact that the accused had been in jail for three years and they were first-time offenders and not hardened criminals, whose longer presence in jail as an undertrial was understandable as they rotated between several cases in which they were accused. CBI Special Public Prosecutor Bharat Badami nodded his head sagaciously, agreeing with the judge at every turn. At the back the accused were quite startled with the situation. Indrani looked a bit bug-eyed, since it seemed some of those questions Mangla had put to Mekhail were suggestions from her. Mangla weathered Judge Jagdale's storm bravely, attempting to reason with him and tried to hold her ground in the face of his wrath. She apologised profusely and said she was only following her seniors' orders and was putting questions to Mekhail as per Pasbola's instructions. She requested with a "Please my lord" if she could finish the line of questioning she was on and would then complete the omissions-contradictions process. Judge Jagdale pacified, ordered: "Finish the job given to you." For the next hour Mangla worked on the omissions, that looks at the pieces of information that existed in Mekhail's statement to the police or the CBI, but not in his testimony in court. Or vice versa. The most significant were some differences in his statements on the manner in which he had tried to contact Sheena after his return to Guwahati on April 25, 2012, the day after she was killed. And the fact that he had not told either the police or the CBI that "narco drugs nahin chhue (I didn't touch narco drugs)." He had not said earlier that a mail came to him, post Sheena's death (which he was not aware of) from her Hotmail account. He had mentioned only an e-mail. Badami did not agree with this omission, saying there was very little dissimilar between e-mail and Hotmail and both were mail. That had both Sanjeev and Indrani laughing and Mangla hot under the collar. Thursday's cross examination winded down as Mangla plodded along dutifully raising omission after omission till the clock struck five. The judge ordered for the hearing to be brought to a close and for it to resume on Monday, August 20, without further delays. Mekhail agonised with the judge about when he could return to Guwahati and said he was still on probation at his job. Judge Jagdale patiently heard him out, trying to help, but when Mekhail asked something about his air ticket the judge looked a bit bemused and said he needed to speak with the CBI, not him. It might have been 550 days plus since I started coming to this court. But as one departs the building, one is still not reconciled to its grim, slovenly state -- the dirt, grime, trash, the neglect -- that detract from what the majesty of a court should be, where judges, prosecutors, lawyers and staff work tirelessly to cope with a numbing case load. The Swachh Bharat sign about working together to keep things clean, which is new, in front of the one working lift mocks you as you exit. The National Crisis Management Committee, the country's apex body to handle emergency situation, met for the second time in two days on Friday and directed all agencies who were engaged in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Kerala to mobilise additional resources. So far, the central government has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats, an official spokesperson said. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed, 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well. The railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles. Another 1,20,000 bottles are ready to be despatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayamkulam on Saturday. The NCMC meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, also held a video conference with the chief secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Disaster Response Force to provide the required assistance to Kerala, the spokesperson said. The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in last two days in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today. The Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys. The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. The Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces, 60 boats and 100 life jackets. The NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment. The NCMC directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights etc. The Kerala chief secretary has requested for motorised boats to reach people marooned in flood-affected areas. The cabinet secretary directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment, including from CAPFs such as CRPF, BSF and SSB. Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala government as the civilian airport remained closed. The Kerala government has been advised to explore the use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. The cabinet secretary also directed that emergency medicines may be put on standby. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has set up a web site, keralarescue.in, to coordinate relief and aid for the floods-affected people. 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Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the Group will be responsible for directing, reviewing, and coordinating all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity, and it will report directly to him. In a news conference, Pompeo said President Donald Trump has instituted a campaign of pressure and deterrence with the hope that "one day soon we can reach a new agreement with Iran." "But we must see major changes in the regime's behavior," he told reporters. Brian Hook, the Director of Policy Planning, will lead the Iran Action Group with the formal title of Special Representative for Iran. Since the President's decision to withdraw from the Iran deal in May, Brian has played an important role in shaping Washington's strategy of maximum diplomatic and economic pressure. Brian Hook said in a briefing that the Iran Action Group, composed of an elite team of foreign affairs professionals at the State Department and across the administration will play a critical role in executing the President's Iran strategy across the interagency. He said that to muster international support for the strategy, he met in London with senior officials from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom and that discussions were productive. Hook said the US is prepared to impose secondary sanctions on other governments that continue trade with Iran's energy sector, the Central Bank of Iran, Iran's shipping and shipbuilding sectors, among others. Trump last week restored sanctions on Iran that he announced in May while withdrawing from the 2015 multi-nation nuclear deal with the Islamic nation. In connection with the withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Trump Administration laid out two wind-down periods of 90 days and 180 days for US activities involving Iran. On August 7, when the 90-day wind-down period expired, the first set of sanctions came into force. A second phase of "snapback" sanctions is scheduled to come back into effect on November 5. They will have implications on Iran's oil exports and energy sector, financial institutions conducting transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, Iran's port operators and shipping and ship-building sectors, and the provision of insurance and financial messaging services. Trump withdrew from the JCPOA accusing the Iranian regime of exploiting the global financial system to fund its malign activities, and of using this funding to support terrorism. But Iran's President refutes these allegations. Hassan Rouhani said that Washington's call for new nuclear negotiations at the same time as it reimposes crippling sanctions "doesn't make sense" and is an attempt of "psychological warfare" aimed to "sow division among Iranians." The European Union is against the US sanctions on Iran. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Hundreds of Google employees signed a petition protesting the company's secret project to develop a censored version of its search engine for China. In a letter, posted by Buzzfeed and first reported by the New York Times, the employees said that work on the project and Google's return to China raises "urgent moral and ethical issues." The employees also complained that they do not have the information required to make ethically-informed decisions about their work, projects and employment. They called for more transparency to understand the ethical consequences of their work. The employees added that most of them learned about the secret project, code-named Dragonfly, only through news reports early August. They have called for the implementation of a Code Yellow on Ethics & Transparency at Google. Media reports in early August indicated that Google plans to launch a new censored version of its search engine in China, the country where most of its services are blocked. Google is trying to keep a foothold in China, a market from which the Alphabet unit retreated eight years ago in protest over government hacking and censorship. Work on Dragonfly, which has been in progress since spring of last year, was accelerated after Google's CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly had a meeting with a top Chinese government official. Dragonfly is reported to be an effort to provide search and personalized mobile news to China, in compliance with Chinese government censorship and surveillance requirements. This is not the first time that Google's employees have protested against the company's decisions. In April, thousands of Google employees urged Pichai to pull out of Project Maven, a Pentagon program that uses artificial intelligence to analyze video imagery used by military drones. In a letter to the CEO, the employees urged that Google withdraw from Project Maven. They also asked Google to publicize and enforce a clear policy stating that neither the company nor its contractors will "ever build warfare ." Google later said in June that it will not allow its artificial-intelligence products to be used in military weapons. The company outlined how it plans to manage and in some cases limit the application of artificial intelligence, a powerful and emerging set of technologies that Google views as key to its growth. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of his planned military parade in Washington, D.C. on Friday, blaming local politicians for the high cost of the celebration to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I. Trump suggested in a post on Twitter that the savings from canceling the parade could be used to purchase "more jet fighters." "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up!" Trump tweeted. The president said he would instead attend a parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date and go to the Paris parade celebrating the end of WWI on November 11th. "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," Trump added. "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" The tweets from Trump come after a report from CNBC said the parade was estimated to cost $92 million, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis dismissed that estimate. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to Trump's post with a tweet of her own, referring to the president as the "reality star in the White House." "Yup, I'm Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)," Bowser tweeted. The Defense Department previously indicated that the military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue would be postponed. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," said Defense Department Spokesman Col. Rob Manning. He added, "We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." (Photo: Gage Skidmore) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and other senior leaders including L.K. Advani and Sitaram Yechury, and thousands of people paid their tributes as the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Vajpayee ' title='Atal Bihari Vajpayee '>Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached the party's central office here on Friday. The body, draped in the national flag reached the 6-A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg headquarters in a procession which was joined by a large number of people from different parts of the country who chanted "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" in unision to pay their tributes to the departed leader. The body was brought from the Krishna Menon Marg residence of the former Prime Minister in a flower-decked hearse drawn by a military truck. Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stood in silence near the gate as the body arrived. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers to the body of the late leader. The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Advani, a long-time associate of Vajpayee, visited the new party office to pay his tributes. Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D. Raja also paid their tributes. Among those present were union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and BJP office-bearers. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes in memory of their beloved leader who had a pan-India appeal. They had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling even jumped the gate to get inside the party office. Vajpayee will be given a state funeral at around 4 p.m. at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. His last journey from the party headquarters to Sthal will begin at 1 p.m. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. Delhi government offices, schools and institutions are closed on Friday and central government offices will work for half-a-day. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force has earlier visited Vajpayee's official residence to pay their tributes. Vajpayee had passed away at the AIIMS on Thursday evening. The sports' governing body and the Yacht Racing Forum confirm the continuation of their partnership until 2020. The leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing will take place in Lorient, France, on October 22-23. " The Yacht Racing Forum is a perfect meeting point for the key people involved in the business of sailing from all around the world ", said World Sailing CEO Andy Hunt. " This event is complimentary to our annual conference and we are pleased to extend our partnership until 2020." Held every year, the Yacht Racing Forum is the leading annual conference for the global yacht racing industry. The two-day event will take place on October 22-23 in Lorient, France. The event will attract some 300 people from all around the world in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients: yacht clubs, athletes, sponsors, event organisers, designers, technical suppliers and anyone involved or just interested in yacht racing. "The Yacht Racing Forum is a must-attend event for corporations and individuals involved in the business of sailing and yacht racing ", said Bernard Schopfer, the event's CEO. " Many companies involved in sailing around the world have already confirmed their support for the Yacht Racing Forum and joined us as sponsors and exhibitors. Today, we are proud to extend our long-lasting partnership with the sports' governing body: we consider their support as a strong mark of confidence, which we are proud of." World Sailing and the Yacht Racing Forum are delighted to announce the continuation of their partnership until 2020. Involved alongside the Yacht Racing Forum since its debut in 2008 in Monaco, World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)." The Yacht Racing Forum is a perfect meeting point for the key people involved in the business of sailing from all around the world ", said World Sailing CEO Andy Hunt. " This event is complimentary to our annual conference and we are pleased to extend our partnership until 2020."Held every year, the Yacht Racing Forum is the leading annual conference for the global yacht racing industry. The two-day event will take place on October 22-23 in Lorient, France. The event will attract some 300 people from all around the world in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients: yacht clubs, athletes, sponsors, event organisers, designers, technical suppliers and anyone involved or just interested in yacht racing."The Yacht Racing Forum is a must-attend event for corporations and individuals involved in the business of sailing and yacht racing ", said Bernard Schopfer, the event's CEO. " Many companies involved in sailing around the world have already confirmed their support for the Yacht Racing Forum and joined us as sponsors and exhibitors. Today, we are proud to extend our long-lasting partnership with the sports' governing body: we consider their support as a strong mark of confidence, which we are proud of." ore information M , the conference programme and speakers list are available on the event website. Dear Editor Re: Bishops accused of brushing off sexual abuse complaints This is enough to make you cry. How long will we allow priests to abuse children? How long will we let them hold confessional secrets, refusing to go to authorities while young children are being abused again and again? Enough is enough. The Catholic Church has lost any claim to moral authority. The horror stories just keep coming. The Churchs obsession with sex should have told us that it was sick and dangerous on the inside, but they claimed to be holy, and foolishly we believed them. Living as unmarried celibates is not natural. It is disordered behavior for most species, the same term they use to describe L.G.B.Ts. Its quite clear who is really disordered. Removing reproduction from evolution is about as disordered as you can get, but I suppose we should be thankful that they remove themselves from the human genome (unless they rape girls and produce offspring). Week after week, we open our papers and read of another sex scandal in the Catholic Church. When will it end? Maybe thats why Pope Francis spoke out against capital punishment. Maybe he can tell that were getting fed up and ready to start terminating these despicable clergy. Im not a fan of capital punishment, but for priests who rape a kid, Im willing to make exceptions! Now let me say something about another story in your paper titled African migrants reel as Israel law cuts their salaries. The Torah lists 52 times, the commandment that Jews should treat the alien (stranger) as they would themselves. Their religion is based on something unique to the region - the idea of having care for slaves (yes, that care is atrocious by our standards) and care for the alien - the stranger, because we were slaves in the land of Egypt. I have always believed the story of the Exodus to be pure myth, but it seems I was wrong. Richard Elliott Friedman, in The Exodus uncovers archaeological, biblical textual scholarship and DNA evidence, to compellingly argue that there was an Exodus - a small exodus of people who came from Egypt and forcibly integrated themselves into Israel, who gave them the priesthood and tithes, but no land. These people were the Levites and their DNA is different from the original Jews. The Torah was written by 4 authors (JEPD) and three of them were Levite authors, and they said again and again and again and again, from their role as the priest class, that Jews should honor and care for the both the slave and the stranger. This was new and unique to any religion in the region. The Levites wrote the story of the Exodus for a couple reasons. One was so their god, Yahweh could defeat all the nature gods (the plagues of Egypt) and so they could include the entire 2 million of the Jewish nation. That did not happen. The Conquest of Canaan also did not happen. The layers of destruction that would have come from conquest arent there. Nobody believes the Conquest took place, and thats a good thing, since its the bloodiest, most horrific part of the Torah. The Jews need to remember their roots; to recall that their religion is based on care for the stranger. Clearly theyve forgotten this. They need to read The Exodus by Richard Elliott Friedman. It may be the most important book of this decade. Patrick Gannon The development of a digital farmhand by the Australian Centre for Field Robotics has the potential to transform agriculture and attract more young people to seek careers in the sector. A demonstration of the robotic farmhand piqued the interest of several farmers yesterday, who attended a field trial by a group of engineers from the University of Sydney in Australia. The Samoa Farmers Association chair, Afamasaga Toleafoa, told the Samoa Observer that Samoa can produce this technology and the benefits are boundless in terms of boosting the productivity of farmers and attracting young smart people to the sector. If you look at the economy and where the rewarding jobs are, its not in farming. This technology will be able to take away not only the hard slog of farming, but also the stigma attached to agriculture: unrewarding, low status and poor pay and this puts people off. Instead with this, you will be able to concentrate on the science of agriculture and thats sexier for the young people. You need to make it attractive for young people by using science and technology as well as make it more rewarding emotionally and economically, he said. For many of the farmers who were present, the possibility of replacing labour costs was one of the main attractions of the digital farmhand. Afamasaga said the new technology being put on trial can increase production and due to it being science-based, it will attract younger Samoans. The Samoa Farmers Association chair said: Getting good labour is very difficult and a lot of young people dont want to do the hard laborious work and I dont blame them. We can replace that with better technology and get some productivity and get them to work elsewhere such as the processing side of agriculture like making quality products, post-harvest handling. Our productivity is not big enough to have a production surplus but with this type of technology you can increase your production, processing is the next step and its science based and thats where young people want to work, they dont want to go do back breaking work for low income. I mean I dont blame them; I ran away from this kind of work too when I was young. According to Afamasaga, another exciting capability that they will be taking from the digital farmhand is its ability to assist with plant doctor services, which would enable the use of robot technology to digitally send samples to a plant pathologist overseas. Coconut oil farmer, Edwin Tamasese says he was very excited about the farmhand robot and doesnt see any reason to fear a loss of jobs as field workers, but rather explains that this is an opportunity to upskill workers. We can create new high skilled jobs with that machine right there because theyre are talking about customising the machine to different elements according to what the farmer needs, so youre actually looking at high skill levels of employment, which is where the youth want to be, he said. Two men wanted in connection to the brutal attack of David Main last weekend have been arrested and charged. The mens names have not been released by the Police but they are both not strangers to the cops. One of them had a warrant of his arrest over his head issued by the Court while the other is a known narcotics offender. Police have arrested and charged two men in relation to Mr Mains case reported by media earlier this week, the Police said. Both have been charged with robbery. The two men are known to police, one was wanted on a warrant of arrest issued by the Court whilst the other was also wanted by police in relation to a narcotics related case. The men have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before Court on 27 August 2018 for mention. Mr. Main was attacked during the early hours of last Saturday. He had his vehicle stolen and other properties taken. Allegedly.Trump campaign colluded with Russia, former CIA director Brennan writes in op-edFormer CIA Director John Brennan said Thursday that President Donald Trump yanked his security clearance because his campaign colluded with the Russians to sway the 2016 election and is now "desperate" to end the special counsel's investigation.In an opinion piece in The New York Times, Brennan cites press reports and Trump's own goading of Russia during the campaign to find Democrat Hillary Clinton's missing emails.Trump himself drew a direct connection between the revocation of Brennan's clearance and the Russia probe, telling The Wall Street Journal the investigation is a "sham," and "these people led it!""So I think it's something that had to be done," Trump said.It was a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House on Wednesday, which cited "the risks" posed by what Trump labelled Brennan's "erratic conduct and behaviour." The president said he was fulfilling his "constitutional responsibility to protect the nation's classified information."Brennan wrote that Trump's claims of no collusion with Russia are "hogwash" and that the only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a "constituted criminally liable conspiracy.""Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him," he wrote.Brennan's loss of a security clearance was an unprecedented act of retribution against a vocal critic and politicizes the federal government's security clearance process. Former CIA directors and other top national security officials are typically allowed to keep their clearances, at least for some period, so they can be in a position to advise their successors and to hold certain jobs.Other senior military officials defended Brennan. William H. McRaven, a retired Navy admiral who oversaw the 2011 raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, urged Trump to revoke his security clearance as a gesture of solidarity with the former CIA director."I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency," McRaven wrote in the Washington Post on Thursday.Trump said Wednesday he is reviewing the security clearances of several other former top intelligence and law enforcement officials, including former FBI Director James Comey and current senior Justice Department official Bruce Ohr.All are critics of the president or are people whom Trump appears to believe are against him.Democrats called it an "enemies list," a reference to the Nixon White House, which kept a list of President Richard Nixon's political opponents to be targeted with punitive measures. Papaliitele Faamausili Moli is the new holder of the Malietoa title. The son of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II was bestowed the honour during a colourful and an elaborate ceremony at the Malae o Vaopipi, Malie, early yesterday morning. The Malietoa title had been vacant for more than ten years since the passing of the former Head of State, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II. Yesterday, Malietoa Moli received the blessings from his family as he embarked on his journey as the holder of one of Samoas highest-ranking chiefly titles. I am very happy to see my families are here today to celebrate this special day with me, he said. All the glory goes back to God as we fulfill His will and plans this morning (yesterday). Among a large crowd in attendance was the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and his Masiofo, Faamausili Leinafo. The bestowal ceremony follows years of Court battles between different parts of the family and heirs of the Malietoa title. Yesterdays ceremony is unlikely to end the challenges and petitions against Faamausili Moli as the holder of the title. But Malietoa Moli said his immediate focus is to bring his family together. He said he wants peace and unity. Living together in peace and harmony is the foundation of any Samoan family and thats my calling in my family, to be a servant and a good leader, he said. Without those two things, then we are not good leaders. The most important values we should encourage in any family are for people to live in peace and harmony. Malietoa Moli said he was humbled and honoured by his familys faith in him to carry the title. The ceremony started with a church service conducted by Reverend Elder Pouniu Faamausili of Panmure, New Zealand. The success of families, villages and churches comes from leaders, matais and chiefs, Reverend Pouniu said. If the leader of the family knows how to build his children and family, all of those who are under his leadership will succeed. Village member, Toelupe Saua, this is the 39th person to receive the Malietoa title in the history of the Sa Malietoa. Last year, the Land and Titles Court ruled in favour of Malietoa Moli as the next holder of the Malietoa title. Whenever we think of the humble plantation we immediately conjure up images of the trusty sapelu (machete), gumboots (if you have some), pea ato (baskets woven from coconut fronds), amo and the weed eater. Those are the basic tools of the trade on these shores. And thats even before we begin the hard slog of clearing the land, finding the oso and so forth. It goes without saying that agriculture traditionally is labour intensive work thats what most of us know at least. But something interesting happened in Samoa this week in terms of agricultural development. It certainly caught the attention of this writer. If anything it goes to show that not only have times changed dramatically, farming into the future might never be the same again. Now think of tech wizards, computers, robots and a few extremely intelligent guys with the sort of thinking that could transform the way we do things here. That said, lets be realistic. This will not happen overnight. It could be another lifetime away. Still, the idea that digital farmhand is being tested and trialled here is fascinating. Who wouldve thought? But thats precisely what happened this week when a group of engineers from the University of Sydney, Australia, tested a breakthrough form of technology at Taimalie Charlie Westerlunds farm at Tapatapao. Lead Engineer for the Digital Farmhand project, Muhammad Esa Attia, tells us a little bit more about the project. It involves a robot and a computer programme. The whole idea of this project is we want to develop a platform where can empower small farmers and in order to do that we have to look at the design of this robot from the ground up, he said. He added they wanted to see if they could come up with something sustainable for Samoa. Some farmers are subsistence farmers, and then farms like Ah Likis are a full blown commercial operation, so its about finding solutions that follow these different levels of farming, he said. By me bringing the robot into Samoa, Im showing what that future could be, but at the same time show potential farmers that if we think of this problem in a different way, we can take some elements from this robot and apply it to your farm. Pretty heady stuff, isnt it? Now think of the day when we turn up to the plantation only to find robots and wizards with remote controls? Where will all those unemployed Samoans go? What about 90 per cent of the population who claim their occupation as farmers? What will they do then? The good news is the reality of this happening in Samoa is still a long way away. This is not a commercial product, this is a research product, said Mr. Attia. Besides, he said building and operating such advanced scientific technology is going to require certain specialist skills. And it will certainly change how farmers look at hiring their workers in the future. We are looking at the I.C.T. and education requirements to get an understanding of what the level of the I.C.T. and education level is to get an idea of where they are at and whether or not they have the skills set to maintain a platform like this, said Mr. Attia. If not how do we make things simpler to cater for that -we are definitely looking into that. Goodness weve come a long way. Talk about how to sexy up agriculture development. Talk about changing mindsets about the imagery of plantations and the humble taro and banana farm. Think about new opportunities for all those computer science wizards and apps developers in Samoa to continue to advance and turn the development of our agriculture sector up a notch? Robots at the plantation? In Samoa? Who said were not technologically savvy on these shores? The sky is indeed really the limit. Have a wonderful weekend Samoa, God bless! Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has addressed the concerns by the Samoa Nurses Association over the Polices decision to file criminal charges against the nurses without the autopsy report. The Police are working in accordance to their mandates under the law and if they have enough evidence to file charges; there is no need to wait for the autopsy report, said Tuilaepa. This is a sensitive issue. However the Police and the Government leaders must do what is right and in doing so we have to take action and this is the end result. This week, the Nurses Association president, Solialofi Papalii told the Samoa Observer they are confused over the decision to file criminal charges when the post-mortem examination results are not known. But the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Police, made it clear the Police are merely performing their roles. He said the nurses should stick to their roles. Looking at it from a positive perspective, the physicians are trying to make known their role to the nurses and the different level of duties. And in response, the nurses claim they have the authority as well and yet at the end of the day, their roles are to serve members of the public. They are leaning too much into wanting to hold the power and authority and forgetting their main duty. The role of the nurses is to assist the doctors with the patients, but not to prescribe medication; it is not within their role as nurses, said Tuilaepa. This issue is supreme in the view of the Government because this is where the lapse has occurred; especially now with the merge of the M.O.H. and N.H.S. to assure the loss of life will not be repeated. The incident at hand is a revelation to the Government not to take lightly the ongoing debate between the doctors and nurses. There should be a structure put in place identifying the role of the doctors and the nurses. Tuilaepa also noted the Governments response to the World Health Organization will have to wait for the post-mortem examinations full report. So far, two nurses have been charged in relation to the deaths of the two toddlers in Savaii who died after they were administered the vaccination. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois administration will be challenged in Court over the legality and the constitutionality of the Land Titles Registration Act (L.T.R.A) 2008. The legal challenge is being brought by the Samoa Solidarity International Group Global (S.I.G.G.), which yesterday filed a lawsuit against the Government. The Group has appointed Josefina Fuimaono-Sapolu as their lead Lawyer. Ms. Fuimaono-Sapolu filed the Statement of Claim and Motion for a Declaratory Order yesterday, 17 August 2018. The lawsuit was formerly later in a statement issued by S.S.I.G. The Samoa Solidarity International Group Global has through its local branch of S.S.I.G Global Samoa, Inc. hired the Sapolu Law Firm to file its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sections of the L.T.R.A. 2008 law which allows the registration of customary land leases and which when passed required the registration of all customary lands of Samoa in violation of Articles 102 and 109 of the Samoa Constitution, among others, the statement reads. The Article 102 in question reads: No alienation of customary land It shall not be lawful or competent for any person to make any alienation or disposition of customary land or of any interest in customary land, whether by way of sale, mortgage or otherwise howsoever, nor shall customary land or any interest therein be capable of being taken in execution or be assets for the payment of the debts of any person on his decease or insolvency: Provided that an Act of Parliament may authorise (a) The granting of a lease or licence of any customary land or of any interest therein; (b) The taking of any customary land or any interest therein for public purposes. S.S.I.G, along with other critics of the law, believe this clause of the law carries the potential to alienate customary land. Samoa has long endured this violation of its Constitution under a false representation that this law did not violate the Constitution which prohibited alienation of customary land, the statement from S.S.I.G. reads. The Government of Samoa has perpetrated this falsehood intentionally and deliberately with prior knowledge that such a law would in fact result in the unlawful transfer of customary land ownership from the extended family to a minority of the family members without the consent and proper compensation of the members of the family, who as a result of this unconstitutional law have been unduly and arbitrarily deprived of their ownership rights which registration of customary land causes. It was not possible to immediately get a comment from the Office of the Attorney General last night. The Tanumapua Farm welcomed some very special visitors on Wednesday. Owner and businessman, Taimalie Charlie Westerlund, and his workers welcomed Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, and members of his Cabinet for a special visit. Taimalie runs one of the biggest and most successful commercial farms in Samoa. According to the Government, the Prime Ministers visit was a fact-finding mission by the Government leaders for a first class look and learn for Cabinet. The visit, they said, would assist the Prime Minister and Cabinet in making appropriate decisions when it comes to issues pertaining to agriculture. The Tanumapua Farm is one of two commercial farms that has been given priority by the Government to develop a new variety of banana for the export market. More details in tomorrow's Sunday Samoan. Photos: Government. For so long, Chiyuan Liu, a businessman of Salelologa, Savaii has had to import vegetables from Upolu to supply his supermarket and the local demand. Not anymore, he told the Business team. In February last year, Mr. Chiyuan started his commercial vegetable farm to help decrease his expenses and time spent on purchasing vegetables he required in his supermarket from Upolu. The 40-year-old runs a supermarket, which he established in 2014 and now a five-acre vegetable farm that employs two locals. I plant cucumber, tomato, spring onion, cabbage, watermelon, ginger and other varieties of vegetables, Mr. Chiyuan said. I spend a lot of money in importing the vegetables I need from Upolu. In a week, I would spend more than $2,000 tala for varieties of vegetables and in a year I would spend more than $20,000 tala. But now that I have my own vegetable farm, I make more than $12,000 a month. I supply my two supermarkets, one which I just established last week, and Frankies Supermarket as well. Mr. Chiyuan said he leased the land from a family in Salelologa and on the farm he has two tunnel houses for his vegetables. I was impressed with the Agriculture show in Apia last year and so I applied to the China-Samoa Agricultural project for two tunnel houses and this year I got two and a water tank, he said. I buy my seeds from the agriculture shop in Salelologa and some seeds are from my friend in American Samoa, especially cucumbers because they are of good quality. I make good money from my vegetable farm; I spend less money and make more than I spend in a year. The father of four said through his business, he is able to support his childrens education in China. His wife is from Vaiusu and she helps with the daily operation of their supermarkets. Mr. Chiyuan said not only does his business profit, but also the locals through the employment he provides. I employ more than 15 locals in one of my supermarkets and eight in another supermarket, he said. Mr. Chiyuan plans to start a banana plantation on 10-acre land next month. I already applied to the agriculture department and I have a worker cleaning the land and by next month we will start planting and hopefully export when they are harvested. San Diego Countys unemployment rate in July was 3.5 percent, down slightly from the previous month, but up from the record-breaking low jobless rate in the spring. From June to July, San Diego lost 14,400 jobs, largely attributed to a reduction in education hiring at the end of the school year, according to data released Friday by the states Employment Development Department. Even though the drop in education jobs was expected, there is some indication that the regions economy could be slowing down. San Diego County added 21,100 nonfarm jobs in a year as of July, but that is down from 34,000 a year ago. Also, in April and May, the unemployment rate hit a nearly two-decade low of 2.9 percent. Lynn Reaser, chief economist for the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University, said the slowdown could be temporary, caused by companies not being able to fill positions because of a lack of workers. Also at work could be firms experiencing a moderation in sales. Advertisement San Diego hiring does appear to be slowing, she said. Seasonally adjusted payrolls have declined for three months in a row. California payrolls grew by 46,700 jobs in July, a significant gain that came as the unemployment rate held at a record low of 4.2 percent. The positive job growth comes as a relief: Junes initial report, which said employers added only 800 jobs to payrolls that month, raised concerns the Golden States economic engine was pausing after a remarkable run. But Junes gains were revised upward Friday to 21,500, and Julys job growth came in at more than twice that level. When adjusted for seasonal swings, the unemployment rate in San Diego County was closer to 3 percent, Reaser said, with a loss of 2,800 jobs. Phil Blair, owner of San Diego staffing agency Manpower, said the struggle to find qualified workers in the county has many companies lowering qualifications. Were seeing clients that used to want five years experience, he said of some entry-level jobs, that are now saying, No job experience needed. Well train you. Blair said there are two positive ways to look at recent job growth numbers: The gains are on top of a robust growth period and many people are deciding to re-enter the job market. Year over year, the job category with the biggest job gain was professional and business services with new 11,500 positions. That category includes work in legal services, architecture and engineering. Other growing job categories were educational and health services (college teaching jobs, nursing), which added 5,000 jobs and manufacturing (transportation equipment, computer and electronics), which added 3,900 jobs. In July, state labor officials said the local employer with most job advertisements was UC San Diego (2,082), Robert Half International (811), Northrop Grumman (520) and General Atomics (496). The occupation with the most job advertisements was registered nurses (1,199), software develipers (1,317), retail salespersons (928) and first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers (874). State labor officials do not seasonally adjust jobless rates for individual counties, but the unadjusted numbers show San Diego County had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the region in July at 3.5 percent. The jobless rate in Los Angeles County was 5.1 percent, 3.2 percent in Orange County and 4.7 percent in Riverside County. The U.S. jobless rate in July was 4.1 percent. Business phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar ALSO San Diegos new single-family homes are pricey, modern and in short supply Tijuana condo craze continues in to 2018 Last years housing market broke records An analysis by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the effect of the federal tax cut on investor-owned utilities estimates California ratepayers can expect to see savings of more than $3 billion over a five-year period. But its still not known what the cut will mean for the monthly bills paid by San Diego Gas & Electric customers. Signed into law last December by President Donald Trump, the federal tax bill went into effect at the start of this year. While most of the attention focused on corporate and individual rates, the tax reform measure had a big impact on electric utilities. State regulators allow investor-owned utilities to charge rates high enough to make up for their costs, plus a return for the power companies shareholders. A reduction in taxes should result in a financial benefit to ratepayers. Advertisement California has three investor-owned utilities SDG&E, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. The Chamber of Commerce, a big supporter of the tax cut, and the business advisory firm FTI Consulting looked at filings submitted in June by utilities from 12 states. The analysis said some utility customers can expect to see savings through lower monthly bills while other power companies may simply forgo surcharges or anticipated increases on customer bills that would have otherwise gone into effect if the tax cut bill had not been passed. For example, the analysis mentioned Florida Power & Light cited the tax cut as a reason for putting aside charges related to costs stemming from Hurricane Irma. On an individual basis, the savings are modest but when applied to millions of power customers, the numbers add up. California ratepayers figure to save the most of the 12 states studied $3.2 billion for the next five years. That breaks down to $129.60 in savings for a residential customer, or about $2 a month over the half-decade. But Christopher Guith, senior vice president at the Global Energy Institute at the Chamber of Commerce said the figure has a ripple effect. In addition to residential customers saving money on their power bills, so will businesses and industries and that, the analysis concluded, can translate into a gross domestic product impact in California of $5.4 billion. If (businesses) know their rates are coming down by that amount over a course of a 5- or 10-year period, that helps them make that decision to invest in expanding their assembly line or buying a new piece of technology that makes them more efficient, Guith said. But what will the tax cut mean for a typical residential customer in the Golden State, when broken down by each distinct investor-owned utility? SDG&E, in an email to the Union-Tribune, did not give a specific number and pointed to the utilitys upcoming general rate case before the California Public Utilities Commission, the agency that regulates privately owned electric and natural gas companies. Last October two months before the corporate tax cut was signed SDG&E filed its general rate case request with the CPUC, asking for an 11 percent rate increase in 2019 and running through 2022. We are in the midst of a rate request proceeding with the PUC, SDG&E spokesman Wesley Jones said in the email. Customers will see the benefits of the tax cut upon the completion of this proceeding. What others are doing A spokeswoman for Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility that covers most of Northern California, estimated its savings from the tax bill at $450 million annually. Weve committed to making sure that the changes to the federal tax law benefit our customers, said Lynsey Paulo, PG&E marketing and communications manager. The utility has proposed using the savings to offset rate increases, including impacts on the utilitys filing for an account tied to catastrophic events. Representatives from Southern California Edison told the Union-Tribune the utility is reducing the total revenue it is requesting before the CPUC in its general rate case by about $139 million this year, about $185 million in 2019 and $235 million in 2020, largely due to the tax cut. Without the legislation, Edison expected residential customers would see an average monthly increase of $1.51 a month this year, $5.01 in 2019 and $6.83 in 2020. With the tax cut, the figures would drop to a 6-cents decrease per month in 2018, a $3.98 increase in 2019 and a $5.56 increase in 2020, based on average monthly usage of 550 kilowatt-hours. Among the utilities across the country that have reported passing savings onto customers: Dallas-based Oncor, which SDG&E parent company Sempra acquired earlier this year, expects to reduce customer rates by about $181 million a year. That works out to a savings of $1.43 a month for an average residential household. Xcel customers in Minnesota will receive a one-time credit on their bills. A typical customer paying $85 to $90 a month will get a credit of about $45. Baltimore Gas and Electric filed papers that would lead to a reduction of $4.27 per month for an average gas and electric customer and a $2.31 monthly savings for gas-only customers. Business rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski Efforts to expand the San Diego Convention Center have stalled with a citizens initiative failing to get enough signatures to be on the November ballot and the City Council saying no to putting it on the ballot. Question: Will a stalled Convention Center expansion harm San Diego's tourism industry? Phil Blair, Manpower YES: There is a huge lost opportunity cost here. As a past chair of the Convention Center I am very aware of the very large, and very profitable conventions that have either been leaving San Diego or not booking here because our building is too small for them. They have been anxious to either come back or come for the first time when the expansion was completed. We have now lost at least another year of opportunity and our convention sales staff will have to dance around a credible future expansion date, if it is ever happens. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: Convention center space across the nation reportedly far outstrips demand and centers must resort to rent credits and discounts to attract users. In this highly competitive overbuilt convention market, San Diego would struggle to add significant events. The existing facility is not fully used much of the time now and rarely occupies all available space. Not expanding in an oversaturated market for one however important event (Comic-Con) does not necessarily diminish net visitor industry profits. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Spending by convention and conference attendees comprises an important component of the tourism industrys revenues so competition to host major events is intense among cities with convention centers. Other cities are modernizing their facilities to become more attractive to event planners. With the uncertainty over its future, the San Diego Convention Center will be less successful in attracting business relative to what it could generate with a clear expansion plan in place. Gina Champion-Cain, American National Investments YES: Conventioneers are among the highest dollar per visit tourists we attract. Expanding conventioneer counts is the simplest route to increased tourism economic impact and we have failed to do so miserably. The city has created a scenario in which expansion may never occur. It's increasingly possible that the Fifth Avenue Landing partnership will retain the needed expansion land and develop a hotel on the site. A public policy case study of the worst kind. Alan Gin, University of San Diego YES: A stalled expansion for the convention center could hurt in terms of attracting bigger conventions where the current size is inadequate. It could also hurt in terms of getting more small and medium size events. Studies conducted at the time of the Chargers Convadium proposal showed that there was demand for space for those types of events. But these problems will only hurt the expansion of the tourism industry, not set it back or cause a downturn. James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: I have concerns about raising hotel taxes every time someone has a project they want to fund. Higher hotel taxes discourage tourism and push people into alternatives to San Diego hotels. On the other hand, a larger convention center and better treatment of the homeless situation downtown could significantly improve the citys ability to attract big conventions. Acquiring the land for expansion is not a decision we can put off. Gary London, London Group of Realty Advisors NO: The visitor and tourism industry in San Diego is experiencing an unprecedented and sustained cycle of prosperity, measured by hotel occupancy levels (80 percent-plus), room rates and visitor spending. The principal goal of the expanded convention center is to accommodate larger conventions, which are a lucrative part of the visitor sector, so any harm would be limitations to the expansion of that sector. One footnote is that the initiative was also going to fund homeless programs, which now needs an alternative source. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: At the margin we may lose a few of the larger conventions. Having said that, this is not necessarily a good investment for taxpayers, as the jobs created are mostly low-wage jobs. Education and infrastructure, allowing higher density housing, and supporting our universities and campus expansions all have a much higher payoff for the economy. Jamie Moraga, IntelliSolutions YES: It will limit our regions ability to play in the highly competitive tourism industry. Cities like Anaheim, San Francisco and Los Angeles have or are planning to expand their convention centers. Comic-Con and its $140 million annual economic impact outgrew our current space years ago and have been vocal about wanting to see the San Diego Convention Center expanded. Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of our region and we need a workable solution to expand our convention center. Austin Neudecker, Rev N/A: Uncertain. We may lose or be unable to attract larger events but we must conduct an objective analysis (not by the hotel lobby) about the likely revenue an expansion would generate versus the overall cost and impact. For me, making hotels more expensive by adding more tax seems directionally fair, but does not distinguish convention center visitors from the majority of tourists. Lets do a better assessment of the net effect on the San Diego economy. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates YES: We are strong in leisure and group business and the group is supported in most part by a vibrant convention center that drives transient occupancy taxes. This is needed for the homeless, the general fund and tourism promotion. Tourists support at risk employment for unskilled workers who would struggle to find insurance and create the San Diego amenity package that we all enjoy. Further, the tax burden shifts from residents to tourists. Lynn Reaser, Point Loma Nazarene University NO: While San Diego might lose some of the very largest conventions, more space might not have guaranteed that business. Because capacity around the nation has outstripped convention attendance, competition for the largest groups is currently intense. San Diego could still see substantial growth by targeting smaller and mid-size meetings, well as the cruise industry and individual travelers. Not having to raise the hotel tax rate to a lofty 17.5 percent could also help. John Sarkisian, Motion Ventures YES: The convention center and its expansion is a key driver of our tourism economy. We risk losing some significant business including Comic-Con without an expansion of the convention center. It only takes one visit to downtown to witness the activity in restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations during major conventions. With the future developments of Seaport Village and Manchester Pacific Gateway plus others it is imperative we expand the convention center. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: It certainly does not help. While there wont be a major impact in the short-run because most conventions book their venues years in advance, the uncertainty will hamper the ability to book new business for future years. Of course, there are other factors that can limit tourism, such as hotel capacity and our smaller airport with its single runway. But a convention center thats undersized and in need of upgrades means big conventions will take their business and all those tourists elsewhere. Have an idea for an EconoMeter question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com. Follow me on Twitter: @PhillipMolnar Cuyamaca College, which already offers several innovative courses and certifications as part of its curriculum, is getting ready to rev up for a new associate degree through the schools Automotive Technology program. The Rancho San Diego school, along with a coalition of independent repair shops around the county, will launch a new automotive program next month that promotes paid hands-on training opportunities. The Automotive Service Councils of California Associate of Science Degree program is the states first associate degree program that combines classroom/online teaching with on-the-job training at independent repair shops, Cuyamaca College spokeswoman Della Elliott said. The school is encouraging high school and college auto tech instructors and shop owners to attend a special event kicking off the program at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Cuyamaca Colleges Student Center in room I-207. The event is part of a three-day conference of the Automotive Service Councils of California, the largest independent automotive repair council in the state. ASCCA members represent all areas of the auto repair industry. Advertisement Brad McCombs is an instructor and coordinator of the auto tech program, which enrolls about 250 students each semester. McCombs said the new degree program offers a good resource for students interested in eventually opening their own repair shops because of the many small-business owners who are members of the independent service council. After working with the service council for about six years to develop the curriculum, the college expects to begin enrolling students in spring 2019. The two-year program includes all the required training to meet industry standards and Automotive Service Excellence certifications. In addition to automotive classes and on-the-job training, students must complete general education classes to earn the ASCCA associate of science degree. Students are advised on which sponsoring shops and businesses to contact, but they are required to use the traditional job-seekers tools of resume preparation and interviewing to obtain the sponsorships. As trainees, the students are expected to be hired for entry-level, minimum-wage positions with incremental raises. The college has been offering similar programs in partnership with Ford and GM dealerships since the 1980s. Upon graduation, Cuyamaca said that 99 percent of its graduates get hired by sponsoring dealerships, and that salaries start at about $22 an hour. Within three years, depending on specialization, those graduates typically earn $50,000 to $70,000 a year. There are nearly 70 independent ASCCA-affiliated businesses in San Diego County that are able to sponsor students, McCombs said. The program will help address a technician shortage that he said independent repair shops are facing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the job outlook for auto technicians is very good with a projected growth rate of 6 percent from 2016-26. We have an aging population of master technicians, and we expect the problem to grow as the attrition rate accelerates, McCombs said. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com La Mesa is making it easier to view live coverage of City Council meetings from phone, tablet, computer or other device. Live streaming to the citys official Facebook will begin with the City Councils Sept. 11 meeting through a contract with Texas-based Swagit Productions, LLC. The city has been offering live streaming on its official website cityoflamesa.us since last month. La Mesa City Council meetings will still be shown on Cox Cable channel 24 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. On La Mesas website, Swagit offers the ability to view meetings live or watch archived on demand versions of council meetings. There is an indexing function so viewers can go right to an agenda item and watch whichever portion of a meeting is of interest. Advertisement karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com San Marcos city candidates introduced themselves to voters at a forum hosted by the local chamber of commerce Thursday, offering views on growth, housing and the citys business climate. All seats are open in this election, the citys first since it established voting districts in 2016. Three candidates are vying for each of three positions, including the mayors seat and Council Districts 1 and 2. Two long-time San Marcos City Council members, Rebecca Jones and Chris Orlando, along with childrens book author Bradley Zink, are competing to replace Mayor Jim Desmond, who reaches his term limit in November and is running for county supervisor. While the mayoral seat is elected by the city at large, council members will be chosen by voting districts that represent geographic sectors of the city. Advertisement Candidates for District 1, located in the central area of San Marcos along Mission Road, include business owner Craig Garcia, attorney Maria Nunez, and Oceanside City Council aide Cliff Ireland. In District 2, in the southern area of San Marcos, planning commissioner Eric Flodine faces Vallecitos Water District board member Mike Sannella and San Marcos Unified School District board member Randy Walton. Besides facing a turning point in its election process, candidates said the city is also reaching a crossroads for urban development. In coming years, they said, San Marcos must attract and retain businesses, define its civic identity and prepare for growth, while solving traffic woes and preserving parks and open space. This is a defining election for us in our community, Sanella said. Theres things we can do to fine-tune our city. Asked whether housing growth is a positive or negative development for the city, candidates offered differing views on the challenges it poses. Orlando cast himself as a cautious voice on the council, and the lone voice of opposition on recent controversial housing projects. Im the only one to stand up and ask hard questions about some recent developments, he said. In 2016, he voted against San Marcos Highlands, a 189-home development in the northern part of the city, citing concerns about school crowding and traffic. In January, he cast the sole no vote on a 220-home Brookfield project at Twin Oaks Valley Road, near Cal State San Marcos. Jones, however, raised the specter of state-mandated housing quotas and the pressure of housing shortages. Its easy to say that we dont have to build more houses, Jones said. But we have property rights and we also have state mandates. We have legitimate needs. Our kids that are growing up here have nowhere to live. Orlando maintained that the majority of new homes are high-end properties that are too costly for many buyers and drive up housing prices citywide. Theyre not solving the problem, theyre making it worse, he said. Affordability of housing is your true crisis, said Walton, who argued that development should be designed to make San Marcos a destination city, rather than a bedroom community. San Marcos should be a city not that you drive through, but San Marcos should be a city people want to drive to, he said. Nunez said housing costs are a dire problem for residents of District 1, where 70 percent of residents are Hispanic and 57 percent of households earn less than $50,000 per year, according to city records. Many District 1 residents live in apartments, she said. Of course they want to own a home. The problem for them is, they dont have the means. Flodine said the city needs a variety of housing types and said his experience as a consultant to master planned communities made him uniquely positioned to guide that development. Other candidates pointed to the connection between housing needs and business growth, saying employers look critically at the citys real estate markets. I think its important for businesses to come here and know that there are places for their employees to live, Ireland said. Sanella said housing shortages are pricing out some local workers. The lack of supply is driving up costs, he said. Asked how they would help local businesses, candidates offered suggestions that ranged from new business districts to better customer service at City Hall. Garcia, owner of Old California Coffee House, and former owner of computer and internet marketing business, said San Marcos should encourage construction of business parks and office buildings in order to attract new firms. Zink suggesed businesses should be encouraged to try new marketing strategies, including sponsorships of local schools. Ireland said that council members should serve as ambassadors to the public, directing residents and business owners to resources they need at City Hall. Jones said she has worked to remove barriers to businesses by streamlining city permitting procedures. One of the best ways you can help your businesses prosper is to make sure they open quickly, she said. Although the number of candidates forced the forums organizers to move swiftly through answers, local historian Tannis Brown said she was pleased by the choices for this election. Im impressed with the number of people that are running, and with the quality and background of the people, she said. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Ambitious plans by a local church to renovate the long-abandoned Ritz Theater on Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido plans that include the razing of an adjacent commercial building on Juniper Street and construction of a new two-story structure that will be incorporated into the theaters design, are swiftly coming together. In just a couple months, if things stay on track, New Vintage Church will have purchased the Ritz and the other building and won approval from the City Council for the $7 million project. The hope is to start construction in early 2019 and finish in time to hold next years Christmas Eve services in the theater. As envisioned, the theater will become a place for New Vintage to hold services on Sunday while the rest of the time it will serve the downtown community as both a movie theater and stage production venue. Uses for the new building on Juniper Street, which will replace the single-story structure that now houses the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, an accounting business, a hair studio and a dress shop, will include a restaurant or cafe and a variety of other uses mostly geared toward children and teens. Advertisement The Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Ritz Theater are at the corner of Grand Ave. near Juniper St. in Escondido, shown on August 15, 2018. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) Lead Pastor Tim Spivey says the church views the project partly as giving a gift to the city, a gift that is New Vintages way of paying back a gift it received about seven years ago. Back in 2011, New Vintage was a new church leasing space from Hidden Valley Christian Church at the corner of 13th and Juniper streets. But Hidden Valley fell on hard times and had to shut its doors at which time they gave the building to New Vintage, no strings attached. The church was given to us and we feel we now have a chance of giving something back to somebody else, Spivey said. Its a big old gift to the city. Thats how we see it. Spivey said the church imagines showing vintage movies at the theater at low cost and selling popcorn for perhaps 25 cents a bag. He said theater groups will use the full stage that will be built in front of the huge screen. It would be hard for a regular business owner to try to make such a venture work, Spivey said, but for New Vintage to be behind the project makes total sense. We dont have to make money, he said. Our revenue comes from other sources. More than half the funding for the Ritz project will come from the sale of the churchs exisitng building, Spivey said, with the rest coming from a variety of church capital initiatives. Both the Ritz and the Arthur Murray building are in escrow, and the city has given the thumbs up to the plans although details are still being negotiated and final designs are still being prepared. The Ritz Theater opened in 1938 with seating for nearly 900. The remodel will likely call for nearly 600 seats.The theater was popular until 1951, according to the website cinematreasures.org, when a fire gutted the interior. It reopened in 1954, but never again did as much business. In 1970, it became an X-rated movie house called the Pussycat Theater that the city was able to shut down after a few years. The theater went through a couple other rebrandings and remodels but eventually closed for good in 2003. Spivey, with help of realtor friends, contacted the owner of the theater, Chuck Borough, who gave him a tour last December. The place was enormous, Spivey said. Huge, high ceiling that makes it seem bigger than it really is. The original seats are in there and theres a huge movie screen that is still attached but not useable. Spivey then contacted an old architect friend who has designed similar projects. The architect suggested trying to buy the adjacent commercial building, which they did and found another willing seller. We were able able to negotiate a reasonable price on both buildings and put them in escrow. The total cost for both buildings will be just under $2 million, which we think is a steal, Spivey said. Nothing has been written in stone yet, but the city held a meeting last week, attended by Mayor Sam Abed and other city officials, who were all supportive. Abed on Thursday said the plans make sense for the downtown area, where thousands of condos and apartments are expected to be built in the coming years, including as many as 600 on the site of the old Palomar Hospital just down the street from the Ritz. Its a right time in the right place project that will connect the synergy between the main part of Grand Avenue and the Palomar project, Abed said. He said the Ritz will no longer be a black sheep lot and called the concept an ideal use for downtown. Abed said its important to have a variety of uses, like a movie theater and a coffee shop, in the downtown area. You have to have more than retail today, he said. The city has fast-tracked the approval process by agreeing to conditions that will allow the project to bypass the Planning Commission and go straight to the council for approval, most likely in late October or early November. Spivey said speed is important because the church will have to take out a loan to buy the property and build the complex because it is still occupying the existing church. The faster the project is built, the fewer loan payments and other soft costs expenses the church will face. If the existing church were to be sold quickly, Spivey said, its possible that the church may have to temporarily relocate elsewhere until the Ritz remodel and new Arthur Murray building are finished. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Construction of a two-hotel beachfront resort long planned near the Oceanside pier has been delayed again but should begin before the end of this year, the developer said this week. S.D. Malkin Properties announced in January that the groundbreaking would be in the spring for the 2.75-acre project on two vacant blocks facing Pacific Street. The 158-room Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel will go up on the property north of Mission Avenue and the 226-room Destination Hotels Resort on the block south of Mission. Rising costs have forced the company to reconsider its schedule, Malkin Director Jeremy Cohen said in an email this week. Nothing has changed, Cohen said. We still plan to open in 2020. Advertisement Groundbreaking will occur before the end of the year, he said, and a specific date will be announced after Labor Day. The company had to do extensive value engineering to contain the costs of systems and materials, he said. Every project does that, particularly (now) with tariffs and a busy construction marketplace, he said. Oceanside chose the San Diego-based Malkin in 2005 from a field of three finalists with proposals for the property. It was Oceansides fourth try in 25 years to land a luxury hotel for the site. One of the previous proposals for the site was a project by San Diego hotel magnate and onetime Union-Tribune owner Doug Manchester. In 2003, the Oceanside City Council voted to pay Manchester $2.2 million to settle a $15 million lawsuit he filed against the city, after the Coastal Commission failed to approve his plan to build a single 12-story hotel on the property. Also now involved in the Malkin project is Denver-based Two Roads Hospitality, a company formed in 2016 through the merger of a number of luxury hotels and resorts. The city has granted multiple extensions to Malkin for more time to obtain financing for the project. In 2014, the City Council approved a $13.6 million subsidy for the resort, primarily in the form of a transient occupancy tax rebate over 15 years. A residents group challenged the subsidy, further delaying the project, but state courts ruled that the subsidy was a legal way for the city to attract tourism-related development. Oceanside Councilman Jerry Kern, long a supporter of the project, said Wednesday he is confident it remains on track. They have a lot of issues to contend with, Kern said. There is a labor shortage in construction right now. Its not a crisis, but it probably will be a problem for years to come. The strong national economy increases competition for labor, construction material and other resources. Construction of the hotels will require an extensive closure of a portion of Mission Avenue. The delayed start may be a good thing because it avoids the peak of the summer tourist season, Kern said. I just hope they do all their underground work by (next) June, so we can get Mission Avenue open again by next summer, Kern said. The two hotels will be built concurrently, Malkin officials have said. The seven-story boutique hotel on the north block, closest to the pier, will have multiple restaurants, a roof-top pool and bar, a coffee shop and event venues, with more than 3,000 square feet of street-front retail space. Plans call for the boutique hotel to include the historic Graves house, built in 1887, restored to its original condition and a new life as a food outlet. The Graves house is commonly known as the Top Gun house for its role in the 1986 hit movie starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. The small Victorian building at the corner of Pacific and Seagaze Drive is the only structure left on the property. On the southern block, the six-story Destinations hotel also will have a signature restaurant, along with an indoor-outdoor lounge, a luxury spa, a library, an elevated pool deck, and extensive meeting and event space. Malkin Properties has developed and operated hotel, residential and retail projects around the world for 30 years. The Oceanside beach resort will be the final development in a series of large construction projects underway or recently completed on nine downtown blocks near the municipal pier. Much of that area was a freight train switching yard until the 1980s, when the railroad yard was moved to nearby property on Camp Pendleton. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Skyler Wu (Courtesy photo) Makelle Madsen (Courtesy photo) The work of two North County students won national awards at the 2018 National PTA Awards and Reflections Celebration, held recently in New Orleans. An essay by sophomore Skyler Wu, Thank You, Belly, won a National Award of Excellence (first place) in the Literature category. Skyler attends Del Norte High School in the Poway Unified School District. Advertisement A photograph by third-grader Makelle Madsen, Catching Stars, won a National Award of Merit (second place) in the Photography category. Makelle attends Stone Ranch Elementary, also in the Poway district. National award winners receive a medallion and certificate. Besides being honored at the National Convention awards ceremony, they will also be honored in a student showcase in January 2019 at the U.S. Department of Educations LBJ Building in Washington, D.C. The California State PTA Reflections Program is designed to enhance arts education by giving students a chance to express themselves and to be recognized for their artistic and creative efforts. Since 1969, more than 10 million students nationwide have participated. All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program were invited to submit original artwork in dance choreography, literature, photography, film production, music composition and visual arts. This years theme was Within Reach. More than 30,000 Reflections entries came in from across the state, with just over 500 entries moving to the state competition. At the state level, Skylers essay won a first-place Award of Excellence before advancing to the nationals. Third-grader Ethan Wilson of Bonsall Elementary School, in the Bonsall Unified School District, won a state Award of Excellence for photography. Makelles photograph won an Outstanding Interpretation award at the state level before moving to the nationals. Winning in the Visual Arts category was eighth-grader Yiju Choi of Carmel Valley Middle School in the San Dieguito Union High School District. Students who won Awards of Merit at the state level: Visual Arts: Rico Takahashi, Highland Ranch Elementary School, Poway USD Photography: Robin Worthington, Hillsdale Middle School, Cajon Valley Union School District Music Composition: Archimedes Li, Black Mountain Middle School, Poway USD; Sehong Park, Del Norte High School Dance Choreography: Katherine Potz, Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad Unified School District; Violet Cruse, Sunset Hills Elementary School, Poway USD Film Production: Griffin Marchi, Kelly Elementary School, Carlsbad Unified School District; Melody Wheeler, Madison Middle School, Vista Unified School District. Visit https://capta.org. laura.groch@sduniontribune.com South Bay water bills are going to be more expensive next year. In May, the Otay Water District announced a 3.2 percent water rate increase for 2019. Monday evening, the Sweetwater Authority will vote on a proposal to establish three separate fees and increase rates over the next five years. Otay and Sweetwater, even if approved, would still have among the lowest water rates among San Diego County water districts. Advertisement Sweetwaters proposal calls for three fees one to cover the cost of buying water from the San Diego Water Authority and two to pay for water from the Metropolitan Water District. Under the proposed changes, the district would increase water rates every year from 2020 to 2024 based on annual changes in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Sweetwater Authority needs these rate increases to maintain existing infrastructure and invest in new infrastructure, said General Manager Tish Berge. Over the last five years, Sweetwater Authoritys cost of purchasing water has increase by 22 percent, and the cost of maintaining infrastructure has risen by 42 percent, Berge told the Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday. The district covers National City, Bonita and the western part of Chula Vista. The Otay Water Districts boundaries surround 125.5 miles of East County. This area includes eastern Chula Vista and county land east of San Diego and south of El Cajon. The districts 2019 fiscal year budget also estimates annual rate increases of 3.2 percent through 2024. Those estimates are subject to change depending on a variety of factors, including future water costs. The district raised rates to cover increased cost of buying water from their suppliers: the Metropolitan Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the city of San Diego, spokesperson Tenille Otero said. Those increases in water costs are connected to rising costs of importing water from Northern California and the Colorado River, Otero added. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter Over his 18 years as director of La Jolla Music Societys SummerFest, Cho-Liang Jimmy Lin has brought important composers to La Jolla and has discerningly commissioned new works for the festival. Tuesday evening, on a program featuring Turina, Debussy, Mahler and Ginastera, Lins most recent commission was happily premiered: Vis-a-vis for percussionist Steven Schick and Wu Man, a virtuoso on the pipa (Chinas version of the lute). It was composed by UC San Diego professor Lei Liang. On the stage at Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, Wu Man and Schick were separated by 7 or 8 feet, a bit puzzling for a work whose title means Face-to-face. Wu Man began alone with an arresting, tart chord that slowly accelerated into a dramatic cut-off. Schick answered this with a loud cascade of notes. The musical back-and-forth that ensued made clear that the title referred more to a metaphorical conversation than physical proximity. Liang often gives performers an important collaborative role in his chamber works. They might choose the order of phrases or the length of the notes they play, or have to improvise. Vis-a-vis entrusts Schick and Wu Man with extraordinary liberties. Advertisement For the percussion part, Liang notated specific rhythms, dynamics and timbral changes but allowed Schick to select most of his instruments. (Liang did require a marimba and crotales as part of the setup). Schick enclosed himself in a square of percussion made up of cymbals and planks of wood facing Wu Man stage left, marimba and crotales facing the audience, traditional and home-made gongs lying on a fabric-covered table upstage, and kick drums stage right. Wu Man sat facing Schick with nothing more than her pipa in her lap. She strummed full, jangly chords like a flamenco guitarist, scraped strings and even coaxed speech-like passages from her pipa. In Vis-a-vis, Liang provides each player with musical material to draw on for improvising, but he also had passages where the music was entirely notated. Vis-a-vis provided the players with a fast-slow-fast structure that brought them in and out in a fully controlled manner, yet gave them freedom to improvise within those phrases. Schick and Wu Man shaped it into an exuberant and playful work that provoked both chuckling and gasps, captivating an audience more comfortable with Debussy and Mahler than 21st century music. Thursday evenings Piano Focus concert sold fewer seats, but those present were no less appreciative of the reprise of a 2012 SummerFest commission, Marc-Andre Dalbavies Quartet for Piano and Strings and the West Coast premiere of Pierre Jalberts Piano Quintet. Jalberts music fuses 19th-century emotional rhetoric with more recent harmonies and melodies, and his Piano Quintet is an effective addition to his catalog. It explored flashy combinations of instruments, energetic pulse-driven movements, and a contemplative slow movement that incorporated harmonics on the cello that were intentionally out of tune with the piano. Pianist Juho Pohjonen and the Rolston String Quartet gave Jalberts work a dazzling performance, which merited two curtain calls for the players and composer. Dalbavie characterizes his Piano Quartet as dialogues between instrumentalists. Pianist John Novacek musically conversed with violinist Margaret Batjer, violist Che-Yen Chen, and cellist Max Geissler, and all contributed wonderfully. Dalbavies music was French in its concern for instrumental colors, the sounds of chords, and its use of cyclical material, a modern descendant of both Debussy and Franck. Most SummerFest premieres are by American composers, but Lin wanted to commission a prominent European. Dalbavies Piano Quartet is a substantial work which should appear on concert programs in every country for many years to come, a lovely legacy of Lins 18 years with SummerFest. Hertzog is a freelance writer. Its official: Kenya Barris is moving to Netflix. In a multi-year deal that began Thursday, the creator of the ABC sitcom black-ish will write and produce series exclusively for Netflix. In a statement, Cindy Holland, Netflixs vice president of original content, praised Barris as one of our great modern storytellers. Kenya uses his voice to make audiences more aware of the world around them, while simultaneously making them laugh, she said. Advertisement When my agents reached out to me about this little garage start-up called Netflix, I wasnt sure what to think, said Barris, who will produce through his production company Khalabo Ink Society. But after I talked to Ted and Cindy, I started to believe that maybe this mom-and-pop shop with only 130 million subscribers might just be something... so I decided to take a swing... a leap of faith, if you will, and take a chance with the new kids on the block. The deal had been rumored for months, with talk heating up in late July when Barris confirmed he would be leaving ABC Studios three years before his contract was up and relinquishing showrunning duties on black-ish. Barris is the latest A-list writer-producer to defect to Netflix, following Shonda Rhimes, who also left ABC, and Ryan Murphy, who was lured away from Fox. black-ish, which premiered in 2014 and follows a prosperous African American family, has earned critical acclaim for its humorous, heartfelt approach to race and other contentious social issues. Episodes of the single-camera comedy have dealt with police violence against African Americans, the use of the N-word and the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. But in March, Barris and ABC ran into creative differences over an episode that touched on a debate about professional athletes kneeling during the national anthem and was ultimately pulled from the schedule. In addition to black-ish, Barris created the spin-off Grown-ish, which airs on Freeform and stars Yara Shahidi, and wrote the screenplay for last years comedy hit Girls Trip. He also co-created the reality competition series Americas Next Top Model. Staff writer Yvonne Villarreal contributed to this report. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour meredith.blake@latimes.com Follow me @MeredithBlake Found crying under a Coronado home in late July, only a few days old with his eyes still closed, tiny Lucky is one of the fortunate ones. The Coronado residents who heard his distressed cries knew to leave him for a few hours to see if his mother would return. When she didnt appear they whisked him to the Coronado Animal Care Facility, where PAWS of Coronado staffers quickly transferred him to a volunteer skilled in caring for newborns. Little Lucky, explained Sharon Sherman, administrative director of PAWS (Pacific Animal Welfare Society, which operates Coronados animal shelter), probably would have survived only about 12 hours without sustenance. A volunteer feeds Lucky formula at the Coronado facility. (John Gibbins / U-T) An experienced foster mom, Laurel Woolf, part of PAWS Kitten SWAT Team, regularly takes in nursing mothers and their kittens, but also cares for many newborns, anybody that needs love, she said. Advertisement These newborns, who often arrive at the shelter with their umbilical cords still attached and their eyes closed, must be bottle-fed every two hours and have their little bottoms rubbed or expressed for elimination. At 3 weeks, the interval between bottle feedings grows to three hours until the kittens are about 4 weeks old, when they can begin eating wet food from a bowl. Newborn kittens are especially fragile and often dont survive without their moms, even with the around-the-clock at-home care of foster moms or the specialized kitten nurseries some shelters, including the San Diego Humane Society, have set up, Woolf explained. Sometimes theyre doing well, then theyll crash. I had an older male cat who loved kittens. He would start cleaning them when they came in (to her home). I knew if he cleaned them they would make it. If he didnt I knew they wouldnt, she said. Kittens, Sherman explained, are often dropped off in boxes of two to 15 kittens, sometimes with single or multiple moms and sometimes alone. Depending on the kittens age, health and other needs, theyll go into foster care with volunteers until about eight weeks, when theyll return to the shelter to be spayed or neutered and offered for adoption. While awaiting their forever homes, they live and romp in the shelters cheerful, toy-filled adoption rooms, where the cats and kittens receive daily visits from volunteers who play with and pet each for an hour twice a day. PAWS volunteer Sarah Ziegler holds one of the several months-old kittens at the Coronado animal are facility. (John Gibbins / U-T) We have the best-socialized kittens. The volunteers are the most committed people Ive ever seen, Sherman said. Kitten season the period of peak births continues to overwhelm animal shelters and rescues. Despite animal welfare organizations ever-greater emphasis on spaying and neutering, the problem isnt getting much better. Both Sherman and Dan DeSousa, director of the County of San Diegos Department of Animal Services, attribute the stubborn problem to climate change, producing ever-lengthening breeding seasons, particularly in warm climates such as Southern California. About 20 years ago, kitten season began around May and continued into September. By 10 years ago, it had lengthened to March through October. Now, county shelter statistics show kittens starting to show up in January with a combined total of 48 at the countys three shelters this year and peaking in May with 400 to 575 admissions over the last three years. They level off to 250-375 monthly from June to November, then it drops to 125-182 and then to about 70 in December. This gray kitten at the PAWS facility in Coronado is one of many available for adoption. (John Gibbins / U-T) In Coronado, the numbers also are growing, Sherman said. In 2015-16, when PAWS took over operation of the city shelter from the Police Department, it received about 50 cats and kittens in the first six months of the year. Over the same six-month period in 2017, the number grew to 67, then to 93 this year. Coronado, which accepts only animals from the island into its shelter but lets qualified nonresident applicants adopt, has a successful adoption program, placing about 100 cats and 100 dogs annually, and it doesnt euthanize unless medically necessary. The growing kitten birthrate further increases shelter populations everywhere, along with the contrast in peoples mind-sets toward dogs and cats. People are far less likely to retrieve missing cats from shelters than dogs. DeSousa cites a redemption rate of only 3.4 percent for cats, compared with 38 percent for dogs. The question to ask the community is, why are they not coming in to reclaim their cats? he said. Sherman notes the same response in Coronado, a pet-friendly community with an enthusiastic corps of 100 volunteers supporting its inviting community shelter. Cats and kittens are often dumped on the island. Theres a more cavalier attitude towards cats, she said. People think that cats can fend for themselves. A cat thats been a pet for two to three years cant fend for itself. Both agree that more public education and awareness of responsible pet parenting practices are needed. The best answer remains to prevent overpopulation, with early spaying and neutering, since cats can breed as young as 4 or 5 months old and produce multiple litters each year. Sherman hopes to work with residents to prevent more dropoffs of motherless kittens. Were a resource for them. If they need help, call. Were here for the community, she said. And remember: Spaying and neutering prevents overpopulation and saves lives. Some cat and kitten adoption resources PAWS of Coronado: Coronado Animal Care Facility; pawsofcoronado.org; (619) 435-8247; offers adoptions at their shelter, 1395 First St., Coronado. The Rescue House: rescuehouse.org/adopt; with adoption centers at Petcos, PetSmarts and the Cat Cafe in downtown San Diego, lists regular adoption events on its website. Cat Adoption Service (C.A.T.S.): catadoptionservice.org; (760) 550-CATS; with cats available at North County PetSmarts and Petcos. Friends of Cats: friendsofcats.org; (619) 561-0361; operates a shelter and adoption center at 15587 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon. Love Your Feral Felines: loveyourferalfelines.com; (760) 542-8509; adopts out well-socialized cats and kittens, Oceanside/Vista locations. National Cat Protection Society: natcat.org; (619) 469-8771; 9031 Birch St., Spring Valley. Other resources include San Diego Humane Society, Chula Vista Animal Care Center and Helen Woodward Animal Center. Lower-cost spay and neutering resources The San Diego Humane Society: sdhumane.org; (619) 299-7012; now providing most of San Diego Countys animal services, posts lists of veterinarians on its website; offers spay/neuter services on means-tested basis. The Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP): snap-sandiego.org; (619) 525-3047 or (866) SPAYBUS; provides low-cost services on its specially equipped bus for low-income families. Visit the website for clinic information. Chula Vista Animal Care Center: chulavistaca.gov/departments/animal-care/spaying-neutering; (619) 691-5123; serves Chula Vista, National City and Lemon Grove residents. Feral Cat Coalition: feralcat.com; (619) 758-9194 or (855) FCC-CATS; provides spay/neutering for feral and community cats. Sours Larson is a San Diego freelance writer. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego created a viral sensation when, in May, it posted a photo of a new recruit with an unusual haircut and a sleeveless Budweiser T-shirt. The image had more than 1,000 likes on the training commands Facebook page and spawned countless memes across social media, including a fan page with more than 2,000 followers. That Marine, Pvt. Daniel Russell from New Mexico, graduated boot camp Friday, alongside 315 other Marines of Lima Company. Pvt. Russell declined to be photographed or interviewed. However, military news site Task & Purpose posted photos, showing him with a traditional Marine high and tight. Advertisement Russells uncle, Michael Vorhees, himself a retired Marine, was at the graduation ceremony. He said all the attention had been a bit much. Its hit or miss, he said. Some of the comments have been bad. Theres been unwanted attention towards him. After initially sharing the mullet photo, the recruit depot declined to comment on the attention it generated, saying that the graduation was to celebrate all the new Marines. Private Russell, who received significant social media attention after arriving at MCRD San Diego with a Mullet haircut 12 weeks ago, is scheduled to graduate along with 315 Marines, spokesman Steven Posy said in an email Wednesday. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate them all as they have successfully earned the title United States Marine. Vorhees said his nephew will be reporting to Marine Combat Training next, then on to another school to learn to be a Motor Transport mechanic. He said he wanted Russell to be known as a Marine, and not just for the mullet. Im proud of what he did, Vorhees said. I just dont want it to take away from the fact that hes now a Marine. Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter. August 17, 1928 The San Diego Union 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. Friday, August 17, 1928 In 1928 San Diegos municipal airport was officially dedicated. Ceremonies Aug. 16-18 included 222 planes in massed flight. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: DEDICATE LINDBERGH FIELD WITH GREAT AERIAL SPECTACLE 222 AIRPLANES STAGE STARTLING REVIEW IN FLIGHT OVER AIRPORT Huge Mass Maneuvers of 400 Craft Called Off Because Of Low Fog; Only Army and Navy Craft Take Part With Many Ships Remaining on Ground; Thrilling Stunts And Formations Impress Thousands of Spectators. To the accompaniment of roaring motors and the scream of wind through the struts and wings of a myriad of speeding aircraft, Lindbergh field, San Diegos municipal airport, was dedicated yesterday noon. In all, 222 planes participated in the flight, originally scheduled for 400. Of the participating planes, 140 were navy and 82 were army machines. The planes from Crissy field, San Francisco, from the marine flying force and from the naval air station did not participate. The navy planes were from the aircraft squadrons, battle fleet, now concentrated at North Island for annual mass training. No Accidents to Fliers or Spectators Even though the low-lying clouds made it necessary to fly at almost dangerously low altitudes, there was not a single accident to the fliers, nor any casualties among the countless thousands of spectators who thronged the field and the nearby hills and housetops. The massed flight, scheduled for the main event, was called off because of the danger resulting from the low clouds, and the triple parachute jump was cancelled for the same reason. The spectacle as a whole was pronounced a success. Three outstanding spectacles marked the days performancesa strafing attack on the field by the navys light bombing squadrons, a remarkable series of aerial acrobatics by the Three Sea Hawks of the battle fleet air squadrons, and the laying of a smoke screen by seven naval planes, at the conclusion of the days events. The ceremonies at the field started with the singing of America by the crowd, the invocation by Rev. Roy Campbell of the First Congregational church, singing led by Wallace Moody and by the Aeolean quartet, and the raising of the flag. Mayor Harry Clark introduced the distinguished guests, who included many of the outstanding figures of the nations air development. Among those were Capt. Hubert Wilkins of North Pole flight fame. 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. A Northern California sheriffs deputy fired several beanbag rounds into the back window of a car to free a trapped bear that had probably been searching for snacks. El Dorado County sheriffs spokesman Anthony Prencipe said Thursday that officers were called after the bear was seen rummaging through a Honda Civic in South Lake Tahoe. In a video, the caller says that the bear did not seem very happy and that it looked huge. The deputy says he was going to try to break out the back window. After a few shots, the window breaks open and the bear romps out and into the woods. Advertisement Prencipe said its safer to open a vehicle remotely than to get close to a scared bear. The sheriffs office posted a notice on Facebook that bears can open doors. The South Coast Air Quality Management District is investigating a chemical odor that spread throughout Orange County on Thursday night, officials said. Residents from Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim Hills and Yorba Linda described the smell various ways. Some said it smelled like lighter fluid, burnt plastic or paint thinner. We dispatched our inspectors, said Patrick Chandler, a spokesperson for the AQMD. Theyre in the area investigating and monitoring to determine the source. Air quality inspectors are working to obtain samples in order to determine what is causing the odor, he said. Sometimes, however, by the time inspectors arrive at the scene, the odor has dissipated, he said. Advertisement We have to determine what the odors are and where theyre coming from to have an idea of whats going on, he said. The Costa Mesa fire department received numerous calls shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday night, said spokesperson Chris Coates. Were aware of it and we sent crews to investigate, he said. They were unable to determine the source. Firefighters dispatched Friday morning could not smell the odor, Coates said. He added that there have been occasional reports in the past by residents who smell a natural gas-like odor and that the AQMD is aware of it. But callers Thursday night did not describe the smell as natural gas, he said. The Huntington Beach Fire Department also tweeted about the odor, saying it had notified the proper authorities and did not know where the smell was coming from. We have received many reports of a strong odor traveling through the city. The smell has traveled throughout many OC cities. We have made notifications to the proper authorities for follow up. At this time we do not know where the odor is originating from. Huntington Beach FD (@HBFD_PIO) August 17, 2018 A tweet by the fire department dated Tuesday states they were investigating reports of a natural gas smell in the area. Chandler said there had been calls before about a gas smell, but would not say whether people who reported the incidents described the smells differently. He said he could not say how often they get these reports. Michael Radford, a Yorba Linda resident, said he began smelling some sort of chemical smell between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday night. Radford traveled between Yorba Linda and Newport Beach, near the Huntington Beach border, and smelled the odor while sitting outside on his parents porch. I thought it must be the people upstairs, burning something with a lighter fluid or I dont know, a tiki torch or something, he said. I didnt think anything of it at first, but ...I walked out and was like Oh my gosh, it still smells and its stronger. Radford smelled the odor until about 10:30 p.m. Thursday night. Chandler said people can report similar incidents to (800) CUT-SMOG. A man who used a stun gun on his mother, then stabbed her to death in their Clairemont home last year was sentenced Friday to 26 years to life in prison. A San Diego Superior Court judge imposed the maximum term on Joseph Robert Burks, 31, for killing Angela Burks, 58, a long-time science teacher at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista. A jury on June 11 convicted Burks of first-degree murder for stabbing his mother more than 20 times on July 24 last year. Burks had lived his entire life with his mother, but she had been wanting him to move out and get a job, Josephine Van Atta, Angela Burks mother, told the court Friday. Advertisement She worked so hard to get where she was, Van Atta said. Joseph put an end to all that. She said her daughter was looking forward to retirement this year, after 35 years of teaching in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Samantha Howard Rogers, one of Angela Burks former students and now a pediatric nurse, said in a letter read in court that she appreciated the support her teacher gave her. Rogers said Burks helped her see how important it is to pour out time and care to other people, Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey read from the letter. Harvey said the victim was planning a trip with a male friend after retiring. The prosecutor said there was no evidence that mother and son argued the night of the attack, but about 7:15 p.m. he called 911 and reported having stabbed his mother. San Diego police and medics found her inside the home on Mount Putnam Avenue. She died at a hospital. Harvey said Joseph Burks used the stun gun on his mother in the bathroom, where the gun was found later, then immediately stabbed her in the head, throat and neck. A detective testified that investigators found two knives, one with a broken blade, believed used in the assault. Burks claimed he acted in self-defense after his mother first attacked him, Harvey said. City News Service contributed to this report. pauline.repard@sduniontribune Twitter: @pdrepard A dog thats aggressive to other animals. An owner who has no time. A cat that urinates in the residence. These are some of the reasons adopted pets have been returned to local animal shelters in San Diego County. According to data from the San Diego County Department of Animal Services, more than 1,400 adopted animals were returned to shelters from January 2017 to June of this year. That compares to roughly 19,000 adoptions during the same time period. Of the total returns, nearly 70 percent were dogs, about 28 percent were cats and 2 percent were rabbits. Three rodents, one reptile, five livestock animals and three birds were also returned. Advertisement The most common reason for returning a pet is no reason at all, according to county data. No reason, and owner problem were used as catch-all phrases by shelter workers when someone could not provide a specific reason and simply said they no longer wanted the adopted animal. More than 400 pets were returned under those descriptions, data show. Nearly 300 pets were returned for not playing nicely with other animals in the house or being aggressive to other animals in general. Thirteen years ago, Ziva Gottesman, 46, went to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. Her father had just passed away and the family wanted to give their fathers Labrador, Tovah, a companion. A border collie caught her attention. We brought [Tovah] with us to the shelter, Gottesman said. It seemed like a good fit. They met. It seemed like they liked each other. The shelters notes said the border collie had no problems interacting with other animals or people, Gottesman said. She signed the papers, and named the new dog Taffy, after her fathers first dog. Taffy went home to live with Tovah and Gottesmans mother, but the dynamic shifted quickly. Once my mom took her, she started attacking [Tovah], Gottesman said. It got worse as time went on. Taffy soon moved in with Gottesman. She said she was elated to have a dog and Taffy was really great with her, but the aggressive behavior continued. She would try to attack anyone who entered the house, especially men, Gottesman said. She would growl at people and other animals on the street. Ive never had a dog before that wanted to bite people, she said. Maybe under different circumstances I would have had the time and ability to train her, but I was still mourning my dad. A few months later, the family decided to bring Taffy back to the shelter. They learned that Helen Woodward had only tested Taffy with one male worker, and shelter workers said her behavior was most likely due to abuse from a previous male owner, Gottesman said. To have to give her back after just losing my dad was just horrible, she said. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable ... It was heartbreaking. According to Gottesman, Taffy was retrained and adopted by another family. She said shes hesitant to adopt again because of the experience. Im always envious of people who adopt an animal and it works out, Gottesman said. I dont want to have to go through that again. Star Lord, is a 20-month-old blue tabby, who is available for adoption at the Northern Region Shelter (San Diego County) County data show about 80 percent of the 1,400 returned pets were later adopted by a new family, but it doesnt always happen right away. Some animals are adopted out on the same day, while others wait five to six months. The average time is about 10 days. Shelters transferred 12 percent of animals that were not adopted. About 5 percent were euthanized. On 11 occasions, the owner came back to replace the animal after surrendering it. Data show one animal died in the kennel after being returned and another escaped from the shelter. According to Dan DeSousa, director of county animal services, adopting a pet is a serious commitment and there are dozens of questions and factors to consider before bringing an animal home. Do you work a lot? Is anyone home during the day? Will a pet fit your busy social life? DeSousa said by email. Understand that this is a lifetime commitment to the animal and plan accordingly. DeSousa suggests that potential adopters research dog breeds that fit into their current lifestyle before coming to the shelter. For example, people who run every day and want their dog to run with them should consider a breed thats capable of that level of activity. A Jack Russell Terrier can run for miles, while an English Bulldog cannot, he said. When there are already animals at home, shelters can set up meet and greet times and staff have tips on how to introduce animals at home. If you are thinking of adopting a kitten, we recommend that you adopt two as they will keep each other company and learn feline social skills that a single cat would not, he said. Also, consider an adult cat. While kittens are cute and fun, they can be a lot of work. County shelters are waiving adoption fees Saturday for all dogs, cats and rabbits as part of the annual Clear the Shelters Day. All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered and microchipped before they go home. Vaccinations will also be up to date on dogs and cats. Clear the Shelters is a nationwide effort. Last year the San Diego region adopted out 739 pets. More than 100 animals are available at the countys two animal care facilities located in Bonita and Carlsbad. The San Diego Humane Society, which has taken over operations of the countys shelter off Friars Road, is also participating. For more information, visit the countys adoption website. Data Watch Videos On Now Data Point: Media Mergers 2:58 On Now Jaywalking infractions in San Diego 1:24 On Now Video: Finding the recipe for the perfect burrito 2:09 On Now Video: Where marijuana is legal in the United States 0:53 On Now Report: Correctional system fails women 1:22 On Now San Diego students have larger classes On Now Hierarchy of cuisine prices On Now Pay phones: Is that still a thing? On Now 2016 border apprehensions On Now STD trends, San Diego County Contact Lauryn Schroeder via Twitter or Email. A San Diego judge put an indefinite freeze on deportations of migrant families Thursday, saying the evidence weighs heavily in favor of a court order that would allow all children to pursue asylum claims in the U.S. rather than be deported with their parents. The temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw is the latest development in the effort to reunite some 2,500 children with parents who had been separated at the border under the Trump administrations enforcement policies. The halt to deportations means those currently housed in family detention centers, as well as parents with final removal orders who have signed papers electing to be deported without their children, will continue to remain in limbo as lawyers for both sides litigate the issue. About 2,000 children have been reunited with their parents in the U.S. Many families have been released into the community on parole, although a few hundred with final removal orders are detained and believed to be at risk of immediate deportation. Advertisement The judges decision will be discussed at a court hearing Friday afternoon, although the judge has given both sides at least a week to come to an agreement on how to proceed. The temporary restraining order is, in effect, a continuation of a previous stop to deportations that Sabraw had implemented weeks ago, when lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union argued that freshly reunited families needed time to consult with each other and attorneys about their legal options. The ACLU has argued that many parents were coerced into signing forms that gave up their own right to seek asylum or unknowingly waived reunifying with their children. Lawyers for the government have complained that the inability to deport these migrants is causing logistical problems and unrest at family detention facilities, which have extremely limited bed space. Late Thursday, the government notified the court that about 40 fathers being housed with their children at Karnes County Residential Center outside San Antonio were involved in a disturbance Wednesday. No one was injured, and the children were in school in a separate area at the time. The judge said in his order that a temporary restraining order prohibiting these families from being deported was warranted because the migrant children appear to have a strong case that would require them to be allowed to pursue separate asylum claims. The restraining order is being sought by lawyers in a related family separation lawsuit out of Washington, D.C., that has recently been transferred to Sabraw due to his involvement in the ACLUs San Diego case. While the ACLUs case was filed on behalf of parents, the Washington case was filed on behalf of the children. Lawyers for the children argued that the asylum process radically changed when the Trump administration began separating families at the border. For an asylum case to move forward, a migrant must show in an interview with an asylum officer a credible fear of returning to his or her home country. Typically, a family would go through the asylum process as a unit, even though credible fear interviews and determinations would be made on an individual basis. Still, even if one family member passed a credible fear interview while others failed, the unit would typically be allowed to remain in the U.S. together during the remainder of the asylum proceedings. That process was disrupted when families were separated, with many distraught parents going through credible fear interviews alone and without the supporting testimony of their children, the attorneys argued. Children, on the other hand, were placed into government shelters and many were not afforded the opportunity to seek asylum, the attorneys said. The childrens attorneys asked that the youth be able to assert that right now. Government attorneys argued that the parents had legitimately waived their childrens right to pursue asylum claims upon signing one of two forms that cleared them for deportation. But Sabraw pushed back on that assertion, saying the form was not designed to advise parents of their childrens asylum rights, let alone to waive those rights. Instead, he said: It was about the right to reunify. The complete absence of any mention of the childrens asylum rights on any of the forms at issue here dooms Defendants waiver argument. Sabraw said the government has not been able to establish that there would be any real harm caused by continuing to delay deportations while the asylum issue is worked out. In the end, it may be that many of these children will be denied the relief they seek, but the public has an interest in ensuring these children receive the process that Congress has provided, Sabraw concluded. The hasty removal of these children and their parents at the expense of an ordered process provided by law would be antithetical to the public interests set out above, which plainly weigh in favor of granting the requested relief. It is not clear if the temporary restraining order would delay the current effort to reunite some 360 other parents who have already been deported. Efforts to reach the parents in Central America and Mexico have appeared to go well so far, with the government reporting last week that contact had been made with 299 thus far. A status report filed Thursday did not say whether more parents have since been located. But would parents be allowed to return to the U.S. in a supportive role if their children want to stay to pursue asylum claims? What about parents who allege they were coerced into leaving their children behind in the U.S.? Would they be allowed to return to reassert their own asylum cases? These are further legal questions Sabraw has been asked to consider. The government argued that it is not required to return any parents to the U.S. for reunification, and that making such an allowance would slow down the process to reunify the families. Instead, the government is set on flying the children from the U.S. to reunite with parents in their home countries. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Two students and a parent were struck and injured Thursday afternoon when a confused elderly driver steered her car through a fence at Hidden Valley Middle School in Escondido, police said. The crash occurred about 1:50 p.m. as school was letting out on the campus at 2700 Reed Road, Escondido police Lt. Chris Lick said. All injuries sustained by the pedestrians and a child passenger in the car were considered minor. One child was airlifted to Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego, the other was taken there by ambulance and the adult was taken by medics to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, Lick said. The child passenger in the Nissan Sentra also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Nissans driver, identified only as an elderly woman, was driving through a parking lot on the campus when she became confused, Lick said. She drove through a wrought iron fence, hit the three pedestrians and struck a retaining wall. Advertisement Though the childrens injuries were considered minor, emergency crews took one of them to the childrens hospital by air ambulance based on protocol established by firefighters and paramedics Lick said. The lieutenant did not know the fire departments exact protocol, but said it could be that medics must take minors to a hospital in the event of certain types of injuries like head or neck injuries even when theyre not considered serious. A post on the schools Facebook page thanked families for their concern regarding the incident that occurred at dismissal today. The post informed parents that the school sent out information about the crash via phone and email. According to NBC7, the email from Principal Trent Smith said many students witnessed the crash, and the school would address the incident with students on Friday morning. The crash remained under investigation Thursday afternoon. Lick said investigators determined that alcohol or drug impairment were not factors in the crash. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 6:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from Escondido police. This article was originally published at 5:35 p.m. A former Border Patrol agent from Chula Vista pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to abusing his authority to intimidate and detain a man who accused the agents brother-in-law of molesting his young son. Martin Rene Duran, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. He was also convicted by a federal jury in February on eight weapons charges for buying guns in Arizona with an Arizona drivers license despite living in Chula Vista. According to the plea agreement submitted Thursday in San Diego federal court, Duran was a supervisory agent at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station in May 2013 when he created false warnings in a government computer system for his victim, a man identified in court documents only as R.C. The alerts entered into the principal database used by officers to screen border-crossers included notations that Duran knew to be false against R.C., a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. with no known criminal background. Advertisement One of the first alerts claimed R.C. was a mechanic who worked on drug-smuggling vehicles and was known to carry guns. Another alert said R.C. had made threats against U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. The warnings prompted CBP officers to stop R.C. several times as he crossed from Mexico into the U.S., sometimes with his family, including once when he and his wife were detained and separated from their young children for more than two hours. According to prosecutors, at least one alert directed border authorities to contact Duran if they stopped R.C., and thats what they did in May 2013 when R.C. tried to enter the country at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Duran went to where R.C. was detained and began questioning him regarding the personal matter involving R.C. and (Durans) brother-in-law, according to the plea agreement. According to court documents, R.C. had accused Durans brother-in-law, Raymundo Estrada Figueroa, of child sexual abuse. Estrada was reportedly having an affair with R.C.s wife, who was the mother of the boys Estrada allegedly molested. Estrada has been indicted on six counts involving alleged sexual abuse of two children under 12 years old. His case is still pending. R.C. told investigators he believed Duran was trying to pressure him into dropping his accusations against Estrada. On Thursday, Duran admitted as much in court, prosecutors said. This agent targeted a law-abiding citizen because of a personal vendetta, and for that he will pay a price, U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said in a statement. In February, a jury convicted Duran on seven counts of illegal transportation of firearms and a count of possession of a short-barreled rifle. The guns in that case were discovered in 2015 at his Chula Vista home during the investigation into the case he pleaded guilty to Thursday. Duran is scheduled to be sentenced in both cases next month. According to the plea agreement, his attorney will recommend a federal prison sentence no shorter than six months, while federal prosecutors will recommend a sentence no longer than three years and eight months. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com The District Attorneys Office plans to move forward with its review of the Earl McNeil death investigation after the state Attorney Generals Office said it saw no basis for recusal, a spokeswoman said Thursday. McNeils family members and the social organizers theyve aligned with said during a news conference Wednesday that because McNeil was an informant with the District Attorneys Office, it should hand the review over to the FBI. Law enforcement officials have not elaborated on McNeils work as an informant. According to court documents, he was paid at least $30,000 for his assistance in a double-homicide case tried in 2011. District Attorneys Office spokeswoman Tanya Sierra said Wednesday that the office had asked the Attorney General for an opinion on whether there is a legal basis for recusal. Advertisement The state office responded, saying it didnt see a reason the District Attorney should do so. National City police officials submitted their investigation into McNeils death last week. McNeil, 40, was arrested after showing up at the National City Police Department on May 26. Officers who went to speak with McNeil said he was talking irrationally and became combative when they attempted to detain him. He was placed in a restraint and taken to jail where he reportedly suffered a heart attack while being examined by paramedics, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital and died June 11. McNeils death has sparked weeks of protests that have led to several arrests. Family members and social organizers have repeatedly called for more information in the case, including the release of McNeils autopsy report and body-worn camera footage of the incident. Sierra said the purpose of the District Attorneys review is to provide an independent analysis to determine if any use of force was legally justified or not, for the purposes of criminal liability. Its unclear how long that review will take, but she said the office has made the case a priority. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com Michael Avenatti came out swinging against a report Thursday that his client Stormy Daniels made an unsuccessful attempt at selling her silence about having sex with Donald Trump before she was finally able to cut a hush deal. People familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday that Daniels former attorney, Keith Davidson, approached ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen in September 2016 about paying his client to not go public with claims she and Trump had sex in 2006. But Cohen balked at the proposal, according to the sources. However, about a month later just days after a tape became public of Trump bragging about being able to grab women by the p---y the sources said Cohen had a change of heart and facilitated a $130,000 non-disclosure agreement for Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Avenatti called bull. Advertisement It never happened, it never happened, Avenatti told the Daily News. Keith Davidson never approached Michael Cohen to sell the story. Michael Cohen heard that my client was going to go on Good Morning America and he approached Keith Davidson and a deal was made. Avenatti cited documents and recollections from Daniels, 39. He said his clients ABC News appearance was supposed to happen shortly before the 2016 election. Davidsons attorney did not return a request for comment. Cohens attorney declined to comment. Trump has admitted to reimbursing Cohen for the $130,000 hush payment to Daniels, but denies ever having sex with her. Cohen is under federal investigation in New York for possible campaign finance violations as it relates to the Daniels payment, which was issued 11 days before Trumps election. Cohen can be charged with campaign finance charges if prosecutors can prove that his hush payment to Daniels was meant to boost Trumps election chances, since it would thereby constitute an unreported in-kind donation. The Access Hollywood tape set Trump back significantly in the polls and nearly derailed his campaign. Trump issued a rare apology for his offensive remarks in the recording, but concluded he had simply engaged in locker room talk. Authorities reportedly discovered the bodies of two missing girls inside mostly full oil and gas tanks on the property of one of Colorados largest oil and gas drillers where their father used to work. Shanann Watts, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was reported missing Monday along with her two daughters, 3-year-old Bella and 4-year-old Celeste. Weld County prosecutors have said they believe the family was killed inside their Frederick home, located about 30 miles outside Denver, but have not said why. Her husband, 33-year-old Chris Watts, was taken into custody Wednesday night and is being held at the Weld County Jail in connection to their murders. John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, told reporters Thursday that investigators discovered Shanann Watts body and are working to recover what they believe are the bodies of Celeste and Bella from the property of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Advertisement High-ranking sources told Denver ABC they believe Chris Watts submerged his daughters bodies in the tanks in a bid to hide their remains and conceal the smell. Authorities say Chris Watts, the husband of a missing family in Colorado has been arrested in connection with the case. (Associated Press) As horrible as the this outcome is, our role now is to do everything we can to determine exactly what occurred, Camper said Thursday. The girls were discovered near the body officers believe belong to their mother, though Frederick Police officers did not specify where exactly they were found on the Anadarko property. The company has since said it is cooperating with investigators on the case. Chris Watts, an employee at Anadarko up until Wednesday, has been arrested on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. Prosecutors have until Monday to formally charge him. Following his familys disappearance earlier this week, Chris Watts made television appearances on local outlets where he discussed his hopes for their safe return. In an interview with KMGH before his arrest, he told the news station his wife got home from a business trip around 2 a.m. Monday. We had an emotional conversation, Ill leave it at that, he said when asked whether or not they argued. I just want them to come back. Authorities have not yet revealed a motive behind the triple slaying, but friends Nicholas and Amanda Thayer said Shanann discussed her worries about possible infidelity. From left, Bella Watts, Celeste Watts and Shanann Watts. The Frederick Police Department said Chris Watts was taken into custody. Watts pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella and Celeste were reported missing Monday. (/ AP) It came to her mind that possibly he could be cheating, Thayer told CBS News. The mothers Facebook page however, painted a portrait of a happily married woman, dedicated to her young girls. She described her husband as my ROCK and the best dad us girls could ask for. Chris Watts was denied bail during his initial court appearance in Greeley Thursday afternoon. His next hearing date is slated for Tuesday. With News Wire Services Longtime peace activist, writer and photographer David McReynolds died Friday after a fall in his New York home. He was 88. McReynolds, who was also the first openly gay candidate for president, moved to New York in the mid-1950s. A few years later, he began working with the War Resisters League. His career spanned four decades; he retired in 1999. Born in Los Angeles in 1929, he came to the city after graduating from UCLA and dived head-first into politics and activism, his friends said. I hardly know what to say. He was such an important figure in my mind and in my life, said Bob Fass, host of WBAIs Radio Unnamable, a pioneer of the free-form style. He was a good friend. Im still a little shocked. Advertisement The two met in the 1960s while organizing a protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which turned ugly when the Chicago Police Department declared open season on the activists. The violence was broadcast live on TV. We went to confront the Democrats, Fass said. There were a lot of personalities. McReynolds became involved in politics as a teenager, first with the youth group of the Prohibition Party, then as a Socialist. He ran for Congress in 1958 and 1968, and president in both 1980 and 2000 as a member of the Socialist Party. A 2004 bid for senator as a Green Party candidate was also unsuccessful. Despite never holding public office, McReynolds stayed close to politics and never stopped organizing, writing and opining. Fass said his friend should be remembered most for his peace-loving beliefs. He was against violence and against war, Fass said. He was very important in organizing against it. Last summer, McReynolds posted a lengthy reflection on the process of aging on Facebook. It is about realizing we those of us in our 80s will be here for a while, and need to treat ourselves with a bit of discipline. We are needed, not to complain but to resist, to use the wisdom we have gained, often at a steep price, to stand for sanity in our world, and for a sense of compassion in our relationships, he wrote. The Pentagon is raining on President Trumps military parade. The costly show of force, which was originally planned for this fall, was put on hold Thursday, with Pentagon officials saying they will look into alternative dates for next year. We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019, the Pentagon said in a statement. A reason for the parade postponement was not immediately known, but the announcement came hours after CNBC reported it could cost taxpayers a stunning $92 million. Advertisement The jaw-dropping cost covered security, transportation of parade assets, aircraft, as well as temporary duty, or TDY, for troops, the official said. President Trump observes the Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14, 2017. (EREZ LICHTFELD/SIPA / EREZ LICHTFELD/SIPA) Tanks, helicopter, fighter jets, transport aircraft and historical military planes were all to be used to show off Americas military might. Troops in period uniforms representing the past, present and future forces were to march in the parade as well, according to the official. Such over-the-top productions are common in authoritarian states such as North Korea and China. Trump raised eyebrows last year when he requested that armed forces march through Washington, D.C. He ordered the Pentagon to put on the military-themed spectacle after he had viewed Frances Bastille Day Parade. In this Jan. 20, 2017, file photo, military units participate in the inaugural parade from the Capitol to the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (Cliff Owen / AP) In the U.S., armed parades have typically only been held to commemorate particular military feats. The last major one was held in 1991, marking the end of the Gulf War. That parade cost around $8 million, more than half of which was covered by private donations. VoteVets, a left-leaning veterans advocacy group, lauded the Pentagon for putting Trumps ego parade on ice and thanked its supporters for protesting. This is because of all the calls, emails, and tweets you have been sending, at our urging, to oppose it. Thank you! the group tweeted. Now, lets end this bad idea, for good, in 2019! CHENGDU, China, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HitGen Ltd today announced a multi-year major drug discovery research collaboration with LG Chem to identify novel small molecule leads for targets of interest. In this collaboration, HitGen will apply its advanced technology platform, based on DNA-encoded library design, synthesis, and screening system, to discover such novel leads. Under the terms of the agreement, HitGen will receive technology access and research support payments, and be eligible for milestone payments for multiple targets. Financial details were not disclosed. We are delighted to enter into this collaboration with LG Chem, a leader of chemical industry in Korea. Combining LG Chems strong R&D capabilities and expanded global network with HitGens innovative drug discovery platform including DNA-Encoded Library, we will work closely with LG Chem scientists to generate novel leads for their innovative research programs to address unmet medical needs, said Dr. Jin Li, Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HitGen. Leveraging new platform technologies that will accelerate LG Chems expertise in bringing in innovative medicines are a key element of our open innovation strategy, said Dr. Jeewoong Son, President of Life Sciences Company at LG Chem. We believe that HitGens screening capabilities with its DNA-encoded library in combination with LG Chems in-house expertise in research will seed-up the discovery of novel therapeutic candidates. About LG Chem LG Chem Life Sciences is a business division within LG Chem, engaged in the development, manufacturing, as well as commercializing pharmaceutical products globally. LG Chem Life Sciences seeks to expand and make global presence by focusing on key core therapeutic areas of Immunology, Oncology, and Metabolic Diseases (specifically, diabetes and related metabolic diseases). To achieve such, its strategy is to actively pursue global collaboration encompassing from asset-centric to strategic investment and collaboration. About HitGen Ltd HitGen is a biotech company with headquarters and main research facilities based in Chengdu, China, and with facilities in the USA. HitGen has established a unique platform for drug discovery research centered around DNA encoded chemical libraries (DELs). HitGens DELs contain more than 150 billion novel, diverse, drug-like small molecule and macrocycle compounds. These compounds are members of DELs synthesized from many hundreds of distinct chemical scaffolds, designed with tractable chemistry, and yielding proven results for identifying small molecule leads against biological targets from known and novel classes. HitGen is working with multiple pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and research institutes to discover and develop the novel therapeutics of the future. For more information, please visit www.hitgen.com or contact Dr. Jin Li, Founder, Chairman & CEO, HitGen Ltd. Tel: +86 28 85197385 (8001) Dr. Jian Li, Vice President, Business Development, HitGen Ltd. Tel: +86 28 85197385 (8800) Two of her children signed on to defend the country, but Imelda Castillo Hernandez still felt unsafe. The Staten Island mother of five became a permanent U.S. resident this week, ending years of worry that the country her children have sworn to protect was going to deport her. Hernandez, the mother of an Army soldier and a Navy sailor, was finally holding her green card on Thursday, two years after she filed her application. I am so happy right now, Hernandez said in Spanish, her eyes starting to water up.. Advertisement Hernandez, 46, left Puebla a region east of Mexico City in 1991 when she was only 18. She embraced her parents, said goodbye and set off to search for a better life in the United States. Though she crossed the border without proper documentation, Hernandez was never detained. She has a clean criminal record and never received an order of removal, her lawyer Cesar Vargas said. Mexico was facing a severe economic depression compounded with the high rates of poverty and crime level, wrote U.S. Army Sgt. Keila Nayeli Manchester, Hernandezs daughter, in a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Her only chance for a life of better quality as well as to raise a family or any life at all was to come to the United States. Immigrants who cross the border illegally can seek residency if they go back to their home country, receive a visa, re-enter legally and apply for a green card. This, however, could jeopardize their possibility to have a successful application. But the process can be truly frightening for undocumented immigrants, who risk getting stuck in a country they havent seen for decades. To avoid that prospect, Manchester had to write a letter to USCIS detailing the risk her mother faced by returning to Mexico. In 2013, USCIS issued a policy update stating that undocumented immigrants who are parents of active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces may petition for residency. If she were to be deported or forced to leave, her absence would force me to leave my active-duty obligations and disrupt my own family, wrote Manchestereila, 25, who is stationed in Hinesville, Ga. I am worried that my own government, rather than a foreign enemy, can separate my beautiful family. We are proud of being a military family. My entire family regards this great nation with highest esteem, Manchester continued. To turn my mother away and leave two more citizens without her guidance would be a great disservice to our country. Hernandez applied for her green card around the time that Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination, worried that he would make good on his campaign vows to take a hard line on immigration. From the moment Trump was elected, Hernandez detected a change even in her Manor Heights, Staten Island, neighborhood. There was some discrimination, but things got worse because of him, Hernandez said. The Staten Island resident was so scared, she didnt even attend her childrens boot camp graduations because she feared being arrested as soon as she stepped onto a military base. It was a painful moment, Manchester eila wrote. Hernandez was even skeptical of getting on a domestic flight to Georgia to visit her daughter. She wouldnt dream of taking an international flight. Hernandezs son Frank, 23, is deployed in Japan with the Navy, and it has been really hard for Hernandez to see him. The U.S. must continue recognizing the service and sacrifice of all military families, regardless of their immigration, said Vargas, the attorney. The Mexican native is now living in Manor Heights with her three younger children Michelle, 20, Melvin, 15, Marvin, 11, and her husband, Artemio Rosales, and is planning to return to Mexico in December.to celebrate her birthday and her new resident status. It will be her first visit to Mexico since she said goodbye at age 18. I can hug my parents for the first time in 26 years, she said. On the same day that hundreds of newspapers published editorials to defend the free press against attacks by President Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate offered unanimous support: the press is not the enemy of the people. On Thursday, the Senate unanimously yes that means Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike passed a resolution affirming that the press is not the enemy of the people while condemning the attacks on the institution of the free press. The resolution cited remarks from Benjamin Franklin, Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Ronald Reagan and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. The United States, including the long-held commitment to and constitutional protection of the free press in the United States, has stood as a shining example of democracy, self-government, and freedom for the world to emulate, the resolution says. The U.S. Senates decision followed a flood of editorials from the opinion sections of more than 350 news outlets who joined a call from the editorial board of The Boston Globe to write in defense of journalists and the vital role journalism plays in democracy. While the majority of editorials shared tone, each editorial was independently written. Heres one example from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association in Port Townsend, Washington. Our free press supports the rights of people expressing every imaginable political viewpoint. Its not fake. It is very real and its time our President recognized and supported this very basic and central concept of our democracy. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board also joined the initiative. Editorial and Opinion Director Matthew T. Hall said it did so because its the right message at the right time. Journalism needs to do more these days to get it right and show how we are getting it right, to acknowledge any criticism and explain how we will restore faith in the work we all do, Hall said in a full explanation of why the editorial board participated. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board wrote this: Distrust is not easy to dismantle. But journalists at The San Diego Union-Tribune and nationwide will keep advocating for a free and fair press. With this president. And the next. And the next. And the next. And all who follow. In response, Trump said in tweets that he supports freedom of the press but that he believes much of what is reported by the news media is fabricated or fake. Throughout his presidency, Trump has criticized major news outlets coverage of his administration by calling it the fake news media. But it is the escalation of his rhetoric to call the news media the enemy of the American people that has alarmed journalists and politicians alike The Senates resolution seems to address his tweets and his use of those phrases. Attacks on the institution of the free press and views efforts to systematically undermine the credibility of the press is an attack on the democratic institutions of the United States, it said. And as for local news outlets across the country rising to the defense of national outlets and all journalists through their Thursday editorials, the editorial board of The Ganesville Sun in Florida wrote this: Covering the White House is certainly different than being a cub reporter at a small paper, but the presidents attacks on the media undermine the work of everyone in the profession. Read the Senates full resolution here. Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin 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. Q2 2018 Q1 2018 Q2 2017 Q2-Q2 In EUR millions HY1 2018 HY1 2017 309.9 316.2 327.5 - 5% Revenues 626.1 669.3 - 6% Results -excluding exceptional items- 180.7 190.2 191.0 - 5% Group operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 370.9 394.1 - 6% 113.8 122.9 122.7 - 7% Group operating profit (EBIT) 236.7 258.1 - 8% 67.2 73.0 73.9 - 9% Net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares 140.2 150.4 - 7% 0.53 0.57 0.58 - 9% Earnings per ordinary share (in EUR) 1.10 1.18 - 7% Results -including exceptional items- 176.9 190.2 188.9 - 6% Group operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 367.1 392.0 - 6% 110.0 122.9 120.6 - 9% Group operating profit (EBIT) 232.9 256.0 - 9% 64.4 73.0 72.3 - 11% Net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares 137.4 148.8 - 8% 0.51 0.57 0.57 - 11% Earnings per ordinary share (in EUR) 1.08 1.17 - 8% Cash flows from operating activities (gross) 341.0 321.0 6% 85% 87% 90% - 5pp Occupancy rate subsidiaries 86% 91% - 5pp 36.0 35.9 35.9 Storage capacity end of period (in million cbm) 36.0 35.9 2.18 1.99 2.20 Senior net debt : EBITDA 2.18 2.20 11.5% 12.3% 11.9% - 0.4pp Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) 11.9% 12.3% - 0.4pp 9.0% 9.5% 9.5% - 0.5pp Cash Flow Return On Gross Assets (CFROGA) 9.2% 9.7% - 0.5pp Highlights for HY1 2018 -excluding exceptional items-: EBITDA of EUR 371 million (HY1 2017: EUR 394 million). Adjusted for adverse currency translation effects of EUR 20 million, the EBITDA was comparable to prior year. Occupancy rate of 86% (HY1 2017: 91%) explained by lower rented capacity mainly at the oil hub terminals caused by a less favorable oil market structure. Other product-market segments showed continued stable demand for storage services. EBIT of EUR 237 million (HY1 2017: EUR 258 million) included EUR 15 million adverse currency translation effects. Net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares of EUR 140 million (HY1 2017: EUR 150 million) resulting in earnings per ordinary share (EPS) of EUR 1.10 (HY1 2017: EUR 1.18). Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) of 11.9% (HY1 2017: 12.3%). Our worldwide storage capacity on a 100% basis was 36.0 million cbm per the end of the first half year of 2018. Our projects currently under development will add 3.2 million cbm of storage capacity to our global network in 2019. Vopak will conduct a strategic review and test the market value of its terminals in Algeciras, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Tallinn. Exceptional items HY1 2018: There were no material exceptional items recognized in the first half year of 2018. Subsequent events: On 20 July, Vopak and Engro Corporation announced the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement in which Vopak will acquire a 29% share in Engro Elengy Terminal Pakistan Ltd. (EETPL). This LNG import facility, located in Port Qasim, consists of an LNG jetty and high pressure gas pipeline. EETPL holds a 15 year Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) time charter (capacity of 151,000 cbm). The acquisition is subject to certain conditions, including customary regulatory and shareholder approvals, and closing is anticipated to take place in Q4 2018. In July 2018, Vopak formalized the agreement regarding a new pension plan in the Netherlands effective per 1 January 2018, including a cash contribution of EUR 18.0 million. The agreement delivers a good outcome to both the participants and Vopak. The new pension plan provides flexibility to the participants and qualifies as a defined contribution plan under IAS 19. Going forward Vopak has the sole obligation to pay a contribution based on a fixed percentage of the pensionable salary. The total exceptional (non-cash) net gain before tax for the year from this event is EUR 19.1 million. Today, Vopak announces that it will expand its chemical terminal in Merak, Indonesia, with 50,000 cbm to 131,000 cbm. Merak is the main chemical import port of Indonesia and Merak has the highest concentration of petrochemical facilities. The expansion is expected to be commissioned in Q1 2020. Today, Vopak announces to invest in its Europoort terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to support 0.5% low sulphur fuel oil bunkering. This investment is supported by customer commitments and will be completed in the second half year of 2019. Vopak will further strengthen its global chemical storage positions. A new jetty will be constructed at Vopak Terminal Linkeroever in Antwerp, Belgium, enabling planned future growth. Furthermore, a major service improvement project will commence at Vopak Terminal Penjuru in Singapore, to service the chemical market in Singapore. Today, Vopak announces that it will conduct a strategic review and test the market value of its terminals in Algeciras, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Tallinn. Looking ahead: The financial performance in 2018 is expected to be influenced by currency exchange movements of primarily the USD and SGD, and the currently less favorable oil market structure, impacting occupancy rates and price levels in the hub locations. Given the current 3.2 million cbm expansion program for 2019 with high commercial coverage, in conjunction with the cost efficiency delivery, Vopak has the potential to significantly improve the 2019 EBITDA, subject to market conditions and currency exchange movements. Our efficiency program to support margin development and reduce Vopak's future cost base with at least EUR 25 million has been delivered and is increased to EUR 40 million. As a result of the efficiency program the cost base for 2019, at current exchange rates, including EUR 15 million additional cost from growth projects, is expected to be below the 2017 reported operating expenses of EUR 676 million. Royal Vopak Chief Executive Officer Eelco Hoekstra comments: Vopak performance and strategy on track; 2018 remains difficult market, but provides opportunities. "Given the market conditions to date, the results delivered are satisfactory. The execution of our strategy towards 2019 is very well on track and we increased our cost savings target for 2019. We have successfully gone live with our new digital terminal management system in Long Beach and Los Angeles marking the start of our global roll out. I see the shift in our portfolio of terminals with construction progressing and new projects being announced. In our oil hub terminals the priority was to invest for the IMO 2020 bunker fuel regulations. Our terminals in Fujairah, Rotterdam, and Singapore will be fully ready to support new market requirements. Today we announce our investment plans for Rotterdam which are supported by customer commitments as of mid 2019. In Saudi Arabia, together with our partners, we commissioned the last part of the industrial terminal Chemtank. The construction of our new industrial terminal in Pengerang is progressing well and first commissioning will take place end of 2018. Our business development efforts in gas terminals have seen excellent progress. We announced the entrance in the growing LNG market in Pakistan, and the signing of two new joint ventures to develop LNG terminals in Germany and China. We have made substantial progress in strengthening our chemical storage position globally. We have announced expansions in Houston and Rotterdam. Today we announce that we will invest in a new jetty in Antwerp, commence a major service improvement project in Penjuru, Singapore, and expand our terminal in Merak, Indonesia. In total, we currently have more than 3 million cbm under construction. We find this the natural moment for a strategic review and test the market value of our terminals in Algeciras, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Tallinn. This review is fully in line with the focus on growing our portfolio with the four strategic terminal types (major hubs, gas & LNG, industrial terminals, distribution in major markets). In the second half of the year, we will maintain our focus on both short-term performance and long-term value creation for all stakeholders and seize opportunities that are being created in today's market. This enables us to continue storing vital products with care." Link to video of CEO and CFO commenting on Vopak's HY1 2018 results The analyst' presentation will be given via an on-demand audio webcast on Vopak's corporate website www.vopak.com, starting at 9:30 am CEST on 17 August 2018. For more information please contact: Vopak Press: Liesbeth Lans - Manager External Communication, Telephone: +31 (0)10 400 2777 | e-mail: global.communication@vopak.com Vopak Analysts and Investors: Laurens de Graaf - Head of Investor Relations, Telephone: +31 (0)10 400 2776 | e-mail: investor.relations@vopak.com Profile Royal Vopak Royal Vopak is the world's leading independent tank storage company. Vopak operates a global network of terminals located at strategic locations along major trade routes. With over 400 years of history and a strong focus on safety and sustainability, Vopak ensures safe, efficient and clean storage and handling of bulk liquid products and gases for our customers. By doing so, Vopak enables the delivery of products that are vital to our economy and daily lives, ranging from oil, chemicals, gases and LNG to biofuels and vegoils. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Including our joint ventures and associates, Vopak employs an international workforce of over 5,700 people. As of 17 August 2018, Vopak operates 66 terminals in 25 countries with a combined storage capacity of 36.0 million cbm, with another 3.3 million cbm under development. This press release contains inside information as meant in clause 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.8% during 2017 2023 to reach USD 5,784.3 Million by 2023. Factors propelling the growth of HFOs market include exceptionally low GWP compared with HFCs and HCFCs, few facility modifications required to transition from HCFCs, EU regulations phasing out HFO from other fluorinated greenhouse gases, and low to mild flammability. The report segments the hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market by Product (HFO-1234ze, HFO-1234yf, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1336mzz, and Others), by Application (Commercial Refrigeration, Domestic Refrigeration, Foam Blowing Agents, Aerosol Propellants, Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems, Precision Solvent Cleaners, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The report studies the global hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market over the forecast period (2017-2023). Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are unsaturated organic compounds comprising of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon. Unlike traditional hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are saturated, HFOs are olefins, otherwise known as alkenes. HFOs are being developed as "fourth generation" refrigerants with extremely low global-warming potential which is 0.1% of HFCs. HFO products have short atmospheric lifetimes and are categorized as having zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and low GWP (Global Warming Potential), providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs. Key Findings of the Global Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) Market On the basis of product, HFO-1234yf was dominating the hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market, in 2016 and is anticipated to dominate the market, throughout the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to its high acceptance in foam blowing and as a refrigerant in mobile air conditioning and industrial refrigeration On the basis of application, foam blowing was holding the largest share of global hydrofluoroolefins market, in 2016 and is expected to remain the largest market, throughout the forecast period. Polyurethane foam produced using HFOs as blowing agent is widely used in automobile and construction sectors in the form of flexible and rigid foams is driving the growth of the HFO market Mobile air-conditioning is expected to be the fastest growing application of hydrofluoroolefins, over the forecast period. The growth in the aforementioned segment is primarily attributed to EPAs Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) program Geographically, North America was holding the largest market share for hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), in 2016 and is anticipated to dominate the market, throughout the forecast period. Growth of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market in this region is attributed to the stringent environmental regulations leading to replacement of HFCs and HCFCs On May 16 th, 2017, Honeywell International Inc. announced the starting of its commercial operations at its new manufacturing plant in Geismar, Louisiana., U.S.A, to meet the growing global demand for HFO-1234yf 2017, Honeywell International Inc. announced the starting of its commercial operations at its new manufacturing plant in Geismar, Louisiana., U.S.A, to meet the growing global demand for HFO-1234yf Key players in hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market are Arkema S.A. Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., DowDuPont, The Chemours Company, Linde Group, Haltermann GmbH, Solvay S.A., Foam Supplies Inc., Lambiotte and Cie S.A/ N.V, Danfoss A/S, among others Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)- Market Insight Hydrofluoroolefins are unsaturated hydrocarbons that are fast replacing HFC and other fluorinated compounds. The environmental regulations are phasing out the use of HFC and HCFC. HFOs with low global warming potential (GWP), low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low volatile organic compound (VOC) is a suitable substitute of HFC and HCFC. One of the main commercial interest of the regulatory bodies in HFO is that it breaks down to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in atmosphere. TFA is flushed out from the atmosphere into the aqueous environment, where it is already present in small quantity, thus making HFO an exception from other fluorinated gasses. The increasing use of HFO in refrigeration, mobile air conditioning and foam are attracting the investors to generate business from HFO market. Moreover, environmental issues have made these industries to transit from HCFC to HFO. The companies are now taking lead in manufacturing HFO grades. Industry pioneers have patented HFO and markets them under a brand for instance Honeywell markets HFO under the name of Solstice and Arkema markets HFO as Forane. On the consumer side HFOs are being blended with hydrocarbons and water in order to reduce the incremental operating cost. Browse full research report with TOC on Global Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) Market Outlook, Trend and Opportunity Analysis, Competitive Insights, Actionable Segmentation & Forecast 2023 at: https://www.energiasmarketresearch.com/global-hydrofluoroolefins-hfos-market-outlook/ To purchase report: sales@energiasmarketresearch.com Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) Market- Regional Insight North America was holding the largest market share of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) market, in 2016 and is anticipated to continue holding the major market share, throughout the forecast period. The introduction and adoption of environmental regulations to control the global warming, such as Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program of EPA is boosting the demand for HFOs in the region. Europe was holding the second largest market share of global HFOs market, in 2016. European countries have already started to phase out HFCs from automobile and other industries for HVAC applications. The European Directive on Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems (MACs) introduced a gradual ban on these gases in passenger cars is boosting the demand for HFOs in the region. Asia-Pacific market for HFOs is expected to grow at a significant rate, during the forecast period. Additionally, Asia-Pacific is a major market for HFOs as blowing agents. The growing automotive industry and increasing construction activities in the emerging economies are expected to foster the market growth of HFOs in the region. About Energias Market Research Pvt. Ltd. - Energias Market Research launched with the objective to provide in-depth market analysis, business research solutions, and consultation that is tailored to our clients specific needs based on our impeccable research methodology. With a wide range of expertise from various industrial sectors and more than 50 industries that include energy, chemical and materials, information communication technology, semiconductor industries, healthcare and daily consumer goods, etc. We strive to provide our clients with a one-stop solution for all research and consulting needs. Our comprehensive industry-specific knowledge enables us in creating high quality global research outputs. This wide-range capability differentiates us from our competitors. Contact: Mr. Alan Andrews Business Development Manager For any queries email us: info@energiasmarketresearch.com To purchase report: sales@energiasmarketresearch.com Call us: +1-716-239-4915 Visit: https://www.energiasmarketresearch.com/ Artist Pop Chalee (1906-1993) was known for her influential and stylized depictions of forest scenes and wildlife, with graceful paintings of deer that bear a resemblance to the lithe young Bambi in Walt Disneys animated classic. Critics have often assumed that Chalee adapted the so-called Bambi style to suit her own work but it could well have been the other way around. Stay up to date on the latest news and the local entertainment scene by subscribing to The New Mexican's email lists. Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/17/2018 -- The global Data Encryption market is a remarkably categorized professional market where there are a predetermined number of merchants. Market manufacturers are competing in terms of estimates, development, refunds, reputation, distribution, and promotion. While the market is still in the development stage, small merchants with innovative solutions may be acquired by market pioneers. Companies Profiled in this Report includes, Thales e-Security (La Defense, France), Gemalto (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Symantec (California, US), Dell (Texas, US), Sophos (Abingdon, UK), McAfee (California, US), Trend Micro (Tokyo, Japan), IBM (New York, US), Microsoft (Washington, US), PKWARE (Wisconsin, US), CipherCloud (California, US), ESET (Bratislava, Slovakia). Get Sample copy of this Report: https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=223829 The report subdivides the global Data Encryption market based on first class ethics and studies each subdivided subdivision in a summarized way. Enlightening the top sector, slow-growing sectors, and resilient sectors is essential for those seeking investment in the global Data Encryption market. Readers can profit from now and keep a strong position on the market later, so you can make wise decisions in point-by-point, including benefits in this market. Get Discount on this Premium Report : https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=223829 Regionally, the Data Encryption market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Among these areas, the Asia Pacific region dominated the market in terms of profitability. The development of construction activities in India, China, Japan, etc., one of the world's largest consumer bases, encouraged the expansion of the market in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the increase in the disposable income of consumers in this region and the increase in vehicle production in the countries mentioned above is convenient for the Asia-Pacific market Get more information: https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=223829 We investigated market competition situation based on market share analysis of major players. Detailed market data on these factors is estimated to help vendors strengthen their market position and make strategic decisions to acquire more effective and large stocks at global Data Encryption market. In this survey, prices and cost analysis of key players' products and services are also being conducted This report examines the world Data Encryption market and analyzes and investigates development situation and estimates in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America. Key players are confronted with major difficulties and limitations of the market, which is expected to be an impediment to the growth of the global market. Table of Contents Global Data Encryption Market Research Report Chapter 1 Data Encryption Market Overview Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers Chapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region Chapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Chapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Chapter 7 Global Market Analysis by Application Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis Chapter 12 Global Data Encryption Market Forecast New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/17/2018 -- The latest report, Liquid Flavor Enhancers market enables stakeholders to gain insights into their potential consumers to construct more effective marketing strategies for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. With an exclusive coverage of the top vendors, the study enables business owners to know more about the local market and locate potential consumers. Now you can download the FREE Sample Copy of Liquid Flavor Enhancers Market Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/16266 Market Segment on the basis of Top Manufacturers - Doehler, PepsiCo, Arizona Beverages (US), Fusion Flavours (Canada), Nestle, Coco-Cola, Kraft, Dyla LLC, Cott Beverages The research further examines and provides data on the market by type, application and geography interspersed with illustrations and other graphical representations. The market analysis not only determines the attractiveness of the industry but also the evolving challenges and opportunities and their association with the weaknesses and strengths of prominent market leaders. Most importantly, the document empowers business owners to seek information about potential consumers and where they can find them. Apart from this, the literature sheds light on how major vendors operating in the Liquid Flavor Enhancers market are making the best use of their marketing campaigns. Order a copy @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/16266 Market Segment on the basis of Product, the report covers: - Fruits and Concentrate based Flavor Enhancers - Synthetic Flavor Enhancers Market Segment on the basis of application, the report covers: - Water Enhancers - Tea and Coffee Enhancers - Beer Enhancers - Dairy Enhancers - Other Beverage Flavor Enhancers Key Topics Covered: - Liquid Flavor Enhancers Market Overview - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Market Competition by Manufacturers - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018) - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018) - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Market Analysis by Application - Global Liquid Flavor Enhancers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis Complete report is available now @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/liquid-flavor-enhancers-market The study segments the complete Liquid Flavor Enhancers market on the basis of different application, end-use, end-user, and production capability. From a business standpoint, the industry has been thoroughly examined across various countries located in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others. The size of the industry for the forecast period 2018 - 2025 is evaluated on the basis of current sales figures and past financial report can be used to forecast the future sales. About MarketExpertz Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges. Contact US: 40 Wall St. 28th floor New York City NY 10005 United States sales@marketexpertz.com +1-800-819-3052 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. (Naturally Splendid or NSE or The Company) (TSX-V:NSP) (OTCQB:NSPDF) (Frankfurt:50N) is pleased to comment on the positive amendment to Health Canada's publication of Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption in relation to the use of hemp under the Industrial Hemp Regulations (flowering heads, leaves and branches). The exemption, published on August 10, 2018, enables companies with the relevant licenses to commence using the whole hemp plant for commercial purposes, which was prohibited under previous regulations. The exemption will remain in place until the scheduled implementation of the Cannabis Act on October 17, 2018, which allows for whole plant utilization from that date onwards. The significance of whole plant utilization in the new regulations will allow for the extraction of CBD (cannabidiol) from hemp, which currently is illegal in Canada. The August 10th amendment to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which will enable Canadian farmers to collect whole plant material from 2018 crops in advance of the official legalization of cannabis on October 17, 2018, is excellent news for the hemp industry. This action is in response to a request made by the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) on behalf of its members and is a clear signal that Health Canada sees hemp in a very different light than marijuana, noted Russ Crawford, a Director of Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. and President of the CHTA. We commend Minister Petitpas-Taylor, Health Canada and the Canadian government on their continued leadership regarding cannabis legislation on the global stage. For Naturally Splendid, a hemp food/ingredient company, this exemption order will allow the Company to work with feedstock suppliers to make use of plant material produced in 2018, once the October 17th legalization comes into effect. As this date passes, it will no longer be illegal to work with whole plant material from industrial hemp plants. This barrier has represented significant lost opportunities for farmers, processors and retailers of hemp and hemp-based products produced and processed in Canada. By allowing early access to hemp in the field in 2018, NSE will gain a full year on research and product development related to cannabinoids and terpenes. For shareholders of Naturally Splendid, this development represents an accelerated timeline on product development and placement in our established retail networks, and provides for a greater potential for a positive impact on sales and revenue opportunities. NSE has developed formulated products which will incorporate ingredients from the hemp plant. We are excited to actually work with these ingredients in the first year of legalization of cannabis and get products to market that much sooner. Our company has been working towards the proposed legalization date of October 17th, but we were unsure as to how we would be able to make any real progress on product development in the coming year without plant material to process. This pre-emptive action by Health Canada is a timely and important recognition of the realities of agriculture, states Bryan Carson, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Innovation and NSE co-founder. Douglas Mason, Chief Executive Officer of Naturally Splendid, commented, This momentous decision allows for whole plant utilization, and permits NSE to execute its strategic plan and begin preparing for Cannabidiol (CBD) harvesting with our recently contracted and long established organic hemp farmer, Fresh Air Farms, on 330 acres of organic agricultural land. This also provides NSE with organic hemp production for the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. The Company has the option to convert some or all the acreage to CBD (cannabidiol) production, which is of high interest with the recently announced exemption. Once NSE receives Dealers License approvals, we will be able to begin extraction and formulation of CBD and other raw cannabis materials to manufacture products enhanced with these value-added compounds, creating new revenue streams and opportunities. NSE has already developed products and established markets to enter this high growth potential market. Fresh Air Farms is an organic farm located in Marcelin, Saskatchewan, Canada with roots that go back to 1911, when the Grenier family first began farming there. Health Canada : Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) - Section 56 Revision : https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursorchemicals/policy-regulations/policy-documents/section-56-class-exemption-industrial-hempregulations.html About Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. Naturally Splendid is a biotechnology and consumer products company that is developing, producing, commercializing, and licensing an entirely new generation of plant-derived, bioactive ingredients, nutrient dense foods, and related products. Naturally Splendid is building an expanding portfolio of patents (issued and pending) and proprietary intellectual property focused on the commercial uses of industrial hemp and marijuana cannabinoid compounds in a broad spectrum of applications. Naturally Splendid currently has four innovative divisions: (1) BIOTECHNOLOGY Focused on three major platforms: Proprietary HempOmega encapsulation Extraction and formulation with Cannabidiol (CBD) Hemp and plant-based proteins (2) CONSUMER PRODUCTS NATERA - brand of retail hemp and superfood products distributed throughout North America, Asia and Europe. The Bar Makers (Prosnack Natural Foods Inc.) makers of (Elevate Me) - lifestyle brand of healthy meal replacement products distributed throughout North America. Chi Hemp Industries Incorporated (CHII) - e-commerce platform for natural and organic hemp products. PawsitiveFX - topical pet care products. NATERACBD - retail hemp-based cannabinoid nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products distributed in Asia. NATERASkincare - brand of retail hemp based cosmeceutical products. (3) NATERA Ingredients - bulk ingredients including HempOmega Naturally Splendid Hemp Processing is a science-based, industrial hemp seed processing business located in Abbotsford, BC. Listed as the only strictly organic hemp seed processor in North America (4) Co-Packaging/Toll-Processing - packaging for house-brands (NATERA and CHII) and third-party partners. For more information e-mail info@naturallysplendid.com or call Investor Relations at 604-673-9573 On Behalf of the Board of Directors Mr. Douglas Mason CEO, Director Contact Information Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. (NSP TSX Venture; NSPDF OTCQB; 50N Frankfurt) #108-19100 Airport Way Pitt Meadows, BC, V3Y 0E2 Office: (604) 465-0548 Fax: (604) 465-1128 E-mail: info@naturallysplendid.com Website: www.naturallysplendid.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Naturally Splendid cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Naturally Splendid's control including, Naturally Splendid's ability to compete with large food and beverage companies; sales of any potential products developed will be profitable; sales of shelled hemp seed will continue at existing rates or increase; the ability to complete the sales of all bulk hemp seed purchase orders; and the risk that any of the potential applications may not receive all required regulatory or legal approval. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Naturally Splendid undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. 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. London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/17/2018 -- According to ResearchForMarkets, the global industry report contains information for historic year 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025. The report analyzes and presents an overview of 'Global Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) Market Insights, Forecast to 2025' is a professional analysis, drivers, constraints, opportunities, threats, challenges, investment opportunities, and recommendations and in-depth research & with a focus on the current state of the global industry. This report researches the worldwide oil country tabular goods (OCTG) market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions. This study categorizes the global oil country tabular goods (OCTG) breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Request Free Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.researchformarkets.com/sample/global-oil-country-tabular-goods-octg-market-149366 The global oil country tabular goods (OCTG) market is highly fragmented and the top key players have used various strategies such as new product launches, sales, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of oil country tabular goods (OCTG) market for global, United States, Europe, China, Japan and Other Regions. This report focuses on the top manufacturers' oil country tabular goods (OCTG) capacity, production, value, and price and market share of oil country tabular goods (OCTG) in global market. The following manufacturers are covered in this report: Vallourec Tenaris TMK Group U. S. Steel Tubular Products Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp JFE TPCO ArcelorMittal Chelyabinsk Pipe Evraz HUSTEEL SANDVIK Energex Tube (JMC) Northwest Pipe SB international Continental Alloys & Services BOHAI STEEL Browse Full Report with TOC @ https://www.researchformarkets.com/reports/global-oil-country-tabular-goods-octg-market-149366 OCTG is a set of equipment used in the drilling and extraction of on-shore and off-shore oil and gas. OCTG consists of drilling pipes, casing pipes, tubing pipes, and other line pipes used in the production and transportation of oil from wells to refineries. Casing pipes are placed at a wellhead to extract oil during the drilling process. Tubing pipes are inserted in the well after the completion of the drilling process and are used to transport oil and gas from wellbore to the surface. The diameter of a wellbore pipe decreases as it reaches the oil beds. Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) comprises of a wide range of steel tubular products that are used in Oil and Gas exploration and production and in particular drilling. They can be Seamless and Welded Pipes (Electric Resistance Welding (EWR) and come in various sizes and length. The process of manufacturing of seamless and welded pipes and tubes is different with the seamless pipes designed to bear much higher stress. OCTG generally includes three categories of products - drill pipe, casing, and tubing. Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) Breakdown Data by Type API Standard OCTG Non-API Standard OCTG Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) Breakdown Data by Application Oil Field Gas Field The study objectives are: To analyze and research the global Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast; To focus on the key Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) manufacturers and study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in next few years. To focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth. Place a Purchase Order for Oil Country Tabular Goods (OCTG) Market@ https://www.researchformarkets.com/buy-now/global-oil-country-tabular-goods-octg-market-149366/one Note: Any special requirements about this report, please let us know and we can provide custom report. Bangkok, Thailand -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/16/2018 -- BestThaiLED.com is pleased to present their latest range of LED lighting options for different types of hotels, restaurants, pubs, bakeries, retail stores, street food corners, shop vendors, events, supermarkets and many more. The LED lighting plays a very important role in highlighting a product, a brand, service or the entity. With attractive lighting, customers are sure to walk-in to that place; and businesses are more likely to get new customers. BestThaiLED.com offers high quality LED lighting solutions at the best prices in the market. Some of their hottest selling items are RGBW color changing LED lines, single color LEDs, Run and Change Auto color LEDs and more. The company also features full range equipment such as RGB controllers to control the colors, LED dimmers, LED sensors, LED amplifiers and many others. Ever since their inception in 2012, the company's main focus has always been to offer innovative lighting solutions to their customers combined with excellent customer service at all times. To browse different types of LED lights visit https://www.bestthailed.com/. About https://www.bestthailed.com/ Best Thai LED Strip Light Co., Ltd., https://www.bestthailed.com/ based at Bangkok, Thailand is a company that offers different types of LED Strip lights, Light rails, LED bulbs, LED lines and other equipment. Media Contact: Sarawut Wongputtha Best Thai LED Strip Light Co., Ltd. Address: 33/7 Nonsi Rd., Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Phone: +662-681-1277 Email: Support-th@bestthailed.com Website: https://www.bestthailed.com/ Dr. Michael McDonald of MITs Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research and co-authors have uncovered a new massive cluster of galaxies hiding in plain sight. In 2012, Dr. McDonald and colleagues discovered the Phoenix cluster, one of the most massive and luminous galaxy clusters in the Universe. The mystery to the astronomers was why this cluster, which was so intensely bright and in a region of the sky that is easily observable, hadnt been found before. We started asking ourselves why we had not found it earlier, because its very extreme in its properties and very bright, Dr. McDonald said. Its because we had preconceived notions of what a cluster should look like. And this didnt conform to that, so we missed it. For the most part, astronomers have assumed that galaxy clusters look fluffy, giving off a very diffuse signal in the X-ray band, unlike brighter, point-like sources, which have been interpreted as extremely active quasars or black holes. The images are either all points, or fluffs, and the fluffs are these giant million-light-year balls of hot gas that we call clusters, and the points are black holes that are accreting gas and glowing as this gas spirals in. This idea that you could have a rapidly accreting black hole at the center of a cluster we didnt think that was something that happened in nature. But the Phoenix discovery proved that galaxy clusters could indeed host immensely active black holes, prompting us to wonder: could there be other nearby galaxy clusters that were simply misidentified? To answer that question, Dr. McDonald and co-authors set up the Clusters Hiding in Plain Sight (CHiPS) survey, which is designed to reevaluate X-ray images taken in the past. We start from archival data of point sources, or objects that were super bright in the sky. We are looking for point sources inside fluffy things, said Taweewat Somboonpanyakul, a graduate student at MIT. For every point source that was previously identified, the astronomers noted their coordinates and then studied them more directly using the Magellan Telescope in Chile. If they observed a higher-than-expected number of galaxies surrounding the point source (a sign that the gas may stem from a cluster of galaxies), they looked at the source again, using NASAs Chandra X-Ray Observatory, to identify an extended, diffuse source around the main point source. The CHiPS teams first discovery is a massive galaxy cluster approximately 2.4 billion light-years away. The cluster is made up of hundreds of individual galaxies and surrounds a powerful quasar called PKS1353-341. The central quasar is intensely bright so bright that for decades astronomers observing it in the night sky have assumed that the quasar was quite alone in its corner of the Universe, shining out as a solitary light source from the center of a single galaxy. In their analysis, the researchers estimate that there are hundreds of individual galaxies in the cluster, which, all told, is about as massive as 690 trillion suns. Our Milky Way Galaxy, for comparison, weighs in at around 400 billion solar masses. They also calculate that the PKS1353-341 quasar is 46 billion times brighter than the Sun. Its extreme luminosity is likely the result of a temporary feeding frenzy: as an immense disk of material swirls around the quasar, big chunks of matter from the disk are falling in and feeding it, causing the black hole to radiate huge amounts of energy out as light. The brightness of the black hole might be related to how much its eating, Dr. McDonald said. This is thousands of times brighter than a typical black hole at the center of a cluster, so its very extreme in its feeding. We have no idea how long this has been going on or will continue to go on. Finding more of these things will help us understand, is this an important process, or just a weird thing that theres only one of in the Universe. The discovery is reported in a paper published in the August 16, 2018 issue of the Astrophysical Journal (arXiv.org preprint). _____ Taweewat Somboonpanyakul et al. 2018. The Clusters Hiding in Plain Sight (CHiPS) Survey: A First Discovery of a Massive Nearby Cluster around PKS 1353341. ApJ 863, 122; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/aace55 OTTAWA, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProntoForms Corporation (TSXV: PFM), the global leader in smart mobile forms for enterprise, today announced that it will report its second quarter 2018 earnings for the period ended June 30, 2018, before market open on August 23rd, 2018. ProntoForms will hold a conference call on August 23rd, 2018 at 8:30am EST hosted by CEO Alvaro Pombo and CFO Dave Croucher. A question and answer session will follow. Date: Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 Time: 8:30 AM Eastern Time Participant Dial-in Numbers: Local Toronto (+1) 416 764 8688 Toll Free (+1) 888 390 0546 Conference ID: 56945157 Recording Playback Numbers: Local Toronto (+1) 416 764 8677 Toll Free (+1) 888 390 0541 Passcode: 945157 Expiry Date: Thursday, August 30th, 2018 11:59 PM A live audio webcast and archive of the conference call will be available by visiting the Companys website at www.prontoforms.com/company/investor-relations. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. About ProntoForms Corporation ProntoForms is a leading provider of smart mobile forms for enterprise. The Company's solution is used to collect and analyze field data with smartphones and tablets either as a standalone solution or as a mobile front-end to corporate systems of record. The Companys 100,000+ subscribers harness the intuitive, secure, and scalable solution to increase productivity, improve quality of service, and mitigate risks. The Company is based in Ottawa, Canada, and trades on the TSXV under the symbol PFM. ProntoForms is the registered trademark of ProntoForms Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ProntoForms Corporation. For additional information, please contact: Alvaro Pombo Chief Executive Officer ProntoForms Corporation 613.599.8288 ext. 1111 apombo@prontoforms.com Babak Pedram Investor Relations Virtus Advisory Group Inc. 416-644-5081 bpedram@virtusadvisory.com Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. For example, statements about the Companys future growth or value, the lead flow the Company may receive from its partnering strategy and anticipated market trends are forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Companys business and value may not grow as anticipated or at all, its partnering strategy may not generate increasing lead flow or maintain current lead flow levels and anticipated market trends may not occur or continue. Historical growth levels and results may not be indicative of future growth levels or results. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. There are a number of risk factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those described herein. Please see Risk Factors Affecting Future Results in the Companys annual management discussion and analysis dated March 16, 2018 found at www.sedar.com for a discussion of such factors. 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. TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starting August 19th, 2018, the public can help support the Ontario Association of Food Banks by making a donation at any of the more than 660 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for the Ontario Association of Food Banks will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until September 15th, 2018, enabling customers to feed the change with their change. The Ontario Association of Food Banks is a province-wide network of 130 direct member food banks and over 1,100 affiliate hunger-relief agencies, inclusive of: breakfast clubs, school meal programs, community food centres, emergency shelters, and community kitchens. By supporting the Ontario Association of Food Banks through the LCBO donation boxes, you will be helping over 499,000 adults, children, and seniors living with hunger access fresh, healthy food and programming. For every $1 donated, the Ontario Association of Food Banks can provide the equivalent of 3 meals to someone in need. On behalf of the Ontario Association of Food Banks and those we serve, we would like to sincerely thank the LCBO and its generous customers for supporting our organization in its work to address hunger in our province, said Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks. Your support will go a long way in helping us to ensure that adults and families living with hunger have access to the nutritious food that they need to not only survive, but thrive in their daily lives. The LCBO is proud to partner with the Ontario Associations of Food Banks an organization dedicated to bringing Ontarians together to end food insecurity in our province, says LCBO Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs Jennifer Bell. Through the generosity of LCBO customers and the support of our staff, we are able to support a variety of causes and make a difference in communities across Ontario. The Ontario Association of Food Banks is one of 27 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBOs province-wide donation box program in 2018. In fiscal 2016 -17, LCBO raised a total of more than $13.3 million for charities through in-store fundraising, special programs and initiatives. In addition, LCBOs annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $2.06 billion in fiscal year 2016-17 ending March 31, 2017, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education. The Ontario Association of Food Banks thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from August 19th September 15th, 2018. Customers can continue to support the Ontario Association of Food Banks at their local LCBO store throughout September and the Thanksgiving period through the purchase of Flat Rock Cellars Good Kharma Chardonnay. The 2016 Good Kharma vintage label, released in LCBO Vintages section on the final day of the campaign with the Ontario Association of Food Banks, September 15, 2018, will once again be sold in support of local food banks. Media Contacts: Amanda King Director, Communications & Research Ontario Association of Food Banks amanda@oafb.ca, 416-656-4100 x2932 LCBO Press Office 416-864-6700 pressoffice@lcbo.com ReCAAP ISC and its Philippines Focal Point, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) co-organised a two-day meeting in Manila to deepen cooperation and to enhance maritime safety and security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas. The meeting brought together key littoral stakeholders including relevant government agencies in the Philippines, the Philippine shipping industry, the Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), as well as members of the diplomatic community in Manila to review the current situation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, take stock of past and current efforts to improve maritime safety and security, and explore ways to further deepen cooperation for the freedom of maritime transport and the safety of seafarers. ReCAAP ISC will continue to support the efforts of PCG as well as other stakeholders through its mission of sharing timely and accurate information, building the capacity of regional authorities to effectively address maritime crimes, and foster cooperation between government agencies and the shipping industry in the shared fight against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. Read More: ReCAAP in specific warning of Abu Sayaaf plans to kidnap seafarers off East Malaysia According to ReCAAP ISCs latest July monthly report, there was no report of actual or attempted incidents involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah in July 2018. The last actual incident reported to the ReCAAP ISC occurred on board Super Shuttle Tug 1 on March 23, 20 17. Due for delivery from 2020, the advanced new vessels will be 238m long, with a beam of 34m and gross tonnage of 64,000 tons. The vessels will be able to transport over 7,800 linear meters of rolling units, equivalent to about 500 trailers. The contract includes an option for three additional vessels, with capacity of 5,800 linear meters of rolling units. The contract scope for the vessels, which are known as the Grimaldi Green 5th Generation, includes supply and integration of large battery systems, shaft generators, frequency converters and energy management systems. Deliveries will start mid-2019 and are expected to be completed within 2022. Read More: Wartsila HY 2 hybrid power module to power newbuilding tug This delivery represents introduction of new technology into this market segment. The contract shows that our concepts for hybrid vessels are expanding into new vessel types and positions KONGSBERG as a leading provider of hybrid technology in the offshore and marine vessel segments, said Stene Frsund, evp global sales & marketing, Kongsberg Maritime. Our hybrid solutions deliver tangible benefits. Vessels will have zero emissions while in port, and reduced overall fuel consumption by utilising our peak shaving technology, while the batteries will be charged at sea by using the shaft generators. We are very pleased that we can supply such a large scope of both in-house and procured technology, said Egil Haugsdal, President, Kongsberg Maritime. The competition is strong and we are delighted to have secured these contracts as they strengthen our market position for hybrid vessels. The project will be executed with resources both in Norway and China. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (EnWave, or the "Company") announced today that it will discontinue its exploratory equipment development project with Sutro Biopharma Inc. (Sutro). EnWave has been working under an equipment construction contract to deploy the Companys Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology to dehydrate a specific cell-free extract since September 2012. EnWave was unable to satisfy certain quantitative bioactivity criteria for the dried cell-free extract; however, the throughput and process time metrics were achieved using REV technology. Due to project time metrics and additional investment required to pursue a solution, both companies decided to put any further development on hold for the foreseeable future. Sutro will independently continue development work to identify a suitable drying process for its cell-free extract. As a result of this project ending, EnWave will record an impairment to its Due from Customers on Contract balance in the amount of $865,000. The impairment charge will be reported in the Companys third quarter financial statements for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018. About EnWave EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. REV technologys commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors including legal cannabis. EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with industry leaders in multiple verticals for the use of REV technology. The company has signed over twenty royalty-bearing licenses to date, opening up nine distinct market sectors for commercialization of new and innovative products. In addition to these licenses, EnWave has formed a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to develop, manufacture, market and sell all-natural cheese snack products in the United States under the Moon Cheese brand. EnWave has introduced REV as the new dehydration standard in the food and biological material sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently has three commercial REV platforms: nutraREV which is used in the food industry to dry food products quickly and at low-cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture and colour; powderREV which is used for the bulk dehydration of food cultures, probiotics and fine biochemicals such as enzymes below the freezing point, and quantaREV which is used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying. An additional platform, freezeREV, is being developed as a new method to stabilize and dehydrate biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines and antibodies. More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net. EnWave Corporation Dr. Tim Durance President & CEO For further information: John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman at +1 (416) 930-0914 E-mail: jbudreski@enwave.net Brent Charleton, CFA , Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development at +1 (778) 378-9616 E-mail: bcharleton@enwave.net Deborah Honig, Corporate Development, Adelaide Capital Markets at + 1 (647) 203-8793 E-mail: dhonig@enwave.net Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Brilliance International has been fined $540,000 after pleading guilty to breaking fair trading law by claiming steel mesh met standards that it actually did not. In the Auckland District Court yesterday, Judge Robert Ronayne sentenced the company on 20 charges brought by the Commerce Commission under the Fair Trading Act. They related to 35 batches of steel mesh, or 56,125 sheets. The safety and durability of New Zealands buildings depend on them being constructed with materials that comply with the relevant standards," commission chair Mark Berry said in a statement. "False and misleading representations about building products are a priority for the Commission because compliance with standards is critical to both public confidence and safety." Auckland-based Brilliance was among a number of companies caught in the regulator's probe into steel mesh, including NZX-listed Steel & Tube Holdings, which has also pleaded guilty but is to be sentenced. Earlier this year, Timber King and NZ Steel Distributor were ordered to pay $401,000 after pleading guilty to seven charges brought by the regulator. Euro Corporation has said it will "vigorously defend" 59 charges it faces. Fletcher Steel received a warning from the Commission. Judge Ronayne said Brilliance's representations undermined the Fair Trading Act and the standard's objective by enabling the firm to enjoy "sales benefits flowing from apparent standard compliance without in fact complying". Still, the judge discounted the fine for Brillance's cooperation and early guilty plea. (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: General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Subsidiary General Finance Update Geo Limited (NZX: GEO) Shareholder Placement Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Completion of Institutional Entitlement Offer and Bookbuild 29th October 2021 Morning Report 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 Higher fuel prices continued to squeeze margins in the second quarter as the prices paid by producers lifted more than the prices they obtained for their goods. Prices paid by producers, the input PPI, rose 1 percent in the three months ended June 30 and 3.7 percent in the year, Statistics New Zealand said. The output producers price index or the prices producers get for their goods and services - rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter for an annual increase of 3.1 percent. Fuel products are both imported and produced domestically in New Zealand. They can be further refined by the manufacturing sector or be sold directly to companies such as petrol stations and exporters. The price is pushed around by the prices of imported crude oil and domestic oil production, and the exchange rate. Oil prices have pushed higher over recent quarters and the New Zealand dollar has fallen sharply, down 7 percent so far this year against the US dollar. "You cannot have a low currency, high oil price and increased wages" without affecting things, said Stuart Ive, senior dealer foreign exchange at OMF in Wellington. In the June 2018 quarter, higher prices for imported crude oil increased the costs paid by the petroleum and coal product manufacturing industry, pushing them up 11.3 percent. The higher cost for buying crude oil was passed on to petroleum products. The petroleum and coal product manufacturing industry received higher prices, up 10.9 percent, for petrol, diesel, other petroleum products such as aviation fuel and fuel oils. Petrol bought by businesses rose 5.5 percent while diesel increased 9.8 percent. Higher costs for fuel flowed to other industries. For example, input prices for the road transport industry rose 2 percent in the June 2018 quarter, mainly due to higher petrol and diesel prices. Within other sectors, input costs for construction rose 1.1 percent in the June quarter and 3.8 percent on the year. Input prices in the sector which is facing capacity constraints have ticked up fairly steadily over the past several years. Quarterly output prices in construction gained 1 percent and were 3.3 percent higher than a year earlier. Output prices for dairy cattle farming increased 0.9 percent while input prices lifted 1.7 percent. On the year, output prices rose 4.2 percent, while input prices climbed 4.4 percent. (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: General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Subsidiary General Finance Update Geo Limited (NZX: GEO) Shareholder Placement Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Completion of Institutional Entitlement Offer and Bookbuild 29th October 2021 Morning Report 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 An independent infrastructure agency the government hopes to have operating late next year may help take the politics out of development decisions, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones says. The new body will provide expert advice, planning and strategy, and help support the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country, Jones said in notes for a speech at the Building Nations symposium in Auckland today. It will be a one-stop shop for investors, linking people to procurement entities and informing them about regulatory and market settings. It will act as a golden thread between the various pieces of work this government is undertaking, he said. Jones said Treasury has been tasked with providing options on the best governance structures for the new entity and he expects to report back to Cabinet on those early next year. But he said he saw value in the independence demonstrated by infrastructure bodies in Australia he visited earlier this year. Thinking bigger than electoral cycles and having an independent voice offering a qualitative opinion on infrastructure to central government genuinely has its merits, his notes said. In some ways, we need to take the politics out of infrastructure but we have to strike a balance between the powers that ministers rightfully acquire when elected, the clout this new agency will need to have to effect tangible change, and the needs of industry. Jones was the fifth minister to speak at the two-day conference where the need to accelerate investment was a key theme. All spoke of the need for new innovative funding models and improved planning across local and central government. Crown investment in infrastructure has surged during the past decade. As well as funding much of the Canterbury rebuild, the government has upped spending on roading and irrigation and partnered with the private sector to roll-out ultra-fast broadband around the country. Finance Minister Grant Robertson reminded delegates today that the coalition government has committed $42 billion of net capital spending during the next five years, $10 billion more than the previous government. The government also already has a national infrastructure unit within Treasury, assisted by private sector members on a National Infrastructure Advisory Board. In 2015 the unit produced an 86-page 30-year infrastructure plan its third since 2011. It specifically highlighted the challenge when much of the nations assets base from schools, to power networks and water systems - were reaching the end of their lives at the same time. Parts of the water system were more than 100 years old and the data of some councils on those assets was poor, the report noted. The average age of school buildings then was 42 years. Some regions were also being squeezed by strong population growth while others may need to spread the cost of asset upgrades across a declining rating base. In his notes, Jones dismissed the 2015 report as a glossy plan with lots of pictures of ports and cranes. Leaving that aside, he said he was sure everyone at the conference understood that there are systemic failings in the way infrastructure is developed in New Zealand. He questioned how immediate, medium-term and long-term projects were prioritised, and he said labour force training and planning was poor. There was little innovation, not enough collaboration with the private sector, and a lack of visibility of the potential pipeline and scale of work available. Our overriding focus is on building new assets rather than the outcomes were trying to achieve and our ability to deliver on them. Robertson told delegates the Crowns annual capital allowance structure encourages an overly short-term view and he has Treasury working on ways to provide multi-year allocations. He said he was also keen to continue marshalling capital from the private sector. He cited the success of Crown Infrastructure Partners the ultra-fast broadband developer repurposed to fund housing infrastructure - and said more special purpose vehicles would be developed. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the funding challenges for the sector were stark, given estimates that upgrading drinking water supply nationally may cost at least $500 million; meeting the national policy statement on freshwater management could require more than $2 billion of spending on waste water systems. She told delegates yesterday that keeping water assets in public ownership is a bottom line for the government, but that that should not prevent services being structured in such a way as to help finance them. (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: General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Subsidiary General Finance Update Geo Limited (NZX: GEO) Shareholder Placement Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Completion of Institutional Entitlement Offer and Bookbuild 29th October 2021 Morning Report 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 Further to the press release of July 5, 2018 giving notice that the Golar LNG Limited 2018 Annual General Meeting will be held on September 26, 2018, a copy of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and associated information including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F can be found on our website at http://www.golarlng.com and in the attachments below. Golar LNG Limited Hamilton, Bermuda August 17, 2018 Distinguished Professor Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. to Lecture at Divinity School Dr. James. A. Forbes, Jr., Union Theological Seminary Henry Emerson Fosdick Distinguished Professor, is on loan to Shaw University to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Forbes along with other distinguished professors and theologians will offer a lecture series through the Shaw University Divinity School entitled Preaching and the Next Great Awakening. The inaugural lecture took place on August 18. Future lectures will take place in the WEB Lewis Lecture Room located on the 3rd floor in Leonard Hall from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. The rich history of Shaw University makes it an ideal partner with Union Theological Seminary to honor Dr. Kings legacy. Dr. Forbes has personal ties to Shaw University as his father, Bishop J.A. Forbes, Sr. and sister, Evangeline, are both graduates of the University. Most notably his brother, Dr. David C. Forbes, an alumnus of Shaw University who along with fellow alumna Ella Baker formed the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960. SNCC became one of the most important organizations of the civil rights movement of Dr. King, organizing sit-ins and freedom rides playing a leading role in the 1963 March on Washington and the Mississippi Freedom Summer. Dr. Forbes, Pastor Emeritus of Riverside Church in New York City, having served as senior pastor for over 18 years, is known as the preacher's preacher for his extensive preaching career and charismatic style. He has earned the Doctor of Ministry degree, Master of Divinity degree and Bachelor of Science degree and has been awarded 13 honorary degrees from leading universities. Having led workshops, retreats, and conferences throughout the country, Forbes has received numerous awards including the prestigious Earle B. Pleasant Clergy of the Year Award, Unitas Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. Shaw University is incredibly honored and grateful to Union Theological Seminary for the loan of Dr. James A. Forbes to the Divinity School and the broader community. SHEPHERDSTOWN After each attendee picked up a free journal and took time to study a few examples of journals before sitting down at a table, Hood College Professor Kathleen Bands passed around colorful folders, pads of sticky notes, pens and markers to each person. The goal of the workshop, which was held at Christ Reformed United Church of Christ as part of its First Tuesday Speaker Series, was to remind attendees of the Joys of Journaling. Journaling is something thats near and dear to my heart, Bands said. Over the years, Ive learned if I dont journal an experience, I forget it. The beautiful thing about journaling, is theres no right or wrong way to do it. Explaining that journals are meant to memorialize practices, thoughts or experiences travel, art, nature, health and fitness, etc. considered valuable by the author, Bands encouraged the group to use the materials she handed out, to write down ideas of journals they would like to keep. According to Bands, people tend to forget special moments, but if they keep a journal to record those experiences, they will be able to remember those moments vividly whenever they look back through their journals. The thing that makes moments memorable are the emotions people feel during the moments, which journal-keepers can re-experience through reading their journals. That emotion, that opportunity to experience something. That is the story of life, and the reason why we journal, Bands said. Without thinking about it, we forget the emotion and meaning of the experience. By journaling, we memorialize those emotions. According to Bands, keeping a journal not only memorializes moments in time, but also encourage mindfulness in everyday life. We are creatures of habit, and if we dont stay in the moment, we lose wonderful memories, Bands said, referring to research indicating people have about 30 seconds to capture an idea, before its forgotten. You need to have a strategy to remember that experience, to be in the moment. If you dont capture it, you forget it, Bands said, mentioning one way people can remember special experiences is by always carrying sticky notes and a writing implement, so thoughts or experiences can be written down before theyre forgotten. Remember you just have to put down enough to capture ideas of what you experienced or thoughtyou dont have to write down full sentences, Bands said. According to Bands, besides memory and mindfulness, journaling has a third purpose it can be used therapeutically, working out negative feelings and emotions by writing about them. My challenge is, figure out one thing you want to journal about, and make it work for you, Bands said. What are you going to do? It can be a beautiful story. SHEPHERDSTOWN Growing with the needs of the community is something Morgan Academy is making a priority for the academys upcoming school year, beginning on Sept. 4. The academy, which has previously taught kindergarten to eighth grade in a one-room-schoolhouse concept, will be opening its school to high school students this year, according to Morgan Academy Founder and Director Bernardine Somers. The Morgan Academy community has been asking me for the past decade if I would ever start a high school. It seems like the community wants a private high school in Jefferson County. This past year, I received so many emails from outside the school community and so many inquiries within the school community, to see if we would start a high school it seemed like a good time to start, Somers said, mentioning only freshmen and sophomores will be accepted this year. Opening our first year, well have learning curves, and need to learn what works and what doesnt work. When youre talking about a junior or senior going to college or vocational school, we feel we would be more equipped to help prepare them for the future after our first year, Somers said. According to Somers, the academy first started looking for a space in the community to hold the high school in March. Morgan Academy Operations Manager Lori Robertson found the perfect spot in Shepherd Universitys Butcher Center. Leasing discussions between Morgan Academy and Shepherd University began in May, and are now finalized. Although high school students will still spend time learning about nature, agriculture and practical life skills at the Morgan Academy property, Somers said students will also enjoy more than one benefit of their academic classes being located on Shepherds campus. Students will have the freedom to regularly use Shepherd amenities, including the Scarborough Library and Wellness Center, and juniors and seniors will be able to take dual enrollment classes at Shepherd. According to Somers, Morgan Academy may consider constructing a high school building on its property in the future, but for now, Somers is excited to see how the relationship between the academy and university will benefit students educational opportunities. Shepherd University has been really fantastic to work with, and were very excited about starting our high school this fall, Somers said, mentioning the high school is still accepting applications, and will accept 15 students this school year. Four core teachers one of whom was a previous Morgan Academy student will teach the students throughout the year, with the assistance of enrichment teachers. For more information, visit learnatmorgan.com/. Taking to Twitter, Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the state will contribute Rs 5 crore for the relief work in Kerala. Lending a helping hand to neighbouring Kerala, the Andhra Pradesh government announced an immediate contribution of Rs. 5 crore for relief work. Have been receiving updates about areas affected badly by floods in Kerala. Taking all measures to help those stranded by floods & contributing Rs 5 Cr for relief work. Help the victims & donate to Kerala's Distress Relief Fund: https://t.co/R2z4vs9tjr@CMOKerala @vijayanpinarayi N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) August 17, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he has been in talks with the Kerala with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," he tweeted on Friday. Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 Currently, helicopters, boats and officials are in place to evacuate those stranded in the rain-affected areas. Reports of fishermen also carrying out the relief operations are circulating on the social media. Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki, Wayanad and Malappuram districts are the most affected areas in the state with most rivers in full spate. Thousands across the state are still stranded with rescue operations in full swing. This comes even as several people have stocked up essentials and are donating to help the state tackle the disaster. Meanwhile actor Siddharth, on Thursday, urged people to do whatever they can to those affected by the floods. Siddharth tweeted a proof of the sum he donated to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund and posted a letter encouraging others to also join him. PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (GLH or the Company) (CSE:GLH) (OTCQB:GLDFF), a cannabis company with cultivation, production and retail operations built around recognized brands, announced that on August 16, 2018, it signed a definitive agreement (the Agreement) to acquire a combined cultivation, production and retail license in Northern California, dubbed a Sweet 16 license. It is one of only 16 licenses of its kind issued by the City of San Jose that allows the holder to operate in a vertically integrated fashion. We are excited to introduce our brands and competencies to the 5th largest economy in the world. This is a natural progression given that we operate in the neighboring states of Oregon and Nevada. As part of an announcement we made August 13, 2018, we launched into the California market with our signing of the definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Tahoe Hydroponics Company, LLC and 11T Corp., which involves the acquisition of a ~28,800 ft2 facility under development in Sacramento, California. Adding production and retail licenses complements our entry into California in a meaningful way. The approval of this single, multi-faceted license is expected to swiftly position us for this market. In anticipation of this development, my team has been working diligently on a wholesale and retail deployment plan, supported by investments in production and supply chain that we expect will generate revenues in a relatively short period of time from the date of closing, said William Simpson, CEO of Golden Leaf. Following closing, Golden Leaf will lease the sellers facility to produce and distribute its branded products to 3rd party dispensaries and other wholesale sales channels in the State of California, as well as retrofit the section of the facility that currently operates as a retail outlet, into another branded, Chalice Farms store. The production facility will support additional Chalice Farms retail locations that may be opened in California in the future, aligning with the Companys go-to-market strategy. Mr. Simpson added, Californias seed-to-sale tracking requirements impact the supply chain of every licensed cannabis operation in the state. The tracking system Metrc being mandated by California is one that Golden Leaf already uses in Oregon and is fully conversant with. While other licensees come up to speed with how to implement this system, we will leverage our existing tried-and-tested standard operating procedures seamlessly. Transaction Summary Under the terms of the Contingent Asset Purchase Agreement, upon closing Golden Leaf will acquire the multi-use Sweet 16 license, as well as certain assets of the seller including cash, inventory, equipment and contractual rights for US$7,146,582, consisting of US$1.25M in cash at closing and US$500,000 of GLH stock based on the VWAP for the 30-days immediately preceding the closing date. The balance of the purchase price of US$5,396,582 is cash earn-out consideration to be paid over time based upon the net wholesale and net retail revenues generated from the Companys San Jose facility. The lease is at market rates and the initial term of the lease agreement is for a period of five years. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary contingencies, including licensing approvals. To be added to the email distribution list please email GLH@kcsa.com with GLH in the subject line. About Golden Leaf Holdings Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. is a Canadian company operating in multiple jurisdictions, including Canada, Oregon, Nevada, and California, with cultivation, production and retail operations built around recognized brands. Golden Leaf distributes its products through its branded Chalice Farms retail dispensaries, as well as through third party dispensaries. Golden Leafs cannabis retail operations and products are designed with the customer in mind, focused on superlative in-store experience and quality products. Visit http://goldenleafholdings.com/ to learn more. Investor Relations: Phil Carlson KCSA Strategic Communications pcarlson@kcsa.com 212-896-1233 Media Contacts: Anne Donohoe / Nick Opich KCSA Strategic Communications adonohoe@kcsa.com / nopich@kcsa.com 212-896-1265 / 212-896-1206 Company: William Simpson Chief Executive Officer Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. 503-201-0659 William@chalicefarms.com Disclaimer: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys future business operation, expectations of gross sales, expectation of revenues within a short time of closing, the opinions or beliefs of management and future business goals. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to general business, economic and competitive uncertainties, regulatory risks including risks related to the expected timing of the Companys participation in the Adult Use market, market risks, risks inherent in manufacturing operations and other risks of the cannabis industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of presenting information about managements current expectations relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purpose. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This Release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration or an exemption from registration. THIS PRESS RELEASE, PROVIDED PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN 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 U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. People across the state are struggling thanks to water logging and flooding following the ceaseless rainfall and many of them have been without food, water and electricity since Wednesday. The death toll in the Kerala floods has increased to 97. 11 people are missing, and almost 165538 people have been shifted to 1155 relief camps. The floods that wrecked 2857 houses, also damaged 3393 hectares of crop. The Centre has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the state. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been asked to mobilise additional manpower, boats and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations. Food packets and drinking water are also being rushed. Indian Coast Guard's rescue&relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood affected Manjumala village. The team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village. Food & dry ration has been distributed among them, rescue operation is underway. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/K42bszAiHT ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Twelve more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - six from Delhi and six from Gandhinagar - are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 18 teams are already deployed in the state. Earlier on Thursday, NDRF teams evacuated 926 persons to safer places at Pathamithitta, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha. Army also built a 35-feet long bridge and rescued around 100 people including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village. My dear #NationalMedia this is #KochiAirport as of now! Do you all have any idea the extend of #KeralaFloods still its not a #NationalCalamity! My #Keralites we have to deal with this on our own! Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/i59XAbufsr August 16, 2018 The Indian Coast Guard has also mobilised 10 teams to assist District Disaster Management Authority in evacuating people from the flood-affected areas. The Coast Guard relief teams have been placed at Pathanamthitta, Munanbam, Aranmula, Idukki, Ferok-Calicut, and Allepey respectively whereas two relief teams each have been dispatched for Aluva and Chengannur. The teams are equipped with Gemini Boats for evacuating the stranded people especially women, children and senior citizens. On Thursday and early on Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister to discuss flood situation in the state. Prime Minister Modi had also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. : 'Thaggu ke Laddu' a sweet shop in Kanpur was often visited by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The owner says, "Whenever BJP leaders in Kanpur used to go to meet him they would get laddoos packed for him. He loved food." Prem Prakash, the founder of news agency ANI, writes, "He loved to eat, particularly, the sea food. I remember during our visit to the Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in 2001, we were served with exotic Vietnamese cuisine at a banquet hosted in his honour, that had a huge variety of sea food. I was sitting at a little distance from Vajpayeeji, who was on a high table with Vietanamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. English Lithuanian Lietuvos Energija, UAB (hereinafter the Company or Lietuvos Energija), legal entity code: 301844044, registered office address: Zveju st. 14, LT-09310 Vilnius. The gross nominal value of the bonds issued by Lietuvos Energija, is EUR 600,000,000, ISIN codes XS1646530565; XS1853999313. For the purpose of implementing the new strategy of the Company and gradually consolidating the electricity and natural gas trading and supply activities, Lietuvos Energija has decided to initiate its daughter natural gas trading and supply companies reorganisation by merging UAB Lietuvos Duju Tiekimas and UAB LITGAS. The shareholder of Lietuvos Energija Finance Ministry of Republic of Lithuania, approved the decision. As has been earlier announced, the consolidation of trading and supply operations of the Lietuvos Energija Group companies will improve the environment for developing and creating higher quality services and solutions and providing such services to customers faster and more efficiently. The Company will inform about its further actions in the manner set forth by laws. More information: Laura Sebekiene, Head of Corporate Communications of Lietuvos Energija +370 633 99940, laura.sebekiene@le.lt . SECURITIES,5,(MNP),2,(TDS)2007-08,1,`,1,01.07.12,23,01.09.2008,1,01.10.2012,2,06.07.2009,3,07.08.2012,1,1 PERCENT EXCISE ITEMS LIST,2,1 sep,1,1% excise,2,10 year nsc,7,10(10C),1,1000 court cases judgements supplied to ITO,7,1000 rupee note,3,11-2008,1,11-2010,1,130 items,1,14.08.2008,1,15 august,2,150 Rs coin,2,15g,14,15h,15,18-12-2009,1,192(1A),5,192A,2,194 I,3,194A,5,194c from 01.10.2009,7,194H,6,194j,14,194LC,3,194N,1,194q,2,1981-2007,2,2% cst,1,2% excise,1,2004,1,2008,1,2008-09 FY,1,2010,2,206AA,14,234A 234B 234C,10,234c interest calculator,11,234E,15,234F,2,23AC,1,23ACA,1,23B,2,24C,3,24q annexure II,5,25 paisa coin,1,271(1)(c),5,271B,2,271H,3,272B,1,27A,1,280,5,280 challan,4,281,4,282,2,283,2,29 AUGUST,2,29.04.2010.,1,29/08/2008,2,29/2008 service tax,2,2g meaning use,1,3 idiots,1,30 MARCH,4,31st March,19,32-2010,1,33 of 2009,1,35(2AA),1,35(2AB),1,3CD,18,3g meaning use,1,40(b),3,43B,4,44 AB EXEMPTED INCOME,1,44AA,1,44AB AGRICULTURE,2,44AB new limit,28,44AB NON 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taxation,1,dow jones,1,download,1,download 89(1) relief calculator,10,download direct tax code 2012,10,download form 16A,7,download fvu,28,download idfc INFRA BONDS FORM,1,draft reply,1,drawback rates,2,dtaa,4,dtc,10,DUE DATE AY 2010-11,2,due date ay 2011-12,3,due date extended,69,due date extended to 31.08.2012.,2,due date for service tax return,36,due date form 16,21,due date form 16a,10,due date June,2,due date march tax,11,due date of return 2008-09,3,due date pf esi,6,due date to deposit tds,15,DUE DATES,16,DUE DATES CALENDAR,8,DUE DATES CALENDER,9,DUE DATES INCOME TAX,23,DUE DATES SERVICE TAX,42,DUE FAMILY PENSION,1,DULICATE PAN,1,DUPLICATE TAN,5,dvat,8,e book Income Tax rules,3,e book on service tax,22,E ERA OF TAXES,1,e filing do and don'ts,7,e filing of audit report,10,e filing processing status,8,e filing software excel free,4,e filing through evc,7,e filing utilities,6,e mode for notice to shareholder,1,e notice to share holder,1,e payment of epf,5,E PAYMENT OF EXCISE 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loan from one bank to other,1,transport allownace,6,transport of goods by rail,5,travel agent tds,1,tribunal,1,trp,1,tuition fees,7,tuition fees children,2,TURNOVER MEANING 44AB,8,two challan in same month,1,uan,12,ubislate,1,UDYAM PORTAL,1,UGC PAY SCALES,1,uid,10,uidai,5,ulip,28,ULIP AFTER BUDGET,4,ulp,2,unclaimed deposits,5,undeliverd refund status,1,undelivered refund status,4,uniform allowance,2,union budget 2010,1,union budget 2011,2,union budget 2012,5,union budget 2012-13,29,unique identity number,5,unique tds certificate number,2,Unique trasaction number,3,unit linked insurance plan,6,UNIVERSAL ACCOUNT NUMBER,3,universal life plans,1,unsecured non convertible debentures,4,up election,3,UP VAT,2,UPI,1,USA,1,use of tally,1,uti pan card,3,UTN,5,V S Vadivel FCA ACS,1,valuation of motor car,5,valuation of perquisites,16,valuation of perquisities,11,valuation of rent free house accommodation,5,valuation of works contract 01.07.2012,11,VALUE ADDED TAX,5,VAT,8,vat 11 digit detail,2,VAT ACT,3,VAT AND SERVICE TAX ON SOFTWARE,2,VAT DEFULTERS,1,VAT FORMS,2,VAT LATEST RULES,3,VAT MEANING,1,VAT NUMBER PUNJAB,1,vat on petrol,3,vat rate 4 to 5 %,1,vat rate changes punjab,3,VAT RATES,2,VAT RULES,1,VAT SCHEDULE,1,VAT TDS ON WORK CONTRACT,4,VAT UP AT A GLANCE,1,VCES,7,verified by Visa,3,VERIFY EXCISE CODE,1,verify pan,2,VERIFY SERVICE TAX CODE,7,VERIFY YOUR SERVICE TAX DEPOSIT,1,video,12,VIEW 26AS,7,VIEW YOUR TAX CREDIT,6,view your taxes online,5,Visa,2,VISHAL-REHEJA,1,vodafone,2,WAGES,3,ward circle,2,wealth tax,8,WEBCAST OF BUDGET 2011 ON COMPUTER,2,weighted scientific research deduction,2,what do u mean by micr,2,what does 10 digits of pan card indicates,1,what does each letter in pan number indicate,1,WHAT IS CHEAPER,1,what is company code 0020,1,WHAT IS DEARER,1,what is micr code,2,what is neft,4,what is PAN,1,WHAT IS STC,3,what is the meaning of rtgs,2,whatsapp,1,WHEAT AND PADDY,1,white paper,1,who can file sahaj.,10,who can sign income tax return,2,who can use itr-2,4,WIFE'S POLICY PREMIUM,2,wifes name,2,WILL,4,window dressing,1,without consideration,1,work contract service tax,16,working capital,1,Workmens Compensation Act,3,WORKS CONTRACT,3,wrong accounting code in service tax,1,wrong assessment year in challan,4,wrong head on challan,2,wrong name error in e filing registration,7,WRONG NAME IN ETDS RETURN,2,wrong pan on challan,2,wrong pan while deposit,1,wrong section on challan,3,www.satyamevjayate.in,1,xbrl,5,XLSX,2,ynitya income tax calculator,22, China sacks regional officials as vaccine scandal mounts Beijing, Aug 17 (AFP) Aug 17, 2018 China's Communist Party has sacked a dozen provincial and local officials and vowed to punish a pharmaceutical firm over a vaccine scandal that inflamed public fears over the safety of domestically produced drugs. The government has been 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 provoked unusually strong outrage online from consumers fed up with recurring product-safety scandals, particularly in the drug sector. The CEO of the company in question, Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology in the northeast province of Jilin, has been arrested along with 14 other people in connection with the scandal. The first political casualties fell on Thursday as a dozen officials were removed from office, including Jilin's deputy governor Jin Yuhui, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Jin was in charge of monitoring the safety of food and pharmaceuticals. The decision to sack him was made at a meeting of the ruling Communist Party's elite seven-member standing committee, led by President Xi Jinping. "Those who break the law and jeopardise public safety, notably in the matter of vaccines and medicines, should be severely punished," Xinhua reported, citing the meeting's conclusions. The standing committee also asked for the resignations of three other officials: The vice chairman of a provincial committee, the mayor of Jilin's capital, Changchun, and the deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation. Another eight provincial and city officials were removed from office by the regional leadership. The former deputy chief of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration will be investigated by the party's anti-graft agency, Xinhua said. Another 35 non-centrally administered officials "will be held accountable", the agency said without elaborating. - 'Reckless pursuit of profits' - China is regularly hit by scandals involving sub-par or toxic food, drugs and other products, despite repeated promises by the government to address the problem. Since the latest case came to light, the authorities have announced a nationwide inspection of laboratories producing vaccines, but many Chinese parents say they no longer have confidence in the medicines administered to their children. China's cabinet, the State Council, held a meeting Thursday on the investigation into the latest case. The company will face a fine and all of its "illegal profits" will be confiscated, the officials Xinhua news agency reported Friday. "In its reckless pursuit of profits, the company committed unlawful acts of grave nature," Xinhua said in its report on the meeting. The case exposed supervision failures by local governments and regulatory agencies, it said. "We must conduct thorough safety checks on vaccine production... and close all loopholes in the vaccine regulatory mechanism," Premier Li Keqiang said at a meeting of China's State Council, according to Xinhua. "Efforts should be made to build public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines made in China," Li said. Page Content The Caribbean region is home to several Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) that face similar development challenges. These include geographic and economic isolation, limited resources, environmental fragility, high costs of transportation and energy as well as vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. English and Dutch speaking Caribbean SIDS members include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago. The SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pathway is an international framework that was developed as the outcome of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), held in September 2014 in Samoa. The overarching theme is "The sustainable development of Small Island developing States through genuine and durable partnerships". The United Nations convened the Caribbean Regional Partnership Dialogue and the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway, from the 6th to the 9th of August. The meetings were held on the Island of San Pedro in Belize. Drs. Loekie Morales of the department of The Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) attended the meeting on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten. Curacao and Aruba also sent representatives, to discuss the way to achieve the objectives and to formulate the outcome document, the San Pedro Declaration. Main Objectives S.A.M.O.A. Pathway meeting The main objectives of the Caribbean Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway are: to assess progress achieved in the implementation of the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway; identify emerging development priorities as well as practical and pragmatic action B oriented strategies or mechanisms. These are geared towards accelerating the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway in the region. Basically, the goal is to identify the development priorities of Caribbean countries, which need to be considered in the formulation of the 2030 Agenda (SDGs), and determine SMART (Inclusive and durable) partners to link with, to reach sustainable development. SDG 16 provides an immense opportunity for all stakeholders to work collaboratively across sectors and thematic areas, forging genuine partnerships for supporting implementation of the SDGs and the SAMOA Pathway. Relevant SAMOA Pathway priority areas include: economic growth, trade, sustainable energy, sustainable transportation, water and sanitation, food security and nutrition, NCDs, social development, gender, climate change, oceans and seas, waste management, biodiversity, sustainable consumption and production and disaster risk reduction. It is therefore imperative to examine what it is that makes a partnership genuine, durable, and most impactful for SIDS. S.A.M.O.A. Pathway Framework The Framework of the SAMOA PATHWAY consists of a member States driven Steering Committee on SIDS Partnerships (currently chaired by Belize and Ireland). Furthermore, the framework entails the organization of an annual action-oriented and results-focused Global Multi stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue, a standardized partnership reporting process of all stakeholders, the organization of regional and national SIDS partnership dialogues with support from the United Nations system and the international community. Next to representatives of said countries, main stakeholders that joined the discussions were Non- Governmental agencies like The University of the West Indies, The Caribbean Development Bank, UN DESA, UNDP, CARICOM, OECS, CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, ECLAC, UN-OHRLLS (united Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States), and PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation) amongst others. Caribbean Concerns and Challenges Dialogues on the relevant Caribbean concerns and potential challenges on development themes took place, including the identification of regional priorities and a list of actions to advance the implementation of those priorities. Most Caribbean SIDS consider an inclusive, equitable and prosperous Caribbean; a Healthy, a Safe and Just Caribbean and a Sustainable and Resilient Caribbean to be the priority areas. Country representatives have addressed where they are with the SAMOA Pathway Actions, where they need to go and how they will get there in the next five years. They have addressed their priority objectives; what the major factors are that have contributed to the achievement of progress towards those objectives and what challenges presently stand in the way. The resource mobilization and engagement with the private sector and civil society were hot topics. Ways to address those challenges were addressed to support the achievement of the regions priorities and needs. The deliberations ended with several main recommendations. Among these are to allow the Private Sector, Academia, NGOs and Civil society sit from the onset on the table to determine the targets to be met. We need a set of norms what the partnership should be (measurable, monitorable, resource based and result focus). Partnerships must be SMART. We need to replicate successful partnerships and weight the partnership. During the last day of the conference, a draft Regional Outcome Document, the Draft San Pedro Declaration was adopted. The latter will be handed over to the UN General Assembly within weeks. In photo: Representatives of the Dutch Caribbean at recent Belize Samoa Pathway meeting: Drs. 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The report, based on global data compiled by AppRivers threat-detection analysis, provides details and examples of the most prolific cybersecurity threats to-date in 2018, including an influx of spear phishing, Business Email Compromise attacks (BEC), conversation hijacking attacks (CHAs), common vulnerabilities & exposure (CVE) exploits, cryptocurrency theft and mining, and weaponizing obscure file extensions. In the first half of 2018, email remained a favorite vector for attackers to gain a foothold into businesses, whether for the purpose of malware infection, data theft or financial fraud. This includes many forms of generalized phishing attacks, such as brand impersonation. Even more concerning is that a good number of these attacks are being launched from trusted sources whose accounts have been compromised. These types of attacks look to disarm email security measures designed to focus on sender validation. These attacks also have great success in subverting well-trained end users who might otherwise be cautious enough to avoid emails from an unknown sender. Spear phishing tactics have been on an upward trend throughout 2018, continuing to net huge sums as BEC attacks and other fraud techniques become more widely adopted by attackers. Common vulnerabilities and exposures have continued to be leveraged in email attacks in 2018, and attackers are continually looking for different file types to deliver their payloads. In the first six months of 2018, AppRiver quarantined more than 1 million BEC attack messages up from 653,000 during the previous 6-month period, an increase of 55 percent. The report also finds Conversation Hijacking Attacks increased 37 percent over the previous six-month period, with 169k quarantined CHA messages up from 123k the prior six-month period. In the annual Global Security Report published earlier this year, AppRiver predicted that CVE exploits will continue to be a top malware vector. This has been true during the second quarter of 2018 with CVE2017-11882 being the most utilized attack by malicious actors. CVE 2017-11882 is typically exploited via Office files saved in Rich Text Font (RTF) format and utilizes the Word Equation Editor. As spoofing detection and sender verifications have improved, attackers have adapted their techniques to find ways around them. In 2018, attacks have become more personalized, customized, and targeted, said Troy Gill, security analyst for AppRiver. The Mid-Year report provides insight into how attackers continue to find ways to monetize activities and pivot quickly to new techniques when previous tactics become obsolete. With absolute certainty, more zero-day exploits are on the horizon. The report provides insights to help IT leaders better protect against attacks. A full, complimentary copy of the Mid-Year Global Security Report is available HERE About AppRiver AppRiver provides cloud-based cybersecurity and productivity services to over 60,000 companies worldwide. Launched in 2002, the company uses advanced proprietary technology and machine learning in combination with expert human analysts to block phishing, spear-phishing, business email compromise, and other forms of malware before they reach customer networks. AppRiver also provides web-based malware protection, email encryption, secure archiving, and email continuity solutions. Recognizing that user email is the largest area of vulnerability, AppRiver established itself among the worlds top providers of Office 365 and Secure Hosted Exchange solutions. All services are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis and are backed by award-winning 24/7 white-glove Phenomenal Care customer service. AppRiver is headquartered in Gulf Breeze, Florida and maintains offices in Georgia, Texas, Canada, Switzerland and Spain. For more information, please visit www.appriver.com. Montreal, Quebec, August 17, 2018 - SEMAFO Inc. (TSX, OMX: SMF) regrets to report that a bus transporting employees from the town of Bobo-Dioulasso to the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso was shot at by armed bandits this morning. In the exchange of fire between the policemen and bandits, one SEMAFO national employee and one sub-contractor employee lost their lives. Operations at the Mana Mine, located 80 kilometers from the incident, are not affected. Early analysis suggests that this incident and the armed incident that occurred in the Est region six days ago are unrelated. However, the Corporation will be increasing its security measures at Mana and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the mine and of its employees. The Corporation would like to express its sincere sympathy to families of the victims. About SEMAFO SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation operates the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, which includes the high-grade satellite deposit of Siou, and is targeting commercial production at the Boungou Mine in the third quarter of 2018. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest. SEMAFO's strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities. For more information, contact SEMAFO John Jentz Vice-President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Email: John.Jentz@semafo.com Ruth Hanna Analyst, Investor Relations Email: Ruth.Hanna@semafo.com Tel. local & overseas: +1 (514) 744 4408 North America Toll-Free: 1 (888) 744 4408 Website: www.semafo.com Attachment Albany, New York, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global UV cured printing inks market is likely to see a surge in demand due to its lesser emission of VOC. The market is for global UV cured printing inks is highly fragmented in nature. The international companies are focusing on in-licensing and partnerships with regional players in order to augment their presence in emerging regions such as Latin America and Asia Pacific. Rise in crude oil prices has took a toll on the raw materials required for developing UV cured printing inks, thus the manufacturers are forming an alliance with raw material suppliers so that they wont face deficit in raw materials which in term can deter the production. Some of the major players in the market are T&K TOKA CO., INX International Ink Co., Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co, HuberGroup, Wikoff Color Corporation, DIC Corporation, Flint Group, nazdar, SICPA HOLDING SA, and others. Request A Sample Of UV Cured Printing Inks Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=41681 According to Transparency Market Research, the global UV cured printing inks market is likely to expand at 9.0% CAGR during the forecast period 2017-2026. The market which was valued at US$1634.5 mn in 2017 is likely to go past that value during the assessed period. On the basis of type of ink, freed radical ink type is prognosticated to hold the leading share in the market due to the surge in demand for excellent print quality accompanied with unique feel of UVcured product which the free radical UV inks offer. Geographically, Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the lead in the market due to the rise in demand of UV cured printing inks in various industrial sector. The Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a whooping CAGR of 9.4% during the assessed period. The region is mainly driven by China, India and Vietnam. View in-depth table of contents for this report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/41681 Rise in Demand from Packaging Sector to Bolster the Demand for The Market UV cure printing inks market is seeing a surge in demand from packaging sector across the world. Rise in use of digital printing these days is helping the market grow at an exponential rate. Digital printing which is helping to transform the packaging industry due to rise in demand for customized packaging, is surging the demand for UV cured printing inks. The need for digital printing on packaging is providing a distinction which has proved to attract lot of customers, is playing a major role in driving the market. Packaging substrate like cartons, labels, and corrugated boxes with customized commercialization on them have known to have a positive impact on the customers. Request For Multiple Chapters on Global UV Cured Printing Inks Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=MC&rep_id=41681 Low Emission of VOC to Drive the Market The rise in demand for UV cured printing inks is majorly driven by the fact that it has low VOC emission. These printing inks are known to have no hazardous air pollutants. The UV cured printing inks uses oligomers, photo initiators, and monomers which are not classified as hazardous. This factor helps environmentally conscious population to rely on UV curved printing inks, thus fueling the growth of the market. Factor such as UV cured printed products which can be recycled into both low graded and high graded by using floatation process accompanied with no need for air pollution control equipment is anticipated to provide a lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=41681 The review of the global UV cured printing inks market is based on a recent market research report by TMR, titled UV Cured Printing Inks Market (Curing Type - Arc Curing, LED Curing; Ink Type - Free Radical, Cationic; Application - Flexographic, Gravure Printing, Offset Printing, Digital Printing, Screen Printing; End use -Publication and Commercial Printing, Packaging)) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast - 2017 2026 The report segments the global UV cured printing inks market into: Global UV cured printing inks Market, by Type Arc Curing LED Curing Global UV cured printing inks Market, by Ink Type Free Radical Cationic Global UV cured printing inks Market, by Application Flexographic Gravure Printing Offset Printing Digital Printing Screen Printing Global UV cured printing inks Market, by End-user Industry Publication & Commercial Printing Packaging Others Browse Popular Research Reports by TMR: Flexible PVC Films Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/flexible-pvc-films-market.html Liquid Packaging Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/liquid-packaging-market.html About Us Transparency 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 Us Mr. Apoorv Tripathi Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement MONTREAL, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Origin Gold Corporation ("Origin or the Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:OIC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of an interest of 50% of a large mineral concession located in the department of Bolivar, Colombia from Mining Solutions S.A.S. The property known as La Pantera (the Property) covers an area of 1,734 hectares in the gold rich San Lucas Range. The concession is characterized by numerous conventional artisanal small scale mining sites. We observed the conventional underground mining operation on high grade gold narrow quartz sulphide veins, in addition to large areas where shallow open pit saprolite mining is being carried. Thickness of the saprolite covering is estimated to be about 10 metres. The best value obtained for the high grade, narrow quartz veins from a limited sampling program performed by the Corporation and the independent consulting geologist was 169.6 g/t Au over 50 to 70 cm in width at Mina Bulla located in the east portion of the Property. Two samples from large zones of saprolite returned 1.0 g/t Au and 0.53 g/t Au. A National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) technical report on the Property, dated July 25th, 2018, was prepared by Pierre ODowd, BSc., independent consulting geologist, and has been filed on Sedar (www.Sedar.com). The author recommends a two-phase surface exploration program totaling US$269,000 consisting of mapping, sampling, geophysical survey and mechanical trenching in order to generate drilling targets. Under the terms of the concession assignment agreement (the Agreement) dated July 14, 2018, Origin has purchased the Property for US$115,000 and the issuance of 1,000,000 of its common shares subject to a four month hold period. The owner will also receive US$8 as royalties for each ounce of gold recognized as Measured and Indicated resource (as defined by NI 43-101) identified by a 6 year exploration program. Upon production, a 2% net smelter is payable on the additional ounces of gold. This transaction is subject to the TSX Venture Exchange approval. Under a non-exclusive finders fee agreement dated May 8, 2018, in connection with the Agreement, Mr. Herman Garcia, an arms length party to the Corporation, will receive a finders fee of 225,000 common shares of Origin subject to a four month hold period and Exchange approval. Las Marias option agreement The Corporation also reports the termination of the Las Marias option agreement dated July 23, 2016. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by Pierre ODowd, BS.c. Geology, an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. About Mining Solutions S.A.S. Mining Solutions is an active player in the Bolivar South region controlling over 40 concessions and permit requests. About Origin Origin is a mineral exploration company with its exploration activities focused in Colombia. The information set forth in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on assumptions exposed to major risks and uncertainties. Although Origin deems the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, the Corporation cannot provide any guarantee as to the materialization of the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements. The Corporation expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. N. Korea leader lambasts 'brigandish' sanctions: KCNA Seoul, Aug 17 (AFP) Aug 17, 2018 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked "hostile forces" over "brigandish" sanctions, state media reported Friday, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticised Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called "hostile forces" for "trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a "new era" of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticising the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Air strikes kill 18 IS fighters in Syria: monitor Beirut, Aug 17 (AFP) Aug 17, 2018 Air strikes on a holdout of the Islamic State group in Syria near the Iraqi border have killed 18 jihadists, including a senior Iraqi commander, a monitor said Friday. Those killed late Thursday in the village of Sousa in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor were mostly foreigners, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based monitor, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, was unable to say if the strikes were carried out by a US-led coalition fighting IS or Iraq. The Iraqi army said it had targeted an IS "operations room" inside Syria late Thursday, killing "a number of IS elements", but did not mention a precise location. It was not immediately clear whether the Iraqi army and the Observatory were referring to the same incident. IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" in land it controlled. But the jihadist group has since lost most of it to various offensives in both countries. In Syria, its presence has been reduced to pockets in Deir Ezzor and parts of the vast Badia desert. Iraq war vet gets life over 2017 US airport rampage Miami, Aug 17 (AFP) Aug 17, 2018 An Iraq war veteran who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting five people during a rampage at a Florida airport last year was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, prosecutors said Esteban Santiago Ruiz, who is now 28, opened fire in a busy terminal at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017, after arriving on a one-way ticket from Alaska. Six people were also wounded in the shooting frenzy. He quickly dropped to the ground and peacefully surrendered to a sheriff's deputy, authorities said. He pleaded guilty in May to five counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing death and six counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious bodily injury. On Friday, federal Judge Beth Bloom sentenced him to five consecutive life terms and six consecutive 20-year prison terms on the lesser charges. "While nothing can ever heal the wounds inflicted by the defendant's unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones," US Attorney Benjamin Greenberg said in a statement. Santiago -- a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard -- served in the Iraq war from April 2010 to February 2011. He was discharged from the military in August 2016. Not long before the shooting, Santiago had gone into an FBI satellite office in Anchorage, saying his mind was being controlled by national intelligence agencies that had forced him to watch videos of the jihadist Islamic State group. The FBI said his "erratic behavior" led agents to contact local police, who took him for a mental health evaluation. US condemns Venezuela 'arbitrary' arrests over alleged attack Washington, Aug 17 (AFP) Aug 17, 2018 The United States on Friday condemned alleged arbitrary detentions and forced confessions by the Venezuelan government in its investigation into the failed August 4 drone "attack" on President Nicolas Maduro. In a statement, department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the US condemns the "political violence" of August 4, which Caracas says was an attempt by the opposition to assassinate Maduro, and urged the Venezuelan leader to respect the rule of law in the probe of the incident. "The Venezuelan government's response to this incident has been to arbitrarily detain some individuals and a failure to follow due process," she said. "In addition, there have been violations of parliamentary immunity, which is protected by Venezuela's Constitution. The United States condemns the alleged use of torture to elicit confessions." Venezuela has arrested 14 people over the attack, including an opposition politician, a general and a colonel. Maduro has said the blasts that day were from explosives-laden drones sent to assassinate him, though opposition figures accuse Maduro of fabricating the incident to step up repression. Nauert said the United States supports calls by the international community for an independent expert commission to investigate the incident. She reiterated the US call "for the immediate release of all those who are arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners." 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. English Norwegian Orkla ASA has on 17 August 2018 bought 270,000 Orkla shares through broker at an average price of NOK 70.5331 per share. Orkla's total holding of treasury shares after this transaction is 17,483,259 shares. Orkla ASA Oslo, 17 August 2018 Ref.: IR & Communications Manager Elise A. Heidenreich Tel.: +47 951 41 147 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. English16/08/2018 WHY ARE BOSNIAKS AFRAID OF REPORT REVISION? If the Bosniak claims and the narrative about the nature of the war in BiH which they have been imposing for decades are true, then how come there is so much fear from the revision of the Srebrenica Report? If all that is true, then there is no reason for fear or panic. By Miro PEJIC SREBRENICA, August 16 /SRNA/ - A decision by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to annul the disputed 2004 Report on Srebrenica and conduct a new research has flared hatred and intolerance in the Sarajevo media. The intention to form an international commission for a professional and objective research and establishment of the truth about all the suffering in the municipality seen there from 1992 until 1995 is fiercely criticised and has triggered a strong reaction from Bosniak politicians and even more so from pro-Muslim media in the Federation of BiH. This extent of intolerance and hatred against President Milorad Dodik and the Serb people has not been recorded since the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Certain media have dubbed all the Serbs Chetniks one cannot live together with so the question imposes itself: Why do the Bosniak government representatives and media advocate a unitary BiH and alleged co-existence if they cannot co-exist with Serbs? Why do Sarajevo politicians express so much hatred and condemn a political decision that aims to check the facts and see if the Srebrenica 2004 Report is truthful? Why is there so much fear from checking, instead of giving support to a confirmation of the possible accuracy of data in the report and arrival of new evidence, and also establishing the truth about the suffering of the Serbs too, on which all political entities in BiH have agreed? If the courts have found that crimes in BiH were committed against all three constituent peoples, then there is no need to challenge the urge to investigate those crimes and punish the perpetrators, there is no need to challenge every attempt to impose collective guilt on any people. Is the reason for that the fact that some members of certain party elites are afraid of facing the justice for what they did in the war? If the Bosniak claims and the narrative about the nature of the war in BiH which they have been imposing for decades are true, then how come there is so much fear from the revision of the Srebrenica Report? If all that is true, then there is no reason for fear or panic. When formed, the expert international commission will confirm the facts if they are true, and will only state the data about the Serb casualties and the way they died in Ratkovici, Brezani, Gniona, Cumavici, Krnjici, Zagon, Sase, etc. In Magasici, Ranca, Jezestica, Podravanje, Fakovici, Bjelovac, Kravica, Skelani, and other Serb villages and hamlets in the area of Srebrenica and neighbouring municipalities from the beginning until the end of the war, the crimes no one has yet answered for. If they advocate reconciliation, co-existence, equality, international respect and democracy in BiH /this is exactly what the media keep pointing out/, and if they advocate establishment of the actual truth about the nature of the war and suffering, why do then the Sarajevo political elite and media not want to find out the truth about the Serb suffering in Srebrenica and Sarajevo? One thus gets an impression that it is their fear from the truth and justice. The fear from revealing lies told for many years, fear from demystifying the narrative about the nature of the BiH war, which was imposed by the Western powers and media. Is it the fear that the Bosniak side will lose its role of a victim in the war, which it jealously nurtures and remunerates, even though everyone who objectively examines the situation knows that it is an imposed stereotype? Another question imposes itself: Do the pro-Muslim media have other goals in the orchestrated attacks and hatred against the institutions of Republika Srpska and the Serb people? Is it the fear from a possible loss of economic and other privileges and benefits the Bosniak side has in certain international circles? In memoirs and interviews, films and testimonies, many actors, commanders of international military forces, high representatives, ambassadors, journalists and film directors, even some authors of Bosniak books have denied the imposed stereotype of the nature of the BiH war, which portrays the Serbs as the only guilty party. However, the Bosniak side is hiding the perpetrators and protecting them from the law with the help of the most influential powers, who for the sake of Islamic capital make relative the truth about the Serb suffering and tolerate the obstruction of the prosecution of crimes against Serbs. /end/ds This is the 3rd Show and Sale to be held by the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society and their very first AGM, offering a unique opportunity to be part of the new popularity this rare breed has enjoyed. Having established as a Society in 2015, by Jenni McAllister, Raymond Irvine and Jamie Wood, the breed has gone from strength to strength, and this years Show will see 191 entries on display, almost double the previous two years. This includes three daughters from last years Overall Champion, Highland Breeze, from Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister. Commenting on the upcoming Show and Sale, Jenni McAllister, Joint President of the UK Valais Blacknose Society, said: There is now a strong presence of Valais Blacknose Sheep here in the UK, from Stornoway to the South of England, and our Show and Sale is a chance to showcase why this breed, which originated from Switzerland, is particularly suited to UK conditions. We hope to attract farmers, smallholders, and general fans of the breed to our Show and Sale and look forward to presenting the breed to a new audience, as well as our current members and supporters. I want to encourage anyone with an interest in sheep to come along and see what this breed can offer. Travelling from Oberwalliser Schwarznasen Schafzuchtverband, Valais, in Switzerland, judges Josef Eyer and Stefan Schnidrig, will be carrying out grading of all entered sheep using the adopted points system from Valais, which is designed to ensure that the high standards of the breed are maintained in Britain. There will also be a rare opportunity to purchase one of these highly sought-after animals, with 32 ewes and 41 rams being offered for sale. The Society hopes to repeat the success of last years sale, which saw high prices achieved for all ages with some outstanding results for the most in demand animals. The Male Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion in 2017, March born ram lamb Westmorland Edward, owned by Tim Dunne, was sold for 7100gns to Lisa Morgan from Monmouthshire. Next best price was 4500gns for the in-lamb gimmer Prendwick Dancer from Jamie Woods Alnwick based flock and this gimmer was also purchased again by Lisa Morgan. J and J Simonini's April 2016 born ram Highland Duke went to Richard Beattie from Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland for 4200gns. Jamie Wood sold the ewe lamb Prendwick Dandelion for the next best price of 3800gns, purchased by Lisa Morgan who also bought Tim Dunnes ewe lamb Westmorland Elsie for 3600gns. This year looks set to be the biggest Show and Sale yet, attracting not only UK interest, but a global focus on these incredible animals. We have Judges from Switzerland and sponsors from all over the world, illustrating the strong and unique appeal of this rare breed of sheep, adds Jenni. Giving Background to his Blacknose Valais Flock is John McKenzie, who runs the community-owned GlenWyvis Distillery, in Dingwall, just north of Inverness. He has owned Valais sheep for two years. Commenting on his flock, John says: Our Pedigree Valais Blacknoses are a very important part of the landscape at GlenWyvis Distillery. We have two tups, five ewes and two wethers called Malt & Barley! We wanted a breed that was easy to look after and friendly, and the Valais have not disappointed. They also look great alongside the Belted Galloway herd, the Highland cattle and our alpacas! As a new distillery, we're working hard to create a memorable visitor experience - and we believe our farm animals will have an engaging role to play in that - especially the Valais - as they are always a big attraction due to their distinct characteristics and friendly temperament. Of course, the sheep and cattle also provide the distillery, which produces whisky and craft gin with a sustainable use for the draff waste, which is fed to the farm animals. I am very much looking forward to the Show and Sale in Carlisle in August, and hope we see new people taking interest in the breed. As a sponsor, I will be watching with interest to see the quality of animals on display. Due to the success we have had with the Valais breed, I plan to expand our flock and look forward to showcasing the breed to our growing number of visitors to our farm in Scotland, concludes John. SEATTLE, Wash., Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zegrahm Expeditions, the world leader in small-ship cruising and wildlife adventures, has announced a new small-ship expedition cruise delving into the culture and natural history found along the worlds largest bay the Bay of Bengal. This cruise departs January 20, 2019, and spends 17 days exploring regions rarely visited by outsiders aboard the 120-guest Silver Discoverer. Were delighted to help modern-day explorers dive deeper into the culture and natural history of this mesmerizing region, said Zegrahm President Van Perry. Because many of these places are so far from standard travel routes, its nearly impossible to replicate this journey alone. These remote destinations, combined with a unique blend of activities and Zegrahms exceptional expedition team, will offer guests truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences and leave them with a better understanding of this diverse region. This sweeping coastal exploration of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar led by Zegrahm cofounder Mike Messick includes visits to sacred temples, colorful cities, biologically diverse wildlife sanctuaries and tiny fishing villages. Guests embark the luxurious Silver Discoverer in Chennai, the cultural capital of India, stop at unique points of interest along the way, including the remote and rarely-visited Sundarbans one of the natural wonders of the worldand conclude the expedition in the vibrant city of Yangon. Wildlife and nature enthusiasts joining this expedition cruise will enjoy exploring Indias Mangalajodi Nature Reserve, home to over 150 species of migratory birds, as well 40 resident species. Perhaps the highlight will be cruising the tributaries of Bangladesh's Sunderbans Reserve via Zodiac to search for river dolphins, monkeys, estuarine crocodiles, water monitors, and the elusive Bengal tiger as well as meet locals rarely visited by westerners. Pricing for the Bay of Bengal expedition cruise starts at $14,980 and includes all accommodations; all excursions; all onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer and wine with lunch and dinner; all entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges; arrival and departure transfers; gift certificates for recommended expedition gear; and medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance. For more information about Zegrahms Bay of Bengal: Chennai to Yangon expedition, visit www.zegrahm.com or call 1-800-628-8747. # # # ABOUT ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS Celebrating nearly 30 years in expedition travel, Seattle-based Zegrahm Expeditions Inc. is a leading adventure travel company specializing in small-ship expedition cruises, tours, and safaris to remote and intriguing destinations around the world. Led by expert guides and lecturers, Zegrahm itineraries are carefully crafted and all-inclusive, feature deluxe accommodations, and operate in all seven continents. Attachments Alexandria, Va., Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through its community grants program, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is proud to support 12 projects focused on increasing cancer prevention and early detection in communities across the U.S., from Los Angeles to Midlothian, Virginia. The projects were selected through a competitive grants process, and each program will receive a one-year, $25,000 grant. The projects focus on a diversity of education and screening goals for breast, liver, lung, colorectal and cervical cancers, as well as HPV vaccination and hepatitis testing to prevent cancers linked to these viruses. These projects will have a direct impact on underserved populations in both urban and rural locations, many of whom lack access to cancer prevention and early detection services. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in community grants, in 31 states, as well as in American Samoa and to the Washoe Tribe. These are the Foundations 2018 community grant recipients: Asian Health Coalition in Chicago, Illinois, will develop a collaborative resource guide for their existing web portal to link uninsured patients who had positive fecal tests for colorectal cancer with donated colonoscopy appointments. The project will utilize the new toolkit and website to expedite necessary follow-up screening. Together with related training materials for community health center and hospital staff, the Coalition expects this project to increase rates of early detection of colorectal cancer and reduce health disparities. Hepatitis B Foundation aims to reduce rates of liver cancer in African immigrant and refugee communities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by offering 150 free hepatitis B and C screenings. Those who test positive will be offered navigation services to link them to necessary medical care and treatment. Culturally competent, language-appropriate education will be a key component in their effort to improve awareness of the link between hepatitis B and C and liver cancer. Hitting Cancer Below The Belt in Midlothian, Virginia, will offer inexpensive in-home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) to medically underserved populations. The program plans to provide FIT tests to 1,000 individuals and offer in-person education to 5,000 individuals. Those who have positive FIT tests will receive financial support to cover additional screening costs. The project plans to reach nearly 200,000 households through a #cancerhatesthat television media campaign focused on colorectal cancer. Iowa Harm Reduction Coalitions project will provide hepatitis C testing and prevention education to 400 people with histories of injection drug use in rural and semi-rural communities in Iowa. Those who screen positive will be navigated to necessary follow-up health care. The project aims to reduce rates of hepatitis C transmission and prevent liver cancer. McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation will provide lung cancer screenings for 400 patients and education about lung cancer prevention for 1,350 community members across 22 rural counties of Michigan. The program expects a 33 percent increase in lung cancer screenings for high-risk patients and a 50 percent enrollment increase in smoking cessation programs. Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc. will utilize bilingual community health workers to increase screening rates for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers among residents in rural northwest Michigan. Screening services and follow-up care are provided at health centers and partner organizations. The program aims to provide 100 cervical cancer screenings, 50 breast cancer screenings and 100 colorectal cancer screenings, along with 200 HPV vaccinations. OhioHealth Foundation will focus on providing HPV vaccinations to 100 high-risk women under the age of 26 in central Ohio, including victims of sex trafficking. One-on-one patient education and group education classes will also be provided. A mobile health clinic will bring health care services to target neighborhoods to increase access to HPV vaccines. In addition, the film Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic will be shown in various central Ohio locations to raise awareness of the link between HPV and cancer. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will provide cervical cancer screening and prevention services to low-income, uninsured and undocumented Latina women in 21 health centers in Milwaukee, as well as in southeast and central Wisconsin. The health centers will provide about 6,500 Pap tests, 2,900 HPV tests, 120 HPV vaccines, 450 colposcopies and 100 referrals for women needing follow-up diagnoses or treatment. Spectrum Health Foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plans to increase access to breast care services in West Michigan for African-American, Hispanic and rural residents who are uninsured or under insured and do not qualify for the state breast and cervical program. The project will use grant funds to provide an estimated 48 mammograms and 100 tomosyntheses (3D breast cancer screenings) and at least 20 outreach events. Participants will be provided with comprehensive follow-up services and culturally competent education. St. Vincent Foundations Liver Cancer Prevention project in Los Angeles, California, will expand their existing program, which provides chronic hepatitis B education, screening, consultation and prevention services to an underserved Asian-American population. Two to four times a month, language-appropriate outreach events will be conducted. Those who screen positive for chronic hepatitis B will receive liver cancer screening, as well as support through phone consultations and educational sessions. Liver cancer education brochures will be provided to 3,000 at-risk community members. The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque will expand their Breast Health Platicas project to offer breast health education classes to at least 300 Hispanic women/Latinas in three additional counties. Working with 38 community partners, the project aims to provide education and navigation services to reduce barriers to screening and conduct follow-up with participants. The project aims to increase breast cancer knowledge by 80 percent among participants. University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles aims to provide lung cancer education and screening and smoking cessation services to the surrounding Korean American community. Working with community partners, the project will provide tailored education to 300 people and lung cancer screening at no cost to 100 at-risk eligible individuals. Participants will receive comprehensive navigation services for any necessary follow-up care and treatment. About The Prevent Cancer Foundation The Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nations leading voluntary health organizations and the only U.S. nonprofit organization focused solely on cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, it has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence and fulfills its mission through research, education, outreach and advocacy. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org. ### Attachment 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. Since August 2016 Turkish troops have been fighting in northern Syria in an effort to gain control of the Syrian side of the border. The main object here is to clear the Syrian side of the border of armed groups that fire into Turkey and assist in smuggling operations. By mid-2018 the Turks had taken control of about 3,800 square kilometers of northern Syria, mostly in Aleppo province (north of the city of Aleppo). Originally the Turks were intent on chasing ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) factions from the border. By 2017 all the ISIL forces were gone from the border, largely due to the efforts of American backed Kurdish forces (the SDF). The westernmost border province, Idlib, is largely controlled by Syrian rebel forces. But the Turks have established fortified outposts on the Syrian side of the border with Idlib and the Turkish side of the Idlib border occupied by Turkish border guards, soldiers and police and heavily patrolled. Most of the Turkish forces in the Turkish controlled part of Syria are not Turkish but various factions of the FSA (Free Syrian Army). Turkey is trying, with mixed success, to turn FSA into a reliable paramilitary force that is loyal to Turkey Nominal strength of this FSA forces is about 10,000 Arab and Turkoman Syrians. The Turks only have a few thousand of their own troops and police in Syria and are trying to gain more control over the FSA, which consists of dozens of factions that vary a great deal in their reliability and combat capability. Nevertheless, the FSA, provided with uniforms, weapons, advisors and support (pay, benefits and medical care), have fought well and about 85 percent of the Turkish casualties in the Turkish controlled area have been suffered by the FSA forces. Turkey does not want to get involved in large-scale military operations in Syria and is especially keen to keep Turkish casualties down. So far about 125 Turkish troops have died in Syria, in addition to over 700 FSA fighters. Turkey has tried to control the FSA via the payroll, as the Turks offer regular pay for FSA men working with the Turkish army. The problem is the corruption in the FSA leadership. This has always been a problem and the main reason why the United States stopped supporting the smaller FSA force operating in southern Syria (with support from bases in Jordan). Not only did U.S. backed FSA leaders steal some of the money provided for pay and other support, but the FSA fighters would frequently sell weapons and equipment to black market dealers and claim it as lost in action. But more and more of these lost in action: weapons showed up in use by Islamic terrorist groups and that made it difficult for the Americans to justify support of the FSA. The Turks have exercised tighter control but even with that, it was difficult to keep track of who was who in the FSA units on the Turkish payroll. Eventually, if the Turks do establish a border security zone on the Syrian side they plan to put all FSA members through two months of training, conducted by the Turks and subject these new FSA units to more scrutiny. In March 2018 Turkey announced it would offer Turkish citizenship to the families of FSA rebels killed while supporting Turkish operations in Syria. Families also receive a free apartment and a $12,000 payment plus reduced monthly payment to take care of widows and orphans or, for unmarried men, his parents. FSA rebels who are disabled in combat now have the option to become a Turkish citizen. The disabled also receive a $3,800 payment and a monthly pension. FSA fighters already receive pay and other support from Turkey as well as medical treatment in Turkish medical hospitals. Most of the Turkish forces fighting in Syria are and will continue to be FSA and most of these have families living as refugees in Turkey. The Turks cant take direct control of the FSA units because what holds these many FSA factions together are the men who organized and lead them. There has always been a degree of mistrust and antagonism between Arabs and Turks and that is still a problem for the Turks. In fact, theres an old Turkish saying, going back centuries, that translates as Dont involve yourself with the affairs of the Arabs. In Syria, the Turkish officers and troops are constantly reminded why that old saying is still valid. China and India have both decided to expand their navies by building their own aircraft carriers. Both nations began by refurbishing Russian carriers before designing and building their own. China was able to refurbish the former Russian carrier it purchased and learned a lot while turning an unfinished Kuznetsov class carrier, the Varyag, into the Type 001 carrier Liaoning (CV-16). India did not have the resources to do the refurbishing so they hired Russian firms to do the job. That was a disaster. The 45,000 ton Vikramaditya was originally a Russian Kiev class carrier that served in the Russian Navy from 1987 to 1995 but was then withdrawn from service because Russia could not afford to keep the carrier operational. The ship was put up for sale in 1996 and in 2005. India agreed to buy it if a few changes could be made. India ended up paying over $2.3 billion to refurbish the Kiev class ship and turn it into the Vikramaditya, which entered service in 2014. Indias attempt to build an aircraft carrier is, as expected, over budget and way behind schedule. This effort, the INS Vikrant, began construction in 2009 and the plan was for it to be launched in 2010, fitting out was to be completed by 2013 followed by sea trials and entering service in 2014. Things began to go wrong early on. By 2011 there were several major problems with Indian suppliers that had delayed completion until 2017. A growing list of technical problems encountered by Indian suppliers of key equipment led to more delays and by 2016 an audit of the project concluded that it was unlikely that Vikrant would enter service in 2020 and that 2023 was more likely, but not guaranteed. The 40,000 ton Vikrant has a ski-jump deck, like the refurbished Russian carrier INS Vikramaditya and is designed to carry 29 jet fighters and ten helicopters. A second Indian carrier is in the planning stages and will be based on Vikrant but larger (65,000 tons) and use a catapult instead of a ski jump for takeoffs. That enables aircraft to take off carrying more weight and some kinds of aircraft (like radar early warning types) to be used. The Indian Navy wants to see how the Vikrant works out before committing to the final design for Vikrant 2.0; the 65.000 ton INS Vishal. Faced with the dismal performance of the Vikrant construction effort it is unlikely that Vishal will be in service until the 2030s. Vikrant is now nine years behind schedule and there is still ample opportunity for more self-inflicted problems and delays. Chinas second aircraft carrier (CV-17 Shandong) was launched in April 2017. That was 25 months after construction began. This Type 001A carrier turned out to be (based on photographic comparisons and information officially released by the government and unofficially by many who live or work in or near the shipyard) 315 meters (1,033 feet) three percent longer that CV-16 and displaces 72,000 tons (11 percent more than CV-16). Obvious differences are a slightly (about 10 percent) smaller control tower and about ten percent more flight deck area. China admitted the CV-17 existed in 2016 and called it a Type 001A ship rather than Type 001 because it is slightly different from its predecessor. The 2016 announcement revealed more details, some of them already obvious. CV-17 is considered a new design but based on CV-16 (Liaoning). That first carrier was a 65,000 ton, 305 meter (999 feet) long ship that was itself a modified version of the last Cold War Russian carrier design. In 2016 China confirmed that CV-17 would also have the ski jump deck like Liaoning and would be somewhat heavier and incorporate new design features that would enable it to carry more aircraft (mainly the J-15) in a larger hanger deck (just below the flight deck) as well as more fuel and aircraft weapons. Since then photos of CV-17 under construction indicate that it also incorporates design features that will make it more capable of surviving combat damage as well as operating more efficiently and effectively as a carrier. In addition to the Chinese built J-15 fighter, the new carrier will also have some early-warning radar aircraft as well as some anti-submarine aircraft as well as some helicopters. CV-17 could apparently operate about 20 percent more aircraft than CV-16 (50 fixed wing and helicopters versus about 40). China has not revealed how many carriers they plan to eventually build. But based on what is being said in Chinese media and around the shipyard the performance of CV-17 will play a large role in that decision. CV-17 is expected to undergo one or two years of sea trials before entering service by 2020. But the plan is apparently to build two more similar carriers (CV-18 and 19) which will lose the ski jump deck and instead adopt a catapult. These two will be a bit larger than CV-17 and the first one is already under construction as a Type 002 ship and is expected to be in the water by 2020 and in service by 2024. One thing that might delay the Type 002 is the decision on which catapult system (steam or electric) to use. The U.S. Navy has had problems getting its EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch system) to work effectively and the Chinese may be waiting to see how that works out before making their decision. The Type 002 will have a steam propulsion system but one that will produce a lot more electricity (for laser weapons and catapult). After the two catapult equipped carriers are evaluated it is believed that two nuclear-powered carriers are planned (CVN-20 and 21). These will be similar to the American Nimitz class CVNs and the first one could be in service before the smaller Indian INS Vishal. In 2014, when it entered service, the 45,000 ton the Vikramaditya became the largest ship in the Indian Navy and the largest the navy has ever handled. That will apparently remain the case for longer than planned while the Chinese already have two large one 65.000 ton and one 72,000 ton carriers and are ready move on to the larger nuclear-powered carrier design that the Americans pioneered in the 1960s. The Chinese navy is rapidly expanding with new Chinese warship designs built in Chinese shipyards and the construction is completed on time. That is the primary Chinese advantage, one that naval rival India is unable to compete with. In the last week the Taliban lost over 300 men in Ghazni province during a futile attempt to seize the provincial capital. Security forces, armed locals and American air support disrupted and defeated the large-scale effort against the city and several rural areas nearby. Ghazni is near the Pakistani border and contains some major heroin smuggling routes into Pakistan. These routes are kept open by the Taliban. The recent attacks, which included using civilians as human shields inside the city and destroying nearly a thousand small businesses, was basically an intimidation attack. It was very costly as it exposed many of the attackers to airstrikes and thats how most of the Taliban gunmen were lost. There were financial costs as the Taliban usually pay next of kin when one of their members is killed in action. Without that payment recruiting would be a lot more difficult. Major losses in a single operation dont help either, because they include some mid-level combat leaders who are career Taliban and difficult to replace. Not surprisingly many foreigners (Pakistani, Central Asian and Chechen) were found among the Taliban dead. Since the 1990s the Pakistani ISI (military intel) has sent reinforcements recruited in Pakistan to the Afghan Taliban. Ghazni has long been fought over, because of the heroin smuggling routes. Normally the drug gangs find it cheaper and more reliable to use bribes but because of the growing number of addicts inside Afghanistan the bribes sometimes dont work and the national government often sends down commandos and NDS (Afghan intel) agents to carry out specific tasks which tend to be bribe-proof. Massive intimidation attacks like this often fail, mainly because of the popular anger towards the drug gangs that keep supplying the local addicts. The fact that the Afghan Taliban has always been supported by Pakistan is another incentive to fight back. Opposing Pakistani meddling in Afghan affairs is a popular issue among most Afghans. One reason Western troops are tolerated in Afghanistan, which has, for thousands of years been hostile to foreigners, is because the Westerners and Afghans are both eager to shut down the drug trade and keep the Pakistanis out. Pakistan sees battles like this as a success because over 400 Afghans (including security personnel and civilians) were killed and there was a degree of intimidation achieved. Operations like this cost Pakistan little as the Afghan drug gangs supply the cash required. They have no choice because the ISI can deny easy access to Pakistan for needed supplies (chemicals for converting opium into heroin) and secure smuggling routes through Pakistan to the port city of Karachi. The Taliban dont want or need, to control most of the country to stay in business (as hired guns for the drug gangs). The Taliban get the job done by controlling about 12 percent of the population (and 19 percent of the territory) in areas essential to the production of heroin. This includes supply and smuggling routes. The Taliban have been trying to expand the area they control but have been stalled for the last two years. The main reason for that is the greater use of airstrikes by American and Afghan warplanes and changes to the ROE (Rules of Engagement). In 2017 American commanders were again allowed to determine the ROE for U.S. troops overseas, especially in places like Syria and Afghanistan. For example in Afghanistan U.S. troops can now fire on the Taliban even when the Taliban are not firing on them and at long distance. Afghan civilians, the most frequent victims of Taliban violence, complained when the U.S. gradually changed its ROE after 2008 to make it impossible for Americans to fire on the Taliban when Afghan civilians were nearby. When asked Afghan civilians pointed out that was when they most needed the Americans to open fire. As the Afghan air force carries out more airstrikes (about a dozen a day by mid-2018) the Afghan ROE has reduced the enemy use of human shields. The Afghan ROE ignores human shields and puts the priority on killing Taliban or ISIL fighters. This made human shields in general much less effective, even though most of the air strikes are carried out by foreign (usually American) warplanes. So far in 2018 American aircraft are carrying out airstrikes at the highest rate ever (about sixteen bombs or missiles used a day) and a third higher than the previous peak year (2011). The greater availability of air strikes encourages Afghan security forces to be more aggressive. Tale Of Two Talibans Among the many achievements of the Pakistani government over the years one of the most visible is the Taliban movement. Actually, there are two Taliban movements, both of them staffed largely by Pushtun tribesmen (long dominant in southern Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan). Both Taliban movements were founded in Pakistan, one by the military and the other because of the military. The original Taliban was created by the Pakistani military in the mid-1990s (by recruiting Afghan Pushtun refugees) and sending them back home to win, or come close to winning, the civil war that had been underway since the Russians left in 1989. This Afghan Taliban still work for the Pakistani military but by 2007 that inspired the formation of a Pakistani Taliban, recruited from Pakistani Pushtuns, to overthrow the Pakistani government and, as the Afghan Taliban tried to do, establish a religious dictatorship. The Pakistani military declared war on the Pakistani Taliban in 2014 and quickly crushed, but not destroyed, them. The Afghan Taliban are another matter. Because the Afghan Taliban still have the support of the Pakistani military they are still a threat to the Afghan government and that is mainly because the Afghan Taliban have a sanctuary in southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan), right across the border from Helmand province, where most of the heroin (in the world) is produced. The Pakistan military facilitates getting whatever the Afghan Taliban need from Pakistan and, for a fee, getting the Afghan heroin into Pakistan and out to the world via the port of Karachi. Although a growing number of Afghan Taliban leaders want peace and an end to being manipulated by the Pakistanis the senior leader and the Pakistani generals are not inclined to consider peace talks because of all that money from the drug gangs as well as the ability to control (or at least disrupt) Afghanistan. Direct peace talks between Afghan Taliban leaders and the United States, which is now a possibility, are very risky for the Taliban and their Pakistani patrons because the existence of their sanctuaries in Pakistan, while denied by the Pakistani military, is an open secret in Pakistan where it is also obvious that the Pakistan military and its intelligence agency (the ISI) handles these sanctuaries. In Pakistan, the military is very much above the law and can usually do whatever it wants. That is not a secret because about half the time since Pakistan was created in 1947 the military has openly run the government (after a coup) until popular opposition (and frustration at the task of governing) forced the generals to allow elections again. The Taliban insist their main goal is to get foreign troops out of Afghanistan but say nothing about suppressing the widely unpopular drug trade. Moreover, terrorism related deaths are overwhelmingly caused by the Islamic terrorists, mainly (Taliban and Haqqani Network. These men die protecting the drug production that has turned millions of Afghans into addicts and crippled efforts to build the economy and educate the children. Few Taliban really believe they are doing anything good for Afghanistan or the average Afghan. To maintain control of the Afghan Taliban the ISI calls on another of their protected Islamic terror groups; the Haqqani Network. This group was once a faction in the 1990s Afghan civil war but always had a good relationship with the ISI. Over the last two decades the Haqqani have turned into a criminal gang that also manages terror operations in Afghanistan for ISI, because of that the Haqqani at the behest of ISI, also became part of the current Afghan Taliban senior leadership. Most Afghans know all about this and are not happy with how the Pakistani military gets away with it. ISIL The Righteous Underdog ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) had, until mid-2018, two main base areas in Afghanistan. The one in the north (Jawzjan province) appears to have been wiped out recently by a combination of attacks by government and Taliban forces. The end was marked by the surrender of 150 ISIL personnel (a fifth of them women and children) to the government in Jawzjan. The alternative was being massacred by the vengeful local Taliban who has surrounded these ISIL remnants in a rural area. ISIL could have fought to the death but instead chose surrender to government forces, who pushed aside the Taliban cordon to get their ISIL captives out. ISIL had been savage in its treatment of captured Taliban. ISIL executed these men via beheading or explosives and often produced videos of the incidents. Now the Taliban are concentrating forces in Nangarhar to root out and kill the ISIL forces in what has long been the main base area for ISIL in Afghanistan. Because of that, it has been a prime target for Afghan and American forces. A very visible sign of this occurred in April 2017 with the use of a large (9.8 ton) MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) GPS guided smart bomb against an ISIL target. The impact of this air strike was felt for months. This was the first time MOAB was used in combat and the immediate effect was to wipe out an ISIL base that had made extensive use of a tunnel and cave complex. The underground portion was not destroyed but parts of it collapsed and the rest became unstable and too dangerous to use. On the surface, the few visible structures were destroyed as were the hundreds of landmines and explosive traps that were triggered or shattered (and disabled). Several hundred of the Islamic terrorists were killed or wounded. Later analysis of ISIL post-attack communications indicated that a dozen or more known ISIL leaders may have been killed in this attack. Some stunned or wounded ISIL men managed to get out of the area before ground forces showed up and spread the word about what happened. In the days after this bombing, local tribal leaders asked the Americans to use weapons like this more often. That didnt happen and ISIL didnt disappear from the area either. The fighting between ISIL and the local Taliban continued and it continued to be all being financed by the drug smuggling and made worse by local tribal rivalries. By late 2017 ISIL was moving more of its operations to cities, like Kabul, where they were less likely to be hit by airstrikes. This was an admission of defeat because in urban areas ISIL cannot train large numbers of new recruits or build up stockpiles of weapons and ammo. ISIL also cannot earn money from the drug smuggling business and must get by on a lot less cash. So most of the action remained in rural Jawzjan and Nangarhar. Recently ISIL did something that made the Taliban seem like the good guys. ISIL took credit for the June 4th attack on the Ulema Council meeting. Attacking the Ulema Council (the main Islamic authority in Afghanistan) was a typical arrogant ISIL move, prompted by the Ulema council issuing a Fatwa condemning ISIL tactics, especially suicide bombings. Suddenly the Taliban was seen as a champion for Islam by openly vowing vengeance on ISIL for this unforgivable (and unsuccessful) attack on the Ulema Council. Meanwhile, American and Afghan forces were not idle. In early July some 600 Afghan and American commandos captured the main ISIL base in Nangarhar province. This concluded an operation that began in April and cost ISIL nearly 200 personnel (dead or captured). About 90 percent of the ground force was Afghan (three companies of commandos) and the ground troops had access to lots of aerial surveillance and airstrikes. The commando force suffered few casualties and no deaths. The main tactic was to force ISIL out of populated districts they long operated in and back towards the remote area where their main base was believed to be. The base was finally located and overrun. The remaining ISIL are isolated in a mountainous area where food and water are in short supply. ISIL has shown surprising ability to regenerate, in part because they attract the most fanatic members of other Islamic terrorist groups, especially the Taliban, which is increasingly seen as just pretending to be Islamic warriors. This time the Taliban announced their plans for going after the ISIL remnants in Nangarhar. Given the recent victory in the north (Jawzjan province) the Taliban plan seems workable. In mid-July, the Taliban attacked a key ISIL camp in Jawzjan and triggered a series of gun battles that left over 60 Islamic terrorists dead or wounded. ISIL forces in Jawzjan had already been weakened by regular clashes with Taliban forces. This fighting was frequent during most of 2017 and was pretty brutal. All this was over control of drug smuggling routes across the border. There have been clashes between ISIL and Taliban in other parts of the country but it has been worst in Jawzjan. With government and U.S. forces increasing their attacks as well the local ISIL has lost many of its senior leaders and some factions in Jawzjan have disappeared, apparently because of casualties and desertions caused by the lack of leadership. The number of American and Afghan air strikes on ISIL in Jawzjan and other northern provinces have increased since March, apparently as the result of more tips from locals or even the rival Taliban forces. The Americans believe that ISIL in Jawzjan is no longer an organized force and that the remaining ISIL members are still being hunted by the security forces as well as the Taliban. The ISIL force in Nangarhar province remain active and largely intact, for now. The current clashes in Jawzjan indicate that ISIL had greater recuperative capabilities than anyone expected. But the Taliban have an unexpected asset as well. Captured Taliban in eastern and northern Afghanistan report a special Taliban force being trained in Iran, where they also receive new equipment and weapons with the understanding that they will return to Afghanistan and concentrate their attacks on Americans and ISIL. Iran is desperate to strike back at the Americans for renewing economic sanctions and thwarting Iranian efforts to take control of Syria and then launch attacks on Israel. These Iran backed Taliban have apparently been going after ISIL groups in western Afghanistan but not the Americans, at least not as far as anyone can tell. By August it was apparent that this Taliban strategy had worked in Jawzjan, where in a few weeks of fighting a 500 strong ISIL force was reduced to less than 200 and forced to surrender to the government to avoid annihilation. One rarely mentioned ally in the effort to defeat ISIL in Afghanistan was al Qaeda or more specifically AQIS (Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent). Technically Afghanistan is not part of AQIS territory and still contains an Afghanistan branch of al Qaeda. Afghanistan has become a more reliable base area (for training camps) than Pakistan or anywhere else in South Asia. AQIS was created in 2014 and initially tried to establish its headquarters in Karachi (Pakistan), long a haven for all sorts of criminal activity and forged alliances with the major Islamic terrorist organizations there. Yet AQIS has been responsible for very few terror attacks in Pakistan or anywhere else. AQIS was created to manage and support operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Burma. Islamic terrorism experts believe this was largely a publicity stunt by al Qaeda to counter the growing popularity of the more radical ISIL. Indian Moslems have produced some recruits for Islamic terrorism, but not enough to produce the level of mayhem Islamic terrorists wanted. Lacking a lot of radical clergy and religious schools India has simply not produced a lot of radicalized young men willing to kill and be killed. Similar recruiting problems were encountered elsewhere but other Al Qaeda groups have continued to provide enough cash and other assistance to keep AQIS going and barely visible. Afghan training camps, destroyed at the end of 2017, were a major AQIS asset and that loss was one reason AQIS agreed to work with the Pakistani Taliban. August 16, 2018: ISIL took credit for two bomb attacks in Kabul in the last 24 hours. Yesterday ISIL bombed an education center in a Shia neighborhood where high school students were studying for university exams. This suicide bomber attack left 48 dead and was justified by ISIL belief that secular (especially Western) education is un-Islamic and punishable by death, as is being a Shia. ISIL isnt very popular in Afghanistan but there are enough radicalized local Moslems to keep the group going. The attack today was against an NDS training facility, which had much better security than the educations center (where the bomber just walked in). At least two ISIL attackers were killed as they sought to fight their way into the NDS facility. The ISIL attackers did fire come RPG rockets at the NDS compound, along with a lot of machine-gun fire. In the last week, the security forces suffered about 250 dead. The numerous Taliban attacks also killed over a hundred civilians and got over 500 Taliban killed. August 15, 2018: In the east (Nangarhar Province), NDS arrested seven suicide bombers and, the night before, seized a car rigged with explosives. All this was for a coordinated attack on Jalalabad city. In the northeast (Baghlan province), the Taliban attacked an army outpost and killed 35 soldiers. Another attack further south (Zabul province), left four police dead. Fighting has continued in the far south (Helmand province) where the security forces have been on the offensive. The Taliban sought to intimidate the Red Cross into being more cooperative by announcing that the existing "safe passage" understanding (which protected Red Cross personnel from Taliban attack) was canceled. The "safe passage" would be restored if the Red Cross would agree to carry out tasks for the Taliban, like assisting in getting captured Taliban out of jail. August 14, 2018: The renewed American sanctions on Iran will hurt Afghans working in Iran but will not interfere with the new trade route from Afghanistan, via Iran to the port of Chabahar. The Americans make exceptions for these sanctions and in this case, Pakistan is seen as a larger threat to Afghanistan than Iran. Most of the truck traffic that used to go through Pakistan to the port of Karachi is now using the new route via Iran to Chabahar (built by India and Iran mainly for traffic to Afghanistan and Central Asia). At least $5 billion worth of trade to and from Afghanistan will use Chabahar each year. Pakistan is the big loser here, especially since they had recently increased higher traffic on Afghan goods moving through Karachi. In addition, since mid-January Pakistan has closed the main border crossings to Afghan traffic entering Pakistan. Yet Pakistani goods are allowed into Afghanistan and now the Afghans are considering blocking that and depending on trade links via Iran and Central Asia. This is an undeclared trade war by Pakistan. The main reason is growing trade with India and switching from Karachi to Chabahar for Afghan imports and exports. The United States, India, Afghanistan and the UN are increasing pressure on Pakistan over Pakistani support for terrorism. The U.S. is withholding over a billion dollars worth of aid because of continued Pakistani support of Islamic terrorism and drug gang operations inside Afghanistan. August 13, 2018: In the north (Faryab province) hundreds of Taliban attacked a small army base and the hundred or so troops there. When repulsed (after killing or wounding over half the soldiers) they besieged the base and after two days the 57 surviving troops surrendered because had received no resupply, air support or any assurances that help was on the way. Faryab province is on the Turkmenistan border and part of the major drug smuggling route to Central Asia and Europe. For several years the province was the scene of heavy fighting between ISIL and Taliban for control of the smuggling routes. This year ISIL was defeated and the Taliban turned to the many army bases and outposts in the province. August 11, 2018: In the west (Farah province), the Taliban sought to make some attacks but were disrupted by airstrikes and prompt response by ground forces. August 10, 2018: In the southeast (Ghazni province), hundreds of Taliban tried to capture the provincial capital with a stealthy night attack. There was more resistance than the Taliban expected. August 7, 2018: The United States revealed that it was holding peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar. Not all Taliban factions want to get a peace deal but a growing number do. August 5, 2018: In the east (Parwan province) three NATO (Czech) soldiers were killed when the foot patrol they were in was attacked near Bagram Airfield by a suicide bomber. An American soldier and two Afghan troops were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. With this attack the number of foreign troops killed in Afghanistan so far this year increases to six. The other three are all American. In 2017 17 foreign troops were killed in Afghanistan. All but two of those were American. By mid-August, the deaths had increased to eight, five of them American. August 3, 2018: In the east (Paktia province) two ISIL men attacked a Shia mosque. Both were killed, one by his explosive vest, and the other (a gunman) by security guards. The blast left 29 dead and even more wounded. The Taliban denounced the attack and this sort of anti-Shia violence has been monopolized by ISIL of late. But in the past, the Taliban killed a lot of Shia. Now, however, the Afghan Taliban is receiving support from Iran, a Shia majority nation that is hostile to groups that kill Shia. In central Afghanistan (Uruzgan Province, just north of Helmand and Kandahar) the Taliban attacked and overran a small army base which left over 4o soldiers dead nearly as many missing. The Taliban looted the base and fled but not before reinforcing troops, and airstrikes, caught up with them leaving about 60 of the attackers dead. August 2, 2018: In the south (Helmand province) Afghan commandos found and captured another Taliban prison camp and freed 61 civilians held captive. Many of the captives were suspected of providing information to the government. Because of that, the Afghan forces put a priority on finding and seizing these Taliban jails. In the last three months, nearly 400 people have been freed from these camps in Helmand alone. July 23, 2018: In the Persian Gulf (Qatar) American officials held secret peace talks with the Taliban. The Afghan government was aware of this and apparently went along in the hopes that some progress might finally be achieved after years of failed peace negotiations. July 22, 2018: In Kabul, ISIL took credit for a suicide bombing at the airport. The target was First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, who was returning from 14 months outside the country (for medical treatment and to deal with family matters.) The ISIL attack was apparently meant for Dostum but the timing was off and the Dostum convoy had just left when the suicide bomber struck. The explosion killed 14 people and wounded more than fifty. Dostum also left the country to avoid prosecutors who sought him for questioning about the kidnapping and torture of a political rival in the north (Jawzjan province). This was not the first time Dostum has been accused of that sort of thing. In the past, he eventually escaped prosecution, sometimes by leaving the country for months. Dostum is a powerful man, a classic Afghan warlord and supreme in the north. There is no official leader of the non-Pushtuns but the most powerful of these leaders is outspoken about the continued Pushtun dominance of the government. The best example of this is Dostum, who has been a foe of the Taliban since the 1990s. Dostum is a powerful Uzbek politician, and a long time warlord (he was a general in the communist army that was dissolved in 1992). The Uzbeks are Turks and comprise nine percent of the population. The Uzbeks have always been hostile to the Taliban and drugs. Dostum is their leader but has become popular with Afghans who openly oppose Islamic terrorists. Dostum makes the most of this by regularly giving speeches condemning Islamic terrorism. This involves constantly traveling and exposing himself to terrorist attack. So far he has survived dozens of attacks and this increases popularity while enraging the Islamic terrorists he publicly berates and condemns. Dostum has long been a major critic of Pakistan and how Pakistan continues to support Islamic terrorists operating in Afghanistan. The World Health Organization confirms Isodiols stance that pure, natural CBD should not be treated as a controlled substance. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Isodiol International Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTC:ISOLD) (FSE: LB6A.F) (the Company or Isodiol), a global CBD leader and innovator applauds the World Health Organizations (WHO) historic recommendation, at the conference in Geneva, that pure CBD should not be scheduled within the International Drug Control Conventions. Some key findings from the WHO: The Kids Are All Right: There are no case reports of abuse or dependence relating to the use of pure CBD. We Wont Get Fooled Again: No public health problems have been associated with CBD use. You Better, You Bet: CBD has been found to be generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. My Generation: There is no evidence that CBD is liable to similar abuse and similar ill-effects as substancessuch as cannabis or THC. This historic announcement by the World Health Organization will bring the much-needed education to those still skeptical or uneducated on CBD and it should help to eliminate unnecessary road blocks around the world for commercializing pure, natural CBD in the food and supplement industry, said Marcos Agramont, Isodiols CEO. We believe this announcement will allow the Company to continue to fast track its international business expansion plans. In the United States, passage of the 2018 Farm Bill with the Senates pro-hemp language will ensure the full legalization of hemp extracts and derivatives. The Company strongly urges you to send an email to your Members of Congress today urging them to permanently legalize hemp and hemp-derived CBD. CLICK HERE to contact your members of Congress and voice your opinion on this matter. For more information on Isodiol, please visit www.isodiol.com. About Isodiol International Inc. Isodiol International Inc. is the market leader in pharmaceutical-grade pure, natural CBD and in the manufacturing and development of CBD consumer products. Isodiol is the pioneer of many firsts in the CBD industry, including the commercialization of 99%+ pure, natural isolated CBD, micro-encapsulations, and nano-technology for the highest quality topical skin care and consumable products. Most recently, the Company received approval for its highest grade CBD to be designated as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient for use in Finished Pharmaceutical Products, which was announced on April 26, 2018. Isodiols growth strategy includes the development of over-the-counter (OTC) and pharmaceutical drugs, expanding its consumer products portfolio, and aggressively continuing international expansion into Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Join Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsodiolInternationalInc/ Twitter: @Isodiolintlinc ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Marcos Agramont, CEO & Director INVESTOR RELATIONS: Ir@isodiol.com www.isodiol.com Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future the Companys business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and makes no reference to profitability based on sales reported. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release. TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blockchain Foundry Inc. (BCF or the Company) (CSE:BCFN) (FWB:8BF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a development agreement with English Forward Ltd. (EF), a company that connects global audiences to the tools and resources needed to learn and perfect their understanding of the English language. The agreement between the two companies will provide English Forward with the architecture and necessary artifacts to begin the development of its unique peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace. This marketplace will connect those looking to learn or improve their English for academic, professional or personal purposes with English language tutors, teachers, translators and other professionals. The English Forward platform is built upon an established online community that has reached 250 million users worldwide. Using blockchain technology, EF will be able to provide education-supporting activities on its website with secure and seamless micro-transactions. Dan Wasyluk, CEO of Blockchain Foundry stated, Were excited to be working with English Forward to help them adopt blockchain technology. Its a great project that can support the English language and communication needs of many globally. About Blockchain Foundry Inc. Blockchain Foundry develops and commercializes blockchain-based business solutions and provides consulting services to corporate clients seeking to incorporate blockchain technology in their businesses. About English Forward. English Forward is a Malta-based edTech company that utilizes a 17-year established community which has reached 250 million users worldwide without a single dollar of advertising in the "learn English" market. English Forward is developing a blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer marketplace to connect English learners of all types with English teachers, tutors and professors using a cryptocurrency payment model. Media Contact Information: Christopher Marsh Chief Financial Officer (416) 583-1696 Forward-Looking Information Certain portions of this press release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, which is also referred to as forward-looking statements, which may not be based on historical fact. Wherever possible, words such as will, plans, expects, targets, continues, estimates, scheduled, anticipates, believes, intends, may, could, would or might, and the negative of such expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify forward looking information. Forward looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future events, future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of the times at, or by which, such events, performance or results will be achieved, if achieved at all. Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, as they reflect managements current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by BCF are inherently subject to significant business, economic, regulatory, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause BCFs actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) today announced the August 2018 cash distributions for the ETF series (ETF Series) of the PIMCO Canada mutual funds that distribute monthly (Funds). Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, at the close of business on August 24, 2018, will receive per-unit cash distribution payable on August 31, 2018. Details of the per-unit cash distribution amount are as follows: Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit ($) PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PMIF 0.05187 PIMCO Investment Grade Credit Fund (Canada) IGCF 0.05836 The Manager, PIMCO Canada administers and manages the PIMCO Canada ETFs, and retains Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC, (PIMCO), to provide sub-advisory services to the Funds. About PIMCO PIMCO is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. With our launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. In the 45+ years since, we have continued to bring innovation and expertise to our partnership with clients seeking the best investment solutions. Today we have offices across the globe and 2,150+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Funds, PIMCO Canadas and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in the ETF Series Units. Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts carefully before investing. The ETF Series Units are not guaranteed, their value may change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. For a summary of the risks of an investment in the fund, please see the specific risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus. Units of ETF Series trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination. The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose. PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser. Contact: Agnes Crane PIMCO Media Relations Phone: +212 597.1054 Email: agnes.crane@pimco.com The Cheyenne County Commissioners met Wednesday for a budget workshop to work out the details in the 2018-2019 budget. Part of the issue, according to Commissioner Randal Miller, is the drop in valuation and adjusting the budget accordingly. Wednesday was spent reviewing departments and their requests. Commissioners called and met with department representatives on specific expenditure requests and if they could be justified. The commissioners met with Tourism Director Kevin Howard, Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Roger Conley, and talked with Cheyenne County Fair Board members. Howar... The Sidney City Council Tuesday approved an agreement with Highby Outdoors for funding to assist with purchase and renovation of a building in Sidney. The building is 232 Greenwood Road. The City entered into a contract with the State of Nebraska for Site and Building Development Funds. The funds are awarded to the City. The City then will be used to assist Highby Outdoors with purchase and renovation of the building. The grant is for $150,000. When the grant is awarded to the City, the City will then award it to Highby Outdoors. The City also entered into a contract with Highby Outdoors.... LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bicoastal, award-winning public relations firm Marketing Maven has announced that it has been nominated by the Pacific Coast Business Times and the Los Angeles District Office of the Small Business Administration for the 2018 Spirit of Small Business Awards under the Women-Owned Business category. Award-winning marketing executive Lindsey Carnett is founder, president and CEO. As a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles (NAWBO LA), the Women Presidents Organization, the Womens Business Enterprise National Council, and VISTAGE, Carnett supports programs and events that support the growth of women owned businesses and advocates multicultural diversity. Marketing Maven is 8(a) certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Womens Business Enterprise (WBE), has WOSB status with the government and DBE, CUCP and CPUC certification as a Native American owned company. Marketing Maven has had a long history of success and community commitment. Since its inception in 2009, it has consistently been named as one of the fastest growing PR agencies in the nation by ODwyers. In 2016, Marketing Maven was named by Entrepreneur 360 as one of the Most Entrepreneurial Companies in America. In 2017 and 2018, Marketing Maven was included in Inc. 5000 List of Americas Fastest Growing Companies. Marketing Maven gives back to the community by holding educational seminars at small business events, being mentors to start-ups, working with local non-profits such as Casa Pacifica and the Sherwood Cares Foundation, and having internship programs providing local college students the hands-on education they need to survive in the workforce. It is so rewarding to have been recognized by the Spirit of Small Business Awards, said Carnett. We have a proud tradition of helping our clients solve their problems quickly by dedicating most of our executives to their campaigns needs on a daily basis. We would not be able to do this if we were a much larger firm. The Business Times and the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration conceived the Spirit of Small Business Awards to recognize the accomplishments of small businesses in the Tri-Counties. The Spirit of Small Business honors businesses with fewer than 100 employees in the following categories: Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, Women-Owned Business, Minority-Owned Business, Family-Owned Business, Green Business, Exporter of the Year and Veteran-Owned. In the wake of the Thomas fire and Montecito mudslides, this years Spirit of Small Business theme is Rising to the Challenge: Recognizing the Resilience, Strength and Perseverance of our Communities. The Business Times is interested in stories of small businesses that overcame adversity they may have faced over the past six months. Entries will also be judged based upon the nominees record of success and community commitment, in addition to meeting the basic requirements of being Tri-County-based and having 100 or fewer employees. About Marketing Maven With offices in Los Angeles and New York, Marketing Maven is a full-service marketing and communications agency. With origins in direct response public relations, Marketing Maven has developed into a premier voice in brand strategy, social media, innovative media relations, event marketing, tradeshow support, Hispanic marketing and search engine optimization. Marketing Maven leads the industry in utilizing advanced metrics to measure their clients marketing reach and providing competitive analysis unparalleled in the industry. For additional information about Marketing Maven, visit www.MarketingMaven.com. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arena Minerals Inc. (Arena or the Company) (TSX-V: AN) Further to the Companys news release dated August 8, 2018, the Company is pleased to announce that due to excess demand the private placement has been increased from $2 million to $2.3 million. The Company now intends to complete a private placement financing of units of the Company (the Units) at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,300,000 (the Offering). Each Unit shall consist of one common share of the Company (a Common Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at $0.10 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund potential future property acquisitions, continue the development of its Atacama Copper property located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, and for general corporate purposes. The Company may, subject to additional interest received, increase the size of the private placement. The Common Shares, Warrants and shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four month statutory hold period from the closing of the private placement. Closing of the transaction remains subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. To view the website, please visit www.arenaminerals.com . In addition to featuring information regarding the Company, its managements and projects, the website also contains the latest corporate news and an email registration allowing subscribers to receive news and updates directly. About Arena Minerals Arena Minerals owns 80 percent of the Atacama Copper property, consisting of two projects covering approximately 7,000 hectares within the Antofagasta region of Chile. The projects are at low altitudes, within producing mining camps in infrastructure rich areas, located in the heart of Chile's premier copper mining district. The technical and scientific aspects of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vernon Arseneau, P.Geo, who is a qualified person pursuant to NI 43-101. As the Vice President of Exploration of the Company, Mr. Arseneau is not considered independent. For more information, contact William Randall at (416) 309-2697. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Arena Minerals Inc. William Randall, President and CEO Cautionary Note Regarding Accuracy and Forward-Looking Information: This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates relating to the future development of any of the Companys properties, the anticipating timing with respect to the private placement financing, the ability of the Company to complete the private placement financing, the results of the exploration program, future financial or operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and its projects, the development of and the anticipated timing with respect to the Atacama project, and the Companys ability to obtain financing. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The statements made herein are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of the Companys interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Estimates underlying the results set out in this news release arise from work conducted by the previous owners and the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; other risks of the mining industry and the risks described in the annual information form of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Arena Minerals does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. Take A Mulligan: The Big 7-0 Here is the $64,000 question. Just exactly how old is old? In my teens, I figured it was about 35 but when I was getting close to that age, it ... This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please email Winners to be Announced at September 27 Awards Gala Celebrating Technology Innovation in Orange County IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Russ Garcia, CEO of Menlo Micro , has been named a finalist in the Best Private Company CEO category of the OCTANe High Tech Innovation Awards . The award category recognizes CEOs who have exhibited a successful management model at their company and give back to the Orange County community. Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner on September 27 at the Balboa Bay Resort. With more than 35 years of experience in the electronic systems and semiconductor industries, Garcia has a proven track record in executive leadership positions in both public and private companies. As CEO of Menlo Micro, the company responsible for re-inventing the electronic switch, he oversees corporate direction and strategy while focusing on leadership, technology innovation and customers. He has led the company in creating technologies that serve multiple industries with a market opportunity of more than $20B including next-generation 5G mobile networks, industrial IoT markets, battery management, medical equipment, home-automation, test and measurement, and more. I am honored to have been selected as a finalist for Best Private Company CEO, said Garcia. Our strong leadership team at Menlo Micro is driven by the endless possibilities for our disruptive Digital-Micro-Switch technology. I am fortunate to be part of this innovative, passionate team that is dedicated to employee growth, technology innovation and customer success. We will continue to invest in the advancement of the Orange County technology community. Garcia has raised over $200 million in capital and driven upwards of $1 billion in M&A transactions in Orange County. He is also active in the community through contributions of time, leadership and finances in organizations such as the Childrens Hospital of Orange County, the Orange County Rescue Mission, Orangewood Foundation, OCTANe, and many others. Our committee reviewed significantly more Private Company CEO nominations this year than in previous years and selecting finalists was not easy, said Cara Davidoff, manager of strategic initiatives at OCTANe. We congratulate Menlo Micro for being selected as a finalist and look forward to welcoming them at the gala on September 27th. Now in its 25th year, the High Tech Innovation Awards is Southern Californias premier awards program event celebrating achievement among the regional tech industry. OCTANe honors local companies, individuals and products that drive innovation in Orange County. For a complete list of the High Tech Innovation Awards finalists, visit www.octanehta.com/finalists-1 . About OCTANe OCTANe is building the SoCal of Tomorrow by connecting people, resources and capital to fuel technology growth in Southern California. Its members represent technology executive leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, academicians, and strategic advisors, all working together to fuel innovation in the region. The organization has helped more than 800 companies via the LaunchPad SBDC accelerator. LaunchPad companies have received more than $2.1 billion in investment and equity exits. These investments have supported the creation of more than 8,200 new jobs. OCTANe annually welcomes more than 7,000 people to its signature events and programs. More than 2,000 business leaders throughout the region are OCTANe members. For more information, visit www.octaneoc.org . About Menlo Micro Headquartered in Irvine, California, Menlo Micro is reimagining one of the most fundamental building blocks of electronic systems the electronic switch. The companys Digital-Micro-Switch platform is a game changer for those who design electronic systems, serving multiple industries including next-generation 5G mobile networks, industrial IoT markets, battery management, home automation, electronic vehicles, and medical instrumentation. Menlo Micro is backed by GE Ventures, with investments from Corning Incorporated, Microchip Corporation and Paladin Capital Group. For more information, visit www.menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter . Media Contacts: Justine Houston-Brown Lages & Associates (949) 453-8080 justine@lages.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/642c71ed-6cb9-4362-8adf-02793c74b18f http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5984c42f-b46d-4c93-98ee-1a17c7990d39 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dajin Resources Corp. (Dajin) (TSX-V: DJI) (OTCQB: DJIFF) (Germany: C2U1) management is pleased to report that Dajins engineers, Welsh Hagen Associates, Inc. located in Reno, Nevada, have completed the construction of access roads and drill pads at Dajins 100% owned, Teels Marsh Lithium brine project in Mineral County, Nevada. Welsh Hagen provided the design, prepared the BLM Notice of Intent and construction services for Dajin. Construction equipment was supplied by Tipton Trucking of Mina, Mineral County, Nevada, Coan Equipment and MB America both of Reno, Nevada. The drill pads and roads were constructed to ensure that large-diameter, deep drilling can take place under all weather conditions in the Teels Marsh valley. During construction, the integrity of the engineered roads and pads was tested during two flash flood events that washed out local county roads, but left Dajins structures unaffected. Dajins exploration approach is significantly different than what other companies have undertaken in Nevada. The drill pads are designed to support a four (4) hole large-diameter drill program to test for the presence of Lithium-bearing aquifers to depth. Preparations for drilling these wells are now underway. These wells are intended to follow-up on the favorable surface lithium brine results that Dajin previously announced on June 9, 2016. For photos of the drill pads and roads click here. The drilling of deep, large-diameter, cased wells with the ability to discharge will make it possible to not only measure the concentration of Lithium brine in the subsurface aquifers but to also carry out the flow testing of any Lithium bearing subsurface aquifers that may be encountered during the drilling. As a result of Dajin holding water rights in Teels Marsh valley and being permitted under the Nevada Division of Water Resources (State Engineer), the pump-test volumes proposed for these wells are not limited by AB 52 Chapter 507 regulations codified under NRS 534B which are administered by the Nevada Division of Minerals. The technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed and approved on behalf of Dajin Resources Corp. by Dajin Directors, Dr. Catherine Hickson, P. Geo and Dr. Mark Coolbaugh, CPG, the Qualified Persons. About Dajin: In the United States Dajin holds a 100% interest in 403 placer claims covering 7,914 acres (3,202 hectares) in the Teels Marsh valley of Mineral County, Nevada. Construction of drill pads and roads has been completed in anticipation of commencing a drill program later in the year. These claims are known to contain Lithium and Boron values and are adjacent to the birth place of US Borax Corps first borax mine. Dajin also holds a 100% interest in 278 placer claims covering 5,591 acres (2,262 hectares) in the Alkali Lake valley of Esmeralda County, Nevada, located 7 miles (11 kilometers) northeast of Albemarles Silver Peak Lithium brine operation in Clayton Valley. Dajin, through Dajin Resources S.A. (Dajin S.A.), holds concessions or concession applications in Jujuy Province, Argentina that were acquired in regions known to contain brines with Lithium, Potassium, and Boron values and is partnered with LSC Lithium Corporation. These concessions exceed 93,000 hectares (230,000 acres) and are primarily located in Salinas Grandes and Guayatayoc salt lake basins. In February 2018, Dajin announced the results of 25 shallow brine samples covering an area of 550 hectares (5.5 km2) in the northwestern corner of the 4,300-hectare (43 km2) San Jose and Navidad minas. Concentrations ranged from 281 mg/l to 1,353 mg/l, averaging 591 mg/l Lithium. A drill program for the San Jose and Navidad minas is currently being organized. ON BEHALF OF DAJINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Findlay For further information please contact Dajin: President & CEO 604-609-6151 or info@dajin.ca The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Camposol Holding Plc. will announce the results for the second quarter and first half 2018 on Thursday August 23,2018. In connection with the release, a telephone conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Lima) as described below. The results will be published at 8:00 a.m. (Lima) and will be available on the Company's website. In connection with the earnings release Andres Colichon Sas, CFO, and Jossue Yesquen, Deputy Manager of Investor Relations, will host a conference call presentation and a Q&A session at 10:00 a.m. (Lima). To participate in the conference call, please use the following numbers: London, UK Local +44 (0) 20 3107 0289 US/Canada International +1 409 981 0728 Zurich, Switzerland, Local +044 580 1733 Oslo, Norway, Local +47 2231 0524 Colombia, National Free Phone +01 800 518 5094 Chile, National Free Phone +56 800 914686 Peru, National Free Phone +51 0800 71470 Participants will be asked for their name and conference ID. The Camposol conference ID is: 7684418 Audio access for the meeting is available by dialing the above mentioned numbers. To access the presentation webcast in connection with the conference call, please use: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/t3bj8xwt Participants are advised to log on to the service and check their configuration well ahead of the telephone conference commencement. Please use the following link (that is also available from the registration page of your webcasts): http://edge.media-server.com/m/player/help/systemcheck.php?lan=en If you are unable to participate in the call, a playback of the conference is available until Jun 01, 2017 by dialing: Replay - US Local +1 404 537 3406 Followed by replay access number: 7684418 For further information, please contact: Andres Colichon Sas, CFO acolichon@camposol.com.pe Jossue Yesquen, Deputy Manager of Investor Relations jyesquen@camposol.com.pe Phone: +511 621 0800 Ext.: 7171 About CAMPOSOL CAMPOSOL is a vertically integrated producer of branded fresh and healthy food that offers high quality, healthy and fresh food to consumers around the world, based on a sustainable management model. CAMPOSOL is organized into two main business units: Camposol Fruits and Vegetables (fresh produce) and Marinasol (aquaculture) and its portfolio includes superfoods like blueberries, avocados, shrimp, mandarins, among others. Additionally, our international commercial platform is responsible for the commercialization of the products of these two units, with offices in the US, The Netherlands and China. CAMPOSOL guarantees the full traceability of its products and is committed to supporting sustainable development through social and environmental responsibility policies and projects intended to increase the shared-value for all its stakeholders. On the strength of this value proposition, CAMPOSOL's commercial offices have established long-term relationships with the top worldwide supermarket chains and service them directly. CAMPOSOL is also an active member of the Global Compact since 2008. It presents annual Sustainability Reports aligned to the GRI Methodology and has achieved the following international certifications: BSCI, Global Gap, IFS, HACCP and BRC among others. To learn more about CAMPOSOL please visit: www.camposol.com.pe Keita re-elected Mali president with landslide Bamako, Aug 16 (AFP) Aug 16, 2018 Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been re-elected for a five-year term after winning 67.17 percent of the vote in a runoff, the government announced on Thursday. Opposition challenger and former finance minister Soumaila Cisse, who also ran against Keita in 2013, won 32.83 percent on Sunday, Local Government Minister Mohamed Ag Erlaf said on national television, giving provisional figures. Turnout was low, at 34.5%. Violence, low public enthusiasm and accusations of fraud marred the vote. Cisse, 68, on Monday said he would reject the results. Keita, 73, will take office on September 4, with hopes he can strengthen a 2015 peace accord between the government, government-allied groups and former Tuareg rebels. Mali, a landlocked nation home to at least 20 ethnic groups where the majority of people live on less than $2 (1.76 euros) a day, has battled jihadist attacks and intercommunal violence for years. Islamist attacks have spread from the north to the centre and south of the vast country and spilled into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, often inflaming communal conflicts. On Wednesday, the opposition claimed a technician working for Cisse was tortured while detained by security forces for three days. Internet access was cut on mobile networks in Bamako on Thursday morning ahead of the announcement, AFP journalists witnessed. Canbev Positioned as an Early Mover in the Canadian Cannabis Beverage Market TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeedMD Inc. (TSX-V:WMD) (OTC:WDDMF) (FSE:4WE) (WeedMD) and Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE:VIDA) (OTC.PHVAF) ("Phivida") are pleased to announce the signing of a final definitive joint venture agreement (Agreement) to develop and operate Cannabis Beverages Inc. (CanBev) at WeedMDs state-of-the-art greenhouse facility in Strathroy, Ontario. As an early mover in the cannabis-infused beverage market, CanBev is positioning itself to capture significant market share in Canadas highly-anticipated consumable cannabis market. The launch of CanBev creates an opportunity for CBD infused-products to enter the consumer health products market. This consumer health products market is worth $5.6 billion in Canada alone based on data from Consumer Health Products Canada. The joint venture will be focused on product development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of cannabis-infused beverages for Canada and export to licensed international markets. Click here for an introductory video on the CanBev joint venture project. Under the terms of the Agreement, both companies will be strategic partners in the development of CanBev. WeedMD will act as the exclusive supplier of cannabinoid extracts for use in innovative cannabis infused consumer products to be made at the CanBev facility. In doing so, WeedMD will designate manufacturing space at its 610,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art licensed cultivation and processing facility located in Strathroy, Ontario. In addition to supplying CanBev with premium, high-quality cannabis, WeedMD will assist CanBev with obtaining all necessary federal licenses and permits and has also agreed to provide all current and future genetics. We are thrilled to begin the development of this joint venture. With the launch of CanBev, WeedMD will be one of the first to introduce an innovative and popular consumption method with our cannabis-infused beverages adding a new brand category for the medical and adult-use markets, said Keith Merker, CEO of WeedMD. WeedMD is proud to collaborate with Phivida on this joint venture and to work alongside a world-class management team that includes former senior executives from beverage and other industry leaders who worked for Red Bull, Seagrams, Proctor and Gamble, and McKesson. Leveraging proven success, we will be well-positioned to execute on our growth plans for infused beverages. Phivida will be sublicensing its current and future trademarks, intellectual property, branding and packaging to CanBev. Phivida has also agreed to lead new product innovation, research and development, formulation, packaging and branding for CanBev. The Phivida team is excited to contribute our management, expertise and product knowledge to the CanBev joint venture, said Jim Bailey, CEO and President of Phivida. WeedMD is an ideal partner for Phivida and we are thrilled to bring our cannabinoid-infused beverages and brands back home to Canada. WeedMD provides CanBev with solid infrastructure, strong management, world-class genetics and proven success in the Canadian healthcare market. We are very proud to partner with best in class among the Canadian licensed producers. Transaction Summary The joint venture will be structured as a jointly-owned company with a dedicated board of directors and operational management team. Phivida and WeedMD will retain 50% each of the Class A shares. The shares issued will correspond to CanBevs appointment of nominees to a Board of Directors to be made up of five individuals, two nominated by Phivida, two by WeedMD, and one independent director. Phivida and WeedMD have agreed to fund capital requirements of CanBev equally, and on a pro-rata basis, from their respective treasuries, beginning with initial shareholder advances of $375,000 each. Cannabis Beverages Inc. Cannabis Beverages Inc. (or CanBev) plans to manufacture, market, and distribute cannabinoid infused products for use initially into the medical market as well as for the recreational Canadian markets, and then for use internationally, where such products are permitted. CanBev cannabis-infused products are expected to be available in retail locations and online throughout Canada in late 2019, or upon the implementation of government legislation on consumables. CanBev has plans to build and operate a federally approved cannabis-infused beverage production facility to be located on the WeedMD 610,000 sq. ft. expansion property located in Strathroy, Ontario. CanBev has no plans to sell any cannabis-infused products in the U.S. or any other market unless or until it is legally permissible to do so at all government levels. Phivida Holdings Inc. Phivida ["fiii-vee-daa"] infuses CBD derived from Hemp into functional foods, beverages and health products. Phivida uses encapsulated cannabinoids from hemp oil into water soluble form, enhancing bioavailability, and timed released within the body. Phivida's CBD beverages, foods and supplements contain a proprietary blend of phytonutraceuticals studied to target a range of health conditions, from chronic pain, treatment of stress and anxiety to reducing inflammation in the body. The World Anti-Doping Association's recently lifted a ban of CBD from hemp oil and the World Health Organization's recent statement supports clinical benefits of CBD for athletes and active families. Celebrating; Health and Wellness, In Harmony, Phivida's vision is to lead the market as the benchmark quality standard in premium CBD infused foods, beverages and clinical products, with a dedication to research, education and investing back into the communities we serve. Phivida is a publicly traded company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol "VIDA" and the OTCQX Market as PHVAF. Join our social media network @Phivida. Phivida Holdings Inc. Jim Bailey, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 (844) 744-6646 (ext. #2) Email: IR@phivida.com To learn more, visit us at www.phivida.com Follow Phivida Holdings Inc. at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phivida/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phivida/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Phivida Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phivida/?hl=en About WeedMD Inc.: WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD Rx Inc., a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis and oils under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The Company operates a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Aylmer, Ontario, and a second cultivation site at its greenhouse facility located in Strathroy, Ontario, representing 610,000 sq. ft. or 14 acres under glass. WeedMD has entered into supply agreements in addition to strategic relationships with established cannabis brands. The Company is focused on providing medical cannabis to the seniors markets in Canada through its proprietary seniors care program. It is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners and furthering public understanding of the role that medical cannabis plays including as it pertains to regulatory requirements, indications and potential side effects. For more information, access our investor presentation here and corporate video here. Follow WeedMD On: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weedmd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/5020743/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeedMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weedmd/ For further information, please contact: WeedMD Inc. Keith Merker, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 519-765-2440 Ext. 222 Email: investor@weedmd.com To learn more, visit us at www.weedmd.com For Media Inquiries: Marianella delaBarrera Margin Communications & Public Relations Tel: 416-897-6644 Email: marianella@marginpr.com Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Phivida and WeedMD to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our expectations with respect to: the timing and outcome of the CanBev joint venture; the anticipated benefits of the CanBev joint venture to the parties; impact of the CanBev joint venture and anticipated growth for the parties; and the anticipated timing of availability of applicable legislation in Canada. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits of the CanBev joint venture and the anticipated timing of availability of applicable legislation in Canada, Phivida and WeedMD have provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the necessary regulatory approvals and other expectations and assumptions concerning the CanBev joint venture. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of the parties are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Phivida and WeedMD do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law. None of the TSX Venture Exchange or the Canadian Securities Exchange and their Regulation Services Providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Nielsen Holdings plc (Nielsen or the Company) (NYSE: NLSN) Investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980. The investigation concerns whether Nielsen and certain of its officers and/or directors have violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. [Click here to join a class action] On July 26, 2018, Nielsen announced its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2018, which missed the Companys public net income and free cash flow estimates by a wide margin and reduced previously reaffirmed 2018 financial guidance. Nielsen cited the impact of the European General Data Protection Regulation, announced that it would do a deep dive into its Buy segment of operations, and announced that its Chief Executive and Executive Chairman Mitch Barns would retire from Nielsen at the end of 2018. On this news, Nielsens share price fell $7.46, or 25.23%, to close at $22.11 on July 26, 2018. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Plateau Energy Metals Inc. (Plateau or the Company) (TSX VENTURE:PLU) (FRANKFURT:QG1) (OTCQB:PLUUF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Alex Holmes as CEO. Mr. Holmes has also been appointed to the board of directors. The appointments are subject to regulatory approval. Mr. Holmes has spent more than 15 years working in the mining industry. Most recently, he was a partner and co-founder of Oxygen Capital Corp., leading business development activities for all affiliated companies, including True Gold Mining Inc. where he served as VP Business Development and co-founder. Alex played an instrumental role as part of the senior leadership team from initial asset acquisition in 2013, reserves and resources growth, advancing the project from Preliminary Economic Assessment to Feasibility Study, through project finance and ultimately gold production in early 2016. Over that period Alex and team raised in excess of $215 million to construct and operate True Golds Karma mine. Previously, he led the mining teams at two independent Canadian investment banks and raised capital for and advised on transactions for numerous companies. I am excited to be joining Plateau, which has advanced the new Falchani Lithium project from discovery to initial resource while continuing to progress the PEA stage Macusani Uranium project, stated Mr. Holmes. I look forward to working alongside the team behind this success thus far Laurence Stefan, Ian Stalker, and Ted OConnor in order to evolve the Company into a significant player in the energy metals space. Plateau is in a unique position of possessing substantial resources of both lithium and uranium within the same property package, providing a strong foundation for growth. Ian Stalker Executive Chairman stated, We are pleased to welcome Alex aboard as our new CEO. His skills and experience complement our strong mining and corporate team at Plateau. I look forward to seeing Alex, along with our teams in Peru and Canada, lead the Company through our next stages of growth and project development, particularly as we work towards a preliminary economic study for the Falchani lithium deposit. The Board expressed their thanks to Mr. Stalker for his time as Interim CEO of PLU - a time of significant company growth. Mr. Holmes has received an initial grant of incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 common shares of Plateau exercisable at a price of $1.14 for a period of five years in accordance with the Companys stock option plan. The grant of options remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Plateau Energy Metals Plateau Energy Metals Inc. is a Canadian lithium and uranium exploration and development company focused on its properties on the Macusani Plateau in southeastern Peru. The Company controls all reported uranium resources known in Peru, significant and growing lithium resources and mineral concessions covering over 91,000 hectares (910 km2) situated near infrastructure. Plateau Energy Metals is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PLU, quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol PLUUF and the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol QG1. The Company has 71,118,494 shares issued and outstanding. On behalf of Plateau Energy Metals, Ian Stalker, Executive Chairman For further information, please contact: Plateau Energy Metals Inc. Alex Holmes, CEO alex@plateauenergymetals.com +1-416-628-9600 info@plateauenergymetals.com Website: www.plateauenergymetals.com 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. Forward Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the reliability of the historical data referenced in this press release and risks set out in Plateaus public documents, including in each management discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Plateau believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Plateau disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. One year after drastic safety measures were implemented to combat violence around the annual J'Ouvert celebrations, an NYPD official said that most security measures would largely remain the same, including the number of police on the outskirts of the celebration, the deployment of "violence interrupters," and the 6 a.m. start time. Detective Roxanne Joseph outlined the overall plan for J'Ouvert safety measure at a roundtable discussion between community members, police representatives, and stakeholders at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday. She noted that the number of checkpoints to enter into the JOuvert celebration will be increased, in order to avoid the frustrations around the long lines last year. However, Detective Joseph and Borough President Eric Adams stressed that safety was the top priority, even if it meant that it would take longer for people to enter the JOuvert festivities. "We did hear concerns from people on how long it took to get inside the area and we don't want people to be unnecessarily overburdened," said Adams. "The goal...is that we don't want to be so rapid in our movement that we would dilute the safety of people inside." In 2015, a lawyer in the Cuomo administration was fatally shot when he walked by a gang dispute before J'Ouvert, and the following year, two people were killed, leading the city to adopt the strict security measures and move the start time from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. For months, there has also been a behind-the-scenes efforts to reach out to gang members to try and preemptively stem any violence this year. Pastor Gilford Monrose said that he has been working hand in hand with the NYPD and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to talk to individual gang members and their parents. "We don't want to do any funerals after J'Ouvert," said Pastor Monrose. Pastor Monrose also mentioned that, this evening, he is meeting with 40-50 high risk individuals as part of a check-in, where they will hear messages from the police and from people who have lost loved ones to gun violence. They will also be offered services, like GED assistance, or assistance if they are worried for their safety and want to move out of their neighborhood. We work year-round with the @NYPDNews, @NYCMayorsOffice, @WIADCA, #JOuvert City International, violence interrupters, and community leaders to promote a safe and joyous celebration of Caribbean pride on Labor Day Weekend. Public safety is paramount, as is uplifting our culture. pic.twitter.com/7ekXB4nbBF Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) August 16, 2018 Both BP Adams and Detective Joseph reiterated that public safety is a shared responsibility between the police and community members. "So if little Johnny is saying hes leaving at 1 a.m. to go to J'Ouvert, he is not. J'Ouvert starts at 6....When your loved one is leaving to go to J'Ouvert, what's in that knapsack? What is he or she carrying? Weapons do not fall out of the sky," he said. "We are asking our community to take responsibility of what's happening in our community," said Detective Joseph. "If you know your kid is involved in violence and they are maybe coming out to commit violence on J'Ouvert, let us know, call us, let somebody know.if you know something is gonna happen, talk to the cop next to you." That might be a hard sell to members of the community who are skeptical of the NYPD. "There is tension within our community when there is a police [officer] who shoots an unarmed black person," said Pastor Monrose. "But at the same time, we need the police. ...we need the police to help us have a safe carnival weekend." A man was forced into a car outside of the popular Lower East Side bar and venue Pianos, and then drugged before being robbed. Now the police are hoping the public can help them identify a person of interest in the incident. Image of suspect (NYPD) The ordeal began around 2 a.m. on June 22, according to the NYPD, when three people approached a 27-year-old man outside Pianos, at 158 Ludlow Street. One person "ordered the victim to get into their vehicle, and after obeying, was ordered to ingest an unknown substance. The individuals brought the victim to Banco Popular, located at 1170 Castle Hill Avenue, and demanded that the victim remove money," police say. After giving them $260 cash, the victim handed over his debit card, iPhone, and Longines watch and was dropped off near Bruckner Boulevard and East Tremont Avenue. Police released an image of the person of interest, who is described as being male, 25-35 years old with a black mustache and beard. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. Looking for our weekly jewel review? Itll return next Friday with a fortnightly edition! Soraya and the Shah traveling in London, 1958 (AFP/Getty Images) Iran Shahs Future Vague (originally appeared in the Montreal Gazette, 19 Aug 1953) Rome, Aug. 18 Irans refugee Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi [1] said today he did not plan to abdicate his throne but was vague about any attempt to return to riotous Tehran [2]. Indications were that any return would be in the distant future [3]. Queen Soraya of Iran, ca. 1950s (Wikimedia Commons) His pilot disclosed that in their hasty dash out of Iran Sunday, the Shah and his 20-year-old green-eyed Queen, Soraya [4], managed to grab up and bring along her personal royal jewels. These presumably did not include any of the priceless crown jewels among them the famous mirror of light (or sea of light) diamond [5] which are kept locked in a huge vault of the National Bank of Iran as state property [6]. The pilot, Mohammed Khatami [7], indicated in an interview that the Shah wanted to sell his private plane. It was left behind in Baghdad, Iraq, when the small royal party came on to Rome today in a British airliner. The Shah and Soraya in Rome, 17 August 1953 (Wikimedia Commons) The suddenness of their flight out of Iran and the Shahs anxiety over whether they could make it ahead of Premier Mosaddeghs forces were described by the pilot. We left on such short notice I didnt have time even to bring along a spare shirt or call my wife by telephone to tell her I was leaving, Khatami said. But Im not the only one short on shirts. The Shah is, too. He tried to go shopping this afternoon when we got into Rome. Photographers were after him everywhere he stopped and he had to put it off. A portrait of Soraya taken in Paris, December 1951 (ARCHIVE/AFP/Getty Images) The pilot denied reports that Iranian aircraft tried to escort them or interfere with them in the flight to Baghdad Sunday from the Shahs vacation palace at Ramsar on the Caspian Sea shore. Khatami said the Shah and Queen Soraya were accompanied out of Iran only by himself and Aboulfath Atabay, personal attache to the Shah, who bears the title chief hunter of the imperial court. NOTES 1. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980) was the the last Shah of Iran, reigning from 1941, when his father was deposed, until the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Pahlavis reign was, to put it mildly, tumultuous and controversial. He died of cancer in exile in Egypt in July 1980. 2. Following Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeghs nationalization of Irans oil industry, the United Kingdom and the United States jointly formed a plan to oust him and regain control of the areas oil. The Shah was initially reluctant to go along with the planned coup detat, known as Operation Ajax, but the CIA pressured his twin sister, Princess Ashraf, to convince him and provided him with a substantial cash bribe. In August 1953, he agreed to the plan, but the first attempted coup on August 15 failed. In response, the Shah fled the country with Queen Soraya, traveling first to Baghdad and then to Rome. Mosaddeghs government was ultimately overthrown on August 19, and General Fazlollah Zahedi was installed as his successor. As many as 300 Iranians lost their lives in the coup, more were arrested and punished in the aftermath, and Mosaddegh was tried and convicted of treason. He died under house arrest in 1967. (A timeline of the coup is available here.) 3. The future wasnt so distant. The Shah returned to Iran on August 21, 1953, stopping on the way to pick up his private plane in Baghdad. The director of the CIA, Allen Dulles, flew with him, but Queen Soraya remained behind in Rome with Princess Ashraf, the Shahs twin sister. Though the New York Times reported that the Shah traveled with a heart full of joy for a bright future, the coup was really the beginning of the end of his reign, stoking significant distrust of his major foreign supporter, the United States, among Iranians and others in the Middle East. The Shah was thought by many to be the puppet of a Western government, and resistance to his attempts to enact Western-style reforms led to the Iranian Revolution in 1979. 4. Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (1932-2001) was the second wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. She was Irans queen consort during their marriage, which lasted from 1951 until 1958. (You can read more about her wedding jewels here.) They divorced after Soraya was unable to provide him with an heir. She later embarked on a brief film career. 5. The Daria-i-Noor Diamond, whose name means sea of light in Persian, is a pale pink gem that forms part of the Iranian crown jewel collection. Mined in India, the stone is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, measuring 182 carats. 6. The Iranian crown jewels still reside in the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran today. 7. Mohammad Amir Khatami (1920-1975) was the Shahs personal pilot. Four years after the coup, he was appointed commander of the countrys air force. In 1959, he became the Shahs brother-in-law, marrying Princess Fatimeh Pahlavi, the Shahs half-sister. He had previously been married to one of his cousins, who had died in 1954. Culture American artist Agnes Denes flags a fragile world with her art The installation follows a previous installation of the Flag at Tate Britain in London to mark the launch of a global Healing Arts campaign, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, to support improved mental, social and environmental health in the wake of the pandemic. A state of emergency has been declared in Florida as the worst red tide in a decade blackens the ocean water, killing dolphins, sea turtles and fish at a relentless pace. More than 100 tons of dead sea creatures have been shoveled up from smelly, deserted beaches in tourist areas along Florida's southwest coast as a result of the harmful algal bloom this month alone. In just the past week, 12 dolphins washed ashore dead in Sarasota County, typically the toll seen in an entire year. "It is physically and mentally exhausting," said Gretchen Lovewell, who is in charge of a skeleton crew at Mote Marine Laboratory that collects dead or distressed sea turtles and marine mammals. She and two colleagues "have been literally working around the clock," Lovewell added. On Sunday, near the fluffy sands of Siesta Key, one of America's top-ranked beaches, Lovewell recovered the remains of a decomposing dolphin. A faint number, 252, was visible, freeze-branded onto its dorsal fin. It was a 12-year-old male named Speck, who had been spotted more than 300 times by researchers monitoring generations of bottlenose dolphins in the Sarasota Bay. "It was devastating," said Randall Wells, director of the Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the world's longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, under way since 1970. Wells pulled out a map showing where researchers have seen Speck over the years. He often swam in waters right near Wells' own home. Researchers had also tracked Speck's mother and grandmother before they died from swallowing fishing gear. "Speck is somebody we have known from the time he was born," said Wells, who began studying dolphins when he was 16. "He was named after my dad." Read also: 21 dolphins die after washing up on Mexico beach How red tide kills Red tide is suspected as the cause of Speck's death, but researchers won't know for certain until lab results come back in the next few weeks. A natural phenomenon, red tide is caused by a microscopic single-celled organism called Karenia brevis, unique to the Gulf of Mexico. It releases a powerful neurotoxin that can become airborne, causing headaches, watery eyes, coughing and asthma attacks in people. Ecologists say the organism acts like a forest fire, clearing out weeds and allowing the landscape to start anew. Karenia brevis is found year-round at low levels. But once it multiplies, sea turtles and manatees may inhale it, or die from eating too much neurotoxin-laced fish and sea grass. Symptoms include disorientation, lack of coordination, and seizures. Red tide has been documented as far back as the 1500s by Spanish explorers. "But the question now is what might we be doing to enhance it and make it stay longer?" said Richard Pierce, a senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory and expert in ecotoxins. Florida's current spate of red tide began in October 2017, but grew considerably worse in recent weeks. Sometimes expanding and other times ebbing, it has descended on the west coast of Florida from Tampa to Naples, a nearly 200-mile (320-km) span. Industrial farming and improper waste treatment can foster the growth of toxic blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, another problem plaguing Florida waters. The same may hold true for red tide, experts say. Read also: Dolphin watching in Kiluan Bay, Lampung Blow to tourism The smell of rotting fish has been a gut punch to Florida's economy, sapping millions in revenue from fishing and tourism in peak season. "Our life is tourism here in southwest Florida," said Omar Botana, owner of Bay Water boat rentals in Bonita Springs. "It's hurt our business I'd say around 40 percent." Residents hope that lawmakers and government officials will take action on restoring water flow southward through the Everglades, building inland reservoirs where pollutants can seep out before reaching the coast, and cutting back on fertilizers. In the meantime, there is no end in sight to the current red tide outbreak. Wells recalled that dolphins continued to suffer once the last major outbreak of red tide in 2005-2006 had ended. Only a couple of local dolphins were suspected to have died from red tide toxins that time. But fish populations were decimated. Hungry dolphins are more likely to seek an easy meal on the end of a fishing line, and risk ending up dead themselves. To commemorate Independence Day on Aug. 17, footwear brand Wakai has released a batch of special edition sneakers, called Uknity. Kompas.com reported that the sneakers bear an Indonesian flag-themed design. The name Uknity comes from unity to depict the country and knit from how the shoes are created. The red-and-white sneakers take the silhouette of Wakais latest collection, Get Your Own Unit (GYOU), created to give maximum comfort with rubber and nylon as the main materials. With the Indonesian flag as the theme, the Wakai Uknity collection is released to commemorate the nation's Independence Day. (kompas.com/Kahfi Dirga Cahya) "This collection is a gift to Indonesia on Independence Day," said Alice Dwiyani, Metroxgroups division manager of creative development and marketing, at the launching event in Jakarta on Monday. Read also: Most Instagrammed sneakers of 2018 revealed The GYOU collection was first launched in February in limited numbers. Within two months, the nylon-knitted shoes were sold out. Local brand Wakai was founded in 2012, known for their Japan-inspired slip-on canvas shoes. Since then, it has produced flat shoes, boots, bags as well as clothing and has expanded to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines. (saz/wng) Visitors to a theme park in western France this week have a new attraction to enjoy: six crows that have been specially trained to pick up cigarette ends and rubbish. The birds have been in action since Monday at the Puy du Fou park, picking up litter on the site that features shows and rides themed around different periods of history. The black rooks, a member of the crow family, were chosen for their intelligence and have been trained to take small items of litter to a special wooden box in exchange for a tasty nugget of bird food for each deposit. There have been some instances of cheating, however, with some of the crows attempting to steal rubbish from others to win the rewards. "It's ecological, it's practical and it's fun to see," Swiss tourist Dorothee Haefliger told AFP. The managers of the park say the experiment is designed to make visitors more aware about litter. Read also: In Paris, eco-friendly cubist urinals spark sniggers and seething "We can see litter here on the car park and the crows are picking it up," Christophe Gaborit, who is in charge of falconry at the park, told AFP. He stood holding the wooden box and dispensing the bird food for each piece of collected rubbish. "That's not normal. It's up to us, humans, to take care of it. That's the ultimate message," he added. He said that he had always loved rooks, adding that they are under-appreciated birds. "People see it differently, so that makes me happy," he said. "We've changed its image and that's really interesting." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 17, 2018 08:31 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5384e5e 1 City low-cost-apartment,rent,increase,review Free Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan will recheck his policy on increasing the monthly rent rate of low-cost apartments by an average of 20 percent. The increase was regulated in Gubernatorial Decree No. 55/2018 on housing tax adjustment. We are rechecking [the policy], he said at City Hall on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com. He said he expected the result to come out on Monday. Although he had issued the decree, Anies said he wanted to review the reason proposed by the Jakarta Housing and Settlement Agency on increasing the rate. Anies said in Thursdays meeting with the agency that he had also talked about rent arrears problems left by those who had not paid rent for months. He said residents of these low-cost apartments should understand that they were subsidized by Jakarta tax payers. If the residents do not contribute [by paying] the components they should pay, Jakarta taxpayers should cover that [for them], Anies said. The Jakarta administration has increased the rent rate of 15 low-cost apartments to around 20 percent of its normal rate. The rent increase has been applied to the Sukapura, Penjaringan, Marunda, Kapuk Muara apartments in North Jakarta, the Flamboyan and Tambora I-IV apartments in West Jakarta, the Pondok Bambu, Cakung Barat, Pinus Elok, Pulogebang, Cipinang Muara, Pulo Jahe and Tipar Cakung low-cost apartments in East Jakarta, and the Jatirawasari and Karang Anyar apartments in Central Jakarta. (gis) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 17, 2018 09:24 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df53878aa 1 Business raw-materials,imports,limitation,businesspeople,involvement Free Businesspeople have called on the government to involve them in drafting a regulation on import limitation of raw materials to ease the country's current account deficit (CAD) because many of their factories still rely on imported raw materials. In an effort to curb imports, the government plans to issue a regulation that among others will impose a 7.5 percent income tariff on imports of consumer goods and raw materials. The government is currently assessing 500 imported items that may be replaced by local products. Association of the Indonesian Food & Beverage Producers (GAPMI) secretary-general Adhi Lukman said the import limitation of raw material was counterproductive. The industry also needs a global value chain. If the import is limited, we will also limit the products, Adhi said as quoted by kontan.co.id. on Wednesday, adding that such limitation should be only imposed on finished goods. He called on the government to be careful in drafting a regulation on import limitation because it could hamper investment and the business climate. Adhi also hoped that the government would invite businesspeople to discuss the new regulation. He said certain food and beverage ingredients, like wheat, flour and sugar, as well as milk, salt and soybeans, were still imported. Meanwhile, head of the research and development department of the Indonesian Pharmacological Business Association, Vincent Harijanto, said 90 percent of medicine material was still imported and therefore, any import limitation would cause problems. Instead of limiting raw material import, the government needs to encourage pharmacological companies to invest in manufacturing raw materials. But it needs incentives to invest [in raw materials for medicine], he added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 17, 2018 14:04 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df539499e 1 City Bundaran-HI,IndependenceDay,Independence-Day,jakarta,Joko-Avianto,anies-baswedan Free The Jakarta administration has installed a landmark bamboo art installation at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to celebrate Independence Day. Joko Avianto, the sculptor, said it took 10 men, one week and 1,600 pieces of bamboo to install the 5.5-meter tall artwork named Getah Getih, in reference to the red-and-white flag of the 13th century ethnic Javanese Majapahit Kingdom, which became the country's national flag. I think Majapahit is the strongest symbol for Indonesia, he said, alluding to the controversial idea of Javas supremacy in Indonesia. Read also: Bambooina: Indonesian designers bring the beauty of bamboo to Chiang Mai He added that the sculpture should last between six months to a year. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan attended the inauguration of the sculpture on Thursday and said it represented the intertwining unity of Indonesias 262 million people. He added that the administration paid Rp 550 million (US$37,670) for the artwork. Joko graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in West Java, and has been experimenting with bamboo for 10 years. One of his artworks was installed at the entrance of the Frankfurter Kunstverein Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. (nor/wit) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Thomas Watkins (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Fri, August 17, 2018 07:25 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df53776ab 2 World #USA,#China,China,military,USA Free Chinese bombers are likely training for strikes against US and allied targets in the Pacific, according to a new Pentagon report that also details how Beijing is transforming its ground forces to "fight and win." The annual report to Congress, released Thursday, highlights China's growing military, economic and diplomatic clout and how Beijing is leveraging this to rapidly build its international footprint and establish regional dominance. In the case of China's air power, the report states that Chinese bombers are developing capabilities to hit targets as far from China as possible. "Over the last three years, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the document states, noting how China is pushing its operations out into the Pacific. In August 2017, six Chinese H-6K bombers flew through the Miyako Strait in the southwest of the Japanese islands, and then for the first time turned north to fly east of Okinawa, where 47,000 US troops are based. The PLA may demonstrate the "capability to strike US and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam," the report says. - Largest ground force - China is engaged in a decades-long build-up and modernization of its once-backward armed forces, and military leaders have set a goal of fielding a world-class military by 2050. President Xi Jinping last year ordered the PLA to step up efforts, saying China needed a military ready to "fight and win" wars. The call has alarmed China's neighbors, several of whom are embroiled in tense border disputes with the superpower. According to the Pentagon, the PLA in April 2017 undertook a massive transformation of operational and tactical units as part of its structural reforms. With nearly a million troops, the PLA is the largest standing ground force in the world. "The purpose of these reforms is to create a more mobile, modular, lethal ground force capable of being the core of joint operations and able to meet Xi Jinping's directive to 'fight and win wars,'" the report notes. China's military budget for 2017 was about $190 billion, according to the report, far behind the Pentagon's annual budget of about $700 billion. When the Pentagon released its annual report last year, Beijing dismissed it as "irresponsible" in predicting that China would expand its global military presence by building overseas bases in countries like Pakistan. This year's report reiterates that China will seek to establish new bases in countries such as Pakistan. Key to this expanding footprint is China's "belt and road" initiative that seeks to bolster ties with other nations through lending and infrastructure deals. - Taiwan 'contingency' - The document also shines a light on China's ongoing military preparations for a "contingency" in the Taiwan Strait. Officially, China advocates for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but it has never repudiated the use of military force, the document notes. "The PLA also is likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with China by force, while simultaneously deterring, delaying, or denying any third-party intervention on Taiwans behalf," it states. "Should the United States intervene, China would try to delay effective intervention and seek victory in a high-intensity, limited war of short duration." To the ire of regional neighbors, China has built a series of islets and ocean features into military facilities in the South China Sea. Beijing has now stopped substantial land reclamation. "However, it continued to build infrastructure at three outposts," the report says. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Taipei, Taiwan Fri, August 17, 2018 13:18 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5392329 1 Business Industry-4-0,plastic,manufacturing-industry,Taiwan Free Taiwanese machine manufacturers are embracing the fourth industrial revolution -- also known as Industry 4.0 -- as they continue to innovate in high-tech automation to ensure high productivity and efficiency of their machines. Industrial machinery maker Fu Chu Shin (FCS), for example, is one of the biggest players in the industry in Taiwan. FCS, which mainly produces injection molding machines (IMMs), ran a system on its products called "Intelligent ManuFactory". FCS product manager Teh Ming-yi said the system had various high-tech features, which put forth effective machine-to-machine as well as human-to-machine communication. "For example, sensors installed in the machine can distinguish between a good and bad [production process]. If something bad happens, the machine will inform us and determine the cause by conducting a failure analysis," Teh said on the sidelines of the Taipei Plastic and Rubber Machinery Show (Taipei Plas) at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei on Friday. "This saves time and energy for companies." FCS' customers in Indonesia include companies operating in Bekasi, West Java, and Surabaya, East Java, which are involved in the automotive and furniture sectors. Another machinery manufacturer, Everplast, has its machines connected to smartphones for better communication and to monitor its activities. Everplast vice general manager Denny Huang said Industry 4.0 was on top of the company's agenda. "All of our machines are in line with Industry 4.0. They are very high-tech," Huang added. For example, Everplast's medical tube machine, which produces single- and multi-lumen medical tubes, must ensure effective human-to-machine communication as it required high precision to produce the small-diameter medical equipment. Huang said the company was currently seeking to expand to Indonesia after a failed attempt several years earlier. (dwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Seoul, South Korea Fri, August 17, 2018 13:41 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df53933c8 2 World #DonaldTrump,#KimJongUn,Donald-Trump,kim-jong-un,sanctions Free North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked "hostile forces" over "brigandish" sanctions, state media reported Friday, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticised Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called "hostile forces" for "trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a "new era" of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticising the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 17, 2018 17:03 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df53970e4 1 National IndependenceDay,Independence-Day,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,Iriana-Joko-Widodo,national-unity,aceh,west-sumatra,sumatra Free President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has expressed his wish for maintaining national unity and harmony as the country celebrates its 73rd Independence Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony in the yard of Merdeka Palace on Friday. Wearing traditional attire from Aceh, Jokowi said before the ceremony that the country's citizens should look forward with optimism, while maintaining peace with each other. "We have to give more attention to unity and harmony, because political stability and security are the fundamental capital for the country's development," Jokowi told reporters. Read also: Jokowi defends his infrastructure program Jokowi declared traditional clothing as the dress code for the annual flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Palace on Independence Day, explaining that he believed it was important to preserve cultural diversity as part of the country's national identity. In 2017, he wore traditional South Kalimantan attire while leading the ceremony. Located in the northernmost region of Sumatra, Aceh was once a restive region, as the government tried to quell a separatist uprising led by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The province, which is predominantly inhabited by conservative Muslims, was later granted special status and allowed to implement the sharia. The President was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, who wore a traditional outfit from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, which is also known as a conservative province. Last year, the first lady wore a traditional dress from the same province. Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Jusuf Kalla both wore traditional attire of the Buginese culture from their home province of South Sulawesi. (ris/wit) In the spirit of Indonesias 73rd Independence Day, the locals of Probolinggo in East Java erected up to 2,018 of red-and-white national flags at the sandy base of Mount Bromo on Tuesday. The flags will remain fluttering for four days as a form of Tenggerese people expressing their gratitude for independence from occupation. The 56-year-old head of Tengger indigenous tribe, Supoyo, said the activity was an initiative by the association of Tengger tribe traditional leaders, which was proposed to the local administration. As a result of the independent hard work and effort of Tenggerese tribes in the 12 villages of the Sukapura district, thousands of flags were hoisted and the event was declared as one of the events of the districts 57th Scout Commemoration Day. To attract the attention of a bigger crowd, a flag ceremony was held before raising the flag. It included a ride with the horses, a Glipang Probolinggo dance performance, followed by the presentation of a giant 10-by-25 meter Indonesian flag. There was a total of 500 participants comprising the tribes representatives, the [Indonesian Military] TNI and [the National Police] Polri, as well as elementary to junior high school students wearing traditional clothing, Supoyo said. Read also: Disabled climber to hoist national flag on Mount Elbrus For the Tenggerese tribe, Supoyo stated that the colors red and white symbolize their traditions and culture. Oftentimes, the colors are also associated with their traditional cuisine. For instance, the color white represents sanctity, peacefulness and harmony. Therefore, food that is inherently white (e.g. coconut milk, apem cake, cassava and bikang crackers) are usually served as ceremonial food or as a complementary ingredient. Red, on the other hand, symbolizes courage, hard work and diligence. The color is typically symbolized by the coconut sugar, a topping that is often present in traditional cake dishes. Such symbolism is why we find the colors red and white on our plates. They are there when we have a traditional ceremony or a cultural family event. Supoyo went so far to remark that these colors have been in our ancestors' blood even before this country was born. This event was made to invite the Tenggerese community, especially the ones from younger generations, to learn the meaning our red-and-white flag has toward our culture and duty for our nation, he urged. Sandi, a fifth grader in elementary school, was delighted to have been there. I was happy and proud to be given the opportunity of raising the red-and-white flag in a different place, like the sandy base of Mount Bromo or at the holy grounds. It was different than the usual, which would be in the schoolyard, he said. He appreciates being guided in his journey to reflect on the true meaning of the red-and-white flag. It helps that he could look at it through the lens of his Tenggerese beliefs. (saz/kes) When it comes to getting around the city of Kuala Lumpur, travelers have several options of getting around. Whether its by train or taxi, transportation around the city is relatively hassle-free. Here are some transport suggestions for getting around KL. Train With the recent completion of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), more parts of KL are now connected by rail. Apart from the MRT, other rail service include the Light Rail Transit (LRT), monorail and KTM Komuter. The trains in the city pass through iconic attractions such as KLCC, Central Market and Muzium Negara. If youre on a long visit, consider purchasing the Touch N Go card or weekly passes for cheaper fares. The card can be used on all trains, as well as RapidKL buses. Bus Travelling by bus in the city is a generally comfortable experience these days. Most of them are fully air conditioned and they get you to popular tourist attractions as well as quaint neighbourhoods. Look out for the free purple Go KL buses within the central business district that run along popular sites and famous shopping districts. You can also travel further on the RapidKL buses. Go KL City Bus is a free bus service that serving the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read also: How to get around in Barcelona, Spain Taxi Taxi is probably one of the most convenient ways to travel from one place to another in KL. Always insist on using the metre do not be duped into haggling for a price. According to the Land Public Transport Commission, regular budget taxis (usually painted in red and white, or red and blue) charge RM3 for the first three minutes. Subsequent distance or time are charged at RM0.25 every 200m or 36 seconds. Blue cabs (Teksi Eksekutif) and gold cabs (Teks1M) are better for large groups, but they do charge a higher fee. Taxis queue along KL Sentral in the city. Photo: The Star Self drive KL is a big city and having a car would allow travellers to get to surrounding townships such as Petaling Jaya or Shah Alam in Selangor easily. There are plenty of car rental options available online or at the airport. Driving in the city is generally safe. You might want to avoid peak hours though when traffic congestion can set you back an hour on average. Driving around KL is relatively breezy, just be sure to avoid rush hours! Photo: The Star Ride hailing Malaysia actually has a few ride-hailing options, with Grab being one of the more popular options among locals. Utilising the service is as easy as downloading an app. The downside is you would need mobile data or WiFi to operate the service. But that shouldnt be an issue as more people are connected on their travels these days. You can also book taxis on some of these apps. The prospect of 40 million foreign tourists coming to Thailand next year is too big a draw to ignore for boutique U.S. hotel company Standard International. Better known for its trendy hotels in locations such as Miami Beach and New York, Standard International plans to open hotels in four locations in Thailand by 2021 worth about $150 million, Chief Executive Officer Amar Lalvani said. Thats part of a strategy calling for 20 new properties over the next five years, including in London, Paris and Milan. "Growth is much faster in Asia, Lalvani said in an interview Thursday. Thailand is our starting point and from here we are looking at opportunities throughout the region. A surge in Chinese holidaymakers has stoked the expansion in Thailands tourism sector, which now accounts for roughly a fifth of the economy. The industry suffered a setback in July after more than 40 Chinese tourists died when a tour boat sank off the coast of Phuket, highlighting the challenge of managing the boom. While the tragedy may curb visitor growth temporarily, the nation remains on course for record arrivals next year. Thai developer Sansiri Pcl in 2017 acquired a 35 percent stake in Standard International for $58 million. Sansiri and other local investors will help fund Standard Internationals planned hotels in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket and Koh Samui. Sansiri will build residential projects next to the hotels in the first three locations, targeting young professionals who want apartments with hotel-type services, Lalvani said. Read also: Marriott International launches new loyalty program for foodies, travelers Standard International is in talks with investors to build hotels in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai. Lalvani expects as much as three quarters of revenue to come from Asia in the next five years. The firms hotels include features such as night clubs and restaurants to attract local fashionistas as well as foreign tourists. This helps diversify risk because the hotel business can go up and down very quickly, Lalvani said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, August 17, 2018 18:32 1170 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df539b389 1 News Lazuardi-Global-Islamic-School,school,Education,compassionate-school,Charter-for-Compassion Free Lazuardi Global Islamic School became on Saturday the first Compassionate School in Indonesia following the signing of the Charter of Compassion and its inclusion in the list of Compassion Action International. "This signing also marks the transformation of all Lazuardi schools into compassionate schools," Lazuardi Foundation chairman and Compassion Action International board member Haidar Bagir, who signed the charter, said in a statement. Lazuardi has 19 schools and partners across Indonesia. "Since its establishment, Lazuardi serves as a global Islamic school. As it now becomes Lazuardi Global Compassionate School, it doesn't mean it has removed its Islamic values. On the contrary, we are exploring the essence of Islam much further, since we believe that 'compassion, or 'rahmah' in Arabic, is the essence of the teachings of Islam brought by [Prophet Muhammad]," he added. Read also: Indonesia tops destination for international schools in Southeast Asia: Report Following the transformation, the school expects its graduates to be more compassionate to others, especially by lending a hand to those in need. "In this social media era, it is very easy for people to hate, blame and underestimate one another. By highlighting the principles of Islamic compassion, hopefully we can fix it," said Fitrop, who served as host of the signing event. The Charter for Compassion was previously signed in 2014 in Banyuwangi, East Java, which also became the first city of compassion in Indonesia. (kes) Summer might be coming to an end, but festival season isnt and this is one everybody can get behind. The Fantastical Chocolate Festival The Fantastical Chocolate Festival is touring the UK throughout the autumn and winter, and is bringing everything chocolate right to your front door. Chocolate fountains? Check. Chocolate fondues? Check. Artisanal chocolatiers? Definitely check. Basically, if you like chocolate (and who doesnt like chocolate?) this is the festival for you. The tour is being organised by the same people as The Great British Gin Festival and Rum & Reggae Festival, with the twist this time being that this is going to be much more family friendly. There will be crafts and chocolate tasting for young and old alike, making this a great family day out. Or, if youre going with friends, find the naughtier side of the festival, with chocolate booze for sale - have you ever heard of a better combination of words?! Unsurprisingly, tickets are selling incredibly fast for this tour, with extra dates already added in Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff. If youve blown your savings on Reading, Download or Creamfields, youll also find this to be a much more purse-friendly festival: each day is split into two sessions, with adult tickets costing from 9 (plus booking fee) per session. The Fantastical Chocolate Festival Even better, this is the festival which comes to you. Given that the UK consumes a staggering 660,900 tonnes of chocolate every year, its only right that the tour is covering the country from top to bottom, from Liverpool to London, Glasgow to Cheltenham. The aim is to visit over 40 cities, bringing candy floss, ice-cream and bubble waffles to a location near you from late 2018 and into 2019. It is a world-famous fact- British people love their tea. And, there are so many different ways to have a cuppa. In fact, it can turn into quite the occassion- with Afternoon Tea being served to celebrate birthdays, Mother's days, bridal showers and baby showers. But for Milennials, especially students visiting the UK, the etiquette and history of the Afternoon Tea may be a territory not yet explored. History The whole idea of afternoon tea is surprisingly rather new to British culture, rising in 1840 when introduced by the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna. Now tea drinking in itself dates back to China in early BC, becoming popular in Britian through King Charles II in the 1660's. Albeit, Anna was the one to bring afternoon tea to the table, initiatied after she would become hungry at 4pm in the afternoon with her evening meal served late at around 8pm, thus leaving an extensive gap between lunch and dinner. So, to avoid such a long period without food, the Duchess would ask for tea, bread and butter, as well as cake, to be brought to her in the mid afternoon- It was a matter of time before it became a social habit, inviting her friends to this way of life also, manifesting into a fashionably social event within society. Afternoon Tea Etiquette: In regards to afternoon tea etiquette, there are a few things to bare in mind. The dress code for most afternoon teas across the country is a smart-casual code in the modern day. However, wearing sportswear and/or trainers in a big no, no! Image Source- Pexels There are a few misconceptions in relation to afternoon tea. For one, afternoon tea is actually a completely different event to the term 'High Tea'. Visitors from others countries have a tendency to mistake afternoon tea for high tea or royal tea. The high tea is made up of mainly savoury items of food and is of a heartier nature, whilst royal tea includes a glass of proessco! Another misconception is that you need to stretch your little finger whilst drinking tea, aiding the balance of your cup- Sorry to break this to you all, but this is a myth which does not need to be followed through. British society is probably going to be devastasted by having to acknowledge this fact now! The Scone Debate: One of the most important subjects in British history....Scones! How do you pronounce the term 'scone' and how do you prepare one? Well, unfortunately, this remains a mystery and probably shall do for the rest of human existence. As long as you have butter, cream and jam with your scone, the way that you consume it is mearly personal preference. What is an afternoon tea guide though without mentioning our most loved debate? What does an afternoon tea consist of? Image Source- Unsplash An afternoon tea is made up of a selection of quaint sandwiches, including the memorable cucumber ones, a variety of cakes and pastries, as well as tea and of course, the beloved scones! An afternoon tea in your home is different to that at a professional tea shop and so on. Therefore, it is not etiquete to dunk any biscuits into your cuppa at a trandtional afternoon tea- Resist the urge to do so! Is there a particular way to stir your tea? Indeed there is! It is one of the traditional rules of an afternoon tea- Place your spoon at the 6 o'clock position with your cup, whilst folding your tea towards the 12 o' clock position. Alongside this tea stirring method, be sure to avoid your spoon making noise with your cup and to not leave your spoon in your tea after you have finished stirring. Image Source- Unsplash There is not a rule on how long you should allow your tea to brew for, but bare in mind that the longer you let your tea brew, there is a higher amount of antoxidines within your tea, which through research has found a correlation with benefits for your health! The afternoon tea is an event which has taken a positive toll on British society and regardless of how much generations change, afternoon tea is likely to remain special and an enjoyable event for people of all ages. Happy National Afternoon Tea Week! #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist I have mild Cerebral Palsy, chronic pain and impaired vision. One day I could be walking, the next day I could use my chair. By doing so it keeps my pain/ fatigue levels down, allows me to pace myself and enjoy more aspects of life! pic.twitter.com/TAnWC8YFUM Chloe Tear (@chloeltear) August 13, 2018 #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist I have ME/CFS, and while I don't require a wheelchair/scooter at home, being able to use one is super important for symptom management. It enables me to do things I otherwise wouldn't be able to do, such as going to the park or other trips. pic.twitter.com/a8RAANzmBP Matt Claghorn (@Claggy) August 13, 2018 I have M.E. On good days, I can walk around and dont need a chair. On bad days, I can barely walk. On long days out, I take a wheelchair to use as and when its needed. Im not faking my disability. #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist Amy (@Amymaria03) August 13, 2018 #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist I have EDS, POTS & Im Legally Blind. I have over 60 dislocations every day. I cant walk much anymore, but I walk around my flat, parents house, and other peoples houses. Im in my chair whenever Im out, and have a smart drive to help me. pic.twitter.com/rW1RBIQIJ3 Leah Rachel (@_LeahRachel) 13 August 2018 As the in the world, Iceland can be a frightening prospect for those seeking adventure on a student budget. However, an affordable Icelandic escape is possible. Here are seven money-saving tips I picked up whilst hiking the world-famous Laugavegur and Fimmvoruhals trails this August. 1. Choose budget flights Start your trip right by flying to Reykjavik with Wizz Air, EasyJet or WOW. These airlines provide affordable flights to Icelands capital from London Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton. 2. Be prepared to camp - everywhere People generally begin the famous Laugavegur and Fimmvoruhals hiking trails in Landmannalaugar and finish in orsmork or Skogar. Along the route there are huts every 15-25km, providing beds which can be pre-booked, as well as nearby camping grounds for tents. A stay in a hut will knock you back approximately 50 per night versus 12-15 per person when camping the choice is yours. Hut bookings will usually also exclude a hot meal, expecting guests to cook for themselves over shared stoves. Of course, one downside to camping is that the weight of your bag may creep up to near 20 kilograms, especially if you carry a tent as part of your kit . Campin g is also available close to the centre of Reykjavik for approximately 17 per night. This is a great option if you have a couple of spare days at the end of your trip to explore the capital, especially since the campsites have considerably nicer amenities than the sites on the trails. 3. Pack food and bring a stove It is essential that you pack enough food for at least the five days of the trek. My friend and I packed ten packets of Uncle Bens rice each, porridge for breakfast, as well as energy-dense snacks including nuts, cereal bars, dried fruit and crackers. Many people bring freeze-dried meals purchased from camping shops in the UK, though these packets tend to be costlier. Snacks can be purchased at some of the campsites, but the few choices available are very overpriced. Campingaz stoves Naturally, for camping it is essential to bring a gas stove as you will not be allowed to cook on the hut stoves. Theand available at Mountain Warehouse tend to be a cheaper option than buying a full Trangia set. 4. Dont buy cooking gas Dont make the mistake of shelling out 19 for a can of cooking gas. My friend and I made this mistake before realising that previous campers leave boxes filled with partially-used cooking gas cans for the next group. 5. Be prepared for VERY erratic weather Icelandic weather is notoriously unpredictable. This can lead to unexpected costs if you arrive underprepared. Invest in high-quality hiking gear in the UK before departure. This means a waterproof not water resistant jacket and trousers, waterproof boots, and warm layers. Being prepared for poor weather will reduce your chances of impulse-buying bed space in a hut when you are soaked through and shivering post-hike. I would recommend to always hike in trousers as opposed to shorts. A clear, bright day can turn into a hailstorm in a matter of minutes, and, once you are wet, it is very difficult to get warm again. 6. Dont shower It may sound unhygienic, but one of the easiest ways to save money is to avoid showering. Showers are not included in the camping fee and cost 3.60. Wet wipes are your best friend! 7. Try hitchhiking Our major expenditure was bus travel with excursion companies who profit from tourist transfers to-and-from Reykjavik. The transfer from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar, costing around 50, is unavoidable due to the few cars on the track to the start of the trail. However, hitchhiking from the end of the trail at Skogar is more probable due to the huge number of tourists driving to visit the magnificent waterfalls in the area. If you have a day to spare, it is not unlikely that you could find a friendly car-owner to accompany back to Reykjavik. 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 Gunn recently met with Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn. Source: Variety Following James Gunn's firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 a month ago, there has been much support for the director from fans and cast members alike. But Disney is holding firm in its decision to let the director go. The decision was reaffirmed following a meeting between Gunn and Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn. Gunn was fired following the revelation of dozens of decade-old joke tweets about pedophilia and rape. Disney was quick to respond, wanting to not tarnish their family-friendly image. Marvel president Kevin Feige was unable to attend the meeting and was reportedly pushing for Disney to reinstate Gunn as director, but is now standing by Horn's decision. The film is set to start filming in early 2019, but Feige will have to start hunting for a new director and possibly a new script. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 11C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 9C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. 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. Tesla shares tumbled last night as Elon Musks handling of the company came under fire taking losses to nearly 10bn in less than a fortnight. In an emotional interview that raised questions over the billionaires health, Musk insisted he was not on weed when he tweeted plans to take the company private. The 47-year-old went on to attack his detractors while at the same time complaining of being overworked, describing the past year as excruciating and the worst of his career. Under pressure: Musk has revealed the toll is long work weeks have been taking on his health As analysts cast doubt over the profitability the Model 3 electric car, shares plunged 9pc. The slump took losses in the last eight trading sessions to nearly 20pc or 10bn. Crispin Odey, one of the UKs most respected fund managers who has long been betting against Tesla, suggested the company could be on its last legs. He told investors: Tesla feels like it is entering the final stage of its life. Musks decision to tweet his plans for taking the company private while on the way to the airport has resulted in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. But in an interview with the New York Times, he said he did not regret his tweet. Why would I? he said. The father-of-six also rejected suggestions he had been smoking marijuana, adding: I was not on weed, to be clear. Weed is not helpful for productivity. Theres a reason for the word stoned. You just sit there like a stone on weed. He launched a fresh attack short-sellers betting Tesla shares will fall, saying they were to blame for his stress and he expected even more months of extreme torture. Theyre not dumb guys, but theyre not super smart, he said. Theyre OK. Theyre smartish. He revealed he was working 120-hour weeks and relying on medication to sleep. Musk said: This past year has been the most difficult and painful year of my career. Its not been great. Ive had friends come by who are really concerned. Future plans: Some investors have voiced concerns that the company may not survive Teslas board is said to be concerned about Musks erratic behaviour prompting executives to launch a search for a number-two who can take pressure off him. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebooks operating chief, was approached about the role a few years ago but did not take it up, Musk said. He said he remained committed to his roles of chairman and chief executive but also claimed he would step aside if a good candidate emerged, adding: Is there someone who can do the job better? They can have the reins right now. Hamish Chamberlayne of Global Sustainable Equity, a Tesla investor, said it would be difficult to imagine the company without Musk running things, but backed the hiring of an operations chief. He told the Financial Times: He has made a superhuman contribution to the company and we regard him as an incredible leader. He is human, however, and it is becoming increasingly apparent he is overstretched. Ross Gerber, another vocal supporter of Musk, called on Teslas board to protect Musk. He tweeted: Makes no sense to let Elon burn out. However, in a fresh blow, it was claimed an investigation into Tesla by the Securities and Exchange Commission was wider than previously thought. The regulator is already looking into Musks tweet saying his plan for privatisation had funding secured, amid concerns he misled investors. He stunned markets by revealing he was considering taking Tesla private for $420 per share. But the Wall Street Journal said the SEC was also investigating whether Musk downplayed the companys Model 3 production problems. It is said to have issued writs to a parts supplier as part of its enquiries. Critics point out Tesla is burning through cash as it tries to ramp up Model 3 production after a series of delays. Analysts at UBS, however, questioned the profitability of the Model 3 yesterday. They said that Tesla could lose $6,000 (4,700) on every base model. And its premium Model 3 sedan will also not produce better profit margins than a conventional BMW, they added. Mecca Bingo owner Rank Group suffered a 41 per cent plunge in annual pre-tax profits, claiming it had endured a 'challenging year.' Falling bingo and casino customers, coupled with tighter regulatory controls in the sector, led to the group's 'disappointing' results, it said. The group's Grosvenor Casinos business suffered a 6.1 per cent drop in revenue over the period. Customer visits to Mecca Bingo fell by 7.9 per cent. The FTSE 250 listed company's share price is down 3.13 per cent or 5.50p to 170.50p this morning, having sunk around 6 per cent earlier. On the slide: Customer visits to Mecca Bingo sites fell by 7.9% in the last year, Rank Group said In the year to 30 June, the group's pre-tax profits fell by 41.4 per cent to 46.7million, while like-for-like sales dipped by 2.3 per cent to 738million. While operating profit for Mecca Bingo fell 4.3 per cent, Rank Group said it was a smaller decline than expected thanks to better cost controls. The business was knocked in by part extreme weather earlier in the year, as well as lower gambling margins from some of its major players. Digital revenue for the year increased by 9 per cent to 122.5million. The group increased its final dividend by 2.1 per cent to 7.45p. John O'Reilly, Rank Group's chief executive, sought to reassure investors that the company is now pushing ahead with a turnaround plan following its poor performance. He said: 'With the backdrop of a disappointing performance in 2017/18, we are now moving quickly to identify the key priorities which will begin to realise the significant underlying potential that I have now seen first-hand since joining the group in early May. Poor results: Rank Group's annual pre-tax profits fell by over 41%, its latest results show 'We are taking steps to increase our focus on the customer, to accelerate growth in the digital business, to drive cost efficiencies across the business and to strengthen our organisational capabilities. 'This will be delivered within a transformational programme framework, which will ensure that we deliver a growing Rank Group that is fit for the future.' Ed Monk, an associate director for Fidelity Personal Investing, said: 'Investors have been betting against Grosvenor Casino and Mecca Bingo operator Rank Group since its profit warning in April and that seems unlikely to change after the final results today. 'The company itself described the last year as "challenging" and this was reflected in falling revenue that justifies the previous profit warning.' He said the results show the digital business is growing but 'not fast enough' to make up for fewer visits to its casinos and bingo halls. Mr Monk added: 'The silver lining for investors has been the company's dividend, which has been growing. 'The payment is becoming less secure, however, as sales suffer.' Embattled military flares maker Chemring has won a 73million contract from the US department of defence to upgrade its mine detectors. Chemring said its technologies would make the Husky Mounted Detection Systems more effective. The deal comes days after a fire at a plant near Salisbury in Wiltshire killed a worker. US deal: It comes days after a fire at a plant near Salisbury in Wiltshire killed a worker Boss Michael Ord said the contract followed years of research and was a big boost for the company. It demonstrates the progress the group is making on its road map and the move to focus on our higher margin, niche market positions where the group is best placed to generate future value, he added. Shares plunged 20 per cent last week after one man was killed and another injured in a blast at its flare-making building. Work at the plant, which accounts for about 15pc of the companys sales, has been suspended during a key period. Chemring said the incident could dent profits by between 10million and 20million, although the full impact could not yet be measured. The business is also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office over allegations of bribery, corruption and money-laundering involving historical contracts. Shares rose 0.49 per cent yesterday, or 1p, to 205p. Trendy craft beer producer Brewdog has to pay 12,000 compensation to a former employee who was sacked after telling the company he was about to be declared legally blind. James Ross, 47, who worked in the Aberdeen brewer's packaging department, suffers with Stargardt disease, which causes progressive vision loss. After he refused to move to a different department last year, claiming the new role would be more difficult with his condition, Brewdog fired him. Not cool: Judge Nick Hosie described Brewdog's actions as 'astonishing Employment judge Nick Hosie described Brewdog's actions as 'astonishing'. GOVERNMENT is broke? Well weve been here before back in 2008 to 2011 and we were lucky to be bailed out by a dramatic rise in Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) receipts which contribute about 60 per cent to our national budget. We do recall that before the financial crisis the country was sitting pretty with a fiscal surplus of 6.4 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008/09. However, this turned into a deficit of 7.1 per cent of GDP in 2009/10 which nearly doubled in 2010/11 to about 13.8 per cent. This time around, the SACU bail-out looks highly unlikely. Our big brother South Africa is on the verge of retrenching 30 000 civil servants as a cost cutting measure due to a sluggish economic growth. So what next for Eswatini? Harping on the past may not be helpful to some, but experience remains the best teacher. In this instance it is absolutely necessary to revisit the strategies that were put on the table and what went wrong. We then need to pray that the incoming government will act decisively to avoid repeating the same mistakes. The last thing we need is externally imposed reforms from the likes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current fiscal challenges facing government causes us to take a look back at the Fiscal Adjustment Roadmap(FAR) born out of the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) which contained governments declaration to implement decisive measures and reforms to deal with the challenges of the global financial crisis and to bring the fiscal position to sustainable levels. Five action plans were laid out in the document that sought to achieve economic recovery for the country. Firstly, government promised to introduce fiscal reforms to broaden the tax base and tax collection while reducing the tax burden on the poor and impediment to economic activity. We saw the birth of the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) and the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT), both of which helped improve efficiencies in tax collection and grow the government purse. However, there are no signs that the tax burden was reduced on the poor given consistent rise in service fees over the years. Secondly, government promised to Restructure, right-size, and improve the efficiency of the public expenditure and services. We all know what happened here. No restructuring with intent to right-size has ever taken place. In fact, the opposite is true. The civil service has grown, the number of parastatals has increased, hiring of recruits for the security forces has placed expenditure on the armed forces which is the second largest in the national budget. Weve seen massive salary increments through the infamous Dvuladvula salary award that saw politicians cash in an up to 32 per cent pay rise, much against advice to reduce the unsustainable wage bill. On expenditure controls, the Auditor Generals report is damning in this regard and it would help our aspiring MPs to acquaint themselves with the reports of post 2008-2011 financial crisis that show how nothing has been learned since then. Thirdly, FAR promised to Improve governance so as to build investor confidence and allow for greater transparency and accountability. However, things only got worse. Investor confidence had been at a low ebb given our non-competiveness in terms of high electricity and communication costs, among others. It continued to wane after we lost our access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade incentive that provides preferential trade access for Eswatini goods to the USA, resulting in thousands of textile workers losing their jobs. We have regained our status following amendments to our labour policies but the workers may take years to recover from this. Fourth on the FAR list was to Improve the export base and facilitate increased participation of the SME sector in the trade The country remains a large importer of good, especially consumables and our SME sector remains ill-equipped to compete on quality, standards and price on the international market. Failing to capitalise on our natural resources and mineral in the mining sector has also contributed to our current situation. A review of the mining policy has been very slow. The fifth strategy was to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and provide support for the development and the involvement of domestic investors in the manufacturing and other businesses. The Swaziland Investment promotion Authority (SIPA) has failed to lure impactful investment resulting in our unemployment rate rising to 40 per cent. Weve only managed to move one place up on the Ease of Doing Business rankings as we continue to roll out the red tape instead of the red carpet for investors. Whats worse is that the country has allowed Asian businesses that does not qualify as FDI to flood the SME sector and increase outflow of capital. Evidently we had all the right strategies but adopted the wrong approach so it should not come as surprise that government finds itself back in a financial predicament. We cant afford to make the same mistakes! MBABANE The countrys undoubtedly most colourful ceremony will be officially held on Monday September 3, 2018. This is none other than the Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony where thousands of maidens will dance before Their Majesties after collecting the reed. The announcement was made yesterday by Indvuna Yembali Nonduduzo Zubuko at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence. The main day for the reed dance is a public holiday. According to Zubuko, all maidens have been summoned to come in numbers to the Ludzidzini Royal Residence on Tuesday August 28, 2018. She said that would be the first day of registration and said on the following two days, the young women would go to the various centres to cut the reed. On August 31, 2018, the maidens are expected to return to the royal kraal and on September 1, 2018, they will rest, reads the announcement. Zubuko further stated that the maidens would on September 2, 2018 deliver the reed before Their Majesties and September 3, 2018 would be the main day for dancing. She advised chiefs and community leaders that they were expected to release four men from the various communities who would accompany the maidens. She said their duties would be to ensure that should any of the maidens not feel well or be involved in any incident, two of them would be able to report to the relevant authorities while the others would also report back to the families should the child be hospitalised. Zubuko said the chiefs were expected to give both the warriors and maidens advice on how to behave or conduct themselves during the ceremony. Nawo lamajaha ayati kutsi tintfombi tilala todvwa nalabadvuna balala bodvwa, she said. This is loosely translated to mean that the accompanying males should be well aware that the maidens should sleep separately from them. The chiefs were further advised that they should not release young children because of the scarcity of the reed in closer areas as the children then fail to walk the long distances to the remote areas where the reed is cut. Last year, over 100 000 maidens participated in the reed dance where Liphovela LaMashwama was unveiled. The reed dance ceremony normally attracts throngs of tourists from the world over, who come to have a first hand experience of Eswatini culture. HLATIKHULU A massive fire that erupted at a Hlatikhulu cardboard factory on Wednesday night is estimated to have caused about E4 million worth of damage. Police have described the blaze as one of the biggest fire incidents to have occurred in the small town. A source described as scary the sight of the inferno which reportedly engulfed the Chuan-yi Paper Factorys entire premises, damaging a number of goods that were ready for the market. The blaze triggered a massive rescue response from both members of the Eswatini Police Service and firefighters from Nhlangano, who reportedly dispatched several crews. Hours Witnesses said the fire took several hours to control and at one stage it was feared it would spread to nearby homesteads around Sibetsamoya location, where the cardboard making firm is located. Firefighters, according to management, were forced to deal with the blaze for almost 12 hours, beginning from Wednesday 10pm up until around noon yesterday. Even though massive damage was done, operations are still continuing. It is suspected that the fire might have been caused by human element, as it was feared it might have been an act of sabotage. Management hinted that at some point they had a misunderstanding with some people who raised certain grievances, which were being addressed. I am not saying they are the cause but my security reported to me that last week, he intercepted some people who were trying to burn the factory. He said they disappeared into darkness, then the incident happened on Wednesday night, he said. According to a source, the fire broke out at around 10pm on Wednesday, where it caused a series of explosion and massive fireballs as two trucks that were also within the company premises also caught fire. Information reaching this publication was that the fire started at the rear of the firm, and the security guard who was stationed at the premises on the night only noticed smoke and flames as the fire began to spread all over the plant. SITEKI If you were nominated for the elections and youre thinking of pulling out of the race now; forget it! A nominee was disappointed yesterday when his withdrawal letter was rejected by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). He had taken advantage of the EBCs sensitisation exercise for nominees under Lubombo, which was held in Siteki yesterday afternoon. The nominee, whose name was not immediately ascertained, approached EBC Commissioner Ncumbi Maziya on the sidelines of the event, and handed him a letter of withdrawing his candidacy. However, Maziya rejected the letter and informed the candidate that it was now too late to pull out of the race. Later, in his official address, Maziya told all the nominees that there was no way they could withdraw from the elections since their particulars had already been processed and would now appear on the ballot paper. There is no turning back now; the ballot papers have been printed, said Maziya when addressing the nominees. He shared with them how the nominee had approached him before the start of the event and requested to withdraw his candidacy. I rejected his letter and told him that his face will appear on the ballot paper, said Maziya. In an interview after the event, Maziya said it was not clear why the nominee wanted to withdraw. He speculated that perhaps the nominee had failed to comply with the requirement of filing his tax returns with the elections body. We have advised nominees who owe tax to engage Masilela (Swaziland Revenue Authority Commissioner General) and see what agreement they can reach. We have printed the ballot papers now, so nominees cant withdraw from the elections, stated Maziya. Meanwhile, during the event, EBC officials took time explaining to nominees the stages of the entire elections process and the expected conduct of nominees on elections day. Elections Officer Mlamuli Shabangu, urged nominees to arrive early on the elections day, so that they could be able to inspect the ballot boxes and confirm that there were no ballot papers inside. He added that even after polling stations had been closed, nominees should not leave before ensuring that all ballot boxes had been sealed. In the event a chiefdom has many polling stations and some ballot boxes are transported to a counting station, do not lose sight of the ballot boxes. Leave your car and ride on the one that would be transporting the ballot boxes, he said, provoking laughter from the close to 1 000 nominees who had crammed the small hall where the event was held. MANZINI Oops! There was E500 million as a provisional budget to cater for civil servants cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the 2018/19 financial year. Minister of Public Service Owen Nxumalo said he was not taking civil servants or the nation for a ride when he said they (civil servants) would get something this financial year as far as COLA was concerned. It was in March 9, 2018 during the Portfolio Committee debate of his ministry in Parliament when the minister assured civil servants that they would get something this financial year. After the government negotiation team (GNT) tabled zero per cent pay rise for civil servants on Wednesday, union leaders wondered if the minister was taking them for a ride with his statement. I was not taking them for a ride because when I made that statement, there was a provisional budget of E500 million which was supposed to cater for civil servants salary increase, he said in an interview yesterday. The minister emphasised that during that period, governments cash flow was doing well. He said the unfortunate thing was that the negotiations delayed and found that governments responsibilities had piled up. He said the provision was still there but the fact was that it only existed on paper as government had no money at the moment. On that note, the minister urged the unions to continue with the negotiations because once government recovered from the current economic crisis, the money would be put into the provisional budget to cater for their pay rise. On another note, the minister clarified that even though civil servants were under his ministry, as Cabinet, they discussed issues and made decisions collectively. He said civil servants could seem as if they were his responsibility but considering the way they operated as Cabinet, they were affected by decisions taken collectively. Meanwhile, some of the union leaders who were contacted said they smelt a rat in the whole issue. They should have declared that there was a provisional budget set aside for our salaries and it would be replaced once the country recovers economically, said one of the union leaders. Again, they wondered that had they accepted the zero per cent offer on Wednesday, was government going to talk about the provisional budget? The answer is obviously no, they said. The union leaders said they would look into the matter since they would meet today to discuss what transpired at the round table on Wednesday. MANZINI Every month, nurses at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital attend to over 100 cases of young women who have committed illegal abortions. The shocking statistics show that many women, especially the youth, continue to practise unsafe sexual intercourse, leading to unwanted pregnancies. To be specific, the hospitals Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Benjamin Simelane, stated that each month, the hospital received about 103 patients who had allegedly committed abortions and had complications. Simelane said this after he was informed that this publication had uncovered several hotspots within the city where abortion pills and similar related services were offered. Pills After using the pills, most women suffer serious complications and are compelled to visit health centres to get medical attention. Simelane confirmed that some of these women found their way to the RFM. We are receiving high numbers (of such incidents) on a monthly basis and it is quite shocking. Every health centre has a policy to save the lives of patients, therefore, such cases are always attended to by our medical doctors and nurses, Simelane said. The CEO, when asked if the hospital engaged the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) in such cases, said some patients were actually brought in by the police, who further charged them with abortion. Most patients are brought in by the police after serious complications while some come to the hospital on their own accord, Simelane said. Meanwhile, some other health centres have been found to be issuing out and selling abortion pills to the public. These pills are normally used to induce labour on pregnant women. The employees involved in such activities get the pills from the pharmacy and sell them to individuals and other illegal centres which assist women with abortion. Simelane, however, said he had no information on whether his hospital staff was also involved in the illegal activity. Some nurses at RFM, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that they dealt with a large number of young women who come to the facility after complications from illegal abortions. One woman almost lost her life right here at the hospital. She had bled profusely and had been to the facility several times after committing illegal abortions, a nurse said. Meanwhile, the Manzini Magistrates Court has also found itself quite busy dealing with cases of women who have committed abortion. It was gathered that the court receives no less than 10 cases of such crime in a month. Even though this figure seems quite less than the number of women who visit health facilities after complications from illegal abortions, some of them manage to get away with the crime one way or another. By Trend Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of Indonesia, Independence Day, the president said. I believe that relations between Azerbaijan and Indonesia as well as the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our countries will continue to develop in the best interests of our peoples, he added. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Indonesia peace and prosperity. President Ilham Aliyev has also congratulated President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on the national holiday of the Republic of Gabon, Independence Day, the president said. On this remarkable day, I extend my best regards to you and wish your people peace and progress. The production by American Thymele Theatre (ATT), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marked the 10th anniversary of the NYESF which continues to draw diverse crowds to enjoy the work of the ancient playwright for free each summer NEW YORK This years highly anticipated New York Euripides Summer Festival (NYESF) presented Suppliants at amphitheaters in three New York City Parks and at the Minor Latham Playhouse at Columbia University, August 2-10. The production by American Thymele Theatre (ATT), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marked the 10th anniversary of the NYESF which continues to draw diverse crowds to enjoy the work of the ancient playwright for free each summer. The playbill included a letter from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, welcoming everyone to the festival. He wrote, New York is the proud home to residents who hail from every corner of the map, and this remarkable diversity is reflected in our vibrant cultural landscape. Established in 1993, ATT promotes the rich heritage of Greece through its free plays presented in New York City public schools and theatres in the five boroughs and beyond. Its annual Euripides festival showcases works by the ancient Greek dramatist, and this years edition features a production of Suppliants. As you gather to take in todays production, I applaud the plays cast and crew and everyone associated with this wonderful theater company for their efforts to enhance our performing arts offerings, uplift our thriving Greek community, and share traditional Hellenic culture with New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. On behalf of the City of New York, I offer my best wishes for a fabulous festival and continued success. Enjoy the show, Mayor de Blasio concluded. Suppliants is a rarely-staged tragedy and features two choruses, a Chorus of Argive Women and a Chorus of Argive Children, offering unique classical roles for children. The audience was impressed by the performances of Gina Haver as Aethra, Andrew Kallimani as Theseus, Zane Michael as the Herald, Alex M. Griffin as the Messenger, and veteran actor Peter J. Coriaty as Iphis. ATT founder and noted character actor Stephen Diacrussi told The National Herald, ATT was founded while the year 2000 was still seven years away, the same year the first cloning of a human embryo was achieved and the European Union was formally established. Not necessarily a blessing for a humble character actor, American Thymele Theatre made me see theater from a non-actors perspective, while enabling me to offer career opportunities and guidance to many colleagues in the professional world in which I was immersed since my graduating year at Performing Arts High School. Coinciding with ATTs 25th anniversary, this New York Euripides Summer Festival production of Suppliants has already become a joyous memory for me, filled with gratitude towards the marvelous troupe of actors and staff and the general public for their support and enthusiasm in our endeavors. Suppliants was first produced in Athens circa 421 BC and praises Athens and democracy at a time when Argos was considering a treaty with Boeotia, an enemy of Athens. The play is based on events from a generation before the Trojan War, when seven chiefs were sent to defend the seven gates of Thebes, now at war with Argos. King Oedipus has left Thebes and his sons, Polyneices and Eteocles, fight for control of the city-state. Polyneices has married the daughter of Adrastus, King of Argos, and joined in the attack against Thebes. Both of Oedipus sons are killed in the fight and Creon, brother of Jocasta, assumes control of Thebes. He forbids the burial of Polyneices and all the Argive invaders. The mothers, wives, and children make an appeal for the bodies of their unburied dead to Theseus, King of Athens. The events recounted in the play were also dramatized by Aeschylus in Seven Against Thebes produced in 467 BC. The production featured a contemporary staging which allowed the actors and the text of the play to shine. The final performance of the festival on August 10 was originally scheduled to be held at the Glicker-Milstein Theatre, but due to an electrical short circuit, the show went on at the adjacent Minor Latham Playhouse instead. Many audience members told TNH they look forward to next years festival. Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Human development is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach that is focused on people and their opportunities and choices. Eujin Byun is from Korea and works as a UNHCR communications officer in South Sudan. In 2017, aid workers were the target of 46 major attacks in the country, including shootings, kidnappings and assaults. Despite the risks, Eujin recently decided to extend her stay. Here she explains why. For the last two years I have been working in South Sudan, one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a humanitarian worker. Since the start of the conflict in December 2013, a total of 93 aid workers have been killed. Sixty humanitarian workers were detained in May; of those, 28 have been released so far. Such news makes my blood run cold it could so easily be me. This is the reality of life as an aid worker in one of the most conflicted parts of the world. As an aid worker, we are always prepared for emergencies we each have a run bag packed containing basic items like underwear, a phone charger, a copy of our passport, cash, toothbrush and toothpaste. "Being a female humanitarian worker is even tougher sometimes." If it sounds difficult to be a humanitarian worker in South Sudan, being a female humanitarian worker is even tougher sometimes. Yet, Im still here, as well as 85 female UNHCR colleagues working all over the country. The fear has been with me since I chose to work in Maban county, South Sudan over two years ago. After a series of women aid workers were raped in Juba in 2016, the fright grew even more for many female colleagues. And yet, despite my own fears, I chose to stay in South Sudan for another two years. Why? In South Sudan I have witnessed both the best and worst of humanity. I have visited communities where people have nothing, but still manage to keep a huge smile on their faces. It makes me realize what is important in life and the many small things we take for granted family, friends, education, electricity and even walking outside at night. UNHCR communications officer Eujin Byun shows pictures to women at a refugee camp in South Sudan. UNHCR photo UNHCR communications officer Eujin Byun talks to refugee children at a camp in South Sudan. UNHCR/James Jamba Charles UNHCR communications officer Eujin Byun holds a refugee baby at a camp in South Sudan. UNHCR/James Jamba Charles But the major reason for extending my tenure here is because of my colleagues, with whom I share each day. There is a tremendous sense of solidarity between us, and we understand that while we live and work under the threat of danger, our lives are bound together. This is more than just a day job. The horror we see affects us all deeply but by working together, it can be translated from sadness and anger into something productive. Among colleagues, we share our stories about our family, children and also our daily struggles and challenges as women, as humanitarians, and as human beings. I have heard countless stories from South Sudanese colleagues, mostly mothers who had to live far from their children many moved their family outside of South Sudan due to security risks. They often tell me that the hardest thing is not fearing for their own lives, but how they feel when their children ask them, When can I see you next? "By working together, sadness and anger can be translated into something productive." Most recently, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements visited South Sudan. It was inspiring to meet the most senior female staff working within UNHCR. She sat down with refugees and internally displaced women and listened to them speak about security risks, as well as sexual, gender-based and domestic violence. She applauded their resilience and encouraged them to work together to protect each other. She also took time to reach out to female colleagues, gave us career advice, and let us know that she is there for us if we have any questions. Many female aid workers need mentors and role models, and if the most senior female staff member can make herself available to listen to our challenges and give advice, it can have a huge impact on our careers. UNHCR has over 450 field locations around the world. In countries where conflict is ongoing, women employees are a minority. We need more of you in locations like South Sudan, so that we can be an even stronger organization for the people we serve, Clements said. It is shocking and deeply saddening to hear about my fellow humanitarians being held hostage or killed. But it wont stop me as I continue to help refugees and internally displaced people rebuild their homes and lives. Right now, despite the danger, South Sudan is where I belong. The UN Refugee Agency works in 128 countries helping men, women and children driven from their homes by wars and persecution. Our headquarters are in Geneva, but 87 per cent of our over 15,000 staff are based in the field, helping refugees. This is one of a series of profiles highlighting our staff and their work. 16 railwaymen rescued from deadly landslide in Karnataka Hassan, Aug 17 (UNI) In all a team of 16-member team from Southwestern Railway who were trapped at Yedakumeri Railway Station in this district nestled in Western Ghats were rescued by a team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Sakleshpur Taluk in the district on Friday with the help of trekkers drawn from local community and experts. The team of Indian Railways who were trapped in hilly Yedakumeri Railway Station, following heavy rain and landslides during last two days. Today AC Lakshmikanth Reddy, with the help of trekking experts along with the Tahsildar, Police, Fire Service personnel accessed Yedakumeri Railway Station through a trekking path, to rescue all the 16 Indian Railway staff. (Aug. 16, 2018) -- UTSA will begin a new academic year with 50 new assistant, associate and full professors joining its ranks. The new faculty members bring their talent from a host of prestigious institutions from around the nation and world. The faculty are the core and heart of this university, shared Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy in her welcome to the faculty during this weeks new faculty orientation. Youre here at UTSA to advance knowledge through discovery application and translation and to ensure the success of our students. As a new faculty member, we not only help you to establish your own research area, we provide the opportunity to collaborate and be part of a team of faculty colleagues addressing todays grand challenges. Furthermore, our UTSA students are hungry to work with you as a faculty member and experience the passion of underlying the diversity of scholarship that goes on here from the laboratories to the library. The incoming faculty members chose UTSA for a variety of reasons. UTSA has a great research vision for the upcoming years and I am eager to contribute to this exciting opportunity, without reducing quality of teaching, stated Arka Roy, who is joining the Department of Management Science and Statistics. I decided to come to UTSA because the position I've taken will provide me an exciting opportunity to establish an internationally recognized research program that has implications for natural resource management in a state facing rapid global change, and in one of the fastest growing research universities in the country, said Jennifer Smith, who is joining the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology. I am also excited to hold a position in a university that is committed to diversity and inclusion such as UTSA! The institution and department provide great opportunities to work with groups of students, mentor master's and doctoral students, and perform research, while having the potential to establish collaborations with colleagues and adjacent institutions, shared Hugo Giambini, who is joining the Department of Biomedical Engineering. It is an ideal environment to teach the next generation of scientist how to combine engineering knowledge to solve clinical problems and diseases affecting the population. I want to be part of the drive for teaching excellence at UTSA while being able to fulfil a research agenda that will keep the humanities vibrant and vital, said Kerry Sinanan, who is joining the Department of English. I see UTSA as a place where research and teaching can also have a public role at a time when the engagement of universities with a wider sphere is needed. This year's new faculty members come from institutions such as Arizona State University, Florida State University, Harvard University, Penn State University, Princeton University, Purdue University, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Calgary, University of California, Berkeley, the University of Texas at Austin, Victoria University of Wellington, and Virginia Tech. Eleven of this years new faculty were hired in the fields of analytics and data sciences. Through cluster hiring initiatives, UTSA has hired 22 exceptional faculty over the past two years to help advance UTSAs areas of research excellence in brain health, cybersecurity, and analytics and data science. In addition, this years cohort includes two new department chairs: Tracy Cowden in Music; and Nathan Richardson in Modern Languages and Literatures. UTSA has roughly 1,350 faculty members. The university is ranked among the nations top five young universities, according to Times Higher Education. UWs Casper Start-Up Challenge to Host Informational Mixer Aug. 22 Individuals who are interested in starting businesses in the Casper area can learn about the Casper Start-Up Challenge at an informational mixer Wednesday, Aug. 22. The Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC), which administers the Casper Start-Up Challenge, will host a mixer at Frontier Brewing, located at 117 E. Second St., at 5:30 p.m. The WTBC is a business development program of the University of Wyoming, with business incubators in Laramie, Casper and Sheridan. Administered by the UW Office of Research and Economic Development, the WTBC is a not-for-profit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for success. Now in its third year of competition, the Casper Start-Up Challenge will have a $50,000 seed fund to help early-stage entrepreneurial companies launch. Additionally, a select few companies will be chosen to receive office space in the Casper WTBC facility free of charge for one year. The challenge is open to any stage of startup business in the Casper area, says Jerad Stack, director of the Casper Area WTBC. Even if you just have a business idea, we want to encourage you to come to the mixer and learn more about the Casper Start-Up Challenge. The mixer will provide details of the challenge, from the registration process through the stages of the competition leading to the final pitch day Nov. 15. This is a great way for those interested in the competition to meet WTBC staff and get any questions they have answered, Stack adds. Registration for the 2018 Casper Start-Up Challenge is now open and closes Sept. 7. Sponsors for the Casper Start-Up Challenge are the Casper Area Economic Development Alliance (CAEDA)/Forward Casper, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, First Interstate Bank and WIDC Frontier CDC. For more information, call Stack at (307) 315-6401 or email jstack@uwyo.edu. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser The Vam Cong Bridge linking Dong Thap Province and Can Tho city were connected in September last year. The total investment of VND5.7 trillion (US$271 million) comes from Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the South Korean government and reciprocal capital from the Vietnamese Government. Public investment is on top agenda of the cabinet meeting on Thurday. - VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung After hearing opinions and assessments on the amended Law on Public Investment, PM Phuc asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to study and take note of the feedback and suggestions from the various ministries, sectors and cabinet members to complete the draft. He said that amendments to the law should be done with the key aim of decentralising and giving clearer authority to ministries, sectors and localities in particular defining what is the responsibility of chairpersons of provincial-level peoples committees and ministers. It is necessary to promote the simplification of administrative procedures; create transparency and facilitation in allocating capital; and improve the efficiency of public investment management, he stressed. The Government leader pointed out that the disbursement of public investment has remained slow due to cumbersome procedures. The amendments should purely focus on contents related to the budget capital management in investment, and investment projects abroad using State budget, he noted. Regarding the concept of public investment sources, Phuc emphasised the need to have clear stipulations in order to ensure consistency with the Construction Law, the Bidding Law and the State Budget Law; as well as making the tasks of spending from and collecting to the State budget concerted. He also asked for a clearer definition of the concept in terms of removing obstacles, empowering and facilitating the implementation of public investment activities. For the criteria and classification of State budget investment projects, the PM asked the MPI to report clearly on conditions to raise project criteria to the Government for consideration and comments. During the meeting, the PM asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to report on the response to Storm Bebinca, which is heading to the coast from Hai Phong City to north-central Nghe An Province. He also urged the ministry to devise solutions to prevent and address risks in the rainy season. Deputy Minister of MARD Hoang Manh Thang proposed that the PM help support the 5,886 households in 14 provinces across the country that lost their houses or were forced to evacuate to other areas due to serious flooding, especially those in the northern mountainous provinces of Yen Bai, Son La and Hoa Binh. He asked for assistance worth over VND880 billion (US$37.9 million) for the work, which he said would be provided directly to families in order to build housing and for localities to build infrastructure. Applauding the ministrys proposal, Phuc stressed the necessity to urgently support families that have been made homeless, asking the MARD to work with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to examine accurately the number of families that need support. The support resources should be taken from the State and local budgets, as well as those raised from the community and from donations by enterprises, he said. Employees may be able to work more overtime under a proposed change to the law. - Photo vov.vn The current limit of 200 hours is lower than both Thailand and Singapore, and had led to complaints from businesses. According to Mai Duc Thien, deputy director of the Legal Department under the Minsitry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, for years businesses had been asking the Government and National Assembly to increase overtime working hours. Under the revised law, overtime work must be agreed between employees and employers but it would not exceed four hours per day or 400 hours a year, Thien told online newspaper vov.vn. Experts are preparing a report on the condition of the Venezuelan structure following a fire which destroyed an electricity transformer. (AFP/Federico PARRA) The 8.6 kilometre General Rafael Urdaneta viaduct links second city Maracaibo with the rest of Venezuela. Designed by Italian structural engineer Riccardo Morandi, it predates by five years his 1967 bridge in Genoa that collapsed this week causing the death of 39 people. Experts are preparing a report on the condition of the Venezuelan structure following the fire last Friday which destroyed an electricity transformer, forcing the closure of the bridge and leaving millions without power for several days. Marcelo Monot, former director of a private engineering company in the surrounding state of Zulia, said no maintenance had been carried out on the viaduct's reinforced-concrete piers for more than two decades. Also, "the weighing system has not worked for years, so it is not calculating the weight of the cargo vehicles, which represents a risk," he said. Experts from the University of Zulia, as well as engineering and construction specialists, are preparing a report on the condition of the bridge. "We will not issue any irresponsible diagnosis ... or fall into sensationalism," Enrique Ferrer, president of the Chamber of Construction, told AFP. CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE He said the report would seek to "calm the population" about the 56-year-old viaduct's condition. Venezuelans have long been concerned about the country's crumbling infrastructure after a slump in oil-prices coupled with corruption and mismanagement brought the economy to a standstill, causing chronic food and medicine shortages. The Maracaibo bridge, inaugurated in 1962, remained closed between Friday and Monday and was only partially re-opened by Wednesday. The incident heightened concerns over the structural integrity of the bridge and left the surrounding Maracaibo and San Francisco areas, home to four million people, without power for several days. The government claimed the fire was caused by sabotage, a recurrent explanation offered for the repeated failures of an electricity grid ravaged by lack of maintenance and spare parts. Powering on: unfathomable depths under the surface If you live in a place where the lights turn on with a flip of a switch, you might take electricity for granted. You might not think much of the technology, systems, networks, and government bodies that make power, and specifically electricity, possible. However, there is a great deal going on behind the light switch that you should be aware of because electricity is fundamental to modern life, it keeps us safe and healthy and helps economies around the world grow. As the World Bank reminds us, Energy is inextricably linked to every other sustainable development challenge. But today, there are still more than 1 billion people around the world who do not have access to electricity, and even more who do not have access to reliable electricity. As organisations and governments work together to improve access to electricity, the way we produce electricity is shifting. The fact is that the rapidly decreasing cost of renewable energy technologies can help countries expand access to power with a very low carbon footprint. But it is also a fact that renewable energy technologies cannot meet this demand alone. Stable, flexible, and affordable power (that can be dispatched when required) is also needed to improve access to energy and provide reliable power to countries and regions around the world which need it the most. Around the world, governments define countries energy strategies based on a variety of factors, including locally available resources, emissions commitments that they have made, energy security, and the cost of electricity, just to name a few. This is a delicate balancing act that governmental bodies play, and each countrys approach is unique. The UK, for example, has a commitment to reduce its dependence on coal and is building new nuclear plants to deliver the power they need to sustain their economy and meet their COP21 commitments. Germany, on the other hand, has a real mix. They have a strong commitment to renewables, but they also have coal plants to help provide flexible power and support their commitment to renewablein fact, the highest efficiency coal plant in operation today is in Germany. Turkey is also adding high-efficiency coal and new nuclear plants to meet their growing energy needs. Make no mistake, renewables are growing at strong rates and are here to stay. In fact, they are changing the way traditional sources of power need to operate so they can be flexible enough to ramp up and down efficiently to respond to the renewable sources of power, while renewables will continue to grow and play an important rolebut so will coal, nuclear, and gas. Over the next decade, fossils fuel will still take up 60 per cent of global power generation and will be critical to providing that baseload power. Renewables are expected to remain the fastest growing segment but will still make up less than 50 per cent. Also, 85 per cent of the electricity growth will come from emerging markets. With nearly 900 billion tonnes of reserves, coal power remains an integral part of todays energy mix that includes renewables as well as gas power. Currently, 40 per cent of the worlds electricity comes from coal power and that amount is predicted to decrease to 30 per cent over the next decade. How does Manjung 4 fit this global context? The World Energy Outlook forecasted Malaysias energy demand to almost double between 2015 and 2040, with coal becoming the primary fuel in the countrys energy mix. This fuel landscape will impact the countrys per capita CO 2 emissions, but structural changeslike new, efficient steam power plant developmentsare expected to help reduce Malaysias carbon intensity by 33 per cent. The Manjung 4 Power Plant is Southeast Asias single largest ultra-supercritical unit. It is a 1,000MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant owned and operated by Tenaga Nasional Berhad Janamanjung (TNBJ) in Malaysia. GE was the EPC contractor for the power plant, together with its consortium partner, CMC Engineering, and it successfully delivered the project in four years and within budget. Located in the Manjung complex in the state of Perak, TNBJs Manjung 4 is a critical part of Malaysia's energy diversification policy and it produces enough electricity to power nearly two million households in Malaysia. The world, and especially Malaysia, requires accessible, reliable, and sustainable energy and we are happy to have partnered up with GE as our technology partner, said Datuk Shamsul, managing director of TNB Janamanjung. We have known GE for a long time. GE has the proven technology, a solid EPC experience, as well as a good project management team, and they have been providing many solutions all over the world. Manjung 4 was built in only four years and began commercial operations on April 14, 2015. Using GEs ultra-supercritical combustion technology, the plant can generate electricity with lower emissions because it is up to 10 per cent points more efficient than the global average of coal-fired power plants. Each additional percentage point in efficiency reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 2 per cent. Additional efficiency also lowers plant operating and overall lifecycle costs. We at TNBJ are proud to have put up the first ultra-supercritical (USC) and largest coal-fired power plant in Southeast Asia, serving the needs of 2 million households throughout Malaysia. We pledge our efforts to generate power to the nation, creating a better future for all of us, said Shamsul. During its operation, Manjung 4 has met or exceeded its original performance commitments to deliver more value to TNB. In addition to its high efficiency, the plant has also achieved extremely high availability, particularly during the second year of operation. The plant has achieved 94.5 per cent availability in its first two years of operation, exceeding its target rate, while allowing TNB to reliably deliver full base load to the grid. With more efficient power generation (elevating the efficiency of the plant to 40 per cent and reducing coal usage by about 3 per cent), we ensure that the cost of generating electricity is minimised and remains friendly to the environment and communities nearby, Shamsul added. Manjung 4 has also benefitted from minimised unplanned downtime, with an unplanned outage rate of only 2.4 per cent as of the end of August 2017, compared to the world standard of 4 per cent. Higher availability and less unplanned downtime adds up to more value for TNB Janamanjung. We are aware of the need to sustain the environment we are in and we will do our best to safeguard and sustain it. The use of USC technology enables Manjung 4 to convert energy more efficiently, burning less coal for more power, while complying with emission standards, said Datuk Shamsul. The plant also meets stringent environmental standards set by the World Bank and the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). Manjung 4 has GEs air quality controls systems (AQCS) technology which significantly reduces SO 2 and NO x emissions by up to 70 per cent compared to other Manjung units. GEs Seawater Flue Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) system achieves more than 90 per cent SO 2 removal, setting Manjung 4 at 200mg/Nm3 which is significantly below the World Bank standards of 750 mg/Nm3. These solutions implemented at Manjung 4 will lead to a total 4-5 per cent emissions reduction compared to previous units. Smarter and cleaner steam power As the worlds need for accessible power grows, coal power plants will continue to be a vital way to meet this demand. However, to limit emissions, it is essential that coal-fired power plants provide maximum efficiency and rely on leading air quality and pollution control technologies. In todays energy sector two things are critical: having the best technology to help our customers meet their needs in a changing landscape and having the best partners to build plants that help economies grow and make day to day life easier for millions of people, said Andreas Lusch, president and CEO of GEs Steam Power business. For the past 100 years, GEs Steam Power business has been a leader in cleaner, more efficient coal power technology, driving the market from supercritical to ultra-supercritical and now to advanced ultra-supercritical technology, as well as providing the most advanced AQCS technology to remove up to 99 per cent of local air pollutants. With teams in more than 70 countries around the world, and 30 per cent of the worlds steam turbine capacity and 30 per cent of the worlds boilers, GE is helping growing economies like India, China, Latin America, Southeast Asia or Africa deliver affordable power, local jobs, and better infrastructure. The world, and especially Malaysia, requires accessible, reliable, and sustainable energy and GE will provide the solutions," said Shamsul. Simona Halep of Romania plays Ajla Tomjanovic of Australia during the Cincinnati Masters. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP) World number one Halep took advantage of a morning respite from the rain to finish off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic. Halep, clearly frustrated when rain halted the match at 3-3 in the third on Wednesday night, won three straight games to finish off the victory in 10 minutes. The timing was perfect for French Open champion Halep, as drizzle resumed moments after her contest ended. Argentina's world number three del Potro had played just six points in the first game of his postponed second-round match against Chung Hyeon before the rain came again. But the weather cleared, allowing officials to get eight courts into action, and del Potro returned to finish off a 6-2, 6-3 win over the South Korean and set up a night meeting with Australian Nick Kyrgios for a place in the quarter-finals. With the weather holding, organizers hoped to have the tournament on schedule by the end of the day, with matches featuring Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic still to come. In third-round action, US Open finalist Madison Keys, the 13th seed, rallied to defeat fourth-seeded Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. Keys fired 55 winners with 44 unforced errors against the German, who is playing her first hardcourt tournament in the buildup to the US Open. "I had to keep it cool, she gets lot of balls back," Keys said. "I used my forehand and serve well today. I'm really happy and I'm looking to go further." Petra Kvitova, a Cincinnati semi-finalist in 2012, reached the last eight with a 6-4, 6-2 win over France's Kristina Mladenovic. Milos Raonic reached the men's quarter-finals with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory over fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov, avenging a loss to his younger compatriot in Madrid three months ago. Hanoi has stepped up inspections of drugstores, and will name and shame those that do not meet Government standards.- Illustration Photo Inspection teams have examined a total 58 clinics and private drugstores over the last four months. The main violations found involved inadequate infrastructure, licensing, space and the sale of food supplements without food-safety licenses. According to the citys Health Department, there are 35 hospitals, 165 general clinics, 668 traditional medicine clinics and 2,658 specialised clinics and medical service centres in the capital. The city is also home to 6,861 drugstores and drug companies, but many do not meet Government standards. In order to effectively manage the operation of private clinics and drugstores, the citys Health Department in co-ordination with relevant agencies will step up inspections and strictly punish any violators, while making those cases public in the media. According to Stephen Phillips, general director of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Hong Kong's government promotion authority, Hong Kong is an active international business environment and offers foreign investors convenient business registration procedures, modern infrastructure, and low tariffs. Hong Kong is looking to strengthen business ties with Vietnam Moreover, we now have a mechanism to provide support for newly-established and mature firms, from planning and opportunity evaluation to visa application and marketing, stated Phillips at the round table to call for investment from Vietnam held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 13 organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Ho Chi Minh City. Phillips said there are ample business opportunities in Hong Kong for Vietnamese enterprises. While doing business in Hong Kong, Vietnamese companies will be able to enjoy the incentives guaranteed under the One country, two systems policy, Phillips said. Moreover, being the worlds freest economy and Chinas most international city, Hong Kong is destined to play a significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Representatives from Hong Kong and Vietnam discussing investment opportunities The Belt and Road Initiative is offering a long-term promise of transactional and intercontinental connectivity and will give rise to rewarding business prospects including new air, sea, and land routes, additional ports, rails and roads connecting isolated regions, economic and trade pacts, and increased investment flows, he added. Vo Tan Thanh, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)s Ho Chi Minh City Branch, stressed that Vietnam and Hong Kong are key trade partners for each other, with bilateral trade reaching $9.2 billion in 2017, up 22 per cent from 2016. As of June 2018, Hong Kong was the sixth largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with a total capital of nearly $19 billion, he said. With the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, trade and investment between Vietnam and Hong Kong are expected to grow fiercely in the near future. Vietnam is encouraging firms to expand investment abroad to popularise Vietnamese products across the world. Officials and media reports said up to 30 more people were feared dead Thursday in landslides and The official death toll from major floods in India's tourist hotspot of Kerala hit 86 on Thursday. (Photo: AFP) "The official toll now is 106 dead. A total of 1,331 camps have been opened across the state, in which 147,000 people have moved in by this evening," a Kerala state disaster management official told AFP. Kerala's government has described the crisis - among the worst in decades - as "extremely grave" as it launched rescue operations to help thousands who remain trapped by floodwaters. Helicopters airlifted stranded families from rooftops and dam gates were thrown open as incessant torrential rain brought fresh havoc. Hundreds of extra troops were deployed in the southern state, a major tourist hotspot, as the government issued a "red alert" over the region's worst floods in decades. Authorities said many people were trapped inside their houses. "At least 6,500 people are stranded in different parts of Kerala and the situation in three districts is particularly grim," a Kerala state disaster management official told AFP. Kerala, famed for its pristine palm-lined beaches and tea plantations, is battered by the monsoon every year but this year's damage has been particularly severe. Floods have also caused havoc in other states, including Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. About 540 army, navy and air forces reinforcements were sent to Kerala on Thursday to join the rescue effort. The army said it had rescued scores of people with helicopters sent to the region. Defence forces and government boats were also used in an increasingly desperate rescue operation. Authorities appealed for victims to stand in open fields or on rooftops away from trees so helicopters were not damaged during rescue efforts. "PLEASE HELP" People could be seen paddling lifeboats provided by the military, while in some areas families commandeered local wooden boats to ferry themselves to safety. Army helicopters rescued families but also dropped food packets and drinking water to some of the worst-affected districts. The government says 10,000km of Kerala roads have been destroyed or damaged and hundreds of homes lost. It has ordered the opening of gates at 34 dams and reservoirs where water levels had reached danger levels. Cars and livestock washed away in the floods were seen on Indian television, and men and women wading through chest-high waters that had gushed into their homes. Many used social media to send rooftop distress calls, some with video. Greeta Mathew pleaded for help for her family in a Twitter message. "Anybody reading this,PLZ HELP. My relatives are stuck on the upper floor of house with an 8 months pregnant lady, in Edayaranmula, Pathanamthitta dist. All rescue control rooms' numbers busy. No rescue team reached yet. No contact with family since last evening," she said. North and central Kerala has been worst hit by the floods but all 14 of the state's districts have been put on alert as heavy rain is predicted for several days. In the main city of Kochi, the international airport was closed until at least Saturday because of flooding. Departures were cancelled while incoming flights have been diverted to other airports in India. All public transport has been stopped with many buses left abandoned in the road. Elsewhere, eight people were swept away on Wednesday after a sudden water surge hit a popular picnic in Madhya Pradesh state. Another 45 stranded were rescued on Thursday by police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday on Twitter that he has ordered the defence ministry "to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala". The three-day event attracted the participation of more than 200 lecturers and students from several technology universities in Hanoi such as the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, Thang Long University, Academy of Cryptography Techniques, University of Technology and Hanoi Open University. Within the collaboration between Microsoft Vietnam and state telco VNPT since 2016 in three main areas of cloud computing, information security, and smart cities, this event was also the next step for the Information Security Contest which was successfully organised in May 2018 for university and college students by VNPT (VNPT SecAthon 2018). The contest sought to raise awareness and promote learning and researching on information security. The forum aims to raise awareness, develop skills in young people about information security and create career opportunities for students. While participating in the forum, students had great opportunities to discuss with representatives of management agencies, organisations in the IT field and experts in information security in Vietnam about challenges and solutions. They were also able to discuss career positions and career opportunities in information security. In particular, young people directly experienced the technology through the demonstration of solutions for information security from experts. After the forum, more than 50 outstanding students who won prizes in the VNPT SecAthon 2018 competition will participate in intensive training held by Microsoft on security technologies on Windows and Azure, and analytical skills on decryption such as file format analysis, decompiling, identification and access to malicious code. With the commitment to sustainable development, besides building and supporting technology solutions, Microsoft is willing to join with other organisations in fostering young people to use technology responsibly, safely and effectively. We hope that in the future, Vietnam will become a provider of highly-qualified labourers in information security, not only for our country but also for many other countries around the world," said Pham The Truong, general director of Microsoft Vietnam Huynh Quang Liem, VNPT deputy general director, said, VNPT always respects and promotes the quality of human resources in IT, especially in information security. In particular, the group has always focused on building, recruiting, training and facilitating the staff: the future of VNPT. The programme was supported by the Ministry of Information and Communication - Department of Information Security, Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) and the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA). Standing under the line of 12 wind turbines that make up the Phu Lac wind farm, Bui Van Thinh, chairman of Thuan Binh Wind Power JSC, told VIR that due to the purchasing price of 7.8 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), his company has not made a profit in nine years of operation. The Phu Lac wind farm projects phase 1 had the total investment of nearly VND1.1 trillion ($48.7 million), with 85 per cent of the sum raised in loans from the German development bank KfW. In September 2016, the plant went into commercial operation and was connected to the national grid. Thinh said that he had not lost faith, but Thuan Binh Wind Power JSCs ambitions to expand with further wind power projects in Vietnam might fail if the price does not increase. Previously, the company had planned to develop four similar plants: two in the central provinces of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan and two in the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak and Gia Lai. Waiting for increased FiT The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has proposed that the government to increase the feed-in tariff (FiT) for wind power from onshore wind power plants to 8.77 cents from the current 7.8 cents per kWh. According to the MoIT, with the existing wind power FiT, these plants have difficulties recovering their investment capital. The proposal would help investors develop new projects or expand existing ones. In addition, it would help operating projects by accelerating the speed at which they can recover their investment capital. Vietnams wind market has yet to take off after the government first released incentives for wind power projects in 2011. Investors major concern is the price of their products. Many projects have been postponed because regulated prices were below production costs. For instance, the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre licensed five wind power projects with a total capacity of 150 megawatts (MW), but investors have been waiting for the FiT to increase. An additional 19 wind power projects were registered in Binh Thuan, but they remain solely on paper. Asked by VIR whether investors would consider leaving Vietnams wind sector, Morten Dyholm, vice president of Vestas Group, expressed his view that investors see great potential, huge demand, and strong political commitment in the country. He emphasised that wind power is one of the most competitive energy sources globally and one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Thus, global firms will not leave this market, he said, adding that a series of petitions have already been submitted, but they are waiting for a hike in the FiT. In a recent memorandum of understanding, Mainstream Renewable Power and GE Energy Financial Services agreed to invest around $2 billion in the construction of the 800MW Phu Cuong wind power project in Soc Trang, developed in co-operation with local partner Phu Cuong Group, which will remain involved in the project throughout its five development phases. The first phase, slated to produce 150-200MW, is expected to conclude its financing by the end of the year. Bui Vinh Thang, business development manager of Mainstream Renewable Power, said that without a bankable power purchase agreement (PPA), the project would not be able to keep on track. Opportunities for solar power? Unlike wind power, solar power has become hotter than ever in Vietnam. The boom began when the Vietnamese governments Decree No.11/2017/QD-TTg on mechanisms for encouraging the development of solar power in Vietnam was released. The list of solar projects registered by foreign investors in Vietnam has been growing consistently, including well known foreign names such as Tata Power, Sunseap Group, InfraCo Asia Development Pte., Ltd., ACWA Power, SY Panel Group, AIN Group, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, and Gulf Energy Development. Thuan Binh Wind Power JSC also plans to develop a 150MW solar power plant on the area the company had initially intended to use to expand the Phu Lac wind power plant. The construction of the solar power project will be implemented in three phases. The company is currently conducting the pre-feasibility study, an environmental impact assessment, and capital arrangement for the first phase of the project. Thinh said that investing in solar power offered more benefits than wind power, because the regulated selling price is 9.35 cents per kWh. The MoIT recently released impressive figures, as the total output of solar power projects approved to be added to the countrys Power Development Master Plan VII is quite large. The ministry approved more than 70 new projects to be put into operation before June 2019, with a total capacity of over 3,000MW. This amount far exceeds the estimated solar power output of 1,000MW until 2020 in the original master plan. Under the prime ministers Decision 11, solar power installations that reach their commercial operation date (COD) by June 30, 2019 are entitled to a FiT of 9.35 cents per kWh for a period of 20 years. Where will the price go after that? Do Duc Tuong from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) asked, suggesting that a long-term and stable policy on solar power prices is needed to encourage investment. In addition, solar investors are expressing concern about the limited transmission capacity. The project developer is responsible for grid connection costs and risks. However, the PPA does not factor in project capacity, distance from existing transmission lines, and higher costs of installing transmission lines over longer distances, noted international law firm Jones Day. The law firm went on to say that both wind and solar had bottlenecks yet to be solved, and the FiT, PPA and the MoITs draft circular guiding solar PPAs all play an important role by providing the basic framework for investment within the sector. Baker McKenzie also pointed out that Decision 11 does not give early investors any specific assurances that they will receive no less favourable treatment in respect to the basic terms and conditions of their investment agreements and especially their PPAs than investors coming in after June 30, 2019, even if this means retroactive adjustments to the FiT. The Government Office has issued Notice 174 requesting that the MoIT suspend approval of additional solar power plants pending the approval of a national master plan for the development of solar power, under which the MoIT has been tasked with formulating and presenting a new solar PPA to the prime minister. Two weeks ago, the government released a notice saying it rejected a proposal to extend the deadline for the FiT in Ninh Thuan, crushing the hopes of investors to benefit from the FiT of 9.35 cents even if their projects reach their COD after June 30, 2019. President Donald Trump has revoked the Secret Defense clearance of former CIA director John Brennan (photo). Former CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia and then cabinet director of George Tenet (under presidents Clinton and Bush Jr.), he became the first director of the National Anti-Terrorism Center after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Favorable to the use of torture, he was appointed by Barack Obama director of the CIA. Since the Trump-Putin agreement in Helsinki (July 16), he has accused President Trump of "treason". President Trump also asked to revise the Secret-Defense Clearances of James Clapper, James Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page and Bruce Ohr. In the United States, where senior officials are all removed upon the election of each new president, the credentials are retained by those who dispose of them when they leave office. They thus participate in the creation of a ruling class that knows, cut off from the people, who dont. Challenging this principle is regarded by the Puritans as an infringement of the 1st Amendment (freedom of expression), insofar as it deprives opponents who are withdrawn from their ability to participate in the public debate on an equal footing with those who exercise power. This question did not arise at the time of the adoption of the 1st Amendment, since senior officials were not necessarily on the same political side as the President. The Jacksonians, on the contrary, believe that Secret-Defense Clearances should not be used as a privilege that constitutes a break in the civic equality of citizens. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Turkish government has forced the leaders of 18 Jewish and Christian churches to sign a declaration attesting to enjoying religious freedom. Among the signatories are Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, Armenian Bishop Aram Atesyan and Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva. This statement was published by the Anadolu National Agency [1] and then quoted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to assure he is not persecuting Christians. This strange case comes against the backdrop of Turkeys request for extradition from the United States of Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen; the US refusal to deliver this CIA collaborator; and the retaliatory arrest by Turkey of US evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson. Ankara is now trying to blackmail Washington and exchange one religious person for another. Relying on the statement extorted from the Armenian and Orthodox churches, President Erdogan assures that his country respects freedom of religion. Recall that Turkish law prohibits the construction of Christian places of worship. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is not recognized by Turkey. Christian seminaries were closed by the police in 1971 so that it was no longer possible to train priests or pastors. Many churches and monasteries have been seized. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes by making the hand sign of the Muslim Brotherhood. Government of Gibraltar Welcomes Spanish Statement The Government notes that the representative of the Spanish Government in Cadiz province has made it clear in a statement issued today that permission for the protest at the border on Wednesday was granted with the express condition that the protestors did not interfere with pedestrians or vehicles crossing into Gibraltar. He has expressed regret for the incidents that took place and has accused some protestors of blocking the pedestrian access and of intimidating behaviour towards several vehicles crossing into Gibraltar. The representative of the Spanish Government has apologised to all those who were caught up in the incidents. He has also stated that the policy of the new Spanish Government, leaving aside matters of state, is to maintain good neighbourly relations with the people of Gibraltar. The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, said: "This is a welcome statement which rightly apologises for the inconvenience caused to those whose ability to peacefully and freely traverse the frontier was interfered with earlier this week. I think it demonstrates a new sensitivity in the understanding of the importance of frontier fluidity as a matter of principle. I sincerely welcome this new and more positive approach." Gemma Chan as Astrid in Crazy Rich Asians. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures Considering how rarely Hollywood green-lights movies with Asian casts, whats remarkable about Crazy Rich Asians is really how little changed between Kevin Kwans book and the movie. The protagonist Rachel Chu, an American-born NYU professor, wasnt turned white, as some producers initially suggested, and her boyfriend Nick Youngs crazy-rich extended family acts in pretty much the same way that they do in the book series. Because a two-hour movie cant contain everything that a novel describes, the movie does cut or otherwise simplify a lot of the books secondary story lines, focusing in on Rachel and Nicks romance, which gets a lot more, well, cinematic. Essentially, the book is a social satire with romance; the movie is more of a rom-com with social satire. Heres your guide to what changed along the way. Astrid has a simpler story line. In both the book and the movie, Nicks impossibly glamorous cousin Astrid (played by the impossibly glamorous Gemma Chan) is navigating a failing marriage with her husband, Michael Teo, a former military man who feels emasculated by her wealth. In the book, Astrid discovers a text that implies Michaels having an affair, though it turns out he was only staging an affair to drive them apart. She investigates, and eventually leaves Michael with the help of her ex-fiance Charlie Wu, a new-money playboy Astrids family never approved of who shows up at the storys big wedding. In the movie, the affair seems real, and Astrid decides to leave Michael on her own, with some emotional support from Rachel, with whom she bonds at bachelorette party (in the book, Astrid sends a friend to help Rachel at the party). Charlie Wu only appears in a mid-credits sequence making Important and Sexual Eye Contact with Astrid at a party. The filmmakers shot more scenes with Charlie (played by Glees Harry Shum Jr.), but decided to cut them to focus on Astrid, leaving room for more of him in a potential sequel. This means Shum gets single-card billing in the movie for whats essentially a cameo. Crazy good agents! Peik Lin is a lot funnier, and has more to do. Peik Lin, played by Awkwafina, is Rachels nouveau riche friend from Stanford who lives in Singapore. Their wealth initially impresses Rachel, until she realizes just how much richer Nicks old-money family is. In the book, Peik Lin has no idea who Nick is, proof of how secretive his family is, while in the movie, shes immediately awestruck when Rachel mentions his name. Since Awkwafinas playing Peik Lin, she also gets to be a lot funnier (as does her father, played by Ken Jeong), and appear in more of the plot. Peik Lin manages to get an invite to Nicks mothers party, and bonds with his gay cousin Olivier Tsien, while the two give Rachel a makeover together. The books other minor characters, including the uptight Eddie Cheng (Ronny Chieng) and the ludicrous, gold-digging soap opera star Kitty Pong (Fiona Xie), get less attention in the movie, with their action playing out mostly in the background. Rachels mothers backstory is subtly different. In the book, Rachels mother Kerry is a real estate agent in Cupertino, who left China and pulled together the money to fund her daughters education at Stanford. When Nicks mother Eleanor digs into Rachels past, she discovers that Kerry was married to a (now-imprisoned) communist party official named Zhou Fang Min in China, who isnt dead as Kerry had always claimed. Rachels shocked, and fights with her mother over the phone, lashing out at her. They only reconcile once Nick gets Kerry to fly to Singapore before Rachel leaves for China to meet Fang Min. Kerry explains that she had an affair with another man named Kao Wei, who was actually Rachels father, and fled once she got pregnant. She also knows Fang Min couldnt be Rachels father because when he wasnt physically abusing her, he had peculiar habits in bed that wouldnt get anyone pregnant. In the movie, Kerry also lives in New York like Rachel, and initially has a similar role (though instead of telling Rachel to buy gifts for Eleanor, she insists she wear a red dress). Once Eleanor reveals that she knows about Kerrys past, however, Nick gets Kerry to fly to Singapore more quickly, and she and Rachel reconcile more quickly. The backstory is similar, though the anal-sex joke from the book was (thankfully) cut from the movie. Rachels real father plays a part in the books sequels, which means he could definitely appear in the later movies. The movie adds a big RachelEleanor confrontation Much of the tension between Rachel and Eleanor in the book plays out under the surface, with Eleanor secretly investigating Rachel and Rachel doing her best to win her approval, a quest that ends when Eleanor reveals the results of her snooping. In the book, Rachel never faces Eleanor again after their confrontation, which happens much later in the plot. Nick is also further estranged from his mother in the book, staying with his friend Colin, and not returning back to his familys estate. (Nicks workaholic father, a background character in the book, never shows up in the movie.) In the movie, Rachel is made of sterner stuff and after Nick proposes to her (which doesnt happen in the book), she turns him down and decides to face Eleanor over a game of mah-jongg, where she tells Eleanor that her insistence of controlling Nick is going to make her lose her son. There, Kerry, who doesnt meet Eleanor in the book, gets to make Important and Motherly Eye Contact with Eleanor, as Asian and Asian-American parenting values face off. and a big rom-com moment. After Rachel proves her mettle to Eleanor in mah-jongg in the movie, Eleanor passes off her ring to Nick, who races to the airport to propose to Rachel like hes in a late-season episode of Friends. The airplane proposal, the big green ring (which comes with a backstory about how Nicks grandmother never liked Eleanor), and the Mandarin cover of Yellow are all new additions in the movie, as is the firework-studded engagement party on top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Nick and Rachel do get engaged in the book series, but not until the second installment, China Rich Girlfriend, where all sorts of other complications come up. We keep saying this, but yes, theres definitely room for a sequel. Photo: Andres Kudacki None. This is Kieran Culkins one-word answer to my question about how much preparation he put into playing Roman Roy, the charismatically loathsome scion of the billionaire Roy clan and the breakout character on HBOs Succession, the breakout show of the summer. Were sitting in Decibel, the impressively graffitied East Village sake bar. Its early enough that its empty save for a few tourists whove just arrived, guidebooks in hand. Thirty-five and a half years on the island of Manhattan, says Culkin about his lifetime in New York. I cant tell if theres more people on the street or Im just old so Im getting more frustrated that theres people on the street, he says of East Village crowds. Im dating myself, but I used to Rollerblade down the sidewalk and it was fine. Now I have a hard time walking. Decibel is a good refuge from all that. This place is authentic. It really is what it is. Its not like some designer came in and said, Lets put a bunch of graffiti on the walls and stickers. As it happens, its also the bar where I had my first date with my now-wife. When I mention this to Culkin, he wants to know how long weve been married, then holds up a wedding ring, along with a single nail-polished fingernail. Five years. Hes married to Jazz Charton, whom he met in a slightly Roman Roy kind of way: He approached her while she was out at a bar when the guy she was with went to the bathroom. He seems happy to have settled down. His Valentines Day tradition with his wife is to eat doughnuts in bed and watch terrible movies while drinking the occasional shot. The waiter arrives, greets Culkin, then takes our sake order. The nigori is the one my friend got me turned on to, Culkin says. Its nicer. I like the nigori shit. Is that what you fuck with here, usually? We order the nigori, along with some dumplings that he warns me are very good but kind of like Russian roulette. Sometimes, theres just an incredibly spicy one. The last time I was here, I had, like, eight of them and I was good. But sometimes he says by way of warning, before we get back to discussing his new show. Succession is the story of a power struggle in a family very obviously modeled on the Murdochs, but also reminiscent of the Kennedys, the Redstones, the Trumps, the Bluths, the Ewings, the Carringtons, and the Lears (thats King, not Norman). The clan is presided over by a monstrous ailing patriarch, Logan (Brian Cox), who toys with his presumptive heir, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), and idly tortures his other offspring: his eldest, Connor (Alan Ruck); his daughter, Shiv (Sarah Snook); and Roman, played by Culkin as part incubus, part imp, a wisecracking mash-up of Puck and Iago sheathed in an Armani suit. Once upon a time, played by Culkin would have required an immediate qualifier: Thats Kieran, not Macaulay. But as an observant fan on Twitter noted, Succession has also been about Kieran Culkins rapid and unforeseen takeover at the top of the Culkin brothers ranking. Since his acting debut at 8 years old as his brothers bed-wetting cousin in Home Alone, Kieran has long borne the burden of being less famous than his own last name. But Macaulay has since retired from acting, leaving Kieran as the surprise standard-bearer for the family dynasty. Not unlike with his character, Roman, you underestimate him at your peril. When I read it, I thought, I can do that. And I like it. I dont like the guy, but I like it. In his most notable roles, Culkin has made something of a boutique career playing characters that are horrible, selfish, and yet somehow still likable. There was his 2002 turn in the indie film Igby Goes Down, where he played a rich kid escaping the yoke of his upbringing, and Kenneth Lonergans This Is Our Youth, a play he loves so much he starred in three different productions, most recently in 2014 alongside Tavi Gevinson and Michael Cera. He played Dennis Ziegler, whom one critic described as a funny and appropriately irritating alpha narcissist, whose will to rule borders on psychopathic. Its not a stretch, in other words, to imagine Igby and Dennis as proto-Romans. Today, Culkin appears much as Roman does: well groomed, gym trim, hair slick, in a well-tailored shirt. When the script for Succession was sent to him, he was asked to read for the part of Cousin Greg, which will strike you as hilarious if youve seen the show. The moment I read the description Greg, early 20s I thought, Im way too old for that, he says. Then I read the first line of dialogue and I thought, This is a mistake, Im not right for this guy. Still, he kept reading. Then Roman walks in the room and says, Hey, hey, motherfuckers! And I think, Okay, I kind of understand this guy. Hes a piece of shit. But I like him. As it turns out, everyone likes him. Romans inspired critics to anoint him TVs Best Dirt Bag and write appreciations like Successions Roman Roy Is a Total Scumbag, but You Know Youd Still Hit It, which celebrate Roman as the perfect poster boy for the times. Naturally, I pose the question to Culkin: So why exactly do we love watching rich assholes on TV so much? Especially at a moment when rich assholes are sucking up so much of our attention already? He flinches. His eyes begin to water. He waves me off. I got a hot one! he says. I suppose its a controversial topic, I think, before I realize hes just popped one of those catastrophically spicy dumplings in his mouth. When he regains his composure, he says, laughing, I dont know. Yet the scene in the pilot that sold him on the character is the same one thats often cited as evidence of Romans cavalier malevolence. Roman, during a family softball game at a company field outside the city, offers the young son of a groundskeeper a million dollars if he hits a home run. The kid does almost. Roman tears up the check in his face. When I read it, I thought, I can do that, Culkin says. And I like it. I dont like the guy, but I like it. When I press Culkin for his inspiration for Roman does he hang out with the superrich, say, or follow Donald Jr. on Instagram? he says, Any time I do anything external, I get fucked up. Its kind of why I dont want to do accents or period pieces, because then I have to do research. And then Im in my head. I would almost like it if I never had to put on a costume or a different haircut. I want to not have to think about it and just do it. So Roman Roy is basically Culkin, but with no heart, no internal censor, and no concern for social niceties. It helps that the shows creators give the actors ample room to improvise. Im playing this guy who says whatever he wants, and it gives me ideas, like, I can just lay into this guy for his fucking mustache? Boom! But at the end of the day, I have to go home and shut that piece of my brain off, he says. Im building this muscle thats like, Fuck you, I dont care if you hate me or I piss you off. Theres something really therapeutic and nice about playing that. But I imagine being that person is tiresome and awful. Of course, the real trick is not just to make us like Roman as Peak TV has shown us, were predisposed to like sociopaths but to make us understand him and, eventually, even sympathize with him. Which, by the end of season one, Culkin accomplishes. Hes a person, says Culkin of Roman. He shrugs. Were all fucking people. He still wants his mother to hug him. He wants someone to kiss him and tell him hes great. *This article appears in the August 20, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! Photo: Knopf Nico Walker is an Iraq War vet who wrote a debut novel, Cherry, which covers the war, the opioid epidemic, and a spree of bank robberies (we called it the first great novel of the opioid epidemic). Naturally, Hollywood has come calling for the rights to the book, but theres one problem: Walker is currently serving 11 years for bank robbery in a federal prison in Kentucky, and he has a limited number of phone minutes. According to Deadline, several people, including big directors, are trying to get the rights to Cherry, which offers a fictionalized version of many of the events in Walkers life. Like the novels hero, Walker was an army medic who developed an opioid addiction while deployed and turned to robbing banks when he returned home. Per Deadline, though the rights auction is heating up, Walker is out of his phone minutes and cant discuss any offers until he can use the phone again on Sunday. At which point, even more people will have heard about this book, and will probably be willing to offer even better deals for it. One of Turkey's high criminal courts has rejected US pastor Andrew Brunson's request to be released from house arrest and permitted to travel abroad, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolou news agency. The pastor's appeal had been rejected by a lower court and was sent to the higher court, Brunson's lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt said, according to Anadolou. Brunson has been held in Turkey since 2016, accused of helping plot a coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The North Carolina native's case has rapidly soured relations between Washington and Ankara, with the two sides trading increasingly heated rhetoric and retaliatory tariffs. US President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that Turkey has "not acted as a friend," adding that "they made up these phony charges that he's a spy. He's not a spy." "They should have given back a long time ago," Trump said. "We haven't seen the last of that. We are not going to take this sitting down." 'No credible evidence' A State Department spokesman said Friday that "the US government is following Pastor Andrew Brunson's case closely, and we continue to provide all appropriate consular services to Mr. Brunson. ... We have seen no credible evidence against Mr. Brunson, and we call on Turkish authorities to resolve his case immediately in a transparent and fair manner." Last week, Trump announced on Twitter that he had green-lit a doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey, and warned that US relations with Turkey "are not good at this time!" Two sources with knowledge told CNN that the move stemmed from Trump's frustration over Brunson's detention. Erdogan responded on Tuesday by announcing a boycott of American electronics after Trump's decision to hike tariffs. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said Thursday the United States is prepared to put additional sanctions in place against Turkey if Brunson isn't released. Good samaritans helped stop a man who they say was attempting to rob and beat a 74-year-old woman according to WKRG.com. Police say they heard the woman screaming at an Alabama shopping center in Midfield, Alabama. That is when people pulled the alleged attacker out of her car and held him until authorities arrived. Midfield police and witnesses tell news outlets the 74-year-old woman was punched by a man after she finished grocery shopping at a Piggly Wiggly. One of the good Samaritans, William Daniels, fought with the man and held him until police arrived. One witness told a news outlet that the suspect kept yelling that he had AIDS. According to witnesses, he thought the man would let him go if he said he had AIDS. Daniels says he didn't have time to think or get mad. The victim says police were thankful Daniels was there. The man is now facing multiple charges. The victim was check out at the scene by first responders and is expected to be okay. There is a new layer of security in all Florence City Schools and your child's school in North Alabama might already have it. You already have to be buzzed in at any Florence City School, but recently the school system added an additional security measure. Parents or anyone coming into the school must show a state issued ID and an instant background check done, before you can get passed the main office. Your photo ID is put into the Raptors Technologies System and within seconds a national data base is searched with your information. Florence High School principal, Roderick Sheppard, explained the new piece of technology searches the national sex offender registry and other things. "Anything that will be in the national registry that would show a sex offender or some type of outstanding crime that would cause a person to be considered dangerous," said Sheppard. If someone is flagged school officials are notified immediately. "If something's not clear I am notified as the principal, plus our school resource officer, that somebody on our campus might be considered as unsafe," said Sheppard. The school system paid $12,000 total to have the technology in each school. School officials said with people coming in and out of the school they wanted the extra security measure in place. "We spend a lot of money at Florence City Schools on a lot of different things but what's more important than the security of, not just the children, but the people who work here," said LuEllen Redding, who has children in the school system. "As a mother of four it makes me more comfortable and ease knowing I'm sending my student into a safe learning environment," said Holly Jolly, another parent with kids in the Florence City School System. Huntsville and Sheffield City Schools also have this technology in place and so does Limestone and Madison County Schools, according to Raptor Technologies Systems. Limestone County school officials are beefing up its security measures after a possible threat. Dwain Croskey, Jr. and Caeleb Kegley, both 18 years old, were arrested on Thursday after three cars were vandalized at two high schools in the area. However, shortly after the incidents, a rumor about a possible shooting began to circulate on social media. WAAY 31 talked to parents, students, and officials to separate fact from fiction. At first, I started crying because I was like, What is mom going to do, what is mom going to do? Am I going to get in trouble? That was Ashley Benningtons first reaction when she walked out of Clements High School and saw bullet holes in her car. She then became worried. "It terrified me to think that someone could come on the campus and have a weapon. And Bennington wasnt the only person affected. Another car at Clements was shot at, and a car's tires were slashed at Tanner High School. Benningtons mom and many other parents are upset they didnt know about it until WAAY 31 informed them. "Parents did not know that they needed to keep a watchful eye out when they dropped their kids off," said Bennington's mother, Stephanie Riggle. However, school officials say they had the best of intentions when they chose not to send out an alert to parents about the incidents. "We believed, at that time, had we sent it out, we wouldve created mass chaos, confusion, and alarm unnecessarily," said Superintendent of Limestone County Schools, Dr. Tom Sisk. But parents say thats exactly what happened. After the incidents at Clements and Tanner High, rumors began to spread on social media about another possible shooting planned for Friday, but officials assure WAAY 31 there is no real threat. "Social media has been a challenge, to say the least, in this regard. Things become out of hand very quickly," said the public information officer with Limestone County Sheriff's Office, Stephen Young. Guarantee you that if the facts had been given out to begin with, there would not have been the rumor mill of a possible shooting," said Riggle. As a precaution, officials say there will be more sheriff's deputies at all Limestone County Schools on Friday, as well as increased patrols in the surrounding areas. Officials also tell WAAY 31 that they are expecting to make at least two more arrests in this case. The superintendent wants parents to know that keeping your students home from school on Friday will not be considered an excused absence. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Hundreds of hectares of peach trees in Armenias northern Noyemberyan region are dying. A blight has infected the trees. They turn yellow and dry up. The fruit doesnt ripen and isnt suitable for sale or eating. The trees are eventually cut down. Haghtanak village resident Mnatsakan Badasyan has an orchard of one hectare. This years autumn harvest was half than last year due to the disease. Mnatsakan says its only the strong trees and species that are resisting the blight. Arayik Paranyan Ayrum Mayor Arayik Paranyan told Hetq theyve raised the issue with the provincial administration. Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture have visited the region, taking samples from roots and bark of the trees, soil and water to identify the reason. Some believe that heavy metals from the Teghut mine have mixed with the water and have reached the orchards, causing the damage. This is just a theory. Whats important is a laboratory analysis, Paranyan says. Lchkadzor's administrative representative Suren Martirosyan says that the problem started four years ago. There used to be 100 hectares of peach orchards, but most of them have dried up. Suren says that the villagers saw a minimal harvest this year. Suren Martirosyan An insect has been identified as the cause The Republican Veterinary and Phytosanitary Laboratory Services Center has completed the study of samples and reached the conclusion that its California red scale, an insect pest, damaging the fruit trees. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Garnik Petrosyan says villagers need to fight the pest at the right time and in a correct manner, which is mostly not the case. The red scale insect is affected by cold weather, which makes them die out. However, last years mild winter was favorable for the pest. Petrosyan advises farmers to consult with specialists to conduct appropriate countermeasures. He says its a manageable disease; a known one. Its just that the villagers have to take appropriate measures at the right time. Ayrum community Mayor Paranyan thinks that there is a strong demand for a laboratory in the Noyemberyan region. "There are great prospects for the development of horticulture in our region. But people come up with homemade treatments on the spot, asking one another for advice. A laboratory would help make everything professionally organized. Otherwise, horticulture will not develop, said Paranyan. Hetq wants to investigate the assets owned by Robert Kocharyan, Armenias second president, and his family members. To accomplish this, we need the assistance of you, our readers. We need to hear from those who have ties to the Kocharyan family and to businesses linked to the former president. While Hetq has compiled, and verified, a certain amount of information in the past regarding Kocharyan family assets, conditions in Armenia today allow us to do much more. True, we still cannot get the names of shareholders of closed joint stock companies. Its against the law. Perhaps, if the new government is able and willing to introduce a set of legislative changes making such information accessible, we could confirm much. State investigative agencies might also be able to receive information from various banks regarding a host of murky transactions. Were also calling on our compatriots overseas to provide us with any information they might have regarding the assets of the Kocharyan family. Please write to us at [email protected]. We ensure the confidentiality of all submissions. There is much talk today about the assets of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. The first list purporting to show his assets was published by the Russian website versia.ru. The list below of Kocharyan family assets is a compilation of information culled from a number of sources. Artsakh Bank MAP (50%) UniBank (co-owner) ABB Bank (co-owner) Renko Construction Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Kombinat (more than 90%) ArdShinBank (more than 50%) Converse Bank (30-50%) Kaputak Sevan Complex Nairi Medical Center Emporio Armani, Stefano Ricci, etc. H2 Television (co-owner) SAS supermarket chain (50%) Noy Cognac-Wine Plant (50%; is co-owner with Gagik Tsarukyan) Large commercial mall in Moscow Moscow casino Kocharyan family said to wn 80% of all cell phones imported to Armenia Karabakh Telecom, MTS-Armenia Ararat Cement 33%. Gagik Tsarukyan is a co-owner. Toyota representatives in Armenia Zvartnots International Airport HayPost Golden Palace Hotel Several diamond mines in Nigeria Erebuni Plaza Hotel Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Kombinat Roberto chain of shoe stores Buildings along Northern Boulevard in Yerevan Armenian Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan, and his family, have sold their shares in Unitezza Group LLC, a company they founded in Prague in 2008. In May, Hetq wrote that after being appointed ambassador to Iran in 2015, Tumanyan failed to declare the shares he owned in the company, as required by law. Unitezza Group LLC was founded with charter capital of 200,000 Czech Koruna (US$9,000). Artashes Tumanyan was the main shareholder (52%), while the remaining shares belonged to his wife Anahit Shahverdyan (16%), his daughter Lilit Tumanyan (16%) and son-in-law Karen Grigoryan (16%). At the beginning, the activities of the company listed trade and service brokerage, wholesale and retail trade, rent of real estate, residential and non-residential premises, while in 2012 they were changed to contain only rent. After the article appeared, Tumanyan wrote to Hetq, claiming that he had petitioned the proper Czech authorities to dissolve the company. Armenias Ethics Committee for Top Officials then suggested that Tumanyan correct his financial disclosures that were submitted after being appointed ambassador. He did so. On August 10, Artashes Tumanyan, his wife Anahit Shahverdyan, daughter Lilit, and son-in-law Karen Grigoryan, sold Unitezza Group to an individual named Roman Dudenkov. He, in turn, changed the company name to the Atlas foundation. Karen Bivens, foreground, shows volunteer Nate Entingh around the Kimball County museum before his shift as a volunteer. The High Plains Museum is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week through Farmer's Day, Sept. 29, thanks in large part to a small group of willing volunteers. Tonia Copeland/Western Nebraska Observer The Western Nebraska Observer is one of many advertisers on the historic stage curtain at the Kimball County museum. According to High Plains Historical Society member Karen Bivens, a call for volunteers netted several citizens willing to sit at the museum, greet guests and show them around. The historic museum, located at the intersection of Highway 71 and Second Street, was built in 1904 as the local Fraternal Hall. The building still houses original light fixtures as well as the original stage, complete with a renovated curtain. As Bivens showed volunteer Nate Entingh around, the two viewed various photographs, collections and artifacts. The historical society continues seeking more volunteers to keep the museum open as they work to ready the rooms at the old Kimball High School for future visits. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 13, 2018 | 07:50 AM | PADUCAH A man who escaped from Keeton Correctional Facility earlier in the week has been captured.According to Kentucky State Police, escaped inmate Charles A. Richards was found and arrested by the local police department Friday in Winchester, Kentucky.Troopers say they were called Sunday night about the missing inmate, who is serving a sentence for manufacturing methamphetamine.Police say they are continuing their investigation into the escape.Previous Story:The Kentucky State Police is searching for an escaped inmate. State Police received a call from the Keeton Correctional Facility in Paducah on Sunday at approximately 8:30 pm about a missing inmate. The missing inmate is Charles A. Richards of Winchester, KY. Police say Richards is a 28-year-old white man. He's 59, and has blonde hair and blue eyes. It is unknown what Richards was wearing at the time of his escape. Richards was serving time for manufacturing methamphetamine. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentucky State Police Post 1 at 270-856-3721 or anonymously at 1-800-222-5555. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 17, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 17, 2018 | 12:57 PM | PADUCAH The McCracken County Sheriff's Department Drug Division arrested six individuals on various drug offenses and outstanding warrants as a result of investigations over the past eight days. On Thursday, August 9th, detectives conducted undercover investigations that led to three Methamphetamine trafficking arrests. The first investigation revealed that 32-year-old Brandon Fitzgerald, of Wickliffe, would be delivering a quantity of methamphetamine to the parking lot of a business on Lone Oak Road. Detectives located Fitzgerald and placed him under arrest after a search of his vehicle allegedly revealed approximately 10 grams of crystal methamphetamine, cash and a loaded firearm. Detectives received information that 41-year-old Jennifer Pittman, of Paducah, an employee at a local motel on Hinkleville Road in Paducah, was reportedly selling drugs from the motel. Detectives conducted surveillance and she was arrested on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine. A deputy stopped a truck for a traffic infraction that had just left the motel that night. The driver was also believed to be involved in a drug transaction. Forty-three-year-old James Grubbs, of Arlington, was arrested for DUI and trafficking in methamphetamine after a search of his truck reportedly revealed about an ounce of crystal methamphetamine. Detectives say Grubbs had met Pittman at the motel, so he was arrested. Detectives executed a search warrant at his home on Oaks Road, where additional drugs were allegedly found. On Thursday, August 16th, detectives received information alleging that 32-year-old Dan Tansil, of Paducah, was attempting to sell morphine pills. An undercover investigation revealed that he was traveling to a gas station on Old Mayfield Road to sell 50 doses of morphine. Detectives found Tansil and arrested him at the gas station after a search allegedly revealed 50 doses of morphine and cash. Also on Thursday, August 16th, detectives say they learned that 32-year old Jeremiah Dawson and 40-year-old Dazzeler Thomas, both of Paducah, were attempting to sell methamphetamine. Both men were found on the parking lot of a motel located on Joe Clifton Drive, and were arrested for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine. They were also arrested on outstanding warrants for probation violations. All six people were taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail. Our first frost can't be far off 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. 17, 2018 | 12:09 PM | GRAVES COUNTY Two Mayfield residents were arrested Thursday on multiple drug charges. The Graves County Sheriff's Office says a deputy went to a home in the 1000 block of Slaughter Road to attempt to serve a civil paper. When the deputy arrived at the home, he found Derek Brown and Ashley Dixon, both of Mayfield, sitting in a truck in the driveway of one of the apartments. When the deputy made contact with Brown, he reportedly acted very suspiciously. Deputies say they spotted counterfeit currency in the truck Brown and Dixon were in. During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanax pills, brass knuckles, numerous drug paraphernalia items and numerous empty baggies believed to be used in the illegal sale and distribution of illegal drugs. Deputies also seized over $4,400 in cash. Both Brown and Dixon were arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in a controlled substance, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Both were lodged in the Graves County Jail. SPRINGFIELD - What's Governor Rauner's message to Illinois conservatives so unhappy about how he ignored the IL GOP platform on several crucial issues during his first term? He finally answered the million dollar question succinctly on Wednesday during a press conference at the State Fair. "Republicans now need to come together," Rauner said. "We can have issues where we can disagree, and by the way, I'm adamantly against illegal immigration and we are not a sanctuary state, and we'll never be one. I oppose that. But, you know what? We gotta unite. "This is the time for everybody to come together. It's not only Republicans, it's independent voters, it's Democrats that actually want a good future for their children and grandchildren. We can have our differences on policy issues, but what really matters is that we don't give total control to Madigan, his machine, funded by Pritzker. More corruption, higher taxes, more job losses. That's what they'll bring. We've gotta fight against that." He didn't like the idea that some conservatives are promoting Rauner as "lesser than two evils." During the 10 minute press conference recorded by Illinois One, he congratulated Trump's policies on cutting taxes, cutting red tape on business regulations and promoting fair trade. It's a must-listen if you want to know where we're headed in the next 80 days leading up to November's election. VS Naipaul: a man who cast doubt on post-colonial liberal certainties No author in contemporary times more wilfully damaged his reputation with cantankerous observations as did VS Naipaul. He had extreme and contrarian opinions on the big issues of the day, from colonialism to Islam and the travesties of nationalism in Asia and Africa. A generation of readers who came of age in the last decade of the 20th century saw, and heard, him at his worst, even as his literary career was capped with the ultimate accolade of the Nobel Prize in 2001. The citation emphasised his, perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories. But it must have seemed incomprehensible to those who had only listened to his intemperate words and read his later work which seemed like tired caricatures of his earlier oeuvre. Colonial history Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipauls early life was lived in the detritus of the colonial history of indenture and the vast forced movement of people from the South Asian subcontinent to Africa and the Caribbean. Between 1833 (the abolition of slavery) and 1922, 3.5 million Indians were transported under a system of debt bondage to work on sugar plantations in European colonies. The memory of Indian civilisation was scattered along an archipelago of labour across two oceans the Indian and the Pacific. Men and women living in countries as disparate as South Africa, Trinidad and Fiji were trapped in small lives of drudgery, gossip and congealed tradition yet still aspiring to a life of the mind. Vidias father Seepersaud Naipaul was the first Indo-Trinidadian reporter for the Trinidad Guardian. He wrote short stories that he hoped would be published in London and lift the family from its genteel poverty. He, and his sons, Vidia and Shiva, mined the messy intricate lives around them for affectionate and searing portrayals of ambition, intrigue and ennui within the Indo-Trinidadian community. Never has so small a community been mined for so large a literary canvas. A House for Mr Biswas, Flag on the Island, The Suffrage of Elvira, The Mystic Masseur, and his brother Shivas Chip Chip Gatherers and Fireflies were the first great novels coming out of the history of indenture. Both Vidia and Shiva went up to Oxford, but their writing was both an act of faith to their origins as much as an act of treason against the language bequeathed them by Empire. Naipauls early novels affectionately and grittily recreated the Indo-Trinidadian argot at a time when postcolonial writing was marked by the well-behaved cadences of the Queens English. This act of temerity is often forgotten, as every word committed treason against a colonial enterprise of education. Characters that spoke to the world His novels were not simply quaint local evocations as became clear in the literary accolades that came his way so easily. Mr Biswas (A House for Mr Biswas 1961), Ganesh Ramsumair in The Mystic Masseur (1957) (who would retitle himself Ramsay Muir) and others were characters that spoke to the world much as did characters from the books of French literary artist Balzac: small people who occupied the world in large ways. Its worth remembering that this act of rendering the register of Trinidadian lives as universal marks an ambition that few postcolonial writers possess even today. Indian and African writers in English write correct, unambitious prose where the register of local English is always rendered as comical. This embarrassment is evident even in Salman Rushdies chutnified English which bears no relation to forms of English spoken anywhere in India, but is a form of caricature that marks the yawning distance between the writer and the landscape that he occupies. Indo-Anglian writers are most comfortable in ventriloquising their own class. Naipauls characters and their speech are not the result of mere acute observation, but of a location within a matrix of social relations. This attention to, and affection for, the odd and the eccentric, even repugnant, individual characterised his later move into a higher journalism in books like India: A Million Mutinies Now (1990) and his closely observed travel account of the southern states of the US, A Turn in the South (1989). He is able to summon up the fertile anarchy of one space and the underlying melancholy of the other through fine-grained conversations, attentive to every word spoken even by people lost to the national imagination. The epigraph to A Turn in the South is from Shakespeare: There is a history in all mens lives. What irritated critics bred on liberal hypocrisy was the fact that Naipaul wore his opinions on his sleeve. Even as he lavished a single-minded devotion to the rhythms of speech of his interlocutors, and rendered their selves in an uncannily distinctive fashion, he never held back on his disappointment on what could have been. The experience of having pulled himself up from a narrow world meant that he judged harshly; even himself. Readers of his letters to his father from Oxford Between Father and Son (2000) are exposed to a self-indulgent, self-pitying and entitled son. Hes prodigal in every way, writing, and not often, to a father who waited to live vicariously, through every letter, a life that he could never have had. Naipaulian credo Naipaul was hard on himself as on others. Patrick French, in his magisterial biography titled it with the Naipaulian credo: The world is what it is. One made ones life or one didnt. It was the harsh lesson of someone for whom the experience of indenture was one generation away. What lay behind his novels set in Africa as well as his historical accounts of the Caribbean, was what he saw as the refusal of the postcolonial citizen to take the world for what it was, and move on. He saw both the coloniser and colonised as wrapped in sentimental nostalgia for what might have been. The Middle Passage and The Loss of El Dorado are as much about the overweening ambition and rapacity of the Europeans as much as their failure. And the inept violence of the coloniser was mirrored in the inability of the colonised to come into their own. When he wrote An Area of Darkness in 1964, it was too close to the euphoria of independence for Indian elites to accept. It prompted prissy nationalist ripostes, like that of the poet Nissim Ezekiel who accused Naipaul of solipsism, that he wrote exclusively from the point of view of his own dilemma. Time has shown that the dilemma stains all Indian thought, the burden of a non-modernity. On Naipauls passing, another Indian poet, Keki Daruwalla, was to write about him that he was like a mother bird rummaging in a nest of doubts. And doubt about liberal certainties and postures was what Naipaul left us with, even as he devoted his entire focus and lapidary prose to the little people. VS Naipaul, writer, born 17 August 1932; died 11 August 2018. Dilip Menon, Mellon Chair of Indian Studies and the Director of the Centre for Indian Studies in Africa, University of the Witwatersrand. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Governor Rauner and his advocates have insisted for a year that Illinois is NOT a sanctuary state - despite the bill he signed last year forbids local law enforcement from being in direct contact with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency about persons that are in the country illegally that law enforcement is releasing from local imprisonment. In an effort to unite his Republican base, Rauner said Wednesday , "...We can have issues where we can disagree, and by the way, I'm adamantly against illegal immigration and we are not a sanctuary state, and we'll never be one. I oppose that. But, you know what? We gotta unite." Rauner's latest comments riled Gheen. "ALIPAC finds Governor Bruce Rauner's comments claiming Illinois is not a sanctuary state to be both false, disingenuous, and dangerous since the Chicago Tribune ran the headline "Illinois is officially a sanctuary state for (illegal) immigrants" on August 28, 2017 after Rauner signed the Trust Act into law at a Mexican restaurant with a mariachis band playing!" Gheen said. "The Trust Act denies local law enforcement the ability to detain people on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which means Illinois is a sanctuary state," Gheen said. "Governor Rauner and the lawmakers who supported The Trust Act hold some degree of responsibility for all of the lost jobs, taxpayer resources, damages, injuries, and deaths caused by illegals on their watch." As for Rauner's comments attempting to unify Illinois Republicans, Gheen suggested the effort was meaningless. As a matter of fact, Gheen holds Rauner and those that agreed with him on the measure responsible for so many illegal aliens picking their ultimate destination as Illinois. "Illinois is one of the top destinations in America for illegal immigrants thanks to amnesty- and sanctuary-supporting Democrats and RINO Republicans like Bruce Rauner," Gheen said. "With Republicans like Bruce Rauner, who needs Democrats?" Before signing the Trust Act, the governor refused to speak with Illinois families who have lost loved ones at the hands of immigrants in the country. Other Illinois Review stories on immigration A new graphic novel, published last week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illustrates important public health lessons for teenage scientists. Yet "The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak" also reveals the truth behind the adage "life imitates art." Books and reading Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade California Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Comics and editorial cartoons Continents and regions Diseases and disorders Epidemics and outbreaks Fiction and literature Government organizations - US H1N1 influenza Health and medical Infectious diseases Influenza Leisure and lifestyle Media industry Michigan Midwestern United States North America Public health Publishing industry Southwestern United States The Americas United States US Department of Health and Human Services US federal departments and agencies Animals Life forms Mammals Pigs Illustrated by Bob Hobbs, the graphic novel follows a group of students who participate in their state's agricultural fair. Later, the four teens attend the CDC's Disease Detective Camp in Atlanta, a real-life summer educational program in which high school students learn how to track outbreaks of disease. When one of the four teens becomes ill and is rushed to the emergency room, the rest of the group use their newly acquired knowledge of disease investigation to help a team of public health experts solve the mystery of how their friend became sick. Coincidentally, as the CDC prepared the book's release, California and Michigan were reporting very similar circumstances at their own state fairs. At the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, which took place in San Luis Obispo County from July 18 through 29, two people fell ill after attending the fair. Similarly, two attendees of the Fowlerville Family Fair in Michigan, which took place in Livingston County from July 23 through 28, also became sick in the days after. Public health disease detectives in both states immediately tested the patients for variant influenza virus, a flu strain that normally circulates in swine but not people. Person-to-person transmission of variant strains is uncommon, and you cannot catch this type of flu from eating pork. Instead, the flu is transmitted from pig to person. You might breathe in the virus after a pig has coughed or sneezed, for example, or maybe you touch something that an infected pig has contaminated with their saliva. Across the nation, variant flu infections have occurred each summer in recent years, according to the CDC. The symptoms of a variant virus, which usually start within four days and last up to seven days, are the same as those of seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. Severe disease, such as pneumonia, can result from a variant flu strain even in healthy people. In such rare cases, hospitalization might be required, and the illness could lead to death. Young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with a chronic health disease, including asthma and diabetes, are most susceptible. Ultimately, the conclusions of the outbreak investigations in California and Michigan were also foreshadowed by the CDC's graphic novel. By August 4, the nation's public health agency had confirmed variant swine flu in each of the patients and noted that all four either were recuperating or had fully recovered from their bouts of brief illness. Nearly 24 hours before Chris Watts was arrested in the disappearance of his pregnant wife and young daughters in Colorado, he stood outside his house and publicly pleaded for their safe return. "I hope that she's somewhere safe right now with the kids," he said Tuesday, a day after his wife and daughters vanished from their home in Frederick. "If somebody has her and they're not safe, I want them back now." Arrests Children Colorado Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Investigations Law and legal system Law enforcement Missing persons North America Population and demographics Society Southwestern United States The Americas United States Crimes against persons Criminal offenses Homicide Murder A day later, on Wednesday night, he was taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of Shanann Watts, 34, and their two daughters -- Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3. On Thursday, Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials discovered three bodies they believe to be those of Watts and the two children, but are working to confirm their identities. An adult woman's body was found on the property of a petroleum and gas company where Chris Watts previously worked. Police declined to say where the girls' bodies were discovered, but said they were close to the remains believed to be their mother's. Shanann Watts was 15 weeks pregnant. Watts had an 'emotional' talk with his wife The findings marked a major turning point in a case that stunned the nation -- especially the close-knit community of Frederick, about 30 miles north of Denver. In an interview outside his house Tuesday, Chris Watts told local media that his wife arrived home from a work event in Arizona about 2 a.m. Monday. He said he left for work a few hours later -- about 5:15 a.m. "She'd barely gotten into bed, pretty much," he said, according to CNN affiliate KMGH. During the day, he said, he called and texted her three times, but she did not respond. A friend contacted him and told him she was trying to reach her too, but had not heard back, he said. "I came home ... and then walked in the house and nothing was here ... she wasn't here, the kids weren't here. Nobody was here," Watts said. "Could she just have taken off? I don't know." The Frederick Police Department received a missing person call just before 2 p.m. Monday, Sgt. Ian Albert said. They conducted a welfare check after a friend called and requested one. The friend said she had plans to meet Shanann Watts, but Watts didn't answer her phone or show up for a doctor's appointment. When asked by a reporter whether they had argued before her disappearance, Chris Watts said, "We had an emotional conversation, I'll leave it at that. I just want them back." The children were excited to be big sisters Before his arrest, Watts described how much he missed watching their daughters curled up on the couch, watching cartoons. The house felt empty without them, he said, and the girls were not there to run him over when he walked into the house. "My kids are my life," he told the affiliate. "Those smiles light up my life." Just months earlier, in June, an excited Shanann Watts posted Facebook videos in which she told her husband and children that she's pregnant. In one video, she's wearing a T-shirt with the words, "Oops we did it again" as her husband walks into the room. "Really? That's awesome," he responds. In another video, she shares the news with the girls. "Guess what girls? Mommy has a baby in her belly," she tells the squealing girls, who jump up and down, then envelope her in a hug. "I'll give the baby a hug," Bella says, leaning down to wrap her arms around her mother's belly. Husband faces three counts of murder Shanann Watts' brother, Frankie Rzucek, said he wants to know why anyone would harm his sister. "I just want 30 seconds alone with that heartless psychopath. May Satan have mercy on his soul," he posted on Facebook. "Doesn't take a genius to know who was suspect." Local authorities are working with the FBI and state investigators to determine what happened. Investigators have not revealed a possible motive or other details in the case. A judge sealed the arrest affidavit, which might have provided that information. "I just want to know why," Rzucek posted. Shanann Watts, he said, is his only sibling. During a bond hearing Thursday, prosecutors said they believed Shanann and the young girls were killed inside the house, but did not elaborate, KMGH reported. Watts faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with a human body, police said. He's being held without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. CNN has reached out to Watts' public defender, but has not heard back. Weld County prosecutors have until Monday to formally charge him. This article has been updated to remove some details regarding the Watts' relationship that were provided by the couple's friends to a CNN affiliate. The grim discovery of 11 emaciated children on a filthy New Mexico compound, along with a cache of guns and the remains of a small boy has captured headlines for days. It has become a case in which prosecutors allege that a family sequestered itself in a remote town to plot violence -- and that a boy died during a ritual to expel demons from his body. Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj Arrests Belief, religion and spirituality Children Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Law and legal system Law enforcement Misc people Missing persons New Mexico North America Population and demographics Search and seizure Siraj Wahhaj Society Southwestern United States The Americas United States Georgia Southeastern United States Arrest warrants Crimes against persons Criminal offenses Kidnappings and abductions Alabama Jany Leveille Lucas Morten Federal Bureau of Investigation Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - US US Department of Justice US federal departments and agencies US federal government Christianity Firearms Muslim people Religious groups Weapons and arms Deaths and fatalities Accidents Accidents, disasters and safety Traffic accidents Islam But the investigation started more simply, as a search for a child reported missing months ago in Georgia. One of the latest chapters of the case ended Thursday, when officials confirmed the remains found on the New Mexico compound were that of the missing boy, 3-year-old Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj. Authorities raided the New Mexico compound August 3, putting the 11 surviving children into protective custody and arresting three women and two armed men. The adults, including Siraj Wahhaj, 40, Abdul-Ghani's father, have been charged with child abuse. They've pleaded not guilty. Here's what we know about the investigation that led to the raid: Abdul-Ghani's alleged abduction by his father months earlier in Georgia. A mom reported her 3-year-old missing in November Siraj Wahhaj is accused of abducting Abdul-Ghani from his mother's home in Jonesboro, Georgia, in November. The boy's mother, Hakima Ramzi, reported the child missing days later, telling police that they left in a gold Jeep Liberty, supposedly to go to a park, but never came back. "When I would ask (Wahhaj) where he was, he said he was on his way, he was coming soon, he was just keeping him for the night," she told CNN earlier this month. Police initially did not file a child abduction report because Wahhaj and Ramzi were married -- she filed for divorce in December, Clayton County court documents show. But a juvenile court judge in January issued an arrest warrant for Wahhaj for failing to let Ramzi know where he'd taken Abdul-Ghani. The dad allegedly wanted to cast demons from son Abdul-Ghani's disappearance was related to his health condition and, prosecutors allege, his father's and his co-defendants' belief that they were on a mission from God to heal the boy. Abdul-Ghani suffered from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. He had seizures and needed constant care and medical attention, Ramzi said. After a trip to Saudi Arabia in October 2017, Siraj Wahhaj -- a Muslim and the son of an imam in New York -- said he wanted to stop giving his son medication and perform rituals to "cast demonic spirits" out of the boy's body, New Mexico prosecutor John Lovelace said in a court hearing this week, citing Ramzi. Those rituals began in Georgia and continued after his father took him from his mother's home in November, prosecutors allege. Prosecutors allege that Siraj Wahhaj and his co-defendants -- two of his sisters; his brother-in-law Lucas Morten; and Jany Leveille, described in court testimony Monday as Wahhaj's "Muslim wife" -- went to New Mexico with their children on messages from God. The defendants allegedly believed Leveille had received those messages from the angel Gabriel. One of the messages, an FBI agent testified Monday, was for the family to go to New Mexico, where Morten had property, to continue the rituals on Abdul-Ghani. The dad was involved in an Alabama car crash On December 13, a couple of weeks after he abducted his son, authorities say, Siraj Wahhaj was in a car accident in Alabama with some of his children and Leveille. It's not clear whether Abdul-Ghani was in the car. Wahhaj flipped a Ford Explorer on Interstate 65 in Chilton County, Alabama, north of Montgomery, according to a police traffic report. Wahhaj told police he did not recall what caused the crash. He said he left the roadway and when he attempted to swerve back onto I-65, the Explorer rolled and came to rest on its roof, the report said. The police report states the only people injured in the crash were a 5-year-old boy and Leveille. Both were taken to a hospital. Wahhaj told a trooper that the family was on its way to New Mexico to go camping, said Lovelace, the New Mexico prosecutor. But the trooper noted in his report that he saw no camping equipment in the overturned vehicle. Wahhaj also told the officer that he was married to Leveille, though she would clarify to the officer that they were not legally married, Lovelace said. Morten picked up the family in a rental truck and drove them to New Mexico with their belongings, including a weapons cache that included handguns, a bulletproof vest and several magazines, Lovelace said. But when Georgia police questioned Morten in December, he said he didn't know where Wahhaj was. The truck and the weapons were eventually found at the compound, authorities said. An investigator says the boy died during a ritual New Mexico authorities suspected the boy and his father were at the compound after learning about the abduction in May, but didn't have enough evidence for a search warrant, the Taos County sheriff has said. Authorities raided the compound August 3, after they learned that someone on the compound had asked a friend on the outside for money and expressed fears of starvation. A family friend in Georgia told CNN that one of Siraj Wahhaj's sisters had sent him the message, and that he relayed the information to her father and to police. After the raid, FBI agent Travis Taylor interviewed two teenage children who'd been on the compound, the agent testified. The family had arrived in New Mexico in January, and the rituals on Abdul-Ghani continued in New Mexico under Leveille's direction, the FBI agent testified, citing at least one of the children. In the rituals, which went on for several days, Abdul-Ghani's father recited verses from the Quran and held his hand on the boy's forehead as he foamed from the mouth, Taylor said. During one of those rituals, according to the children, Abdul-Ghani passed out and died, the agent testified. The family believed he had already died and that his body was inhabited by demons, Taylor said. They believed he would return four months later as Jesus and tell them which government institutions to get rid of, Taylor said. Those who did not believe "their message" would be killed or detained "until they believed," the agent said, citing one of the teens. But Siraj Wahhaj's lawyer, noting the defendants were black Muslims, said "no one would bat an eye" if the suspects were white Christians accused of shooting guns on their property or practicing their religion. "If these were white people of a Christian faith who owned guns, that's not a big deal because there's a Second Amendment right to own firearms in this country. If these were white Christians, faith healing is of no consequence because we have freedom of religion in this country. But they look different and they worship differently from the rest of us," Wahhaj's attorney Thomas Clark said at Monday's hearing. "When black Muslims do it, there seems to be something nefarious, something evil," he later said outside the courthouse. After four hours of testimony Monday, Judge Sarah Backus ruled that the suspects were not shown to be a threat and allowed them unsecured bond. "The state alleges there was a big plan afoot, but the state has not shown to my satisfaction by clear and convincing evidence what in fact that plan was," Backus said. "The state wants me to make a leap, and it's a large leap. And that would be to hold people in jail without bond based on -- again -- troubling facts. But I didn't hear any choate plan that was being alleged by the state." None of the defendants had posted bond by Friday morning. Siraj Wahhaj will remain in custody despite being granted bond, Clark said, while he waits for authorities in Georgia to execute his January fugitive warrant. Imam visits detention center Siraj Wahhaj's father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, visited the detention center in Taos, New Mexico, on Friday. He was allowed to speak briefly with his two daughters, Subhannah and Hujrah, but not his son. "This whole thing is baffling to us because we are close, we are a close-knit family," he said. Imam Wahhaj said he made the visit because "any father, if their children are facing any kind of difficulty, you have to be there. For us as Muslims, we are told to ascertain the facts, whatever the facts are." He said his daughters are in good spirits, but they weren't able to talk about anything specific to the case. He has no idea when they are getting out and doesn't think he will be allowed to speak to his son. Imam Wahhaj said he did not know how long he would remain in New Mexico. When asked about his son's faith, he didn't answer. "We (Muslims) are about the truth wherever it lands, even if it is against ourselves, against our parents, against anyone. We have to tell the truth and we have to be witnesses for God." A man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two children in Sylvan Beach has been sentenced to prison time, according to the Oneida County District Attorneys Office. Travis True, 24, has been sentenced to five years in state prison followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. An order of protection has also been issued. Back in June, True pleaded guilty to felony first-degree sexual abuse. He was arrested in May and charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for having sexual contact with two female children under the age of 11 in Sylvan Beach in Nov. 2017. A handshake with the father of a missing 12-year-old girl changed Dick Jordan's life forever. "He shook hands with me and said, 'Thanks for being here, Dick.' He said, 'Say a prayer that we find Sara.' At that time, I didn't know where that handshake would lead me. I'm getting chills now just thinking about it," says Jordan, of New Hartford. Jordan met Bob Wood two days after his daughter, Sara Anne Wood, disappeared while riding her bike on Hacadam Road in Litchfield. Jordan's friend, C. Alan Pylman, was New York State Police Troop D major and deeply involved in the investigation into Sara's disappearance. That handshake would lead Dick Jordan on a nationwide, lifelong trek to raise awareness about missing children, keep children safe and bring missing children home to their families. "After I retired from my career in the utlity industry, Sara's Ride, which was to become the Ride for Missing Children, really took over my life," Jordan said. "Besides my family and all the things I do with my family, it's been my main focus for the past 20 something years, planning, training, participating in the ride. Meeting parents of missing children." There's a wall in Jordan's home, covered with mementos from several rides for missing and exploited children. He and others rode around the country on their bicycles, stopping at schools, educating children. He fondly recalls being in the nation's capital on National Missing Children's Day in 1995, when then-Congressman Sherwood Boehlert presented Bob Wood with a signed plaque, thanking him for his work on behalf of missing children. "Well, she's certainly a presence here in Sauquoit. It was the summer of her 6th grade year, going into 7th grade. There's still some teachers here, they still have the poster up in their room," says current Sauquoit Middle School Principal, Pete Madden. Madden was a sophomore at SUNY Oswego, preparing to enter junior year, when Sara was taken. He remembers the road blocks, in Washington Mills. The front of the middle school he now oversees and that Sara attended bears a blue ribbon, a symbol for missing children, dedicated on the 20th anniversary of the ride. "You will constatnly see people from the Ride for Missing Children come up on their bikes, drop a flower. It's pretty special." Sara's brother, Dusty, is now a father, understanding not only the pain of a sibling of a missing child, but the pain of a parent of a missing child. He remains moved by the outpouring of support from strangers when his sister disappeared, and still remembers how they sprang into action 25 years ago, doing anything they could to help find her. "I remember back then within 24 hours, you had all these people running Xerox machines, pictures and licking stamps and licking envelopes, sending them across the country," says Dusty. "That's just something I was amazed by, that we had people like that in our community." Twenty five years have not dulled the efforts by many to raise awareness about missing children. The National Center for Missing and Explolted Children branch in Utica has sent out thousands upon thousands of posters of missing children's faces through the years. Sara's ride has become the Ride for Missing and Exploited Children, and continues annually today. Those who started it all have not given up hope of bringing home the little girl who started it all. Forever young, Sara Anne Wood. "I pray every night when I lay my head down, I pray there's answers. Answers not only for the Wood family, but for all the other families that are suffering, not knowing. Not knowing, what has happened to their child," says Jordan. A sex offender from Rome who faced new charges in a child sex abuse case has pleaded guilty, according to the Oneida County District Attorneys Office. Donald Cadrette, 67, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted sexual assault Thursday in Oneida County Court. Back in June, Cadrette was charged with felony first-degree sexual abuse after he allegedly had sexual contact with a child less than 11 years old in Rome in 2016 and 2017. Cadrette was already a Level 2 registered sex offender, which is considered a sexually violent offender, according to the state sex offender registry. He was convicted in 2005 of felony third-degree aggravated sexual abuse, and his victim was someone he was familiar with. Cadrette is scheduled to be sentenced in Oneida County Court on Oct. 11. A few years earlier they had seen 67 of their 120 population starve to death in the "Great Leap Forward" Now they took matters into their own hands. By flickering lights (none had seen electricity), they came forward in turn to sign a document dividing up the collective farm into individual family plots, whose owners could keep most of the proceeds of their labours. They knew the dangers, and added a clause to the contract pledging that if any were betrayed and executed, the others would raise their children until aged 18. Following that historic contract, the village produced more food next harvest than it had in the previous 5 years combined. China leapt from being a net importer of food into being a net exporter, and the Chinese economic miracle was launched. UPDATE: Heather Wales has been taken into custody as of 10/12/18 LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Lafayette police are asking for the public's help to find a suspect. 38-year-old Heather Nichole Wales is five foot five inches and 125 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. In July of this year, Tippecanoe County Superior Court 4 issued an arrest warrant for Wales for possession of methamphetamine. If you have information on her whereabouts, please call Lafayette police or the anonymous WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME. 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 Award for North Wales woman leading fight against child slavery This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 17th, 2018 A dedicated charity worker who plays a vital role in keeping vulnerable children safe from trafficking and exploitation has been honoured by North Waless policing chief. Sian Humphreys, who works for Barnardos as an independent child trafficking advocate for Wales, has won the Anti-Slavery Champion title in the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioners Community Awards. She was presented with the trophy by Commissioner Arfon Jones at a special ceremony at the Celtic Royal Hotel, in Caernarfon, when he paid tribute to the crucial work she carries out working in close partnership with the North Wales Police Modern Slavery Team. They deal with children in danger of being trafficked or who have already been moved in and out of the region and Wales as a whole for reasons including sexual exploitation, forced labour, working on cannabis farms or selling drugs. Arfon Jones said: North Wales is just one of four forces in the UK with a modern slavery unit and Sian and Barnardos are a key part of that and they work closely together to safeguard children. The children are those of parents who have been exploited or they have been exploited themselves the youngest child we have safeguarded was only two. Modern slavery is one of the most insidious and damaging crimes and it all too often slips under the radar but its victims are among the most vulnerable in our society which is why I have made it one of my policing priorities. In the past year there have been 124 referrals to the ICTA service in Wales and 49 have been from North Wales which shows the scale of the problem here and the importance of Sians work. Sian plays a key role in supporting those children to keep them safe and prevent re-trafficking, as well as enabling their voices to be heard so other agencies can provide them with the best possible support. Her expertise helps prevent trafficked children from going missing by providing support to social workers and foster carers in relation to safety intervention plans. Wales in one of the early adopter sites the Home Office selected to provide support to children who are, or are at risk of, being trafficked. Child trafficking is the movement of a child for the purpose of exploitation, examples of which includes working in nails bars, kitchens and restaurants for little or no money or forced into criminality such as maintaining cannabis farms. There are many more examples in which children are coerced, groomed and forced into exploitation. It does exist in Wales and we are seeing this. I have supported children from Pakistan, Albania, Vietnam and Romania to name a few. I also support many British children, who are trafficked within the UK, so to be clear, children can be trafficked from anywhere for any type of exploitation. My role is to walk through the journey with them, supporting them through complex systems such as immigration, criminal justice and social services, ensuring the childs voice is heard. It can be challenging. The exploitation causes significant trauma which take time and support to overcome, however its a very rewarding role. Its great to win an award but a lot of its down to the positive partnerships developed here and it helps that someone like the Police and Crime Commissioner has put the issue on their agenda. Sians work to raise awareness in communities and provide training to professionals has resulted in more referrals and an increased number of safeguarded children. As part of her role Sian has also helped introduce a new meeting Missing Trafficked and Exploited (MET) within Flintshire and Wrexham, which provides agencies with information that has enabled them to adapt their processes and interventions with young people as issues are identified much earlier. Milestone blood donation awards for HMP Berwyn staff This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 17th, 2018 A maintenance worker and prison officer at HMP Berwyn have received milestone awards for their dedication to improving and saving lives by donating blood. Terry Rees (maintenance) and Kelvin Vernon (prison officer) were given the awards by the Welsh Blood Service at a recent donation session for staff at the prison. For Terry it was the 75th time he has donated blood, having started when he was in the Armed Forces in 1983. Over the past two years Terry has worked at HMP Berwyn, having previously worked at three other prisons during his career. The husband of a biomedical scientist, Terry said he knows the difference that giving blood can make to hospitals and patients in need. Speaking about the blood donation sessions at the prison, Terry said: Its much easier to donate at work. Our three blood donation sessions at HMP Berwyn have so far been a big success. At the last session we collected 65 units, which is a fantastic outcome. To date the 75 donations Terry has given could have potentially saved the lives of 225 people, as each donation can save up to three lives. His next milestone will be 100 donations, which he could reach within seven years. Terry added said: If someone you knew needed blood, then its nice to think that it would be there ready for them. Prison officer Kelvin Vernon also received a milestone badge for his tenth donation however this was the first time he had done so at HMP Berwyns sessions. Kelvin first started donating blood after being approach five years ago at his previous job at Ivor Williams and has previously donated in Coedpoeth. The 10 donations Kelvin has given could have potentially saved 30 people. Sessions first began at HMP Berwyn in October 2017 and since then the Welsh Blood Service has collected 161 units of blood from staff. Enough to save potentially 483 lives. Without live-saving donations such as these, the Welsh Blood Service would not be able to supply the 19 hospitals in Wales with the orders requested. The Welsh Blood Service needs to collect 450 donations everyday in order to meet the needs of hospitals across Wales. To find out more about the Welsh Blood Service visit www.welshblood.org.uk or search Welsh Blood Service on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Beara, established after World War II as a Patrol Post was uplifted to Sub District Office status as a parking-spot for Clarrie, now an Assistant District Officer after his demotion from District Officer status. Beara was soon to become a Patrol Post again with this writer as OIC. The Spider pushed off from Gulf Traders wharf while I remained behind to follow to Beara in another canoe, if the plane brings the mail. I picture my sometime boss, the late, great Clarrie Healey, setting off in his own most-favoured government canoe, Tillicum, and heading off into blinding rain accompanied only by a single cop, a Sepik constable known far and wide as The Spider for his long, lanky and predatory look. CHRIS OVERLANDS STORY about Baimuru and the giant canoe, Eiwo, brought back some memories. On that wet day we had, as was customary, ingested ale and rum in largish quantities with The Colonel at Gulf Traders establishment, known locally as The Palace Flophouse, a name bestowed by another memorable Gulfite of the time, the late Francis Xavier Ryan. We were increasingly, doubtfully, waiting for the plane to come from Daru and Balimo with the mail and freezer from Port Moresby. Clarrie, who at home was on the dry, wanted to get back to his place not quite blind drunk so as to be able to pacify the much put-upon Mrs Healy. He was inordinately fond of his skill as an outboard-whisperer as applied to the heavy, often recalcitrant but durable Archimedes outboards which were supplied to us in those days. As expected, with one pull of the starting cord, the twin-opposed two-stroke engine burst into life, on full throttle, with a mini-Harley Davidson-like burst of thunder. Unaccountably unsteady in stance, Clarrie disappeared in a short arc over the transom. Tillicum surged away into the rain - the long, thin figure of The Spider gesturing frenziedly from the bow. At an appropriate juncture after Clarrie had crawled up the ladder and had been fortified with further rum, a rescue was executed. Also at that time there existed a worthy ancestor to your big canoe, Chris. It was that built by Col Ryman, late of Kaimare sawmill and Gulf Traders, business partner and co-font-of-ribaldry with Keith "The Colonel" Ledingham of Gulf Traders. Keith was also organiser and minder of Gulf Traders HQ, the Flophouse, and its store and the Shell agency at the downstream end of the airstrip. This huge marine beast was endowed with a big, six-cylinder Chrysler Marine inboard engine and a normal motor launch shaft drive. Control was maintained from a small, ugly, rectangular wheelhouse at the stern. This latter excrescence resulted in the beast being named "The Specialist" in honour of the once-famous book about a builder of fancy outhouses, or dead-drop dunnies as we knew them. [That book was written by one Chic Sale in case anyone decides to search for it.] So, Chris, we had The Colonel, Col Ryman, Joe Stuart and, by that time far away at Koialahu on the eastern side of the Vailala, the late Bertie Counsel. Their antics and endless flow of yarns kept me from going completely mad in my memorable Gulf days which (madness in itself) lasted five years at one stretch. The Colonel, a refugee from civilisation, possessed some inherited money and a good, classical education from one of Sydneys GPS boarding-schools. He had an endless repertoire of stories featuring either a pompous Major Ponsonby or a sex-crazed travelling salesman. The others all had similar talents. Bertie Counsel, ever cheerful, witty and source of so many good stories, was an accomplished pianist, as he demonstrated once on the only piano west of Kairuku at Kikori. But thats another story. You may or may not have heard of the lingua franca known as King's Cross Motu. This, originated by The Colonel, was spoken by a small group of intellectuals, one or two of whom look at this blog from time to time. All of us were domiciled at Baimuru and at Ihu in those days of yore and endless rain. In this era, succinct messages in Kings Cross Motu used to be left for other initiates in the famed New Guinea Book kept at Ushers Hotel in Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Messages such as haraga ita mei botaia inisini were left as insider invitations(English translation let's hit the piss here soon). Drug overdose deaths in the US topped 72,000 in 2017, according to new provisional estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This staggering figure translates into about 200 drug overdose deaths every day, or about one every eight minutes. The new CDC estimates are 6,000 deaths more than 2016 estimates, a rise of 9.5 percent. This has been primarily driven by a continued rise of deaths involving synthetic opioids, a category of drugs that includes fentanyl. Nearly 30,000 deaths involved these drugs in 2017, an increase of more than 9,000 (nearly 50 percent) over the previous year, according to preliminary data. This catastrophic toll of opioid deaths casts a grim light on the state of America in the 21st century. At its root lies a society characterized by vast social inequality, corporate greed and government indifference. While the opioid crisis spares no segment of society, the most profoundly affected are workers and the poor, along with the communities where they live. Deaths involving the stimulant cocaine also rose significantly, placing them on par with heroin and the category of natural opiates including painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. The CDC estimates suggest that deaths involving the latter two drugs appear to have flattened out. The highest mortality rates in 2017 were distributed similarly to previous years, with parts of Appalachia and New England showing the largest figures. West Virginia again saw the highest death rates, with 58.7 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by the District of Columbia (50.4), Pennsylvania (44.2), Ohio (44.0) and Maryland (37.9). Nebraska had the lowest rate, 8.2 deaths per 100,000, one-seventh the West Virginia rate. Two states with relatively high rates of overdose deaths, Vermont and Massachusetts, saw some decreases. The CDC credits this decrease to a leveling off of synthetic opioid availability and a modest increase in these states of funding for programs to fight addiction and provide treatment and rehabilitation. Driving the increase in overdose deaths is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is roughly 50 times more potent that heroin. It is marketed under more than a dozen brand names in the US. Nebraska became the first state to use fentanyl in a state-sanctioned killing, using it Tuesday to execute Carey Dean Moore. Fentanyl is also made illegally relatively easily and mixed with black market supplies of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines and anti-anxiety medicines known as benzodiazepines. Individuals who have become addicted to prescription opioids often turn to illegally manufactured fentanyl, or related drugs that can be far more potent and dangerous, when prescription opioids are not available. Users cannot know the potency of such drugs or drug mixtures and are more likely to overdose. The CDC reports that the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), which identifies drugs from submissions tested for analysis, estimated that submissions testing positive have included two extremely potent drugs related to fentanyl, carfentanil and 3-methylfentanyl, which are 100 and 4 times more potent than fentanyl, respectively. Purdue Pharma has drawn widespread criticism for its aggressive marketing and sale of the opioid OxyContin, which has a high potential for abuse, particularly for those with a history of addiction. The company also produces pain medications such as hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine and hydrocodone. Regions with high levels of unemployment and poverty have been the target of drug distributors, shipping vast quantities of opioid painkillers to these areas. For example, McKesson Corporation shipped 151 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone between 2007 and 2012 to West Virginia, the state with the highest rate of overdose mortality. Workers, both employed and unemployed, have found themselves in the grip of the opioid crisis. In an interview with Vox.com, Beth Macy, author of the new book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America, describes the high levels of addiction in Machias, Maine, an early center of the opioid crisis. People in this logging and fishing community were already on painkillers from injuries due to these jobs and then became addicted to opioidsboth prescription and illegaland continue to overdose at high rates. A study by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health examined 4,302 opioid deaths from 2011 to 2015 among workers in all occupations in the state. It found that construction workers were six times more likely to die from opioid overdoses than the average worker, and that one in three construction-worker deaths were the result of overdoses. There are fewer workers in farming, fishing and forestry in Massachusetts, but the report found these jobs also had an opioid mortality rate five times the average. The study found a link between higher rates of opioid abuse in occupations where back injuries are more common and paid sick leave is less so. In other words, workers become addicted to drugsand face potential overdosewhen they are forced to choose between working through pain or suffering a loss of wages. Conservative estimates place the number of Americans with opioid abuse disorder at 2.6 million, but the real total is undoubtedly higher. To the 72,000 who succumbed to drug overdose in 2017 must be added those directly impacted by the crisisfamily members, friends, coworkers, medical responders, social workers, treatment center workers, and many others. Drug overdoses are part of a greater social crisis that is claiming the lives of increasing numbers. In December 2017, the CDC released reports revealing that life expectancy of the American working class is declining due to an increase in both drug overdoses and suicides. Deaths of despairoverdoses, suicides, alcohol-related deathsare causing a dramatic increase in the mortality rate among those under the age of 44. The decline in life expectancy, a fundamental measure of social progress, is an indication of both American capitalisms decline and the sharp intensification of social inequality. While the richest five percent of the population owns 67 percent of the wealth, the poorest 60 percent owns just 1 percent. Of the 72,000 Americans who died in drug overdoses in 2017, workers and the poor were the most affected. By contrast, the wealthiest Americans have access to the best medical care and technology available, and as a result live on average 20 years longer than the poorest members of US society. The rise in drug overdoses is the product of a bipartisan assault of the social gains of the working class. Over the past 40 years, both the Democrats and Republicans have engaged in a conscious strategy to claw back the gains won by the working class in the first half of the 20th century. The response of both the Obama and Trump administrations to this crisis has amounted to a combination of indifference and disdain for the lives lost. The Obama administration slashed the number of DEA cases brought against drug distributors by 69.5 percent between 2011 and 2014. The Trump administration last year declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, but then allocated no new funding to the states to address it. Yet hundreds of billions are budgeted to fund the myriad wars prosecuted by the US military and for the persecution of immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A health emergency on the scale of the drug epidemic requires an emergency, socialist response. Billions of dollars must be allocated to fund rehabilitation centers, utilizing the latest scientific treatments methods. The wealth of the drug manufacturers must be expropriated and their facilities placed under the control of the working class, as part of a socialized health care system that provides free health care for all. Following the collapse of a motorway bridge in Genoa, Italy, the death toll has risen to at least 42. The Morandi Bridge had subsided and broke over a length of over 200 metres on August 14, burying buildings and railroad tracks and plunging vehicles into the Polcevera River. So far, 16 people have been hauled out of the rubble with serious injuries and more than 600 have lost their homes. Many of those affected spoke of an apocalypse, and some are reminded of the earthquakes that are well known in Italy. Everywhere there are mountains of debris, teams of dogs searching for survivors, the transport of the injured and dead, people weepingand then the construction crews arrive with their heavy equipment. Thus, there is a growing fear that this catastrophe too will only exacerbate the social crisis, that the provisional arrangements will last for years to come, and that those affected and the impoverished population of Genoa will ultimately lose out. The governing far-right Lega and Five Star Movement (M5S) were quickly on hand on Wednesday with fanciful but hollow accusations. Government officials are trying to deny all responsibility and drown out the growing unrest by loudly casting aspersions. During a police conference in Calabria, Lega chief and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini stepped in front of the microphones and first accused the EU of having forced Italy into excessive frugality. Then Salvini turned to the private operator of the affected highway, Autostrade per lItalia, owned by the Benetton group. It had earned billions but did not invest. He threatened to do everything possible to get the names and surnames of the guilty, because those who are guilty, will pay. Luigi Di Maio of M5S, the other deputy prime minister, who visited the debris-strewn scene in Genoa on Wednesday morning, joined in the same chorus. The government would analyse all contracts and concessions and if necessary withdraw them, Di Maio claimed. Every previous government has covered politically for Autostrade per lItalia. The current government is the first not to receive any money from Benetton. On Wednesday afternoon in the prefecture of Liguria, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte finally announced that the government would withdraw the concession from Autostrade per lItalia. These frantic steps serve the transparent aim of quickly finding a scapegoat and at the same time distracting attention from the real causes. The exact technical reasons that led to the disaster have not yet been clarified. However, the tragedy is a piece of a bigger picture, which is becoming clearer and clearer. It reveals a deeply sick society in which public institutions and infrastructure are underfunded and systematically looted. For decades, changing governments have organized an unprecedented orgy of enrichment by the Italian bourgeoisie at the expense of working people. Every year, public investment is cut back and infrastructure support systematically pared down. All political camps are responsible for this. This applies both to the four governments under Silvio Berlusconi, who, as the epitome of corruption, had declared self-enrichment a virtue, as well as to various centre-left governments that alternated in power with Berlusconi. From Mario Monti to Romano Prodi to Enrico Letta, Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni, these were the governments in which the Democratic Party (PD), flanked by pseudo-lefts such as Rifondazione Comunista, cut back on everything and everyone to fill the gaps in the budget. Public investment, social spending and infrastructure were allowed to deteriorate. The resulting social catastrophe created the conditions under which the current government of the right-wing Lega and the Five Star Movement came to power in June. This coalition pushes the worst characteristics of previous governments to extremes. It is mercilessly building up the police state, attacking the working class and organizing mass murder in the Mediterranean refugee crisis. The current government politicians from the Lega and Five Star Movement are themselves directly responsible for the neglect of public infrastructure. For decades, the Lega has been an integral part of the various Berlusconi governments. The Five Star Movement has also distinguished itself for years through attacks on social infrastructure and social benefits. After the 2014 flooding in Genoa, then-M5S leader Beppe Grillo campaigned for the No-Gronda movement, a protest movement against a bypass project designed to relieve the now collapsed Ponte Morandi of heavy traffic. Grillo loudly protested against the waste of public money that the infrastructure project was supposed to entail, shouting, Well stop them with the army! The Five Star Movement appealed to its sympathizers to block and prevent the Gronda project. When it joined the government, Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Danilo Toninelli (M5S) proposed that public projects, including the Gronda, undergo a total revision, including the abandonment of the project. This is the same Toninelli who is now wandering around shouting, The guilty will pay, down to the last penny! The working class must not let itself be led astray by such commotion. This government will never shake the foundations of capitalismon the contrary. Workers must ask fundamental questions and see things in context. The catastrophe is not the responsibility of a single black sheep among the corporations, and it is not just a question of whether the highways are operated privately and for profit. Even in Germany, where the privatization of highways and the introduction of toll fees are only just beginning, many arterial roads and bridges are dilapidated because for decades, billions of euros have flowed not into their maintenance, but into the pockets of those in power and the rich. Neglected infrastructure is by no means an Italian special case; in Germany, only one in eight motorway bridges is in good condition, while twelve percent of bridges are in dire need of renovation, or will have to be completely replaced. The cause of the disaster is the capitalist profit system, which is bankrupt to the core and produces only catastrophes. The working class must take political power in order to reorganize the entire economy according to socialist principles. Last month, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germanys domestic intelligence agency, added the Socialist Equality Party to its official list of left-wing extremist organizations subject to state monitoring in its annual constitutional protection report. It is a calculated political attack on the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality PartySGP). In previous years, the annual report did not mention the SGP. Now it appears twiceas one of three left-wing extremist parties and as an object of observation, to be monitored by the secret service. Monitoring by the secret service means massive restriction on basic democratic rights, and is a precursor to a possible ban. The SGP and its members must assume that they are being watched, their communications are being intercepted and they are being spied on by covert means. They are branded as enemies of the Constitution and can expect to face harassment in regard to elections, public appearances, renting rooms or looking for a job. For example, the RCDS, the student organisation of the governing Christian Democratic parties (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union), demands that organizations and their members that are subject to monitoring by the secret service be excluded from universities. The secret service has made no accusation that the SGP is breaking any law or is engaged in violent activity. It even explicitly confirms that the SGP pursues its goals by legal meansthat it tries to gain public attention for its political ideas by participating in elections and through lectures. It justifies the monitoring of the SGP exclusively by the fact that it advocates a socialist program, criticizes capitalism and rejects the establishment parties and the trade unions. The BfV report states: The agitation of the SGP is directed in its program against the existing state and social order, as a generalized disparagement of capitalism, against the EU, against alleged nationalism, imperialism and militarism and against social democracy, the unions and also against the party DIE LINKE [Left Party]. The general introduction to the chapter Left-Wing Extremism makes clear that the secret service is intent on suppressing any socialist critique of capitalism and its social consequences. The ideological basis of left-wing extremists, it says, is the rejection of the capitalist system as a whole, because capitalism is more than just an economic form for left-wing extremists: it is seen as a basis as well as a guarantor of bourgeois rule through repression at home and aggression abroad. Capitalism is therefore responsible for all societal and political ills, such as social injustice, the destruction of housing, wars, right-wing extremism and racism, as well as environmental disasters. According to the secret service, such a critique of capitalism, which millions of people share, is an attack on our state and social order and thus liberal democracy. Anyone who bases himself or herself on Marx, Engels and Lenin as leading theoretical figures, or considers the revolutionary violence of the oppressed against the rulers in principle as legitimate is, in the eyes of the secret service, a left-wing extremist and enemy of the Constitution. This falls within a tradition of the suppression of socialist parties that has a long and disastrous history in Germany. In 1878, German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck enacted the infamous Anti-Socialist Law against the homicidal aspirations of social democracy, which forced the Social Democratic Party (SPD) into illegality for twelve years. In 1933, Hitler first smashed the Communist Party and then the SPD to clear the way for Nazi dictatorship, the Second World War and the extermination of the Jews. Now, the grand coalition of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats and its intelligence agency are preparing a third version of the Anti-Socialist Law. They are adopting the policy of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and threaten anyone who opposes this far-right party with illegality. Although leading representatives of the AfD regularly agitate against migrants, incite racism, glorify Hitlers Wehrmacht (Army) and downplay the crimes of National Socialism (Nazism), there is not a single mention of this party in the chapter on right-wing extremism in the BfV report. This also applies to the representatives of its volkisch-racist wing, the New Right Network and the xenophobic Pegida, which are closely linked with the AfD. The AfD spokesman in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, against whom the AfD itself has initiated two disciplinary proceedings for making right-wing extremist statements, also does not appear in the report. Neither does the Institute for State Policy of neo-right ideologist Gotz Kubitschek, the Compact magazine of Jurgen Elsassers or the weekly Junge Freiheit. The Identarian Movement is mentioned, but only as a suspicious case. In the chapter on left-wing extremism, the AfD is mentioned several timesas the victim of supposed left-wing extremists! Those who protest against the AfD and against right-wing extremism or collect information about them are considered to be left-wing extremists. Protests against the two party congresses of the AfD, in April in Cologne and in December in Hanover, are cited in the BfV report as evidence of extreme left sentiment. The same applies to the ongoing fight against right-wing extremists and the gathering of information about alleged or actual right-wing extremists and their structures. Large parts of the BfV report read as if they were written in AfD party headquarters. Many passages bear its imprimatur. It has since been confirmed by the Interior Ministry that BfV head Hans-Georg Maassen met several times with leading AfD representatives. According to the official statement of the ministry, since taking office six years ago, Maassen has conducted about 196 discussions with politicians from the CDU / CSU, the SPD, the Greens, the Left Party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and also the AfD. Maassens interlocutors include AfD chief Alexander Gauland and his predecessor Frauke Petry. According to a former employee of Petry, Maassen allegedly assured her that he himself did not wish the AfD to be monitored by the BfV and advised them on how to avoid such monitoring. Although Maassen denies this, the fact that the AfD is not mentioned in the BfV report suggests that Petrys colleague was right. A right-wing conspiracy The federal government is responsible for the secret service, which answers directly to the interior minister, who wrote the foreword to the BfV report. Without the approval of the grand coalition of the CDU, CSU and SPD, the report could not have appeared in this form. The decision to attack the SGP and support the AfD was taken at the highest levels of the government. The grand coalition is reacting to the increasing radicalization of the working class and youth, who, by a large majority, reject its policy of permanent welfare cuts, military rearmament and the building of a police state. In the general election last September, the CDU, CSU and SPD had their worst results in 70 years. If elections to the Bundestag (federal parliament) were held today, the grand coalition would no longer have a majority. Under these conditions, official politics assume the character of a permanent conspiracy that fortifies extreme right-wing forces. As early as 2013, the formation of a government was preceded by months of behind-the-scenes negotiations culminating in a commitment to militarism. Leading government officials announced the end of military restraint and supported the right-wing coup in Ukraine, which sparked a sharp conflict with Russia. Germany has participated in the deployment of NATO forces right up to the Russian border. This time, the coalition negotiations lasted six monthsa historic record. The CDU, CSU and SPD agreed upon the most right-wing program since 1945. They decided on a comprehensive rearmament policy and the establishment of a police state. Military expenditure is expected to increase to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), which means nearly doubling the military budget. Meanwhile, the reintroduction of compulsory military service and the nuclear armament of the Bundeswehr (armed forces) are also under discussion. The aspirations of the ruling class to realize its imperialist ambitions by means of military might require the trivialization and revival of the criminal politics of the past. Long before AfD leader Gauland declared the crimes of the Nazis to be merely bird shit in over a thousand years of successful German history, the then-foreign minister and todays federal president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), proclaimed that Germany was too big to only comment on world politics from the sidelines. Political scientist Herfried Munkler added: Its not possible to pursue a responsible policy in Europe if you have the idea that we have been guilty of everything. In the population, however, the return of German militarism meets with overwhelming opposition, which now coincides with an intensification of the class struggle. After 20 years of social redistribution from those at the bottom to those at the top by both SPD- and CDU-led governments, social relations are torn to shreds. Several labour market reforms have created the largest low-wage sector in Western Europe. Young people are hardly able to find a regular job; only 44 percent of new employees receive a permanent contract. Poverty is exploding. On the other hand, 45 super-rich individuals possess as much wealth as the poorer half of the population. Many workers and young people can sense that capitalist society is bankrupt and are looking for an alternative. The lectures 200 Years of Karl MarxThe Actuality of Marxism, organized at seven universities by the youth organization of the SGP, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), attracted an audience of a thousand. The ruling class is responding to this radicalization by returning to the authoritarian policies of the 1930s, cracking down on socialists and adopting the policies of the far right. This crisis is stripping off the democratic facade of German capitalism to reveal the original brown paint. During the Weimar Republic that preceded Nazi rule, the secret service, police and judiciary ruthlessly persecuted socialists and opponents of war and strengthened the Nazis. In 1923, while Hitler was sent to prison for nine months for a bloody coup attempt, where he wrote Mein Kampf, the judiciary put the editor of Weltbuhne, Carl von Ossietzky, in prison for twice as long for anti-militarism. He was then tortured to death. In the end, Hitler did not come to power through a popular movement, but through a conspiracy within the state apparatus that gathered around Reich President Paul von Hindenburg. The Nazis had suffered a serious defeat in the parliamentary election two months earlier and faced financial bankruptcy. Hardly had Hitler consolidated his power than the judiciary, secret service, police and military seamlessly subordinated themselves to him. These are the traditions behind which the grand coalition and the secret service are now falling into line. Today, however, they cannot rest upon a fascist mass movement. The AfD is hated by the vast majority of the population. It is a creation of the state, the establishment parties and the media, which are eager to spread its right-wing propaganda. Its leaders stem to a large extent from the CDU, the CSU and the SPD, from the military, the intelligence services, the judiciary and the police. With its decision to continue the grand coalition despite electoral defeat, the SPD has deliberately strengthened the AfD. Although the AfD received only 12.6 percent of the vote in the federal election, it now leads the opposition in parliament. Its anti-refugee agitation has become the official policy of the grand coalition, which uses it to increase the powers of the state, divide the working class and fuel chauvinism. The BfV plays a key role in this right-wing conspiracy. It has deep roots in the right-wing swamp. Already 15 years ago, Germanys Supreme Court rejected a ban on the far-right German National Party (NPD) on the grounds that its leadership contained so many BfV undercover informants that the NPD was a state matter. The close periphery of the National Socialist underground (NSU), which killed nine immigrants and a policewoman between 2000 and 2004, included several dozen active BfV undercover informants. One informant was even present at the scene during a murder, supposedly without noticing anything. The Thuringia Homeland Security, from which the NSU recruited support, was built with funds provided by the BfV. Defend the SGP The SGP has become the target of this conspiracy because it consistently advocates a socialist program. It has not adapted to the anti-refugee agitation of the establishment parties nor to the identity politics of the middle class. It is fighting to mobilize the international working class behind a socialist program to overthrow capitalism. As a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, it stands in the tradition of Leon Trotskys Left Opposition to Stalinism. The Trotskyist movement fought persistently against the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s. Leon Trotskys analysis of National Socialism, his warnings of its consequences, and his criticism of the fatal policy of the Stalinist German Communist Party (KPD), which refused to draw a distinction between the SPD and the Nazis and fight for a united front against Hitler, are still of burning relevance and are among the best works ever written on the subject. The Trotskyists were brutally persecuted by the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo. In 1937, a court in Gdansk sentenced ten Trotskyists to long prison sentences in a show trial. The Trotskyist victims of the Nazis include Abraham Leon, author of a Marxist study of the Jewish question, who conducted illegal socialist work in occupied Belgium and France and was murdered in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. The fact that the Trotskyist movement is being persecuted again, just after the first right-wing extremist party has entered the Bundestag, underscores the shift to the right of official politics. In contrast to the lies spread by the so-called Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the SGP fully defends democratic rights. The fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitutionfor the inviolability of life and physical integrity, for equality before the law, freedom of conscience, expression, assembly and the press, the free choice of profession, etc.remain, however, dead letters and turn into their opposite so long as the economic foundations of society remain in the stranglehold of the private owners of capital. A socialist program is the prerequisite for the realization of real democracy. If the working class does not overthrow capitalism in the foreseeable future and build a socialist society, a relapse into barbarism and a Third World War is inevitable. This is not only the lesson of the catastrophes of the twentieth century, it is inherent in the tremendous pace with which all the imperialist powers, led by the United States under Donald Trump, are expanding their military forces, intensifying existing wars and preparing new ones. The BfV has targeted the SGP because its Marxist analysis is being increasingly confirmed. Alarmed by growing opposition to exploitation, inequality, repression, war and right-wing extremism, the BfV and its masters in the grand coalition want to prevent the SGPs socialist program from gaining influence. The BfV report explicitly states that a year ago, the party changed its name from the Party for Social Equality to the Socialist Equality Party and thus expressed its socialist aims in the party name. The SGP has for years been the subject of media denunciations for opposing the revision of German history and rehabilitation of the Nazis. When the SGP and the IYSSE criticized right-wing extremist historian Jorg Baberowski, the media unleashed a storm of indignation. Baberowski defended the Nazi apologist Ernst Nolte and publicly declared that Hitler was not vicious. The IYSSE linked this directly to the return of German militarism. Germany could not return to a policy of militarism, it explained, without developing a new narrative of the twentieth century, a falsification of history that diminishes and justifies the crimes of German imperialism. The criticism of Baberowski found substantial support among students. Numerous student representative bodies agreed with it. The ruling circles were alarmed. The conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung accused the SGP of mobbing and complained about its effectiveness. The presidium of Humboldt University backed up the right-wing extremist professor and declared criticism of him to be inadmissible. For more than a year, Google, in close consultation with German government circles, has been censoring left-wing, anti-war, and progressive websites, most notably the World Socialist Web Site. From the Left Party and the Greens have come only a cowardly silence, or they have supported Baberowski and the actions of the grand coalition. They do nothing to counter the growing influence of the right wing or evenlike the Green Party mayor of Tubingen, Boris Palmer, and the Left Party politicians Sahra Wagenknecht and Oskar Lafontainejoin in its chorus of refugee-baiting. Even the academic left, including many followers of the Left Party, have been silent, apart from a few laudable exceptions, and knelt before the right-wing offensive. This did not change even when Baberowski publicly agitated against refugees and founded a discussion group in Berlin in which numerous figures from the right-wing extremist scene participate. The BfVs classification of our party as a left-wing extremist organization is another attempt to suppress the SGP and its socialist politics. It is aimed at the SGP, but targets anyone who is fighting against social inequality, militarism and oppression and who advocates a socialist perspective. The SGP will not be intimidated by this attack by the grand coalition and its intelligence agency. It originates from an unpopular government that is despised and rejected by large sections of the population. We reserve the right to take legal action against it. We will continue our work and strengthen our efforts to develop the influence of the SGP among workers, youth and students by all legal means at our disposal. Among other things, we plan to participate in the European elections next spring. We turn to all those who want to oppose the growth of the right, including serious members of the Left Party, the SPD and the Greens, and call on them to protest against the attack by the BfV and defend the SGP. We demand that the intelligence service cease the monitoring of the SGP and all other left-wing organizations, and that this right-wing hotbed of anti-democratic conspiracies be dissolved. As the conflict within the US state apparatus intensifies, the character of the divisionspitting against each other two deeply reactionary factions of the capitalist ruling elite and its statebecomes all the clearer. The warfare reached a new stage Wednesday with the move by US President Donald Trump to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, citing his erratic conduct and behavior, frenzied commentary in the media and on Twitter, and wild outbursts on the internet and television. The action against Brennan provoked widespread opposition within the military-intelligence apparatus and from the Democratic Party and the corporate media. Most congressional Democrats and some Republicans criticized Trumps action, while former intelligence and security officials issued public protests. The New York Times, the main media mouthpiece of the Democratic Party, immediately opened its editorial pages to Brennan to respond to Trumps action. In a comment published Thursday, Brennan focused entirely on promoting the myth of Russian intervention in the US elections, denouncing Russian denials as hogwash, and portraying Trump as a conscious and witting collaborator with our primary global adversaryin other words, a traitor. The White House first hinted at revoking Brennans security clearance last month, and the statement announcing the action initially carried the date July 26, indicating that the move had been decided on three weeks ago, but was not made public until Trump felt it would help distract public attention from the mounting crisis within his administration. It appears that the announcement was made because Trump felt under increasing pressure from the campaign generated by his former aide, Omarosa Manigault-Newman, who has released a series of tape recordings of conversationswith Trump, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, campaign aide Katrina Pierson and daughter-in-law Lara Trump. Manigault-Newman also declared that she had heard a tape recording, in someone elses possession, of Trump voicing the worst racial slur against African-Americans during his days as host of the reality show The Apprentice. This charge was effectively confirmed by Trumps series of increasingly offensive tweets, culminating in his reference to the former aide as that dog. One of the tapes involved a discussion among Trump aides over what to do if a recording of Trump using the racial slur was released to the public. Such is the character of American politics, which has descended, on all sides, into filth and criminality. On the one hand is Trump, the personification of the cultural and moral degradation of the ruling class. That his vocabulary would include the language of the KKK is entirely in line not only with the man, but the social forces for which he speaksa faction of the financial aristocracy that is seeking to cultivate a fascistic movement to direct at social and political opposition from the working class. Amidst the warfare in Washington, the Trump administration is intensifying its persecution of immigrant workersnow almost entirely dropped by the mediawhich has included the erection of modern-day concentration camps for detainees. On the other hand, Brennan has emerged naturally as the chief spokesman of Trumps ruling class critics. He is the former head of drone warfare for the Obama administration and the former chief executive of the organization of official assassins, thugs and professional liars known as the Central Intelligence Agency. As CIA director, he sought to block the Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014 documenting CIA torture during the Bush administration. Brennan has a three-decade career with the CIA, where he served, among other places, as station chief in Saudi Arabia, before spending most of the past 20 years at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia or in the Obama White House. Since leaving the CIA in January 2017, Brennan has cashed in on his intelligence career with a lucrative post as an analyst and commentator for NBC News. He has played a leading role in the campaign by sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, backed by the media and the Democratic Party, to attack Trump as "soft" on Russia. The aim is not only to impose a shift in the foreign policy of the Trump administration, but to create the framework for criminalizing domestic opposition and censoring the Internet. As the Socialist Equality Party declared in the main resolution adopted by its Fifth National Congress, last month, both sides in the conflict, Trump and his opponents, are enemies of the working class: The break with democratic forms of rule is accompanied by ferocious conflicts within the state apparatus. Each day the president spews his verbal tirades, while the Democrats expound their neo-McCarthyite fantasies of Russians sowing discord in America. There is nothing remotely progressive, let alone dignified, in the opposition to Trump mounted by the Democratic Party and sections of the media. They represent another reactionary faction of the ruling class. They oppose Trump mainly on the grounds that his foreign policyparticularly in relation to Russiais undermining longstanding strategic interests of American imperialism. It is notable that Brennans column in the New York Times, written in McCarthyite language, presents democratic forms themselves as the main weakness in a global struggle with Russia. Brennan writes: Electoral politics in Western democracies presents an especially inviting target, as a variety of politicians, political parties, media outlets, think tanks and influencers are readily manipulated, wittingly and unwittingly, or even bought outright by Russian intelligence operatives. The very freedoms and liberties that liberal Western democracies cherish and that autocracies fear have been exploited by Russian intelligence services Alongside of and separate from the palace coup intrigues and political warfare within the state, an altogether different social force is emerging, in the form of a series of strikes that have begun to break free of the pro-corporate trade unions and growing opposition and unrest among all sections of workers. Recent polls have confirmed a collapse of support for capitalism among young people and widespread support for socialism. While entirely ignored by the capitalist media, there is frenzied activity behind the scenes involving package delivery company UPS and the Teamsters union, along with the state, to find a way to suppress mass opposition to a sellout contract to be voted on within the next few weeks. The ruling class is terrified that any eruption of class struggle can trigger a social explosion. This opposition must find a conscious political expression. Whatever faction of the ruling class is in power, the trajectory is towards increasingly authoritarian and dictatorial forms of rule. The urgent task is to build a socialist leadership in the working class, the Socialist Equality Party, to unite the different forms of class struggle and social protest into a revolutionary movement to overturn the entire state apparatus and the capitalist profit system that it upholds. With Quebecs October 1 provincial election less than a month-and-a-half away, opinion polls continue to show the Parti Quebecois (PQ)the big business, pro-independence party that has alternated with the Liberals in forming Quebecs government since 1970facing an unprecedented electoral debacle. For months, the PQ has been polling around 20 percent support, meaning it could end up with half-a-dozen seats or less in the 125-member National Assembly and lose official party status in the Quebec legislature. At the last election, held in 2014, not only was a minority PQ government ousted after just 18 months in office, the party barely won 25 percent of the vote and 30 seats, its worst ever result, apart from its first-ever election in 1970. The PQ is incapable of benefiting from the intense popular anger with the Liberal government of Philippe Couillard, because it is rightly seen by many workers as yet another establishment party, dedicated to capitalist austerity, and increasingly based on appeals to anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant chauvinism. The right-wing politics of the trade union-backed, ostensibly social-democratic PQ has paved the way for the right-wing populist Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ-Coalition for Quebecs Future) to masquerade as the true representative of change. Led by former PQ cabinet minister, multi-millionaire businessman, and recent federalist-convert Francois Legault, the CAQ currently enjoys a strong leads in the polls. In a desperate attempt to avert an electoral disaster, the PQ is trying to give itself a progressive makeover, by putting rhetorical distance between itself and its governmental record and by making a handful of promises of increased social spending. These include: increased funding for public schools after years of cuts; the gradual abolition of university tuition fees; and the reinstatement of a universal, $8 per-day fee for children enrolled in early childhood centers (CPEs) and other government-subsidized daycares. The capitalist media has been quick to proclaim this transparent left feint a major change in political orientation. In reality, the PQ has no intention of introducing any significant reforms. It is as devoted a servant of big business as ever; one, moreover, with a long record of using emergency laws to criminalize worker opposition. The hollowness of its promises of increased social spending is underscored by its pledge not to raise taxes on business and the rich. Thus even were a PQ government to invest more funds in education, this would be offset by increased cuts to other public services and infrastructure. Because of the lack of popular support for another referendum on Quebec independence, the PQ is committed to waiting until after the 2022 election before initiating another campaign to secede from the Canadian federal state. But its election platform contains promises of robust economic nationalism, including steps to maintain head offices in Quebec, aimed at demonstrating that independence will strengthen the Quebec bourgeoisie against its rivals in English Canada and internationally. Toward the same end, the PQ champions using Quebecs hydro-electric resources to become a leader in green industries, while pledging to oppose the western Canadian-based oil industry. The rightwing character of the PQ is exemplified by its staunch support for Canadian imperialisms involvement in US-led wars, and by its continuing efforts to fan chauvinism against immigrants and religious minorities. The PQ election platform revives proposals put forward in its infamous 2013 Charter of Quebec Values to ban state employees from wearing ostentatious religious symbols, like the hijab or Sikh turban, while continuing to allow the wearing of discreet crucifixes and the identification of the state with Roman Catholicism in the name of celebrating Quebecs heritage. According to its election platform, the PQs ban on wearing religious symbols would apply to all state employees in a position of authority, among whom it includes early childhood center teachers and employees. The PQ has also taken the lead in trying to foment a right-wing backlash against refugee claimants fleeing the Trump administrations anti-immigrant witch-hunt. Last year, party leader Jean Francois-Lisee sought to counterpose the supposedly generous benefits given refugees with the deplorable care given seniors in Quebec government nursing homes, and earlier this spring he called for the principal route whereby refugees have been entering Quebec to be fenced off. The "progressive" promises of the PQ are a sham. Every time it has held office, from 1976 to 1985, 1994 to 2003, and 2012 to 2014, it has imposed massive social spending cuts and imposed strikebreaking laws to counter worker resistance. The Parizeau-Bouchard-Landry government (1994-2003), like the contemporaneous governments of its federalist opponentsthe national Liberal government of Chretien-Martin and Mike Harris Ontario Conservative governmenttook the axe to social spending in the name of eliminating budget deficits, then slashed taxes for big business and the rich. In the case of the PQ, it won the endorsement of its union allies for cutting billions from public services in the late 1990s and abolishing 40,000 jobs in health care and education. Since implementing this class war agenda, the PQ and the entire pro-Quebec independence or sovereignty movement have gone from crisis to crisis. In 2003, the PQ fell from power and in the 2007 election it was reduced to third-party status, as the Action democratique du Quebec (ADQ), the forerunner of the CAQ, narrowly lost to the Liberals. In the past fifteen years, the PQ has held power for only 18 months between 2012 and 2014. Its 2012 success was bound up with the political crisis engendered by the 2012 Quebec student strike, which at its height in May 2012 threatened to become the catalyst for a mass working-class challenge to the austerity agenda of the Quebec and Canadian big business. But the unions, at the ruling elites behest, and working in alliance with the pseudo-left Quebec Solidaire and the student associations, channeled the mass opposition to the Charest Liberal government behind the campaign for the election of a PQ government. Predictably, the PQ pivoted back to austerity within months of assuming the reins of power in September 2012, then whipped up chauvinism with its Quebec Charter of Values and criminalized a province-wide construction strike. The Bloc Quebecois, the sister organization of the PQ at the federal level, is also experiencing an existential crisis. It has never recovered from its virtual annihilation in the 2011 federal election and has since faced repeated internal rifts. Seven of the Bloc's 10 MPs quit the party last February to challenge the leadership of Martine Ouellet. In June, Ouellet stepped down as party leader after winning a humiliating 32 percent in a party-wide confidence vote. It is a searing indictment of the pro-capitalist trade unions that the right-wing populist CAQ, which hitherto has been an also-ran in most parts of Quebec, can now posture as the real agent of change. For the past half-century, the unions have promoted the PQ as a progressive party, while systematically isolating the militant struggles of Quebec workers from their class brothers and sisters elsewhere in Canada and internationally. There is a parallel between developments in Quebec and those elsewhere in Canada and around the world. In the recent Ontario election, after 15 years of power, the union-backed Liberal Party suffered a historic defeat at the hands of Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives. Ford is a wealthy businessman, who like Trump made a demagogic appeal to social discontent, posturing as the spokesmen of the forgotten, while railing against the establishment and government waste. In its cynical efforts to refurbish its tattered progressive credentials, the PQ can count on the trade union bureaucracy. The unions are vehemently opposed to any independent political mobilization of the working class, as was demonstrated once again in 2015-16 when they torpedoed an incipient rebellion of public sector workers against the Couillard governments sweeping social spending cuts. In recent weeks, some of Quebecs largest unions, including the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the United Steelworkers (USW) and Machinists (IAM), have mounted a pre-election campaign to denounce the Liberals and CAQ as twins. That their aim is to muster votes for the pro-war, pro-austerity, and chauvinist PQ is openly admitted by campaign organizers. Meanwhile, Quebec Solidaire, a party of well-to-do sections of the middle class, plays the role of left flank for the PQ-led sovereignist family. QS sometimes throws barbs at the PQ for this or that openly right-wing policy. But it joins the unions in promoting the lie that the PQ is less beholden to big business and the ruling class than the Liberals and CAQ, andas underscored by its recent merger with Option Nationale, a PQ split-offremains orientated to a rapprochement with the big business PQ, especially if it recommits to prioritizing independence. In May 1947 the Socialist Workers Party received information that Sylvia Callen, the personal secretary of long-time party leader James P. Cannon, was an agent of the Soviet secret police, the GPU. It quickly became clear that Callen had concealed critical personal information about her Stalinist background when she joined the SWP in 1938. For nearly nine years Callen had high-level and unrestricted access to the partys most sensitive information. However, rather than exposing Callens murderous role as a spy within the Trotskyist movement, the Socialist Workers Party launched a cover-up that lasted for nearly 40 years. What follows is a historical account of the cover-up and its exposure by the International Committee of the Fourth International. On Saturday, March 8, 1947, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) ran a banner headline in its publication, the Militant, which read: Stalins guilt in Trotsky murder bared by ex-Daily Worker editor: Budenz discloses details of how 1940 assassination was prepared, implicates leaders of Communist Party in GPU conspiracy. [1] The Militant said Budenzs book now supplies conclusive evidence that top operators of Stalins secret police worked for years on American soil to prepare the murder of Trotsky The article detailed revelations from former American Stalinist leader Louis Budenzs forthcoming book This Is My Story. The SWP had acquired an advanced copy and made its contents known for the first time. This Is My Story vindicated the Fourth Internationals insistence that the assassination of Trotsky had been ordered by Stalin and carried out by the GPU, the secret police of the Stalinist regime in the USSR. John G. Wright The lead article on March 8 in the Militant, written by John G. Wright, explained, As an eyewitness and direct participant, Budenz, who served the Kremlin loyally for ten years, now supplies conclusive evidence that top operators of Stalins secret police worked for years on American soil to prepare for the murder of Trotsky. [2] Less than seven years had passed since a Stalinist agent, using the false name Frank Jacson, murdered Leon Trotsky in Coyoacan, Mexico City, and it was only a decade since the peak of the mass exterminations during the Great Terror of 193639 within the Soviet Union. Aside from Trotskys assassin, who eventually was identified as Ramon Mercader del Rio, while serving a 20-year murder sentence in a Mexican prison, nobody had been punished or jailed for the crimes of the GPU. Budenzs book exposed the conspiracy behind Trotskys murder. It not only confirmed that the assassination was ordered in Moscow. Budenz also named leaders and members of the American Communist Party as accomplices. The cover of Budenzs book, This is My Story Budenz revealed that in December 1936, a GPU agent asked to meet with him secretly in a nondescript restaurant on East 14th Street. It was rather early in my Party career that I was summoned to meet members of the Soviet secret police working on American soil, he wrote. [3] The agent, who spoke with a heavy Russian accent, described himself as Richards. The two sat in a corner, the clatter of dishes from the dinner crowd in the background. As we ate together, Richards quietly told me his purpose in seeing me. His commission was to investigate the condition of the Social Democrats, and to determine who among them and what Trotskyites and fascists were making organized efforts to enter the Soviet Union. [4] Just four months earlier, in August 1936, the first Moscow Show Trial had concluded, resulting in the execution of 16 defendants, including Old Bolsheviks Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev, for engaging in a Trotskyite conspiracy. During the ensuing campaign of mass murder to terrorize and destroy opposition to the Stalinist regime, hundreds of thousands were executed or thrown into labor camps. The mere accusation of sympathy for Trotskyism meant a death sentence. When the topic of discussion turned to the August trial, Budenz expressed his support. The GPU was now preparing purges on an international scale. As the meeting between Budenz and Richards took place, Trotsky was aboard a tanker headed from Norway to Mexico, fleeing from a continent comprised of governments who had rejected his appeals for asylum. With Trotsky taking up residence in Mexico, the GPU was preparing its North American counterparts to carry out his assassination. After this meeting, Budenz began his assignment: Where did I fit into an enterprise for the protection of the Soviet Union from plotters? I was readily told. I was to collect all the data I had on enemies of the Soviet Union within the Left or labor ranks, and specifically the Trotskyites. Their names were to be given and everything else about them that might be pertinent to this inquiry. The GPU knew it was the SWPthe leading section of the Fourth Internationalthat was responsible for ensuring Trotskys security in Mexico. As a result, Budenz wrote, particular attention was to be paid those who did much traveling, especially abroad. [5] Louis Budenz in 1947 Budenz exposed CP leaders Earl Browder and Jack Stachel as personally supervising the infiltration campaign. With their collaboration, Budenz was able to move back and forth across Manhattan meeting GPU agents and delivering information on the SWP. [6] In 1937, Budenz began working with an agent named Roberts, a.k.a Dr. Gregory Rabinowitz, a leader of the American Stalinist spy ring. Rabinowitz had been tasked with weaving a net of agents to entrap Trotsky, and Budenz was to help plot the most intimate details. Rabinowitz asked Budenz, Can you tell me where the Trotskyites here get their mail from Trotsky in Mexico City? [7] Budenz obliged, mining his sources for information and helping the GPU get to those close to Trotsky, always looking for information regarding the SWPs international correspondence. Photographs, too, came into [Roberts-Rabinowitzs] field of inquiry, Budenz wrote. He began to bring me a number, one after another, and ask, Do you know this man? Or that? For the most part they seemed to be men and women seeking Soviet visas. Then he inquired about certain names on lists, which he said were Trotskyite couriers. One of these was an inconspicuous newspaperman working in and out of China, who later, I believe, became associated with Reuters. Another was Sylvia Ageloff, whose name became widely known as the woman who brought Leon Trotskys assassin, Frank Jacson, into Mexico. [8] Budenz and the GPU built a network of agents to acquire information about the Trotskyist movement and the SWPs communications with Trotsky. Rabinowitz would propose candidates and Budenz would supply information on them, providing the GPU with his appraisal of their political trustworthiness and abilities for espionage. Generally, he [Rabinowitz] asked me first about their Party records and then how they would fit into further underground work among the Trotskyites or other groups, Budenz wrote. After getting the individuals record, my job was to size him or her up according to their attitudes and associations (if I knew them in the past). [9] The central purpose of the infiltration was to kill Trotsky. To this end, Budenz exposed how he helped put the GPU in touch with Ruby Weil, who orchestrated the meeting between her friend Sylvia Ageloff, a member of the SWP, and Mercader, Trotskys future killer. Mexican police hold the pickaxe that Mercader used to murder Trotsky in 1940 Rabinowitz asked Budenz that I bring Miss Y [later identified as Ruby Weil], a young woman who he had learned was a friend of Sylvia Ageloff, to a meeting at a Chicago hotel. [10] Weil was later to work with Paris-based GPU agent Mark Zborowski, party name Etienne, to give Mercader access to Trotskys household in Mexico City through Ageloff. Zborowski was, at the time, a member of the Fourth International. The rendezvous between Mercader and Ageloff took place in Paris in 1938. Beginning in 1939, the two traveled to Mexico City together, where Ageloff introduced Mercader, the man she knew as Frank Jacson, into Trotskys household. [11] The Stalinist ring around Trotsky was growing tighter, and the stage for his death was being set. SWP demands grand jury indict Stalinist spies and CP leaders In response to the Budenz revelations, the SWP immediately began to publish the new information as widely as possible, demanding an investigation into the Stalinists role in infiltrating the Trotskyist movement and assassinating its founder and leader. All this was reported in the pages of the Militant. [12] The front page article of March 8, 1947 explained: Sinister and secret details connected with the assassination of Leon Trotsky by Stalins hired killer in Mexico City in August 1940 have been disclosed by Louis F. Budenz. [13] The Militant proclaimed that the revelations of Budenz fill in the missing threads in the fabric of evidence that places the responsibility for the murder of Leon Trotsky on the shoulders of Joseph Stalin. The Militant said Budenzs book now supplies conclusive evidence that top operators of Stalins secret police worked for years on American soil to prepare the murder of Trotsky and that American Stalinists, including Budenz himself, helped pave the way for the assassin Frank Jacson to worm his way into Trotskys home. [14] The Militant detailed how the book described Budenz meeting with the GPU chieftain in charge of Anti-Trotskyist activities, an agent known as Richards. Budenz was consulted on the selection of spies to penetrate the Trotskyist ranks and contacted GPU chieftains at least once a week. No piece of information was deemed too unimportant. [15] The article continued: Stalins murder machine was particularly eager to collect every scrap of information concerning Trotskyists who travelled abroad. They were in search of some individual whom they could enmesh in Europe in their murder plot. Budenzs book showed how the Stalinists had laid all the preliminary groundwork in the United States in 1937 for the assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico in 1940. [16] The Militant proclaimed, the revelations of Budenz fill in the missing threads in the fabric of evidence that places the responsibility for the murder of Leon Trotsky on the shoulders of Joseph Stalin. [17] Based on Budenzs account of GPU infiltration and the plot to kill Trotsky, the SWP launched a public campaign to expose the GPU and the role of the American Communist Party. The SWP immediately put forward the demand that a grand jury subpoena key Stalinists so those responsible for orchestrating the infiltration of the Trotskyist movement would be forced to testify about the penetration of the Trotskyist movement, and called for the exposure of those agents remaining in the movement. The revelations and demands for an investigation had an immense political impact among broader circles of the political left, which the SWP fought to mobilize in a commission to demand a grand jury to investigate the role of the GPU and the Communist Party USA in Trotskys death. On March 17, 1947, an SWP-led coalition that included Socialist Party leader Norman Thomas, presented a petition to the district attorney in Manhattan demanding the convocation of a grand jury. The SWP mobilized a number of leading political and intellectual figures, including the author James T. Farrell and academics John Dewey and Sidney Hook, who reflected popular anger over the news of the Stalinist plot and gave the demand for a grand jury a broad popular appeal that the state could not ignore. On March 22, The Militants lead headline read, Ask grand jury to investigate Trotskys murderdelegation demands probe of Stalins agent who plotted assassination in New York City. [18] The Militant reported the delegation held a 45 minute meeting with Jacob Grumet, assistant District Attorney, to demand action on the sensational revelations made by Louis F. Budenz in his recently published book, This is My Story. In his autobiography, the former Daily Worker editor and Communist Party national committee member, testifies from personal knowledge that GPU agents, aided by American Communist Party leaders, plotted their moves here which ended in the murder of Trotsky in Mexico City in 1940. The delegation handed the District Attorney a statement signed by scores of prominent citizens. [19] The statement delivered to the assistant District Attorney on March 17, 1947 read, in part: Earl Browder, Jack Stachel, Budenz himself, and all other Communist Party leaders, past or present, who are known to have been involved in the activities of the Soviet secret police in our community, or who are declared to have had knowledge of such activities should be subjected to official examination and such judicial action as the facts may warrant. Budenz adds new and hitherto missing links to the chain of evidence presented during Jacsons trial in Mexico, which showed him to be a Soviet police agent. [20] The Militant reported that Norman Thomas also asked the district attorney for an investigation into other murders believed to have been carried out in New York City by the Stalinists, including the 1937 disappearance of Juliet Stuart Poyntz, a prominent member of the Communist Party suspected of opposing the Stalinist terror, and anarchist leader Carlo Tresca, gunned down in 1943. Thomas said: There are many others. The so-called suicide of [Soviet defector Walter] Krivitsky in Washingtona phony if there ever was one! There is the murder of [defector] Ignace Reiss in Switzerland; the series of murders of Trotskys secretaries and members of his family. We think the situation is so grave that immediate action is imperative to halt these political murders. [21] The significance of Budenzs revelations and the weight of his word as an accomplice compelled the District Attorneys office to acknowledge that the Budenz book could provide many leads, the Militant wrote. [22] The May 3, 1947 issue of the Militant featured an article by Trotskys widow Natalia Sedova titled, Stalins guiltBudenz book supplies link to GPU murder of Trotsky. The SWP expanded its campaign with the publication on May 3, 1947 of an article by Trotskys widow Natalia Sedova titled, Stalins guiltBudenz book supplies link to GPU murder of Trotsky. [23] Sedova wrote: Everything we said in connection with the violent death of L.D. Trotsky is today being wholly confirmed by the confessions of Louis Budenz, a former leader of the American Communist Stalinist Party, in his book This Is My Story published in March of this year. She added, The confessions of Louis Budenz throw into the limelight the entire activity of the secret Stalinist Apparatus which has usurped power and which acts with bloody arbitrariness. Sedova continued: The participation of the leaders of the Communist party of the US in the plot against Trotsky, attested to by Louis Budenz, provides sufficient grounds to bring before the court, Budenz himself, together with Browder and Stachel, and to place them in the hands of the Mexican judicial authorities. [24] Within weeks of publishing Budenzs revelations, the SWP campaign for a grand jury compelled the DA to call Budenz to testify. For the first time since Trotskys assassination, the SWP had caused a person with intimate knowledge of how the GPU murdered Trotsky to appear under oath in an American courtroom. The opportunity to expose the Stalinists crimes and shed light on their infiltration of the Trotskyist movement had never been closer. But just as a real investigation appeared likely, an event occurred that led the SWP to abort its campaign, denounce Budenz as a liar and abandon further efforts to expose Stalinist agents inside the Trotskyist movement. A visit from Max Shachtman and Albert Glotzer James P. Cannon, Martin Abern and Max Shachtman in New York, 1938 It had been seven years since Max Shachtman and Albert Glotzer split from the SWP to found the Workers Party when the two walked in to National Secretary James P. Cannons office at 116 University Place, New York, in May 1947. Despite their political differences with the SWP, both men had long histories in the Trotskyist movement, and they held a principled position toward sharing information related to questions of political security. Shachtman and Glotzer brought shattering news. They told Cannon that they had received reliable information that implicated his personal secretary, Sylvia Callen, whose party name was Caldwell, as a GPU agent. Shachtman and Glotzer affirmed that the source was reliable and had provided them with correct information in the past. The source informed Shachtman and Glotzer that the Stalinists had moved Callen from Chicago to New York in 1939 for the purposes of infiltrating Cannons office. Their source said Sylvia had been in a relationship with a young Stalinist from a Stalinist family whose father was a doctor. The 1947 Control Commission Sylvia Callen/Franklin/Caldwell Callen was, in the language of the day, Cannons Girl Friday. She handled all of his political and personal affairs. She organized Cannons schedule, had access to all party records, finances and international correspondence, and took dictation of his letters, memoranda and political reports. If Callen were an agent, it meant the security of the SWP and the Fourth International had been severely compromised by the GPU. All important information that crossed Cannons desk had been read by the GPU and transmitted to the Kremlin, including details of Trotskys security in Coyoacan. Alongside the evidence of Callens role, Shachtman and Glotzer also informed Cannon that their source stated there was an FBI agent in the party leadership. On May 26, 1947, Cannon convened a meeting of the Control Commission, the party organization responsible for internal investigations. The ICFI has accessed the minutes of the May 26, 1947 and subsequent commission meetings in the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, and publishes them here for the first time: Meeting of Control Commission, May 26, 1947. Report by Martin [Cannon]: For several years the WP has been sending us reports that they have information which would indicate that the FBI had an agent in our party, high in the leadership. They claimed that their source of information had proven correct in several instances and that they believed this source was reliable. Recently Shachtman and Gould [Glotzer] talked with Cannon and told him that the same source has informed them as follows: The Stalinists have a woman in the SWP and that her name is S. She came from Chicago in 1939 and that she worked there in a doctors office. She has or had a boy friend whose name is Irving. Gould insisted that she came from the YCL. This information pointed to Comrade S. MOTION: That the case be thoroughly investigated by the Control Commission. That we have a session with S. to get her biographical story and then call in Shachtman and Gould. Carried. First meeting with S. set for Thurs. evening May 29, 1947. Three days later, on May 29, Callen appeared before the Commission. The facts relating to her background largely substantiated the information provided by Shachtman and Glotzer. It was quickly established that Callen had concealed critical aspects of her personal and political background and associations, including the fact that she was married and that her husband, Zalmond Franklin, was a leading Stalinist from a prominent Communist Party family in Wisconsin. The May 29 meeting minutes read as follows: Case of Comrade S. May 29, 1947. In response to questions put to her by members of the Secretariat and Control Commission in combined session, the following biographical sketch was given: My fathers name is John Callen. He has been a salesman for many years. Neither he nor any other member of my family entertain or ever entertained any political views other than the average citizen. I myself did not know that there was such a thing as a radical movement until I was about 19, at college. I lived in Milwaukee until about 1932. I went to Madison, Wisc. to attend the University of Wisconsin. I met Zalmond Franklin and we got married in February 1935. We were together on and off for about a year. I graduated June 1935 and left school. Franklin remained at school. After graduating I looked for work and finally found a job in a Milwaukee drug store and worked there for a while as sales clerk. In the Fall of 1935 or Spring of 1936 I went to Chicago to live with my folks. There I entered the Chicago University to study social service. I went to school there for four quarters, working one summer for the Jewish Social Service outfit there, and then went to work for the Chicago Relief Administration where I worked until I came to New York. In the summer of 1937 I joined a YPSL [Young Peoples Socialist Leaguethe youth movement of the Socialist Party, within which the SWP conducted its activity at the time] circle in Chicago. I came to New York in May 1938 to go to work for the Hebrew Association for the Deaf. I worked part time there and helped out in the National Office of the SWP in spare time. In December 1939 [here there is a strike out over the 9 and a line to a margin correction which reads 1938] I was asked to take a full-time job in the SWP National Office as the office secretary was leaving to take a job in industry. On direct questioning of Cannon, the following answers were given: My first contact with radicalism was at Wisconsin University where there was a group of the National Students League. My husband joined the League, 1935 semester, and I joined too just because he did. But I really didnt know what it was all about. I dont know whether the YCL [Young Communist Leaguethe youth movement of the Stalinist Communist Party] had a fraction there at the time, but there was a radical group, bohemian types, of which my husband was one, and which was considered the Communists on the campus. I never knew whether my husband had any communist affiliations, but knew he was radical in his views and he may have been a member. I do know that his parents were either communists in ideology or just on the fringe of the Communist Party. They once gave a house party for the Friends of the Soviet Union. Some years ago I heard that my former husband had been in Spain during the revolutionary days there. So I imagine he must have become a YCLer after our separation. Or he may very likely have been one before. I did not know enough then to be able to detect that and he never trusted me with any information about his activities. Did you ever belong to the YCL? No, never. I knew of the existence of such an organization but reacted against it emotionally because of the Bohemian character of the people around my husband who were considered communists. But I did not really understand what communism was. How did you come to join the YPSL? Any member of your family interested in socialism? No, none of my family ever had or have now any radical views. I came to join the YPSL chiefly, I guess, because I was so lonely. I did not fit in with the friends of my family and I had no circle of my own. At the University in Madison, I got my first contact with radicalism and in a vague way I got to feel that socialism is a good thing. I heard Norman Thomas speak at the Socialist Club of the University of Chicago and he made a deep impression on me. I wanted to know more about socialism, so in my loneliness, I consulted the Chicago telephone directory for the address of some socialist organization, and founf [sic] the Socialist Bookstore. At the time I was working as a social worker in Chicago. The work I was doing, by the way, did not help me any. The patronizing attitude toward the poor was very distasteful to me. Well, so I went to the Socialist Party bookstore for some of their literature. There I met Lydia Beidel. She told me about the Young Peoples Socialist League in my neighborhood and invited me to attend. I went. They met at Belles house. There I met a number of people. They seemed so different from the people I had known and made me feel so at home that I returned to a number of meetings and then joined the Circle. They were different from the other type of radicals I had known at college and I liked them as people. In the summer of 1937 I joined the YPSL circle on the North Side, Chicago. Paul Picquet was the organizer of this circle. Most of the members of this circle were already Trotskyists. I came under their influence. Several months after the Founding Convention of the Socialist Workers Party. [sic] I joined the party. The branch I joined had in it Goldman, Belle, Helen Judd, Shirley S, Irving Bern and all the other Landaus. When I left for New York I was transferred. Here I was attached to the Village branch which met at Luttingers. In this branch was Rose Karsner, Frieda Moore, Billie Ramloff. Did you ever work for a doctor in Chicago or Milwaukee? No, never. The only doctor I knew in those days was my husbands father. But I never worked for any doctor. Did you ever have a boy friend by the name of Irving? I may have casually known some student by that name, though I dont recall any. But I never had any close friend by that name. Callen admitted that she had been a member of the Stalinist-aligned National Student League and that her husband, Zalmond Franklin, fought as a Stalinist in the Spanish Civil War and came from a Stalinist family. Until then, after eight years working in the national office, the SWP leaders had not known that Callen was married, let alone to a Stalinist. This was also the first time the party learned of her involvement with the Stalinist National Student League. But the SWP was grasping at straws when it claimed that Shachtman and Glotzer's reference to Callen's boyfriend "Irving" undercut the source's assertions. Every other detail substantiated the source as well as Budenz's revelations. The facts which Callen now revealed left no doubt that she had lied about her close connections with the Communist Party. But Zalmond Franklin was not merely a rank-and-file CP member or an innocent YCLer. Information that was readily available when the Control Commission convened showed Callens husband was a prominent public representative of the Communist Party and a member of a leading Stalinist family. Zalmond David Franklin (19091958), and his father, Samuel Nathan Franklin (18821958), both served in the Spanish Civil War. Samuel Franklin was a doctor who was elected County Coroner in Milwaukee in 1918 as a member of the Socialist Party. Long active in politics, Samuel Franklin led the Milwaukee Medical Bureau of the Stalinist-led North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy during the civil war. [25] Samuel Franklin with his son Zalmondthe fact that Sylvia Franklins husband was a Stalinist was covered up by the SWP control commission According to ship travel log records, the elder Franklin was in Spain with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade as a medical adviser from July 1937 to February 1938. [26] Callen herself admitted on May 29 that her husbands father was a doctor. The Wisconsin State Journal article reporting Zalmond Franklins travels Somewhere in Spain Zalmond Franklin was the second oldest of Samuel Franklins three children. A University of Wisconsin bacteriology student, he served as an agent of the GPU in Spain from July 1937 to March 1938. His passport lists a Chicago address. [27] An article titled Zalmond Franklin, Somewhere in Spain in the October 11, 1937 edition of the Wisconsin State Journal makes reference to the young Stalinist: Zalmond Franklin, former University of Wisconsin student, is with his father, Dr. Samuel N. Franklin, Milwaukee, in an American base hospital somewhere in Spain. Zalmond quit his bacteriology studies here early this year to go to Spain, and was followed by his father, head of the Milwaukee medical bureau of the North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy. [28] An article from the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle announcing the talks of Zalmond FranklinSylvia Callens husbandon his unusual experiences in Spain In an article published in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle on May 6, 1938, Zalmond Franklin was referred to as a well-known public speaker on behalf of the Stalinists and their crimes in Spain. The Chronicle article reads: Zalmond Franklin, graduate student of bacteriology, left the U. of Wis. Last June to serve the cause of democracy in republican Spain. He was in charge of all laboratory work in the four American hospitals in Spain. He left Spain this February, arriving in New York a month ago. At present he is touring the [middle] west telling of the terrific struggle in Spain and of his own unusual experiences. He will speak at the Jewish Center, 1025 N. Milwaukee street, this Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m. [29] When Callen admitted to hiding her marriage to this Stalinist, the SWP had enough information to know she was a spy. All the SWP had to do was investigate the Franklin family by picking up the telephone and calling the Milwaukee branch or by inquiring with Harry Milton, an SWP member who fought in Spain with the Workers Party of Marxist Unity (POUM) while the Franklins were also present. Readily available reports in the local newspapers would also have shown the Franklins roles as high-profile Communist Party figures. Callen provided the SWP with information that left no doubt about who she really was. But when the party control commission met for the last time a week later on June 5, 1947, it covered up the evidence of Callens marriage to Zalmond Franklin. A stenographic report of the meeting, titled Case of Comrade S., is published in full: Case of Comrade S. June 5, 1947. Joint meeting of Control Comm. and Secretariat. PURPOSE of meeting: To hear a report from WP members about rumors concerning comrade S which came to their attention. Report by Shachtman: About one, two or three weeks after Budenzs book, THIS IS MY STORY came out, a reliable friend of ours came and told me that an FBI agent called on him to get some information. In the course of the conversation the FBI man told our friend Jones that the Stalinists have an agent in the SWP. He then asked if Jones knew a certain S in the SWP who came from Chicago in 1939, got a job in the office of the SWP and then became private secretary to Cannon. In Chicago she worked for a doctor. She had a Stalinist boy friend by the name of Irving. The WP comrades were then told of Ss biographical sketch as it was given to us by her. Comrade G of the WP then told of the first time he met S at a membership meeting in Chicago in the NW side, about 1937. The WP members assured us they had not talked to anyone about the matter and would not do so. They agreed there was nothing in the information they had except the statement of an FBI man, but felt duty-bound to report the matter to us. Cannon pointed out that the only facts upon which the FBI man based the conclusion that she is a Stalinist agent in the SWP were: 1 - That comrade S came to New York from Chicago in 1939. 2 - That she had worked for a doctor in Chicago 3 - That she got a job as stenographer in the office of the SWP and later became Cannons private secretary. 4 - That she had or has a boy friend named Irving. Discussion followed and the general consensus of opinion was that the above points did not constitute any facts upon which to base any credence in the rumor or further action. After the WP members left the discussion was continued and the following motion was made and carried: MOTION: That there is no basis for suspicion of comrade S in the statements of the FBI man and that we so notify comrade S. That we make no mention of the case to anyone and ask the WP comrades not to speak of it either. That we watch for evidence of any gossip about this matter and in the event that such gossip develops we act promptly according to the circumstances dictated by the new developments. Rose Karsner Control Commission The obituary of Samuel FranklinCallens father-in-law The SWP response was a dishonest cover-up. Shachtman and Glotzer had provided the Control Commission with clear and actionable facts. The publicly available information about the Franklin familys role as public advocates for Stalinism proved definitively that Sylvia Callen had lied about her ties to the Communist Party. The SWP would have been entirely within their rights to demand a grand jury investigation into Callens role just as they had demanded with Louis Budenz. On June 5, 1947, the same day of the second SWP Control Commission meeting, Budenz finally appeared before a grand jury in New York. The SWP had been in regular contact with the Manhattan District Attorney whom they had met to deliver petitions demanding a grand jury indictment. Now, the SWP had proof that the GPU had infiltrated the party leadership with an agent who had access to high-level internal material. This was a major breakthrough in the case to expose GPU infiltration of the Trotskyist movement. But the SWP did nothing to investigate Callens role. They should have expelled Callen for lying and concealing her background. They should have made this information public, adding to the Budenz revelations and the hemorrhaging of information relating to the GPUs infiltration of the SWP and its role in orchestrating the assassination of Leon Trotsky. Instead, they let her go and passed a motion that we make no mention of the case to anyone and ask the WP comrades [Shachtman and Glotzer] not to speak of it either. The control commission resolved, in the event that such gossip develops we act promptly according to the circumstances dictated by the new developments. Cannons wife and Callens good friend, Rose Karsner, was the sole signatory on the June 5 stenographic report. By withholding this crucial information, the SWP was obstructing the very investigation they had demanded in the first place. Zalmond Franklin's obituary Budenzs exposure of Callen was, without question, a devastating political and personal blow to Cannon. He would have immediately recognized the political implications of Callens treachery. The security of the SWP had been fatally compromised. Callen had access to the partys documents, records, and international correspondence. Cannon was confronted with a nightmare that was all too real. Nevertheless, Cannon and the Control Commission had an inescapable political obligation to get to the truth of the matter. Instead, acting in a manner for which there could be no justification, they decided to organize a cover-up of Callens role as a Stalinist spy. Callen left the movement immediately after the SWP control commission and moved out of New York. Her sudden disappearance was neither reported nor explained to the membership. Moreover, Budenzs appearance before the grand jury was barely noted in the Militant; the SWP soon dropped its coverage of the Budenz revelations altogether. Budenzs Men Without Faces and the House Un-American Activities Committee Budenzs book, Men Without Faces In 1950, Louis Budenz published a second book, Men Without Faces, which provided an even more detailed description of the agent who had infiltrated the national headquarters of the SWP. Budenz wrote: Just before I went out to Chicago in 1937 to become editor of Midwest Daily Record I had been instructed by Roberts [Dr. Gregory Rabinowitz, the GPU spy leader] to find a comrade who was engaged in penetrating the Trotskyite organization there. [30] Though employing the pseudonym Helen in place of the spys real first name, Sylvia, Budenzs biographical sketch left no doubt that he was telling the story of the GPUs recruitment of Sylvia Callen and her successful infiltration into the SWPs national headquarters. From out of the ranks of the Chicago YCL there came a young couple whom we shall call Helen and Irving. The two were assigned to dangerous secret work. Helen, being quiet and inconspicuous, was assigned to penetrate the Trotskyite groups. Irving, who went to Spain as a member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, was used as a special agent, under Steve Nelson and the forbidding George Mink, to detect and eliminate enemies of the party. Helen had been instructed to move to New York, in order to penetrate the Trotskyites on a national scale, Budenz continued. I was then in Chicago, and it was I who had arranged this transfer, on the orders of the Soviet secret police representative with whom I was working and who was known to me only as Roberts. [31] Budenz described his first meeting with Callen. Our first conference was at [YCL Chicago leader Jack] Klings house out on the West Side of Chicago. With curtains drawn so that no one could see who was there, we arranged the ways and means by which I could get in touch with her. She expressed an eagerness to work on a wider scale for the party among the Trotskyites and, before she knew what the mission involved, gladly volunteered her services. [32] Budenz was impressed by Helen-Sylvias soft voice and conservative dress, which suited her position as a social worker, enhanced her skill as an underground agent. Budenz arranged to meet her privately at different places in South Chicago, where much of her social work was done. He convinced her to move to New York when I had satisfied myself about her loyalty and capability. [33] The SWP's offices in New York at 116 University Place, taken in 1975 Budenz explained that Rabinowitz provided Callen with $300 in cash to cover her first-class fare to New York and her initial expenses there. He then told her how she was to proceed. She would have an apartment in mid-Manhattan; and arrangements had been made for her apparent employment by a woman doctor who was a trusted party member. This would explain her regular income and also her regular hours. She could then volunteer to do stenographic and other clerical work at the Trotskyite national headquarters on University Place and 13th street. [34] Certain conditions were set. It was to be an unspeakable rule that Irving was never, for any reason, to go to her apartment; nor were they ever to be seen together in public. [35]. The Stalinists were aware of Zalmond Franklins public profile and his familys widely-known role as leaders of the Communist Party in Milwaukee. They knew that if the SWP discovered Callens husbands identity, her role as a GPU spy would be exposed. Callen observed this rule, and concealed her marriage from the SWP. The arrangements went through at top speed: Helen departed for New York and Irving soon was located in the Bronx. And Helen so ingratiated herself with the leading Trotskyites that she became a close friend of James Cannon, American Trotskyite chief, and his wife Karsner. She had the full run of the Trotskyite offices, became Cannons secretary and made available to the Soviet secret police all the correspondence with Trotsky in Mexico City and with other Trotskyites throughout the world. [36] Callen dictates the SWPs response to Men Without Faces Farrell Dobbs Budenzs account of Callens activity in Men Without Faces was detailed and irrefutable. Nevertheless, the SWP leaders sought to maintain the public pretense that Callen had been a devoted and hardworking comrade. But the pressure to come up with a response to Budenz was overwhelming. In August 1950, the Party leaders dispatched Farrell Dobbs to meet Callen at her home in Chicago to ask her how the party should reply. In an August 21 letter to Cannon, Dobbs reported on his meeting with Callen. He wrote: Chicago, Ill. August 21, 1950 Dear Jim, I have seen S. When I showed her the passage in the Budenz book and told her of the Shachtmanite prattle she reacted with mingled anger against her detractors and anxiety for her family. She told me the FBI has been hounding her and her family. As a result her father almost lost his job and was told that if there is any more investigating he will be fired. The FBI tried to question her about the party but she refused to give them any information. Her family now knows the whole score and they have put heavy pressure on her to keep her away from the movement. She does not want to be involved either directly or indirectly in the matter of a reply to Budenz. I asked if she would be willing to sit down with Mike and me to help us gather some of the facts needed to refute Budenz which would be used without openly or directly involving her. She said she did not want to be drawn into the thing in any manner whatever. I told her that we considered it absolutely necessary to reply to Budenz charges. She asked if we couldnt just issue a statement announcing that a full investigation of his allegations was made three years ago which proved his story false and denounce him as a character assassin. She asked if the statement couldnt be general, i.e., not refer to any specific person in refuting him, but state that no such person as he describes has ever been in the party office. She appeared to be in good health, seemed pleased to see me, and asked about everyone. She had not heard about Oscar [Coover, a longtime leader of the SWP who died earlier that year.] So far as I can see there is no point in attempting to press her any further on this matter. It seems best to go ahead along the lines we agreed on when we discussed the question in the secretariat right after the last plenum. (signed) Farrell The SWP sent Dobbs to meet Callen because they wanted to know whether she had spoken to the FBI about the party and its leadership. The bizarre, Dostoevskyan quality of the letter is a product of the fact that the SWP was going along with a story they had created which they knew to be a lie. By preventing any investigation into Callens ties to the Communist Party and by calling Budenzs revelations and Shachtman and Glotzers warnings rumors and gossip, they created a false narrative that they felt they had to maintain. Dobbs 1950 letter to James Cannon concerning his discussion with Sylvia Callen Callen brazenly told the SWP how they should respond to Budenzs revelations. She instructed Dobbs to simply deny the existence of anyone who fit Helens description, and to cite the 1947 Control Commission as proof that the allegations against her were baseless. The SWP leaders, in a decision that was as cowardly as it was duplicitous, acceded to Callens instructions. One week after Dobbs letter, on August 28, 1950, Cannon published an article in the Militant acknowledging that the party had received a report of a possible GPU agent in the national headquarters. Calling Budenz a well-known professional perjurer, Cannon wrote that the references to Helen in Men Without Faces were false. This story, published by Budenz for the first time in the middle of the year 1950, has been known to us for more than three years. In 1947, we received a tip purportedly emanating in the first instance from circles close to the FBI, that one of the secretarial workers in the National Office, who was identified by name and specifically by previous occupation and biographical details, was an agent of the Stalinists. [37] Mischaracterizing Callens role as a mere secretarial worker and not as his personal secretary, Cannon claimed that this report was promptly handed over to the party Control Commission for investigation according to the established principles of the revolutionary workers movement and that the investigation established that the information given to identify the accused comrade as to her biography, her previous occupation, and her personal life, was false. It was evident to us then that the accusation was based either on mistaken identity, or was a deliberately planted story designed to create a spy-scare in the organization. [38] This account was a lie from beginning to end. The Control Commission covered up the fact that the testimony corroborated the report from Shachtman and Glotzers source and that she lied about being married to a leading Stalinist. It concluded by swearing those present to secrecy and was signed by the accuseds close personal friend, Rose Karsner. Far from proving the sources information was false, the Control Commission hearings confirmed she had moved to Chicago in 1939 and uncovered that she had not told the party she had been married to a Stalinist and had been in the Stalinist youth movement. She left the SWP as soon as her cover was blown. Under the circumstances there was no innocent explanation. Following Callens instructions, Cannon added that Budenzs allegations do not apply to this particular person or to anyone else who ever worked in the National Office of the Socialist Workers Party. He said, falsely, that the Control Commission rejected the accusation and exonerated the accused comrade, who had fully cooperated with the investigation, answered all questions put to her and supplied the Control Commission with all the data relating to her biography and previous occupations, which were subjected to verification. [39] In fact, none of Callens claims had been verified nor had there been any real investigation. From the initial visit of Shachtman and Glotzer to the issuing of the Control Commissions findings, little more than two weeks had elapsed. Callen had not cooperated with the SWP. Budenz was not through with his exposure of Callen. On November 11, 1950, Budenz submitted an affidavit to the House Un-American Activities Committee that included new details of Sylvia Callen-Caldwells role. This time, Budenz dispensed with the use of the fictional name Helen. Another person whom I introduced to Roberts, Budenz testified, referencing the alias for Dr. Gregory Rabinowitz was Sylvia Caulwell [sic] and whose maiden name was something like Sylvia Kallen [sic]. Her husband, Irving Franklin, had been in Spain working in secret work and had been sent to Canada to aid in espionage activities thereSylvia under the direction of Roberts-Rabinowitz, gradually made herself indispensable to James Cannon, then head of the American Trotskyites. She became his secretary and served in that capacity for some time. Roberts-Rabinowitz advised me that she had proved to be invaluable. [40] The SWP did not respond to this testimony. Joseph Hansen and the SWP cover-up The cover of Isaac Don Levines book on Trotskys killer, Ramon Mercader Over the next years, the evidence against Franklin mounted and the SWP continued to defend her along the lines Franklin laid out in her meeting with Dobbs, repeated in Cannons article of August 28, 1950. In 1954 and again in 1958, Franklin testified before federal grand juries investigating Soviet espionage in the US. In her first appearance, Franklin relied on her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. In 1958, however, she admitted that she was, in fact, a GPU agent. This testimony would not be known for another 25 years. In 1959, however, the journalist Isaac Don Levine published an account of Ramon Mercader and the GPUs assassination of Trotsky, The Mind of An Assassin, that substantiated Budenzs testimony. Levine wrote: He [Budenz] made it possible for the NKVD [the GPU] to steam open and pilfer Trotskys mail to his New York followers. He got a Communist Party girl, a Chicago social worker, to move to New York and volunteer her services to James Cannon, the American Trotskyist leader: She had the full run of the mill of the Trotskyite offices, became Cannons Secretary, and made available to the Soviet secret police all the correspondence with Trotsky in Mexico City and with other Trotskyites throughout the world, he testified. [41] SWP leader Joseph Hansen tried to convince Levine to drop the matter. Hansen had joined the SWP in the mid 1930s and served in Coyoacan, where he provided secretarial assistance and security for Trotsky. In fact, he was the second man to reach Trotskycaptain of the guard Harold Robins was the firstafter Mercader struck the fatal blow. Hansen wrote to Cannon on October 24, 1958 about a discussion he had with Levine about the latters book: What he wanted from me was information on any spies or evidence of spies in Soviet pay working in or around our movement. Not having any such information, I could not help him; in fact, when he came to Sylvia Caldwell I hope I was able to give him some further considerations to help squelch that rumor. [42] Joseph Hansen On March 19, 1960, Hansen responded to an urgent note from Gerry Healy, then National Secretary of the Socialist Labour League, the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Healy inquired from Hansen what the latter knew about a report in Levines book regarding another GPU agent, named Etienne, the party name of Mark Zborowski, the Paris-based GPU agent who played a central role in providing the Stalinist secret police with information that led to the murders of Trotskys son Lev Sedov, Trotskys political secretaries Erwin Wolf and Rudolf Klement, and GPU defector Ignatz Reiss, who left the Soviet Union to join the Fourth International. Referencing his own review of Levines book, Hansen attempted to deflect Healys interest in Etienne, claiming the SWP could not spare anyone to attend Etienne-Zborowskis 1958 perjury trial, where the agent was sentenced to prison for lying under oath about his ties to Jack Soble, a GPU controller responsible for a network of agents in the United States. In reality, Hansen and the SWP had no interest in covering a trial that could expose details of GPU infiltration of the Fourth International. Trotsky's secretaries Rudolf Klement and Irwin Wolf, defector from the GPU Ignatz Reiss and Trotsky's son and closest collaborator Leon Sedovall murdered by the GPU Hansen said he decided not to give much space to the Etienne case in his review of The Mind of An Assassin because, in his words, Levine was an anti-communist. Hansen said he considered referencing the report about Cannons personal secretary being a GPU agent as an example of Levines false material, adding, But this would necessitate an article on our investigation years ago of the slander and the review would have been thrown out of balance. Hansen continued, One of our primary concerns was not to give the slightest encouragement to the view Levine seeks to implantthat our organizations are loaded with spies. Such a view is deadly poisonous and can do incomparably greater harm than the occasional stool pigeon that turns up in any organization. [43] Cannon's letter to his wife, Rose Karsner Weeks later, in April 1960, Cannon wrote a letter from Los Angeles to his wife, Rose Karsner, which is published here for the first time. In a discouraged tone, Cannon wrote: I havent felt like writing but I am sending this note so that you wont worry about something possibly being wrong. Spiritually I am tired and have no present ambition to do anything. I spend the time reading stuff that is easy to read, thinking a little, but mostly musing and remembering and reflecting. Most of my musing and remembering these days is sad, and that paralyzes the will to work or even to plan to work later on. The memories of work I have already done in the pastnot speaking and writing, which was the easiest part and probably all that others really noticed, but carrying people on my backgive me a delayed reaction of spiritual weariness. I feel that I have done all of that heavy work I can do or even want to do again for anybody I dont want to do anything for anybodyin fact, I cantand I dont want anybody to try to do anything for me except for routine technical things. The most I want from people now is to let me alone, not pull at me or try to push me, and above all not expect me [to] pick them up and inspire them and try to solve their problems. [44] That same year Sylvia Callen was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment of GPU spy Robert Soblen, Jack Sobles brother. At Soblens trial, further information proving Callens role emerged. Soble testified, I went further into the Trotsky field and worked with the secretary of Cannon, Sylviaalso introduced to me by the same Russians who worked for them already beforeShe gathered material at the secretariat of Cannon and gave it to mepure Trotsky material. [45] GPU agents Jack Soble and Robert Soblen The SWP again failed to cover the trial and report on this testimony. The absence of any coverage by the Militant of the Soblen trialwhich was front page news in The New York Times is all the more incriminating given the fact that another prominent ex-member of the SWP, Floyd Cleveland Miller, was also listed as a GPU co-conspirator. The cover-up of Callens role as a GPU agent became the official policy of the SWP leadership. In a manner that defies innocent explanation, the SWP went out of its way to uphold her bona fides, perpetuating the myth of Cannons selfless secretary and denouncing Budenz as a perjurer. On November 12, 1966, Cannon wrote to Reba Hansen, Joseph Hansens wife, regarding a proposal by a party member to change the functioning of the SWPs Control Commission. He addressed the matter in a thoroughly dishonest way. Cannon explained that the partys Control Commission was responsible for the double purpose of maintaining party security and to provide the maximum assurance that any individual party member, accused or rumored to be unworthy of party membership, could be assured of the fullest investigation. [46] To defend his position, Cannon cited the case of Callen-Caldwell without identifying her by name. He said that at the time, a rumor circulated by the Shachtmanites and others outside the party against the integrity of a National Office secretarial worker was thoroughly investigated by the Control Commission which, after taking stenographic testimony from all available sources, declared the rumors unfounded and cleared the accused party member to continue her work. [47] This letter to Reba Hansen had clearly been written for public consumption, with the purpose of suppressing questions about the official story, particularly among older members of the SWP who must have wondered why Sylvia Callen had suddenly left the party. Cannons letter neglected to explain that Callen-Caldwell was not simply a National Office secretarial worker, but his personal secretary, assistant and his wifes close friend. He hid the fact that she quit the party shortly after supposedly being cleared to continue her work. The 1947 control commission did not investigate the matter thoroughly and it did not take testimony from all available sources, as he claimed. Her lies were exposed by Budenz, Levine and Soble, and the SWP control commission covered up her real role. The SWP defends Hansen and Franklin In 1975, the International Committee initiated its own investigation into Security and the Fourth International. The initial findings included evidence of Hansens meetings with the FBI and State Department as well as information of Callens role as a GPU agent. Hansen denounced the revelations as A Geyser of Mud. He wrote that the Healyites in no place indicate the basis of their charge that the agent with whom he had met, Robert McGregor, was in association with an agent of the FBI. [48] Hansen rejected the ICFIs call for a commission of inquiry into Trotskys assassination, adding: Sylvia Caldwell, (that was her party name) worked very hard in her rather difficult assignment of managing the office of the Socialist Workers Party, which included helping Cannon in a secretarial capacity. In fact all the comrades who shared these often irksome chores with her regarded her as exemplary. They burned as much as she did over the foul slanders spread by Budenz. [49] In the December 8, 1975 edition of the SWP magazine Intercontinental Press, leading SWP member George Novack attacked Healys reckless and indiscriminate allegations against Sylvia Caldwell, Cannons secretary, writing that anything goes in his frantic endeavors to cast a net of suspicion around Joseph Hansen and his colleagues. [50] A two-page spread from the ICFI's "Case for a Commission of Inquiry" on the Budenz revelations In early 1976, the SWP published a collection of essays memorializing the life of James P. Cannon, who had died in August 1974. Titled James P. Cannon As We Knew Him, the volume consisted of essays written by SWP members, including one by Joseph Hansens wife, Reba Hansen, which contained the following extraordinary tribute: During those years Sylvia Caldwell served as secretary in the national office, a job that included working with Jim, who held the post of national secretary. She was the second full-time secretary the party had. The first was Lillian Roberts. Jim often told us about how it was in the old days, when it was difficult to get things done because of having no secretarial help. He said he was grateful for any help he could get and he never failed to show his deep appreciation for the aid that Sylvia gave. Jim was fond of telling the story about how Sylvia went to a business school to learn shorthand when it was proposed she work in the national office. This was before the days of the tape recorder, and shorthand was essential to taking adequate minutes at meetings and dictation for letters and articles. Sylvia learned fast and well. Her Gregg characters were like copper-plate engravings, her typing without strike-overs, and no messy erasures. When the load in the national office was heavy and Sylvia needed help, I gave her a hand, working very closely with her. Her efficiency impressed me. She knew how to do everything that was necessary to keep a one-person office running smoothly. Her devotion to the movement and her readiness to put in long hours of hard work inspired us all. Sylvia and I became close collaborators and good personal friends. She was a warm human being. When Sylvia left New York in 1947 because of family obligations, Jim asked me to take her place in the national office. Since this included working closely with Jim, I felt a little nervous, but Sylvia helped me through the transition from business manager of the Militant to my new assignment. At that time Rose and Jim lived at 126 West Eleventh Street, seventh floor. The apartment building was modernit had an elevatorand the rooms were large by New York standards. The front room, facing on Eleventh Street, was big enough for two desks, several filing cabinets, and a worktable. Sylvia took me there to work with her and learn the ropes. But Jim didnt shift easily from one secretary to another. And it was only after Sylvia had been gone some time that Jim felt enough at home with me through working together in the national office to ask me to come over to West Eleventh Street. [51] There is no innocent explanation for the inclusion of this lying tribute to Sylvia Callen in a book that was supposedly intended to eulogize Cannon. Reba Hansen knew full well that Callen had suddenly disappeared from the SWP national office in 1947 not because of family obligations, but because she had been exposed as a GPU agent. Her gratuitous tribute to Cannons secretary, who had for nearly a decade managed the national office, did not make any mention whatever of the allegations made by Budenz, the 1947 control commission, Budenzs more detailed account in 1950 of Callens activities, or of her being named by the US government as a co-conspirator in the 1960 trial of Soviet agent Robert Soblen. The ICFI Locates Sylvia Callen The SWPs defense of Callen made it critical to locate the former agent. In 1976, the Workers League (predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party), initiated a search to find Callen. Without the benefit of modern-day search engines, it was necessary to reconstruct the biography of this dedicated and ruthless American GPU agent who was able to spy on and betray without remorse people with whom she worked on a daily basis for almost a decade. She was absolutely indifferent to the human impact, which included murder, of her actions. In order to locate Callen it was necessary to discover the name under which she was living. The November 1960 federal indictment that named her as a co-conspirator in the GPU spy ring led by Robert Soblen and Jack Soble identified her only by her maiden name, Callen. However, through an examination of court documents, David North, the national secretary of the Workers League, was able to ascertain that Callen had been living in Wheaton, Illinois, at the time of her indictment. Callen left Wheaton shortly after the conclusion of the Soblen trial. But there was a paper trail that could be followed. In the early 1950s Callen had divorced her husband and co-GPU agent, Zalmond Franklin, who died in 1958. Callen married her second husband, James Doxsee, a member or fellow-traveler of the Communist Party who worked for ABC. Together they had three children, whom they raised in Wheaton. Her pleasant middle-class life was disturbed only by visits from the FBI and two extensive federal grand jury interrogations, the first in 1954 and the second in 1958. GPU agent Sylvia Callen, pictured in Wheaton, Illinois in 1977 After selling their home in Wheaton, James and Sylvia Doxsee relocated to a nearby West Chicago suburb. The domesticated Mrs. Doxsee was careful to conceal her past, refusing to allow her family and few friends to take pictures of her. In the mid-1970s, the Doxsees sold their home and purchased an RV, which became their mobile residence. Much of their time was spent driving through Central America. However, in May 1977 the Doxsees returned to Wheaton to visit James aging mother. North had been able to establish Callens new married name. He learned in advance of the Doxsees planned visit to Wheaton, where they had reserved a space for their RV in a local trailer park. He and Alex Mitchell, who was then the editor of the News Line, the publication of the Workers Revolutionary Party (British section of the International Committee), located Sylvia Callen-Franklin-Caldwell-Doxsee at this trailer park in Wheaton. On May 9, 1977, North and Mitchell went to the Doxsees trailer and confronted the ex-GPU spy. When asked about her political past, Doxsee (aka Callen, Caldwell, Franklin) acknowledged working as Cannons secretary, but sought to brush aside her years in the SWP as a minor episode in her life. As the Bulletin, newspaper of the Workers League, reported on May 31, 1977, Doxsee said: I dont see why its even important. I was never really in politics. I never read. I never understood it. I was just an immature child, thats about all I can say Its like I blacked it out. All that period of my life. [52] Regarding James P. Cannon, with whom she had closely worked on a day-by-day basis for almost a decade, Doxsee said with unconcealed contempt, He wasnt an important man, in my opinion. Is he? What part did he play in the world? Pressed by North and Mitchell to explain why she was indicted as a co-conspirator in a GPU spy ring, Doxsee feigned amnesia. The following exchange was reported in the Bulletin: Question: This is an official document. Grand Jury, 1960, in which your name is mentioned right here, Sylvia Callen. Franklin: Grand Jury charges! Question: Yes. All I would like to ask you is why were you named on this indictment? Thats all Id like to ask you. Franklin: I cant believe it! Another document was shown to her. Question: Here as well is your name on the list of witnesses the Government was going to call. Franklin: My God! Question: You have no explanation for your name. Franklin: No, but the FBI came to see me here. Question: Why did they come to see you? Franklin: I dont know. I had a mental breakdown afterwards so it must have been pretty terrible. Question: So why Franklin: I dont know. I dont know. I dont want to think about it. Question: Do you have a memory block which begins after all these events supposedly took place? Franklin: I dont know. I wish you wouldnt try to make me remember because Ill have a breakdown. I cant remember. Its been many years, and Ive put it out of my mind. Question: Is it possible that you were in the Communist Party and simply have forgotten all about it? Franklin: I dont know. I dont know. It could be one way. It could be the other. I cant believe that person was me. I cant believe that I worked in that office. That I was his secretary. I cant believe anything. [53] Reba and Joseph Hansen hiding from the camera After the publication of the interview with Sylvia Doxsee-Franklin-Caldwell-Callen on May 31, 1977, Hansen responded in an Intercontinental Press article on June 20, 1977 titled Healyites Escalate Frame-up of Trotskyist Leaders. In the article, Hansen attempted to cast doubt on what he called the purported interview, stating that the ICFI had escalated their slanders on the leadership of the Socialist Workers Party. [54] Hansen attacked the Security and the Fourth International investigation by referencing the 1947 Control Commission: The members of this select body of witch-hunters [i.e. the ICFI] commit themselves to a slander they had previously only hinted at; namely, that the control commission set up by the Socialist Workers Party in 1947 to examine the rumours circulating about Caldwell was rigged. He continued: If there was a cover-up, if the control commission was rigged, if no control commission was held at allas the Healyites now allegethen the main guilt clearly falls on James P. Cannon, one of the founders of the Fourth International. In accordance with the logic of the Big Lie as practiced by the Healyites, Cannon must be listed as an accomplice of the GPU, if not worse. This is only the beginning. If Cannon was an accomplice or agent of the GPU, then the entire top leadership of the SWP associated with him must be similarly listed, for they obviously participated in staging the alleged control commission fraud, whether by helping to rig it or, if it was not held at all, by making outalong with Cannonthat it had been held. How far back did such fraudulent practices go? Was Cannon an accomplice or agent of the GPU when he founded American Trotskyism? When he collaborated with Trotsky in founding the Fourth International? Was his long battle against Stalinism a sham? Were his close relations with Trotsky a cover up for a secret connection with Stalin? Just whom did Cannon use as willing tools in working for the GPUfor instance, in the alleged fake control commission? [55] On June 25, 1977, North, in an article published in the News Line responded to Hansens claims in an article titled Hansens Big Lie Grows Bigger. After quoting the above paragraphs, North wrote: All this comes straight from the pen of Joseph Hansen! He is charged with covering up the activities of GPU agents, and so he replies by trying to frighten SWP members with the suggestion that his guilt makes Cannon a Stalinist agent! He is trying to intimidate the SWP membership and bully them into silence by telling them how terrible the consequences will be if the International Committees charges against him are proven correct. Hansen deals with his members like an airplane hijacker with a bomb in his hand who waves it above his head and shouts at the passengers Anyone tries to stop me and well all be blown to kingdom come! What is clear is that Hansen will stop at nothing to save his own political neck. Hansen is not protecting Cannon; hes using Cannon; hes using Cannon to save himself. [56] The fact that Hansen resorted to this desperate method precisely on the question of the 1947 Control Commission shows just how central it was to Hansens narrative. As North wrote: This is Hansen at his tricks again. He doesnt give a straightforward answer: was the SWP control commission rigged or wasnt it? Instead, he drags in James P. Cannon in order to hide behind his grave. Why doesnt he leave Cannon out of it? The International Committee has made no accusations against Cannon. Weve accused Hansen! Its Hansens favourite trick to immediately conjure up Cannons Ghost the moment he himself is challenged. [57] The publication of the ICFIs interview with Sylvia Callen-Doxsee and the calling into question of the 1947 Control Commission produced anxiety among the SWP leadership and the Stalinist bureaucracy. Those involved in penetrating the Trotskyist movement had good reason to believe the Security and the Fourth International investigation would publish further revelations exposing the GPU infiltration of the Trotskyist movement. Tom Henehan, 26-year-old member of the Workers League Political Committee, murdered in 1977 after Hansen warned of "deadly consequences" to Security and the Fourth International investigation Hansen responded by adopting the methods of Stalinist intimidation, attempting to create a threatening atmosphere of provocation against the ICFI. Unable to challenge the damning implications of the Callen interview, Hansen wrote, The Healyites are quite capable of initiating physical violence against other sectors of the labor movement. In the same article, he threatened the International Committee, warning it that Security and the Fourth International would bring deadly consequences. [58] Less than four months later, on October 16, 1977, Tom Henehan, a 26-year-old member of the Workers League Political Committee, was assassinated in New York City by two professional gunmen while supervising a public party event. Though the killers were quickly identified, the New York police refused to make any arrests. Finally, after a three-year campaign waged by the Workers League, the gunmen were arrested, placed on trial, and convicted in July 1981 of second-degree murder. Following the trial, the private detective who had investigated the case for the defense attorney informed North that the word on the street was that the killing was a hit. The Gelfand case and the Franklin grand jury transcripts In August 1977, Alan Gelfand, an SWP member and a public defender in Los Angeles, obtained copies of the Security and the Fourth International documents circulated by Workers League members outside the SWPs National Convention in Oberlin, Ohio. [59] Gelfand asked other SWP members about the documents and particularly the 1940 State Department and FBI memos that referenced Hansens meeting with the GPU and with the US government. In response, Gelfand was given different explanations. Some SWP members told him the documents were forgeries, either by the Workers League or the FBI. Others, including SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes, told Gelfand the documents were legitimate but that the SWP had instructed Hansen to contact US government agencies to obtain information about Trotskys assassination. SWP leaders also claimed that all the allegations made by the International Committee had been fully answered in a party internal bulletin that was provocatively titled, Healys Big Lie. "Healy's Big Lie." The SWP mobilized the international Pabloite movement to slander Security and the Fourth International After the convention, Gelfand carefully studied this internal bulletin and concluded that the answers were contradicted by documents uncovered by the Security and the Fourth International investigation after its publication. Gelfand continued to ask for discussion regarding Hansens connections to the GPU and United States agencies, and of Callens connections to the GPU. The SWP leadership repeatedly barred him from speaking to other members about his concerns. Gelfand realized that the cover-up must be tied to the activity of high level state agents still operating within the party. In December 1978, Gelfand filed an amicus curiae brief in support of a lawsuit by the SWP related to the FBIs surveillance of the movement through COINTELPRO. This lawsuit, which had been initiated by the SWP primarily as a fundraising activity, was not being conducted with the intention of exposing past or still active agents inside the party. In fact, the US government eventually settled the case by paying the SWP hundreds of thousands of dollars but without identifying a single agent that it had infiltrated into the party. In the course of the trial, the FBI admitted that between 1960 and 1976 there were 300 informants serving as members of the SWP. Gelfands brief, however, referenced the history of FBI and GPU penetration of the movement, and the recent revelations concerning Callen and Hansen to further demonstrate the need for the court to compel the government to identify the agents that had been sent into the SWP. This demand outraged the SWP leadership, which accused Gelfand of violating party discipline. On January 5, 1979, SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes charged Gelfand with undisciplined and disloyal behavior. Six days later, on January 11, the SWP Political Committee expelled him. This was the last meeting of the SWP Political Committee attended by Joseph Hansen. He died in New York City exactly one week later, on January 18, 1979. Hansen was 68 years old. In a letter to the SWP Political Committee, dated January 29, 1979, Gelfand stated that he had been purged from the SWP to block the exposure of agents inside the party. This purge, he wrote, is the result of my persistent and principled fight over the last 18 months to obtain satisfactory answers and explanations to the various questions raised by Joseph Hansens and Sylvia Franklins relationship with the FBI and GPU. The Gelfand Case, the record of Gelfand v. Attorney General, published by the International Committee of the Fourth International in 1985 On July 18, 1979 Gelfand filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that the government violated his First Amendment rights by infiltrating the SWP with agents who expelled him from the political party of his choosing. Gelfand named as defendants high US government officialsincluding the attorney general and the directors of the FBI and CIAas well as leading members of the Socialist Workers Party. The SWP immediately filed a motion to dismiss Gelfands lawsuit. Oral arguments were made before United States District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer on November 19, 1979. In June 1980 Pfaelzer denied the SWPs motion, finding that Gelfands complaint raised fundamental constitutional issues. She wrote that the government manipulation and takeover of plaintiffs political party that is alleged is a drastic interference with the associational rights of its adherents and cannot pass constitutional muster. [60] Gelfand and his lawyers took depositions of many current and former SWP members. The first to be deposed was Sylvia Doxsee, who had relocated to an exclusive neighborhood along Chicagos Gold Coast. In the course of her deposition, she invoked memory loss 231 times. She admitted, however, during the course of the deposition that she had previously appeared before at least two federal grand juries. Referencing her grand jury testimony, Doxsee-Callen said: Q: Did you take the Fifth Amendment on any questions? A: On some I did. Q: How did you know to take the Fifth Amendment? A: From reading the papers from the McCarthys thing. I copied it down, even what to say. Q: Did you talk to anybody about when to use the Fifth Amendment? A: No. I probably should have, but Im just so dumb. Q: What types of areas did you take the Fifth Amendment in? A: Oh, I dont remember. Q: Well, would it be fair to say that certain questions you were willing to answer? A: I dont remember. Q: Well, did you answer any questions? A: That I dont remember either. Maybe I didnt answer any questions, I dont know. [61] Although grand jury proceedings are generally sealed, Gelfands attorneys petitioned a federal court in New York to release the transcripts of Sylvia Callens testimony of 1954 and 1958. This request was bitterly opposed by the SWP, which argued for continued secrecy on the basis that the grand jury testimony is wholly irrelevant to any material issue in this litigation and should not be disclosed. The judge in New York released the transcripts to Judge Pfaelzer in Los Angeles. Pfaelzer, a liberal Democratic judge, was managing the case with extreme caution. Her ruling in June 1980 had accepted that Gelfands expulsion from the SWP would be unconstitutional if engineered by government agents to prevent their own expulsion. However, as the case proceeded, Pfaelzer, the SWP, and the government sought to block Gelfand from accessing the evidence he would need to prove that his First Amendment right was denied by the government agents who expelled him from the SWP. As Gelfand and his attorneys wrote in their closing brief on summary judgment: Legally, this case presents a double paradox. For the court, there is the tension between the enforcement of First Amendment rights on the one hand and the duty to protect claims of national security on the other. In denying the motions to dismiss, the court in ringing terms affirmed the right to political association free from governmental interference. By upholding the governments claim of informer privilege on plaintiffs motion to compel, however, the court demonstrated its sensitivity to the countervailing concerns. Rarely does a case require the reconciliation of two such fundamentally opposing legal principles. The plaintiff faces the other side of the coin. On the one hand he is told that, if he can prove that the leaders of the Party are agents of the United States government, he will establish the violation of his constitutional rights. Yet the most straightforward method of proofexamination of relevant government documents and direct responses to questions aimed at government agencieshas been denied to him. [62] Mark Zborowski, alias "Etienne," was located in San Francisco in August 1975 by the International Committee of the Fourth International. (Photo by David North) Pfaelzer appeared concerned that Gelfands evidence-gathering efforts would lead to the publication of state secrets regarding the penetration of the SWP. When denying Gelfands request that Zborowski be compelled to testify, she said: Now, my feeling is that Mr. Zborowski, given the very nature of this case, when postured up against, since the case was filed, an enactment known as the Protection of Certain National Security Information, which has just become law this year, does or would run a possible risk of violating section 601(a) of that act, were he asked to identify either by name or description or anything else which might lead to the identity of possible intelligence agents who might be superficially participating in this Socialist Workers Party. And that act specifically provides that if any person has such information and knowingly discloses it, regardless of whatever the motivation, can be prosecuted, fined $50,000, and imprisoned up to ten years. And, therefore, I feel that his invoking the Fifth Amendment in that area, which is the pivotal point of this lawsuit, perhaps, nonetheless is a legitimate concern of the witness and his counsel that must be honored by this court. And, therefore, insofar as any invocation of the Fifth Amendment that has, up to now, been asserted in this deposition, Im not going to order him to further answer. [63] The highest levels of the US government and military-intelligence apparatus were closely monitoring the case. A June 11, 1982 memorandum from Central Intelligence Agency General Counsel Stanley Sporkin to CIA Director William J. Casey cites the Gelfand case as an item of major interest for the CIA. Referencing a request by Gelfand and his attorneys that the CIA and other state agencies reveal the identities of agents in the party, the recently-declassified CIA memo reads: In Gelfand v. Attorney General, DCI, et al., Gelfand claims that alleged CIA and FBI agents in the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) expelled him from the party. In pretrial discovery, Gelfand submitted interrogatories asking the DCI [Director of Central Intelligence] whether 19 named SWP members are or have been CIA agents and whether CIA believes that one named individual is a Soviet intelligence agent. The DCI refused to answer the interrogatories on the ground that answering them would tend to reveal intelligence activities, sources, and methods. The U.S. District Court hearing the case upheld the DCIs refusal to answer, holding that the DCIs statutory responsibility to protect intelligence sources and methods and the CIAs statutory exemption from any requirement to disclose the names or functions of CIA personnel justify the refusal to answer. [64] Under pressure from the government, Pfaelzer sought to restrict the focus of the trial to the narrow procedural issue of whether Gelfand technically violated party rules by continuing to press for answers on the Hansen and Callen exposures after the SWP leadership told him to stop. When the proceedings began, Gelfands attorney, John Burton, asked Judge Pfaelzer to release the transcripts of the Callen grand jury transcripts that had been forwarded from New York. The judge replied that she would rule later on that request. Several further requests for the release of the transcripts were brushed aside. Her brusque demeanor and seemingly hostile attitude to Gelfand gave the impression that she would deny the request. Jack Barnes, National Secretary of the Socialist Workers Party On the last day of the trial, March 9, 1983, SWP National Secretary Barnes was called to testify. Apparently confident that Pfaelzer would not release the grand jury transcripts, Barnes not only defended Franklin. He concluded his testimony with an extraordinary tribute to this GPU agent: Q: Now, was it your opinion at the time you received [Gelfands letter] that there was no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Sylvia Franklin was an agent of the GPU? A: All the evidence is just the opposite. Her whole comportment not only when she was in the movement but everything thats happened since she left indicates that she is exactly what she was: a loyal, hard-working, and model member of our movement. Q: That is still your opinion today? A: Well, my opinion today is she is one of my heroes after the harassment and what shes been through the last couple of years. I would even feel more strongly about her, her character, than I did then. Q: Now, was Sylvia Franklin the subject of an SWP Control Commission investigation? A: No. Sylvia Franklin was not the subject of an SWP Control Commission. Sylvia Caldwell was invited to an SWP Control Commission hearing to discuss the fact of the Shachtmanites were spreading this rumor. The control commission had their hearing and then they passed a motion saying, one, that there is zero evidence that there is anything connected with this rumor that could be true and, number two, which of course is the key of why they met, to request of the Shachtmanites to cease spreading this rumor because of that. [65] These lies may have proved too much for Pfaelzer. Following Barnes testimony, Pfaelzer suddenly released the transcripts of both the 1954 and 1958 grand jury hearings. While Pfaelzer shielded Barnes from exposure on the witness stand, these transcripts nevertheless decisively answered, with Callens own words, the question of her role as a GPU agent inside the SWP. In her 1954 testimony, Callen employed the tactic that she would later use when confronted by North and Mitchell in 1977 and during her 1980 deposition, i.e., memory loss. In 1954, Callen did confirm that she had been married to Franklin, and that they had attended meetings of the Stalinist Young Communist League. But in response to crucial questions, such as whether she had met with Louis Budenz, Callen stated: I cant answer that because of possible self-incrimination, invoking her Fifth Amendment privilege. [66] In her second grand jury appearance, on June 18, 1958, Callen was more forthcoming. She realized that the grand jury was preparing indictments for an espionage case against her former GPU handler, Robert Soblen, and that she was facing the danger of a lengthy prison term, if not the death penalty, on charges of treason. The US government attorney began his interrogation by reminding Callen (now addressed as Mrs. Doxsee) of problems that arose during her 1954 appearance: Q. You do recall testifying before a grand jury? A. Oh, yes. Q. And you do recall, Mrs. Doxsee, that at that time your memory was not as good as it might be? A. Yes. Q. And have you since that time tried to improve your memory as best as you could? A. Yes, I have. Q. And have you talked over the matters with your husband? A. Yes. Q. And do you feel that you are beginning to remember some things that you had difficulty with before. A. Yes. [67] Callen told the story of her role as an agent inside the SWP. She recalled how she was paid to hand over confidential information from the desk of James Cannon to two leading GPU spies, Dr. Gregory Rabinowitzthe Roberts Budenz worked withand Jack Soble, the brother of Robert Soblen. Under examination by a government attorney, the transcript of her testimony read, in part: Q: If I can make a little resume here, Miss Doxsee, you say then that you joined the Young Communist League in the middle thirties, but after you joined the Young Communist League and at the suggestion from someone from the Communist Party you joined an organization that was part of the Social Workers [sic] organization. Is that right? A: I think thats it. Q: Then ultimately you entered the office of James Cannon and became his secretary? A: Yes. Q: Now, during the time that you were working in Mr. Cannons office, did you ever discuss anything that you learned there with anybody else? A: Yes. Q: Do you recall who it was that you discussed that with? A: Well, I used to go to my former husbands apartment, Zalmonds apartment. Q: Did you meet anyone there? A: I metnot every time I went up therebut I had met a man I called Jack [Jack was the alias used by Gregory Rabinowitzaka Robertsduring his meetings with Sylvia Franklin]. I dont know his name. Q: This man, Jack, you say, was introduced to you by Louis Budenz? A: Yes. Q: And that was in Chicago? A: Yes, thats the way I recall it. Q: Do you ever recall meeting a woman to whom you gave information? A: Yes; a womans apartment. Q: And was that a different apartment from the apartment you have previously described? A: Yes. [68] Callen was referring to the apartment of Stalinist agent Lucy Booker. She then testified, I used to go up there and type reports also, the way I used to at my husbands apartment, and sometimes, as I recall, she was there and sometimes she wasnt just as I recall. There, she would sometimes meet Jack Soble, who she knew as Sam. He would pay her for her services. Q: Do you recall how you knewcommenced going to this apartment that youre now describing, the womans apartment? A: No, I dont. Q: Did someone tell you to go there? A: No, I hadnt given that any thought. I dont know whether someone brought meI cant remember whether I was given an address, I really cant remember that, the sequence there. Q: Now, you described the mimeographed material which you gave, can you recall the contents of the material that you typed? A: Well, I remember I used to just type upit was mostly during faction fights in the party and political committee meetings, who was fighting with who, and then if there was correspondence from Leon Trotsky that I saw, I would try to remember what was in the letters and write that all out, whos going with who and that kind of thing, personal things like that, I remember, how much money they hadI knew, you know, bank balances and stuff like that. [69] Callen and the GPU had access to everything: international correspondence, internal discussion papers from Trotskyist movements worldwide, all of Cannons correspondence, and personal information about the membership. The Sylvia Franklin Dossier, published by the International Committee of the Fourth International in 1977 The release of the grand jury transcripts exploded the cover-up of the GPUs penetration of the SWP, and completely vindicated the investigation conducted by the International Committee. But Judge Pfaelzer, guided by a desire to prevent Gelfand from exposing the depth of the FBIs involvement in the SWP, denied his requests that she release information about specific agents operating in the party. Pfaelzer ruled against Gelfand by conjuring up a clearly unattainable level of proof. Pfaelzer asserted that Gelfand could not prove his case by a preponderance of evidence if there were other explanationsno matter how implausiblefor the SWP defendants actions. The judge acknowledged that Gelfands conclusion that the SWP leaders were agents might be a permissible inference to be drawn, but you cant prevail by a preponderance of the evidence on that because its equally likely that they just sat there without investigating because they had blind faith. You cant win on a preponderance of the evidence based solely on the fact that the charges were true. (Emphasis added). [70] In a further exchange with Gelfands attorney, Pfaelzer said: Let us assume that you prove that every single thing that Mr. Gelfand said is true and that there is no doubt but that Hansen was working with the FBI and may indeed have been an agent of the FBI at some point, and that Sylvia Caldwell was an agent of the GPU, and that indeed his suspicions were well founded and they made a mistake, the Party made a mistake in believing the contents of Healys Big Lie. Now, lets say that is all proved, what permissible inference may be drawn from that if that is all you have? Burton said, Your Honor, it cant be examined out of context. To which Pfaelzer responded, Oh, no. It can be examined out of context. [71] This reasoning does not stand up to basic legal analysis. As all first year law students know, the preponderance of evidence standard only requires a civil plaintiff show there is a greater than 50 percent chance that the evidence presented proves the claim, not that all other potential inferences have been disproven. Furthermore, circumstantial evidence is always evaluated in context and frequently incriminating evidence can lose its meaning when viewed in isolation. As the Workers League correctly noted, The central pillar of the SWPs defensethat Gelfand had been propagating a slander campaign manufactured by the International Committeewas utterly shattered. The transcripts release completed the destruction of the defendants credibility. [72] Joseph Hansen and the control commission Joseph Hansen could not be deposed or questioned during the Gelfand Case. To the end, Hansen actively defended Callen, however, having organized an international campaign to slander those who raised questions about what was ultimately proven to be the truth: she was an agent of the GPU. Why did Hansen, and the SWP after his death, go to such lengths to defend Callen? Why did not they simply admit, even before the release of the grand jury transcripts, that James P. Cannons secretary had been an agent of the GPU from 1939 to 1947? By the mid-1970s, when the International Committee initiated its investigation into Security and the Fourth International, nearly 30 years had passed since Callen left the SWP. Dossier of a Double Agent: The Lies of Joseph Hansen, part of the Security and the Fourth International investigation The obvious question is: Why did Hansen and Barnes cling so desperately to the transparent lie that Callen had been an exemplary comrade? Would it not have been easier for Hansen to admit that the SWP had been duped by Callens claims of innocence, and that the 1947 control commissions investigation had been inadequate? The only answer is that the activities of Callen and Hansen were too closely intertwined. Hansen was compelled to lie about Sylvia Callen becauseas a document obtained by Gelfands attorneys near the conclusion of the litigation provedhe was shielding his own role as an agent inside the SWP. Late in the litigation, Judge Pfaelzer compelled the SWP to turn over a letter sent to Hansen by his close friend, Vaughn T. Irish OBrien. In this letter, dated June 8, 1976, OBrien recalled an encounter in the late 1940s or early 1950sthe general time frame of the control commission and the publication of Budenzs bookswith Pearl Kluger, a former member of A.J. Mustes American Workers Party who knew Budenz personally. OBrien wrote, I had not seen Pearl for a considerable period of time, but she immediately said, Budenz says your friend Joe Hansen worked with the GPU. [73] This extraordinary revelationthat the same man who had originally exposed Sylvia Callen had also identified Joseph Hansen as a GPU agentwas substantiated by the Socialist Workers Party. Just one month after the conclusion of the Gelfand trial, in the April 15, 1983 edition of the Militant, SWP leader Larry Seigle wrote that Budenz had fingered not just CP members, but also several SWP members, as Soviet agents. Among these were Joseph Hansen, a central leader of the SWP until his death in 1979, and Sylvia Caldwell, who had been a secretary in the SWP national office. [74] It is evident that there were, in the immediate aftermath of the Gelfand trial, disagreements within the SWP leadership as to how to handle the evidence that incriminated Hansen as a GPU operative. Seigles public acknowledgment of Budenzs exposure of both Caldwell and Hansenthus confirming the allegations made by Gelfandwas evidently seen as a major political blunder. Just one day after Seigles article appeared in the Militant, the SWP leadership formulated a plan to reverse the damaging admission. The minutes from the SWP Political Committee meeting of April 16, 1983 show that the Barnes leadership conspired to denounce the grand jury transcripts as forgeries and double down on its defense of Callen-Caldwell: We should write an article presenting the partys position on the accusations against Sylvia Caldwell. The article should present for the party and the international movement our political position on the responsibility of the party to defend itself against COINTELPRO-type snitch-jacket operations of the kind that is now being carried out against Sylvia Caldwell and the SWP. It is especially necessary to explain again, for those who have never learned or have forgotten, the responsibility of the leadership of a revolutionary workers party to defend loyally each and every member against such slander campaigns. The article will examine the new evidence presented by the FBI in Pfaelzers courtroom and circulated by the WL/WRP, consisting of what is presented as transcripts of testimony given by Sylvia Caldwell before two grand juries investigating Soviet espionage in the 1950s. We have no way of knowing how much the transcripts are doctored. Moreover, testimony given under these conditionsbefore a secret grand jury, without a lawyer, under threat of indictment as a Soviet spy in the shadow of the judicial murder of Ethel and Julius Rosenbergcannot be taken as true by any serious workers leader. [75] SWP Political Committee Meeting Minutes, April 16, 1983, page 1 (Wisconsin Historical Society) The minutes also reveal that the publication of the grand jury transcripts, exposing the cover-up of Sylvia Franklin, had produced widespread anxiety within the SWP membership and among its international allies. Because of inexperience and some confusion on these points, in the party and in the international movement, an article along these lines would be helpful. [76] SWP Political Committee Meeting Minutes, April 16, 1983, page 2 (Wisconsin Historical Society) On August 5, 1983, the Militant published a report that had been given by Jack Barnes in May, weeks after the PC meeting, to the SWPs national committee. Barnes resumed the defense of Callen-Caldwell: Another thing that happened at the trial needs to be emphasized. And that is what the government and the WL-WRP did concerning our comrade Sylvia Caldwell, whom they accuse of having been an agent of the Soviet secret police during the years when she was a member of our party, from the mid-1930s to the late-1940s. As we know, Sylvia was vilified by the FBI disrupter and stool pigeon, Louis Budenz. She was hounded by the FBI throughout the years of the witchhunt. She was hauled before the federal grand juries investigating Soviet espionage during the 1950s, like the one that indicted the Rosenbergs. And she has now had the WL-WRP continuing the effort as a means of furthering their disruption operation against our movement, here and internationally. [77] This tirade was a lie from beginning to end. If our comrade Sylvia Caldwell had been, as Barnes claimed, the subject of vicious persecution throughout the 1950s, why had the SWP failed to mount a public campaign in her defense? Why was there not a word written in the Militant about comrade Sylvia being hauled before federal grand juries investigating Soviet espionage during the 1950s, like the one that indicted the Rosenbergs? Why had the SWP and the Militant not denounced publicly the listing of Sylvia Callen as a GPU co-conspirator in the 1960 federal indictment of Robert Soblen? Barnes went on to imply that the 1958 transcript was a forgery, referring to it as what the FBI claims is a transcript of her testimony before a grand jury in 1958. He continued: This is supposed to be the perfect framean official transcript, in which the woman under oath herself says that she did the things she was accused of doing. (I leave aside the fact that nowhere in the transcript is there any mention of the Soviet secret police, or any activity by Sylvia on their behalf. All it quotes her as saying is that she was gathering information for the Communist Party (CP). It is revealing that, for the WL-WRP as for the FBI, being a member of the CP and being a Soviet espionage agent are the same thing.) [78] The intense involvement of the Communist Party in the operations of the GPUand especially in the penetration of the Fourth International and the SWP and in the organization of Trotskys assassinationis an indisputable and massively documented historical fact. Budenzs own writings and testimony had made very clear that he, and those whom he recruited for anti-Trotskyist espionage activity, had been working for the GPU. Barnes claim that Sylvias admission that she was gathering information for the Communist Party does not prove that she was acting on behalf of the GPU testifies as much to his desperation as to his unscrupulous dishonesty. The reasons for Barnes desperation are to be found in the evidence uncovered in the course of the Gelfand case and the Security and the Fourth International investigation. The significance of the OBrien letter, and Seigles and Barnes statements about the release of the 1958 transcript wa There has been renewed political turmoil since the Australian parliament resumed this week. During the long winter break, the Liberal-National Coalition government suffered serious blows in five simultaneous by-elections on July 28, two of which it did not even contest. Such is the hostility toward the government that in one electorate, just north of Brisbane, the Queensland state capital, its vote fell below 30 percent. Neither of the two other main parliamentary parties, Labor and the Greens, fared much better in any of the seats, pointing to deepening political disaffection after years of falling wages, social spending cuts and soaring living costs. Already, it is clear from the events of this week that the governments two signature policies are in tatters. They are multi-billion dollar tax cuts for the largest companies and a so-called National Energy Guarantee (NEG) to resolve a decade-long impasse over energy policy, which has blocked corporate investment and sent electricity prices sky-rocketing. Increasingly, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls government seems incapable of legislating either of these policies, both long demanded by the financial elite. Despite formal denials, the government is preparing to abandon the tax cuts, perhaps after one final token effort to get them through the Senate. The NEG bill, which has yet to be made public, seems doomed also, unless the opposition Labor Party backs it. At least 10 government members are reportedly threatening to cross the floor to vote against it. The frustrations in the ruling class with the government, which has barely clung to power since winning only a one-seat majority in the 2016 election, are intensifying. These have been aggravated by the global uncertainties generated by the Trump administrations pursuit of trade war and militarism, which particularly imperil Australian capitalisms lucrative Chinese markets. The turmoil wracking the government has now reached the point of media speculation that Turnbull could soon face a leadership challenge, or a defeat on the floor of parliament. Turnbull must call a federal election by May, but his government may not last that long. Various groupings within the political establishment, including the Coalitions most right-wing elements around Turnbulls ousted predecessor Tony Abbott, and the pro-business Labor Party led by ex-trade union boss Bill Shorten, are positioning themselves to capitalise on the governments anticipated fall. Any government formed as a result of such machinations will be even more authoritarian and committed to imposing the requirements of big business than any of the five short-lived Labor and Coalition governments since the 2008 global financial breakdown. Australian columnist Nikki Savva, a veteran former Coalition ministerial adviser, yesterday spotlighted Labors moves to reassure the corporate aristocracy that its policies will protect their profits, regardless of its campaign rhetoric about opposing inequality and handouts to the big banks and transnationals. Savva offered an inside view of last weeks closed-door business briefing hosted by the Labor Party. Corporate executives paid $11,000 a head to confer and dine with Shorten and other shadow ministers, tipping more than $1 million into the partys coffers. Savva wrote of exuberant Labor apparatchiks advising business leaders, only half joking, to get accustomed to saying Prime Minister Shorten. At Tuesdays Coalition party room meeting to endorse the governments proposed NEG, Turnbull and his supporters secured a majority, but about a dozen MPs threatened to vote against the NEG bill in parliament, which would leave Turnbull relying on Labors support. The dissidents include some prominent figures, such as ex-National Party leader Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie, who chairs parliaments security and intelligence committee. Several government ministers are rumoured to be considering resignation, including Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, the most senior member of the governments conservative faction and regarded as a potential leadership challenger. Abbott seems intent on bringing Turnbull down. He described the governments explanations of the NEG as merchant banker gobbledygook. That was an obvious reference to Turnbull, a former merchant banker. Turnbull in turn branded opposition to the NEG as idiocy. While bitter, these differences are not primarily personal. Abbott and his camp are hostile to the NEG because it cuts across the interests of the coal mining industry, which recently reclaimed its status as Australian capitalisms No 1 export, expected to be worth $58.1 billion this financial year. Despite the closure of some antiquated coal-fired plants, coal continues to fuel about 63 percent of the countrys electricity supply. Abbott and others are demanding the removal from the NEG of an already inadequate target of reducing carbon emissions by 26 percent by 2030, derived from the UN Paris climate accord. They are calling for the creation of a multi-billion dollar fund to subsidise the building of new, supposedly environmentally clean, coal-fired plants. For years, the financial elite has been demanding bipartisan support for some kind of emissions-trading scheme to provide certainty for corporate investors by boosting profit prospects for power generation, including clean or green projects. Turnbulls NEG is an attempt to straddle between the two camps by facilitating investment in renewable energy plants, while leaving the door open to more coal projects. Acutely aware of intense popular unrest over retail electricity prices, which have almost doubled since 2005, the coal-aligned dissidents are also demanding that the NEG include a mechanism to cap prices. Working-class households are paying hundreds of dollars a year extra for electricity, exacerbating a worsening social crisis, with household debt levels the highest in the world. Small businesses and farms are also being hit, while large corporations are able to negotiate lower bulk prices. Turnbull and his supporters, backed by most of the financial elite, have fatuously claimed that the NEG will stoke investment in the industry, supposedly increasing supply and curbing prices. Yesterday, however, in a last-ditch bid to avert defeat, Turnbull said the government would resort to what the Australian Financial Review called heavy-handed intervention to prevent electricity companies gouging customers. No details have been provided of this scheme, which the government is said to be scrambling to present to another Coalition party room meeting next Tuesday. All talk of capping or curbing prices is a hoax. Household charges have gone through the roof because successive governments, both Coalition and Labor, have privatised the electricity industry over the past two decades, creating a national market in which oligopolies inevitably drive up prices. The Keating Labor government initiated this process during the 1990s, claiming that a national competition policy would deliver significant benefits to consumers by providing incentives to producers to be efficient, innovate and lower their prices. In reality, rampant profiteering developed. This drive deepened under the Labor government of Julia Gillard. Its 2012 Energy White Paper demanded that state governments privatise the remaining electricity assets, then estimated to be worth more than $100 billion, delivering bonanzas to the financial markets. Over the past week alone, the big three power companies have announced record profits. AGL Energy, the biggest retailer and generator, reported that its before-tax operating profit jumped 20 percent to $2.23 billion. Origin reported a before-tax operating profit of $1.81 billion, up 21 percent, and Hong Kong-owned EnergyAustralia said its first-half after-tax profit rose to $375 million, from $129 million a year ago. While seeking to exploit the governments apparent death rattle, the Labor Party, backed by the trade unions, is positioning itself to continue the pro-business offensive that it mounted under Hawke and Keating from 1983 to 1996, and under Rudd and Gillard, with the backing of the Greens, from 2007 to 2013. The author also recommends: Energy policy impasse highlights Australian political disarray [16 June 2017] Australias energy crisis exposes market failure [21 March 2017] VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Standing room only at the county council meeting Tuesday. That's where the council approved Vigo County income tax increase by .75%. Making income taxes go from 1.25% to an even 2%. A lot of people living in Vigo County are not happy about it. "I could stand to pay more taxes for a lot of things," Sam Martland, county taxpayer said. "This doesn't seem to be one of them." An economics professor from Indiana State University helped to break down what this could mean for your wallet and the county. He and colleague Kevin Christ of Rose Hulman University didn't think it was a good idea. "It soaks up about two thirds to three-quarters of the tax capacity that the citizens of Vigo County have to fund this single purpose," Robert Guell, an economics professor from ISU said. "For that reason, both of us were not excited." But, he says that residents should have expected a large increase in taxes coming their way. "We needed to do something with the jail, maybe not this, but we needed to do something," Guell said. "That something was going to cost some significant money." With the potential for future projects, like renovating the schools around the county, he says this could be a sign of things to come. "Everyone should understand that their wallets are going to get substantially lighter over the next 20 years because of tax increases necessary to fund these very large things," he said. The Vigo County council has a cap on income taxes that they haven't reached yet. If the income tax continues to increase some residents might pack up and move across county lines. In Indiana, you get taxed for the county you live in, not the one you work in. "For instance, I might buy a house just over the Clay County line, face lower taxes over there and there would be no way for Vigo County, the county council or any executive in the county council to protect their need to have my share of taxes," Guell said. "I'd just move away from my taxes. That is one of the consequences of raising taxes, especially in Indiana. If the tax increases get too big, people will look to escape them." These income taxes are going to help pay for the new jail. However, the county still has about $900,000 dollars to pay off on the current jail. That's with a payment plan that last's until 2020. Cathy Tie has accomplished more in her 22 years than most people do in a lifetime. Her research on genomics has been published in science journals, she's founded a profitable genetic testing company and she recently became the youngest partner to join Silicon Valley venture capital firm, Cervin Ventures. But for Tie, this is just the beginning. Tie moved from China to Toronto with her parents when she was four years old. She was a gifted child and by the time she entered high school, her deep interest in biology and chemistry required an outlet beyond the traditional classroom. "Doing research on my own outside of school became part of my identity," said Tie. She was astute enough to realize that she needed to tap into a network of college professors and researchers to help guide her work. Her sophomore year she started cold-calling dozens of university science professors about her research into two protein cells in white blood cells and their relevance to protective immunity. "I'd call for two straight years at the beginning of each school year and would be rejected by all of them," she said. Eventually, she got her break: A professor at the University of Toronto's immunology department agreed to take the 15-year-old on for eight months to conduct research at the college's lab. "I went straight from [high] school to the lab and would be there until 7 or 8 p.m.," she said. At 16, Tie's research was published in Canadian Young Scientists Journal and Genome Research. After graduating in 2014, Tie enrolled in the University of Toronto to study bioinformatics, but she only stayed less than a year. While she was doing research into rare disease genes in the university's lab, she had an idea: She wanted to start a company focused on improving the accuracy of genetic testing and better assessing a person's risk for disease. "The challenge with genetic testing right now is that there are lots of rare mutations that surface, which haven't been analyzed. It's an obstacle that makes it harder to obtain a person's full diagnosis," said Tie, who dropped out of college to pursue the venture. "Our goal is to create a knowledge base of every possible mutation in common cancer genes." Tie partnered with PhD student Leo Wan, who was conducting research at a molecular genetics lab in the same building. Wan had the technical expertise she needed to get the company off the ground. The two named the startup Ranomics -- a fusion of the words "rare" and "genomics" -- and in early 2015, accepted $100,000 in seed funding from San Francisco-based biotechnology accelerator, IndieBio, which also provided them with office and lab space and mentoring. "At the time, there was also a lot of investor interest in companies focused on genetics and genetic testing," said Tie. This interest, and the smart young Tie herself, grabbed the attention of investors, helping them to raise more than $2 million in funding since the company was incorporated in 2015. Tie has since moved the company back to Toronto and has expanded her team and roster of customers. So far, Ranomics has analyzed 2,000 mutations in breast, colon and prostate cancer for global genetic testing firms such as Beijing Genomics Institute, Veritas Genetics and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, a division of Mount Sinai Hospital. Related: She's 35 and runs a $3 billion company Last year, Ranomics launched a new business unit called VariantFind, which helps create DNA libraries specifically for use by customers in synthetic biology and protein engineering industries. Their applications would include gene therapy treatment for diseases and creating new products in the agricultural industry. With the two businesses doing well, Tie decided to take on a new challenge: venture capital. It's an area that has captivated since she began raising money for Ranomics. Through a friend, she was introduced to Palo Alto-based VC firm Cervin Ventures, an early stage investment firm that typically invests $1 to $2 million in seed stage companies in the enterprise technology space. She met with the firm's partners last year and they offered her a position as partner. "They were respectful of what I had achieved and my operational experience. Most importantly, they were open-minded," she said. In January, Tie moved to Silicon Valley to become the youngest of four partners at the firm. Tie remained on Ranomics' board, but turned over her role as CEO to Wan. So far, she loves the VC experience. But, she admits, it's been a steep learning curve. "My core expertise was in genetics, but I had a good understanding about how early stage companies grow from the perspective of the founder, particularly in areas such as revenue, hiring and taking a product to market," she said. Eight months in, she's most excited about the potential of investing in blockchain technology companies that will disrupt traditional industries. Tie said she will probably stay in the venture capital industry for a while. "I'm still involved with Ranomics, but I really do think it's a great experience being on both sides of the business equation," she said. "I've launched a startup and am now finding innovative startups to fund." Davood Taraji stands by the refrigerator, listing the price rises that have slowly emptied his otherwise swanky, double-doored appliance over the past weeks. "The price of an egg has doubled, and milk is about 40% more expensive," he says, putting a half-empty bottle back into the chill. "Fruit and vegetables have gone up 100%." Continents and regions Donald Trump Iran Middle East Middle East and North Africa Political Figures - US Tehran Embargoes and sanctions Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Hassan Rouhani International relations International relations and national security Iran nuclear development North America Political Figures - Intl The Americas United States US federal government White House This is the everyday world of a Tehran taxi driver, caught up in the onslaught of the Trump administration's policy toward Iran and the country's economic slide. Taraji has been particularly hard-hit as he drives a foreign car, a Toyota, and spare parts for these are under renewed American sanctions that kicked in a week earlier. This means mending the family business is now impossible to afford. The local currency has dropped to a third of its value in 2017, and their plush, yet tiny, two-room apartment feels it hard. "It's caused us to work longer days to make ends meet," he says. Their home may soon be up for sale if these hardships continue. But he worries most about the education of his children, Artin, 7, who dutifully recites from his English textbook, and Asal, 13, who plays a gentle Siciliana riff on her acoustic guitar. It is a stark reversal in the US's policy toward ordinary Iranians. Taraji was the kind of middle-class, outward-looking family man that the Obama administration felt might encourage moderation in Iran, were the economy to benefit from the lifting of western sanctions. That was the logic behind the nuclear deal signed in 2015, under which the US, several European countries, Russia and China agreed to lift an effective economic blockade in exchange for Iran submitting to checks on its nuclear facilities. The agreement brought a string of billion dollar deals with Western firms for airplanes and oil exploration in Iran. But the benefits were largely stymied by a fall in global oil prices and the election of Donald Trump, which introduced uncertainty for investors. For the average Iranian, the results have been lackluster, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been criticized for making concessions that extracted little in return. Earlier this year, Trump pulled out of the deal against the advice of his closest European allies, setting in motion events that led to the reimposition of sanctions earlier this month. His administration believes that renewed economic pressure will turn ordinary Iranians against their leaders. While economic hardships have led to sporadic protests across Iran over the past eight months, it is far from clear that this new US approach is undermining Rouhani's comparatively moderate administration. In fact, many Iranians we spoke to -- with a government-appointed translator sometimes present -- said they blame Trump for Iran's turmoil, rather than their own officials. This week, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei indicated -- in a rare admission of error -- that it was a mistake to permit his diplomats to negotiate the nuclear deal in the first place, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. It is unclear if this was a bid to distance himself from a policy closely associated with Rouhani, or to draw a line under the affair as sanctions begin to bite and Iran looks elsewhere for economic assistance. Khamenei also stated that neither war nor talks with the US were an option. We met Taraji at an unusual frontline for this geopolitical tussle: a Toyota repair shop in eastern Tehran. He is peering into his stricken taxi, covered in dust, its side panels missing, and its rear window sporting "plz wash me" graffiti in the dust. The car was bought as a money-making machine, but now the income from passengers and tourists he used to collect from the airport has dried up. The spare parts to fix the Toyota are either unavailable or unaffordable, but the repayments on the car haven't gone away. The Toyota sits in a yard that should mostly be deserted as repaired cars are taken away by their owners. But instead, the lot is clogged. Out back, owner Nabiullah Sardashtani, 65, shows us why. Shelves in the spare-parts room, normally piled high with replacement sparkplugs, are instead mostly empty. He says they will be barren in less than a few months. It's oddly also quite an expensive haul now -- those remaining foreign auto spares in Iran have tripled in value. As a light bulb eerily blinks above Sardshtani, I ask whether this discomfort makes Iranians like him feel that they should rise up against the government. "No," he says bluntly. "Because the hungrier the people get, the more they are going to hate Trump. If he acted properly, people might have loved him. America is punishing the people of Iran. A mechanic who used to work on four or five cars a day can now only work on one car because there are no parts. So they are making less money." He explains that around a hundred people depend upon his repair shop: he has 20 staff, each with a family of about five. "But look around," he said. "Business is at a standstill." Worse is yet to come when US sanctions against the oil industry, which is behind about a fifth of Iran's gross domestic product, kick in during early November. The question is whether the blunt instruments employed by the Trump administration change the political calculus in Iranian heads at all. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Some Oktibbeha County residents will be selected to participate in the Jessica Chambers murder retrial. Oktibbeha County Circuit Court Clerk Tony Rook has been directed by a Panola County judge to draw a special jury pool of 300 people for the retrial of Quinton Tellis in the Jessica Chambers murder trial. Tellis is accused of murdering Chambers in 2014. Jurors did not reach a verdict in the first trial last fall. MIAMI (AP) - Health officials are urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles after three cases of the disease were reported in a Florida county, among more than 100 cases throughout the U.S. this year. Federal officials declared the contagious virus had been eliminated in the U.S. in 2000; however, infections periodically occur nationwide, as the virus is still common in other parts of the world. Travelers can bring measles into the country, where it can spread among people who aren't vaccinated. The cases in Florida's Gulf coast county of Pinellas are the first there in 10 years. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Quincy man is being charged for the crash on I-10 westbound involving a jack-knifed Budweiser truck that briefly shut down a portion of the interstate. Markeith Thomas, 34, is being charged with failure to due care by Florida Highway Patrol. According to FHP, the accident happened at about 3:38 p.m. Thursday on I-10 westbound at mile marker 193. FHP says Thomas was driving on I-10 on the Ochlocknee Bridge in the middle lane, when he failed to use due care for traffic that was slowing down in front of him. FHP states Thomas lost control of the truck, causing it to jack-knife and hit the cement barrier on the bridge. The truck traveled back into the middle lane in a jack-knifed position, causing delays on I-10. According to FHP, 30 gallons of fuel leaked from the ruptured fuel tank. FHP says alcohol did not play a factor in the accident. FHP was assisted on scene by the Florida Department of Transportation, Quincy Fire Department, and Tallahassee Fire Department. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Troopers say a crash on 1-10 westbound involving a jack-knifed Budweiser truck briefly shut down a portion of the interstate. The Florida Highway Patrol says that all lanes of Interstate 10 westbound were blocked at mile marker 193 in Gadsden County due to a crash. According to FHP, it's a minor crash, and though the inside lane has been reopened, traffic is backed up on I-10 at least two miles long. This is a developing story, we'll keep you updated with more details as they come. JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - An Alabama man was arrested in Jackson County after going into his ex-wife's home and grabbing her against her will. Nicholas Banks, 37, of Enterprise, Ala. was arrested by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. On Thursday, deputies responded to the report of a physical disturbance in Sneads, Fla. During the investigation, deputies learned that Banks went to his ex-wife's home. According to JCSO, while inside the house, Banks grabbed her against her will. JCSO states Banks was able to leave before law enforcement arrived. After the initial incident, JCSO received another call saying Banks was now following the victim's boyfriend on Highway 90 through Sneads. JCSO says a deputy was able to cut off Banks' car and made contact with him. During the encounter, deputies made a probable cause arrest from the incident earlier that evening. Banks was taken to Jackson County Correctional Facility to await first appearance. He is being charged with domestic battery. COLQUITT, Ga. (WTXL) - Small business owners know how hard it can be to start out, but thanks to the Colquitt-Miller Arts Council, they have some help. Since the early 2000s, Market on the Square has been known as a small business incubator, allowing people to rent a booth, sell their items, and start their businesses. Multiple vendors under one roof means that shoppers will be able to browse a wide variety products. "We try to be just a unique place that you can come and find a little of everything. You can find home goods. You can get your children ready for school," said Regina O'Brian, Manager of Market on the Square. "We also carry jams and jellies here. We ship the jelly all over the countryside, our mayhaw jelly, which we're famous for." Each vendor stays for as long as they feel they need to, with some staying much longer than others. "We have vendors that are long time vendors that have been here in-house for over five years, but we have a lot of vendors that come, kind of get their feet wet to see how well they'll do in business," said O'Brian. One small business owner that started with Market on the Square, Debra Bryan, saw so much success, she was actually able to expand into her own stand-alone store. Even though Bryan's store, Dee's, has been on its own for nearly 10 years, she still works closely with Market on the Square, whether it's discussing holiday hours, or helping shoppers find the perfect gift. "If we don't have something they're looking for, we send them over there, and Market on the Square will send them to us if they don't have what they're looking for. We try to help each other because people aren't going to a small town for one shop," said Bryan. "They're going to come to shop if there's numerous shops. Small town community, we need to help one another." Bryan considers herself blessed with the success she's seen with Dee's, and continues to guide other small business owners to the same small business incubator that gave her a start. "Market on the Square was just wonderful because you didn't have to be there. You just brought your merchandise and they sold it for you," said Bryan. "It's just a great place to see if you really want to be in business." In addition to having small businesses, Market on the Square will be hosting renowned silhouette artist, Clay Rice, on Friday, Sept. 21. Those interested need to reserve a spot online. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-16 21:20:01|Editor: zh Video Player Close Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) watches the truck carrying the body of the former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi, India, Aug. 17, 2018. Modi on Thursday expressed grief and sadness over the demise of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying it was a "personal loss" to him. (Xinhua) NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief and sadness over the demise of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying it was a "personal loss" to him. "India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP workers and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness," tweeted Modi. In another tweet, he said: "It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India." "Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit," said Modi in another tweet. Vajpayee had passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 93 years old and was survived by an adopted daughter. Vajpayee served as the Indian prime minister thrice - first in 1996 (May 16-31), and then for two consecutive terms between March 1998 to May 2004. During his active political life, he was always seen as a great orator, and had friends across party lines. Vajpayee's mortal remains have been shifted to his official residence in Delhi, and the last rites and rituals would be performed in the Indian capital city on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-16 21:50:11|Editor: zh Video Player Close YANGON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Advisory Board to the Committee for Implementation of the Recommendations on Myanmar's Rakhine state has submitted its final report to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, a statement said Thursday. The advisory board, chaired by Professor Surakiart Sathirathai, was formed with experts from home and abroad in December last year to assist the committee for the implementation of the final report of the Advisory Commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan and the Maungtaw Investigation Commission. Some members of the advisory board will remain engaged with the issues which are in progress including the inter-communal dialogue, the pilot project for a model township and assistance to the health sector in Rakhine state, the statement said. Also, work relating to repatriation and resettlement is still left to be done, it added. While working for the report, some extensive discussions with various interlocutors including local people on the ground in the western Rakhine state, government representatives and international communities were done. The statement said the advisory board was pleased to see the improvement in cooperation between Myanmar government and the international community. On June 6, Myanmar's Labour, Immigration and Population Ministry, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assist Myanmar government's repatriation process of displaced persons from Rakhine state. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army extremist terrorists launched attacks on police outposts in Rakhine State on Aug. 23 last year, displacing a vast number of residents to areas bordering with Bangladesh. Xinhuanet| 2018-08-17 08:49:01|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close By Solomon Elusoji Poverty alleviation, sustainable development, technology transfer and agricultural exchanges are the major issues discussed at the 2018 FOCAC-Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference held in Beijing on Tuesday. Eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable development is the shared goal and historic task of Chinese and African people, said Liu Yongfu, director of China's State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOP), at the conference. The conference is part of preparations for the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China and -Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for next month. Having made great progress in eliminating poverty over the last few decades, China is still faced with the heavy task of lifting 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2020, he said. And on its part, Africas poverty rate is one of the highest in the world, he added. Therefore, actively engaging in cooperation is to promote experience sharing, achieve common development and develop the China-Africa community of common destiny, Liu said. Liu also noted that both parties, Africa and China, must enhance their poverty reduction exchanges and poverty reduction research. He called for the establishment of dialogue and cooperation mechanism to promote China-Africa poverty reduction cooperation. "We should continue to host the Poverty Reduction and Development Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Africa Youth Exchange Programs on Poverty Reduction and Development to enhance poverty reduction experience sharing," he said. China will continue to carry out joint research with African countries and relevant institutions to seek effective measures, jointly develop intellectual products on poverty reduction and contribute Chinese wisdom, Liu said. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union (AU), Josefa Sacko, commended the Chinese government in helping reduce African poverty. Through the AU and China's Cooperation in the Rural Economy and Agricultural Development, there has been technology transfer in various sectors from China to Africa, Sacko added at the conference. They include experts'visits and assistance in crop planting, pest disease prevention and control, product processing, livestock breeding, fish farming and private investments in medium to large-scale farms, Sacko said. Food security and wiping out hunger is important, but it is not the whole of Africa's poverty problem, Sacko noted. To solve the poverty problem, she noted, Africa is eager to make efforts in a comprehensive way. They want to learn from China in natural resources management, in agriculture transformation, in policy research, in evidence-based planning and in supporting Competitive Value Chains and Agri-Business Development. Then, she added, sound cooperation should also be launched in climate change issue, implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), combating illegal exploitation and trade in wild fauna and flora, and skills and capacity building for the youth, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 00:41:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 16, 2018 shows the night view of a carpet of more than 500,000 flowers at the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. A carpet of over 500,000 flowers was unrolled Thursday at central Brussels' Grand Place. The carpet, measuring 75 meters by 24 meters, is mainly composed of begonias and dahlias. It took some 100 volunteers about eight hours to assemble the giant floral puzzle. (Xinhua/Wang Xiaojun) BRUSSELS, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A carpet of over 500,000 flowers was unrolled Thursday at central Brussels' Grand Place. The carpet, measuring 75 meters by 24 meters, is mainly composed of begonias and dahlias. It took some 100 volunteers about eight hours to assemble the giant floral puzzle. The event, held every two years since 1970s, is devoted this year to Guanajuato, a Mexican region with an exceptionally rich culture and flower tradition. Belgium is the world's leading producer of tuberous begonias, with a long flowering period, a wide range of colors and a wide variety of forms. It exports some 30 million tubers annually to Europe, America and Japan, according to information provided by the organizers. And to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Grand Place becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site, a floral exhibition will also be held at the nearby Bourse square. Hailed the historical heart of Brussels, the Grand Place is regarded as "the most beautiful central square in the world". Here Gothic style can be seen adjacent to opulent baroque, neo-classical as well as neo-Gothic. The flower carpet will last until Sunday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 01:06:14|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Flowers are placed on Aretha Franklin's star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, the United States, on Aug. 16, 2018. U.S. cultural icon Aretha Franklin died on Thursday at her home in Detroit, Michigan, at age 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong) CHICAGO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. cultural icon Arethra Franklin died on Thursday at her home in Detroit, Michigan, at age 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Americans called her the "Queen of Soul," and U.S. music industry magazine Billboard, which maintains charts of popular American songs, lists Franklin as the second-most charted female artist in the chart's 59-year history. Less than an hour of news breaking of her death, flowers and candles had been placed on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California. The family released a statement saying, "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds." "We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers." the statement said. "We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time." Franklin has won 18 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. The Recording Industry Association of America certified her as one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. From the release of her first charted record in 1961, her total certified units reach 24.7 million sales. The Chicago Tribune lists Franklin as having sold 75 million records. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday, "The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!" In a press conference in 2005, then-President George W. Bush told reporters of Franklin, "She chills you, heats you, affects your soul. It's exhilarating." Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 01:51:26|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Decisions were made at the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang Thursday, following a report on the findings of investigations into the case of substandard vaccine producer of Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd.. Mandated by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, the investigation team has established the basic facts involving the breaching of laws and regulations in rabies vaccine production and the production of substandard DPT vaccines by Changchun Changsheng. In its reckless pursuit of profits, the company committed unlawful acts of grave nature. The case has exposed supervision failures on the part of local governments and regulatory agencies in implementing their overall responsibility in ensuring food and drug safety, and the fact that state and local supervision authorities lacked severely in lawfully fulfilling their duties of supervision. These include particularly the failure to report major risks and potential risky conditions, and improper contingency management, pointing to serious dereliction of duties and nonfeasance. Up to now, public security authorities have finished the investigation of the Changsheng case and those suspected of breaking the law have all been handed over to judicial authorities for prosecution. Competent department will also properly deal with the substandard vaccines that have been sold overseas. The meeting demanded that those who engaged in law-breaking and criminal activities be severely penalized and those who neglected their duties be held accountable. The company will be punished according to the Drug Administration Law, and all illegal profits of Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd. will be confiscated, and a maximum of fine will be imposed. At the same time, local governments and regulatory agencies be strictly held accountable for misconduct, as a warning to others. Drug safety and quality checks will also be carried out for vaccine producers across the country. Any misconduct and problems should be made public and addressed in time. "Our investigation findings and safety checks must stand the test of history," Li stressed at the meeting. "We must conduct thorough safety checks on vaccine production both by producers themselves and competent authorities and close all loopholes in the vaccine regulatory mechanism. Efforts should be made to build public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines made in China." The meeting urged for putting in place the most rigorous drug regulatory mechanism and for improving the supervision of entire-chain vaccine production as well as related electronic tracking system, and for promoting domestically produced vaccines for quality upgrading so as to ensure drug safety. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 03:16:48|Editor: ZD Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that the United States would slap more sanctions on Turkey if a detained American pastor was not released. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump, Mnuchin said, "We have put sanctions on several of their cabinet members" and "we have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly," referring to Andrew Brunson. Trump also said regarding Turkey that "they have not proven to be a good friend" to the United States. Earlier on Wednesday, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the U.S. side would consider lifting sanctions that have been placed on Turkey if Ankara released Brunson and other detained U.S. citizens. Brunson, a 50-year-old Christian pastor, was detained two years ago in Turkey on spying charges, and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. He was indicted on charges of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which Turkey accuses of being behind a coup attempt in 2016 to topple Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Aug. 1 slapped sanctions on Turkey's justice and interior ministers, citing their roles in the detention of a U.S. pastor. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 03:21:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Boeing 737-800 passenger plane of China's Xiamen Airlines landed on its belly early Friday at the Manila international airport, an airport official said. A source at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) told Xinhua that the plane's landing gear might have been damaged after it landed at around 12:05 a.m. local time (1605 GMT Thursday) at the airport, making the plane skid off the runway to the grassy portion of the airport. "The passengers are being evacuated now. An emergency evacuation is ongoing," the source said, adding that so far no casualties have been reported. The planes' wings and engines were also damaged as a result of the bad landing, the source said. The NAIA authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the accident. Manila has been experiencing stormy weather but the source could not confirm if the accident was caused by the weather. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 03:21:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close TORONTO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng met Chinese-Canadian entrepreneurs here Thursday to highlight the Canadian government's commitment to small businesses and discuss opportunities for expanding to new markets. At the meeting, Minister Ng outlined the government initiatives, including 75 million Canadian dollars (about 57 million U.S. dollars) in Budget 2018 to build a stronger diplomatic presence and Trade Commissioner Service sales force in China and Asia. She said that small businesses are vital to economic growth in Canada. That's why the government Canada offers a variety of programs and initiatives to grow small business across the country. "Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. That's why our government has taken action to make it easier for small businesses to do what they do best," added the minister. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for 99.7 percent of businesses in Canada. They employ more than 90 percent of the private sector workforce-10.7 million Canadians. One in six jobs in Canada is related to exporting. Exporting companies pay on average 14 percent higher wages than similar firms that do not export, according to the Canadian Ministry of Small Business and Export Promotion. Canada and China enjoy strong people-to-people ties, nearly 1.8 million Canadians have Chinese heritage. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 03:41:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri blocked streets in capital Beirut Thursday evening in protest against an interview attacking him. Salem Zahran, a well-known journalist in the country, said in an interview broadcasted on local TV channel MTV a day earlier that Hariri will have to go to Syria if Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked him to do so. Hariri announced before that he refuses to visit Syria or meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad under any circumstances, even if that would cost him his position. "It is impossible that I visit Syria, not now and not in the future. If Lebanon's interest requires so, then you could find someone else," Hariri said after a meeting with his party, the Future Movement, on July 31. Hariri, a long-time supporter of the Syrian opposition, has often outspoken his desire to see Assad stepping down from power. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 04:01:59|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's military parade is estimated to cost 92 million dollars, according to a CNBC report on Thursday, quoting an anonymous U.S. defense official. An earlier estimate put the cost at 12 million dollars, 80 million dollars less, said the report. The new figure consists of 50 million dollars from the Pentagon and 42 million dollars from interagency partners such as the Department of Homeland Security. The parade is scheduled to take place in U.S. capital city Washington D.C. on Nov. 10 this year, featuring armored vehicles, aircraft flyovers and period uniforms. The final plan has not been approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, according to local media. The ceremony is said to be largely inspired by Trump's front-row seat at France's Bastille Day military parade in Paris last year. The United States has not held a major military parade in Washington D.C. since 1991 to mark the end of Operation Desert Storm. Russian soldiers display the remains of, what they said was, a drone belonging to rebel fighters and was shot down over the base in the Russian air base in Hmeimim in the northwestern Syrian province of Latakia on August 16, 2018. (AFP PHOTO) MOSCOW, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria has intercepted a total of 45 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the last month, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday. "Over the past month, 45 UAVs equipped with improvised explosive devices were destroyed by the base's air defense or (by) means of radio-electronic warfare systems. Five drones were shot down over the past three days," the ministry's spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying by Russian media at a briefing. According to Konashenkov, attempts to commit terrorist attacks involving UAVs have increased over the past month. He noted that the UAVs are supported by modern technology, in particular, navigation systems, control systems and explosive devices. Russian experts analyzed the UAVs that were intercepted and concluded that they were assembled according to a clear instruction developed by specialists and, accordingly, the attacks were also carried out according to instructions, Konashenkov said. The Hmeimim airbase in Syria's northwestern province of Latakia is the largest Russian-run military facility in the country. In the last few months, the airbase has encountered frequent attacks and its air defenses have intercepted or destroyed a number of unidentified objects targeting the base, according to the Russian military. Russian positions in Syria, including its embassy in the capital Damascus, have repeatedly been targeted by rebels who oppose Russia's role in supporting the Syrian government. Turkish flag, European Union's flag and US flag float in the wind at the financial and business district Maslak on August 15, 2018 in Istanbul. (AFP photo) ANKARA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Problems with the United States over a series of differences can be solved easily but not with its current mindset, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday. "We can easily solve problems with the U.S. but not with the current mindset of this country," the minister told in a news conference in Ankara, pointing out "the U.S. cannot see who its real friend is." Cavusoglu also said that Turkey has done its part in terms of preserving friendly relations with the United States, and accused once again Washington of supporting terrorist groups targeting Turkey. He was referring to a Kurdish militia in Syria supported by Washington, which Ankara considers as the local branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). This movement has waged a separatist conflict in southeastern Turkey since 1984. On Wednesday, Cavusoglu said that Turkey is ready to discuss its ongoing issues with the Washington administration as long as there are not threats. The two NATO allies are engaged in a bitter and complex diplomatic and trade dispute over the detention of an American pastor, Andrew Brunson, who was accused of terror related charges. Turkish currency lira plunged to record lows last week before recovering some of its losses in the past two days. The U.S. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. last week, prompting Ankara to raise tariffs on some American good, such as cars, tobacco and alcohol. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warned Thursday that his country would levy more sanctions on the troubled Turkish economy if Ankara does not soon release pastor Brunson who is on house arrest in western Turkey. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 06:57:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Six months since Brazil's government ordered the military to take on policing duties in Rio de Janeiro, crime levels not only remain high, but also they are on the upswing. President Michel Temer signed the decree deploying troops to the streets on Feb. 16, following a spike in violence that marred this year's famed carnival celebrations. Observers are now questioning the effectiveness of the military anti-crime strategy. "After six months of intervention, the figures are still too high and that contributes to the insecurity and violence in Rio de Janeiro," Claudio Beato, coordinator for the Center for the Study of Criminality and Public Safety, told Xinhua. "It's time for those numbers to decrease or the feeling that the intervention is worthless will increase," said Beato. Between February 16 and August 15, there have been 4,895 multiple shootings, according to figures from crime-tracking application Fogo Cruzado (Crossfire). That number represents a 59.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This year saw 31 shootings in which three or more people were killed, resulting in a total of 130 fatalities, according to Fogo Cruzado. The figure marks a 183 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017, which saw 13 shootings in which three or more people died, leaving a total of 46 dead. "The military intervention has become an aggravating factor to the violence in Rio de Janeiro, with extremely warlike operations and many victims," said Maria Couto, Fogo Cruzado's data manager. Government officials have repeatedly said the increase in shootings and victims is due to increased military and police operations since February. The intervention receives daily criticism from favela residents as well as members of social organizations and those who fight for human rights. However, not everyone is opposed to the military presence. Businesses have seen a decrease in robberies and cargo theft, which terrorized Rio at the beginning of the year. "Intelligence work to reduce cargo theft is very important," Sergio Duarte, vice president of Rio de Janeiro state's industry federation. "The numbers are very positive," Duarte said. Brian Hook, director of policy planning in U.S. State Department, speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, Aug. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Department on Thursday announced the creation of the Iran Action Group (IAG) to execute the administration's Iran strategy and pressure the country to change its behaviors. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the group will be responsible for directing, reviewing, and coordinating "all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity, and it will report directly to me." Saying that Tehran has been engaged in "a torrent of violent and destabilizing behavior" against the United States and its allies for nearly 40 years, Pompeo said, "We are committed to a whole-of-government effort to change the Iranian regime's behavior." The IAG will ensure that the Department of State remains closely synchronized with interagency partners, and lead U.S. diplomatic efforts to "galvanize international support for our efforts." Brian Hook, the current director of Policy Planning in the State Department, will lead the group with the formal title of Special Representative for Iran. Washington left the Iran nuke deal on May 8, saying it would re-impose sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, Aug. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Pompeo, on May 21, rolled out U.S. new strategy on Iran, outlining 12-point requirements for Iran to change its behaviors. The U.S. government on Aug. 7 re-imposed sanctions on Iran on non-energy areas, and will slap the remaining sanctions on Nov. 5 that concentrate on such areas as energy, shipping and ports. For its part, Tehran has said that the U.S. side is unreliable and it will not talk with Washington. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 09:13:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LA PAZ, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia and Paraguay will work on an agreement to export Bolivian natural gas to Paraguay and explore building a regional pipeline, Bolivian Energy Minister Luis Alberto Sanchez said on Thursday. Sanchez told reporters that the presidents of Bolivia and Paraguay will negotiate the possibility of Bolivia exporting gas to Paraguay in the next few weeks. Sanchez also noted the possibility of constructing a pipeline to link the two countries along the Chaco region, so that up to 4 million cubic meters of gas can be exported daily. The semi-arid Chaco region, which stretches across Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina, was the site of the 1932-1935 Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay, sparked in part by the belief that the area was rich in oil. Bolivia hopes to position itself as a regional energy supplier. Paraguay is already a major consumer of Bolivian liquefied petroleum gas (GLP), with around 95 percent of Paraguay's consumption coming directly from Bolivia. Bolivia now plans to expand its GLP exports to other countries, said Sanchez. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 09:13:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SANTIAGO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chile's Civil Aviation Administration (DGAC) received anonymous bomb threats on Thursday that led to the disruption of several flights, local media reported. According to the daily La Tercera, planes allegedly planted with bombs had to be diverted after taking off from Santiago's airport. The threats turned out to be fake. Local Biobio radio reported the DGAC confirmed that eight flights were forced to make emergency landings "without informing the passengers of the real motives to avoid causing alarm." Flights to Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires, Argentina were among those diverted. Authorities checked the planes and found nothing. A police investigation was launched to identify the person or persons responsible for the threats, the newspaper said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 10:38:18|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian cancer patients are being forced to wait up to 18 months for affordable life-saving medication, local media reported Friday. In a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) said that it takes 18 months on average for a cancer treatment to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) after being registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The PBS is a government scheme whereby prescription drugs considered "lifesaving" are subsidized for Australian residents and certain foreign visitors. According to BMS cancer treatments face the longest wait to be listed on the PBS than treatments for any other disease area. Greg Hunt, Australia's health minister, convened a special meeting of the PBAC on Friday to explore options for new processes to grant faster access to subsidised cancer treatments. Jonathan Anderson, medical director of BMS Australia, said that the delay was because the system could not keep up with advances in immune-oncology treatments. He said he would appear before the special meeting to recommend a pilot program that he said would reduce the waiting period by three months. "The science is moving so fast but the system has not caught up with the pace of change in the science," Anderson told News Corp Australia on Friday. In its submission to the PBAC, BMS said it had made 15 submissions to the body over the past four years for just one drug. "We want to avoid groundhog day, as if we have never put a submission in for that drug before," Anderson said. "It is a waste of resources for everyone concerned and for patients who are waiting. It is delays that are unnecessary." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 10:58:22|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing a revolt from his own party over his signature energy policy, the national energy guarantee (NEG). The Liberal National Party (LNP) agreed to take the NEG to an open vote in parliament on Monday but 10 Members of Parliament (MP) reserved the right to vote against the policy unless amendments are made. Conservatives within the party, led by former PM Tony Abbott, have made it clear that they will not support any energy policy containing an emissions reduction target. Under the NEG, Australia would be committed to reducing its emissions by 26 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. The conservative MPs have warned that they would oppose the NEG, which seeks to reduce the soaring costs of electricity in Australia and guarantee the reliability of the National Electricity Market, unless the emissions target was decoupled from the policy or dumped all together. Peter Dutton, Australia's home affairs minister and the most senior conservative member of the party, on Thursday said there could be a time when he resigned from his ministerial position over policy, potentially triggering a leadership crisis. The situation was exacerbated on Thursday night when it was revealed that Turnbull had given a draft of NEG legislation to the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) MPs before those from his own party. Bill Shorten, leader of the ALP, described the act as one of "extraordinary" arrogance. "If he refuses to show his own colleagues all the details, what is he hiding? If they can't even look at the legislation, why should they vote for it?" Shorten told News Corp Australia on Thursday. Turnbull has previously lost the leadership of the LNP over environmental policy when he was defeated by Abbott in a ballot in 2009 after he decided to support the then-ALP government's emissions trading scheme. He reclaimed leadership in a 2015 ballot, two years after Abbott took the LNP to election victory against the ALP. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 11:33:25|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close YANGON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will send 40,000 migrant workers to work in Thailand's fishing industry under a memorandum of understanding system in accordance with Thailand's offer, Myanmar News Agency reported Friday. The issue topped the discussions on labor affairs between Myanmar Minister of Labor, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe and visiting Thai Labor Minister Adul Sangsingkeo in Nay Pyi Taw Thursday. Their discussions also dealt with cases of sending laborers holding fake visa by unscrupulous employment agents and protection of laborers in Thailand's fishing industry as well as the extension of working period. Moreover, the Thai side will open Certificate of Identity centers for Myanmar migrant workers, relocate passport office at Mahachaing, cooperate to formulate legal remittance system for them and grant permit for the teachers of migrant workers' children. Meanwhile, Myanmar and Thailand held their 9th meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, co-chaired by Myanmar Minister of International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Their discussions also covered working for promotion and protection of the rights of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 12:13:31|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BANGKOK, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand said on Friday in a document sent to media that it is encouraging travellers to remain extra vigilant by following all safety rules and guidelines during the country's current monsoon season. The tourism authority said visitors are also advised to keep up-to-date with daily Thailand weather forecasts by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) on impending storms, heavy rains, rough weather, etc. The TMD also issues regular flood, flash flood, or mud slide alerts while regular surf forecasts help predict high waves and other coastal threats that are common to the Andaman Sea. "If it is a particular torrential monsoon shower, many tourist activities are curtailed or delayed if tour operators are responsible and think that there are undue health and safety risks, or threats," the document said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 12:58:38|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KAMPALA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Uganda will focus on infrastructure financing when its delegation attends the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing summit this September. The country continues to prioritize infrastructure development in its partnership with China, David Bahati, minister of state for finance, planning and economic development told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday. "We are looking at the financing terms of these projects, especially the requirement of counterpart funding. It would also be something that we need to talk about," Bahati said on the sidelines of the second annual Uganda-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum held here. Speaking at the meeting that brought together Chinese enterprises, government officials and economists, Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said the upcoming FOCAC meeting will generate new opportunities for Uganda and Africa. Uganda is now focusing on the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) with help from China, President Yoweri Museveni said at the opening ceremony of the business meeting. Once completed, the railway will cut domestic transport costs and thus bring down production costs, the president said. China is already assisting the construction of two major hydropower plants, Karuma and Isimba, both critical for ensuring Uganda adequate power for industrialization, he added. Uganda has 2.1 billion U.S. dollars alloted to infrastructure in the 2018/19 financial year, Monica Azuba Ntege, minister of works and transport said at the meeting. Infrastructure development is one of the key factors making Uganda a competitive upper middle-income country by 2040, she said. Albert Saltson, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, said commercial banks can arrange long-term financial solutions which can help the government get credit for infrastructure development. China has been committed to partnership with African countries. At the 2015 FOCAC held in South Africa, China pledged a 60-billion-U.S.-dollar fund to fast track the development of Africa with industrialization and infrastructure topping the agenda. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:13:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) --- Troops of India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire and targeted each other's positions on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said Friday. The two sides exchanged fire on LoC in frontier Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Pakistani forces last night resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing along LoC in Poonch district," an official said. "The firing and shelling was aimed at targeting Indian positions and civilian areas in Gulpur sector started at 10:00 p.m local time." Indian army officials said their side duly retaliated to the firing and and gave a befitting reply to Pakistani troops. "Our troops guarding the LoC in the sector retaliated to the shelling and exchange of fire continued for an hour," the officials said. According to officials, so far no reports of damage were received from Indian or Pakistani side. Earlier this week three troopers - two from Pakistan and one from India - were killed during skirmishes in Tangdhar-Kupwara along LoC. New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating ceasefire agreements on LoC. And both the sides maintain that their troops gave befitting reply to the other side. LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:43:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Aug 16 (Xinhua) -- The National Fisheries Institute (NFI), a leading trade group representing the seafood industry in the United States, kicked off an online advertising campaign against Washington's tariff policy. Four Americans working in different levels of the sea food industry, from a trade company's CEO to a cold storage worker, described in the videos launched Wednesday on YouTube how current trade disputes ignited by the United States with its major trade partners are damaging the future of American seafood industry. "Seafood trade creates American jobs. Hundreds of thousands of American families depend on seafood trade, both imports and exports. Tariffs threaten those jobs," the NFI said on its official website with linkage to these videos. The NFI issued a statement last month against Washington's trade policy after seafood was added to the tariff lists by the United States and China in a tit-for-tat trade dispute. "American jobs at processing plants throughout the country are at risk of losing raw material from China. That means American workers suffer," the statement said, adding "tariffs ultimately are taxes on American consumers that limit choices." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:43:48|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at Turkey, saying Washington will pay "nothing" to Ankara for the release of a detained American pastor. "Turkey has taken advantage of the United States for many years," Trump tweeted. "They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage." The White House host added that "we will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!" Earlier in the day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the United States would slap more sanctions on Turkey if the detained American pastor was not released. Andrew Brunson, a 50-year-old Christian pastor, was detained two years ago in Turkey on spying charges, and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. He was indicted on charges of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which Turkey accuses of being behind a coup attempt in 2016 to topple Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The U.S. Department of the Treasury slapped sanctions on Turkey's justice and interior ministers on Aug. 1, citing their roles in the detention of the U.S. pastor. Trump tweeted on Aug. 10 that he has authorized a doubling of tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports as their currency Lira slides rapidly downward against the U.S. dollar. "Aluminum will now be 20% and Steel 50%," he said. "Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!" Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:48:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HAVANA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- More than a million Cubans, almost 11 percent of the population, suffer from diabetes, a renowned Cuban expert said recently. In an interview with local media Las Tunas-26, Manuel Raices, a researcher at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, said diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of death, is considered a 21st century pandemic. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood resulting from bad nutrition and lifestyles, Raices said. He especially blamed the adoption of Western eating habits, including the consumption of processed ready-to-eat meals with too much fat, salt, sugar and carbohydrates, and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle in front of a computer, coupled with the stress of a competitive modern society. Another risk factor in developing diabetes is obesity, which affects a large portion of the Cuban population. These factors make the pancreas unable to process food, which gradually leads to diabetes, Raices said, adding that the solution is to move away from unhealthy habits. Cuba's biotechnology industry plays an important role in combating diabetes. "Cuba produces enough drugs and equipment so that we do not have to import them. That offers us sovereignty," he said. Given the large number of people with diabetes in Cuba, health authorities are urging a healthier lifestyle that includes more outdoor activities and exercise. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:53:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close QUITO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian police have captured the right-hand man of a criminal gang leader involved in a slew of murders in the region, said police on Thursday. Rito Jayro R., alias Lanchero, was captured Wednesday in the northwestern province of Esmeraldas, according to local press. Jayro is considered a high-level confidant of Walter "Guacho" Arizala, leader of the Oliver Sinisterra Front, a breakaway group of the disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that operates along the Ecuador-Colombia border. The group, heavily linked to drug trafficking, is responsible for attacks and kidnappings that have claimed nine lives and injured 40 others since January this year. Jayro was responsible for safely ferrying Arizala between Ecuador and Colombia via the region's river network, as well as controlling the movement of drugs into Central America, Police chief Juan Jaramillo said. Investigations are underway to determine if he was involved in the Jan. 27 attack on a police headquarters in San Lorenzo, Ecuador, the official added. A car bomb was used in the attack that left 28 policemen and civilians injured. The Ecuadorian government branded the attack an "act of terrorism linked to drug trafficking gangs." The splinter group has also claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping and murder of an Ecuadorian couple and a three-member reporting group from Ecuadorian daily El Comercio. Ecuador and Colombia have jointly launched an operation to capture Arizala and are offering 230,000 U.S. dollars for information that leads to his arrest. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:53:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Brazil lacks 27.6 million jobs and long-term unemployment is rising, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) said on Thursday. The rate of underemployment and unemployment among the active population hit 24.6 percent, similar to that of the first quarter. The underemployed population refers to those working less than 40 hours per week. An IBGE report found that a record 4.8 million people had given up looking for work in the second quarter, 200,000 more than that in the first quarter. Almost 3.2 million Brazilians have now been searching for work for over two years, accounting for just over a quarter of the country's 12.4 million unemployed people, the report said. "The probability that a person stops looking for work is related to the time that they have spent unemployed," according to the IBGE. Since Brazil's economic crisis began in 2014, there has been a 162-percent rise in the number of people searching for work for more than two years. The report noted that unemployment mostly affects young adults, women and Brazilians of African descent. Around 67 percent of unemployed Brazilians are aged between 18 and 39, and 14.2 percent of women are unemployed compared with 11 percent of men. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 13:58:56|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on medical workers to carry forward the humanitarian spirit to save lives, and make further contributions to promoting people's health. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave the instruction ahead of China's first Medical Workers' Day, which falls on Sunday this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 14:29:01|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea was facing an employment shock as job growth hit the lowest in eight and a half years despite the government efforts to create jobs, a government report showed Friday. The number of those employed totaled 27,083,000 in July, up 5,000 from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea. It was the lowest on-year increase since January 2010 when the South Korean economy was under the influence of the 1998 foreign exchange crisis. The on-year job growth hovered around 100,000 from February to June, before falling below 10,000 in the previous month. In 2017, the average on-year employment growth was 316,000. The worsening labor market conditions came amid the government efforts to create jobs, especially for youths. President Moon Jae-in, who took office in May last year, said his top policy priority would be placed on job creation, but it had yet to take effect. The Moon government unveiled a supplementary budget plan of 3.9 trillion won (3.7 billion U.S. dollars) to create some 50,000 decent jobs for youths this year, and to help laid-off workers in southern regions where shipbuilders and automakers are under the restructuring process. Kim Dong-yeon, minister of economy and finance who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, held an emergency meeting with economy-related ministers after the shocking labor data came out. During the meeting, the participants decided to use all available policy measures to enhance labor market conditions, including the rapid implementation of job-creating projects from the extra budget plan. The number of workers hired by manufacturers dropped 127,000, or 2.7 percent, in July from a year earlier. Jobs in the business facility management and rental services sector posted the biggest fall since January 2014. The number in the wholesale and retail industry as well as the lodging and eatery sector declined last month amid the scorching heatwave that discouraged people from going outside for shopping and outing. The educational services recorded a slump of 78,000 jobs amid the falling number of children of school age. Jobs in the real estate industry shrank 40,000 last month. Jobs in the healthcare and social welfare services sector grew 149,000, or 7.7 percent, in the cited period. The figure for the finance and insurance industry gained 67,000, or 8.6 percent, in the month. Employment rate stood at 61.3 percent in July, down 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier. The OECD-method hiring rate for those aged 15-64 fell 0.2 percentage points over the year to 67.0 percent last month. The hiring rate gauges the percentage of working people to the working-age population, or those aged above 15. The employment rate is used as an alternative to jobless rate, and the government set its long-term target at 70 percent. The total number of those unemployed increased 81,000 over the year to 1,039,000 in July, surpassing 1 million for the seventh consecutive month. Jobless rate gained 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier to 3.7 percent in July, recording the highest July figure in eight years. The unemployment rate among youths aged 15-29 came in at 9.3 percent in July, unchanged from a year earlier. The so-called expanded jobless rate, which reflects labor market conditions more accurately, climbed 0.6 percentage points to 11.5 percent last month. The expanded jobless rate for youths went up 0.1 percentage point over the year to 22.7 percent in July. The official unemployment rate refers to those who are immediately available for work but fail to get a job for the past four weeks despite efforts to actively seek a job. The expanded jobless rate adds those who are discouraged to seek a job, those who work part-time against their will to work full-time and those who prepare to get a job after college graduations to the official jobless rate. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 14:39:03|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Valentina Bastias Atias SANTIAGO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Belt and Road Initiative is of great importance for Latin America, according to economist Gabriel Perez of the Santiago-based United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). With that in mind, the expert in economic affairs at ECLAC's Natural Resources and Infrastructure Division believes regional countries should strive to form part of the innovative global development scheme. "It is a transcendental initiative," Perez told Xinhua. "Many regional authorities see it as distant, as if it does not appertain to us, but it is very important to follow up on this project, to see its implications and opportunities, so we can form a part of this new trade and transport route." The Belt and Road Initiative aims to drive global economic growth and development by boosting infrastructure, financial integration and interconnectivity, which are needed to spur trade between the world's different regions. The initiative, also known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, has already helped to spur trade, said Perez. Over the five years since the idea was first unveiled in 2013, the initiative has gradually evolved from a concept to concrete actions, becoming one of the most popular public policies worldwide, including in Latin America, which is considered a "natural extension" of the route spanning major continents. At the second ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held early this year in Chile's capital Santiago, regional countries expressed their interest in the initiative by approving a special declaration on the Belt and Road. Statistics show "the Asian market, particularly China, is of great importance to Latin American countries, since China is one of the world's most dynamic markets and where a large portion of exports and future growth forecasts are headed," said Perez. Chinese investment functions as a catalyst in Latin America, serving to bolster the integration of services and infrastructure, Perez added, referring to Chinese companies operating in the region. "The main thing has been getting the know-how of how services operate. It provides added value, manages large volumes of information and integrates with logistics intelligence, which supports the region's development," said Perez. According to China's customs authority, trade exchange between China and Latin America and the Caribbean reached some 260 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, up 18.8 percent year-on-year. China is a major destination for bulk goods from Latin America, increasingly importing more agricultural and industrial products from the region and improving the trade structure between the two sides. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, direct Chinese investment in Latin America has surpassed 200 billion dollars, turning the region into the second-leading destination for Chinese overseas investment. Today, Latin America is looking to spur its industry, technology and sustainable economic development, which leads it to look to new catalysts for growth. Experts say that through 2040, regional demand for investment in infrastructure will top 13 billion dollars. "Infrastructure plays a fundamental role in the development of countries. The United Nations' 2030 development agenda sees it that way, and several of its Sustainable Development Goals are directly linked to the promotion of infrastructure," said Perez. Regional concern with connectivity "has changed drastically in recent years," which initially focused on just infrastructure and now relies on supplying comprehensive services with a focus on solving any logistical challenges clients may have in the area of cargo transport or port operations. Latin America and the Asia-Pacific remain connected via shipping, which calls for "adapting port facilities and managing large quantities of containers," in addition to managing the distribution of goods towards the interior, he noted. In that sense, introducing new industrial models and experiences "becomes essential," Perez said. Today, Chinese firms in Latin America are spearheading major infrastructure projects, including laying underwater fiber optic cables to better link Chile and the rest of the region with Asia. Chinese companies are also building roads and helping cities establish sustainable transit networks with electric buses, allowing countries like Chile to make significant development progress, said Perez. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 14:59:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- An Indian army trooper was killed Friday in an ongoing fierce gunfight with militants in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. The gunfight broke out in Kralgund area of frontier Kupwara district, about 85 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "An army trooper was killed today in an ongoing anti-militancy operation in Kralgund-Handwara here," a police official posted in Kupwara said. "The operation in the area was launched on the basis of specific information about the presence of militants." Four Indian army troopers were wounded on Thursday in a separate gunfight in Nowgam sector of the district while foiling an infiltration bid. Meanwhile, another gunfight broke out on Friday in Hajin area of Bandipora district, north of Srinagar. "Gunfight is underway and details are awaited," a police official posted in Bandipora said. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 15:04:06|Editor: zh Video Player Close PYONGYANG, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kim Yong Chun, marshal of the Korean People's Army (KPA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), died of disease Thursday at the age of 82, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday. Kim, who is also a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), deputy to the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and general adviser of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, died of acute myocardial infarction, the report said. Kim worked as vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK from 2007 to 2014. He was awarded the title of Marshal of the KPA in 2016. An official obituary released Thursday said Kim was a "revolutionary soldier" and his death is "a huge loss to the party, army and people." The deceased will be granted a state funeral undertaken by a state funeral committee chaired by DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un, the report said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 15:34:10|Editor: zh Video Player Close KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 Taliban militants were killed and 10 others wounded following airstrikes in two provinces within the past 24 hours, the Afghan Defense Ministry said Friday. In one incident, 17 Taliban militants were killed and eight others wounded after a sortie struck a Taliban hideout in restive Bala Buluk district of western Farah province, the ministry said in a statement. In southern Helmand province, 15 Taliban militants were killed and two others wounded after Afghan air force targeted Taliban positions on the outskirts of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah and neighboring Gereshk district, according to the statement. Afghan security forces and the U.S.-led NATO coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants in the last few months as the militants frequently attack government interests across the country. The Taliban militant group has yet to respond to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 15:34:11|Editor: zh Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Central Bank on Friday revised down this year's growth forecast to 5 percent, after its gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter came in sharply below its expectation at 4.5 percent. At her first-chaired GDP briefing after appointed as the central bank's governor, Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said the first half GDP growth of 4.9 percent was lower than expectation, thus the bank has revised down its full year growth to reflect recent global tensions. The bank earlier projected Malaysia to grow between 5.5 percent to 6 percent this year. However, after posting a GDP growth of 5.9 percent last year, the country's growth moderated to 5.4 percent in the first quarter. It posted another poorer growth of 4.5 percent in the second quarter due to commodity-specific shocks in the mining and agriculture sectors. While the services, manufacturing and construction sectors showed growths at 6.5 percent, 4.9 percent and 4.7 percent respectively in the second quarter, the agriculture and mining sectors slipped into the red at 2.5 percent and 2.2 percent. According to Nor Shamsiah, the growth this year will be supported by private sector spending due to tax holiday from June to August. Malaysian government has since June abolished the Goods and Services tax, and will reintroduce the new form of Sales and Service tax in September. Nor Shamsiah said, one of the bright spots for Q2 growth is higher private investment growth of 6.1 percent amid continued high capacity utilization. Private consumption also grew strongly by 8 percent, supported by continued income growth and better sentiments. At the contrary, public sector investment contracted up to 9.8 percent, while public investment grew at only 3.1 percent. Nor Shamsiah, who sees further escalation of trade tensions and financial market volatility as the two key risks for economy, indicated if global trade dispute escalates and affects more products and countries, global growth will be dragged and Malaysian economy will be affected. However, as Malaysian economy is diversified, she believed the sustained domestic activities will provide some cushion to the country. Commenting on the impacts of recent Turkish Lira crisis, she said that Malaysia's exposure to Turkish debt is only 0.1 percent of its total debt, which should not be a major concern. As Malaysia registered a lackluster growth in Q2, economists have also reduced their growth projections this year. "In light of today's weak out turn, we are nudging down our growth forecast for 2018 from 5.5 percent to 5 percent. We are sticking with our 5 percent growth forecast for 2019 for now, but risks are tilted to the downside," said Capital Economics in a note Friday. It said that Malaysia's growth slowed sharply in 2Q partly reflecting the political transition following the May election. While consumer spending should continue to be buoyed by the scrapping of the GST, the suspension of a number of large infrastructure projects and weaker demand for exports suggested a sharp rebound is not on the cards, it said. ANZ Research also said in a note that its full-year GDP forecast of 5.4 percent is now unlikely to be met as the Q2 growth was significantly below its expectations. "Trade prospects constitute a key risk. There has been a loss in momentum in exports over recent months, as the strains from global trade tensions became apparent. There is clear downside risk to our full-year GDP growth forecast," it said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 15:59:18|Editor: zh Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A fresh polio case was detected in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, bringing the total cases to seven in the country, an official said Friday. "The virus affecting an 11-month-old girl named Subhani, was found in Zhuwando Hadiro area of Arghandab district a couple of days ago, after a previously detected one in the neighboring Helmand province in late June," Abdul Shakoor Nasrat, who is in charge of Kandahar Immunity Vaccination Program, told Xinhua. By the freshly found case, the polio cases reported in the country's southern zone has reached seven; one in Helmand and the remaining six in Kandahar province, bringing the total cases to 10 countrywide, the official added. Earlier this month, Afghanistan 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 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 missed the latest drive. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 16:24:24|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close RIYADH, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia has donated 100 million U.S. dollars for the Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State (IS) militant group, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The donation will be allocated to stabilize projects in areas liberated from the IS in northeastern Syria, said the report. The donation is the largest coalition contribution to date for the liberated areas, following the pledge made by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir during Global Coalition Ministerial Conference in Brussels in July, the report said. The substantial contribution will play a critical role in the coalition's efforts to revitalize communities, such as Raqqa, which have been devastated by IS terrorists. The funds will focus on projects to restore livelihoods and essential services in the areas of health, agriculture, electricity, water, education, transportation and rubble removal. Saudi Arabia has been a member and supporter of the coalition since its formation in 2014 as part of its war against terrorism that affected its lands through deadly terrorist blasts and attacks in the previous years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 16:24:24|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close MUMBAI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- When the Independence Day was celebrated across India, the country had one more reason to cheer up with the birth of a baby penguin, local media reported on Friday. India's first Humboldt penguin was born on the night of the Independence Day Wednesday at Mumbai's Byculla Zoo, the Times of India newspaper said. The baby penguin's conditions reportedly seemed stable under the observation of zoo authorities. The sex of the newborn will be determine after a detailed DNA test which is going to be done soon. "On July 5 this year, a single egg was laid by penguin Flipper who is eldest of the seven. She along with Mr Molt, the youngest penguin, have been a couple for a long time. While Flipper is 4.5 years, Mr Molt turned three last month," zoo authorities said. It takes around 40-45 days for the egg to hatch, according the report. It is said that three male and five female penguins were brought to the Mumbai zoo in July 2016 from Coex Aquarium in South Korea's Seoul. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 16:34:26|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- More than 160 people are now confirmed dead in floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in India's Kerala, in what is said to be the southern state's worst monsoon in almost a century. The death toll in rain-related incidents since Aug. 8 in the state now stands at 164, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media Friday. "The situation is serious, but we will overcome it," he added. Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Air Force have pushed in more forces in the state, apart from the already stationed troops and personnel of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF). "Some 16 Army teams, 28 Navy teams, 39 NDRF teams are involved in the relief and rescue operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people. And by this evening, all marooned people will be saved," the Chief Minister said. Apart from the casualties, over 200,000 people have been displaced, and more than 10,000 km of roads and hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged across the state. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister Friday morning and would visit the state later in the evening to take a first-hand look at the grim situation due to floods. Among the worst hit districts are Idukki, Wayanad, Pallakad, Malappuram, Kochi and state capital Thirvananthapuram. In a fresh statement, authorities have said that the Kochi airport, one of the busiest in southern India, will remain shut till Aug. 26. "Kochi Airport operations are temporarily suspended up to 2 p.m. (local time) on Aug. 26 due to very high flood situation and key essential facilities like runway, taxiway and apron are under submerged condition," an airport statement said. The weather department has predicted more rains in the next one week and sounded a fresh alert. People living on river banks in the rain-hit districts have been asked to relocate, while fishermen urged not to venture into the Arabian Sea. Officials said that several dams, particularly the Idukki dam, the biggest arch dam in Asia, have been opened to release excess water. All the shutters of the Idukki dam were opened last week for the first time after a gap of 26 years. The state's Chief Minister had last week announced a compensation of 400,000 rupees (5,600 U.S. dollars) to families of those killed in floods and rainslides who lost their loved ones, and up to 1 million rupees for those who have lost both their land as well as house. The state is witnessing its worst monsoon rains since 1924. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 16:39:27|Editor: zh Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's meat exports increased 2.8 times year on year in the first half of 2018, customs data showed Friday. The country exported a total of 20,320 tons of meat and meat products to countries including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Iran in the January-June period of 2018, contributing 44.9 million U.S. dollars to the state budget, according to the Mongolian Customs General Administration. Mongolia has more than 66.2 million livestock animals, and animal husbandry is one of the leading sectors of the landlocked country's economy. According to the Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the nomadic country aims to raise meat exports tenfold in the coming years. But frequent outbreaks of livestock animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and mad cow disease are impeding the country's meat exports. Mongolian quarantine officials have slaughtered thousands of animals in the past winter to contain the spread of FMD. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 18:09:43|Editor: zh Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine aviation authorities said a runway in Manila international airport will remain close until 7 p.m. local time on Friday as efforts go on to extract a damaged Chinese passenger plane from the grass by the runway. Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal told a news conference they needed more time to remove the plane of the Xiamen Airlines, as the soft soil is hampering efforts to remove the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The runway was initially planned to be closed until midday on Friday. Authorities extended the closure to 4 p.m. A few hours later, authorities again extended the closure by another three hours. "I hope there is no more extension (after the third extension)," Monreal said, expressing hope that the recovery will be completed by 7 p.m. local time. "What is important now is to open the runway so we can continue with the services," he added. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the MF8667 flight suffered "runway excursion" after landing on late Thursday night. The plane skidded off the runway and onto the grass at the Manila international airport after a "missed approach" due to "heavy downpour." All 157 passengers and eight crew were safely evacuated and were billeted in a hotel, the CAAP and MIAA said. The damaged major runway has been closed for at least 12 hours, causing flight cancellations, delays and diversion to other airports of international and domestic flights. Thousands of passengers flock at the airports' departure area waiting for the resumption of the flights. Monreal added that the plane's main landing gear collapsed making it difficult to extract the plane from the "soggy" grass safety patch. He said they needed telescopic cranes to lift the damaged aircraft, adding it was the only way to extract the aircraft. Extracting the aircraft is the last step, as they already cleared the runway of debris. When asked about the cause of the accident, Monreal said the investigations continued, adding they were piecing together evidence like tire-marks. "The critical point here is the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder," CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said. Until all data were gathered, Sydiongco said they could not make any conclusion as to the cause of the accident. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 18:29:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- In a terrorist attack on Iranian border police near the western city of Baneh, four security guards were injured, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday. According to the Governor of Baneh Mohammad Fallahi, the "anti-revolution terrorist groups" attacked a patrolling vehicle of border police on Thursday night. The shoot-out with border guards broke out in Barde Bouk road near Abulhassan village in the vicinity of Baneh, Fallahi told Tasnim. The attackers are currently at large and a manhunt is underway to catch them, Fallahi added. The injured are not in critical situation and are recovering from injuries, the governor said. Western and northwestern Iran has been the scene of deadly clashes between the Kurdish armed rebels and the Iranian security guards over the past years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 18:59:59|Editor: mym Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 0.08 percent lower on Friday, as cautious investors shrugged off news that U.S. and China will resume lower level trade talks later this month. Maybank-Kim Eng Retail Research said technically, the Straits Times Index is oversold and may find support at 3,200 points level with immediate resistance at 3,240 points and then 3,300 points. Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index inched down 2.49 points to 3,209.44 points. Trading volume was 992 million shares worth 985 million Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 193 to 185. Yanlord Land fell 2 percent to 1.48 Singapore dollars. It established a new business, Nantong Yanlord Intelligent Construction Hi-Tech Corporation in Nantong, China. The new entity will engage in construction engineering and related services. City Development Limited rose 0.5 percent to 9.59 Singapore dollars. It kicked off its share buyback with inaugural purchase of 300,000 shares in the open market at 9.485 Singapore dollars apiece. This forms 0.033 percent of its total issued shares. Among top gainers, Venture Corporation rose 2.4 percent to 17.87 Singapore dollars, whereas Jardine Matheson was one of the top losers by falling 1.3 percent to 64.91 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.37 Singapore dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:20:04|Editor: mym Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran protested against Georgian police's "disrespect" for a number of Iranian female passengers at the Tbilisi airport to remove their scarves, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said that Tehran has lodged its strong protest over the problems which some Iranian women passengers faced at the Tbilisi airport. Iranian female passengers were forced to remove their headscarves during security check for a flight from Tbilisi to Iran's city of Isfahan. "After the release of a report by the foreign ministry's representative office in Isfahan and after the report was confirmed through phone contacts by the Iranian ambassador to Georgia ... the Iranian embassy in Tbilisi expressed its strong protest at the Georgian Foreign Ministry and Tbilisi Airport security police," said Qasemi. "Among the measures adopted ... relevant Georgian authorities have also been asked to pursue the matter and prevent Iranian passengers from being subjected to such treatment again," he said. "We hope security police at Tbilisi will exercise utmost care concerning the necessity of respecting Muslim women's privacy and keep such incidents from happening again," Qasemi added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:20:06|Editor: zh Video Player Close ABOARD TIAN EN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese ice-class cargo ship on Friday crossed the Bering Strait, starting its maiden voyage in the Arctic's Northeast Passage, a waterway known as the "Polar Silk Road." Tian En, a multifunctional ship of COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers Co., was delivering wind power equipment to the ports of France, the Netherlands and Sweden. "It is the shortest route linking northeast Asia and northern Europe, and more importantly, it's a safe one," said Captain Chen Xiangwu, referring to the Arctic's Northeast Passage. Crossing the Bering Strait also means icebergs are around the corner. The electronic marine map in Tian En shows that the ship might need Russian icebreakers along the route, which are divided into seven icebreaking zones. COSCO SHIPPING keeps in regular contact with the Russian side to negotiate whether or when an icebreaker is necessary. In a white paper declaring its Arctic policy early this year, China has pledged to further cooperate with other countries to jointly build the "Polar Silk Road," part of the Belt and Road Initiative. "The Polar Silk Road is turning into a golden route," said Zhang Li, deputy general manager of the company, adding that COSCO SHIPPING has paid close attention to avoid pollution along the waterway. "We ask our crew to strictly adhere to related international conventions," Zhang said. "The wastes on the ship are deliberately sorted and handled, so that we can help build a green Polar Silk Road." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:25:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Li Zhanshu (R), chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu met with Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani Friday, pledging to further advance bilateral ties. Hailing the profound friendship, Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said the Chinese and Pakistani people support the bilateral relations from the bottom of their hearts. Recent years have witnessed sound development of bilateral cooperation as both sides actively implemented the consensus reached by both leaders, said Li. He called on both countries to make the China-Pakistan relationship a model of good neighbors, a pillar of regional peace and stability, and an example of international cooperation on the Belt and Road construction. Li said the NPC has always attached great importance to the exchange and cooperation with the Senate of Pakistan and is a firm defender and advocator of the China-Pakistan friendship in the hope of lifting the all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation to a new high. Calling the friendship with China a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, Sanjrani said Pakistan is ready to work with China to continue cooperation in various areas and jointly face challenges in the new situation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:35:10|Editor: mym Video Player Close BANGKOK, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's leading hospitals are keeping medical services readied around-the-clock for Chinese tourists throughout this Southeast Asian country. Dr. Poramaporn Prasarttong-osoth, Chief Operating Officer of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) PLC, told Xinhua at the BDMS Annual Academic Meeting on Thursday that BDMS hospitals readily provide medical facilities and services to Chinese visitors in major tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok. BDMS hospitals have been advanced in medical technology and services for all patients, both Thai and foreign, including those from China and ASEAN countries, according to Dr. Poramaporn, daughter of Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-osoth, founder of BDMS. "We do not only provide medical services for Chinese visitors to Thailand but keep Chinese-speaking interpreters readily available to help with the communication between the patient and the doctor," Dr. Poramaporn told Xinhua. Most Chinese patients to BDMS hospitals were reported to have minor illnesses such as headaches, high fevers, diarrhea while a relatively small number of others might be admitted for injuries caused by accidents, she said. BDMS is currently opening the annual academic meeting to disseminate advancements in medical knowledge among doctors and medical personnel with specific lectures provided by noted Thai and foreign medical professionals. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony for the four-day academic meeting at a Bangkok hotel on Tuesday. In addition to dozens of private hospitals in Thailand, BDMS has opened a few affiliate hospitals in Cambodia where medical personnel may under training courses and be given opportunities to advance their medical studies overseas. She said the medical know-how and development acquired by BDMS will be disseminated to medical professionals in Thailand's neighboring countries, especially Cambodia and Myanmar. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:45:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 19, 2018 shows a damaged Bazar after Taliban attack in Ghazni city, capital of Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Ghazni city, where he instructed the allocation of up to 20 million U.S. dollar to reconstruct the provincial administration facilities, the Afghan Presidential Palace said Friday. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah) KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Ghazni city, where he instructed the allocation of up to 20 million U.S. dollars to reconstruct the provincial administration facilities, the Afghan Presidential Palace said Friday. The announcement came as president Ghani together with high ranking officials paid a visit into the embattled city on Friday. Last Friday, Taliban militants launched a coordinated attack and overran the city which is capital of eastern Ghazni province, triggering heavy clashes lasting for five straight days. Provincial Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai assured the visiting president of reactivation of the water and power supply systems and restoration of telecommunication networks, the palace said in a statement. According to the statement, the president said an urgent allocation of 20 million U.S. dollars to reconstruct the ancient city's administration facilities, and instructed the ministry of public health and telecommunication to accelerate the water supply, health service, power and telecommunication processes in the province. No official figures of casualties have been released by the officials so far, but local media citing provincial officials reported that over 190 civilians, 340 security forces and 720 militants had been killed during the clashes, airstrikes and fighting in Ghazni. The fighting is estimated to have caused 50 million U.S. dollars in damages as scores of shops, buildings, mobile phone towers, houses and government offices were destroyed and burned during the five days fierce clashes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:45:14|Editor: mym Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Friday designated Samdech Techo Hun Sen as the prime minister for an upcoming new-term government after his ruling party won a sweeping victory in a recent election, according to a royal decree. "The prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia has duties to prepare the Cabinet members in order to ask for approval from the National Assembly," the monarch said in the royal decree. Hun Sen, 67, who has been in power for 33 years, will continue to lead the government for another five years after his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won all 125 parliamentary seats in the sixth general election on July 29. Twenty political parties contested in the election. The National Election Committee official results indicated that the CPP garnered 4.88 million votes, or 76.84 percent, of the total valid votes. In a thank-you letter to the king, Hun Sen vowed to do his best to serve the nation and people of Cambodia and said that he would submit the new Cabinet members to the National Assembly for approval in a parliamentary session on Sept. 6. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:45:15|Editor: mym Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A court in Pakistan on Friday issued arrest warrant for the country's former President Asif Ali Zardari in connection with a case of alleged money laundering through fake bank accounts, state media reported. Zaradri is currently member of the parliament and the co-chairman of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party. He served as President of Pakistan from 2008-2013. "The banking court in Karachi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants of former President Asif Ali Zardari in money laundering case. The court, today (Friday) while hearing a case, directed to present Asif Ali Zardari and others relating to money laundering case by Sept. 4," Radio Pakistan reported. Zardari's lawyer and the party's spokesman, however, denied the reports and said no arrest warrant is issued. The banking court issued the arrest warrant for Zardari and several other people, who have not appeared before the court despite summoning them to explain their position, TV channels reported, quoting sources of the Federal Investigation Agency or FIA. FIA is investigating into a multi-billion money laundering case against Zardari and over 30 other people, including some of his close aides. At least two of Zardari's friends have also been arrested in the case, according to reports. The Supreme Court has ordered ban on the accused from leaving the country. The banking court ordered the police to arrest Zardari and other wanted men and produce them on Sept. 4 when the banking court will resume hearing of the case. Reports said that the FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fake accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Over 20 accounts without name opened at some private banks in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made, according to sources. The amount, according to FIA sources, is said to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:45:16|Editor: mym Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Agricultural trade groups in California Thursday expressed concern over the trade frictions caused by the White House and urged the U.S. government to stop the disputes. Dozens of farmers and local officials joined a round-table discussion in the city of Bakersfield, southern California, hosted by two non-profit organizations, namely the Farmers for Free Trade (FFT) and the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF). "One in three acres is exported. People take for granted how dependent we are on trade," CFBF President Jamie Johansson was quoted on FFT's official Twitter page on Thursday as saying. "Half of what goes out of the Port of Oakland is ag export related." Many crops have been suffering due to the trade friction, the CFBF said. Almonds, for example, the number-one crop by acreage in the state, are looking at over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in losses. "All politics is local, but agriculture is personal. Especially with Asia," local rancher Steve Murray was quoted on FFT's official Twitter page as saying. "Relationships take decades to grow, when that shelf space is lost, now someone else has that relationship." Since the start of the year, the United States has been wielding a stick of tariffs against its trade partners worldwide. The moves have triggered tit-for-tat retaliations from the countries affected, and are expected to drag down global growth by 0.5 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:50:17|Editor: mym Video Player Close PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people, including a district chief, were killed in latest Taliban attacks in Afghanistan's two northern provinces, officials said Friday. In one attack, eight Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel were killed and two civilians injured in a clash following a Taliban ambush attack in Baghlan province Friday morning, a provincial health official said. "The casualties were shifted to a provincial hospital following a fierce clash between security forces and Taliban in Surkh Kotal locality," Dand-e-Ghori district, Abdul Haleem Ghafari told Xinhua. The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence. In northern Faryab province, Khoja Sarrajuddin, administrative chief of Shirin Tagab district, together with three people, was killed in similar incident late Thursday, a spokesman of 707 Pamir Police Zone based in the region, told Xinhua on Friday. Those among the killed were a son and a nephew of the deceased official. Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north, where Taliban have been recruiting from among the youth. On Wednesday, 45 Afghan soldiers and ALP personnel were killed and several others wounded after Taliban stormed a joint military camp in Baghlan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:50:17|Editor: zh Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa have enjoyed a long history of cooperation in terms of health. The presence of Chinese medical teams is now a common feature in most sub-Saharan countries where they are saving the lives of tens of thousands of people. STAND SIDE BY SIDE Since China sent out its first medical team to Africa in 1963, China has exerted all means to assist Africa, including building medical institutions, providing medicines and medical devices, organizing training sessions, and offering scholarships to assist Africa's health infrastructure building, capacity building and talent training. From Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Windhoek in Namibia, Chinese medical staff of 43 medical teams are working round the clock providing medical services to local residents across Africa. China has sent over 20,000 medical workers since 1963 and some 200 million African people have benefited from medical service of Chinese medical teams in Africa. When the outbreak of Ebola virus disease picked up pace in West Africa in 2014, China sent medical workers and experts to help with no hesitation. In February 2014, an Ebola epidemic broke out in Guinea and later spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia, while other countries also reported infection cases. The outbreak claimed hundreds of lives in months and posed a great threat to those affected countries. Since the outbreak, China has carried out its largest aid program in health area, providing several rounds of financial aids to Africa, sending hundreds of medical personnel and public health experts to the affected countries and training local medical workers on the continent. "China has always stood with Liberia as a true friend," the then Liberian President Sirleaf said, noting China's assistance and contributions to her country's fight against the Ebola disease should be appreciated by all Liberians. PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING MEDICAL SUPPORT In Tanzania, Chinese medical team is a household name across the country where China has been sending teams of doctors since half a century ago. According to Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke, medical and health cooperation between China and Tanzania began in 1964 and 1968 when the Chinese government started sending medical teams to Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland. Wang added that a total of 32 Chinese medical team members are currently working at the Muhimbili National Hospital, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute and in hospitals in Zanzibar and Pemba. In November last year, Chinese navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" visited Tanzania and provided 6,441 Tanzanians with free medical treatment. Tanzanian President John Magufuli thanked Chinese doctors for treating the patients in the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark during its eight-day stay in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Magufuli said the move by the Chinese government to send the Peace Ark to Tanzania has further improved the relationship between the two countries. "The coming of the ship has written a new history in the cordial relationship of the two countries," he said. In Ethiopia, Chinese medical teams have more than nearly 45 years of working in Ethiopian cities and towns, and authored their stories of success and dedication. Mei Gengnian, head of the first Chinese medical team to Ethiopia, died in 1975 in a car accident while he was serving local communities in Jimma town of Oromia regional state, 380 km south of Addis Ababa. Buried near the spot where he died, his grave is being tended by a local family, and Mei's son has followed his father's footsteps by joining a medical mission to Ethiopia. Amid success and dedication, China-Ethiopia health cooperation is continuing to progress as both sides have learned valuable lessons from each other. Chitalu Chilufya, Zambia's Minister of Health honored the 19th Chinese Medical Team in May for their exemplary work during their tour of duty in the southern African nation He said the doctors worked diligently during their tour of duty as evidenced in improved service delivery in the four hospitals where they were stationed in. Zambia and China, he said, have developed cordial relations in the last 40 years in the health sector which has resulted in the improvement of both infrastructure in the sector and capacity building of health personnel. "We would like to express our gratitude to the team for helping in strengthening our health system. Since 1978, Zambia and China have collaborated in the health sector," he said. DEEPENED COOPERATION IN HEALTH SECTOR In 2015, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Johannesburg listed public health cooperation as part of the 10 China-Africa cooperation plans, lifting China-Africa health cooperation to a new level. China and Africa have also seen deepened cooperation in the health sector thanks to efforts from both sides in recent years. Besides, medical service such as China-led Brightness Action campaign and medical training has also witnessed achievements. In the Republic of Congo, since the China-led Brightness Action campaign was launched in 2016, the China-Congo Friendship Hospital (CCFH), where the Chinese medical team in the country is stationed, has been receiving modern surgical supplies and medical instruments from China to treat eye illness. Zhang Weipeng, an ophthalmologist at the hospital and also the doctor in charge of cataract surgery, said his department receives an average of 30 patients every day and many of them come to CCFH specially for phacoemulsification. The doctor, however, said some local patients are reluctant to seek treatment until their eyesight is blurred by cataract, making it more difficult for the surgery to be performed. "But as an ophthalmologist, the biggest happiness is to see my patients regain eyesight. It moves me a lot to see that Congolese patients trust Chinese doctors," said Zhang. Zhang said he is also actively involved in training sessions for local people and doctors to increase public awareness of eye illness and medical officers' skills. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime," said Zhang, adding that only when local doctors can independently perform cataract surgeries, there will be a "permanent" medical team to provide service to the public. At a ministerial conference held with the aim of stepping up China-Africa cooperation in health in Pretoria, South Africa last year, China pledged to work with all other countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations in addressing the global health challenge, and through South-South cooperation, to help build the health sector in developing countries. China also called for intensified efforts to improve the accessibility of Africa's health services, strengthen the public health prevention and control system and capacity-building in Africa, scale up support for the health needs of the youth and women, deepen people-to-people exchanges in health and bring more benefits to the people through China-Africa health cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 19:55:18|Editor: mym Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and Nigeria have agreed to enhance the existing mechanism of economic cooperation, as well as on aquaculture and anti-drug trafficking, a senior Philippine foreign official said here Friday. Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Enrique Manalo met on Wednesday with the Nigerian delegation headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose in Manila during the Third Joint Commissions Meeting (JCM) in Manila. "To this end, the two sides discussed new proposals to collaborate in the areas of agriculture, aquaculture, trade, tourism and youth development, among others," Manalo said in a statement. "The Philippines signified its interest to cooperate with Nigeria in combatting transnational crime, particularly in the area of anti-drug trafficking, as this supports the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign," Manalo said. He added Manila also proposed to establish bilateral linkages in the aquaculture sector as a way to address food security issues. The Nigerian delegation highlighted the need for more exchanges of business delegations to strengthen current trade and investment relations, he said. The Nigerian side also expressed their desire to enhance partnerships in the field of education, both for higher education and technical and vocational training, Manalo said. Philippine-Nigeria diplomatic relations was established in August 1962. In 2017, trade between the two countries totalled 4.81 million U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 20:00:18|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close HONG KONG, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Friday that Hong Kong will closely monitor the situation of the import of Japanese food to ensure food safety. At a meeting with visiting Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan Ken Saito, Lam said that Hong Kong attaches great importance to food safety and that following confirmation of safety and implementation of a gatekeeping system, Hong Kong has lifted import bans on vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk from four Japanese prefectures, namely Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, with conditions, since last month. She added that Hong Kong will closely monitor the situation of the import of Japanese food and maintain communication with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan to ensure food safety and safeguard public health. Lam welcomed Saito's visit to Hong Kong for the second year in a row to attend the Food Expo organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and expressed hope that exchanges and cooperation in culinary training between Hong Kong and Japan could be strengthened to provide more career development opportunities for local young people. Lam said that she will visit Japan later this year and looks forward to meeting with officials of Japan and attending various events to promote exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and Japan in different aspects. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 20:10:22|Editor: zh Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Somalia is hosting an international book fair, the fourth such event in the restive Mogadishu in more than two decades. The three-day literary festival, which ends later on Friday brought together writers, scholars, authors, intellectuals, poets, musicians and other literary giants from Somalia and the Diaspora. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said the fair is another demonstration of the atmosphere of peace and stability being enjoyed in Somalia, as a result of gains made on the security front. "The presence of the AU troops in the Horn of Africa country has ensured progress in the security, political and socio-economic fronts," said the AU mission in a statement issued in Mogadishu. According to AMISOM, thousands of book enthusiasts have thronged the annual Mogadishu Book Fair, which opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. More than 36 guests and 20 renowned poets from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North America, the East and Horn of Africa region are attending the three-day festival. About 50 new titles are on display at the Book Fair, while more than 2,000 books on 178 different topics are being exhibited. Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled Khadar who opened the festival underlined the importance of inculcating a culture of reading in the country. "Knowledge should be our guiding principle; we should use our minds creatively. Writing, reading and literary competitions, as well creative ideas, are a prerequisite for development," Khadar said. Mohamed Diini, the fair's organizer, said the Mogadishu Book Fair has for the first time in its history, introduced a reading tent for children, noting that at least 80 children are attending the fair and interacting with storytellers and writers of children's books. "I think this is going to be something great for the parents and children because ultimately what the Book Fair is all about is to promote literacy, reading not just for schooling purposes but reading for fun, reading for pleasure, promoting anything that is related to knowledge, scholarship and uniting authors and professors and poets and playwrights, Somalis and non-Somalis, giving them a chance to network, benefit from each other so that it will contribute, as I say every year, to the building of the new Somalia that will be better tomorrow than today," said Diini. A united Somali society took center stage, advocating for quality Somali education and the promotion of a culture of reading and literacy with the tools to obtain it. Renowned writer Shafie Sharif Mohamed described the festival as a meeting hub of creatives, saying the book fair is the yearly meeting hub of Somali writers. "This is the forum where people from all walks of life present their ideas and gets feedback from experts or people with more experience. It also gives Somali youth a chance to get to see thousands of books which are not available anywhere else. It is a good opportunity for the youth, as well as for the writers," he said. Somali-Canadian novelist and journalist Hassan Gedi Santur is exhibiting at the fair for the first time. His anthology of short stories called "Mediterranean" gives a look at the African migration crisis and the perilous journeys through the Mediterranean, in search of a better life abroad. "As a writer, I feel nothing is more important than writing and reading for the culture, for the civilization of a nation," said Santur. "So instead of fighting and disagreeing with weapons; to be able to disagree and share perspectives through language, through ideas, I think is the basis of any thriving nation. I think this is going to go a long way to helping that and building a more prosperous democratic society," he added. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sponsored the festival for three years in a row in support of a Somali-driven campaign for literacy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 20:10:22|Editor: zh Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- German business representatives expressed support for the early draft of a new national law governing the immigration of skilled laborers on Friday. "The federal government is sending a positive signal to businesses and highly-qualified foreigners by laying out the cornerstones for skilled labor migration," Eric Schweitzer, president of the Association of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), told Handelsblatt newspaper. Schweitzer said the law was overdue given that firms in Germany were suffering from a severe shortage of 1.6 million workers to fill vacant positions. The proposals unveiled on Thursday night by interior minister Horst Seehofer mark the first time ever that Germany is officially referred to as a "country of immigration" in a piece of national legislation. For decades, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) had refused to accept this definition in spite of the increasingly diverse make-up of the population. While Seehofer is still keen to establish a more restrictive asylum policy regime, the suggestions he has now made on skilled labor migration aim to facilitate access for foreigners to Germany. Potential criteria to determine whether residence will be granted to so-called "third country nationals" from countries outside of the European Union (EU) include qualification, age, language skills, evidence of a concrete job offer, and the ability to maintain a livelihood. The outlines for the skilled labor migration law have already been agreed upon by the ruling CDU, CSU and German Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners. Commenting on Seehofer's proposal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told press that an effective law would have to provide access to skilled individuals in professions ranging from bakers to engineers. The CDU leader expressed confidence that a final and detailed legislative proposal could be compiled by her cabinet by the start of 2019. Speaking to Handelsblatt, Schweitzer urged the federal government to treat the matter as an urgent priority. "Now we need a concrete elaboration on the vague outlines -- easier access to the labor market for professionally-qualified foreigners can help alleviate worker shortages in many industries, the DIHK president said. Schweitzer added that a temporarily limited residence was also needed for skilled laborers with the adequate qualification to come to Germany and look for jobs. He warned against "unnecessary hurdles" in the criteria governing access and emphasized that businesses stood ready to assist policymakers in the successful implementation of the new law. German opposition politicians on Friday similarly welcomed the migration policy proposals in principle, but warned the government against delaying the process any further and setting conditions for entry which were too stringent. For the time being, the CDU, CSU and SPD remain internally divided on the subject of a "change of lanes" with regard to the immigration system. Labor minister Hubertus Heil told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland on Friday that he was supportive of creating the legislative possibility to change tracks. "We must not shoot ourselves in the foot out of ideological reasons by sending the wrong individuals back home," Heil said with regard to asylum seekers who were well-integrated into the German economy and society but had not received humanitarian residence. He sided with Schleswig-Holstein governor Daniel Guenther, the first senior politician to publicly champion the idea. By contrast, CDU/CSU parliamentary faction leader Volker Kauder questioned the need to enshrine a "change of lane" into a legislation. Kauder told Passauer Neue Presse newspaper that the priority of Merkel's cabinet should be to sign a skilled labor migration law into effect as quickly as possible without "creating new incentives for people to try to come to Germany (as asylum seekers) without fulfilling the necessary criteria." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 20:25:25|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close People view drones performance at the Orange Isle scenic area in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 16, 2018. Groups of drones performed a light show here to greet the Qixi festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, which falls on Aug. 17 this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Apart from chocolates and shopping sprees, lovers across the country are celebrating Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, with tradition and romantic photography. The festival, originating from a 2,000-year-old legend of two lovers, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Chinese calendar. The two lovers Niulang and Zhinyu, one a cowherd and the other a weaver fairy, were separated by the Silver River (the Milky Way), as their love was not allowed by the gods. They could only reunite once a year when a flock of magpies formed a bridge across the river. The festival has been an important day for young girls in China for hundreds of years. Since Zhinyu is a character of intelligence and ingenuity, girls often go to temples to pray to the fairy for wisdom and dexterity in needlework, a traditional skill for a good wife, as well as a happy marriage. Qixi Festival was listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. ANCIENT RITUALS CONTINUE In northwest China's Gansu Province, grand rituals for Qixi start on the first day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. The seven-day long ritual consists of seven procedures and 12 ceremonies. Celebrated for hundreds of years, the events attract at least 500,000 local participants every year. Jiang Siqi, 16, was responsible for the welcoming ceremony of Zhinyu, or the Weaving Maid. The young girl made preparations for the ceremony last month, with more than 30 other girls in Xihe County, in the city of Longnan. They bought costumes, organized rehearsals, and made food for the ceremony. The welcoming ceremony was held on the last day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, as the following day refers to a day that heaven's gate will open. Young girls carried a one-meter-high paper Weaving Maid statue from the edge of a lake and "invited" her to their homes. They burned incense and bowed to the fairy in prayer. "I learned the customs from my grandmother and mother. The tradition has been pass down for generations," Jiang said. She has participated in the event three times. Jiang's school and village have also set up Qixi courses to better educate the young students and teach them the ancient customs. So far, the county has more than 130 intangible culture inheritors of Qixi. "I embrace every girl who wants to take part in the event and teach them how to complete the ceremonies," said Luo Shumei, a local intangible culture inheritor. The local government has made efforts to protect the tradition over the past decade, providing investment, filming documentaries, holding performances, and inviting academics from home and abroad to carry out research for Qixi culture. WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Zhong Jianyun admits that his Qixi gift for his wife this year might be the most impressive gift he's ever gotten her. Zhong is a migrant worker at a construction site in the city of Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province. He telephoned his wife, who lives in a remote village, days before the festival and invited her to spend the festival with him in Changsha. His wife, Deng, thought it would be just another ordinary day, as she never expected a romantic gesture from her husband. Zhong finally told her that he would take a set of wedding photos with her at the construction site, a day before the Qixi festival. Zhong's company organized the photography opportunity for rural migrant employees. Three other couples also took part in the photography Friday morning. "She likes taking photos very much. So I applied for the free wedding photography immediately after I got the news," Zhong said. Without ornate backgrounds used by photo studios, the four couples, wearing beautiful wedding dresses, smiled, hugged, and kissed against a backdrop of cement, steel bars, and unfinished buildings. "It was such a unique scene. The photos we took today will be something I use when I'm old to remind myself of the days we were young and happy," said Deng. Peng Weibin, 39, has been married for 16 years. He and his wife didn't take wedding photos because of "poor economic conditions." They couldn't wait to take a selfie together after getting dressed up. STAY ROMANTIC WHEN YOU ARE OLD Qixi is not just a festival for young lovers. The elderly also celebrate the festival in their own ways across China. Old couples in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province organized "group wedding photos." Hundreds of elderly couples took part in a croquet competition in the city of Jiaozuo to celebrate Qixi. In the city of Xinyu in the eastern province of Jiangxi, they gathered to recall their love stories and share their sweet secrets from their marriages. In the city of Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, several old couples celebrated Qixi by taking a flower arranging class, which was organized by a local community. "They arrived at 8 o'clock, but our class started at 9. I could feel their enthusiasm," said Wang Yan, a flower arranging teacher. She taught her class the meanings of different flowers. "Red roses represent passionate love, and the lily represents permanent love." With the help of the teacher, Chen Wanyan made a beautiful bouquet and gave it to his wife. "You are more stunning than the flowers," the 65-year-old told his wife Wang Zhongying. "It's very touching. We are accustomed to an ordinary life. There were no flowers, and no diamond ring," Wang said. "But he made up for all of that today." Chen also planned to take wedding photos with his wife on Friday to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 20:25:25|Editor: zh Video Player Close ZAGREB, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Croatian police on Thursday arrested an Italian citizen who was smuggling 59 illegal migrants, the police announced on its website on Friday. The 32-year-old man was caught in Lika-Senj County in central Croatia. Croatian police stopped him on Thursday and found 59 people locked in the lorry he was driving. They had entered the country illegally. This was the second illegal migrant case in just two days in the same Croatian county. On Wednesday, one man was seriously injured while trying to escape from police after they warned him to stop the van. He jumped out of the van and fell 30 meters into a river canyon. There were 24 migrants hidden in the vehicle. With almost daily reports of illegal migrants found in the country, it is clear that, as an EU member, Croatia has become an active route for migrants who are trying to reach further into western and northern European countries. The Croatian police have increased patrols along its 1,000 km-long border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). According to media reports, smugglers are charging the migrants at least 350 euros (400 U.S. dollars) per person to help them enter Croatia from BiH. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 21:05:35|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A new regulation, which allows residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to apply for residence permits on the Chinese mainland, has been well received for the convenience it brings. Tu Chia-rung, a Taiwanese social worker working at a youth service center in eastern Fujian Province, told Xinhua that the residence permit, which has the same 18-digit serial numbers as the mainland identity cards, will significantly improve his life. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents living on the mainland use travel permits as their identification, which feature a different set of serial numbers compared with the mainland ID cards. "I bought a train ticket today online. Because the ticket collecting machine at the railway station could not read my travel permit, I had to arrive at the station an hour early," he said, expecting this problem to be solved by the new residence permit. Alex Lou from Macao came across the same problem as Tu. "Due to my travel permit, I have to collect my tickets from the ticket window, which usually means waiting in a long line," Lou said. For Sierra Ho, another young Taiwanese living in the eastern city of Nanjing, the residence permit will enable her to register as a formal player on online gaming sites, which only accept serial numbers of mainland ID cards. "Finally, I can now have my own game records and rankings," she said. With the new permits, they can also easily access online services on the mainland such as shopping and bike-sharing. According to the regulation, which will take effect on Sept. 1, the new residence permits will enable residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to enjoy public services and other conveniences similar to those of mainland residents. These include employment, social security and the housing provident fund as well as benefits of compulsory education, health and medical services, legal assistance, and other legal services. Moreover, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents with mainland residence permits will be allowed to register their vehicles, apply for driver's licenses and take professional qualification exams. Chen Chu-han, a Taiwanese businessman living on the mainland for 13 years, has witnessed more and more policies that help facilitate the life of people like him. "When I first arrived in the mainland, I had to apply for a working permit for work, and it was more difficult to use a Taiwanese travel permit to book hotels," he said, adding that such barriers have been gradually removed. Jacky Chung, a Hong Kong resident living in Shanghai for more than a decade, recalled earlier days when Taobao, an online shopping platform, would not accept a Hong Kong travel permit for registration. "The government has launched numerous policies to help meet our work, study and living needs," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 21:20:37|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Wang Yang (R, front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, holds talks with Pakistan's Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang held talks with Pakistan's Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday. "China and Pakistan have always been good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers no matter how the international environment and their domestic situations change," said Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He hoped the two sides would implement the important consensus reached by their leaders, maintain their tradition of frequent high-level visits, and firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. Wang called on the two countries to expand their security, economic and trade cooperation, boost people-to-people exchanges, accelerate construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to enrich their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. The CPPCC stands ready to have more exchanges and cooperation with Pakistan' Senate and advance the two countries' governance experience exchanges, to contribute to the China-Pakistan community of a shared future, Wang added. Hailing the fruitful outcome yielded from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Sanjrani expressed Pakistan's willingness to make joint efforts with China to consolidate friendship and deepen bilateral ties. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 21:20:37|Editor: zh Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Third Penal Court in Izmir on Friday rejected an appeal for the release of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest during his trial, local media reported. Brunson's lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt on Tuesday filed an appeal for the second time to the Second Penal Court in Izmir to lift his client's house arrest and travel ban. The court rejected Halavurt's petition and sent it to the Third Penal Court on Wednesday. The 50-year-old pastor, who has been living in Turkey for more than two decades, was detained two years ago and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. The pastor was accused of espionage and having links to a network led by the U.S.-based outlawed cleric Fethullah Gulen and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Gulen is accused by Ankara of being behind a failed coup in July 2016. Brunson's next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 21:20:37|Editor: zh Video Player Close HELSINKI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The High Administrative Court in Finland said on Friday it had ordered U.S. search engine operator Google to delete information about a man convicted of murder in the Nordic country. In a decision published on Friday, the court specified two search results. The first gave the man's name, his medical diagnosis, the verdict of his case, and the fact that he had been deemed in a mental investigation to have impaired responsibility. The second link connected to a media contents service with parts of the information the man had been given a 10-year prison sentence, instead of a life sentence, due to his impaired responsibility. The court ruled that in this case protection of privacy was more important than the "general interest". In its defense, Google had claimed that people must have the right to know why the man had been given a more lenient verdict than usual for murder. Google had refused to comply with the man's request. The issue had then gone to the Finnish data protection ombudsman and then two levels of court processing. The decision by the Finnish high court was based on the ruling of the European Court in 2014 that people have the right to be forgotten. The Finnish court further said the deletion of the search results does not restrict freedom of speech or societal debate. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 21:20:37|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Government officials in five Chinese cities were asked to step up regulation to contain housing market speculation after house prices in the cities saw rapid rises recently. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Friday held talks with officials in the cities of Haikou, Sanya, Yantai, Yichang and Yangzhou, urging them to further implement housing control measures, according to the ministry. The talks reiterated that "houses are for living in, not for speculation" and required local officials to take measures such as increasing effective housing supplies and encouraging renting to contain housing prices. China's property market remained generally stable in July thanks to continued government control measures, with new house prices in four first-tier cities rising at a slower pace compared with June, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. However, house prices in smaller cities have seen notable increases. Haikou saw new houses prices increase 2.3 percent month-on-month in July, while in Sanya prices jumped by 3.7 percent compared with June. Officials of the five cities pledged to improve control measures to ensure a stable housing market, according to the ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 22:05:47|Editor: zh Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Greece has become the second country after Spain which has agreed to take back asylum seekers from Germany who first entered the European Union (EU) via its own sovereign territory, a spokesperson for the German interior ministry announced on Friday. "A conclusion (of negotiation) is imminent," the spokesperson told press in Berlin. The interior ministry said that a bilateral agreement was reached on Thursday night but did not provide any information about details of the deal and potential concessions secured by Greece from Germany in exchange. The spokesperson further emphasized that parallel talks with Italy were already "very well-advanced." German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) recently announced that she would become personally involved in negotiations with Rome if needed to arrive at a mutually-agreeable outcome. The German-Greek cooperation to prevent so-called "secondary migration" of asylum seekers within the Schengen free travel zone mirrors a deal signed earlier by Berlin and Madrid. Authorities in Germany are generally only able to refuse entry to foreign citizens without documents at the border if they did not plan to file an application for humanitarian residence in the country itself. Under the new bilateral regulations, this circumstance regulation will no longer apply to non-EU nationals who attempt to enter Germany illicitly after first setting foot in Spain or Greece. Even individuals who indicate that they want to obtain asylum upon arrival will be detained and returned to their first entry point into the EU within 48 hours. A formal diplomatic agreement is also still pending with Germany's southern neighbor Austria, although Berlin and Vienna had already reached an informal consensus on the issue. The number of asylum seekers who arrive in Germany has fallen dramatically since the height of the "refugee crisis" in 2015. Nevertheless, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) recently threatened to resign unless Chancellor Merkel endorsed his controversial proposal to automatically turn back all asylum seekers at the German border who have previously been registered elsewhere in the bloc. The ultimatum imposed by the interior minister marked an unprecedented show of cabinet disobedience and posed a threat to the ruling "grand coalition" government. A last-minute compromise was ultimately reached between Merkel and Seehofer to establish so-called transit centers where affected asylum seekers will be held before organizing their return to the responsible member state on the basis of prior bilateral agreements such as these signed with Spain and Greece. Statistics compiled by the interior ministry suggest that the first agreement between Berlin and Madrid will have little impact on the number of refugees reaching Germany via the country. Given the geographic location of Spain in the far west of Europe, it is unlikely that refugees and other irregular migrants will take a detour through Austria to reach Germany. Nevertheless, the federal government insists that the announced cooperation with Greece and Spain on secondary migration would prove worthwhile. According to a spokesperson, the bilateral agreement constituted an "important step to ordering and controlling migration policy and strengthening the integrity of the joint European asylum system." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 22:30:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Owners of Lebanese private generators must comply with the new prices set by the Energy Ministry and no one can break the law, said Alia Abbas, general director of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, on Friday. "It is not acceptable to break the law and everybody should abide by the new prices set by the Energy Ministry," she was quoted by Elnashra, an independent online newspaper, as saying. The Lebanese government insists on regulating private generators businesses after the sector refused to lower its prices to the level set by the Energy Ministry amid energy shortage in the country. Authorities will regulate the sector by installing meters to private generators to measure the exact consumption of electricity in order to determine the exact prices that should be paid by citizens. Abbas' remarks on Friday came following a statement by owners of private generators saying that they are still not ready to adopt the prices set by the ministry. "We still do not have enough meters to be installed to measure the exact consumption of citizens and we do not have permits to go into buildings to supervise the meters," they said. Owners of private generators have also called on the authorities to exempt them from paying for the meters, insisting that citizens should pay the fee. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 22:30:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged the United States on Friday to return the Balangiga bells the American soldiers carted away from a church in the central Philippines during the 1901 Philippine-American war. "We call on the American people not to allow the bells to serve as trophies for atrocities that were committed by both sides on Philippine soil a very long time ago," Lorenzana said in a statement. Lorenzana said "the return of the Balangiga bells will be a strong indicator of the sincerity of the Americans in forging a lasting relationship with the Filipino people and truly symbolic of what their government has referred to in the past as an ironclad alliance between our two countries." Lorenzana issued the statement after news reports came out that three U.S. lawmakers have voiced "strong disapproval" to return the bells to the Philippines. The U.S. embassy in Manila said U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has signed documents favoring the return of the bells. Lorenzana thanked Mattis "for his effort in seeking the return of the bells to our country." "We do hope that the U.S. government will follow through with their commitment and that it will become a reality soon," Lorenzana added. Lorenzana reminded the Americans that both the Philippines and the U.S. had suffered from that war. He referred that period as "a dark chapter in the shared history of our peoples, which should never be allowed to happen again." Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it has not been officially informed about Mattis' decision. President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the U.S. for keeping the bells which he said belongs to the Philippines, saying they are from a "sentimental part of the journey towards nation-building." Filipinos used the Balangiga bells as the signal to launch a surprise attack against American troops on Sept. 28, 1901 stationed in Balangiga, a town in eastern Samar province in central Philippines. The attack killed more than 70 Americans, as well as thousands of Filipino soldiers and locals after the foreign troops fought back. They took three bells from the Balangiga Church to serve as spoils of war. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 22:56:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Rafic Hariri International Airport (RHIA) in Lebanese capital Beirut is witnessing an unprecedented increase in the number of passengers which reached 552,000 in the first half of August, local media reported Friday. "The total flights during this period reached 3,995 from and to Lebanon, with the number of passenger arrivals rising to 266,564 and 286,101 for departures," according to El Markazia, a local news agency. Earlier this year, Lebanese Finance Ministry approved 18 million U.S. dollars in funding for the expansion of the RHIA. The funding came following a steady increase in passenger number in the airport since 2008, according to a study released by the airport's Research and Studies Department in March 2018. The study predicted that as many as 10 million passengers would travel via the airport by 2020. Meanwhile, manager of the airport Fadi El Hassan said that the airport has the capacity of hosting only 6 million passengers annually which needs expansion especially after the flow of a big number of Syrian refugees to the country. Two people were wounded in gunfire and boats and outboards were damaged. The village that you took me to, Kela, had every house set on fire in a village fight recently - 52 homes, some burned to nothing but ashes. Anyway, heres a report from an academic friend of mine based in Lae about the violence that affected Kela village in the Salamaua area of the Huon Gulf. LAE - This story about Kela village in the Salamaua area is shocking. Kela is a gorgeous and peaceful place. Or was. Now the whole village is homeless and the people have lost all their belongings. Beautiful Kela village on Salamaua Bay before the unnecessary troubles that saw it burned to the ground It started when some of the Kela young men found a cache of Japanese weapons and tested them. The cache was close to the Salamaua Health Centre and school and the shots scared the health centre workers. The administrator came in and closed both the centre and the school for safety. Unfortunately he never came back to reopen them. After about three months, a couple of women from a nearby community died for lack of medical treatment, and the Kela community was blamed. They were attacked about two weeks ago and the authorities went to secure the weapons and to try to negotiate peace between the villages, but nothing was done to help the homeless. Several churches have sent supplies, and the councillor took goods from Busama. It has been a nasty business, with no easy answer. ____________ Unfortunately this has become a typical Papua New Guinean reaction - an over-dramatised shooting from the hip or simply turning ones back on a problem. The incident can be as trivial as a single library book stolen by a student causing the closure of an entire library. I have seen this kind of unthinking reaction so many times. Papua New Guinea needs honest, responsible and smart administrators who can solve problems, not exacerbate them. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 23:16:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of tourists visiting Lebanon increased by 3.3 percent to reach 853,000 in the first half of 2018 from 826,000 in the same period last year, local media reported Friday. Arab and European tourists accounted for 35 percent of the tourists followed by U.S. citizens for 18.2 percent, Asians for 7.6 percent, and Africans for 6.2 percent, according to Al Iktissad Wal Sinaa, a business magazine. Meanwhile, four and five stars hotels' occupancy in the first five months of 2018 reached 58.6 percent compared with 65.5 percent last year. The average room price dropped by 9.7 percent from 113 U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2017 to 102 dollars in the same period in 2018. Pierre Ashkar, president of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in Lebanon, told Xinhua in June that tourism activity will witness a remarkable increase only when tourists from the Gulf return to Lebanon. Last November, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait warned their citizens against traveling to Lebanon due to a political crisis caused by the controversial resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh which he rescinded soon after. "Gulf tourists used to make up 60 percent of the total visitors to Lebanon," he said. "Now they constitute 4 percent only." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 23:26:15|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the 11th chairpersons' meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will convene its bi-monthly session from Aug. 27 to 31, according to a statement issued after a chairpersons' meeting Friday. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over the meeting. Legislators will review the draft e-commerce law, draft soil pollution and control law, and draft amendments to the Individual Income Tax Law and the Criminal Procedure Law, according to the statement. They will deliberate on a bill on drafts to individual books of a civil code, submitted by the chairpersons' meeting of the NPC Standing Committee, and bills on the draft farmland occupation taxes law and draft vehicle purchase taxes law, submitted by the State Council. Lawmakers will decide whether to ratify a treaty of extradition between China and Barbados, which is submitted by the State Council. Also on the agenda are reviewing State Council reports on the enforcement of the national economic and social development plan this year, implementation of this year's budget and rural education, it said. Legislators will deliberate on reports on the enforcement of infectious disease prevention and control law, and a temporary adjustment to the application of the civil servant law in a number of central organs. They will also deliberate on a report on deputy qualifications and review official appointments and dismissals, the statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 23:31:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The city of Hamburg has begun offering 50 former cabins erected to house refugees during the country's refugee crisis in an unusual online sales auction through eBay on Friday. The 28-square-meter large wooden dwellings are no longer required by local authorities as the number of new asylum seekers in Germany continues to fall. As a result, they are now being offered for sale at a starting bid price of 1,000 euros (1,140 U.S. dollars) to potential buyers. "The response was already enormous on the first day, we had more than 100 requests," a spokesperson for the country's central coordinating staff for refugees told press. The city of Hamburg is advertising the cabins online as being suitable as workshops, personal gyms or guest houses, stating the buildings were each valued at 23,000 euros following their construction three years ago. "These are not just some random run-down shacks," said the refugee coordination staff spokesperson. He drew attention to the exemplary heating, insulation, warm water, and electricity which had been installed. Nevertheless, there is still a catch for potential buyers of the year-round wooden dwellings. The buildings need to be collected by their future owners themselves and can only be transported on German roads with a heavy-duty transport vehicle. Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to the African Union (AU) Liu Yuxi (L) presents his letter of credence to Amira Elfadil, AU Commissioner of Social Affairs at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Aug. 16, 2018. The African Union (AU) has forged a strong partnership with China through cooperation on many areas, a senior AU official has said. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has forged a strong partnership with China through cooperation on many areas, a senior AU official has said. On behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Amira Elfadil, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, said China and Africa have been enjoying a long-standing relationship. Aerial photo taken on May 8, 2018 shows the Chinese-built Maputo Cross-sea Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique. (Xinhua) The official made the remarks after she received the credentials of the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to AU, Liu Yuxi, on Thursday at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. "China-Africa relationship is not a new relationship; what we have here on the level of the African Union Commission is a strong partnership with the government of China," said the Commissioner. She noted that the partnership covers all important areas, including political area, peace and security, economic development, investment, infrastructure and energy, public health partnership as well as in the development and establishment of Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Photo taken on July 24, 2018 shows the Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) South African plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Chinese automaker BAIC on Tuesday rolled the first car off production line in its South African plant near the car export hub of Port Elizabeth. (Xinhua/Li Sibo) "This (China-Africa) partnership is one of the strongest partnerships we have at the African Union level; we have projects that we are now implementing. We have follow-up mechanism for this partnership," she said. Recalling that the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, made a successful visit to China in February, the Commissioner said Mahamat would lead a high-level delegation of the pan-African bloc to participate in the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing next month. Aerial photo shows the Nyerere Bridge in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (Xinhua) The newly appointed Chinese ambassador to AU, Liu Yuxi, told Xinhua that he would endeavor to further promote the friendship and cooperation forged between China and Africa. Reiterating that China and Africa are good friends, good partners, and good brothers, the ambassador said the two sides have been enjoying fruitful results of their cooperation. A train runs on the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway during an operational test near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) "China highly appreciates the important role of the AU in the field of peace and security and China also highly appreciates the friendly relation and cooperation between China and AU; and it is willing to further promote this cooperation," he said. He also called for concerted efforts to enhance cooperation via the Belt and Road Initiative and achieve win-win cooperation goals. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 23:36:19|Editor: yan Video Player Close LUSAKA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Zambia on Friday suspended four police officers who were caught getting bribes from motorists at an illegal checkpoint. On Thursday, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo found the four police officers collecting bribes from motorists for various traffic offenses without issuing them with receipts, with the video of the incident going viral on social media. Kakoma Kanganja, Inspector-General of the Zambia Police, said the police officers have been suspended because their behavior was shameful and an embarrassment to the institution. Further investigations have been instituted into the alleged corrupt practices, he added. "This should serve as a warning to all other officers in the system that my command will not support any corrupt activities among police officers. Any misconduct involving police officers will not be taken lightly," he said in a statement. The police, he said, are expected to show exemplary behavior as they belong to a law enforcement agency, adding that the police have since launched a direct deposit system where fines for traffic offenses will be directly deposited into commercial banks. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-17 23:56:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close BARCELONA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Barcelona on Friday paid an emotive homage to the victims of the terrorist attacks a year ago, which claimed 16 lives and injured at least 130. Hundres of people attended Friday's ceremony under the slogan of "Barcelona: City of Peace" held at the Plaza de Catalunya, close to Las Ramblas where Younes Abouyaaqoub killed 14 people when he drove a rented van down the packed street on Aug. 17, 2017. Friday's tributes began with Catalan leader Quim Torra highlighting the commitment of the Catalan region against terrorist "brutality". A delegation of victims and political figures then laid a floral tribute in Las Ramblas at the spot where Abouyaaqoub's van finally came to a halt, before the main ceremony in Plaza Catalunya, which was attended by important figures in Spain, including King Felipe VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Journalist Gemma Nierga read a speech in which she highlighted the work of the emergency services a year ago, while a fragment of John Donne's poem "No Man is an Island" was read in eight languages, Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, German, Italian and Dutch, to reflect the mother tongues of the victims. A choir of 50 local schoolchildren then sang four songs at the ceremony. It is now thought that the terrorist cell behind the Aug. 17 attack had originally intended to attack FC Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium, as well as the Sagrada Familia church, a nightclub and sites in the nearby town of Sitges. However, they were forced to alter their plans after an explosion at the house where they were preparing their bombs killed two cell members. The attacker Abouyaaqoub was found and shot by police four days after the attack. Four others are currently in preventive custody awaiting trial. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:06:31|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, presides over a bi-weekly consultation session to discuss ways to build better teams for the country's rural work, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's political advisors on Friday convened a bi-weekly consultation session to discuss ways to build better teams for the country's rural work. "China should train more talented workers and officials that have a deep understanding of agriculture and an attachment to the countryside as well as farmers," said Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who presided over the meeting. The political advisors agreed that while many practical policy measures had been rolled out to attract talented workers to rural areas, officials at the grassroots level were still insufficient, with improvement needed in team structures and quality. They said institutional barriers dividing urban and rural areas should be removed, with incentives given to encourage university students and former military personnel to return to their hometowns for work. They also suggested that overall plans should be made for the education and training of teams for rural work, while online training should be promoted to help rural officials become better-informed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:06:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Friday it will scrutinize a just-submitted bill which proposes to nationalize the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), the country's central bank. The ANC will study the bill before deciding on the desirability of the bill and whether it is in line with the ANC policy, said Jackson Mthembu, Chief Whip of the ANC Office in Parliament. This came after the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) submitted the SARB Amendment Bill to Parliament earlier this week, proposing to do away with private shareholders and "make the state the sole holder of the shares in the bank." Unlike most central banks in the world, the SARB has been privately owned since it was established in 1921, but its shareholders have no control over monetary policy, financial stability policy or banking regulation. As a result, the bank has been criticized for failing to help boost the economy and create jobs. The debate on nationalizing the SARB has been going on for quite some time. There has been a growing call, even within the ANC, to nationalize the bank. At its 54th national congress in December last year, the ANC proposed to nationalize the SARB so as to allow the government to own 100-percent of the bank's shares instead of the current arrangement where the shares are held by a number of private shareholders. The change in its policy towards the SARB is seen as the ANC's move to boost economic growth after Cyril Ramaphosa took over Jacob Zuma as the ANC president. But later the ANC softened its stance on the SARB due to growing jitters among investors. The SARB insists that changing the ownership structure of the bank could raise the level of risk and uncertainty for the country in both the financial and economic policy sense. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:06:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- In spite of the efforts that Egypt and other mediators made to restore calm in the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Palestinians resumed Friday rallies and protests close to the border with Israel. The anti-Israel protests and rallies, better known as the "Great March of Return" starting on March 30, were resumed on Friday afternoon for the 21st consecutive week. Eyewitnesses and local media reported that hundreds of angry youth approached the fence of the border in five different spots close to the border. Demonstrators burned tires, waved Palestinian flags before releasing dozens of arson balloons and kites into Israel, according to the reports, which added that some demonstrators cut parts of the barbed wire of the border fence. Abdulatif al-Qanou'a, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in an emailed statement that the Great March of Return will continue "until it achieves its goals." "The marches and protests confused the enemy (Israel) calculations and compelled it to make concessions and pay its dues," he said, adding "these marches will go on until it fully achieves all its goals." The Highest Commission for the Great March of Return, which comprises several Palestinian factions including Hamas, had earlier called on people to join the rallies and protests in eastern Gaza. "Today's marches were organized in rejection to the Zionist (Israeli) violations that never stop against Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque," said the commission in a statement, adding "the protests today are also in support for Jerusalem residents." Gaza Health Ministry said that at least 12 Palestinians were injured, including six by live gunshots. One of them is in serious condition after being shot in the chest. During the protests and rallies, the Palestinians threw stones at the soldiers stationed at the borders, while the soldiers fired dozens of tear gas canisters and live gunshots to prevent the protesters from reaching the fence. However, Israeli media reports said that during the protests, a Palestinian threw a hand grenade at Israeli soldiers, adding that the soldiers opened fire and shot him. On Thursday, three delegations, representing Hamas, the left-wing Palestinian parties and senior employees in various ministries in the Gaza Strip, headed to Cairo to resume talks with the Egyptian mediators. Official Palestinian sources said that talks in Cairo will focus on a possible long-term truce with Israel in Gaza and resuming reconciliation talks aiming at ending internal Palestinian division that has been going on for 12 years. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip had earlier stated that since the beginning of the Great March of Return, the Israeli army killed 169 Palestinians and wounded more than 17,000 others, mostly with gunshots. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:06:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Friday condemned the airstrikes carried out by Turkish warplanes in Sinjar in northern Iraq and denied any coordination with Ankara regarding the strikes. "The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemns the Turkish airstrikes on Sinjar within the civilian-populated areas," the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Mahjoob said in a statement. "While the ministry rejects these attacks, it categorically denies any coordination between Baghdad and Ankara in this regard," the statement said in response to reports claiming the Turkish attacks were conducted with permission of the Iraqi government. The condemnation came after the Turkish operations against the Turkish outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Sinjar, killing dozens of them, including a most-wanted PKK leader Ismail Ozden, codenamed Mam Zeki Shingali. Meanwhile, the Iraqi ministry renewed its call on Turkey to withdraw its forces from a military base at the town of Bashiqa near Mosul, as its presence is "in contrary to international conventions and the principle of respect for mutual sovereignty." Since 2015, hundreds of Turkish soldiers have been deployed in Bashiqa camp, some 30 km northeast of Mosul. The presence of the Turkish troops led to a dispute between Iraq and Turkey, as Baghdad repeatedly said Turkish forces violated Iraq's sovereignty by entering the country without permission. However, Ankara said that Turkish soldiers were sent to Bashiqa at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and that their presence aimed at training both Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and local tribal volunteers to combat IS militants in Mosul, which was liberated from the IS in July 2017 by the Iraqi forces. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:06:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBAI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Police forces of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, on Friday warned residents of the risks of playing fireworks during the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, UAE state news agency WAM reported. "There are plenty of sad and tragic stories related to fireworks," said Brigadier Salem Hamoud Al Bloushi, Director of the Firearms and Explosives Section at the Abu Dhabi Police's Security and Ports Affairs. He called on the public to celebrate Eid al-Adha in a safe manner. Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Feast of the Sacrifice," is a Muslim holy holiday worldwide when animals are ritually sacrificed with their meat delivered to the poor. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:21:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- There is currently no safe way for civilians and humanitarian workers to enter Afghanistan's Ghazni city after intense fighting in this capital of eastern Ghazni province, a UN official said here Friday. Jens Laerke, deputy spokesperson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told a press briefing that relevant UN agencies are in the process of dispatching chlorine to flush the water system, and trying to make food available for dispatch from Kabul. "Safe access on Highway 1 will be required to transport the allocated commodities to Ghazni," he said. According to the UN official, many shops and markets in the city have reportedly been burned or looted and prices for basic commodities are inflated. He said that Afghan military forces have now reportedly cleared the center of Ghazni City, with house-to-house clearing operations ongoing. The fighting has reportedly moved to the outskirts of the city, with Taliban fighters slowly withdrawing towards surrounding villages. Civilian casualties from the past week of fighting are estimated to range from 200 to 250, according to the latest, unverified numbers, he said. In a surprise move, Taliban militants launched multi-pronged attacks on strategically important Ghazni last Friday from different directions, targeting important entities including a police department, the national directorate of security, and the provincial governor's office. The attack came amid the Afghan government's efforts to bring the Taliban to negotiations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:26:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- After many years of drifting abroad out of fear of the grinding war in their home country, Syrian refugees now start to relish the journey back mixed with curiosity and relief. At the Jdaidet Yabous crossing between Syria and Lebanon on Monday, buses carrying dozens of Syrian refugees back home crossed over the border, when they saw the Syrian soil for the first time after many years of refuge in neighboring Lebanon. Mobile clinics were set up at the crossing, where food, juice and water are provided for the new arrivals, while Syrian flags were waved by young people welcoming the returnees. Meanwhile, the warm welcome inspired smiles on the faces of the refugees, who feel the situation in Syria is getting stabilized. Ahmad, a man in his 30s, was one of the smilers, while getting out of the bus with his wife and little children. "I am so happy. When I saw the Syrian flag, my heart jumped out of its place in happiness as there is nothing more beautiful than returning home," he told Xinhua. Ahmad said his fellow refugees in Lebanon were eager to return home as well. "The Syrian refugees in Lebanon were envious when they knew I was coming back home and they asked me to tell them in details about the procedures of the return so that they could come back as well," he said. Jasem, an old man in his 70s, the strong sunlight at the crossing accentuated the lines on his face, as he was coming back with his daughter and grandchildren. "There is nothing more beautiful or precious than the homeland. We were helpless when we fled being scared of the war," the old man said. His daughter Basima, a mother of four, told Xinhua that she has been dreaming about returning home for six years. "I have always dreamt about returning home. Everything seems good here and the people are nice to us," she said. The Syrian government has been appealing to the refugees to return home as the domestic situation is increasingly better amid the military victory of the Syrian army, which has retaken large swathes of the territory. All major Syrian cities, including the capital Damascus, the central cities of Homs and Hama, the northern city of Aleppo and many coastal cities, are now safe for habitation. In Lebanon alone, estimates suggest that more than 1 million Syrian refugees have sought sanctuary in the small neighboring country. Alaa Ibrahim, governor of Rif Damashq Governorate, told Xinhua at the crossing on Monday that Syria is giving the returnees the welcome a mother would give to her children after long years of separation. "The people who are returning are being received and embraced after all these years, the same way a mother would receive her children," Ibrahim said. According to the governor, it was the fourth batch of Syrian refugees among the already 25,000 returning from Lebanon within four months. "Some Syrian refugees in Europe are returning as well on their own" through Lebanon, he noted, expecting a massive return of refugees in the near future as "Syria is almost liberated." Out of an estimated pre-war 22-million population in Syria in 2016, 13.5 million were identified by the United Nations as in need of humanitarian assistance, with more than 6 million forced into internal displacement, and about 5 million fleeing outside Syria. In 2018, however, the crisis seems to be nearing the end, at least on the military level, as the Syrian army fully secured the capital Damascus in April and then captured the province of Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian war in southern Syria, the province of Quneitra near the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, and almost the entire southern province of Sweida. The rebels are now almost concentrated in the northwestern province of Idlib, perhaps the last battleground in Syria considering the fact that Kurdish-controlled regions in the northeast are seeking negotiations with the government on their future status in Syria. While encouraging the reconciliation deal in Idlib, the Syrian army is believed to be preparing for a wide-scale offensive on the province should the reconciliation fails. These successive victories achieved in recent years have expanded the safe areas across the country, creating a solid ground for the return of Syrian refugees to their homes. Ibrahim said the government even grants the draft dodgers who are returning to the country six months to settle down before reporting to the military service. No retribution is being practised against returnees, including those with criminal records who had fled the country illegally, he noted. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 00:31:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about recent developments in Syria and Ukraine in addition to migrants flows that are challenging Europe's main powerhouses. During the telephone conversation, Macron and Merkel discussed the conflict in Syria notably in Idlib region where they said, "humanitarian risks are very high," according to a statement by the French president's office. Both leaders "emphasized the efforts needed to support an inclusive political process for lasting peace in the region," the statement added. During their talk, the two leaders also focused on the relocation of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, noting "the need to work on a coordinated European solution to fight against smugglers and to take in rescue vessels in the Mediterranean." The statement added that the situation in Ukraine topped their talks. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 01:32:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The German astronaut Alexander Gerst remote controlled a semi-autonomous robot on earth as a part of a project by the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission was presented at a robotics facility of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) during a training session that Gerst completed on Friday. During the test, the humanoid robot was placed in a simulated Mars environment at DLR's Robotics and Mechatronics Centre in the German city of Oberpfaffenhofen while Gerst commanded it via tablet computer from the orbiting ISS at an altitude of 400 km. In the process, the robot had to plug and unplug cables, open transport boxes and inspect components without the German astronaut dictating the required movements. The robot called Rollin' Justin is a modular autonomous robot that can execute individual commands independently. Alexander Gerst had to perform complex telerobotic tasks in space, but also had to react to unexpected situations. "The idea is to test whether robots will be able to assist astronauts properly in future space missions," explained DLR representative Lioba Suchenwirth. Also, Rollin' Justin was given a wider range of possible actions than in previous experiments. DLR is confident that the project will be of great importance to European space travel in the long term. "[Rollin'] Justin is a technology carrier. Individual elements of this technology will be used in space over the next few years," Markus Grebenstein, head of department at DLR, told Xinhua on Friday. But the technology has different applications as well. In May, the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics presented its SMiLE project, which develops robots similar to Rollin' Justin that support the care of people of old age or with physical impairments. This test run was DLR's third and last experiment of the METERON (Multi-Purpose End-to-End Robotic Operation Network) SUPVIS-Justin-Project in which robots stationed on the earth's surface are controlled by astronauts on board the ISS. According to Suchenwirth, this was by far the most complex experiment in this series regarding autonomy. In 2015, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko had first steered a robot named ROKVISS stationed on earth from space. The first remote control of Rollin' Justin was later performed by the Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli on Aug. 25, 2017. A vender waits with his goats at a livestock market in Aden city, Yemen, on Aug. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Murad Abdu) ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cattle markets in the main cities of war-torn Yemen are recently thronged with customers eager to buy sacrificial animals for Eid al-Adha, the second of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide. During the annual festival of Eid al-Adha starting from Aug. 21, Muslims across the world would celebrate by sacrificing a goat or sheep, and then eating it together with families and friends. However, the market prices for some livestock in Yemen this year have increased sharply ahead of the four-day Eid al-Adha, or the "Festival of Sacrifice," making it difficult for most people to afford animals for this holy festival. Many citizens in the southern port city of Aden lost their hope, saying they could not endure the soaring prices and this Eid al-Adha will be celebrated without sacrificial animals. A local billy goat, which was priced at 40,000 Yemeni rials (159.8 U.S. dollars) during last year's Eid al-Adha, is now fetching more than 90,000 rials in a livestock market in Aden. Bashir Jamal, a citizen living in Aden, said Eid al-Adha is the only annual occasion that brings his family and relatives together to taste different types of dishes amid joy and happiness. "Despite the rising prices, I will continue to look for my suitable goat because Eid al-Adha won't be good without it," Bashir said. "It looks that I will travel to other neighboring provinces like Abyan or rural areas where livestock prices are a bit low. Here in Aden everything is high," he said. A man smiles after buying a goat at a livestock market in Aden city, Yemen, on Aug. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Murad Abdu) Despite the rising prices, all markets in Aden and neighboring areas were crowded with customers before Eid al-Adha, said Majed Salim, another buyer at the market. "The rising prices will not deprive citizens from buying their sacrificial animals because they will sell anything just to find a solution for this obstacle," Salim said. "To overcome the unreasonable prices, I'm planning to sell my wife's jewelry to get money and then buy a good sheep," he said. "Some of the Yemeni citizens will be helpless and won't find a solution like mine particularly during these difficult days," the man lamented. Meanwhile, livestock traders complained about high transport costs and the continuing depreciation of Yemen's rial against foreign currencies. "During this annual occasion we always increase our business and get some good money and this year everything was doubled priced, not only livestock," said Ahmed Bam Ali, a livestock trader. The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since 2014, when the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened militarily against Houthis in March 2015 in response to an official request from Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to protect Yemen. Three quarters of the entire population, or more than 22 million Yemenis, urgently require humanitarian help, including 8.4 million who struggle to find their next meal. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 01:57:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Embassy to Libya on Friday announced Canada's opposition to a Libyan court's sentence of 45 supporters of former regime to death over killing demonstrators in 2011. "Canada supports justice for crimes committed, opposes the death penalty, and calls on Libyan authorities and leaders to redouble their efforts to achieve reconciliation, stability and decent living conditions for all Libyans," the embassy said. UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday expressed concern over the court's death sentence, opposing "the imposition of the death penalty as a matter of principle." Libya's Court of Appeal on Wednesday sentenced 45 supporters of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime to death over the killing of demonstrators in the capital Tripoli during the 2011 uprising, the Ministry of Justice said. Video footages circulated showed Gaddafi supporters forcing some demonstrators to kneel down before killing them on the spot. File photo taken on July 14, 2017 shows U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump as they attend the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. (Xinhua/AFP) WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he would attend a celebration in Paris this November marking the end of World War I, a day after the Pentagon announced it was postponing a military parade planned in Washington D.C. about the same time. In a tweet Friday morning, Trump blamed "local politicians" of Washington D.C. on canceling the event this year, saying that "they wanted a number so ridiculously high." "I instead will attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th," the president said in another tweet. "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," he added. Trump showed great interests in holding a military parade in the United States after attending France's Bastille Day military parade in Paris last year and directed Pentagon officials earlier this year to organize a big event in Washington D.C. But after months of planning, the Pentagon said Thursday that the president-proposed event has been postponed until at least 2019. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019," the statement added. The planned military parade is estimated to cost 92 million U.S. dollars, much higher than an initial estimate by the White House that put the cost at 12 million dollars, according to reports. The new figure reportedly consists of 50 million dollars from the Pentagon and 42 million dollars from interagency partners such as the Department of Homeland Security, but it has not been finalized or released publicly. The D.C. City Council balked at Trump's announcement of a parade this year and openly worried about road repair and other costs. "We would always be concerned about the impact on the city, the impact on safety, the impact on pulling personnel, the impact on our roadways, and quite frankly, the attention it would attract," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in February. "Better late. Then: never," tweeted the Council of D.C. Thursday night. The United States has not held a major military parade in Washington D.C. since the end of Operation Desert Storm was marked in 1991. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 03:12:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The top UN official for humanitarian affairs on Friday called for the protection of aid workers and civilians in armed conflict. Mark Lowcock, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, made the appeal on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, which falls on Aug. 19. Last year, 139 aid workers were killed, 102 were wounded and 72 were kidnapped in the line of duty. This marked the fifth consecutive year in which more than 100 humanitarians lost their lives on the job, and it was the highest recorded annual death toll since 2013, when 156 humanitarians were killed, said Lowcock in a press release. "It is unconscionable that civilians and the aid workers who are trying to help them are killed and maimed in conflict zones with utter impunity. We need this to end." In 2017, three out of four of the 43,000 people reportedly killed or injured by explosive weapons were civilians, a 38 percent increase from 2016, said Lowcock. Governments and non-state armed groups have clear legal obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, protect aid workers and ensure the safe and unimpeded passage of supplies in armed conflict, he said. "It is imperative that we hold men with guns and power accountable when civilians and aid workers are illegally targeted." In addition to the continued #NotATarget campaign, Lowcock's UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday launched a petition with world leaders for the protection of civilians and aid workers in armed conflict. In the petition, OCHA asked parties to conflict to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It also demanded states ensure that civilians in conflict zones can access medical care and humanitarian assistance, and enable humanitarian and health workers to work in safety. States should ensure better protection and assistance of people forcibly displaced within their country and uphold their human rights, and should condition their arms exports on respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, it said. The UN Security Council should not accept attacks on children as the "new normal" of armed conflict, it said. The petition was launched prior to next month's gathering of world leaders in New York for the annual UN General Assembly General Debate. Citizens across the world are asked to "sign" the petition with their selfies through a website that innovatively transforms the 2D selfies into 3D portraits of solidarity. Citizens' 3D faces will be displayed on an installation at the UN headquarters in New York. The installation will remain in place throughout next month's General Debate of the UN General Assembly. "The thousands of faces that make up the living petition will be on display to remind world leaders of their legal obligation to protect civilians in conflict," said Lowcock. Aug. 19 was designated as World Humanitarian Day by the UN General Assembly in 2008 to mark the bombing that targeted the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq on Aug. 19, 2003. The blast at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad killed 22 people, including the world body's top envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 03:57:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The gunman who killed five and wounded six at an airport in U.S. southeastern state of Florida in January last year was on Friday sentenced to five consecutive life prison terms for the five deaths and an additional 120 years for the six people he wounded. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom accepted a plea deal in which Esteban Santiago, 28, agreed to admit to the shooting if prosecutors would not seek the death penalty, local media reported. The Alaska man arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a one-way ticket. He took out a box containing a handgun from checked luggage, loaded the gun in a restroom and came out firing 15 shots at the baggage area. "You destroyed families in this senseless attack," the judge said, calling the rampage "85 seconds of evil". Santiago did not speak in court Friday and no family members spoke on his behalf, according to media reports. The gunman, an Iraq war veteran, was diagnosed after the shooting as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Helicopters are seen during a Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey joint military exercises at the military base of Vaziani near Tbilisi, Georgia, June 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) BAKU, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijani Armed Forces on Friday conducted tactical flight drills with the involvement of combat helicopters, the country's defense ministry said in a statement. The drills were conducted following the plan of combat training approved by Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov. During the exercises, pilots conducted tasks on detecting and destroying various facilities of conditional enemy. They executed other regulatory tasks as well. Helicopter crews carried out tasks to provide air support to the combined-arms units and subunits in various types of battle. All the tasks assigned by the defense minister were successfully completed, the statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 04:17:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close MINSK, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The new resident company, GTA (MSK) Data Technologies, will set up a data center for financial information driven by cloud computing in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone, according to the industrial park's administration. The project was initiated by the Chinese company Shenzhen GTA Education Tech Ltd. The agreement on the new resident company's entry into the industrial park was signed on Thursday. The Chinese company will create an open cloud computing platform for servicing financial data in many areas. The data center will handle financial data from China's main stock exchanges as well as the stock markets in Central and Eastern Europe, the park's administration said. Chinese brokerage firms, investment funds and other financial institutions are expected to use these services. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 04:32:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close VALLETTA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Another row between Malta and Italy has erupted over who should assume responsibility for the safety of 171 migrants, who were picked up by Italian Coast Guard ship Diciotti from a boat. The Maltese government said in a statement on Friday that the boat carrying the migrants was not in distress, but was simply passing through its waters and that the migrants were picked up closer to the Italian island of Lampedusa than Malta. The Maltese government explained that the boat had refused offers of assistance from a Maltese patrol boat which had monitored it while it was in transit through the Malta search and rescue zone. "The migrants insisted that they did not require assistance and wanted to continue heading to their intended final destination, namely Italy. Hence the AFM continued to monitor the boat to fulfil a duty of care," it said. The Maltese authorities argued that if the event was to be considered as a search and rescue, under international law, the nearest port of safety was Lampedusa. The government said that the Italian Rescue Co-ordination centre has no legal claim to ask Malta to provide a safe port for this boat. According to Times of Malta, the boat remain stranded off Lampedusa awaiting instructions by the Italian authorities. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini late on Wednesday said that Malta should take the migrants since they sailed through Malta's rescue zone but were "ignored" by the Maltese authorities despite being in difficulty. The migrants were subsequently picked up by the Italian coastguard vessel, the Diciotti. On Italian social media, many have criticised the master of the Italian vessel for picking up the migrants. The controversy is the latest between Malta and Italy since the new Italian government imposed a hard line on migrant arrivals. Salvini has closed Italy's harbours to migrant rescue vessels and insisted Italy cannot take more migrants, arguing that in some cases that they should be taken to Malta. Several ships ferrying migrants from North African shores to Europe have required assistance from either Malta or Italy in recent months, with both countries reluctant to take on more migrants. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attend a meeting during the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau, Kazakhstan August 12, 2018. (KREMLIN PHOTO) MOSCOW, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Moscow is determined to take all necessary measures to preserve and implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday. "Russia continues to consistently implement its commitments under the JCPOA... We reiterate our decisive commitment to take all the necessary measures to preserve and fully implement the JCPOA," a ministry statement said. It said that Russia's Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is implementing a series of projects designed to ensure the compliance with requirements of the JCPOA. While noting that Russia is preparing to return a second batch of high-enriched uranium to Iran, the ministry stressed that Moscow would assist Tehran in managing the surplus low-enriched uranium and carry out cooperation with the country in specific areas for the peaceful use of atomic energy. All such cooperation is being carried out strictly in accordance with the JCPOA terms and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 under full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the ministry said. The JCPOA was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 -- Russia, France, China, Britain, the United States, plus Germany. In May, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the landmark Iranian nuclear deal. Since then, the Trump administration has slapped a number of sanctions on Iran while vowing to apply more. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 04:47:48|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The scale of potential disruption from a no-deal Brexit became clear Friday as a leaked British government document listed areas of concern ranging from driving licences to pet passports. Among the 84 topics the British government is planning to issue advice to businesses and the public about are aviation safety, food labelling, maritime security and workplace rights. At the same time the head of the British pharmaceutical industry association, Mike Thompson, said Brexit should be treated as "a health security issue" because of the risk of drugs becoming unavailable in some countries. Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen warned early Friday that the chances of a no-deal Brexit were around 50-50 and he called for more "effort" by Britain and the European Union to secure an agreement this autumn. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was criticised by Brexiteers Thursday night for saying a "messy and ugly" divorce would be harmful. Hunt clarified his remarks with a tweet on Friday morning that said Britain would "survive and prosper" even in a no-deal situation, but warned that "it would be a big mistake for Europe because of the inevitable impact on long-term partnership with UK." This came as the 84 topics where the British government plans to issue papers setting out consequences and preparations for no-deal were leaked to Buzzfeed. Downing Street plans to publish the papers in batches, starting next week, to try to avoid accusations that it has embarked on a Project Fear operation. Brexit relations hit a new low on Wednesday after Brussels refused to deny that EU negotiators have raised concerns that they are being spied on by the British intelligence agency, MI6. The European Commission declined to comment on the reports that British intelligence assets are suspected of being used to give the UK an upper hand in Brexit talks. It was reported that officials first suspected they were being bugged after the UK obtained sensitive documents "within hours" of them being presented to EU officials last month. The news came as British negotiators head to Brussels on Thursday to resume two days of technical Brexit talks, although little progress is expected to be made on substantive issues until Autumn. Hunt visited countries in northern Europe this week to seek support for the Chequers proposal, masterminded by British Prime Minister Theresa May in early July, from those who see Britain as a key military ally. On his return, the foreign secretary made clear that the British government would accept European environmental and social legislation if it led to a free trade agreement. "I'm getting a strong sense that, not just in Holland but in many of the places that I've visited, they do want to engage seriously to try and find a way through to try and get a pragmatic outcome," he told ITV News. Asked about claims that Brussels negotiators were being bugged by British spies, he said, "Foreign secretaries never comment on such matters but you are a journalist and you don't have any trouble finding out what is going on in those meetings, just like you have no problems in finding out what's happening in our London meetings." Formal Brexit talks resumed in Brussels between UK and EU officials on Thursday. Earlier this week, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said there was a "very considerable risk" of a no-deal scenario, but stressed he was optimistic that the sides could come together. British Chancellor Philip Hammond was flying to Berlin on Friday to encourage support for the Chequers proposals. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 04:52:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Google has updated a help page for customers of mobile phones to acknowledge that they still can be tracked for using its Search or Maps services, even if they turn off the phone's tracking feature. In the help page for the Location History setting, Google clarified, "This setting does not affect other location services on your device, like Google Location Services and Find My Device. Some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, like Search and Maps." The Google update came three days after a report of the Associated Press said that several Google apps and websites store user location even if users have turned off Location History. The latest description of the Google help page is an apparent revision of what the U.S. tech giant has previously stated: "With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored." Google has been criticized for tracking users' locations, which could result from its push to make more profits from advertisers who could target more easily a certain group of users with the Google tracking data. Google's previous statement about Location History could be misleading for users who turned off the tracking feature to show they did not want to be tracked, while the users were not aware that they were still tracked for their movements and locations via other Google services, such as Google Search, Maps, weather updates or browser searches. Google offers users ways to keep their movements or locations private by disabling the "Web and App Activity" option on their mobile devices. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 04:52:51|Editor: yan Video Player Close LISBON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa paid homage to the two Portuguese victims on Friday, calling for greater European Union (EU) cooperation in tackling terrorism on the anniversary of the Barcelona terror attacks. "One year on, we too remember Barcelona and we will never forget our compatriots Maria Correia and Maria de Lurdes Ribeiro, and everyone else who lost their lives and were injured in that cruel act of terror," said Costa in a message issued via Twitter. "As with all the major challenges of today, we need greater unity and solidarity within the European Union to combat terrorism," Costa added. On Aug. 17, 2017, 16 people died and 120 people were injured in terrorist attacks on the Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona and at Cambrils, a nearby seaside resort. Maria Correia, aged 20, and Maria de Lurdes Ribeiro, aged 74, granddaughter and grandmother respectively, were on holiday in Barcelona together at the time. Once identified, their corpses were flown back to Cascais, a town outside Lisbon, for a funeral attended by Costa himself and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 05:17:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Palestinians carry a wounded man during clashes with Israeli soldiers near the Gaza-Israel border, east of Gaza City, on Aug. 17, 2018. Two Palestinians were killed and 241 wounded Friday afternoon during clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters close to the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said. (Xinhua) GAZA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed and 241 wounded Friday afternoon during clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters close to the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said. Ashraf al Qedra, health ministry spokesman in Gaza said that Sa'dai Akram Mu'amar, 26 years old, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers' gunfire east of Rafah town in southern Gaza. He added that earlier, a second Palestinian called Kareem Abu Fatayer, 30 years old, was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers' gunfire east of al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. Al-Qedra added that 241 others were injured during the anti-Israel rallies in eastern Gaza Strip. He said that since the beginning of the Great March of Return on March 30, the Israeli army has killed 171 Palestinians and wounded more than 17,000. Eyewitnesses and local media reported that hundreds of angry young demonstrators approached the fence of the border in five different spots close to the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel. Demonstrators burned tires, waved Palestinian flags and then they flew and released dozens of arson balloons and kites from the area into Israel, according to the reports, which added that some demonstrators cut parts of the barbed wife of the borders fence. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 05:47:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Presidency warned Israel on Friday of "dangerous consequences" of closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli authorities earlier on Friday evening reopened the mosque for Palestinian worshipers after closing it for a few hours following a stabbing attack near the mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. Muslims Property department in the city said in a statement that the dawn prayers will be held on time in the mosque after it had been closed by the Israeli police for several hours in the face of Muslim prayers. The Palestinian state-run news agency WAFA reported that the Israeli police forced Palestinian worshipers to leave the mosque yard, closed one of its gates, and detained four people. The report also said that the Israeli police forces prevented worshipers from reaching the mosque for evening prayers inside. The Israeli closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site, came after an Israeli-Arab was shot dead near the mosque on alleged attempt of trying to stab an Israeli police officer. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Presidency announced that President Mahmoud Abbas held an emergency meeting on Friday night to follow up the situation at Al-Aqsa Mosque. "These measures are totally rejected and we hold the Israeli government fully responsible for carrying on with these measures," said a Palestinian Presidency statement. "Once again, East Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque are a red line, and there is no peace or security without that," Abbas said in a presidential statement published by WAFA. Jerusalem is one of the final status issues for Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, which had been stalled since 2014 after nine months of U.S.-sponsored talks without progress to resolve decades of conflicts between the two sides. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 05:58:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A man from the west U.S. state of Oregon has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for child sex abuse after he was brought back from China, an Oregon TV news outlet reported Friday. Toby Mendenhall, 41, pleaded guilty to first-degree sodomy and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and has been booked into the Washington County jail on charges of sex abuse, the Portland, Oregon-based KATU TV channel said. Mendenhall was probed in June 26 after police were tipped that he may have been sexually abusing multiple children. By Oct. 25, 2017, investigators have known that four victims had come forward to report Mendenhall's crime. An arrest warrant was issued for Mendenhall on Dec. 2, 2016 for two counts of first-degree sodomy and eight counts of first-degree sexual abuse. He was found to have fled to China, and police managed to locate him in Shanghai, the metropolitan city in eastern China. Mendenhall was eventually brought back from China due to the cooperation between China and U.S. police authorities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-18 07:03:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close QUITO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian police discovered 637 kilos of marijuana stashed on the Colombian bus that crashed outside Quito, killing 24, a top official said on Friday. The drugs had "a value of 1.7 million U.S. dollars," Ruth Palacios, Ecuador's acting attorney general, told reporters at a press conference. An investigation will be conducted to find out the source and destination of the drugs, in addition to the ongoing investigation to determine the causes of the accident, she said. Carlos Alulema, director of the national anti-narcotics agency, told reporters the marijuana was detected by sniffer dogs and would have been "almost impossible" to uncover in a routine border control check due to the elaborate concealment methods used. The packaged drugs, found in four hiding places in the bus, which belonged to Colombian company Cotrans Especiales del Oriente, were marked with the words "knight, gift and king." The public prosecutor has opened a culpable homicide case against the bus driver, who survived, and there will be ongoing cooperation with the Colombian police, Alulema added. The predawn accident occurred around 3 a.m. on Tuesday along a stretch of roadway known as "deadman's curve." The bus, carrying some 38 passengers, reportedly crashed into a passenger car, turned over, skidded and struck three homes by the side of the road before coming to a stop. Preliminary reports suggest the bus' brakes crystallized. In addition to the 24 lives lost, 22 people were injured. Following the tragic accident, Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno fired three directors of transit. Improved tax morale that comes with measures the government has taken to crack down on tax evasion, such as the introduction of online invoicing, could bring Hungarys tax gap under 10 percent, Finance Minister Mihaly Varga told MTI. Companies are now required to use an online system for issuing invoices that automatically reports transactions with VAT of 100,000 forints (EUR 310) or more to the tax office, under rules in effect from July 1 and enforced from August 1. Varga said companies had submitted 7.5 million electronic invoices to the tax office in the first two weeks after the mandatory practice started being enforced. So far, 272,000 businesses have registered to use the online system, he added. Mandatory e-invoicing is one of a number of measures Hungarys government has taken to crack down on tax evasion in recent years. MTI photo: Bruzak Noemi Five new airline services will be introduced in Budapest in the 2018/2019 winter timetable, with Wizz Air, easyJet and Polish airlines LOT connecting the Hungarian capital with new destinations. Wizz Air will fly twice weekly to Doncaster Sheffield in Britain and also twice weekly to Eilat-Ovda in Israel, Budapest Airport said in a statement. EasyJet will fly to London- Southend and also to Manchester twice a week and LOT will operate 12 weekly flights to London-City Airport. Doncaster Sheffield and London-City will be new destinations from Budapest. With the new services included, eight airline companies will fly on 10 routes between Hungary and Britain starting this winter. Budapest Airport served 6.8 million passengers in the first half of this year, 17.2% up from the same period of last year and the number of passengers is expected to exceed 15 million by the end of this year. The Hungarian government is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign in the autumn to promote foster parenting, a human resources ministry official said. The campaign that will reach all of Hungarys 19 counties will aim to raise awareness among young people about foster care, state secretary for social inclusion Attila Fulop told public news channel M1. The government is committed to aiding the profession of social work, he said, adding that next years budget earmarks an extra 850 million forints (EUR 2.6m) towards expanding Hungarys foster care network. Foster parents play an important role in social responsibility by committing themselves to providing the required environment for children until they can be reunited with their families, Fulop said. The role of foster parent in Hungary has been recognised as employment since 2014, he said. Fostered parents today receive 60,000 forints per child compared with the 15,000 forints they were paid four years ago, he added. Immediate intervention will be possible at any sign of danger at the 20 August National holiday events, the government spokesman said. Zoltan Kovacs is also the head of a national operative staff in charge of preparing the events and told public news channel M1 that in addition to an operative body overseeing events in Budapest, the police also have a national body which will be monitoring the more than 250 events linked to the national holiday. He promised that this would prevent the reoccurrence of 2006s tragic events when a storm caused fatalities and significant damage during the evening fireworks in Budapest on August 20. The weather service will send reports to the operative staff every ten minutes and any special development or traffic incident will also be immediately reported, he said. In line with the current forecast, it will be calm summer weather, perfect for the fireworks in Budapest which usually attracts 650,000-700,000 spectators, he added. MTI: Mathe Zoltan A political scientist describes the past three decades of Hungarian politics as an incessant struggle between enemies. His main problem is that the struggle is fuelled by hatred. On Mozgaster, political scientist Bela Gallo quotes classical political philosopher Carl Schmidt who famously said that in politics there are only friends and enemies nothing else. In Hungary, at the outset of democracy in 1990, the MSZP was the enemy of the new parties. Very soon, the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats switched sides the MSZP became its friend and everybody else became the enemy. FIDESZ stood in the middle, wondering where the Belgians should stand (in a field dominated by the feuding Walloons and Flemish). By now, Gallo writes, there are no more Belgians, except a few rambling specimens. There is only one dividing issue in politics whether you are an enemy or a friend of Prime Minister Orban. Meanwhile, he continues, the enemies hearts have been filled with hatred, especially on the opposition side, which has become insensitive to the need for ruse and power in politics, because they have been blinded by hate. The government side, on the other hand, makes use of all the tools of Machiavellian political warfare. That difference explains, why Prime Minister Viktor Orban has won one election after another for the past eight years, Gallo concludes. Terminal 2B of Liszt Ferenc International Airport was shut down briefly late Wednesday because of an overheated container of an isotope, a spokesman for the National Directorate General for Disaster Management told MTI. Authorities were informed of the overheated container and took restrictive measures to the necessary degree, said Marton Hajdu. The deputy spokesman for Liszt Ferenc operator Budapest Airport said the shutdown affected eight flights. Flights were on schedule by morning, Laszlo Kurucz added. Kurucz confirmed that the container contained the isotope iridium. At no time were passengers in any danger, he added. The National Ambulance Service told MTI that there were no injuries at the airport and nobody had been brought to hospital from Liszt Ferenc. MTI learnt that the container had been shipped from Dimitrovgrad, in Russia, via Istanbul. The delivery was bound for the Hungarian company Izotop Intezet, a staff member told MTI. The company stressed that such increases in temperature are natural for deliveries of fissionable material. A physicist of the National Public Health Institutes department of radiobiology and radiohygiene told MTI that the container was not damaged and measurements carried out on the spot confirmed that no radioactive material escaped from it. The reason for the restrictive measures was that it was hotter than the environment, Adam Salik said, adding that this was a natural development considering the high volume of isotope being transported. It contained 465 TBq of iridium-192 isotope, he said. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has told advisers that he is eager to strip more security clearances as part of an escalating attack against people who have criticized him or played a role in the investigation of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, two White House officials said. Over the past 19 months, Trump has fired or threatened to take action against nearly a dozen current and former officials associated with the inquiry, which he has labeled a rigged witch hunt, including former FBI director James Comey and other top FBI officials Sally Yates and Andrew McCabe. All three were dismissed. Trump intensified his attacks this week by stripping former CIA director John Brennan of his security clearance and announcing that others are under review. Brennan and former director of national intelligence James Clapper, who is on Trumps review list, were among the Obama administration officials who briefed Trump before his inauguration on evidence of Russias interference in the campaign. The president has repeatedly urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other officials to end the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is examining potential collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign and whether the president has sought to obstruct justice. To critics, Trumps moves echo President Richard Nixons decision to force the abrupt firing of Watergate special counsel Archibald Cox. If you did all this in one day, it would have a Saturday night massacre odor to it, said Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution fellow who oversees the Lawfare Blog on national security issues, referring to the 1973 move by Nixon that prompted resignations by the Justice Departments top two officials. But you spread it out and get people used to the first one, then you do the second one over a long period of time, it becomes the new normal. Many of Brennans former colleagues have rallied to his defense. I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency, retired Navy Adm. William McRaven, who oversaw the 2011 Special Forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden, wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. Inside the West Wing, Trump is eager to move against others on the security clearance review list and could act soon, according to the White House officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Trump believes he has emerged looking strong and decisive in his escalating feud with Brennan, the aides said, adding that he shows a visceral disdain for the former CIA director when he sees him on TV. But other aides would prefer a more fulsome process or that he drop the matter altogether, and they are scrambling to review the list of people Trump says hed like to strip of clearances. These officials said Trump did not focus on his power to remove clearances until this summer. Still, as the Russia investigation tightens around the president Mueller is pressing Trumps legal team over a potential interview with him the president remains impulsive and unpredictable, aides said. The process is essentially meaningless, one White House aide said. If Trump wants to do it, hell just do it. Trump has frequently overruled, contradicted or ignored his aides, and that internal discord was on display again in the move against Brennan. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the action Wednesday by reading an eight-paragraph statement in Trumps name, citing Brennans erratic conduct and wild outbursts on television and erroneous statements he had made. Later that afternoon, Trump summoned a Wall Street Journal reporter into the Oval Office for an impromptu interview in which he linked Brennans clearance revocation to the sham Russia investigation. These people led it, he said, referring to Brennan and others. So I think its something that had to be done. In an op-ed published Thursday by the New York Times, Brennan called Trumps claims that there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia hogwash. Brennan characterized Trumps action as politically motivated and said it was an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him. Rudy Giuliani, Trumps lead attorney for the special counsel investigation, dismissed suggestions that the president had developed an enemies list, saying that decisions on security clearances will be made on a case-by-case basis. The basis for having it is the president is going to call on you for advice if that doesnt exist, theres no reason for you to have a clearance, Giuliani said in an interview. We arent prohibiting their First Amendment rights. We are just saying, you dont get to see top-secret government documents. White House aides confirmed that Trump made his decision weeks ago about Brennan, who serves as an NBC News contributor. Senior advisers, including Sanders, recommended to the president that they announce the action Wednesday amid an onslaught of news coverage from former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newmans new book, which accuses Trump of having made racist remarks, the aides said. Brennan attacked Trump for calling Manigault Newman a dog hours before the clearance was taken away. Trump has obsessed over the book and media coverage of it for several days, aides said. Trump grew increasingly agitated about Brennan and others earlier in the summer, believing they were exploiting their credentials as former national security officials to make money, aides said. The president mentioned the Russia investigation when discussing the matter in private and drafted a list of officials who have angered him for Sanders to read at the lectern in the White House briefing room, the aides said. Although advisers cautioned the president that some people on the list including Comey and McCabe had already lost their security clearances when they were fired, Trump insisted that they be included anyway, the senior officials said. Brennan was too political, Trump told his aides. The president did not get much resistance from his inner circle because Brennan is widely disliked in the West Wing, according to a senior official and a former administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer in Washington, called Trumps move unprecedented and said Brennan could pursue a due process claim. But he said it is unlikely that Brennan could win his clearance back. He may have a whistleblower claim because Trump tied it to Russia, Zaid said. What were concerned about is how much further is it going to go? he added, referring to other potential Trump targets. Also on Trumps list are former FBI employees Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who criticized the president in private texts while carrying on an affair during their work on agency investigations of the presidential campaigns of Trump and Hillary Clinton. Page resigned in May and Strzok was fired last week. The only current official known to be in Trumps review is Bruce Ohr, a Justice Department employee who was demoted recently after Republicans named him in a memo earlier this year that targeted his ties to the former British intelligence officer who wrote a controversial dossier about the Trump campaigns alleged contacts with Russian officials. Trump named Ohr and his wife in two critical tweets this week. The presidents moves have elicited mixed responses among Republicans on Capitol Hill, most of whom have supported his right to remove Brennans clearance. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized Brennan for his remarks about potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. If the claim is purely political and based on conjecture, the president has full authority to revoke his security clearance as head of the executive branch, Burr said in a statement Thursday. By JEAN NORDINE [email protected] Marenisco State Sen. Tom Casperson said he was not informed ahead of time by the Michigan Department of Corrections of its decision to close the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco before the DOCs public announcement Tuesday morning. Ojibway was on a short list of possible closings and while the public was waiting to hear the DOCs decision many, including Casperson, thought the decision would be made in September. He was part of a group lobbying against the closure. Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered Thursday at the Marenisco Town Hall to protest the Michigan DOCs announcement that the Ojibway Correctional Facility will close Dec. 1. Chris Gautz, a spokesperson for the DOC, had said he wouldnt know which prison was to be closed until mid-September. Casperson, R-Escanaba, said there were other cost saving options available to the state, but when he presented the DOC with a savings plan, he thought it fell on deaf ears. Casperson believes because the last three prison closures were downstate, it was inevitable the next one would be in the U.P. A group of local leaders working on saving the prison from the chopping block over the past several months had made presentations on the possible closing to various groups. Gogebic Community College Dean of Students Jeanne Graham, a member of that group, told a recent town hall meeting some of the reasons the DOC felt Ojibway was expendable included less availability for mental health and counseling services for prisoners, travel time for prisoners families and the recidivism rate. Casperson said the recidivism excuse is a false narrative. Changes to sentencing guidelines for judges have led to lower amounts of offenders going to prison, but have increased the amount in county jails, putting an economic burden on counties across the state and not reflective of the true cost of shutting down a prison, he said. It is a passing of the buck from the state to the counties without any bucks given to help with the costs, Casperson contends. Although the announcement has been made, Casperson said the people of the western U.P. should keep up the fight. Odds are against the decision being reversed, so the public needs to fight to get the state to help with job prospects and retraining, he said. Get creative with ideas for county grants for future building projects in order to keep the people here, he said. Casperson is making a pitch to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to get more involved with the western U.P. He also is pushing for the Department of Environmental Quality to speed up the process of granting permits so that industries that want to be here can be. Casperson said the MEDC and governors office need to get up here to speak to the community and let the public know how the state is going to help. He said to be ready with the big ask. WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Leonard C. "Sonny" Perttula, 84, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, Aug. 15, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Leonard was born on April 24, 1934, in Bessemer, a son of Leonard Nelo and Annette Selma (Johnson) Perttula. He spent his early years on the family farm north of Bessemer. Leonard graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood and attended Michigan State University for one year, studying business agriculture. Leonard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army on the rifle team for two years. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on Jan. 13, 1959, and received both the Marksmanship Badge Expert Carbine and Good Conduct Medal. On July 11, 1959, Leonard was united in marriage to the love of his life, Margaret Ella Tiebel, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood. They were blessed with three sons. Leonard worked at Peterson Mine for six years until its closure, at American Motors in Kenosha, Wis., for one year and then at White Pine Copper Company for five years. He concluded his working career as a self-employed logger and at one time had 10 men working for him. Leonard was very proud of his Finnish heritage and continued the family tradition of taking saunas while having many good discussions. Sonny was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught his sons and grandsons how to hunt and fish. He spent many happy hours fishing on the Big Carp River and Lake Superior with his family. Leonard always wanted to give back to his community. He was a member of the Wakefield School Board in the late 1980s and supported and encouraged the 4-H program in the area for more than 30 years. Leonard is survived by his three sons, Bruce (Dawn), Wakefield, Brian (Judy), Crystal, Minn., and Byron (Sara), Wakefield; five cherished grandchildren, Alicia, Carl "C.J." (Amanda), Nathan, Kevin and Tia; four dear great-grandchildren, Mavis, Jacob, Marley and Luca; his brother-in-law, William "Bill" Tiebel, Wakefield; and two special nieces, Heather Perttula, Glidden, Wis., and Jessica (Chris) Morgan, of Arizona. He was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Margaret, on April 30, 2013; a brother, Glen, on Feb. 12, 2014; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Amelia Tiebel; and two sisters-in-law, Rose Tiebel and Sonya Rancel. A graveside service will be held Monday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m., at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield. The Rev. Kay Richter, pastor of the New Evangelical Lutheran Parish, will officiate. Full military rites will take place at the cemetery under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team. Luncheon will be served at Eddy Park on beautiful Sunday Lake, at the John Siira (new) Pavilion, following the cemetery service. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the caring staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, who provided many kindnesses to Leonard and his family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com. 1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. Developer Buccini/Pollin Group plans a 31-story residential tower on the grounds of Center City's Sheraton Society Hill Hotel on Dock Street, which it acquired earlier this year. The Wilmington, Del.-based developer was granted zoning permission last week for a 273-dwelling-unit "addition" to the existing hotel building, according to permit information posted to the website of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. The tower would be at the southern part of the 2.5-acre property, which is currently open space with some landscaping, the Society Hill Civic Association community group said in an email to its members Friday. A Buccini/Pollin affiliate bought the 364-guest-room Sheraton hotel property in March from RLJ Lodging Trust of Bethesda, Md., for $95.5 million. Buccini/Pollin said at the time that it planned a complete makeover of the property and that the hotel's brand would change. A message seeking additional details from the company Friday about the residential tower plan was not immediately returned. The developer is expected to present the proposal to the Society Hill Civic Association and to the city's Civic Design Review board, according to an e-mailed notice this week from the Society Hill Towers Owners' Association, which represents residents of a condo tower complex across Dock Street. As part of Philadelphia's planning process, the Society Hill community group and city design board are entitled to offer nonbinding feedback for big development projects. "We are in touch with the [civic association] and hope we will be working closely with them in order to deal with this development," the tower association said in its notice. Buccini/Pollin's other major Philadelphia project is the apartment building finishing construction at the former site of National Products restaurant-supply business in Old City. Small is in. The exterior of the new smaller format Target store near the Art Museum which opened on Oct. 18 as the fourth such Target within the city. One will open n Ardmore in summer 2019. Read more Target Corp. is having a grand opening of two new small-format stores, in Northern Liberties and in Haddon Township, on Sunday as part of its plan to open four stores in the Philadelphia region this year. In the fall, the company will open a store at Broad Street and Washington Avenue, and another in Devon. The store at 456 N. Fifth St. occupies 48,000 square feet, one of the company's small-format stores that it opens in "urban areas, dense suburban neighborhoods, and near college campuses," the company said. The store will include a CVS Pharmacy, a Starbucks, and a Target mobile and order pickup area. The Haddon Township store at 650 W. Cuthbert Blvd. will be of the same small-format model. Target is using the smaller stores to broaden its brand. The sites help improve Target's online business because they serve as pickup points for orders. They also get the company into densely populated areas where real estate is more costly. At the same time, suburban consumers are moving to mobile shopping with free delivery, reducing the need for more big-box stores. With these openings, Target will have six small-format stores in the Philadelphia area. Existing stores include two locations in Center City, and ones in Roxborough and Fairmount. "We are committed to bringing convenient shopping experiences to all guests in the greater Philadelphia area," Jeff McCandless, Target group vice President, said in a news release. "Reimagining existing stores and opening small-format stores will allow us to reach new guests while also delighting and inspiring current guests with the latest store design Target has to offer." The company has grown to 41 stores across the region since it opened its first area store in 1997. It is also remodeling seven stores in the region and Joe Contrucci, senior vice president of stores and Joe Perdew, vice president of store design, explained in a company post what customers can expect. "Think brighter lighting, a more modern feel and dynamic vignettes with the latest seasonal trends, exclusive brands, design partnerships and more for guests to discover as they spend time exploring our aisles," Contrucci said. Perdew explained how some stores may get concrete floors, wood-plank walls and that materials like steel, glass and Target red may be incorporated into the design, "all to create a warm and inviting experience that's hip and cool." The new store hours are: Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. in Haddon Township); Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny), pictured above, was first told about sexual assault allegations against a senator in his caucus nearly a year before launching an investigation into them. Read more The mystery attack had everything: international intrigue, crypto currency, cyber-terrorists, and wait, what? Pennsylvania politicians. Last year, Democrats in the state Senate were victims of a computer ransomware attack that locked them out of their emails and other files. Hackers promised they'd return control in exchange for a five-figure ransom. Democrats refused. Now, Clout has found out how much the siege cost taxpayers. Sort of. State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a West Philly Democrat, said the state government (read: you and me) had to spend "six figures" to recover from the strike, which he said appeared to have "foreign" origins. How much, exactly? Hughes referred that question to Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, whose spokesperson declined to cite a specific number. So, somewhere in the ballpark of $100,000 to $999,999. Some ballparks are bigger than others. (And some elected officials are more transparent than others.) In this attack, the hackers asked for 28 bitcoin, a crypto-currency sum that would have been worth nearly $36,000 at the close of business on the first day of the attack. "After consulting with law enforcement and cyber-security experts, we agreed to not give in to the demands of the cyber-terrorists," Democratic Senate caucus spokesperson Brittany Crampsie told us. That's an expensive lesson. But Hughes noted an up side: Republicans helped the Democratic caucus rebuild its computer files, sharing information and support. A rare sighting of bipartisanship in Harrisburg. "We lost damn near everything, and had to go through a very deliberative process of rebuilding our system," Hughes said. "The best nature of everybody kind of came out. I think they realized this could have easily happened to them." Will Sheet Metal Workers union boss run against Kenney in 2019? Gary Masino, head honcho of the local Sheet Metal Workers' union, is thinking about challenging Mayor Kenney in the 2019 mayoral race. His son, Gary Jr., said he told union members at a meeting this week that he is "definitely considering" a campaign. Other rumored potential candidates who run the gamut from serious contenders to mere flirts include City Controller Alan Butkovitz, State Sen. Anthony Williams, and businessman Tom Knox. Top officials in Local 19 have been floating the idea of a Masino ticket on social media. "MASINO FOR MAYOR," wrote business agent Tony Iannucci III on Facebook. "THE MAN OF THE WORKING PEOPLE." But is Masino really interested in the job? Or does he have an ulterior motive? Masino sat on the powerful Zoning Board of Adjustment, which holds sway over development projects, until Kenney took office in 2016. Kenney appointed Anthony Gallagher, an ally of Electricians union leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, to replace him. Masino and Dougherty have a history. Last year, Masino accused another union in the building trades of "raiding" his members' work. Sources said he was referring to the Electricians. Does Masino want to leverage a rumored mayoral run into a ZBA comeback? Are these the first shots of a proxy war with the Electricians? Masino Jr. said that his father resigned from the ZBA voluntarily, and that "there wasn't any bad blood between him and the mayor at the time, and there still really isn't." He also denied that there is any ill will between the Electricians and the Sheet Metal Workers, noting that they teamed up in a recent state House campaign. He said his dad simply "thinks he can do a better job" than Kenney: "He's well-suited for the position and he genuinely cares about the city. He's lived here his entire life." The Mayor's Office, meanwhile, swiftly released a letter on Thursday demonstrating that Masino had been shown the door at the ZBA. Kenney aides next move: Anti-Trump group Jane Slusser, one of the two "power women" behind Kenney's 2015 campaign, left her job as the mayor's chief of staff last Friday. She said at the time she was going to work for an unnamed group charged with "mobilizing voters" during the midterm election campaigns. This week, she gave Clout more details. Slusser is the new organizing director for a campaign founded by Tom Steyer, the billionaire Democratic megadonor who wants to impeach President Trump. At "Need to Impeach," she's hoping to mobilize the 5.5 million people who've signed on to Steyer's petition to boot Trump from office. "The focus is taking voters who don't normally turn out in midterm elections and getting them to turn out in really competitive races," she said. Need to Impeach has already dipped its toes in the water on that front. Via email, text and ads, the organization urged petition-signers to vote in the 2018 special House election that Democrat Conor Lamb won in a district that Trump carried by almost 20 percentage points. Seventy-eight percent of those voters cast a ballot, according to lead strategist Kevin Mack. "Our voters turned out at a rate 30 percent higher than Democrats in the district who did not sign our petition," said Mack. Slusser was known as one of the Kenney administration's top progressive voices. Her legacy also includes reining in Kenney's jasmine-loving, Chris Christie-hating, no-holds-barred Twitter feed with fellow "power woman" Lauren Hitt. Hitt left the Kenney administration earlier this year and is now working for Cynthia Nixon's New York gubernatorial campaign. So if Kenney starts tweeting again about "smokin'" 60 Minutes journalist Lesley Stahl, you know why. President Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, looks around the room during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Washington. Read more WASHINGTON President Trump has told advisers that he is eager to strip more security clearances as part of an escalating attack against people who have criticized him or played a role in the investigation of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, two White House officials said. Over the past 19 months, Trump has fired or threatened to take action against nearly a dozen current and former officials associated with the inquiry, which he has labeled a "rigged witch hunt," including former FBI director James Comey and other top FBI officials Sally Yates and Andrew McCabe. All three were dismissed. Trump intensified his attacks this week by stripping former CIA director John Brennan of his security clearance and announcing that others are under review. Brennan and former director of national intelligence James Clapper Jr., who is on Trump's review list, were among the Obama administration officials who briefed Trump before his inauguration on evidence of Russia's interference in the campaign. The president has repeatedly urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other officials to end the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller III, who is examining potential collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign and whether the president has sought to obstruct justice. To critics, Trump's moves echo President Richard Nixon's decision to force the abrupt firing of Watergate special counsel Archibald Cox. "If you did all this in one day, it would have a 'Saturday night massacre' odor to it," said Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution fellow who oversees the Lawfare Blog on national security issues, referring to the 1973 move by Nixon that prompted resignations by the Justice Department's top two officials. "But you spread it out and get people used to the first one, then you do the second one over a long period of time, it becomes the new normal." Many of Brennan's former colleagues have rallied to his defense. "I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency," retired Navy Adm. William McRaven, who oversaw the 2011 Special Forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden, wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. "If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken." Late Thursday night, a group of 11 former CIA directors and a former Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement calling Trump's move against Brennan "an attempt to stifle free speech." Inside the West Wing, Trump is eager to move against others on the security clearance review list and could act soon, according to the White House officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Trump believes he has emerged looking strong and decisive in his escalating feud with Brennan, the aides said, adding that he shows a visceral disdain for the former CIA director when he sees him on TV. But other aides would prefer a more fulsome process or that he drop the matter altogether, and they are scrambling to review the list of people Trump says he'd like to strip of clearances. These officials said Trump did not focus on his power to remove clearances until this summer. Still, as the Russia investigation tightens around the president Mueller is pressing Trump's legal team over a potential interview with him the president remains impulsive and unpredictable, aides said. "The process is essentially meaningless," one White House aide said. "If Trump wants to do it, he'll just do it." Trump has frequently overruled, contradicted or ignored his aides, and that internal discord was on display again in the move against Brennan. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the action Wednesday by reading an eight-paragraph statement in Trump's name, citing Brennan's "erratic conduct" and "wild outbursts" on television and erroneous statements he had made. Later that afternoon, Trump summoned a Wall Street Journal reporter into the Oval Office for an impromptu interview in which he linked Brennan's clearance revocation to the "sham" Russia investigation. "These people led it," he said, referring to Brennan and others. "So I think it's something that had to be done." In an op-ed published Thursday by the New York Times, Brennan called Trump's claims that there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia "hogwash." Brennan characterized Trump's action as "politically motivated" and said it was "an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him." Rudy Giuliani, Trump's lead attorney for the special counsel investigation, dismissed suggestions that the president had developed an "enemies list," saying that decisions on security clearances will be made on a "case-by-case basis." "The basis for having it is the president is going to call on you for advice if that doesn't exist, there's no reason for you to have a clearance," Giuliani said in an interview. "We aren't prohibiting their First Amendment rights. We are just saying, you don't get to see top-secret government documents." White House aides confirmed that Trump made his decision weeks ago about Brennan, who serves as an NBC News contributor. Senior advisers, including Sanders, recommended to the president that they announce the action Wednesday amid an onslaught of news coverage from former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman's new book, which accuses Trump of having made racist remarks, the aides said. Brennan attacked Trump for calling Manigault Newman a "dog" hours before the clearance was taken away. Trump has obsessed over the book and media coverage of it for several days, aides said. Trump grew increasingly agitated about Brennan and others earlier in the summer, believing they were exploiting their credentials as former national security officials to make money, aides said. The president mentioned the Russia investigation when discussing the matter in private and drafted a list of officials who have angered him for Sanders to read at the lectern in the White House briefing room, the aides said. Although advisers cautioned the president that some people on the list including Comey and McCabe had already lost their security clearances when they were fired, Trump insisted that they be included anyway, the senior officials said. Brennan was too "political," Trump told his aides. The president did not get much resistance from his inner circle because Brennan is widely disliked in the West Wing, according to a senior official and a former administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer in Washington, called Trump's move unprecedented and said Brennan could pursue a due process claim. But he said it is unlikely that Brennan could win his clearance back. "He may have a whistleblower claim because Trump tied it to Russia," Zaid said. "What we're concerned about is how much further is it going to go?" he added, referring to other potential Trump targets. Also on Trump's list are former FBI employees Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who criticized the president in private texts while carrying on an affair during their work on agency investigations of the presidential campaigns of Trump and Hillary Clinton. Page resigned in May and Strzok was fired last week The only current official known to be in Trump's review is Bruce Ohr, a Justice Department employee who was demoted recently after Republicans named him in a memo earlier this year that targeted his ties to the former British intelligence officer who wrote a controversial dossier about the Trump campaign's alleged contacts with Russian officials. Trump named Ohr and his wife in two critical tweets this week. The president's moves have elicited mixed responses among Republicans on Capitol Hill, most of whom have supported his right to remove Brennan's clearance. Sen. Richard Burr, N.C., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized Brennan for his remarks about potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. If the claim is "purely political and based on conjecture, the president has full authority to revoke his security clearance as head of the Executive Branch," Burr said in a statement Thursday. The Washington Post's John Wagner and Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report. Victims of sexual abuse by priests in six Catholic Dioceses, that were seated on stage during Josh Shapiro's press conference on the Grand Jury Report, comfort each other as details of some of the abuses by specific priests are shared with the media gathered at the State Capital on August 14, 2018. Read more What if the Boston Globe in 2001 had not put three tenacious reporters on an almost impossible investigative story ferret out a sick corruption in the Catholic Church and save parishes from child predators? What if the newspaper decided this work was too hard, took too much time, and was running the pay meter well into overtime? What if the newspaper feared being bullied by one of the most powerful institutions in the world? This was before computers, Excel spreadsheets, and big data. This was an effort that took determination, courage, and sharp detective skills and pencils to comb through old, dusty, forgotten diocesan annual reports that held one of the keys to understanding that clergy "absences" from work really meant that sexually abusive priests were being protected by the church, down to funding stipends for those behind bars. That maneuvering for sealed court documents, relentless reporting, and resurrecting old sources was the only way to shine a spotlight on abuses that went on for years. That was the story made into a film that woke many Catholics to the fact that the church was riddled with what one might politely call "personnel problems" of the vilest kind, a religious precursor to the #MeToo movement. This was the time when those journalists, most of them raised Catholic, concluded that the real story had to be uncovered. They had to be journalists first. More coverage of the PA grand jury report Hundreds of priests named in grand jury report | Grand jury: A child porn ring in Pittsburgh diocese | Report says cover-up began at the top | Dozens of pages shielded from public | Maria Panaritis: Thank the law, not the Men of God | Victim: 'It's your word against God's' | Key findings from each diocese | Mike Newall: If the grand jury report doesn't force a reckoning for the Catholic Church, it's time to walk away | Christine Flowers: Channeling sorrow and anger after reading the clergy abuse report After the Globe investigation revealed that some 300 priests were involved in a pedophilic pact in Boston, that same situation was found to be true in other cities. Now we have the story in six dioceses in Pennsylvania that include cities like Harrisburg, Scranton, and Pittsburgh that have large communities of Catholics. A total of 300 priests were named in the grand jury report, the majority of them never punished, some deceased, and others still on the street. The grand jury report that was released this week is an example of how the press is not the enemy, but the reason that information under lock and key came to light. Because of the press, victims of priestly sexual abuse are at last vindicated. The press is a fallible institution that sometimes gets something like this story very, very right. The film Spotlight may have been the impetus for newspapers to continue or start digging on a story that was as deep as the secrets the Vatican holds. It certainly was supportive of the legal authorities trying to find and out perpetrators and protectors, some at the highest ranks in the church. Even more coincidental is that this is the week that some 300 newspapers came together to explain to their readers that the press is an essential counterbalance to wrongdoing, a voice for those who might never be heard, and a presence at some of the nation's saddest moments, such as at the border where immigrant children were torn from their parents. Who would have told this story to the American people in real time? >>READ MORE: Stop the war on a free press | Editorial >>READ MORE: Here's what 15 newspapers around America had to say about freedom of the press The press now is being demonized by a president who has used a verbal cudgel to persuade some Americans that the media is the problem, negative coverage of him is made up, and reporters should selectively be barred from events that need to be covered. He wishes reporters ill, and the death of five reporters at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis may be the first major manifestation of how denigration of the profession can lead to death. Casting the press as the enemy of the people is not like demanding corrections from news organizations that make mistakes sometimes big ones in tone and fact. But the Fourth Estate has been assigned to peer into our most cherished institutions local governments right down to school boards and town councils and up to the highest office in the land. The best way to destroy democracy is to sow mistrust and silence critics. This is being done in a country with the birthright of free speech. No surprise that the Boston Globe played the principal part in urging editorial writers and owners of newspapers across the country to explain that the press works for the people. Maybe the editors of the News and Tribune in Jeffersonville, Ind., said it best: "Our leaders be they presidents of the nation or of the city council do not get to choose to whom they are accountable. They are accountable to the citizenry. We intend to hold them to it. To do anything less is dereliction of our duty." Ditto for the Catholic Church. Cindy Skrzycki, a former Washington Post columnist, is senior lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh. Jim Faluszczak reacts as Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro releases the findings of a two-year grand jury investigation into clergy abuse at six of the stateOs Roman Catholic Dioceses, leading a news conference at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Aug. 14, 2018. DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer . Read more The children never had a chance. For decades, depraved Catholic priests allegedly raped and molested them in churches and rectories throughout Pennsylvania. Instead of offering help and compassion, the Catholic Church and law enforcement covered it up, according to a sweeping grand jury report by Attorney General Josh Shapiro released Tuesday. When victims pushed through their pain to report the crimes, the church allegedly shut them down, When church officials learned of abuse, they locked away evidence in secret files and some bishops transferred known molesters to new parishes where the predators found fresh victims. Victims said they were abused in Erie, Allentown, Greensburg, Scranton, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. This gut-churning report claims over three hundred priests abused more than a thousand children with the assumption there were thousands more that were never documented. Clearly, the church has much to do to address the culture of secrecy and denial that allowed generations of children to be preyed upon. But as the grand jury points out, there are legal fixes that are within reach that could remove some of the obstacles that kept so many depraved acts in the shadows. The main reform is for the state to raise the statute of limitations so prosecutors can charge child sex abusers no matter how old victims are. While the current law permits victims to come forward until they turn 50, that should be eliminated. The grand jury reviewed claims from those in their 70s, and even one who was 83. In addition, the law should change to create a "civil window" so older victims can sue the institutions which covered up these crimes. While the current law gives victims 12 years to sue, an older law cuts that window to two years for people in their thirties. The grand jury doesn't call for removing any limits; just opening the window wider for some victims. The current law covering the reporting of abuse also needs tightening. Church officials going back decades claimed they had no duty to report abuse, hiding behind ambiguous language in the law about what cases should be reported. The legislature should clean up that language. Finally, church officials for too long hid behind confidentiality agreements signed by victims. But victims should know despite such agreements, they are free to report a crime to police. Even these changes may not be enough to shed light on every case of abuse. In Beaver County, for example, former District Attorney Robert Masters not only ignored reports of a priest who molested boys in the 1960s, but he also bragged about his silence to the local bishop. He admitted to the grand jury that he sat on the investigation because he wanted political support from the diocese. These many levels of complicity underscores the fact that just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to destroy one. The legislature shouldn't be members of the latter village. Especially if Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) pushes his bill eliminating the criminal and civil statutes of limitations when legislators return in September. In fact, it should be the first thing on their list. 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... Arna born in Chitwan for first time in 70 yrs A wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), locally known as Arna, which was translocated to Chitwan National Park from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve two years ago gave birth to female calf on Thursday. New Delhi: Actress Katrina Kaif, who is all collaborate with hit Jodi Ali Abbas Zafar and Salman Khan for 'Bharat', on Friday headed to Malta for the shooting. The actress posted an Instagram story announcing her departure for Malta. Check out her post here: The film went on floors earlier last month and wrapped up its first schedule in Mumbai. Katrina, who will begin her first schedule now, is all set to join Salman, who started shooting for his second schedule of the film in the European island country last week. For the unversed, Katrina became a part of the project after Desi Girl Priyanka walked out of 'Bharat' in the last minute. Zafar, who was excited to collaborate with Priyanka for the project, took to Twitter to confirm the news and hinted at her wedding with Nick Jonas as the reason behind her 'sudden' decision to quit the film. The film also stars Tabu, Disha Patani, Sunil Grover in pivotal roles. Actress and former Bigg Boss contestant Nora Fatehi, who is also a part of the film, will be seen playing the role of a Latina character from Malta. This will be Nora's second project after 'My Birthday Song'. 'Bharat' is set to have a character-driven story spanning across many periods and will be shot across exotic locations in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. 'Bharat' is jointly produced by Atul Agnihotri, Alvira Khan, Agnihotri and Bhushan Kumar and is a remake of the 2014 South Korean film 'Ode to My Father'. It will be set in the backdrop of India in 1947 and will take us through the events during the countrys partition. Not just that, the film will showcase significant events over a period of 70 years since partition. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the flick is slated to hit theatres on June 5, next year. NEW DELHI: The mortal remains of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of modern India's tallest leaders and former Prime Minister, was cremated with full military honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, in Delhi on Friday evening. The veteran leader died after a prolonged illness on Thursday evening. He breathed his last at 5.05 PM at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several top national and international leaders paid their last tributes to the three-time former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. From AIIMS, mortal remains of the former prime minister were taken to his residence at 6-A Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi, where leaders from across the country arrived to pay their last respects. As the leaders paid tributes to the three-time prime minister of the country, BJP chief Amit Shah told reporters that the mortal remains would be kept at party headquarters from Friday morning for the general public to pay their last respects. As announced earlier, the mortal remains of the former PM were kept at his residence for the general public and the VIPs so that they can pay their last respect to the departed soul. Draped in tricolour, his mortal remains were later taken to the BJP headquarters where PM Narendra Modi and all top leaders of the country received them. The final journey of the poet-politician from the BJP head office will culminate at the Smriti Sthal where he will be accorded a state funeral before his cremation. As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the BJP-led central government has declared a 7-day state mourning across the country. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all offices and institutions throughout the country. All the government offices will be functional only for half day on Friday. Here are the latest news updates on former PM and BJP stalwart's final journey, last rites:- - The 'Change of Guard' ceremony on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan will not be held on Saturday due to state mourning. - Ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be immersed in every river in Uttar Pradesh including Ganga, Yamuna, and Tapti, to respect his grand stature: UP government Ashes of former prime minister #AtalBihariVajpayee will be spread in every river in Uttar Pradesh including Ganga, Yamuna, and Tapti, to respect his grand stature: UP government pic.twitter.com/UC2pW12CIq ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 17, 2018 - Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicated his entire life to the country. I pay tribute to him on the behalf of the nation: President Ram Nath Kovind #PresidentKovind speaks to @DDNewsLive about his memories with former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee pic.twitter.com/nF9FozQFXm President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 17, 2018 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emotional message on Twitter: Atal Ji, you will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. No words can ever do justice to your rich contribution towards the making of our country. pic.twitter.com/TcQEmF68Mi Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 - Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya and granddaughter Niharika Bhattacharya meet PM Modi and top BJP leaders including Amit Shah, LK Advani, etc. - Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya performing last rites. - Top international leaders at former PM's funeral. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistan acting law minister Syed Ali Zafar, Nepal Foreign Minister Pradip Kumar Gyawali and EAM Sushma Swaraj at funeral of #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/vyuYiBGf6e ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee cremated with full state honours at Smriti Sthal in Delhi Former prime minister and Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee cremated with full state honours at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Y3ff4o43SP ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Gun salute accorded to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal Gun salute accorded to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/0CvWnvTXQ5 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Last rites ceremony of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee underway at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Last rites ceremony of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee underway at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/ws2VYaKaHB ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has condoled the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he was an "eloquent" supporter of the Tibetan people and a "friend". In a letter to Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya yesterday, the Dalai Lama said with his passing away, India has lost an eminent national leader. - Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya performs the last rites. - Army hand over the tricolour to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's grand-daughter Niharika Bhattacharya. Delhi: Tricolour wrapped around mortal remains of #AtalBihariVajpayee handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. pic.twitter.com/Ela6rD3PWG ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/BaWegOx4mi - "We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan," says Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar after arriving in Delhi for the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan: Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar after arriving in Delhi for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/47aFQyv05E ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Last salute accorded to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal President Ram Nath Kovind pays last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/TdJsh0wpm6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi, Former PM Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit Shah, senior BJP leader LK Advani, Congress President Rahul Gandhi at Smriti Sthal in Delhi for funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/o44tp47XxD - President Ram Nath Kovind reaches Smriti Sthal in Delhi. - Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/MZpQhYQi1t ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Former Afghanisthan President Hamid Karzai pays his last respect to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. - BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani and BJP chief Amit Shah pays last tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal. Senior BJP leader LK Advani and BJP President Amit Shah pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/51KVjpTDJR ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - PM Modi pays his last respect to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. PM Narendra Modi pays last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/Yd62t8atlH ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - France statement on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death: Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on Indias history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998. - Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba & Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, pay last tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba & Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, pay last tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/oDq4kzHl4V ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains reach Smriti Sthal. - Top political leaders at the funeral: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Ashok Gehlot and Raj Babbar, at Smriti Sthal for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/9Lvhfxj2ap ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Former PM Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrive at Smriti Sthal for the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrive at Smriti Sthal for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/lw1jtCx3DF ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British High Commission in New Delhi as a mark of respect to the former PM. Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British High Commission in New Delhi as a mark of respect to Former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/QN0DKiB5OW ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Some more visuals of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final journey to Smriti Sthal. A sea of supporters on Delhi streets chant 'Amar Rahe Atal Ji', 'Atal Bihari Zindabad'. #Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in the procession. pic.twitter.com/5Ay1JOBj1g ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/rqSEwGzKvi ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -The mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in the procession - WATCH. #WATCH: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in the procession. pic.twitter.com/k35LfX4Tps ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Glimpse of people gathered during funeral possession of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Smriti Sthal. #Delhi: Visuals of people gathered during the funeral procession of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee to Smriti Sthal. pic.twitter.com/YXQpZ5Ti3v ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Here are some more visuals of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final journey; PM Modi and Amit Shah also take part in the procession. The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for funeral. PM Modi and Amit Shah also take part in the procession. The distance is around 4 kilometers. pic.twitter.com/vJWTLwMwhm ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -The mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi also takes part in the procession. The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for funeral. PM Modi also takes part in the procession pic.twitter.com/QE3iS9qZj6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken from BJP Headquarters to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. #Delhi: Mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken from BJP Headquarters to Smriti Sthal for the funeral pic.twitter.com/MKAjqcHXa6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Final journey of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee begins from BJP office to Smriti Sthal. -Mulayam Singh Yadav pays tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP HQs. Delhi: Mulayam Singh Yadav pays tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP HQs pic.twitter.com/QngJM6KvNO ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP HQ. PM Modi, EAM Sushma Swaraj and Amit Shah also present. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP HQ. PM Modi, EAM Sushma Swaraj and Amit Shah also present pic.twitter.com/9JVvUQ1DH2 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella arrives in Delhi to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/4tqmmFbVn4 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -BJP office gates closed, only those inside will be allowed to pay homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, say reports. -The govt of Mauritius has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on govt buildings today. Joining us in our moment of grief! In an unprecedented gesture, the Government of #Mauritius has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on government buildings today as a mark of respect following the sad demise of former PM Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/qn8ZA38tT2 Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2018 -It was the speciality of Atal ji that he never let humanity be harmed due to the political and differences. Such principle is needed in the country today: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary It was the speciality of Atal ji that he never let humanity be harmed due to the political & ideological differences. Such principle is needed in the country today: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/zAnzCI2Dus ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Preparations have begun for Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final journey, the funeral procession is likely to begin around 1.30 PM; security has been tightened around Smriti Sthal. - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. #Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/6YWiFEUIMv ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -We remember him for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War and support to the people of Bangladesh. He had a great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became Foreign Minister: Bangladesh Foreign Minister. We remember him for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War&strong support to people of Bangladesh.He had great liking for Bengali music.I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became Foreign Minister: Bangladesh Foreign Min on #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/wzCZgEB8kf ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP office. Delhi: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/wO4p4OyjP7 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -BJP MP Hema Malini pays last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi. BJP MP Hema Malini pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ZqUU0pPrC5 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -I met him once in 2006. He was a very good orator. The void of his absence can never be filled by anyone in Indian politics, he has been a role model for everyone and inspired many through his poetry, speeches and oratorship: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar I met him once in 2006. He was a very good orator. The void of his absence can never be filled by anyone in Indian politics, he has been a role model for everyone and inspired many through his poetry, speeches and oratorship; Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/9xNnIvjMbm ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -According to Zee News, NSG has taken control of roads leading to Smriti Sthal, final journey of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to begin around 1.30 PM. -Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrives in Delhi to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/oRtSqslSVR ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Gates of BJP office closed again as the crowd to pay tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee swells, reports ANI. -Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/pKK5f5Suok ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family at the BJP Headquarters. Delhi: Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani with Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family at the BJP Headquarters. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/axDybGEQmV ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP office here. Delhi: Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/RoUMwlqyR8 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Gates of BJP office opened for the general public to pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, say reports. -King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrives in Delhi to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/cjQZZ5CjsY ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -He wanted India to be everybody's. He also wanted to strike up a friendship with Pakistan. Unfortunately, he couldn't see that. I hope that the current government and Pakistan's Imran Khan govt fulfil his dream, that will be a true tribute to him: Farooq Abdullah. He wanted India to be everybody's. He also wanted to strike up a friendship with Pakistan. Unfortunately he couldn't see that. I hope that the current govt & Pakistan's Imran Khan govt fulfill his dream, that will be a true tribute to him: Farooq Abdullah #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/8bwArVPsvk ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. #Delhi: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/S7DB2MseRo ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 17, 2018 - DMK leader A Raja, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Manipur CM N Biren Singh pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. Delhi: DMK leader A Raja, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Manipur CM N Biren Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/4KVGTxC55Q ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an extremely rare human being, writes megastar Amitabh Bachchan in heartfelt tributes to former PM. -Union Minister Suresh Prabhu and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP headquarters. Delhi: Union Minister Suresh Prabhu and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/R80AKrsiOm ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -BJP president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP headquarters. #Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/RnyGmxRL3T ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -PM Modi pays last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/HfqBe0xdcP ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Party leaders pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP head office. #WATCH live from BJP Headquarters in Delhi: Party leaders pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/BRFiVgVquY ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -PM Modi, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and other top leaders present at party headquarters to recieve mortal remains of Atal Ji. #Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders at party headquarters #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/Yoxqyg7MRn ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrive at BJP office in Delhi. #Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee have been brought to BJP Headquarters pic.twitter.com/R0MCPh9LS9 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Delhi High Court and District courts to function till 1 pm today. The competent authority has decided that there will be a half-day holiday on Friday to allow officials and to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. at Smriti Sthal. -PM Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, parliamentary board members, NDA government Ministers, Governors, special envoys from several neighbouring countries, non-BJP leaders from across the country and a huge number of supporters are present at the BJP office. -Huge crowd gathers at BJP Headquarters where mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be brought shortly. #Delhi: Huge crowd gathers at BJP Headquarters where mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee will be brought shortly. pic.twitter.com/tYJnagdUnD ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -People are chanting 'Atal Bihari amar rahe' and 'Vande Mataram' as trucks carrying his mortal remains make way to BJP office. Delhi: A huge crowd of people has joined the procession as the mortal remains of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee are being taken from his residence to the BJP Headquarters. People are chanting 'Atal Bihari amar rahe' and 'Vande Mataram'. pic.twitter.com/MYJ5BcTi9k ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -A sea of supporters join the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, shout ''long live Atal Ji, 'Atal Bihari Zindabad'. Delhi: Mortal remains of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee are being taken to BJP Headquarters. Huge crowd of people have also joined the procession. pic.twitter.com/yIE7ga7x0G ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -PM Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be brought shortly. #Delhi: PM Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee will be brought shortly. pic.twitter.com/1tQaCwKna3 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -WATCH -Last rites of Bharat Ratna and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee LIVE : Last rites of Bharat Ratna, former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. #AtaljiAmarRahen https://t.co/AiZHEPKUcZ BJP (@BJP4India) August 17, 2018 -Atal Ji was ahead of times, tweets PM Narendra Modi. A leader for the ages, he was ahead of the times. Penned some thoughts on Atal Ji, which have also appeared across various newspapers today. https://t.co/kCaLbf5JE3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 -PM Narendra Modi remembers former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his demise. -Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan pens heartfelt note on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise, shares poem, READ -Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/UWGydy2uUg ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/mzeNdspyLU ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -National Security Advisor Ajit Doval pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/GGHQn9Q8i6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Congress president Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. Congress President @RahulGandhi paid his last respects to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/hlz4qFkzYr Congress (@INCIndia) August 17, 2018 -Army Chief Bipin Rawat pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. Army Chief Bipin Rawat pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/lXC03Cq4ct ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the last rites procession. It will be ensured that the people who come to pay last respect and the commuters face minimum inconvenience and that there is no compromise with security: Delhi DCP Madhur Verma. Delhi police has made elaborate security arrangements for the last rites procession. It will be ensured that the people who come to pay last respect & the commuters face minimum inconvenience & that there is no compromise with security: Delhi DCP Madhur Verma #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/SMG193eNFR ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Sf5bn4N3qY ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Javed Akhtar says,'very rare that a politician is respected across party lines. People with different ideology have also come as they love him because 'he used to love all'. Javed Akhtar & Shabana Azmi arrive at former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee's residence to pay last respects. Javed Akhtar says,'very rare that a politician is respected across party lines. People with different ideology have also come as they love him because he used to love all' #Delhi pic.twitter.com/oCsrvU9tcU ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 - Lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi arrive at former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence to pay their last respects. -Tight security arrangements, including the deployment of police, traffic and paramilitary personnel, sniffer dogs, surveillance cameras, commandos have been put in place around the 6-A Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in the Lutyens Delhi. -Hundreds of people have gathered outside the residence of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi since Thursday morning to pay their last respects to the departed leader. -The BJP government in Chhattisgarh has announced a seven-day state mourning, beginning Friday, following the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. -Visuals of trucks which will be a part of the convoy in which former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains will be taken to BJP headquarters and for the funeral. Trucks which will be a part of the convoy in which former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee's mortal remains will be taken to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters & for funeral. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/OPxmD7pZZX ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Here's how newspapers covered former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise. -The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayees passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayer: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayees passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayer: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. #AtalBihariVajpayee (file pic) pic.twitter.com/NIyubQDW1c ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 -Keeping in mind the final procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Delhi Police issues a traffic advisory for the national capital. Keeping in mind the final procession of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today, the Delhi Police issues a traffic advisory for the national capital Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/UuswCcZFAL pic.twitter.com/f7JaoGlbdJ ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 16, 2018 -Pakistan Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan offered his condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying the best way to honour the "towering leader" is by establishing peace between India & Pakistan. Pakistan Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan offered his condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying the best way to honour the "towering leader" is by establishing peace between India & Pakistan Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/hrk0nlaEeu pic.twitter.com/C2nKJjO17e ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 16, 2018 Among those who paid homage to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) co-founder were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, BJP president Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, BJP veterans Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and former President Pranab Mukherjee, among others. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has issued an elaborate traffic advisory for the national capital, saying several roads, primarily in the vicinity of central Delhi, would be closed for general traffic. The Delhi Police traffic department has, however, also suggested alternative routes if travel is necessary. His demise sent shockwaves across India as well as other parts of the world. Tributes are pouring in for Vajpayee from other parts of the world as well. The US Embassy in New Delhi said that the country grieved with India on the loss of the former prime minister. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations, said the US Embassy. Hours after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences, at the sad demise of the veteran leader, in a message to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin evoked Vajpayee saying that he made a major contribution towards the friendly relationship and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia. The President conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the family of the deceased, government and people of the nation. The message read, Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly commanded great respect around the world. He will be remembered as a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries. Several leaders from around the world also condoled the death of the veteran leader. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the relationship between the two countries continues to benefit from the former leader's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation The former prime minister passed away at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday evening. He breathed his last at 5.05 pm at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 05:05pm on 16.08.2018. Shri Vajpayee was admitted in AIIMS on 11.06.2018 and was stable in the last 9 weeks under the care of a team of AIIMS doctors, read the statement released by AIIMS. It further read, Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today. We join the Nation in deeply mourning this great loss. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday bowed down as he paid his heartfelt tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters here. The young Congress MP from Guna was teary-eyed and emotional as he paid his tributes to the departed soul. The firebrand Congress MP bowing down to pay homage to the poet-politician at the BJP office was caught on camera and shared widely on the social media. Jyotiraditya Scindia, whose family shared a deep bonding with the departed BJP co-founder, also took to Twitter and shared that he paid tribute to the former prime minister and shared a picture regarding the same. The mortal remains of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of modern India's tallest leaders and former Prime Minister, are currently being taken to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where he will be laid to rest with full state honours around 4 pm on Friday. The veteran leader died after a prolonged illness on Thursday evening. He breathed his last at 5.05 PM at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. From AIIMS, mortal remains of the former prime minister were taken to his residence at 6-A Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi, where leaders from across the country arrived to pay their last respects. The mortal remains of the former PM were kept at his residence for the general public and the VIPs so that they can pay their last respect to the departed soul. Draped in tricolour, his mortal remains were later taken to the BJP headquarters where PM Narendra Modi and all top leaders of the country received them. The final journey of the poet-politician from the BJP head office will culminate at the Smriti Sthal where he will be accorded a state funeral before his cremation. As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the BJP-led central government has declared a 7-day state mourning across the country. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all offices and institutions throughout the country. All the government offices will be functional only for half day on Friday. The Indian Army on Friday rescued a pregnant woman, whose water bag had started leaking, from a flooded village in Kerala's Aluva on Friday by airlifting her before taking her to a hospital for medical assistance. The 25-year-old woman Sajita Jabeel later gave birth to a boy in the hospital. Both the mother and the child are safe and in good health condition. The Indian Navy spokesperson took to Twitter and posted a video of the incident. She was harnessed before being lifted to a helicopter that was sent to rescue people stuck in the flood-hit area. The lady was evacuated to Sanjivani hospital. A doctor was at first lowered to assess the pregnant lady. The rescue operation has been termed successful by the Indian Navy spokesperson. "A pregnant lady with water bag leaking has been airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Doctor was lowered to assess the lady. Operation successful," tweeted the Indian Navy spokesperson. Sanjivani hospital. A pregnant lady with water bag leaking has been airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Doctor was lowered to assess the lady. Operation successful #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/bycGXEBV8q SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018 A doctor was at first lowered to assess the pregnant lady. The rescue operation has been termed successful by the Indian Navy spokesperson. "A pregnant lady with water bag leaking has been airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Doctor was lowered to assess the lady. Operation successful," tweeted the Indian Navy spokesperson. Around 15,000 people have been rescued from the flood-hit Kerala in the last nine days. The numbers have been given by Army Karnataka and Kerala (K&K) Sub-Area, headquartered at Bengaluru, under the name, `Operation Sahayog`. The operations were carried out by the Pangode military station, Pangode and Defence security cops, Kannur. Operation `Karuna`, carried out by the Indian Air Force, has rescued almost 170 people through airlifting and winching. The death toll in Kerala, which is witnessing the worst flood situation in almost a century, touched 324 on Friday, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The rains claimed 106 lives on Thursday, August 16, alone. Over 1500 relief camps have been set up across the state. Over 80,000 persons, stranded in flood-hit districts, were rescued earlier in the day, of whom 71,000 were from one of the worst affected Aluva regions of Ernakulam district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the state on Friday evening to take stock of the flood situation. He was received by CM Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons at Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Arvind Kejriwal had a telephonic conversation with CM Vijayan. Vijayan had posted on Twitter about the death toll in the state and undergoing rescue operations. He further urged people to come forward for donation in the relief funds. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected. Donate to https://t.co/FjYFEdOsyl #StandWithKerala. CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 Many states have extended support for the donations. Delhi government announced that it will donate Rs. 10 crores for the relief fund for the flood-affected state. N Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government also announced an assistance of Rs 10 crores for Kerala. Other states which came forward for assistance includes Punjab and Telangana, which announced a donation of Rs 10 crores and Rs 25 crores respectively. CM Vijayan also posted details of the bank account where the donations can be made. Click here to check the details.. The Defence Ministry has been pumping relief material for rescue operations across Kerala. The ministry provided 1300 life jackets, 571 lifebuoys, 1000 raincoats, 1300 gumboots, 1200 ready-to-eat meal, 1500 food packets, 25 motorised boats and 9 non-motorised boats. Thousands are stranded in Chengannur, Alappuzha. Local MLA Saji Cherian reportedly said to a regional channel that if helicopters are not sent for rescue operations by the end of the night, many people will likely die in the region Personnel of the three services, besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) resumed the gigantic task of evacuating people stranded on rooftops, highlands where hills came crashing down blocking roads and cutting them off from the rest of the world, and those marooned in villages that have turned into islands. The Indian Army deployed 10 flood relief columns and 10 Engineer Task Forces for rescue mission in several flood-hit districts. The Cochin international airport, the seventh busiest in the country, has been shut from August 14 following the heavy downpour. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked domestic airlines to operate additional flights to Kerala and cap fares. Out of 71 arrivals and 74 departures of scheduled domestic airlines to/from Cochin, 23 flights arriving and 24 flights departing have been rescheduled. Domestic Airlines have been requested to cap maximum fare around Rs 10,000 on longer routes and around Rs 8000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala. Odisha government has urged Kerala to rescue 130 stranded laborers from Odapally in Kerala. Odisha government also released helpline for the people trapped at various places in the state. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asked party cadre in flood-hit Kerala to mobilise resources for helping the people of the state, while displaying the core Congress values of service and love. "Across Kerala & now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers & leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service & love. Please focus all our resources & people to help those in need (sic)," he tweeted. Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu said that all the authorities including Secretary civil aviation, DGCA, Airports Authority Of India have asked to address the concerns of passengers and offer all possible help to Kerala. Secretary civil aviation , DGCA, Airports Authority Of India all concerned organisations have been asked to ensure that concerns of passengers are addressed, to work with state govt and offer all possible help.#KeralaFloodRescue #KeralaFloodRelief Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 17, 2018 The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 173 lives since August 8, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Many persons, including women, children and the elderly trapped in places inaccessible by boats were winched up by defence helicopters and shifted to safety. TV channels telecast disturbing visuals of a woman in labour being pulled up with the help of a rope dropped down from a Navy chopper, swinging violently in the air. The woman, whose amniotic sac was ruptured, was shifted to a Navy hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Both the mother and the child are doing fine, officials said. Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones. Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another said an elderly relative Mary Varghese was badly in need of an oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening. In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her six-year-old child was seen pleading for help. The weatherman has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds in various parts of the state. Winds packing speed up to 60 kmph are likely in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. (With Agency Inputs) Chand-led CPN spokesperson Bishwokarma nabbed again Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma has been arrested again on Friday. COCHI: To aide and speed-up the rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala, the Indian Army has deployed 10 relief columns and 10 Engineer Task Forces in rain-affected districts. As on date total of 10 flood relief columns, each having an approximate strength of 65 personnel are carrying out rescue operations in ten districts of Kerala, said the Ministry of Defence in a statement. The flood relief columns have ben deployed in Ayyankunnu (Kannur), Mananthwady (Wayanad), Kozikode, Karuvarukundu & Nilambur (Malappuram), Adimali (Idukki), Aluwa (Ernakulam), Ernakulam, Pathnamathitta and Thiruvanantpuram. In addition to the 10 flood relief columns, 10 Engineer Task Forces (ETF) each having an approximate strength of 40 personnel from Jodhpur, Bhopal, Pune, Bangalore and Secunderabad have been pressed into action. The Army is also utilising 53 military boats to evacuate civilians from flood-affected areas. Inspite of continuous and heavy rains, Indian Army columns are working round the clock to restore connectivity to remote villages by constructing temporary footbridges, bunds and preparing alternate routes. 13 temporary bridges were constructed to reconnect 38 remote areas and total of 3627 personnel have been rescued till date, which include 22 foreign nationals. Relief materials have been sent to 19 villages with medical aid being provided to approximately 500 civilians till date. In addition, 3000 pre-cooked meals and 300 life jackets have been handed over to civil administration on 17 Aug 2018, added the ministry. The death toll in Kerala floods has risen to 324, Chief Minister Officer (CMO) of Kerala said on Friday. The CMO, in a tweet, said that 324 lives have been lost due to floods and around 223139 people are in about 1500 relief camps. A day after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared a piece written by him on the BJP veteran. PM Modi took to Twitter to share an article in which he "penned some thoughts on Atal Ji". Evoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee as "a leader for the ages", PM Modi paid his tribute to the stalwart saying he was "ahead of the times". Here is the heartfelt tribute of PM Narendra Modi: In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind. For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself. Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarize the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question. Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in MP. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary Karyakarta in the Jana Sangh, he organized the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India the BJP and helmed its organization work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhis Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India. Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament. In his simplicity and integrity, in his dignity and empathy, and a sense of personal non-attachment to the office, he became an inspiration for a nation of youth. He rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process. He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. Its that vision that continues to drive our governments policy. It was Atalji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his government ensured prosperity for several Indians. His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our countrys economic as well as social empowerment. Atalji irreversibly changed Indias place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to Indias security. No longer would Indias security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace. Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities. Indeed, it is the combination of his legacies of creating strategic capabilities, promoting stronger economic growth, undertaking multi-directional diplomacy and harnessing of diaspora energies that is today the basis for the respect we command across the world. He transformed five decades of estrangement with USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years. He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan. With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. Atal Jis conviction that these two ancient civilisations which are rising powers can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking. A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our Neighbourhood First policy. He was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladeshs liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in J&K. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India. Personally, Atalji was an ideal, a guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the chief minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the peoples expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling. Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atalji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos. A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atalji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday conducted a raid at the Patna and Begusarai residences of former Bihar Welfare Department Minister Manju Verma in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual assault case. Verma had submitted her resignation on August 8. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had demanded the minister's resignation, alleging her involvement in the sex scandal case. Her husband has been accused of having links with alleged mastermind Brajesh Thakur in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case. Her husband, Chandrasekhar Verma, has been accused of visiting the Muzaffarpur shelter home frequently. The alleged sex scandal in Muzaffarpur surfaced in a social audit conducted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. 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. An 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. Shortly after submitting her resignation from the post, Verma accused the media and the Opposition of creating a furore. "I resigned because media and opposition had created a furore," she had said. Expressing confidence on the CBI and the Judiciary, she said, "I am sure truth will be out and my husband will come out clean." The Bihar Minister defended her husband and said that the call records of prime accused Brajesh Thakur, in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case, should be made public. "Call records of accused Brajesh Thakur should be made public, we will then see who all he used to talk to," Manju Verma added. Bihar Education Minister Krishnanandan Prasad Verma was given the additional charge of the Social Welfare Department on August 9. New Delhi: Having come to express grief over the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pakistan`s interim Minister of Law and Information, Syed Ali Zafar, on Friday, did not forget to mention Kashmir during a media interaction following his meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. However, the Indian government, while mentioning the meeting between Swaraj and Zafar underlined that Vajpayee had dreamt of "terror-free" sub-continent. Zafar was in New Delhi to attend the last rites of Vajpayee. Speaking to media after his meeting with Swaraj, Zafar said that he hoped that India and Pakistan will be able to resolve all issues between them, including that of Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue. The Pakistan minister said that he was in India to express condolence on behalf of the Pakistani government and people and to stand along India in its hour of grief. "I have come here as a representative of people of Pakistan to share your grief. Vajpayee Sahab was a man of peace and gave visionary leadership to India. People who value peace are admired in Pakistan. We hope that as in grief we will share your happy moments too in the future. The issues which we have between our countries which include the issue of Jammu and Kashmir will be resolved through dialogue and peacefully," Zafar said. Tweeting about the meeting, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar said: "Remembering a visionary who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent! Pakistan`s caretaker Minister of Law and Justice, Syed Ali Zafar expressed condolences to EAM @SushmaSwaraj on sad demise of formerPrime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee." Meanwhile, Zafar recited a poem by Vajpayee "Jung na honey denge" (We will not allow war). "Before leaving, I would like to say something by Vajpayeeji, because I believe that words never die," Zafar said and he went on to recite the poem: "Jung na honey denge; Bharat-Pakistan padosi saath saath rahna hoga; pyar kare ya vaar kare; dono ko hi sehna hoga; jo hum par gujri bachhon par na honey denge; jung na honey denge. (We will not allow a war. Neighbours India and Pakistan have to live together. Whether it is love or betrayal, both have to be tolerated. We will not allow our children to go through what we had to, we will not allow war)." Pakistan will send a representative to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday in the national capital. The interim Prime Minister of Pakistan has appointed acting Law and Information Minister Barrister Syed Ali Zafar to represent Pakistan at the last rites of the veteran BJP leader. The 93-year-old leader passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. The final procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will take place on Friday in the national capital. The last rites of the three-time prime minister will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. Vajpayee is the 10th prime minister of India and will be cremated with full state honour. The mortal remains of the former prime minister which is presently resting at his Krishna Menon Marg home will be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters at around 9 a.m. Vajpayee's funeral procession will take place at Smriti Sthal at 1.30 pm. He led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004 and was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. Pakistan's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan on Thursday expressed condolences over the demise of the leader, saying his efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered. Khan said in a statement that Vajpayee was a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and his death has created a big void. "Efforts of Mr Vajpayee for improvement in relations between Pakistan and India will be remembered forever," said Khan. He said Vajpayee started efforts for improving Indo-Pak ties and continued them after becoming prime minister. "As foreign minister Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to new heights after assuming the office of prime minister," the statement read. Khan said, "I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief". He further said that by creating peace between the two countries, "we can truly recognise the service of Vajpayee". Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday evening breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Hours after the death of the stalwart, a picture claiming to be of AIIMS doctors paying tribute to the former leader began circulating in the social media. The picture baffled the people who considered it to be a real picture from inside the hospital after the death of the former prime minister. However, it was later verified to be a picture from the year 2012 of a group of Chinese doctors paying tribute to a patient whose organ were donated after her death. In the picture, the doctors stood in a queue and offered their last respect. Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last at 5.05 pm on Thursday and the same was confirmed by AIIMS through an official press release. Elaborate arrangements were made at the hospital as well as the residence of the former prime minister before the announcement of Vajpayees demise was made by the hospital. It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 05:05pm on 16.08.2018. Shri Vajpayee was admitted in AIIMS on 11.06.2018 and was stable in the last 9 weeks under the care of a team of AIIMS doctors, read the statement released by AIIMS. It further read, Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today. We join the Nation in deeply mourning this great loss. The mortal remains of the BJP co-founder was taken from the hospital to his residence, where political leaders from across the country converged to pay their last respects to the iconic leader. From Prime Minister Modi to Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, several big names of the Indian polity reached Vajpayees residence soon after the news of his demise came in. The mortal remains will be kept at BJP headquarters for the general public to pay their last respect from 9 am to 1 pm on Friday, following which the final journey of the former prime minister would begin. He will be accorded a state funeral at 4 pm on Friday at Smriti Sthal in the national capital. Zeenews.com, too, had inadvertently used the photo saying it was of AIIMS doctors. But the error has been rectified. We sincerely regret the error. Kerala Cheif Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday urged people to donate for Kerala floods as the situation continues to be grim in the flood-affected state. Vijayan took to Twitter and posted details of Bank account where people can donate for the relief fund. He said, "For the people of Kerala, the road to recovery is going to be a long one. Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy." The bank and account details where donations can be made for the relief fund are as follows: Donee: Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund Account No: 67319948232 Bank name: State Bank of India IFSC : SBIN0070028 SWIFT CODE : SBININBBT08 Account type: Savings Branch: City Branch, Thiruvananthapuram PAN: AAAGD0584M Tweet: Government of Kerala introduced an official website for donating funds. Check out the website for more details. https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/ CM Vijayan earlier on Friday said that the around 324 persons have died so far in Kerala due to rain. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years, he added. More than 1500 relief camps have been set up where 223139 people have been rescued as of August 17. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his Delhi residence, hours after the veteran leader passed away at the age of 93 at AIIMS hospital. In a note, Sonia wrote expressing her despair and sadness at his demise which has left "a huge void". She evoked him referring to him as a "towering figure" and "spellbinding orator" who "stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts". UPA Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi shares her condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/6QnONFeaCW Congress (@INCIndia) August 16, 2018 The Congress party took to Twitter to share the note. Sonia said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister of India. He was a spellbinding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount." "But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions -- with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy," she further said. "His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum, and from every walk of life. His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul," she added. The former leader, who was a recipient of Bharat Ratna, breathed his last after a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday evening. New Delhi: India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are sending their special representatives to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday evening. According to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its envoy to attend Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is likely to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister. Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would grace his presence at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the country's foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali would leave for New Delhi today to attend late Vajpayee's last rites, representing the Government of Nepal. In a statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry also announced that AH Mahmood Ali would be visiting New Delhi to be present at Vajpayee's funeral, bdnews24.com reported. The 93-year-old BJP veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with complications arising out of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition deteriorated. Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday. New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed its limitation in passing coercive orders for alleged failure by some states to set up panels on the issue of urban homelessness, saying its "whip has broken" as suggestions have been made that the judiciary should refrain from entering the domain of governance. "We have been told that governance is for the government and not for the courts. If there is no governance, we cannot do anything," a bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said on Thursday. The observations by Justice Lokur assumes significance following Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's remarks yesterday that "the founding fathers always wanted governance must be left to those elected to govern by the people of India." Similarly, Attorney General K K Venugopal had on August 8 told the bench headed by Justice Lokur that it should refrain from making hard-hitting observations while hearing public interest litigation matters since these impacted other issues plaguing the country. At today's hearing on a matter related to providing shelter to urban homeless in the country, the bench was told by the Centre that several states have not yet constituted a committee to deal with the issues of implementation of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM). Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the bench that the apex court should "crack its whip" on the defaulting states. "The whip is broken," the bench, also comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, said. Bhushan then told the court that chief secretaries of these states, which have not yet constituted the committees, should be asked to appear in the court to explain. A lawyer for one of the petitioners told the court that some coercive steps should be taken against these states as no progress has been made in the matter. "What is to be done? We cannot make houses," the bench observed, adding, "What coercive steps? The governance is for the government and not for the courts". The bench noted that "unfortunately" the Centre's status report indicated that in some states, no committee has been formed, while in some others, meetings of the panel were not held. The apex court asked the Centre to give within 10 days a chart on the status of each states along with details of composition of committee, date of notification for it and meetings held by the panel. At the outset, the bench said that as per the status report filed by the Centre, most of states have not held any meetings of the committee and some of them have only had one meeting. Bhushan told the bench that once the court passes an order, the states do respond if it was made clear to them that action would be taken in case of default. "Somebody should be sent to jail. Only then they (states) will act," he said. Advocates appearing for Bihar, Haryana and Chhattisgarh said that committees have been constituted by them. The bench observed that Delhi was the only one which appeared to have done something in the matter. It also asked whether members of the civil society, who have been made members of the committee in the states, have attended the meetings. "You have to do some homework. There are 29 states. You give us in 29 pages that this is the composition of the committee, this is the date of notification and these are the dates of meetings," the bench told the counsel appearing for Centre. The apex court had earlier expressed shock that welfare schemes were not being effectively implemented even after spending thousands of crores of rupees on them. The petitioners had earlier referred to a report of the apex court-appointed committee headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Kailash Gambhir and said a number of shelter homes in some of the states were much less than what was required. Daura Suruwal made official attire The Baburam Bhattarai-led government had removed Daura Suruwal and Gunyu Choli as the national dress in 2011, keeping in view the diverse culture in the country and respecting the sentiment of various ethnic communities. In the absence of a dedicated national dress, the government has started urging people to wear Daura-Suruwal and Gunyu Choli on official functions. San Francisco: Google is not close to launching a search engine app in China, its chief executive said at a companywide meeting on Thursday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters, as employees of the Alphabet Inc unit called for more transparency and oversight of the project. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told staff that though development is in an early stage, providing more services in the world`s most populous country fits with Google`s global mission. Hoping to gain approval from the Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, the company plans to block some websites and search terms, Reuters reported this month, citing unnamed sources. Whether the company could or would launch search in China "is all very unclear," Pichai said, according to the transcript. "The team has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now, and I think they are exploring many options." Disclosure of the secretive effort has disturbed some Google employees and human rights advocacy organizations. They are concerned that by agreeing to censorship demands, Google would validate China`s prohibitions on free expression and violate the "don`t be evil" clause in the company`s code of conduct. Hundreds of employees have called on the company to provide more "transparency, oversight and accountability," according to an internal petition seen by Reuters on Thursday. After a separate petition this year, Google announced it would not renew a project to help the U.S. military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones. The China petition says employees are concerned the project, code named Dragonfly, "makes clear" that ethics principles Google issued during the drone debate "are not enough." "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we`re building," states the document seen by Reuters. The New York Times first reported the petition on Thursday. Google declined to comment. Company executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly, and their remarks at the company-wide meeting marked their first about the project since details about it were leaked. Employees have asked Google to create an ethics review group with rank-and-file workers, appoint ombudspeople to provide independent review and internally publish assessments of projects that raise substantial ethical questions. Pichai told employees: "We`ll definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here" on Dragonfly, according to the transcript. He noted the company guards information on some projects where sharing too early can "cause issues." Three former employees involved with Google`s past efforts in China told Reuters current leadership may see offering limited search results in China as better than providing no information at all. The same rationale led Google to enter China in 2006. It left in 2010 over an escalating dispute with regulators that was capped by what security researchers identified as state-sponsored cyberattacks against Google and other large U.S. firms. The former employees said they doubt the Chinese government will welcome back Google. A Chinese official, who declined to be named, told Reuters this month that it is very unlikely Dragonfly would be available this year. JAMMU: A fierce gunbattle is currently underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara in the wee hours of Friday. According to reports, a fierce gunbattle is currently underway between the security forces and a group of terrorists in Kupwara's Kralgund. There are no reports of any casualties so far. Meanwhile, another encounter between security forces and terrorists is also underway in Hajin area of Bandipora, says ANI. This comes hours after Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector`s Chakan da Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir late on Thursday. The Indian Army gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani side. No casualty or damage to property was reported. The fresh violation of ceasefire was reported just a few days after two Pakistani troops were killed by the Army in Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir`s Kupwara district, after they violated the ceasefire along the LoC. On July 31, Pakistan violated ceasefire along the border in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir`s Rajouri district.Both Indian and Pakistani troops regularly exchange fire at each other during incidents of ceasefire violations. Last month, the central government informed the Rajya Sabha that the ceasefire violations witnessed a six-fold rise from 2015 to 2018. In June, a commander-level meeting took place between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir`s Poonch district, wherein both countries discussed instances of ceasefire violations and cross-border firing. New Delhi: The former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise has created a void which can never be filled again. The statesman left for his heavenly abode on August 16, 2018. The stalwart politician breathed his last at 5.05 pm. He was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi for past 9 weeks. It was in the last 36 hours that his health deteriorated. The nation mourns this immense loss and condolence messages have flooded the social media. After superstar Shah Rukh Khan penned a heartwarming note describing his association with the former PM and how SRK's father used to take him along to listen to the powerful speeches voiced by Atal ji, many other B-Town celebs mourned the veteran politician's death as well. SRK also had the privilege of starring in a video which was based on one of the poems rendered by the great politician. It was sung by the melodious Jagjit Singh. Hrithik Roshan took to Twitter and shared that he had the opportunity of meeting the former PM a couple of times. He tweeted pictures with a caption: Met Atalji a few times in my life. Each time was special. I remember him as an extremely kind hearted man. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee Met Atalji a few times in my life. Each time was special. I remember him as an extremely kind hearted man. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee pic.twitter.com/fRXs6Pgn6W Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) August 16, 2018 Preity Zinta also wrote on Twitter: He was a Charismatic leader. A man of few words but of solid action. He was the face of Indian Friendship & Strength with superb foreign relations. Pokhran, Kargil Golden quadrilateral, Delhi Lahore Bus, Kashmirayat. You will be missed deeply sir. #Sad #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee He was a Charismatic leader. A man of few words but of solid action. He was the face of Indian Friendship & Strength with superb foreign relations. Pokhran, Kargil Golden quadrilateral, Delhi Lahore Bus, Kashmirayat You will be missed deeply sir. #Sad #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee pic.twitter.com/475FLxwsDy Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) August 16, 2018 Several politicians and dignitaries have expressed grief and extended their condolences to the family and friends. Vajpayee was the 10th prime minister of India and will be cremated with full state honour. The mortal remains of the former prime minister were taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters and the funeral procession will take place at Smriti Sthal at 1.30 pm. He led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004 and was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. Vajpayee's last rites will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, New Delhi at 4 pm on Friday. May his soul rest in peace! New Delhi: International pop star Nick Jonas and popular actress Priyanka Chopra's wedding rumours have been doing rounds on the internet for quite some time now. Reports suggest that our Desi Girl is all set to take the big step and got engaged to Nick on her birthday. Priyanka turned 36 in July and as per reports it was on her birthday that Nick had popped the question to the actress. Nick arrived in Mumbai last night along with his parents, adding further fuel to the wedding rumours. As per a report in E! Online.com, Nick and Pee Cee's families will meet for the first time today and the Chopra's will host an engagement party! Neither Priyanka nor Nick have given an official statement. However, the singer almost confirmed his engagement a few days ago by saying 'Thanks Man' to a fan who congratulated him on the same, reported US Weekly. On the other hand, Priyanka has remained tight-lipped about her engagement but her social media PDA for Nick speaks volumes. The actress also flashed a huge diamond ring on her finger at Manish Malhotra's birthday bash. Priyanka and Nick's wedding rumours caught fire when the actress walked out of Salman Khan's 'Bharat'. Director Ali Abbas Zafar took to Twitter to share that Pee Cee is no longer a part of the film. His tweet was enough to let us know that there is more than what meets the eye. New Delhi: The former Prime Minister of the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee left for his heavenly abode on August 16, 2018. The stalwart politician breathed his last at 5.05 pm. The veteran leader was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi for past 9 weeks. It was in the last 36 hours that his health deteriorated. The nation mourns his immense loss and the void created by his demise will never be filled again. The entire nation is mourning this statesman's demise. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan too extended his condolences and took to his social media handle. He shared a heartwarming note where he described his association with the former PM and how SRK's father used to take him along to listen to the powerful speeches voiced by Atal ji. Here's what SRK wrote: For The Poet Prime Minister of our country, love you Baapji...https://t.co/IKTYouMdiy pic.twitter.com/kLO4JAHvNu Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 16, 2018 He also had the privilege of starring in a video which was based on one of the poems rendered by the great politician. It was sung by the melodious Jagjit Singh. Watch video here: Several politicians and dignitaries have expressed grief and extended their condolences to the family and friends. Vajpayee is the 10th prime minister of India and will be cremated with full state honour. The mortal remains of the former prime minister which is presently resting at his Krishna Menon Marg home will be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters at around 9 a.m. Vajpayee's funeral procession will take place at Smriti Sthal at 1.30 pm. He led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004 and was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. Vajpayee's last rites will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, New Delhi at 4 pm on Friday. May his soul rest in peace! WASHINGTON: A military parade requested by the US President Donald Trump that had been planned for November in Washington has been postponed until at least next year, the Defense Department said on Thursday. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018, for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019," Defense Department Spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear exactly what caused the postponement but the increased cost of the event had caused concern and could be one reason. The parade to honour U.S. military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One could cost more than $90 million, the U.S. official said, citing provisional planning figures that were nearly three times an earlier White House estimate. The official said the cost estimate of about $92 million had not yet been approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and could still be changed and more options could be included. In February, Trump asked the Pentagon to explore a parade in celebration of American troops, after the Republican president marvelled at the Bastille Day military parade he attended in Paris last year. Earlier this year, the White House budget chief said the parade would cost US taxpayers between $10 million and $30 million. It was not immediately clear why the recent cost estimate was so much higher than the earlier one, and what exactly it included. A Pentagon memo from March said the Washington parade route would have a "heavy air component at the end of the parade." "Include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks - consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure," the memo said. Critics say the government should not spend money on a costly display of troops and weapons when the Pentagon is struggling to cover the expenses of training, support and personnel. The District of Columbia Council had ridiculed the idea of a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, the 1.2-mile (1.9-km) stretch between the Capitol and the White House that is also the site of the Trump International Hotel. Military parades in the United States are generally rare. Such parades in other countries are usually staged to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of President Saddam Hussein`s Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War. The three Italians who have so far evaded arrest are reported to be Andrea Palmeri, Gabriele Carugati, and Massimiliano Cavalleri For years they traveled with ease from Italy to take part in the Russia-backed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Many boasted of their martial exploits on social media and in videos, often decked out in camouflage fatigues and brandishing weapons. And for years, authorities in Italy largely turned a blind eye, failing to stop these mercenaries despite protests and complaints from officials and others in Kyiv. Until now. On August 1, Italian police announced they had arrested three men accused of recruiting mercenaries to fight in eastern Ukraine. Three others are still being sought after prosecutors in the northern Italian city of Genoa accused the six of fighting in eastern Ukraine and recruiting others to the cause. It was the first time that Italian authorities have charged anyone with fighting in eastern Ukraine, where more than 10,300 people have died since the conflict erupted in April 2014. In a statement, Italian police said they searched the homes of another seven people as part of the investigation into the Italian-Ukrainian recruitment network. Some of the suspects allegedly had ties with the commander of a neo-Nazi paramilitary unit called Rusich, which operates in Ukraine's Donbas region. Genoese prosecutors have also charged 15 others with being members of the recruitment ring. Authorities in Genoa carried out the probes and arrests in tandem with ROS, the anti-organized-crime and antiterrorism branch of the carabinieri, Italy's paramilitary national police force. Police in Genoa have been investigating far-right networks in the area since 2016, according to the Genova Today newspaper. However, as UNIAN notes, the action comes months after a Ukrainian lawmaker submitted a list of 25 Italians believed to be fighting with the separatists in eastern Ukraine. Who Was Arrested? Other than their names and nationalities, few details of those arrested or those being sought were released, and government officials have made few comments on the matter. According to the La Repubblica newspaper, the people under arrest are Italian Antonio Cataldo, Albanian national Olszty Krutany, and Moldovan citizen Vladimir Verbitsky. The carabinieri released a video on August 1 in connection with the arrests, including footage of Verbitsky, who took the nom de guerre "Parma" when he allegedly went to fight in eastern Ukraine in May 2015, joining the Rusich group. He appeared to maintain a low profile at first, wearing a mask -- at least when in front of a camera -- as in this video. Later, however, he seemed less worried about his identity getting out. In a YouTube video posted by the separatists in Ukraine, Verbitsky is apparently shown firing artillery. On camera, "Parma" says he is 21 and, although he grew up in Italy, where his parents moved to from Moldova, he considers himself "Russian." Detainee Krutany is reportedly a veteran of the conflicts in Chechnya, the restive Russian region in North Caucasus. He was also an owner of a gym in Milan, and a fan of Russian martial arts, which allegedly gave him contacts to fighters in the Donbas, according to the Italian online news portal Ottopagine.it. Cataldo, the third detainee, is allegedly a key fixer, having acted as an intermediary between the fighters on the ground in eastern Ukraine and those in Italy wishing to go there. "Antonia Cataldo is a key figure in the probe by the Genoa law enforcement agencies into the recruiting of mercenaries who fought for pro-Russian forces in [eastern] Ukraine," explains Luciano Trapanese, the editor in chief of OttoPagine, in comments to Donbas Reality, the Donbas desk of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "He is considered an experienced mercenary, having fought in Libya, where he was captured by militants loyal to [Muammar] Qaddafi," Trapanese said. "He also took part in military training in Panama. He became well known after he was interviewed on Italian TV. He talked about his mercenary life in the Donbas and elsewhere. After that he became inspirational for those who wanted to travel from Italy to the Ukrainian regions to fight in the ranks of the pro-Putin troops." The three Italians who have so far evaded arrest are reported to be Andrea Palmeri, Gabriele Carugati, and Massimiliano Cavalleri. Cavalleri, known by his alias "Spartak," was regularly spotted in videos posted by the separatists. He was also photographed with Aleksandr Zacharchenko, a top leader in the separatist-controlled area of Ukraine's Donetsk region. Cavalleri posted a picture of himself on Facebook, grimly holding up a "passport" of the so-called "People's Republic of Donetsk," while an Italian flag hung in the background. Like Cavalleri, Palmeri is believed to currently be in separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine. A former leader of the far-right hooligan group Bulldog Lucca, Palmeri has appeared on Italian TV boasting about his martial exploits in eastern Ukraine. In February 2014, he traveled to Ukraine to evade home arrest for an assault conviction. Palmeri claimed in an AFP interview in April 2018 that he was the first Italian to join the Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Palmeri said he had made the decision to go to the Donbas after watching news reports on Russian TV that described Ukrainian authorities as neo-Nazis and broadcast reports -- which are untrue -- that Russian-speakers were being exterminated in Ukraine. Last year, Donbas Reality tried to arrange an interview with Palmeri via social media, but he refused to speak with journalists, ending one of his missives murkily: "We'll see you in [the western Ukrainian city of] Lviv." After the arrests in Italy, Palmeri went on Facebook to post a series of photos featuring himself doing various goodwill work in separatist-controlled areas of the Luhansk region -- distributing onions, potatoes, and cabbages with a caption reading: "Yes, I am a terrorist, I admit it." Carugati is the son of a politician from the far-right League party one of two parties in Italy's ruling coalition government. His mother, Silvana Marin, has publicly praised her son's choice to fight in Ukraine. A year ago Carugati boasted to Donbas Reality about how easy it was for him to slip across the border and get back to Italy. "I have already gone home, had a rest. Now I live in Donetsk," Carugati told RFE/RL. Ties Between Mercenaries And Politicians? As Carugati's case suggests, the mercenaries fighting in Ukraine appear to have at least some support among Italy's ruling elite. And that should come as no surprise. The right-wing League as well as Italy's other ruling party, the 5-Star Movement, are far from being hostile toward the Kremlin. Like other Kremlin-leaning, antiestablishment, and far-right parties in Europe, the 5-Star Movement and the League party have been courted heavily by Moscow, as have other European populist leaders sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin and eager to embrace Russia as a counterweight to the European Union, according to Globalsecurity.org. "This [League] party has signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling party of Russia, with United Russia. [League leader Matteo] Salvini has called on numerous occasions for the lifting of sanctions against Russia," said Taras Semenyuk, an analyst at KyivStratPro. Russia has been slapped with sanctions for its actions in Ukraine, including the seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014. Salvini recently found himself in diplomatic hot water for more controversial statements and actions. Salvini reportedly visited Crimea earlier this year and stated that Russia's annexation was legitimate. For that, Ukraine summoned the Italian ambassador in Kyiv on July 20. However, as the latest arrests by Italian authorities suggest, the Italian government is far from united on its policy toward Ukraine. Read the original text here. The challenge of transforming Ukrainian institutions requires a smarter, more flexible and more differentiated approach to using EU assistance for individual projects Open source Ukraine opted for political association and economic integration with the European Union (EU) when it signed an Association Agreement (AA) in 2014. The agreement is unprecedented in that the country has committed to reforms without having the prospect of EU membership. However, the scale of Ukraines reform commitments is not matched by its capacity to implement them. The EUs assistance from 1992 to 2013 helped to raise awareness of European rules and standards in Ukraine, but had a negligible impact on the functioning of state institutions. Since 2014, the EU has stepped up its assistance and has in effect supported the rebuilding of Ukrainian state institutions. A number of important innovations have been introduced. These include the creation of the dedicated Support Group to Ukraine (SGUA), longer and bigger assistance programmes (under devolved agreements), staff positions dedicated to reform, and extensive macro-financial assistance. At the macro level, the SGUAs coordination and planning of assistance have focused on developing an approach that embraces whole sectors. In contrast, assistance before 2014 consisted of a large number of individual projects. The SGUA has led to much better coordination with other international donors. Ukraine has benefited from the expertise of high-level EU officials in the country. Their expertise has supported both the political and technical aspects of interactions with the Ukrainian government. At the micro level, much of the EUs support is in the form of technical assistance projects. These can be effective in transferring specific technical knowledge and skills, but their narrow focus and short time scales are far less beneficial for institution-building. All international donors face this problem, but EU assistance is particularly affected. Given the challenge of transforming Ukrainian institutions, a smarter, more flexible and more differentiated approach to using EU assistance for individual projects is needed. This paper offers a number of recommendations for addressing the shortcomings identified. Read the original text at Chatham House. Since the beginning of the day, militants have violated the truce 6 times From the beginning of the day militants violated the truce 6 times in Donbas conflict zone, shelling Ukrainian positions from infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), grenade launchers and mortars. This was reported by Joint Forces Operation HQ press center on Facebook. "The occupants attacked Joint Forces positions from IFV, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms in the areas of Krymske, Luhanske and Krasnohorivka. Along with this, the shelled Luhanske defenders with mortars of 82 mm caliber, "the report said. It is noted that as a result of combat actions there were no losses among the personnel of the Joint Forces. As it was reported earlier, Lithuanian Government is planning to allocate one million euros to support Ukraine in 2019. Chairman of Donetsk Regional Military-Civil Administration Oleksandr Kuts claimed this on Facebook after the meeting with Lithuanian Ambassador Marius Janukonis. Deepak Raj Joshee proclaims himself as acting Chief Justice Senior Justice Deepak Raj Joshee of the Supreme Court, who is on a fifteen-day leave after being rejected as the Chief Justice, has proclaimed himself as the acting Chief Justice. The Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) had rejected the nomination of Joshee as the Chief Justice on August 3. It is noted that during the last time the increase in the number of the militants' material stock is observed As for today, about 32,000 Russians fight within the ranks of the militants in Donbas. Viktor Muzhenko, the Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claimed this as BBC Ukraine reported. "We talk about the fact that there are the Russian regular armies reformed at the end of 2014 and in 2015 in the first and second army corps. The total number of these armies is about 32,000 people. Also, there are more than 700 tanks, cannons, artillery systems. Moreover, there are the mercenaries and the soldiers of the regular Armed Forces of Russia," Muzhenko noted. He added that during the last time the increase in the number of the militants' material stock is observed. "The columns from Russia enters, they bring the material means, including the ammunition. It is interesting that it is not a grouping of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, it is the regular detachments that obey to the staff of the eights general military based in Novocherkask," he added. Earlier Muzhenko claimed that the funding in the sum of at least $4 billion is needed for the army in 2019. He added that now the outflow of the personnel is observed, also, because of the material problems and it can have serious consequences for the combat readiness of the Armed Forces. Also, he told how Ukraine is going to spend $250 million the U.S. allocated for medicine, air defence and electronic countermeasures. The cases of the use of the heavy weaponry by the militants were spotted at the Luhansk direction Open source During the last 24 hours, on August 16, the pro-Russian militants continued the shelling of the Ukrainian positions in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO), including the use of the BM-21 Grad. Dmytry Hutsulyak, the spokesperson of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine claimed this as 112.ua reported. It is reported that the militants held 12 provocation attacks of the JFO positions at the Luhansk direction. At this direction, the heavy weaponry was used most frequently. Particularly, in the night, after 1:00 a.m., the militants shelled the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Svitlodarsk from the BM-21 Grad and 120-mm mortar launchers during one hour. Moreover, they attacked the defenders of Luhanske, Krymsky and Novhorodske, using the 82-mm mortar launchers, weapons of the infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. Also, the grenade launchers and other infantry arms were used near Novozvanivka. At the Donetsk direction, the militants shelled the JFO detachments 18 times. The use of the heavy weapons was not spotted there, however, the prolonged attacks from the grenade launchers of different modifications and small arms were spotted. The similar provocation attacks were held by the militants near Lebedynske, Novotroitske, Krasnohorivka, Mariinka, Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Pavlopol and Vodyane. The Ukrainian soldiers were forces to open the fire in the response a few times. No casualties were reported. As we reported militants violated the truce 6 times in Donbas conflict zone on August 16, shelling Ukrainian positions from infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), grenade launchers and mortars. As it was reported earlier, Lithuanian Government is planning to allocate one million euros to support Ukraine in 2019. Chairman of Donetsk Regional Military-Civil Administration Oleksandr Kuts claimed this on Facebook after the meeting with Lithuanian Ambassador Marius Janukonis. The money will be spent on increasing the capabilities of air defence, modern electronic countermeasures, and other directions Open source Ukraine intends to spend $250 million the U.S. allocated for medicine, air defence and electronic countermeasures, as Viktor Muzhenko, the Head of Armed Forces General Staff, said in the interview for BBC Ukraine. We will receive this aid next year. We have relevant lists. It is about increasing the capabilities of air defence, modern electronic countermeasures, and other directions. It will be clear what exactly is to be considered while distributing this sum later, Muzhenko said. Reportedly, the US President Donald Trump signed the act which provides allocation for Ukraine in the amount of $250 million for the defence sector. Reportedly, the ministers of foreign affairs of the USA and Russia Mike Pompeo and Sergey Lavrov talked on the phone. They discussed new sanctions against Russia, the situation in Syria and the number of other issues. Related: Turkey doubles tariffs for goods import from U.S. Earlier, American President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Helsinki and had been talking one-on-one for more than one hour. The meeting was criticized by mass media and politics. They called Trump Putins poodle and traitor, and the meeting as a whole was a "shame." Yet in May, Trump stated on the exit from Iranian deal and resume of the sanctions against Tehran. Related: NATO member states increase defence spending because of Putin, not Trump 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. Investigative journalist Oleksa Shalayskiy explained how corruption has functioned in government since the watershed moment of the Maidan Its standard fare in any article about Ukraine to mention the country's enormous, overwhelming, and everlasting corruption problem. Its also incredibly boring, because hardly anyone has examples or knows how it actually works. In April, I sat down over coffee and sweets in Kyiv with investigative journalist Oleksa Shalayskiy, editor-in-chief of Nashi Groshi (Our Money), who explained in detail how corruption functions in Ukraine. Shalayskiy knows what hes talking about. His watchdog organization regularly uncovers examples of corruption that the top anticorruption organizations use in their public crusades. But Shalayskiy is anything but loud. Soft-spoken and detail oriented, I had to lean forward multiple times and ask him to speak up. Shalayskiy said the problem is that officials still believe they must steal. I cannot not steal because if I dont, Ukraine will fail, he said. What he means is that ministers use state funds to cook up schemes that enrich themselves and a small group of untouchables who devise the schemes within their ministries, and to run their ministries. The same excuse is everywhere, he said. A demand for justice and dignity drove thousands to the streets to push former President Victor Yanukovych out of power in 2014. Since then, Ukraine has made some progress on corruption, from establishing the National Anticorruption Bureau and other institutions that fight corruption to setting market prices for natural gas, which had been a huge source of corruption. But the fact remains that none of the really corrupt politicians from the old regime have gone to jail. Instead, they fled to London or Moscow, or walk free in Kyiv. Shalayskiy explained in detail why that is, and how corruption has functioned in government since the watershed moment of the Maidan. Within each ministry, he said, there are three categories of people: the untouchables who devise the schemes, the touchables who are open to bribes but can be prosecuted, and then those who must play by the rules. Before the Maidan, Shalayskiy said that approximately 30 percent of people in the average state ministry were untouchables, 30 percent were open to bribes, and 40 percent were governed by the book. After the Maidan, the ratio changed: the untouchables shrank to 10 percent, those who took bribes remained constant at 30 percent, and 60 percent could go to jail. This ratio remained in place until the fall of 2016and then the kickbacks increased. Why then, I asked. He hesitated and told me to ask political experts. Eventually, he hazarded a guess: No punishment, he said. Shalayskiy suspects that the failure of judicial reform led people to resume their old ways. Additionally, he said, some of the whistleblowers stopped coming forward and giving information. Of course, since we spoke, Ukraines parliament has passed a bill establishing an Anticorruption Court, which could prove decisive. When I asked a former minister, other journalists, and insiders what they think about Shalayskiys figures, they all said his numbers are entirely plausible. Some countered that its important to distinguish between ministries, which I readily admit. The Health Ministry under Dr. Ulana Suprun has a squeaky-clean reputation, for example. More journalists need to dig in and figure out what the formulas look like at each ministry. But the broader point is that the old ways of enriching oneself through the state coffers never really disappeared. Melinda Haring is the editor of the UkraineAlert blog at the Atlantic Council and a fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. She tweets @melindaharing. Read the original text here. The militants are accused of making the prisoner confess Detained reported Stanyslav Aseev confessed to his spying on the camera of Russia-24. The confession could have been forcibly gotten, MP Yehor Firsov claimed this on Facebook. The article on which I am accused under the legislation of the "DNR" is "espionage," then in this case, yes, I admit these accusations, I do not deny them and openly say that I really worked for the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, he claimed in the interview. Former MP Yehor Firsov commented on the situation on Facebook. Happened what I had been repeatedly warning about. The militants made him confess to espionage and cooperation with the intelligence. He was devoted a full program on Russia-24 channel, he says. There is a whole set of fakes and stamps and diaries, and espionage, and participation in the battalion, and Kievan curators. There is an impression that Stas is made to admit everything that is possible to imagine, Firsov claims. He focuses his attention on how Aseev acts during the interview: his trembling voice, hands that out of habit are put like in handcuffs. Posed shots where he is having food, and a bottle of Borjomi and jars with medicines on the table, the former MP adds. Firsov guessed that the occupants wont stop on this and will represent Aseev at press conferences and other events as a spy. Hopefully, no one gets the fake seriously, since it is obvious, and as I claimed earlier it is a well-planned setup, he summed up. As it was reported earlier DNR militants officially confirmed that a missing journalist Stanyslav Aseev (Stanyslav Vasin pseudonym) was detained in DNR. Aseev is accused of espionage as all journalists arrested earlier. He can be imprisoned for 12-14 years. UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine was searching for missing Aseev in the occupied territories. Stanyslav Aseev is 27 years old. During the occupation of Donetsk by the DNR militants, he did not leave the city and was publishing his articles in the Ukrainian media under pseudonym Vasin. Starting from June the contact with the journalist was lost. Human right protection organization Human Rights Watch received information on July 14 that Aseev was captured by DNR terrorists. During the negotiations, the sides noted the high level of the political dialogue between Ukraine and Israel Head of the administration of Ukraine's president Ihor Rainin and Ecology Minister of Israel Ze'ev Elkin have discussed the practical step for the acceleration of the signing of the agreement for the free trade between two states as the press service of the Ukrainian leader reported. "During the negotiations, the high level of the political dialogue between Ukraine and Israel and close coordination of two countries at the international stage were noted. The sides noted the growth of the trade-economic cooperation between Ukraine and Israel and discussed the practical steps of the acceleration of the signing of the agreement for the free trade between two states," the message said. Elkin thanked the Ukrainian authority for the efficient actions for the provision of the possibility to Israeli citizens to visit the Jewish holy sites in Uman and other cities of Ukraine. Rainin also invited the Israeli side to participate in the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine and in the work of the 10th international economic investment forum that will take place in Kharkiv on September 28. As we reported Ukraine and Israel completed working on the text of the agreement on the launch of the free trade area. Open source Olena Odnovol, a woman who supervised the gathering of signs for Vladimir Putin in Crimea during the presidential elections in Russia received a suspended sentence of three years and three months in Ukraine. Reads the message of the press office of the Prosecutor Generals office in Crimea. Desnyanskiy District Court of Kyiv rendered the judgment on August 16. It is noted that Odnovol was the founder and the supervisor of the Crimean Regional Department of All Russian public movement Volontery Pobedy and a participant of the gathering of signs in support of Putin as a candidate for the post of the Russian President in 2018. According to the sentence, the accused is found guilty of committing a criminal offense and was sentenced to three years and three months of freedom deprivation. Based on the Ukrainian Crime Code she is exempt from serving sentence with a trial period of three years. The conditions of the sentence between the Prosecutor and the condemned are unequivocal acceptance of the guilt in the commitment of the offense, an active cooperation in the investigation of the offense, absence of aggravating circumstances. Reportedly, Leader of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov said that the overall voters turnout during the presidential election in Crimea actually made 42 percent - instead of 92, as Russia's Central Election Committee reported. Also, the personnel of the prison will be replaced Open source Ruslan Romashkov, the Head of Boryspil Penal Colony #119 has become the new Head of Kyiv Remand Center more known as Lykyanivska Prison. Yury Maslak, the spokesperson of Deputy Justice Minister Denys Chernyshev claimed this as 112 Ukraine reported. "Now the introduction of a new head takes place. It will be Ruslan Romashkov. To this day, he occupied the post of the Head of Penal Colony #119," Maslak said. The other personnel of the renewed administration of the prison will be announced next week. "Taking about the old administration of Lykyanivska Prison, today the head of the prison signed the letter of resignation. Also, the personnel will be replaced: deputy head for regime work, first deputy head, deputy head for operative work, deputy head for educational work. All these posts will be occupied by other people. I think it will be decided next week," he said. However, he does not comment on the interconnection of these events with the riot of "Tornado" officers. "The Military Prosecutor's Office holds the investigation, everything is recorded, and we held the internal investigation. All fact reported by Anatoly Matios were found. We will not cover anyone: the dismissal or the letter of resignation does not exempt anyone from the liability. If a person is guilty or allowed some violations, he will be responsible," Maslak emphasized. Earlier, on August 9 clashes between the citizens and law enforcers occurred during transferring of ex-fighters of Tornado near Lukyanivska Prison. As a result, three Tornado fighters, kept in Lukyanivska Prison, were transferred and the others were put in an isolation cell. As the representatives of the Justice Ministry informed, one law enforcer got injured as the fighters used handmade firecrackers. Moreover, it was reported that Tornado fighters poured petrol on a law enforcer and threatened to burn him. Earlier, two workers of Lukyanivska Prison passed Tornado fighters the prohibited items. Pavlo Petrenko, Ukraines Justice Minister announced severe administrative decisions concerning Lukyanivska Prison workers soon. Read about Donbas conflict in Ukraine, political prisoners, Yanukovych case, preparations for the Independence Day and other important news of the week Donbas conflict in Ukraine Case of Tornado ex-fighters Political prisoners exchange and Sentsov Yanukovych treason case EU funding and IMF tranche for Ukraine Ukrainian films, sites, awards and Invictus Games 2018 Ukraine prepares for the Independence Day Donbas conflict in Ukraine Russia-backed militants continue shelling in Donbas, killing one Ukrainian soldier and one Ukrainian marine, attacking residential area in Donetsk region, Militants used heavy artillery and Grad multiple-launch rocket systems near Svitlodarsk, which are banned by Minsk agreement. Apart from that, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission patrol, which ensured the observance to silence regime during the repair works on the power lines, was attacked. JFO HQ informed on Russian provocation at Marinka checkpoint: when the DNR border guards let the civilians to cross the grey zone between the two checkpoints 1- minutes before closing. The Ukrainian checkpoint border guards didnt let the civilians spend the night in the grey zone and extend hours of operation to let the civilians cross the border. Viktor Muzhenko, the Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the increase of the quantity of militants and military hardware in the conflict zone and showed the numbers: 32,000 Russian soldiers, over 700 tanks, cannons, artillery systems. Moreover, there are the mercenaries and the soldiers of the regular Armed Forces of Russia. Also the United Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine returned under its control 15 sq. km of territory since the Joint Forces Operation began in the east of Ukraine on April 30, 2018. Case of Tornado ex-fighters Earlier, on August 9, ex-fighters of Tornado staged a revolt, protesting against their convoy to different detention centers. Later, several dozen people were protesting at Lukyanivska prison in support of the former Interior Ministry specialized troops Tornado. The protesters brought posters with the demand to free detainees. As a result, three Tornado fighters, kept in Lukyanivska Prison, were transferred and the others were put in an isolation cell. As the representatives of the Justice Ministry informed, one law enforcer got injured as the fighters used handmade firecrackers. Moreover, it was reported that Tornado fighters poured petrol on a law enforcer and threatened to burn him. Earlier, 12 ex-Tornado servicemen were detained in summer 2015. They were accused of power abuse, illegal confinement, kidnapping, tortures and rapes. One of the fighters was shot during the arrest. On August 16, Igor Mosiychuk, Ukrainian peoples deputy from the Radical Party, referring to his sources informed that the Justice Ministry decided to fire the entire managerial staff of Lukyanivska Prison after Tornado ex-fighters conducted a protest and got banned things. Later, it was reported that Ruslan Romashkov, the Head of Boryspil Penal Colony #119 has become the new Head of Kyiv Remand Center more known as Lykyanivska Prison. The other personnel of the renewed administration of the prison will be announced next week. Political prisoners exchange and Sentsov On August 14, Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian political prisoner called this condition "pre-critical". According to Svetsova, Sentsov is in a good and clean four-place ward. Later, the Russian president administration said that Sentsov should ask for the pardon himself. While the Ukrainian side responded that it was a lie as Sentsov does not have to ask for pardon personally it is not an obligatory condition. A human right activist noted that Sentsov would not ask Russia to pardon him. Day later, the sister of Sentsov claimed that her brother is being used as a product and now an auction is happening. At the same time, she also stressed that Sentsov was not going to ask Putin for pardon. At the same time, a number of the Russian citizens detained in Ukraine asked Putin to exchange them for the Ukrainian political prisoners detained in Russia such as Sentsov. Later Ukrainian Ombudswoman reported that there are 22 appeals from Russian citizens imprisoned in Ukraine to Russian President Federation Vladimir Putin with a request to return them to Russia by exchanging for Ukrainian political prisoners. Yanukovych treason case On August 16, another court session on the state treason of the ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych took place. During the session, fee-based lawyers of Viktor Yanukovych start a skirmish with police. The reason for the conflict is the denial of access of the Aver Lex lawyers to the court hearing. A day later, Kyiv prosecutors office opened a criminal proceeding against private lawyers of Yanukovych for impeding his state lawyer. Also, the prosecution asked the court to sentence ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to 15 years of imprisonment in the case on state treason during the court session. However, the continuation of the trial over Yanukovych was scheduled for September. EU funding and IMF tranche for Ukraine On August 13, the international rating agency Fitch Ratings reported that the program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the support of Ukraine is a key factor of the creditworthiness as it mitigates law outside liquidity and reduces the risks of the refinancing. The agency emphasized that the increase of the exchange rate and monetary policy that was oriented for the stability of the prices and bank settlement promoted the improvement of the macro-economic stability of Ukraine. On the same day, it was reported that International Monetary Fund (IMF) is visiting Kyiv from September 6 through 19, 2018, to discuss the latest economic developments and economic policy and the following steps, including financial aid. On August 14, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) commented the visit of the mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Kyiv in September and called this step an evidence of the improvement of prospects of the allocation of financial aid. NBU Chairman Yakiv Smoly called the arrival of the IMF mission in Kyiv a step for the reduction of the ambiguity toward the further development of the situation in the economy. On the same day, it was informed that the European Union decided to increase assistance to Ukraine on the basis of the results achieved in the reform of public administration in 2017. Media reported on August 15 that Ukraine might receive another tranche from IMF in autumn. According to NBU Deputy Chairman, though IMF mission to Ukraine will be technical, its arrival in Ukraine means the process begins. Ukrainian films, sites, awards and Invictus Games 2018 Ukrainian Oscar Committee on August 16, has published a list of six films for the Oscar nomination in the category "Best Foreign Language Film." The Ukrainian contenders are: "Brama" by Volodymyr Tykhy, "The Volcano" by Roman Bondarchuk, "Donbas" by Serhy Loznytsia, "Cyborgs" by Akhteim Seitablaev, "When the trees fall" by Marysia Nikityk, "Myth" by Leonid Canter. Earlier, the first trailer of the film 'Donbas' by Serhiy Loznitsa was introduced. The film consists of 13 intertwining plots, which demonstrate different spheres of life in the occupied territories. Ukrainian brand Ukraine Now received one of the most prestigious design award Red Dot Award 2018. The award will be presented at the official ceremony in Berlin on October 26. British rock band Suede made public a video for the song Life Is Golden which was made in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It is not about a tragedy of a disaster which happened many years ago. It is about superior power of life which absorbed the territory deprived of human, Mike Christie, the producer, commented on the video. It was also reported that the open training for Invictus Games 2018 took place in Ukraine. Ukrainian veterans are preparing for the international competitions in Sydney. The military servicemen who sustained injuries in battles in Donbas will go to Australia in several months, in October. Ukraine prepares for the Independence Day Ukraine is getting ready to the Independence Day. On August 24 the country celebrates its 27th anniversary. A traditional military parade to take place that day. Transport aircraft Antonov An-178 with the carrying capacity of 18 tons will be presented as a novelty of the Ukrainian defense industry complex at the military parade in Kyiv. Among other guests, John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor sill visit Ukraine. Last year, many world politicians visited parade in Kyiv, the U.S. special representative Kurt Voker among them. Open source Igor Mosiychuk, Ukrainian peoples deputy from the Radical Party, referring to his sources informed that the Justice Ministry decided to fire the entire managerial staff of Lukyanivska Prison after Tornado ex-fighters conducted a protest and got banned things. The peoples deputy wrote about this on Facebook. I was just informed that the Justice Ministry decided to fire all the managerial staff of Lukyanivska Prison. This is connected with the events in Lukyanivka Prison during the transfer of the imprisoned Tornado fighters to other places, Mosiychuk stated. He added that in his opinion only the workers, who are actually guilty of violating the order of the transfer, should be punished. Earlier, on August 9 clashes between the citizens and law enforcers occurred during transferring of ex-fighters of Tornado near Lukyanivska Prison. As a result, three Tornado fighters, kept in Lukyanivska Prison, were transferred and the others were put in an isolation cell. As the representatives of the Justice Ministry informed, one law enforcer got injured as the fighters used handmade firecrackers. Moreover, it was reported that Tornado fighters poured petrol on a law enforcer and threatened to burn him. Earlier, two workers of Lukyanivska Prison passed Tornado fighters the prohibited items. Pavlo Petrenko, Ukraines Justice Minister announced severe administrative decisions concerning Lukyanivska Prison workers soon. FM Gyawali pays homage to ex-Indian PM Vajpayee Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali on Friday paid homage to former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his funeral venue at Smriti Sthal in Delhi, India. NABU Head Artem Sytnyk said the date of consideration of the appeal by the Supreme Court of Ukraine is yet to be decided Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine National Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed an appeal against the reprimand of Nazar Kholodnytsky, the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO). This was reported by the UkrainianTruth agency with the reference to Artem Sytnyk. According to him, the date of consideration is yet to be decided. As we reported the SAP found a wire in the cabinet of Nazar Kholodnytsky. It was noted that the NABU and Prosecutor General's Office held the audition. It was noted that the NABU and GPU tapped the SAPO Head. On March 22, Kholodnytsky confirmed that the wire was found in his cabinet. He noted that he does not know who is an owner of the device found on March 6 and waits for the response from the law enforcement bodies. Yuriy Lutsenko, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine initiated Kholodnytskys resignation on March 30. Lutsenko appealed to the Qualifications and Disciplinary Commission of Public Prosecutors concerning Nazar Kholodnytsky, his Deputy and the Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office. Also, Kholodnytsky claimed that the Prosecutor Generals Office opened the criminal proceeding against him due to the disclosing of the details of the pretrial investigation, particularly, the Suprun case. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau asks the Qualifications and Disciplinary Commission of Public Prosecutors to initiate the dismissal of Nazar Kholodnytsky, the deputy prosecutor general and head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) instead of the reprimand for the gross violation of the prosecutors ethic. It is pointed that on July 16, NABU Head Artem Sytnyk sent the objection of the conclusion of the Qualifications and Disciplinary Commission of Public Prosecutors toward Kholodnytsky. Petr Mikhalchevsky did not sign the letter. He is accused of state treason (in 2014 he was a Health Minister in occupied Crimean Government) Two Russians convicted in Ukraine who are in the list of prisoners exchange refused to write a letter to Russian President Putin, as Olha Reshetylova, a journalist and Coordinator of Media Initiative for Human Rights, reported on her Facebook page. During monitoring visits of detention places the representatives of the Ombudsman meet with Russians or Ukrainians who were included in the list of exchange of Kremlins hostages. They are asked for their consent or disagreement to participate in the exchange and they are offered to write a letter to Putin. Most of them write such statements without hesitation, but not all of them, the journalist noted. According to her, Petr Mikhalchevsky did not sign the letter. He is accused of state treason (in 2014 he was a Health Minister in occupied Crimean Government). He confirmed it during the meeting with Lyudmyla Denisova, Ukraines Ombudsman. Vladimir Sukhanov, the so-called Crimean runaway, refused to take part in the exchange process. As the journalist stated, two more Crimean runways Odintsov and Baranov agreed to participate in the exchange, yet, after they called Rybin, the lawyer, they refused to write a letter to Putin. As Rybin said, they are Russian officers, Putin knows about them, the activist quotes. Earlier, Ukrainian Ombudsman Denisova stated that 22 Russian prisoners wrote Putin a letter with a request to exchange them for Ukrainian political prisoners. It also includes the restriction of the passenger traffic with Russia Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry has worked out the complex of the measures as the response to the actions of Russia on the blocking of the navigation in the Azov and Black Seas. Volodymyr Omelyan, the Minister of Infrastructure claimed this as 5 TV Channel reported. "We have a few quite weighty strikes in the response. The countermeasures that we will offer soon, I hope, the Cabinet of Ministers will support them," he claimed. He noted that it is premature to disclose these measures; however, the restriction of the passenger traffic with Russia is one of them. "If we fight, then there is nothing to go there. Whether someone likes it or not, the actions of the state should be tough and adequate," Omelyan emphasized. The arguments that such measures will provoke the crisis of the passenger transporting were rejected by the minister. As an example, he said about the ban for the direct flights to Russia and emphasized that the passengers' flow was redirected to "the civilized countries". "I am sure that it will be the same story with the railway and bus traffic," the said. At the same time, Omelyan specified that Ukraine will not violate the commitments for the transit taken within the WTO and its reduction observed during the last years is connected with Russia. Earlier Omelyan claimed he signed a "historical document" concerning the restriction of the traffic with Russia. As it was reported earlier the issue of the termination of the railway traffic with the Russian Federation is on the agenda, however, it should be supported by the Council of the National Security and Defense and the Cabinet of Ministers. Earlier we reported that Ukraine is considering to terminate the railway traffic with Russia, as Volodymyr Omelyan, the Infrastructure Minister, stated. 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. Earlier, Sergiy Hayduk, the former commander of the Naval forces and the vice-admiral, suggested setting a mine barrier in the Sea of Azov to secure Ukraine against Russias possible attack. Earlier, Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, during one of his speeches said that he did not exclude the fact that Russia is preparing an attack at Mariupol. Besides, as of July 15, Russian had detained 148 vessels in the Sea of Azov for inspection. Due to this, Poroshenko entrusted the Defence Minister, the Head of the General Staff and Ukraines Navy command to take relevant measures to stop the Russian provocations concerning the blockage of the vessels entering to the Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. All trains that aimed to Russia will be used for inner transportation Open source Volodymyr Omelyan, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine predicts that Ukraine will not sustain losses due to the cancelation of the trains to Russia as 112.ua reported. "These offers (the cancelation of the traffic with Russia, - 112.international) are not just the offers of the Infrastructure Ministry but of many others central bodies of the executive power. I hope that after their consideration and approval at the state level, we will be able to speak loud about them. The talks about the tragedy, losses and reduction are manipulation," he said. According to him, during the last four years, the passengers' flow to Russia reduced from four million people to 800,000. "During the last few years, the passengers' flow to Russia reduced significantly. If in 2014 the railway traffic transported more than 4 million people, then today this sum fell to 800,000," Omelyan said. Moreover, he reported that the trains will be used for inner transportation in the case of the cancelation of the traffic with Russia. "Talking about the railway traffic, the flow reduced, and we have the significant growth of the demand for the inner transportation. All these trains used for the traffic with Russia, according to us, can be used for the inner transportation of the Ukrainians during the vacation season or any other directions with a great demand and lack of the trains. So, there will be no losses at all," he emphasized. Earlier Omelyan claimed he signed a "historical document" concerning the restriction of the traffic with Russia. As it was reported earlier the issue of the termination of the railway traffic with the Russian Federation is on the agenda, however, it should be supported by the Council of the National Security and Defense and the Cabinet of Ministers. Earlier we reported that Ukraine is considering to terminate the railway traffic with Russia, as Volodymyr Omelyan, the Infrastructure Minister, stated. 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. Startups in seafood and aquaculture technology are rapidly growing. Some 32 startups in the sector raised $122 million in funding in 2017, a 180% dollar increase on 2014 when AgFunder data records began and half the number of startups closed deals. Our view is that aquaculture is the next phase of precision agriculture, Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures told Quartz in April. The industry is primed for innovationaccording to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, people are eating double the amount of fish they were eating in the 1960s. Meanwhile, nearly one-third of the commercial wild stocks regularly monitored by the FAO were overfished in 2013, and have been since 2007. With growing global health concerns around the consumption of red meat, consumer demand for fish is only expected to rise. The global aquaculture market is expected to reach $219.42 billion by 2022, according to market research. Aquaculture, or aqua-farming, is mostly done in freshwater environments such as ponds, land-based tanks, or raceways. But as demand rises, aquaculture expands more into the open oceanfish farming is expected to produce as much as two-thirds of the worlds fish for consumption by 2030. Some are concerned with the potentially negative impacts of poorly planned or mismanaged fish farms in open water, which can spread pollution through fish feed as well as expose wild species to disease. In addition, one-fifth of global mangrove forests, which play an important role in protecting coastlines, have been replaced by primarily shrimp and fish farms. To help meet global fish demand while reducing the environmental impact of the industry, some plant-based companies aim to concoct the perfect recipe to mimic the taste and texture of fishsimilar to the Impossible Foods and Beyond Burger of meat. Meanwhile, others are following the new wave of cellular agriculture technology, hoping to turn existing fish cells into lab-grown, real fish for human consumption. And theyre getting pretty close. Culturing fish: How is it done? While neither cultured meat nor cultured fish have made it into the consumer market yet, some companies have claimed they will have some sort of lab-grown meat product ready as early as late 2018. Cultured animal cells have been studied for a number of years, but the worlds first lab-grown beef burger was served in 2013 by Mark Post at the University of Maastricht. It used cells from a live cow that were grown in a nutrient solutionand it cost $330,000 to make. Animal cells can be obtained from a living organism, as Post did, without causing harmor, they can be scrapped up from recently deceased fish. While exact methods will vary by lab, culturing meat or fish essentially involves feeding these cells a nutrient solution of salts and sugars, which cause them to divide just as cells would in the body. Most of the time, these cells will double in 24 hours, or sooner. Potentially, an entire meals worth of fish or meat can be made with just a few cells. If scalable, this has enormous implications for large-scale meat production. Compared to their conventional counterparts, cellular agriculture products have fewer environmental impacts, a safer, purer product, and a more consistent supply, writes cellular agriculture nonprofit research institute New Harvest. This is because the product is being produced in safe, sterile, controlled conditions. The catch is that this process also requires a protein for the cells growth, and typically that protein is made from animal bloodcommonly, foetal bovine serum. This serum is exceptionally pricey, and prevents the clean meat industry from becoming completely slaughter-free. If we can make a lab-grown burger, cant we make fish? While coverage of and investment in lab-grown meat is certainly on the rise (in 2017 China signed a $300 million deal to buy lab-grown meat from three Israeli startups), culturing fish is a bit of an untapped market. For large-scale cultured meat production, critics say energy expenditure could be as high as current beef production. Fish, on the other hand, theoretically has the advantage of requiring less energy. Fish are cold-blooded, so their cells can reproduce at room temperature. However, while tissue-engineering methods and trials for meat have been relatively well-documented over the years, very little research has been done on culturing fish or amphibians. The basic idea mirrors that of culturing meat, but the conditions under which these cells will grow is unchartered territory for scientists. In 2003 Ive grown, served, and eaten frog meat which is quite similar to fish as they are cold-blooded animals, says Oron Catts, director of SymbioticA, in an email. It was not a very efficient way to produce meat, neither was it tasty. Cultured Fish Pioneers Finless Foods has been the first to take cellular agriculture into the marine animal spacethey aim to transform bluefin tuna cells into spicy tuna rolls. You essentially need to do the science from the ground up, Michael Selden, cofounder & CEO of Finless Foods told Business Insider. Weve had to invent a lot of the protocols. Last year, they did a public tasting of the first fish cakes made from cultured seafood. Finless recently raised $3.5 million in seed funding, led by Draper Associates, which they hope will take them to the end of their research and development phase. Theyre projected to release a limited amount of the bluefin tuna by the end of 2019. The biggest challenge? Getting the price down, Selden tells CGTN America in an interview. These technologies are a medical technology, and so theyre very expensive. Our whole technology focuses on taking these areas and just making them affordable for regular people to buy as food. He says one of the final steps in their development has simply been getting the consistency and mouth-feel of typical fish. And though its not there yet, Selden told AgFunderNews that technology at Finless is progressing towards growing fish cells without that animal-derived serum for cell growth. BlueNalu Enters with $4.5m Seed Round A potentially major competitor entered the space this week: BlueNalu. Just two months after its launch, the startup from San Diego raised $4.5 million in seed funding, led by New Crop Capital, a private venture fund investing in companies developing meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood with plant-based ingredients or through cellular agriculture. Other investors included 25 venture organizations and individuals from the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Israel, and Luxembourg. BlueNalu will ultimately produce real seafood products directly from fish cells, in a way that is healthy for people, humane for animals, and sustainable for our planet, the company says. This is the largest seed rounds to date in this category, and one of the largest that has occurred globally in the entire clean meat space, Chris Kerr, chief investment officer at New Crop Capital, says in BlueNalus press release. Most interestingly, while BlueNalu has not disclosed its methods, it claims to have avoided that Achilles Heel of the cellular ag industryits fish is animal serum-free. If true, this could be what gets BlueNalu ahead in the race to release the first commercially available, culturally grown fish (or meat) product in the world. 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!) Focus on six Euro nations A task force, mandated by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security to find out new labour destination countries, has suggested that Nepal needs to diversify its labour markets beyond Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) countries and Malaysia. Free press on edge as new laws come into force today The governments new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedures Code, expected to reform the countrys legal system by replacing ages-old Muluki Ain, go into effect on Friday, amid fears that the new privacy provisions outlined in the codes would hamper free press in the country. India supreme court to review acquittal ruling Arushi-Hemraj murder The Supreme Court (SC) of India has decided to hear the joint appeals challenging the Allahabad High Courts decision to acquit Rajesh Talwar and his wife Nupur Talwar in the 2008 Aarushi-Hemraj murder case. NC organises protest rally against arbitrary tax policy The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has organised a rally against arbitrary tax policy of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City. New law will be amended if needed: PM Oli Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is ready to amend the new law if there are any major weaknesses in it. Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. Stop spreading rumours on civil codes, warns PM Oli Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called on everyone to desist from making misleading publicity regarding the Country Civil Code and the Country Criminal Code that come into force from Friday. Twin girls die after being dumped into septic tank Eleven-month-old twin girls were found abandoned in a septic tank at Pathibhara, Yangwarak Rural Municipality-2, Taplejung district on Wednesday. The twins mother, 20-year-old Kamala Bishwokarma, has been at large since Saturday. Both the girls couldnt make it alive, police said. Two inmates hurt in Palpa prison clash A clash erupted among the inmates of Palpa District Prison on Thursday that left two persons injured. Ukrainian couple dupes Nepali workers Two Ukrainian nationals have been arrested for duping Nepalis with a false promise of work abroad. 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 YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Chinese Psearcher magazines special issue this time is about Armenia. Head of the PR of the magazine Wang Mingmei told Armenpress that the edition titled Armenia: Your Gateway to Major Markets has been created for a special reason. The company this time touched upon Armenia as Armenia is an ancient country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia as a bridge connecting the two continents. For centuries the ancient silk road was passing through Armenia, and the Armenian goods were quite famous in the Chinese markets, the Armenian merchant ships were reaching to Asias eastern costs. Our publishing work has reached most of the countries that are participating in Chinas One Belt One Road initiative, and Armenia as well is an important station, the magazines representative said. She said they were mainly interested in the open policy run by the Armenian government and the infrastructure development potential which can be attractive for Chinese investors. The Armenian government runs an open door policy by almost not applying restrictions while making investments. The leading international organizations also highly appreciate the steps aimed improving the business environment. North-South transportation corridor is an attractive project which can be interesting for the Chinese companies and investors by also linking the One Belt One Road initiative. Currently the Armenian governments open policy can involve some Chinese companies especially in construction projects which will bring greater benefit to both sides, she said. Armenias commercial attache to China, diplomat Hrant Abajyan has assisted the magazine on finding necessary information about Armenia. We have cooperated in the editorial works, up to choosing proper photos, changing the content, correcting mistakes and etc. Quite an extensive work has been carried out. We believe that all our readers, in particular, the heads and employees of entrepreneurs, will discover Armenia as a gateway to major markets, she said. The necessary materials and photos for the release of this edition were provided by Armenias ministry of economic development and investments, foreign ministry, agriculture ministry, ministries of transport, communication and IT, Finance, Energy infrastructures and natural resources, the Central Bank, the Armenian Embassy in China, the State Tourism Committee, the Tourism Development Foundation of Armenia and the Business Armenia. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Russian Federal Security Service border guards in Armenia apprehended a trespasser on the Armenian-Turkish border on August 13, the Russian Federal Security Service Border Guard department told Armenpress. According to the preliminary check, the trespasser is a citizen of Guinea, born in 1993. The trespasser said he came to Tehran from Guinea for study at the university. He told that upon arriving in Tehran he told the taxi driver to tour him across the country, but the taxi driver brought him to Turkey bypassing the checkpoint. The taxi driver took his passport in the territory of Turkey, put an entry visa to Turkey on that and then returned the passport and went in an unknown direction. The trespasser said he has lived in an abandoned facility in Turkey where he was robbed. After that he crossed the River Araks for the search of food by illegally crossing the Armenian-Turkish state border. At the moment the Armenian law enforcement agencies clarify the details of the incident. The trespasser has been handed over to the Armenian law enforcement agencies. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has considerable resources to supply its domestic market with quality fuel and lubricants and sustainable electricity supply. The President instructed the minister to take all measures necessary to address the tasks set. YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. On August 17, at 00:00, the group of the Azerbaijani forces consisting of 15 people launched an attack attempt at the direction of one of the military units located in the northern part of Artsakhs Defense Army, the Artsakh defense ministry told Armenpress. The Defense Army units detected the actions of the Azerbaijani side on time and pushed them back to their starting positions. The Defense Army suffered no casualties as a result of the shooting. The data on the losses of the Azerbaijani forces are being clarified. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS/ARTSAKHPRESS. More than 1000 people from Artsakh arrived in Yerevan to take part in the meeting convened by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, For the Sake of Artsakh youth NGO chairman Gor Balasanyan said, stating that this initiative belongs to their organization. He informed that the Free Fatherland partys youth wing has assisted them. The meeting will be attended by young people from different regions of Artsakh. Our goal is to maintain and strengthen Armenia-Diaspora-Artsakh ties, he said. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan called on the people to gather at the Republic Square on August 17, at 18:30. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The ruling of the Court of Appeals on releasing 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan from custody has been received both by the accusatory and defending sides, Head of the PR department at the Prosecutor Generals Office Arevik Khachatryan told Armenpress, stating that they have received the ruling and are preparing the appeal. Today we have received the ruling, and the appeal is being prepared, she said. One of Kocharyans attorneys Hayk Alumyan said they have also received the ruling and are thoroughly examining it. 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. His attorneys appealed the court ruling. On August 13 the Court of Appeals approved the attorneys appeal, and Robert Kocharyan has been released. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The German Reise-Stories trip guide published an article with the support of the Armenian Embassy in Germany headlined Armenia- Gorgeous nature meets the history of the 3000-year-old culture. When you first visit Armenia, you understand that it is worth visiting this country, which was the first country to officially adopt Christianity. Armenias capital city Yerevan is one of the oldest cities of the world. Matenadaran is located here where you can see 15 thousand Armenian and 5 thousand foreign manuscripts. Some of the manuscripts are very unique dating back hundreds or thousands of years ago, ARMENPRESS reports the article reads. The author also strictly advises to visit the Armenian-Genocide memorial complex. Lake Sevan, Armenia's blue pearl, is located nearly 60kms away from Yerevan and covers an area of 1272 sq/km, which is over twice larger than German Bodensee Lake. Mount Ararat, 5137 meters high, and the peak of which is snow-covered almost all year is now in the territory of Turkey. The mountain is the national symbol of Armenians. Until the Armenian Genocide of 1915 Armenians used to live around Ararat Mountain. According to the Bible, after the great flood, Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat. For seeing this impressive mountain from a short distance one can go to Khor Virap monastery. This sanctuary is a famous pilgrimage direction, reads the article. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan assures that there will be no political prisoners in new Armenia, ARMENPRESS reporters Pashinyan told the reporters on the way to the Republican Square. Responding the remark of one of the reporters, according to which Robert Kocharyan has announced that he may become the 1st political prisoner of new Armenia, Pashinyan said that there will be no political prisoners in new Armenia. The PM also noted that he will rule out violence during his tenure. There will be no act of violence for solving domestic issues. I guarantee this. Anyone who will try to breach this rule will be strictly punished by the law of the Republic of Armenia, he said. Pashinyan, together with thousands of supports is marching to the Republican Square, where dozens of thousands citizens are already waiting for him. He will sum up the first 100 days of his tenure. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, 17 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 17 August, USD exchange rate stood at 483.14 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 0.48 drams to 549.86 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.07 drams to 7.16 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 0.04 drams to 613.68 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price is down by 24.85 drams to 18335.52 drams. Silver price is down by 3.42 drams to 226.86 drams. Platinum price is up by 93.20 drams to 12131.52 drams. YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian-Russian relations will gradually improve further and one of the goals of the Government of Armenia is to deepen the Armenian-Russian relations and to raise it to a new level, ARMENPRESS reports Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan said during the rally at the Republican Square. There will be no foreign policy shifts and one of our goals is the deepening of the Armenian-Russian relations and raising these relations to a new level. After formal procedures are over you will get to know about a joint Armenian-Russian humanitarian project which is unprecedented in our history of independence, Pashinyan said. He also noted that Armenias foreign policy has no geopolitical orientation. The Republic of Armenia is not going anywhere. It is firmly standing on its feet with straight spine and proud citizens. Our key ideology in foreign relations is the protection of our national interests. We will improve our relations also with the EU, Pashinyan underlined. According to the PM, the previous authorities tried to put the responsibility on external forces and for that reason their mistakes were perceived to have links with Russia. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is ready to negotiate for Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement on behalf of Armenia, but thinks that the authorities of Artsakh should negotiate on behalf of the Republic of Artsakh, ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan announced about this during the rally dedicated to the first 100 days of his tenure at the Republican Square. I am ready to fully negotiate on behalf of the Republic of Armenia on Karabakh issue, but the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh should negotiate on behalf of Artsakh, Pashinyan emphasized. The PM said that Armenia is ready to give a powerful counter blow to Azerbaijan, but he prefers a peaceful settlement. Pashinyan emphasized that he will not sign any document over Nagorno Karabakh without consulting with the people. If in the negotiation process there is an option that I will think is a good one and will favor it, I will never sign any document without your consent. I will present it to you in detail and you will decide if we will accept that option of settlement or no, Pashinyan said. PM Pashinyan first announced about necessity of Artsakh's authorities to participate in the negotiations on May 9, the day after being elected Armenia's PM. This was welcomed by Artsakh's leadership, but was negatively accepted by the Azerbaijani side. Russian FM Lavrov announced that if the sides reach an agreement on the issue, they will respect that decision. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan A black primary school boy was denied admission to a private Christian academy because of his natural hairstyle a move his dad is calling racially biased. Footage livestreamed on Monday by Clinton Jrs father Clinton Stanley Sr, shows the sad six-year-old, with short dreadlocks, standing outside the entrance of A Books Christian Academy, in Apopka, Florida, US. Two administrators can be seen inside, and when Mr Stanley asks them if theyll allow his son to attend the school if he braids his sons hair up, one of them says no. Black primary school boy Clinton Stanley Jr was denied admission to a private Christian academy because of his dreadlocks. Source: Clinton Stanley Sr / Facebook Stanley can be heard calling their decision biased. The Parent/Student Handbook for A Books Christian Academy states: All boys hair must be a tapered cut, off the collar and ears. There are to be no dreads, Mohawks, designs, unnatural color, or unnatural designs. According to reports from The Miami Herald and WESH2 News, school officials, including Director John Book, have said that the decision to not allow Mr Stanleys son to attend class was purely on the basis of these rules, and not related to race. The African-American boys dad is calling the schools decision to ban the boy as biased, based on his race. Source: Clinton Stanley Sr / Facebook via Storyful Stanleys son is now attending another school, The Miami Herald reported. The incident has drawn the attention of activist Shaun King and inspired a Change.org petition. The petition claims the African-American family, who were granted access to the private school via a Step Up scholarship program based on the promise of equal opportunity, said they were not provided with the uniform policy. Income, however, or lack of this scholarship, is not what kept Clinton Jr from entering his first-grade classroom on the first day of school. It was his natural hair and a policy in the schools parent/student handbook that prevented him. Story continues Despite the fact that Clinton Stanley Sr was never provided this handbook, it was not accessible via Internet, at the time of enrollment or at this current moment and was advised via email that he had successfully enrolled his son into A Books Christian Academy, he did not find out about this policy until the first day of school when he literally attempted to drop his son off at the school, according to Change.org. with Storyful Venezuelans are concerned over the safety of a "twin" viaduct of the collapsed Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, after a fire on the concrete structure caused a major blackout. The 8.6 kilometer (five mile) General Rafael Urdaneta viaduct links second city Maracaibo with the rest of Venezuela. Designed by Italian structural engineer Riccardo Morandi, it predates by five years his 1967 bridge in Genoa that collapsed this week causing the death of 39 people. Experts are preparing a report on the condition of the Venezuelan structure following the fire last Friday which destroyed an electricity transformer, forcing the closure of the bridge and leaving millions without power for several days. Marcelo Monot, former director of a private engineering company in the surrounding state of Zulia, said no maintenance had been carried out on the viaduct's reinforced-concrete piers for more than two decades. Also, "the weighing system has not worked for years, so it is not calculating the weight of the cargo vehicles, which represents a risk," he said. Experts from the University of Zulia, as well as engineering and construction specialists, are preparing a report on the condition of the bridge. "We will not issue any irresponsible diagnosis ... or fall into sensationalism," Enrique Ferrer, president of the Chamber of Construction, told AFP. - Crumbling infrastructure - He said the report would seek to "calm the population" about the 56-year-old viaduct's condition. Venezuelans have long been concerned about the country's crumbling infrastructure after a slump in oil-prices coupled with corruption and mismanagement brought the economy to a standstill, causing chronic food and medicine shortages. The Maracaibo bridge, inaugurated in 1962, remained closed between Friday and Monday and was only partially re-opened by Wednesday. The incident heightened concerns over the structural integrity of the bridge and left the surrounding Maracaibo and San Francisco areas, home to four million people, without power for several days. The government claimed the fire was caused by sabotage, a recurrent explanation offered for the repeated failures of an electricity grid ravaged by lack of maintenance and spare parts. The General Rafael Urdaneta viaduct links second city Maracaibo with the rest of Venezuela Experts are preparing a report on the condition of the Venezuelan structure following a fire which destroyed an electricity transformer Senate Resolution 607 , introduced by Senators Brian Schatz and Chuck Schumer, and affirmed unanimously, provides: Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects the press from government control and suppression; Whereas the freedom of the press (1) has been recognized as integral to the democratic foundations of the United States since the beginning of the United States; and (2) has endured and been reaffirmed repeatedly throughout the history of the United States; Whereas Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech.; Whereas Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, Our liberty de- pends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.; Whereas James Madison in 1789 introduced the freedom of the press in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States; Whereas James Madison based the freedom of the press on the Declaration of Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in 1776 declared, The freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments.; Whereas President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 4, 1985, as Freedom of the Press Day, stating that Freedom of the press is one of our most important freedoms and also one of our oldest.; Whereas President Reagan also said, Today, our tradition of a free press as a vital part of our democracy is as important as ever. The news media are now using modern techniques to bring our citizens information not only on a daily basis but instantaneously as important events occur. This flow of information helps make possible an informed electorate and so contributes to our national system of self-government.; Whereas Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in International Soc. for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 U.S. 672 (1992), The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.; Whereas the United States Supreme Court also affirmed the history and intent of the freedom of the press in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971), stating, In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Governments power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.; Whereas tyrannical and authoritarian governments and leaders throughout history have sought to undermine, censor, suppress, and control the press to advance their undemocratic goals and actions; and Whereas the United States, including the long-held commitment to and constitutional protection of the free press in the United States, has stood as a shining example of democracy, self-government, and freedom for the world to emulate: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That (1) the Senate (A) affirms that the press is not the enemy of the people; (B) reaffirms the vital and indispensable role that the free press serves to inform the electorate, uncover the truth, act as a check on the inherent power of the government, further national discourse and debate, and otherwise advance the most basic and cherished democratic norms and freedoms of the United States; and (C) condemns the attacks on the institution of the free press and views efforts to systematically undermine the credibility of the press as an attack on the democratic institutions of the United States; and (2) it is the sense of the Senate that it is the sworn responsibility of all who serve the United States by taking the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States to uphold, cherish, and protect the entire Constitution, including the freedom of the press. Hundreds of Google employees have signed a protest letter over the company's reported work on a censor-friendly search engine to get back into China, The New York Times said Thursday. The employees are demanding more transparency so they can understand the moral implications of their work, said the Times, which obtained a copy of the letter. It has been signed by 1,400 employees and is circulating on the company's internal communications system, the newspaper said, quoting three people who are familiar with the document. The letter argues that the search engine project and Google's apparent willingness to accept China's censorship requirements "raise urgent moral and ethical issues." "Currently we do not have the information required to make ethically-informed decisions about our work, our projects, and our employment," they say in the letter, according to the Times. Employee anger flared with a report this month in The Intercept that Google is secretly building a search engine that will filter content banned in China and thus meet Beijing's tough censorship rules. Google withdrew its search engine from China eight years ago due to censorship and hacking. The new project is said to be codenamed "Dragonfly." The tech giant had already come under fire this year from thousands of employees who signed a petition against a $10-million contract with the US military, which was not renewed. With the secret project, Google employees are reportedly worried that they might unknowingly be working on technology that could help China hide information from its people. "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table, and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," the protest letter says, according to the Times. At a townhall gathering of employees on Thursday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the firm was committed to transparency, and that while it was "exploring many options", it was "not close to launching a search product in China," the Financial Times reported, citing a person present at the meeting. Pichai said Google's stated mission is "to organize the world's information," Bloomberg News reported, quoting a transcript of the employee meeting. "China is one-fifth of the world's population. I think if we were to do our mission well, I think we have to think seriously about how we do more in China," he added, according to Bloomberg. "I genuinely do believe we have a positive impact when we engage around the world and I don't see any reason why that would be different in China." Pichai said. "We'll definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here. We definitely do plan to engage more and talk more." Google employees are reportedly concerned about a secret censor-friendly search engine project for China Novak Djokovic's third-round struggle with defending champion Grigor Dimitrov was halted by rain, forcing the pair to come back on Friday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. Officials called a halt to a frustrating day on which Roger Federer was never able to take the court for his third-round match against Leonardo Mayer. Wimbledon champion Djokovic is vying to break through for a first Cincinnati win after coming up empty in five finals. He lost the first set 6-2 and won the second 6-3 when rain stopped the contest for 90 minutes. When play resumed, Djokovic edged ahead 2-1 in the third, but another storm rolled in and organizers called a halt. Cincinnati remains the only one of the nine Masters 1000 events that the Serb star hasn't won. He has lifted trophies at least twice at each of the other eight events in the elite ATP series. Bulgaria's Dimitrov, who has won just one of eight prior encounters with Djokovic, prevailed easily in the opening set and broke early in the second before Djokovic roared back, breaking for a second time to take a 5-3 lead. The 10th-seeded Serb squared the match as the day's second bout of major rain moved in. Earlier, Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro at last managed to complete weather-delayed second-round victories. World number one Halep took advantage of an early afternoon respite from the weather to finish off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic. Halep, clearly frustrated when the match was halted at 3-3 in the third on Wednesday night, won three straight games to finish off the victory in 10 minutes -- just in time for drizzle to set in. Argentina's world number three del Potro had played just six points in the first game of his postponed second-round match against Chung Hyeon before the rain came again. But the weather cleared long enough for del Potro to polish off a 6-2, 6-3 win over the South Korean to set up a meeting with Australian Nick Kyrgios for a place in the quarter-finals - a match originally set for Thursday night but now on tap for Friday. Two men's quarter-finalists were decided as Milos Raonic defeated Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 -- avenging a loss to his young Canadian compatriot in Madrid three months ago. Pablo Carreno Busta also advanced, beating Robin Haase of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-2. - Stephens ousted - In women's third-round action, reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens was eliminated while Madison Keys, runner-up at Flushing Meadows last year, moved on. Belgian Elise Mertens scored the second top five win of her career, beating Stephens 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 while Keys rallied to defeat fourth-seeded Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. Keys fired 55 winners with 44 unforced errors against the German, who is playing her first hardcourt tournament in the buildup to the US Open. "I had to keep it cool, she gets lot of balls back," Keys said. "I used my forehand and serve well today. I'm really happy and I'm looking to go further." Keys next faces Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who upset French sixth seed Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Petra Kvitova, who toppled Serena Williams in the second round, reached the last eight with a 6-4, 6-2 win over France's Kristina Mladenovic. "I just need to get out there and really fight, I was telling myself to fight," the two-time Wimbledon champion said. "I did a lot of talking to myself today, pushing myself to just go for it. I'm glad that in the important points I played aggressively - that was important today." Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts to a line call while playing Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during the Western & Southern Open, at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on August 16, 2018 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Western & Southern Open, at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on August 16, 2018 Simona Halep of Romania returns a shot to Ajla Tomjanovic of Australia during the Western & Southern Open, at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on August 15, 2018 A man fed-up with cleaning up dog poo from the front of his home has taken an extreme approach to catching the culprit. Steve Tamblyn, from Lower Mitcham in Adelaides east, installed security cameras at the front of his house and soon found the images he was looking for. In the grainy CCTV footage, a woman can be seen walking past Mr Tamblyns property before her golden retriever stops to do its business on the grass. After several seconds, the pair walk away with the woman briefly looking towards Mr Tamblyns home. The woman was spotted on CCTV walking away from her dogs feces. Source: Facebook/Steve Tamblyn Uploading the video to Facebook, Mr Tamblyn called on the community to help identify the owner. If anyone in the Lower Mitcham area recognises this dog walker, please remind them to pick up their dogs turd in front of my house, he wrote. Just because its 6:47am doesnt mean no-one is watching. But the hunt didnt end there. Mr Tamblyn then printed out the image of the woman and her squatting dog and put it on a post next to the dogs excrement. Mr Tamblyn erected a sign in his yard to help identify the woman and deter any other dog owners from leaving a mess. Source: Facebook/Steve Tamblyn [I] took a screenshot and put a picture right by the number left there, so I thought if she walks past and sees that theres a good chance shell clean it up, he told ABC. Ive been checking the surveillance each morning to see whether she has. There have been a lot of dog walkers though walk past and notice it so I think this might be the last deposit left on my verge. Mr Tamblyn also has a dog himself and said he loves animals he just doesnt like dodging their waste on footpaths. The video has been viewed almost 6000 times since it was uploaded on Monday. Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking. They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated as a result of the US government's "zero tolerance" policy against migrant families who illegally cross the country's southern border. Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Border Patrol officers on March 17 after crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid $6,000. They were soon split up and sent to detention centers in different states, with the infant becoming just one of 2,000 Central American and Mexican children that US authorities forcibly removed from their parents between April 19 and May 31 this year. Bueso ended up being deported back to Honduras on April 5 -- but his son remained in US custody until he was finally returned to his family on a flight that landed on July 20. His parents discovered that Johan, who had grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word -- "agua" (water) -- while away, had been badly affected by his months of detention. "Everything we give him to eat he has problems with. And he gets up and sleepwalks at night," said his mother Adalicia, 21, who is eight months pregnant with another child. She added bitterly that US authorities had sent him back without all his papers, which included his birth certificate and vaccination record. She was speaking in their modest home in La Libertad, a village north of the capital Tegucigalpa. Johan had been flown back to the northern city of San Pedro Sula, the main arrival point for deportees from the US. According to the Honduran government, most Honduran children taken away from their parents inside the US have still not been returned. The foreign ministry said only 146 children had been reunited with their families as of August 10, and 313 were still being held by US authorities. So far this year, again up to August 10, Honduras has accepted 17,573 Hondurans deported from the United States and 27,334 from Mexico. - Giving up the dream - Johan "might be traumatized for life," Bueso said, watching over his son who was playing with a black and white cat. He said the experience had convinced him to give up on trying to illegally enter the United States. The Americans, he said, "are too rough." He and his son were caught on his fourth attempt to reach what Central Americans call "the American dream": a land where work is relatively well paid and easy to come by and violent gangs don't rule the neighborhoods. Each time, Bueso was deported. Honduran officials admit that many of their citizens risk the voyage into the US with young kids because they believe it enhances their chances of being legally allowed to stay. Bueso's two brothers, who live in the US state of Maryland, had shown that it was possible to make it. But Trump, with his embrace of policies designed to make the US look as inhospitable as possible to migrants and his ambition to build a wall along the border with Mexico, is changing some calculations. In Bueso's case, it was a harsh readjustment. As an assistant on a bus servicing the La Libertad-San Pedro Sula route he can hope to earn $8 on a good day. In the US, as a laborer, he could expect to make $10 per hour. The small, concrete-block and tin-roofed home he and his wife live in is owned by one of his brothers who lives in the US, Adrian, who also supplied the $6,000 to pay the smuggler. Bueso said he won't try again to reach the US, "but no matter how many walls they put up there are always people who are going to try because they are looking to survive." Bueso acknowledged that La Libertad was a relatively peaceful village that didn't suffer from the corrosive gang violence or drug trafficking that blighted so much of Honduras. But he pointed out that the country's economic situation was dire -- something he blamed on government corruption. More than a million Hondurans live in the United States. Most of them lack documents to legally stay, yet they represent a pillar holding up Honduras' economy. Each year $4 billion in remittances are sent to Honduras, accounting for 20 percent of gross domestic product. This year, thanks to a strong dollar and taut US labor market, remittances have grown nine percent, according to the central bank. Rolando Bueso (R) and his wife Adalicia (L) say their son Johan (C) has suffered from health and sleep problems since he was returned from the US Johan was returned to Honduras having grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word -- "agua" (water) -- while away Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov is "losing hope" and no longer believes that he will be freed after almost 100 days on hunger strike in a Russian prison, his cousin told AFP. Natalia Kaplan insisted in an interview that Western leaders had "leverage" to bring about the release of the 42-year-old Kremlin opponent who was convicted on terrorism charges. "He's losing hope," Kaplan said Thursday, a week after she received a letter from Sentsov in which he told her he felt the "end is near". "In his letter, he wrote to me that we mustn't tell him any more that freedom is coming. He doesn't believe it any more," she said. According to Kaplan, Sentsov's health has dramatically declined since he started a hunger strike on May 14 to demand the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia. "He has a very weak heartbeat of 40 beats per minute. He complains that his heart hurts, that he's weak, and he tries not to get up too often to preserve his strength," she said. Activist and journalist Zoya Svetova, who visited the filmmaker in his Russian Arctic prison this week, told AFP he had lost 17 kilogrammes (28 pounds), though prison medics said he had lost 11 kilos. Svetova said however that Sentsov had no intention of ending his hunger strike. He is receiving supplements in a drip usually meant for people unable to eat, she said. - Celebrity support - Sentsov was convicted of arson attacks on pro-Moscow party offices in Crimea after Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Amnesty International denounced the trial against him as "Stalinist". G7 ambassadors as well as major figures from the world of cinema, from director Jean-Luc Godard to Hollywood star Johnny Depp, have called for his release. Last Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discussing the need to find "an urgent humanitarian solution" in Sentsov's case. Kaplan said she was waiting for Western leaders to put pressure on Moscow and "find some sort of leverage to free Oleg and other political prisoners". "Such leverage does exist, I am sure of it," she said. "We can't put down our arms while Oleg is continuing his fight. It would be a betrayal both of Oleg and the people who are making such huge efforts to secure his release," Kaplin added. Sentsov's case may be raised on Saturday when Putin visits Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday called for his immediate release during a telephone conversation with the German leader. The filmmaker's mother, Lyudmila, in June wrote directly to Putin to ask him to pardon her son, according to Russian media. The Kremlin has so far remained unresponsive to calls for his release, saying that a request for a pardon can only be filed by the prisoner himself, which Sentsov has refused to do. Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov's has lost 17 kilogrammes since in his hunger strike, according to a visitor to the prison Sentsov's cousin Natalya Kaplan says Western leaders have "leverage" to bring about his release Grieving relatives wept over the coffins of dozens of victims of Genoa's bridge disaster Friday amid growing fury over a planned state funeral, while rescuers pressed on with their tireless search for those missing in the rubble. The collapse of the Morandi bridge, a decades-old viaduct that crumbled in a storm on Tuesday killing at least 38 people, has stunned and angered the country, with Italian media reporting that some outraged families would shun Saturday's official ceremonies. Italy's government has blamed the operator of the viaduct for the tragedy and threatened to strip the firm of its contracts, while the country's creaking infrastructure has come under fresh scrutiny. Authorities plan a state funeral service on Saturday at a hall in Genoa, coinciding with a day of mourning. Relatives who gathered at the hall on Friday embraced and prayed over lines of coffins, many adorned with flowers and photographs of the dead. But according to La Stampa newspaper, the families of 17 victims have refused to take part, while a further seven have yet to decide whether they will attend. "It is the state who has provoked this; let them not show their faces, the parade of politicians is shameful," the press cited the mother of one of four young Italians from Naples who died. The father of another of the dead from Naples took to social media to vent his anger. "My son will not become a number in the catalogue of deaths caused by Italian failures," said his grieving father, Roberto. "We do not want a farce of a funeral but a ceremony at home." - Search for missing - Despite fading hopes of finding survivors, rescue workers said they had not given up as they resumed the dangerous operation to search through the unstable mountains of debris. "Is there anyone there? Is there anyone there?" one firefighter shouted into a cavity dug out of the piles of concrete and twisted metal, in a video published by the emergency services. The civil protection service said Friday evening they were searching for five missing people -- down from 10-20 thought to be missing on Thursday. Hundreds of rescuers are using cranes and bulldozers to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of the fallen bridge, which slammed down onto railway tracks along with dozens of vehicles. "We are trying to find pockets in the rubble where people could be -- alive or not," fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP. Officials say about 1,000 people in all are working on the disaster site, 350 of them firefighters. - Grief and anger - The populist government has accused infrastructure giant Autostrade per L'Italia of failing to invest in sufficient maintenance and said it would seek to revoke its lucrative contracts. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini demanded the company offer up to 500 million euros ($570 million) to help families and local government deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The dead also include children, one as young as eight, and three Chileans and four French nationals. - Infrastructure alarm - The Morandi viaduct dates from the 1960s and has been riddled with structural problems for decades, leading to expensive maintenance and severe criticism from engineering experts. Its collapse prompted fears over ageing infrastructure across the world. Autostrade, which operates and maintains nearly half of Italy's motorways, estimates it will take five months to rebuild the bridge. It denies scrimping on motorway maintenance, saying it has invested over one billion euros a year in "safety, maintenance and strengthening of the network" since 2012. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Autostrade "had the duty and obligation to assure the maintenance of this viaduct and the security of all those who travelled on it." The disaster is the latest in a string of bridge collapses in Italy, where infrastructure generally is showing the effects of a faltering economy. Senior government figures have also lashed out at austerity measures imposed by the European Union, saying they restrict investment. But the European Commission said it had given Rome billions of euros to fix infrastructure. burs/bmm/har/amu Authorities plan a state funeral service and mass for the dead on Saturday at a hall in Genoa, coinciding with a day of mourning Genoa's Morandi bridge buckled without warning on Tuesday, sending cars, trucks and huge chunks of concrete plunging 45 metres (150 feet) onto railway tracks below Hundreds of rescuers are using cranes and bulldozers to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of fallen bridge Relatives who gathered at the hall on Friday embraced and prayed over lines of coffins, many with flowers and photograps of the dead laid on top How rescuers operate in situations such as the Genoa bridge collapse The Morandi bridge under construction in 1965 French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced concern Friday about the humanitarian situation in the rebel-held Syrian region of Idlib, which is shaping up be the country's next big battleground. In a telephone call the two leaders described the "humanitarian risks" in Idlib, where government forces have stepped up their bombardments of rebel positions in recent days, as "very high", according to the French presidency. They also called for an "inclusive political process to allow lasting peace in the region". President Bashar al-Assad has set his sights on retaking control of the northwestern province of Idlib -- the biggest area still in rebel hands after seven years of war. Last week, government helicopters dropped leaflets over towns in Idlib's east, urging people to surrender. Idlib, which sits between Syria's Mediterranean coast and the second city Aleppo, has been a landing point for thousands of civilians and rebel fighters and their families as part of deals struck with the regime following successive government victories. The United Nations has called for talks to avert "a civilian bloodbath" in the northern province, which borders Turkey. Merkel and Macron also called for a "coordinated European solution" to migrant arrivals in the Mediterranean after another NGO rescue ship was left adrift this week before eventually being allowed dock in Malta. After being turned away by Italy, the ship, which was carrying 141 people, was eventually given permission Tuesday to dock in Malta after five EU members -- France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg -- offered to take in the newcomers. The agreement was the fifth of its kind between Western European governments since June when the new populist government in Italy -- a main landing point for migrant boats bearing Africans across the water -- began turning away NGO rescue vessels. Italy accuses the NGO ships of encouraging smugglers to pack migrants into rickety boats, in the knowledge that they will be rescued. Idlib, which sits between Syria's Mediterranean coast and the second city Aleppo, has been a landing point for thousands of civilians and rebel fighters and their families as part of deals struck with the regime following successive government victories Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday he will call a referendum on a controversial new Mexico City airport that he has threatened to axe. The anti-establishment leftist, who takes office on December 1, has infuriated the business community with his attacks on the sleek $13-billion project. He says the new airport is a "bottomless pit" rife with corruption. But business leaders say the country desperately needs to replace the capital's current airport, which is aging and overstretched. "The plan is to provide the Mexican people all the relevant information, truthfully and objectively, so that we can all decide together on this important matter of national interest," Lopez Obrador told a press conference. He said the referendum would be held in late October, and vowed the outcome would be "binding." Lopez Obrador, widely known as "AMLO," won a landslide election victory on July 1 -- a resounding rejection of the two establishment parties that have governed Mexico for the past 89 years. After clashing with the business community during his campaign, he has recently sought to strike a more conciliatory tone. The airport project, which is already under construction east of the capital, will be an early litmus test for the incoming administration. Mexico's richest man, the telecoms billionaire Carlos Slim, has said that "canceling the project would amount to canceling the economic growth of the country." Lopez Obrador's pick for transportation minister, Javier Jimenez, said there would be two choices in the referendum: continue the project or cancel it. If voters opt to continue it, the government could then decide to use a mix of public and private financing to save taxpayer money, he said. If they vote to cancel it, the government would continue to use the existing airport and repurpose an old military airbase to serve as a second airport. Canceling the project would cost the country around $5.2 billion in sunk costs, he said, warning of "a considerable impact on the 2019 federal budget" and a "possible negative impact on the financial markets." Activists and residents of nearby communities have criticized the environmental impact of the project. Mexico City's current airport has an official capacity of 32 million passengers per year, but handled 44 million passengers last year. President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shows a technical report on Mexico City's controversial new airport - already under construction - as he announces a referendum on whether to proceed with the project or cancel it Thursday, August 16, 2018 Marie Claire has published an essay on one teenage girl's experience of being separated from her mother at the border, and subsequently incarcerated with other girls, some as young as two years old. "I was taken to a huge, huge cage inside a detention center. They had other cages for the boys, men, and women. It was prison. We could see the other cages, but we werent allowed to talk to anyone outside our cage. There were more than 100 girls in there, all from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Most of the girls were between the ages of 6 and 17, but there were a few very young girls too. The little kids would cry, especially when they first arrived. They were saying how much they missed their parents and how much they wanted to go home. The officers wouldnt really pay much attention to them; they just walked away like nothing happened. The big girls would try to calm them down. We would play with them or tell them to watch the movie playing on the TV." This piece also provides a counternarrative to the frequently-told story that recent asylum-seekers are people with little to no ties to the United States. The teen telling her story had already lived in the U.S., was attending high school and spoke English before the border apprehension incident that led to her separation from her mother. ("The officers Spanish wasnt very good, so I said, Why dont you speak to me in English to make it easier? He was shocked. The officers had been cracking jokes, fooling around, and I had understood everything. They talked about how stupid we were to cross the border and how dumb we were to think we wouldnt be deported.) She told her story to Marie Claire anonymously, and bravely. -JKoh https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2018/08/marie-claire-one-teens-family-separation-experience.html Two million Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia this week for the hajj as the annual pilgrimage becomes increasingly hi-tech with apps to help the faithful navigate Islam's holiest sites. This year the hajj comes with the ultra-conservative kingdom witnessing an unprecedented pace of change, finally ending a ban on women driving while remaining firm in the face of any dissent. One of the five pillars of the world's fastest-growing religion, the hajj is expected to draw two million people from around the globe this year. By Thursday, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, which runs from Sunday to Friday. Thousands could be seen arriving in Mecca, with groups from different countries wearing distinct colours to set them apart. Some pilgrims pushed their elderly relatives on wheelchairs while others stopped to call family members back home on video chat or buy ice cream as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). For many, it is their first time away from home. Every Muslim is required to complete the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so. - 'Smart hajj' - Many were visibly moved to be so close to Islam's holiest site -- the Kaaba, a black masonry cube in the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. "I feel as light as a feather," said Senegalese Fame Diouf, who travelled from Amsterdam. Laughing, she recounted the story of how she couldn't stop crying near the Kaaba. "This was my dream from childhood," said Raja Amjad Hussein, who made the trip to Mecca from Pakistan. "I can't explain. I have no words," the 40-year-old told AFP. "For many Muslims this is the big, the biggest, dream of life, to see Kaaba and pray for yourself and the whole Muslim nation." No matter their race or nationality, for every pilgrim hajj begins with "ihram", the donning of an all-white outfit. For men, this is a seamless tunic worn over baggy pants; for women, a loose dress with only the face and hands exposed. Pilgrims then perform rituals around the Kaaba and on the Mount Arafat plain east of Mecca. The hajj ends with Eid al-Adha, a three-day feast which starts with the "stoning of the devil". Eid al-Adha also includes the slaughter of sheep, with the meat distributed to Muslims in need. The ritual symbolises Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, on the order of God. The hajj presents the Saudi authorities with major logistical challenges. The Pew Research Center says the number of Muslims in the world is expected to rise from 1.8 billion in 2015 to three billion in 2060. This year, the Saudis have launched a "smart hajj" initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care. Asefny, for example, is an app launched by Saudi Arabia's Red Crescent to help pilgrims request emergency medical attention. Authorities are able to locate those in need through the app. The Saudi hajj ministry also runs the Manasikana app, which provides translation for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic or English. - Controversy - The 2018 pilgrimage comes amid a widening crackdown on political dissent in Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy aggressively pursuing a campaign to clean up its image as one of the world's most restrictive countries. It also comes more than a year into the worst political crisis to grip the Gulf, pitting regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Qatar against one another. Saudi Arabia -- the world's largest exporter of oil -- and its allies accuse Qatar of cosying up to both Sunni Islamist extremists and Shiite Iran, Riyadh's greatest rival. They have cut all ties with Qatar and banned all flights to and from Doha. Qatar denies the charges. Qatari pilgrims are still permitted into Saudi Arabia for hajj. Iranian pilgrims are also in attendance this year. Tehran had temporarily suspended sending its citizens to hajj following a 2015 stampede that left around 2,300 pilgrims dead, including hundreds of Iranians. Saudi Arabia has drawn harsh criticism for a crackdown on political dissent since the appointment last year of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose modernisation campaign has grabbed headlines around the world. More than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state in recent weeks. Some have since been released. A man takes a picture of Muslim worshippers performing prayers around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 15, 2018 Muslim worshippers pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 16, 2018 Pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 16, 2018 Pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 16, 2018 The prosecutor in charge of investigating a massive sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in Chile said several bishops could face charges after he questions the Cardinal Archbishop of Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati, for the first time next week. Prosecutor Emiliano Arias will on Tuesday take a statement from Ezzati, the head of the church in Chile, who has denied allegations that he covered up cases of abuse, including those by a top aide who was jailed earlier this year. Other bishops "whose actions are being analyzed, could also be accused," Arias told AFP in an interview at the Rancagua prosecutor's office 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Santiago. State prosecutors began investigating scores of abuse cases last month after outrage around the country over the church's own probe into decades of abuse by priests, crimes over which it often failed to take any action or handed down too-lenient punishments. Now bishops and other priests accused of abuse in Chile will face the full force of secular law. Arias said he will have to determine if Ezzati "fulfilled or failed to fulfill his obligations" to protect victims and enforce church regulations. Ezzati has come under pressure after prosecutors ordered a search of church headquarters in Santiago after it refused to hand over documents linked with how it dealt with abuse cases. "The church should have acted immediately to denounce the abuse. It is in its interest to make it stop," says Arias. He pointed out that "not having an obligation to report (abuse) does not mean they are forbidden" to do so. Chilean prosecutors announced last month they were investigating 158 members of the church, both priests and lay people. The cases related back as far as the 1960s and involved 266 victims, including 178 children and adolescents. Pope Francis has already apologized repeatedly to Chileans over the scandal, admitting the Church failed "to listen and react" to the allegations, but vowed to "restore justice." In May, the entire Chilean hierarchy of bishops who Francis summoned to Rome, tendered their resignations over the pedophile priests scandal. So far, five Catholic bishops have resigned and a priest, Oscar Munoz -- a former top aide to the archbishop - was jailed for the abuse of at least seven minors. - Trials in six to eight months - The first cases will come to trial within "six to eight months" Arias told AFP. He said cases where clerics are charged with covering up crimes would take longer, being more "difficult" to prove wrongdoing. "The fact that a person is cited as being complicit in a cover-up does not mean that they are guilty," he cautioned. Arias has lashed out at the church over the destruction of evidence in the sex-abuse cases but said he was confident it "will help more than hinder" him in an attempt to apportion blame in the cases. What matters more, he says, is that "the victims come forward" with evidence so the perpetrators can be tried before ordinary courts. Arias says around half of the cases are subject to the statute of limitations, though investigating them will help "to specify the behaviour deployed in the past" by church authorities, especially the tactics they used to conceal abuse. The prosecutor does not think the sex abuse scandal in Chile is comparable to the church scandal in Pennsylvania, where prosecutors found more than 1,000 children had been abused over decades by some 300 priests, while bishops covered up their crimes. "Hopefully it is different because here the authorities in charge of public criminal prosecution have acted against the perpetrators," he says. Emiliano Arias (R), who is leading the investigation into a cover-up of sexual abuse by the Chilean church, pictured in Santiago on July 12, 2018 Santiago's Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati (R) is pictured as he leaves a convention center in Punta de Tralca, west of Santiago, after holding a meeting with members of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, on August 3, 2018 Santiago's Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati is pictured as he leaves a convention center in Punta de Tralca, west of Santiago, after holding a meeting with members of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, on August 3, 2018 A pilot was left incapacitated as a Qantas plane suddenly lost pressure mid-air, forcing the remaining pilot to plunge 12,000 feet. The Boeing 737 cargo plane was flying from Brisbane to Melbourne, when the cabin pressure suddenly dropped and left one pilot unable to fulfil his duties on Wednesday night. Both pilots were forced to don oxygen masks as the cabin rapidly depressurised and they swiftly descended to 20,000 feet. However, the first officer subsequently lost consciousness and the pilot made a solo descend to a height of 8,000 feet before diverting the plane to Canberra. A Qantas Boeing 737 cargo plane descended 12,000 feet after losing cabin pressure. Source: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg via Getty Images The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the incident and provided an initial assessment of the incident. During cruise, the crew of the cargo flight received a wing body overheat warning resulting in a reduction of cabin pressure, an ATSB report found. The crew donned oxygen and descended to 20,000 ft. The First Officer was subsequently incapacitated and the Captain descended to 8,000 feet and diverted the aircraft to Canberra. The terrifying plunge occurred near Narrandera, NSW. The plane landed in Canberra and emergency services met the aircraft on arrival. The Boeing 737 was flying from Brisbane to Melbourne, when the cabin pressure suddenly dropped and left one pilot incapacitated. Source: Getty The freight plane did not contain any passengers, according to a Qantas spokesperson. A Qantas Freight service travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne Wednesday night diverted into Canberra following a technical fault with the onboard air conditioning system that affected the ability to maintain pressure in the cabin, the Qantas spokesperson said. The aircraft landed normally in Canberra and engineers are inspecting the aircraft today (Thursday). There was no damage to the aircraft and the ATSB is investigating the incident. As part of the investigation, the ATSB will collect and examine information from the aircrafts flight data recorders and interview maintenance and flight crew, the ATSB report read. The final report is due in the last quarter of 2018. Vaping shouldnt be treated the same as smoking, say MPs (Picture: Getty) Vaping shouldnt be treated the same as conventional smoking as its less harmful and could help people quit, MPs have said. A report by the Science and Technology Committee said that rules around e-cigarettes should be relaxed to help accelerate already-declining smoking rates. The committee called for an urgent review to make it easier for e-cigarettes to be made available on prescription as well as to spark a wider debate on vaping in public spaces and greater freedom for the industry to advertise them as a less harmful option for smokers. But the reports recommendations have come under fire by some public health experts, with one saying it relies on accounts from e-cig champions. According to the report, around 2.9 million people in the UK are currently using e-cigarettes, with an estimated 470,000 using them to help them stop smoking. The Government has said it will carefully consider the evidence and recommendations made in the Science and Technology Committees (STC) report. Norman Lamb, the STCs chairman, said that current policy and regulations do not sufficiently reflect the lesser harm posed by e-cigarettes than their conventional alternatives. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system He said: Businesses, transport providers and public places should stop viewing conventional and e-cigarettes as one and the same. There is no public health rationale for doing so. Concerns that e-cigarettes could be a gateway to conventional smoking, including for young non-smokers, have not materialised. If used correctly, e-cigarettes could be a key weapon in the NHS stop-smoking arsenal. Story continues Rules MPs say the rules around vaping should be relaxed (Picture: Getty) Public Health England (PHE) has estimated that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than smoking and the STC said that while there are still uncertainties about their long-term effects, they provide an opportunity to significantly accelerate already declining smoking rates. Mr Lamb said: Medically licensed e-cigarettes would make it easier for doctors to discuss and recommend them as a stop smoking tool to aid those quitting smoking. The approval systems for prescribing these products must be urgently reviewed. The report also called for limits on refill strengths and tank sizes to be reviewed and suggested that e-cigarettes should be allowed on mental health units. Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said: E-cigarettes are not without harm but are way safer than the harms of tobacco. This is about comparing e-cigarettes to normal cigarettes, not fresh air. The report comes days after scientists warned that the perception that e-cigarettes are safe should be treated with caution. Research led by the University of Birmingham found that the fluid in e-cigarettes has a similar effect on the lungs and body as that seen in regular cigarette smokers and patients with chronic lung disease. Reacting to the STCs report Simon Capewell, Professor in Public Health and Policy from Liverpool University, told the Daily Mail: The committee has concentrated solely on experts who are e-cig champions. More balanced reviews of the evidence by the World Health Organisation, (US) Food and Drug Administration have concluded that e-cigs are no better for quitting smoking than things like nicotine gum, patches or tablets. E-cigs in teens are a gateway to subsequent smoking lit cigarettes and e-cig vapour contains a large number of toxins which in time will obviously harm users, and bystanders. A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: The best thing a smoker can do for their health is to quit. However, we recognise that the evidence surrounding the use of e-cigarettes is evolving, and there are over three million vapers in the UK already. We will carefully consider the evidence and recommendations made in this report and will respond in due course. The expected attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Saturday's wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl sparked a row Friday over whether the visit was appropriate. "How is Austria's presidency of the EU meant to live up to the government's own claims of building bridges (between the EU and Russia) and being an honest broker, when Austria's foreign minister and chancellor are so obviously on one side?" asked MP Andreas Schieder of the opposition Social Democrats (SPOe). SPOe MEP Evelyn Regner said the invite sent a "shameful" image of Austria to its EU partners, branding it "a provocation of European proportions". The Greens called for Kneissl's resignation, pointing out that "Vladimir Putin is the EU's most aggressive enemy in matters of foreign policy". Kneissl, 53, who was nominated for the post by the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), will marry businessman Wolfgang Meilinger in a ceremony in a wine-growing village near the southeastern city of Graz. Putin confirmed he would be attending the wedding before heading to talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel near Berlin on Saturday evening. Putin's attendance was originally described as a "private event" by Kneissl's office but has since been upgraded to a "working visit". Several hundred police officers will take part in the security operation around the wedding. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) and FPOe Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache are also expected at the ceremony. In 2016, the FPOe signed a "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. The invitation to Putin has angered Kiev, which said it would prevent Austria playing a role in the Minsk agreements aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The foreign ministry has insisted that Putin's visit "will not change anything in terms of Austria's foreign policy positions". The invitation has even provoked some criticism from within Kurz's own OeVP party, with one of its MEPs Othmar Karas saying: "I can't grasp the logic and the purpose of making such a personal occasion political and open to misuse in this way". Russia has been accused of seeking to weaken and divide the EU, notably by maintaining links with populist parties in several European countries. Kurz's OeVP and the FPOe have been in coalition together since December after an election campaign in which both parties ran on anti-immigration platforms. Russia's Vladimir Putin will be in Austria on Saturday to attend the wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl Saudi Arabia on Friday pledged $100 million to reconstruct areas of northeastern Syria formerly held by the Islamic State group, in a move sharply criticised by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The kingdom said the 88-million-euro contribution would go towards a US-backed campaign to "stabilise" the one-time IS bastion and to help ensure the jihadists cannot re-emerge as a threat. The government in Damascus slammed the contribution as "morally unacceptable", in a statement carried by the official SANA news agency. A longtime foe of Riyadh, it accused Saudi Arabia's royal family of supporting "terrorism and those who contributed to the killing of the people of Syria and the destruction of its infrastructure." IS declared a "caliphate" after seizing swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, but has since been ousted from most of that territory including its former de facto Syrian capital Raqa and a pocket of Damascus. Saudi Arabia, the United States' most powerful Arab ally, is a member of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, another acronym for the jihadist group. Riyadh's contribution aims to support "stabilisation projects" and "will play a critical role in the coalition's efforts to revitalise communities, such as Raqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists," read a statement by the Saudi embassy in Washington. It said the money would "save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, and help ensure that IS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbours, or plan attacks against the international community." In April, reports emerged that the United States was looking to build an Arab force to replace its troops in northeastern Syria. The US government has not officially confirmed the reports. Despite the defeat of IS in Syria and Iraq, between 20,000 and 30,000 of its fighters remain in the two countries, according to a United Nations report released Monday. Raqa, seen here on May 17, 2018, was devastated by years of Islamic State rule and the battle to oust the jihadists from their de facto Syrian capital This blog is an Amazon affiliate. Help support ImmigrationProf Blog by making purchases through Amazon links on this site at no cost to you. Serbian authorities on Friday ordered the closure of a controversial "patriotic youth camp", where teens were handling fake weapons and dressing in army uniforms as part of military-style training. Serbia's Interior Minister told reporters he had ordered the closure of the camp, which was run by Serbian and Russian veterans, a day before it was set to finish in response to a public backlash. "We ordered the dismantling of this camp because of possible exploitation of children and the reaction it provoked among the public," Nebojsa Stefanovic said. Since early August around four dozen boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 23 had been attending the "Patriotic Youth Camp" on Zlatibor, a mountain 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Belgrade. The camp, which organisers say focuses on survival skills, was run by veterans groups from Serbia and Russia. Last April, some 30 children from Serbia travelled to Russia for similar training. Local reports about this year's camp on Serbian soil drew criticism from rights groups and opposition parties, who slammed the training as indoctrination. Zeljko Vukelic, a Serbian veteran of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia and one of the camp's organisers, criticised the sudden closure. "The camp was organised like others that have existed for years in Russia and tend to reinforce patriotic feelings" among children, he told the press. He insisted a similar training would be organised in Serbia next year because "patriotism has no price". Russia and Serbia are key allies. Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin, while Moscow supports Serbia in denying the independence of Kosovo, a former southern province that broke away after a NATO bombing campaign in 1999. Serbia's Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told reporters he had ordered the closure of the camp, which was run by Serbian and Russian veterans, in response to public backlash The teen, who made headlines after video emerged of her being pushed off a bridge by her friend, said she wants the girl who shoved her to spend time in prison. Jordan Holgerson, 16, is recovering from injuries after video emerged of her reluctantly preparing to jump from an 18-metre tall bridge into a river in the US state of Washington before a friend shoved her off the ledge. The friend, identified as 18-year-old Taylor Smith, is now cooperating with police, US TV station KATU reported, while Ms Holgerson is recovering at home with six broken ribs, two punctured lungs and other injuries. The teenager can be heard having second doubts moments before she is shoved off the bridge. Source: YouTube/Genelle Holgerson Ms Holgerson told NBC, at first, she didnt want her friend to be punished but has since changed her mind. Ive thought about it more, Im kind of wanting her to sit in jail and think about at least what she did, Jordan said. The teen added, while Ms Smith has apologised, shes still angry about her injuries and how long it will take her to recover. She claims shes still in a lot of pain. Jordan Holgerson, who was pushed from an 18-metre tall bridge in the US by a friend, said she now wants the girl who pushed her to spend time in jail. Source: Today/ NBC In the mornings its the worst, like it hurts to breathe, Jordan said. My side hurts. My shoulder hurts. I cant even get up. Earlier this week, Ms Smith sparked fresh outrage, with Jordans family claiming the 18-year-old isnt sorry for what she did after she was pictured with a friend at the Clark County Fair in a post on Instagram days after the incident, The Sun reported. A family member told The Sun, Ms Smith, clearly doesnt care and they believe her apology isnt sincere. Shes been at a pool party and there were pictures of her at the county fair with a friend on Instagram, the family member said. Jordan Holgerson suffered a series of sickening injuries as a result of the fall Source: KATU2 Emily Wynell Paul disappeared five years ago when the then 14-year-old packed her bags and ran away from her Panama City home in the US state of Florida The teenager left behind a note stating her intentions to run away, according to The Panama City News Herald. Earlier this month her mother Pam Massimiani told police she had received letters from her missing daughter, who she hadnt seen for over five years. In response police put out a video on Facebook asking Ms Paul to come forward so that they could ensure her safety and officially close her missing person case. Emily Wynell Paul, a teenager who vanished 5 years ago has reemerged, telling police that she is safe. Source: Facebook On August 14, 2018, Emily Paul contacted the Bay County Sheriffs Office, the Bay County Sherriffs Office announced on Facebook. After a phone conversation, it was requested that she report to a sheriffs office or police department so that her safety could be verified, and we could ensure the call was not being made under duress. Approximately 30 minutes later, a second phone call came in to the Bay County Sheriffs Office from a police department, stating they had a female in their lobby, saying she was Emily Paul. At that time, we requested photographs be taken and asked that they collect other proof of her identity. Investigators confirmed her identity and after assuring police that she was safe, she left the police station by herself. Investigators confirmed Emily Wynell Pauls identity after she attended the police station and assured police that she was safe. Source: Bay County Sheriffs Office An investigator with that agency spoke with Emily, one on one, for a period of time, the Bay County Sheriffs Office said. Emily stated that she was safe, she had a support system and she was happy where she was. She appeared to be in good health and she had arrived at the police station by herself and left by herself. The missing person case of Emily Paul is now officially closed. A Turkish court on Friday rejected another appeal to free US pastor Andrew Brunson, whose detention has sparked a major crisis in Ankara's ties with Washington, his lawyer said. The court ruled that Brunson would remain under house arrest, rejecting the third such request, lawyer Cem Halavurt told AFP, saying he would appeal again in 15 days. Brunson, who was detained in October 2016 on terror and espionage charges, faces 35 years in jail if convicted. Late last month, he was moved from prison to house arrest for health reasons. The pastor's detention has soured Ankara's relations with Washington, with US President Donald Trump threatening more punitive action unless Brunson is released. Last week, Trump said he had doubled the tariffs on aluminium and steel from Turkey, sending the Turkish currency into free fall. On Thursday, Trump described the Protestant clergyman, who runs a small church in the western city of Izmir, as a "great patriot", saying he was being held "hostage." Christian evangelicals constitute an important part of Trump's political base. A Turkish court rejected another appeal to free US pastor Andrew Brunson, whose detention has sparked a major crisis in Ankara's ties with Washington, his lawyer said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken by phone with Mali's leaders to urge them "not to go backwards" following contentious elections in the strife-torn West African country, a spokesman said Thursday. Official results showed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was re-elected in the runoff held Sunday, but opposition challenger Soumaila Cisse rejected the outcome and vowed to appeal to the constitutional court. During separate phone calls with Keita and Cisse on Wednesday, Guterres "underlined the need to always keep the Malian people first, and not to go backwards on the reconciliation effort at a crucial moment," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq. "He underlined that the elections happened and that it is of utmost importance for disputes to be resolved by legal means and political dialogue." Guterres said his envoy for Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif of Chad, was ready to mediate in the election dispute. Mali has been struggling to return to stability after Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda jihadists took control of the north of the country in early 2012, prompting France to intervene militarily to drive them out. A peace deal between the government and armed groups was signed in 2015, but implementation has been slow and attacks have continued in the center and north of the country. The United Nations has deployed about 12,000 troops and police in its MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in Mali, which ranks as the most dangerous for blue helmets. Keita, 73, picked up 67.17 percent of the vote against 32.83 for Cisse, a 68-year-old former finance minister who also ran against Keita in 2013. Turnout was low, at 34.5 percent. Malian opposition leader SoumaIila Cisse, pictured August 13, 2018, has rejected the outcome of the presidential election and vowed to appeal to the constitutional court A woman says her job application at a health clinic was rejected because her name was too ghetto, but the company claims its job recruitment account had been hacked. Hermeisha Robinson, 27, shared a Facebook screenshot on Monday of an email she received from Mantality Health, a medical office in Chesterfield, Missouri, USA rejecting her job application. Thank you for your interest in careers at Mantality Health, the email read. Unfortunately, we do not consider candidates that have suggestive ghetto names. We wish you the best in your career search. Ms Robinson voiced her outrage and asked her followers to share her post because discrimination has to stop!. Hermeisha Robinson, 27, (pictured left and right) says her job application at health clinic Mantality Health in Chesterfield, Missouri, USA was rejected because of discrimination against her ghetto name. Source: Facebook/Hermeisha Robinson I am very upset because today I received an email about this job that I applied for as a customer service representative, Ms Robinson said. I know Im well-qualified for the position as they seen on my resume. They discriminated against me because of my name which they considered to be ghetto for their company! My feelings are very hurt and they even got me second-guessing my name trying to figure out if my name is really that ghetto. The post was shared 11,000 times and obtained 5,700 reactions from people calling the email cruel, and urging Robinson to sue for discrimination. Ms Robinson did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment. Health clinic claims that they were hacked A representative of Mantality Health, a clinic that treats men with low testosterone, did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment. The email was allegedly signed by a nurse practitioner named Jordan Kimler. The health clinic has stated that, while this is a real employee, Kimler has nothing to do with the hiring process at the company. The company issued a statement on their website. Hermeisha Robinson (pictured right) shared a post with an email (pictured left) from the health clinic, Mantality Health in Chesterfield, Missouri, USA, rejecting her job application for having a name that was too ghetto. Source: Facebook/Hermeisha Robinson The password for the outside job board site used by Mantality was compromised on August 13, 2018, the statement read. We are currently working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrator and consider appropriate legal action. Story continues We share the anger and frustration of those who received these bogus emails. The hacking was probably committed by an ex-employee, Mantality CEO Kevin Meuret told the St Louis Post-Dispatch. Im a father of three daughters, and that young lady getting that [response] is horrible, Mr Meuret told the paper. That young lady opened something that must have felt like a freight train, and thats unacceptable. Company claims Indeed password was compromised Reports were filed with the Chesterfield Police Department, which did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment, and the cybercrime department of St. Louis County. Meuret also said that 20 other applicants received false emails and that he is trying to obtain the hackers IP address from the employment website Indeed.com, as that is how Robinson applied for the position. Company spokesperson Jack Gamache also told local news station KMOV that its Indeed.com account was compromised. Indeed says hacking is unlikely, according to KMOV, Account security is of utmost importance to Indeed and something that we diligently monitor, Indeed said in a company statement. Account holders are responsible for use of their password and we recommend frequent updates and complete confidentiality of your password. Our investigation into this particular account shows no evidence of compromise. An Indeed spokesperson did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment. Another victim told KMOV of a similar experience. The company looked at my name and said we dont care about what youve done in life your name is going to dismiss you completely, another applicant named Dorneshia Zachery said. Ms Robinsons cousin Miltina Burnett posted a Facebook photo of the offensive email and wrote that the incident made her loved one cry and question her name, whether she should change her name to fit in corporate America. I have never seen something so outright racist, Ms Burnett said, explaining that Robinsons late mother chose the unique moniker for her daughter. In a follow-up post, Ms Burnett says she was contacted by the companys clinical director saying that [a] disgruntled ex-employee sent that racist email to potential candidates. New York's influential teachers' union is on Dana Balter's side in the 24th Congressional District race. New York State United Teachers, a labor group representing more than 600,000 members, endorsed Balter, D-Syracuse, this week. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers. Andy Pallotta, president of New York State United Teachers, lauded Balter for her support of public education and organized labor. "She has demonstrated a willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with educators to fight for better public schools, colleges and hospitals," Pallotta said. "We are proud to support Dana and will work hard to get her elected." Balter is challenging U.S. Rep. John Katko in the 24th district race. Katko, R-Camillus, hasn't received NYSUT's support in his three campaigns for Congress. In 2014, the union supported then-incumbent Rep. Dan Maffei over Katko. Two years ago, NYSUT endorsed Democratic challenger Colleen Deacon in the race. Katko won both races by 20 points. NYSUT hopes the outcome is better for the union's endorsed candidate this year. The union highlighted Balter's background as an educator. She worked in special education at a nonprofit organization. Most recently, she was a visiting assistant teaching professor at Syracuse University. Balter has other labor support in the 24th district race. Last week, she received an endorsement from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. UNITE HERE Local 150, which represents food service and hospitality workers, also endorsed Balter for Congress. Balter called it a "tremendous honor" to have NYSUT's support. "Educators dedicate their lives to ensuring our children have the foundation they need to thrive in society," she said. "Providing fully-funded quality education to children in every zip code is one of the most important obligations the government has to the people. With NYSUT as a partner, we will achieve great things for our schools in New York and across the nation." Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dana Balter received the backing of another national Democratic organization in the 24th Congressional District race. EMILY's List, a group that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates, endorsed Balter, D-Syracuse, on Friday. Balter is challenging U.S. Rep. John Katko, a Republican seeking his third term representing the 24th district. Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List, emphasized parts of Balter's biography, including her work in special education and advocacy on behalf of her younger brother, Jonathan, who has cognitive disabilities. Schriock also referred to an injury Balter suffered in 2004. She had a severe concussion after falling and hitting her head. It took her eight years to recover from the effects of the injury. "Dana knows firsthand how important access to affordable, quality health care is, and her own experience facing the fear and uncertainty that can come from having a preexisting condition led Dana to want to make sure others don't have to face the same concerns," Schriock said in a statement. She added, "Now, (Balter) is running to fight not only for central and western New Yorkers' access to affordable health care, but also to expand economic opportunity, protect a woman's right to choose, improve public education and more." Balter wants to preserve the Affordable Care Act, a 2010 health care law that has been referred to as ObamaCare. She also supports establishing a Medicare-for-all system, a single-payer program that would eliminate the need for private health insurance. EMILY's List's endorsement follows the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's decision earlier this month to add Balter to its Red to Blue program. The initiative supports Democratic challengers in races against Republican incumbents. The DCCC named Balter to the program more than a month after the Syracuse Democrat's primary win. She defeated Juanita Perez Williams by 25 points in the June 26 primary to secure the party's nomination. National Democrats preferred Perez Williams. When she ran for Syracuse mayor last year, she was endorsed by EMILY's List. But with the primary settled and the focus shifting to the general election, the national group is throwing its support behind Balter, who has already been endorsed by the Indivisible movement, Democracy for America and several other progressive organizations. "I am proud to partner with EMILY's List to help create a government that benefits fully from the productive leadership of women," Balter said in a statement. "In Congress, I will continue to fight for women's equality and autonomy, including access to the full range of quality, affordable health care." Democrats are hopeful that they can unseat Katko, R-Camillus, this year. He was first elected in 2014 and re-elected two years ago. In both contests, he defeated his Democratic opponents by at least 20 points. However, Schriock noted that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the 24th district in 2016. Democrats have an enrollment advantage in the district. Schriock also tied Katko to President Donald Trump. Three Trump administration officials have visited central New York this summer. Vice President Mike Pence headlined a Syracuse fundraiser for the Republican congressman in June. Last month, Ivanka Trump, the first daughter and advisor to the president, joined Katko for an education roundtable. In early August, Energy Secretary Rick Perry joined Katko for a tour of James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County. Katko and Perry also participated in an energy roundtable discussion. Katko's support of the Trump agenda, Schriock said, hurts families in the 24th district. "Fortunately, voters can elect Dana to be their champion in Washington, D.C., and fight for what matters most to them," she said. "Let's show Dana the full support of the EMILY's List community to flip this seat and take back the House." The race will be challenging for Democrats, even in a year the party is expected to win several House seats. Political forecasters rate the race likely Republican. Cook Political Report published a story this week that mentioned Katko as one of five Republicans who is "defying the blue wave." Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Select board members and some municipal staff toured the property last week. Scarborough Leader A bond for up to $1.9 million to renovate it will be on the Nov. 2 municipal ballot. A Syracuse woman defrauded the workers' compensation system and improperly collected more than $26,000 in benefits, state Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott said Friday. Jacqueline Gilchrist, 53, of West Newell Street, was employed as a certified nursing assistant at Madison County rehabilitation facility. An investigation found that in the spring of 2013, Gilchrist claimed she suffered an injury at work. She stopped working and began collecting workers' compensation benefits, according to the inspector general's office. The inquiry also revealed that the day before her purported injury, Gilchrist signed a contract to begin working as a real estate broker with an agency in Onondaga County. While employed as a real estate broker, she continued to receive workers' compensation payments. Over a two-year period, Gilchrist claimed at workers' compensation medical exams that she hadn't been working since the injury. Gilchrist collected $26,270 in benefits, according to the state inspector general's office. "This defendant's ongoing deception and fraud enabled her to shamelessly enrich herself with benefit payments to which she was not entitled," Scott said. "The state workers' compensation system is vital protection for honest employees throughout New York, and I will use every resource at my disposal to pursue anyone who abuses it." Gilchrist was charged with third-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records and the workers' compensation crime of fraudulent practices. She was arraigned in Syracuse City Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center in lieu of $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to reappear in court Tuesday. The state police assisted with Gilchrist's arrest. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick's office is prosecuting the case. Love 1 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 5 AUBURN The Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District and the Cayuga County Office of Tourism will pay the city of Auburn to rent office space at the Equal Rights Heritage Center downtown. The Auburn City Council approved the two lease agreements Thursday, which, according to Corporation Counsel Stacy DeForest, have "no significant differences." Mayor Michael Quill and Councilor Debby McCormick abstained from approving the lease agreement with the BID because they both serve on the BID board. Members of the BID and tourism office boards of directors also previously approved the lease agreements. The two groups will lease their office space for the next five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Each will pay $12,000 a year to rent just under 1,000 square feet of office space at the center and 100 square feet of storage at the Lincoln Street parking garage for the first two years, and then $13,000 for the last three years. The rent includes all utilities, such as basic phone and internet services, electricity, water and sewer. The welcome center will also have a third tenant: the future operators of the Taste NY food, beverage and retail marketplace. The city is currently seeking proposals for an operator to run the market. The deadline to submit a proposal to run the market is 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21. City Clerk Chuck Mason said several vendors have reached out to the city to express interest. Mason explained that once the proposals are in, they will be scored by a committee made up of city staff members and the vendor with the best score will be awarded the contract. Then, the city will enter into a lease agreement with that vendor, who will pay rent to the city for use of the space. Mason said the council will most likely vote to approve the vendor and lease agreement in September. The city is also accepting applications for a visitor experience manager for the center, who will be responsible for the overall management of the facility, according to the job description. Those applications are due by Aug. 22. The manager will be an employee of the BID, Mason said. Also, BID Executive Director Stephanie DeVito will run the center, on top of her position with BID. The BID and the city will enter into an operating agreement in September, according to Mason. The center is on track to open by the end of October, Mason said. In other news The council approved two payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements for the Auburn Housing Authority's Melone Village renovation project. AHA Executive Director Stephanie Hutchinson explained the the PILOTs are necessary for the housing authority to finish renovating the remaining 118 housing units, which have not had any major upgrade since they were built decades ago. In order to take advantage of low-income housing tax credits from the state to fund the renovations, the properties must be owned by a private corporation. The housing authority is a government agency and is not eligible to apply for tax credits. AHA's nonprofit development corporation, AHA Development Corporation, is eligible, however, Hutchinson explained. When the development corporation is awarded tax credits, it sells them to private investors, who in turn utilize the credits and fund the project. "This is a commonplace transaction that takes place in virtually every affordable housing development statewide," Hutchinson said. Auburn Housing Authority seeking tax breaks for Melone Village renovation The Auburn Housing Authority will ask the Auburn City Council to approve two payment-in-lieu The housing authority now has three PILOT agreements with the city for Melone Village, totaling $9,000 a year for the next 40 years. In the absence of these agreements, Hutchinson said, AHA would only be paying $1,600 a year in taxes, because it is a government agency and only pays property taxes based on the land assessment. But since the properties are now owned by a private corporation in order to take advantage of the tax credits, the property taxes would be much higher, meaning the housing authority would need to increase tenants' rents to pay the higher bills. "It is the mission of the housing authority to ensure the apartments remain affordable for the 118 families that reside there now and for future tenants who cannot afford market-rate housing," Hutchinson said, adding that most tenants at Melone Village pay an average of $450 a month, including utilities. Councilor Dia Carbajal pointed out that these tax-break agreements are not unique. The city had previously approved PILOT agreements for the first phase of renovations at Melone Village and for a similar project at Brogan Manor, as well as Schwartz Towers and West Middle School Apartments. "We (the city) actually benefit from providing PILOTs to this type of project," Carabajal said. Staff writer Natalie Brophy can be reached at (315)282-2239 or natalie.brophy@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @brophy_natalie. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 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. City Matthew James Gauthier, 34, of 144 Garrow St., Auburn, was charged Aug. 13 with first-degree robbery and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Trentyn Deiquan Jackson, 20, 9 Hoffman St., Auburn, was charged Aug. 15 with second and first-degree criminal contempt. Joshua S. Gehring, 27, 36 Franklin St., Auburn, was charged Aug. 15 with petit larceny. Shelden Anthony White, 38, 56 Chapman Ave., Auburn, was charged Aug. 16 with endangering the welfare of a child. Alysia Marie Mosher, 21, 7558 Glencrest Ave., was charged Aug. 15 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Jack Richard Morehouse, 29, 59 LaFayette Place, Auburn, was charged Aug. 16 with fourth-degree criminal mischief. Adam L. Delaney, 29, 26 N. Fulton St. Apt. Upper, Auburn, was charged Aug. 16 with resisting arrest. William Joseph Purcell Sr., 54, 118 Wall St., Auburn, was charged Aug. 16 with third-degree filing a false report. Matthew Edward Mosher, 44, transient, was charged August 16 with second-degree criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest. County Latrisha A. Morgan, 52, 1066 Rt. 5, Elbridge, was charged July 24 with resisting arrest. Adam J. Lamphere, 226 Fire Lane 12, Cato, was charged July 25 with second-degree criminal contempt and aggravated family offense. Jenna Mary Boyle, 25, 16 W. 11th St., Fulton, was picked up July 25 on a bench warrant. Jeffrey Allen Nowalk, 43, 761 Sherwood Road, Ledyard, was charged July 26 with petit larceny. Dillan James Savon, 25, 8 Decamp Road, Lansing, was charged July 27 with petit larceny. Justin M. McDeid, 28, 8853 S. Seneca St., Weedsport, was charged July 29 with third counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Jesse L. Sorenson, 27, 14 Woodruff Place, Auburn, was charged July 30 with second-degree criminal contempt. Tyrese L. Kemblowski, 28, 110 W. Borden St., Syracuse, was picked up Aug. 1 on a bench warrant. Joshua L. Patterson, 34, 290 Grant Ave, Auburn, was charged Aug. 1 with second-degree menacing, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Caitlyn Susanne Reeves, 25, 2333 Rt. 34, Venice Center, was charged Aug. 2 with second-degree facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended registration. Robert John Bourdeau, 59, 218 E. King Road, Ithaca, was charged Aug. 3 with driving while ability impaired. Katie E. Mullin, 26, 13225 Sanford Road, Sterling, was charged Aug. 5 with third-degree criminal trespass. Kitty Lee Hilliard, 23, 21 Teds Way, Moravia was charged Aug. 5 with third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal mischief. David J. Oliver, 53, 6 Pethybridhe Lane, Springport, was charged Aug. 6 with fourth-degree criminal mischief. Wade J. Cardinale, 48, 2457 Ira Station Road, Ira, was charged August 7 with driving while intoxicated. Patrick A. Rand, 48, 7 Jewett Ave, Moravia Village, was charged Aug. 8 with acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17. Amanda Fay Buttaro, 36, of 19 McMaster St., Auburn, was picked up Aug. 9 on a bench warrant. Craig J. Pittinger, 31, of 14526 Lake St., Fair Haven, was charged Aug. 9 with fifth-degree arson. Mario R. Mastrangelo, 31, of 300 Clark St., Auburn, was charged Aug. 9 with second-degree menacing, first-degree criminal contempt and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. George R. Baker, 61, of 1458 River Road, Conquest, was charged Aug. 10 with unlawfully growing cannabis. Shannon M. Vineyard, 42, 3240 Jugg St., Moravia, was picked up Aug. 11 on a bench warrant. Rodney C. Miller, 29, 1644 McDonald Road, Throop, was charged Aug. 11 with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree welfare fraud and misuse of food stamps. Brenda J. Carpenter, 54, 828 Forest Ave, Fulton, was charged Aug. 11 with operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater and driving while intoxicated. Eric E. Eggleston, 22, of 76 Maple Ave, Cortland, was charged Aug. 15 with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs. State Latrisha A. Morgan, 52, Elbridge, was charged Aug. 15 with false impersonation and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration. Troy D. Olney, 28, Auburn, was charged Aug. 14 with third-degree fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. Love 3 Funny 9 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 1 A Yorkshire-born baker has launched a range of dairy- and gluten-free Rocky Road cake bars that are now available across the UK. The range, which is distributed by Suma, consists of three flavours: OOOriginal, OOOrange and MMMinty, all featuring chunks of biscuit and marshmallow encased in a dairy-free chocolate mixture. At nearly 70 years old, Mummy Meagzs founder (real name Meagan Boyle) is embarking on a new career in confectionery. Already co-owner and head baker at Blondes Coffee Shop in Cottingham, which went fully vegan in 2017, the reviews received for her baked goods prompted her to embark on a new business venture. Everyone thought it was impossible for a gluten- and dairy-free chocolate bar to be truly scrumptious, said Boyle. But I was determined to create free-from treats that are full of indulgence. A Crowdfunder campaign to help get the bars into commercial production raised almost 11,000 and secured 10,000 advance orders. Mummy Meagzs Rocky Road bars are 55g and will be available wholesale from September (rrp 1.99). California Supreme Court Eases Requirements for Asylum-Seeking Children Seeking asylum in the United States is no easy process for adults, let alone for children. 10-year-old Bianka entered the country by herself in 2016, fleeing violence in Honduras and, after being reunited with her mother Gladys, sought a court order giving her mother sole custody. The only problem, according to a family and appeals court? The request didn't name her father. Despite Bianka's contentions that her father had effectively abandoned her in Honduras, the courts said they could not issue any custody ruling without joining the father in the litigation. But the California Supreme Court overturned those decisions, removing an important hurdle for children seeking asylum in the U.S. Old Rulings Bianka was seeking "special immigrant juvenile" status under federal immigration law, which allows immigrant children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to apply for lawful permanent residence while remaining in the United States. She claimed her father, still in Honduras, had abandoned her and, though she notified him of her emigration, has taken no steps to participate in the process or advocate for her return. A state superior court denied Bianka's requests, claiming it could not issue either a custody order or findings relevant to special immigrant juvenile status unless she first joined her father as a party to the action, granting the court jurisdiction over the matter, and a Court of Appeal agreed. But a unanimous state Supreme Court reversed those rulings, refusing a non-resident parent to hijack asylum and custody proceedings: Bianka asks for three things in this proceeding: (1) the establishment of a legal mother-child relationship with Gladys; (2) an award of sole legal and physical custody to Gladys; and (3) findings relevant to special immigrant juvenile status, including findings concerning the prospect of reunification with Jorge. Certainly Jorge's participation is not essential for the court to determine the existence of a mother-child relationship between Bianka and Gladys. And although Jorge is certainly entitled to be heard on the remaining two matters if he chooses, he is not indispensable to their resolution. New Rules The California Supreme Court laid out the procedures for asylum-seeking children going forward. "Provided that the absent parent has received adequate notice," the court ruled, "the action may proceed even if the parent is beyond the personal jurisdiction of the court and cannot be joined as a party." The Supreme Court also ordered lower courts to disregard intent in the filings, allowing that "the action may also proceed regardless of whether the court believes it was filed primarily for the purpose of obtaining the protections from abuse, neglect, or abandonment that federal immigration law provides." Courthouse News reports that Bianka, now 13, currently resides with her mother in Los Angeles. Related Resources: 'Disclose More Evidence,' Tennessee Tells Prosecutors Everybody knows prosecutors have a duty to disclose exculpatory evidence, but reasonable minds may differ about how much. That is the sticking point in a debate that is heating up in Tennessee. In a new ethics opinion, the state Board of Professional Responsibility says prosecutors have a higher duty to disclose than required by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Brady v. Maryland, the High Court said they must disclose "material" evidence. Tennessee says they should produce "all" evidence that favors a defendant and then some. "The Honor System" That's the gist of it in Tennessee and a dozen other states, according to the ABA Journal. Defense attorneys want it all and they want it now. "Every other constitutional right applies from Day One, except for this, apparently," says Michael Working, executive treasurer of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "And it's just on the honor system, which is moronic." Nobody said district attorneys are moronic, but every defense attorney says prosecutors are not their clients' friends. That's why the U.S. Justice Department opposes the Tennessee ethics board. The government wants the board to rescind its opinion. Defendants could use it as a "tactical weapon" and "engage in blind fishing expeditions through the government files." "Fishing Expeditions" But Tennesseans love fishing. The Tennessean said the ethics rule falls in line with a national trend. "The general, slow trend is toward more openness in discovery," said Christopher Slobogin, director of the criminal justice program at Vanderbilt University's law school. Martesha Johnson, a Nashville public defender, said the ethics decision will lead to a better justice system. "The prosecutor cannot know what is material to the defense because they don't know the defense theory," she told the Tennessean. "This decision ensures that a person accused of a crime, where their liberty is at stake, will receive the fairest trial possible." Want information on effective marketing? Let the experts at FindLaw's Lawyer Marketing give you a hand with FindLaw Integrated Legal Marketing Solutions. Related Resources: Yahoo! JAPAN Yahoo! JAPAN Following the lead of the Boston Globe, close to 350 newspapers across the country ran editorials today in defense of a free press after President Trump declared the media was the "enemy of the state." This greatly displeased Emperor Trump, leading to a Twitter tirade this morning. Shortly after Trump's tweet, a memo was sent to tenants of 53 State Street in Boston, the large office tower that's home to the Globe and several other companies. From Universal Hub: Earlier today a tenant in the building, the Boston Globe, received several threats via phone call. Based on this threat the local and federal authorities have recommended some additional security measures for the property. For the remainder of the day you will see uniformed Boston Police officers in the lobby and around the property. There are very few specifics, but the threat was specific to later this afternoon. The property is working closely with the authorities and we will advise all tenants of any updates or changes in this situation. The property is following all appropriate procedures and protocols. Way to prove the Globe's point, assholes. Security beefed up at Globe's downtown headquarters after threats [Universal Hub] A few days ago, the AP, working with Princeton University, demonstrated that Google tracked the location of users even after they disabled location tracking on their devices. Today they admitted it, reports the AP. It has now "clarified" its tracking policy; pray they do not "clarify" it further. SAN FRANCISCO Google has revised a help page that erroneously described how its "Location History" setting works, clarifying for users that it still tracks their location even if they turn the setting off. On Monday, an Associated Press investigation revealed that several Google apps and websites store user location even if users have turned off Location History. Google has not changed that practice. But its help page now states: "This setting does not affect other location services on your device." Business Insider's Sean Wolfe describes how to disable location tracking completely on iPhone and Android. What a headache. WATCH: The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, honored by the people of New Orleans as only New Orleans can with a second line, near Treme. You're really gonna wanna watch the entire video above from NOLA.com. It's about an hour long. Turn it up. Second line to honor Aretha Franklin now underway #RipArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/lPqB9KwkZO Michael Tisserand (@m_tisserand) August 17, 2018 Emperor Donald will be super bummed. His $92 million parade is not happening. The Pentagon announced Thursday that there will be NO military parade in November, as originally requested by Donald Trump. A spokesperson said the military parade proposed by the President for Veterans Day 2018 will be delayed indefinitely. The statement says the Pentagon and White House "have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." Breaking: Pentagon says the military parade requested by the President and originally scheduled for Veterans Day will be postponed. Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 16, 2018 From USA Today: The estimated cost for President Donald Trump's November military parade in Washington has jumped $80 million, The Associated Press reported Thursday citing an unnamed Pentagon official. But a Defense Department spokesman told USA TODAY the finals plans for the parade have not yet been approved and that costs could still change. Last month, the Military Times reported that initial estimates of the parade's cost were $12 million. The official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that haven't been released yet told AP the new projection is $92 million. That represents an increase of 666 percent. About $50 million would cover Pentagon costs for equipment, personnel and other expenses for the parade, the official said. The rest would be handled by other agencies, including security costs. Pentagon spokesman Jamie Davis cautioned that "planning for the Military Veterans Day Parade continues and final details are still being developed. Any cost estimates are pre-decisional." [source, art: @beschizza] An update on the children of migrants who were forcibly separated from their family members by federal agents, at the orders of Donald Trump. From Jacob Soboroff of NBC News: BREAKING: Trump administration releases latest numbers on migrant kids it separated from parents. This is most detailed data we've seen so far. 2,654 total kids separated. 565 *still* separated; 24 are 0-5 year olds. Parents of 366 *already* deported; 6 are 0-5. pic.twitter.com/c3YAnJzk7R Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 16, 2018 Government now says parents of 154 waived the right to reunite including parents of a kid between 0 and 5. ACLU challenged this today, saying some were "misled or coerced" into waiving reunification. I tried to visit a man in that category yesterday: https://t.co/1A61UtajcC pic.twitter.com/zMKJzrEyee Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 16, 2018 Going in @ICEgov detention center in SoCal to meet still-separated dad Ascencion who signed form saying he didn't want to be reunited with his 15 year old son says he didn't know what he was signing. I'm with his lawyers from @ImmDef. Not sure if ICE will let me meet him. pic.twitter.com/dFLLZqpdH1 Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018 No luck. We were met by these agents from ICE and Geo Group, private prison that runs Adelanto. Guy on left said they were expecting me but I couldn't get in to see Ascencion despite advance notice. Waited three hours while attorneys went in. ICE says maybe next week. pic.twitter.com/NRUBdtS3xh Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018 Ascencion sent out this letter for me to read: They're deporting me without me knowing. The government is treating me very badly. I'm being ignored. The separation is affecting me a lot. I don't know that I will ever forget this. I am going crazy. I am in an inhumane situation. pic.twitter.com/LymkmQBcCD Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018 An employee who was fired from Tesla's battery factory in Nevada has filed a whopper of a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In it, the former employee accuses Elon Musk's company of spying on employees' cellphones, and failing to act after discovering that a Mexican drug cartel may be dealing meth at the 'Gigafactory'. Tesla is accused of installing specialized router devices at the Nevada Gigafactory to to capture employees' cellphone data and conversations. Reuters reports: A former member of Tesla's internal investigations team, Karl Hansen, filed a tips, complaints and referrals form to the SEC about the Gigafactory on Aug. 9, Hansen's attorney Stuart Meissner said in a news release. Whistleblowers can receive 10 percent to 30 percent of penalties the SEC collects. Tesla said it took the allegations that Hansen brought to the electric car maker seriously and investigated. "Some of his claims are outright false. Others could not be corroborated," Tesla said in the statement. The SEC declined comment. The complaint sent to the SEC comes amid intense focus on the company and Chief Executive Elon Musk, whose tweets about taking the company private last week set off a scramble to determine whether he violated securities law in stating that funding for the deal was "secured." Hansen alleged that Tesla, at the direction of Musk, installed surveillance equipment at the Gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada to eavesdrop on the personal cellphones of employees while at work, according to Meissner. Hansen also claims that Tesla did not disclose to investors that thieves stole $37 million in copper and other raw materials during the first half of 2018, according to his attorney. Hansen alleges Tesla failed to disclose that it received written notice from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration about a Tesla employee possibly engaged in selling cocaine and crystal methamphetamine from the Nevada factory on behalf of a Mexican drug cartel, according to Meissner who did not release the whistleblower filing he said his client made to the SEC. Reuters could not reach Hansen for comment. Hansen alleges that he found ties between the Tesla employee and members of the cartel and urged Tesla to disclose that information to the DEA, his attorney said in the news release. The DEA did not immediately have a comment. The median US med-school grad has $195,000 in loans; all 93 of NYU's freshman med-school class will have free tuition for their entire degree program, as will all future students (the 350 currently enrolled students will no longer pay tuition, same goes for the school's 9 grad students) NYU estimates that funding this in perpetuity will cost $650m; they've raised $400m so far. Most medical students who want to go into lower paying practices like family medicine and endocrinology can take advantage of federal programs in which their monthly loan payments are tied to discretionary income; their loan balances are then forgiven after 10 or 25 years, depending on where they work. With compounding interest, they often don't make much dent on the principal balance. The salary disparity for doctors can be stark. The four lowest-paying specialties, all in pediatrics, had average annual compensation of $221,900 or below, according to a survey of more than 65,000 doctors by Doximity, a medical social network for clinicians. Doctors specializing in internal medicine had average annual compensation of $260,000. Meanwhile, neurosurgery was the top-paying specialty last year, with average compensation of $662,755. Thoracic surgery and orthopaedic surgery rounded out the top three, at $602,745 and $537,568, respectively. NYU Makes Tuition Free for All Medical Students [Melissa Korn/WSJ] (via /.) (Image: Superawesomevectors, CC-BY) The Chinese state crackdown on the predominantly Muslim Uighur minority involving the imprisonment and torture of upwards of a million people in brainwashing camps isn't limited to China itself. US-based Uighur immigrants report that they have been contacted by their family-members in China, who ask them to submit scans of their ID, their car license plate numbers, bank card numbers, and phone number, with the implied threat that the family members will face reprisals in China if they don't cooperate. The messages say that the data is needed to issue the Uighur expats with Chinese national ID cards. In recent months, many other Uighurs living in the United States have received similar demands from Chinese authorities, relayed by family members back in China who were paid official visits from local public security bureau officials. One Uighur living on the east coast told The Daily Beast that Chinese police had demanded a copy of the individual's employment contract with their university; another was told they had to provide a letter from their academic supervisor. If they don't comply, these Uighurs know that their relatives may be detained. "I've heard about many of these cases of influence and intimidation from Chinese authorities being extended to Uighurs abroad, whether they are students or journalists or everyday people," said James Millward, a professor of Chinese and Central Asian history at Georgetown University. "In many cases they are permanent residents, green card holders, or even citizens in the United States, Australia, or elsewhere." Chinese Cops Now Spying on American Soil [Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian/The Daily Beast] Members of the Satanic Temple held a "Rally for the First Amendment" yesterday at the Arkansas State Capitol, where they unveiled an 8.5-foot bronze statue of Baphomet with two adoring children at his side to the Arkansas State Capitol. The Satanic Temple is suing the Federal Government for the right to permanently install the statue on the Capitol grounds, arguing that since the Capitol has a Ten Commandments monument, other religions must be allowed to display their symbols there, too. A group of Christians also attended the rally, and those interviewed by KATV were articulate and respectful of the Satanists and their statue. "God loves them, and we love them," said one. "These people are here in support of their beliefs, and I'm here in support of mine," said another. "Fortunately we live in a country that allows freedom of speech, freedom of religion. I may not necessarily agree with their faith, but I respect it." The only person who came off as a nutcase was Senator Jason Rapert (R), the lawmaker who successfully led the unconstitutional campaign to erect a Ten Commandments monument on the Arkansas State Capitol grounds. He said in a Facebook statement, "No matter what these extremists may claim, it will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us to be permanently erected on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol." Worth noting: In 2017, the Satanic Temple sent Arkansas legislators a letter, asking them to sponsor a bill, that would allow for a statue of Baphomet to be placed on capitol grounds. Not one legislator responded Rep. Kim Hammer tells @KATVNews #arnews #arpx #arleg pic.twitter.com/x6tKm0euhl Marine Glisovic KATV (@KATVMarine) August 16, 2018 Images: KATV video screenshot The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published a free graphic novel titled "The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak," some of which is set at a state fair where a teenage 4-H member is infected with swine flu. As CNN reports, the comic's plot is similar to what actually happened this summer at two state fairs. From CNN: At the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, which took place in San Luis Obispo County from July 18 through 29, two people fell ill after attending the fair. Similarly, two attendees of the Fowlerville Family Fair in Michigan, which took place in Livingston County from July 23 through 28, also became sick in the days after. Public health disease detectives in both states immediately tested the patients for variant influenza virus, a flu strain that normally circulates in swine but not people. Person-to-person transmission of variant strains is uncommon, and you cannot catch this type of flu from eating pork. - An SANDF fight with the US was recently stopped before it even had a chance to start - The services of the South African army were offered up by an enthusiastic Joseph Nkosi, South African ambassador to Venezuela - Apparently Joseph was quite ready to take on President Trumps forces, with the aid of the South African army PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! A fight with the US was recently averted after an overly eager Joseph Nkosi, the South African ambassador to Venezuela, offered up the South African army to help the country. Josephs rather enthusiastic offer to share our military resources with Venezuela was met with less enthusiasm by the South African Director General who gave him a stern talking to. The South African reports, from a Daily Maverick article that, Joseph received a rather stern talking to from the director general himself who stated, It is not government policy. READ ALSO: Emfuleni manager has cushy R1m job but is not qualified for it Joseph cited economic blockades as a justifiable reason for military retaliation against the US, saying: We have always fought against this blockade. We are going to support them, we are not going to let them die alone. If it is necessary that we bring our soldiers to fight against the Americans we will do it, we cannot allow ourselves to be dominated by the American administration. The overeager ambassador didnt stop there, although he should have Nkosi went on to threaten US dominance, saying: The days of the US dominating the world are numbered. READ ALSO: Former Banyana Banyana captain sets twitter ablaze as she berates Thamsanqa Gabuza The SANDF has been in the news a fair amount and in May this year, Briefly.co.za reported on how Major Mohlala was dismissed after racist comments. Venezuela is currently experiencing a currency meltdown, compacted by nationwide protests, water shortages and a collapse of its healthcare sector. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story. Every problem and situation has a solution, even if you dont believe so. As they say, there is always a way out, no matter what. We have created a special playlist full of African comedies to explain how you get easily get out of different life situations! Do you feel like you are stuck and do not know what to do regarding something happening in your life right now? This playlist will definitely help you out! Here you can find various funny cartoon comedies that will make you laugh in seconds! Save this playlist animated jokes right now! To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today. Source: Briefly.co.za News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has firmly set Zimbabwe on a positive economic transformation path that will benefit the mining sector in the coming years, according to US global market data, analytical tools and risk services provider Fitch Solutions.Fitch Solutions said it expected the country's mining industry to grow by an average 2,4 percent between 2018 and 2027, as it did not anticipate radical policy changes in the country's extractive industry.This stems from the fact that while policies such as indigenisation and economic empowerment were scrapped for most minerals, the 51/49 equity shareholding structure was still applicable to diamonds and platinum, which may limit foreign entry into this area, Zimbabwe's biggest exports earner.Meanwhile, the United States President Donald Trump's administration is ratcheting up pressure on embattled Mnangagwa by demanding that he is institutes a transparent and credible investigation into the August 1 killing of at least six protesters in Harare.US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nicholas said Washington was greatly disturbed by reports of violence and the death of six people. Opinion / Columnist Africa is a young sleeping giant where Zimbabwe comes as the best educated country on the continent a vibrant young population which can compete at any global level.Zanu PF tactics of scuttling , dashing the hopes and aspirations of the young generation has been exposed by their plan to raise the Presidential age limit bar from 40 years to 55 years. This is absurd and an embarrassment to democracy.This is a very big blow not only to Nelson Chamisa but the entire young crop of leaders who want to see Zimbabwe growing economically , socially and politically.As a dully attested citizen of Zimbabwe, I feel that the ruling party is shooting down its own foot by trying to raise the bar of Presidential minimum age requirements.Barring these youthful leaders is like daylight robbery to the future of this young generation. The behaviour of these politicians who are masquerading as democrats yet they are full blown dictators is an assault to our democracy.They should be reminded that age is just a number and running a country does not necessarily mean one should be of an old age. We have young people who are so much gifted and talented in leadership skills. The emancipation of the young voices must be enhanced in order to fully implement the developmental and millenium goals. Young people are the torch bearers of the modern world and must be given a chance to exhibit their potential.Surely the ruling party is still living in the stone age the Chaka / Zulu dispensation. We are no longer in the iron age. l personally don't see the reason of raising the bar to 55 instead of lowering it. Zanu PF young cadres cannot see how they are going to be been affected by this development.The ruling party is afraid to be stripped of its stranglehold by the young people. They know that they are very corrupt and they can't stop their insatiable appetite of looting country's resources. If a sixteen year old person can apply for a driver's licence and 18 is the legal age of the majority. Why can't a 40 year run for Presidency.I see a level of arrogance, ill informed and ignorance that is creeping in the ruling party. Its a shame that at this age we still think that someone above 40 years is still young to take responsibilities. The ruling party is always in he election mode and does not even care of the spiraling down of the economy. Failure is associated with ZANU PF. Who are these people representing?This kind of entitlement and thinking is so destructive and backwards. The ruling party cannot be trusted. A government that has overstayed it's welcome feel threatened by the vision of young people.This is the reason why investors shunning our country and not even warming up to this new dispensation because our government lacks policy consistency. No tangible results have been seen so far with the signed mega deals.We keep on amending the constitution just to cushion political hoodlums. We are deviating from real issues affecting the country which must be attended to and ways to fix our economy but we are rather aiming to kill the messenger. We are even far away from the once troubled Rwanda in terms of development. We have become an embarrasment to the world.I am against stupid proposals which will affect the entire young people. We have been programmed to think that older people can always do better and that they are mature leaders. Leadership is an inborn trait just like when Jesus of Nazareth started showing his leadership skills at the age of 12 and getting mature at 40. Leadership is all about carrying the people's visions , fighting for the peoples cause.There are African proverb- which goes like- "Even though the eyebrow is smaller it is still older than the beard" and "A dynamite comes from a small package"I am inspired by the late young Bantu Stephen Biko who was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the Black Consciousness Movement during the late. His ideas were articulated in a robust manner. He was a young leader of par excellence.Raised in a poor Xhosa he didn't look at his age and didn't stop advancing his dream.Zimbabwe has come of age in terms of democracy and we must persue this historical moment. I am starting to think that, it was a deliberate move to doctor figures and cook results for the ruling party to win resoundingly with the 2/3 majority so that they can use it's parliamentary power to change the Zimbabwe's constitution especially on the Presidential minimum age from 40 to 55.I personally don't see the reason of raising the bar so high where it should supposed to be lowered to accommodate young and fresh blood into the leadership circles. Surely we cannot have very old and tired leaders sleeping and snoring during parliamentary debates then at the end of the month go all the way to the bank to receive their pay cheques for doing nothing. Is this the Zimbabwe we want? Are we a failed state or we have created another Idi Amin type of leadership.Zimbabwe is in a crisis. Its a shame that we have unrepentant Zanu PF. I thought the rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa was going to breath a new political fresh air. Is changing the Presidential age limit a panacea to the challenges facing the country or what?ContactsFacebook - Leonard KoniTwitter - @LeokoniWhatsApp - +27747402042E-mail - konileonard606@gmail.com Islanders shared their own stories of struggling to find housing on P.E.I. as a panel discussion delved into some of the issues the Island is facing. The Island currently has an overall vacancy rate of just 1.2 per cent, according to the latest numbers from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, with a 0.9 per cent vacancy rate in Charlottetown. The discussion, hosted by Kerry Campbell, aired on CBC Prince Edward Island's Facebook page and Mainstreet P.E.I. It garnered many comments from Islanders frustrated by a lack of affordable housing on the Island. (Please note that usernames are not necessarily the names of commenters. Some comments have been altered to correct spelling and to conform to CBC style.) Feeling the pinch Many people shared their own struggles of trying to find somewhere to live. "We are working professionals! We have good jobs. But the rental costs with child-care cost leave us nothing to save," said Becky MacDonald. Mary Deveau said she looked at a one bedroom apartment over the summer, and the landlord told her she had a list of more than 30 people lined up to see the apartment. "I pay of my monthly income on rent and utilities," she said. "There is a serious shortage of apartments for families in Summerside." Tasha Ramsay shared that her family of five has been actively looking for a place to live for almost two years. She said her current landlord has decided to sell the place she has been in since May 2017. "Me and my boyfriend both watch Kijiji daily and apply for the very few places that do become available," she said. Dora-Lynn Macnevin shared that she's also been trying to find a new place to rent for herself and three children, but said she can't find anything within her budget. "I feel really stuck and they keep raising the rent every year, if it goes up any more I am scared we will be homeless," she said. Living with family Some people shared that they've moved in with family because they haven't been able to find housing. Story continues "I'm a single parent of two living at home with my parents cause I can't find a home within my children's school district," said Curtis Cole. "If we didn't have family, myself, my fiance and my 3-year-old son would be homeless!" said Charlotte Murphy. "Just this month I know two single moms now staying with friends and families [on] couches because their is literally no where for them to go," said Kelly-Lynn O'Brian, who added that her own family has been looking for a new place for more than a year. "I think it's time for P.E.I. to look out for the Islanders that [are] actually willing to stay on this province," she said. Calls to regulate rent, inspect rentals Many of the comments said that a lack of supply has meant that what is available is too expensive. "I'm not normally one for regulation, but looking at some of the rent prices now, it's obvious people are taking advantage," said Tara Costain. "I know demand drives the market, but it's totally unaffordable for the average person." There were a number of comments from people who felt their current place wasn't in good condition, but were unable to find a new place to move to. "I believe we need inspections on all rental properties," suggested Marlene Hunt. "Sadly P.E.I. has many slum landlords and tenants are fearful to complain." Some people commented that it is even more difficult to find a place when you have children or pets. "There are so many issues associated with finding affordable rentals on the Island," said Jacqui Chaisson. "Discrimination against families, pets, and youth. Landlords are turning apartments into tourist rentals or selling rental property to investors who convert to tourism rentals. The problem is this is driving up the rental costs and landlords can pick and choose who they want to rent to leaving many in dire situations." While there were a number of concerns about the cost of rent, Janet Luxton said there's a reason landlords are charging that price per month. "Landlords are going broke because their expenses are exploding just like tenants," she said. "We are [unnecessarily] over taxed without seeing great results for it." More P.E.I. news The B.C. Wildfire Service has issued an "extreme fire behaviour" warning for the Shovel Lake fire burning west of Prince George. The service says it has notified the regional District of Bulkley-Nechako of that possibility late Thursday afternoon due to high winds expected over the next 24 hours. According to Natural Resources Canada, extreme fire behaviour is characterized by a "fast-spreading, high-intensity crown fire" that can be very difficult to control. The Wildfire Service says a crown fire is one that advances through the treetops, as well as along the forest floor. 'Evacuate immediately' "Some residents have chosen not to comply with evacuation orders. Due to the Extreme Fire Behaviour Warning, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako urges all residents in areas under evacuation orders to evacuate immediately," the release reads in part. At more than 68,000 hectares (680 square kilometres) in size, the Shovel Lake fire is the largest wildfire burning in B.C. Fort St. James Mayor Rob MacDougall said the past few days have been "overwhelming on many fronts." "I think because it is so new. We haven't experienced the threat of fire in the past and so close, and so I think there's a bit of angst in the community," he said. Fort St. James National Historic Site is home to Canada's largest collection of fur-trade-era wood buildings. Maintenance teams from Parks Canada have set up a sprinkler system on the roofs of the buildings, and are wetting the grounds to prevent any sparks from flaming up in the park. Lyle Penner, with the park's maintenance team, has been going building to building, ensuring every structure has been sufficiently protected. "Some of these buildings are about 130 years of age and are a critical part of Canadian history," he said. Evacuation alert for city of Kimberley A new evacuation alert was issued late Thursday for the entire city of Kimberley and other properties directly south and southwest of the city in the Regional District East Kootenay. The southeast B.C. city has about 4,500 residents. Story continues Mayor Don McCormick said in a statement that if an evacuation is needed, residents will be given as much advance notice as possible, but cautioned there may be limited notice due to changing conditions. An evacuation order issued late Thursday by the Cariboo Regional District covered 62 properties in the Dean River North area, including Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park, southwest of Prince George. Due to the immediate danger, members of the RCMP or other groups were going door to door. The evacuation route is Highway 20 to Williams Lake. An evacuation order was also issued by the Regional District of East Kootenay on Thursday night. Residents of 65 properties in the St. Mary Lake area have been told to leave their homes immediately, and members of the RCMP are helping. B.C. is in its second day of a province-wide state of emergency. There are nearly 600 wildfires burning across the province. The residents of about 1,500 properties have been forced to evacuate, while 9,500 more must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. The federal government has promised to send 200 Canadian Armed Forces members to B.C. to help. A first team of 100 was deployed early Thursday to an area west of Kelowna to start the mop-up of contained fires. The Department of National Defence said it's still working with the B.C. Wildfire Service to determine where and when the other troops will be needed. Thirty-six new fires started between Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon, mostly sparked by lightning. With files from Andrew Kurjata and The Canadian Press Read more from CBC British Columbia The byelection for the Regina Northeast riding will take place Sept. 12., Premier Scott Moe announced Thursday. The riding was formerly represented by former MLA Kevin Doherty, who left politics in March to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. NDP candidate Yens Pedersen, Saskatchewan Party candidate Gary Grewal and Green Party candidate Jessica Schroeder will face off next month. Grewal, who is currently president of the India Canada Association of Saskatchewan, defeated Gwyn Tremblay for the nomination. "Well, I've been knocking the doors since [the] last week of May and we're getting very positive feedback," Grewal said. "All the constituents here in Northeast think that [the] carbon tax is absolutely not acceptable." Grewal said he once moved to Toronto, but could not stay there "for even six months and [I] moved back." "I think Saskatchewan is a beautiful province. People are very friendly here," he said. Pedersen grew up on a farm near Cut Knife, Sask., and has worked as a lawyer in Regina over the past 20 years. He is running for the third time. He told reporters Thursday that the people he's talked with are "disappointed with this government's record of attacks on Crown corporations." "They're really concerned and impacted by the cuts to education in particular and also health," he said. Pedersen also said he would describe himself has an "ordinary" guy. "I like craft beer, I'm a beekeeper, I'm a lawyer, [I've] got a family Fairly ordinary things." Schroeder works in sales of reusable goods. Dozens of kilometres from where a protest camp has been set up, Enbridge revelled in the construction of its massive and controversial pipeline replacement project in Manitoba. On Thursday, Enbridge invited reporters and politicians, including federal Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi, to a site near Morden to show off the construction of its line which its punches its way through the province this summer. The controversial project replaces just over 1,000 kilometres of existing pipe running from Hardisty, Alta., to the U.S. border near Gretna, Man., carrying crude oil to refineries in the United States. It's been described as one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country. Enbridge says the project will pump nearly $400 million into Manitoba's economy, and is providing nearly 3,800 jobs for workers in the province. "Building this pipeline will reassure investors that Canada is a country where big, important things get done," Sohi said. Despite objections from Indigenous community members who established a protest camp, the company has signed 58 separate land-use agreements with 95 Indigenous communities along the route. "Those agreements address issues such as traditional land use, procurement, training, employment opportunities, environmental stewardship and, of course, construction monitoring," said Leo Golden, a vice president with Enbridge, who emceed the event. Sohi said the Liberal government took the "most inclusive approach" by consulting Indigenous leaders throughout the approval process. Positive impact A key supporter of the project is chief Ken Chalmers of Birdtail Sioux First Nation near Virden. He told reporters the pipeline replacement meant nearly two dozen jobs for his community through contracts with Enbridge, and approximately $2 million in direct economic benefits to his First Nation. He acknowledges the need to convert technology and energy use to more environmentally friendly sources, but says present demands have to be met first. "We are consuming more oil than ever and the population is growing, and we need to keep Canada's economy for what we are facing at the First Nations level," Chalmers said. "The governments need that money to invest in their communities." Story continues Geraldine McManus, a Dakota two-spirit person at the protest camp, says Enbridge's money and jobs are fleeting, but their Indigenous communities will remain, struggling. "The money is not long-term, but these scars, these lines, they're trying to make it long-term." Spirit of the Buffalo, which is organizing the camp, is demanding that Enbridge stop building the oil pipeline because it claims the company does not have free, prior and informed consent of all Indigenous peoples along the route. McManus was standing Thursday some 40 kilometres southeast of Morden, near Gretna, where the pipeline crosses into the U.S. "This is Crown land I'm on. Don't force me to do something on my own land that you've been doing to us for hundreds of years here. I have the right to be here, you don't have the right to be here, Enbridge, and yet you are." The head of orthopedic surgery at the Halifax Infirmary says surgeries may have to be cancelled if Saudi medical residents are forced to leave the country as has been demanded by Saudi Arabia's crown prince. Saudi Arabia is recalling its nationals as a protest against what it considered an offensive tweet by Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in which she called for the immediate release of human rights activists who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Saudi residents make up a significant portion of the residents in a number of hospital departments, according to Dr. Bill Oxner.: - Twenty-four Saudis work in the surgery department, which is about one-third of medical trainees in that department. - Six of 19 residents in orthopedic surgery are Saudi. - Three of the six residents in cardiac surgery are Saudi. In total, there are 59 Dalhousie medical school residents from Saudi Arabia. "Each of them provides very valuable service," said Oxner. "Our surgical residents are known for their hard work and they put many, many hours in per week." Oxner said if the Saudi residents leave, it will force the residents who remain, and surgeons to work much longer hours. He said this might be manageable in the short term, but not in the long run. Response from Nova Scotia Health Authority In a statement, the Nova Scotia Health Authority said it's working with doctors, Dalhousie University and the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) to identify potential gaps and ensure continuous clinical care. "Once gaps are fully identified we will be meeting with our colleagues at Dalhousie and DHW to discuss, finalize and implement next steps," said spokesperson Kristen Lipscombe. "We expect that to happen in next day or so." Saudi students have been given until Aug. 31 to return home. In an email to Dalhousie medical residents, Andrew Warren, the university's associate dean of medical residents, recommended that "all affected Saudi residents be released from their responsibilities in order to make preparations for returning to Saudi Arabia as per the directive." Story continues A hope for a renewed partnership Warren said it's been a pleasure working with all of the affected students, and noted the university has a long history of welcoming Saudi residents into its programs. "We value their contributions that have greatly benefitted our academic and health care communities," he said. "We hope that Canadian universities can someday renew their partnership with the KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] in training medical residents. Warren said for the remaining medical residents, the university is committed to ensuring their training is not compromised by this decision. Read more articles at CBC Nova Scotia In 1984, shortly after admitting to sexually molesting a 14-year-old child, Rev. John Connor of Pennsylvania was sent to a Toronto-area facility that helps clergy deal with addictions, mental-health issues and sexual disorders. After eight months of treatment at the Southdown Institute, officials there warned the church that Connor should not be put in a position where he would have responsibility for adolescents. Yet the church seemed to ignore the institute's advice, and would later assign Connor to a parish in Conshohocken, Pa., with a grade school and encourage him to "educate youth." These allegations are found in the more than 1,300 pages of an explosive grand jury report released Tuesday that claims hundreds of Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania engaged in sexual abuse since the 1940s. Of the victims, more than 1,000 were children, but that total could be thousands more, the grand jury concluded. Within the report are several Canadian connections, including a few cases where abuse is said to have occurred on Canadian soil. The report says at least seven Pennsylvania priests were sent to Southdown for treatment. But the institute's assessment of some of those priests that they should never be near children didn't seem to deter the church from allowing them to continue to play a role in church activities. Southdown is a rehab centre for priests located about 65 kilometres north of Toronto in Holland Landing. It moved from its old location in nearby Aurora in 2013. It has a team of psychologists and psychiatrists who mostly deal with clergy suffering from issues such as alcoholism and depression. But some priests have also been treated there for molesting children. The grand jury report says in Connor's case, he never went to trial because church lawyers negotiated an agreement to have his record of arrest erased if he admitted to the molestation allegation and avoided being arrested again for a year. Story continues Southdown's assessment was that Connor "acts out sexually with some preference to late adolescent males" because of his problem with alcohol, the report says. "They specifically warned against giving Connor responsibility for adolescents," it says, and "would not recommend any ministry that would directly put him in a position of responsibility for adolescents such as a teaching situation." Yet the church would later give Connor assignments featuring an "unrestricted ministry," the report says, with "no warning to the parishioners of the church that he was an admitted child molester." The grand jury says a man would later claim that during that time, from 1986 to 1988, when he was 12 to 14, he was repeatedly molested by Connor. In another case, Rev. Thomas C. Kelley was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct with at least five victims who were 18- to 25-year-old males in high school or in the seminary, the report says. Kelley allegedly engaged in mutual masturbation, and oral and anal sex with his victims in Odessa, Pa. In the fall of 1995, Kelley was sent to the Southdown Institute for a week-long assessment. "It was determined that Kelley should have a restricted ministry that kept him away from young parishioners," the grand jury report says. Kelley was later sent back to Southdown for "several months of treatment," the report says, during which time he "reflected on his conduct while in Odessa and decided that he was not ready to quit serving God." Over the course of the next several years, Kelley spent most of his time as a priest in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas. Another reverend, John Hoehl, was admitted to Southdown following a report of sexual abuse in 1986. He underwent therapy for approximately six months and was later discharged. During his treatment, the report says, the director of Southdown said Hoehl claimed he had been sexually involved with several high school students when he was headmaster of a Catholic high school in Baden, Pa. Southdown provided the diocese in Pittsburgh with an assessment that said Hoehl was a pedophile, according to the grand jury. Yet he would later be assigned as an educational consultant to the secretary of education for the diocese. He was also appointed chaplain at a hospital, the report says. "The expiration of the statute of limitations prevented Hoehl from being arrested and charged criminally for sexual abuse of minors." The same is true for many cases documented in the grand jury report. The report also reveals details about cases where abuse is said to have occurred in Canada. One priest is alleged to have sexually assaulted two boys in a hotel room in Toronto while on a retreat. Another priest is alleged to have taken a trip with a boy to Canada, slept in the same bed with him and served him alcohol. The grand jury report also mentions the police investigation in 1988 of Rev. Robert G. Wolk, who was alleged to have sexually assaulted boys. "During the investigation it was alleged that other unnamed priests conducted sado-masochistic rituals on several young boys in Washington and Somerset Counties, as well as in Florida and Canada," the report says. It also refers to a Pittsburgh Press newspaper article quoting a district attorney who said "investigators were looking into more than 200 acts Wolk allegedly committed with one of the youths in Canada, Virginia, Florida and Ohio." With files from Phillip Ling and The Associated Press Scheer says he won't discuss 'caucus dynamics' as calls grow for Bernier to be booted Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer refused to say Thursday whether he's considering removing his former leadership rival, Maxime Bernier, from the party's caucus after the Quebec MP sent out a series of controversial tweets on diversity and multiculturalism. Speaking to reporters in Regina, Scheer said Bernier doesn't speak for the party and he wants a unified caucus with the next federal election only a year away. Scheer said Conservatives will use that election campaign to pitch a different vision of immigration and diversity than the one being pushed by the current Liberal government. He did not condemn Bernier's tweets in which the Conservative MP accused the governing Liberals of pursuing a policy of "extreme multiculturalism" and the "cult of victimhood" but said the Conservative Party has a tradition of supporting diversity. "We have members of Parliament from all over the country, many of whom have a difference of opinion on some issues. I have asked all members of our team to work together," he said. While Bernier is allowed to voice his own views on the state of diversity in this country, Scheer said, he's held no caucus leadership position since being removed from the party's shadow cabinet earlier this year after sparring with Scheer over supply management "He speaks for himself," he said. In a series of tweets posted Sunday, Bernier who narrowly lost the Conservative leadership to Scheer last year said promoting too much diversity could have the effect of dividing Canada into "little tribes" that cause division and erode Canada's social cohesion. He also criticized the city of Winnipeg's decision to rename a park there after Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the modern state of Pakistan. Bernier subsequently issued a second set of tweets insisting he's focused on "all Canadians" and accusing his critics of engaging in "identity politics" themselves. Story continues Scheer's political opponents have said Bernier should be removed from caucus for sending what some have said are xenophobic tweets. Liberal Ontario MP Arif Virani, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of heritage, has sent a letter to Scheer asking him to remove Bernier from the party. "Otherwise Canadians will be forced to conclude that you accept his backward views," he wrote. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also has called on Scheer to strongly denounce Bernier, calling his rhetoric a "dangerous message" to send to Canadians of diverse backgrounds. A number of Conservative parliamentarians have also expressed dismay with Bernier's social media commentary. Speaking with CBC News Wednesday, Conservative Ontario Sen. Salma Ataullahjan, who is Pakistani-Canadian, said Bernier's recent tweet singling out the Pakistani community was offensive and an attempt to pit Canadians against each other. "I have a lot of respect for Maxime but it's divisive politics and I don't like that ... maybe he could say something else instead of picking on loyal Canadians and a community that's just trying to mind its own business," she said. "A lot of [Pakistani-Canadians] supported his leadership bid and instead of wishing them well on Pakistan Independence Day he tweets this out ... He's just poking us in the eye for no reason." Deepak Obhrai, a long-time Conservative MP from Alberta who also vied for the party's leadership in 2017, said he doesn't share Bernier's fears of "extreme multiculturalism" threatening Canada's social fabric, adding most immigrants integrate well. He said he believes his party should be a "big blue tent" welcoming Canadians of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. "A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. Our party is open to all Canadians," he said in an interview with Vassy Kapelos the host of CBC's Power & Politics. "All Canadians should be treated equally. I totally reject the notion of 'extreme diversity' or 'extreme multiculturalism' ... I know diversity has been a great strength for Canada." Obhrai, a former parliamentary secretary to the minister of Foreign Affairs, said when he travelled abroad in that role many people celebrated Canada for being an inclusive country. But Obhrai also suggested Conservatives should be wary of being drawn into a divisive internal debate over Bernier's tweets, adding that such a spat would amount to handing the Liberals a win. "I can see Mr. Trudeau trying to make an issue out of it," he said. "Well, that's Liberal politics. We should remain focused [on other issues]." He said one of the hallmarks of the Conservative party, and its predecessor, the now-defunct Reform party, is that it allows its parliamentarians and grassroots members to express differing views. In his first public remarks on the increasingly fractious debate over diversity in this country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that Bernier's tweets are just the latest display of the Conservative Party's "politics of division." Asked about Bernier's condemnation of the Liberals for embracing ever more diversity, Trudeau said the Conservative Party "hasn't changed much since the time of Stephen Harper." The remark was an apparent reference to the party's electioneering over the niqab veil and a proposed 'barbaric cultural practices' hotline during the last election campaign. "They still look at the politics of division as a way of drawing political advantage, by pitting Canadians against each other," Trudeau told reporters at an event in Saint-Eustache, Que. "The politics of division, yes, can work in the short term to help you get elected, but it doesn't help you govern and mostly it doesn't help you solve the challenges that we are facing together as a society." Even the mayor of St-Georges, a town in Bernier's riding of Beauce, south of Quebec City, said he doesn't understand his MP's "strategy" in launching a broadside against Canada's increasing diversity. In an interview with CBC's French-language service, Radio-Canada, Claude Morin said his region needs more workers from abroad because of a shortage of manpower in a province with a rapidly aging population. "We don't really understand his strategy. We need workers ... the Beauce needs new arrivals," he said in French. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Takeover Panel said on Thursday it had confirmed its ruling that Walt Disney might have to offer at least 14 pounds a share to buy UK pay-television group Sky. Disney would only be forced to make such an offer if it completes a deal to buy Twenty-First Century Fox's TV and film assets, which include a 39 percent stake in Sky, before either Fox or rival suitor Comcast succeed in taking control of the British broadcaster. The price is designed to reflect the level of the offer Disney is making for Fox, and its holding in Sky. The regulator had set the level of a possible mandatory Disney offer for Sky at 14 pounds a share on July 13. But it has had to hold a series of hearings since then to review the level after a number of groups appealed the decision. (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by David Evans) Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 923..16 August '18..There is now so much information about the misdemeanors of British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn against Jews and Israel that his wrongdoings can be classified into sub-categories.The first category is his support for genocidal terrorists. Corbyn welcomed representatives of Hezbollah and Hamas at the British parliament in 2009 and called them his friends. It took him until 2016, when he was challenged in the House of Commons by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, to renounce his words.In 2012, on Iranian Press TV, Corbyn praised Israels release of 1,000 Hamas prisoners terrorists who had killed 600 people between them and referred to the terrorists as brothers. In November 2012, he hosted a meeting in Parliament with Musa Abu Maria, a member of the banned terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He has also shared a platform with the Black September terrorist and hijacker Leila Khaled.In August 2018, the Daily Mail disclosed that four years earlier, in Tunisia, Corbyn had stood with a wreath in his hand next to a memorial plaque commemorating the graves of members of the Palestinian Black September movement. This is the terrorist organization that perpetrated the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Photo - Delma Tronson on Midge Point Beach while visiting Laguna Quays Respite The Whitsundays Laguna Quays Respite coordinated by Well-Being Australia for missions now in its seventh year has proven to be a lovely break away for a wide range of those in Christian service. The 2nd half of 2018 has a busy schedule. This two 2 min video is of its ministry for missionaries, home missions, church full time personnel is remarkable. Laguna Quays Respite It is a joy in the Lord seeing so many wishing to visit. The respite cottage is situated a fifteen minute drive south of Proserpine airport and a stone's throw from Midge Point. These missionaries and their families along with school chaplains, home missions of all shapes and varieties, church ministry personnel. Opened in 2011, Well-Being Australia developed this mission respite ministry after my wife Delma and I had ministered respite to Australian Institute of Sport elite athlete "respite" in both Moruya (Basil Sellers Moruya) and Tweed Heads (Basil Sellers Tweed) since 1992. The Laguna Quays Respite facility was a dream of ours to serve our mission community with a no-cost rest and recuperation experience and the Whitsundays provides many such opportunities for relaxation. Mission people can drive or fly into Proserpine airport inexpensively from - Brisbane (Virgin, Jetstar), Sydney (TigerAir / Jetstar) or Melbourne (Jetstar) Photo - Delma Tronson baked a slice Arrival Upon arrival they can collect a heavily discounted AVIS rental vehicle under a special arrangement between Well-Being Australia and AVIS for mission people visiting the respite cottage. There is no charge for the Laguna Quays Respite cottage yet visitors are welcome to leave a gifting to help with its functioning costs. Over these six years mission people have visited the Laguna Quays Respite facility from such missions and denominations as: SIM, CMS, WEC, OMS, SU, TEAR, BCS, UCA, OMF, YM, Wycliffe, BCA, YWAM, MAF, AFES, CM, ASEF, Japan Missions, International Inter-Serve, NZ Missions, Global Interaction, independent missions, school chaplains and Ministers and pastors from many denominations. Photo - Midge Point Beach with fishing boat and man walking his dogs Who can visit Laguna Quays Respite? Missionaries, home mission personnel, school chaplains and professional church personnel needing respite and rest. It is specifically designed and dedicated to such mission personnel. Over these past five years many family groups have visited in school holiday periods it is a three bedroom beach house cottage but they squeeze in somehow. Many missionary families have had family stays before they leave for overseas. Many are simply tired and need rest. It has also been a wonderful solace for pastors and specialist ministry personnel who need timeout to relax their head space and for those wanting to seriously reflect as their prepare significant messages or writing designations. It is a broad church. The local community are remarkable in their willingness to help in this missions project. Enquiries are welcome for bookings - missionaries / home missions / school chaplains / pastors - to contact us for your respite visit to the Whitsundays timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713 Laguna Quays Respite web site also host this video. http://www.bushorchestra.com/respite Photo - Mark Tronson posting the monthly newsletter at Midge Point PO Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Testing for gene mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer is rare among some Medicare patients who have the cancers and qualify for such tests, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from 12 southeastern states between 2000 and 2014. Only 8 percent of 92 women who met Medicare criteria for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing received it within five years of their cancer diagnosis, the study found. No patients in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia got the tests, according to the study published Aug. 14 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations are more likely to develop cancer in a second breast and are also at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer patients with the gene changes are more likely to get breast cancer. Relatives who also have the mutations also face a higher cancer risk, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers said. "Women who carry one of these mutations but don't know their mutation status are not able to take advantage of preventive or early detection interventions that we have available, so they miss out on the opportunity to reduce their risk for these cancers and potentially reduce their overall mortality," study author Amy Gross said in a university news release. "They are also not able to inform family members who might be affected," Gross added. She is an epidemiologist at the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research in Nashville. The study covered a broad age range: More than half of the women were under age 65 and qualified for Medicare due to disabilities. The researchers said lack of patient interest and physician recommendations might explain the low genetic testing rate. None of the patients had received a doctor referral for genetic counseling, they added. More information The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on BRCA gene mutations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Sao Paulo, August 18, 2018The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned an attack on Brazilian reporter Adenilson Miguel and called on police in the countrys Minas Gerais state to ensure Miguels safety and identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Unidentified attackers around 1 a.m. on August 9 threw fireworks at Miguels home in Bandeira do Sul and left a note with a death threat, Miguel told CPJ by phone. The attack occurred several hours after he shared information on WhatsApp groups about alleged corruption inside the mayors office. Local reporters in Brazil fulfill a vital role in uncovering corruption and keeping their communities informed, and they often face violent retaliation for doing just that, said CPJs Central and South America Coordinator Natalie Southwick from New York. Authorities in Minas Gerais must act quickly to ensure Adenilson Miguels safety and bring those responsible for this attack to justice. The mayors aide told CPJ that the case was entirely a matter for police and declined to comment further. Miguel said he believes the attack was meant to stop him from publishing a story about the alleged corruption in Vox, the independent newspaper he writes and publishes. The paper, which Miguel founded four years ago, comes out twice a month and is distributed in seven towns and cities in the south of Minas Gerais state, one of Brazils most populous. Miguel told CPJ that he planned to publish a story about employees in the mayors office being paid for overtime without doing any extra work. The journalist said that he shared pay slips showing the discrepancy in hours on the WhatsApp group on August 8, prior to the attack. That night Miguel said he heard a series of explosions in his downstairs garage. I was scared, there was all this noise, I thought it was a power line exploding, he told CPJ by phone on August 16. I went downstairs and there was a lot of smoke and an acrid smell. The police came and they found a piece of paper with a death threat. The note said You are going to die and included a homophobic slur, the journalist told CPJ. A police official in Minas Gerais state who declined to give her name or title told CPJ that police had opened an investigation into the attack, but they refused to discuss the case further with CPJ. The threat is not the first Miguel has received, he told CPJ. In May, a friend warned him the same mayor was angry at him for his political coverage and could take unspecified action. Miguel said he did not report the May threat to police: I felt that because they know me it wouldnt come to anything because this is a small city and everyone knows each other. Now, the 33-year old is concerned that a week after the incident nothing has been done. Miguel on August 16 said that police have not made any arrests. He said that he is afraid for his safety and plans on temporarily shuttering Vox. I avoid going out at night and during the day I dont go out alone, he said. We have no support, with nobody doing anything I feel like a hostage. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Nairobi, August 17, 2018 Authorities in Uganda should immediately drop charges of incitement and malicious damage to property against two journalists and investigate allegations that security personnel on August 13 and August 14 assaulted members of the press reporting on political unrest in northern Ugandas Arua District, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Herbert Zziwa and Ronald Muwanga, journalists with the privately owned NTV Uganda, were on the night of August 13 assaulted by security personnel and arrested during their live coverage of unrest in Arua District, according to a report by the press rights group Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), and Zziwa, with whom CPJ spoke. They were detained overnight and charged on August 14 with incitement to violence and malicious damage (to property) before they were released on bond, according to Zziwa and a document seen by CPJ. Also that night, security personnel assaulted and harassed Julius Bakabaage, John Kibalizi, and Benson Ongom, journalists with the privately owned NBS Television who were reporting live from the same location, Ongom told CPJ. On the morning of August 14, soldiers threatened the same crew of NBS journalists and confiscated their equipment, Ongom and Bakabaage told CPJ. Ongom also told CPJ that he suspected that security personnel had tried to use Zziwas phone, which was taken during the arrest, to lure him and his colleague into a meeting. Journalists reporting in crisis zones should do so without fear that the security personnel that are supposed to look out for their safety will turn on them and assault them. The charges brought against Herber Zziwa and Ronald Muwanga are also groundless, suggesting that authorities are trying to legitimize the arrest and assault of these journalists, said CPJs sub-Saharan African representative, Muthoki Mumo. Ugandan authorities should immediately drop the charges and ensure those responsible for violence against journalists are held accountable. Chaos and violence erupted on the evening of August 13 in Arua following a day of political campaigning ahead of a parliamentary by-election, according to Reuters. President Yoweri Musevenis convoy was stoned and Yasin Kawuma, the driver of MP Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, was shot dead, according to media reports. Police arrested around 34 people in connection to the chaos, including at least four members of parliament and the two NTV journalists, according to a report by the privately owned Daily Monitor newspaper. Zziwa told CPJ that he, Muwanga, and cameraman Jeff Tumwesigye were reporting live from the Pacific Hotel, where the driver had been shot, when security personnel confronted them. The security officers, whom Zziwa could not identify as belonging to any specific security agency, went after Muwanga, who was holding a camera light, and started beating him with sticks and their fists, Zziwa and Ongom, who also witnessed the incident, told CPJ. Tumwesigye, the cameraman, ran to safety, according to a report by NTV Uganda. Zziwa, who had initially tried to help Muwanga, also decided to flee to safety but ran into another group of about five security officers who beat him with sticks, slapped him, and kicked him. He told CPJ that he escaped them, running towards a nearby security van with intention of surrendering himself for arrest to avoid further assault. Zziwa said that he found his colleague, Muwanga, already detained in the vehicle. Zziwa told CPJ that military personnel operating the security van used a rope to tie him together with Muwanga and two other individuals. These soldiers confiscated their phones before driving them to two unknown locations, according to Zziwa and a statement from NTV Uganda. At around 1:00 am on August 14, they were taken to Arua central police station where they were handcuffed, and then they were driven around 250 kilometers to Gulu central police station, where they spent the night and were charged in the morning, according to these same sources. Zziwa told CPJ that he and Muwanga suffered minor injuries to their backs and heads. They were ordered to appear today at Gulu Police Station, where police extended the journalists bond to August 27 and ordered them to appear again at the station on that date, according to a copy of a document shared by Zziwa on his Twitter account. Zziwa told CPJ they have been directed to pick up their phones at Arua police station. The crew of NBS journalists was also reporting live from Pacific Hotel on the night of August 13 when security personnel assaulted their cameraman, Julius Bakabaage, beating him on his back and head with the butts of their guns, Bakabaage and Ongom told CPJ. Ongom and the third member of the NBS crew, reporter John Kibalizi, escaped by running away from the officers, according to these same sources. Ongom told CPJ that later that night, between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM, he and Kibalizi received phone calls from someone claiming to be Zziwa, the arrested NTV Uganda journalist. The caller was using Zziwas phone number and asked the journalists to bring their equipment and footage to a room at the Blue Dove Hotel in Arua. However, Ongom told CPJ that they were suspicious, since they had witnessed Zziwas arrest earlier in the evening, and did not go to the hotel room. Daily Monitor, a publication that shares a parent company with NTV Uganda, reported that Zziwas colleagues had that night received calls made from his phone by unknown people. Zziwa told CPJ he did not know about these calls. The NBS crew went back to report from Pacific Hotel on the morning of August 14 but a group of Special Forces Command officers, an elite arm of the military, were blocking the road, according to Ongom and Bakabaage. Unable to access the hotel, they started setting up their equipment at a distance from the soldiers, with the intention of reporting live. However, three of the soldiers ran towards them, threatening them with guns and telling them to stop filming, according to these same sources. All three journalists managed to get away though their equipment, including a camera and a tripod, was confiscated, Bakabaage told CPJ. They recovered the equipment from Arua central police station that evening, according to Bakabaage and Ongom. Military spokesperson Richard Karemire today told CPJ that it was regrettable that the journalists had been caught up in this fracas. He declined to discuss specific allegations of assault but said that the military would investigate any formal complaints filed with them. Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima told CPJ that journalists were not specifically targeted in Arua. He said that all issues would be looked at and sorted though he said he could not commit on whether the case against the two NTV Uganda journalists would be dropped. He did not respond to CPJs question about whether police had used Zziwas confiscated phone to call other journalists. Veteran political leader, prolific writer and former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi. He was 93. He was Prime Minister thrice in 1996 (13 days), 1998-1999 and 1999-2004 (making him first non-Congress leader to have completed full term as Prime Minister). Atal Bihari Vajpayee He was born on 25th December 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He was amongst founder members of erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh (and was its president in 1968 upon death of Deendayal Upadhyaya) which later became known as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He parliamentarian for over 47 years elected to Lok Sabha for 10 times (elected for first time in 1957 from Balrampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh) and 2 times to Rajya Sabha. During first non-Congress Government of Prime Minister Morarji Desai in Centre he had served as Minister of External Affairs. He served as PM of India between 1996 and 2004 in three non-consecutive terms viz. May 1996 (for 13 days), 19981999 (for 11 months) and 19992004. During his second term as PM, he had ordered thermonuclear tests in May 1998 which were seen as strategic masterstroke to blunt Pakistans nuclear ambitions. Some of his pet projects launched during his tenure as PM were National Highway Development Project (Golden Quadrilateral) and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. In 2009, he had retired from active politics due to health concerns. He was awarded the Indias highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 2015. His birthday is celebrated as Good Governance Day (GGD) by the Central Government since 2014 to foster awareness among the people of accountability in government. His poetry collection is released in his book Meri Ekyaavan Kavitayein (My 51 Poems). Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 4 Vote(s) - 1 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Hamburgerwagon lop guest User ID: 238494 08-17-2018 08:06 PM Post: #1 Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Advertisement https://www.lifezette.com/2018/08/first-...hristians/ First Trans Gubernatorial Nominee Makes Unbelievable Statement About Crazy Radicalized Christians Vermonts state motto is Freedom and Unity. But if Green Mountain State residents want to live up to that, they might want to take a harder look at one of their current gubernatorial candidates. Christine Hallquist, a Democrat and the countrys first major party transgender nominee, once tweeted an insinuation that radicalized Christians are a problem that Americans currently tolerate, as The Daily Caller reported. Christians are openly under attack by the government in this country. This pathetic leftist loser doesn't understand our constitution. First Trans Gubernatorial Nominee Makes Unbelievable Statement About Crazy Radicalized ChristiansVermonts state motto is Freedom and Unity. But if Green Mountain State residents want to live up to that, they might want to take a harder look at one of their current gubernatorial candidates.Christine Hallquist, a Democrat and the countrys first major party transgender nominee, once tweeted an insinuation that radicalized Christians are a problem that Americans currently tolerate, as The Daily Caller reported. Hamburgerwagon lop guest User ID: 238494 08-17-2018 08:28 PM Post: #2 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Aren't the lefty Christians (oxymoron) here concerned about this violation of your liberty? pooky Registered User User ID: 451507 08-17-2018 08:29 PM Posts: 5,979 Post: #3 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians It's gonna be a bad day when that pendelum swings the other way. Lobster Boy Registered User User ID: 176474 08-17-2018 08:31 PM Posts: 1,148 Post: #4 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians That thing is fugly inside and outside Ms Johanna Strange Registered User User ID: 451363 08-17-2018 08:32 PM Posts: 4,216 Post: #5 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Seems fair, as Christians, as a general rule, hate trans people. Damrod lop guest User ID: 455249 08-17-2018 08:32 PM Post: #6 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians That is one ugly....errr....???? So it is not ok to have faith or beliefs? This person believes they are something they clearly are not but that is perfectly ok in lefturdia land That is one ugly....errr....????So it is not ok to have faith or beliefs?This person believes they are something they clearly are not but that is perfectly ok in lefturdia land LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457263 08-17-2018 08:35 PM Post: #7 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Can you really blame it?? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 438276 08-17-2018 08:36 PM Post: #8 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians LoP Guest Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:35 PM) Can you really blame it?? yes yes Damrod lop guest User ID: 455249 08-17-2018 08:38 PM Post: #9 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:32 PM) Seems fair, as Christians, as a general rule, hate trans people. Not true... Christians are taught to love the person but to hate the sin that infects their lives. Some seem to have lost sight of that but that is what you are "supposed" to do Not true...Christians are taught to love the person but to hate the sin that infects their lives.Some seem to have lost sight of that but that is what you are "supposed" to do Hamburgerwagon lop guest User ID: 238494 08-17-2018 08:39 PM Post: #10 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:32 PM) Seems fair, as Christians, as a general rule, hate trans people. That generalization is untrue. That generalization is untrue. Ms Johanna Strange Registered User User ID: 451363 08-17-2018 08:39 PM Posts: 4,216 Post: #11 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Damrod Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:38 PM) Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:32 PM) Seems fair, as Christians, as a general rule, hate trans people. Not true... Christians are taught to love the person but to hate the sin that infects their lives. Some seem to have lost sight of that but that is what you are "supposed" to do If everyone did what they were supposed to do, we'd be living in paradise and wouldn't need governments. If everyone did what they were supposed to do, we'd be living in paradise and wouldn't need governments. Hamburgerwagon lop guest User ID: 238494 08-17-2018 08:40 PM Post: #12 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:39 PM) Damrod Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:38 PM) Not true... Christians are taught to love the person but to hate the sin that infects their lives. Some seem to have lost sight of that but that is what you are "supposed" to do If everyone did what they were supposed to do, we'd be living in paradise and wouldn't need governments. Point is, your generalization is not true. Disagreeing with a persons lifestyle choice and hating them are two different things. Point is, your generalization is not true. Disagreeing with a persons lifestyle choice and hating them are two different things. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 456634 08-17-2018 08:45 PM Post: #13 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:32 PM) Seems fair, as Christians, as a general rule, hate trans people. It's strange but as a rule here the church seems to be more trans friendly than gay friendly, and they are exploring church wide liturgical means to mark a persons gender transition.. But then, that's the churches in Northern Europe (Britain and the Nordics) for you.. the Porvoo communion tends to be a tad more open... It's strange but as a rule here the church seems to be more trans friendly than gay friendly, and they are exploring church wide liturgical means to mark a persons gender transition..But then, that's the churches in Northern Europe (Britain and the Nordics) for you.. the Porvoo communion tends to be a tad more open... Ms Johanna Strange Registered User User ID: 451363 08-17-2018 08:45 PM Posts: 4,216 Post: #14 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians Titburgerhomowagon Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:40 PM) Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-17-2018 08:39 PM) If everyone did what they were supposed to do, we'd be living in paradise and wouldn't need governments. Point is, your generalization is not true. Disagreeing with a persons lifestyle choice and hating them are two different things. Not in practice, they aren't. Not in practice, they aren't. #1 Doomologist lop guest User ID: 442359 08-17-2018 08:47 PM Post: #15 RE: Loser leftist trans-gendered Vermont Gov. candidate HATES Christians the dog even got scared and crapped himself... saw that thing on tv 2 nights ago...the dog even got scared and crapped himself... Advertisement Latest edition of Yemaya No.57, July 2018, ICSF's newsletter on gender and fisheries, published August 17,2018 | Source: ICSF Trust The International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) has released the latest edition of Yemaya, its newsletter on gender and fisheries. Yemaya No. 57, dated July 2018, features articles from Sri Lanka, India, and an analytical article on sex-segregated employment data in the recently released SOFIA 2018 (The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2018). The editorial comment stresses the lack of recognition disbars women from policies and programmes supporting livelihood development. The article on Sri Lanka show that declining levels of womens employment in the fisheries indicate the growing invisibility of womens work in the sector. The Trincomalee women fishers lack the financial and physical support required to improve their livelihood opportunities. The article on innovative boat clinics, Ships of hope, shows how the floating clinics of the Brahmaputra basin in India fulfil mission to 2.5 mn people inhabiting the islands of the river, who are marginalised, poor and vulnerable. From Sadiya to Dhubri, children, women, and the elderly crowd the boat Clinics with health queries and for general check-ups. The article, Where have all the women gone? looks at the challenges in improving the data collection and reporting and for the use of more standardised methodologies across data sets in the light of recently published SOFIA 2018. Nalini Nayak in her review article on, Womens Participation and Leadership in Fisherfolk Organizations and Collective Action in Fisheries, argues that it is a fine overview of what is written and documented about women in fisheries. This desk study by Enrique Alonso-Poblacion and Susana V. Siar identifies opportunities where women have successfully participated in organisations and how such examples could be scaled up in other situations where constraints are high. In Ockhis Wake (the title of documentary film being made by ICSF), Shibani Chaudhury describes the challenges women faces in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi and the multiple dimension of disaster preparedness that still need attention. The film, In Ockhis Wake is under production and will be made available online soon at ICSF site. A profile of Suman Singh narrates the story of how inland fisherwomen in Madhubani, India under her leadership gain greater control of their lives. The Milestones column presents the strong gender dimension of the new Costa Rica bill, General Law for the Sustainability of Small-scale, Artisanal Fisheries in the Context of Food Security, Poverty Eradication and Shared Governance. This bill highlights the role of women played in the fisheries sector and the enduring value of local traditional knowledge. The bill recognises that measures governing the small-scale, artisanal fisheries sector must be in harmony with human rights regarding women and based on the specific womens needs of each community. The What's New, Webby? column presents the findings of recent report titled, Putting Gender equality on the Seafood Industrys Agenda: Results of a Global Survey of Women in Seafood Industry by WSI. The 18-question survey covers the personal occupation and position of the respondent, his or her perception that women occupy in the seafood industry and specifically in his or her company. The survey pays attention to positive initiatives as well. The Yemaya Recommends section talks about how the video Animation on Gener Equity and Equality attempts to capture the main issues related to gender equality in small-scale fisheries. The Spanish and French versions of the animation are under preparation and will be released shortly. The current issue of the journal also carries the ever-popular cartoon strip, Yemaya Mama, from dream to reality... Yemaya No. 57, July 2018, can be accessed at:https://www.icsf.net/en/yemaya/article/EN/57.html?limitstart=0 For more, please visit www.icsf.net Tamil Nadu: A float to help fishermen stranded on the high seas by U Tejonmayam August 17,2018 | Source: The Times of India When a few experts from the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP), an inter-governmental organisation, found that a significant number of fishermen who die at sea were those resting onboard their vessels after dark, it prompted them to look for a solution. They came up with a floating device, made in Tamil Nadu, that is now helping save the lives of fishermen in four countries, including Maldives and Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal region, during calamities. The rectangular device can accommodate as many as seven fishermen at a time, allowing them to hang on nylon ropes tied all around until rescue teams arrive. We saw the floats being used by the US Coast Guard and designed our own. It is mostly meant for fishermen who are at sea for longer periods. It can be customised according to requirements, said Yugraj Singh Yadava, director of BOBP-IGO which works towards sustainable coastal fisheries development and management in the Bay of Bengal region. The organisation has India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives as members. The float, measuring 71x45 inches and made of fibre-reinforced plastic has in the centre a nylon net where an injured man can be laid. The float is unsinkable. So, a fisherman can stand on top of it to wave and catch the attention of an approaching vessel for rescue. Theres also space in the device to store some provisions, the director said. The organisation has transferred the technology to the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS) which is making the moulds at its yards in a few locations, including at Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) in Nagapattinam district, he said. After a recent demonstration to the Indian Coast Guard, fishermen and officials of the Puducherry government off the Karaikal coast, the first set of floats was distributed to all member countries of the BOBP, said Yadava. According to the International Labour Organisation, more than 24,000 fishermen die while fishing at sea every year. The number could be higher, as the estimate covers only countries that maintain a database. We found that many fishermen die when they sleep onboard a vessel at night as they do not hold on to anything. Psychological factor also plays a role, as it is dark, and they get dispersed from others, he said. Despite several schemes and programmes launched by the authorities to distribute free life jackets, fishermen find it uncomfortable while at work due to the tropical conditions. Life jackets also need to be maintained in our weather condition. Except for the nylon ropes that need to be changed periodically, the floats do not require maintenance, he said. Maldives, Sri Lanka and India: Fisheries cooperation in EEZ is an economic advantage for India, SL and Maldives by Srimal Fernando and Mizly Nizar August 17,2018 | Source: Daily FT The ocean has long been a source of economic livelihood for billions of people worldwide. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), oceans contribute $1.5 trillion annually in value-added to the overall economy. Adopting this approach to oceans and waterways, the Blue Economy portfolio is worth over three billion dollars. According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem. In the neighbouring countries of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, over 16 million people depend either directly or indirectly on marine fisheries, fish farming and inland fisheries as an economic activity. The three countries have seen a steady increase in fish production over the years. India with an annual production of about 11 million tons is currently the worlds second largest fish-producing nation according to statistics for 2017. The legal framework governing uses of the ocean by individual states was codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 and UN Fish Stocks Agreement in 1999. Accordingly each coastal states territorial sea limit is 200 nautical miles from its baseline known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The combined EEZ of the three neighbouring countries, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, could be around 3.887 million sq. km. The importance of this vast expanse of sea was emphasised during the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the Sri Lankan Parliament in November 2015 stating that: The 21st century would be determined by the currents of the Indian Ocean. Shaping its direction is a responsibility for the countries in the region. A noteworthy fisheries agreement for India is the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) signed in mid-2006 and enforced in 2012. Among Indias 14 coastal states, the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and the islands of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar take precedence in fisheries development while more than 3,400 villages rely on fisheries-related economic activity. Indias seafood exports in 2016-2017 amounted to $ 5.78 billion with its third largest destination being the European Union (EU) with a share of 16%. Hence, the EUs new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) addressing economic, social, and environmental sustainability becomes vital for two-way trade in fisheries between India and the EU. In Sri Lanka over 2.7 million fishermen from 15 coastal districts depend on fisheries for their livelihood. Operating from 25 fishing harbours, they contribute to an annual estimated fish catch of 530,920 metric tons accounting for 1.3% of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Income from fisheries exports was $ 256 million in 2017. As a strategy for fisheries development in the countrys EEZ, a Five-Year Fishery Development Plan was launched in 1979, aimed at increasing fish production, maximising employment opportunities and raising the income and living standards of fishermen. Sri Lankas fish exports faced a massive blow in 2010 when the country faced an EU ban and the removal of Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) facility. This facility allows Sri Lankan exporters duty free access to EU countries. The reversal of the ban in 2017 could help the country achieve its target of $ 1.5 billion from sea food exports in the coming four years. Another serious concern for Sri Lankas fisheries sector relates to poaching in Sri Lankan waters by Indian trawlers resorting to bottom trawling which entails scraping the seabed. Despite the 1974 and 1976 treaties demarcating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between Sri Lanka and India, Indian fishermen have been habitually transgressing this line threatening the livelihood of Sri Lankas fishing community. In Maldives the fisheries sector is a major driver of the economy contributing to seven percent of the nations GDP. With a total fish production of 48,399 metric tons in 2016, it is the second largest industry in the island nation. Fisheries have traditionally been the main occupation and major livelihood of the Maldivians spread over about 1190 islands. The ocean is thus vital for the economy and food production for small islands like Sri Lanka and the Maldives and to the coastal areas of the Indian subcontinent. It assures the livelihood of the population engaged in fisheries and aquaculture in these three nations. Marine resources have the potential to boost economic growth and wealth for these neighbouring countries sharing the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean. Hence, pursuing a strong ocean policy based on common strategic interests that might see trading jointly to enhance the fisheries sector can significantly contribute to accelerating the GDP of the three nations. As such advancing fisheries cooperation between Sri Lanka, India and Maldives could be a step in shaping the direction for regional collaboration in the Indian Ocean. Alan Levit, who immigrated to Israel in 1991, is suspected of robbing and murdering a man in Minsk in 1993; German authorities arrest him in Frankfurt due to Interpol arrest warrant; lawyer tries to bring him back to Israel to face trial, where he won't face capital punishment. An Israeli man was arrested in Germany a week ago at the request of Belarus authorities on suspicion of involvement in a murder that took place 25 years ago. The suspect, Alan Levit, 46, from Bat Yam, landed in Frankfurt with his son, where he was told there was an international arrest warrant against him issued by Interpol. Levit immigrated to Israel from Belarus in 1991. Despite that, a decade ago, investigators from Belarus arrived at his home in Israel to question him about a murder that took place in 1993 in Minsk. His lawyer, Gregory Kurziner, said the Belarusian investigators suspect Levit traveled to Belarus with a partner with whom he robbed and murdered a victim at his home. Levit denied the suspicions against him, and has not heard anything more about the investigation since. The Interpol arrest warrant notes that on March 16, 1993, a man was murdered in his apartment in Minsk after having been robbed by two people. He was found dead with 16 stab wounds on his neck and face. Kurziner told Ynet he was worried that if Levit is extradited from Germany to Belarus, he could face the death sentence, which is the maximum punishment for such on offense in Belarus. There is no statute of limitations on the murder. "The court in Germany can decide whether to extradite him. Israel doesn't turn in someone to a country that has the death penalty," the lawyer said. Kurziner turned to Israel's Foreign Ministry and the Israeli consulate in Munich for help in bringing Levit to Israel to face trial. | 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 Six men were pushed before the watching eyes of countless men, women, and children they were thieves and murders, and they were set to be executed in public. The style of execution? Beheading. One might expect such a scene from medieval England or ancient China, but this particular anecdote? Early June 2017 in Saudi Arabia. Six men publicly executed in a single day it brought the countrys death toll via capital punishment up to 44. Saudi Arabia remains one of the most prolific users of capital punishment, and it is based on a literal interpretation of Sharia law integrated into the government. Sometimes this is followed up with a crucifixion of the headless body after the execution, as was seen recently during the controversy between the Middle Eastern country and Canada when a man accused of murder was beheaded and then hung on a cross. Just behind China and Iran, Saudi Arabia takes third place in the number of death penalties carried out in the world, according to Amnesty International. In fact, they said that, Excluding China, 84% of all reported executions took place in just four countries Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Pakistan. Amnesty International also says that the proceedings [which lead to the death penalty] did not meet international fair trial standards. In 2017, they executed a recorded 146 people. There are a number of crimes in Saudi Arabia that can get someone the death penalty, though they do not always get that far. These crimes include murder, atheism, treason, rape, drug smuggling, burglary, witchcraft, and sometimes adultery this is not an all-inclusive list. Homosexuality is also taught in many places in Saudi Arabia as being punishable by death. However, the punishment for this crime can range anywhere between prison time, lashings, fines all the way up to death. In early 2017, two Pakistani transgender people were allegedly tortured and killed. This was after a police raid which wound up arresting 35 transgender people. Warning: Graphic Content Medieval and barbaric: Public beheading in Saudi Arabia The countrys history is punctuated with instances of mass executions as well. In 2016, 43 people were beheaded on accounts of terrorism, and four were shot by a firing squad. The extensive use of capital punishment has come under international criticism time and time again, not only because of the method, frequency, and charges under which they execute people (not to mention any international pushes to ban the death penalty outright) but also because of many specific cases that have come under question. Examples of this include political protesters or their notoriously vague definition of terrorism, which still warrants execution. | 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 Harshi Sudarshani, a Sunday school teacher in Negombo, and her younger brother have faced strained relationships with their friends since their father was arrested on a drug charge. The fisherman was arrested after packets of heroin were found on the boat in which he spends long periods at sea in search of tuna. Sudarshani, who joined religious leaders on an anti-drug protest with thousands of others in Negombo in February, denies her father's involvement in drug trafficking and blames the businessman owner of the boat. Her family's worries about the case increased with Sri Lanka's announcement in July that it was introducing capital punishment for persistent drug dealers. "My father is an innocent fisherman who used to go to church," says Sudarshani, who is about to move house due to the social stigma of the drug case. Sri Lanka has been on the map for years as a transit point for drugs, while concerns are growing about the use of illegal drugs, especially among children. The European Union opposes Sri Lanka's decision to introduce the death penalty for repeat drug dealers and warned that it could lose trade concessions that allow developing countries to pay fewer or no duties on their exports to the bloc. Vacancies for 2 hangmen have been advertised amid a public outcry demanding capital punishment for sexual assaults and other serious crimes apart from drug dealing. Civic rights activists oppose the government's decision to hang drug offenders. "There is no evidence in Sri Lanka or in any country that the death penalty reduces crime," says Ruki Fernando, a member of the watchdog Collective and an adviser to Inform Human Rights Documentation Center. "Crime can be best prevented or reduced through an economic-social-political system that ensures justice and all rights for all, coupled with an effective and independent criminal justice system and strict adherence to the rule of law. "In Sri Lanka, given the deficiencies of the criminal justice system including the lack of easily accessible, quality legal aid, many accused, particularly from poorer economic backgrounds, do not have access to fair trials, so the possibilities of wrongful convictions are high." Fernando says new evidence may emerge through new technology that shows wrongful convictions, but the death penalty is irreversible. In countries such as the United States, Canada and the U.K., people wrongly convicted have been released from death row or prison decades later, he says. In the U.S., for every 9 people who have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, 1 has been exonerated after being proved innocent later. The Anglican Church is opposed to the decision to hang drug dealers. "The church cannot in any way agree with the move," said Bishop Dhiloraj Canagasabey and Bishop Keerthi Fernando in a statement on July 18. "Sri Lanka halted judicial executions more than 40 years ago. Although several governments in the past have tried to reimpose the death penalty, wiser counsel has always prevailed." Capital punishment was abolished by former president S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956 but it was reintroduced following his assassination in 1959. The country decided to reinstate the death penalty in 2004 for cases of rape and drug trafficking but halted its implementation when international human rights organizations opposed the decision. The death penalty was last enforced in 1976. Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission said capital punishment is a serious human rights violation. Amnesty International said the country would damage its reputation by resuming executions after more than 40 years. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, last month clarified his earlier statement that was interpreted by some media as his support for the death penalty. He said the state should not bring back capital punishment but "criminal minds that sought to destroy social peace and harm hundreds" should not go unpunished. Pope Francis has declared the death penalty wrong in all cases because it is an attack on human dignity. Activist Fernando is clear. "The death penalty violates the right to life and is a cruel, inhuman and degrading form of punishment that must be rejected in any form, for any crime, in any circumstance," he told ucanews.com. Sri Lanka's Catholic Bishops says no to death penalty In a statement with regard to the issue of the Death Penalty, the Members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka today said that the Church teaches in the light of the Gospel that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. It said that the supreme Pontiff Holy Father Francis has approved a new revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. "Consequently the Church teaches in the light of the Gospel that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide." Therefore, the Catholic Bishops' Conference called urgent attention of family, education system, institutions, religious leaders, politicians and support of the civil society, International organizations, NGOs and INGOs and finally the Legislative, Judiciary and the Executive to take preventative and curative measures and design effective rehabilitation of victims with a supportive social system. "The recent incidents of those convicted continuing to indulge in drug dealing from within the precincts of the prisons themselves should be prevented at all costs. Stringent security measures are to be taken in this regard," the Sri Lankan Catholic Bishops said. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde : eurasiareview.com, August 15, 2018adaderana.lk, August 15, 2018 Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. 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He has to remain in prison for the death of a policeman. Omar is a member of the Independent Student Congress Party, student party of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCP). He has been accused of killing an anti-riot policeman during student protests in April 2016. The Supreme Court ordered the papers to be returned to the trial court to hear more witnesses. Omar was convicted of murder on August 29 last year, which prompted hundreds of students and SCP members to demonstrate near the court against the death sentence. On December 5, the Court of Appeal in Khartoum upheld the death sentence. "His hands and feet were shackled, and he faced the possibility of being hung," a press statement by the SCP read. In January, the student started a hunger strike in the Kober prison in Khartoum to protest the prison administration's decision to shackle him. The Supreme Court's annulment of the death penalty came after Omar had spent 30 months in Sudanese prisons. The SCP has welcomed the decision and said in a press statement to have confidence in the defence lawyers, who have volunteered to continue to defend Omar. The SCP said that the party "would work in all ways available to ensure the drop of all charges against him and his immediate release". 'Fabricated' Asim Omar was held by officers of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on 2 May last year in front of the University of Khartoum, when he joined a demonstration against the plans to sell the university buildings. After a period of incommunicado detention, Omar was handed over to the police in Khartoum who officially told him that he had been charged with "causing serious harm, but who did not inform him about the injured person, nor about the circumstances or causes of the injury". The SCP claims that the charges were fabricated. In its statement in September: "The events became suspicious after he was informed that the charge against him had become premeditated murder because he had caused the death of a policeman on 28 April. It was obvious the charges were fabricated, as that day the student did not leave his home." | 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 allafrica.com, August 15, 2018 August 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese prosecutor submitted an appeal against a five-year sentence and a fine and requested the constitutional court to reinstate a death penalty for Noura Hussein a 19-year old girl murdered her husband after a forced marriage. Last May, a court had sentenced Hussein to death by hanging, as she had been convicted for the premeditated murder of her husband, Abdel Rahman Mohamed Hammad. However in June after a campaign inside and outside Sudan, an appeal court sentenced her to five years in jail and a fine of 337500 Sudanese SDG. "The state prosecutor on Noura Husseins case has appealed to have her current sentence (....) overturned, and has filed a petition for the death penalty to be reinstated," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune by an international womens rights organization Equality Now. The move comes after the rejection of fine by Hammads family, attack on the house of Husseins family and public threats that they would kill a member of her family to revenge their son if the court maintains its refusal to hung Noura. However, rights groups and lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking unconditional freedom for Noura arguing that it was a self-defence case and she is a victim of forced marriage and marital rape. But Equality Now said Nouras legal appeal was withdrawn "under suspicious circumstances" on 8 August, pointing that a notice to withdraw the appeal had been filed by a lawyer who is not on record for Nouras case several days before. "On 5th August Noura was summoned before the vice director of the court where she confirmed the withdrawal," the statement further stressed. Noura family said they are under pressure from Hammads family which threatened them asking the father to not visit his daughter who is in Omdurman prison for women. The two families are members of Darfurs Zaghawa tribe, but the Hammads refuse to pardon Noura saying she premeditated to kill their son to marry another cousin, a claim that her family denies. Women and rights groups say Nouras case revealed the deficit on the Sudanese laws on the protection of women victims of violence and they seek a legal reform in this respect. | 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 Tallahassee, Fla., Aug 13, 2018 / 04:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic bishops of Florida have asked for continued prayers for an end to the death penalty following the stay of an inmates execution. They had previously asked Gov. Rick Scott to commute the inmates death sentence and cited Pope Francis new catechism revisions on the death penalty. Please continue to pray for victims of crime, those on death row, and for an end to the use of the death penalty, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops said Friday afternoon. Jose Antonio Jimenez, now 54 years old, was convicted of the 1992 murder of Phyllis Minas, a 63-year-old woman. He had been scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. Aug. 14. On Aug. 10 the Florida Supreme Court unanimously granted a request to grant the stay, without stating a reason, the Florida News Service reports. Jimenezs lawyer Marty McClain had requested the stay, citing several issues. These included a pending Supreme Court decision that could affect Floridas lethal injection protocol. McClain also said he had discovered that the North Miami Police Department had not previously provided to Jimenezs lawyers the 80 pages of records related to the investigation of the murder. McClain told the Florida News Service that the records include handwritten notes by investigators who interviewed Jimenez after his arrest that contradict their testimony. He contended that they show the investigators were willing to give false and/or misleading deposition testimony in order to facilitate Jimenezs conviction. Catholic prayer vigils had been scheduled across the state to pray for the victim, the aggressor, their families and society, as well as to pray for the end of the death penalty. After the stay was announced, many of these vigils were set to continue in the dioceses of St. Petersburg, Orlando, Pensacola-Tallahassee and Venice. However, organizers canceled some Catholic prayer vigils that had been scheduled in the Archdiocese of Miami and the dioceses of St. Augustine, Pensacola-Tallahassee, and Palm Beach. We pray for Ms. Minas and for consolation for her loved ones. All of us are called to stand with victims in their hurt as they seek healing and justice, Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an Aug. 9 letter. We invite people across Florida to join in this prayer. Both victims of crime and offenders are children of God and members of the same human family. Sheedy, speaking on behalf of the states Catholic bishops, said Gov. Scott has a difficult task as governor but still asked him to commute Jimenezs death sentence and all death sentences to life without possibility of parole. The letter to the governor cited Pope Francis revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty. The Florida bishops conference further commented in an Aug. 10 statement. Given the development of doctrine involving the death penalty, the Catechism of the Catholic Churchs treatment of the topic was revised earlier this month, the bishops conference said. The relevant section of the Catechism now reads the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. It calls for the Church to work with determination for its abolition worldwide, the bishops conference said. Drawing from the Catechism, Sheedy told the governor that the change reflects the growing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of great crimes and that more effective forms of detention have been developed to ensure the due protection of citizens without definitively depriving the guilty of the possibility of redemption. In addition to prayers for Minas, her family and her friends, Sheedy voiced prayers for Jimenez and all those facing execution. | 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 Mumbai: Katrina Kaif begins her journey of Bharat as she headed to Bharat today to kickstart the shoot of the Salman Khan starrer film. While the film went on floors earlier last month, Katrina Kaif begins her first schedule now. The actress posted an Instagram story announcing her departure for Malta. Katrina's Instagram photo story. Bharat recently wrapped the first schedule of the film which included action sequences and daredevil stunts with fire for both Salman Khan and Disha Patani. The first schedule included a grand circus sequence wherein Salman Khan was seen doing a bike stunt amidst a ring if fire, while Disha Patani plays a trapeze artist. The team also shot for a song choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant. Salman Khan who recently reached Malta for the second schedule of Bharat has been posting pictures and videos building the curiosity of the audience. Katrina Kaif will be reuniting with Salman Khan and director Ali Abbas Zafar after the blockbuster success of Tiger Zinda Hai. Marking the occasion of Independence day, team Bharat shared the first teaser of the film intriguing the audience for the much anticipated film. Salman will yet again treat the audience on the festive season of Eid next year with the release of Bharat. The film will feature Salman Khan sporting five different looks spanning 60 years, wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking much leaner and younger. Salman Khan will be recreating his 'Karan-Arjun' look which has created immense excitement amongst the audience. The film is set to have a character-driven story spanning across many periods. Bharat will be shot across exotic locations in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. Including stellar performers like Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Tabu and Sunil Grover, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial boasts of an ensemble cast promising power-packed performances. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Bharat' is produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series releasing Eid 2019. New Delhi: Sharing his long relationship with former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajapyee, senior BJP leader Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra on Thursday said that the veteran saffron leader describing the Babri demolition as a Black Day in Indian history was in fact a statement which was issued by party colleague Jaswant Singh on his behalf. Prof Malhotra, former deputy leader of BJP in Lok Sabha during 2004-09, told this newspaper that the statement terming Babri demolition as Black Day in Indian history was strongly opposed within the party and Mr Singh clarified that it was issued with proper consultation and permission of Vajpayee. After that particular statement issued on his behalf, Vajpayee never talked about it, Prof Malhotra added. Prof Malhotra came in close contact with Mr Vajpayee, an editor of Hindi daily Veer Arjun, in 1951 when he joined the daily as sub editor and correspondent. Talking about his acceptability across the party line, Prof Malhotra said that after 2006, Vajpayee stopped attending public functions. Then Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee approached him requesting to arrange one speech of the former Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha. Seeing the poor health condition of Mr Vajpayee, Chatterjee was ready to go against the norms of the House. Mr Chatterjee offered that former Prime Minister address the members sitting on a wheelchair from the entrance of Lok Sabha. Mr Chatterjee told me that members will enrich their knowledge by his (Vajpayee) knowledge and experience, said the BJP leader. Talking about his popularity in Pakistan, Prof Malhotra, who joined Mr Vajpayee in the inaugural Delhi-Lahore bus service, said then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said that Mr Vajpayee can now win elections even in Pakistan with a huge majority. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre the rationale and logic in demanding reservation for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs particularly when none of the states had so far collected any data to determine their backwardness and inadequacy of representation. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice Dipak Misra made this observation when the Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal appearing for Centre maintained that there was no need for identification backwardness of SC/ST, as they are perceived to be backward under the constitution. The Bench includes Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohinton Nariman, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ms. Indu Malhotra. When the CJI wanted to know whether creamy layer within the SCST could be given quota in promotions, the AG said the question whether the creamy layer within the SC, ST community should be extended the benefit of reservation in job promotions should be left to the wisdom of the President who alone has the power under Article 341 and 341 of the constitution to determine them. The AG pointed out that the two Articles empower the President to determine the castes, race, tribes etc for classification as SC,STs. While the AG insisted that there should be proportional representation for SC/STs, in promotion jobs, Justice Kurian Joseph told the AG that there should be a quantifiable data besides a clear cut bench-mark to determine who among the SC/STs should be considered for promotion. Whether the creamy layer should be excluded?, the government must address the issue Justice Kurian Joseph told the AG. The AG however, said that SC/ STs who have for centuries been subjected to discrimination are entitled to reservation in promotion as part of the affirmative action under Article 16(4)(a). The CJI said the government must clarify as what is the concept of adequacy in representation since no quantifiable data has been placed before the court on the inadequacy of representation of SC/STs in promotion posts. The CJI said, We want to know precisely what it means by adequacy? The AG said whether the communities have been adequately represented or not should be left to the discretion of the President and none else. I am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com 35,000 new high-end apartments have come to market in HCMC from 2015-2017, according to CBRE. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran High-end properties in HCMC, where prices are much lower than in major cities in neighboring countries, are attracting plenty of foreign interest. A high-end apartment in the city costs around $5,000 per square meter, but the same one in Hong Kong could cost four times, Nguyen Khanh Duy, director of residential sales at real estate service provider Savills HCMC, said. Buyers from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong last year accounted for 25 percent of transactions by foreign buyers, up from 21 percent in 2016, according to data from real estate consultancy CBRE Vietnam. Chinese buyer demand for Vietnam properties in the first quarter of 2018 was more than 300 percent higher than the first quarter of 2017, said Carrie Law, chief executive of the online Chinese real estate agency Juwai.com. The country is still lower on the preference list than Thailand or Malaysia, but demand is growing, the South China Morning Post quoted Law as saying. According to Duy, what attracts many of these buyers to the country, and HCMC in particular, is the high return on property. It is currently 5-6.5 percent in Thao Dien ward and Thu Thiem Peninsula in District 2. This is higher than in other Asian countries, where returns are only 3.7-5.2 percent, he noted. Duy said the high returns and competitive prices of high-end properties are drawing high-income Vietnamese and international buyers to the city. The demand for high-end properties has been increasing and surpassed supply, and so there is potential more of this type of development in the next three to five years, he added. A CBRE report said the high-end segment accounts for the highest proportion of new launches in the second quarter -- 54 percent. In the last three years 35,000 luxury apartments have come into the market, UK newspaper Financial Times quoted CBRE as saying. This is a major increase on 2012-14 when fewer than 10,000 units were on offer, CBRE said. The long legal saga involving Vietnams Coffee King and his wife seems destined to continue for a while longer. Dang Le Nguyen Vu, founder of Trung Nguyen Coffee, at a court on August 14. Photo by Lan Ngoc Dang Le Nguyen Vu, founder of top coffee brand Trung Nguyen, and his wife Le Hoang Diep Thao, a major shareholder in the company, are still involved in lengthy divorce proceedings. They are also involved in a dispute over child support, while Thao has asked the court to reinstate her in her positions at the group. Trung Nguyen Group (TNG) has three main shareholders, Trung Nguyen Investment Corp with a 70 percent stake, Vu with 20 percent and Thao with 10 percent. But with their direct and indirect stakes in Trung Nguyen Investment, Vu owns 62 percent and Thao 31 percent. Given this structure, Thao wants Vu to provide their children shares instead of money from his dividends as he has suggested. Thao has demanded 5 percent of his shares for each child while Vu wants to give each dividends of a 5 percent stake in the company. Last year TNG paid dividends of VND1 trillion ($43.5 million) to its shareholders, half each in cash and shares. Le Hoang Diep Thao stands next to a coffee grinder at a King Coffee launch event. Photo courtesy of Le Hoang Diep Thao's official Facebook fanpage. Thao filed for divorce in November 2015 following a legal battle between her and Vu over the right to control Trung Nguyen Instant Coffee Company JSC, a subsidiary of TNG. In April 2015 TNG had dismissed Thao from the company and its subsidiary. In a court filing, Vu, its top executive, said while she was chairwoman and general director of the instant coffee subsidiary, Thao had issued a number of documents that damaged its production and business activities. Thao rejected the claim and asked the court to reinstate her. She also wrote to the companys partners to tell them that the main cause of the damages Vu referred to was not her but the dispute between the couple. That year the gross profit of Trung Nguyen Instant Coffee Company JSC dropped by 66 percent, according to Vietnam Industry Research and Consultancy (VIRAC), which provides industry reports and analyses to both local and foreign clients. At the latest hearing Tuesday the court failed to grant divorce pending settlement of the corporate dispute between them. But, Trung Nguyen, which also operates in the franchise, tourism and retail sectors, seems to be shielded from the fallout so far. According to VIRAC, TNGs revenues and gross profit have remained steady at more than VND3.8 trillion ($165.2 million) and around VND800 billion ($34.8 million) in 2014, 2015 and 2016, a success in the face of the fierce competition in the market. Meanwhile, its total assets jumped from VND5 trillion ($217.4 million) in 2014 to nearly VND6.3 trillion ($273.9 million) in 2016. The next hearing in the divorce case is set for September. When Forbes profiled the founder of Trung Nguyen in 2012, it quoted economist Nguyen Viet Khoi as saying Dang Le Nguyen Vus was a classic zero to hero story. The 'Coffee King,' as the magazine dubbed him, started out in 1996 with a bicycle and a strong will. Ten years later Trung Nguyen Coffee was launched with a charter capital of VND1.5 trillion ($65.85 million). Twenty years later the company was raking in more than $160 million annually. Slowly but surely, corruption is being curbed in Vietnam, says Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Addressing a conference organized by the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption in Hanoi on Thursday, Trong said several serious corruption cases have been dealt with, fortifying the peoples belief in the Party and officials. He highlighted especially serious corruption cases, including MobiFones illegal acquisition of private pay TV firm Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG), a major gambling ring in the northern province of Phu Tho, the $150 million of loss to the national budget due to mismanagement in PetroVietnam and the deliberate disclosure of state secrets by real estate tycoon Phan Van Anh Vu. The cases have seen scores of high-ranking officials jailed, arrested or demoted. In the last five years, the committee has also completed the prosecution and sentencing of 500 people in 40 corruption cases, out of a total of 125 cases exposed. Fifty-six central government officials have also been disciplined between January 2016 and August 2018. In some prominent cases, Vietnam dismissed Deputy Minister of Public Security Bui Van Thanh earlier this month for violations including an overseas travel permission for the Da Nang tycoon Vu, who has been jailed for disclosing state secrets and is facing several other criminal charges. The country last month also dismissed Information Minister Tran Minh Tuan for his role in the MobiFone case. In April, former head of the national police department Phan Van Vinh was arrested for allegedly abusing his power in protecting the $420 million gambling ring busted in Phu Tho, a month after former head of the Ministry of Public Security's cyber crime department Nguyen Thanh Hoa was nabbed. The biggest fall in the country's corruption crackdown so far was the imprisonment of Dinh La Thang, who was fired from his post as Ho Chi Minh City's Party leader last year, for mismanagement when he was at the helm of PetroVietnam. Corruption is slowly being curbed and is in decline, Trong said. He said that the committee would strive to strengthen its disciplinary system, remove existing drawbacks and train its personnel towards preventing further corruption. Trongs statements echoed a Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) report in April that evaluated the country's transparency and public administrative procedures through a nationwide survey of voters. It found that control of corruption in the public sector had improved the most. Just 17 percent of respondents said they directly experienced demand for bribes when applying for land use rights certificates, down from 23 percent in 2016. It also found that bribery at public district hospitals had decreased, with just 9 percent of respondents saying they had to resort to bribes, down from 17 percent in 2016. Housing land seizures also declined, with less than 7 percent of respondents reporting them in 2017, compared to an average of 9 percent every year from 2013 onwards, the report said. The report was a collaboration between the Center for Community Support and Development studies, the Center for Research and Training of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Real-Time Analytics, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Kamal Malhotra, U.N. resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in Vietnam, had said at the release of the report: Although the direction of change is positive, much work remains to be done to fight corruption. He said that the survey results revealed both encouraging and worrying trends, especially in controlling corruption in the public sector. In a predawn raid on a downtown restaurant, Saigon police arrested dozens of drug users and sex workers. The city police officers blockaded a section of Thai Van Lung Street in District 1 in the early hours on Friday before breaking into Queen Restaurant, one of the most popular night hangouts in the city. They say they found waitresses in skimpy clothing flirting with drunken male customers and offering sexual services. Around 20 female employees were able to escape the clutches of the inspection team, police said. The suspected drug users and waitresses were taken to the police station for drug tests. A group of officers also raided a hotel on Le Lai Street in the tourist district and caught two female staff of the restaurant offering sex services to clients. The women told the police that the restaurant manager had sent them to the hotel to serve drunk customers who were charged up to VND5 million ($215) per session. The manager received VND1-2 million each session, they said. Nguyen Ngoc Huy Hoang, 39, was arrested on charges of arranging illegal sex services for customers. Restaurant manager Nguyen Ngoc Huy Hoang is alleged to have brokered sexual services for customers. Photo by VnExpress/Quoc Thang Fridays raid was part of an ongoing campaign to tighten controls over sensitive business services offered by many restaurant and bars, particularly in the tourist area. According to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Saigon has nearly 22,000 registered drug users, the highest in the country at nearly 10 percent of the total number. Drug use is banned in Vietnam, and producing and dealing in drugs are criminal offenses. Official data estimates there are 3,000 sex workers in Saigon. Female sex workers are among the three most vulnerable groups, alongside drug users and male homosexuals, to HIV/AIDS. There are around 250,000 people with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. A Polish border guard and his dog are seen in a file photo by Reuters. Twenty Vietnamese were caught earlier this month trying to enter Poland from Lithuania by truck without valid documents. Polish customs officials and border guards discovered and detained the group upon inspecting a truck in Budzisko, Gmina Szypliszki, in the countrys northeast, Poland in English reported. They were all aged 14-38, and none had any document allowing them to enter Poland. The truck's driver, a 51-year-old permanent Estonian resident, was also arrested and faces charges of assisting and organizing an illegal border crossing operation, for which he can be jailed for up to eight years. The Vietnamese detainees will be deported to Lithuania, the report said. Many illegal immigrants reportedly pay traffickers up to $15,000 to enter Poland in the hope of finding work in restaurants and markets, or to use it as an entrance to western Europe. Fishermen in Sam Son, Thanh Hoa Province, push fishing boats offshore to avoid damage from storm Bebinca. Photo by VnExpress/Le Hoang Typhoon Bebinca weakened into a tropical depression en route to Vietnams central region on Friday morning. Bebinca weakened into a tropical depression in the north central province of Thanh Hoa after lashing the region with torrential rains and gusty winds. The brunt of this was borne by the area stretching from the northern province of Nam Dinh to Thanh Hoa, according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center. As the storm weakened quickly, not much damage has been reported in Thanh Hoa, but local authorities ordered temporary power cuts in some areas to ensure safety. Sam Son Beach, one of the most-visited tourist destinations in northern Vietnam, has returned to normal. Many people spent a sleepless night waiting for the storm to hit, but luckily it has not damaged any fishing boat or house, said fisherman Le Van Thuy. While Quang Ninh Province, home to the famous Ha Long Bay, was battered by rain from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, the weather turned to cloudy and sunny in the morning. Tran Nhu Long, chairman of the Co To Island District, said everything was normal on the island. Weather experts have said that the northern delta should expect heavy rainfall of between 50-150mm over the next 24 hours. Despite the weakening storm, they have warned of high landslides and flooding risks. The northern delta and the northern highlands, including the provinces of Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai and Phu Tho, as well as the central province of Nghe An, are most vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. Flights cancelled Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet Air decided to cancel flights from Incheon to Hai Phong on Friday while Vietnam Airlines suspended two flights departing from Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong. Extra flights will be arranged for affected passengers, they said. Passengers have been advised to get updates on weather conditions and announcements from the carriers while making travel plans. This is the fourth storm to form this year in the East Sea, also known as the South China Sea. Two other storms, Yagi and Leepi, have formed in the South China Sea now. The third storm of the year, Son Tinh, which hit northern and central Vietnam last month, triggered floods and landslides that killed at least 27 people. Vietnam was struck by a record-breaking number of 16 tropical storms in 2017 that left 389 people dead or missing and injured 668 others, mostly in northern and central regions. The General Statistics Office estimated damage at around VND60 trillion ($2.64 billion), 1.5 times the previous years figure. Damrey, one of the most destructive storms last year, hit Vietnam in November and killed at least 106 people. Le Dinh Luong, accused of carrying out activities to overthrow the government, listens to the verdict during his trial at a court in Nghe An province, Vietnam, August 16, 2018. Photo by Vietnam News Agency via Reuters A provincial court Thursday found a man guilty of 'activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration.' The court in the north central Nghe An Province sentenced Le Dinh Luong, 53, to 20 years in prison and five years of probation, the Vietnam News Agency reported. The indictment said Luong was a member of Viet Tan, an organization Vietnam has classified as a terrorist group, active in Nghe An and the nearby Ha Tinh and Quang Binh Provinces. He recruited many citizens into Viet Tan through Facebook and helped develop the organization on Vietnamese territory. Luong actively followed Viet Tan's principles and worked to implement its plan to weaken and eventually overthrow the people's administration through violence, the court heard. The indictment also said that on his Facebook page, Luong expressed his support for Viet Tan and followed, published and shared many articles promoting, praising the group. Many of these articles distorted the situation in Vietnam, slandered the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as Party and State leaders, and sought to undermine national unity, it said. The articles took advantage of political, social, economic and environmental issues in the country to distort history and cause confusion and distrust of the Party and the State's leadership among the people, the indictment said. Nghe An police arrested Luong in July 2017. Under Vietnam's Penal Code, "carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration" is a crime punishable by 12-20 years in prison, life imprisonment or the death sentence for organizers, instigators and active participants, while accomplices could face 5-15 years in prison. In a similar case, a Hanoi court in April sentenced six members of Brotherhood for Democracy, an organization accused of trying to overthrow the government, to 9-15 years in prison. Sanitation worker Tong Van Thom prefers being a 'crazy' person who helps others to a normal one who doesn't. Thom straps a medicine kit and fire extinguisher to his old motorbike before heading for work. Thom is part of a cleaning service group which picks up trash on streets in District 5 starting at 9:30a.m. Seeing garbage piling up on the streets after the Vietnam War, I bought a bullock cart in 1978 to collect trash from houses for 5 coins (Vietnam money at the time) each, he said. In 2003 Thom set up a cleaning service with 174 members, all of them his unemployed friends from Ben Tre, his hometown. To this day the group contributes to keeping the city clean and its members have a regular monthly income of around VND5 million ($215) each. Thom picks up trash on Phan Van Tri Street in District 5. Besides this, Thom also drives his old motorbike around the city to help anyone who seems to be in need. People say I am crazy, he said. But I say a crazy person like me who is able to help people is better than anyone thinking they are normal. He said the thought of assisting strangers came to him after having an accident in a jungle three years ago when there was no one to help him. When asked about his medicine kit, Thom said a doctor provides him with the medicines so he can help others. One time I drove a doctor to Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital after he was injured with a sprain in a road accident. The doctor told me to come back to the hospital whenever I needed medicine. The doctor retired two years ago. That is the story of how I got the medicine kit. Inside the Thoms' medicine kit. I wish there are more people like him to make our society better, Phuong, the owner of a street food stall on Le Hong Phong Street, District 10, said. She has known Thom for 26 years, and deeply appreciates his kindness and enthusiasm. Thom is known as Mr 36 for having 36 different jobs. Though he only studied up to third grade, he says he knows a bit of everything because of attending a French vocational school, which has now become Cao Thang Technical College. He is also a craftsman who recycles the trash he collects into unique items. Thom showcases his collection. In his small two-storied house in District 12, Thom has a collection of more than 2,000 objects he made, including a singing box, a hat that allows you to listen to the music and a flower-shaped ceiling fan. He thinks his collection is now worth billions of Vietnam dong (hundreds of thousands of US dollars). Thom also has a parrot named Pig. Pig is a very good friend of mine, he said. It is a gift from a relative of mine in Germany, whom I adopted and currently studies abroad. Pig the parrot is a thank you gift he received from a relative. About 10 years ago I had some gold worth VND3.6 million ($154) and used it to help the kid go and study abroad. So this parrot is a thank-you gift for me. Thom lives with his wife, Nguyen Ngoc Dao, who is also a sanitation worker. They have three daughters. My daughters always tell me to stop working and stay home to rest. But my health will deteriorate if I stay home, and I am used to working anyway. I think we should continue to work if our body is still able to. Come September, and Vietnams THE place to go to September is the best time to visit Sa Pa to explore the beauty of golden rice terraces. Some of Vietnams tourist destinations are at their beautiful best in September, affirms an Intrepid Travel recommendation. In a guide to the most ideal destinations in September compiled by the U.K.-based travel company, Vietnam tops the list. Whilst parts of the country are delightful year-round, September is the perfect time for exploring the far north and deep south, IntrepidTravel says. Although Sa Pa up in the northern mountains has become more touristy in recent years, its still a leading haunt in September as its rice terraces turn golden yellow during the harvest season and glitter in the sunshine. Come September, and Vietnams THE place to go to Sa Pa in the clouds September weather also makes it the best time for a cruise on the world famous Ha Long Bay. Autumn is the best time to visit Vietnams capital city, Hanoi, with its soft cool breezes, the fragrance of seasonal flowers, autumnal fruits and moonlit nights. Da Lat, Vietnams holiday heaven in Vietnams Central Highlands, is another awesome place in autumn, as wild sunflowers go wildly into bloom, weaving a yellow carpet along the citys streets. Other than Vietnam, China and South Korea are the only two Asian destinations to make it into the top 10 on this September listing. The U.S. News newspaper earlier this month named Vietnam as one of 30 best solo travel destinations alongside neighbors Singapore and Thailand. Earlier this year, TripAdvisor readers ranked Vietnam as one of the 10 best places to go in the world. Vietnam plans to welcome 17-20 million foreign visitors and rake in tourism revenues of $35 billion a year by 2020, increasing the sectors contribution to the national economy to 10 percent from the current 7.5 percent. Vajpayee's life in politics spanned five decades but he only attained real power towards the twilight of his career. Photo by AFP/Douglas Curran Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died Thursday aged 93. He will be remembered for declaring India a nuclear-armed state while struggling to maintain his image as the moderate face of Hindu nationalism. A three-time premier, a poet and spellbinding orator, Vajpayee's life in politics spanned five decades but he only attained real power towards the twilight of his career. His ambition to be recognised as a statesman of international stature led him to put his political neck on the line in seeking peace with rival Pakistan. But he also brought India out of the nuclear closet with successful weapons tests in 1998 that radically upped the ante following tests deemed peaceful in 1974. Vajpayee had been in retirement since his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was defeated in 2004 elections by a resurgent Congress party. Long of ailing health, he was hospitalised in June and placed on life support in August. He died a few days later. A high-caste Brahmin, Vajpayee was born on Christmas Day in 1924 in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. He toyed with communism before opting to support Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, now parent organisation of the BJP. He was one of thousands of activists jailed after Congress prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed emergency rule in 1975, and became the BJP's founder-president in 1980, three years after his release. Vajpayee's formidable parliamentary experience earned him respect across India's political spectrum, with even diehard opponents calling him "the right man in the wrong party". "Vajpayee is not the BJP. He is an aberration," commented Indian columnist Prem Shankar Jha in 2004. His three terms as prime minister saw the beginnings of major economic progress and the first period of sustained BJP rule in India, but his legacy came to be defined through the prism of relations with arch-rival Pakistan. In 1999 he embarked on a historic bus ride to meet then-premier Nawaz Sharif in the city of Lahore, the first time an Indian prime minister had visited Pakistan in 10 years. Initially, the gamble appeared to have paid off, and Vajpayee was hailed as a visionary peacemaker. Peace to war But the goodwill was lost within months as Pakistan-backed militants came across the disputed Kashmir border, seizing Indian military posts in the icy heights of the Kargil mountains and leaving Vajpayee looking like a diplomatic naif who had been duped. However, Indian troops pushed the intruders back after the 10-week Kargil conflict which cost 1,000 lives on both sides. An election followed and the BJP traded on Vajpayee's new avatar as "Kargil victor" to return to power at the head of another coalition, marking his transition to a leader of national stature. After his party lost office, Vajpayee said peace with Pakistan would remain a "lifelong wish" for him. As premier for the third time, Vajpayee was the glue that held the coalition together; his moderate image allowing his more secular-minded allies to view him as the acceptable face of Hindu nationalism. He made another bid for peace with Pakistan, inviting President Pervez Musharraf for a summit in July 2001. But the talks collapsed and ties plunged to a new low following an attack on the Indian parliament which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India responded by massing troops on the border and both countries teetered on the edge of war. Energetic Western diplomacy defused the standoff but India vowed it would not talk to Pakistan until it ended the flow of militants into Indian-administered Kashmir. But in the final months of his government's mandate, Vajpayee again offered a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan, resulting in a slow-moving "composite peace process" that reduced frictions for a time. Vajpayee's persistent peace initiatives came despite him declaring India a nuclear-armed state in possession of advanced weapons following the 1998 tests that drew sanctions from the West. The unprecedented display of military might drastically upped tensions in South Asia and evoked patriotic fervour and a tit-for-tat response from Pakistan. Sectarian trouble Despite his image of religious moderation, Vajpayee was accused at times of failing to pen in BJP extremists. In 2002, sectarian tensions grew in the wake of a drive by Hindu radicals to build a temple at the site of a mosque razed by Hindu zealots in 1992 in the town of Ayodhya. The BJP had once been a driving force behind the temple movement that led to the mosque's destruction and Vajpayee struggled to balance secular concerns of his coalition partners against hardliners in his own party who accused him of betraying the BJP's ideological roots. Vajpayee negotiated a compromise on the Ayodhya dispute but his government was plunged into crisis by an attack on a train carrying Hindu activists. The assault, blamed on Muslims, sparked some of India's worst communal violence since independence in 1947. Officials say 1,000 people died, while independent estimates put the toll twice as high. Remarks by Vajpayee that Muslims were incapable of living in peace with other religions were seized on by the media as evidence of him showing his true Hindu nationalist colours. Some 4,500 roads in Ukraine require immediate repair road maintenance agency The official says roads that are used overtime account for 95% of the public roads in Ukraine. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter "If we're at war, there is no need to go there": minister on railway communication with Russia Omelyan said any normal cooperation with the Russian Federation is off the agenda at the time of war. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Serhii Rudkovskyi, the chairman of the board of the "High-speed Rail Lines" association, said that the project would help Ukraine to become an important transit link on the modern Silk Road by providing favorable conditions for movement of goods between China and the EU. Ukraine has unveiled a concept of a new railway project "China-Ukraine-EU (European Union)," which is aimed at unlocking Ukraine's transit potential under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. The project, which envisages a construction of a 1,100-km-long high-speed railway line in Ukraine, was presented during a roundtable in Kyiv entitled "High-speed railway and transit potential under the Belt and Road Initiative," according to Xinhua. The roundtable, which brought together officials and experts from Ukraine and other Belt and Road countries, was organized by the Ukrainian association of Belt and Road cooperation "Silk Link" and "High-speed Rail Lines" association. Serhii Rudkovskyi, the chairman of the board of the "High-speed Rail Lines" association, said that the project would help Ukraine to become an important transit link on the modern Silk Road by providing favorable conditions for movement of goods between China and the EU. Read alsoUkraine to see Hyperloop trains within five years minister "We see that there is a need for this project. Currently, about 1 million containers can be delivered annually from China to the EU and in the opposite direction per year," Rudkovskyi told Xinhua. Meanwhile, Victoria Yanovskaya, a professor at Kiev-based State University of Infrastructure and Technology, said that the planned "China-Ukraine-EU" project will contribute to the development of the Ukrainian economy. "This project means the creation of new jobs, the further integration of Ukraine into the global economy, as well as the increase in tax revenues," Yanovskaya said. According to her, the implementation of the project will help to create about 450,000 new jobs in Ukraine at the construction stage and about 70,000 jobs at the operational stage. According to an optimistic scenario, the "China-Ukraine-EU" project with an estimated cost of $23 billion could be implemented within seven years. Ukraine's central bank spends half a billion dollars to save hryvnia This week alone, from August 13 to August 17, it sold $215 million. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Guinea citizen ilegally crossed Armenia-Turkey border Russian Federal Security Service border guards in Armenia apprehended a trespasser on the Armenian-Turkish border on August 13. According to the preliminary check, the trespasser is a citizen of Guinea, born in 1993. The trespasser said he came to Tehran from Guinea for study at the university. He told that upon arriving in Tehran he told the taxi driver to tour him across the country, but the taxi driver brought him to Turkey bypassing the checkpoint. The taxi driver took his passport in the territory of Turkey, put an entry visa to Turkey on that and then returned the passport and went in an unknown direction. The Guinea man said for two days he lived in an abandoned building in Turkey, where he had the money and mobile phone stolen. In search of food, he crossed the river Araks, thereby violating the state border. He was handed over to Armenian law enforcement agencies. 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 Russia's Proxima Capital (Proxima) has notified JKX Oil & Gas Plc with assets in Ukraine and Russia about the sale of 19.97% of JKX shares to Cascade Asset Management (the Cayman Islands) of MP Vitaliy Khomutynnik and the withdrawal of its representatives from the council of directors. "We are pleased to welcome Cascade as a shareholder of the company. The board of directors is committed to active interaction with all shareholders, we look forward to creating constructive relations with Cascade," Hans Jochum Horn, the head of the board of directors of JKX, said, commenting on the change of the major shareholder in the company. JKX noted that Vladimir Tatarchuk and Vladimir Rusinov, who represented Proxima on the company's board of directors, had already left it. "There are no current plans for replacing them," the report said. As reported, in the middle of July 2018 it became known about the purchase by Cascade Investment, the beneficiary of which is co-chairman of the Vidrodzhennia parliamentary group Vitaliy Khomutynnik, of 10.04% of JKX shares and financial instruments that could be converted into another 9.88% of the shares. The largest shareholders of JKX are also Eclairs Group of Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov with 27.47% of the shares, Keyhall Holding with 11.42%, Neptune Invest & Finance Corp with 12.95%, and Interneft Ltd. with 6.6%. In Ukraine, JKX Group owns Poltava Petroleum Company. Ukraine does not rule out non-stop transit of trains to Russia The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry did not propose that the government restrict the boarding of transit trains traveling from Moldova to Russia via Ukraine, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday. "For now I can say that there are no plans to adjust routes of transit trains traveling from Moldova to Russia via the Ukrainian territory," Omelyan said. There are no restrictions on boarding these trains in Ukraine, either, he said. "However, we will be ready to impose restrictions if the situation requires so, and transit trains will be crossing Ukraine non-stop," Omelyan said. The Infrastructure Ministry has developed a package of countermeasures, including restrictions on passenger traffic to and from Russia, because of Russia's impediments to navigation in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. It hopes for their soonest approval by the Ukrainian government, Omelyan said earlier. Ostchem's plants to shut down in a week unless Ukrzaliznytsia provides wagons for shipping Ostchem's chemical plants will have to stop work in a week if state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia continues to refuse to send railcars for the shipment of their products, Ostchem's press service has told Interfax-Ukraine. "Ukrzaliznytsya stopped sending railway cars a week ago. As a result, the products are not being shipped and the plants are forced to stock their warehouses. If the wagons are not sent, in a week the warehouses of the enterprises will be completely filled and the plants will shut down," the press service said. Ostchem said the most critical situation was at its Cherkasy Azot plant and at Rivneazot, adding that the situation at its Severodonetsk Azot plant is also precarious. "If the supply of wagons does not resume, the autumn sowing campaign will be under threat. The chemical producers will stop and bear losses. Farmers are in danger of not receiving the fertilizers they need," the press service added. Each plant needs about 20 gondola cars every day. Executives from Cherkasy Azot, Rivneazot and Severodonetsk Azot have written to Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and Ukrzaliznytsia officials requesting immediate resolution of the problem. As earlier reported, the Ostchem Group consolidates the assets of Group DF (Dmytro Firtash). It includes nitrogen fertilizer production enterprises PJSC Azot (Cherkasy), PJSC Rivneazot, PJSC Severodonetsk Azot (Luhansk region) and PJSC Concern Stirol (in Russia-occupied Horlivka, Donetsk region). Russian-led forces have mounted 30 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in the past day, using heavy weapons in five instances, including Grad MLR systems, with no casualties reported, the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "The enemy opened fire on the positions of our troops 30 times, including five times with weapons, which is prohibited by Minsk agreements. There is no casualty among the personnel of the JFO," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in its update on Facebook on Friday morning. A Ukrainian court has handed down a suspended sentence to public organization Volunteers of Victory leader Olena Odnovol for illegally helping to organize presidential elections in Russia-occupied Crimea in March 2018. Odnovol will be released from prison on Friday, Russia's Ombudswoman for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova has said. "She just spoke by phone to Ukrainian Ombudswoman Liudmyla Denisova. She said that today [on Thursday] a court convicted her and gave a three-year sentence. Tomorrow she will be released from the pretrial holding facility," Moskalkova was quoted as saying. Where Odnovol will serve her suspended sentence is currently unknown, she added. On Friday morning, the press service of the Prosecutor's General's Office (PGO) of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea said Kyiv's Desniansky District Court on August 16 issued a guilty verdict "which approved the agreement on the recognition of guilt between the prosecutor with the accused, who was the founder and leader of the Crimean regional branch of the all-Russian social movement Volunteers for Victory and who helped collect of signatures in support of Putin as a candidate for the 2018 Russian presidential election. According to the verdict, Odnovol was found guilty of committing a criminal offense under Part 1, Article 110 of Ukraine's Criminal Code (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine). She was sentenced to three years and three months of imprisonment and, based on Article 75 of the Ukraine's Criminal Code of Ukraine, was released from serving the sentence in jail. Instead, she was put on probation for three years. On April 24, Ukraine's SBU Security Service agents notified Odnovol of suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 111 (high treason) of Ukraine's Criminal Code and Kherson's City Court ordered Odnovol detained as a preventive measure. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has appealed against head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAP) Nazar Kholodnytsky to the Supreme Court, the Kyiv-based Ukrayinska Pravda media outlet has said referring to director of the Bureau Artem Sytnyk. "The lawsuit was filed with the Supreme Court. And according to Sytnyk, the date for considering the claim has not been determined yet," the note published on Thursday night says. As reported, on July 26, 2018, the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors recommended Kholodnytsky be reprimanded, rather than dismissed from his post for a committed disciplinary offense. A patrol of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has come under attack by unknown persons on the northeastern outskirts of Holmivsky in an area uncontrolled by Kyiv, 49 kilometers northeast of Donetsk. The attack on an SMM patrol consisting of five SMM members and two armored vehicles happened on the morning of 16 August, the OSCE SMM said on its website on Friday. "The patrol was part of two patrols, positioned on both sides of the contact line in order for both patrols to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire for repairs of a power line by Voda Donbasa (Donbas Water) and maintenance to an SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Mayorske (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk)," the mission said. According to the mission, "three SMM patrol members were outside the vehicles and the two others were inside. "A member of the armed formations, armed with an automatic rifle, and a Voda Donbasa worker were speaking to the SMM, while two other armed members of the armed formations (also with automatic rifles) and two Voda Donbasa workers were in a van parked nearby," it said. "At 09:14, the three patrol members outside the vehicles heard an undetermined explosion approximately 500m north and another undetermined explosion about 500m south-south-east, followed by about ten shots of small-arms fire 100-150m north and north-west, two of which were assessed as flying over the heads of the three patrol members who were outside the vehicles," the mission said. "The patrol got into their vehicles immediately and left the area and later returned safely to its forward patrol base in Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk). The armed man and Voda Donbasa worker boarded the van, which departed the area," it said. "The SMM notified the Ukrainian Armed Forces side of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination and the armed formations about the incident and requested follow-up," the mission said. On Tuesday, August 21, at 09.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference titled "Saving Instead of Treatment: Why does State Risk Patients' Lives?" on how the state, without consulting with doctors, purchases generic drugs that cause rejection of the organ after a transplant operation, which subsequently leads to the death of patients. Participants will include chief of the NGO National Movement for Transplantation Yuriy Andreyev; patient, public activist Maksym Grekov; patient after heart transplantation Ksenia Schyhol and transplant physicians (the list to be confirmed) (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. Details by phone: (097) 971 1642 (Yuriy Andreyev). Iran's state TV has characterized the formation of the Iran Action Group at the US Department of State on Thursday August 16 "an aggressive policy," and IRGC-linked Fars news agency called it "the action group against Iran." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday August 16 that the State Department has formed an Iran Action Group to "direct, review and coordinate all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity." Meanwhile, DoS Senior Policy Adviser Brian Hook who chairs the group has described the group's formation as "a comprehensive approach to Iran." Stressing that "The Iran regime has been a force for instability and violence," Hook said that Pompeo announced in May a new "Iran strategy to protect Americas national security, the security of our allies and partners, and to promote a brighter future for the Iranian people. And we have taken a comprehensive approach to Iran because the scope of Iranian malign activity is so wide-ranging, from its aspirations of nuclear weapons, its support for terrorism, its cyber activity, its proliferation of ballistic missiles, and much more." " Our new strategy addresses all manifestations of the Iranian threat and the new Iran Action Group will be focused on implementing that strategy. We have an elite team of foreign affairs professionals here at the State Department and across the administration," Hook told reporters in Washington on Thursday. Some observers see the new initiative as a sign of the toughening of US policy toward Iran. While efforts to start dialogue with Iran continues, sanctions are likely to remain in force as long as Iran's behaviour has not changed. Hook said, "If the Iranian regime demonstrates a commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior, then the President is prepared to engage in dialogue in order to find solutions. But the sanctions relief, the reestablishment of full diplomatic and commercial relations with the United States, and economic cooperation with the United States can only begin after we see that the Iranian regime is serious about changing its behavior." During Thursday's briefing, reporters asked whether the US would also exert pressure on China to cut oil imports from Iran. Hook did not give a definite answer, but said, "our goal is to reduce every countrys import of Iranian oil to zero by November 4th, and we are prepared to work with countries that are reducing their imports on a case-by-case basis." Press TV, the Iranian state TV's English language rolling news service characterized the measure on its website as "an aggressive policy toward Tehran," and quoted what it called a US-based political analyst as having said that the measure carries a message, "but not for the Iranian people." Press TV quoted Don DeBar, a radio host in New York State as saying "if there was a message intended, it was for domestic consumption here, to make it appear that Trump is being tough while allowing him to strike a reasonable deal with Iran. It's the same tactic they used with North Korea. The Iranian state TV also quoted, Daniel Patrick Welch, an anti-war activist, as saying that the United States has always maintained a coterie of war planners' intent on fomenting war with Iran. Describing the measure as an "aggressive sabre-rattling", he added that China and Russia "are more determined than ever to prevent another reckless and murderous US war adventure. In the United States, the Foreign Policy described the Iran Action Group as a group that will "coordinate the Trump administrations rising political and economic pressure on Iran," in what Pompeo described as an effort to compel the regime to halt decades of violent and destabilizing behavior. Foreign Policy added that with the new appointment, Hook is expected to step down as director of policy planning, one of the most influential positions at the State Department. Hook had been appointed to the post by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Meanwhile, regional media reactions also indicate that Iran is likely to come under more pressure as the action group starts its activities. Pan-Arab TV Al-Jazeera's website quoted a US-based Iranian analyst as saying that the new policy initiative puts the US "on the path to war with Iran". The New Arab news website described the Iran Action Group as "a high-level team to focus US and international efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran." The Russian Sputnik News evaluated the measure as a sign of "further deterioration" of US relations with Iran in the wake of the US pull-out from the nuclear deal with Tehran. Forty young people have been detained at a mixed-gender night party in Birjand, the capital city of South Khorasan province, the local Prosecutor General has disclosed. The detainees are 20-30-year old, the Islamic Republics official News Agency, IRNA, cited the Prosecutor as saying. The detainees, sixteen males and 24 females, were arrested and charged with drinking and storing alcoholic beverages, as well as other social misconduct, said Ahmad Reza Arab Sheibanei. According to authorities, this was not the first time a party was held at that location. In January, the Commander of the South Khorasan State Security Forces had said that 55 men and women were arrested in a mixed gender party after decisive and timely action by his personnel. Attacking and breaking up parties were quite rife after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, but it gradually died down. However, in past three years, after the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's warning against social harms, even family parties, including wedding and birthday parties have not been immune from police and security forces intrusions. As a rule, the judiciary describes the detainees as elements of corruption, prostitution, illegal sexual relations, perversion and alcohol consumption. Iran has sent a protest note to the Georgian foreign ministry over what it says is mistreatment of some Iranian women wearing Hijab at the security check points of Tbilisi airport. Earlier, a hardline member of Majles (Iranian parliament), had criticized President Hassan Rouhanis government for not protesting the alleged incident. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi announced on Thursday, August 16, that the protest note was a response to reports that some Iranian female passengers of Tbilisi-Isfahan flights had been asked by the Tbilisi airport security to remove their Hijab headscarves on August 7. Speaking to reporters, Qassemi said after receiving the news, the Iranian ambassador to Georgia called some of the passengers to make sure of the authenticity of the reports and then sent a strongly-worded protest note to the Georgian foreign ministry and the airport security police. Furthermore, Qasemi said, the consular department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry sent another protest note to the Georgian Embassy in Tehran, asking for explanations by the ambassador about the issue. The spokesman also noted that Iran has called on relevant Georgian officials to prevent recurrence of such incidents instruct the airport security police to do their best to observe the dignity of Muslim women wearing Hijab, state-run official news agency, IRNA, reported. News outlets affiliated with hardliners in Iran widely circulated vitriolic comments made by Shahinshahrs representative to parliament, Hossein Ali Haji Deligani, on Wednesday, condemning offensive treatment of Iranian female tourists at Tbilisi airport, Georgia. Fars news agency, run by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRC), cited Haji Deligani as saying on Wednesday, Iranian female tourists were forced to remove their headscarves, shawls and manteaus [loose garments] before passing through the gate. Georgian authorities have not responded to the protest. There was an allegation also in 2017 about a similar incident in the Tbilisi airport. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 92 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said August 17. 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. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov, Leman Zeynalova - Trend: The issue of holding monitoring at the border between Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Armenia hasnt been discussed at the OSCE so far, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Trend Aug. 17. The ministry was commenting on Russias position as a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group regarding the possibility of holding monitoring in the territory not included in the conflict zone. Earlier, press secretary of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan alleged that Yerevan repeatedly applied to the office of personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office, Andrzej Kasprzyk with a proposal to conduct monitoring on the Nakhchivan section of the border with Armenia. Such appeals were caused by some provocative actions of Baku on this section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Balayan claimed. This is while holding monitoring of an Armenia-Azerbaijan border section outside the conflict zone isn't included in the OSCE mandate. Moreover, Yerevan has been claiming for over two decades that the conflict is allegedly not between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but between the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists and Azerbaijan. Proceeding from this, it isnt clear enough why the OSCE should monitor the specified section of the border and what is Yerevans interest in this regard. In order to conduct OSCE monitoring across the entire Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Yerevan must first recognize that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is essentially an Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The OSCE, in turn, also needs to clearly and unequivocally show Yerevan that the conflict is between the two countries - Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the authors on Twitter: @FDolukhanov, @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Armenia is an aggressor country, and this aggression has violated the economic and geopolitical integrity of the region, Member of Azerbaijani Parliament Hikmet Babaoglu told Trend. The Azerbaijani MP noted that this is why the South Caucasian countries, pursuing a policy that corresponds to the current realities both in the system of international relations and in terms of geostrategic interests, find it difficult to protect the common interests of the entire region. "In addition, Armenia continues its aggressive policy, moreover, it is trying to create ideological and military-political bases for the continuation of this policy. Thus, while still in power, former President Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia has taken the first step towards the creation of a "great Armenia" it has occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, and the remaining goals should be achieved by future generations," he said. "These goals mean the appropriation of the territories of the three neighboring countries. One of them is Azerbaijan, part of the territories of which has been under occupation for many years, the second is Georgia, where Armenia puts forward territorial claims to Javakheti region, and the third is Turkey, where Armenia also puts forward territorial claims to such provinces as Ardahan, Erzurum, Kars, Diyarbekir and Van. Armenia even puts forward territorial claims against Iran, in particular to the lake of Urmia," the Azerbaijani MP said. He said it is natural that in such circumstances, based on the realities and historical justice, the neighboring countries should fight together against this ideological provocation and aggressive policy of Armenia. "It is no coincidence that American analyst Joshua Kucher took a photo of a fictional "map" of "great Armenia" posted at the metro station "Republic Square" in the center of Yerevan and shared it on Twitter. On that photo, along with Azerbaijan, territorial claims are put forward against Turkey, Iran and Georgia. By displaying posters and photographs showing the direction of aggressive policies, the idea that the youth must continue this policy is inculcated into young people," said the MP. "Therefore, if we do not want the outbreak of a new war in the region in the future and if we want to protect the interests of the region, we must stop the propaganda of this aggressive policy," he said. The expert went on to add that a joint fight against this policy by four countries - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey, against which Armenia puts forward territorial claims. "By carrying out offensive diplomacy, it is necessary to ensure that the means of ideological propaganda that create the basis for this aggression are strangled inside Armenia," Babaoglu said. The Azerbaijani MP believes that for this purpose it is necessary to conduct a broad information campaign. "The reason is that the aggressor country intends to pursue further aggressive policy against other states in the region. Therefore, in order to expose this aggressive policy of Armenia, the four countries can organize joint international conferences by inviting regional and international organizations. Otherwise, as long as Armenia continues this aggressive policy, it will be impossible to protect the common interests of the region," Babaoglu said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of Indonesia, Independence Day, the president said. I believe that relations between Azerbaijan and Indonesia as well as the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our countries will continue to develop in the best interests of our peoples, he added. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Indonesia peace and prosperity. President Ilham Aliyev has also congratulated President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on the national holiday of the Republic of Gabon, Independence Day, the president said. On this remarkable day, I extend my best regards to you and wish your people peace and progress. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Armenians have from time to time, with the support of their patrons, made territorial claims to neighboring countries and have used the dirtiest methods for their implementation, presenting themselves to the world as an "unhappy", "oppressed", "beaten and crushed" nation, Editor-in-Chief of the "Iki Sahil" newspaper Vugar Rahimzade said Aug. 16 commenting on the placement of a fake map at the Republic Square metro station in the center of Yerevan, where the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran and Georgia are presented as a territory of "great Armenia". "We know that the pan-Armenian interests underlie the ethnic cleansing policy of the Dashnaks against the Turks. The policy of "search for the Fatherland", manifested in the form of aggression, has always been present in their public slogans," Rahimzade said. He noted that the inhumane actions of the Dashnaks, who lived under the illusion of a "great Armenia" committing all kinds of atrocities against Azerbaijanis, left a bloody mark in the memory of the Azerbaijani people. "As a result of the groundless territorial claims of Armenians in 1988, 20 percent of our lands were occupied, more than one million of our compatriots were expelled from their native lands. The unconstructive position of Armenia, the attempts to present their lies to the international community as the truth, as well as the material and moral support to the occupier by some states and organizations play a major role in delaying the process of settlement of the conflict," Rahimzade added. He also said the monument to the so-called Armenian genocide aims to justify the aggressive policy of the Dashnaks. "Various state officials who visit Armenia are forced under the pretext of "compliance with the protocol" to visit this monument, and thus Armenians carry out their dirty intentions for recognition of the "Armenian genocide". But, unfortunately, the world community still ignores the falsification of history, still does not make any claims to the occupier, who is grossly violating the norms and principles of international law," the expert added. "Armenia's open territorial claims to Azerbaijan, as well as to neighboring states testify to its expansionist and aggressive policy," Rahimzade added. Details added (first version posted on 10:51) Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: In connection with the death of Azerbaijani serviceman Fahmin Abilov, who died a few days ago in a military unit of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen on the basis of the courts decision against 3 suspects - post commander, ensign Elmir Khalilov, as well as the soldiers Sanan Tanriverdiyev and Rashad Arazov, the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutors Office said in a message Aug. 17. On August 8, 2018, the Karabakh Military Prosecutors Office received information from a military unit of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry that Fahmin Abilov, a soldier of this unit, committed suicide by shooting himself with the assault rifle. During the inspection of the scene of the incident, employees of the Karabakh Military Prosecutor's Office seized material evidence and took testimony of witnesses. Examination of the body was carried out at the Center for Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. A criminal case was launched into the incident in the Karabakh Military Prosecutors Office under Article 125 (bringing to suicide) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. The parents and close relatives of the deceased doubted the objectivity of the examination conducted by the Center for Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy, so the investigation on the criminal case was taken under special control by the leadership of the Prosecutor Generals Office. The investigation was further entrusted to the deputy military prosecutor. An investigation team was created, and it was sent to the military unit where the incident occurred. On August 9, experts of the Association of Forensic Medical Expertise and Pathological Anatomy of Azerbaijans Healthcare Ministry conducted a second study of the body of the deceased. It was established during the preliminary investigation that in the period of his service, soldier Fahmin Abilov was repeatedly subjected to violence and illegal actions by ensign Elmir Khalilov, as well as soldiers of this post Sanan Tanriverdiyev and Rashad Arazov. It was also established that on August 8 at 11:45 (GMT +4) the on-duty soldier Tanriverdiyev left the place of service ahead of time and didnt take his weapon. Taking advantage of this, soldier Abilov took the weapon and committed suicide. Considering that sufficient evidence was collected by the preliminary investigation, the three servicemen were brought to responsibility as defendants on the case. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received Malaysia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dato Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman in connection with completion of his diplomatic mission, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message August 17. During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the political dialogue, cooperation, and progress in the development of energy and economic ties between the two countries. The minister highly appreciated the ambassador's contribution to the development of the traditionally friendly ties between the two countries. According to the message, the ambassador expressed gratitude for the support rendered during his tenure. Mammadyarov wished the ambassador success in his further activity. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Mobile Eye Clinic and Mobile Dental Clinic, unique projects carried out by Azercell Telecom LLC, known as the initiator and supporter of various social projects, continued their activity during the hot summer months. Visiting orphanages and nursing homes on a regular basis, the dentists of Mobile Dental Clinic examined 18 children residing in a social asylum in Zabrat settlement and provided treatment, as needed. Aimed to protect the health of children, especially those residing in orphanages and deprived of parental care, Azercells Mobile Dental Clinic equipped with advanced medical facilities, is planning to continue providing free medical care to people in need of immediate care throughout the country. Mobile Eye Clinic which started its operation on the 1st of June, 2011 the International Day for Protection of Children, is one of the successful projects of Azercell. The project is aimed to examine children deprived of parental care for any sight issues and ensure their full check-up. The countrywide initiative of Azercell also covers the elderly people and low-income families. The people visiting the Clinic are examined by qualified ophthalmologists and specialists and get necessary advice on eye protection. In July, the doctors of the Clinic examined and treated 42 deprived and poor people with the organizational support of Red Crescent Society. In addition, 35 children benefited from the free aid of the Clinic at Duygu Social Rehabilitation Public Union and were provided with glasses for free, as needed. Notably, in the framework of the project since last year more than 1500 individuals were examined at Mobile Eye Clinic. For more information, please contact [email protected] The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile telecom market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory (excluding 20% of the occupied territories) and 99.8% of population of the country. Currently, 4.5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, Metro coverage, 24/7 call centre service, 7 day/week Front Office service, M2M services, one-stop-shopping approach Azercell Express offices, mobile customer services, Online Customer Care and Social Media Customer Care services, mobile e-signature service ASAN Imza etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality and wireless coverage mapping surveys by international systems, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Azercell is the only company in Azerbaijan and CIS region which has been awarded Gold Certificate of International Investors in People Standard. Details added (first version posted on 17:10) Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Weapons and ammunition have been seized from radicals in Ganja city, the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry said in a message on Aug. 17. It was previously reported that a criminal case was launched and an investigation is underway into a purposefully planned terror against the Head of the Ganja Executive Power Elmar Valiyev and the police officer Gasim Ashbazov, the murder of two police officers by a group of radicals who supported the terrorist attack and organized riots in Ganja, as well as other facts. During the ongoing investigations and operational search activities, it was established that Yunis Safarov, the perpetrator of the terror attack on July 3, who was under arrest, together with Eldar Orujov, Azer Aliyev and Mahir Azizov decided to conduct guerrilla warfare against the government bodies in order to establish Sharia law in Azerbaijan. For this purpose, they acquired a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a Makarov pistol from the presently arrested Ganja resident Hamlet Abdullayev, who passed a military training in a foreign country and arrived in Azerbaijan. However, due to the fact that it was impossible for them to carry out the criminal acts that they had planned, they returned the weapons to Hamlet Abdullayev and left the country. Hamlet Abdullayev, inclined towards religious radicalism, along with Anar Bagirov, who also shared radical religious views and was eliminated on July 21, 2018 in an armed resistance during a special operation, bought this weapon and a Margolin pistol for 500 manats from the Ganja resident Parviz Bayramov and Mahammad Azizov, who died in a car accident in 2015. After Yunis Safarov temporarily returned the weapon, Hamlet Abdullayev sold the Makarov pistol to Parviz Bayramov and the Kalashnikov assault rifle to his uncle, Ganja resident Aydin Gurbanov, while the Margolin pistol remained with Anar Bagirov. In order to locate the weapons and ammunition hidden by Aydin Gurbanov and Anar Bagirov, a search was conducted at their place of residence in Ganja. As a result, the Kalashnikov assault rifle, 56 cartridges and one magazine were found in the attic of the building where Aydin Gurbanov lived, a Margolin pistol and 47 cartridges, 132 cartridges for assault rifle, another 273 hidden cartridges for assault rifle and pistol, and eight magazines were found in the basement of the house where Anar Bagirov lived. Moreover, materials of radical religious content and 36 compact discs promoting fascism were found in the apartment. Aydin Gurbanov and Parviz Bayramov were brought to responsibility under Article 228.3 (illegally acquiring, transferring, selling, storing, transporting or carrying firearms, component parts of it, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices by an organized group) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, and a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen in their respect. Investigations and searches on the criminal case continue. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Until the end of 2018, Azerbaijan plans to send export missions to the countries of Central Europe, the trade representative of Azerbaijan in Poland Nemat Nagdaliyev told Trend. The issue is being actively discussed at bilateral level. According to the representative, the first consideration is sending export missions to Poland and Germany. "Presently, needs of the European market are being considered. We are studying the possibilities of our market and the desire of our exporters to participate in these missions. We have already had export missions to Hungary and Switzerland and we are planning to increase the export of our products to the markets of these countries," Nagdaliyev said. "Azerbaijani companies show interest in participating in European exhibitions. Particularly, their participation in the forthcoming exhibition in France is planned," Nagdaliyev noted. "An international exhibition in Paris is expected in late October, which will be attended by representatives of about ten Azerbaijani companies. Various kinds of Azerbaijani wines, cognacs and other beverages will be exhibited and almost all top brands of Azerbaijani alcohol products will be demonstrated," the trade representative said. He noted that along with alcohol, industrial products, including chemical goods and textiles, are also supplied to Poland in small quantities. "In trade with Poland, we have a large negative balance in favor of Polish imports. So we need to focus more on promoting our products not only in Poland, but also in the markets of the leading countries of Central Europe. The real statistics to date show that the volumes import in many respects exceed export. Azerbaijan mainly imports dairy products, meat, pharmaceuticals and ready-made textiles," Nagdaliyev said. Poland became the fourth largest trading partner of Azerbaijan in 2017. To date, Russia, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Germany and China are the largest trading partners of Azerbaijan. Poland is the sixth largest market in the European Union with a fast-growing economy. In 2017, the country's GDP grew by 4.6 percent and the forecast for 2018 was 3.8 percent. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend: In July 2018, some 2,586 vehicles of all types have been manufactured in Kazakhstan, which is 7.3 percent less than in June 2018, the Association of Kazakhstan Auto Business (Aqaba) said in a statement Aug. 17. The cost of products of car industry released in July is estimated at 15.53 billion tenge, the message says. At the same time, the total outcome of seven months of 2018 exceeds the same outcome in the last year by 32.3 percent (103.79 billion tenge against 78.47 billion tenge). Production volumes in units have exceeded 73.9 percent the last years indicator (17 246 against 9 918 units). In July 2018, 1 599 vehicles have been assembled in Ust-Kamenogorsk by "Asia Auto" enterprise. Some 828 pieces of vehicles have been manufactured in Kostanay, at "SaryarkaAvtoProm" LLP enterprise, "National Company "KAMAZ Engineering"" JSC factory in Kokshetau has manufactured 60 trucks, SemAZ LLP and Daewoo Bus Kazakhstan LLP factories in Semipalatinsk have shipped 5 buses and 53 trucks. Hyundai Trans Auto enterprise in Almaty has manufactured 27 units of vehicles. Sales of the vehicles assembled in Kazakhstan in the first seven months have reached 15,484 units (including exports), which is 64 percent more than in January-July last year. The market share of Kazakhstan's automotive industry has risen to 49.7 percent in July. The Lada (6 905), Hyundai (3 097), Kia (1 441), JAC (774), Ravon (552), Chevrolet (542), Skoda (319), KAMAZ (245), Hyundai Trucks (136) and Peugeot (122) brands are the top ten most popular vehicles of local manufacture according to the results of the first seven months of this year. Official exchange rate on August 17 is 360,87 KZT / USD. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: The market of fur products of Kazakhstan is coming out of the shadows thanks to the introduction of a goods marking system, the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan said in a statement. Thus, as of Aug. 13, 236,487 fur products were marked in the market of Kazakhstan. The number of players in the market of fur products registered in the marking system amounts to 942. One of the key positive effects of the introduction of the marking system was a significant "whitewashing" of the fur market, respectively, formation of a more objective image of it. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: A congress hall and a five-star 20-story Hilton hotel will be built in Tashkent within a project to construct an international business center, dubbed the Tashkent City. The hotel will have 250 rooms of five categories, Tashkent City said in a statement. At the moment, the Tashkent City administration is near to signing a franchise agreement with Hilton, which will provide the exclusive rights to use its brand. Completion of the international business center's construction has been scheduled for the end of 2019. Also the news broke today that the Turkish company Ozguven Mimarlik Inc. will build "a European boulevard" with elements of national architecture in Tashkent as part of the Tashkent City project. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia will sign an agreement to determine participation in construction of an oil pipeline to the oil refinery complex in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told Trend. The minister noted that considering intentions of the Uzbek side to build a new oil refinery complex in the Jizzakh region, a working group has been established at the level of the authorized bodies of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia. According to Bozumbayev, the working group is currently preparing a draft agreement between the governments of the three countries on cooperation in the oil sector. The minister underlined that participation of the countries in implementation of construction work of the oil pipelines will be determined after signing of the agreement. Uzbekistan commenced on construction of the new Jizzakh Oil Refinery complex worth $2.2 billion in late April 2018. In June 2017, Gas Project Development Central Asia AG (GPD, a subsidiary of Gazprom International, 40 percent) and Uzbekneftegaz JSC (60 percent) established Jizzakh Petroleum JV. Enter Engineering is the general contractor of the project. The complex is designed to process 5 million tons of oil annually, producing high-quality petroleum products. Half of the investments attracted to the Uzbek economy are in the oil and gas industry. The volume of investments in 2016 amounted to $2.99 billion, reaching $3.63 billion and by the end of 2017, $2.65 billion of which was foreign direct investment and loans. In January-May 2018, Uzbekistan produced 466,000 tons of gasoline, which is 0.6 percent more compared to the same period in 2017. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Ilkin Shafiyev Trend: Fluctuations in the Turkish liras rate wont have a tangible impact on the profitability of assets of SOCAR Turkey Enerji (a subsidiary of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in Turkey), head of external relations of SOCAR Turkey Enerji Murat Lecompte told Trend. "As far as our plants in Turkey are concerned, the situation at the Petkim petrochemical complex and the STAR refinery is different. Fifty percent of Petkim's products are exported to Germany, the US, Poland and other foreign countries. The remainder is sold in Turkey, but the prices are pegged to the current rate of the lira. It is safe to say that currency fluctuations wont create a risk for Petkim," Lecompte said. "As for the STAR refinery, the plant hasnt yet started operation and is at the construction stage. Here the decrease in the lira rate doesnt lead to any changes. Being the biggest foreign investor in Turkey, we intend to continue implementing projects and invest in the countrys economy." Since the beginning of the year, the Turkish lira fell against the US dollar by about 35 percent. On August 10, the lira updated another historic record and finished the day at 6.41 lira per US dollar, losing more than 20 percent of its cost over the day. SOCAR is represented in Turkey by its subsidiary company SOCAR Turkey Enerji. It is expected that SOCAR Turkey Enerji's consolidated turnover will reach $15 billion in 2018 and the company will become the second largest industrial company in the country with 5,000 employees and $3 billion of export potential. It aims to become the largest Turkish industrial company by 2023. The company, also acting as the owner of STAR refinery, owns a controlling stake (51 percent) in the authorized capital of the petrochemical complex Petkim, situated on the Aliaga Peninsula. Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which is a part of the large-scale energy project titled Southern Gas Corridor and implemented by Azerbaijan, passes through Turkey. The share distribution in TANAP is as follows: Southern Gas Corridor CJSC - 51 percent, SOCAR Turkey Enerji - 7 percent, Botas - 30 percent, and BP - 12 percent. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev The construction of an underground gas storage will start in Georgia which will ensure the elimination of existing imbalances between gas supply and consumption in the country and satisfy the peak consumption in winter, Georgia Today reports. The information was released by Georgias Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze on August 17. Bakhtadze said that a 150 million Euro loan agreement will be signed between Germany's Reconstruction and Development Bank and the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation which envisages the construction of the infrastructure of the underground gas storage. This project is important not only in terms of strengthening energy security, but also for stabilizing the gas supply during winter, the Prime Minister said. Georgian Economy Minister Giorgi Kobulia says implementation of the project will protect Georgia from risks. After the gas storage is constructed, the country will have gas reserves for one month and a half. This project is commercially profitable, because we can purchase the gas when it is cheaper, the minister explained. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend: Geoinnovation center under the State Committee of Uzbekistan for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre will import and use drones, the committee said in a statement Aug. 17. The relevant provision is stipulated in the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan "On changes and amendments to some decisions of the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures for the targeted and effective use of unmanned aerial vehicles of civil aviation in the sectors of the economy"". The government also allowed the temporary import of drones into Uzbekistan for the preparation of photo and video materials about the tourism potential of Uzbekistan, including the drones brought into the country by foreign creative groups. However, they must obtain permits. The State Committee for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre will gradually localize the production of drones, the document reads. Also, the committee will develop recommendations for their use, help to train operators, repair and maintain the devices. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Azerbaijan's achievements in the high technologies will be demonstrated in the Azerbaijani national pavilion at the ITU Telecom World 2018, a source in the country's telecommunications market told Trend on Aug. 17. The event will be held in Durban, South Africa, September 10-13. Azerbaijani projects (Azermarka and Aztelekom) will be exhibited at the stand 2E01, organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani delegation will be headed by Deputy Minister Elmir Velizade. ITU Telecom World is a large exhibition gathering representatives of the public sector, international and local companies in the telecommunications and information technologies sectors from around the world. The event is expected to be attended by ministers, heads of companies, industry experts, investors and others. The event's agenda is centered on debates and discussions, as well as knowledge exchange on the key areas of the industry, including innovations, mobile technologies, broadband access, satellite communications, cloud technologies and so on. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Ilham Efendiyev has been appointed deputy director general of Teleradio PA of the Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ministry of Azerbaijan, a source in the country's telecommunications market told Trend. Efendiyev earlier held the position of chief engineer at the State Administration for Radio Frequencies. Teleradio PA provides DVB-T/T2 terrestrial digital broadcasting services, DVB-S satellite broadcasting, radio and satellite communications. It also designs and operates FM radio antenna-feeder systems and TV transmitters, provides technical services for private radio and TV companies, oil companies, etc. Teleradio cooperates with well-known international vendors, such as Kvant-Efir, Vigintos Elektronika, Axcera, Tandberg, Harmonic, Harris, Rohde & Schwarz and other companies, purchasing and installing the latest TV and radio equipment. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Just within one month, more than 5,460 applications from citizens of 42 countries have been received since the launch of the system of registration and issuance of electronic entry visas in Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported. Most applications have been received from citizens of China - 1,190, the US 671 and the UK 611. The government of Uzbekistan has issued 5,025 visas and 435 applications are pending. One French citizen has received a refusal to issue an e-visa to Uzbekistan. The system can be used by citizens arriving in Uzbekistan for tourist purposes from countries for which a simplified visa procedure is established. The period of consideration of the application is two working days. The e-visa is issued for a single stay in Uzbekistan for a period of 30 days. It is valid for 90 days. E-visa is sent to the e-mail address. When passing the border, it is enough to submit a visa in a hard or soft copy. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: The Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan Nematullo Hikmatullozoda proposes to use the Russian ruble in mutual trade between Tajikistan and Russia. The minister of economic development has expressed this idea in an interview with RIA Novosti, noting that such a measure will help to avoid risks from fluctuations in other foreign currencies. He said the Russian Federation is a key trade and economic partner of Tajikistan. It accounts for more than 20% of the total foreign trade turnover of the country, including more than 32% of imports and about 3% of exports. "Given that the import supplies to the country make up the major part of the foreign trade turnover with Russia, it would be considered feasible and beneficial to carry out the settlements for these operations in Russian rubles in order to avoid risks from fluctuations in other foreign currencies," Nematullo Hikmatullozoda said. The minister said that in 1H2018, the foreign trade turnover with Russia increased by 6.6% compared to the same period last year and amounted to $469.5 million, while the volume of imports amounted to $448.5 million and increased by 3.4%, and the volume of exports amounted to $21 million and grew 3.1 times, avesta.tj wrote. The minister also said that the Russian Federation is traditionally the main importer of agricultural products from Tajikistan. More than 200 enterprises of the food industry and wholesale and retail trade of Russia have expressed readiness to conclude direct contracts with the enterprises of Tajikistan that will allow for establishing the direct, reliable and stable channel of deliveries of Tajik agricultural products to the Russian market. The main products exported from Tajikistan to Russia are cotton fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits (potatoes, onions, carrots, grapes, lemons, apricots, peaches, cherries), dried fruits, dried vegetables, nuts and rice. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Tashkent city, the Tajik Avesta news agency reported citing the Uzbek presidential press service. The two presidents signed the corresponding agreement following the talks held at the highest level at the Uzbek presidential residence. The Strategic Partnership Agreement between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan defines the objectives of establishing long-term and sustainable partnership relations, as well as strategic directions of bilateral cooperation. Mirziyoyev and Rahmon also adopted a Joint Statement of the Heads of State. In addition, 27 documents have been signed concerning cooperation in industry, standardization and certification, border crossing, recognition of documents on education, geodesy and geology, agriculture, culture and other spheres. In particular, agreements on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural-humanitarian cooperation between Surxondaryo and Khatlon, Samarkand and Sughd provinces were adopted. The two presidents expressed satisfaction with the negotiations and agreements signed, and stressed that the Strategic Partnership Agreement is the most important of them. Much can be said about major positive changes in Uzbek-Tajik relations, but the most important achievement is that our practical affairs improve the lives of millions of people, said Mirziyoyev. We will continue making every effort to fully strengthen the bridge of unbreakable friendship of our peoples. The state visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to Uzbekistan continues. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug. 17 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The Turkmen Foreign Ministry hosted a round table meeting on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Turkmenistan, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a message. The event was attended by heads of several ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), representatives of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan. One of the objectives of the event includes harmonization of the SDG indicators considering the changes proposed by the UN, the message said. The participants of the round table meeting made specific proposals for determining the frequency of information collection on SDG indicators, publication of a general collection with provisions and responsible parties for the SDG in Turkmenistan and a plan for holding meetings among the relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan with the involvement of UN agencies for the preparation of a voluntary national review, the message noted. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 Trend: The Uzbek presidential residence in Tashkent city hosted an official welcome ceremony for Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Aug. 17, the Uzbek presidential press service said in a statement. Then the talks of the two presidents in a narrow format started, according to the statement. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, having greeted Rahmon, noted the increased level of political trust between the two states, thanks to which the issues that remained relevant for many years were resolved in a short time. We consider your visit as an important political event in the new history of Uzbek-Tajik relations, Mirziyoyev said. This visit demonstrates firm commitment of our countries to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of friendship, good-neighborliness and consideration of each others interests. We have great opportunities for the full implementation of trade-economic and transport-communication potential of our countries, intensification of cultural and humanitarian exchange. We want this visit to become a truly historic one, and our agreements to serve our peoples for many years. President Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for the invitation and sincere reception, and noted that this meeting is favorable opportunity to discuss the current state and prospects for cooperation. I remember with warmth your state visit to Tajikistan in March this year, said Rahmon. That visit restored relations between our countries and gave a powerful impetus to the development of cooperation in various spheres. Thanks to your effective foreign policy, Uzbekistans authority in the international community is increasingly growing. Great changes are also taking place in your country and in the lives of your people. I think that my state visit is very important for our peoples. Thanks to the political will and efforts of the heads of state, the bilateral relations of the two countries have strengthened. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rahmon met as part of international forums, often made phone calls to each other and consistently develop bilateral ties. At the talks, the sides discussed issues of expanding cooperation in political, trade-economic, investment, energy, agriculture, water, tourism and other spheres. An agreement was reached on using additional opportunities for this, strengthening the ties between the regions, big companies and entrepreneurs, as well as intensifying cultural and humanitarian exchange. The two presidents also exchanged views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Ali Mohammadi Trend: A senior energy analyst and former Iranian deputy oil minister said Washington will be forced to grant waivers to some countries allowing them to continue importing Iranian crude when sanctions snapback in November. Oil prices will rise if the US does not grant waivers to the countries purchasing Iranian oil, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini told IRNA on August 16. Washington must do that or face the global consequences, he added. Noting that some countries in Europe and the region are traditional consumers of Iranian crude and Iran can retain them despite the returning sanctions, the analyst said Saudi Arabia cannot fill the gap and that there will be no alternative to Irans oil. On June 27, a senior US State Department official said the United States had told countries to cut all imports of Iranian oil from November and is unlikely to offer any exemptions. The US re-imposed stiff economic sanctions on Iran on Monday, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic despite statements of deep dismay from European allies, three months after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. A first set of re-imposed US sanctions affect financial transactions that involve US dollars, Irans automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals, including gold. A second batch of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank are to be re-imposed in early November. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 By Azer Ahmadbayli Trend: The United States launched an unprecedented campaign to limit the export of Iranian oil to the world markets, in order to deprive Tehran of multi-billion dollar revenues, thereby weakening the country's economy, and trying to encourage the Iranian leadership to make concessions in the nuclear agreement and in Iran's activities in the region, or even to overthrow the existing regime. But Iran has another strategic commodity, which can, potentially, provide great revenues. Why does the US remain cool about it? Iran, world's second biggest (as of end of 2017) in gas reserves, accounted for 33.2 trillion cubic meters, has been so far unable to export its strategic commodity to the worlds markets in significant quantities. Thats what we seem to be discovering within quite a long period of time. In 2017, according to BPs latest statistical review, Iran could export only about 12 bcm of its natural gas. Almost all of this amount had only one market, which is Turkey. Also, at the moment Iranian gas is exported to Iraq and Armenia in small quantities. Gas is supplied to Turkey from several countries, but the dominant is Russia, followed by Iran and Azerbaijan. Gas from other countries is a small fraction and only complements the Turkish market. In 2017, according to the report of the Turkish energy market's regulatory body, Russia exported 28.7 billion cubic meters or almost 52 percent of all gas received by Turkey. Imports from Iran amounted to 9.2 billion cubic meters, which is almost 17 percent, and from Azerbaijan 6.5 billion (almost 12 percent). Beginning of the additional 6 bcm Azerbaijani gas supplies to Turkey through the newly inaugurated TANAP pipeline within the Shah Deniz 2 project in June of this year, as well as completion of the first stage of the Turkish stream pipeline by Russia, which will deliver about 15.5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to the Turkish market by the end of 2019, will make the increase of the Iranian export to the Turkish market almost unreal. Additionally, Iran's gas is more expensive than that of Russia ($210/thousand cubic meters to Russia's $190). As to the cost of Azerbaijani gas, in the Turkish market it is set at one point lower than the average price of gas coming to Turkey from any other country. Thus, Iran will remain an important supplier of gas to Turkey's growing energy market, but it will hardly manage to increase its exports. Where else can the Islamic Republic potentially sell its strategic commodity? There are several markets existing and perspective for Iran to sell its gas. In June 2017, Iran, for the first time, began exporting gas to Iraq. The gas supplies are planned to be about 2.5 bcm per year at the initial stage and would eventually reach up to 12.8 bcm, according to Iranian officials. In 2017, Iran exported about 1.5 bcm of its gas to the neighboring country. In mid-May, Behzad Babazadeh, the National Iranian Gas Company's director for international affairs, said that the amount currently stays at 8.5-9 mcm/d and will reach 14 mcm/d next month. "Gas exports to Baghdad are progressing well and expected to reach the final volume of 30-35 mcm/d," he was quoted as saying by IRNA. Iran and Iraq have another agreement of 2015, to build a gas pipeline to the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Iranian officials said exports of up to 25 million cubic meters of gas per day to Basra will start as soon as Iraq is ready. However, latest events in Iraq show that the overall situation is strongly responsive to externalities, and security risks together with political instability can really affect any (intergovernmental) agreements. If we look to the East, well find enormous and untapped markets of Pakistan and India, where Iran's gas is just itching to be exported. Pakistan has been a cherished market for Iranian gas since 1990, when Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline concept was put on the table for the first time. Generally speaking, the IP pipeline is one of the most marketable options for Iran to export its gas. Iran completed the 900-km part of the pipeline on its territory in 2014, while Pakistan has not started the construction of its part of the pipeline yet. As it was contracted in the bilateral agreement, the pipeline would carry 8.7 bcm of gas per year at the initial stage and about 39 bcm at its maximum capacity. Despite efforts, Iran has tried for years to push the project forward, it remains anchored for a number of reasons not directly depended on Tehran. Another potential destination is Oman. Based on an agreement signed between Tehran and Muscat in 2013, Iran will export 10.2 bcm of gas per year to Oman within 15 years. A pipeline will have land and sub-sea sections. Iran plans to convert about one-third of the whole volumes into LNG at Omans LNG facilities, with further exports to the world markets. So far, the two countries are limited to the exchange of delegations and establishment of a joint committee to finalize details. Iran has one more perspective export destination on the table. It intends two options to construct a 1400-km long deep-water pipeline directly to India or do it passing through Oman. The concept has already been named MEIDP Middle East to India deep-water pipeline. The Indian side together with some European companies has carried out technical studies on the project. The pipeline is planned to transport about 12 bcm of gas annually. The project has two principal assets, which are especially of concern to Iran. One is that the three countries are well disposed towards each other and avoid political issues. The other gives a good opportunity for Iran to enter the one of the worlds most growing gas consumer markets. However, the project has so far been of slow progress, i.e. it still remains mostly on paper. At the time, there was an idea to build a pipeline leading from South Pars field towards Europe via Iraq and Syria. However, activities on the project were completely interrupted due to civil war breaking out in Syria. However, Iranian officials, sincerely or not, believe that the EU gas market is oversupplied and exporting Iranian gas to this market is not profitable in short-term perspective. There is one more serious problem in Iranian gas affairs. If we trace the development of the Iranian gas production and domestic consumption within the last 10 years well find several stable tendencies. First, there was no year when production or consumption decreased both are continuously growing. Second, the more Iran produces the equally more it consumes, at times consumption exceeding production. The difference between two figures has always been small for instance, in 2017 Iran produced 223.9 bcm of natural gas while the consumption stood at 214.4 bcm (BPs statistical review 2018). Iran is so far unable to break that vicious circle and to achieve the result when it will have enough gas to increase its exports. There is a way to solve the problem to increase production exponentially, but there comes another kind of challenge for Iran. In July 2017, Iran signed a $5 billion deal with Frances Total SA and Chinas CNPC to develop the South Pars offshore field, the worlds largest natural-gas field. It was expected that by commissioning all 24 phases of South Pars field within coming years, gas production will sharply grow. Amir Hossein Zamania, Deputy of Oil Minister said then that Iran would increase gas output to 1 bcm/d by the end of the fiscal year (ended March 20, 2018) and based on 6th National Development Plan (2017-2022), the country should export 80 bcm/y of gas, of which 50 bcm/y is projected to be delivered to neighboring countries. However, the deal with Total has failed due to the latest political events and newly re-launched US sanctions. Having lost the contract with Total, Iran again loses the pace of ramping up the export volumes from the South Pars field. Too many countries with large gas reserves are located on relatively limited area. But, for the moment, there are very few stable and payable markets for selling it. This is why many breathed with sigh of relief when Tehrans deal with Total has failed as they are afraid of losing advantage in the competition with the Islamic Republic. The conclusion is unfortunate Iran, sitting on enormous reserves of natural gas, is now unable to produce and export it in sufficient quantities earning billions for the prosperity of its people. Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire spoke by phone on Friday and discussed U.S. sanctions steps against Turkey, agreeing to act together in response to such moves, Reuters reported. The statement said that the two ministers decided to work closely to develop cooperation between Turkey and France and agreed to meet in Paris on Aug. 27. Chilean police arrested two men over bomb threats that grounded nine commercial airplanes in Chile, Peru and Argentina on Thursday, Reuters reported. A specialist organized crime unit arrested one, 29-year-old Chilean man in the northern city of Antofagasta overnight after using cellphone triangulation to locate him, police said. The man was arrested early Friday morning at his home, and his cellphone and other items were seized as evidence, Santiagos police chief, Jose Rivera Aedo, told a news conference. The man, who has not been named, was due to appear before a court in Santiago on Friday afternoon on charges of making threats of explosives contrary to national security legislation. A second, 33-year-old man, also Chilean and identified as Boris Chacon Flores, was detained at Santiago airport on Thursday afternoon after allegedly joking about a bomb in his bag to a friend as he went through security, a spokeswoman for the Santiago West prosecutor said. The man appeared in court on one charge of making a false bomb threat. There was no apparent link between the two arrested men, the spokeswoman, Maria Angelica Venegas, said in an interview. Police chief Rivera declined to say whether authorities were looking for more suspects. Hundreds of passengers and their luggage were grounded at airports around the region after threats were made toward planes operated by LATAM airlines, a major regional carrier, and Sky, a low-cost Chilean airline. Chilean President Sebastian Pinera wrote on Twitter that his government would push for punitive charges against the suspect who allegedly made the calls to make an example of him. The son of CPM Politburo Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the Enforcement Directorate wanted to him give false testimony in the money laundering case in which he was arrested. The United States is planning to impose on Turkey fresh sanctions should Turkish authorities not release the detained American Pastor that President Donald Trump qualified as a great patriot hostage. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a meeting with President Trump indicated that his department has prepared additional punishment if Turkish authorities hold on to their refusal to release Pastor Andrew Brunson, Reuters reports. Brunson has been held in Turkey for over two years over his alleged involvement in the failed coup against President Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016. The already frost diplomatic ties between Turkey and the U.S. have further compounded over the evangelists detention. The Trump administration believes Brunson is unfairly held in Turkey where he could face a 35-year prison sentence if confirmed guilty. Late last month, the Treasury Secretary slapped sanctions on Turkeys Interior and Justice Ministers over their alleged opposition to North Carolina Pastors release. Turkey in response said it would impose sanctions on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. President Trump on Thursday chided Turkeys attitude saying They have not proven to be good friends. They have a great Christian pastor there. Hes an innocent man, he added. The American President in a tweet later in the day bolstered the U.S. position as he put aside any payment by his country for the evangelist whom he described as a great patriot hostage. Hours after the death of Bharat Ratan and 10th former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday stated that the ties between the two countries continues to gain from the former leader's vision, which helped prop up expanded cooperation. In a statement provided by the US State Department, Pompeo clarified, "He recognised early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation." Pompeo asserted that Vajpayee advocated for India's progress .He also recalled a line that the former prime minister had stated at the US Congress in 2000. "We know that many Indians will reflect on Prime Minister Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian. Standing before the United States Congress in 2000, he famously characterised US-India ties as a 'natural partnership of shared endeavours," Pompeo further said. Pompeo added, "The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers." Meanwhile, King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrived in New Delhi. He will attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The 93-year-old, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)stalwart, took his last breath to met with his angles at 5.05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee ji will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon. Pakistan has mourned on the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was a great political leader. A spokesman for Pakistan's Foreign Office said that they have heard the tragic news of the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was a prominent politician who worked towards making changes in Indo-Pak relations. He was the key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. They have expressed 'heartfelt condolences' on behalf of the Government of Pakistan and to the people of Vajpayee's family and the Government of India and people. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed his condolence on the demise of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and said that his efforts towards Indo-Pak peace will always be remembered. Khan said in a statement that Vajpayee was the chief political figure of the subcontinent and his death has created a big void. He said that he sympathizes with the people of India in this hour of sadness. At the same time, journalist-turned politician Mushahid Hussain Syed said that the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee has caused an irreparable loss. He said that Vajpayee was a symbol of peace. He played an important role in improving relations between the two countries. His role in introducing the historic Lahore-Delhi bus journey in 1999 is commendable. Journalist and Bilawal Bhutto Media Advisor Omar Qureshi said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also very popular in Pakistan. He tweeted, "Despite being from the BJP, the people of Pakistan loved Atal Bihari Vajpayee and it was because he came to Lahore in a bus to improve relations with Pakistan. Also Read: Atal Bihari Vajpayee funeral Live Updates: PM Modi, Amit Shah receives Vajpayee's mortal remains at BJP office Bollywood Celebrities pay homage to the sage of the era, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Special envoys of neighbouring nations to attend Bharat Ratna Vajpayee's funeral New Delhi [India], Aug 17 (NT): India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also Pakistan are sending their special envoys to attend the funeral ceremony of Bharat Ratna former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He passed away yesterday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness at 5.05 PM as Delhi's AIIMS declared. Vajpayee ji was the country's 10th Prime Minister. He will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon. As per to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its representative to be present at Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is expected to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister. Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would be present at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart and veteran leader, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. As per the The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the country's foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali would head for New Delhi today to be present at late Vajpayee's final rites, representing the Government of Himalayan nation Nepal. In a condolence statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry also announced that AH Mahmood Ali would be leaving for New Delhi to attend at Vajpayee's funeral according to bdnews24.com reported. The 93-year-old BJP veteran took his last breath to met with his angles at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee ji was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with severe problems of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition worsoned. Vajpayee ji led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004. He was the first-ever member of the saffron party BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday following the state morning on demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee . (NT) MANHATTAN, KANSAS -- Kansas State University scientists, in collaboration with the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium, published today in the international journal Science a detailed description of the complete genome of bread wheat, the world's most widely-cultivated crop. This work will pave the way for the production of wheat varieties better adapted to climate challenges, with higher yields, enhanced nutritional quality and improved sustainability. The article is titled "Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding using a fully annotated reference genome." The research article authored by more than 200 scientists from 73 research institutions in 20 countries presents the reference genome of the bread wheat variety Chinese Spring. The DNA sequence ordered along the 21 wheat chromosomes is the highest-quality genome sequence produced to date for wheat. It is the result of 13 years of collaborative international research and the support of the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Kansas farmers and many others. "It is a dream come true for Kansas wheat farmers, who were the first to invest in the wheat genome sequencing project and were pivotal in rallying U.S. wheat farmers in support of the wheat genome sequencing project," said Bikram Gill, distinguished professor emeritus of plant pathology at Kansas State University who organized the first National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored workshop planning meeting on wheat genome sequencing in Washington, D.C., in 2003. A key crop for food security, wheat is the staple food of more than a third of the global human population and accounts for almost 20 percent of the total calories and protein consumed by humans worldwide, more than any other single food source. It also serves as an important source of vitamins and minerals. Kansas farmers grow an average of 340 million bushels of wheat each year, but acres planted to wheat have dropped dramatically over the past decade, from 10 million acres to fewer than 8 million. To meet future demands of a projected world population of 9.6 billion by 2050, wheat productivity needs to increase by 1.6 percent each year. To preserve biodiversity, water and nutrient resources, the majority of this increase has to be achieved via crop and trait improvement on land currently cultivated, rather than committing new land to cultivation. In order for farmers to dedicate these precious resources to wheat production rather than production of other crops, wheat farming must become profitable. With the reference genome sequence now completed, breeders have at their fingertips new tools to address global challenges. They will be able to more rapidly identify genes and regulatory elements underlying complex agronomic traits such as yield, grain quality, resistance to fungal diseases and tolerance to physical stress -- and produce hardier wheat varieties. "Completion of the sequence is a landmark event that will serve as a critical foundation for future wheat improvement," said Allan Fritz, Kansas State University professor of agronomy and wheat breeder. "It is the key to allowing efficient, real-time integration of relevant genetics, making the selection process more efficient -- it's a turbocharger for wheat breeding." It is expected that the availability of a high-quality reference genome sequence will boost wheat improvement over the next decades, with benefits similar to those observed with maize and rice after their reference sequences were produced. "Kansas wheat farmers have been supporting the wheat genome sequencing efforts through the Kansas Wheat Commission's wheat assessment since the establishment of the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium in 2005, with a cumulative amount of nearly a quarter of a million dollars," said Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer for Kansas Wheat. "The sequence of the bread wheat genome has already had a positive effect on wheat improvement, which not only affects the science behind wheat breeding, but has a long-lasting positive outcome in regard to wheat producer productivity, profitability and, ultimately, livelihoods." Sequencing the bread wheat genome was long considered an impossible task because of its enormous size -- five times larger than the human genome -- and complexity -- bread wheat has three sub-genomes and more than 85 percent of the genome is composed of repeated elements. "It is exciting to be a part of this landmark achievement," said Jesse Poland, associate professor at Kansas State University and director of the Wheat Genetics Resource Center and the U.S. Agency for International Development Innovation Lab for Applied Wheat Genomics. "This international effort, toward something that was once deemed impossible, will have tremendous impact on wheat in Kansas, and the world." The impact of the wheat reference sequence has already been significant in the scientific community, as exemplified by the publication on the same date of six additional publications describing and using the reference sequence resource, one appearing in the same issue of Science, one in Science Advances and four in Genome Biology. In addition, more than 100 publications crediting the reference sequence have been published since the resource was made available to the scientific community in January 2017. "We are extensively using the new reference sequence for more informed molecular breeding," Poland said. "It is really having a big impact." In addition to the sequence of the 21 chromosomes, the Science article also presents the precise location of 107,891 genes and of more than 4 million molecular markers, as well as sequence information between the genes and markers containing the regulatory elements influencing the expression of genes. The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium achieved this result by combining the resources it generated over the last 13 years using classic physical mapping methods and the most recent DNA sequencing technologies; the sequence data were assembled and ordered along the 21 chromosomes using highly efficient algorithms, and genes were identified with dedicated software programs. All consortium reference sequence resources are publicly available at its data repository at URGI-INRA Versailles and at other international scientific databases such as GrainGenes and Ensembl Plants. The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium, with 2,400 members in 68 countries, is an international, collaborative consortium, established in 2005 by a group of wheat growers, plant scientists, and public and private breeders. The goal of the consortium is to make a high-quality genome sequence of bread wheat publicly available, in order to lay a foundation for basic research that will enable breeders to develop improved varieties. ### binance cryptocurrency exchange Binance, the worlds leading cryptocurrency exchange by volume, has partnered with Liechtenstein Cryptoassets Exchange (LCX) to create and launch a cryptocurrency trading platform that allows users to trade directly against fiat currencies such as the euro. The Malta company announced Binance LCX as the forefront of their trading operations in the Central European economy. This newly established joint venture will allow cryptocurrency users to trade their crypto-assets for Swiss francs (CHF) and euros (EUR). Binance will be overseeing operations and management of the technology platform, while its unification with LCX will be responsible for managing customer support and regulatory compliance. Just over a year ago, Binance did not exist. It wasnt until the end of July 2017 when the Binance ICO gave the firm its first presence in a competitive trading market. The companys ability to handle larger volumes and its choice of being bankless had put it on the top ten crypto exchanges list at an early stage. Binance now leads the list and has recorded 85 percent ICO returns for its token sale participants already. I believe Binance LCX will create a sustainable and reliable fiat-crypto gateway for professional and regular investors alike, said a confident Changpeng Zao, CEO and founder of Binance. I hope Binance LCX will drive new standards for usability and compliance for the blockchain industry, and we are very excited to bring the relevant experience and best practices to grow our team at Liechtenstein. liechtenstein bitcoin cryptocurrency LCX, as an individual organization, is an exchange made for professional investors offering crypto custody, an advanced trading platform for security tokens and other crypto assets. The company hasnt released its whitepaper, but it appears well-backed, should the sheer presence of some high-profile names, including Wikipedias Founder Jimmy Wales, in its advisory list be considered. Story continues LCX is reportedly looking to obtain a MiFID II license in line with the Liechtenstein Banking Act. The exchange will also be applying for permits under the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act, a holistic initiative by the Government of Liechtenstein to build legal security for cryptocurrency and blockchain businesses. The Binance LCX partnership has attracted support from Adrian Haslet, the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, indicating strong political and regulatory backing for this initiative. Haslet said: We welcome Binance LCX to Liechtenstein. Blockchain technologies are laying the basis for an entirely new industry. We are confident that Liechtensteins existing and future legal framework and practice provide a robust foundation for the Binance LCX and other Blockchain companies to provide exceptional services here in Liechtenstein. The Binance token value (BNB/USD), as of the time of writing, had risen approximately four percent on the news. Featured Image from Shutterstock The post Binance, LCX Collaborate to Launch Fiat-to-Cryptocurrency Exchange in Liechtenstein appeared first on CCN. An artists concept shows Millenniums Aquila satellite in orbit. (Millennium Space Systems Illustration) Boeing says itll expand its already-strong satellite portfolio with the acquisition of Millennium Space Systems, a California-based venture that specializes in small satellites for national security customers. Founded in 2001, Millennium had its first satellite, the 200-kilogram (440-pound) Rapid Pathfinder Prototype, launched in 2011 for the National Reconnaissance Offices NROL-66 mission. Millennium says it provided more than six years of operations for three classified payloads. The privately held company was awarded a U.S. Air Force contract for a geosynchronous satellite system, based on its Aquila platform. It also won backing from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for a class of small satellites that can be built in 90 days for less than $500,000. The first satellite in that class, Altair Pathfinder, was deployed into orbit from the International Space Station last year. Millennium Space Systems expertise in vertically integrated small-satellite solutions perfectly complements Boeings existing satellite portfolio, and will allow us to meet the needs of a diverse customer set, Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said today in a news release. We look forward to incorporating Millennium Space Systems end-to-end mission solution capabilities into our service offerings in satellite operations and data solutions, Caret said. Millennium CEO Stan Dubyn said he was proud of the accomplishments of his team, which currently takes in about 260 employees. By combining our tools, talent, technologies and culture, well be able to do even more incredible things as part of Boeing, Dubyn said. The acquisition is subject to the customary conditions and is expected to close by the end of September. Once the deal closes, Millennium will become a Boeing subsidiary, operating under its current business model and reporting to Mark Cherry, the vice president and general manager of Boeing Phantom Works. Story continues Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Boeing said the transaction will have no impact on the companys 2018 financial guidance or its commitment to returning free cash flow to shareholders. Boeing has manufactured satellites for a wide spectrum of applications ranging from GPS satellites and military communication networks, to the TDRS satellites for NASAs space shuttle and space station programs, to commercial telecom satellites for customers including ViaSat, Intelsat, DirecTV and SiriusXM. More from GeekWire: Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 800 Flickr/Byeangel Xiamen Airlines Flight MF8667 crash-landed at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines on Thursday night. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the side of the runway after landing in bad weather. None of the 165 people on board were seriously injured. The plane was at the end of a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Xiamen, southern China, when the incident occurred. Tracking data indicated the crew had aborted an earlier landing attempt. A Xiamen Airlines jet crashed while landing at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday night. "On August 16, 2018, Xiamen Airlines Flight MF8667 from Xiamen to Manila experienced a runway excursion while landing at Manila Airport at 23:55 Beijing time," Xiamen Airlines said in a statement posted on Chinese social media. "The crew immediately initiated emergency evacuation procedures." There were no serious injuries among the 157 passengers and eight crew on board. Four people suffered "superficial scratches" while evacuating the plane, Channel News Asia reported. The Boeing 737-800 had landed on its second attempt before skidding off the runway and having its left engine ripped off, Channel News Asia reported, citing Ninoy Aquino airport general manager Ed Monreal. Tracking data provided by FlightAware.com indicated the crew attempted to land 15 minutes before the incident but decided to abort and try again. Photos of the scene show the Boeing jet sitting not far from the airport's perimeter fence. The aircraft was leaning to the left as a result of the missing engine. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1030277625388756992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw LOOK: Parts of the Xiamen Air aircraft lie in pieces at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. All passengers and crew are reported safe, but one of the plane's engines had broken off during the landing #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/iCWv4PnQcY According to the Aviation Safety Network, the incident occurred as the jet attempted to land in heavy thunderstorms. Story continues The plane was at the end of a two-and-a-half hour flight from Xiamen, southern China, when the incident took place. The airport said it has shut multiple runways to recover the damage. Dozens of flights have been cancelled. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1030166071691669504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Xiamen Airlines B737-800 (B-5498) received unknown damage when it overran runway 24 (lengh 3410 m) at Manila-Intl Airport (RPLL), Philippines. Darkness and rainy conditions prevailed at the time. Flight #MF8667 came from Xiamen. No injuries reported. https://t.co/n4slDQsNIp pic.twitter.com/snpPi9QENC Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1030171746433826816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw A video clip uploaded by a Weibo user @ shows the moment inside the Xiamen Airlines plane when it crash-landed at the Manila airport. #XiamenAirlines #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/GxVjRqXSTa Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1030169768362483714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Philippine weather satellite image at 23:50 LT, five minutes before Xiamen Airlines #MF8667 went off the runway on landing in rain at Manila Airport. pic.twitter.com/9zGnLYlPhu See Also: FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content! Teri Longacre, MD, professor of pathology, was appointed the Richard L. Kempson, MD, Professor of Surgical Pathology, effective June 14. Her research and clinical interests include gynecological and gastrointestinal pathology, with a specialty in hereditary cancer syndromes. The professorship was established in 2002. Kempson is an emeritus professor of pathology who specialized in gynecological pathology and co-founded the surgical pathology laboratory at Stanford Hospital. Delta's (DAL) deal with Kenya Airways is a positive move, which facilitates travel between the United States and Kenya. In a customer-friendly move, Delta Air Lines DAL entered into a bilateral codeshare agreement with the Nairobi-based Kenya Airways. The deal is aimed at facilitating travel between the United States and Kenya. Passengers will enjoy a one-stop seamless travel experience from the United States as a result of the codeshare partnership. The deal allows Delta to place its code on Kenyan carriers flights from Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Accra to Nairobi. Also, Kenya Airways flights to more than 10 key African destinations, including Addis Ababa, Maputo and Johannesburg and Djibouti City have Deltas code. Notably, a codeshare deal allows sharing of flights, which implies that a passenger has the free will to avail any flight operated by either of the companies under the agreement, irrespective of the flight number. We note that Delta and Kenya Airways Africas leading carrier are no strangers to each other as both are members of the SkyTeam alliance. They already have a frequent flyer partnership, under which, frequent flyers can earn and redeem miles on both carriers. In fact, the latest codeshare deal is in line with Deltas motive to expand its international operations as it allows the Atlanta, GA-based carrier to expand its African footprint, where it has been serving since 2006. The association with a major player like Delta is beneficial for Kenya Airways as well, which has been struggling on the financial front. We note that Kenya Airways aims to start operating direct flights to New York later this year. Zacks Rank & Key Picks Delta carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Transportation sector are SkyWest, Inc. SKYW, GATX Corporation GATX and Trinity Industries, Inc. TRN. While SkyWest and Trinity sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), GATX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Story continues Shares of SkyWest, GATX and Trinity have rallied more than 76%, 34% and 28%, respectively, in a year. Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars? Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW) : Free Stock Analysis Report Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report GATX Corporation (GATX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Welcome to ETF Of The Week, a designation given to the most newsworthy or notable fund of the past seven days. Nothing particularly remarkable happened in Canadian equities this week that would cause the JPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF (BBCA) to land in our ETF of the Week spot. And yet here we are. BBCA made headlines this week following one-day net asset inflows of more than $750 million. Thats a 300%-plus jump in total assets in a single day for a fund that came to market less than two weeks ago. If this feels a little bit like deja vu, its because it is. The creations most likely came from BBCAs own issuer, J.P. Morgan, which has been pulling money from competing ETFs and pouring it into its new-to-market proprietary funds in an aggressive move to grow its ETF business. Earlier this summer, we saw this same story play out when the JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) became the second-fastest ETF to reach $1 billion in assets thanks largely to J. P. Morgans asset-pull from the competing iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)money that landed into BBJP. As ETF.coms Managing Director Dave Nadig put it, this is an industry lesson on how to build an ETF from the ground up. In J.P. Morgans case, ETF asset growth has come by leveraging its own institution. BBCAs asset infusion is most likely coming from the $2.9 billion iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC), a 22-year-old veteran fund in which J.P. Morgan is a lead investor. Almost Identical Both BBCA and EWC are index-tracking strategies that focus on Canadas large- and midcap stocks, the first with a portfolio comprising 94 holdings, the latter investing in 93 stocks. The portfolios, both largely excluding small-cap stocks, are nearly identical. Look at a comparison of each ETFs top holdings: For a larger view, please click on the image above. Sources: ETF.com, FactSet data For a larger view, please click on the image above. One big difference is that BBCA, tied to a Morningstar benchmark, is far cheaper, costing only 0.19% in expense ratio. Thats less than half of EWCs price tag of 0.49%, or $19 per $10,000 invested versus $49 per $10,000 invested. Story continues BBCA is one of eight ETFs on the market focused on Canada, and now the second largest by assets. The fund is part of J.P. Morgan's BetaBuilders lineup of five funds known for their low-cost market-cap-weighted approaches. J.P. Morgan, which really began pushing into the ETF market in 2016aside from the 2009 listing of the J.P. Morgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJ)today has some 29 ETFs with more than $11 billion in combined assets. Contact Cinthia Murphy at cmurphy@etf.com Research All ETFs Related to This Story Permalink | Copyright 2018 ETF.com. All rights reserved Matteo Salvini, Italys deputy prime minister, suggested EU rules contributed to the Genoa bridge collapse (Getty) The EU has hit back at Italys populist government over suggestions its policies are to blame for the Genoa bridge collapse. The European Commissions daily press conference began with a detailed rebuttal to claims made by Matteo Salvini, Italys far-right interior minister, that EU spending constraints had contributed to the tragedy in which 39 people died. Spokesman Christian Spahr said the Commission, the EUs executive, had remained silent until now in respect of the terrible nature of the things that happened. But he added we think the time has come to make a few things clear and pointed out: Italy has been allocated 2.5bn in EU funds for infrastructure investment between 2014 and 2019 The Commission approved 8.5bn worth of state aid for Italian motorways improvements, including in the Genoa region. The EUs country specific recommendations published in May called on Italy to better target investment to foster infrastructural development. Spahr said: For the record, under the agreed fiscal rules, member states are free to set specific policy priorities. For instance, the development and maintenance of infrastructure. In fact, the EU has encouraged investment in infrastructure in Italy. A lorry abandoned on the remaining section of the 50-year-old bridge that collapsed on Tuesday (Getty) The Commission was responding to comments made by Salvini, the leader of the eurosceptic Northern League party and now Italys highest profile politician, during a visit to Genoa on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at the scene of the tragedy, Salvini didnt point the finger directly at Brussels but strongly implied its policies had played a role. There are so many schools, hospitals, railways, rivers, and motorways that need maintenance, but often were told we cant spend money due to European constraints on our budget, which take our deficit and our GDP into account, amongst other things, he said. As a result, I think our next economic move must be centered around the safety of Italians, their right to life, work, and their health. With all due respect, only when those factors have been taken into account should constraints be considered. Story continues The Italian government has also singled out the company which operates the bridge, Autostrade per lItalia, for blame. Shares in the company have since fallen by around 22%. Shares in other Italian toll road companies also fell as Italian deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio suggested the government could strip private firms of contracts to run motorways in light of the accident. Its not possible that someone pays a toll to die, Di Maio said. Those who were supposed to do the maintenance work did not do it properly. That bridge should have been closed before this tragedy happened. The profits that these companies make as monopolies anger many people a lot of money should have been invested in security, but instead it went towards dividends. Emergency services are still searching the rubble in an operation that could continue for the next 48 hours, but they are not hopeful of finding any survivors. Only two per cent of venture capitalist investment goes to female led companies. Its shocking to me that in 2018, I am still labeled as a female founder and not just a founder, says Stephany Lapierre, founder and CEO of Tealbook. A recent study reveals that only two per cent of venture capitalist investment goes to female led companies. As women we always have to show more milestones but I see men repetitively acquire funding just by pitching ideas and that makes me wonder if its just because of a lack of women doing it, says Lapierre. If theres not enough of us doing it, how to we inspire change? Yahoo Canada Finance spoke to six different female founders across industries ranging from food to geological mining, in an attempt to better understand the roadblocks faced by women in Canadian business. Notably, all of them unanimously claim that we are at a tipping point and it is a great time to start a business as a woman. When you see other women succeed in business, it inspires you to do the same. says Leila Keshavjee, founder of popsicle company Happy Pops, who is also set to appear on season 13 of CBCs Dragons Den. While she found strong support with individual investors, she says that the big banks are very discouraging when it comes to young female entrepreneurs. Irrespective of the exponential growth of my business and excellent credit, the bank refused a credit limit higher than a $1,000, which was the same as what I was getting on my credit card as a student. Story continues Monika Jaroszonek, CEO and Co-founder of real estate development firm Ratio City, says that there is a misconception of requiring a tech background, which may stop many from starting out. There is a lot of opportunity for people with diverse backgrounds. With more publicity and the #MoveTheDial movement, it is only getting better for us. #MoveTheDial is a Toronto based organization that aims to increase participation of women in the tech industry to eliminate gender disparity. Additionally, Jaroszonek who is also part of the Women Founders Program at business incubator Ryerson DMZ finds Canadian investors are much more risk averse. There is a certain Canadian conservatism out there. American investors are willing to take bigger risk without wanting to see a demonstrated traction. Mayrose Salvador, Co-founder of educational organization Pueblo Science feels that lack of peer mentorship is an additional roadblock. We could use more support and mentorship from other female entrepreneurs. For some founders, the bias doesnt end at the funding stage. Shelby Yee, CEO and Co-founder of geotechnical mapping company RockMass Tech says that she has experienced bias at an operational level. In business meetings she finds industry professionals asking her male co-founder the technical questions. When that happens, I tend to jump in and answer the question anyways, so that the next time they feel encouraged to ask me. Karen Lau, founder of home furnishing company Furnishr finds the main reason holding back female entrepreneurs from entering the start up space to be self-doubt which rises from the way that women are raised culturally. We disqualify ourselves so much quicker than men to. Lau also cites her anecdotal evidence in saying that It is easier for men to bond with male investors. With two-thirds of VC investment committees being controlled by men, this could be an additional challenge and also why majority of the female-led start ups are also funded by female venture capitalists. But male investors and entrepreneurs are also needed to find a solution to the problem. David Souaid, President of Evolocity Financial Group, encourages more women to pursue entrepreneurship by providing a grant in collaboration with Startup Canada. I am a father of three daughters and for me, leveling the playing field is really important and helping fuel that with funding is a great way to move forward, says Souaid. According to Michelle McBane, director of the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, a strong business model and confidence in the idea can help overcome bias. All [of our] investments are measured based on criteria. We look at the Four Ts- Teams, Traction, Timing and Technology. The only gender bias at that point will be an unconscious one. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Tax software maker Avalara Inc (NYSE: AVLR) made an initial public offering of 7.5 million shares at $24 each, with the shares priced on June 15. The Analyst Goldman Sachs analyst Jesse Hulsing upgraded Avalara from Neutral to Buy and maintained a 12-month price target of $45, suggesting 30-percent upside. The Thesis Avalara shares have underperformed Goldman's coverage significantly after the IPO, Hulsing said in a Wednesday note. (See the analyst's track record here.) The weakness in the stock has created an opportunity to own what the analyst said is "the category winner in Avalara is compelling due to its strong secular tailwind from e-commerce growth, a lack of clear competitive threats and a potential regulatory catalyst following the recent South Dakota vs. Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) Supreme Court ruling, Hulsing said. These factors could help the company a SaaS provider of software to automate the calculation, collection and remittance of transaction taxes to sustain 20-percent-plus growth through 2020, according to Goldman Sachs. "We view this growth profile as durable due to AVLR's large TAM (we estimate $10 billion) and lack of a clear competitive threat," Hulsing said. The analyst forecast long-term margins trending at over 20 percent due to high gross retention. Hulsing said he expects Avalara to be free cash flow positive in 2019. The Price Action Avalara shares were rallying 12.89 percent to $39.14 at the time of publication Thursday. Related Links: Should Investors Buy The Dip In Dropbox? 4 Analysts Weigh In BofA: Atlassian's 'Best-Of-Breed Business Model' Overshadowed By Fair Valuation Latest Ratings for AVLR Aug 2018 Goldman Sachs Upgrades Neutral Buy Jul 2018 Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On Neutral Jul 2018 JP Morgan Initiates Coverage On Neutral View More Analyst Ratings for AVLR View the Latest Analyst Ratings See more from Benzinga 2018 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. By Joseph Menn and Paresh Dave SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google is not close to launching a search engine app in China, its chief executive said at a companywide meeting on Thursday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters, as employees of the Alphabet Inc unit called for more transparency and oversight of the project. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told staff that though development is in an early stage, providing more services in the world's most populous country fits with Google's global mission. Hoping to gain approval from the Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, the company plans to block some websites and search terms, Reuters reported this month, citing unnamed sources. Whether the company could or would launch search in China "is all very unclear," Pichai said, according to the transcript. "The team has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now, and I think they are exploring many options." Disclosure of the secretive effort has disturbed some Google employees and human rights advocacy organizations. They are concerned that by agreeing to censorship demands, Google would validate China's prohibitions on free expression and violate the "don't be evil" clause in the company's code of conduct. Hundreds of employees have called on the company to provide more "transparency, oversight and accountability," according to an internal petition seen by Reuters on Thursday. After a separate petition this year, Google announced it would not renew a project to help the U.S. military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones. The China petition says employees are concerned the project, code named Dragonfly, "makes clear" that ethics principles Google issued during the drone debate "are not enough." "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," states the document seen by Reuters. The New York Times first reported the petition on Thursday. Google declined to comment. Company executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly, and their remarks at the company-wide meeting marked their first about the project since details about it were leaked. Employees have asked Google to create an ethics review group with rank-and-file workers, appoint ombudspeople to provide independent review and internally publish assessments of projects that raise substantial ethical questions. Pichai told employees: "We'll definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here" on Dragonfly, according to the transcript. He noted the company guards information on some projects where sharing too early can "cause issues." Three former employees involved with Google's past efforts in China told Reuters current leadership may see offering limited search results in China as better than providing no information at all. The same rationale led Google to enter China in 2006. It left in 2010 over an escalating dispute with regulators that was capped by what security researchers identified as state-sponsored cyberattacks against Google and other large U.S. firms. The former employees said they doubt the Chinese government will welcome back Google. A Chinese official, who declined to be named, told Reuters this month that it is very unlikely Dragonfly would be available this year. (Reporting by Joseph Menn and Paresh Dave; Editing by Dan Grebler and Lisa Shumaker) International Business Machines Corporation IBM is gaining traction in Europe on the back of its cloud offerings. IBM Cloud was recently selected by NOVIS, a Bratislava, Slovakia-based insurance company. IBM Cloud capabilities will aid the company to upscale its business operations beyond Europe. NOVIS clientele will also benefit from the new digital and omni-channel offerings. In fact, NOVIS moved its business to IBM Cloud with VMware VMW virtualization in a bid to provide clientele with flexible, reliable and secured cloud architecture. With the IBM Cloud adoption, NOVIS intends to simplify business processes and expand operational efficiencies. Notably, IBM Cloud supports NOVIS IT systems across all operating branches in ten European countries. Per the press release, NOVIS is an innovation driven insurance provider. The companys advanced solutions are listed in five broad categories under NOVIS Pentagon of Innovations. We believe increasing adoption of IBM cloud by innovative companies like NOVIS, is expected to boost the companys cloud revenues, consequently driving top-line growth. IBMs Initiatives to Bolster Presence Across Europe IBMs robust familiarity with managing and implementing cloud platforms has been a tailwind. IBM cloud is witnessing significant adoption across businesses based in Europe. Moreover, IBM has 18 new availability zones across Europe, Asia and North America in the recent past. The company has also obtained Germany's C5 attestation. Given the increasing data related regulations, including the likes of European Unions (EU) GDPR, businesses are pursuing means to control their data better. Additionally, IBM Cloud offers local EU-based support to its clientele by which access can be confined to solely EU-based IBM employees. These factors are aiding the tech giant expand its presence in Europe. IBM Cloud Gaining Traction IBMs sincere efforts seem to be materializing. Geographically, top-line growth was strongest in Europe, Middle East and Africa in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The figure increased 4% from the year-ago quarter, driven by growth in Germany, the U.K., France and Spain. The continued robust adoption of IBM Cloud is expected to benefit IBM, going forward. According to latest second quarter data from Synergy Research, IBM Cloud market share remained comparatively stable at approximately 8%, on the back of strength in companys hosted private cloud offerings. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, IBMs cloud revenues surged 18% from the year-ago quarter to $4.7 billion. The annual run rate for cloud as-a-service revenue increased 24% at cc on a year-over-year basis to $11.1 billion. Cloud revenues of $18.5 billion on a trailing 12-month basis now comprise more than 23% of IBMs total revenues. Story continues International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM) International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM) | International Business Machines Corporation Quote We believe the ongoing deal wins with its notable customer base will eventually aid IBM in competing against peers. To Conclude IBMs advanced blockchain, cloud; machine learning ("ML") capabilities, among others poises its offerings well to gain robust adoption. Broad-based adoption of the z14 mainframe is also a positive. However, IBM faces competition in the cloud market from Alibaba Cloud, Azure, Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is a headwind. Zacks Rank & Key Picks IBM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Mellanox MLNX and Logitech International S.A. LOGI, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) are stocks worth considering in the same sector. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Mellanox and Logitech have a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and 8%, respectively. Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars? Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Logitech International S.A. (LOGI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Vmware, Inc. (VMW) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (MLNX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Merck, Eisai Get FDA Approval for Lenvima Label Expansion Merck (MRK) and Japanese partner Eisai gains an FDA approval for Lenvima label expansion. The anti-cancer drug receives the regulatory body's nod for the first line treatment of unresectable HCC. Merck and Co., Inc. MRK along with its Japanese partner Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that their tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Lenvima (lenvatinib) has received FDA approval for an expanded indication. Lenvima, has been approved by the FDA for first-line treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer which is difficult to treat. The approval was based on positive data from a phase III REFLECT study (Study 304), which showed that Lenvima demonstrated statistically significant non-inferiority of overall survival (OS) (13.6 months) compared with Bayer AGs BAYRY Nexavar (sorafenib) (12.3 months). The study also showed that Lenvima demonstrated highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements as compared to Nexavar in the secondary endpoints of progression-free survival and objective response rate (ORR). We would like to remind investors that the FDA accepted the supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the Lenvima last September. However, the regulatory body extended its review period by three months to Aug 24, 2018. The approval came before the stipulated time. Lenvima received its first approval for HCC indication in Japan in March 2018. Eisai entered into a strategic collaboration with Merck in the same month to develop Lenvima as a single agent as well as in combination with Mercks anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda. Presently, Lenvima is approved as a monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma in combination with Novartis NVS Afinitor (everolimus). Also, late-stage studies are already under way to evaluate Lenvima in separate combination studies with Keytruda and Afinitor for RCC. The Keytruda/Lenvima combination enjoys a Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for treating RCC. Similar to the Eisai deal, Merck has a co-development and commercialization agreement with Swiss pharma giant AstraZeneca AZN for PARP inhibitor Lynparza and MEK 1/2 inhibitor, selumetinib. Story continues Shares of Merck have rallied 22.3% year to date, substantially outperforming the industrys increase of 2.8%. Merck carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Merck & Co., Inc. Price and Consensus Merck & Co., Inc. Price and Consensus | Merck & Co., Inc. Quote Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars? Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Novartis AG (NVS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (BAYRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday praised the efforts of Niger in the fight against terrorism as Nigers President Mahamadou Issoufou, was in the German capital for talks with the chancellor. Its Issoufous third official visit to Germany since he was first elected in 2011. According to chancellor Merkel, Niger is not only fighting against terrorist forces coming from Mali but also a neighboring country of the Chad lake region. In her words, Germany will support the West African nation to get a robust international mandate to continue the fight. From 2019, Germany will be on the UN Security Council and we will try to work with Niger together to find political solutions for Libya, Merkel told a press briefing. Niger is a key transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe and Issoufous government has largely shown willing to work with Europe to curb the numbers of people using this route. According to the Nigerien leader, more help is needed to tackle illegal immigration, education, security, local administrative infrastructure and healthcare in the Sahel nation. The solutions of the problems which lead to illegal immigration are, of course, connected to the creation of employment opportunities, especially for young people, Issoufou said. Note that he landlocked nation is one of the poorest and hottest countries in the world with most of its land lying in the arid Sahara Desert. South Korean Bithumb Exchange Loses $30M in Latest Cryptocurrency Hack South Korea is planning to invest nearly $900 million next year to accelerate the development of blockchain, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. In an August 14, 2018, press release from the 5th Ministerial Meeting entitled Growth through Innovation, Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong Yeon is summarized as saying The government has decided to work on a platform economy, whose impact is powerful and far-reaching. There have been discussions among ministries and private sector experts on how to develop a platform economy, and we have come up with the four projects in which we will continue to invest with a long-term perspective, the statement continued. The projects that he outlined included: building a digital platform for big data and AI, along with promoting blockchain technology to secure data transactions and the sharing economy; setting up a hydrogen fuel cell supply chain; and developing an education program to meet the demand for a qualified workforce for these industries in the future. While the release did not specify how the funds will be allocated, a total of five trillion won (approximately $4.5 billion) will be spent in 2019 on eight pilot projects for the digital platform economy, an increase of over two trillion won ($1.75 billion) from 2018. Over the next five years, Yeon anticipates that a total of nearly 10 trillion won ($9 billion) will be spent on the projects. The news follows an announcement in June of this year from The Ministry of Science and ICT which revealed a blockchain technology development strategy aimed at securing a global competitive edge in the emerging technology. The ministry will invest in six pilot projects across an array of industries to kick start the process. The government also announced its intentions to establish a blockchain technical support center to help improve the technological competitiveness of private companies and to provide facilities where companies can test their blockchain platforms and services. This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine. Sergey Brin Kimberly White/Reuters Google CEO Sundar Pichai and cofounder Sergey Brin met with employees during an all-hands meeting on Thursday and discussed reports that Google planned to launch a censored search engine in China. Pichai said the company was not close to launching a search product in China. The meeting grew tense as Pichai and Brin discovered someone was providing real-time reports on the meeting to a reporter. In a meeting with employees on Thursday, Google's leadership addressed reports from early this month that the company was building a censored search engine that would allow it to resume operations in China, according to Twitter posts from multiple reporters. Kate Conger, a New York Times reporter, posted to Twitter what she said were comments made during the meeting by Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin, one of the company's cofounders. "If we were to do our mission well, we are to think seriously about how to do more in China," Pichai told employees, according to The Times. "That said, we are not close to launching a search product in China." Brin reportedly denied having knowledge of the program until after news leaked and what Brin described as "this kerfuffle" erupted. google china Reuters A Google representative was not immediately available for comment. Google pulled out of China in 2010 over objections to government demands that it filter out websites and information that China's leaders found objectionable. Two sources who were privy to what occurred in Thursday's meeting told Business Insider that Pichai only briefly addressed and not in any detailed way the big question on the minds of many at the company: Why is Google considering a return to China? The CEO apparently described the moves being made by the company in that country as "exploratory." When the news of a censored search engine was first made public, some Google employees were critical of their company. And earlier Thursday, a letter began circulating among staff members that called on the company's leaders to create an "ethics review structure" to ensure transparency on issues involving ethics. Story continues Some of the tension that has lingered at the company including an earlier controversy regarding Google's work with the military resurfaced at Thursday's meeting. The discussions became tense when Google's leaders discovered that someone attending the meeting or listening in remotely was supplying live information to Conger, the Times reporter. Brin said he would not continue discussing China because of the leaks, according to the sources who spoke with Business Insider. It is unusual at Google for someone to live-tweet about all-hands meetings The sources said images of Conger's tweets were displayed on a large screen in the room with Pichai and Brin. One Google employee who had stood to ask a question suddenly addressed whoever was surreptitiously leaking information. "F--- you," he said. He then demanded that the person leave. The sources said the epithet received some applause. Brin and Pichai stopped taking questions about China for a while but later took up the subject again after it was clear the leaks had stopped. Google management and employees have long shared ideas and information without it showing up in news publications, which makes the Thursday incident unusual. The fact that someone within Google was sharing info in real time appeared to anger some workers, one source said. But according to two sources, when the meeting finally ended, it didn't go unnoticed that many details regarding Google's plans for China were still unknown. NOW WATCH: This machine turns a truck into a tent in seconds - here's how it's installed See Also: SEE ALSO: Over 1,400 Googlers signed a letter to the top execs demanding a say on ethical issues read the letter here NEW ZEALAND: REUTERS/Henning Gloystein New Zealand has banned foreigners from buying property, a response to skyrocketing house prices across the nation. The housing crisis has been pinned in part on wealthy overseas investors looking for a place to escape a doomsday scenario. US celebrities, including former TV host Matt Lauer and Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel have already snapped up luxury homes. New Zealand has banned foreigners for buying property there in response to skyrocketing house prices across the nation. Parliament passed the law (the text of which is here) on Wednesday, barring most overseas visitors from purchasing homes or land. "If you've got the right to live in New Zealand permanently, you've got the right to buy here. But otherwise it's not a right, it's a privilege," New Zealand's minister for economic development and trade David Parker said in a speech on Wednesday. "We believe it's the birthright of New Zealanders to buy homes in New Zealand in a market that is shaped by New Zealand buyers, not by international price pressures." People from Australia and Singapore will be exempt from the ban, as will foreigners with New Zealand residency. The move aims to ease housing prices that have seen a sharp rise in recent years. According to a 2017 report by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, property prices in Auckland had risen by $230,000 in just five years time. And home ownership has decreased significantly among the population. Data from from the Statistics New Zealand Dwelling and Household Estimates showed that only 63.2 percent of people nationwide owned their own home in 2017 the lowest proportion for decades. Wealthy investors looking for an escape have been blamed for the crisis matt lauer Getty Images/Olivia Salazar The housing crisis has largely been pinned on wealthy overseas investors, mainly from China and Australia, swooping in on properties that would serve as hideaways far away from conflict sweeping over the rest of the world. Story continues "Its in the back of everybodys mind at the moment. If there are, shall we say, changes, where can we go?," Michael Nock, a Hong Kong-based hedge-fund manager who owns a multimillion-dollar property in Queenstown, told the Guardian last year. "I researched this problem dispassionately and settled on New Zealand it is a small community that has the ability to be self-reliant, with a rule of law based on the English system. And it is stunningly beautiful it ticked all the boxes." Nock is not alone in his concerns. A recent New Yorker report suggested that hundreds, if not thousands, of super-wealthy silicon valley executives are secretly preparing for the apocalypse, and many think of New Zealand as the perfect location to ride out a doomsday scenario. "Saying youre buying a house in New Zealand is kind of a wink, wink, say no more," Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn told the New Yorker. Hoffman estimated that at least fifty percent of Silicon Valley billionaires have acquired some type of "apocalypse insurance" in the form of a hideout in the US or abroad. New Zealand's immigration websites saw a huge uptick in traffic following the 2016 US election, with an increase of 2,500% in traffic just 48 hours after Trump has won the presidency, the Guardian reported last year. Several ultra-wealthy US celebrities, including former TV host Matt Lauer and billionaire venture capitalist and co-founder of Paypal Peter Thiel have already snapped up multi-million dollar homes in New Zealand's swanky Wanaka area. Thiel also owns another $3.1 million property in Queenstown, and has repurposed one of the home's walk-in closet into a panic room. "New Zealand is already utopia," Thiel told Business Insider in 2011. NOW WATCH: Why the Chase Cards CEO is not worried about the hundreds of millions lost last quarter due to credit card rewards See Also: SEE ALSO: New Zealand's 'good character' rules could cost Matt Lauer the $9 million lakefront ranch he bought there STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE The Belgian company BESIX, in partnership with French company NGE and Moroccan company SGTM have been awarded a contract to design and build 420 MW Nachtigal hydroelectric power station in Cameroon. Located on the River Sanaga about 65 km north of Yaounde, the new hydroelectric dam is expected to increase the countrys electricity generating capacity by 30%. The firm together with NGE and Moroccan company SGTM plans to start work before the end of the year which is expected to last 57 months. Besix will be in charge of the civil engineering project for the downstream works, the penstocks and the hydro-mechanical equipment of the downstream. NGE and Societe Generale des Travaux du Maroc (SGTM) will take care of general earthworks, civil engineering and equipment of the upstream works and the feeder canal. Created in 1971, SocieteGenerale des Travaux Publics is a leading company in Construction and Public Works in Morocco and is increasingly present in Africa where its expertise is recognized. The company has developed a solid experience and accumulated many achievements and mobilizes a fleet of more than 900 machines. Note that Paris-based Electricite de France (EDF) along with Cameroons government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are also supporting the construction and exploitation of the dam. Following months of complaints by journalists and media watchdogs that Pakistan is imposing censorship and cracking down on independent news media, Islamabad is now threatening to shut down the social media website Twitter. On August 16, a senior Pakistani official told Radio Mashaal that authorities would block Twitter if it fails to cooperate with Islamabad's concerns over material that it says violates its laws and customs. Nisar Ahmed, the director general of internet policy and web analysis at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said they are pushed to make this decision due to negligible cooperation from Twitter. Citing terrorism threats, Ahmed said, There are some things that are unlawful according to our customs, values, and laws, and those are required to be removed. "Twitter does not comply," he added. On August 15, Ahmed appeared before the Pakistani Senate, where he mentioned that the Hight Court in Islamabad recently told them to issue a final warning to Twitter. Ahmed and lawmakers present at the committee briefing told Radio Mashaal that PTA has sent a notice to Twitter along with Islamabad High Courts directive, and Twitter has a fortnight to respond. If [Twitter] does not respond within 15 days, it should be blocked across the country, said Senator Talha Mahmood, head of the committee of the Cabinet Division. When asked about Islamabads specific complaints against Twitter, Ahmed said that if the PTA seeks information about an individual who has uploaded objectionable content, Twitter does not respond and rarely takes down the content. But Twitter says it values user privacy. According to its latest policy update in May, Twitter does not possess any right to process personal data, saying its users have the final say about whether and how we process your personal data. In recent years, however, Twitter has changed its longstanding policy by taking action against accounts that promote violence, racism, or intolerance. Responding to concerns by the U.S. and European governments about Islamic States (IS) recruitment of foreign fighters, Twitter blocked around 1 million accounts between 2015 and 2017. Twitter is a popular platform for politicians, journalists, and activists in Pakistan who are now worried over its shutdown after complaining of mounting censorship, threats and harassment since the beginning of this year. Taha Siddiqui, an exiled journalist, criticized the mover. "If Twitter wasnt a popular site, the Pakistani military wouldnt be concerned about the number of retweets," he wrote on Twitter on August 16. Khadim Hussain, a columnist, expressed skepticism over intended consequences of the move. The sun cannot be enveloped in a blanket, he wrote on Twitter. However, Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, another member of the committee, says no one supports the ban. I dont think anyone can make such decision. [Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf] PTI will form [the federal government] and they are in favor of social media, he said. Martin Kobler, the German ambassador to Pakistan, is also concerned. Worried about press reports that Twitter is threatened in Pakistan," he tweeted. "I love my followers. I learn so much from you. Social media must be handled with responsibility but must not be blocked. A free country needs free social media!" But Ahmed says the government cares more about the lives of people and asks Twitter to appoint a focal person responsible for addressing the Pakistani governments concerns. Pakistan blocked access to Facebook in 2008 and 2010. Facebook, YouTube, and Dailymotion are now cooperating with Islamabad, according to Ahmed, adding that Facebook even appointed an Urdu-speaking team that addresses issues raised by Islamabad. In 2012, Pakistan blocked YouTube, and it remained inaccessible for two years. Mehmood suggests that, instead of blocking Twitter, Pakistani government should create a mechanism to prevent its misuse. Twitter in and of itself isnt wrong, but people take advantage of their freedom and misuse it. There should be a strategy to prevent Twitters misuse, he noted. Gunmen have launched an attack on an Afghan intelligence training center in Kabul, officials say. Police officer Abdul Rahman said on August 16 that the attackers were holed up in a building near the compound overseen by the National Security Directorate in a western neighborhood of the Afghan capital. He said the gunmen were shooting at the facility and it wasn't immediately clear how many gunmen were involved in the assault. Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai said the attackers were firing rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons. Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi later said three or four attackers took part in the assault and two of them were killed. He said Afghan forces had cleared the building from the basement all to the fourth floor and were battling gunmen on the fifth floor during the early evening. There was no immediate word on the number of casualties among civilians and security forces nor any immediate claim of responsibility, which comes a day after a suicide bombing in a Shi'ite area of Kabul killed 34 people and wounded 56 others. The Islamic State (IS) extremist group on August 16 claimed responsibility for the bombing. Afghanistan's Western-backed government has been struggling to fend off the Taliban, the Islamic State, and other militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO troops in 2014. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, dpa, and AFP BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan says it will set up a special police force to provide security for tourists who visit the Central Asian nation. The move follows examples set by neighboring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Zamirbek Soltongeldiev, an official in Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry, told journalists on August 16 that the "tourist police" will be formed by the end of 2018. Soltongeldiev said positions in the new police unit will be available after structural changes within the police force. He said preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of foreign languages. The announcement comes days after authorities in neighboring Tajikistan created a tourist police force in response to an attack on July 29 that killed four foreign cyclists. The Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed responsibility for the killings. Kyrgyzstan has also been the site of recent attacks by alleged Islamic extremists -- including a 2016 car-bomb attack against the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek that injured three Kyrgyz. Uzbekistan launched a tourist police force in December in a move described by the Uzbek authorities as "a measure to preserve safe tourism in the country." Egyptian authorities are demolishing a historical 19th century neighborhood in Cairo to make way for high-end housing and business development, angering residents in the North African nation. The Maspero neighborhood named after French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero who helped found the Egyptian Museum has fallen into decay. While some of the old architecture remains, including apartments inhabited by middle-class families. Of the 4,500 families displaced by the demolition, about 900 will return to live in Maspero in apartments that will stand alongside glitzy residential towers and high-rise office buildings. According to Associated Press, the redevelopment is part of a larger effort to transform Cairo, which is home to 20 million people. Earlier this year, authorities said they are building a new compound city that will one day replace ancient Cairo as Egypts capital. The new city is slated to be larger than Singapore and will eventually be home to 6.5 million people. The government is set to move 34 government ministries including the presidential complex to the new capital next year. The new city will also boast a huge green space bigger than New Yorks Central Park, a mega-mall, residential districts, a science and tech campus and a cultural complex complete with an opera house, theatres and a cinema. FREDERICK The bodies of Chris Watts two young daughters were found inside oil and gas tanks that were mostly full, several high-ranking sources tell Denver7s Jennifer Kovaleski. The high ranking sources told Kovaleski Thursday evening they believe Watts placed the bodies of 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste in the oil and gas tanks owned by Anadarko in order to hide the bodies and conceal the smell. Frederick police officials said in a 6:30 p.m. update Thursday that the bodies of the two young girls were found in close proximity to the other body whom officers strongly believe is Shanann Watts. Her body was found on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum earlier Thursday. Investigators have not yet confirmed the location of the bodies. Read more at thedenverchannel.com. A low-intensity diplomatic war is simmering in West Africa, with the governments of Guinea and Senegal becoming increasingly petty in demonstrating their mutual dislike. On Monday Guinean President Alpha Conde, has recalled his ambassador to Senegal, state media reported. The presidential decree was published Monday by the RTG (Radio Television Guineenne), Guineas national TV channel. The RTG gave no further details regarding the reasons behind Condes diplomatic move. Relations between Presidents Macky Sall and Alpha Conde are very tense, because of the management of some regional issues, including the Ebola crisis of 2013 and departure of Yahya Jammeh. There is also the question of Guinean domestic politics, since some believe that the Guinean opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, is supported by Macky Sall. In 2014, Senegal has closed its border with Guinea and imposed controls for boats and ships hailing from the country. Since then, relations have been tense between Guinea and Senegal, both Muslim-majority nations in West Africa Also, according to local newspaper reports, the Senegalese Head of State is has been accused by Conakry for showing a support to Alpha Condes main opponent, Cellou Dalein Diallo during the last presidential election in Guinea. As a reminder, in 2011, a year after Condes first election, the Senegalese government has banned any planes traveling to or from Guinea from using Senegalese airspace. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the members of the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) EDITORIAL: Be nice to trackers, but keep them bored Heather Yuen says shell be on high alert when classes start Wednesday at Monument Academy, an elementary and middle charter school in Lewis-P Women working at the African Unions Peace and Security Council, headed by Algerian Smail Chergui, have started criticizing him for a series of discriminatory practices, prompting the Pan-African organization to launch an investigation on the accusations. Smail Chergui, the powerful commissioner of the Peace and Security Council, is under investigation for sexism and other discriminatory practices prejudicial to women within the council, affirmed the Paris-based weekly Jeune Afrique Wednesday. The investigation is conducted by a cell, headed by Binta Diop, a Senegalese activist for womens rights and founder of an NGO, Femmes Africa solidarite. Criticism and complaints against Chergui have been brewing for months, but it was only last May that the South African newspaper Mail & Guardian spoke about the professional apartheid targeting dozens of women. In total, 37 officials of the continental organization have complained in a letter to the President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, that they were victim of humiliation and discrimination because of their status of women. The signatories of this first letter, dated January 25, did not mention Smail Chergui clearly. However, a second correspondence dated February 14, clearly mentions the name of the Algerian diplomat. This second memo addressed to Moussa Faki Mahamat was signed by 5 women, directors in the Administration and Human Resources Department of the Peace and Security Council, headed by Smail Chergui. The memo described the atmosphere in the council as toxic, the Mail & Guardian reported. According to the South African media, this memo accuses Chergui of abuse of power, nepotism and interference in the recruitment process of candidates to senior positions. The memo signatories complained that Chergui establishes a shortlist of candidates alone, changes the order of merit, by deleting names and adding others, and hampers thus the recruitment process. According to Jeune Afrique, at first, Moussa Faki Mahamats office had denied having received any letters alleging harassment or discrimination. Nevertheless, the opening of this investigation against Smail Chergui proves that the revelations of the Mail & Guardian are well founded. (Newton NC August 2018), Aug. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Its hard to have a better night than Ricky Rude. Scratch that. Its impossible. Completing a perfect 3-for-3 night with wins in his heat, challenge and feature races, the Minimizer Bandit Series points leader stole yet another $10,000 check in front of some passionate fans at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night. Thats what Im talking about! the North Carolina native said. We go up north and Ive never been to those tracks, so these guys beat on me, but we bring them back here to our front yard and here we go. First place, baby. A yellow caution flag on lap 20 bunched up the field, but Rude was able to hold them off at the Worlds Most Famous Short Track. Years ago, I used to worry about (cautions), but now I know its going to happen, Rude said. Even in his own backyard, Rude wasnt the most popular Bandit during the Bandit Series meet-and-greet. Susan Lisenbee, making history as the first female Bandit, proved extremely popular with her fellow North Carolinians. Her autograph line was one of the longest of the night, Bandit General Manager Jason Johnson said. Everyone wanted a picture or autograph with the first female Bandit. Everyone will also want a picture or an autograph from the Diesel Sellerz Heavy D when the Bandits run Elko Speedway on August 25th. The star of the Discovery Channels Diesel Brothers, Heavy D aka Dave Sparks will race alongside the Bandits in the Kruckeberg Motorsports #51 truck. In addition to Heavy D, well also have Diesel Dave and the Muscle on hand to sign autographs, Johnson said. Go to the Bandit Facebook page to enter the raffle for your chance to win! BioDiesel experts Steve Howell and Hun Ge will be at Elko to educate the trucking community on the benefits of BioDiesel. The presenting sponsor, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, will also bring their custom Diesel Brothers truck known as Indomitus to the event. Its going to be a great night of racing, Johnson said. Tickets for the Bandit Big Rig Series Bio Diesel 20 at Elko Speedway are available online. About Bandit Big Rig Series The Bandit Big Rig Series returns big rig tractor truck racing to the short track in the United States. The series was designed to be affordable and accessible for anyone wishing to put together a race team. For additional information, please contact Jason Johnson at (507) 676-1987, or email jason@banditseries.com. About Minimizer Leveraging more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise at its state-of-the-art facility in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Minimizer is not only the leader in poly semi truck fenders - we invented the category. Minimizer poly fenders and integrated bracket kits are nearly indestructible and are guaranteed for life. Our research and development team constantly tests and tortures each of our products to make sure what goes on, in or is used to fix the truck meets the rigors of our tough industry. We also manufacture industry-leading light kits, mud flaps, tool boxes, tire masking kits, work benches and other accessories. Our most recent innovations include the worlds ONLY custom molded floor mats for semi trucks, as well as the revolutionary whole body health Minimizer Truck Seat System. Minimizer has been family owned and operated for three generations. The company manufactures its products in the USA and makes everything tough enough to please tough people in a tough industry. Attachments English Finnish Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc Stock Exchange Release 15 August 2018 at 9:00 am (CET +1) Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc's and Savings Banks Group's Half year financial report for January-June 2018 has been published. A pdf-document containing the Half year financial report for 1 January - 30 June 2018 is attached to this release. The Report in PDF format can be also found at www.saastopankki.fi. CENTRAL BANK OF SAVINGS BANKS FINLAND PLC Additional information: Tomi Narhinen, Managing Director Savings Banks Union Coop tomi.narhinen@saastopankki.fi +358 40 724 3896 Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc belongs to the Savings Banks Amalgamation and Savings Banks Group and acts as Group's central credit institution. Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc's role is to ensure liquidity and wholesale funding of the Savings Banks Group via operating in the money and capital markets, to operate payment services and issuance of payment cards. Attachments because the ring toss is consistently the favorite activity of the children who attend the fair. Marie rebuts that those who can afford to spend more on raffle tickets will have better chances of winning. For a contest at the upcoming county fair, Marie advocates for a ring tossAnne, however, points out that adults win most of the prizes when playing ring toss. To make the chances of winning fair for everyone, Anne proposes a raffle.The two agree to hold a raffle in which each person can buy only one ticket.The two boldface portions in the argument above are best described by which of the following statements?A. The first is an example of one activity; the second is an argument in favor of choosing that activity.B. The first is an argument promoting one activity; the second invalidates the reason for promoting the other activity.C. The first is the conclusion of one of the participants; the second is an argument that supports that conclusion.D. The first is an argument promoting one activity; the second is an argument against promoting that activity.E. The first is the conclusion of one of the participants; the second invalidates the other participant's reasoning._________________ MBA Profile Evaluation [ #permalink Hello! Could I possibly get an honest evaluation of my profile? I need help narrowing down my schools (since I don't want to burden my LOC-writers) but I'd really love to get into a top 10 if possible. GMAT: 720 GPA: 3.797 at UC Berkeley Haas Undergrad (B.S. Business Admin) Work Experience: Worked at E&Y for 2.5 years (got my CPA and 5/5 management ratings) and then transitioned into an analyst position at a small biotech/life sciences company and worked my way up into a Product Owner (similar to Product Manager, working with engineers and UX/design guys) over 5 years so almost 8 years of experience Extra-curricular: Extremely active in my church; I was leading our youth group and coordinated a lot of events (also led our young adults class for 2 years, have been financial auditing work for 5-6 years, helping with translation from Chinese-English and piano). When I was in college (haha) I was involved in many business clubs and eventually became president of the now Berkeley Business Club, which I restructured/expanded by adding consulting and internal relations divisions. Long Term goal: I still want to do product management in the tech industry so I'm hoping to find programs like that Note: I quit my job in March to begin learning code/javascript, hopefully enrolling in a coding bootcamp very soon (Actually my plan was originally to already be in the Codesmith.io bootcamp by now, but my mock GMAT scores were terrible so I switched gears and was working on improving my score and waited until this month to take it-- not sure if that gap will look really bad on my app) Also, I'm an Asian-American female (Taiwanese but born in USA). Based on my limited research of tech-oriented MBA programs, I've been thinking of applying to: Kellogg MMM Haas Stanford MIT Harvard? (not sure if this is good for tech - mostly because of ranking and one of the managers at my company was HBS and went into Amazon e-commerce) Columbia? (not sure if this is good for tech - mostly because of the rankings) Safety(?): Tepper McCombs If you're aware of any other tech-oriented programs please let me know! Thank you in advance. Hi completing,First off, great work with your quant score! Q49 is awesome.Regarding verbal, since you have been studying but have not improved your score, HOW and WHAT you have been studying has not worked for you for some reason. I realize it seems as though you are scoring well when doing practice questions, However the data from your practice tests and real GMAT clearly support the rationale that something in your verbal preparation probably multiple things must change. Until you make such a change, you probably will not improve your score.Since you are at a V32, moving forward, you will need a study plan that allows you to learn linearly, such that you can slowly build GMAT mastery of one topic prior to moving forward to the next. Within each topic, begin with the foundations and progress toward more advanced concepts.For example, lets say youre studying Critical Reasoning. Your first goal is to master the individual Critical Reasoning topics: Strengthen the Argument, Weaken the Argument, Resolve the Paradox, etc. As you learn about each Critical Reasoning question type, do focused practice, so that you can track your skill in answering each type of question. If, for example, you get a weakening question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not recognize the specific Critical Reasoning question type? Were you doing too much analysis in your head? Did you skip over a keyword in an answer choice? You must thoroughly analyze your mistakes and seek to turn weaknesses into strengths by focusing on the question types you dread seeing and the questions you take a long time to answer correctly.When practicing Reading Comprehension, you need to develop a reading strategy that is both efficient and thorough. Reading too fast and not understanding what you have read are equally as harmful as reading too slow and using up too much time. When attacking Reading Comprehension passages, you must have one clear goal in mind: to understand the context of what you are reading. However, you must do so efficiently, so you need to avoid getting bogged down in the details of each paragraph and instead focus on understanding the main point of each paragraph. That being said, do not fall into the trap of thinking that you can just read the intro and the conclusion and thereby comprehend the main idea of a paragraph. As you read a paragraph, consider how the context of the paragraph relates to previous paragraphs, so you can continue developing your overall understanding of the passage. Furthermore, as you practice Reading Comprehension, focus on the exact types of Reading Comprehension questions with which you struggle: find the main idea, inference, authors tone, etc. As you would handle Critical Reasoning, analyze your incorrect Reading Comprehension answers to better determine why you tend to get a particular question type wrong, and then improve upon your weaknesses.The process above can be perfected with a lot of practice. However, keep in mind that GMAT Reading Comprehension passages are not meant to be easy to read. So, to better prepare yourself to read such passages, begin reading magazines with similar content and style, such as the Economist, Scientific American, and Smithsonian.Sentence Correction, on the other hand, is a bit of a different animal compared to Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. There are three aspects to getting correct answers to GMAT Sentence Correction questions: what you know, such as grammar rules, what you see, such as violations of grammar rules and the logic of sentence structure, and what you do, such as carefully considering each answer choice in the context of the non-underlined portion of the sentence. To drive up your Sentence Correction score, you likely will have to work on all three of those aspects. Furthermore, the reason that your Sentence Correction performance has not improved is likely that you have not been working on all three of those aspects.Regarding what you know, to be successful in Sentence Correction, first and foremost, you MUST know your grammar rules. Let's be clear, though: GMAT Sentence Correction is not just a test of knowledge of grammar rules. The reason for learning grammar rules is so that you can determine what sentences convey and whether sentences are well-constructed. In fact, in many cases, incorrect answers to Sentence Correction questions are grammatically flawless. Thus, often your task is to use your knowledge of grammar rules to determine which answer choice creates the most logical sentence meaning and structure. This determination of whether sentences are well-constructed and logical is the second aspect of finding correct answers to Sentence Correction questions, what you see. To develop this skill, you probably have to slow way down. You won't develop this skill by spending under two minutes per question. For a while, anyway, you have to spend time with each question, maybe even ten or fifteen minutes on one question sometimes, analyzing every answer choice until you see the details that you have to see in order to choose the correct answer.As you go through the answer choices, consider the meaning conveyed by each version of the sentence. Does the meaning make sense? Even if you can tell what the version is SUPPOSED to convey, does the version really convey that meaning? Is there a verb to go with the subject? Do all pronouns in the sentence clearly refer to nouns in the sentence? By slowing way down and looking for these details, you learn to see what you have to see in order to clearly understand which answer to a Sentence Correction question is correct.There is only one correct answer to any Sentence Correction question, there are clear reasons why that choice is correct and the others are not, and those reasons are not that the correct version simply "sounds right." In fact, the correct version often sounds a little off at first. That correct answers may sound a little off is not surprising. If the correct answer were always the one that sounded right, then most people most of the time would get Sentence Correction questions correct, without really knowing why the wrong answers were wrong and the correct answers were correct. So, you have to go beyond choosing what "sounds right" and learn to clearly see the logical reasons why one choice is better than all of the others.The third aspect of getting Sentence Correction questions correct is what you have to do. The main thing that you have to do is be very careful. You have to make sure that you are truly considering the structures of sentences and the meanings conveyed rather than allowing yourself to be tricked into choosing trap answers that sound right but don't convey meanings that make sense. You also have to make sure that you put some real energy into finding the correct answers. Finding the correct answer to a Sentence Correction question may take bouncing from choice to choice repeatedly until you start to see the differences between the choices that make all choices wrong except for one. Often, when you first look at the choices in a Sentence Correction question, only one or two seem obviously incorrect. It may take time for you to see what you have to see. Getting the right answers takes a certain work ethic. You have to be determined to see the differences and to figure out the precise reasons that one choice is correct.To improve what you do when you answer Sentence Correction questions, seek to become aware of how you are going about answering them. For instance, are you being careful and looking for logic and details, or are you quickly eliminating choices that sound a little off and then choosing the best of the rest? If you choose an incorrect answer, consider what you did that resulted in your arriving at that answer and what you could do differently in order to arrive at correct answers more consistently. Furthermore, see how many questions you can get correct in a row as you practice. If you break your streak by missing one, consider what you could have done differently that would have resulted in your extending your streak.As with your Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension regimens, after learning a particular Sentence Correction topic,engage in focused practice with 30 questions or more that involve that topic. As your Sentence Correction skills improve, youll then want to practice with SC questions that test you on skills from multiple Sentence Correction topics. Ultimately, if you are unable to learn and practice in the manner described above, you may consider looking for additional verbal prep resources. If you are unsure of which resources to choose, check out some reviews here on GMAT Club.Finally, generally, it does not make sense to finish a section of the GMAT early, unless you are certain that you have answered all of the questions in that section correctly. So, even if GMAT quant seems easy for you, take all of the time allotted for the section, doing everything in your power to get as many correct answers as possible. Similarly, take all the time allotted for the verbal section. The ten minutes that you had left at the end of the verbal section could have been spent carefully considering a Reading Comprehension passage or checking your answers to a few questions. With just a few more right answers in each section, you could have scored 40 - 60 points higher on the GMAT.You also may find my article with more information regarding how to score a 700+ on the GMAT helpful.Feel free to reach out with any questions.Good luck!_________________ News_release While global incidence rates of HIV have declined notably in recent years, the virus that causes AIDS remains a major and, in some ways largely unmitigated, public health threat in some countries and regions. In a pair of new modeling studies, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with international colleagues, examined how policy reform in terms of drug decriminalization (in Mexico) and access to drug treatment (in Russia) might affect two regions hard hit by the HIV pandemic: Tijuana, Mexico and the Russian cities of Omsk and Ekaterinburg. In the most recent study, published August 16 in the journal Lancet Public Health, first author Annick Borquez, PhD, and senior author Natasha K. Martin, DPhil, in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and their collaborators evaluated the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2012, Mexico reformed its drug laws, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of specified drugs and instituting drug treatment instead of incarceration. However, implementation of the reforms has been uneven and limited. Borquez and colleagues looked at the specific impact of the reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico, a city adjacent to San Diego, California on the US-Mexico border and a major international drug trafficking route. Modeling estimated that the limited reform implementation due to a lack of reform dissemination and operationalization prevented only 2 percent of new HIV infections between 2012 and 2017. But going forward, if implementation reduced incarceration among people who inject drugs by 80 percent and instead diverted these individuals to evidence-based opioid agonist drug treatment, 21 percent of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs could be prevented between 2018 and 2030, said Martin. The study also highlighted the potential harms of inappropriate implementation. Unfortunately, the predominant type of drug rehabilitation available in Tijuana is compulsory drug abstinence, which our modeling showed could potentially increase HIV transmission, underscoring the need for affordable evidence-based opioid agonist treatment which is effective at preventing HIV and other health harms, said co-author Steffanie Strathdee, PhD, Harold Simon Professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and associate dean of global health sciences. Said Borquez: Monitoring and evaluation of public health-oriented drug law reforms is essential to inform their implementation at the local and global levels if we are to successfully guide this shift in drug policy. In the second study, published July 19 in Lancet HIV, first author Javier Cepeda, PhD, senior author Martin and colleagues employed epidemic modeling to determine the detrimental impact of Russian government policy prohibiting access to opiate agonist therapy, a key intervention used to prevent the risk of HIV and fatal overdose. The study also explored how the potential benefits of scaled-up opiate agonist therapy, needle/syringe programs and antiretroviral therapy (ART) might have on preventing new HIV infections and fatal overdoses among people who inject drugs in Russia. Russia has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. Data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 80 percent of new infections in Eastern Europe and central Asia occurred in Russia in 2015, fueled by injection drug use. And people who inject drugs in Russia have a very high risk of overdose, said Martin. Opiate agonist therapy, which uses drugs like methadone to treat addiction and is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV and overdose, is prohibited. Needle exchange programs are scarce and access to ART is very, very limited. The researchers found that without intervention, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs in Omsk could increase to 34 percent by 2028 and remain even higher in Ekaterinburg at 61 percent. However, scaling up opiate agonist therapy and needle exchange programs to half of people who inject drugs and tripling ART recruitment (thus reaching approximately 65 percent of HIV-positive people who inject drugs) could prevent 53 percent of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs in Omsk and 38 percent of new HIV infections in Ekaterinburg by 2028. Additionally, these programs could prevent roughly 30 percent of fatal overdoses over this time period. The data are unequivocal, said Martin. Without intervention, modeling shows the burden of HIV among people who inject drugs in Russia will worsen, escalating in places like Omsk and remaining endemically high in places like Ekaterinburg. However, by implementing already known and proven interventions, HIV and overdose rates can be significantly reduced and many lives saved. The Russian government urgently needs to reverse its policies towards harm reduction access. These findings were also highlighted in a Lancet Commission report published July 19. Co-authors of the Lancet Public Health study are: Leo Beletsky, Daniela Abramovitz, Claudia Rafful, Mario Morales and Javier Cepeda, UC San Diego; Bohdan Nosyk, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Simon Fraser University, Canada; Alejandro Madrazo, Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas, Mexico; Dimitra Panagiotoglou and Emanuel Krebs, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver; Peter Vickerman, University of Bristol, UK; Marie Claude Boily, Imperial College London, UK; and Nicholas Thomson, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore and University of Melbourne, Australia. Funding for this research came, in part, from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA037773, R37DA019829, K01DA04342102 and R01DA039073), the UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research (P30 A1036214) and the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria. Borquez was funded by the NIDA US-Mexico drug abuse prevention research fellowship, the UC-MEXUS CONACYT postdoctoral fellowship and CFAR (NIAID P30 AI036214). Co-authors of the Lancet HIV study are: Leo A. Beletsky and Annick Borquez, UC San Diego; Ksenia Eritsyan, Alexandra Lyubimova and Veronika Odinokova, NGO Stellit, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Peter Vickerman and Matthew Hickman, University of Bristol, UK; Marina Shegay, Russian Health Care Foundation, Moscow; and Chris Beyrer, Northeastern University, Boston and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Funding for this research came, in part, from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K01DA043421, R01DA037773, R01DA039073), the UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research (P30 A1036214), the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Alan McFadden, 54, of Seminole, looks at guns and shops for ammunition in the gun shop at Bill Jackson's Shop For Adventure in 2015. (LARA CERRI | Times) Ron DeSantis told a gun rights advocacy group that people should not need a permit to openly carry a firearm in public, according to the group's lawyer and a release sent out by the organization this week. Eric Friday, the general counsel for Florida Carry, said he met with DeSantis in Kissimmee while the Congressman was there for the Republican "Sunshine Summit" in June, which featured a debate between DeSantis and his rival in the governor's race, Adam Putnam, as well as prominent speeches from prominent Republicans like Ben Carson. DeSantis' position was originally touted in a roundup earlier this week of various lawmakers' stances on gun issues based on conversations they had with the group. Florida currently requires a permit (and thus, background checks) for anyone wishing to carry a handgun, and it must be concealed. Thirty-one states have adopted permissive "open carry" laws that allow people to carry guns without a permit if they are in plain sight. This is also sometimes called "constitutional carry," because its supporters believe the Second Amendment bypasses the need for a license. "What Congressman DeSantis said is he doesnt understand why you need a license to exercise a fundamental right in the first place," Friday said in an interview with the Times/Herald. "He did not make a commitment to support open carry or unlicensed carry. He didnt say he would he would push for it in the Legislature (if elected governor)." "We were very pleased with his answers and very pleased to hear him express support," Friday added. In the original release, Florida Carry also said that DeSantis supports "campus carry," or allowing gun owners to carry firearms on college or university campuses. Campaign spokesman David Vasquez did not respond to requests to confirm DeSantis' statements made to the group. Florida Carry is a state organization comparable to the National Rifle Association, though Florida Carry has sometimes taken stronger positions than the NRA. The issue of gun rights has continued to draw a great deal of political oxygen throughout this campaign cycle, as the Parkland students completed a national bus tour registering young voters. February's murder of 17 students and teachers in Parkland also returned to the fore this week as students went back to school, this year with armed guards required on every campus. Then, last month, a broad daylight killing of an unarmed man in a Clearwater parking lot sparked renewed furor over Florida's self-defense law. READ MORE: 27 Days: The Markeis McGlockton case, from shooting to stand your ground furor to shooters arrest Also according to the Florida Carry release, DeSantis' rival in the Republican race for Florida governor, Adam Putnam, "refused to meet" with them. Friday elaborated that a staff member from Putnam's campaign agreed to meet with him in Kissimmee but then stopped responding to texts to set it up. That's uncharacteristic of a candidate who has received A+ ratings from the NRA and has drawn ire from the left for tweeting that he is a "proud NRA sellout." On the campaign trail, Putnam said more than a year ago that he would support a "pathway for Florida to get to a form of open carry," as well as campus carry. He did not specify whether he would support allowing open without permits. While serving as Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, Putnam also advocated for streamlining the process to issue concealed carry permits. It was later found that his office mishandled that process and failed to review background checks in several thousand cases. His campaign's spokeswoman, Meredith Beatrice, said Putnam's reported refusal to meet Florida Carry was a "misunderstanding." She then doubted DeSantis' authenticity. "You mean to tell me Congressman DeSantis, who recently stood with Al Sharpton and Democrats against Florida law enforcement on Stand Your Ground, previously told this group he is in favor of constitutional carry?" she said in a statement. "Thats the real story here, he will pander and say anything to get a vote. There is no one in this race who is a stronger advocate of Second Amendment rights than Adam Putnam." READ MORE: Republican candidates for governor get in dust-up over Clearwater stand your ground shooting Summer is coming to an end and another editorial intern is checking out of the office. It has been a pretty incredible summer. I have shadowed great editors, writers, and photographers, met prominent people within our industry, and traveled to New York to visit dairy farms. Here are a few of my experiences that I will remember as I move on to the next thing. 1. Always keep reading, researching, and learning new things. This, not only helped me develop article ideas, it also gave me more confidence in my writing and in my interactions with farmers and industry people. 2. Speak up, ask questions, and state your opinion. Being an intern or even a younger person at your job can be intimidating. When I was asked to pitch some of my own article ideas, I did. Even when I wasnt asked, I spoke up, too, and some of those articles will be published later this year. 3. Commas are king. Even when you think you know how to use them, you really dont. At Hoards Dairyman, every piece of writing that is published is edited by each editor in the office, including myself. My goal was to receive at least one of my articles back with zero grammar edits . . . it never happened, but I am a better writer for it. 4. Stay loose, be flexible, and learn something new. I had to take a lot of photos this summer. Before starting my internship, I had a small amount of experience using a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. I really had to take the time to teach myself how to be a photographer. My mentors actually did a lot of the teaching, and since starting my internship, I am way more comfortable behind the camera. 5. Be thankful. When we are doing anything in life, there are always people supporting us and lending themselves to us. It takes a team of dedicated people to publish two magazines a month. I probably didnt say thank you enough to my mentors and co-workers who not only edited my articles, but also helped me become a better communicator. I have never learned so much in one summer, and I will be able to build on my skills gained for many years to come. Also, if you enjoy reading my blogs, I will still be contributing my writing every other week to HD Notebook, so keep an eye out for my posts! Christy Achen was the 2018 Hoard's Dairyman summer editorial intern. She grew up on a dairy farm in southwest Kansas. Achen is currently a senior at Utah State University studying agricultural communications and journalism. IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. @alextdaugherty A group of Parkland parents are getting their hands dirty ahead of the 2018 elections. The Families Versus Assault Rifles PAC, a super PAC organized by Parkland parents who want to oust lawmakers that do not support limiting access to assault weapons, banning bump stocks and limiting magazine size, released a new ad that uses footage from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the day of the shooting and a salvo of gunshots to drum up support for their cause. The ad, a 30-second digital spot titled "Mass Shootings are NOT Normal" opens with footage of Parkland students being led away from their classrooms during the shooting before the sound of gunshots cuts in. Then, Parkland parents Sergio Rozenblat and Jeff Kasky urge supporters to join and donate to the cause. "There are certain entities, who are gun lobby entities, who claim certain amounts of membership in the millions of people. Theres one in particular that has 6 million members," Kasky said, referring to the National Rifle Association. "That means theres 344 million Americans who are not members of your organization. But we also want to be able to say these are the Americans who disagree with your message. Youve got your 6 million weve got our 344 million." Kasky started the super PAC shortly after the mass shooting on Valentine's Day and his son Cameron became one of the most visible student leaders in the March for Our Lives effort. The elder Kasky's goal is simple: raise money to fund ad campaigns against lawmakers who don't agree with their agenda. Kasky said the group isn't publicly announcing which races around the country will be a part of their effort until after primaries conclude nationwide in a few weeks, though he said the U.S. Senate race between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson along with the race for the open Florida governor's seat are on his radar personally. "When we find a candidate who disagrees with us then he or she will be in our crosshairs," Kasky said. "Then, well take a look and see if the investment will be productive." The group's process is simple, Kasky said. Candidates or lawmakers are asked about their positions on banning bump stocks, limiting magazine sizes and if they support severely restricting assault weapons. If a candidate answers yes to all three, the group moves on. If not, the group will decide if the candidate is worth attacking during election season. "Were looking at each race as a possible investment, if we look at a race and it looks like we can make a difference and it's close enough," Kasky said. "We know our opponents are very well-funded and thats why were in this fundraising mode. Say our guy is 25 points behind in a traditionally conservative gun-friendly area, were not going to look at it, its a waste of our money." So far, the PAC has raised about $200,000 according to federal filings that were due at the end of June. If the group wants to compete with some of the nation's biggest super PACs who can swoop in with TV ads during the final weeks of a campaign it will need to raise millions of dollars. "It almost goes against every fiber of my being, Im a professional mediator," Kasky said of the group's negative approach. "Im a lover not a fighter, but the other side has made it very clear that this is the way they do things. Were going to have to get a little dirty." Watch the ad here: 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 PREVIOUS POST Japanese Your heart beats strong afraid very afraid, he's there in the room can listen while you finish with the remaining bodyguards, breathe rapidly and strongly it is impossible for someone like he did not know you're there, you're going to die and you know, your body trembles of fear but ... Novelist gathered all the information. despite all you are not a coward, you're a cop you are someone who swear to protect life, justice, the right thing can not die hiding, then you decide, out of your hiding these looking down, you have a lot of fear, death is just steps away from you but still you stand in front of him and looked up, there he is standing in front of you can not see her face ... According to novelist, who has experience with these questions. her eyes only, but you can see that they are dead is the coldest eyes you saw and would probably be the last, now you see his right hand and there it is, you can see ... your sword, Japanese sword is a "katana." There're using all your strength not to tremble, the fear will soon expire, but the murderer is there, it does not move, why not kill you once, desperation makes you more angry and exploit not stand close your eyes shouting: - "I'm going to wait here, you see I have no fear, we will kill me at once! You are the bad here! And the bad always punished "The fear was that I speak through you, there you are waiting to die, you hear a noise and lift your eyes to see that the murderer has thrust his sword into the ground which does not understand, but that moment rushes over you at a great speed and gives you a punch in the stomach, never run out of breath I had been beaten so hard, you get two more blows to the face which you show to the wall, making the tea neck, now as close as you can see, you can not believe what your eyes show you is a guy much younger than you, but now there is something different, his eyes are no longer dead as before and did something that you never would have thought, He will speak: - "You do not know me, know nothing about me, how dare you judge me" The cold eyes of the murderer now show a large wildfire in the interior, which contains the murderer in his eyes .... Les lunettes de marque ne sont pas ce qui manque dans les commerces. Il y en a de toutes les sortes dont les lunettes de [] The Indiana Recovery Alliance and the Monroe County Opioid Commission partnered for a presentation Friday on pre-arrest diversion programs. The national program called LEAD, or Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, started in Seattle. Its designed to reduce jail populations by referring offenders to rehabilitation programs instead. Indiana Recovery Alliance Program Director Chris Abert says LEAD could be a vital resource for local offenders dealing with addiction. An officer comes across somebody who is suspected of a crime, that crime is tied to poverty, mental illness or drug use, and they can use their discretion, rather than arrest them, to do a pre-arrest diversion into services, he says. The learning session featured comments from Robert Childs, a LEAD harm reduction expert from North Carolina, and Donnie Varnell, a representative from the North Carolina Department of Justice. Both say the program has made headway in improving the criminal justice system in their own communities. Joe Qualters is the Deputy Chief for the Bloomington Police Department. He says although he recognizes potential downsides to the program, the police departments involvement in this conversation is critical to its success. This is an option for law enforcement to consider, it is another alternative to taking someone to jail and its certainly a program that may offer some promise, he says. The Indiana Recovery Alliance and the Monroe County Opioid Commission will hold a community summit and a stakeholder meeting next week to continue educating the public on the LEAD program. Coming up on Indiana Newsdesk: Getting kids to show up to school can be tough, and districts say its often a sign of deeper problems. Ahead, we take you to a school thats using a truancy court not to punish kids but to learn how they can help families get their kids to school. Could part of a Southern Indiana forest be eligible for dark skies designation? Ahead a visit to the forest to see how researchers are working to measure light pollution. And in our History Through Headlines segment, Kokomo celebrates the first woman to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Those stories plus the latest news headlines from across the state Friday at 6 p.m. on Indiana Newsdesk! WTIU-TV | Friday 6 p.m. and Saturday 4 p.m. WFYI-TV 3 | Friday 10:30 p.m. WFYI-TV | Sunday 1 p.m. President Donald Trump pulled out of that agreement in May, and following a 90 day waiting period, the first of two groups of relevant sanctions went back into effect in the first week of August. The second round will focus on the Iranian oil economy and Irans banking sector, with the ultimate goal being to close off Iran from the world to the greatest extent possible. The AP report reaffirmed this goal as the focus of the working group, as well as highlighting Pompeos remarks denying that the Trump administration seeks regime change in Iran but is instead exerting pressure in the hope of compelling the existing leadership to change course. But such broad-minded goals, even if they do not entail a change of government, will certainly require multilateral cooperation. And so far, the Iranian regime has been boastful about its own resistance to change, partly because of the apparent reluctance of some US allies to cooperate with the newly re-imposed sanctions or to join Trump in stepping up pressure in general. In fact, Tasnim News Agency, an outlet close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, proudly conveyed some of the latest commentary provided by Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in an interview with American media, which aired on Wednesday. According to Zarif, even some of the closest US allies are no longer following Washingtons lead, at least with respect to Iran policy. He excluded some of Irans neighbors without calling them by name, but was no doubt referring to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have been contributing to policies aimed at containing Irans growing regional influence, as by pushing back against the Iran-backed rebellion of Houthi militants in Yemen. The traditional US allies who have supposedly parted ways with American strategy include the European Union and the three European states that participated in nuclear negotiations with Iran. These parties have so far committed to keeping the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in effect despite US non-participation and despite the Trump White Houses urging for them to renegotiate it. But the situation is not as one-sided as Zarifs commentary would have listeners believe. For instance, many Western businesses have already abandoned plans for doing business in the Islamic Republic, rather than risk falling afoul of US penalties. In generally, these business decisions are at odds with the positions that government officials have maintained. Yet, in the time since nuclear negotiations were concluded, there have been various signs of a potential increase in European assertiveness toward Iran, as well as various other recognizable incentives for such a shift. Prominent among these was the report in July that two would-be Iranian terrorist operatives and one leading diplomat from the Iranian embassy in Vienna had been arrested in connection with a plot to bomb a large gathering of Iranian expatriates and their political supporters outside of Paris. The revelation of such a recent Iranian terror threat against the West prompted enemies of the clerical regime, including the event organizers from the National Council of Resistance of Iran, to urge European leaders to reevaluate their political stance toward Iran and to consider closing embassies and expelling diplomats who may be working for the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Now, Zarifs remarks in his television interview have arguably underscored the threatening nature of Irans strategy for dealing with the West. As Tasnim notes, the Foreign Minister characterized the JCPOA as a promise regarding European security, and then he went on to say that the Europeans should be expected to pay for their security by not only supporting the nuclear deal in word, but by counteracting the US sanctions and helping the Islamic Republic to secure better economic outcomes. This seems to suggest that the Iranian leadership is effectively seeking to leverage security threats targeting the West, in order to secure greater concessions from it. And this interpretation is supported by the recent provocative measures the regime has taken as part of its apparent efforts to compensate for any harm done to its hardline image following the return of US sanctions. On Monday it was reported that the Iranian military and the IRGC had unveiled a new ballistic missile and had carried out their first test of such a weapon in more than a year, as well as carrying out naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz that were originally scheduled to take place months later. The rhetoric surrounding those demonstrations was repeated on Thursday by Irans Mehr News Agency, which quoted Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari as saying that the Islamic Republic is fully capable of thwarting any threats from its enemies. Sayyari also declared that the country is already engaged in a soft war, a term that is often used by regime officials in reference to Western efforts to instigate the overthrow of the clerical regime, but that also might refer to Tehrans tactics of asymmetrical warfare, including terrorism-by-proxy. The possibility remains that such rhetoric will actually prompt the nations of Europe to turn away from their tendency toward outreach to the Islamic Republic. This is especially likely at a time when the Europeans are struggling to find ways of evading US sanctions. Such a development would no doubt compel the Iranians to shift their attentions east, to Asia, but there are inconsistent signs of compliance with the new US pressure tactics there as well. India has long been dependent on Iranian oil exports, but not to such an extent that it cannot diminish its purchasing of Iranian oil over time. In fact, Bloomberg pointed out on Thursday that Iran, being Indias third largest oil vendor behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia, only accounts for 10 percent of its imports of crude. The same report notes that India expects an answer from the US regarding sanction waivers next month, and if it receives them its government plans to cut imports of Iranian oil to half their current level. This sort of partial, or gradual compliance has long been expected from India and others, and the US reportedly expects to decrease Irans overall oil exports by the same measure of 50 percent. On the other hand, some Asian countries are presumably ready to reject US sanctions altogether, or to pursue cooperative agreements for helping Iran to avoid them. But as Al Bawaba explained in a report on the simmering conflict between the US and Turkey, such avoidance is difficult to implement, limited in scope, and does not prevent newly imposed sanctions from limiting the target countrys revenue. If Iran loses its Western markets and seeks to trade in local currencies with partners like Turkey and China, it will certainly have to offer discounts to offset the costs of avoiding the US dollar, resulting in pressures along the lines of what the US government and its newfound Iran working group hope to impose. These pressures will surely be felt more intensely if they are multilateral, even if Tehran succeeds in winning some existing partners to its side in the diplomatic conflict with the US. And the effect will be all the greater if allies to the US strategy include Irans domestic activist community. For the past several months, protests have been a common feature in the Islamic Republic, prompting specific declarations of support from President Trump and his foreign policy advisors. And although the White House insists that its goal for Iran is not regime change, the current regimes political adversaries have repeatedly insisted that foreign pressure upon it will only empower the movement advocating for Iranian democracy. Jeff Koinanges engrossing interview with COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Wednesday night has landed the Citizen TV presenter in trouble with the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). The media regulatory agency has written to Jeffs employers, the Royal Media Services flagging his behavior during the interview as unethical. In the letter, MCK CEO, David Omwoyo cites various instances of unprofessionalism by Jeff Koinange, including discussing personal and sexual matters with Atwoli, against clause 13 of the Journalists code of conduct which states inquiries into an individuals private life are not acceptable. (Koinange) breached clause 13 of the Code of conduct for the practise of journalism on protection of privacy. The article states that inquiries into an individuals private life is not acceptable and things concerning a persons home, family, religion, sexuality, personal life and individuals private affairs shall not be allowed, read the notice of complaint from MCK. The host was persistent in discussing explicit adult related content on TV outside the watershed hour contravening clause 10 on obscenity, taste and tone in reporting of the code of conduct for the practice of journalism in Kenya, added MCK. MCK now wants Royal Media Services to present the council with steps to avoid such an occurrence in the future. By this letter, the media council wished to inform you that it reserves the right to take disciplinary action against the host of the programme and the media in view of the contravened clauses. Jeff Koinanges probing into Atwolis intimate affairs with his third wife, KTN presenter Mary Kilobi, also sparked fury among Kenyans on social media who accused the news presenter of asking inappropriate and embarrassing questions. This is not the first time Koinange has courted controversy for unethical behavior on live TV in a desperate attempt for increased viewership. Prior to joining Citizen TV, his contract with KTN was cancelled after he appeared to laugh off and tolerate obscene comments made by Miguna Miguna in reference to Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris. In a press briefing on 16th August, numerous witnesses to the massacre gave personal accounts of the horrors they experienced that year and in subsequent years. Before the 1988 massacre, and since, the Iranian regime has suppressed the people of Iran and especially the political opposition. Even though the international community has not managed to bring the officials in Iran to justice for their crimes, the Iranian people are not deterred by this. They continue to bravely take to the streets to demand change. They take to the streets knowing that they risk arrest, torture, imprisonment and even execution. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) is the main opposition to the Iranian regime and it is calling on the people of Iran to continue resisting and to continue putting pressure on the regime. Afshin Alavi of the NCRIs Foreign Affairs Committee said that the regime has been unable to put a stop to the uprising that started at the beginning of the year. He said that during last month alone there were at least 238 strikes and countless gatherings and protests. The resistance is spreading to new areas and all sectors of the population are participating. Alavi emphasized that there is cooperation between the people of Iran and they are showing that together they are a force to be reckoned with something that is very concerning to the regime. Some of this unity has been facilitated to the PMOI and regime officials have been unable to hide their concern about its role. The Iranian Resistance has pointed out that the reasons for protests in each region differ in one area it could have been sparked by the lack of water for drinking or agricultural purposes whereas in another it could have been triggered by environmental issues. However, it is clear that across all the provinces the people have an overwhelming desire for regime change and it is clear that they will not stop until they get it. Despite the suppressive measures employed by regime officials, the people will continue to take to the streets in the knowledge that they have the backing and support of the Resistance and its supporters from all corners of the earth. It is believed that Tehrans cryptocurrency plan is being aided by Russia as part of a collaborative attempt to build a new system for global financial transactions to help their respective banks to become sanctions resistant. President Trump announced in May that the U.S. planned to exit the Iran nuclear deal. This forced Tehran to face being shut out of the global financial system. The sanctions that removed Iranian banks from the global SWIFT banking system and impeded their ability to transfer funds internationally were what drove Iran to the negotiating table back in 2013. Still, after the sanctions were lifted two years ago, Irans economy has faltered, affecting ordinary Iranians as the rial plummeted since the beginning of 2018. Many Iranians have begun purchasing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in an attempt to preserve their savings. Iranian senior officials have discouraged citizens from using Bitcoin to prevent capital flight, and have reportedly restricted access to foreign crypto exchange websites. The Iranian government wants a cryptocurrency it can control, not the decentralized Bitcoin protocol. While Irans central bank has been doing academic research on blockchain technology since 2017, only in recent months have officials publicly touted the idea of a state-based crypto. Irans department for science and technology signed an agreement to work with the central bank on cryptocurrency technology. the countrys Information and Communications Technology Ministry also signed an MOU with Irans national library to use blockchain technology to digitize the countrys archives. The Iranian and Russian press reported in May that a senior Iranian economic official met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow. Subsequently, the Iranian official announced that Irans central bank would develop proposals for a state-backed cryptocurrency. Russian media also reported that the two countries planned to reconvene to discuss interbank cooperation in July. Venezuela tried to launch its own cryptocurrency earlier this year. Russian entrepreneurs assisted Venezuelas Maduro regime in an effort that has since floundered. Some media sources report that the Kremlin oversaw the Venezuelan crypto project. Officials say that Iranian cryptocurrency would be backed by the rial and launched in three months, initially for use by domestic banks. There are concerns that Iranian access to non-state cryptocurrencies will be blocked. Iran has previously shut down the internet within its borders for brief periods of time. It is also a grave concern that authoritarian regimes are seeking an alternative financial system where there will be no repercussions for funding corruption and oppression. Perhaps the U.S. Treasury department should reinforce the message to U.S. persons and institutions banking with the U.S. financial system that providing financial value of any kind to the regime in Iran violates U.S. sanctions, whether via dollars or cryptocurrencies. The Treasury Department has already said it is prepared to add digital currency addresses owned by sanctions targets to its blacklist. Designating addresses would encourage financial institutions to carefully ensure that sanctions evasion schemes do not enter the crypto space. The Group of Seven (G7) countries must also investigate coordination among regimes like Russia, Venezuela and Iran, and strategize ways to foster crypto/blockchain innovation that truly enhances economic and political freedom. Crypto schemes that fund oppressive regimes tarnish the technologys reputation. The future is open to crypto/blockchain space, and it would be implemented with the highest ideals. Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Thank you for your support! Jose Chameleone and songbird Juliana Kanyomozi are among the top Ugandan public figures who have weighed in on the arrest and detention of musician-turned politician Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine, who is the Kyadondo East MP, is facing allegations of inciting his supporters to stone President Musevenis entourage in Arua Town on Monday night. During the violent clashes, Bobi Wines driver was shot dead, by a police bullet that was allegedly meant for his head. The celebrated musician escaped the melee and sought refuge in the ceiling of a hotel before he was arrested by authorities. He had been incommunicado detention since Tuesday, with his fans and the general Ugandan population fearing for the worst. Bobi Wine is said to be receiving treatment at a military hospital in the Northern Uganda town of Gulu as he faces treason and illegal gun possession charges. Police in Arua reportedly recovered two submachine guns and a pistol from Bobi Wine and Independent candidate Kassiano Wadri. Kassiano Wadri was arrested with one pistol, which had 12 rounds of ammunition() It was found with him during the time of his arrest. He even confessed that he is licensed to have it, said Police spokesperson of north-western region, Josephine Angucia. For that matter, all have been charged with treason, unlawful possession of firearms, that is for the case of Kyagulanyi Robert and malicious damage to the motor vehicle belonging to the convoy of the President. Police say they recovered a total of 75 rounds of ammunition, 46 white tablets suspected to be drugs, Ugandan flags, red t-shirts and smartphones found in the rooms of the legislators at Arua Pacific Hotel. The whole saga has prompted Jose Chameleone and Juliana Kanyomozi to speak up on behalf of their collegue, Bobi Wine. Taking to social media, Juliana urged authorities to treat Bobi Wine with dignity and respect. Am praying and hoping for the sane ending of all this chaos thats going on. I call upon all those who are incharge of our brothers whereabouts to treat him with dignity and respect his rights that he is entitled to as a Ugandan whatever the circumstances he is facing right now. God look upon our country and guide us. We pray for fairness for all in our country, Juliana wrote. While Jose Chameleone penned an open letter addressed to President Museveni calling for dialogue and peace. As the Head of State its great to lead us in example of forgiveness and reconciliation as that is one of the prime problems that have hindered our society, said Chamaleone. As a son of this nation with all honour beg you the President to symbolize forgiveness in such a time. We can all wrong but better the forgiver Mr. President. You are a Father, Parent and always forgiving one. We shall all remain calm and hopeful that the coming developments will see us live harmoniously and have a peaceful country henceforth. Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo has sent out a word of advice to teachers on how to deal with assertive kids based on her own experience as a high school student. Speaking with Radio Jambos Annitah Raey, the outspoken lawmaker recounted her high school days, when her inquisitive nature would land her in trouble with her teachers. She explained that, despite showing leadership qualities at a young age, she would often be kicked out of class for her curiosity. She said it has always been her nature since she was a child. Recently, I was talking to the teachers and I told them I do not take everything anyone tells me as gospel truth. I must ask questions! During my chemistry class we were told to conduct tests using chemicals which would turn the litmus paper red, Odhiambo recalled. The teacher wanted me to accept the reaction then go home but I wanted to know why. Every time I asked questions they thought I was stubborn but I was curious and I was kicked out of the class. So teachers need to learn [how to deal] with assertive kids. She advised teachers to always pay special attention to the so-called stubborn kids, as some may have personal issues. Such kids are assertive. These are the people that you need to tap that resource and discover future pastors, because pastors are assertive and when you learn about personalities you will understand that someone capable of being a pastor is equally able to become a politician or a marketer. It means that you have a strong mentality, she added. - Famous K-Pop group Momoland has finally arrived in the Philippines - The Korean pop stars visited Senator Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee - Incredible photos of their encounter have gone viral on social media PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Filipino K-Pop fans are ecstatic as the K-Pop group Momoland has finally arrived in the Philippines. KAMI learned that the pop stars visited Senator Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee Pacquiao. Photos of their encounter have gone viral on social media. K-pop #Momoland is here, Jinkee wrote. Swipe to the left to see the other photos in this IG post by Jinkee: KAMI previously reported that Manny, Jinkee, and their kids recently toured their new mansion in Dasmarinas Village. Manny recently won his fight against Lucas Matthysse with a seventh-round TKO victory. With this win, he also captured the WBA Welterweight Title and his 60ths victory as a professional boxer. The fighters that he could possibly fight next are Terrence Crawford, Vasyl Lomachenko, Mikey Garcia and Amir Khan. POPULAR: Read more news about Manny Pacquiao here! In this episode, you will find only the best questions, the best answers, and the best victims of HumanMeter team (laughs evilly). Is Cape Town the capital of Africa? Do you know how to translate a Tagalog word Baka into English? And more on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph Chand-led CPN Chitwan Secy arrested Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) District Working Committee Secretary Dhruba Khadka has been arrested from Bharatpur on Thursday. 18:57 In his latest media outburst, Meghan Markle's father has attacked the British royal family for their secrecy and likened them to secret cults like Scientology. Thomas Markle, who has previously criticised the royals for cutting him out of his daughter's life since her marriage to Prince Harry earlier this year, said the royals are "cult-like" who may even have secret handshakes. Speaking to the Sun newspaper from his home in Mexican town Rosarito, the 74-year-old former Hollywood lighting director said: "They (the UK royal family) are either like Scientologists or the Stepford family. If they hear anybody say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up! They are cult-like -- like Scientology -- because they are secretive." "They close the door, pull the shades down and put their fingers in their ears so they don't have to hear. Maybe they have a secret handshake too! You cannot ask a question of them as they won't answer," he added. The Church of Scientology is controversial for its secretive practices and claims of brainwashing its members, which the church denies. Its famous celebrity followers include Tom Cruise, who has donated heavily to the Church set up by American author Ron Hubbard in 1952. 'The Stepford Wives' is a 1970s thriller novel by Ira Levin where men in American suburbia turn their spouses into brainwashed submissive robots. Markle, an Emmy Award winning lighting director, has been trying to persuade Meghan, 37, and her husband Prince Harry, 33, to contact him -- after three months of silence. They have not spoken since the day of the couple's wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19. Markle did not attend the wedding due to bad health and amid controversy over his media interactions. He dismissed some recent reports implying that he was after a payback. Merkle said: "I worked hard to provide for my children. I am their father, I don't expect them to pay me back." He has been at the centre of media controversies ever since he was caught up in a staged-photography row days before the royal wedding. It resulted in him not attending the wedding to walk his daughter down the aisle, something he later said he cried over. Meghan Markle, now Duchess of Sussex, has been busy with her royal duties alongside Prince Harry, the sixth in line to the British throne. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment on her father's latest outburst. -- PTI Broad Fest: Free Event at The Broad Stage Sunday, September 2 from 2:00 7:00pm Broad Fest returns on Sunday, September 2, 2018. This free outdoor event features music and dance, activities for kids and adults, plus snacks, sweets and food available for purchase. Members and subscribers, local families, college students and arts enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy an array of musical performances, DJ music and dance floor, drumming, movies and more. KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez brings his musical flare to this years festival between exuberant performances by Jungle Fire serving up theirmusical recipe for Afro-Caribbean funk, presented with the generous support of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl; Element Band & Ara Dabandjian with their melodic contemporary Armenian groove, and the all-female percussion and vocal group, Adaawe, blending African, R&B, Jazz, Latin and Reggae.The Edye Second Space will turn into a movie house with family friendly films from Hollywood Shorts after an interactive drum circle led by Anindo Marshall and Adaawe artists. On the dance floor, SMC Global Motion dancers, led by faculty member Bernard Kealii Ceballos, demonstrate and teach social dances throughout the day. ADVERTISEMENT Hit + Run Live Screen Printing will be back offering original t-shirt designs, Crayon Collection, SMC Art Department and The Broad Stage Education & Community Programs will each offer art making booths. A music instrument petting zoo Elemental Music and other activities round out the day. Treats like frozen yogurt will be back plus delicious food trucks from Border Grill and The Middle Feast. The Broad Stage lobby concessions will also be open to purchase snacks, beer and wine throughout the day. Admission is free; for information, a complete festival line-up and suggested RSVP, please visit thebroadstage.org/broadfest. What: Broad Fest ADVERTISEMENT Where: The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage 1310 11thSt. Santa Monica CA 90401. Parking is free When: Sunday, September 2 from 2p-7p Admission: FREE RSVP suggested at thebroadstage.org/broadfest About the Artists ANTHONY VALADEZ can be heard hosting Monday nights on KCRW in Los Angeles. He was voted Best DJ in LA by the LA Weekly Readers Poll in 2016. Valadez has traveled the country documenting festival experiences for FUSE TV in addition to hosting 3 seasons of Crate Diggers. He has opened for the likes of Prince, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, Sly Stone, Ben Harper, Little Dragon and more. JUNGLE FIREs highly infectious and explosive sound draws inspiration from the groundbreaking rhythm sections behind James Brown, Fela Kuti, Ray Barretto and Irakere. Their musical recipe consists of West African and Afro-Caribbean styles layered with heavy break-beat funk, all spiced with a dose of uniquely Angeleno grit. ELEMENT BANDs greatest aspiration has been to apply new styles and innovation to the musical traditions of Armenia and beyond. Under the direction of Ara Dabandjian, the bands presents bold arrangements that mix rock melodies, traditional American, French, Spanish, Bulgarian, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, and Armenian renditions, as well as the warm sounds of the Mediterranean. ADAAWE is an all women percussion and vocal group, creating an international fusion of African music, R&B/pop vocals, jazz funk, Latin and Reggae, steeped in Gospel harmonies. Based in Los Angeles, these well skilled musicians originate from Kenya, Morocco, Israel, Panama and across the United States. HOLLYWOOD SHORTS is an organization devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe. Their film festival showcases the top 40- minutes or less short films. Categories include Short Animation, Short Live Action, Short Documentary, Music Video, Webisode, Commercials, Youth Film and Digital Microbudget. SMC GLOBAL MOTION led by SMC faculty member BERNARD (KEALII) CEBALLOS shares cultural and social dances with festival goers on the plaza dance floor. BERNARD (KEALII) CEBALLOS is on the dance faculty of SMC and an internationally acclaimed teacher, dancer and choreographer. He is the Director of Halau Kealii O Nalani, a Los Angeles based Halau Hula (Hula School) and teaches a variety of other dance forms including tango and salsa. HIT+RUN HIT+RUN is the worlds premier live screen printingexperience. Attendees can personally interact with the screen printing process on-site to create their own unique pieces of wearable art. T-Shirts available for purchase at the festival. CRAYON COLLECTIONhas a mission to inspire a commitment to environmental consciousness and the infusion of art education in underfunded schools. ELEMENTAL MUSIC was created by a SMMUSD teacher to engage young players through ensembles from an early age, helping develop both technical and musical skills that prepare them for continued study at the middle and high school levels. ART DEPARTMENT at Santa Monica College offers an extensive program in Studio Art, Art History and Design preparing students for upper division study or to earn an Associate of Arts degree. EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS at The Broad Stage invites creative exchange and discovery. We believe access is key to developing a strong affinity for the arts, igniting a spark of innovation in each of us. L.A. COUNTY FREE CONCERT PROGRAM provides funding through the Arts Commission and Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl to organizations presenting accessible, quality music programming that represents the diversity of the region. The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center opened its doors in October 2008. The Broad Stage is an artists dream and an audiences delight. Unlike any performance space in the country, it is sublimely intimate with just over 500 seats and strikingly grand at the same timeallowing eye contact with artists from the boxes to the back rowforging a new kind of artist and audience experience in Los Angeles. Boasting one of the citys largest proscenium stages, The Broad Stage offers theatre, dance, film, opera, jazz, world music, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras, family programming and more. Each genre features superlative talent from every generation and around the globe. No other performing arts center west of the 405 can boast such consistently stellar lineups of performers, including Andre Watts, Anna Netrebko, Sir James Galway, Sutton Foster, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti LuPone, Aaron Neville, Lee Ritenou, Dave Grusin, Joshua Redman, Lil Buck, Bobby McFerrin, Helen Hunt, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and many others. In addition to The Broad Stage, The Edye, our 100-seat black box theater, presents new, developing and innovative work in theatre, music and dance as part of our Under the Radar Series, as well as offerings from our other genres. Featuring younger, emerging artists, chamber pieces and plays, programming at The Edye reflects the dynamic nature of the space and allows for the latest, most exciting artists to be booked on short notice. The Broad Stages Education and Community Programs offer opportunities for cultural exposure through various student events, currently reaching more than 20,000 children, parents, educators and community members every year. In many places around the world, donkeys are used for carrying heavy loads. But at Donkey Park, the animals only job is to offer comfort to visitors. Donkey Park is the creation of Steve Stiert. The former software engineer had spent more than 25 years working in front of a computer. Six years ago, his job at IBM ended. At 59 years old, Stiert decided he wanted a change. He learned about donkey behavior from his daughter, who was studying to be a veterinarian. He quickly fell in love with the animals calming nature. Now, Stiert is giving people the chance to spend time with donkeys. He says he feels a close connection with these animals. He believes donkeys changed his life. They brought out this caring, sensitive person I had pushed to the background while trying to be successful. Stiert has 11 donkeys. He also has a mule and a donkey-zebra mix, called a "zonkey." All of the animals live on the grounds next to his home in Ulster Park, New York. The area is 130 kilometers north of New York City. Stiert takes his animals to schools and homes for old people, as well as to events for children with disabilities. He also teaches donkey farming and has an 800-member Meetup group. The members go on group walks with the donkeys. A lot of people come up from the city, travel long distances, Stiert says. When they come out here, you can just see the stress melting away from them. Donkeys are becoming more and more popular for animal-aided therapy. Donkey Sanctuary is based in Devon, England. The organization offers donkey-aided therapy for children healing from cancer, victims of human trafficking and others. Caron Whaley is the therapy director at Donkey Sanctuary. Were not providing therapy for the trauma but for developing life skills, Whaley said. Donkeys are often shown as foolish or unfriendly in popular culture. But donkey supporters say the animals are actually calm, intelligent and affectionate. Stiert says some people come to Donkey Park thinking the animals will bite them or behave badly. None of those things are true at all, he said. The Arc of Ulster-Greene is an organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities. Each week, it takes a group of adults to Donkey Park. There, they brush the animals, walk them around and feed them. The donkeys are very social. Many of them quickly walk toward visitors and stay to have their long ears rubbed. Tom Cossaboom sometimes goes on these outings with Arc. He says the animals make him feel at ease. Theyre friendly and calm. Stiert bought his first six donkeys from breeders. He later decided to start taking in rescue donkeys. His Donkey Park is registered as a nonprofit organization, but he mostly uses his own money to care for the animals. He does not do birthday parties, religious events or other events to raise money. All our services are free, Stiert said. Patti Lundgren says she looked for Meetup groups when she moved to the area and became interested in the donkey walks. Now, she often drives 45 minutes to volunteer at Donkey Park. Theres such a gentle energy about them, Lundgren says. I always leave here feeling really good. The dirtier I am, the better I feel. Ahdonkey love. Im Alice Bryant. Mary Esch wrote this story for the Associated Press. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story veterinary adj. relating to the medical care and treatment of animals mule n. an animal that has a horse and a donkey as parents zebra n. n African animal that looks like a horse and has black and white stripes covering its body trauma n. a very unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time brush v. to clean or smooth something (such as hair) with a brush breeder n. a person who keeps and takes care of animals in order to produce more animals of a particular kind stress n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work or other things background n. a position that attracts little attention The parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovinas self-governing Serb Republic has voted to reject a 2004 report on the Srebrenica massacre. The United Nations human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein has publicly criticized the decision. He said it will likely harm efforts to improve relations between Serbians in Bosnia and Muslim Bosnians, or Bosniaks. The two groups fought a war against each other that lasted from 1992 to 1995. The war divided the country into two ethnically-based regions, the Serb Republic and the Bosniak-Croat Federation. Relations between the two regions have been tense since the war ended. This tension has created barriers to Bosnia and Herzegovina joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. Ravina Shamdasani is a representative for the U.N. human rights office. On Friday she announced the chiefs warning that rejecting the Srebrenica report would only create greater division in the country ahead of its general election in October. The report describes the events in the weeks after the Bosnian Serbs captured the formerly U.N.-protected town of Srebrenica in July 1995. The report found that the Serbs killed as many as 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks during that time. Two war crimes courts, The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice, ruled that the killings qualified as genocide. But Serbs in Bosnia and neighboring Serbia reject the rulings. The Serb Republics parliament had accepted the findings after the report was released in 2004. But members of the governing body voted to revoke that earlier decision on Tuesday. An official rejection of the report is expected in the coming days. Serb Republic President Milorad Dodik helped start the move in parliament to reject the report. Some experts say it is the latest issue Serb ruling parties have used to gain support among voters before elections on October 7. Ravina Shamdasani said that Zeid Raad al-Hussein is asking the Serb Republic to reconsider its decision. The High Commissioner fears that tensions, divisions and mistrust already perpetuated by some public and political officials and media organizations in Bosnia could be aggravated by this decision, she said. On Wednesday, the United States Department of State called the vote a step in the wrong direction. Im Pete Musto. The Reuters news service reported this story. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. What effect do you think the lawmakers decision will have? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story massacre n. the violent killing of many people region(s) n. a part of a country or of the world that is different or separate from other parts in some way qualified as v. had all the necessary qualities to be thought of or described in a particular way revoke v. to officially cancel the power or effect of something perpetuate(d) v. to cause something that should be stopped, such as a mistaken idea or a bad situation, to continue aggravate(d) v. to make an injury or problem more serious or severe Yordan, 17 August 2018 Back at the beginning of the month we heard of a project called Dragonfly, aiming to bring back Google Search to China but with revised mechanisms and abiding by the censorship laws in China. Now The New York Times reported that a letter demanding more transparency to understand the ethical consequences has been circling around the Google offices and has already been signed by over 1,400 employees of the Mountain View company. The message asks leadership to work with employees to implement concrete transparency and oversight processes. Undersigned Googlers expect future projects to have an ethics review structure that includes rank and file employee representatives; an ombudsperson; a clear plan to enable Googlers an individual ethical choice; and an ethical assessment of Dragonfly, among other projects. Google officials are also requested to have internally visible communications regarding any new areas of substantial ethical concern. Back in 2010 Google had an issue with Chinese hackers and in response pulled out all its major services from the country. Investors are not pleased that the company right now have no leverage in an eventual attempt to return to the Chinese market and are pressuring officials to find a way, while employees stated concerns about the Dont Be Evil internal motto of the company. Some employees are said to be in favor of re-entering China, saying the decision to exit didn't really cause much trouble to local authorities and Google is missing out on the worlds largest base of internet users. Source A 74-year-old man with terminal cancer said yesterday he could die happy after reaching a 1 million Australian dollar (USD727,000) landmark settlement against a Catholic religious order for sexual abuse he suffered in Australia more than 50 years ago. Paul Bradshaw was to testify on Thursday in the Western Australia state District Court about his ill treatment at Castledare Junior Orphanage and Clontarf Orphanage run by the Irish Chritian Brothers order in the 1950s and 60s. But instead, a settlement was reached with the Trustees of the Christian Brothers for the abuse he suffered at the hands of Brothers Lawrence Murphy, Bruno Doyle and Christopher Angus, who are all dead. Bradshaw is the first victim to claim damages for historical child sex abuse under laws that recently came into effect in Western Australia, removing the time limit for such cases. He cried outside court, explaining his 60-year fight and said he was relieved his family would receive his compensation money. He said doctors had advised that he only had six months to live. I lived on the street most of my life and I dont want them to go through the same thing I went through, he told reporters. Im just hoping now that this has been settled and I can get on with my last six months in peace. I will die happy now knowing that I can care for my family, he added. The Catholic Church, Australias largest denomination, in May became the first non-government institution to commit to a AU$3.8 billion ($2.9 billion) national redress plan for victims of child sex abuse in Australian institutions over decades. The Catholic Church estimates it alone will be liable for about AU$1 billion in compensation. Former Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson was this week sentenced to 1 year in home detention after becoming the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of covering up child sex abuse. Pope Francis former finance minister, Cardinal George Pell, faces trial on sexual assault charges in Australia. The exact details and nature of the charges have not been disclosed to the public, though police have described them as historical sexual assaults, meaning they are alleged to have occurred decades ago. The national redress plan was recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which made its final report in December. Australias longest-running royal commission which is the countrys highest form of inquiry had been investigating since 2012 how institutions responded to sexual abuse of children in Australia over 90 years. The inquiry heard the testimonies of more than 8,000 survivors of child sex abuse. Of those who were abused in religious institution, 62 percent were Catholics. Bradshaw said his case was never about money. I just wanted the apology of the Christian Brothers and I would have been happy with that, he said. His lawyer Michael Magazanik told reporters it was a landmark case in Western Australia. If it werent for recent changes in WA law, none of this was possible, Magazanik said. Now WA law is the fairest and certainly the most progressive for survivors like Paul. Magazanik said the orphanages housed the most vulnerable children who had no families to go home to, nobody to complain to and nobody outside the orphanages to protect them. They were utterly vulnerable and the orphanages were a magnet for the very worst of the brothers, the violent pedophiles, Magazanik said. Magazanik said 10 years before Murphy abused Bradshaw, he was reported for child sex abuse but nothing was done about it. Twice as a child, Bradshaw reported his abuse and both times he was dismissed. When he left Clontarf, Bradshaw told a judge his allegations but was labelled a liar and admitted to a psychiatric hospital, Magazanik said. AP Macau billionaire Ng Lap Sengs defense is now reportedly calling on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to void his conviction on the basis that U.S. law was misapplied to cover an intergovernmental organization like the United Nations (UN). According to Inner City Press, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has shown support for the argument. The real estate mogul was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this year for his role in a scheme to bribe UN officials to obtain support for the development of a conference center in Macau. He has previously argued that he is afflicted by a number of illnesses and pains and requested a postponement to his prison sentence. International student applications open Macau students enrolled in universities abroad can apply to the International Student Card Programme, which offers products and services to tertiary education students abroad as well as in Macau. For this year, the applications for the card are available from August 15 to October 31. The International Student Identity Card is a global identification card that has been issued by the International Student Travel Alliance for over 40 years and is the only card certified by UNESCO, with a global membership of around 45 million users. At present, there are as many as 42,000 travel discounts for members in over 130 countries, such as air tickets, train tickets, accommodation, shopping, cultural venues and free entry to museums. Hac Sa Beach contains Vibrio cholerae A water sample taken from Hac Sa Beach tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau informed the Marine and Water Bureau. This bacterium can cause diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, and when severe, can cause death. As cited in a TDM report, authorities have already put up notices at the beach and hoisted the red flag, warning residents and tourists not to enter the water. Lifeguards will approach visitors and ask them to stay away from the sea. The Macau Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has already been informed by the Marine and Water Bureau, and the relevant departments will continue to monitor the situation. Chuis wife denies Canidrome interference Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai Ons wife, Winnie Fok, has denied her involvement in the Canidrome greyhound incident. Fok was said to have co-operated with the Canidrome Yat Yuen and animal rights association Anima. Fok is currently the honorary chairman of Anima. Fok claimed she had never been in contact with Animas chairman over the greyhound issue. The CEs wife declared, Im not a member of the government, therefore I will not interfere in governmental matters. Fok further denied that other government officials had been involved in Yat Yuen and Animas negotiations. Final results showed Cambodias ruling party swept elections last month for the National Assembly, ensuring long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen another term but reinforcing skepticism of the votes legitimacy. The National Election Committee confirmed this week the Cambodian Peoples Party won all 125 seats in the National Assembly in the July 29 vote. The only credible opposition force, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was disbanded last year by the courts, seen as aligned with Hun Sen, and the 19 parties that did compete in the vote were almost all vanity vehicles or meant to give the illusion of democracy. The vote itself also has been questioned since the CNRP had called for a voter boycott, but the official turnout was a high 83 percent. Hun Sens party also won more than two-thirds of the vote in every province. The new parliament is to convene on Sept. 5, and the next government is to be installed on Sept. 6. Hun Sen, who has held power for 33 years, will receive another five-year term. This result shows that our compatriots fully believed in the right leadership of the Cambodian Peoples Party which is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Hun Sen said on his Facebook page after the announcement of the official results, adding that voting for his party meant voting for peace and development for the entire country. He called the July 29 election free and fair and said it was conducted according to the principle of democracy. In a speech to garment workers, Hun Sen said he wanted to offer prominent government posts to the leaders of the 19 other parties that contested the elections. Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled founder of the opposition CNRP and Hun Sens chief political nemesis, said the official voting results were fraudulent. On his Facebook page, he said the vote totals were inflated by 2 million purportedly cast in the names of non-voters but counted for the ruling party. He said the National Election Committee was able to play tricks because the election body is under the ruling partys control. Several established poll-watching groups as well as national contingents from the United States and the European Union declined to take part because they felt the polls were not legitimate. One of the bigger Cambodian groups participating in poll-watching was led by one of Hun Sens sons. Hun Sens party was alarmed by the results of the last general election in 2013, when the race was close enough for the opposition to claim that it would have won had it not been for manipulation of the voter registration process. Cambodias Supreme Court last November ordered the opposition CNRP dissolved on the pretext that it had conspired with the United States to overthrow the government. It banned its leaders from holding office for five years and expelled its members from the elective positions they held. Sam Rainsy already was in exile and the other party founder, Kem Sokha, was in jail awaiting trial on the treason charge. Hun Sens government also silenced critical voices in the media. Over the past year, about 30 radio stations shut down and two English-language newspapers that provided serious reporting were gutted, one forced to close and the other put under ownership friendly to the government. Sopheng Cheang, Phnom Penh, AP As Chinese punters look further into Southeast Asia to satisfy their gambling desires, some observers are beginning to describe the Cambodian coastal city of Sihanoukville as Macau Number Two, according to the UKs Sunday Telegraph. Home to around 150,000 people, the city is located at the tip of an elevated peninsula in the countrys south- west. Already, it has transformed into one of Asias major gambling hubs, with around 80 newly-built casinos, attracting 120,000 tourists per year. This is modest compared to Macau, but the growth of 100 percent in arrivals over the past two years is a telling sign that the destination is booming among Chinese gamblers looking to travel further afield than Macau. The city is located on Cambodias only deep-water port, and some suggest that it could play a role in President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road development initiative. Cambodia has historically had closer relations with the Peoples Republic of China than its other neighbors, namely Vietnam, due to a lack of competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. China may also use the Sihanoukville development and separate policies for outbound Chinese tourists as a way to exert pressure on Cambodia to back China regarding such territorial disputes. Cambodia has previously been accused of watering down ASEAN declarations and agreements regarding Chinese policy in the South China Sea. While relations might be robust between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, things are not so strong on the ground at Sihanoukville. The rapid development of Sihanoukville into a casino city, catering exclusively to Chinese patrons, has created mutually-exclusive social bubbles in the city that rarely intermix. The development has forced many locals from property and led to businesses being priced out by Chinese money. It has also reportedly spurred a rise in crime and violent crime, including kidnapping and weapon-assisted assault. The main global group for certifying sustainable wood has suspended plans to give its influential endorsement to Indonesian paper giant Sinarmas after revelations it cut down tropical forests and used an opaque corporate structure to hide its activities. The Forest Stewardship Council said yesterday that it had halted a process that could have enabled the Asia Pulp & Paper arm of Sinarmas to be readmitted to the organization. The group said it is awaiting information from the conglomerate related to its corporate structure and alleged unacceptable forest management activities by companies thought related to it and wants full disclosure. Three months ago, the council had sent a come clean ultimatum to Sinarmas, one of the worlds largest paper companies, and its billionaire Indonesian family owners. The conglomerate said yesterday that it has hired an accounting firm to carry out a comprehensive assessment of all industrial forest plantation companies in Indonesia that would be supervised by The Forest Trust, a corporate backed group that says it promotes transparency in supply chains. Its members include Asia Pulp & Paper. The assessment would resolve ongoing and unsubstantiated allegations of using opaque ownership structures, Sinarmas said. The FSC mark, a stylized tree, is sought by paper producers and other wood users as an endorsement they can use in the marketplace to promote their products as green and charge a premium. It is especially crucial for access to the lucrative North American market. The groups suspension of its endorsement for Sinarmas comes after investigations by The Associated Press and the environmental news site Mongabay showed extensive ties between Sinarmas and plantation companies that the conglomerate had either denied any involvement with or described as independent suppliers. One of those companies was cutting down tropical forest in West Kalimantan that was a habitat for critically endangered Bornean orangutans, a violation of the conglomerates 2013 vow to end deforestation. Greenpeace, which had been advising Sinarmas on conservation, cut ties with the conglomerate. Separately, on Wednesday, conservation groups released a report based on government wood utilization data that showed Asia Pulp & Paper had purchased wood from two plantation companies that have cleared a combined 32,000 hectares of natural forest since 2013. It also said another Indonesian conglomerate, Asia Pacific Resources International, usually known as April, had done the same. AP Two women on trial for the brazen assassination of the North Korean leaders half brother were told yesterday to make their defense after the judge found evidence of a well-planned conspiracy, extending their murder trial until next year. Indonesias Siti Aisyah and Vietnams Doan Thi Huong are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nams face in an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13, 2017. High Court Judge Azmi Ariffin said there was inadequate proof to show it was a political assassination. He said he wasnt persuaded by defense argument that the women thought they were taking part in a prank for a hidden-camera show. But enough evidence had been presented in the six-month trial to infer the women and four North Korean suspects at large had meticulously engaged in a well-planned conspiracy to kill Kim systemically, he said. I must therefore call upon them to enter their defense, the judge said after reading his ruling for more than two hours. Indonesian Ambassador Rusdi Kirana told reporters outside the court that he was shocked by the decision but his government will abide by it. In Huongs village in Vietnam, her family said they were sad to hear she was not acquitted. Her father, Doan Van Thanh, said he could not sleep last night, anxious to hear the ruling. I had hoped the court would announce that she is innocent but now we are really worried for her, he said. Huongs brother, Doan Van Binh, said the family hopes she will receive a fair trial. Aisyah, 25, and Huong, 29, told the court they would testify under oath in their defense. Aisyah, who will be the first to take the stand when the trial resumes Nov. 1, later cried and was consoled by her lawyers and Indonesian officials. Huong was calm. The judge set hearing dates that extend until next February. The women are accused of colluding with four North Korean suspects who fled the country the same morning Kim was killed. Aisyah and Huong are the only suspects in custody and face the death penalty if convicted. According to the case presented so far, the four men known to Aisyah and Huong by code names recruited, trained and supplied the women with the banned chemical weapon that they smeared on Kims face. Airport security footage shown in court captured the moment of the attack and prosecutors also said the camera images linked the women to the four male suspects. Shortly after Kim arrived at the airport, Huong was seen approaching him, clasping her hands on his face from behind and then fleeing. Another blurred figure was also seen running away from Kim and a police investigator testified that it was Aisyah. Kim died within two hours of the attack. Defense lawyers have said the prosecution failed to show the two women had any intention to kill key to establishing they are guilty of murder. But the judge said their intention to kill can be inferred from targeting Kims eyes, where the nerve agent would penetrate faster. He said evidence pointed to a simultaneous act by the women and that their subsequent hurrying to separate washrooms was not a mere coincidence but established their intention to cause Kims death. There is no slightest doubt in my mind that it can be inferred that their desperate act of rushing to the toilet was solely for the purpose to decontaminate the poisonous VX on their hands, Azmi said. He said they seemed worried and tense before washing their hands, but relaxed afterward. The onus is on the accused to explain their conduct, he added. Lawyers for the two women have said their clients were pawns in a political assassination with clear links to the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The judge said the four North Koreans played a substantial role and were part of the chain that led to the murder of Kim. The defense has argued the real culprits are the four North Korean suspects and have pointed to an embassy employee who helped arrange their travel as evidence of embassy involvement. Azmi said he cannot rule out that this could be a political assassination, but found no concrete evidence of one. Malaysian officials have never officially accused North Korea and have made it clear they dont want the trial politicized. Kim, the eldest son in the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding, had been living abroad for years after falling out of favor. It is thought he could have been seen as a threat to North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns rule. AP A flight bound to macau Kim Jong Nam lived in Macau for around a decade after he fell out of favor with the North Korean regime, which is now controlled by his half-brother Kim Jong Un. At the time of his murder, Kims teenage daughter attended the Macau Anglican College after having transferred from an international school nearby. Other close relatives also lived here. Kim Jong Nam was preparing to board a flight bound to Macau when he was killed. Cuba and Canada have signed an agreement to reinforce cooperation on sex trafficking of minors and women, pledging to track and apprehend citizens from either country engaged in exploitation of children and adolescents for pornography or sexual abuse. A superintendent of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police charged with tracking sexual abuse of minors by Canadian citizens says the agreement will enhance the efforts by both sides to monitor and impede sexual crimes against women and minors in both countries. Marie-Claude Arsenault says it provides a legal framework for pursuing cases leading to prosecution for such crimes. The agreement signed yesterday [Macau time] calls for greater information sharing, joint investigations, and prosecution of suspects by either country. A million Canadians travel to Cuba on holiday every year. Atal Ji Breathes His Last at the age of 93, leaves the whole Nation in Grief New Delhi, Fri, 17 Aug 2018 NI Wire New Delhi, August 16, 2018: There are party leaders, there are Prime Ministers and then there are great leaders who transcend the political factions to carve a distinct identity of their own and remain in the heart of millions. Former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was synonymous with the prominence of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and under whom India gained the Nuclear status, shuffled off this mortal coil after fighting with his illness in All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS. His cordial personality and the love to frame poetic stanzas in the political speeches earned him great accolades and he became an admirable figure in the history of Indian politics. On June 11, Atal Ji was hospitalised with the complaints of chest congestion, kidney tract infection and urinary tract infection. He was treated for nine weeks by a team of expert doctors and on Thursday evening an announcement of his demise was made by the AIIMS. He is said to have passed away at about 5:05 PM after battling for life. As per information from AIIMS, he was being kept on life support systems as his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and despite several efforts he could not be saved. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his visit to AIIMS twice in the twenty four hours and various politicians from across parties kept arriving as the health condition of the iconic leader worsened on Wednesday. The Union Government declared seven days of mourning throughout India and also the afternoon 4 PM of 17th August as the time of State Funeral at Smriti Sthal in the National Capital Territory (NCT). States like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also declared holidays Following the mourning announcement, all the government, semi-government and educational institutions shall remain shut from tomorrow, i.e. from August, 17, 2018 to August 22, 2018. No government and cultural programmes shall be held during the period and the National Flag shall fly at half mast as a mark of homage to the gem of a politician, who was equally loved by the masses and the people of the political fraternity and would continue to rule everyones heart. Although the news of his death came as blow to many, he had retreated from the active public life since 2009 due to his ailments and remained confined in his residence at Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi. The President of BJP informed that the followers that the mortal remains of the deceased stalwart of BJP will be kept for last respect from 7:30-8:30 AM. The remains will then be taken to BJP Headquarters at 9 AM. The final journey would begin by 1 PM and the last rites will be held at 4 PM. Be it Congress Leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi or Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, everyone seemed in sombre mood while speaking about the BJP Patriarch. The BJP Headquarters in Delhi, which was well decorated as a part of Independence Day celebrations soon looked sorrowful, as the decorations were taken down after the news of critical condition of Atal Ji reached there. Pakistan PM-Designate Imran Khan and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina also offered their heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of the former Indian PM. Atal Bihari Vajpayees first stint as the 10th Prime Minister of the country in 1996 was as short as 13 days, since the coalition party to which he belonged, failed to garner enough number of seats needed for proving majority. Again he came to power in 1998 and remained PM till 2004 after getting re-elected in 1999. He was the first Indian PM, who had served the full five-year term at PMO despite not being a member of Indian National Congress. The leader, who had some tremendous oratory skills, won lakhs of hearts when he, as the External Affairs Minister, delivered a speech in Hindi in the United Nations General Assembly, a first for any Indian. In 1998 by ordering the Nuclear Tests at Pokharan, he practised a strategic masterstroke to dismantle the nuclear ambitions of Pakistan. Again, the tall figures illustrious achievements also included the ironical peace overtures to Pakistan. He created history when he travelled from India to Pakistan on the first direct Bus for the route. He is also hailed for the bold leadership skills displayed during the Kargil War in which the Indian soldiers triumphed. Atalji was conferred with Bharat Ratna the highest civilian award in 2015. His Birthday on 25th December is observed as the Good Governance Day by the present government. Considering his incredible career, it will not be exaggerating to say that Atalji was a dynamic personality, who had all the qualities to be loved and respected by all sections of people and without whom the Indian politics would have remained faded. --Deepak Kumar China is sending a trade envoy to Washington in a renewed effort to end a worsening tariff dispute that has raised worries it will chill global economic growth. The delegation led by Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen will visit in late August to discuss issues of mutual concern, the Commerce Ministry announced yesterday. It gave no details of a possible agenda. The two governments are poised to impose a new round of tariff hikes on USD16 billion of each others goods next week in their worsening conflict over Beijings technology policy. The Commerce Ministry said Beijing reiterates its opposition to unilateralism and trade protectionism and does not accept any unilateral trade restrictions. This months meeting would be the first between senior U.S. and Chinese officials since June 3 talks in Beijing between Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Vice Premier Liu He ended with no settlement. Following that, Washington imposed its first round of 25 tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods on July 6 in response to complains Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. China responded with similar penalties on American imports. The Trump administration is due to impose similar increases on an additional USD16 billion of Chinese imports on Tuesday. Chinas government has issued a list of American goods for retaliation. Dont underestimate donald Trump Donald Trumps top economic adviser welcomed China saying it will send Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen to the U.S. for low-level talks in late August, while also adding that the presidents determination on trade shouldnt be underestimated. Its a good thing that theyre sending a delegation here we havent had that in quite some time, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told CNBC yesterday. The Chinese government in its totality must not underestimate President Trumps toughness and willingness to continue this battle to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers and quotas to stop the theft of intellectual property and to stop the forced transfer of technology. He said the Chinese economy and currency are slipping, as you all know, but lets just see what happens. Talks can produce better outcomes than expected, and talking is better than not talking, he added. The Chinese delegation led by Wang will meet with an American group led by David Malpass, under secretary for international affairs at the Treasury Department, at the invitation of the U.S., Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website. This will be talks about trade talks, said Gai Xinzhe, an analyst at the Bank of Chinas Institute of International Finance in Beijing. Lower-level officials will meet and haggle and see if there is a possibility for higher-level talks. Before an earlier deal collapsed in May, China agreed to significantly increase purchases of U.S. goods and services, and that may provide a guide for the next round of discussions. To restart trade negotiations with the U.S., China must offer a package of measures, according to Jacob Parker, the vice president for China operations for the U.S.-China Business Council in Beijing. China needs to make an offer that slashes the bilateral trade surplus, lowers import tariffs, provides better protection for intellectual property and stops forced technology transfers, Parker said earlier this month. Caution is warranted, according to Gai. Even if the senior officials reach a deal, things could still change, as President Trump can easily flip-flop. We have been there. Chinas equity market has suffered declines and the yuan has been on a losing streak for more than a month. Chinese authorities, bracing for economic fallout, have introduced measures to support growth ranging from shifting toward a more accommodative monetary policy to boosting fiscal spending. The two nations had appeared to have reached a deal in May after Chinese Vice Premier Liu He President Xi Jinpings top economic adviser led a group of officials to Washington. But Trump backed away from the agreement soon afterward, and ever since the two sides have been locked in a trade standoff as they slapped tariffs on billions of dollars of each others goods. The commerce ministry reiterated in the statement that China is against trade protectionism and wont accept any unilateral trade restrictions. China welcomes communications and dialogue on the basis of reciprocity, equality and integrity, it said. MDT/Agencies A Chinese provincial deputy governor and the mayor of a major city were fired Tuesday as the ruling Communist Party tried to defuse public outrage over revelations of misconduct by a major vaccine producer. The officials were among four people ordered dismissed following a meeting of the partys ruling Standing Committee led by President Xi Jinping. It ordered a criminal investigation of a fifth official, a former national drug regulator. The revelation in July that Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd. falsified production records for an anti-rabies vaccine added to a string of politically damaging scandals over deaths and injuries due to fake or shoddy drugs, food and other products. Public anger was fueled by disclosures regulators found possible misconduct by the company last year but failed to take prompt action. Dismissed yesterday were a deputy governor of Jilin province, where Changsheng Life Sciences is headquartered; a deputy chairman of a government advisory body who was a deputy governor in 2015-17; the mayor of the drug makers home city of Changchun; and the party secretary and deputy director of the national drug regulator. The party ordered an investigation of a former deputy director of the drug agency. Changsheng Life Sciences CEO and 14 other officials were reported detained by police earlier. There have been no reports of injuries, but authorities impounded vaccines and suspended production at the companys plant. They announced a recall of products from foreign markets but gave no details of where those were. The countrys No. 2 leader, Premier Li Keqiang, ordered a nationwide investigation of Chinas vaccine industry following the disclosures. Later disclosures showed the company blended expired fluid into vaccines as early as April 2014. The government has set up a panel of experts to review vaccine safety in Chinas USD122 billion-a-year pharmaceutical industry. AP A court in central Vietnam sentenced an activist to 20 years in prison yesterday after finding him guilty of attempting to overthrow the Communist government, his lawyer said, in a case decried by international rights groups. The court also sentenced Le Dinh Luong, 53, to five years of house arrest, said his lawyer Ha Huy Son. Son said Luong was convicted of encouraging others to join the Viet Tan group in exile in the United States. Vietnam brands the group a terrorist organization. I think the sentence against Mr. Luong is too harsh, Son said after the half-day trial in Nghe An province. Despite sweeping economic reforms over the past 30 years that opened Vietnam to international trade and investment and made it one of the fasting growing economies in the world, Vietnam tolerates no challenge to its one-party rule. Luongs sentence was the toughest in years for national security crimes. The online version of the Nghe An newspaper reported that Luong was a particularly dangerous member of Viet Tan and that he had called on people to boycott National Assembly elections in 2016. Luong had also participated in and instigated others to join protests against environmental pollution by a steel complex owned by Taiwans Formosa Plastic Group in several central provinces in 2016. The pollution, released in one of Vietnams worst environmental disasters, killed tons of fish along 200 kilometers of coastline in four central provinces and caused big losses for the regions fishing and tourism industries. International human rights groups called for Luongs immediate release. Vietnams systemic crackdown against critics and activists has not deterred brave activists like Le Dinh Luong from campaigning for human rights and democracy, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement yesterday. The government should understand that locking people up for simply exercising their rights isnt working, and more activists will continue to step forward to speak their mind and hold protests against government injustices. Meanwhile Clare Algar, Amnesty Internationals director of global operations, said Luong was being targeted for simply peacefully campaigning on behalf of fishermen affected by an environmental disaster. This is a patently unjust and politically motivated case that should be dropped and Le Dinh Luong must be released immediately and unconditionally, Algar said. Amnesty International says 97 people are serving prison sentences in Vietnam for violating national security laws, while Human Rights Watch counts 119. AP Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal paid his last tribute to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee New Delhi, Fri, 17 Aug 2018 NI Wire Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal paid his last tribute to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. He also posted a message on his official Twitter account. The veteran politician breathed his last in Delhi today; he was 93-years-old. With the sad demise of Vajpayee ji, as everyone used to call him out of deep respect, an era has passed in Indian politics. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the 10th Prime Minister of India. He served as PM for the first time for 15 days (from 16 May 1996 to 1 June 1996), the second for a period of 13 months (from 19 March 1998 to 26 April 1999) and the third for five years (from 13 October 1999 till 22 May 2004). Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal says "A leader who taught us to stand firm on our principles under all circumstances. We will keep following the path shown by him. #AtalBihariVajpayee" Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died at AIIMS at age of 93 yesterday evening after a prolonged illness. Several leaders and people from all section of society is posting their condolence through social networking portals. A leader who taught us to stand firm on our principles under all circumstances. We will keep following the path shown by him. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/FaeOSWXmOe Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 17, 2018 Shri Vajpayee was one of the most respected leaders in India who led the nation through several crises. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was awared with the Bharat Ratna (2015) and Padma Vibhushan (1992). Read more at Atal Ji Breathes His Last at the age of 93, leaves the whole Nation in Grief. DMK Working President M.K.Stalin paid his last tribute to Atal ji New Delhi, Fri, 17 Aug 2018 NI Wire DMK Working President M.K.Stalin paid his last tribute to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He posted a message on his official Twitter account. The veteran politician breathed his last in Delhi today; he was 93-years-old. With the sad demise of Vajpayee ji, as everyone used to call him out of deep respect, an era has passed in Indian politics. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the 10th Prime Minister of India. He served as PM for the first time for 15 days (from 16 May 1996 to 1 June 1996), the second for a period of 13 months (from 19 March 1998 to 26 April 1999) and the third for five years (from 13 October 1999 till 22 May 2004). M.K.Stalin says "On behalf of the DMK, I paid my last respects to the former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in New Delhi. We join our fellow Indians in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader." Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died at AIIMS at age of 93 yesterday evening after a prolonged illness. Several leaders and people from all section of society is posting their condolence through social networking portals. On behalf of the DMK, I paid my last respects to the former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in New Delhi. We join our fellow Indians in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader. pic.twitter.com/vPg3mjGrIg M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 17, 2018 Shri Vajpayee was one of the most respected leaders in India who led the nation through several crises. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was awared with the Bharat Ratna (2015) and Padma Vibhushan (1992). Read more at Atal Ji Breathes His Last at the age of 93, leaves the whole Nation in Grief. Irans top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has admitted he made a mistake when he allowed the countrys foreign minister to enter into negotiations with the U.S. that paved the way to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. With the issue of nuclear negotiations, I made a mistake in permitting our foreign minister to speak with them. It was a loss for us, the Spiritual leader was quoted as saying Wednesday by the Khat-e Hezbollah newspaper, according to Reuters. The comments according to the Iranian media were originally made on Monday but were quoted on Wednesday. Iran in 2015 reached a nuclear agreement with world powers with the U.S. as leading country under the leadership of former President Barack Obama. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif represented Iran at the talks which included Obamas then Secretary of State John Kerry. The accord, also including France, Russia, China and Germany guaranteed for Iran a gradual removal of economic sanctions, including arrival of western investment in the Iranian economy, against curbs of its nuclear enrichment programs. The deal on May 8 this year suffered a blow after U.S. President implemented his campaign pledge to tear it up. Donald Trump has always blasted the agreement as full of flaws. Not only he walked away from the deal, but last week re-imposed sanctions. Trump also warned companies, most of them European, to choose between Iran and the U.S. Following the easing of sanctions in 2016, dozens of European companies established economic ties with Iran. Trump has offered as only chance to avoid the sanctions, new negotiations. Iran has chided Trumps move and rejected the new deal offer deeming it as pressure to surrender. The first priority for all of us under a sanctions situation is to work toward managing the country in a way that brings the least amount of damage to peoples lives, Fars News quoted Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri as saying. America is trying to apply various pressures on our society to force us to retreat and surrender. Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanon-based Shia movement Hezbollah said renewed U.S. sanctions will not lead to regime change in Tehran adding that Iran has been living under sanctions since 1979, the year of the Islamic revolution. Iran has been facing sanctions since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, said the movement Chief Hassan Nasrallah. He (Trump) is strengthening the sanctions but they have been there since 1979 and Iran stayed and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the victory of its revolution. Iran is the strongest pillar of support of the Lebanese powerful movement. Credit: CC0 Public Domain After experiencing the world as a woman with Alzheimer's disease, Ana Lebron took off her virtual reality headset and began to cry. She couldn't pinpoint which part of the experience left her in tears. After all, she works with Alzheimer's patients every day as an activities coordinator at assisted living facility Hartwell Place in Andersonville. But when she put on that headset and tried to navigate a virtual grocery store, the lights were overpowering, and the food labels were fuzzy. When people spoke to her, their words were distorted. Her virtual family members shot her frustrated glances before they understood why she kept forgetting holidays, faces and how to cook. "This brings it home even more," Lebron, said of the experience. With 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, care facilities and schools are continuously searching for ways to better train caregivers. In recent years, some schools and facilities have turned to a new approach: virtual reality. By putting on a headset, caregivers and others can experience life through the eyes and ears of an individual with Alzheimer's, even hearing that person's thoughts. Leaders of Chicago Methodist Senior Services, which includes Hartwell Place, hope to train all their workers with a program from Los Angeles-based Embodied Labs. The program includes several different characters going through various scenarios. On a recent day, new Hartwell employees took turns sitting before a laptop and donning the headsets to experience life as Beatriz, a fictional math teacher in her 60s advancing through the stages of Alzheimer's. By wearing the headsets, the workers could look around Beatriz's world, hear sounds as she would and hear Beatriz's thoughts. They could even move Beatriz's hands by moving their own, thanks to a camera on the headset. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, Beatriz sat at a park with her grown daughter but grew paranoid when she thought her daughter had taken her purse. In a middle stage of the disease, she sat in her living room, but a roar filled the air and the shadow of a man jerked violently against the wall. She cried out for help. The roar turned out to be the noise from a fan, and the menacing shadow disappeared once her daughter opened the windows, letting light fill the room. "You are there and you are observing this and you have a deep sense of feeling of what's happening," said Dr. Neelum Aggarwal of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center. Aggarwal worked with Embodied Labs, as an advisor, to develop Beatriz and the scenarios she goes through. "We know when there's an emotional connection to something, that whole experience is enhanced and virtual reality seems to be able to do this." Rush is now piloting the Embodied Labs program with 60 Rush medical, pharmacy and nursing students, Aggarwal said. Students' levels of empathy and bias, and beliefs about aging will be measured before and after participating in the virtual reality modules, and they'll discuss their impressions together. Aagarwal, however, said the program could also potentially help family caregivers. "Caregivers of people with dementia often ask me, 'What is she feeling? I don't know what it's like,' " Aggarwal said. "My hope is we not only focus on providers and students that will become future physicians but let's also use this with the caregivers to help them." Chicago Methodist also offers the program to patients' family members, said CEO Bill Lowe, whose own mother lives at Hartwell. Embodied Labs CEO Carrie Shaw developed the prototype of the program as a graduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2015 and 2016, inspired by her mother who had early onset Alzheimer's. She said the program has trained more than 2,000 caregivers across 50 organizations in 14 states and four countries. The company charges about $2,000 for the headset and other equipment and a monthly subscription fee of about $250 to $600 for the virtual reality experiences, depending on the size of the organization. Other organizations are also working to help caregivers experienceand not just learn abouttheir Alzheimer's patients' conditions. Georgia-based nonprofit Second Wind Dreams created a "virtual dementia tour" in 2001, in which participants wear special glasses, gloves and headphones, among other things, to simulate the experience of having dementia. Northwestern Medicine's Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center has had a "Buddy Program" since 1997, a program that pairs medical students with people with early-stage dementia. And Dementia Australia, like Embodied Labs, offers a virtual reality program that lets users step into the world of a person with dementia. Such virtual reality programs are yet one more way to help caregivers better understand their patients, said Beth Kallmyer, Alzheimer's Association vice president for care and support. She said there's a real need for additional training for caregivers for people with dementia and Alzheimer's. "It is a very, very stressful situation for the caregiver, psychologically, emotionally, financially, physically," Kallmyer said. "What we know is when caregivers are prepared in advance for what's going to occur they're going to be better able to handle it." Lebron, the activities coordinator at Hartwell, said she's not sure if the virtual reality experience will make her do her job any differently. She said she's always tried to approach patients with empathy and cheer-though the experience was still eye-opening. But Ann Brennan, director of volunteer services for Chicago Methodist, said she had a better understanding, after the virtual reality program, of why patients sometimes become aggressive, angry or isolated. "We've read, we've had classroom studies, we observe, but to actually immerse yourself in it and be that person has been remarkable," Brennan said. "When you see people take off that oculus, oftentimes there's a big sigh like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I can step out of Beatriz's shoes.' " Explore further Virtual reality may help students experience life with dementia first hand 2018 Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Body mass index is positively associated with blood pressure, according to the ongoing study of 1.7 million Chinese men and women being conducted by researchers at the Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) and in China. These findings appear in the Aug. 17 issue of JAMA Network Open. In individuals who were not taking an antihypertensive medication, the researchers observed an increase of 0.8 to 1.7 mm Hg (kg/m2) in blood pressure per additional unit of body mass index (BMI). Overall, the population had a mean BMI of 24.7 and a mean systolic blood pressure of 136.5, which qualifies as stage I hypertension according to American Heart Association guidelines. Researchers recorded the participants' blood pressure from September 2014 through June 2017 as part of the larger China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Million Persons Project, which captures at least 22,000 subgroups of people based on age (35-80), sex, race/ethnicity, geography, occupation, and other pertinent characteristicssuch as whether or not they are on antihypertensive medication. "The enormous size of the datasetthe result of an unprecedented effort in Chinaallows us to characterize this relationship between BMI and blood pressure across tens of thousands of subgroups, which simply would not be possible in a smaller study," explained George Linderman, first author and doctoral candidate at Yale. In China, the frequency of obesity is expected to more than triple in menfrom 4.0% in 2010 to 12.3% in 2025and more than double in womenfrom 5.2% to 10.8%. Meanwhile, high blood pressure already affects one-third of Chinese adults, and only about one in 20 of those with hypertension have the condition under control, according to an earlier Yale-CORE China paper for the Lancet based on data gathered in the same Million Persons Project cohort. "If trends in overweight and obesity continue in China, the implication of our study is that hypertension, already a major risk factor, is likely to become even more important," said Harlan Krumholz, M.D., the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Cardiology, director of CORE, and senior author on the study. "This paper is ringing the bell that the time is now to focus on these risk factors." According to the researchers, one way for the Chinese healthcare system to address these risk factors would be the management of high blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs. A January 2018 study by Yale-CORE China compared the widespread and successful use of antihypertensive drugs in the United States for blood pressure management to their infrequent use in China, suggesting that by prescribing antihypertensives earlier and more frequently, China might begin to take control of its high blood pressure crisis, say the researchers. More information: JAMA Network Open, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1271 In a well-lit room in a nondescript building in Joliet, Ill., racks of marijuana plants are stacked, row after row. The plants are young but pungent, and sway to the breeze of fans and the overhead humidifiers that regulate the room. Breaking through the hum is the noise of construction. Cresco Labs is expanding its Joliet cultivation facility, more than doubling the amount of cannabis it can grow and process. The Chicago-based company is preparing for growth of the state's pot industry, and it is not alone. Despite years of lower-than-expected demand in Illinois' medical cannabis pilot program, growers around the state are expanding. They're expecting more Illinois residents to gain access to the drug, be it through the continued approval of patient applications, a bill sitting on Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk that would give people who qualify for prescription opioids access to medical cannabis, or the election of a more weed-friendly governor. Some are hedging, keeping their plans on paper until the future takes better shape. Others are all in, buying more acreage, constructing new buildings and adding workers. "It's a time where you don't want to be behind," said Ross Morreale, co-founder of Ataraxia, an Illinois-based medical cannabis company that is outfitting more of its 53,000-square-foot cultivation facility in downstate Albion to grow more plants. "We want to be as much ahead of it as we can, because you don't know when it's going to happen." In Illinois, residents must have their doctors certify that they have at least one of 41 qualifying medical conditions, including AIDS and cancer, to be eligible for medical cannabis. Pain is not one of them. The opioid bill sitting on Rauner's desk would allow medical marijuana to be used in place of prescription painkillers. If the bill becomes law, through Rauner's signature or with an override if he vetoes it, a boost in demand is certain. The state's prescription monitoring program tracked 1.5 million opioid prescriptions in the first quarter of 2017, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. That equates to more than one opioid prescription for every 8.5 Illinois residents. The bill also would eliminate requirements for patients who use marijuana to get fingerprints and criminal background checks. Those specifications have long drawn the ire of patients, growers and dispensaries, who say the rules have caused program applicants to wait months for bureaucratic approval, or be denied access to the drug based on decades-old criminal convictions. "Getting rid of that for all types of patients is huge," said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and co-founder of Cresco, which operates three cultivation facilities in the state. He pointed to Pennsylvania as an example of the growth Illinois could experience if the bill becomes law. Pennsylvania, which has roughly the same population as Illinois, legalized medical marijuana in April 2016, and product became available in February. In that state, fingerprints and background checks are not required for patients, and severe, chronic pain is a qualifying condition. Pennsylvania has approved 52,000 patients. In Illinois, where marijuana dispensaries started opening almost three years ago, more than 42,000 people are enrolled in the medical cannabis program. Rauner has until Aug. 28 to act on the opioid bill. The governor's spokeswoman, Elizabeth Tomev, said in an email that "the legislature has sent about 600 bills to the Governor's desk. We're reviewing them and will comment at the appropriate time." Uncertainties remain on how changes to the program would be implemented if the bill becomes law. Some companies are waiting for clarity. Cresco, for example, has additional acreage available, but any expansion is still in the planning phase. The current construction at Cresco's facilitiesin addition to Joliet, it's expanding within its Lincoln facility, toois to keep up with demand from the program's current participants, and the ones who could be added in the coming months. The state added nearly 2,400 patients to the program last month. "You want to be prepared," Bachtell said. "You've got to be thinking nine to 12 months out to make sure you've got capacity and product available." Cresco Labs medical marijuana cultivation facility expansion Boosting the space for plants also requires investment in processing. In Joliet, Cresco bought more equipment for industrial packaging and is building a kitchen four times larger than the space its kitchen and packaging team work in now. The need for that additional space is evident. On a recent afternoon, two employees wrapped fruit chew edibles piled high on industrial drying racks. The colorful candy operation occupied most of a small room, while racks of weed-infused chocolate bars cooled in a room nearly. The number of Illinois workers in the industry is on the rise, too, both to support operations here and expansions into other states. Cresco employs about 145 people in Illinois, up from fewer than 60 in January. It took over an additional floor at its headquarters building. Another Chicago-based cannabis company, Green Thumb Industries, or GTI, has increased its number of workers in the state by nearly 50 percent since January, and now employs more than 160 people. The scaling of GTI's business in Illinois is fueled by $67 million it raised through its listing on a Canadian stock exchange in June. The company raised an additional $61.6 million in a financing deal that closed earlier this month. GTI operates growing facilities in Rock Island and Oglesby, Ill. At the Rock Island facility, it is adding square footage to grow more plants, increasing its processing capabilities and investing in technology and automation. "We're putting material dollars into Rock Island today ahead of what's coming in the program," said Ben Kovler, founder and chairman of GTI. With the governor's election in November, operators see the potential to attract the general consumer, not just the patientdepending on the outcome. Rauner has said legalizing pot for recreational use would be a mistake. Democratic contender J.B. Pritzker, however, has said he would work to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois. PharmaCann, which operates cultivation centers in Dwight and Hillcrest, has plans to expand hereas it has in other statesbut is waiting to see what happens with the opioid bill, said Jeremy Unruh, its director of public and regulatory policy. Regardless of that outcome, on the federal level marijuana remains illegal, a reality that has kept some of the more ambitious expansion plans in check. Financing remains an issue as well. The main bank serving Illinois medical marijuana companies, Bank of Springfield, pulled out of the industry last spring, leaving operators with few options other than dealing in cash. The decision was tied to the reversal of an Obama-era policy that discouraged prosecution of those operating under state marijuana laws. Still, some cannabis companiesand investorsare betting on the industry. GTI's debut on the Canadian Securities Exchange in Canada and a $1 billion valuation showed investors how a nationally operational marijuana company could be valued. "What has changed is that the capital markets are finally embracing the industry," said Mark de Souza, CEO of Revolution Enterprises, which owns cultivation centers in the downstate Illinois towns of Delavan and Barry. Revolution's two huge facilities together were operating at only 28 percent capacity in January. Now, Revolution is preparing the Delavan facility to operate at full capacity, and expansion at Barry will follow. The company bought an additional 70 acres near Delavan, and has plans to vastly increase its growing capabilities. Construction on 20,000 square feet of additional processing space is already in the works. Explore further Illinois governor signs medical marijuana bill 2018 Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Physiology and Pharmacology professor Wataru Inoue showed the progress of his research into stress and the brain this week to London North MP Peter Fragiskatos and representatives from the Mental Health Research Association (MHRA), who provided financial backing for his ongoing work. Credit: Paul Mayne // Western News We all face stress in our lives. Even researchers seeking to understand why some people shrug it off while others face battles against disorders like depression or PTSD. "I try to find the right balance in my life," said Wataru Inoue, a Physiology and Pharmacology professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. "I'm so grateful to have this job because I enjoy it. Sometimes it's stressful, I know. But we are chasing questions we don't know the answers to. A great discovery from your research and all the stress goes away." Inoue explores "what our brains go through every day" the biological mechanisms of how the brain deals with and adapts to stressful experiences. While current treatments and the progress in the development of new or improved drugs is slow, Inoue said advancing the understanding of stress neurobiology is a crucial step in identifying the key mechanisms causing mental illnesses and, ultimately, developing more effective treatment strategies. His work hopes to provide answers and relief for the 13 per cent of Canadians and their families who deal with stress-related disorders. These issues are the fastest-growing category of disability insurance claims in Canada, costing an estimated $33 billion a year in lost productivity, as well as billions more in direct medical costs. "When stress happens, it causes immediate changes. But, at the same time, we know it causes a long-lasting memory and those are important memories," he said. "For example, when you have a bad experience, you want to remember that to avoid those things in the future. But, sometimes, those accumulations of memories can cause bad consequences which is perhaps part of the reason we do develop so much stress." Stress is necessary to guide us through our lives but can also have negative consequences, admitted Inoue, who wants to learn more about how stress causes memory formation and, subsequently, the resulting consequences. "We need to remember those bad experiences. But maybe, in extreme conditions such as PTSD, it is a memory problem. You remember those traumatic experiences and they are so strong that it comes back all the time. So it actually causes more problems than benefits," he said. Inoue showed the progress of his research this week to London North MP Peter Fragiskatos and representatives from the Mental Health Research Association (MHRA), who provided financial backing for his ongoing work. "It's a very simple thing, but it didn't occur to me that stress is something we only self-report on. Unless I raise my hand and say, 'It's overwhelming,' there is no test," said Andrea Swinton, CEO of MHRA, who is touring around the province to learn more about some of the research her organization is backing. "While some stress is good, what's the tipping point to where it becomes dangerous? You never really think of stress as something that's in your brain. I feel it in my gut, all over my body. "This is very interesting work because my stakeholders are the 1-in-5 living with mental illness and those who live with and love them." Inoue said stress triggers a so-called 'fight-or-flight' response. This rapid defense mechanism involves coordinated changes in both psychological (i.e. fear, aggression) and physiological (i.e. release of stress hormone corticosteroids, elevation of heart rate) functions which, together, enhance the ability to handle impending challenges. In addition to this immediate response, stress promotes associative learning that lasts beyond the stressful experience. In other words, we form a memory of a stressful episode and this memory reshapes the way we will respond to future challenges, he added. Inoue focuses his work on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates hormonal response to stress. Stress-induced changes in this area may represent a key neurobiological mechanism for the abnormality of stress hormone levels and the changes in physiological behaviour, seen in many serious diseases. "Why are those difference happening? Are they at the mechanistic level? We don't know. We do have pieces of evidence. But it's not all put together. That's why we're chasing after those questions. We know what we don't know," Inoue said. "We're hoping to make some difference on this complex problem. Stress in an important input that changes the outputs. Stress is part of our lives, and it's important to have some to get things done, but then when is it too much?" Explore further Running helps the brain counteract negative effect of stress, study finds Credit: CC0 Public Domain In just three years, physician burnout increased from 45.5 percent to 54.4 percent, according to a paper authored by doctors at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. "Doctors aren't depressed or less content at home," write coauthors Drs. Andrew G. Alexander and Kenneth A. Ballou in the August 2018 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. "They're less happy at work." Alexander, an associate clinical professor of family medicine, and Ballou, an assistant clinical professor of family medicine, list three factors that contribute to physician burnout: The doctor-patient relationship has been morphed into an insurance company-client relationship that imposes limitations upon the treatment doctors can provide to the insurance company's members. Feelings of cynicism (resulting from patients no longer expecting continuity of care and routinely changing doctors). Lack of enthusiasm for work. Alexander and Ballou compared data from 2011-14 on physician burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance to arrive at their conclusions. They found that physician burnout measures highest in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. They also posit that five transformational medical practice events that occurred between 2011 and 2014 contributed to the increase in physician burnout. "These are hospital purchases of medical groups, rising drug prices, the Affordable Care Act, 'pay for performance' in which providers are offered financial incentives to improve quality and efficiency, and mandated electronic health records," Alexander said. "Doctors now spend more time with electronic health records than they do with patients. Electronic health records were pushed by the government at great expense and without regard to the effects upon patient or physician health. Go into any hospital and look for the nurses and the doctors. You will find them sitting in front of computers. They are not happy, and their patients are not healthier." Electronic health records (EHRs) snuck up on the medical community, Alexander noted. "At first, they were accepted because of the promises of chartless offices, initial government subsidies, interconnectivity between health care sites, availability of records from home, faster charting, e-prescribing direct to the pharmacy, and higher physician pay for computer-cloning the federal government's bullet-point reimbursement formula," he said. "When the subsidies ran out and the promises turned into extra cost, less time with patients, time at home finishing EHR records, unreadable and meaningless cloned patient notes, HIPAA-restricted access to outside records, and government penalties for not 'mining' patient data that cost money to input, doctors became overworked robots." Alexander stressed that doctors need to spend less time on their EHRs. "EHRs are not going away, but they don't need to be the focus of the patient's visit," he said. "Doctors should oppose EHRs that occupy valuable doctor-patient time and which use billing diagnoses rather than patient assessments. EHRs need to be portable. Computerized notes should be templated for meaningful patient care notes." He noted that physicians like him and Ballou are dedicated to educating medical students to be physicians that care. "It should be a treat to care about another person, but I see that too many of our seasoned physicians are frustrated with medicine, and it rubs off onto the physicians in training," Alexander said. "Doctors have a wonderful job, yet they are inundated with numerous extraneous burdens that collectively rob them of the joy of medicine." Explore further Best practices developed for use of EHR to enhance patient care More information: Andrew George Alexander et al. WorkLife Balance, Burnout, and the Electronic Health Record, The American Journal of Medicine (2018). Journal information: American Journal of Medicine Andrew George Alexander et al. WorkLife Balance, Burnout, and the Electronic Health Record,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.02.033 Lisa Conway during riding therapy (HealthDay)U.S. Navy veteran Lisa Conway was having trouble coping with mobility issues related to two newly diagnosed autoimmune diseases when her therapist suggested equine-assisted therapy. "I rode horses mainly as a youngster and a couple of times as an adult. When my therapist suggested equine therapy, I thought, 'Are you kidding me? How am I going to get on a horse?' " she said. But the goal of equine-assisted therapy isn't to ride, unless that's what you want to do, Conway explained. "The idea is just to show up. Horses are so healing that just looking into their eyes can help. At the time, I couldn't even stand for more than a few minutes. But the first time I went, I did ride, and I cried tears of joy when I rode," she said. Conway said she had been feeling sorry for herself and had a serious "poor me" attitude. Since then, the horses have helped her learn to live with her condition and have a more positive attitude. "When you're working with the horse, you don't think about anything else. I didn't think about my disease at all. It was the most freeing experience I've had as an adult, and I really feel like it's saved my life. Getting on the horse, I felt like Humpty Dumpty after the fall, and the equine therapy put me all back together again," Conway said. Debbie Touchette brought the equine-assisted therapy to the Jefferson Barracks at the VA Medical Center in St. Louis, where she is a recreational therapist. She founded a programcalled Medicine Horse LLCthat would bring horses to the medical center twice a month. The program, in its fourth year, is dubbed "Saddle Up." Touchette said that "the benefit of the horses is remarkable. We're finding that mood increases, and anxiety and pain decreases after the horses are here." (The veterans complete pre- and post-therapy surveys about their symptoms.) People throughout the medical center can participate in the horse therapy, including those undergoing physical rehabilitation after strokes, amputations or joint replacements. Working with the horsesbrushing them, for examplecan be part of their rehabilitation. Some of the veterans are dealing with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some are homeless. Some have schizophrenia. Some are dealing with substance abuse. The therapy begins with an introduction to the horses. Patients learn how to approach them and gauge how the horses are feeling. Then the groups might work on communication and trust. Vets pair up, and one, who is blindfolded, leads the horse through an obstacle course as the other gives directions. This type of therapy isn't yet standardized and may differ from program to program. Laura Vernon, an associate professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, Fla., has studied equine-assisted therapy for PTSD and anxiety. She said equine-assisted therapy means a range of things, and it can help patients and professionals alike. "For some people, equine-assisted therapy is about doing activities with a horse and learning to ride. Other programs include trained mental health professionals, and the horse is a tool in the therapy, kind of a co-therapist," Vernon said. Horses are keenly attuned to human gestures and facial expressions, she noted. "Reactions of the horses can alert a therapist to what aspects of non-verbal behavior to pay attention to," Vernon explained. People who have participated in this type of therapy talk about being able to let their guard down. They may feel they can be more emotional with the animals. And, Vernon said, the physical contact can be "reassuring and freeing." In a study of people with PTSD or anxiety who received 12 hours of equine-assisted therapy, Vernon and her colleagues found that it decreased PTSD symptoms and lessened anxiety. It also helped people be less judgmental and more accepting of others. "The findings were very impressive," Vernon said. Conway would agree. "I would say that horses heal. They have a great effect on mind, body and soul. I recommend equine therapy all day, every day. If any other VA medical center is thinking about this and has the opportunity, I would say the healing powers are magnificent," she said. Explore further Study examines how therapy horses are affected when helping others More information: Learn more about complementary approaches to mental health problems, including equine-assisted therapy from the Learn more about complementary approaches to mental health problems, including equine-assisted therapy from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. University of Houston Psychologist Rodica Damian Credit: University of Houston How much do you change between high school and retirement? The answer depends on whether you're comparing yourself to others or to your younger self. The results of a new study, the first to test how personality might change over 50 years and relying on the same data source at both time points, finds that broad patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviorspersonalitydo change, and this change appears to accumulate with time. But don't compare yourself to others; those who are the most emotionally stable when young are probably going to continue being the most stable as they age. "The rankings (of personality traits) remain fairly consistent. People who are more conscientious than others their age at 16 are likely to be more conscientious than others at 66," said Rodica Damian, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Houston and lead author of a new study on the subject. "But, on average, everyone becomes more conscientious, more emotionally stable, and more agreeable. Still, she said, researchers did find individual differences in change across time, with some people changing more than others and some changing in more maladaptive or harmful ways. The work, "Sixteen Going on Sixty-Six: A Longitudinal Study of Personality Stability and Change across 50 Years," was published Aug. 16 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Social scientists have long debated whether personality is stableunchanged over timeor malleable. Recent studies have indicated it might be both, but longitudinal studies covering very long timespans and relying on the same data source at both time points are rare. The new research supports the idea that personality is influenced by both genetics and environment. Personality is described as patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors, consisting of five major traits: conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness to experiences, extraversion, and emotional stability. Damian said those five traits have been found across ages and cultures. The combination of those traitshow dominant each trait is in a given individual relative to the other traits -makes up the personality profile. With co-authors Marion Spengler of the University of Tuebingen in Germany, Brent W. Roberts of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Andreea Sutu, a graduate student working with Damian at UH, Damian used a dataset of U.S. high school students who answered a series of questions to assess personality in 1960 and again 50 years later. Data from the Project Talent Personality Inventory allowed the researchers to answer several questions, including: To what extent do people maintain their relative standing on personality traits compared with other peoplefor example, do people who are more impulsive than most of their peers at age 16 remain more impulsive than their peers at age 60? To what extent do average levels of personality traits change? Are people, on average, more conscientious at 66 than at 16? Does everyone change in the same way? Are there gender differences in patterns of personality stability and change across time? "Our findings suggest that personality has a stable component across the lifespan, both at the trait level and at the profile level, and that personality is also malleable and people mature as they age," the researchers wrote. They found gender differences in personality at any given time, Damian said, but, overall, men and women changed at the same rates across the lifespan. Explore further Gender pay gappersonality affects income More information: Rodica Ioana Damian et al, Sixteen going on sixty-six: A longitudinal study of personality stability and change across 50 years., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2018). Journal information: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Rodica Ioana Damian et al, Sixteen going on sixty-six: A longitudinal study of personality stability and change across 50 years.,(2018). DOI: 10.1037/pspp0000210 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Motor Corporation (Dongfeng) and Huawei signed a strategic agreement on August 16 to cement their partnership which has been formed in 2014, according to the automaker's official WeChat account. According to the newly-signed agreement, both parties will deepen their collaboration in such areas as vehicle intelligentization, connectivity, electrification, sharing as well as informatization and jointly promote the innovation of cutting-edge technologies. Two companies will join forces to develop next-generation electric-powered ICVs (Intelligent-connected vehicle) by making full use of Dongfeng's profound resources in automobile industry and Huawei's advantages in ICT (Information Communications Technology), with the ultimate goal of providing users with superior ICV products and services. Besides, Dongfeng and Huawei will work together on researching and developing cloud computing, big data, IoT (Internet of Things) and cybersecurity as part of Dongfeng's strategy to realize digitalization transformation. Under the improved partnership, both companies will focus on the innovation in such fields as AI (artificial intelligence), 5G mobile communications, for the purpose of offering consumers the safe and joyful overall intelligent mobility solutions and boosting the industrialization of China's ICV business. Huawei, China's leading provider of ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure and smart devices, forged partnership with the Wuhan-headquartered automaker as early as 2014. They had agreed to carry out cooperation in automotive electronic, intelligent vehicle and information technology as well as ICT. Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar and local law enforcement at the Napa Police Department will host a Tip-A-Cop event to benefit Special Olympics of Northern California. On Thursday, Sept. 6, local law enforcement officials will serve as celebrity waiters at Applebees from 5 to 9 p.m., and 100 percent of their tips will be donated directly to the Special Olympics. AMERICAN CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH Worship at 10 a.m. Programs for children and youth during worship service. 2 Andrew Road, American Canyon. ARBOR ALLIANCE Join us Sundays at 5 p.m. Why 5 p.m. worship? It is a good time for busy people and young families. Kids church and nursery available. 721 Trancas St., Napa. thearborchurch.org; 530-304-4704. BEIT ABBA Messianic Jewish ministry of The Fathers House is held the first and third Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Child care provided for ages infant to 7 years old. 2557 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa. tfh.org/beitabba. CARMELITE MONASTERY Mass times: Sunday, 9 a.m.; Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. Confession Days for English and Spanish: Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon; 3-5 p.m.; 8-9 p.m. First Saturdays: Confessions at 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. 944-2454. oakvillecarmelites.org. *CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING Come be inspired by the new generation. The Teen Group will be leading the 9 and 10:30 services this Sunday, sharing their camp theme: Work Hard, Pray Hard. Following the services Kristen Moore will be facilitating a Radical Prayer Workshop, noon-3 p.m. September classes include Self-Mastery: Emergence of the True Self, 8 weeks beginning September 11, 6:30- 9 p.m.; and a workshop, Coming Together as One: Honoring the Divine Feminine, September 15, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Men's Spirit meets September 8 at 11 a.m. A Mondays Spanish Meditation starts September 10, 7-8 p.m. Course in Miracles will not meet in September, but Open Meditation on Wednesdays resumes 6:30-7 p.m. Spiritual Cinema Night Friday, September 14 7 p.m. 1249 Coombs 252-4847 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH Sunday service and Sunday school for youths up to age 20 at 10 a.m. The Wednesday evening service is at 7:30. Child care provided at all services. New hours for the Reading Room, located in our church building, open to the public weekdays except Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. All current Christian Science literature, including the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the renowned Christian Science Monitor, are available to all to read or purchase; 2210 Second St., Napa; 255-5255; christiansciencenapa.com. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, NAPA SECOND WARD Sacrament meeting is each Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by Sunday School at 11:15 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:10 p.m. Young mens and young womens programs are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Corner of Trower Avenue and Dry Creek Road, Napa. 224-6496. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM Congregation Beth Shalom invites you to join Worship services at 6 p.m. with Rabbi Niles Goldstein this Friday, Aug. 18. Delicious Oneg Shabbat will follow at 7 p.m. hosted by Linda and Larry Miller in honor of their daughters engagement. Tickets are available for High Holiday Services; Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. 1455 Elm Street, 253-7305, cbsnapashulcloud.org. CORNERSTONE MINISTRIES Sunday service is at 10:15 a.m. Spanish Church begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday school and childcare are available at both services. Our midweek service is at 6:30 on Wednesday nights. There is childcare and childrens activities at this service. Middle school and high school study meets on Wednesday nights, as well, at 6:30 in the Youth Room. 3305 Linda Vista Ave., Napa; 252-2909. cmnv.org. COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH This week at CPC, we warmly welcome the Rev. Ruthanne Svendsen, who will join interim pastor Lynda Hyland Burris in leading an outdoor worship service. In the tradition of the Taize community in France, songs will be chanted while all who are able will walk the stone labyrinth. Chairs will be placed on the lawn and pathway around the labyrinth, so that all are included in offering prayers and blessings. Tents will protect the seated from sun but if youre walking the labyrinth you may want a hat. Donna Kadel will assist this week, the first reading, Proverbs 9: 1-6, and the second reading, Psalm 111:1-10. Following the 10:30 a.m. service will be a bittersweet goodbye potluck luncheon for Rev. Burris, as she completes her ministry with us. See you Sunday! www.cpcnapa.org. (707) 255-9426 Services begin at 10:30 a.m. 1226 Salvador Ave. cpcnapa.org or find us on Facebook. CREEKSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH Weekly worship service is Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Services and attire are casual with a blend of fellowship, music and teaching. Child care and childrens church offered during service. 1050 Hagen Road, Napa. CreeksideChurchNapa.org; 255-7266. CROSSWALK COMMUNITY CHURCH Join us for service at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtyard. Childrens programs available during this time. FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH We welcome you to come and experience church at First Christian and become part of our family. Our Sunday service is at 10 a.m. Kids Ministry offered for babies through fifth grade. 2659 First Street www.fccnapa.org FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Please join us this week for your worship experience. Pastor David will be preaching and his sermon title is All That From A Little Bit of Water, with a scripture references of Luke 3:1-22. We sing hymns at 9 a.m. and have praise music at 10:30 a.m. Childcare for newborn to age 4 is available each week. Our weekly Sunday School programs are: The Path Sunday School for kids, K through 5, at 10:30 a.m.; The Adult Bible Study also meets at 10:30 a.m. We have refreshments after both worship times. Visitors are always welcome, look for our tall white steeple in the center of the city and greeters will be near the front doors to answer any questions. We have an ADA elevator lift to assist with going up the front steps. 1333 Third St., 224-8693, fpcnapa.org, facebook.com/fpcnapa, look for us on Givelify. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Join us at either the 9:30 a.m. service in the Sanctuary or the 11 a.m. worship service in the Asbury Room. office@napamethodist.org, 253-1411 GRACE CHURCH OF NAPA VALLEY Worship service at 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Adult Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. Childrens service at 9 and 10:40 a.m. Nursery and preschool care available. Junior high ministry meets Tuesday at 7 p.m.; high school meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at 3765 Solano Ave., Napa. 255-4033, GraceNapa.org. HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP If youre a regular church attendee, never been or maybe its just been awhile, we invite you to come join us this Sunday and start the adventure with us at 10:30 a.m. Spanish speaking service on Sunday evenings at 6:30. Alcoholics Anonymous group meets weekly on Monday and Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. 970 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga. HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH We meet at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at 100 Anderson Road, Napa. 255-3036; hccnapa.com. HOLY FAMILY PARISH Holy Mass is celebrated at 9 a.m. on Sundays and in the traditional Tridentine Latin (Extraordinary) form of the Roman Rite, according to the 1962 Missal, at noon. Before Low Masses, there is a recitation of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 11:30 a.m. Confession is available after every Low Mass. Holy Family Parish is a Catholic mission-parish of St. Joan of Arc in Yountville. 1241 Niebaum Lane, Rutherford. 944-2461. HOLY GROUND CHRISTIAN CENTER Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m., and Bible study is Wednesday at 7 p.m. 3860 Broadway, Suite 111, American Canyon. 373-2015. LIVING VINE CHURCH We meet every Sunday morning at 10. 3305 Linda Vista Avenue, Napa. 226-5551. MEMORIAL CHAPEL AT VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA, YOUNTVILLE Sunday worship service 10:15 a.m. Coffee fellowship one hour before service. Bible study on Wednesday at 1 p.m., Fellowship Room, with refreshments served; prayer meetings Thursday at 1 p.m. The memorial chapel is on the Veterans Home at Yountville campus on California Drive, across from the administration building. 944-4840. The public is welcome. MONT LA SALLE CHAPEL Roman Catholic liturgical services are open to all in this chapel of the De la Salle Christian Brothers at 4401 Redwood Road, Napa. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m. NAPA COMMUNITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Worship service starts at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, when Pastor Nate Furness will present his sermon, Love. Napacomm.com, 1105 G St., Napa, 252-2444. NAPA METHODIST CHURCH Napa Methodist is a progressive, reconciling church where all people are welcome. This Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Marylee preaches Breathe in, Breathe Out based on the gospel of Luke 5:15-26. And on the same text from Luke, Youth Pastor Keith will preach at the 11 a.m. service. 625 Randolph St., 253-1411, napamethodist.org. NAPA FRIENDS MEETING (QUAKERS) Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Silent meeting in the custom of Friends. Meet at the VOICES Youth Center, 780 Lincoln Ave., Napa. Enter at parking lot on left side of building, using door at end of wheelchair ramp. Quaker signs will be posted on Sunday mornings. We welcome visiting friends or those who are new to Quaker practice. Childrens Program available with advance notice. nvquaker@gmail.com; 253-1505. NAPA VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Bible Study for all ages, 10:30 a.m. for worship service and a fun, interactive and energetic childrens program for preschool through fifth grade. Nursery provided for all Sunday services. 2303 Trower Ave., Napa. napavalleybaptist.org; 252-2100. NAPA VALLEY BIBLE CHAPEL Abraham Chacko will teach in the 11 a.m. Bible hour on Sunday, Aug. 19. We start Sunday services by remembering the Lords death, burial and resurrection during a time of worship and thanksgiving at 9:30 a.m., followed by a fellowship and coffee time starting at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., we enjoy a time of Bible teaching. On Wednesdays at 6 p.m., we meet for a brief Bible study and a time of prayer. 1559 Second St., Napa. napavalleybiblechapel.com. NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH We welcome Brad Jameson to our pulpit on Sunday for our worship service at 10 a.m. His theme will be Our Living Hope, using the scripture from 1 Peter 1:1-9. Child care/Sunday school is available. Our mid-week Bible study will resume this week. napavalleychurch.org. Napa Valley Community Church is a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church. 4149 Linda Vista Ave, Napa. Call 337-4328. Napavalleychurch.org. *NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Includes childrens time. Fellowship time follows. All are welcome. The church is located at the corner of Jefferson and Elm, Napa. 226-8166, napavalleylutheran.org. *NAPA VALLEY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS 10 a.m. traditional service with Rainer Hoenicke and Sunday Service Assistant, Norma Neil. Rainer will use excerpts from a December 2017 essay by Rebecca Solnit in Harper's Magazine to explore the premise that the aim of preaching is not the transmission of new information and to persuade people to believe, as it is to encourage them to inquire into existing beliefs and deepen an understanding. This becomes particularly relevant during election season. Infant care, child care, and religious education provided. 1625 Salvador Ave., Napa; www.nvuu.org; 226.9220 NEW LIFE TABERNACLE Sunday school at 10 a.m., followed by worship service at 11. Sunday evening service the first Sunday of every month. Bible study on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. 2625 First St., Napa. 255-1062; NewLifeNapa.com. ST. APOLLINARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH All masses in English, visitors welcome. Sunday Mass times: 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m., Saturday Evening (Vigil for Sunday) 4:30 p.m. Daily Mass Times: Monday-Friday: 7 and 8:45 a.m.; Saturday: 8:45 a.m . Confession: Saturdays: 3:30-4:15 p.m., Monday-Friday: 6:30-6:50 a.m., Monday-Saturday: 8:15-8:35 a.m. 3700 Lassen Street, Napa. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST St. John the Baptist Church holds daily masses in English at 7:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Weekend masses are Saturday at 5 p.m. (English) and 7 p.m. (Spanish) and Sunday 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m. (English), noon (Spanish), and 5 p.m. (English). Wednesday evening mass at 7 (Spanish). Corner of Caymus and Yajome streets in downtown Napa. ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday services are at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. The early service makes use of traditional Lutheran liturgy and hymns, with the singing led by the organ. The 10:15 service is more informal in style with the singing led by the band. Childrens church is offered during the 10:15 service for preschool through 4th grade. ST. MARYS EPISCOPAL CHURCH Worship on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. or Sundays at 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. (organ and choir). Childrens Chapel (Sunday school) is at 9:50 a.m. Sunday. Nursery care is provided during the 10 a.m. service. Coffee hour follows the worship services on Sunday. 1917 Third St., Napa. 255-0991; StMarysNapa.org. ST. STEPHENS ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., sung using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Refreshments and social time after the 10:30 service. 1250 Oakville Grade, Oakville. 944-8915; ststephensoakville.org. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH Mass times are Saturday at 4 p.m. (English), Sunday at 8 a.m. (English), 11 a.m. (English) and 1:30 p.m. (Spanish). Daily mass is at 9 a.m., except on the first Friday, which is at noon and in English. 2725 Elm St., Napa. 255-2949; stthomasaquinasnapa.com. SALVATION ARMY Join us for services Sundays at 10 a.m. 590 Franklin St., Napa. napasalarmy.org. THE FATHERS HOUSE Service times are Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Child care and Kids Church are available (ages infant through sixth grade). Youth ministry Encounter meets every Wednesday night at 7. Celebrate Recovery meets on Monday nights at 6:30. 2557 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa. tfh.org. *UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER IN NAPA VALLEY Unitys guest speaker this week at the 10 a.m. service is Rev. Dave Lyman. His message is entitled, The Spirituality of Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein. Rev. Dave takes a look at two men who lived life in their own way, and in so doing, defined their own spirituality. Our Sunday Service music is performed by our musical director, Lon Eakes. At 11:40 a.m., following a brief refreshment break, Rev. Dave will facilitate a discussion group pertaining to his message. Sunday Service and Forum are held at the historic Grange Hall, 3275 Hagan Road, Napa. Parking next to the building. www.Facebook.com/USCNV www.UnitySpiritualCenterNapa.org, 255-6881. *YOUNTVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH This Sunday at 10 a.m. is our weekly service. Our topic is on Confidence. The main church building is under repairs and we are meeting in our Sunday School classrooms on the North side of the church. Come join us for coffee, donuts, and an excellent study about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sunday School is at 9 a.m. for all ages. We have an Adult Bible class, Youth Group (fiftheighth grades and high school students),and Childrens classes Jesus and Me, (Birth-Kindergarten) and first through fifth grades are offered. Office hours are Tuesday 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 6619 Yount St., Yountville, 944-2179. Want to have your church included in Worship Notes? Need to update your congregations information? Contact editor Kelly Doren at kdoren@napanews.com or 256-2263. What goes up must come down, but what's down can't always easily go up. At least that's the case with the State Highway 12 bridge in Rio Vista, which has been stuck in the "down" position since last Friday after Caltrans made emergency repairs to lower the central span from its "up" position a day earlier. Although vehicles can now cross the bridge again, only the smallest pleasure craft on the Sacramento River can duck underneath it. And that's a big problem for the large cargo ships that have been unable to pass underneath the bridge this week on their way to and from the Port of West Sacramento 40 miles north. Caltrans, which has been trying to repair the bridge for almost a week now, soon may have a temporary solution, according to agency spokesman Dennis Keaton. Crews will manually raise and test the bridge from 7 p.m. today to 5 a.m. Friday, and motorists are advised to take the ferry or alternate routes between Sacramento and Solano counties. For detours to and from Sacramento County, motorists can take State Route 113 or Interstate 80. For other detours, Caltrans suggests using state routes 12, 4 and 160 along with segments of I-80 and I-680. Caltrans officials say the motor gear box that raises and lowers the vertical-lift bridge over the Sacramento River is the problem and could take up to 30 days to repair. If the test to raise the bridge works, contractors will manually operate the platform by using cables, pulleys and counterweights in the interim, according to the Caltrans spokesman. "This is all uncharted territory for us," Keaton said. "To lower it is different -- it's already been in place. When you are raising it, you have a counterweight system for the bridge. You have to use cables and watch the weight being lifted. It's a balancing act." Built in two stages between 1943-1945 and 1957-1960, the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge is designed to lift a large platform to allow ships underneath, but when the span got stuck for 10 hours last Thursday, it caused a traffic nightmare and long lines at the small area ferries, forcing repair crews to manually lower it so vehicles could cross over again. But now, with a cement cargo ship stranded since Monday in West Sacramento and another Chinese cargo ship anchored in San Francisco waiting days to go up the river to Sacramento, Caltrans officials are burning the midnight oil to figure out a permanent fix. Once the bridge is raised, Caltrans and the U.S. Coast Guard have agreed to schedule marine traffic on the shipping lanes, though there is no estimate on when that will happen. Rick Toft, manager of the Port of West Sacramento, said Caltrans is coordinating efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard to expedite repairs and to "minimize regional economic impacts." He estimates it costs $25,000 a day when a ship is delayed. "But that's just the cost of the ship," he said. "There is also the cost of delaying the cargo, which is more difficult to quantify because there is a significant multiplier effect." It's the first time in his 20 years at the port he's ever seen any bridge troubles like this, he said. "Our vessel traffic is interrupted until the bridge is operable," he said, noting even sailboats cannot get through. By law, marine traffic has priority over cars and trucks. "They are under a lot of pressure to fix this," Toft added. "We're going to wait and see how the test goes and take it from there." Oscar Villegas, chairman of the Port Commission, said the Port of West Sacramento is the conduit for cement being imported for much of the construction in Northern California. "We move a significant amount of cement through the port," he said. "Right now we are unable to load or unload two key products: rice and cement." Villegas predicts "huge impacts" if repairs take 30 days or more and the shipping lanes remain blocked. Three ships, one with rice and two with cement, are due into port in the next 10 days, he said. "We are nervous because there are a couple of ships that are trying to come in with cement, and once they get to the bridge, they will have to make some decisions about how long they can wait because time is money," he said. Villegas said most of the cement imported to West Sacramento comes from China, and over the past two years there has been an increase in its demand. "This happens to be a banner year for cement shipments into the Port of West Sacramento, so it (the broken bridge) is not good timing," Villegas said, noting there's also been an increase in bulk rice shipments. The blocked shipping lanes could have a potential trickle-down effect on several industries, Villegas said. "It's the tip of the iceberg at the moment," he said. "It will have a ripple effect -- on commercial and residential construction. Once you start getting into two or three weeks of delays, it will have a bigger impact -- then you are setting everybody back -- you lose your framers, electricians, plumbers -- the trades are lined up. You can see how quickly the different industry sectors will be affected when the cargo is not being moved out. "It could have an effect on the construction industry like we have not seen in quite some time," he said. To hasten the repairs, port authorities and others are working with state legislators to push through emergency funding, Villegas said. "We want to make sure they are expediting this," he said. "We think it rises to that level of urgency." Some residents want a wary Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District to weigh in on mountainside logging to clear room for vineyards and other controversial land use issues. In particular, Angwin resident Kellie Anderson wants it to take a stand against a proposed vineyard project near the Linda Falls nature preserve. The Open Space District holds an easement on this land owned by The Land Trust of Napa County. But while the Open Space District sometimes comments on certain aspects of development proposals near its properties, it doesnt support or oppose them. The agencys Board of Directors on Monday was cautious about changing that practice. Voters last year almost passed a quarter-cent sales tax for the district, with the margin close to the two-thirds needed. Director Barry Christian said that shows him that most residents think the district is on the right track. Im a little bit nervous about jumping off the rail and getting onto a different track, he said. The Open Space District is a special district created by voters in 2006, with elected board members. It does such things as run Moore Creek Park near Lake Hennessey and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park between St. Helena and Calistoga. It is creating a new Suscol Headwaters park between the city of Napa and American Canyon. As a special district, there is no question whether the Open Space District has the legal authority to comment on proposed actions by other public agencies it does, Open Space District General Manager John Woodbury wrote in a report. The question is whether doing so advances the districts mission of protecting open space and providing appropriate public access, he wrote. One consideration is whether taking positions on land use issues might cost the support of the public and the organizations that provide grants and donations that allow the district to operate. Anderson and others said the district should be concerned about proposed development near Linda Falls, given the districts involvement with the preserve. It is a place thats so important, we cannot sit and say were worried about the wine industry and how they might harm us, Anderson said. Because they wont. Theyll support you. If the Open Space District board doesnt show voters why its relevant, its next attempt at passing a quarter-cent sales tax for open space might fail, she said. Rural resident Jim Wilson a co-author of the Measure C watershed protection initiative that narrowly lost in the June 5 electionalso wants the district to participate more in local land use issues. You do a great job buying and managing land, Wilson said. We need to talk about ways to improve on that. One way to do it is to provide leadership, to the point you do what needs to be done and you get maybe in a little hot water. The Le Colline project mentioned by Anderson would convert 32 acres of timberland and 4 acres of brush to vineyard. Conn Creek runs through the property and onto the adjacent, 140-acre Linda Falls nature preserve, where hikers can see a 30-foot waterfall tumbling onto volcanic boulders. Napa County is overseeing a yet-to-be-released environmental impact report on the vineyard project and would have to grant an erosion control plan for it to proceed. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection would have to grant a commercial timber harvest permit. Woodbury pointed out he sent a September 2017 letter to the Department of Forestry concerning the Le Colline project on behalf of the district. That letter said the district would like to see such alternatives explored as increased setbacks from Conn Creek and less clear-cutting and thinning of canopy. But the district in the letter stuck to its practice of neither supporting or opposing development projects. The Napa County Board of Supervisors provides funding for the Open Space District by allotting a portion of the countys transient occupancy tax. That raises the possibility that an Open Space District wading into land use battles could find itself at odds with its financial benefactor. Several Open Space District directors acknowledged this could create an uncomfortable situation. Ive always been kind of the opinion of, if we want to change land use policy, we should do it through the Board of Supervisors, Director Brent Randol said, adding such changes arent the districts prerogative. Christian said the district doesnt acquire land to cut down trees for vineyards or to build wineries, but to protect it. We are leading the charge in our own way preserving land and opening it up, Christian said. 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. Sparklers are truly something special, and are now produced in many growing areas of the world not normally associated with these wines. And since theyre available in a broad price range, you dont have to break the bank to drink what the French Benedictine Monk Dom Perignon is reported to have said in the late 17th century, Come quickly, I am tasting the stars! In 2005, my wife Barbara and I joined a few friends in the wine industry that included growers, vintners and winemakers in launching our Cork & Baggers wine-tasting group. We began with 12 of us and now our group has grown to a max of 18 and still going strong. We meet on the first Wednesday of every other month when one member assumes the host role in selecting the type of wine well be tasting and the hors doeuvres-style dishes that well enjoy. Each member (or couple) brings a bottle of the designated wine category in a brown bag (consequently, the groups name) and our tastings are conducted blind. Over the years, we have tasted hundreds of wines from local producers as well as others from around the world with the hosts choice based on any criteria they choose. The selections have been fairly specific (2013 Napa Cabernet under $50) or somewhat general (Syrah from anywhere in the world) with many others in between. Until this past week, weve always met at Cindys Backstreet Kitchen, but with the restaurants closing we needed a new home for the group. By chance, it was our turn to host the tasting. So I reached out to old friends Kimmie Husted and Nash Cognetti (both previously with Tra Vigne) who are now doing a praiseworthy job in catering and event dining at Tre Posti in St. Helena. Our wine choice for the evening was sparkling wine from anywhere in the world except California and Champagne. This raised a few eyebrows among our members as the concern of having a Prosecco-laden evening crossed the minds of a few, even though we mentioned in our email invitation that if Prosecco was anyones choice it should be from one of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG areas. These areas, as opposed to Prosecco DOC, are known for outstanding, world-class wines. Seventeen of our members attended (a record showing) and we enjoyed a sparkling journey tasting 10 different wines (and no Prosecco) from a variety of growing areas, a combination of traditional (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) grapes and a host of regional ones as well. Some were vintage dated and others were not; some were single varietals while others were blends. Complementing the wines that were served randomly in four flights, Nash prepared his signature Mozzarella al Minuto, a delicious prosciutto-wrapped Sonoma fig and perhaps the most beautiful heirloom panzanella bruschetta that any of us had ever tasted. Overall, the wines showed incredibly well and eye-openers abounded with virtually every glass. The range was diverse spanning selections from New Mexico (somewhat expected) to the Tokaj region of Hungary (100 percent Furmint as seen in Tokaji wines) and the Rheingau (100 percent Riesling) of Germany. We had several Cremants from various areas of France (outside of Champagne) including Burgundy (Chardonnay), Alsace (two blends featuring Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois) and Limoux (Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir). We also enjoyed a Cava Gran Reserva (Xarel-lo and Macabeo with a touch of Chardonnay) from the Catalan region of Spain and selections from South Africa (Chardonnay dominant with Pinot Noir) and the Trentino region of northeast Italy (a rose of Pinot Nero and Chardonnay). Sparkling wines can be made in any of three standard processes that, depending on the area of production are known by a variety of names. Methode Champenoise is the traditional method of Champagne. The still wines are vinified, blended and bottled with the addition of a small amount of sugar and yeast (liqueur de tirage).The bottle is then closed with a bottle cap and left to lay on its side while the secondary fermentation (producing the bubbles) proceeds. After the desired time has passed (from a year up to many) the dead yeast cells are nurtured to the neck of the bottle by a riddling process (either manually or mechanically) and disgorged. A small addition of wine and sugar (dosage) is then quickly added to bring the wine to its desired volume and sweetness level before placement of the cork, cage and foil. The term Methode Champenoise by law in France can be used only in the Champagne region, and all wines bearing the name Champagne must be made in this method. Cremant is the term used for wines made in the traditional method in France, but outside of Champagne. And those produced in this way from other countries use the term Methode Traditionnelle or the official European Union designation of Methode Classique. A second production process is the Charmat Method. The still wine undergoes secondary fermentation in a pressurized tank and the sparkling wine is then transferred directly to bottle while remaining under pressure. This method is far less costly and the wines spend considerably less time in bottle before being released for sale. In Italy, this method is used for all Prosecco and referred to as Metodo Italiano. The third and least costly method adds the carbonation directly to the still wine in tank, which is then transferred to bottle as with soda pop and other carbonated drinks. By chance, all of the wines at our tasting were made in the Methode Traditionnelle. So, another big surprise was value. Prices for these quality and engaging wines ranged from $17 to $39 per bottle with most from $20 to $30. Just imagine tasting the stars at these prices! The interested wine lover may have to search out some of these wines, but finding and enjoying them with friends will make the effort more than worthwhile. Share your experiences with other readers by commenting on this article at napavalleyregister.com/wine-exchange or email me at allenbalik@savorlifethroughwine.com. Allen Balik, a Napa resident, has been a wine collector, consultant, author, fundraiser and enthusiast for more than 35 years. What I consider one brilliant idea, Cru Artisan College, was created by the Banfi group in an effort to educate wine professionals about their vast portfolio and Italy in general. I had the pleasure of attending this one-day event for the second time a few weeks ago. This years Cru Artisan College California Campus took place at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia on First Street, which turns out to be the ideal venue. The all-day affair started in the front courtyard at 10 a.m. with Lambrusco and small bites. After the chipper reception, the attendees, 50 or so members of the hospitality industry and media, moved into a classroom setting where we submerged ourselves into the Alta Langa DOCG. This is the premier sparkling wine of the Piemonte region of Northern Italy. We tasted through a lineup of bubbles that included some unreleased samples and some wines available in the market. All the while, we learned from Alberto Lazzarino, president of the Association of Winemakers and Enologista of Piemonte. He shared the rich history of the Alta Langa DOCG and production standards that date back to the 1860s. It was quite a revealing seminar, which showcased quality wines that require longer aging than most Champagnes while similarly focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. From there, we moved into a flight of Montepulciano d Abruzzo in a portion led by Enrico Cerulli, president of the Colline Teramane Consorzio, and proprietor of Cerulli Spinozzi tucked in the Colline Teramane region of Abruzzo facing the Adriatic Sea. Cerulli illustrated the area in which his family has deep roots and we tasted a couple wines from his portfolio, which depicted a serious effort from this enchanting varietal. After this portion, the group migrated to the adjacent room where we explored the world of Brunello di Montalcino centered in Tuscany. The education and tasting was led by Gabriele Pazzaglia, cellarmaster at Castello Banfi. Aside from understanding the soil composition of Montalcino and winemaking evolution of this region, we tasted three wines: a lustrous 1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino, 2007 Poggio alle Mura, which offered an array of fresh and raisined fruit with and integrated tannins as well as a young 2013 Poggio alle Mura, which showed a heavy floral component and a lot of promise. Somewhere in the middle of the day, the students had the chance to participate in a blind tasting exercise in which a handful of wines were presented and we had to deduce a number of things, including grape varietal, country, and region of production. Continuing with the schedule, we went back to the original classroom and we had the pleasure of exploring the classic Veronese technique of producing wine. This was guided by Andrea Sartori, president of the Valpolicella Consorzio, president of the Consorzio Italia del Vino and family proprietor of Sartori di Verona. Sartori explained the 120-year history of winemaking in the Verona region and shared some of his most prized wines, which included an herbal and acid driven 2014 Valpolicella, 2013 Veronese Rosso, produced via Appassimento(partial drying of the grapes.) It was rich and fulfilling! And there was the 2009 I Saltari Amarone, which showed a roller coaster of electric fruit, grippy tannin and a cleansing acidic balance. To produce Amarone, grapes are dried for three months and followed by an extended maceration of 20-30 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks giving a generous color and structure to the final wine. The final portion of the program included a fascinating, in-depth look into Marsala, a fortified style of wine akin to Madeira and Sherry. This region acquired the DOC status in 1969 after more than a century of production. The tasting and seminar was in the hands of Roberto Magnisi whose title is quality control director at Florio in Sicily. Magnisi showcased the 2004 Cantine Florio Targa Riserva 1840 composed of 100 percent Grillo, a white grape from Sicily, which gives this wine a tremendous acid layer to complement the aromas of freshly roasted espresso beans, toasted hazelnuts and pineapple upside down cake. Quite a remarkable jewel achieved by harvesting overripe grapes by hand, fortified with cooked must and matured for at least seven years in oak barrels. For the Bitter End as Lars Leicht, national director of Cru Artisan Wines and Banfi, likes to say, we tried the Fernet Florio, an Amaro produced in the Sun Belt area in Sicily, which offers a very pleasing array of eucalyptus, cinnamon, saffron and mint enough to convert any Fernet Branca fans. The amount of newly stored knowledge and gained experience gained from the Cru Artisan College is unparalleled, and there is certainly something to take from for other brands to offer similar opportunities for the beverage professionals in our community and beyond. Eduardo can be reached at eduardo@sakedrinker.com. Troops of the BSF Meghalaya Frontier have seized 69 cattle worth around Rs 13 lakh from areas along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the State. A statement issued in Shillong by the BSF on Thursday said that on Independence Day, BSF troops deployed at Tuka in East Khasi Hills district noticed suspicious movement near international border. The operation party rushed to the spot but miscreants ran away and took advantage of the thick vegetation and bad weather which resulted in the recovery of 28 cattle worth approximately Rs. 5.8 lakh. These cattle were being smuggled out from India to Bangladesh. The smugglers were trying to smuggle cattle from the unfenced area but the alert BSF jawans always foil their attempts, the statement said. Similarly, the BSF troops deployed at Muktapur, West Jaintia Hills, Lyngkhat and Patharghat in East Khasi Hills district seized 41 cattle worth approximately Rs 7.2 lakh while being smuggled from India to Bangladesh on Independence Day. The 444-km long Indo-Bangladesh border with Meghalaya interspersed with riverine, dense forests and hilly terrains which provide favorable conditions for cattle smuggling and other crimes. The increasing demand in Bangladesh for the forthcoming `Eid-ul-Azha and high profit involved has tempted smugglers to indulge in cattle smuggling despite of heavy vigil by the sentinels of the border. Inclement weather also played supportive role for criminals, the statement said, adding that BSF troops were heavily engaged in curbing this menace which has suddenly increased in Meghalaya in the last few months. In the last four days, the BSF Meghalaya Frontier has seized 344 cattle, and contraband items worth more than Rs 73 lakh being smuggled out from India to Bangladesh via the international border in Meghalaya from areas of Tuka, Hat Thymmai, Lyngkhat, Umsyiem, Ryngku, Shella, Patharghat in East Khasi Hills district and Muktapur in West Jaintia Hills district. Frequent seizures by BSF troops indicated that smuggling of cattle has shown a phenomenal increase this year along the international border in Meghalaya. Though desperation is seen on the part of cattle smugglers, but they are making very daring bids to push the cattle to Bangladesh, but somehow they have not been successful, the BSF statement added. Story Highlights 50% approve of Trump's handling of the economy 35% approve of his handling of Russia, the environment Economic approval for Trump higher than average of his predecessors WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Half of Americans approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling the economy, his highest score on nine issues tested in the latest Gallup poll, and the only one that exceeds his overall job approval rating by a significant margin. His worst ratings are on the environment and relations with Russia, which are the only two significantly worse than his overall approval rating. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling -- ? Approve Disapprove % % The economy 50 47 The situation with North Korea 46 50 Gun policy 43 53 Foreign trade 39 56 Foreign affairs 39 58 Education 39 54 Immigration 38 61 The environment 35 61 Relations with Russia 35 61 Gallup, Aug. 1-12, 2018 The Aug. 1-12 Gallup poll finds 42% of Americans approving of the job Trump is doing overall. His overall approval rating in the separate Gallup tracking survey for the weeks ending Aug. 5 and Aug. 12 were 41% and 39%, respectively. In the six times Gallup has measured Trump approval on the issues, the economy has either been his best issue or tied for his best (with terrorism, which was not included in the current survey). He has averaged a 48% approval rating for handling the economy thus far in office, which exceeds the combined average 45% economic approval for his five immediate predecessors across their entire terms. Bill Clinton's 57% average economic approval is the highest of presidents since Ronald Reagan, the first president for whom Gallup regularly measured issue approval ratings. On foreign affairs, the other major focus area for all presidents, 39% of Americans currently approve of Trump. He has averaged a 38% approval rating for handling foreign affairs to date, which is substantially worse than the combined 50% average of the past five presidents. Reagan (44%) and Barack Obama (45%) have the lowest foreign affairs approval ratings among these presidents, while George H.W. Bush has the highest, at 63%. Foreign affairs is one of six issues in the poll for which Trump's approval rating is not meaningfully different from his current overall approval rating. The others are the situation with North Korea, gun policy, foreign trade, education and immigration. Trump Issue Ratings Mostly Stable Six of the issues included in the current survey were also measured in February. Since then, Trump's approval rating for handling the situation with North Korea has increased modestly from 41% to 46%, likely a response to the June summit meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Over the past six months, Trump's approval rating for handling foreign trade has declined significantly, from 46% to 39%, as the administration has engaged in a trade war with China and other countries. Trump's approval on the economy, foreign affairs, immigration and relations with Russia are statistically unchanged since February. Changes in President Trump Issue Approval Ratings, February to August 2018 Approve (February) Approve (August) Change % % pct. pts. The situation with North Korea 41 46 +5 Foreign affairs 39 39 0 The economy 51 50 -1 Relations with Russia 37 35 -2 Immigration 41 38 -3 Foreign trade 46 39 -7 Gallup Gallup previously asked about Trump's handling of the environment in June 2017, at which time 32% approved, essentially the same as now. The current poll is the first time Gallup has asked Americans to assess Trump's handling of education and gun policy. Economy Trump's Best Issue for All Party Groups While Republicans rate Trump more highly than independents and Democrats on all nine issues measured in the poll, the rank order of approval ratings is about the same for all three party groups. Trump gets his highest scores from Republicans, independents and Democrats for the economy. Republicans and independents are least positive about Trump's handling of the environment and Russia. Those two issues tie with immigration as Trump's worst among Democrats. No fewer than 74% of Republicans approve of Trump on any issue, and no fewer than 79% of Democrats disapprove of him, with 90% or higher disapproval from Democrats on four of the nine issues. Half or more of independents disapprove of Trump on each issue, including roughly two-thirds who do so on immigration, the environment and Russia. President Trump Issue Approval, by Political Party Republicans Independents Democrats % Approve % Disapprove % Approve % Disapprove % Approve % Disapprove The economy 90 10 46 51 19 79 The situation with North Korea 83 14 44 50 12 84 Gun policy 85 13 38 55 9 88 Foreign trade 82 17 32 60 9 87 Foreign affairs 80 17 32 62 8 90 Education 76 18 34 58 9 84 Immigration 81 18 31 67 5 94 The environment 74 23 29 65 6 93 Relations with Russia 74 24 28 65 7 91 Gallup, Aug. 1-12, 2018 Implications Consistent with Trump's low overall approval ratings, he receives lackluster ratings from Americans for handling specific issues. The economy is the only one of nine tested in the latest poll for which approval of Trump exceeds disapproval. That issue has been a relative bright spot for Trump, as he governs at a time of a relatively strong economy. So far, Trump's approval on the economy is higher than what recent presidents have typically had. However, Trump's predecessors took office during a U.S. recession (Reagan and Obama) or shortly after one ended (Clinton), or were in office when a U.S. recession began (George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush). With Trump's overall approval rating running close to 10 percentage points below his economic approval rating, it appears other factors are more influential in Americans' assessments of how he is doing. The other factors could be issues like foreign affairs, immigration or trade, on which his approval is closer to his overall approval rating. But they could be non-issue-related, like his personal characteristics, or more simply a result of a Republican president governing in an increasingly politically polarized era. Explore President Trump's approval ratings and compare them with those of past presidents in the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center. MP Zaake bearing hallmarks of torture Foreign missions in the country are deeply concerned and "disturbed" by governments brutal treatment of arrested members of parliament, journalists and citizens following clashes between opposition supporters and presidential guards in Arua district. Over 35 people including MPs, journalists and other civilians were roundly arrested, some allegedly tortured by presidential guards and other security operatives when opposition supporters allegedly stoned President Yoweri Musevenis motorcade in Arua district on Monday this week ahead of the Wednesday by-election. MPs; Robert Kyagulanyi (Kyadondo East), who has since been arraigned before a military court in Gulu and charged with illegal possession of firearms, and Francis Zaake (Mityana) are reportedly in very critical condition after they were allegedly tortured by security operatives while in detention Gulu district. Zaake, also in worrying health condition was today dumped at the gates of Lubaga hospital by unknown people. Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago who visited Kyagulanyi said his health condition has worsened and called on Ugandans to pray so hard for his quick recovery. Other suspects have also claimed they were tortured by security operatives with one female suspect reportedly now passing out blood from her private parts. Kyagulanyi has been charged with illegal possession of firearms while other suspects have been charged with treason. Kyagulanyi was remanded to Makindye military prison till August 23 while others were remanded to Gulu main prison until August 30. Yesterday, protests over the treatment of the MPs - particularly Bobi Wine broke out in the slums of Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb which is home to the Fire Base Crew, a group of youthful artists led by the legislator aka Ghetto president. Several youths were roundly arrested as the protests entered into a second day today, Friday. In a joint statement issued today by the European Union and heads of missions from the Austrian, Belgium, Danish, French, Germany, Irish, Italian, Swedish, British, Norwegian and Iceland embassies, the diplomats said are deeply concerned with events that have occurred before and after the Arua municipality by-election won by independent candidate Kassiano Wadri. The violence marring the day before the polls, the lack of accredited domestic observers, the reported brutal treatment of elected Members of the Uganda Parliament, journalists and civilians, as well as the loss of human life are very disquieting events. There is no room for repression nor violence in a modern democratic Uganda. the statement further reads. The statement further said the events have caused much suffering to citizens and have damaged the global image if Uganda. The diplomats called on government, political parties and civil society to ensure that respect for rule of law and individual rights is swiftly and transparently addressed. Likewise the US Embassy in Uganda also in a statement issued today, said it was disturbed by the events in Arua, Kampala and Gulu. All of those detained have the right to humane treatment, due process, access to lawyers and to their families, and a prompt, fair, and transparent trial. Those who need medical attention should be granted immediate access to a doctor of their choice. We urge the Government to show the world that Uganda respects its constitution and the human rights of all of its citizens. Lol Jamie wasnt expecting that response Reply Parent Thread Link I love how the kids are just so matter of fact about it. Reply Parent Thread Link Lmaoooo yeah I dont get people who act pretentious about chicken nuggets and still eat fast food, like I have a friend who acts disgusted everytime she sees a chicken nugget but then orders chicken sandwiches like the McChicken all the time....like Bih its the same shit Reply Parent Thread Link Making gross meat palatable is bad now I guess. Reply Parent Thread Link i hate that this made me hungry lol Reply Parent Thread Link really though how is that part of the meat any more disgusting than eating muscle and fat, etc? I eat it all idgaf. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link wtf, why waste it? i wouldn't want to eat the bone, tho. hate that. use the bones to make stock, imo. Reply Parent Thread Link Nnnnnn those kids had that grown man crying in his dressing room Edited at 2018-08-17 11:45 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link lol i wish she took this approach with louis c.k. instead of sweeping it under the rug Reply Thread Link Thank you. She aint shit Reply Parent Thread Link animals > people obv Reply Parent Thread Link Louis CK wasn't torturing and killing people. It's also not like factory farming doesn't directly and negatively impact people, either. Usually poor people who get fucked over by the pollution, health issues, plummeting property values, and stench. Edited at 2018-08-17 08:36 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Its true. Reply Parent Thread Link ugh she defended him? i know i should stop being upset when my faves disappoint me, but it still hurts. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link For real. Get a grip, Carmella. Reply Parent Thread Link B-But the chickens don't have a voice! Or something, I can't come up with an argument for supporting this nonsense. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't know that the people who supply McDonald's would be any worse than any large scale operation, but I guess given its omnipresent status it makes sense to choose them as a target. I'll have to google to see if anything makes the McDoanld's chickens unique (I imagine they all suffer and die about the same, but you never know). Chickens are treated horribly in general, the poor things. I thought about getting eggs off a coworker who raises them in her backyard, but truth be told I don't eat them enough to justify even that. Edited at 2018-08-17 06:42 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Depends if hens are brooders. Mine arent brooders. They lay eggs all over and abandon them lol. They want their freedom! Reply Parent Thread Link I was going to make an egg pun about deadbeats, but I'm not clever enough. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link You should be careful about salmonella from backyard chicken eggs. There have been dozens of cases reported to the CDC this year. I wouldnt risk it unless you can be certain that they are sanitized correctly. There are lots of free range, organic eggs at grocery stores now. Pete and Gerrys is an excellent free range brand if theyre available in your area. I think it may be an East Coast this since the eggs come from NH. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I get so annoyed when I meet so-called vegetarians who say they still eat chicken. Oh so they don't qualify as an animal now? Interesting Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Well, it depends. McDonald's def isn't the only restaurant getting their chicken from suppliers with poor policies but McDonald's is the target for these groups because they won't agree to a welfare commitment that enhances certain things (environment, space, lighting, the breed of chicken so that they don't grow to be as oversized), whereas a ton of other places have agreed to those baseline changes. And to be clear, I'm not saying that supplier farms that HAVE agreed to those changes aren't still awful places, I'm just saying that's specifically why McDonald's is a target for groups trying to work towards incremental improvements. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link also, this is the website for the campaign: +1 to what dejavu saidalso, this is the website for the campaign: https://imnotlovinit.com/ Reply Parent Thread Expand Link what the cluck Reply Thread Link Don't get kittens. Reply Parent Thread Link But they're so delicious. Now sis was that necessary? :-/ Reply Parent Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link nnnnn Reply Parent Thread Link I enjoy their nuggets and LOVE their fries. Hopefully the animals are killed in a humane manner. Reply Thread Link They are not Reply Parent Thread Link Lol Theyre stressed af. Do you think anyone cares? they dont give a fuck. Reply Parent Thread Link Theyre really not Reply Parent Thread Link lmao it says in the post that they're not Reply Parent Thread Link they literally have the worst lives ever. if you actually hope they are killed humanely, look into it. Reply Parent Thread Link is it possible to humanely kill dogs for their meat as well? Most people in Western countries would say no. so it ain't possible to humanely kill a chicken Reply Parent Thread Link Why are cruel and abuse in scare quotes? Reply Thread Link mte Reply Parent Thread Link yea wtf Reply Parent Thread Link I was referring to the source article actually; I should have made that clear. Even if those are her words, there's no reason to direct quote one word in a sentence. Quote full statements. Putting quotes around those two words makes it seem like the cruelty and abuse are merely allegations. Reply Parent Thread Link Probably for legal reason tbh. So if there is ever a lawsuit it clarifies that these are her words not whos reporting. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And hopefully those annoying and disrespectful alleged vegans and vegetarians from that Alpha movie post the other day don't show up. They def did not help the cause to no longer eat meat. Reply Thread Link I get my chicken and eggs from a couple of family members that raise them on their ranch, nothing beats an old hen soup with warm handmade tortillas. I also get milk and free cheese, their cows are the cutests and like to pose for pictures when I go see them. Reply Thread Link Ahh wish I had known about this, I work in Times Square and am down to protest all forms of cruelty. Reply Thread Link I try to buy cruelty free and vegan skincare and makeup products sometimes I dont think about it and I didnt realize vegan does not mean its also cruelty free and cruelty free does not mean vegan. I mean I knew it but I think I was trying to Make it easier for me by not doing more research. I had no idea shark oil is in so many products turns out my favorite blush and bronzer which is cruelty free and I was told vegan has shark oil in it. So need to do a lot more research and be way more picky about makeup. Reply Thread Link i always look to see if a product specifically says vegan on it. oh, i just saw this website today, may want to check it out! omg shark oil?!i always look to see if a product specifically says vegan on it. oh, i just saw this website today, may want to check it out! http://www.ethicalbunny.com/brands/ Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah I cant believe I love sharks and had no idea I avoid restaurants that serve shark and dont eat salmon or tuna but urban decay which everyone swears is vegan uses squaline (shark liver oil) in the naked sets. A lot or brands looks like have a lot of vegan products but not all vegan I wish there was more brands that were all vegan so these mistakes wouldnt be made. I also wish Kat Von D wasnt an idiot since her stuff is vegan but I dont want to buy it. I found that site This week its helpful but still a little difficult to Navigate Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Shadiness aside, the vegan/cruelty free market is just so backwards in terms of skin tech and peddle too much pseudoscience. I just wish there were more cf products that were streamlined with proven ingredients rather than putting crystals and inflammatory essential/fragrance oils in them. Ceramedex and vanicream are literally the only two brands I found who have actual dermatologists consulting with them. I wanna support Lush because of its activism not only for animals but other social movements, but ik their products will wreck my skin in the long term. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link idgi, how can they say they're vegan if they use shark? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link She's not wrong. But food is one of the things many people are willfully deaf and blind about. Reply Thread Link She's right but people will just be like "but they're so delicious" and continue living in denial. C'est la vie. When this planet goes to shit and we've killed off every animal species people will be regretting they didn't listen to vegetarians/vegans tbh Reply Thread Link Not excusing their behavior but its no secret animals in the fast food industry are treated horribly. People should try to buy free range eggs and dairy, meats (especially chicken) from local farms whenever possible. My local organic grocery store supplies eggs from the tri-state area and has very good ethical standards. I know that not everyone has this but local or at least less fast food is a good start. Reply Thread Link she ain't wrong. if people had to kill and prepare the animals themselves, there would be a lot more vegetarians/vegans. Reply Thread Link If I had to grow my own vegetables I wouldn't eat those either. Reply Parent Thread Link that's laziness tho, not cognitive disonance Reply Parent Thread Expand Link You wouldnt believe it, but the Keystone XL project, now a decade old, has hit yet another legal snag, which could delay construction once again. A U.S. federal judge ruled that the State Department must conduct a new environmental review of the project after the pipelines route was changed. The State Department is responsible for one of the permits that the project must obtain because it crosses the U.S.-Canadian border. The project was forced to change routes in Nebraska to avoid sensitive areas. Nebraska regulators gave the project approval, but only for the revised route. But the rerouting of the project subjects the project to new legal scrutiny. The Indigenous Environmental Network and other groups sued and a federal judge agreed with them, arguing that the State Department must redo the environmental assessment because the changed route is interdependent on the entire project. The U.S. government said that it was only responsible for the cross-border section, but the judge called that argument unpersuasive since, as Bloomberg notes, the revised route will be longer, will require additional pump station and power line infrastructure and would cross different water bodies. Federal Defendants cannot escape their responsibility under [the National Environmental Policy Act] to evaluate the Mainline Alternative route, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana Great Falls Division wrote, referring to the revised route through Nebraska. The ruling was a rejection of the Trump administrations attempt to flout the law and force Keystone XL on the American people, Jackie Prange, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Reuters. Related: Crude-By-Rail Could Save The Permian Boom Meanwhile, Keystone XL still has a case before the Nebraska Supreme Court. TransCanada has said it would not begin construction before the second quarter of 2019, although it is unclear if that timeline is overly optimistic now, given the latest legal setback. The roadblock is yet another blow to Canadas oil industry, which has fruitlessly spent years trying to build a major pipeline to transport oil from Alberta. The industry has been frustrated at every turn, with pipelines aiming east, west and south all delayed or derailed. The Energy East pipeline, which would have carried oil across nearly the entire continent of North America to Canadian refineries in the East was scrapped. The Northern Gateway project, which would have carried oil to the Pacific Coast, was also nixed. The Trans Mountain Expansion is still alive, although it too has faced years of trouble. The political problems have become so acute that the Canadian government has had to step in and nationalize the project because the risk to its corporate sponsor, Kinder Morgan, had become too much to bear. Now, the Canadian taxpayer is on the hook for the project. Enbridges Line 3 replacement is tentatively moving forward, although some hurdles still remain. Also, indigenous and environmental groups have threatened massive resistance to its construction. Then there is Keystone XL, which was thought to have had its path cleared by the Trump administration. Related: Shale Profits Remain Elusive The inability to build new pipelines has led to a crash in Canadian oil prices. Western Canada Select (WCS), a benchmark that tracks heavy oil in Alberta, recently traded at a $30-per-barrel discount to WTI. That discount recently narrowed ever-so-slightly because WTI fell sharply this week, largely due to a bearish report from the EIA combined with fears of financial contagion from the currency crisis in Turkey. Still, Canadian oil producers are selling their oil for less than $40 per barrel. The wide discount wont go away until new pipeline capacity comes online. But no new pipelines are expected until the Line 3 replacement and expansion comes online, which is slated for late 2019, a timeline that could slip if there are any delays. Even if it does come online, it likely wont be enough to solve the bottlenecks, particularly since Canadas oil production has climbed over the past year. That is why the industry so desperately wants either the Trans Mountain expansion or Keystone XL to move forward. It is unclear if there is sufficient demand for both pipelines, but oil producers will continue to suffer without at least one of them. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation will float 40 percent of its stock on the local stock exchange once the President signs the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, Nigerian media report. The PIGB is at the heart of an energy sector overhaul aimed at making the corruption-ridden state company profitable. To do this, NNPC group managing director Maikanti Baru said, the company needs to be more commercially driven. For this, it needs cash, which will be raised through the listing. As part of the overhaul, the NNPC will be split into two: the Nigerian Petroleum Company, which will be an integrated oil company taking all assets of the NNPC with the exception of the production-sharing contracts, and the Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management Company. NNPCs existing stock will initially be split between the two state vehiclesMinistry of Petroleum Incorporated and Ministry of Finance Incorporatedwith 40 percent going to each and another 20 percent held by the Bureau of Public Enterprises. In five to ten years, 10 percent of the initial stock plus a new batch of shares equal to 30 percent of this will be floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Nigeria, Africas top oil exporter, has struggled to make its oil industry work in the last few years after the oil price plunge exposed the problems at the NNPC ranging from graft to mismanagement. Militant activity in the Niger Delta, pipeline vandalism, and the subsequent production outages did not help the company get back on its feet. The federal government, however, has thrown its weight behind the reform drive that should make the oil industry more efficient and more profitable. Nigeria produced 1.67 million barrels of oil daily in July, below the 1.8-million-bpd quota it had agreed with OPEC after it joined the production cut effort that was reversed this June. The West African nation should only benefit from the reversal as it can now expand its production as fast as it wants, which should boost oil revenues that the industry overhaul will require. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Just as Libyas oil production recovered to a two-month high of over 1 million bpd, fresh protests at the oil terminal and refinery servicing the countrys largest oil field, Sharara, threaten to shut down production again, just days after output had been nearly restored to the levels before the kidnapping of oil workers last month. Sharara, which has the capacity to pump 340,000 bpd, has seen production recovering to around 300,000 bpd this week, ramping up from around 218,000 bpd last week. But renewed protests by workers who threaten to block a tanker from loading crude at the Zawiya oil export terminal, and protests that have now led to stoppage of the 120,000-bpd Zawiya refinery, may lead to the major Libyan oil field shutting down completely, Platts reported on Friday, citing a source at the Sharara field. We are expecting a complete shutdown [at Sharara] because of some problems at Zawiya refinery. Tomorrow a tanker is due but maybe loading will be stopped by the guys causing the problems, the source told Platts. Over the past week, thanks to the ramp-up of the Sharara oil production, Libyas crude oil production has exceeded 1 million bpd for the first time since June, when port blockades and a kidnapping caused production outages that within a month brought production to as little as 670,000 bpd. Related: Can U.S. Shale Stop A Global Oil Supply Crisis? The port blockades in Libyas Oil Crescent that began in mid-June ended with an agreement some three weeks later, and the country reopened its oil ports in the east. Only a few days, later, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared force majeure on crude oil loadings at the Zawiya port in the west, following an attack and abduction of oil workers at the Sharara field that had cut production at the site. Field production was limited to 125,000 bpd enough to meet the requirements of the Zawiya refinery, but leaving no excess crude for export, the NOC said back then, noting that oil wells had been closed as a precaution. The station at the Sharara oil field closed after the kidnapping was reopened this past weekend amid tightened security, an engineer at the field told Reuters this week. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Persisting security concerns over Libyas oil export capacity and the political divisions in the country fetch large tanker freight premiums for shipowners daring to call at Libyan ports for crude oil loadings, shipbroker and shipowner sources told Platts on Friday. Earlier this week, Libyas crude oil production exceeded 1 million bpd for the first time since June, when port blockades and a kidnapping caused production outages that within a month brought production to as little as 670,000 bpd. Despite the production recovery, fresh protests at the oil terminal and refinery servicing the countrys largest oil field, Sharara, threaten to shut down production again, with sources telling Platts they expect a complete shutdown of the field. Amid this volatile security situation, with militias fighting at ports and oil export disruptions, many shipowners shun transportation of Libyan oil cargoes. This in turn raises the premiums of freights on Libyan routes by up to 10 points on the so-called Worldscaleused to calculate freight rates for oil tankerscompared to freight rates on cargoes in the Mediterranean that dont involve Libyan routes, sources told Platts. According to one shipbroker, three or four shipowners are not calling at Libyan ports, while others review cargoes on a case by case basis. Then the political rivalry between institutions in the west and the east of Libya, including between two rival oil companies, also adds to the uncertainty for shipowners who could find themselves at odds with the internationally recognized National Oil Corporation (NOC) if they lift a cargo marketed by the rival oil company. The Libyan National Army (LNA) of eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar recaptured in June four ports in the Oil Crescent in the east from armed groups after a week of fighting, and handed their control to the unrecognized oil company in the east. Two weeks later, Haftar agreed to hand back control of the ports to the internationally recognized NOC, and Libya reopened its eastern oil ports. The port closure had blocked 850,000 bpd of Libyas oil (nearly all Libyan production) from being exported from the four ports for more than two weeks. This major disruption resulted in Libyan crude oil production slumping from 962,000 bpd in May to an average 721,000 bpd in June and further down to 664,000 bpd in July, according to OPECs secondary sources. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chinese military steps up strike strength against US targets and Taiwan, says Pentagon Chinas military is better equipped for strikes against the US and the self-ruled island of Taiwan, according to a Pentagon report released on Friday. In its annual report to the US Congress on Chinas military developments, the Pentagon said the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) had undergone a sweeping overhaul, expanding the capacity of its bombers to strike US and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including [the US island territory of] Guam. The report also said the overhaul had improved the PLAs ability to mount air and naval attacks on Taiwan, aiming to deter the island from pursuing independence and eroding Taiwans historical advantages in the Taiwan Strait. The changes are part of Chinese President Xi Jinpings plan to modernise the military and turn it into a world-class fighting force by 2050, backed by a US$190 billion official military budget last year. PLA services and support forces continue to improve training and acquire new capabilities for a Taiwan contingency, the report said. Chinas official defence budget has grown to roughly 15 times that of Taiwan, with much of it focused on developing the capability to unify Taiwan with the mainland by force. These improvements pose major challenges to Taiwans security. Although Beijing says it prefers peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, the PLA has continued to focus on developing a credible threat of force against the island and ways to counter potential third-party intervention from the United States, which has a mutual defence treaty with Taiwan. China says military exercises intended to threaten Taiwan The Pentagon report also outlined the military options Beijing could take against Taiwan, ranging from an air and maritime blockade, to force the island to capitulate to air strikes and missile attacks; to a full-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan and its offshore islands. But it said there were no signs the PLA was significantly expanding its landing ship force, which would be necessary for an amphibious attack on Taiwan. Story continues While the PLA streamlined its operations in the overhaul, it also added attack submarines and naval aircraft, and created new air-assault brigades to allow for land, sea and air attack options for an invasion. However, Chang Ching, a military specialist from the Taipei-based Society for Strategic Studies think tank, said the figures from the Pentagon document may be misleading since the force size and capacity in peacetime may not reflect those in wartime. Any invasion operations towards Taiwan will be executed by a task force with an order of battle and force formation very different from forces during peacetime, Chang said. Beijing should stop threatening Taiwan because its not strong enough to fight the US, islands ex-premier says Taiwan had also prepared for asymmetric warfare where one side has a much greater military force than the other but its efforts only partially address Taiwans declining defensive advantages, the report said. Beijing strongly dissatisfied as Donald Trump signs defence act upping US support for Taiwan and scrutiny of foreign companies The United States contributes to peace, security and stability in the Taiwan Strait by providing defence articles and services to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability, it said. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to reclaim Taiwan, saying the concept of Taiwanese independence crosses its red line, but analysts and observers say a military conflict remains unlikely. However, cross-strait relations under Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen have come to a standstill, ostensibly over her refusal to acknowledge the 1992 consensus that there is one China. In recent months, Beijing has ramped up military drills around the island, increased diplomatic pressure to limit Taiwans space in the international arena, and offered economic sweeteners to win support. Taiwan furious after 85C Bakery Cafe bows to mainland backlash over gift bag for Taiwanese president But the escalated coercion has not shifted domestic sentiment in Taiwan in its favour, with wariness of Beijing in part responsible for catapulting Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Peoples Party to power in 2016. The US maintains a robust unofficial relationship with the island, including over US$15 billion in announced arms sales to Taiwan since 2010. On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed the National Defence Authorisation Act, which includes provisions to improve Taiwans defensive capabilities, drawing Beijings ire. This article Chinese military steps up strike strength against US targets and Taiwan, says Pentagon first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Hundred of hives in holding yard in the Central Valley in January waiting to go into almond orchards. Credit: Brittney Goodrich, Author provided It's sometimes reported that one in every three bites of food depends on bees. As is often the case when an easy to grasp notion spreads, there's a dose of truth and a dollop of exaggeration. The stat is based on a 2007 study that found that 35 percent of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators of one kind or another to enable pollination and seed production While some crop pollination happens naturally, there's a commercial side to this as well. And that's where buzzing honey bees enter the picture. They represent by far the most commercialized provider of pollination services, with farmers across the world paying beekeepers to ferry their hives into fields of apples and almonds so that the bees flit from flower to flower, transferring pollen and allowing the fruit and nuts to develop. My own research has focused on the vital importance of honey bees to California's almond production, an industry worth US$11 billion to California's economy. And in fact, almonds are also vital to the health of American beekeeping operations. As the world celebrates Honey Bee Day on Aug. 18, I thought it'd be a good time to explore the economics of beekeeping. The beekeeping business Most of us do not think of honey bees as livestock. We tend to imagine them buzzing around flowers in the wild, minding their own business until we occasionally get in the way of their stingers. However, for the majority of honey bee colonies in the United States, thinking of them as livestock is the best characterization. Beekeepers, also known as apiarists, utilize the natural population dynamics of honey bee colonies to produce honey and provide pollination services. Beekeepers move their colonies all over the country tracking forage to cut down on supplemental feeding costs and provide colonies with pest and disease treatments when necessary. The more than 20,000 beekeepers in the U.S. differ in how they operate, but a typical migratory pattern might go as follows: The beekeeping year begins in January waiting for almonds to bloom in California. Once almond bloom is over, the beekeeper moves colonies up through the Pacific Northwest pollinating apples and other spring-blooming crops. In May, the beekeeper takes the colonies to North Dakota to produce honey from clover, canola and sunflowers. As honey production slows in the fall, the beekeeper returns to California to await almond pollination in January, and the cycle begins all over again. It is difficult to pinpoint how many beekeepers reside in each state due to the migratory nature of beekeeping operations, however most beekeepers have at least one of their home bases in either North Dakota or South Dakota. There is a lot of potential for honey production in these areas, in fact North Dakota typically produces at least twice as much honey as any other state. Research has found that the beekeeping industry is dominated by large enterprises that manage, on average, around 4,000 colonies. Such operations control about half of all U.S. bee colonies. But even as beekeepers move around to keep their bees healthy and happy, winter always takes a toll. Historically, beekeepers have expected around 15 percent of their colonies to die from October to April because of the cold temperatures and lack of winter forage. Loss rates have almost doubled to 28 percent since the early 2000s due to a combination of stress, pests, diseases and pesticide exposure. The actual population of honey bee colonies, however, has been little affected. That's because beekeepers have adjusted their practices by creating more colonies going into the winter months to deal with the high loss rates. Beekeepers can create more colonies by purchasing additional queens from honey bee queen breeders and splitting one colony into two. This comes with a cost, however, and is making beekeeping less profitable, which could eventually drive many beekeepers out of business. Bees love almonds And more beekeepers closing down would be bad news for the world's food supply because many crops, including apples, watermelon, cherries and cucumbers, currently rely on commercially raised honey bee colonies for pollination. An inspector looks at a hive frame covered with bees, signaling colony strength. Credit: Brittney Goodrich, Author provided Perhaps no crop needs them more than California almonds. And likewise, no single crop matters more to beekeepers' bottom lines than California almond pollination, which currently makes up over a third of U.S. beekeeping revenues. California is the world's biggest supplier of almonds, making up 77 percent of all production in 2017. If you have eaten an almond recently, chances are it came from a tree in California's Central Valley. Most varieties of almond trees require cross-pollination the transfer of pollen from one tree variety to another to produce any nuts at all. Almond trees are not wind pollinated easily, so for commercial orchards in California, this requires honey bee colonies to efficiently pollinate and produce nuts. You may be envisioning a single honey bee hive in a beautiful orchard of flowering almond trees. If so, you are partly right, but the scale is hard to fathom. Roughly 1 million acres of almond trees collectively bloom over a three-week period every February, creating spectacular scenic views but also putting enormous pressure on the farmers to pollinate them quickly. Each almond acre requires roughly two honey bee hives, each of which typically houses one colony of about 20,000 bees. With 2 million hives needed, that's well more than half of the total U.S. hive population. The logistics of pollinating almond trees This is quite the logistical feat so let's take a closer look to see how it's done. In 2017, beekeepers in North Dakota, Idaho, Florida and other states shipped 1.7 million colonies to California to pollinate almond trees, or about 64 percent of the total population as of Jan. 1. The bees travel in semi-truck loads of 400 to 500 colonies each. One reason so many beekeepers make the long trek is because almond pollination fees are especially high. The average price of $171 per hive in 2017 was more than three times the rate for other crops later in the spring. Now you might be wondering, how does a grower know the orchard is being effectively pollinated once the hives are in place? In other words, how can we tell if the bees are doing their jobs? As you can imagine, an almond grower might not be very excited about sticking her head into a hive to make sure. Not to mention there are millions of blooms in an acre of almonds. With more than 33 billion bees buzzing about, tracking pollination is relatively difficult. The way they do this is to hire a third-party inspector to measure "colony strength." An inspector opens up some of the hives and estimates the number of bees within the hive by pulling out removable frames. The idea is that if a hive has eight frames covered with bees, it has enough strength to properly pollinate the trees in its vicinity. Colony strength requirements are often written into almond pollination contracts, which is why colonies with more bees often receive higher pollination fees. Be thankful for bees and their keepers It's hard to overestimate the importance of California almonds to the stability of U.S. beekeepers' overall health. If the problems plaguing honey bee colonies continue or even worsen, this could make it a lot harder to supply enough bees for the February almond blooms, which would mean a sharp loss in beekeeping revenues. This in turn makes it harder to buy extra queens needed to keep the overall populations up and deal with bee health issues throughout the year. It is important for scientists to continue doing research on colony health issues to ensure that the U.S. beekeeping industry can continue to thrive and provide our tables with fruit and vegetables as well as honey, of course. But it all comes back to those California almonds. So next time you eat one, be thankful for honey bees and their keepers. Explore further The farmer wants a hiveinside the world of renting bees This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Jason Dwyer, associate professor of chemistry, talks with James Hagan, of Nashua, N.H., a doctoral student in Dwyers research group, and high school student Anna Khabaeva, of Cranston, who is on a research scholarship. Credit: Michael Salerno In 2008, a contaminant eluded the quality safeguards in the pharmaceutical industry and infiltrated a large portion of the supply of the popular blood thinner heparin, sickening hundreds and killing about 100 in the U.S. It took a team of researchers led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to confirm the contaminant, a toxin structurally similar to heparin that was traced to a Chinese supplier. But detection of the impurity required "a tremendous effort by heavy hitters in the chemistry world," said Jason Dwyer, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Rhode Island. After nearly eight years of research, Dwyer has developed a simpler and quicker method for detecting the impurity in heparin, along with creating a process that could have wider benefits. His research was unveiled today in the prestigious online journal Nature Communications, part of the suite of journals from the publisher of Nature. "There are tests that are much more sophisticated and expensive to detect the impurity," said Dwyer, of Providence, R.I. "What we were able to do isin a very inexpensive and rapid fashionfingerprint heparin and tell when there is a contaminant in it." The research, "Surveying Silicon Nitride Nanopores for Glycomics and Heparin Quality Assurance," could also be used to analyze the entire class of molecules to which heparin belongs with broad use in biomedical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and environmental sensing. Dwyer's wider studies of sugars were bolstered in July by a $318,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. For example, Dwyer said, the new detection technique could serve as a quality assurance tool across the pharmaceutical industry, especially with an increased push to develop more sugar-based drugs, such as heparin. "Sugars are incredibly important," said Dwyer, whose research in the past has garnered publication in the high-profile journals Nature and Science. "They're how bacteria communicate with each other. They're how we're going to be designing a lot of new drugs. So we need new tools to analyze sugars." To develop the new detection technique, Dwyer turned to a sensing method proven in the sequencing of DNA and proteins. The sensor consists of a hole, or nanopore, less than a thousandth the thickness of a human hair, sitting on a membrane that is even thinner, and tests substances at the smallest detectable levela single molecule. While the sensor, a solid-state silicon nitride nanopore, worked well for DNA, it had to be retooled for sugar molecules, which are far more complex, said Dwyer, whose group was one of the first to focus on sugars. Starting in 2010, the project developed along with other work by Dwyer's team. It took years to fabricate and fine-tune devices, refine the nanopore and prevent the opening from clogging. "A fair number of students have worked on this project over the years," Dwyer said. "We have not relented. We butted our heads against the wall for a period of time and we realized we needed to do a fair amount of fundamental work before we could get to the point of detecting." One unexpected problem was solved by Buddini Karawdeniya, lead author of the paper who completed her doctorate in chemistry at URI in the spring. When she attempted to run sugar molecules through the nanopore, they went backwards. "In 1996, people figured out how DNA could be sensed with a nanopore," Dwyer said. "There were some oddities but it worked the way it was expected. Sugars right off the bat did not act as expected. So Buddini had to look at what had been done for 20 years, but know she had to start over at some level." With the 2008 crisis, researchers had managed to identify and detect the oversulfated chondroitin sulfate contaminant, which was nearly identical to the heparin. Using the fine-tuned nanopore, Dwyer's research looked at both samples, determined that the signals they generated were 99-percent identical, and devised analysis techniques to use the 1-percent difference to reliably detect the impurity. "The test we came up with takes about 20 minutes," he said, "and works at clinically relevant concentrations." The goal is to make detection of the impurity even quicker, down to minutes and seconds. At the same time, the device will have to be adapted for a commercial user who may lack the expertise of a researcher in a technology development lab. Also, the tool would have to perform accurately in a less-controlled environment. "This is where research starts to transition into development, and we start to refine the conditions and the devices even more," Dwyer said. "Often discovery is the easiest part. Refining it for the end user takes time." The nanopore that came out of the heparin research was designed with that in mind. It uses technology similar to that found in nearly every piece of consumer electronics, said Dwyer, so there is already an industry ready to produce the sensors on a large scale. "We always try to think about the consumer market," he said. "What we do in the lab is one thingand it is a vital thingbut how do we translate it into the real world?" Explore further New device could mean end of the jab for people living with diabetes More information: Buddini Iroshika Karawdeniya et al. Surveying silicon nitride nanopores for glycomics and heparin quality assurance, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications , Nature , Science Buddini Iroshika Karawdeniya et al. Surveying silicon nitride nanopores for glycomics and heparin quality assurance,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05751-y Light hits the 3-D printed nanostructures from below. After it is transmitted through, the viewer sees only green light -- the remaining colors are redirected. Credit: Thomas Auzinger Most of the objects we see are colored by pigments, but using pigments has disadvantages: such colors can fade, industrial pigments are often toxic, and certain color effects are impossible to achieve. The natural world, however, also exhibits structural coloration, where the microstructure of an object causes various colors to appear. Peacock feathers, for instance, are pigmented brown, butbecause of long hollows within the feathersreflect the gorgeous, iridescent blues and greens we see and admire. Recent advances in technology have made it practical to fabricate the kind of nanostructures that result in structural coloration, and computer scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have now created a computational tool that automatically creates 3-D-print templates for nanostructures that correspond to user-defined colors. Their work demonstrates the great potential for structural coloring in industry, and opens up possibilities for non-experts to create their own designs. This project will be presented at this year's top computer graphics conference, SIGGRAPH 2018, by first author and IST Austria postdoc Thomas Auzinger. The changing colors of a chameleon and the iridescent blues and greens of the morpho butterfly, among many others in nature, are the result of structural coloration, where nanostructures cause interference effects in light, resulting in a variety of colors when viewed macroscopically. Structural coloration has certain advantages over coloring with pigments (where particular wavelengths are absorbed), but until recently, the limits of technology meant fabricating such nanostructures required highly specialized methods. New "direct laser writing" set-ups, however, cost about as much as a high-quality industrial 3-D printer, and allow for printing at the scale of hundreds of nanometers (100 - 1000 times thinner than a human hair), opening up possibilities for scientists to experiment with structural coloration. So far, scientists have primarily experimented with nanostructures that they had observed in nature, or with simple, regular nanostructural designs (e.g. row after row of pillars). Thomas Auzinger and Bernd Bickel of IST Austria, together with Wolfgang Heidrich of KAUST, however, took an innovative new approach that differs in several key ways. First, they solve the inverse design task: the user enters the color they want to replicate, and then the computer creates a nanostructure pattern that gives that color, rather than attempting to reproduce structures found in nature. Moreover, "our design tool is completely automatic," says Thomas Auzinger. "No extra effort is required on the part of the user." Second, the nanostructures in the template do not follow a particular pattern or have a regular structure; they appear to be randomly composeda radical break from previous methods, but one with many advantages. "When looking at the template produced by the computer I cannot tell by the structure alone if I see a pattern for blue or red or green," explains Auzinger. "But that means the computer is finding solutions that we, as humans, could not. This free-form structure is extremely powerful: it allows for greater flexibility and opens up possibilities for additional coloring effects." For instance, their design tool can be used to print a square that appears red from one angle, and blue from another (known as directional coloring). Finally, previous efforts have also stumbled when it came to actual fabrication: the designs were often impossible to print. The new design tool, however, guarantees that the user will end up with a printable template, which makes it extremely useful for the future development of structural coloration in industry. "The design tool can be used to prototype new colors and other tools, as well as to find interesting structures that could be produced industrially," adds Auzinger. Initial tests of the design tool have already yielded successful results. "It's amazing to see something composed entirely of clear materials appear colored, simply because of structures invisible to the human eye," says Bernd Bickel, professor at IST Austria. "We're eager to experiment with additional materials, to expand the range of effects we can achieve." "It's particularly exciting to witness the growing role of computational tools in fabrication," concludes Auzinger, "and even more exciting to see the expansion of 'computer graphics' to encompass physical as well as virtual images." Explore further Interactive software tool makes complex mold design simple More information: Thomas Auzinger et al, Computational design of nanostructural color for additive manufacturing, ACM Transactions on Graphics (2018). Thomas Auzinger et al, Computational design of nanostructural color for additive manufacturing,(2018). DOI: 10.1145/3197517.3201376 Project page: visualcomputing.ist.ac.at/publications/2018/StructCol/ Credit: CC0 Public Domain How Einstein's equivalence principle extends to the quantum world has been puzzling physicists for decades, but a team including a University of Queensland researcher has found the key to this question. UQ physicist, Dr. Magdalena Zych from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, and the University of Vienna's Professor Caslav Brukner have been working to discover if quantum objects interact with gravity only through curved space-time. "Einstein's equivalence principle contends that the total inertial and gravitational mass of any objects are equivalent, meaning all bodies fall in the same way when subject to gravity," Dr. Zych said. "Physicists have been debating whether the principle applies to quantum particles, so to translate it to the quantum world we needed to find out how quantum particles interact with gravity. "We realised that to do this we had to look at the mass." Mass is dynamic quantity and can have different values, and in quantum physics, mass of a particle can be in a quantum 'superposition' of two different values. According to the famous equation E=MC2, the mass of any object is held together by energy. Artist's impression of quantum formulation. Credit: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). In a state unique to quantum physics, energy and mass can exist in a 'quantum superposition' as if they consisted of two different values 'at the same time'. "We realised that we had to look how particles in such quantum states of the mass behave in order to understand how a quantum particle sees gravity in general," she said. "Our research found that for quantum particles in quantum superpositions of different masses, the principle implies additional restrictions that are not present for classical particlesthis hadn't been discovered before.'' "It means that previous studies that attempted to translate the principle to quantum physics were incomplete because they focused on trajectories of the particles but neglected the mass." The study opens a door for new experiments that are necessary to test if quantum particles obey the additional restrictions that have been found. The study has been published in Nature Physics. Explore further UQ physicist builds on Einstein and Galileo's work More information: Magdalena Zych et al. Quantum formulation of the Einstein equivalence principle, Nature Physics (2018). Journal information: Nature Physics Magdalena Zych et al. Quantum formulation of the Einstein equivalence principle,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-018-0197-6 Objects created using the new design tool using resin casting or injection molding. Credit: Ran Zhang Most of the plastic objects we see are created using injection molding, but designing such molds is a difficult task, usually requiring experts. Now, computer scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), the University of Tokyo, and CONICET have created an interactive design tool that allows non-experts to create molds for an object of their choice. The software will be presented at this year's prestigious SIGGRAPH conference, one of IST Austria's five successful submissions. Molding is a popular method for the mass production of objects. Essentially, two (or more) mold pieces are conjoined, leaving the shape of the desired object as a cavity. During fabrication, a fluid is introduced into this cavity and is allowed to harden. Once the fluid has solidified, the pieces of the mold are removed, leaving behind the molded object. While the process is fairly simple, creating the mold to produce an object is extremely difficult, and a multitude of considerations go into its creation. How should the object be oriented and divided to ensure that the pieces of the mold can be removed? If the finished object is hollow, how should it be decomposed into pieces? Figures with loops or holes add further complications, as do aesthetic considerations, such as avoiding a parting line through a face. In mass fabrication, the high costs of the initial mold design are offset by the low per-unit cost of production. For a small-scale designer, however, or a novice interested in experimenting with injection molds, hiring a professional mold designer is impractical, and creating the molds unaided is infeasible. Similarly, 3-D-printing the desired number of objects would be far too time- and resource-intensive. CoreCavity, a new interactive design tool, solves this problem, and allows users to quickly and easily design molds for creating hollow, free-form objects. Created by Kazutaka Nakashima, a Ph.D. student at the University of Tokyo visiting IST Austria, Thomas Auzinger (IST Austria), Emmanuel Iarussi (CONICET, IST Austria), Ran Zhang (IST Austria), Takeo Igarashi (University of Tokyo), and Bernd Bickel (IST Austria), this software tool opens up opportunities for small businesses and enthusiasts. The software analyzes a 3-D scan of the object, and creates a "thin shell," essentially a hollow version of the object, in which particularly small gaps are considered solidanother of the team's innovations. The software then proposes a decomposition of the object into pieces; each piece is created by one mold, then joined together at the end. Moreover, the program is able to suggest slight modifications to the original design, for instance, to eliminate tiny hooks that might complicate unmolding. "Previous tools were unable to suggest such changes," says Thomas Auzinger, a postdoc at IST Austria. The user can adjust the decomposition simply by clicking, and choose to accept or reject any proposed modifications. When the user is satisfied, the software automatically produces the mold templates, which can then be 3-D-printed and used for molding. The decompositions suggested by the design tool are often surprising: "The computer is able to find solutions that are very unintuitive," says Bernd Bickel, professor at IST Austria. "The two halves of the rabbit, for instance, have a curving, complicated connectionit would have been extremely difficult for a human to come up with that." Industry designers, as well as previous design programs, generally rely on straight cuts through the object. In practice, this often leads to a larger number of pieces, as well as "unnatural" divisions. "The software tool could also be extremely useful in industryit would fit seamlessly into the production process," adds Bickel. The team has already tested some of their molds at an injection-mold factory near Linz. "The factory employees were surprised at how easy it was to extract the finished objects, as well as how durable the 3-D-printed molds were. Even after creating a hundred objects, the molds were still working," says Auzinger. The team already has further improvements in mind. One idea is the inclusion of connectors that snap together to ease the final assembly of the object. Explore further New interactive machine learning tool makes car designs more aerodynamic In this illustration, nanoparticles attach to or are taken up by the bacteria cells. Pan and his students are the first group to demonstrate that early detection of dental plaque in the clinic is possible using the regular intraoral X-ray machine which can seek out harmful bacteria populations. Credit: University of Illinois Laboratory for Materials in Medicine. When the good and bad bacteria in our mouth become imbalanced, the bad bacteria form a biofilm (aka plaque), which can cause cavities, and if left untreated over time, can lead to cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases like diabetes and bacterial pneumonia. A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has recently devised a practical nanotechnology-based method for detecting and treating the harmful bacteria that cause plaque and lead to tooth decay and other detrimental conditions. Bioengineering Associate Professor Dipanjan Pan (seated) and doctoral student Fatemeh Ostadhossein have demonstrated a drug-free, nanotechnology-based method for detecting and destroying the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Oral plaque is invisible to the eye so dentists currently visualize it with disclosing agents, which they administer to patients in the form of a dissolvable tablet or brush-on swab. While useful in helping patients see the extent of their plaque, these methods are unable to identify the difference between good and bad bacteria. "Presently in the clinic, detection of dental plaque is highly subjective and only depends on the dentist's visual evaluation," said Bioengineering Associate Professor Dipanjan Pan, head of the research team. "We have demonstrated for the first time that early detection of dental plaque in the clinic is possible using the regular intraoral X-ray machine which can seek out harmful bacteria populations." University of Illinois Associate Professor of Bioengineering Dipanjan Pan (seated) and doctoral student Fatemeh Ostadhossein have demonstrated a drug-free, nanotechnology-based method for detecting and destroying the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Credit: Heather Coit/University of Illinois College of Engineering In order to accomplish this, Fatemeh Ostadhossein, a Bioengineering graduate student in Pan's group, developed a plaque detection probe that works in conjunction with common X-ray technology and which is capable of finding specific harmful bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in a complex biofilm network. Additionally, they also demonstrated that by tweaking the chemical composition of the probe, it can be used to target and destroy the S. mutans bacteria. The probe is comprised of nanoparticles made of hafnium oxide (HfO2), a non-toxic metal that is currently under clinical trial for internal use in humans. In their study, the team demonstrated the efficacy of the probe to identify biochemical markers present at the surface of the bacterial biofilm and simultaneously destroy S. mutans. They conducted their study on Sprague Dawley rats. In practice, Pan envisions a dentist applying the probe on the patient's teeth and using the X-ray machine to accurately visualize the extent of the biofilm plaque. If the plaque is deemed severe, then the dentist would follow up with the administering of the therapeutic HfO2 nanoparticles in the form of a dental paste. In their study, the team compared the therapeutic ability of their nanoparticles with Chlorhexidine, a chemical currently used by dentists to eradicate biofilm. "Our HfO2 nanoparticles are far more efficient at killing the bacteria and reducing the biofilm burden both in cell cultures of bacteria and in [infected] rats," said Ostadhossein, noting that their new technology is also much safer than conventional treatment. The nanoparticles' therapeutic effect is due, said Pan, to their unique surface chemistry, which provides a latch and kill mechanism. "This mechanism sets our work apart from previously pursued nanoparticle-based approaches where the medicinal effect comes from anti-biotics encapsulated in the particles," said Pan, also a faculty member of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. "This is good because our approach avoids anti-biotic resistance issues and it's safe and highly scalable, making it well-suited for eventual clinical translation." In addition to Pan and Ostadhossein, other members of the research team include bioengineering post-doctoral researcher Santosh Misra, visiting scholar Indu Tripathi, undergraduate Valeriya Kravchuk, visiting scholar Gururaja Vulugundam; and Veterinary Medicine clinical assistant professor Denae LoBato and adjunct assistant professor Laura Selmic. Their work is described in the paper, "Dual purpose hafnium oxide nanoparticles offer imaging Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and fight it In vivo via a drug free approach," published online on July 30, 2018, in the journal Biomaterials. Explore further How caries-causing bacteria can survive in dental plaque More information: Fatemeh Ostadhossein et al, Dual purpose hafnium oxide nanoparticles offer imaging Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and fight it In vivo via a drug free approach, Biomaterials (2018). Journal information: Biomaterials Fatemeh Ostadhossein et al, Dual purpose hafnium oxide nanoparticles offer imaging Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and fight it In vivo via a drug free approach,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.07.053 On Aug. 16 at 12:15 a.m. EDT (0415 UTC), NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed water vapor In Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto and found fragmented convection. Credit: NASA/NRL NASA's Aqua satellite provided a look at water vapor in the Atlantic Ocean's Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto and found the storm looking somewhat "patchy." NASA's GPM satellite provided an earlier look at Ernesto's rainfall and cloud heights. Ernesto is on track to visit the United Kingdom by the end of the week. Analyzing Rainfall in the Storm When Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto was still a depression, Tropical Depression 5, the GPM or Global Precipitation Measurement mission core observatory satellite passed above the western side of newly formed storm on Aug. 15, 2018, at 6:46 a.m. EDT (1046 UTC). The GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments revealed that most of the rainfall within the subtropical depression away from the middle of the low level center of circulation. The heaviest rainfall was measured by GPM's DPR in a large feeder band that was spiraling into the southern side of the system. Powerful convective thunderstorms in that area were measured dropping rain at a rate of over 101 mm (about 4 inches) per hour. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA. Looking at the Storm in 3-D At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, GPM's radar data (DPR Ku Band) were used to create a 3-D view from the East of the subtropical depression 5. DPR's scans were used to show the precipitation structure of storm tops within subtropical depression 5. DPR found that storm tops were reaching heights above 11 km (6.8 miles) in convective storms located southeast of the system's center of circulation. Storm top height estimates over a larger area than the GPM's radar swath were made possible by blending measurements from DPR with cloud top heights based on the GOES-East satellite's infrared temperatures. On Aug. 15, the heaviest rainfall was measured by GPM's DPR in a large feeder band that was spiraling into the southern side of the tropical depression. Powerful convective thunderstorms in that area were measured dropping rain at a rate of over 101 mm (about 4 inches) per hour. GPM also found that storm tops were reaching heights above 11 km (6.8 miles) in convective storms located southeast of the system's center. Credit: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce What Water Vapor Revealed in Ernesto Water vapor analysis of tropical cyclones tells forecasters how much potential a storm has to develop. Water vapor releases latent heat as it condenses into liquid. That liquid becomes clouds and thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone. NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Ernesto on Aug. 16 at 12:15 a.m. EDT (0415 UTC) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard found patches of convection in curved bands around the center. The circulation of the system appears somewhat elongated from north to south, and dry air is wrapping into the western portion of the system. At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Subtropical Storm Ernesto was located near 40.8 degrees north latitude and 44.1 degrees west longitude. The storm is moving toward the north-northeast near 13 mph (20 kph). A significantly faster northeastward motion is expected during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days. On Aug. 15, the heaviest rainfall was measured by GPM's DPR in a large feeder band that was spiraling into the southern side of the tropical depression. Powerful convective thunderstorms in that area were measured dropping rain at a rate of over 101 mm (about 4 inches) per hour. GPM also found that storm tops were reaching heights above 11 km (6.8 miles) in convective storms located southeast of the system's center. Credit: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce The National Hurricane Center forecaster Cangialosi noted in the 5 a.m. EDT update on Aug. 16, "The subtropical storm has a limited amount of time to strengthen as it will remain over marginally warm waters and in a low wind shear environment for only another 12 hours. After that time, the cyclone is expected to cross over a sharp SST gradient and move into an environment of higher shear. These conditions should cause Ernesto to lose its tropical characteristics in about 24 hours, when the sea surface temperatures beneath the cyclone become colder." Ernesto is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone Thursday night or early Friday, Aug. 18 and merge with a frontal zone near Ireland and the United Kingdom on Saturday, Aug. 19. (L to R) Dr. Madappa Prakash, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, and Dr. Constantinos Constantinou. Credit: Ohio University A team of Ohio University nuclear physicists has proposed a new theoretical model for calculating pairing properties of atomic nuclei including those found in extreme astrophysical environments. As in some solids in which two interacting electrons pair up to act as one object that leads to superconductivity, interacting neutrons (or protons) in nuclei pair up to cause superuidity (or superconductivity) in nuclei. The new model facilitates rapid and ecient calculations to be performed when examining characteristics of highly neutron- or proton-rich exotic nuclei found in supernova explosions and when stars collide, such as in neutron star mergers. Ohio physics doctoral student Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, postdoctoral researcher Dr. Constantinos Constantinou, and Dr. Madappa Prakash published their research, "Pairing properties from random distributions of single-particle energy levels", in Physical Review C, a journal of the American Physical Society. The new "Random Spacing Model" employs energy levels that neutrons and protons can occupy in an individual nucleus randomly around the appropriate energies. Averages over thousands of such easily generated random congurations enable statistically-based bounds to be placed on the thermal properties such as entropy, specic heat, etc., of nuclei. Based on methods appropriate for large number systems, researchers had predicted a sharp phase transition in nuclei, which has not been observed experimentally. What has been observed instead is a smooth S-shape in the specic heat. Nuclei and nanoparticles inherit large uctuations in pairing properties owing to their small sizes. The Random Spacing Model with the inclusion of uctuations reproduces the observed S-shape, which is heartening. Predictions of the Random Spacing Model enable exploration of the pairing phenomenon in astrophysical sites which harbor exotic nuclei, paving the way to pinning down how elements heavier than iron were synthesized in our universe, a long-standing problem that awaits resolution. Explore further Unresolved puzzles in exotic nuclei More information: M. A. Al Mamun et al. Pairing properties from random distributions of single-particle energy levels, Physical Review C (2018). M. A. Al Mamun et al. Pairing properties from random distributions of single-particle energy levels,(2018). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.97.064324 AI will serve to develop a network control system that not only detects and reacts to problems but can also predict and avoid them. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Researchers from the Institute of Cyber Intelligence Systems at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia) have recently developed a new learning model for the restricted Boltzmann machine (a neural network), which optimizes the processes of semantic encoding, visualization and data recognition. The results of this research are published in the journal Optical Memory and Neural Networks. Today, deep neural networks with different architectures, such as convolutional, recurrent and autoencoder networks, are becoming an increasingly popular area of research. A number of high-tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, are using deep neural networks to design intelligent systems. In deep learning systems, the processes of feature selection and configuration are automated, which means that the networks can choose between the most effective algorithms for hierarchal feature extraction on their own. Deep learning is characterized by learning with the help of large samples using a single optimization algorithm. Typical optimization algorithms configure the parameters of all operations simultaneously, and effectively estimate every neural network parameter's effect on error with the help of the so-called backpropagation method. "The neural networks' ability to learn on their own is one of their most intriguing properties," explained Vladimir Golovko, professor at the MEPhI Institute of Cyber Intelligence Systems. "Just like biological systems, neural networks can model themselves, seeking to develop the best possible model of behavior." In 2006, the sphere of neural network training saw a breakthrough when Geoffrey Hinton published a research paper on pre-training neural networks. He stated that multilayer neural networks could be pre-trained by training one layer at a time with the help of the restricted Boltzmann machine and then fine-tuning them using backpropagation. These networks were named deep belief networks, or DBN. Golovko analyzed the main issues and paradigms of deep machine learning and suggested a new learning method for the restricted Boltzmann machine. The researcher demonstrated that the classical rule of training this neural network is a particular case of the method he developed. "American scientists Minsky and Papert once showed that from the point of view of pattern classification, the single layer perceptron with the threshold activation function forms a linear separating surface, which is the reason why it cannot solve the 'exclusive or' problem," Golovko noted. "This led to pessimistic conclusions about the further development of neural networks. However, the last statement is only true for a single layer perceptron with a threshold or a monotonic continuous activation function, for instance, a sigmoid function. When one uses the signal activation function, the single layer perceptron can solve the 'exclusive or' problem, since it can divide the area of ones and zeros into classes with the help of two straight lines." The research also involved an analysis of the prospects of using deep neural networks for compression, visualization and recognition of data. Moreover, Golovko also suggested a new approach to implementation of semantic encoding, or hashing, which is based on the use of deep auto-associative neural networks. This deep learning method might be very useful for training search engines' neural networks, the author states, as it will improve the speed of searching for relevant images. These findings have great practical value: they have already found application in the spheres of computer vision, speech recognition and bioinformatics. Explore further DeepMind uses neural network to help explain meta-learning in people More information: V. A. Golovko. Deep learning: an overview and main paradigms, Optical Memory and Neural Networks (2017). V. A. Golovko. Deep learning: an overview and main paradigms,(2017). DOI: 10.3103/S1060992X16040081 Banner Photo: A view of a reservoir on the Xe-Namnoy river in southern Laos on May 8, 2018, 11 weeks before the July 23 failure of a hydropower dam unleashed 130 billion gallons of water on rural villages in Southeast Asia. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Landsat/Matt Radcliff The July 23 failure of the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam unleashed more than 130 billion gallons of water on rural villages in southern Laos, in Southeast Asia, devastating thousands of houses and businesses and displacing more than 6,000 people. As authorities scrambled to gather information in the wake of the disaster, scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, activated a new tool to help them assess the damage and get help to people in need. NASA researchers John Bolten and Perry Oddo and Stanford University researcher Aakash Ahamed recently developed a system that predicts flood damage based on satellite and ground data. The model estimates floodwater depth, adds information about land use and building infrastructure, and generates a dollar-value calculation of the damage in the target area. The model was designed to use data from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), a satellite-borne instrument that takes high-resolution photos using electromagnetic energy from plants and water to study Earth's surface and atmosphere. MODIS data is available to researchers just three hours after it is collected, making it useful for near-real-time applications where speed is important. However, MODIS cannot collect data through cloud cover, so to contribute to the Laos relief effort, the researchers adapted the model to use radar data from Japanese satellite ALOS-2 and ESA's (European Space Agency) Sentinel-1. "Our partners needed to know areas of flooding and inundation rather quickly," said Bolten, associate program manager of water resources for the NASA Applied Sciences Program. "Just a couple of days after the event, we were able to come up with the information that they needed." In addition to the estimated cost of damages the researchers created maps of the flooded areas from satellite images, making them available for other agencies to use. The Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam was located in southern Laos, in Southeast Asia. Approximate location highlighted here in red. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Matt Radcliff The researchers provided the data to several NASA partners working on recovery in Laos and other regions in a coordinated effort through SERVIR, a joint initiative between NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the NASA Disasters Program. SERVIR has a hub in the Mekong River basin, which stretches from Tibet through Laos and to Vietnam and Cambodia. SERVIR collaborates with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, a nonprofit organization that works to build disaster and climate change resilience in Southeast Asia. "Local authorities and decision-makers are scrambling to get information as quickly as they can, and NASA was able to step up to the plate and deliver information in near real-time," Bolten said. He described the model as a "value-added" product: "Rather than simply saying 'this area is flooded,' we've added value to the flood map by including the floodwater depth, population, hectares of agriculture affected, locations of building footprints and so on with our damage assessment system." The model uses near real-time data from NASA and other satellites to produce these estimates quickly, which is beneficial for rapid response efforts. It also provides decision-makers access to clear, understandable data. "After a flood, especially in this region, there will be an extensive damage evaluation, which can take many weeks or months," said Perry Oddo, a support scientist at Goddard and lead author on the paper detailing the model's development. "Oftentimes, without information on how these damage assessments were conducted, the results we get can be somewhat vague. We hope that with this kind of very transparent, standardized approach we will be able to look at flood events across time and compare them." The researchers' next step is to use economic evaluation tools to determine how beneficial the system is from a financial perspective. For example, first responders who have access to these early damage estimates might direct crews and resources more efficiently than those who do not. "In a decision-making context, if a disaster strikes and you have resources to allocate and emergency response crews to manage, how does that change if you have access to these observations instead of operating blind?" Oddo said. "Hopefully, the inclusion of NASA Earth observations will lead to a reduction in expenses, shorter time to rescue, and increase in the number of people whose needs are cared for." Explore further NASA finds Tropical Storm Bebinca moving over Laos, Thailand More information: To read the paper on the model's development, visit To read the paper on the model's development, visit http://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/5/2/23 To learn more about SERVIR, visit https://www.servirglobal.net/. To learn more about the NASA Earth Science Disasters Program, visit https://disasters.nasa.gov/home and the NASA Disasters Mapping Portal: https://maps.disasters.nasa.gov/ A Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose) recruit, along with Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), in a treefall gap in the SERC upland forest, near Edgewater, MD in 2014. Credit: Eva Kinnebrew A new research study published in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management tackles an important, unresolved question in the biology of invasive plants. Which is most important to the establishment of new invasive communitiesproximity to seed sources, canopy disturbance, or soil disturbance? A research team from Miami University decided to compare those three factors in a mature Maryland forest where the invasive species wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose and Japanese stiltgrass are found. Twice over a three-year interval, scientists conducted a complete census of invasive plants growing in a nine-hectare plot. Any invasives they found were mapped relative to the forest canopy, soil disturbances and an index of 'seed rain' that was based on proximity to reproducing plants and the distances seeds disperse. The team found that seed rain was a significant predictor of where new plants of wine raspberry, Japanese barberry and Japanese stiltgrass established. Not enough seed sources were found to assess the impact of seed rain on multiflora rose. Gaps in the forest canopy were found to contribute to the establishment of multiflora rose and Japanese stiltgrass. Canopy gaps also promoted fruit production by Japanese barberry and wine raspberryinteracting with seed rain to increase the number of plants establishing in and near these areas. Soil disturbances predicted the establishment of Japanese barberry, but not the other three invasive plants. "These findings are especially useful for land managers with limited resources," says David Gorchov, Ph.D., a professor at Miami University. "If the invasive plants you are battling have seed production or seedling growth strongly associated with new canopy gaps, you can target your control efforts in those areas with a high likelihood of success." Explore further Connecticut's forests today a far cry from towering giants of old More information: Lauren N. Emsweller et al, Seed Rain and Disturbance Impact Recruitment of Invasive Plants in Upland Forest, Invasive Plant Science and Management (2018). Lauren N. Emsweller et al, Seed Rain and Disturbance Impact Recruitment of Invasive Plants in Upland Forest,(2018). DOI: 10.1017/inp.2018.14 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Scientists have found that sunscreen from bathers releases significant quantities of polluting TiO2 (titanium dioxide) into the sea. This has the potential to harm marine life. This work, which comes from research on beaches in the South of France, was presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Boston (see below). TiO2 is one of the main ingredients of sunscreen, where it acts as a protective against harmful UV rays: most major regulatory bodies consider it generally safe for human use at the concentrations used in sunscreens, however, concentrated TiO2 or long term exposure could be toxic to a variety of fish and other aquatic organisms. In many sunscreens, TiO2 is present as tiny nanoparticles, which are coated with protective chemicals. Because the particle size is so small, nano-titanium dioxide does not reflect visible light, but does absorb UV light, enabling a transparent barrier that protects the skin from the sun's harmful rays. The researchers have found that in water, the nanoparticles tend to lose their protective coating under the influence of UV light or seawater composition, which exposes the more toxic TiO2 to the aquatic environment. They measured TiO2 concentrations in 3 beaches near Marseille in France, as well as surveying bathers about how much they used sunscreen, and how often they used the water. The team found daily concentrations of 15 to 45 g/L of TiO2, which corresponds to several kg of nanoparticles per summer season per beach. Lead Researcher, Dr. Jerome Labille (Labex Serenade / Aix-Marseille Universite / CNRS, Aix en Provence, France) said: "For example, with one small beach which held around 3000 people daily, we calculate that around 68kg of cream could be deposited per day, or 2.2 tons over the height of summer. If we consider reasonably that half of the creams used contain 5% of titanium dioxide, this gives 1.7 kg of titanium dioxide released per day: That comes to around 54kg in the two months of high summer, which is a significant amount. Of course, the sea is more or less continually in motion, so some of the titanium dioxide pollution will be dispersed. Nevertheless, we anticipate an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the seashore littoral, which could affect the wildlife there. In recreation areas with stagnant water, such as in lakes or seawater swimming pools, then there will be no such dispersion and the accumulation would be expected to be even more pronounced. It is important to keep this in perspective; titanium dioxide is a pollutant, and we need to take measures to try to reduce the quantities of TiO2 which are concentrated in the aquatic environment, where it can be harmful to fish and other organisms. Nevertheless, it is extremely important that sunbathers continue to use sunscreen for skin protection, the titanium dioxide pollution needs to be dealt with by the manufacturers and possibly legislation, and we've had good feedback from the manufacturers we are working with". The researchers note that in early July of this year, Hawaii banned certain sunscreens which were found to be harming coral reefs (this was not due to titanium dioxide)- Dr. Labille continued, "The good news is that we are working on nanoparticle UV filters and sunscreen formulations which will reduce the potential damage from titanium dioxide. We're looking at developing sunscreens which are "safe by design" in which the release and toxicity of nanoparticles will be minimized, so we anticipate that a solution to this problem isn't too far away". Commenting, Dr. Thilo Hofmann from the University of Vienna said: "This work is of special interest, since it shows for the first time how nanoparticles from cosmetics may influence the aquatic environment. Earlier work from our group has shown this for lakes and rivers, but this is the first study for the marine environment". Explore further Attacking bacteria with shark skin-inspired surfaces More information: This work was presented as part of the Natural and Engineered Nanoparticles: Analysis, Processes and Relevance in the Environment session on Wednesday 15th August Provided by Goldschmidt Conference NVerse (Link: Record-Breaking Solar and Wind Farms Are emerging From the Sands of Egypt) By Matthew Phelan Who could have built these epic structures? The Egyptian government wants to get 42 percent of its energy sector powered by renewables by 2025, leaving a healthy 5-year window for their 2030 sustainability goals with the United Nations. In the Western Desert, 400 miles south of Cairo, a solar energy company named KarmSolar is helping them do it. Founded by five friends in a cafe, the company is building what will become a hub of 30 individual power plants with a collective capacity of 1.8 gigawatts of electricity. Located near the Benban village near the Nile, KarmSolars complex already employs 4,000 people at the first of 30 facilities, which came online this past November. Once its completed, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Benban Solar Park will be the largest solar plant in the world. A few hundred miles to the east, near Gabal el-Zeit on the coast of the Red Sea, Egypts Electricity Ministry have completed preparations for a $670 million wind farm with a 580-megawatt (MW) capacity stemming from 290 turbines. The wind farm will be the largest in the world of its kind, according to a spokesperson for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. What that means, in specific, as the plants manager, Osama Noman, told Egypt Today, is that the facility will be the largest in terms of area, number of turbines and capacities generated. Analysts attribute these massive construction projects to conscious changes made by the Egyptian governments energy subsidy program, canny outside investment by international aid groups, and the hard work of scrappy, local entrepreneurs. On the other hand, the size and scope of the projects are so impressive, its hard to shake the possibility that other players were involved, particularly in light of Egypts illustrious history of extraterrestrial construction. After all, if any human civilization had the technological know-how to make renewable power facilities this large magically generating hundreds upon hundreds of megawatts of capacity out of thin air they would have already. Be realistic. Think for yourselves. How Egypt Is Crushing Its Renewable Energy Goals According to the Los Angeles Times, KarmSolar was built with private investments in the wake of the Arab Spring, after co-founder Ahmen Zahrans old bosses had fled the country leaving him with a lot of idealism and free time. It began small, marketing solar powered-water pumps to local farmers, living off the grid, and then expanded to provide renewable options to poultry factories and malls. Public policy played a key role in KarmSolars rise as well. In 2016, Egypts Central Bank launched a low-interest loan program with the goal of encouraging small business in renewable energy and other key sectors of the economy. They also began scaling back fossil-fuel subsidies in line with an International Monetary Fund-backed reform program. Added with the increasingly more competitive cost of solar and wind equipment worldwide not to mention Egypts sprawling deserts the project seemed fated. As solar analyst Benjamin Attia, of the American firm Wood Mackenzie put it, I cant think of another example where so many big players have come together to fill the gap. Its an inspiring story of fate and human ingenuity, but its only that: a story. After all, were supposed to believe that they have created a automated bird monitoring system to protect migratory birds from flying into turbines at their Gabal el-Zeit complex? That this system uses radar to stop the turbines upon detecting potential impacts? And they did this for only $2.3 million? Nuh-uh. No. Nobody on Earth could have done this without some pretty high-tech equipment beyond our understanding of physics. Im sorry. The Aliens who built the pyramids of Giza are back in action. This artist's impression shows a binary system containing a stellar-mass black hole called IGR J17091-3624, or IGR J17091 for short. The strong gravity of the black hole, on the left, is pulling gas away from a companion star on the right. This gas forms a disk of hot gas around the black hole, and the wind is driven off this disk. Credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss A trio of researchers with The University of Hong Kong, Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Taiwan and Northwestern University in the U.S., has come up with an alternative theory to explain how some stellar-mass black holes can grow bigger than others. In their paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Shu-Xu Yi, K.S. Cheng and Ronald Taam describe their theory and how it might work. Since the initial detection of gravitational waves three years ago, five more detections have been observedand five of the total have been traced back to emissions created by two stellar-mass black holes merging. The sixth was attributed to neutron stars merging. As part of their studies of such detections, space researchers have been surprised by the size of the stellar-mass black holes producing the gravity wavesthey were bigger than other stellar-mass black holes. Their larger size has thus far been explained by the theory that they grew larger because they began their lives as stars that contained very small amounts of metalstars with traces of metals would retain most of their mass because they produce weaker solar winds. In this new effort, the researchers suggest another possible way for stellar-mass black holes to grow larger than normal. The new theory starts out by noting that some supermassive black holes at the hearts of galaxies are surrounded by a disk of gas and dust. In such galaxies, there are often stars lying just outside the diskstars that could evolve to become stellar-mass black holes. The researchers suggest that it is possible that sometimes, pairs of these stars wind up in the disk as they evolve into black holes. Such stellar-mass black holes would pull in material from the disk, causing them to grow larger. The researchers note that if such a scenario were to play out, it is also possible that the two merging stars could wind up with a synchronized spin resulting in a stellar-mass black hole that produces more gravity waves than if the spins had not been synchronized, making them easier for researchers to spot. Explore further Image: Black hole bounty captured in the center of the Milky Way More information: Shu-Xu Yi et al. The Growth of Stellar Mass Black Hole Binaries Trapped in the Accretion Disks of Active Galactic Nuclei, The Astrophysical Journal (2018). Arxiv: arxiv.org/abs/1805.07026 Shu-Xu Yi et al. The Growth of Stellar Mass Black Hole Binaries Trapped in the Accretion Disks of Active Galactic Nuclei,(2018). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/aac649 , On Abstract Among the four black hole (BH) binary merger events detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), six progenitor BHs have masses greater than 20 M . The existence of such massive BHs suggests that extreme metal-poor stars are the progenitors. An alternative possibility, that a pair of stellar mass BHs each with mass ~7 M increases to >20 M via accretion from a disk surrounding a supermassive BH (SMBH) in an active galactic nucleus (AGN), is considered. The growth of mass of the binary and the transfer of orbital angular momentum to the disk accelerates the merger. Based on the recent numerical work of Tang et al., it is found that, in the disk of a low-mass AGN with mass ~106 M and Eddington ratio >0.01, the mass of an individual BH in the binary can grow to >20 M before coalescence, provided that accretion takes place at a rate more than 10 times the Eddington value. This mechanism predicts a new class of gravitational wave (GW) sources involving the merger of two extreme Kerr black holes associated with AGNs and a possible electromagnetic wave counterpart. Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters , Astrophysical Journal , arXiv 2018 Phys.org New selective synthesis of all 1,4-dicarbonyl isomers from sulfoxides and selected important bioactive compounds featuring the 1,4-dicarbonyl motif. Credit: Maulide Group Many natural products and drugs feature a so-called dicarbonyl motif in certain cases, however, their preparation poses a challenge to organic chemists. In their most recent work, Nuno Maulide and his coworkers from the University of Vienna present a new route for these molecules. They use oxidized sulfur compounds, even though sulfur is not included in the final product. The results are now published in Science. Organic chemists are constantly seeking new molecules for novel drugs and materials. To synthesise molecules, they will analyse the functional groups present within the target and choose a suitable strategy accordingly. However, for some molecules, identifying a suitable strategy can be very challenging, for instance, when the distances between the functionalities in the molecule do not match the "natural" polarity of potential precursors. One classical example is that where two carbon-oxygen double bonds (also called "carbonyl" groups) are separated by four carbon atoms. "These 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds are significantly more difficult to make than the corresponding 1,3- or 1,5-analogues, and this is something we teach every student in Organic Chemistry I at the University of Vienna," says Nuno Maulide, professor for organic synthesis at the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the University. To make these motifs in the lab, no good strategy exists. "What we teach our students is that the polarity inversion of one of the reaction partners is required, but there is no really good solution to the problem," says Maulide. This is a severe problem, as 1,4-dicarbonyls are found in many natural products, drug targets and several enzyme inhibitors used in pharmaceuticals. Nuno Maulide and his coworkers from the Organic Chemistry Department of the University of Vienna have now developed a new synthetic route to these structures using reagents called sulfoxides, an oxidized species of sulfur. "What makes our method so fascinating is that sulfur is decisively involved in the reaction, but it doesn't even appear in the final molecule," explains Immo Klose, DOC-fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and co-first author of the study. "This is also what makes this reaction intriguing, because it is not obvious at first sight how the starting materials form the product," said Klose. Indeed, during the reaction, sulfur leaves the reactive molecule in a so-called "traceless" manner, meaning it is not present in the final products. Not only is the sulfoxide partner critical in the reaction, the researchers have shown that by choosing the right starting sulfoxide, each one out of four possible isomers of the product can be obtained selectively. "Our sulfoxide reagents have two positions that can be changed: the sulfur itself and the two carbons that are connected to it. This gives us four possible combinations," explains Dainis Kaldre, former Postdoc at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and co-first author. "The great thing is, by changing between these 4 possible combinations, we effectively fine-tune the reaction into delivering selectively each of the four configurations of the final product that are possible," says Kaldre. This makes the method extremely general and powerful. New drug molecules unlocked "The flexibility of our method can now be used to make a breathtaking amount of molecules that were not even thinkable before," explains Maulide. The group has already shown this in the initial report in the journal Science, in which they demonstrate a simple way to make matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. "There was no good way to make these compounds. In particular, it was very difficult to make a specific configuration in selective way; now, with our method, we can make any one out of the 4 possibilities, at will," says Maulide. The reactive species with which the sulfoxides are combined are somewhat exotic intermediates called "vinyl cations." "It is remarkable how basic research on 'exotic molecules' can so easily result in breakthroughs for society. This is a very welcomeand timelyreminder of the immense value that lies in investing in basic research," so Maulide concluding. Explore further An environmentally friendly chemical reaction that does not waste any atoms More information: "Stereodivergent synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyls by traceless chargeaccelerated sulfonium rearrangement" Science (2018). Journal information: Science "Stereodivergent synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyls by traceless chargeaccelerated sulfonium rearrangement"(2018). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi 1126/science.aat5883 Floodwater caused most of the damage when Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast a year ago. But that region's air quality was also harmed when the Category 4 hurricane swept through the U.S. oil refining and chemical heartland. Using state data, the Environmental Integrity Project determined that Hurricane Harvey was responsible for 8.3 million pounds of unauthorized air pollution late last summer. Most were the result of industrial plants suddenly shutting down as Harvey struck, including some emergencies involving flooding, sudden power outages or lightning strikes. The large-scale pollution could have been averted if refineries and chemical plants in the region had prepared for a planned shutdown, according to an Environmental Integrity Project report released Thursday. And the state's decision to suspend pollution reporting requirements in the aftermath of the storm makes it difficult assess health effects. "A year after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Houston, we still don't know the storm's toll on human health and the environment," said Loren Raun, chief environmental science officer for the Houston Health Department and assistant research professor at Rice University. "The danger is not over when the waters recede ... There's no doubt that Harvey had wide, short-term health consequences." The pollution released included volatile organic compoundsprecursors to smog that irritate the eyes and respiratory systemand benzenea cancer-causing chemical that can cause rapid heart rates, tremors and vomiting even with short-term exposure. A Hurricane Harvey Registry has already been created to track the impacts of the storm, including health effects. That collaboration includes local governments, Rice University, the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Defense Fund. The Hurricane Harvey-related pollution accounted for 44 percent of "unpermitted incidents" statewide between Aug. 23 and Sept. 30, according to the Environmental Integrity Project. Industrial companies have air permits allowing them to release limited amounts of pollution. But the report focuses on emissions that weren't allowed in those permits. The pollution calculation may be an underestimation, the report says, because Texas suspended pollution reporting requirements in the immediate aftermath of the storm, so an "unknown number of industrial plant operators may have opted not to report emissions." Still many plant operators reported emissions; federal reporting rules were not suspended. Gov. Greg Abbott suspended at least 214 Texas regulationssome of them environmentalas a way to expedite that region's recovery from one of the nation's most damaging hurricanes. The Environmental Integrity Project's report also found that 18 companies revised their state reports to remove 1.7 million pounds of unpermitted emissions from their totals. "Industry often justified their alteration of the numbers by arguing that flexible state permits, and Gov. Abbott's disaster declaration, made the pollution legal," the report said. "This is questionable, however, becauseunder the state's programsuch reclassification should only be allowed for planned shutdowns, startups and maintenance, not storms and other emergencies." The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General is looking into whether the EPA's and Texas environmental regulators' monitoring after Hurricane Harvey "(1) addressed potential high-risk areas, (2) indicated any potential health concerns, and (3) were accurately communicated to the public with respect to monitoring results and potential health concerns." The Environmental Integrity Project criticized Texas companies for not taking earlier action to shut down as Hurricane Harvey advanced. The governor declared a "State of Disaster" for 30 counties about two days before the storm reached land. A slower, controlled shutdown releases less pollution than faster shutdowns, like some of those connected to Hurricane Harvey. "In these areas, shutdowns and other emissions events happened only after heavy rain, flooding, and sometimes power outages had already descended upon the area, with some plants caught off guard when their power went out," according to the report. The Washington D.C.-based environment group, which has an office in Austin, singled out for praise the Flint Hills refinery in Corpus Christi, near where the storm made landfall. The report said the facilityalong with others in the Corpus Christi areashutdown before the storm reached land, "illustrating that it was preparing in advance to minimize emissions and the chance of an accidental release." The report is based on industry-supplied numbers rather than actual air monitoring. About 75 percent of air monitoring stations around Houston, Corpus Christi and the Beaumont-Port Arthur area were removed to protect them from storm damage. "The levels the community was exposed to are unknown," Raun said at a news conference Thursday held by the Environmental Integrity Project. "What can be said is that many of the chemicals released are toxic ... These releases were of serious concern for the protection of the health of Houstonians." In an April 3 report, the TCEQ said that it used aerial and portable air quality monitoring, with "all measuring air toxics concentrations below levels of health concern." "Because every event is unique, and every plant is unique, development of a 'one size fits all' enforceable protocol or rules specifying measures for each plant, unit or facility to minimize adverse impacts of shut down emissions due to a hurricane or similar event while ensuring safety of workers and surrounding areas would be a virtually impossible task," said TCEQ spokeswoman Andrea Morrow via email. Morrow also said that the TCEQ is "currently and will continue to conduct investigations following standard agency protocols for assessing compliance and pursuing potential enforcement actions when appropriate against regulated entities regarding incidents related to Hurricane Harvey." The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality used mobile air monitors starting Sept. 5, nearly two weeks after the hurricane reached land. The report said that by then, much of the air pollution had already been released. The best-known industrial accident connected to Hurricane Harvey was the explosion and fire at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, which sickened first responders and led to the evacuation of everyone within a mile and half of the facility. A Harris County grand jury indicted Arkema North America, its CEO Rich Rowe and Crosby plant manager Leslie Comardelle for reckless emission of an air contaminant and endangering first responders. Also following the storm, Houston had three high ozone days, including the worst of 2017, according to the report. Reporting by The Associated Press and the Houston Chronicle looked at more than 100 Hurricane Harvey-related "toxic releases," including chemical spills. The March story found that most soil testing was confined to Superfund sites and skipped other spills, raising questions about the storm's environmental impact. Damage to storage facilities spilled petroleum products and dangerous chemicals into floodwaters, while at least 150 million gallons of wastewater were released, according to the report. "While some pollution releases during natural disasters may be unavoidable, improvements such as coordinated and staged shutdowns of petrochemical plants, improved maintenance, and equipment better designed to withstand heavy rainfall could help improve the response next time there's a major storm in the region," the Environmental Integrity Project report concluded. Explore further EPA watchdog probing air-quality results issued after Harvey 2018 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Dozens more are feared captured in what is seen as a stinging blow to the security forces already struggling to push insurgents from eastern Ghazni. "All we heard from officials were lies and deceit and the people know this", said Etemadi, who added that fighting was still going on. "Large parts of the base are still under the Taliban control", Rahmani said. By late Tuesday, the Taliban appeared to have lost the first war, with the smoldering city relatively calm and most insurgent fighters in retreat. "Clearly the Taliban have paid no heed to the calls of the Afghan people for them to reconcile and join the peace process", USA spokesman Lt Col Martin O'Donnell said on Tuesday. The Taliban swiftly responded, saying the government s claims were "baseless" and that talks were "under way for their surrender". The Taliban said on Monday 266 members of government forces had been killed. Analysts have said the insurgents may be seeking to demonstrate strength as they come under increasing pressure to join peace takls after the ceasefire during Eid in June. "It will take months for it all to be rebuilt", he said. Ghazni, further east and which the Taliban first assaulted late Thursday, remains in government hands, officials have said. With such strategic interests in finding a way to deal with the emanating threats, the legitimacy of the talks for peacemaking can be questioned. The spokesman for the Defense Ministry in Kabul says the Taliban have overrun a military base in northern Afghanistan, killing 17 soldiers and wounding at least 19 troops. Both attacks were typical of recent insurgent tactics, in which they have made steady inroads in rural regions. He reiterated that Ghazni was completely under government control. A spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan, Lt Col Martin O'Donnell, said there had been "no reported enemy activity" so far on Tuesday, though he added that "some Taliban forces remain in the city". According to O'Donnel, in terms of Resolute Support assistance to the Afghan-led clearance operation, Task Force-Southeast, US Special Forces and 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade advisors are providing advice on things such as clearance operations and combined-arms integration. Hundreds of people have fled four days of fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban over the key provincial capital of Ghazni that has killed about 120 security forces and civilians, the defense minister and witnesses said Monday. The violence has shattered faint hope for moves towards a peace process generated by an unprecedented three-day truce during the Eid Al Fitr holiday in June, and a Taliban report late last month of a meeting between a senior USA diplomat and Taliban representatives in Doha. On the other hand, Sohail Shahin, a spokesperson for the Taliban's political office in Qatar says "it (has been) what we wanted and were waiting for - to sit with the USA directly and discuss the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan". A doctor in the hospital s intensive care unit said they had received over 80 dead bodies as of Sunday and had treated more than 160 patients, many of whom were had been injured by gunshots or shrapnel. The United States has carried out airstrikes and sent military advisers to aid Afghan forces in the city of 270,000 people. "The fall of Ghazni once again illustrated the gulf between Kabul's and Washington's self-delusion" about a negotiated settlement, "and the Taliban's military-centric strategy", Moradian said. But he also asserted that the insurgents have sustained a rigid ideological goal that would be very hard to appease. Picture taken on August 12, 2018. A major Taliban assault on Ghazni has triggered five days of fighting with Afghan security forces, with reports of scores dead and the strategic centre left a "ghost city". U.S. forces in Kabul denied reports that the highway had been blocked by the insurgents, saying Afghan forces remained in control of the area and were carrying out a clearance operation targeting militants. "In some areas, there was no resistance at all". From several accounts of Ghazni residents who escaped the besieged city, it was clear that the insurgents had sowed terror among the civilian populace. For the US military, Ghazni province was a key front in 2012 in what was billed as the Americans' last major combat offensive of the Afghan War. 'Those who can are fleeing'. People fleeing Ghazni have described bodies in the streets, while aid groups said hospitals are struggling to take in the wounded. Rahimullah Yusufzai, a Taliban and regional expert, said the Taliban had no desire to hold Ghazni, however - just to show that they could. He said he feared for his life, noting that fighters had entered his cousin's house and found some government ID cards. "They would have burned down the house, too, but the neighbors begged them not to do it". A man suspected of arson in connection with dozens of auto fires in the Swedish city of Gothenburg has been arrested in Turkey. According to preliminary data, in Gothenburg burned at least 88 machines and the fires were located in 20 different areas, said the coordinator of emergency services in this city. No injuries have been reported. "We also have spoken with their parents", Fuxborg said, adding police were in the early stages of the investigation. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven lashed out at the perpetrators, asking them: "What the heck are you doing?" In an interview on Swedish radio, he said he was "really getting mad" and that "society must react in a tough manner". Gangs were likely involved in the string of arson attacks, police said, and they come amid mounting concerns in Sweden about gang-related violence. Lippens said several youths that police met at the scene have been identified. The witnesses of the pogroms were told that young people in black masks came from machine to machine, breaking the glass in them, pour it inside a flammable liquid and set on fire, the priority they had Parking near hospitals or shopping centers. Populist politicians have alleged that increased crime in Sweden is linked to migration. The public angst could help Sweden's anti-immigration Sweden Democrats become the second-largest party in the parliament. "We believe that up to 100 cars have been burned or damaged", police spokeswoman Ulla Brehm said, as reported by Reuters. No one was injured in the auto blazes. They also threw rocks at police. In all, more than 40 individuals had overdosed. Fire Department first responders were handling so many calls that they were experiencing "compassionate-care fatigue" and had to be rotated off the engine companies, said New Haven Fire Chief John Alston. The Green, which attracts homeless people and drug users throughout the year, as The New York Post reported, is located in downtown New Haven to the south and west of the Ivy League Yale University. Most were treated at local hospitals, though at least five refused to be transported. No deaths were reported in either outbreak. A police officer speaks to a man walking on New Haven Green, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in New Haven, Conn. CBS News reported the victims, covering a range of ages, experienced "a multitude of signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting, hallucinating, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, semi-conscious and unconscious states", said Rick Fontana, director of the city's Office of Emergency Operations. Police and fire officials said the K2 was potentially laced with some type of opioid. Fontana said a widely used anti-opioid-overdose drug given to some victims at the park did not seem to be effective, but the same drug did help some patients recover when given in higher doses at hospitals. Police have arrested a man who they say may have passed out free samples of synthetic marijuana. But some overdosed again, including one person who was treated for three separate overdoses. It's a potent, synthetic drug, that induces a marijuana-like effect. Several people have died because of complications. There have been mixed reports regarding the possibility that the drugs may have been laced with an opioid. According to Fox News and WTNH News 8, the number of overdoses had risen to more than 70 by Wednesday evening. A new report estimated a record 72,000 Americans died a year ago from drug overdoses, a rise of around 10 percent, the Centres for Disease Control said on Wednesday. "We hope this is coming to an end, but it's too early to tell". "Emergency responders rushed to one victim as officials were giving a news conference nearby late Wednesday morning". "We're pretty beat up". The problem is widespread and considered by the Department of Health and Human Services a national public health emergency. Synthetic cannabinoids can be smoked or vaporized in e-cigarettes, and range in price from mildly affordable to cheap. Police are still waiting for toxicology results, but believe the victims had been using synthetic marijuana - also known as K2. "It's a synthetic, a man-made product so you never know what they're putting in it", said Asst. More than a dozen people overdosed on synthetic marijuana at the same park July 4. "It is upsetting", Campbell, the police chief, told a WVIT reporter. "It's sad when you know statistically this is something that is happening to our entire nation, but when you see it first hand right where you live and where you work, it's a bad thing". Mayor Toni Harp said plans were being finalized for President Trump's drug czar nominee, Jim Carroll, to visit New Haven on Monday. "One of our fears is that this isn't over", Hartman said. China has alarmed and angered its neighbours by claiming dominion over most of the South China Sea and building a string of artificial islands and military airbases. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has called for the Chinese government to tone down its behavior in the South China Sea, warning ongoing tensions could spark an accidental conflict. "They have to rethink that because that would be a flashpoint someday", Duterte said in a speech late yesterday. "You can not create an island". Philippine officials have said that military pilots are repeatedly warned off by Beijing as their planes approach Philippine-held Thitu Island (Jhongye Island, ), which lies beside a Chinese air base built on top of Subi Reef (Jhubi Reef, ). However, the USA navy has forcefully asserted its right to freedom of navigation in the area, repeatedly sailing close to the man-made islands and drawing Chinese protests. He said that it was "wrong" that China claims these disputed waters as its territories since they are "considered a part of global sea" and "the right of innocent passage is guaranteed", according to the official transcript of a speech provided on Wednesday. It does not need any permission to sail through the open seas. "So I hope that China would temper its -- at least its behavior". I do not want to quarrel with China. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concluded in 2016 that Beijing's claims to areas of the resource-rich sea have no legal basis in an arbitration launched by the Philippines, whose "sovereign rights" it said China had violated. America instead of avoiding - "get out, get out", China would say "we go in, we go in", he added. The incident came even as the Duterte administration sought to downplay Manila's maritime dispute with China. Duterte had even temporarily shelved a 2016 arbitral tribunal's ruling that nullified China's nine-dash line map that covers almost whole of South China in favor of friendly relations. An worldwide maritime tribunal ruled early in Duterte's presidency in 2016 that China's claims to the area have no legal basis. They are all pro-China because China does not really... "But one of these days I said before my term ends, I assure you that I will talk to them", Duterte said. Fares al-Razhi, mourning the killing of his his 14-year-old son said that he held the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates responsible for the killing. Saudi Arabia announced it will hold an investigation into the "collateral damage" after an airstrike killed at least 40 Yemeni children in Saada province last week. Col. Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the coalition in Yemen, said last week that the coalition had launched an operation in Saada in response to Houthi fighters firing a missile on the Saudi city of Jizan on Wednesday evening. Thousands of mourners on Monday buried dozens of children killed in a Saudi-led coalition air strike on a bus in northern Yemen, one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the three-year-old war. The coalition called its new instance of child killing as "legitimate", and even said the move conforms to global regulations. A roadside bomb in Yemen's southern city of Aden targeted the convoy of a Saudi-backed provincial governor but he was unhurt, witnesses said on Tuesday. Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, bemoaned the "ugly" side of war and played up the coalition's own probe into the strike. The head of the rebels' revolutionary council, Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, took part in the funeral and slammed the raid as a "crime by America and its allies against the children of Yemen". They also received 48 injured people, including 30 children, the ICRC said. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has said a three-star USA general would be involved in an examination of the strike. Rebarich stressed that Mattis never said the general would be conducting an investigation, but urging the Saudis "to expeditiously and thoroughly investigate this tragic incident". Al-Masirah did not say how many victims were buried on Monday. The war in impoverished Yemen has left almost 10,000 people dead and unleashed what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The explosion occurred just hours after the governor attended a meeting with senior officials of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government regarding the situation in Taiz, according to the source. Lets be honest. Cryptocurrencies have a growing and exceedingly loyal fan base. The true believers are fervent in their support of the impending decentralized future. They are the idealists, the futurists, the technologists - the ones who see blockchain technology as the natural successor to the current internet establishment. Meanwhile, as recent market fluctuations remind us, not everyone is so convinced. Individual investors appear to be vacillating on the usefulness of digital currencies, and, institutional investment is not as fervent as many expected. In contrast, blockchain technology, the technological backbone of the cryptocurrency movement, is quickly gaining notoriety. However, one of its most significant advocates isnt the cadre of novel blockchain developers, its an incumbent company with more than a century of experience in the business arena. Founded in 1911, IBM has continually been at the forefront of tech-minded business solutions, and blockchain technology is no different. The company launched its Hyperledger blockchain initiative in 2016, and theyve been an aggressive supporter of the technology ever since. Related: Lira Bounces Back After Qatar Bailout Pledge In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, IBMs senior vice president of global industries, platforms, and blockchain, Bridget Van Kralingen, predicted that tokens and cryptocurrency are the future. The company is backing up this sentiment with ambitious projects aimed at making blockchain technology more usable at the enterprise level. These initiatives are a big deal because of the prominence of IBMs brand, but also because of the extensive resources that the company is allocating to blockchain innovation. The Blockchain & Supply Chain Come Together One area where IBM seems intent on making an impact is in supply chain management. This week, the tech juggernaut announced TradeLens, a blockchain-based shipping solution intended to facilitate global trade. TradeLens was built in conjunction with Maersk, a shipping organization striving to improve the global supply chain. The partnership has already brought in nearly 100 organizations to pilot the ecosystem. Perhaps most notably, this platform represents a direct use case for some of the blockchains most lauded features including its decentralized ledger and smart contracts. In total, this is the full-throated endorsement and implementation of blockchain technology that developers and decentralized enthusiasts alike are clamoring for. Patenting Decentralized Databases At the same time, IBM has filed a patent for using blockchain technology as a tool for database management. In general, this patent is aimed at deploying blockchain technology as a tool for securing databases against data hacks and breaches. According to the document filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, A blockchain database may be used to provide an incorruptible database tampering detection system (IDT-DS) to detect tampering with respect to a set of data stored in a central database linked with the blockchain database. Related: Theres No Hiding From Google The system would be based on the permissions associated with the blockchain. As high-profile network hacks continue to make headlines, its no surprise that IBM would focus its efforts on database integrity. These actions can be interpreted in several different ways. On the one hand, they epitomize the ongoing battle to control the future of blockchain future. The blockchain is frequently described as the third iteration of the internet, and many people expect that it will be an increasingly dominant expression of computing going forward. IBMs efforts also provide a measure of validation for the many eager startups supporting blockchain-based platforms. Clearly, they are onto something if companies with the clout of IBM are investing such prolific resources into the technology. When taken together, IBMs actions have considerable sway on the crypto and blockchain movement. Last month, Stellar, a decentralized organization with some similarities to Ethereum, received a big boost when IBM invested in Stronghold, a stable coin traded on Stellers platform. However, their most recent product and patent announcements reflect the profound ways that the company is influencing enterprise adoption of blockchain technology. By Bill DeLisle via Crypto Insider More Top Reads From Safehaven.com Switzerlands Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has banned the import of some new Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche vehicles because their diesel engines skirted emissions regulations. This ban includes the Mercedes Vito van with the 1.6-liter diesel engine, the Porsche Macan with the 3.0- and the Cayenne with 4.2-liter. The ban will affect vehicles imported after August 17th, but FEDRO said that those that have already been imported with the offending engines can continue to operate provided they are retrofitted to comply with Swiss emissions standards. Daimler officials said the company had ceased exporting the Vito after the German government ordered a recall and a stop-sale earlier in May. This affected 24 Vitos in total destined for Switzerland. In addition, Volkswagens luxury arm (Audis two new models A6 and A7 diesel cars) has been refused authorization to drive in Switzerland due to manipulation of their anti-pollution control systems. The ban on Audis, though, isnt as dramatic as it sounds: Since only Audi imported after the second week in August are in question, only 47 cars are affectedand used cars dont count. Swiss politicians have for years been trying to draw up a national strategy to deal with the problem of air pollution, but without success. Elsewhere in Europe, the authorities in France and the UK are planning to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040, while Norway and Austria plan to only sell emissions-free vehicles from 2025. However, since Switzerland itself doesnt have its own auto manufacturing industry and relies only on imports, it can essentially roll out a broad import ban and regulations. Late last year, the countrys opposition Green party launched the initiative, demanding a ban on sales on new diesel and petrol vehicles beginning in 2025. Last year, Germany's transport ministry announced that "illegal" software disguising the true level of polluting emissions had been discovered in Porsche's Cayenne and Macan models with diesel engines. Related; Forget Turkey, This Is The Biggest Threat To European Finance A total of 22,000 vehicles were recalled, widening the scandal over emissions test cheating that has plagued parent-company Volkswagen for two years, in what it looks like never-ending Diesel gate saga. Volkswagen, the world's largest carmaker, has admitted to using so-called "defeat device" software to cheat regulatory nitrogen oxides emissions tests. The devices allowed the cars to release up to 40 times the permissible limits of polluting nitrogen oxide during normal driving, but this was hidden during emissions testing. Volkswagen admitted to rigging nearly 11 million cars worldwide with its cheating software. In total, the scandal has cost the company some $30 billion and has led to criminal charges for several employees. Initially, the scandal emerged in September 2015 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed charges against VW for equipping its diesel cars from 2009 through 2016 with defeat devicessoftware designed purposefully to trick federal emissions tests. In June, German authorities detained the chief executive of Volkswagen's Audi division, Rupert Stadler, as part of a probe into the manipulation of emissions controls. Since 2016, German prosecutors have been searching the homes of current and former VW, Audi and Porsche employees in connection to the case. By Tom Kool for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com County Lines: 3,900 without power after driver crashes into power pole in Santa Maria; Crews put out third fire in four days at homeless camps near Lompoc Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. The U.S. also said that Profinet Ltd.in Russian Federation violated United Nations sanctions by providing port services to already-sanctioned North Korean-flagged ships involved in oil shipments at three eastern Russian Federation ports. The United States imposed sanctions on a Russian port service agency and Chinese firms on Wednesday for aiding North Korean ships and selling alcohol and tobacco to North Korea in breach of US sanctions aimed at pressuring it to end its nuclear programs. Despite having opened direct talks with Pyongyang, Washington continues to press for full compliance with existing global sanctions against North Korea to keep pressure on Pyongyang to end its programs for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The Treasury Department said it was taking action against the companies, which are based in China, Russia and Singapore, as well as the head of the Russian firm. The move blocks any assets that they may have in United States jurisdictions and bans Americans from doing business with them. According to the department, China-based Dalian Sun Moon Star International Logistics Trading and its Singapore-based affiliate, SINSMS, worked together to facilitate illicit shipments to North Korea using falsified shipping documents, including exports of alcohol, tobacco and cigarette products. "OFAC also designated Russia-based Profinet Pte Ltd. (Profinet) and its Director General, Russian national Vasili Aleksandrovich Kolchanov". On August 10, three South Korean business firms had smuggled 35,038 tons of North Korean coal and pig iron worth 6.6 billion won (USD 5.86 million) between April and October previous year. North Korea has become a virtual pariah in the worldwide community since the United Nations imposed tough sanctions on the country, after conducting nuclear tests and launching three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) a year ago. "Issues pertaining to the improvement of North-South relations aren't something that should be authorized by someone else", said the report. China's official Xinhua news agency said the United States needed to back off pressuring North Korea if it was serious about wanting lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Since then, the USA and North Korea have engaged in further talks about ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, but no agreements have been reached. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to Commentary. A Heritage Foundation vice president, James Jay Carafano directs the think tank's research into issues of national security and foreign affairs. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the U.S. Military Academy. Readers may write him at Heritage, 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002 Santa Ynez Valley may seem like a sleepy, rural community full of vineyards, farmyards and p Languid and without judgement, the world is stared down. Nikolaus Geyrhalter, forever working in wide-shot, frames up and presents his true-life landscapes with the eye of a high-end still photography artist. Then, he holds and holds his shots, just long enough to digest, but then cutting away before whatever question the shot is asking could be resolved. If anything, the viewer has accumulated more unresolved questions than before. And when it comes to how we as people reconcile our ever-changing, diverse yet universally relatable world, questions are what fuel our empathy, our attempts at understanding. It is precisely those qualities that documentarian Nikolaus Geyrhalter is interested in mining. Though still relatively young, the Austrian documentarian boasts an expansive filmography, both in terms of decades worked and miles traveled. Hes not here to be an activist with a camera, nor is he a Wiseman-esque fly on the wall. Geyrhalter is fixed upon raw, basic truths, sometimes via conversation; always via observation. People and places are they are, perhaps as they were, and even, on the occasion of his newest film included here, what they will become. With this fantastic new set, Icarus Films showcases six of Geyrhalters most essential films. Boasting excellent transfers and audio, not to mention an expert array of subtitling of languages from all over the globe, the primary lament of this collection is that only one of the six films (2005s Our Daily Bread) is a high definition Blu-ray. Everything else is available on standard definition DVDs. All of it, though, is handled with utmost care, regardless of the disc format. HOMO SAPIENS (2016) Where are we? What are we doing? What have we done? A deeply melancholy dwelling on a screwed-up death of everything. Despite the title, we see no Homo sapiens; merely their fading fingerprints on what theyve erected- and now, for whatever reason, abandoned. Destruction, overgrowth and the occasional animal. Nature is silently yet aggressively reclaiming what weve built. Offices, shopping plazas, historic structures, all of it pillaged, ransacked, and forgotten. With no choice but to surrender to the uneasy stillness of the images, we become absorbed in this haunting meditation. Geyrhalters symmetrical framing make it eerily easy to fall into his reflective trance. Look at it all. Just... Look at it. Only the wind bothers to come through anymore. Its all so quiet that the sound of the flapping wings of a small bird can dominate the inside of an empty cathedral. Allen Davieu-esque beams of light pour through rotted openings in roofs and ceilings, as though the Lord is assuring His presence to the camera. Or maybe its just that the sun is out and theres far too much airborne dust and debris to conceal it. The directors penchant for centric exactitude is reinforced with every shot, conventional order be damned. Though often enough, Geyrhalter nails that, too; presenting a yin and yang of light, darkness, lines, shapes, focus and depth. Each shot is breathtaking. This is a film so remarkably still and contemplative, the peak of the action is when a bird happens to fly towards the camera, nearly one hour into to ninety-four minute running time. From the signage, the architecture new and old, we can deduce that its a far eastern country. That much is clear. According to the booklet included in this set, Geyrhalter actually shot portions of this film on different parts of the globe. The abandonment and desolation of it all? Much of it orchestrated, even dressed for the camera. So claims Geyrhalter in his included printed interview. Yet, to these western eyes, it is a landscape twice removed- first by foreign culture that established it, then by the unseen forces that are now ravaging it. And the truth of that is not so different from truth of the images. Contemporary, human notions of beauty have lost all value in this place; yet thisisbeautiful. It is a resonant, horrific beauty, one assuring us that we are indeed fleeting, and that this planet, indeed all of creation, will outlive all of us. Where do go? Whom do we look to? What do we change? What do we surrender? OVER THE YEARS (2015) The day they closed the factory down they had nothing, Nothing left to say" "So they're talkin' of the changes the closing brings about. Talkin' of the hard times and the young folks moving out. Yes, they're talking as if talking can make everything all right. But all the talking ever done won't bring him back tonight. Ah, tonight. Thats part of the song The Day They Closed The Factory Down, by the incomparable Harry Chapin. In Geyrhalters three-plus-hour documentary Over the Years (Uber die Jahre), the last handful of loyal employees of the longstanding local, oversized textile manufacturing factory finally lose their jobs. To hear them tell it, their region of Waldviertel, Austria has never been the easiest place to get by. So desolate has the employment climate been, that the citizenry has long looked at the factory as an inevitably finite institution, a place with its own built-in doomsday clock. When it strikes, its the worst kind of strike any factory could experience. Worse than any picket; worse than any match fire. And strike it does. Off frame, between the scenes. That is within the first thirty minutes of this three-plus hour-long film, an ambitious commitment wrought, no doubt, between the cracks of other projects and life itself for Geyrhalter. Each year, give or take, he would revisit the half-dozen or so denizens of the factory, checking in with them long-term in regard to how things are going professionally, personally, and the like. Its fair to say, one supposes, that, this being Austria, the emotional remoteness displayed throughout is somehow ingrained, generationally passed down, et cetra. (To that line of thinking, perhaps the same logic could be applied to Geyrhalters wholly unique filmmaking craft). Yet, the chronic uncertainty, the sometimes-hopelessness, the lingering years-running desperation, is felt. Geyrhalters unflinching long takes filter nothing. Still a young man when venturing into this project, its tremendously interesting to track his pool of characters over the years. Alternating from person to person to person, as their family situations, their job situations, their home situations change and morph and stagnate and rarely flourish, Geyrhalter needs no title cards or on-screen identifiers to communicate passage of time nor to remind us who is who. Its clear, and we know. One thinks of Richard Linklaters jewel of a film, Boyhood, what with its sublime depiction of real time playing out in a mere three hour film. Linklater mayve arrived at the finish line first with 2014 Oscar contender, its true. But beyond the shared usage of return filming over the course of a decade, Boyhood and Over the Years are different animals. Theres the difference between narrative and documentary, the entire growing-up conceit of Linklaters project versus a more Michael Apted/UP-series approach, in which real people are revisiting across stretches of time, simply to see how theyre doing. The primary family in play is that of the former textile workers- a unit that doesnt seem to miss one another all that much once their time there ends. There is a single reunion gathering at the old place of employment, but aside from that nudge down memory lane, these people seem to be doing what most anyone would do- moving forward, with no need of looking back. They already understand that talking about the changes in their lives wont make everything all right, particularly talking on camera. But begrudgingly, they do anyway, throughout an entire decade. And from their quiet forthrightness, and the complete lack of condemnation from the filmmaker, we are let into their minds, their plights, their worlds. ABENDLAND (2011) In ninety minutes, Abendland displays humanity in most all its forms, all its modern permutations. Boiled down, the film could conceivably be dismissed as an arbitrary assemblage of still observations, lingering and long tracking shots that painstakingly follow a rolling gurney, a tray of chicken dinners, or just the sound of a thumping house beat through dense congregations of people. Never do we know just what everyone featured is up to, nor who they are, nor where we are. ButAbendland, nonetheless, runs the gamut, and quite effectively. It cannot and should not be dismissed. Translated from German to English, Abendland is West or Western World. Shot entirely at night in Germany, Geyrhalter simply casts his camera into whatever environment hes monitoring in that moment. There is never any explanation, not even for the conceit of the entire film itself. In so, one would not be blamed for wondering just what the security officer driving around in his high-tech truck has to do with the dull folks working late in offices. Or, what hurried caterers have to with online pornographers (warning: there is a scene of explicit, coldly observed sex). Its what people are doing at night. No apparent order or logic to the sequences, as jarringly different as they can be. No interviews, simply observation in long takes and wide shots. Abendland doesntsit apart from the other films in this set as one may suspect. It might just be the directors most direct statement on the fractured priorities of people, in relation to each other. Everyone here has let their guard down to some extent- including us. OUR DAILY BREAD (2005) Where does our food come from? And do we really want to know? In 2005s Our Daily Bread, Geyrhalter grants access to some absolutely massive food factories; huge, well-staffed cavernous complexes housing pigs, chickens, cows, and even fish. Yes, the animals are all there to be worked-through and slaughtered for food-making purposes, and yes, those processes are depicted in the same wide angled, unmoving manner that every moment of this film is crafted. We follow the progress of mass-scale pig slaughter from sudden death through to processing. The pigs, freshly cut and strung up by their hind legs, look oddly fake; like a gory maquette found in a haunted attraction. Here hangs our future bacon, our future pulled pork. And down the line it goes... The workers are so locked-in, so on-task, that they seem every bit as mechanical as the steel machines around them. Garbed in lab coats and safety classes, clinging to clipboards, pens, and/or hand-tools intended for unpleasantness, there is an eerie quality in not just what they do, but how they are. Perhaps when knowledge of the toxic becomes toxic, all one can do is to keep on keepin on. Punch in, punch out. It is assumed that the filmmakers briefed the workers not to speak; the verbal silence causing sharper focus on whatever theyre doing- but also upping the weirdness ante. The weird vibe does a lot to inform the overall tone of Our Daily Bread, even when Geyrhalter leaves the animal processing plants to spend time in cavernous underground salt mines (amazing!) or a vast outdoor field; just as a crop duster zips symmetrical overhead, doing its prescribed task. Off-putting vibe aside, there is an indisputable central importance to what Our Daily Bread is doing. The modern processes of keeping the developed world fed should not remain shrouded. These, and places not unlike these the world over, are the behind-the-scenes reality of our breakfast, lunch and dinner. And just when one may assume that Geyrhalters underlying goal is to flag up the inhumanity of the processes on display, he makes a strict point of showing the food workers eating lunch. These people too, must eat. The reminder is repeated throughout, no matter where the camera goes. It is sobering, though, to realize that of all the dangerous and potentially toxic environments that are represented across the course of this entire DVD set, the booklets cover photo of a cameraman (presumably Geyrhalter) decked out head to toe in a protective disposable white jumpsuit and gas mask was taken in a food processing facility. Not a nuclear power plant thats melted down in the past. Not any of the highly sanitized tech environments of Abendland. A food processing facility. Dare we chew on that? For whatever reason, Our Daily Bread is the only film of this set that is served up on high definition Blu-ray, as opposed to regular DVD. Though the visual magnificence of the other films comes through, the HD bump given to this one does show. Its something to be thankful for, with Our Daily Bread. ELSEWHERE (2001) Geyrhalters four-hour endeavor Elsewhere is a grand achievement thats truly global in scope. In twelve separate segments, he takes us to the farthest reaches of the globe, and, while unseen and unheard in the film, he gets to know people there. Shot throughout the entire year 2000, Geyrhalter chucks aside any forward-facing Western futurism that the turn of the millennium generated; instead visiting cultures rooted in ages-old tradition and simple survival. Each of the twelve segments is devoted to a separate locale, shot one per month. Extremely remote regions of Siberia, Italy, India, British Columbia, Indonesia, even the island of Micronesia, are featured. In each place, Geyrhalter finds and sticks with two or maybe three connected individuals, cultivating serviceable demonstrative narratives. Whether a well-bundled lone reindeer herder transversing the white slopes of Finland or the Namibian sister wives of a goat herder named Kapyarukoro trying to figure out their relationship to him and one another in their arid clothing-minimal desert community, Geyrhalter comes alongside of all of them. The glossy booklet that comes with the set breaks down each location, as well as the ridiculously extreme processes to reach them: 12 remote places on five continents, 350 kg of filming gear, generators, tents and catering, which were transported by planes, helicopters, bushcampers, boats, dugouts, dogsledges, camels, mules, snowmobiles and porters, 70 take-offs and landings, more than 240,000 flight kilometers (that is about six times the circumference of the earth) and some thousands on land, too. Even without all that amazing effort as part of the story (and its not), Elsewhere shines bright as the rare global travelogue that completely spotlights the residents, the natives, the denizens, the people. It is in no way made to be about what an undertaking of travel and/or production it is, leaving those quick details to the DVD booklet. Elsewhere simply lives up to its names in the filmmakers starkly minimalist approach. And just when you begin to settle in, its off to the next place... PRIPYAT (1999) You cant see it and you cant smell it, but its there. Its lingering radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown, and not going anywhere. The people of Pripyat know this all too well, as theyve nonetheless opted, for whatever reasons, to remain in residence inside of the thirty kilometer contaminant zone. Pripyat is the village that housed the employees at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a thriving area prior to the disaster in late April of 1986. Most of the 100,000 former residents have relocated. Four of the remaining few are the reoccurring subjects of this earliest of entries in this Geyrhalter DVD collection. Made for television, and rendered in an oppressively muted greyscale, Pripyat is a talkier affair than the other works of the filmmaker represented here. By comparison to something like Homo Sapiens or even Abendland, its pretty clear that this is an early work. Though, it is also recognizable as the early work of an emerging artist to be reckoned with. Amid the abandoned homesteads and derelict businesses of the zone, there remains several large Soviet propaganda style signs, encouraging responsible energy usage, And bolstering the residents scientists for the greater good. But the reality of Pripyat is merely one hard cutaway: (more) overgrown fields of abandoned vehicles, some of which would qualify as major Cold War era military machines, sitting alone to forever soak in their own radiation. The camera follows handful of workers through these fields, they themselves long ago resigned to an unspoken fatalism regarding their own continued exposure. {Shrug} The radiation is invisible. They say I must be used to it by now. Then awkward silence. This is a uniformed guard whose need to feed his family has led him to a state-issued likely early doom, all in the name of keeping nearby pheasant farmers from pick-and-pulling replacement parts for their own dilapidated equipment. Its simply a ghost town, void of even mice and birds at this point. As one of Geyrhalters four key subjects lead us on a long unbroken foot tour of once lively school property, openly lamenting has such a disaster couldve happened, her attire of a camouflage jacket over a flowery dress perfectly encapsulates her existence of forced survival amid mundane and office work. Her eventual arrival at her familys former Apartment is a heartbreaker. The place of her former happy life is now a vandalized shell of peeling paint and faded wallpaper. The windows are broken, everything is contaminated. She can barely even speak about it. And who could blame her? Regarding the DVD set itself, the raw and real Pripyat is an ideal full-circle from the much newer acknowledged artifice of Homo Sapiens. Both wield the ability to deeply move via Geyrhalters ability to unflinchingly evoke the lost human spirit in abandoned places. Its tragedy; past, present and no doubt future. For us, we have this document; one that no viewer would soon forget. ***** Simply being within the frame of a Geyrhalter film doesnt so much grant one absolution as it does a certain humanizing. Native peoples arent touted for their exoticism; food factories arent verbally called out for inhumane treatment. In his trademark exclusiveness of long takes, wide shots, and twenty-second long static shots, Geyrhalter takes us on a beautifully lulling yet appropriately uneasy tour of our planet. If you have to have it all explained, you will have to look elsewhere. This an filmmaker every bit the artist as he is an explorer. Theres a rigid defiance in that, something that only enriches these six particular films. There are more films that Geyrhalter has made, but for now, this fine set will do. They leave us with no question that the lessons of the films of Nikolaus Geyrhalter are nakedly before us. Elsewhere Director(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Writer(s) Silvia Burner Nikolaus Geyrhalter Michael Kitzberger Wolfgang Widerhofer Pripyat Director(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Writer(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Wolfgang Widerhofer Our Daily Bread Director(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Writer(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter (screenplay) Wolfgang Widerhofer (screenplay) Cast Claus Hansen Petz Arkadiusz Rydellek Barbara Hinz Renata Wypchlo Homo Sapiens Director(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Writer(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter (concept) Over the Years Director(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Writer(s) Nikolaus Geyrhalter Wolfgang Widerhofer The first non-French boss of Air France-KLM, Canada's Ben Smith, faces a rocky landing at the strike-prone airline where his nomination and pay packet have been sharply criticised by French trade unions. Smith, the current number two at Air Canada, was unveiled Thursday as the new chief executive of the Franco-Dutch group, whose last boss quit during an ongoing labour dispute as staff press for higher wages. The French government, which has a 14.3-percent stake in the airline, said attracting "a leader of this stature who has great experience acquired through 19 years with Air Canada" was "a boon" for the airline. But no sooner had the 46-year-old been named than he became embroiled in controversy over his salary, which could be several multiples that of his predecessor Jean-Marc Janaillac, according to a source close to the airline. The source told AFP his annual pay could reach up to 4.25 million euros ($4.8 million), consisting of a fixed wage of 900,000 euros -- 50 percent higher than his predecessor -- as well as performance-based bonuses and shares which will be dependent on results. Former CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac took home 1.122 million euros in 2017, based on a fixed salary of 600,000 euros and bonuses. The CFDT union called the reported pay hike "unreasonable", echoing criticism from other unions, while French politicians across the spectrum were drawn into the debate about executive pay. Olivier Dartigolles, a spokesman for the French Communist party, said the package was "shameful" and said Smith "would be the person explaining to employees that they need to make moderate salary demands". Fears of further strikes from staff, who have seen their call for a five percent pay hike this year turned down by management, saw investors take fright on Friday with shares down heavily on the Paris stock exchange. The fall was due to "fears of a strike forming that would affect the profitability of the airline," an analyst at financial trading group IG France, Alexandre Baradez, told AFP. Story continues In early afternoon trading, Air France-KLM shares were worth 8.62 euros, down 4.71 percent. French unions have organised 15 one-day strikes since February to press for higher pay, causing inconvenience for passengers and leading to losses estimated at 335 million euros by the company. - Foreign CEOs the exception - Air France unions have also bristled at the nomination of a foreigner to the job, with nine out of 10 unions issuing a statement Thursday saying it was "inconceivable" that the company "fall into the hands of a foreign executive". Smith joins a small, select club of foreign bosses of large French companies. Of the 40 companies on the CAC 40 index of France's biggest companies, only five have foreign bosses, including plane-maker Airbus, the Axa insurance company and carmaker PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Writing in the pro-business L'Opinion daily Friday, editor Nicolas Beytout said the unions' anti-foreigner stance was particularly strange to see at an airline "which is by definition global". "Benjamin Smith is arriving in hostile territory," the left-wing Liberation daily wrote Friday, while Le Parisien warned of "turbulence" for the new CEO. Smith's most pressing task on arrival at the end of September will be to negotiate a new wage agreement to end the pay dispute. As chief operating officer at Air Canada, he has experience of sensitive labour negotiations, having led talks with pilots' and flight attendants' unions ahead of the launch of low-cost operator Air Canada Rouge. "I am well aware of the competitive challenges the Air France-KLM Group is currently facing and I am convinced that the airlines' teams have all the strengths to succeed in the global airline market," he said in a statement after his nomination. But Air France's unions could pose a stiffer challenger. - Stand-off - Ex-CEO Janaillac resigned in May after gambling his job on getting staff to accept a pay deal that would have seen them earn a 2.0-percent raise this year, and another 5.0 percent between 2019-2021. The unions defied him, saying workers needed to be rewarded immediately for accepting years of pay freezes now that Air France-KLM has returned to profitability. Air France-KLM argues that the increase sought by staff would set back its restructuring efforts, which aim to help it compete with low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Easyjet and cut its debt. In the second quarter, the group posted net profits of 109 million euros, down sharply from 593 million for the same period last year, although that figure was boosted by new accounting rules. cb-adp/klm Crazy Rich Asians isnt necessarily great PR for Singapore. [The film] represents the worst of Singapore, Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, said after seeing the trailer. Erases minorities. Erases the poor and marginalized. All you get are rich, privileged ethnic Chinese. Singapore is around 75% Chinese, according to 2017 estimates. And while the movies entire cast is Asian, theyre mostly Chinese. The movie, which is based on a book by Kevin Kwan, spends little time on the other 25%: Malays (15%), Indians (7%), and other minority races. I get that the movie isnt all about Singapore, and that some may find it entertaining, Chong told Yahoo Finance. That said, I think that the context of the movie (and the book) presents Singapore in a one-dimensional manner. In exoticizing Singapore, the story flattens out Singapore society and writes minorities out. This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows, from left, Awkwafina, Nico Santos, and Constance Wu in a scene from the film Crazy Rich Asians. (Sanja Bucko/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP) The book focuses on how a female American-Chinese character travels to Singapore with her Singaporean-Chinese boyfriend for a wedding and meets his rich old money Cantonese family, only to face his mothers (and her circles) disapproval. And given that the movie introduces Singapore to a global audience, some familiar with the country wonder why there is little effort made to make the movie more reflective of the real Singapore. Everyone else is told you have to care, even though we are not represented, we cant see ourselves, Sangeetha Thanapal, an activist against racism facing Singapores Indian, Malay, and other minority communities, told the AP. You set a movie in Singapore and the only people in it are Chinese and you consider that representation? That is the problem its because you dont understand the dynamics, Thanapal said. When people say that is the world of Singapore, theyre saying that minorities dont exist. (Photo: screenshot/Crazy Rich Asians) In Crazy Rich Asians, the only minority actors beside the main characters mother, played by Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh were predominantly security guards or servants. So while the movie is the first studio film in the 21st century starring an Asian and Asian-American cast in a contemporary setting, its more accurate to say that the movie represents the Chinese community. Story continues Crazy Rich Asians is set in Singapore and yet theres not a single south Asian member on the cast. Huge fan of Constance Wu and love when ANY Asians are represented but its so wrong given Singapores demographics. To paint an exclusively East Asian cast as representative of neil gunnion (@neilgofficial) August 2, 2018 Genuinely excited to see Crazy Rich Asians. But my issue with it (as well as the book) is that its a paltry reflection on multicultural Singapore. Malay & Indian communities are entirely scrubbed out of view and Spores problematic Chinese-maj worldview is reinforced. https://t.co/yQuOih0spd Tara John (@tarajohn) August 15, 2018 Racism in Singapore Consequently, the film adds more irritation to the minorities who have already experienced decades of racism in many aspects of their life as the country became predominantly Chinese. For example, in the rental market, Indians have found it difficult to find properties because of landlords discriminating against them. In the job market, Chinese have for a long time preferred their own over other minorities, specifying it clearly on job listings to the extent that even if a member from the minority races spoke Chinese, they would get turned away. A migrant worker from Bangladesh shows his empty wallet to the camera as workers gather near a government office in Singapore on February 16, 2009. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash And the classic example of intolerance occurred in 2011 when a new migrant family from China complained about a Singaporean-Indian family because they couldnt tolerate the smell of their curry. (The Indian family ended up settling to cook only when they were out.) While the film is no doubt a step in the right direction toward the representation of the Asian community overall, there is a clear lack of minorities even in cameo roles for a movie about Asians in Singapore. How I look at the movie and the story on which it is based parallels the concerns some in the US express about Hollywood making movies that write out minorities, making it all about white people, Chong said. That does not even get into issues of class. Even while people watch the movie, I hope these nuances are not forgotten in the public mind even though I doubt this will happen. Aarthi is a graduate journalism student at New York University. She is Singaporean. Follow her on Twitter. Related: Speaking at the Thursday State Department briefing, Pompeo claimed that the world is demanding change in Iran's behavior, so that it "finally acts like a normal country". He said the U.S. would issue waivers from sanctions only to countries that had made efforts to reduce their oil purchases from Iran. USA officials have also been in talks with Saudi Arabia to produce more oil to meet the global demand. Hook, now director of policy planning at the State Department, was in charge of the failed effort to get support from USA allies for Washington's decision in May to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. It has also told businesses and governments in Europe that they may also be subject to penalties if they violate, ignore or attempt to subvert the re-imposed United States sanctions. The United States says it is prepared to impose sanctions on all countries that continue to buy Iran's oil - including China - after Washington starts restoring bans on the Islamic Republic's energy sector. Pompeo and other officials have denied that the administration is seeking to foment regime change in Iran and maintain they only want to see the government change course. Accusing Iran of unleashing "a torrent of violence and destabilizing behavior against the United States, our allies, our partners and, indeed, the Iranian people themselves", Pompeo announced the creation of the Iran Action Group, which he said would drive administration policy in Washington and overseas. Calling the accord as an "embarrassment" that was "defective at its core", Trump also warned of severe consequences if Iran resumed its nuclear programme. Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, described the announcement as "heavy on accusations and demands, and rather empty on substance", saying it was "not clear what exactly the group would be doing beyond what already has been announced". In addition to its nuclear and missile programs, the administration has repeatedly criticized Iran for supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, Shiite rebels in Yemen and anti-Israel groups. The U.S. government on August 7 re-imposed sanctions on Iran on non-energy areas, and will slap the remaining sanctions on November 5 that concentrate on such areas as energy, shipping and ports. Harvard scholar and Iranian-affairs expert Majid Rafizadeh said the regime in Tehran is in deep trouble at home as the sanctions, which came into effect last week, are working. Hook said the timing was "pure coincidence" and rejected comparisons between the Iran group and an earlier State Department initiative known as the "Future of Iraq Project" that was undertaken when USA policy was to promote the downfall of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The Trump administration's exit from the Iran deal is also creating internal divisions within Iran's leadership. Hook said, based off of Pompeo's extensive list of actions Iran must take in order to enter into a new deal with the USA, "our new strategy addresses all manifestation of the Iranian threat and the new Iran Action Group will be focused on implementing that strategy". The secretary of state and former Central Intelligence Agency director also accused several members of Iran's leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, of participating in widespread corruption. Companies from France, Britain and Germany, all remaining signatories to the agreement, have withdrawn their investments in Iran, fearing problems with the United States, although Russian Federation and China, who also signed, have said they will remain active in the Iranian economy. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen thanks China as he confirms winning all 125 seats in unopposed election Cambodias 33-year ruler, Prime Minister Hun Sen, pledged to work closely with China with full commitment as he announced the ruling partys winning of full seats in the parliament. Hun Sen has published his first thank-you letters to China after announcing the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) had won all 125 parliament seats in an unopposed general election held in July. The messages were sent in response to the congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday night, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. It reported that Xi said he was glad to see that under Hun Sens leadership in recent years, Cambodia had become more politically stable and more developed in its economy, raised its international status and shown achievements in various fields. Cambodian ruling party claims landslide victory in sham election, with strongman Hun Sen set to extend his 33-year rule We believe that the CPP will continue to unite and lead the Cambodian people to follow the development path suitable for their own conditions, Xi said. The message from Xi was the first to a foreign counterpart since the end of the annual closed-doors Beidaihe meeting, held in early August among senior Communist Party leaders to set the tone on the nations major issues. The flattery between the two leaders highlights the increasingly close relations between Beijing and Phnom Penh, with military cooperation and China committing to Belt and Road Initiative projects in Cambodia as its biggest foreign investor. Over the past two years, Beijing has given the kingdom US$600 million mostly in concessional loans committed almost US$2 billion to build roads and bridges, handed the country another US$150 million in aid and signed dozens of major infrastructure and business deals worth millions of dollars. WELCOME TO ASIAS NEWEST ONE-PARTY STATE This has been in stark contrast to Hun Sens relations with the United States and the European Union, who withdrew funding for the elections, saying they would not support them because they were uncontested. Story continues The main opposition party, Cambodia National Rescue Party, was dissolved under a court order last November, when a five-year political ban was also imposed for all 118 members. The CPP pointed to 83 per cent voter turnout as evidence that a boycott by the opposition, backed by the West, had failed, but allegations of voter intimidation and some 600,000 spoiled ballots undermined the claims. Cambodia ruling party derides US expanded visa sanctions as useless and ineffective Hun Sen claimed the election had proceeded peacefully, freely, orderly and in a transparent manner ... thanks to a large contribution from the Chinese government in his letters to China. China has not only provided generous assistance for the election process, but also sent the largest ever group of observers to witness this crucial event in my country, for which we are profoundly grateful, the 67-year-old Cambodian prime minister wrote in his letter to Xi, reported Xinhua. Before the election, the Cambodian National Election Commission said that in December China had provided 30 types of equipment, including computers and voting booths. This article Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen thanks China as he confirms winning all 125 seats in unopposed election first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. By Aislinn Laing and Felipe Iturrieta SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Nine planes were forced to make emergency changes to their routes within Chilean, Argentine and Peruvian airspace on Thursday because of bomb threats issued to Chile's civil aviation authority, its director general told journalists. At least two of the planes were operated by LATAM Airlines and three by Sky, a low-cost Chilean airline, the companies confirmed. Victor Villalobos Collao, the director general of Chile's civil aviation authority (DGAC), said 11 threats were made in total on Thursday, two of which were "fictitious" and nine of which related to existing flights. All of the planes were declared free of explosives, and at least one plane was later allowed to resume its flight, he said. He said calls warning of bombs onboard flights were made to LATAM's offices, and the civil aviation authority, and police were now trying to trace their origin. "We always have an abandoned suitcase or two, that's normal," he told journalists in a briefing at Santiago airport. "But this is a totally exceptional case." For four of the flights, Santiago, Chile's capital, was either the origination or the destination, the DGAC added in a statement. One flight, Sky 162, took off from Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport and was headed to the northern city of Antofagasta when it was instructed to return to Santiago, the statement said. Flight LATAM 2369, originating from Lima, the capital of Peru, and heading for Santiago, was forced to land in the southern Peruvian city of Pisco, it added. Peru's transport ministry said no one had been injured and a team for deactivating explosives has been notified. "Right now the situation is under control," it said on Twitter. Another Sky flight, Sky 524, is understood according to flight schedules to have taken off from the Argentine city of Mendoza. It made an emergency landing in Santiago before proceeding to Rosario in Argentina, the DGAC said. Story continues Sky said another of its planes, Flight 166, was prevented from taking off from Santiago because of a bomb threat. In addition, LATAM 800, which according to flight schedules took off from Auckland, New Zealand, performed an emergency landing in its destination of Santiago. That flight was still undergoing security checks, the DGAC added. Collao said other flights were checked in Iquique, another city in northern Chile, Antofagasta and Mendoza, without giving further details. LATAM confirmed that at least two of its planes had been affected. "The affected passengers will be transferred by LATAM onto other flights," it said. "The authorities have not at this moment found any evidence that might put passengers at risk." Chilean police did not respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing and Felipe Iturrieta; Editing by Leslie Adler and Michael Perry) Man tries to snatch girl from mother in broad daylight as they walked down Taiwan street The moment a man tried to snatch a young girl from her mother outside a coffee shop in Taiwans capital has been captured on camera. The man was chased off after passers-by came to the mothers aid in Taipei after she screamed for help while she wrestled with the man. A 33-year-old suspect, whose surname was Chou, was arrested soon afterwards and a file lodged with prosecutors, but local residents were angered when officers released him on the grounds he had not been caught in the act of committing a crime, according to Up Media. Local mothers complained about this risks of letting the suspect out in public and Ting Shou-chung, the opposition Kuomintang partys candidate in this years Taipei mayoral election, said releasing the man was like setting a time bomb in public. Last Friday it emerged Chou had been admitted to hospital for mental health checks and on Monday doctors decided he needed at least two months treatment in a psychiatric unit, TVBS news reported. Chou, who was a lifeguard at a local swimming pool, told the police that he had initially identified the girl as a friend of his, but failed to explain why he had continued tugging at her when the girls mother fought back. SET news reported. His employer told Up Media the man had only been working at the pool for a week and he has now left his employment. This article Man tries to snatch girl from mother in broad daylight as they walked down Taiwan street first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. QUEZON CITY, Philippines The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) targets to fully implement the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Policy along EDSA on August 23 amid mounting calls to suspend its implementation even from among lawmakers. Buhay Partylist Representative Lito Atienza said, the MMDA should think of other ways to address the worsening traffic in the said major thoroughfare instead of implementing policies that would only burden the public more. Some senators have earlier filed a resolution urging the agency to halt the policys enforcement, citing lack of public consultation and concerns on its efficacy. The MMDA, in response, assures compliance if it receives an official order to suspend the scheme. Walang problema po. Susunod po kami kung ano po ang sinasabi sa batas. Sa amin po kung iyan ay dadalhin nila sa korte, siyempre sa stand namin kami ang tama. Sa stand nila, pwedeng sila ang tama. Its not us to judge kung sino ang tama sa amin, MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia. Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence Bong Go on Thursday also assured that the MMDA is open to amending the HOV traffic scheme, citing confirmation from MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim that feedback from the public on the new policy will be reviewed by the Metro Manila Council. Go said he trusts that all 17 mayors in Metro Manila will be able to arrive at an acceptable decision on the HOV. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, said the Palace is appealing to the public to give the HOV policy a chance to see if it is effective in addressing heavy traffic on EDSA. Lets give it a chance. Lahat naman po ini-explore natin para magkaroon ng solusyon sa problema ng traffic, he said. GRAB Philippines, meanwhile, plans to set a dialogue with the MMDA to clarify the policys provisions. Joan Nano / Marje Pelayo The post MMDA willing to amend HOV scheme amid calls for suspension appeared first on UNTV News. A year after a jihadist rampage in Catalonia killed 16 people, Spain paid homage to the victims Friday without managing to set aside bitter divisions over the region's independence. Families of the victims had called for a "truce" in the political row over Catalonia's failed secessionist drive last October, which quickly overshadowed the bloody attacks that shook Spain. But right above the spot on Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas boulevard where a van came to a stop after ploughing into and killing 14 pedestrians on August 17, 2017, separatist activists unravelled a banner reading: "Free political prisoners. Without them this ceremony is a scam." Under the banner -- which refers to separatist leaders in jail over the failed secession attempt -- relatives of the victims laid flowers on a pavement mosaic designed by Barcelona-born artist Joan Miro. Further up the road on the central Plaza Catalunya, another large banner hung from a building reading in English: "The Spanish king is not welcome in the Catalan countries", with an upside-down picture of the monarch, who took a hardline stance against the secession bid. King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez joined families of the victims on the plaza for an emotional commemoration, to cries of "long live the king" and "long live Spain" by pro-unity onlookers sporting Spanish flags. "It was a complete disgrace, such a shame. In the end others took the limelight and not the victims," Jose Vargas, president of the Catalan association of terror victims told AFP. - Dark day for Spain - A year ago, tourists and locals in Barcelona were enjoying yet another sunny day in the city, perusing the many flower stands that line Las Ramblas. But around 4:30 pm (1430 GMT), everything changed. Younes Abouyaaqoub, a 22-year-old Moroccan man, drove his van into the crowds, killing 14 people, including two children aged three and seven. "I was really lucky as I had left half an hour before but my mother was still there and she's been really affected," said Fidel Poles, a 33-year-old florist. "The man from the flower shop opposite as well -- he saw a woman dying in front of him and he's having a really hard time." Abouyaaqoub fled, stabbing to death a young man before stealing his car. Hours later, a car carrying five of his accomplices sped into the seaside resort of Cambrils some 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Barcelona. The five occupants of the Audi A3 jumped out and went on a stabbing spree, killing a woman, before they were shot dead by police. Even then, at a defiant gathering against the attacks days after they happened, the king was jeered by supporters of independence. On Friday, separatist organisations staged their own commemorative marches to avoid being in the monarch's presence. - 'Thought I was dying' - On Twitter, Sanchez on Friday stressed the need for "the unity of all of Spanish society", which "makes us stronger in the face of terror and barbarism". Catalonia's pro-independence president Quim Torra said "we emerged stronger and more united and more convinced of our principles" after the attacks. He paid tribute to former Catalan police chief Josep Lluis Trapero and Joaquim Forn, the former regional interior minister who is in jail over the subsequent secession bid, and whom Torra described as "unjustly imprisoned". Ruben Guinazu, one of the victims in Cambrils, described the horror of a moment when he was convinced he would die. "I don't remember anything about the attacker, I only saw him stabbing me. He left the knife stuck in my face, it plunged 15 centimetres (six inches) into my head," the 55-year-old said. "He slashed my tonsils, my carotid, my vocal cords, my tongue." The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage but investigators have not found any evidence that the cell of young men who carried them out had any international links. They believe an imam in the Catalan mountain town of Ripoll indoctrinated a group of youths of Moroccan origin. They made explosives at an abandoned house which police believe they intended to use to strike the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, the city's Camp Nou stadium or even the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But these accidently went off on August 16, destroying the house, killing two of them including the imam, and prompting the remainder of the cell to improvise a vehicle attack similar to the ones carried out in other cities such as Nice and London. Manila's defence chief renewed calls Friday for the return of church bells seized by the US military more than a century ago, urging Washington to relinquish what he called "trophies for atrocities". American forces took three bells from the Catholic church of Balangiga town in 1901 as war booty in what historians said was a particularly brutal military operation in the former US colony. The US embassy in Manila announced earlier this month it would send them back but gave no timetable for their return, following a public campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. But reports that some US legislators would oppose the move prompted Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to join calls for the bells to be brought home. "We call on the American people not to allow the bells to serve as trophies for atrocities that were committed by both sides on Philippine soil a very long time ago," he said in a statement. "The return of the Balangiga Bells will be a strong indicator of the sincerity of the Americans in forging a lasting relationship with the Filipino people." Duterte has demanded Washington give back the Balangiga bells during public tirades against Washington as he builds closer ties with China and Russia. The president urged their return during his State of the Nation address last year: "Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are not yours. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage." Two of the bells are installed at a memorial for US war dead in the state of Wyoming, while the third is with US forces in South Korea. The Philippines, a Spanish colony for centuries, was ceded to the US in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American War. The country gained independence from Washington in 1946. The bells were taken during the brutal Samar campaign, which was launched about a month after Filipino rebels killed 34 US troops in Balangiga on September 28, 1901, according to the US Army War College. Getty Images He rented condominiums units across Singapore for the purpose of sub-letting them to prostitutes who needed a place to ply their trade. Benson Goh Wee Ming, a Singaporean private cab driver, formed the plan after a female prostitute he had engaged told him that there were always prostitutes looking to rent units for lodging and their work. After reaching out to prostitutes through a middleman, he would find apartments for them and charge them daily rates. Goh, 37, was sentenced to nine months jail and fined $10,000 on Friday (17 August) after he earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of living on the earnings of a prostitute and one count of knowingly letting the units be used as a brothel as a lessee. Five separate counts were taken into consideration for his sentencing. As Goh was not able to pay the fine, he will have to serve five weeks jail in lieu. Police investigations revealed that in March last year, while engaging a Chinese national prostitute, he learned from her that there was a demand for rental units from female prostitutes. The female prostitute proposed that he rent and sublet a unit to other prostitutes as he would be able to earn twice the amount of the rental. Goh agreed and began posting advertisements on online platforms looking for tenants to rent units under their names for him. He then directed people who responded to sign tenancy agreements and paid them $500 to $800 each. After obtaining the keys, Goh would sublet the rooms to female Chinese nationals and charged them between $90 and $120 daily. He rented out three condominium units in Changi, Paya Lebar and Geylang East Avenue vicinities in July last year and collected a total of $8,400 in earnings from the prostitutes. The police raided the Geylang unit on 2 August last year and arrested the tenants. Goh was identified as the landlord. When Goh came to the unit to collect rental money the following day, he was arrested. Gohs lawyer S Radakrishnan said that Goh was a family man who was simply trying to make ends meet as the sole breadwinner. Goh and his wife are expecting their second child in January next year. (Goh) originally believed that his relationship with the tenants were strictly landlord and tenant. He did not enquire into their private matters, including whether or not they provided sexual services, said the lawyer. For living on the earnings of prostitutes, Goh could have been jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000 on each count. For knowingly letting the unit be used as a brothel, he could have been jailed up to three years and fined a maximum $3,000. Grieving relatives wept over the coffins of dozens of victims of Genoa's bridge disaster Friday amid growing fury over a planned state funeral, while rescuers pressed on with their tireless search for those missing in the rubble. The collapse of the Morandi bridge, a decades-old viaduct that crumbled in a storm on Tuesday killing at least 38 people, has stunned and angered the country, with Italian media reporting that some outraged families would shun Saturday's official ceremonies. Italy's government has blamed the operator of the viaduct for the tragedy and threatened to strip the firm of its contracts, while the country's creaking infrastructure has come under fresh scrutiny. Authorities plan a state funeral service on Saturday at a hall in Genoa, coinciding with a day of mourning. Relatives who gathered at the hall on Friday embraced and prayed over lines of coffins, many adorned with flowers and photographs of the dead. But according to La Stampa newspaper, the families of 17 victims have refused to take part, while a further seven have yet to decide whether they will attend. "It is the state who has provoked this; let them not show their faces, the parade of politicians is shameful," the press cited the mother of one of four young Italians from Naples who died. The father of another of the dead from Naples took to social media to vent his anger. "My son will not become a number in the catalogue of deaths caused by Italian failures," said his grieving father, Roberto. "We do not want a farce of a funeral but a ceremony at home." - Search for missing - Despite fading hopes of finding survivors, rescue workers said they had not given up as they resumed the dangerous operation to search through the unstable mountains of debris. "Is there anyone there? Is there anyone there?" one firefighter shouted into a cavity dug out of the piles of concrete and twisted metal, in a video published by the emergency services. The civil protection service said Friday evening they were searching for five missing people -- down from 10-20 thought to be missing on Thursday. Hundreds of rescuers are using cranes and bulldozers to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of the fallen bridge, which slammed down onto railway tracks along with dozens of vehicles. "We are trying to find pockets in the rubble where people could be -- alive or not," fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP. Officials say about 1,000 people in all are working on the disaster site, 350 of them firefighters. - Grief and anger - The populist government has accused infrastructure giant Autostrade per L'Italia of failing to invest in sufficient maintenance and said it would seek to revoke its lucrative contracts. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini demanded the company offer up to 500 million euros ($570 million) to help families and local government deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The dead also include children, one as young as eight, and three Chileans and four French nationals. - Infrastructure alarm - The Morandi viaduct dates from the 1960s and has been riddled with structural problems for decades, leading to expensive maintenance and severe criticism from engineering experts. Its collapse prompted fears over ageing infrastructure across the world. Autostrade, which operates and maintains nearly half of Italy's motorways, estimates it will take five months to rebuild the bridge. It denies scrimping on motorway maintenance, saying it has invested over one billion euros a year in "safety, maintenance and strengthening of the network" since 2012. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Autostrade "had the duty and obligation to assure the maintenance of this viaduct and the security of all those who travelled on it." The disaster is the latest in a string of bridge collapses in Italy, where infrastructure generally is showing the effects of a faltering economy. Senior government figures have also lashed out at austerity measures imposed by the European Union, saying they restrict investment. But the European Commission said it had given Rome billions of euros to fix infrastructure. burs/bmm/har/amu Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapakse said he was the victim of a "witch hunt" as investigators questioned him for the first time Friday over the abduction of a newspaper editor. Rajapakse, who ruled his country with an iron first for a decade, was interviewed by five detectives over the 2008 kidnapping and torture of Nation weekly news editor Keith Noyahr, near the end of Sri Lanka's bloody civil war. Federal investigators believe a group of military officials implicated over Noyahr's abduction were also responsible for the January 2009 murder of another editor fiercely critical of Rajapakse. Rajapakse was questioned after parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuriya told police he telephoned the president in 2008 to ask for help after Noyahr was abducted -- a claim the former president has disputed. "I don't remember such a telephone conversation," Rajapakse told reporters after he was questioned at home. He said he was not being directly accused of involvement in the abduction, but his government at the time was being smeared. "This questioning is part of mounting pressure on me, to corner me and to hurt me," he said. "There is a political motive behind this. This is a political witch hunt, a vendetta." The high-profile interrogation comes as Rajapakse engineers a return to politics, posing a new threat to President Maithripala Sirisena, whose Freedom Party has split. Rajapakse has emerged as the de facto leader of a rival political faction and is expected to name his choice of candidate to contest presidential elections slated for 2019. Rajapakse lost his re-election bid in January 2015 and also failed to secure the prime minister post after parliamentary elections later that year. The former leader and members of his family are under investigation for murder and large-scale financial fraud during his decade as president. All deny any wrongdoing. A total of 17 journalists and media workers were killed during Rajapakse's presidency. Noyahr's abduction, which prompted widespread criticism, came after he published an article criticising a top military commander at the height of the government's war against Tamil rebels. He was snatched from outside his home near Colombo as he returned from work, and was released -- battered and bruised -- in the streets of a suburb of Colombo a few hours later. Prosecutors allege he was taken away in a white van and beaten up at a safe house run by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI). Noyahr has since moved to Australia. Investigators also believe the DMI was behind the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga, an editor who had accused Rajapakse's brother Gotabhaya of taking kickbacks for arms purchases. Wickrematunga was due to testify in court against Gotabhaya, who was Sri Lanka's defence secretary at the time, when he was killed. Former DMI chief Major General Amal Karunasekera is currently in custody over the case. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Email careandfeeding@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, When does the phantom poop smell end? Both of my kids (3 years and 18 months) are not yet potty trained. And, because Im a glutton for punishment, we have a 4-month-old puppy also going to the bathroom literally everywhere. At work, commuting in the car, after kiddos are asleep I smell poop. I understand that smell is the sense most tied to memory, so I know why Im smelling poop that isnt there, but when does it end? Im hoping they can both be potty trained in about a year, so how long after that do I get the smell of poop (and puke!) out of my nose and hippocampus? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Will I Smell the Roses Again? Dear WWIStRA, Oh, you poor thing, you are right in the belly of the beast! Smells, as many of us learned to our absolute horror, are from tiny molecules that enter our noses from whatever the thing youre smelling is, so its likely that what youre smelling is more real than not. Your life is poop, and lets be honest, it doesnt take much poop to spoil a party. Its in your head, sure, but isnt everything, as Fiona Apple once told us? Look, we dont need to delve into the science of smell (I mean, also watch the famous Burnt Toast! Canadian Heritage Minute) to come up with a solution here. This time will pass, but why not nudge it along a bit? People who work in really smelly jobs (forensic science! clearing fatbergs from the sewers of Paris!) have sworn by a lil dab of Vicks VapoRub under their nostrils for longer than youve been alive, and it really does do the trick. If you find VapoRub too irritating or intense, there are a variety of pleasant oils that should work. Use gingerly; you dont want to start giving everyone at work an asthma attack from Way Too Much Lavender. Advertisement Something else worth a shot in your home is Ozium, which is what we all would like Febreze to be. If its good enough for weed grow-ops, its good enough for you. I hope things smell much fresher to you, and soon. Dear Care and Feeding, Its a little early, but my sons first birthday and Christmas are only a few weeks apart. Any advice on how to manage this? We dont want him to be inundated with gifts for the whole month of December, but we also dont want him to feel like no one cares its his birthday. Advertisement Happy Medium Dear HM, For starters, immediately stop worrying about this until hes 3, because he doesnt yet know or care, and also a gap of a few weeks is a billion years to a baby. Advertisement Its still a decent amount of time to an older kid! The people who really wind up boned are those whose birthday is the week of Christmas. My Uncle Wayne is one of these, and to this day if someone says, This can be your birthday present too! he gets a flashback to being a dejected young lad always getting the short end of the gift stick. Advertisement Your son only has one birthday. It could be in June, but instead its in December. Give the young lad whatever you want to give him for each birthday and each Christmas, and try to stop even thinking about too many December presents. More Care and Feeding: Can We Give Our 17-Year-Old a Bedtime? Advertisement Should I Talk to My Stepdaughter About a Pregnancy Scare? Oh Shoot, Our Freaking 3-Year-Old Started Swearing Dear Care and Feeding, You are very correct that this is extremely serious and needs to be handled yesterday. My day care provider just called me in hysterics because, during a walk with the kids, my son just ran away from her and across a busy road. Thankfully nothing happened, but when she got him back, she firmly told him how he cant do that and told him they had to walk together. Well, he did it again to her. He refused to listen. He does this with my husband too and has done it to me once. I dont think those times ever involved running across a road. How can I possibly explain to him how serious this is? We live on a corner of a fairly busy street, and this new problem is seriously freaking me out. He often does it when we arent in a position to run after him, like if Im holding his baby sister, or in the day care ladys case, when shes pulling a wagon with a couple of 2-year-olds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STOP Dear STOP, Like any parent, my heart stopped when I pictured your little son running merrily into traffic. You are very correct that this is extremely serious and needs to be handled yesterday. This is what the backpack leashes are for. This exact thing. He will be annoyed! He will say hes not a baby! Tough tit, kid. Prepare to reap what you have sowed. My child isnt a dog! a lady will sniff at you. Well, bully for her. Your child isnt running into traffic, so were both happy. This will not take that long, I can assure you. Your son doesnt want to be wearing the backpack leash. I dont want you to wear it either, my dear boy! If only we could trust you. Advertisement Youll have a more attentive child in no time. Dear Care and Feeding, My 3-year-old son is an active, loud, happy boy who has major struggles with impulse control when hes angry, which has led to some issues at school with hitting and yelling at his peers. Its something weve been working on with the school and with his teachers. Today, my son told me, When Im mean to my friends, that means Im a bully. Mommy, Im a bully. When I asked him who told him that, he told me which teacher it was. Advertisement Advertisement My first reaction was incredible angerthe words we use matter and how we talk to our kids about their behavior (as opposed to their person) is important. Im furious that anyone would call a 3-year-old a bully, even if the child is engaging in bullying behavior. Im inclined to write to the director and discuss my disappointment and how I expect staff to talk about bad behavior moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Or is this an emotional overreaction? Im also very cognizant of how sensitive I am about his behavior, for all sorts of complicated reasons. So maybe this isnt as bad as it seems? Not the Mother of a Bully Dear NtMoaB, Lets turn the heat way, way down on your emotional stove. You honestly have no idea what this teacher said to your child. Hes 3. Kids that age deliver nuggets of utterly fictional wisdom every day. If you dont believe me, wait until your son tells his preschool teacher that you like to drink in the bathtub every night and you steal cars. What we know is a problem is the little guys conduct at school, which is unacceptable and needs to be taken very seriously, regardless of your sensitivity. You need to schedule (another) meeting with his teachers to make sure youre on the same page. I think its entirely likely the teacher in question said that being mean to his friends was bullying, not that he was a bully. Regardless, it will be very easy in a meeting that isnt immediately antagonistic and defensive for you to say, Were really trying to focus on talking to Billy about how its his actions and not him as a person that were unhappy with. Definitely do not go in guns blazing. I promise youll have a much better outcome, and you can save your mama-bear energy for a real fight. Nicole The elections board of rural Randolph County in southwest Georgia is considering a proposal that would close seven of the majority-black countys nine polling locations, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. Two-thirds of Randolph Countys some 7,000 residents are black, and the county has a median household income of $30,358 that amounts to just 60 percent of the state median. Nearly one-third of the countys residents live below the poverty line, and nearly one-quarter dont have a vehicle in an area where public transportation is virtually nonexistent. What does that all add up to? There is strong evidence that this was done with intent to make it harder for African Americans, Sean Young, an attorney with ACLU of Georgia, told the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closing of three-quarters of the polling places in the county would have a staggering effect on access to vote, according to the ACLU, as it would mean an additional 10-mile journey to the two remaining polling places. If you dont have a car and you want to vote in-person, you have to walk three-and-a-half hours, Young said. One of the polls up for closure is Cuthbert Middle School, where nearly 97 percent of voters are black. The ACLU said there has been no public reason given for what appears to be a targeted attempt at voter suppression, but the top of the ticket of Georgias state races could provide a clue. Along with federal and local races on the ballot in November, the gubernatorial race in Georgia has the chance to make historywith Democrat Stacey Abrams in the running to become the first black female governor of any state in American history when she takes on a Trump-style conservative in Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp. All nine polling locations were operational during this years primary and Republican gubernatorial runoff. On Thursday, former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an enormously influential figure in the countrys politics, died at the age of 93. His passing has been widely mourned throughout India and internationally, with tributes pouring in from current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prominent opposition politicians like Rahul Gandhi, and even the Israeli government. Before his cremation, his remains were delivered to the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the nationalist political party he founded and that currently controls Indias government. Advertisement Vajpayee was born in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh in 1924. As a teenager, he volunteered with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghfamiliarly known as the RSSa nationalist organization dedicated to the principle of Hindutva, or Hinduness, a fraught ideology thats been historically defined as the promotion of ideals pertaining to Hinduism. Considering the dominance of Hinduism within India, and the Hindu-Muslim tension that fueled the interreligious violence that led to the split of India and Pakistan in 1947 and has continued in waves ever since, Hindutva has often been associated with xenophobia. The ranks of the RSS and its ideology shaped the careers of some of Indias most powerful leaders today, including Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind. A few years after partition and independence, the RSS gave birth to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh party, which opposed the socialist policies of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Initially holding only a few seats in Indias lower house during the 50s, the BJS won more representation in the 60s when it formed a coalition with other small-time parties, but it was still a marginal force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vajpayee was first elected to Parliament in 1957 and rose through the ranks of the BJS, becoming president of the party in the late 60s and guiding the philosophy of the party through various iterations. He gained popularity for his sweeping and spontaneous rhetorical style and bustling rallies, and was well known as a poet, too. Publicly, he was regarded as the more reasonable, gentler image of the partys often fiery views. His words even wowed Prime Minister Nehru, who once predicted he would become prime minister one day. The breakthrough moment for Hindu nationalist politics came in the 70s when the harsh authoritarian rule of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Nehrus daughter, caused a backlash that the BJS took advantage of, again merging with other parties to form the Janata Party, united by sheer opposition to Gandhi. The party won a majority of seats in the 1977 election and installed Morarji Desai as prime minister; Vajpayee became the minister of external affairs. After the party splintered along ideological lines just a couple of years later, Vajpayee and more right-leaning leaders formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. Although Vajpayee was generally known as a moderate within the RSS and BJP, the party leaned harder into Hindutva and catapulted off escalating Hindu-Muslim tensions to come to power in the late 90s. Advertisement Advertisement Vajpayee first became prime minister for just 13 days in 1996, but his main tenure was from 1998 to 2004, following a collapse of a third-party United Front government. While in office, Vajpayee presided over Indias transition away from Nehru-style socialism, including the privatization of many government-owned organizations and a new emphasis on foreign investment. He also established the country as a nuclear state, giving the approval for three test nuclear explosions in 1998, meant as a deterrent to China and Pakistan. The act was condemned by then U.S. President Bill Clinton and set off an arms race with Pakistan, which soon detonated nuclear devices of its own. Nuclear tensions were tempered by a summit between Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999. Vajpayee also oversaw numerous conflicts while in office, including the Kargil War with Pakistan, a skirmish over the shared state of Kashmir, and the 2002 Gujarat riots, a series of Hindu-Muslim conflicts that left over 1,000 people dead. At the time, Vajpayee controversially remarked, In Indonesia, Malaysia, wherever Muslims are living they dont want to live in harmony. They dont mix with the society. They are not interested in living in peace. The government claimed that his remarks were taken out of context, but the Hindutva roots of the BJP were clearly on display. The governor of Gujarat at the time, who was accused of turning a blind eye to, or even abetting the violence, was Narendra Modi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vajpayee was not as anti-Nehru as many of his acolytes, and on other occasions he refused to stoke hatred of Indias Muslims, but he nevertheless used his rhetorical skill to make BJP policies more palatable to the masses. To this day, he is still the only prime minister not of the liberal, historically dominant Congress Party to serve a full term, although this is likely to change if Modi rides his term out to the 2019 elections. The divisive nature of the party he led has been on display, even after his death: Swami Agnivesh, a former Indian minister and antibonded labor activist whose outspoken views have sometimes been labeled as anti-Hindu, was attacked outside the BJP office and called a traitor while on his way to pay respects to Vajpayee. Although he was well-regarded throughout the country and popular even among many who didnt share his views, Vajpayees lasting legacy may be the party he created and its continuing extremism. Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you. On Thursday evening, the election board of Randolph County, Georgia, met to discuss a startling proposal to eliminate three-fourths of the countys polling places months before the November election. A rural, impoverished, and predominantly black county, Randolph has just nine polling locations, all of which were open during the May primaries and July runoffs. The election board may soon shut down seven of them, including one in a precinct where about 97 percent of voters are black. Its plan would compel residents, many of whom have no car or access to public transit, to travel as much as 30 miles round trip to reach the nearest polling place. Advertisement Because of its history of racist voting laws, Randolph County was once required to seek federal permission before altering its election procedures. But after the Supreme Court gutted this oversight in 2013, the county was freed to crack down on the franchise. It is no coincidence that its election board chose this moment to shutter most of its polls: In November, the popular Democrat Stacey Abrams will compete for the governorship against Republican Brian Kemp, the current Georgia secretary of state. Kemp, who has devoted his time in office to a ruthless campaign of voter suppression, called upon Randolph County to abandon the plan when it spurred widespread outrage. That being said, the key figure in the Randolph County controversy is a Kemp ally who was handpicked by the secretary of state to close polls throughout Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To understand the brazen attack on black suffrage now occurring in Randolph County, its important to remember that Georgia is in the midst of a seismic demographic shift. As whites cease to be the majority in more and more counties, Republicans have clung to power by disenfranchising minority voters. Kemps opposition to the Randolph County plan marks the first time that he has adopted an affirmatively pro-suffrage stance. During his nearly eight years as secretary of state, Kemp engaged in mass voter purges, removing hundreds of thousands of voters from the rolls. State officials appear to have singled out black voters in targeted purges. Kemp also canceled or suspended 35,000 voter registrations using Exact Match, a version of Kris Kobachs notorious Crosscheck program that compares registrants information with motor vehicle and Social Security databases. If a single letter, space, or hyphen did not match the database information, the voter application was rejected. Black voters were eight times more likely than whites to have their registrations halted due to Exact Match. Advertisement Kemp doesnt need to continue shuttering polling places to disenfranchise minority voters in November. Perhaps most egregiously, Kemp launched an investigation into Abrams efforts to register more minority voters despite no evidence of fraud. He used the probe to harass and intimidate voting rights advocates. Later, he refused to register 40,000 would-be voters who had signed up through the drive. Speaking to Republicans behind closed doors, Kemp explained the stakes: Registering all these minority voters that are out there if they can do that, they can win these elections. During Kemps tenure, Georgias population has increased substantiallyyet the number of registered voters has actually gone down. Advertisement It should come as no surprise, then, that Kemp seems to have played a major role in the Randolph County poll closures. At the meeting on Thursday night, the election board revealed that the move had been encouraged by Mike Malone, an associate of Kemps. Malone, who attended the meeting, explained that Kempwho now claims that the poll closures are a bad ideahad asked him to go around the state and recommend polling place closures to various counties. Ten Georgia counties have already taken Malones suggestions and closed polling places. All of those counties have large black populations. Advertisement Advertisement Malone has claimed that he chose which polls to close by gauging their compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Rather than target certain communities, he merely advised election boards to shutter polling places that are not ADA compliant. Notably, many of these locations are government buildings that should already comply with ADA regulations. (Several polling places selected for closure in Randolph County, for instance, are fire stations.) But rather than direct counties to fix whatever ADA problems they might have, Malone simply suggested these locations be scrapped. At Thursdays meeting, a county resident also asked Malone whether he had considered finding alternative polling places, like churches, that might be ADA compliant. Malone shot back that he was not hired to find alternatives. Another resident asked how much he was being paid for his consultant work. He refused to answer. Advertisement Advertisement Sean J. Young, legal director of the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, told me on Friday that he found Malones answers disturbing. The purpose of this consultancy is not to explore the best ways to serve the voters with polling places that are up to code, Young said. Its to shut down polling places. This alleged concern with ADA compliance is a total sham. Young has already threatened to sue the county if it moves forward with Malones plan, alleging that the poll closures would violate a remaining provision of the Voting Rights Act as well as the 14th and 15th amendments. He told me that the Georgia ACLU is demanding that the secretary of state immediately rescind his sponsorship of Malone and equip the counties to reverse the damage that he has already caused in other counties. Most importantly, though, he believes the Randolph County election boardwhich, thanks to a resignation, has just two membersneeds to immediately reject this proposal. A vote is now scheduled for Aug. 24, though the board mulled postponing that vote at Thursdays meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Kemps decision to oppose Malones proposal, a move he announced via a spokeswoman on Thursday night, represents a marked turn away from his policies of the past. (Abrams also denounced the plan, in much stronger language.) The secretary of state has not, however, disavowed Malone or his handiwork in 10 other counties with similarly diverse demographics. Kemp seems to have perceived the immense backlash spurred by early reports of the Randolph County closures and recognized that the scheme is indefensible. But Kemp doesnt need to continue shuttering polling places to disenfranchise minority voters in November. He has spent eight years purging black voters from the rolls and canceling their registrations. Last-minute chicanery may be helpful to Kemp, but it probably isnt worth the publicity nightmare. Its possible hes already suppressed enough to votes to win himself four years in the governors mansion, a perch hed doubtless use to continue his erosion of democracy in Georgia. Ignacio Lanuza had every reason to believe hed earned the right to live in the United States. An undocumented immigrant from Mexico, Lanuza had worked in masonry and construction since entering the country in 1996. He married a U.S. citizen and had two children, both citizens. In May 2009, Lanuza petitioned an immigration judge to become a lawful resident. Because he had a family, more than 10 years of residence, and no criminal record, he should have qualified for legal status. But at his hearing, an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement attorney produced startling evidence against him: a form signed by Lanuza accepting voluntary departure to Mexico, dated January 2000. By signing this document, the lawyer explained, Lanuza had rendered himself ineligible for legal residence. The judge agreed and ordered him deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was one problem: The form was a forgery. Jonathan M. Love, the ICE attorney, had fabricated it for the specific purpose of securing Lanuzas deportation. Aided by a new lawyer, Lanuza was able to confirm the fraud in 2012 and received lawful resident status in 2014. Now he is seeking more complete restitution, suing Love for violating his due process rights. Thanks to the Supreme Courts conservative justices, it is extremely difficult to sue a federal agent for damages. But on Tuesday, a federal appeals court allowed Lanuzas suit to move forward in a forceful opinion decrying the egregious constitutional violation at issue. This victory may embolden other victims of ICE to hold their abusers accountable in court. Yet it is also a reminder that ICE did not become monstrous under Donald Trump. It is an agency thats rotten to its core, and it committed some of its most shocking malfeasance under the oversight of a Democratic Congress and president. Supporting the abolition of ICE is not just about opposing Trump: It is about taking on a rogue agency that defies the law no matter who is in charge. Advertisement By Loves own admission, the ICE attorney had no motive to sabotage Lanuza other than sheer malice and a desire to win the case. Why did I do this? Love wrote in a letter to the judge who sentenced him to 30 days in jail in 2016. If I truly knew, I would not be standing here in front of you. It was stupid and unnecessary, and the consequences of my actions have tarnished my hard work and dedication to public service for the last 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Love does not appear to have put a great deal of thought into his plan. The document he forged, known as an I-826 form, was dated Jan. 13, 2000, and made reference to the Department of Homeland Security. Yet DHS did not exist in 2000; it was created in 2003 in response to 9/11. Lanuza knew he had not agreed to be deported in 2000. (Nobody ever read to me or gave me any copy of the [document], he insisted.) But his lawyer at the time did not notice that the I-826 form was fraudulent, and the immigration judge accepted its validity. Lanuza attempted to subpoena the immigration agents who had allegedly asked him to sign the form, but the judge denied his request. Instead, he ordered Lanuza removed on the basis of the forged form, a decision affirmed by the Board of Immigration Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement It was not until Lanuza obtained new counselthe Seattle firm Dobrin & Hanthat anyone carefully scrutinized the document. Hilary Han, his lawyer, sent it to a forensic document examiner, who noticed the DHS discrepancy as well as a host of irregularities. He concluded that Love had used a real DHS document as his template, then used erasure, deletion or overlay of text to conceal its original content. Mismatched handwriting, a suspect signature, and the use of white-out to obscure key information all pointed toward manipulation, as well. In February 2012, Lanuza took this evidence to the Board of Immigration Appeals. The board reopened his case, citing the seriousness and particularity of the allegations, and directed the immigration judge to conduct a full hearing. In January 2014, nearly five years after Lanuza was condemned to deportation, the judge made him a lawful permanent resident. Advertisement Ten months later, with the help of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Lanuza filed his lawsuit against Love. The suit finally spurred ICEs Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Lanuzas allegations, which found them credible. In January 2016, prosecutors took action against Love, charging him with deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law. In addition to serving 30 days in jail, he agreed to stop practicing law for 10 years and paid Lanuza $12,000. Advertisement Advertisement It is galling, though not surprising, that ICE did not investigate Love for more than a year and a half after Lanuza initially pointed out the forgery. ICE must have known about the evidence when Lanuzas attorney asked that the case be reopened. But the agency apparently did not see fit to immediately alert federal prosecutors that one of its lawyers had broken the law. Had Lanuza not filed suit, ICE might never have investigated Love at all. In May, when a federal judge found that ICE officers had fabricated evidence in a different deportation case, he condemned ICE attorneys for endorsing agents blatant falsehoods in court. The Lanuza case represents another example of ICE employeesboth law enforcement officers and lawyerscovering each others tracks. Advertisement The Lanuza case represents another example of ICE employeesboth law enforcement officers and lawyerscovering each others tracks. Lanuzas lawsuit was placed on hold during Loves prosecution, and it has since dragged on due to Loves status as a federal agent. While victims of federal misconduct can, in theory, seek damages for their suffering, the Supreme Court has made these suits increasingly difficult to win. In 2015, a federal court tossed out the bulk of Lanuzas suit. He appealed the decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reinstated his suit on Tuesday. The court acknowledged that civil actions against federal agents are disfavored but held that Lanuzas case constitutes a proper use of our judicial power. Advertisement Advertisement At its core, the court concluded, this case is about a lie, and all the ways it was used, over several years, to defraud the courts. Government attorneys are given great power, and with that power comes great responsibility. Love exploited his responsibilities to torment an immigrant. The Constitution gives his victim the right to seek recompense in the courts. Advertisement Throughout its opinion, the court stressed that its holding was limited to these narrow and egregious factsmalicious fabrication of evidence by an officer of the federal government. ICE has been caught concocting false evidence before, but not many of its targets will be able to meet this high bar of proving that agents falsified evidence against them. At best, Lanuzas procedural victory this week could inspire more immigrants to come forward with claims of ICEs lawlessness. Few may triumph, but at minimum, they will help Americans grasp the corruption at every level of the agency. That corruption is, sadly, bipartisan. Lanuzas ordeal occurred during Obamas tenure, as the president foolishly turned ICE into a vicious deportation machine. The agency waited for years before punishing Love despite ample evidence that he had engaged in criminal conduct. Loves fraud is a symptom of a deeper illness. Calls on the left to abolish ICE do not simply reflect knee-jerk opposition to Trump. They indicate a growing understanding that the agencys relentless deportation drive is antithetical to justice. In the days since the liberal Jewish-American journalist and commentator Peter Beinart was detained and interrogated by security forces at Israels Ben Gurion Airport, there has been significant, global backlash against the Israeli governments practice of questioning left-leaning foreigners about their political beliefs. Following Beinarts lead, others, including the popular author and religion scholar Reza Aslan, spoke out about their own similar encounters with Israels security forces at border crossings and the airport. On Thursday, an Israeli security Cabinet minister condemned the ridiculous practice and predicted that the scrutiny following Beinarts experience would lead to the end of the practice. I am certain that now there will be someone who stands there and will check that such stupidity does not recur, Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi told Israels Channel 13 television station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To recap: Beinart wrote a blog post for the Forward on Monday in which he explained that he was traveling to Israel with his family on Sunday for his nieces bat mitzvah when a security official checking the familys passports flagged Beinart for additional screening. Beinart writes that he was taken to a separate room and interrogated for an hour by a security official about his political affiliations and whether he planned to attend any protests during his time in Israel. Beinart, a contributor to the Forward, the Atlantic, and CNN, has written extensively about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has expressed support for boycotting products manufactured in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. [The] interrogator never offered any legal basis for my detention, Beinart recounted. Advertisement In an unusual move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office released a statement calling Beinarts detention an administrative mistake and claiming that Israel welcomes allcritics and supporters alike. While the government has backpedaled on the decision to detain Beinart, this is by no means an isolated occurrence. Rather, Beinarts experience is part of a broader government crackdown on activists who advocate for Palestinians human rights. Although Beinart speaks out frequently against some Israeli government policies, he is a fairly moderate figure who sees debate and criticism as essential for the countrys longevity and well-being. He makes his critiques because he wants Israel to succeed. If Beinartone of the United States most vocal and reliable Jewish advocates of liberal Zionismis now subject to questioning by Israels security forces for his political views, that does not bode well for the growing number of Jewish Americans who are moving further to the left on Israel. Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, Israels Knesset passed a travel ban that denies entry to foreigners who belong to organizations that have called for boycotts of Israel or its West Bank settlements. The list of banned organizations, published by Israels Ministry of Strategic Affairs, includes two American organizationsJewish Voice for Peace and Code Pinkthat are run by Jewish activists. (Disclosure: I was actively involved with JVP in college and am still a member.) Since the bills passage, several high-profile American human rights activists have been barred from entering Israel, either by being prevented from boarding flights to the country or by being deported upon their arrival. Advertisement One week before Beinart, Simone Zimmerman, the co-founder of IfNotNow, a Jewish-American anti-occupation organization, was detained at a border crossing with Egypt along with her friend Abby Kirschbaum. Zimmerman and Kirschbaum, who are both U.S. citizens currently based in Tel Aviv, were questioned for approximately three and a half hours, and the women had their phones and text conversations inspected. The pair was asked questions on a wide variety of topics, such as their opinions on Netanyahu, their connections to human rights organizations, and their personal relationships with Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement I find it deeply disturbing that, because of my political beliefs, I could potentially be cut off from visiting family, friends, and holy sites. In response to Zimmerman and Kirschbaums detention, a spokesperson for the Israeli human rights nonprofit BTselem told New York magazine that theres been a significant uptick in the detention of Jews by Israeli security forces in recent months. I cannot overstate how incredibly big this is, the spokesperson said. It was quite unimaginable that the [Shin Bet, Israels security agency] 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. Even for American Jews who do not support Israels policies, being legally barred from the country that calls itself the worlds only Jewish state can be a painful rebuke. With approximately 43 percent of the worlds Jewish population living in Israel, many Jewish Americans have friends and family that live there. Additionally, Israel contains many of the most sacred places in the Jewish faith, including the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Furthermore, many of the worlds leading archives and academic institutions specializing in Jewish history and heritage are located in Israel, including the Holocaust museum and archive at Yad Vashem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I find it deeply disturbing that, because of my political beliefs and membership in JVP, I could potentially be cut off from visiting family, friends, holy sites, and important cultural and educational institutions. The irony of this situation is that early Zionist thinkers believed that living in diaspora or exile was profoundly damaging for Jews. The denigration of the diaspora (shlilat hagalut) was a key pillar of establishing Israel as a Jewish nation-state. Now, Israel is perpetuating a similar kind of physical, mental, and spiritual exile (or galut) against some diaspora Jews by alienating and banning them. This contradiction should compel Jewish Americans to reckon with the fact that Israel does not always have our best interests at heart. Our safety and liberation as Jewish people will not come from reflexively siding with a government that relies on such anti-democratic measures to maintain its power and silence its opponents. Advertisement The current Israeli administrations crackdown on Jewish dissenters is a sign that political affiliation has eclipsed Jewish identity as Israels litmus test for acceptance. These heavy-handed tactics against foreign left-wing activists are part of a spate of recent measures in Israel that target those whose identities and political positions the government has deemed a threat. For example, non-Jewish Sudanese and Eritrean migrantsmany of whom fled war, persecution, and economic hardships to seek refuge in Israelface serious discrimination and are often called infiltrators by Israeli politicians who fear they will jeopardize the countrys Jewish demographic majority. Likewise, the Israeli Knesset recently passed the nation-state law, which codifies an ethnic and religious hierarchy into the nations constitutional laws. The laws Arab-Israeli opponents in the Knesset called it a form of apartheid. Such practices are not aberrations but necessary functions to maintain a fundamentally unequal status quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Beinart tweeted a response to Netanyahus claim that his detention was a mistake, writing that he would accept the prime ministers lukewarm apology when he apologizes to all the Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans who every day endure far worse. This is a crucial takeaway. While Palestinians have long been subject to repressive tactics like detention, interrogation, restricted freedom of movement, and expulsion, Jewish Americans are starting to get a taste of how Israels expansive security apparatus handles those it considers threats. These practices have undergirded the governments treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and within Israel since the founding of the state. The precariousness of Jewish privilege in Israel should serve as a wake-up call for American Jews that its time to stand in solidarity with Palestinians to demand full-fledged democracy and acceptance for all. On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal issued a new report about former Donald Trump attorney Michel Cohen and the 2016 hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels: Cohen initially rejected the request for money from Daniels attorney, but changed his mind after the Access Hollywood tape came to light. The new revelation about Cohen refusing to pay Daniels in September 2016 is big, circumstantial evidence that could further open up Cohen to facing criminal campaign finance charges. This could also reach all the way to Trump himself. Advertisement To recap what we knew before this latest news: In October 2016 Cohen agreed to make a $130,000 payment to Daniels in order to buy her silence about an alleged affair with Trump. Cohen used a shell company to make the payment, which he apparently funded through a home property loan. Although Trump at first denied knowing anything about the payment, Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani later revealed that Trump was paying Cohen back for the Daniels payment in installments. Trump eventually confirmed that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohens payment to Daniels, if motivated to help the campaign, would be a likely campaign finance violation. Depending on his motive, either Cohen made an excessive and unreported in kind contribution to the campaignby funding a payment in excess of the $2,700or Cohen made an unreported loan to the campaign which the Trump campaign should have reported. If Trump knew about it at the time, Trump could be implicated in a conspiracy with Cohen. Advertisement The problem with this case, as in the 2012 case against John Edwards for payments by supporters to his mistress, is the question of whether the funds were campaign-related. Edwards defense was that his payments were personal to help his relationship with his wifenot campaign relatedan argument that led to Edwards being acquitted on one charge and the jury deadlocked on the others. So too it could be with the Cohen-Daniels payment. If Cohen intended the payment to preserve Trumps relationship with his wife Melania, for example, rather than to bolster the campaign, then there would be no campaign finance violation. As I have been saying for a while, the case could turn on whether there is documentary evidence indicating an intent one way or the other. Advertisement Advertisement The new Wall Street Journal report describes some apparent documentary evidence. According to the Journal, Daniels former lawyer Keith Davidson had approached Cohen in September 2016 about securing a payment from Trump to buy Daniels silence. Mr. Cohen was dismissive, saying the story was bogus, according to a source who spoke to the Journal. Yet one month later, right as the Access Hollywood tape emerged of Trump crudely discussing his sex life and saying disparaging things about women, Cohen was suddenly interested in making a deal with Daniels. The Journal reports federal prosecutors view the release of the Access Hollywood tape as the trigger for Cohens payments to Daniels. Advertisement Thats a big deal. Two important Republican election lawyers have attempted to set a high bar for how to tell when a payment in this context might be campaign-related rather than personal. Charlie Spies told the Journal in February that the payment to Daniels was an expense that would exist irrespective of whether Mr. Trump was a candidate and therefore should not be treated as a campaign contribution. And former Federal Election Commission chair Brad Smith wrote in an April op-ed in the Journal that FEC regulations explain that the campaign cannot pay expenses that would exist irrespective of the campaign, even if it might help win election. At the same time, obligations that would not exist but for the campaign must be paid from campaign funds. Advertisement Advertisement Even under these tough standards for what counts as campaign-related, the proof of the timing would be damning for Cohen. Why should Cohen not care a whit about protecting Trumps reputation in his wifes eyes in September 2016, but be anxious to close the dealand shut Daniels upright as the campaign faced a crisis involving allegations of Trumps treatment of women? The Daniels payment was not an expense that existed until the campaign needed it. But for the campaign, it seems that Cohen would not have paid. The Daniels issue is only one of a number of campaign finance issues surrounding the Trump 2016 campaign. A separate issue involves whether the campaigns solicitation of dirt on Hillary Clinton from Russian government officials violated rules against soliciting foreign contributions to the campaign. We are still a long way from knowing if prosecutors will choose to go after the president or his cronies on these issues. But make no mistake: Thursdays report indicates that storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. On this weeks episode of my podcast, I Have to Ask, I spoke to Michelle Goldberg, an op-ed columnist at the New York Times. Prior to joining the newspaper, she worked at the Nation and Slate, and has written books on everything from reproductive rights to yoga. At the Times, shes been writing on some of the most high-profile issues of the day, including the Russia investigation, cleavages in the Democratic Party, and the #MeToo movement. Advertisement Below is an edited excerpt from the show. In it, we discuss why the debates within the Democratic Party are not principally ideological, why more former White House staffers are not going after the president, and the challenge for conservative columnists in the age of Trump. You can find links to every episode here; the entire audio interview is below. Please subscribe to I Have to Ask wherever you get your podcasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaac Chotiner: I made a joke before we started recording about Omarosa, and you said you thought the Omarosa soap opera is actually pretty interesting. Why do you think that? Michelle Goldberg: It might be overstating to say that the Omarosa soap opera is interesting. But what I do think is significant is that since this whole debacle began, ever since this administration started, Ive been waiting for who the defectors were going to be. And it seemed like there was a huge open market for the first person to come out of this administration and tell us what a catastrophe it is. Everybody knows that a lot of people in it think its a catastrophe because they tell journalists off the record, but nobody has come out guns blazing like George Stephanopoulos with Clinton. Advertisement So Omarosa, I feel like, is the first person. And as unreliable as she is, as craven and venal as she is, shes the first person to do the right thing and come out of this administration and tell us as much as she can about whats going on. And obviously shes not a reliable narrator, but she almost doesnt have to be because she has recordings. And so, I mean, the bar for most honorable former Trump appointee is extraordinarily low, but I feel like Omarosa clears it. Advertisement You had people in the administrationGary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Dina Powellwho were called the adults in the room, who were considered to have more centrist politics, people who I think it was kind of assumed deep down found Trump gross or not suited to be president in some way, and theyve all kept quiet. Maybe this is another example of the rottenness of the establishment as it existed before Trump. Advertisement Advertisement I think its a source of profound national shame that people are leaving this administration, like Gary Cohn, like Dina Powell, like Marc Short, and being sort of reabsorbed into polite society when they should be shunned until they at least come clean about what theyve seen. But theres research, actually, about who whistleblowers are likely to be. Theyre not really sort of cynical individualists, as you might think, or like iconoclasts. Theyre people who are true believers and then feel betrayed. And so I think in some ways, maybe one reason there hasnt been that many of those people in Trump world is because they are all so incredibly cynical and corrupt. I mean, the closest thing to a true believer in Trumpism might in fact be somebody like Steve Bannon. And so for that reason, it sort of makes sense that you dont have people who feel like this thing they believed in didnt live up to their aspirations or you just dont have that because theres just a big grift. Advertisement Advertisement It does feel like one of the constant themes of the past year and a half, whether it was Charlottesville or kids at the border being separated, that theres this sort of sense occasionally that things cannot go on, that this is beyond the pale, that the people who did this need to be kind of socially sanctioned or punished in some way. And then you kind of get back to normal. CEOs drop out, and then they meet with Trump again post-Charlottesville, or people will briefly speak up about children being separated. But nothing seems to last for a long time, and thats one of the alarming things, I think. I want to switch gears a little bit and talk about the Democratic Party, which youve been writing about in columns and doing some reporting on. Whats your sense, broadly speaking, of where the Democratic Party is right now? Advertisement Advertisement Whenever Im in New York, I can work myself into this state of really bleak despair, and then I go out and travel and meet its not even necessarily Democratic Party activists as much as Indivisible activists or Democratic Socialists of America chapters or these sort of grass-roots groups that have sprung up since the election and are just doing so much work. And it always makes me feel so much more hopeful about the future. As unreliable as she is, as craven and venal as she is, shes the first person to do the right thing. Michelle Goldberg You hear the same story over and over again of these kind of middle-aged women who, they voted, but they didnt necessarily pay super close attention to primaries, maybe they had to look up what congressional district they were in, and who woke up the day after the election and were so shattered and looked around for somewhere they could go and found either an offshoot of Pantsuit Nation or a local Indivisible meeting. Advertisement And you meet these women, and they go to meetings now four or five nights a week. They have all new friends. They are just astonishing organizers, and theyre kind of using this intense local knowledge that they have. You cant replicate that when it comes to canvassing, somebody who just knows everyone on the block. So you see that being deployed everywhere, and that I think is why youre seeing these numbers in some of the special elections, these swings that are even bigger than the swings you see on the generic ballot. And so I think the Democratic Party is smart. Its such a cliche of political coverage that Democrats are in disarray, Democrats cant agree on a message. I think its sort of smart for them to take a step back and let these local candidates shape their messages in a way that suits their districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve really seen huge upticks in turnout figures in a lot of suburban areas, a lot of areas with white liberal women. Less so in minority areas with a lot of Latino voters, a lot of young voters. What have you made of that? Yeah, and I think its something that people need to turn around. And I think some of the candidates out there who are most exciting, like Stacey Abrams, whos running for governor in Georgia, is putting a huge amount of energy into registering and reaching rural African American and African-American women, in particular, in that state. But I think part of it is that somebody actually has to go out and reach them and speak to them. Advertisement But Ive seen the same figures that youre talking about, I think particularly in Florida. And I do wonder if part of the thing about these resistance women, these kind of suburban, white liberals, is justand I dont say this is a bad way. Im trying to think of a word that doesnt have as pejorative a connotation as entitlement, but they do have a sense of, This government is supposed to represent me. One thing Ive heard a lot of times when Ive gone out to various districts is that a lot of these women, they woke up, they were really scared. I was really scared the day after the election. I felt incredibly unstable, like they were giving the keys to the most powerful nation on Earth to this lunatic. And they went to their members of Congress office, and they expected them to meet with them and hear their concerns, and they wanted to talk to them. Even if they were Republicans, they wanted to talk to them about where were they willing to check Trump, and what were they willing to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they were really shocked when these Republican members of Congress refused to meet with them. Maybe someone who was poor or a minority wouldnt be so shocked. It wouldnt even occur to them to expect their members of Congress to meet with them and hear their concerns. But these are people who were stunned to be treated as kind of dismissively and contemptuously as these members of Congress treated them, and then organized very quickly to try to get new members of Congress. To turn to intra-Democratic fights, I think its easy to overstate the degree to which these fights are ideological because most voters are not super ideological. And I was wondering if you think the debate weve been seeing, especially after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs win in New York, are ideological or more sociological and characterological about new faces versus old faces, about being kind of more pugnacious, things like that. Advertisement Yeah. I think its the latter, and I would add that its generational and theres a sort of insider-outsider thing. For example, when I was in Pennsylvania, the same people who were canvassing for Conor Lamb canvassed for two of the Democratic Socialists of America candidates who were elected to state House seats to replace two longtime Democrat incumbents. Advertisement I was just in Orange County [California], which is a super interesting place because Orange County is the birthplace of modern conservatism. I think it was either Forbes or Fortune in the 60s that called it nut country because it was so far right. And now Orange County is where Dana Rohrabachers district is, Darrell Issa, a bunch of these really vulnerable districts, and at least some of them are probably going to go blue for the first time almost ever. But these are rich, rich areas where people are just sort of morally offended by Donald Trump but are not on board with Democratic Socialists of America. Advertisement Advertisement But I couldnt really find anybody who expressed any concern about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or that direction the Democratic Party. All I heard was, Were really concerned about young people getting out to vote, so thats great. And, Shes good for her district, not our district. I want to ask briefly about your new job. Youve been writing a column for the Times now for how long? A little over a year? It was last September, so almost a year. And do you enjoy the job? Advertisement I love it. Oh, my God. I love it so much. Really? I mean, I would love a New York Times column, but it seems like having to come up with two column ideas a week it would be kind of exhausting, and youd run out of ideas. No? Advertisement I think if it was purely about me sitting in a room trying to squeeze ideas out of my brain, I would run out of them. But theres so much happening that theres kind ofits such a fertile time to be writing. To me, theres a challenge to balance writing off the news versus trying to write something that is a little bit more off-the-radar, kind of how much to do reporting over a few days when often youre going to have to discard it at the last minute because something bonkers happens that you feel like you have to respond to. But theres been very few days when Ive woken up on a column day and been like, Oh, fuck, what do I do? Advertisement Do you have some theory of column writing that one out of three should be reported or one out of three should be on a cultural subject rather than politics? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not really. And I think maybe I havent been there long enough. Its weird that you said over a year because it still feels like a new job to me, and so I dont have any kind of big overarching formula. Maybe Ill develop one if Im lucky enough to stay there that long. Theres been a debate at the Times and other places about how much conservative commentary they should be publishing and what kind of conservative arguments they should be publishing, and whether people representing pro-Trump arguments should be part of the debate. And it seems like the way the Times has dealt with it is having several regular conservative columnists, and also having outside op-eds that often take a conservative or non-liberal point of view, but not really running pro-Trump columns or commentary. What do you think of that strategy? Advertisement Well, so I dont want to say anything about the kind of broader strategy because it just feels outside of my wheelhouse. I think that theres a fundamental challenge in representing conservative argument right now. It used to be this cliche of politics, that politics was a war of ideas. And now, all the people who believe in ideas are on one side, and then theres the Trump people on the other side for whom ideas are, at best, sort of tools to use to manipulate people, but theyre not really invested in theyre invested in race, theyre invested in a vision of how America should look, but theyre not invested in an ideology in the same way. Except for somebody like, say, Richard Spencer. Advertisement Advertisement Yeah. Hes not going to get a Times column. Try to think of a pro-Trump person who is neither racist nor dishonest. I mean, can you think of someone? And by dishonest, I dont mean that theyre making arguments that I dont agree with. I mean that theyre making arguments that I dont think they agree with, or that they dont really care whether or not what they say is true. An experience Ive had several times I do a fair amount of TV stuff and often, Im on MSNBC where its just liberals, but sometimes Im on TV with conservatives. And youll be sitting next to someone who will be kind of rolling their eyes about Trump and talking about him very dismissively, and then the cameras come on and theyre defending him. What is the value in publishing that argument thats not even believed by the person whos making it? Advertisement Advertisement Again, theres either people who are kind of defending him just for purely cynical mercenary reasons or there are people who have truly indefensible views. The closest person you could come to maybe threading that needle, an intellectually honest case for Trumpism, is probably Michael Anton. Advertisement Advertisement Michael Anton wrote The Flight 93 Election under a pseudonym, in the run-up to the campaign, basically saying that America was going down because of unfettered immigration, that America was on this path to disaster and that maybe you couldnt trust Trump, but the only strategy now was to storm the cockpit. And then he became a Trump national security official. I forget his exact title. Since he left, he has I mean, he wrote this piece recently for the Washington Post about why the president should issue an executive order, or I cant remember exactly what the mechanism was, but some kind of unilateral attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, which was crazy and extremely racist. But I think hes about as close as youre going to get to a sort of mainstream, intellectually sincere Trumpist column. And so what do you do with that? I think its a genuine challenge. Advertisement I think its also a challenge for anti-Trump conservatives, because one role of conservatives in a healthy democratic society should be to explain why conservative position X is good, or why a liberal policy Y should be moderated in some way, or whatever it is. But because whats coming out of the White House, because of whats coming out of the conservative administration, out of Washington, is so dishonest in so many ways and because theres nothing to really sink your teeth into, I think thats been a real challenge for them, too. Yeah. I mean, like I said, it used to be a truism that politics was a war of ideas, that the conservative movement was saturated with ideas, and they had all sorts of think tanks and training programs and journals designed to inculcate this whole intellectual philosophy that at least, in theory, undergirded their policies. And Trump has just in a second rendered all of that irrelevant. Yeah. To bring this full circle, you were saying earlier about people on the left, that its often less ideological than you think. I think a lot of liberals maybe thought that there was this huge part of the country that was completely conservative and completely dedicated to conservative principles, and that was what was most important to them, and it turns out They were mostly in it for the racism. The Trump campaign has reportedly filed an arbitration action against former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman in an effort to compel her to cease from publicly criticizing the president. The campaign is seeking to enforce a provision in Manigault Newmans employment contract that purportedly prohibits her from disparaging her ex-boss. What is especially frightening about the campaigns bid to silence Manigault Newman is that under existing law, the campaign might actually succeed. Fortunately, there still is one actor that can stop the Trump campaign from squelching Manigault Newmans speech: New York state. Advertisement Lawmakers in Albany should act swiftly to ensure that the Trump campaign cannot gag former employees and that other candidates cannot follow suit. The Empire State should enact a flat-out ban on nondisparagement provisions in campaign employment contracts, and other states should do the same. States must ensure that their own laws cannot be used to shield candidates and elected officials from public criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terms of the Trump campaigns contract with one former employee have become public as part of a case filed in federal court in New York, and other employees of the Trump campaign reportedly signed a substantively identical agreement. Three provisions of that contract are especially relevant to Manigault Newmans case. The first is the nondisparagement clause, which says that during and after their service with the Trump campaign, employees promise and agree not to demean or disparage publicly the campaign, Trump himself, any Trump family member, or any company that Trump or his family members own or control. Nondisparagement clauses are quite common in the private sector, but Trump appears to have used these provisions much more aggressively and extensively than previous candidates for public office. Advertisement Its doubtful that a nondisparagement agreement between the Trump White House and any of its employees could be enforced in court. Federal whistleblower statutes broadly protect the right of federal employees to speak out about violations of law, gross mismanagement, and other misdeeds. And the Supreme Court has held that public employees have a First Amendment right to speak as a citizen upon matters of public concern. But a nondisparagement agreement between the Trump campaign and a former employee is a different story. Federal whistleblower statutes generally do not protect campaign employees. And the First Amendment only applies to so-called state actors, which the Trump campaign is not. Perhaps a court would refuse to enforce the nondisparagement agreement between the Trump campaign and Manigault Newman based on the general doctrine that contractual clauses that violate public policy can be voided. But several courts have held that nondisparagement provisions can indeed be enforced as long as they are not being used to prevent disclosure of illegal activity. While Manigault Newman has accused Trump of making vile racist and sexist comments, racism and sexism are not illegal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any event, the question might never be resolved by a court. That is due to a second significant provision of the contract: the arbitration clause. This clause says that any dispute arising under the agreement may be submitted by Trump or his campaign to binding arbitration. The Federal Arbitration Act of 1925 generally requires courts to honor such provisions, and while the 1925 law explicitly excludes all workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce from its reach, the Supreme Courtin a 2001 decision authored by Justice Anthony Kennedyadopted an extraordinarily narrow interpretation of that exclusion. (The Supreme Court doubled down on that holding this past May in a case called Epic Systems v. Lewis.) The upshot is that a private arbitrator will most likely resolve the dispute between the Trump campaign and Manigault Newman, and federal courts will then be required to enforce the arbitrators decision unless they find that the arbitration proceeding was tainted by corruption, fraud, or other misconduct. If the arbitrator decides that the nondisparagement clause should be enforced, Manigault Newmans judicial remedies are limited. Advertisement The public has an overwhelming interest in ensuring that former campaign employees can speak freely about their ex-bosses. The third important element of the contract is the choice-of-law clause, which says that all claims with respect to the enforceability of this agreement must be interpreted and construed pursuant to the laws of the State of New York. So, the private arbitrator who resolves the dispute between the Trump campaign and Manigault Newman would have to apply the laws of New York state if her contract is similar to the one thats been publicly disclosed. Advertisement Who decides whether nondisparagement clauses are enforceable under New York state law? Naturally, New York state lawmakers. State legislatures make all sorts of rules about the enforceability of contracts. In California, for example, noncompete clauses in employment contracts are void. Washington state prohibits provisions that purport to prevent employees from disclosing or discussing workplace sexual harassment or sexual assault. The New York state legislature likewise could choose to render nondisparagement clauses in all or a subset of employment contracts unenforceable. Advertisement Advertisement University of San Diego law professor Orly Lobel, among others, has argued for broad reforms along these lines. The counterargument is that employers and employees should be permitted to enter into contracts that benefit them bothif an employer values its reputation more than employee values his right to speak freely, then the employee should be allowed to give up that right in exchange for some other benefit that he values more (e.g., a pay raise). This counterargument is less persuasive in contexts where employers and employees do not bargain on equal terms and where employers can force employees to sign nondisparagement clauses without the employee getting anything extra in return. Such contexts are common, which is one reason why the widespread use of nondisparagement agreements should be a serious cause for concern. Advertisement Advertisement Nondisparagement agreements are particularly problematic in the context of political campaigns. There, the public has an overwhelming interest in ensuring that former campaign employees can speak freely about their ex-bosses. If a candidate abuses his subordinates, uses racial slurs, or otherwise engages in conduct unbecoming of an elected official, voters ought to know. Nondisparagement agreements potentially keep that information under wraps. One path forward for New York state lawmakers would be to pass a narrow ban on the enforcement of nondisparagement clauses between political campaigns and their employees. New York could apply the law to any campaign-related contract, whether signed in the past or in the future. The Trump campaign might argue that retroactive application of the new law violates its rights under the Constitutions Contracts and Due Process clauses, but Supreme Court precedent would favor New York. According to the court, retroactive economic legislation passes constitutional muster if it serves a significant and legitimate public purpose through reasonable or rational means. New Yorks interest in ensuring that voters have access to information about elected officials is surely significant and legitimate, and a ban on nondisparagement clauses in campaign employment contracts is a straightforward means of achieving that goal. Whatever the outcome of the Manigault Newman case, the Trump campaigns efforts to enforce nondisparagement clauses against former employees illustrate the potentially pernicious effects of these provisions. And since these provisions are primarily governed by state law, its up to the states to police their use. Hopefully, the attention generated by the dispute between Trump and Manigault Newman will spur New York and other states to action. Trump appears to be the first candidate or elected official who has sought to use nondisparagement clauses to silence his critics. May he also be the last. The Pentagon announced Thursday the military parade President Trumps been yearning for wont happen this Veterans Day as previously scheduled following reports that the price of the dictatorial display of military hardware, which the Pentagon originally said would cost taxpayers in the range of $12 million, was now closing in on a cool $100 million. Thats a lot of marching bands. And tanks. Trump got the bright idea for a parade while stomping around France with his now-frenemy French President Emmanuel Macron. The Bastille Day Parade floored the newly minted American leader and made him itch for some rolling guns of his own. Were going to have to try to top it, Trump said later of the French display. Advertisement Being an alpha-doer, Trump set about making his military service, I mean parade, a reality. In February, the Pentagon confirmed that Trump had laid his cards on the table, saying: I want a parade like the one in France. But it wasnt to be. Yet, anyway. The new date, according to the Pentagon, is 2019-ish, which sounds like someone just hoping Trump will get distracted by some other shiny (less expensive) thing and forget about the whole parade thing. The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor Americas military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I, a Pentagon spokesman said. We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019. Explore away. The last military parade to roll through the nations capital was in 1991 at the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War during the presidency of George H.W. Bush. The cost of that march came out at approximately $8 million, but only $3 million of that total came from government funds. The remainder was paid from private donations. 1. Arizona Senate Joe Arpaios campaign goes for the murder-suicide against Kelli Ward. With just a week and change left until this final blockbuster Senate primary of the summer, the race has reached its nutty potential. Former state Sen. Kelli Ward and octogenarian former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have been splitting the conservative opposition to Rep. Martha McSally, with Ward getting the bigger half. Arpaio, though, is definitely not suspending his campaign and throwing his support to Ward. Instead, as the Washington Examiner reported this week, hes hired two disgruntled ex-Ward staffers, who openly say theyre out for revenge, and the Arpaio campaign has taken a sharply anti-Ward turn. This hilariously captioned video of Ward doing karaoke is allegedly their handiwork. The Arpaio revenge missile appears to be achieving its main goal of assuring McSallys victory on Aug. 28? 2. Kansas Governor An enduring liability for Republicans. No recount will be necessary after all. Once it was clear that the provisional ballots werent going his way, Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer conceded the Republican gubernatorial primary to Secretary of State and prominent piece of work Kris Kobach. Kobach, perhaps even more so than Donald Trump, should represent the manifestation of the end stages of a political party. He is someone who lost a court case that he personally argued earlier this year so badly that the judge ordered him to take basic legal training. His election integrity commission was a flop and a fraud. He is to the right of ex-Gov. Sam Brownback, whose right-wing experiments sparked a revolt within the state. He should lose. Right? He should just lose. The Cook Political Report has moved his race against Democrat Laura Kelly to a toss-up. 3. Minnesota Attorney General An enduring liability for Democrats. The domestic abuse allegations that surfaced the weekend before Minnesotas primary had no apparent effect on Rep. Keith Ellisons bid for state attorney general. Ellison, whos also the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, coasted to victory over several rivals with over 50 percent of the vote. How long will he last in the race? The story certainly isnt going away. CBS News aired an interview on Thursday with Ellisons ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan, whos accused Ellison of trying to drag her out of a bed. Each day that Ellison stays in the race raises questions for his Democratic allies, both locally and nationally, about how they can condone this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hot Mail Sign up to get the Hot Seats newsletterour weekly rankings, PLUS a guide to the midtermsin your inbox each Friday. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. 4. Floridas 26th District Carlos Curbelo is weirdly kinda safe? You can tell a Republican incumbent is in good shape when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee feels compelled to release polling showing that the Republican is winning. That happened this week with Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who represents a South Florida, D-plus-6 district that Hillary Clinton won by 16 percentage points. On the same day that the Cook Political Report moved the race from toss-up to lean Republican, the DCCC released private polling that showed its candidate, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, trailing Curbelo by 7 percentage points. The DCCC explained, though, that when basic biographical information was shared, the race went was a 4646 tie. Curbelo isnt in the clear yet, but his heretical moves against House GOP leadershipforcing immigration votes, introducing a carbon tax, and so onhave helped reinforce an independent brand that could save one of the GOPs most unlikely seats. 5. New Jerseys 3rd District Tom MacArthurs race is finally a toss-up. What took so long? When I went to a four-hour town hall filled with monologue-length screaming and jeering in Rep. Tom MacArthurs face last year, all I could think about afterward was how toast this guy was. After all, he was the moderate member who worked in conjunction with the Freedom Caucus to resurrect the House GOPs repeal-and-replace bill by weakening protections for those with pre-existing conditions. Sure, this town hall was on the bluer, Philadelphia-burbs side of the district, but how could this guy survive in his R-plus-2 district after playing a leading role in Republicans biggest 2018 vulnerability? Well, maybe he wont after all. Cook has moved New Jerseys 3rd into the toss-up column after a Monmouth poll showed the incumbent in an effective tie with his well-credentialed opponent, Andy Kim. At least something makes sense. 6. Ohios 14th District Get ready for Republican ads pushing back against Trump One messaging shift to keep an eye on as we shift from primary to general election season is the beginning of a (however modest) Republican pushback against President Trump. This week, Ohio Rep. Dave Joyce, who represents a Cleveland-area district, released an ad in which he boasted of his independence from both House Republican leaders and President Trump. When Republican leaders in Congress tried to take away protections for pre-existing conditions, I said no, he says. I won the fight to fund the Great Lakes restoration, and when President Trump tried to take it away, I said no again. Keep in mind that Joyces district isnt even that competitive; Cook rates it as likely Republican, and the president won it by 12 percentage points in 2016. If this is what hes saying from a comfortable district, imagine what those Republicans in the most competitive of seats will say. 7. Florida Senate Bill Nelson needs to snap out of it. Could it be that Sen. Bill Nelson, after 18 years in the Senate and 46 years in public office, is not ready for prime time? Nelson had been saying repeatedly that Russia already had access to Floridas voter systems this cycle. He pointed to a letter that he and Sen. Marco Rubio sent to Florida election supervisors that, in his words, let them know that the Russians are in the records. Except the July 2 letter said nothing of the sortit warned about possible Russian meddling and urged them to avail themselves of federal resources against foreign election meddling. Nelson finally eased his language this week, saying, It would be foolish to think that the Russians are not continuing to do what they did in Florida in 2016. An NBC report released Friday, without much detail, suggested that Nelson is referring to something thats classified and isnt just fabricating this entirely. But Nelson would be wise to reset, go to the Villages, and tell the old people how Scott is going to take their Medicare and Social Security. As we stare at better-than-even odds of a House Democratic majority come 2019, were also staring at the most interesting Democratic leadership election in a long time. And, after numerous conversations Ive been having in recent weeks with House Democratic staff about the annoyingly complicated jockeying for position, two things right now are clear: The rumors that Nancy Pelosi is in for a fight are true, and anyone who says they know exactly how this will play out doesnt know what he or she is talking about. Advertisement Its already well-documented that Pelosi would have a math problem in a speakership vote. Depending on the count, 40- or 50-something Democratic candidates have already suggested that they wouldnt support her for speaker. That number only seems to keep rising as Democratic candidates begin to face an onslaught of general-election attacks ads that disproportionately focus on Pelosi. The statisticians as of Thursday project Democrats will hold about 230 seats after the election, and Pelosi would need 218 votes on the floor of the House to be elected speaker. Lets not forget that there are existing members of Congress whove said they wouldnt support her, either. The numbers, as they currently stand, are tight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Pelosi allies are unflinching in their denial that the leader is in any way, shape, or form in trouble. They argue that no one in the caucus is capable of defeating her in the majority-only, private caucus vote that precedes the one on the House floortheres a reason no one has said they would challenge her directlyand that the margin of Democrats majority would be wide enough to absorb some defections on the floor. They point out that even though one can come up with a list of 50 candidates who say they wont support Pelosi, many of them are either long-shots who are going to lose anyway, or have left enough wiggle room with their mushy statements about wanting generational changei.e., without explicitly saying that they would vote against Pelosi. Pelosi allies also point to a CNN poll from Wednesday that showed concerns about Pelosi at the bottom of the list for registered voters. (Republicans private polling, and the hundreds of millions of dollars theyre putting behind its conclusions, would suggest that this CNN poll doesnt show the full picture.) Advertisement Her allies are quick to dismiss any data points that suggest shes in trouble. When Texas Rep. Filemon Vela told the New York Times, in a feature on Pelosis future published Thursday, that he had assembled a list of nine incumbents who would vote to deny Ms. Pelosi the speakership, they were not impressed. Advertisement Vela is a party of one, a senior Democratic aide said. But theres just enough weakness in the air for Democrats to begin discussing a post-Pelosi world in ways that would have been considered inappropriate otherwise. As both Politico and the Times have reported, the current assistant Democratic leader, Rep. Jim Clyburn, who is the No. 3 Democrat in the House, has publicly said he would run for speaker if Pelosi cant get the votes. Thats symptomatic of a larger issue thats developing under Pelosi right now: At least some members of the Congressional Black Caucuswhich, along with the California delegation, has served as a bedrock of Pelosis coalitionare beginning to shop around for a first black speaker. Not every member of the caucus believes that Clyburn should be that first black speaker, as theres some difference of opinion here between long-standing senior CBC members and newcomers. But the reverence for him within the caucus would give him first dibs. Advertisement Advertisement Theres an obvious problem, though, with pushing out Pelosi on the mantra of generational change and replacing her with a fellow 78-year-oldor a 79-year-old. Thats a central obstacle in trying to determine what would happen if Pelosi fell short: Would Clyburn battle out the speakership with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat, whos been waiting his turn behind Pelosi for decades (and has already comfortably boxed out Clyburn in a leadership race)? Or would all three be wiped out in favor of new blood? Advertisement Just about everyone Ive spoken to believes that if Pelosi cant get the votes, she will try to take her longtime rival Hoyer down with her. That doesnt mean she would be successful: She failed to take down Hoyer when she sided with Rep. Jack Murtha in the 2006 House majority leader race, and Hoyer has his own established base of support within the caucus. But if the caucus decides it doesnt want Pelosi or Hoyer on the basis of generational change, then its hard to see how it would go for the third member of the triumvirate. Advertisement If none of those three make it, then the race is wide open. The names being tossed around include New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, California Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, New Mexico Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, and Massachusetts Reps. Joe Kennedy III and Katherine Clark. Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who challenged Pelosi in 2016, could run again, but his mind seems to be on Iowa these days. The reason that none of these names have declared bids for any particular leadership slot is that they dont know which ones will be open. Should they take the majority, theyll only know whats open when Pelosi, the best vote-counter in Congress, decides to tell them. Like every other major social media company since the 2016 election, Twitter has spent the past year and a half arguing with itself and its users over how to police harmful speech on its platform. The latest stage of this debate is coming as the company has received criticism over why it has not outright banned conspiracy-theorist Alex Jones, as Facebook and YouTube now have. In recent weeks, those discussions have begun to center on a concept that Twitter seems to think should be the north star of efforts to make the social network a more welcoming, productive, and above all safe public commons: dehumanization. Advertisement The idea to use dehumanization as a rubric for knowing when and how to police content comes after conversations that Twitters leadership has had with teams across the company over what it can do to help customers feel safe as it relates to hate speech, driven by a principle of minimizing real-world harm, wrote Del Harvey, Twitters vice president of trust and safety, in a letter to Twitter employees last week. Academic research has consistently linked dehumanization with violence, Harvey noted, adding that acts of dehumanization often precede acts of violence and that dehumanizing speech not only can hurt the people it targets but can also fan hatred in those who read it. The company said it is reviewing a dehumanization policy with staff and that it is also working on other changes to how it moderates potentially harmful behavior on its platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's an email I sent Twitter employees today with more context around our thinking and our policies. pic.twitter.com/GMkDpKgf5S Del Harvey (@delbius) August 8, 2018 Harvey is right about dehumanization. Before someone acts violently against another, its not uncommon for that person to see the other as less than human. Its not only physical violence where effects of dehumanization are at play. Racism, sexism, and other prejudicial behaviors and systemic abuses are likewise also often symptoms of some flavor of dehumanization, wherein one person sees another person, or even a whole class of people, as less human than herself. Not all violence, of course, is preceded by dehumanizationviolence can stem from competition or distrust, toobut a lot of it is. Advertisement So, yes, thinking about hate in terms of dehumanization makes senseto a point. But relying on the concept of dehumanization as the sole basis for determining harm on the internet does not. Its not only an incomplete way to address many of the problems with Twitter and other social media platforms, which have pulled hateful ideas and fringe theories closer to the center of public life; dehumanization is also an easily misapplied standardone that could be used against the very groups whose humanity is most often diminished. Dehumanization is also an easily misapplied standardone that could be used against the very groups whose humanity is most often diminished. Lets start with why dehumanization is an imperfect window into harm. On the internet were all already digitalized, less human versions of ourselves. And while it is unequivocally true that hate against real people online can translate into harm in real life, the fact that we dont know precisely who others are online makes dehumanization an inadequate yardstick for knowing when discussions that center on someones lack of humanity are harmful. Its much easier to call someone fat or stupid or incompetent or a racist slur online than it is face to face. Its easy to pile on, and the person who is on the receiving end of the vitriol may disappear offline in response, making it even easier to keep the hate going against their avatar. These effects are almost certainly amplified by the design of social networksparticularly Twitter, which allows for anonymity and automated accounts. In many ways Twitter is an anti-empathy machine. For the company to start caring about dehumanization now would force it to reckon with its own role in how we all see each other as a little less human when were on it. Logging on Twitter, it doesnt take long to see people who I know to be kind in person rip another person whom they have never met to shreds. Maybe that person said something wrong or even inexcusable, but Twitters setup incentivizes its users, at least in part, to take the most uncharitable interpretation possible and respond with the sharpest jab or wittiest zinger. Negativity gets engagementan issue Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey seemed to acknowledge in a Washington Post interview this week. Twitter is dehumanizing. Its not just the bigots there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there are plenty of bigots engaging in dehumanizing speech, not all of the harmful content on Twitter fits so neatly into that box. A standard of dehumanization, for example, doesnt help you moderate liesa problem worsened by the fact that we see everyone as a little less human on Twitter. With his repeated claims that the parents of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre are lying, Alex Jones didnt suggest that these people were less than human; he asserted that their lived experience wasnt true and that the murder of their children was a hoax. When he alleged that the survivors of the Parkland school shooting were actors working on behalf of a plot to craft gun control regulations, he wasnt asserting that those teenagers were less than human; he was saying they were capable of taking on a complex role as politically motivated actors. Thats not dehumanization. He was manipulating the fact that since most people dont know who these victims are in real life, its impossible to know that they dont have an ulterior motive. It was hateful and harmful but didnt call into question their humanity. It was an untruth. Still, it caused harm. Advertisement Advertisement When Ive experienced harassment on Twitter, like when someone decided to make a fake account pretending to be me and tweeted about how much I hate white people, that wasnt an act of dehumanization against me. It was a lie. When a lie circulates online about someone, its possible to believe it, not because you think that person is less than human, but because you dont know who they are. On the internet, anyone can pretend to be whomever they want. If Twitter is truly committed to making its platform less harmful, it will have to not only look for acts of dehumanization, it will have to be forthright about a broader system of values it promises to abide by. If users flagging the tweets of bigots will be able to cry dehumanization! then so will bad-faith actors like the far-right trolls who mobilized to convince Disney to fire director James Gunn for a series of vile, but clearly joking, years-old tweets. Dehumanization is an easily weaponizable rubric. In contrast, a policy of banning racismthat is, actual racism against marginalized groupsis not. Advertisement Advertisement Which is why Twitter needs a policy centered on actual values, applied earnestly. That may mean one philosophically attuned to cases of dehumanization but also explicitly geared toward, say, prohibiting racism and discrimination against people of color and people in poverty, one rooted in a historic understanding of oppression. That may mean leaving up content that mocks white people, since such language has not historically been used as a means of justifying oppression. It may mean a dedication to prohibiting hate speech against Muslims if the aim appears to be justifying hateful actions against the religious group. It could mean removing Holocaust denialism with the understanding that its an act of anti-Semitism. Sometimes the hate is already in practice, and established hate groups dont need to publicly dehumanize people to rally their followers, like the cadre of Proud Boys accounts Twitter correctly booted off the platform before the sequel to the white-supremacist Unite the Right rally last week. If Twitter was clear that it is a place where bigotry on the basis of race, class, religion, gender, and sexual orientation is subject to removal, and that the judgment will be made as swiftly as possible with an eye toward context, it would be a new era for the platform. It could mean action against those with large followings first, in order to signal that using Twitter as a platform to promote hate or untruths that could lead to harm is not what the service is here for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wont be easy, and Twitter may well be labeled by some as unfairly censorious or politically biased. But neither conservatives nor liberals should require hate in order to share or express their political leanings, and if someone insists that it is a part of their political thinking, then that political thinking may be a source of racism and may need to find another place to exist on the web. Dehumanization can lead to harm, and it should be watched for, but its far more important that Twitter declare it is against racism and the promotion of falsehoods that may inspire harm. Admitting that these decisions arent clear-cut, that executing them even with a large staff of moderators is difficult, and that high-profile offenders like Alex Jones, who use social media to promote untruths that have already caused violence, should be prioritized is a good way to start. Whatever Twitter does, it should center it not around a useful but pliable concept, but around clearly articulated values. And then it should have the courage to stand by them. Antifragility is the property of a system or organization that aims to increase its strength and resilience as the system encounters shocks, stressors, or volatility. The term was coined by Nassim Taleb, an academic who raised the alarm on COVID-19 months before it devastated North America. To enable the security industry to better prepare for future events, we need to fundamentally change the way we think about risk, and Taleb has more lessons to share. Slovakia is not even close to what I remember from my life here, says the Canadian-Slovak photographer. Yuri Dojc today: "A reflection of an older man in the mirror with glimpse of an attractive woman , who is my wife" (Source: Yuri Dojc) Noted Slovak-Canadian photographer Yuri Dojc comes from the eastern-Slovak town of Humenne. In 1968, he was in his early twenties and decided to use the opportunity that the thaw in the regime presented, and see the world west of the Iron Curtain. With a friend he got a summer job in England, picking strawberries. If I hadnt gone, my whole life would have gone in a different direction, he says 50 years later. On August 21, 1968, Dojc was on his way to the airport to fly back home to Czechoslovakia, where all his family lived. I walked into a Polish store, and the lady was telling me that the Russians had come, Dojc recalls. I didnt believe her, but then I saw a demonstration in the street and I realised there was an invasion. So I decided there was no point in going to the airport. Dojc made his way to the International Student House where people like him were already gathering. They were soon to become refugees. Read also: Read also: August 1968: After a temporary thaw, the Czechoslovak borders were sealed Read more I had spent all my money on presents and I had just enough for the underground ride to the airport, Dojc says. At that moment I realised my whole life had just dramatically changed. Away from Europe What he did know was that he did not want to live in Czechoslovakia anymore after the occupation. He admits that he was scared about what was in store for him, but he was also young and stupid, as he says, ready to make spontaneous decisions and take his chances. Since he was horribly homesick, in December 1968 Dojc went to see the Czechoslovak Embassy in London to ask for a permission to return and come back to England. It allowed him to briefly visit Bratislava for two days. His father took him to the side and said: If you want to stay, it is ok, but if you want to be free, get out the next day before they close the borders. Yuri Dojc on his brief visit to Bratislava in December 1968: "The girl in the photo was my then girlfriend Bohunka, who lives in Teplice, Czech Republic." (Source: Yuri Dojc archive) I chose the latter, I left the very next morning and did not return for 20 years, Dojc says. After half a year in England, Dojc made his way further west, to Canada. I dont really understand why but I decided I didnt want to live in Europe anymore, he explains as he remembers his visits to foreign embassies in London, with the aim of becoming a legal immigrant. I started with New Zealand, to be as far from Europe as possible. I ended up at the Canadian Embassy, and Canada said yes, so I took the chance. With the status of an immigrant, he got a ticket to Canada and boarded an airplane to Toronto, still with his Czechoslovak passport in his pocket. Navigating the capitalist world 17. Aug 2018 at 9:25 | Michaela Terenzani Morocco has urged the Europol for closer cooperation to monitor radicalized youth in Europe, head of Moroccos counterterrorism agency (BCIJ) Abdelhak Khiame said. Morocco has established a strategy to protect its large diaspora in Europe from the threat of extremism, he said in an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, urging Europol to give Moroccan services access to its database. Such access will help Moroccan security services better monitor radicalized youth in Europe, he said. The interview was carried out on the commemoration of the Barcelona attacks perpetrated by Spanish youth of Moroccan origins. For Khiame, one of the main lessons learnt of the Barcelona attacks is the need to reinforce the exchange of information between different intelligence services. He said that cooperation with Spanish intelligence services is excellent, urging other European countries to follow suit. In this regards, he deplored that French services did not contact Moroccan counterparts concerning the perpetrator of a recent terrorist attack, who was previously flagged by Moroccan services. Moroccan and Spanish security services have conducted several joint operations to dismantle terrorist cells, the latest was busted last May with its members arrested in the Moroccan northern town of Fnideq and in Bilbao. Electoral campaigns have started across Mauritania as politicians seek to woo 1.4 million voters in the upcoming parliamentary and municipal polls slated for Sept. 1. Several political parties held rallies in different parts of the northwest African country. Mauritanias ruling Union for the Republic Party of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz listed its many achievements to voters on Thursday. Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Seyidi, head of the opposition National Rally for Reform and Development Party (Tewassoul) said opposition parties were taking part in the polls despite the lack of transparency. The campaigning period will continue for the next two weeks, and for the first time, parties will also compete for seats in Mauritanias 13 regional councils. The campaign is however marred by arrests of dissident voices. The president of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) and former presidential candidate Biram Dah Abeid was arrested at his home on August 7 while Abdellahi el Housein Mesoud, an IRA member was arrested two days later. Online journalists Babacar Ndiaye and Mahmoudi Ould Saibout were also arrested on August 8 after posting an article critical of a France-based lawyer close to the Mauritanian government. Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz earlier this year reiterated that he would not stand for re-election next year, allowing for a peaceful transition of power for the first time. Mauritanias history has been marred by repeated military coups, beginning with the first post-independence president, Mokhtar Ould Daddah. The most recent military coup took place in 2008, putting Ould Abdel Aziz at the helm of the country. 9 hours ago 3 Stock Picks for Conservative Investors These 3 High-Quality Stocks Are Ideal for Conservative Investors When it comes to investing, putting capital at risk is simply unavoidable. Thats why it's so important to consider your own personal levels of risk tolerance before making any moves in the stock market. Read Article State-owned oil and gas company Sonatrach, the backbone of Algerias economy, is reeling under an acute brain drain as its recent discoveries fail to offset the decades long depletion of the countrys hydrocarbon resources. The company has lost 16,000 of its brilliant minds in the last eight years deplored Sonatrach officials in statements to Algerian media outlets. Sonatrach has lost 16,000 of its finest executives and engineers specializing in activities linked to hydrocarbons in the last eight years, CEO Adelmoumen Ould kaddour told journalists in Annaba. He described such a brain drain as acute bleeding, adding that the company is working on measures to train new managers. The company has been hit in recent years by insecurity in Algerias south after the 2013 attack on a gas plant near the borders with Libya. The attack has deterred foreign investors. Algerias oil and gas producing capacity is shrinking every year. The government tried to buy time by prospecting new oil and gas reserves in 2016. Sonatrach claimed to have discovered 32 new potential exploration zones, most of them are new fields of shale gas whose exploitation is unsustainable in view of the lack of water resources needed to undertake hydraulic fragmentation. International Think Tanks have been worrying in recent years over Algerias declining gas production coupled with a surge in domestic consumption. Since 2007, Algerias consumption of oil and natural gas has risen by more than 50 percent while its oil production has fallen by 25 percent. With less oil available for export, the governments revenues have been hit hard, Stratfor consultancy said in a report on Algerias economic prospects. According to estimates, the North African country will be a net gas importer of LNG in two decades, warned the former Algerian energy minister Nourdine Ait-Laoussine. Here is a recent Daily Record column. My past Daily Record articles can be accessed here. ***** Top podcasts for lawyers Podcasts have been around for decades now, but it was only recently that lawyers really began to take notice of them. The Serial podcasts fame helped expand the reach of podcasts, both amongst the general public and lawyers. Since then, podcasts have increased in popularity and many new legal-themed podcasts have emerged. But with so many law-related podcasts out there, how do you know which ones to listen to? Well, never fear! If youre interested in legal podcasts, but arent sure where to start, then youre in luck! Here are some great podcasts by and about lawyers that are worth a listen. First, theres Legal Talk Network," a legal podcast network that hosts a ton of great podcasts about an assortment of law-related issues, ranging from running a law firm and legal technology to the latest in legal news. Next theres legal technology expert Bob Ambrogis new podcast, LawNext.". In this podcast series, Bob interviews the innovators and entrepreneurs that are driving whats next in law. Bobs been part of the legal technology space for decades and always provides interesting insight and predictions, so this podcast is well worth a listen. If a podcast with a legal marketing slant is up your alley, then there are two to consider subscribing to: Legal Marketing 2.0 and the LAWsome podcast." Both address a host of issues related to running and marketing a law firm, and provide lots of great legal marketing advice. You may already be familiar with one of the of the longest running legal podcasts: This Week in Law." But if not, youre in for a treat! In this podcast, attorney and legal technology guru Denise Howell and her podcast colleagues and guests discuss the latest issues in technology law, including patents, copyrights, and more. Another legal tech-focused podcast to consider is The Geek in Review." In this podcast youll learn about emerging issues in legal information and knowledge management from Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert. If one of your goals is to learn how to run your law firm more efficiently and effectively, then "the Law Firm Autopilot." is the podcast for you. In it, attorney and law firm consultant Ernie Svenson covers all aspects of law practice management, from client intake and choosing legal technology for your firm to setting up a streamlined billing process. In The Law Entrepreneur podcast, Neil Tyra covers the business end of law. Youll hear from practicing lawyers and experts and will learn all you need to know about running a successful law firm. If youre looking to de-stress, then consider The Resilient Lawyer podcast. In each episode, attorney Jeena Cho shares tools and strategies for finding more balance, joy, and satisfaction in your professional and personal life. Another podcast to consider is The Jabot." In this podcast, Above The Law Senior Editor Kathryn Rubino focuses on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. If BigLaw is your thing, then you might want to subscribe to Biglaw Book Of Business," a podcast that launched earlier this year. In each episode, Above The Law founder David Lat and Robert Kinney, Founder and President of Kinney Recruiting, discussing market analysis and notable lateral moves in large law firms. Finally theres Rochesters very own Real Life Law," a podcast hosted by attorneys Elizabeth Randisi and Meredith Lamb. In each episode they interview a special guest and discuss the ins and outs of practicing law and being a lawyer in Rochester. So, no matter what your interest, theres a podcast for you. Theyre a great way to keep up to date on the issues that matter to you, so subscribe to a few that pique your interest. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Legal Technology Evangelist at MyCase law practice management software. She is the author of the ABA book Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors the ABA book Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York, a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes legal technology columns for Above the Law and ABA Journal and speaks regularly at conferences regarding the intersection of law and technology. She can be reached at niki.black@mycase.com. There are several cases where Cardinal Donald Wuerl, now archbishop of Washington, clearly protected and enabled child rapists. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images After a while, I couldnt continue reading the Pennsylvania grand jury report on sexual abuse in six dioceses in the Catholic Church. Apart from the rising nausea, I realized the horror of each incident had begun to numb my conscience, and the sheer number of cases had numbed it still further. One case is a tragedy; thousands of cases can too easily become a statistic. Like dealing with Trumps lies, you can get dizzy following the specific horrors committed against children, and the excuses and prevarications and silence of so many in the hierarchy. Which is why specifics matter. They reveal the core nature of the evil involved. And so we come across a case like this: A teenage boy called George was befriended by a young priest in his twenties, Reverend George Zirwas. The boys family saw this as a good influence, as most Catholic families in the 1970s and 1980s would have. One afternoon, the priest invited George, who was around 14 at the time, to a rectory 25 minutes south of Pittsburgh, where he met several other priests: During a conversation about religious statues, the priests told George to get onto a bed and remove his shirt, and strike a pose like Jesus on the cross. Then they instructed him to strip off his pants and underwear, writes the Philadelphia Inquirer. In the unnerving moments that followed, George claimed that [the priests] began taking photos of him on a Polaroid camera. All of the priests giggled and then added the photos of George to a collection of photos of other teen boys. This was a grooming gang. The sex this gang had with the selected boys and teens was, according to the grand jury report, filled with whips, violence, and sadism. Then this, per the Inquirer: The men gave a specific gift to children they favored, something they could wear that would mark them as prime targets for abuse. Zirwas had told me that they, the priests, would give their boys, their altar boys, or their favorite boys these crosses, George told the grand jury. So he gave me a big gold cross to wear. Literally marking potential victims of rape with the sign of the cross how am I supposed to grapple with that? If Stephen King had collaborated with Voltaire, they could not have come up with something this evil. And then the kicker: the diocese was aware of Zirwass abuses as early as 1987. Zirwas continued in the priesthood until 1994, when he was placed on leave, citing personal reasons. Bishop, soon-to-be Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua did nothing to punish or report this man for molesting countless children. Then he was actually re-appointed as a priest by Bishop Donald Wuerl, who is now a cardinal in my own archdiocese of Washington. When another complaint of abuse found its way to Wuerl, he removed Zirwas, who then moved to Florida, fled to Cuba, and was found strangled to death in Havana in 2001. Nonetheless Wuerl presided at Zirwass funeral and made some remarks: According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wuerl described how Zirwas was a kind man, and had preached a message of salvation through faith in Jesus. A priest is a priest, Wuerl said that day. Once he is ordained, hes a priest forever. This case is, in many ways, a microcosm of the entire wicked business: the abuse, the cover-up, the continued abuse, the conspiracy of silence. But more deeply for this Catholic: the cynicism. The giggling priests by their very actions could not possibly believe in the Gospels. They were merely using the Gospels to commit unspeakable crimes. The upper ranks, by their indifference and cover-up, are also deeply suspect. There is simply no way to square a belief in the Gospels and enabling, promoting, and covering up the rape of children. All of these men come off as cynics, incapable of summoning the overwhelming sense of outrage any nonbeliever, or any decent human being, would feel in the face of this kind of accusation; all protecting their own ranks, all far more committed to good public relations than saving children. There is simply something deeply wrong with these people. Take Wuerl. Some have argued that the report is a mixed bag for him. He did over time come to dismiss or suspend any priests credibly accused of abuse. He helped formulate new procedures for dismissing them. And cases of abuse have plummeted since the reforms were put in place. But not always. Hes mentioned 15 times in the report, none positively. Zirwas is one case where Wuerl clearly protected and enabled a child rapist. But there are three other cases where Wuerl along with the network of psychiatric facilities that the church opened up to launder its abusers kept child abusers in their jobs. This is not a mixed bag. Any enabling of a single act of child abuse is disqualifying for the priesthood, let alone for the Curia. And Wuerls attitude tells you so, so much. When his predecessor as archbishop of Washington, Cardinal McCarrick, was dismissed for child abuse and sexual harassment and abuse of seminarians, Wuerl said that it was not a massive, massive crisis, merely a terrible disappointment. Ive tried to grapple with that word disappointment. That is the emotion you feel discovering that one of the most powerful men in the church someone you knew intimately had molested children and abused young priests under his authority? And notice that he is still focused on McCarrick. The children, the survivors, the human wreckage? Not so much. In an interview on Wednesday, Wuerl did not offer an apology for the child rape he enabled, pushed back against parts of the report, and insisted that handling of child abuse cases had evolved over the years, until the current zero-tolerance policy. Wuerl actually set up a public relations website to defend himself a site that the archdiocese mercifully took down after a few days. All I can say is that I cannot understand why any human being let alone a bishop wouldnt immediately suspend the priest and call the cops after a credible allegation. It doesnt matter if its the 1980s, 1990s, or 1890s. You save the children first. And instead of PR, what about shame, penitence, taking responsibility and begging for forgiveness? Are those only for the laity? How much of a role did homosexuality play in all this? There is of course a vital distinction to be made here between sexual orientation and sexual abuse, and between being gay and being a pedophile, hebephile, or ephebophile. Many gay priests are fine and honorable servants. It horrifies me they are tarred by association, by some of the more reactionary voices in the church. Its also true that one reason young men and boys were targeted was that they were far more readily available to priests than girls. But it remains true that the overwhelming majority of Catholic abuse cases are between men and boys, or men and men, not men and girls, or men with women (although that happened too). And the way in which homosexuality has been treated by Catholicism the only option for all gays is a life of celibacy and emotional repression is not likely to lead to healthy homosexual lives, let alone priests. Homophobia may also have increased the proportion of priests over the centuries who have been gay, because the priesthood has always been a reliable cover for not dating women. And these closeted, fucked-up gays are the ones who may well have internalized many of the slurs against gays in the past, hated themselves, never come to terms with themselves, and seen no real difference between sexual abuse and sex. So gay priests may well have covered this stuff up for aeons, or formed cliques that perpetuated it, or developed personae that could create some campy subculture to make the awful contradictions and cruelties of sexual repression and self-loathing bearable. When no form of sex is allowed, all forms of sex can seem equally immoral. And if your celibacy has ever slipped, you sure dont want to snitch on someone else, do you? Its a vicious, destructive, evil circle. Which is why, it seems to me, that the clerical closet has to end. Secrecy and shame abet sexual dysfunction. Openness and self-respect are the cure. If a priest is celibate and openly gay, he is in no way disqualified for the priesthood the church teaches that being gay is in itself no sin so why cant he be out? The stricture against this kind of honesty and transparency has only compounded the fucked-upness of it all. Allowing married people and women to be priests is also a no-brainer. We have long discovered that secretive, hierarchical cabals of single men are usually trouble in any context and I have a feeling that a female priest would not react to the news of an abused child with concern for the abuser. The churchs moral credibility is now close to zero. All the more reason to throw open the doors and let the light in. Ill add one final thought. I cant help asking myself: How long has this been going on? More to the point, how would we ever have known about it until the modern era? The authority of priests was near-total in the past, especially in Catholic countries or Catholic communities. Any child complaint would have resulted in the disciplining of the child, not the priest. Concern for children was historically minimal, compared with today, and most countries have never had the kind of journalism that is able to go up against the church and prevail. And once you can see the proof of principle a Cardinal who got away with molesting a child and abusing countless grown men for decades you can barely imagine what happened in decades or centuries past. I have wakeful nightmares about this. Is it all a giant, cynical scam, as my old friend Hitch would insist, night after night, over drinks? And that is why this past week has been so shattering again for many Catholics. We may still believe in Jesus. But precisely because of that, we can no longer believe in the church. No one is untouched. Even Pope John Paul II personally advanced and championed one of the worst abusers in the church, the Legionaries of Christs Marcial Maciel Degollado, because of the money he brought in, and the rigid ideology he upheld. And they made John Paul a saint! This is no time to shore up the institution. Its time to open it up and cleanse it. We could start with Cardinal Wuerl. The Opioid Epidemics Grim Toll We now have a solid estimate of how many of our fellow citizens died because of drug overdoses last year: 72,000, with a large majority being opioid-related. More than the number of Americans who died in the entire Vietnam War. Far more than car crashes, shootings, or suicides, although I think of opioid-related overdoses as a slow form of suicide in a culture of despair, especially among the youth. And the numbers keep rising a 7 percent increase nationally over last year, which was the highest yet recorded. In some places, the deaths are soaring: In Nebraska, deaths were up by 33 percent; in North Carolina, 22.5 percent. In some of the states already hardest hit, the numbers mount: Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia also saw an increase of more than 17 percent in deaths. Theres some encouraging data about a decline in deaths in some states, like Massachusetts and Vermont, that have devoted money to the problem and distributed naloxone kits more widely. But they are the exception, not the rule. And it is no surprise that the lethality of fentanyl is behind much of the rise. Lethal is the word: This week saw Nebraska use the drug in its gruesome pharmaceutical cocktail to murder someone on death row. What worries me even more is the dispersal of fentanyl in other recreational drugs. On Wednesday, 72 people were rushed to hospital in New Haven, after smoking the synthetic weed product, K2. The New Haven fire chief said they believe it was laced with something, some opioid compound, possibly fentanyl. At least that is the current working theory, and well know definitively soon. But it is telling that using naloxone on the victims generally revived them a pretty solid indicator that some potent opioid was involved. Fentanyl is also showing up in coke, regular weed, and in counterfeit Xanax and Adderall. What makes fentanyl so deadly is its extraordinary potency up to 50 times as strong as heroin and the enormous difficulty of dosing it correctly. Its so concentrated, a few grains can kill you. Getting the mix right is simply beyond the capacity of most drug dealers. I wonder what the effect would have been if the New Haven incident had been a mass casualty event: a large number of people in one place suddenly collapsing and dying from ingesting a fentanyl-laced drug. Imagine a news story in which over 70 people died on one day in one park. It would lead every news outlet. And yet, on average every single day in America, close to 200 people die because of a drug overdose. Every day. And this will continue unless and until we revolutionize our approach to drugs, legalize and regulate them, and treat addicts in a way that helps them return to sobriety or something close to a functional life. The trouble is that those very states where the death toll is highest are the ones in which such ideas are anathema. At some point, this has to change. The question until then is just how many people we are prepared to see die in front of us. Immigration Backlash Spreads to Sweden It seems to me a pretty big indicator of Europes future that a party with neo-Nazi roots is currently surging in the polls in Sweden. Yes, super-liberal, deeply anti-racist Sweden. The election is on September 9, and this famously tolerant social democracy a humanitarian superpower that has recently absorbed more refugees per capita than any other European nation is swinging hard to the right over immigration and crime. As of 2017, one in six people in Sweden were born outside the country. Sweden has historically had a higher representation of humanitarian migrants than the rest of Europe, but in recent years, larger numbers are coming from Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and Eritrea. The gender mix of these new arrivals is also skewed if all applicants are granted asylum, the male-female ratio could become lopsided, growing from 105:100 to 107:100 among those aged 18 to 34. Integration has been hard and the country is statistically one of Europes worst at integrating foreigners. Its easier to welcome people than to find ways to get them to adjust to an entirely different culture. Riots began in 2008 and have occurred frequently since. Crime is up: Dozens of people have been killed in the past two years in attacks in the capital Stockholm and other big cities by gangs that are mostly from run-down suburbs dominated by immigrants. In the latest bloodshed, three men were shot dead and three were wounded outside an internet cafe in the city of Malmo on June 18. A fourth man was shot dead days later and another man survived because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. The far right Sweden Democrats have emerged as the party most willing to fan the fear these incidents have understandably aroused and its been contagious, with almost every other party vowing to crack down on immigration and crime. The far-right partys current plan is a freeze in immigration entirely and a vote to leave the E.U. At 20 percent in the polls, its possible they could surpass the moderates to become the major opposition party. At the very least, they could be kingmakers in the next parliament. It hasnt helped that another wave of immigrant-gangrelated car arson earlier this week has put crime front and center of the campaign, generating fears of chaos. My fear is that the admirably humane acceptance of refugees and the remarkable openness to mass immigration from outside of Europe is nonetheless destabilizing liberal democracy in Sweden and across Europe. Well, its not a fear any more. Its a fact. It seems you simply cannot enact such massive sudden demographic changes even with the best of motives and expect no backlash. The rise of UKIP in Britain and Brexit itself were a response to this; so are the shocking gains of the AfD in Germany, the consolidation of Orbans power in Hungary, and the new populist government in Italy. It seems to me that in Europe at least, you can have liberal democracy or mass immigration. Its becoming increasingly clear you cant have both. See you next Friday. Whats the point of having tanks if you cant show people how cool they are? Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Does the United States have the greatest military in the world? The fact that we spend over $600 billion on defense annually more than the defense budgets of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, United Kingdom, and Japan combined would seem to suggest that we do, but Americans will have to wait at least another year to see the proof with their own eyes. On Thursday night, the Pentagon announced that the military parade President Trump ordered has been postponed from days after the midterm elections to some indefinite point in 2019. The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor Americas military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I, said Colonel Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesperson. We originally targeted November 10, 2018, for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019. This announcement came hours after CNBC reported that the event could cost $92 million, up from the original estimate of $12 million. An anonymous U.S. defense official said $50 million would come from the Pentagon and $42 million would come from interagency partners like the Department of Homeland Security. Trump said he told the military to start planning the event after he watched the Bastille Day parade in Paris last summer with French president Emmanuel Macron. When he met Macron again months later at the United Nations, he told him, It was one of the greatest parades Ive ever seen, adding, Were going to have to try and top it. But Trumps ambitious plans kept getting scaled back. He initially suggested a Fourth of July parade, but in March a memo from the Office of the Secretary of Defense suggested it would be integrated with the existing D.C. Veterans Day parade. The event would focus on the contributions of our Veterans throughout the history of the U.S. Military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom not just awesome military gear. In fact, there would be no tanks, only wheeled vehicles, due to concerns over damaging the streets (and possibly, because the Pentagon wanted to scale back the authoritarian theme). The parade was widely criticized as a waste of money, even when it was estimated to cost $12 million. Earlier this year, Trump bragged about saving costs by suspending joint military exercises with South Korea, which cost just $14 million. After the new estimate came out on Thursday, the American Legion responded by saying, basically, thanks but no thanks. The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nations support for our troops, said Denise Rohan, national commander of the veterans group. However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible. You win this round, Macron. Bartleby Delicate has just released 'Sibling', a new track off of his debut EP "Whatever We Find Suitable to Compare," alongside a music video created by Fabien Spaus. The artist describes Sibling as "a song about interconnectedness" and feeling present in the moment and connected to others and his environment. The video, filmed the night of his recent show at Rotondes, showcases the artist, alongside friends and fans, in his element, in an authentic and almost personal way. Mina ruled out with minor injury Friday, 17 August, 2018 The Colombian international had been expected to join his new team-mates following his 38.5m move from Barcelona on transfer deadline day but that was put back by the niggle that means he won't be in line to make his debut this weekend. Mina was originally one of the candidates to replace the suspended Phil Jagielka for the visit of Southampton but the captain's place will be filled by either Kurt Zouma, another deadline day acquisition, or Mason Holgate. About these ads Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during a health-care bill news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13, 2017. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images The American health care system developed, like a deformed tree, around employer-sponsored insurance as its core feature. This has made it extremely hard to build a single, simple universal system, because it would require moving people out of health care they have into something new, and require turning their premium contributions into taxes. If you could sit down face to face with every American and calmly talk them through the numbers step by step, you could probably convince them to feeling comfortable giving up employer-sponsored insurance. Since you cant do that, the only option is passing a bill in a hysterical atmosphere where the insurance industry and conservatives bombard the public with warnings of massive middle-class tax hikes and tens of millions of Americans losing their current insurance to get moved onto a government plan. If we didnt have an employer-based system already, it might be politically feasible to build a single-payer system. But the politics of uprooting that deformed tree are extremely imposing. You can read a history of the struggle for universal health care, like Jonathan Cohns Sick, or Paul Starrs Remedy and Reaction, to understand why most liberals (and Democratic elites) believe the growth of the employer system has tragically blocked the political path to single payer. Those conclusions, built up over decades of experience and polling data, inform the mainstream liberal view of health care. Since its just too hard to convince people theyll be better off paying taxes instead of premiums, and exchanging their current insurance for a government health care plan, the path to universal coverages lies in working around the existing system. Paul Krugman made this case last year, and so did I. Ryan Cooper, like many leftists, dismisses the conclusion. Cooper argues that Krugman and I are merely parroting insurance industry propaganda: But this argument is garbage. Medicare-for-all would mean vastly more people enjoying good health care, and dramatically fewer people getting kicked off their insurance overall. Their main argument is pretty clearly going to be centered around loss-aversion. Most Americans support commonsense, pragmatic solutions that dont interrupt the coverage they rely upon for themselves and their families, PAHCF spokesman Erik Smith told The Hill. (Jonathan Chait and Paul Krugman have made similar points.) Well, yes. A well-designed single-payer system would lead to fewer people losing their insurance. I dont deny that. Neither does Krugman. Both of us disagree with Cooper that it will be easy to convince most Americans to believe this. To quote the column of mine Cooper links: Yes, in an imaginary, rational world, people could be reassured that Medicare will be as good as what they have, and the taxes will merely replace the premiums theyre already paying. In reality, people are deeply loss-averse and distrustful of politicians. Krugman doesnt deny that either. Youd have to convince most of these people both that they would save more in premiums than they pay in additional taxes, and that their new coverage would be just as good as the old, he writes in the other column Cooper links. This might in fact be true, but it would be one heck of a hard sell. Its possible, of course, that this political analysis is wrong, or that it will change one day. I kept reading through Coopers column looking for the part where Cooper either acknowledged that Krugman and I would like single payer in an ideal world, or that we are wrong about the political hurdles. That passage does not exist. The number of words in Coopers column devoted to rebutting our actual case about the politics of single payer is zero. Cooper simply concludes the medical lobbys argument [is] mistaken, and driven by nothing more than greed. Either Cooper has not bothered to read the columns he is claiming to rebut (theyre short!), or he cannot understand them (theyre quite simple!), or he is intentionally dishonest. If single-payer advocates can come up with a way to get around the political obstacles in the way of single payer, they should say what they are. (I have seen many such efforts, though none have struck me as persuasive.) More to the point, youre never going to enact single payer unless you can address the political obstacles. Simply ignoring the obstacles, and pretending the people who are aware of the obstacles are lying shills who hate single payer, isnt going to get you closer to enacting the policy. My previous column notes Bernie Sanderss regrettable habit of avoiding the political obstacles, and pretending the only barrier to enacting single payer is the greed of the insurance industry, and presumably the politicians who are bought up by them. His fans among the intelligentsia have mimicked this unfortunate habit. U.S. Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Photo: Massoud Hossaini/AP/REX/Shutterstock President Trump loves the military. Hes made it more powerful, called its equipment beautiful, and tried to celebrate it with an absurdly expensive parade. But even hes growing frustrated with the militarys strategy in Afghanistan, where a seemingly endless war approaches its 17th year. And so, NBC News reports, Trump is considering a plan to privatize the whole damn thing. The move, pushed by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, would replace soldiers with mercenaries working for a viceroy who reports directly to Trump. I know hes frustrated, Prince told NBC News on the one-year anniversary of Trumps reluctant approval of a troop increase in Afghanistan. He gave the Pentagon what they wanted And they havent delivered. Prince said hes soon to embark on a public push to get Trump to embrace his plan, which he first pitched Trump last summer with a PowerPoint presentation. Now, some of Trumps advisers fear that his impatience with the lack of progress in Afghanistan will cause him to seriously consider proposals like Princes, NBC News reports. Apparently, Trumps renewed interest of the privatization plan came after he saw a video of Prince, whose sister is Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, arguing that his plan is more economical. Its not a new line for him. Last year, Prince said his plan would cost $10 billion, significantly less than the $40 billion the Pentagon budgeted for the war. Even if that was true, and it probably isnt, there are plenty of other problems with fighting a war exclusively with private military contractors, as ex-mercenary Sean McFate wrote in The Atlantic last year: However, as an ex-military contractor, I cannot think of a worse solution for Afghanistan. There are many concerns about the safety, accountability, and morality of going into business with these types of outfits. Mercenaries also breed war and suffering. For-profit warriors proliferate armed conflict as long as there is someone to pay, there will always be a war to start, expand or prolong. History shows us that they often maraud between contracts, preying on the innocent. Prince, no doubt, has left those things out of his PowerPoint. President and bone-spur sufferer Donald Trump. Photo: Oliver Contreras/Getty Images President Trump has been itching to hold a massive military parade where he could observe all the cool military equipment, because that idea occupies the exact sweet spot in the Venn diagram between aspiring authoritarian and small child somehow gains terrifying powers. However, the fantasy has proven surprisingly difficult to pull off. Military parades are customarily reserved for winning wars, and the Pentagon is obviously reluctant to be conscripted into a partisan exercise. It has floated a series of exorbitant price tags, and the American Legion officially stated that the parade should wait until the war on terror has been won. Trump, customarily averse to admitting defeat, cannot concede that he is literally unable to organize a parade. Nor can he admit he is actually in a conflict with the military or a representative of veterans, since the purpose of the exercise is to equate Trump with both. Instead, he is blaming the government of the District of Columbia, which is conveniently civilian and heavily African-American. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 Of course, Trump is also required, in keeping with Trump standard procedure, to insist something even better will come of this. The answer is fighter jets: ....attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 So Trumps actual stated position is that the military was previously going to be denied fighter jets which presumably it needs, because why else would Trump be funding them? in order to make room for a parade. And now it will get the fighter jets it needed only because D.C. blocked the parade. D.C. government is, by Trumps reasoning, making America safe, by enabling the purchase of fighter jets that Trump had been blocking. We should hold a parade to honor the heroes of the District of Columbia. Pilot Week is here with 8 new shows screening from Sunday Saturday on TEN. Audience voting on the shows after you have watched them is available at Tenplay. And of course TV Tonight also wants to hear your feedback, which will be seen by TEN execs. Skit Happens. Sunday, 19 August 8.00pm. Nothing is safe from a Skit Happens parody, when the nations up-and-coming comedians including Jenna Owen, Heath Franklin, Vita Carbone, Stuart Daulman, Janis McGavin, Josh Glanc and Neel Kolhatkar join forces for Network Tens first sketch comedy in 12 years. Disgrace! Sunday, 19 August 8.30pm. The world is full of disgrace and outrage. Shunned politician Sam Dastyari and the team behind Gruen and The Chaser manage the latest outbreak of outrage in a half-hour of opinion, insight and laughs. Drunk History. (top photo) Monday, 20 August 9.30pm. Rhys Darby and Stephen Curry pour themselves a drink in the international hit comedy format that takes Australias rich, and often surprising history and re-tells it through the words of our most loved comedians and entertainers. Starring Gyton Grantley, Ryan Fitzy Fitzgerald, Anthony Lehmo Lehmann and Gretta Lee Jackson. Taboo. Tuesday, 21 August 9.00pm. Taboo has broken audience records in its country of origin, Belgium. The premise is as confronting as it is simple. The very funny Harley Breen spends five days and nights with members of a disadvantaged group in society and uses the experience to perform a stand-up routine about them with the subjects sitting in the front row. Kinne Tonight. Wednesday, 22 August 9.00pm. Comedian Troy Kinne ditches the stress of modern life, bringing hard-working Australians a fast-paced half-hour of laughter. Trial By Kyle. Thursday, 23 August 8.30pm. The toughest cases, biggest celebrities and genuine disputes can only be settled by one man, radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands. As Kyle carefully unravels each case, former The Bachelor Australia star and criminal lawyer Anna Heinrich is on hand to assist in forensically analysing the evidence. Dave. Friday, 24 August 8.30pm. Funny-man Dave ONeil opens the doors to his crazy life with on-air wife Emily Taheny in a half-hour narrative comedy. Expect laughter, tears and the appreciation of not being Dave. Bring Back Saturday Night. Saturday, 25 August 7.30pm. Join Roves quest to reunite Australias greatest acts, bands, and television faces in a generation-bending live television show where young performers will bring back the best of the past, and old-school entertainers will be challenged with reinvention. Warning: violence A final trailer is out for Marvels Iron Fist, with a closer look at the battle of wills thats about to take place on the streets of New York. This returns to Netflix with Finn Jones on Friday September 7th. No sign of David Wenham this season. Danny Rand (Finn Jones), alongside his partner Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), is trying to keep the peace among the many warring gangs of New York. With the help of Misty Knight (Simone Missick), they discover that the crime ring in the city goes far deeper than they had ever anticipated and hanging up their swords is no longer an option. Meanwhile, Dannys former best friend Davos returns to New York City after finding his home of Kun-Lun gone. Blaming Danny for Kun-Luns tragic fate, Davos swears to avenge their lost city, and reignites a sibling rivalry of sorts over the duties linked with wielding the legendary Iron Fist. Marvels Iron Fist Season 2 stars Finn Jones (Danny Rand), Jessica Henwick (Colleen Wing), Sacha Dhawan (Davos), Tom Pelphrey (Ward Meachum), Jessica Stroup (Joy Meachum), Simone Missick (Misty Knight) and introduces Alice Eve (Mary Walker). Post-production producer Jackie Martin (pictured left), who worked on The Bachelor and My Kitchen Rules, died recently aged 41. She passed away on Saturday August 4th, with a private memorial service held in Sydney on Tuesday. Last nights episode of The Bachelor carried a dedication credit in her memory. We wanted to pay tribute to a talented and special member of the Warner Bros family, producers Warner Bros Australia said. Martin worked on The Bachelorette, My Kitchen Rules and House Rules. Director Alex Mavroidakis has set up a GoFundMe page in her memory to assist her partner Erin with costs, already raising over $25,000. The response to our dear friends passing has been overwhelming. So many people have asked what they can do to help, he noted. Source: Daily Mail Clockwise, from top left, James Baker, Andrew McCabe, Preet Bharara, Peter Strzok, Sally Yates and James Comey. Photo: U.S. Department of Justice One morning earlier this week during executive time, President Trump tweeted out his assessment of the Russia investigation. The Rigged Russian Witch Hunt goes on and on as the originators and founders of this scam continue to be fired and demoted for their corrupt and illegal activity, he raged. All credibility is gone from this terrible Hoax, and much more will be lost as it proceeds. No Collusion! Amid this torrent of lies, the president had identified one important truth. There has in fact been a series of firings and demotions of law-enforcement officials. The casualties include FBI director James Comey, deputy director Andrew McCabe, general counsel James Baker, and, most recently, agent Peter Strzok. Robert Mueller is probing the circumstances surrounding Trumps firing of Comey for a possible obstruction-of-justice charge. But for Trump, obstruction of justice is not so much a discrete act as a way of life. The slowly unfolding purge, one of the most vivid expressions of Trumps governing ethos, has served several purposes for the president. First, it has removed from direct authority a number of figures Trump suspects would fail to provide him the personal loyalty he demanded from Comey and expects from all officials in the federal government. Second, it supplies evidence for Trumps claim that he is being hounded by trumped-up charges just look at all the crooked officials who have been fired! Third, it intimidates remaining officials with the threat of firing and public humiliation if they take any actions contrary to Trumps interests. Simply carrying out the law now requires a measure of personal bravery. Trump has driven home this last factor through a series of taunts directed at his vanquished foes. After McCabe enraged Trump by approving a flight home for Comey after his firing last May, the president told him to ask his wife (who had run for state legislature, unsuccessfully) how it felt to be a loser. This March, Trump fired McCabe and has since tweeted that Comey and McCabe are clowns and losers. The delight Trump takes in tormenting his victims, frequently calling attention to Strzoks extramarital affair as if Trump actually cared about fidelity! underscores his determination to strip his targets of their dignity. Trumps instinct for bullying also lay behind his unprecedented recent decision to remove the security clearance from former CIA director John Brennan and to threaten to do the same to a host of other former security officials. Trump cannot fire officials who have already left the government, but the gesture served as a kind of ersatz firing and contained all the familiar tropes. There were the absurdly hypocritical pretextual charges. Trump who, in May 2017, literally handed sensitive intelligence secrets to Russian diplomats hed casually invited into the Oval Office was accusing Brennan of being an untrustworthy guardian of official secrets. The White House officially attributed this decision to Brennans erratic conduct and behavior. (One can only hope this line was an ironic joke inserted by a quietly subversive staffer in the press office.) Now that Brennan has lost his security clearance, he can be taunted as a loser and dismissed as a disgruntled has-been. But while Trumps apparent ongoing intimidation of the national-security apparatus is worrying, the truly terrifying exercise in power has been his purge of federal law enforcement. If a determined authoritarian president were to probe the system for weaknesses that would allow him to consolidate his power, the awesome authority of the Department of Justice is where he would focus. Either by instinct or by happenstance (we can rule out conscious planning), this is where Trump has arrived. The police powers of the state could, if corrupted, become a fearsome weapon both to hound the opposition party and to permit illegality by the presidents allies. The Department of Justice has designed a credo, undergirded by a web of rules, to restrict it from interfering in politics. Those rules have proved pliable indeed, Trump and his party began battering away at them during the 2016 campaign. The FBIs famously Republican-leaning staff leaked promiscuously to Republicans such as House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes and, likely, Trump crony (and now lawyer) Rudy Giuliani. It was in part to head off a revolt from partisan agents, Comey later acknowledged, that he violated FBI norms by announcing a reopening of the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails in the waning days of the election. Later, of course, Comeys capitulation to Republican pressure became a pretext to fire him. The twisted genius of Trumps purge is that it feeds on itself. Officials who resist Trumps bullying can be fired for bias, but so too can officials who try to accommodate it. Accommodation is the survival strategy employed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has drawn Trumps ire for failing to shut down Muellers investigation. Republicans have issued a series of demands to Rosenstein to let them inside the FBIs investigation of Trump. Normally, the FBI keeps Congress away from ongoing political investigations, for obvious reasons. As House Republicans have demanded more and more access to the FBIs and DOJs files, Rosenstein has beaten a series of retreats rather than take a stand and dare Trump to fire him. He may eventually be vindicated. On the other hand, it would hardly be shocking if Trump not only fires Rosenstein but uses his willingness to bend protocol as a reason to do so. The last time the Republican Party controlled the Executive branch, it carried out a dry run for Trumps current course of action, when the George W. Bush administration directed U.S. Attorneys to find and prosecute voter fraud. On the surface, it was a legitimate directive. Presidents are permitted to emphasize enforcement of some crimes they deem especially important a Democratic president might (and usually does) order more-energetic enforcement of civil-rights laws, say. Voter fraud is a crime, so Bush was within his rights to ask the department to crack down on it. The trouble is that, in actuality, voter fraud is so vanishingly rare it essentially does not exist. Republicans persist in denying this reality, much like they deny the reality of climate change, and have constructed a fantasy world in which Democrats routinely steal hundreds of thousands of votes. When the U.S. Attorneys reported that they found little or no voter fraud, Bush fired seven of them violating tradition but not the law per se and attempted to replace them with more-pliable figures. But the episode came at the end of Bushs second term, when Democrats controlled Congress and could hold investigative hearings, and when the presidents popularity had already sunk to toxic levels. The abuse of the department provoked a backlash that forced Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Order was restored, and the Department of Justices integrity was maintained, not because the Constitution proved invulnerable but because of a confluence of circumstances: The president was already losing the loyalty and support of his party, the opposition party controlled Congress and could use its subpoena power to expose wrongdoing, and some small measure of shame on the part of the bad actors compelled a course correction. Things look different today. The president has a vise grip on the loyalties of his party base, and Republicans in Congress, for all their private misgivings, see crossing him as an act of career suicide. Shame has no more power over this administration than does Santa Claus. The remaining factor, control of Congress, hangs in the balance with the midterm elections. As does much else. *This article appears in the August 20, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! Brazil's former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim show a message of Pope Francis written on a book on Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after visiting him at the he Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba, Brazil August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Rodolfo Buhrer Thomson Reuters By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's top electoral court has been handed a hot potato as it must decide whether the country's most popular politician can run in upcoming elections despite being jailed for corruption. The court is expected to declare former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ineligible in the coming weeks, ahead of the Oct. 7 vote, but that may not stop his Workers Party (PT) winning anyway. Justice Rosa Weber, who heads the court, has said it will quickly make a decision that political analysts expect will come before campaign advertising on TV and radio begins on Aug. 31. Few in Brazil doubt Lula will be barred from running under a "Clean Slate" law that bans politicians from seeking public office if they have been convicted of a crime and it has been upheld on appeal. "There is no doubt he will be disqualified. It is a legal fact. After all it was he who signed the Clean Slate into law," said Senator Katia Abreu, a farm lobby leader and vice presidential candidate for PT rival the Brazilian Labor Party. If the electoral court bans Lula, his lawyers are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. That could suspend his ban, which could delay his case beyond a Sept. 17 deadline for changing names on the ballot. "Lula will try to delay a final ruling as far as possible, but the Supreme Court will uphold the TSE decision," said Ricardo Ismael, politics professor at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. The PT registered the leftist leader's candidacy on Wednesday, with thousands of supporters chanting "Free Lula" outside the electoral court. Lula's running mate Fernando Haddad, a former Sao Paulo mayor, will head the ticket if he cannot run. INHERITING LULA'S VOTES In Brazil's most uncertain election in decades, Haddad is running a distant sixth in polls, far behind front-running far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who has capitalized on voter anger with political corruption and rising crime. Story continues With Lula's endorsement, Haddad would become a competitive candidate if he is able to attract a good part of the popular leftist's voters. Lula leads all polling when his name is included, taking about 30 percent of the vote, according to pollster Datafolha. In a fragmented field of 13 presidential hopefuls, Haddad could make the run-off between the two most voted candidates with as little as 15 percent of the votes, experts say. "If Haddad can transfer half of Lula's 30 percent, he can become a competitive candidate and get to the second round," said Lucas de Aragao, at Brasilia consultancy Arko Advice. Voters in the poorest region of Brazil, Lula's native Northeast, which accounts for 26 percent of the electorate, remain extremely faithful to the president who greatly improved their quality of life and purchasing power, Ismael added. Abreu argued that Haddad was an unknown quantity in the Northeast and that voters will back her presidential candidate, center-leftist Ciro Gomes, who is also from the Northeast, or the environmentalist Marina Silva. "Nobody votes by power of attorney. They cannot even pronounce Haddad's name properly in the Northeast," she said. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito, Maria Carolina Marcello and Anthony Boadle; Editing by James Dalgleish) See Also: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar banknotes are seen in this photo illustration taken February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/Illustration By Ritvik Carvalho and Sujata Rao LONDON (Reuters) - Dollars are going home. In low-tax jurisdictions from Ireland to the Bahamas, the stock of Treasury bond holdings is down $22 billion (17.32 billion) this year in a sign U.S. companies are repatriating cash held offshore after changes to how foreign earnings are taxed. Over the years, U.S. multinationals have accumulated an estimated $3 trillion (2.36 trillion) in worldwide profits offshore, held in cash as well as securities including U.S. Treasuries. This is the result of a rule under the previous tax regime allowing them to defer paying tax on offshore profits as long as the money was not repatriated to the United States. But a powerful incentive to repatriate these earnings has come from changes which eliminated the "deferral" rule but reduced the rates at which company profits accumulated abroad are taxed -- to 15.5 percent for cash holdings and 8 percent for more illiquid investments. Both rates are far below the 35 percent rate that would have been charged on repatriated foreign profits before the law was passed, and below a new 21 percent corporate income tax rate. As a result, $300 billion was repatriated in the first quarter of 2018, U.S. balance of payments data indicates. (GRQAPHIC: U.S. companies repatriated about $300 billion in first-quarter 2018 - https://reut.rs/2P9t9aK) Analysis of data from U.S. Treasury International Capital, or TIC, shows Treasury bond holdings are dwindling in 10 locations that are well known either as low-tax jurisdictions, overseas bases of U.S. firms, or simply home to significant fund management or custody business. Ireland, which hosts the European hubs of U.S. technology and pharmaceutical companies, saw a $28 billion drop between January and June, latest TIC data released Aug. 15 shows. Irish Treasuries holdings, which once almost matched the country's annual economic output, have fallen by a tenth this year to $299.6 billion (235.9 billion). Story continues But Switzerland, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Netherlands also witnessed sharp falls in Treasuries holdings, which are down between $300 million $300 million and $14.6 billion (11.49 billion) since January. An exception among these types of jurisdictions is the Cayman Islands, which saw a $26 billion increase in holdings of Treasuries over the same period. (GRAPHIC: Treasury holdings fall in low-tax jurisdictions - https://tmsnrt.rs/2vQeDwz) "Obviously this is being driven by the tax situation. Repatriation is happening in lumps and the major drivers are the tech companies," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier. "It's a fixed income-to-equity play, the money is coming out of Treasuries and going into buybacks." There is no evidence in the data to show which companies might be returning cash or indeed whether the drop is down to repatriation. But filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show Treasuries holdings at Apple, Google and Microsoft are now $202 billion (159 billion), versus almost $220 billion (173.2 billion) at the end of 2017. (GRAPHIC: Tech companies' Treasury holdings dip in 2018 - https://tmsnrt.rs/2vPGTPX) Apple alone bought back $23.5 billion (18.5 billion) of its stock in the March quarter and added $100 billion to its target for future purchases. If repatriation is indeed the driver, the drops in offshore holdings should continue. "We are sure these are all private (Treasuries) holdings as Ireland as a country doesn't have much in FX reserves," Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Carol Zhang said. "(U.S. tech firms) did mention in (analyst conference) calls they have plans to repatriate. But it may not happen all at once." (Reporting by Ritvik Carvalho and Sujata Rao; Editing by Catherine Evans) Genoa Bridge AP Images Italian authorities have evacuated 630 people from their homes near the collapsed bridge in the northern city of Genoa. According to the Associated Press, they are worried that more sections of the Morandi Bridge could prove unstable. At least 39 people have died so far, officials said, and rescuers continue to search for missing people. 630 people who live near what's left of the highway bridge which collapsed in Genoa, northern Italy, have been evacuated from their homes in case more sections fall apart. Authorities in the city asked people to leave their homes as a precaution a few hours after the bridge fell down on Tuesday morning, killing at least 39 people. According to the Associated Press, by Thursday afternoon 630 had been moved on. It is still not clear why the bridge collapsed, but the evacuation suggests that there is a chance that whatever caused the initial collapse bring down more of the structure. Genoa bridge collapse evacuated AP Images The bridge was part of the A10 highway, and most of its length crossed railway tracks and a small river. But there are buildings, including homes, under some parts of it, specifically the areas closest to the sides of the valley it crosses. Some people live very close to the structure, like this man interviewed by Annie Hill, a correspondent with Sky News. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1029715478619586560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Paolo lives under the bridge and felt his whole house shake when it collapsed- he slept here but is now being told to evacuate pic.twitter.com/mUuvY8kpOr Fire authorities went inside some of the abandoned apartments to rescue documents and, in one home, a pet cat, AP reported. A man who works nearby described the collapse in an interview with the Reuters news agency. "To see a pylon come down like papier-mache is an incredible thing," he said. "Its been a lifetime that weve known there were problems. It is in continual maintenance." Story continues Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a 12-month state of emergency in the Liguria region as a result of the collapse. Genoa italy bridge collapse Twitter/Google Maps/Business Insider NOW WATCH: This lightweight hook ladder allows you to safely inspect your roof and it can take up to 750 pounds See Also: PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Final results showed Cambodia's ruling party swept elections last month for the National Assembly, ensuring long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen another term but reinforcing skepticism of the vote's legitimacy. The National Election Committee confirmed Wednesday the Cambodian People's Party won all 125 seats in the National Assembly in the July 29 vote. The only credible opposition force, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was disbanded last year by the courts, seen as aligned with Hun Sen, and the 19 parties that did compete in the vote were almost all vanity vehicles or meant to give the illusion of democracy. The vote itself also has been questioned since the CNRP had called for a voter boycott, but the official turnout was a high 83 percent. Hun Sen's party also won more than two-thirds of the vote in every province. The new parliament is to convene on Sept. 5, and the next government is to be installed on Sept. 6. Hun Sen, who has held power for 33 years, will receive another five-year term. "This result shows that our compatriots fully believed in the right leadership of the Cambodian People's Party which is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen," Hun Sen said on his Facebook page after the announcement of the official results, adding that voting for his party meant voting for peace and development for the entire country. He called the July 29 election free and fair and said it was conducted according to the principle of democracy. In a speech to garment workers Wednesday, Hun Sen said he wanted to offer prominent government posts to the leaders of the 19 other parties that contested the elections. Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled founder of the opposition CNRP and Hun Sen's chief political nemesis, said the official voting results were fraudulent. On his Facebook page, he said the vote totals were inflated by 2 million purportedly cast in the names of non-voters but counted for the ruling party. Story continues He said the National Election Committee was able to play tricks because the election body is under the ruling party's control. Several established poll-watching groups as well as national contingents from the United States and the European Union declined to take part because they felt the polls were not legitimate. One of the bigger Cambodian groups participating in poll-watching was led by one of Hun Sen's sons. Hun Sen's party was alarmed by the results of the last general election in 2013, when the race was close enough for the opposition to claim that it would have won had it not been for manipulation of the voter registration process. Cambodia's Supreme Court last November ordered the opposition CNRP dissolved on the pretext that it had conspired with the United States to overthrow the government. It banned its leaders from holding office for five years and expelled its members from the elective positions they held. Sam Rainsy already was in exile and the other party founder, Kem Sokha, was in jail awaiting trial on the treason charge. Hun Sen's government also silenced critical voices in the media. Over the past year, about 30 radio stations shut down and two English-language newspapers that provided serious reporting were gutted, one forced to close and the other put under ownership friendly to the government. The United States in December imposed visa restrictions on top Cambodian officials because of the anti-democratic actions taken in the lead-up to the elections, and it said after the vote it was disappointed by the "flawed elections." On Wednesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the U.S. would expand those visa restrictions and in certain cases apply them to immediate family members of the individuals the U.S. had deemed responsible for undermining Cambodian democracy. More details weren't given. See Also: China's military is "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, the Pentagon has claimed. The suggestion is contained in a report that says China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently expanded its bomber operations. The Pentagon's comments come at a time when the US and China are planning to hold trade talks to try to resolve an escalating dispute over tariffs . "Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its over water bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report said. But it was unclear, the report added, what message Beijing was trying to send, "beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities". China's air force has this year landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region. It is estimated China spent more than $190bn (149bn) on defence last year, with the Pentagon predicting a rise to $240bn (188bn) by 2028. There have been mixed diplomatic signals between the two countries in recent months. In May, the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to join a multinational naval exercise. But in June, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis became the first head of the Pentagon to visit China since 2014. China's space programme is progressing rapidly, the report added. "The PLA continues to strengthen its military space capabilities despite its public stance against the militarisation of space," it said. US President Donald Trump's administration has said it plans to bring in a new "space force" as the sixth branch of the military by 2020. The US leadership has plans to introduce a US Space Force by 2020. Already announced by president Donald Trump in June, US vice president Mike Pence outlined further details of the plan at a press conference on August 9. The Space Force, he said, would consist of an elite corps of soldiers trained to fight in space, and a space command that would design military strategies for warfare beyond the atmosphere. Much acrimony and ridicule has ensued, with debates over what such a force could or could not do; the only certainty being that it will cost billions of dollars. Seasoned watchers of both US politics and US science fiction will have had the uncanny feeling, though, of having seen this all before. The rhetoric of both Pence and Trump, referring respectively to the boundless expanse of space and the necessity for American dominance, is inherently science-fictional, but of a particularly American kind. It is not the cooperatist vision of Soviet science fiction, nor the ramshackled approach of British sci-fi (take Doctor Who), and certainly not the Afrofuturist marriage of esoteric technology and indigenous folklore, seen most recently in Ava DuVernays A Wrinkle in Time. An American fiction Instead, it is the projection of the values of Manifest Destiny (that the settler population has an inalienable right to the uncharted lands) into outer space. Not for nothing did Trumps 2020 reelection campaign manager, Brad Parscale, write that Space Force would be a groundbreaking endeavor for America and the final frontier. As film and media studies expert, Constance Penley, observed in her 1997 book, NASA/Trek, the Cold War politics of the Space Race dovetailed beautifully with the frontier vision of Gene Roddenberrys Star Trek. This is particularly true of the pioneer spirit of (to paraphrase the original series opening words) exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilisations, and boldly going where no man has gone before. Story continues Roddenberry himself was in a lineage of writers from Edgar Rice Burroughs to Ray Bradbury who, with varying degrees of scepticism, projected frontier values into outer space (most typically, onto the surface of Mars). And as historian Frederic Krome has shown, future war stories published in the US pulps between 1914 and 1945 fed into the cultural and military thinking of how to plan for future conflicts. Perhaps most bizarrely, the mission to capture Saddam Hussein during the Iraq War was named after John Miliuss post-apocalyptic teen movie, Red Dawn (1984). Indeed, the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), envisaged by president Ronald Reagan in 1983, not only became known as Star Wars, but its rhetoric was also derived from science fiction writers such as Ben Bova and Jerry Pournelle. SDIs vision of a circling belt of laser-armed satellites, protecting the US from Soviet attack, chimed perfectly with Pournelles dream, and with that of other science fiction writers such as Robert Heinlein and Larry Niven an American renaissance through the militarisation and colonisation of space. Read more: Donald Trumps Space Force isn't as new or as dangerous as it seems Space force rebooted The current rhetoric of Pence and Trump, in announcing their Space Force, almost exactly echoes the rhetoric of SDI and its then supporters. Both groups posit a pattern of US military decline, under the alleged negligence of previous administrations, in which space, the natural home of the US following the moon landings, has been left exposed to foreign aggressors. According to them, it is their enemies, not the US, who have militarised space. And now, they argue, only a show of strength can make space safe again for US democracy. In this way, the ratcheting-up of an arms race in space is glossed over by a utopian vision, in which the US is regalvanised by dreams of expansion into space see, for example, the proposed mission to Mars. There has been genuine concern since 2007, when China shot down one of its own satellites. But to imply that space has only now begun to be militarised glosses over the steady militarisation of space since the 1960s, while even supporters of the proposal suggest a cyber-hacking force is more necessary. Instead, the proposal for an elite corps of specialised soldiers and strategists sounds more like Heinleins controversial novel of a fully militarised society, Starship Troopers (1959), in which humans are embroiled in a seemingly endless war against the utterly alien Bugs. There are echoes too of E E Smiths interstellar police force, Galactic Patrol (1937), and even the BBCs more low-key Star Cops (1987), glumly policing off-world mining colonies in the outer solar system. Of course, the proposal may never take flight it would still require an Act of Congress so these more hyperbolic fears and desires may need to be momentarily put aside. Instead, what we can deduce from the proposal is that we are firmly in the logic of the reboot, that much loved tactic of longrunning movie franchises. But, as science fiction scholar Gerry Canavan has argued, the reboot can show us a story, but cant tell us a plot. Rather than an original and inspiring vision of space exploration, what we have instead here is a meaningless reiteration of past rhetoric that may, quite literally, go nowhere. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Paul March-Russell 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. By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador on Thursday said that all foreigners entering the country would need a passport from Saturday, an apparent attempt to curb rising numbers of Venezuelan migrants fleeing their homeland. Ecuador now allows Venezuelans to enter only with their national ID cards. That has been a significant advantage for Venezuelan migrants, who struggle to obtain passports amid chronic shortages. "As of this Saturday the government will require that anyone entering Ecuador present his or her passport," said Interior Minister Mauro Toscanini on Thursday. He did not specify if the measure was aimed at Venezuelan migration but added that Ecuador wants Venezuela to make efforts so "that its citizens do not need to go through the very difficult situation of having to leave their country." The ministry declined further comment. Venezuelan migrants have been taking days-long bus rides across South America, often crossing Ecuador on their way south to Peru or Chile, because they cannot afford flights on a minimum wage that adds up to a few U.S. dollars a month. Quito declared a state of emergency in three provinces this month after a spike in Venezuelan migrants crossing the Ecuadorean-Colombian border high in the Andean mountains. Authorities said up to 4,500 Venezuelans were crossing daily, compared with around 500 to 1,000 previously. Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno is left-wing like his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, but he has distanced himself from Caracas since taking office last year. The migration wave has also soured public opinion towards Venezuela in the country of some 16 million. The Ecuadorean government does not provide data on the total number of Venezuelans living in the country, but an official at the Foreign Ministry told local radio that some 600,000 Venezuelans had entered the country so far this year, with around 109,000 staying on. Venezuelans begging or selling knickknacks are now a common sight in Quito. And as in much of Latin America, some locals fret that desperate Venezuelans are undercutting the job market. (The story removes incorrect reference in second paragraph to Venezuela being a member of the Andean Community) (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia, Writing by Alexandra Ulmer, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) shutterstock.com The UK is one of the few countries to require employers with over 250 employees to disclose their gender pay gap data. New regulations came into force in April 2017, and 10,527 employers have now submitted their figures. They offer some useful lessons in how to make pay more equal for men and women. 1. Theres still confusion The gender pay gap and pay equity are often conflated. The gender pay gap shows the difference in the average hourly wage of all men and women across a workforce. The gap widens when women do more of the less well-paid jobs within an organisation than men. It is useful in measuring pay equality due to its simple calculation, but it doesnt measure the pay difference between men and women at the same pay grade, doing the same job, with the same working pattern. More than 200 organisations had to change their data, and over 900 reported an improbable zero pay gap by mean and median. Theres an estimate that more than 9% of reports may be wrong. This suggests that many organisations are struggling with gender pay gap reporting. 2. Resistance to change The scale of the problem is self-evident: women in the UK are concentrated in lower-level, lower-paying roles. While the overall gender pay gap has fallen over the past 40 years, it is stubbornly resistant. ONS data for all full-time employees in 2017 shows that men on average were paid 1.32 more per hour than women, which, as a proportion of mens pay, is a pay gap of 9.1%. For larger companies, the gap is 11.8%. More than 78% of the UK companies required to report under the new law pay male staff more on average. More than half pay men higher bonuses, and over 80% have more women in the lowest paid positions than in the highest paid positions. There are also newly emerging pay inequalities between and within educational and ethnic groups. 3. The worst offenders The 2018 reports reveal striking differences between sectors, with financial and insurance services as the standouts with a sizeable gap of 35.6%. 1.5% of employers reported a median gap of over 50%. Story continues Even the female staff at Buckingham Palace are paid a mean of 12% less than the men. This extends to Claire Foy, for her work playing the Queen in Netflix series The Crown, who was paid less than her co-star, Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip. The issue here is more than one of fairness: for an economy held back by low productivity growth and skill shortages, the under-use of female talent represents a major cost. 4. Reputation making or breaking No other reporting so far has shone a spotlight as fiercely on organisations nor sparked as much public debate. According to the global communications agency Golin, the gender pay gap was the biggest business story in the UK in 2018, rivalled only by the royal wedding as the top news story. The media storm indicates that the gender pay gap can be both reputation-enhancing or have a shaming effect: 84% of business professionals that participated in Golins gender pay gap research acknowledged the reputational damage of naming and shaming on this issue. 77% believed that organisations would lose staff over a sizeable gap and 73% that the worst offenders would find it harder to recruit. This is the premise of the reporting requirement. Imposing pay transparency on large organisations serves as a direct challenge to change their cultures and prioritise gender equality. Companies can no longer remain anonymous, making both a good incentive for employers to act. Gender pay gap reporting means a start of a long conversation about gender inequality in the workplace. It represents a big first step, as illustrated by major advertising firm, JWT, whose creative director said the gender pay gap was a rocket in the arse to accelerate the diversification of its staff base and lose its boys club reputation. Whats next? The task now is for organisations to show how they will improve their figures. The nature of the gender pay gap means that it is possible for employers to widen the gap while supporting gender equality if, for example, a companys long-term approach is to recruit more female graduates (to lower-paid junior roles), this may increase the pay gap in the short-term. Conversely, it is possible to narrow the gap by outsourcing the lowest-paid jobs or paying both women and men poorly. The context of the pay data will therefore become more important. The best reports this year were succinct, honest and authentic; they went beyond figures, recognised the need for change and set clear goals. The gender pay gap trends reflect broader inequalities at play in society, such as gendered working patterns, bias in recruitment and progression, limited returnship opportunities, occupational segregation, educational choices and care responsibilities. Closing the gap will therefore not be plain sailing. It requires a collective effort across society and will not happen in a single reporting cycle. Also, closing the gender pay gap within organisations will not eliminate the national pay gap altogether. But employers are key to ensuring that their workplace culture, organisation of work and pay structure support both men and women. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Jana Javornik received funding from UKCES (Futures Programme). Jana advises and consults in the area of good work, living wage and gender pay gap. Political grandstanding first. Photo: Oliver Contreras/Getty Images Donald Trump is mulling a plot to nullify Congresss spending power, so as to deny $3 billion in aid to economically disadvantaged governments and peoples overseas. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget is planning to leave $3 billion of its $40 billion foreign aid budget unspent, unless Congress takes action to release the funds before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. Given that the House is on break until Labor Day, the Senate has a Supreme Court nomination to process, and virtually no one in either chamber wants a high-profile fight over foreign aid just before the midterm elections, congressional action appears unlikely. It is unclear whether the administrations gambit is even legal, as the Post explains: The OMBs plans would exploit a loophole in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, which says the administration may freeze for 45 days any funding that Congress has authorized but not yet been obligated, or spent. Congress passed the Impoundment Act in 1974 as a way of pushing back against then-President Richard Nixon, who was freezing budgeted funds instead of spending them. Normally, Congress would have to approve proposed cuts within the 45-day window for them to take effect. But the Impoundment Act does not address how to handle rescissions less than 45 days away from the end of the fiscal year. That has led members to question the legality of the move. I dont know how they can do that legally, Corker said Thursday at a confirmation hearing for David Hale, nominee to be the under secretary of state for political affairs. We certainly look forward to seeing how to counter that if thats the case, he added. The fact that the White House is willing to take potentially extralegal measures to avoid providing $3 billion in aid to foreign governments would be remarkable in any context. But it is even more so when one considers that Donald Trump called on Congress to give him a $716 billion annual military budget earlier this year. Which is to say: He demanded that the United States spend more on defense next year than China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan will combined. It does not cost $716 billion to secure Americas airspace and coastlines from invaders, or to keep critical global trade routes open for business. There is no reason for the U.S. to outspend all other major powers combined unless it wishes to exercise hegemony on a global scale. Its extraordinary then, that even as he calls for an imperial military budget Trump remains violently committed to slashing Americas foreign aid spending, which is currently smaller, as a percentage of national GDP, than Irelands. As a strategic matter, this is insane. Empires cant live on hard power alone. In many, many circumstances targeted economic aid is a more effective tool for expanding or preserving regional influence than Tomahawk missiles. The United States tried to fortify its grip on the Middle East by toppling Saddam Husseins government and wound up drastically increasing the power of its primary rival in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. is still collecting returns on the diplomatic investments it made in Japan and Western Europe with the Marshall Plan. (Beijing, for its part, evinces a keen understanding of the vitality of soft power.) As a political matter, however, Trumps dissonant demands make perfect sense. The Republican Party derives much of its financing from defense contractors, and many of its votes from Americans who owe their livelihoods to the military-industrial complex. The more cash Trump can direct into Pentagons coffers, the happier these constituencies will be. By contrast, the number of GOP-aligned industries and individuals who profit off of foreign aid is quite small. And the American public is infamously hostile to foreign aid (in part because it has a grossly distorted understanding of how much their government spends on it). Donald Trump played to that hostility during his 2016 campaign, while also affirming the nationalist rights more militantly isolationist intuitions. For these reasons, slashing foreign aid while ramping up defense spending is a win-win for Trump: The arrangement that allows him to perform his America First bona fides, while keeping his partys defense interests happy. As a substantive matter, this approach to foreign policy is the very opposite of America First, as it places political convenience above the national interest. But for Trump, substance doesnt matter. Police patrol at Jorge Chavez airport in Callao Police patrol at Jorge Chavez airport in Callao, Peru, August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo By Aislinn Laing and Felipe Iturrieta SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Nine planes were forced to make emergency changes to their routes within Chilean, Argentine and Peruvian airspace on Thursday because of bomb threats issued to Chile's civil aviation authority, its director general told journalists. At least two of the planes were operated by LATAM Airlines and three by Sky, a low-cost Chilean airline, the companies confirmed. Victor Villalobos Collao, the director general of Chile's civil aviation authority (DGAC), said 11 threats were made in total on Thursday, two of which were "fictitious" and nine of which related to existing flights. All of the planes were declared free of explosives, and at least one plane was later allowed to resume its flight, he said. He said calls warning of bombs onboard flights were made to LATAM's offices, and the civil aviation authority, and police were now trying to trace their origin. "We always have an abandoned suitcase or two, that's normal," he told journalists in a briefing at Santiago airport. "But this is a totally exceptional case." For four of the flights, Santiago, Chile's capital, was either the origination or the destination, the DGAC added in a statement. One flight, Sky 162, took off from Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport and was headed to the northern city of Antofagasta when it was instructed to return to Santiago, the statement said. Flight LATAM 2369, originating from Lima, the capital of Peru, and heading for Santiago, was forced to land in the southern Peruvian city of Pisco, it added. Peru's transport ministry said no one had been injured and a team for deactivating explosives has been notified. "Right now the situation is under control," it said on Twitter. Another Sky flight, Sky 524, is understood according to flight schedules to have taken off from the Argentine city of Mendoza. It made an emergency landing in Santiago before proceeding to Rosario in Argentina, the DGAC said. Story continues Sky said another of its planes, Flight 166, was prevented from taking off from Santiago because of a bomb threat. In addition, LATAM 800, which according to flight schedules took off from Auckland, New Zealand, performed an emergency landing in its destination of Santiago. That flight was still undergoing security checks, the DGAC added. Collao said other flights were checked in Iquique, another city in northern Chile, Antofagasta and Mendoza, without giving further details. LATAM confirmed that at least two of its planes had been affected. "The affected passengers will be transferred by LATAM onto other flights," it said. "The authorities have not at this moment found any evidence that might put passengers at risk." Chilean police did not respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing and Felipe Iturrieta; Editing by Leslie Adler and Michael Perry) A police officer was left with a fractured wrist and other injuries after he was run over trying to stop a 12-year-old girl who had stolen her mother's car. Police were called after the girl started driving in loops around a trailer park near Meridian in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, on Wednesday night. County Sheriff Billy Sollie said deputies placed spike strips on several sections of the road to try to flatten the tyres. As Sergeant Kris Cokel tried to stop the girl he was hit. The officer was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured wrist and other injuries, according to the sheriff. As Sgt Cokel was hit, a deputy fired gunshots to try to stop the vehicle. The sheriff said the deputy was not shooting at the girl. The girl was taken to a juvenile facility and the state's Bureau of Investigation is handling the case. A drone from the California Air National Guard was deployed in a bid to support firefighters battling wildfires in northern California. This video shows the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, which can fly for up to 24 hours daily, taking off from March Air Reserve Base in California on August 1. The National Guard hopes the drone can provide a real-time look of the fires, a spokesperson for the Defense Visual Information Distribution Services said. The California wildfires have continued to devastate the state. By August 15, the fires had burned 820,000 acres, and killed at least 10 people, including firefighters. Credit: DVIDS/California Air National Guard via Storyful FILE PHOTO: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni arrives for a group picture at the BRICS summit meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) - Three Ugandan lawmakers and dozens of others critical of President Yoweri Museveni have been charged with treason over their alleged role in the stoning of his convoy earlier this week. Another lawmaker was charged separately in a military court martial. One of the vehicles in the long-ruling Museveni's convoy had its rear windscreen smashed when he travelled late on Monday to campaign for a ruling party candidate in a parliamentary by-election in the northern town of Gulu. Museveni said on Wednesday he was unharmed, but five MPs were arrested in the moments after the incident. Three of them, including the independent Kassiano Wadri who won the by-election, appeared in court in Gulu and were charged together with dozens of others. They were accused of "intent to do harm to the person of the president," according to the charge sheet, which also said they "unlawfully aimed and threw stones, thereby hitting and smashing the rear windscreen of the presidential car". A magistrate told the defendants they could not enter pleas as their offence, classified as treason under the penal code, could only be heard in a higher court. He ordered that they be detained until Aug. 30. Medard Sseggona, a lawyer for the defendants, told the magistrate that some of the accused had been "badly beaten and tortured during the process and after arresting them" by soldiers. He asked the magistrate to allow the sick among the accused to have immediate access to medical care. That request was granted. Two other lawmakers, Francis Zaake and Robert Kyagulanyi, a popular musician-turned-politician who goes by the stage name Bobi Wine, did not appear in court. On Wednesday, a leading opposition figure said Zaake had been severely beaten, as unverified images purportedly of Zaake lying on a bed emerged on social media. Relatives and opposition MPs who travelled to Gulu to attend the court proceedings said they had been denied information on the whereabouts of Zaake and Kyagulanyi. Story continues A statement from the Ugandan military late on Thursday said Kyagulanyi had been arraigned in a court martial in Gulu, charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and would be held until Aug. 23. Under Ugandan law, civilians found in possession of materials typically reserved for the armed forces are tried by courts martial. Rights activists have long accused Museveni's government of using tactics including beatings by security forces and detentions to stifle opposition to his rule. Museveni has been in power for more than 30 years and officials say he has broad public support. Last year parliament, dominated by Museveni's party, scrapped an age limit of 75 on candidates for the presidency, a move critics say means Museveni could potentially rule for life. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa and Hugh Lawson/Mark Heinrich) One of Russia's Paltus (Turbot) class, also known as Varshavyanka class, (NATO name: Kilo) Soviet-built diesel-electric submarines navigates at a harbor in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad STR/AP The US is warning the Philippines to think carefully about plans to acquire Russian submarines, explaining that doing so could be detrimental to the US-Philippine alliance. The Philippines is eager to modernize its armed forces, and Russia is offering several Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines. The US has been increasingly pressuring allies and partners to avoid purchasing Russian weapons systems. The US is warning the Philippines to think very carefully about its plan to purchase military equipment from Russia, including diesel-electric submarines, and stressing that Russia is an unsavory partner. The Philippines, a US ally in East Asia, is interested in acquiring its first batch of submarines to strengthen the navy amid tensions with China in the South China Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in June that his country needs submarines to keep up with neighboring states. "We are the only ones that do not have [undersea capabilities]," Lorenzana explained at a flag raising ceremony, the Manila Times reported. "We are looking at [South] Korea and Russia and other countries [as source of the submarines]," he further revealed. Russia is reportedly willing to sell the Philippines Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines and offering soft loans if the Philippines cannot afford the desired vessels. "I think they should think very carefully about that," Randall Schriver, United States Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said in Manila Thursday. "If they were to proceed with purchasing major Russian equipment, I don't think that's a helpful thing to do [in our] alliance, and I think ultimately we can be a better partner than the Russians can be." "We have to understand the nature of this regime in Russia. I don't need to go through the full laundry list: Crimea, Ukraine, the chemical attack in the UK," he added, "So, you're investing not only in the platforms, but you're making a statement about a relationship." Story continues Schriver encouraged the Philippines to consider purchasing US systems, as interoperability is key to cooperation between US and Philippine forces. After his meeting with Schriver, Lorenzana reportedly flew to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials, according to the Philippine Star. During his time in Manila, Schriver assured the Philippines that the US would be a "good ally" and have its back in the spat with China over the South China Sea. "Well be a good ally there should be no misunderstanding or lack of clarity on the spirit and the nature of our commitment," he said at a time when the Philippines is charting an independent foreign policy that is less aligned with US interests. The US has been putting pressure on allies and partners to avoid purchasing Russian weapons systems. Turkey's interest in purchasing Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system recently tanked a deal for the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter. The US has also issued warnings to India, Saudi Arabia, and others to reconsider plans to acquire Russian systems. NOW WATCH: This is what first, business, and economy class looks like on a double-decker Airbus A380 See Also: This is the mysterious fur-covered sea creature that washed up on a beach in Siberia and has left people baffled. The remains of the giant, hairy monster were discovered on the shore of the Bering Sea, on the Pacific side of the Kamchatka peninsula. Its dirty white fur gives no clues as to what it might be, and the mystery beast does not appear to have eyes or a head. Mystery surrounds what exactly this giant hairy creature actually is (Grab) No head or eyes appear to be on the creature (Grab) At the end of the remains appears to either be a long tail or tentacle, while on one side of it appears to be a series of pipe-like structures. One thing that is for sure is that the remains kicked up quite a stink for the people who filmed it. Speculating on wha it might be, witness Svetlana Dyadenko said: The most interesting thing to me is that the creature is covered with tubular fur. MOST POPULAR ON YAHOO NEWS UK In pictures: The top 10 most liveable cities in the world Westminster terror attack: Theresa May says Britain under severe threat after huge rise in active terrorist investigations Baby boy dies from cold sore virus less than two weeks after birth Genoa bridge collapse: Rescue workers hunt for survivors among the rubble as first victims named Celebrity Big Brother 2018: Line-up confirmed Could it be some ancient creature? I wish scientists could inspect this enigma that the ocean threw at us. People who watched the clip suggested that the remains could be a hairy octopus, a giant squid. The remains washed up on the shore of the Bering Sea (Grab) One person even suggested the remains could be the remnants of a wooly mammoth that was frozen in ice under the sea before the summer heat thawed it out. The carcass has also been labelled a globster the term used to describe all manner or large sea creatures that are unidentified. Marine biologist Sergei Kornev said that the monster could be part of a decaying whale. A tail appears to stick out at the end of the remains (Grab) He told the Siberian Times: Under the influence of the sea, time and various animals, from the smallest to the largest, a whale often takes on bizarre forms. This is only a part of a whale, not a whole one. Former US president Barack Obama famously had a wardrobe full of identical suits. As a world leader, life presents more than enough big decisions Obamas reasoning was that it made sense to minimise the complexity of the small decisions. Artists are often thought of as rather different. Francis Bacon, for example, had a tempestuous personal life, a notoriously chaotic studio, and a penchant for late nights at Londons seedier drinking clubs. Yet even Bacons working habits were surprisingly regular usually starting work at first light with strong tea, before heading out around midday for his first glass of champagne. We all have different experiences of the value of routine. For the vast majority of us, routine helps us cope with the continual flow of decisions that face us in everyday life. But when taken to excess, routine can be a prison especially for some people. But why is that and how do you strike a good balance? One reason why decision-making is so difficult in the first place is that most of us are extremely bad decision makers. The truth is that we often have only the thinnest grasp of what we actually want, meaning even the simplest decisions can leave us perplexed. Lab decisions This is all too evident when we are put in lab conditions. Psychologists and behavioural economists often try to explore how people make decisions by stripping the problem down to the simplest form. Rather than asking people to make decisions ranging from the choice of breakfast to achieving career goals experiments often focus on decisions involving simple quantities: money and risk. So, in a typical study, an experimental participant might be asked whether she would like to have a certain US$4, or a 50-50 chance of receiving either US$10 or nothing at all. Even these simple decisions turn out to be amazingly difficult. In an experiment using gambles whether played with real money or not it is sometimes useful to give people each choice twice, to get a sense of how consistent their choices are. Story continues Of course, if two identical choices are presented one after the other, then people will typically be consistent. But if people are given 50 problems twice in a random order so that they have 100 problems in total then theyll most likely treat each new problem afresh. So, according to such studies, how consistent are we? It turns out we are shockingly inconsistent. In fact, on 20-30% of these problems, people tend to give the opposite answer on the two versions of the very same question. Its also incredibly hard work to make the decisions people typically leave the lab feeling drained. wikipedia (free art licence) This explains how routine provides a natural solution. Rather than having to decide how to live each moment afresh, we can navigate our lives using a simple strategy: (a) other things being equal, choose whatever we chose before, and (b) organise our lives in such a way that we are faced with the same choices, over and over again. This is the wonder of routine! We get up at the same time each morning, eat the same things for breakfast, set off for the same workplace by the same means of transport, meet the same colleagues and engage in roughly the same tasks. Ultimately, it does helps lighten the load of continual decision-making. Dark side But there is a dark side to routine. Too much routine could presumably make us locked into rigid patterns of thinking and behaviour from which there will be no escape. Indeed, some clinical disorders seem to have exactly this character: people with obsessive compulsive disorder, for example, may find themselves continually checking doors, washing their hands, or cleaning and tidying. But mostly there is an opposing psychological force that successfully breaks us out of such loops: too much routine becomes crushingly boring. Most of us are happy to eat the same or a restricted range of breakfasts saving our cognitive resources to face the decision-making challenges of the day. Yet few of us would be happy to consume the very same evening meal, once the days challenges are over. Arnut09Job/Shutterstock As in so many aspects of life, we need to strike a balance between routine and variety, which may depend on a range of personality and social factors: the comfortable balance point will differ from one person to the next. Some of us may be in danger of narrowing our exploration of the world by inflexibly sticking with our habits, others may reject routine of all kinds, but then struggle with the resulting chaos. We may also overstate how much variety we want. In a classic experiment asking participants to plan food consumption for the next week, people typically took a variety-seeking strategy selecting a different flavoured yoghurt each day. But if they had to make each decision day to day, they tended to choose the same presumably the favourite. This study also illustrates why some of us may be more keen on routine than others. The researchers looked at participants socioeconomic variables and discovered that people who feel economically stuck with little control over their lives tend to seek out more variety. The authors hypothesise that variety seeking in yoghurt choice may therefore be an attempt to compensate for lack of control and choice elsewhere. More broadly, this would suggest that if we feel in control of our lives, routine will be less oppressive. Indeed, where routine is not freely chosen, but feels as if it is imposed on us by circumstances, we may long to break out, whether we are able to do so or not. Yet, of course, every life is a mixture of repetition and novelty. Having an aversion to routine of all kinds would make no more sense than having an aversion to breathing routine is something we simply cant live without. In reality, it may be more important to decide which aspects of our lives to routinise, rather than striking a perfect overall balance between routine and variety. Here, we may learn something from Obama focusing our mental resources on things we really care about while relying on routine for the rest. In this way, routine can, perhaps paradoxically, be a route to a more interesting and varied life. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Nick Chater receives funding from ESPRC, ERC, ESRC, the Leverhulme Trust, and Jaguar Land Rover. He is a director of Decision Technology Ltd, a research consultancy, and a member of the UK Committee for Climate Change, and serves on the advisory board of the Behavioural Insights Team. So far hes all talk, no Saturday Night Massacre. Photo: Pool/Getty Images Earlier this week, Rudy Giuliani publicly declared that Special Counsel Robert Mueller must wrap up his investigation in the next few weeks, or else. If he doesnt get it done in the next two or three weeks we will just unload on him like a ton of bricks, Giuliani said. Its likely this is just more bloviating from the presidents lawyer. Justice Department rules do not prohibit Mueller from continuing his investigation in the weeks before the midterms and beyond, and Trumps latest actions against Mueller arent the moves of someone whos confident he has the ability to crush his enemy. Stripping former CIA director John Brennan of his security clearance this week and threatening to do the same to nearly a dozen officials who played a role in the Russia investigation is, in principle, a disturbing escalation of Trumps willingness to use his executive power against his political foes. But at the moment, the practical consequences are minimal, and they reveal the extent to which Trump feels powerless against Mueller. The New York Times noted that while Trump has had some success in instigating the firings of law-enforcement officials involved in the investigation, like Andrew McCabe and Peter Strzok, and possibly eroding the special counsels credibility with the public, hes yet to make a dramatic move to shutter the investigation. That may be because he cant get his aides to listen to him: None of his moves have brought down Mr. Muellers investigation, in part because Mr. Trump has mostly resisted the temptation to order officials at the Justice Department to act on his Twitter-fueled musings. And when he has not, including at least two attempts to fire the special counsel, White House aides blocked Mr. Trumps way. Two weeks ago, Mr. Trump tweeted that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA! Mr. Sessions ignored the presidents demand. Some experts suggested that Trump revoked Brennans security clearance to test out what might happen if he tries the same move on Mueller. But a Washington Post report on what sparked Trumps decision does not paint a picture of a president methodically plotting to sneak a slow-moving Saturday Night Massacre past the American people. It seems he just stumbled on a new executive power, and decided to use it against people who anger him, even if it doesnt make sense: Trump grew increasingly agitated about Brennan and others earlier in the summer, believing they were exploiting their credentials as former national security officials to make money, aides said. The president mentioned the Russia investigation when discussing the matter in private and drafted a list of officials who have angered him for Sanders to read at the lectern in the White House briefing room, the aides said. Although advisers cautioned the president that some people on the list including Comey and McCabe had already lost their security clearances when they were fired, Trump insisted that they be included anyway, the senior officials said. Aides say Trump thinks he came out of the Brennan incident looking strong and decisive, and they warn hes eager to move against others on his security-clearance review list. But for some reason he didnt decide to revoke his enemies clearance all at once, though experts generally agree that he has the power to do so, and theres no real review process happening: Still, as the Russia investigation tightens around the president Mueller is pressing Trumps legal team over a potential interview with him the president remains impulsive and unpredictable, aides said. The process is essentially meaningless, one White House aide said. If Trump wants to do it, hell just do it. Many have warned that Trumps moves could have a chilling effect, making law enforcement and intelligence officers afraid to contradict him. Thats likely true of the rank and file, but so far its had the opposite effect on the high-profile critics Trump was targeting. As Ed Kilgore pointed out when Trump first made his threats in July, revoking security clearance from someone like Susan Rice wont hurt her reputation or finances because its unlikely anyone is giving her classified information, even if shes still cleared to review it, and its equally unlikely that anyone listening to her thinks she is. Rather than silencing Brennan, Trump gave him an opportunity to amplify his warnings. Mr. Trumps claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash, he wrote in a Times op-ed published Thursday. A bipartisan group of former top intelligence officials including former CIA directors William Webster, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta, and David Petraeus came to Brennans defense, releasing a letter saying Trumps move has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. The most dramatic protest came from retired admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden. In a Post op-ed he called Brennan a man of unparalleled integrity and asked Trump to pull his clearance too. I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency, McRaven said. These protests have had limited impact, since Republican lawmakers are sticking with their plan to ignore or even defend Trumps abuses of executive power. (Senator Susan Collins did offer an incredibly mild objection, calling Trumps decision unwise, and saying, Unless there was some disclosure of classified information of which Im unaware, I dont see the grounds for revoking his security clearance.) The lack of Republican reaction to his latest overreach probably emboldened Trump a bit, but not enough to unload on Mueller like a ton of bricks. He spent Thursday frantically tweeting Brennan attacks transcribed from Fox News personalities, not pulling the security clearance of all Obama officials, pardoning Paul Manafort, or terminating the special-counsel probe, fining any officials who stood in his way. Trump could get there eventually, but for now hes not sure he could get away with it. Surverying services firm Thalassa was on Friday advised by the Norwegian tax authorities that its appeal in relation to the 2014 tax year has been successful. Thalassa said it is now "cautiously optimistic" that the authorities will apply the same interpretation to its returns for the tax years between 2015 and 2017. Duncan Soukup, chairman of Thalassa, said: "Whilst the board was confident that the company's affairs were, therefore, compliant, there was no guarantee that the company would prevail in its appeal. As it happens, the company had failed in its appeal at the regional level and was obliged to take its case to the national tax authority." The AIM traded company has not received full details of the 2014 rebate but said that the amount that has been accrued annually and reflected in aggregate in trade and other payables in the 2017 Annual Report and Accounts is approximately $0.7m. "The company was well prepared for the appeal process having sought professional advice and structured its affairs to ensure that the company's transfer pricing policies followed, where appropriate, relevant OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) transfer pricing guidelines," said Soukup. Thalassas shares were up 1.13% at 89.50p at 1234 BST. KAZ Minerals was downgraded to 'neutral' by analysts at Credit Suisse on Friday, while UBS slashed its share price target. In Credit Suisse's view, KAZ's appeal had been its low-cost operations that drove its strong free cash flow and its balance sheet, all of which have been "turned on its head" as a result of the FTSE 250 group's $900m acquisition of the Baimskaya copper mine from a group of investors including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. The Swiss investment bank said that investing in Baimskaya will mean KAZ's capex will remain "very elevated" for the next eight years, meaning free cash flow would shift to negative over the period, driving net debt up every year. "All this would be somewhat easier to grasp if we were confident on significant long-term value in the project but with it completely undeveloped, requiring lots of upfront capex and in a region that comes with higher ESG/political difficulties, this is not the case," said Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse said that Baimskaya is projected to cost KAZ roughly $5.5bn in capex with production not due to begin in 2026 when it is expected to produce an average of 400,000 ounces of gold for the first ten years of its total 25-year lifespan. In addition to the downgrade from 'outperform' to 'neutral', Credit Suisse also slashed its target price on KAZ Minerals from 1,050p to 630p. The broker, which previously used net present value to drive its target price on KAZ, now thinks the method is "the wrong way to look at it". "Given financial risk and poor earnings momentum in the coming years, we think the stock will trade at a big discount to this NPV until the market becomes a lot more comfortable with the new project," the analysts noted. Similarly, UBS cut its price target to 660p from 940p as while KAZ has helped address some investor concerns about the project, analysts felt it is "unlikely to change the market's negative perception of the project". Analysts at HSBC sounded a more positive note on RBS and Barclays on Friday, but not Lloyds, following the 15-20% decline in their share prices over the past three months, on the back of concerns around geopolitics (and Brexit). Nevertheless, while valuations for the three lenders had improved, with all of them now looking simply 'oversold', their 'operating story' had not, they said. They were particularly more upbeat on RBS, raising their target price on its stock from 280p to 290p, while upgrading their recommendation from 'hold' to 'buy'. Barring a 'hard Brexit', or other significant 'macro issues', RBS should see "modest" revenue growth, HSBC said. More importantly however, the shares had underperformed those of its peers as hedge funds looked to turn a quick profit from the government's sale on 5 June of a 7.7% stake in the lender. With scant liquidity in the market, their price took a hit as the hedge funds sold, with institutional investors having remained on the sidelines during the placing for a "variety of reasons". But another placing by the government was deemed unlikely in the near-term and RBS should be able to begin buying stock in early 2019, thus reducing the overhang in its shares, HSBC said. For Lloyd's on the other hand, HSBC trimmed its target price from 72p to 68p, arguing that the lender was 'overearning' - more so than other UK lenders even - due to its residual book of unrealised gains on Gilts and its legacy mortgage book. As well, with a 21% share of the mortgage market and a quarter of that for credit cards, it was in a weak position within an increasingly fragmented market place, the analysts said. Lastly, HSBC kept its 'buy' on Barclays, lifting its target price from 260p to 270p and selecting it as its preferred UK bank name, explaining that they wree increasingly confident that it would earn close to a cost-of-equity ROTE in 2019, with room for upside. Nonetheless, for all three lenders HSBC said: "Overall then we dont see a particularly propitious market backdrop for the UK domestic banks. "We're expecting subdued volumes and a margin outlook with risks to the downside. And while there might be meaningful longer term benefits to come from digitisation or even Open Banking, for the foreseeable future this is likely to be offset by the massive investment cost required to both deliver that digitisation and update core banking systems." "Last bear in town" Liberum upped its stance on Glencore to 'hold' from 'sell' on Friday, meaning there are no more 'sell' ratings around on the miner. The brokerage pointed to a 24% drop in the share price in the last couple of months as the market repriced the stock's risk. "Whilst sentiment could deteriorate further on trade war escalation and investigation developments, it is divorced from the reality of strong commodity fundamentals in China. We do expect demand to eventually roll over, but this is highly unlikely in the short term with the recent upswing in Chinese real estate. "There are lack of near-term catalysts for us to be buyers, but if copper prices to move below $2.50/lb, chance of supply side response increases and would present a buying opportunity." Liberum pointed out that following its upgrade of Glencore, there are no more 'sell' ratings on the street, which would normally lead to sharp price falls. "However, even with our bottom of consensus forecasts of $2.50/lb copper and $75/t thermal coal in 2019, Glencore still yields an attractive free cash flow yield of 11% and this feels like a fair time to upgrade despite the ongoing equity and market risks." Liberum has a 300p price target on Glencore. Over 1,000 Google employees have signed a letter to fight against the company's Chinese search engine project, arguing that it is unethical and that it goes against freedom of expression. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Google was working on a very secretive project called Dragonfly. The project would create a new search engine for the Chinese market that would follow Chinese censorship rules and leave out certain forbidden content from its results. In the letter, employees asked the company's executives to review the firms ethics and transparency because staff lacked the necessary information about the project in order to make "ethical decisions about their work". "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," the document read. Employees complained that many colleagues had found out about the project to create a new Chinese search engine through media reports. The engine would work under Chinese censorship rules and Google engineers were working on ways to block certain search terms and to leave out blacklisted content. Search terms regarding human rights and religion were examples of those that could be banned in the new search engine. It was not the first time that Google employees had spoken out against the company's decisions. In April, thousands of workers had criticised its work on a US military programme developing artificial intelligence for use in drones. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said he will remain as chairman and chief executive of Tesla despite admitting he suffered an excruciating year at the company that has affected his personal life and health. Musk told the New York Times that "this past year has been the most difficult and painful year" of his career. He also said the board had considered recruiting a deputy to take on part of his responsibilities, but he was adamant that nobody can do the job better than him. He said he had been working up to 120 hours per week recently, adding he had not taken more than a week off since 2001, when he suffered from malaria. "There were times when I didn't leave the factory for three or four days days when I didn't go outside," he said. "This has really come at the expense of seeing my kids. And seeing friends." Tesla is going through a rough patch, most recently after Musk tweeted he was considering taking the company private. The US Securities and Exchange Commissions had already opened an investigation last year over irregularities about how the company went about informing investors about the cause or extent of production delays in its Model 3 vehicle. That was followed this week by a subpoena of Teslas directors by regulators seeking to learn the truth behind Musk's plan to take the company private. Musk said in the interview that he wanted to offer a roughly 20% premium over the current stock price, which would have been about $419. He had rounded up the number to $420 a number that has become code for marijuana. "It seemed like better karma at $420 than at $419," he said in the interview. "But I was not on weed, to be clear. Weed is not helpful for productivity. Theres a reason for the word stoned. You just sit there like a stone on weed." MORE PROBLEMS FOR MUSK Recently, a former Tesla employee filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission accusing the company of misdeeds, the Financial Times reported. Karl Hansen, a former Tesla employee in its internal security department and investigations division was fired in July. His lawyer, also representing Martin Tripp (another former Tesla employee who was sued by the company for alleged whistle-blowing), said Hansen claimed his phones had been wiretapped and computers hacked by the company. Mr Hansen further alleged that the company had failed to disclose to federal investigators and local law enforcement officials allegations that a Tesla employee at the Nevada factory was involved in a drug-trafficking ring. He said he had been fired for expressing his concerns on the matter. "I never expected that my employment with such a major public company would lead to uncovering such issues, and am disturbed by Teslas highly unusual response to those, like me, who investigated them," Mr Hansen said in a statement. A well-known gauge of lead indicators for the US economy advanced more quickly than expected last month. The US Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose at a 0.6% clip month-on-month in July, ahead of economists' median forecast for a reading of 0.4%. "The U.S. LEI increased in July, suggesting the US economy will continue expanding at a solid pace for the remainder of this year," said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. According to the Conference Board, gains among the different components that make up the LEI were widespread, with unemployment claims, the financial components, including stock prices, the government bond curve and the leading credit index, and the ISM survey's new orders subindex making the biggest positive contributions. Perhaps, yet just the day before, strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch had mused: "The US yield curve is now <25bps from inversion (has signaled 7 out of past 7 recessions). "We suspect the weak US housing market portends a shift in the US macro narrative to peak US GDP, yields & US dollar in the next 3-6 months." In parallel to the LEI, an index of so-called coincident economic indicators rose by 0.2% on the month to reach 104.2, with another encompassing 'lagging' indicators slipped by 0.2%. Stocks finished the week on a down note, with traders put off by renewed selling pressure on the Turkish currency, the lira, going into the weekend and wariness over what the final outcome of trade talks between China and the US will be, even as Wall Street moved back towards its record-highs overnight. By the end of trading, the benchmark Stoxx 600 had edged lower by 0.10% or 0.37 points to 381.06, alongside a drop of 0.22% or 26.62 points to 12,210.55 for the German Dax and a drop of 0.53% or 108.86 points to 20,415.27 on the FTSE Mibtel. In parallel, and despite news that a court in Izmir had denied US pastor Andrew Brunson's plea to be set free, the US dollar had trimmed its advance, rising 3.54% to 6.0406 against the lira. Nevertheless, reports indicated that a higher court had yet to hand down a ruling. Commenting on the current tensions between the US and Turkey, Michael Hewson at CMC Markets UK said: "The US doesn't appear in any mood to relieve the pressure on the Turkish government in securing the release of their pastor, if recent comments from vice President Mike Pence, and Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin are any guide. "President Erdogan may be able to defray some of the risks to the Turkish economy by trying to improving his ties with Germany and Russia, but if the US really wanted to turn the screws its unlikely that these countries would be able to do much about it." Against the Chinese yuan, the other main bug bear of global capital markets of late, the Greenback was little changed at 6.8775. As an aside, a report from the US Pentagon overnight indicated that China had increased bomber operations and was probably training for strikes against it and its allies. In the background, and regarding the outlook for markets, strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch were pointing out to clients how the US S&P 500 was just four trading days away from entering into its longest 'bull' market ever. However, there were plenty of global 'bear' markets in bond, commodity and equity markets about, they pointed out, and rightly so in their opinion, given that corporate profits and policy stimulus were set to "peak". Hence, until the US central bank 'blinked' and the People's Republic of China eased policy in a big manner, they preferred retainng defensive, bearish trades. Economic data was again light on the ground at the end of the week and largely in-line. In particular, Eurostat confirmed that headline and core consumer prices in the euro area rose in July, hitting year-on-year rates of 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively, confirming preliminary estimates. For its part, the European Central Bank reported that the single currency bloc's current account surplus slipped from May's upwardly-revised 24.4bn to 23.5bn. In corporate news, shares of Air France fell following what some commentators termed a negative response from the unions to the company's decision to name Benjamin Smith, a Canadian, as its new boss and after its pilots in the Netherlands threatened to go on strike. Stocks have started the morning lower, with traders put off by renewed selling pressure on the Turkish currency, the lira, going into the weekend and wariness over what the final outcome of trade talks between China and the US will be, even as Wall Street moved back towards its record-highs overnight. As of 1215 BST, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was edging lower by 0.13% or 0.51 points to 380.91, alongside a drop of 0.26% or 31.71 points to 12,202.71 for the German Dax and a drop of 0.84% or 171.42 points to 20,351.72 on the FSTE Mibtel. In parallel, and despite some 'market chatter' that Ankara might be set to free detained US pastor Andrew Brunson, the US dollar was near its strongest levels of the morning, climbing 5.62% to 6.1619 against the lira. Commenting on the current tensions between the US and Turkey, Michael Hewson at CMC Markets UK said: "The US doesn't appear in any mood to relieve the pressure on the Turkish government in securing the release of their pastor, if recent comments from vice President Mike Pence, and Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin are any guide. "President Erdogan may be able to defray some of the risks to the Turkish economy by trying to improving his ties with Germany and Russia, but if the US really wanted to turn the screws its unlikely that these countries would be able to do much about it." Against the Chinese yuan, the other main bug bear of global capital markets of late, the Greenback was little changed at 6.8828. As an aside, a report from the US Pentagon indicated that China had increased bomber operations and was probably training for strikes against it and its allies. In the background, and regarding the outlook for markets, strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch were pointing out to clients how the US S&P 500 was just four trading days away from entering into its longest 'bull' market ever. However, there were plenty of global 'bear' markets in bond, commodity and equity markets about, they pointed out, and rightly so in their opinion, given that corporate profits and policy stimulus were set to "peak". Hence, until the US central bank 'blinked' and the People's Republic of China eased policy in a big manner, they preferred retainng defensive, bearish trades. Economic data was again light on the ground at the end of the week and largely in-line. In particular, Eurostat confirmed that headline and core consumer prices in the euro area rose in July, hitting year-on-year rates of 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively, confirming preliminary estimates. For its part, the European Central Bank reported that the single currency bloc's current account surplus slipped from May's upwardly-revised 24.4bn to 23.5bn. In corporate news, shares of Air France were trading on the back foot following what some commentators termed a negative response from the unions to the company's decision to name Benjamin Smith, a Canadian, as its new boss and after its pilots in the Netherlands threatened to go on strike. Wealthier households have been the main beneficiaries of the government's Help to Buy subsidy scheme and purchasing homes, a new report has revealed. The original stated aim of the programme was to help those who could not afford a mortgage purchase a home, giving them a taxpayer-funded boost. But a report from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government showed that the average income of a household using Help to Buy in three months to the end of March this year was 50,379, with nearly one in 20 households on the scheme enjoying annual incomes above 100,000. When Help to Buy was first introduced, the average income was 37,000. For those buying in London, incomes have risen to 62,000 in the last year, up from 47,250. Over 6,700 high earners bought homes through the governments scheme since 2013, and a further 10,299 households with an income of 80,000 or more have also bought a property through Help to Buy. This has led to calls for the programme to be reformed. The Institute for Public Policy Research told The Times. Darren Baxter, research fellow at the think tank, said: Help to Buy is not supporting the right people. Far from helping those priced out of home ownership, the majority of those who have bought through the scheme would be able to buy at some point without support. Currently there is no maximum income on the Help to Buy scheme, with the government equity loan allowing people to borrow 20% of the purchase price of a new-build property, or 40% in London. Buyers must have at least a 5% deposit, and they can borrow the rest from a mortgage lender. The scheme can be used to buy any new build up to the value of 600,000. Analysis by Morgan Stanley last year found another unintended consequence has been that the scheme has mainly benefited housebuilding companies, driving up the premium between new build homes and resales so that the price of new-build has outstripped second-hand by 15% since the start of the scheme. Housebuilders have been found to have charged a premium of up to 5% for homes sold using the scheme. Last month, Berenberg said the support of the government equity loan scheme means the new build sector should "continue to outperform the wider market". Analysts said they expects the government to extend the scheme in some way, and even if this is with caps on prices or income, there is expected to be little impact on overall demand. With more than 10,000 buyers snapping Help to Buy loans in the first three months of 2018, the total number of properties purchased thanks to the scheme has topped 169,000 since 2013, this rises to 420,000 housing completions if including the Help to Buy ISA. The government has provided over 8.9bn of support, with the scheme extended to last until 2021 and an additional 10bn pledged. US pastor Andrew Brunson has seen his latest bid for freedom rejected by a Turkish appeals court, increasing the likelihood of a fresh wave of sanctions from the Trump administration. Brunson has been imprisoned in Turkey for almost two years under accusations of playing a role in an attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but Bloomberg has reported that the pastor may appeal the latest decision. The news comes after US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin told a cabinet meeting on Thursday that the US was ready to slap Turkey with fresh sanctions "if they dont release him quickly". The lira, which has now lost around a third of its value since January, weakened again after the ruling. Erdogan has accused the US of trying to "bring Turkey to its knees" with sanctions in response to the crisis after the Trump administration doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium last week. But further tariffs look increasingly likely as Mnuchin's comments echo those of President Trump, who stated on Thursday that Turkey has "not proven to be a good friend". The President claimed that the July release of Turkish citizen Ebru Ozkan, who had been arrested under suspicion of working with Hamas, from Israeli detention had been part of a deal to secure Brunsons release. If more sanctions are brought in then renewed weakness in the lira could have a knock on effect as South Africa's rand, Russia's rouble, the Indian rupee and Indonesia's rupiah have already taken a hit from the crisis in Turkey. London's second-tier index was down by 0.41% at 20,377.68 on Friday. KAZ Minerals was the top faller of the afternoon's trade, seeing its shares plummet almost 15% after it was downgraded to 'neutral' and had its target price cut from 1,050p to 630p by analysts at Credit Suisse, while UBS slashed its share price target to 660p from 940p. The former broker said KAZ's appeal had been its low-cost operations that drove its strong free cash flow and balance sheet, all of which have been "turned on its head" as a result of the $900m acquisition of the Baimskaya copper mine from a group of investors including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. The development comes just a day after the copper miner proposed an interim dividend of 6 cents a share as pre-tax profits rose to $355m from $240m. Gambling company Rank continued to see its shares slump after it recorded a 41% drop in full-year pre-tax profit in its results on Thursday. Chief executive John O'Reilly, who joined after an April profit warning, had characterised the company's full-year results as "disappointing" in a statement alongside their release. Cineworld was down on reports from Bloomberg that Amazon is in the running to acquire Landmark Theaters, vaulting the e-commerce colossus into the brick-and-mortar cinema industry. Landmark operates more than 50 cinemas in 27 US markets, including high-profile locations in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hochschild Mining also saw its shares dip, despite receiving a boost on Thursday when Numis had upgraded its recommendation to 'buy' with a target price of 210p, arguing that the mining firm's interim results were "strong and we expect full year operations to be at the better end of guidance, or above". International specialist healthcare company BTG was the afternoon's biggest riser in what was a muted day for positive movement. Elsewhere marine engineering services firm James Fisher & Sons, life sciences investor Syncona and infrastructure services provider Stobart also made some headway in afternoon trade. Hikma Pharmaceuticals continued to rise after reporting strong first half results on Wednesday and was benefiting from being upgraded to 'add' by Peel Hunt on Thursday, with the broker also upping its target price to 1,950p. Market Movers FTSE 250 (MCX) 20,377.68 -0.41% FTSE 250 - Risers BTG (BTG) 523.50p 2.95% Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,820.00p 2.94% Syncona Limited NPV (SYNC) 289.15p 2.90% Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 234.50p 2.85% Sophos Group (SOPH) 491.91p 2.82% Contour Global (GLO) 244.00p 2.35% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,807.50p 1.83% Clarkson (CKN) 2,655.00p 1.72% Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 681.00p 1.64% Vietnam Enterprise Investments (DI) (VEIL) 430.00p 1.42% FTSE 250 - Fallers Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 482.20p -13.92% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 153.25p -4.55% IP Group (IPO) 119.40p -4.48% AA (AA.) 111.95p -3.99% Centamin (DI) (CEY) 102.20p -2.99% Cineworld (CINE) 287.40 -2.91% Indivior (INDV) 274.70p -2.59% Rank Group (RNK) 166.60p -2.57% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 167.90p -2.41% Balfour Beatty (BBY) 283.36p -2.29% Tornado combat aircraft of the German Air Force on December 2, 2015, in Hamburg, Germany. Photo: Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images You can now read in English the article that spoiled many a European summer weekend last month, when eminent German political scientist Christian Hacke opined that Germany should acquire its own nuclear weapon: Since the U.S. nuclear guarantee has become increasingly doubtful and a common European deterrent does not seem to be forthcoming, only one possible conclusion can be drawn: in a serious crisis the only one Germany can truly rely on is itself. Well then. The article drew many responses from European and American thinkers, most offering reasons why Germany could not, or should not, get the bomb: Such a step would be strategic suicide, said one keen observer, and Berlin should focus on strengthening its conventional defenses instead. Germany, already spending far less than what it pledged NATO, has armed forces that are in great disrepair and could not possibly muster the political will to pay for an A-bomb. The state of their armed forces aside, Germans hate nuclear power so much that their conservative government committed to getting rid of it after the Fukushima reactor disaster in Japan. Nor would they be comfortable repealing or exiting the treaties Germany has signed in which it explicitly forswore nuclear arms. Neither of those factors discourage German strategic thinkers entirely, though. Many commenters are tempted by the prospect of Germany buying a share, so to speak, of the British or French nuclear forces to create a European deterrent. But when the West German government tried this proposal out on France during the heat of the Cold War, Charles de Gaulle responded with a statement that has now become a maxim: nuclear weapons, he said, are hard to share. Americans should be more concerned about two arguments that were not made. First, no one said: Why would Germany need a nuclear weapon? A cynical American might say, as some have, that Germany is at grave risk of being deterred in a crisis by Russian control of its natural gas supply. The threat of nuclear bombs is no help with that. But lets say Germanys recent surges in wind power eventually do solve the Russia gas problem Trump loves to embarrass Berlin with. Theres a bigger strategic shift that Americans may be missing. For the first 25 years after the Cold War, many civilian strategists assumed that the political and environmental costs borne by any European state that used a nuclear weapon in Europe would be so high that no country would ever attempt it. European integration had succeeded, and even if European countries still have spectacular political and economic fights, from a military point of view the continent was dormant. Germany was neutered, Britain self-isolated, France too interested in its global role. And oil markets, political influence, and cyberattacks could get it everything it wanted. The idea that military might was nearly obsolete in Europe underlay both the decisions of major European powers to stop investing in defense and Washingtons interest in a pivot to Asia. Nothing was going on in Europe, and anyway, if it was, the Europeans could handle it. Now here we are. Europe is again a continent where laying waste to ones neighbors seems a viable strategic option. At minimum, its something that Germany, but also Poland, France, and those stereotypically peaceable Nordics, among others, want Russia to know is a strategic option. And its an option which can move ahead without Washington. Remarkably absent from the German nuclear debate were voices saying this is all overblown, Trump will be gone, the Americans will be back, everything is fine. Americans are still telling each other that, including very prominent senators from both parties. But our European allies are not. The cumulative weight of bad faith and bad policy has collapsed trust that, while imperfect all around, had lasted seven decades. Germany can no longer rely on the protection of the United States, says the introduction to the English-language version of Hackes article. How stunning is it that no one has even tried to argue the point? We Europeans have to look out for ourselves more, said the German foreign minister last week, echoing his boss the German chancellor as well as his neighbors in Brussels and Paris. While dreams of strategic independence are on the rise among European intellectuals, plain old anti-Americanism is on the rise among European peoples. Six months ago, more than two-thirds of Americans said relations with Germany were good, but more than half of Germans begged to differ. And that was before Trump imposed economic sanctions, dressed Merkel down at a NATO breakfast, and reportedly threw Starburst candy at her in a G-7 economic forum. Thats not usually how you treat a leader whose country is thinking about getting its own nuclear weapon. London stocks could not hold onto early gains on Friday to slip into the red, as most major miners and oil giants rumbled lower. Although crude oil prices was bouncing they remain on course for the first seven-week losing streak in three years. With metals prices caving in, led by iron ore on Friday, it was generally only gold miners glistening among the commodity-centric stocks. Though the mining sector shares looks cheaper after the recent slump, market analyst Chris Beauchamp at IG said worries about trade wars and the impact on raw material demand were continuing to push shares lower. Defensive shares were also prominent in the upper echelons of the FTSE 350, with the tobacco sector a notable gainer. The market is shifting into defensive mode, Bank of America Merrill Lynch strategists said, noting investors pulled money out of US equities, technology and financials. Equities had seen $3.6bn of outflows this week, with $2.3bn flowing into bonds as investors choose to cut their holdings in more risky assets, BofAML said. Industrial engineers were up in London on Friday, with Weir Group as an example up after hitting an 11-month low earlier in the week. Brent crude was up for a second day on Friday, but rallying just 0.4% to $71.71 per barrel. Top performing sectors so far today Leisure Goods 8,367.95 +0.75% Tobacco 46,684.03 +0.51% Industrial Engineering 13,003.62 +0.31% Industrial Transportation 3,192.00 +0.16% Food Producers & Processors 7,037.86 +0.01% Bottom performing sectors so far today Mobile Telecommunications 3,914.31 -1.19% Chemicals 16,433.22 -1.14% Mining 16,559.14 -1.12% Electricity 7,580.42 -0.84% Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 13,811.43 -0.83% Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,526.45 -0.40% FTSE 250 (MCX) 20,392.02 -0.34% techMARK (TASX) 3,537.71 -0.25% FTSE 100 - Risers British American Tobacco (BATS) 4,194.50p 0.88% Just Eat (JE.) 786.20p 0.87% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,324.00p 0.74% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,021.50p 0.64% RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 634.20p 0.54% Evraz (EVR) 463.70p 0.52% Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,375.50p 0.51% Compass Group (CPG) 1,683.50p 0.51% Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) 317.30p 0.41% Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 2,159.00p 0.28% FTSE 100 - Fallers Antofagasta (ANTO) 822.66p -2.48% Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 538.50p -1.79% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 333.10p -1.51% Prudential (PRU) 1,708.00p -1.50% Standard Chartered (STAN) 641.50p -1.47% Anglo American (AAL) 1,520.40p -1.46% Kingfisher (KGF) 270.60p -1.42% Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 3,549.00p -1.42% Next (NXT) 5,450.00p -1.34% Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 331.30p -1.31% FTSE 250 - Risers BTG (BTG) 528.82p 4.00% Syncona Limited NPV (SYNC) 289.83p 3.14% Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,806.00p 2.15% Sophos Group (SOPH) 487.80p 1.96% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,809.50p 1.94% IMI (IMI) 1,144.00p 1.78% Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 232.00p 1.75% Clarkson (CKN) 2,655.00p 1.72% Vietnam Enterprise Investments (DI) (VEIL) 431.00p 1.65% Hilton Food Group (HFG) 936.00p 1.52% FTSE 250 - Fallers Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 478.80p -14.53% AA (AA.) 111.95p -3.99% IP Group (IPO) 120.20p -3.84% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 154.75p -3.61% Indivior (INDV) 272.30p -3.44% Cineworld Group (CINE) 287.40p -2.91% Balfour Beatty (BBY) 281.70p -2.86% Charter Court Financial Services Group (CCFS) 330.00p -2.65% Capita (CPI) 136.00p -2.61% Drax Group (DRX) 372.40p -2.05% In order to ease the congestion on roads and reduce traffic snarls in Los Angeles, Elon Musk has unveiled plans for an alternate route that will be underground. He has announced that the Boring Company will build a 3.6-mile-long tunnel to connect Dodger Stadium with a nearby Metro subway station. The Los Angeles Times reports that passengers will have to sit in pods which will Travel through the tunnel at speeds of up to 150 mph. The cost of each trip is expected to be approximately $1 and tickets for the pollution-free ride can be purchased through a mobile app before starting the journey. Elon Musk's Boring Company wants to build a tunnel to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, billed as an effort to reduce the city's traffic and pollution https://t.co/eKR8simCiC pic.twitter.com/W8WajrsdOO CBS News (@CBSNews) August 16, 2018 Elon Musk promotes the green concept The billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, is serious about issues that are related to the welfare of the environment. He promotes electric cars and alternate sources of energy like solar power to minimize dependence on conventional fossil fuels. These contribute to global warming which leads to climatic disorders like floods and wildfires that result in loss of lives and habitats and have an adverse effect on the environment. The Dugout Loop of the Boring Company is an example of an environment-friendly mode of travel and has been labeled as a zero-emissions, high-speed transportation system." It will eliminate the problems one has to face while traveling by road. Mayor Eric Garcetti called the plan innovative on Wednesday. Construction work will commence only after the proposal is approved. Los Angeles poised to go green According to The Electrek, Elon Musks Boring Company has revised its plans for public transportation by tunnels. It had earlier announced plans for its first test tunnel in West Los Angeles. Discuss this news on Eunomia However, it has now shifted focus to a tunnel and Loop system that can take the fans to the Dodger Stadium within four minutes. The previous plan was for a 2.7-mile tunnel under the Sepulveda Boulevard which has now been modified to a 3.6-mile tunnel because it will be more useful. This tunnel will be parallel to a section of the highway near the stadium. The Boring Company has kept the pricing of tickets low because it plans to generate necessary finance through private participation. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will have to conduct an initial review before work can commence. Preliminary estimates indicate that construction time will be around 14 months. Incidentally, the Boring Company has plans to build similar tunnels in Chicago and Baltimore. People Magazine, along with several Hollywood gossip publications, have reported the possible breakup between one of Bravos most controversial couples. Thomas Ravenel and his girlfriend, Ashley Jacobs, have reportedly gone their separate ways the media outlets recently announced. An Instagram video posted by Jacobs on August 15, depicted reality star, Ashley, in tears and speaking about Ravenel. Jacobs prefaced comments about their relationship by stating, I love Thomas, adding that she will always love him, Page Six reported. The couple dated for more than a year, People pointed out. In fact, Bravos past season of Southern Charm featured segments of Ravenel and Jacobs together, along with drama the duo provoked regarding his ex, Kathryn Dennis. Jacobs shared live video on Instagram, appearing to address breakup with Ravenel In her live video on Instagram, Jacobs addressed her current situation, saying she made mistakes and that she is also working things out. She clearly stated that she does not mean that she is not focusing on getting back together, Page Six reported. Between People and Page Six, as well as additional media sources, it appears Ravenel and Jacobs have called their year-long relationship quits. She explained that, while everyone has experienced breakups, it is still difficult. Jacobs assured that she is taking care of herself. She claims to have gained 10 pounds in the time since Season Charm taped season five. In stating to her fans and followers, Jacobs certainly doesnt seem to leave room for guesswork about her current relationship status. She said, You guys know some eligible bachelors, hook me up. Jacobs, 33, and Ravenel, who is in his 50s, were together since May 2017. Discuss this news on Eunomia Jacobs relays regrets over comments about Ravenels ex, Kathryn Jacobs, who is a registered nurse, mentioned that when she is another relationship, she will continue working. She also acknowledged making mistakes by making comments that she shouldnt have stated. Jacobs, along with Ravenel, were rather harsh toward Ravenels ex, Kathryn, who is also the mother of his young daughter and son. In one episode, Jacobs lashed out at Kathryn, saying that the young mom was an egg donor. She owned up to her regret for statements she made and apologizing to people she hurt. If she could, Jacobs said that she wishes she could change things but knows that there is no turning back. Instead, she assured she is moving forward, adding, You cant change the beginning but I can change the ending, according to People in its reporting on Jacobs Instagram video. Signs Jacobs and Ravenel were a couple removed from Instagram Jacobs and Ravenel have removed photos of each other from their respective Instagram accounts, Fox News noted. The move to delete images of one another followed Ravenels proclamation on Twitter that he will not return to Bravos Southern Charm, Page Six reported. Ravenel believes Bravo took too much liberty to fictionalize the storyline about Ravenel embroidered into the episodes. He tweeted on August 14 that the network took advantage of him. Southern Charm premiered on Bravo in 2014. Since its beginning, Ravenel has been a cast member. Since the birth of his daughter, Kensie, and son, Saint, much of Ravenels storyline revolved around his contentious custody fight with Kathryn Dennis. One of the exceptions that Ravenel takes with Bravo is about how he was represented on Southern Charm centers on the number of times he asked that his ex be drug tested, People reported on August 13. He shared a tweet alleging that Southern Charm made it appear that he wanted Kathryn tested for drugs three times every week. Ravenel, however, stated that it was a total of three times he asked that his ex to be tested. After sharing the tweet, he deleted the comments from his Twitter account. Be sure to follow Blasting News for updates about Southern Charm and for the latest information. Dozens of people, many of them children, were killed or injured on Thursday in Saada province, Yemen, when a bus was hit by an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported on Twitter that a hospital it supports in Yemen has received the bodies of 29 children, all under the age of 15 and 48 wounded, including 30 children . A spokesman for the humanitarian organization warned, however, that this was not a definitive report, as some of the victims had been transported to other hospitals in the region. Earlier in the day, a health department official in Saada, Abdul-Ghani Nayeb, gave a report of 43 dead and 61 wounded, while Al-Massirah television of the Houthi rebels reported 38 dead and 51 wounded. A legitimate attack In a statement issued hours after the strike, the coalition, often accused of being responsible for deadly burr, defended the legitimacy of its attack, which it presents as a response. She also accused the Houthis of using children as human shields. This operation was conducted in compliance with international humanitarian law, said the coalition, which did not specify the nature of the attack nor said it targeted a bus carrying children. The attack that occurred today in Saada Province is a legitimate military operation against elements [] who fired a missile against the (Saudi) city of Jizane last night, killing one man and wounded among civilians. Communique of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia In a statement issued Wednesday by the official Saudi news agency, the coalition said a missile fired by the Houthis had been intercepted, but the debris had one death a Yemeni, according to her and 11 wounded. The attack on a busy market demonstrates the coalitions flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians, said a spokesman for the Houthis. The ICRC, for its part, recalled in a tweet that according to international humanitarian law, children must be protected during conflicts. Once again, many children were reportedly killed or injured when a school bus was attacked in northern Yemen. All these children would be under 15 years old. Does the world really need to see more innocent children killed to stop the cruel war in Yemen? Geert Cappelaere, Director of the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) for the Middle East A conflict that goes on forever More than 10,000 people have been killed and more than 55,000 injured in Yemen since the Sunni coalition led by Riyadh declared war on the Houthi rebels in March 2015. The Houthis then inflicted severe defeats on the Yemeni government recognized by the international community and supported by Saudi Arabia. The war in Yemen is part of a wider regional conflict between Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran. Riyadh accuses Tehran of supporting the Houthi rebels, who come from the Zaidi minority, a branch of Shiism, in this predominantly Sunni country. According to the United Nations, the fighting in Yemen has caused the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. She estimates that more than 22.2 million people, or three-quarters of the population, need humanitarian assistance and protection. The UN estimates that 17.8 million Yemenis are food insecure 8.4 million of whom are severely food insecure and at risk of starvation that 16 million have no access to food. drinking water and adequate health care. Last week, the World Health Organization warned that Yemen could be affected by a new major wave of cholera cases and called for a three-day truce to allow for vaccination. One million suspected cases of cholera including 2200 deaths have already been reported in the country. The author, age 3, in a Breton shirt and overalls. Photo: Courtesy Chloe Malle Breton shirts began as a mandated uniform for the French army in the 1850s, the 21 blue and white stripes (one for each of Napoleons victories) easier to spot on seamen cast overboard. Now, though, theyre a favorite of civilians, an off-duty uniform for Sunday brunchers and morning school drop-offs. The author again at age 3 with her uncle Kris Bergen and mother Candice Bergen. Photo: Courtesy Chloe Malle Ive collected variations of the classic mariniere shirt since high school (and as old photos prove, even earlier), a not-so-subtle nod to my French heritage. A teenage dream to look like casual Coco Chanel morphed into a collegiate desire to mimic gamine Jean Seberg, and now at 32 they just make me feel like me. I dont buy plain T-shirts, just striped ones. I cant help it. I just keep buying them. Even after the duchess of Cambridge integrated them into her wardrobe rotation and they lost a bit of their Rebel Without a Cause insouciance, I persisted. I like them all both the classics from Saint James or Armor-Lux and the new brands like La Ligne and Kule that have spun entire lines around the idea of the striped shirt. Im a traditionalist, though, when it comes to shape: I like a classic boatneck collar with long sleeves. These are the ones I love and own (plus a few Im eyeing). The Breton-striped shirts I own A.P.C. Nikki long-sleeved striped cotton top $135 A hip update on the classic silhouette and color combo. I wear this one in the fall with a satchel bag and blazer and pretend Im in Love Story. $135 at MatchesFashion Buy Armor-Lux Breton Striped Shirt $63 Another classic French brand, Armox-Lux makes a striped shirt with a slimmer cut and neutral dusty rose that I like for layering under sweaters. $63 at Armor-Lux Buy Everlane Heavyweight Tee $45 In a darker grey and black, this Everlane option is a great winter workhorse. I wear it at home when its inhospitable out or layered under cardigans and coats once I venture outside. $45 at Everlane Buy Kule Boyfriend Shirt $128 I love how this newer brand sticks to the original sailor shape with the boyfriend style. Its long enough that it hits mid-bottom, which I like with the roomier fit. This shade of blue wouldnt help a seaman be more visible overboard but I swoon for it. $128 at Kule Buy Petit Bateau Iconic Breton Long Sleeve Top $85 You may think of Petit Bateau as being a kids brand but that would be a grave mistake. Their striped boatnecks are the perfect weight cotton, plus I couldnt resist the French color description of this one: Poussiere/Ble (Dust/Wheat). $85 at Petit Bateau Buy And the ones I want M.I.H. Jeans Simple Striped Cotton-jersey Top $145 now 50% off $72 I like how thin these stripes are, and with the colors it makes me think of a Willy Wonka lollipop, and who doesnt want to wear that? $72 at MatchesFashion Buy MDS Stripes Charlotte Boatneck $95 The triangle detail on the back collar of this boatneck is what makes it stand out, and the three-quarter sleeves and fitted silhouette make it perfect for tucking into a skirt or dress pants. $95 at M.D.S. Stripes Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Vietnamese publisher bestowed French knighthood Nguyen Nhat Anh, Director of Nha Nam Culture and Communications JSC, one of the most popular publishing houses in Vietnam, was named a Knight of France on August 16 for his contributions to introducing French ideology in the Asian country. On behalf of the French Minister of Culture, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action at the Embassy of France in Vietnam Etienne Rolland-Piegue conferred the distinction of Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of Order of Arts and Letters) to Anh at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 16. The French Counsellor congratulated Anh, who is also a freelance translator, for the award, saying he and Nha Nam have succeeded in making childrens literature important in Vietnam by publishing a series of childrens books by French writers such as Le petit Nicolas (Little Nicolas) by Rene Goscinny and Le petit Prince (Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Anh has contributed to introducing French books and ideology in Vietnam and promoting cultural diversity and cooperation between the two countries, he noted. Nha Nams director said he was honoured to receive the noble tittle. The award was a result of the team of editors and translators at Nha Nam who have been working with passion for books and French arts and literature in particular, he added. Nha Nam will improve the quality of its translation and editing to bring the best Vietnamese version of French books to local readers, he said. The Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres, established in 1957, is in recognition of significant contributions to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance. Nguyen Nhat Anh, who writes under the penname Trac Phong, has translated some popular French works like Le petit Nicolas and Le petit Prince into Vietnamese. He has also written comic books under the penname Thu Nho. Since its establishment in 2005, each year Nha Nam Company publishes 30 to 70 titles by famed French writers like Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas, Alphonse Daudet, Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Marguerite Duras. Anh has worked with the French Embassy and other agencies to host various workshops, exhibitions and book launch ceremonies in Vietnam so Vietnamese readers can get to know French writers and their work. VNA/VNP A Pinterest-worthy small kitchen, organized by Homepolish designer Tina Rich. Photo: Courtesy Claire Esparros Playing Tetris with dishes and glasses in a tiny kitchen cabinet can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you feel like everything could topple over at any moment. Thats why its so important to have smart design in your small kitchen, so you can at least feel like the space has a sense of order, even if you only have one cabinet and a square-foot of counter space. I spoke with two New York Citybased experts Sharon Lowenheim, a certified professional organizer with her company Organizing Goddess, and Emma Beryl, senior interior designer at Homepolish for space-saving swaps thatll make your small kitchen feel as spacious as possible. Over the Sink/Stove Large Bamboo Cutting Board $18 You dont need countertop organizers to make more space in your little kitchen; you just need to clear off your countertops. The more items you can store off of the countertop, the better, so that you can keep your kitchen feeling more open and clear, explains Beryl, adding, If youve already moved as many items as you can off of the counter and you still dont feel like you have enough space, you can use a cutting board or tray on top of the stove or over the sink to give yourself extra surface area. But as Lowenheim notes, be sure to get a wood cutting board, not plastic, so it doesnt accidentally melt on a hot surface. $18 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Better Housewares Folding Dish Rack in White $17 If you dont have a dishwasher (as many small kitchens dont) and use a drying rack for your dishes, one easy space-saving swap is replacing a standard, stand-alone dishrack with a collapsible one. That way it doesnt have to be out on the counter taking up valuable counter space when youre not washing and draining dishes, Lowenheim explains. $17 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy IRIS Expandable Sliding Drawer Under-sink Organizer in White $37 The under-sink cabinet is a great spot for cleaning supplies and extra garbage bags, says Beryl, but without an organizing system, its easy to lose things in there. Lowenheim recommends this expandable organizer to maximize under-sink storage. And no need to worry if youve got an oddly sized cabinet or a mess of pipes under there. Whats kind of cool about that one is that it expands, it gets wider and narrower as you need to, depending on the size of your cabinet, says Lowenheim, and it will fit right around your pipes, because the top section has a split in it. $37 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Grayline Medium Folding Stacking Shelf in White $7 Once your counter is clear, its time to tackle your small kitchen cabinets. Lowenheim likes using what she calls shelf extenders, which are essentially little tables that you can put in your cabinets to create more shelves. Having everything stacked is often a problem, so if you can create different levels in your cabinet, it makes things so much easier. $7 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Madesmart Cabinet Storage Basket with 2 Levels and White Base $20 Another way to maximize cabinet storage is to install drawers. Though Lowenheim recommended these Madesmart storage baskets for under-sink storage, theyre versatile enough to put in a cabinet, too. Itll fit around whatever you have under the bottom, she says but adds, The only caveat is that on the bottom tray, you have to put shorter things, because its got another tray on top of it. This would be good for spices, baking goods, or any other pantry odds and ends. $20 at Walmart Buy Calphalon Wall Bar Pot Rack $45 If you have more wall space than cabinets in your tiny kitchen, its a no-brainer to add more hanging, vertical storage. If you only have one or two cabinets, you can hang your pots from the wall, says Lowenheim. She likes the Calphalon pot rack since it hangs flat against the wall, so you dont need too much clearance. $45 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Range Kleen Oval Hanging Pot Rack in Black $70 If you want to get really fancy, you can also hang pots and pans from hooks on the ceiling or beams, says Beryl. Its the same basic principle as the wall rack: taking the pots and pans out of the cabinet and onto a different storage system. However, you need a tall-enough-ceiling in your kitchen so you dont feel crowded, right over your head so this definitely isnt a small-kitchen design idea for everyone. $70 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Kuechenprofi by Frieling 19-Inch Stainless Steel Tool and Utensil Rack $39 Another way to clear up counter space, clean out your utensils drawer, and maximize wall space is with a wall rack for your utensils, like spatulas, spoons, and tongs. Hang it up near your stove, so that everything you need when youre cooking is within close reach. $39 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy InterDesign Linus Acrylic Cutlery Tray $15 If you are just trying to organize a junk drawer, though, Beryl recommends that you keep it easy, and, Go for organized storage inside of your kitchen drawers with easy, ready-made tools, like this flatware organizer. $15 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy Sabi by Honey-Can-Do 17.72-Inch Floating Shelf in Grey $38 $38 For fancy glasses and bowls that you dont use on an everyday basis, but are too nice to give away or donate, consider setting up some floating shelves. Its a way both to display the most aesthetically-pleasing items in your kitchen and keep them out of the way when theyre not in use. Just make sure to dust these if your space tends to get dusty or you havent used an item in a while since they wont have the added protection of cabinet doors, notes Beryl. Though designed for the bathroom, this aluminum shelf will also be easy to clean. $38 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy SALT Metal Wire Cutlery Caddy $15 Dont be weird about keeping kitchen gear outside of the kitchen, either. For instance, if you have limited drawer space, Lowenheim suggests throwing out your in-drawer utensil organizer for a flatware caddy that you can keep on your kitchen table, right where you eat. One of my basic organizing principles is store things where you use them, so this is a great example of that, says Lowenheim, adding, You really dont need them in the kitchen, most of the time you just use them at the table. $15 at Bed Bath & Beyond Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. I wrote a comment at ZH (Zero Hedge) and I liked it. That is what becomes of you when you post for 12 years straight.so I will post it here also. This is why I write so few comments around the web Ultimately you will all be censored Twitter just banned me for life also, but what did I do! ~Sarc~ I am a bad boy in Govs eyes I have spent many years being destroyed by the status quo and it gets tiring after awhile. I have always walked alone and still post alone after all these years. But everyone (readers and website acquaintances) scatters like rats when Big Gov comes after you.just like everyone will run and hide when ZH gets censored Get ready for it. I am just a little site that at one time reached millions of unique views monthly and DC destroyed me and burned me to the ground. I am surviving as a site, because I moved the domain to Russia and the hosting to Iceland. That stopped the lawsuits and blocking from guilty until proven innocent I started years and years ago on Blogger Blogspot and got banned there. Had domains on Godaddy and got destroyed there. Had hosting on HostGator and got banned there. I spent a year trying to survive with India hosting and got banned there. French hosting burned my ass. Russian hosting sucks but safe, dont try Canadian hosting and Iceland just saved me and WtR. By the way 1984 hosting is the name and you should understand what the 1984 is about I have been posting for over ten years and no one gives a damn, you all run when the shit hits the fan Tell me I am wrong! I wanna believe that we will stand up and get our country back and people should be ashamed that I have much more freedom in Russia as an American, than I do in America Hate all you want, but the truth is the truth. Another truth is any website that does not get censored is on the take from the status quo.I have been asked to change my tune and offered money to do just that I write truth, well at least truth as I see it, live it and experience it I gave up caring if anyone likes me a long time ago. I write for me not you and if you gather a spark of truth once in awhile, just maybe, you will see the light Have a nice day by Sebastian Normandin On January 4th, 2015, the second day of the 102nd Indian Science Congress held in Mumbai, a very curious paper was given by two men Anand J. Bodas, the head of a flight school and Ameya Jadhav, a lecturer at a small college in the host city. Their paper made a rather extraordinary claim. Citing evidence from an early 20th century text the Vaimanika Shastra the two men argued that the airplane was invented in the Vedic Age (c. 1500-500 BCE). In further interviews, Mr. Bodas claimed these flying vehicles vimana were huge and could fly to other planets. Unlike modern airplanes, the vehicles didn't just fly forward but were capable of making immediate course corrections and could suddenly fly left, right or backwards. The vimana is a fascinating idea. Mentioned in the great Indian epics the Mahabharata and the Ramayana it translates as spacecraft or aircraft. The Sanskrit word vi-mana can be literally translated as measuring out or traversing or having been measured out. The vimana is also an architectural term for a tower above the inner sanctum (the sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha) of a Hindu temple. These two meanings are not necessarily unrelated, and there is a symbolic connection between the vimana as vehicle and as architectural structure. When a god sits in the chariot the vimana as vessel or spacecraft it is analogous to the architectural form, the tower. Symbolically the vimana as tower sits in a heavenly liminal space between the earthly temple and the realm of the gods. It is this space, whether vessel or that which lies between, that allows transportation between the heavens and earth. Flying chariots are echoed in all sorts of other highly speculative and arguably pseudoscientific sources. Two that come to mind are Erich Von Daniken's classic bookChariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past (1968) and Zacharia Sitchin's books about ancient astronauts, The 12th Planet (1976) being the first. Both these writers use archeological and textual evidence for the purposes of bold theorizing about alternate histories of earth, and particularly of extraterrestrial involvement in this history. Vimanas have also appeared in popular culture, including in a three issue comic book written by Grant Morrison entitled Vimanarama (2006). The books tell the story of the young Ali, arranged to be married to Sophia when he falls upon a six-thousand year old city buried under the streets of Bradford, England. He unwittingly unleashes a group of ancient monsters bent on global destruction. These creatures, seeking to find black vimanas in Atlantis (buried somewhere under present day New York City), are finally defeated by the Ultra-Hadeen, a group of ancient superheroes loosely based on Hindu mythology. The most explicit mention of the vimana occurs in the second issue uttered by Prince Ben Rama of Rama: Fear not! We will restore this fallen world to glory. The crystal clear skies of this earth will fill once more with shining bright vimanas carrying treasures and knowledge from horizon to horizon. The machines and philosophies of the ancient world will light your cities and your minds. And the power of your prayers will attract angels. It is the words of the comic book Rama the machines and philosophies of the ancient world will light your cities and your minds that seem to best capture, in the form of a caricature, the hopes of many who express pseudoscientific ideas in the Indian context. This is complicated by the nature of the country's current political scene, where claims about aircraft being invented in an idealized ancient India and described in the Vedas also serve the interests of a particularly disingenuous and monolithic Hindu nationalism. In this respect it is perhaps not surprising that Indian PM and BJP leader Narendra Modi gave a speech opening the 102nd Indian Science Congress. The PM has even gone on record praising ancient space sciences in India. This isn't Modi's only foray into the pseudoscientific. In October 2014 he went on record claiming that cosmetic surgery and reproductive genetics were practiced in ancient India. As evidence of the former he cited the god Ganesha, positing that there must have been some rather advanced techniques around to allow someone to attach the head of an elephant to a human body. To argue the latter, he spoke of references in the Mahabharata to Karna who was not born from his mother's womb. Whether it is vimanas or ancient plastic surgery and genetic engineering, from the history and philosophy of science point of view, the problem isn't the nature of the claims and their apparent absurdity (although they are no doubt absurd), the problem is evidence. It is the nature of the evidence marshalled to make these claims that makes them problematic and pseudoscientific. From its very earliest origins in the naturalistic inquiries and speculations of the Presocratics, the focus of science has been on looking at the natural world for knowledge and insights. And, moreover, only at the natural world. Scientific discoveries and ideas have always existed in contrast (often in opposition) to received wisdom and textual authority. It was, by definition, essential that the natural philosopher read the book of nature and abide by what he learned there, even if what it revealed challenged claims made in the other book. In the west that book was the Bible. Whether it was to argue for the age of the earth (precisely calculated using biblical exegesis as the nightfall of the 22nd of October 4004 BC by Archbishop Ussher in 1654) or to make claims about catastrophic collisions between the planets in recent history (as argued by the original contemporary pseudoscientist, Immanuel Velikovsky, in his controversial book Worlds in Collision (1950)), the claims of textual sources like the Bible have been misapplied in the scientific arena time and time again. Sadly, we are witnessing the same situation occurring here in India. The misuse of textual sources as evidence isn't science. In the case of the Vaimanika Shastra, reputedly the result of a mystical vision in the early 20th century, it is a source that isn't even that venerable. As clearly sacred and venerable as the Vedas are, references within them also don't constitute legitimate scientific evidence. Moreover, while the Vedas may provide myriad profound insights, accurate and precise weather prediction as some have pseudoscientifically claimed, isn't one of them. Words have power. Just consider the words of some of India's foremost rationalists, obviously disruptive and powerful enough to have engendered violent reprisals. In fact, three prominent rationalists have been killed in the last two years, including Narenda Dabholkar, founder of the Anti-Superstition Movement, all for making critical claims which challenged the spiritual and secular status quo. The most recent assassination was M.M. Kalburgi, killed in August. Most of these so-called rationalists would be more properly described as atheists in the west. Words also have meaning. And if a word like science is to have any meaning at all (and from the philosophy of science point of view, this is already problematic) then at least it needs to be distinguished from other forms of knowledge to some degree. Revealed wisdom, textual authority, spiritual dogma these are all forms of knowledge. But they aren't science. Science is knowledge gained from our use of the senses (or instruments which enhance these senses) and the encounter with the natural world. If science is to mean anything, it at least needs to mean this. And this is why a paper presenting scientific findings at a science congress that uses spiritual texts and other recordings of supposedly divine revelation is pseudoscientific. Not only does it violate perhaps one of the most basic precepts of science that a scientific theory or speculation needs to be refutable or, in philosopher of science Karl Popper's words, needs to be falsifiable but it also challenges the idea that there are at least some very basic ground rules about the kinds of evidence used to make these claims. There are many other pseudoscientific elements floating around the Indian intellectual scene like the interest in faith healing (or in Deepak Chopra's parlance quantum healing) some of which are really quite problematic in their claims. But at least they mostly confine themselves to using a nominally naturalistic approach, flawed as it may be. With the discussions of vimanas we have an example of a whole other order of confusion as to the nature of knowledge, science and pseudoscience. I don't know if the gods visited earth in flying chariots. And neither do you. It's not a resolvable claim. And that, by definition, also makes it not a scientific claim. As such it should not be presented as science. While all knowledge and ideas may ultimately only be a manifestation of a higher reality that is Brahman, that can't be where our knowledge and ideas derive their contemporary meaning. If science is to mean anything, then it must, as difficult as the task may be, in some way be differentiated from idle speculation, spiritual insight, or claims derived from textual authority. It must, in short, be scientific. * * * Sebastian Normandin is Assistant Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at Ashoka University in Haryana, India. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet the bodys needs, leading to body functions slowing down. According to the National Library of Medicine, 4.6 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 12 has hypothyroidism, and women are more likely to have this condition than men. In a June 22 letter to Sichuan Friendly Pharmaceutical Co. in Sichuan, China the plant that makes the active ingredients the FDA says that the agency issued an import alert for the company in March. The letter said: Until you correct all deviations completely the FDA may withhold approval of any new applications or supplements listing your firm as a drug manufacturer. Gajan Mahendiran, CEO of Westminster Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement on the companys website: While we stand behind the quality of our product, we are taking the utmost precaution by recalling our Thyroid, USP Tablets ... due to a recent inspection by the FDA at one of our active ingredient manufacturers. The FDA has posted the companys announcement on its website. The notice includes the specific lot numbers and expiration dates of all the medications that are being recalled. Patients with questions or concerns can call Westminster toll-free at 888-354-9939. The company is fielding live calls Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. En espanol | In states from California to Maryland, citizens going to the polls in November will use ballot measures to weigh in on such issues as expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical marijuana and reforming the rules governing voting. Ballot initiatives are the most direct way Americans can tell their elected leaders what they want them to do and also can help shape national policy. Not all Americans can initiate ballot measures. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 26 states allow citizen-generated questions. But legislatures in every state have the power to put an initiative up for a vote. Expanding Medicaid Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states can decide whether to make more people eligible for Medicaid, the federal-state medical insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans. Seventeen states have not expanded the program. This fall, Medicaid expansion will be on the ballot in Utah and Idaho, and voters in Montana will decide whether to increase its tobacco tax to fund a continuation of that states Medicaid expansion beyond 2019, when it is set to expire. In Nebraska, supporters of expanding Medicaid have submitted enough signatures, but the secretary of state has until Sept. 14 to certify that ballot measure. Legalizing marijuana In June, voters approved a ballot measure that made Oklahoma the 30th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Voters in Utah will have their say on medical marijuana this fall. And medical marijuana questions are expected to be on the Missouri ballot in November, but which ones are still being debated in the courts. Legalizing marijuana for all uses will be on the ballot in Michigan in November. Marijuana is a perfect example of public opinion changing law, says Patrick Potyondy, a legislative policy specialist at the NCSL. Elected politicians are probably not going to touch that with a 30-foot pole, but through a ballot initiative folks are able to start getting the law changed. Election reform A number of states will be voting on election-related measures, including a photo ID requirement for voting in Arkansas, same-day voter registration in Maryland, the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons in Florida and a measure in Louisiana that would bar felons from running for office for five years after they have served their sentence. A measure in North Dakota would ban foreign political contributions, and an initiative in South Dakota would prohibit out-of-state contributions to ballot question committees. The secretary of state in Arizona is still reviewing a measure that would give Arizonans the right to know the source of campaign contributions. Voters in Michigan, Utah and Colorado will decide whether to create independent commissions to redraw state and possibly congressional district boundaries. Supporters say they want to remove politics from redistricting as much as possible. In 13 states, independent commissions have the primary responsibility for drawing district lines, and 10 states have advisory or backup redistricting groups. An expensive undertaking States require registered voters to sign petitions to get a measure on the ballot. The number of signatures needed varies from state to state but can run into the hundreds of thousands. In Idaho, 147,280 voters had to sign to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot this November. The campaigns for controversial ballot measures can cost millions of dollars. Ballotpedia says $107.8 million was spent on initiative campaigns nationwide in 2017, including more than $3 million on Maines Medicaid expansion measure. Were continuing to see people use ballot measures as a tool to make changes in their communities from the economy to the environment and education, criminal justice and our democracy, says Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. Where to get help Learning about the ballot initiatives in your state can take some work. Potyondy suggests going to the website of your states secretary of state, where you should be able to find links to plain English descriptions of ballot measures, rather than waiting for the legal gobbledygook you might see at the polls. Many states ask nonpartisan groups, including AARP, to write consumer-friendly, objective descriptions of ballot measures and also give supporters and opponents the opportunity to write pro and con statements. A lot of these initiatives will directly affect peoples lives, says Kristin Keckeisen, an AARP campaign director. Voting for your federal, local and state candidates is important, and ballot initiatives are, too. We urge people to take time to learn more about them and to vote. Before I decided to apply to college, I thought long and hard. I was already a fully actualized adult. I had a career as a chef and caterer. I had four grown children. But I was physically worn out by my work, and I was thinking, What are you going to do with the rest of your life? Id lost my home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina, and since then Id been sort of like the Flying Dutchman. Id gone to Austin, Texas, for nine months, lived in West Africa for a year, moved back to Austin, then to New Orleans, then worked at a resort on the island of St. Croix. My grandmother had always told me that our ancestors had been important, free people in Maryland. My first ancestor of record arrived in the colony in 1715 as a free woman, but she was put into indentured servitude to the Jesuits, the same order that later founded Georgetown University, in what would become Washington. Although the terms of her indenture were met, she was kept enslaved, as were her children and grandchildren. Her grandson sued for their freedom. Some of them were freed but not all of them. And so in 1838, members of my family were among the 272 people whom the Jesuits sold south to Louisiana to keep Georgetown afloat. A couple of years ago, the university decided to offer legacy status to any descendant of the people sold. Thats the same status given to the children of alumni its not a guarantee of admission, but if you meet the standards otherwise, its a leg up. When I heard about the offer, I thought, Well, thats me. I did feel trepidation because of my age. And its true that the first semester was hard. Nobody told me that there were hills! I cant leave in the morning with everything I need, because Id require an ambulance to get back to my dorm room. I get along with the other students I dont even bring wine into my room because Im following the rules but the professors and other adults here are my peers. After a year I have a contingent of adult friends, and when I run off campus for adulting weekends, theres usually wine involved. I have learned, as Ive gotten older, that growing as a human being is a lifelong process. Although I havent decided on a major, Im very interested in history. If we are unwilling to face the flaws of our past, how do we embrace a future that is inclusive? As told to Leslie Quander Wooldridge Melisande Short-Colomb, 64, is a member of Georgetown University's class of 2021. The next best thing to Vidal Sassoon styling your pixie. Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images Anyone with short hair knows it has its ups and downs. Five years ago, I chopped off around 12 inches of hair. Going from hair that went well beyond my shoulders to a pixie cut required a total reevaluation of my styling routine. Im still amazed at how quickly I can wash and dry my thick hair, and I havent had a knot or tangle since going short. On the other hand, Ive had to say good-bye to messy buns and ponytails, my old bad-hair-day staples. As Salon Jatel stylist Tyler Lin says, You cant hide a bad shape with short hair, whether thats a crew cut or a bob, so getting a good cut is an essential first step. Once you leave the salon and are on your own, though, there are products and techniques you can use for styling your cut. We asked three hair stylists to recommend their favorite shampoos, creams and waxes, tools, and more for short-hair upkeep. Best shampoos and conditioners According to Lin, short hair, unless its been double-processed, is generally healthier than long hair because its cut more often and doesnt incur as much breakage or damage. Therefore, he says its less important to look for smoothing or hydrating shampoos and conditioners and instead focus on products that improve scalp health. Hes a fan of this scalp-focused line from Japanese brand Milbon. It thickens the scalp and helps the hair grow, and it also feels very refreshing and smells good, he says. Tahlya Loveday, stylist and art director at The Drawing Room salon, likes this shampoo-and-conditioner set, with lavender and sweet almond oil, for managing frizz in short hair. Its infused with anti-static polymers, which adds volume while helping to prevent static and fly-aways, she says. For adding volume to short styles, Corrinn Dinan uses a volumizing or even a clarifying shampoo, and a lightweight conditioner that wont weigh the hair down. She says shes currently in love with the sulfate-and-silicone-free shampoo and conditioner from Living Proofs Full Collection, which meet all of her requirements for a body-boosting pair. Best styling products Label.M Miracle Fibre Paste $19 Loveday turns to this lightweight paste for holding a style in place. From bobs to pixie cuts, this product is engineered to work with most hair types and styles, she says. The paste adds extreme texture and provides elastic support without feeling too heavy or waxy. $19 at Amazon Buy $19 at Amazon Buy TIGI Bed Head Manipulator Matte Wax $22 now 64% off $8 Compared to the Label.M paste, Loveday says this wax has a little more guts, and gives hair a stronger hold. While it has firm staying power, she also likes its easy-to-apply creaminess that means it wont feel thick or sticky when combing through your hair. $8 at Amazon Buy $8 at Amazon Buy American Crew Firm Hold Styling Cream $15 Especially good for slick and barbered looks, Dinan likes working this cream through damp hair to smooth it in place. If you want a style with more piecey-ness and movement, though, she prefers the brands Fiber wax. Designed for short hair, American Crews unisex styling products work well for quick styling and air-drying on busy mornings. $15 at Ulta Beauty Buy Moroccanoil Molding Cream $28 Another strong yet gentle cream, this Moroccanoil option is one of Lins favorites for styling pixie cuts, bobs, and everything in between. Its a cream gives that gives hair nice definition with enough power to glue everything together without feeling too sticky. He recommends it for those who dont like the feeling of too much product in their hair. $28 at Saks Fifth Avenue Buy Aveda Men Pure-Formance Grooming Clay $25 A soft and flexible styling clay, Lin says this Aveda product is perfect for people who already have a shape but need definition with minimal control. Although its marketed for men, Lin likes using it for anyone with short hair who doesnt want to feel weighed down. And since it gives a matte finish, it wont leave hair overly shiny or greasy. $25 at Nordstrom Buy Verb Sea Texture Spray $16 Natural-looking beachy waves arent just for long locks. Derived from naturally volumizing seaweed and kelp extracts, this spray is Dinans choice for enhancing short styles and giving hair texture. $16 at Sephora Buy Best styling tools Denman Small Paddle Brush $20 The stylists we spoke to agreed the best type of brush to use while blow drying is a flat, paddle style. Blow dryers and a flat brush are always my-go to with shorter hair types, says Loveday. It enables you to control the shape and work around and manipulate your natural cow licks and crown. Dinan recommends this small paddle brush for short hair. Its gentle on the scalp, she says. You can brush the hair back and forth while blow drying and follow the brush with you blow dryer to get a relatively smooth look. $20 at Amazon Buy $20 at Amazon Buy YS Park Small Diffuser $18 If youre after a wavy or curly look instead, Dinan says to use a diffuser attachment when blow drying. The diffuser allows heat but reduces airflow so that the hair can dry in its natural state without frizz, she says. I love that this diffuser fits over any blow dryer. Shell pair this with Verb Curl Cream for giving curls a soft hold. $18 at Amazon Buy $18 at Amazon Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Roncalli suffers heartbreaking OT loss, Central advances in playoffs After earning their first playoff win in 30 years, Beresfords 7-6 triumph in overtime sends them to the 11B semifinals. It was a six-year journey. And Ciara Lacy wouldnt change a thing. The Hawaiian filmmaker spent six years working on the documentary Out of State. The film will screen at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at the New Mexico History Museum. It is part of the Native Cinema Showcase. I didnt know if I could tackle this film, she says. It took a lot of time and patience to complete. Im very happy with the story that is being told. Out of State tells the story of two Native Hawaiians imprisoned in Arizona who discover their indigenous traditions from a fellow inmate serving a life sentence. Its from this unlikely setting that David and Hale finish their terms and return to Hawaii, hoping for a fresh start. Eager to prove to themselves and to their families that this experience has changed them forever, David and Hale struggle with the hurdles of life as formerly incarcerated men, asking, can you really go home again? I dont say this film is my idea, Lacy says. It was an idea given to me. I have moved back home to Hawaii. I wasnt in a good place, and I had to keep motivated. Then I heard about these men in the Arizona prison. They werent letting anything stop them. It was amazing. Lacy did research on the men doing hula dancing in prison. They were doing something positive and trying to move forward in our culture, she says. I just connected with their efforts to come back from difficult circumstances. If these guys could do it, then so could I. A lot of the men you seen the film are the type of men that are represented in our community. The production cost rose for Lacy and crew while filming. Traveling from Hawaii to Arizona isnt cheap, she says with a laugh. We had to properly plan exactly what we were going to film. Lacy also put a lot of emphasis on telling an authentic story. I wanted to make sure that we felt true and honest to our subjects, she says. We had to make sure it made sense to other people outside of our community. The story is powerful, no matter where youre from. These men are being generous with their time and vulnerable by telling their story. Its a big deal. SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART. Prev 1 of 5 Next For nearly a century, crowds have watched Zozobra burn each year in Santa Fe. The annual tradition continues to grow. In the past, seeing the creation of the giant marionette was an exclusive event. But thats all changed; the process is now open to the public. We wanted to bring the monster back to the community, says Scott Wiseman, curator of ZozoFest Art Show. Weve wanted the community to be involved in this timeless tradition. More than 50 artists will be showing their works in the show. ZozoFest brings hundreds of inspired depictions of Old Man Gloom to one place, where the Old Mans fans can purchase one-of-a-kind artwork, limited-edition prints, sculptures, photographs, and creative works in a variety of mediums to take home. Hundreds of drawings created by Santa Fe Public School students will also be on display, showcasing the enduring love for Santa Fes oldest grouch. When the Kiwanis Club builds Zozobra, we accept that we have to get rid of him, Wiseman says. This is his entire purpose, but the artwork created in his likeness gives him a chance to live year-round and to exist as an important element in our history and culture. In addition to the art show, there will also be family-friendly events on Saturday, Aug. 25. Wiseman says there will be face painting by Mommys Little Monster, an arts and crafts table, as well as the official Zozobra poster signing. Guests include DJ Badcat, Jordan Wax, Madam Habib, Monte Davidson, Baile Ilusion and Sol Fire. The Santa Fe Fiesta royalty will also be there, as well as a chance to meet the Gloomies, he says. Theres plenty of fun for the entire family. Its also a chance to learn more about the tradition. This years Zozobra is being taken back in time to the 1960s, which is part of the Zozobra Decades Project. Wiseman says eventgoers will also be able to stuff their glooms inside Zozobra at the event. Since weve moved the event to the south side of Santa Fe, the interest has picked up significantly, he says. Bringing the event back out to the community has been one of the main goals for us. Its important to keep the community involved in this tradition. Santa Fe artist David Di Janni is the official Zozobra T-shirt artist again this year. Most of the time, I am working with clients on logos and graphics to try to capture their vision and ideas. Its just nice to get away from that and design something for myself once in a while, Di Janni says. I was really excited to design something for the 1960s-themed Zozobra, as I knew the 60s were one of the most significant and inspirational decades in 20th century art. Angel Fire Resorts Wine & Wagyu Weekend is going to be grand. The event, which starts Aug. 24 and wraps up Aug. 26, at Angel Fire Resort, is a scaled-down version of the resorts wine festival, and its broken down into several activities. We did a wine festival last year that was monstrous, said Kari Jaramillo, event coordinator. We decided this year to scale back and grow organically and really feature what we think is unique about this event, and that is pairing wines with the Wagyu beef from A Bar N Ranch. They are located just north of Dallas. The VIP tasting on Aug. 24 starts things off. It coincides with the resorts Friday night concert series. A VIP area will be added, and ticketholders can enjoy wine tasting and food samplings while enjoying live music. The weekend continues on Aug. 25, beginning with the Wine & Wagyu Walk and later Boots, Boogie & BBQ. The Wine & Wagyu Walk will showcase several wineries, including Constellation and Don Sebastiani, as well as some New Mexico breweries, including Santa Fe Brewing Co. and Angel Fires Enchanted Circle Brewing Co. Also, Angel Fire Vodka will offer tastings. You will be able to taste all the different wines, the beer, as well as the spirits, Jaramillo said. At the same time, theres a food portion that has different things like a Wagyu short-rib tacos or Wagyu beef sliders. We have a tuna poke that will be there as well, and, of course, were going to do biscochitos, green chile and other fun New Mexico things. Boots, Boogie & BBQ is a dinner and dance featuring live music, a silent auction and plenty of food. In addition to a bread basket and salads, there will be plenty of sides, including corn on the cob, baked beans, baked russet potatoes, and New Mexico calabacitas. Self-serve items include Wagyu smoked brisket and pork ribs. Off the grill, guests can enjoy Buffalo chipotle chile sausage, beer brine chicken and Wagyu short ribs. The weekend ends with the Bloody Good Bacon Brunch on Aug. 26. Eventgoers will be able to enjoy bloody marys made with Angel Fire Vodka and featuring a strip of Wagyu beef bacon. Guests can also choose from a variety of brunch options, including chef carved Wagyu roast, sweet cream-filled French toast, and garlic cheddar biscuits and gravy. Proceeds from the Wine & Wagyu Weekend benefit Veterans Healing and Wellness. Its a large organization here in northern New Mexico that helps veterans by doing retreats to help with their (post-traumatic stress disorder), Jaramillo said. Its one of the very big local organizations that we feel very strongly about and everybody up here does. Marble Brewery has ventured into Texas and is now distributing its beers in El Paso. The entire Marble Team is pumped to be coming to this great neighboring city, meeting thirsty residents, opening the taps, and becoming part of the El Paso community, said Ted Rice, Marble Brewery president and brewmaster. Marble held numerous launch events, including tastings and tap takeovers, at a number of El Paso venues and retailers from Aug. 6 to Aug. 10. Marbles decision to expand to El Paso was a no-brainer, said Nate Tarantino, Marbles chief financial officer. There are many cultural similarities with our hometown of Albuquerque, which makes El Paso feel like an extension of home. El Pasoans have also been asking for Marble beer for a long time, and we are very humbled and excited to answer their call. Marble brands now available in El Paso are Double White, IPA, Red Ale, Pilsner, Wildflower Wheat, Oatmeal Stout, Passionate Gose and Cholo Stout. The crowd favorites during launch thus far have been the ever-popular Double White, as well as Red Ale and Wildflower Wheat, Tarantino said. We are also seeing great interest in the newly released and unabashedly bold styles of Cholo Stout and Passionate Gose. In its first week of market launch, Marble landed 45 accounts in El Paso, with 20 of those being package retailers including Specs Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods, Western Beverage Liquors & Wine locations, and Whole Foods. The remaining accounts are restaurants and craft beer bars throughout the city, Tarantino said. L&F Distributors of McAllen, Texas, has a branch in El Paso and will handle distribution of Marble products. With the help of L&F Distribution, we plan to add another 100 accounts in the next six months, Tarantino said. Marble Brewery celebrated its 10th anniversary in April. Over the years, Marble has fared well in national beer competitions. Last year, it won gold for its Cholo Stout in the American Style Stout category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Marble also won bronze for its Pilsner in the Kellerbier or Zwickelbier category at the festival. The Pilsner has won six medals between the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. Marbles most prominent recognition came in 2014, when it was named Small Brewery and Brewmaster of the Year. When she wasnt accepted into Indian Market this year, Evelyn Bird-Quintana says the rejection left her surprised and hurt. The Ohkay Owingeh textile artist got the news in a letter. That was it, she said. And Im going, why? Why was I put out? There was no reason. She had been at Indian Market each year for more than 40 years. She began showing in her early 20s with her mother, textile artist Lorencita Bird. Bird-Quintana was one of the several traditional pueblo artists who once had tenure, with an automatic spot in the market. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, which runs Indian Market, ended the tenure program in 2017, a change SWAIA leaders said was made to ensure fairness to all applicants. Formerly tenured artists now have to send in a standard application with images of their work. Bird-Quintana was accepted last year, but not for this weekends show. In June, she learned that a local Native Art scholar told her he was putting together a separate show for elder, traditional artists. It was just so good to hear someone wanted our type of artwork to be still seen out there, said Bird-Quintana. She will be one of 68 artists from 44 tribes showing in the Free Indian Market Show at the Scottish Rite Center Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18-19. Gregory Schaaf, a retired Native American studies professor who has written nine volumes of artist biographies since moving to Santa Fe 20 years ago, was inspired to organize the show after he received numerous calls from elder artists upset about not being accepted into market this year. He met many of these traditional artists years ago when working on his books. I felt sorry for them, and decided I would do something to help them, he said. Schaaf isnt charging the vendors a booth fee. He is paying for the event an estimated cost of $7,500 through sponsorships, a silent auction with donated artwork and a GoFundMe campaign that had netted about $2,300 as of last week. If he and his co-organizers dont reach their funding goal, Schaaf said hell pay for any remaining costs out of pocket. Schaaf says hes noticed a positive shift in the artists demeanor since he organized the new show. Instead of being rejected former tenure artists, they said, Were no longer rejected; were welcome and honored artists, he said. How you perceive yourself is important. Bird-Quintanas textiles include traditional designs left behind by her mother. She does her embroidery on traditional mens dancing kilts and womens white manta dresses used for pueblo feast days, along with more contemporary vests and purses. Its always been important to her to carry on traditional craft, as it was for her mother. Once that goes, your culture is going, as well, she said, also expressing worry that Indian Market is pushing out older, traditional Southwestern artists like her to make way for younger artists or those whose work is more contemporary. Elizabeth Kirk, president of SWAIAs board of directors, told the Journal last month that the organization isnt trying to shift the focus to younger or contemporary artists by doing away with tenure. She said the idea is to better accommodate all tribes, pueblos and nations from across the U.S. and Canada, and find the best of the best with a fully juried show. Its not about excluding, said Kirk. Its about being more inclusive. Depending on which artist list from over the years is used as a baseline, the number of formerly tenured artists who did not get into Indian Market this year could range from about 13 to possibly 40. Thats a relatively low number, Kirk maintains, considering that about 800 artists show each year. She said the SWAIA board views Schaafs show the same way it thinks about all of the other shows going on around Santa Fe during Indian Market time. Hes promoting Native art, were promoting Native art, she said, adding SWAIA isnt concerned about losing visitors to another show. The nearly 70 artists in Schaafs market range in age from 21 to 86. They include elder and/or formerly tenured artists who either werent accepted to Indian Market, were waitlisted or lost their traditional, desirable booth locations; family members of traditional artists; and artists who werent rejected, but chose to be at Schaafs show instead. According to Schaaf, the vendors include past Indian Market award-winners in textiles, jewelry, katsina dolls and other media. Some of the artists are also previous Best of Show and Lifetime Achievement recipients. The young people call this show the all-stars, he said. Its like the hall of fame. These are the celebrated masters of Native art that have been instrumental in maintaining Native American culture in New Mexico, the Southwest and beyond. These are the most important people. Kathy Sanchez, a San Ildefonso potter and the granddaughter of famed pueblo potter Maria Martinez, stopped showing at Indian Market following the end of the tenure program. But the 68-year-old artist will be at Schaafs show, along with some of her eight grandchildren, who also make pots. Her sons, artists Gilbert and Wayland Sanchez, will also be on hand. She has made traditional black-on-black and black-on-red pottery, and participated in Indian Market nearly her entire life, she said. She said theres a special soulfulness that comes with bringing traditional art forms to market, where artists can share the family history and the traditional designs that are part of each work. Thats what people come to experience, she said. Im excited to see all the hustle and bustle again of being able to relate to people, seeing those relationships blossom again, said Sanchez. Schaaf isnt sure if the elders will ever get their old spaces back that remains for history to record if it ever happens, he said. But he plans for his show to continue annually. Well keep that safety net secured as long as theres a need, he said. Free Indian Market Show WHEN: August 18-19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: Scottish Rite Temple, 463 Paseo De Peralta COST: Free A portrait of a woman on 32 strings of ceramic beads hangs from a wooden beam above the Museum of International Folk Arts atrium. At 13 feet tall and weighing more than a ton it towers over passersby. The artwork is called Every One. Each of the handmade beads 4,000 in all is intended to represent a missing or murdered indigenous woman or girl in Canada. The number that has been derived from evidence from over a span of several decades. According to Native artist Cannupa Hanska Luger, the delicateness of the beads and weight of the total piece requires a great level of care during transport and installation. While installing the work in Colorado Springs earlier this summer, Luger recalled, an artist colleague said to him that its as if people have to be more careful with the breakable beads than with the human lives they represent. Theyre only the representation of bodies and lives that werent as gently cared for, which is tragic to me, said the artist, who lives in Glorieta, and is affiliated with the Mandan, Hidasta, Arikara and Lakota tribes. Luger says his installation was made to rehumanize existing data about missing and murdered Native people, and he described the higher rates of violence affecting Native women and LGBTQ people as a systemic, international epidemic. Every One will be at MOIFA as part of the city-wide Project Indigene highlighting Native art and artists, coinciding with this weekends Santa Fe Indian Market until Sept. 17. The piece was initially made for a larger exhibition at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs from May to July. The project is based on engaging with everyone and conceptualizing what 4,000 actually looks like, he said. He collaborated with a First Nations artist Kali Spitzer, who took the photograph of a woman on which the beadwork image is based. Luger said the woman in the 2016 photo, titled Sister, wanted to be anonymous, but is the sister of someone who is a part of those numbers about missing or murdered Native people in Canada. Though the total number of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada has never been officially verified and lower numbers have previously been recorded by the government and other institutions, the figure of more than 4,000 made headlines in 2016. It was reported to have come from research from the Native Womens Association of Canada, based on names compiled by the activist Walk 4 Justice initiative. A Time magazine article from 2016 uses the 4,000 figure. Walk 4 Justice co-founder Bernie Williams told the Journal that the number is based on decades of speaking with families of victims. Some of the incidents theyve recorded go back to the 40s and 50s. She said not all of these incidents are officially reported and noted a lack of trust of the government among Canadian tribes. There arent similar records specifically for missing indigenous LGBTQ community members. But Luger said the desire to bring attention to those victims is also embedded in his piece. In his project description, he describes queer and trans community members as impacted at comparable alarming rates to that of women. The same issues exist in the U.S., says Luger. A 2008 U.S. Department of Justice study indicated that in some areas of the country, murder rates among Native women were as much as 10 times the national average. Canadian law enforcement and the government institutions have started logging missing and murdered indigenous women numbers within the past several years. And in 2016, the Canadian government launched a national inquiry into the number of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ people, the root causes of the problem and to make recommendations for safety measures. Luger said data are not being similarly collected in the U.S. One of his hopes for the installation is to push for more engagement on the issue in the U.S. If an institution purchases Every One, he plans on donating half of the proceeds to organizations pushing for information-gathering similar to whats being done in Canada. Amplifying those (groups) and opening up that process to collaboration is what will really help bring it home, he said. Call for beads Luger put out a call on social media in January asking for people to send him two-inch-diameter ceramic beads. Individuals and participants from dozens of institutions subsequently either mailed him beads or made them in workshops he organized, including one at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe earlier this year. It happened in peoples kitchens, and it also happened at The Armory (Park Avenue Armory Conservancy) in New York, he said of the projects reach. The clay beads were then fired in a kiln and painted with ink to display Spitzers photographic image of a womans face. Luger says he opened up the process to the public to add the element of community engagement. Using the repetition of hand-making each bead, he says, allows people to grasp the concept that this represents a life, this is already too many, this is enough. (It is) this idea that art is a process and not an object, and I wanted to open up the project to a continental effort, he said. According to MOIFA director Khristaan Villela, Every One will travel to the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the Heard Museum in Phoenix following its stay in New Mexico. He noted that on the other side of the atrium, the museum is displaying a quilt that addresses the same issue: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Since 1492, by Navajo artist Susan Hudson. Lugers work aligns with MOIFAs mission of using art to build bridges among varying groups of people, said Villela. Part of that includes improving understanding of social issues and building empathy among different communities. Artists are not living in a vacuum, said Villela Theyre dealing with all kinds of social, economic issues. Sometimes they make things that are really beautiful and just decorative, and other times they make things that are impressive, incredible pieces, but are dealing with serious issues like this one. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted at AIIMS in Delhi a few weeks ago and was put on life support system on Wednesday night. The United States on Thursday joined the world in paying tributes to late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he was among those who "recognized early that India and the USA could develop a partnership" for the benefit of the region and the world. "He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states", he added. Vajpayee suffered a stroke in 2009 and retreated from public view. The government announced the national flag will be flown at half staff in mourning for seven days at government offices and Indian embassies overseas. He returned to power in 1998 for 13 months after forging an alliance of 22 parties, mostly regional power brokers with disparate local appeal. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. Petr Cech backed by Unai Emery, despite shaky start against Man City Petr Cech can continue to start the match, I believe in him. "If in the future Bernd starts, I believe in him also". Additionally, he won four Premier League titles during his stay at Stamford Bridge. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of the founding members of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which now governs India. One of seven children of a schoolteacher, Vajpayee was elected to parliament in 1957. "Vajpayeeji's body is being taken to his residence where people can pay their last respects", the home minister told reporters in Delhi. "During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as "natural allies", it said. Subsequently, he developed dementia. The former Indian premier was born in 1924 in Gwalior and was among the founding members of the Bhartiya Janata Party. The Modi government in 2014 that Vajpayee's birthday, December 25, would be marked as Good Governance Day. In his tribute, BJP president Amit Shah said he was a "rare politician, brilliant speaker, poet and patriot, his demise is not just a irreparable loss for the BJP but also for the entire country". My condolences to his family and all his admirers. "We will miss him", Rahul Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party, tweeted. The funeral procession would leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites would be performed at 4 pm, he said. This apart, the national flag will be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning for Vajpayee who is considered as a great visionary and "Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Politics". He went on to launch another phrase that would come to be used widely for describing the India-US relationship during his tenure - "the defining partnership of the 21st century". SANTIAGO, Chile Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday that his senior military assistant, Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, will be nominated to serve as the next head of U.S. Southern Command. Mattis made the statement to members of a Chilean government delegation before attending a signing ceremony for an agreement on cyber cooperation with Chilean Defense Minister Alberto Espina. The nomination was publicly announced later Thursday in Washington. Faller, a native of Fryburg, Pennsylvania, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He has served as an officer on various U.S. warships, including as commander of a carrier strike group that was deployed to the Middle East supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ashore, his past positions include commander of Navy Recruiting Command and director of operations, U.S. Central Command. He has been senior military assistant to the defense secretary since January 2017. Mattis told reporters Faller has a deep understanding of diplomacy and high-level strategic decision-making. He has worked at Mattis side in the Pentagon for more than a year. Faller would need to be confirmed by the Senate. He would succeed Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Another public meeting to discuss the proposed tiny home village concept. Another large crowd had their say. Residents came to the theater at the African American Performing Arts Center Thursday evening for the second in a series of meetings to inform people about the tiny homes concept and discuss the sites under consideration for development. Unlike last week, when a large crowd at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center overwhelmingly told county officials they were not interested in having a tiny homes village for people dealing with homelessness in their neighborhoods, this group was more evenly divided for and against. Its obviously an emotional issue. There was some anger, some worry and a lot of passion from those on all sides. There were concerns and questions from speakers about location, availability of services, vetting of potential residents and cost. Some said that the homeless issue wasnt going away, and something has to be done to address the problem. Jim Cochran, president of the Four Hills Village Association, was concerned that the numbers just dont add up. Were not afraid of the homeless community, Cochran said. The problem that I have with it is that it has not been thought through well enough. Theyre looking at $172 per square foot. In Four Hills, the average is $125 per square foot. The tiny home village is planned for a one-acre site with 25 to 35 homes. Residents will be selected through a referral system used by agencies that provide services to people experiencing homelessness. The 116-square-foot homes are estimated to cost $17,000 to $20,000 per unit. They will be insulated, have heating and cooling and contain a bed, desk, chair and storage space. The units will be wired for electricity but not plumbing. Restrooms, showers, laundry and a kitchen will be in communal buildings. Funding for the proposed project, along with the infrastructure, will come from a $2 million general bond county voters approved in November 2016. Ariel Franklin, a nursing student, admitted to the assembled crowd that she is an alcoholic and drug addict. She said she hoped the conversation would include those on the streets needing help. Many times a week, I speak to people who live on the streets of Albuquerque, who exist in a state of constant vigilance and terror, Franklin said. They are survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and alcoholic and drug addiction. Every night when they go to sleep on our streets, they are robbed, beaten, harassed and raped. About 30 sites were suggested to Bernalillo County and an ad hoc committee developed criteria, which included availability of public transportation, water and sewer, and services, to narrow down the list. Six recommended sites have been identified as candidates for the village: 8207 Central Ave. NW, 202-230 Louisiana NE, 7600 Southern SE, 540 Paisano NE, 12900 Central Ave. SE and 12910 Central Ave. SE. Other suitable or donated sites could also come under consideration. All but one of the sites are south of Interstate 40 and east of Louisiana. Residency will be open only to adults, individual or couples. Children will not be allowed to live there. The village will be gated, self-contained, self-governed and actively managed with oversight from Bernalillo County. Residents will help with security. They would pay rent and could stay for as long as needed to become independent. The final public meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Patrick J. Baca Library, 8081 Central Ave. NW. A website, www.tinyhomes4bc.com, provides updated information and allows people to offer comments on each of the proposed sites. The county is accepting comments on the project through Sept. 17. Half a million Mexican free-tailed bats call Carlsbad Caverns National Park home. They fly out of the caves entrance at night and return in the mornings, delighting tourists from around the world. But a microscopic organism could threaten the parks bats, potentially killing off thousands of the animals that helped make the national park famous. White nose syndrome (WNS) was found in bat populations in states across the country, with the closest discovery in Oklahoma and Texas. Its named for a white, fuzzy growth that develops on the nose, ears and wings of infected bats. Multiple federal agencies mobilized in recent weeks, working together to stop the spread of WNS into New Mexico and bat populations at several national parks and monuments. Evidence of WNS was discovered in New Mexico soil samples and samples of bat dung this spring, but further testing this week determined it was not yet in the state. Park officials are exercising caution after notice of infection among bat populations in bordering states. Efforts to prevent the spread were elevated in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, along with El Malpais National Monument in Grants, Fort Stanton Cave in Lincoln County and Cottonwood Cave in Lincoln National Forest. Obviously, we dont want our bat colony to contract WNS, said Doug Neighbor, superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Most populations out east had substantial die off. The fungal infection grows in the bats skin tissues, rousing them from hibernation repeatedly, which forces the bats to consume winter fat stores and starve to death before awakening in the spring, read a report from Bat Conservation International an Austin, Texas-based organization dedicated to conserving all bat species. WNS was first discovered in a single New York cave in 2007, and has since killed millions. The symptoms were noted in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces, moving as far west as Washington state. If it makes it to the Carlsbad Caverns, Neighbor said the impact could be devastating to the local bat populations, and negatively impact Carlsbads tourism industry as many visitors travel to the national park to watch the renowned bat flights in and out of the cave. Theyre extremely important to the community, he said of the bats. Theres only a few places in the U.S. where you can see these kinds of numbers. Its extremely important to the town, and to tourism. We certainly want to ensure that our bats are protected, and prevent the spread of white nose syndrome, so we can continue to experience the bat flights. To that end, the National Park Service teamed up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service to devise strategies intended to prevent the spread of WNS into New Mexicos public lands, per a Wednesday news release from the four agencies. As the leading edge of the white-nose syndrome disease front advances, we do not fully know how the fungus will behave in these environments, particularly in the Southwest, said Jeremy Coleman, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services coordinator for the disease. Given the documented spread in 2018, we encourage land managers to follow national guidance by taking action to limit further spread of the fungus. The disease primarily spreads between the animals themselves, and Neighbor said it is difficult to define flight patterns and determine if local bat populations passed through infected areas, especially other species of bats that roost at the Caverns in much smaller populations than the free-tail. It has marched its way across the U.S., Neighbor said. Overall, its been very hard to prevent the spread. Bats fly and go to all different kinds of caves. Neighbor said most of Carlsbads bats either hibernate at the Caverns, or fly to Mexico for the winter. He said it is unclear if migration flights to Mexico have put the animals in danger of infection. What can we do? The NPS cant control bat flight patterns, but the agency can demand visitors follow new protocols to prevent the spread via humans. Cavers are asked to stay out of closed mines and caves, and decontaminate footwear and clothing before and after visiting a New Mexican cave, read the release. Washing clothes at about 130 degree kills the spores. Bats are not to be touched, and sick or dead bats are to be reported to park officials. Caving equipment such as ropes, harnesses or helmets should be decontaminated, and any used in WNS-positive areas should not be used in New Mexican caves, read the release. At Carlsbad Caverns, mats were installed at the main cavern and elevators to capture microbes that could be tracked in on visitors feet. The park also purchased new uncontaminated caving equipment for exploration or back country cave tours. Similar actions were taken at Cottonwood Cave and El Malpais, read the release, with additional monitoring ongoing. The fungus can be spread by peoples clothes, Neighbor said. Most people wash their clothes, but most dont wash their shoes. Luckily, the free-tail bats are unlikely to fly through the Big Room and other cavernous areas the visiting public enters, Neighbor said. There is a short stretch in the natural entrance that does have some intersection with where the bats live, he said. The Cave Protection Act restricts un-permitted access to certain caves, ensuring that the 130 caves at Carlsbad Caverns and those yet to be discovered are controlled, monitored environments, Neighbor said. The free-tail bats do not fly through the main area, he said. We do have specific protocols for internal exploration. That means cleaning equipment and keep specific pieces of equipment in the specific areas they are used, he said, to avoid cross-contamination in the caves. The good thing is the visiting public does not have access to the cave where they live, Neighbor said. We can do things to prevent the spread by humans, but we cant prevent the spread by bats. Thats why its spread across the country. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. CARLSBAD A Carlsbad man suspected of murder in Texas was shot and killed by police Thursday. Midland Police were searching for Oscar Gurrola in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend Katrina Luna. At around 11 a.m. Thursday, Gurrola was located just outside of the Midland, Texas city limits. When officers attempted to arrest Gurrola on a murder warrant, he allegedly brandished a weapon at police. Officers responded with force, shooting and killing Gurrola, according to a news release from the Midland Police Department. Despite efforts at first aid, emergency medical personnel pronounced Gurrola dead at the scene. At this time the case has been turned over to the Texas Rangers for investigation. MPD will run a concurrent internal investigation, read the news release. All MPD personnel present who fired a weapon are currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, in accordance with standard operating procedure. Luna, 36-year-old, was found by police officers responding to reports of shots fired in the 2900 block of Mariana in Midland around midnight. Luna, a Loving resident, died of gunshot wounds after being transported to Midland Memorial Hospital. Anyone with information about this case can reach the Midland Police Department at 432-685-7110, case reference number 180816002. Jessica Onsurez can be reached at 575-628-5531, jonsurez@currentargus.com or @JussGREAT on Twitter. 2018 the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) Visit the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) at www.currentargus.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal School grades are out, and both As and Fs are up statewide since the Public Education Department first rolled out such report cards six years ago. New Mexicos 2018 public school grades, officially released Friday, showed that 12.9 percent of schools in the state received an A grade an increase from 4.8 percent in 2012 but down from 14.5 percent in 2017. And 14.6 percent of schools in the state received F grades, higher than 2012s 7.7 percent and lower than last years 15.7. Schools that received a B this year are up by about two percentage points to 25.9 percent from the previous year. Schools that received Cs and Ds followed with 24.2 percent and 22.4 percent, respectively. The grades primarily grounded on student growth in reading and math and measured partly through end of the year exams, including PARCC are based on 2017-18 school year data. PED has continuously increased the weight academic proficiency has on a school grade each year. Albuquerque Public Schools saw improvement from last year, with fewer schools receiving F grades and more receiving As both by a few percentage points. There is some positive movement, PED Secretary-designate Christopher Ruszkowski told the Journal. Still, 48 percent of schools in the states largest district received either a D or an F grade, with 23 percent of APS schools receiving failing grades. In 2012, just 11 percent of APS schools received Fs. As a district, we look at many data points to see how a school is doing, said Richard Bowman, the chief information and strategy officer at Albuquerque schools. Bowman said the district will do a deep dive into schools with poor test scores in an effort to make improvements. He said this years results show that some of the districts schools that were struggling the most made improvements. When we ring the alarm, the schools move, he said. Several Albuquerque schools saw a significant improvement in test scores. Bandelier and Eugene Field elementary schools and Madison Middle School all went from an F to a B. APS had six schools that were penalized because they failed to meet the required student participation rate for standardized testing the most a single district had in the state. The grades for those schools consequentially were dropped an entire letter grade. Ruszkowski said Santa Fe Public Schools is the most concerning among the states biggest school districts. In Santa Fe, 56 percent of schools received either a D or F grade, and 14 percent achieved an A. Santa Fe Superintendent Veronica Garcia said the grades are confusing and unverifiable, and she questioned why the Public Education Department included information about the districts poorer grades in a news release. We find it disheartening that the Secretary of Education would engage in political warfare and choose to target Santa Fe Public Schools in their school grade press release when the school grades dont match the student proficiency gains we have experienced, she said in a prepared statement. We ask that the Secretary not play politics with our children and teachers. She said a close review of statistics shows that school grades are often linked to income levels. With that said, we will not use poverty as an excuse; we will work to mitigate impacts of poverty by working with our partners like Communities in Schools and others that provide assistance to our students and families, Garcia said. Nine of the states 15 largest school districts had more than or the same number of As as last year, including Santa Fe. Five of the largest districts had an increase in the number of Fs. The state credited several districts, including Farmington, Gadsden and Hobbs, for continuing to improve their performance for the last five years. Those three districts have very few failing schools. The growth of our kids is something that were very proud of, said Gene Schmidt, the superintendent of Farmington schools, which didnt have a school that scored a failing mark. But we recognize there are a lot of kids we still have to reach. Rio Rancho had five percentage points more As than last year with 33 percent. And 33 percent of the districts schools also received Bs, while 22 percent received Cs and 11 percent got Ds. No Rio Rancho district school has ever received an F. Rio Rancho officials declined to comment on the scores, but the district posted on its website that two-thirds of its schools received As or Bs. It is imperative that we continually evaluate ourselves and ensure we are meeting the needs of all students. We appreciate our students hard work and the efforts of our administrators, teachers and staff. We are confident our staffs efforts will prepare students for the next stage in their lives, the district posted on its website. Our goal, always, is to graduate students who are responsible citizens ready to succeed as they move on to college, the military, or the workforce. Las Cruces had a three percentage point gain in As with 13 percent of schools in the district getting an A. As for B schools, 20 percent achieved that score. And 13 percent got an F. Since we dont fully understand how the states Value Added Model plays into the overall calculation of school grades, its difficult for schools to predict their grades. As a result, its also difficult for schools to know what they need to do in order to improve them, Greg Ewing, the superintendent of Las Cruces schools, said in a news release. Because PARCC scores factor so heavily in school letter grades, I continue to question whether school letter grades are a meaningful way to convey the quality of education that I see is taking place in all of our classrooms when I visit them. Journal Staff Writer Ryan Boetel contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque Public Schools Hawthorne Elementary School, which was facing possible closure at the end of this school year after previously receiving six straight F grades from the state Public Education Department, improved its grade to a C for 2017-18 in the newest report released Friday. Under the most recent PED-mandated proposal for the school, that C grade will allow the school to stay open through the 2019-2020 school year if APS Superintendent Raquel Reedy signs off on the improvement plan proposed by the state. Reedy has refused to sign previously, saying she would not agree to close Hawthorne. A spokeswoman for the school declined to say Friday if the improved grade would change the districts position. The report also showed that one other APS school identified as in need of more rigorous intervention, or MRI, moved from an F to a C, as well. That school was Los Padillas Elementary School. This years grades and future results are indicators of what will happen next at these schools, according to the MRI improvement plans. That MRI effort by PED which is the first time schools in the state have been categorized as in need of intervention by the state based on their grades and required to develop improvement plans has sparked a monthslong process between Albuquerque Public Schools, the district with three out of the four MRI schools in New Mexico, and even legal action to finalize next steps at the schools. Los Padillas has to earn at least a C on two of the next three annual report cards to exit MRI status, according to its improvement plan. But Whittier Elementary School, APS third MRI school, received another F making seven in a row. Whittier is the only school in the state to get a seventh F school grade, PED secretary-designate Christopher Ruszkowski told the Journal. According to Whittiers MRI improvement plan, the school will move toward closure if it gets another F at the end of this school year. Los Padillas and Whittier elementaries had their redesign plans, which aim to get them out of more rigorous intervention status, approved by PED earlier this year. For Hawthorne Elementary, its initial redesign plan was denied by PED and instead the school was required to champion and provide choice, which requires APS to provide information to families about higher-performing schools their students may transfer to and to accommodate any transfers. The plan called for it to face closure at the end of this year if it received an F in this latest report. Reedy had refused to sign the champion and provide choice plan due to that closure stipulation. PED had been waiting for Hawthornes 2018 grade before it decided what would happen next at the school. Ruszkowski said the C grade means Hawthorne stays open through this and the next school year if Reedy signs the plan. APS earlier appealed Ruszkowskis decisions on Hawthorne, asking a judge to decide whether PED is overstepping its authority. Ruszkowski said he would again ask Reedy to sign the same improvement plan. If she doesnt agree, PED will pick another route for the school, which could include closure at the end of the school year, he said. According to the champion and provide choice plan, Hawthorne must earn a C or better at the end of this current school year and the next to remain open. If Hawthorne earns an F at the end of the 2018-19 school year, it will move toward closure at the end of the 2019-20 academic year, according to the plan. Rio Rancho will soon boast a new brew pub. The 1933 Brewing Company at 3755 Southern Blvd. SE will take over the space that had been the Fat Squirrel Pub & Grille. Owners Rick Renteria and Trish Crespo are shooting for a soft opening Monday. The business will specialize in developing unique, small-batch craft beers of their own making but also carry best sellers from some of the states favorite breweries, according to Renteria. His sister, Erika Renteria, will be co-managing brewing operations as well as the bar. She received the brewing technology certificate from CNM and has done extensive job shadowing at many local brew houses. The brew crew plan to offer staple beers such as an IPA, Stout, Irish Red, Pale Ale and will have two seasonal beers on rotation. On the food side, think classic pub grub with American, New Mexican and UK-style influences that will pair well with the suds on offer. The menu choices include a Reuben sandwich made with house-smoked pastrami, a veggie burger, fried chicken with green chile gravy, Stout-battered fish and chips and English pub curry. Renteria said the name of the business pivots off the year 1933, when the 18th Amendment was repealed, ending the unpopular prohibition of alcohol. Aged bricks, antique furnishings, Edison-style lighting and 30s-era jazz coming through the speakers complete the scene. The owners retained the services of Richard Gallegos, a commercial broker with SVN Southwest, who has extensive experience helping clients find brewery locations. A grand opening is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 22 & 23. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal The Albuquerque International Sunport is once again truly international. Volaris airlines announced Friday that it would begin twice-weekly, nonstop service from Albuquerque to Guadalajara, Mexico, on Nov. 17. It will be the first international service from the Sunport since AeroMexico ended service to Chihuahua City in 2009. Making Albuquerque directly accessible to international markets is a critical component to tourism and economic development, Mayor Tim Keller told a news conference Friday. This direct service to Mexico will not only open up new opportunities for us to share our city, but will also give New Mexicans more options when traveling and doing business internationally. Keller said he knows Albuquerque-area business and leisure travelers want more international destinations and more flights from the airport, and he said he and his staff actively are working to attract more. The successful pitch to Volaris for the three-hour service to Guadalajara came about with the combined efforts of the citys aviation and economic development departments as well as representatives from the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. They worked tirelessly to make this happen, Keller said. Nyika Allen, director of aviation, said the city will offer financial incentives to Volaris to offset some of the hard costs of launching service here. Its a multimillion investment for any carrier to enter a new market, she said. Typically, the incentives include waiving landing and gate fees and terminal rents, as well as helping advertise and promote a new route for the first two years of operation. She said an air service incentive program is used to land both domestic and international carriers. Allen didnt immediately have a dollar figure for what those incentives will total for Volaris first year of service to Albuquerque. Officials said the new flight would provide not only tourism opportunities, but capitalize on economic development potential as well. Guadalajara, which is one of Albuquerques sister cities, is a hub for flights to elsewhere in Mexico and to Central America. Volaris bills itself as Mexicos largest low-cost carrier. The airline will serve the Sunport on Saturdays and Mondays with an Airbus A320 plane that has a capacity of about 174 passengers. The cost of a round-trip flight is expected to be under $300. Outbound passengers will depart from an existing gate; construction will commence soon on modifications to the customs facility to handle the in-bound flight. The 30 percent tariffs announced in January improperly help USA producers in violation of WTO rules, the Commerce Ministry said. The widely criticized move escalated tensions between the US and longstanding trade allies, including Canada, Mexico and European Union nations. This led to complaints that it undermined the World Trade Organization. US officials say such action is necessary because the WTO lacks the ability to address Chinese trade tactics. China has tried to portray itself as a defender of the WTO's trade system. But perhaps most worrying for American businesses selling in China, a significant minority of the people interviewed - 14, or 28 percent - want to stop buying American products now, and some say they are already boycotting anything made in the U.S. Others said they would continue to buy American but that could change in the future. Brunson: pastor at centre of Turkey-US row and market turmoil Sanders also criticized Turkey's imposition of tariffs on some USA goods as "regrettable and a step in the wrong direction". The currency's climb followed retaliatory tariffs by Ankara against United States goods including rice, coal and cars. "As the USA violations have severely distorted the global market for products like photovoltaics and seriously damaged China's trade interests, China's use of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism is a necessary measure to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and maintain multilateral trade rules", the statement said. One day later, the WTO received a complaint filed by India against the United States. If it fails, the case will go to a panel of experts to decide whether the trade controls are illegal. In their technology dispute, Washington imposed 25 percent duties on $34 billion (3.8 trillion yen) of Chinese goods it said benefit from improper industrial policies. On the same day, Turkey's imposition of tariffs on 266.5 million dollars of USA goods took effect. The Trump administration is due to impose similar increases on an additional $16 billion of Chinese imports on Tuesday. Fast growing design and digital company The Minimalist announces the appointment of Rohan Saraf, as Head of Interaction Design and Amit Rajapurkar as Lead, User Interface. Both appointments reinforce the companys decision to strengthen its leadership with a focus on its Interaction Design business unit. The appointments also come at a time when the company is looking to expand its presence globally and become an organization recognized for its domain specific expertise and thought-leadership. Rohan Saraf who will overlook the Interaction Design business unit will also lead User Experience projects within the SBU. Rohan is a certified usability analyst and a graduate in Product Design from MIT Institute of Design, Pune. He has worked extensively on user experience assignments for HDFC Bank, Future Group, Standard Bank (South Africa), and Sunlife Insurance, Philippines. Amit Rajapurkar, on the other hand, brings over 18 years of experience to The Minimalist. Going forward, Amit will lead the operations and design for UI. In his previous roles, Amit was responsible for designing UI for leading companies like Axis Bank, Maruti, Hungama, IRCTC and Microsoft. Prior to joining The Minimalist, Amit was associated with Fractal Ink. Speaking on the appointments, Sahil Vaidya, Co-Founder, The Minimalist said, We are excited and welcome both Rohan and Amit to The Minimalist. Over the past year, The Minimalist has successfully acquired a wide range of clients across the globe for all 3 business units. With an increasing level of digitalization and product focus in the Indian business ecosystem, there is an immediate need for high quality and experienced product design services. Both, Rohan and Amit bring very rich sector specific experience and this will definitely amplify our ability of delivering intelligent products that provide seamless and unique experiences. Most importantly Rohan and Amit share our vision of delivering sterling quality digital products and experiences. In a bid to become the most sought-after player in this space and with the addition of Rohan and Amit, we are sure we are on the right path. Speaking on his new role, Rohan Saraf, Head of Interaction Design said, "I am excited on my new role and to be a part of a team that is diverse and dynamic. The company has a unique energy and the environment is conducive for design thinking to grow on a larger level. We are focused on strengthening our foothold for Interaction Design services and will continue to invest our energies here. I am excited on this new journey and look forward to solving problems strategically with simple design solutions. Amit Rajapurkar, Lead, User Interface added, "The Minimalist is a young organization overflowing with creativity and fresh ideas. The culture is encouraging and allows one to be vocal about their thoughts and ideas which makes it easy for teams to work with a central objective thus achieving stellar success. The UI/UX domain has been growing rapidly with brands learning the importance of product usability. I look forward to delving deeper into this market, contributing towards the growth of the organization and working towards achieving our larger goals. White Rivers Media, one of the fastest growing independent digital marketing agencies in India has completed 6 remarkable years in the social media and digital marketing industry. To celebrate the same, they have sent personalised thank-you messages to all individuals who have been a part of their journey. The company founded in 2012, has been the only digital marketing agencies to be awarded the Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 twice, consecutively in 2016 and 2017. The core verticals of the company are Digital, Design, Social and Video to clients in B2B and B2C space, across industry verticals. As a give back to the industry, the agency has launched an e-book on Everything a marketer needs to know about #Hashtags. The book contains essentials, best practises and some crazy global bloopers. The same has been chosen given the fact, that a lot of brands across the globe still make hashtag errors or dont use it optimally across digital and in adaptations in offline. Link to e-book: http://whiteriversmedia.com/eB ook This e-book is one of the many to follow which White Rivers Media shall launch in due course of time, covering various topics concerning Indian & Global Digital Marketers. Along with this the agency also ran an extension to their award-winning digital campaign, Honesty Breaks Clutter. On a google search of Best Digital Agency, its not hard to find dozens of agencies claiming to be Best Digital Agency or Top Digital Agency. White Rivers Media ran an honest campaign on targeted keywords saying, Not the Best Digital Agency, but We Break Clutter. The same has been adapted to 50+ unique search ads on such keywords. Speaking on the occasion, Shrenik Gandhi, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, White Rivers Media said, As we complete 6 years in the industry, we would like to thank everyone who has been a part of growth journey and helped us reach here. The industry has grown with break-neck speed and I strongly believe, this is just the beginning. Exciting times ahead! Mitesh Kothari, Co-Founder, White Rivers Media said, We have done some interesting work for brands across sectors in the last 6 years, and we look forward to building more meaningful and stronger connections with stakeholders across the industry. We look forward to this year as becoming one of the top mar-tech driven communication partner to brands across the country. The past years have been of learning un-learning and re-learning and we are eager to know what is stored for us in the future. White Rivers Media has worked with brands across sectors like TataCliq.com, Zivame.com, Lenskart.com, ALTBalaji, Aditya Birla Money, Viacom 18, Myntra, Canadian Wood and Dun & Bradstreet etc. It has offices in Mumbai and Gurgaon. Manchester Airport is marking one year of construction on the biggest investment project in its history by releasing images showing the work completed so far. The Norths global gateway is spending 1bn on transforming the airport, that will see Terminal 2 become 150% bigger than it currently is and become the focal point of the airports operations. It today released time-lapse footage showing how the project has progressed over the past 12 months and a new video tour that gives passengers the chance to glimpse into the airports future. The programme got under way a year ago after a visit by the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling. Since then, the airports skyline has changed dramatically as the first pier has been built and over 70% of the steelwork has been erected on the terminal extension. Its one of the biggest construction programmes in the North of England and there are currently 1,200 people working on site including 80 apprentices, in trades ranging from plumbing and scaffolding to quantity surveying and civil engineering. At the peak of the project, at the beginning of 2019, it is expected that nearly 1,500 people will be working on site with a target of 150 apprentices. Since the first spade went in the ground, 185m has been spent with SMEs in the supply chain within a 35-mile radius of the airport. So far on the project: On the terminal extension and pier: 14,500 pieces of steel have been installed More than 6,700 components such as precast concrete delta beams, wall panels, and mega-risers have been manufactured offsite ready for on-site assembly More than 41,000m3 of concrete have been placed 1,745 miles of cable have been placed On the airfield: Over 35,000sqm of lean mix and pavement quality concrete (PQC) has been placed, the equivalent of five football pitches A further 55sqm of pavement quality concrete will be laid in the first phase Around 10,000m of ducts for Aeronautical Ground lights (AGL) and power have been constructed The first airfield stands were handed back in May and June Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: This is the largest investment ever made in the airport and will transform the experience for our passengers and airlines alike, as well as creating job and training opportunities for local people and boosting businesses working on the scheme in the process. "Im excited to see the first pier open to passengers in just eight months' time and to press ahead with the rest of the scheme, especially the new terminal building, which is in course to be open to passengers by mid-2020. Walking around the site, you really get a scale for how big the project is and the benefits its delivering for not only people securing jobs on the site but also the companies from across the North working on the scheme." The first pier is set to open to passengers in April 2019. At 216m long if it was stood upright it would be the tallest building in Manchester. The terminal extension is on course to open in 2020. To enable the new pier and terminal extension to be constructed, work has also been progressing on the airfield. In the first phase of airfield works, the apron has been extended to the west; including new taxiways and apron reconfiguration to allow the pier and additional aircraft stands to be used. The second phase, which began in June 2018 involves a new taxiway, increasing the capacity of existing taxiways, new aircraft stands and AGL replacement and installation and is part of the reconfiguration of the airfield that will help to feed the redeveloped Terminal 2. These phases of the works will see 148,000m2 of new taxiway and apron, 95,000m3 of concrete poured and 25miles of cabling installed with the aim of all excavated material being diverted from landfill throughout. The work is due to be completed by July 2020. Looking further ahead, after the terminal extension the next pier is scheduled to open in 2022 and the refurbishment of the existing Terminal 2 building will also be completed that year. Terminal 1 is currently scheduled to close by 2023 with the third pier set to open in 2024. Once completed, Terminal 2 will have capacity to handle over 35 million passengers a year. The time-lapse footage released shows how the project has developed from the initial works that saw a temporary gate lounge being built to the building of the pier and steelwork for the terminal extension being erected. Whilst the new video tour shows how the pier and terminal extension currently look and show case how they will look when open to passengers using the latest CGIs. Bryan Glass, Laing O'Rourke Project Director, said: Were on schedule to deliver the transformation of Terminal 2 and that certainty of delivery has been driven by our offsite construction approach, with elements of the project manufactured offsite and assembled by our expert project team and technicians. Theres no room for complacency of course! Our team is focused on the next milestone hand over of the first pier in January 2019. Colin Abbot, Galliford Try Aviation Director, said: We have achieved a tremendous amount in just one year. We have developed a meticulously planned programme of works on the airfield that allows the airport to remain fully operational, whilst we deliver a larger and more efficient layout of the new and existing aprons and taxiways with new lighting and services. Galliford Try are incredibly proud to be working on this project that will see it transform Manchester Airport for years to come. How do photographers working in unfamiliar cultures and communities go beyond making cliched or stereotypical images? PDN interviewed a number of photographers including Danielle Villasana, Jason Houston , and Brandon Thibodeaux about their efforts to create more nuanced portrayals of the people they cover. Its a positive development in the photo community that were asking this question about insiders versus outsiders, says Villasana, whose project A Light Inside focuses on transgender women in Peru. Sometimes Lou Jones (above) seems surprised about his life and career. Going into photography may have been the stupidest decision I ever made, but here I am, 40 years later, and still at it, he told PPD in a 2016 interview. Over those years the Boston-based photographer has completed a number of personal projects alongside his commercial and editorial work. His 1997 book Final Exposure: Portraits from Death Row featured portraits of 27 death-row inmates photographed in prisons across America, accompanied by interviews with the condemned prisoners. For his series "Sojourner's Daughters, Jones shot portraits of 26 women in the Boston area who made significant contributions to the African America community. Most recently, Jones has been working on an ambitious series he calls the panAFRICAproject, which, he says, aims to portray African countries in a way that is devoid of the preconceived, western notions of distress: conflict, pestilence and poverty. This week we learned that Jones is launching Volume 1 of a panAFRICAproject book via Kickstarter. The new book focuses on Ghana, Tanzania, Swaziland and Lesotho. Writes Jones in his Kickstarter campaign: The panAFRICAproject mission is multifold: to create a photographic portrait true to the multi-faceted identity of Africa, as one continent and also as 54 individual countries; to provide an on-going and up-to-date visual scrapbook of Africa at the beginning of the 21st century, celebrating its progress, development, human potential and enormous contributions to the world; to fill the desperate need for comprehensive imagery that will communicate the complexity of Africa to economic, political, academic and cultural institutions; to disseminate these images using both traditional and accelerated technologies for communication; to deconstruct the stereotypes created by slanted western media by conducting an in-depth investigation of the African experience; to make photography a major fulcrum of dialogue and communication for all African points of view. To finance his multiple trips to Africa over the past several years Jones also turned to Kickstarter. With the scope and ongoing nature of the project, it was decided that a series of books each covering a few countries at a time would both provide a new source to help fund future trips while allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the many important issues within each country, he notes. Here are some of the other photo stories we spotlighted this week: __________________________ 1. Documenting the "Forest Finns" As a student at the Danish School of Journalism, Norwegian photographer Terje Abusdal became interested in documenting the Forest Finns, a faded culture along the Norway-Sweden border whose understanding of nature is rooted in an Eastern shamanistic tradition. Eventually Abusdal would spend several years immersing himself in what was left of the culture. The result, noted The Washington Post, is the new book Slash & Burn. The project also won the Leica Oskar Barnack Award in 2017. 2. "Where Love is Illegal," by Robin Hammond When Robin Hammond started work on his project Where Love Is Illegal, he changed his approach to documentary photography, noted the British Journal of Photography. He turned to portrait photography to portray members of LGBTI communities who have faced persecution and punishment in countries in which such prejudice is enshrined in law, relinquishing much of his creative control to his subjects. The work is on view through September 2 at f freiraum fur fotografie in Berlin. 3. Escape to Pastel L.A. Via This Instagram Account San Francisco-based photographer Collin Pollard wants to help people reconnect with their surroundings in unexpected ways, and, noted AnOther, thats exactly what he does at his Instagram account, which features sun-soaked shots of Californias urban landscapes. I was heavily influenced by the New Topographics photographers. I wanted to see if I could add anything new to their conversation, said the photographer. His images are are often stripped of context, capturing instead compelling geometric shapes and bright colors. 4. Children at Trump Rallies I remember being exhausted by the anger I experienced, wrote New York Times photographer Damon Winter, recalling in a recent essay the Trump rallies he covered during the 2016 presidential campaign. He added, I remember being heartbroken that children were exposed to this anger, were learning from it and participating in it. This month Damon covered a Make America Great Again rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. As before, I was drawn to the children, but this time through the lens of 19 months of the Trump administration, he noted. 5. The Best Dog Photos of 2018 We began celebrating the dogs days of summer with a selection of winning work from the 2018 Dog Photographer of the Year contest. Organized by the U.K.'s Kennel Club, this years contest brought in nearly 10,000 entries from over 70 different countries around the world, including the UK, China, Israel, Russia, Argentina and South Africa. The overall winner (and winner of the Older Dogs category, seen here) came from Dutch photographer Monica van der Maden, who says, Dogs come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. But their heart are all the same filled with love. "Work will continue for many hours", Regional President Giovanni Toti said, even if there is "feeble hope" of finding people still alive. Conte led an emergency Cabinet meeting Wednesday in Genoa, a day after the highway bridge collapsed. "We're going to work round the clock until the last victim is secured". "Those who were supposed to do the maintenance work did not do it properly". A document detailing the terms for 3.2 billion euros worth of bonds guaranteed by Autostrade show that an early termination of the motorway concession would give bondholders a right to demand an early repayment. "Genoa is a port city so that there can be marine effects and also it is a major industrial center so that there can be air pollution that impairs the concrete", Hawkins said in an e-mail. "We have heard a number of hypothesis, not least this exceptional event of the lightning". "In respect of the awful nature of things that have happened, that's all we have been saying until now". "I've had some time to calm down and am now trying to understand what happened, but my wife and our friends are very shocked", Pierami said. Experts say the possibility that lightning caused the collapse couldn't be written off, but was highly unlikely. Brencich has always been a critic of the bridge. Children aged eight, 12 and 13 were among the dead, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday, adding that more people were still missing. "Exactly for this reason, the bridge was supposedly well maintained and continuously supervised". One of them, held by Autostrade per l'Italia, would allow concluding the "Gronda di Genova", a road bypass aimed at easing the amount of traffic that weighed on the A10 and therefore on the Morandi bridge. Mr Roberto Robbiano, his wife Ersilia Piccinino and their seven-year-old son Samuel died when their vehicle went into a free-fall as the Morandi Bridge gave way on Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported. Engineering professor Antonio Brencich said Morandi had wrongly estimated the ageing of concrete and said the collapse was "not due to rain or poor maintenance". "But it was thought that the problem was not critical on the western span, which is the one that collapsed". "Since this bridge was under constant maintenance, the time had come to consider a replacement for the bridge". Restructuring work on the bridge was carried out in 2016. Autostrade insisted that Genoa's Morandi bridge had been "monitored ... every three months". Trump's Self-Aggrandizing Military Parade Idea Goes Down in Flames US President Donald Trump requested a parade after seeing France's Bastille Day event in 2017 and expressing a desire to "top it". Rohan, issued a statement that said the parade money would be better spent on funding the Department of Veterans Affairs. In December 2012, the Genoa city council discussed the state of the bridge at a public hearing into how to expand the local transport infrastructure. View of the buildings (top) that were evacuated in the area around the collapsed bridge on Wednesday. Councillor Paolo Putti of the now-governing Five Star Movement criticised Calvini's comment. In 2014, a group called Comitato No Gronda backed by the Five Star branded the collapse as a "fairy story" while opposing fix work as a "waste of money". A screenshot of the page, which now appears to have been removed, was widely shared online since the collapse. "Those responsible for the Genoa tragedy have a name and surname, and are Autostrade per l'Italia", Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio wrote on Facebook, as translated by Google. The gronda highway bypass was eventually approved by Italy's former transport minister in September 2017. It called for a "Marshall Plan" to fix or replace tens of thousands of Italian bridges and viaducts built in the 1950s and 1960s, adding that simply updating or reinforcing the bridges would be more expensive than destroying and rebuilding them with new technology. The bridge had been built in the 1990s by a government-owned company. It also wants to avoid triggering a planned rise in value-added tax (VAT), agreed with Brussels by the previous government to meet budget goals. At least 39 people died when an 80-metre stretch of bridge crashed to the ground and its feared up to 20 people may be buried under the rubble. There are two similar bridges in the world, in Libya and Venezuela. "It was affected by serious corrosion problems related to the technology that Morandi himself had patented, but stopped using, and which proved to be disastrous", he said. "We need to pull back concessions and inflict fines". More often, it means "there is a maintenance cost", he said. "But all can contribute to a bridge failure". 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. Happy endings are rare for looted archaeological materials. This may well be why a private ceremony at the British Museum on Aug. 10 grabbed headlines around the world. Eight objects from Iraq, five of them inscribed in Sumerian cuneiform, were handed over to Salih Husain Ali, Iraqi ambassador to the UK. In a matter of months, they will arrive at the Iraq Museum, where they will likely be put on display. For archaeologists, it is very hard to accurately establish the provenance of looted objects. Vital contextual information information that provides insights into an object's creation, meaning and use is usually painstakingly gathered during excavations. When objects are looted, this information is missing; when this information is missing, ancient materials can easily be misidentified. Until now, this was the case for eight objects from Iraq. The objects including three inscribed fired clay cones; a polished and inscribed river pebble; an inscribed white gypsum mace-head; a marble amulet pendant and a red marble square stamp seal, both dating from the Jemdet Nasr period (circa 3000 B.C.); and an Achaemenid-period white chalcedony "sphinx" stamp seal had been looted after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The objects subsequently found their way to a London-based antiquities dealer and were seized by the police in May of that year. However, this year, archaeologists working with the British Museums Iraq Emergency Heritage Management Training Scheme, known as the Iraq Scheme, have been able to establish the objects' original location with astonishing accuracy: They are from the ancient Sumerian site of Girsu, modern Tello, in southern Iraq. Girsu, located in the southeastern corner of ancient Mesopotamia, is considered by archaeologists to be one of the earliest known cities in the world. The Iraq Scheme has conducted excavations here, and at the site of Darband-i Rania in Iraqi Kurdistan, since 2016. In 2015, Sebastien Rey, a lead archaeologist on the Iraq Scheme, was working with Iraqi colleagues to survey, record and collect evidence from a series of robber pits on Tell A Girsus so-called Mound of the Palace. He explained to Al-Monitor that to fight the trade in Iraqi antiquities that began in 2003 and has increased since the looting of antiquities by the Islamic State, the British Museum and its Iraqi colleagues are trying to create an effective protocol to identify objects and intercept the trade. Rey describes the early protocol stages as similar to documenting a crime scene. The evidence they collected at Girsu included broken clay cones with Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions that indicated they came from a temple. The inscriptions read: "For Ningirsu, Enlils mighty warrior, Gudea, ruler of Lagash, made things function as they should [and] he built and restored for him his Eninnu [temple], the White Thunderbird." Cones are endemic across Mesopotamian sites, yet Rey explained that the inscriptions confirmed what they already knew: that these were dedicatory, magic cones" that were placed in the temple's mud-brick walls to "protect the sacred space" against evil forces. The cones show that by building the temple, Gudea is maintaining the cosmic order against chaos. In Reys words, The eight Sumerian objects may be small, but they nevertheless have a very important and powerful symbolic value. The mention of a temple in the inscriptions encouraged the Iraq Scheme archaeologists to conduct further searches around Tell A. In 2016, they found and excavated a temple from the 3rd millennium B.C. in exactly the same area as the robber pits. Inside the temple walls they found the same types of cones with the same inscriptions. Finally, in 2018, when the London Metropolitan Police turned over the collection of looted objects to the British Museum for analysis and conservation, the archaeologists quickly realized that included among the looted objects were the same cones with the same inscriptions as those they had found at Girsu. Not only that, but comparisons between excavated material from levels underneath the temple, from the 1st millennium B.C., and the other looted objects soon showed that they were also from the temple. Its usually so difficult to prove provenance, but in this case it was really simple, Rey said. What perhaps is less simple about this case is the issue of repatriation. Returning objects to their country of origin is a problematic, controversial and frequently debated issue. Some countries have tried for years to secure the return of their cultural heritage without success: Greeces request for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which are housed in the British Museum, is the most obvious example; the museums failure to repatriate the Benin Bronzes, which were taken by British forces in 1897, is another more recent example. In cases like the Parthenon Marbles, archaeologists tend to argue that the antiquities were legally bought and sold. Rey said, We need to make sure that we distinguish between [the repatriation of] objects that were [recently] looted and sold on the black market and objects that were acquired legally 100 years ago. These are two completely different things. Dr. Lamia al-Gailani, a former employee of the Iraq Museum and a researcher whose primary study material is objects from the museum, agrees/ She told Al-Monitor: 90% of what they have in the [British M]useum was brought legally when Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire. She is happy about the return of the objects Its fantastic, a first in archaeologybut she is not demanding repatriation for all Iraqi objects: The Lion of Babylon [is] a symbol of Iraq that you have on banknotes, you have it everywhere, [yet] this is booty from Turkey, should we take this back to Turkey?" she said. "Thats history, you cant go back. Hashem Bahr Alolom, spokesman for the Iraqi Embassy in London, seemed to suggest that Iraq had bigger fish to fry. The concern in Iraq now is mainly focused on preserving our heritage, especially after Daesh [Islamic State], he said. He told Al-Monitor, The return of these artifacts [is important for Iraq because it] means we have regained sovereignty over part of our stolen history. There is a huge cooperation from the international community with Iraq and we certainly look for more looted artifacts to return to their homeland. As for the future, Bahr Alolom provided some poignant food for thought. When I carefully touched the artifacts after they were handed over to us I really felt connected to [Iraqs] old civilizations, wondering how these small pieces survived wars, natural factors and disasters, development to tell us the story of our ancestors. All that you can do is stare at them and wonder how much these stones witnessed over their 5,000-year journey to 2018. SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq Dead fish lay in dry river beds, and a drinking water crisis is afoot, because neighboring Iran is diverting the flow of a river. The disaster that hit the towns of Qaladze and Khanaqin this summer has shocked the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Much of the problem, however, is far less visible. In the cool, green mountains near the Kurdish town of Biara, a walnut-growing area for decades, farmers complain that the mountain wells are drying up. Among them are Backtiar Hamakhan, who uses a spade to remove stones and sand to allow what little water there is to reach his trees. Despite this, the supply is no longer enough to fill his water cistern, and he watches as it flows downhill to his neighbors land. Its been getting less and less for four years now, Hamakhan sighs. And now one of our two wells has completely dried up. Those who farm these slopes overlooking the rugged border area with Iran still remember how only forty years ago they could grow tomatoes and tobacco here. Now, as three of the 10 wells feeding the village of Balkha have dried up and the others are producing less water, the walnut years may soon be over as well. On the slope near Hamakhans land, some farmers have installed pipes to transport precious water from their remaining well directly to their orchards. The surrounding hillside is drying up, because the water no longer flows along the riverbed. This has already resulted in a dispute, with one of the farmers going to court because he no longer gets any water. Anyone with money drills a well and buys a pump, but these pumps are the cause of much of the problem, explained Shahpoor Ghaffar Amin, an engineer who owns an orchard on the hill. He works for the municipality of Halabja, at the bottom of the mountain. There, drilling wells is now prohibited, he said. But farmers go ahead and drill anyway, without a permit, Amin remarked. And because they use too much water, the water table has dropped tremendously. The mountain wells have dried up due to the low level of the underground aquifers and the drop in water pressure. The problems farmers face in Balkha are the result of a combination of longer, hotter and drier summers as well as the building of dams in neighboring Iran. Although Balkha still has water, its not clear for how much longer. The aquifer contains old water, meaning it is not replenishable by rainfall, but only after a long, natural filtering process. About 93 miles away, in Khanaqin, the Alwand River's bed has been dry since June, when Iran finished a project to divert the river so it no longer crosses the border. This is part of Irans solution to its own problems, said Rozhan Faraidun, manager of the Earth Network, a nongovernmental organization based in Sulaimaniyah. We went to protest against it at the Iranian Embassy, but Iran is also suffering from the effects of climate change, Faraidun remarked. And apart from water, they also need electricity, so they built dams. To be specific, Iran built 14 dams, most of which directly effect Iraqi Kurdistan. Although the Kurds are talking to Tehran about the problem, they cannot sign any agreements to resolve it. That is the legal right and responsibility held by the central government, and Baghdad is not addressing the even more pressing water problems facing Iraq. Faraidun stated, Tehran is under the impression that the Iraqi government does not care much about water management. As a result, in June, when Turkey, Iraqs other neighbor, began to fill the lake behind the controversial Ilisu Dam on the Tigris, the river's water level fell so low that people in Baghdad could wade across it. The filling of the lake has been postponed, but Baghdad is not known to have taken measures to counter any future effects. The Iraqi government has priorities other than water namely oil and money, Faraidun said. Farmers from southern and central Iraq are already migrating to the Kurdistan Region, she observed, in the hope of finding land and water so they can get back to farming or a job. Falling water levels in the Tigris do not significantly affect Kurdistan, which is only 40% dependent on water from outside, thanks to its underground lakes and streams being filled by winter snow from the Zagros Mountains. Decreasing aquifer levels and rising summer heat are, however, having an effect, with low levels in artificial lakes hindering the production of hydro-electricity in some places. Experts are pushing to revive plans for 18 dams in the Kurdistan Region that were suspended because of the recent recession. Faraidun is calling primarily for education and increased awareness, but new laws are needed as well. Unfortunately, the Kurdish government is not eager, because implementing them is hard, she said. For instance, a law is needed to prohibit the drilling of wells, Faraidun explained. In the city of Sulaimaniyah alone, there are now 600. People do not understand that aquifers do not refill, even when it rains a lot, she said. One positive development is that Sulaimaniyah has begun to install water meters to reduce consumption, which, at more than 185 gallons per day per person, is among the highest in the world. At the same time, Faraidun pointed out, projects to help farmers move away from water-intensive crops have stalled for lack of money and an aggressive government. Take for instance projects for rice farmers in Khellan, a village near Kurdistans border with Iran, where the Sirwan River is threatened by Iranian dams. Sirwan Houssein and 69 other rice farmers in his cooperative already face water shortages, even before the last dam, the Daryan, is completed later this year. This summer, half of their lands remain uncultivated, and their harvest will drop from 200 to 35 tons per year. We need money, and the government does nothing! Houssein exclaimed at the edge of a field whose rice plants stand partially submerged in water. Considering the water flowing past the field leaves the impression that all is well, but Hussein is quick to point out the problem: The farmers depend in part on a well that not only produces less than before, but also loses half its water to a nearby bottling factory. The rest comes from the Sirwan, but because its level has fallen, they need an electric pump that they cannot afford. A big part of Kurdistans water crisis, Faraidun said, is due to failing governments. She continued, Solutions need political decisions and money. We should be collecting rainwater in basins and planting olive and almond trees to create more humidity. It is also vital to decrease water usage. Baghdad has prohibited farmers from growing water-intensive crops this summer, but Kurdistan allows the rice farmers in Khellan to ignore the ban. When asked why they do not grow another crop, the farmers claim that they tried growing watermelon, but found that they earned less. Our rice is the best, they say. Its what we know best, as weve done it for generations. New York University has a plan to encourage more medical students to pursue careers in lower-paying specialties: alleviate the six-figure debt that comes with pursuing a medical degree. The crushing weight of debt that medical education places on students-debt that averaged some $191,000 across all schools and more than $206,000 for private schools in 2017, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)-has consequences for prospective students and the future contours of US medicine alike. The medical school said it is the first top 10-ranked medical school to provide full scholarships regardless of need or merit. According to The Wall Street Journal, the institution has so far raised over $450 million of the almost $600 million it needs to fully cover the costs of its medical students' tuition. Graduates from New York University (NYU) cheer during the commencement ceremony at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York, May 2014. The initiative covers the $55,018 in annual tuition costs, the school says, and is effective immediately for all current and incoming students. Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos hits back at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp The Real Madrid captain tangled with Liverpool's top goalscorer Mohamed Salah , who subsequently left the field injured. Ramos is already the most-carded soccer player in the entire history of La Liga - with 173 cards. "A population as diverse as ours is best served by doctors from all walks of life, we believe, and aspiring physicians and surgeons should not be prevented from pursuing a career in medicine because of the prospect of overwhelming financial debt", said Dr. Robert Grossman, dean of the NYU School of Medicine. Those range from around $27,000 to $29,000 per year, according to the medical school. The school also implemented in 2013 an accelerated 3-year M.D. program so students could start earning a salary one year earlier. Students nontuition costs in that program would be about $27,000 to $31,000. More than 86 percent of medical school graduates carry educational debt, and 41 percent of those students reported their debt exceeded $150,000, according to the American Medical Student Association. Other medical schools have attempted to assuage the financial burden of medical school, including the University of Houston's College of Medicine, which offered full scholarships to its inaugural class. Among those with debt, the average student owed almost $191,000, which rises to $202,000 among private medical school graduates. All students enrolled in the MD degree program are eligible, regardless of their financial need or academic performance. Barring any dramatic developments over the coming weekend, the agreement between Israel and Hamas is a fait accompli, and all that remains to be seen is when a formal announcement will be made. It may still take a few more days to hammer out certain issues that remain unresolved, such as how long the period of calm will last, when the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin will be returned, along with the Israeli citizens currently being held by Hamas, and whether all the rival Palestinian factions will be brought under the umbrella of the agreement. On the evening of Aug. 16, Israel confirmed that the head of Egypt's intelligence services, Maj. Gen. Abbas Kamel, paid a visit to the country one day earlier for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Director of the Shin Bet Nadav Argaman. Then he continued on to Ramallah. In an unusual move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas office did not release any statement about the visit. The reason for this is clear. Not only is Abbas opposed to entering under that umbrella, he has actually been launching a fierce attack against the arrangement. Kamel's visit to Ramallah and the delay by the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank of an official announcement that the new arrangement has gone into effect are taking place in the shadow of a meeting in Ramallah of the PLOs Central Committee. Its discussions were scheduled to end on Aug. 16, but it has since been decided to extend them by one more day, to give Abbas a chance to respond publicly, before an audience, to an arrangement that he opposes so vehemently. According to a Fatah source, Abbas wants to deliver a firm speech to the councils members, attacking anyone who welcomes the arrangement, since he believes that it perpetuates internal divisions among the Palestinian people, strengthens Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip and turns the idea of two separate and distinct geographic entities for the Palestinian people into an established fact. In the long term, it also postpones the creation of the Palestinian state into the distant future, when the creation of such a state was the ultimate goal of the life work of Abbas. In a speech he delivered to the members of the council on Aug. 15, Abbas reiterated that Hamas is not really interested in reconciliation, and that he will not budge as much as an inch from certain conditions that he considers essential: one armed force, one Palestinian Authority (PA) and one government. Yet despite these non-negotiable conditions, it is also worth noting that Abbas had engaged in advanced talks, through Egyptian mediation, to make progress in the Palestinian reconciliation process. He was presented with various compromise proposals, such as graduated control over the security forces in the Gaza Strip. But when it seemed like a reconciliation agreement was within reach, and Hamas representatives were asked to go to Cairo as quickly as possible, Abbas finally rejected any understandings that were reached. Its not a matter of principle, but rather a personal issue that prevented Abbas from agreeing to reconciliation and to being the final piece in the deal hammered out between Israel and Hamas, a Gaza-based associate of former Fatah senior Mohammed Dahlan told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. He said the reason Abbas is so opposed to the agreement is that he discovered Dahlan is playing an active role in the emerging agreement from behind the scenes. This absolutely infuriated him, he added. It is well-known that Abbas considers Dahlan to be his bitter enemy. He expelled him from the Fatah movement in 2011, after banishing him from the West Bank. Today, most Dahlan supporters are based in the Gaza Strip. Those supporters, who fled to the West Bank during the 2007 Hamas coup in Gaza, have since returned there, claiming that they felt persecuted by the PA in the West Bank. Their return was made possible by the historic reconciliation between Hamas and Dahlan in 2017, and the fact that Dahlan served as a bridge in the reconciliation between Hamas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Previously, Sisi had considered Hamas to be collaborating with Egypts own Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed by the current Egyptian government. Abbas did a U-turn and is unwilling to be part of the arrangement, despite Egyptian pressure, since he believes that the Egyptians are paving the way for Dahlan to replace him as the Palestinian leader in Ramallah, the associate of Dahlan said. All fault in perpetuating the division and separation of the Palestinian people lies with him [Abbas]. According to the source, Abbas learned from Azzam al-Ahmad, his emissary to the talks in Egypt, that Kamel meets regularly with Dahlan. The advantage that Dahlan has is his direct connection with the head of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. They both grew up in the Gaza town of Khan Yunis, and during the 2017 electricity crisis in Gaza, brought on by sanctions that Abbas imposed on Hamas, the two men met in Cairo and reached understandings and agreements on how they could cooperate. This connection between Hamas and Dahlan has since become a well-known fact. Abbas long knew about it, but his concerns about Dahlan intensified as he heard more and more reports on the emerging arrangement and on Dahlans role in pushing it forward. Dahlans supporters in Gaza, some of whom spoke to Al-Monitor, say that his most important mission now is raising money in the Gulf states. His skills and talents as a fundraiser there are well-known. Upon being expelled from the West Bank, Dahlan settled in Dubai and established close relationships with the leaders of the Gulf states. Then, the projects he initiated to develop infrastructures and to help weaker sectors of the population young couples and the homeless in the refugee camps of the West Bank and Gaza turned out to be top of the line. Dahlan has thousands of supporters and admirers who owe their lives to him, another associate of Dahlan in Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. He is proving his talents even more now. Al-Monitor was met with silence when it approached the office of Abbas for a response. A source in the Fatah movement, who is considered to be an opponent of Dahlan, claimed on condition of anonymity that there is no basis for anything that Dahlans people are saying. He said that they are simply looking for ways to praise their leader, even though he played no role in the bad agreement being reached with Israel. According to him, Abbas is absolutely opposed to the arrangement and to Palestinian reconciliation for all of the reasons he listed in his speech to the PLOs Central Committee. He is unwilling to enter Gaza before he has assumed complete control over the local security apparatus and before Hamas accepts him wholeheartedly and without challenge as president of the Palestinian people. Still, over one fact there is no argument. Dahlan has also developed a close friendship with Egypts president and with other top government officials there. Thus, it is only natural that he is taking part even though perhaps not in a major capacity in the emerging agreement between Hamas and Israel. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Female police officers participated Aug. 5 for the first time in organizing traffic in the streets of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank alongside their male peers, to facilitate citizens movement. This move comes as part of a program the West Bank police had launched earlier this year to promote womens participation in the traffic police force and help ease the workload of traffic policemen. Womens participation in managing traffic on the streets of Bethlehem confirms Palestinian womens ability to work and confront male social perspective undermining them and prohibiting them from taking positions that men monopolize. Maaram Abu Obeid, 22, a policewoman who joined the traffic police in Bethlehem, told Al-Monitor, I graduated from the Faculty of Police Sciences and Law at Al-Istiqlal University in April, and I immediately started working at the police directorate in the governorate. I was later chosen to be part of the womens traffic police force. Abu Obeid noted that, during her university studies, she took part in several trainings that increased her skills and gave her sufficient knowledge in police work, including traffic control. She added that being in the field was challenging at first, especially as it involves direct contact with the public, unlike her traditional police work that involved just working from the office. Since Palestinian society is not used to women in the traffic police force, she receives on occasion negative reactions, especially from male drivers. But Abu Obeid pays no attention and continues her work. However, Abu Obeid also receives positive feedback from many citizens who praise her work, especially female drivers. She noted that the presence of policewomen in the traffic police force so far eight only has become crucial amid the increasing number of female drivers in the governorate. Regarding the nature of the job, she said, I stand at the junction with my colleague and we organize traffic, issue fines and mind the traffic lights. This has boosted my self-confidence. Abu Obeid said that her parents supported and encouraged her, and she hopes other women would deploy in all Palestinian governorates and participate in other kinds of police work. She noted that women should no longer be deprived of certain positions based on their gender. Ayman Abdel Qader, a lieutenant in the traffic directorate in Bethlehem, told Al-Monitor that the participation of policewomen in organizing traffic in Bethlehem was part of a new initiative the directorate launched to deploy women in the field to support the traffic police. He said that the eight policewomen were deployed on the main busy junctions in Bethlehem and that their number would increase in the near future to position them at all junctions. Policewomen are chosen based on certain standards such as their age, height and health. New graduates were picked because they also took part in training sessions prepared by the police academy, including personal skills, weapons training and specialized lectures in traffic control. Abdel Qader said that this step is long overdue in the Palestinian territories, as most countries already employ women in the traffic police force. He noted, Citizens are generally comfortable with the female presence in the police force, but still there are critics. Each field has advocates and opponents. The law has guaranteed the right to work based on competence, not gender. Abdel Qader noted, Policewomen are currently working alongside traffic policemen, and they take turns in organizing the traffic and benefit from their experience. Spokesman for the Palestinian police Louay Zreikat told Al-Monitor that Bethlehem was chosen as the first city to employ women as traffic police officers to show Palestinian womens role in contributing to regulating traffic in a tourist city. In addition, Bethlehem has a traffic police shortage and it is in seventh place among the governorates with the highest accident rate. Zreikat noted that the policewomen received intensive training in traffic control, traffic light management and writing fines, adding that they are still receiving training on how to deal with citizens on the streets. He added that women make up around 3% of the police force, but that up until now they have been based in the office. He said policewomen will enter the traffic poilce force in all governorates in the near future. As President Bashar al-Assad's regime consolidates its control over much of Syria appearing ready to launch an offensive against Idlib, the last major insurgency stronghold observers are wondering what the end to the war will mean for Hezbollah's involvement there in the wake of Assads seemingly impending victory? The Iran-supported, Lebanon-based Shiite militant group became heavily involved in the civil war in 2015, backing and beefing up Assad's previously beleaguered forces. Russias support of Assad appears to be yielding significant results with the passing of days. The July 16 summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki was followed by a deal between Moscow and Tel Aviv under which Iranian forces would retreat 53 miles from Israel. Planned talks involving Russia, France and Germany in Turkey appear to be working toward an understanding on the conflict. These geopolitical changes will have significant repercussions for the various players in Syria, including Hezbollah. Hezbollah will continue its combat role until the end of the civil war, with the group maintaining its usual [offensive] point-of-the-spear role, Hezbollah expert Nicholas Blanford, author of Warriors of God: Inside Hezbollahs Thirty-Year Struggle Against Israel, told Al-Monitor. The Lebanon-based journalist Kassem Kassir told Al-Monitor, Everyone wants a political solution in Syria, and there are negotiations aimed at avoiding a confrontation in Idlib. Depending on whether these negotiations work out which also hinges on bringing to heel a number of different groups, including jihadist formations there the number of Hezbollah fighters deployed in Syria could significantly drop, if there are no more offensives. Kassir estimates that several thousand Lebanese militants are fighting in Syria alongside Assads forces. The US State Departments Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 put the number at about 7,000 Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollahs strategy in Syria has been built on leading ground offensives, capturing and consolidating terrain, as well as training. In interviews, the organizations fighters deployed in Syria have said that Hezbollah has been responsible for leading troops loyal to Assad during offensives. According to Kassir, the organization has also contributed significantly to building and training pro-regime forces, particularly the Local Defense Forces. It participated in successful campaigns in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and southern Syria alongside Assad loyalists. Despite Russias statements on limiting the Iranian presence in Daraa and Quneitra, Hezbollah has been massively involved in battles there, said a Lebanese source close to Hezbollah who spoke to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity. Hezbollahs task might be shifting, however, now that the war appears to be reaching a final inflection point at Idlib and many of the other frontlines are settling down with the regime consolidating its grip. Hezbollahs media office declined Al-Monitor's request for an interview. Mohanad Hage Ali, author of Nationalism, Transnationalism and Political Islam: Hizbullahs Institutional Identity, told Al-Monitor that he thinks the organization will revert to its pre-2011 role. I see Hezbollah returning to a limited presence in Syria, probably as more of a bonus, Ali said. On top of its presence in Zabadani and Sayyida Zeinab, maintaining some sort of presence in Qalamoun might be reasonable. The Assad regimes authoritarian nature doesn't allow Hezbollah to share its monopoly over violence, specifically with Israel. It doesn't give away control, so Hezbollah will have to revert to its previous official relation with the regime. It's also under pressure to do so from Russia. Other analysts and sources envision Hezbollah maintaining a long-term presence in Syria. There is no withdrawal for now, only redeployments of troops in the various areas, said one source. If the situation stabilizes definitely, Hezbollah would pull out from certain regions, but there are areas it considers strategic that it will never leave. Hezbollah's current military positions include those at Qusayr, Qalamoun and Aleppo. In May, the Israeli air force attacked an alleged Hezbollah base inside Homs governorate. The Dabaa military airport and surrounding area in western Homs province appear to have been sites for Hezbollah weapons warehouses. According to Blanford, Hezbollah is unlikely to give up its bases in Qusayr and Qalamoun. There is also another aspect to Hezbollahs role in Syria, which is based on a continued confrontation with Israel, Blanford explained. Iran will play the long game in southwest Syria by relying either on Hezbollah or Iraqi militant groups. Tehran will also want to extend what Hezbollah has on its Lebanese frontier with Israel, to the Golan, and leverage southwest Syria in its confrontation with Israel in the long run. Iran is trying to shape its strategic interests in Syria as time passes by, to maintain its land bridge there against Israel. Another dimension to Hezbollah's role in Syria might involve training the new Syrian army. It's still very speculative, Blanford said. The Syrian army may adopt a heavyweight Hezbollah model, with a bigger focus on anti-armored, anti-tank weapons and long-range missiles, by basically trying to build a more asymmetric and fluid force. Iran and Hezbollah have experience developing resistance groups, such as the Local Defense Forces in Syria. Kassir noted, They could work on replicating [Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] model in Syria, as has been done in Iraq with the Popular Mobilization Units. Hezbollahs future in Syria will be defined not only by Irans interests, but also, and more importantly, by Russian calculations, Blanford said. Russia and Iran have been important battlefield allies in the shared goal of safeguarding the Assad regime, Blanford remarked. But as things move forward, their respective interests in Syria may begin to diverge. We are already seeing some signs of this. But it is unclear what leverage Russia can bring to bear to restrain Irans longer-term agenda in Syria, and also unclear if Moscow has a will to act against Tehran there. Israel and the US seem hopeful that Russia will serve as a block to Iranian ambitions in Syria, but this could be wishful thinking. UGURCA, Turkey Survivors of the Islamic State (IS) attack on Iraqs Yazidi community, who have taken refuge in southeast Turkey, marked the grim anniversary this month, praying at sunrise and sunset as they do each day in quiet remembrance of those lost in the 2014 genocide. The refugees, living in a small cluster of tents in this village some 100 miles from their homeland, are among the few thousand Yazidis still in Turkey eight months after the Iraqi government declared victory over IS. Too terrified to return home, they are trapped in limbo as they seek asylum to begin their lives anew in the West. Remaining in Turkey is not an option, they say. I miss my country, but I know there is no peace, no safety, no change, said Sahira, 20, her face framed by curls, smiling even as she shares her fears. It is still very dangerous. People who have gone back say Dont come; its very bad. For us, Iraq is no more." We want to go to a peaceful place, but we dont know when. My life passes in this camp. In August 2014, IS jihadists swept across the Yazidi heartland of Sinjar in northern Iraq, massacring at least 10,000 people within days and driving tens of thousands more, including Sahira, up Mount Sinjar without food or water until US airstrikes opened a corridor for their escape. Sahira walked through mountain passes for a week to reach Turkey. More than half of Iraqs population of 650,000 Yazidis have been displaced, mostly within Iraq, while 30,000 or so crossed the border into Turkey and an estimated 5,000 are still here, dispersed in cities as well as two refugee camps near the border. Turkey also hosts 3.5 million Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. For many Yazidis, the flight to Turkey was a reversal of one their forebears took, settling in Iraq in the last two centuries to escape poverty and persecution. At the turn of the last century, southeast Turkey was still home to about 300,000 Yazidis, according to Amed Gokcen, a researcher who has written extensively about the Yazidis. Today, there are fewer than 1,000. Now, the exodus from Mesopotamia imperils an esoteric faith that stretches back millennia, retaining some traditions of ancient Roman cults and tenets of Islam, Christianity, Alawism and Zoroastrianism. The IS onslaught is the last of 74 persecutions Yazidis endured over the centuries, mostly at the hands of Muslim rulers who falsely believed them to be devil worshippers. A central doctrine of Yazidism is that the fallen angel repented and abolished Hell and was redeemed by the omnipotent God. He is revered in the form of Melek Taus, the peacock angel. Despite their tragic history, Yazidis have survived because they did not abandon their homeland. There was a tradition in Sinjar of resistance and protecting their faith, said Ali Atalan, a Yazidi and former opposition lawmaker in the Turkish parliament. He is now part of an organizing committee working to create a World Yazidi Congress. But this last genocide has wrought irreparable damage because they have now spread to the four corners of Earth. It appears that Yazidis will not survive in the Middle East. They face annihilation, he told Al-Monitor. Worldwide, Yazidis who are generally considered ethnic Kurds number less than 1 million, with small communities in Germany, Syria, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. Before the influx from Iraq, just six members of a single family remained in Ugurca, a Yazidi village in Batman province. The areas 50 other families moved to Germany in the 1960s as laborers, then in the 1990s amid violence between the Turkish state and Kurdish militants. It is impossible for [Iraqi Yazidis] to consider staying in Turkey, another land where their ancestors were killed. These tales of massacre are passed on as inheritance, Gokcen said. In Ugurca, Sahira, her parents and five siblings share two tents on a small rise overlooking a wide plain. Rain and snow blow into her tent during the winter, and in summer the temperatures hover above 40 degrees Celsius. The camp is home to 150 people, half of them children. Women launder clothes by hand and prepare communal meals in a makeshift kitchen, relying on handouts from sympathetic neighbors. Fewer than 1,000 Yazidi refugees are housed in a state-run camp about 60 miles away. Atalan and locals said authorities are preparing to shut the facility, arguing security in Iraq and Syria has improved sufficiently. No one could be reached for comment at Turkeys Migration Management agency, which oversees refugee camps, to confirm any such move. Far direr are conditions endured by the 300,000 or so Yazidis in overcrowded camps in northern Iraq, with insufficient food and medical supplies and tents that may not survive another winter, said Ahmed Khudida Burjus, the deputy executive director of Yazda, a nonprofit promoting justice and support for Yazidis. It is good here, but we want to leave, said Sahira, who did not give her surname. The situation in Turkey is like Iraq for our religion. In Europe, our religion is not a problem. One of her brothers has moved on to Germany, first crossing the Aegean Sea to Greece, where millions traveled in 2015 and 2016. Some Yazidis still attempt the route that Turkey has largely sealed after the European Union agreed to pay a 6 billion euro aid package. Some 2,800 Yazidis in Turkey have applied to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, spokeswoman Selin Unal told Al-Monitor in an email. Resettlement is a long process that may take months or more than a year, depending on the resettlement countries and their procedures. In reality, it takes far longer, Burjus said, with applicants told they will wait seven years or more. He said only 5,150 people have been formally resettled in Germany, Australia and Canada, while some 100,000 Yazidis are waiting for asylum in Iraq. The UNHCR is not making Yazidis a priority, even those who were enslaved by IS [despite the risk] of genocide or extinction, he said. Countries are not granting refugee status to Yazidis, saying IS is finished. But the ideology remains and its supporters can reawaken and kill Yazidis again. The United Nations considers the atrocities carried out against Yazidis genocide. Dozens of mass graves have been unearthed in Sinjar after IS reign of terror, and some 3,000 Yazidis are still missing. More than 6,000 Yazidis, mostly women and children, were captured and enslaved by IS fighters. Atalan said last year he helped remove three kidnapped children held in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, and he suspects that hundreds more may be in Turkey after being brought here by Syrians and Iraqis. These crimes have gone unpunished, making a return to Sinjar unthinkable for most Yazidis, said Burjus. No one has been prosecuted for the genocide against Yazidis. Without accountability, without giving justice to Yazidis, no one can say this will not happen again, that they will be protected. Both Iraq and the international community must have a proper mechanism for justice and reconciliation. For now, Sahira spends her days preparing meals or studying language textbooks, eager to practice the English she learned at school before her escape. She will study engineering when her family is reunited in Germany, she hopes. She knows her ancient faith may be doomed once Yazidis are severed from their homeland. One day, all of the Yazidis will leave. Without peace, we cannot live in our lands. And peace will not come, she said. The Donald Trump administration is cutting $230 million in stabilization assistance for Syria after several Gulf states agreed to pick up the tab. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement today that the United States has elicited approximately $300 million in contributions and pledges from coalition partners to support critical stabilization and early recovery initiatives in areas liberated from [the Islamic State (IS)] in northeast Syria, including a generous contribution of $100 million by Saudi Arabia and $50 million pledged by the United Arab Emirates. Nauert then noted that the administration has consequently notified Congress today of its intent to reprogram the funds the United States had allocated for stabilization. Trump, a frequent critic of US allies perceived refusal to pull their weight, has become increasingly skeptical of a prolonged US military presence in Syria. He first froze stabilization aid for Syria in March, leading to strong bipartisan pushback on Capitol Hill. Afterward, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo solicited donations from counter-IS coalition members during a June meeting in Morocco and on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial summit in July. In addition to the Saudi and Emirati commitments, Kuwait, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, the European Union, Australia and Taiwan have all made commitments. All these programs are remaining apace, and these contributions not only offset what the US government was going to spend but actually increase the amounts that were able to spend on the ground and make a difference to stabilize these areas going forward, Brett McGurk, the special envoy for the counter-IS coalition, told reporters on a press call today. Stabilization aid is intended to provide basic services that allow Syrian residents to return to their homes and some semblance of normal life after a devastating seven-year civil war. A small handful of US aid workers have partnered with a contingent of US troops to provide demining services and set up irrigation canals as well as water pumps. According to McGurk, all 26 sectors of Raqqa, IS former capital, once again have access to safe drinking water and 150,000 Syrians have returned to the city. McGurk vowed that the promised $300 million in funds would allow stabilization activities in Syria to continue for the foreseeable future and noted that they are very hard contributions rather than simply pledges. Saudi Arabia officially announced its $100 million contribution on Thursday. If the Saudis and Emiratis have actually transferred funds to American accounts, as opposed to their simply making pledges for a later date, gaining that funding is a real achievement for the Trump administration, Robert Ford, the former US ambassador to Syria who is currently a fellow at Yale University and the Middle East Institute, told Al-Monitor. However, it remains unclear whether the United States will maintain full financial and administrative control of all its current stabilization projects. Some of the contributions are being made directly through US mechanisms and others through other multilateral mechanisms with international organizations, but all of them are supporting critical stabilization initiatives, said McGurk. At the very least, Nauert promised that the United States will continue needs-based humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Syrians, support for the White Helmets rescue group, efforts to counter chemical weapons and funding for the UNs independent mechanism to hold the [Bashar al-Assad] regime accountable for serious crimes. But Democrats in Congress remain unimpressed. By ending US contributions to stabilization efforts in the most vulnerable communities recently liberated from the terrors of [IS], this message of US retreat and abandonment is an embarrassment, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. There is nothing normal about allowing others to backfill our commitments, thereby undermining our leadership, a Democratic staffer on Capitol Hill told Al-Monitor. Unimpressed with McGurks promise that stabilization activities would continue, the staffer noted the need to plan for future fiscal years and exercise proper oversight on the projects. Congress has also raised bipartisan alarm bells over a potential Trump administration bid to slash as much as $3 billion in foreign aid already allocated by Congress. Although the cuts are not yet finalized, they are widely expected to include the vast majority of economic assistance for the West Bank and Gaza, which has been under a lengthy State Department review since January. Echoing its Syria aid strategy, the Trump administration is also trying to persuade the Gulf monarchies to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance for Gaza as part of its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, according to a June report in the Israeli daily Haaretz. Were going with a tin cup to all of these Gulf countries and basically ask them to solve everything, another congressional staffer told Al-Monitor. EWTN Global Catholic Network, based in Irondale, has named Daniel A. Burke to the post of president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. effective Aug. 17. Burke, who has been serving as the Executive Director of EWTN's National Catholic Register, will oversee and direct the activities the Network's global news operations, which include "EWTN News Nightly with Lauren Ashburn," "The World Over with Raymond Arroyo," "EWTN Pro-Life Weekly," "Force for Good," and Washington, D.C. News Production group as well as The National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, ChurchPop, the ACI Group and EWTN's Vatican Bureau. "Over the past several years, EWTN has focused a great deal of effort on creating a global Catholic news platform through television, radio, print and digital," said Michael P. Warsaw, EWTN Global Catholic Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Dan Burke is a perfect choice to lead these operations. He is uniquely suited to help facilitate cooperation and editorial collaboration across our multiple outlets. I am confident this will result in a greatly strengthened position for all of our news operations." In his new role, Burke will report directly to Warsaw. Dan Burke joined EWTN as part of the Network's acquisition of the National Catholic Register in 2011. Burke's background, prior to his arrival at EWTN, included global strategy development, business and technology consulting, and organizational development. He is an award-winning author and editor of 11 books on authentic Catholic spirituality. Dan is also the founder of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate studies in spiritual theology to priests, religious, and laity in more than 70 countries. Mother Angelica, an Alabama nun, launched EWTN from her monastery garage in Irondale in 1981. She died on Easter Sunday in 2016. "EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica changed the face of Catholicism in America as she advanced the Gospel through her use of the media," said Burke in reacting to the appointment. "The Network has not only continued her legacy through EWTN, but now through Catholic news has dramatically expanded EWTN's work of evangelization around the world. I am honored to play a small role in this great work of God and look forward to serving the vital mission of EWTN News as we engage and examine the events of the day through the lens of the teachings of the Church." EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 38th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN's 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 275 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. A man from Georgia was charged with murder Friday in last month's shooting death of 28-year-old Brucetravious Frazier, Opelika police said. The suspect, 18-year-old Gregory Jacquan Todd, was charged with the shooting death of Frazier, who died on July 25 after he was shot two days earlier, police said. He is from Cussetta--a city in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. The shooting happened July 23 in the 400 block of W.E. Morton Avenue in Opelika. Officers arrested Todd Friday morning in Camp Hill, Alabama. Opelika police, the U.S. Marshal's Office, the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office and the Camp Hill Police Department assisted in the arrest. Police are still seeking information on the case. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department's Detective Division at 334-705-5220. To report anonymously, contact the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. The case remains under investigation. Bessemer City Schools Superintendent Keith Stewart said he will meet with parents on Friday at 10 a.m. to offer options for parents and students to consider after demoting a dozen students, sending them back to middle school because work completed in the software program called PLATO couldn't be verified. "We're giving [parents] a choice to rectify something that we felt was wrong," Stewart said during Thursday's special-called board meeting. Stewart did not elaborate on what those choices are. Stewart said he met with Alabama's Deputy Superintendent Daniel Boyd to develop a corrective action plan that they feel is "fair and equitable" to the students. Guidance counseling and after-school services will be offered to the affected students at no cost, he said. Speaking during the meeting, a mentor to one of the students sent back to middle school because of a grade mishap said school officials should fix the situation because students completed the work in question. "The kids did the work," Regina Williams said. Williams, who has mentored one of the students for three years, told board members the way district officials have handled the controversy puts students and Bessemer City Middle School in a bad light. The principal and the students did what they were supposed to do, Williams said, but leadership isn't taking responsibility for the mistakes they made. Williams said the student, who had some challenges during her sixth-grade year, completed all of the work that was required, and the breakdown in school communication should not be blamed on the students or their parents. Williams said the student was devastated when she received a phone call on Aug. 10 telling her she wouldn't be allowed to return to high school after starting there Aug. 8. Williams said they held a graduation gathering when her mentee completed middle school. "We took pictures," she said. "We had a diploma. We held it up, and [district officials] crushed it. That's my problem." Mentor Regina Williams and Alabama Board of Education member Yvette Richardson talk after the Aug. 16, 2018, Bessemer City Schools board meeting. State board of education member Yvette Richardson, D-Birmingham, attended Thursday's special-called meeting and said she started hearing from parents and elected officials on Monday after news of the mishap broke. Richardson said she contacted Stewart on Monday morning. "I was really concerned and didn't understand how this could happen," she said. At this point, Richardson said, it appears Stewart is taking the steps necessary to find a resolution for the students. She said she plans to stay in touch with those who have contacted her to be certain students can continue to move forward with their education. Williams said she is hopeful that whatever solution is offered will focus on what's right for the children. "We need to get together as adults come up with plans and systems that don't fail the child," she said. "Let's just don't fail the child." A customer says he found a card skimmer on a credit card terminal at the Raceway gas station on U.S. 280 in Shelby County. The man, Johnny Chergotakos, said he went to the gas station around lunch time Wednesday. He said he noticed the terminal appeared "loose" after he swiped his credit card at the counter inside the store. "I tugged on it and the whole face plate came off," Chergotakos told AL.com during a phone interview. "The clerks, they seemed as shocked as I was." Both he and store workers called police to investigate the incident, Chergotakos said. "It's such a perfect fit on the terminal. It looked like on the back there was a bit of glue. It guess it didn't stick well that's why able to come off," he said. Chergotakos said he has since put a hold on his credit card and told his co-workers at J&M Tanklines, which is near the Raceway, of the incident. He said several people at his office frequently go to the Raceway. "I was shocked that someone would be so bold to bring that in the store. In a way relieved I found out and was able to cancel card immediately," he said. So far, he said neither he or his coworkers have seen unauthorized charges on their accounts. A manager of the Raceway was not available to comment on the incident Thursday night. Birmingham police are investigating after a man was seriously injured in an early-morning shootout. Officers responded early Friday to a Chevron gas station in the 2600 block of Green Springs Highway, and found one man injured. According to Sgt. Bryan Shelton, the victim was caught in the crossfire of a shootout that spanned a block. The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained life-threatening injuries. Two men have been detained for questioning, Shelton said. This post will be updated. Ankara responded by levying similar largely symbolic sanctions against two U.S. Cabinet members. Turkey last month released the evangelical preacher from a prison, but is still detaining him under house arrest pending his trial, despite the demands of the U.S. Three big companies operating in Dogubank, a trade center specialized in the sales of electronic products in central Istanbul, suspended 50 million USA dollars' worth of iPhone orders, the Turkish daily said. Serving at the Dirilis (Resurrection) Protestant Church in the western province of Izmir, Brunson was arrested in October 2016 and moved to house arrest on July 25 due to health problems. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an assembly of politicians that Turkey will boycott USA electronic products in Ankara on August 14. The Turkish currency showed a slight rebound on Thursday after losing over 16 percent of its value last Friday, following US President Donald Trump doubling aluminium and steel tariffs on Ankara. Some Turks have been responding to their president's call to boycott United States electronic goods by posting videos in which they smash iPhones with bats, hammers, and other blunt instruments. Huge Update On Chelsea Midfield Transfer His abilities are definitely there, evident by his outstanding speed and presence on the flank where he usually plays. With just 22 appearances under his belt, new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri decreed the player no longer required. Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK - listed as a terrorist group by both the USA and Turkey - and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016. According to the Turkish news service Ahval, Erdogan met with ambassadors on Monday, Aug. 13, and said that Turkey is ready for war. Trump has called Brunson's detention a "total disgrace". The Turkish government doubled its tariffs on imports of American cars and alcoholic beverages to 120 and 140 percent, respectively, CNN reported. The escalating dispute between the two countries has exacerbated Turkey's economic crisis, pushing the lira to record lows. President Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey was taking measures to stabilise its economy and should not "give in to the enemy" by investing in foreign currencies. Prosecutors have identified a northeast Alabama capital murder suspect as the toddler victim's babysitter. Capital murder suspect Noe Mateo is held in the DeKalb County jail. An autopsy determined the death of 19-month-old Juan Francisco-Juan was caused by blunt force trauma, said Bob Johnston, chief deputy district attorney for Alabama's Ninth Judicial Circuit, which includes DeKalb County. Investigators said Francisco-Juan died Feb. 21, 2017. Until this past week, no one had been charged. Noe Mateo, a 24-year-old from Crossville, is indicted on a charge of capital murder. Johnston said Francisco-Juan's mother paid Mateo to babysit while she was at work. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said Mateo also is a relative who lived in the same home as the child. Johnston said he can't release any other details about the circumstances of the toddler's death. Mateo was captured in Georgia after a grand jury issued the indictment Aug. 8. The grand jury ruled prosecutors have enough evidence to send the case to trial. Mateo was extradited to Alabama this week and put in the DeKalb County jail. While investigators probed Francisco-Juan's death last year, Mateo was accused of intimidating three witnesses, court records show. Mateo pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and was sentenced to probation, plus time already served in jail pending court, records show. Mateo is scheduled for arraignment on the capital murder charge next month in DeKalb County Circuit Court. A trial date hasn't yet been set, and court records don't identify a defense attorney. Duke University won't replace a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that once stood in the university's chapel, opting instead to leave it empty. The statue was taken down in the middle of the night last year after it was vandalized amid violence in Charlottesville, Virginia after the removal of another Lee statue. The statue was one of 10 depicting historical figures at the North Carolina university and had been in place since 1932. In a message on the university's website, President Vincent E. Price said the space would remain empty and a plaque would be installed in the foyer of Duke Chapel explaining the decision. "As Dean of Duke Chapel and Reverend Luke Powery suggested almost a year ago, the empty space might represent "a hole that is in the heart of the United States of America, and perhaps in our own human hearts--that hole that is from the sin of racism and hatred of any kind," Price said. "I have concluded that Dean Powery's suggestion is the right one, particularly when combined with the placement of a plaque in the foyer of Duke Chapel that explains why the space is empty. "It will provide a powerful statement about the past, the present and our values," he added. Price said the university will also move forward with plans to recognize the contributions of African Americans, including the first black students to attend the school. The first black students enrolled in Duke in 1963, according to the university. At the time, the school had no black faculty, administrators or trustees. Gov. Kay Ivey has taken a new step that she says will end the controversial practice of Alabama sheriffs personally keeping "excess" state money allocated to feed state inmates in county jails that is not used for that purpose. Beginning Sept. 1, the affidavit that county sheriffs must sign to receive the state funds will include new language. The updated affidavit states that they take an "oath" that the funds will only be spent on "food for prisoners in the county jail" and "preparing food, serving food and other service incident to the feeding of prisoners." The previous version of the affidavit contained no such language limiting what the state money was to be spent on. "Public funds should be used for public purposes. I issued the memo to the State Comptroller in July to ensure that the public funds available for inmate food and food service are used for only that," Ivey said in a Friday statement. "The new affidavit issued by the State Comptroller's office is the implementation of that memo and makes it clear that sheriffs are to use the funds only in their official capacity." The new affidavit does not have to be signed by sheriffs when they receive money from county, municipal or federal governments to feed their inmates, as it only applies to funds used to feed state inmates. The state pays sheriffs' offices $1.75 per inmate per day to feed its inmates held in county jails. The move by Ivey was heralded by advocacy groups and politicians on Friday as an important change that will save taxpayers money and eliminate an incentive for sheriffs to spend as little as possible to feed state inmates so they can keep as much money as possible for themselves. "We strongly commend Governor Ivey and Comptroller [Kathleen] Baxter for taking concrete action to address the misappropriation of large amounts of taxpayer money by sheriffs across the state," Aaron Littman, an attorney at the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights, said via email Friday. "As Governor Ivey explained recently, treating jail food funds as personal income is both unreasonable and unsupported by the law. It is long past time for this abuse of public trust to end." The SCHR was critical of a step Ivey took last month aimed at limiting the amount of inmate-feeding funds going into sheriffs' pockets. Ivey issued a memo that some media outlets erroneously reported as having brought an end to the practice. But Ivey's office clarified shortly after announcing the move that it in fact only stopped some state jail food money from being deposited into sheriffs' personal accounts, and instead directed it into sheriffs' official county accounts. From there the money could still be given to sheriffs for personal use, despite the July memo. But the new move by Ivey's office goes much further, according to State Auditor Jim Ziegler. "This action by the Comptroller should enable the governor's earlier prohibition against sheriffs pocketing leftover inmate food money. This is a means to that end," he said via email Friday. And yet, Zeigler acknowledged that it could face a legal challenge as some critics argue that only the state legislature can make changes related to how the inmate-feeding funds are spent. "In case there is a legal challenge to the administration's action, I expect legislation to put the prohibition against personal use of inmate food money into statute," Zeigler said. Robert Timmons, executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, said via telephone Friday that "all 67 county sheriffs are saying, 'get us out of the food business.'" But he said he believes only state lawmakers or individual county commissions have the authority to change the ways sheriffs are permitted to spend inmate food money. Timmons said he believes such changes require the passage of a law, not a policy change by the executive branch. "We're trying to comply with everything they want, but they don't have authority to do this," he said. "Every sheriff would love to get out of this inmate food business. But we need to all be singing out of the same hymnbook. I know her intent and what she's wanting to do, but you're going to have to go to the legislature to get it done and they're not coming in until next March." A loose and relaxed U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala) riffed on President Trump's Space Force, north Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks, and even a bit on the ongoing drama over Trump's Supreme Court nominee in a Huntsville speech today. Getting the big news out of the way first, Jones still wouldn't give the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County a clue where he stands on the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. But he said the audience could ask. "Everywhere I go, I'm being asked the same question. 'Where are you leaning?' I give the answer of my old boss, (former Alabama U.S. Sen.) Howell Heflin. I'm straight up... If you all want to ask questions and waste your time with questions about Kavanaugh, I'm happy to do that. The answer's basically the same." The answer is he's keeping an open mind and will make his decision "in a judicial manner without pre-decision leanings, biases or prejudices," Jones said. Deciding early makes the hearing process "a waste of time," he said. It will be his decision "and no one else's," he said, based on Kavanaugh's "commitment to the judicial system, American people and Constitution." Jones said he hopes to meet the nominee and is still working through Kavanaugh's judicial history and writings. But he's frustrated by how little has been released. "We're not going to have all the records," he said. "We have about 3 percent of his records. We'll get some but not much more. "The process is not a good one," Jones said. "Your senators are not going to see the entire record. It's wrong, it sets a bad precedent and it also gives people an excuse, the detractors ... to say they're hiding something." Jones criticized President Trump for wanting tariffs on foreign automobiles, which he said puts Alabama jobs at foreign-owned auto plants in jeopardy. Jones said it's political for the president, who ran on a platform of "trying to make sure America is treated fairly." "I get that, I agree with him," Jones said. China cost his hometown of Fairfield, Ala., nearly 25,000 steel jobs when it starting dumping steel on the international market, Jones said. But he said the tariffs are taxes. "The president said the other day he was going to get these other countries to pay these taxes," Jones said. "That is just crazy. These are going to be borne by the American consumer and each of you." Jones praised U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala) for getting the federal budget process working again in the Senate and stressed his good working relationship with the state's senior senator. It's good for Alabama to have a voice in the Senate's Democrat caucus, too, he said. Jones joked about his "colleague and friend" U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) telling an earlier Chamber of Commerce lunch that Jones' election was "a major loss for our country." "Well, damn, Mo," Jones said. "I knew there were a lot of things about that race and knew it was pretty dramatic for a lot of people, but ..." Asked about Trump's plan to create a Space Force, Jones called it "an interesting concept." Obviously, Huntsville needs to be "a significant part of it," Jones said, if it happens. "It's not something I have completely studied," he said. "I'm trying to deal with the issues at hand." "The main thing is to make sure we keep NASA here and the Redstone Arsenal primed for whatever may come," Jones said. Jones added of the Space Force, "I just got the impression, to be completely candid about this, that the president woke up one morning and saw something in a comic book or something and said, 'This is a great idea!'" Miss America Cara Mund sent a letter this morning to all state titleholders detailing the silencing she's experienced at the hands of Miss America Organization chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and claiming that she is the victim of workplace bullying. "Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis. After a while, the patterns have clearly emerged, and the sheer accumulation of the disrespect, passive-aggressive behavior, belittlement, and outright exclusion has taken a serious toll," Mund wrote. The letter was given to Al.com this morning by a former pageant participant. Mund was given three talking points she was required to mention to the press including: Miss America's relevance to the #MeToo movement and Carlson's Stanford pedigree. "I was told that it's my fault sponsors have dropped MAO, because I am supposedly 'bad at social media,'" Mund wrote. Mund described how Miss America staff encouraged her to stay off camera during the Good Morning America segment on Miss America's ousting of the swimsuit competition. Mund, a graduate of Brown University, also talked about having her social media posts removed and having others pretend to be her on social media. "I understand that I am the representative of a brand and a company and employed to do a job," wrote Mund to former Miss America winners. "That does not mean that an employer can treat you however they feel like treating you that day. Employers are legally required to provide a workplace free from harassment and bullying. I have been constantly reminded of the provisions in my employment contract that prohibit me from speaking freely." Heather Whitestone McCallum, former Miss Alabama 1994 and former Miss America 1995 is one of almost 5,000 signees calling for the resignation of Carlson and a change in leadership among the board of trustees. The Change.org petition calls for the new leadership to made up of former Miss America titleholders. "If you want Miss America to be relevant, then the leadership needs to understand she is not a wind-up toy who they can power up to spit out the meaningless words that are put into her mouth, and then put back on the shelf until it's time to do it again. I do not want her to have to stand in the back, literally or metaphorically," Mund wrote. This is one of an occasional series of opinion columns on Lewy body dementia, other dementias, and end of life issues written by a writer who happens to have the brain degenerative disease. As I've pointed out before, we live in a world where Lewy body dementia is virtually unknown. That's not good for the more than a million folks that have the second leading cause of dementia after Alzheimer's. That's not good for the uncounted others who have it but don't know they have it, either because the doctor didn't make the diagnosis, missed the diagnosis, or the individual is passing off early stages of the disease as something else. "It is shocking how few doctors, even neurologists, recognize this condition," said Dr. Samantha Holden, assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Alzheimer's gets most of the attention, even in the research community, and DLB is relegated to the category of "Related Dementias", which is unacceptable." Holden is also the co-principal investigator in the Lewy Body Dementia & Neurology Center of Excellence at the university. Like me, Holden has been scratching her head over LBD's anonymity. Part of it, we both agree is the complicated nature of the disease itself and its wide ranging symptoms, which leads to an alphabet soup of disorder names. Holden says this chart is a great way to start understanding. As you can see by the chart the broad category is Lewy body disease. That's describing a brain disorder that creates the proteins believed to be the culprit of damage through brain cell loss. That includes Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. (Guess which one people have actually heard of.) Both Parkinson's and Lewy body, as you can see, are sisters under Lewy body disease. Alzheimer's is not on this particular chart because it is not a Lewy body brain malfunction. With Lewy body disease, the proliferation of a protein, which when clumped together are called Lewy bodies. They are named after their founder, Dr. Friederich Lewy, a German neurologist. And please understand I am not an expert in the science by any means. What's in a Name So to recap and offer questions I have for further exploring. Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is an umbrella term taking in both Parkinson's Disease with Dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy Body (LDB). Are the proteins the killer here or are they just what have been left at the crime scene and another unperceived entity is the triggerman? Alzeimer's does not fall under that LBD spectrum because it is a different type of malfunction in the brain. However, sometimes people get both -- (Really? As if we don't have enough to worry about.) What is the relationship between Alzheimer's and Lewy body? If any? I know this is confusing. But in many cases whether you have LBD or whether it's PDD, eventually you will see the same (bad symptoms), physical impairment and cognitive impairment. Although some diagnosed Parkinson's may never get dementia, correct? That's because every Lewy is his own person and afflicts different folks in different ways. Which leaves wide paths for optimism that the symptoms may be slow and mild. That's the hope for those with the disease but, of course, those hopes can also be dashed. ALSO SEE: Contact Mike Oliver at moliver@al.com or visit his blog at myvinylcountdown.com. A sign along Regency Road in Gulf Shores, Ala., lets residents know when the next Gulf Shores City Council meeting is taking place. Residents are planning to show up to council and planning commission meetings to object to a proposed 206-unit apartment complex. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). Gulf Shores is among Alabama's most visited cities, where tourists flock for surf and sun while developing vacation memories lasting a lifetime. But at City Hall these days, the positive beach vibes have been replaced with growing acrimony from hundreds of residents irate about a planned 206-unit apartment complex. The latest drama unfolded on Friday inside City Hall, when about 40 residents showed up to a specially called planning commission meeting, strongly criticizing the city and the project's developer. Earlier, the planning commission had voted to go into a closed-door executive session to discuss legal ramifications of its eventual apartment complex decision. "The planning commission will not reconvene," its chairman, Robert Steiskal, told the crowd. "Will you not recognize a citizen?" asked Pete Sims, who lives near the Regency Place apartment complex slated to be built in the center of Gulf Shores. "You're out of order," said Steiskal, before the commission left for its executive session. "You're all not thinking this through," shouted one of the crowd members. Complex concerns At issue is whether the planning commission will reconsider its unanimous vote in June to support the project's site plan. The next meeting is set for 4 p.m. Aug. 28. Mayor Robert Craft recently asked the commission to revisit the site-plan application. City spokesman Grant Brown said Friday afternoon that there will be open meetings dedicated to the project that will include a planning commission work session and a voting session that "will include an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the project." Stuart Povall, a representative for Oxford, Mississippi-based developer Clarence Chapman of Chartre Consulting, said he understands the commission wanting to review the potential legal issues of its eventual decision. Povall said that the development group has done everything "we were told to do." He said he was a bit surprised by Craft's request to send the site-plan application back to the commission. Said Povall: "We have followed the ordinance and submitted the plan that we were told to do and met with staff. We were plugging along and doing what we needed to do and got approval and we felt were done." Residents have been upset that they were not notified about the project before it went before the commission in June. They also claim they were not clued-in on who was developing the apartment complex until recently. Neighbors have since mobilized, raising a variety of concerns about the project: Traffic, parking, short-term or long-term rentals, crime, and the potential for subsidized housing, among other things. Povall has attempted to address some of those concerns. He has called the project a higher-end development for Gulf Shores, with rents rivaling some of the higher-cost apartment complexes near the Alabama beaches. He also said the development will not allow shorter-term leases, and confirmed "it's not subsidized housing." "You don't pay $1 million for a piece of property and spend $30 million, to rent it at $600 a month," said Povall. "This is a lot of money going into the project, and it's a high-end development deal. They are demanding top-of-the-market rents and hope to outpace anything else in the market." Residents, including Sims, have circulated published stories about Chapman's previous developments in Mississippi, some of which include low-income housing projects in cities like Jackson and Meridian. Sims, during Friday's gathering in the council's chambers, told his neighbors that not knowing about Chapman ahead of the commission's June vote "is a huge deal to me." "I can't find one development where he's done anything but subsidized housing," said Sims. "Even though they are saying this is a luxury and upscale thing, I'm not convinced they won't go with subsidies." Povall said that Chapman's company is isn't in the market of building only low-income housing. "They look to provide housing in the location they are developing in," said Povall. "That housing can span from this high-end of the development to housing that is through the low-income housing credit program. They are well-diversified developers and do single-family up to multi-family." 'By-right' Many of the upset residents live in a nearby condominium complex. They say they believe that the city, along with the developer, have handled the project in secrecy. Povall said there has been some confusion about what he called a "very standard process" of approving a development in an area that is zoned for it, and which doesn't require a special zoning certificate. "When it's a rezoning or a variance request, there is public input," said Povall. He said the Regency Place project is considered a "by-right" development, which often does not require public input. It's a more streamlined approval process, which is utilized by cities and was encouraged by the Obama administration. Povall compares such projects to someone wanting to build a deck behind his or her home. "They can do it and they don't have to get community input," said Povall. "Can you imagine the nightmare of wanting input from neighbors? They have a right as a landowner to do that." Said Povall, referring to the Regency Place project: "This land was zoned for what we have designed for it. It's a by-right development, and there is no need for public input." Povall said he believes it would be "helpful" if the residents had received information about what a by-right development entails. Residents, meanwhile, are scouring the city's zoning codes and are underlining sections they believe could apply to Regency Place. One question emerging is whether the planning commission, in June, followed the zoning ordinance and considered a "findings of fact" before approving the project. Craft, in an Aug. 6 letter to the planning commission, requested the commission reconsider their June approval by examining whether the project met a host of specifications such as whether it's consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and if the complex met good design standards. Sims and other neighbors have said that they do not have any imminent plans to file a lawsuit against the city. But they are threatening political action, though Gulf Shores doesn't have a city election until 2020. Tim Clayborn, a resident near the proposed apartment complex, said he hoped what "happened in Fairhope" occurs in Gulf Shores. In 2016, voters replaced all but one of the Fairhope City Council that supported the project and elected a new mayor following outcry about an apartment complex project that the city had approved. "I hope this happens this time," said Clayborn. This is an opinion cartoon with a side of satire/commentary. As I've said before, when President Trump calls the free press/news media the "Enemy of the People!" ... it's dangerously cartoonish. It's a cry for more cartoons, editorials and the press doing more press stuff, like asking questions and seeking the truth. My cartoonist friend Clay Jones says the "enemy of the American people and democracy is one who attacks a free press. A leader who believes an informed public is dangerous is not a leader for a free nation." Good point. But I'm not returning the "enemy of the people" slam on Trump. I don't think he is the enemy of the people. It's a little more narcissistic and sociopathic than that. Trump is more like the mean girl who pretends to be your friend but is really using you to feel better about herself by putting you down and making you dependent on her. It's kind of an art. Trump is more like a frenemy of the press. A frenemy of the people. His compliments are back-handed and self-serving. Trump: "I'm going to make America great again." America: "Again? I thought I was already great. I'm not great? What do I need to do? Lose weight? I am a little pudgy in Alabama and Mississippi ..." Trump: "I am the ONLY ONE who can make America TRULY GREAT again!" America: "A combover? I need a combover to be great again?" Trump: "I alone can fix you. Trust ME. DON'T TRUST the press. They LIE. The press is FAKE NEWS! America: "I'm confused." Trump: "That's great!" America: "Really? Now I'm great again?" Trump: "It's great that you're CONFUSED! Confusion good. COLLUSION bad. But NOT A CRIME!!! JOURNALISM is the REAL CRIME. FAKE NEWS!!! And I'm the ONLY ONE WHO CAN FIX IT!!!! America: "I don't feel so good ..." Trump: "TRUSSSST ONLY ME." America: "I'm getting dizzy ..." Trump: "Covfefe." Hmmm. There might be a little Munchausen by Proxy going on there, too. Check out more cartoons by JD Crowe The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday denied an appeal by former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore to transfer a defamation lawsuit against him to his home county. The high court upheld the lower court's ruling. Moore was sued by Leigh Corfman, who alleges that when she was 14, Moore touched her in a sexual manner in the most serious of accusations against the candidate last year made by a series of women. Corfman filed that lawsuit in January in Montgomery County. Moore objected, saying there was no reason for the suit to be filed in Montgomery and that Etowah County would be the most appropriate venue. Moore is a native of Etowah County and still calls the northeast Alabama county home. Corfman said the 1979 encounter with Moore took place in Etowah County. Moore has repeatedly denied all accusations by the women, including Corfman. The court ruled that Moore failed to make a persuasive argument that the case would be more appropriately tried in Etowah County rather than Montgomery County. The ruling said that Moore, as the petitioner, had a "heavy burden" to make that argument. Moore issued a statement Friday afternoon on the court's ruling. "Because I have denied Leigh Corfman's allegations of sexual misconduct, I will now be forced to try this case in a county where the supposed event did not occur, where she does not live, and where there exists no evidence or witnesses to prove anything," Moore said in the statement. "This is ridiculous! "The court itself admits venue is proper in either county. Should not the case be tried in the county where we both live and where her reputation and character are well known? She herself has said: "There is no one here [Gadsden] that doesn't know that I'm not an angel. "Corfman based her defense of venue in Montgomery County on two statements. One was made by a non-party and thus was irrelevant to the case, and the other was made in a court case where the statement was privileged. Yet the Supreme Court refused to consider these facts in making its decision." Corfman attorney Neil Roman said in a statement to AL.com his client was "gratified" by the court's decision. "We are gratified that the Alabama Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the trial court's decision that the case should be litigated in Montgomery County, where both Mr. Moore and his campaign committee made their statements regarding Ms. Corfman, where the committee was headquartered, and where Mr. Moore and the committee filed a lawsuit of their own just weeks before Ms. Corfman filed her lawsuit," Roman said in the statement. "Ms. Corfman looks forward to proving her case in this forum." Seven members of the Alabama Supreme Court recused themselves from the appeal and a substitute panel of five retired justices and judges were brought in to rule on the appeal. Moore, of course, was twice elected as chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Associate Justices William Sellers and Brady Mendheim Jr. considered the case along with the five appointees: Christopher Abel, Hewitt Conwill, Jenifer Collins Holt, Claud Dent Neilson and James Harold Roberts Jr. A hearing in the lawsuit has been scheduled for Sept. 4 in Montgomery. Circuit Judge John Rochester is now presiding over the case. Circuit Judge Roman Ashley Shaul originally had the case and issued the venue ruling that Moore appealed. The hearing next month will be for the judge to listen to oral arguments on motions both sides have made. In the issue of venue, Moore had asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit because it was not filed in the proper venue -- arguing that it rightfully should have been filed in Etowah County, where Corfman said the encounter with Moore occurred. Moore's attorneys also said that the case should be moved to Etowah County for the convenience of the parties involved, saying that both the plaintiff and defendant reside in Etowah County. Judge Shaul denied Moore's motion to dismiss the case in addition to refusing the venue change request. Shaul said at a hearing in April that he did not expect the high court to overturn his ruling. The response from Corfman's attorneys on the venue issue were that Moore wanted the case moved to Etowah County because it would be a "home forum." And that of the nine people named or involved in the lawsuit, all but three live closer to Montgomery than the Etowah County seat of Gadsden. Those three, Corfman said, are Corfman, Moore and Corfman's mother, who did not mind traveling to Montgomery. And Corfman argued that Moore's attorneys, in a December lawsuit filed in a failed attempt to have the election results certified, was filed in Montgomery County. In that lawsuit, Moore's attorneys described Corfman as making "false and malicious attacks." Corfman's attorneys have issued subpoenas in the case, according to the court file. Among those called as witnesses include Moore's former chief of staff Rich Hobson, campaign chair Bill Armistead and attorney, former chief of staff Benjamin DuPre and political strategist Dean Young. Moore has filed a counterlawsuit against Corfman in the case as well as naming her as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Etowah County. Moore has also filed a lawsuit against a political action committee that backed his Senate opponent, Doug Jones, in Etowah County. Updated today, Aug. 17, 2018, at 2:25 p.m. with statement from Corfman attorney. Updated today, Aug. 17, 2018, at 1:22 p.m. with statement from Moore. Updated today, Aug. 17, 2018, at 10:58 a.m. with new information throughout. Alabama Supreme Court ruling in Roy Moore lawsuit by pgattis7719 on Scribd President Trump's military parade - originally set to roll through the streets of Washington, D.C. this year - has been moved back to 2019. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," said Col. Rob Manning in a statement. "We originally targeted Nov. 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." The delay comes after a report that the cost of the parade was expected to reach $92 million, almost $80 million more than original estimates. The bulk of that expense would fall on the Pentagon, with the rest on other agencies, including the Department of Homeland Defense. The parade was originally planned for Nov. 10 around Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Inspired by Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, the celebration was set to include armored vehicles, aircraft flyovers, helicopters and soldiers in period uniforms. Speaking at a dinner on the sidelines of the 10th Ambassadors Conference in the Turkish capital, Cavusoglu said he had discussions Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the lifting of visas for Turkish citizens and also exchanged views on Syria and Idlib. Angered by the continued detention of an American pastor, the United States government imposed sanctions on two cabinet ministers and threatened more. Turkey and Russian Federation will take steps to "enhance strategic partnership" between the two countries, Lavrov said on Tuesday at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. "Today, sanctions are imposed on Turkey, and tomorrow they can be used against any other European state". TRT World 's Andrew Hopkins reports from Ankara. Lavrov noted that U.S. sanctions, including those against Turkey, undermine all principles of global trade. Social media awash with tributes for 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin Her family confirmed, after many years of battling health issues, that she had advanced pancreatic cancer . Bush awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2005. "Turkey has not done any wrong to the US, not even once". Relations between Turkey and the United States strained following US President Donald Trump's decision to raise customs duties on aluminum and steel imports from Turkey to 20 and 50%, respectively. In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several US -made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products and vehicles. "He was trying to use economic sanctions and tariffs as a political weapon against his country's economic rivals, including China and the European Union", said the leaders. He said the Assad government has a right to defend itself against opposition attacks and Moscow will support those operations. NASA has released video of "a very bright" fireball that lit up the sky over Alabama just after midnight Friday morning. The official time of sighting was 12:19 a.m. CDT. The fireball, which is NASA's word for a very bright meteor, was described as "at least 40 times as bright as the Full Moon." It was first seen 58 miles above Turkeytown, Ala. northeast of Gadsden, according to NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at Huntsville's Marshall Space Flight Center. Security camera/doorbell camera video of last night's fireball over Alabama at 12:20a CT. From Jason Stricklin, Shannon Stephens, Barry Pender, and Chris Bruner. The meteor was 18 miles over East Alabama moving at 53,700 mph. It fragmented over Grove Oak, in DeKalb County. Posted by James Spann on Friday, August 17, 2018 The fireball was moving northwest at 53,700 miles per hour and fragmented about 18 miles above the small town of Grove Oak, NASA said. "Early results indicate the (meteor) was caused by a small asteroid 6 feet in diameter," NASA said. "We are still assessing the probability of the fireball producing meteorites on the ground." "Whether it did or not," NASA said, "it was an extremely bright event seen through partly cloudy skies and triggering every camera and sensor operated by the Meteroid Environment Office in the region." Briggs & Stratton has announced plans to open a distribution center in Auburn, where it already has a manufacturing plant, adding about 20 jobs. According to information released Friday by the Alabama Department of Commerce, the move is part of a plan to consolidate smaller warehouse operations into two major centers in Auburn and the Milwaukee area. A new facility in Germantown, Wisc., will add to capacity in nearby Menomonee Falls, Wisc. The announcement didn't specify what smaller warehouse operations the company would be closing. The Department of Commerce announcement quoted Bill Harlow, director of global distribution and warehousing at Briggs & Stratton, as saying that by "consolidating our current footprint into two large distribution centers, we're increasing efficiencies to more effectively serve our customers." "The locations in Germantown and Auburn will provide a North American enterprise distribution footprint that supports our strategy and customers with optimal inventory and order delivery while managing space and capital investment," he said. Briggs & Stratton has had operations in Auburn since 1995 and employs more than 400 people. Its plant there manufactures two-cylinder engines for lawn mowers, among other products. The new warehousing operation will store those engines and other products prior to final shipment. "We're already enhancing two of our existing plants in Auburn, Alabama, and Statesboro, Georgia, to bring production of our commercial Vanguard V-Twin engines back to the U.S.," said Dave Rodgers, senior vice president of the company and president for engines and power. A Birmingham-based Coca-Cola bottling company will continue with operations in coastal Alabama despite a Teamsters strike that is now a week old. Coca-Cola Bottling Company United said in a statement late Thursday that the company has presented "numerous proposals" to the union -- Teamsters Local 991 -- including "offers that increase associate wages over the term of their contract" and "attractive benefits and retiree medical." "We are very disappointed that we have not yet been able to come to an agreement with Teamster 991," the statement reads. "However, Coca-Cola United continues to negotiate in good faith through the mediator, as opposed to negotiating through the media." The company will continue with regular operations, the statement reads. Replacement workers have been brought in to keep the coastal Alabama and Mississippi operations going. "We will continue to negotiate in good faith for the long-term benefit of our associates and our company; however, at the same time we are continuing our operations to assure we provide the highest levels of product delivery and service to our customers and communities." The 250-member Teamsters Local 991 union went on strike following a negotiation stand still last month. The Teamsters are protesting what it claims are unfair labor practices by the company. Local 911 has told AL.com and other local media outlets that the strike is related to deep cuts in starting pay. Union leaders say the company wants to slash new hires by $5 to $7 an hour. The strike is occurring at four Coca-Cola distribution plants - Robertsdale, LeRoy, Mobile and Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Picketers have lined up along U.S. 90 at Coca-Cola Road in Tillman's Corner, and continue to stand along Baldwin County 104 in Robertsdale. One male was found dead inside a car that crashed tonight near a Mobile Walgreens and another male was found injured at a beauty supply a few blocks away, according to Mobile police. The incident happened about 7:25 p.m. when police responded to a wreck at Walgreens at 1320 Government Street. "Upon arrival police found a male deceased inside of the vehicle. Upon further investigation a second male subject was located at the Beauty Land Beauty Supply located at 1511 also suffering from injuries," a police statement read. "Police are in the process of trying to determine what occurred. At this time it is unknown how the deceased died. The second subject from the Beauty Supply was transported to the hospital unknown type injuries. This investigation is on going." This is a developing story and will be updated. Mobile police have identified the victim of a Thursday night crash in Mobile as 45-year-old Leslie Cunningham. Cunningham was found dead inside a car that crashed near a Walgreens on Government Street around 7:25 p.m. Thursday. The driver of the vehicle was found suffering with injuries at a beauty supply store a few blocks away, police said. The preliminary investigation found the driver was driving recklessly in the westbound lane of Government Street when the vehicle left the road. The vehicle came to rest at the base of a light pole in the parking lot of the Walgreens, police said. Cunningham was the passenger in the vehicle, police said.The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation. A former Prattville police officer was sentenced to serve three years in community corrections for burglary, theft and impersonating a police officer, the Attorney General's Office announced Friday. The former officer, 49-year-old John Wayne McDaniel Jr, pleaded guilty in October 2017 on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, third-degree theft, second-degree theft of prescription medicine and criminal impersonation of a police officer. He was sentenced Friday morning in the Autauga County Circuit Court to 10 years for each out, with the sentences split for him to serve three years in community corrections. The sentences will run concurrently. Defendants in the community corrections program may serve their time outside of prison or in jail but are held to stringent conditions and supervision. Upon any failure to comply with those conditions could result in the subject being sent to jail or prison, officials said. "It is always serious and a sad betrayal of the public's trust when a law enforcement officer breaks the law he has sworn to uphold," said Attorney General Marshall. "In this case, the court considered that McDaniel acknowledged his wrongdoing, cooperated in the investigation, and assisted with information for the prosecution of others in related crimes. His sentence takes this into account, yet imposes strong controls to invoke his prison sentence if he fails to abide by the strict standards of the community corrections program." McDaniel's cooperation was a factor in the successful prosecution of another former Prattville police officer, 51-year-old Leon Todd Townson, who was sentenced on Monday to serve 10 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections for first-degree insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, and three years for third-degree burglary. Townson's sentences run concurrently. Townson was also ordered to pay $203,307.20 in restitution to Travelers Insurance for defrauding the company. Another co-defendant, 18-year-old Raymond Douglas McCray, also agreed to cooperate in Townson's prosecution. McCray was sentenced Monday to 10 years, which was suspended for three years of probation. Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorney General John Kachelman of the Attorney General's Criminal Trials Division for his work in bringing these cases to a successful conclusion. He also commended Special Agents of his Investigations Division, and thanked the Prattville Police Department for their exemplary work in the investigation and prosecution of these cases. The analysis adds that China may be seeking the "capability to strike USA and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam", and that Beijing is developing a "stealthy, long-range strategic bomber with a nuclear delivery capability that could be operational within the next 10 years". Most specifically, the agency is concerned about China's growing influence in the South China Sea. China has been expanding what appear to be military facilities on islands and reefs in the area, and it has landed bombers on the outposts during training exercises. In May, the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to join a multinational naval exercise. The US also continues to maintain a substantial military presence in Japan, which has its own territorial disputes with China and the Philippines. Hundreds of military vehicles carrying advanced weaponry including drones, early warning radar, howitzers and air defence missiles participated in the PLA manoeuvre, state-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported on August 11. The Pentagon suspects that China might be training for strikes against USA targets as well as sending a message to other regional actors that Chinese capabilities are improving. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "By playing up the so-called China's militarisation in the South China Sea, certain people in the United States are staging a farce of a thief crying "stop thief". China is engaged in a decades-long build-up and modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, and military leaders have set a goal of fielding a world-class military by 2050. According to the Pentagon, the PLA in April 2017 undertook a massive transformation of operational and tactical units as part of its structural reforms. More Flooding Possible As Storms Move Through Southern Colorado Tuesday Some thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and during the evening rush, but they are not expected to be significant. By the weekend, the pesky low pressure system will have pulled away and mercifully lower storm chances will return. China is also restructuring ground forces to "fight and win". The report, which comes as the US and China spar over trade negotiations, said China increased its global defense spending to more than $190 billion in 2017, according to Reuters. The Pentagon report said that despite a projected slowdown in economic growth, China's official defence budget would be more than $240bn by 2028. The Pentagon report is at pains to stress that the USA "seeks a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China". Tensions also continue in the non-military sphere. In regards to Taiwan, the reports warns that China "is likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with China by force". The US military seems particularly alarmed by the prospect of China developing long-range bombers. "Should the United States intervene, China would try to delay effective intervention and seek victory in a high-intensity, limited war of short duration". "It is self-evident to a keener eye that who is militarising the South China Sea". A "stealthy, long-range strategic bomber with a nuclear delivery capability" could be operation "within the next 10 years", the report says, completing the so-called "nuclear triad" of delivery systems. For-hire drivers hope new cap on ride-sharing apps will help relieve financial pressure that some say is now unbearable. New York City, USA New York City taxi driver Nicanor Ochisor went extremely quiet last March. According to his son, Gabriel, Ochisor delayed buying tools to fix his taxi for a maintenance check. In hindsight, Gabriel thought that was odd, considering his father never kept such issues unattended. But at the time, Gabriel didnt think much of it. On the morning of March 16, the day before the scheduled check, Ochisor paid his pending bills, left his jacket and phone on the dining table, and hanged himself in the garage of their family home in Maspeth, Queens. Although the day was a shock to his family and friends, they had recognised signs of his depression in the lead up to his death. We saw it, my mother saw it for sure, Gabriel said in a calm voice as his son played in front of him in their family home. It moved so quick. He was getting depressed probably prior to this, but not to this point I guess. Six suicides in just over seven months Ochisor, a Romanian immigrant, is one of six New York City taxi drivers to take his life since November 2017, according to New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA). The first, Alfredo Perez, hanged himself in November. The following month, on December 20, Danilo Castillo Corporan jumped from the window of his Manhattan apartment, according to local media. In a suicide note, the 57-year-old blamed the disastrous industry. Six New York City for-hire drivers have killed themselves since November last year, prompting protests in recent months [File: Mary Altaffer/AP Photo] Then, in February, 61-year-old Doug Schifter, posted a lengthy note on Facebook, calling the business a slave industry and accusing politicians and the Taxi Commission of having a strong bias towards ride-sharing apps like Uber. Hours later he shot himself outside of City Hall in Lower Manhattan. Then, came Ochisors death just a month later. In May, the body of Yu Mein Chow, an immigrant from Myanmar who was known among friends as Kenny, was found floating in the East River, not far from the Brooklyn Bridge. His brother, Richard Chow, told Al Jazeera that he had recently taken out a $700,000 loan to buy a medallion, which is needed to operate a cab in the city. Chows death was determined to be a suicide by the medical examiner. Yu Mein Chow went missing for two weeks before his body was found floating in the East River, not far from the Brooklyn Bridge [Samira Sadeque/Al Jazeera] Less than a month later, on the third Friday of June, as Muslims across New York began their Eid celebrations, 59-year-old Abdul Saleh hanged himself by an electric cord in his room in Brooklyn. Saleh, a Yemeni immigrant, was struggling to pay for the lease on his vehicle, local media reported. The drivers jobs mainly driving yellow cabs are iconic to New Yorks landscape, but with the industry in steep decline as ride-sharing apps emerge, many face mounting financial pressure that has simply become unbearable. Now, drivers hope that new legislation temporarily capping the number of drivers for those apps will relieve some of the pressure. Medallion values plummet Traditionally, drivers have invested in the medallion, which they would pay off over the years and then lease out during their retirement. In 2013, the price of a medallion hit $1.3m, but its value plunged last year when one sold for less than $250,000, according to local media. My plan was to retire at the age of 62, and give the medallion to a broker and lease it, said Nicolae Hent, a cab driver and a friend of Ochisors who also immigrated from Romania. Im turning 62 in December, and now I cant retire. So probably I have to work until I die if things dont change in the city, he told Al Jazeera. The drop in price of the medallion appeared to coincide, at least in part, with the emergence of ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. While the apps first came to New York in 2011, their popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. Reports show that between the first quarter of 2014 and that of 2018, ride-sharing went from eight percent in the business traveller ground transport market to 70.5 percent, while taxi driving dropped from 37 percent to six percent in the same time span. This may be, in part, because there is a cap on medallions of only 13,587 vehicles. Until this week, there were no caps for ride-sharing apps, making it challenging for taxi drivers to compete against them. Not only are their prices lower, their supply is higher as well. We have to work longer, drive more, we're sleeping less, we're spending less time with our families and on the vacation times we used to have years ago. Solomon Neuschatz, New York City yellow cab driver Uber has brought so many cars, that we dont have any job to do, said Lal Singh, a taxi driver who migrated from Punjab, India. We keep going around and around for longer hours. Were starving. Solomon Neuschatz, another yellow cab driver who knew Ochisor for more than 15 years and was one of the last people to see him before his suicide, said its been harder for drivers over the last year. We have to work longer, drive more, were sleeping less, were spending less time with our families and on the vacation times, we used to have years ago, he told Al Jazeera. The price of the medallion has plummeted in recent years [File: Lucas Jackson/Reuters] The long hours and sometimes hours of isolation are often too much for drivers to handle, said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the NYTWA. What were seeing today, its a despair, a very particular sort of depression, a desperation due to financial ruin, Desai added. Additionally, ride-sharing drivers need a license for a few hundred dollars, unlike taxi drivers who invest thousands in medallions or on leasing their taxi monthly. New cap on ride-sharing drivers The financial burdens, as well as the emotional and physical strain, led many taxi drivers and their advocates to push for more government regulations on ride-sharing services. On Tuesday, they scored a major victory, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed recently passed legislation that limits the number of ride-share vehicles. {articleGUID} Under the new laws, the citys Taxi and Limousine Commission will stop issuing new for-hire vehicle licenses for a year while the city studies both the environmental and economic impact of the services. It also seeks to improve working conditions of the more than 100,000 for-hire drivers in the city, including imposing a minimum driver pay rate. The city is sending a clear message: were putting hard-working New Yorkers ahead of corporations, de Blasio said during the bill signing ceremony. Drivers chant slogans during a rally held by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance Members in March [Mary Altaffer/AP Photo] In a statement to Al Jazeera, Uber said the regulation will threaten one of the few reliable transportation options, while doing nothing to fix the subways or ease congestion. Other critics argue that limiting ride-sharing apps will unfairly affect those who struggle to find a ride. In a statement to local media after the passage of the new policy, Lyft said: These sweeping cuts to transportation will bring New Yorkers back to an era of struggling to get a ride, particularly for communities of colour and in the outer boroughs. But NYTWAs Desai welcomed the legislation, calling it a blueprint for the rest of the rest of the world. Driver incomes across all sectors have been in a downward spiral as Uber and Lyft flooded our streets. The immediate cap on new For-Hire-Vehicles puts a stop to that. Now, yellow taxi, green cab, black car, livery, Uber and Lyft drivers can finally hope for stability, she said in a statement. You cannot run a business of the taxi industry, where I have to follow the metre laws, but they can do whatever they want. So this is where now we're going to be moving forward. Solomon Neuschatz, New York City taxi driver And for the family and friends of the taxi drivers who committed suicide, the new regulation may be the answer they were hoping for. [Nicanor] would be very happy, he would shake the mayors hand, said driver Neuschatz, the friend of Nicanor Ochisor. You cannot run a business of the taxi industry, where I have to follow the metre laws, but they can do whatever they want. So this is where now were going to be moving forward, he told Al Jazeera. This bill is going to help to ensure that now we will be able to have a better life in the industry where nobody should have to work so hard to make pennies. Neuschatz said he will attend a memorial service for Ochisor on Sunday. There, he will tell his late friend about the new rules. I will tell Nicanor over there in the church, I will tell him what happened. Although I know hes looking down upon us, [and knows we] are happy. When the strongest storm to ever hit the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan struck the island of Sicogon five years ago, it left a trail of destruction in its path. The 6,000 residents on the island were left homeless. Village chief Wenefred Gonzales was one of them. But he says the worst was yet to come. You can see how the typhoon will destroy you but you dont see how they are going to destroy you, Gonzales said. Today, he says the residents face an even bigger battle eviction from their island by one of the wealthiest and oldest business conglomerates in the Philippines. Ayala is building hotels and an airport on the picturesque island, with the vision of turning it into a multimillion-dollar ecotourism destination. The company claims it is providing jobs and opportunities to the island. Gonzales disagrees. What happened on Sicogon is disaster capitalism, Gonzales told Al Jazeera. They took advantage of the situation after the tragedy and left the people with nothing. Disaster capitalism is the term used to describe what happens when companies exploit catastrophes for profit. Rosario Bella Guzman, a lead researcher at IBON, a local NGO that monitors the rebuilding of disaster zones, says that in the Philippines, the government has helped corporations take advantage in typhoon-affected areas. Typhoon Haiyan was actually the beginning of a very, very bad reconstruction programme, Guzman says. Here comes a corporation that is interested not in your rehabilitation, but in a lot of things that your trauma can offer. For the first time in the countrys history, the government asked 20 corporations, including Ayala, to spearhead rebuilding efforts after Typhoon Haiyan. The companies were able to choose which islands they wanted to rebuild. Ayala chose Sicogon. Sicogon residents have tried to rebuild their lives after Haiyan, but say theyre suffering even more now due to land grabbing by private corporations [Khalil Majeed/Al Jazeera] The disaster was so humongous, says Ruel Maranan, a managing director of Ayala. The whole business community mustered its resources and divided accordingly [among] the islands, so that we would be able to reach out to the far-flung areas. His company already had connections to Sicogon. Before Typhoon Haiyan hit, Ayala had partnered with local resort company, SIDECO, which owned 70 percent of the island. When the superstorm struck, SIDECO was already embroiled in a legal battle with the local residents. The government had planned to give more than 200 islanders parcels of land through an agriculture programme. This would have required SIDECO to give up a large part of its landholdings. After the storm reduced Sicogon to rubble, Ayala and SIDECO offered survivors a $3,000 cash payout or a house on another nearby island and $100. In return, the villagers had to surrender their land and leave. Wenefred Gonzales alleges Ayala abused its position as a reconstruction partner by giving the residents meagre food rations so they would be forced to go. They tried to starve us into taking one of their options. Their goal was to make the people lose hope from the hunger, so that we will have no other choice but to leave the island, Gonzales says. Months after Haiyan struck, the companies also sent out a memo to boat owners and nearby village chiefs, instructing them that construction materials were banned on the island. Anecito Mercurio Jr, a Sicogon island storm survivor who worked as a security guard for Ayala and SIDECO, says he was given orders to stop supplies from reaching residents. They destroyed their house and told them to leave. They even fired a gun next to a pregnant woman. Anecito Mercurio Jr, Sicogon Island Haiyan Storm Survivor We made sure nobody can bring in any materials to rebuild their house. All materials, including cement and tin roofing they dont allow to dock near the port, he says. Mercurio also says guards harassed and intimidated storm survivors who refused to sign deals to hand over their land. They destroyed their house and told them to leave. They even fired a gun next to a pregnant woman, he says. As tensions rose on Sicogon in 2014, the companies, residents and government representatives signed a compromise agreement. The residents would approve all the tourist ventures on Sicogon. In return, the companies would provide them with a resettlement site, farmland and work training. Four years after the deal was signed, an airport runway and two hotels are under construction but the islands residents say they have received nothing. They came out with an agreement, but that agreement was useless. It only benefited their own development, says Gonzales. SIDECO calls those allegations false and malicious, and say they are providing jobs and opportunities on the island. Ayalas Ruel Maranan says he is not aware of any memo that ordered supplies to be stopped from reaching Sicogon, but says he will investigate the claims. He also denies that residents have been treated unfairly. Critics argue that the government and private sector have failed to consider that a 27-km sea wall will make it more difficult for fishermen to make a living and cause long-term environmental damage [Khalil Majeed/Al Jazeera] I think the term exploit might be too harsh for us because we are very authentic and transparent with our plans such disasters are way beyond business initiatives. In Ayalas case, actually what we saw was an opportunity to respond to those who were affected. But the residents of Sicogon island are unconvinced and have pledged to continue fighting for the land they believe belongs to them. If they like your island, they will do anything they can to chase the people out, all for their own interests. Wenefred Gonzales, Village Chief Village chief Wenefred Gonzales fears other villages across the Philippines could fall victim to disaster capitalism if corporations continue to control reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of typhoons. If they like your island, they will do anything they can to chase the people out, all for their own interests, Gonzales says. It is our rights that we are fighting for. We should not just surrender our humanity or our dignity to these rich people. Because if we give this to them, what is left for us? Nothing. Beijings aggressive Sinification campaign is putting at stake the internal cohesion of Asias most powerful state. Amid President Xi Jinpings consolidation of power in China, there are growing concerns over an ongoing crackdown on religious freedoms and basic rights of minority groups in the country. China has reportedly embarked on an aggressive Sinification campaign to recast various foreign religions to reflect the regimes priorities and the countrys unique culture. Abrahamic faiths originating from the Middle East have been the main target of this new policy, which has provoked massive backlash among various ethnic-religious groups. In particular, the large Muslim Chinese community has resisted coercive re-education efforts by the authorities, which have progressively restricted religious minorities from observing the basic articles of their faith. According to a report submitted to the United Nations,as many as one million Uighurs from the western region of Xinjiang may have been forced into internment camps. {articleGUID} Some rights groups are accusing China of engaging in an all campaign of ethnic cleansing. The Chinese authorities, however, have vehemently denied such claims as baseless defamatory rumors. Beijing claims that they are only trying to prevent the emergence of Chinas Syria or Chinas Libya in Muslim-majority provinces through an iron-fist of decisive security measures. Yet, ongoing efforts at Sinification of Islam will likely only intensify deep ethnic-religious faultlines in modern China. Whats at stake is no less than the internal coherence in Asias most powerful civilisation-state. The Mirage of harmony In popular imagination, China is often synonymous with authoritarian tranquility. After all, modern China seems like a bastion of stability, where a communist state has, quite paradoxically, overseen the worlds most successful model of capitalist expansion. Within less than a generation, the Asian nation has gone from an economic backwater to a global superpower. It has lifted hundreds of millions of its citizens from extreme poverty, while investing hundreds of billions of dollars across the world. Surveys have consistently shown that majority of the population is satisfied with the ruling communist partys performance. Yet, a more careful look reveals intensified socioeconomic fault lines, with religious freedom emerging as a key area of contestation in China. Over the past decade, there has been an upsurge of resistance, sometimes even armed and violent, against Beijings marginalisation of the Muslim minority groups. The large-scale migration of Han (mainstream Chinese ethnic group) population into previously Muslim-majority regions as well as government restrictions on observance of basic tenets of Islam, including wearing of veil and fasting during Ramadan, has deepened Uighur grievance against the regime. {articleGUID} In mid-2009, a series of violent clashes between Uighurs and Han residents of Urumqi led to the death and injury of as many as 184 individuals. The radicalised atmosphere has strengthened the hands of groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which has called for armed resistance against Beijing. In 2013, terror hit the capital, when several Uighurs, using an SUV, ploughed through visitors at Beijings Tiananmen Square. The following year saw several terrorist attacks across Xinjiang, one of which claimed the lives of close to hundred individuals as well as an Imam perceived to be regime-friendly. That year also saw a group of suspected Uighur extremists chasing and assaulting civilians in Kunming, in the province of Yunan, with knives, provoking fears of widespread terror attacks across the country. Iron-Fist response In response, the communist regime, which derives its legitimacy from bringing about order and prosperity, adopted increasingly draconian measures, reportedly including the establishment of reeducation camps for religious recantation, to crash resistance among ethnic minority groups and prevent terror attacks across the country. In a particularly strident editorial, The Global Times, a hard line Chinese government mouthpiece, portrayed the ongoing crackdown on and cultural marginalisation of Uighurs as a justifiable policy to ensure Xinjiang has been salvaged from the verge of massive turmoil and evil influence of extremism. It accused critics, particularly in the West, of trying to stir trouble for Xinjiang and destroy the hard-earned stability in the region. The newspaper claimed that the Chines government has brought rule of law and ethnic unity in the troubled province. Echoing the standard argument of the communist regime, the editorial argued that [p]eace and stability must come above all else, even if this means the adoption of all [necessary] measures. Recent weeks saw the extension of the governments religious crackdown to the historically well-integrated Hui Muslims in northern Ningxia region, reflecting a more aggressive attempt at Sinification of religion. A recent government decision to demolish the Weizhou Grand Mosque, supposedly for lack of proper permit but likely because of its more Middle Eastern design, sparked days of massive protests by thousands of Hui Muslims. {articleGUID} Chinas relations with Muslim-majority Central Asian neighbours have also come under strain. Recently, a Kazakh court ruled in favour of Sayragul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese national, who sought refuge in the central Asian country after exposing the presence of internment reeducation camps for Muslim minority groups. China sought her extradition for supposedly violating state secrets, an accusation that can carry death penalty. Her case sparked widespread outrage against China across Kazakhstan, forcing the Beijing-friendly government to protect the asylum-seeking activist. Unless the Chinese communist regime reconsiders its current policy towards religious minority groups, it will likely inspire even greater resistance among Muslim groups at home and backlash among neighbouring Muslim countries. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. In an opinion piece published in the New York Times on August 11, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkeys partnership with the United States is in jeopardy, and warned that Ankara could start looking for new allies. Relations between Ankara and Washington have sunk to their lowest point in decades earlier this year over a number of issues, including the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson on terrorism-related charges. Before it is too late, Washington must give up the misguided notion that our relationship can be asymmetrical and come to terms with the fact that Turkey has alternatives, Erdogan wrote in the comment piece. Since the start of the crisis with the US, the Turkish president had already been saying that Turkey could seek new partnerships with a wide range of countries, from Iran, to Russia, to China and some European countries. He also expressed interest in entering Turkey into the BRICS block. Only a couple of days after Erdogans latest threat of start looking for new allies, on August 13, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov travelled for an official visit to Ankara, where he addressed a meeting of Turkish ambassadors and discussed an upcoming Syria summit with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. The four-way summit, which will be attended by the leaders of Turkey, Russia, France and Germany, is expected take place in Istanbul on September 7. Lavrovs visit to Turkey gave the appearance of a Russian-Turkish rapprochement, with both foreign ministers expressing their desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. This was not surprising to many, as Erdogan had already expressed such an intention and as both countries are now in a similar foreign policy situation. Russia, after the events in Ukraine, damaged its relations with its main political and economic partner, European Union. Moreover, the sanctions that have been in effect since 2014 not only halved the exchange rate of the rouble, but also led to a permanent deficit of the Russian budget. Turkey is moving albeit at a slower pace in a similar direction. Ankaras relations with Western countries are becoming increasingly tense. As result of endless disputes between Turkey and the West, the Turkish economy is stagnant, and the lira has collapsed. Nevertheless, despite their growing problems with the West, the perceived rapprochement between the two countries does not seem to go beyond words. Neither country appears eager to find an alternative to the Western world. On the contrary, the ultimate goal for both the Turkish and the Russian leaderships is to restore relations with their usual partners -the US for the former and the EU for the latter. Russia and Turkey: Still not allies? The statements made by both Lavrov and Cavusoglu after their meeting in Ankara regarding positive trends in trade and economic relations and trade turnover growth of 40 percent should not fool anyone. The trade turnover between Russia and Turkey, although it reached $ 21.6 bn in 2017, is still far from where it was before Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Turkish-Syrian border in November 2015, causing a major strain in relations between the countries (In 2014, the trade turnover between Russia and Turkey stood at $ 30 billion). Moreover, despite promising statements from both sides, neither country appears to be in a hurry to abolish the trade restrictions they introduced against each other after the incident. For example, in May last year, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the parties agreed on lifting restrictions on the economic relations between the two countries. However, following that agreement, Ankara imposed two further restrictions on Russian wheat imports, and Moscow failed to allow Turkey to export tomatoes to Russia. No less superficial is their cooperation in the field of energy, which, according to Sergey Lavrov, playes a key role in bilateral relations. The TurkStream gas pipeline, actively lobbied by Moscow, is constantly being used for blackmail by Ankara. For example, in January 2018, in return for allowing the construction of the next branch of the pipeline, Ankara demanded access to Russian controlled air corridors in Syria that it needed for the Operation Olive Branch. And on June 12, Erdogan and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP). This pipeline will begin to supply gas to Europe in the middle of next year, with a throughput capacity of 16 billion cubic meters per year, and will become a direct competitor to the Russian-backed TurkStream. Is there another alternative to the West for Turkey? Turkeys other attempts to form new partnerships to replace the one it has with the West, appears to be equally artificial. For example, during the last BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Erdogan floated the idea of Turkey joining the bloc. But neither Turkey, nor the blocs current members including Russia seem to be that interested in such an expansion. Current members are not interested in expanding the bloc until a suitable mechanism of interaction within the association is created. [Member countries] are willing to cooperate with other countries and do not rule out BRICS expansion in the future, but they believe that it requires additional analysis, Russian President Putin said at a press conference during the summit. Moreover, Turkey does not have an ally in the bloc lobbying for its entry. For example, South Africas entry into the bloc was largely due to the aggressive lobbying efforts by Brazil and India The three countries had been part of the IBSA Dialogue forum since 2003. Obviously, Turkey does not currently have allies within the bloc that are equally enthusiastic about its entry. This is largely a consequence of the Western-orientation of the Turkish economy. Almost half of all Turkish imports come from the EU and the US and among the exporters of Turkish products, the share of all BRICS countries is only at 4.2 percent. Ankara is undoubtedly aware of these roadblocks, but appears not too concerned about its offers falling on deaf ears. The same is true for Turkeys expressed desire to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Erdogan first floated the idea of Turkey joining the SCO two years ago. And he did it in the same evasive manner as in the case of the BRICS: Why shouldnt Turkey be in the Shanghai Five? the Turkish president casually asked. Turkeys offer to join the SCO raised concerns both in Moscow and in Beijing. For the Russian leadership, the Turkish membership in the SCO would signal the emergence of another competitor in the post-Soviet Central Asia, mostly populated by Turkic peoples. For China, Turkeys entry in to the organisation would also mean increased competition in Central Asia. Moreover, Beijing is seriously concerned about Ankaras position on the Uighurs living in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Having proclaimed Xinjiang the front of world terrorism, China wants to present the armed struggle of the Uighurs as terrorism on the international arena. However, the Turks, who have religious, ethnic and linguistic links to the group, views the situation in Xinjian as an human rights crisis. In 2009 Erdogan even accused Chinese authorites of committing genocide against the Uighurs. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that Turkeys accession to the SCO is not being perceived as a serious possibility just like its initiative to join the BRICS. However, it is unlikely that anyone will be upset, because these stillborn initiatives of the Turkish leadership are primarily aiming to upset the West. Turkey has no serious desire to replace its traditional partnerships with new ones. It is extending these offers to Russia and its partners in an attempt to convince Washington that it can lose an important ally and economic partner if it does not clean up its act. Only time will tell whether Ankaras plans will succeed. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. About 40 gunmen in pick-up trucks and motorbikes storm military position near Mali border, killing a dozen troops. A dozen soldiers were killed in northern Burkina Faso when unidentified gunmen attacked a military post near the border with Mali, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said while calling the assailants forces of evil. He said those killed were members of the armys special anti-terrorist group. This attack demonstrates that the fight against terrorism will be without respite and also underscores the necessary decisions that must be taken to give confidence and vitality to our army, Kabore said. Two more men were missing after about 40 armed men, riding pick-up trucks and motorbikes, attacked the Nassoumbou base on Friday morning, Mohamed Dah, commissioner of Soum province, told AFP news agency. They [the attackers] were heavily armed with Kalashnikovs and rocket-launchers, Dah said. They opened fire at the depots, the tents and set fire to some of the vehicles. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. READ MORE: Burkina Faso Ghost of Africas Che Guevara The army said in a statement it had sent reinforcements. Troops at the Nassoumbou base are part of a 600-strong counterterrorism battalion that was deployed in January 2013 when France sent in troops during the unrest in northern Mali. Attacks in Burkina Faso were rare before a major strike by al-Qaeda-linked fighters on a hotel in the capital Ouagadougou killed 29 people in January. In September, a newly formed armed group, led by a fighter formerly loyal to Algerias Mokhtar Belmokhtar, claimed to have attacked a military position in Burkina Faso. And unidentified gunmen also killed three soldiers and two civilians in October. Ghani visited the city of Ghazni a week after the Taliban launched an assault on the provincial capital. Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistans president, has visited the embattled southeastern city of Ghazni, a week after the Taliban launched an attack and infiltrated deep into the key provincial capital. The five-day battle with the Taliban in Ghazni killed at least 100 members of Afghan security forces and 35 civilians before calm was restored on Wednesday, while a UN report quoted unverifiable numbers that put the civilian death toll at more than 200. Ghani met officials on Friday in Ghazni, a central Afghanistan city on the main highway linking the capital, Kabul, with the south, to assess security. He also met families of the victims. In a speech, Ghani said greater security was needed around district capitals, as well as the provincial capital, and questioned the strength of defence trenches dug around vulnerable areas. I am here to help all those who have suffered losses, I am committed to build the city and also do everything to protect Ghazni, Ghani said. Our soldiers have fought bravely and we stand committed to bringing peace, he said. In Kabul, the UN office for humanitarian assistance (OCHA) said fighting was continuing on Ghaznis outskirts. In its report, which was released late on Thursday, OCHA said water and electricity have yet to be restored in many areas of the city of 270,000 people. Abdul Halim Noori, the head of the Afghan Red Crescent in Ghazni, said six of their teams are still sifting through the rubble in the city, searching for bodies. So far, the aid group has retrieved 270 bodies but there was no breakdown or indication how many were Afghan security troops, Taliban fighters or civilians. In one home, they found bodies of 11 members of a single family, Noori told The Associated Press. Even though they were pushed back from the city, the Taliban still hold sway in much of Ghazni province. Elsewhere in Afghanistan on Friday, the Taliban ambushed and killed five local police officers in northern Baghlan province, according to Ekramuddin Sarih, the provincial chief police. He said the officers were patrolling on foot near their security post in the provincial capital of Puli Khumri. The agreement relates to people who applied for asylum in Greece before moving on to Germany. Germany has reached a deal with Greece to send back people to the southern European country if they have already applied for asylum there. The announcement by the German interior ministry on Friday follows a similar agreement reached with Spain last week. Both deals come after a dispute between Chancellor Angela Merkels conservatives and their Bavarian allies over returning asylum seekers that nearly split them and brought down the government. The signature of an administrative agreement with Greece is a further step on the way to more orderly conditions in European migration policy, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said in a statement. Ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann told a news conference the Greek agreement, like the one with Spain, would allow Germany to send migrants entering via Germanys border with Austria to Greece within 48 hours. In exchange, Germany agreed to deal with a backlog of family reunification applications by the end of 2018, and to reconsider disputed cases, the ministry said. Petermann said Germany was also in very advanced negotiations on a similar deal with the Italian government and she expected a deal to be struck. Last Friday, Petermann said both Italy and Greece had made counterdemands. The deals are not likely to affect many refugees. Figures from the Interior Ministry last week showed that since mid-June around 150 people who had already applied for asylum in another European Union country had been detected entering Germany from Austria. China restricts internet users by blocking websites, censoring words and clamping down on free speech. More than a thousand Google employees have signed a letter criticising the companys plan to launch a heavily censored version of its search engine in China. In the letter, which is an internal petition, the employees asked for more transparency and oversight of Project Dragonfly, the projects internal title. We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what were building, the letter, seen by the Reuters news agency, reads. The employees are reportedly worried about kowtowing to China by implementing the governments requests for censorship. {articleGUID} China restricts internet users massively by blocking websites, censoring words and clamping down on free speech. In the letter, the employees say Google would be validating Chinas restrictions on freedom of expression and violating its own clause in the companys code of conduct, dont be evil. Google has not officially commented on the project, but following the letter, Google CEO Sundar Pichai told employees the project is still in early stages of development and it is still unknown if the search engine would launch at all. The team has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now, and I think they are exploring many options, Pichai said during an internal meeting. Well definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here. Human rights organisations and activists expressed their worry over Googles plans when they were shared earlier this month in US media reports. Amnesty International called it a dark day for the internet if Google decided to push through its plans. Building censorship into a Chinese search engine is neither hard no cool. You know what's cool? Using all that effort to direct Chinese to uncensored information, which is what Google could have done. https://t.co/Y0XcGM2jyV by @rj_gallagher GreatFire.org (@GreatFireChina) August 10, 2018 Activists have long sought to circumvent the effects of the Chinese governments pervasive censorship methods. Earlier this year, Google employees staged a similar protest when it was announced the company was working with the US Department of Defense to develop artificial intelligence capabilities for drones. After the letter, Google decided to withdraw from that project. If Google decides to follow through on its plans, it would not be the first time Google enters the Chinese market. In 2006, the search engine was introduced to Chinese internet users, but after many quarrels with the Chinese government, it moved its servers to Hong Kong, which has fewer restrictions on the internet. However, eventually, Google pulled out of China completely in 2010 after several large-scale attacks on the company purportedly by the Chinese government. Google services, including its search engine, Gmail and Google Drive, are all blocked in China. Greece fires: Inquiry launched regarding response Prosecutors have launched an inquiry into why 96 people were killed. US immigration: Migrant families continue to arrive at border Despite the zero-tolerance policies initiated by the Trump administration, border officials still apprehended over 9,000 migrant families in July. Last month, Baba Ramdev, founder of Patanjali Ayurved, was busy mocking his market rivals, saying that the latter were well on their path to attaining "moksha". But the numbers don't back him up. The yoga guru's company, which had recorded over 100 per cent growth rate about a year ago, has since witnessed a considerable dip in demand, even as the competition has grown in strength. Citing data from Kantar Worldpanel, a global consumer research firm, The Economic Times reported that Patanjali's sales volumes grew just 7 per cent during October-March 2018 against 52 per cent growth in the corresponding period in 2016-17. Moreover, toothpaste and honey were the only two categories in which it expanded market share over the past year, while its share in soaps and edible oil remained the same. Worse, a recent Ambit Capital report reveals that Patanjali's share in hair oil, shampoo and butter has actually fallen. A senior manager of a modern retail company previously told Business Today that the demand for Patanjali products dipped primarily because of product unavailability. "Their store filling frequency is pathetic. When the consumer asks for the product and it's not available she obviously moves to other brands," he said. Indeed, the two key factors behind Patanjali's phenomenal rise in this decade, value pricing and differentiated positioning, can only continue to woo customers if the products are actually seen on the shop shelves. Making matters worse, Patanjali's new forays have failed to make waves. For instance, its messaging app Kimbho - supposed to be a rival to Facebook's WhatsApp - was taken down yet again. Then, there were factors like GST-led disruptions, increasingly aggressive rivals and capital constraints from unsold inventory, all of which resulted in a year of no growth for Patanjali. In comparison, HUL, ITC and Nestle recorded double-digit growth in the last fiscal. The company's strategy of carpet-bombing the FMCG market by foraying into every possible category, from personal care to food and home care and even food, may have backfired. After starting out as a small pharmacy in 1997, Patanjali slowly picked up steam and went on to launch more than two dozen mainstream FMCG products, and is now eyeing the apparel sector and dairy products, among others. The daily added that Patajali's penetration rate is also slowing down. Kantar data shows that the company's products are present in 37 per cent of households now, compared with 31 per cent a year ago and 16 per cent about two years ago. Despite these hiccups, Patanjali is confident that it will resume its growth path in the ongoing fiscal. "We are strengthening our management structure and supply chain to address global expansion. This will result in another phase of our growth driver status in the FMCG marketplace, both in value and volume terms," SK Tijarawala, spokesperson at the Haridwar-based company, told the daily. But this time round, the competition is better prepared. Patanjali's success catalysed the market for herbal, ayurvedic and natural products, which now account for about 10 per cent of the consumer goods market. In the past six fiscals, these products grew at a CAGR of 21 per cent compared with 11 per cent for the overall FMCG sector. So, along the way, in addition to the entrenched domestic players like Dabur and Himalaya, leading MNC rivals also launched natural and herbal products to counter Patanjali's challenge. For instance, Hindustan Unilever relaunched the Ayush brand of ayurvedic personal care products. The new launches in the pipeline for Patanjali will now determine whether Baba Ramdev's enterprise will be able to kick-start the sputtering growth or whether it will continue to crumble like a house of cards. With PTI inputs Edited By Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal Iraqi military says it struck potential suicide bombers who intended to strike during next weeks Eid al-Adha holiday. The Iraqi army says it has killed 28 members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group, after carrying out two air strikes on eastern Syria. Security officials told the Associated Press (AP) on Friday that F-16 fighter jets targeted a meeting of potential suicide bombers who intended to target various locations in Iraq during next weeks Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. About 20 ISIL members were killed in that airstrike, while eight died in the second. Both targets were inside Syria, near the Iraqi border, officials said. Iraqs air force has carried out several strikes on ISIL-held territory in Syria since December, after Prime Minister Hyder al-Abadi declared victory over the armed group. ISIL controlled significant portions of Iraq and Syria at its peak, the group ruled over roughly 110,000sq km in those two countries. By October 2017, the groups territory had been reduced to about 10,000sq km, mostly in eastern Syria. ISILs administrative capital was once in Mosul, a city in western Iraq which was freed by the Iraqi military and militias collaborating with the US-led coalition in July 2017 after an almost year-long battle. According to an investigation by the AP late last year, between 9,000 and 11,000 people were killed in the nine-month battle, with the civilian casualty rate nearly 10 times higher than previously reported. Closure comes after police say they shot dead Palestinian who tried to stab group of Israeli police officers. Israeli forces have shut down the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following an alleged stabbing attempt by a Palestinian on a group of Israeli policemen in Jerusalems Old City. The attacker, a 30-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel from the town of Umm al-Faham, was shot dead by the Israeli forces, police said in a statement on Friday. No other casualties were reported. According to local Palestinian media, worshipers were forcibly removed out of the compound by Israeli police and soldiers, who then proceeded to shut down the gates to the Old City. In response, hundreds of Palestinians performed the early evening prayers outside the gates. For Muslims, the Noble Sanctuary hosts Islams third holiest site, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock, a seventh-century structure believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Jews believe the compound is where the Biblical Jewish temples once stood, but Jewish law and the Israeli Rabbinate forbid Jews from entering the compound and praying there, as it is considered too holy to tread upon. The compounds Western Wall, known as the Wailing Wall to Jews, is believed to be the last remnant of the Second Temple, while Muslims refer to it as al-Buraq Wall and believe it is where the Prophet Muhammad tied al-Buraq, the animal upon which he ascended to the sky and spoke to God. On August 16, incumbent Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was declared the winner of Malis presidential election, securing a second five-year term in office. Keita who is widely known as IB got 67.2 percent of the August 12 runoff vote, decisively defeating challenger Soumaila Cisse, who received 32.8 percent, according to electoral officials. Though IBKs victory was widely expected, the vote was marred in both rounds by allegations of fraud from the opposition, as well as violence, threats and other difficulties that closed hundreds of polling stations and disturbed the voting process in thousands of others. The second-round turnout was low, at 33.6 percent, even though this is not especially unusual for Mali. Heres what you need to know about the election. IBKs win was anticipated, but mandate is unclear IBK faced 23 challengers, including not Cisse who he is also defeated in a 2013 runoff vote but also Cheick Modibo Diarra, a former interim prime minister, and Aliou Diallo, one of the countrys wealthiest businessmen. Although IBKs partisans spoke confidently of an outright win before the July 29 first round, his re-election was comfortable and largely in-line with past victories. {articleGUID} The easy win also came despite IBK facing larger opposition in civil society and among religious leaders than in 2013. In that year, he was widely regarded as the right man to help the country recover after the 2012 Tuareg rebellion and takeover of the north, which was followed by a French military intervention. Popular acclaim has been muted at best for IBK, who benefitted from a fractured opposition but is seen by many as being in a weaker position than 2013, given the security and financial challenges Mali has faced during his first mandate. Lingering fraud allegations marred both rounds Before voting even began, Cisse and his campaign warned of irregularities with voter lists and difficulties with obtaining the cards required to cast ballots. During and after the first round, they alleged ballot-box stuffing and other irregularities, especially in the countrys arid north, where the population is low and voter turnout was especially high. Cisse also contested the results of the second round, despite European Union (EU) observers saying they had not witnessed fraud, and called on political parties to keep any electoral protests peaceful, and within the bounds of the law. On Friday, Cisse said he lodged an appeal with Malis constitutional court to overturn the results. Malis political class and society are more fractured than in 2013 Despite efforts to unify the opposition, both Diarra and Diallo refused to tell their followers who to vote for in the second round all but guaranteeing IBKs win before ballots were cast. This happened despite noted opposition to IBK from some of Malis most prominent religious leaders such as Cheikh MBouye Haidara (the Cherif of Nioro-du-Sahel, a town near the border with Mauritania), as well as influential commentators like Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as Ras Bath, whose radio show and public speeches denouncing corruption and poor governance are hugely popular among young Malians. Despite the numbers, this opposition and lukewarm support in the international community makes IBKs win far less definitive than in 2013, given his visible declines in popularity and support among key groups. Malis security situation and of region is worsening Five years after Frances military intervention and despite the presence of more than 13,000 United Nations peacekeepers, insecurity in Mali continues to worsen, having spread from the north to Malis more central and more populated regions of Mopti and Segou. {articleGUID} According to a recent UN report, violent incidents have tripled in the past year, and only a third of state officials who should be present in the north and the central Mopti region are actually in their posts. Armed violence has also grown in northern and now eastern Burkina Faso. Nigers border areas with Mali also continue to be under threat from armed groups. Both armed groups and militias have allegedly committed massacres against civilians in Niger as well as the Malian border region of Menaka. The UN and others hope that now those elections are finished, Malis government and signatory armed groups will be able to work more diligently to implement the Accord for Peace and Reconciliation, signed in Algiers, Algeria, in June 2015. But progress on the implementation has been slow, with only limited results so far. Unclear how election will impact international presence in Mali and wider Sahel The international community is largely resigned to IBKs victory, and hopes for progress despite growing insecurity and allegations that corruption and poor governance have worsened in the past five years. The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali costs $1bn a year and is unlikely to go away any time soon. The EU has two Common Defence and Security Policy (CSDP) missions in Mali and provides massive amounts of aid, financing and budget support to the country and the wider region through bilateral programmes and new initiatives such as the Alliance Pour le Sahel (Alliance for the Sahel). The EU, and to a lesser extent the United States, also support regional efforts like the G5 Sahel Joint Force, which is meant to improve coordination and border security between Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. However, the Joint Force is only slowly coming together. Even if and when the force becomes fully operational, its 5,000 soldiers and police officers will have a difficult time patrolling vast and difficult border areas, despite promised donations of more than 430m ($492m) for the force gathered so far. Growing demand for palm oil is depleting forests as the Orang Asli tribe fights for its rights. Dendi Johari is an Orang Asli fighting for his tribes rights in Malaysias eastern state of Kelantan. As an indigenous activist, Dendi makes trips from his village in the deep forest of Gua Musang to the states capital to attend court hearings, community meetings and participate in forest road blockades to protest logging in the lands that Orang Asli consider theirs. I see the forests being cut down with such greed and without control, said Dendi. In Malaysia, some of the worlds highest deforestation rates have led to significant loss of biodiversity and threaten such endangered species as orangutans. Indigenous people who depend on the forests for livelihood also fear for the day they will not be able to follow their way of life if nothing changes. If the land is barren, there are no more sources of life. Our traditions will die, said Dendi. Around 200,000 Orang Asli live in Peninsular Malaysia and have a powerful relationship with nature. They praise it through the Sewang ceremony where, guided by sounds of bamboo, they sing and dance. Nature gives us power. It gives us dream songs, said Dendi. We ask nature to protect us from misfortune and disasters. We regard the forest as our home. Its very valuable. You cannot buy it with money. To not disturb nature, Orang Asli use blowpipes to hunt in the forests and wear special crowns as a sign of their good intentions. In the forest, they find food, medicine and other needed materials. Dendi looking around the cleared lands after hunting in the forest [Drew Ambrose/Contrast] A multibillion-dollar business, however, reigns over the tropical lands of Malaysia. Lush forests are cut down to plant oil palm plantations that produce the most commonly used vegetable oil in the world. Palm oil can be found in half of the packaged products in supermarkets, including biscuits, ice cream, soap and cosmetics. The world consumes around 60 million tonnes of palm oil each year. The figure has gone up 400 percent in 23 years. Demand is expected to keep growing. Malaysia produces around 39 percent of the worlds palm oil and is the second-biggest producer after Indonesia. For Kelantan and some other states, logging is one of the main sources of income and the state governments are the ones responsible for granting logging licences, as they possess constitutional powers to make decisions on matters related to lands. The federal government affirmed that this jurisdiction cannot be disputed, even though the courts claim that such powers are not absolute and that the country should respect and protect Orang Asli land rights. States have to think about the future. The forest is not a factory, Jerald Joseph, commissioner at SUHAKAM, the national human rights institution of Malaysia, told Al Jazeera. Orang Asli witness a truck full of oil palm fruits struggling to drive up the hill [Drew Ambrose/Contrast] If we were dealing with some other products, that would be more understandable, but once you deplete the forest, it creates problems for the future. There is hope that the recent major political shift in Malaysia might bring positive changes for Orang Asli. The new government has promised to do more to protect their customary land rights. The new prime minister has announced setting up a special task force to safeguard the interests of the Indian community, women, youth and Orang Asli. While activists claim Orang Asli matter could qualify for a special ministry, meetings between Orang Asli representatives and politicians are being held in Kuala Lumpur to shape the future of collaboration. In my heart, I pray that victory is on our side. But it is very difficult because they (the loggers) have power and money, said Dendi, walking around the expanding cleared lands. Its sad that I see the forests disappearing day after day. The next generation will not know the names of the trees and medicinal plants. And that is a great loss for all human beings, not only the Orang Asli. The Curse of Palm Oil, a virtual reality film, produced by Contrast and 101 East, current affairs documentary programme, explores the connection Orang Asli have to the forests that are cut down to make way for oil palm plantations. Portal looks at what is going on in the Central African Republic and features personal stories of survival and hope. It behooves us all to bear in mind Jordan's words today. Even though she reminds the nation that in 1787, when the Constitution was completed, African-Americans like herself were "left out," she also explains that "through the process of amendment, interpretation and court decision," she was finally and irrevocably included in "we, the people." With the constant cries for impeachment that swirl around Donald J. Trump, it is incumbent upon us to remember the wise and reasoned words of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who on July 25, 1974 gave an eloquent and dispassionate speech concerning the impeachment hearings against then-president Richard M. Nixon. Thus, she firmly asserts that her "faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total." She refuses to "be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution" as it concerns "those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." In the strongest of terms, Jordan asserts that "the jurisdiction comes from the abuse or violation of some public trust." In fact, "it is a misreading of the Constitution, for any member here to assert that for a member to vote for an article of impeachment means that that member must be convinced that the President should be removed from office." The Constitution doesn't say that. The powers relating to impeachment are an essential check in the hands of this body, the legislature, against and upon the encroachment of the Executive. In establishing the division between the two branches of the legislature, the House and the Senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge, the framers of this Constitution were very astute. They did not make the accusers and the judges the same person. We know the nature of impeachment. It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. It is designed to 'bridle' the Executive if he engages in excesses. It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men. The framers confined in the Congress the power, if need be, to remove the President in order to strike a delicate balance between a President swollen with power and grown tyrannical and preservation of the independence of the Executive. The nature of impeachment is a narrowly channeled exception to the separation of powers maxim; [thus,] the federal convention of 1787 ... limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term, 'maladministration. It is to be used only for great misdemeanors[.]' Furthermore, "[t]he drawing of political lines goes to the motivation behind impeachment; but impeachment must proceed within the confines of the constitutional term, 'high crime and misdemeanors.'" In light of the hue and cry coming from present-day Democrats who would upturn the Constitution, Jordan would retort that "[c]ommon sense would be revolted if we engaged upon this process for petty reasons." It is now patently clear that Russian collusion has not occurred with President Trump. In his meticulously documented book The Russia Hoax: the Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump, Gregg Jarrett has set forth the breathtaking abuse by the FBI and Department of Justice to subvert the American system of justice and undermine the democratic process. There is no plausible evidence that Trump or his campaign collaborated with Russia to win the presidency. Moreover, the FBI had no legal basis to initiate the investigation in the first place. To the dismay of millions of Americans, the law-enforcers have become the lawbreakers. I venture to say that it would break Barbara Jordan's heart that such abuse of the law has taken place. It is clear that there are no impeachment criteria, since the president "has not been connected in any suspicious manner with any person," nor are there grounds to believe that Trump would shelter anyone to cover up a crime. Notwithstanding the constant din of the media talking heads, Trump has not behaved amiss or betrayed the public trust. Unlike the previous occupant of the White House, Trump has not committed any crimes that violate the liberties of the American people. Trump has most decidedly "not subverted the Constitution; he has not counseled his aides to commit perjury, willfully disregarded the secrecy of grand jury proceedings, or attempted to compromise a federal judge." And yet, as Justice Louis D. Brandeis has stated, "the greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal." Consequently, the Democratic Party with its absolute fanaticism, coupled with the majority of the mass media and the various groups like the incendiary Antifa, continues to push the "most notorious hoax in modern American history." These people's passion is not proof of President Trump subverting the Constitution, however loudly and angrily they may shriek. It is way overdue for the assault against President Trump to end. There is not a "whiff of credible evidence to legally justify this ongoing probe." In fact, as Rush Limbaugh underscores: [I]t cannot be overstated what the real objective here to start was. And that was clearing Hillary Clinton of all of the crimes ... she had committed. This is doubly a whammy because it wasn't just framing Donald Trump. He had not committed any crimes[.] ... They had to make it look like he had, in the process exonerating Hillary [of] crimes she had committed. Barbara Jordan's speech drew a contrast between political motivations and high crimes and misdemeanors. It cannot be emphasized enough that any notion of impeachment must proceed within the confines of the latter concept. Of Jordan, it was said that "[t]here was simply something about her that made [one] proud to be a part of the country that produced her." We would be wise to pay attention to her acumen and perspicacity. Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com. I've been looking at some polling crosstabs and I've got to say to my fellow white men over 55: you are a great disappointment to me. On the other hand, it seems fitting and consistent with the American story that women, minorities and young people now step up to save the republic. Recently, I came across a tweet from Bill Kristol commenting on some recent polling data favorable to Donald Trump. Bill is one of the founders of not only the Weekly Standard magazine, but also the NeverTrump movement. He wrote : There are two major political parties in the United States. The titular head of one is Donald Trump, who, per Bill Kristol, is an unstable reprobate. Therefore, in the NeverTrump mentality, only the current iteration of the Democratic Party can "save the republic." The nation must be rescued from the clutches of Trump and his allies in the present-day Republican Party. These outrageous blights on the American character must be soundly defeated in the upcoming midterm election if there is any hope for the future. Bill and his fellow travelers such as Jennifer Rubin, David Frum, Max Boot, and George Will, among other NeverTrumps and their allies, are telling each other, and anyone who will listen, that Trump is not only far worse than the Democrats in Congress, but solely responsible for the combative state of American politics. Trump's unexpected and overwhelming success as an amateur politician is a clear and present danger to the Professional Conservative Class, as he does not and will not listen to them. This cabal is used to being feted by the mainstream media as setting the tone for the conservative movement, which more often than not includes being obsequious toward the dominant movers and shakers in Washington: the Democrats and the media. Therefore, the radicalization and absolutism of the Democratic Party that have been evolving over the past two decades are subsumed by the greater threat of Donald Trump. To listen to the NeverTrump crowd, had he not won the presidency, the country would be far better off, civility would reign supreme, and Democrats and housebroken Republicans would hold hands as they cheerfully do the bidding of them who must be obeyed: the American Ruling Class. So, to Bill and his fellow denizens of the Professional Conservative Class: How much less chaotic would the state of politics be in the United States, and how differently would the Democrats and the America left behave if another Republican had won the presidency in 2016? Since Ted Cruz, a professional politician and marginally more acceptable to the conservative intelligentsia, came in second in the Republican primaries, let us assume he won the nomination and unexpectedly defeated Hillary Clinton in November of 2016. Ted Cruz represents an existential threat to the Democratic Party. He is Cuban-American and thus would be the first Hispanic nominated to run for president by either major party. The Democrats and the left view the 57 million Hispanic Americans and 38 million black Americans as the unquestioned property of Democratic Party, thus they are not allowed to wander off the plantation. Any threat to that hegemony must be met, and has been met, with unrestrained ferocity. Therefore, the foundational strategy the Democrats and Hillary Clinton decided to deploy against Cruz, if he won the nomination, was to portray him as an out-of-control and dangerous extremist so vile and fanatical that his own party could not stomach him thus an out-of-touch and faux Hispanic. To augment this strategy, Cruz would have been vilified as a virulent Islamophobe, an anti-immigration bigot, a Bible-toting intolerant Christian Evangelical, someone in favor of draconian spending cuts, and a toady of the far-right...and he was born in Canada. Further, as this same cabal went to great lengths and expense to produce and use a phony dossier regarding Donald Trump, it would be safe to assume that they would have done the same with Ted Cruz, particularly in light of a fictitious story about a number of alleged extramarital affairs planted in the National Enquirer in March of 2016. There would have been incessant leaks to the media that would have mirrored what they did to Trump. The depth of the left's anxiety regarding Ted Cruz are revealed in some media headlines from this period: Is Ted Cruz More Radical than Donald Trump? Ted Cruz Not Donald Trump is the Scariest Candidate Standing And in the Washington Post: Ted Cruz Is More Dangerous than Donald Trump. The media's obsession with Donald Trump's alleged sympathy for the Russians and Vladimir Putin picked up considerable momentum when he announced his foreign affairs advisory group, which included some who had ties to the Russians in the past. The headlines in the press when Ted Cruz announced his foreign affairs advisory group also reaffirmed the media's caricature of him as a wild-eyed right-wing loon: If You Think Donald Trump is Scary, Get a Load of Ted Cruz's Foreign Policy Team Which Foreign Policy is Scarier: Cruz's or Trump's Meet the People Behind Ted Cruz's Terrifying Foreign Policy Plan While the focus with Trump was on his supposed cozy relationship with Putin, with Ted Cruz, it was his alleged virulent Islamophobia. It was an article of faith that Hillary was unbeatable. The polls and the chattering class had both Trump and Cruz losing by equally overwhelming margins. It was only a matter of being obligated to wait through the interminable weeks of late summer and early fall until the formality of allowing the masses to affirm Hillary's coronation on November 7, 2016. Would the grief-stricken and bewildered reaction to Hillary's loss on that fateful Tuesday night been dissimilar had it been Ted Cruz instead of Donald Trump? Today's Democrats and the left view the federal government as their fiefdom. The possibility of their candidate losing was inconceivable. But losing to Ted Cruz, an upstart Hispanic extremist, would have been equally appalling as losing to a loud-mouthed reprobate from New York. Incapable of accepting the will of the people, the left and its allies in the mainstream media would have launched a campaign to delegitimize the results of the election of Ted Cruz as they did with Trump. However, as Cruz is of Hispanic origin, the necessity of delegitimizing and opposing him at every turn would have been doubly important. The prospect of his presidency being successful, thereby wining a second term and possibly capturing the heart and soul of the Hispanic population for the Republican Party, would have been a horrifying development for the left. The use of the Russian interference in the election scenario, which has so roiled the nation, could still have been front and enter with Ted Cruz in the White House. While there would not have been the daily highlighting of the specious charge of Russian collusion and a special counsel appointed, this same cabal could easily have alleged that the Russians wanted Cruz to win. By pointing to the Russian hacking of the computers of the DNC as well as the Hillary campaign, the Democrats and their allies in the media could effortlessly insinuate Russian interference with the voting process. Their unhinged base would have swallowed that scenario hook, line, and sinker, as it has with Trump. Both Cruz and Trump would have pursued nearly identical policies, such as Supreme Court and judicial appointments, steps to stem illegal immigration, the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, tax cuts, the slashing of federal regulations, and an America First foreign policy. However, Cruz would have been more aggressive in pursuing spending cuts and pro-life legislation. Therefore, he would have faced the same vile and vociferous reaction from the Democrats and the left as has Trump. The election of Trump, therefore, was not the catalyst for the near lunatic behavior of many on the left and in the Democratic Party since that fateful night in November of 2016. That behavior was just below the surface, ready to erupt, regardless of whether it was Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. Yet Bill Kristol and his cohorts, in their vindictiveness, are telling all who will listen that this is the political party that can be trusted with the future of America. As to the current makeup of the Republican Party, these Beltway Conservatives contend: because of Trump, the Republican Party is now infested with racists and nativists (read: Alt-Right). Therefore, the party must be purified by losing elections to the Democrats. In a recent poll, less than 7% of Americans expressed varying levels of support for white supremacy. Just 4% supported neo-Nazism. On the other hand, 32% supported Black Lives Matter, and 8% supported Antifa, the militant arm of the left. In recent nationally promoted demonstrations, the white supremacists have been unable to muster more than a hundred or so marchers, being greatly outnumbered by the Antifa crowd, who inevitably turn to violence. Further, the Alt-Right movement has more in common with the left insofar as both promote big-government socialism but with a nationalist twist. So a party that is made up of nearly 60-plus million Americans must be cleansed and the Democrats placed in power because a few white supremacists may or may not be registered Republicans. Why is not the same argument made about the Democratic Party and Antifa? I witnessed and experienced the virulence of racism firsthand while in the front lines of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Despite his myriad faults, Donald Trump is not a racist, nor is the Republican Party home to racism. I am also an undocumented refugee (and a naturalized citizen) who has no disagreement with Trump's immigration policies, including the enforcement of immigration laws and a wall at the southern border. To proffer the argument that the party must be purified of mythical racism and xenophobia is beyond absurd and is wholly self-serving. There is no question that Donald Trump can be bombastic, at times crude in his choice of words, and too quick to react to criticism. However, the nation witnessed civility in the extreme during the presidency of George W. Bush, which begat Barack Obama and his merry band of neo-socialists for eight years. By 2016, this was a nation wallowing in despondency and indifference. I would have preferred Ted Cruz over Donald Trump because of Trump's personal history and character. However, that choice was not to be and, if one is honest with oneself, Trump has, thus far, been a successful president from a policy perspective which is far more important than personality quirks and civility. The time to vilify and attempt to defeat a one-term sitting Republican president is in the spring and summer of his fourth year in office, not in the fall of his second. So, to Bill Kristol and the conservative intelligentsia dwelling in the bubble that is the Washington-New York axis: grow up and consider your country and fellow citizens before assuaging your battered egos while you gather among yourselves and your friends in the media, regaling each other with who is the smartest and most glib in the room. Let Vermont Show Wyoming the Way The coming midterms have brought renewed attention from Democrats to one of their perennial complaints : the malapportionment of the United States Senate, where each state gets two senators regardless of population. This is usually framed by pointing out that residents of our least populous state, Republican Wyoming, have 66 times the proportionate representation in the Senate as residents of our most populous state, largely Democratic California. One Democratic strategist has even proposed dividing California into seven or eight states just to bring more Democrats to the Senate in order to rectify this perceived injustice. A less drastic remedy may be available. Looking beyond the California vs. Wyoming comparison, one sees a wealth of Democratic Senate seats in meagerly populated states. Indeed, our 11 least populous states currently are represented by 13 Democratic senators compared to only nine Republicans (counting the three independents with the party with which they caucus). Why not ask these low-population Democrat states to share one or both of their Senate seats with their high-population Democrat sister states? An immediate example of how this could help can be seen in senatorially deficient California. There, the state's new jungle primary system has pitted Democrats against each other: incumbent Senator Dianne Feinstein and Kevin de Leon. The same happened in the state's 2016 Senate election. People as nice as Democrats shouldn't have to run against each other. And the solution lies just across the ocean. There lies our 40th state in population: lightly inhabited Democratic Hawaii. What a great blow for justice it would be if Senator Mazie Hirono would step aside and urge her fellow inhabitants of the Aloha State, already known for their generosity, to elect Kevin de Leon to her Senate seat! Another source of senators for California could be Oregon (27th in population). Surely it can spare one of its Democratic Senate seats for its enormously deserving southern neighbor. All it would take is for Ron Wyden or Jeff Merkley to resign in favor of a deserving California Democrat. Knowing how selfless both senators are, they would probably have to decide by coin toss who would undertake the noble deed. An even richer supply of small-state Democratic Senate seats can be found in the East. While Wyoming is 50th in population, the next least populated state is 49th ranked Vermont. This progressive bastion lies right next to New York, whose 19 million residents suffer from an egregious paucity of senators. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders urges us to share society's wealth. What a fine example of sharing he would demonstrate if he were to urge the voters of the senator-engorged Green Mountain State to elect instead a third senator for their senatorially deprived New York neighbors! Further, the 76-year-old Bernie could advance the socialist cause by proposing his 28-year-old acolyte, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as his successor. Ocasio-Cortez is obviously a superstar, so why should she have to start with a measly seat in the House of Representatives? (Recognizing that the minimum age for senators is 30, she would have to wait until Bernie is elected president in 2020 to take over his Senate seat on behalf of New York.) Note that these proposed transfers of Senate seats are from one predominantly Democratic state to another. This is not a nefarious scheme to get more GOP senators. States sharing seats in this way need not be contiguous, especially since so many of the possible donor states are concentrated in the Northeast. Delaware (45th) and Rhode Island (43rd) are two more predominantly Democratic states whose voters must recognize the deep injustice of their having two senators each. While the need to keep the seats Democrat rules out sharing with purply Pennsylvania (6th) or Ohio (7th), true-blue Illinois (5th) certainly deserves some more Senate seats. Indeed, electing senators from the Prairie State would still benefit Delawareans and Rhode Islanders. The entire thrust of the Democratic Party for a century has been to deal with all issues at the national rather than state level. Programs enacted by three or four senators from Chicago would certainly also help Wilmington and Providence. Both the Delaware and Rhode Island primaries are still to come in early September, so there is still plenty of time for senators Tom Carper and Sheldon Whitehouse to step aside and generously propose successors from unfairly and unequally underrepresented more populous Democratic states. There should be no legal impediments to such actions. Both state laws and the Constitution require that senators be inhabitants of the states they represent, but Republicans have established that a rented room meets that qualification. Surely a couple of time shares would be worth it to California Democrats to get Hawaii's Senate seats. Article Five of the Constitution prohibits depriving a state of its Senate seats without its consent. This proposal does not contravene this provision, since it is an entirely voluntary action by Democratic states to correct a gross historic constitutional injustice. Conservatives, with their adherence to hoary concepts like constitutional originalism, federalism, and the need for strong states to disperse and defuse government power, are not likely to appreciate the need for this proposal right away. However, imagine the impact of Democratic states like Vermont and Delaware magnanimously transferring their misallocated Senate seats to the more populous states which need them. Eventually, sparsely populated Republican-leaning states like Wyoming and Alaska might also be brought around to sharing their undeserved Senate seats with those who live in the senatorially underserved populous states. Then we could all move ever closer to the Democratic ideal of being one, single unified nation under Washington, D.C., undivided by archaic state lines. James W. Lucas is an attorney in New York City. He is author of Are We the People? How We the People Can Take Charge of Our Constitution and other writings on constitutional issues. Marxism and Marriage In its centuries-long efforts to dismantle the load-bearing structures of traditional and classical liberal society, Marxist dogma in its various forms communism, socialism, neo-Marxism, Cultural Marxism has embarked on a sustained campaign to weaken and ultimately to abolish the institution of marriage as it has been commonly understood since time immemorial. The dissolution or misprision of marriage, as a contract between a man and a woman committed to raising a family and recognizing its attendant responsibilities, is a prerequisite for the revolutionary socialist state in which the pivotal loyalty of the individual belongs to the sovereign collective, not to the family. Advocacy and legislation that sunder the intimate love between a man and a woman, that deprive children of male and female parental role models, that compromise the integrity of the family and that dissolve the purpose of marriage as a guarantor of cultural longevity are indispensable strategies essential to realizing the left's master plan. Dismissing the nuclear family as an archaic and repressive arrangement whose time has passed, the state would then operate in loco parentis. Socialism May Be Implemented Even When Rejected The Gallup polling organization recently noted, "For the first time in Gallup's measurement over the past decade, Democrats have a more positive image of socialism than they do of capitalism." This does not represent a dramatic shift since 2010; rather, Frank Newport suggests that "[a]ttitudes toward socialism among Democrats have not changed materially since 2010, with 57% today having a positive view. The major change among Democrats has been a less upbeat attitude toward capitalism, dropping to 47% positive this year lower than in any of the three previous measures." Although the Socialist Party never won control over either house of Congress, and never won the presidency, the reader will not be surprised to observe that huge sections of its 1912 platform have been implemented during the past century. For this reason, all righteous constitutionalists should be not only concerned, but alarmed to see a movement consciously toward socialism in one of our two major parties. If so many socialist ideas of 1912 have been implemented while elected officials, at least publicly, disavowed socialism, how much more the danger of implementing socialism if the Democrats are "soft" on socialism, or even embracing of it? The Socialist Party platform of 1912 was divided in four, preceded by a theoretical and emotional prologue stating the ideological position of that party. The platform itself included the following divisions: (1) Collective Ownership, (2) Unemployment, (3) Industrial Demands, and (4) Political Demands. The prologue of that platform of 108 years ago is filled with supercharged phrases presenting a wholly negative critique of our economic system. Phrases and terms included were "incompetent and corrupt," "exacts an annual tribute," "greedy," "plundered," "extortionate," "crushing the class of small business," "yoke of bondage," "poisonous conditions," "perils of life," "children of the working class are doomed," and "oppression." It vilifies the "capitalist class" (today, that would be the top 1%) and, using a classical Marxist frame of reference, declares that while there are many warring classes, the two main warring classes are the capitalist class and the working class. In that platform, the Socialist Party did not consider the term "class warfare" metaphorical, merely suggesting a vigorous competition between and among disparate interests. This warfare was to be taken literally. Whatever any socialist might or might not say about violence, the language of class warfare, for Karl Marx, meant a real and intense battleground between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat for control over the means of production. This war had to lead to violent revolution because the bourgeoisie would never relinquish control over the means of production voluntarily i.e., under ordinary democratic or quasi-democratic processes. The processes were considered "quasi-democratic" by Marxists because the people are manipulated and controlled by the capitalist class through the political process. Under the "Unemployment" category, the 1912 platform calls for large-scale public works. Is that not exactly what we saw during the New Deal with the so-called alphabet agencies such as the Public Works Administration (PWA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)? The Socialists also called for the eight-hour work day. At the same time, Theodore Roosevelt, running as the "Bull Moose" in 1912, also called for the eight-hour work day. Two years later, ironically, the nine-hour work day was reduced to eight hours by the capitalist Henry Ford, and in 1916, the Adamson Act passed, establishing an eight-hour day for railroad workers. The Interstate Commerce Commission had already established tight governmental regulatory control of the railroads by that point, a direct result of populist and socialist agitation in that direction. Thus, while capitalism had not succumbed to government ownership of the means of production, we see in these instances how socialist ideas had begun to penetrate the corporate world, as well as both the Democrats and Republicans. Thus, do not become complacent when you see socialism or socialists ridiculed on Fox News or read that they have lost some elections. Ideas have a way of becoming mainstream even when they are (apparently) being rejected. The Socialist platform in its "Industrial Demands" section called for the 40-hour work week. This was also established for about 20% of U.S. industry under the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted under Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The Socialists' platform also included provisions forbidding child labor and called for the enactment of minimum wage laws. These are now standard provisions in our labor regulations. Further, the Socialists insisted in this section of their platform on old age pensions, which during the New Deal became our Social Security system, which in turn was later expanded to include disabilities and Medicare. How many are aware how deeply we have embraced the socialist ideas of a century ago? Under the "Political Demands" section of their platform, the Socialists called for the creation of a U.S. Department of Education, imposition of a graduated income tax, women's suffrage, and the separation of the Department of Labor from the Department of Commerce. All of these demands have been passed as law. In the same section, the Socialists called for the end to the Electoral College, which is still a popular theme of the Democrats since Al Gore and Hillary Clinton lost their presidential elections. The Constitution was directly attacked by their call for the abolition of the U.S. Senate and the veto power of the president, both of which features of our legal system withstood the Socialist objections. But it is important to see that the Socialists even 100 years ago had launched a full frontal assault on our Constitution as the framework and foundation of our liberty under law. Only in their program of "Collective Ownership" were the goals of the Socialist Party not met over time. Instead, the people decided on regulation instead of ownership. The Socialists wanted ownership of all banks, all transportation, all mines, all means of communication, all land, and all banking. Beginning their 1912 platform with paragraph after paragraph using language of utter hate and contempt for all that America was and had achieved by 1912, by ignoring the power and plenty that had been achieved within the context of liberty under law, the Socialist Party revealed itself as having malignant attitudes and beliefs. Yet, many I daresay most of the planks in their platform were nevertheless absorbed into the mainstream of American political life. In one sense, this is a testimony to the flexibility and open-mindedness of the American psyche, but in another sense, it reveals a pandering to demagogues. For the righteous constitutionalists, the idea of protecting people from exploitation or injury is legitimate, but the perils of policing society via an omnipresent government itself lead to untold harm. For this reason, even seemingly reasonable demands made by socialists should be rejected. Consider the source. India's tallest statesman, a towering personality with a vision, an inspiration for all...these and many more epithets are being used to describe the universally admired former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As TV anchors delve into the past to relate interesting and memorable anecdotes about the former Prime Minister, I too recall the moment when he had walked into the Indraprastha College for women in Delhi University many moons ago, on a special occasion where I was an undergraduate student. The year was 1997 right after his short stint as Prime Minister in 1996. The college premises was cordoned off a day before and strong security checks were in place. We were not officially told till the last minute about the chief guest but there was a buzz that none other than Atal Bihari Vajpayee was supposed to come. As any eighteen year old, I wasn't much looking forward to another long lecture from a dignitary but did want to catch a glimpse of him, knowing him to be a speaker par excellence and a striking personality. He was on time, a tall man accompanied by security staff and bodyguards who kept a strong vigil. We were enamoured by his entourage and struck by the aura that surrounded him. We expected it to be another one of those boring speeches but it started off on such a light-hearted note that from that moment on all of us heard him out. His opening line tickled us all when he said with all his famous pauses, "I'm standing here in front of you all and feeling nervous in a women's college". Needless to say, we burst out laughing and from there on our minds didn't wander as we heard this great orator talk to us in a candid, friendly manner. He was clad in his trademark dhoti, spoke slowly but with a flourish, paused a lot but surprisingly, was never boring. I do remember him telling us something about how a great future lay ahead of us, how it was great to be young and why it was important to work hard. His remarkable wit was at its best and he would throw in a couplet every now and then, peppering his speech with humour. Looking back, I realise how talented an orator he was. He had tailored his speech to appeal to the young and knew how to keep us engrossed. I now wish I had paid greater attention to have recalled the entire speech later, but I did retain what mattered. Being a dog lover I was also busy watching what the sniffer dogs accompanying his security guards were up to while I listened to his speech. I was aware of his importance as a political figure then but gave it only as much thought as any teenager would in those days. However, I did realise it was an extraordinary encounter which I would cherish for many years to come. My brief brush with Atal ji was a brag-worthy incident which featured in my conversations those days. Today, as he bids his final goodbye, I feel fortunate to have 'met' him as I'm sure others do too whose lives he touched in various ways. Trump and Omarosa It may be the dog days of summer for most of us, but not for the media. Chasing the latest outrage, which they for the most part create, they are like a pack of dogs chasing a car down the street. Once they catch the car, they are flummoxed as to what to do next. So they look for another car to chase. They chased the Stormy Daniels car, finally catching it and taking a bite of the tire, finding that it didn't taste very good. Then they turned their attention to the Michael Cohen car. That one must have gotten away, as that story died as quickly as it was created. What happened to all of Cohen's tapes? The only one I heard was a big dud, the dogs getting a bite of the rear bumper of the chased car. This week, their attention is on Omarosa Manigault Newman, the former Apprentice star and longtime Donald Trump pal, who for reasons unclear was hired by the White House. She has a bad history with White House jobs, "banished from four jobs in two years with the Clinton administration." Getting fired is part of her resume. At one time, Omarosa praised President Trump. As an aside, when I used Google to search for evidence of such praise, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. My guess is that the search algorithms have buried those stories, as they don't gel with the current narrative. This week, the only news is Omarosa's tell-all book about the chaos and dysfunction in Trump's White House. Unfortunately for her, it's her word against everyone else's. Short on corroboration, long on confabulation, her book could have been written by Brian Ross, former CBS newsman, who at one time told us the Aurora, Colorado theater shooter was a Tea Party member. President Trump is hardwired to respond to baseless accusations and slander from anyone, whether a former employee like Omarosa or the media. Call it the "Covfefe Code," a part of his internal operating system. His political opponents, both Republican and Democrat, got a taste of his rapid-fire responses during the primaries and presidential campaign. He called Omarosa a dog, and the media immediately had a new shiny new object to chase. What is amazing is how quickly they mobilized; coordinated their stories; and blitzed television, print, internet, and social media. Military leaders should learn the tactics of the media to beef up their rapid response tactical teams. Look at the rapid response media, coordinating their stories on par with Olympic synchronized swimming. From the New York Times, "Trump Calls Omarosa Manigault Newman 'That Dog' in His Latest Insult." CNN finds everything Trump says as racist or sexist: "Trump calling Omarosa a 'dog' is sexist and racist, period." Fox News, trying to be CNN lite, joined the chorus: "Omarosa's actions are despicable, but Trump's 'dog' attack goes too far." Slate is singing in harmony with CNN: "Donald Trump Called Omarosa a Dog. Is That Racist, Sexist, or Both?" The Washington Post provided an echo: "Trump knew exactly what he was doing when he called Omarosa a dog." I could go on, but you get the picture. Aspen trees, common in my part of the country, are actually a single organism, buried underground, with each tree sprouting like a root but above ground. The media is much the same: a single entity with multiple tentacles. Why the outrage over the term "dog"? The Advocate calls the term dog "a dog whistle to misogynists and racists." If anything, it is cultural appropriation, a popular leftist theme these days. Urban Dictionary defines dog, or as some like to spell it, dogg or dawg, as "a friend or homie." Think of Snoop Dogg greeting one of his pals with "What up, dawg?" As President Trump is not part of this urban culture, perhaps the outrage is over his appropriation of the word "dog." He has used "dog" in the past to describe people. Perhaps it's a New York Yiddish expression, like "putz" or "schmuck." Imagine if he had called Omarosa a "putz," which might be more descriptive than "dog" for her actions. Whom else has Trump called a dog? This is one of his common descriptions of those he doesn't like. David Gregory was "fired like a dog." So were Glenn Beck and Bill Maher. Ted Cruz let go of his communications director, or, as Trump would say, "fired like a dog!" Trump predicted, "Sleepy eyes @chucktodd will be fired like a dog." The president's right-hand man during the campaign, Steve Bannon, was "dumped like a dog." Famous NeverTrump George Will, "got thrown off ABC like a dog." Another NeverTrump, Mitt Romney, "choked like a dog." All of the above are men. All are white. Yet to CNN, the term "dog" is somehow sexist and racist. With Omarosa being the exception, perhaps "dog" is indeed a dog whistle for derision against old white guys. But don't let the facts get in the way of a well coordinated media narrative. Why Omarosa turned on a dime against her longtime friend and mentor is a mystery. Was it simply to revive her reality show career? From The Apprentice to the White House, the ultimate reality show? The Trump campaign is now taking legal action against Omarosa. Is this all to sell books and get a gig on The View or MSNBC? High risk for dubious reward. She may be a dog, but Omarosa is not stupid. Those who have crossed Donald Trump haven't fared well. Being part of his inner circle for years, she is keenly aware of this reality. Besides, dogs are loyal. Omarosa appears to be the opposite. Or is this kabuki theater? Is Omarosa being used, as was James Wolfe, a Senate Intelligence Committee staffer, to plant and track leaks? What if Omarosa taped more than her dismissal by General Kelly? What if she taped conversations with reporters? Could the dust-up be Trump strategically distancing himself from Omarosa in advance of future events or revelations? Just as some speculate Trump is doing with Jeff Sessions, with his frequent Twitter attacks on Sessions? Who knows? Between the inspector general and the QAnon crumbs, much may be happening behind the scenes as part of a larger Trumpian strategy. We will have to wait and see how this all plays out. But the media outrage over the "dog" tweet is silly and predictable. Piling on in unison, the media ignore real news to chase the latest anti-Trump shiny object. Like dogs chasing the car, they may catch it, only to be befuddled as to what to do next other than waiting for the next car to chase. As of this writing, that's John Brennan losing his security clearance. Chase on, dogs! Brian C Joondeph, M.D., MPS is a Denver-based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The race pits McSally against two strong supporters of Donald Trump: former state senator Kelli Ward and former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio. Ward has received some kind words from the president, and Trump, who pardoned the sheriff following a contempt conviction, has said good things about Arpaio. On the other hand, McSally has only recently appeared to embrace the president, although unlike retiring Senator Jeff Flake, she was never a vocal critic of Trump. So far, Trump has not definitively endorsed any candidate, although Steve Bannon is backing Ward. Former combat pilot and two-term congressman Arizona rep. Martha McSally has opened a commanding 20-point lead in the polls ahead of the state's August 28 primary. McSally has benefited from some big money from national Republicans. Tucson.com: Former state Sen. Kelli Ward is holding on to the same 27 percent she had a month ago. And former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has seen his own support slip slightly to just a hair more than 13 percent. The poll was conducted Tuesday and Wednesday, the same week DefendArizona spent more than $900,000 on commercials backing McSally. That organization, which was formed specifically to help McSally, is financed by various conservative Republican interests, led by California billionaire William E. Oberndorf, who put in $150,000. There also are $100,000 donations from Tucson car dealer Jim Click; Randy Kendrick, who is the wife of Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick; and Arkansas businessman Warren Stephens. There also are $100,000 donations each from two Delaware limited liability companies, Blue Magnolia Investments and Highway 76. Those donations, however, have generated a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission by the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center charging that both companies are shells set up solely to allow others to give to McSally while hiding their names. McSally has also benefited from ads paid for by One Nation praising the work she and fellow Congressman David Schweikert have done to secure the border. Some national Republicans see a bright future for McSally, who was the first female to fly combat missions for the Air Force and received a lot of press coverage for a suit she filed against the DoD for forcing females to wear the body-covering abaya while stationed in Saudi Arabia. She was successful in getting the policy altered. McSally has appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. She is only the second Republican ever to represent a southern Arizona-based district, leading some national Republicans to urge her to run for statewide office. McSally's Democratic opponent is likely to be Rep. Kyrsten Sinema. McSally is likely to have a big advantage in money and name recognition, which means that the race in November is probably hers to lose. Even in what is historically a Democratic year, McSally appears headed for the Senate with high expectations accompanying her. Where is the media and Democrat outrage over the loss of security clearance for the Pentagon analyst who had the temerity to question the large sums of money being paid to Stefan Halper, the informant who played a key role in apparently setting up George Papadopoulos and Carter Page for use in claiming justification for a FISA warrant to spy on the Trump campaign? Remember Halper? He was the guy that the media mostly refused to name. Stefan Halper, the dual U.S.-U.K. citizen who reached out to Trump campaign aides George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, is the international man of mystery when it comes to the origins of the FBI counterintelligence probe of the Trump campaign and presidency. From public records, we know he was receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars a year from the federal government national security apparatus. From the payment statements, the Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment appears to have been the contract award-maker. We still do not know what he was paid for, though there are several instances seeming to indicate that he was trying to engage low-level Trump campaign staff in suspicious actions. ... On the other hand, the Office of Net Assessment and its head seem to have been generous to Chelsea Clinton's best friend, whose contract was heavily promoted by Hillary Clinton, as the Daily Caller reported last year. It certainly looks as though Halper is Connected, with a capital C. He is the son-in-law of CIA legend Ray Cline. Pity poor Adam Lovinger, the Pentagon analyst who apparently did not realize that it was taboo to shed any light on him. Rowan Scarborough of the Washington Times reports: Adam Lovinger, a 12-year strategist in the Pentagon's Office of Net Assessment, complained to his bosses about Halper contracts in the fall of 2016, his attorney, Sean M. Bigley, told The Washington Times. On May 1, 2017, his superiors yanked his security clearance and relegated him to clerical chores. Mr. Bigley filed a complaint July 18 with the Pentagon's senior ethics official, charging that Mr. Lovinger's superiors misused the security clearance process to punish him. He said his client complained about excessive "sweetheart" deals for Mr. Halper and for a "best friend" of Chelsea Clinton. "As it turns out, one of the two contractors Mr. Lovinger explicitly warned his ONA superiors about misusing in 2016 was none other than Mr. Halper," Mr. Bigley wrote in his ethics complaint, which called the contracts "cronyism and corruption." Mr. Lovinger filed a whistleblower reprisal complaint in May with the Defense Department inspector general against James Baker, director of the Office of Net Assessment. The complaint also singles out Washington Headquarters Services, a Pentagon support agency that awarded the Halper contracts totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. This may be another ticking time bomb for the Deep Staters: Mr. Bigley told The Times that the inspector general's criminal investigative division has interviewed Mr. Lovinger about Office of Net Assessment contracting. I don't expect any outrage from Democrats, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, or any of the other enablers. At the moment, Halper's whereabouts are unknown. That could mean all sorts of things, many of them mutually contradictory. Halper may be a thread that, when pulled, unravels something big. Based on the treatment of Lovinger, that appears to be the case. Seems the squeeze is on for Canada's lefty prime minister, Justin Trudeau, the guy who tried to pull a fast one on Trump in Quebec ahead of his Singapore summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un earlier this summer. The Mexico upgrade deal on NAFTA, which is about to be announced, according to a top story on Drudge, gets Mexico squared away and leaves Canada's P.M. to face Trump alone. President Trump sold himself to the American public as the master of the art of the deal , and, well, gulp, we see it. Trump, being a dealmaker, seems to have gotten a better deal for U.S. companies and workers with Mexico, something extraordinary, given the negative rhetoric that has flowed over illegal immigrants from both sides of the border, and given the perception that Trump is anti-free trade. Well, no. There's now a deal about to be announced. According to the Los Angeles Times, via the Virginian-Pilot: Reaching an agreement with Mexico would mark a breakthrough for the administration after a year of roller-coaster talks and tension with its longtime North American trading partners. President Trump has frequently threatened to withdraw from NAFTA, linked the renegotiations to his call for a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and slapped tariffs on Mexican and Canadian steel to apply pressure to make concessions. But both Mexico and the U.S. have strong incentives to push through a deal quickly. Mexico wants to lock in an agreement before its new leftist president takes office, and the White House is keen on achieving a win on trade ahead of the midterm elections. The heaviest changes will be to auto rules, an interesting thing, given that Mexico's new incoming president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as a former mayor of Mexico City and conversant in the surrounding Mexico state where the auto plants are, would be well familiar with the auto trade and its importance to Mexico. I suspect he'd support getting Trump out of his hair on his one, along with outgoing president Enrique Pena-Nieto, so I am going to predict that this goes through. The other thing, not mentioned in the LAT piece, is that Trump is going easy on Mexico's farm trade, given that farms in Mexico harvest their crops at a slightly different time of year from farms in the U.S., meaning that the fresh products don't overlap that much on store shelves. Besides that, out-competing Mexico's farms and putting them out of business means Mexican farm labor...will head north. We get it. Some smart choices have been made. That leaves Trudeau, and the LAT says he's been caught flat-footed: Canada, meanwhile, has shown less urgency to complete a revision of the 24-year-old pact, but is expected to return to the bargaining table once the U.S. and Mexico settle their differences. Bloomberg says he's been "frozen out": "The Trump administration has clear frustrations with the Canadian government's approach to the Nafta modernization, and we're now seeing it play out in front of our faces," Adam Taylor, principal and co-founder at trade advisory firm Export Action Global, said by phone from Ottawa. "We've seen virtually overnight Mexico and the U.S. are moving forward and Canada looks left behind and then forced into a position where it has to make a significant set of concessions just to be readmitted to the talks, it seems." With a Mexico deal in hand, Trump will be that much better placed to get the deal he wants from Canada. The LAT says the issues at stake are the U.S. need to get into the Canadian milk market and Canada's capacity to challenge U.S. anti-dumping claims in international courts. The other big one, not noted, is that Chinese manufacturers are skirting U.S. trade restrictions put on from their own failure to open their markets, by bringing goods into Canada and adding some minimal value, so as to get them labeled Canada goods. Something on that front is likely to be on Trump's agenda for Trudeau to address. What it shows is how clever Trump is in maneuvering a deal with allies, who he says have run circles around us. There does seem to be an endgame here, and America seems to be about to come out a winner. Word games at high levels James Comey must be writing his own dictionary of the English language. First he redefined "loyalty" to mean "it ain't mean-spirited selfishness when I do it." Now he has redefined "punish" to mean "applying common sense when somebody misuses his security clearance." Next, we can expect him to redefine "lie" as "whatever the other guys say; we never lie on our side." It's becoming undeniable that the left really does live in a place that has little connection to reality. In an online comment, some fellow asserted that the economy is a wreck and that without Obamacare, people are dying. That just doesn't fit what's actually happening in Trump's America. Even the New York Times says the economy is so good that the paper has run out of words to describe it. We have more jobs than people to fill them. Annual growth is at or near 4%. Record numbers of blacks and Hispanics are at work, to such an extent that record numbers of blacks now confess satisfaction with Donald Trump. The data are out there, the reality stares them in the face, yet leftists simply refuse to countenance it. They are remindful of the old Stalinists at the U.N., steadfastly denying the reality of pictures and firsthand accounts of tanks in Budapest, shootings at the Brandenburg Gate, or people starving in a gulag. This is Walter Duranty-level refusal to look reality in the eye, dishonesty to extremes, psychosis in drag. Nineteen Eighty-Four is already here for a number of Americans. Rather than believe their own eyes or form their own opinions, they soak themselves in Deep State propaganda and shut out anything that doesn't fit the template. William Shirer told how '30s-era Germans, subjected to years of one-sided propaganda, had this same tendency. The Big Lie, repeated often enough in the absence of countervailing information, warped the thinking of people who were otherwise too intelligent to fall for nonsense. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn also testified that under such conditions, people often surrender all independent judgment. The ensuing mindlessness is the ultimate enemy of liberty. Right here in America, people gave up their own powers of discernment in the face of decades of leftist miseducation and indoctrination in the universities, from which the poison seeped into the media and the government on down to kids in grade school. We're reaching the end of that line. Obama showed how the left intends to govern, unmoored from moral principle and indifferent to failure or ineffectiveness. The plan seems to be to suffocate us with regulations and laws while lying to our faces about how good everything is. North Korean escapees describe how people there, told they live in the world's greatest country, often really do believe it. Remember Obama boasting that America stood higher in world opinion than ever before because of him? To people like that, saying it's so makes it so. The world snickered at Obama, sighed disgustedly, looked away in embarrassment, and he saw only high esteem in their glazed-over eyes. This is why James Comey, proven liar, now plays word games with us. And to think this giant creature once ran the FBI. There is a small joke going around social media circles for the past few weeks involving the strange border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. You may have seen it a hundred times already, but here it is anyway: As you can see from the map, Croatia is located mostly north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but a long stretch of the former borders the Adriatic Sea blocking nearly all of the other country's access to the water. It might appearand as the joke suggests that Bosnia and Herzegovina is completely landlocked with no access to the sea. This is not correct. Bosnia and Herzegovina does have a beach, albeit a short oneonly 20 kilometers long. It is the second shortest coastline in the world after Monaco. Even tiny islands such as Tuvalu and Nauru have longer coastlines. Bosnia and Herzegovinas coastline is barely visible on the map above. To see it, you have to zoom into Google Maps. This is Bosnia and Herzegovinas coastline. All 20 kilometers of it belongs to the town and municipality of Neum. Being the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea, Neum is a popular tourists destination and there are lots of beach resorts here. Neum actually punctures the long Croatian arm cutting off its southernmost territory from the rest of Croatia. This part of Croatia is a pretty big tourist destination itself. The beautiful walled, mediaeval city of Dubrovnik is located here. So how did Croatia end up with all that coastline? To understand it, we have to go back to the time when Dubrovnik was an independent state. This entire coastal region, historically known as Dalmatia, was fought over by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire for centuries. The Venetians had control over most of Dalmatia, with the exception of the city-state of Dubrovnik which became independent in the 14th and then became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire had control over the adjacent Kingdom of Bosnia and the region of Herzegovina. But when the Ottomans began encroaching on others territories, an alliance called The Holy League was formed between the Venetian Republic, the Holy Roman Empire, the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth and Russia, and the Great Turkish War broke out in 1683. The walled city of Dubrovnik. Photo credit: Hans Permana/Flickr Dubrovnik found itself in the middle of a war it had nothing to do with it. Being a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire, Dubrovnik feared that the Ottomans enemies might try to attack their city. So in order to shield itself from an attack from The Holy League, Dubrovnik literally distanced itself from the rest of Dalmatia by seceding a small piece of land by the Adriatic Seathe land we now know as Neumto the Ottoman Empire. Now to get to Dubrovnik, Ottomans enemies would have to cross over this small territory belonging to the powerful Ottoman Empire. This arrangement actually worked, even though the Turks themselves suffered a crushing defeat and lost large amounts of territory in Hungary, Poland, as well as part of the western Balkans. Dubrovnik was left untouched until it fell to Napoleon's army in 1806. Meanwhile Bosnia remained under the Turks until 1878. Then came the Austro-Hungarians, and following the First World War, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was born. Finally with the end of communism, Yugoslavia broke up into a bunch of independent nations, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Bosnia and Herzegovina retained its only access to the Adriatic Sea through the Neum corridor. The Adriatic coast at Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo credit: Chris Goldberg/Flickr Croatia was left with an exclave surrounding Dubrovnik, and this caused some headache for tourists wishing to visit this stunningly beautiful coastal city. To get to Dubrovnik, tourists have to cross two international borders and go through two custom checks and the associated security arrangements causing a lot of unwanted delays. A bridge has been planned connecting Croatia's mainland to the Peljesac peninsula that would allow traffic to completely bypass the Neum Corridor. Construction on the 2.4 km long bridge was supposed to have begun early this month. Amazon has just announced a new API for Alexa, which will work with popular security cameras. Its the Camera Recap API. With this API, users will be able to ask, Alexa, show the latest event from the [camera name] and theyll be able to see the latest event from that camera. Which could be when the camera detected people or motion. This would only work on an Alexa device that has a display. So something like the Fire TV, Fire Tablets, or the Echo Show/Spot. According to Amazons blog post, this will work with Ring, August, Arlo, Logitech and the Amazon Cloud Cam security cameras. However, this is not available out of the box for all customers. You will need to wait for developers to use this API in an Alexa Skill, to be able to use this. Amazon does detail how to use this API in its blog post as well. Its actually pretty simple for developers to get started using the Camera Recap API. Amazon does also mention that there are some performance and security requirements for this API as well. This is so that not just any skill can gain access to your security cameras around your home. Definitely a smart idea there. Alexa has already been able to show a stream of your camera on a display like a Fire TV, Fire Tablet or Echo Show but this API is a bit different. It allows you to see the last event of what happened, instead of seeing the live stream. This means that you can see what actually happened, even if was hours ago. This is actually pretty useful for users, since they wont need to pick up their phone and jump into the app and see what happened. They can just give Alexa a command to do it. Google wont be launching a censored version of its Search engine for China anytime soon, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai told employees on Thursday, according to one company insider cited by The Wall Street Journal. During the latest iteration of the firms open meeting in its Mountain View campus, Alphabet President and Google co-founder Sergey Brin pointed to a number of products that Google launched in China since pulling its Search service from the Far Eastern country in 2010 to protest the Communist regimes censorship, including a file management mobile app. The industry veteran said Google still has ambitions to do more business in China as the country represents one of its largest growth opportunities. Earlier this week, a significant number of Google employees demanded more transparency from the companys management following reports that the tech giant is working on a censored version of its Search engine for China. Approximately 1,400 Googlers co-signed an internal letter asking the firms top executives to be more forthcoming when it comes to communicating the ethical consequences of the work thats being done at Alphabets subsidiary which numbers some 80,000 employees around the world. The letter, obtained by The New York Times, accused Googles management of keeping its employees in the dark in terms of projects that raise moral and ethical concerns. Mr. Pichais Thursday remarks included an assertation that the company is already committed to internal transparency. Previous reports suggested the censored Search project, code-named Dragonfly, was only disclosed to several hundred Googlers. Internal activism at the Californian firm already saw it back down from its intentions to renew an R&D contract with Pentagon that saw it develop artificial intelligence that could be used for improving drone strike accuracy as part of Project Maven. While Google canceled that effort earlier this year, its management appears adamant to continue exploring the possibility of once again taking on Baidus Internet search engine in China. One high-profile former executive recently called the idea of a censored Google Search service a stupid, stupid move that effectively condones human rights violations in China and even enables them. According to a report out of the Chicago Tribune, Google is going to be opening its first retail store in Chicago. The newspaper reports that Google is looking to open its first retail store on the 800th block of Randolph Street in downtown Chicago. This would be right on the Chicago loop, and make it easy for just about everyone to get to the store. Its also just blocks away from Googles Chicago office, and Motorolas headquarters. According to the newspaper, Google is still finalizing the lease for this storefront, which is about 14,000 square-feet. Google has been rumored before to be building retail stores, to compete with Apple a bit more than it currently does. A few years ago, Google was slated to open up a handful of retail stores, mostly in the larger cities. It also attempted to use barges as a retail store, before ultimately being forced to get rid of them in 2013. With Google expanding more into the hardware business with Google Home, Chromecast, Android TV and Chromebooks, it makes sense to have a retail store, instead of just a display at the local Best Buy store. Google has done pop up shops after its fall hardware events before, in New York City, and it typically brings in quite a few people to check out Googles new products. But to have a rather large retail location in downtown Chicago, that would be a much better thing for Google. The Chicago Tribune did reach out to Google for comment, but Google gave the usual sentence about how it doesnt comment on rumors and speculation. So for now, well just have to wait and see what Google does plan to do with this location, if it is able to get the lease on this store-front. Imagine what Google could do with such a large space in the heart of the meatpacking district in Chicago. Which has been revitalized in recent years, thanks to Google bringing its offices into that area, as well as many hotels being constructed in the meatpacking district. And for Google to open a retail store there, it would really bring a lot of attention to the area. Though it would likely need plenty of work before Google could open the retail store. Appealing for donations from people across the country, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan today said the road to recovery for the southern state is going to be a long one. "Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy," the chief minister exhorted. The death toll has now gone up to 324 and over 2 lakh people have been shifted to more than 1500 relief camps in what is turning out to be the worst flooding in 100 years. While the defence personnel have been pressed into service to rescue those who are stranded atop rooftops and restore road connectivity, thousands are still marooned at inaccessible places without any help or food. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Kerala tonight after attending the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas on Saturday to take a stock of the situation. During this year's monsoon, various parts of Kerala have been affected by heavy rains, resulting in flood. A total of 13 districts which include Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Wayanad have been partly inundated. Those who've lost their homes have been shifted to relief camps. Rescue operations are underway with coordination of Center, state government and local volunteers. NDRF teams, boats, choppers and other essential commodities are being rushed to the flood-hit areas. Helicopters are being used to drop essential commodities and airlift those who are in need. The central government has also offered Naval runway at Kochi for civilians use. Kochi International Airport has been shut until August 26 after it got inundated due to incessant rains. Here are the latest updates from Kerala: 10:10 pm: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced Rs 25 crore as immediate assistance towards Kerala Floods. The chief minister has instructed Chief Secretary SK Joshi to handover the amount to Kerala government. The CM has also instructed the officials concerned, that in view of water getting polluted due to floods, Reverse Osmosis water purifiers worth Rs 2.5 crores should also be dispatched to Kerala. 9:20 pm: The Delhi government is planning to make contribution of Rs 10 crore to the flood-hit Kerala. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that he has spoken to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and appealed "everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala". 8:50 pm: The Indian Navy has sent Fleet replenishment tanker INS Deepak from Mumbai to Kochi with 8 lakh litres of drinking water. INS Deepak is scheduled to reach Kochi on August 19. 6:40 pm: 13 of the 14 districts have been devastated by floods. 6:00 pm: In its latest weather bulletin, the Indian Meteorological Department has forecast some respite from rain in Kerala tomorrow. However, heavy rains the state will witness heavy rain over the next 24 hours. 5:45 pm: The CM Office said that so far 80 dams have been opened. 5:20 pm: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced relief assistance worth Rs 10 crore for Kerala. A sum of Rs 5 crore will be transferred to Kerala chief minister's disaster fund and the remaining amount will be used to send ready-to-eat food items. 4:30 pm: Supply of petrol and diesel in Kerala have been hit hard due to disruption of road and rail connectivity. Fuel pumps in the state are witnessing huge crowds. 1:00 pm: "In one of the worst rain and flood disasters to hit Kerala, 106 people lost their lives on a single day yesterday," a source in the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority told PTI. 12:35 pm: Local fishermen have also joined the rescue mission bringing in their boats to help in evacuation of the stranded people in various places in Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy. 12:20 pm: A weather report has predicted heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds in various parts of the state on Friday. Winds at the speed of 60 kmph is expected in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, the report said. 12:05 pm: On instructions from the Prime Minister, the Defence Ministry has rushed in fresh teams of the three armed forces for relief and rescue operations in the state where over 1.5 lakh homeless and displaced people are taking shelter in relief camps. 11:45 am: Twelve additional teams of of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 540 personnel have been rushed to Kerala. 11:30 am: The state government also decided to raise excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor till November 30 to mop up additional resources for relief and rehabilitation efforts, official sources said. 11:00 am More than 23 IAF choppers, 11 planes, 330 boats are in operation. 10 army column, 43 NDRF teams and 10 army engineering teams are also involved in rescue operation. The government has issued helpline numbers for the people of affected areas. Chief minister's helpline number - 0471-2333812 State disaster relief authority numbers Pathanamthitta - +918078808915 (Whatsapp) / 0468-2322515/2222515 Idukki - +919383463036 (Whatsapp) / 0486-233111/2233130 Kollam - +919447677800 (Whatsapp) / 0474-2794002 Alappuzha - +919495003640 (Whatsapp) / 0477-2238630 Idukki - +919383463036 (Whatsapp) / 0486-2233111 Kottayam - +919446562236 (Whatsapp) / 0481 - 2304800 Ernakulam - +917902200400 (Whatsapp) / 0484-2423513/2433481 District-level helpline numbers Idukki : 0486 2233111, 9061566111, 9383463036 Ernakulam : 0484 2423513, 7902200300, 7902200400 Thrissur : 0487 2362424, 9447074424 Palakkad : 0491 2505309, 2505209, 2505566 Malappuram : 0483 2736320, 0483 2736326 Kozhikode : 0495 2371002 Kannur : 0497 2713266, 0497 2700645, 8547616034 Wayanad : 04936 204151,9207985027 Verizon and Nokia completed the industrys first 5G New Radio call from a moving vehicle, the two companies revealed Friday, describing the experiments success as a major milestone for wireless research and development. Bill Stone, Verizons VP of Technology Development and Planning, argued that the firms test is significant by virtue of the fact that it wasnt conducted in a perfectly controlled lab environment and demonstrates how the network operator is getting closer to offering a truly wireless next-generation telecom service. The experiment itself was conducted using Verizons 28GHz spectrum and two 5G NR radio stations installed on a Nokia building. The infrastructure in question transmitted voice to a moving vehicle using a conventional receiver antenna, with the car itself traversing the route between the two aforementioned ratios. The call itself was successfully completed with no interruptions, using the technology thats fully compliant with the 3GPPs latest 5G NR standards. The showcased solution wont amount to a commercial product until at least 2019, even though Verizon already announced plans to launch a limited 5G service in select U.S. cities later this year. However, that particular project will be focused exclusively on 5G fixed wireless access, a broadband alternative meant to replace traditional routers. Verizon is hoping to start large-scale deployment of wireless 5G infrastructure in the first half of the next year and is targeting nationwide coverage by 2020. AT&T has so far matched its roadmap with its own tests, whereas T-Mobile and Sprint are also pursuing countrywide coverage within the next two years, though their 5G plans may end up being significantly altered depending on whether their proposed merger ends up being approved by the federal government. Verizons 5G FWA service will be coming to Indianapolis, Houston, Los Angeles, and Sacramento by the end of the year, the company confirmed earlier this summer. The technology itself is widely predicted to deliver an economic boom by creating new jobs required by emerging solutions such as VR, AR, remote surgery, driverless vehicles, and 4K live-streaming. Las sanciones que aplica el gobierno de Trump en la mayoria de los casos chocan con los intereses de sus aliados, es el caso de las sanciones que le aplica desde el pasado 7 de agosto a la Republica Islamica de Iran. El gobierno de los Estados Unidos pone sobre la mesa una premisa obligante todo aquel que haga negocios con Iran, no hara negocios con los Estados Unidos, es el caso de la empresa francesa Total quienes estuvieron trabajando hasta el ano 2009 en el campo Domo Norte de Iran, la mayor reserva gasifera del mundo y el cual tuvo que abandonar en el ano 2009 a raiz de las sanciones impuestas por los Estados Unidos a Iran, a raiz de los acuerdos entre el gobierno de Obama y la Republica Islamica de Iran, la empresa Total planifico en julio de 2017 una inversion en dicho campo por un Billon de dolares para la fase 11 del proyecto, con un contrato por 20 anos para producir 2 billones de pies cubicos diarios de gas, incluyendo condensados, con las nuevas sanciones de Trump lo planificado por Total quedo solo en planes, lo ocurrido con Total es algo a lo que estan expuestas todas las grandes companias Globales que hacen negocios con Iran. Otro caso es el de la India el tercer mayor consumidor mundial de crudo quien importa desde Iran el 10% de su consumo y que le es imposible cortar en un 100% este suministro como se lo esta exigiendo el Gobierno de Trump. Para la India traer crudo de otros paises significa un aumento de costos solo en transporte. La propuesta que le hace India al gobierno de Trump es cortar las importaciones de Iran solo en un 50%, estas conversaciones no han finalizado. Una noticia en ingles sobre este tema NEW DELHI (Bloomberg) -- India, the second biggest crude customer for Iran, may cut its imports from the Islamic republic by half to secure a waiver from the U.S. to continue with shipments, people familiar with the matter said. Officials from the U.S. had discussed the issue of a conditional waiver on sanctions in talks last month in New Delhi, the people said, requesting not to be identified as the discussion was private. India has expressed its inability to scrap oil imports from Iran completely as its supplies are being offered at competitive rates, the people said. New Delhi expects a response as early as next month when talks resume. President Donald Trumps administration has been forced to reconsider its plan to choke off all of Irans oil exports after countries including China and India -- which together comprise about half of Irans oil exports -- expressed their inability to halt shipments. Washington is now said to project a 50% cut in exports when it reimposes energy sanctions in early November. After initial success in persuading allies Japan and South Korea, U.S. is finding it tough to convince even European Union nations. These push backs are forcing the U.S. to consider waivers to countries on a case-by-case basis as it feels even a significant reduction would be a blow to Irans battered economy. India continued with Iranian imports even after Trump announced in May that he was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal. Indian Oil Corp., the biggest refiner and a top customer of Iran, has been purchasing oil proportionate to its annual term contracts so far and has booked cargoes for September, its Chairman Sanjiv Singh said on Monday. India is estimated to have imported 22.6 MM tons of Iranian oil during the 12 months through March 31, as against 27.2 MM tons a year earlier. The South Asian nations purchases climbed from about 11 million tons in 2016-17. Refiners in the south Asian nation were quick to ramp up imports from the Persian Gulf state after the previous round of sanctions were lifted in 2015. While New Delhi has been preparing for alternative supplies, ending purchases from Iran will cost the country savings on shipping and the longest credit repayment period offered by any of its suppliers. India, the worlds third-biggest oil consumer, meets more than 80% of its requirements through imports. Iran is its third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia and meets about 10% of total needs. OKYO (Bloomberg) -- PetroChina Co. may temporarily halt purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas spot cargoes through the winter to avoid potential tariffs amid a trade conflict between the U.S. and China, according to people with knowledge of the strategy. Under the plan, PetroChina would boost buying of spot cargoes from other countries or swap U.S. shipments with other nations in East Asia to avoid paying additional tariffs, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public. PetroChina, a unit of the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp., couldnt immediately comment when contacted by Bloomberg. China said this month it was considering a 25% tariff on U.S. LNG, which had been missing from previously targeted goods, in a direct hit to American gas exporters. The move comes ahead of the winter heating season when demand and prices typically peak and shows that Chinese President Xi Jinping may be willing to suffer some pain to avoid backing down from U.S. President Donald Trumps trade dispute. If the tariff is implemented before winter, it would potentially increase the competition for non U.S. supply to the Asian market and hence drive up spot prices in Asia this winter, Maggie Kuang, an analyst with Bloomberg NEF in Singapore said in an email. Australia, Qatar, and Southeast Asia will most likely benefit. Singapore Exchange Ltd.s North Asia Sling spot price was assessed at $10.165/MMBtu as of Friday, the highest in a month. Prices are about 66% higher than the same time a year ago. Shares of PetroChina ended 2% lower at HK$5.81 in Hong Kong, compared with a 1.5% drop in the citys benchmark Hang Seng Index. PetroChina in February signed a 25-yr deal to buy U.S. LNG from Cheniere Energy Inc., with a portion of that supply expected to start this year. While China is currently the third-largest buyer of U.S. LNG, American cargoes only made up about 5.7% of its imports over the last year, according to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Chinas proposed tariff may temporarily benefit other suppliers, U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette said in an interview in Tokyo on Wednesday, noting that he doesnt expect any detrimental impact to the U.S. energy industry. President Xi has urged Chinas state-owned energy giants CNPC and China National Offshore Oil Corp. to boost domestic exploration and production of oil and gas to safeguard the countrys energy-security as the trade dispute with the U.S. threatens to limit American shipments. EHRAN (Bloomberg) -- China National Petroleum Corp. is expected to take the lead on a $5-billion project to develop Irans share of the worlds biggest gas deposit, taking over from Frances Total SA, which halted operations after U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. State-owned CNPC, which joined a consortium with Total and Irans Petropars Ltd. in 2016 to develop Phase 11 of the South Pars Gas field, is set to increase its stake in the project from the current 30%. Total had originally agreed to take a 50.1% interest. CNPC will become the lead operating partner, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing Mohammad Mostafavi, National Iranian Oil Co.s investments and business head. Terms of the contract havent yet officially changed, according to Shana, the Oil Ministrys news service. Calls to CNPC went unanswered on Sunday. Total declined to comment. Total, which finalized its agreement with Iran in July 2017, had already spent some 40 million euros ($45.7 million) on the project when Trump announced in May that the U.S. would exit the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on Tehran. The first round of U.S. sanctions was put back into place this week, with more to come in November, greatly complicating efforts by companies that rushed into the Islamic Republic after the nuclear accord was signed by Iran, the U.S. and five other countries plus the European Union. Effective from 15 August, Oman Air will launch the sale of sleepwear, an exclusive amenities kit, and other Oman Air branded merchandise on a selected number of routes to mark the festive season. The Business Class Amouage amenity kit, designed especially for Oman Air, contains a set of luxurious travel essentials including hand and body moisturiser, face cream, a sleeping eye shade and shaving razor. A Colgate dental kit and mouthwash are also included in the kit, to keep Oman Air guests refreshed. Fatigue is an unwelcome companion when travelling. With this in mind, Oman Air is introducing comfortable, yet stylish sleepwear on selected flights which can be bought at a nominal price. The new sleeper suits will provide Oman Air guests with plenty of comfort and ease when travelling on long haul night flights. A set of soft slippers is also included to guarantee comfort when resting or moving during the flight. Xia Cai, Senior Vice President Guest Experience and Branding, said: Oman Air is always looking at new ways to give our guests more choice and value to build their personalised journey. In addition to providing extra comfort and choice in the air, some of the items are great gift ideas, particularly in the run up to the holiday season. We will monitor guest satisfaction and aim to expand the range of items for sale in the future. Improperly timed traffic lights. Drivers who pull out in front of you. Drivers who accelerate in the left-turn lane. Drivers who are discourteous about allowing others to merge. Drivers who dont use their blinkers. Drivers on their cellphones instead of driving. Vote View Results Big Beer Is Spending Billions On Weed Trending News: Corona And Heineken Are Going All-In On Weed-Infused Beer All of a sudden, beer isn't so cool anymore. Millennials are drinking less of it especially the big name brands and as more states legalize marijuana, people are finding greener ways to spend their Friday nights. But Big Beer isn't about to drift silently into the night. The companies that own brands like Corona and Heineken are hedging their bets by investing in weed. Betting High On Getting High Constellation Brands, which owns Corona, Robert Mondavi wine and Svedka vodka announced that it invested $4 billion in Canopy, a Canadian cannabis startup that's is ramping up production ahead of Canada's October 2018 legalization date. "As the leader in the total beverage alcohol space, we look forward to reaping the benefits of our cannabis investment, which we see as incremental to our core beer, wine and spirits portfolio," said Robert Sands, Constellation's chief executive, according to CNBC. RELATED: Should You Smoke Weed Before Working Out? Weed-Infused Beer You might've heard the news that a Canadian successfully brewed the first weed beer. Don't think that Big Beer wasn't paying attention. Molson Coors has already started working on cannabis-infused beverages, and Heineken-owned Lagunitas already sells a non-alcoholic sparkling water featuring THC. Weed beer is coming, it's just a matter of when. What Is Big Beer Really Up To? I'm not sure stocking shelves with weed beer is the end goal here. Beer brands might just be trying to save their ass by hedging their bets. Molson Coors listed legal cannabis as a big threat in its annual shareholder report, according to CNBC: "The emergence of legal cannabis in certain U.S. states and Canada may result in a shift of discretionary income away from our products or a change in consumer preferences away from beer." Besides, like many investors, beer brands might be investing in cannabis companies because they have a big potential for growth (literally and figuratively). The weed industry is in its baby stages right now, but what if Canopy turns into the next AmBev? More dubiously and this is fully uneducated speculation maybe Big Beer is trying to get a stake in weed companies to makes sure weed doesn't somehow mess with its market share? Not sure about that, just spitballing here. You Might Also Dig U.S. Rep. Scott Tiptons office used taxpayer funds to produce and send out this mailer out to constituents in his 3rd Congressional District. The practice, known as franking is legal and justified as a way for elected officials to stay in touch, but the timing of the flier just before this falls race against Diane Mitsch Bush, a former state representative, heats up has been called into question. Hogan Lovells has helped a newly formed debt fund close two financing transactions in a week, as disintermediation in leveraged finance continues in Australia and beyond. The global firm was lead counsel for Tanarra Credit Partners as it provided funding to Next Capital, an Australian private equity firm, to acquire Brisbane-based data centre business iseek Communications. Hogan Lovells was also lead counsel Tanarra as it provided funding to Ansett Aviation Training. Ansett is a portfolio company of CHAMP Ventures, another Australian private equity firm. The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract to configure nine F/A-18E and two F/A-18F Super Hornets for the Blue Angels demonstration team. Since the teams first performance in 1946, the Blue Angels have used eight aircraft models, including the F11F-1 Tiger, F-4J Phantom II and A-4F Skyhawk II. They have been flying F/A-18C/D Hornets since 1986. The contract for getting the eleven Super Hornets ready for their debut with the Blue Angels, which is worth approximately $17 million, was awarded to Boeing on Monday. Although not specifically stated what changes would be made to the aircraft, conversions on the teams currently flying Hornets included removing the aircraft nose cannons, installing smoke-oil tanks and adding a spring on the sticks. Overall, the Super Hornet is bigger by about four feet in both length and wingspan than the Hornet and heavier by roughly 10,000 pounds. At a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, the Super Hornet is slightly slower than the Hornets max of Mach 1.8. According to a Department of Defense release, the Blue Angels Super Hornet conversions will be performed at Boeings St. Louis, Missouri, facility. The scheduled completion date for the project is December 2021. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted a reply to President Trump on Friday after he criticized D.C.'s "local politicians" for the incredibly high price tag they put on his proposed military parade, stating that she was the one who "finally got thru to the reality star in the White House. " "Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)." Mayor Bowser's tweet Go deeper: Trump cancels military parade over high cost estimates APG found some deficiencies in Pakistans systems ISLAMABAD: A six-member visiting delegation of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) has found some deficiencies in Pakistans systems, agencies and laws to meet its global obligations against money laundering and terror financing, but noted that progress was taking place. In the concluding session with host authorities, the delegation pointed out deficiencies in legal mechanisms governing non-profit and charitable organisations, transparency in beneficial ownership regime and counter-terror financing mechanisms to handle suspicious transaction reports (STRs). The APG will submit its report to the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Both the government and the APG did not issue any statement at the end of the three-day talks that ended on Aug 16, while the authorities involved in the negotiations declined to speak on record. The delegation told the authorities that legal framework covering the non-profit and charitable organisations was seriously deficient and vulnerable to leaks and misuse, while the beneficial ownership regime did not meet transparency standards and benami ownerships were still widespread. Also, the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and provincial agencies like police required a lot of training and preparedness to combat money laundering and terror financing to the satisfaction of the FATF under a 10-point action plan committed by Pakistan. The authorities told the APG that focal persons had been appointed at all levels for inter-agency and inter-provincial coordination and the regulators. It was, however, noted that some of the shortcomings in policymaking and legal arrangements stemmed from inherent limitations of a caretaker set-up and political transition. Therefore, another review will now take place next month, i.e. September, to engage with the new PTI coalition government as well as provincial governments for an effective push. This would be followed by yet another visit by the APG in October. The delegation also told the authorities to upgrade agencies and their human resources to be able to handle foreign requests to block terror financing and freeze illegal and targeted assets. It also advised strengthening of mutual legal assistance laws for extradition of those involved in terror financing and money laundering on requests from FATF-member countries. According to a source, Pakistan lacked mutual legal assistance arrangements with a number of countries. It was noted that there was a long way to go in terms of training officials of various agencies, strengthening of systems and processes and improving laws, said an official who was part of the four-day consultations. A number of Pakistani agencies were part of the dialogue with the delegation and, among others, included officials of the ministries of interior, law, finance and foreign affairs, besides State Bank of Pakistan, FMU, Nacta, FIA, FBR, SECP, etc. The FMU played a coordinating role with other agencies in formulating a consolidated progress report submitted to the APG delegation which consisted of members from Turkey, China, the UK and the US. The next session with the APG will take place by mid-September to examine progress on the FATF action plan. Elon Musk, in his first interview since the tumult exploded around his plans to take Tesla private, tells the The New York Times that the past year "has been the most difficult and painful year of my career. It was excruciating." Why it matters: Beyond providing a window onto Musk's state of mind, the Times' reporting provides updates into Tesla's inner workings and the take-private announcement that's under investigation by securities regulators. A few takeaways . . . One plan under consideration is to have another Musk company, SpaceX, help finance the take-private plan and take an ownership stake in Tesla. is to have another Musk company, SpaceX, help finance the take-private plan and take an ownership stake in Tesla. Tesla board members and Musk could meet with Securities and Exchange Commission officials as soon as next week. with Securities and Exchange Commission officials as soon as next week. "Efforts are underway" to find a number 2 executive to ease pressure on Musk, the paper reports, citing sources briefed in the search. executive to ease pressure on Musk, the paper reports, citing sources briefed in the search. However, Musk tells the paper that while the company approached Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg a couple years ago, he says that to the best of my knowledge, there is no active search right now. Elsewhere, the piece provides some new details about Musk's August 7 Twitter claim that he had "funding secured" for the transaction, which sent Tesla's shares upward. Musk confirms that it was not seen or reviewed by anyone before he sent it. It's a claim that Musk later acknowledged was a reference to interest from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund but not a financing commitment, and is now reportedly under investigation by the SEC. The big picture: Musk opens up about his emotional state and exhaustion during what has been a tumultuous time for Tesla as the company has raced to scale-up output of the Model 3 sedan, a car that's vital to its future but has been beset with production delays. "At multiple points in an hourlong interview with The New York Times, he choked up, noting that he nearly missed his brothers wedding this summer and spent his birthday holed up in Teslas offices as the company raced to meet elusive production targets on a crucial new model," they report. Asked if the exhaustion was taking a toll on his physical health, Musk said: "Its not been great, actually. Ive had friends come by who are really concerned." The Times, citing two people familiar with Tesla's board, report that "Some board members have expressed concern not only about Mr. Musks workload but also about his use of Ambien." Musk himself said he uses Ambien to help sleep: It is often a choice of no sleep or Ambiem." Go deeper: The USA vs. Elon Musk; Musk's latest tweets are causing Tesla havoc Tesla Motors has been subpoenaed by U.S. securities regulators, related to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's efforts to take the company private. Why it matters: Musk is one of America's most consequential tech executives. Not only because of his unparalleled audacity and futuristic vision, but also because he has no clear successor at his largest company, Tesla. Now, both Musk's and Tesla's futures are at risk. What happened Musk has long been frustrated with some of the trappings of public company life, such as short-sellers, with it boiling over during a May earnings call during which he complained about "boring, bonehead questions" from bank analysts. He apologized during a subsequent earnings call on August 1st, but the die had already been cast. One day later, per his account, he notified Tesla's board that he wanted to take the company private at $420 per share. That was around a 20% stock price premium, and would value Tesla at around $72 billion (not including $13 billion in debt). Musk held a 19.78% equity stake in Tesla through the end of June. Tesla's board says it had several follow-up conversations, but it appears that directors were not aware Musk was about to tweet the following on August 7: A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Tesla stock immediately spiked, reaching an all-time high within hours (after which it was briefly halted). The company scrambled, eventually confirming that Musk's account hadn't been hacked. Later that evening it would post on its blog a letter Musk had sent to employees about his plan, which would allow existing shareholders (including employees) to maintain their positions in a privately-held Tesla. Companies have been allowed for several years to disclose material information via social media, although this was an unusual case in that it was unclear if Musk was tweeting as an individual or as a corporate officer. He later clarified that it was the former. The aftermath Reporters immediately began calling around to find out who had agreed to bankroll Musk's takeover. But there were no affirmative replies: Not Wall Street banks, not private equity firms, not sovereign wealth funds. This was a big problem. Musk had tweeted "funding secured," which had helped increase the stock price. If it wasn't true, that could possibly be viewed as stock manipulation and from the company's CEO, no less. Musk cast further doubt with an August 13 blog post in which he mistakenly equated an expression of interest from a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund with an actual funding commitment. Then Musk returned to Twitter to share what proved to be more misinformation: A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Silver Lake , a private equity firm that helped Michael Dell take his eponymous company private, was indeed providing advice to Musk, but "financial advisor" is a technical term that the markets take to mean Silver Lake was acting as a broker-dealer. It wasn't. In fact, Silver Lake wasn't even being paid. Instead, it was basically kicking the tires on Tesla, to see if it would want to participate alongside him. , a private equity firm that helped Michael Dell take his eponymous company private, was indeed providing advice to Musk, but "financial advisor" is a technical term that the markets take to mean Silver Lake was acting as a broker-dealer. It wasn't. In fact, Silver Lake wasn't even being paid. Instead, it was basically kicking the tires on Tesla, to see if it would want to participate alongside him. Goldman Sachs also does not appear to have reached terms with Musk as of the time of his tweet, although it subsequently has. Tesla stock, meanwhile, continued to sink. It closed trading yesterday at nearly $339 per share, or a full $80 per share less than what Musk says he wants to pay. Expand chart Data: Money.net; Chart: Chris Canipe/Axios What now The Securities and Exchange Commission wants answers from Tesla. And from Musk, who argues his tweets were an attempt to be transparent with all Tesla shareholders, rather than only sharing his intentions with a small group of large investors. Former SEC enforcement attorney John Reed Stark believes that the SEC has a high hill to prove market manipulation, because such charges typically require the actor to both make ironclad false statements and attempt to profit from those statements. He adds that it's not technically a two-pronged test, so much as " indicators which shed light on the suspects actual intent." On the other hand, ex-SEC chair Laura Unger, on the other hand, said on Cheddar of Musk's initial tweet: "It was not true and accurate.... [it] was quite a big overstatement, that he had financing secured, and one that was clearly misleading to the marketplace." The SEC doesn't really have a recent enforcement record on take-private transactions, but it would have wide latitude were it to find malfeasance. It could try to fine Musk and/or Tesla, while Musk also could be banned from serving as an executive or director of Tesla or any other public company. Tesla and Musk also are facing possible class-action lawsuits from disgruntled securities holders, with potential damages there likely outweighing what would be sought by the government. Bottom line Elon Musk's lack of Twitter discipline has created, at the very least, a giant distraction and has raised serious questions for future investors in his many companies. At worst, it could cost him his job and his company millions of dollars. State prosecutors said on Friday that they will appeal against an Armenian courts decision to release Robert Kocharian, the countrys former president facing coup charges, from custody. The Court of Appeals on August 13 overturned lower courts July 27 decision to allow law-enforcement authorities to arrest Kocharian. It said that he cannot be prosecuted for the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. The Special Investigative Service (SIS), which filed the accusations, condemned the decision as illegal and urged prosecutors to appeal to the Court of Cassation, Armenias highest body of criminal and administrative justice. The Office of the Prosecutor-General today received the [full text of the] Court of Appeals decision to free former President Robert Kocharian and is preparing an appeal, a spokesperson for the law-enforcement agency told RFE/RLs Armenian service. The official did not say when the appeal will be lodged. Kocharian stands accused of illegally using the armed forces against opposition protesters who demanded a rerun of a disputed presidential election held in February 2008. Eight protesters and two police personnel were killed when security forces broke up those demonstrations on March 1-2, 2018. The ex-president denied the accusations as a politically motivated vendetta the day before his arrest. His lawyers have likewise dismissed them as baseless. They have also said that the Armenian constitution guarantees their clients immunity from prosecution. Article 140 of the constitution says: During the term of his or her powers and thereafter, the President of the Republic may not be prosecuted and subjected to liability for actions deriving from his or her status. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian strongly defended his governments track record on Friday as tens of thousands of people rallied in Yerevan to mark his first 100 days in office. Pashinian claimed to have practically eradicated corruption in Armenia, ensured continued economic growth and established the kind of peoples direct rule that had existed in ancient Greece. He also blasted the countrys former leaders highly critical of the government formed as a result of last springs mass protests. One hundred days ago your will prevailed and the international community still does not understand what happened in Armenia, why and how it happened, Pashinian told huge crowd that filled the citys central Republic Square, the main scene of the protests that brought him to power. He referred to himself as a direct representative of the will of the Armenian people. In Armenia, there is no coalition government. In Armenia, there is no parliamentary majority. In Armenia, supreme power directly belongs to the people and the people carry out direct rule. This is the key meaning of the revolution that took place in Armenia, he declared in a more than hour-long speech. Accordingly, Pashinian went on, crowds gathering in the sprawling square must now be regarded as the supreme body of the peoples rule. This means that from now on this government will be accountable to this square, will obey this square, and all key decisions must be made here at this square, he declared. In the future, the Republic of Armenia could be cited in the historical context just like ancient Greece is cited now and Yerevan could be cited like ancient Athens, he added. Turning to his first 100 days in power, Pashinian said that despite the recent political turmoil Armenias economy has not only avoided a downturn but is continuing to grow robustly thanks to his governments efforts to improve the business environment. I want to assure you that we will have serious very successes in the economy, he said. Pashinian did not make any growth forecasts. Instead, he touted the governments crackdown on corruption and tax evasion and said it has already succeeded in breaking up economic monopolies that had long hampered faster growth. Money stolen from the people will be recovered fully, he said, citing recent audits of some companies that have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue. The 43-year-old premier rejected critics claims that the new authorities are scaring away investors with those audits and undermining Armenias strategic relationship with Russia. I can say for sure that Russian-Armenian relations are not only not bad but are good and will get even better, he said. In a rare diplomatic dispute with Yerevan, Moscow strongly criticized late last month criminal charges brought against several former Armenian officials for their alleged role in the deadly breakup of 2008 opposition protests in the Armenian capital. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the charges as politically motivated. The accused individuals include former President Robert Kocharian and Yuri Khachaturov, the secretary general of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Both men strongly deny the accusations. Kocharian has claimed that they are part of a political vendetta waged by the new government. In a clear reference to Kocharian, Pashinian said: I want to make clear that no one will avoid responsibility for killing 10 people and staging a coup detat in Armenia on March 1 [2008] All murderers will go to prison. He defended the ongoing criminal inquiry into the 2008 unrest conducted by the Special Investigative Service (SIS). Kocharian was arrested on July 27 on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order in the final weeks of his decade-long rule. Armenias Court of Appeals freed him from custody more than two weeks later. The SIS condemned the courts decision as illegal. In his fiery speech, Pashinian again insisted that his administration is not exerting any pressure on courts. Still, he slammed unnamed judges who he said are still taking orders from representatives of the former corrupt authorities. Come to your senses and dont mess with the people, he warned them. Pashinian was elected prime minister on March 8 by the Armenian parliament then controlled by the Republican Party (HHK) of former President Serzh Sarkisian, who was forced to resign on April 23. His governments policy program calls for the conduct of snap elections within a year. Under Armenias constitution, such elections can be held only if the prime minister resigns and the National Assembly twice fails to elect his or her replacement. Pashinian on Friday for the first time spoke of a possibility of the HHK and other parliamentary forces installing another prime minister and thus preventing snap polls in case of his resignation. He said his political team will therefore come up with constitutional amendments that would allow the parliament to dissolve itself. He told his supporters to be ready to force lawmakers to enact those amendments. Pashinian again gave no possible election dates. By Naila Huseynli Iranian automobile manufacturer Iran Khodro intends to launch second line of production in Azerbaijan, said Mohsun Salehi Iran's deputy minister of industry, mining and trade. This step will allow the company to expand its production in Azerbaijan. At present, Iran Khodro intends to increase the current production capacity to raise the daily vehicle output from four to eight. In the future, the company plans to produce 2,500 cars per year through launching the second line of production, he told Trend. Meanwhile, Head of IKCO (Iran Khodro Co.) operations in Asia, Europe, America and Commonwealth of Independent States Sabina Nobari said Azerbaijan and Iran will soon export cars to Russia, Ukraine and the CIS nations via a joint venture, dubbed Khazar Car Factory. Currently, all the cars produced at Khazar factory are sold in Azerbaijan. Iran Khodro and the Azerbaijani automotive company AzEuroCar LLC have manufactured over 300 units of family sedan model Dena in Azerbaijan since March, Nobari noted. Iran Khodro and Azerbaijani automotive company Azeurocar signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint venture in the Neftchala Industrial Zone in 2016. In early April, the Azerbaijan-Iran automobile factory started production of the first cars. The factory produces cars under the brand name of Khazar, and a number of models of Peugeot and Renault will also be assembled there. The annual capacity of the factory is about 10,000 cars. The cost of cars amount to 14,000-16,000 manats ($8,252-$9,431). By the end of 2018, the plant plans to launch production of new models, which will cost a little more - 18,000-20,000 manats ($10.610-$11,789). All cars produced at the factory comply with Euro 5 standards. The total cost of the project is estimated at 24 million manats. The Azerbaijani side has invested 75 percent in the factory, and the Iranian side has invested 25 percent. By Laman Ismayilova The Museum of Miniature Books is among the hidden treasures of Azerbaijan. Located within the oldest part of Baku city - Icheri Sheher, the museum is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the museum with the largest number of miniature books. The museum opened its doors in 2002 and owns one of the world's great collections of miniature books. The creator of the museum, Zarifa Salakhova has made a unique contribution to the world of small books. The main objective for the establishment of the Museum was to revive love for books among the youth. One of the worlds first miniature books museums is home to over 6,500 books published in 71 countries. The collection contains "Flower Alphabet", "Pictures of English History", Pushkins "Yevgeni Onegin", "La Fontaine Fables" and the 24-volume "One Thousand and One Nights" a seminal work in Arabic literature. All the books are categorized under titles including Azerbaijan, rare books, religious books, Russian history, Russian classics, Western classics, cinema, Central Asia, America, Europe and China. Miniature books of Azerbaijani writers including the works of Khurshidbanu Natavan, Nizami Ganjavi and many others also found their place in the museum. The oldest book in the museum is a miniature copy of the Holy Quran, dating to the 17th century. The smallest tome in the museum is the Russian book "The Most Miraculous Thing," (6mm x 9mm) which can only be read by using a magnifying glass. One of the prized volumes in the museum is "The Inaugural Address of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States which was delivered at the Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 20, 1961. There are also literary works by British and American authors such as Shakespeare, Bobby Burns, Conan Doyle, Jack London, Edgar Allan Poe, Hemingway, O'Henry and others. Furthermore, there is a miniature book which consists of the songs of ''Beatles'' music group. New publications are regularly added to the collection in the museum. Ganja Branch of Museum of Miniature Books was opened in 2016. There are more that 1,045 copies of miniature books published in various countries. The exposition also includes books in Russian, Turkish, English, German, Arabic, Georgian and other languages. The museum is open to visitors for free. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan will take part in the International Amity festival. The festival will be held in Turkey on December 14-16. The International Amity Short Film Festival intends to share with the audience all sorts of film forms that points directly or indirectly to the relationship between humanity and the universe that is build on the friendship. In the broadest sense, by using one of the most effective form of the contemporary artscinema, the festival creates an awareness about the concept of "Friendship" through various conferences, interviews, workshops, competitions, and film screenings within the festival with the purpose of rereading, rethinking, and multiplying its reflections in our lives. Along with Azerbaijan, film studios of different countries, such as India, Iran, the U.S., Brazil, Spain, France, Russia, Egypt, Argentina, Syria, Philippines, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Slovenia and Thailand are also interested in participating in the festival. Currently, applications for participation are being accepted, 350 applications from 53 countries have already been submitted. The festival will be held with the organization of the Production Center Balkon Film, support of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the municipality of Istanbul and the patronage of the administration of the head of Turkey. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova YARAT Contemporary Art Space invites you to the Future Shorts largest short film festival. The event is organized as a part of YARAT Film Club. The screening will be held at Yay Gallery rooftop on August 21. The short film festival provides an opportunity for professionals and newcomers all over the world to become a part of an international cinematographic community. Future Shorts is the product of 10 years of audience development, experimentation and of reacting to the demand for another way of experiencing film. Since 2003 Future Shorts has built a new audience for film across the globe and developed a platform for filmmakers that allow millions of people worldwide to engage with their work. The festival covers 40 countries, 100 cities, 6 continents and offers 1,400 showings per year throughout the world. Throughout ten years,, the festival has gained the attention of movie fans over a huge territory from Finland to Mexico. The Summer Season of Future Shorts includes 6 films. Language: original, Russian subtitles Age restrictions: 16+ Time: 8 pm Address: 5 Kichik Qala Street, Icheri Sheher Baku (near the Embassy of Italy) ADMISSION: Please call us in advance to book your seat 012 505 14 14 REGISTRATION FORM YARAT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art in Azerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art, both nationally and internationally. Based in Baku, YARAT (meaning CREATE in Azerbaijani) was founded by Aida Mahmudova in 2011. It comprises YARAT Art Centre, ARTIM Project Space, YARAT Studios, YAY Gallery and an extended educational and public programme. YAY Gallery is the leading contemporary art gallery in Azerbaijan, representing pioneering Azerbaijani artists across several generations and genres. Since being founded in Baku in 2012, it has championed the careers of key Azerbaijani artists who have gained international recognition in recent years including Farid Rasulov, Rashad Alakbarov, Aida Mahmudova, Faig Ahmed, Orkhan Huseynov and Reza Hazare. YAY Gallerys exhibition program also brings work by some of the most innovative artists from across the world to Baku, including solo exhibitions by French experimental performance artists Les Gens dUterpans and prominent Iranian artist Mahmoud Bakhshi. Located in the heart of Bakus Old City, YAY Gallery sits amongst designated UNESCO world heritage sites. The gallery was founded by YARAT Contemporary Art Space, a not-for-profit contemporary art organization, as part of their commitment to support the infrastructure for art in Azerbaijan. The gallery is commercial but not-for-profit purposes. YAY (meaning share in Azerbaijani) shares all proceeds from sales of work between the artists and YARAT. The gallery's artistic agenda is focused on showing the most talented and promising young artists as well as more established artists from Azerbaijan and abroad. Beyond its immediate artistic program, the gallery intends to regularly host lectures, readings, film screenings and workshops conducted by the artists with the goal of becoming a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between the artists and the wider public. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rashid Shirinov The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which has been existing in the region since the late 1980s, is still continuing, as peace cannot be achieved because of the non-constructivity and stubbornness of Armenia. Many believed Armenia to eventually change its position on the conflict after the new government came to power in the country. But essential nothing has happened. In an interview with Azernews on August 16, Azerbaijani MP and political analyst Rasim Musabayov noted that so far Pashinyan has no specific policy on the conflict. Apparently, he tries in every possible way to avoid not only meaningful negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but in general making decisions in this regard, the expert said. He further expressed regret that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Russia, the U.S. and France have not recently made any special proposals. Unfortunately, there were no special proposals in the last six months," he said noting that Armenia is the aggressor and occupier. Musabayov believes that they are unwilling to put pressure on Armenia because of its lobbying positions in these countries. Therefore, there is a deadlock situation in the negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the expert noted. He also mentioned that Azerbaijan, in its turn, should increase pressure on Armenia, strengthen own armed forces, economy and foreign policy, and the Azerbaijani government is doing this. Speaking of the foreign policy of Armenia, Musabayov said it is clear that Armenia wants to grasp everything from both the West and Russia, and noted the coldness in Russian-Armenian relations. I think that Pashinyan and his entourage are deeply unsympathetic to the Russian leadership, which rightly does not trust in the Armenian government. It is difficult to say how far the rift in Russian-Armenian relations will go under the current leadership of Armenia, just as it is difficult to say whether this regime will survive any long, the political analyst said. -- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Azerbaijan may expand the list of transplant organs in accordance with the amendments to the law On transplantation of human organs and (or) tissues, which is being prepared in Azerbaijan. Musa Guliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Healthcare Committee of the Parliament, told Trend that throughout the world transplantation of organs by approximately 85-90 percent is carried out at the expense of organs taken from the corpse. Due to the fact that no transplantation of such organs is carried out in Azerbaijan, transplantation is carried out at the expense of organs taken from a living person. This, on the one hand, is a risk for the donor, and on the other hand, does not allow for more extensive transplantation. That is, a living person can give only paired organs, for example, one kidney, and another organ that is itself restored, that is, the liver. But it is impossible to use the remaining organs of a living person for transplantation, he said. Transplantation of organs has been carried out in Azerbaijan for 15 years, but to date no work has been done on transplantation of the organ taken from the corpse, according to the deputy chairman. A legal framework should be created for this. The working group established for this purpose is determining the rules and conditions for transplantation of organs from the corpse, the rules for obtaining permission for transplantation, technical requirements for clinics and other issues. These questions should be resolved, he said. In recent years, there have been scientific and technological innovations, which also need to be added to the law, according to Guliyev. "At the same time, creation of a register of donors and individuals in need of a donor body is another important issue. In addition, the current law contains a list of organs for transplantation, that is, the kidney, liver, and the cornea of the eye. But now work is underway to expand the list of organs for transplantation and to include transplantation of the cardio-pulmonary complex, the musculoskeletal complex, part of the pancreas, etc., he added. After the completion of this work, Guliyev said, the changes will be discussed in the Healthcare Committee, and recommended to the Parliament. According to the proposed amendments to the law (article 9.4), the organs of people who have recorded brain death as a result of natural disasters or accidents and have not refused transplantation during their lifetime in writing, can be used for scientific and medical purposes. In this case, the forensic expert is informed and the removal of organs and tissues is carried out in his presence (in case the expert's presence is not required, after removal of organs and tissues, the forensic protocol is drawn up with all details and result of the operation, all necessary documents are attached). It should be noted that the amendments to the law were discussed in the parliamentary committee on health, but after the discussions it was decided to revise the amendments and bring them back to the committee for discussion. Annually, about 1,500 people in Azerbaijan need a donor, but since the organs cannot be taken from the corpse, only 100-120 operations for the transplantation of organs of living people are carried out. Being a major issue, transplantation practices require special work to be done, including creation of certain grounds to allow donation of organs. The Azerbaijani legislation allows only a person over 18 years old with a health certificate on full medical examination to become a donor.Due to a ban on children's donating organs in the country, transplantation from a brain-dead child can be carried out only after his parents' approval. Sale of transplantation organs and tissue is also banned in Azerbaijan. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi elected as speaker of Punjab Assembly Lahore: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who heads Musharaf era Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, secured the speakers office on Thursday winning 201 votes, 16 more than the combined number of seats of his party (10) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (175). At least 15 of these 16 votes would have been cast by MPAs elected on tickets issued by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), whose candidate, Gujranwala-based Chaudhry Iqbal Gujjar, got 147 votes, 15 less than the partys strength in the House. The PML-N did not sit back, however. Its MPAs ensured that Elahis return to the speakers seat after 21 years was an eventful occasion as they registered a strong protest on massive horse-trading. As Elahi took oath of office and met lawmakers from PTI and PML-Q, PML-N members chanted horse-trading ki sarkar nhi chlay gi.. nhi chlay gi (A government formed through horse-trading will not be allowed to work) and daku speaker na nanzoor slogans. The protest continued for over half an hour. Meanwhile, Chaudhry Zaheeruddin and Raja Barashat, both former Q-Leaguers elected this time on PTI tickets, remained by Elahis side. The PTI loyalists were nowhere to be seen amid this action. Pro-Elahi slogans were, meanwhile, heard from the visitors gallery thanks to a large crowd of supporters who came from Gujrat, the hometown of Chaudries. In his speech after taking oath, Elahi said he would try to serve as the custodian of the entire House and ensure that the public interest was upheld. When some PTI lawmakers tried to respond to PML-N members sloganeering, he intervened and said that they should be allowed to chant slogans as they have very deep wounds. The House was adjourned for a 10-minute break before the deputy speakers election. However, the break lasted for over an hour as PML-N lawmakers protested what they said a theft of their mandate. The N-Leagues charge outside the House was led not by a Sharif. The absence of Hamza Shehbaz, the partys parliamentary leader, from the agitation was quite conspicuous. It was Sharifs close aide Khwaja Saad Rafique, who hails from the Walled City of Lahore, who led the charge instead. After efforts by a committee comprising PTI lawmakers Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Raja Basharat and Saeed Akbar Niwani, PML-N lawmakers returned to the House where Rafique gave a fiery speech. Well strongly resist all attempts at making a forward-bloc within the PML-N, he said, adding that his party dropped the idea of boycotting the assemblies to let the democratic system work so it should not be compelled to return to the streets. The Pakistan Peoples Party stuck to its position and stayed away from the speakers election, expect for its one lawmaker from Rahim Yar Khan, Raees Nabeel who was brought into the House by Pervaiz Elahi himself to cast vote in the election. The remaining six MPAs of the party, including Ali Haider Gillani, son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, remained away from the House during polling. Later, PTIs Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari took oath of the deputy speakers office after securing 187 votes against PML-Ns Waris Shad, who got 159 votes. As many as 348 votes were cast in the deputy speakers election, two of these were rejected. Newly elected Speaker Pervaiz Elahi administered the oath to Mazari, the grandson of former caretaker PM Balakh Sher Mazari. By Trend The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed recently at the 5th Summit of the Heads of the Caspian States in Kazakhstans Aktau, will create a more favorable background for settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Elkhan Alasgarov, PhD, well-known Azerbaijani political analyst, head of the Expert Council of the Baku Network, told Trend. The Caspian Declaration has an important geopolitical significance, he said. "For a long time, various political processes were occurring in the world, which could have turned the Caspian Sea into a sea of disagreement and discord. However, all of that is over and it is possible to say the adoption of such a significant document has led to a single consensus among five Caspian countries, which is extremely important. We remember about Armenias terrorist attack on a civil ferry that carried passengers from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and other security threats in the Caspian region, Alasgarov said. And only thanks to the correct diplomatic work carried out by Azerbaijans leadership, many projects have been realized." The issue of security has been solved to a certain extent after the adoption of the Declaration as all the countries that signed the document bear responsibility for preserving the regional stability, he added. "The fact that the Karabakh conflict is a stumbling block for development of integration processes and it jeopardizes the security of the entire region is obvious, Alasgarov said. So, if we take into account the interests of the five countries in maintaining security in the Caspian region, most likely the political background for the conflict's settlement will be more favorable. Geopolitically, Azerbaijans positions in the Caspian Sea have intensified, which means that the settlement of the Karabakh problem can be considered more thoroughly, he said. The adoption of the Convention opens wide opportunities for implementation of big economic and energy projects of strategic importance, Alasgarov said. "This means that there are opportunities to lay gas pipelines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea, he said. I think it is logical to ask why Russia and Iran agreed to laying a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Europe through Azerbaijan, while it could compete with those countries? Perhaps, there are some concerns among the exporting countries due to an increase of gas tariffs in Europe, while the availability of various routes of supplies will allow to avoid that," the expert added. Talks on a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline have been carried out since 2011 by the interested parties, namely, the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. The Trans-Caspian project can be implemented within the Southern Gas Corridor project being promoted by the EU. In May 2015, the Ashgabat Declaration on Energy was signed by the ministers of energy of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Vice President of the European Commission for the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic. Later, Georgia joined the negotiation process. Turkmenistan voiced readiness to supply up to 40 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, 10 billion cubic meters of which could be provided in the future by Petronas operating in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. The remaining volume can be provided through the East-West gas pipeline, which begins from Turkmenistans big Galkynysh field and finishes off the coast of the Caspian Sea. In its turn, Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to provide its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for the implementation of the project. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Armenia's aggressive policy over the years has led to its isolation from the international community, political expert Bahruz Guliyev told Trend commenting on the installation of a false map at the Republic Square metro station in the center of Yerevan, where the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran and Georgia are presented as the territory of "great Armenia". The expert said it is no accident that Van and other territories of Turkey, as well as Georgias Javakheti region, Iranian territories bordering Armenia have been shown as the "great Armenia" on the map. "This gives grounds to say that regardless of who is in power in Armenia, its state strategy involves territorial claims, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, etc.," the expert added. Guliyev recalled that Serzh Sargsyan, while still in power, with his delusional statements about the importance of preparing young people for another war, wanted to say that after the occupation of Azerbaijan, the future goal is the territories of Turkey, Georgia and Iran. "Certainly, by doing so, Sargsyan called on the Armenian people to continue supporting the aggressive policy in order to realize the illusion of a "great Armenia"," Guliyev said. The expert noted that today Armenia, unlike other neighboring countries, has become a mono-ethnic country. "The only other ethnic group in the country are the Yezidis, who in recent years have been subjected to various kinds of harassment. They are subjected to a policy of discrimination, and most of their representatives move to Russia and other countries. I also want to note that even in the years of perestroika in the USSR, Armenian political activists shouted the "Armenia belongs to Armenians" slogan in their public speeches. And now we see the deplorable results of such slogans in Armenia," the expert said. Guliyev added that the erroneous policy of Armenia will eventually end in its downfall. "People are already criticizing Pashinyan, who came to power as a result of a "revolution". The logical result of all these events is the country's self-isolation. If Armenia does not get rid of such illusions, even the strongest economist in the world will not be able to pull it out of the crisis," the expert said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rashid Shirinov The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed recently at the summit of the leaders of the Caspian states in Aktau, will create a more favorable background for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Elkhan Alasgarov, PhD and a well-known Azerbaijani political analyst, head of the Expert Council of Baku Network, told Trend on August 16. The Caspian Convention has an important geopolitical significance. For a long time there have been various political processes in the world that could have turned the Caspian Sea into a sea of disagreement and discord, he said. However, all that is over, and we can say that the adoption of such a significant document has led to a single consensus among the five Caspian countries, which is extremely important. We remember the Armenian terrorist attack on a civil ferry that carried passengers from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and other security threats in the Caspian Sea region. And only thanks to the correct diplomatic work carried out by Azerbaijans leadership, many projects have been implemented, Alasgarov noted. The expert said that the issue of security has been solved to a certain extent with the adoption of the Convention, since the responsibility for maintaining the stability of the region is borne by all the countries that signed the document. The fact that the Karabakh conflict is a stumbling block for the development of integration processes and it threatens the security of the entire region is obvious. Therefore, if we take into account the interests of the five countries in maintaining security in the Caspian region, most likely, the political background for the conflicts settlement will become more favorable, Alasgarov noted. He said geopolitically, Azerbaijans positions in the Caspian Sea have increased, which means that the settlement of the Karabakh problem can be considered in a more detailed format. The expert further mentioned that the adoption of the Convention opens wide opportunities for the implementation of large economic and energy projects of strategic importance. This means that there are opportunities for laying gas pipelines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. I think it is logical to ask why Russia and Iran agreed to laying a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Europe through Azerbaijan despite the fact that it could compete with these countries? It is possible that there are certain concerns among the exporting countries because of the increase of gas tariffs in Europe, and the presence of different routes of energy supplies will allow to avoid that, Alasgarov said. As a result of the summit in Aktau on August 12, the Caspian Sea gained a special, unique status it was declared neither lake nor sea. According to the Convention, the surface is to be treated as a sea, with states granted jurisdiction over 15 nautical miles of water from their coasts and fishing rights over an additional ten miles. However, the seabed and its deposits are not allocated in precise form. The delineation of the seabed, which is almost completely an oil and gas basin, is yet to be defined. The convention also permits the construction of pipelines, which only require the approval of the countries whose seabed they pass, subject to environmental provisions, and forbids non-Caspian countries from deploying military vessels in the water. -- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received Malaysia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dato Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman in connection with completion of his diplomatic mission, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message August 17. During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the political dialogue, cooperation, and progress in the development of energy and economic ties between the two countries. The minister highly appreciated the ambassador's contribution to the development of the traditionally friendly ties between the two countries. According to the message, the ambassador expressed gratitude for the support rendered during his tenure. Mammadyarov wished the ambassador success in his further activity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Inha University in Tashkent and the World Bank will cooperate in the fourth Digital CASA project, the Uzbek media reported referring to a meeting between a WB mission and the Acting Rector of the Inha University Muzaffar Jalalov. The mission included an expert on innovations in digital technologies Ekaterina Gromova and a local ICT expert, WB consultant Sandjar Saidkhodjaev. It is expected that the project will be launched in Uzbekistan in 2019. The Component 4 of the Digital CASA project provides the development of digital entrepreneurship, human capital, digital skills, etc. Digital CASA is an international project aimed at creating a cross-border telecommunications network, which will connect Central and South Asian countries into a single digital hub. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo named Brian Hook, the top diplomats senior policy adviser, the special representative for Iran on Thursday. Hook will lead the Iran Action Group, which was also announced on Thursday and will coordinate the State Departments actions against Iran, Reuters reported. Washington announced earlier this year it would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and has once again imposed sanctions on Tehran, calling the country a destabilizing influence in the region. The United States has said it would only end the sanctions of Iran allowed the negotiation of a tougher deal. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday reiterated his criticism of U.S.'s current political stance against Turkey, Turkish media reported. "The U.S. does not know, it cannot see who its true friend is, Cavusoglu told reporters during his closing speech at the 10th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara. "We will never be happy with having issues with the U.S. We can easily solve problems with the U.S. but not with its current mindset," he said. Cavusoglus remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Turkey "has not proven to be a good friend" during a Cabinet meeting Thursday. "Turkey has not done any wrong to the U.S., not even once. When anyone faces any charges, regardless of the persons citizenship, that person will have to go through the judicial process," he said. "We are not making a cowboy film. We are two great countries that need have good relations but we will learn to respect each other," Cavusoglu added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva As many as 259,900 tons of oil products, totaling $ 180.9 million, were imported by Tajikistan in January-July 2018, Avesta reported. On average, the cost of one ton of oil products was $ 696, which is $ 134 more than in the same period last year. In January-July 2017, 227,300 tons of oil products at a price of $ 562 per ton were imported by the republic. Russia remains the main supplier of oil products. Also, Tajikistan imported oil products from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and other countries. Meanwhile, the import of liquefied gas to Tajikistan for the indicated period amounted to 219,100 tons worth $ 101.3 million. On average, the cost of one ton of liquefied gas was $ 463. Last year, during this period, 206,000 tons of liquefied gas was imported. Liquefied gas is supplied to Tajikistan mainly from Kazakhstan. According to the Tajik Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, currently more than 60 percent of the country's automobile transport uses liquefied gas as fuel. In the second half of June this year, prices for fuels and lubricants, liquefied gas, gasoline, diesel fuel significantly increased in the republic. Then the antimonopoly service of the country stated that one of the reasons for the prices growth is an increase in the cost of oil products on world exchanges and, accordingly, in the countries of suppliers of these products. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Uzbekistan and Tajikistan intend to jointly build two hydro power plants, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said after the talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, who is on an official visit to Tashkent, on August 17. The head of Uzbekistan noted that hydro power plants with a capacity of more than 320 megawatts will be constructed on the Zarafshan river. According to Mirziyoyev, the President of Tajikistan noted that there are ready projects that have been audited by international organizations. The Uzbek leader pointed out that the intergovernmental commission between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will consider this issue. Emomali Rahmon noted that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will use electric power produced at these stations to develop their economies. Since the moment of independence, the relations between the two neighbors were not easy. The disputes between the two countries have arisen regularly for almost 25 years. Dushanbe often accused Uzbekistan of blocking railroads and roads. In turn, Tashkent opposed the construction of the Rogun HPP in Tajikistan, which, according to the authorities of Uzbekistan, is a threat to the entire agricultural sector of the region. In 2001, first, Uzbekistan, and then Tajikistan, introduced a visa regime between the two states. The relations began to restore in 2016 after Shavkat Mirziyoyev took the presidential office in December. Since then, the activation of bilateral contacts on various levels have begun, the air communication between Dushanbe and Tashkent has been resumed, ten checkpoints on the border have been reopened, several meetings of the commission for border delimitation and demarcation have been held. In addition, residents of the border areas of the two countries can visit each other for up to 5 days without obtaining visas and telegrams. The legal base of bilateral Tajik-Uzbek relations includes about 111 contracts and agreements signed at the interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental levels in the period from 1992 to the present. The trade turnover between the two states increased by 20 percent and totaled $240 million in 2017. Currently, the countries plan to increase the volume of bilateral trade up to $ 500 million by 2020. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Sino plant producing refrigerators in Uzbekistans Samarkand city was declared bankrupt upon the court decision, the Uzbek media reported citing the Uzbek plant. The plant with the capacity of 250,000 refrigerators per year opened in 1973. During the times of the Soviet Union, the plant produced "Pamir", "Samarkand", "SINO" refrigerators. On December 20, 1991 the plant was transformed into Sino joint-stock company. The plant was reconstructed several times during 45 years. In 2012, a contract was signed with Chinas Guangzhou Kinte Electric Industrial Co., Ltd to develop two new models of refrigerators. However, eight years ago, South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Chinas Midea Group and Changhong Co., Ltd., Turkish Odul company and others set up Artel Trade LLC in Tashkent, which launched the production of dozens of electrical appliances. The capacity of this company is up to 150,000 refrigerators annually. Presently, the company's share in Uzbekistans home appliances market is over 50 percent, Artel told Trend earlier. Moreover, the Uzbek-US Roison Electronics joint venture has arranged production of household appliances at Algorithm joint stock company in Tashkent since 2012, including Candy and Roison refrigerators. In 2015, Uzbekistan decided to sell 88.8 percent of shares of Samarkands Sino plant to a strategic foreign investor. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Pakistan not involved in Ghazni attack: FO ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office rejected on Thursday allegations that Pakistani citizens had supported the Taliban attack on Afghanistans city of Ghazni recently. We have not received any evidence to back up these spurious accusations and reject these baseless allegations, FO spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said, rejecting allegations made by Afghan officials and others. Last Friday, some 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the city of Ghazni and retreated five days later. Afghan defence minister Tariq Shah Bahrami had earlier this week said that Ghazni attack had been carried out by Taliban with the support of external elements, including Pakistanis. Moreover, The New York Times had reported that Afghan officials had claimed the Taliban were aided by foreign fighters, including Pakistanis and Chechens, and even some Al Qaeda affiliates. The FO spokesman said that Pakistan was fencing the border with Afghanistan with the objective of restricting cross-border movement of both men and material as part of its counterterrorism efforts. He expressed the hope that the border fencing would help achieve long-term regional stability and improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dr Faisal disclosed that Pakistan and Afghanistan, under a new framework for bilateral relations, were negotiating a time bound repatriation plan for Afghan refugees. An Afghan delegation from the Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation will visit Islamabad shortly for consultations, he added. UN inquiry in Kashmir The spokesman urged India to allow the UN Commission of Inquiry to probe human rights violations by Occupation troops in India-held Kashmir. Seven state-funded air-quality monitors are being set up around Lost Hills area as part of an effort to protect the health of the area's large Sandra Sanchez's lover is dead and her husband facing the possibility of life in prison after being charged with his murder. More than 100 barrels of drilling fluid poured out of a natural gas well before it ignited and killed five people, a volume of fluid that should have triggered alarms at the drilling site in Oklahoma, federal investigators said Thursday. The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, probing the January explosion on a natural gas drilling rig near Quinton, Okla., said it found that 107 barrels of oil-based drilling mud the fluid pumped down the drill pipe during drilling operation to cool the drilling bit, remove particles and to keep petroleum products such as natural gas from escaping the well hole flowed into the site's mud pits between 7:57 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. on Jan. 22. That amount is far above the five to 10 barrels of drilling mud outflow threshold that is used to trigger an alarm at oil and gas operations, indicating that natural gas had flooded the well at dangerous levels, said the board's lead investigator Lauren Grim. The drilling fluids, pushed out the well by the natural gas, started pouring from the blowout preventer, the safety device designed to prevent well explosions. Grim said it remains unclear whether it was minutes or seconds from the time workers noticed the surge in drilling fluids to the explosion. The ignition source that led to the explosion and fire is also unknown. RELATED: Drilling rig blasts draws high-level inquiry Brian Dunagan, chief investigator for the Houston safety and fire consultant IFO Group, said it appears the workers understood they had a problem with controlling the well and were trying to fix it. He noted that the company man who oversees the site and would have final word on shutting the well down was in the control room at the time of the blast. The company man is typically on site, but not on the drilling rig unless a significant decision has to be made. He added that a lack of experience may have played a role in the accident. It's a problem that has plagued the oil field for years as experienced hands retire at high rates and young workers flood into the booming industry, Dunagan said. The investigation is expected to continue for several more months. Kristen Kulinowski, interim executive director of the chemical safety board, said the goal is to complete the investigation within 12 to 18 months of the accident. The well fire and explosion, which occurred Jan. 22 near Quinton, Okla., about 100 miles southeast of Tulsa, was the deadliest U.S. accident in the oil and gas industry since 11 workers were killed in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. The drilling rig was owned by the Houston oilfield services company Patterson-UTI Drilling, the main contractor for Red Mountain, a small Oklahoma oil and gas company operating the well. In a statement released after the chemical safety board discussed its findings at an Oklahoma City news conference, Patterson-UTI said it is cooperating with the investigation. "We will be working with the (chemical safety board) to understand their potential recommendations when they are available at the conclusion of their investigation," the company said. "We remain committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees and others we work with in the field." Michael Lyons, a Dallas attorney representing the family of Parker Waldridge, one of the men killed in the explosion, called the investigation "critical" for safety in the oil and gas industry. "The (chemical safety board's) investigation reveals, along with the independent investigation by my firm, that this tragedy was 100 percent preventable," he said in a statement. "This disaster was the product of multiple failures to adhere to safe oilfield drilling practices." Oklahoma regulators said shortly after the tragedy that their initial findings suggested that the blowout preventer the same piece of equipment that failed in the Deepwater Horizon disaster may also have failed at Red Mountain well site. That equipment is usually the last line of defense to prevent a disaster. Grim, the lead investigator said it appears that one of the rams in the blowout preventer may have partially closed, but that further tests had to be conducted on the blowout preventer, which is in CSB's possession. A ram is a piece of steel in the blowout preventer used to block and shut down a well. In addition to Waldridge, the victims are Josh Ray of Fort Worth; Cody Risk of Wellington, Colo.; and Matt Smith, and Roger Cunningham, both of Oklahoma. Ray, Smith and Risk were Patterson-UTI employees. In July, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA said three companies, Patterson-UTI and two other contractors on the site, Crescent Consulting and Skyline Directional Drilling, both of Oklahoma City, face combined penalties of more than $118,000 for "exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards." "These employers failed to properly control hazards involved in oil and gas extraction activities, and the result was tragic," David Bates, director of OSHA's Oklahoma City office, said in a statement. "Employers are required to monitor their operations to ensure workplace health and safety procedures are adequate and effective." Patterson-UTI officials told the Associated Press that they disagreed with the finding and filed a notice of contest. A representative for Crescent Consulting declined to comment, and Skyline Directional Drilling did not respond to the AP's requests for comment. Rye Druzin covers energy news. | rdruzin@express-news.net | Twitter: @druz_journo An Orange County man was found dead at a Port Arthur business on Friday afternoon in what officials called an industrial accident. Tyler Winfree, 21 of Bridge City, was found dead by an employee at Tubal-Cain Marine Services on Old Yacht Club Road around 1:34 p.m., according to the Port Arthur Police Department. The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher, The African Development Bank (AfDB) is to support the fisheries sector in Ghana with $700 million to enable the country to meet its local demand for fish and poultry which is projected to hit 671,000 tonnes annually by 2026. As part of the project, 1 million tonnes of maize and 400,000 tonnes of soya bean are to be produced locally to support poultry production and aquaculture. In addition, the project will build the capacity of local farmers and other players in the agricultural sector to help produce 300,000 tonnes of chicken for both local consumption and for export. Event The Director of Agriculture and Agro-industry Development (AHAI) of AfDB, Dr Martin Fregene, who announced this in Accra, yesterday, said a total of 300,000 hectares of maize and soya bean would be planted at the beginning of the 2019 planting season. He was speaking to the Daily Graphic at a workshop organised by AfDB to disseminate findings of a research that was commissioned by the bank under the Transformation of African Savannah Initiative (TASI), a project aimed at boosting local production of maize and soya bean. Participants included officials of the bank, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), representatives of farmer groups and researchers drawn from Latin-America. Research findings In 2016, Ghana spent $2 billion on food imports, representing 15 per cent of the total import bill. Fish and poultry constituted about 70 per cent of all animal imports, amounted to $417 million while $50 million was also spent on animal feed-related products. The AfDB research further projected that by 2026, the demand for poultry in the country would hit 220,000 tonnes, representing a 43 per cent increase while fish demand would also increase by 19 per cent to 451,000 tonnes. The report also indicated that the estimated increase in the demand for the two animal products would require the country to produce about 1.5 million tonnes (MT) of feed annually from 2026. Project Dr Fregene also explained that the TASI project, which started in the country in November, 2017, is being implemented in seven other African savannah countries Guinea, Central African Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique. He added that although the AfDB was funding the project, other partners including the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and other private entities could come onboard to make it a success. He said the target was to transform 200,000 hectares of the grassland savannah vegetation in each of the countries to support the production of maize, soya bean and livestock production. Dr Fregene added that the TASI project would not only boost local production but also help to improve nutrition and create employment opportunities for many people. Commendation The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr Sagre Bambangi, lauded the stakeholders in the TASI project, saying that the adoption of innovations and technologies from other tropical countries abroad would lead to increased productivity in agriculture. He underscored the governments commitment to create a healthy environment and a cordial relationship with the private sector to ensure that initiatives aimed at improving agriculture were realised. A Principal Agribusiness officer at AfDB, Ms Kemi Afun-Ogidan, also stressed on the need for the government to support the private sector by putting in place adequate infrastructure and fiscal policies for it to thrive. She said it was important for the country to prioritise research and capacity-building initiatives for actors in the agriculture value chain to sustain the agricultural sector. Source: Daily Graphic 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 Augusta (Ga.) University is notifying 417,000 patients about a potential compromise of their protected health information after hackers stole 24 employees' email account login credentials through a series of phishing emails in September 2017. Investigators determined July 31 that the email accounts included patient names and one or more of the following: addresses, dates of birth, medical record numbers, medical information, treatment information, surgical information, diagnoses, lab results, medications, dates of service and insurance information. A limited number of Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers were also included. Officials haven't been able to determine whether patient information was actually accessed, viewed, downloaded or acquired by the unauthorized user, according to the organization's notice. The organization's external investigation is ongoing. The university said it identified the attacks immediately and secured the accounts. It attributed the delay in notification to investigators needing to manually review more than 364,000 emails and attachments, some of which involved spreadsheets of information. Augusta University has taken the following steps to protect against future phishing incidents: Cerner will take over the IT department at Medical Center Health System in Odessa, Texas, under an agreement the Ector County Hospital District board of directors approved Aug. 16, according to OA online. Under the agreement, Cerner ITWorks will take on day-to-day management of MCHS' IT operations and staff, including its EHR. The health system transitioned to Cerner's Millennium EHR in April 2017, and the project faced numerous challenges, with staff complaining of inadequate training. By outsourcing its IT department to Cerner, the hospital said it will be able to free up resources to drive efficiencies. "This alignment will pair MCHS's high-quality care with Cerner's IT expertise to help us keep up with the rapid pace of healthcare innovation," Rick Napper, president and CEO of MCHS, said in a prepared statement obtained by OA online. "MCHS has cared for patients in the Permian Basin for over 68 years, and this alignment will help us continue to serve the region for many years to come." The following hospital and health system credit rating and outlook changes and affirmations occurred in the last week, beginning with the most recent. 1. Moody's upgrades Mercy Hospital to 'Ba3' after sizable debt payment Moody's Investors Service upgraded Iowa City, Iowa-based Mercy Hospital to "Ba3" from "B1," affecting $34 milion of debt. Concurrently, Moody's revised the hospital's outlook to positive from negative. 2. S&P revises Denver Health and Hospital Authority's outlook to stable on improved finances S&P Global Ratings affirmed its "BBB" long-term rating on Denver Health and Hospital Authority and revised its outlook to stable from negative. 3. Moody's affirms 'Aa3' rating on U of North Carolina Hospitals Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Aa3" long-term rating on Chapel Hill-based University of North Carolina Hospitals, affecting $330 million of debt. 4. Moody's affirms 'A2' rating on Rex Healthcare Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "A2" long-term rating on Raleigh, N.C.-based Rex Healthcare, affecting $140 million of debt. 5. ProMedica gets multi-notch downgrade from S&P S&P Global Ratings downgraded Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica Health System's long-term rating several notches to "BBB" from "A+." 6. Fitch upgrades Adventist Health's debt to 'A+' Fitch Ratings upgraded its long-term rating on Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health's $919 million in outstanding debt to "A+" from "A." 7. Fitch affirms Guadalupe Regional Medical Center's 'BB' rating Fitch Ratings affirmed its "BB" rating on Seguin, Texas-based Guadalupe Regional Medical Center's series 2015, affecting $113.6 million in debt. 8. Moody's revises Tarrant County Hospital District's outlook to negative Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Aa3" rating on Grand Prairie, Texas-based Tarrant County Hospital District, affecting $18 million of debt. The district does business as JPS Health Network. 9. Moody's assigns 'Baa1' rating to Cabell Huntington Hospital Moody's Investors Service assigned its "Baa1" rating to Cabell Huntington (W. Va.) Hospital's series 2018A and 2018B revenue refunding and improvement revenue bonds. In total, the bonds are $260 million. Hospitals and health systems increasingly face financial pressures from dwindling reimbursement, increasing competition, deteriorating payer mix and other factors. Due to these pressures, reducing costs is at the forefront of healthcare finance leaders' minds, whether they are at a rural, nonprofit, urban or safety-net organization. Here, executives from various types of facilities discuss seven strategies to reduce costs. 1. Revisit staffing plans. John Ulberg, senior vice president and CFO of NYC Health + Hospitals, New York City's public healthcare system, recommended revisiting staffing plans every few years. "Staffing is the single greatest expense for hospitals, and innovation can lead to changing staffing needs," he said. "The staff you required 10 years ago may not be the right staffing mix for today. You may be able to eliminate redundant positions and, rather than recruiting in a tough job market to fill today's gaps, reassign highly qualified staff to fill those gaps. Improving financial performance is just one of the benefits." 2. Assess labor and nonlabor expenses. Healthcare organizations should examine their labor expenses regularly, according to Randy Safady, executive vice president and CFO of Irving, Texas-based Christus Health, a Catholic, nonprofit system with 600 care centers. "Every single department in every single hospital in Christus is looked at every week to see how they're performing on the actual costs," which include contract labor and overtime," he said. Mr. Safady also recommended looking at nonlabor costs annually to assess where cost-cutting might be appropriate. 3. Engage employees. Employee engagement is an important part of a healthcare organization's cost-cutting plans, said Cory Reeves, CFO of Calhoun, Ga.-based Gordon Hospital, a 69-bed community hospital that is part of Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based Adventist Health System. Hospitals should go to employees "not with a pre-set [cost-cutting] agenda as much, but [with information on] where our costs are, what are our opportunities," he said. "They'll have some ideas of their own that will add to it." Additionally, Mr. Reeves advised hospitals to ensure employees know why the organization needs to reduce costs, whether it's due to an existing financial crisis, changing reimbursement models or something else. 4. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare, an 11-hospital, nonprofit organization, has a Strategic Transformation and Resource Stewardship program, which aims to eliminate unnecessary expenses and improve patient care. Piedmont Healthcare CFO Michael McAnder said the best strategy implemented in the last four years of this program was not any single initiative, but instead the system's parallel program called Quality and Performance Improvement. QPI is a curriculum based on methods such as Lean Six Sigma designed for process improvement, which results in eliminating unnecessary spending. "At Piedmont, we expect our leaders to be able to identify and eliminate waste as part of their day jobs," said Mr. McAnder. "We teach them about the eight types of waste, which includes variation in supplies, processes and unnecessary duplication of effort throughout the company. We have invested in the training and have given them a toolbox to do this kind of work on an ongoing basis." 5. Focus on growth opportunities in patient care, as well as expenses. Hospitals can achieve expense optimization by focusing on growth opportunities in patient care and ensuring expenses grow at a slower pace, according to Jennifer Alvey, senior vice president and CFO of Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, the largest network of physicians in Indiana and a partner with Indiana University's medical school. "It is easier to find efficiencies and opportunities for improvement with growth plans than it is when you are just maintaining your business," she said. "A focus on investing in key priorities in line with your mission and strategy is more optimal than trying to be everything to everyone in a very uncertain environment." 6. Deploy a care management strategy. Chicago-based Cook County Health and Hospitals System, a safety-net healthcare provider, deploys a coordinated care management strategy, which focuses on quality and outcomes. This strategy is one way to reduce costs by achieving a healthier community, according to Doug Elwell, the system's deputy CEO for finance and strategy. "With an aging population and an increasing number of people with chronic medical conditions, it is imperative now more than ever that a collaborative team works with patients to actively coordinate care plans, concentrating on safety, timeliness and cost effectiveness," he said. "Coupled with prevention, nutrition and wellness services, the care management strategy enables us to monitor patients with acute and critical conditions to provide disease management support, help with medication coordination and compliance, and provide access to community resources which together lead to reduced costs through decreased inpatient and emergency department utilization for those with preventable and manageable conditions." 7. Use budget reporting. Bolivar, Mo.-based Citizens Memorial Healthcare, a fully-integrated, rural system comprising Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, keeps managers updated on whether their departments are hitting staffing and budget targets. Within two or three business days after each bi-weekly pay period, managers receive departmental reports based on volume. Manager evaluations include quality and service components, but they also have a finance component showing how well managers meet their staffing targets, as well as their overall budget performance, according to CFO Gary Fulbright. He said he believes this reporting strategy is critical and can be used at various healthcare organizations to ensure managers have timely information to make any necessary cost-cutting decisions. More articles on healthcare finance: Baptist Health South Florida records operating surplus as net income sinks 63% RCM tip of the day: Automate provider-payer enrollment This week's 5 must-reads for hospital RCM leaders Our enerprise is one of the largest Russian manufacturers of sawn timber from coniferous species that sell their products for export. At present, we have started the production of coniferous fuel briquettes, whose productivity is 1 ton / hour. In this regard, we offer you a long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. In case of your interest, we are ready to continue discussing all the details for successful cooperation. UnitedHealthcare denied a cervical cancer patient coverage for life-saving proton beam therapy, reports CNN. Six things to know: 1. Kate Weissman, 33, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in fall 2015. She underwent standard chemotherapy and radiation, but she learned months later that the cancer was found in her paraaortic lymph nodes, according to the report. 2. Ms. Weissman had her lymph nodes taken out. According to CNN, her physicians then recommended she receive proton beam therapy. The specialized treatment was recommended by her physicians at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital, both in Boston. They believed it was the best option for the patient. 3. However, Ms. Weissman's insurer, UnitedHealthcare, ended up denying coverage. After an appeals process, the insurer said, "There is not enough medical evidence to show proton beam therapy is effective for your particular condition," according to the report. 4. Without insurance, the proton beam therapy would cost Ms. Weissman $95,000. That financial burden was too much for her and her husband at the time, so she asked her parents for help, according to the report. Her parents agreed to help and paid the hospital so treatment could start. 5. Today, UnitedHealthcare is standing by its previous decision, telling CNN, "Three independent radiation oncologists agreed that proton beam therapy was not safer or more effective than the proven standard of care. We are pleased that Mrs. Weissman is doing well, and welcome studies that examine the use of proton beam therapy for additional types of cancer." The insurer did not provide names of those physicians, but it said there is "no credible evidence that proton beam therapy is safer or more effective than the proven and covered treatments that are the standard of care for cervical cancer." 6. As for Ms. Weissman's parents, CNN reports they were sent a refund of $40,000 from the hospital following their $95,000 payment, with no explanation. Read CNN's full story here. More articles on healthcare finance: Tufts Medical Center sees operating income climb 3.8% Healthcare finance leaders share 7 cost-cutting strategies Baptist Health South Florida records operating surplus as net income sinks 63% Chris Joerg, chief information security officer at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, discusses the importance of hospital data protection and what to do when theres a breach in security. Q: What would you say is the No.1 threat to hospital cybersecurity today? Chris Joerg: Users being phished clicking a malicious link with zero-day malware. Q: What advice would you give to other hospital CISOs or CIOs to get hospital staff on the same page in the aftermath of a cyberattack? CJ: A cyberattack is not a question of if, but when. Make sure you have a robust and tested cyber incident response plan, cybersecurity insurance and the folks who respond to these incidents for a living are on retainer and speed dial. Q: What do you consider to be the most important aspect in hospital data protection? CJ: Its not sexy or perfect, but keeping systems patched with the latest security updates can help you out run the proverbial hacker "bear." Also, you need to know what you have in order to secure it. Get a handle on and understand all the devices on the network, especially what medical and IoT [internet of things] devices are connected. Q: What do you see as the next big cybersecurity threat hospitals should look out for? CJ: New forms of ransomware like doxware that encrypt data on infected systems and also exfiltrate data for potential public exposure or extortion purposes. To learn more about hospital and health system cybersecurity, as well as the key trends for CISOs, register for the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference Sept. 19-22, 2018 in Chicago. Click here to learn more and register. Becker's Hospital Review asked readers to share their daily mantras. Readers shared messages they live by, as well as their own ways of approaching each day. Read about their daily mantras below. Heather Brace Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Intermountain Healthcare (Salt Lake City) "I love mantras and always have a guiding phrase or two to lead me through my day. A few of my favorites are: We are better, together. Sometimes the hard thing and the right thing are the same. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." Robert Brooks COO of Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga, Tenn.) "Always do what's right for the patient." Susan Grant, DNP, RN Executive Vice President and CNO of Beaumont Health (Southfield, Mich.) "Keep moving, express gratitude and laugh." Jan Keys, DNP, RN Chief Nursing Executive of Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga, Tenn.) "My daily mantra upon waking up is to remind myself to focus, soar above the fray and meet people where they are to make a difference. My prayer of focus is to look to the future and realize that the decisions that I make today will touch lives of those at this moment and those in the future; remain an elevation above the distractions and noise, keep focused on what needs to be done today to get to the intended future; appreciate that everyone is not 'there' yet. Meet them where they are, [and] lead [them] as a servant and guide them to a place where they can make a difference." Michael Pulido COO of Mosaic Life Care (St. Joseph, Mo.) "My daily mantra is consistent with my personal vision of 'being insignificantly significant to all those I encounter.' This allows me to focus on others from both a service and situational leadership-oriented approach." Randy Safady Executive Vice President and CFO of Christus Health (Irving, Texas) "Be happy. I love what I do, so I enjoy myself. I go there [to work] with a passion so I can keep up and do it as long as I can." Deeb Salem, MD Co-Interim CEO of Tufts Medical Center and Physician-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center (Boston) "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." (Benjamin Franklin) Bob Sutton President and CEO of Avera Health (Sioux Falls, S.D.) "My mantra is to always be present. I really focus on each person I encounter to truly listen and interact. This helps me to more deeply connect with people, learn from them and share a vision for how we can come together to be part of something greater than ourselves." Cathy Townsend, RN, MSN-L CNO of Banner University Medical Center Tucson and South campuses (Tucson, Ariz.) "Be bold, be kind and be awesome." Jack Towsley President of Fluent Health, a subsidiary of Presbyterian Healthcare Services (Albuquerque, N.M.) "'Have courage and be kind.' I know it's a little corny (from Cinderella), but it's something I say to our daughter in our family prayer every day. For me, it's a good reminder of what's important." Warner Thomas President and CEO of Ochsner Health System (New Orleans) "I really try to wake up every day thinking about how to make a difference and make other people better. Part of my job as a CEO is to help facilitate and help others be able to do their job more effectively. I try to do that every day." Richard Zane, MD Chief Innovation Officer of UCHealth and professor and chair of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, Colo.) "Healthcare needs to be fundamentally disrupted. Embrace disruption and drive change to improve care for our patients and the next generation." More articles on leadership: Pennsylvania hospital lays off 45 physician practice employees 5 recent healthcare layoffs 10 healthcare leaders on their best professional investment or accomplishment CMS approved a waiver proposal from New Jersey officials to institute a reinsurance program that will be funded partially through the state's new individual insurance mandate, according to The Hill. The program will create a fund to help insurance companies pay for extremely sick patients. Similar plans have been approved in states such as Wisconsin and Alaska. "[Congratulations] to New Jerseyans, who will see their premiums in the individual market [go down] by about 15 percent from the expected premiums because @NJGov took action to address the failures of Obamacare," CMS Administrator Seema Verma wrote in a tweet. In this special Speaker Series, Becker's Healthcare caught up with Gus Malezis, president and CEO of Imprivata. Mr. Malezis will speak on two panels during the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference titled "Cyber and IT Security Today: The Best Approaches and Ideas," at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 and "The Top Issues for CISOs Today," at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Learn more about the event and register to attend in Chicago. Question: What sparked your interest in healthcare IT security? Gus Malezis: Over the past 30 years of working in IT in systems, networking and cybersecurity the focus was to empower and enable customers for success in their strategic business initiatives. This is about being more than a supplier vendor: Its offering true value to the customer. This focus on true value identifies strongly with healthcare, where technology can and does play a pivotal role beyond just efficiency and productivity, and can in fact deliver value to clinicians, patients and communities in the form of advancing care delivery and well-being. Said another way, for all of us at Imprivata, myself included, there is enormous satisfaction from helping our customers clinicians and care delivery staff across the country and around the world deliver a higher level and quality of service to people that need it. Being more specific with technology, this focus extends to delivering a set of services that: are efficient, non-disruptive and ideally invisible to clinicians; enhance cybersecurity and prevent cyberattacks and malware disruption, and; respects privacy and delivers on compliance. Q: How do hospitals' IT security challenges today differ from 10 years ago? GM: In the past 10 years, with the advent of EMR systems and the focus on digital systems, data in healthcare has exploded in volume and significance to become a treasure trove of high-value information. All this is in an environment that has lagged a little or substantially behind in cybersecurity relative to other industries such as financial, government and retail. Hackers have recognized this weakness and that they can now access protected health information, personally identifiable information and payment card information in one stop. In the past 10 years, phishing emails with malicious links have become increasingly difficult for healthcare users to identify. Employees will often click on a malicious link believing it to be legitimate, and many of them will enter personal passwords or personal information once theyve accessed that link. IT leaders can educate users, but they cant expect all users in the healthcare enterprise to be technically aware of how to decipher a phishing attack. Compared to 10 years ago, it is now absolutely essential that hospitals put safety nets in place to safeguard users against these attacks. The digital systems, data and connectivity arent going away, so the question becomes, how do you create an invisible security layer around patient data so as to (1) prevent or minimize exposure in the case of a security breach, (2) restore productivity in the case of systems disruption like malware that encrypts and locks systems, servers and data and (3) do so without encumbering or inconveniencing access for those that truly need that access? Q: Physicians and front-line staff are often hesitant to implement solutions with additional steps, such as multifactor identification. What advice would you give a hospital CIO for obtaining physician buy-in? GM: Hospital CIOs and health IT organizations can focus on clinician support by explaining the benefits of elevated security, ubiquitous access and convenience of clinical systems and data, while protecting valuable healthcare systems and data, and preserving clinical workflows. To deliver safe, effective and compliant patient care, providers are often required to authenticate clinical transactions such as medication ordering, witness medication wasting, computerized physician order entry and blood administration, among others. Of course, adding any layer of security introduces incremental steps and potential inefficiencies at least that is often the perception and that can frustrate providers and impede patient care. The most effective solution will respect the clinicians workflow and time investment, and implement technology designed at the factory to be efficient, return time, be invisible and require little to no training. The latest clinical technology transforms these authentication workflows by replacing passwords with fast, convenient methods such as the tap of a proximity badge, swipe of a fingerprint or smartphone-enabled hands-free authentication. These advanced solutions integrate with leading EMRs and other clinical applications and systems to give providers a seamless, fast and truly invisible in-process, or even continuous, authentication experience. They also create a robust security and audit trail for all transactions with PHI. This should reassure providers that they wont get bogged down in workflows while ensuring appropriate levels of security. In this way, organizations can improve security and compliance while increasing provider satisfaction and allowing more time for patient care. Q: What emerging IT security trends should hospital leaders keep an eye on? GM: Among the many pressing issues of the day, one trend is garnering particular attention from healthcare IT leaders: trust. More specifically, establishing and maintaining trust in the ever-expanding healthcare technology ecosystem. What does this mean exactly? Think about it this way: Imagine our world in five years, or even 10 years from now. What does that look like in terms of healthcare IT? For starters, we should have a system based on a highly-inclusive, highly-trusted, and complete PHI record. This EMR, its data and systems should be available from any one place, any location, via any device and be accessible at any time but only for those with the appropriate authorization to access and interact with it. It will be inclusive of all interactions a patient has had, with all relevant networks. Its complete, its readily available in real time, from any location its trusted. What do we need to achieve that level of trust? It starts with data integrity. When we look at an EMR, we must trust that the data provided is accurate and undisturbed that it refers to the right person and that the data has gone through a chain of custody that ensures its integrity. That way, trust is preserved at the next levels of patient care. This includes the systems that support data integrity, most notably IT security. In this special Speaker Series, Becker's Healthcare caught up with Robert Lord, co-founder and president of Protenus. Mr. Lord will speak on a panel during the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference titled "Demystifying Ransomware: New and Emerging Tactics, Variants and Strategies Hackers are Using," at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Learn more about the event and register to attend in Chicago. Question: What do you see as the most vulnerable part of a hospital's business? Robert Lord: Trust between healthcare employees and patients should be the cornerstone of a hospital's business; however, far too often health systems have little visibility into who is accessing patient data and for what purpose. This threat to institutional trust increases as healthcare insiders continue to repeatedly breach patient privacy and are responsible for around one-third of disclosed breaches, according to Protenus' second quarter Breach Barometer report. There is an overall lack of alignment between the desired values of an institution and the reality of its data protection posture, as evidenced by the fact that 78 percent of healthcare workers lack proper data privacy and security awareness. It is an institution's responsibility to make these necessary adjustments. The basic principle of absolute patient privacy isn't an option but their obligation. Q: What is the most exciting thing happening in health IT right now? And what is the most overrated health IT trend? RL: The most overhyped trend in health IT is almost certainly artificial intelligence. AI has become a buzzword that has been co-opted to mean any novel technology or platform with an analytic function. As I heard from a healthcare technology leader just the other day, "If you work with data, now it's big data. If you do math, now it's AI." We find ourselves in the midst of an "AI moment" AI is seen as a panacea that will save us from institutional confusion, a myriad of cyberthreats and workforce shortages, but AI too often leads to broken promises. Without demonstrated efficacy, return on investment and a team that can properly implement the technology, AI probably isn't the cure to many problems. However, AI is also the most exciting thing happening in healthcare right now, when thoughtfully evaluated and implemented. In our world, we see AI empower health systems to review 100 percent of accesses in their EHR and other systems, decluttering the hectic, time-consuming and confusing work of detecting privacy violations and clinical drug diversion. An AI-based solution can be invaluable when dealing with challenges that involve complexity, scale and repetition and it allows for more accurate descriptions in reporting and investigations. At its core, AI can take lower-value work off of privacy and pharmacy teams' plates, leaving more bandwidth to focus on strategic issues they want to tackle. When AI is implemented correctly, institutional ROI is significant and demonstrable, and at the end of that day, that's the most important thing. Q: What's one conviction in healthcare that needs to be challenged? RL: A conviction in healthcare that needs to be challenged is the notion that privacy and security are purely compliance and technology issues. In reality, they're patient safety issues. Privacy concerns should be based on maintaining the dignity of the patient and creating a safe environment for them to share the information needed to receive the best possible care. If a patient can't trust that their information will be kept safe from prying eyes within and outside of a health system's walls then their providers won't be empowered to treat them to the best of their ability. This conviction ties back to that core question of trust for a healthcare institution failure to maintain proper safeguards to PHI, an inability to review every access to patient data for its appropriateness and a lack of ability to proactively detect threats to patient data and will all lead to worse outcomes and lost patients over time. Q: How do you promote innovation within your organization? RL: Promotion of innovation at Protenus centers around empowered execution. This begins with hiring the best people to perform and properly aligning them with our overall goals. We believe that given the freedom to make decisions, take ownership and stimulate oneself intellectually, individuals will work harder and smarter, more passionately and more creatively. We strive to empower every member of the team to set their own course, challenge themselves, use good judgement and take ownership of their actions. We find that as long as our employees are delivering results that support our goals, solve problems, and respect and collaborate with others, then they're having a positive impact on what we do. A woman applied for a customer service position at Mantality Health, a men's health clinic with locations in Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. After submitting her application, she received an email from the clinic denying her the position because of her "ghetto" first name, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hermeisha Robinson, 27, posted the email she received in response to her job application from an individual claiming to be a nurse practitioner with the clinic to social media. "Thank you for your interest in careers at Mantality Health. Unfortunately we do not consider candidates that have suggestive 'ghetto' names," the email said. The incident was addressed in a prepared statement on the clinic's website, which states: "The password for the outside job board site used by Mantality was compromised on August 13, 2018. We are currently working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrator and consider appropriate legal action. We share the anger and frustration of those who received these bogus emails." Kevin Meuret, owner of Mantality Health, reiterated the clinic's statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Aug. 14, and said the clinic's email system had been hacked by someone outside of the state. Mr. Meuret said he believes the individual is a former employee. Mr. Meuret said at least 20 job candidates received emails from the alleged hacker, and that the clinic is waiting to receive the computer IP address through which the emails were sent. "I'm a father of three daughters, and that young lady getting that [email] is horrible. That young lady opened something that must have felt like a freight train, and that's unacceptable. We will continue to pursue this even if it becomes a federal matter," Mr. Meuret told the publication, adding that the company has also formally apologized to Ms. Robinson. In her Facebook post explaining the email, Ms. Robinson said the message was deeply upsetting and unfairly discriminating. "[Mantality Health] discriminated against me because of my name, which they considered it to be 'ghetto' for their company! My feelings are very hurt and they even got me second-guessing my name, trying to figure out if my name is really that 'ghetto,'" she wrote. She also asked for all her social media followers to share the post "because discrimination has to stop," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. To access the full report, click here. Workers at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Pa., voted Aug. 16 to authorize a possible strike, according to a TribLIVE report. The vote covers about 600 registered nurses, aides, secretaries and other support staff represented by Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania. It does not mean a walkout will take place. However, the union has the authority to issue a 10-day strike notice if necessary. The hospital, which is part of Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network, has been in negotiations with the union since May. Both sides plan to return to the bargaining table Aug. 22, according to the report. The workers' contract expires Aug. 24. More articles on human capital and risk: CMS rule could add hurdle for home health aides in unions: 6 things to know Vermont hospital board told to get active in labor talks Rhode Island Hospital, nurses file separate federal labor complaints %MCEPASTEBIN% Becker's Hospital Review reported on the following hospital-union events including protests and legal issues since July 19. 1. Vermont union seeks delay in hospital budget approval amid contract negotiations The union representing about 1,800 nurses at University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington urged the state's healthcare board to delay approving the hospital's fiscal year 2019 budget until a contract agreement is ratified. 2. Allegheny Valley Hospital workers vote for option to strike Workers at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Pa., voted Aug. 16 to authorize a possible strike. 3. 560 Providence Tarzana workers strike Approximately 560 workers at Providence Tarzana (Calif.) Medical Center went on strike Aug. 16 over wages and staffing. 4. Vermont hospital board told to get active in labor talks U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., urged the University of Vermont Medical Center Board of Trustees to be more involved in contract negotiations between management and the union representing about 1,800 registered nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses. 5. Rhode Island Hospital, nurses file separate federal labor complaints Rhode Island Hospital in Providence and the union representing workers there accused each other of unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. 6. Bucks stop here: Vermont nurses divest in protest AFT Vermont, the parent of the union representing nurses at University of Vermont Medical Center, is divesting its funds from New England Federal Credit Union to put pressure on the hospital's board, which includes two bank board members. 7. UPMC bans on workers violated law, labor board rules The National Labor Relations Board ruled Aug. 6 that Pittsburgh-based UPMC unlawfully prohibited off-duty workers from unionization efforts. 8. Rhode Island hospital nurses vote no confidence in leadership, keep potential strike on the table Unionized nurses and other workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence voted no confidence in leadership Aug. 2. 9. McLaren Macomb nurses picket over contract Nurses at McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens, Mich., picketed Aug. 1 amid contract negotiations, 10. Nurses picket at HCA hospitals in Las Vegas, Corpus Christi Registered nurses at hospitals affiliated with Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare picketed July 24, citing high turnover and understaffing. 11. Rhode Island hospital workers begin 3-day strike Unionized nurses and other workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital, both in Providence, began a three-day strike July 23. 12. Illinois hospital workers lobby for $15 minimum wage, union rights Illinois hospital workers protested in Chicago July 23 over wages and union rights. From a Michigan hospital sued for racial discrimination to a former health clinic CEO pleading guilty in a federal healthcare fraud and kickback case, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits making headlines. 1. Lawsuit aims to toss Arkansas' Medicaid work requirements The National Health Law Program, Legal Aid of Arkansas and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit Aug. 14 to stop the implementation of Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas. 2. Illinois physician claims imitator wrecked his career Jay Joshi, MD, an Illinois physician specializing in pain treatment, sued another physician with the same name in federal court, claiming the other physician's criminal case has destroyed his career. 3. Massive billing scheme spread to 10-hospital group, lawsuit alleges A $90 million billing fraud scheme highlighted in a state audit of a 15-bed Missouri hospital spread to as many as 10 other hospitals, according to a federal complaint. 4. 3rd Michigan hospital faces suit alleging it honored patient request for care only by white nurses A nurse filed a federal racial discrimination lawsuit against Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn (Mich.) for agreeing to a patient request for no black caregivers. 5. Ex-CEO pleads guilty in kickback case involving California health clinics The former CEO of Merced, Calif.-based Horisons Unlimited, a nonprofit chain of health clinics, pleaded guilty Aug. 13 to healthcare fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks. 6. Providence Health accused of $188.1M upcoding scheme: 6 things to know Data analytics firm Integra Med Analytics filed a lawsuit against Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services seeking $188.1 million related to alleged Medicare upcoding. 7. New Hampshire health system erred in firing physician, lawsuit claims An emergency room physician group sued LRGHealthcare, a two-hospital system in Laconia, N.H., July 30 after one of its physicians contracted to work at the health system reported a drug-impaired patient who worked for one of the system's vendors. 8. AHA files brief in Medicare appeals backlog case: 9 things to know The American Hospital Association and three member facilities filed a court brief Aug. 10 seeking a deadline-based remedy to address the Medicare appeals backlog. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Cigna prevails in Texas hospital's suit over $50M in unpaid claims CHS faces investigation related to EHR incentive program Physician sentenced to prison for role in $30M billing fraud scheme Connecticut police arrested at least three people in connection to an incident Aug. 15 during which more than 80 people overdosed at a park in New Haven, according to ABC News. Officials with the New Haven fire department told ABC News emergency crews were overwhelmed with 911 calls about possible overdose victims just after after 8 a.m. Aug. 15. Twenty-five overdoses occurred within a three-hour time frame in the morning. Seventy-one individuals suffering from apparent overdoses were transported to nearby hospitals, while five individuals refused medical attention and were not in need of hospital care. Two individuals exhibited life-threatening symptoms, police said. A city official told ABC News the victims appeared to be suffering from "multiple of signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting, hallucinating, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, semi-conscious and unconscious states." Police told the television station all the overdoses resulted from K2, or synthetic marijuana. The overdoses were previously concentrated in the park area, but began to spread to other areas of the city as the day went on, according to the report. Initial samples of the drugs sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration tested as K2. However, emergency room physicians reported some of the victims had fentanyl in their system. Some of the victims found in the park were "repeat offenders," police said, and returned to the park after they were treated at the hospital and overdosed for a second time the same day, ABC News reports. A physician tending to victims in the park told the television station Aug. 16 some people who smoked or ingested the substance "tended to go down very fast" or "right in their tracks." Many victims had to be resuscitated after they went into respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. Police arrested three individuals in connection with the incident, but did not say if all three individuals are directly responsible for the overdoses. The individuals' names were not released. One of the suspects reportedly did not charge victims for the drugs, and was "just handing [them] out." Another suspect charged victims for the substance, police said. One of the arrested individuals was previously charged for distributing drugs and violated their parole by continuing to do so. To access the full report, click here. In a cabinet meeting held Aug. 16, President Donald Trump urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against select opioids manufacturers and suppliers, according to STAT. President Trump direct Mr. Sessions to file a separate lawsuit, instead of joining the other 800 lawsuits already filed against drug manufacturers. He also urged Mr. Sessions to focus on opioids entering the U.S. from China and Mexico, saying the countries are "sending their garbage and killing our people," according to STAT. It is not clear if or when the federal lawsuit will be filed. More articles on opioids: Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Roche, is slashing 223 jobs from its headquarters in California, according to a recent WARN notice. The layoffs will be permanent and will affect employees in several departments, according to EndPoints News. Many details surrounding the layoffs remain undisclosed, including which employees will be cut, but the biotech company revealed layoffs will begin Aug. 31 and run into November. In response to the layoffs, Genentech said its future success "depends on our ability to respond to change, appropriately allocate resources and manage our operations efficiently," according to EndPoints. Last year Genetec laid off 130 employees at its manufacturing facility in Vacaville, Calif. Those layoffs came after the company performed a detailed business analysis. A New York City union president said the 650 police officers who guard NYC Health + Hospital's 11 locations should carry a firearm, according to the New York Post. The officers handle up to 1,700 violent incidents and make an estimated 300 arrests a year. Right now, they're only armed with batons and handcuffs. "No one should be transporting prisoners in New York City without firearms no one for the safety of themselves or the public," Gregory Floyd, president of Teamsters Local 237, told the New York Post. The union represents 24,000 employees who work in government agencies, schools and municipalities in New York City and Long Island. Officers told the post they feel ill-equipped to respond to emergency situations, especially as more hospital shooting events make the headlines. Just last week, police responded to an apparent murder suicide at Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center. "If you want us to protect your loved ones the staff and patients then we need the right tools to do the job," an unidentified New York City police officer told New York Post. NYC Health + Hospitals spokesperson Bob de Luna said New York City does not support arming hospital officers, since their guns could be wrestled away and used to harm others. "Hospitals are places of healing, where people go to as havens. Guns change that," he told the New York Post. More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Why it's so difficult for hospitals to address active shooter threats NIH conducts trial of live, weakened Zika vaccine in humans South Dakota hospital's Medicare contract at risk over patient safety issues While Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health-Meriter suspended a nurse under investigation for infant abuse allegations in February, no arrests or charges have been made, according to the Madison State Journal. Here are five things to know: 1. Wisconsin's Division of Legal Services and Compliance launched an investigation into the nurse Feb. 15 after five babies at Meriter's neonatal intensive care unit suffered various unexplained injuries, ranging from bruises to a skull fracture, since April 2017. Meriter suspended the nurse Feb. 9, and the Wisconsin Board of Nursing suspended the nurse's license March 19. 2. Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain told Madison State Journal the department passed the case to the Dane County District Attorney's Office. The office has not yet decided whether to file charges and is waiting on additional information, according to District Attorney Ismael Ozanne. 3. The delay may be due to the complexity of the case, which involves five victims, according to Eric Farnsworth, a medical malpractice attorney in Madison who is not directly involved with the case. "You may have an air-tight case on baby A, but you're weaker on babies B and C," he told the Madison State Journal. "Do you charge A ... or do you keep working on all of them, recognizing there's strength in numbers?" 4. It could also be difficult to prove other nurses weren't involved in the injuries, if the infants were treated by multiple shift nurses, and that any mishandling of the infants was intentional, according to Mr. Farnsworth. 5. Timothy Verhoff, a Madison-based criminal defense attorney and former deputy DA, said the six-month span of no charges doesn't necessarily reflect on the strength of the DA's case. "If they're delaying, there could be very good reasons that we just don't know and they can't comment on," he told Madison State Journal. "It doesn't make it a bad case." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Steward Health Care System, a Dallas-based for-profit hospital chain, will host job fairs at Youngstown, Ohio-based Northside Regional Medical Center to fill more than 200 positions at its facilities, according to The Vindicator. The Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 job fairs are solely for employees of Northside Regional, which is slated to close Sept. 20. Steward spokesperson Trish Hrina told The Vindicator the events are "to work with Northside employees to help them transition to other sites or pursue other medical jobs within the region. "There are also hundreds of open healthcare jobs within this market, and Steward is already working with area employers to help Northside employees find new positions." Job openings are at Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, both in Warren, Ohio, as well as Sharon (Pa.) Regional Medical Center. Ms. Hrina said there are also openings at Steward medical practices in Ohio. Additionally, Steward has invited other healthcare employers to participate in the job fairs. More articles on workforce: Adventist Health seeks staff ahead of California hospital reopening Catholic Health Services to move 200 administrative, technology jobs in New York Missouri turnover rate for hospital jobs climbs nearly 2% An amended accusation from the Medical Board of California alleges John P.S. Janda, MD, continued to see patients despite having a suspended license, according to The Fresno Bee. Here's what you need to know: 1. The medical board claims Dr. Janda wrote prescriptions and performed examinations after the board suspended his license. The orthopedic surgeon met with the board in June 2017, when he acknowledged his license was suspended. 2. The board alleges Dr. Janda saw a patient in August 2017 to treat the patient's back and knee pain. In September 2017, a patient allegedly visited Dr. Janda to go over blood test results. 3. Dr. Janda is accused of back-dating prescriptions so they appeared to be written before his license was suspended. 4. The June 2017 interim suspension review noted Dr. Janda had a history of syncopal events while performing surgery. Dr. Janda performed his last surgery in November 2014. 5. The Medical Board of California previously revoked Dr. Janda's license in 2015 for gross negligence and repeated negligent acts in his care. However, Dr. Janda's revocation was stayed, and he was put on a three-year probation. 6. Now, the board is seeking to remove Dr. Janda's probation. The board claims the orthopedic surgeon did not complete a clinical training program in a timely fashion and failed to complete a neuropsychological fitness evaluation. 7. If Dr. Janda's probation is revoked, his license will also be revoked. An aerial view of the 73-acre site which is being offered for sale A 73-acre west Belfast site earmarked for urban redevelopment is being sold by the Catholic Church. The Glenmona site, situated between Glen Road and Upper Springfield Road and adjacent to the Monagh Bypass, is currently owned by the Down and Connor Diocesan Trust. The Most Rev Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor and chairman of the trust, welcomed the announcement that the land has been placed on the market. Funds realised from the sale are to be used to help provide ongoing spiritual and pastoral needs in Down and Connor Diocese, the bishop said. He said: "The Diocesan Trust is now in a position to dispose of this substantial site for the wider benefit of the local community. "The development of the lands will provide much needed housing, including social housing. "It is prudent that assets not essential to the Church's mission are released." The site has outline planning approval for a major mixed-use development scheme. It was formerly home to St Patrick's training school and is surrounded by large areas of agricultural land. "This offers a unique opportunity for high profile regeneration of the area and to deliver residential development, both private and social with supporting amenities," Bishop Treanor said. "It will also allow for improved access to the surrounding area and facilitate the development of the long awaited 'Glen 10' project. "The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust which operates and manages, on part of the site, the children's homes formerly owned by the Diocese has made known its proposal to replace these homes within the site. "The trust's proposal will be taken into account in the sale process. Approximately eight acres of land is being retained by the Diocese for possible future educational use." Brian Turtle of OKT, the selling agents added: "O'Connor, Kennedy, Turtle are delighted to be entrusted by the Diocese with the sale of this strategic site. "It is without doubt one of the most exciting development opportunities within greater Belfast to come to the market this decade, and we expect a high level of interest." From left: Alison Donaldson and Michael Chissick of Fieldfisher with Alastair Hamilton of Invest NI European law firm Fieldfisher is expanding into Northern Ireland, creating 125 jobs in Belfast. The roles will be based at its new offices in the Titanic Quarter and attract average salaries in the region of 25,000, which works out at around 3.6m a year. Around 10 jobs are already in place at the Old Channel Road HQ, which opened last month. Fieldfisher employ just over 1,000 people in 22 offices around the world. Yesterday's announcement follows the company's merger with Holywood firm Donaldson Legal Consulting last November. Managing partner Alison Donaldson, who will head the Belfast operation, said future expansion could involve additional office space in the Titanic Quarter and in Holywood. Fieldfisher is the latest in a line of major legal firms to set up here. Invest NI, which is providing 630,000 to support the expansion, said the influx of global legal firms had created around 1,300 jobs in Northern Ireland since 2011. Firms including Allen and Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills, Axiom and Baker McKenzie have all expanded into Belfast in recent years. Last month Baker McKenzie announced plans to expand its Belfast office, creating 150 posts. Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton said the agency had been actively targeting legal firms for the past seven years. He said the pool of 600 legal graduates coming out of our universities every year remained a massive incentive. "Historically, the graduates have left here and gone elsewhere and we want to provide an opportunity for some of those legal graduates to find employment with blue chips firms here in Northern Ireland," he said. Fieldfisher managing partner Michael Chissick said the size of the legal graduate talent pool and the presence of other UK top 25 firms in Belfast were major factors in encouraging the firm's move. "The strong partnership between academia and industry was another attraction to investing here and ensures we will be able to work with colleges and universities to develop a future pipeline of qualified graduates," he added. Ms Donaldson, who played the key role in bringing Fieldfisher here, said her own firm had reached a time where it needed to link up with a larger company to grow. "We were at a point where I couldn't do much more by myself and knew I needed a partner to take it to the next level," she explained. "This gives me the ability to do that." She said while Fieldfisher employs people who have worked as solicitors and barristers, the new roles offer legal graduates an alternative career pathway away from the highly competitive The Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen's University in Belfast. "It's an alternative career path for people, not every type of law requires that you need to qualify as a solicitor," she said. "The legal services path exposes you to different areas and gives you a career. "That's what this is about, creating careers in an area of law that isn't the traditional path, and trying to keep ahead of it." PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton praised the work of police following the arrest of loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson on Thursday. Police said Mr Bryson was arrested as part of a Paramilitary Crime Task Force and Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigation into the east Belfast UVF. Read More He was arrested on suspicion of unlawfully supplying door staff after searches in Ards and North Down. Mr Bryson, who is listed at Companies House as a director of JJ Security Services Ltd, has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Friday morning Mr Bryson rejected police claims that the searches were linked to an investigation linked to the UVF. Police said that Mr Bryson was later released on bail pending further enquiries, though Mr Bryson claims he refused to be bailed due to conditions police wished to impose on him. Good work by Paramilitary Crime Task Force in partnership with Security Industry Authority in tackling criminality of East Belfast UVF. #endingtheharm @SIAuk @NIOgov https://t.co/hQcOUmhw5D Sir George Hamilton (@SirGHamilton) August 16, 2018 On Twitter in response to the arrest the Chief Constable praised the "good work" of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and (SIA). In response Mr Bryson scoffed at the "good work" comment claiming police had put out "inaccurate" tweets and statements. "No mention of ANY paramilitary activity in search warrants. No charge," he responded to the chief constable. Expand Close Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson. UUP MLA Doug Beattie called for clarification from the PSNI after the conflicting claims from police and Mr Bryson. "I have to say this concerns me given PSNI statements and I'd like to know what's going on," he wrote. Police have been asked for a response. The DUP has hit back at a story which claims the party made representations on behalf of a constituent for a north Belfast property a week before the legal tenant was forced out by a criminal gang. A report in The Irish News on Thursday claimed DUP MLA William Humphrey emailed the Housing Executive on a constituent's behalf who said she was interested in a property as it "would soon become vacant". The report claimed the property in question is on Ballysillan Avenue and had been subject to intimidation. In its response, a DUP spokesperson said the representation was made by William Humphrey's office on behalf of a constituent for a Housing Executive property, and "not one of the Connswater Homes properties which have been subject to intimidation". Earlier this month intimidation forced six families to leave their homes in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast, following weeks of attacks on cars and houses. "William's office made representation for a constituent. "This related to a Housing Executive property and not one of the Connswater Homes properties which have been subject to intimidation," he said. "This can be readily confirmed from the content of the email which the Irish News has referenced and can be confirmed by the Housing Executive. "This constituent has consented for Mr Humphrey to publicly confirm that the property which she enquired about, which 'would soon become vacant', is a Housing Executive property in Ballysillan Avenue. "She was aware from the previous tenants, with whom she is on friendly terms, that they were terminating their tenancy and moving to another country. She has since been offered this tenancy and has accepted." They went on to express concern about how the email referenced in the story had been passed to the Irish News and that Mr Humphrey's office had reported it to the PSNI, to the Housing Executive, and to the Information Commissioner's Office. The spokesperson added: "The DUP again states our unequivocal condemnation of the acts of intimidation which have occurred. "We urge anyone who can assist the police investigation to bring forward whatever information they have. "We have met with the Police Commander for North Belfast, the Housing Executive, Connswater Homes and residents of Ballysillan Avenue. "We are continuing to work to bring calm and stability to this area." In a statement the Housing Executive said: "We are seeking a retraction of the article published today in the Irish News. "We regularly receive correspondence from members of the public and people acting on their behalf regarding housing and the availability of properties. "We have good working relationships with political representatives who contact us on behalf of their constituents. "Following contact from the office of William Humphrey MLA last week, the Housing Executive immediately began conducting a review into concerns regarding a potential data breach around this case." The Irish News has yet to respond to a request for comment. Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson has insisted he won't be silenced after his arrest by police on Thursday. He said that he is planning to file a report to the Police Ombudsman on Monday, and alleged police tipped off journalists prior to his arrest and invited a number to accompany them. Read More Police confirmed that a 28-year-old man was arrested after Paramilitary Crime Task Force and Security Industry Authority (SIA) searches in Ards and North Down. The PSNI said his arrest was part on an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the east Belfast UVF. Chief Constable George Hamilton commended the 'good work' of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and SIA. Good work by Paramilitary Crime Task Force in partnership with Security Industry Authority in tackling criminality of East Belfast UVF. #endingtheharm @SIAuk @NIOgov https://t.co/hQcOUmhw5D Sir George Hamilton (@SirGHamilton) August 16, 2018 Mr Bryson was arrested on suspicion of unlawfully supplying door staff and a number of items were seized during the searches. Mr Bryson, who is listed at Companies House as a director of JJ Security Services Ltd, has denied any wrongdoing. In a video posted after his release on Thursday evening Mr Bryson claimed that after hours of questioning at Musgrave Police Station police said he had been bailed pending further enquiries, a claim Mr Bryson denies, saying he refused to accept bail under the conditions put forward by police. Mr Bryson claimed during interview police put no evidence to him promising to upload the audio of his police interview to the internet later on Friday. Expand Close Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson with a copy of his police interview. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson with a copy of his police interview. He said that police attempted to release him without charge but wanted to put conditions on his release including that he would not be able to tell anyone anything about his arrest. Mr Bryson said that among the items seized by police were journalistic materials and he would be going to an arbitrator to stop police from examining them. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Friday morning Mr Bryson rejected police claims that the searches were linked to an investigation linked to the UVF. Many people may have issues with @JamieBrysonCPNI - indeed he & I disagree on many issues. But I have to say this concerns me given @PoliceServiceNI statements and Id like to know what is going on. https://t.co/356VassH6z Doug Beattie (@BeattieDoug) August 17, 2018 "The search warrant has no reference to any paramilitary activity or membership, therefore the police have no reasonable grounds for suspecting that," the Unionist Voice blogger said. "How can you tell a man, 'you are not allowed to tell anybody what happened to you, but we are going to set the public narrative ourselves'." "We are looking at legislation to confirm if some of it is even in effect in Northern Ireland and the next stage will be a case for unlawful detention." He said that he would be filing a complaint with the Police Ombudsman on Monday in relation to his arrest. "My objective in all of this is to get before a judge and I would like a judge to assess the legality of telling someone they are not allowed to talk to any person about an arrest, there hasn't even been any charges," Mr Bryson said. "The PSNI tipped off a number of journalists and pushed my name forward to them before putting out a statement which effectively jigsaw identified me. They had also discussed with journalists the opportunity of taking a ride-along with them to try and get someone to spectate at my arrest. "This will form the basis of a Police Ombudsman complaint on Monday. It's entirely inappropriate, especially in light of the Cliff Richard judgement recently. "The complaint will be in relation to a number of the strands of the police investigation." Mr Bryson said that he felt he was being targeted because he was a high profile voice for loyalism who challenged police on issues. "I think they are trying to exploit my high profile and to blacken me, if the PSNI have any evidence whatsoever of any links to criminality associated with a paramilitary organisation then why are they not searching my home and arresting me and questioning me under the terrorism act instead of the SIA," he claimed. "Essentially, the police are uncomfortable with loyalism having a voice, in the sense of challenging them and putting that forward with a public profile. "I think they want to damage and smear that public profile and try and keep the media away from me and to damage me and I think that's the objective of all of this." "They have released information to the press and at the same time tried to gag me from having any opportunity to defend myself." In response, the PSNI said: "We do not comment on named individuals and no inference should be drawn from this." The Local Government Commissioner for Standards in Northern Ireland has announced it will hold a hearing into a complaint against veteran Belfast UUP councillor Jim Rodgers. Marie Anderson's office made the announcement on Friday in a tweet. Read More The tweet came while a meeting of a Belfast City Council committee at which Mr Rodgers was scheduled to face a motion of no confidence was ongoing. Mr Rodgers chairs the strategic policy and resources committee. The Commissioner has announced her intention to hold an Adjudication Hearing into a complaint that Alderman Jim Rodgers (Belfast City Council) breached the Code in relation to the rules regarding the registration, disclosure, and declaration of interests https://t.co/dDDgRoRY1p Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI (@LGCS_NI) August 17, 2018 Alliance Party councillor Michael Long is set to propose the motion. He has claimed that during a period of tension in July over bonfires in east Belfast that Mr Rodgers made "negative comments" in the media about council staff. Mr Long has additionally expressed concerns over the number of special meetings of the committee that were called in that period, claiming the the number of meetings caused delays which made it "increasingly difficult to get decisions around controversial issues taken". On Thursday, Mr Rodgers responded to the Press Association's request for a response by saying he does not feel it would be appropriate for him to comment. The meeting of the strategic policy and resources committee started at 9.30am on Friday. The motion of no confidence is the final item on the agenda. While the meeting was ongoing, the office of the Local Government Commissioner for Standards NI tweeted that an adjudication hearing will be held into a complaint concerning Mr Rodgers. Expand Close Alliance councillor Michael Long / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alliance councillor Michael Long "The Commissioner has announced her intention to hold an Adjudication Hearing into a complaint that Alderman Jim Rodgers (Belfast City Council) breached the code in relation to the rule regarding the registration, disclosure and declaration of interests." A spokesman for the commissioner confirmed it had received a complaint about Mr Rodgers but could not give any further detail. There were rows over the height of a bonfire on the Bloomfield Walkway site in the run-up to July 11, when pyres across Northern Ireland are traditionally lit. Belfast City Council took a high court action against the Department for Infrastructure, which owns the land, to compel it to remove the pyre. However, amid tense scenes, bonfire builders set it alight before police and contractors could move in to remove it. Later, another bonfire at nearby Cluan Place was removed by contractors with police protection. Mr Rodgers has been elected to Belfast City Council since 1993 and has served as Lord Mayor twice. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of supplying unlicensed door staff. Mr Bryson, who represents the East Belfast Community Initiative, confirmed the arrest on Thursday night after being released. In a video statement the prominent loyalist said his arrest was "absurd" and questioned the legality of the policing operation. "I was arrested today in relation to supplying doormen," he said. "To do this they searched three premises with a vast amount of TSG units [Tactical Support Unit] and officers as well as SIA [Security Industry Authority] apparently, from England." In a statement released by the PSNI earlier today a spokesman said officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) supported by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) conducted a search and arrest operation in Ards and North Down on Thursday. The police said the operation was investigating criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF. However, Mr Bryson said the mention of the UVF was used to "blacken his name". The statement said a 28-year-old man was arrested following searches at two residential addresses in Bangor and Donaghadee, as well as an office premises in Newtownards. He was arrested under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and was taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning. A number of items were seized during the searches, including a BB gun, a number of laptops, documents, camouflage clothing and an iPad. The PSNI then confirmed the arrested man had been released on bail pending further enquiries. Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said: "The PSNI works closely with the SIA on a range of initiatives to ensure the public are kept safe by assuring that security staff are correctly licensed. "This is important work as the public are exposed to door staff when, at times, they are at their most vulnerable through the consumption of alcohol or drugs. The PCTF is determined to disrupt and frustrate any criminal activities linked to paramilitaries. And we will continue to be relentless in delivering our contribution in working towards creating the environment in which a culture of lawfulness can thrive across all our communities. There is no hiding place for paramilitaries or criminality linked to them as they destroy peoples lives and harm the very communities they claim to be defenders of." Jamie Bryson gave an account of his arrest in a YouTube video. Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson was arrested yesterday as part of a PSNI investigation into criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF. He was taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning, and later released without charge. Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force supported by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) had conducted a search and arrest operation at two residential addresses in Bangor and Donaghadee, as well as an office premises in Newtownards. Mr Bryson was arrested under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on suspicion of unlawfully supplying door staff. He said the PSNIs mention of the UVF was used to blacken his name. Items seized during the searches, included a BB gun, laptops, and iPad, documents and camouflage clothing, police said. In a video on YouTube last night, Mr Bryson hit out at what he called his absurd arrest. He said in the video he had been arrested by the PSNI in what has to be one of the most absurd, ridiculous ... policing operations anybody is likely to come across. Mr Bryson, who is listed at Companies House as a director of JJ Security Services Ltd, said the PSNI spent six or seven hours with me locked in a cell, doing absolutely nothing. The loyalist claimed that in the course of his interview the police put no evidence to him. He said: No allegations were put to me absolutely nothing. He promised to upload the official recording of his police interview to the internet today to back up his account. Mr Bryson said he was charged with no offence, and had therefore refused to accept bail, claiming also that the police had attempted to gag him from speaking about the investigation. In a statement issued earlier, Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said: Todays joint search and arrest operation with the SIA ties into an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the east Belfast UVF. The PSNI works closely with the SIA on a range of initiatives to ensure the public are kept safe by assuring that security staff are correctly licensed. This is important work as the public are exposed to door staff when, at times, they are at their most vulnerable through the consumption of alcohol or drugs. Mr Singleton said police were determined to disrupt criminal activities linked to paramilitaries. He said officers would be relentless in pushing for a culture of lawfulness here. There is no hiding place for paramilitaries or criminality linked to them as they destroy peoples lives and harm the very communities they claim to be defenders of, he said. We know that these paramilitary groups continue to hold a significant amount of fear, intimidation and control over communities and we are absolutely determined to take that control away from them and allow communities to prosper and live in safety. We work with people living in these areas to tackle the issues that affect their lives, however, we need help from the community in identifying where criminality is taking place and who is involved in it. A new road is set to open to help deal with traffic disruption in the Belfast Harbour area which has been created ahead of the introduction of the Glider bus service. Belfast Harbour, the port authority responsible for management of the area, said it was aware of the disruption to weekday peak evening traffic between Queen's Road and Sydenham Road. Read More To deal with this, it will be taking the short-term step of opening an "interim relief road" linking Queen's Road and Sydenham Road at peak evening times from next week. "Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd remain fully supportive of a functioning Belfast Rapid Transit system in the city and continue to engage with the Department for Infrastructure and Translink to find solutions that will resolve the problem and reduce congestion for all those who work, live and visit Titanic Quarter," a Belfast Harbour spokesperson said. Expand Close Queens Road traffic congestion yesterday / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queens Road traffic congestion yesterday Translink said it was working with the Department for Infrastructure and Belfast Harbour, and welcomed the involvement of Catalyst Inc, which runs a science park based in the Titanic Quarter. We recognise there has been significant challenges for motorists in recent days and are committed to working with all stakeholders to resolve the issue. However, there is also strong support from all parties for the introduction of Glider and the many benefits it will bring for the area," the Translink spokeswoman said. Translink management will be visiting Catalyst Inc again on Tuesday August 21 to provide information to local businesses on public transport travel options available and on the new Glider service." A spokesperson for Catalyst Inc said it had met with the Department for Infrastructure, Translink and Belfast Harbour on Friday to discuss issues with traffic, and that the Department and Translink would be making a decision next week on the "way forward" with the Glider bus service. It said it will be meeting with representatives from Belfast Harbour on Wednesday to discuss the longer term future of traffic in the area. "Catalyst Inc are committed to working with the Department, Translink, Belfast Harbour and our tenants to find innovative solutions and provide a great experience for those people based on the campus, regardless of how they commute," the spokesperson said. "Regular meetings have been agreed to review plans and the impact of interventions and Catalyst Inc will continue to engage with tenants to keep them updated on plans and get their feedback." The Department for Infrastructure will be monitoring the situation in the area on Friday afternoon, taking account of the traffic situation. Monitoring will continue on Monday and Tuesday and will focus on ways to optimise traffic signalling in the area. The interim relief road operating between Queen's Road and Sydenham Road will be available to workers leaving Catalyst Inc who would normally turn left on the Sydenham Road. On Tuesday, Translink staff will be visiting staff at Catalyst Inc to provide information about public transport options. Lara Spirit from Chichester, Piers Smith from Belfast, Chris Mc Caffrey from Belcoo, Leo Mulholland from Belfast, Aaron Hughes from Belfast, Doire Finn from Newry and Femi Oluwole at The MAC in Belfast yesterday. A group of local young people have signed up to a UK-wide campaign calling for their voices to he heard on Brexit. They want the chance to have an informed say on whatever deal is finally brokered by the UK Government to leave the European Union. The group met up for the first time yesterday in Belfast. The campaign by Our Future Our Choice (OFOC) has been gathering momentum in cities across the UK. They will now spend the next few weeks engaging with schools and colleges and pressuring political groups to get their message across. Pearse Smith (17), from west Belfast, signed up for the campaign and said his interest in politics was cultivated through youth groups. "I attended Brexit conferences and even went to Brussels to present reports from young people, so when I heard the Children's Commissioner was looking for people like me to get involved in OFOC I was excited that I might actually have a role to play in making a difference," he said. "I know we can't go back on the referendum decision, but we do need the knowledge which was denied to voters. No one knew what they were voting for. "This is a chance to right some wrongs, clear up the mess and give the people of the UK the opportunity to make an informed decision." Doire Finn (23) lives in Newry and said the border issue in particular moved her to join the group. "I studied international politics at Queen's so I've always had an interest, and because I live right on the border the effect of Brexit is even more important to me," she said. "I saw this as a great opportunity to have our voices heard. Millions of lives are going to be affected and I think we have a right to know what deal is on the table. "That's when we should have the opportunity to decide on it for ourselves." Femi Oluwole from OFOC was in Belfast to meet the group. He said: "At OFOC we believe the voices of young people should be heard. "We want more control over our lives, a better NHS and the country to improve. "We do need change but most young people feel staying in the EU is the right thing to do. "This is about creating a chance to have a final say." Former US President Barack Obama's deputy campaign manager has said President Trump's policies are deeply harmful to the world. But Jen O'Malley Dillon insisted there were still reasons for those who opposed Mr Trump to be hopeful despite the "disruption" he was causing in the US and abroad. Ms O'Malley Dillon is due to deliver a lecture at Queen's University Belfast today. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, she said: "We have seen disruption and seismic events creating deep societal rifts in the US and across the globe. "The policies enacted by the Trump administration not only harm Americans but our neighbours and allies, changing the position of the US in the world." Ms O'Malley Dillon said it was easy to fear that the values, beliefs and ideas embodied by Mr Obama and his administration were long gone. But there were still reasons to be hopeful and "to maintain a deep belief in the longevity of our democracy and the strength of the American people", she added. "Since the minute Trump took office, the resistance has been sustained and continues to grow - fuelled by many who have never engaged in these ways before. "Women, millennials, and diverse individuals who reflect the changing face of America are running for office and winning. "Many corporations are not sitting idly by but speaking out on behalf of their employees and communities, against the administration, on things like immigration and gun regulations." Ms O'Malley Dillon said "historically untouchable power structures and institutions" had effectively been challenged, such as the National Rifle Association by the students of Marjory Stoneman High School in Florida, where a gunman killed 17 students and staff. She also cited the #Metoo movement and its success following sex abuse allegations relating to Harvey Weinstein. "Policies like Obamacare that used to be seen as a political liability are now an asset that candidates are running on to much success," she added. A man whose son was killed in the Omagh bomb has voiced strong support for Nuala O'Loan and said he also believes the atrocity could have been prevented. Michael Gallagher described the former Police Ombudsman as "a woman of the utmost honesty and integrity" who had "always told the truth no matter how uncomfortable it might be" to the families. Read More Mr Gallagher was speaking after widespread criticism of Baroness O'Loan's remarks and her call for a public inquiry on the 20th anniversary of the Real IRA attack. Her claim that the bomb could have been prevented was rejected by PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton. Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena died in the explosion, described the timing of her comments as "despicable" and said he had no interest in a public inquiry. But Mr Gallagher last night said his family stood "110% behind Nuala O'Loan". He said: "She has been one of the few people in the whole Omagh bomb saga who has shown the utmost honesty and integrity to the families. "She has always told the truth no matter how uncomfortable that might be. She paid a high price in criticism yesterday for once again doing so." Mr Gallagher rejected suggestions that Mrs O'Loan chose the wrong day to speak out. "When is the right day?" He asked. "For some, every day will be insensitive. "Some people have never forgiven Nuala O'Loan for her constructive criticism of the Omagh bomb investigation in 2001. "She did not in any way criticise police on the ground on the day of the Omagh bomb. She spoke of the failure of the intelligence services to share information." Mr Gallagher said that his daughter Cat Wilkinson had "gone to bed on Tuesday night very upset" at the attacks on Mrs O'Loan. He repeated his call for a public inquiry. "Our family wants to find out the truth about Omagh. If other people don't want a public inquiry, that is their right. But nobody should deny our right to ask for one," he said. "If our suspicions that the bomb could have been prevented are wrong, let the authorities prove we are wrong. Our campaign is wholly apolitical. "A public inquiry would answer some very serious questions and highlight the lessons that need to be learned for the future." Richard Scott, a retired police officer who attended the bomb scene in 1998, has called on Mrs O'Loan to apologise for her "insensitive remarks". Now chairman of Military and Police Support of West Tyrone, which offers support to victims, Mr Scott said Mrs O'Loan has caused enormous hurt on a most painful day. "By her remarks she has damned the officers on duty that day and for that she must apologise unreservedly to each and every one on duty that day," he claimed. 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 Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Pacemaker Press 15/08/2018 Prayers are held at at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on the 20th anniversary of Omagh bombing. Prayers are to held at 3.10pm to remember the victims of the bomb in Omagh 20 years ago today. 29 candles where lit for the victims. Picture Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A young girl is seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A young girl is seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A young girl is seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People are seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People are seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A woman lays flowers at Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A bell is rang once during the ceremony for each person who died and then one at the end for everyone. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People are seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A bell is rang once during the ceremony for each person who died and then one at the end for everyone. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. A woman lays flowers at Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People are seen through the Omagh bomb memorial as the ceremony takes place on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. One of the victims Jolene Marlow's family(right) pictured during the ceremony on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. One of the victims Jolene Marlow's family pictured during the ceremony on the spot of the bombing on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Members of the fire service throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Members of the fire service throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People gather white petals to throw into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 15th August 2017 Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. 29 people were killed in the Co. Tyrone town on 15th August 1998 when a dissident republican bomb exploded on Market Street on a busy Saturday afternoon. People throw white petals into the Omagh bomb remembrance garden after the ceremony on Market Street. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Floral tributes left at the Omagh Bomb Memorial, located on Market Street, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, ahead of the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathering on Market Street, Omagh, during the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People visit the Omagh Memorial garden after attending the ceremony for victims of the car bomb on Market Street on the 15th August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People visit the Omagh Memorial garden after attending the ceremony for victims of the car bomb on Market Street on the 15th August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA White Rose petals are thrown into a pond at the Omagh Memorial garden by people who attended the ceremony for victims of the car bomb on Market Street on the 15th August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Richard Scott reads a poem entitled "Reality" during the ceremony for victims of the Omagh bombing at the site where a car bomb exploded on Market Street in Omagh on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People observe a minutes silence on Market Street, Omagh, during the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathered on Market Street, Omagh, during the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathered on Market Street, Omagh, during the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA People gathered on Market Street, Omagh, during the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena died in the blast during the ceremony for victims of the Omagh car bombing on Market Street on the 15th August 1998. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 15, 2018. The worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland conflict killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. See PA story ULSTER Omagh. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Omagh bomb 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com "She must also apologise to those officers who worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. "I reiterate what I have said in the past few days, lay the blame with the terrorists who snuck into Omagh and stop trying to blame everyone else. "Perhaps Mrs O'Loan will reflect on this, to offer whatever help we can to those affected by this and other atrocities. "To that end I am proud of my association with Kevin Skelton and his Families Moving On Group. Between them and Military and Police Support of West Tyrone we are working tirelessly, with limited resources, offering basic support to victims and helping them when they are ready to ask for professional help." Mrs O'Loan has said she is standing by her claims that the bombing could have been prevented. She told yesterday's Belfast Telegraph she was sorry if her claim and her call for a public inquiry had hurt any relatives, but she had a duty to speak out. Northern Ireland has welcomed its 16th group of Syrian refugees. The group of 22 families totalling 86 people, flew into Belfast International Airport on Thursday. They will stay at a welcome centre in Belfast for several days before being resettled. The latest arrival brings the total number of refugees brought to Northern Ireland under the UK-wide Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation scheme to 1,096. The scheme is co-ordinated locally by the Department for Communities with spokesman Ian Snowden saying some of the new arrivals are among the most vulnerable refugees to flee from Syria. Expand Close A welcome centre at an undisclosed location in Belfast (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A welcome centre at an undisclosed location in Belfast (PA) Northern Ireland is very proud of its role in providing a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable people in society, he said. It has been a great pleasure working on this scheme and I was pleased to see a further 22 families arrive this week. The nature of the programme, given the sheer size and complexity of it, and given that we are receiving some of the most vulnerable refugees to flee Syria, means that it has been challenging. We are adapting each day and I have learned a lot about a different culture. The first group of Syrian refugees arrived in Northern Ireland in December 2015. Mr Snowden said the scheme is working very well, with colleagues from across the UK visiting to learn from our approach. All children of school age are in school, many of the adults have found employment and other are studyingIan Snowden, Department for Communities When the refugees arrive they stay in a welcome centre in Belfast for a number of days where they receive information, advice and guidance on issues ranging from housing, benefits, the law, banking systems and a little about life in Northern Ireland including the joys of our weather, he said. This has worked well and provides the refugees with a few days to catch their breath after the ordeal they have experienced, to rest after their flight to Northern Ireland and to prepare for their new life. Mr Snowden said the families from previous arrivals are integrating into the local community. Obviously each family and individual is different and integrating and adjusting to life in Northern Ireland at different paces, he said. All have embraced the opportunity they have been afforded. Expand Close The plane carrying the first group of Syrian refugees resettling in Northern Ireland (PressEye/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The plane carrying the first group of Syrian refugees resettling in Northern Ireland (PressEye/PA) Most arrive with very limited English. They have thrown themselves in to learning the language. All children of school age are in school, many of the adults have found employment and other are studying. Importantly too, many are also getting involved in local community groups and activities. The whole scheme has been such a success because of the combined efforts from the public, community and voluntary sectors as well as from families and individuals across Northern Ireland in the streets, villages, towns and cities where the refugees have settled. I am thankful to everyone who has played their part. The Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation Scheme was announced by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 in response to the war in Syria. It aims to resettle 20 000 Syrian refugees from refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey in the UK by May 2020. A tricolour with IRA written on it was displayed during a Wolfe Tones concert at the West Belfast Festival last week Belfast City Council has confirmed it pumped 357,000 of public money into this year's Feile an Phobail. The funding may now be reviewed after footage emerged of pro-IRA chants at Sunday night's Wolfe Tones concert at Falls Park. Read More The council is one of the principal funders of the West Belfast Festival alongside the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Chants including "Up the Ra" were sung by many in the 10,000-strong crowd on the same day families gathered in Omagh to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the bombing which claimed 31 lives. Tricolours daubed with IRA slogans were also waved. Belfast City Council said it will be discussing the issues surrounding the concert with festival organisers. The council said: "The Feile festival programme 2018 incorporates more than 350 events and the funding followed the usual approval process of going through the relevant committee and subsequently council. "As with any festival programme, we will be reviewing compliance with the funding arrangements and will be engaging directly with the organisers on this matter." Tourism NI contributed 65,000 towards this year's festival "to assist in attracting international visitors to Northern Ireland", but stressed that the funding does not cover large-scale commercial music events such as the one in Falls Park. The tourist body said it would also be seeking a meeting with festival organisers. The Arts Council confirmed it had awarded a total of 116,599 for 2018/19. This funding goes towards supporting two separate festivals, the August Feile and the spring festival, Feile an Earraigh, next March. The split is 79,822 of Exchequer funding and an additional 36,777 from the National Lottery. Ulster Unionist councillor Chris McGimpsey is among those calling for the festival's funding to be reviewed. "Unfortunately, this year's festival will be remembered for all the wrong reasons," he said. "I have had Catholics in west Belfast contacting me to say how appalled they are by what has happened. "The organisers will be putting another funding application in for next year but we will have to bear the recent events in mind. "One thing that we do when providing small grants of around 1,000 to bonfires is agree retrospective funding not to burn tyres or flags. "If any of those conditions are broken then we will say 'sorry come back next year'. "That may be an option to ensure that the festival meets all the criteria that organisers said it would meet," Mr McGimpsey added. Former Belfast Lord Mayor and Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister said her party had opposed part of the council funding. "The result has been an event which clearly failed to be inclusive in its nature," she said. "While the majority of Feile events did create a festival open to all, holding a Wolfe Tones concert to bring proceedings to a close was clearly not in that same spirit. "Last year, almost a quarter of council spending on festivals was allocated on one-off processes. "While there may occasionally be the need for emergency funding, this kind of proportion is ridiculous," she added. Arlene Foster has turned down an invitation to an event during the Pope's visit. DUP leader Arlene Foster has declined an invitation from the Republic of Ireland's government to attend an address by Pope Francis at Dublin Castle. Mrs Foster said she "appreciated the invitation" but that she will be regretfully away with her family at the time of the visit. Read More "She particularly acknowledges the significance of this event for many Roman Catholics in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland," a DUP spokesperson said. It is understood no one else from the party will be attending. Mrs Foster has made attempts at bridge-building in recent months, attending an Ulster GAA Final and speaking at an LGBT event. The BBC has reported Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill will attend both the address and the papal mass in Phonenix Park. The UUP Robin Swann is unable to attend the papal address as he will be participating in the annual Black Saturday Parade in Larne, but Robbie Butler will represent the party instead. Mr Swann has no plans to attend the Papal Mass on Sunday. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood will be going to Dublin, but has not decided which event. Alliance party leader Naomi Long is unable to go but the party will be sending someone else to Dublin in her place. The Pope's visit will take place over two days on August 25 and August 26, with a speech at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin's Croke Park on the Saturday, followed by mass in Phoenix Park the following day. The Pope's address at Dublin Castle takes place on Saturday August 25. Presbyterian Moderator Dr Charles McMullen will attend the event alongside other religious and civic leaders. Dr McMullen and his wife Barbara will attend a concert at Croke Park, at the invitation of Archbishop Eamon Martin. The Taoiseach's department had said that it plans to invite the leaders of all Northern Ireland's political parties to the service in Phoenix Park on August 26. A relative of a person killed in one of the worst atrocities committed during the Troubles has brought a High Court challenge in Dublin aimed at preventing the appointment of PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner. The action has been brought by researcher Ciaran MacAirt whose grandmother Kathleen Irvine was one of 15 people killed when a loyalist bomb exploded at McGurk's Bar in Belfast in December 1971. In his action Mr MacAirt says Mr Harris lacks the independence required to be Garda Commissioner due to this role in the PSNI and its predecessor the RUC. Represented by Gerard Humphreys Bl, instructed by McGeehin Toale Solicitors claims Mr Harris could not direct or control any ongoing investigation into the murder of an Irish citizen where there is credible evidence of collusion between the killers by the RUC or agencies of the British State, including the Dublin Monaghan bombings. Counsel said it is believed the appointment will take place in September. He claims that due to his senior role with the PSNI Mr Harris has possession of information directly relevant to Garda investigations into the murder of Irish citizens during the troubles. He claims Mr Harris has signed and is bound by the UK's Offical Secrets Act making it impossible to fully discharge his duties as the next Garda Commissioner. This conflict it is claimed is incompatible with the duties of Section 5 of the Garda Siochana Act, in particular to state security and the investigation of crime. Expand Close Drew Harris PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Drew Harris Mr MacAirt, who says he was shocked by the decision to appoint Mr Harris, says he was written a book about and researched the McGurk's bombing and is a director of the Charity Paper Trail which supports victims and survivors of the Troubles. He claims that he has been trying to establish the truth behind the bombing. The RUC initially blamed it on an IRA bomb being accidentally detonated when in fact the bomb was deliberately planted in the bar by the UVF. One of their members, Robert Campbell was jailed for the atrocity in 1977. However Mr MacAirt says there was never a proper investigation into the bombing, and claims there was RUC cover-up in regards to what happened. He claims his efforts to find the truth have been frustrated by the PSNI, and have been consistently obstructed by Deputy Chief Constable Harris. It is claimed that as part of his role with the PSNI Mr Harris had responsibility the PSNI's Historical Enquiries Team, which investigated the bombing. It produced four reports, which Mr McAirt says Mr Harris had the final say over, into the bombings. The four reports he said were all rejected by the victims of the bombing as the allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the RUC were not addressed. Mr Harris's role in that investigation into the murder of Irish citizens he says makes it impossible for him to hold the position of Garda Commissioner. In his action against the Irish Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Irish Attorney General Mr McAirt seeks various orders including one quashing the decision to appoint Mr Harris as Commissioner of An Garda Siochana. In the alternative, he seeks an order preventing Mr Harris having any role in the direction and control of the Garda investigation into the murder of Irish citizens where there is credible evidence of collusion by the RUC or other agencies of the British state in the murder. He also seeks declarations that the Irish State is obliged to conduct independent investigations murders of Irish citizens where there is credible evidence of collusion. He further seeks a declaration that due to his obligations under the UK's Offical Secrets Act and his role in the protection of the PSNI, the RUC and other agencies of the UK Mr Harris would be incapable of controlling an independent investigation into the murder of those Irish citizens where collusion was alleged. The matter came before Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan at Friday's sitting of the High Court. The Judge granted permission, on an ex parte basis, for Mr MacAirt's lawyers to make an application for leave to bring his judicial proceedings on notice to the state respondents. The matter will return before the court on Tuesday. His life was remembered at a service at Kirkcudbright Parish Church (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA) Hundreds of people have attended a memorial service for former Holyrood Presiding Officer Sir Alex Fergusson. The former Conservative MSP died last month after a short illness at the age of 69. His life was remembered at a service at Kirkcudbright Parish Church, Dumfries and Galloway, on Friday. It was a huge honour to give one of the eulogies today at the moving but uplifting memorial service for one of my dear friends, Sir Alex Fergusson. Quite simply the most thoroughly decent man Ive ever known. https://t.co/5yEUAgdOaP pic.twitter.com/AoeGOtxWx7 David Mundell MP (@DavidMundellDCT) August 17, 2018 Those attending included Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Deputy First Minister John Swinney, current Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh and former Presiding Officer Lord David Steel. Scottish Secretary David Mundell said he was honoured to give a eulogy at what he described as a moving but uplifting service. He paid tribute to Sir Alex as a loving husband and family man, true friend, self-identifying amateur politician, devoted constituency MSP, distinguished Presiding Officer of our Scottish Parliament, champion of rural Scotland and the most thoroughly decent man Ive ever known. Flags @ScotParl have been lowered today as a mark of respect for former colleague and Presiding Officer, Sir Alex Fergusson, who died last month. A memorial service for Sir Alex is being held this morning at Kirkcudbright Parish Church. pic.twitter.com/PC1PLDXiNn Ken Macintosh (@KenDMacintosh) August 17, 2018 Flags at the Scottish Parliament were lowered to half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect. Sir Alex stood down from Holyrood in 2016 after 17 years as an MSP and was knighted for services to politics and public life in the same year. He served as the Parliaments third Presiding Officer from 2007 to 2011. A hill farmer by trade, he was first elected for the South of Scotland region and later became MSP for the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale constituency, re-drawn in 2011 as Galloway and West Dumfries. President Donald Trump has said he is cancelling his plans for a military parade through the streets of Washington because the price was ridiculously high. On Twitter, President Trump accused local politicians of inflating the price gouging, although the projected $92 million (72 million) cost was largely attributed to Pentagon costs for aircraft, equipment and personnel. President Trump tweeted maybe we will do something next year when the cost comes WAY DOWN. The Defence Department had already said the parade would not happen this year. President Trump had called for the patriotic show of force last year after watching Frances Bastille Day celebration in the centre of Paris at the invitation of the French president. But the project has been beset with logistical hurdles, such as the damage heavy tanks would do to city streets and an exorbitant price tag. The controversial bonfire in the Bogside in Derry Every July we have become accustomed to various obscenities occurring on the Eleventh Night. Last year, an effigy of Martin McGuinness in his coffin was placed on a bonfire at Clonduff Road in east Belfast. It's normal in this part of the world for flags and election posters of those identified as 'the enemy' to be burnt at a certain time of year. But there was something deeply disturbing about seeing McGuinness's face stuck on a mock casket on the pyre. The former Deputy First Minister was dead just three months. Read More Whatever the view of him in the loyalist community, this was crude, ugly and utterly devoid of class. Republicans have long occupied the moral high ground regarding such incidents in loyalist areas. But events at this year's bonfires show a repulsive race to the gutter by the worst elements in both communities. The placing of the names of murdered prison and police officers on the Bogside bonfire on Wednesday was a vile act. Only mindless morons could think it fitting to gloat about the deaths of David Black, Adrian Ismay, Stephen Carroll and Ronan Kerr in that way. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one-off and follows a sign on a Newry bonfire mocking Willie Frazer's dead father Bertie last week. The disgust voiced by David Black's son Kyle and Stephen Carroll's widow Kate will be shared by all decent people on both sides of the political divide. I have heard it said that the placing of the names of the deceased police and prison officers on the bonfire was the work of a small number of young bonfire builders. That's not an adequate excuse. Why did nobody older and wiser - political or community figures - intervene to remove the placards? We see the exact same absence of leadership in loyalist areas with Eleventh Night pyres. Such material is clearly a hate crime. One community aping the other in depraved and disgusting behaviour is extremely depressing for all who want to build a better future. It seems the new maxim regarding Northern Ireland's bonfires is 'when they go low, we go lower'. About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile A sensational newspaper headline in July 2001 read I told cops about Omagh. It screamed the atrocity could have been prevented. The story presented the prospect of a Special Branch informer in the middle of the attack that they allowed to go ahead. Police Ombudsman Nuala OLoan (now Baroness OLoan) decided to investigate. As it was, the headline was fantasy. Special Branch had no informer in the Real IRA team that committed the attack. It left the Ombudsman in a predicament. She had little to say. Enter the August 4 information snippet. The most damning conclusion not possible to say if the attack was preventable was attached to it. Today, she concludes that it was preventable. This hinges on the August 4 information and, to a lesser degree, vague references to new intelligence. Let me deal with both. According to her, an anonymous call to police on August 4 is profoundly important. This warned of a gun and rocket attack against police officers in Omagh on August 15. In her eyes, the information was of such clarity (which it was not) that it should have resulted in the local police ring-fencing Omagh thereby forcing the terrorists to abandon their bomb. In her opinion, the local police commander would have done this, had he been told. If the information related to a bomb attack in the town centre, yes, this is an appropriate operational response. But this was not the case. The threat was of a gun and rocket attack against police officers. Here, the appropriate response is not static checkpoints. As a Special Branch officer I regularly briefed local police commanders on a variety of terrorist threats. There is no universal response, like flooding an area with static vehicle checkpoints. For a rocket and gun attack against police officers, standard procedure was to keep them mobile in vehicles or inside the barracks. The aim deny terrorists their target. For a police commander to place his or her people at static checkpoints, in the full knowledge that any one of them was liable to a gun and rocket attack, would have been grossly negligent. I have run this as a tabletop exercise with senior police officers overseas and none have done what the Baroness recommends. They have practical experience of counter-terrorism policing and excellent knowledge in this area, and are investigators who have to distinguish facts from rumour. Gun and rocket attack against police officers does not translate to car bomb in Omagh town centre and any hypothesis that the bombing was preventable is incorrect. If we accept the August 4 information is wrongly interpreted and would not have triggered the operational response suggested, what of new information? Here, the former Ombudsman inferred that since her report, she had been privy to other intelligence she cannot reveal that, clearly, has contributed to influencing her change of mind. Not only is it vague and utterly reliant on her opinion, it is contradicted by three other investigations that examined the incident in far greater depth than the Ombudsman. Their position is epitomised in the response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that scrutinised Judge Gibsons report, where he was absolutely clear that the Omagh bomb could not have been prevented by the better use of any of the intelligence that might have existed at the time. I do not understand how Baroness OLoan can contradict the Chief Constable, Judge Gibson and Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary, assuming she has the same intelligence as the others, to the point that she interprets the available evidence to the contrary. If she has new intelligence I urge her to share it with the PSNI or Police Ombudsman. If not, apologise to the Special Branch officers she has publicly defamed. In the book, Shadows, a former colleague wrote: The Special Branch officer based at Omagh who analysed the information, scant as it was, had a personal interest in ensuring there was no attack on August 15, 1998. On the day of the bombing, his wife was attending a wedding just 150 yards from the epicentre of the explosion. If there was some grand conspiracy, with this Special Branch officer prepared to let a bomb go through (one assumes to protect informers in the Real IRA) then are you honestly telling me that he was prepared to sacrifice his wife in the process? Special Branch did its utmost to protect life and was not the evil menace Provo lies portray. Baroness OLoan admitted that she wrote her 2001 report fairly rapidly. It singled out some Special Branch officers for severe criticism, especially over the August 4 information. Her conclusions were arrived at without interviewing some of these officers and the Ombudsman criticised them and intelligence practices. The recent line by Baroness OLoan: Had necessary action been taken by senior officers in Special Branch, the Omagh bombing would have been prevented seems aimed at the officers her Office investigated. I find this tragic and disheartening. The Omagh bomb report caused untold mental trauma for the Omagh families. What we got on Wednesday was a sensationalist headline, again. Dr William Matchett is author of Secret Victory: The Intelligence War that Beat the IRA and Adjunct Fellow at the Edward M Kennedy Institute for conflict prevention, Maynooth University Oliver Ward (left) gets dressed up in period costume with Andy Mattison at last years Boyne event Boyne Day returns to the Museum of Orange Heritage in Belfast tomorrow. The family-orientated event explores the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and its legacy. Costumes and weapons will be brought to life through the recreation of a period camp, with living history performers. Visitors will be able to get their picture taken with a notable artefact from the period, on loan at the museum. A military halberd, or a shortened pike, thought to have been used as a weapon during the Boyne battle 328 years ago, will be made available. Other pieces on display in the museum gallery relating to the Glorious Revolution, include a Boyne musket and a bayonet. Curator Dr Jonathan Mattison said the success of the inaugural Boyne Day last summer meant the event was now an integral component of the museum's interaction with the wider community. Philippine generals watch from the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea as an F-18 fighter jet lands, April 10, 2018. The United States will assert freedom of navigation in the South China Sea despite recent warnings issued by China on foreign ships and planes passing through the hotly disputed area, a top defense official said Thursday. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver said Beijings growing aggressiveness would not deter the U.S. from exercising the right to peacefully pass through the region. Well fly, sail and operate where international law allows, Shriver told a select group of reporters in Manila. So weve seen an increase in this kind of challenge from China, not only directed at us but to others, and we think we need to be consistent and the Chinese need to understand that this kind of challenge will not result in a change of our behavior. He said Washington would not allow Beijing to bully other nations by rewriting international law. His statement came after the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Philippine aircraft have a specific response from similar Chinese challenges. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the Chinese warnings are a daily occurrence. Our pilots just [reply]: We are just doing our routine flight on our jurisdiction and territory, he said, according to the Inquirer. A BBC reporter who witnessed the Chinese aggression said the warnings to Philippine aircraft were less courteous than similar warnings to U.S. planes. The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the potentially mineral rich region, as do Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Flashpoint The South China Sea is considered a flashpoint in the region and while claimants agreed to desist from any actions that would complicate the matter, China has been expanding and militarizing territories it occupies. During an annual meeting of Southeast Asian diplomats held in Singapore two weeks ago, officials announced China had agreed to a draft of a code of conduct to govern actions in the area after three months of negotiations that ended in June. The agreement was hailed as a breakthrough even as diplomats expressed cautious optimism. Clearly, China wants to expand its control of the sea region by its warnings even as he said it has no impact or effect on how the U.S. operates, Shriver said on Thursday. He said last weeks flight that carried a CNN crew was part of routine operations in the South China Sea. I think there should be no misunderstanding or lack of clarity on the spirit and the nature of our commitment, Shriver said, alluding to the Philippine-US mutual defense treaty of 1951. Well be a good ally, and well help the Philippines respond accordingly, he said. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Overcast. High 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A shower is possible early. Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, the loss of religion in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For Immediate Release, August 17, 2018 Contacts: Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495 Jenny Harbine, Earthjustice, (406) 586-9699 Pat Munday, (406) 565-1826 Erik Molvar, Western Watersheds Project, (307) 399-7910 George Wuerthner, (541) 255-6039 Court Overturns Denial of Endangered Species Protection for Montana Grayling Rare Fish Threatened by Climate Change, Depleted River Flows BUTTE, Mont. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services denial of endangered species protection for Montana Arctic grayling was unlawful and ordered the agency to reconsider protection for the rare fish. The decision came in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, Butte resident Pat Munday and former Montana fishing guide George Wuerthner. The groups were represented by Earthjustice. Montanas dwindling Arctic grayling populations will need all of the help we can give them to survive in the face of a warming climate, said Earthjustice attorney Jenny Harbine, who argued the case. The courts decision offers hope for these magnificent fish, and now its up to the Fish and Wildlife Service to translate that hope into action to protect the grayling under the Endangered Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service first determined the grayling warranted endangered status in 1994, but continuously delayed protections. In 2014 the agency denied protection outright, claiming sufficient state management, improvement in population numbers, and the fishs supposed adaptability to warming stream temperatures. The court today found that the agency failed to consider the impacts of climate change and its effect on stream temperatures and flows. The ruling also determined that claims of an increased population were not supported by evidence. Even after the Fish and Wildlife Service made the decision not to protect the species in 2014, population monitoring showed continued population declines in the Big Hole River, the last place the fluvial or river-dwelling form of the grayling occur in any numbers in the lower 48 states. The court made clear today that the Fish and Wildlife Services head-in-the-sand approach to climate change will not stand, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center. We appreciate the efforts of landowners and the state to improve habitat along the Big Hole, but irrigators need to leave more water in the river if these fish are going to have any chance at surviving our warming world. In denying the grayling protection, the agency argued that voluntary efforts by private landowners and the state of Montana have alleviated threats to the fish's survival. Although many individual projects to improve habitat have been completed under a conservation agreement in place since 2006, grayling continue to face many threats. These fish survive in very small numbers in just 4 percent of their historic range. The Fish and Wildlife Service turned a blind eye to ongoing declines of this rare and beautiful fish, and the court ruling specifically calls out the agency for ignoring scientific evidence that the Big Hole River grayling populations are in trouble, said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project. This year, the grayling population in the Centennial Valley took a nosedive as well, so its high time for the Fish and Wildlife Service to stop playing politics with extinction and make Arctic grayling conservation and recovery the top priority on all of the Montana streams where they occur. Once found throughout the upper Missouri River drainage above Great Falls, native populations of Montana grayling have been reduced to a short stretch of the Big Hole River and a few small lakes in the area. There is also a small population that was reintroduced in the Ruby River. Primary factors in the decline of the species range have been the ongoing diversion of water from the graylings stream habitat for agricultural uses and the degradation of riparian areas by livestock grazing. Extensive water withdrawals from the Big Hole River draw down the river to a mere trickle every summer and continue to threaten the Big Hole grayling population. Listing under the Endangered Species Act would require the creation of a federal recovery plan to address low flows in the Big Hole, among other threats. I fish the Big Hole River often and, like many anglers, I treasure our grayling as a beautiful native fish, said Pat Munday, a college professor who authored a popular book about the Big Hole River. It is incredibly sad that we must sue the Fish and Wildlife Service to follow the law and protect grayling. I sincerely hope this time the agency will live up to its mission to put politics aside and finally protect the grayling. I regularly visit the Big Hole River drainage and find where cattle have trampled stream sides adding sediment to water that is important grayling habitat, not to mention that the Big Hole River is often reduced to trickles by irrigation withdrawals in low water years. All of this harms grayling, said ecologist and former Montana fishing guide George Wuerthner. Background A member of the salmon family, the Arctic grayling is a beautiful fish with a prominent dorsal fin. The species thrives in cold freshwater streams and rivers across Canada and Alaska. Historically, fluvial populations of Arctic grayling existed in only two places in the lower 48 states: Michigan and the upper Missouri River of Montana. Populations in Michigan went extinct by the 1930s and populations in Montana were restricted to the Big Hole River and a few lakes by the end of the 1970s. Studies demonstrate that Montana grayling are genetically distinct from populations in Canada and Alaska. The grayling was first petitioned for listing by the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, now part of the Center for Biological Diversity, and George Wuerthner in 1991, leading to the Fish and Wildlife Service's first finding that the grayling warranted endangered status in 1994. Rather than providing that protection, however, the agency put the fish on a candidate list, where it received no protection. The grayling subsequently experienced severe declines in response to the near drying-up of the Big Hole River on an annual basis caused by increased irrigation use and drought. Fearing the extinction of the fish, the Center, Western Watersheds Project, and Wuerthner sued for protection in 2003. In 2005 the Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to issue a new decision on listing, but rather than list the species, the agency reversed course and denied it protection, arguing that extinction of the Montana population would be insignificant. The groups again sued and in 2010, the Fish and Wildlife Service once again reversed course, concluding that the grayling warranted protection, but again only added it to a candidate list. In 2011 the Center reached a settlement agreement requiring the agency to either move forward with protection or withdraw such protection by the end of fiscal year 2014, resulting in the most recent reversal and denial. For Immediate Release, August 17, 2018 Contact: Ileene Anderson, (323) 490-0223, ianderson@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Forces Trump Administration to Protect Eight California Rivers LOS ANGELES The Trump administration agreed to a settlement with the Center for Biological Diversity today that requires two federal agencies to prepare long-overdue management plans to protect eight wild and scenic rivers in Southern California. Under todays agreement the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management must complete plans by 2024 for 100 miles of waters in the Amargosa River, Owens Headwaters, Cottonwood Creek, Piru Creek, North Fork San Jacinto River, Fuller Mill Creek, Palm Canyon Creek and Bautista Creek. This is a victory for some of Southern Californias most beautiful rivers. Too bad it took a lawsuit to get federal officials to do the right thing, said Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center. These waters and ecosystems are lifelines for imperiled plants and animals. They provide respite and recreation for all of us, and we need the government to protect these special places for our kids and grandkids. Designated by Congress in 2009 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the waters wind though three national forests and other public lands and provide essential habitat for imperiled fish, birds and other wildlife. In March the Center filed suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to ensure protections for these California rivers. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ensures that rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values remain in free-flowing, wild condition. It requires the federal agencies to prepare comprehensive management plans to protect the river segments within three years of their designation. The plans for these eight rivers should have been finished years ago, but the agencies didnt agree to provide them until after the Centers lawsuit was filed. Wild and scenic river management plans provide important protections by ensuring that the qualities for which the river was designated wild, scenic or recreational remain for future generations. River management plans ensure that water flow and water quality are protected from threats such as poorly managed grazing, off-road vehicles and other harmful activities. Background Amargosa River: Congress designated more than 26 miles of the Amargosa River in Inyo and San Bernardino counties as scenic, wild or recreational. The Amargosa River is a spring-fed perennial desert river system, harboring a remarkable level of biodiversity in the hottest and driest part of the Mojave Desert. This includes critical habitat for the entire wild population of the endangered Amargosa vole and endangered Amargosa niterwort plant, as well as two endangered bird species, the least Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. The designated river segments are located on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Owens Headwater: Congress designated nearly 20 miles of the Owens Headwaters in Inyo County (along the Upper Owens River, Glass Creek and Deadman Creek) as wild, scenic or recreational. Owens Headwaters and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for many species, including the threatened Yosemite toad and a wide diversity of butterflies. The designated segments of the Owens Headwaters are on public lands managed by the Inyo National Forest. Cottonwood Creek: Congress designated more than 20 miles of Cottonwood Creek in Inyo County as wild or recreational. Cottonwood Creek and its adjacent riparian corridors provide habitat for threatened Paiute cutthroat trout and rare spotted bat. The designated wild segment of Cottonwood Creek is on public lands managed by the Inyo National Forest, and the recreational segment is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Piru Creek: Congress designated more than seven miles of the Piru Creek in Ventura County wild or recreational. The creek is a tributary of the Santa Clara River and contains unique geological formations, unusual gorges and riparian vegetation. The creek and adjacent riparian corridors provide critical California condor nesting and roosting sites, as well as habitat for the threatened arroyo toad and native trout. The designated segments of Piru Creek are on public lands managed by the Los Padres National Forest. North Fork of the San Jacinto River: Congress designated more than 10 miles of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River in Riverside County wild, scenic or recreational. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for the critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frog, California spotted owls, the rubber boa and the San Bernardino flying squirrel. The designated segments are on public lands managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. Fuller Mill Creek: Congress designated 3.5 miles of Fuller Mill Creek in Riverside County as scenic or recreational. Fuller Mill Creek and its adjacent riparian corridors provide habitat for critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs, California spotted owls, rubber boas and San Bernardino flying squirrels, among others. The designated scenic segments are managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. Palm Canyon Creek: Congress designated eight miles of Palm Canyon Creek in Riverside County as wild and instructed that the area be managed cooperatively with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to protect and enhance river values. Palm Canyon Creek and its associated riparian corridors provide habitat for endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. The designated wild segment is on public lands managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. Bautista Creek: Congress designated a 10-mile segment of Bautista Creek in Riverside County as recreational. Bautista Creek and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for threatened arroyo toads, endangered southwestern willow flycatchers, endangered Quino checkerspot butterflies and the endangered slender-horned spineflower. The designated segment is on public lands managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. PR Newswire MCMINNVILLE, Ore., August 17, 2018 MCMINNVILLE, Ore., August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- McMinnville Volkswagen has published a comparison between two competing sedans, the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Toyota Corolla. This resource is the latest in a series of informative Volkswagen model breakdowns, all of which can be found at the McMinnville Volkswagen website. Both the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2018 Toyota Corolla are available in six trim levels: S, Wolfsburg Edition, SE, SE Sport, SEL and GLI for the 2018 Jetta and L, LE, LE Eco, SE, XSE and XLE for the 2018 Corolla. Three power plant options are available for the 2018 Jetta, all of which are turbocharged, four-cylinder engines. The standard engine is a 1.4-liter engine for the S, Wolfsburg Edition and SE trims. This engine generates 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. SE Sport and SEL models feature a more powerful 1.8-liter engine with 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The GLI trim comes equipped with the most powerful 2018 Jetta engine, a 2.0-liter engine with 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. All 2018 Toyota Corolla models are powered by a non-turbocharged four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine with 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. In typical city driving conditions, this engine's travel range is about 37 miles less than the 2019 Jetta's 1.4-liter engine. In terms of available technology features, the 2018 Toyota Corolla lacks support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two services that are available for the 2019 Jetta. For drivers interested in learning more about the differences between the two sedans, the comparison can be found at www.macvw.com. Users may also view the dealership's inventory of new and pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles, access coupons, receive online pre-approval for financing, schedule a test drive and order parts. McMinnville Volkswagen can be contacted at 877-721-5794. Media Contact: Austin Doran, McMinnville Volkswagen, (877) 721-5794, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE McMinnville Volkswagen Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The growing Westman town of Neepawa appears to be enjoying a business boom to match. On Aug. 7, the towns mayor and council approved the sale of three lots on land formerly owned by the Canadian National railway toward the construction of a new hotel it would become Neepawas fifth and other facilities for the community. The company behind the development, Steel Creek Developers, previously told The Sun it was planning to build 60 hotel rooms, complete with a pool and waterslide as well as a mineral spa that would make use of a subterranean salt stream that flows underneath the property. The plans also call for the construction of 18 spacious two-bedroom apartments for retirees and empty nesters in Neepawa. This kind of development is essential for a growing community, according to Town of Neepawa chief administrative officer Colleen Synchyshyn. "Since the 2011 Census, our population has increased by 27 per cent, which is pretty significant in the province of Manitoba," Synchyshyn said. "As other things begin to develop, the potential exists to draw people in for various activities. And its important to have the proper accommodations." For the moment, the town administration is still in the process of concluding the subdivision of the lands the municipality purchased from CN when the railway was abandoned. Synchyshyn said there remains a drainage plan that the town must finish to satisfy the provincial Sustainable Development department. However, surveyors have staked out the land for the purpose of future development, and she says that "we do know exactly what we have for parcels and what we can sell." The town sold the three plots for $467,714.04, or $2.22 per square foot. Synchyshyn confirmed that a numbered company known as 10007722 Manitoba Ltd. was the purchaser. Trevor Rempel, vice-president of sales and marketing for Steel Creek Developers, told The Sun last April that several business owners and community leaders are part of a proposed ownership group for the facility. For Neepawa Mayor Adrian de Groot, the development means further growth for his community, and a chance to become even more of a destination location for the region. "I think its very important, especially with some of the venues that well be able to attract here," de Groot said on Thursday. "Quite often we have limited space, and whether its ball tournaments or other events ... the accommodation study found that theyre seeking accommodations elsewhere, and even travelling from Brandon to Neepawa, just to attend during the day. "This certainly enhances our ability to attract other things, as well as for convenience for the travelling public. Theres ever increasing traffic through Neepawa down Highway 5. Were seeing growth within our community, and consequently additional demand for accommodations. Though a tentative architectural design has been made, the new owners are supposed to finalize a plan for the build with input from future public meetings. The design would hopefully be finalized by years end. mgoerzen@brandonsun.com Twitter: @MattGoerzen From police officers to construction workers, men proudly donned bright red high heels in support of the eighth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us From police officers to construction workers, men proudly donned bright red high heels in support of the eighth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Some navigated their temporary heels well, while others had more of a wobbly experience. "Theyre quite stylish and comfortable albeit dangerous," Brandon Police Service Insp. Mike Pelechaty said with a laugh. The YWCA Brandon fundraiser, held in the parking lot of BPS headquarters, aims to draw awareness to the serious issues of domestic violence and homelessness. TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Men in high heels walk along Victoria Avenue during the YWCA Brandon Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser on Thursday. "Its to bring attention to the issue of family violence and the enormous cost to the entire community," said YWCA board president Shannon Moncur. "Its not just one family that is impacted by a domestic situation, its the entire network of that family and it just spreads out into the community. Its a huge problem." Organizers were hoping to raise $20,000 at Thursdays event, which will go directly back into the organizations programs. The YWCA runs Meredith Place, a 24-hour co-ed facility, which offers transitional housing and supervised care to clients in need of safe, supportive, affordable housing. YWCA also operates Westman Womens Shelter, a safe emergency accommodation to women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence. On average, the shelter houses 200-250 women and 250-300 children in a year. Moncur said domestic violence is unfortunately quite prevalent in the Westman community. "I would be willing to bet that you know somebody who is in some kind of a domestic situation that is not good, and you dont know it," she said. "Its an uncomfortable thing for people to talk about. Its a scary thing for people to talk about, and unfortunately, its sometimes an embarrassing thing for people to talk about." TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Men in high heels gets applause and laughs from supporters as they walk along Victoria Avenue during the YWCA Brandon Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser on Thursday. All too often, people keep quiet until something horrible happens and police are brought in, Moncur said. Another goal of the event is to ensure the community knows about the resources available so they can reach out if they are in need of help. "Domestic violence and homelessness is everywhere," said B.J. Kirouac, fund development and marketing manager at YWCA. "Its a very taboo topic, people dont want to talk about it, they dont want to confront it, they dont want to maybe realize that this is an issue in our community." Kirouac said domestic violence impacts an entire community "kids miss school because of it, people miss work because of it, kids have to be moved from their school and their friends because of it It affects every day life, it affects the community." Thursdays event had teams walk together before enjoying a barbecue and dessert auction. The heels were optional, with both men and women participating. Several people said in addition to it being a team-building experience, the event is an important cause to support. TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Large-size high heels sit on a table after the YWCA Brandon Walk a Mile in her shoes fundraiser at the Brandon Police Service headquarters on Victoria Avenue on Thursday. "We deal with victims of crime all the time, and we just like to show our support for victims, and this is one way of doing it," Pelechaty said. Lucas Boryskiewich of Vanguard Credit Union said its a fun way for them to give back. "We try and be community-oriented so anything we can do to give back, we try and jump in on," he said. While he has supported the event through donations in the past, Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson participated for the first time this year. "Ive always wanted to be a part of it, but prior to being elected I couldnt get away from work," he said. "Its a great cause Youre always looking at opportunities to give back to the community and help raise awareness. Heres a perfect opportunity." jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Naomi Kresge Bayer shares continued their slide yesterday after the company failed to block Californias move to list its weedkiller Roundup as a known carcinogen. Bayers shares dropped up to 6.5% in Frankfurt and the shares are down 18% in the past year. The company has lost about 16bn in market value this week, since a US jurys award in the Roundup case. The California Supreme Court declined earlier this week to hear arguments by Monsanto, recently acquired by Bayer, as to why Roundup, the worlds most widely used weed killer, doesnt belong on the states list of chemicals known to cause cancer. The California Court of Appeal, Fifth District, had rejected the US companys arguments in April. Bayers 55.4bn purchase of Monsanto has opened the German drugmaker up to legal risks. A San Francisco state jury last week awarded a former groundskeeper $289m (255m) on his claim that exposure to Roundup caused his cancer, and thousands of additional cases are pending. Meanwhile, Bayer is also facing lawsuits in the US over dicamba, another weed killer in Monsantos portfolio. Like Roundup, dicamba is sprayed on fields that have been planted with seeds that are resistant to the chemical. Farmers say it has harmed adjacent crops after drifting over from fields planted with the resistant seeds. BASF and Dow DuPont also make dicamba. The perception is that a huge wave of lawsuits and penalty payments are rolling toward Bayer, said Markus Mayer, an analyst with Baader Bank. This sentiment is right now what you see in the share price, he said. Bayer said it believes US courts ultimately will find that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, wasnt responsible for the cancer of the California school groundsman who was the plaintiff in last weeks case. Its planning an appeal. Monsanto has insisted for decades that glyphosate is safe. Bayer said it previously had been barred from steering Monsantos legal strategy. That will now change as the stakes mount in the battle over Roundup. Even if a judge overturns or reduces the award, the trial will probably be the first of many: More than 5,000 US residents have joined similar suits. Bloomberg With Irish people moving towards cleaner lifestyles and embracing the health and wellness trend, Ireland is set to see its first ever national yoga festival this autumn. NOURISH #YogaFSTVL is a week-long festival dedicated solely to health, wellness and mindfulness. The new festival is taking place across the country from September 17-23. Ernest Cantillon, FSTVLR CEO, owner of Cork hotspots Electric and Sober Lane said: There has been a huge movement towards a cleaner and more mindful way of life in recent years, and NOURISH #YogaFSTVL is the perfect opportunity for businesses across the country to engage with this trend. Businesses can take part in any way they choose. we cant wait to see the unique ways they will all be celebrating the yogic way of life! Participation is 95 per venue and each venue will receive an opportunity for their business yoga event or wellness special to be featured on the FSTVLR website, participation in a strong promotional campaign and much more. To register your business for NOURISH #YogaFSTVL or for more information go to FRTVLRs website. Fourteen Labour councillors have tonight sought an "urgent meeting" with leader Brendan Howlin to discuss his future. The unhappy councillors have sent the letter by email to Mr Howlin to seek his departure from office. Speaking to the Irish Examiner yesterday, Mr Howlin declined to accept the request for an early meeting, saying he has fixed a meeting for all party members on September 16. The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, said: "We, Labour Party Councillors from around the country, seek an urgent private meeting with you to discuss the following: Party leadership and the need for change. The future direction of the Labour Party in terms of ideology, policy and practice. Our desire for an urgent meeting stems from the current failure of the Party to be heard in any significant way by the public, the lack of knowledge by the public about what we stand for, our frequently disengaged membership and the failure to make progress in opinion polls." The letter was signed by Cllr. Mick Duff, Cllr Martina Genockey, Cllr. Pamela Kearns, Cllr Breeda Bonner, Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Cllr Noel Touhy, Cllr Alison Gilliland, Cllr. Martin Farren, Cllr Billy Cameron, Cllr Mary McCamley, Cllr. Michael Dollard, Cllr. William Patton, Cllr. Kevin Byrne and Cllr. Terry OBrien. Mr Howlin said he has invited all party members to a meeting in Drogheda on September 16 and that it would be unreasonable to bring forward any meeting. "This, bluntly, is a distraction we could do without, he said. The bottom line [is] we are in the middle of holidays. Members of staff are away on holidays. We fixed the date before the summer so people could make arrangements to be available, he said. There have been calls for the President to release his medical records to the public. Michael D Higgins would be 84 years of age at the end of his second term in office should he win the upcoming election. A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and serious sexual assault after a "horrific" attack left a woman in a life-threatening condition. The victim, who is in her 50s, was discovered near a children's play park off Cedar Road, Leicester, at 4.45am on August 3. In the early hours of Friday morning, Leicestershire Police said the 24-year-old suspect, of no fixed address, was located in Stoke-on-Trent and subsequently arrested. Crime scene investigators conducted a detailed examination of the scene, which had been cordoned off, and CCTV footage was viewed as part of the inquiry. The force said police inquiries are continuing and the victim remains in a stable condition in hospital. Speaking on Thursday before the arrest, Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime, said: "Our thorough and detailed investigation into what happened during the early hours of August 3 is continuing and there are still a number of lines of inquiry that we are following. "Today, officers have been deployed to the area around the park to ensure that no stone remains unturned in our investigation. "This has included searching drains in Cedar Road and the surrounding area to see whether anything can be recovered that will help us in catching the person responsible for this brutal attack." He added: "We owe it to both the victim and the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to find the person responsible for this horrendous crime." Detectives examined drains while plants were stripped back to allow officers to complete a comprehensive search of the area on Thursday. Hundreds of leaflets were also handed out in and around Cedar Road calling for the public to help with an investigation into the assault. - PA Regulatory capture is a key concern for the corporate regulator as it embarks on its project to embed staff from the regulator inside major financial institutions, a parliamentary inquiry has heard. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission divulged more details on how it plans to monitor the big banks in the wake of it being granted an additional $70 million of funding by the government to further its supervisory capabilities. Part of that funding is expected to be used by ASIC to embed staff inside the big four banks and AMP. James Shipton from ASIC in Melbourne. Credit:Fairfax Media ASIC chairman James Shipton told the joint parliamentary committee charged with the oversight of ASIC said the regulator would have a team of 25 staff members who would be embedded at various times within large financial institutions. Our staff will be coming and going. Their home base will be ASIC, Mr Shipton said. The superannuation regulator disagreed with financial services giant IOOFs view that it had passed the pub test when it compensated customers with their own money but decided not to take legal action over that and other issues, the royal commission has heard. Revelations about the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's (APRA) inaction came as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) told a parliamentary committee it had been reviewing IOOF for three years but had also decided not to go down the legal route. IOOF chief executive Christopher Kelaher is seen leaving the banking royal commission. Credit:AAP In its final day of hearings relating to the nations superannuation sector, the royal commission heard that APRA had repeatedly flagged concerns about the governance, culture and conflicts of interest management at IOOF, including over its handling of the payment error at its subsidiary, Questor. It followed a hearing last week during which IOOF chief executive Chris Kelaher was asked why in response to concerns from APRA IOOF had argued its actions had passed the pub test in serving members' best interests. Yet even at 48 she still faces the stigma attached to being single. "So many people see being single as not the norm," she says. "I still have people telling me I'll find someone, that I'd be a great girlfriend, a great wife, a great mother ... I don't know if I would be actually ... but that doesn't mean I'm any less great." Loading She says one of the biggest misconceptions of being single is that you must be lonely. "I would prefer to be single and have a great circle of friends than be in a relationship and be so lonely. I know people in relationships like that: they've grown apart because they've been together for 25, 30 years and they are lonely. But they stay together because society says that's what you should do." When you're a single woman of a certain age, are you destined to be remembered as that maiden aunt? Meg Gardiner She says another misconception is there must be something wrong. She knows there isn't and has few regrets. "There were some opportunities when I was younger that I didn't take because I thought I couldn't, and now I know I could have ... and yes, one of those probably was a relationship. "There were other opportunities, too, where I was overly influenced by other people. I should have given things a go. "I know now it's OK to fail but that might be an age and experience thing, but it's something some people never learn. "And I've learned, too, that being single is not failing. You're not failing society, you're not failing anyone, you're just being you." The statistics of singledom More than 2 million Australians live in lone-person households, according to the 2016 census, about 24 per cent of households. On top of that, 16 per cent were single-parent households, indicating that at least 40 per cent of households would have single residents. In 2016, 35,413 Canberrans lived in lone person households, 24.8 per cent of the total population, up from 27,812 in 2006. The Canberra suburbs with most lone-person households reflect those areas with the greatest density of apartments: Reid: (46.3 per cent), Phillip (45.5 per cent), Barton (43.7 per cent) and Braddon (42.8 per cent). At the other end of the spectrum, Amaroo (13.5 per cent), Nicholls (13.1 per cent) and O'Malley (13 per cent) have the lowest percentage of lone-person households. The Bureau of Statistics also projects that lone-person households will rise by up to 65 per cent by 2036. That's an estimated 4.3 million more such households. The Australian Institute of Family Studies predicts that, by 2026, single-person households will outnumber traditional nuclear families. Loading The figures piqued the interest of Clare Payne, the author of One: Valuing the Single Life, a former employment lawyer who is globally recognised for her work in ethics and social issues. Payne began questioning the status of single people when, during her 20s and 30s, she was a single woman working in global firms in Sydney, London and New York. "When I looked around senior management, I rarely saw a single person," she says. "In the conservative fields of law and banking, divorces were quickly met by remarriage. The more senior I got, the fewer single people I worked with, and the lack of understanding and judgments of others began to envelop my work life." When I looked around senior management, I rarely saw a single person. Clare Payne, author of One: Valuing the Single Life For many years, she pretended to have a "boyfriend", feeling as though her colleagues wouldn't think she was living "a proper adult life" if she was single. She could see the negative bias against single people in action, particularly single women. Clare Payne: 'The numbers tell us it's time single people are prioritised as well as families.' She began to consider the wider implications of single life and how they played out in our everyday life. "Our dialogue and narrative about life is so far out of step with the reality of how so many Australians and Australian families are living," she says. "Governments need to do more, politicians only ever speak to 'working families'." One: Valuing the Single Life. One is a brilliant investigation of the single life. From interesting facts and figures, to the stereotypes society places on single people, to ideas for changes to government policy to better reflect the society in which we actually live. "Given the sheer number of single people out there, and projections that there will only be more in the future, it's time the policy positioning of government, the approach of business and the focus of academia properly considered the single person," Payne says. From changes in the workplace, to rethinking how our neighbourhoods are shaped, and concessions for single people, Payne believes more needs to be done to shape an inclusive society that embraces everyone. "Some may claim there's no need for single people to be accommodated in workplace or government policy," she says. "They may claim the status of being single is one that is chosen, and any negative repercussions are simply people getting their just desserts. "The reality is many people don't choose their single status; instead, it's marriage and children that are chosen. "The numbers tell us it's time single people are prioritised as well as families." Payne says the issue can divide people. "It can be a prickly issue for some people because it ties into the whole concept of what people think life is about," she says. "Governments have this narrative, this belief system, that society is about having families and having two parents ... the same-sex marriage debate touched on the same concept in a way. The numbers tell us it's time single people are prioritised as well as families. Clare Payne "It's about challenging those big underpinning philosophies we have about what makes a good life." Few of us choose to live alone If Payne's book makes you think about the bigger picture, then Jane Mathews' The Art of Living Alone and Loving It will bring the minutia into focus. "I didn't choose to live alone. Few of us do," she says. "I fell into it post divorce not with an elegant swan dive but with a graceless belly flop. Like a dodgy blind date, I can't say living alone and I hit it off straight away." Jane Mathews: 'When you're by yourself, there is no witness to your life but you have to be that yourself.' She hadn't lived alone since her 20s. All of a sudden, at 57, there were all sorts of little problems. Dresses with buttons up the back, jar lids, having no one else to clean up the dog vomit, coming home to a dark house. While Mathews never diminishes the bigger issues, her book is divided into chapters that address such things as finances, health, home, relationships, spirituality, mental strength, she does offer a more practical guide to what she calls "living with yourself" rather than "living by yourself". "When you're by yourself there is no witness to your life but you have to be that yourself," she says. The Art of Living Alone and Loving It. "There is a mental shift that you have to make and you have to be incredibly strong. The shift is about accepting it, you didn't get second place, the runner-up prize, you live alone and that's the way it is. "It's about how do you make the most of it, live the way you want to live it, each of us is responsible for our own happiness, it's not someone else's responsibility. "You do have to be incredibly strong, we are incredibly strong and courageous and there's no acknowledgement of that. "Living by yourself is not easy. It can be fantastic and there can be huge rewards but there are really bad bits." I'm the first single person to interview her about the book. We share stories, and recipes, and laugh over shared experiences, good and bad. We make plans to catch up when she's in Canberra for the Canberra Writers' Festival. It reminds us both that single people are rarely alone. One: Valuing the Single Life, by Clare Payne. MUP, $19.99. The Art of Living Alone and Loving It, by Jane Mathews. Murdoch Books, $29.99. Model Citizens. Circus Oz. Concept and direction by Rob Tannion. Musical direction by Ania Reynolds. Designed by Michael Baxter. Canberra Theatre. Canberra Theatre Centre. Until August 18. Bookings canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 62752700. An aerial act in Circus Oz's Model Citizens. Credit:Rob Blackburn In his first show with Circus Oz, recently appointed Artistic Director Rob Tannion has brushed his company in a fresh new gloss. The familiar larrikinism of the youthful ensemble is still there. So is the raw energy, the risk taking and the daring, challenging feats of strength and skill. In Model Citizens however, Tannion takes the company to new heights of dizzying displays of acrobatics and agility. The usual opening night announcements to turn off mobile phones, desist from photography and acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the original custodians of the land are followed by a stream of rules and regulations. A call to conformity, the requisite of all model citizens in suburbia, is evident in Laurel Franks uniform costuming of the characters at the start of the show. Lachlan Sukroo (upside down) and other cast members of Model Citizens by Circus Oz. Credit:Rob Blackburn Suddenly Captain Ruin (aka Mitch Jones) appears, sporting a hot pink Mohawk, tattooed and wearing vivid lycra. Forced to adopt the name of Michael, his identity is set to be taken away by the ensemble who hurl him into a larger than life environment of giant pegs, enormous scissors, a huge bobby pin and mammoth underpants. The individual is dwarfed by the paraphernalia of a society, which as Freyja Edney sings is courteous, understanding and tolerant of diversity but not in my backyard." Paradoxically, the circus with all its rules is where the artist can be free, unencumbered by conventional expectation or imposed conformity. In Model Citizens the symbols of suburbia provide the inspiration to debunk the myths surrounding modern society and delight and thrill the audience. A balancing act with Lachlan Sukroo as the base in Model Citizens by Circus Oz. Credit:Rob Blackburn A pole-balancing routine on the huge bobby pin amazes. Giant pegs become springboards to acrobatic dexterity. Consumerism is lampooned in a knife throwing routine into a large fridge and Mitch Jones stands aloof on a tower deck of bankcards. Dressed as sheep in underwear, the company gambol across the auditorium, herded by the trusty sheepdog, and on stage, drummer Jeremy Hopkins sings Once a jolly Snagman to the tune of Waltzing Matilda as he worships his Weber barbecue. In a large martini glass, one of the performers twirls parasols with the feet as Hopkins sings a song of freedom. Every routine becomes an act of freedom, a defiant confrontation with conformity. Fire-eating, juggling, acrobatics, hula hooping, human pyramids, balancing, and the clowning antics of sheep performing the cygnets' dance from Swan Lake culminate in a rope ladder/ monkey bar finale, accompanied by the haunting sound of a Middle Eastern strain. Could it be the final casting-off of an old Australia for a new multiculturalism? Benjamin John Wickes was in a cocaine-induced psychotic episode when he broke into a family home and held a woman and her six-year-old daughter hostage with a kitchen knife, a court heard Friday. Wickes, who told the court he "must've used a bit too much [cocaine] too quick" after dinner that night, smashed multiple glass window panes and bled all over the Griffith home before grabbing the girl. He also forced the wife to sit on his lap while he held a knife to her chest. It was about 2am when the family was woken by Wickes' yelling and breaking glass. Court documents say he barged into the home and was frantically running around the house, screaming that someone was after him. ACT Policing is investigating reports two children were approached at a Belconnen primary school on Friday. Police responded at about 11am after they were told a man approached two pupils near the school boundary fence. The alleged offender is described as having a dark complexion and a black beard. He was wearing a black unzipped hooded jumper, a black shirt with writing on the front, dark tracksuit pants, a black beanie and a square, silver and gold watch. Police are seeking witnesses and any dashcam or CCTV footage from the area at the time of the incident, at about 10.30am. ACT Policing is particularly interested in speaking to three walkers who may have been in the area at the time. A Sydney helicopter company is mourning the loss of their close friend and colleague, who was killed in a tragic accident while helping to fight bushfires on the NSW south coast. Allan Tull, whose helicopter crashed near Ulladulla on Friday afternoon, "was regarded as one of the most experienced fire bombing pilots in the industry," according to Sydney Helicopters chief pilot Mark Harrold. Allan Tull was killed while assisting with the bushfire effort in Ulladulla. "Tully had a wealth of aerial firefighting experience and his aviation knowledge and skills were of the highest standard," Mr Harrold said in a statement on Friday evening. "The aviation firefighting industry is very close and this tragic loss will be felt by all involved along with the broader firefighting community and those he worked alongside in other parts of the world." Brisbane city residents pay an average of $174 in out of pocket expenses toward non-hospital Medicare services, such as doctor visits and medical imaging. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released new data showing half of Australians paid contributions toward non-hospital Medicare services. Out-of-pocket expenses for Brisbane residents could be more than $100, while remote and rural patients might pay less. Credit:File Sixty-six per cent of Australians have all of their medical costs bulk billed by their GP, with a total of 86 per cent of GP services bulk billed. The AIHW data showed that across 2015-2016, nearly 3000 hospitalisations per 100,000 people across Brisbanes north and south regions were potentially preventable. A police officer in an isolated Queensland region who crashed on her way to a Pink concert was pulled from the horrific wreckage by humble grey nomads and comforted for hours by a mystery truck driver who never gave his name. Doomadgee-based police officer Stephanie Tyler sustained severe injuries in a car crash on the isolated Wills Developmental Road halfway between Doomadgee and Mount Isa last week. Robert and Amanda Boswell travelled to officer Stephanie Tyler's side at Townsville Hospital to see how she was healing. Credit:Fairfax Media The vehicle rolled about seven times landing in grass which caught fire. Townsville Police shift supervisor Betty Hamoud said Ms Tyler, who has worked at Doomadgee for nearly three years, was heading out on holidays, driving in her own vehicle to Mount Isa. The husband of Dreamworld victim Cindy Low has told ABCs 7.30 that inquest revelations into the 2016 Thunder River Rapids Ride tragedy implied things hadnt changed in terms of safety at the theme park. Sydneysiders Matthew Low, Cindy and their two children were on holiday at the Gold Coast theme park on October 25 that year, when Cindy and one of their children stepped onto a raft at the Thunder River Rapids Ride. A critical accident minutes later killed Ms Low and three others - Canberra resident Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi. Two children on board the raft survived. Ipswich is ready for change. The president of the city's chamber of commerce, Phillip Bell, said the events of the past 12 months, which have seen 15 people linked to Ipswich City Council face 85 criminal charges, had been disturbing. Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe (inset) will introduce legislation to sack the Ipswich City Council on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Mr Bell said businesses now looked forward to meeting Ipswich City Councils administrator once he or she is appointed. We are very keen to see what their civil and municipal way forward is, but this is a business community that will march on and succeed in any case. The quaint country town of Castlemaine is great place to visit if you want to steep your senses in the historical and cultural ambience of the Victorian gold rush era. And its also a great place to visit if you want to spend a whole weekend arguing with locals about the correct way to pronounce Castlemaine. I did a bit of both. It was good fun. I highly recommend it. Castlemaine Post Office. As soon as I arrived, I plunged into a Castlemaine Pronunciation Argument, just to ease myself into the place. I asked a local guy for directions to my accommodation and he pointed down the street and said, Its that way, mate. Just head north through Castlemaine, but he said CASSEL-maine with a hard A - he sounded weird, like a drunk American chewing on a Mintie. I said, Uhhh, I believe its pronounced CAHH-stlemaine. With a soft A. Thats how us Aussies say it, even though I was born in Canada and have a grating Canadian accent. He said, No no, its definitely CASSEL-maine. I should know, Ive lived here all my life, and I said, No, surely its CAHH-stlemaine, I think youve got it wrong, even though Id never been there before and had only arrived six minutes ago. This went back and forth a bit, CASSEL-maine, CAHH-stlemaine, until he eventually lost it and said, Look mate, its CASSEL-maine, okay? CASSEL. Rhymes with hassle, facile and the way Americans say asshole! Then he walked off. Bad loser. A bit of a Castlemaniac. With a soft A. My accommodation was a lovely little guesthouse called The NewNorthern, and after Id settled in, I got about exploring the historical and cultural ambience of the Victorian gold rush era - but first, another quick Castlemaine Pronunciation Argument (once you start, its impossible to stop). An inquest into the suicide of a WA Police officer on Thursday revealed the agency is considering changes to encourage more officers to seek help, and increase the numbers of police available to support each other through times of stress. Health and safety bosses are reviewing terminology surrounding "critical incidents" and boosting the number of officers attached to an internal "peer support program." Scott Blanchard in the blue top with his three kids and wife Justine. Credit:Justine Blanchard The changes were revealed on the second and final day of a WA Coroner's Court inquest surrounding the death of an officer who took his own life while on duty in 2015. Scott Blanchard, a detective sergeant with the Gang Crime Squad, died while travelling in a convoy en route to Kalgoorlie on July 24, 2015. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Brooklyn-born Petty Officer 2nd Class Dramatic Allen is serving our country in the Navy, living on the coast of Spain, and participating in a critical ballistic-missile-defense mission for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross. Seaman Allen is a culinary specialist aboard one of the four advanced warships forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, a small village on the countrys southwest coast 65 miles south of the city of Seville. A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for food stores inventory, ordering ingredients, and preparing three meals a day for the entire crew of the ship. Allen credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Brooklyn. Growing up in Brooklyn, I learned how to adapt to my environment no matter the situation and to treat people with respect, he said. The four destroyers are forward-deployed in Rota to fulfill the United Statess phased commitment to Nato ballistic-missile defense, while also carrying out a wide range of missions to support the security of Europe. According to the Nato website, many countries have, or are trying to develop, ballistic missiles. The ability to acquire these capabilities does not necessarily mean there is an immediate intent to attack Nato, but that the alliance has a responsibility to take any possible threat into account as part of its core task of collective defense. U.S. Navy Aegis ballistic-missile defense provides scalability, flexibility, and mobility. These systems are equally beneficial to U.S. assets, allies and regional partners in all areas of the world. Positioning four ballistic-missile defense ships in Spain provides an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces, friends, and allies, while contributing to a broader defense of the United States. Guided-missile destroyers are 510-feet long warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ships are armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced gun systems, close-in gun systems, and long-range missiles to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise, and tactical ballistic missiles. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier-strike groups, surface-action groups, or amphibious-readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the necessity for everything the Navy does. The Navy cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired. The ship is named after Capt. Donald Kirby Ross, who was presented a Medal of Honor by Adm. Chester Nimitz for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Im proud to lead such a dedicated, experienced, resilient and mission-oriented crew, said Cmdr. Bryan S. Gallo, commanding officer of USS Ross. Team Ross always meets the mission while taking care of each other and having a fun time doing it. Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Allen, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Allen is honored to carry on that family tradition. My sister is also serving in the Navy as a hospital corpsman, said Allen. She told me it would be a great opportunity to leave home and step out of my comfort zone. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC State Sen. Martin Dilan doubled down on his verbal assault on the Florida immigrant to Brooklyn who is challenging him for his seat in Albany on the latest edition of Brooklyn Paper Radio. Joined by hosts Vince DiMiceli and Anthony Rotunno, Dilan, who has been in office since 2003, said despite the fact a judge had thrown out his case to get Democratic Socialist Julia Salazar off the ballot, he would continue the fight remove her because shes just not from here. We feel that she is a resident of Florida, and we are taking it to the Court of Appeals because we felt the judge who handled the case in the lower court did not look at the law, Dilan said, claiming Salazars voting record and drivers license proved she was, as far as the law is concerned, a Floridian. DiMiceli wasnt buying it, claiming Dilan was trying to get Salazar off the ballot on a technicality, but Dilan said the law is the law. If she wants to be a state senator, she should follow the law, he said. On top of that, Dilan claimed that Salazar had only become a Democrat recently, just to take him on. For you to come and run for state Senate when you have been registered as a Republican from 2009 to July 2017. he said. You go from true red to extreme left. Thats a problem. Salazar, who appeared on Brooklyn Paper Radio in July, is hoping to ride the wave started by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic Socialist who came out of nowhere to defeat time Queens Rep. Joe Crowley and knock of Dilan. She is also being backed by gubernatorial candidate and former Sex in the City star Cynthia Nixon. During his time on the show, Dilan also made the case for him being re-elected during the Sept. 13 primary which, for some reason, is on a Thursday instead of the normal Tuesday. Whos idea was that? DiMiceli wondered. Dilan then pointed out Tuesday is Sept. 11. Okay, that make sense, DiMiceli said. Listen now to hear it all. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC They dont want chips off these old blocks! Some preservationists are crying foul over a city scheme to remove and reshape historic Belgian blocks from Dumbo and Vinegar Hill streets as part of a plan to make changes to a plaza that they said neighbors dont even want and never signed off on in the first place. There are changes that have not been agreed to, said Aldona Vaiciunas, who heads the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association civic group. Replacement of those would be destructive and irresponsible its really pissing me off. Department of Transportation workers will remove the ancient stones from swathes of Gold, Main, Adams, Jay, Plymouth, Water, Front, and Pearl streets, as well as Anchorage Place, to inspect, clean, and smooth them in the citys ongoing, $105-million effort to make the roads handicapped-accessible, according to a presentation the agency shared with the Brooklyn Paper, which also showed officials will demap Anchorage Place between Plymouth and Front streets to execute a years-in-the-making project to expand the triangular Pearl Street Plaza bounded by those streets. New and improved: The city plans to revamp the Pearl Street Plaza, but some locals are not happy. Department of Transportation But the agency whose plan to spruce up the plaza and streets within the Dumbo and Vinegar Hill Historic Districts already received the Landmarks Preservation Commissions approval failed to share the latest iteration of the scheme, including its work on the Belgian blocks, with locals before pressing forward, Vaiciunas claimed. Why are they sharing this with the press before sitting down and talking with us? she said. And improving Pearl Street Plazas painted asphalt with new tables, chairs, umbrellas, bleachers, and lights that illuminate the archways beneath the Manhattan Bridge will be a waste if it means chipping away at the Belgian blocks that comprise its surrounding streets, according to another local leader. We want it to be historic, not some crappy plaza, said Doreen Gallo, who heads the Dumbo Neighborhood Alliance civic group. It just feels like it can be reevaluated. Its a landmarked, important part of our history, and they should get it right. Old meets new: A rendering of what the handicapped-accessible cobblestones will look like, next to the rails and original Belgian Blocks. Department of Transportation The work continues a project the city began years ago, during which Belgian blocks on Washington Street and parts of Water Street have already been removed, reshaped, and reinstalled. The latest phase is expected to kick off next spring and wrap by 2024, according to a Transportation Department rep, who said that agency kicked in $45 million for the scheme, and the Department of Environmental Protection foot the bill for the rest. Last year, false reports led residents to fear the city would permanently rip out the 18th-century blocks in its effort to improve accessibility on Dumbo and Vinegar Hill streets. But officials quickly put the kibosh on the rumors, explaining they would instead excavate, clean, and smooth out all stones that can be salvaged, and replace any that cant with new ones a procedure the Transportation Department rep reconfirmed ahead of next years street work. Still, even rehabilitating the Belgian blocks will chip away at the character they bring to neighborhood streets, according to Vaiciunas, who worried that the reshaped stones may prevent grass from peeking through the cracks between them on roads including Water and Plymouth streets during the warmer months a quirk residents have grown to love, she said. New streets: The city plans to reconstruct old streets throughout Dumbo and Vinegar Hill, replacing breaking Begian blocks with ones that are handicapped accessible. Department of Transportation We all like that they give character to the neighborhood, Vaiciunas said. Others, however, applauded the plan to make what they said are much-needed changes to the neighborhoods, where crumbling streets are a daily nuisance to locals and visitors alike. The streets of Dumbo and Vinegar Hill are completely broken, they are dangerous to drive on with huge holes and uneven cobblestones, said Alexandria Sica, who runs the commerce-boosting Dumbo Business Improvement District. This is a very critical infrastructure project. Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 2604577 or by e-mail at jcuba @cngl ocal.com . Follow her on Twitter @julcuba. Prime Minister promised the moon to the people during his speech on Wednesday. Well, almost: what he said was that India would put an This announcement was greeted with general acclaim by the people and the press as an advancement of India's space programme. Later, in a press conference, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Chairman confessed that he and his colleagues were surprised by this deadline, but claimed that it was possible to meet it. The project will cost a total of Rs 100 billion, more than Isro's current operational budget. While the plan to promote science and technology is unexceptionable, one wonders what purpose it will finally serve. No matter what else they may claim to have achieved, Modi and his party cannot promote themselves as great advocates of science or scientific thought. In 2014, a few months after coming to power, Modi gave the example of elephant-headed Hindu god, Ganesh, to argue that there was plastic surgery in ancient India. The Guardian report quoted him: "We worship Lord Ganesha. There must have been some plastic surgeon at that time who got an elephant's head on the body of a human being and began the practice of plastic surgery." He is not alone in making such claims. His Minister for Higher Education Satyapal Singh, who has a degree in chemistry from Delhi University, claimed earlier this year, "I have a list of around 10 to 15 great scientists of the world who have said there is no evidence to prove that the theory of evolution is correct." Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb, who has earned some fame for making faux pas, declared in April this year that existed during the age of Mahabharata. The Economic Times quoted him: "In Mahabharata, Sanjay was blind but he narrated what was happening in the battlefield to Dhritarashtra anyway. This was due to and technology. Satellite also existed during that period." While thinking of what to write for the column this week, I watched one of my favourite horror films, The Shining (1980). Now, this film, directed by Stanley Kubrick and adapted from Stephen King's eponymous novel, has spun numerous conspiracy theories, none of which are more entertaining than the one which links it to the Apollo 11 moon landing. The conspiracy theory claims that Kubrick had been hired by to film the footage, starring and Buzz Aldrin, which was used to prove the moon landing. In other words, there was no moon landing in 1969; it was a hoax the US pulled off at the height of the Cold War and their one-upmanship with the USSR in the space race. Later, Kubrick made The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, as a confession about the alleged faked moon landing, according to these conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theorists claim to see a number of signs that betray Kubrick's confession. For instance, the haunted room in the Overlook hotel: In King's novel, the number of the room is 217, but in Kubrick's movie, it is changed to 237. Why? Apparently, because the distance between the earth and the moon is 237,000 miles (Actually, it is 238,857 miles, but that's close enough, right?). Kubrick has a more pragmatic reason. Asked by film critic Michel Ciment why he changed the number of the room, the director said Timberline Lodge, where the exterior of the film was shot, had a room 217, and the proprietors feared that guests might not want to stay in it after watching the film. But, that's not all. The son of Nicholson's character (Jack Torrance), Danny, roams around the maze-like corridors of the Overlook hotel, where Torrance is a winter caretaker, on his bike wearing a sweater with an Apollo 11 pattern sewn on it. There is still more: King's novel has only one girl who was hacked to death, but in The Shining, Danny sees twin sisters. Those with a fertile imagination claim it is a nod of the hat to NASA's earlier space programme Gemini (twins, get it?). Kubrick has, of course, never accepted such claims, and there is some speculation that his extraordinary 1968 epic, 2001: A Space Odyssey, had sparked such outrageous theories. Of course, The Shining and the conspiracy theories surrounding it have nothing to do with India's space programme. Space, of course, has a lot to offer to India, especially in the field of communication and defence, but sending a man to a low-Earth orbit is hardly what the doctor would recommend. In the end, it might prove to be only a hell of an expensive ego massage for the nation. When former US president John F Kennedy made his famous "We choose to go to the moon" speech, he faced a plethora of earthly problems an escalating Cold War, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the Soviets being way ahead in their space programmes. For Modi, the project of putting a man in space serves as a nice symbol of the country's scientific progress, especially a few months before he faces elections. One wonders if the government or have thought what will happen after that a concrete plan is still to be made public. Beleaguered carrier is in advanced stage of discussions with TruJet to sublease up to seven of its ATR planes to the regional carrier as it seeks to reduce costs and mop up additional revenues amid cash drought, according to an industry source. These planes are likely to be subleased with its complete crew, maintenance and insurance. The Naresh Goyal-promoted full service carrier currently has 15 ATRs in its fleet. TruJet, which started operations in July 2015 has an all ATR fleet. The deal may be stitched by this month, the source privy to the development said. The Mumbai-based carrier had attempted to phase out these regional jets in the past as well. "Both and TruJet are in the advanced stage of negotiations on the ATR deal. As per the on-going discussions, TruJet will initially lease seven ATRs from Jet Airways," the source told PTI. While TruJet confirmed its discussions with Jet Airways, the latter said that "it continues to evaluate all possible alternatives". Partially-owned by Gulf carrier Etihad, has been flying into turbulence since the beginning of this year, having reported a massive loss of over Rs 10 billion in March quarter. The source said that the sublease period was likely to be for five years, and under a wet lease arrangement, adding, "If the deal gets through, TruJet could opt for more such planes from the airline." A wet lease is an arrangement under which one airline provides an aircraft, its complete crew, maintenance and insurance to another airline. "We are working options to induct up to seven aircraft for short period from Jet Airways," a TruJet spokesperson said in a statement to PTI. The Hyderabad based airline had last month said it plans to acquire five to seven ATRs and expand the network to 20 more routes by the end of FY19. The carrier currently has five ATR-72s and connects 14 destinations including some under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme, Udan. "Jet Airways continues to evaluate all possible alternatives to ensure optimum utilisation of its fleet," a Jet Airways spokesperson told PTI. "Owing to our quiet period, we're unable to respond to further specific queries," the spokesperson added. The airline management, which had previously deferred its quarterly results stating it needed more time to finalise accounts, today informed exchanges that its board will meet on August 27 to consider June quarter earnings. 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. 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Digital Editor Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers clicked their heels and a sombre silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to the flames on Friday evening, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness. Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" reverberated. India's top leadership, foreign dignitaries and the common man mourned Vajpayee's death and bid an emotional farewell to the former prime minister who was one of the most-loved leaders in decades and had acceptability across a diverse ideological spectrum. Chief ministers, opposition leaders, chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, governors and a host of other dignitaries attended the funeral of Vajpayee at Rastriya Smriti Sthal, a picturesque cremation site at the heart of the capital. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP president Amit Shah, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, veteran politician L K Advani, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba laid wreaths. Other attendees of the funeral included Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union ministers Harsh Vardhan, Ram Vilas Paswan, Shripad Naik and Piyush Goval. Chief ministers, including Yogi Adityanath, Nitish Kumar, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Vijay Rupani also attended the funeral. Foreign dignitaries such as Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Afghan politician Hamid Karzai and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali also paid last respects to the leader. Other political leaders at the funeral were Congress president Rahul Gandhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and Congress leader Raj Babbar. The country bid farewell to its political icon amid a light drizzle. Scores of people gathered at Smriti Sthal to pay their respects to the tall leader, who was cremated with full state honours. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after a prolonged illness. Amid sultry weather conditions, thousands of people walked along the over seven km-long route with some showering petals at the carriage. Heavy security was deployed along the route of the procession. During the procession, people chanted slogans like "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from the BJP headquarters to the cremation ground. Last night, Vajpayee's body was taken to his official residence on Krishna Menon Marg from AIIMS where he was admitted in June. The has asked domestic airlines to keep a check on airfares for flights operating to and from Kerala. The advisory comes as the state suffers from one of the worst bouts of floods in the recent past. "We have advised airlines to be more sensitive to situation arising out of #KeralaFlooding & keep airfares in check. It's a humanitarian cause. Thx to all for agreeing with my suggestions to carry free of charge the #KeralaFloodRelief related material. All efforts ongoing for relief," Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil tweeted. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airfare on 18 domestic routes are being monitored. "Spike in airfare on few routes have been observed. Concerned airlines have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights," the Ministry said in a statement on late Thursday. ALSO READ: Kerala floods: 30 lives lost today, toll hits 97; NDRF teams rush to state Echoing the general mood, Minister of Statistics & Programme Implementation DV Sadananda Gowda tweeted: "Private Airlines are at a money making Shame!! Today Mangalore to Bengaluru ticket rate sky-rocketed to Rs 18,000. This route's average rate is never more than Rs 4,000. It's time to introduce more flights @jayantsinha." ALSO READ: Kerala floods: Jio, BSNL, Airtel to give free services to state's customers The monsoon fury has hit different parts of Western Ghats including districts of Kerala and adjoining areas in The grime situation has left the state with only two operational civil airports at Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut, as operations at the Cochin airport have been suspended till August 26, 2018 on account of rising water levels in the operational area. A four-member delegation from will be attending the last rites of former Indian Prime Minister on Friday, the media reported. Caretaker Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal and other senior officials from the Law Ministry will represent at Vajpayee's funeral, Geo News reported citing sources. The delegation will return the same day after attending the funeral, it said. Vajpayee, 93, had battled poor health for years, and died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. His last rites will be performed at 4 pm at Smriti Sthal. Leaders from a number of countries including the US and Russia have expressed grief over the death of former prime minister and recalled his contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and maintaining regional peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the demise of Vajpayee. Putin termed the former prime minister as "outstanding statesman". " rightly commanded great respect around the world. He will be remembered as a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries. "The President of Russia conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the family of the deceased, the Government and the people of India," the message reads. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He recalled Vajpayee's address to the Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterised US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". "Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation," Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing". Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli took to Twitter to express his grief and said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace!" In his message to Modi, Oli said: "Late Vajpayee was a visionary statesman with impeccable integrity and dedication. He will be remembered for his sagacity and exemplary selfless service to the people of India. "In his demise, India and the world lost a towering political figure and Nepal a true friend and well-wisher. His contribution to strengthening Nepal-India relations will be remembered forever". May the departed soul rest in eternal peace! Oli said. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have condoled the death of Vajpayee and said he played a vital role in ensuring stability of the island nation. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed "deep shock" at Vajpayee's death and said he was "our great friend and highly respected" in the country. Pakistan government and top leaders including Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan and PML-N chief Shahbaz Sharif have paid respects to Vajpayee and said he contributed to bringing "a change" in bilateral ties and remained a key supporter of regional cooperation for development. "Mr Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development," the Foreign Office said in a statement. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a message of sympathy and condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind following the demise of Vajpayee. "It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who would not only be remembered for his distinguished service and leadership for his country but also as a scholar who has made immense contribution to literature and art. "We would fondly remember the Former Prime Minister Vajpayee for his contribution to human resource development in the Maldives, and for the memorable visit that he made to the Maldives during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India," he said in the message. "At this time of loss, the Government and the people of the Maldives joins me in extending our profound sympathy to Your Excellency, the government and the people of India," the message reads. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth conveyed his condolences in a letter addressed to Modi. "Shri Vajpayee shaped the destiny of India through his bold leadership and his deep rooted empathy for the common man...," the message reads. The Government of Mauritius has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on government buildings today as a mark of respect following the demise of Vajpayee. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director General Yuval Rotem said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of a giant - India's former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee". "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of India at their loss," he said in a tweet which also features a picture of Vajpayee shaking hands with former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Bhutan's former prime minister Tshering Tobgay said in a tweet: "Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee. The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman." Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93 in New Delhi. For people in the Bengal-Bangladesh belt, the subtle-flavoured, fine-boned ilishis akin to fish royalty. They often spend a small fortune on it in Kolkata recently a 3 kg specimen sold for over Rs 15,000. The most prized variety is available only in the monsoon. The illustrious hilsa its anglicised name originates in the coastal waters of Myanmar and travels all the way to the mouth of the Ganga in West Bengal and rivers like the Padma and Meghna in Bangladesh to lay eggs in fresh water during the monsoon. Once ready to brave the harsh saltwater of the Bay of ... Even as grapples with its worst floods in nearly a century, Finance Minister Thomas Issac on Thursday announced a hike in excise duty on liquor to raise additional funds for relief and rehabilitation of the affected. "Yes, there is a financial resource crunch. We shall overcome. As additional resource mobilisation to the Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Management Fund, the excise duty on liquor increased by 0.5 to 3.5 per cent for 100 days. Rs 2.30 bn expected as additional revenue," Issac tweeted. The death toll due to floods has risen to 114, with more than one lakh persons living in relief camps across the state. The government has estimated a loss of Rs 80 bn due to floods in the wake of heavy rains across the state. Kerala floods: With water starting to recede in some of the flooded parts of Kerala, restoration process has been expedited in the state. The Chief Minister Officer (CMO) in Kerala on Saturday tweeted that at least 1, 31, 683 houses wrecked in the floods have been cleaned, which is 31 per cent of the total flood-hit houses. It also added, "Electricity restored for 2.3 million connections of the 2.5 million disrupted. 14,314 transformers (out of 16158 affected) are now functioning." Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday gave details saying, ... 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 With Vajpayee, curtains for an era that was gentler, but more democratic Was he a private person? Yes, but you would have never known it, judging by the way he lived his life. Was he a public person? Not always: His political moves, especially against his adversaries, were so indirect and secret, and at the same time so brutal, that they rarely recovered. The 10th prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of Indias most beloved leaders and most brilliant orators, died on Thursday. And, with him ended an era of politics that had Hindu majority assertion as its ... Thousands of mourners jostled and some clambered on trees to capture the moment on their phones as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cortege left the BJP's headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for the last rites of the poet-politician. People from across the country gathered outside the BJP headquarters and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to the former prime minister, who wove together pragmatism and a vision for an inclusive India. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi Thursday evening after prolonged illness. The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP headquarters, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader before the state funeral at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna later in the day. Some clambered on a neem tree outside the BJP headquarters for a better look, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside. Two big LED screens were placed outside the office. Inside, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders. ALSO READ: Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains taken to BJP headquarters The air was solemn as Vajpayee's body, draped in the tricolour, was placed on a platform draped in white flowers. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee -- a BJP flag on either side -- in the backdrop. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali were among the foreign dignitaries who arrived here to pay their last respects to the former prime minister. Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Pakistan's acting information minister Syed Zafar Ali and a senior minister from Afghanistan are also expected to arrive later in the day, official sources said. Opposition leaders like CPI's D Raja and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury were among those who visited the BJP headquarters to pay their respects. ALSO READ: Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away at 93; India mourns its loss Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office. Mourners walked and ran beside the carriage, also chanting slogans like 'Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega", punctuated by patriotic cheers of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. ALSO READ: From Putin to Oli to Sheikh Hasina: Global leaders condole Vajpayee's death A decorated gun carriage carrying his mortal remains had left his home on Krishna Menon Marg around 10 am and reached the party's headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, about five kilometres away, around 11 am. In the crowd were Ganeshan, 38, and Chennaiah Nadesan, 45, who had flown in from Tamil Nadu. "This massive turnout of people who have come here to pay their respects to Atalji shows that he resided in the hearts of people. Not only has India has lost a leader, a son, the world has lost a statesman," BJP leader Anurag Thakur told reporters. The funeral procession will go through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti van before reaching Smriti Sthal, Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet. ALSO READ: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, more than a rare 'Ajatshatru' in Indian politics Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP's right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. ALSO READ: When gastronome Vajpayee relished South Indian cuisine from Sarvana Bhawan In view of the funeral procession, several roads in the capital have been closed for the public later in the day. Some roads closed from 8 am include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road,Akbar Road,Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road,Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road andSikandara Road. DDU Marg,IP Marg,BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate),JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg,Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent,Park Street,Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. recognised early on that the partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said while condoling the death of the former Prime Minister. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. AIIMS said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but it deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He said Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. "He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian," Pompeo said. The top US diplomat recalled Vajpayee's address to the United States Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterized ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". Vajpayee "recognized early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation," Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing". "Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers," Pompeo added. Vajpayee, a diabetic, had only one functional kidney. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia. ALSO READ: Vajpayee's death: People arrive in Delhi from across India to pay homage He joined the Rastriya Swamsevak Sangha (RSS) in 1947 and rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. A 10-time MP of the Lok Sabha, Vajpayee announced his retirement from politics in 2005. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha twice. Born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to a schoolteacher, Vajpayee did his M A in political science. Following a brief flirtation with communism, he became a full-time worker of RSS in 1947. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. Hundreds of people queued up outside the residence of former Prime Minister this morning to pay their last respects to the departed leader. Heavy security arrangements, including deployment of police, traffic and paramilitary personnel, were in place around the 6-A Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in the Lutyens Delhi. The mortal remains would later be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. The final journey to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal would begin around 1 pm on Friday. Vajpayee died at the AIIMS hospital on Thursday at the age of 93, following a prolonged illness. A 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, arrived here with a group of people from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The group covered a distance of around 500-km overnight in the hope to have one last glimpse of their beloved leader, Kumar said. "I had met Vajpayee ji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi en route to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of the Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along the Gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "I believe we have lost a great leader in him," he said. India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are sending their special representatives to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon. According to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its envoy to attend Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is likely to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister. Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would grace his presence at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the country's foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali would leave for New Delhi on Friday to attend late Vajpayee's last rites, representing the Government of Nepal. In a statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry also announced that AH Mahmood Ali would be visiting New Delhi to be present at Vajpayee's funeral, bdnews24.com reported. The 93-year-old veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with complications arising out of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition deteriorated. Vajpayee, who led the Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday. Hackers operating from an elite Chinese university probed American companies and government departments for espionage opportunities following a US trade delegation visit to China earlier this year, security researchers told Reuters. Cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said the group used computers at China's Tsinghua University to target US energy and communications companies, as well as the Alaskan state government, in the weeks before and after Alaska's trade mission to China. Led by Governor Bill Walker, representatives of companies and economic development agencies spent ... Danish shipping group says it swung to a profit in the second quarter but cautioned about uncertainty related to global trade amid US sanctions on major economies. Second-quarter revenue grew 24 per cent to $9.5 billion, leading to a $26-million profit, compared with a $264-million loss a year earlier. CEO Soeren Skou said on Friday the company delivered "strong growth," with the acquisition of German container shipping company Hamburg Sud "a positive contributor". Profits were helped by higher bunker prices. The Copenhagen-based group said full-year guidance "continues to be subject to uncertainties", including further restrictions on global trade. Maersk also decided to spin off its drilling unit, Maersk Drilling Holding A/S, and list it separately in Copenhagen. Shares in the parent company were up 4 per cent to 8,966 kroner. Elon Musks rocket company, SpaceX, could help fund a bid to take electric car company Tesla private, The New York Time reported on Thursday, quoting people familiar with the matter. Musk startled Wall Street last week when he said in a tweet he was considering taking the auto company private for $420 per share and that funding was secured. He has since said he is searching for funds for the effort. Musk said on Monday that the manager of Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund had voiced support for the company going private several times, ... Several Tesla Inc shareholders have told Reuters they are concerned that the electric car maker will have to pay more to fund its growth if it becomes a private company and loses the ability to sell new shares to stock market investors. The issue has come to the fore as a special Tesla board committee considers Chief Executive Elon Musk's idea of taking the loss-making company private in a deal that could be worth as much as $72 billion. Tesla, whose bonds are rated "junk" by credit rating agencies due to its $11 billion debt pile and its negative cash flow, has ... Pakistan's newly-elected National Assembly (NA), the lower house of the country's Parliament, will vote for the new Prime Minister of Pakistan on Friday. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President are in contention for the position. The two leaders filed their nomination papers for the post on Wednesday, Geo News reported. The PTI had emerged as the single largest party in the general elections on July 25 with 116 seats. The party has 158 members in the NA after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notifications of the successful candidates on the reserved seats for women and the minority community on August 11. Imran Khan-led party reached the current figure after nine independent candidates joined and secured 33 seats reserved for the minorities and women. For any candidate to become the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, a simple majority of votes from the total strength of the 330-member house is required. Currently, the PTI has the support of 175 lawmakers, which also includes the backing of smaller and regional political parties of Pakistan. These parties are expected to vote for Khan, thereby paving the way for him to become the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, the report said. Last week, the PTI had said that Khan would take oath as the new at the President House in Islamabad on August 18. The PML-N and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have 81 and 54 members respectively. However, Sharif's bid to become the next Pakistan's Prime Minister hit a roadblock after the PPP withdrew support saying that it would not vote for him in the elections. Also, it is to be seen whether other parties such as Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and Awami National Party (ANP) would vote for the PML-N president. However, the Jamaat-e-Islami, which is a part of the MMA said that it would not be participating in the voting. Meanwhile, PPP leader Khursheed Shah told media that the party had informed the PML-N of its reservations about Sharif being the prime ministerial candidate. He warned to the PML-N that if the latter did not change its premier's candidate, the PPP would decide a future course of action. As per sources, PPP chairman and his father and former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said that the party would neither extend support to Khan nor to Sharif in the election. The jury in the tax and fraud trial of Donald Trump's former campaign chief resumed their deliberations today, as the president weighed in on the closely watched case, calling it a "sad day for our country." The judge said he was optimistic that there could be a verdict "soon" as the jury began a second day of deliberations. Trump, meanwhile, said Manafort "happens to be a very good person" who worked for him "for a very short period of time." "I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort," the president told reporters. Manafort, 69, is accused of providing fraudulent statements to secure bank loans and failing to pay taxes on tens of millions of dollars he earned while advising Russian-backed politicians in Ukraine between 2006 and 2015. "You may deliberate as long or as little as you wish," Judge T.S. Ellis told the six-man, six-woman jury weighing the 18 charges against the once high-flying Republican political consultant. After the jury filed out of the courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, the judge addressed prosecutors, defense attorneys and the public. "I think we're optimistic that the case might end soon," Ellis said. The case stems from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Manafort is not charged with any crimes related to his brief time as Trump's campaign chief, but the trial is seen as an important test for the Mueller probe. Trump has repeatedly denounced the Mueller probe as a political "witch hunt" and denied there was any collusion with Moscow to help him defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. The case went to the jury this morning after 12 days of riveting testimony featuring hidden bank accounts, betrayal and lavish spending on homes, cars and clothes. Prosecutors outlined schemes allegedly used by Manafort to avoid paying US taxes on the millions of dollars he earned in Ukraine and deposited in bank accounts in Cyprus. Defence attorneys sought for their part to cast doubt on the credibility of the prosecution's star witness, Manafort's former trusted deputy, Rick Gates, who took a deal from the government and turned against his former boss. During his testimony, Gates, 46, acknowledged stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort and having an extramarital affair. While Gates and several others indicted by Mueller have pleaded guilty, Manafort refused to cut a deal and insisted on having his day in court. Manafort, who worked on the presidential campaigns of Republicans Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole, was Trump's campaign chairman from May to August 2016. He was forced to step down amid questions about his work for Ukraine's former pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych and legal experts say he may be holding out hopes of a pardon from Trump. Oil prices fell on Friday, with US crude heading for a seventh weekly decline amid increasing concerns about slowing global economic growth that could hit demand for petroleum products. Brent crude oil futures were down 5 cents at $71.38 a barrel by 0050 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 4 cents to $65.42 a barrel. Brent is heading for a 2 per cent decline this week, a third consecutive weekly drop. WTI is on track for the seventh week of losses, with a fall of more than 3 per cent. Data on Wednesday showing a large build in US inventories fostered ... Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani paid his final tribute to "closest friend for over 65 years" Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday at BJP headquarters at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached the BJP headquarters earlier this morning on a decorated gun carriage. Along the seven-kilometer stretch from Vajpayee's reisdence at Krishna Menon Marg to the BJP office, people in large number joined the procession to get a last glimpse of their leader. Expressing his grief over the incident, Advani yesterday shared, "To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact, he was my closest friend for over 65 years." Advani further said that the former Prime Minister guided him throughout his life adding, "Atalji will be remembered as the pioneer of the first ever stable non-Congress coalition government at the Centre and I had the privilege of working as his deputy for six years." Recollecting his old days as 'Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak', Advani said that his association with Vajpayee has seen days from the birth of BJP to 'dark months of Emergency' leading to ' the formation of Janata Party and later the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.' The senior BJP leader said, "His captivating leadership qualities, mesmerising oratory, soaring patriotism and above all, his sterling humane qualities like compassion, humility and his remarkable ability to win over adversaries despite ideological differences have all had a profound effect on me in all my years in public life. I will miss Atalji immensely. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his blog post, stating that he was leader for the ages. 'Gentle Giant' Vajpayee breathed his last at 5.05 pm here at All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday, following a prolonged illness. The post by Prime Minister Modi, titled 'A leader for the ages--ahead of his times', read, "In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind. For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself. Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarize the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question. Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary Karyakartain the Jana Sangh, he organized the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India - the BJP - and helmed its organization work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India. Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament. In his simplicity and integrity, in his dignity and empathy, and a sense of personal non-attachment to the office, he became an inspiration for a nation of youth. He rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process. He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. It's that vision that continues to drive our government's policy. It was Atal Ji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his Government ensured prosperity for several Indians. His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our country's economic as well as social empowerment. Atal Ji irreversibly changed India's place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to India's security. No longer would India's security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace. Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities. Indeed, it is the combination of his legacies of creating strategic capabilities, promoting stronger economic growth, undertaking multi-directional diplomacy and harnessing of diaspora energies that is today the basis for the respect we command across the world. He transformed five decades of estrangement with USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years. He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan. With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. AtalJi's conviction that these two ancient civilizations - which are rising powers - can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking. A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our Neighbourhood First policy. He was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladesh's liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India. Personally, AtalJi was an ideal, a Guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the Chief Minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the people's expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling. Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atal Ji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos. A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atal Ji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams." To mark the demise of the BJP veteran, the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, the district courts and the Registry will observe a half-day holiday today and will sit till 1:00 pm. The competent authority decided this to allow the officials and the staff to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The final journey of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has begun. Sea of people has swarmed the roads with teary-eyed men and women, young and old jostling to catch a last glimpse of their leader, who lies in state on a decorated gun carriage. Many are chanting slogans, thousands are sprinkling rose petals on their leader, who is no more. The cadaver was taken out from the newly built Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters, the walls of which saw Vajpayee for the first and the last time. The glass coffin, draped in India's flag, is passing through Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, the road named after the BJP's founder, whom Vajpayee revered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah are following their leader through the lanes and bylanes of Darya Ganj leading up to Rajghat, on which Vajpayee once moved with protocol every year, precisely around this time- while going to the Red Fort to address the nation on Independence Day, from 1998 to 2003. Today's journey, however, is different. People have queued up on both sides of the road with their warmth beating the humidity of 2:30 PM. The final rites will be held at 4:00 PM at Smriti Sthal, a large piece of land with manicured grass behind the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of India's 10th Prime Minister were brought from his residence at Krishna Menon Marg to the party office, where scores of people, leaders as well as common men, turned up to pay floral tributes. Several foreign dignitaries are scheduled to be present at the cremation. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrived in the morning to attend the funeral, followed by Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, on his arrival, told ANI, "We remember him (Vajpayee) for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War and strong support to the people of Bangladesh. He had a great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became the Foreign Minister." Sri Lanka's acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella also reached India. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is also expected to arrive in the capital to pay homage to the 'Gentle Giant' Vajpayee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) stars on Friday paid their tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who breathed his last on August 16. Actress Esha Gupta, while speaking to the media, expressed her grief on the demise of Vajpayee, who was her maternal grandfather's cousin. "My parents and my whole family was there at the prayer meet since last night. But I think it was my luck that I spent my whole life around him (Atal Bihari Vajpayee). He and my maternal grandfather studied law together at the University of Kanpur. I don't think there is any politician or minister like him. Nobody in the country talks against him" said the 'Commando 2' star. actor Anil Kapoor's son Harshvardhan Kapoor also mourned the loss of the veteran leader and said, "He was a great leader, and very sad to lose people of such inspiration." Earlier, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Priyanka Chopra, Madhur Bhandarkar, and paid their homage following the death of Vajpayee. The 93-year-old veteran breathed his last on Thursday at Delhi's All Institutes of Medical Science (AIIMS) following a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honour on Friday. Vajpayee, who led the government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the to become India's Prime Minister. (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.) Warning China against exploitation of Balochistan's mineral wealth and occupation of Baloch territory, Baloch pro-independence leader Allah Nazar Baloch asserted that the people of Balochistan would not tolerate their attempts to trample upon their human rights as "the Baloch are a freedom loving people. And, Balochistan is not Xinjiang or Tiananmen." In a letter addressed to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, Allah Nazar Baloch said the people of Balochistan have no reason to put up with Chinese oppression. "All Chinese are, therefore, legitimate targets, including tourists, fishermen, and labourers insofar they are an integral part of Chinese state's overseas outreach. We can assure that your Punjabi stooges will not be able to protect you from the wrath of the Baloch people." The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) commander began his letter with praise for Chinese resilience against Western dominance. "China emerged as one of the most outstanding examples of Asian resurgence after two centuries of Western dominance. But, unfortunately, China is misusing its newfound power and wants to colonize other countries. It is implementing self-serving infrastructure and mining projects in various countries at an enormous cost to indigenous people and environment." He emphasised that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is being built through Baloch territory without the consent of the Baloch. "This project fails three key tests. It does not enjoy the prior approval of the Baloch people. It is not based on a sound assessment of its impact on Balochistan's fragile ecosystems. It is not based on a sound assessment of the economic viability and environmental sustainability of projects from the Baloch perspective." The Baloch leader pointed out, "We understand that your country needs resources for your economy and access to and through the rest of the However, instead of directly approaching the people concerned you try to steal their land and resources. If you need Baloch resources and land you must engage the Baloch people directly rather than their current Punjabi colonizers. You can surely claim that a democratically elected government of Pakistan signed the agreement, but you know that the Pakistani government is controlled by your lapdogs in Rawalpindi. We see Chinese presence in our territory as the dual colonization of Balochistan." He warned that until China stopped Balochistan's unbridled exploitation, the Baloch people reserved the right to defend their land, resources, environment and heritage by all possible means and against all possible sources of threat. "We will make no distinction between the so-called soft and hard targets," he warned while expressing his respect for the Chinese people's choice to live under an "authoritarian government as well-fed puppets". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Government which aims to improve digital connectivity and infuse digital literacy in all the states of the country, recently launched the 'Digital Northeast Vision Document 2022' in Guwahati. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad and Chief Ministers of the northeastern states launched the programme. North East Indian region has become the newest member of the Centre's flagship programme 'Digital India' initiative. Digital India was launched in 2015 by the Centre with a vision to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. 'Digital Northeast India Vision 2022' envisages in implementing the initiative throughout the North East through optimum utilization of information, communication, and technology. An official of the Information Centre (NIC) said, "The Tripura e-hospital has been implemented at 21 locations with a targeted power distribution system. NIC has also initiated three disciplines on which they are working closely with the state government in order to use the data and provide data, artificial intelligence in IOT with an improved architecture." The vision aims to enhance peoples' lives by capacity building of government staff and doubling BPO strength in the region. It also identifies eight digital thrust areas including digital infrastructure, digital services, digital empowerment, promotion of electronics manufacturing, promotion of IT and IT-enabled services including BPOs, digital payments, innovation and startups, and cybersecurity. Aruna Sundarajan, Secretary, Ministry of Telecommunications, who was present at the occasion said, "But we do expect to support other projects and other states of the Northeast whereby we can bring state of the art alternative technologies for connectivity to untapped areas." The Chief Ministers of the northeastern states acknowledged that the vision will play the role of a catalyst to energise the communication of Northeast. Under this program the Centre also plans to give e-class benefits to six medical colleges including Guwahati Medical College and Dibrugarh Medical College, thereby increasing the seating capacity of BPOs in Northeast from five to ten thousand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi on Friday. Soon after All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) announced the demise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran, Chief Minister Naidu took to social media and said, "On this unfortunate day, we have lost one of the greatest visionaries the nation has seen. The beloved former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji will continue to inspire us and the generations to come. May he rest in peace." 93-year-old Vajpayee breathed his last at 5:05 pm here on Thursday after prolonged illness. Terming him as a 'great statesman', Naidu said, "Today the nation lost a great statesman. He was a believer of development. During Kargil, we have seen his statesmanship and great fighting spirit. He brought so many reforms in the country which are still prevalent. I had a very good rapport with him. We never had any differences". In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described Vajpayee as a great parliamentarian who served for four decades. He was elected for Lok Sabha ten times and Rajya Sabha two times. Further hailing Vajpayee's regime, the Chief Minister said that "Vajpayee was instrumental in strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which was confined to two seats in 1984 to 270 seats at present." "Though Vajpayee offered eight cabinet berths to Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the party stayed away from union cabinet and offered external support. I have played key role in selecting Abdul Kalam as presidential candidate by discussing with Vajpayee," Naidu added. Lauding over the developments taken up by Vajpayee in Andhra, Naidu stated, "Large number of roads and highways were developed during Vajpayee regime. He took initiative for development of highway from Tada to Ichchapuram in Andhra. He also sanctioned World Bank funds to Velugu project and had also introduced IT development works in Hyderabad and many more." Naidu also added that Vajpayee appointed him as chairman of micro irrigation task force. "I had a strong personal attachment with Vajpayee. His era remains as a history in Indian politics," Naidu noted. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday to mourn his demise. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Friday asked Kerala's subcommittee to examine and find out ways to ensure that the water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam won't exceed 139 feet. The Top Court further stated that it is not an expert body who will look into the Kerala flood issue, but has asked the Crisis Management Committee's (NCMC) to scale up rescue, relief and rehabilitation programme across the state. The Apex Court's order comes after petitioner Manoj George knocked the doors seeking a direction from Centre over the water level mark. As per the latest reports, the death toll in Kerala floods has risen to 167. Around 15,000 people have been rescued from the flood-hit state in the last nine days. The numbers have been given by Army Karnataka and Kerala (K&K) Sub-Area, headquartered at Bengaluru, under the name, 'Operation Sahayog'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he will be visiting the state to review the situation. He took to social media to say, "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding." Kerala has been witnessing incessant rain since past few days, causing flooding and landslide in the state. Following that, the Centre has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the state owing to the flood situation, which is worsening by the day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former employee of Tesla on Thursday issued a statement accusing the electric vehicle manufacturer of not informing authorities of the alleged involvement of a number of employees in drug trafficking ring. Karl Hansen, a former security worker, said in his statement that employees at the Nevada Gigafactory were allegedly involved in trafficking "significant quantities of cocaine and possibly crystal methamphetamine" for a Mexico-based cartel, according to a New York Post report. He also mentioned that he had filed a complaint to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Alleging that an internal investigation into criminal activities was quashed by Tesla, Hansen said that he was directed to hide a $37 million theft of raw materials from the Nevada factory, adding that another worker was fired for failing to comply, labeling him not a "Tesla team player." Hansen also alleged that Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk had sanctioned spying on employees. A spokesperson for Tesla said that the allegations leveled by Hansen were being investigated and that he had refused to communicate with the company to further discuss the issue. "Mr. Hansen's allegations were taken very seriously when he brought them forward. Some of his claims are outright false. Others could not be corroborated, so we suggested additional investigative steps to try and validate the information he had received second-hand from a single anonymous source. Because we wanted to be sure we got this right, we made numerous attempts to engage further with Mr. Hansen to understand more about what he was claiming and the work that he did in reaching his conclusions. He rejected each of those attempts, and to date has refused to speak with the company further. It seems strange that Mr. Hansen would claim that he is concerned about something happening within the company, but then refuse to engage with the company to discuss the information that he believes he has," the spokesperson said. This makes Hansen the second former Tesla employee in recent times to unravel the alleged malpractices at the company after Martin Tripp had alleged defects in the manufacturing process at a battery factory, saying that the company sold products that could harm drivers. An investigation has been mounted by the SEC to ascertain if Musk had deliberately misdirected Tesla investors. This adds to the legal trouble that the electric car manufacturer is faced with amid its plans to go private. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Department of Tourism of on Thursday released the number of expedition permits and the number of successful ascends of Mount Out of the 563 successful climbers from 39 different countries, the number of Nepali climbers standing atop the world's highest peak is recorded at 302 which included altitude worker/guide/sirdar, the data from the Department of Tourism showed. A total of 514 Nepali climbers had acquired the permission for the expedition during the spring season this year. Amongst the foreigners who successfully ascended this season are Indians. The number of Indian climbers stood atop with 51 successful ascends. This included seven successful ascends by female Indian climbers and 44 by male Indian climbers. A total of 59 Indian nationals had acquired the permission to scale the world's highest peak. Just one female and seven male climbers failed to ascend Mount Meanwhile, 49 American climbers successfully climbed Everest, followed by 47 successful ascends by Chinese climbers. A total of five deaths occurred in the expedition which opened on May 13, after the icefall doctors fixed the ropes en route to the mountain. Nepal's tourism department that record ascends from the Nepali side has fixed $11,000 as the royalty for the expeditors to reach atop Mount Everest from the normal route during the spring season. The climbers would need to pay a royalty of $10,000 for using the other route to reach the world's highest peak. With the ending of the spring season ascend for this year, the Government collected a sum of Rs 361 million in royalty in 2018. England beat Australia by eight wickets in Super 12 match of T20 World Cup in Dubai. Bollywood star Katrina Kaif has kick-started her 'Bharat' journey as the actress headed to Malta for shooting today. While the film went on floors earlier last month, the 35-year-old begins her first schedule now. The 'Dhoom 3' star will join Salman Khan, who started shooting for his second schedule of the film in the European island country last week. The actress posted an Instagram story announcing her departure for Malta. After Priyanka Chopra walked out of the film, Katrina was roped in to play the lead, opposite the 'Dabangg' star. The film also stars Tabu and Disha Patani in pivotal roles. 'Bharat' is set to have a character-driven story spanning across many periods and will be shot across exotic locations in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the flick is slated to hit theatres on June 5, next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles organised a start-up conclave at the city convention centre in Imphal with the aim to unleash the potential of youth entrepreneurs of Manipur. The event was inaugurated by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. "I am very happy that lots of entrepreneurs have the potential while we are trying to expose it to the market in economically viable ways," Singh said, adding, Rs. 30 crores has been earmarked in the state budget to help budding entrepreneurs to set up their businesses. Youth in the Northeast are increasingly getting inclined towards entrepreneurial activities and becoming self-reliant. To cash in on various schemes launched by the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many young entrepreneurs are setting up the finest examples by launching their own businesses. The main objective of the mission is to help attain self-employment and inclusive development besides economic empowerment of traditional artisans and craftsmen of the state. During the programme, a brief presentation of the top six successful start-ups - Hill Wild, Khumanthem, Dweller, Loktak, Synergy and kaksoi were showcased. Suresh J Babu, Chief Secretary of Manipur said, "Entrepreneurship requires money which they borrow from the banks. For this, we plan to provide them with seed capital money which is maximum 30 lakhs." Out of the total 334 Start-ups, 29 were selected under Revenue Stage Start-Up, 200 beneficiaries in Idea Stage and 105 beneficiaries in Entrepreneur Support Scheme category. Digbijoy Sharma, CEO, Loktak Industries said, "I feel very thankful. I began my business in 2015 and never got support from the state government until now. It's-a big opportunity for us. And, I would like to thank CM, planning department and Bank of Baroda." Zeinorin Stephen, Founder, Hill Wild said, "Though the manufacturing is done in Ukhrul we bring the stocks to Imphal. We have logistic outsource partner to take care of our distribution. We have recently started retailing all over the northeast." This start-up policy would nurture and encourage start-ups and entrepreneurs in job creation and economic growth of the State. (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 Friday raided former Bihar Welfare Department Minister Manju Verma's residence in Patna and Begusarai in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. Meanwhile, CBI also conducted raids at 12 places in four cities of Bihar in connection with the case. Manju Verma resigned from the post after her husband, Chandrakant Verma, was accused of having alleged links with Brajesh Thakur, the key mastermind of the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes. Her resignation came a couple of days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured that the culprits behind the alleged incident would not be spared, and would be put behind the bars. The former state minister lately has been in the eye of the storm, after the opposition parties demanded her resignation over her husband's alleged involvement surfaced. Chandrakant allegedly used to visit the shelter home quite frequently, spending hours in the girls' room in the shelter home. However, the couple had denied the allegations. Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stood beside her, one of her party colleagues, Gopal Narayan Singh had demanded her resignation. The issue of alleged sexual exploitation of more than 40 girls at a Muzaffarpur shelter home was uncovered more than a month ago by the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Later, 11 employees of the child shelter home were arrested. Education Minister Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma was given an additional charge of the Social Welfare Department, a day after Manju tendered her resignation from the post in connection with the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea on Thursday urged South Korea not to "blindly" follow the sanctions imposed by other countries and international organisations. The Rodong Sinmun, the North Korean government's official newspaper, said that the sanction pressure and the warming of inter-Korean ties were not compatible. The paper said that the relations between the two Korean countries would not move forward if Seoul continued to bow down to the pressure of sanctions imposed by "foreign forces", Yonhap News Agency reported. "If the (South) joins and blindly follows sanctions pressure by foreign forces manoeuvring to deter inter-Korean exchanges, the North-South relations cannot be advanced in the interests of the Korean people and the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration cannot be pushed," the Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary. Calling to resolve all problems affecting inter-Korean ties in the interests of the Korean people, the newspaper added, "Cooperation within our nation, or national self-reliance, is the basic position for the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration and improvement of inter-Korean relationship." Hitting out at the United States for applying pressure on South Korea in regards to the sanctions, The Rodong Sinmun asserted that such obstacles were impacting inter-Korean ties. "The US is unjustly intervening in the internal affairs of our nation and the inter-Korean relationship, hindering the reconciliation, unity, dialogue and cooperation between Koreas," the paper added. On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department blacklisted three Chinese, Russian and Singaporean shipping companies for violating financial sanctions that were meant to restrict foreign assistance to North Korea's already-beleaguered economy. The new penalties slapped by US president Donald Trump administration are an attempt to further pressurise North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme and to receive economic aid in exchange, as part of the commitment made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who promised to work for the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean Peninsula. Last week, Pyongyang accused select senior US officials of attempting to further strengthen international sanctions imposed on the reclusive nation, asserting that it had stopped its nuclear missile programme and dismantled its nuclear testing site. Although Kim vowed to halt its nuclear weapons programme, a confidential report by the United Nations revealed that North Korea had reportedly continued to build nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Priyanka Chopra's alleged beau Nick Jonas has arrived in India with his parents - mother Denise and father Kevin Jonas Sr. The family was spotted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport here on Thursday night. It was earlier reported that Jonas and his immediate family are travelling to India to attend an engagement party to be hosted by Priyanka's family. Earlier this week, PeeCee showed off her massive diamond rock on her ring finger at ace designer Manish Malhotra's party. Reportedly, Nick popped the question when they were celebrating the 'Baywatch' star's 36th birthday in London. The speculation about their relationship brewed after the pair met each other's family. First, Chopra met Jonas' family at his cousin's wedding in New Jersey, after which Nick travelled to India to meet Chopra's mother. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zafar was in New Delhi to attend the last rites of Vajpayee. Speaking to media after his meeting with Swaraj, Zafar said that he hoped that India and Pakistan will be able to resolve all issues between them, including that of Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue. The Pakistan minister said that he was in India to express condolence on behalf of the Pakistani government and people and to stand along India in its hour of grief. "I have come here as a representative of people of Pakistan to share your grief. Vajpayee Sahab was a man of peace and gave visionary leadership to India. People who value peace are admired in Pakistan. We hope that as in grief we will share your happy moments too in the future. The issues which we have between our countries which include the issue of Jammu and Kashmir will be resolved through dialogue and peacefully," Zafar said. Tweeting about the meeting, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar said: "Remembering a visionary who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent! Pakistan's caretaker Minister of Law and Justice, Syed Ali Zafar expressed condolences to EAM @SushmaSwaraj on sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee." Meanwhile, Zafar recited a poem by Vajpayee "Jung na honey denge" (we will not allow war). "Before leaving, I would like to say something by Vajpayeeji, because I believe that words never die," Zafar said and he went on to recite the poem: "Jung na honey denge; Bharat-Pakistan padosi saath saath rahna hoga; pyar kare ya vaar kare; dono ko hi sehna hoga; jo hum par gujri bachhon par na honey denge; jung na honey denge." (We will not allow a war. Neighbours India and Pakistan have to live together. Whether it is love or betrayal, both have to be tolerated. We will not allow our children to go through what we had to, we will not allow war). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's presidential election is slated to take place on September 4, the country's electoral body announced on Thursday. Incumbent Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain's five-year term is due to end on September 9. Hussain is from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and took office in 2013, as the country's 12th President, Geo News reported. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that the candidates could file their nomination papers for the polls to the presiding officers situated in Islamabad and in the four provinces of the country by August 27. The scrutinising of the nomination papers will take place on August 29. Those wishing to drop out from the presidential election can withdraw their candidature by August 30 (12 pm - local time), following which the final list of the candidates would be published by 1 pm (local time) on the same day. On September 4, the newly-elected legislators would exercise their franchise in the National Assembly, the lower house of the Pakistan Parliament and the four provincial assemblies (Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) from 10 am to 4 pm (local times) respectively. The Pakistani President is elected indirectly by the members of the Parliament and the four provincial assemblies. Pakistan recently held the general elections to the NA on July 25, during which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party with 116 seats. The PML-N which won 64 seats came second, while the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) bagged 43 seats and finished third. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday evening head to Kerala to review the flood situation in the state. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening (Friday), I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss flood situation in the state. He had also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Meanwhile, a red alert was sounded in 13 districts of Kerala, except Kasaragod on Friday. A read has been sounded for Ernakulam and Idukki districts for tomorrow as well. The Indian Coast Guard's rescue and relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood-affected Manjumala village in Kerala's Idukki district. So far, the team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village. Food and dry ration have been distributed among them. Earlier on Friday morning, five units of NDRF ( Disaster Response Force) reached Thiruvananthapuram and were deployed for rescue operations. 35 teams are expected to reach there on Friday. Kerala has been witnessing incessant rain since past few days, causing flooding and landslide in the state. So far, at least 94 people have lost their lives in the havoc. The Centre has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the state owing to the flood situation which is worsening by the day. On Thursday, in view of the prevailing floods situation in Kerala, a meeting of the Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) was held to scale up assistance and ensured continued relief and rescue operations. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been tasked to mobilise additional manpower, boats, and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations. Earlier on Thursday, NDRF teams evacuated 926 persons to a safer place at Pathamithitta, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Alappuzha. Moreover, the Army also built a 35-feet long bridge and rescued around 100 people including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has condoled the demise of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and described him as a "good friend of Japan". "I am deeply saddened to learn the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Abe said in a message, which was shared by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Twitter. Remembering Vajpayee's visit to Japan in 2001, the Japanese Prime Minister said, "On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to convey my sincerest condolences to the Government and people of India and the bereaved family. His Excellency Vajpayee visited Japan in 2001 as the then Prime Minister and made significant contributions to the friendship between our two countries as a good friend of Japan. It is him who established the cornerstone of Japan-India relations today." Terming Vajpayee as an eminent leader of India, Abe added, "I pray from the bottom of my heart that his soul may rest in peace." Vajpayee, who was India's 10th prime minister, passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 following a prolonged illness. He was cremated with state honour at the Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced Rs 10 crore worth of immediate relief for flood-hit Kerala. Out of the total amount, Rs 5 crore is being transferred from the Chief Minister's relief fund, while the remaining money would be given in the form of ready-to-eat food material and other supplies, read a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The food material and other supplies will be taken to Kerala with the help of the Defence Ministry. According to a spokesperson of the government, the first Air Force sortie is expected to take off tomorrow to deliver 30 tonnes of ready-to-eat foods, such as biscuits, rusks, bottled water, and milk powder, to the flood-hit state. About one lakh food packets are to be sent in the first consignment. The remaining will be dispatched as and when requisitioned by the Kerala government. A total of four sorties, carrying 30 tonnes each, would be undertaken, said the spokesperson, adding that the Punjab government was pulling out all the stops to ensure timely relief measures for the crisis-ridden state. The Punjab Financial Commissioner, Revenue, had earlier spoken to his Kerala counterpart, on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister, to assess the situation and the kind of support required by the Kerala government to deal with the unprecedented flood situation. Thereafter, officials of the Punjab government got in touch with the Defence Ministry to seek their help in the transfer of the relief material, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, acting on the Chief Minister's appeal, members of the Punjab IAS Officers' Association have decided to donate one day's salary each to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support the Kerala relief measures. Captain Amarinder Singh has also appealed to other government employees to extend similar help. The Chief Minister has also appealed to various NGOs and philanthropic organisations in Punjab to come forward and extend all possible help to the beleaguered people in Kerala. It was an extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary measures, he said, stressing the need for the entire nation to come together to help Kerala in this critical time. So far, the Centre has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2800 life jackets, 1400 lifebuoys, 27 light towers and 1000 raincoats. Further, 72 motor boats, 5000 life jackets, 2000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1000 raincoats are being deployed. As many as one lakh food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another one lakh food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well. Besides that, the Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1000 life jackets, and 1300 gumboots. It flew 16 sorties in 48 hours in rescue operations. Kerala has been witnessing acute flood situation owing to incessant rain. So far, 167 people have lost their lives in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Friday instructed Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor (LG) Anil Baijal to set up an expert committee to frame policies and remedial measures in addressing garbage menace in the capital. The Supreme Court had recently pulled up the LG for not taking productive steps in solving the garbage disposal problems in the city. The top court's two-judge bench headed by Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur also instructed the municipal authorities to look for effective garbage disposal methods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of yet another attack on a Sikh man in the US, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday appealed to External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with the US authorities. According to media reports, a man identified as Terlok Singh was apparently stabbed to death on Thursday near the deli he owned at North Park Street and Burchard Avenue in New Jersey's East Orange. This is the third such attack happening in a span of three weeks. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Sukhbir said, "I condemn the brutal murder of Terlok Singh in New Jersey. The way hate crime & attacks on Sikhs are increasing across the globe, it is important to make people aware about Sikhism. I request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take cognizance of the case & take up this issue with the US govt." Raising similar concerns, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted, "These hate crimes in US are reaching an alarming level now. Third Sikh to be attacked in 3 weeks. Appeal to EAM @SushmaSwaraj ji to personally intervene and take up this matter with the authorities there. My heartfelt condolences for the family." Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president, Gobind Singh Longowal also condemned the incident, and called upon teh EAM and US authorities to take action against the culprits. Speaking to ANI, Longowal said, "It is very unfortunate that Sikhs are being killed this way in the US. Sikhs have dona lot for the US, both economically and socially. I appeal to EAM Sushma Swaraj and the US Ambassador in India to put an end to this immediately." Authorities have not arrived at a conclusion about the death yet. The police are investigating the matter. On August 6, a 71-year-old Sikh man was attacked in California's Manteca by two youths, one of whom was later identified as Union City Police Chief Darryl McAllister's estranged son Tyrone Keith McAllister. Both Tyrone and his accomplice were arrested. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked in California when he was raising campaign signs in support of Republican candidates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman was shot dead by terrorists on Friday in Pulwama's Drubgam village. The woman has been identified as Shameemaa Akhtar. In another incident, terrorists hurled a grenade at security forces in Awantipora town of Pulwama district. However they missed their target and the grenade exploded in the market area, critically injuring a civilian. The area has been cordoned off. More details are awaited. Earlier in the day, two encounters broke out between security forces and terrorists in Karalgund area of Kupwara district and the other in Hajin area of the state's Bandipora district. The valley has witnessed a sudden surge in encounter incidents since the past few months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has extended condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister "It was with deep grief that we learnt of the demise of former Indian Prime Minister France offers its condolences to his family as well as the Indian authorities and people," France said in a statement on Friday. France remembered Vajpayee as a poet, politician and a visionary whose name will be forever linked to Indo-France friendship. "Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India's history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998," read the statement. The former prime minister breathed his last on Thursday after a prolonged illness at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS). He was 93. He served as the Prime Minister of India between 1996 and 2004 in three non-consecutive terms. Soon after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was elected as the 22nd Prime Minister of the country on Friday, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) said that his party will stand by Khan if he makes constitutional supremacy and human development his priority. Addressing the National Assembly, Bhutto questioned the Prime Minister-designate about his future policies and the "100-day roadmap" to end poverty and to create 10 million jobs. He also asked the PTI chief to find solutions to the growing extremism and violence in the country. The PPP chairman further criticised the political parties for creating a "ruckus" in the assembly, reported the Dawn. Talking about his reservation over the election procedure, Bhutto said, "If it weren't for us Mr. Speaker, you wouldn't have your seat and the Prime Minister would not have his." Bhutto also pointed that the political parties compromised on the basic rights and encouraged extremism across the country. He went on to say, "As prime minister, I hope Imran Khan will drop the hateful rhetoric. If he continues to fan the flames of hatred, he will have to go through us and he will find us opposing him at every step of the way." The 29-year-old leader also remembered the people who lost their lives in the violence in Peshawar and Quetta that took place before the recently-concluded general elections. Bhutto concluded his speech by congratulating Khan on being elected as the Prime Minister of the 'worthy country'. Khan was elected as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan after the newly-elected members of the National Assembly cast their vote on Friday. He won 176 seats while his opponent and chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif managed to secure 96 seats, the Dawn reported. He will take oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan at the President House in Islamabad on Saturday at 9.15 am. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AstraZeneca Pharma India rose 3.04% to Rs 1,762.30 at 10:45 IST on BSE after the company announced receiving marketing permission for Olaparib tablet. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 282.50 points, or 0.75% to 37,946.06. On the BSE, 2,242 shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 7,611 shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 1,777.35 and a low of Rs 1,745.80 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,823.40 on 3 August 2018. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 882.55 on 22 August 2017. AstraZeneca Pharma India announced that it has received Import & Market permission for Olaparib (Lynparza) 100 mg and 150 mg tablets for treatment of ovarian and breast cancer in India by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) . The receipt of this permission paves way for the launch of Olaparib (Lynparza) in India. AstraZeneca Pharma India reported net profit of Rs 3.22 crore in Q4 March 2018 as against net loss of Rs 9.56 crore in Q4 March 2017. Net sales rose 30.27% to Rs 150.73 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. AstraZeneca Pharma India is the operating company covering manufacturing, sales and marketing activities. It has an innovative portfolio to address the unmet needs in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma & COPD. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lemon Tree Hotels rose 1.79% to Rs 79.40 at 10:15 IST on BSE after the company announced signing a license agreement for a 90 room property in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 256.45 points or 0.68% at 37,920.01 On the BSE, 9,245 shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 1.14 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 79.70 and a low of Rs 78.50 so far during the day. The stock hit a record high of Rs 91 on 23 April 2018. The stock hit a record low of Rs 57.30 on 9 April 2018. Lemon Tree Hotels has signed a License Agreement for a 90 room property at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh under the company's brand 'Red Fox Hotel'. The hotel is expected to be operational by June 2020. This is the second signed property of the Lemon Tree Hotels group in Vijayawada, the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh. Carnation Hotel, the hotel management arm of the company will be operating and marketing this hotel. Shares of Lemon Tree Hotels settled at Rs 71.60 on BSE, a premium of 27.86% over the issue price of Rs 56 on its debut on the bourses on 9 April 2018. The initial public offer (IPO) of Lemon Tree Hotels received bids for 15.49 crore shares, as per the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) data. The issue was subscribed 1.19 times. The issue opened for subscription on 26 March 2018 and closed on 28 March 2018. The price band for the issue was fixed at Rs 54 to Rs 56 per share. On a consolidated basis, Lemon Tree Hotels reported net profit of Rs 11.71 crore in Q4 March 2018 as compared with net loss of Rs 2.20 crore in Q4 March 2017. Net sales rose 18.62% of Rs 132.01 crore Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. Lemon Tree Hotels is India's largest chain in the mid-priced hotels sector and third largest overall, on the basis of controlling interest in owned and leased rooms. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmarks further extended gains and hit fresh intraday high in mid-morning trade. At 11:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 291.86 points or 0.77% at 37,955.42. The Nifty 50 index was up 86.10 points or 0.76% at 11,471.15. Positive global cues boosted trading sentiment. Pharmaceutical shares rose across the board. The market firmed up further after a gap-up opening. The Sensex rose 313.48 points, or 0.83% at the day's high of 37,977.04 in mid-morning trade. The index rose 176.60 points, or 0.47% at the day's low of 37,840.16 in early trade. The Nifty rose 92.45 points, or 0.81% at the day's high of 11,477.50 in mid-morning trade. The index rose 46.75 points, or 0.41% at the day's low of 11,431.80 in early trade. Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.90%. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.95%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 1637 shares rose and 652 shares fell. A total of 116 shares were unchanged. Most IT shares rose. Tech Mahindra (up 1.60%), HCL Technologies (up 0.95%), MphasiS (up 0.93%), Persistent Systems (up 0.68%), Infosys (up 0.65%) and Hexaware Technologies (up 0.21%), edged higher. Wipro (down 0.16%), Oracle Financial Services Software (down 0.3%) and MindTree (down 0.83%), edged lower. IT major TCS was up 0.12%. The company was awarded a new contract by the Improvement Service, the national organisation for improving local government services and digital transformation in Scotland. TCS will continue to deliver a digital platform for the award-winning authentication "myaccount" service and its broader portfolio, providing Scottish households with beneficial online public services. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Pharmaceutical shares were in demand. Cadila Healthcare (up 4.16%), Aurobindo Pharma (up 3.45%), Strides Shasun (up 2.90%), Lupin (up 2.64%), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (up 2.32%), Dr Reddy's Laboratories (up 1.81%), Wockhardt (up 1.43%), IPCA Laboratories (up 0.87%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 0.87%), Piramal Enterprises (up 0.81%), Alkem Laboratories (up 0.76%), Cipla (up 0.52%), GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (up 0.44%) and Divi's Laboratories (up 0.35%), edged higher. Overseas, most Asian shares were trading higher after China and the United States agreed to hold their first trade talks since June, next week and as the Turkish lira extended gains from its record low earlier this week. US stocks rallied to close higher Thursday, on strong corporate earnings from Walmart Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. News that the US and China are prepared to resume trade talks next week also bolstered investors' sentiment. On the data front, initial jobless claims, a measure of layoffs in the US, fell in early August and returned near a post-recession low. New claims declined by 2,000 to 212,000 in the seven days from August 5 to August 11. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index sank to a 21-month low of 11.9 in August. Construction of new houses increased by less than 1% in July, reflecting a recent slowdown in building that is likely tied to higher mortgage rates and growing shortages of skilled craftsmen. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News Story not available This story has been published on: 2021-10-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. The Alabama School of the Arts at University of Mobile is hosting the work of painter Nathan Perry in an exhibit called "Uninhabited." This exhibit will be on display Aug. 20-Sept. 27 in the Martin Hall Gallery. Perry will give an Artist Talk on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. with a reception following. Both the exhibit and Artist Talk are free and open to the public. Martin Hall Gallery is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located in Martin Hall on campus at University of Mobile, 5735 College Pkwy. Perry paints invented landscapes that are inspired by his childhood in Salt Lake Valley, the basin of a prehistoric lake. His works are the collision of a perceptual painter's sensibility and a "sci-fi junkie" aesthetic. "I generate alien landscapes that exist outside of time," explained Perry. "The paintings are populated with images from my past. Adjusting color and value, and specifying forms through reference, develop my vision of a faraway planet." Perry teaches drawing at Western Carolina University. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Indiana University-Bloomington. For information about the show or visual art programs at University of Mobile, contact Phillip Counselman, associate professor of art, at pcounselman@umobile.edu or 251.442.2283. About University of Mobile University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in over 90 areas of study. Founded in 1961, University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres. For more information about University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222. Firmness prevailed on the bourses in afternoon trade on sustained buying demand in index pivotals. At 13:24 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 283.11 points or 0.75% at 37,946.67. The Nifty 50 index was up 81.25 points or 0.71% at 11,466.30. Positive global cues boosted trading sentiment. Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.63%, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.77%, outperforming the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 1604 shares rose and 922 shares fell. A total of 152 shares were unchanged. Vedanta (up 3.26%), Yes Bank (up 3.17%), Tata Steel (up 2.43%), ITC (up 2.28%) and Tata Motors (up 2.21%) edged higher from the Sensex pack. Bharti Airtel (down 0.74%), ONGC (down 0.67%) and Coal India (down 0.37%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. IT major TCS was up 0.14%. The company was awarded a new contract by the Improvement Service, the national organisation for improving local government services and digital transformation in Scotland. TCS will continue to deliver a digital platform for the award-winning authentication "myaccount" service and its broader portfolio, providing Scottish households with beneficial online public services. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Overseas, European shares were trading slightly higher while most Asian shares rose after China and the United States agreed to hold their first trade talks since June, next week and as the Turkish lira extended gains from its record low earlier this week. US stocks rallied to close higher Thursday, on strong corporate earnings from Walmart Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. News that the US and China are prepared to resume trade talks next week also bolstered investors' sentiment. On the data front, initial jobless claims, a measure of layoffs in the US, fell in early August and returned near a post-recession low. New claims declined by 2,000 to 212,000 in the seven days from August 5 to August 11. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index sank to a 21-month low of 11.9 in August. Construction of new houses increased by less than 1% in July, reflecting a recent slowdown in building that is likely tied to higher mortgage rates and growing shortages of skilled craftsmen. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The draft National Mineral Policy is being given final touches and the new policy is expected to be announced soon, Bipul Pathak, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, said today, according to an update from FICCI. Speaking at the National Summit on Mineral Exploration and Sustainability, organised by FICCI with the support of the International Institute of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (IICSR), Pathak said the new policy would be industry-friendly and give a big boost to exploration activities. In the next three to five years, exploration of minerals should gather momentum and double every year, he added. Responding to industry's concern over the onerous burden of taxation, Pathak said the new policy would take cognisance of the recommendations of the Committee on Royalties and other levies with a view to putting a liberal structure in place. He urged the private sector to step up investment in mineral exploration and assured industry that the government would extend financial and other support to junior exploration companies developed by the private sector. Kishore Kumar, Director (Strategy & Business Development), Vedanta Ltd., explained the reasons for lack of investment by the private sector. He called for making exploration blocks sustainable in terms of offer of larger blocks, mining rights to companies doing reconnaissance work, making available technology and equipment developed indigenously to explorers and benchmarking of taxation with international norms. Tuhin Mukherjee, MD, Essel Mining & Industries Ltd. And Chair, FICCI Mining Committee, underlined the need for developing a sustainability framework right from the planning stage and called for introspection on the need to open mines wherever minerals were available. The need of the hour, he said, was to build sustainability in prospecting and exploration of minerals, he added. Harsha Mukherjee, Founder & Managing Director, IICSR, said sustainable mining was critical for the long term growth of the country. The day is not too far, when a country's progress would be measured in terms of sustainable domestic production rather than its GDP, she said, adding that IICSR had developed a sustainable development framework to enlist large doses of FDI through sustainable business practices. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmark indices were trading higher in early trade, backed by positive global cues. At 9:17 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 191.42 points or 0.51% at 37,854.98. The Nifty 50 index was up 53.85 points or 0.47% at 11,438.90. Among secondary barometers,the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.62%, outperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.49%, underperforming the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 713 shares rose and 164 shares fell. A total of 19 shares were unchanged. Overseas, most Asian shares were trading higher after China and the United States agreed to hold their first trade talks since June, next week and as the Turkish lira extended gains from its record low earlier this week. US stocks rallied to close higher Thursday, on strong corporate earnings from Walmart Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. News that the US and China are prepared to resume trade talks next week also bolstered investors' sentiment. On the data front, initial jobless claims, a measure of layoffs in the US, fell in early August and returned near a post-recession low. New claims declined by 2,000 to 212,000 in the seven days from August 5 to August 11. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index sank to a 21-month low of 11.9 in August. Construction of new houses increased by less than 1% in July, reflecting a recent slowdown in building that is likely tied to higher mortgage rates and growing shortages of skilled craftsmen. Back home, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was up 0.26%. The company was awarded a new contract by the Improvement Service, the national organisation for improving local government services and digital transformation in Scotland. TCS will continue to deliver a digital platform for the award-winning authentication "myaccount" service and its broader portfolio, providing Scottish households with beneficial online public services. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Lemon Tree Hotels was up 0.64%. The company has signed a license agreement for a 90 room property at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh under the company's brand 'Red Fox Hotel'. The hotel is expected to be operational by June 2020. This is the second signed property of the Lemon Tree Hotels group in Vijayawada, the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh. Carnation Hotel, the hotel management arm of the company will be operating and marketing this Hotel. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Ion Exchange (India) was up 4.99%. The company said that it has secured and signed a contract for Engineering, Procurement, Supply and Construction of water treatment plant worth Rs 438.84 crore (inclusive of GST) from Cairn Oil & Gas, a division of Vedanta. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Cosmo Films was up 2.07%. The company has launched a cast polypropylene (CPP) metalized film with high metal bond strength. This film has been specially designed to offer superior inter layer bond strength for making multi-layer laminate structures, which in turn enhances barrier properties. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. AstraZeneca Pharma India was up 2.08%. The company has received Import and Market permission in Form 45 (Marketing Authorization) from the Drugs Controller General of India for Olaparib Tablets 100 mg and 150 mg (Lynparza). The receipt of this Import and Market permission paves way for the launch of Olaparib Tablets 100 mg and 150 mg (Lynparza) in India, subject to the receipt of other related statutory approvals and licenses. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was awarded a new contract by the Improvement Service, the national organisation for improving local government services and digital transformation in Scotland. TCS will continue to deliver a digital platform for the award-winning authentication "myaccount" service and its broader portfolio, providing Scottish households with beneficial online public services. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Lemon Tree Hotels has signed a License Agreement for a 90 room property at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh under the company's brand 'Red Fox Hotel'. The hotel is expected to be operational by June 2020. This is the second signed property of the Lemon Tree Hotels group in Vijayawada, the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh. Carnation Hotel, the hotel management arm of the company will be operating and marketing this Hotel. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Ion Exchange (India) said that the company has secured and signed a contract for Engineering, Procurement, Supply and Construction of water treatment plant worth Rs 438.84 crore (inclusive of GST) from Cairn Oil & Gas, a division of Vedanta. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Cosmo Films has launched a cast polypropylene (CPP) metalized film with high metal bond strength. This film has been specially designed to offer superior inter layer bond strength for making multi-layer laminate structures, which in turn enhances barrier properties. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. AstraZeneca Pharma India has received Import and Market permission in Form 45 (Marketing Authorization) from the Drugs Controller General of India for Olaparib Tablets 100 mg and 150 mg (Lynparza). The receipt of this Import and Market permission paves way for the launch of Olaparib Tablets 100 mg and 150 mg (Lynparza) in India, subject to the receipt of other related statutory approvals and licenses. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 August 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For the State of Minnesota Trigyn Technologies announced that the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company Trigyn Technologies, Inc., has been awarded a contract, to provide Enterprise Staffing Services for the State of Minnesota. The contract is for a duration of four and a half years, to January 2023. Services covered under the contract include: Analyst, Architecture, Database Administration / Development, Desktop Application Support, Developer / Programmer, E-Commerce, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Mainframe Computing, Modeling, Program / Project Management, Quality Assurance, Security, Server Support and Development, Systems Analyst, Telecommunications and Web Application Design & Development. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nineteen couples from China and Sri Lanka were married at a mass wedding ceremony in the island nation, strengthening the country's position as an ideal wedding destination. The couples, who are employees of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, walked down the isle on Thursday at a luxury hotel in Negombo city, reports Xinhua news agency. Out of the 19, 12 couples were Chinese while seven were Sri Lankan. The ceremony was themed, "We gathered for Belt and Road, We are married in Sri Lanka", as the couples met while being employed for projects under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative in Sri Lanka. Dressed in red Chinese traditional wedding garments, the couples were married in front of 300 guests with the Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka, Pang Chunxue being the key witness. "The Belt and Road Initiative brought the 19 wedding couples together as well as all of us. I firmly believe that the future of China, Sri Lanka cooperation will be as bright as the prospects of these newly-weds," said the Chinese diplomat. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Philippine aviation authorities on Friday decided to close the runway in Manila airport where a passenger plane skidded off late on Thursday. All passengers and crew are safe. Twelve flights have been cancelled, while many have been diverted to other airports following the Xiamen Airline flight's "runway excursion", Xinhua news agency reported. Early on Friday, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a joint statement. It said the Boeing 737-800 plane swerved off the runway and onto the grass at the airport after a "missed approach" due to "heavy downpour" at 11.55 p.m. on Thursday. There is need to clear the runway of debris from the damaged engine and landing gear of the plane as such the operations were temporarily suspended. An investigation has been ordered. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Ghazni city on Friday to assess the security situation following a Taliban offensive to capture the city last week. Last Friday, hundreds of Taliban fighters had launched an attack on Ghazni, the capital of the Ghazni province, leading to five days of clashes between the rebels and the security forces that killed nearly 500 people, including 326 Taliban fighters, and over one hundred members of the security forces. "President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Ghazni province to visit and evaluate the security situation of Ghazni," the presidential palace said in a statement. Ghani visited different parts of Ghazni city and talked to citizens and officials and allocated $20 million as an emergency fund for the reconstruction of government buildings and mosques destroyed in the offensive, Efe news reported. Ghazni Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai briefed the President about the state of public services, including the water distribution system, electricity and telecommunications that were restored but needed more work to make them fully functional. A week into the offensive, however, Afghan forces were still busy clearing areas around the city and along the highway in the province, where rebels were still fighting with the security forces. "The clearance operation is ongoing according to the plan in Ghazni. (...) the security belt around Ghazni is reinforced and strengthened," Army Chief General Sharif Yaftali said. Ghani also ordered the country's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to probe the attack and boost security in the area. He also criticized neighbouring Pakistan for not taking action to prevent Taliban activities on its soil. "Dear General Bajwa! (Pakistani Army Chief) You signed document with us, you repeatedly told me on phone... you will pay special attention (to the Taliban activities on Pakistani soil). Give me answer, from where they came (militants who attacked Ghazni)? Why they are getting treatment in your hospitals?" Ghani said. This has been the worst Taliban offensive on a provincial capital since the brief occupation of the western city of Farah in May. In 2015, the Taliban had seized the northern city of Kunduz for several days, in what was its greatest military achievement since the US invasion in 2001. In 2016, the Taliban surrounded and managed to enter Trinkot, capital of the Uruzgan province and Lashkargah, capital of Helmand, but retreated after a few days. According to the US, the Afghan government controls about 56 per cent of the country and the Taliban 11 per cent, while the rest of the territory is under dispute. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his heartfelt condolences on the demise of Atal Bihari Vaypayee, a three time Prime Minister of the country and one of the countrys most respected politicians. In a statement, the Assam CM said that, with his death the country has lost a visionary politician, a great humanitarian, who was deeply loved by people across party line. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a soft corner for Assam and North East. He took keen interest in the development of North East and played an instrumental role in creating DoNER to expedite the overall development of North East. The foundation stone of Bogibeel Project was laid during his tenure as the Prime Minister. Among a series of projects that can be credited to his direct intervention, he dedicated Numaligarh Refinery and Naranarayn Bridge to the Nation. Moreover, his moral support to the cause of Assam Agitation will long be remembered by the people in Assam, Sonowal said. Remembering his personal association with the former Prime Minister since the time he was a student, Sonowal said that he was personally benefitted from the advice and suggestions of Shri Atal Bihari Vajapyee. I still bear in mind the time I spent with him as an MLA when he came to lay the foundation stone of Bogibeel bridge way back in 2002. He was a leader of prominence not only at national level, his political prudence is evident in countrys foreign policies as well. While he was the Prime Minister, he took countrys foreign relations with America and other countries altogether to a different height. He was a statesman who dreamt of a seamless rural connectivity, and therefore, enunciated Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and took the connectivity of villages to a never-before level. He was also instrumental in starting East-West Corridor project. He also had an incomparable track record in enabling countrys inclusion in the elite Nuclear Club and registering countrys victory in Kargil War. Besides being a prudent politician, he was a good orator, poet and litterateur. Besides, being conferred on Best Parliamentarian Award in 1994, he was honoured with the countrys highest civilian award Bharat Ratna and an unending lists of other awards, Sonowal said. Sonowal expressing his empathy with his family members, admirers and followers in this testing time, prayed to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul. Passenger carrier Air Deccan on Friday said that it will commence a new flight service between Nashik and Ahmedabad under the regional air connectivity UDAN scheme from next month. According to the airline, the new service will start within the next 15-20 days. The airline, which resumed air operations after a gap of almost ten years in 2017, had won the rights to operate regional air connectivity scheme flights in the first round of bidding in March 2017. It was awarded 128 routes across the country, with nine routes based out of Mumbai connecting various key cities in Maharashtra to Mumbai. --IANS ravi-rv/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Al Qaeda's master bomb maker who was responsible for planning to blow up an airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day. may have been killed, according to a UN report. The UN report said that Ibrahim al-Asiri, long regarded as one of the most dangerous terrorist operatives in circulation, may have been killed in Yemen last year, CNN reported on Thursday. "Since mid-2017, the organisation has suffered losses of leadership and field commanders owing to extensive Yemeni and international counter-terrorist operations," said the report by the UN's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. "Some member states report that explosives expert Ibrahim al-Asiri... may have been killed during the second half of 2017. Given al-Asiri's past role in plots against aviation, this would represent a serious blow to operational capability." The UN report gave no indication of how al-Asiri died or who may have been responsible and is the only public indication of his possible death. But multiple US officials told CNN that they were weighing evidence that al-Asiri is dead. Counter- analysts have said that there should be significant scepticism over al-Asiri's possible demise for one major reason: his group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has not released any statement acknowledging his death, nor a eulogy celebrating his martyrdom. Aimen Dean, a former spy for British intelligence inside Al Qaeda, told CNN that until such a eulogy is released, al-Asiri should be assumed to be alive. "It would be extremely out of the ordinary for them not do this for a senior leader like al-Asiri, especially because his group in Yemen are putting out all sorts of statements all the time," Dean said. "Every time a senior leader within Al Qaeda or its affiliate in Yemen has been killed, they have been quick to put out a statement." Al-Asiri is widely credited with perfecting miniaturised bombs with little or no metal content that could make it past some airport security screening. The son of a Saudi military officer, al-Asiri allegedly designed the so-called "underwear bomb" worn by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who tried to blow up an airliner as it was landing in Detroit on Christmas Day 2009. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian troops and divers joined the and state disaster relief forces to rescue hundreds of people marooned in Karnataka's flood-hit Kodagu district, said an official statement on Friday. "About 60 Dogra Regiment soldiers and 12 expert naval divers rescued 873 marooned people in the flood-hit district, where overnight heavy rains caused landslides and inundated low-lying areas at Makkanduru," said the statement from the Chief Minister's office here. Kodagu, about 250 km from Bengaluru, is one of the districts in the southern state worst hit by the south-west monsoon rains since June first week. The Army's engineering task force deployed 73 boats, equipment and rafts in rescuing the people and escorting them to safer places in the district. About 60 members of the and state disaster relief forces and 45 members of the civil defence joined the rescue and relief operations with boats and equipment in Madikeri in the hilly district. "Though the Indian Air Force (IAF) aborted rescue mission due to inclement weather, it will fly M17 chopper from Mysuru on Saturday to rescue the remaining stranded and transport relief supplies," noted the statement. About 200 personnel of the state fire service had rescued people in flood-hit towns and villages across the district with their boats and equipment. "Telecom services, disrupted due to rains and strong winds uprooting poles and snapping phone lines, are being restored on priority. HAM operators have been deployed as back-up. Power lines are also being restored," said the statement. The district administration has housed 573 persons in 17 relief camps. Intra and inter-state bus and train services between Karnataka and flood-hit Kerala were suspended due to landslides and rain water submerging the highways and roads in the ghat section. State-run and private bus services from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar to Ooty and Coonoor hill stations in Tamil Nadu were suspended due to flooding and fallen trees blocking the routes in the ghat section. According to the weather office, rain fury continued in the state's coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, disrupting normal life, including vehicular movement of goods and people. Incessant rains lashed the Malnad region, flooding several areas in Shivamogga, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts. Schools and colleges will remain shut even on Saturday in the affected districts due to flooding and disruption of bus services. The state's metrological department has warned of moderate to heavy rain in coastal, south interior and north interior areas of the state till Sunday. A banking court here on Friday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former President and PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari in a multi-billion money laundering scam, the media reported. The court directed the authorities to present Zardari and other suspects before it by September 4. However, Pakistan Peoples Party spokesperson Farhatullah Babar issued a statement citing Zardari's counsel Farooq Naek as saying that no warrant against the leader was issued, Dawn online reported. The Federal Investigation Agency is investigating 32 people, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts. Zardari's close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested last month in connection with the probe. The banking court earlier approved an extension in Talpur's interim bail until the next hearing. The case revolves around a 2015 inquiry into suspicious transactions when 29 "benami" accounts were identified -- 16 of them in the Summit Bank, eight in the Sindh Bank and five in the United Bank Limited. The fake accounts were allegedly used for channelling funds received in the form of heavy bribes and kickbacks. Zardari and Talpur, among others were said to be involved in using certain bank accounts for suspicious transactions totalling Rs 35 billion. Hussain Lawai, former chairman of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and a close aide of Zardari, Omni Group of Companies chairman Khawaja Anvar Majeed and his brother Ghani Majeed along with co-accused Taha Raza -- head of the Summit Bank's corporate unit -- have already been arrested in the case. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell joined Serie A Frosinone Calcio on a transfer from English Premier League Arsenal, both teams announced on Friday. Campbell, who joined the Gunners in 2011, signed a contract that links him with the recently promoted Frosinone Calcio until June 30, 2021, reports Efe. "Joel Campbell has joined Serie A side Frosinone Calcio on a permanent transfer," Arsenal said in a statement. The 26-year-old Campbell made 40 appearances with the Gunners and played on loan at many clubs, including Olympiacos, Villarreal and Real Betis. "We would like to thank Joel for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future," the Premier League club said. -IANS gau/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A ruckus was witnessed in an Aurangabad Municipal Corporation general body meeting on Friday when a dozen-odd BJP corporators assaulted an AIMIM member who opposed a condolence resolution on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on Thursday. The AIMIM said the opposition to the resolution was not the party stand, but demanded action against the corporators involved in the assault. Shortly after the house convened, Bharatiya Janata Party corporators led by Rahul Vaidya moved a condolence resolution on Vajpayee's death, which was opposed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's (AIMIM) Sayed Mateen. Livid at this, 10-12 BJP corporators, including some women members, pulled Mateen from his seat, pounced on him and slapped, punched and kicked him repeatedly even when he fell on the floor. Even as other corporators attempted to rescue Mateen, the municipal corporation's security officials rushed in and whisked him to safety through a side exit and later to a hospital. The CCTV video of the incident went viral on the social media. The assault sparked angry reactions outside as alleged AIMIM supporters indulged in stone-pelting to damage local BJP leader Baburao Deshmukh's car and injure his driver. Several BJP corporators, including Vaidya and Pramod Rathod, urged the Mayor to suspend Mateen for his "anti-national move" to oppose the resolution. Mateen demanded that the Mayor take strict action against his attackers. Mateen maintained that he was opposing the motion in a democratic manner, but the BJP members chose to respond by attacking him. Legislator Imtiaz Jaleel of the AIMIM -- which has 25 corporators in the AMC -- met the city Police Commissioner and demanded a thorough probe into the assault. "Mateen's decision was in his personal capacity. It is not AIMIM's official view, nor did he consult us. For this, I am recommending stringent disciplinary action against him," Jaleel told mediapersons this evening. However, he condemned the assault on Mateen as "totally undemocratic" and displaying a "mob-lynching mentality". "We have asked police to investigate on the basis of CCTV recording and take action against those who violated the law," Jaleel added. On the other hand, a BJP delegation led by Aurangabad East MLA Atul Save, along with Mayor Nandkumar Ghodele (Shiv Sena) and other corporators, met the police chief and demanded Mateen be booked for sedition. The Aurangabad Police beefed up security inside and outside the corporation complex, besides other parts of the tourist town, in view of the assault. --IANS qn/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh, which is importing around 700 megawatt (mw) of power from India, is looking to ramp up its electricity import from the country, an official of the neighbouring nation said here on Friday. "We are currently importing around 700 mw of power from India and import of about 500 mw of additional power will be commenced very soon. Grid transmission line of 400 KVA has been completed," said Md. Abdul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator (SDGs) Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh. "We have signed an agreement with an Indian company to import 600-800 mw of power through a dedicated transmission line. We have received proposals from several Indian power generating companies which are wanting to set up transmission line to sell power to Bangladesh," he said on the sidelines of CII Energy Conclave. The neighbouring country is aiming at importing 10,000 mw from India, he said. He said both the countries have been working together to develop the infrastructure. Power sector cooperation between the two countries is "not limited to transmission and supply only." India is "supporting its neighbouring country to enhance the capacity building", particularly, human resource development for power generation, transmission and distribution. "In Bangladesh, power capacity has been increased by five times in the last 10 years and we are getting support from India for human resource development," he added. --IANS bdc/pgh/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Belgium Embassy here kept its flag at half mast on Friday in the honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday. "The flag at the Embassy of Belgium flies half-mast as a mark of respect to the great statesman, Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee Ji. #AtaljiAmarRahen," the mission said on its Twitter handle. Belgium's capital Brussels serves as the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Vajpayee, 93, passed away after a prolonged illness at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on Thursday evening. --IANS ab/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith on Friday paid their homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP office here. The Bhutanese King visited the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters and placed a wreath on the body of Vajpayee, which was lying in state for people to pay their last respects. Asquith and several other diplomats also paid homage to the former Prime Minister, whose flair for foreign policy and initiatives were acknowledged globally. "He (Vajpayee) was an enormously important person who we have great respect for and it's a great loss for India. I wanted to pay my respects to a man of that stature," Asquith said. Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali will attend the funeral. Several other foreign leaders will also be present. Vajpayee was a founder member of the BJP and the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term in office. He was treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for nine weeks before he passed away on Thursday. --IANS aks/vsc/ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canada on Friday condoled the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose last rites were performed earlier in the day. "Canada extends its sincerest condolences to the people of India following the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who devoted his life to the benefit of his country," the Canadian Foreign Ministry said on its Twitter handle. Three-time Prime Minister Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday here after a prolonged illness. --IANS ab/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 85 years ago: The USSR launched its first rocket using liquid propellant On Aug. 17, 1933, the group of Soviet engineers from the GIRD rocket research organization, successfully fired the first Soviet rocket burning liquid oxygen. The GIRD-09 experimental vehicle flew for 18 seconds and reached around 400 meters in altitude before crashing back to Earth. Previous chapter: GDL Known specifications of the GIRD-09 rocket: Designation Rocket Projectile No. 09, R-1(09) R1-09, GIRD-09 Liftoff mass 18.95 kilograms (18 kilograms (81, 84), 19 kilograms (2) Payload mass 6.20 kilograms (instruments and a parachute) Propellant load 4.5 kilograms (81), 5 kilograms (2) - 7.82 kilograms Fuel mass (solidified benzene) 1 kilogram (81) Maximum altitude (projected) 5,000 meters (84); up to 6,000 meters (137) Maximum altitude (reached) 1,500 meters (84) by Variant 13 Maximum speed 275 meters per second Length 2.4 meters (2) Diameter 0.18 meters First launch 1933 Aug. 17, 19:00 Moscow Time From the publisher: Pace of our development depends primarily on the level of support from our readers! Jar of jelly: Origin of Vehicle 09 In 1932, the Group for Investigation of Reactive Motion, GIRD, the first professional rocket-development organization in the USSR, formed just a year earlier, began work on Rocket Projectile No. 9. The project was also known as Vehicle 09 as well as R1-09, R1(09) or GIRD-09. Engineers at GIRD informally called it "nine". The development of Vehicle 09 was centered at GIRD's Design Brigade No. 2 led by Mikhail Tikhonravov, for whom it became the main occupation at the time. The Vehicle 09 became the first ballistic rocket that GIRD was able to take entirely from paper to the launch pad and the closest to date the Soviet engineers got to launching a liquid-propellant rocket, so important for space enthusiasts. However, the rocket eventually became known as a hybrid vehicle, because its liquid oxidizer was mixed with a jelly-like substance made of gasoline, also known as "solid benzene". This exotic propulsion concept (which would not stand the test of time), was an attempt to resolve technical problems encountered by Tikhonravov's team during its work on the preceding Vehicle 07. Designed to carry "traditional" liquid fuel and oxidizer, "07" posed numerous propulsion problems during tests. Coincidently, the Central Soviet of OSOAVIAKhIM, a government-sponsored society that supported GIRD, asked Korolev to dispatch an experienced engineer to the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, for a series of lectures on rocketry and interplanetary flight. (At the time, Baku had its own flourishing space enthusiast community). Korolev sent Nikolai Efremov, a senior engineer at Tikhonravov's Brigade 2. In Baku, Efremov met by chance with a local inventor named Gurvich. In one of his conversations with Gurvich, Efremov complained that benzene could not be made solid like dry alcohol. "The solid benzene also exists," Gurvich responded, "Not exactly solid, but there is (such a thing)." Gurvich then gave Efremov a three-liter jar of jellied gasoline, which turned out to be a mix of benzene with rosin. Efremov wrapped the jar in one of his extra shorts, in order to smuggle his highly flammable cargo on a train back to Moscow. Later, Gurvich sent GIRD a whole bucket of the "secret" substance, which proved to be workable. (18) Development of Vehicle 09 Despite the highly experimental nature of Vehicle 09, it was still expected to become a practical weapon. The rocket was developed on a technical assignment from the Directorate of Military Inventions, UVI, which was a part of the Technical Staff of the Head of Armaments within the Red Army, RKKA. (At the time, UVI funded GIRD along with OSOAVIAKhIM). The military goal of the 09 project was to match the overall effectiveness of a traditional artillery shell with a caliber of 122 millimeters. To that end, the 18-kilogram rocket was designed to climb as high as six kilometers and to develop a speed of around 250 meters per second, carrying six kilograms of payload. (137) In the experimental version of the rocket, the payload consisted of a parachute for soft landing of the rocket's body. The design of Vehicle 09 was ready by the beginning of 1933. Head of GIRD, Sergei Korolev supervised one of the earliest tests of the rocket's combustion chamber on March 5, 1933. (84) According to the recollections of Nikolai Efremov, trials of the 09 engine began at a test range in Nakhabino near Moscow in April 1933, initially using liquefied air. (845) The good progress with initial tests allowed to quickly switch from liquefied air to pure liquid oxygen, with the first firing apparently conducted on May 31, 1933. However, in the following 2.5 months, there were 22 or 23 tests, which revealed numerous problems. First, the ignition system refused to work, apparently due to the freezing of valves and when that issue had been resolved, the flow of liquid oxygen was diluting the fuel and the walls of the combustion chamber or nozzles were burning through. (845) Also, the burning was sometimes becoming explosive and was accompanied by ejection of unburned blobs of jellied propellant out of the nozzle. Engineers tried different fuel injectors, trying to optimize the spraying of the propellant, and introduced special dividers to protect the combustion chamber. (845) The GIRD's shop struggled to implement endless design changes. (681) Exhausted engineers wondered aloud whether the 09 project could ever be completed. Only by the beginning of August 1933 was the engine finally made to work for the necessary time. (845) The final bench test of the engine was completed on August 5. (84) In the meantime, the rocket's parachute system was tested at Tushino airfield near Moscow. A U-2 bi-plane piloted by an OSOAVIAKhIM pilot with Efremov as a passenger was used to drop a mockup of the rocket from an altitude of one kilometer. After some struggle with the wind and vibrations, Efremov, who was in the passenger seat of the aircraft, managed to ignite the fuse line of the parachute release mechanism a moment before dropping the mockup. However, the parachute deployment device failed to work. (18) August 11: Misfire Vehicle 09 was finally scheduled for its first flight on Aug. 11, 1933, from Nakhabino. The rocket would be fired from a vertical stand at Site 17 of the test range. Remarkably, as the project finally overcame its technical problems, Tikhonravov and his GIRD associates Zuev and Andreev, who were at the root of its development, suddenly went on a fishing vacation and would not see the fruit of their efforts. One source explains that "vacation" by a bitter power struggle at GIRD on the eve of its anticipated merger with a sister organization in Leningrad (St Petersburg) and the planned formation of a large rocket research institute. (750) In any case, the first flight test of Vehicle 09 was led by Sergei Korolev, with the help of Yuri Pobedonostsev, Zinaida Kruglova, Anatoly Korneev and Nikolai Efremov. In addition to the core team, many well wishers at GIRD turned out to witness the launch, so that the only truck available to GIRD for a trip to Nakhabino was completely packed and the engineers had to put the precious rocket on their laps to fit nearly 30 people. At the launch site, the group went through the entire preparation routine: Kruglova stuffed the combustion chamber with gasoline, while Efremov filled the oxidizer tank with liquid oxygen, which immediately revealed a leak. After fixing the problem, the oxygen tank was refilled. This time everything looked good and Efremov asked Korolev's permission for launch. Korolev lit up the fuse line for the delayed deployment of the parachute, but the main ignition never worked. The sparkplug apparently failed. Instead, the parachute's release mechanism fired on the launch pad, ejecting the fairing of the motionless rocket. The problem was found quickly and after a short repair, the flight attempt was re-scheduled for August 13. (18) August 13: Encore mishap The second launch attempt was met with miserable weather: cold and rain. Not surprisingly, a much smaller group headed to Nakhabino, but Korolev invited the department chief at Directorate for Military Inventions, UVI, Yakov Terentiev to attend the new attempt. When the liftoff time came, the engine ignited, but the rocket remained in the launching stand and the pressure of oxygen was found to be not exceeding 3.5 atmospheres, instead of required 17 atmospheres. The flames were raging on the concrete pad below and then drowned the rocket itself, until the propellant was completely consumed. The fire damaged the aft fairing and stabilizers, so Korolev had to cannibalize parts from a backup rocket. (845) Back at GIRD, everybody was quite depressed. (18) As Korolev explained to Terentiev, due to lack of pressure sensor on that version of the rocket, something his engineers could not get their hands on, the team could not pinpoint the right moment when the oxygen pressure would reach the ignition level. Terentiev promised to help with that and a new attempt was scheduled for August 17. (241, 84) August 17: Finally a success! According to Terentiev, he had related his experience to Mikhail Tukhachevsky, who led the armaments program of the Red Army, RKKA, and actively patronized GIRD. Tukhachevsky expressed interest in attending the next launch attempt, but then called Terentiev on the eve of August 17 and said that he wouldn't be able to come because he would have to take part in the meeting of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party. However, he urged the team to proceed with the launch attempt and recommended to Terentiev to go again. (241) The 10-person team departed for Nakhabino in the morning of August 17, but spent most of the day in preparations. This time, there were only a few observers, relieving social pressure on the launch team. The rocket was first loaded with benzene, then placed onto the launch stand, where it was fueled with liquid oxygen and its nose faring was installed. After sealing off the oxygen valves, the team waited for the oxygen pressure to reach the 18 atmospheres necessary for liftoff. (681) Efremov and Korolev standing by the entrance into the firing control blockhouse had to stand on their toes to monitor a small pressure gauge at the top of the rocket. They barely saw that the gauge reached 13.5 atmospheres (instead of the needed 17 atmosphere) and then stopped. At the same time, a thin stream of vapor from the rocket revealed that a safety valve was leaking, preventing the pressure from reaching the maximum level. (845) The leak would probably prevent the rocket from reaching its maximum altitude, but Nikolai Efremov urged to proceed with the liftoff, since the very fact of launching would be much more important than any records. (84) "Good... let's launch," Efremov remembered Korolev saying after some hesitation. (18) Efremov pulled out a pack of matches and gave it to Korolev, who then lit up the fuse cord of the parachute release. Korolev and Efremov then rushed to the blockhouse and crowded by the narrow slit window trying to see the rocket. At the "contact" command, Zinaida Kruglova activated the ignition and Efremov pushed out the handle of the oxygen supply lever. The initial loud bang was followed with the familiar healthy whiz of the engine. The rocket began slow upward movement, then froze for a moment at the tip of the launch stand before bursting into the air. Korolev and Efremov rushed to the door of the blockhouse. When Korolev stumbled at the entrance, Efremov pushed him outside, but then froze at the same spot himself, trying to catch a glimpse of the ascending contraption. The rocket first flew vertically, but then began to visibly wiggle, turned over to a horizontal flight, which quickly turned into a steep descent. Kruglova, who was finally able to get out of the blockhouse after Korolev and Efremov, saw the rocket plunge into the trees and smash into to the ground. The engine apparently continued firing until the rocket hit the nearby trees and fell apart. The machinist B.V. Shedko, who doubled as a photographer at GIRD and who was assigned to capture the historic event, got so distracted with all the excitement that he photographed the empty woods instead, as he later honestly admitted in the organization's newspaper. (241) (Unwillingly, Shedko started a long sad tradition of many Soviet space firsts not being properly imaged.) Before liftoff, GIRD's assembly technicians Evgeny Matysik and Lev Ikonnikov (and possibly Pobedonostsev (18)) climbed up trees to better see the launch. When the rocket lifted off, they began jumping excitedly so much on their branches that Matysik lost balance and fell down, fortunately without hurting himself. All others were screaming and hugging each other, celebrating the hard-won success. The witnesses then quickly located the rocket with smoke still billowing from its nozzle. (845) However, the team members had to cross the security fence of the range before they could find the remnants of their machine crashed in the woods. (241) Korolev sat right next to the rocket, which was still hot and smelled of gasoline. (18) Participants in the August 17, 1933, launch at the impact site of Vehicle 09: (Standing, back row): Sergei Korolev, Senior engineer N.I. Efremov, chauffeur Budkov, Head of Brigade 1 L.K. Korneev, assembly technicians A.S. Raetskiy and L.A. Ikonnikov. Sitting, front row: Head of assembly technicians Evgeny Matysik, engineers of Brigade 2: Olga Parovina, Nina Shulgina and Zinaida Kruglova. Photo by GIRD's machinist B.V. Shedko. The main body of the rocket was broken into two pieces and one of its stabilizers was sheared off, apparently from hitting the trees. Engineers quickly established that a leak in the damaged flange insulator between the combustion chamber and the nozzle had created a sideway force, overturning the vehicle during its short flight. The maximum altitude of the pioneering shot was eyeballed at 400 meters, even though some said that the rocket had only climbed to only 20 or 30 meters. (750) The team members then picked up all the debris, photographed them and carried them back to the launch site. (241) Realizing the historic significance of their achievement, Korolev immediately proposed to write down a formal document on the key points of the flight. Somebody handed Efremov an office ledger, which somehow was available in the blockhouse. On the first available clean page, Korolev made a historic record, writing in rough cursive, as the dusk approached: "We, undersigned, the commission of GIRD plant for launching Vehicle 09, including Head of GIRD, Korolev, S.P., Senior Engineer of Brigade No. 2 Efremov, Head of Brigade No. 1 Senior Engineer Korneev L.K., Brigadir of assembly technicians Matysik on Aug. 17, 1933, after reviewing the vehicle and related hardware made a decision to put it in the air. The launch took place at Station No. 17 of the Nakhabino engineering test range on Aug. 17 at 19 hours 00 minutes. Mass of the vehicle, approx. 18 kilograms Mass of propellant (solid benzene) 1 kilogram (Mass) of oxygen 3.45 kilograms Pressure in the oxygen tank 13.5 atmospheres Duration of flight from the liftoff moment to impact 18 seconds Altitude of vertical ascent (estimated) approximately 400 meters The launch proceeded slowly, at the maximum altitude rocket went horizontal and then on a shallow trajectory fell into the nearby forest. During the entire flight, the engine remained operational. At ground impact, the exterior skin was bended. The connecting manifold was broken. The switch from vertical to horizontal flight and then turn to the ground happened due to the breakage of the gases (burn through) at flange, resulting in the appearance of a side force, which toppled the rocket. Signed: Korolev, Efremov, Korneev, Matysik at the Nakhabino station on Aug. 17, at 20 h. 10 min. 1933. The document was preserved at the Russian Academy of Sciences, according to E. Matysik, who participated in the experiment. Read much more about the history of the Russian space program in a richly illustrated, large-format glossy edition: Mikhail Tikhonravov A museum replica of the GIRD-07 (left) and 09 rockets. Copyright 2001 Anatoly Zak A "cutaway" replica of the final version of the "09" engine (shown upside down) for the GIRD-09 and 06 rockets. Copyright 2001 Anatoly Zak A launching rig for Vehicle 09. An apparent contemporary photos of the GIRD-09 rocket at launch site in Nakhabino. Credit: RGANT Korolev and Yakov Terentiev in Nakhabino in August 1933. A team of GIRD specialists probably during preparation of Vehicle 09 for launch in August 1933 (left to right): Zinaida Kruglova, Nikolai Efremov, Evgeny Matysik and Nina Shulgina. A likely preparation for the failed launch attempt of Vehicle 09 on Aug. 13, 1933. The person at the right is likely Pobedonostsev Matysik is at the top left. Left on the ladder is Anatoly Raevsky, on the left, with his hand in his pocket, is Mikhail Vorobiev. A tall man next to him is Vasily Avdonin, a glider pilot and a mechanic. On the right with a paper in his hand is Nikolai Efremov. A chauffeur is leaning on the pipe. (Credit: ARRAN The installation of the rocket into its launch device (a possible reenactment). The fueling of Vehicle 09 before launch. A front section of Vehicle 09 with liquid oxygen tank at the impact site on August 17, 1933. Aft section of Vehicle 09 at the impact site on August 17, 1933. A preliminary report on the launch of Vehicle 09. Credit: ARRAN Children deported from Mexico and the US to Central America face violence, stigma and deprivation, worsening the root causes of irregular migration, the UN Children's Agency (UNICEF) warned in a Child Alert issued on Thursday. The alert shows that dangerous journeys and deportations intensify poverty, extreme violence and lack of opportunity, Deputy UN Spokesman Farhan Haq said. "It is common that children who are sent back to their countries of origin have no home to return to, end up deep in debt or are targeted by gangs." "Being returned to impossible situations makes it more likely that they will migrate again," he told reporters at a regular briefing, citing the alert report, Uprooted in Central America and Mexico, Migrant and Refugee Children Face a Vicious Cycle of Hardship and Danger, Xinhua reported. More than 68,000 migrant children were detained in Mexico between 2016 and April 2018, 91 percent of whom were deported to Central America, the 25-page report said. "In the countries of northern Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - and in Mexico, gang-related violence, organized crime, extortion, poverty and limited access to quality education and social services are part of daily life for millions of children," the report said. "Each day, families facing these harsh conditions make the painful decision to leave their homes, communities and countries in search of safety and a more hopeful future," it said. "Some move within the region, while others head north to Mexico and the United States." "Yet many of the families trying to escape their desperate circumstances experience a host of new problems and traumas once they turn to irregular migration routes," UNICEF said. These families must navigate a long, uncertain journey in which they risk being preyed upon by traffickers or other criminals, or losing their bearings." "They may be apprehended in transit or upon reaching their destinations, only to be detained and then returned to their countries of origin," the report said. "If they are sent back, they are likely to experience an intensification of the factors - violence, poverty, lack of opportunities, stigmatization, social exclusion and internal displacement - that drove them to migrate in the first place." UNICEF urged governments to work together in implementing solutions shown to help alleviate the root causes of irregular and forced migration and safeguard the well-being of refugee and migrant children along the journey. "The report also outlines a series of recommendations to keep refugee and migrant children safe and reduce the factors that push families and children to leave their homes in search of safety or a more hopeful future via irregular and dangerous migration routes," Haq said. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Friday expressed its condolences on the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and called him an "outstanding Indian statesman" for his contribution to the Sino-Indian ties. "Vajpayee was an outstanding Indian statesman and made outstanding contribution to the Sino-Indian ties," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "China expresses its deep condolences to the Indian government and its people," it said. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a condolence message to the Indian leaders. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Thursday following a prolonged illness. --IANS gsh/soni/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A civilian injured in a grenade explosion in Pulwama district on Friday succumbed to his injuries, police said. "Abdul Ahad, a civilian who was injured in a grenade explosion in Awantipora town, today (Friday) has succumbed to critical injuries," said a police officer. Three civilians were injured in a grenade explosion on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, he said. The police said militants hurled a grenade at the office of Superintendent of Police (SP) in Awantipora town. The grenade exploded outside the office, injuring three civilians. --IANS sq/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced his government will be donating Rs 10 crore to flood-ravaged Kerala. Sharing a tweet by the office of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kejriwal appealed to everyone to "donate generously" to Kerala. "Spoke to Kerala CM. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala," Kejriwal wrote in his tweet. The toll in rain-battered Kerala in 10 days touched 174 on Friday as a red alert continued in 12 of the 14 districts of the state, the Kerala government said in a statement. Since August 8, when the rains began pounding the southern state, around 2.40 lakh persons have been lodged in 1,568 relief camps across Kerala. Although the intensity of the rain has decreased in several districts since Friday morning, flood water from big dams in Idukki district continued to be released. On Twitter, the Kerala Chief Minister's office appealed to the people of the country to donate to the state which has "lost 324 lives" in the floods. "Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. Eighty dams opened, 324 lives lost and 2,23,139 people are in about 150 relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected," it said. --IANS sd/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is planning to set up a 1,500mw pumped storage facility in Jahrkhand's Bokaro at an estimated cost of Rs 5,200 crore, an official said on Friday. "We are planning to set up the 1,500mw (6*250 mw) pumped storage facility at Lugu Pahar near Bokaro," its Chairman P.K. Mukhopadhyay said. "The total project cost is estimated at Rs 5,200 crore and it will act as a storage facility for solar power generating units," he said on the sidelines of CII Energy Conclave here. A pre-feasibility study has been completed and a detailed project report will be prepared by an agency at a cost of around Rs 40 crore, according to him. The report will be completed in the next two years. The power utility, along with its partner NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), recently won a supply contract of 300 mw of power for a 15-year time period. "We are prepared for starting supply. We are expecting to start selling power to Bangladesh within a month," Mukhopadhyay said. Responding to a query relating to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court against both these firms, challenging the legalities involved in the bidding process, he said: "We will contest it. We have been supplying power to eight states and we do not have any restrictions in supplying power." Asked whether the utility will find any difficulties in exporting power generated from domestic coal, he said: "We have a combination of power including sources like thermal, hydro and solar. Our contract with Bangladesh is not based on any specific plant and we will supply from our pool of power." --IANS bdc/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing grave concern over the flood "crises" in Kerala, the Supreme Court on Friday suggested that the Disaster Management sub-committee, National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the court-appointed committee should meet to explore the possibility of reducing the water-level in the Mullaperiyar Dam reservoir there to 139 feet. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said: "We are not experts. We are leaving it to the committee... to bring down the water level to 139 feet from 142 feet at the Mullaperiyar Dam", as the the Centre informed it that the sub-committee has decided to reduce the water level by releasing it. The bench asked for measures to be in place to see to it that inhabitants downstream were safe before the release of water from the dam. The court said the idea was to resolve the "calamity, rescue and rehabilitate people" caught in flood. The bench also asked the Kerala Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on what steps were being taken for disaster management, rescue and rehabilitation of those affected. The Kerala death toll touched 164 on Friday after incessant rains began there on August 8. A total of 2.23 lakh people have been shifted to relief camps, while thousands still waited to be rescued. Situation of Kerala flood is being monitored on a "minute-by-minute" basis, Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha told the top court on the Centre's behalf. The bench asked Tamil Nadu to "scrupulously" comply with instructions to bring down the water level in the dam. It then posted the matter for next hearing on August 24. The court was hearing a PIL filed seeking directions for management of water in the Mullaperiyar Dam reservoir and announcement of a disaster management plan in relation to the dam. The petition was filed by a Kerala resident Russel Joy who also sought direction for Tamil Nadu to ensure proper management of water release from the dam, so that no harm is caused to people living downstream. Kerala is facing the heaviest rains and floods witnessed in the state since 1924 which by now have caused massive destruction with damages to crops and properties estimated to be thousands of crores. --IANS gt/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an unprecedented gesture, the government of Mauritius will fly both the Mauritian and Indian national flags at half mast on Friday in honour of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "Following the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the government has decided that both the Mauritius and India flags will remain at half mast from sunrise to sunset on Friday," a directive issued by the office of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said. "An appeal is also being made to the private sector for ll flags to be flown at half mast during the same period," it said. Vajpayee passed away in Delhi on Thursday at the age of 93 after prolonged illness. Around 68 per cent of Mauritius's population of nearly 1.3 million are of Indian descent. Many are descendants of Indian indentured labour brought to work on sugarcane plantations on the Indian Ocean island nation in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In a condolence message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jugnauth said that Vajpayee "shaped the destiny of India through his bold leadership and his deep-rooted empathy for the common man". "Today, as India shines as a beacon of progress and development on the global stage, we cannot forget the strong and able stewardship of Vajpayee," Jugnauth stated. "His was a leadership characterised by determination, perseverance, fairness and equity." Jugnauth also recalled Vajpayee's deep affection for Mauritius and its people and said that "we were honoured to receive him in March 2000 as chief guest at the National Day celebrations and whenever he visited Mauritius". "Mauritius mourns the loss of a man who stood not only for India but also for Mauritius," he said. --IANS ab/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll in rain-battered Kerala touched 174 on Friday as a red alert continued in 12 districts, with various agencies continuing the rescue operations after rains subsided to evacuate over 80,000 persons during the day. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media in the night that the situation arising out of unprecedented floods and subsequent havoc caused by turgid rivers and gushing waters in Kerala continues to be "grave". He said that since August 8 -- when the rains began pounding the southern state -- as 3,14,391 persons have been lodged in 2,094 relief camps across Kerala. "The worst affected districts include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur," Vijayan said after a review meeting with state officials. Hundreds of defence personnel, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, helped by more than 20 helicopters, mounted search and rescue operations. Fishermen along with their motorboats too joined the humanitarian efforts. More helicopters were pressed into service on Friday to fly sorties for rescue and relief. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sanctioned the extra choppers, as people marooned in Chengannur and Chalakudy could only be airlifted to safety. Waters from the Periyar river and its tributaries kept many towns in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts submerged. The worst affected include Paravur, Kalady, Chalakudy, Perumbavoor and Muvatupuzha. "We have no food. There are 150 persons waiting to be rescued," rued a group of people who sent a video clip to TV channels from Chalakudy. Thousands of people are still perched on high-rise buildings waiting to be rescued and taken to relief camps. Over 50,000 people are lodged in the Ernakulam and Thrissur camps alone. Intensity of rains, however, decreased in several districts since Friday morning, leading to decrease in water level in three big dams in Idukki district. The red alert in Kasargode and Thiruvananthapuram districts was withdrawn on Friday though the warning continued in other 12 districts in Kerala. "On Saturday, 25 big Army boats will be deployed for evacuation in Kalady, Chengannur and Thiruvalla. More helicopters will be used for rescue and relief. We are confident that by Saturday, we will be able to rescue all those awaiting help," the Chief Minister said. In the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the flood situation with Vijayan over phone. He was slated to arrive in the state in the evening and undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas on Saturday. Vijayan pointed out that 40,000 policemen, 3,200 firefighters, 18 teams of the Army, 28 of Coast Guard, 39 of NDRF and 46 of Navy were engaged in rescue operations. As many as 82,442 persons were rescued on Friday, Vijayan said. "The Centre has allowed the use of the Cochin naval airbase for commercial operations of small aircraft, as the Cochin International Airport has been closed due to flooding. Punjab, Maharashtra, and Telangana have said they will provide food packets while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has pledged Rs 10 crore and other help," Vijayan said. Waters in Idukki and Wayanad areas and certain areas of Pathanathitta has receded, he said. "One big problem that rescue teams are facing is that some people are unwilling to move to the relief camps. This is not good for their safety," the Chief Minister added. Many people, especially in Kuttanadu area, refused to move to the camps, Finance Minister Thomas Issac said. Rising waters though forced them to change their plan. Idukki's senior revenue official M.P. Vinod said that with lesser rains, water level in various dams in Idukki had come down. "The biggest problem is disruption in telecommunication facilities... We are unable to communicate freely. All relief camps are functioning well and none has any complaint. In Munnar, I am given to understand that the Army is restoring damaged roads. Another huge problem is spread of fake news, which has to be tackled," Vinod said. Helicopters loaded with food packets took off from the state capital and dropped these in central districts. Authorities in worst-affected districts took help of big lorries to navigate flooded roads to reach those marooned in small pockets. Amid the grim scenario in the state, there was good news: A pregnant woman Sajitha Jabeel airlifted on Friday morning by a Navy rescue team from a waterlogged place near Aluva delivered a baby boy at the Kochi Naval Base hospital soon after she was admitted. Meanwhile, authorities in Ernakulam faced problems as a camp set up at U.C. College at Aluva was overcrowded with over 8,000 people. Aluva legislator Anwar Sadat said shortage of fuel was hampering rescue as only boats were being pressed into service. "Things are very bad. Aluva is completely marooned. People have no food or water. Our only solace is the numerous fishermen who are rescuing us. "But now even their families are asking them to return. More defence personnel are required to speed up the rescue and relief," Sadat said while pleading for help. The central district of Pathanamthitta is also facing destruction as overflowing Pamba river has inundated several towns. Ranni, Kozhenchery continue to be completely submerged. Hundreds of fishermen from coastal villages of Thiruvananthapuram arrived at Pathanamthitta and began rescue even as helicopters too began to airlift affected persons to safer places. On Friday, Achenkovil river overflowed into Pandalam town. A boat overturned while carrying out the rescue work, but luckily all on board were saved. The MeT office forecast lesser rains in Kerala till Saturday, which should bring some relief to the embattled authorities. Rescue operations are progressing well in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. In the last two districts, over 20,000 camps have been set up. Major national and state highways, as well as rail traffic, continued to be disrupted in various parts of the state though more government buses were operated from various depots on Friday. Railway services between Ernakulam and Thrissur remained suspended even as long- distance trains were diverted via Nagercoil route. Long queues were witnessed in front of petrol stations across the state following reports of shortage of automobile fuel due to floods. Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told the media that even though one should not be finding faults with the state government, a lot needs to be done as thousands of people are still at risk. "We do not know who is providing all these figures to the Chief Minister... there seems to be a lack of coordination as people are suffering in relief camps," he claimed. Kerala is facing the heaviest rains and consequent floods and destruction since 1924, which the state estimates has caused a loss of Rs 8,000 crore. --IANS sg/tsb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France on Friday condoled the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying his name will remain linked to Indo-French friendship as he shaped the strategic partnership that the two countries share. "It was with deep grief that we learnt of the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "France offers its condolences to his family as well as the Indian authorities and people," it said. "Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India's history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998." Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday evening at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here following a prolonged illness. --IANS ab/soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The negotiation plan envisaged by the UN Secretary-Generals special envoy for the Sahara, Horst Kohler, is likely to fail for the simple reason that the Moroccans refuse to hold direct negotiations with the Polisario and demand the involvement of Algeria as a stakeholder in this conflict, many experts familiar with the Sahara issue say. Actually, the rejection of direct negotiations was reaffirmed last week by Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, shortly after the UN mediator briefed the Security Council on August 8 on his latest tour of the region. He told the media that it is Algeria which is blocking the peace process by refusing to participate in negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front. For the Moroccan diplomat, Rabat is certainly not ready for direct negotiations with the Polisario Front which, he said, has no authority, no independence and no power to take decisions by itself without the approval of his Algerian godfather. We do not want to waste time, we have been candid with the UN envoy insisting that Algeria must take part in the next negotiations, said the Moroccan ambassador. At his briefing before the Security Council, Kohler had, in fact, revealed his plan to address, probably next September, invitations to Morocco and the Polisario to resume negotiations that have been frozen since 2012. Yet, Moroccan leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed that Algeria is the centerpiece of the puzzle since it was the Algerian regime that created the front in the 1970s and it is Algeria that continues to shelter, finance and support the separatists politically, diplomatically and militarily. Investor sentiments in the Indian equity market firmed up on Friday with the NSE Nifty50 ending at a record closing level, following broadly positive cues in the global markets. The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex breached the 38,000-mark during the day before closing slightly below the psychological mark. Index-wise, the Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange closed at 11,470.75 points, up 85.70 points or 0.75 per cent from its previous close. The S&P BSE Sensex, which had opened at 37,898.60 points, closed at 37,947.88 points, up 284.32 points or 0.75 per cent from previous close of 37,663.56 points. It touched an intra-day high of 38,022.32 points and a low of 37,840.16. In the broader markets, the S&P BSE Mid-cap rose by 0.88 per cent and the S&P BSE Small-cap ended higher by 0.94 per cent from the previous close. The BSE market breadth was bullish with 1,629 advances and 1,076 declines. "The gains came on the back of positive Asian markets as investors seemed to cheer Washington and Beijing's decision to hold trade talks next week," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. Investment-wise, provisional data with exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors bought scrip worth Rs 147.31 crore and the domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 151.89 crore. Sector-wise, the S&P BSE Banking index rose 398.95 points, FMCG index was up 219.19 points and the metal index ended higher 216.43 points from its previous close. In contrast, the S&P BSE oil and gas index was the only losing index with a decline of 22.55 points. In a major development, share price of FMCG major ITC on the BSE touched a 52-week high of Rs 315.20 on Friday. It settled at Rs 313.75 per share, higher Rs 6.95 or 2.27 per cent from the previous close. The major gainers on the Sensex were Yes Bank, up 3.76 per cent at Rs 392.95; State Bank of India, up 3.18 per cent at Rs 302; Vedanta, up 3.09 per cent at Rs 215; Hindustan Uniliver, up 2.63 at Rs 1,780.80; and Tata Motors, up 2.47 per cent at Rs 257.35 per share. The major losers were Hero Motocorp, down 1.14 per cent at Rs 3,248.60; ONGC, down 0.61 per cent at Rs 163.10; Maruti Suzuki, down 0.58 per cent at Rs 9,148.30; Coal India, down 0.44 per cent at Rs 281.20; and HDFC, down 0.39 per cent at Rs 1,883.60 per share. --IANS rrb-ravi/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facing backlash from employees for its reported plan to enter China with a censored version of its search engine, Google CEO addressed them in an internal meeting and informed that the project, called Dragonfly, was at an exploratory stage, the media reported. Pichai also addressed the controversy surrounding the secrecy of the project, BuzzFeed News reported late on Thursday. "I think there are a lot of times when people are in exploratory stages where teams are debating and doing things, so sometimes being fully transparent at that stage can cause issues," the Google CEO was quoted as saying. The news about Google's plan to build a censored search engine in China broke earlier this month when The Intercept reported that the search platform would blacklist "sensitive queries" about topics including politics, free speech, democracy, human rights and peaceful protest. This triggered an outrage among some Google staff who complained of lack of transparency within the company. Over 1,400 employees reportedly signed a petition demanding more insight into the project. At the company meeting on Thursday, Pichai said that Google has been "very open about our desire to do more in China," and that the team "has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now" and "exploring many options", CNBC reported. While expressing interest in continuing to expand the company's services in China, Pichai told the employees that the company was "not close" to launching a search product there and that whether it would -- or could -- "is all very unclear", the CNBC report said. Google had earlier launched a search engine in China in 2006, but pulled the service out of the country in 2010, citing Chinese government efforts to limit free speech and block websites. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at the Manila airport on Friday after a Chinese airline plane crash-landed amid heavy rains, forcing authorities to shut the runway. The China-based Xiamen Air plane skidded off the runway on Thursday night with 157 passengers and eight crew onboard, reports Efe news. The passengers and crew travelling on flight MF8667 from Xiamen were evacuated from the plane and were given food and blankets before being transferred to an airport hotel. No injuries have been reported. Ninoy Aquino International Airport authorities have extended closure of the runway until Friday evening, causing dozens of flights to be cancelled. "A notice to airlnes has been issued advising them about the closure. Passengers of affected flights are advised to closely coordinate with their airlines for announcements," the authorities said in a statement. Around 49 flights were cancelled, while at least 10 flights were diverted. The Xiamen Air Boeing 737-800 remained on the side of the runway on Friday morning, several hours after the crash. The airport's general director, Eddie Monreal, said at a press conference that the plane tried to land twice but after the second attempt the control tower lost contact with it. The specific cause of the incident is still under investigation. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An El Salvadoran immigrant woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the US administration here asking to be reunited with her infant daughter who needs to be breastfed. Leydi Duenas-Claros, 30, also seeks a halt to her deportation proceedings and wants the government to reconsider her denied asylum claim, CNN reported. "We are waiting to go before a judge and will be able to comment more at a later time," Claudia O'Brien, an attorney for Duenas, said on Thursday. Duenas was set to be deported on Thursday, but O'Brien was told the proceedings were postponed. In May, Duenas came to the US with her then-11-month-old daughter, one of her five children who by birth are American citizens, to seek asylum, according to the lawsuit. They were separated after she and her child crossed the border. "(The mother) has suffered, and continues to suffer, extreme anguish and trauma due to the forcible separation from her infant child -- a baby so young that she was breastfeeding prior to the separation," the lawsuit said. Duenas was denied asylum in late July. Despite President Donald Trump signing an executive order in June to stop family separations, the mother and daughter are yet to be reunited, the lawsuit added. In July, a federal judge in California ordered the US government to temporarily pause deportations of reunited families to allow attorneys time to debate whether the judge should more permanently extend that order. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese police have arrested a man who allegedly used his influence on social media to extort money. Police in central China's Hunan Province said they had launched a criminal investigation into Chen Jieren, director of the board of Beijing Hualin Management and Consulting Co. Ltd., for allegations including extortion and illegal business operations, Xinhua reported. Chen was a self-proclaimed "internet celebrity," who built a massive following on Chinese social media, the police said. Investigation has showed he had published more than 3,000 disturbing articles, for clickbait and verbal attacks, for instance, and engaged in illegal activities such as blackmailing, accumulating tens of millions of yuan over the years. The police source said Chen's activities exhibited features of an online criminal gang, with the participation of his ex-wife, brothers, and a mistress. The victims of the blackmailing include business owners, government officials, and other individuals. Multiple victims said they knew the articles Chen used to blackmail were fake, but they were willing to give away the money to avoid trouble. Chen fabricated his college diploma and status as a university researcher. He whitewashed his experience of being fired by several media outlets for involvement in concocting fake news, according to the police source. "When Chen found that writing could be a lucrative business, he used it to make big money," said his mistress, who was only identified by her surname, Liu. "He knew how to write sensational pieces." Chen had confessed and regretted his acts, said the police source. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death describing him as a "good friend of Japan". "I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Abe said in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the copy of which was shared by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar over Twitter. Recalling Vajpayee's visit to Japan in 2001, Abe said that the late Indian leader "made significant contributions to friendship between our two countries as a good friend of Japan". Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday here after a prolonged illness. He was cremated at Smriti Sthal here on Friday. Abe said that Vajpayee "established the cornerstone of Japan-India relations today". Describing Vajpayee as an eminent leader of India, Abe said: "I pray from the bottom of my heart that his soul may rest in peace." --IANS ab/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to serve in the US Senate, is set to make her first endorsement in an Iowa campaign on Friday, sources said. Harris, a California Democrat, will endorse Deidre DeJear for Iowa Secretary of State, the informed sources told Politico news. Harris however, is not expected to appear in Iowa for the endorsement announcement. But her endorsement of DeJear was not unexpected. Harris' out-of-California endorsements this year have focused on non-white candidates, including Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Jahana Hayes in Connecticut. DeJear is Iowa's first black nominee for statewide office from a major political party. When DeJear won her primary election in June, Harris tweeted: "Congratulations to @DeidreDeJear on being the first black nominee for statewide office in Iowa! Black women have voted at a higher rate than other groups, yet are continually underrepresented in elected office. In 2018, we have a chance to buck that trend." DeJear, a businesswoman who worked on former President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in Iowa in 2012, replied with a tweet calling Harris "a phenomenal role model to us all!" --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader slammed sanctions against during a visit to an under-construction tourist complex, state media reported on Friday. Kim denounced the sanctions in a meeting with construction workers in the Wonsan-Kalma tourist area, along the eastern coast of the Asian country, lashing out at "hostile forces trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", reports Efe news Kim, who was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and senior party officials, said that the completion of the project, despite sanctions, would show the world the unity of the North Korean people. "If such a magnificent project is completed at such a difficult time as now, the strength of the single-minded unity of the Party, army and people will be displayed to the whole world," he said. Since Kim's meeting with US on June 12 in Singapore, North Korea, through state and foreign media, has criticised the sanctions imposed on the country by and asked that they be lifted. says that Washington's promise of security guarantees for the North Korean regime and lifting of sanctions while improving bilateral ties through dialogue and negotiation seem to have come to a standstill. The US insists that it would retain sanctions on the regime until it takes concrete steps toward denuclearisation. (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.) Aiming to bridge the digital divide in the country, Logitech --global mouse and keyboards making firm -- on Friday donated Devanagiri-enabled Hindi keyboards to 100 schools in Uttar Pradesh. As part of Logitech's Digi@Bharat initiative, the students will now have the ability to select Hindi as a language in their keyboards. "We are extremely proud and humbled to have reached out to 100 schools across Uttar Pradesh under our Digi@Bharat initiative, empowering many dreams through the power of technology," Sumanta Datta, Managing Director, India and SWA, Logitech Asia Pacific, said in a statement "We firmly believe that the use and adoption of technology should be democratised and language should not be a knowledge barrier," Datta added. The Logitech MK235 Wireless Devanagari Keyboard Combo as well as the wired Devanagari keyboard K120 would empower them to cross linguistic barriers in the use and adoption of digital technologies. The Digi@Bharat campaign promotes the idea of inclusivity and aims at promoting content creation coupled with consumption in regional languages. --IANS rt/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Mark Wahlberg says he gets along with director Peter Berg well, and loves working with him. Wahlberg has worked with Berg on films like "Patriots Day", "Deepwater Horizon", "Lone Survivor" and forthcoming film "Mile 22". "We get along tremendously well. My family gets along well with his family and my friends get along with his friends. We just have a good time," Wahlberg said in a statement to IANS. Berg said he was inspired by Wahlberg's work ethics. He said: "Mark's work ethic is probably better than mine, and I think mine's pretty intense! He's a very hard worker. I trust him to be there for me, and I think the feeling is mutual." Written by Graham Roland and Lea Carpenter, "Mile 22" is a story of an elite American intelligence officer who, with the help of the top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of a foreign country. Being brought to India by PVR Pictures, the film will release in India on August 24. --IANS sug/dc/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he discussed the flood situation in Kerala with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," he tweeted. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of nearly 100 people in the state. --IANS mg/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and other senior leaders including L.K. Advani and Sitaram Yechury, and thousands of people paid their tributes as the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached the party's central office here on Friday. The body, draped in the national flag reached the 6-A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg headquarters in a procession which was joined by a large number of people from different parts of the country who chanted "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" in unision to pay their tributes to the departed leader. The body was brought from the Krishna Menon Marg residence of the former Prime Minister in a flower-decked hearse drawn by a military truck. Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stood in silence near the gate as the body arrived. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers to the body of the late leader. The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Advani, a long-time associate of Vajpayee, visited the new party office to pay his tributes. Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D. Raja also paid their tributes. Among those present were union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and BJP office-bearers. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes in memory of their beloved leader who had a pan-India appeal. They had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling even jumped the gate to get inside the party office. Vajpayee will be given a state funeral at around 4 p.m. at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. His last journey from the party headquarters to Sthal will begin at 1 p.m. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. Delhi government offices, schools and institutions are closed on Friday and central government offices will work for half-a-day. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force has earlier visited Vajpayee's official residence to pay their tributes. Vajpayee had passed away at the AIIMS on Thursday evening. --IANS spk-rak-bns-ps/ksk/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tens of thousands of commoners joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the final journey to bid adieu to Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the former Prime Minister's body was being taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna river for the last rites. The journey began around 2 p.m. -- an hour behind schedule -- from the BJP's new central office on the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Modi and Shah walked behind the flower-decked gun carriage carrying the body of Vajpayee draped in the tricolour as security personnel kept a tight watch. People from across the country, many of them teary-eyed, threw flower petals on the casket all through the three-kilometer route as an expression of their love, respect and admiration for the late leader. Slogans like "Atalji amar rahen", "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" rent the air as the procession progressed. Some people were carrying banners containing lines from poems written by Vajpayee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also in the procession and supporters accompanying him raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram". A number of BJP chief ministers including, Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh), Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana), Union Ministers and BJP leaders accompanied the funeral procession. It passed through some populated areas of Delhi, inclduing Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, on its way to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers. Earlier, Modi, Shah, veteran BJP leader L. K. Advani, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D. Raja, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palanisami were among the national leaders who paid tributes to Vajpayee at the party office after his body was brought there from his Krishna Menon Marg residence. Before the body was taken from the residence, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin, MDMK chief Vaiko, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force placed wreaths and paid their last respects. Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Yogi Adityanath received the body near the gate of the party office. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith were among those who paid their tributes at the party office. Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali will attend the funeral. The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Among those present at the party office were union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and BJP office-bearers. People had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling jumped the gate to get inside the party office. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes. Tight security arrangements had been made for the final procession by security forces anticipating participation of a large number of people. Vajpayee, who had passed away at the AIIMS on Thursday evening, has a pan-India appeal and his flair for foreign policy and initiatives were acknowledged globally. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. --IANS spk-ps-bns/vsc/sar/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who talked to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday, will travel to the state for an aerial of the affected areas on Saturday. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Modi tweeted. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. " Modi is expected to land in Thiruvananthapuram by 9 p.m. and will be staying at the Raj Bhavan. He will take an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas on Saturday. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of nearly 100 people in the state. --IANS sar/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession wound its way through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, a man wearing a skull cap and sporting a flowing beard, led a group of madrassa students chanting in praise of the departed leader as a mark of gratitude for the former Prime Minister who once helped him settle a dispute over a mosque. The students from a nearby Muslim seminary said they had been waiting near a busy crossing close to ITO since early morning on a sultry Friday. "These children got ready in the morning. They have been waiting since then to get a glimpse of Vajpayee-ji. They said when his funeral procession will pass through the road, they would salute him. He was a man of truth. And such men live forever," Ameen-ud-Din told IANS. Ameen-ud-Din is a member of the management of Madrassa Rasheedia, run by Masjid Bhoori Bhatiyari at Bahadur Shah Marg in central Delhi. "For a man who stood behind each one of us, we have only this to say that 'Jab tak sooraj chaand rahega....Atalji ka naam rahega'." Ameen-ud-Din said he had always remembered Vajpayee as a leader "who took people of every religion along, a genuine human being". "We respect him for that. We would want to thank him from the bottom of our hearts." Ameen-ud-Din then narrated a story of how he had personally see Vajpayee's large-heartedness and inclusiveness when he was the Prime Minister. "He called us to his residence on the issue of a mosque. He treated us with respect. Our Hindu brothers were also present (in the meeting). "He called up the Home Minister (L.K. Advani) and informed him about the matter. He also assured us that the mosque which was shut would be re-opened. "'You don't worry. This is Hindustan'," Ameen-ud-Din, recalled Vajpayee's words of reassurance to him. He said he had shared the anecdote with the children of the madrassa and when the news of Vajpayee's death broke, they felt very sad. They said such a mass leader who had such an immense respect for every religion is rare and wanted to pay their gratitude to him -- posthumously though. Vajpayee, who passed away at AIIMS on Thursday evening, had a pan-India appeal and is remembered for his six-year rule as the head of the right-wing BJP government. The country observed a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader was decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. --IANS sid/sar/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of Muslims from around the world gathered on Friday in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage. Pilgrims were praying around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam's most sacred site, where Muslims go each year to perform the Haj, reports Efe news. Saudi Arabian authorities announced earlier that more than 1.6 million people had arrived in the holy city of Mecca for this year's Haj, which starts on Sunday. Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohamed Benten said on Thursday that Qatari pilgrims had reached the kingdom through Kuwait, stressing Qataris were not prevented from performing Haj. Riyadh has cut all economic and transport links with its smaller neighbour Qatar in June last year over allegations of funding terrorism. Muslims are expected to perform the Haj, one of Islam's five pillars, at least once in their lifetime, provided they are fit enough and have the financial means to do so. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI on Friday raided 12 places in Bihar, including former Minister Manju Verma's residence in connection with its probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape cases, an official said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team conducted searches at three residences of the former Bihar Social Welfare Minister in Patna. A CBI official in Delhi told IANS that it also carried out searches in Muzaffarpur, Motiharti and Begusarai on the premises of the friends of Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the case. Manju Verma had been under attack from the opposition following revelation in July that the key accused in the rape of 34 minor girls at the Balika Grih had close links with her husband, Chandeshwar Verma. Manju Verma resigned on August 8. Thakur is lodged in Muzaffarpur jail after his arrest on June 2. Of the 42 girls lodged at the short-stay home run by an NGO of Thakur, 34 minor girls were found to have been sexually assaulted after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, carried out a social audit. The shelter home has been sealed. --IANS aks/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP legislator from Dibrugarh constituency, Prasanta Phukan has appealed to the Centre to name the yet-to-be-inaugurated Bogibeel bridge after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The former Prime Minister had inaugurated the construction of the Bridge, a major infrastructure project in the region in 2002. A commitment of the historical Assam Accord, the bridge was sanctioned by the Centre in 1997-98 and it was expected to be completed by the end of the Ninth Five Year Plan. In 2007, the government declared the project as national project. "I feel Atal ji had done a lot for the North-East as a Prime Minister. The best way to pay tribute to the visionary leader will be to name the Bogibeel Bridge as Atal Setu," said Phukan while interacting with media in Dibrugarh on Friday. "I am going to meet Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal soon with a formal request so that he convinces the Centre to name the Bridge as Atal Setu," said Phukan, adding the government should also inaugurate the Bridge on December 25, the date commemorating the birth of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The design of Bogibeel Bridge has 39 spans of 125 m and a superstructure of composite welded steel truss and reinforced concrete. It is designed to carry a double line 1,676 mm (5 ft-6 inches) broad gauge railway on the lower deck and a 3-lane road on the upper deck. Upon completion it will be the longest combined rail and road bridge in India and second longest bridge over the Brahmaputra after Dhola-Sadiya Bridge which is a road bridge of 9.15 km length. The construction work of 4.94 km long bridge is likely to be completed by October this year. The bridge once completed will ramp up logistical movement of armed forces in Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China. Although civil work on Bogibeel bridge has been completed, but electrical and signalling work remains to be completed. The bridge is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by December this year. --IANS ah/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose appeal transcended party lines and geographical boundaries, was cremated with full military honours on Friday in the presence of the country's top leaders cutting across the political divide and adoring masses. Amidst chanting of vedic hymns and firing of a 21-gun salute by soldiers, his foster-daughter Namita lit the funeral pyre in the presence of a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, political leaders and foreign dignitaries bidding adieu to the departed leader at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had earlier walked with the gun-carriage carrying the mortal remains of Vajpayee as it made its way from the party headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to the cremation venue, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers. People had been thronging Vajpayee's residence since morning on Krishna Menon Marg, where the body was kept since Thursday night. The crowds swelled as the mortal remains were brought to the BJP's new headquarters and kept there for over three hours for people to pay their last respects. Delayed by an hour, the final journey saw a sea of people converging on the route to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a distance of less than 3 km on the banks of the Yamuna river. In keeping with the military traditions, the three service chiefs placed wreaths on the body of Vajpayee before leaders paid their tributes for one last time. The tricolour that was wrapped around Vajpayee's body was given to his foster granddaughter Niharika after which the body was handed over to the family for the last rites. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, veteran BJP leaders and Vajpayee's long-time associates L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present at the funeral. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai led foreign dignitaries including Pakistan Law Minister Syed Ali Zafar, Nepal Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, acting Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in paying homage. Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Anand Sharma, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai, former Union Minister A. Raja, MDMK chief Vaiko and TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi. The cremation ground was surcharged with emotion as Vajpayee's body was consigned to the flames. People, many of them misty-eyed, raised slogans like "Atalji amar rahen". People gathered at places enroute the procession, including a madrassa, raising slogans hailing Vajpayee. Many of the people who came had grown up with Vajpayee's spellbinding oratory and were impressed with his poems. Vajpayee had a pan-India appeal cutting across boundaries of caste, community, language and his flair for foreign policy and initiatives was acknowledged globally. His political rivals were also touched by his gentleness and magnanimity. When the final journey started from the BJP's central office, Modi and Amit Shah walked behind the flower-decked gun carriage carrying the body of Vajpayee draped in the tricolour as security personnel kept a tight watch. Deferring to Vajpayee's stature, Modi and Shah walked the entire route till the cremation ground leading the mourners, who included union ministers, BJP leaders and tens of thousands of people. People threw flower petals on the casket all through the three-kilometre route as an expression of their love, respect and admiration for the late leader. Slogans like "Atalji amar rahen", "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" rent the air as the procession progressed. Some people were carrying banners containing lines from poems written by Vajpayee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also in the procession and supporters accompanying him raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram". A number of BJP chief ministers including, Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh), Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana), Union Ministers and BJP leaders accompanied the funeral procession. Earlier, Modi, Shah, Advani, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D. Raja, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palanisami were among the leaders who paid tributes to Vajpayee at the party office after his body was brought there from his Krishna Menon Marg residence. Before the body was taken from the residence, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin, MDMK chief Vaiko, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force placed wreaths and paid their last respects. Tight security arrangements had been made for the final procession by the security forces anticipating the participation of a large number of people. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with the Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. --IANS rak-spk-ps-bns/vsc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Navy rescued nearly 500 people on Friday, continuing with its massive rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Kerala where monsoon rains have left a trail of death and destruction across the state. On Friday, 58 rescue teams were deployed at multiple locations as part of "Operation Madad" launched nine days ago. According to officials it is unprecedented in the history of rescue operations by the Navy as the flood situation continued to remain grim all across the southern state. More than 3,000 people have been rescued since floods hit Kerala 10 days ago, an official spokesperson said. Efforts continued to bring the flood affected people to safety and also provide them essential supplies such as food and water, the spokesperson said. The Southern Naval Command on Friday deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats while 18 more teams were sent to various locations to augment the rescue effort. The spokesperson said 19 teams of rescuers came from the Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command. "Some 500 rescued people have been accommodated at the T2 hangar inside the naval base, a make-shift relief camp, before shifting them to a relief camp at Fort Kochi. (On Friday), 310 people were rescued by the boats and 176 by aircraft," the spokesperson said. "All the assets of (Southern Naval Command) have been committed to the operation. Other commands have provided additional disaster relief items comprising 1,000 raincoats, 1,300 gum boots, 264 lifebuoys and 1,000 life jackets. Twenty five more rescue teams with boats are being readied for deployment as per request from the Kerala government." The spokesperson said 37 teams with one Gemini boat each were deployed at various places in Ernakulam district. One team was at Pizhala island, one at Edapally and three at Perumbavur. North Paravur has 16 teams deployed while 12 are at Aluva and four at Muvattupuzha. In the Thrissur district, the deployment at Chalakkudy was augmented to nine teams, while in Pothanamthitta district, four teams were deployed at Chengannur and one team each at Ayroor and Pollad. One team is positioned at Kottayam. "In addition, all air assets available at INS Garuda have been extensively utilised for winching up stranded personnel, transfer of stores, boats, relief material. Air rescue has been carried out at various places of the three badly affected districts -- Thrissur, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta. "Aircraft including ALH, Sea King, Chetak and MI 17 (of IAF) were able to rescue people (stranded in flood). Food was airdropped on the roof tops of various houses, churches. A total of 50 air sorties amounting to 80 hours have been flown," said the spokesperson. --IANS sar/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali left for New Delhi on Friday to attend the funeral of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died a day earlier, an official statement confirmed here. Nepal's top leadership including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli have paid their tributes to the the veteran leader who also made significant contribution in advancing Nepal-India ties during his term in office. In his condolence message, Oli said: "I am deeply shocked to learn that former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away in New Delhi. On behalf of the government and people of Nepal and my own, I extend respect to late Vajpayee." India and the world lost a towering political figure and Nepal, a true friend and well-wisher, Oli said, adding that his contribution to strengthening Nepal-India relations will be remembered forever. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. His funeral procession will begin at 1 p.m. and the last rites will be performed at 4 p.m. at Smriti Sthal. --IANS giri/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress clarified on Friday that there has been no change in the engagements of Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his scheduled visits to Germany and the UK and accused the BJP of trying to undermine the visit because "it is getting popular". Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said there is "absolutely no change in Gandhi's itinerary". "He will go as per schedule of the itinerary decided by the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC). He will engage and interact with various sections of people as per the schedule. There is no change in the plans," she said. "BJP is trying to undermine the entire visit because they know how popular it is getting and how people wish to hear Rahul Gandhi and want to reach out to him," she added. Chaturvedi said if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to get any invite withdrawn, it exposes "its pettiness and its shortsightedness" at a time when leaders from across the political spectrum were appreciating the democratic norms followed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Congress sources said IOC Chairman Sam Pitroda had conveyed that there had been no change in the proposed visit of Gandhi to the UK Parliament. A media report said on Friday that Indian-origin millionaire Dr Rami Ranger, co-chairman of the Conservative Friends of India, and Tory peer Baroness Verma have rescinded an invitation to Rahul Gandhi during his trip to London saying the event had been cancelled. It also said Labour MP Keith Vaz has sponsored a room elsewhere in the Parliament and Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has taken over running the event. Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Germany and London next week to meet businessmen, politicians, academics and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Sam Pitroda said in a tweet on Thursday that Gandhi will be visiting Germany on August 22 and 23 and London on August 24 and 25. --IANS ps/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan Foreign Office has denied allegations that Pakistani citizens supported the Taliban attack on Afghanistans Ghazni last week, a media report said on Friday. "We have not received any evidence to back up these spurious accusations and reject these baseless allegations," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal said, rejecting allegations made by Afghan officials and others. On August 10, some 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the city of Ghazni and retreated five days later, reports Dawn news. Afghan Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami said earlier this week that the Ghazni attack had been carried out by Taliban with the support of external elements, including Pakistanis. The New York Times also reported that Afghan officials had claimed the Taliban were aided by foreign fighters, including Pakistanis and Chechens, and even some Al Qaeda affiliates. Faisal said that Pakistan was fencing the border with Afghanistan with the objective of restricting cross-border movement of both "men and material" as part of its counterterrorism efforts. He expressed the hope that the border fencing would help achieve long-term regional stability and improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The spokesman disclosed that Pakistan and Afghanistan, under a new framework for bilateral relations, were negotiating "a time bound" repatriation plan for Afghan refugees. "An Afghan delegation from the Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation will visit Islamabad shortly for consultations," he added. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistani and Sri Lankan Ministers on Friday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here after Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cremation and conveyed their condolences over the passing away of the former Prime Minister. "Remembering a visionary who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent!" External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted following a meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan's caretaker Minister for Law and Justice Syed Ali Zafar. Vajpayee, 93, passed away here on Thursday following a prolonged illness. In a separate tweet, Kumar said that Sushma Swaraj also met Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kiriella who recalled the contribution of Vajpayee in ensuring stability in the island nation. Earlier, the Indian Minister held meetings with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, who recalled Vajpayee's contributions to ties with their respective countries. Sushma Swaraj and Karzai talked about Vajpayee's role in consolidating democracy in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said. In the meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Ali, the two recalled Vajpayee's contribution in consolidating India's friendship with Bangladesh. All these South Asian leaders were present at Vajpayee's cremation with full state honours at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here. --IANS ab/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be remembered for his bold peace initiatives and also for the nuclear tests in 1998 -- many foreign newspapers on Friday wrote about the late former Indian Prime Minister who passed away on Thursday. Pakistan's influential daily Dawn on its front page wrote that Vajpayee "was idolised in Pakistan as a sincere peacemaker and wooed by rivals at home as the right man in the wrong party". Recalling Vajpayee's 1999 visit -- one of his three visits to Pakistan, the daily remembered how the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had famously remarked that Vajpayee "could win an election" from there. The daily said he would be "remembered for his bold peace initiatives with Pakistan and defiant nuclear tests". The Washingon Post in an obituary referred to him as "the Indian Prime Minister who oversaw nuclear tests that ushered in a new arms race in South Asia". "Vajpayee shocked the world in May 1998 with five underground nuclear tests, prompting international sanctions, rattling neighbors and setting off an arms race with archrival Pakistan." The nuclear tests "established India as an overt nuclear-weapon state", it said. "Vajpayee worked discreet diplomacy behind closed doors and set in motion a friendly dialogue with US President Bill Clinton, who went to India in 2000, the first visit by a US president to the country in more than two decades." The New York Times recalled how Vajpayee "stunned the world by ending a decades-old moratorium on nuclear weapons tests" and still "managed to ease tensions with Pakistan and build closer ties to the US". "His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades." The Los Angeles Times recalled the February 1999 bus ride to Lahore that "cemented Vajpayee's stature as a peacemaker even though he had set off the nuclear arms race". The Independent also recalled how the "groundbreaking bus ride to Lahore" kicked off "a peace process that, while often rocky, remains the basis of ongoing negotiations" between the two countries. The Gulf News published a three-column photo on its front page with a bold caption: "A giant of Indian bids adieu". --IANS nks/sar/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pentagon has postponed a military parade which was requested by President Donald Trump to mark the annual Veterans Day, a media report said. "The Department of Defence and White House have been planning a parade to honour America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Defence Department spokesman Col. Rob Manning said in a statement on Thursday. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018, for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." The parade was scheduled for the day before the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War, reports CNN. French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a gathering of world leaders in Paris on November 11 to celebrate the anniversary. Trump said in February that a military parade in Washington would be "great for the spirit of the country", but that it would need to come at a "reasonable cost". The President said he was inspired by the Bastille Day parade in France, which he described as "quite something" after attending in 2017. It was previously reported that the parade would focus on celebrating veterans and involve US troops in period uniforms as well as US military aircraft but no heavy vehicles like tanks in order to prevent damage to infrastructure. An administration official told CNN the $92 million figure for the US military parade was a planning estimate for an event that would meet Trump's intent. About half that amount would have been for non-military costs like security. The White House would have been consulted on the decision to postpone the parade, the official said. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has unveiled a new team to coordinate the administrations post-nuclear deal approach to Iran and bolster support for the strategy abroad. The Iran Action Group will be helmed by Brian Hook, Pompeo's senior policy adviser, who will receive the title of special representative for Iran, reports Politico news. Pompeo told reporters on Thursday that the coalition is charged with "directing, reviewing and coordinating all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity" and will report directly to him. The main objective of the new US strategy is to change the behaviour of the Iranian regime by applying economic pressure and diplomatic isolation to squeeze Tehran. Hook said on Thursday that out of 12 goals laid out by Pompeo earlier this year, the group will key in on ensuring that Iran does not pursue nuclear research with potential military uses, choking off Tehran's ability to finance terrorist groups, and securing the release of and putting an end to the practice of "arbitrarily detained" American citizens. Another emphasis of the coalition will be building "the broadest level of international support" for the new US strategy, and Hook said he had productive discussions Wednesday with French, German and British officials about Iran. Hook added that the group was not formed with the goal of establishing a dialogue between Tehran and Washington. "Normal relations can only begin after we see that the Iranian regime is serious about changing its behaviour." --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed concern over the flood situation in Kerala and urged party workers to demonstrate the core party values of service and help those in need. "Across Kerala and now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers and leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service and love," said Gandhi on Twitter. "Please focus all our resources and people to help those in need," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-devastated parts of Kerala on Saturday to assess the Central government's aid efforts and also the rescue operations. Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday. --IANS sid/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray penned a touching personal tribute on his social media network to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on Thursday. "A career spanning the eras of pre-Independence to post-Independence and leading India into the new century is the very essence of Shri Vajpayee," said Thackeray. "Keeping this huge time-frame in mind, Atalji never lost his relevance and on the contrary remained an inspiring force. Each decade passed by and with it, came the set of changing generations and their ideologies. "Needles to say, with these changes, there emerged a greater need for him. It was because of all this, that the country's reins came in his hands at the turn of the century," wrote Thackeray. Thackeray, who is also an acclaimed cartoonist cherishes a good rapport with the late leader, who in turn was close to the late Bal Thackeray, founder of Shiv Sena, which became the oldest, and presently the biggest ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Senior party leaders say that Vajpayee was a regular at the Thackeray household "Matoshri" in Bandra east, and enjoyed cordial relations with the entire family. They included present Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and kin Raj Thackeray, before the latter quit the home, the party and launched his new political venture, MNS, in March 2006, even as many urged the cousins to bury their differences. Continuing his tribute, Thackeray said: "The Congress Party appeared invincible and for decades, Atalji only played the role of an Opposition. "However, not once, did he display or imbibe any indication of bitterness, envy or resentment. This magnanimity and courteousness was carried forward even when he came into power. "His commanding grasp on various subjects such as literature, culture and ancient history moulded him into becoming one of the finest orators of our times. This, in return left an indelible mark on my generation. "I consider myself privileged for having witnessed his cultured reign on our political arena from close quarters. As we approach 75 years of our Independence, Atalji's presence as a patriotic leader will be greatly missed. He concluded by saying that "the MNS humbly bows down to this inspiring leader." --IANS qn/in/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Engaged in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Kerala, the Indian Army has been able to rescue 3,627 persons till date, including 22 foreign nationals, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday. With an over 1,000 persons-strong rescue team, the Army is engaged in alleviating the situation in flood-battered Kerala since August 9, when it was hit by torrential rains that still continue. "Thirteen temporary bridges were constructed to reconnect 38 remote areas and total of 3,627 persons have been rescued till date, including 22 foreign nationals. "Relief materials have been sent to 19 villages with medical aid being provided to approximately 500 civilians. In addition, 3,000 pre-cooked meals and 300 life jackets have been handed over to civil administration on Friday," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The Army is engaged in the relief efforts on a "war footing" with the deployment of 10 flood relief columns, each having an approximate strength of 65 personnel in 10 districts, the statement added. It has also engaged 10 Engineer Task Forces, each having about 45 personnel, to restore connectivity to remote villages through temporary foot-bridges and other means. "Indian Army is deeply involved in the Rescue and Relief operations in Kerala which is witnessing very heavy rains since August 9, 2018. "The Indian Army carried out execution of disaster relief tasks on a war footing which has been greatly appreciated by civilian populace and the state administration," the Ministry said. --IANS vn/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An upgraded long-range multimode missile carrier bomber Tu-22M3M made its debut in the Russian city of Kazan on Thursday, the designer of the aircraft said. The new aircraft, designed by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev, was officially rolled out and delivered for ground and flight tests at an unveiling ceremony held on the premises of Tupolev's branch Gorbunov aviation plant, the company said in a news release, Xinhua reported. "The first experimental aircraft Tu-22M3M was designed within the ambitious modernization program of strategic and long-range aviation complexes... The following step of the program is the complete modernization of the first batch of combat aircraft Tu-22M3," Tupolev's director Alexander Konyukhov said, according to the release. The Tu-22M3M bomber is the new modification of the Tu-22M3 long-range strategic strike bomber which went into service in 1989 and has been used extensively in airstrikes in Syria. According to Tupolev, 80 percent of the aircraft's avionics system was replaced as a result of the upgrading, which enhanced the navigational accuracy and aircraft control abilities, thus significantly increased its combat efficiency and range of operation. Russian Aerospace Forces will start receiving the modernized Tu-22M3M bombers in 2021, according to Yuri Slyusar, president of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation to which Tupolev is affiliated. As reported previously, a total of 30 aircraft were scheduled to be upgraded to the level of the Tu-22M3M. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Superstar Salman Khan might not have launched director Anil Sharma's son Utkarsh Sharma in Bollywood, but the youngster says that while being on the set of the Salman-starrer "Veer: An Epic Love Story of a Warrior", he witnessed "this magical thing" that helped him take up acting as a career. Utkarsh started his acting journey as a child actor with "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha". He didn't take up any other acting project after that, but he chose to assist his father on "Veer...". So when did he decide to be an actor? "Around the time when I was assisting dad in 'Veer...'. Salman Khan was performing. I used to see this magical thing. He was super calm and relaxed. But when the camera got turned on, he would transform into someone else... almost like a personality shift. That used to fascinate me a lot. "Around that time, I decided that I wanted to do this. The idea of living many lives in one life can only happen through acting. That's when I decided (to be an actor)," Utkarsh, now 24, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai. His first film was helmed by his father and so is his forthcoming movie "Genius". Didn't he fear that people would say that he got a chance to be an actor because of nepotism? "I had anticipated that much earlier. Even when I was in 'Gadar...', people used to comment that I might have got the role because I am from a film family. So I always knew that this thing will stick with me, no matter what. "I know so many people that my father had launched, apart from me. Be it Urvashi Rautela or Priyanka Chopra, there was one thing common in all of them. They had put in a lot of hard work, determination and perseverance which is why they are successful today. "So, I knew that if I had come prepared and if I come in as an actor and not as a hero, that will help me gain respect. This is my passion and I am just following that. I happen to be from this family," said the actor, who studied filmmaking and acting in Los Angeles. During his stay in the US, he got to work in plays and short films. "I tried to work in a different culture before pursuing my career here. I wanted to learn technical stuff there. I don't just love acting, but also every aspect of filmmaking," he said. "Sometimes we wonder why Indian filmmakers are not able to match up to Hollywood standards. I wanted to see if there was a cultural difference that actually played a role. What I understood was that emotions are universal. There is nothing like my acting is too 'Bollywoody' or Indian. "If my emotion was truthful, they connected with it. If it was fake, they didn't connect. It was like my playground. I wanted to explore myself there." And now, he is eagerly waiting how the audience would respond to "Genius", which is slated to release on August 24. Is he planning to feature in all his father's films? "No. That's not the plan. I want to work with as many filmmakers as possible. Every director has a unique way of expressing himself or herself. I hope I can be their voice," said Utkarsh. --IANS nn/rb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung dominated the premium smartphone segment in India in the first half of 2018 with almost half the market share, a new report from CyberMedia Research (CMR) said on Friday. According to CMR India's "Mobile Handset Review" report, Samsung (48 per cent) was followed by Chinese smartphone player OnePlus, which grabbed the second spot with 25 per cent share, and Apple with 22 per cent share. "The premium smartphone segment, though small, is driven by aspirational, tech-savvy millennials and in the coming years, will continue to grow significantly. Samsung's flagship S9 helped it garner a lion's share of the premium smartphone segment," Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, said in a statement. One in two premium smartphones shipped in the first half of 2018 was a Samsung device. "The success of OnePlus 6 can be traced to the intelligent brand strategy of packing the best specs at competitive price points, contributing to the emergence of a new 'budget premium' smartphone segment under sub-Rs 30,000," added Ram. During the first half of 2018, OnePlus introduced its "OnePlus Experience Stores" and is planning to embrace offline in a big way, to complement its strong online presence. The iPhone-maker suffered a decline in demand for its iPhones due to pricing challenges on account of post-duty increase. "Apple is reworking its India strategy for the all-important second half of 2018, with new retail partnerships, first-party stores and service overhauling with India-focused apps and services, including refreshed Apple Maps," said Narinder Kumar, Lead Analyst-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR. --IANS ksc/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung India is set to refresh its popular Galaxy A series with a new dual rear camera smartphone this month which will be a premium device in the Rs 30,000 and above price segment. The smartphone with 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, industry sources told IANS on Friday. The new device will sport a 6.3-inch full HD+ AMOLED "Infinity Display". The smartphone will house 16MP+24MP dual rear set-up with "Live Focus" feature and a massive 24MP front camera. Samsung in May launched Galaxy A6+ smartphone for Rs 25,990 with a 6-inch 18.5:9 display. The device was powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset and backed by a 3,500mAh battery. --IANS ksc/na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean giant Samsung dominated the premium smartphone segment in India in the first half of 2018 grabbing almost half the market share, a new report said on Friday. According to CyberMedia Research (CMR) India's "Mobile Handset Review", Samsung with 48 per cent topped the premium market (Rs 30,000 and above), followed by Chinese smartphone player OnePlus with 25 per cent share and Apple at third with 22 per cent share. "The premium smartphone segment, though small, is driven by aspirational, tech-savvy millennials and in the coming years, will continue to grow significantly. Samsung's flagship S9 helped it garner a lion's share of the premium smartphone segment," Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, said in a statement. One in two premium smartphones shipped in the first half of 2018 was a Samsung device. "The success of OnePlus 6 can be traced to the intelligent brand strategy of packing the best specs at competitive price points, contributing to the emergence of a new 'budget premium' smartphone segment under sub-Rs 30,000," added Ram. During the first half of 2018, OnePlus introduced its "OnePlus Experience Stores" and is planning to embrace offline in a big way, to complement its strong online presence. The iPhone-maker suffered a decline in demand for its iPhones due to pricing challenges on account of post-duty increase. "Apple is reworking its India strategy for the all-important second half of 2018, with new retail partnerships, first-party stores and service overhauling with India-focused apps and services, including refreshed Apple Maps," said Narinder Kumar, Lead Analyst-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR. Samsung led the first half on the back of its partnerships with telcos and e-commerce players, and aggressive promotional push, including attractive cash back offers and exchange benefits contributing to consumer demand remaining high. "Going forward, the new 'budget premium' segment will see an aggressive competition from market players, including ASUS, Huawei, Vivo, OPPO and likely new entrants, such as POCO from Xiaomi, taking the fight to established market leaders like Samsung, Apple and OnePlus," added Prabhu. --IANS ksc-na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Vatican broke its silence about a grand jury report that detailed decades of sexual abuse of thousands of children by over 300 priests in the US state of Pennsylvania, calling the accusations "criminal and morally reprehensible". "Regarding the report made public in Pennsylvania this week, there are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow," CNN quoted Greg Burke, director of the Vatican's Press Office, as saying on Thursday. "The Holy See treats with great seriousness the work of the Investigating Grand Jury of Pennsylvania and the lengthy Interim Report it has produced. The Holy See condemns unequivocally the sexual abuse of minors." This week, Pope Francis had been under increasing pressure to address a rapidly escalating sexual abuse crisis that has spread across several continents, from Australia to Latin America. The Vatican's comments came 48 hours after the Pennsylvania report was released. The report said internal documents from six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania -- some held in a secret archive to which only the bishop had a key -- show that more than 300 "predator priests" have been credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 child victims. The lengthy report investigates clergy sexual abuse dating back to 1947. According to the report, the accused priests victimised boys, girls, teens and pre-pubescent children. Some victims were plied with alcohol and groped or molested while others were raped. "The clock is ticking for all of us in Church leadership," CNN quoted Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, the Pope's top adviser on sexual abuse, as saying on Thursday. "Catholics have lost patience with us and civil society has lost confidence in us." The Pope is yet to comment on the the nearly 900-page report. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sikh store-owner has been stabbed to death in the US state of New Jersey, in a third incident targeting the community in the country in the last three weeks. Terlok Singh was found dead by his cousin Karnail Singh on Thursday in his East Orange suburb store with apparent stab wounds, WABC TV reported. The assailant had put a knife in his chest, Karnail Singh told the station. Terlok Singh had a wife and children in India. He owned Park Deli and Grocery store in the US to support them. The Essex County Prosecutor's office called the incident a homicide, reported ABC7NY. WNBC TV reported that the police did not have a motive for the killing and had made no arrest as of Thursday evening. A worker interviewed from a nearby petrol station said he found Terlok Singh's body in a puddle of blood in the bathroom of the store. Customers who spoke to the TV said the victim was "extremely generous". One of them, Anthony Pointdexter, said Terlok Singh was a "great guy and never bothered anybody". Two Sikhs were attacked in separate incidents in California over the past few weeks, but they survived the assaults. On July 31 in Keyes, Surjit Singh Malhi, 50, was attacked by two men when he was putting up a campaign sign for Republican Congressman Jeff Denham, KCRA TV said. Malhi said they shouted at him, beat him and spray-painted his truck with a white nationalist symbol and wrote "go back to your country" on it, according to the station. Malhi said that his turban saved him by acting like a helmet and absorbing the blows. The police were considering it a hate crime. On August 6, Sahib Singh Natt, 71, was thrown to the ground and spat on by two people in Manteca, about 40 km from Keyes. The police arrested two teenagers and charged them with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon, but not a hate crime. One of them, Tyrone McAllister, 18, an African American, is the son of police chief Darryl McAllister of Union City. Earlier, an Indian woman, Sasikala Narra, and her six-year-old son were stabbed to death in another New Jersey town, Maple Shade, in March 2017 but that case has not been solved. --IANS al/soni/sed (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.) Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who visited the Madhya Pradesh town of Chanderi while filming for the movie "Stree", says the vibe of the place was heart-warming as she felt that people in small towns don't run after materialistic things. The film "Stree" revolves around a female ghost who exists in Chanderi town. To maintain the authenticity of the story, director Amar Kaushik took the cast and crew there. On the experience, Shraddha told IANS: "I was so excited to go there in Chanderi, especially the fort area where I shot the film. Chanderi is a small town and the vibe of the place is so easy. Living in Mumbai, we are always running after deadlines and our life revolves around work." "People there (in Chanderi) are really simple and not in hurry. They really have a life after work. Maybe people of small town are not so wealthy, neither do they have the high materialistic desire, but I think they really know how to find happiness from small things that we urban people do not even notice," she added with a smile. In Chanderi, which is known for its saris, Shraddha went on a shopping spree. "After our shooting got over, I went out for shopping and bought so many chanderi saris for my family members. I do not wear a lot of saris, but I bought some for myself as well. We all know how famous Chanderi saris are, and they are really beautiful," she said. "Stree" also features Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi. It is releasing on August 31. --IANS aru/rb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google is making life easy for users as starting this November, 1.5 billion users of this popular instant messaging platform will be able to back up their data on Google Drive without worrying about storage space. "Starting November 12, 2018, backups will no longer count towards the Google Drive storage quota," said in an update on its FAQ page. Until now, WhatsApp backup data counted towards the space one had on Google Drive. According to a report in The Verge on Thursday, unlike other texting apps that store messages on their servers, Facebook-owned WhatsApp requires users to back up their messages to another company's Cloud service to sync chats between phones. Apple users have their messages stored in iCloud, while Android users have always used Google Drive, it added. WhatsApp also warned that with the November update, backups that have not been updated in more than one year will be automatically removed from Google Drive storage. ALSO READ: Invest only a small portion in mutual funds through Paytm or WhatsApp "To avoid the loss of any backups, we recommend you manually back up your WhatsApp data before November 12, 2018," WhatsApp said. Backing up your chats and media to Google Drive is helpful because when you change Android phones or get a new one, your chats and media remain transferable. "We recommend connecting your phone to Wi-Fi prior to backing up your chats via Google Drive, as backup files can vary in size and consume mobile data, causing additional charges," WhatsApp said. A pregnant woman stranded in one of the worst flood-hit areas of Kerala had developed complications with a ruptured amniotic sac. The two lives remained in danger till help came out of the blue - literally. Sajita Jabil, 25, was stuck on the rooftop of her house in Aluva - a submerged region of Kerala's Ernakulam district - when she heard the rattling of chopper blades. It was an Indian Navy chopper that had flown especially to rescue and end her nightmare. A doctor was first lowered from the chopper to examine her condition before she was airlifted and taken to Sanjivani multi-specialty hospital in Alappuzha district. "A pregnant lady with water bag leaking (was) airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Operation successful," Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma tweeted. Almost half an hour later, the woman delivered a baby boy. "The baby and the mother are both stable at the naval hospital," the spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson said a naval medical team was airlifted to Aluva amid a report of the collapse of a building there. A makeshift relief camp was set up at a hangar inside the naval base, catering to 500 displaced civilians, who were provided meals and other basic necessities. The Navy Wives Welfare Association was involved with relief activities at the camp as well. Its volunteers collected freshly prepared food and clothing for distribution to the survivors. The survivors were shifted to a relief camp set up at Fort Kochi. Meanwhile, INS Venduruthy had set up a community kitchen at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) to cater to 3,000 people. The kitchen is fully operational and has commenced providing hot meals to the affected population. --IANS sar/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Australian teenager pleaded guilty to charges of hacking into Apple's secure systems and said that he was a fan of the technology giant and hoped to work there one day, the media reported. The 16-year-old boy is facing criminal charges after the technology giant called in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke into Apple's mainframe from his suburban home on multiple occasions over a year because he was such a fan of the company, according to his lawyer," The Age reported late on Thursday. The teenager, who studies in a private school, reportedly stored the saved information in a folder titled "hacky hack hack". He was able to access authorized keys, view customer accounts and download 90GB of secure files before being caught. "The teen's defence lawyer said his client had become so well known in the international hacking community that even mentioning the case in detail could expose him to risk," the report added. The magistrate has acknowledged the teenager's guilty plea and he is set to be sentenced next month due to the "complexities" of the case. --IANS ksc/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telangana government on Friday announced Rs 25 crore financial assistance to the flood-hit Kerala. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao directed Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi to ensure that this amount reached Kerala immediately. As the drinking water is getting polluted due to floods in Kerala, he asked officials to despatch R.O machines worth Rs 2.50 crore. Rao appealed to industrialists, businessmen and others to come forward and help Kerala. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office, if donations are given to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, arrangements will be made to send them to Kerala. --IANS ms/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will travel to Paris next November 11 to commemorate Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I. He said on his Twitter account that he will "go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th." The President said he had also "cancelled" the military parade in Washington that was planned for the same day to coincide with Veterans Day in the US, due to the "ridiculously high" cost estimated by the authorities. "Maybe we will do something next year in DC when the cost comes WAY DOWN," he added, Efe reported. The decision to put off the US parade came the same day that it was leaked to US media that it would cost $92 million, far more than originally estimated. Trump asked the Pentagon last February to organise the event after being singularly impressed the year before in Paris by the military parade on Bastille Day, July 4, to which he was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. The US has not organised a large-scale military parade since June 1991, after winning the First Gulf War and with Republican George H.W. Bush in the White House. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British High Commission here on Friday flew its national flag, the Union Jack, at half mast in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "Union Flag flies half-mast at the British High Commission in New Delhi as mark of respect to Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee. The UK stands with people of India," the High Commission said on its Twitter handle sharing a picture of the flag at the mission. Mourning Vajpayee's demise, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said: "He (Vajpayee) was an enormously important person who we have great respect for and it's a great loss for India. I wanted to pay my respects to a man of that stature." Asquith earlier laid a wreath on the body of Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters here on Friday. --IANS ab/soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Treasury Department on Friday announced to sanction four commanders and two military units in Myanmar, accusing them of being related with human rights abuse cases in the country. In a statement, the Treasury said the targeted commanders were from Burmese military and Border Guard Police (BGP), Xinhua reported. Together with the 33rd Light Infantry Division (LID) and the 99th LID, the commanders were punished over the alleged involvement in ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State and "other widespread human rights abuses" in Kachin and Shan States. These individuals and entities were designated according to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016 that targeted "perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption." Sigal Mandelker, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in the statement that the US government "will continue to systematically expose and bring accountability to human rights abusers in this region." As a result of these actions, any property, or interest in property, of those designated within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked. Additionally, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with blocked persons, including entities 50 percent or more owned by designated persons. Building upon the act, US President Donald Trump signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, or "Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption." To date, 84 individuals and entities have been sanctioned under the order. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away here at AIIMS on Thursday at age 93, was on Friday cremated with full military honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where people turned out in tens of thousands to pay their final tributes. Vajpayee's foster-daughter Namita lit the funeral pyre amidst the chanting of vedic hymns and firing of a 21-gun salute by soldiers. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a galaxy of political leaders cutting across party lines and foreign dignitaries joined the rest of the nation in bidding adieu to the departed leader at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers, on the banks of Yamuna river. In keeping with the military honours, three service chiefs placed wreaths on the body of Vajpayee before leaders paid their floral tributes. The tricolour that was wrapped around Vajpayee's body was removed and given to his foster granddaughter Niharika after which the body was handed over to the family for last rites. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, veteran BJP leaders and Vajpayee's long-time associates L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress President Rahul Gandhi were present at the funeral. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai led foreign dignitaries including Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in paying homage. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Anand Sharma, Lok Sabha Deputy Speker M. Thambidurai, former Union Minister A. Raja, MDMK chief Vaiko and TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi were among who witnessed the performance of the last rites. A few thousand people, some of whom chanted slogans hailing the late leader, thronged the Smriti Sthal as the last rites took place. Earlier, tens of thousands of commoners joined Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the final journey to bid adieu to Vajpayee as the former Prime Minister's body was being taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Vajpayee, who passed away at AIIMS on Thursday evening, had a pan-India appeal and his flair for foreign policy and initiatives were acknowledged globally. The country observed a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader was decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. --IANS rak-spk-bns/vsc/sar (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka on Friday condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death saying that his signature in was achieving pragmatic consensus. "It is with deep sadness that I learn of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of the Republic of India," Sri Lankan President Maithripal Sirisena said in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The late Prime Minister Vajpayee's signature in was achieving pragmatic consensus," Sirisena said. "In this process he earned the respect of his party, among politicians of India as well as around the world. He projected an amiable image of India and connected with the world through his practical foreign policy outreach." Describing Vajpayee as a true friend of Sri Lanka for long years, Sirisena said that the late Prime Minister "rendered an immense support for a stable and peaceful Sri Lanka, which paved the way for the strong bilateral relations that we enjoy today". "My thoughts and prayers are with the family members and people of India in this hour of grief," he said. Three-time Prime Minister Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. --IANS ab/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) was a member of parliament for almost half a century. Right from the start, he left an indelible impression on Indian through his fine oratory skills. In fact, his maiden speech in parliament impressed the formidable Jawaharlal Nehru so much that while introducing Vajpayee to a visiting foreign dignitary he reportedly said: "This young man one day will become the country's prime minister." When Nehru's prophetic words did come true, he went on to become the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete an entire term. His stint in office is remembered for a variety of reasons. Less than two months after he assumed office in 1998, he approved the tests that made India a nuclear weapons state. Another highlight of his tenure has been his indefatigable efforts to make peace with Pakistan despite repeated setbacks with the Kargil war and the 2001 attack on parliament. But, a less recognised fact is that he was also India's second economic reformer after P.V. Narasimha Rao, who had opened up the Indian economy in 1991 after decades of protectionism and state-control. When the came into power in 1998, there was widespread scepticism among investors about the new government reversing the economic policies of the Narasimha Rao government and becoming more protectionist in nature. These fears were not unfounded. A few years ago, when Narasimha Rao had pushed for India's membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent body of the BJP, had vehemently criticised the move, arguing that it would expose domestic firms to unmanageable competition. It went against the Swadeshi principles of self-reliance. According to this view, globalisation was perceived as a foreign invasion by multinationals. But, Vajpayee hardly subscribed to these views. He made it clear at several points during his tenure that he favoured the path of reforms to higher growth. During his visit to the US, for instance, he acknowledged the crucial role that foreign direct investment had played in India's economic development since it had opened up. This put him at odds with the economic viewpoint of the Nevertheless, Vajpayee continued undeterred on the path of reforms, consistently trying to balance the demands of the party's parent organisation with the needs of the economy. Most importantly, Vajpayee's contrarian stance created a sense of continuity in government policies and kept investor confidence in India alive. Throughout its term, the government opened up various sectors like insurance, banking, telecom, pharmaceuticals, civil aviation and real estate to foreign investors. Simultaneously, all quantitative restrictions on imports were eliminated by 2002. But these were replaced with a system of tariffs to provide protection to domestic industries and, more importantly, keep the criticism from within the Sangh at bay. Over the years, the Vajpayee government also initiated a litany of major reforms like the initiation of the value-added tax regime, dismantling of administered price structure for fertilisers and petroleum products, extension of capital market reforms that Narasimha Rao had missed, reduction in government equity in public sector banks and reduction in the size of the bureaucracy. Vajpayee also played a vital role in fuelling the explosive growth in the telecom sector in the new millennium. Even though the duo of Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitroda are often credited with sparking the telecom revolution in India, their efforts did not materialise in the form of telecom penetration. In the decade since Rajiv Gandhi left office in 1989, tele-density across India marginally rose from 0.6 percent to 2.8 percent in 1999. Vajpayee changed the trend. As soon as he assumed office, he set up a Task Force on Information Technology and Software Development that included the likes of N.R. Narayan Murthy of Infosys and Azim Premji of Wipro. The task force called for a complete overhaul of India's telecom policy. It resulted in the New Telecom Policy (NTP) of 1999, which improved upon the policy introduced by Narasimha Rao in 1994. Telecom licensing norms were altered to make it more lucrative for private players to enter the market while a distinction was drawn between the government's role in policy formulation and service provision, which effectively freed the sector from political interference. Later, the government also effected favourable fiscal changes like reducing import duties on mobile devices Such reform initiatives in the telecom sector drove the success story of the industry in the next decade. Against a tele-density target of 15 percent by 2010 in NTP 1999, more than half of India's population was connected to a telecom device by the time. Most recent estimates show a tele-density has almost reached 90 per cent. The astounding growth of the Indian telecom industry and, especially mobile telephony, is a shining testament how political clarity and focussed reform can deliver favourable outcomes. Vajpayee, thus, emerged as an unlikely leader who kept the flame of reform alive against all odds. He never reversed the reform process that Narasimha Rao had initiated as many feared when he first came to office. If anything, he only sped it up. The easier path would have been to give in to the demands of the to adopt more protectionist policies. But, Vajpayee stood his ground, which poised the economy perfectly well to take off into its fastest growth phase in history beginning in 2003, his last year in office. (Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in and tweets @kautiliya. Chirag Yadav is senior researcher at the Institute) The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) on Friday condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death describing him as a strong advocate of cooperation within the South Asian region. In a message to Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Saarc Secretary General Amjad Hussain B. Sial said: "We have lost a great statesman, politician, writer, poet, and above all a humane person committed to peace." Sial, who is from Pakistan and assumed office as Saarc Secretary General in March last year, recalled Vajpayee's statements at the 10th Saarc Summit in Colombo in 1998, in Kathmandu in 2002 and in Islamabad in 2004 and said: "His vision for a self-reliant and fully integrated South Asia continues to guide the Saarc process even today." The Saarc Secretary General also recalled Vajpayee's "grand diplomatic gesture" of taking bus rides to Lahore and Dhaka during his Prime Ministership. "Besides, as the three-time Prime Minister of India, Late Shri Vajpayee's leadership greatly contributed to the prosperity and stability of India, and the country attained steady economic growth and became a leader in information technology," Sial said. "On behalf of officials at the Saarc Secretariat and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the government and the people of India on the sad demise of Shri Vajpayee." Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. --IANS ab/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New research finds racial bias infects sex-offender classification system under SORNA | Main | Will Trump White House soon "deploy its assets ... to stump" for federal criminal justice reform? It may be critical. August 17, 2018 In dissent, Arizona jurist explains why he "would hold, as a matter of state law, that the death penalty is unconstitutional" A helpful reader made sure I saw the remarkable opinions handed down yesterday by the Arizona Supreme Court in Arizona v. Bush, No. CR-11-0107-AP (Az. Oct. 16, 2018) (available here). This case looks like it was shaping up to be a fairly standard capital appeal, until one judge (sitting by designation to replace a recused Justice) decided to start a constitutional brush fire. Specifically, Judge Lawrence Winthrop of Arizona Court of Appeals authored a lengthy dissenting opinion that expands on these introductory assertions: The historical implementation of the death penalty bears little resemblance to its current administration. In distant times when the death penalty was quickly imposed, the execution was open for public viewing, and there was minimal evidence to contradict the accuracy of a defendants conviction, the death penalty may have served as an efficient method of not only enforcing criminal law but also advancing legitimate policy goals. Society, however, has evolved and no longer administers the death penalty in this manner. Instead of taking weeks, prisoners on death row, and the victims families, often wait for decades for the sentence to be administered. Further, over the years, numerous studies have criticized the death penalty as disproportionally affecting defendants of color and, with increasing frequency, in part due to advancements in technology, we have become aware of defendants who have been wrongly convicted and whose death sentences have ultimately been commutedeither due to their own actual innocence or because of incurable procedural flaws from their trial. Some of these wrongful convictions were obtained because of overzealous prosecutors who pursued conviction and imposition of the death penalty at the expense of candor; some convictions were obtained because of the failures of defendants resource-deprived appointed counsel; some convictions were obtained because of jurors biases; and some may have been fortuitously imposed simply because of the county in which the defendant committed the crime. Each conviction obtained through these means highlights the flaws in administering the death penalty, and our historic inability to devise a method to implement the death penalty free from human bias and error. Additionally, the death penalty has not been conclusively shown to deter criminal behavior, a primary rationale of criminal law and sentencing. Moreover, taxpayers are spending millions of dollars to prosecute, convict, and sentence defendants to death. As further explained below, the death penalty has been shown to be cruel and unusual, to not have any notable deterrent effect, to impose unintended trauma on the victims family and friends, and to be cost prohibitive. Although current United States Supreme Court jurisprudence rejecting Eighth Amendment attacks on the death penalty preclude a state court from interpreting the United States Constitution to provide greater protection than the Courts own federal constitutional precedents provide, Arkansas v. Sullivan, 532 U.S. 769, 772 (2001), state courts are absolutely free to interpret state constitutional provisions to accord greater protection to individual rights than do similar provisions of the United States Constitution. Arizona v. Evans, 514 U.S. 1, 8 (1995). Because we may interpret Arizonas Constitution to provide greater protections to Arizona citizens, I would hold, as a matter of state law, that the death penalty is unconstitutional. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the court in Bush was disinclined to leave the dissent's assertions unaddressed, and here a concluding part of the majority's response: In sum, the dissents resort to article 2, section 15 to support its view that Arizonas death penalty is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual is difficult to reconcile with the relevant text, history, and caselaw. Cf. Glossip, 135 S. Ct. at 2747 (Scalia, J., concurring) (noting that not once in the history of the American Republic has this Court ever suggested the death penalty is categorically impermissible, largely because [i]t is impossible to hold unconstitutional that which the Constitution explicitly contemplates under the Fifth Amendment). And even if relevant facts might exist to support the dissents critique in some respects, they certainly are not in this record as no such evidence was presented here.... Absent a constitutional violation, the propriety of Arizonas capital scheme is strictly a matter of policy, which is outside our purview under our constitutions separation of powers. See Ariz. Const. art. 3 ([T]he legislative, the executive, and the judicial . . . departments shall be separate and distinct, and no one of such departments shall exercise the powers properly belonging to either of the others.). The dissent incorrectly suggests that we would defer to the legislature on matters of constitutional interpretation and application, abdicating our constitutional authority and responsibility. But that mischaracterizes our position and conflates constitutional issues, appropriate for judicial resolution, with purely policy choices, appropriate for the law-making role of the legislature and governor, or the people themselves. The dissents various criticisms of the death penalty and its alleged flaws the time and cost involved in pursuing and administering capital punishment; its arbitrary application and disproportionate or discriminatory impact on minorities; implicit and explicit biases, including racial and geographic disparities; and lack of any measurable deterrent effect are arguments that have been raised over the years for total abolition of capital punishment. See, e.g., Maloney, 105 Ariz. at 35859. But these are largely policy-laden factors that are proper subjects for legislative consideration, debate, and decision, not appropriate topics for judicial resolution in the absence of any evidence or argument. See, e.g., Endreson, 108 Ariz. at 370 (stating that the question of the abolishment of the death penalty under the Arizona Constitution is a question properly left to the legislature or the people of this State through constitutional amendment); State v. Alford, 98 Ariz. 124, 132 (1965) (declining to pass upon whether capital punishment, as a public policy, is effective because under Arizonas separation of powers, [w]e are limited to the judicial function of faithfully and impartially interpreting the law as enacted by the legislature). August 17, 2018 at 11:04 AM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said that former Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee was a truly dedicated politician and in his death India had lost an eminent national leader. He expressed his sentiments in a condolence to Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya. "I feel privileged to have known him and am honoured to have counted him as a friend," he wrote. "We met regularly during the course of his career and I continued to visit him at home after he retired. "Shri Vajpayee was a truly dedicated politician. With his passing away, India has lost an eminent national leader. His eloquent support of the Tibetan people began in the late 1950s. Since then, he regularly took Indian governments to task in Parliament, prompting them to take a stronger stand on Tibet." The spiritual leader concluded his tribute to the Indian statesman by offering condolences to his relatives, friends and colleagues. --IANS vg/pgh/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mining major Vedanta on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision not to entertain the Tamil Nadu government's plea against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order allowing the company access to the administrative unit inside its subsidiary Sterlite Copper's closed plant at Tuticorin. Directing the NGT earlier on Friday to take a final decision on the matter, an apex court bench also did not grant a stay on the proceedings of the case at the NGT challenging the smelter plant closure, as was sought by the Tamil Nadu government. "We welcome the Supreme Court's decision directing that both the maintainability and merit of our case should be heard and decided by the National Green Tribunal. Our appeal is already scheduled for hearing before the National Green Tribunal on August 20, 2018," a Sterlite Copper statement said. Tamil Nadu had ordered the closure of the Sterlite Tuticorin plant, around 650 km from Chennai, following protests and the death of 13 persons in police firing on May 22. The victims were taking part in a protest against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant. On August 9, the NGT had allowed the London-listed Vedanta Resources led by Anil Agarwal to enter the administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. Earlier this week, the Madras High Court issued a notice to Vedanta on a petition seeking Rs 750 crore towards rehabilitation of people who are affected by the pollution allegedly caused by the plant, and towards the relief of victims injured in the May police firing. --IANS bc/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Way back in February 2006, when the former Prime Minister was conferred the "8th SIES-Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Eminence Award" he could not travel to Mumbai owing to certain health issues. He suggested to Mumbai South Indian Education Society (SIES) President V Shankar to hold the function at his New Delhi residence, and also made a surprise special request - "to organise the best of South Indian cuisine dishes for the evening". Since Vajpayee was known to be a connoisseur of good food, the SIES authorities rushed to comply and ordered the choicest of the delicacies from the Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place, in the capital. "He relished the food immensely that evening, and seemed to have had a little more than his normal intake," reminisced SIES spokesperson K A Viswanathan on Friday. ALSO READ: Thousands gather as Vajpayee's funeral procession leaves BJP headquarters In fact, Vajpayee later expressed surprise that such delicious South Indian food was available in the heart of New Delhi about which "he was not aware", and wanted to know how many waiters had come from that restaurant to serve for the evening. "He magnanimously assembled all the eight boys on the lawns for a group photo session with him, followed by individual shots with each of them. Then, he called for Rs 100 currency notes, autographed each of them and presented them to all the excited servers," Viswanathan said. The boys were thrilled and overjoyed when Vajpayee smiled and decided to have "one more cup of nice South Indian filter coffee" with all of them before they left the venue. ALSO READ: From Putin to Oli to Sheikh Hasina: Global leaders condole Vajpayee's death During the formal award ceremony, of the several mementos presented to him, was a portrait of Vajpayee sketched by a Class I student of SIES School. The late Prime Minister was highly impressed and wanted to know who had done that sketch. After the SIES authorities informed that it was a young student Nirman Olwe, Vajpayee immediately said he wanted to meet him and asked that the student should be brought along with his parents to New Delhi. A few weeks later, the boy accompanied by his grandmother who was also a teacher in the same school, his mother and Shankar, went to the capital and Vajpayee warmly received them. He presented a return memento to the delighted boy who cherishes those memories till today, Viswanathan said. Now grown up, that little boy from Antop Hill area of central Mumbai, completed his schooling, HSC and is now pursuing engineering studies. Fake news, now so much in the news thanks to Donald Trump, once threatened to place me in dire peril. Ironically, it also saved me. This is how it happened. It was a surprise when P A Sangma, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, invited me home to tea in his sprawling New Delhi bungalow. We had met once before in General Jake Jacobs house in Calcutta but hardly hit it off. Since Sangma was then chief minister of Meghalaya, I mentioned my old friend, Nari Rustomji, who spent almost his entire ICS career in the north-east which he loved dearly and knowledgeably. Sangma didnt ... As I walk into Threesix-tydegree, a restaurant at The Oberoi, Delhi, for lunch with Rahil Ansari, India head for Audi, I am a bit surprised to see him engrossed in an animated discussion with one of the hotel staff members. As I approach them, I can hear him enquire about the changes that the hotel has gone through over the two years it had been closed for renovation. When he spots me, he starts telling me how he was once upset with a five-star hotel in Delhi for asking the same questions about him every time he checked in. It used to take about 20 minutes every time and I ... Calling an "extraordinary personality", Prime Minister on Friday paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister, saying that "Atal ji will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian". "Atal ji, you will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. No words can ever do justice to your rich contribution towards the making of our country", Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister said that people from all parts of India, all sections of society, had thronged to Delhi to pay tributes to an "extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation". The late leader was cremated with full state honours around 4 p.m. at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, during which President Ram Nath Kovind, Modi, chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a host of Indian and foreign dignitaries were present. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday described Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise a personal loss for him and said it was the former prime minister's stature and dignity that attracted him to public life by giving up his legal profession. Conveying his condolences on the passing away of Vajpayee, the president in his letter to the former prime minister's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya said that working with him was an unforgettable experience. "Atalji's death is of course a personal loss for you and others at home. It is also a personal loss for me. It was his stature and dignity that attracted me to public life, as I gave up the legal profession to become his colleague," he said in the letter. "Years later, when I called on him after being elected the President of India, he was bed-ridden but responded as only he could with a movement of his eyes. Silently I felt he blessed me," Kovind said. The president said millions of homes across the country have felt the loss on Vajpayee's demise. "He was our much-loved former prime minister, a leader of rare distinction and a statesman of modern India. In his long and distinguished public career, he touched innumerable lives in innumerable ways as a freedom fighter and an intellectual, as a writer and a poet, as a parliamentarian and an administrator and finally as prime minister. He was truly the Renaissance Man of Indian politics," Kovind said. The loss of this large-hearted, larger-than-life leader will be felt not only in India but across the world, the president said. As the Prime Minister of India, Atalji was an example of grace under pressure, and of decisive leadership in challenging circumstances, he said, adding the Pokhran (nuclear) tests of 1998, the Kargil crisis of 1999, the economic changes his government brought about, and the growth and development track on which it put our country's GDP his was a term rich in achievements and in legacy. The Bharat Ratna conferred on him in 2015 was a fitting manifestation of India's affection and gratitude, the president said and asserted that the loss of this large-hearted, larger-than-life leader will be sensed not only in India but across the world. "Please once more accept my deepest condolences and convey these to the countless friends and admirers of Atalji. May the Almighty give you and other members of the family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss," he said in the letter to Bhattacharya. Former prime minister Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died here yesterday. He was 93. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital, where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. "Tradeoffs Between Wrongful Convictions and Wrongful Acquittals: Understanding and Avoiding the Risks" | Main | New research finds racial bias infects sex-offender classification system under SORNA August 16, 2018 Senator Cotton delivers faulty arguments to prop up faulty federal sentencing system With Jeff Sessions now in the role of Attorney General, Senator Tom Cotton is one of the last members of Congress eager to push a tough-and-tougher agenda. Despite the US position as world leader in incarceration, Senator Cotton asserted a few years ago, as noted here, that "we have an under-incarceration problem." His thinking today finds expression in this new Wall Street Journal article headlined "Reform the Prisons Without Going Soft on Crime: Proposals to give judges more discretion and cut mandatory minimums endanger public safety." Regular readers will be familiar with many of the moves in this piece (even though we've not heard much from Bill Otis lately). Here is a sample: The U.S. faces a drug epidemic today, exactly the wrong time to go soft on crime. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2017 more than 72,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, a 37% increase from 2015 and a nearly 100% increase since 2008. Violent crime has declined since the 1980s because mandatory minimums adopted then locked up violent criminals. But in 2015-16, the most recent years for which full data are available, violent crime increased at its fastest rate in a quarter-century, though preliminary data suggest it might have leveled off in 2017.... This naive policy ignores the reality of recidivism. Five out of six prisoners end up rearrested within nine years, according to a recent Justice Department study. In fact, on average reoffenders are rearrested five times and not for minor crimes. Only a handful of ex-convicts return to prison exclusively for parole violations, whereas 77% of drug offenders are rearrested for serious nondrug crimes, such as murder and rape. Most criminals will commit more crimes after being released from prison, even with improved rehabilitation programs. The last thing Congress should do is shorten their sentences or allow them to serve time in home confinement.... What is the logic of such leniency? Activists say they want to reverse mass incarceration. That is a curious characterization when less than half of crimes are even reported to police and more than 80% of property crimes and 50% of violent crimes that are reported go unsolved, according to Pew Research Center. Tell those victims denied justice that the U.S. locks up too many criminals. Virtually no one goes to federal prison for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses, especially mere drug use or possession. In 2015, there were 247 inmates in federal prison for drug possession. In these rare cases, the inmates usually pleaded down from a more serious offense. In the extreme case of a manifestly unjust sentence, the pardon power is a better instrument of justice than broad sentencing reductions. President Trump has shown himself more than willing to intervene to redress such cases. Some fiscal conservatives believe that America spends too much on the prison system. Yet the Bureau of Prisons costs taxpayers less than $8 billion a year, or about 0.2% of the entire federal budget. After national security, the governments most basic responsibility is to protect its citizens from crime. The costs of crime and disorder personal and economic far outweigh the downsides of putting serious criminals behind bars. Mandatory minimums and truth-in-sentencing laws work. Rather than eliminate them, Congress should improve access to faith-based and other antirecidivism programs in federal prisons. American families deserve safe communities and protection from drugs and crime. Criminals, especially first-time offenders who grew up in rough environments, deserve second chances once they have done their time. I suspect most readers can readily see logical flaws in Senator Cotton's advocacy here (e.g., how do poor clearance rates for violent crimes justify excessive drug sentences?). Most fundamentally, the bills with a chance for passage in Congress do not get anywhere close to "eliminating" mandatory minimums or truth-in-sentencing laws, and they in fact sadly do not really do all that much more than enhance antirecidivism programs in federal prisons. But even the modest bills with a shot at passage (which have the support of Prez Trump) are too much for Senator Cotton. John Pfaff has this twitter thread in which he describes the effort as "horrifically dishonest." John attacks various numbers in the op-ed, and I will just stress a telling flip-flop on the clemency front. Senator Cotton says "the pardon power is a better instrument of justice than broad sentencing reductions," but many folks on the right criticized Prez Obama's use of clemency at the end of the term by saying it should be Congress in charge of granting any serious sentencing relief. Senator Cotton here also says here "President Trump has shown himself more than willing to intervene to redress such cases," but he has so far only commuted two extreme federal sentences (roughly .001% of the federal prison population). Prez Trump has promised to do more, but he can not be expected to nor depended upon to do the kind of reform via clemency that Congress should be doing in the first instance. UPDATE: Mark Holden has this new commentary, headlined "Correcting the Record About Sentencing Reform and Mandatory Minimums," which goes point-by-point through key claims made by Senator Cotton and provides different perspective on his assertion. ANOTHER UPDATE: Derek Cohen over at Right on Crime also has this notable response to Senator Cotton's piece under the headline "Setting the Record Straight" August 16, 2018 at 04:33 PM | Permalink Comments CUOMO: If fact-counting is anything, we've never had anybody with the level of mendacity that he has. GIULIANI: It's in the eye of the beholder. CUOMO: No, facts are not in the eye of the beholder. GIULIANI: [laughing] Yes they are. Nowadays, they are. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a22735202/rudy-giuliani-truth-trumpism-eye-of-the-beholder/ So I doubt that Cotton is in any bothered by the claim that he is being "horrifically dishonest". Posted by: Daniel | Aug 16, 2018 6:35:53 PM Wendell Callahan. Posted by: federalist | Aug 17, 2018 7:25:17 AM Post a comment One person was killed and 21 others were injured when a mini-bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a 200-feet deep gorge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir today, a police official said. The accident took place at Jhajhar area of the district around 6 pm, he said. The deceased was identified as Jai Karan (40), he said, adding that the injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttar Pradesh government today told the Supreme Court that it has got vacated 157 government bungalows including those allotted to former chief ministers. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice D Y Chandrachud was told by the counsel for Uttar Pradesh that those persons who have stayed in the bungalows beyond the stipulated time as given in the order of apex court will pay occupational charges. "We are complying with the order of apex court and till now 157 homes have been vacated. Those persons who have occupied the bungalows beyond the stipulated time, will have to pay occupational charges," the counsel said. The bench, asked the state government to file a detailed affidavit in two weeks giving specifics of how many homes have been vacated and how much occupational charges have been collected. The court posted the matter for further hearing on September 17. On April 11, last year, the apex court had sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea seeking action against authorities for alleged failure to get the government bungalows allotted to former chief ministers vacated. The court had sought reply from the director of estates of the state government within three weeks as to why the government bungalows allotted to the ex-CMs have not been vacated. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by Uttar Pradesh-based NGO 'Lok Prahari' which has sought contempt action against the authorities concerned saying that despite the apex court's verdict of August 1, 2016 against the allotment of bungalows to ex-CMs, they have not vacated them. In its 2016 verdict the apex court had held that the former chief ministers should hand over possession of the bungalows occupied by them. It had said the state government should also recover appropriate rent from the occupants of the bungalows for the period during which they were "unauthorised" to do so. It had also said that the local laws only gave largesse to former chief ministers "without any element of reasonableness". Dealing with the legality of the impugned provisions, it had said, "In our opinion, the 1997 Rules, which permit the former chief ministers to occupy government bungalows for life, cannot be said to be valid. "In the circumstances, respondent no.1 (Uttar Pradesh) cannot permit any former chief minister to occupy any government bungalow or any government accommodation after 15 days from the date on which his term comes to an end." The UP government had in 2016 year passed amendments to laws to circumvent the effect of the verdict of apex court and enable former chief ministers to retain the accommodation allotted to them. Another plea of Lok Prahari in the apex court which is listed for final hearing, challenges the amendments made to laws to enable the ex-CMs to occupy government bungalows. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two people were arrested for allegedly carrying out burglaries in Sahibabad and cash worth Rs 3.8 lakh and gold ornaments worth Rs 17 lakh were seized from their possession, police said today. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested Nikhil and Sandeep from Chitrakoot colony of Arthla Sahibabad yesterday, Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna said. During interrogation, they confessed to have stolen gold ornaments and money from a house. The police also seized two country-made pistols, two cartridges and one motorcycle from their possession, the SSP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two workers at the private Gangavaram Port here were killed early today when a heap of coal fell on them, police said. BV Ramaraju (43) and K Mohan Rao (59) were standing close to the heap and supervising loading operations when the accident took place, they said. The two were immediately pulled out and taken to hospital where they were declared brought dead, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three children drowned while taking bath in a pond in Sontli village near Shahjadpur today, police said. The deceased were identified as Harpreet (10), Sukhchain (12) and Gaurav (9), they said. Due to heavy rainfall in the region, the water level had risen in the pond. Some other children who were also taking bath in the pond informed the villagers about the incident, the police said. The victims were rushed to a civil hospital here, where doctors declared them brought dead. The bodies were handed over to their family members after postmortem, the police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons including a couple were killed after being struck by lightning at a village in Khunti district, a district official said today. A woman was also injured in the lightning strike at Tirilpidi village yesterday, the official said. The victims have been identified as Sunil Bhengra (30) his wife Sushma Bhengra (28) and Paulina Bhengra (25). The couple and their relatives - Paulina Bhengra and Asran Bhengra - were working in a paddy field when rain accompanied by thunderbolt hit the area yesterday afternoon, Khunti Sub-Divisional Officer, Pranav Kumar Paul said. Barring Asran Bhengra, the three others were taken to a hospital in a critical condition. While two of them were declared as brought dead, Paulina Bhengra was referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi where she succumbed to her injuries today, the SDO said. Asran Bhengra was discharged after preliminary treatment at a hospital in Khunti. Compensation would be provided to the next of kin of the victims as per government norms after the completion of formalities, Paul said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 4,000 police and paramilitary personnel stood guard as the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee started from the BJP headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here today, a senior police officer said. All the senior officers were personally monitoring the situation, including Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik who was present at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to flames. Police said a security plan was devised together by the northern and southern ranges. Thirty companies comprising close to 2,500 police and paramilitary personnel, 600 policemen from the security wing and 800 traffic policemen had been deployed to ensure the procession went off without any glitches. Thirty Parakram vans manned by NSG-trained drivers and commandos, which are mandated for anti-terror and other operations warranting armed response, were also deployed for the event. Rajesh Khurana, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) range, said there was multidisciplinary coordination for the unprecedented event. Another officer said the New Delhi, Central, North police districts, traffic unit and the security wing have been busy since the last week. "In the lead-up to Independence Day, they were busy with its preparations and after the about Vajpayee's death, the three districts had to make arrangements for VIP movement and the common people to pay their last respects," he said, adding the security personnel braved heat and humidity to ensure things went off smoothly. "After it was announced that his funeral would be taking place at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in north district, we carried out anti-sabotage checks. Anti-aircraft guns were deployed on rooftops to thwart any aerial intrusion by objects like drones and projectiles," the officer said. He admitted that planning for the state funeral was a mammoth task. A sea of people today joined the funeral procession of the BJP veteran, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains. BJP chief Amit Shah, Union ministers and chief ministers of several states, including Vijay Rupani, Shivraj Chouhan, Yogi Adityanath and Devendra Fadnavis were among those who walked sombrely behind the carriage as it slowly made its way to the cremation site. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after prolonged illness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four boys, including three brothers, today drowned in a pond in Madhya Pradesh's Singrauli district, a senior police official said. Additional Superintendent of Police Pradeep Shende said that siblings Kisan Kushwaha (5), Jitendra Kushwaha and Vijendra Kushwaha (7), along with a friend Sunder Sahu (8), were bathing in the evening in Gambhra pond at Niwas village, some 80 kilometres from here, when the incident happened. He said that the bodies had been fished out and a case had been registered with Sarai police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 868 people have lost their lives, 247 of them in Kerala, due to rains, and landslides in seven states during the monsoon season so far, the Home Ministry said on Friday. According to the Home Ministry's Emergency Response Centre (NERC), 247 people have died in Kerala, where 2,11,000 people in 14 districts have been badly hit by the and and over 32,500 hectares of crops damaged. As many as 191 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, 183 people in West Bengal, 139 in Maharashtra, 52 in Gujarat, 45 in Assam and 11 in Nagaland. A total of 33 people have also been missing, 28 in and five in West Bengal, while 274 have been injured in rain-related incidents in the states. The deluge and have hit 26 districts in Maharashtra, 23 in Assam, 23 in West Bengal, 14 in Kerala, 13 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in Nagaland and 10 in Gujarat. Nearly 2,00,000 people have been living in relief camps in and 43 teams of Disaster Response Force (NDRF) consisting of nearly 2,000 rescuers and 163 boats have been deployed in the state. The IAF has deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka (Karnataka) and Nagpur (Maharashtra). The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to today. It has flown 16 sorties in last two days in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 packets on Friday. The Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys. The Army has pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets. One unit of the Territorial Army has also been deployed in Kerala. In Assam, 1.14 million people have borne the brunt of the and floods, which have also hit crops in 27,600 hectares of land. Altogether 14 teams of the Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 357 rescuers, were engaged in rescue and relief operations in Assam, the NERC said. In West Bengal, 2,27,000 people have been affected by the and crops in 48,550 hectares are damaged. In Uttar Pradesh, 1,74,000 people are affected by the monsoon rains which have also damaged 33,855 hectares of crops. Nine NDRF teams were deployed in Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, seven in Gujarat, four in Maharashtra and one in Nagaland. University of Mobile is ranked in the Top 5 Best College Dorms in Alabama, according to Niche.com, a site that combines research with reviews to offer nuanced insight to help students find their ideal university. The ranking was based on key statistics and student reviews, and can be found at niche.com. The top-ranked colleges offer outstanding campus housing that is "safe and clean with modern amenities at reasonable prices." Friday, Aug. 17 is Move-In Day for residential students. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 20. Applications are still being accepted through Aug. 30. To enroll, visit umobile.edu/apply. About University of Mobile University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in over 90 areas of study. Founded in 1961, University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres. For more information about University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222. In dissent, Arizona jurist explains why he "would hold, as a matter of state law, that the death penalty is unconstitutional" | Main | "Divided We Fall: Parole Supervision Conditions Prohibiting Inter-Offender Associations" August 17, 2018 Will Trump White House soon "deploy its assets ... to stump" for federal criminal justice reform? It may be critical. The question in the title of this post is prompted by this new Hill commentary authored by Holly Harris headlined "Connect Beltway to America to get federal criminal justice reform done." Here are excerpts: When it comes to excuses to pass over federal criminal justice reform, I have heard them all, from it takes at least 10 years to pass legislation like this to there is no way move a criminal justice bill in an election year. But the one that really burns me is you cannot point to state success because the federal system is much more complicated. The arrogance of the Beltway is incredible. Of the more than 2.3 million people serving time behind bars in this country, more than 1.3 million are housed in state prisons, and about 615,000 sit in local jails. Only 225,000 are housed in a federal facility. The Texas prison system alone holds more inmates. State prison systems deal with overcrowding, stifling budget cuts, and drug epidemics that show no signs of abating. Because they can see and experience this crisis first hand, governors on the left and the right are passing strong criminal justice reforms that offer alternatives to incarceration such as drug treatment programs, provide opportunities that put people back to work, and save millions of taxpayer dollars. Now these governors are invading the federal reform effort, seeking to finally connect Beltway leaders to what is happening in their own backyards. President Trump, in a savvy move, convened a criminal justice roundtable at his resort in New Jersey and invited Republican and Democratic governors from states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky and Georgia, all of which have passed strong criminal justice reforms with bipartisan support that decrease incarcerated populations, improve reentry programs, and ultimately lower crime and recidivism. This is all part of a strategy to take the fight to pass a federal bill straight to the people and away from the status quo in Washington.... Keenly aware that red states like Georgia, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky have made aggressive changes to their justice systems, including sentencing reforms and felony expungement laws, [Jared] Kushner has showed the president these success stories. In this latest roundtable, Trump included the Democratic governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, who shared that reforms implemented in his state led to a 20 percent decrease in the number of people imprisoned for nonviolent crimes, which frees up valuable resources to fight dangerous crimes and reduce recidivism. While the public safety benefits of reform are undoubtedly impressive to a tough on crime president, the overwhelming public support for these issues must be equally attractive. Voters across the country are looking to Congress to act. Polling from earlier this year shows that 75 percent of voters, a clear supermajority crossing all partisan, geographic, education, income, racial and ethnic boundaries, believe the criminal justice system needs to be reformed and support changes such as fixing our cash bail system and replacing mandatory minimum sentencing laws. In the final stretch to a Senate vote, do not be surprised to see this White House deploy its assets to the states to stump for a bill they know the American people want. There will be folks from every walk of life lining up behind them, from business leaders and military veterans to civil rights advocates and faith leaders. Just this week, people from 50 organizations of all political stripes and bipartisan senior legislative staff met to talk details. When the phone lines light up in offices all over Capitol Hill demanding a vote, Washington may well be out of excuses. Candidly, I will be quite surprised if this White House were to deploy its assets to stump for reform, but I certainly hope this will happen. I am fairly confident that if Prez Trump were to do a series of tweets in support of a federal criminal justice reform bill, that bill would have a much greater chance of getting to his desk. And Prez Trump does not have to change minds about pending reforms: there is already overwhelming bipartisan support for the basic substance of nearly every serious sentencing and prison reform bill. The current challenge is getting congressional leadership to settle on which version of which bill will be brought up for a vote. Senate leadership has been the bottleneck lately, and the White House surely could and should focus, publicly and privately, on advocacy toward leadership to settle on a bill and finally allow a vote. (Notably, the FIRST STEP Act got 86% approval when it got to a vote in the House of Representatives, so it seems informed legislators are even more supportive of federal reform than the poll numbers.) This piece by Holly Harris highlights just why passage of federal criminal justice reform could be a huge win for this Administration, and I hope Prez Trump sees the potential political value to pushing reform over the finish-line. Presidents always have unique powers and unique opportunities to grease the legislative process, and a congressional reform discussion that has been going strong for now five years with no tangible results can certainly uses as much grease as it can get. Some of many prior recent related posts: UPDATE: I have just added to the title of this post after seeing this new Politico piece headlined "Criminal justice deal faces steep Senate hurdles despite Trumps push." Here is an excerpts that has me thinking reform does not get done unless and until the Trump White House puts all its might behind the effort: Trump has stepped up his own calls for a deal on the prisons overhaul that the House passed earlier this year, holding two events so far this month. And groups off the Hill say they're closing in on a path to pass the legislation through the Senate by adding some of the sentencing changes Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) spent years negotiating with Democrats. But interviews with a dozen GOP senators show that those talks remain in a precarious state. Thats because the handful of Republicans who have long protested reducing mandatory-minimum sentences leave Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) without any incentive to call up legislation that would split his conference. One of those longtime critics of adding sentencing to the House-passed prisons bill bluntly predicted Thursday that McConnell would not bring the bill to the floor any time soon. Im not sure that we can put together a deal, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said in an interview. Im not sure we should.... Close involvement from Trump will likely be required for the GOP to get past its internal schism over reducing mandatory minimum sentences as part of a prisons package. Grassley's bipartisan package of sentencing and prison reforms boasts 15 Republican cosponsors, but Attorney General Jeff Sessions opposes even the narrower prisons-only approach the House has passed. August 17, 2018 at 11:39 AM | Permalink Comments Ok, I will bite on this thread, forgive my acute bluntness. Both Sessions, Cotton and others who beat their chest on stiffer sentencing can be simply summed up wit: Mindless Dribble.......... Posted by: MidWestGuy | Aug 18, 2018 11:12:35 AM Post a comment The Goa government has deployed two platoons of the state police's India Reserve Battalion to decongest a section of the national highway connecting the North and South districts of the state, a senior official said today. Heavy traffic jams have been witnessed for the past few days at Agassaim village on the national highway near Zuari bridge, about 15 kilometres from here, the official said. The issue had drawn protests from political parties as well as people who had missed their flights as the highway is the sole access road for people of North Goa to the international airport. "Two platoons of IRB have been deployed. Police have issued detailed instructions to field formations for continuous monitoring of traffic situation," a senior Chief Minister's Office official told PTI today. He claimed that since the deployment of the two IRB platoons at the site, traffic had been moving smoothly on the highway. The official said that, as instructed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is currently in the United States for a medical check-up, senior state officials had visited the site of the traffic bottleneck. "As per the instructions of the chief minister, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, Director General of Police Muktesh Chandar, Principal Secretary to CM P Krishnamurthy, accompanied by traffic police and PWD officials, visited both sides of the bridge," the official said. The official informed that the state PWD department had been directed to construct a slipway from Cortalim junction at the south of the Zuari bridge to ease the flow of traffic moving towards Margao. "Traffic police has been directed to deploy additional manpower to ensure lane driving and regulate smooth movement of traffic," the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The band gathers in a small carpentry shop on the outskirts of Iran's capital, with sawdust still in the air but the buzzing of the jigsaws now exchanged for the soft feedback of an amplifier. A drummer strikes his snare four times and Hakim Ebrahimi opens with the first dreamy notes of "Afghanistan," the sound of their Metallica-inspired rock ballad filling the air. The four rockers that make up the band, known as Arikayn, are Afghan refugees, and their struggles mirror those of millions of other Afghans who have fled to Iran during decades of war. They once had to sneak through a Taliban checkpoint to pay a gig in their home country, and they face discrimination in Iran, but they say that hasn't stopped them from playing the music they love. "This is very hard for all of us, but when we play a song, we become the person that we want to be," bassist Mohammad Rezai said. Iran is home to one of the world's largest and most-protracted refugee crises. More than 3 million Afghans, including over 1 million who entered without legal permission, live in the Islamic Republic, according to United Nations estimates. Afghan refugees began arriving in Iran in 1978, following their country's Communist military coup and the subsequent Soviet occupation. The occupation ended in 1989, giving way to years of civil war and ultimately a Taliban-controlled government. Then came the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington, and the subsequent US-led invasion targeting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, whom the Taliban harboured. Three of the band's four original members were born in Iran, including female guitarist and vocalist Soraya Hosseini, drummer Akbar Bakhtiary and Rezai. Ebrahimi came to Iran as a child. They formed the band Arikayn, which is Dari for "Lantern," in 2013. "When I was a child, we used Arikayn to find our way in dirt alleyways at night," Ebrahimi said during a recent practice session at the carpentry studio. Arikayn's music recalls Metallica, not the speed-metal shredding of "Master of Puppets" but rather the introspective ballad of "Nothing Else Matters." Ebrahimi, who said his icon is Metallica frontman James Hetfield, evokes his guitar work in the band's song "Afghanistan." "Here is Afghanistan, human's life is cheap; the way to heaven is from here, killing a human is easy here," he sings. By day, Ebrahimi works in the carpentry shop to support himself. Other band members have day jobs as well, though Hosseini relies on help from her mother. Like other Afghans, they face challenges in finding work in a country that had high unemployment even before President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and began restoring sanctions. Afghans also face discrimination in Iran. The band says they were turned away from a once-popular Tehran concert series because they were immigrants. Like others in Iran's vibrant arts scene, they must contend with hard-liners who view Western culture as corrupt and object to women performing in public. At one of only two Tehran concerts the band gave, at Tehran University, Hosseini said she was not allowed to play her guitar on stage, and was only able to sing background vocals. "They did not tell me directly that I cannot play the guitar on stage, but they made me understand," she said. "I felt strange because it was my first time on stage. I was stressed out that I might ruin it." That stress only multiplied when the band decided to play a show at a July 2015 music festival in Bamyan, Afghanistan, where Ebrahimi lived until age 10. They had looked forward to performing beneath the ruins of the great Buddha statues of Bamyan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001. To get to the area, some 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Kabul, however, the band had to cross through Taliban-held territory. They described passing through various Taliban checkpoints, keeping their eyes down. But at one, an accompanying Afghan documentary filmmaker's errant glance caught the attention of a Taliban fighter. "At the checkpoint, we were shocked, and I lost my mind," director Hassan Noori said. "I directly looked into (the gunman's) eyes, but when he saw Soraya in the car, he let us to go." They made it safely to the concert. "It was wonderful, and words cannot describe our feelings when we performed in a large plain in front of the statues of Buddha and more than 2,000 Afghans," Hosseini said. In the time since, however, reality has come crashing down on the group. Some Afghans in Iran are beginning to leave the country over its economic problems. Bakhtiary, the band's drummer, left Iran along with other Afghan migrants hoping to reach Europe. After a time in Turkey, he made it to Italy, where he is now jobless. Rezai, the band's bassist, prefers his work at a nearby tailor shop to practising. "I need this money so that my family and I can have an easier life," he said. For now, Arikayn's only audience is those who work in Ebrahimi's carpentry shop. On a recent night, the band tore into its song "Stand Up," which challenges the Taliban. "Stand up and don't let the city be full of burqa-wearing women again," Ebrahimi sang. "And stop the sky from turning black from being full of lead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rains lashed several parts of central and north Gujarat today after a dry spell this monsoon that had led to the state government terming the situation as "worrisome" in a review meeting held early this month. Officials said that, since early morning today, it had been raining in central Gujarat districts like Panchmahals, Kheda, Anand and Ahmedabad and northern ones like Mehsana, Aravalli and Sabarkantha. According to figures released by the state government, Kapadvanj in Kheda district received 145 mm of rains, Godhra town of Panchmahals received 120 mm, Sanand in Ahmedabad district received 110 mm and Matar in Kheda received 104 mm rainfall. In the northern part of the state, Kalol in Gandhinagar district received 100 mm rainfall, Malpur in Aravalli got 88 mm, Kadi in Mehsana district got 79 mm and Posina in Sabarkantha received 70 mm rainfall. They said that Ahmedabad city, which had so far received 150 mm of rains during the current monsoon, received 102 mm in just four hours of rain in the morning today. It caused low lying areas to flood which in turn led to traffic snarls and also instances of trees getting uprooted. The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains for the next three days in the state due to a well marked low pressure area lying over the state. Though south Gujarat and some other parts of the state had seen rains in early July, a dry spell since then had left 44 talukas in the state with less than 125 mm (5 inches) of rain till the first week of August. During its review meeting held on August 7, due to a poor monsoon, the state government had come up with mitigating measures like increase in electricity supply by two hours to the farm sector to save standing crops, providing fodder at Rs 2 per kilogram and replenishing a dam in Kutch to maintain drinking water supply. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) was allegedly heckled and assaulted near the headquarters in New Delhi on Friday by some people, who the social activist said were workers, when he was on his way to pay homage to former prime minister A video of the alleged attack that circulated on social media showed some people heckling the 79-year-old social activist. "I was attacked while walking towards headquarters to pay my respects to Around 20-30 BJP workers came and surrounded me and pushed me. My pagdi fell down and they started calling me a traitor," Agnivesh told reporters. "They pushed me towards the Vishnu Digamber roundabout and kept abusing me. Some policemen were standing there but these persons, including some women, carrying slippers, kept abusing me," he added. The social activist claimed that he had informed BJP leader and Union minister Harsh Vardhan before visiting there and will be lodging a formal complaint with the police about the assault. "The police have so far not reached out to me. I will be filing a police complaint. I was attacked earlier also and no arrests have been made in the case. There is an atmosphere of violence and intolerance," he said. Last month, he was allegedly assaulted by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists, during his visit to Pakur in Jharkhand. carrier and its low-cost arm Express, on Friday said their flights scheduled to depart from the Kochi airport, which has been shut down till August 26 due to floods, will operate from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. While said the new schedule, from Thiruvananthapuram, is for the August 18-20 period, AI Express said the new schedule will be effective till August 26, and the flights will depart from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. The rescheduled flights for Air India are AI 933 to Dubai, AI 047 to New Delhi, AI 682 to Mumbai, AI 511 to New Delhi and AI 510 to Chennai, a release said. Kochi-based operates seven daily flights to the Middle East from the now-flooded airport. Of these, five services connecting Muscat, Salalah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha will be operated from Thiruvananthapuram, while those to Sharjah and Bahrain will be from Kozhikode airport in the north. AI Express also announced waiver of all penalties for modifications/cancellations/no-show/sector change, along with full refund for cancellations. This facility will be applicable to all flights to and from all the Kerala airports till August 26. The airline deploys 60 per cent of its total capacity from the state. Against this, most private carriers have altogether cancelled their services to the commercial capital of Kerala, which is also the seventh busiest airport in the country, despite the government asking them to divert the flights to Thiruvanathapuram or Kozhikode. Kerala is facing the worst rain fury and deluge in a century with 13 of the state's 14 districts under a red alert for the fifth day on Friday. Floods and landslides have already taken the lives of over 247 people, where 2,11,000 people in 14 districts have been badly hit by the rains and floods and over 32,500 hectares of crops damaged, according to the home ministry's Emergency Response Centre. Scheduled commuter airline Air Deccan today said it is planning to launch flight services to Ahmedabad from Nashik as part of its strategy to connect smaller cities with business hubs. The airline, which is owned by Ahmedabad-based GSEC Aviation and Monarch Net worth Capital, also said it plans launch services from Delhi and Kolkata, besides Gujarat, which is already under process. Air Deccan had commenced operations with services to Jalgaon, Pune and Nashik from Mumbai in December last year under Udan, the government's regional connectivity scheme (RCS). Later, it had also launched flights to Kolhapur. However, the carrier was forced to suspended services within couple of months due to technical glitch in its aircraft and pilots shortage. "Air Deccan will soon connect Nashik with Ahmedabad as part of its expansion plans and strategy to link smaller cities with business hubs," the airline said in a release. Shaishav Shah, managing director of Air Deccan and executive director of GSEC, said the airline will be inducting more aircraft to cater to the active and new sectors. "Despite having a mixed response so far in operating flights under the RCS scheme, we are very optimistic to adapt and evolve the concept of economical air travel amongst the user, which we as well understand will be a gradual process and it will not be fair to assume patterns and preferences change overnight," he said. Shah also said that Air Deccan is planning to operate from Delhi, Kolkata going forward, and is also in the process of operating in Gujarat. Currently Air Odisha, which is jointly owned by SEC Aviation and Monarch Net worth Capital, operates on routes in Gujarat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National carrier Air India today said its flights scheduled to depart from the Kochi airport, which has been shut down till August 26 due to floods, will operate from Thiruvananthapuram. The airline said the new schedule is for the August 18-20 period. The rescheduled flights are AI 933 to Dubai, AI 047 to New Delhi, AI 682 to Mumbai, AI 511 to New Delhi and AI 510 to Chennai, a release said. Against this, most private carriers have altogether cancelled their services to the commercial capital of Kerala, which is also the seventh busiest airport in the country, despite the government asking them to divert the flights to Thiruvanathapuram or Kozhikode. However, the low-cost arm of the AI, Air India Express, which is headquartered in Kochi and has almost 40 per cent of its capacity deployed from the closed airport, has not made its operational plans public yet. Kerala is facing the worst rain fury and deluge in a century with 13 of the state's 14 districts under a red alert for the fifth day today. Floods and landslides have already taken the lives of over 247 people, where 2.11 lakh people in 14 districts have been badly hit by the rains and floods and over 32,500 hectares of crops damaged, according to the home ministry's National Emergency Response Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Alaska man faces a life prison sentence in the January 2017 Florida airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded. Sentencing is set today for 28-year-old Esteban Santiago, who pleaded guilty in May to 11 charges in a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, admitted he opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The agreement calls for a life prison sentence plus 120 years. An Iraq war veteran, Santiago is diagnosed as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Santiago initially told the FBI after the shooting he was under government mind control, then switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of the Islamic State extremist group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even as parts of the state and neighbouring Kerala are reeling under floods, at least 16 districts in Karnataka have recorded deficient rainfall with the government mulling declaring them drought-hit. According to data provided by the Revenue department, four districts in south interior and 12 in north interior Karnataka had received less rainfall during the south-west monsoon since June this year. Director of the state Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre Dr G S Srinivasa Reddy said the situation was bad in ten out of 12 districts in the north interior region. "We had a meeting yesterday where we discussed the issue of deficient rainfall in 16 districts. Barring seven districts in coastal and Malnad region,ten out of 12 districts in north interior Karnataka arefacing severe deficient rainfall," he told PTI. The process to declare the districts which received deficient rainfall as drought hit was already in process and the government will take a call based on the recommendation ofthe revenue department by this month end, Reddy said. Relief measures would be taken thereafter, he added. Data released by State EmergencyOperation Centre said districts of Raichur, Vijayapura, Yadgir and Gadag were the worst affected following scanty rainfall. On the other hand, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi received above normal rainfall and have been hit by floods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh government tonight announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala. Expressing grief over the devastation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government would extend all possible help to Kerala. "Our moral support will always be there. We will also help the state in kind and other ways as well," the chief minister said in a statement. He hoped that the situation in the state would return to normal soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army has joined operations to rescue people stranded due to floodsand landslides in rain-battered Kodagu district. Several districts of coastal and Malnad regions of thestate like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkmagaluru, Kodagu,parts of Hassan and Uttara Kannada have been facing the brunt of incessant rains in the last few days. "Army has joined the rescue operation along with National Disaster Response Force, Fire department, Quick Response Team, among others," the Chief Minister's office said in a statement. Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar informed Chief Minister Kumaraswamy about the rescue operations in the flood and landslide-hit districts of coastal and Malnad regions, it said. The statement said the chief minister was also constantly in touch with the district in-charge ministers who are stationed in their respective districts to monitor the rescue operations. In-charge secretaries are managing the rescue operations. Kumaraswamy had yesterday announced a grant-in-aid of Rs 200 crore to the affected districts for relief work. He had also directed the district administrations to estimate the losses and submit a report in a couple of days, following which the state government is expected to approach the Centre for help. Meanwhile, 16 railway staff, stuck at Yedakumerirailway station near Sakhaleshpur in Hassan district due tolandslips and rains since August 14, have been rescued. The chief minister has tweeted, confirming their rescue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland today said it has bagged an order from the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation to supply 300 double-decker buses. The delivery of buses to BRTC will take place within eight months, the city-based commercial vehicle major said in a statement. "Bangladesh is one of our key export markets and this order further strengthens our position. Winning this order in Bangladesh is yet another testimony of our leadership in the country," company Managing Director, Vinod K Dasari said. "Our in-depth understanding of public transport and understanding of the market and customers is what differentiates us and has helped us win this order", he added. The company has been making a 'strong focus' on exports to de-risk from cyclicality in Indian market and to globalise the product portfolio, he said. "This is a significant win for us and builds on the strong export growth we had last year", he added. Recently, Ashok Leyland's UK subsidiary Optare PLC bagged an order for supply of 31 units of 'electric double-decker' buses from Transport for London. Shares of Ashok Leyland were trading at Rs 128.40 apiece, up by 1.82 per cent over the previous close in BSE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paying his last respects to Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was an extraordinary personality who will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Modi said that no words can ever do justice to Vajpayee's "rich contribution to the making of our country". "People came from all parts of India, from all sections of society pay tributes to an extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation. India salutes you Atal Ji!," Modi tweeted today as the former prime minister's mortal remains were consigned to flames here. Earlier in a blog, Modi said India had found a leader in Vajpayee who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind. In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people, he said describing him. Vajpayee rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process, he said. "He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. It's that vision that continues to drive our government's policy," the prime minister said. It was 'Atalji' who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century, he said. Modi said he irreversibly changed India's place in the world by overcoming "the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation" to make India a nuclear weapons power. Personally, Vajpayee was an ideal, a guru, and role model who inspired him deeply, he said. It was Vajpayee who entrusted him with responsibilities both in Gujarat (as chief minister) as well as at the national level, Modi said. "It was he who called me one evening in October 2001 and told me to go to Gujarat as chief minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organisation, he said he was confident I would fulfil people's expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling." he said. Hailing Vajpayee's term as prime minister, Modi said India today is a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of its youth and resolve of its people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. "We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atalji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos," he said. Vajpayee transformed five decades of India's estrangement with the USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years, the prime minister said, adding that he also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. "I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan." he said. Modi said Vajpayee made the boldest move for peace with China in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, his government's Neighbourhood First policy, Modi said. "He (Vajpayee) was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladesh's liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in Jammu and Kashmir," Modi wrote. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War, and when terror attack hit Parliament, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India, the prime minister said. Modi described Vajpayee as an orator without parallel who could switch from "disarming humour to a lofty vision" with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarise the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question, Modi said. "For those of us who knew him, he was first the rarest of human beings who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself," Modi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh, which is currently importing around 700 MW of power from India, is looking to ramp up its electricity import from the country to 10,000MW in the long term, a power division official of the neighbouring nation said here today. The power capacity in Bangladesh has been increased by five times in the last 10 years, Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh chairman Abdul Kalam Azad said. "We are currently importing around 700 mw of power from India. Some 500 MW of additional power import will be commenced soon with more transmission line of 400 KVA has been completed," Azad said on the sidelines of the CII organised Energy Conclave 2018. The Damodar valley corporation will also export 300MW to Bangladesh hopefully from next month, he said. "We have signed an agreement with an Indian private power company to import 600-800 mw of power through a dedicated transmission line. We have received more proposals from several other Indian power generating companies desiring to set up dedicated transmission line to sell power to Bangladesh," he said. The neighbouring country was aiming at importing total 10,000MW from India by 2041, he said. Dhaka is getting support from Indian human resources development ministry for the training of its power department personnel, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chinese capital is all set to get its first internet court to settle online disputes, according to a state-run media. The chief justice and judges for the cyber court planned for Beijing were appointed at a session of the 15th Beijing Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee yesterday, the state-run Xinhua agency reported. While 50-year-old Zhang Wen was appointed as the chief justice, 40 others were appointed as the judges. Besides Beijing, there is also a plan to set up an internet court in Guangzhou province, the report said. China opened its first internet court in Hangzhou last August. With an average age of 40, all the personnel of court have over 10 years of experience in relevant fields and more than 75 per cent of them hold graduate degrees, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unions at Air France-KLM voiced concern after the company appointed Benjamin Smith as the new CEO with the support of the French state. The company said yesterday that Smith, who is 46 and was previously Air Canada's chief operating officer, will fill the role by September 30. Vincent Salles, unionist at CGT-Air France union, said on France Info radio that unions fear Smith's mission is to implement plans that would "deteriorate working conditions and wages". The previous CEO, Jean-Marc Janaillac, resigned in May after Air France employees held 13 days of strike over pay and rejected the company's wage proposal, considered too low. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire welcomed an "opportunity" for Air France-KLM and expressed his confidence in Smith's ability to "re-establish social dialogue". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrived in New Delhi on Friday to pay their last respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 93. Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Pakistan's acting information minister Syed Zafar Ali and a senior minister from Afghanistan are also expected to arrive later in the day to pay their respects to Vajpayee, official sources said. Bangladesh remembers Vajpayee for his contribution to the Liberation War and the strong support he extended to the people of Bangladesh, Ali told reporters after his arrival. Vajpayee's cortege made its way through the city to reach the BJP headquarters Friday morning, where leaders gathered in large numbers to pay homage to the departed leader. The funeral procession will leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. William McRaven, commander of the US Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, has condemned President Donald Trump for revoking the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan and asked that his be withdrawn as well. The decorated retired Navy admiral, in an open letter published in The Washington Post, defended Brennan as "one of the finest public servants I have ever known" and accused Trump of using "McCarthy-era tactics." "Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John," McRaven said yesterday. "He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don't know him." "Therefore, I would consider it an honour if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency," he said. McRaven was the head of US Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014 and supervised the SEAL raid that killed bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. "Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs," McRaven said. "A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization," he said. "A good leader sets the example for others to follow. "A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself." "Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities," McRaven said. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. "If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken," McRaven said. "The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be." Trump revoked the security clearance of Brennan on Wednesday and warned several other prominent critics that they too risk being blacklisted. Following the president's summit last month with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Brennan - who headed the CIA under Obama - described Trump's behaviour as "nothing short of treasonous." Trump for his part accused the ex-spy chief of tossing around "unfounded and outrageous allegations - wild outbursts on the internet and television - about this administration" and engaging in "increasingly frenzied commentary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The condom, the pill and now, the smartphone? Natural Cycles, a mobile fertility app, this month became the first ever digital contraceptive device to win FDA marketing approval. Women take their temperatures and track their menstrual cycle on the app, which uses an algorithm to determine when they're fertile and should abstain from unprotected sex or use protection. In effect, it's a form of the rhythm or calendar method. The Swedish startup says it's effective and lets women avoid side effects common with other methods like birth control pills. But reports of unwanted pregnancies and investigations by authorities in two countries in Europe, where it received EU certification in 2017, have raised questions about marketing what is essentially a health monitor as a contraceptive. Natural Cycles boasts more than 900,000 users, and such fast growth underscores risks for regulators and concerns among health professionals as they grapple with the rapidly emerging market for mobile and digital health applications. "Apps are incredibly popular and there's nothing inherently wrong about using tech to support our health," said Bekki Burbidge, deputy chief executive of the Family Planning Association, a British sexual health organization. "But they're also an area that is fairly unregulated and it can be hard to sort the good, evidence- and research-based apps from the bad." The app is similar to hundreds of other period trackers already available, most of which are aimed at helping women conceive. But FDA approval means it can be marketed as a mobile contraceptive, giving it an edge in the mobile medical apps market, which is forecast to grow to USD 11.2 billion by 2025, up from at USD 1.4 billion in 2016, according to BIS Research. The makers of Natural Cycles acknowledge it's not 100 percent effective and some women might still get pregnant even if used perfectly. The Food and Drug Administration regulates apps and gadgets that collect or track medical information as medical devices, though it doesn't scrutinize many more that merely perform simple tasks like tracking calories. Marketing of contraceptive apps needs to be extremely careful to ensure that women understand exactly what they're signing up for and the limitations, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement. The FDA gave its approval based on data from Natural Cycles involving 15,570 women who used the app for an average of eight months. The FDA said that if the app is used correctly all the time, 1.8 percent of women would get pregnant over one year. The "typical use" failure rate, which factors in human error, was 6.5 percent. The birth control pill's failure rate is 9 percent, while for condoms it's 18 percent and 24 percent for fertility-awareness methods , but those figures are backed up by much more long-term data. Natural Cycles' public relations firm didn't respond to request for comment from its founders, Elina Berglund and Raoul Scherwitzl, a married couple who are both former physicists. Berglund was part of a team of scientists looking for the Higgs boson particle at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, in Switzerland. They pivoted from science to startups when they wrote the algorithm to help them have a baby and then developed an app to tap broader demand. The app is free to download but the company charges $10 a month to use it. Its claims were called into question in January, after Swedish regulators started investigating reports that 37 women who used it became pregnant anyway. The Swedish Medical Product Agency said it's carrying out a review of the app's claims of unwanted pregnancy rates and the investigation is expected to wrap up in September. FDA spokeswoman Deborah Kotz said the agency was aware of the Swedish reports but felt they were consistent with its knowledge of risks associated with the app. "An increase in the absolute numbers of unintended pregnancies is expected with a growing number of users," she said. Britain's Advertising Standards Authority, meanwhile, says it's looking into whether paid-for Facebook posts that claim Natural Cycles is a "highly accurate contraceptive app" and "clinically tested alternative to birth control methods" are misleading. "We have launched a formal investigation and will publish our findings in due course," the authority said. Burbidge said more outside research into fertility apps is needed because "at the moment there's not enough independent evidence" on their reliability. She added that women using such apps need to be motivated and aware of factors that can make it less effective, such as travel, alcohol, stress or not getting enough sleep, which can all affect temperature readings. "There's so much you can do that makes it not perfect," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP corporators today thrashed a Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) member who opposed a resolution in the municipal corporation to pay tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The assault happened during the general body meeting of the civic body, an official said. After the meeting began, BJP corporator Raju Vaidya tabled a proposal to pay tributes to Vajpayee. MIM corporator Sayed Mateen opposed it, which infuriated the BJP members, who rushed to him and thrashed him in the House. A video of Mateen being kicked, punched and slapped by the BJP corporators has gone viral on social media and was aired by some TV channels. In it, the Corporation security officials can be seen coming to Mateen's rescue and taking him out of the House through a side exit. He was later taken to a nearby hospital. A BJP corporator said the MIM member has been creating nuisance and had earlier opposed singing of the national song in the House. Mateen told PTI that he was opposing the move of paying tribute (to Vajpayee) in a "democratic manner" but around a dozen BJP corporators assaulted him. He named some of them. Immediately after the incident, alleged MIM supporters damaged a car belonging to a local BJP functionary and also beat up the driver. BJP corporator Pramod Rathod, who was named by Mateen as one of his assaulters, demanded that Mateen be expelled from the civic body for his "anti-national" move in opposing a tribute to Vajpayee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) corporators allegedly thrashed a Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) member on Saturday for opposing a resolution in the municipal corporation to pay tributes to former prime minister The alleged incident took place during the general body meeting of the civic body, an official said. After the meeting began, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Raju Vaidya tabled a proposal to pay tributes to Vajpayee. MIM corporator Sayed Mateen opposed it, which infuriated the saffron party members, who allegedly rushed to him and thrashed him in the House. A video clip purportedly showing Mateen being kicked, punched and slapped by the corporators has gone viral on the social media and was also aired by some TV channels. In the clip, the corporation security officials can be seen coming to Mateen's rescue and taking him out of the House through a side exit. The MIM corporator was later taken to a nearby hospital. A corporator said Mateen had been creating nuisance and had also earlier opposed the singing of the song in the House. Mateen told PTI that he was opposing the move to pay tribute to Vajpayee in a "democratic manner", but around a dozen BJP corporators assaulted him. He even named some of them. Immediately after the incident, alleged MIM supporters damaged a car belonging to a local BJP functionary and also beat up the driver. BJP corporator Pramod Rathod, who was named by Mateen as one of his assaulters, demanded that the MIM corporator be expelled from the civic body for his "anti-national" move in opposing a tribute to Vajpayee. Later in the evening, Vijay Sainath Autade, Deputy Mayor of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, lodged a complaint against Mateen at the City Chowk police station. ALSO READ: Atal Bihari Vajpayee cremated, daughter Namita lights funeral pyre The police said a case under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 294 (obscene acts in public) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against Mateen. BJP MLA from Aurangabad East Atul Save demanded that a case of sedition be lodged against the MIM corporator. He said he had approached the city police commissioner, who told him that the police would take a decision on this "in a day or two". "When the entire nation was paying tribute to the former prime minister, the MIM corporator opposed the move. This is an act of sedition and a case should be filed against him," Save said. Meanwhile, MIM MLA from Aurangabad Central Imtiyaz Jaleel urged the police commissioner to go through the footage of the incident and take action against those involved in allegedly assaulting Mateen. "The victim will file a complaint, but the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation should also file a complaint against the attackers," he said. Jaleel added that assaulting anyone over such disagreements could not be justified in a democracy. The police said Mateen was yet to approach them with a complaint. Soon after, an academician, working at Mahatma Gandhi University, was allegedly thrashed by an angry mob on Friday afternoon for a comment on a social media platform criticising the former Prime Minister, reported ANI. The professor was attacked and dragged down from his flat, situated on the third floor. The attackers also attempted to burn him alive. ALSO READ: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, more than a rare 'Ajatshatru' in Indian politics Reportedly, his comment on a critical post against the late BJP Veteran read, "Fascivad ke ek Yug ki samapti. Atal ji anant yatra par nikle (End to an era of fascism. Atal ji embarks on an journey to eternity)." The professor was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and later was referred to Patna's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for advanced medical treatment. Speaking to ANI, the victim however claimed that he was not only attacked for commenting on the post criticising Vajpayee, and but also for raising his voice against his university's Vice Chancellor's (VC) decisions in the past. "The people, who attacked me were all backed by the present VC. I also received a threat call from the attackers, who warned me to not protest against the VC," he added. A face-off between the VC and the professors started on May 29, after scores of teachers sat on dharna, protesting the decisions taken by the university administration pertaining to reservation and appointment of new faculty members. Former Union Minister and BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP's Telangana unit president K Laxman and other party leaders attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi today. BJP's floor leader in the state Legislative Assembly G Kishan Reddy, MLA Chintala Ramachandra Reddy were also present, BJP's Telangana unit said in a releae. Laxman yesterday announced postponement of various party programmes and urged cadres to organise events in Vajpayee's memory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unidentified persons tried to break into the office of Maharashtra minister Dilip Kamble here when he was away in Delhi to attend the last rites of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, police today said. The burglary attempt came to light when his family members found the lock on the outer door of the office damaged this morning. Besides, the burglars also tried to break into three other flats in the same building in Parmarnagar locality of Wanowarie area, police said. "It seems the attempt was made in the wee hours. The lock was broken, but nothing seems to have been stolen from the office. We are investigating," a police officer said. Kamble, the minister of state for social justice, told PTI over phone from Delhi that while he has a flat on the third floor of the building, he has rented another flat on the second floor to use as an office. "This second-floor flat was targeted," he said. Police said there was a CCTV camera in the building, but its footage is unclear because of darkness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ecuadoran authorities said that a Colombian bus that crashed near Quito, leaving 23 people dead, was carrying at least a half a ton of marijuana hidden in its floor. Nearly 600 plastic-wrapped packages of the drug were found by a sniffer dog in the wreckage of the bus, which crashed on Tuesday, national anti-narcotics police director General Carlos Alulema said. He told reporters that three buses from Colombia had already been stopped this year and "more than 400 kilos of cocaine and 600 of marijuana were found in similar circumstances." The South American countries share a border regularly used by drug-trafficking gangs to ship cocaine to the United States. Colombian prosecutors said on Thursday that 80 kilos of cocaine had been recovered from the bus. But Ecuadoran prosecutor Ruth Palacios told the press conference "marijuana was found, solely and exclusively." Colombia said on Wednesday that 19 of the 23 victims were its citizens. Palacios said the authorities would question the 22 injured passengers, mostly Colombians, to try to determine "who is responsible" for the drug-trafficking. "Then it will be determined who stays and who is allowed to leave," she said. The bus overturned and crashed into three houses after a collision with an all-terrain vehicle near Quito. Ecuador transport colonel Julio Barba said the driver "probably overused the brakes... which produced an overheating of the brake system leading to a loss of control of the vehicle." One of the two drivers, who was injured in the crash, has been arrested. Traffic accidents are among the leading causes of death in Ecuador, averaging seven deaths and 80 injuries a day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has arrested a middleman while he was allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of a Punjab police inspector general posted in Ferozepur, officials said today. The action was taken on the complaint of a retired SSP of Vigilance Bureau Patiala, Punjab. "It was alleged that the complainant was being falsely implicated in a case registered against him, for which an SIT was formed by IGP, Ferozepur. It was further alleged that the SIT had searched the house of the complainant and seized certain documents and articles," a CBI spokesperson said. He said it was also alleged that the bribe was being demanded from the complainant for diluting the case and for returning the seized documents and articles. On getting inputs about the planned transaction, the agency laid a trap and arrested Ashok Goyal in Ludhiana while allegedly receiving the bribe of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of IGP, Ferozepur Range. The agency carried out searches at the office-cum residence of the Inspector General and seized some documents. "Searches conducted at the house of private person also led to the recovery of Rs 5 lakh which was allegedly accepted as first installment of bribe at Chandigarh," the spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A CBI team questioned IG Ferozepur Range here in connection with a complained filed by a former SSP, against whom he had ordered re-initiation of action in an old case pertaining to the alleged harassment of a revenue official, agency sources said today. A team of the central investigative agency reached here last evening and accompanied by the SSP Ferozepur, they went to IG Gurinder Singh Dhillon's official residence here, the sources said. The CBI sleuths continued their probe till early morning. The team had also gone to the IG's Patiala residence yesterday evening, they said. Former SSP Shiv Kumar Sharma had recently filed the complaint against the IG alleging that a resident of Ludhiana of allegedly demanded bribe of Rs 22 lakh on behalf of Dhillon to let him off the hook in the harassment case. Sharma alleged that he paid money to the Ludhiana resident. He is the main accused in a nine-year-old case of alleged harassment and frame up of revenue official Mohan Singh Patwari. The IG had recently ordered re-initiation of action against Sharma in the case. The CBI arrested a middleman in Ludhiana allegedly while he was receiving a bribe of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of the inspector general, officials said. The team took away the relevant documents related to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the SIT into the revenue official case which Dhillon was heading, the CBI sources said. Later, talking to reporters today, Dhillon said attempts were to sabotage the ongoing investigations in the case which was registered following a probe by a senior IAS officer. Regarding the complaint lodged by Sharma to the CBI, Dhillon said the accused were trying to intimidate him since he was the monitoring officer in the case "We will not allow the investigations, which are at a conclusive stage, to be hampered by such false complaints," he said. He said the SIT was conducting a probe on merit with all honesty, based on facts that emerged during the course of investigation, all of which was brought on record. When contacted, Mohan Singh Patwari said the CBI compliant was lodged to put pressure on Dhillon who was conducting the probe with honesty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI today raided nearly a dozen properties in four districts of Bihar, including residences of former state minister Manju Verma in Patna and in her native place Begusarai, in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case, officials said. Properties at seven locations in Muzaffarpur were raided, including a hotel belonging to the main accused Brajesh Thakur and residences of a few of his friends and relatives, they said. The central probe agency also raided the residence of Madhu Kumari, said to be closely involved with Thakur's NGO activities. She has been absconding. The agency raided Thakur's home in his ancestral village Panchdaha in Muzaffarpur district. The residence of Ravi Raushan, an accused in the case and who was posted as district child protection officer in Muzaffarpur, was also raided in Motihari in East Champaran district. Raushan has been arrested. During investigation, Raushan's wife had taken the name of former minister Verma's husband - Chandeshwar Prasad Verma - in connection with the sexual abuse of 34 girls lodged at the state-funded shelter home run by Thakur's NGO in Muzaffarpur city. She alleged that Verma's husband was a frequent visitor to the shelter home. Verma resigned as social welfare minister last week after it was disclosed that Thakur had spoken to her husband 17 times between January and June this year. Speaking to the media from a prison van inside a court complex, Thakur last week admitted he had been speaking to Verma's husband but maintained they talked about political issues mainly. In two cars, CBI officials arrived at Verma's residence on Strand Road in Patna this morning and carried out an intensive search there. The residence of her in-laws under Cheria Bariarpur assembly segment in Begusarai, which she represents, was also raided. Other places raided in Patna included the office of Thakur's Hindi daily 'Pratah Kamal' on Buddha Marg and the home of a counsellor attached to the state social welfare department in Pataliputra Colony. After the scandal broke out nearly two months ago, opposition parties in the state demanded a CBI probe into the case and its monitoring by the high court. Under pressure, the state government conceded both the demands and requested the high court to monitor the probe and ensure a speedy trial of the accused by appointing a special judge. The matter had come to light earlier this year when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The audit report stated that girls at the shelter home had complained of sexual abuse. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fair trade regulator CCI has dismissed a complaint alleging unfair business practices against Timex Group India with regard to sale of wrist watches. The regulator disposed of the matter as it did not find any prima facie case of contravention of the Competition Act against Timex (Opposite Party). "... the Commission finds that no prima facie case of contravention of the provisions of either Section 3 or Section 4 of the Act is made out against the OP (Opposite Party) in the instant matter," the CCI said in an order dated August 14. Section 3 and 4 pertain to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant market position, respectively. The CCI order has come on a complaint filed by Bengaluru-based Counfreedise, a partnership firm engaged in the business of purchasing lifestyle products, including wrist watches, either directly from the concerned company or through their authorised distributors and thereafter, selling them online. It was alleged that Timex stopped doing business with the complainant on account of non-compliance of resale price maintenance (RPM) diktat and the former discriminated against the latter vis-a-vis other online retailers like Cloudtail and XL Retail. By way of RPM practices, which is quite common in consumer goods and some other sectors, a manufacturer and distributor decide that the former's product would not be sold at a price below a certain threshold level. This is the latest in a series of cases being probed by CCI with regard to the fast-growing online retail space. For the case, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered the "market for manufacture and sale of wrist watches in the organised watch industry in India" as the relevant one. In its order the regulator observed that apart from Timex, there are several other major players present in the relevant market. Noting that Timex does not appear to be a dominant player in the relevant market, the regulator said in the absence of dominance, no case of contravention of Section 4 is made out. The regulator also said that the complainant has failed to place on record any evidence to establish that Timex enforced RPM across the distribution channel so as to be able to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in the relevant market. The Commission "does not find any merit" in the allegations of the complainant that Timex has contravened the provisions of Section 3, the CCI said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress has asked the BJP- led government in Goa to challenge in the Supreme Court a tribual's verdict on sharing the Mahadayi river water with neighbouring states. Parting away with water of the Mahadayi river ((known as Mandovi in Goa) will have a "long-term impact" on Goa, the main opposition party has said. The Mahadayi River Water Tribunal (WRWT) on August 14 ruled that Karnataka will get 13.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the river, while Goa and Maharashtra will be allowed to use 24 TMC and 1.33 TMC of water, respectively. The BJP-led government should challenge the verdict (award) of the MRWT in the the Supreme Court, Goa Congress spokesman Yatish Naik said at a press conference here yesterday. Naik accused the Manohar Parrikar government of "miserably failing" to protect Goa's interest before the tribunal. Soon after the verdict, the Goa government had claimed it was a victory for the state. "The Goa government had approached the tribunal with a plea that Karnataka should not be allowed to divert water from the Mahadayi basin. "However, the tribunal, through its verdict, allowed Karnataka to utilise 13.42 TMC of water as against their demand of 36.5 TMC," the Congress leader said. "On the other hand, Goa had demanded 122 TMC of water, but the tribunal allowed it to use only 24 TMC of water. The tribunal's award is completely against the contentions of the state government and Goa can't claim victory," Naik added. He said in all 92 villages are located around the Mahadayi river basin, having a cultivable land of 91,072 hectares, and the verdict will have a far reaching long-term impact on the state. "We, therefore, demand that the state government challenge the award of the tribunal before the Supreme Court without any delay so as to ensure justice is done to Goa," Naik said. The three states had been for decades locked in a dispute over sharing of water of the Mahadayi river, which originates in Belagavi in Karnataka. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The country will ban the imports of 411 types of electronic waste, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat said, adding the import of plastic wastes will be totally banned in the next two years. However exceptions will include imports of used electronic telecommunication products and copying machines for repair and reuse. Besides, steel, copper and aluminium scraps can still be imported for industrial use on the condition that these metal scraps must be clean and not be mixed with other substances, the minister said. He said the ban of electronic waste will affect recycling businesses but it was vital to implement the law now as he does not want to see Thailand becoming a world's garbage bin. The environment and public health must come before profit-making and industrial development, Minister Surasak stressed. The resolution came after several related agencies converged to discuss issues in resolving environmental problems created by electronic and plastic wastes in Thailand. The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has asked the Industry Ministry and Commerce Ministry to issue a ministerial regulation to make the provisions of the resolution a law.-VNA China's Communist Party has sacked a dozen provincial and local officials and vowed to punish a pharmaceutical firm over a vaccine scandal that inflamed public fears over the safety of domestically produced drugs. The government has been 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 provoked unusually strong outrage online from consumers fed up with recurring product-safety scandals, particularly in the drug sector. The CEO of the company in question, Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology in the northeast province of Jilin, has been arrested along with 14 other people in connection with the scandal. The first political casualties fell yesterday as a dozen officials were removed from office, including Jilin's deputy governor Jin Yuhui, according to the official Xinhua agency. Jin was in charge of monitoring the safety of food and pharmaceuticals. The decision to sack him was made at a meeting of the ruling Communist Party's elite seven-member standing committee, led by President Xi Jinping. "Those who break the law and jeopardise public safety, notably in the matter of vaccines and medicines, should be severely punished," Xinhua reported, citing the meeting's conclusions. The standing committee also asked for the resignations of three other officials: The vice chairman of a provincial committee, the mayor of Jilin's capital, Changchun, and the deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation. Another eight provincial and city officials were removed from office by the regional leadership. The former deputy chief of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration will be investigated by the party's anti-graft agency, Xinhua said. Another 35 non-centrally administered officials "will be held accountable", the agency said without elaborating. China is regularly hit by scandals involving sub-par or toxic food, drugs and other products, despite repeated promises by the government to address the problem. Since the latest case came to light, the authorities have announced a nationwide inspection of laboratories producing vaccines, but many Chinese parents say they no longer have confidence in the medicines administered to their children. China's cabinet, the State Council, held a meeting yesterday on the investigation into the latest case. The company will face a fine and all of its "illegal profits" will be confiscated, the officials Xinhua agency reported today. "In its reckless pursuit of profits, the company committed unlawful acts of grave nature," Xinhua said in its report on the meeting. The case exposed supervision failures by local governments and regulatory agencies, it said. "We must conduct thorough safety checks on vaccine production... and close all loopholes in the vaccine regulatory mechanism," Premier Li Keqiang said at a meeting of China's State Council, according to Xinhua. "Efforts should be made to build public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines made in China," Li said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior Chinese official in Kolkata said today his country will again extend invitation to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to visit China and the dates for the proposed visit were being worked out. Banerjee was scheduled to visit China in June but she cancelled the trip abruptly hours before starting her trip on June 22. She attributed the cancellation of the visit to "non-confirmation of political meetings at the appropriate level". She was to address a meeting of CEOs of Chinese firms in Shanghai in a bid to invite them to invest in West Bengal. Ma Zhanwu, consulate general of China in Kolkata, said Banerjee's visit did not take place owing to "some technical reasons". "But we are hoping that the future visit will happen. The dates are being worked out", Zhanwu told reporters in Kolkata. He said the two countries need greater cultural and educational exchanges to promote better understanding and the Chinese consulate is supporting Durga Puja festival at Salt Lake in Kolkata, where artistes from China would participate. "West Bengal is not much-known to Chinese people, unlike other western parts of India. Kolkata was very-well known to Chinese people earlier. But that is not the case now. There is a problem of misperception," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A digital combat unit of China's military has conducted live fire drills in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which Chinese experts say displayed the country's determination to build a strong army capable of winning a war in all weathers and territories, official media reported. The drills, carried out by the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) digital combat unit in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, mainly tested the complete digital combat system in the extreme environment, Beijing-based military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told Global Times yesterday. Such a practice is not targeted against any particular nation near the area, but forms the part of China's bigger plan to build a strong army capable of winning a war in all weathers and territories, he said. Song said that almost all units will regularly practice in the area. Hundreds of military vehicles carrying advanced weaponry including drones, early warning radar, howitzers and air defence missiles participated in the PLA manoeuvre, state-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported on August 11. The PLA digital combat unit is able to independently perform counter fire missions including anti-tank and air defence tasks, the Times report quoted CCTV. The exact location of the drill is not identified in the report. An article published by the Sina military channel yesterday said that the artillery deployed in the drills were PLL-09, a Chinese 122 millimeter self-propelled howitzer. Although it is less powerful individually than the 155 millimeter canons, its manoeuvrability is better and it can respond quicker in the battlefield to be transported thousands of kms through air. PLA naval vessels from three theater commands have also conducted air defence and anti-missile live-fire exercises in the East China Sea, PLA Daily reported last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese passenger jet slid off the runway as it landed at Manila airport in torrential rain forcing dozens of flight cancellations today, as engineers struggled to remove the stricken aircraft. The Xiamen Airlines plane, carrying 157 passengers and eight crew, landed on its second attempt before skidding onto the grass and ripping off its left engine late last evening, airport general manager Ed Monreal said. All on board were safely evacuated from the aircraft with no serious injuries. But nearly 24 hours after the accident, rescue crews were still unable to remove the plane, forcing the airport to cancel take-offs and landings from the largest of its two runways. An official statement said the runway would remain closed until around 5 am tomorrow (2100 GMT Friday) as two cranes were still being put in place to lift the plane. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said at least 67 local and international flights were cancelled today. He told AFP that recovery efforts were being hampered by recent heavy rains that had softened the ground around the runway, making it difficult to lift the aircraft. Four people suffered "superficial scratches" as they evacuated the Boeing 737-800 jet, which had flown to the Philippine capital from Xiamen in southeast China, airport general manager Monreal said. "With God's blessings all passengers were able to evacuate safely," Monreal said, adding the cause of the incident was under investigation. The second runway for smaller aircraft remained open, but the authorities said the accident has delayed thousands of passengers, including holidaymakers travelling ahead of a long weekend. Footage from the main airport terminal showed hundreds of passengers still lined up as they sought to re-book their flights. Many angry comments appeared on social media today. "The roads are at a standstill and the main runway at (the airport) is closed. Inept and incompetence at its finest. Welcome to the Philippines," one person said in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scholars in China have cautiously welcomed India's move to invite limited Chinese investments for the development of its North Eastern states by connecting them with Bangladesh's Chittagong port. India has unveiled a major plan for the development of its North Eastern states by connecting them with Chittagong port and invited for the first-time limited Chinese investments which were shunned till now due to security concerns in the border areas. Senior Cabinet Ministers from Assam, Tripura and Nagaland - the states governed by the BJP and its allies - accompanied by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav visited the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou last weekend and met Indian and Chinese businessmen. State-run Global Times in a report said the invitation to China to participate in an India-Bangladesh connectivity project is a surprise move that Chinese observers broadly and cautiously welcomed it. "If the Indian government confirms an invitation to China to participate in its northeastern projects, that means India is shifting toward China's Belt and Road Initiative," Zhao Gancheng, director of the Shanghai Institute for the International Studies Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies in Beijing told the daily. China would highly welcome the Indian government's proposal, Zhao said, given the recent uncertainties in the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) which is part of the BRI. But it was a decision that needed to be made by the Indian prime minister or the national government, not a party political leader, Zhao noted. China is promoting Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) as part of its BRI. The BRI focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe. The BRI includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a project over which India has protested as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Lan Jianxue, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies echoed Zhao's views, saying as long as the project did not relate to any territorial dispute, China would likely get involved. "Cooperation between India and China is promising, but India needs to banish any vestiges of a Cold War mentality," Lan told the Global Times. An op-ed article in Global Times also welcomed Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) President Vinay Sahasrabuddhe's announcement to launch understanding India programme in ICCR missions abroad to "demystify" India. "The good is, New Delhi is trying to have some kind of 'understanding India programme' in major countries like China," the article said. "Sahasrabuddhe made a good point. Most Chinese have a one-sided understanding of India. When it comes to this close neighbour, the Chinese people naturally think of gorgeous songs and dances, successful Bollywood films, or the rape incidents, pollution or people hanging onto the outside of trains. Quite a few have never heard of Hinduism and many believe Buddhism is the most popular religion in India," it said. Madhav while interacting with media here on August 15 outlined a plan prepared by the BJP-led government for the development of North Eastern states by providing the landlocked region direct access to Bangladesh's Chittagong port instead of shipping the goods all the way from Mumbai and Chennai ports. He said the Indian delegation held talks with Chinese investors and invited investments from e-bike manufacturers, software and hardware firms. He said India is developing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional hub and even invited Chinese investors to use North East to access Indian Ocean through Chittagong. We have not attempted connecting North East with China. Our vision was that they are natural neighbours. North East has huge boundary with China....," he said. South West China can use North East as hub to go to Indian Ocean through Chittagong . We have not explored much. We only thought through Sikkim we can give access to China to the Indian Ocean through Kolkata port. But this (Chittagong port) is also an excellent opportunity," he said. But challenges remain as China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet. "We have issues in Arunachal Pradesh, that is a challenge," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy led political leaders in the union territory today in paying floral tributes to a portrait of former Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the assembly. Assembly Speaker V Vaithilingam, Ministers, legislators of the ruling Congress, DMK and AIADMK were among those who paid floral tributes. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and leader of the opposition in the assembly N Rangasamy also condoled the death of the veteran leader. Shops and establishments remained closed in most areas in and around the Union Territory as a mark of respect to the departed leader. A PTI report from Coimbatore said that most shops, particularly in the busy market areas in the district, were also shut following the BJP leader's death. Vehicular traffic was also less on the main roads across the city, while most shops in nearby Tirupur also downed their shutters, police said. Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi yesterday after a prolonged illness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The today asked the Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and a sub-committee set up by to deal with the flood situation in the state to coordinate and explore the possibility of reducing the water level at the by three feet. A bench of and Justice D Y Chandrachud asked and to abide by the directions given by NCMC on the rehabilitation of displaced people and the reduction of water level from the existing 142 feet to 139 feet at the dam. The bench observed that it was not an expert to deal with such severe natural calamity and was leaving to the executive to contain the crisis. The top court asked to submit the report on the steps taken on disaster management and rehabilitation measures. The death toll in the monsoon fury in the southern state has crossed 167, while rains and flood water have caused extensive damage. Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of the shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir and Idamalayar, have severely affected the lives of people in downstream areas. A group of missing persons' relatives in Mexico has said suspected criminals had anonymously revealed to them the location of a mass grave that could hold 500 bodies. The grave, around 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the port of Veracruz in the east of the country, was located in the same area as another grave holding hundreds of victims, which was found in 2016, also as a result of a tip-off. Rosalia Castro Toss, spokesperson for the Solecito collective -- made up of mostly mothers of missing persons -- told reporters the map was handed to the group a few months ago. Now, they are awaiting permits to carry out a search. Close to the grave's apparent location is a road to relieve traffic heading to the port. The surrounding terrain is covered with vegetation, and has repeatedly been the scene of criminal activity. Veracruz state, which stretches along the Gulf of Mexico coast, has suffered heavily at the hands of organized crime and has one of the country's highest rates of missing persons. Since 2006, when the government deployed the army to fight drug trafficking, more than 200,000 people have been murdered. Official figures say more than 30,000 are missing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne, a pivotal figure in Manchester City's title-winning campaign, will be out of action for three months because of a knee injury, the club said today. The 27-year-old midfielder -- who scored eight goals and provided 16 assists as City romped to the title last season -- will not have to undergo surgery on the injury which he suffered in training on Wednesday. "Manchester City can confirm Kevin de Bruyne has suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) lesion in his right knee," the club said in a short statement on its website. "No surgery is required, and the midfielder is expected to be out for around three months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [August 16, 2018] Aptitude Media, CPA Advertising Network, Makes Inc. 5000 Ranks 1105 on 2018 List, #18 in Austin AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptitude Media, a digital advertising network specializing in cost-per-action lead generation and customer acquisition, has made their first appearance on Inc. 5000s prestigious list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The company is now ranked at 1105. Locally, it cracked the top 20 in Austin, landing at number 18. Founded in early 2014 by longtime friends Tom Ugarte and Chris von Wiesenberger, the years of hard work, long hours, and fantastic clients sem to have paid off: Aptitude Media reported 2017 revenue of $6.2 million with just 6 employees, a growth rate of 447%. The employees of Aptitude Media all played a pivotal role in making this possible, said von Wiesenberger. Were a very small team, so I can say with certainty we would not be here without each and every one of them. Aptitude Media had its modest beginnings in von Wiesenbergers moms basement in Summerland, CA. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, they settled in Austin and began their rapid ascent. We are so thrilled that our commitment to providing value for our clients has earned us such humbling recognition, Ugarte added. About Aptitude Media Aptitude Media creates a connection between brands and consumers with engaging, direct response marketing solutions. Through their various publishing channels including individual sites, mobile applications, and an in-house team of media buyers, they are able to access for their clients hundreds of millions of impressions each month. Coupled with the cost-per-action pricing model, this allows advertisers to gain exposure for their brand while only paying for the results they desire. Contact: info@aptitude-media.com [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] The problem of solid waste in Delhi is "very critical" and the cooperation of citizens was needed to deal with it, the Supreme Court today said and asked the Lieutenant Governor (LG) to set up an experts committee to look into it. A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said this committee should go "in-depth" into all aspects relating to management of solid waste, including cleaning up of landfill sites at Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa, as the situation in Delhi was "very critical". The bench, which also comprised Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, said the panel should consist of experts, members of civil societies and resident welfare associations (RWAs). "We request the LG of Delhi to constitute a committee to go in-depth into all the aspects of solid waste management, including the clean-up of dump sites at Okhla, Ghazipur and Bhalswa," the court said. The court observed that as the issue was of considerable importance, the authorities should "not rush into taking a decision", but analyse all aspects so that the problem of solid waste management in Delhi is taken care of to the satisfaction of all, particularly the residents. "We expect that the decision will be collaborative," the bench observed. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, appearing for the office of LG, told the bench that she would discuss the matter with the LG and come back to the court within a week. The bench also asked senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, to suggest five names of persons from civil society and experts who could participate in the committee as members. At the outset, Gonsalves referred to the affidavits filed by the civic agencies and said it has been said that RWAs were not accepting the proposal on segregation of waste. He said that about a year ago, the RWAs had written to the LG on how segregation of waste could be done. The counsel for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said they have filed an affidavit and if the amicus has to say something on it, he should file a reply. The bench said the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has filed an affidavit in which they have spoken about funds, while the SDMC has said in some areas, they already have started segregating the waste. "The fact of the matter is that it is a very serious problem. It will not only affect Delhi but other cities also," the bench said. "Let the LG himself constitute an experts committee," it said, adding, "This requires assistance from people of Delhi". "You need cooperation of people of Delhi. The people of Delhi have to realise that it is a huge problem. Let the LG take a call. Let him not take a hurried decision. Let him set up a committee and examine everything thoroughly. Ad-hoc steps may or may not work," the bench said. When the amicus said he was "not at all confident" about it and the apex court should constitute the committee, the bench said "we cannot do it. LG will constitute a committee". The bench posted the matter for hearing on August 27. At the fag end of hearing, when the ASG said that adding members in the committee may not work all the time, the bench said, "you need to have assistance of everyone". "We are not suggesting that you have a committee of 100 people," the bench said, adding "Let the entire thing be looked at by the committee from the point of view of the residents of Delhi". The apex court had earlier said that Delhi was facing an "emergency situation" due to the mountains of garbage. The issue of waste management had cropped up when the court was dealing with a tragic matter of 2015 in which it had taken cognisance of the 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 had subsequently committed suicide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Denmark's Novo Nordisk, the world's top insulin maker, said today it has acquired a British firm that is pioneering a new technology which could help people with diabetes inject themselves more safely with insulin. Novo Nordisk said in a statement it has acquired Bristol-based Ziylo in a deal that could potentially exceed USD 800 million. Ziylo describes itself as a scientific incubator that is developing glucose responsive insulins or GRIs. A GRI would "help eliminate the risk of hypoglycaemia, the main risk associated with insulin therapy and one of the main barriers to achieving optimal glucose control," Novo Nordisk said in a statement. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar is when there is an excessive amount of glucose in a person's blood. And insulins are used to lower those levels. However, the level of glucose that is deemed to be too hyperglycemic varies from person to person, making it tricky to monitor those and inject the correct amount of insulin. Novo Nordisk said that a GRI "could also lead to better metabolic control and therefore reduce the overall burden of diabetes for people living with the disease." The acquisition gives Novo Nordisk full rights to Ziylo's technology, which the Danish healthcare giant sees as "a key strategic area... in its effort to develop this next generation of insulin, which would lead to a safer and more effective insulin therapy." Novo Nordisk said it acquired all shares in Ziylo for an upfront payment and earn-outs. Total payments could ultimately exceed USD 800 million depending on Novo Nordisk's achievements, developments and sales. The Danish company controls nearly half of the global market for insulin, while its haemophilia and hormonal treatments account for about 20 per cent of overall sales. Last year, there were 425 million people with diabetes in the world, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the figure is expected to rise to 629 million in 2045. Only half of the world's diabetics are currently diagnosed with the illness. And only 50 per cent of those who are diagnosed have access to treatment. Complications caused by diabetes, including cardiovascular and renal diseases and lower limb amputations, kill four million people a year, according to the IDF. Just over a week ago, Novo Nordisk's share price took a battering due to a change in legislation in the US that reduces prices on prescription drugs such as its diabetes treatments, Tresiba and Victoza. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International humanitarian medical organisation Doctors Without Borders today welcomed WHO's new recommendations for improved treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis by prioritising the use of several oral drugs and minimising use of those medicines that must be injected. The newly recommended 18 to 20-month treatment regimen can help improve cure rates, decrease mortality and have far fewer side effects. For these recommendations to be put in place and for those with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) to receive treatment, Doctors Without Borders or Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) called on US pharma comnpany Johnson and Johnson, which produces bedaquiline, to take steps for making the drug affordable for people, particularly in low- and middle-income and high DR-TB burden countries. Today, only 20 per cent of people globally with DR-TB receive the treatment they need. People on standard DR-TB treatment have to endure an agonizing regimen of medicines for up to two years, involving as many as 20 pills per day, which can cause side effects as severe as psychosis, along with painful daily injections for up to eight months that can lead to hearing loss and deafness, a statement by MSF said. The current standard DR-TB therapy typically only achieves cure rates of around 55 per cent. "It's well beyond overdue for people living with TB to have a better chance of getting cured of this killer disease with more effective treatments that are easier for them to tolerate," said Dr Mercedes Tatay, MSF's International Medical Secretary, currently in MSF's DR-TB project in Mumbai. "Governments and treatment providers should not waste another minute and should urgently make sure people can access optimal treatments including bedaquiline, and this means Johnson & Johnson needs to lower the price of the drug and ensure it is available for every person who needs it," Dr Tatay said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Women-oriented films are gaining momentum in Bollywood but Kajol says it would be restrictive as an actor to limit herself to just one genre. "There are lots of films coming your way that are being written with a female central character in mind. It also has to do with whether you want to do that kind of film or not. I don't want to do only that kind of film. I want to do everything," she told PTI in an interview. "There is very little good content being written. I think it is the fact that there are not many good scripts that are coming to you. But generally there is not much good writing happening per se," she added. After her last outing "Dilwale" in 2015, Kajol is excited about her forthcoming release "Helicopter Eela", in which she plays the role of a single mother. The Pradeep Sarkar directed film addresses the issue of parenting and generation gap but Kajol says the film also talks about "who we are as women". Being a mother, Kajol said, there were times when she missed out things individually as she was busy fulfilling her responsibility as a parent. "We have parts of our personality that are subdued, lost, sacrificed along the way to be a wife, to be a mother. Two and three years after Nysa was born, I had not sat down and heard music for years because there was no time for it. "I love my music. Nobody stopped me from it but it just happened. I got back to it later. We should get back to the things that we love as it will make us better as people, make us complete." The 44-year-old actor is thankful to her mother Tanuja for giving her a childhood that prepared her to face life in a better way. "My mother was very forward thinking. I don't think I have the guts to be like my mother. For her, life is meant to be looked at and not faced. We used to discuss everything, success, failure, charity, souls, death, etc ..nothing was taboo. "She used to encourage us to talk, like, 'we are in a safe place and we can tell her anything that we want to and she will not hold it against us'. We did not understand it then but when certain situations came in life, I understood what my mother was preparing us for." Kajol said she and husband Ajay Devgn try to follow a similar parenting style. "Both Ajay and I believe in having open dialogue with our children. We talk to our kids a lot and keep telling them to express themselves." The actor is confident that "Helicopter Eela", which releases on September 7, will connect with the audiences. "...I know it is not going to be 'Avengers' but I would love it to be. A film has to be entertaining. The story is told in a humorous way, with big dollop of fun put into it and at the same time, there is content. We have achieved every goal that we had for making a good film. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's third freight corridor is likely to come up between Kharagpur and Vijaywada sections at a cost of about Rs 44,000 crore next year, managing director DFCCIL A K Sachan said. The project, which is also called the East Coast Corridor, will be 1,114 km in length and is part of the Golden Quadrilateral project of Indian Railways. The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) has sent a proposal to Indian Railways to undertake the third dedicated freight corridor project. Indian Railways is going to put the project before the finance ministry for its inclusion in Budget 2019-20, said Sachan. The Kharagpur-Vijaywada section is one of the busiest routes in East Coast. The project will be funded using equity from Indian Railways and loans. The corridor, which is expected to carry about 200 million tonnes of freight per annum, is likely to be announced in the budget proposal for 2019-20. The DFCC will be making 432 km of the western corridor and 343 km of the eastern corridor operational by the end of the current financial year. Once open, the stretches on the western and the eastern corridors will significantly reduce the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai and Delhi and Howrah, the two most congested rail routes in the country. DFCCIL, an arm of Indian Railways is already undertaking the construction of two freight corridorsEastern Freight Corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni (1,856km) and Western Freight Corridor from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port (1,504km)being built at a cost of Rs 81,000 crore. On 15 August, DFCCIL conducted a successful train run on the newly-built Ateli-Phulera section of the Western Corridor. The 190-km route from Haryana to Rajasthan has the ability to run trains at a speed of 100 km per hour against the current maximum speed of 75 km per hour on Indian Railways track. Once operational, the corridors will increase the national transporter freight carrying capacity to over 2,000 million tonnes, up from the existing 1,200 million tonnes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha today said that he felt like an "orphan" after hearing the death of former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, under whose guardianship he had learnt the "art of good politics". The BJP MP from Patna Sahib described Vajpayee as a "father-figure". Vajpayee passed away at AIIMS hospital in Delhi last evening at the age of 93 following prolonged illness. Sinha had served in the cabinet of Vajpayee during the NDA government rule between 1999 and 2004. "As this most revered & respected institution leaves us, a real Father figure has gone. I feel orphaned in the true sense...We shall always remember you & miss your guidance on the correct path of life. I humbly offer my prayers & heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones," he said in a tweet. Talking to PTI over phone from Mumbai, Sinha today shared his fond memories with the visionary leader. "Nanaji Deshmukh had sent me to Vajpayee ji and Advani ji for training in politics. Both of them showered their love and blessings on me all my life," the actor-politician said. Sinha, who joined Vajpayee on the historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999, said he had traits of a great leader. "He was a 'yug purush' in the true sense of the term," he added. The BJP leader also remembered sharing dais with the former prime minister at an election rally at Lucknow in 2004 - the last election Vajpayee had fought. "Atal ji had called me specially to campaign for him at Lucknow on the last day. It was a tense moment when he handed over the microphone to me. At the end of the rally, he patted my back. Getting appreciation from a man, who himself was an extraordinary orator, was a touching gesture," he said. His passing away has created a void not just in the BJP but the entire political spectrum, Sinha added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons were killed when a speeding truck rammed into an auto rickshaw on Mahudha-Kathlal road in Kheda district of Gujarat this morning, police said. The truck driver fled from the spot abandoning the vehicle, said officials of Mahudha police station. Four passengers in the rickshaw and its driver were killed in the accident. The passengers were from a village near Mahudha town of Kheda district. The truck, coming from the opposite direction, rammed into the rickshaw while overtaking another vehicle, police said. The deceased were identified as Farukh Chauhan (rickshaw driver), Nazir Chauhan, Irshad Chauhan, Salim Bhathiyara and Yasin Bhathiyara. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A flood alert has been sounded in Theni and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu and people living along the banks of the Cauvery and Bhavani advised to move to safer places, even as over two lakh cusecs of water was discharged from three dams, including Mettur. As many as 8,410 people have been sheltered in relief camps in Tamil Nadu in view of the heavy inflow from Karnataka reservoirs and combined discharge of over 2.30 lakh cusecs from Mettur, Bhavani Sagar and Amaravathi dams, officials said today. With over 2.07 lakh cusecs being released from the KRS reservoir and Kabini in Karnataka, inflow into the Mettur dam stood at 1.70 lakh cusecs this morning. The water level in the dam stood at 120.24 feet against the full level of 120 feet, officials said, adding, 1.70 lakh cusecs was being discharged. Following heavy inflow and discharge from the Periyar and Vaigai dams, a flood alert has been sounded now in Theni and Madurai districts, Revenue minister R B Udaya Kumar said. With this, the alert has been issued in 13 districts. People at Mayanur in Karur district have been advised to move to relief camps with authorities expecting the discharge to touch three lakh cusecs tomorrow. "The 30,000 cusecs per second of additional discharge totalling 2 lakh cusecs from Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini dams (in Karnataka) and combined discharge from dams, including Bhavani and Amaravati, is expected to be about three lakh cusecs which will reach Mayanur check dam tomorrow early morning," the minister told reporters. The minister requested people living in low-lying areas and along the banks to cooperate with officials and move to relief centres. The 8410 people have been accommodated in 96 relief camps in Namakkal, Erode, Kanyakumari, Karur, Dharmapuri and Tiruchirappalli. Erode tops the list with 5875 people in 66 camps. Ministers are camping in the districts to oversee relief operations. State Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed and inter-departmental teams are on stand by as well, he said. A Erode report said standing crop in about 300 hectares has been affected due to flooding in the Cauvery and Bhavani rivers. The loss is being assessed by officials. Bhavani town near Erode is facing inundation and the famous Sri Sangameswarar shrine is surrounded by water. Similarly, 400 houses at Kodumudi are facing threat of being inundated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four civilians were injured today in a grenade attack by terrorists on a police installation in Awantipora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said. They lobbed the grenade towards the main gate of the district police office which missed the intended target and exploded by the road, a police official said. Four civilians were injured in the blast, the official said, adding that the condition of one of the injured was stated to be critical. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir government today sealed four unauthorised diagnostic laboratories in Rajouri district, an official spokesperson said. The raids were carried on the directions of Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri Mohammad Aijaz Asad after complaints were received from various quarters about labs employing unqualified staff and giving wrong diagnostic results, thereby risking lives of patients, he said. A joint team of officials from the revenue and health departments raided 17 diagnostic and clinical labs in Rajouri town and Manjakote area under the supervision of chief medical officer Dr Suresh Gupta, he added. During the raids, four labs were found violating the norms of the Nursing Homes and Clinical Establishment Act, the spokesperson said. All the four labs were immediately sealed and action was initiated against them under the rules, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 government has put on hold the draft that proposes red-labelling of packaged food products containing high levels of fat, sugar and salt, CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said on Friday. In April, food safety regulator had come out with the draft of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2018 that proposed mandatory red-label marking on such packaged food products. "Our pre-draft was ready and sent to the Health Ministry. Since there were concerns expressed by some stakeholders, we have kept it on hold for time being and a group of experts from health and nutrition background has been set up to look into the issue of labelling once again," Agarwal said. He was addressing a consultation on the draft regulation organised by the CUTS International. The expert panel will be headed by B Sesikeran, former director of Institute of Nutrition (NIN) as also the current director Hemalatha, besides doctor Nikhil Tandon, he said. The labelling regulations have remained the major contentious issue in the food industry which sees it as an impediment to their sales. Agarwal said the panel will study in detail the concerns of the industry and make recommendations, he added. "May be a little bit of tweaking (to the draft regulations) is required. We are open to it without compromising the basic directions of the labelling regulations," Agarwal said. Pitching for bringing in strong labelling norms at the earliest, the CEO said it is difficult to ask consumers to change their eating habits as some eat mindlessly, while some cannot differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food products. "In this situation, I feel we can make a dent if we can address it at the supply side by asking companies to adhere to the labelling norms," he added. Agarwal also made it clear that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will go ahead with the labelling norms even if there is no full consensus on the matter after the panel's suggestions. Grieving relatives wept over coffins of dozens of victims of Genoa's bridge collapse today as controversy clouded a planned state funeral, while rescuers pressed on with their formidable search for those missing in the rubble. Fury is growing over the shock collapse of the Morandi bridge, a decades-old viaduct that crumbled in a storm on Tuesday killing at least 38 people, with Italian media reporting that some outraged families would shun tomorrow's official commemorations. Italy's government has blamed the operator of the viaduct for the tragedy and threatened to strip the firm of its contracts, while the country's creaking infrastructure has come under scrutiny. Authorities are planning a state funeral service and mass for the dead tomorrow at a hall in Genoa, coinciding with a day of mourning. Relatives who gathered at the hall today embraced and prayed over lines of coffins, many adorned with flowers and photographs of the dead. But according to La Stampa newspaper, the families of 17 victims have refused to take part, while a further seven have yet to decide whether they will attend, as some relatives opt to hold private ceremonies. "It is the state who has provoked this, by not showing their faces: the parade of politicians was shameful," said Nunzia, the mother of one of four young Italians from Naples who died as they set off on holiday. And the father of another took to social media to vent his anger. "My son will not become a number in the catalogue of deaths caused by Italian failures," said the grieving father, Roberto. "We do not want a farce of a funeral but a ceremony at home." - 10-20 people still missing - Despite dwindling expectations of finding survivors, rescue workers said they had not given up hope as they pressed on with the dangerous operation to search through the unstable mountains of debris. "Is there anyone there? Is there anyone there?" one firefighter shouted into a cavity dug out of the piles of concrete and twisted metal, in a video published by the emergency services. Between 10 and 20 people still missing, according to Genoa's chief prosecutor. Hundreds of rescuers are using cranes and bulldozers to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of fallen bridge, which slammed down onto railway tracks along with dozens of vehicles. "We are trying to find pockets in the rubble where people could be -- alive or not," fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP. The populist government has accused infrastructure giant Autostrade per L'Italia of failing to invest in sufficient maintenance and said it would seek to revoke its lucrative contracts. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini demanded that the company offer up to 500 million euros (USD 570 million) to help families and local government deal with the aftermath of the disaster. "There needs to be an immediate, concrete and tangible signal for these families: they should put their hands on their hearts and in their wallets," he said yesterday. The dead also include children, one as young as eight, and three Chileans and four French nationals. Fifteen people were injured, five of whom are in serious condition. The French nationals, all in their 20s, had travelled to Italy to go to a music festival, and other victims included a family setting off on holiday and a couple returning from their California honeymoon. One Italian mother said she was out shopping when a huge chunk of concrete from the bridge hit the store she was in. "I was buried up to my chest, and my daughter was completely buried. I fainted several times, Marina Guagliata, 58, told Italian media from her hospital bed. More than 600 people were evacuated from around a dozen apartments beneath the remaining shard of bridge. Yesterday evening the first residents of some buildings in the affected area were allowed to return home, though others are too badly damaged to save. The Morandi viaduct dates from the 1960s and has been riddled with structural problems for decades, leading to expensive maintenance and severe criticism from engineering experts. Its collapse prompted fears over ageing infrastructure across the world. Italy has announced a year-long state of emergency in the region. Autostrade, which operates and maintains nearly half of Italy's motorways, estimates it will take five months to rebuild the bridge. It denies scrimping on motorway maintenance, saying it has invested over one billion euros a year in "safety, maintenance and strengthening of the network" since 2012. Atlantia, the holding company of Autostrade, has warned that the government would have to refund the value of the contract, which runs until at least 2038. The disaster is the latest in a string of bridge collapses in Italy, where infrastructure generally is showing the effects of a faltering economy. Senior government figures have also lashed out at austerity measures imposed by the European Union, saying they restrict investment. But the European Commission said it had given Rome billions of euros to fix infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned India has sought shareholder nod to amend the charter of the company to invest in start-ups, build plants and set up battery charging stations for electric vehicles as it looks to diversify its portfolio beyond gas and petrochemicals. The nation's biggest natural gas transporting and marketing company wants to insert six new sections in the main objects clause of the memorandum of association of the company, according to shareholder notice. It wants to invest in "start-ups in core business areas (of natural gas, petrochemicals, and energy) and non-core areas (like health, social and environment, safety, and security) either directly or indirectly." ALSO READ: How electric cars and smartphones are sparking a 21st century gold rush "The investment can be made through special purpose vehicle (SPV), alternative investment fund (AIF), fund of funds (FoF) and trust," it said. said that there is a necessity to adopt new and different pathways to provide clean, cost-effective and efficient mobility services that are safe, reduce dependence on oil imports and achieve more efficient land-use in cities with the least environmental footprints and impacts on human health. With the objective in mind, the firm wants to set up "battery charging stations and providing charging services" to electric vehicles. With the government planning to make a major shift to electric vehicles by 2030, felt that charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in India has not been fully developed yet. GAIL with its "pan-India presence through the natural gas network is deep-pocketed and has the capability of setting up charging infrastructure at a faster pace," the notice said. The 34th annual general meeting of the company is scheduled for September 11. The company also wants to "explore the business opportunity in waste-water treatment plants, water distribution, large water pipeline laying as an early mover." With groundwater depleting and monsoons becoming less predictable and unreliable, availability and utilisation of water are becoming key issues in modern India. Many cities are sourcing the fresh water through long-distance transport ranging from 50-200 km. Stating that with growing population and industrialisation the effluent water discharged has increased significantly, GAIL said the treatment of the effluent water and maintaining of the freshwater table is a big challenge and a business opportunity. It is also looking to "harness potential available at its various sites and installations which can be connected to grid for sale or for own use at other installations through wheeling of power." In line with its strategy to promote the use of green fuel, it is contemplating to promote gas appliances in households to increase gas usage and minimise electric usage in housing equipment and appliances such as gas boiler, gas-based air conditioner and bathroom heater. Operating nearly 14,000-km of natural gas and LPG pipeline and executing more than 4,500 km of new lines, GAIL feels it can provide services such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), engineering, procurement, construction management (EPCM) and project management consultancy (PMC) in the field of hydrocarbon pipelines. "GAIL also has adequate experienced manpower and infrastructure for providing these services," the notice said. It also wants to "carry on the business of manufacture, import, distribution, and marketing of appliances relating to gas marketing and distribution, such as gas meter and CNG kits. Hundreds of Google employees have signed a protest letter over the company's reported work on a censor-friendly search engine to get back into China, The New York Times said. The employees are demanding more transparency so they can understand the moral implications of their work, said the Times, which obtained a copy of the letter. It has been signed by 1,400 employees and is circulating on the company's internal communications system, the newspaper said, quoting three people who are familiar with the document. The letter argues that the search engine project and Google's apparent willingness to accept China's censorship requirements "raise urgent moral and ethical issues". "Currently we do not have the information required to make ethically-informed decisions about our work, our projects, and our employment," they say in the letter, according to the Times. Employee anger flared with a report earlier this month in The Intercept that Google is secretly building a search engine that will filter content banned in China and thus meet Beijing's tough censorship rules. Google withdrew its search engine from China eight years ago due to censorship and hacking. The new project is said to be code named "Dragonfly". The tech giant had already come under fire this year from thousands of employees who signed a petition against a USD 10-million contract with the US military, which was not renewed. With the secret project, Google employees are reportedly worried that they might unknowingly be working on technology that could help China hide information from its people. "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table, and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," the protest letter says, according to the Times. At a townhall gathering of employees on Thursday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the firm was committed to transparency, and that while it was "exploring many options", it was "not close to launching a search product in China," the Financial Times reported, citing a person present at the meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A schoolboy who "dreamed" of working for Apple hacked the firm's computer systems, Australian media has reported, although the tech giant said today no customer data was compromised. The Children's Court of Victoria was told the teenager broke into Apple's mainframe -- a large, powerful data processing system -- from his home in the suburbs of Melbourne and downloaded 90GB of secure files, The Age reported late yesterday. The boy, then aged 16, accessed the system multiple times over a year as he was a fan of Apple and had "dreamed of" working for the US firm, the newspaper said, citing his lawyer. Apple said in a statement today that its teams "discovered the unauthorised access, contained it, and reported the incident to law enforcement". The firm, which earlier this month became the first private-sector company to surpass USD 1 trillion in market value, said it wanted "to assure our customers that at no point during this incident was their personal data compromised". An international investigation was launched after the discovery involving the FBI and the Australian Federal Police, The Age reported. The federal police said it could not comment on the case as it is still before the court. The Age said police raided the boy's home last year and found hacking files and instructions saved in a folder called "hacky hack hack". "Two Apple laptops were seized and the serial numbers matched the serial numbers of the devices which accessed the internal systems," a prosecutor was reported as saying. A mobile phone and hard drive were also seized whose IP address matched those detected in the breaches, he added. The teen has pleaded guilty and the case is due to return to court for his sentencing next month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi government to submit a timeline for complying with the court's last year direction to examine the model rules suggested by the central government on distribution of food by fair price shops and take steps under the provisions of the national food security law. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said it was constrained to note that despite the order on September 1 last year, the AAP government has not complied with the directions and the provisions of National Food Security Act (NFSA) have not been put into place. It said that except for certain interim arrangements, no permanent solution, in conformity with the requirement of the statute, has been put in place. The bench granted two weeks to the Delhi government to bring on record the timeline and schedule by when its order and statutory provisions of the NFSA will be complied with in toto. "We feel what needs to have been done, has not been done," the bench said and listed the matter for further hearing on September 13. The court was hearing a petition by an NGO, Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan, which sought disbursal of subsidised foodgrains to beneficiaries under NFSA without Aadhaar cards. The high court in its September last year order had directed the Delhi government to examine the Model Rules suggested by the Central government and take steps in accordance with the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in four weeks. It had also asked the state government to examine the provisions of the NFSA and put in place the internal grievance redressal mechanism and District Grievance Redressal Officer. The court had also said that the state shall examine the provisions regarding creation of the State Food Commission and take appropriate steps in this regard. The court was hearing a petition by an NGO, Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan, which sought disbursal of subsidised foodgrains to the beneficiaries under the national food security act (NFSA) without Aadhaar cards. The NGO had moved the court claiming that some slum dwellers in south Delhi were facing difficulties in getting subsidised foodgrains under the PDS due to lack of Aadhaar cards. Under the NFSA which was rolled out across the country in November 2016, five kgs of foodgrains per person is provided each month at Rs 1-3 per kg to over 80 crore people. The Centre had earlier told the court that Aadhaar was made mandatory to ensure that the poor get subsidised foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Terming PDS as a "misused system", it had said that through Aadhaar, the endeavour was to ensure that the real beneficiaries get foodgrains. Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) after collecting biometric data of the citizens. The PIL has sought quashing of the Centre's February 8, 2017 notification making Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits under the NFSA. The notification came into effect from February 8, 2017 in all states and UTs, except Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. The petition has said the notification violates the basic principle of law enshrined in Articles 14 (equality) and 21 (right to life) of the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on former TV anchor and producer Suhaib Ilyasi's appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment for killing his first wife, Anju, 18 years ago. A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel reserved judgement after arguments concluded in the matter today and asked all parties to file their written submissions within 10 days. Ilyasi, who was taken into custody on December 16 last year after his conviction, has contended in his plea that after framing of additional charge under section 302 for the offence of murder, he was not given an opportunity to cross-examine all the witnesses. The high court, which had on April 26 granted interim bail to Ilyasi, refused to extend the relief on May 14. He later moved the Supreme Court which also refused to grant him interim bail. Ilyasi, in his appeal moved through advocate Rajiv Mohan, has claimed that the police had not collected any material for three months after the incident and there was no evidence to charge him for the offence of murder. The police had claimed that he had misled the investigating agency, proving his involvement in the crime. The trial court had on December 20, 2017 sentenced Ilyasi to life term for stabbing his wife to death, saying he "committed murder and gave it a colour of suicide". It had also imposed a fine of Rs two lakh on him and directed that Rs 10 lakh be paid as compensation to Anju's parents. Earlier, Ilyasi was charged with milder provisions, including 304 B (dowry death) of the IPC. However, Anju's mother Rukma Singh and sister Rashmi Singh had moved the Delhi High Court which in August 2014 ruled that the former TV producer would be tried under Section 302 of the IPC for the offence of murder. Anju was rushed to a hospital on January 11, 2000 with stab wounds she received at her East Delhi residence. She was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Ilyasi, who had shot into limelight after hosting TV crime show - 'India's Most Wanted', was arrested on March 28, 2000. Charges were framed against him in the case after his sister-in-law and mother-in-law alleged that he used to torture his wife for dowry. He was granted bail later. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IT major HCL Technologies today said the newly-launched Manchester United official app has been powered by its digital experience platform. "This app will allow our 659 million Manchester United followers to easily connect to the club they love, wherever they are in the world. "Fans will now have the opportunity to follow all Manchester United matches through the app with up-to-the-second notifications and updates," Manchester United's Group Managing Director Richard Arnold said in a statement. It is part of the ongoing digital transformation of the club to provide a real-time, engaging, personalised and unified experience to Manchester United's global followers. "Our partnership with Manchester United has been one of continuous co-innovation. We are excited to help Manchester United achieve this important milestone and look forward to many years of continued success," HCL Technologies' Corporate Vice President, Ashish Gupta said. ************ Sarvatra Technologies on-boards Sevalia Urban Co-operative Bank on NFS platform Sarvatra Technologies, a banking solutions provider, today said it has on-boarded 'Sevalia Urban Co-operative Bank' as the 450th co-operative bank on National Financial Switch (NFS). The company, in a statement, further said it aims to add another 50 plus co-operative banks by 2018-19 on NFS. Over the span of few years, NFS ATM network has grown many folds, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking. They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated as a result of the US government's "zero tolerance" policy against migrant families who illegally cross the country's southern border. Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Border Patrol officers on March 17 after crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid USD 6,000. They were soon split up and sent to detention centres in different states, with the infant becoming just one of 2,000 Central American and Mexican children that US authorities forcibly removed from their parents between April 19 and May 31 this year. Bueso ended up being deported back to Honduras on April 5 -- but his son remained in US custody until he was finally returned to his family on a flight that landed on July 20. His parents discovered that Johan, who had grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word -- "aqua" (water) -- while away, had been badly affected by his months of detention. "Everything we give him to eat he has problems with. And he gets up and sleepwalks at night," said his mother Adalicia, 21, who is eight months pregnant with another child. She added bitterly that US authorities had sent him back without all his papers, which included his birth certificate and vaccination record. She was speaking in their modest home in La Libertad, a village north of the capital Tegucigalpa. Johan had been flown back to the northern city of San Pedro Sula, the main arrival point for deportees from the US. According to the Honduran government, most Honduran children taken away from their parents inside the US have still not been returned. The foreign ministry said only 146 children had been reunited with their families as of August 10, and 313 were still being held by US authorities. So far this year, again up to August 10, Honduras has accepted 17,573 Hondurans deported from the United States and 27,334 from Mexico. Johan "might be traumatised for life," Bueso said, watching over his son who was playing with a black and white cat. He said the experience had convinced him to give up on trying to illegally enter the United States. The Americans, he said, "are too rough." He and his son were caught on his fourth attempt to reach what Central Americans call "the American dream": a land where work is relatively well paid and easy to come by and violent gangs don't rule the neighbourhoods. Each time, Bueso was deported. Honduran officials admit that many of their citizens risk the voyage into the US with young kids because they believe it enhances their chances of being legally allowed to stay. Bueso's two brothers, who live in the US state of Maryland, had shown that it was possible to make it. But Trump, with his embrace of policies designed to make the US look as inhospitable as possible to migrants and his ambition to build a wall along the border with Mexico, is changing some calculations. In Bueso's case, it was a harsh readjustment. As an assistant on a bus servicing the La Libertad-San Pedro Sula route he can hope to earn USD 8 on a good day. In the US, as a labourer, he could expect to make USD 10 per hour. The small, concrete-block and tin-roofed home he and his wife live in is owned by one of his brothers who lives in the US, Adrian, who also supplied the USD 6,000 to pay the smuggler. Bueso said he won't try again to reach the US, "but no matter how many walls they put up there are always people who are going to try because they are looking to survive". Bueso acknowledged that La Libertad was a relatively peaceful village that didn't suffer from the corrosive gang violence or drug trafficking that blighted so much of Honduras. But he pointed out that the country's economic situation was dire -- something he blamed on government corruption. More than a million Hondurans live in the United States. Most of them lack documents to legally stay, yet they represent a pillar holding up Honduras' economy. Each year USD 4 billion in remittances are sent to Honduras, accounting for 20 per cent of gross domestic product. This year, thanks to a strong dollar and taut US labour market, remittances have grown nine per cent, according to the central bank. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ranveer Singh proudly flaunts the badge of being quirky and unconventional as the actor believes there has always been an "attarangi" streak in him. The 33-year-old actor, who endorses fashion brand JACK & JONES, says "edgy" is his middle name. "I have always been 'attarangi' (unique), as my school friend put it. I make authentic choices when it comes to my style. "I have always been attracted to fashion, music, personalities, attitudes that are edgy. That is why I relate to JACK & JONES on every level. The brand and I share the same personality, values and are extremely expressive," Ranveer told PTI in an email interview. Known for his out-of-the-box style statement and delivering immersive performances, the "Padmaavat" star says he does not fear being judged by people for his choices - be it fashion, films or life. "I express myself with vibrant colours, printed blazers, ripped denims. I have zero filters as I don't fear anyone judging me. I don't hold back. With anything or anyone, in any situation," he says. On the work front, Ranveer will next be seen in "Simmba", which releases later this year. He is also attached with projects such as "Gully Boy", "83" and the recently-announced "Takht". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian economy clocked a 10.08 per cent growth rate in 2006-07 under the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the highest since liberalisation of the economy in 1991, according to an official data. The highest ever growth rate since Independence was recorded at 10.2 per cent in 1988-89 when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister. The back series data on GDP has been prepared by the Committee on Real Sector Statistics, constituted by the National Statistical Commission. The report has been released on the website of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). The report compares growth rates between old series (2004-05) and new series based on 2011-12 prices. As per the old series (2004-05), the expansion in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant prices was 9.57 per cent during 2006-07, when Manmohan Singh was prime minister. As per the new series (2011-12), the growth number stands revised at 10.08 per cent. This is the highest growth rate recorded by the country after launch of the economic liberalisation programme launched by then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao. "The GDP backseries data is finally out. It proves that like-for-like, the economy under both UPA terms (10 year avg: 8.1%) outperformed the Modi Govt (Avg 7.3%), the Congress party said in a tweet. "The UPA also delivered the ONLY instance of double digit annual growth in modern Indian history," it said. The GDP numbers for the later years too have been revised upwards, according to the report. The National Statistics Commission had set up the Committee to recommend suitable measures to strengthen systems and processes for collection, collation and dissemination of these statistics with possibility for improving timeliness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian banks and insurance companies are increasingly embracing digitisation in line with the government's 'Digital India' initiative, according to an American technology expert. The Indian government is giving citizens direct access and connectivity, shifting away from bureaucracy, observed Sandie Overtveld, vice president sales for Asia Pacific at Zendesk, a US-headquartered customer service software company. Traditional Indian enterprises are also going digital. Though there are some apprehensions, entrepreneurs are aware that might lose market share if direct customer-connectivity is not established through digitisation, he said. The Zendesk has built a portfolio of 2,000 Indian customers over the last two years. The government wants to engage the citizens and commercial enterprises are increasingly reaching out to the consumers for market share, Overtveld said. He estimates that Indian insurance companies would want 25 per cent of their businesses directly from the customer, reducing 100 per cent dependency on sales advisors and agents. "We see Prime Minister Modi driving the digitisation programme and that is the place we would like to be going forward in India," Overtveld said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was mourned by the diaspora members and institutions as they honoured the memory of his visionary leadership and statesmanship. The American India Foundation (AIF), a philanthropic organisation founded in the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake and in response to Vajpayee's call to the Indian Diaspora to give back to their country, condoled the death of Vajpayee -- one of India's most loved statesmen. We are deeply saddened to learn of the former Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing away. His visionary thought was an inspiration to us and spurred the AIF on to test and scale successful programs in India. When two of the world's largest democracies join hands to tackle developmental issues, the impact can only be tremendous, AIF CEO Nishant Pandey said. Founded in 2001 at the initiative of US President Bill Clinton following a suggestion from Vajpayee, the AIF has reached 4.6 million of India's poor, working in the fields of education, livelihoods and public health in 24 states of India. The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) USA expressed condolences on the death of Vajpayee, saying his passing is a huge loss to the nation as 1.3 billion people remember his yeomen service to the country. Vajpayee died yesterday after prolonged illness at the age of 93. In a statement, the organisation said Vajpayee's unmatched poetry and oratory skills mesmerised one and all. The OFBJP said the most defining moment for the country was Vajpayee's bold decision" to conduct nuclear tests at Pokhran. The Indian leader also strived for peace with neighbouring countries including Pakistan, it said recalling the historic bus service to Lahore as well as his leadership of the country during the Kargil war. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 35-year-old Indian IT manager has been convicted of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman aboard a Detroit-bound flight in the US, media reports said today. Prabhu Ramamoorthy, who worked for an IT company for over two years, will be sentenced on December 12 by US District Judge Terrence Berg, The Detroit reported. Ramamoorthy faces up to life in prison. If released, he will be deported to India. The verdict came seven months after he assaulted the 22-year-old woman during a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas while his wife sat in the next seat, the report said. A federal jury in Michigan's largest city Detroit convicted Ramamoorthy, who lived in Rochester Hills city, of sexually assaulting the woman. Following a five-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than four hours before convicting Ramamoorthy, it said. "We will not tolerate the behaviour of anyone who takes advantage of victims who are in a vulnerable position, and we are glad the jury agreed," US Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a statement. "We appreciate the victim in this case for her courage to speak out," Schneider said. The woman said she was sitting in a window seat next to Ramamoorthy, whose wife was in the aisle seat. The victim said that she fell asleep and woke up to discover a hand in her pants and noticed that her pants were unbuttoned and her shirt untied. When she woke up, the man stopped, and the woman alerted a flight attendant, the report said. Ramamoorthy initially told investigators that he was in a deep sleep and did not do anything, it said. Later, he told an FBI agent he "might have" undone the woman's bra and cupped her breast, according to court records, the report added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-origin surgeon and his colleagues have found a contact lens lodged in a woman's eye for 28 years. Dr Sirjhun Patel and his eye specialist colleagues, Lai-Ling Tan and Helen Murgatroyd, recounted the discovery in the 'British Medical Journal' (BMJ) this week, explaining how the 42-year-old patient had presumed the lens had fallen out but had instead moved behind her eye without causing any obvious symptoms for many years. It was discovered by Patel and his team in Dundee, Scotland, after she complained of swelling recently. "The patient assumed the lens fell out and was lost; however, it can be inferred that the lens migrated into the eyelid and resided there," Patel writes in the journal. "During surgery, an encapsulated cyst was found. On removal, the cyst ruptured and a hard contact lens was extracted, he said. It emerged that the patient had been hit in the face by a shuttlecock during a game of badminton as a teenager, when she presumed the lens in her left eye had fallen out. Patel and his fellow surgeons write: "On further questioning, the patient's mother recalled that the patient had a history of blunt trauma to the upper left eyelid as a child. "The patient was hit in the left eye with a shuttlecock while playing badminton at the age of 14. The patient was wearing an RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lens at the time, which was never found. "It was assumed that the contact lens dislodged out of the eye and was lost." Experts from Ninewells hospital, carried out an MRI scan after the woman was referred to the Department of Ophthalmology by her general practitioner (GP). She presented with left upper eyelid swelling and ptosis, or a droopy eyelid. Images revealed an ovoid-shaped cyst about 8mm long but there was no evidence of anything inside it. When surgeons removed the lump, the cyst ruptured revealing the lens. The 'BMJ' paper explains the woman, whose identity is being withheld, suffered swelling to her eye after the incident but that inflammation was successfully treated by her GP. The patient had never worn RGP lenses again following the accident. The researchers said: "We can infer that the RGP lens migrated into the patient's left upper eyelid at the time of trauma and had been in situ for the last 28 years. "The migration of a rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens into the eyelid is a rare cause of eyelid swelling. Spontaneous migration of a hard contact lens into the eyelid is a relatively known occurrence, but we were only able to find four reported cases of lens migration secondary to significant trauma. "This case report exhibits the longest time between traumatic RGP lens migration into the eyelid and presentation of eyelid swelling." The patient has since made a complete recovery and there has been no damage to her vision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of electricity consumers in both industrial and domestic sectors has increased in West Bengal which is now a power surplus state, state minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said here today. The number of industrial consumers has gone up from 78,074 in 2011 to 99,505 now, proving that demand for power from industries has increased, Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said. Following the 'Power to Everyone' slogan coined by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after coming to power in 2011, the number of domestic consumers of power (domestic) has also increased to 1.2 crore from 86 lakh in 2011, he said. "We can now say that with regards to infrastructure - roads, technical institutions, power - Bengal is ready to extend all help to industry houses," Chattopadhyay said at a programme of the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI). On the sidelines of the programme, he said West Bengal is a power-surplus state where the demand does not cross the threshold limit of 8,500 mw daily. On Bhangar sub-station project in South 24 Parganas where work was stopped by agitation by local people for over a year, Chattopadhyay said "It is a Power Grid Corporation project. Work for sub-station has started and all the complications have now been resolved." He said the government was taking steps to stop power thefts and aim to generate additional 2,000 mw in the next five years from the thermal, hydel and non-conventional energy resources. At the BNCCI event, its newly appointed president Satyam Roychowdhury said a delegation of the chamber would visit Russia by the end of this month to discuss business opportunities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today hit out at the Haryana government for its claim that there was unanimity among all political parties for filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court over the issue of regularisation of employees. Ashok Arora, the state unit chief of the Haryana's main opposition party, said at no point during yesterday's meeting did the INLD representative concur with the government's "changed stand" about the employees affected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The meeting was convened by the state government under the chairmanship of Advocate General Baldev Raj Mahajan. "The INLD is not even aware as to how and why did the government change its stand from bringing a bill in the Vidhan Sabha to regularise those employees to now deciding to file a SLP," Arora claimed in a statement. "The INLD is consistent in its demand that a bill be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha to give relief to all employees affected by the high court order," he said. He said at no point in the meeting did the INLD representative agree with the government's proposal. "Apart from verbally opposing the idea of SLP, he (the INLD representative) suggested that a comprehensive bill be brought so as to safeguard the interests of employees affected by the adverse high court judgment," he said. "The claim of the government made through an official press release is mischievous and a distortion of facts. The government should retract this bogus claim which is contrary to facts and defamatory in nature," Arora alleged. According to a Haryana government release, "It was decided unanimously in the meeting that the state government and the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh would file a SLP in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding regularization policy". It said the meeting was attended by former advocate general Hawa Singh Hooda, INLD representative Naresh Singh Shekhawat, Additional Advocate General Lokesh Singal and Parvinder Chauhan and representatives of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh. The high court here had earlier this year set aside the Employee Regularisation Policy whereby the previous Congress government had regularised the services of more than 20,000 contractual employees. The court had allowed the employees to continue for a period of six months, during which the state was to ensure that regular posts were advertised and the process of selection was completed. The policy framed by the previous government to regularise services of the employees was challenged in 2014 by several job aspirants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The launch of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is being rescheduled in the wake of seven-day national mourning to pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an official source said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to launch IPPB on August 21. "Launch of IPPB is being rescheduled due to national mourning to pay homage to Atal ji. New date will be announced soon," the source told PTI. Vajpayee, the first non-congress prime minister who completed a full five-year term, died at AIIMS here yesterday at the age of 93, following a prolonged illness. The government plans to launch 650 branches of IPPB across the country. All 1.55 lakh post office branches will be linked to IPPB by end of this year to create largest banking network in the country with wide rural footprint. There are 1.3 lakh post offices in rural areas that have reached to neighbouring villages. With these rural post office branches, IPPB services will be made available across all villages in the country. Payments banks can accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh per account from individuals and small businesses, and facilitate money transfer to other bank accounts, among other services. However, they cannot offer loans, or issue credit cards. With the third party tie-ups, account holders in IPPB will be able to avail financial services as in case of a regular banking customer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Iraq war veteran who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting five people during a rampage at a Florida airport last year was sentenced to life in prison today, prosecutors said. Esteban Santiago Ruiz, who is now 28, opened fire in a busy terminal at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017, after arriving on a one-way ticket from Alaska. Six people were also wounded in the shooting frenzy. He quickly dropped to the ground and peacefully surrendered to a sheriff's deputy, authorities said. He pleaded guilty in May to five counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing death and six counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious bodily injury. Federal Judge Beth Bloom sentenced him to five consecutive life terms and six consecutive 20-year prison terms on the lesser charges. "While nothing can ever heal the wounds inflicted by the defendant's unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones," US Attorney Benjamin Greenberg said in a statement. Santiago -- a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard -- served in the Iraq war from April 2010 to February 2011. He was discharged from the military in August 2016. Not long before the shooting, Santiago had gone into an FBI satellite office in Anchorage, saying his mind was being controlled by national intelligence agencies that had forced him to watch videos of the jihadist Islamic State group. The FBI said his "erratic behaviour" led agents to contact local police, who took him for a mental health evaluation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel troops shot dead two Palestinians taking part in protests along the Gaza border, the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave said. The ministry named the dead men as Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, shot near the central Gaza Strip town of Bureij and Sadi Moamer, 26, killed near Rafah, in the south. It said that both men were shot in the head. At least 270 other Palestinians were wounded, 70 of them by gunfire, the ministry said. The Israeli military did not know of any deaths but said that troops had opened fire in border incidents. At least 171 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire since late March, mostly during border clashes and protests. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including its Hamas rulers, have fought three wars since 2008 and tensions since late March have led to fears of yet another full-blown conflict. There have been three intense flare-ups since July, the latest on Thursday, when Israel responded to some 180 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza with widespread air strikes. An Israeli official said on condition of anonymity on Wednesday that truce talks mediated by Egyptian and United Nations officials had reached an initial set of "understandings" leading to calm on the border over the past few days. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told AFP that a durable truce with Israel was near. "In my opinion, yes, we are nearing an agreement," he said. He added that the UN and Egyptian talks taking place in Egypt with various Palestinian factions have "taken a big step forward towards understandings with the occupation... and the possibility of restoring calm". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli police are again questioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of their investigations into corruption allegations. Two police vehicles arrived today at Netanyahu's residence while protesters at the entrance waved a large banner reading "crime minister" and chanted slogans calling for justice. Media reported that Netanyahu is to be questioned over a corruption case involving Israel's telecom giant. Police had no immediate comment. Two Netanyahu confidants have been arrested on suspicion of promoting regulation worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecom company. In return, Bezeq's subsidiary site, Walla, allegedly provided positive Netanyahu coverage.The confidants have turned state witnesses. Police have recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, dismissing accusations as a media witch hunt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Italian man was apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the IGI airport here today for allegedly carrying an unauthorised satellite phone, a senior official said. L D Giorgi, who had a Italian passport, was apprehended by CISF personnel after the satellite phone was detected in his baggage. He was bound for Amsterdam, he said. The man was handed over to the Delhi Police, as carrying a satellite phone is against the law. Only defence and other authorised personnel are allowed to posses the communication gadget, the official said. Yesterday, a South Korean national was apprehended at this airport for the same offence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jharkhand High Court extended today the provisional bail of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad, convicted in four fodder scam cases, till August 27. Granting the extension of the provisional bail, the bench of Justice Apresh Kumar Singh fixed August 24 as the date to hear the bail petition. Senior advocate Chitaranjan Sinha appeared for the RJD leader. The court had on August 10 extended the provisional bail till August 20 on medical grounds. The high court had on May 11 granted six weeks provisional bail to the RJD supremo on medical grounds and again extended it till August 14. Prasad has been convicted in four cases of the multi-crore rupees fodder scam. The cases relate to illegal withdrawal of money from government treasuries in different districts for the animal husbandry department in undivided Bihar in the 1990s when the Rashtriya Janata Dal was in power in the state. On September 30, 2013, he was convicted in the first fodder scam case related to the Chaibasa Treasury. The former Bihar chief minister was again convicted in another case related to the Chaibasa Treasury on January 24, 2018. On February 23 and March 19, he was convicted in cases related to the Deoghar Treasury and the Dumka Treasury respectively. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme's son, Nicholas Francois Van Varenberg, has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for holding his roommate at knifepoint. Van Varenberg, 22, entered his plea on Wednesday at an Arizona court, records show. He's is set to be sentenced on October 3, reported E! online. The incident took place in September and saw Van Varenberg arrested by police in Phoenix on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful imprisonment, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was reported by the Arizona Republic at the time that Tempe police had carried out a welfare check after Van Varenberg left a trail of blood from an elevator he had punched in his apartment building to his home. When police arrived, he declined medical attention and the cop left. But he returned shortly after to investigate a complaint of banging and yelling coming from the home, the newspaper said. The Tempe Police Department said that Van Varenberg had threatened to kill his roommate with a kitchen knife if he opened the door to the cop. He was arrested and booked into Tempe City Jail, and was later released after posting a USD 10,000 bond. He was also ordered to stay away from the apartment and find somewhere else to live while he waited for the case to be processed in court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in the Old City of Jerusalem today shot a knife-wielding Israeli Arab man who tried to stab an officer near the Damascus Gate, a spokesman said. He was unable to say if the alleged assailant, described in a police statement as a "terrorist", was alive or dead but said that no police officers were hurt in the incident. "We are saying at this time that he was shot and neutralised," he said, adding that the man was aged around 30 and from the northern Israeli town of Umm el-Fahm. Israeli media said that he was shot dead. A police statement said that the incident occurred shortly after the man had left the nearby Al-Aqsa mosque compound. "After a few metres (yards) he came to a police team stationed there and attempted to stab one of them with a knife which he had in his hand," the Hebrew-language statement said. "After a struggle between the police and the suspect he was shot by them and neutralised," it said. After the incident police blocked access to the Al-Aqsa compound, a major flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the scene of past violence. The Old City is in mainly Palestinian east Jerusalem, occupied along with the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kashmiri separatists today called for a two-day strike from August 26 over the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A and warned of a mass agitation across Jammu and Kashmir in case of any "untoward decision" by the apex court. 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. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, said the decision to call for strike was taken after deliberations with all stakeholders. "It was decided that a two-day complete protest bandh will be observed across the length and breadth of the state on August 26 and 27 when the case is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court," the JRL said in a statement. The separatists said, "In case any untoward decision by the Supreme Court, a mass statewide agitation will commence." The apex court has listed the matter for hearing in the week commencing August 27. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced Rs 10 crore relief for flood-ravaged Kerala, where 106 people died on a single day yesterday as the state plunged deeper into misery with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry. Kejriwal appealed to the public to make donations to the crisis-hit state. The Delhi CM also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Spoke to Kerala CM. Del govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Punjab government had also announced Rs 10 crore immediate relief for Kerala. According to a statement issued by the Punjab government, a total of four sorties, each carrying 30 tonnes ready-to-eat food items, would be sent to Kerala. This is the deadliest deluge in Kerala in close to a century, which has claimed 173 lives since August 8. Further, a body blow has been dealt to the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's apex body to handle emergency situation, met for the second time in two days today and directed to mobilise additional resources to all agencies who were engaged in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Kerala. So far, the central government has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats, an official spokesperson said here. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed, 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well. The railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles. Another 1,20,000 bottles are ready to be despatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayamkulam tomorrow. The NCMC meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, also held a video conference with the chief secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala, the spokesperson said. The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in last two days in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today. The Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys. The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. The Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets. The NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment. The NCMC directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights etc. The Kerala chief secretary requested for motorised boats to reach people marooned in flood-affected areas. The cabinet secretary directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment, including from CAPFs such as CRPF, BSF and SSB. Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala government as the civilian airport remained closed. The Kerala government has been advised to explore the use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. The cabinet secretary also directed that emergency medicines may be put on standby. The NCMC will meet again tomorrow to review the situation. More than 100 people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala in just one day yesterday, sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said, even as defence forces scaled up operations this morning to rescue those stranded in the worst-hit areas. The toll for yesterday, initially put at 30, has now been revised to 106, the sources said, which takes the overall fatalities to 173 since the second spell of monsoon fury unleashed itself on August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala this evening to take stock of the flood situation there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Kirti Kharbanda will turn showstopper for designers Sweta and Priyangsu's label "Tahweave" at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018. The designers will be showcasing their collection titled 'Unchartered' on the last day of the fashion extravaganza. The clothing range is inspired by mystical rocky terrain of the Irish mountain lands and their culture. "With this collection we are paying homage to the natural beauty that surrounds us. The landscapes that people usually ignore, the mountains, are the source of our inspiration for this collection that reflects their rugged beauty and glory," Sweta and Priyangsu said in a statement. The silhouettes range from structured overlays to draped dresses crafted in shades like blush pink, burgundy, chocolate brown and green. With minimal embroidery, the collection deals with women's contemporary occasion wear. Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018 runs from August 22 to 26. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A letter from ex-Beatle musician John Lennon's aunt to a fan questioning the famous 1960s band's trip to India to spend time at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh is among a series of memorabilia to be auctioned in Liverpool next week. Lennon's aunt, Mimi Smith, who brought up Lennon and remained close to him until his death in 1980, expressed her doubts about the Maharishi long before the Beatle himself was to question his methods of transcendental meditation in the song 'Sexy Sadie'. I don't understand why they need an Indian, or India to meditate. That can be done here without any fuss. The basic teachings of their church will give them all they seem to be looking for, Smith wrote on September 7, 1967, to a fan she regularly corresponded Eileen Read. The Beatles had been lured by the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and had joined him at a conference in Bangor, north Wales, in August 1967, along with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. After listening to a lecture on the form of silent mantra meditation, the Beatles held a press conference in which they renounced the use of drugs. It came in the wake of the death of the group's 32-year-old manager, Brian Epstein, who was found in his London home after overdosing on sleeping pills. Smith adds in her letter, "The boys have not 'given up drugs' simply because they have never been drug takers. They tried LSD because there was so much talk about it. They, at least John, will not do so again. I'm sure they have decided against any form of stimulant". The Beatles travelled to India in February 1968 in search of a kind of spiritual reawakening through meditation but became disenchanted following allegations of sexual misconduct against the Maharishi. Lennon's aunt's letter, which has an estimated guide price between 500-600 pounds, is set to go under the hammer at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool next Saturday. The other lots in the 'Liverpool Beatles Auction' include handwritten notes by Lennon and wife Yoko Ono, with estimated guide prices of up to 2,000 pounds and a rare signed Beatles Scottish tour programme, expected to fetch up to 4,500 pounds. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's home state Madhya Pradesh played a huge role in shaping his political career as he was elected to the Lok Sabha two times from the state and was also declared the BJP's prime ministerial face for the first time at a rally 22 years ago. Vajpayee, who was born in Gwalior, was elected from the city famous for its palaces and forts to the Lok Sabha in 1971 as the Jan Sangh candidate. Gwalior, in fact, also has a temple built as a tribute to the former prime minister by an admirer. The BJP stalwart, who died in New Delhi last evening, was also elected from another Lok Sabha seat in the state -- Vidisha. It was at a rally at Manawar, in tribal-dominated Dhar district, that Vajpayee was first projected as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, a party leader said. "Yes, I stand witness to the historic meeting attended by a large number of tribals in Dhar district. At the meeting, BJP patriarch L K Advaniji, for the first time in 1996, announced that Vajpayee will be prime minister in the event of the BJP coming to power at the Centre," BJP vice- president Prabhat Jha told PTI. "That news was flashed across the country. That Vajpayee eventually became prime minister (in the same year) proved that Advaniji was a visionary leader," said Jha, the then media in-charge of the state BJP. "Advaniji sprang a surprise by choosing to make that announcement from a remote tribal area, Manawar in Dhar district, but it was carried well the next day in the media across the country," Jha, a Rajya Sabha MP, said. Advani's words proved to be correct as Vajpayee first served as prime minister for a period of 13 days in 1996, second time for 13 months and then for a full five-year term (1999-2004), state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said. Vajpayee was born in Gwalior on December 25, 1924 to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee in the Shinde Ki Chawni area. The initial education of the poet-politician took place at Sheopur, then part of the Gwalior region. He later came to Gwalior, where he took admission in the Government Gorkhi Higher Secondary School, a party leader said. Moved by Vajpayee's love for Hindi, his admirer Vijay Singh Chouhan, an advocate, built a temple in 1995 in Satya Narain Ki Tekri area of Gwalior as a tribute to the former prime minister. Chouhan said, "I was highly impressed with Vajpayeeji for his chaste Hindi address at the United Nations to promote the language. I used to perform his 'aarti' daily by keeping a photo of Vajpayee inside the temple." "Besides celebrating the Hindi Day every year on September 14, I also celebrate Vajpayee's birthday on December 25," he said. Vajpayee lost from Gwalior in 1984 to Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia. In 1991, he contested from Vidisha and Lucknow, and won from both the places. However, he retained Lucknow and vacated Vidisha. on Friday said Axiata, whose current holding in the company stands at over 16 per cent, has relinquished "all major rights" including that of nominating a director on the board. Idea's statement comes at a time when the firm has received the government's approval for merger with The combination is set to create the country's largest mobile phone operator worth more than $23 billion with a 35 per cent market share. Post the mega merger, Axiata's holding is likely to reduce to about 8 per cent. "We wish to inform you that Axiata vide its communication dated August 15 has relinquished all major rights available to it under the said agreement such as the right to nominate a director on the board of the company (including the audit committee) and the anti-dilution rights," Idea said in a BSE filing. Pointing to a share subscription agreement of 2008 signed with Axiata Group, Idea said the Malaysia-based firm, through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, holds about 16.33 per cent stake in the company along with certain rights. In March this year, Idea had informed that Axiata Group's nominee on its board, Hansa Wijayasuriya, had tendered his resignation with immediate effect. With that, Wijayasuriya had also ceased to be a member of audit committee of the board of directors of Idea, the company had said in an earlier BSE filing. A man has been arrested for allegedly growing ganja on a plot of land that belongs to the Navy in Goa's Vasco town, around 30 kilometres from here, police said today. Vasco police inspector Nolasco Raposo said that a local resident, identified as Sameer Sheikh, had planted ganja on land on which the Navy was constructing a residential building for its personnel. He added that the plot in question is close to a primary school run by Naval authorities for children of its personnel. "Based on a tip-off, police raided the area and arrested Sheikh. The land belongs to the Navy. Investigations are underway to uncover more details about how Sheikh managed to plant ganja on the plot of land," Raposo said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police have arrested a man for allegedly trying to rape a five-year-old girl, police said today. Circle Officer Rajesh Tiwari said the man, who is in his early 20s, was arrested yesterday from Kairana police station area in Shamli district following a complaint by the girl's father alleging that he tried to rape her daughter. He said the accused was beaten up by villagers before the police could nab him. A case has been registered against the man and investigation is underway, the police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court has sentenced a man to death for raping and killing a woman while he was out on bail after being convicted earlier for a murder. While awarding the death penalty to Prakash Lahase (34) yesterday, Sessions Judge of Special Court Rajesh Nandeshwar observed, "The case falls in the category of the rarest of rare cases. Such persons are like gangrene in society which has to be removed from the body to save it." Quoting the judge, public prosecutor Shantaram Wankhede said, "The judiciary has a duty to remove the accused from the society. Criminals will have a free run if they are not punished properly, and the fear in them of deterrent will end." The public prosecutor said that judge Nandeshwar sentenced Lahase to death under Section 302 (murder) and awarded him life imprisonment on two different counts -- Section 376 (2) (sexual assault) and 364 (kidnapping to kill) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In 38 days, the court examined 38 witnesses before pronouncing the verdict, he said. Prosecutor Wankhede said that Lahase had kidnapped the 30-year-old victim on May 17 this year from Khadkod village, some eight kilometres from the district headquarters. "He raped the woman at a deserted place and killed her by crushing her head with a stone. He then disposed of the body in a well," Wankhede said. Judge Nandeshwar, while delivering his verdict, also said that women were feeling "extremely helpless and insecure" following a spurt in rape cases, Wankhede said. At least 10 rapists have been awarded the death sentence by various courts in the state since February this year. Under fire for growing number of rape cases, the MP government had brought a Bill in December last year, a first for the country, prescribing the death penalty for those convicted of raping minors below the age of 12. It also set up 50 fast track courts to speed up the trial of those accused of rape. According to statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau released in November last year, MP accounted for the the highest number of rape cases at 4,882 out of a total of 38,947 recorded nationwide in 2016. The figure of 4,882 included 2,479 cases involving minor victims. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of rape cases (4,391) in 2015 too, according to the NCRB report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman Maoist, who carried a reward of Rs one lakh on her head, has surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district, the police said today. Nayana Khilo (19) of Sanyasiguda village surrendered before Malkangigi SP Jagmohan Meena and BSF DIG Virendra Singh last evening, a police official said. Nayana had joined the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in 2016 and worked in Gumma area under Malkangiri division of the outfit, Meena said. She was on the wanted list of police for her alleged involvement in at least four offensives, the SP said adding the woman would be rehabilitated according to the surrender policy of the state government. The woman decided to give up arms and return to the mainstream as she realised the futility of the violent approach of the Maoists, he said. She will also get financial assistance for building house, studies and training in a trade or a vocation of her liking, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Western-backed Afghan defences will not break under the weight of Taliban violence in advance of scheduled parliamentary elections in October, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. In his most detailed comments on the Taliban's assault on the eastern city of Ghazni since it began Aug 10, Mattis said the Taliban had six objectives in and around the city and failed to seize any of them. He would not specify the six sites. In Ghazni, provincial police chief Farid Mashal said yesterday that roads were being cleared of mines planted by Taliban who temporarily held entire neighbourhoods of the city that they had besieged. The fighting continued for five days with more than 100 members of the Afghan National Security forces killed and 20 civilians. Scores of Taliban were also killed, according to Afghan officials. Mattis said yesterday some Taliban fighters were still holed up in houses in the city "trying to get resupplied." He said businesses are reopening, and overall, "it's much more stable" in Ghazni, showing that the Taliban have fallen short. "They have not endeared themselves, obviously, to the population of Ghazni," Mattis said. "They use terror. They use bombs because they can't win with ballots." The Taliban operation followed a familiar pattern, Mattis said in remarks to reporters flying with him yesterday evening to Bogota, Colombia, where he was winding up a weeklong tour of South America. The insurgents likely were trying to gain leverage in advance of an expected cease fire offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, he said. And they likely were hoping to sow fear in advance of the October elections, he added. "They achieved a degree of disquiet," he said, but nothing more. "So we'll continue to see this sort of thing," he said, even though the Taliban lack the strength to hold territory they seize for brief periods. "They will never hold against the Afghan army." The Afghan war has been stalemated for years. The Taliban lack the popular support to prevail, although they benefit from sanctuary in Pakistan. Afghan government forces, on the other hand, are too weak to decisively break the insurgents even as they develop under US and NATO training and advising. Mattis has said he believes the Afghan security forces are gaining momentum and can wear down the Taliban to the point where the insurgents would choose to talk peace. So far that approach has not produced a breakthrough. Next week will mark one year since President Donald Trump announced a revised war strategy for Afghanistan, declaring there would be no time limit on US support for the war and making a renewed push for peace negotiations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mauritius announced today that as a mark of respect to India's former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee the national flags of both the countries will fly half mast at all government buildings. The announcement was made in an official release issued by the Mauritian Prime Minister's Office. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar shared a copy of the release on Twitter. Vajpayee died yesterday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in Delhi following prolonged illness. He was 93. In a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth condoled Vajpayee's death and paid a tribute to the departed leader. He said he was pained by Vajpayee's demise and felt a sense of personal loss. "I express my deepest condolences to Vajpayee's family," the Mauritian leader said. Jugnauth said Vajpayee shaped India's future through his bold leadership and deep-rooted sympathy for the common man. "Today, as India shines as a beacon of progress and development on the global stage, we cannot forget the strong and able stewardship of Shri Vajpayee. His leadership was characterised by determination, perseverance, fairness and equity," he said. Vajpayee will always be a guiding light not only for politicians in India, but for those across the world, he added. The Mauritian leader said Vajpayee's deep affection for people of Mauritius became clear when he visited the country in March 2000 as the chief guest for the National Day celebrations. Jugnauth credited the former prime minister with taking the relations between India and Mauritius to new heights under his leadership. He said Vajpayee's proficiency in Hindi, which was evident in his speeches and poems, will be remembered when Mauritius hosts the 11th World Hindi Conference. Vajpayee strongly believed in the power of Hindi as a symbol of unity, a means of binding history, common values and common cultures, Jugnauth added. The World Hindi Conference will be held at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Mauritius. The three-day conference will commence on August 18 and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to arrive here by tomorrow morning. The conference will be inaugurated by Jugnauth and chaired over by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi. The main hall and other rooms at the venue have been named after Hindi authors like Abhimanyu Unnuth, Gopaldas Neeraj, Bhanumati Nagdan and Suraj Prasad Mangar Bhagat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The LGBT community is rife with coming out stories some extravagant and celebratory, others heartbreaking but everyone in the community has their story. Jeff Perla, a 24 year old who struggled with his sexuality wanted to spin the stressful coming out process into something therapeutic and inspiring. That idea became The Travelin Bum, a blog and Instagram account that shares and celebrates coming out stories with a twist guys (and girls) expose their histories as well as their butts. I started this blog because I was not out yet myself and I wasnt sure on how I should approach it, Perla said. I came up with an idea to anonymously share peoples stories and learn about how other people did it. As the account grew more and more people started reaching out for advice and it got to a point where I needed to share who I was. The Travelin Bum showcases butts from guys all over the world on Instagram, each one with a personal coming out story or experience as members of the LGBT community. Perla takes some of the photos himself, but as the blog grew people started submitting their photos and experiences from all over the world giving everyone an opportunity to have their stories heard. The page has given followers a chance to interact with people with similar experiences while also exposing them to new perspectives. The Travelin Bum is not limited to largely gay-centric spaces like South Florida and New York it connects gay people from all over the world. @thekidfit on The Travelin Bum. One of the things I love most is being able to share other peoples experiences as opposed to just sharing my own, Jeff said. I think people thrive on feeling relatable and that they are not alone. If someone reads my blog I think they can find someone to relate to. The majority of stories involve the coming out process, but some people share personal experiences with the LGBT community. There are posts about body image, homophobia, family issues and more. Ever since I can think I was told I was too skinny and that I should eat more, one post read. I wasted a lot of time in my youth comparing myself to others, thinking about how I could change myself People might say I'm too small but I am skinny and fabulous. Looking back, I wished that I had been honest with myself, but ultimately I am grateful for everything that I learned, reads another. I lost a few friends, but gained so many more. I am now in love, and proud of who I am. I unapologetically live my life the way I want. According to Perla, The Travelin Bum showcases a very human LGBT experience, one that he says is easier to identify with than LGBT representation in the past. @tuckerberardi on The Travelin Bum. My blog helps the LGBT community by making everyone feel welcomed, he said. I think the stigma of LGBT people on television has been very one sided, I never felt I could relate to someone gay in the public eye. Social media has made public figures, some of which are more popular than celebrities themselves. He continued, I hope I give people a face to look up to, a place to go for advice when they have no one to talk to, and a place to watch gay culture and realize that gay culture does not force you into a bubble. Gay culture should be celebrated and I hope thats what The Travelin Bum exudes. The Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers' Association (HPMOA) has urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to repeal the mandatory Rs 10 lakh bank guarantee clause for students taking up medical Speaking to PTI, Press Secretary of HPMOA, Kangra district, Harshvardhan Singhsaid theassociation representatives met the chief minister during his visit to Nurpur on Wednesday. The HPMOA members demanded abolition of the mandatory bank guarantee of Rs 10 lakh saying most students belong to humble backgrounds and that they are finding it difficult to pledge such a huge amount. Singh said, "The difficulty in pledging the bond money is leading to a sense of anguish among the students. This is taking a toll on their mental health and studies.Hence we urged the CM to consider early abolition or reduction of the bank guarantee amount. President of HPMOA, Kangra district, Sunny Dhiman said,"We (the association) also demanded the immediate release of three months pending stipend and salaries of postgraduates at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. "The chief minister and health minister have assured us that these issues are under active consideration of the government and shall be resolved soon. Later, Health Minister Vipin Parmar directed principal of Rajendra Prasad College to immediately release dues, Dhiman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she expected tough talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow on issues from the Syria and Ukraine conflicts to energy cooperation. But she stressed it was crucial to maintain a "permanent dialogue" with Moscow, especially ahead of a possible summit on the Syria conflict that could also include the leaders of Turkey and France. Merkel will host Putin from 1600 GMT at the government retreat in Meseberg castle north of Berlin, where they will only give media statements and not hold a joint press conference. Merkel today called the low-key visit a "working meeting" where "no specific outcomes" were expected. "But the problems we are dealing with, from Ukraine to Syria to issues of economic cooperation, are so numerous that they justify maintaining a permanent dialogue," she said. "There will be controversial issues and there will of course be points where we are thinking about how we can promote and improve bilateral and international cooperation." Relations have been increasingly tense between Russia and Western powers over Ukraine, Russia's backing for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and Moscow's alleged spy activities, cyber-attacks and election meddling in NATO member states. However, Merkel and Putin also share common concerns -- both have been targeted by US President Donald Trump in a range of different political and trade disputes. Trump, who is fighting accusations of election collusion with Russia, has accused Berlin of being a "captive" of Moscow and strongly opposed plans for a Russia-Germany gas pipeline project, Nord Stream 2. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that Putin and Merkel would talk about "bilateral relations as well as the implementation of major joint commercial projects, against the backdrop of threats by third countries to these projects". Putin and Merkel, veteran leaders who speak each others' languages fluently, last met in May in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Merkel on July 24 also held an unusual meeting in Berlin with Russia's army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov. On the Syria conflict, Merkel today confirmed an announcement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of plans for a summit with the leaders of Russia and France, but she said no date had been set yet. Although Syria peace talks should broadly be led by the UN and other established groupings, Merkel said such a four-way summit "could make sense". "It must be well prepared, that's why no date has been set yet," she told a Berlin joint press conference with Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic. "But we will arrange for advisors to hold a preparatory meeting and then decide whether it makes sense to hold such a meeting together." She said she had also discussed this by telephone with Erdogan, pointing to the "very, very tense situation" in Syria's rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib, now the focus of Assad's troops after sweeping military gains -- helped by direct Russian support -- across Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Black Panther" Michael B Jordan surprised a fan who had visited the sets of his upcoming film "Creed 2". Jordan decided to surprise the fan, Audeva Agyema, after he got to know that the teenager had taken a life-size cut-out of the actor to her prom when her boyfriend cancelled at the last minute. Agyema was invited to the "Creed 2" set in Philadelphia, but was told that Jordan would not be there. The 31-year-old actor posted a video of the special super fan event, where he met unsuspecting teen who was clearly amazed after Jordan greeted her from behind. "I had to surprise @de.gye after hearing about her taking me (kinda Lol) to Prom. She had no idea we would bring her to the set of @creedmovie but you know I had to show her some love since I couldn't actually be her date," he wrote on Instagram. "Creed 2", directed by Steven Caple Jr, recently wrapped filming and is currently in the post-production phase. The film will also mark the return of Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan visited the flood-hit Sathyamangalam area in Erode today and promised to build 200 houses for the affected people. Meanwhile, Theni Collector Pallavi Baldev asked people living along Vaigai river to move to safe places, as the Vaigai Dam-level touched 66.01 feet (maximum 71 feet) with a heavy inflow of 4,227 cusecs. Though water discharged from the dam was only 60 cusecs, it was normal to issue a flood-warning when the level reaches 66 feet, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A gunman of the Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Phagwara in Punjab was critically injured after he was hit by a bullet fired from his own gun, a police official said today. Nirmal Kumar (45), gunman of MLA Som Prakash, sustained bullet injuries in the incident last night, Sadar SHO Inspector Shiv Kanwal Singh said. Kumar was first rushed to a civil hospital from where he was referred to Jalandhar as his condition was critical, Singh said. He said Kumar was alone in his police quarter at the time of incident. "It is being ascertained whether the incident was an accident or if it was a suicide bid. This will become clear only after Kumar is fit to give a statement," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NDRF said today it has moved more than 4,000 people to safer places and rescued another 44 from flooded areas in Kerala during the past nine days, even as its personnel struggle to reach remote areas cut off due to landslides. Kerala has been severely hit by monsoon rains and rivers and dam reservoirs are overflowing, inundating a large part of the state. At least 100 people died yesterday in rain-related incidents, State Disaster Management Authority officials said in Thiruvananthapuram. A National Disaster Response Force spokesperson said in New Delhi that its 51 teams, out of the total 53 deployed, are operating on the ground. Two more teams will reach Kerala soon, he added. "So far, over 4,319 persons have been evacuated and 44 people have been rescued by our teams since their deployment in Kerala. Operations are still going on," he said. The rescue and evacuations operations by the NDRF entered its ninth day today. The spokesperson said despite heavy rains and unfavourable weather, every effort was being made by NDRF responders to "access and reach" every person in distress. A total of 173 people have died in the state since the second spell of monsoon fury began on August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Kerala tonight after the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will undertake an aerial survey of flood-hit areas tomorrow. The National Crisis Management Committee, the apex body to handle emergency situations, also met for the second time today and directed agencies to mobilise additional resources. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Swiss city of Lausanne has blocked a Muslim couple's bid to become Swiss nationals over their refusal to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. The municipality said it refused to grant the couple's citizenship application over their lack of respect for gender equality, Lausanne mayor Gregoire Junod told AFP. He said a municipal commission had questioned the couple several months ago to determine if they met the criteria for citizenship, but had determined in the ruling made public Friday that they missed the mark on integration. He refused to divulge the couple's nationalities or other identifying details, but said they "did not shake hands with people of the opposite sex." They also "showed great difficulty in answering questions asked by people of the opposite sex," he said. Some devout Muslims argue that Islam does not permit physical contact with a person of the opposite sex, with the exception of certain immediate family members. Junod pointed out that freedom of belief and religion is enshrined in the laws of the Canton of Vaud, which encompasses Lausanne. But "religious practice does not fall outside the law," he stressed. His vice-mayor, Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, who was on the three-member commission that questioned the couple told AFP he was "very satisfied with the decision" to deny the couple's application. "The constitution and equality between men and women prevails over bigotry," he said. The couple has 30 days to appeal the decision, Junod said. This is not the first time refused handshakes have stirred tensions in Switzerland. In 2016, there was national uproar over revelations that a middle school in the north of the country had allowed two Syrian brothers not to shake their teachers' hands after they complained that doing so was counter to their religious beliefs if the teacher was a woman. This ran counter to a deeply entrenched Swiss tradition of students shaking their teacher's hands as a sign of respect, and amid the outcry regional authorities quickly overruled the school's decision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked "hostile forces" over "brigandish" sanctions, state media reported today, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a ground-breaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticised Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called "hostile forces" for "trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", the Korean Central Agency (KCNA) reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a "new era" of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticising the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aluminium major NALCO has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vrindaban Gurukul Trust of flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the company said in a statement. As per the Mou signed here on August 15, special steps would be taken for the promotion of Indian classical music in general and flute in particular by enabling poor students to undertake quality training for earning their livelihood, it said. The MoU also agreed that NALCO, a Navratna CPSE, will adopt meritorious students of the Gurukul for their education and help in the growth of the institution. As per the agreement, both NALCO and the Vrindaban Gurukul Trust will work together on the theme 'Cultural Excellence: Cultural Efflorescence', in a collaborative manner for the promotion of cultural excellence of Odisha. Speaking on the occasion, the renowned flutist said that the Vrindaban Gurukul Trust will effectively cooperate and collaborate with the NALCO for promoting cultural excellence in Odisha. NALCO CMD Tapan Kumar Chand was quoted as saying in the statement, "This is a reiteration of NALCO's commitment towards promotion of art and culture of Odisha. This industry-culture interaction would boost culturally-adaptive business environment in the state, which will take Brand Odisha to a higher position across the globe." It was also agreed that the NALCO and the Vrindaban Gurukul Trust will promote each other's brand name and popularise the activities undertaken by them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of Naxals today torched a bus in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Sukma district after asking passengers to alight, a police official said. The private bus, proceeding towards Dantewada, was set ablaze in the evening after Maoist rebels stopped it near Bhusaras Valley at Gadiras, some 450 kilometres from the state capital, Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena told PTI. There were no reports of any casualty in the incident, Meena informed. He said that security forces had reached the spot and combing operations to nab the ultras were underway. Maoist rebels had, earlier, torched two buses on August 8 in Dantewada district. While occupants were asked to alight on that occasion as well, the charred skeleton of a person was later found inside one of the burnt down buses. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I need you, Hillary Clinton told a crowd of students at Temple University one month before the 2016 election. I need you as partners, not just for winning this election, but for driving real change. She continued, Not voting is not an option. That just plays into Trumps hands. It really does. Following the results of the election it was released that only 49 percent of eligible millennial voters participated in the 2016 election. The problem is not lazy or disengaged Millennials, but instead a voting process that hasnt been updated since many of these voters were born. The overwhelming wisdom is that the people who didnt turn out to vote 60 percent of them, didnt turn out because of process issues either they couldn't get their registration done in time, they forgot there was an election, they couldnt get off work in time, those sorts of things, Brandon Naylor, Director of Communications at DemocracyWorks said. DemocracyWorks is a nonprofit organization founded by Seth Flaxman and Kathryn Peters after Flaxman realized how many elections he had missed in grad school simply because he lost track of when they were taking place, and he could not find an online system in place to remind him. We can rent a movie, or connect with friends or go shopping do all of these things that are arguably much less important than voting a lot easier than we can actually interact with our democracy, Flaxman said. In 2012, DemocracyWorks helped nearly 200,000 people vote in the 2012 election with their TurboVote service, which keeps track of voter registration, rules and laws, forms and sends reminders of upcoming elections, and has even partnered with Facebook to send reminders to younger voters. Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council said getting younger people involved in the voting process is critical in ensuring policy change. We have an opportunity here in 2018 to be a game changer, Hoch said. You get these young people involved and understanding what is going on, and the demographics of who is a voter changes drastically. According to Hoch, over 40 states had data showing that there were more people who didnt vote than there were people who cast a vote for Trump. He continued, Right now seniors are the ones who vote the most. Fortunately we have a lot of supportive gay seniors here in Palm Beach County, maybe not so much around the rest of the world. You change the dynamics of the Millennial, who are the largest demographic, you change who is in Tallahassee, you change who is in D.C. PBCHRC attaches voter registration links with almost everything it sends out, according to Hoch. Social media is a more effective channel for reaching younger generations than email or phone calls, and PBCHRC has used its Facebook page to attract younger audiences. Through history younger people have led civil rights movements, and its fair to say that the representation for the LGBT community and intersectional community, those are prime examples of how young people are getting involved in advocacy because those are the issues that matter most to them, Naylor said. It makes perfect sense for advocacy organizations to look to voter resignation, he continued. You arent asking anybody to do anything in support of your specific advocacy; youre asking people to perform their civic duty. Its way harder to get somebody to sign a petition for a specific topic than it is to ask someone to register to vote, and we dont ask how they vote. Nepal's Communist government today introduced a new criminal code that makes publishing confidential information, recording audio or taking pictures without permission a jailable offence, triggering concerns among activists and journalists that it could curb press freedom. Lawyers and rights activists have warned that the Communist-led two third majority government, which has shown an "increasing intolerance for dissent", could use the new laws to silence those criticising the government. The government's new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedures Code, expected to reform the country's legal system by replacing ages-old Muluki Ain', came into effect today, amid fears that the new privacy provisions outlined in the codes would hamper free press in the country. A number of provisions in the Criminal Code say violation of any individual's right to privacy would result in up to three years imprisonment and fines in thousands of rupees. The new law also makes listening to or recording a conversation between two or more people, or photographing any individual, without consent a criminal offence. Anyone found violating these rules faces one year in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000 or both. Publishing content that damages a person's reputation directly or through satire is also subject to punishment, according to the new law. "These general laws can be misused to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting," said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi. The new laws have put press freedom at stake, he warned. This is total violation of the constitution and aimed at controlling the free press which is totally unacceptable, said Badri Sigdel, president of Nepal Press Union, a pro-democracy working journalists' organisation. This is an indication that the communist government is gradually imposing authoritarian rule in the country by undermining people's right to information and press freedom, said. Nepalese journalists had faced intimidation, arrest and pre-censorship during the direct rule of then King Gyanendra, who took executive powers in 2005. The people's movement of 2006 overthrew the autocratic monarchy and established federal democratic republic Nepal. "The new press laws try to snatch the achievements of the people's movement," warned president of NPU Sigdel. "The government has tightened screw on the journalists by introducing the code and there is every possibility of misuse of the law, which could curtail press freedom," said Hari Thapa, editor of Annapurna Post national daily. The new law is "regressive" which is counterproductive for a free press, he added. Although, the new constitution promulgated in 2015 guarantees press freedom and right to information, the new code introduced by the government has raised suspicion in the minds of journalists and rights activists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government today requested Kerala to provide assistance including food and drinking water to 130 people from the eastern Indian state stranded at Odapally in Kerala, official sources said. The Odisha government's action came soon after it received an alert from one Anil Sethi, a labourer, who informed around 130 people from Odisha who have taken shelter in a house at Aluva Munnar Road, Odapally, near Asha Munnar Post Office. Sethi said they were not able to get food and drinking water. "I would, therefore, request you to kindly make necessary arrangement for providing support in terms of food, drinking water and other necessities to the flood affected people from Odisha." the state's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi wrote in a letter to P H Kurian, Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management, Kerala. The Odisha government also set up a helpline in the special relief commissioner's office here to help the people in distress. Any person from Odisha who has been affected may call up the helpline numbers 1070 (toll free) and 0674-2534177, an official release said. When contacted over phone, Anil Sethi told PTI, "We are virtually starving and even not in possession of a drop of water to drink. Therefore, we appeal both the governments of Odisha and Kerala to make arrangement for our survival." Yesterday, the Odisha government had announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore for flood-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also talked to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan over phone about the situation. Patnaik also offered other kind of support required to tackle the calamity, as Odisha has expertise in dealing with disasters like flood and cyclone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government today urged its Kerala counterpart to provide minimum assistance like food and water to the people from the state taking shelter at a flood ravaged place, official sources said. The state government's action came soon after it received an SOS message from one Anil Sethi, who informed that about 130 people from Odisha have taken shelter in a house at Aluva Munnar Road, Odapally, Near Asha Munnar Post Office. Sethi informed that they were not even able to get food and drinking water for immediate sustenance. "I would, therefore, request you to kindly make necessary arrangement for providing support in terms of food, drinking water and other necessities to the above mentioned flood affected people Odisha." the state's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi wrote a letter to P H Kurian, Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management, Kerala. When contacted over phone, Anil Sethi told PTI, "we are virtually starving and even not in possession of a drop of water to drink. Therefore, we appeal both the governments of Odisha and Kerala to make arrangement for our survival." Earlier yesterday, the Odisha government had announced a financial assistance of Rs five crore for flood-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also talked to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan over telephone about the situation. Patnaik also offered other kind of support required to tackle the calamity, as Odisha has expertise in dealing with disasters like flood and cyclone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One person was killed and three were injured today in a grenade attack by terrorists on a police installation in Awantipora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said. They lobbed a grenade towards the main gate of the district police office which missed the intended target and exploded by the road, a police official said. Four civilians were injured in the grenade blast, the official said, adding that one of the injured later succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The deceased was identified as Abdul Ahad Panchoo (60). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 2.81 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas till date, officials said. "On the 51st day of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, 843 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave," they said. Till date, 2,81,227 yatris have had the 'darshan' of the 'shivling' at the holy cave, they said. The yatra was resumed from Jammu yesterday after three-day long suspension due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the officials said. The 60-day annual yatra commenced from the twin tracks of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag districts of the valley on June 28 and is scheduled to conclude on August 26 coinciding with the 'Raksha Bandhan' festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A banking court here today issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pakistan's former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and 15 other suspects in the fake bank accounts scam case, according to a media report. During the hearing of Rs 35 billion money laundering case, the court directed authorities to arrest and present Zardari, 63, before it by September 4, the Express Tribune reported. However, PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar issued a statement in which he quoted Zardari's counsel Farooq H Naek as saying that no warrants against the former president have been issued. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had declared Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, along with 18 other suspects, as absconders in an interim charge sheet filed in the case. Talpur had, however, obtained a bail against her arrest. The fake accounts case revolves around a 2015 inquiry into suspicious transactions when 29 benami' accounts were identified, 16 of them in the Summit Bank, eight in the Sindh Bank and five in the United Bank Limited. The prosecution today stated that arrest warrants were issued in an earlier hearing for the accused who were declared absconders in the charge sheet submitted by the investigative agency in July. Former Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) chairman Hussain Lawai is among the accused. Speaking to media, an FIA representative said the remand was to further probe and obtain documents from the accused in the money laundering case. The hearing has been adjourned till August 25. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two million Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia this week for the hajj as the annual pilgrimage becomes increasingly hi-tech with apps to help the faithful navigate Islam's holiest sites. This year the hajj comes with the ultra-conservative kingdom witnessing an unprecedented pace of change, finally ending a ban on women driving while remaining firm in the face of any dissent. One of the five pillars of the world's fastest-growing religion, the hajj is expected to draw two million people from around the globe this year. By yesterday, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, which runs from Sunday to Friday. Thousands could be seen arriving in Mecca, with groups from different countries wearing distinct colours to set them apart. Some pilgrims pushed their elderly relatives on wheelchairs while others stopped to call family members back home on video chat or buy ice cream as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). For many, it is their first time away from home. Every Muslim is required to complete the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so. Many were visibly moved to be so close to Islam's holiest site -- the Kaaba, a black masonry cube in the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. "I feel as light as a feather," said Senegalese Fame Diouf, who travelled from Amsterdam. Laughing, she recounted the story of how she couldn't stop crying near the Kaaba. "This was my dream from childhood," said Raja Amjad Hussein, who made the trip to Mecca from Pakistan. "I can't explain. I have no words," the 40-year-old told AFP. "For many Muslims this is the big, the biggest, dream of life, to see Kaaba and pray for yourself and the whole Muslim nation." No matter their race or nationality, for every pilgrim hajj begins with "ihram", the donning of an all-white outfit. For men, this is a seamless tunic worn over baggy pants; for women, a loose dress with only the face and hands exposed. Pilgrims then perform rituals around the Kaaba and on the Mount Arafat plain east of Mecca. The hajj ends with Eid al-Adha, a three-day feast which starts with the "stoning of the devil". Eid al-Adha also includes the slaughter of sheep, with the meat distributed to Muslims in need. The ritual symbolises Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, on the order of God. The hajj presents the Saudi authorities with major logistical challenges. The Pew Research Center says the number of Muslims in the world is expected to rise from 1.8 billion in 2015 to three billion in 2060. This year, the Saudis have launched a "smart hajj" initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care. Asefny, for example, is an app launched by Saudi Arabia's Red Crescent to help pilgrims request emergency medical attention. Authorities are able to locate those in need through the app. The Saudi hajj ministry also runs the Manasikana app, which provides translation for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic or English. The 2018 pilgrimage comes amid a widening crackdown on political dissent in Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy aggressively pursuing a campaign to clean up its image as one of the world's most restrictive countries. It also comes more than a year into the worst political crisis to grip the Gulf, pitting regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Qatar against one another. Saudi Arabia -- the world's largest exporter of oil -- and its allies accuse Qatar of cosying up to both Sunni Islamist extremists and Shiite Iran, Riyadh's greatest rival. They have cut all ties with Qatar and banned all flights to and from Doha. Qatar denies the charges. Qatari pilgrims are still permitted into Saudi Arabia for hajj. Iranian pilgrims are also in attendance this year. Tehran had temporarily suspended sending its citizens to hajj following a 2015 stampede that left around 2,300 pilgrims dead, including hundreds of Iranians. Saudi Arabia has drawn harsh criticism for a crackdown on political dissent since the appointment last year of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose modernisation campaign has grabbed headlines around the world. More than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state in recent weeks. Some have since been released. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Boeing passenger plane from China skidded off a runway while landing in a downpour at Manila's airport and its 157 passengers and eight crew members were evacuated on an emergency slide, officials said. All the passengers and crew of Xiamen Air flight MF8667 were safe and were taken to an airport terminal, where they were given blankets and food before being taken to a hotel, Philippine officials said. "We have no reports yet of injuries but the passengers were all drenched," said Eric Apolonio, a spokesman of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The B737 aircraft veered off the runway around midnight into a grassy area, Apolonio said. He cited an initial report that the plane appeared to have "bounced" during the landing then its lights went out. One of the plane's two engines appeared to have been damaged, another airport official said. The airport's international runway was expected to be closed until about noon today and airlines were notified of the closure, officials said. Torrential monsoon rains enhanced by a tropical storm flooded many low-lying areas of Manila and outlying northern provinces over the weekend, displacing thousands of residents and forcing officials to shut schools and government offices. The weather has improved but sporadic downpours have occurred. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Kerala this evening to take stock of the flood situation there. Earlier in the day, Modi also spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed about the situation. "Leaving for Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state," the prime minister tweeted. "The suffering of the people of Kerala has been in his thoughts for the last few days. He will review the status of relief and rescue operations, and will also undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. Modi left for Kerala after attending the last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He walked behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains of the former prime minister from the BJP headquarters to Smriti Sthal. Kerala has been severely hit by monsoon rains and rivers and dam reservoirs are overflowing, inundating a large part of the state. At least 100 people died yesterday in rain-related incidents in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 36-year-old police armed guard was killed when the two-wheeler he was riding was hit by a vehicle from behind near Hatyari More on the national highway-33, the police said today. The incident happened when Ishwari Prasad Mehta, who was posted at Charhi police station in Hazaribag district, was returning to the police station after his duty at an area away from it last evening, they said. On being informed about the incident, police rushed him to the Hazaribag sadar hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. Mehtas identify was established from his Identity Card in the hospital. The driver of the vehicle that hit the two-wheeler of the victim escaped immediately after the incident, the police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The turnover of the public sector enterprises (PSEs) in Haryana increased to Rs 57,628 crore in 2016-17 as compared to Rs 49,478 crore in 2014-15. This was informed during a review meeting of PSEs held under the chairmanship of state Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here yesterday. Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu was also present in the meeting. The turnover of PSEs has made promising improvement in the past over a period of four years, according to an official release. It was also informed that the number of PSEs under profit increased from 20 in 2014 to 26 on March 31, 2017 whereas the number of loss making public sector units went down from 24 to 20 over a similar period. Also, the loss in quantitative term reduced from Rs 4,247 crore to Rs 1,148 crore during this period, it was informed, as per the release here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least nine earthquakes have rocked southern Italy in two hours, prompting frightened residents to sleep outdoors. Italy's national seismology agency INGV says the strongest quake measured 5.1 and struck at 8:19 pm (local time) yesterday. That jolt was followed in rapid succession by eight more tremors, with the strongest measuring at 4.4. Epicenter of the quakes was Montecilfone, a small town in Campobasso province in the south-central region of Molise. Civil protection officials say a boy was slightly hurt after leaping off a balcony in fear, but no injuries are blamed directly on the quakes. Molise Governor Donato Toma says some buildings suffered cracks but no major damage occurred. The biggest jolt was felt in much of Italy's south, including in Rome and Naples. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set for a two-day UK visit next week but the tour has been overshadowed by behind the scenes developments around one of his planned speaking arrangements. The Congress MP will arrive in London on August 24 from Germany and was scheduled to address an event in the Houses of Parliament complex hosted by the Conservative Friends of India (CF India), a membership-led group that promotes links between the UK's ruling Conservative Party and India. However, the event has now changed hands to be held in a different room within the House of Commons complex after CF India claimed it was unable to confirm its room booking. Our event could not go ahead as we were unable to confirm the room booking in time, this being parliamentary recess period, said Rami Ranger, CF India co-chairman, who was hosting the event alongside Indian-origin peer Baroness Sandy Verma. According to reports, Verma had backed out of the event leaving it without parliamentary backing and led to the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) stepping in to take charge of the meeting, scheduled for August 24, with the help of Indian-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz. It is now being billed as a cross-party event to distance itself from the influence of local BJP operatives, who were reportedly unhappy with CF India's support for the event. "The Houses of Parliament programme is now being hosted by IOC. This is to allow IOC to manage the attendees, said IOC spokesperson Gurminder Randhawa. The group is also hosting a flagship diaspora event in honour of the Congress president on August 25 evening, which has been described as an interaction with the inspirational and prestigious leader. Randhawa added: The main purpose of the event is to bring together NRIs living in the UK and for them to be part of the Indian Overseas Congress UK Mega Conference 2018. This will be an opportunity for the Indian Overseas Congress and Rahul Gandhi to share their views with the wider audience. Besides the IOC organised events, Gandhi is set to address a gathering on India's Economic Growth and Foreign Policy in an Uncertain World' as well as a gathering of students and academics at an event organised by the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK to launch its Perspective India Townhall at the London School of Economics (LSE). The aim of the event is to promote dynamic and unbiased discussions on issues facing contemporary India as well as the opportunities India presents, said Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU UK. Our Townhall intends to bring together visionary leaders and do-ers, students, young professionals, academics and researchers in India and the UK for healthy and action-oriented discussion, debate and dissent, she said. The Indian Journalists' Association (IJA) in the UK is also set to host a working lunch with Gandhi during the short visit. This tour of Rahul Gandhi to Germany and UK comes at a time when events in Turkey and free fall of Lira is getting global attention on the type and style of leadership and its impact on social, political and economic fabric of a country, said Indian entrepreneur and inventor Sam Pitroda, who will be accompanying Gandhi and is the Guest of Honour at the IOC organised events. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi today urged party cadre in flood-hit Kerala to mobilise resources for helping the people of the state, while displaying the core Congress values of service and love. "Across Kerala & now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers & leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service & love. Please focus all our resources & people to help those in need (sic)," he tweeted. Kerala has been severely hit by monsoon rains and rivers and dam reservoirs are overflowing, inundating a large part of the southern state. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 173 lives since August 8, and dealt a severe blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Novak Djokovic's third-round struggle with defending champion Grigor Dimitrov was halted by rain, forcing the pair to come back on Friday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. Officials called a halt to a frustrating day on which Roger Federer was never able to take the court for his third-round match against Leonardo Mayer. Wimbledon champion Djokovic is vying to break through for a first Cincinnati win after coming up empty in five finals. He lost the first set 6-2 and won the second 6-3 when rain stopped the contest for 90 minutes. When play resumed, Djokovic edged ahead 2-1 in the third, but another storm rolled in and organizers called a halt. Cincinnati remains the only one of the nine Masters 1000 events that the Serb star hasn't won. He has lifted trophies at least twice at each of the other eight events in the elite ATP series. Bulgaria's Dimitrov, who has won just one of eight prior encounters with Djokovic, prevailed easily in the opening set and broke early in the second before Djokovic roared back, breaking for a second time to take a 5-3 lead. The 10th-seeded Serb squared the match as the day's second bout of major rain moved in. Earlier, Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro at last managed to complete weather-delayed second-round victories. World number one Halep took advantage of an early afternoon respite from the weather to finish off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic. Halep, clearly frustrated when the match was halted at 3-3 in the third on Wednesday night, won three straight games to finish off the victory in 10 minutes -- just in time for drizzle to set in. Argentina's world number three del Potro had played just six points in the first game of his postponed second-round match against Chung Hyeon before the rain came again. But the weather cleared long enough for del Potro to polish off a 6-2, 6-3 win over the South Korean to set up a meeting with Australian Nick Kyrgios for a place in the quarter-finals - a match originally set for Thursday night but now on tap for Friday. Two men's quarter-finalists were decided as Milos Raonic defeated Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 -- avenging a loss to his young Canadian compatriot in Madrid three months ago. Pablo Carreno Busta also advanced, beating Robin Haase of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-2. - Stephens ousted - =================== In women's third-round action, reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens was eliminated while Madison Keys, runner-up at Flushing Meadows last year, moved on. Belgian Elise Mertens scored the second top five win of her career, beating Stephens 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 while Keys rallied to defeat fourth-seeded Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. Keys fired 55 winners with 44 unforced errors against the German, who is playing her first hardcourt tournament in the buildup to the US Open. "I had to keep it cool, she gets lot of balls back," Keys said. "I used my forehand and serve well today. I'm really happy and I'm looking to go further." Keys next faces Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who upset French sixth seed Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Petra Kvitova, who toppled Serena Williams in the second round, reached the last eight with a 6-4, 6-2 win over France's Kristina Mladenovic. "I just need to get out there and really fight, I was telling myself to fight," the two-time Wimbledon champion said. "I did a lot of talking to myself today, pushing myself to just go for it. I'm glad that in the important points I played aggressively - that was important today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As a murderous monsoon savaged Kerala claiming 106 lives on a single day yesterday, the state plunged deeper into misery today with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry, officials said. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 173 lives since August 8, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Personnel of the three services, besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) resumed the gigantic task of evacuating people stranded on rooftops, highlands where hills came crashing down blocking roads and cutting them off the rest of the world, and those marooned in villages that have turned into islands. Hundreds of people, including women, children and the elderly trapped in places inaccessible by boats were winched up by defence helicopters and shifted to safety. TV channels telecast disturbing visuals of a woman in labour being pulled up with the help of a rope dropped down from a Navy chopper, swinging violently in the air. The woman, whose amniotic sac was ruptured, was shifted to a Navy hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Both the mother and the child are doing fine, officials said. Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones. Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another said an elderly relative Mary Varghese was badly in need of an oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening. In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her 6- year-old child was seen pleading for help. "We have no food or water. Please help us." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach the state tonight and is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas tomorrow. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala," Modi tweeted after talking to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by phone. The two have been in regular touch for the last two days. Vijayan, who also spoke to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the situation continued to be "grave" with over 2.23 lakh people from more than 50,000 families sheltered in relief camps. Though there was some let up in rains at a few places, four districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur remained in the throes of the monsoon fury. Officials said many private hospitals in Ernakulam district are running out of oxygen, forcing the authorities to shift patients to nearbyfacilities. Many had to be evacuated after flood water entered hospitals. People in relief shelters also complained about dearth of food and drinking water. Quite a few petrol pumps, even in places like the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, which has escaped the monsoon fury to some extent, have run dry. Long queues of motorists were seen at several fuel stations in Thiruvananthapuram district. Authorities have directed each of these fuel bunks to keep in reserve 3000 litres of diesel and 1000 litres of petrol at all times for relief operations. Local fishermen have also joined in the rescue mission with their boats and could be seen evacuating those marooned in places like Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy. Several roads in the hill district of Idukki, including in picturesque Munnar, have been badly damaged from a string of landslides. Wayanad, among the worst-hit by the floods, is cut off from the rest of Kerala. The Kochi airport is shut with rain water flooding the runways. Several trains were either cancelled or rescheduled, sources said. Services on the Kochi Metro are, however, unaffected. The weatherman has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds in various parts of the state. Winds packing speed up to 60 kmph are likely in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police have registered an FIR against two men for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in Chhattisgarh's Korba district. While the accused men are yet to be arrested, police have detained two sisters, one of them a minor, for allegedly helping the men commit the crime. The alleged incident took place in Korba town on July 14, but the complaint was registered only yesterday, a local police official said. According to the complaint, the victim, a Class 10 student, had gone to her female friend's house in Manikpur area. The friend and her elder sister allegedly gave her sedatives mixed in food, and later took her, on their two-wheeler, to Futka hill where Junaid (20) and Sahil (21) allegedly raped the victim. The victim did not tell her parents about the incident initially, but it came to light when she was hospitalised for pain in her private parts, police said. Police have registered a case under IPC sections 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Efforts were on to trace the two men, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A rare rodent species known as a "bamboo rat" that lives around the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru has resurfaced after a decade of absence and been photographed for the first time. A specimen of the rodent Dactylomis peruanus was spotted by guards among bamboo trees at the citadel, which is surrounded by a protected area, said the National Service of Natural Protected Areas. The last time the animal was recorded at Machu Picchu was in 2008. The bamboo rat lives in subtropical or wet tropical areas, according to Peruvian authorities. It has also been reported at medium-altitude heights on the slopes of the Andes in northern Bolivia. In Peru, the animal is on a list of creatures about which little is known because it is seen so rarely. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Railway workers today paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was once the president of a station masters' union, and recalled the saffron leader's dedication to the workers' movement. Thousands of mourners from across the country gathered outside the BJP headquarters here and hundreds lined up inside to pay their respects as the veteran poet-politician's cortege left for the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for the last rites. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after prolonged illness. All India Railwaymen's Federation president Shiv Gopal Mishra, in a statement, recalled how he met Vajpayee, then a Member of Parliament, on board the Delhi-bound Lucknow Mail during 1996-97. "He told me that he was in a hurry and was very hungry. We managed to get him a dozen or so bananas. While he distributed four or five among the passengers, he ate the rest. I couldn't believe how simple he was. After eating, he gave us his blessings," he was quoted as said in the statement. The union leader also recalled how, as the leader of opposition, Vajpayee was quick to arrive at the house of T N Bajpai, the veteran trade union leader, after his demise to pay his respects. He added that despite being followers of opposing ideologies, Vajpayee maintained a close relationship with Bajpai. "Even when he became PM in 1999, Vajpayeeji came and paid his respect to Bajpai's statue at Alambagh in Lucknow. He even addressed the huge gathering of railway workers present there," Mishra said. Vajpayee, in fact, had a special spot for workers, and his association with the Railway workers' unions was particularly close, he added. It is a little known fact that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the president of a union for station masters, who fought for the right of the men on whose shoulders rested not just the smooth running of trains but also their safety and security. Vajpayee spent 12 years, from 1959 to 1971, as the president of the All India Station Masters' Association (AISMA) -- the last non-cadre member to be an office-bearer of the union. Umashankar Singh was just shy of 30 years of age when he first saw Vajpayee, who was then emerging as the leader of the union. He remembers the former prime minister as a "man who led from the front". "He inspired generations at a time when we did not even know what our rights were. He encouraged us to demand our rights. His speeches were awe-inspiring. He was the president of AISMA from 1959 to 1971. He is no longer leading us, but we still follow his ideals," Singh earlier told PTI over phone. He recalled meeting the BJP stalwart when the latter had become the Jan Sangh chief in 1968 and said he met them as one of them and not as one of the most prominent leaders of the country. At that time, Singh recalled, Vajpayee was already an elected member of Parliament. In 1986, when Singh became the president of AISMA and was on a hunger strike in front of Parliament, Vajpayee intervened and convinced him to break his fast. "He visited me and pushed me to break my fast. His kindness was touching," Singh remembered. Vajpayee prominently featured in the annual diary of the AISMA last year as a "legendary" workers' leader. The former prime minister's 12-year stint as the AISMA president also finds a mention in the "biography" section of his profile on the Lok Sabha website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Theres an app for that started as a tongue-in-cheek saying recognizing the ever-increasing versatility of smartphone applications. We have gotten to the point in which there is an app for virtually everything even coming out of the closet. In the past, coming out tended to be a very personal experience, where you opened up about your sexuality to a small number of trusted family members or friends, Paula Fagan, National Coordinator of LGBT Helpline, a youth support service said. And while people are still careful about who they tell when they are first coming out, once they feel more comfortable about their sexuality, more and more people are choosing social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as a way of telling other family members, friends, and their wider social circles. According to Fagan, figures from 2014 and 2015 show that 76.8 percent of LGBT people in the U.S. use Facebook compared to 57 percent of the general population, 44.5 percent of LGBT people use Twitter compared to 21 percent of the general population, and 35.5 percent use Instagram compared to 15.5 percent of the general population. Were seeing that most people receive a lot of positive affirmation after coming out online, Fagan said. They find it a reassuring experience, with social media often helping them to feel less isolated and allowing them to tap into extensive online support networks. Coming out is not the only utility the LGBT community has found in social media. Applications like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have become spaces for LGBT people to connect with one another across the globe a feature especially valuable for those who live in less inclusive spaces. According to the Pew Research Center, 69 percent of adult gay males have indicated that they have met new LGBT friends online or through a social media networking site, Gerbrandt van Heerden, research analyst at the South African Institute of Race Relations said. Heerden continued, There is no question that social media is an important component in advancing the rights and well-being of the LGBT community. Whether it is used as a tool to distribute information for educational purposes or raise awareness of the daily struggles of many LGBT people, it remains essential for the promotion of gay rights that social media outlets remain accessible. Social media as a collective has become a channel for change. But LGBT social media reporter Khalid El Khatib writes that many forms of social media activism can be dangerously surface-deep. Participation in social justice campaigns can be widespread and successful, but Khatib says the real measure of success is the number of voters these campaigns drive to the polls a metric which thus far has left much room for improvement. Some people feel that social media activism is enough, and more traditional forms of advocacy like fundraising fall to the wayside, Khatib said. The unfortunate nature of who we are in 2018 is that we do the bare minimum to feel good about ourselves, and we are easily distracted. And distractions abound on social media, especially on Instagram. The LGBT community has built a strong network on the platform, but those at the forefront of that space are less concerned with positing for change and more concerned with posing for the camera. Enter the relatively new phenomenon of Instagays a type of Instagram user that New York Magazine describes as, the gorgeous gay studs of Instagram. Some of them have tattoos, some are carpeted with perfect chest hair, many are Israeli or Brazilian, and all apparently have lots of time to travel and pose half naked across the beaches of planet Earth, The Cut reporter Mike Albo writes. Winter doesnt seem to exist for them, but they are especially present in summer. There are a lot of them, and they have tens of thousands of followers. The collective following amassed by these new gay social media supermen is by and large a good thing. Hundreds of thousands of people the majority of them presumably other gay men are following these gay guys and raising them to celebrity status. However, shirtless pic after shirtless pic while consistently tantalizing does little to further the conversation on social change and LGBT rights that a platform as large as this one could allow. The reality of most LGBT people is not perfect shirtless brunches in Los Angeles or Miami Beach, yet that is the content so many choose to consume and believe. We dont have to be that serious all the time, [Instagram] isnt change.org and we shouldnt conflate the two, Khatib said. The problem is that people dont reconcile the truth [with the] illusion that they see on social it can be a loss of queer history a lot of younger guys dont know where we came from. Accounts like them, LGBTHistory, HuffPost Queer Voices and more are popping up in an attempt to shift the narrative, offering perspectives and viewpoints beyond the standard Instagay in hopes that everyone has a chance to have their voices heard. The diversity of content that exists for LGBT media is growing, Khatib said. People will always pick and choose the content they want to consume, and the menu is expanding. Actor Rosamund Pike has revealed she refused to strip during an audition for a James Bond film, but still secured the part. The 39-year-old Oscar-nominated actor made her Hollywood debut as Miranda Frost opposite Pierce Brosnan's Bond in 2002's "Die Another Day," and was just 21 when she auditioned for the role. Pike was asked by producers to strip to her underwear during casting, something that she flatly refused to do. It was a reaction the filmmakers admired, giving her the part on the spot. "My first audition was for a Bond film and I remember them saying I was to drop my dress and appear in my underwear," the actor told Amazon's Audible Sessions this week. "On the day, I don't know how I got the resolve and strength of mind, but I just thought 'if they're going to see me in my underwear, they better give me the job'. So, I thought, 'There's no way I'm going to take off a dress in the audition for this tape to be sent around Los Angeles and to be judged on that'." She said she was told by producers to wear a sexy dress which she would have to then "drop", and was handed "three pieces of string" to wear underneath on the day. Pike said that she picked one of her mother's evening gowns to wear, and the costume designer was so flummoxed he "didn't know what to say". The actor said she still got the role and she never once felt "uncomfortable" on set, affirming that producer Barbara Broccoli was "way ahead of the #MeToo movement". "I look back over my experience on the Bond film and think, my goodness (the producer) Barbara Broccoli was way ahead of all this #MeToo movement," she added. "There wasn't an ounce of feeling uncomfortable while I was on that set. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia says it has contributed USD 100 million to northeast Syria for "stabilisation projects" in areas once held by the Islamic State group. A statement early today from the Saudi Embassy in Washington says the money "will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and help ensure that ISIS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbours, or plan attacks against the international community," using an alternate acronym for the militant group. The statement says the money will go toward agriculture, education, road works, rubble removal and water service for the region, which is now largely held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The kingdom says the USD 100 million is part of a pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir during a conference in Brussels about the Islamic State group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has become the best-paid actress in the world, according to Forbes magazine. Johansson, 33, made USD 40.5 million in pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018, quadrupling her income from the previous year. She played Black Widow in this year's hit Marvel movie "Avengers: Infinity War" and will return to the role in the 2019 installment from Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios. Johansson beat out Angelina Jolie, who ranked second with USD 28 million thanks mainly to her upfront pay for "Maleficent 2". Jennifer Aniston came in third with USD 19.5 million, making the bulk of her profits from Emirates airlines, Smartwater, and Aveeno promotions, Forbes reports. Jennifer Lawrence, 28, was fourth on the list with continued earnings from her role in the "X-Men" series and an endorsement contract with fashion brand Christian Dior. Her USD 18 million income was USD 6 million less than the prior year. Reese Witherspoon, 42, is at number five with USD 16.5 million. The rest of the top 10 were Mila Kunis, Cate Blanchett, Melissa McCarthy and Gal Gadot. The combined earnings of the top 10 women this year is USD 186 million. Last year's highest-paid actress, Emma Stone, was not part of the top 10. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sea of people today joined the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains. BJP chief Amit Shah, several union ministers and chief ministers of several states including Vijay Rupani, Shivraj Chouhan, Yogi Adityanath and Devendra Fadnavis were among those who walked sombrely behind the carriage as it slowly made its way to the Rashtriya Smirti Sthal where the last rites would be performed. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after a prolonged illness. Amid sultry weather conditions, thousands of people walked along the over seven km-long route with some showering petals at the carriage. Heavy security was deployed along the route of the procession. The crowd was so massive that the people spilled over barricades and jostled to get a glimpse of the former prime minister. During the procession, people chanted slogans like "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from the BJP headquarters to the cremation ground. The decorated gun carriage carrying his mortal remains left the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg around 2 pm. Last night, Vajpayee's body was taken to his official residence on Krishna Menon Marg from AIIMS where he was admitted on June. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said. Some roads closed include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five policemen including the station house officer were today suspended for dereliction of duty in the murder case of a leader of NDA constituent RLSP early this week in Vaishali district, an official said. Manish Sahni, the district president of RLSP's extremely backward castes cell and head of Jandahan block panchayat samiti, was gunned down by unidentified assailants on April 13 when he was coming out of the block office. "Five policemen including Jandahan police station SHO Shobhakant Paswan, an assistant sub-inspector and three other members of patrolling party did not give a chase to the culprits on the day of the incident," Superintendent of Police Manavjeet Singh Dhillon told reporters here. He said action has been taken against them on the directive of Tirhut Range Deputy Inspector General Anil Kumar Singh who found them at fault. A mob had indulged in arson at the block office and Jandahan police station besides resorting to exchange of firing with the police force in which one person was killed and five others were injured. Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha visited Sahni's house at Belari village on August 14. An FIR has been lodged against 10 persons, including an MLA of the ruling JD(U), in connection with the killing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court was informed today that the long-delayed Signature Bridge across the Yamuna would be completed by October after which trial will be conducted. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao asked the authorities to file a status report while fixing the matter for November 14. "List the matter in second week of November to enable the respondents (authorities) to complete the project and do the trial and file a report," the bench said. The court was informed by the counsel for the Public Works Department (PWD) that the project will be completed by October and trial run will be conducted thereafter. The court had earlier frowned upon two city government departments for "quibbling over" the amount to be paid for the construction of the "long overdue" Signature Bridge. It had directed the chairperson of the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) and the chief of engineering of the PWD to physically inspect the bridge and the alternatives provided to the citizens to satisfy themselves about the construction. The bridge connects Delhi with Uttar Pradesh's industrial areas such as the Tronica city in Ghaziabad. The court was earlier informed by the PWD that it has already paid Rs 1,344 crore for the project as against the initially agreed cost of Rs 544 crore, and now the DTTDC was asking for Rs 200 crore more. The DTTDC on the other hand had told the court that the cost of the project has escalated. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by advocate Pratibha Chopra, who pointed to the inordinate delay in the project and alleged that the construction of the bridge had missed several deadlines since 2011. Announced in 2004, the project received a nod from the Delhi Cabinet in 2007 and was initially expected to be completed at a modified estimate of Rs 1,131 crore by the Commonwealth Games held here in October, 2010. In 2015, the cost of the project rose to Rs 1,594 crore. Reportedly, the bridge was proposed for the first time as early as in 1997 at an initial cost pegged at Rs 464 crore. The Signature Bridge, when completed, is expected to share the burden of vehicular traffic which is being borne by the Wazirabad bridge, which itself, according to the PWD, requires "structural rehabilitation and strengthening". According to the government, the bridge had obtained environmental clearance in 2011 and was set to be completed by December 2013. The date of completing project was pushed to June 2016 and then to July 2017, which has been further shifted to December, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sikh man has been stabbed to death at his store in the US state of New Jersey, the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Terlok Singh was discovered dead by his cousin yesterday in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. The Essex County Prosecutor's office is calling the incident a homicide, according to a report in ABC7NY. The motive behind the killing was not immmediately known. Singh, described as a very kind person, is survived by his wife and children who live in India. He owned the store to support his family. His family closed the store as a deeply-saddened community watched in horror. The report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his work place. Civil rights organisation the Sikh Coalition, in a Facebook post, expressed condolences to Singh's family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York University's Center for Religion and Media and a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, tweeted about Singh's tragic death, saying "this is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness." On August 6 in Manteca, California, 71-year-old Sahib Singh was brutally attacked by Tyrone McAllister and a juvenile when the elderly man went on a morning walk. McAllister, who is this son of a local police chief, and the juvenile were charged with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign signs in support of incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Denham and other local Republican candidates. While beating Malhi, the attackers yelled "Go back to your country!" and spray painted the same message, along with hate symbols, on his truck. Following the two incidents, the Sikh Coalition had urged members of the community to know their rights, remain vigilant and report cases of bias, bigotry and backlash in the wake of the attacks. "We are deeply troubled by these two recent attacks and strongly encourage increased vigilance nationwide as we work to support the Central Valley, California community during this difficult time," Sikh Coalition Legal Director Amrith Kaur had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six suspected dacoits were today arrested near here in South 24 Parganas district and a cache of arms and ammunition seized from their custody, police said. Acting on a tip off from a group of three arrested arms sellers of Murshidabad district, the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Baruipur police arrested the six when they assembled at Gocharan under Joynagar police station area. The seizure list included four one-shotter pipe guns, eight rounds of ammunition and eight bombs, the sources said. The purpose of procuring the arms was being investigated but the police suspected that they were planning to commit dacoity in the area. Earlier on August 10, an arms racket was busted at Canning area in the district with the seizure of a huge cache of arms and ammunitions and the arrest of three arms sellers, police said. Twelve one-shotter pipe guns, nine rounds of ammunition and four mobile phones were seized from their possession, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By the time Baba John escaped the tribal militia he had joined as an 11-year-old, he had long stopped counting the number of people he had killed. "I shot people. We all did," said Baba John. "I received a gun and was told how to shoot and point the gun. I don't remember how many I shot but there were many." A murderous time for Baba John began with a life-or-death decision when a South Sudanese armed group, known as the Cobra Faction, attacked his village close to the eastern town of Pibor, nearly 400 kilometres (240 miles) north of the capital Juba. Baba John survived that attack but, fearing he would not be so lucky the next time he decided, like many others have done, to join the militia. "I was forced to shoot and loot," recalls Baba John of the year spent with them. Now aged 15, Baba John found salvation in a programme run by the UN children's agency, UNICEF, to give child soldiers a chance of a new life even as recruitment, press-ganging and outright abductions continue. During nearly five years of civil war in South Sudan an estimated 19,000 children under the age of 18 have joined the ranks of the army, rebel forces or various local militias, UNICEF says. Nearly 3,000 have been released since 2015. Baba John returned home to his mother and five siblings in the ill-fitting clothes of his victims. Pibor lies in an open plain, a ramshackle town with a dirt airstrip, where the biggest building is a hangar-sized tent to contain the sacks of emergency food that fend off starvation. Today, despite the ongoing conflict and difficult living conditions, Baba John is hopeful. Barefoot and slim, dressed in a neat striped shirt and a beaded bracelet, and with a grin on his face, he is now a fledgling farmer, learning to plant, raise and harvest crops. "I want to become a farmer so I can help my family," he says. The focus provided by a structured education programme and the learning of new skills helps with the psychological recovery of former child soldiers, says Muraguri Wachira of Vets Without Borders (VSF) Germany, a charity that runs the programme in Pibor. "We're working with almost 1,500 children," she says. Baba John still has nightmares but, like others, he is beginning to imagine a future without fighting. Six years ago, aged just 10, Martha, joined Cobra together with her mother. "Almost my whole village went to the bush during that time," she says, explaining that hunger and insecurity left civilians with little option but to seek the protection of an armed group. For years she worked as a porter and cook for the militia fighters. Later, when she and her mother returned to their village, they found barely a trace of their previous lives. "Our house wasn't there. It was burned and we had to start all over," she says. Martha's dream now is to become a driver and she hopes never to return to the militia. But it is not so easy. Life is tough in South Sudan at the best of times, and now, in the midst of yet another long and destructive civil war, is one of the worst. For many child soldiers, joining a militia is simply a pragmatic choice of survival. "It is still not safe here and we don't have enough to eat," says Baba John. "I know many people who returned to the bush," says Martha. "They were hungry and didn't see hope." Thomas, now 18, has been in and out of armed groups for years. "I've seen it all: fighting, killing, looting," he says. Thomas dreams of becoming a local government official, advocating for children's rights, but if life has taught him one thing, it is that nothing is certain. "I don't want to go back to the militia," he says. "But in South Sudan, you never know what happens. We could be attacked again and then there are only a few options: we can run, hide or fight back. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Southern Railway today despatched three special trains carrying water to rain-ravaged Kerala where drinking water supply has been hit in some parts after functioning of pumping stations was disrupted in heavy rains. Over one lakh water bottles would also be sent through other trains bound for the state, a railways release said. A special train with seven-open wagons (BRN) containing tanks full of drinking water started from Erode Junction at 4pm today,it said. The train, bound for Thiruvanathapuram, will run through Dindigul, Madurai and Tirunelveli. Similarly, a seven-wagon train carrying 2.8 lakh litres of water and a 15-wagon special also commenced its journey to the neighbouring state, it said. Kerala Water Authority officials have said high turbidity in the Periyar river had hit pumping and distribution of drinking water supply at several places including Aluva, Eloor and Kalamassery. The rain fury has claimed 173 lives since August 8, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage toinfrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New cases of HIV in the Miami area are the highest in the nation and the Latino population is one of the most at risk. An effort has evolved to bring those numbers downthrough education and access to the HIV prevention drug PrEP in some unconventional ways. Prevention305 has trained peer navigators to reach Latinos, primarily many of whom are immigrants and/or dont speak much if any English. The navigators use popular gay dating apps like Grindr and Tinderto introduce them to the drug. Miami resident John Byrne started Prevention305 a few years ago and serves as its executive director. Hes also the founder and controlling partner of Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media part of a group of LGBT-owned news sites in the U.S. It was a rare false-positive HIV test that spurred Byrne toward the nonprofits newwork. If youve had a false-positive, you know it can take a week to get the confirmation back, Byrne said. I thought: oh my God, Im that one in a million person, because I was taking PrEP. I thought: No one needs to go through this. The drug was solidly top of mind for Byrne and he didnt think enough was being done to get the word out about it. PrEPreduces the risk of HIV transmission by more than 90 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). For drug users the risk is lowered by more than 70 percent. What is it? PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The CDC says youre considered very high risk if youre a gay or bisexual man who has anal sex without a condom. It also considers as very high risk those who are HIV-negative, but are in an ongoing sexual relationship with someone who is HIV-positive. PrEP is a combination of two HIV medicines sold under the name Truvada. When used correctly, the CDC says PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading. Critics though point out that PrEP does not prevent other STIs such as syphilis. From posters to peers Byrnes early push for outreach consisted of a grassroots effort of making posters for health centers and fitness clubs the Swallow This graphic that shows a blue PrEP pill on a mans outstretched tongue. He had the poster done in both English and Spanish. I slowly realized as a white person in Miami what I was running up against, Byrne said. The translation of the poster in Spanish didnt work. I realized I couldnt do this on my own. On a whim he began doing PrEP education on Grindr. He created a profile with PrEP information and the line: Contact me if you want info on how to get PrEP. I was blown away by the response, Byrne said. There was a demand. Some had heard about it, but didnt know where to go. For a year he went to conferences, made connections and wrote grants (he got one each from Gilead Sciences and AIDS United). Byrne, 37, then hired a digitally savvy gay Venezuelan man to be his program director Marco Torrealba. Torrealba, 34, was tasked by Byrne this year to hire peer navigators and train them in customer service, marketing and technology to make the dating app connections with Latinos about PrEP. Marco Torrealba. People dont have access because a lot of the information is in English, Torrealba, who moved to South Florida three and a half years ago, said. This is why Latinos are not having access to PrEP, the lack of information. When you are an immigrant, you can be in a bubble. Sometimes you get nervous. Torrealba said his training methods are heavy on the use of empathy and innovation. In order to reach and communicate with a different culture you have to be very empathetic, he said. Those who are arriving or those who dont speak English or fear for any political situation will not go inside [a health clinic]. The best way to do it is to have a [peer navigator] right there. Torrealba (left) with peer navigators handing out information at the 2018 Stonewall Pride festivities in Wilton Manors. His peer navigators create profiles on the sites and spread the word about PrEP. Torrealba said the format takes some of the initial nervousness away and he stresses that they are not creating fake or misleading profiles. All his peer navigators are younger and are people of color. Once they say hi to the person; how are you today; I am fine; I want to tell you I am here to offer PrEP, Torrealba said. People say yes or no. Peer navigators are trained and have to be aware to be straight with the message. That person will block you and report your profile otherwise. Byrne and Torrealba have found an audience with Instagram as well, hiring Instagram influencers, both because its effective and because not everyone uses gay dating sites or apps, he said. People go to Instagram to see if youre for real, see a face, see a video, see who is working at Prevention305, Torrealba said. 305 advantages Prevention305 is able to help a client receive the drug more quickly with wait times reduced from months to weeks. In most cases, the drug is available for free, either through insurance or if a client makes less than $58,000 a year and doesnt have insurance. Anyone can sign up on their website to book an appointment and to go over options. Clients know they arent alone in this process. Peer navigators are with clients during the appointment if they have questions or are nervous, Torrealba said. By the numbers In less than six months, Prevention305 has reached almost 300 people and has about 100 taking PrEP. While it may not sound like a lot, there's only about 1,500 people on PrEP in all of Miami-Dade, so I think our early success is a big number, Byrne said. Byrne said to look for Prevention305 at events and festivals around South Florida and said hes also working toward opening a mobile PrEP clinic in collaboration with the University of Miamis Miller School of Medicine at The Gaythering hotel, sauna and bar in Miami Beach. For more Sri Lankan police today questioned former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in connection with a 2008 abduction and assault case of a journalist. Keith Noyahr of The Nation newspaper had been abducted by some unidentified persons when Rajapaksa was the president in 2008. He said that he was questioned based on a statement by Parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who was also a minister in his cabinet. Rajapaksa accused President Maithripala Sirisena of carrying out a political vendetta against him. "These are political desires (his questioning) carrying out political vendetta," Rajapaksa told reporters after the police's crime investigation officers visited him. "They said Karu Jayasuriya had called me at 1120 that night and immediately after that Noyahr had been released," Rajapaksa said. He said that he did not remember Jayasuriya calling him to intervene for Noyahr's release. Sri Lanka's press freedom was under stress during the Rajapaksa presidency. Many journalists fled the country while the editor of the Sunday Leader, a fierce Rajapaksa critic, was shot dead in 2009. Sirisena's government opened the Noyahr's abduction case after Rajapaksa lost the 2015 presidential election. Several high-ranking military intelligence officers have been arrested in the case. Former Sri Lankan strongman Rajapaksa's nearly a decade-long rule was ended by Sirisena in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vedanta welcomed the Supreme Court's refusal to entertain Tamil Nadu government's plea against the NGT's order allowing the mining major's access to the administrative unit inside its closed Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin and said its appeal is already scheduled for hearing before the National Green Tribunal on Monday. "We welcome the Honourable Supreme Court's decision directing that both the maintainability and merit of our case should be heard and decided by the National Green Tribunal. Our appeal is already scheduled for hearing before the National Green Tribunal on August 20th 2018," Vedanta's Sterlite Copper said in a statement. The apex court today asked the NGT to "finally decide" the matter. A bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra said that the NGT would hear the matter on merits and also on the issue of maintainability raised by the state government. "We may clarify that NGT may continue to hear the matter on merits and finally decide the matter on maintainability also. It is open for the state to argue on maintainability after which the tribunal will give its findings," the bench said. The green tribunal had on August 9 allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. Sterlite's factory had made headlines in March 2013 when a gas leak led to the death of one person and injuries to several others, after which then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered its closure. The company had appealed to the NGT which had overturned the government's order. The state had moved the Supreme Court against it and the case is still pending. The Supreme Court had then ordered the company to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for polluting the environment. Following the latest protests and police firing, the plant was closed on March 27. After Sterlite announced its plans to expand Tuticorin plant, villagers around it started fresh protests that continued for over 100 days, culminating in the May 22 police firing on protestors that claimed 13 lives and left scores injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Visitors were flocking to the Huntington Library in Southern California to get a whiff of a so-called corpse flower, known for the rotten stench it releases when it blooms. The flower, nicknamed "Stink," began blooming unexpectedly on Thursday night, Huntington spokeswoman Lisa Blackburn said. "We thought we had a few more days to go. But it was ready and it was pretty spectacular," she said. Corpse flowers typically take 15 years to reach a mature blooming size, and blooms usually only last 24 hours. The foul odour the plants emit attracts insects for pollination. The plants don't emit the foul odour until they bloom. "Stink" is the sixth corpse flower to bloom at the institution in suburban San Marino. The last was on August 23, 2014. The plant is one of the three corpse flowers expected to bloom within the next week. The two other flowers, nicknamed "Stunk" and "Stank," should bloom in the next few days, Blackburn said. The Huntington is seeing more visitors than normal because of the flowers, she said. "The great thing about these flowers is they're so unusual-looking and have this reputation for smelling really bad, it gets all kinds of people really interested in botanical science," she said. "It's just a charismatic plant. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sudan has asked Ltd to withdraw its case against the African nation in an international arbitration court for recovery of over $400 million in unpaid oil dues, saying it is making efforts to mitigate the default. OVL, the overseas investment arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), however, wants to continue with the arbitration while the two sides work out a suitable mechanism to resolve the issue, the company said in a statement. had earlier this year dragged the government of Sudan to a London court to recover dues pending since 2011. "A Sudanese ministerial delegation visited corporate office last week and held discussions with officials led Narendra K Verma, Managing Director and CEO," the statement said. has filed an arbitration claim in a London court to recover about $300 million for oil Sudan bought from its Greater Nile Oil Project and another $98.94 million in unpaid pipeline rent lease. The Ministerial delegation informed that the Government of Sudan is making sincere efforts to mitigate the issue of default on paying dues to OVL. "It was informed that the Government of Sudan is hopeful that its economic situation shall be improving henceforth with the recent agreement it reached with the Government of South Sudan on the resumption of crude oil transportation from South Sudan territory through the Heglig-Port Sudan pipeline," it said. The delegation, the statement issued by OVL said, requested the company to withdraw the arbitration proceedings. "OVL expressed its happiness for the positive response from Sudan and stated that it is always ready to work with Sudan to find a workable solution to clear the pending dues in a time-bound manner," it said. OVL, however, was of the belief that "keeping the legal intricacies in view, the arbitration process can continue while both sides work together on a suitable mechanism of resolving the issues". OVL had in 2003 acquired 25 per cent interest in the Greater Nile Oil Project (GNOP) in Sudan. China's CNPC holds 40 per cent stake in the project, while Malaysia's Petronas has 30 per cent and Sudapet of Sudan owns remaining 5 per cent. GNOP consisted of the upstream assets of on-land Blocks 1, 2 and 4 spread over 49,500 sq km in the Muglad Basin, located about 780 km South-West of the capital city of Khartoum in Sudan. The crude oil produced from oil field of GNOP is transported through a 1,504-km pipeline to Port Sudan at the Red Sea. Upon the secession of South Sudan from Sudan in July 2011, the contract areas of Blocks 1, 2 and 4 which straddle between Sudan and South Sudan was split with a major share of production and reserves are now situated in South Sudan. Post-secession, as the government of Sudan's share of total production from Sudan was not sufficient to meet requirements of local refineries, foreign firms were asked to sell their share of crude oil to it. However, the payment of dues on account of crude oil purchased by the government of Sudan has not been received and OVL's share of the outstanding dues is about $300 million. OVL's share of oil production from GNOP, Sudan was 0.5-0.7 million tonnes. The company had along with state-owned Oil India Ltd constructed and financed a 741-km multi-product pipeline from Khartoum refinery to Port Sudan for $194 million. OVL's share of the project cost was 90 per cent, while the rest was borne by OIL. The pipeline was handed over to the government of Sudan in October 2005. The lump sum price, together with lease rent was required to be paid to OVL in 18 equal half yearly installments effective from December 2005. While payment of 11 half-yearly installments due till December 2010 was received from the government of Sudan, remaining seven installments due from June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2014, are yet to be released. OVL, whose share of investment in the project was $158.01 million, has been following up for the realisation of $98.94 million from the government of Sudan at various levels but hasn't succeeded so far. This prompted the company to drag Sudan to arbitration. "On the request of the visiting delegation, OVL agreed to depute a team of senior-level officials to Sudan for initiating techno-commercial discussions afresh so as to work out way forward for settlement of past dues," the statement said adding the team of company officials arrived at Khartoum on August 13 and discussions with the Sudanese side are presently ongoing. Realty firm Supertech will invest about Rs 800 crore this fiscal year on construction of various projects to achieve targeted delivery of 10,000 flats, a top company official said today. Noida-based firm is also eyeing its sales booking to rise to Rs 3,000 crore during 2018-19 fiscal on the back of improved demand especially from ready-to-move-in apartments, its MD Mohit Arora said. Supertech has delivered 40,000 units in the last 30 years and is currently working on 60,000 flats across 35 projects, mostly in Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram. "We have started delivery in two 44-storey towers of our 'Supernova' project at Noida. This project has total five towers and is being developed at an investment of around Rs 5,500 crore," Supertech Chairman RK Arora told reporters here. The company has built 575 units in these two towers, of which 100 units have been handed over and rest would be done in the next three months. A commercial tower with 10 lakh sq ft of leasable area would be completed by end of this year. The 17.5 acre project will also have a 80-storey tower comprising 600 studio apartments and 250 flats and another tower having 250-rooms hotel and 80 Armani-branded residences. About 10 lakh sq ft of retail area would also come up in this project. "It will take another 2-3 years to complete the entire project". On overall company's operations, Supertech Chairman said the company is targeting to deliver 10,000 units during 2018-19 fiscal. "We are investing Rs 60-70 crore per month on construction to execute our various projects," Mohit said on the sidelines of the event. He said the construction spend would be further scaled-up to about Rs 100 crore a month shortly. Asked about sales booking, he said: "We expect to be about Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal". The company has a debt of about Rs 2,500 crore. Supertech is looking to raise more funds for project execution. The company had in December last year raised Rs 430 crore from Altico Capital to fund its ongoing housing project in Noida and repay debt. It had raised Rs 350 crore from L&T Finance in September last year to complete its 'Eco-Village 1' housing project, comprising 7,500 units, in Noida Extension. Besides Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurugra, the company has projects in Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muradabad, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur and Bengaluru. (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 today fondly recalled his association with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, sharing an anecdote wherein he was exhorted by the party patriarch to graduate from student activism to mainstream electoral politics. Away in the national capital to attend the last rites of the former Prime Minister, Sushil shared with the media the text of a speech that Vajpayee had delivered while attending his marriage in Patna on April 13, 1986. "I have come here with a motive. Sushil is not a student any more and her wife is, in fact, a teacher. He has always been a dedicated worker who has contributed a lot to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Now, if he finds it agreeable, I would like to invite him to enter active politics and lend us a helping hand", Vajpayee, who was one of the founding members of the BJP, had said in his concluding remark. An active ABVP member since the 1970s when he served as the general secretary of the Patna University Students' Union, Sushil Modi made a successful electoral debut from Patna central (now Kumhrar) assembly segment in 1990. In his speech, Vajpayee had also showered praise on the young couple for transcending barriers of language, religion and province. Modi is married to Jessie George, Malayali Christian raised in Mumbai. "The north and the south have come together here.....the bride belongs to Kerala.....Pataliputra (the ancient name for Patna) is closer to the Himalayas", Vajpayee had remarked with a poetic flourish. "Society is shackled by evil customs. Walls are erected between lovers. Those who enter the wedlock by shattering the walls do not get social acceptability. But, this marriage has received the blessings of the entire society. I wish that it sets an example for the future", Vajpayee had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Swami Agnivesh was allegedly heckled and assaulted near the BJP headquarters here today by some people, who the social activist said were BJP workers, when he was on his way to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A video of the alleged attack doing the rounds on social media shows some people heckling the 79-year-old social activist. Agnivesh said he had gone to pay homage to Vajpayee at the late leader's Krishna Menon residence, but was not allowed to get off from his car by the police. He said he later spoke to Union minister Harsh Vardhan, who asked him to come to the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg, and even assured him that he would not be harmed. "I was attacked while walking towards the BJP headquarters to pay my respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Around 20-30 BJP workers came and surrounded me and pushed me. My 'pagdi' (turban) fell down and they started calling me a 'traitor' and asked me to leave the country," the activist told reporters. "They pushed me towards the Vishnu Digamber roundabout and kept abusing me. Some policemen were standing there and these persons, including some women carrying slippers, kept abusing me," he said. The policemen then escorted Agnivesh in a vehicle back to his office on Jantar Mantar Road. The social activist claimed he even made a call to the Police Control Room, but there was no response. "The police have so far not reached out to me. I will be filing a police complaint. Why cannot the police take suo motu cognisance of the incident since it happened in front of them? I was attacked earlier also and no arrests have been made in the case. There is an atmosphere of violence and intolerance," Agnivesh said earlier. In a complaint filed by Vithal Rao on behalf of Agnivesh at the Parliament Street police station, it was alleged that the incident took place between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm. "Swami Agnivesh and his two associates, including Vithal Rao, were on their way to pay homage to former prime minister. Agnivesh was stopped by the BJP workers and was asked to return. Despite Agnivesh's request, they continued to assault him and even tried to remove his pagdi," the complaint said. The complainant alleged that despite the police presence, they (miscreants) continued with their 'gundagardi' (hooliganism). This is against law and democratic values, he stated. The police, however, claimed that they did not receive any call from the activist regarding the incident. "The incident happened on DDU Marg which falls under the central police district. But, he gave his complaint to the Parliament Street police station which falls under the New Delhi police district. Nevertheless, we will look into the matter," said a senior police officer. In the police complaint, Rao also sought police security for Agnivesh. The social activist said it was an "unfortunate" incident on a day when Vajpayee, who even embraced his critics, was being remembered. Swami Agnivesh was allegedly assaulted by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists during his visit to Pakur in Jharkhand last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telangana government today announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has directed Chief Secretary S K Joshi to see that the money reaches Kerala immediately, an official release said. Rao has also instructed that water purifying machines worth Rs 2.50 crore be supplied to Kerala as drinking water gets polluted due to floods, it said. The chief Minister has appealed to industrialists, prominent persons in IT sector and others in Telangana to help the rain-hit state, it said. He said donations, if they are made to the CM's Relief Fund, would be forwarded to Kerala. Expressing sorrow over the loss of life and property in Kerala due to the heavy rains, Rao said he hoped that the coastal state would recover from the calamity at the earliest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TNT Network has ordered a sequel series to "The Alienist", titled "The Angel of Darkness". The new limited series is based on the sequel of the same name by author Caleb Carr, who wrote the novel "The Alienist". It will mark the reunion of "The Alienist" leads Daniel Bruhl, Luke Evans, and Dakota Fanning, reported Variety. "We could not be prouder of The Alienist's outstanding, award-worthy performance and all of the work the incredible actors and crew put in to bring that story and time period to life," Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT, said in a statement. "Our audience fell in love with these multi-dimensional, timeless characters and the journey of their struggles living in complicated times. With this new story in TNT's Suspense Collection, we will further immerse viewers into their world as they are confronted with a new enemy," she added. "The Alienist", which scored six Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Limited Series, is about an ad hoc team assembled in mid-1890s New York City to investigate a serial killer who is murdering street children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Astronomers using the ultraviolet vision of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have captured one of the largest panoramic views of the fire and fury of star birth in the distant universe. The field features approximately 15,000 galaxies, about 12,000 of which are forming stars. Hubble's ultraviolet vision opens a new window on the evolving universe, tracking the birth of stars over the last 11 billion years back to the cosmos' busiest star-forming period, which happened about 3 billion years after the big bang. Ultraviolet light has been the missing piece to the cosmic puzzle. Now, combined with infrared and visible-light data from Hubble and other space and ground-based telescopes, astronomers have assembled one of the most comprehensive portraits yet of the universe's evolutionary history. The image straddles the gap between the very distant galaxies, which can only be viewed in infrared light, and closer galaxies, which can be seen across a broad spectrum. The light from distant star-forming regions in remote galaxies started out as ultraviolet. However, the expansion of the universe has shifted the light into infrared wavelengths. By comparing images of star formation in the distant and nearby universe, astronomers glean a better understanding of how nearby galaxies grew from small clumps of hot, young stars long ago. Because Earth's atmosphere filters most ultraviolet light, Hubble can provide some of the most sensitive space-based ultraviolet observations possible. The program, called the Hubble Deep UV (HDUV) Legacy Survey, extends and builds on the previous Hubble multi-wavelength data in the CANDELS-Deep (Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey) fields within the central part of the GOODS (The Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey) fields. This mosaic is 14 times the area of the Hubble Ultra Violet Ultra Deep Field released in 2014. This image is a portion of the GOODS-North field, which is located in the northern constellation Ursa Major. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C. "HDUV: The Hubble Deep UV Legacy Survey," P. Oesch et al., 2018 July 13, Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series [http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4365/aacb30, preprint: https://arxiv.org/abs/1806.01853]. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers gave a gun salute and silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to the flames today evening, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative with graciousness. Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" reverberated in the air and a light drizzle fell. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were among the thousands of people at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna, the BJP patriarch's final resting place along the stretch which also houses the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Several foreign dignitaries, including Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Pakistan's Law Minister Ali Zafar were present as Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours. The tricolour draping Vajpayee, who died yesterday at the age of 93 following prolonged illness at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was folded and handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. It was a sea of white, with most mourners dressed in the colour of mourning to remember the man who wove together pragmatism and his vision for an inclusive India. Some could be seen wiping their tears. The intensity of the moment and the heat led to some mourners fainting. Among them was Khush Chaturvedi. "I am not politically inclined but I wanted to meet (former president) Kalam and Vajpayee once. I couldn't manage to meet them when they were alive, but I had to be here today," the 27-year-old from Siwan in Bihar told PTI. Thousands of mourners poured into the streets of the national capital as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home to the BJP headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and then to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. As the crowds surged forward, some running, some walking, the prime minister and BJP president Amit Shah were among those who walked behind the gun carriage, decorated with flowers. There were people everywhere, covering the roads along the route from the BJP headquarters to the Smriti Sthal from side to side, with security personnel maintaining strict vigil to ensure that nothing goes wrong. These were extraordinary scenes last seen when Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 and his funeral procession was taken from Teen Murti Bhavan to the banks of the Yamuna, said old-timers. The crowds had begun gathering from last night itself as came in of the death of the three-time prime minister -- who joined the RSS in 1947, rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. They first gathered at the hospital, then at his Krishna Menon Marg home and then at the BJP headquarters. The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP office, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader. Some clambered on a neem tree outside, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside. Inside, the prime minister and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee -- a BJP flag on either side -- in the backdrop. Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office about five kilometres away. Mourners walked and ran beside the carriage, also chanting slogans like 'Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega (Till the sun and moon endure, so will Atal' ji's name)", punctuated by patriotic cheers of 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. In the crowd were Ganeshan, 38, and Chennaiah Nadesan, 45, who had flown in from Tamil Nadu. "Achcha politician, achcha parliamentarian, pure man," he said in a mix of Hindi and English after paying his homage. Also in the crowd was Aakash Kumar, 25, who rode his scooter from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, about 70 km away. "I was probably in Class 3 or 4, when I heard one of his speeches and got drawn towards him. I really liked his poems," Aakash told PTI. As eulogies were written, analysts took stock of the politician and the man and the city returned to normalcy, BJP leader Anurag Thakur said the massive turnout of people who had come to pay their respects showed he resided in the hearts of people. "Not only has India has lost a leader, a son, the world has lost a statesman," Thakur told reporters. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP's right-wing It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons, including a jeweller, were arrested today in connection with the murder of an Under Secretary rank officer here early this week, a senior district police officer said. The killing of the senior state official in the heart of the city had posed a great challenge to the police. "Police have arrested three persons in connection with murder of Under Secretary Rajeev Kumar on Tuesday last (August 14)...A jeweller is among those arrested," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj told reporters here. The two youths arrested in the murder case have been identified as Shravan and Sunny, both aged between 20-22, the SSP said. They were held from Sachivalaya police station area under whose jurisdiction the official residence of the officer in R-block area fell, he added. A jeweller identified as Baikunth from Bihiya Bazar in Bhojpur district, who had bought the looted jewelleries, has also been arrested, Maharaj said. It may be noted that Rajeev Kumar, an Under Secretary with state planning department, was shot dead by unidentified persons inside his official residence on the early morning of August 14 in the state capital and had decamped with around Rs 40,000 and some jewelleries. Four persons had gone to the deceased's house with an intention to loot cash and other valuables, the SSP said adding two of them have been arrested while as many others are at large. Efforts are on to nab the other two accused identified as Rahul and Krishna, the SSP said. Out of the looted amount of Rs 40,000, police have recovered Rs 28,000 from them, Maharaj said adding that these accused persons had sold the looted jewelleries to the Bhojpur based jeweller. Four pistols have been recovered from the arrested criminals, he said adding that these youths were involved in petty criminal offences like theft and used to live in the slum located behind the government quarter where the Under Secretary resided. The SSP said that the police would make a prayer with the court for conducting speedy trial in the case. Notably, 14 police officials, including the inspector in-charge of the police station concerned, were suspended following the incident that took place barely a few 100 metres from the state Assembly building. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three members of a family were killed after a wall collapsed on their house following heavy rains in Chhattisgarhs Dhamtari district, police said today. The incident happened yesterday night in Kandel village falling under Arjuni police station limits, the official added. The official said that there were seven people in the mud-walled house at the time of the incident of which three died and four sustained injuries. "Dharmi Sahu, a widow, was in the house along with her mother, four children and grandson. The wall of an old house adjacent to theirs collapsed," he said. He said that Sahu's mother Milo Bai (70), her daughter Khileshwari (17) and grandson Vedant were trapped under the debris and died instantly. Sahu, along with her three other children, sustained injuries and have been admitted to a local hospital, the official said, adding that the wall possibly caved in due to the rains. He said that a case had been registered and further investigations were underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A majority of wholesale markets and several commercial establishments across the country today downed shutters as a mark of respect to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The 93-year-old veteran politician who was ailing since long, breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday evening. "More than 8 lakh traders in Delhi and about 6 crore traders all over the country kept their business establishments closed and no business activity took place throughout the day," Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said in a statement. CAIT claimed that in Delhi all major wholesale and retail markets were closed and the markets wore a deserted look. Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association President Anil Singhania said the Chandni Chowk market and other wholesale markets were shut to pay homage to Vajpayee. However, Green Park Extension Market Association R C Gambhir said while wholesale markets in Delhi were shut, retail shops in Green Park were mostly open. When contacted, President of Uttar Pradesh Traders Association Sanjay Patwari said between 60-70 per cent of all wholesale and retail markets in the state are closed in view of Vajpayee's demise. President of All India Consumer Product Distributors Association Dhairyashi H Patil said major businesses including wholesale and distribution lines in Maharashtra were closed, some retail shops were open. Convenor of CAIT's West Bengal Chapter Raja Roy said nearly 70 per cent of wholesale markets and retail shops were shut in the state whereas all major showrooms were also closed. Founder and President of Tamil Nadu Consumer Products Distributors Association Ganesh Ram said many retail outlets across the state were shut. President of Marble Traders Association in Chandigarh Harish Garg said 80-85 per cent of retail shops in the city as well as surrounding areas in Punjab were shut. President of Jammu Traders Federation Neeraj Anand said while wholesale markets remained open, 40-50 per cent retail shops were closed. President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association in Bihar Ashok Kumar Verma said all wholesale markets as well as retail establishments in the state were shut to pay homage to Vajpayee. President of CAIT's Gujarat Chapter Pramod Bhagat said 70 per cent wholesale and retail markets were closed in the state whereas some small retail shops remained open. Head of CAIT's Chhattisgarh state unit Amar Parwani said between 30-40 per cent wholesale as well as retail shops in the state have voluntarily downed shutters to mourn the death of the former prime minister. President of Odisha Chapter of CAIT Sudhakar Panda said wholesale markets in the state were closed but the retail markets remained open. "The response to the Bandh has been mixed in Jharkhand with around 60 per cent of commercial establishments in major revenue districts and 70 per cent in Ranchi being closed," said Suresh Sonthalia, General Secretary of CAIT in the state. Convenor of CAIT Chapter in Madhya Pradesh Radhey Shyam Maheshwari said while the wholesale markets in Gwalior where Vajpayee was born were completely shut, most of the commercial establishments in Bhopal and rural parts of the state were closed, whereas some retail shops are open. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tripura government has declared a holiday today as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died in New Delhi yesterday. A notification, issued here last night, said all government offices and educational institutes and banks run by the state government would remain closed today. The state government also declared state mourning for seven days with effect from yesterday. Throughout the mourning period the national flag will fly at half mast, it said. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb flew to New Delhi and paid floral tribute to the late leader yesterday. In a message Deb said, "we lost a great statesman of the country. His demise is an irreparable loss to the country." Vajpayee died at the age of 93 at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Beleaguered Jet Airways is in an advanced stage of discussions with TruJet to sub-lease up to seven of its ATR planes to the regional airline as it seeks to reduce costs and mop up additional revenues, according to an industry source. These planes are likely to be sub-leased with complete crew, maintenance and insurance. Currently, the Naresh Goyal-promoted full service carrier has 15 ATRs in its fleet. TruJet, which started operations in July 2015 has an all ATR fleet. The deal may be stitched this month, the source privy to the development said. Jet Airways had attempted to phase out these regional jets in the past as well. "Both Jet Airways and TruJet are in an advanced stage of negotiations on the ATR deal. As per the on-going discussions, TruJet will initially lease seven ATRs from Jet Airways," the source told PTI. While TruJet confirmed it is in discussions with Jet Airways, the latter said that "it continues to evaluate all possible alternatives". Partially-owned by Gulf carrier Etihad, Jet Airways has been facing turbulence since the beginning of this year, having reported a massive loss of over Rs 1,000 crore in March quarter. The source said that the sub-lease period was likely to be for five years under a wet lease arrangement. "If the deal gets through, TruJet could opt for more such planes from the airline," the source added. A wet lease is an arrangement under which one airline provides an aircraft, its complete crew, maintenance and insurance. "We are working on options to induct up to seven aircraft for short period from Jet Airways," a TruJet spokesperson said in a statement to PTI. The Hyderabad based airline had last month said it plans to acquire five to seven ATRs and expand the network to 20 more routes by the end of FY19. The carrier currently has five ATR-72s and connects 14 destinations including some under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme UDAN. "Jet Airways continues to evaluate all possible alternatives to ensure optimum utilisation of its fleet," a Jet Airways spokesperson told PTI. "Owing to our quiet period, were unable to respond to further specific queries," the spokesperson added. The airline management, which had previously deferred its quarterly results stating it needed more time to finalise accounts, today informed exchanges that its board would meet on August 27 to consider June quarter earnings. "The company continues to evaluate all possible alternatives to ensure optimum utilisation of its fleet and is committed to make appropriate disclosures...," the airline said in a filing to the BSE. The filing was in response to a clarification sought by the exchange about reports that Jet Airways was in talks with TruJet for sub-leasing ATR aircraft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has said he was in "no rush" to complete a deal to rewrite the trade pact with Mexico and Canada. As Mexican officials were gathered in Washington for talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Trump said at a cabinet meeting, "if you can't make the right deal, don't make it." Negotiators have been working for four straight weeks to hammer out differences with Mexico, largely over provisions affecting the auto industry as they try to update the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, and sign a revised deal before the end of the year. But Trump said yesterday, "I'm in no rush. We want to make the right deal. "NAFTA has been a disaster for our country," he said. "So we're going either going to do a good NAFTA -- a fair NAFTA for us -- or we're not doing NAFTA at all." And Trump again aimed a jibe at Canada, saying "Their tariffs are too high. Their barriers are too strong. So we're not even talking to them right now." Trade negotiators have sounded optimistic in recent weeks. Lighthizer told Trump, "I'm hopeful that in the next several days we'll have a breakthrough. There's still some difficult issues to work on." And he indicated Canada could rejoin the talks soon. "I'm hopeful with Mexico. And then I hope once we get one with Mexico, that Canada will come along." Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo has been leading the delegation, and said Canada would rejoin the talks once the issues more relevant to his country had been worked out. Guajardo has stressed that the most difficult issues had been left to the end, including the US demand that NAFTA be approved every five years, a provision known as a sunset clause. US officials have indicated that if the deal can be agreed by the end of August it would be possible to win congressional approval for the new NAFTA before Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office December 1. That also would put the deal in place before the new US Congress is seated in January, which would protect it from the possibility of opposition if Democrats win control of the legislature in the November mid-term elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump today said he would attend a November celebration in Paris marking the end of World War I, hours after a military parade planned for the same time in Washington was postponed over soaring costs. Trump said he had in fact cancelled that event, blaming local politicians for charging a "ridiculously high" price and vowing to "attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th." "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," the US president said, adding: "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" Trump had ordered a show of military prowess after marveling at France's Bastille Day parade last year -- but the idea drew scorn from critics, who said it would be a waste of money and akin to events staged by authoritarian regimes such as North Korea. A US official told AFP yesterday the planning estimate had soared as high as USD 92 million, though no final figure has been reached. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," Trump said Friday. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it." "Never let someone hold you up!" he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's state-run agency today said an employee at the office of a local Muslim cleric in eastern Turkey opened fire at his colleagues, before turning the gun on himself in a failed suicide attempt. Two people were killed and five others - including the gunman - were wounded in the incident. Anadolu Agency said the shooting took place in the town of Tercan, in Erzincan province as several employees at the local mufti's office were holding a meeting. The agency quoted officials as saying that the assailant, who had psychological problems, argued with some of his colleagues before shooting at them. He later tried to kill himself. Anadolu said some of the wounded were in serious condition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MIT scientists have uncovered a sprawling new galaxy cluster hiding in plain sight. The cluster, which sits a mere 2.4 billion light years from Earth, is made up of hundreds of individual galaxies and surrounds an extremely active supermassive black hole, or quasar. The central quasar goes by the name PKS1353-341 and is intensely bright -- so bright that for decades astronomers observing it in the night sky have assumed that the quasar was quite alone in its corner of the universe, shining out as a solitary light source from the center of a single galaxy. But as the MIT team reports today in the Astrophysical Journal, the quasar's light is so bright that it has obscured hundreds of galaxies clustered around it. In their new analysis, the researchers estimate that there are hundreds of individual galaxies in the cluster, which, all told, is about as massive as 690 trillion suns. Our Milky Way galaxy, for comparison, weighs in at around 400 billion solar masses. The team also calculates that the quasar at the center of the cluster is 46 billion times brighter than the sun. Its extreme luminosity is likely the result of a temporary feeding frenzy: As an immense disk of material swirls around the quasar, big chunks of matter from the disk are falling in and feeding it, causing the black hole to radiate huge amounts of energy out as light. "This might be a short-lived phase that clusters go through, where the central black hole has a quick meal, gets bright, and then fades away again," says study author Michael McDonald, assistant professor of physics in MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. "This could be a blip that we just happened to see. In a million years, this might look like a diffuse fuzzball." McDonald and his colleagues believe the discovery of this hidden cluster shows there may be other similar galaxy clusters hiding behind extremely bright objects that astronomers have miscatalogued as single light sources. The researchers are now looking for more hidden galaxy clusters, which could be important clues to estimating how much matter there is in the universe and how fast the universe is expanding. The paper's co-authors include lead author and MIT graduate student Taweewat Somboonpanyakul, Henry Lin of Princeton University, Brian Stalder of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and Antony Stark of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Fluffs or points In 2012, McDonald and others discovered the Phoenix cluster, one of the most massive and luminous galaxy clusters in the universe. The mystery to McDonald was why this cluster, which was so intensely bright and in a region of the sky that is easily observable, hadn't been found before. "We started asking ourselves why we had not found it earlier, because it's very extreme in its properties and very bright," McDonald says. "It's because we had preconceived notions of what a cluster should look like. And this didn't conform to that, so we missed it." For the most part, he says astronomers have assumed that galaxy clusters look "fluffy," giving off a very diffuse signal in the X-ray band, unlike brighter, point-like sources, which have been interpreted as extremely active quasars or black holes. "The images are either all points, or fluffs, and the fluffs are these giant million-light-year balls of hot gas that we call clusters, and the points are black holes that are accreting gas and glowing as this gas spirals in," McDonald says. "This idea that you could have a rapidly accreting black hole at the center of a cluster -- we didn't think that was something that happened in nature." But the Phoenix discovery proved that galaxy clusters could indeed host immensely active black holes, prompting McDonald to wonder: Could there be other nearby galaxy clusters that were simply misidentified? An extreme eater To answer that question, the researchers set up a survey named CHiPS, for Clusters Hiding in Plain Sight, which is designed to reevaluate X-ray images taken in the past. "We start from archival data of point sources, or objects that were super bright in the sky," Somboonpanyakul explains. "We are looking for point sources inside fluffy things." For every point source that was previously identified, the researchers noted their coordinates and then studied them more directly using the Magellan Telescope, a powerful optical telescope that sits in the mountains of Chile. If they observed a higher-than-expected number of galaxies surrounding the point source (a sign that the gas may stem from a cluster of galaxies), the researchers looked at the source again, using NASA's space-based Chandra X-Ray Observatory, to identify an extended, diffuse source around the main point source. "Some 90 percent of these sources turned out to not be clusters," McDonald says. "But the fun thing is, the small number of things we are finding are sort of rule-breakers." The new paper reports the first results of the CHiPS survey, which has so far confirmed one new galaxy cluster hosting an extremely active central black hole. "The brightness of the black hole might be related to how much it's eating," McDonald says. "This is thousands of times brighter than a typical black hole at the center of a cluster, so it's very extreme in its feeding. We have no idea how long this has been going on or will continue to go on. Finding more of these things will help us understand, is this an important process, or just a weird thing that there's only one of in the universe." The team plans to comb through more X-ray data in search of galaxy clusters that might have been missed the first time around. "If the CHiPS survey can find enough of these, we will be able to pinpoint the specific rate of accretion onto the black hole where it switches from generating primarily radiation to generating mechanical energy, the two primary forms of energy output from black holes," says Brian McNamara, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Waterloo, who was not involved in the research. "This particular object is interesting because it bucks the trend. Either the central supermassive black hole's mass is much lower than expected, or the structure of the accretion flow is abnormal. The oddballs are the ones that teach us the most." In addition to shedding light on a black hole's feeding, or accretion behavior, the detection of more galaxy clusters may help to estimate how fast the universe is expanding. "Take for instance, the Titanic," McDonald says. "If you know where the two biggest pieces landed, you could map them backward to see where the ship hit the iceberg. In the same way, if you know where all the galaxy clusters are in the universe, which are the biggest pieces in the universe, and how big they are, and you have some information about what the universe looked like in the beginning, which we know from the Big Bang, then you could map out how the universe expanded." This research was supported, in part, by the Kavli Research Investment Fund at MIT, and by NASA. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. A Turkish court today rejected another appeal to free US pastor Andrew Brunson, whose detention has sparked a major crisis in Ankara's ties with Washington, his lawyer said. The court ruled that Brunson would remain under house arrest, rejecting the third such request, lawyer Cem Halavurt told AFP, saying he would appeal again in 15 days. Brunson, who was detained in October 2016 on terror and espionage charges, faces 35 years in jail if convicted. Late last month, he was moved from prison to house arrest for health reasons. The pastor's detention has soured Ankara's relations with Washington, with US President Donald Trump threatening more punitive action unless Brunson is released. Last week, Trump said he had doubled the tariffs on aluminium and steel from Turkey, sending the Turkish currency into free fall. Trump yesterday described the Protestant clergyman, who runs a small church in the western city of Izmir, as a "great patriot", saying he was being held "hostage." Christian evangelicals constitute an important part of Trump's political base. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two police officers have been suspended here for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the owner of a sand-laden tractor, a senior officer said. Assistant Sub-Inspector Sanjay Yadav and the officer-in-charge of Barkagaon police station, Suman Kumar, were suspended yesterday evening with immediate effect following a probe into a complaint filed by the tractor owner, SP Mayur Patel Kanhaiyall said. "In his complaint, the tractor owner alleged that the Barkagaon OC and the ASI seized his vehicle by force on August 12 even when he had all valid papers. The complainant also said that officers released his vehicle only after receiving the money," Kanhaiyall stated. Sub-Divisional Police Officer KK Mahato, on the instructions of the SP, carried out a probe into the allegations, leading to the suspension of Kumar and Yadav. "Mahato submitted his inquiry report on August 16, following which action was taken against the two erring officers," the SP said, adding that any further action in the case will be initiated only after a detailed investigation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men, who had claimed responsibility for the attack on JNU student leader Umar Khalid and said that they would surrender in a village in Punjab, did not turn up today, police said. A team of Delhi Police's Special Cell visited the villageof Sikh revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha where the duo, Darwesh Shahpurand Naveen Dalal, had said they would surrender. A senior police officer said the two did not turn up there and have not been seen in their native village Jhajjar in Haryana for the past few days. In a video uploaded on Facebook on August 15,the duo claimed the attack on Khalid was supposed to be an "Independence Day gift" to the citizens. Police are verifying the authenticity of the video and trying to trace the IP address from where it was uploaded. "We respect our Constitution. But there is no provision in our Constitution to punish mad dogs. By mad dogs, we mean the JNU gang that is making the country weaker and their number is increasing. Our elders in Haryana have taught us that such people should be taught a lesson," Shahpur had said in the video message. The duo also requested the police to not trouble anyone and said they would surrender at the village of Sikh revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha on August 17. Khalid was attacked on Monday when he was on his way to take part in an event at the Constitution Club here. He, however, escaped unhurt. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police handed over the case to its Special Cell, which incidentally is already probing a sedition case against Khalid and two other JNU students. The police had also said that they were not "intimated" about Monday's event attended by Khalid. A police officer, privy to the probe, said the police had seized the weapon used in the crime and preliminary forensic examination suggested that the pistol had jammed when it was used against Khalid. He said they were yet to ascertain whether shots were fired as no empty cartridges were found at the spot. A case of attempt to murder has been registered by police in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US government continues to hold 565 illegal immigrant children in custody, three weeks after a court deadline to reunite them with parents or guardians, a court filing showed. That included 24 children five years old or younger being cared for by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. ORR reported the parents of 366 of the 565 children were outside of the United States, making reunifications difficult. The parents of 154 of the children indicated they did not want to be reunified with the children, it said. And for over 180, the children could not be handed back to parents because the parents were flagged as threats to the children, were separately held in law enforcement custody, or were facing separate litigation. Earlier this year, the government separated more than 2,500 children from their parents after families crossed the US border with Mexico illegally intending to stay in the country. Rights groups challenged the separations and a federal judge in California ordered the families brought back together by July 26. The Department of Homeland Security, which polices illegal immigration, said a number of parents accepted being sent back over the border, leaving the children to remain in the US and hoping to join them later legally. ORR said in the filing it continues trying to place the children back with their parents or relatives within the US. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A multimillion-dollar military parade planned by US President Donald Trump through the streets of Washington DC in November has been postponed until 2019, the Department of Defense has announced. President Trump, also the commander-in-chief of the US military, got the idea of holding the grand parade while viewing France's Bastille Day Parade in July 2017 along with French President Emmanuel Macron. He had said the US could "top it". The parade was originally conceived to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, on November 11. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honour America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," said Col. Rob Manning. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019," he said in a statement. The about the parade's postponement came amid reports that the event could cost about USD 90 million - more than three times the original estimate. The parade's budget director had offered an estimate of between USD 10 million and USD 30 million when the White House announced its request in February. But a US official gave a new estimate of USD 92 million, media reports said. A memo when the plan was first mooted said no tanks would be used so as not to damage the roads of Washington. The Pentagon said the military would march from the White House to the Capitol, and the parade would feature a "heavy air component at the end". The focus was to be on the work of US military veterans through the ages, starting with the American Revolutionary War. The US had a military parade in 1991 following the end of its successful campaign to force Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's troops out of Kuwait. Meanwhile, The American Legion, the nation's largest wartime veterans service organisation, reacted to reports that the parade could cost tens of millions more than originally expected by saying the money would be better spent in other ways. "The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops," American Legion national commander Denise Rohan said in a statement. "However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible," Rohan said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US police chief has defended the use of a Taser on an 87-year-old grandmother cutting dandelions near her home in the southern state of Georgia. The incident occurred last Friday when a youth club worker called 911 after spotting Martha Al-Bishara, who does not speak English, using a knife to cut dandelions in the club's grounds near her home. Responding to the scene, police in Chatsworth, around 85 miles (135 kilometers) north of Atlanta, stunned her with a Taser and handcuffed her after she failed to follow instructions to drop the knife. "It was the lowest use of force we could have used to simply stop that threat at the time," Chatsworth police chief Josh Etheridge told local media. But Al-Bishara's granddaughter, Martha Douhne, told NBC that "she thought she got shot." "We have never really told her about stun guns or Tasers, and so she doesn't know what that is," she said, adding her grandmother is having trouble sleeping and is afraid to go outside. Etheridge insisted the octogenarian had posed a potential threat that justified the use of the Taser. "An 87-year-old woman with a knife still has the ability to hurt an officer," Etheridge said. "We began trying to communicate with her, telling her of course to drop the knife ... We didn't know if she just didn't understand us or was having some type of issue." The officer "used the Taser, he deployed the Taser rather than using deadly force to stop the situation," he said. Etheridge added the force would continue to review the situation, and the officer in question remains on duty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US government today hit four Myanmar military commanders and two military units with punitive sanctions, accusing them of "serious human rights abuses" and "ethnic cleansing" in violently expelling minority Rohingya from their homes. Military and border guard commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe, Khin Hlaing, and Thura San Lwin were accused of leading violent campaigns against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state as well as minorities in Kachin and Shan states. "Burmese security forces have engaged in violent campaigns against ethnic minority communities across Burma, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights abuses," said Sigal Mandelker, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Treasury, which announced the sanctions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In 1945, when a 21-year-old Atal Bihari Vajpayee enrolled in a Kanpur college to study law, he had a classmate who was already retired after serving 30 years as a teacher. He was none other than his father. Pandit Krishna Biharilal Vajpayee was above 50 when he became Vajpayee's classmate at DAV college Kanpur. After Vajpayee became prime minister, his alma mater published a write-up by him in the college magazine in 2002-03, which reveals more about the two. "Have you ever seen or heard of a college, where both father and son studied together, and that too even in the same class," Vajpayee wrote in the article. "If not, then your information pertaining to Kanpur's DAV College will be simply considered incomplete. This was such a college, which not only witnessed a father and son studying together, but also set a theatrical stage for it." College principal Amit Kumar Srivastava says the former prime minister and his father were in the same section studying law, but eventually they changed their sections. "Whenever my father was late for the class, the professors amidst laughter, used to ask 'tell where your father has disappeared'. And when I was late, he used to be questioned as to 'why your son is missing'," Vajpayee wrote. "This situation was posing a problem for both of us, and it was decided that my father will remain in one section, while I will move to another." In the article, Vajpayee also revealed how he and his father -- Pandit Krishna Biharilal Vajpayee -- became classmates. "It was 1945-46. I had completed BA from Victoria College, Gwalior, and was worried about the future....My father had retired from government service. My two sisters were of marriageable age. Dowry had assumed the shape of a curse. From where will I manage resources for post-graduation?" But when all the doors seemed closed, Gwalior Maharaja Shrimant Jivaji Rao Scindia, who knew Vajpayee well as a student, offered him a monthly scholarship of Rs 75, which is equivalent to today's (2002-03) Rs 200, he wrote. "The wrinkles of tension on fathers face gradually started to disappear. The family heaved a sigh of relief, and I too, took a plunge in happy dreams of the future." After getting the scholarship from Gwalior riyasat (princely state), most of the students head to DAV College in Kanpur. He said he was also told to head to Kanpur. "My elder brother Prem Bihari Vajpayee was already studying law from there." "It was at this point of time that an unusual incident took place," he wrote. "Suddenly, my father decided that he too will pursue higher His decision had put all of us in wonder. He had retired after giving his contribution in the field of for 30 years. When he saw that I am going to Kanpur for MA and to study law, he decided that he will go to Kanpur with me and study law." "He was above 50. With white hair and a walking stick, when my father - Pandit Krishna Biharilal Vajpayee -- reached the principal's (Kalka Prasad Bhatnagar) office, Mr Bhatnagar thought that the elderly gentleman had come to seek a professors post or to get someone enrolled. "But when Mr Bhatnagar came to know that the elderly gentleman had come to enroll himself, he virtually jumped from his chair and started saying you have done a wonder." "Soon, the spread throughout the college. In the hostel, where the father and son lived together, crowd of students would turn up to see us," the former Prime Minister wrote. He spent two years at the college. "I still remember the Ramayana mandali which was organized by Purshottam Prasad Mishra. The mandali used to recite Ramayam every week, and my father was included in it as soon as he reached the hostel." Vajpayee wrote, "I still remember the celebration of Independence Day. It was a strange coincidence of agony and ecstasy. We were ecstatic because 1,000 years of foreign rule has ended, and agonized due to the division of the motherland. On that day, former vice-chancellor of Agra University Dewaanchand had come. He handed a small reward from his pocket for my oratory skills." The department of political science was headed by Shanti Narayan Verma, he said. "All the students used to respect him a lot, but also maintained a distance from him. Contrary to him were professor Pradhan and professor Pandey, who were very affectionate towards the students, and students had no hesitation in approaching then with their problems," he wrote. He also mentioned that in those days, there were shortage of books in the library, but teachers were always eager to help the students. "I lament that I had to give up study of law midway, as I had to leave the college. Gaining Independence and partition of the country had created new circumstances. A number of youngsters left their homes, and had embarked on the path of nation-building. Studies were left, buddies got separated and new questions cropped up. Yet, the two years spent at DAV college cannot be forgotten," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as an outstanding politician who made path-breaking contributions to the development of bilateral relations. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died yesterday at the age of 93 in New Delhi. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Vajpayee is an outstanding politician in India and has made path-breaking contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations". The Chinese side expressed deep condolences over his death to the Indian government and people and to the relatives of Vajpayee, the ministry said in the statement to PTI. Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message, the ministry said. Vajpayee visited China in 2003 during which the two countries set up the Special Representative mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena today said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a true 'swayamsevak' (volunteer) of the RSS who mixed with the organisation's ideology like "sugar dissolves in milk" and his Hinduta ideology was never hidden. An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana also said Vajpayee honestly tried to build relations with Pakistan, but even a gentleman like him was betrayed by the neighbouring nation. It further recalled that Vajpayee once said in the US that he may not be the prime minister tomorrow, but nobody could take away his right of being a swayamsevak, referring to his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Vajpayee's Hindutva ideology was never hidden, the Sena said. Except for Shiv Sena and Akali Dal, nobody else was ready to support his Hindutva ideology and as a result, he had to keep issues like Ram temple and uniform civil code aside, it said. Vajpayee died yesterday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Referring to a Goa speech made by Vajpayee in 2002, the Sena said he tried hard to bring Muslims into the mainstream but his patience ran out. Terming Vajpayee's death as end of an era, the BJP's long-standing ally said that after Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Vajpayee was the most famous personality. Crediting Vajpayee for formation of the National Democratic Alliance, the editorial said that it was because of him that "people with different mindsets and different faces" came together and formed the alliance. As prime minister, Vajpayee built trust among farmers and increased their agricultural produce, it said. "Seeing the condition of farmers today, and a wave of their suicides, one remembers Vajpayee's pro-farmer policies," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two-year-old pacing fillies were out in full force during Thursdays card at the Charlottetown Driving Park, as the half-mile oval hosted five divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes. Therealdeal survived a first-over journey to win the first A division in 1:57.2 for driver Walter Cheverie. The daughter of Westwardho Hanover-Deviliciously watched Ma Rebelle fire to the front and supply the opening quarter of :28.1. Therealdeal was on the move going to the half, which belonged to Ma Rebelle in :58.1. She was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.4, but Therealdeal was coming to her bridle. Therealdeal then used a :29.3 closing quarter to win by three lengths over Ma Rebelle in 1:57.2. Dustylanebukinfuty was third. Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, the Joseph Baxter trainee is now 4-for-4 to start her career for owners Jennifer Baxter and Gregory Francis. Shes banked more than $20,000 to date. Magical Mistress captured her $12,580 A division in front-stepping fashion for driver Adam Merner and trainer Stephen Gass. The daughter of Camystic-Meridian shot to the lead from Post 6 and carved out panels of :29.2, 1:00.1 and 1:29.2 before rocketing home in :28.1 to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Woodmere Tango in 1:57.3. Taking home third money was Elm Grove Nellie. Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, the youngster is now 5-for-5 for owner/breeder Barry Martin of Sydney, NS. The lions share of the loot bumped her bankroll over $20,000. The program also featured a trio of $2,500 B divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies, and those events were captured by Foxy Gigolo (Michael McGuigan/Leonard McGuigan) in 2:01.2, Miss Dynamite D (Clare MacDonald/Robert MacLeod) in 2:04.3 and Skycrew (Tr/dr Vincent Poulton). In the $2,500 Monctonian Pace it was Mando Fun rolling to a 1:57.3 score for driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Paul Biggar. Arsenault put the pedal down early and the gelding shot to the top and fired through fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.4. A :29.4 closing panel was just enough to win by a half-length margin over Revenant. Whitemountain Nemo took home the show dough. Winning as he pleased, the five-year-old son of Badlands Hanover-Millenium Ball won for the sixth time this year and for the 20th time in his career. Trainer Biggar shares ownership on the winner in excess of $60,000 with Donald Callbeck. To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results Charlottetown Driving Park. Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister have condoled the death of and said the former Indian prime minister played a vital role in ensuring stability of the island nation. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93 in New Delhi. Sirisena took to Twitter to condole the death of Vajpayee and said: "Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world." Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world. #AtalBihariVajpayee (@MaithripalaS) August 16, 2018 Wickremesinghe said that he enjoyed good relations with Vajpayee between 2002-2004 during his previous tenure as Sri Lankan prime minister. "I am deeply saddened by the death of Shri Vajpayee who was a true friend of Sri Lanka. He played a vital role in ensuring stability of Sri Lanka. I will continue to treasure the memories of my friendship with this great man," he said. Sri Lanka is sending Minister of Highways and Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella to represent the country at Vajpayee's funeral in New Delhi. Thousands of people today joined the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking behind the cortege. BJP chief Amit Shah, several union ministers and party leaders also walked sombrely behind the cortege as it made its way to the Rashtriya Smirti Sthal where the last rites would be performed. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after a prolonged illness. A huge crowd of people showered petals at the funeral procession and jostled to get a glimpse of the former prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Atal Bihari Vajpayee was often described as the "mukhauta", the agreeable and affable mask presented by the Bhartiya Janata Party to the outside world. If that were so, the real face behind it was that of L K Advani, the original mass hero of Hindutva. Together they pulled BJP from the fringes of anti-Congress to the national centre-stage, increasing the party's strength in Lok Sabha from two seats in 1984 to 182 seats in 1999. So great was their influence that 'Atal-Advani' became a collective sobriquet often used by politicians and experts to describe the BJP leadership of 1990s and early 2000s. With Vajpayee passing away, Advani, 90, remains alone among the stalwarts of that generation of BJP leaders who have now been replaced by the new leadership headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose popularity perhaps exceeds that of the mentors. "Advani's Ram temple movement had generated a mass support for the party it had never seen earlier," said a BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. "But Vajpayee was the right person to take the party to the next level," he told PTI. In a fond tribute, Advani remembered his memories of long association with Vajpayee through their days as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharaks, Jana Sangh leaders, struggle during the Emergency and then as colleagues in the BJP. "To me Atal ji was more than a senior colleague -- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years," said Advani, who, more than Vajpayee, was instrumental in fashioning the party's rise by bringing to front the agenda of building Ram temple in Ayodhya and mobilising the masses across large parts of the country with his 'rath yatra' in 1990. Never a proponent of aggressive Hindutva and wary of 'kamandal' politics, as critics called the BJP's pro-temple politics, Vajpayee was not the go-to leader for the RSS, the ideological parent of BJP, for pushing its core agenda. Vajpayee had to make way for Advani in 1986 as the party's president. With 1989 elections approaching, the BJP under Advani adopted a resolution in its national executive in favour of building a Ram temple. This coupled with its loose alliance with anti-Congress parties sent the BJP's tally soaring to 85 seats in Lok Sabha, higher than its earlier avatar Jana Sangh ever got, and then it jumped to 120 in 1991, riding the popular wave generated by 'Ram Janmabhoomi' movement. At that point, Advani, who once worked as a secretary for Vajpayee, seemed the natural choice for the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. But in what many believe to be an act of seminal political significance, he declared in a 1995 meeting in Mumbai that his senior colleague will be entrusted with the responsibility of prime ministership if the party comes to power. Party veterans say that in the era of coalition politics, Vajpayee -- seen as a peacemaker and moderate face of his party -- was considered the right man by Advani to win over new allies as the BJP had become a pariah for regional parties following the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992. "The organisation was completely under the sway of Advani but it was Vajpayee's wider acceptability among likely allies and the masses which appealed to the allies because he maintained a distance from hardline Hindutva," said a former BJP ally, also speaking on condition of anonymity. If Advani's ideological leadership galvanised the party's cadres and core support, Vajpayee's soaring oratory, common touch, easy charm and convivial manners won over the masses and brought new allies on board. Opposition leader Sharad Yadav, a key BJP ally for close to 15 years until 2013 and a minister in the Vajpayee's Cabinet, describes Vajpayee as the face of the saffron party and Advani as its builder. "Both Vajpayee and Advani worked with national interest in mind but they were obviously different personalities", he said. After BJP's rout in the 2004 elections, Vajpayee gradually faded from public life. Advani remained active and was his party's prime ministerial candidate in 2009 elections but the party fared poorly, prompting the RSS to look for a younger generation of leadership. This paved the way for Modi. In a sign of things to come, Advani who had masterminded the BJP's best ever showing in general elections, was overshadowed in 2014 when the Modi wave gave the party its first majority government. Soon after, Advani was pushed out of the inner circle and made a member of the inconsequential Margdarshak Mandal, which has never convened. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From the 1998 nuclear tests that angered China to initiating a new boundary talks mechanism in 2003, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is regarded here as an architect of India's China policy, according to Chinese scholars. While the Pokhran tests by India, seen as an attempt to secure nuclear deterrence mainly against its giant neighbour raised concerns in China, the then Indian prime minister's initiative to set up the Special Representative (SR) mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute has helped stabilise bilateral ties, Ma Jiali, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at China Reform Forum, told PTI. Ma, who worked closely with former Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on the Sino-India ties, said Vajpayee's visit to China in 2003 contributed a great deal in stabilising bilateral relations. "During Vajpayee's rule, India-China relations improved a lot. After his visit in 2003, India-China relations improved quite fast in the political, economic and cultural field," he said. In 2016, Dai Bingguo, China's long-term negotiator of boundary dispute with India, wrote in his memoir that Vajpayee was eager for an early settlement of the Sino-India boundary dispute but lost the opportunity when he lost the 2014 general elections. It was during a dinner meeting with his counterpart Wen in 2003 when Vajpayee mooted the idea of setting up of the SR mechanism, former state councillor Dai wrote in his memoir 'Strategic Dialogues'. Vajpayee had wanted the SRs to detach themselves from the current boundary negotiations and directly report the progress to their prime ministers to find a solution "from a political level", Dai wrote in his book. The boundary mechanism headed by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both the sides has so far met 20 times and largely worked out the modalities for future settlements. The first round was held between Brajesh Mishra, who was the NSA in the Vajpayee government and Dai, the then state councillor - a top diplomatic post in China. The 21st round of boundary talks are due to be held in the coming weeks between NSA Ajit Doval and State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Wang was the Vice Foreign Minister when Vajpayee visited Beijing in 2003. Dai, who held the border talks with four Indian NSAs --Brajesh Mishra, J N Dixit, M K Narayanan and Shivshankar Menon, has said in the book that Mishra pushed for an early settlement, preferably during Vajpayee's tenure as prime minister. Dai wrote "prime minister Vajpayee is 79-year-old and very concerned about the boundary question. Mishra was himself 75, and said he hoped to settle it as early as possible". Dai wrote that he believed a settlement was possible but the opportunity was lost when Vajpayee failed to win the 2004 elections. He stated that Mishra told him that he would like "to speed up the progress of the SRs meetings to push for an early settlement after the 2004 general elections in India. Dai, who is now retired, said that he believed Mishra's words were not empty rhetoric and he felt that an early settlement was perhaps possible. "I had hopes (during that time) that the SRs' meeting would achieve results as early as possible," he said. Though a settlement still appeared to be a long way after 20 rounds of talks, the mechanism with annual meetings has helped evolve modalities and identify areas of agreement and differences. The India-China dispute cover 3,488-km-long the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and China's claims of Arunachal Pradesh being part of Southern Tibet remains a sticking point. Two days ago, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Ram Madhav told the media here that a "large segment" of the border with China barring the western sector has been resolved and talks are moving in the positive direction. Doval's predecessor Shivshankar Menon, who represented India in several rounds of border talks, said in 2014 during a meeting here that all the technical work has been done and it is for the leaders of both the countries to take a call. After relinquishing his post, Menon told a meeting in Beijing along with Dai that when the SRs were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process. The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005, he said. The second stage is to agree for a framework of settlement to be followed by the final step of drawing the boundary line based on the framework agreement, Menon said. "We are now in the second half of the second stage, heading in the right direction," he told a gathering in Peking University in December 2014. Now the meeting of the SRs which is held once a year has been upgraded to discuss all aspects of India-China relations and work out durable solutions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Of all the leaders of the BJP, it is only Atal Bihari Vajpayee who represents the idea of India in all its shades. And that is the reason Vajpayee's passing away marks a sense of loss for all the people of India irrespective of religion, caste, region and language. It took more than half a century for Vajpyee to become a national and much loved leader of the country. His prime ministership is also marked for major initiatives to improve relations with Pakistan and to resolve the Kashmir question -- two of his dearest missions as prime minister. Despite his belonging to the BJP, which had roots in the RSS philosophy of Akhand Bharat, he went to Lahore by bus and visited, of all the places, Minar-e-Pakistan where he announced that India recognised the identity of Pakistan. Even though the three service chiefs of Pakistan boycotted Vajpayee's visit to Lahore and the Kargil war launched by General Parvez Musharraf, the army chief of Pakistan at the time, he offered a hand of friendship with Pakistan. I was there in Srinagar with Vajpayee as media adviser to the prime minister when he made the famous statement that he would love to have talks with the Hurriyat and other sections of the society within the framework of 'insaaniyat'. Vajpayee had gone to Kashmir in 2000 after millitants killed 25 people in Pahalgam. Vajpayee decided to visit Pahalgam and on return to Srinagar airport, he discovered that he has to address a press conference being held next to the helicopter hangar. The third or the fourth question at the press conference which I was anchoring was, "Prime Minister sahab will the talks on the Kashmir question be held within the framework of the Constitution or outside?" "Talks insaniyat ke dayre mein hongi (talks will be held within the humanitarian framework)," said the prime minister. My comment on this is who can differ with this delectable statement that came out of Vajpayee's heart. In the Valley, he is still remembered for it. I was his media adviser for nearly two years, at no stage did the prime minister try to avoid the media or uncomfortable questions posed by the media. At no stage, during my two years, did he suggest that I should call up an editor or a proprietor of a newspaper objecting to a particular write up. He believed in the freedom of press. This is because essentially Vajpayee was a democrat to the core. He never for a day wavered from his belief in the essential liberal policies of parliamentary democracy. He was certainly the most outstanding parliamentarian of India. He was very severe in his criticism of Jawaharlal Nehru's China policy, yet his speech on Nehru's death in May 1964 was the most illustrious in quality and content. Within the Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP, another contemporary leader Balraj Madhok described Vajpayee as a 'Nehruite' to me in a conversation. "What about you Madhok sahab," I asked him. He replied, "I am a Patelite". Even in these days the Nehru-Patelite argument is still prevalent within party circles. (As told to Asim Kamal). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Vatican has expressed "shame and sorrow" over a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report about clergy who raped and molested children in six dioceses in that state, calling the abuse "criminally and morally reprehensible" and says Pope Francis wants to eradicate "this tragic horror." In a written statement using uncharacteristically strong language for the Holy See even in matters like the long-running abuse scandals staining the US church, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke sought to assure victims that "the pope is on their side." Pope Francis himself wasn't quoted in the statement, and there was no mention of demands in the United States among some Roman Catholics for the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington. The grand jury report made public this week accused the cardinal of helping to protect some molester priests while he was bishop of the Pennsylvania city of Pittsburgh. Burke said the incidents of abuse graphically documented in the report were "betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith." "The church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur," he said. Victims and their advocates for decades have lamented that top Catholic churchmen repeatedly put the reputation of the church ahead of obligations to protect children from harm from pedophile priests. In a sign that Pope Francis wants to end that pervasive mind set among church hierachy, including bishops and cardinals, he recently accepted the resignation from cardinal's rank of former Washington archbishop Theodore McCarrick amid allegations that the American prelate had engaged in sexual misconduct. Resignations by cardinals are extremely rare, and McCarrick's was the first time a prelate lost his cardinal's rank in a sexual abuse scandal. Burke said Francis "understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults in the church and in all of society." The grand jury report documented how pedophile priests were often protected by church hierarchy or moved to other postings without the faithful being told of the priests' sexual predatory history. The long-awaited grand jury report was full of vivid examples of horrendous abuse. In one such example, a young girl was raped by a priest visiting her while she was in a hospital following surgery to remove her tonsils. In another, a priest tied up a victim with a rope in a confessional booth, and when the victim refused to perform sex, the priest assaulted him with a crucifix. Speaking about Francis, Burke said: "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent." Even before the report was released, a series of scandals over the last few decades involving pedophile priests and systematic attempts by pastors and bishops to cover up the abuse by shuttling offenders to new parishes had rocked the faith of many Catholics in the United States. Similar abuse and determination by protect abusers had also stained the reputation of the Catholic Church in many other countries. Francis recently did a turnaround on how accusations by victims in Chile were viewed by the Vatican. After casting doubt on the victims' accounts during his visit to Chile earlier this year, Francis apologised to them, hosted the victims at the Vatican and later accepted the resignations of some of the country's bishops, who offered en masse to step down. Yesterday, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops invited the Vatican to play a key role in investigating the scandal involving McCarrick, who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with minors and adult seminarians. The conference's president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said he would go to Rome to ask the Vatican to conduct a high-level investigation known as an "apostolic visitation" to deal with McCarrick's case, working together with a group of predominantly lay experts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Friday refused to entertain Tamil Nadu government's plea against the Green Tribunal's order allowing mining major Vedanta access to the administrative unit inside its closed at and asked the NGT to "finally decide" the matter. A bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra said that the NGT would hear the matter on merits and also on the issue of maintainability raised by the state government. "We may clarify that NGT may continue to hear the matter on merits and finally decide the matter on maintainability also. It is open for the state to argue on maintainability after which the tribunal will give its findings," the bench said. ALSO READ: NGT allows Vedanta to access administrative unit of Sterlite plant in TN The green tribunal had on August 9 allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. During the hearing today, senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for Vedanta, told the apex court that the state has suppressed facts before the apex court. He said that "spate of orders" were passed against the company by the state without issuing it show cause notices. "Without any notice, I (Vedanta) was shut. There are 67 industries in the industrial complex. 14 of them are hazardous plants," he said while terming the issue "political". Sundaram said the matter was already listed for hearing before the NGT on August 20. The counsel appearing for Tamil Nadu raised the issue of maintainability of plea filed by Vedanta before the NGT. In its August 9 order, the NGT had said that the plant would remain closed and the company would not have access to its production unit and directed the district magistrate to ensure this. The had on May 28 ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns. Sterlite's factory had made headlines in March 2013 when a gas leak led to the death of one person and injuries to several others, after which then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered its closure. The company had appealed to the NGT which had overturned the government's order. The state had moved the against it and the case is still pending. The had then ordered the company to pay Rs 1 billion as compensation for polluting the environment. Following the latest protests and police firing, the plant was closed on March 27. After Sterlite announced its plans to expand plant, villagers around it started fresh protests that continued for over 100 days, culminating in the May 22 police firing on protestors that claimed 13 lives and left scores injured. Two moon bears are gently removed from the cramped cages where they have been held for 13 years, rescuers carefully checking their rotten teeth and matted paws before sending them to their new home in a grassy sanctuary in northern Vietnam. The animals are among the lucky few to be rescued in a country where hundreds of bears are feared to have been killed or starved to death as the cost of once-valuable farmed bile has plummeted. Bear bile is extracted -- often continuously and painfully -- from the animals' gallbladders and used in traditional medicine in Vietnam, where the illegal practice remains widespread. But consumers are shunning the farmed version in favour of bile taken from the nearly extinct wild bear population, which can cost 12 times more, and farmers can no longer earn what they used to from the illicit trade. If consumer demand for wild bear gallbladders catches on, it could spell the end for wild bears, which are killed for the sought-after organ. The trend is also bad for caged bears, whose owners can no longer afford to keep them alive. "Farmers said it wasn't profitable to keep the bears any more so they started feeding them less and let them die off," Brian Crudge, research programme manager at Free The Bears, told AFP this week. The number of captive bears has dropped dramatically since 2005 from about 4,500 to less than 800 today, according to official data and Crudge, who recently co-authored a study on the issue. With about 200 bears in Vietnam's rescue centres, he said many likely starved to death or were killed off and sold for their body parts. Bear paws are popularly used as a delicacy in soup or liquor, while bones are used for cooking and teeth and claws for decoration or jewellery. Now it's a race against time to rescue Vietnam's remaining caged bears. "It's quite urgent, we want to get as many of them as we can before it's too late," Crudge said. Some farmers -- who can legally keep bears as pets but are not allowed to extract bile -- have started handing over their bears voluntarily. One farmer told AFP he used to earn USD 10 for one millilitre (0.03 fluid ounces) of farmed bile, but now only makes about USD 2, as some consumers prefer to shell out for a supposedly higher quality product from wild bears. "People don't seem to like the bile anymore so it's harder to find customers," said the farmer, speaking anonymously. He used to keep about a dozen bears in cages at his home and now has none, but just smiled when asked when happened to them, refusing to elaborate. Vietnam has come under fire for failing to crack down on the illegal trade, but in a landmark decision last year said it would abolish all bear farms by 2022. It is likely to meet that goal, but not all will make it into sanctuaries with death rates likely to remain steady. But a fortunate few will, like moon bears Hoa Lan and Hoa Tra who were sent to a rescue centre in Ninh Binh province this week. After being rescued from the farm where they have lived since 2005, they will spend a few weeks in quarantine before being allowed to frolic in the grass with their fellow rescuees -- which will require some courage after so many years in a cage. "It's pretty scary for them at first. It can take several weeks until they're brave enough to go around the enclosure," said Emily Lloyd, animal manager at Four Paws Vietnam, which runs the sanctuary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bodies of six persons who had been swept away in water near Sultangarh Waterfall in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh were today recovered, a government official said. "Efforts are on to find another three persons who went missing on August 15 evening," district collector Shilpa Gupta told PTI. The waterfall is located near the border of Gwalior district. The tragedy occurred on Independence Day when merrymakers thronged the spot in large numbers on account of holiday. According to Gwalior district Superintendent of Police Navneet Bhasin, nine people of from that district who were picnicking near the waterfall on August 15 went missing when there was a flash flood, Gupta said. The bodies of six of them were fished out today, she added. There was a sudden surge in water following heavy rainfall upstream of the waterfall which led to the tragedy, the collector said. Forty-five others who were stranded on rocks in the stream were rescued early yesterday morning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government has declared a half-day holiday in its offices and educational institutions today as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday evening in New Delhi at the age of 93. All state government undertakings, urban and local bodies, offices, government-aided schools and colleges will be closed after 2pm today, a senior official said, quoting a notification issued late last night. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had flown to Delhi from Kolkata yesterday evening to pay her last respects to the visionary leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Winbak Farm of Ontario will present an open house for Larry and Jackie Drysdales retirement on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in the North America Cup Room at Woodbine Mohawk Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Drysdales are moving on to the next stage of their lives together after dedicating their entire adult lives to the sport of harness racing. "I started working at Armstrong's in 1970," Larry told TROT Magazine, "but when we took the yearlings to sell in Harrisburg that fall I took a job with Joe O'Brien and I headed to California from there. Joe trained all of the Armstrong's yearlings and he offered me a job. I worked for Joe for the next four years and that's where I met Jackie." The couple tied the knot in 1974 a year after they met. Larry was raised in Acton, Ontario, and Jackie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but their love of harness racing brought them together, both working for a man from Atlantic Canada. Shortly after they were wed, both moved on to work for Jack Kopas, After two years at the Kopas Stable, Larry went back to work for the Armstrong Brothers in 1976, and he remained there until they closed their doors in 2004. Jackie worked a few different jobs over the next decade, but rejoined her husband at Armstrong Brothers in 1988, and they both stayed on when Joe Thomson's Winbak Canada took over the facility afterwards -- Larry as Farm Manager, and Jackie as Office Manager. "We've worked beside each other for the last 30 years," laughs Jackie (16 years with Armstrongs and 14 with Winbak), "and we still like each other!" When asked what they plan to do with their newly-found free time (they believe their last day working will be Friday, July 20th), Larry told TROT, "We'd like to do some travelling -- maybe even buy an RV. We'll spend some of the cold winter months in a warmer climate I would think, but we won't stray too far from our home in Orangeville, Ontario for too long...that's where our son and our three grandchildren live. Our family means everything to us." For more information on the Open House please contact Winbak Farm of Ontario at 905-838-2145. At election meetings, politicians usually just ask for votes. But at a public meeting here in 2006, Atal Bihari Vajpayee perplexed the audience when he also asked for some pajamas. The former prime minister, who died yesterday, was addressing a meeting at the city's Kapoorthala crossing in support of Dinesh Sharma, now Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister but then a candidate in the election for Lucknow's mayor. Vajpayee was running a high fever when he reached the meeting venue, Sharma told PTI. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader started out by saying he saw a reflection of himself in Dinesh Sharma, according to the UP minister. So if they really meant it when they chanted 'Hamara neta kaisa ho, Atal Bihari jaisa ho', they should back Sharma, the popular politician told the crowd. At the same meeting, he asked people how he would look if he wore just a kurta and no pajamas, Sharma said. While the gathering wondered what he wanted to convey and some shouted that he will look bad, Atalji said that by ensuring his own victory as MP from Lucknow, people had given him a kurta, the minister recalled. But Vajpayee wanted the 'pajamas' too to go with his 'kurta', and that meant a win in the local elections. "This witty remark by Atalji catapulted me to the post of Lucknow's mayor. While opposition candidates were using money and muscle power for winning polls, I got the seat on a platter, Sharma said. Wherever I went, people assured me that I should not worry as they have to give the pajamas to Atalji," he said. Vajpayee was elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. Sharma, a commerce professor at the Lucknow University, was the city's mayor from 2006 to 2017, when he became deputy CM in Yogi Adityanath government. Sharma said words fail him when he tries to describe Vajpayee. His personality cannot be summed up in words. He was the one who sculpted the BJP, the minister said, adding that the leader helped fill the vacuum left in the party with the death of Deen Dayal Upadhyay. "Now he is no more physically but his thoughts will remain, he said. People will do research into them just like they study Gandhian philosophy, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA and Freelancer.com has announced three winners of the latest crowdsourcing contest Astrobee Challenges Series including Amit Biswas from India. NASA sought candidates to design alternatives for an attachment and orientation arm for Astrobee, the flying robotic assistant that will provide support to astronauts on the space station ISS. The three selected winners include Nino Wunderlin from South Africa, Myrdal Manzano from the Philippines, and Amit Biswas from India, who entered the competition with his company Triassic Robotics. Amit Biswas is a 36-year-old software engineer who was excited to participate in the Design a Simple Deployment Mechanism ?contest, a statement said. "I am very passionate about robotics in general and space robotics is particularly interesting. I was excited to work on this project right from the beginning," Biswas said. In recent years, NASA has used Freelancer.com to hold several crowdsourcing campaigns in order to find innovative solutions to engineering problems they come across. The Astrobee Challenges Series is still ongoing as there are nine contests that have not been unlocked yet. A total of USD 25,000 will be awarded when the entire series is completed, with individual prizes ranging from USD 250 to USD 5,000. The final challenge is set to conclude in September, 2018. The NASA-Freelancer.com collaboration began in 2015. Since then it has continued to open the door to designers and engineers who are ready to showcase their skills regardless of where they come from. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman in her early 20s died of burn injuries after she was allegedly set afire in front of her boyfriend's house here today, police said. Locals found the woman engulfed in flames outside the house of her boyfriend, Amit Yadav, in Bondhamunda locality here this morning, police said. They shifted the woman to Ispat General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, said Bira Kishore Mallick of Bandhamunda police station, who is investigating the case. The family members of the woman have alleged that Amit and his parents set her on fire. Biranchi Nayak, father of the woman, lodged a complaint with the police in this regard. He claimed that his daughter, Asha Nayak and Amit were in a relationship for the last two years and both had decided to get married. However, for the last few days, Amit was trying to evade her and a few days back he refused to marry her. Mallick said Amit has been absconding since the incident occured while his parents have been detained. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman was shot dead by suspected militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district today, police said. Shameema Bano, a resident of Quil, was shot in the Drubgam area of Pulwama, an official said. He said the woman was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead. A police spokesman said banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was behind the killing of the woman. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Lewis KrauskopfNEW YORK (Reuters) - Less reporting by U.S. corporations could put shareholders in the dark, allow companies to drift off course and even make U.S. stocks less attractive and create less public company investment, some investors and analysts argue.U.S. President Donald Trump's move to ask the Securities and Exchange Commission to study allowing companies to file reports every six months instead of every three alarmed financial professionals who are used to getting detailed reports from companies every 90 days."Cut reporting frequency in half and you invite mischief and ... By Rajendra Jadhav and Sumita LayekMUMBAI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Physical gold demand in India regained momentum this week as jewellers stocked up after prices dipped to their lowest in over seven months, with lower prices attracting fresh buying and driving premiums higher in other major Asian hubs as well.Dealers in India, the second biggest gold consumer after China, were charging a premium of up to $1 an ounce, compared with a discount of $1.5 last week, as prices fell to their lowest since Jan. 10, at 29,268 rupees, earlier on Friday.Jewellery demand was robust during the India ... MILAN (Reuters) - Italian toll-road operator Autostrade per l'Italia is expected to hold an extraordinary board meeting next Tuesday to discuss the Genoa bridge disaster, a source said.The company, 88 percent owned by Atlantia, has become engulfed in a political row over its motorway concessions after the bridge collapsed on Tuesday claiming at least 38 victims.Atlantia, controlled by Italy's Benetton family, is expected to hold a board meeting on Wednesday, the source said.No management changes at the group are expected, the source said. (Reporting by Paola Arosio, writing by Stephen ... MILAN (Reuters) - Italian toll-road group Atlantia has called special board meetings next week to discuss the deadly collapse of a bridge it operates in Genoa, a source said on Friday.Autostrade per l'Italia, the Atlantia unit that manages the stretch of motorway in northern Italy where the bridge is located, is expected to hold a board meeting on Tuesday while the Benetton-backed parent company will hold its own meeting on Wednesday, the source said.A series of technical and legal issues will be presented to Atlantia and Autostrade board members next week, according to the source .No ... SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian court quashed an indigenous group's bid to block Indian resource conglomerate Adani Enterprises Ltd from developing its controversial Carmichael coalmine on Friday, clearing one of the final legal hurdles to its development.The company is still securing financing for the A$4 billion ($2.9 billion) first stage of the huge mine, but the company said the verdict allows it to secure land tenure for the site. The Carmichael mine has faced years of delays amid opposition from environmental groups who argue it will contribute to global warming and damage the ... By Paulina DuranSYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's top financial regulators took to the stand at an inquiry into financial-sector misconduct on Friday to defend their low-key enforcement of laws designed to protect the country's A$2.6 trillion ($1.9 trillion) pension system. Under questioning at the Royal Commission of inquiry, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) said its "behind-the-scenes" approach to dealing with breaches by large institutions was to limit damage to pension fund members. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the corporate regulator, was ... GFA Launches Disaster Relief Effort to Aid Victims of 'Grave' Kerala Flooding Helpers make 'please pray' appeal as emergency supplies are rushed to Indian state hit by worst flooding in almost a century Contact: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660 WILLS POINT, Texas, Aug. 17, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- GFA (Gospel for Asia, www.gfa.org) has issued an urgent appeal for help in responding to some of the worst flooding in almost a century that has claimed several hundred lives and displaced nearly a quarter of a million people in southern India. Photo: GFA's disaster relief fund helps take relief supplies to victims of natural disasters like this onethe worst flooding in India's Kerala state in almost a century. For more information, go to gfa.org/flood. GFA-supported workers have already begun distributing emergency supplies to some of the victims of the torrential rain in Kerala state, which has disrupted transportation and communication. Official rescue and relief efforts are also getting underway in many places with government help. Some people have had to be rescued from rooftops by helicopter and by boat, while buildings and bridges have been swept away. Thirteen of Kerala's 14 districts have been affected in what chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has called an "extremely grave" crisis. While GFA-supported workers are gathering dry ration kits containing food, clean water and other essentials like clothes, tarps and toiletries, they are still waiting to learn the full extent of their own losses from the flooding in the region, where they have been involved in a wide range of caring ministries for decades. So far, at least one church led by a GFA-supported pastor and several Bridge of Hope centers are known to have been damaged. "I have never seen rain like this in my life," said GFA founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan. "No matter which way I look, it is like I am surrounded by an ocean of water. Many have escaped with only the clothes on their backs. To rebuild and restore what has been lost will take time. We are doing all we can to help those in immediate need, and we are asking people everywhere to stand with us through prayers and giving so that we can do more to bring comfort and care in the name of Jesus." In a special emergency appeal report posted at GFA's website, video footage from GFA-supported workers in the area shows water surging up the side of buildings, and people lining up to be taken away by boat. Standing in water that covers the main local highway, Dr. Daniel Johnson, leader of GFA-supported medical ministry, says, "We are helping. We are trying to do what we can, but do pray. There is a lot more help we need." Donations to support GFA's disaster relief work in Kerala can be made at gfa.org/flood. To schedule an interview with a GFA representative, please contact Gregg Wooding @ 972-567-7660 or gwooding@inchristcommunications.com. GFA (Gospel for Asia, www.gfa.org) and its worldwide affiliates havefor almost 40 yearsprovided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News. Last year, this included more than 70,000 children, free medical services in over 1,200 villages and remote communities, 4,000 wells drilled, 11,000 water filters installed, Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. India's Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd will keep a secondary unit at its 120,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) Mumbai refinery offline for at least two months following a fire last week, two industry sources said on Friday. When contacted, a BPCL spokesman could not immediately confirm the duration of the shutdown, saying that a decision will be made in one to two days. The middle distillates-making unit, a 6,000-tonnes per day (tpy) hydrocracker, was shut since August 8 following a fire that left 40 people injured. Middle distillates are namely, gasoil and jet ... By Ben MartinLONDON (Reuters) - Britain's markets watchdog has so far been contacted by only one company interested in taking advantage of a rule it introduced to attract state-owned firms like Saudi Aramco to London, the regulator told Reuters without naming the firm. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) drew criticism from major institutional investors and British lawmakers when it outlined plans in July last year for a premium stock market category that would exempt businesses controlled by sovereigns from meeting certain requirements.Aramco's initial public offering (IPO), which could ... BEIJING (Reuters) - China has sacked a senior provincial official and is probing a former top drug regulator after a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co Ltd, which again warned it could be delisted over the scandal.The company was accused in July of falsifying data for a rabies vaccine and manufacturing an ineffective vaccine for babies, sparking widespread consumer anger.While there were no known reports of people being harmed by the vaccines, regulators ordered Changsheng to halt their production and recall the rabies vaccine. Changsheng has apologised and said it is ... By Jessica Jaganathan and Florence TanSINGAPORE (Reuters) - Crude oil shipments to Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd's Kochi refinery in southern India were delayed due to heavy rains preventing vessels from berthing, two industry sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.Three vessels, including two very large crude oil carriers (VLCC) and one Suezmax, carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, have been waiting to unload the oil for 5 to 12 days, shipping data on Thomson Reuters Eikon showed.Suezmax Sri Vishnu carrying Saudi crude has been waiting to unload since Aug. 12, according to ... By Rajesh Kumar SinghCHICAGO (Reuters) - Deere & Co on Friday offered an optimistic forecast for the U.S. farm economy amid an escalating tariff war with China and other big trade partners as its quarterly profit missed estimates on higher raw material and freight costs.Shares of the world's largest manufacturer of tractors and harvesting equipment erased early losses to turn higher, trading up 2.6 percent at $140.98.The trade showdown has depressed U.S. farm commodity prices as China and other trading partners target agricultural exports through retaliatory tariffs, clouding the outlook for ... By Rajesh Kumar SinghCHICAGO (Reuters) - Deere & Co's profits in the third quarter missed Wall Street estimates on higher raw material and freight costs, sending shares 3.3 percent lower.The world's largest manufacturer of tractors and harvesting combines did not change its full-year earnings forecast, banking on replacement demand for large agricultural equipment. It is "confident" it would deliver adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in the fiscal 2018, it said in its Friday quarterly report, versus $2.2 billion in fiscal 2017.JP Morgan analysts said that would translate into $9.45 per ... By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Stine JacobsenCOPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A.P. Moller-Maersk said on Friday it would spin off its offshore drilling operation and list it in Copenhagen next year, the latest move by the Danish shipping company to focus entirely on transport and logistics.Maersk, which cut its full-year profit outlook this month, sold Maersk Oil to French oil major Total last year in a $7.5 billion deal as part of a restructuring under Soren Skou, who became chief executive in 2016.Skou used to head Maersk's container business and is a long-time veteran of the Danish firm whose ... By Jessica DiNapoli and Nate RaymondNEW YORK/BOSTON (Reuters) - OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP has tapped law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP for financial restructuring advice, as its potential liabilities swell with a wave of lawsuits over the opioid addiction epidemic sweeping the United States, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Purdue and other opioid manufacturers, including Endo International Plc and Johnson & Johnson , have been fighting hundreds of lawsuits filed by U.S. states, counties and cities accusing the drugmakers of pushing addictive painkillers through ... CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. tractor maker Deere & Co on Friday reported a third-quarter profit that missed analysts' estimates on higher raw material and freight costs, sending shares down 4.4 percent in premarket trading.The Moline, Illinois-based company did not change its full-year earnings forecast, banking on replacement demand for large agricultural equipment.Adjusted profit in the latest quarter totaled $2.59 per share, lower than the average analyst estimate of $2.75. The cost of production as a percentage of net sales increased to 77 percent from 75.2 percent in the second ... By Sudarshan Varadhan and Abinaya VijayaraghavanNEW DELHI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - India on Friday allowed import of petcoke for use as feedstock in some industries, sending shares of cement manufacturers higher.Cement companies, which account for about three-fourths of the country's petcoke use, were impacted by petcoke-related policy flip-flops, which began with a supreme court judgment banning use of the fuel in and around capital New Delhi last year.The directorate general of foreign trade banned the use of imported petcoke as fuel, but said shipments for use as feedstock in certain ... NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India on Friday banned the import of petcoke for use as fuel, but said shipments for use as feedstock in some industries was allowed.Usage of petcoke, a dirtier alternative to coal, in the energy-hungry country has come under scrutiny due to rising pollution levels in major cities. "Import of Petcoke is allowed for only cement, lime kiln, calcium carbide and gasification industries, when used as the feedstock or in the manufacturing process on actual user condition," the directorate general of foreign trade said. As the world's largest consumer of petcoke, India imports ... By Rajendra JadhavMUMBAI (Reuters) - India's palm oil imports are likely to fall 15 percent in 2017/18 from the year before to their lowest in six years, hit by a hike in import taxes, a weaker rupee and tighter credit for would-be buyers, a senior industry official told Reuters.Reduced purchases by the world's top importer of the oil, where it is widely used to fry foods such as samosas or bhajis, could pile more pressure on benchmark international futures that are already trading near their lowest in three years."Local prices moved up due to higher import tax and depreciation in the rupee. ... MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian currency and debt markets are closed on Friday for a local holiday and trading would resume on Monday, but the local stock markets will be functioning as normal.On Thursday, the benchmark 10-year bond yield ended at 7.86 percent, up 4 basis points from its Tuesday's close.All financial markets including stocks were closed on Wednesday for Independence Day celebrations.The partially convertible rupee closed Thursday at 70.15/16 per dollar versus its previous close of 69.90/91. It hit a record low of 70.40 during the session. (Reporting by Swati Bhat)(This story has ... By Sai Sachin Ravikumar and Aditi ShahBENGALURU/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Jet Airways Ltd is in talks to sub-lease nearly half its ATR turboprop aircraft to regional carrier TruJet, in a move that will reduce its presence in the competitive domestic market as the beleaguered airline struggles to raise money.Jet Airways deferred reporting earnings earlier this month, sending its shares to a three-year low. Just days earlier it had told staff it was running out of cash, sources told Reuters.TruJet's commercial head, Senthil Raja, said the company was in talks with Jet Airways to take seven ... Jet Airways (India) Ltd's board will meet on Aug. 27 to approve financial results for the quarter ended June 30, the beleaguered carrier said on Friday, after it delayed its quarterly results earlier this month. India's biggest full-service airline deferred its quarterly results on Aug. 9, sending its shares to a three-year low. Jet said on Aug. 3 it would be able to cut costs and keep flying, despite reports that it had warned staff it was running out of cash. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's economy expanded at a much slower pace of 4.5 percent in the second quarter, hit by commodity production "shocks", leading the central bank to cut its full-year growth forecast for Southeast Asia's third-largest economy.The April-June rate was well below the 5.2 percent forecast in a Reuters poll, but the central bank remains cautiously optimistic about the second half of the year.The quarter had the slowest growth since October-December 2016."Growth in the mining sector contracted due mainly to unplanned supply outages, while the agriculture sector was ... (Reuters) - Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, could help fund a bid to take electric car company Tesla Inc private, the New York Times reported on Thursday, quoting people familiar with the matter. Musk startled Wall Street last week when he said in a tweet he was considering taking the auto company private for $420 per share and that funding was "secured." He has since said he is searching for funds for the effort.Musk said on Monday that the manager of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund had voiced support for the company going private several times, including as recently as two weeks ... By David ShepardsonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - A company owned by Elon Musk that is trying to lower the cost of building high-speed transit tunnels has asked the Trump administration to exempt it from tariffs for some Chinese-made tunnel boring machine components, warning the tariffs could significantly delay a planned tunnel between New York and Washington.In a July 31 letter posted last week on a government website, the Boring Co asked the U.S. Trade Representative to exempt parts like cutterheads, screw conveyors and related machinery. Boring seeks "limited parts from China in the near-term for ... OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Thanks to $150,000 in state Tidelands funds, the City of Ocean Springs will be able to address what has long been a problem with beach erosion along a stretch of Front Beach. City grants administrator Carolyn Martin confirmed the City had received the $150,000 in Tidelands funds as part of the state's Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The money will be used to create a "living shoreline" along a roughly 200-foot stretch of Front Beach from the foot of Martin Avenue going toward Ocean Springs Yacht Club. "We hope to have that completed by early spring," Martin said. "We're looking to mitigate the erosion from the tidal energy from the water side. It's under final design and we should be ready to bid out the construction elements in the next couple of months." The project will involve both some planting and ground work, Martin said, to create a barrier of mostly submerged and low-lying plantings, mainly marsh grass, to hold the shoreline and create a larger sand area. For years, that area of the beach has suffered from erosion, at times to the point there was literally no beach between the seawall and the water. Until now, the only solution has been for Jackson County to bring in tons of sand from George County to replenish the beach. But the current project may only be the beginning. The City has requested an additional $240,000 in Tidelands funds to address similar issues along other sections of Front Beach. Martin said the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has recommended the grant be awarded, but the City must wait until the legislature finishes its FY19 budget process before it will know whether all or a portion of the $240,00 will actually be received by the City. Martin noted that municipalities and counties in Mississippi generally have to apply for Tidelands grants a year and a half before the money is actually received, if approved. In essence, the erosion mitigation project about to begin is a "test project" leading to the second, Martin said. "The second project would be an extension of the first," she said, "taking elements of the test project and applying them to other areas of the beach, as well as mitigating the erosion caused by stormwater runoff from the roadway. "You go up and down the beach and you find different issues in different locations. Some have more issues with tidal erosion, while others have more issues with stormwater runoff. We leapfrog as we go. We find things that work and then we apply for more (grants)." Beyond the Tidelands-funded erosion mitigation, Martin said the City also received grant money to repair the fire pits damaged or destroyed during last year's Hurricane Nate. Also, alderman Rob Blackman said the City is working with Jackson County officials to consider drainage improvements for Front Beach. "Once we get the drainage worked out," Blackman said, "we're going to right all that mess down there, where they sand looks black from staying wet all the time and the trashy-looking, in my opinion, grass. "We're going to address all that once we get the drainage issues resolved." By Aaron Sheldrick and Dmitry ZhdannikovTOKYO/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday but were heading for yet another weekly decline as concerns intensified that trade disputes and slowing global economic growth could hit demand for petroleum products.Brent crude oil futures were up 92 cents at $72.25 a barrel by 1237 GMT, after rising over $1 to hit a high of $72.44 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 59 cents to $66.05.Brent was still heading for a 1-percent decline this week, a third consecutive weekly drop. WTI, meanwhile, is on track for a seventh week ... By Aaron Sheldrick and Dmitry ZhdannikovTOKYO/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Oil prices edged up on Friday but were heading for yet another weekly decline amid increasing concern over trade disputes and slowing global economic growth that could hit demand for petroleum products.Brent crude oil futures were up 30 cents at $71.73 a barrel by 0910 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 18 cents to $65.64.Brent is heading for a 1.5 percent decline this week, a third consecutive weekly drop. WTI, meanwhile, is on track for a seventh week of losses with a fall of 3 percent. Traders said the ... By Jessica Resnick-AultNEW YORK (Reuters) - Crude prices edged higher on Friday, but retreated from session highs and were headed for another weekly decline on worries that oversupply would weigh on the U.S. market while trade disputes and slowing global economic growth would slow demand for oil. U.S. crude was on track for its seventh consecutive weekly decline and global benchmark Brent was set to drop for a third week."One of the biggest concerns out there is that China's demand numbers are coming down if China's GDP growth is slowing," said Tariq Zahir, managing member at Tyche Capital in ... By Jessica Resnick-AultNEW YORK (Reuters) - Crude prices rose on Friday, but declined on the week on worries that oversupply would weigh on the U.S. market while trade disputes and slowing global economic growth would dampen demand for oil. U.S. crude declined for the seventh consecutive week, and global benchmark Brent was dropped for a third week."One of the biggest concerns out there is that China's demand numbers are coming down if China's GDP growth is slowing," said Tariq Zahir, managing member at Tyche Capital in New York.Brent crude oil futures settled up 40 cents, or 0.6 percent, at ... DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi state oil giant Saudi Aramco remains committed to meeting future oil demand through continued investments, the kingdom's Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih said in a company report on Friday. Aramco, which is slated for a public share sale, "continued to prepare itself for the listing of its shares, a landmark event the company and its board anticipate with excitement," Al Falih, who is also chairman of Saudi Aramco, said.Despite an improved market picture, the oil industry's preparedness for the future remained in question as the sector had lost an estimate $1 trillion ... SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose more than expected in July from a year earlier thanks to a surge in pharmaceutical shipments, official data showed on Friday.Exports rose 11.8 percent in July year-on-year, data from the trade agency International Enterprise Singapore showed, accelerating from the revised 0.8 percent rise the month before.This was better than the 6.7 percent increase predicted by economists in a Reuters poll.On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, exports expanded 4.3 percent in July after declining a revised 11.1 percent in June. ... SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea added a mere 5,000 new jobs in July, plunging from 106,000 a month earlier, official data showed on Friday, the smallest increase since January 2010 in the depths of the global financial crisis.The latest job creation rate is far below the 72,000 reported in in May, which the South Korean finance minister said was a "shock".July unemployment rate stood at a seasonally adjusted at 3.8 percent, up 0.1 percent in June. Youth unemployment remained high at 9.3 percent, unchanged from June. (Reporting by Hayoung Choi; Editing By Eric Meijer)(This story has not been ... By Norihiko ShirouzuBEIJING (Reuters) - Japan's Toyota Motor Corp will build additional capacity at its auto plant in China's Guangzhou, a company source said, in addition to beefing up production at a factory in Tianjin city by 120,000 vehicles a year.A person close to the company said Toyota will build capacity at the production hub in the south China city of Guangzhou to also produce an additional 120,000 vehicles a year, an increase of 24 percent over current capacity. All together, between the eastern port city of Tianjin and Guangzhou, Toyota will boost its overall manufacturing ... SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Tyson Foods agreed to acquire U.S.-based chicken processor Keystone Foods from Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig Global Foods SA for $2.5 billion, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.The agreement was signed by Marfrig's controlling shareholder Marcos Molina on Thursday evening, the sources added, asking for anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Marfrig and Tyson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is ... By David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mexico's economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Friday he hopes to conclude by the middle of next week outstanding bilateral issues with the United States surrounding the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)."Hopefully we will be able to close up no later than the middle of the week," Guajardo told reporters outside the U.S. Trade Representative's office, adding that Canada could then rejoin the talks to rework the trade pact.Most of the issues between Mexico and the United States are "advancing well," the minister ... (Reuters) - Walmart Inc has asked some beauty suppliers to consider sourcing products from outside China, as it looks for ways to mitigate the impact of a new set of tariffs on Chinese products proposed by the Trump administration.In an email sent to some beauty suppliers on Aug. 7, seen by Reuters, the retailer asks if they have facilities outside China, and if not, whether they would consider investing in them, to broaden their sourcing ability.Many cosmetics products like shampoos, lipsticks and makeup fall under the most recent list of proposed levies on Chinese goods. Walmart spokesman ... Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites were performed at Smriti Sthal with full state honour today. Earlier in the morning, the mortal remains of Vajpayee were taken to BJP's national headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where people paid homage to the poet prime minister. PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were walking alongside the funeral casket. Top dignitaries from SAARC nations are attending last rites of the former Prime Minister. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrived in Delhi earlier in the day to pay their last respects. Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Pakistan's acting information minister Syed Zafar Ali and a senior minister from Afghanistan are also expected to arrive later today to pay their respects to Vajpayee. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. LIVE UPDATES: 05:00 pm: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites performed at Smriti Sthal with full state honour. 04:30 pm: Top dignitaries from SAARC nations - King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar - pay their tributes to the former Prime Minister. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/BaWegOx4mi - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 04:15 pm: Last salute accorded to former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal. 03:55 pm: The body of former Prime Miniter Atal Bihari Vajpayee reaches Smriti Sthal. Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi, Former PM Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit Shah, senior BJP leader LK Advani, Congress President Rahul Gandhi at Smriti Sthal for funeral of Vajpayee. 03:15 pm: The mortal remains of former Prime Miniter Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national President Amit Shah and other BJP leaders walk alongside Vajpayee's cavalcade. 02:35 pm: The gun carriage carrying the remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee is on its way to Smriti Sthal. The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for funeral. PM Modi and Amit Shah also take part in the procession. pic.twitter.com/hYoFo2Zns3 - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is walking right behind the gun carriage towards Smriti Sthal. 01:35 pm: The funeral procession of Atalji has begun. The nation bids farewell to the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 01:15 pm: Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar also opened up about the loss of Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a telephonic interview. "He used to consider me as his daughter. I used to call him Dada," says Lata Mangeshkar. The veteran singer told India Today TV that the memories of Atalji cannot be erased. The veteran singer compared the feeling of losing him to the time she lost her father. 12:50 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. It was the speciality of Atal ji that he never let humanity be harmed due to the political & ideological differences. Such principle is needed in the country today: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/zAnzCI2Dus - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 12:35 pm: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali will attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Today, he said, "We remember him (AB Vajpayee) for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War and strong support to people of Bangladesh. He had great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became Foreign Minister". Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/oRtSqslSVR - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 12:10 pm: Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani with Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family at the BJP Headquarters. Advani and his daughter Pratibha pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/pKK5f5Suok - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 11:50 am: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, DMK leader A Raja, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Manipur CM N Biren Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. Delhi: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/fTC8MDUvOH - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 11:45 am: Pakistan government's delegation gets visa for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral. The delegation will pay homage to Vajpayee in New Delhi. 11:30 am: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrives in Delhi. He will attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/cjQZZ5CjsY - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/HfqBe0xdcP - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Delhi: A huge crowd of people has joined the procession as the mortal remains of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee are being taken from his residence to the BJP Headquarters. People are chanting 'Atal Bihari amar rahe' and 'Vande Mataram'. pic.twitter.com/MYJ5BcTi9k - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reaches the BJP headquarters from his residence on the Krishna Menon Marg. A huge crowd has gathered outside the BJP headquarters where the top party leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and several union ministers will pay their last respects.Thousands of people gather at BJP Headquarters where mortal remains of former Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee will be brought shortly.The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are being taken to BJP Headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. 10:00 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today penned down his thoughts on Vajpayee. "With the passing away of Atal Ji, India has lost an 'Anmol Ratna'," says PM Modi. 09:54 am: Former Prime Minister Vajpayee's mortal remains cavalcade leaves from his residence and will reach the Bharatiya Janata Party's national headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg shortly. Delhi: The mortal remains of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee are being taken to BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/pdAlxzSmpi - ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on AB Vajpayee US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Thursday said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security. In a statement, Pompeo said: "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee." He further said that Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to the country's rise as a global and economic power. "He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian," Pompeo said. Roads that will be closed today for Vajpayee's funeral The Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday announced that several roads in the national capital would be closed for the public today in view of Vajpayee's funeral. Some of the roads that have been closed from 8 am today are Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. Here's how the world reacted to the former PM's departure Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died yesterday - a loss that was not only felt in India but the world politics as well. While India is observing seven days of state mourning as a mark of respect to Vajpayee, countries such as the United States, Russia and Japan too have condoled the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The United States on AB Vajpayee In a statement issued on Thursday, the American Embassy said that the US grieved with India on the loss of the former Prime Minister. "He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations. During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as 'natural allies'," it said. Imran Khan on AB Vajpayee Pakistan Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan in a statement said that Vajpayee was a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and his death has created a big void. "Efforts of Mr Vajpayee for improvement in relations between Pakistan and India will be remembered forever," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief said. READ ALSO: How Atal Bihari Vajpayee's economic policies paved way for India's growth Russia Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said, "We mourn the death of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a great statesman." He further said that Vajpayee's name became an integral part of a whole era in Indian politics. "His devoted service to the nation can hardly be overestimated. Mr Vajpayee enjoyed due respect in India and globally. We knew him also as a poet, a man of knowledge and a true friend of our country, where he is well-known as one of the architects of our long-lasting and time-tested privileged strategic partnership," Kudashev said. READ ALSO: Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The financial reformist Japan Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee". Hailing Vajpayee as one of the most inspiring world leaders, the envoy said the upswing in India-Japan relations was only possible by the initiatives started by the former Indian Prime Minister. "The demise of such a great leader is a great loss not only to India but also to Japan and other part of Asia as well as the entire international community," he said. Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had an unsaid connection with the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. There was a time when he went looking for Pandit Nehru's portrait that went missing from the parliament's South Block. Years later, during a parliament speech he recalled the entire incident. In late 70s, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was given the profile of foreign minister, he noticed that one of Pandit Nehru's pictures was missing from the gallery. "Friends in Congress may not believe this, but a portrait of Nehru would hang in South Block. I would see it whenever I passed by," he had said in his speech. "I then asked where did it (portrait) go? I got no reply. That portrait was restored," Vajpayee had said, drawing applause in the House. To inculcate a spirit of democracy in fellow parliamentarians, Vajpayee then asked if people respected such sentiments. "Should such sentiments germinate? (Kya is bhavna ki kadra hai? Kya is desh mey ye bhavna panpe?)" He went on reminiscing about the days when he had conflicts with Pandit Nehru but they still shared a warm relationship. "It is not that there were no difference of opinion between us. And, it would surface seriously during discussions," he said. "Once I had told Panditji that his personality was mixed in nature, and that there was both a (Winston) Churchill and a (Neville) Chamberlain in him," the veteran politician said, adding that Nehru was "not upset" at that. "In the evening, I met him at a banquet, and he (Nehru) told me it was a solid speech and walked away smiling. Today, to do such criticism is to invite enmity. People will stop talking," Vajpayee had said. The 10th Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday, after a prolonged bout with various life-threatening diseases. He suffered from kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and respiratory problems. In 2009, after a major stroke, the leader known for his oratorical skills found it difficult to converse. In June this year, he was admitted to AIIMS. Edited by Danny D'Cruze In June, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had declared a target of doubling the national transporter's revenue to Rs 4 lakh crore by 2025. One of the ways he hopes to achieve that is by enhancing freight capacity since it already accounts for 65 per cent of its total revenues. In fact, the buzz is that the Indian Railways wants to increase its share of total freight movement from 33 per cent to 45 per cent. No wonder it is now looking beyond the 3,300-km long eastern and western freight corridors currently being constructed. According to The Economic Times, the Indian Railways plans to invest Rs 44,000 crore to build a 1,100-km greenfield freight corridor along the country's east coast to connect Kharagpur in West Bengal with Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. In other words, this proposed corridor - likely to be announced in the budget proposal for 2019-20 - will link up the mineral-rich areas of the country with industries in the south and is expected to carry about 200 million tonnes of freight per annum. "There is very heavy traffic on this route. The work on the proposal is currently going on," Anurag Sachan, managing director at Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation (DFCC), told the daily, adding, "We will be proposing funding from multilateral agencies along with some equity from Indian Railways for the project." However, before the DFCC turns its attention to this corridor, it has to deliver the eastern and the western corridors, which have missed several deadlines. To remind you, the eastern one runs from Ludhiana, Punjab, to West Bengal's Dankuni, totalling 1,856 km. Meanwhile, the western corridor links Dadri, near Delhi, to Jawahar Lal Nehru Port, Mumbai (1,504 km). A source in the railway ministry had told PTI after a review meeting in May that the entire project, being constructed at the cost of a whopping Rs 81,000 crore, would be completed by March 31, 2020. Incidentally, this is India's first mega railway project since Independence. The report added that the first phase of both corridors - 432 km of the western corridor and 343 km of the eastern one - is likely to be operational by the end of the current fiscal itself. The western corridor is being funded by Japan International Corporation Agency while the eastern corridor from is being partly funded by the World Bank. When ready, these dedicated corridors would ease the burden of the existing railway network and strengthen the economic backbone of the country. Freight trains on these corridors will run at 100 kmph as against the current maximum speed of 75 kmph on Indian railway tracks. The average speed of freight trains will also increase from existing 26 kmph to 70 kmph. This will not only significantly reduce the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah, the country's most congested rail routes, but also allow the Railways to run more trains. And, of course, freight capacity will shoot up. The daily reports that once operational, these corridors will increase the national transporter freight carrying capacity to over 2,000 million tonnes, up around 66% from the existing 1,200 million tonnes. "It will also lead to reduction in cost of freight transportation," added Sachan. After all, as the Railways adds more capacity, its freight rates will come down and that, in turn, will increase volumes. With PTI inputs Customs and Logistics is the single biggest Brexit challenge facing Irish business according to an Enterprise Ireland survey which took place at its Dublin Brexit Advisory Clinic in June. Almost half (49%) of the respondents to the audience participation poll ranked Customs and Logistics as their greatest concern. This was followed by Financial and Currency Management at 19% and Market Diversification at 13%. To help deal with these challenges, Enterprise Ireland has set up a 5k Be Prepared Grant to support Customs and Logistics training for client companies. Four further events are planned as part of Enterprise Irelands series of nationwide Brexit Advisory Clinics advising Irish companies on the supports available to help them address their Brexit exposure. The clinics, which include one-to-one meetings with independent experts, will continue in Galway (Tuesday 2nd October), Dundalk (Monday 22nd October), Waterford (Thursday 8th November) and Limerick (Wednesday 21st November). Companies will be briefed on the broad implications of Brexit, specifically around customs, strategic sourcing, financial management, employment law and the movement of people. Speaking this week, Brexit Unit Manager at Enterprise Ireland, Jonathan McMillan said, "Enterprise Ireland is actively supporting Irish companies on a daily basis to respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, including issues such as Customs and Logistics. The uncertainty around outcomes of the Brexit negotiations continues, so it is imperative that companies take the necessary steps to reduce risk and ensure they are more innovative and competitive, and to diversify into new markets, to steer through the challenges ahead." Source: www.businessworld.ie DataSolutions this week announced that it has had its best ever year, growing group revenues by 34% to 40 million for year-end 31st March 2018. The specialist IT distributor has doubled its business in the past three years and is on-track to grow to 80 million by 2021. The UK market now accounts for 30% of DataSolutions business and the company expects this to grow to 50% in the next three years. The company is developing an expansion fund to continue the growth in both the Irish and UK markets. Part of this expansion fund will be ear-marked for acquisitions as DataSolutions seeks to acquire complementary businesses in the UK and Ireland. Speaking this week, Group Managing Director at DataSolutions, Michael OHara said, "2017 was DataSolutions best year yet and its extremely positive to see our business continue to grow as we work towards our goal of doubling revenues to 80 million in the next three years. After almost three decades of growth in Ireland, its been a novel, exciting but also a challenging experience growing from a start-up position in the UK to build our brand there." He added, "Establishing a foothold in the UK opens huge possibilities for us and doing so in advance of Brexit is something that we feel is a smart step in future-proofing the business from whatever the final outcome may be." Source: www.businessworld.ie PRODUCTS 1. Chinas First Fully Homegrown Browser Is Actually Based on Googles Chrome, Caixin Finds What: Chinese company Redcores web browser, which has been touted as Chinas first fully homegrown browser, has been found by internet users and Caixin to actually be derived from Googles Chrome. Redcores co-founder Gao Jing responded on Thursday that though the web browser is based on open-source resources from Chrome, it still uses domestic core technology and has other innovative elements. Why its important: The incident raises doubts about local companies commitment to achieving the technological independence China has long yearned for. Under its independent innovation strategy, China has been encouraging domestic companies to develop key technologies in areas traditionally dominated by American companies. (Source: Caixin) POLICY 2. China Asks Bad-Debt Managers to Help Address P2P Risks What: Chinas banking and insurance regulator has met with four state-owned asset management companies (AMCs) to discuss creating a channel for AMCs to act as custodians for peer-to-peer lending (P2P) assets, sources told Caixin. Why its important: So far there has been no precedent for AMCs to deal with P2P assets. However, a source said AMCs roles are expected to not be limited to acting as custodians, and they might also directly buy out certain P2P assets. Big picture: Hundreds of online Chinese P2P lending platforms have recently gone bust amid an intensifying crackdown on shadow banking, part of a broader campaign to reduce risks in the financial system. (Source: Caixin) DEALS & FUNDRAISING 3. Online Medical Service Platform Moves Into Southeast Asia With Singapores Grab What: Chinese online medical services company Ping An Good Doctor will form a joint venture with Singapores Grab Holdings to provide integrated health care services to the Southeast Asian market, the company announced Thursday. Why its important: Ping An Good Doctor is billed as Chinas largest medical service platform, with 32.9 million monthly active users and a daily average of 370,000 online consultations in 2017. The recently listed company saw its revenue grow 150% from the previous year to 1.12 billion yuan ($162,400) in the first half of 2018. Big picture: A big gap still exists between the needs of Southeast Asias large population and the capabilities of its existing medical infrastructure. Indonesia, for instance, has only one doctor for every 5,000 people, a measure significantly lower than the three to four doctors per 1,000 people that is typical in high-income countries. (Source: Tencent, link in Chinese) BIG TECH COMPANIES 4. Didi Moves Ahead in Self-Driving Auto Race What: Ride-hailing giant Didi has set up fleets of dozens of self-driving vehicles and launched road tests in four Chinese and American cities, company co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Zhang Bo said Thursday. Why its important: Didi is the latest to join Uber, Google and Baidu in a race to develop autonomous driving technology for public transport. Earlier this year, Didis Chief Executive Cheng Wei said that the company is set to launch autonomous taxis in 2019. Big picture: Internet giants are rushing to turn experimental self-driving products into commercially viable services. Googles self-driving unit Waymo said it will launch autonomous taxi services in the U.S. by the end of this year, while Chinese search engine Baidu said last month that it was close to rolling out Chinas first autonomous buses ready for commercial use. (Source: Caixin) 5. JD.coms Income Declines in Second Quarter With Slow-Growing Gross Merchandise Value What: Chinas e-commerce giant JD.com saw its net income fall 51% in the second quarter from last year to 478.1 million yuan. The companys gross merchandise value the total value of the goods it sold grew 30.4%, its lowest rate in two years, from the previous year to 437 million yuan. Why its important: Earnings data from JD.com, Chinas second-largest e-commerce platform with 313 million active users, are usually good indicators of the countrys wider consumption trends. (Source: Press release) 6. Lenovos Revenue, Profit Grow in Latest Quarter What: Chinas personal computer giant Lenovo posted revenue of $11.9 billion and net profit of $113 million in the quarter ending in June. Lenovos core PC business has seen continued growth, with its net profit rising 43% from last year. Lenovos smartphone business, however, saw its revenue decline, and continued to lose money. Why its important: Bouncing back from a loss in the same quarter last year, Lenovo has passed the inflection point, company Chairman and CEO Yang Qingyuan said. After acquiring Fujitsus PC division last year, Lenovo now leads the global PC market with a slight advantage over Hewlett Packard. (Source: Caixin, link in Chinese) Compiled by He Shujing China is undergoing an enormous government restructuring, strengthening policy integration among government agencies. A major reform that has been little-noticed outside the climate policy community is the move of the Department of Climate Change from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the influential economic planning agency, to Chinas new Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). Released on Monday, the organizational reform plan, or San Ding Fangan, lays out the MEEs mandate, organizational structure and staffing details. The MEEs mandate on climate policy has three parts to develop macro-level climate strategy, plans and policy; to jointly lead climate international climate change negotiations together with other relevant ministries; and to implement and coordinate affairs related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. What is the implication of these changes in Chinas future climate policy? Shall we expect more-ambitious goals, or the contrary? What specific policies and actions can we expect from the new MEE? Seen in the context of Chinas broader, multiyear effort to improve environmental management, the migration of climate policy authority into a increasingly comprehensive and robust environmental regulatory system, led by the MEE, will likely strengthen Chinas greenhouse gas reduction efforts. And specifically, there are certain things that we might expect and hope for if China is to create a truly effective climate policy strategic system. Harbinger of new policy The new climate change policy mandate signals that China considers climate change to be a part of its long-term domestic environmental strategy and an important component of the ecological civilization vision that President Xi Jinping has been articulating for China. At a national conference on environmental protection attended by six members of the Politburo Standing Committee, Xi emphasized the importance of establishing a national climate change strategy. High-level pronouncements like this one are often a harbinger of formal policy coming down the line, and we are now seeing some early steps in this direction under the MEE. Until recently, Chinese policymakers have tended to see climate change through the prism of development and international diplomacy, as opposed to thinking about it as an environmental concern. In international climate negotiations, China has emphasized that its carbon reduction responsibilities must be balanced against its developmental rights, a position reflected in the fact that the climate change department was part of the NDRC. It was after the 2009 Copenhagen climate change summit that climate change and carbon mitigation became part of Chinas political agenda. Since then, one of the shortcomings of Chinese climate policy has been that it lacks a firm legal basis. Correcting this would fall in line with the MEEs mandate to develop a macro-level climate strategy, plans and policy. The goals set in Chinas 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans reducing carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 16% and 18% respectively are legally binding and undoubtedly powerful in the context of Chinas political framework. However, a law on climate change or a legal definition of carbon dioxide as a pollutant would be a far stronger spur for policy action. Unfortunately, the proposal for a national climate change law, suggested as early as 2009, has not yet made it onto the State Councils legislative agenda. The transfer of the climate portfolio from the NDRC to the MEE might change that. There are three ways this could happen. The first approach would be to give climate policy a firmer institutional foundation to classify greenhouse gases as pollutants that are legally subject to environmental law. Climate policy could conceivably be integrated into Chinas Environmental Protection Law, which will likely see revisions when the MEE announces its work plan. The second approach would be to redefine the term environment in the law to encompass climate, making dangerous climate change a direct target of Chinas increasingly assertive, legally mandated environmental protection efforts. The third approach would be for Chinas legislature to finally create a stand-alone climate change law. At this early stage, the MEE is being structured around traditional environmental concerns air pollution, water quality, waste management, nuclear safety, etc. Each of these areas is governed by a separate law that mandates a focused government response. Targeting specific sources Undoubtedly, China has made great strides in climate policy. The highlights include a commitment to peak energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, setting national carbon intensity targets in the 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans, developing national and subnational greenhouse gas Emissions Control Plans, and launching phase one of the national carbon market. In addition, low-carbon-development pilot programs have been implemented in six provinces, 79 cities, two counties, and 67 industrial parks. These are high-level actions that work through the national and local economies, which is to be expected given the NDRCs broad macroeconomic purview. In contrast, the MEEs environmental protection mandate will bring it closer to the specific sources of emissions. The national carbon market, if implemented well, will reduce emissions at the source. If climate policy is folded into Chinas environmental protection law, it will likely be implemented according to the existing environmental management system. The main pillars of this system are environmental quality and pollutants emissions standards, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV), and environmental impact assessments. Within this environmental management system, we might see China setting greenhouse gas emission standards for power plants, vehicles and energy-intensive industries, as in Europe and California, where standards systems play an important role in bringing down emissions. This would increase the transparency of greenhouse gas emissions data more than ever before because the creation of a source-based emissions inventory would likely be the first step in bringing carbon under an MRV regime. The Environmental Protection Law and other laws on air, water and solid waste require pollutants emission data to be publicly disclosed to the public, but greenhouse gas emissions currently have no such requirement. Bringing transparency to carbon emissions would be a huge step forward. Chinese leadership Few doubt that China will play an increasingly important role in global climate governance. Americas withdrawal from the Paris Agreement comes at a time when China has been ramping up its climate leadership. Xi has highlighted climate change as a central pillar of Chinas contribution to global environmental protection efforts on several occasions. He has described Chinas role as including tuidong he yindao promoting and leading. The former Ministry of Environmental Protection had a good track record implementing international environmental compacts like the Montreal Protocol. The new Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, passed in September 2016, regulates hydrofluorocarbans, the greenhouse gas pollutant used in most cooling technologies. How will the MEE contribute to this leadership drive, given its mandate to help lead international climate negotiations? China has a chance to show leadership in green cooling transition, which sits right at the intersection of the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Agreement. Green cooling transition means improving energy efficiency, contributing to Paris Agreement goals, and replacing refrigerants into climate-friendly options of air conditioners and refrigerators, required by the Kigali Amendment. As China produces over 70% of the worlds air conditioning units, showing leadership in green cooling would be very critical. Bringing green principles to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative will be another way for the country to show its leadership, but it will take a big effort to strike a balance between Chinas economic interests and environmental responsibilities. Innovative strategies are needed here to go from rhetoric to practice. Ready for policy challenge The concern that removing climate policy from the NDRCs mandate might weaken activity in this area is a valid one, since the NDRC remains a powerful overall policy planning body within the Chinese government, and carbon mitigation requires that we rethink economic fundamentals. Pollution control traditionally focuses on end-of-pipe abatement measures, whereas climate change mitigation is only truly practical when it addresses the front-end utilization of energy resources. But the MEE seems ready to take this on. Minister Li Ganjie has emphasized optimizing four structures in explaining the newly released Three-Year Blue Sky Defense Plan. They include China economic, energy, transportation and land-use structures. Allowing the MEE to play a central role in decarbonizing and greening Chinas economic growth will be critical if China wants to have a truly ambitious climate policy. This makes green finance, green insurance, green pricing, and of course carbon pricing more important than ever. Putting a price on climate change risk and incorporating this into investment decisions and infrastructure development will prove to be a key approach to merging climate and economic policy. We can expect China to continue making progress in local environmental protection and global climate change mitigation. Challenges certainly remain, but the creation of the MEE reflects a genuine dedication at the highest levels of Chinas leadership to build an ecological civilization that offers a clean environment at home and much-needed climate leadership in the world at large. Hu Min is the founder and a senior adviser of the Beijing-based think tank Innovative Green Development Program. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Tsinghua Brookings Center of The Brookings Institution. Diego Montero is a strategic adviser at the Innovative Green Development Program. An 85C Bakery Cafe is seen in the Sanlitun area of downtown Beijing on Friday. Photo: Wu Gang/Caixin Taiwans 85C Bakery Cafe has been dropped from Chinese mainland delivery platforms after the islands leader visited one of its stores in Los Angeles, as the chain becomes the latest target of the Chinese mainlands politically sensitive consumers. Although the company has since vowed to firmly support the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship, this failed to appease enraged internet users. Its official website was hacked and is nonoperational as of publication. The turmoil kicked off earlier this week when photos circulated online showing Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen, who heads a party that has long been associated with the policy of Taiwan formally declaring independence from China, standing in an 85C shop with a coffee and a cushion she had signed. The pictures were posted on Facebook on Monday by fellow Democratic Progressive Party politician Tsai Shih-ying, who accompanied the leader in her pit stop in the U.S. en route to Latin America. Shanghai-based news portal eastday.com reported the bakery visit a day later and claimed that 85C had presented a huge customized gift to Tsai. The article was later reposted by higher-profile media outlets, including the Global Times, triggering outrage toward the bakery chain. 85C on Wednesday denied the gifting, explaining that during Tsais visit, an employee asked for the leaders signature on the cushion as a personal souvenir. It said that the company firmly supports the 1992 Consensus and this stance has never changed, citing a political term that states that both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan agree that they belong to China but each side can have its own interpretation on what that means. The company will also continue to push forward the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship, broaden and deepen cross-strait communications and cooperation, and oppose any behavior or remarks that separate the brotherhood of the two sides, 85C said in a statement on its Chinese website and accounts on Chinese mainland-based social media platforms WeChat and Weibo. But the statement didnt satisfy some netizens, who argued that the company only posted the statement on sites that are popular on the Chinese mainland, but didnt mention the controversy on the bakerys Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts. All of those social media platforms are blocked on the Chinese mainland. Major Chinese food delivery services, including Ele.me, owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and Meituan, which is backed by internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., have removed the bakery from their respective platforms. Both delivery firms declined to answer Caixins questions about where the decision to erase 85Cs name came from. The bakerys official Taiwan website, hacked on Thursday to contain doctored pictures of Tsai, is under maintenance. Its site for the Chinese mainland and overseas markets are operational. The bakerys Taipei-listed parent company, Gourmet Master Co. Ltd., saw its shares tumble on Wednesday. It closed down 9.88% on Friday, the lowest point since April 2017. The Chinese mainland is the bakery chains largest market, home to nearly 600 85C stores and contributed to 64.4% of the revenue in 2017. This is the latest example of a consumer business being hit by political turmoil. South Koreas Lotte Group had to put its supermarkets in the China market for sale after domestic consumers anger grew when it allowed the South Korean military to deploy a U.S. anti-missile system on a golf course it owned in response to the increase in nuclear weapon and missile testing by North Korea last year. But Beijing strongly opposed the deployment of the system. Tsai Shih-ying, who accompanied Tsai to Los Angeles, said on Facebook that the visit was aboveboard and opened up opportunities for Taiwan. China has made use of the issue to put pressure on private companies and caused a disturbance, which will only arouse dislike from the Taiwan people and wont help improve cross-strait relations, Tsai said. Contact reporter Coco Feng (renkefeng@caixin.com) American Martyrs Catholic Church officials arrived at the place of worship for Sunday morning Mass earlier this month and discovered an exterior wall and a sidewalk on the building's north side had been defaced with the hateful messages written in spray paint, police say. This Page has moved to a new address: Sorry for the inconvenience Redirection provided by Blogger to WordPress Migration Service news, latest-news It was Delta company's first contact of the Vietnam War and they would never see another like it. The battle began in the mid-afternoon on August 18, 1966, and didn't finish until after dark, the company fighting off a force estimated to be at least 10 times their size in monsoonal rains and under heavy fire. By the time it was over, one in three men were dead or wounded, with soldiers returning to the site of the Battle of Long Tan three years later to plant a cross. The cross came to embody Australia and New Zealand's experience in the Vietnam War, which saw 521 Australians dead and 3129 wounded. On Friday, the Australian War Memorial unveiled the permanent display of the Long Tan Cross in a ceremony attended by Governor General Peter Cosgrove and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Saturday marks the 52nd anniversary of the battle, with August 18 originally Long Tan Day before becoming Vietnam Veterans' Day. Dave Sabben's company found Vietnamese forces and fired the shots which would mark the start of the Battle of Long Tan at about 3.40pm on August 18, 1966. Mr Sabben, then a 21-year-old platoon commander, described Australian artillery landing about 22 metres from where he was, shells bursting at least once a second. The Vietcong were closer still, their bodies being blown toward Mr Sabben and his fellow soldiers, half of which were conscripts in their early 20s. "The noise, the flashes, the gun smoke, the gun fire ... it was deafening. Most of us wear hearing aids nowadays," Mr Sabben said on Friday. Adding to that was the monsoon rains which began to bog the rubber plantation in which the battle was taking place. Mr Sabben's command had unknowingly attacked a force estimated to be at least ten times the size of their 108-strong company. Another man at Long Tan, Terry Burstall, described Vietcong orange tracer rounds - visible bullets which glow - flying overhead. "That meant you could see these rounds coming towards you and hopefully going over you," Mr Burstall said. One hit a medic in the arm, the phosphorous burning through the man's bone. Mr Burstall, then 24 and who had willingly joined the Australian Army for an adventure, crawled into a pool of water to stay below the gunfire. He didn't think he'd get out alive as the battle went into the night. At night, Australian reinforcements arrived, forcing the Vietcong back. Eighteen men were dead and 24 wounded, but it's likely the Australian forces had unwittingly repelled a major attack on a nearby base. Three years later, then-Major Leonard Johnson oversaw the installation of what is now known as the Long Tan Cross. It was a huge operation, with 1000 soldiers involved to install a memorial to the 18 dead in the middle of enemy territory. After a small ceremony, the soldiers left. Mr Johnson remembers looking at the cross as they drove off. Sunlight struggled to break through the dense canopy of the rubber plantation, but Mr Johnson said suddenly a ray of sunlight burst through, lighting up the white painted cross. The cross was built by corporal Barry McAvinue, who built it with concrete and with steel he'd found by the roadside. He didn't know what his construction would come to represent. Mr McAvinue said it was very emotional to see the cross on Friday. "When I left the cross there, I expected it to be blown up in about two or three days by the Vietcong," Mr McAvinue said. "A bit emotional today to see it here and what they've done to it." The memorial will hold a last post on Saturday at 5pm for an Australian air crewman, OBrian Cedric Ignatious Phillips, who died in 1968, to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/58a8b2e2-8bbd-42dd-9154-63a8a90b37a9/r0_285_5568_3431_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, crime CCTV from a Canberra massage therapy business that was gutted by fire shows a person lobbing a flaming object through the window, police say. The fire started about 11pm on Tuesday and destroyed Jenny Magic Massage, which offered traditional Chinese massage treatments in Dundas Court, Phillip. No injuries were reported, but a number of neighbouring businesses including Michael Potter Real Estate received smoke damage and had to close temporarily on Wednesday. Police asked for anyone who witnessed the fire, or who has dash-cam footage from the area between 9pm and 12am on the day, to come forward. Anyone with information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously, quoting reference number 6297849. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/73a05a99-a918-46d9-9df4-49d6f78c5e7c/r38_0_1165_637_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, act-politics Churches would no longer be able to rely on a legal loophole to avoid being sued by survivors of child sexual abuse, under draft laws introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended changes to civil laws to allow survivors to make a claim against an unincorporated body like the church after the experience of abuse survivor John Ellis. The former altar boy attempted to sue the Catholic Church in 2007 for damages, as he was abused by a paedophile priest. However the church managed to argue it did not legally exist as its assets were held in a trust which was protected from legal action. NSW and Victoria have already moved to close the loophole, and ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the territory government would also "smooth the road to justice" for survivors. "The bill is aimed at ending the use of the Ellis defence and to ensure that plaintiffs are not unreasonably deprived of the opportunity for full consideration of the merits of their claim," Mr Ramsay said. "The bill provides greater certainty for these claimants by avoiding or reducing the possibility that the claimant may succeed in establishing liability but not receive any financial benefit because the defendant is unincorporated." The ACT's laws will apply retrospectively and gives the unincorporated body the chance to nominate a proper defendant, a clause Mr Ramsay said "achieves the balance suggested by theroyal commission". "On the one hand it recognises that institutions should retain the ability to conduct their affairs in a variety of ways, and, on the other hand, ensuring that plaintiffs have a reasonable fall-back option that is not dependent upon the co-operation of the institution," Mr Ramsay said. The draft legislation comes more than two months after the territory's parliament passed controversial laws that will extend the ACT's reportable conduct scheme to the confessional, potentially forcing priests to break the seal of confession. That clause will come into effect from March 31 next year. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/8997373d-df33-4a13-895c-c16746d44363/r0_283_5568_3429_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The big four accounting firms defended their independence to a parliamentary inquiry on Friday, denying collusion and emphasising their value for money. Labor MP Julian Hill asked representatives of KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PriceWaterhouseCoopers how often their chief executives had dinner together and if they discussed commercially sensitive information. The committee heard the CEOs had associated socially and the question was taken on notice about how often this occurred. The ballooning number of consulting contracts in the public service was the focus of the inquiry, with the big four winning more than $1.7 billion in government work over the past five years, with total federal government procurement worth more than $47 billion in 2016-17 alone. Labor MP Julian Hill, who is deputy chair of the audit committee inquiring into government contracting, asked representatives of the firms if they had heard the government referred to as "the dairy". "It's a term that I was told by a couple of people is unkindly used for the Commonwealth, because you milk it for all it's worth," Mr Hill said. The senior partners present said their work was value for money and conflicts of interest were managed through internal processes. Mr Hill asked the consulting firms if they had seen tenders for work that didn't need to be done, and was told at times requests came where it was evident to the consultants similar work had been done recently within the same department, but those within the department didn't seem to be aware the work was done. "There's that communication issue that pops up sometimes," one representative told the committee. The inquiry heard the levels of complexity involved in government contracting, with the major firms present explaining they sometimes have more than one Australian Business Number, leading to them sometimes being incorrectly classed as a small-to-medium enterprise on Austender. Technology consulting company Accenture's head of health and public service Catherine Garner told the committee on some government projects, 90 per cent of those working on an Accenture project were sub-contracted again to bring in the expertise needed. Deloitte partner Robert Hilliard told the committee the definition of consulting used by government was "quite dated" with most representatives supporting a move to make government spending on contracting more transparent. Last week Labor committed to reduce the number of consultants working on public sector projects. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/facd222f-0093-4742-9596-229d6855fa78/r0_331_6461_3981_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The ACT Greens have announced Tim Hollo will represent the party in the seat of Canberra at the next federal election, where the party will attempt to elect its second lower house MP. Mr Hollo is executive director of the Green Institute, a not for profit left-wing organisation. In introducing the federal candidates, Greens leader in the Legislative Assembly Shane Rattenbury said he was glad to quash the rumours he would run for a seat on the hill. Jonathan Davis will run in the seat of Bean, covering Tuggeranong and Woden areas, and Andrew Braddock will challenge Labor's Andrew Leigh in Fenner, which covers Belconnen and Gungahlin. The new electorate boundaries of Canberra were created in the Australian Electoral Commission's recent redistribution of electorates, where the ACT gained a third lower house seat. Canberra will take in both the inner south and inner north, and with no incumbent MP from Labor, the Greens believe they can pull off a large swing to win the seat. Mr Hollo said the party was inspired by campaigns outside the ACT like Melbourne federally and at state level, and Newtown in NSW when looking at how to mount a viable challenge against the Labor party. "When new seats have been declared in areas which really do share Greens values, the Greens have won those seats with swings of 12 to 14 per cent," Mr Hollo said. It's not clear yet if the campaign will have the same financial resources and focus used in those recent campaigns. "It's very early days but certainly the federal Greens are very interested in the seat, looking at it with a great deal of interest, and we certainly expect that we'll have some good resources to take on this campaign," Mr Hollo said. The party has signalled it will make a concerted push for the Senate by targeting Liberal Senator Zed Seselja, with policy advisor Penny Kyburz to be the lead Senate candidate. Dr Kyburz works for federal Greens senator Jordon Steele-John and has previously worked for former senator Scott Ludlam. She opened her campaign by saying Senator Seselja had voted against the interests of the ACT by voting against the territory rights bill in federal parliament this week. "In the Senate, Zed Seselja's 'representation' of the ACT has been a slap in the face. He stands with Tony Abbott more often than he stands with Canberrans - failing to even show up at the Senate vote on marriage equality and refusing to stand up for the territory's rights in this week's repeal of the Andrews bill," Dr Kyburz said. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/bf19f17f-d6f0-46f6-b84d-38960ef01442/r0_305_6000_3695_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The powerful Department of Home Affairs has outlined issues with the cap on staff levels imposed by the government, speaking out against a controversial government policy. In the department's official submission to the independent review of the public service, the newest mega-department said agencies needed more power to control the number of staff to meet their operational needs. The average staffing level (ASL) cap was introduced in the 2015-16 budget to control the number of staff at each government department and agency at 2006-07 levels. The main public sector union has long called for the cap to be removed, arguing it has led to a ballooning number of contractors and consultants doing work that would otherwise be done by public servants. Home Affairs is one of few federal departments to have an official submission published on the APS review website, and gently points out the limitations of the staffing cap. "The department suggests that providing more flexibility and devolved authority to agencies to manage average staffing levels (ASL), while remaining within strict budget parameters, would result in resourcing decisions that more optimally meet the demands of growth in workload, deliver programs with improved services, better address risks and grow revenue collection," the submission said. Home Affairs, led by secretary Mike Pezzullo, was created at the end of 2017 and staff in the department number 14,000, with another 9000 in agencies under the portfolio. The department recommended "greater levels of discretion" for agency heads when managing their staffing budgets. "Options may include, for example, providing ASL ceiling dispensations to departments, or by restricting ASL ceilings to core (i.e. corporate, support and enabling) staff within agencies, while allowing greater flexibility to operational and front-line areas within agencies which are subject to fluctuations in the work growth and environment in which they operate," the submission said. More flexibility in working arrangements was also called for in a bid to lure talent away from the private sector. "Maintaining competitiveness in the job market will require the APS to offer both, meaningful work that rewards innovation and adaptability, and a range of flexible working arrangements." The submission did not address pay rates when attracting talent but suggested a single approach across the public service for pay and conditions to "allow for agencies to better attract and retain the right people by providing attractive development opportunities, and facilitate more seamless transfer of APS employees across agencies for the purposes of increased collaboration through mobility". /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/de9b76b6-19d3-4c3b-8d0c-eec8a075355a/r0_174_6304_3736_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Gujarat Public Service Commission has released an employment notification calling out aspirants to apply for various posts. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 209200. The last date to apply for the government job is Aug 31, 2018. UPSC Recruitment 2018 For Scientists And Other Posts GPSC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Principal, Translator, Veterinary Officer, Professor, Assistant Engineer, Deputy Director, Research Officer, Specialist, Paediatrician and Child Development Officer Organisation Gujarat Public Service Commission Educational Qualification Degree in the relevant field from a recognised university Experience Desirable Skills Required Technical skills Job Location Gujarat Salary Scale INR 15600 to INR 209200 Industry Civil services Application Start Date August 16, 2018 Application End Date August 31, 2018 Maximum Age Limit 45 years Application Fee INR 100 Selection Process Interview Also Read: WBPSC Recruitment 2018: Earn Up To INR 45000 How To Apply For GPSC Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for GPSC Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the GPSC official website. Step 2: The list of vacancies will be displayed on the screen. Step 3: Click on the Apply button against the post that you want to apply for. Step 4: The brief details of the recruitment will be displayed. Read them and click Apply Now. Step 5: A login page will appear. Click on the button that reads, New Registration. Step 6: The instructions to apply will be displayed. Read them carefully and click I Agree button. Step 7: A registration form will open. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 8: Upload your photo and signature. Step 9: Read the declaration and click on the option box to agree. Step 10: Click Save and complete the registration process. Login again with your credentials and complete the application process. Click here to read the detailed official notification. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has released the class 12 supplementary exam results. Candidates who have appeared for the exam can check their results on the official website of the board. MSBSHSE conducted the re-exam for class 10 students between July 17 and August 2. For class 12, the exams took place between July 17 and August 4. According to the sources, candidates who have passed the class 10/ class 12 re-exam can seek admission to the professional courses before August 31. This is a repercussion to the order of the supreme court that the admission process should be completed before August 15. The state government had sought permission from the apex court to extend the deadline for the admissions to professional courses. How To Check Maharashtra Board Result 2018 Visit the official website of Maharashtra Examination Results - www.mahresult.nic.in Click on the relevant link. Choose your stream. Enter all the mandatory fields. Click the submit to view the results. Take a printout of the results for future use. Click here to check your results. This year, over 18,000 students from the science stream appeared for their supplementary examinations. As stated above, students who have passed with flying colours can seek an admission to the professional courses until August 31. What To Do After Class 12? Top 10 Government Jobs One Can Take Up Are you good at managing and executing? National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is looking to hire talented individuals for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The prime role of the selected candidate is to act as the head of Investment Management Team reporting to the Board of Directors. Those who have experience of investing in agri-rural ventures or impact investment shall be preferred. The position is on a contract basis for a stipulated period. List Of Entrance Exams For Agricultural Courses In India 2018 NABARD Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Organisation National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Educational Qualification CA, CMA or CFA from a reputed institute Experience 10 years Job Responsibilities Prepare fund documents and liaise with statutory authorities Skills Required Managing skills Job Location Mumbai Salary Scale Industry standards Industry Agriculture Application Start Date August 16, 2018 Application End Date August 29, 2018 Maximum Age Limit: 50 years Also Read: SSC Recruitment 2018 For 54953 Constables: Apply Before Aug 24! How To Apply For NABARD Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for NABARD Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the NABARD official website. Step 2: Click on the CAREER NOTICES tab on the home page. Step 3: Click on the link that reads, CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE. Step 4: The list of recruitment notices will be displayed on the screen. Click on the link under Advertisement for the post of Chief Executive Officer of NABVENTURES LTD. Step 5: The detailed advertisement will be displayed on th screen. Read the details carefully. Step 6: Prepare your application and send it to NABARD. NABARD Recruitment 2018 Application Format And Mailing Address Superscribe on the envelope, "Application for the post of CEO of Nabventures Ltd." and send it by post to: Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Head Office, Plot C-24, G Block, Bandra Kurla complex, BKC Road, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051. You may also send online applications to nabventure@nabard.org. Click here to read the detailed official notification. Are you a domicile in Gujarat? Do you love insects or working in the fields? Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has the perfect jobs just for you. The company is looking to hire dynamic candidates for the posts of Insect Collector and Field Worker. There are 16 vacancies available. Interested candidates can apply online right away. Here are simple procedures and crisp details about this recruitment that you may go through below. Civil Engineers Hired At RITES Ltd, Join Indian Railways Now! RMC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Insect Collector, Superior Field Worker and Field Worker Organisation Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) Educational Qualification Class 10 graduate for Insect Collectors and Superior Field Workers and class 8 graduate for Field Workers Experience Freshers can apply Job Location Gujarat Salary Scale INR 16624 to INR 19950 Industry Civil services Application Start Date August 16, 2018 Application End Date August 29, 2018 Age Limit 18 to 30 years Application Fee INR 100 Selection Process Written test, practise test and interview Also Read: DRDO Recruitment 2018 For Junior Research Fellow How To Apply For RMC Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for RMC Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the RMC official website.(http://117.240.113.212/) Step 2: The list of vacancies will be displayed on the screen. Step 3: Click the Apply Online button against the post you want to apply for. Step 4: The application form will be displayed on the screen. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 5: Read the declaration and click on the Yes option box to agree. Step 6: Upload your photograph and signature. Step 7: Click Save & Submit to submit your details and complete the application process. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital has released an employment notification calling out aspirants to apply for the post of Nursing Officer. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to level 7 pay matrix. The last date to apply for the government job is Sep 5, 2018. Relaxation in age and fee will be provided for reserved categories. Be careful while filling the online application. Once you have compeleted registration, you will get further updates on the selection process on the website, including the availability of the e-admit card. UPSC Recruitment 2018 For Scientists And Other Posts Nursing Officer Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Nursing Officer Organisation Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital Educational Qualification BSc in nursing from a recognised institute Experience Freshers can apply Skills Required Nursing skills Job Location New Delhi Salary Scale Level 7 pay matrix Industry Nursing Application Start Date August 16, 2018 Application End Date September 5, 2018 Maximum Age Limit 35 years Application Fee INR 1000 Selection Process Written test Also Read: ISRO Recruitment 2018 For Scientist/Engineer At LPSC How To Apply For Nursing Officer Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for Nursing Officer Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the VMMC official website. Step 2: Click on the button that reads, CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION. Step 4: The registration form will be displayed on the screen. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 5: Enter the captcha code. Step 6: Click SUBMIT and follow the subsequent pages to complete the registration process. Step 7: Login using your credentials to complete the application process. Click here to read the detailed official notification. Photo: Google Maps A woman was grabbed in the area of 111A Avenue and 161A Street. Surrey RCMP are hoping the public can help identify a man who grabbed a woman in Fraser Heights. Sgt. Chad Greig said on Aug. 13 at 11 p.m., police responded to a report of a 27-year-old female who was grabbed from behind by an unknown male while walking in the area of 111A Avenue and 161A Street. The female was able to free herself from the suspect and flee the area. She was not injured, said Greig. The male suspect is described as Caucasian, 58, medium build, wearing a black Nike hoodie and grey sweatpants. The males vehicle was described as a black 2000 Chevrolet pickup with Silver Convex rims, possibly a two-door extended cab. Surrey RCMP is reminding the public to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity, said Greig. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or www.solvecrime.ca. Former ARM CEO to remain as board member 17 August 2018 Pradeep Paunrana, chief executive of ARM Cement PLC (Kenya), said on Thursday he planned to quit his post as part of a changes at the Kenyan cement maker, but now states he will stay on as a board member. "As founder shareholder and entrepreneur, I will be an active Board member and support the incoming CEO and the management team in strengthening stakeholder relationships with suppliers, customers and the Government in all the three East African countries where we operate," Pradeep Paunrana said. The company operates 5.7Mta cement capacity in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Published under New estimates for the cost of Donald Trumps controversial military parade are out, and theyre raising some eyebrows. The parade, which is scheduled for November 10 in Washington, D.C., could cost as much as $92 million, a defense official told CNBC. Thats a steep jump from earlier estimates that said the parade modeled after Frances Bastille Day parade would cost somewhere between $10 million and $30 million. The new figure includes $50 million in Pentagon spending as well as $42 million in spending from other government agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, CNBC reported. Critics have been quick to point out other ways the government could be spending nearly $100 million. Many suggest that money could be better used to help veterans. Screw a military parade to just feed Trumps ego. Its a waste of money. Spend the $92 million on our veterans instead.https://t.co/2MCUjll116 Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 16, 2018 Newsweek estimates that for $92 million, the government could feed every homeless veteran three meals a day for nine months. There are just over 40,000 homeless vets in the U.S. Of course, when were talking about government spending, $92 million is a relative drop in the bucket. The federal government currently spends billions every year on everything from border security to Pell Grants to efforts to reduce the opioid epidemic. Still, $92 million isnt exactly chump change either. Heres how the estimated cost of Trumps military parade stacks up against some other government programs. Summer Food Program $482 million The federal government spends about $482 million a year to provide free meals and snacks to kids when school isnt in session. The National School Lunch Program, which gives free or low-cost lunches to low-income kids, costs the government $13.6 billion every year. National Cemetery Administration $306 million The National Cemetery Administration maintains more than 130 national cemeteries and coordinates burial benefits for eligible veterans. Its a part a part of the Veterans Administration and received $306 million in 2018. National Endowment for the Arts $152.85 million The NEA has long been a target for fiscal conservatives who want to scrap government spending on the arts. In 2018, the government allocated a little less than $153 million for NEA activities. (The National Endowment for the Humanities got the same amount.) Compare that to the $92 million that could be spent on a single military parade. F-35 fighter jet $94.3 million each Theres no word yet on exactly which planes might be soaring overhead during the planned military parade, but if its an F-35, that single jet will have cost as much as the parade itself. The unit cost of this military plane, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is $94.3 million, according to CNBC. The costly fighter has been plagued by problems, and the president has described the price tag on the jets as out of control. The Cooperative Endangered Species Fund $53.6 million In 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received about $53 million for the Cooperative Endangered Species Fund. It uses this pot of money to dole out grants to states and territories to pay for endangered species conservation projects on non-federal land. Its a target of Trumps proposed 2019 budget cuts. Great Smoky Mountains National Park $19 million The Smokies are Americas most-visited national park (and one of the few that doesnt charge an entrance fee.) With a budget of about $19 million annually, Trumps planned military parade could fund the park for nearly five years. Chemical Safety Board $11 million This small government agency is responsible for investigating industrial accidents like the Deepwater Horizon incident and finding ways to prevent them in the future. President Trump has proposed eliminating the agency in his 2019 budget. From surgeons to pediatric care, its well known that doctors typically make a decent salary. But its also common knowledge that med school can really cause some students to rack up the loans and many end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Education prices are soaring Its no secret that higher education is costing students more than ever before and thats standard across all majors. For doctors, Best Medical Degrees reports the average cost for four years of medical school, which includes all books and expenses, is around $278,000 for private schools and $207,000 for public schools in 2018. Even with grants and scholarships, the average med student still accrues $170,000 in debt. And dont forget that doctors have to go through way more than just four years of schooling, too. During this time, the interest builds on their debt. And by the time students are finished paying off their loans, theyve typically shelled out over $400,000. For many soon-to-be doctors, its not necessarily the debt thats bothersome. Rather, its the 11 to 14 years of schooling (and thus salary lost during this time) that affects them most. Best Medical Degrees explains the average bachelor degree-holding American makes around $57,000 per year. For students who have gone on to med school and arent working, that equates to over $228,000 lost during their first four years. How much doctors make once theyre out of school You may think these high prices arent such a big deal considering how much doctors make but its important to note theres a wide range in pay scale depending on the doctors specialty. Those who work in hospice care typically make around $198,000 per year and thats with six years of schooling after undergrad. Pediatricians and family medicine practitioners make around $210,000 per year with seven years of schooling after undergrad. And those who work in anesthesiology and dermatology make in the $400,000 range after eight years of specialty schooling. As for the highest paid doctors, theyre the pediatric thoracic surgeons. They make, on average, $762,000 per year but they also spend 12 years after undergrad completing their training. New York University is paying students tuition The future may be looking brighter for med school students thanks to a huge step from New York University. Forbes notes the School of Medicine announced itll pay the tuition of its students regardless of any financial aid or merits the students may have received. In America, this makes them the first major medical school to take this giant step forward. Kenneth G. Langone, chair of NYU Langone Healths board of trustees, said that by making medical school accessible to a broader range of applicants, we will be a catalyst for transforming medical education nationwide. And part of the reason for this generous offer to students is due to how mounting student debt is shying potential doctors away from the profession altogether. Instead of going into family medicine and pediatrics, more people than ever are choosing high-paying specialties. While NYU is taking huge steps forward, theres still room and board to consider for college students. At NYU, that can be up to $27,000 a year even with a full scholarship with tuition paid. Forbes notes the average amount of debt for someone graduating from NYU stands at $184,000. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! How to get digital access to the Chieftain ST. MARTIN, Mississippi -- An 18-year-old St. Martin male is in custody, accused of shooting two brothers at an apartment complex Thursday night. Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the Bridgewater Park Apartments on Big Ridge Road around 10:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies found one of the victims lying on the ground. The other victim told investigators his brother had gotten into a fight with Fa'Darius Williams, during which Williams pulled a gun and fired multiple shots before driving off. Officers with the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team later located Williams at his home on JF Douglas Drive in St. Martin. He was taken into custody and charged with two counts of aggravated assault. A search of Williams' home uncovered several stolen weapons, Ezell said. The two victims remained in the Intensive Care Unit at Ocean Springs Hospital as of Friday morning. Williams is being held without bond at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, awaiting an initial court appearance. EDITOR'S NOTE , Saturday, August 18, 8:52 p.m. EDT: We have changed our title on this article from, "American Biking Couple Seeking to Prove 'Humans Are Kind' Is Killed by ISIS Group," to its current title to avoid assuming a logical certainty of their motivations in biking through Central Asia, as suggested by Snopes. *** The Pluralist reports that a young American couple was killed in last month in Tajikistan by Islamic-State terrorists. According to The Pluralist, and as reported by CBS News, Jay Austin and Lauren Geoghegan, who were on a world bike trip, tragically lost their lives on July 29 when they, along with two other bicyclists one from Switzerland and the other from the Netherlands were struck by a car and then stabbed to death by the car's occupants. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the murders. Austin and Geoghean, both 29, had embarked upon on a world bicycle trip when they decided to bike in an area that, according to The Pluralist, has high volumes of terrorist activity. The idealistic couple quit their desk jobs last year in pursuit of adventure and to help other people plan their own adventures. Austin said on his and Geogheans joint blog, "Ive grown tired of spending the best hours of my day in front of a glowing rectangle, of coloring the best years of my life in swaths of grey and beige... Ive missed too many sunsets while my back was turned. Too many thunderstorms went unwatched, too many gentle breezes unnoticed. After writing that statement, the couple prepared to go abroad and began documenting their trip on their Instagram accounts and their blog. The adventure-seeking couple seemed to suggest that they wanted to bike this route to show that people are not evil as "the narrative" suggests. Austin wrote in a blog post titled "#22, Douar Sidi Mohamed Chelh, Morocco - Ceuta, Spain," "You watch the news and you read the papers and you're led to believe that the world is a big, scary place. People, the narrative goes, are not to be trusted. People are bad. People are evil. People are axe murderers and monsters and worse." Austin continued saying, "I don't buy it. Evil is a make-believe concept we've invented to deal with the complexities of fellow humans holding values and beliefs and perspectives different than our own." On July 25, Austin shared on Instagram that the couple had just reached the one-year mark of their journey. Sadly, their journey ended only a few days later. While many are calling the couple naive for entering this area, The Washington Post reports that an expert on the area, Paul Stronski, rejects this idea. "Central Asia generally is fairly safe," Stronski said. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash/Oziel Gomez August 17, 2018 (Morning Star News) A convert from Islam in Iran said he and 11 other Christians were sentenced to a year in prison for inclination to the land of Christianity among other charges, according to Mohabat News. Interrogations were obviously indicating that they were looking for confession to communications with [those] abroad, especially America, Britain and Israel, the Christian, identified as Payam Kharaman, told Mohabat, which focuses on human rights abuses in Iran. Mohabat reported last week that Kharaman and 11 other members of a church in Bushehr, a port city in southwestern Iran, were sentenced to one year in prison on charges of propaganda activities against the system and in favor of Zionist Christianity through holding house meetings, evangelism, and invitation to Christianity and inclination to the land of Christianity. Kharaman and the other Christians were jailed for three years following their arrest on April 7, 2015, obtaining bail only last April, according to Mohabat. Judge Abbas Asgari of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Bushehr issued the sentence earlier this year, saying the accused would be informed last June 20, according to the verdict. Kharaman told Mohabat News that authorities began pressuring him in early 2012. I was repeatedly summoned by the Office of Police Monitor Public Place in Bushehr and interrogated about evangelism and communication with abroad, and I always insisted on the belief in Christianity for myself and not for promotion of Christianity, he told Mohabat. Because I had a boutique shop in Bushehr, a number of officers family members in the office knew me and informed of heavy sentences against me, and the case which was under investigation by the intelligence office. He said he took their statements as empty threats at the time. On April 7, 2015, three plain-clothes security agents came to his house with a warrant shortly after 8 a.m. and seized his computer, mobile phone, flash drive, CDs, books and pamphlets and a private photo album, he told Mohabat. They took him to the intelligence office of Bushehr and interrogated him all day, he said. Among those sentenced along with Kharaman was Shapour Jozi and his wife, Parastoo Zariftash. In the part of the verdicts issued, Jozi, also a convert from Islam, told Mohabat, [it] was hinted that many books and pamphlets, publications, CDs, banners, a lectern painted with a cross for holding prayer and lectures, the Holy Gospel, computer case, the boards painted with signs of Christianity, tablet, mobile phone and statue were discovered, all of which were seized in favor of the government. Mansour Borji of advocacy group Article 18 reportedly suspects that security agencies inability to stop the spread of Christianity in Iran has led them to try to eliminate Farsi-speaking churches through unlawful pressures and false accusations in revolutionary courts and seemingly legal routes. The harassment of religious minorities, particularly Christians, has been mandated for the Islamic Republics security apparatuses, he said, according to Mohabat. Many Iranian Christians have preferred to abandon their homes in the last two decades and leave Iran to avoid the securities and judges. Three Christians in Iran were arrested from their homes on July 24-25 following the violent arrest of pastor Yousef Nadarkhani on July 22. Pastor Nadarkhani, a convert from Islam like the others arrested, was awaiting a summons to begin a 10-year prison sentence after his appeal of a conviction for propagating house churches and promoting Zionist Christianity was upheld in May. Iran is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to change ones religion. Additionally, Article 23 of the Iranian Constitution states that the investigation of individuals beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief. The U.S. State Department has designated Iran as a Country of Particular Concern for severe religious freedom violations, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom this month recommended it remain on the list. Iran ranked 10th on Christian support organization Open Doors 2018 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.o rg/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/do nate/ ? Publication Date: August 13, 2018 Photo Courtesy: Morning Star News/Wikipedia The Satanic Temple held a protest about the presence of a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol Thursday. At the event, cosponsored by Satanic Arkansas, protestors unveiled an eight-and-a-half-foot Baphomet statue that they would like to see erected at the Capitol. The protests stem from a 2017 law passed in the state legislature requiring a legislative sponsor for the installation of a monument. Senator Jason Rapert sponsored the Ten Commandments monument last year and it was erected quickly and with little fanfare. Less than 24 hours after the monuments installation, Michael Tate Reed slammed into it with his car and knocked it over. He was arrested at the scene and was found mentally unfit to stand trial. Reed also rammed his car into a Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma in 2014. The Satanic Temple protest featured both Atheist and Christian speakers who called for either the removal of the Ten Commandments or the installation of the Baphomet statue. They argued that the Ten Commandments monument represents a state endorsement of religion and that if one religion can have a statue, then so can another. Lucien Greaves, co-founder and spokesman of the Satanic Temple, released a statement explaining the rationale behind the event. In it, he said, The event is intended to be an inclusive gathering where The Satanic Temple will be celebrating pluralism along with Christian and secular speakers. People of many faiths will come together at the Capitol to reject the Arkansas State Legislatures efforts to privilege one religion over others. Senator Rapert responded to the protests in a statement released on Facebook. He said, Though our state is being visited today by outsiders who clearly choose to travel around the nation uplifting the profane and proclaiming extremely unorthodox views, rest assured that though we respect their right to free speech, they must also respect our right to disagree with them and repudiate their false claims. He also reflected on their desire to erect the Baphomet statue, saying, No matter what these extremists may claim, it will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us to be permanently erected on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. The ACLU filed suit against Arkansas over the statute which allowed the Ten Commandments monument, known as Act 1231. The Satanic Temple sought to join the suit, but the ACLU asked the court to bar their involvement. A small group of counter protesters came to the Capitol grounds as well. They prayed, sang hymns and held signs with Bible verses. Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Aaron Burden Youve probably heard someone say at some point Dont be such a Pharisee. Typically these words are uttered when someone is being overly scrupulous in rule keeping in the Christian life. If theres one type of person in the New Testament that you dont want to be compared to, surely its the Pharisees. Though one could consider the question of the Pharisees from a variety of perspectives, lets look at how Jesus responds to the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew. The Pharisees frequently oppose Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus is often critiqued by the Pharisees, and he in turn reproaches them for their errant ways. He strongly warns his disciples not to follow their teaching. But what exactly was the Pharisees problem? Was it that they were too concerned with following Gods law? Or was it something else? Contrary to what you may have heard, Jesus does not rebuke the Pharisees for giving too much attention to Gods law. Jesus never denigrates or downplays the law of God. Where it looks like he might be (Sabbath controversies, for example), Jesus is instead critiquing misunderstandings and misappropriations of Gods law. Far from critiquing the Pharisees for focusing too assiduously on Gods law, Jesus critiques them for not being concerned enough with Gods written law. They didnt give it too much attention; they gave it too little attention. Listening to the Sermon on the Mount Jesuss interest in paying careful attention to the law is evident in the Sermon on the Mount. Though it may be the most well-known of all Jesus teaching, its also some of the most difficult to understand. Is Jesus teaching that Gods law is impossible to keep? Is he teaching Christian perfectionism? The answer is neither. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus points both to the ongoing relevance of the law of God, and to his own role in fulfilling the law of God. He shows us how we are to keep Gods law, and he shows us how its standards are greater than we might imagine. An important passage is Matthew 5:1720. In 5:17 Jesus denies that he has come to abolish the law. Anticipating later misunderstandings about the law in the Christian life, Jesus denies that the laws relevance is abrogated. Instead, Jesus states that he has come to fulfill the law. Fulfill is a key term in Matthew that highlights Christ as the goal of the Scriptures and his unique task in accomplishing salvation. Jesus is saying, in other words, that he is the proper goal of the law. Matthew 5:18 (For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished) confirms that Jesus is not lessening the law, but is speaking of both the permanence of the law and its accomplishment. That Jesus did not come to do away with the law is evident in Matthew 5:2148. These verses are often called the antitheses because Jesus contradicts what many people thought about Gods law. Lets be clear at this point. When Jesus says: You have heard it said, but I say to you, hes not contradicting the law of God itself. Instead, hes correcting misunderstandings of the law of God whereby the spiritual character of the law was being watered down to thin, external observances only. Jesus calls us back to the law of God and shows how true obedience is deeper than we might imagine. In this regard its instructive that the first four of the six antitheses seem to draw upon the Ten Commandments. Jesus is showing us what the Ten Commandments require. In short, in the Sermon on the Mount we see that the law of God requires more of us than only external obedience, and we cant really understand Gods law apart from the one who fulfills the law. The Sermon on the Mount, in other words, is about the law of God accomplished (what Jesus does), and the law of God applied (its relevance to our lives). Article continues below Two Errors of the Pharisees This brings us to one of the perennially perplexing passages in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:20: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Many interpretations of this passage seem to turn it on its head. Its often thought: The righteousness of the Pharisees points to their superlative rule keeping. If the only way we can enter the kingdom of heaven is to be better rule keepers than the Pharisees, then were all without hope. Jesus must mean something else. Hes not encouraging self-righteous rule keeping, but is showing us how far we fall short. This approach, however, is misguided. The call to a greater righteousness in 5:20 is a real call to righteous living. This does not come by avoiding Gods law, but by demonstrating a deeper commitment to righteousness than the Phariseesdespite their rule keeping of a certain kind. The Pharisees thought they were on the right track, but Jesus shows otherwise. The righteousness of the Pharisees was insufficient in at least two ways. First, they didnt give sufficient attention to the depths of Gods law. They viewed righteousnessat least in practiceas something external. This why Jesus critiques them for missing the most important parts of the law (Matt. 23:23). They are whitewashed tombs. They look good on the outside, but inside theyre full of dead mens bones (Matt. 23:27). The Pharisees rule keeping was hollow. They hadnt given sufficient attention to the most important parts of Gods law. They also had the tendency to elevate human traditions to a position of law-like status, violating the law of God in the process (Matt. 15:59). Second, the Pharisees righteousness was insufficient because they missed the one who fulfilled all righteousness. They not only missed the true character of the righteousness required in Gods law, they also missed the role of Jesus in relation to the law. Its in this light that Matthew 5:19 makes sense: Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Here Jesus says that our position in Gods kingdom is directly related to how much attention we give to the details of Gods law! This is a far cry from downplaying the law of God. Venerable theologian John Murray captured it well: The criterion of our standing in the kingdom of God and of reward in the age to come is nothing else than meticulous observance of the commandments of God in the minutial details of their prescription and the earnest inculcation of such observance on the part of others. If Murray is right, then angst may begin to set in. How do we possibly know how to apply Gods law in all its details today? This is where systematic theology can help, with its distinction between moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of Gods law. This is also where the New Testament epistles are so valuable, which teach us how to live according to Gods law as we await the return of Christ. The Letter of James is particularly helpful, as he focuses on the moral law of God in a way that echoes the Sermon on the Mount. James, like Jesus, encourages us forward in holiness, since life in the kingdom requires a greater righteousness. The New Testament epistles also follow the teaching of Christ to show us something crucial about Gods law: The law is about love of God and love of neighbor (See Rom. 13:810; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8.). Article continues below Love does not negate our need to think carefully about how to apply Gods law to specific situations, but it provides a hermeneutical compass to keep us on track. Matthew is particularly interested in this. In Jesus first two conflicts with the Pharisees he quotes Hosea 6:6, showing that God desires mercy (or steadfast love), not bare sacrifice (Matt. 9:13; 12:7). The Pharisees actually seemed to be pretty good at the smaller details of Gods law, such as tithing. Yet despite this, they missed the most important things: They neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matt. 23:23). How to Avoid the Pharisees Folly To summarize, the Pharisees in Matthew had at least two major problems. First, they downplayed the level of obedience required by the law of God. Second, they missed the significance of Christ himself. Its true that we dont want to be like the Pharisees in these ways. But we must not overreact in the wrong direction. We dont avoid being like the Pharisees by avoiding Gods moral law. Instead, we fall into the pharisaic trap if we neglect careful attention to the law of God, including the need for love and mercy. We also fall into the pharisaic trap if we downplay the role of Christ himself. The desire of many to avoid being like the Pharisees in the New Testament is understandable. The Pharisees often rejected Jesus and his teaching. But the term Pharisee shouldnt be a stock put-down. Indeed, we find something interesting as we keep reading. When the apostles and elders gather to discuss the relevance of Gods law for the Gentiles in Acts 15, that group includes some Pharisees who believe in Jesus. And one of the more prominent figures at this Jerusalem CouncilPaul of Tarsus, a one time-persecutor of Jesus and the churchcontinued to identify himself as a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). Being a Pharisee does not mean being without hope, for our salvation comes not from our ability to obey Gods law, but from the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Gods law is too deep for us to handle in our own strength. We cant meet the depths of what it requires, which is perfection. Even so, it remains immensely practical in our daily lives. Though we may not have an inclination to steal diamonds in a daring raid from a jewelry store, are we doing all we can to meet the needs of those around us? This is what it means not to steal (Eph. 4:28). This approach is reflected in the Westminster Larger Catechism, which not only lists a host of things forbidden in the eighth commandment, but also expounds upon what is positively required, including frugality, generosity in lending, and diligence in our work. Where did the authors get this? It comes in large measure from the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Yet despite the emphasis on following Gods law in our daily lives, this same catechism teaches that the law requires perfect obedience that can only be met by Jesus. We need both perspectives. If we dont want to make the mistake of the Pharisees, we must wrestle both with the depths of Gods law in our daily lives and with our need for Jesus. Jesus frees us from the burden of perfect obedience, even as he strengthens our obligation to obey Gods law. Dont be such a Pharisee!give careful attention to the depths of Gods law and love the one who fulfilled it on our behalf. Brandon Crowe is associate professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. His most recent book is The Last Adam: A Theology of the Obedient Life of Jesus in the Gospels (Baker Academic, 2017). In 2020, we were the church on our heels. A global pandemic shut down much of our world. But the church has been on the move since it was birthed; it will continue to be on the move until God makes all things new. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Believe it or not, Jack Phillips is once again being hauled before the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In June, Jack Phillips won a five-year battle against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The Supreme Court, by a 7-2 margin, ruled that the Commission had displayed impermissible bias towards his faith. What kind of bias? Well, statements comparing Phillips' unwillingness to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding to the Holocaust. Yes, there was ample evidence, the court ruled, that the Commission was out to get Phillips. It seems like the Commission, which was almost defunded for their shenanigans by the Colorado State legislature, is out to prove the Supreme Court correct, but at least we have to say that they're after Jack Phillips again. This time the issue is not a same-sex wedding cake. About a year ago, a caller to Jack's store asked Jack to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition. To be blunt, it was an obvious set-up. For starters, the request came in hours after it was reported that the Supreme Court would hear Jack's case. Jack's wife, who answered the phone, was asked for a cake with blue on the outside and pink on the inside, to represent the caller's transition from male to female. When Mrs. Phillips politely told the caller that her husband didn't make custom cakes for that kind of event, she was asked to repeat herself so that someone else could hear. The "charging party" called again and this time an employee answered the phone and politely explained the shop's policy. After berating her about the policy, the "charging party" hung up. At no time did anyone in the Phillips family ask the caller about any personal characteristics, such as sex or gender identity. The only thing they knew about the caller was the request itself. But that didn't matter. About a month later Phillips received a copy of a complaint charging him with discriminating on the basis of gender identity. Now, given their stinging rebuke by the Supreme Court, you would guess the Civil Rights Commission might be more cautious instead of going after Jack Phillips again. While this complaint involves a different party and a different set of alleged facts, it's still the same Commission and the same Jack Phillips. It requires an out-of-this-world naivete to believe that this time they will treat Phillips and his beliefs with the respect they deserve. But not only was the Commission undeterred by its loss at the Supreme Court, it actually cited the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision which they lost in their new charge against Phillips. But you have to hear how they quoted it. The entire passage from the decision quoted by the Commission reads like this, "While it is unexceptional that Colorado law can protect gay persons in acquiring products and services on the same terms and conditions as are offered to other members of the public, the law must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion." But the Commission omitted the word "While," and the entire second part of the quote, "the law must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion." In other words, the Commission selectively quoted the passage in such a way as to turn the Supreme Court's meaning on its head. This kind of bad-faith reading of the Supreme Court's opinion proves the Colorado legislature should have eliminated the Civil Rights Commission while it had the chance. Yesterday, the Alliance Defending Freedom filed suit against the Commission on Jack's behalf, claiming that the Commission has systematically acted in a way that violates Phillips' First Amendment rights. As the opening line of the complaint ADF filed on Jack's behalf states, "The U.S. Constitution stands as a bulwark against state officials who target peopleand seek to ruin their livesbecause of the government's anti-religious animus. For over six years now, Colorado has been on a crusade to crush Plaintiff Jack Phillips ('Phillips') because its officials despise what he believes and how he practices his faith." ADF is doing its job. And we have to do oursto praycertainly for victory in the courts, but even more, for strength and grace for Jack, his family, and his ADF team. He didn't ask to be the champion of religious freedom in this post-Obergefell world. But he has fulfilled that role with grace and courage. And for that, he deserves our gratitude, our prayers, and he deserves to be left alone once and for all. Originally posted at Breakpoint. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Recently, a Pennsylvania grand jury released a report chronicling the crimes of more than three hundred priests throughout Pennsylvania, predators who raped and traumatized more than one thousand children and young people dating back to the 1940s. The grand jury further chronicled how dozens of people in the church covered up the crimes, acting in essence like a crime syndicate. The statistics numb the mind. But it's when you get down to the individual stories that you really begin to get a sense of the absolute horror of these crimes. Consider, for example, the priest who molested five sisters from the same family. Some of these priests continued their serial abuse for up to forty years while the church in Pennsylvania covered up their crimes, in effect enabling the abusers to victimize many more children. One anguished woman who had been raped as a child observed through tears, "The word 'God' makes me think of him." Even worse, this sickening revelation is but one more chapter in the ever-expanding horror story of the Catholic Church's systemic sexual abuse of children. The modern era of reporting began with the Boston Globe's 2002 reporting, and ever since then, it seems we do not go but a few months without some other terrible revelation of sexual abuse on an industrial scale somewhere in the world. All this prompts the question: how many people reject Christianity because the word 'God' makes them think of him? Yesterday, I posted a Twitter survey asking the following question: "Today, yet another horrifying priestly sex scandal (300+ predator Catholic priests in Pennsylvania) hit the media. This is part of a terrible pattern of abuse going back decades. But does it provide a sufficient rational basis to reject Christianity as false?" A full 93% of respondents said, no, it does not. And I agree with the 93%: the Catholic Church's industrial-scale sexual abuse of children does not entail that Christianity is false. However, what if we construe the question more narrowly? Today, I asked a Catholic on Twitter the following hypothetical question: if you discovered that every single clergy member in the Catholic Church had raped a child or empowered another rapist, would you leave the church? His answer: no. The reasoning behind that response arguably traces back to the third century when Christians debated whether the sacramental rites of priests who later apostasized would thereby be invalidated. The church concluded with a no: even if the priest turned out later to be an apostate, the sacraments would remain valid. There is a good reason for this logic: after all, if you believe that the sacraments (e.g. baptism; confession; Eucharist) are necessary means of salvation, then you don't want your salvation hanging in the balance of the spiritual condition of the officiant, a condition that you cannot know. The efficacy must instead reside in the office, irrespective of the life and conduct of the officiant. And with that, one can conclude that even a church full of abusers and enablers would retain its objective status as the one true church. But as for me, I would be inclined to conclude that any church whose clergy consisted solely of abusers and enablers has thereby ceased to be a true church. And from that, we can turn away from that horrible hypothetical to the actual world, the world in which the percentage of clergy who are abusers and/or enablers is very much a minority. But if there is a threshold of abuse at which a church is finally discredited, then when is it? How widespread would the kind of behavior chronicled by the Pennsylvania grand jury need to be before you would leave the Catholic church? How widespread would it need to be before you would conclude that the church perpetuating the abuse was not, in fact, a true church at all? Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The one-year anniversary of the melee in Charlottesville, Virginia came and went recently. A poll found that most Americans feel that race relations in this country have worsened. Writing for cbsnews.com (8/12/18), Anthony Salvanto pens, "One year after the deadly rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, most Americans feel racial tensions have grown over the past year." Indeed, on the first anniversary of the melee, even an NBC news reporter and crew got attacked by Antifa in Charlottesville. Newsbusters of the Media Research Center reports (8/12/18): "Late Saturday night, NBC News reporter Cal Perry and his crew were in the thick of it as Antifa members ganged up on them and attacked. The next morning, NBC's Sunday Today ignored the attack and suggested the media was simply 'heckled' by their assaulters." Apparently this was not an isolated incident of violence by Antifa, et al. Meanwhile, there's another side to Charlottesville that I wish would get the same kind of attention as did the negative events. The media generally ignores this story. Christian leaders in Charlottesville, black and white, have organized a series of measures, including bi-racial prayer services, to bring about healing for the city. This included a prayer walk around the city with a black minister (Rev. Alvin Edwards) and a white minister (Rev. Mark Beliles) holding hands. Bishop Harry Jackson spoke at that event late last year. Their website, Healing4Charlottesville.com, documents the various steps churches are taking for racial healing in that city. I've written about this before, but what I found to be the most significant aspect of Healing 4 Charlottesville has been the fact that more people from that city participated in the Christian prayer services on December 1 and 2 than people from Charlottesville participated in the big brawl on August 12. Meanwhile, over this last weekend, they had additional Healing4Charlottesville prayer events. One of those who helped Dr. Mark Beliles to coordinate these series of services is Rev. Travis Witt, whom I interviewed recently. Witt told me, "Like so many things, [racial healing] can be slow. It can be tedious. It can be frustrating. But there's movement in a good direction in Charlottesville." And he added, "I believe the world is quickly running out of answers to the problems we face in our nation. And here is a grand opportunity for the church to stand up and share....Bringing black pastors and white pastors together, under the banner of Christ, is really about racial healing....There are some wonderful things that are happening in Charlottesville." Two of the speakers in the Christian service for Healing 4 Charlottesville were the descendants of a slave-owning family (Matt Lockett) and of a slave family (Will Ford) "owned" by the Lockets. Healing4Charlottsville.com notes: "Their stories are linked together. Ford's ancestors were Locketts deriving their name from the family in Virginia that enslaved them until the last major Civil War battle happened on their farm, three days before the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Ford is the director of Christ for the Nations Institute (Dallas) and Lockett is the director of Justice House of Prayer (Washington)." Witt says that Lockett and Ford met at a pro-life event in Washington, DC about a decade ago and learned of their historical ties and of their common bond in Christ. Only Jesus can bring about this kind of unity. Meanwhile, there was one pro-Christian story about Charlottesville that did make it to the evening news. Ken Parker of Jacksonville, Florida, attended last year's rally in Charlottesville so that he could "stand up for my white race." He had been involved with the KKK and an American neo-Nazi group for six years. But a few months after Charlottesville, Parker met a black pastor, William McKinnon III, who eventually led him to Christ. McKinnon baptized Parker in the Atlantic Ocean on July 21. Parker even apologized in McKinnon's church: "I said I was a grand dragon of the KKK, and then the Klan wasn't hateful enough for me, so I decided to become a Naziand a lot of them, their jaws about hit the floor and their eyes got real big...But after the service, not a single one of them had anything negative to say. They're all coming up and hugging me and shaking my hand, you know, building me up instead of tearing me down." Jesus is the key to America solving its racial divide. As Georgia pastor Garland Hunt put it: "God's solution for a divided nation is a united church." If only that message could get on the evening news (more often). Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written/co-written 28 books, e.g., The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, Doubting Thomas (w/ Mark Beliles, on Jefferson), and What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (w/ D. James Kennedy) & the bestseller, George Washington's Sacred Fire (w/ Peter Lillback) djkm.org @newcombejerry www.jerrynewcombe.com home Life Pope Francis warns against tarot cards and palm readings Tarot cards and palm readings are idolatrous, according to Pope Francis, and should be shunned alongside other modern 'idols'. The pope was speaking at his weekly audience yesterday after a month-long summer break. He asked his hearers: 'How many of you go to pray with tarot cards to see your future? How many of you go to get your hands read to see your future, instead of praying to God?' He said: 'God is living, the rest [of these] are idols, and they aren't useful.' Francis was expounding the first commandment, 'You shall have no other gods before me.' He pointed to the Greek origin of the word 'idol', which means 'to see'. Idol worship, he said, was 'a vision which becomes a fixation, an obsession'. He warned against the power of advertising, saying it turns a car or a smartphone into 'a way to respond to my existential needs' and to be happy. He continued: 'In ancient times human sacrifices were made to idols, but even today people sacrifice their children for their careers, neglecting them or simply refusing to have them.' Idols, he said, require blood.'Money robs us of life, and pleasure leads to loneliness. Economic structures sacrifice human lives for better profits. One lives in hypocrisy, doing and saying what others expect of us, because the god of self-affirmation imposes it. And lives are ruined; families are destroyed; and young people are abandoned to destructive habits, all to increase profit.' God, he concluded, 'never requires life but gives it. The true God doesn't offer a projection of our success, but teaches us to love.' Source: Christian Today Italy's evangelicals launch relief fund after bridge disaster Evangelical Christians in Italy have launched an appeal fund in aid of victims of the bridge collapse on Tuesday that killed at least 39 people. The catastrophic collapse of the Morandi bridge saw vehicles falling 50 metres to the ground during a torrential rainstorm. Authorities say between 10 and 20 people are still unaccounted for. According to the Italian Evangelical Alliance, among the dead was the sister of an evangelical pastor, identified by Evangelical Focus as 24-year-old Stella Boccia, whose brother is an Assemblies of God pastor in the region of Pisa. She died with her fiance Carlos Jesus Erasto Trujillo, 27, from Peru, as they were returning from a holiday. More than 600 people had to leave their apartments below the remaining spans of the bridge for fear of further collapse. Officials have decided the buildings will be demolished as it would be too dangerous to leave them there. The Italian Evangelical Alliance said that at least one evangelical family was among them. Its statement said: 'For these brothers and sisters in Christ our prayer is that the Lord will provide consolation and what they need immediately and long-term.' Funds raised via the EA will go to churches in Genoa to help with relief and spiritual work. The statement continued: 'Our prayer is for the city of Genova as a whole, for its people, families, economic activities, its political authorities in this time of grief and research of what caused the collapse. We pray for the relaunching of "normal" social and economic life in the city after such a tragedy. It is essential that what happened will be accounted for and responsabilities will be ascertained so that tragedies like this will no longer happen.' It concluded with an appeal to 'take advantage of what happened to receive afresh the invitation to repent from our sins and believe in the gospel (Luke 13:4-5) trusting the only "way" that is open and reliable, Jesus Christ, who will never collapse and who will certainly lead to the Heavenly Father (John 14:6) all those who trust him.' A state funeral for most of the victims is due to be held on Saturday morning at the port city's Exhibition and Trade Centre, led by Genoa's archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, and attended by President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. But some families have said they will boycott the event and hold their own private services, as a sign of protest against what they say was negligence that caused the bridge to collapse. The government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning. The state funeral will be televised live and state broadcaster RAI said will not air any advertising as a sign of respect for the victims. Kenneth Copeland claims God 'healed' rusty private jet after he prayed over it Televangelist Kenneth Copeland says God once told him to lay hands on a corroded private jet and that He would heal the plane when he did. In a message delivered last week titled "Faith for Healing Comes by Hearing," the Texas-based minister, who aligned with the Word of Faith movement, said that a member of his board had an older plane that had been parked for a few years and that a team of people did several X-rays on the fuselage and other spots on the aircraft and found some corrosion. "I was praying over it," Copeland said. "And just as plain, the Lord said to me: 'Lay hands on it. I'll heal it.'" "He said: Kenneth ... corrosion comes from the curse. He said, 'I provided an airplane for you, didn't I?' I said: Yes, sir. He said: 'Lay hands on it.'" He started praying and began putting his hands on the body the aircraft. "I laid hands on it all over and it's a big ol' airplane and it took a while to do," he said, commanding the corrosion to leave in the name of Jesus. X-rays were subsequently performed on the aircraft after his prayers and only one small spot of corrosion remained, he said. When Copeland prayed about that small corroded spot, he said, the Lord then said to him: "I wanted to remind you" that objectors "could have said maybe the X-rays were [faulty]." Copeland said he laid hands on it and prayed again, and the spot disappeared. As evidence of what he said God did, Copeland read Jeremiah 33:6, which says: "Behold, I will bring [the city] health and cure, and I will cure you, and will reveal unto you the abundance of peace and truth." Copeland also read aloud "I will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick," which is Ezekiel 34:16, and "Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live. And I shall put my spirit in you and you shall live" which is found in Ezekiel 37: 5 and 14. On his ministry's blog in January, Copeland thanked his supporters for helping him purchase Tyler Perry's Gulfstream V jet, petitioning them for even more donations and asking if they had named their "seed" to cover an additional $2.5 million in upgrades to the aircraft. The subject of prosperity evangelists and their private jets rankles many believers in Jesus, particularly the notion that God told them they were to have such a plane while asking for contributions from their congregations and television viewers. Earlier this year, Louisiana-based evangelist Jesse Duplantis made national headlines when he sought donations to help him purchase a $54 million Falcon 7X private jet. When backlash ensued, Duplantis maintained that God challenged him to "believe" Him for it and that the mass media had twisted the story. "First things first, I never raised money for the plane," he said. "I put it in our magazine and said, 'Believe in God with me.' There is a vast difference between 'Believe in God' and asking for money." Duplantis added that God also told him: "You don't need to raise money for this. This will just come." Among those criticizing Duplantis was gospel artist Kirk Franklin who wrote in an Instagram post that "[m]any of these 'ministries' built their wealth on the backs of poor rural minorities that put their trust in the hands of 'god's shepherds' only to see the prosperity benefit those doing the preaching." This article was originally published in The Christian Post and is re-published here with permission President Trump says Andrew Brunson is a 'great patriot hostage', threatens Turkey with more sanctions The United States warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin assured President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed. 'We have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly,' Mnuchin said during the meeting. The United States and Turkey have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs in an escalating attempt by Trump to induce Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan into giving up Brunson, who denies charges that he was involved in a coup attempt against Erdogan two years ago. 'They have not proven to be a good friend,' Trump said of Turkey during the Cabinet meeting. 'They have a great Christian pastor there. He's an innocent man.' In a tweet later on Thursday, Trump said the United States 'will pay nothing' for Brunson's release, 'but we are cutting back on Turkey!' He called Brunson 'a great patriot hostage'. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, had issued a blunt warning to Turkish ambassador Serdar Kilic when he met him on Monday at the White House, an administration official said on Thursday. When Kilic sought to tie conditions to Brunson's release, Bolton waved them aside and said there would be no negotiations. 'Release Brunson,' Bolton told him, according to the official, who declined to be named. Turkey has sought to persuade the United States to spare Turkey's state-owned Halkbank from a threatened fine for allegedly helping Iran evade US sanctions. Ankara also wanted Washington to hand over Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who Turkey suspects of plotting the coup against Erdogan. Gulen denies the allegations. 'They missed a big opportunity. This is very easy to resolve,' the administration official said. 'They made a big mistake trying to tie this to other things.' The dispute over Brunson and other frictions between Washington and Ankara have been one reason the Turkish lira has plunged 40 per cent this year. Investors also fret over Erdogan's influence over monetary policy. The lira lost strength after Mnuchin's remarks. Trump, who has doubled steel and aluminium tariffs on Turkey, said the steel tariffs had kicked in and the aluminium tariffs would take effect soon. Robert Morris preaches on eternity as he returns to pulpit for the first time since near death experience Texas megachurch Pastor Robert Morris gave his first sermon since a near death experience earlier this year, receiving a strong applause from the Gateway Church community. On Saturday, Morris returned to preach his first sermon, a three-part series, titled "Eternity: Your Choice," after suffering complications from hernia surgery in April that led to severe internal bleeding. "I'm glad to be back," said Morris to the Gateway congregation, joking that despite being away for months "the pulpit still fits." Before beginning his sermon, Morris reported that he was "fully recovered" from his illness and that Gateway Pastor Jimmy Evans, who filled in for Morris while he was ill, was going to continue to help with leadership as a senior pastor. "Pastor Jimmy is going to help me a little more in leading the staff on a day-to-day basis," said Morris, who noted that he remains lead senior pastor and will be able to preach more often as a result. Morris' first sermon back was titled "Whosoever Will," in which he expressed his opposition to Calvinism, or the belief that God alone chooses who is saved and who is damned. "I really believe you determine where you spend eternity and that God is a just and merciful God and gives every person a chance to accept Jesus Christ," Morris said. "Whatever belief you have has to be consistent with the nature and character of God. And a God that would love the world so much that He would give His Own Son for the world, I believe gives everyone an opportunity." Morris explained that while he's OK with other Christians professing Calvinism, he believes that Calvinism hinders church outreach. "I think, if we were to believe something like this, that God chose some people to be saved and others not to be saved ... why tell anyone about Christ?" asked Morris. In March, Morris suffered pain in his abdomen. A doctor examined him and found that he had a double hernia. The pastor underwent surgery on April 2. On April 8, Morris experienced severe weakness. Paramedics sent him to a hospital and it was discovered that he had a hematoma and had to have emergency surgery for internal bleeding. Following additional invasive surgery, Morris required seven units of blood, equal to half the blood the pastor needed to survive. By April 11, the bleeding had ceased, but Morris was suffering from pneumonia. On April 15, Morris was finally well enough to leave the hospital and later that month he was undergoing what he described at the time as a slow healing process. "My night sweats and headaches are better, and my blood levels are rebuilding themselves. And I got a good report from the doctors. It's a slow process, but I am going in the right direction," Morris said on April 24. In June, Morris returned to Gateway Church, not to preach a sermon, but rather to give an update on his health situation, declaring that "I'm here because of prayers." According to Morris, while being airlifted to the hospital he had "an encounter with the Lord" which made him feel "extremely peaceful," as well as "happy" and "excited." "I didn't go to Heaven but the Lord's presence filled the helicopter and I felt like I was about to go to Heaven," Morris recounted in June. "I was excited that I was about to see Jesus, that I was going to Heaven. I thought about my family and my church family but ... I just knew God will take care of them." Somaliland: A helping hand for resilient women can transform whole communities The long and bumpy road is dotted with livestock such camels, goats and donkeys that wander across the arid landscape of Somaliland, an autonomous region in Somalia. In this part of the world, lack of rainfall means no harvests, no drinking water and sadly often enough no life. Due to prolonged droughts and conflict, thousands of people have become homeless and lost livelihoods and beloved ones. One of the places our team visits is the Aden Suleiman camp for internally displaced people, which has become home for hundreds of families fleeing hunger. Here, I meet some women who have fled drought-stricken villages after their livelihoods where destroyed. Almost all lament the loss of their livestock. And to understand their grumblings, one needs to learn how central livestock are to the way of life of Somalis. The livestock sector is the nucleus of the economic and cultural life of the Somali people. It provides food and income to over 60 per cent of the country's population, according to experts. Livestock reared in Somaliland are shipped to various countries in the Arabian Peninsula and trekked or transported to markets in Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia bringing in a huge chunk of the nation's income. Furthermore, livestock is a key local consumption commodity for household food security. So, for the ladies at Aden Suleiman camp who have lost livestock, a sense of despair hangs in the air. Hope has however sprung for some after they received support through a programme run by international children's charity World Vision. These women have become some of Aden Suleiman camp's most progressive entrepreneurs as they now run small shops selling all sorts of basic necessities, household items and food. The project helps women increase their savings and access small loans, enabling mothers in the community to generate income, plan, and contribute to the overall well-being of their families. It's undeniable that these women have a remarkable strength of character. However, resilience alone is not enough to overcome the challenges people affected by natural disasters face every day. This is where humanitarian agencies and the international community have a role to play. Poor rainy seasons have pushed communities in Somalia on the brink of famine. Millions of people are food insecure, and loss of livestock has reduced household income and therefore access to food and water. The United Nations estimated in August that more than 5 million people need urgent assistance in the country. According to World's Vision data, more than 300,000 children under five are acutely malnourished. The humanitarian situation in Somaliland and across most of the horn of Africa remains dire, yet the response to the crisis remains largely unfunded. World Vision's efforts to support small groups of resilient women is already showing signs of transformation of communities, but more has to be done at a global level. The international community should invest more in projects that enable aid agencies such as World Vision to scale up their work and assist millions of people affected by the drought in Somalia, and other countries across East Africa. Cassandra Yoong is marketing officer at World Vision UK. To find out more about World Vision's East Africa crisis appeal, click here. Vatican breaks silence to voice 'shame and sorrow' over damning Pennsylvania sex abuse report The Vatican expressed 'shame and sorrow' on Thursday over revelations that Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades, vowing to hold abusers and those who protected them accountable. In a long statement that broke the Vatican's silence over a damning US grand jury report that has shaken the American Church, spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See was taking the report 'with great seriousness'. He stressed the 'need to comply' with civil law, including mandatory reporting of abuse against minors and said Pope Francis understands how 'these crimes can shake the faith and spirit of believers' and that the pontiff wanted to 'root out this tragic horror'. The grand jury on Tuesday released the findings of the largest-ever investigation of sex abuse in the US Catholic Church, finding that 301 priests in the state had sexually abused minors over the past 70 years. It contained graphic examples of children being groomed and sexually abused by priests. 'The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible. Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith,' Burke said. 'The Church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur,' he said. His statement came hours after US bishops called for a Vatican-led probe backed by lay investigators into allegations of sexual abuse by former Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who resigned last month. The Vatican did not directly address their request. Pope Francis accepted McCarrick's resignation in July after American church officials said allegations that he sexually abused a 16-year-old boy almost 50 years ago were credible and substantiated. McCarrick was possibly the first cardinal to resign since French theologian Louis Billot, who according to the National Catholic Reporter, a US newspaper, left over a disagreement with Pope Pius XI in 1927. 'The overarching goal in all of this is stronger protections against predators in the Church and anyone who would conceal them, protections that will hold bishops to the highest standards of transparency and accountability,' Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement. The bishops said they would create a new way to report accusations of sexual abuse by clergy members and for claims to be investigated without interference from bishops overseeing priests accused of sex abuse. They said it would involve more church members who were not clergy but had expertise in law enforcement or psychology. Nick Ingala, a spokesman for Voice of the Faithful, a group formed to promote parishioners' voices after the abuse scandal surfaced, said it was heartening that bishops wanted to set up an independent review process but he expressed scepticism that it would be successful. 'I don't know how they are going to work that out,' Ingala said in a telephone interview. 'I'm always hesitant to give 100 per cent credence to any plan the bishops put forth based upon experiences in the past.' The Pennsylvania grand jury report was the latest revelation in a scandal that erupted onto the global stage in 2002, when the Boston Globe newspaper reported that for decades, priests had sexually assaulted minors while church leaders covered up their crimes. Similar reports have emerged in Europe, Australia and Chile, prompting lawsuits and investigations, sending dioceses into bankruptcy and undercutting the moral authority of the leadership of the Catholic Church, which has some 1.2 billion members around the world. 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. For the small six-person team tasked with combating California's nutria infestation, a typical day consists of working in 100-degree weather, wading through marshes and avoiding traps built to catch 20-pound rodents, targeting about 2 million acres. Nutria, a destructive rat-like mammal, is currently burrowing into central California's wetlands. In the spring, the Department of Fish and Wildlife began to warn the public about the dangers of the animal, which devastate agricultural infrastructure by burrowing into levees, roadbeds and canal beds. But in the past few months, only 200 nutria have been exterminated, 100 of which were found in a pond on a single private farm in central California. As the agency prepares for an intensive survey of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, officials say they have no idea what the actual numbers of nutria will look like. In April, there were two confirmed sightings of nutria just outside the delta, a region critical to California's waterways. "We can't guess, we have no idea what we're going to find in there," California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Peter Tira told SFGATE. "We need to survey and see to what extent they're in there, we haven't determined a complete range of nutria in the region." "Our goal is to keep the nutria out of the delta as much as possible," Tira said. "That's the epicenter of our water control and flood control in California." The Department of Fish and Wildlife isn't expected to get people on the ground in the delta until later this month, since they are still in the process of getting permission from farmers and other landowners to access private property. Most of the land in the delta is private. Since it's difficult to get access to private land across California, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is unable to fully estimate the severity of the infestation. In other words, there's a very good chance that the state's infestation could be worse than previously imagined. "The problem isn't defined, we're still in the process of trying to define the extent of the infestation," Tira said. "It's not going to be a quick and easy fix." "When there's a wildfire, the danger is real and we send thousands of people into the situation to remedy it quickly. But here, with nutria, we have a half dozen people, but it's still a crisis nonetheless." Nutria are typically two-and-a-half feet long and weigh 20 pounds, and have the ability to produce up to 200 offspring per year. Given the species' destructive behavior, it would be an absolute nightmare if nutria gained a foothold in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, since the region helps channel water to cities and farms across the entire state. "We cannot have nutria reproducing in the delta," Tira said. "The threat to California's economy is too great." Exterminating California's nutria population is proving to be extraordinarily difficult, in part since the animals reproduce at a prolific rate and are mostly nocturnal. The Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that every single female nutria that's been killed has been pregnant with multiple fetuses. In addition, the nocturnallity of the creature makes it difficult to hunt during the day. "You don't really see them when walking on a trail," Tira said. On top of the challenges the nutria themselves pose, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is also dealing with a number of bureaucratic issues that make it harder for them to combat the infestation. "The biggest challenge we face is funding," Tira said. "We need long term-commitment, and not just from Fish and Wildlife, this is going to take the whole state." The fight against nutria could go on for years, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife knows that it can't do it alone. The department is currently receiving assistance from Wildlife Services, a federal agency that serves as the "trapping department" for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but needs additional support. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has secured just three grants to fund the nutria removal force, and as a result they can only have six people out hunting at a time. "When there's a wildfire, the danger is real and we send thousands of people into the situation to remedy it quickly," Tira said. "But here, with nutria, we have a half dozen people, but it's still a crisis nonetheless." Another massive challenge the department faces is obtaining access to private lands from farmers and other landowners in the region. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has sent out "thousands" of letters to landowners asking for access. "Private property is key," Tira said. "But first you have to figure out who owns these farms and get access. People have been receptive, but again, if we can't get to that pond that had 100 nutria, then that's a major population we can't get to that could repopulate." Under the law, members of the public with hunting licenses are allowed to hunt nutria since the species is classified as a rodent, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife doesn't encourage it. "It's not something we're promoting or encouraging for a number of reasons," Tira said. "For one, nutria are easily mistaken for other wildlife that have protections like river otters, beavers and muskrats that have a hunting season and are highly regulated." Tira also mentioned the fact that it's not particularly easy to hunt nutria. The Department of Fish and Wildlife itself finds it difficult to hunt the creature, and the agency is consistently trying to find ways to improve their trapping methods. "Practically speaking, hunting nutria is not something that would be easy," he said. "They're primarily nocturnal, they live in highly vegetated areas, and are hard to differentiate from other animals, even for wildlife scientists." With that said, should individuals choose to hunt nutria, the Department of Fish and Wildlife requests that hunters send in pictures of the carcasses. The pictures would provide confirmation that the animal killed was indeed a nutria, and would also help wildlife scientists understand the population by examining the animal's age and reproductive status. One thing that has been encouraging, however, is the widespread public support, according to Tira. "The public has been great, it's been encouraging to have the public's support," he said. "It's not easy work." The department's phone lines are routinely flooded with calls reporting nutria sightings, although many of these sightings turn out to be beavers or muskrats. Still, it's an encouraging sign in a battle that could have massive implications for the future of California. "The hope is we got on it early enough, but again, we don't know the extent of infestation," Tira said. "But we're sure if we don't act, California is going to have a much bigger problem on its hands." Amazon, whose streaming video service has threatened Hollywood studios with blockbuster movies of its own, is apparently now interested in acquiring a means for distribution, putting the fate of Houstons last historic cinema in the balance. The e-commerce giant is one of several prospective buyers bidding on Landmark Theatres, one of the nations largest arthouse cinema chains showing independent and foreign films, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing anonymous sources. The Los Angeles-based chain, founded in 1974 and owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban, operates more than 50 movie theaters nationally, including the River Oaks Theatre locally. Amazon declined to comment. Landmark and its parent company, Wagner/Cuban Cos., did not return requests for comment. DISRUPTED: Amazon offers home delivery in latest battle for Houston shoppers Amazons potential acquisition of Landmark would be the online retailers first foray into the movie theater business, and its latest expansion into brick-and-mortar retail after purchasing Whole Foods Market last year. The online retailers $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods shocked the grocery industry, prompting major grocers such as Kroger, Walmart and H-E-B to invest heavily in food delivery services and e-commerce technology. Anytime Amazon shows up, youve got to pay attention, said Lance Gilliam, a partner with Houston-based real estate firm Waterman Steele. This would be the first time theyre going into experiential retail. Although Amazon began selling books online in 1994, the e-commerce retailer has expanded into almost everything, including digital media in recent years. In 2007, the Seattle-based company launched Amazon Music, a music streaming platform. Three years later, the company started Amazon Studios, which focuses on creating TV series and films. Amazon Studios has embraced partnerships with movie distributors to bring its films to the big screen, said Daniel Loria, vice president of content strategy at Boxoffice Media, a trade publication covering the movie business. REVIEW: Dining in the dark at iPic theater in River Oaks District Those efforts paid off last year, when Amazon Studios became the first streaming media company to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Manchester by the Sea, produced by Amazon Studios, ultimately won Academy awards for best actor and best original screenplay. If Amazon acquires Landmark, it would allow the studio to more easily bring movies to the big screen, Loria said. Amazon believes in cinema wholeheartedly, Loria said. They see the value of their movies being seen in as many movie theaters as possible before bringing it to their streaming platform. However, Amazon likely would not upend the movie industry, which has already seen disruption from tech companies such as Fandango and MoviePass, Loria said. Movie theaters over the past decade have adapted to online ticket purchases and mobile ticketing, and have been experimenting with e-commerce innovations. For example, Cineplex, a Canadian movie theater chain, has pioneered the concept of SuperTickets, which allows movie-goers to watch films in theaters and later download them when the theatrical release ends. The move to e-commerce is happening with or without Amazon, Loria said. Amazon would be part of an industry that is already transitioning to this digital world. CLICKS TO BRICKS: Amazon, online retailers open physical shops in the Galleria Amazons possible acquisition of Landmark would not seriously challenge major movie chains such as AMC, Regal and Cinemark, which together operate thousands of movie theaters globally. And although the online retailer was able to put pressure on organic food prices when it acquired Whole Foods, its unlikely Amazon can budge movie ticket prices with so much competition in the movie business, Loria said. A Landmark acquisition would make Amazon another player, but not a dominant one overnight, Loria said. Locally, preservationists say they will be keeping a close eye on Amazon potential deal for Landmark. The River Oaks Theatre, opened in 1939, is the longest-running historic movie theater in Houston. The movie theater, in the River Oaks Shopping Center at 2009 West Gray, was originally part of the Interstate Theatres chain out of Dallas. Designed by Dallas-based architects Pettigrew & Worley, the historic theater features art-deco designs and a classic neon marquee. There were once dozens of historic movie theaters in Houston showing westerns and black-and-white films, but most have been torn down over the years to pave way for new development. A few remain, including the Alabama Theatre, which was converted into a Trader Joes; the Tower Theater, which became El Real Tex-Mex, restaurant and the former Ritz Theatre, now the Majestic Metro events space. Weingarten Realty, which has owned the River Oaks Shopping Center since the 1970s, announced plans in 2006 to demolish the River Oaks Theatre, prompting outcry from preservations. Ultimately, the real estate firm redeveloped part of the property into a two-story Barnes & Noble bookstore, leaving the theater alone. The firm is now working with Hanover Co. to develop a high-rise apartment tower on part of the River Oaks Shopping Center. Weingarten Realty said it is aware of the speculation of Amazons interest in Landmark, but said it has not been approached by either company at this time. The landlord declined to comment on lease terms, but said it is not aware of any changes to the lease should Amazon acquire Landmark. Longtime Houstonians said they are cautiously optimistic about a new owner taking over the River Oaks Theatre, rumored to be up for sale for a while. I think that Amazon presents an incredible opportunity to reinvent the theater, Ed Wulfe, chairman and CEO of Houston-based retail brokerage Wulfe & Co. said. I think itll be a boon for the future of the River Oaks Theatre. Jim Parsons, the programs director for Preservation Houston, gave a more tempered response. We would welcome anything that could bring new life into the historic theater, Parsons said. The River Oaks Theatre is significant to Houston. Its a very special place to see a movie. I hope nothing will change with new ownership. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi John Davenport, Staff / San Antonio Express-News The North American arm of the French electric utility company Engie announced it obtained $147 million in construction financing and $155 million in tax equity financing to build a wind project in Schleicher County near San Angelo in west Texas. The Live Oak Wind Project will have a total capacity of 200 megawatts and is scheduled to go online by the end of the year. One megawatt is enough to power about 200 Texas homes on a hot summer day. Oil climbed as plunging crude and gasoline inventories in the world's biggest economy heightened supply concerns. Futures advanced 1.1 percent in New York on Wednesday. Nationwide crude stockpiles dropped to the lowest since 2015 last week and gasoline supplies fell for a fourth week, according to the Energy Information Administration. The bullish nature of the data was tempered by the fact that more than 70 percent of the inventory decline occurred in U.S. western markets that are too isolated to have much impact on the rest of the nation. "They tend to put a little less weight on that type of inventory draw," said Craig Bethune, a senior portfolio manager at Manulife Asset Management. But still, the report "is still a net positive relative to the past few." Meanwhile, renewed concern about President Donald Trump's use of tariffs to batter trading adversaries briefly stunted Wednesday's rally. Shortly after the EIA report was released, global markets were rocked by headlines that U.S. President Donald Trump may slap tariffs on auto imports by the end of this year. Such levies could exacerbate measures Trump has already set in motion against China, the world's second-biggest economy. "There continues to be concern about tariffs and the impact it's going to have on the global economy," said Rob Thummel, managing director at Tortoise, which manages $16 billion in energy-related assets. "The broader market is becoming more concerned now about these tariffs." West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery added 78 cents to settle at $69.30 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Total volume traded Wednesday was about 22 percent below the 100-day average. Brent for September settlement rose 49 cents to end the session at $73.93 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a $4.63 premium to WTI. The EIA also reported distillate supplies dropped, while oil inventories stored at the key Cushing, Oklahoma, pipeline hub dropped to the lowest since 2014. Crude exports jumped, contributing to the overall crude withdrawal. Other oil-market news: Gasoline futures added 1.3 percent to settle at $2.1231 a gallon. Top OPEC member Saudi Arabia is shipping U.S. crude produced in the Gulf of Mexico to Asia at a time when No. 1 buyer China is snubbing American cargoes. Exports of North Sea crudes to the Mediterranean have reached a year-high so far this month, after supply outages in Libya facilitated the flow, according to shipping data and traders. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. San Francisco police arrested a dozen suspects in auto burglaries around the citys Japantown in eight smash-and-grab cases over the summer, officials said Friday. The batch of arrests comes as police work to lower the number of car break-ins around the city, which hit an all-time high of more than 31,000 reported cases last year. Auto burglaries are down 20 percent for the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year, according to the departments statistics. The YWCA duplicates annual Player of the Year contest passed the halfway point recently with Leia Berla pacing a field of 61 players who have participated in at least eight games since the first of the year. Following play in July, Berla had an average percentage score of 60.4 percent for 18 games, giving her nearly a 2 percentage point lead over defending champion Terry Lubman, whose average was 58.5 percent for 13 appearances. Sharon Santow was third with 57.8 percent for 17 games, followed by Mary Scarfi at 57.7 percent for 24 games, and Jerry Jacobs at 57.4 percent for 12 games. Rounding out the Top 10 in the contest, for which anyone who plays in at least 15 games during the year is automatically eligible, are: sixth, Carole Hue at 57.2 percent; seventh, Eleanor Gimon at 56.5 percent; eighth, Lois Spagna at 56.3 percent; ninth, Susan Vock at 56.0 percent; and 10th, Renate Fremuth at 55.4 percent. Todays quiz: We continue this week with the current series of quizzes on basic bridge probabilities. In the following problem, you are given your own and the dummys holding in a particular suit and are to determine the best percentage play in the specified circumstances. YOU: D K43; DUMMY: D AQ102. You would like to make four tricks in this suit. You begin by cashing the ace and king, but the jack fails to fall as both opponents follow low. When you next lead toward dummys Q-10, your left-hand opponent plays another small diamond. Should you finesse the 10 or go up with the queen? Answer: As you begin to play the suit with six cards missing, the odds favor a 4-2 division (48 percent) over a 3-3 split (36 percent), so one might think that the correct play in the given combination is to finesse the 10 on the third round. However, percentages can sometimes change in midstream, and this is one of those occasions. Once LHO follows low to the third diamond, half the 4-2 breaks are eliminated, since he can no longer have started with a doubleton (nor can RHO have begun with four). The effect of this development is to alter the percentages in favor of playing for the jack to drop under the queen. The difference (2 percent) is so small, though, that if you have any reason to expect a bit more distribution from the opponents (such as when they have been in the bidding on very slim values), you can change your mind in favor of the finesse. The weeks duplicate results: Greenwich YWCA weekly open duplicate: North-South, 1. Carol Cram-Ruth Newberg, 2. Carol Febles-Howard Truss, 3. Renate Fremuth-Barbara Thompson, 4. Joanne Kuebler-Hollister Sturges, 5. Grant Perkins-Bruno Schrage; East-West, 1. Mary Albertell-Karen Hershberg, 2. Leia Berla-Eleanor Gimon, 3. Ann and Fred Jones, 4. Dave Babson-Dorothea Bellafiore, 5. Betty Cutting-Mary Oztemel. MIDDLETOWN The water and sewer department plans to hold a public session Thursday for residents to voice opinions on and learn common misconceptions about the tree removal process in the Forest City. Barbara Road, Phedon Parkway and Old Mill Road in the Westfield portion of the city will undergo complete road reconstructions, which includes installation of a new water main and sewers, according to city Environmental Resource Specialist Jim Sipperly, who also staffs the Urban Forestry Commission. Trench work slated along the sides of these streets will disrupt the growth of and damage a lot of the tree roots. Old Mill Road trees will mostly undergo pruning. The sewer line is going to be on the left side of the road, so these roots go underneath the road, Sipperly said Friday on Phedon Parkway, pointing to an area with large oaks and silver maple trees he estimated could be as old as 100 years. The public session is for neighborhood residents, as well as others curious about the citys urban forestry plan. The hearing will begin at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Water & Sewer Department at 82 Berlin St. More for you Middletown, Tree City for 28th year, marks Arbor Day with dedicated plantings Middletown prides itself on being designated a Tree City USA under guidelines established by the National Arbor Day Foundation, something only 18 of 169 municipalities in Connecticut obtained. There are several conditions under which a tree might be removed: being deemed by an arborist or forester as unhealthy, diseased or damaged, Sipperly said. Theyre not good species of trees, so they should come down, he said of those to be removed. There are some that are very healthy, but, because we are going to be removing the root system, eventually, in a few years, theyre going to die. It makes prudent sense. Often, residents who see trees stapled with notices of public hearings required by ordinance see greenery, the diameter of trunks and height, and assume theyre healthy and sturdy. Its only when hurricanes, thunder and ice storms hit certain areas, knocking down massive branches split at their junctions with the trunks that its evident certain species of these trees arent as stable as believed. Thats what people need to understand. They look at this and say, Look at this beautiful oak tree. Why are they taking it down? Its healthy, Sipperly said. When the work is being done, half of the root system is going to be removed from these trees, said Arborist Jane Harris, chairwoman of the Urban Forestry Commission. Its always a quandary when youre going to do repaving work, because tree roots spread way the heck out. Most people think roots go down, but, actually, they go wide. For example, a 100-year-old sugar or Norway maple likely is stabilized by roots that span 50 to 60 feet in all directions. When you come in and you cut trenches and do drainage work, youre cutting into big important roots, and the roots are there for more than one reason, said Harris, a self-proclaimed tree hugger who goes by the use name Tree Fanatic online. She offers an analogy of a wine glass standing on a dinner plate, with the tree being the vessel. All that root mass, 85 percent of it, is in the top 18 inches of soil. We really put a lot of work into our tree-maintenance program and removal program, Sipperly said. These trees are hazardous theyre dead, theyre losing branches, and theyre in populated areas. Budgeted funds about $10,000 annually allow the city to to call in professionals to remove about 50 to 60 trees a year. Every fall and spring, staff and volunteers either raise money through donations or grants to replant those taken down. Tree City USA has a stringent policy for municipalities to qualify for the designation: an urban forestry commission that meets on a regular basis, a tree ordinance, and annual Arbor Day celebration. Also, each must spend $2 per capita, said Sipperly, something most towns cant afford because they dont have the spending, staff or resources. Every other tree I look at there is scruffy looking, just grew there, or its a big old Norway maple or silver maple. Those are trees we would never plant for that purpose, Harris said. We do not remove trees that are healthy, even if it blocks peoples sewer line. We tell them got to replace their lateral (which connects to the main city sewer system). We will not cut down a healthy tree in the city of Middletown, Sipperly said. Over the years, trends in planting street trees fluctuate, Harris said. Silver and Norway maples are beloved by landscapers, because they are very fast-growing (though not recommended these days), and give you a shade canopy within 10 years, but the price you pay is (ultimately feeble) trees, especially silver maples. You get a combination of a bad winds and heavy rain, and those things will split. When they coming crashing down, thats tons and tons of weight coming down in an uncontrolled fashion, Harris said. People dont regard trees the same way arborists and foresters do. When you stand under a maple tree in the middle of August, you look up, you should see nothing but green leaves. You look at half of those trees on Phedon Parkway, and youre looking up through a sparse canopy where you can see blue sky, Harris said. So you know those trees are going to be gone in five to 10 years. Taking them down while the money is available to speed up the process, Harris said, makes sense. Every one will be replaced with 2.5- to 3-inch diameter trees. We do a very thoughtful job of replanting. Were not going to go in there with little ditzy trees and say: Well, here you are. Well pick out nice selections. Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@hearstmediact.com or Twitter @cassandrasdis. On the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey flooding, staff writer Jennifer Bolton reflects on how the flooding of her Dickinson home and the months of repairs and disruption that followed have changed her life. About a year ago, I was soaking wet and trying to keep my dogs from escaping our small attic room to swim in our flooded living room. My husband sawed a hole into our roof. I was on a video call with my sister, who wanted to see with her own eyes that if the water reached our attic, we could get out. I know you dont know this, but people are drowning in attics, she said. Please cut a hole in the roof. Let me see that Luke is cutting a hole in the roof. HARVEY THEN AND NOW: Dramatic photos show how the hurricane devastated Houston A neighbor who had also just lost everything stopped his boat in front of our home he was able to pull up right to our roof. My husband helped me through the newly installed escape hatch, I log-rolled down the roof as gracefully as that can be accomplished (which, by the way, is not very gracefully in case you were wondering), got my dogs on the boat and we were off. Fifty-two inches of water in a house is a lot of water, and the flood took an awful lot of things from us. It took our piano and most of the 1,000-plus books in my collection. It took a pretty sizable chuck of my husbands tools. It took photos, dishes, a couple guitars, drawings and notes from my niece, clothes, beds, ugly curtains that I had been meaning to get rid of, dressers even, to some extent, my sense of security for a while. Jennifer Bolton/Houston Chronicle But now that a year has passed, its odd to look back and see, very clearly, that the flood gave us more than it took. It gave my husband and me an amazing opportunity to spend time together, to sift through mud and sludge and wet papers and soaked furniture and moldy drywall and soaked insulation and realize that most of those things we lost arent really that important. The flood showed me how much he loves me. I saw him tirelessly plan the rebuild of our house around me. DON'T SAY IT'S OVER: A year later, Houston's Harvey recovery remains uneven Stand here and put your arms up, he said, I want to see how tall I can make this shelf so you can reach it. OK now, stand there and pretend like youre doing something at the counter. I want to make sure theyre a comfortable height for you. The flood gave us the opportunity to see the huge capacity so many people have for love, kindness, selflessness and thoughtfulness. Jennifer Bolton/Houston Chronicle Without a second thought, my husbands sister and brother-in-law drove through flood waters to pick us up from the side of the road, bring us to the safety of their home, wrap their arms around us and offer their sons room for us to sleep in. Ive never been so thankful for a shower. My sister packed up clothes, shoes, brushes, makeup anything she could find that belonged to her, my mom and my brother-in-law and drove through high water to make sure my husband and I had some sense of comfort and normalcy. Giving me these things, in lots of cases, left her without. Within hours of being rescued, a Go Fund Me my sister set up for us had about $5,000 in it. Friends, family, anonymous donors and people I had never even met before and people I hadnt seen or spoken with since elementary school so thoughtfully contributed. For months, no one could even say the phrase Go Fund Me in my proximity without it prompting tears. With that we were able to buy the lumber we needed to rebuild and appliances so many things you dont think about needing when youre rebuilding a home. Do you have any idea how many nails it takes? Way more than I thought, it turns out. The flood gave me hope. Read the original first-person account At 11:30 p.m. Saturday, I was watching "Rick and Morty" and drinking a glass of cheap wine in a pair of horrendous shorts on the couch with my husband. By 8 the next morning, my husband was slowly working his way through the roof of our attic with a dull Sawzall. MORE: A normal weekend turned upside down by Harvey See More Collapse After I saw the wreckage of the house right after the water receded, if you told me wed have the building empty and down to studs in two days, I would never have believed you. But in the first weekend we were able to get back to our home we had more than 50 people turn up to help purge the hallways of mud, haul things out in the yard to dry, tear out anything the flood had touched. The house was full of laughter, hammering, destruction the necessary kind that has to happen before things get better. Having these people in our home immediately made things better. People very close to us, who have been a second family to me almost my entire life, were there every second of the house tear down until one of them had to leave to get stitches after a wayward tile flew into his shin. The rest of his family came back the next day. Anyone willing to risk hepatitis to help is a good person to have in your corner. I sat in our driveway with a friend Ive had since kindergarten and her children, sifting through wet love notes, cards from family members who weve lost, artwork from elementary school, seeing what was salvageable and setting it out to dry in the sunshine. It could have been sad, but it wasnt. It was really beautiful. The flood showed me how to be more grateful. My brother-in-law, who works as a project manager, spent hours, days, weeks helping us. He took a week of vacation and spent it in the moldy, muddy, hot skeleton of our home. It gave me time with my mom. After the waters had receded enough to leave my sister-in-laws house, my mom immediately opened the doors of my childhood home to us. I got to sit in the living room with her and hear about her day. I got to spend time with her getting ready in the mornings and at dinner. We got to watch the Astros win the World Series together. The flood gave me a sense of exactly how much I have to be thankful for. Complete strangers opened their arms in ways I would have never thought possible. One person gave me clothes, shoes, her own cell phone charger and her own curling iron out of her purse. Another woman who went to the same high school as me drove down from New Jersey. She brought an entire suitcase of beauty products with her. Let me tell you. You dont know how much you miss good facewash until you dont have it anymore. She will never have any idea how much this meant. It was not a small gesture, and I will be appreciative of this for the rest of my life. Jennifer Bolton/Houston Chronicle To this day, if we need toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, lotion, socks any number of things all my husband and I have to do is go to one of the many boxes of items people lovingly pieced together and gave to us. In those moments when Im sifting through our storage for a razor or a pair of tweezers among these things, I think about how very lucky we are. I think about how thankful I am and I wonder if there will ever be a way to let those who helped us know what an enormous impact their kindness was on our lives. We have so much. We have always had so much. Harvey gave us that knowledge. The giving that came from this was constant, is ongoing and started before the flood had even ended, with our neighbor, who, after also losing so much, gave us a ride to the front of our neighborhood. There is no other way for me to feel but thankful. jennifer.bolton@chron.com Long Shot Films "Run Like the Devil," Steve Mims' documentary about the senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke, will have its only Houston showing at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The film is described as documenting "the 2018 senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke. A non-partisan deep dive that goes beyond the political campaign, the film threads the stories of the candidates with those of their respective political parties during a historic period of national political tumult." McQueen, a kinky catwalk of a movie, is a savagely beautiful tribute that the late, irreverent fashion designer Alexander McQueen would surely have appreciated. Documentarians Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui have an embarrassment of riches to tell the story of a working-class British boy who set the fashion world ablaze in the 1990s and 2000s: footage of McQueens outlandishly dark fashion shows; intimate interviews with those close to the designer; and, not to be underestimated, the filmmakers own flair for the diabolical. The latter is on display with a visually dazzling skull still a symbol of McQueens brand today that alternately squirts blood, decomposes before our eyes or emits items that include jewels, butterflies and fabrics. The macabre graphic device might seem over the top, and in bad taste, given that McQueen committed suicide in 2010, but instead, the skull interludes tailor the film into a cohesive, if morbid, whole. And they seem appropriate for a designer whose shows included Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims and The Highland Rape. Whatever one thinks of the political appropriateness of these runway spectacles McQueen insisted that he was indicting misogyny, not advocating it there is no denying that the catwalk presentations are exhilarating theater. The score by legendary composer Michael Nyman only enhances the effect. McQueen comes off as a provocative, hardworking, disciplined artist, but not as a diva hardly the typical fashion icon. This was an unpretentious guy who seemed like he would be more at home in the local pub than in the fancy design center. And its charming that his mother and family showed up at all his events sometimes with refreshments for the models. There are times when parts of McQueens love life and other personal sorrows feel glossed over, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a fascinating portrait of an artist. One major point in the films favor is how well McQueens creations still hold up: They look like museum pieces, worthy of an exhibition (which did happen in New York and London). We dont have to be fashion mavens to admire the craftsmanship or to enjoy this film. David Lewis is a freelance writer. The City of Humble Public Works department has been working on another water distribution system to meet the needs of the citys 15,616 residents. The (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality specifies) that you have a certain amount of elevated storage. To meet that criteria, we had to build the tower, Assistant Public Works Director Mark Arnold said. The elevated storage tank is currently being built on Wilson Road. Theres currently a tank behind Deerbrook Mall, off on Rankin Road and one next to the Public Works department on Granberry Street. Landmark Structures from Fort Worth is constructing the elevated storage tank in the contract amount of $2.4 million. The water tower should be completed January 2019. The elevated storage tank on Wilson Road will have the same design as the one behind Deerbrook Mall. We had an engineering firm come in and do a model of our system. You base your towers based on pressure needs, needs like that; We just have to have a certain amount of elevated storage capacity and then its our place to best determine where it suits the city, Arnold said. There are 500,000 gallons of water in the tank on Rankin Road, while a 1 million gallons tank sits behind Deerbrook Mall. The tank currently under construction on Wilson Road will hold a million gallons of water when it opens. Arnold said all the other water towers will remain. The oldest water tower was built in the 1930s. It is located next to the Public Works Department and holds about 125,000 gallons of water. All of the citys elevated storage tanks help maintain the citys pressure system under control. If one tank were to go out of service, then there will be pressure issues in that certain part of town. TCEQ also requires based off of your population that you have a certain amount of elevated storage capacity, Arnold said. kaila.contreras@chron.com Disputes happen at any age and what better time to learn how to play well with others then when children are young. John Fulghum wrote a book All I really need to know I Learned in Kindergarten. Many of these principles ring true. Share, play fair, dont hit people, clean up your mess, say youre sorry, dont take things that arent yours, and put things back where you found them. Simple, right? Playing well with others in the sandbox doesnt always happen. Conflicts arise at school, home, the workplace, with neighbors, and in the community. Children are faced with challenges involving peer pressure and bullying while trying to develop conflict resolution skills such as being respectful to others, tolerance, how to apologize and listen and how to handle bullying without violence. Many of the challenges can be resolved through constructive problem-solving techniques. Elaine Roberts, Executive Director of the DRC-MC said, We almost canceled the Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest last year because of county-wide disruption caused by Hurricane Harvey. We are glad that we went ahead with the 2017 contest despite Harvey because we still received 1,927 entries from 44 schools across the county. Multiple students, teachers and parents told us how much they enjoy this annual contest and how working on their bookmarks brings hope and inspiration even in difficult times. Since 2014, The Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc (DRC-MC) has sponsored a Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest for Montgomery County students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. The contest is open to students in private, public, or home-school environment in order to foster a countywide conversation about resolving conflicts. There are three entry levels for the contest, K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, and 6-8th graders. Students are encouraged to submit original bookmark size artwork with themes of conflict resolution or preventing conflict. Contest judges from various organizations, including The Woodlands Art Council, The Conroe Art League, The Woodlands Art League, The Woodlands Bar Association, the Montgomery County Judiciary and the DRC-MC will judge the bookmark art based on creativity and message during the first week in October. The 2018 Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest will began Aug. 13 and continues through Sept. 28. Judge Kathleen Hamilton, 359th Judicial District Court, will help to award cash prizes to the winning students and anti-bullying books to their teachers at an Awards Ceremony on Oct. 19 at the Montgomery County Commissioners Court in Conroe. The winning bookmarks are then displayed at the Montgomery County Memorial Central Library 30 days following the ceremony. In 2017, the DRC-MC distributed 16,000 copies of the top winning bookmarks throughout the county to encourage a culture of kindness. Contest rules and a template for the bookmark art is available at www.Resolution-Center.org, through all the local school districts, and all branches of the Montgomery County Memorial Library system. The 2017 winner names and images of some of the prior winners will is also available for viewing at the DRC-MC website. Lois Voth, Chair of the Board of the DRC-MC, is excited about the participation of younger citizens of our community in the Bookmark Art Contest. "What a wonderful contest for children! It offers opportunities to discuss how to respond to bullies and how to work through conflicts. The ideas and artwork that children then create are varied, delightful and inspirational. Expressing ideas visually allows us all to grasp complicated concepts in new ways." The Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest is done in conjunction with the # ITookThePledge social media campaign where elected officials, business owners, teachers, and parents are asked to sign a pledge to resolve conflicts peacefully to create a safer place for all of us to live in. The #ITookThePledge social media campaign will be initiated at www.Facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyDRC at the beginning of October 2018. The DRC-MC challenges all Montgomery County residents to take the pledge to make our community a better place by playing nicely in the sandbox. Celebrating 30 years of helping people peacefully resolve their disputes, the Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (DRC-MC) is located in Downtown Conroe at 301 N. Thompson Street across the street from the Courthouse. The Montgomery County Commissioners Court and Montgomery County Bar Association established the nonprofit organization in 1988 and the DRC-MC has been helping people with difficult conversations since that time. Mediation fees are administered on a sliding scale based on ability to pay to prevent disputes from escalating into serious civil or criminal matters. Find out more about the Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. by visiting www.resolution-center.org. Visit their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyDRC and call 936-760-6914, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for additional information. Last Monday at the ASLA Couples Lunch Group led by Beverley Poltorak, Diane Ganson was giving out papers to everyone when we came in to the Olive Oil Greek Restaurant in The Woodlands. I was extremely excited to see that the April Sound Church is offering a flag project and I want all residents of April Sound to know about this. After I spoke with Sherri at Storage 105, Mary McClanahan called me to give me the details for this article. Some of you may already know that flags are put out along the streets of Walden and some other surrounding communities for patriotic holidays. Waldens flag project partly benefits Madeley Ranch Grade School. Now, due to the generosity of Jack and Mary McClanahan, the flag project is coming to April Sound! Here are the details about the Flags Over April Sound project. Jack and Mary will purchase the flags, poles, and the plastic holders that go into the ground. They have already ordered 250 flags. Homeowners who wish to participate will pay $40 per year to the April Sound Church. A flag committee has been formed of church members who are willing to facilitate the program and put the flags out before the patriotic holidays and pick them up after the holiday passes. The flags are 3 x 5 on 10 poles and will be stored at Storage 105. After a homeowner has paid the $40.00 fee and filled out the form, a volunteer will install the white receptacle for their flag(s) in the lawn flush to the grass and a certain distance from the street. This is important so that, as the flags are put in, we will see a uniform line of flags along the street all waving together. The committee wants to begin with Labor Day 2018 and the other holidays are: Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, Presidents Day and Flag Day. A list of emails for all participating residences will be maintained and reminders will be sent out each August for renewals. Payments for joining the project at other times of the year will be pro-rated. 8:00 p.m. UPDATE: A controversial quote painted in a hallway at a Houston Independent School District Middle School will be taken down, according to a press release by the district. In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, district officials wrote, "The quote does not align with HISD values, and it will be taken down." The quote, "The more you act like a lady, the more he'll act like a gentleman," is currently featured at Gregory Lincoln, a K-8 school. A photo was tweeted by a Houston resident Friday afternoon and went viral with many calling for the quote to be covered up. ORIGINAL STORY: A Houston ISD school is drawing criticism online for a quote featured in a hallway above the lockers. The quote, "The more you act like a lady, the more he'll act like a gentleman," is featured at Gregory Lincoln, a K-8 school, at 1101 Taft St. A photo of the quote was tweeted by Houston resident Stephanie Wittels Wachs Friday afternoon and has since gone viral. STACKING CASH: These are the 41 highest-paid high school principals in the Houston area "This outrageous victim-blaming message is painted on the wall of a MIDDLE SCHOOL in @HoustonISD, blatantly perpetuating the horrific myth that girls are to blame for sexual violence against them. Absolutely disgusting. Paint over it now," Wachs tweeted. The quote has resulted in more than 40 responses, most of which agree with Wachs. Gregory Lincoln confirmed the quote was at their school but declined to comment. A request for comment was placed with HISD. This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available. Fernando Alfonso III covers everything from crime to weird internet trends. Read him on the breaking news site chron.com and the subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | fernando.alfonso@chron.com A new exhibit at The Health Museum is forcing patrons to tackle the concept of the naked human form in all its perceived imperfections. Sculptor Sarah Sitkin's "BODYSUITS" exhibit at the Health Museum in Houston takes an unflinching look at body image with wearable suits molded from actual bodies using silicone, plaster, and latex. A LOOK BACK: Eye-popping Body Worlds RX exhibit comes to Houston Sitkin's exhibit is a part of a larger, six-part project at the museum called "Body as a Work of Art: More Than Skin Deep" which deals with the human body and its quirks. Los Angeles-based artist Sitkin's "skin" garments achieve an eerie, realistically human look. The human form, both male and female, is shown from the genital area and up to the neck. Some visitor discretion is warranted. VIP VIEW: Peek inside the Houston Museum of Natural Science archives The bodysuits are stark and jarring. Patrons can wear the suits inside a mirrored room, not unlike one found in a fitting room at the mall, in essence spending time inhabiting someone else's skin and confronting body image and beauty. There will be ten on display with two bodies that were commissioned by the Health Museum for Houston patrons. The six-part exhibit is open at no extra charge beyond standard museum charges, but there is a $10 charge to try on someone else's "skin." Other examples of Sitkin's work with the human body can be found on her official website and on her Instagram page. It can be at turns gory and frightening, but the attention to detail makes it hard to look away. JUST AROUND THE CORNER: New dining options at Houston Museum of Natural Science coming soon "It's been an incredible process," said LaTanya Miles, the museum's director of education and public programming. "We reached out to Sarah and talked about what we wanted to provide to visitors, including trying to get the audience to a gain a level of empathy for diverse body types while also confronting beauty standards." Miles says that one of the overarching themes is the acceptance of others. "Finding beauty in unorthodox ways is definitely a theme here," Miles said. A social media lab also tackles the way that social media impacts our perception of beauty on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Health Museum President John Arcidiacono said Friday that the exhibit as a whole was borne out of what people in the community wanted, which in part was striking a balance between the concept of the body as an art form. OLD-WORLD ART: Sistine Chapel exhibit will stay in Houston a little bit longer "We make people aware that they are entering a space that has anatomically correct bodysuits so we make visitors aware of what is coming," Arcidiacono said. "The humanity comes through in the exhibit." He points to another part of the exhibit called "Positive Exposures" which centers on photographs of people with genetic conditions and finding beauty in non-traditional places. It was just last year that the museum hosted the extremely popular Body Worlds RX anatomical exhibit which featured real human bodies and body parts. The specimens, preserved via a plastination process, allowed patrons to get a look under the skin of the human body and its inner workings. "Body as a Work of Art: More Than Skin Deep" opens on Saturday, August 18 and runs until Friday, January 11, 2019. General admission to The Health Museum is free for children two and under; $8 for children 3 to 12 years old and seniors 65 and above; $10 for adults; and free on Thursdays for families. 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 The Houston Humane Society seized nearly 300 animals on Wednesday from a home in Anderson, where authorities found neglected small dogs, mini horses and Shetland ponies living in their own feces, according to humane society spokeswoman Monica Schmidt. The humane society partnered with the Grimes County Sheriff's Office on the seizure at a home in the 7400 block of State Highway 30. RELATED: Abandoned dog at the Houston Humane Society gets showered with internet love Investigator Kindale Pittman of the sheriff's office said the 75-year-old homeowner surrendered the animals on her property when police arrived. Criminal charges are pending. "As soon as we get that [evidence] back, we will present that to DA's office," Pittman said. The animals included 49 mini horses and Shetland ponies, as well as 242 various small dog breeds, including Pomeranians, Min Pins and Chinese Cresteds. Schmidt said all the animals showed signs of years of neglect that piled up. "There's skin abrasions and skin sores. And it's hard to know if they scratched themselves on the cage or if they scratched themselves that hard because they're covered in lice, fleas or both," Schmidt said. Many animals were housed in rusted out cages and forced to live in their own filth. They were malnourished, matted, soiled and covered in parasites, Schmidt said. The homeowner appeared to be breeding the animals, as many pure breed dogs and puppies were found on the property, Schmidt said. PET OF THE WEEK: Here are the Houston Humane Society animals that need homes now The animals are currently receiving medical attention. It'll likely take weeks before they're put up for adoption, she said. "It's a very tough situation these animals that have been going through for a very long time," she said. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com A new study from Airbnb shows Houston teachers have found a way to maximize their income outside of school. RELATED: More teachers taking on summer jobs to get by The study, released this week, lists Houston among 15 large cities with the most teacher hosts for Airbnb rental units. Teachers comprise 10 percent of all Airbnb hosts in Houston, and they collectively made $550,000 in supplemental income from the rentals in 2017, the study shows. During the summer of 2017 peak season for Airbnb rentals Houston teachers raked in $116,000 in supplemental income from the rental units. A 2016 statewide survey shows that nearly half of all Texas teachers take on summer jobs, and about 31 percent of the people who responded to the survey held other jobs during the school year. Dale Ballou, an associate professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University who has studied teacher moonlighting, previously told the Houston Chronicle that teachers pick up second jobs for a variety of reasons outside of dire financial circumstances. "A lot of teachers working second jobs are doing these fairly substantial activities - not just checking groceries at a local grocery store, but sometimes activities of a professional nature such as having a photo studio on the side," Ballou said. The Texas Education Agency sets the minimum salary requirements for teacher, which is $28,080 for a first-year educator in 2018-19. The minimum salary for veteran teachers with at least 20 years of experience is set at $45,510. This year in Houston ISD, teachers can make anywhere from $52,530 to $74,360, according to the district's teacher compensation table. Airbnb hosts can rent out private rooms, shared rooms and full homes. They have to meet several basic requirements, including providing essential amenities (toilet paper, soap, etc.), responding quickly to booking requests and avoiding cancellations. RELATED: HISD proposing teacher salary freeze after trimming budget Rates for full-home Airbnb rentals can reach up to $2,500 per day, while private room rentals can rise to around $500 per day. Shared rooms in Houston typically max out around $120. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com Shortly before Harvey hit the Gulf Coast, Gladys Contreras moved into a house in Brookside Village with her family. She needed to be closer to Lawhon Elementary School, where she planned to enroll her special-needs son in prekindergarten for new school. Harvey destroyed her home. Suddenly everything seemed uncertain. One year later, the Contreras family is still living in a rented RV. I dont feel very good about it, she said of her familys recovery process. Im confused. Its been a year since the flooding and I dont know what is going to happen. In the aftermath of the storm, many Brookside houses looked like they had been turned inside out. Rubble was strewn across yards and furniture and other household belongings laid in heaps along the sides of streets. Soon, homes throughout the community were buzzing with chainsaws as damaged wallboard was removed and dumped beside the road for pickup. A year later, reminders remain of last years flooding a few shuttered homes dot the quiet neighborhoods and contractors climb scaffolds to work on roofs. After the storm, volunteers poured in from throughout the nation. Some are still there. Angela Lovero, who recently arrived from New Jersey through Samaritans Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization based in North Carolina that provides assistance to people after disasters. The group partnering with Houston area agencies and churches, like Crosspoint Church in Pearland. Samaritans Purse is now working on two homes in Brookside Village, one of which belongs to a handicapped resident. Were bringing these home up to living conditions, redoing all needed frames, leveling floors, new wiring, plumbing, new interior and new exterior, said Justin Riddle, construction supervisor for Samaritans Purse. The Samaritans Purse partners were on the ground working in the Houston area 48 hours after Harvey, and Lovero, 34, is part of a wave of volunteers positioned to join the rebuilding in the later stages. That was intentional, knowing that the rebuild starts happening for a lot of people a year later, Lovero said. She planned to stay in Brookside for one week. Jenny Oliver will be there for a while longer. The mother of two children, Oliver was helping Lovero measure and cut soffit for the roof. She recently moved back into her house to the south in Liverpool after nearly a year living in a rented apartment. Her home had been flooded with 6 feet of water, and she lost everything. Oliver used most of the FEMA money she received on the rebuild, but ran out of resources. Samaritans Purse volunteers helped her complete the rebuild. My community was also hit really hard, and with the FEMA money, I had gotten as far as I could, but if it wasnt for Samaritans Purse, I wouldnt have walls, floors or new electrical wiring, Oliver said. Oliver, 42, said she has experienced the generosity of others all year even her clothes are from church donations and came to the small, close-knit and independent-minded community to help. Lawhon Elementary School is part of Pearland ISD, but in some ways, it stands apart. The school for grades prekindergarten through fourth, escaped significant damage from Harvey. But the flooding disrupted the lives of 40 of the some 700 Lawhon students. In the school year that followed the storm, Pearland ISD sought to help those students and their families, seeking to provide a strong support system, according to distri ct spokesperson, Kim Hocott. Lawhon staff members, she said, really went out into the community and served those kids and their families. The district, partnering with its education foundation, would end up raising over $90,000, with monetary and other donations coming from the Pearland community as well as from throughout the United and Canada. The district also distributed gift cards to families throughout the year. Gladys Contreras appreciate help she has received from the Brookside Village community. These are good people, and with their help, and Gods help, we will be fine, she said. Contreras was focused on getting her son into school for the new year. She has a family to take care of, she said, and cannot afford to get frustrated. I am positive because I have to be, she said. Everything will be fine, and if I say everything will be fine, my family will be fine. They cant start thinking things are hopeless and they look to me for that hope. Yorozco@hcn.online.com They say it takes a village. For Darryl Jackson, or DJ, as most people know him, that could not be more true. Thursday night was life changing because the 22-year-old graduated with his certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology from Texas State Technical College a feat that not long ago seemed impossible for this homeless man. I never dreamt that I would, or could be a college graduate, said Jackson. Statistics show I should be in prison or dead. But Jackson is not a statistic. Instead, he is defying all odds. The Houston native was taken away from his mother because of her drug addiction and his father was never in the picture. Jackson grew up in the foster care system and suffered some abuse. At 18, he aged out, like many teens in the system do. He found himself out in the streets with no place to live, no food to eat and no money for even his most basic needs. My entire life has been discouraging, frightening and sad, said Jackson. I was a very angry child and teen. I didnt understand why I was suffering. Jackson spent one year at a homeless shelter. Then went from couch-to-couch, living with different friends. Then, finally a break. One of his friends invited him to visit TSTC for registration. I had no intention of registering for classes. I was only along for the ride, said Jackson. But as soon as I stepped foot on campus everything changed. That was the day that changed Jacksons life forever. And although he said he had no idea what a lineworker was or did, he signed up for the program anyways. He figured he had nothing to lose. What was I thinking? Im afraid of heights, Jackson said he thought on the first day of class. I didnt know what I had gotten myself into, but I knew I had to do something. I didnt want to be homeless forever. Enter Troy Eads, TSTCs electrical lineworker technology instructor. Jackson credits Eads for much of what he has been able to achieve. As a young homeless man, school was not a priority, survival was. And although Jackson received financial aid and scholarships such as TSTCs Texan Success Scholarship, it was only enough for tuition and books. He was still homeless and without enough to eat. DJ was so close to quitting several times, and it hurt me as his instructor because I knew about his life and I wanted so much to see him succeed, said Eads. He would sleep in the trucks at the colleges diesel lab and he was always hungry and tired, so I took him into my home. Jackson would stay with Eads occasionally, but help also came from Carolyn Arnim from Friendship Church in Richmond, who learned about the lineworker student and his situation during one of her clothing drop-offs for TSTCs Clothing Closet. Arnim got her whole congregation to help. As a church in the community we felt compelled to help Darryl. What was happening could not happen on our watch, said Arnim. I cant even put into words what a big deal his graduation is. Were so proud of him and I truly feel that we needed Darryl more than he needed us. His testimony has resonated with so many in our community. The congregation from Friendship Church took Jackson in as one of their own, helping him with spiritual guidance, clothes, food and a place to stay. Between TSTC and the church sharing the cost, Jackson has been able to stay at a local motel for the past couple of semesters, and Eads picks up Jackson for class and drops him off at his room every day to ensure he has transportation. Without Troy, TSTC or the church, I would have quit a long time ago. There is no way I could have graduated without these selfless people. They are special to me, said Jackson. Everything everyone has done has changed my life. On Aug. 27, Jackson will begin his career at CenterPoint Energy in Houston with a starting pay of $30 an hour. Im ready to get to work and start building my future, said Jackson. I have a chance at a completely different life and Im excited. Jackson said with his new career he is looking forward to saving for an apartment and car, and helping his sisters who are also struggling. His long-term goals are to own a business and help others. I need to build myself up so I can build others, he said. I want to be to others in my situation what everyone here at TSTC and Friendship Church have been to me, they have become the family I never had. Jackson celebrated his life-changing milestone with Eads, Arnim, Friendship Church Pastor Jason Frazier, his tenth grade teacher Sierra King and their families, all of which he credits for his success. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. An art mavens weekly fix of the local arts scene: what to see, what to hear, what to do, who to meet and musings about how art makes people feeltheir Art Feel. Dont miss Hunter F. Jones Urban Solitude photography exhibit at the RAW Connect Show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Stereo Live (a nightclub) in Houston. In this captivating show, Jones explores themes of motion. This collection of photographs has a wonderful Anthony Bourdain-esque feel to it with Jones taking us to many cities and remote locations through his unique lens. I like being in a place that I haven't been before and getting small slices and different angles of the everyday world, Jones said. Im most happy when Im free to roam the planet with my camera. In Jones photograph titled Stimuli we see the hazy rush of a Tokyo street framing a motorcycles side mirror that captures this citys soaring structural designs. In Shy Sky, we are offered Chicago architecture in a dream-like state on the hood of a passing car. My personal favorite, Heaven or Hell, shows us the Dupont Circle Metro Station in Washington D.C. as a purgatory sorting station. Youve probably seen Jones photography before in Houston publications like Local and Culture Map Houston. In fact, he was one of the first photographers hired by Culture Map to photograph more than 200 Houston hot spots during the genesis of this daily lifestyle journal. Jones grew up in The Woodlands, in the Village of Panther Creek in the 1980s. When he was 14 years old, his father gave him his 1963 Asahi Pentax Spotmatic 2 camera he had used in Vietnam gathering intelligence for the military. With it, Jones photographed landscapes and architecture of The Woodlands. During his senior year at McCullough High School, he spent time studying abroad at The Switzerland International School where a teacher, Horst Durrschmidt, was the first adult (besides his father) to encourage his photography passion. After studying at The University of Texas in Austin, Jones went to work for one of the world's leading lighting manufacturers in the Rock n Roll business, High End Systems. In Austin, he was part of the prestigious artist collective at The Pine Street Station where he would exhibit his photography work and collaborate with other artists. Jones artistic influences include painters Salvador Dali, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee and music. Although he now lives in Houston, Jones often visits The Woodlands to dine with lifelong friends and photograph old haunts. Tickets to Urban Solitude are $22 and get you a little taste of everything at the RAW Connect Show, like seeing multiple art exhibits in a pop-up gallery setting featuring several independent visual artists, attend an independent film screening usually a short, webisode or music video see fashion shows from up-and-coming local designers, hear live musical performances, browse vendor booths featuring local artisans and accessories designers, and see live performance art. Youll also get to clink drinks with Jones in a festive night club atmosphere and hear about this artists passion for photography and travel over the din of disc jockeys spinning pulsating eclectic music. If a nightclub and an art gallery had a baby - RAWs Connect show would be it. Come celebrate Woodlands own Hunter F. Jones as he kicks off his Houston exhibition of Urban Solitude in this wild space! #worththedrive Visit the website to learn more about the show and buy tickets: http://rawartists.org/fhunterjones The Woodlands Waterway, which was completed this year in March, has become a hub for activity in the community. It provides a scenic view for restaurants that line the edges and it connects to Lake Woodlands which allows athletes to use it for the swim portion of annual triathlon competitions. Riva Row Boat House, located at 2101 Riva Row and situated across the waterway from Town Green Park, allows residents to access the water by renting out kayaks, paddle boards and, more recently, swan boats. Chris Nunes, director of The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department, noted that the boathouse was established in April 2009 and had 4,500 people utilize the facility in that first year. Now, the Riva Row Boat House sees more than 20,000 rentals per year. Its been a surprise that its been so successful. We really love the fact that families come down, couples come down and get to experience nature, Nunes said. Nunes explained that the development company went through a business and recreational process of deciding what water equipment to rent out. A variety of boating and recreational craft options were carefully considered before the board really settled on the concept of kayaks. Just this month, 10 pedal-powered swan boats were added to the amenities available at the boat house. Nunes said that they have been well received by the community so far. More than 185 swan boat rentals were issued in the first nine days, he added. We are surprised. I think people are really eager to have access to the upper waterway. Pedal boats just allow people to gain more access to the water in The Woodlands, Nunes said. The kayaks you have to get down into, which might be a challenge for some people, but the swan boats you can just step onto and its a nice activity that showcases the waterway. Nunes noted that, regardless of the method of water transport a person chooses, the experience is a calming one. Its one of the most peaceful experiences Ive ever had. Youre smack dab in this beautiful community, this beautiful lake all by yourself. Youre surrounded by this peaceful experience, Nunes said. The Riva Row Boat House will celebrate its 10 year anniversary next spring. Hours of operations and rental costs can be found at http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/RivaRowBoatHouse. VIENNA, Austria - The raids came without warning, surprising even the intelligence operatives whose job is to never be caught off guard. On the morning of Feb. 28, police stormed offices of Austria's main domestic intelligence agency and carted off some of the nation's most sensitive secrets in open crates and plastic bags. Top spy service officials working from home that day were greeted by officers threatening to break down their doors. The extraordinary decision to target the agency responsible for defending the country from a multitude of threats, including right-wing extremism, had been made by the service's new bosses: members of the far-right Freedom Party. The reason? Defending the totalitarian North Korean regime from an Austrian espionage operation, among others cited in the search warrant. Critics saw absurd pretext for a politically motivated stab at an independent institution that could threaten the party's agenda. More than five months later, the impact continues to ripple across this central European nation of 9 million - and far beyond. In a country whose geopolitical positioning between East and West has long made it a nest of spies - "a playground for all nations" in the words of one Austrian intelligence veteran - the hometown service has been left in disarray. "It's paralysis," the veteran said. "How could you work in such an environment?" Intelligence services across the West, meanwhile, have looked on in dismay - and have chosen to protect their own secrets by freezing Austria out. "We used to have very deep and good cooperation," said a top European intelligence official, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly. "But since the raids, we have stopped sharing highly sensitive information. We're worried it might get into the wrong hands." The raids and their aftermath reflect a messy emerging reality across Europe as parties once relegated to the fringes move to the center of power. In Greece, Italy, Poland, Hungary and Austria, anti-establishment parties with positions on either the far left or far right have taken hold of governments, either in whole or in part. Many are closely linked to Russia, and some have ties to extremist groups that have been associated with violence. A place in government gives these parties control of influential state institutions that are supposed to be above politics, including the courts, military and intelligence agencies. But as Austria has shown, those theoretically independent institutions are vulnerable to political meddling - or at least the appearance of it. In the trust-is-everything realm of intelligence work, that raises tricky questions for allies, which must decide whether they can risk continued cooperation. - - - The Freedom Party came to power in Austria at the end of last year as the junior partner in a coalition with the center-right. The party was founded by former SS officers in the 1950s, and has ridden anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric to new heights of popularity in recent years. Some of its members have been revealed to share a nostalgia for Hitler's Third Reich. The party has a formal cooperation agreement with President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, and the close ties show. Austria was a notable holdout when European Union nations banded together in March to expel Russian diplomats to protest the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal. Top Austrian officials, meanwhile, have spoken out against the EU's Russian sanctions. On Saturday, Putin is expected to be a guest of honor when Austria's foreign minister, the Freedom Party-allied Karin Kneissl, gets married. The Freedom Party had been in government before, in the early 2000s. But this is the first time it has been given control of the highly coveted Interior Ministry, which is responsible for law and order in Austria and is home to the country's main domestic intelligence agency, known as the BVT. Among the BVT's work in recent years has been sniffing out Russian influence, notably attempts at election interference. The agency also has tracked Islamist extremists and investigated the activities of violent far-right groups, including Islamophobic and anti-Semitic hate crimes. Much of that work requires cross-border cooperation, especially with European allies. Information from those investigations, among many others, was among the troves of intelligence seized by police in the February raids. To critics, the raids were nothing less than an attempt to quash intelligence work that ran counter to the party's interests. "Your actions intimidated those officials who are supposed to fight the extremist right," Christian Kern, a former center-left chancellor, told Interior Minister Herbert Kickl during a parliamentary debate. "It's a signal that will embolden the rightist scene." The Interior Ministry declined an interview request. But Kickl and his allies have publicly defended the raids, noting that a state prosecutor had sought a warrant and that a judge signed off on it. Seized documents were turned over by the police directly to the prosecutor. The raids, he said, were in line with the rule of law. "It's time we turn to the facts and leave aside the conspiracy theories," Kickl said. The search warrant cites several prosaic reasons for the raids, including an alleged failure by the intelligence agencies to properly discard information that had been slated for deletion. But it also includes more-fanciful justifications. Among them: Several top agency officials had worked with the South Korean government on an espionage operation to obtain blank North Korean passports, which were being printed in Austria. The victim of the supposed crime? Kim Jong Un's murderous regime. The raids are now the subject of legal action, with a court scheduled to decide within days whether the operation was legal and proportionate. A parliamentary inquiry, meanwhile, is to begin next month. Several people familiar with the matter said they don't necessarily agree with the most sinister interpretation of the raids - that the Freedom Party was carrying out a grand plan to seize intelligence and scuttle investigations. But they also said they believe the party was using flimsy pretexts in a clumsy attempt to put its stamp on the agency and install loyalists in top jobs. A number of senior intelligence officials were fired or suspended in the raids' aftermath. Various reasons were given, including keeping sensitive documents at home. "They tried to change the system with force, and they ended up destroying it," one agency insider said. "Do you know of any other intelligence service where the prosecutor can go and seize all the communications data? Can seize the files of ongoing cases? Can seize data from foreign services?" - - - Those foreign services have responded by pulling back. Although Austria is officially neutral and sits outside of NATO, it is a member of the European Union and has historically had close intelligence-sharing relationships with Western allies. "The alarms are going off," one senior European intelligence official said. "What happened in Austria reminds me of what autocrats would do." A senior Western intelligence official said it was not only allies who had stopped sharing with Austria but also the other way around. "The Austrians no longer call or reach out as they used to before," the official said. "Maybe because it's chaos in their house or because they are ashamed about what happened." Both the Freedom Party and its partner, the center-right People's Party of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, campaigned for office last year vowing to get tough on immigration and crack down on Islamists. But the weakening of the BVT could compromise efforts to keep the country safe from extremist attacks, a core mission of the agency. So far, however, the government is not paying a price for that possibility. Both parties remain broadly popular, and they have managed to keep the intelligence agency scandal out of the limelight by maintaining their focus on Islam. Deft at public relations, the parties have floated several largely symbolic initiatives, including burqa bans and prohibitions on halal meat. On the day this past spring when opposition parties called a news conference to discuss the BVT raids, the government immediately countered with its own news conference to announce the closure of several allegedly extremist mosques. (The mosques have since reopened.) "The government is trying to perform politics on the back of Muslim society, which leads to anger and fear and hate," said Ramazan Demir, a leader of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria, an umbrella group for the country's roughly 700,000 Muslims. "A big part of Austrian society already fears Islam. This way of doing politics doesn't help." To some, the focus on Islamist extremism also distracts from other threats, including anti-Semitism among non-Muslims. "I have never experienced an anti-Semitic threat from Muslims in Austria," said Schlomo Hofmeister, a Vienna-based rabbi for the country's small Jewish community. "But I receive every week threats from right-wing Austrians." Roman Haider, a veteran Freedom Party official who was made available by the party in response to interview requests, declined to discuss the raids on the BVT. But he was eager to talk about what he described as a real threat to Austria: the disappearance of pork from school lunchrooms, allegedly in deference to pious Muslims. "This is our society. This is our culture," he said. "In our schools, pork should be served." - - - The Washington Post's Luisa Beck in Berlin contributed to this report. Gov. Bruce Rauner said private employers shouldnt be forced to take part in a state-sponsored retirement plan for employees, but Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is working to override the governors veto of the legislation. Rauner changed a bill lawmakers sent him to alter language in the states Secure Choice Savings Program. The program will eventually require all employers with more than 25 employees to send the state a portion of their employees pay for an individual savings program. Employers wouldnt have to match, but Rauner said he doesnt like the mandate. Thats not good policy, Rauner said. You dont force cost on small employers. I want people to have good retirement but you dont do it by forcing small business to be uncompetitive and have to leave the state. Frerichs said it wont cost businesses extra to tweak the withholding theyre already doing for their employees. If Rauners changes to the 2015 law stick, Frerichs said it would change the program dramatically, but we dont intend for the governors amendatory veto to stand. The program is important, he said, to get an estimated 1.2 million employees to start saving for retirement. Because this is cleanup legislation that would make this good program better, were going to take that case to the Legislature and override the governors veto, Frerichs said. House Bill 4923 passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. Lawmakers will return after the November election for veto session. National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Mark Grant applauded the governors move to not make the program mandatory. The government has failed miserably at running its own state pension system and here they are trying to mandate on businesses how to do theirs, Grant said. Grant said there are already plenty of savings options available, and small business owners who operate such brokerages. The law itself, the way its set up, competes with small businesses already in the marketplace providing these kinds of programs, Grant said. Frerichs couldnt say what penalties would be in place for employers who dont comply with the mandate. He said that is still being worked out through the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules. Secure Choice for Illinois is in a pilot phase with volunteers taking part. Wave 1 mandating employers with 500 or more employees will be required to enroll in November. By July 2019, Wave 2 will require employers of 100 or more to enroll. Wave 3 in November of 2018 will require employers with 25 or more employees to enroll. The prospect of free money and undiscovered riches is a fantasy held by everyone. This is one of the main reasons sweepstakes scams are so successful. But there are legitimate companies that are designed to take a fee for work you can do for yourself at no cost. The ones frequently heard about use a common theme, we have found money in your name. Now they have your attention, but how do these schemes work? Homestead exemption for over age 65: If you are over 65, you can apply for an additional exemption on your property taxes for up to one year to file after you turn 65. If you file late and have already paid your taxes you will receive a refund. There are people who spend their time going through the property tax rolls looking for individuals who have failed to file this exemption. For a fee they will file the exemption for you, but you can do this yourself at no cost, keeping all of the refund instead of sharing it with someone. Its not a scam, but definitely a scheme to take money from you for nothing. Missing or found money: Every state keeps a database of unclaimed property. If an entity cannot find you or gets returned mail, it turns the unclaimed property and assets over to the state. The most common types of unclaimed property include: bank accounts, safe deposit box contents, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, dividends, uncashed checks and wages, insurance policies, certificates of deposit, trust funds, utility deposits, and escrow accounts. The scheme works like this: They send a letter stating they have found money in your name and for a fee; they will help you get your money. The trick is in your name. There might be money for an individual with your name, but that does not mean it is actually you, just someone with the same name. If you get one of those letters or postcards, there are resources you can research on your own for no fee. If you have only lived in Texas all your life and would have no unclaimed property in another state, go to the State Comptrollers website at www.claimittexas.org to search the database. If you have lived in another state, you can go to http://www.missingmoney.com to do a search. But not all states are part of this website, so you might have to search for the unclaimed property in each individual state where you have lived. Personally, I have never been the recipient of found money, but I have done searches for family and friends and have found as much as $4,500. It is worth the time to search, but it is not worth paying others. Always be skeptical when you are suddenly the recipient of newly found riches. The reality is you are likely making someone else richer than you yourself. Feel free to call with any questions at 713-341-6141. Melissa Ramsey is the BBB Education Foundation columnist. For more information, call 713-341-6141. WASHINGTON - The White House has drafted documents revoking the security clearances of current and former officials whom President Donald Trump has demanded be punished for criticizing him or playing a role in the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to senior administration officials. Trump wants to sign "most, if not all" of them, said one senior White House official, who indicated that communications aides, including press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Bill Shine, the newly named deputy chief of staff, have discussed the optimum times to release them as a distraction during unfavorable news cycles. Some presidential aides echoed concerns raised by outside critics that the threatened revocations smack of a Nixonian enemies list, with little or no substantive national security justification. Particular worry has been expressed inside the White House about Trump's statement Friday that he intends "very quickly" to strip the clearance of current Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Trump, speaking to reporters as he left the White House to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf club, called Ohr "a disgrace," charging that he is tied to special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation of the Russia matter. "For him to be in the Justice Department, and to be doing what he did, that is a disgrace. That is disqualifying for Mueller," he said. His comments followed the release of a statement signed by 14 former CIA directors and deputy directors from Republican and Democratic administrations, as well as a former director of national intelligence, who called Trump's revocation this week of former CIA director John Brennan's clearance a blatant attempt to "stifle free speech" and send an "inappropriate and deeply regrettable" signal to other public servants. Later Friday, 60 additional former CIA officials issued a statement objecting to the Brennan action and stating their belief "that former government officials have the right to express their unclassified views on what they see as critical national security issues without fear of being punished for doing so." While he has frequently called Mueller's inquiry a "rigged witch hunt," and did so again Friday, Trump's move against Brennan, and threats to move against others, has brought the controversy to a new level. Sanders announced the Brennan decision Wednesday, citing what she called his "erratic conduct" and "wild outbursts" on television, as well as allegedly erroneous statements he had made. The senior White House official acknowledged that the step against Brennan had been prepared in late July, when Sanders first said Trump was considering it. But the decision to take that step was made this week to divert attention from nonstop coverage of a critical book released by fired Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman. Consideration is being given to holding other prepared documents in reserve for similar opportunities in the future, the official said. Brennan, a career CIA official who served as director of the agency during President Barack Obama's second term, briefed Trump during the presidential transition about intelligence conclusions that Russia had interfered in the election on Trump's behalf. He has since been harshly critical, on Twitter and in appearances as a television commentator, of the president's foreign policy and treatment of the intelligence community. He denounced Trump's performance at a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month as "treasonous." The White House did not suggest that Brennan had committed any security breaches, and Trump himself, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, linked the clearance revocation to the "sham" Russia investigation, which he said Brennan and others had "led." It was unclear what the argument would be for revoking Ohr's clearance, since Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, while not specifying Ohr's current job, has said he has had no involvement in the Mueller investigation, begun last year. But Ohr knew Christopher Steele, the former British intelligence agent who was paid in 2016 to investigate Trump's ties to Russia, first by anti-Trump conservative organizations and later by Hillary Clinton's campaign. According to news reports and congressional testimony, the two men discussed Trump before the election, and Ohr reported the conversation to the FBI. Ohr is the only current official on the White House list of clearances Trump wants to lift. The others are former director of national intelligence James Clapper Jr.; former CIA and FBI directors Michael Hayden and James Comey; Obama national security adviser Susan Rice; former FBI officials Andrew McCabe, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok; and former acting attorney general Sally Yates. Several of them have said they no longer have clearances. In his Friday comments, Trump said he had gotten a "tremendous response" for his action against Brennan. "If anything, I'm giving him a bigger voice," he said. "Many people don't even know who he is . . . I've never respected him." Similarly, the president said he did not know retired Navy Adm. William McRaven, former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who in a Thursday op-ed in The Washington Post called Trump's tactics "McCarthy-era" and said it would be an honor to have Trump lift his security clearance "so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency." Meanwhile, the statement by former CIA directors and deputies was quickly pulled together Thursday by George Tenet, who served as CIA director in the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and former deputy director Michael Morell, according to Hayden, who also signed the document. Other signers include Clapper and former CIA directors William Webster, Robert Gates, Porter Goss, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus, as well as five former deputy directors and former director of national intelligence Dennis Blair. "We all agree that the president's action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances - and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech," the statement said. Several former officials have said they rarely use their clearances, which allow them to serve as institutional memories and provide advice to current officials, if requested. Hayden said he had been to the agency once - at his own request, for a briefing on Africa in preparation for a speech - since stepping down a decade ago. While Brennan was a clear target of Trump's action, Hayden said in an interview, another is "everybody else on the list. . . . Watch your step or this is going to happen to you." "The third group, I think, is the broader intelligence community," Hayden said. "In essence, it's been demonstrated to them that if you tell this president something he doesn't want to hear, something he doesn't believe, he's prepared to retaliate." "There are a lot of times you have to go in there and tell him something he doesn't want to hear. This series of events," he said, "has made that even harder than it already is." - - - The Washington Post's John Wagner and Shane Harris contributed to this report. The whirlwind tearing through international relations that is President Donald Trump may be forcing Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin to come together after years of confrontation. Merkel has been Putin's most implacable critic since he annexed Crimea in 2014, plunging relations to their worst in decades. On Saturday, however, the German chancellor will welcome the Russian president to an 18th century Baroque palace near Berlin for their first bilateral meeting in Germany in more than five years, handing Putin a major breakthrough in ending Russia's isolation and reaffirming Merkel's pivotal role in Europe despite election setbacks. "Merkel is hedging and Putin is exploiting," said Josef Janning, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. After Trump met Putin while attacking Merkel and the German economy, "she needs to have her own contact with Putin. She doesn't want to give up the chance of keeping Putin within a margin that is manageable for Germany." This is Putin's highest profile bilateral trip to Germany since 2013, though he and Merkel have met at international events including last year's Group of 20 summit in Hamburg. Merkel has visited Putin in Russia several times, most recently in May. She's advocated engagement principally to deliver blunt messages rather than being a bridge between the European Union and Russia. While officials from both countries played down the significance of the invitation to Putin, it comes after Trump last month slammed Germany as "totally controlled by Russia" because of its dependence on Moscow for natural gas supplies. Work on a new gas pipeline linking the two countries, the Gazprom PJSC-backed Nord Stream 2, began in May amid a U.S. threat of sanctions targeting the project. Putin stressed the importance of Merkel's support for Nord Stream 2 as evidence of her willingness to assert Europe's independence, said three people who attended a recent meeting between the president and senior diplomats. The Kremlin views divisions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and the Iranian nuclear deal as a chance for Russia to mend relations with Germany by presenting itself as a more reliable partner in negotiations, according to other officials, who asked not be identified discussing internal matters. Amid rising U.S. pressure over the pipeline, Merkel moved to ensure Russia continues to supply gas through existing networks via Ukraine. She sent one of her closest allies, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, to Moscow and Kiev in the spring to help mediate a deal on gas between the two countries that are in conflict over Crimea and separatists in eastern Ukraine. "Russia is an international actor without whom the solution of various issues is unthinkable," Steffen Seibert, Merkel's chief spokesman, told reporters in Berlin on Friday. The conflicts in Syria and Ukraine are on the agenda for discussion as well as "big commercial projects in the context of threats that are being made by third countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Friday. There'll be no breakthrough over Ukraine, though "it's advantageous for Putin to play along with Merkel because there's no one else in Europe to rely on," said Andrey Kortunov, head of the Russian International Affairs Council, a research group set up by the Kremlin. "Merkel understands that it's now time to look for opportunities with Russia," said Alexander Rahr, a former member of the German Council of Foreign Relations who's now a senior adviser to Gazprom. "If it's possible to take a step forward on Syria, energy issues or Ukraine, it will be good for Germany as the leader of Europe." Merkel's suffering domestically after a political backlash against her 2015 decision to leave the border open and allow more than 1 million refugees, most of them Syrian, into Germany. She needs an end to the war in Syria to allow migrants to return home, while she's also under pressure from German businesses to allow the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. "Exchanges between Germany and Russia have increased markedly in recent months," Wolfgang Buechele, head of the German Eastern Business Association in Berlin, said in a statement. "That's a welcome development." Germany's seeking a political solution on Syria that would create conditions for refugees to return, though "we're still a long way away from that," Seibert said on Wednesday. After Putin used his military to tip the war in Syrian President Bashar Assad's favor, Russia's joined with Turkey and Iran in trying to engineer a settlement. Putin also agreed coordinated steps with Trump at their Helsinki summit last month to try to stabilize the situation. The economic crisis in Turkey may loom over Saturday's talks. A possible Syrian government attack on rebel-held Idlib province could spark another refugee exodus, giving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "potential if unsavory leverage" to secure western aid by deciding whether to open Turkey's borders, according to Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Washington-based Peterson Institute for International Economics. Amid growing conflict between Trump and Turkey that's prompted U.S. sanctions on its North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally, Merkel "doesn't have an interest in Erdogan being driven into Moscow's camp by Washington," said Janning of the foreign relations council. "She doesn't have an interest in Putin breaking Turkey away from NATO." --Bloomberg's Tony Czuczka contributed. A 31-year-old man faces seven counts of felony injury to a child after assaulting children with whom he lives with in northwest Houston with an extension cord, Harris County officials said. Harris County Constable Precinct 1 deputies responded Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. to a family disturbance in the 5900 block of Pincay Oaks Drive, after the unnamed caller reported a man had assaulted her grandchildren with an electrical cord, according to a news release issued by the precinct. She reported the man left that address in a white Ford F-150 pulling a trailer. A spokesperson for the precinct clarified that the caller and the man live together in the home on Pincay Oaks. The spokesperson could not clarify their relationship, citing pending CPS cases. JURY DECISION: Verdict reached in case of ex-Baylor doctor accused of rape As a deputy responded, he spotted a vehicle matching that description and initiated a traffic stop in the 6700 block of W. Gulf Bank, according to the release. The driver cooperated with the deputy and identified himself as Raetheon Patterson, the release stated. He told the deputy that he had five children staying with him and his wife at his home, according to the release. Patterson told police he came home that day and found broken windshield wipers on a vehicle on the property and assaulted the two children he believed to be responsible. The children also stated he used an extension cord to hit them across the stomach and arms, the release said. Deputies said they observed injuries on five other children supporting these claims. Based on statements taken from the children during the precinct's investigation, deputies said they believe a total of seven children were assaulted, ranging in age from 2-12. All seven children live in the house with Patterson and the caller, the spokesperson said. SANTA FE: Community gets final security review before school starts The children call Patterson "uncle," though he is not biologically related to them, the release said. No other details were available Thursday evening. The Harris County District Attorney's office has accepted 7 counts of felony injury to a child against Patterson, the release said. Patterson is currently detained in the Harris County Jail, court records show. His bond is set at $25,000. victoria.cheyne@chron.com twitter.com/victoria_cheyne The collapse of a 50-year-old highway bridge in northern Italy this week has highlighted the tensions running through the country's populist coalition. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement and the anti-immigrant League have so far managed to work together in government in areas where they disagreed during this year's election campaign, such as limiting immigration, boosting benefits for poorer Italians and simplifying the tax system. When it comes to major infrastructure projects, cohabitation may prove more difficult. How they resolve that conflict will shape foreign investors' views of Italy and their willingness to sink money into the euro area's third-largest economy. Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio's Five Star was born as an environmental movement and has opposed projects such as a high-speed train link to France and a highway bypass around Genoa -- which would have diverted some traffic from the overpass that collapsed Tuesday killing at least 38 people. His fellow deputy premier, Matteo Salvini of the League, gets much of his backing from businesses in the north and is an enthusiastic supporter expanding transport and energy links. So after Tuesday's accident, Salvini pointed the finger at European Union restrictions, hinting that they had prevented maintenance spending and contributed to the disaster. Di Maio focused his fire on the private operators of the highway, Atlantia's Autostrade per l'Italia. "There's been a division of labor in how they responded to the Genoa tragedy, which just underscores the deep divisions that they are trying to paper over," Carlo Alberto Carnevale Maffe, professor of business strategy at Milan's Bocconi University, said in an interview. The cracks widened a little Thursday when Di Maio vowed to revoke Autostrade's concession without paying a penalty. Salvini said rescue efforts should come first and suggested the government might go easier on Autostrade if it used its profits to pay victims and offer free tolls. A phone call from market regulator Consob to the premier's office warning against volatility and the costs of withdrawing the concession, reported by La Stampa Friday, may not help to bring the two sides any closer. The newspaper reported that while Salvini was advised by his staff that the cost to withdraw the license could rise up to 20 billion euros, Di Maio kept to his point. "Whoever doesn't want to revoke the license will have to walk over my dead body. The government is not stepping back, it's accelerating," Stampa quoted him as saying. A statement from the transport ministry Thursday evening said that Autostrade might be able to keep its concession depending on the actions it took before the tragedy. With few analysts predicting the coalition will last a full five years, both sides are sensitive to shifts in sentiment that could upset the balance and trigger an election, pitting them against each other as rivals again. Since the election in March, Salvini has wiped out a 17 percentage-point deficit to edge ahead of Di Maio in the latest surveys, giving him a strong hand in any tussle. The aftermath of the Genoa disaster also carries asymmetric risks for the partners. Local groups linked to Five Star have been fighting for years against a 3 billion-euro ($3.4 billion) project to cut a new highway through the hills behind the thriving port city. While the project wouldn't have done away with the 1,100-meter (3,600-foot) viaduct that collapsed, it would have reduced it to a local link between neighborhoods rather than a major north-south artery. The League is part of the regional government has been trying to push the project forward. Five Star opposed the project because Autostrade never gave any indication the bridge needed repairs, said Mario Turco, a lawmaker for Five Star representing the southern region of Puglia. He said the real problem is rushing into privatizations. "There aren't sufficient controls on how much profit these companies make or how it's used," he said in an interview. "How much profit is given to shareholders, how much to maintenance?" Two more issues coming down the track will divide the coalition partners along similar lines. Di Maio says it would be a waste of money to spend 10 billion euros on a rail tunnel through the Alps linking the industrial center of Turin with France's second biggest city, Lyon. Salvini argues that Italy needs better transport links for its exports. Italy would face penalties if it abandons the French-Italian project, known as TAV, and newspaper reports said Di Maio had been looking at ways to slim down the plan without fully walking away. Turco, the Five Star lawmaker, said Genoa would harden his party's position. "This tragedy is going to accelerate our commitment to halt large infrastructure projects such as TAV because we must save resources for existing maintenance," he said. "We cannot risk another bridge falling down." Five Star's environmental roots are also at odds with the League's pro-business instincts over a planned pipeline to bring gas from the Caspian Sea to Italy. Di Maio campaigned against the link while Salvini has said Italy needs more access to energy. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, chosen as a compromise figure to keep the peace between the two party leaders, said during his July trip to Washington that it's a strategic project for Italy, a further sign that Salvini may have the upper hand. The League leader's attempts to use the Genoa disaster to fuel opposition to the EU will only raise passions in Italy's combustible political environment. "Blaming the EU for this is just another thing that puts up the heat in the domestic Italian debate," Guntram Wolff, the director of Bruegel said in a Bloomberg Television interview. "That, ultimately, can be very dangerous." - - - Bloomberg's Lorenzo Totaro contributed. In her ruling that five suspects arrested at a New Mexico compound with 11 children could be released to house arrest on $20,000 bonds, Judge Sarah Backus indicated she knew how the decision in the high-profile case would be received. But, she wrote on Monday, "The canons of judicial ethics require that judges not concern themselves with public opinion. . . . The defendants are innocent until they are proved to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." The threats started coming the next day, hundreds of hostile calls and emails flooding into the county courthouse in Taos, where she presides, after the news of her ruling spread through far-right social media circles. The court was inundated with calls and emails, "expressing opposition to the judge's ruling and calling the judge various derogatory words," Barry Massey, a spokesman for the New Mexico Administrative Office of Courts, told The Post. One caller threatened to cut Backus' throat, Massey said, one of a handful of death threats. The severity of the messages prompted officers to lock down the court on Tuesday afternoon until its closing to prevent anyone from entering, Massey said. Some administrative officers were also evacuated, the Associated Press reported. The court had never experienced anything like the vitriol and volume of the response, according to Massey, who said it had to set up a messaging system on its phone line to deal with the overwhelming response. "This is a new one for them," he said. "Talked to longtime employee - had some high-profile cases but nothing that has unleashed this kind of venomous response." The court's chief judge, Jeff McElroy, and Massey both issued statements posted prominently on the court's website, pointing to provisions in the state Constitution and criminal procedure laws. "The New Mexico Constitution has guaranteed since statehood that people charged with a crime have a right to be released pretrial, except in limited instances," Massey's statement said. "The state Constitution provides that criminal defendants may be detained in jail pretrial only if prosecutors show by clear and convincing evidence that they are so dangerous that no release conditions will reasonably protect public safety." The strong response is the latest indication of the attention and intensity the New Mexico case has attracted since law enforcement officers raided the compound in a remote northern corner of the state on Aug. 3. There they found five adults, 11 children, multiple guns and many rounds of ammunition at what they described as a squalid desert outpost composed of a trailer sunk into the dirt, a utility truck appropriated as a makeshift bed, and an approximately 100-foot-long tunnel dug into the earth. They also found the body of a young child, whom they identified Thursday as Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, the son of one of the suspects, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj. Prosecutors charged the five adults: Lucas Allen Morten, 40; Wahhaj, who has been accused of abducting his son in Georgia; Hujrah J. Wahhaj, 37, a sister of Siraj Wahhaj; Subhannah A. Wahhaj, 35, another sister; and Jany N. Leveille, 35, with 11 counts of felony child abuse. The case drew intense media coverage after court documents filed in the arrest contained an allegation that the children had been brought to the compound to receive weapons training. One of the children's foster parents told investigators the child had been trained to use an assault rifle in preparation for future shootings, prosecutors noted in court documents. And the local sheriff, whose office made the arrests, said the group was "considered extremist of the Muslim belief." But in her bail ruling, Backus said prosecutors did not show "clear and convincing" evidence the suspects were a danger to the community. She said the guns found were not stolen or illegal, the defendants did not have a history of criminal charges or failures to appear in court, and the evidence presented of them being "dangerous terrorists with a plot against the Country or institutions" was thin. Further, she seemed to imply she believed the defendants were being treated differently because they were Muslim. "The Court was asked by the State to make a finding of dangerousness and a finding that no conditions of release could insure the safety of the community," Backus wrote. "The State apparently expected the Court to take the individuals' faith into account in making such a determination. . . . The Court is not aware of any law that allows the Court to take a person's faith into consideration in making a dangerousness determination." The threats against Backus appear to have been stoked by anger that traveled quickly across right-wing social media accounts, many of which noted the group's "extremist Muslim" religious affiliation or referred to the compound as a "jihad camp." Accounts like The Red Elephants, (384,000 followers), Happy Hayride (93,000 followers) and Powdered Wig Society (293,000) posted a telephone number or email address at the court for the judge. Other Twitter accounts posted the court's address or Backus' photo, noting that she is a Democrat. "Paul Manafort gets 23 hours of [solitary] confinement every day," wrote one popular account named after the QAnon conspiracy theory on Twitter. "5 Muslim adults living on a makeshift compound with 11 malnourished children training them for school shootings get bond for $20,000. This is not justice. Remember the name: Judge Sarah Backus." Because of the warrant out for Wahhaj's arrest in Georgia stemming from an accusation that he had abducted his 3-year-old son Abdul-Ghani, he will remain in detention awaiting a hearing on his potential extradition, his lawyer, Thomas Clark, told The Post. Leveille, who is from Haiti, is reportedly in the custody of federal immigration officials. It is not clear if the other defendants have been released from jail yet. They will be subject to electronic monitoring and other strict conditions when they are, per Backus's ruling. The defendants' bonds are only due if they do not comply with the terms of their release, Clark said. On Thursday, New Mexico's Office of the Medical Examiner also confirmed that the remains of a child found on the property were Abdul-Ghani, according to the Associated Press. The body had decomposed so badly that investigators were not able to determine how he had died. The boy suffered from severe health effects from a brain disease and is believed to have died in February, at the age of 3, under circumstances that are still unclear. Backus said there was evidence the child had died while in the suspects' custody but said the court had only seen evidence they had prayed over him and touched him on the forehead before he died. The Taos County District Attorney plans to appeal Backus's ruling. District Attorney Donald Gallegos said the judge had all the evidence necessary to continue detaining the defendants and said he wants another "set of eyes and ears" to examine the case, the Associated Press reported. - - - The Washington Post's Ben Neary contributed to this report. A Jacksonville High School math teachers bid to make math fun for his students paid off Thursday, when he was named recipient of the 2018 Bill Russell Award winner for his work in his classroom. I was surprised and at a loss for words, math teacher Phil Johnson said. I know some of the teachers that have won it in the past and they are great. There are a lot of people that deserve this award that havent been recognized yet. The award is given to teachers in Jacksonville School District 117 who shows a dedication to student learning. It is named in honor of Bill Russell, a teacher known for his contributions to the school district. Jim Chelsvig, a geography teacher at JHS and the presenter of the award, said Russell is known for finding innovative ideas to incorporate in the classroom. He provided meaningful access to information across multiple barriers, Chelsvig said. During his acceptance speech, Johnson said he was honored to receive the award after six years of watching other teachers receive it. I clearly remember sitting in this auditorium, my very first day as a teacher here, and watching Jacob Seitz accept this honor, Johnson said. I told my wife, whom I was dating at the time, that someday, someday, I am going to get that award and then just retire. Im going out on top. Johnson said he tries to use other tools in his classroom to bring math to life, instead of letting students learn the old-fashioned way. In addition to such oddities as talking like a pirate to get students attention, he tries to connect math with things they like, he said. I try to be well-rounded and use a lot of resources, from art to movies and social media, Johnson said. I try to use the things kids are interested in. Math can be kind of dry, so I try to spice it up a bit. Johnson said he tries to make it fun, so students learn in a way that lets them connect to the lesson. I believe that everyone can do math, Johnson said. Sometimes you just need to hide it kind of like vegetables under layers of sarcasm, ridiculous jokes and awful puns. Humor adds flavor to life. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. A shooting Thursday at an Aldine RV park left one man injured, Harris County officials said. Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies responded around 3:18 p.m. to the RV park at 15703 Sellers Road, where the reported shooting had taken place. A man shot another man twice in the wrist and forearm in what deputies said they believe was a personal altercation. It is unclear if both men reside at the park. HPD: Trio arrested in apparent murder-robbery Emergency medical personnel transported the injured man to an area hospital, deputies said. His current condition is unknown. victoria.cheyne@chron.com twitter.com/victoria_cheyne The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. Omarosa Manigault Newman has been quite effective at keeping her distinctive name in the press over the past week. First, details from her new book began to dribble out. Then, an interview on "Meet the Press." Then, while the furor over her comments and allegations was still bubbling, she began releasing recordings of conversations with officials within President Trump's administration and campaign: Chief of Staff John Kelly firing her. Trump seeming to feign frustration at the firing. And, on Thursday, Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump offering her a steady income to, among other things, stay quiet. By all accounts, the week has been a frustrating one for Trump and his staff. That's apparent from the president's Twitter feed, where Manigault Newman may have accomplished the unthinkable: Replacing special counsel Robert Mueller as the focus of Trump's ire. The New York Times reported that Manigault Newman might have up to 200 recordings in total, ready to trickle out as needed; Politico reports that this prospect has West Wing staffers "absolutely terrified," as one put it. Welcome to American politics in 2018. Or, really, welcome to American politics in the 2015 to 2018 era. The combination of scads of electronic data or information and a tactic of releasing it slowly and steadily - whether intentionally or not - is a hallmark of the national political scene since early in the 2016 presidential primary season. It started with Hillary Clinton's emails. Not the ones stolen from the Democratic National Committee or her campaign chairman, John Podesta, but the ones from her private server that she turned over to the State Department. When her private server came to light, her attorneys reviewed its contents and turned over work-related emails to the government. (Emails determined to be non-work-related were deleted, spurring Trump's ongoing demand to see what those emails said.) The State Department began reviewing and publicly releasing those emails in batches. The effect, given Clinton's position as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, was that every few weeks there would be a new batch of emails made public and reporters, doing what reporters do, would scour them for interesting tidbits - or even not-that-interesting tidbits. Every few weeks, Clinton's email server would end up being in the news again and, every few weeks, there would be a few isolated emails offering mostly limited insights that became the subject of news stories. While Clinton's campaign team probably wasn't "terrified" about what was coming, there's no question that they weren't particularly enthusiastic about it. Then came WikiLeaks. After dumping files stolen from the DNC during the summer of 2016, the organization began to slowly release emails stolen from Podesta by Russian hackers (according to Mueller's investigators) in October. The release began hours after the "Access Hollywood" tape went public but continued, day after day after day. With each batch, reporters and the public would dive into the documents, lifting up things that seemed interesting or, with the election looming, damning. Often they were neither, but it didn't matter. Every day there were new messages that could contribute to criticisms of the Democratic nominee - or bizarre conspiracy theories like Pizzagate. It became the most prominent subject of the final month of the campaign - at least until former FBI director James Comey reset everything. This slow trickle, inadvertent by the State Department and deliberate by WikiLeaks, helped Trump win the presidency. But shortly after he did, revelation water torture began to work against him. In December 2016, reports began to emerge that federal intelligence agencies believed that Russia was trying to interfere in the presidential election on Trump's behalf. Soon after, the public learned that members of Trump's campaign were suspected of aiding that effort. The Russia investigation entered the spotlight and, in the months since, has dominated the media's, the public's and Trump's attention. It's not new that there would be a slowly unfolding investigation that offers new details on a scattered timeline. But it's hard not to notice that the pattern that worked so well against Trump's presidential opponent now haunts his presidency. Administration officials have no doubt grown used to the cloud hanging over the White House, but few, Trump included, probably know storm it might unleash next. Week after week, some new component is revealed - major or not - and the story itself gets a little more gas in the tank. This was the environment into which Manigault Newman's book was dropped. She's not the first woman whose relationship with Trump has gone from positive to negative, and she's not the first woman to fit that description who's been an ongoing thorn in his side. The first to do that was Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress who, paired with her attorney Michael Avenatti, has managed to be a constant-if-fading nuisance to Trump. Avenatti and Manigault Newman are both skilled in Trumpian tactics, which helps. But Manigault Newman, unlike Daniels, isn't simply working the media. She has documentary evidence to back her up. As with Clinton's emails and some Russia investigation details, not everything she can reveal is particularly interesting or new. But there's a Skinner-box component to it: She's proven that she has interesting stuff so each time something new comes out, the media can't help but take a look. It seems unlikely that the drip from Manigault Newman will continue much longer. Two hundred recordings is a lot, but Nancy Sinatra also had a lot of recordings and I bet you are only familiar with one. Manigault Newman may have run out of drips. We'll see. It's worth noting that this is a tactic that seems to be very much of this moment. Massive storehouses of information that follow from the collection of digital information or an individual's ability to capture audio, photos or text mean that there's a lot to wade through and a larger subset of possibly interesting material. Sometimes the public will pick out what it wants (as with WikiLeaks). Sometimes a political adversary will (as with Omarosa). Sometimes the media will. CNN's K-File team has defined itself on poring over old digital information and picking out damning details, sometimes then triggering more perusal by them and others which create a snowball effect. It's predicated on everything being available online, which, of course, is heavily predicated on an internet that didn't exist a decade ago. There will be more drips and more individuals they're falling on. As Manigault Newman's sudden emergence reveals, it may be hard to predict where they'll come from. Retirement Center Management has announced it be part of the Houston Leadership Council for this years Houston Walk to End Alzheimers. RCMs commitment to this cause includes raising over $80,000 to help increase awareness, improve lives and help find a cure for Alzheimers disease. RCM corporate and community team members, as well as residents and their families will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimers event on Saturday, Nov. 3. Visit www.alz.org for more information. Leading up to the event, RCM communities are hosting fundraisers throughout the Houston area with 100 percent of all profits going to the Alzheimers Association. Glenroy Cumberbatch Registrar for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) did not hide the fact that CXC is concerned about the high rate of failures among students sitting the CSEC. Even as the region celebrates the success of students who wrote this years Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), concern has been expressed about the number of students who are producing subpar results. During the official launch of the 2018 results in Grenada last Monday, Registrar for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), Glenroy Cumberbatch said that a significant number of students have failed each subject they attempted. "We have over 11,000 candidates who took exams who did not receive any grades 1 to 3 in any of the subjects that they took, Cumberbatch said. He added, "This year we had over 60,000 candidates doing five or more CSEC subjects and 59 per cent of them gained acceptable grades, and singled out Grenada as having exceeded the regional average by having 63 per cent of pupils gain acceptable grades. Cumberbatch stated further that, based on the calculations by the regional examination body, out of the possible population of students to write exams at the end of secondary school, just over 20 percent actually gets the opportunity to do so. If 20 percent of students get the opportunity to write the exam and 13 percent are not receiving acceptable grades, this is considered a major concern, the CXC Registrar declared. And Cumberbatch called out the CXC for not "..producing persons for the market, to either employ themselves or to be employed. We understand the high level of unemployment amongst youth, depending on which country it is in the Caribbean, it ranges between 50 to 30 percent. One way to remedy this trend was to aim for a "wallet of certification that also includes the CVQ and CCSLC, known to be vocational qualifications, to certify competence in a particular area, the CXC official proffered. CXC, it was expressed, will be asking governments and business people within the region to use a wallet of certification to bring people into the world of work instead of just a CSEC certificate. However, it was reported that this years CSEC results were actually better than last years. (Source: Trinidad Newsday, Antigua Observer) India's southern state of Kerala is bracing for widespread showers through at least Monday even as the province with a population exceeding Texas battles rising flood waters and overflowing dams that's left 186 dead and thousands homeless. One of the country's top tourist destinations, which boasts of miles of beaches and palm-fringed backwaters that's been promoted for decades as "God's Own Country," has seen unprecedented rain in the past few days that's forced authorities to open the flood gates of 33 dams. A red alert has been sounded in all but one of the 14 districts of Kerala. The meteorological department has warned heavy rains may affect these districts, according to a Twitter post by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday. Widespread downpour is forecast until at least Aug. 20 in the region, which has already witnessed 37 percent more showers than normal this year, according to the India Meteorological Department. That compares with rain that has been 8 percent below average for the country as a whole. The armed forces have joined the federal and state disaster relief services to rescue people trapped in swirling waters and have moved to rooftops or higher ground. The state is facing its second-worst flood after 1924, according to an update on the website of the Kerala chief minister's distress relief fund. As many as 23 bridges have collapsed, more than 211 landslides have been reported and about 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) of roads have been destroyed. Over 20,000 houses have been damaged, 180,000 farmers are affected and total damages are estimated at about 83.2 billion rupees ($1.2 billion), according to the website. More than 1,500 relief camps are catering to 223,000 people providing food and drinking water, Tom Jose, chief secretary of the Kerala government said in a phone interview from the state's capital Thiruvananthapuram. Helicopters manned by the Indian Air Force have been pressed into service to airlift people from the flooded areas. Rescue efforts have been difficult, he said. While it's not the peak tourist period in the state, the monsoon season does attract a lot of visitors. The international airport at Kochi has been shut until Aug. 26 after the runway and taxiway got submerged, according to Cochin International Airport. Train services in several parts of the state have also been suspended because of water overflowing tracks, landslides and flash floods, according to a Twitter post by Southern Railway. "Tourism is completely out of gear," Pronab Sarkar, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, said by telephone. "Rescue operations for existing tourists are going on and no fresh tourists are bring sent at the moment." The floods will have an adverse impact until the middle of September, Sarkar said. Tourism accounts for about 10 percent of Kerala's gross domestic product, with the state getting about 1 million foreign tourists last year and 14.7 million local visitors. --Bloomberg's Archana Chaudhary contributed. Treemont Health Care Center (HCC) boasts a top-notch therapy team. Residents often come to Houston nursing homes following medical setbacks such as a fall resulting in a fracture, an infection resulting in weakness or a stroke, which often leaves people with weakness to one side and a need for retraining of daily living tasks. Each part of the therapy program, including physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy, plays a huge role in residents strengthening process. Through hard work and encouragement, the team successfully returns residents to their independent living apartments, Residents of Continuum of Care Retirement Campuses, such as Treemont, benefit from having multiple care levels available. The Treemont Nursing and Rehab Program takes great pride in helping residents get stronger and return to an independent lifestyle. At the first HCC Rehab Certificate of Achievement Program Awards on Feb. 20, 10 residents received recognition. The next awards will be held later this summer. Since January, about 18 independent living residents spent time in Treemonts nursing/rehab center and are now back home enjoying their independence. Treemonts success rate is why many residents specifically come to its nursing center to work with its therapy team. The only way our residents will get better is if we make therapy fun and encourage residents to complete their daily regimen, said Jobert Macas, head of Treemonts therapy group. Often our residents dont realize what theyre doing is actually therapy. We use our creativity to make sure they complete their exercises so they can get better. The residents become part of a team and encourage each other throughout the process. We tell our residents not to look at where you are now, but to look at where you are going; and before you know it you will get there, said therapist Donna Kelley. If you have a fall or other medical issue that requires a nursing or rehab stay, please contact admissions director Marion Hattix at 713-783-4100 or MarionH@TreemontHC.com. For information on independent living, call 713-783-6820. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's grand vision for a military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue collapsed Friday, as he backed off plans to stage a costly event this fall that was never enthusiastically embraced by the Pentagon or leaders of the city expected to host the spectacle. In a series of tweets, Trump blamed local officials in Washington, alleging without evidence that they had inflated the cost to the city of a display of America's armed forces that had been inspired by Trump's visit last year to a Bastille Day parade in Paris. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," Trump wrote on Twitter. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it." Trump said it was possible the parade could be put on next year if the cost "comes WAY DOWN" and added that with the savings "we can buy some more jet fighters!" He said he would go to a parade in Paris to mark Armistice Day on Nov. 11 and also attend a "big parade" at Joint Base Andrews. His tweets were a confirmation of what the Pentagon had signaled a day before: that the planned Nov. 10 event might be postponed amid questions about its escalating costs, which were estimated to be as high as $92 million. Trump has been pushing for a parade publicly and privately since he visited Paris in July 2017 and was deeply impressed by the Bastille Day celebration he attended as a guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. The grandiosity of the event included uniformed French troops marching down Avenue des Champs-Elysees, military tanks, armored vehicles and fighter jets flying over the Arc de Triomphe. Trump's plan immediately ran into concerns over its potential cost and whether the city streets of Washington could withstand the type of heavy military machinery that the president witnessed rolling through Paris. But Trump continued to embrace the idea and administration officials trudged ahead with the planning in recent months. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly briefed Trump earlier this week on the growing cost of the event and several logistical concerns in an effort to discourage him from holding the parade, according to a senior administration official. He also told the president that if the parade occurred in Washington in November he would not be able to attend the event in Paris with other world leaders scheduled to be held at the same time to celebrate the centennial of the end of World War I. Kelly presented Trump with the option he tweeted out Friday morning: Scrap the parade and go to Paris as well as a separate event at Joint Base Andrews. The event at Andrews has not been publicly announced and the base does not typically have a large military parade, but does host an air show each year with large displays of military might. The next air show will be held in May 2019. Administration officials, including Kelly and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, were not supportive of the parade even as they explored the idea for the president, according to the official. "One person, really, in the White House loved the idea of the parade," the official said referring to Trump, adding that the president did not express anger at anyone over the event's demise. Trump still wants the parade to happen in 2019, a second senior administration official said, noting that he talked about the splendor of the Paris spectacle for weeks after returning from France last year. District leaders on Friday pushed back at Trump's attempt to blame them, detailing their efforts to deal with what they characterized as a disorganized effort on behalf of the administration. About an hour after the president's tweet, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, D, delivered her own caustic response on Twitter, indicating the desired parade would have cost $21.6 million to organize in the nation's capital. The federal government typically reimburses the District for a large share of the security and logistical costs for such events. "Yup, I'm Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)," Bowser tweeted. Local politicians in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington - where just 4 percent of registered voters cast a ballot for Trump - have been cool to the idea of a military parade since it was floated earlier this year. Bowser said in an interview that she found Trump's accusation that District officials were trying to exaggerate the city's security and logistical costs galling, especially since the city had been working to plan the event with little lead time. "The notion that we would overstate what it takes to properly have a parade or demonstration, especially on this short notice, for some benefit to the city - it was just outrageous," Bowser said. "It's pretty clear that the president is upset about the parade, and it appears that he didn't want to take on his own agencies . . . or the Pentagon, so he decided that we were a good target." The White House first confirmed Trump's interest in a large-scale parade in February. But it was only on Aug. 8 that Bowser received a letter from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen saying the event would take place "on or about Nov. 10, 2018" and discussing the need for planning and coordination with city agencies. The White House Office of Management and Budget did not approach District city officials until Tuesday to discuss logistical costs, a Bowser administration official said. The White House had scant details about the event, said the official, who requested anonymity to discuss the negotiations with the president's team. There was no indication of how long the parade would last - including whether it would span multiple days - or confirmation of the Nov. 10 date, the official said. There was no precise route specified, or estimates for the number of people or pieces of military equipment that would be involved. "We had a general idea that it was from the Capitol to the White House, but that's it," the official said. OMB requested that the city, despite the lack of detail, produce ballpark estimates of how much it would have to spend - and be reimbursed - to provide security and other services. The city's estimates, which were finalized Thursday, included $13.5 million for police, $3.6 million for fire and paramedics, $2.3 million for transportation services (including traffic control and work on Pennsylvania Avenue before and after the event) and a number of lesser expenses. Large military parades have been rare in recent U.S. history, though the George H.W. Bush administration staged a military parade in Washington in 1991 after the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War. The Pentagon began planning Trump's military parade in earnest in March, putting U.S. Northern Command in charge with a smaller headquarters at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., taking a leading role. That headquarters, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, established a group to crunch numbers and help plan the event for Veterans Day weekend in November. Defense officials initially said the parade could cost the Pentagon about $12 million, using an estimate for the Gulf War event. But it now appears that number did not account for a number of factors, including inflation and the significant security demands placed upon Washington after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The total $92 million estimate included enhanced Coast Guard security on Washington's waterways and other costs for agencies such as the National Park Service. The cost could have been pared down, depending on how large Trump wanted to go with the parade. The planning group at Fort McNair was preparing to brief staff members for Mattis and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when CNBC, followed by other news organizations, reported the top-end $92 million estimate on Thursday, said Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman. Mattis, perhaps not yet briefed on the new figures, scoffed Thursday when asked by journalists traveling with him in South America about the potential $92 million cost. "Whoever told you that is probably smoking something that is legal in my state but not in most states," Mattis said, referring to his home state of Washington. "I'm not dignifying that number with any reply. I would discount that. And anybody who said that, I almost guarantee you one thing, they probably said, 'I need to stay anonymous.' No kidding, because you look like an idiot. And No. 2, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. I'll just leave it at that. But I don't know who wrote it. I haven't seen it. But I guarantee you there's been no cost estimate." A Pentagon spokesman released a statement late Thursday saying the parade was being postponed but provided no reason. The parade planning group is still active and will begin preparing for a potential 2019 parade "so we're not starting from scratch," said a defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the event. - - - The Washington Post's Fenit Nirappil and Missy Ryan contributed to this report. In July, a deal to release an American minister jailed in Turkey came apart because, a White House official told The Washington Post, Turkey was changing the agreement and "upping the ante." A few weeks later, President Donald Trump tweeted that he had doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Turkey, punctuating his thought with: "Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!" Magdalena Kirchner, an analyst at Conias Risk Intelligence, told Newsweek that this would stop both sides from seeking "consensus for the sake of the alliance." In March, writing for Foreign Policy in response to outrage after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened American forces in Syria, former George W. Bush administration officials James Jeffrey and Michael Singh soberly declared, "Turkey is not just President Erdogan but a regional geographic and economic giant that stands as a buffer between Europe and the Middle East, and between the Middle East and Russia." Writing for The Washington Post, the Atlantic Council's Matthew Bryza argued that "the White House has decided to give up on Turkey as an ally." American officials have often insisted on seeing Turkey, a NATO ally since 1952, as a close partner, which is why the recent dramatic fallout seems so shocking. Don't these two countries share interests and values? Not really. When you strip away all the happy talk, it's clear the two nations aren't really, and have never been, that close. This is a relationship doomed to antipathy. Alliances are never perfect, of course, and there have been moments over the past seven decades that justify Turkey's image as a close partner of the United States: President Turgut Ozal's decision to shut down oil pipelines carrying Iraqi oil through Turkey during in the run-up to the Gulf War, at great cost to the Turkish economy, for instance. A decade later, the Turkish government was among the first to condemn the 9/11 terrorist attacks and quickly committed the deployment of troops to Afghanistan. Turkey became an important and valued component of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in that country. By that time, American officials had become accustomed to seeing Turkey as a partner, like their closest allies in Europe and East Asia. The country's failure to live up to this role reveals more about our own desperation for Turkey to be something it isn't, and about Cold War strategies, than about Turkish shortcomings. Except for Turkey's 1974 incursion in Cyprus, which led Congress to punish Ankara with an arms embargo, conflicts and problems in the bilateral relationship could be swept aside for decades because of the overarching threat Moscow posed to both nations. In 1978, a little more than a year after his inauguration, President Jimmy Carter and Congress lifted the embargo out of fear that a rift with NATO would imperil the West's position in the Eastern Mediterranean: Turkey was both a physical and strategic buffer between the Soviet Union and the rest of Europe. In the decades since the Cold War ended, problems between the U.S. and Turkey have piled up, but Washington and Ankara no longer share a threat that mitigates these differences. After the Persian Gulf War, which Turkey supported, it grew exasperated at sanctions on Iraq that, it believed, hindered its own economy. So it began turning a blind eye to Iraqi oil exports crossing its border. When Turkey pledged to aid the mission in Afghanistan, its troops didn't engage in combat. Turks opposed the later Iraq War on principle, which was their right, but also repeatedly threatened to undermine the stability of northern Iraq, the one region of the country that welcomed the American occupation, because it housed a Kurdish separatist movement that advocated for Turkey's oppressed Kurds. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Turkey became a champion of Hamas, supporting the organization diplomatically in its periodic conflicts with Israel and has welcomed its operatives in Istanbul. In Syria, Ankara enabled extremists who used Turkish territory as a rear area in the fight against the Assad regime. And the Turkish government has stirred up trouble at Jerusalem's holy sites. When it comes to Iran, the Turkish government (along with Brazil) negotiated a separate nuclear agreement with Tehran that ran at cross purposes to Washington's; purposefully blew the cover on an Israeli intelligence operation in Istanbul gathering information on Iran's nuclear program, and opposed the Obama administration's effort to impose new U.N. sanctions on Tehran, then helped the Iranians evade those sanctions. Turkey's incursions into northern Syria have complicated the fight against the Islamic State, for a time drawing Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies away from the front line to face the Turks and their allies. In 2016, Erdogan threatened to allow tens of thousands of refugees to enter Europe, apparently because of suspended talks on Turkey's Eurpean Union membership. "You did not keep your word," he said in a speech in Istanbul. The threat, repeated months later by Turkey's interior minister, stoked fears in Europe and the United States that such a move - intended or otherwise - would help further empower populist, nationalist and racist political forces already roiling the politics and potentially the stability of the E.U. - a core strategic interest of the U.S. In long-running disputes over small islands, The Turkish military has sought to intimidate Greece through repeated, needlessly provocative violations of Greek air space. The danger from Moscow no longer justifies overlooking these significant differences in priorities. In fact, the Turkish government is buying an air defense system from the Russians that could provide Moscow with information about the American F-35 fighter jet, the newest high-tech plane in the U.S. arsenal, which Turkey also plans to fly. Under these circumstances, lamenting the end of our partnership with Turkey seems absurd. To be fair, from the Turkish perspective, the United States is not much of an ally either. A staggering number of Turks believe that Washington was complicit in the attempted coup d'etat in July 2016. One poll conducted online in 2016 by a Turkish newspaper found almost 7 in 10 Turks blamed the CIA. This patently false idea - which Erdogan and other officials have nurtured - along with Trump's tweet, makes Erdogan's latest accusation that the United States is attempting an economic coup all the more plausible to the Turkish public. Meanwhile, Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies are directly linked to a Turkish Kurdish terrorist organization, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, that has been in a violent campaign against Turkey since the mid-1980s. So it's easy to understand why U.S. approvalratings in Turkey hover between the low and high teens. The speed with which relations deteriorated after the deal to free the pastor imploded highlights a relationship marked by frustration and mistrust, not common aims. It is no wonder the Turks seldom, if ever, defend their relationship with Washington. They believe America seeks to do them harm. In an address to Turkey's parliament in 2009, President Barack Obama said, "the United States and Turkey have not always agreed on every issue, and that's to be expected - no two nations do. But we have stood together through many challenges over the last 60 years." Even with the hopeful gloss, that's closer to reality than the standard characterization of the two nations as close partners. With the current tensions, expect the debate over who "lost Turkey," and calls to protect the alliance to grow louder. But it is hard to lose an ally when it was not much of one to begin with. - - - Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, is the author of "False Dawn: Protest, Democracy, and Violence in the New Middle East." MEDIA ALERT August 14, 2018 Mississippi Aquarium Media Contact Port of Gulfport Media Contact Collin Caranna, Digital Marketing Manager Kimberly Aguillard, Media & Marketing Manager Mississippi Aquarium Port of Gulfport 228.205.4034 or ccaranna@msaquarium.org 228.323.0295 or kaguillard@shipmspa.com Mississippi Aquarium Acrylic Panels arriving to the Port of Gulfport WHO: Mississippi Aquarium and Port of Gulfport WHAT: Special guests and media are invited to view Mississippi Aquarium's acrylic panels, the windows to the Aquarium habitats, on Wednesday, Aug. 15th. The panels will be arriving in Gulfport from Rome, Italy and will be stored at the Port of Gulfport until installation. WHERE: Port of Gulfport | 1000 30th Avenue South | Gulfport, Mississippi 39501 WHEN: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 4:00pm (RSVP with Collin by noon on Aug. 15th) NOTES: All media needs to be escorted onto the Port. Please meet outside of the Port's main gate no later than 3:45 pm. A Port official will escort you onto the property. This event is invite only. About Mississippi Aquarium Mississippi Aquarium, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, is committed to igniting curiosity, compassion, exploration, and an appreciation of our marine environment. When it opens its doors to the public, Mississippi Aquarium will provide engaging and entertaining guest experiences with its large variety of fishes, invertebrates, birds, and mammals from the Gulf and beyond. With its core principles centered around Education, Conservation, and Community, Mississippi Aquarium's mission is to be a premier institution delivering an aweinspiring experience which supports animal research and conservation, inspires learning, and instills a passion for the aquatic world. Supported by the City of Gulfport, the State of Mississippi, and the community-at-large, Mississippi Aquarium will open in late 2019/early 2020 and is located across from Jones Park on Highway 90 in downtown Gulfport. Follow Mississippi Aquarium on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to get the latest updates or visit msaquarium.org to watch our progress live. About Port of Gulfport The Port of Gulfport is an enterprise agency of the state of Mississippi and is committed to providing world-class maritime terminal service to our customers and to facilitate economic growth and jobs for the people of Mississippi through the promotion of domestic and international trade. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was upbeat in his report on his visit to Japan. If everything goes according to plan, the Central Leeward town of Barrouallie will see a Black Fish processing facility. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves alluded to the project during a press conference he hosted last Monday, during which he gave a report on his recent visit to Japan. The Vincentian leader referred to a US$1.8M venture which is earmarked to enhance the operations of and delivery of products from that industry. The plant is expected to be located in the Bottle and Glass area of Barrouallie, one of three towns along the west coast of mainland St. Vincent. Lands will be bought or exchanged so that the structure can be set up, and equipment and furnishings are expected to come from Japan, the Prime Minister said. The Health Sector is also slated to benefit from the Japanese input, and Dr. Gonsalves spoke of a series of measures under the Japan Grant Aid. Assistance or road repairs is also on the donation list. And Japanese technical assistance has been sought in solving the issue of Sargassum weeds, according to the Vincentian Prime Minister. The Bus Terminal in Kingstown, built with Japanese aid and named Little Tokyo, is slated for refurbishment. Prime Minister Gonsalves wants to see Japan becoming more "involved within CARICOM, and towards this end, a Japanese delegation is expected to arrive here to streamline activities for a new thrust in East/West relations. He described the Japanese sojourn as "tiring, but expressed satisfaction with the recognition and reception accorded to this country. One writer described Naipauls House for Mr Biswas as a comprehension both of human motive and of a societys dynamic that might have taken most writers a lifetime to achieve, but written by a man in his mid- to late twenties. (Credit: ndtv.com) Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, the celebrated Trinidadian writer whom the world knew simply as Sir V S Naipaul, died in London on August 11, 2018, six days before his 86th birthday. He was rated as one of the 20th centurys great literary figures and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001. Naipaul belonged to a cast of Caribbean thinkers who emerged during British colonial rule. Others included his countryman C L R James and the St Lucian poet Sir Derek Walcott, who was also a Nobel laureate. American travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux, who had a long-running literary feud with Mr Naipaul before the pair reconciled in 2015, said his friend had been in poor health and had recently visited him. "He will go down as one of the greatest writers of our time, Theroux said. "He also never wrote falsely. He was a scourge of anyone who used a cliche or an un-thought out sentence. He was very scrupulous about his writing, very severe, too. Little wonder therefore, that he had an indifferent relationship with his homeland, yet it was that homeland, Trinidad, which inspired some of Naipauls finest work such as Miguel Street, A House for Mr Biswas and The Loss of El Dorado. The semi-autobiographical A House for Mr Biswas, released in 1961, was his masterpiece. It was internationally praised and earned Naipaul lasting fame. Since the 1950s when he left Trinidad to attend Oxford University, Naipaul lived in England. He was a giant in British intelligentsia, but consistently criticised his adopted homelands class system and some of its literary legends, including Charles Dickens. Naipauls caustic attacks earned him several foes, even among admirers. Walcott, who died in 2017, had a long-running feud with Naipaul and once described him as "V S Nightfall, but readily stressed the influence Naipauls early work had on his career. Sir V S Naipaul published more than thirty books, both of fiction and nonfiction, over some fifty years. Many of them dealt with colonialism and attacked religion, politicians and pillars of the literary establishment. (Sources: BBC, New Yorker, Jam. Observer) Mona Pompey (2nd from left), Matriarch of the Cathedral, makes presentation to Raniel Thomas. Rt. Rev. Melford Pompey is pictured at extreme right. The St. Marys Spiritual Baptist Cathedral, Overland, on Sunday 12th August 2018, paid tribute to its founding father The Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey, by handing over a donation from the Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey Memorial Fund to Raniel Thomas. Raniel was the lone student attending the Cathedral who wrote the CPEA exams this year. The donation to Raniel was presented by the widow of Blessed Cosmore Pompey, Mona Pompey, Matriarch of the Cathedral. Delivering the address at the ceremony, Bishop of the Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. Melford Pompey remembered his father as one who was keen in his childrens education and took pride in accompanying his five children to primary school very often. He told the recipient and congregation that it was because of his fathers love for education that a decision was taken to establish a fund in his memory. Rev Pompey implored the recipient and his parents to consider the thought behind the donation rather that the donation, and to reflect on the words used very often by his father, to wit, "Little is much when God is in it. He further encouraged the recipient to make good use of the donation and to do his best at school, being the first to benefit from such fund. The ceremony which was chaired by daughter of the Blessed Cosmore Pompey, Esther Pompey, had as its theme, " Celebrating the legacy of a Great Man Little is much. A similar ceremony will be held on Thursday 23rd August 2018 at the St. Johns Spiritual Baptist Church, Sion Hill beginning at 9:30am, when eight students of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese who were successful in this years CPEA exams will be given a special donation from the Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey Memorial Fund, to assist in their education. (Source: St. Marys Spiritual Baptist Cathedral) left:St. Lucias Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has referenced Venezuelans involvement in the trade of guns as a reason for the visa restrictions which would allow for increased St. Lucias action. (Credit: SNO) Right:Alva Baptiste, first deputy leader of the SLP voiced his partys oppositions to the imposition of visa restrictions on Venezuelans. (Credit: SNO) . The Government of St. Lucia has denied that its decision to impose visa restriction on Venezuelans is not politically motivated. St. Lucia Online News (SNO) reported that that countrys Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, last week Wednesday, told reports that the visa impositions were "strictly on a security basis and something the Venezuelan government understands. Chastanet also disclosed then that he had met with Venezuelan authorities in Venezuela, and the consensus was that both sides will continue to work to strengthen each others borders. SNO reported, Prime Minister Chastanet reasoned, "My primary responsibility is the safety of the citizens of Saint Lucia. I have no difficulties with the government of Venezuela, In justification of his governments action, the Prime Minister said, Chastanet said that Venezuelans have been involved in the shipment of arms and drugs in Saint Lucia and throughout the Caribbean. The reason for that, he said, is the Venezuelan economy, which is suffering. "People wanting to leave are using these items (guns and drugs) to generate cash. We have limited resources to dedicate to our border control. So by putting restrictions on Venezuelans allows us the ability to have greater amounts of control, Chastanet said, according to SNO. "Currently, Venezuelans coming here do not need visas. If in fact we find a Venezuelan who is suspicious of anything we do not have the ability of extraditing him (them). But if in fact we know they are on a visa, and we have concerns, then it gives us greater leverage to expedite them, Chastanet added. However, the main Opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) said it views the imposition of visa facilities on Venezuelan nationals and the simultaneous granting of visa free access to Chinese nationals, with suspicion, and that this scenario presents a disturbing dichotomy. "The prime ministers rationale for imposing visa facilities on Venezuelan nationals is seriously flawed. Mr. Chastanet argues that it was for security reasons. .. The fact is, we do not have a problem with Venezuelan nationals at our ports of entry. Hence the imposition of visa facilities on Venezuelan nationals has nothing to do with the security interests of Saint Lucia and Saint Lucians, said Alva Baptiste, first deputy leader of the SLP. (Source; St. Lucia Online News, Caribbean 360) Herman Edwards, aka Rasta Hezekiah, links the whole black cultural awareness movement of the late 1960s and 1970s to the cultivation and use of marijuana here. Herman Edwards lives in the area known as The Rock, overlooking the Sharpes Playing Field in the interior portion of capital Kingstown. He is known as Rasta Hezekiah, is 66 years old, and is in support of the Medical Marijuana. Hezekiah considers himself a historian as it relates to the growth of the marijuana business here, in particular the early cultivation. He recalls entering the "struggle way back in the late sixties, and links the birth and growth of the Black Power movement with the proliferation of the herb here. Hezekiah reflects on having built a shack in the interior section of the North Leeward village of Rose Hall, that was eventually burned by the Police. In that same escapade, he and four others were arrested and charged $200 each for cultivating marijuana. He recalls residents of the village descending on the police station and celebrating the capture of "the guerrillas. Hezekiah boasts of being the sole survivor of that quintet with Henry Yow Debique, Ainsley Teeth Browne, Arnhim Smutty Gordon and Nathaniel Natty Miller having passed away. "There is where the planting pf the weed set up: from Black Power to Rastafari, Hezekiah outlined. He vouches for the value of the herb, and admits that he knows of at least five children who have been cured from asthma through the use of the herb. Hezekiahs own awareness was broadened with stints in Trinidad during the heights of the Black Consciousness Movement there. He was dubbed Black Power Diego owing to activities in the area of Diego Martin while he lived there. He was exposed to the early aspects of life including working on Shrimps Trawler. He highlights the role of stevedores whom he contended, "used to bring it to shore. It was from these dealings, that seeds both literally and figuratively emerged, that engendered the marijuana cultivation, according to Hezekiah. (WKA) By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Herbs and spices have been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Some spices were once worth their weight in gold. The use of foods for their medicinal purposes dates back hundreds of years. Most herbs and spices posses a number of beneficial properties and work to reduce inflammation, improve the health of your heart, boost your immune system, and even prevent and fight cancer. Savory or sweet, spices have always been valued for their ability to add flavor, color and aroma to any food. Various herbs and spices are used primarily for adding flavor and aroma to food. The more delicate herbs are often added at the end so youll get more of the flavor of the herb rather than a blended flavor of herbs added at the start. Spices and herbs are an inevitable part of Azerbaijani cuisine. Traditional recipes of Azerbaijani cuisine are overflow with a vast array of spices and herbs. There are some basic spices, which are used in many Azerbaijani dishes. Saffron, cumin, sumac, cardamom, as well as herbs like mint, dill, parsley, celery, basil, etc. are widely used spices in cooking. Here you will find the most commonly used herbs and spices in Azerbaijani cuisine. Saffron Azerbaijan is one of the oldest centers of saffron in the world. It was cultivated in some regions of Azerbaijan more than a thousand years ago. The most high quality sort of this spice is grown in Azerbaijan, more precisely, in Bilgah, a settlement near the capital Baku. Saffron used in the Azerbaijani cuisine was known in Asian countries 4,000 years ago. At the same time, the one which grew up in the village of Bilgya became widely known. In some of his works, prominent Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi recommended saffron as a remedy for many diseases. Saffron is the most important spice in many national dishes (pilaf, bozbash, piti, etc.). It is difficult to imagine Azerbaijani deserts halva and pakhlava without saffron. Cumin Cumin is the second most popular spice after black pepper. It is an essential spice in Azerbaijani cuisine. This delicious can be added to the first and second course dishes. It is frequently used in cooking of Azerbaijani kebab. Besides, cumin is very beneficial in promoting weight loss, improving blood sugar control and reducing food-borne infections. Basil Basil is versatile and widely used aromatic herb. There are numerous species of basil; some have scents reminiscent of pineapple, lemon, cinnamon or cloves; others have beautiful purple leaves. Basil is sweet, slightly bitter and the perfect complement to any food. In Azerbaijan, it is added to soups, vegetable dishes from beans, peas, beans, tomatoes, spinach, sauerkraut, as well as meat and fish. Basil's health benefits include reducing inflammation, and it is said to have anti-aging and antibacterial properties. Sumac Early August is the time to harvest sumac, as rain can wash away much of the flavor and Vitamin C. This berry-like, bracingly tart flower is composed of individual drupes, similar to the little drupes that make up the knobbed appearance of common raspberries and blackberries. About 250 species of this spice grow in Azerbaijans Guba, Lankaran, Goychay, Sheki and Zagatala regions. This reddish plant is an essential ingredient in the national cuisine and can be used in a variety of recipes. This delicious lemon flavored spice is often used to season meat and vegetables. Sumac sprinkled over juicy kebab and hot qutabs is must try. Antioxidants are one of the biggest health benefits of the spice. Sumac can also help normalize blood sugar levels for diabetes and pre-diabetes. Mint Mint is widely used in cooking around the world, it is one of the most common spices, is widely used in Eastern countries. It can be added to foods in both fresh and dried forms. Mint is a popular ingredient in many foods and beverages, ranging from teas and alcoholic drinks to sauces, salads and desserts. Fresh mint brings its own distinct flavor to a number of recipes such as traditional Azerbaijani soup made of plain yogurt and herbs dovga, kebab, meatball soup kufte-bozbash, and other dishes. Its health benefits includes aiding digestion, treat dizziness, treating nausea, treating headaches, treating nasal congestion, improving dental health, enhancing the skin, promoting eye health, supporting weight loss and boosting immunity. Turmeric or Curcuma Since ancient times, curcuma has been used in Azerbaijan. This golden spice is widely added used in national cuisine. One of the most loved spice add flavor to meat, vegetable, cereal, sweet dishes and beverages. Curcuma has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The spice is often used for arthritis, heartburn (dyspepsia), joint pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, etc. Cinnamon Cinnamon takes center stage in many desserts. Most people use cinnamon to flavor their coffee, in baked goods, and in certain savory dishes. The red-brown spice or darchin as it is called here is an inevitable part of Azerbaijani cuisine as well. Cinnamon makes the pilaf wonderfully fragrant. There is no Azerbaijani holiday, or special occasion without pilaf. Just a hint of cinnamon makes pilaf recipes (Parcha-Doshama, Fisinjan, Shashandaz) unexpectedly delicious. Ginger With its ancient history and immense health benefits, ginger has been hailed by many cultures as a spice of the heavens. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. There are no dishes that cannot be cooked with ginger - it is added to salads, to broths, soups, mushrooms, cereals, beans and cheese. Azerbaijani people also use the healing properties of this spice. The mixture of honey and ginger is considered an excellent remedy for colds and other ailments. Ginger tea is made by boiling fresh ginger root in water. Lemon juice and honey are added to this strained liquid. Moreover, drinking a glass of ginger water every day can help strengthen your digestive system. By Trend The "Tajikistan-Uzbekistan business forum involving the business circles and dedicated to the further development and strengthening of bilateral cooperation has been held Aug. 16 with the support of the governments of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, in Tashkent city, the capital of Uzbekistan, on the eve of the state visit of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, as well as in the framework of the "Goods from Tajikistan" exhibition, Tajik news Agency "Avesta" reported. The official opening of the business forum has been attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nodir Otajonov, Head of the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan Farrukh Hamralizoda, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan Adkham Ikramov and Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan Sharif Said, as well as more than 400 representatives of ministries and departments and business circles of the two countries. A broad exchange of views, discussion of many issues, presentations on the expansion of bilateral cooperation took place during the event. The bilateral trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $150 million in 1H2018, and more than 180 agreements and contracts totaling over $730 million were signed over the past year, the message said, referring to the Head of the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan Farrukh Hamralizoda. In his speech, the Chairman of the CCI of Tajikistan Sharif Said paid special attention to the fact that the two independent states of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were building trade, economic and cultural relations on a solid basis. The presentations of investment opportunities of the Republic of Tajikistan were held during the forum. Business delegations from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan held a number of effective meetings and negotiations. As a result of the business forum, the signing ceremony of a number of agreements and contracts totaling more than $100 million was held. At the end of the forum, an informal meeting of entrepreneurs was held, the press center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Tajikistan reported. Three teens charged with capital murder admitted to police being in the parking lot where a 15-year-old was shot Wednesday night, though they differ on who might have done the shooting, according to prosecutors. Eighteen year-old Jashon Romero Freeman, 19-year-old Jacorey Jervar Randolph and 18-year-old Albert Ray Edmond all remain in the Harris County Jail without bail. The three are set for a first appearance in Harris County Court on Monday, following a brief court hearing Friday. All three requested a public defender. The trio are accused of shooting Bryan Portales, 15, in the parking lot of the Innsbruck-Lemoyne Apartments at 4603 Sherwood Lane in northwest Houston, near the 610 Loop and U.S. 290. According to information presented at Fridays probable cause hearing, witnesses said three men in a black BMW came to the parking lot, an altercation occurred and when Portales turned he was shot several times by one of the men, who matches Edmonds physical description. The man then took something from the victims pocket, returned to the vehicle, and then left with the other two suspects, witnesses said. Spring Branch Police arrested the three men Wednesday night, hours after the shooting. Prosecutors said police impounded the black BMW the men were in, finding 6 grams of marijuana, 20 Xanax pills, spent shell casings and bloody clothing. Police also found five cellphones, one of which matched the description of Portales missing one. Prosecutors said eventually all three of the men acknowledged being in the parking lot of the complex, with the intent to buy drugs. Randolph and Edmond both told police they stayed in the car and only heard the gunshots. Freeman, according to prosecutors, said he was talking to a man who kept his hand in his pocket, turned, and then heard but did not see the shooting. Edmond was also arraigned Friday on a felony warrant related to a July 31 incident at a Houston apartment where he is accused of striking a female acquaintance at her home. As he left with another suspect in the assault, witnesses said he pointed what appeared to be an assault rifle from the sunroof and yelled do something at the brothers of the alleged victim. dug.begley@chron.com twitter.com/DugBegley When a former Houston doctor was sentenced to probation Friday for raping an incapacitated patient at a county hospital, the punishment surprised defense attorneys, disappointed law enforcement, elicited concern from a rape victims advocacy group and sparked outrage on social media. The doctor, who has been stripped of his license, admitted during the trial that he had sexual contact with the woman during the night shift at Ben Taub Hospital in 2013, but told jurors it was consensual. Although he was not assigned to her case, he slipped into her room anyway after he noticed her breast implants. Veteran defense lawyers with no connection to the case called the outcome unusual and a big victory for the defense, explaining there was a very high likelihood a person who did not turn himself in to law enforcement and misrepresented the assault would face prison time. When youre a doctor, Id expect youd get prison time, said attorney Casey Kiernan, who has defended sexual assault cases for nearly four decades. We hold doctors to a higher standard. The jury five women and seven men sentenced Dr. Shafeeq Sheikh, a former Baylor College of Medicine resident, to 10 years on probation for raping the patient while she was tethered to machines and receiving treatment for an acute asthma attack. The jurors found Sheikh guilty Thursday after deliberating for 14 hours over two days. The conviction means Sheikh, 46, must be a registered for the rest of his life as a sex offender. Jurors recommended the 10-year probated sentence for the doctor and suspension of a $10,000 fine after deliberations on Friday, recommendations that visiting Senior District Judge Terry L. Flenniken was required by law to follow. GUILTY: Verdict reached in case of ex-Baylor doctor accused of raping patient During argument for the sentencing phase of the trial Friday, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Reeder asked jurors to keep in mind that Sheikh exploited his access to harm a vulnerable person. He sought her out. He chose her to prey on, Reeder said, noting that Sheikh checked the womans chart and knew exactly what medicines she had been prescribed. You know hes the type of man who would go in multiple times, testing the waters, seeing how far he could go and get back to his normal business after that. The prosecutor said she hoped the jury would also consider the fact that after the assault, Sheikh went on to get another job and practiced medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital until the time police arrested him. You know hes the kind man of who walked around for two years before he was charged with this knowing what he did, the prosecutor said. Sheikhs defense lawyer, Stanley Schneider, asked the jury to have mercy on a man whose wife and children had suffered greatly from his actions and who had been punishing himself for five years for this one shameful, erratic act. He said he hoped they would sentence Sheikh, who has no prior felonies, to probation. The dreams of a man, the childhood dream to become a doctor, were shattered by his conduct. He destroyed his own dreams, Schneider said. What he has done to himself and his family is punishment. They are serving his sentence with him. His children are serving his sentence with him. After the sentencing, the victim said through a former attorney that she had no comment on the punishment and wanted to put it all behind her and move on. Sheikh, who has been free on bond, also declined comment. After the judge adjourned, Sheikh sat with some family members outside the courthouse having lunch at a picnic table. Prosecutors respect the process that rendered the result, said Dane Schiller, a spokesman for District Attorney Kim Ogg. After being presented all the evidence, the jury convicted this man of rape and decided that he should be sentenced to 10 years of probation, Schiller said. The jury voted on behalf of the community to determine his sentence, and although prosecutors sought prison time, we respect this process, and the jurys decision, which carries with it a lifetime of registering as a sex offender. It took investigators two years to charge Sheikh in the 2013 assault. He was only then, in 2015, that the Texas Medical Board revoked his license, finding that he posed a continuing threat to public welfare. Stefanie Asin, a representative of Houston Methodist Hospital, said Sheikh worked briefly for the hospital system following his time at Baylor, but (he) was immediately suspended and then terminated when we learned of the allegations and the suspension of his license. She noted that at the time Sheikh worked for Methodist none of the allegations had surfaced, adding, There were no reports of misconduct or any incidents involving this doctor while he was at Houston Methodist. Both the victim, who is now 32, and the former doctor took the stand during the eight-day trial, providing contradictory accounts of what happened the night of Nov. 2, 2013. The victim said a doctor came to her bedside in the dark and began touching her breasts during a chest exam. She said she was weak, sore and confused, and tried to summon a nurse with the call button. The man returned two more times, and raped her without using a condom. TRIAL: Former Ben Taub doctor accused of raping patient testifies sex was consensual Sheikh said the patient took his hand and placed it on her breasts. He was intrigued by her breast implants and returned to her room again. At this point, he testified, she began touching his genitals and demonstrated with her body language that she wanted to have sex with him. He said he knew it was a breach of his marriage vows and the Hippocratic oath, but he succumbed to his impulse. He told jurors he understood that it was consensual sex. The Houston Chronicle does not identify victims of sexual assault. The woman, who was identified previously in a series of Houston Chronicle columns by Lisa Falkenberg as Laura, reported an assault by an unknown doctor the same day. Sheikh told jurors he checked her chart several times that day after he heard she had told officials it was a rape. He said he told his wife about his infidelity right away but he didnt come forward to hospital officials because he panicked about the consequences. BACKGROUND: Patient says she became doctor's prey at Ben Taub Police eventually got a list of every man on the premises that night and began collecting cheek swabs of willing subjects. Sheikh only provided one when he was subpoenaed, according to a law enforcement source. DNA evidence from the womans rape kit implicated Sheikh as a likely suspect. Sheikh had been working a night shift as an internal medicine resident. He was seen on surveillance video on the woman's floor and his badge was used to swipe onto her floor that night at least 12 times. One factor that could have impacted what some saw as a lenient sentence was the testimony from his wife, brother and family friends, who spoke about his vital role as the father of four children. Attorney Paul Schiffer, a former prosecutor who has devoted more than four decades to defending people charged with sex offenses, said he thought Sheikh was fortunate. Defendants who take the stand and deny theyre guilty statistically are in a worse position to get probation, Schiffer said. But various factors, including their history while on bond and the impact incarceration could have on their own children can be a significant factor. He and Kiernan, who also defends people accused of rape, said it also may have been the case that jurors had residual doubt about his culpability. Kiernan suggested there was another important factor jurors may have mulled over. The real question is whether the best interest of the defendant and society are served by sentencing him to the penitentiary, he said. Sonia Corrales, chief program officer at the Houston Area Womens Center, was unfamiliar with the case but said there should be equity in sentencing violent offenders. Oftentimes, perpetrators will attempt to minimize the severity of their actions by claiming it wasnt sexual assault, but was consensual sex, she said. Sexual violence is a willful choice a perpetrator makes to harm another human being and should be addressed by the criminal justice system with the same severity as any other violent crime. gabrielle.banks@chron.com twitter.com/gabmobanks Swiss-based SR Technics said it has signed a major engine maintenance, repair and overhaul agreement with Lufthansa Groups low-cost airline Eurowings. A leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider with major presence in the emirates, SR Technics is 20 per cent owned by Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala. The two-year agreement was signed at the end of June 2018 and covers part of the airlines CFM56-5B fleet. On the contract win, Michael Sattler, the chief commercial officer at SR Technics, said: "We are delighted to have won Eurowings as a customer. This clearly reflects on our excellent relationship with the German group, and our ability to adapt to challenging scheduling requirements and offer flexible solutions." As Eurowings is a major player among Europes low-cost carriers, there is plenty of room for synergies with other areas of SR Technics moving forward, he stated. Co-operation with Eurowings began in January of this year and in order to meet the demands of the carriers large engine shop visit demands, SR Technics provided single engine shop visit offers to customize its services. This, combined with slots that met the carriers planning needs and SR Technics continuous support, was key to clinching the two-year contract. Michael Knitter, the chief operations officer of Eurowings, said: "Optimal technical support for our aircraft is an essential prerequisite for the success of Eurowings. As currently the fastest growing airline in Europe, we rely only on the best service providers. We are proud to be able to rely also on SR Technics for this." All work under the new agreement will be completed at SR Technics Zurich Airport facility and covers engine maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions, including airfoils repairs in SR Technics Cork, Ireland facility, and the full parts and material management for more than 30 engines, he added.-TradeArabia News Service When driving around Houston, it often feels as if a giant Monopoly board was dropped on the floor and someone hastily placed the hotels and houses together on random properties. This is the blessing and curse of Houston's lack of zoning laws. Often, businesses and houses coexist on the same street. Other times, disruptive buildings or even facilities like concrete plants can be built right next to homes or parks. Nesreen Irsan finally had a night without nightmares. The 30-year-old widow at the center of Houstons two honor killings six years ago was able to sleep peacefully Tuesday night, the day her Jordanian father was sentenced to death row. It was the first time since running away from home and converting to Christianity in 2011 that she did not have nightmares about being hunted by her father and other family members, an ordeal she detailed exclusively for the Chronicle this week. I grew up with this murderer and he boasted about it. I was terrified of him, she said from an undisclosed location. You dont have anywhere to run. Youre a prisoner. Youre a prisoner in your own life. Despite getting restful sleep, she likely will never stop looking over her shoulder or carrying a gun. Nesreen continues to fear the friends and family members that her father, Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, enlisted to help stalk her for leaving Islam. She is taking precautions, including not talking about what part of the country she lives in or using social media. Still, to help deal with the grief, sadness and guilt she has about what happened, she spoke out to raise awareness about honor violence in America. ABBOTT'S PROMISE: 'In Texas if you commit 'honor killings' you will get the death penalty' I think the story needs to be told. There are things that are going on that people need to know about, she said. Even today, people are still terrified of him, even though hes on death row. There are people who still believe in what he was doing. On Tuesday, her 60-year-old father sat at the defense table in a Harris County courtroom and bowed his head slightly as he was sentenced to death for a pair of 2012 honor killings that were part of an extensive plot seeking to take the lives of five people, including Nesreen, who was 24 at the time. The devout Muslim patriarch was able to kill her husband, 28-year-old Coty Beavers, and her close friend Gelareh Bagherzadeh, a 30-year-old medical researcher and Iranian activist who championed womens rights. As Nesreen Irsan works to put her life back together, there have been bright spots, including reconnecting with her mother, who left her father 22 years ago, and an older sister. But its a bittersweet reunion after everything that has happened. I will carry this guilt forever, she said. I think the Lord will take the bad things and heal you, and I think that good will come out of this, and I pray for that. Nesemah, her older sister, also expressed deep relief at the death sentence given her father. She wants to spend her time helping people understand that honor killings are real. The world is a safer place knowing that a man who was capable of anything and everything will no longer hurt anyone else, Nesemah said in a statement. Living through this ordeal has made me stronger and I would like to help others who are currently in this type of situation. For Nesreen, its tough to have friendships or relationships. I want to make friends, but Im afraid because I dont want something to happen to them, she said. Even when I make friends, theyre scared to be my friend. Theyre scared to hang out with me. She said it has also been hard to find gainful employment in the medical field because of her connection to a murderous father. Andy Kahan, a victims' advocate at CrimeStoppers of Houston, said it's common for family and friends of murder victims to blame themselves or feel guilt. Sometimes the survivors guilt becomes overwhelming and can sometimes even become obsessive, he said. Kahan said hed never heard of a victim losing out on job opportunities because of their connection to a high-profile defendant. You can only hope that time will heal and shell be able to resume her life without being tainted or being seen in the same light as her father, he said. The United Nations released a report in 2000 estimating about 5,000 honor killings around the world every year, but womens rights groups say the number is closer to 20,000. A report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015 estimated that there are 23 to 27 honor killings each year in the U.S. every year. And in the last 10 years, there have been well-publicized honor killings in Arizona, New York and North Texas. COUNTY DETECTIVE: 8 reasons Houston's 'honor killings' seem connected Unfortunately, honor killings are happening in the United States. We hope that law enforcement agencies are paying attention and are taking the necessary steps to train and educate their personnel about the culture, so that senseless killings can be prevented one day, said Anna Emmons, one of the special prosecutors who put Irsan on death row along with Marie Primm and Jon Stephenson. During her fathers capital murder trial, Nesreen was twice called to testify about her father's daily beatings and his threats against any children who left his rural Montgomery County compound or violated any of his rules. Two of his sons disputed this account and testified in support of their father, as did several of his family members from Jordan. But Nesreen said she took the threats seriously because her father had previously shown what he was capable of doing. In 1999, Irsan fatally shot a different son-in-law in his living room after his oldest daughter married without his approval. Irsan testifed that he killed in self-defense, but other witnesses said it was planned. They said the father of 12 planted a handgun on the dead man to convince authorities he was in fear for his life. Nesreen was 12 years old when her father convinced police and Child Protective Services that it was self-defense. He manipulated the police, he manipulated CPS, she said. Law enforcement didnt understand the culture, so they didnt understand what was going on. She ran into the same difficulties a decade later when she ran away from home to marry Beavers. Her father called the police, falsely claiming she was on drugs and asking that she be returned to the rural Montgomery County homestead where he raised a dozen children he had with two wives. I said, No thats not true. Im just leaving. Im scared. Theyre going to kill me, she recalled. I dont think think the officer understood what grave danger I knew I was in, but I knew because I lived in that house all those years. IN DEFENSE: Jordanian patriarch's family testifies in 'honor killings' trial Testimony during Irsans trial showed that she and Beavers had filed a protective order and a no-contact order that Irsan regularly violated. A police officer told Nesreen there was little that could be done about him constantly driving by the Beavers house where she was staying. I dont think he understood what lengths these people will go through for their honor, she said. Its very scary. I was in love with Coty and I didnt want anything to happen to anybody, but nobody was helping us, as far as law enforcement. We had a protective order and it wasnt doing anything. In January 2012, Ali Irsan, his wife and his oldest son followed Bagherzadeh from the Beavers home to her parents' Galleria-area townhouse, testimony showed. Nesreens brother, Nasim, allegedly fired the shot that killed the activist as Irsan and his wife encouraged him. Nasim Irsan remains in the Harris County jail awaiting trial on a charge of capital murder. Nesreen told police she believed her father was responsible, and he was questioned. There was not enough evidence to arrest and he went free. Six months later, Nesreen and Coty, who were deep in the throes of first love, were married at the courthouse and rented an apartment in northwest Harris County, far from Irsans compound in Montgomery County. You try to be optimistic and say they havent been around for awhile and thats when they swoop in and wreak havoc and start murdering people, she said. Then you feel guilty because in your mind, had you not run away, none of these people would have been killed. On November 12, 2012, Nesreens husband walked her from their apartment to the car so she could go to her job at MD Anderson Cancer Center. As he escorted his wife, intruders crept into their apartment and hid in a bedroom. Testimony showed that Irsan wanted to kill them both, but when Beavers returned alone to the apartment, Nesreens father unloaded a .22 revolver, hitting Beavers with at least five bullets. He fell dead just inches from the assault rifle he kept for home protection. Nesreen and other members of the Beavers family immediately went on the run, refusing to spend two nights in the same place for months. That caution and fear about being tracked continues to this day, she said. These people are not like normal people, she said. Its not jealousy, its an anger thing about honor. Youre hurting their honor and for them, honor is what they live for. Its a very strong thing for them to believe in. Nesreen said she hopes her plight sheds light on honor violence, especially in raising awareness among law enforcement about what runaways may be going through. Honor killings in America are real, she said. When an American from this type of culture screams Im afraid or My family will kill me, it is imperative that authorities take the threat seriously and be proactive instead of reactive. Police cannot wait for something bad to happen before they get involved. She hopes for a future where authorities will help victims reloacte to another part of the country or even create a re-identity package to change what family members know about their victims. They have your Social Security number, mothers maiden name, everywhere youve ever lived and every detail about you. They know it, because you grew up there, she said. We need to help other girls. Arkansas police said a woman posing as a member of a fictitious mafia directed others into killing an elderly couple. Kimberly Younger, 52, of Aransas Pass, Texas, posed as a member of the "carnival mafia" under the name Frank Zaitchik, police said. Through text messages, Younger allegedly directed fellow carnival workers Michael Fowler, 54, and Rusty Frasier, 35, into killing an elderly couple from Wichita, Kansas last month, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Fowler was under the impression that killing the couple, Alfred Carpenter, 78, and Pauline Carpenter, 79, would allow him to join the carnival mafia, police said. The day of the killing on July 14, Fowler, Younger and Frasier arrived at the trailer where the couple resided and allegedly attempted to slit Alfred Carpenter's throat. As Younger distracted the older man, Fowler attempted to put him in a headlock and cut his throat, a police report detailed. LATEST: Dallas-area babysitter arrested in connection to baby's overdose Frasier allegedly stabbed Carpenter in the chest and Fowler is suspected of shooting the elderly man twice in the head, the police report said. Fowler then went into the couple's trailer and shot Pauline Carpenter twice in the head as she was sleeping, police said. A fourth carnival worker, Christine Tenney, 37, of Santa Fe, Texas, was also allegedly present at the killing but did not participate in the murder. Police said Tenney helped with the disposal of the bodies, which were found near a creek. The four suspects were arrested last month and held at a Crawford County jail. Younger, Fowler and Frasier had their bond set at $1 million while Tenney was held on a $250,000 bond. Upon the discovery that there was no carnival mafia, Fowler told detectives that Younger had "suckered" him and remarked that he had thrown his entire life away. Younger, Fowler and Frasier were charged this week with abuse of a corpse, theft by receiving and tampering with physical evidence. No homicide-related charges appear to have been filed yet. Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 By Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble, popularly known as Raju Kamble, the founder of Ambedkar International Mission breathed his last on 16th August 2018 in Canada at the age of 64. , Raju Kamble, born on January 4, 1954, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, was a fearless visionary and a towering Ambedkarite who fought for justice for all oppressed castes. Support TwoCircles He believed that Dalits of the diaspora had a powerful responsibility to payback to society and remain committed to Ambedkars vision wherever they are in the world. This commitment, rooted in love for all Ambedkarite people, helped Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) grow and create an international impact for the last 24 years. And today AIM has its chapters in US, Canada, Japan, Middle East, and across Europe. Through AIM he also organized several international Dr. Ambedkar conventions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Paris, France. He was currently involved in organising the upcoming convention in Japan this year. Beyond his public works, Raju Kamble supported many Dalit students in their studies offering them scholarships and helping them with their test preparation fees so that promising students from across India could pursue education and better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. The Global Ambedkarite community on the occasion of his death expressed their gratitude, love and respect for his exemplary work. As we consider the impossible world where we must continue forward in this work without Rajkumar Kamble, we want to honor and remember how his legacy lives on in all of us. His unfortunate and untimely demise leaves a huge void in our movement. But we should keep him in our thoughts and draw motivation from his life and continue to strive in taking Babasahebs caravan further, as a fitting tribute to him and his values which he instilled in many of us as a mentor. His and his familys personal sacrifices have ensured that the Ambedkarite movement outside India has blossomed over the years, and in his memory we will continue to grow it until we indeed see the end of Caste Apartheid once and for all, the community said in their press release statement. Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble is survived by his wife Nanda and two daughters, Prachi and Shaily. HARTFORD While seven candidates saw their gubernatorial dreams flourish or die Tuesday, one candidate considered primary day irrelevant. To Oz Griebel, the former chief executive of the MetroHartford Alliance who is making an independent bid for governor, Tuesday was just another day on the campaign trail. His running mate Monte Frank, a Newtown attorney, went to bed at 9 p.m., uninterested in who might win the parties nominations. There are only two choices: there is more of the same, or there is us, Frank said. So it didnt matter who was coming out of the primaries because that represented more of the same. Griebel, who lost a GOP gubernatorial primary in 2010, and Frank have submitted 10,000 signatures to town clerks and the Secretary of the States office, they said in a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday. They are waiting for the signatures to be verified and predicted they will know whether they have a spot on the November ballot in the next 10 days. Griebel, a self-described liberal Republican, said he was confidant he could pull moderate Republicans away from the more conservative GOP nominated ticket of Bob Stefanowski for governor and Joe Markley for lieutenant governor. Add in Frank, a conservative Democrat, and they said they will attract Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated voters forming a coalition they term the radical middle. Electing either the Republican or the Democrat is the definition of political insanity, Griebel said. It will be a repetition of the last 30 years. Since they declared their candidacy in December, Griebel and Frank have been running a low-budget, grassroots campaign focused on the general election. With only $12,624 campaign cash on hand as of July 10, according to latest campaign finance filings, the duo will be strapped to compete with the volumes of advertising disseminated by Stefanowski and Democratic nominee for governor Ned Lamont, both millionaires self-funding their campaigns. Their campaign is not likely to purchase TV commercials, they said; Stefanowski and Lamont each aired many before the primary. I understand we have a daunting task ahead of us, Frank said. Griebel and Frank criticized Lamont and Stefanowski for partisan name calling. They promised to stay focused on their goal of creating 200,000 new private sector jobs by 2028. The Charity Commission has ordered the closure of Support the Heroes, a military charity which attracted controversy after spending significant sums with a fundraising company. The Charity Commission has used one of its new powers which enables it to direct a charity to wind up. This power was among several granted to the regulator in the recent Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016. The regulator has not previously publicly used the power. The charity had already had its accounts frozen and an interim manager appointed. Support the Heroes is one of several charities to be investigated over its connection to the same fundraiser Tony Chadwick. The others include Our Local Heroes and Afghan Heroes. In all cases, the charities have been criticised for channelling a high percentage of their funds to Chadwicks firms, and little to beneficiaries. In the case of Support the Heroes, the charity received 191,000 and paid more than 60,000 to Chadwicks company, Targeted Management. In 2016 the Commission had used another power for the first time on the charity ordering it to stop a specific action, in this case fundraising. An interim manager was later appointed to take over the running of the charity a process unsuccessfully appealed to the Charity Tribunal and the accounts were frozen. The Commission said in a public notice published today that it is satisfied that the charity does not operate, or its purposes can be promoted more effectively if it ceases to operate and therefore it should close down. There is now a period of 30 days for individuals to make representations to object to the order. Another 30 days will then go by before the Commission can issue the order. For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here. The government makes a significant number of commitments in its Civil Society Strategy, published today. Many of these have been announced previously and are already under way but the strategy does bring them together in one place and commit to a review in two years' time. Here are the key commitments for charities. Social sector The government has made a renewed commitment to encourage charities to speak up. It says government should improve its engagement with civil society, consult charities, and community groups, and that it is determined that charities and social enterprises should be fully confident in their right to speak in public debates, and to have a strong campaigning and advocacy role. It added: It is right that we have government grant standards which prevent taxpayers money being spent on political campaigning or lobbying. However, simply being in receipt of taxpayers money should not inhibit charities from making their voices heard on matters of policy or practice. The document reiterates the governments commitment to working with the Electoral Commission on fresh guidance for charities. It says it will renew its commitment to the principles of the Compact which was last published in 2010. Government will set up a cross-government civil society group to establish the principles of effective engagement in the policymaking process, learning from the examples of good practice that already exist. This includes a focus on the effective engagement of young people. Funding The government has said it wants to make it easier for charities, particularly smaller ones to find funding and will explore opportunities, working with sector partners, to make access to funding and finance easier and that this will include exploring the potential of technology. The government is also committed to supporting the development of enterprise activity to grow and diversify income, and improving access to social investment for charities and social enterprises through a 60 million endowment to Access (The Foundation for Social Investment) The government has said it will continue to support repayable finance projects, and will work with the Charity Commission and UK Community Foundations to release at least 20m over the next two years from inactive charitable trusts to grassroots community organisations It has said it will explore how to encourage more collective giving, a collaborative, peer-influenced form of philanthropy that has the potential to develop larger funds to tackle problems and will invest over 750,000 before 2020 in the growth of place-based giving schemes, to support civic philanthropy. Tax and regulation The government has committed to a review of Social Investment Tax Relief in 2019. It will establish a regular forum for social enterprises to coordinate relations with the government, and will develop and implement measures to strengthen safeguarding. It will also review the operation and impact of the Fundraising Regulator, and work with the Charity Commission to to explore options for placing it on a secure and sustainable financial footing and ensuring it is adequately resourced to meet future challenges. Leadership Government has said it will convene key civil society stakeholders over the next year, to explore the potential for a common vision and mission for strengthening the leadership of social sector organisations and the potential for specific government interventions. It will explore ways to diversify trusteeship with the Charity Commission and charities and agree on collective action. Government will also convene key stakeholders to explore how we can collectively help to develop strong local support systems for social sector organisations. Digital The government has said digital techology is fundamentally transforming how society operates, that it is essential for the social sector to be part of the digital revolution and that it will try and bring the two together. It said: To ensure our communities are connected, the government will implement measures from the Digital Economy Act. This will support civil society organisations and their beneficiaries in accessing high quality, fast, digital services. There will be a Digital Skills Partnership to help civil society organisations to build their skills, boosting collaboration between the government, civil society, and business to tackle the digital skills gap. The government has also said it will continue to support the establishment of the Local Digital Skills Partnerships, which bring together stakeholders from local government, civil society, and business to address digital skills gaps and increase digital inclusion. Government will support the development of an effective Charity Digital Code of Practice for charity leaders and trustees. It will also work with sector partners to deliver a #DigitalTrustees campaign to promote digital confidence on charity boards. Public sector Government will support the spread of citizen commissioners who are local people making decisions about the services they need and government will share learning from co-design projects. The government has said also said it will continue to support growth and build evidence base for social impact bonds through the Centre for Social Impact Bonds. Grants 2.0 The government said it wants to broaden the range of funding options for community initiatives which includes a revival of grantmaking. It recommends that all public bodies, including local government, follow the Grants Functional Standard. It will also support open data initiatives and hold a ministerial event to collectively improve data infrastructure and open data publication to support civil society. There will be new guidance for commissioners. Flexible contracting The document says all central government commercial buyers will be required to undertake training on how to take account of social value in commissioning and procurement The Crown Representative will run an awareness campaign to encourage people to use the contracts finder service. Government will review the Innovation Partnerships model to explore whether more can be done to encourage contracting authorities to work directly with partners. Strengthening the Social Value Act The government has reiterated the announcement that government departments will be expected to apply the terms of the Act to goods and works and to account for the social value of new procurements. It will explore the potential for the use of social value in grants as well as contracts and the suggestion submitted to this Strategy that the Social Value Act should be applied to other areas of public decision making such as planning and community asset transfer. It will also set a standard measure for social value. Enabling a lifetime contribution The government has said it will explore ways to measure the wellbeing of communities and social value. There will be a biennial public update from DCMS on the strategy There will be support for community organising programmes. Between 2017 and 2020 another 3,500 people will be trained in community organising through a national network of Social Action Hubs and partnerships with public and social sector organisations. The government has said it will work with civil society to tackle digital skills gap in communities and support more opportunities to volunteer, particularly for older adults. It will explore how to build on existing programmes such as the Place Based Social Action programme and the Communities Fund. Youth services The government has committed to continued investment in National Citizen Service. It will also review the guidance which sets out the statutory duty placed on local authorities to provide appropriate local youth services it expects that the review will provide greater clarity of governments expectations, including the value added by good youth work. And it will set up a Civil Society Youth Steering Group within DCMS to oversee the development and implementation of policies affecting young people and a set up a national Young Commissioners and Inspectors Group to involve young people directly and meaningfully in the commissioning, monitoring and evaluation of national programmes affecting young people Places and local communities The government will explore with the National Association of Local Councils and others the option for local charters between a principal council, local councils, and community groups setting out respective responsibilities. There will be an Innovation in Democracy programme to pilot participatory democracy approaches The government will issue revised guidance to help communities take ownership of local assets. It will signpost support and advice available to communities to improve and shape where they live through the new Community Guide to Action and the MyCommunity website. DCMS and the Ministry of Housing, Community and local government will design a programme to look at barriers and opportunities for community hubs and launch pilot projects later this year. MHCLG is also exploring the potential of transfers of public land to community-led housing initiatives, such as Community Land Trusts. Government also intends to consult widely on the design of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund this year, and there will be opportunities for civil society and communities to consider their role in supporting inclusive growth and driving productivity. The government will continue work to consider additional measures it could take to unlock and boost social impact investment. It will work with Big Society Capital and others to develop new models of community funding, which bring together social impact investment with philanthropic funding, crowdfunding, community shares and corporate investment to create substantial place-based investment programmes. Private sector The government will publish an update on next steps for the Inclusive Economy Partnership by the end of 2018. The Cabinet Office and the Government Inclusive Economy Unit will build on early experience of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, by working with business and civil society leaders to increase the impact on the challenges it is helping to solve through cross-sectoral partnerships. The Inclusive Economy Unit will lead cross-government work to follow up the relevant recommendations from the advisory group on growing a culture of social impact investment in the UK, including further consideration of business transparency on social and environmental contributions, in the UK and internationally. Big Society Capital will focus its strategy on providing homes for people in need, supporting communities to improve lives, and investment in early action to prevent social problems. 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. When John J. Lennon writes about the criminal justice system, he must first tell his own story. Lennon is Inmate No. 04A0823 in the New York State Department of Corrections, serving 28 years to life for murder and selling drugs. He has been on Rikers Island, in Clinton Dannemora, Green Haven, Attica, and now Sing Sing. He has battled addiction to drugs, smuggled in by fellow inmates, and painkillers, doled out by his jailors. He has spent time in solitary confinement. One afternoon, in a prison yard, he was stabbed in the chest with a shiv and left for dead with a punctured lung. But lately, he has found, his incarceration has given him unparalleled admittance to an always-hot topic in American media. Who can beat my access? he says. I live around an orgy of story. Lennon is 41, with a thick chest, tattooed biceps, close-cropped black hair, and blue eyes. For the past five years, hes worked as a freelance journalist whose pieces have been featured in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Pacific Standard, Esquire, and The Marshall Project. He has no computer and no direct access to the internet or email; he writes on a clear plastic Swintec typewriter. There are two phones on his floor, and Lennon is permitted to make calls only during certain hours of the day, to a pre-approved list of 15 numbers. Each call is prepaid collect (at his expense) and limited to 30 minutes. Prison libraries tend to have sparse collections, mostly law volumes and fantasy pulp, so for researchand to keep up with the literary worldLennon subscribes to several magazines. He especially likes stories that weave first-person narrative into the reporting. Whenever I used to read Esquire and GQthe bang-bang, sexy, pop-your-collar magazinesI thought I could do this shit, he says. Lennon entered the prison system seventeen years ago, and hes not eligible for parole until 2029. Until then, he has plenty of time to work. NAMED AFTER HIS FATHER, Sean (Irish for John), whom he never knew, Lennon was raised in Brooklyn by Laura OConnell, a single mother who ran a fleet of hot dog stands (all cash). They lived in the citys housing projects. Her business flourished, which left plenty of money to send Lennon to the Malcolm Gordon School for Boys, a private school upstate. In seventh grade, he won second place in a writing contest for a piece of creative historical fiction about Benedict Arnold, as told by his cane. The prize was a $75 savings bond. Later, OConnell married a longshoreman, and Lennon loved hearing his stories about the Irish Westies mob, which commanded fear and respect among the working class in an older New York. When Lennon was 11, the family moved to Hells Kitchen, on the west side of midtown Manhattan, which in the eighties was a crime-ridden neighborhood; Lennon became more interested in being part of vandals tales than in telling them. After attacking a fellow student with a knife, he was expelled from the Malcolm Gordon School. He swiped his savings bond from his mom and cashed it to buy drugs. Soon, he found himself in and out of juvenile detention. At age 17, he was sent to Rikers Island on gun possession. A white guy on Rikers in 1994? he says. Thats a pretty disgusting scene. I got my face punched in for a year. Youd think Id have had enough after that. But no. Sign up for CJR 's daily email OConnell, who had by then become a real estate agent, would snap freshly printed commission checks in her sons face and ask him to come work for her when he was released. He refused. I had plenty of opportunities, and I squandered them all, Lennon recalls. I went looking for this lifestyle and unfortunately I got everything it had to offer. ICYMI: The Washington Post heavily criticized for feature In 2001, Lennon was 24, back on the street, and deep in the drug game. He heard about a man who had been shaking down one of his dealers; Lennon decided that he needed to act to uphold his image. One night, he lured the man into a rental car and shot him several times with AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Then he drove down to a pier and dumped the mans body, and a couple of cinderblocks, into the bay. Less than a year later, Lennon was back at Rikers on other gang-related charges when the mans corpse washed up on a beach in Brooklyn. After two jury trialshis mother hired a good attorneyhe was convicted of murder. In prison, Lennon continued his drug use. He was transferred from one maximum-security facility to the next. In 2008, when he was stabbed, it was by an acquaintance from Brooklyn making payback on the murder. Lennons lung collapsed; he couldnt breathe. The guards were oblivious, and his fellow inmates walked the other way as he stumbled across the grounds toward the infirmary. Later, as he recovered in bed, Lennon made a decision. He was disgusted with his life, and he wasnt going to die behind barsat least not without having done something meaningful first. LENNON WAS TRANSFERRED to Attica, where he completed a 12-step program and enrolled in a creative writing workshop. The teacher, Doran Larson, was a literature professor at Hamilton College, in nearby Clinton. Larson assigned readings from anthologies like Best American Essays and The Art of the Personal Essay. He instructed the inmates in how to put their own stories to paper, and guided them through five or six drafts. From 2010 to 2012, Lennon made it to every session, about once a month, with several other regulars. He was obviously very smartcocky, Larson recalls. He had a lot to learn, but he did have talent. He had a natural sense of narrative structure, Larson says. A lot of people come in knowing what they want to write about, but not knowing how to put it together. Lennon had found an ideal mentor. Larson showed me what good writing looked like, he says. In class, he workshopped an essay arguing in favor of gun control based, uniquely, on his experience killing someone with an illegally purchased firearm. Satisfied with his work, he mailed itwith a one-page cover letter explaining who he wasto The Times and The Atlantic. If you know John, he is not going to start at the bottom, Leann Alspaugh, a friend and editor of the The Hedgehog Review, a literary journal, says. Hes going to start at the top. A few days later, an envelope with ATTICA CORREC FAC stamped in red landed on the desk of David A. Graham, an Atlantic editor. The manuscriptan even-handed, almost clinical firsthand recounting of a grisly murderheld the American gun culture and political system to account while taking responsibility for his crime. Even more impressive, Graham recalls, were the clear voice and ease of storytelling: My first gun was a chrome .25 caliber automatic with a pink, pearl handle. It was beautiful. But it was a killing machine, and at 14 years old I had the same hole in my heart that President Obama, in a Chicago speech, stated other child killers had. I had no business with that gun. Graham was intrigued, though at a loss as to how to proceed. He checked out Lennon in the New York prisoner database, printed out an edit, and mailed the piece back. For the next few weeks, the two exchanged letters with edits and fact-checking fixes. Lennon tried to make up for any postal lag with extra diligence. For a guy whos been a loser his whole life, Ive failed at the highest level, says Lennon. I blew all my opportunities. I was NOT going to blow this. The piece, A Convicted Murderers Case for Gun Control, ran on the Atlantics website in August 2013. Nicholas Kristof picked it up for his blog, at The Times, and published another story by Lennon soon after. Lennon had started his professional writing career. TO REALLY MAKE A NAME for himself in journalism, Lennon sensed, he was going to have to branch out beyond personal essays. In Atticas law library, he studied policy to for op-eds he wanted to write about access to education and New Yorks correctional system; the resulting pieces were published by The Times and Albany Times Union. He also tapped into his fellow inmates, like Lenny, a sexagenarian bank robber carrying a colostomy bag and facing his end in prison; Lenny became the subject of Dying in Attica, which ran in The Marshall Project. Packing a pen wherever he went, Lennon found that being a reporter in a prison jumpsuit allowed him to cross otherwise impenetrable linesof class, of racethat typical journalists couldnt. He has steered clear of innocent man stories, however. As a confessed murderer, he thinks that he lacks the credibility to pull off reporting that exonerates. When Im writing about a guilty man, Im writing about transformation, he says. Im writing about a good man who did a bad thing. Theres ethos there. A guilty man has the better story. The innocent man is just fucked. As the scope and subject matter of Lennons work expanded, so too did his approach to doing this job from behind bars. All freelance writers try to network with editors and fellow writers, but Lennon has a rolodex of colleagues willing to do a little extra: Graham fields pitches for The Atlantic and helps direct ideas to other publications; Pete Davis, an editor from The Harvard Law Record, accepted a piece from Lennon and then volunteered to build him a website. Alspaugh, of The Hedgehog Review, published a piece about Lennons mother in 2016, and soon became a valuable sounding board as he developed other draftssending messages on his behalf, reaching out to editors and agents, looking up information online, and even taking dictation of manuscripts over the phone. I kind of volunteered for it, she says. I have a fulltime job; I do most of it off company time. But to me, part of what I do is help writers. Hes a writer. Alspaugh set up Lennon with a book editor interested in publishing a memoir. He has also been in touch with a Hollywood producer, who has asked Lennon not only about his own story, but also about using him as a consultant and writer on documentaries to ensure authentic portrayals of life in prison. He wants to someday write for cable dramas and movies, too. I see myself in a writers room telling my co-writers Stop! Thats not how it is. Thats when people change the channel, when you write that corny shit, he says. I want to be the voice to that gritty stuff. I think Ill be able to be helpful in nailing the specifics and developing stories and characters. When Lennon began working on a piece about mental health care in American prisons, Alspaugh sent an early version to Eric Sullivan, an editor at Esquire. Right off the bat, I knew that, by being incarcerated, hed have a view of the prison world that any other reporter in the visitation room would not, Sullivan says. He had the ability to perceive the culture surrounding him and thoughtfully ingest it. The first draft was about 5,000 words; Sullivan made notes in track changes and printed out the edit. By this time, Lennon had been transferred to Sing Sing, where prisoners can send as many letters of as many pages as they can afford to stamp, but they can receive only five pages per envelope. Sullivan took five pages at a time, folded them in thirds, stuffed them into a set of No. 10 envelopes, and sent them off. Upon receiving Sullivans edits, Lennon sprawled out across his bunk, typewriter in his lap. If he needed information, he could look around his cellhed taped notecard-sized slips of paper, each containing a scene or quote from his reporting, in a patchwork outline across his walls. (If a fact he wanted wasnt there, hed have to wait to call someone to look it up.) His Swintec could only save up to 7,000 characters at a time, so he typed in two-to-four-page sections, aiming get them in shape before moving on. It was slow, tedious work. Sullivan, who was waiting the extra days and weeks for revisions, says that he came to see this as a benefit rather than a limitationa rare editorial grateful response to a late draft. That time between correspondence allows for thoughtful reflection, he says. Lennon added Sullivan to his call list, and would anxiously wait in line for the phone to check in. When the discussions dragged, Lennon would take down notes on requested edits while avoiding dirty looks from fellow inmates, waiting for their turn. Sullivan never knew when to expect a call, and when Lennon missed him, hed call Alspaugh, who would type out an email. If he missed Alspaugh, he would call OConnell, now living with Parkinsons, to check Lennons inbox. Slowly, the piece took shape. To complete the fact-checking process, Sullivan came to Sing Sings visitation room and taped an interview with Lennon, in which he verified his personal details from the piece. The story, This Place Is Crazy, ran in the June 2018 issue of Esquire: Whats your diagnosis? I asked. Schizoaffective disorder, Joe said, a form of schizophrenia. Bugout was the label Joe carried, just as murderer was mine. Here, where bugs were considered bottom-feeders, I wouldnt want to switch places. The byline not only helped raise Lennons profile in the journalism world, it also garnered him cred on the inside. Most of my other stories ran online, and theres no online in here, says Lennon. The Guardian? The Atlantic online? They dont get the traction. Most inmates dont get the prestige. But when you get published in Esquirethats delivered to every cell. So far, there have been no signs of retribution. My friends all get scared when I go after the administration, he says. Theyre like, They put you in the box. There are pens in the box. Theres a better story in the box. Thats the last thing they should do. Instead, the guards seem impressed. Recently, a corrections officer held a copy of Esquire and playfully slapped the page. Yo, this is you? the guard asked. You wrote this? Lennon grinned. ICYMI: When a candidate has fake credentialsand sends you her fake diploma Correction: A previous version of this article said the Hedgehog Review article was published in 2014it was published in 2016. It has also been corrected to clarify the guard slapped the magazine, not Lennon himself. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Tony Rehagen has written for Pacific Standard, GQ, Bloomberg, and ESPN The Magazine. He is based in St. Louis and is on Twitter @trehagen. On this weeks episode, Pete is joined by CJR Editor and Publisher Kyle Pope to discuss the flood of editorials celebrating journalism in the face of attacks by the president. Were they a worthy defense or a misguided effort? Then, CJR senior staff writer Alexandria Neason stops by to dive into the controversy surrounding a Washington Post feature that has been accused of racial insensitivity. SHOW NOTES: Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. A former aide reveals that she secretly taped the president and other administration figures in the White House. The press secretary cant guarantee that the president hasnt used the n-word. More than 350 news outlets publish editorials denouncing the presidents attacks on the free press. Yesterday, WaPo national security correspondent Greg Miller capped things in a tweet: Presidents campaign chairman is waiting to find out if hes going to prison. Architect of bin Laden raid is daring president to take his clearances. Reality show contestant/WH employee has tape of $180K offer she got to stay quiet. Years of chaos in one day. Lost in the churn, it can be difficult to step back and recognize just how crazy the news cycle surrounding President Donald Trump has become. Trumps abilitysometimes by choice, sometimes by unintended consequence of his own actions or those of the people with whom he has surrounded himselfto command coverage is unparalleled. When we look back at this period in America, will this simply be seen as the new normal? Or will Trump prove unique in his monopolization of attention? ICYMI: Journalism as jihad in Afghanistan Trumps role in supercharging the news cycle through his scandals, stream-of-consciousness Twitter feed, and hunger for attention is astounding. If youre struggling to adapt, youve got company. A Pew report released earlier this summer found that more than two-thirds of Americans report feeling worn out by the amount of news. Some have responded by checking out of the daily grind, but for othersespecially those who dont have the luxury of ignoring political decisions that will affect them or their loved onestuning out isnt an option. Journalists arent immune to becoming overwhelmed. Every week, it seems, Ill find myself in conversations with colleagues in which we lament the whirlwind pace, the inability to focus on one subject before it is shoved from the front pages by the next five-alarm fire. Early this year, CJRs Alexandria Neason eloquently captured the burnout that some reporters experience, writing, I suspect Im not alone in feeling trapped in the news cycle. Most days, even a brief step away from a laptop or television can put a casual reader of the news far behind.With every ban, every policy threat, every protest I covered, every executive order, every press conference (the entire newsroom plugged in, our eye rolls almost in sync), every alarmist headline, every controversial tweet and the inevitable backlashI became increasingly exhausted and void of any energy to actually do my job. Id spent it all just trying to keep up. Trump has challenged the press not just through his fake news and enemy of the people schtick, but also by straining the bounds of our ability to separate the serious from the sensational. More than 18 months into the presidency, the media is still struggling to keep up and, as Miller said, audiences must sift through years of chaos on a daily basis. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Below, more on a totally normal, completely chaotic week, and the new reality of our news cycle. Other notable stories ICYMI: A united front in defense of the press Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. Southwest Airlines Co. will limit customers to only one dog or cat as an emotional support animal, changing its policy after a biting incident on a flight. The carrier follows larger rivals that had altered policies for animals on board as numbers soared for passengers claiming they rely on them. Problems with animals, including a child nipped on a Southwest plane, also have climbed, as have the types of creatures brought on aircraft. Effective Sept. 17, Southwest will limit emotional support animals to dogs or cats, and one per person. The animals must remain in a carrier or on a leash, and owners must present a current letter from a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional on the day of the flight, the Dallas-based airline said in a statement Tuesday. Beyond emotional-support animals, only dogs, cats and, on occasion, miniature horses will be allowed as psychiatric-support animals, Southwest said. They must be individually trained to perform a task or work for a person with mental-health disability. The airline wont allow unusual or exotic animals on board. Delta Air Lines Inc. in January said it was flying about 700 service animals daily, up 150 percent since 2015. The company reported an 84 percent increase since 2016 in animal incidents, such as aggressive behavior, urination and defecation. United Continental Holdings Inc. also has noted a jump in animals on board from a year earlier and a significant increase in incidents. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it didnt handle housing vouchers for displaced residents of Puerto Rico any differently from those of displaced Texas and Florida residents after last years hurricanes. FEMA said in court papers filed Friday that its unfair to compare the three responses to the hurricanes because the governors of the two states and the island made different requests for federal assistance. The agency is fighting a lawsuit brought by Puerto Rican evacuees who are asking a judge to extend vouchers allowing them to live in hotels until they find more permanent housing. The vouchers expire at the end of the month. It is common sense that the impact of each disaster is unique, causing different types and amounts of damage, and affecting different numbers of people, government attorneys wrote. Loiza, PR, September 21, 2017 This home in Loiza was destroyed by the strong winds brought by Hurricane Maria. The category 4 hurricane tore through Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Yuisa Rios/FEMA Moreover, FEMA said in the filing that it had approved $3.9 billion in assistance for Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria, $2.4 billion for Texas for Hurricane Harvey and $1.1 billion for Florida for Hurricane Irma. The evacuees said in a court filing Friday that FEMA isnt doing enough for the Puerto Ricans left homeless by Hurricane Maria, in contrast to how it treated Texas residents after Hurricane Harvey last year. Attorneys for the evacuees said FEMA had provided housing assistance in a discriminatory manner. FEMA is barred from either providing or terminating disaster assistance in an unequal manner on account of race, color, nationality, type of citizenship, English proficiency or economic status, said the attorneys for the evacuees. Plaintiffs are mostly Spanish-speaking persons of color with a unique national identity and type of citizenship They were hit the hardest, needed the most but have received the least. Before ending the vouchers, the agency should make sure the evacuees find long-term housing, either through rental assistance or home-repair help, attorneys for the Puerto Rican evacuees said. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans are estimated to have moved to the mainland United States after last Septembers devastating storm. Hundreds of families are still using the vouchers. In many cases, FEMA workers have called evacuees and told them to go back to Puerto Rico, said the evacuees attorneys, who called it harassment. In cases where FEMA has helped with rental assistance, the amount is based on Puerto Rican market rates and dont cover the more expensive rent in the mainland United States, the evacuees said. This means that poorer Puerto Rican evacuees must remain in transitional housing for a longer period of time in order to amass the amount of money needed to move out, they said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The large and deadly wildfires burning in California post a stark reminder of the risk that fires pose to the Lake Tahoe Basin, Nevada and California politicians said at a recent summit. Officials at the annual Tahoe Summit described their efforts to protect Lake Tahoe and its environment and the risks of increasingly intense wildfires breaking out in the area. The discussion took place as smoke from California wildfires left the normally picturesque landscape covered in haze, the Reno Gazette Journal reported . Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California said past summits have not focused on fire prevention but now nature is screaming its warning at us through the fires that rage throughout the west. The Tahoe Basin is on borrowed time, said McClintock, the chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The fires are all around us and you can see the smoke in the air, which presents a very stark question how much longer does Tahoe have? Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller, the host of the summit, said the U.S. Senate, on a bipartisan vote, recently approved $12 million for the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act to help with wildfire prevention, invasive species and more. The measure is still awaiting passage in the House of Representatives. Officials also spoke about the AlertTahoe camera system to help with early wildfire detection. Heller recently secured $226,000 from the U.S. Forest Service to help add more cameras to the network. Graham Kent, who runs the system out of the University of Nevada, Reno, said the dozens of cameras are a vital tool to catch early smoke and flames before they grow unmanageable. He said it tracked about 240 fires last year. California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein spoke about the firefighting efforts in her home state, announcing that the U.S. Air Force is sending seven C-130 cargo aircraft to help Californias firefighting agency. She also described public and private funds that have been collected to protect the lake. The U.S. government has contributed about $705 million, California has invested $840 million and Nevada has contributed $121 million, she said. Local communities have spent another $121 million and the private sector has put forth $362 million. She said the private Tahoe Fund raised $8 million more at a Monday night fundraiser. Other speakers included Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, California Democratic Rep. John Garamendi, and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dez Bryant's visit with the Browns ended late Friday morning, but the two sides will continue to talk, a league source told cleveland.com. The receiver and his agent, Kim Miale of Roc Nation, arrived in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon and stayed through Friday morning. A league source told cleveland.com that Miale and Browns GM John Dorsey spoke again Friday morning and the two sides will continue their discussions. Bryant was excited about the visit, which included time spent at the Browns facility on Thursday and dinner that night. Likewise, the Browns were impressed with him, but it was more a chance for the two sides to get acquainted. One league source told cleveland.com early Friday morning that a deal was not expected today. The Browns host the Bills tonight at FirstEnergy Stadium. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in July, with the state gaining 7,600 jobs, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Friday. Ohio's jobless rate was 4.5 percent in June. In July 2017 it was 5.1 percent. "So far this year we have 81,800 jobs gained in Ohio," said George Zeller of Cleveland, an economic research analyst. "Last year, we only had 32,200 for all of 2017." He said revised data the department released Friday showed that June ended a 66-month streak in which Ohio's job growth was less than that of the U.S. Zeller said job growth in July also outpaced that of the nation. He said job growth in Ohio was 2.13 percent between July 2017 and July 2018. The nation's job growth for the same period was only 1.65 percent. Hannah Halbert, project director with Policy Matters Ohio, agreed job growth in Ohio had improved. "So far, 2018 looks to be a banner year," she wrote in an email. "This is good news for Ohio, particularly after the disappointing growth seen last year. The state needs many more months of strong growth to pull in new workers and restore the state's labor force to its pre-recession level." Sectors gaining jobs included manufacturing, where employment increased by 4,700. Construction was up by 2,200 jobs, educational and health services gained 1,500 jobs and employment in leisure and hospitality increased by 1,300. Sectors where employment decreased included professional and business services, which lost 1,200 jobs. Government employment also decreased by 1,200. This included a loss of 700 local government jobs. Jobs in state government decreased by 400 and by 100 in federal government. Employment in the information sector, which includes media, decrease by 500. "Ohio's total private job growth outpaced the nation's in July, " said Bret Crow, director of communications for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in an email. He said Ohio's private sector job growth was 0.18 percent between July 2017 and July 2018, while for the nation it was 0.13 percent. Only focusing on private sector job growth is misleading, Zeller said. "He (Crow) is denying that anybody who does not have a private sector job does not have a job-- including himself," Zeller said. "That is absurd. The labor force includes both private and public sector jobs." The number of unemployed in July was 265,000, up by 6,000 since June. The unemployment rate saw a modest increase in July, even though the state gained jobs. The unemployment rate is based on a national household survey. Sometimes the unemployment rate increases as people, more confident that they can find work, resume their job searches. People are counted as unemployed if they are both jobless and actively looking for work. The number of jobs gained or lost is based on a separate survey of employers. "Unlike last month's report, which suggested the rate increase was because workers were being lured back into the labor market by a more positive jobs outlook, July's change was driven by a decrease in employment and an increase in unemployment," Halbert wrote. Ohio's labor force participation rate was 62.9 percent in July. The labor force participation rate measures the number of people available for work as a percentage of the total population. The U.S. labor participation rate was also 62.9 percent Ohio's employment-to-population ratio was 60 percent in July. This is the ratio of Ohio's labor force currently employed to the total working-age population in the state. The labor force includes those who are employed as well as those actively seeking work. The nation's employment-to-population ratio was 60.5 percent in July. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in July, with the nation gaining 157,000 jobs, the Labor Department reported Aug. 3. In July 2017 it was 4.3 percent. "This is the 20th month in a row where Ohio's unemployment rate has been above the national rate," Zeller said. By design, the nation's jobs report contains more detailed information than that of Ohio and most states. Here are some highlights from the U.S. jobs report: Unemployment by race -- Asian workers had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent, followed by white workers at 3.4 percent. The jobless rate was 4.5 percent for Hispanic workers and 6.6 percent for black workers. Unemployment by gender -- The unemployment rate for men was 3.4 percent and 3.7 percent for women. Discouraged workers - There were 512,000 discouraged workers in the U.S. in July. These are people who had given up looking for work because they believed no jobs were available for them. The number of discouraged workers has seen little change in a year. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Eight people are charged in what federal prosecutors say is the largest methamphetamine bust in Ohio history. It's a case where authorities say members of the group gave the green light to kill a man they believed stole their drugs from a warehouse in Boston Heights. The killing never happened, and court papers show agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested three men on March 24. Federal agents seized the missing drugs from the Olde Eight Road home that served as a center of the drug operation, court filings say. In all, federal authorities seized more than 140 pounds of methamphetamine, likely the single largest seizure in the history of Ohio, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. A grand jury on Aug. 1 indicted Jesus Cota-Medina, 26, of Mexico; Deon Johnson, 48, of Cleveland; Michelle Dailey, 44, of Cleveland; Shauheen Sohrabi, 32, of Akron; Joseph Terlizzi, 28, of Bedford; Tyrone Rogers, 36, of Maple Heights; Hector Manuel Ramos-Nevarez, 26, of Mexico, and Gilbert Treviso-Garcia, 24, of Mexico. They face charges of conspiracy, while Terlizzi faces firearm charges. Ramos-Nevarez and Treviso-Garcia are also charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Agents have investigated the case for several months, and three of the defendants were charged in an indictment handed up in April. Seven of the defendants have been arrested, with the latest being Sohrabi on Friday, U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Mike Tobin said. Cota-Medina is not yet in custody, he said. Federal authorities say Johnson, while in prison, concocted a plan to deal meth in Ohio, with ties to Mexican drug dealers. Dailey and Rogers traveled from Cleveland to Tucson, Arizona in January and crossed into Mexico to set up a supply chain. They met with Cota-Medina on Jan. 12, and Johnson and Cota-Medina spoke by phone about shipping drugs to Ohio, prosecutors say. Johnson, Rogers, Terlizzi and others worked with Sohrabi and used a home and garage-warehouse in Boston Heights to make and package crystal meth for sale, authorities say. The plan was to make enough money selling methamphetamine that they could eventually buy and ship large amounts cocaine to Ohio. The DEA started investigating Rogers in January, and Chief U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan approved a wiretap on two of his phones on March 20, court filings show. Authorities say Rogers sent money to Cota-Medina. Ramos-Nevarez and Treviso-Garcia entered the U.S. from Mexico in March, and Rogers soon met up with them. Terlizzi spoke with Rogers on March 22 about buying drugs. They agreed to meet, and Rogers traveled to Terlizzi's house on West 23rd Street in Cleveland, prosecutors say. Agents searched the Boston Heights home and warehouse on March 24, seizing meth and tools used to make it. Since the warrant did not require agents to immediately give notice that the house was searched, agents did not leave a copy of the warrant or any notification. Sohrabi called Rogers eight hours later and said someone broke into the warehouse, the indictment states. "Somebody gotta die," Rogers said, according to the indictment. Cota-Medina, Rogers and Johnson later spoke about how they thought Sohrabi stole the drugs. "The call is made, he's through," prosecutors say Johnson told Rogers of Sohrabi. Rogers, Ramos-Nevarez and Treviso-Garcia were arrested March 24. Terlizzi was arrested two days later, and agents found him in possession of cocaine, heroin and two guns. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. If you would like to comment on this case, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three federal judges have rejected a request by Republican elected leaders in Ohio to dismiss a lawsuit that says the judges should toss out the state's congressional district map because it's gerrymandered. Judges Karen Nelson Moore, Timothy Black and Michael Watson ruled Wednesday that the constitutional violations the group challenging Ohio's map allege are still germane despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the issue from earlier this year. The Supreme Court overturned lower-court decisions in similar gerrymandering lawsuits in Wisconsin and Maryland on technical grounds and did not rule on the merits of the lawsuits themselves. Republican elected officials in Ohio tried to use that ruling as a basis to have the lawsuit filed in May against them dismissed. The judges disagreed that the Supreme Court case and others preclude them from hearing Ohio's gerrymandering lawsuit. They also noted that while it's still early in the litigation and that they cannot decide whether the challenges have merit, the plaintiffs have shown enough for the case to proceed. (You can read the full order here or at the bottom of this story.) The ruling is a preliminary one that nonetheless ensures the judges will take a closer look at Ohio's congressional map to see whether Republican officials violated the rights of voters when they created it. The current Ohio congressional map was created under secrecy by the Republican majority in 2011. Its result is congressional voting districts that make little geographic sense, stretching more than 100 miles, and predictable results with 12 reliably Republican districts created by packing Democrats into four solidly blue districts. The three-judge panel relied heavily on the recent Supreme Court decision in its ruling Wednesday. The judges said the groups suing have standing to bring the suit. The groups suing are the Ohio League of Women Voters, the Ohio chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Initiative, Ohio State University college Democrats, the Northeast Ohio Young Black Democrats, the Hamilton County Young Democrats and Democratic voters in each of Ohio's 16 districts. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of the groups against Ohio House Speaker Ryan Smith, Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and Secretary of State Jon Husted. The judges on Thursday also allowed numerous Republican lawmakers and voters to intervene in the lawsuit. They include 10 Republican congressmen from Ohio, the Republican parties in Cuyahoga and Franklin Counties, and Republican voters in several districts. The group argued the lawsuit will affect them and that they want to participate in the litigation. Ohioans in May voted overwhelmingly to establish rules aimed at eliminating political gerrymandering in time for the next scheduled map drawing, but those rules would not affect any election until 2022. The lawsuit seeks to implement a new map by the 2020 elections. A bench trial for the lawsuit is set for March 4 in Cincinnati. The ill effects of gerrymandering, and the need for change, was the focus of a months-long cleveland.com series - Out of Line: Impact 2017 and Beyond. Reform had support from both Republicans and Democrats. ELYRIA, Ohio -- A neighborhood on Elyria's south side is itching to exterminate thousands of cockroaches from their properties after an infestation spread over the past weeks from one house to several. The tenants at a home in the 400 block of 14th Street in Elyria signed a lease with Brunner Real Estate last year, but stopped paying rent a few months ago, landlord Jim Brunner said. The tenants moved out earlier this month after Brunner served them with an eviction notice, but left behind about $10,000 in damage in their wake. When Brunner's company came to clean on Aug. 4, they found roaches in the home. "It was nasty," Brunner said. "It didn't look like they cleaned ever...There was a big pile of clothes on the ground, and when you kicked it, a bunch of them would run everywhere." Workers sprayed the home that day, bagged "everything up and put it in the city trashcans," Brunner said. "I guess there were still some in there." The infestation spread. Cockroaches invaded several neighboring homes. Neighbors noticed them inside and outside their homes, in their sheds, under their trashcans and crawling around in the sewer. The sewer roaches prompted the city to place an orange barrel over the grate. The Elyria City Safety Service Department received a complaint about the property on Aug. 13. The city's assistant safety service director Kevin Brubaker responded. "The people who rented the house started the issue with the roaches," Brubaker said. "They left, so we had to deal with the owner. He was contacted and his maintenance people sprayed or bombed the house, and that allowed or forced the roaches to scurry to adjacent properties. They will run away to areas of least resistance." Lorain County Public Health officials also received a complaint about the property, but could not comment because the investigation is ongoing, health commissioner David Covell said in a statement. Brubaker said residents' expenses from the infestation should be covered by the property owner, since his maintenance workers "did not seal up the house" properly after treating the residence. "I can't make him, but it would be a good gesture and it might behoove him to reach out to the neighbors," Brubaker said he told Brunner yesterday. "He agreed to do that, and in the next day or so, he'll be making contact." "I've told (the neighbors) we're going to spray their lawns," Brunner told cleveland.com. "I hope they know. It's going to be on Saturday unless it's raining, then it will be Sunday." Penny Legg, 41, who lives in the neighborhood, said Thursday she had not heard from the landlord about what he will do to remedy the situation that has cost her hundreds of dollars, as well as peace of mind. "This is my biggest phobia," Legg said. Over the past four days, Legg has spent about $300 trying to exterminate her home. She said she has bombed her house 11 times since finding out about the cockroaches, but still saw a live one in her living room Thursday morning. "No one even came around to say it was being bombed," Legg said, pointing to the problem house, which sits in her backyard. "We should not have to put our own money into this." The multi-home infestation has tensions building in the neighborhood. A screaming match broke out Thursday during cleveland.com's interview with Legg. Her neighbor across the street came over, upset about Legg's crab apples rolling into her yard. "That's roach food!" the neighbor screamed. Legg yelled back that the apples had been sprayed, so anything that ate one would die. The neighbors continued to squabble on a usually quiet street nestling the West Branch Black River. Leon, another neighbor who also rents from Brunner, said Thursday he just spent about $50 to fight the roaches, a few of which he had seen inside his home. While Brunner will have Allied Extermination spray their lawns this weekend, he added, "I'm not reimbursing them anything" for money they have spent to defend their homes against the mass exodus of roaches from Brunner's property. Brunner said he had issues with the tenants paying their rent on time. Leon described them as a loud, large family. Legg concurred, saying the tenants and their four children were "loud, obnoxious and dirty." Not too far from this neighborhood, there's a separate infestation affecting a home on 12th Street, Brubaker said. Exterminators are scheduled to spray in the 300 block of 12th St. on Friday morning. To comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comment section. The New York Times article, "An Artist Honors Tamir Rice, One Orange Object at a Time" falsified some history. A Color Removed began when Michael Rakowitz, asked to change a lecture into an art project, listened into a community group, the Ethics Table, discussing Ferguson and policing issues for a year. At one meeting, a relative of the family of Tamir Rice broke down in grief. Rakowitz heard of this, was moved, and responded with A Color Removed. Contrary to what the Times wrote, the project was not then sleeping until 2017, and it was not dead. It was deliberately withheld as a way of listening to our community. The artist had not yet reached Samaria Rice, and legal action against Timothy Loehmann had not been resolved. A socially engaged art project should be useful to a family in grief and to a city, not a vain spectacle. Much thought was given, public reflections written, phone calls placed, and organization explored from 2013-2018, especially through the Ethics Table, the Moral Inquiries, and my professorship until the art project could be passed on to SPACES. The Times article misses a story of collaboration in Cleveland to address injustice across color lines. Jeremy Bendik-Keymer, Beamer-Schneider Professor in Ethics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Through its weekly "Delay the Disease" fitness program, Southern Hills Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in Middleburg Heights brings opportunities for maintaining mobility and balance to people living with Parkinson's disease. The no-cost sessions are offered every Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at 19530 Bagley Road. Registration is not required, and participants (who may bring their caregivers with them) simply come to the facility and sign in with the receptionist. A variety of exercises help to strengthen participants' balance, coordination and endurance. People from any community - in any stage of the disease - are encouraged to attend. Parkinson's disease progressively compromises the central nervous system. Most people recognize its telltale tremors and stiffness, but much more is involved. The incurable disease impacts hearing, spacial awareness, strength, speech and, perhaps more importantly, one's self-confidence. "Like any exercise, if you keep moving you delay the disease," said Physical Therapist Assistant Mary Beth Mosier during a recent class. "We focus on big movements and stretching. Our speech therapist works with them on voicing, mouth and face exercises, and some cognitive activities." From touching toes against colorful cones, to badminton racquets and balloons, the activities were varied and engaging. A green Zoom Ball zipped across the room along cords stretched between two classmates. Conversations between the staff and participants were casual, yet informative. "Everything we teach them here once a week won't do them any good if they don't do them at home," Mosier added, noting that people in wheelchairs can take part in the sessions. "This class gets them out of the house and interacting with other people." A Zoom Ball made its way across the room to help with arm movement and hand-eye coordination. Rehab Manager and Physical Therapist Assistant Hannah Steigerwalt extolled the advantages of participating in the class. "It's so beneficial to keep moving and work your brain," Steigerwalt said. "I want people to understand the importance of mobility in order to keep them functioning for as long as possible." But how does she know the program actually works? "Because we see it every day," she said. "We see clients coming in week after week who are doing the exercises and maintaining their mobility. No matter what your current level of function is, you can still maintain what you have." Rotunda Rumblings A wink and a nod: Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, so how are newly licensed medical marijuana growers in Ohio supposed to get their first crop? Ohio law is silent on the issue, and regulators are taking a hands-off approach to the topic, cleveland.com's Jackie Borchardt reports. One licensee told Borchardt their marijuana will come from another state where the plant is legally grown. Man in the middle: A new report on pharmacy benefit managers from Auditor Dave Yost's office confirms an earlier analysis showing the middlemen pocket about $225 million a year from what they are paid to negotiate drug prices and reimburse pharmacies for drug costs. Borchardt reports that lawmakers still want more information about how Medicaid managed care plans pay for drugs before making changes to ensure the state is getting the most for its money. It's a big deal: President Donald Trump really likes coming to Ohio. Cleveland.com's Andrew Tobias explains why Trump's next visit on Aug. 24 is politically important. Turn blue: National Democrats are putting more support behind Danny O'Connor since he nearly beat a Republican in a special election in a Central Ohio congressional district that was drawn to favor the GOP, cleveland.com's Seth Richardson reports. Two close to call: FiveThirtyEight's latest congressional forecast shows two competitive races in Ohio: the 1st Congressional District, where Democrat Aftab Pureval has a 58.2 percent likelihood of beating incumbent Republican Steve Chabot, and in the 12th District, where Republican Troy Balderson has a 51.1 percent chance of defeating O'Connor. In no other Ohio congressional race is the underdog given more than a 20 percent chance of victory. Federal case: Federal investigators will look into how Ohio State University is responding to sexual misconduct complaints about former university doctor Richard Strauss, cleveland.com's Emily Bamforth reports. Strauss, who took his life in 2005, has been accused by former athletes of sexual misconduct from the 1970s to the 1990s. No surprise: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, a staunch conservative and vocal Trump supporter, hailed the president's decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan and says more Obama-era officials should lose their clearances, the Hill reports. Mobilizing: The nation's largest gay rights organization is targeting Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce for defeat, and its president will be in Mayfield Village Saturday to knock on doors for his Democratic opponent, Betsy Rader, cleveland.com's Sabrina Eaton reports. It's part of a $26 million nationwide mobilization effort by the Human Rights Campaign. Stayin' alive: Ohio U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is quoted at the end of a Washington Examiner story about fellow Senate Republican Dean Heller of Nevada, who is in a tough re-election fight. Portman called Heller "a survivor." HuffPost looks at DeWine: HuffPost has a piece raising questions about how Attorney General Mike DeWine dealt with a handful of sexual harassment cases in his office. The story says "a few have argued it's part of a pattern" of DeWine, the GOP nominee for governor, "tanking sexual harassment investigations into his friends and political allies." A DeWine spokesman defended how the cases were handled and said the issues have been raised before to make "political hay." Full Disclosure Five things we learned from the April 9 financial disclosure of state Rep. Steve Arndt, a Port Clinton Republican: 1. In addition to his legislative salary of $60,584, last year he collected $10,000 to $24,999 from renting out a lakeside condo in Port Clinton, as well as less than $1,000 each in interest from accounts with Huntington Bank and Commodore Perry Credit Union. 2. Besides his condo, he owns Ohio Industrial Gear and Drive Components. 3. His only investment in 2017 was with the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio. 4. He was reimbursed $4,550 by the Ohio House last year for mileage between his home and Columbus. 5. His travel expenses last year included $1,023 for a National Conference of State Legislatures health-care seminar, as well as $468 for an NCSL event in Gettysburg, Pa. Birthdays Sunday 8/19: Sen. Sean O'Brien Straight From The Source "We have a serious problem on our hands." - U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, blasting federal immigration officials Thursday for failing to safeguard children who come to the United States by themselves and are subsequently placed with sponsors. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. If you do not already subscribe, you can sign up here to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. COLUMBUS, Ohio--Talk with Gary Mohr, who has overseen Ohio's prison system since 2011, about criminal justice reform, and it usually doesn't take long to see that it's not just a part of his job - it's a personal passion. Mohr, who has worked in corrections for more than four decades, is scheduled to speak at the City Club of Cleveland on Friday to about his work to encourage alternatives to prison and set up programs to ensure released offenders don't commit crimes again. "As a new conversation about criminal justice reform and returning citizens has opened across the nation and here at home, Director Mohr will offer his point of view on the state of corrections and criminal justice in Ohio," the City Club's website states. In recent years, Ohio's prisons have remained over capacity, but projections of a skyrocketing inmate population haven't come to pass. Since Mohr was hired by Gov. John Kasich, the number of Ohioans behind prison bars has hovered around 50,000 -- in part because of new criminal justice reform laws and the administration's focus on building up community alternatives and rehabilitation programs. Watch live from the City Club at 12:30 p.m. in the video viewer above. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Aggravated burglary/robbery, Chagrin Boulevard: At 9:15 a.m. Aug. 14, a delivery driver was dropping off items at Swerve Grille, 20126 Chagrin Blvd., when he was overpowered by armed suspects. The suspects stole cash and property from the business and damaged its interior. Police are investigating. Theft from auto, Braemar Road: Just before 6 a.m. Aug. 8, a resident living in the 3000 block of Braemar Road reported that someone had stolen personal property from their unlocked car during the previous nighttime hours. Theft from auto, Holbrook Road: At 9:35 a.m. Aug. 8, a resident living in the 16000 block of Holbrook Road reported that someone had stolen money from their unlocked car during the previous evening. Theft from auto, Marchmont Road: At 3:15 p.m. Aug. 9, a resident living in the 20000 block of Marchmont Road reported that someone had stolen personal property from their unlocked car during the previous night. Theft, Chagrin Boulevard: At 8:55 a.m. Aug. 10, police were called to Heinen's grocery store, 16611 Chagrin Blvd., where officers detained a Shaker Heights man, 61, for stealing goods from the business. Theft, Chagrin Boulevard: At 5:25 p.m. Aug. 10, an employee of BP/7-Eleven, 20420 Chagrin Blvd., reported that an unknown male suspect had stolen money from the business. Theft, Scottsdale Boulevard: At 7:20 p.m. Aug. 10, a resident living in the 20000 block of Scottsdale Boulevard reported that a male suspect had stolen their cell phone. Theft from auto, Palmerston Road: At 7:10 a.m. Aug. 11, a resident living in the 3000 block of Palmerston Road reported that someone had stolen personal property from their unlocked car. Theft, Ingleside Road: At 12:05 p.m. Aug. 11, a resident living in the 3000 block of Ingleside Road reported that someone had stolen a bicycle from their unlocked garage. Grand theft, Ingleside Road: At 9:50 a.m. Aug. 14, a Cleveland resident reported that someone had stolen their 2015 Chrysler auto while the unlocked vehicle had been parked in the 3000 block of Ingleside Road. Theft from auto, Avalon Road: At 10:40 a.m. Aug. 14, a resident living in the 3000 block of Avalon Road reported that someone had stolen personal property from their car during the previous nighttime hours. Theft from auto, Chadbourne Road: At 12:40 p.m. Aug. 14, a resident living in the 3000 block of Chadbourne Road reported that someone had stolen personal property from their unlocked car. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. SOLON, Ohio -- OVI/Pedestrian struck, SR 43: At 2:35 p.m. Aug. 12, a woman, 25, was struck by a car as she attempted to cross the street in the 29000 block of Aurora Road. The car's driver, a Parma woman, 36, had been seen shortly before driving erratically on SR 43 in Bedford Heights. The driver's license was found to be under suspension, and she was the subject of a Macedonia police warrant. The woman appeared to be under the influence of drugs. She failed field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol content of .001. The woman gave police a urine sample for further testing at the Ohio Highway Patrol lab. Methadone was discovered in the suspect's car. Police charged the suspect with drug possession, OVI and improper passing. Additional charges are pending the lab results. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. She will be charged with jaywalking. OVI, US 422: At 1:15 a.m. Aug. 9, an officer detected a car driven by a Solon man, 20, traveling 88 miles per hour in a 60-mile-per-hour zone. The officer pursued the offending auto and eventually made a traffic stop on Bainbridge Road. The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested. The man had a blood-alcohol count of .092, above the state minimum for drunk driving of .08. The suspect was charged with OVI, prohibited BAC, underage consumption, speeding and showing expired plates. OVI, SR 43: At 12:20 a.m. Aug. 11, a car driven by a Reminderville woman, 39, traveling eastbound on SR 43, veered left of center and nearly struck an oncoming police car. The woman then pulled off on the north side of SR 43, and almost hit a mail box. Her car eventually came to a stop on a grassy area. The impaired woman failed field sobriety tests and was found to have a blood-alcohol content of .144. She was charged with OVI, prohibited BAC, driving left of center, and failure to maintain reasonable control. Theft, Aurora Road: At 1:50 p.m. Aug. 12, an assistant manager at Market District, 34310 Aurora Road, reported that, four days earlier, two females and a male entered the store's liquor section, distracted the clerk, and stole $505 worth of alcoholic beverages. The women concealed the merchandise in their purses. Police viewed surveillance video of the theft. The detective bureau is investigating. Theft, Kruse Drive: At 2:20 p.m. Aug. 15, the assistant manager at Bath & Body Works, 6025 Kruse Drive, reported that a woman and man were in the store shoplifting. The suspects left the store and were walking across the parking lot as police responded. The female suspect, 32, of Cleveland, was found to have in her purse $137 worth of store merchandise and was arrested. She was charged with theft, possession of criminal tools, and resisting arrest. Her male accomplice, an East Cleveland man, 40, was charged with attempted theft. Both suspects are wanted by University Heights police, and the man is also wanted by the Richland County Sheriff's Office. Domestic violence, Aurora Road: At 12:45 a.m. Aug. 16, police were called to the Solon Motel, 32575 Aurora Road, for a domestic violence situation involving a woman, 23, and her live-in boyfriend, 27. Officers learned that the man had punched the woman numerous time in the head and face, threw canned food items at her, and dragged her around their motel room before fleeing on foot. The room was heavily damaged during the incident. Police found the suspect lying between two parked cars at the nearby Enterprise Rental Car business, 32625 Aurora Road. The man was charged with domestic violence, and the woman was taken to the hospital. Domestic violence, Baldwin Road: At 1:35 a.m. Aug. 16, officers were called to a home where a disturbance had taken place. Police learned that the 28-year-old victim had been assaulted by his live-in boyfriend, 30. The older man was arrested and charged with domestic violence. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. It's that time of year when students across the country pack their bags and head off to college. There are few feelings as satisfying as the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have everything you need for every situation ahead. Friends, families and your school itself will all have their own packing suggestions but there will always be something missing. Students know they need to bring classic college materials like books, a laundry bag and bed risers, but here are eight unexpected things every students should be bringing to college that won't be on a packing list: Baby noise machine Marpac Price: $34.99 Consider: the Marpac Dohn Original Sound Conditioner Hushh Portable Sound Machine One of the cheapest and most effective ways to deal with noisy roommates or neighbors is a portable sound machine. Sound machines specifically designed for babies are great options because they are often designed for "on the go for portable naps" which means you can easily bring yours with you, whether you're sleeping in your dorm or grabbing a nap in the library. Credit card Capital On Price: $0 Consider: the Capital One Journey Student Credit Card While college may feel like a scary time to open a credit card, it can actually be one of the most financially responsible things students can do. Many students leave college with little or no credit history but by opening a credit card made especially for students and consistently paying it off, you can earn cash back and build a credit score that will help you thrive once you graduate. John Ganotis, founder of CreditCardInsider.com, recommends the Capital One Journey Student Credit Card to CNBC Make It. Essential oil diffuser InnoGear Price: $19.99 Consider: the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Dorm rooms are notoriously smelly, but most colleges don't allow scented candles and Febreze (which, don't get me wrong, students should also bring) can only do so much. If you want to make your dorm room a place your friends actually want to visit, consider bringing an essential oil diffuser. There are plenty of surprisingly affordable options that will make your space smell like home. Ice trays Target Price: $2.49 Consider: the Sterilite Ice Cube Tray White Some dorms will have ice machines but most won't. Buying a few inexpensive ice trays will pay off big on hot days when you need a nice cold drink, and since other students probably wont be bringing their own, having a few on hand can help you break the ice. Mini steamer Joy Mangano Price: $19.99 Consider: the Joy Mangano mini hand steamer Bringing an iron and an ironing board to college is one of the least convenient ways to keep your clothes looking sharp. This mini steamer is small enough to fit into even the smallest of dorm rooms, and is perfect for smoothing out wrinkles on first-day-of-school-outfits. Old sneakers seb_ra | Getty Images Price: $0 Consider: Your closet Everyone wants to look their best at school, but only bringing your nicest most revered shoes will mean missing out on lots of fun that college has to offer. Late night walks home, early trips to the library and impromptu sporting events will make you grateful for a trusty pair of sneakers that you don't mind getting dirty. One (and only one) notebook Rocketbook Price: $ 27.00 Consider: Rocketbook Wave It's easy to get carried away with the school supply shopping but all you need during your first week of college is one really great notebook. Each class will require different materials and it is a mistake to spend lots of money on supplies before you know exactly what you need. If you have an open mind, you can even consider a high-tech option like the Rocketbook Wave, which allows you to upload notes online and can be wiped clean. Swiss Army Knife Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company has chips that are ready for autonomous driving, responding to a potential threat posed by Tesla's eventual entrance into the market. During a conference call on Thursday following Nvidia's fiscal second-quarter earnings report, Huang was asked by an analyst to discuss Tesla's desire to stop relying on Nvidia's silicon in favor of its own customer artificial intelligence chip. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said earlier this month that he was "a big fan of Nvidia" but suggested that Tesla's chip would be able to outperform certain Nvidia graphics cards. The two companies, which have very different specialties, could be on a collision course as AI plays a bigger role in the future of autonomous driving. Huang said that Nvidia's Xavier technology for autonomous machines is in production and customers are "super excited" about it. If Tesla's own Autopilot chip initiative doesn't work out, Nvidia would be "more than happy to help," he said. Here's the entirety of Huang's comments on its collaboration with Tesla and the electric car maker's chip project: With respect to the next generation, it is the case that when we first started working on autonomous vehicles, they needed our help. And we used the 3-year-old Pascal GPU for the current generation of Autopilot computers. And it is very clear now that in order to have a safe Autopilot system, we need a lot more computing horsepower. In order to have safe computing, in order to have safe driving, the algorithms have to be rich. It has to be able to handle corner conditions in a lot of diverse situations. And every time that there's more and more corner conditions or more subtle things that you have to do or you have to drive more smoothly or be able to take turns more quickly, all of those requirements require greater computing capability. And that's exactly the reason why we built Xavier. Xavier is in production now. We're seeing great success and customers are super excited about Xavier. And that's exactly the reason why we built it. And I think it's super hard to build Xavier and all the software stack on top of it. And if it doesn't turn out for whatever reason it doesn't turn out for them you can give me a call and I'd be more than happy to help. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Musk did talk about Nvidia in a tweet after the earnings call: tweet Businesses really don't have a choice about social activism, Ben & Jerry's new CEO Matthew McCarthy told CNBC on Friday. "The idea there's a choice to be made between being proactive, being activists as a business, and not is a bit of a false narrative," McCarthy said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "So I think acknowledging that you are part of a community and being part of social change that you want to see ... in the world that you serve is part of business." A 21-year veteran of Ben & Jerry's parent company Unilever, McCarthy took the helm of the Vermont-based ice cream company in July with a promise to ramp up the already progressive brand's corporate activism. At Unilever, McCarthy was responsible for several initiatives, including transitioning Hellmann's mayonnaise to cage-free eggs and launching Unilever's first U.S. organic snack brand, Growing Roots. Activism is "in the DNA of Ben & Jerry's, and why I'm so excited to be part of the business," McCarthy said. At risk of alienating some of the brand's conservative customers, McCarthy said Ben & Jerry's looks to ramp up efforts to combat systemic racism and fight for environmental and social justice, as well as continue its support of the Black Lives Matter movement. But McCarthy said the ice cream maker's activism is less about liberal or conservative issues than it is about starting a conversation. Campbell Soup has tapped investment bank Goldman Sachs to look at the possibility of selling off some of its businesses to help pay down debt left in the wake of its $6.1 billion acquisition of pretzel maker Snyder's Lance earlier this year, people familiar with the review tell CNBC. The company's shares tumbled as much as 3.8 percent in Friday's premarket trading shortly after CNBC's story was published at 9 a.m. ET. It regained some of the losses in early trading. Goldman joins a coterie of other advisers, including management consulting firm Deloitte and investment bank Centerview Partners, to advise on a "thorough and critical" review of Campbell's operations and holdings the food company announced this spring. Goldman, like Centerview, has a history with the company, having worked closely with previous CEO Douglas Conant. Its March acquisition of Snyder's more than tripled Campbell's debt burden to $9.6 billion at the end of the most recent quarter, from $3.1 billion a year earlier. Ratings company Moody's Investors Service cited Campbell's high leverage ratio as a problem and questioned its ability to pay down that debt when it placed its bonds on review for a possible downgrade in May. Snyder's, which makes its famed Snyder's of Hanover pretzels, also makes Cape Cod and Kettle potato chips, among other popular snack foods. The soup giant is weighing the sale of Australian cookie brand Arnotts Biscuits and its fresh food unit, which includes carrot and smoothie brand Bolthouse Farms, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the review is private. Campbell is still evaluating a number of options to shore up its balance sheet and hasn't made a formal decision yet. Some other Big Food peers have been slimming down as their market dominance is threatened by smaller, nimble upstart brands. Slimming down also paves the way for more precise deal-making, with most of today's growth driven by brands that are below the scale of consumer giants. Company executives recently told investors that reducing debt was a high priority following the Snyder's acquisition. The company's weak financial position has drawn attention from activist investors who are pressuring the 149-year-old soup maker to sell. The potential divestitures are likely to do little to appease Dan Loeb's Third Point, which recently disclosed a 5.65 percent stake in the company and called a sale of the business the "only justifiable outcome" of its review. The activist is teaming up with shareholder George Strawbridge, a family member of the founder, to call for the sale. Selling Bolthouse Farms and Campbell's other fresh-foods businesses to help pay down debt would also mark the undoing of a strategy heralded by former CEO Denise Morrison to invest the cash-flow from its profitable yet laggard soup business into trendier foods. The soup company, though, stumbled with its lack of experience managing fresh food, challenges exacerbated by a California drought. The fresh business unit is now clocking a loss of roughly $50 million, down from a $150 million gain, people familiar with the results have told CNBC. Campbell announced the surprise departure of Morrison this spring, after it disclosed "unacceptable" earnings and announced the review. The potential divestitures highlight the bind Big Food brands are in as they are forced to pay big prices to buy the few companies that are both growing and big enough to make a dent. For Campbell, its acquisition of Snyder's its largest yet was one further attempt to offset of the decline of its soup business. Campbell introduced condensed soup to the U.S. and for years profited from its ability to cheaply churn out its iconic cans. It has been unable, though, to adapt its products to appeal to today's focus on fresh and healthy food. Campbell's soup business over the past year declined 1.9 percent. Campbell spokesman Thomas Hushen reiterated the company's previous statement, saying that the board is conducting a "comprehensive strategic and operational review of the business, including the composition of its entire portfolio, to examine all potential paths forward" and will announce its decision on Aug. 30 when it reports fiscal fourth-quarter results. "In the interim, we will not speculate on the result of the review," he said. Goldman Sachs spokeswoman Leslie Shribman declined to comment. Sealed boxes of freeze-dried rabies vaccines for human use produced by Changchun Changsheng Bio-tech on July 23, 2018. Chinese authorities will prosecute all suspects in a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology and confiscate its illegal earnings, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday. The company was accused in July of falsifying data for a rabies vaccine and manufacturing an ineffective vaccine for babies, sparking a safety scandal that has stoked widespread public anger. While there were no known reports of people being harmed by the vaccines, regulators ordered Changsheng to halt their production and recall the rabies vaccine. Changsheng apologized in a regulatory filing. CCTV reported on Thursday that the cabinet said police had concluded an investigation into Changsheng. More than 40 government officials, including seven at the provincial level, had been held accountable for the scandal, according to a report from the official China Daily on Friday. A number of senior provincial officials had been removed from their posts, according to a report from Xinhua news agency on Thursday. Guo Hongzhi, a senior official at the Jilin branch of the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), and Bai Xugui, a senior member of the Jilin branch of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, were removed from their posts, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday. Bai oversaw drug supervision as deputy mayor of Jilin between 2016 and 2018. Zeng Xiangdong and Yan Haijiang, both deputy directors at the Jilin branch of the CFDA, were also removed from their posts, according to Xinhua. Four Changchun city CFDA officials were also removed, Xinhua said, among a number of others. Changsheng Biotechnology did not respond immediately to an emailed request for comment. CCTV said a separate meeting of the elite seven-man Politburo Standing Committee chaired by President Xi Jinping on Thursday had found the scandal revealed serious "dereliction of duties" and exposed loopholes in the regulatory system. The broadcaster said several government officials had been punished over the scandal. Changsheng is based in Changchun city in the northeastern province of Jilin. It is China's second-largest producer of rabies and chickenpox vaccines, the company said in its 2017 annual report. Xinhua said on Wednesday the company had made nearly 500,000 sub-standard vaccines for children, roughly double an earlier estimate by authorities. China's affinity for robots has created a booming industry, but its companies aren't overtaking their global competitors, a senior partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Company told CNBC. A decade ago, Chinese robotics firms met only 5 percent of the demand in their country, Karel Eloot told CNBC's "Street Signs" on Thursday. The industry has since developed and Chinese companies now provide about a third of industrial robots in the country. "There's still a long way to go, especially when you think about the government's targets of 50 percent in 2020 and 70 percent in 2025," he said. Eloot was referring to the Made in China 2025 national plan drawn up by Beijing, which identifies 10 key sectors such as high-end technologies, that the country wants to develop to catch up with its rivals including the United States and Germany. One of the goals in that plan is for local companies to make up half of the domestic market for industrial robots in the next two years and capture about 70 percent of the market by 2025. China is also aiming to develop local robotics systems to compete with global rivals and eventually beat the United States in the field of artificial intelligence. "When we talk about global competitiveness, there is work to be done," Eloot said, explaining that there are strong incumbent robot suppliers in many developed markets. In those countries, he said, Chinese companies will likely have to do as they've done in their home country: "come from the bottom of the application pyramid and move their way up." China's stock market is in terrible shape, but it may not reflect the state of the Chinese economy. National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow raised eyebrows Thursday when he said in a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump that China's economy "looks terrible." But does it really? Most estimates for China's 2018 economic growth remain near 6.5 percent. That doesn't mean there aren't concerns. New U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are making it more costly for companies there to operate, and China's central bank has recently been pumping money into its economy. Kudlow simply may have looked at the Chinese stock market. The Shanghai exchange is down 25 percent from the high it hit at the end of January. He may have assumed that the decline reflects a dramatic deterioration in the Chinese economy. That, some traders said, would be a mistake. "I think our dear friend Larry Kudlow is off the mark," UBS' Art Cashin said on CNBC on Thursday. "In highly efficient full-production places like the U.S., the stock market is reflective somewhat to what the economy is doing. But there's almost a total disconnect in China," he said. Nick Colas, who runs market analysis firm DataTrek Research, agreed. "The Chinese stock market actually tells us very little about the country's economic welfare and doesn't play anywhere near as dominant a role in the lives of its citizens as the US equity market does in America," he wrote in a recent note to clients. Colas backed up his assertion by noting that the Shanghai Composite trades for less than half its October 2007 peak, yet China's economy in the 11 years since then has more than tripled to $13 trillion. The Shanghai market staged a huge rally from 2014 into 2015, more than doubling in value, but again collapsed and is trading 45 percent lower since 2015. "This decline has had no discernible impact on consumer spending or business investment over the last 3 years," Colas said. Colas also cited a September 2017 Bloomberg article noting that retail investors account for 80 percent of the trading volume on the Shanghai exchange. Colas said those traders can cause individual stock prices to swing wildly on arbitrary and noneconomic information. He agreed with Cashin's point that the Chinese stock market is not very efficient and does not necessarily reflect underlying economic realities. Finally, Colas noted that the allocation of household wealth to stocks in China is relatively minuscule: 4 percent versus 23 percent in the U.S. In China, households have far more of their wealth in cash (20 percent versus 4 percent in the U.S.) and real estate (65 percent versus 45 percent). And what about the super rich? Colas noted that they tend to invest in private equity and venture capital rather than having their core holdings in stocks. The fact that China's stock market does not necessarily reflect the state of China economy's has important policy implications: "Further declines in Chinese equities are unlikely to push the country's leaders into an unfavorable trade deal with the US," Colas said. "Stocks are just not a large enough part of household net worth there, and the country has a long history of growth despite equity market volatility." Campbell taps Goldman to examine sales of business units to pay down debt Lauren Hirsch Campbell Soup has tapped Goldman Sachs to look at selling some of its business units to help pay down debt, people familiar with the situation tell CNBC. Its March acquisition of pretzel maker Snyder's more than tripled Campbell's debt burden to $9.6 billion. The review comes as Campbell's faces pressure to share from activist investor Third Point Campbell Soup has tapped investment bank Goldman Sachs to look at the possibility of selling off some of its businesses to help pay down debt left in the wake of its $6.1 billion acquisition of pretzel maker Snyder's Lance earlier this year, people familiar with the review tell CNBC. Goldman joins a coterie of other advisers, including management consulting firm Deloitte and investment bank Centerview Partners, to advise on a "thorough and critical" review of Campbell's operations and holdings the food company announced this spring. Goldman, like Centerview, has a history with the company, having worked closely with previous CEO Douglas Conant. Its March acquisition of Snyder's more than tripled Campbell's debt burden to $9.6 billion at the end of the most recent quarter, from $3.1 billion a year earlier. Ratings company Moody's Investors Service cited Campbell's high leverage ratio as a problem and questioned its ability to pay down that debt when it placed its bonds on review for a possible downgrade in May. Snyder's, which makes its famed Snyder's of Hanover pretzels, also makes Cape Cod and Kettle potato chips, among other popular snack food. The soup giant is weighing the sale of Australian cookie brand, Arnotts Biscuits and its fresh food unit, which includes carrot and smoothie brand Bolthouse Farms, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the review is private. The company is still evaluating a number of options to shore up its balance sheet and hasn't made a formal decision yet. A sale of the units would follow suit of a number Big Food peers have been slimming down as their market dominance is threatened by smaller, nimble upstart brands. Slimming down also paves the way for more precise deal-making, with most of today's growth driven by brands that are, for consumer giants, below scale. Company executives recently told investors that reducing debt was a high priority following the Snyder's acquisition. The company's weak financial position has drawn attention from activist investors who are pressuring the 149-year-old soup maker to sell. The potential divestitures are likely to do little to appease Dan Loeb's Third Point, which recently disclosed a 5.65 percent stake in the company and called a sale of the business the "only justifiable outcome" of its review. The activist is teaming up with shareholder George Strawbridge, a family member of the founder, to call for the sale. Selling Bolthouse Farms and Campbell's other fresh-foods businesses to help pay down debt would also mark the undoing of a strategy heralded by former CEO Denise Morrison to invest the cash-flow from its profitable yet laggard soup business into trendier foods. The soup company, though, stumbled with its lack of experience managing fresh food, challenges exacerbated by a California drought. The fresh business unit is now clocking a loss of roughly $50 million, down from a $150 million gain, people familiar with the results have told CNBC. Campbell announced the surprise departure of Morrison this spring, after it disclosed "unacceptable" earnings and announced the review. The potential divestitures highlight the bind Big Food brands are in as they are forced to pay big prices to buy the few companies that are both growing and big enough to make a dent. For Campbell, its acquisition of Snyder's its largest yet was one further attempt to offset of the decline of its soup business. Campbell introduced condensed soup to the U.S. and for years profited from its ability to cheaply churn out its iconic cans. It has been unable, though, to adapt its products to appeal to today's focus on fresh and healthy food. Campbell's soup business over the past year declined 1.9 percent. Campbell spokesman Thomas Hushen reiterated the company's previous statement, saying that the board is conducting a "comprehensive strategic and operational review of the business, including the composition of its entire portfolio, to examine all potential paths forward" and will announce its decision on Aug. 30 when it reports fiscal fourth-quarter results. "In the interim, we will not speculate on the result of the review," he said. Goldman Sachs spokeswoman Leslie Shribman declined to comment. 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For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com. Hate Mondays? Maybe you should consider moving to Colorado. A school district in the Centennial State has cancelled school on Mondays in favor of a four-day school week. But Garfield-like attitudes is not why school district 27J, located outside Denver, made the decision. The district, which serves 18,000 students in Brighton, Commerce City, Henderson, Thornton and Aurora, believes that the shorter week will cut costs by roughly $1 million in the first year. By not having classes on Mondays, the school district will only need to pay for services like school buses and substitute teachers four days out of the week. District 27J public information officer Tracy L. Rudnick tells CNBC Make It that the district expects for these savings to increase overtime as administrators find new ways to improve efficiency. "[One million] is a small portion of our overall operating budget, but we anticipate as we continue down this path additional savings will be seen year after year," says Rudnick. "We have been able to put a counselor in every elementary school and roll out our One-2-Web program which puts a Chromebook in the hands of every middle and high school student." August used to be a month when nothing happened, CNBC's Jim Cramer said. The Mad Money host looked back on the days when he would go to movies during the day, seeing "The Fugitive" for the fifth time instead of obsessing over quarterly reports. "I yearn for the sleepy weeks of August where you could bask in the notion that there's a whole lot of nothing going on," Cramer said. "Those days are over. Instead, we just get another monster week ahead of us." With that in mind, Cramer turned to his game plan: Monday: Estee Lauder Cramer is looking to see if Estee Lauder has had a chance to reset after last quarter disappointed. After beating analysts' estimates for years, the New York-based company finally could not beat expectations that were soaring too high, according to the Mad Money host. "By the way, if it's a good quarter, that's a terrific sign for Ulta Beauty, a solid partner in the U.S., and perhaps a reason to go back and buy some Macy's, which got overly hated real fast," he said. Cramer attributes the beauty company's routine trouncing of Wall Street estimates to "the rise of the selfie generation." "Of course, we're going to need a legion of psychiatrists to help young people deal with the fallout from this social media inspired self-loathing," he said. "But in the meantime, they use Estee Lauder's cosmetics to make themselves look terrific." Tuesday: Kohl's, TJX, Medtronic, Toll Brothers, Urban Outfitters Kohl's: While Cramer doesn't think that Kohl's will be hurt by a reinvigorated Walmart, he still warns that the stock is an erratic trader. "I say buy some before and buy some after," he said. In Kohl's favor is its partnership with Amazon that allows customers to return products from the e-commerce giant in exchange for Kohl's cash. TJX: After the Macy's sell-off, Cramer is a little wary of TJX, although he otherwise expects yet another good quarter. The off-price chain's stock has been steadily rising for a little less than a year, which Cramer takes as a sign that it has its mojo back. "People just can't get enough of this discounter, or of Burlington Stores either," he said. Medtronic: Cramer calls Medtronic the "perfect fit for this moment." "The medical device makers are killing it here," the Mad Money host said. His one hope is that the company's stock comes down ahead of the earnings announcement. Toll Brothers: Cramer is looking forward to hearing from Toll Brothers' management about why conventional wisdom is saying that housing is too expensive, even as the economy is roaring. He explained that the home construction company has become despised because of that belief. As a result, Toll Brothers' stock has been on a steady decline so far this year, like that of so many other homebuilders. Despite that situation, Toll Brothers has been buying back shares and rewarding shareholders and selling lots of homes, according to Cramer. Urban Outfitters: Retailer Urban Outfitters will also report on Tuesday, and the company has already said that the current fashion cycle will be long. This is good news for shareholders because the Philadelphia-based company has been doing well lately, according to Cramer. Wednesday: Lowe's, Target, L Brands, Analog Devices Lowe's: The market didn't respond well to Home Depot's quarter, but Cramer thinks that it could respond better to Lowe's because it's making a turnaround play. "I like Lowe's here," he said. Target: While Cramer likes Target, he is planning to wait to see what they have to say. CEO Brian Cornell's efforts have been fruitful so far for the retailer, the Mad Money host said. L Brands: Cramer wants to find out if L Brands is able to report good news from Bath & Body Works. The retailer, which counts both the Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works among its brands, has struggled lately because of declining sales at the lingerie chain. Good news from the bath shop chain could cover up weaker results from Victoria's Secret, Cramer said. Analog Devices: Cramer is betting that Analog Devices delivers strong numbers on Wednesday, regardless of the panic surrounding the semiconductor industry recently. Micron, NXP and Texas Instruments all of which were doing well not so long ago because of the internet of things have been floundering lately. "This company has done such a good job, and I now regard it as the ultimate industrial chipmaker," Cramer said. Thursday: Alibaba, VMware, Splunk, Intuit, HP, Ross Stores, Gap Alibaba: This week, the Chinese company Tencent saw its stock plummet after Chinese regulators blocked one of its most popular video games. Cramer is looking to see if Alibaba goes the same way as Tencent. "Alibaba may be in better graces, but between the trade war and the slowdown of the Chinese economy, I'd rather stay away," he said. VMware: Cramer expects an upside surprise from the cloud computing company, particularly after Cisco's strength this week. "It helps other businesses onboard to the cloud, and it's the preferred way to get on Amazon Web Services," he said. Cramer believes that VMware could be the strongest company reporting earnings next week. Splunk: While Splunk's stock has struggled, Cramer stays optimistic. "I'm not backing away from the best analyzer of data in an increasingly digital world," he said. Splunk has partnered with Amazon Web Services and works with Coca-Cola, Nordstrom and the state of Alaska, among other other clients. Intuit: Cramer said that he thinks Intuit is a stock worth buying going into the quarter. The financial software company has moved into cloud computing, and the Mad Money host calls it a "financial tech wunderkind." HP: Another stock that Cramer named as worth buying before it reports is HP. Cramer is also a personal fan of the company, which makes his computer. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm darned glad I have an HP because the touch screen is the bomb," Cramer said. Ross Stores: Cramer expects that Ross will be strong. Like TJX, Ross is an off-price chain and is continuing to expand its reach in the United States. Gap: When it comes to Gap, Cramer isn't sure what to expect. "I can't figure out why the company just can't seem to deliver in this environment," he said. But he isn't ruling out the clothing retailer altogether. "Gap has good price points and better management than they've had in years," he said. Friday: Foot Locker Foot Locker: Cramer is looking forward to Foot Locker because he sees footwear as one of the strongest retail categories. Like handbags, shoes across the board are usually strong performers at the shopping mall. Disclosure: Cramer's charitable trust owns shares of Kohl's. Watch Cramer's full game plan: Crude oil just posted its worst week since July as a surging dollar, slowing emerging markets and supply concerns have all weighed on the commodity. But despite the price declines, one commodities trader sees a rally in the cards. Bill Baruch, president of Blue Line Futures, told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Thursday what investors can expect next. Here's what he said. A bearish inventory report earlier in the week pushed oil down to its lowest level since June, but crude bulls still have reasons to feel good. For instance, it's easy to forget crude oil is still trading near multiyear highs, with a gain of 9 percent year to date and 40 percent in the last 12 months. One of the biggest stories weighing on crude may be set to dissipate and take some pressure off the commodity: trade tension between the U.S. and China. We may see meaningful headway on trade over the coming weeks, and fears of slowing growth in China may be alleviated. My biggest concern, however, is spare capacity. Saudi Arabia promised to ramp up crude production in July, but it actually fell 200,000 barrels per day. Still, the U.S. estimated that production in the lower 48 states has stalled over the last three weeks, and tighter spare capacity can be extremely bullish. During this seasonally weak time for crude, investors should look to buy pullbacks; the technical picture should support this strategy. There is tremendous support from $62.50 to $64.50 per barrel, and oil should be positioned to rally back up to between $70 and $80 per barrel later this year. The key level to the downside would be $62. Bottom line: Despite a 3 percent decline in crude oil this week, Baruch sees the commodity surging into year-end. Students cross a street to enter for the first day of classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, August 15, 2018. Buying school supplies usually means checking off a list that includes notebook paper, No. 2 pencils, colored markers and a ruler. Now some parents are thinking about adding another item: bulletproof backpacks. School shootings have become more frequent in recent years, leaving kids afraid and parents anxious. The violence has led to a surge in the number of companies selling products designed to help kids protect themselves better against handguns and some shotguns. "I am considering buying a bulletproof backpack," said Nancy Landis, whose 15-year-old daughter goes to school in Los Angeles. "It's scary dropping my daughter off at school now with all the stuff happening. They're having lockdowns, police officers looking for things. It's happening so much." For the first time, major retailers, including Walmart, Office Depot and Home Depot, are selling bulletproof backpacks or bullet-resistant plates that fit backpacks. According to the Travel Goods Association, the U.S. backpack market last year was $3.7 billion, up nearly 10 percent from the prior year. "Bulletproof backpacks have been the one that's been most in demand and most inquired about," said Yasir Sheikh, president of Guard Dog Security, a maker and distributor of self-defense products. Sheikh said some kids might take the bullet-resistant inserts out of their own backpacks and then get "a false sense of security." Therefore, he said, Guard Dog Security decided it would only sell the bulletproof backpacks and not the separate bulletproof inserts. More than a half-dozen manufacturers now make bulletproof backpacks for young people, ranging from elementary to high schoolers, with prices starting around $130 and going up to $400. The products also have caught on with college students. Some of the backpacks are marketed as so-called "Level 3A" armor protection, a category certified to stop up to a .44 Magnum round but not one from an AR-15, the weapon used in February's Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 people. "We've probably seen around a 200 percent to 300 percent increase since the Parkland shooting this year," said Joe Curran, founder of BulletBlocker, a Massachusetts-based bulletproof equipment maker. Since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, "more than 187,000 students have been exposed to gun violence" in schools, The Washington Post reported in March. That doesn't include the mass shooting in May that claimed the lives of 10 people at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas. "Parents are grasping for any type of physical, tangible evidence of increased safety for their children," said Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, an Ohio-based national firm specializing in school security. "Shootings are a high-impact but low-probability type of scenario." More than half of U.S. teens are worried about the possibility of a shooting happening at their school, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 13- to 17-year-olds conducted after the Parkland massacre and released in April. It found 25 percent of teens were "very worried" and 32 percent were "somewhat worried." "We hear from concerned parents that will actually call us," said Curran. "They are looking for some reassurance that they are doing the right thing buying a bulletproof backpack. They know it's kind of a scary thing to think about." Several of the bulletproof backpack companies were started by people with law enforcement or military backgrounds. "I got into it because I had two kids in middle school and [the 2007 shooting at] Virginia Tech just happened so I was a little freaked out," said Curran, an Army veteran who worked in law enforcement for 15 years before starting BulletBlocker in 2007. "I had some old bulletproof vests kicking around and cut them apart and put them in backpacks and told the kids: 'If a gunman comes in, hold the bag up between you and him and get out of there if you can.'" California-based company Leatherback Gear sells a backpack that can convert into a bulletproof vest with two built-in armored panels for torso protection in the front and back. The company, which was started by two brothers in active-duty law enforcement, formally launched its first product in January after two years of development. "We kind of liken it to a fire extinguisher," said Leatherback Gear co-founder Brad de Geus, who credits his brother for coming up with the product's design. "It's literally a reactionary tool to a life-threatening problem." De Geus said the "run, hide, fight" strategy adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is "pretty much the standard" that has been taught to schoolchildren, teachers and business professionals of how to respond in a shooting. "We want you to run away with front and back protection on and to hide with front and back protection on," de Geus said. "You need to survive that average window of 5 minutes until we [law enforcement] get there." Some companies that originally sold armor to law enforcement or military markets have since expanded into the schools market with personal protection products. "People are looking for a sense of security," said Emily Tunis, president and COO of Hardwire, a Maryland-based maker of bulletproof clipboards and backpack inserts for the kids and schools market. The company also makes bulletproof emergency shields the size of fire extinguishers for schools. "Teachers and students have nothing to protect themselves right now," said Tunis. "So this is something that can help buy them a little bit of time until law enforcement gets there." She said Hardwire began developing protection products for the kids and schools market after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut in 2012. The company previously designed and fitted helicopter and vehicle armor for military customers as well as for law enforcement applications. Gladiator Solutions has been selling body armor for law enforcement and military markets for about four years but only recently expanded into the kids market with its PakProtect armor plate designed to fit inside backpacks. "This isn't just about protection, it's about peace of mind," said Matt Materazo, CEO of the California-based company. Materazo said he thought of doing the kids armor plate three years ago but didn't at the time "because it was a struggle for me emotionally [as a parent of two teenagers]. But it's the reality of the world we live in now." However, parents like Landis concede that even bulletproof backpacks may not be enough to ease their fears. "It's not 100 percent; it's just something to help," said Landis. "I also know my daughter doesn't always wear her backpack at school. That said, I still might invest in it just knowing it could make a difference." President Donald Trump advocated, in a tweet this morning , for an end to the long-held quarterly earnings reports for publicly traded companies, saying it would boost business and in turn help create jobs. (CNBC) Shares of Nordstrom (JWN) were soaring about 9 percent in the premarket after the retailer late Thursday beat estimates with quarterly earnings, revenue, and same-store sales. Nordstrom also raised its full-year earnings forecast, citing online and Nordstrom Rack momentum. (CNBC) On the economic front , the University of Michigan's mid-August consumer sentiment index is out at 10 a.m. ET. It's also a light day for corporate earnings with Deere (DE) releasing disappointing results this morning and no major companies on the docket this afternoon. (CNBC) U.S. stock futures were under pressure this morning after a powerful rally that sent the Dow up nearly 400 points. The Dow and S&P 500 were now on track for their sixth weekly gains in the past seven, though the Nasdaq was lower for the week as of Thursday's close. (CNBC) Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk, in a New York Times interview, said he doesn't regret his go-private tweet that caused concern on Wall Street and with regulators. A choked up Musk said, "This past year has been the most difficult and painful year of my career." * 5 takeaways from the Musk interview, including $420 share price not about pot Meanwhile, any Tesla go-private effort could be funded in part by Musk's SpaceX, according to New York Times sources. The SpaceX idea, reportedly one of several under consideration, would see the rocket company take an ownership stake in the automaker. * Tesla Model 3 is 'military-grade tech years ahead of peers' but still expected to lose money (CNBC) * Tesla ex-security employee alleges theft, drug dealing and spying at Gigafactory (CNBC) Google is not close to launching a search engine in China, according to CEO Sundar Pichai at an internal meeting. The comments, shared with CNBC by a Google employee, come in the of wake of internal and external backlash on a report to the contrary. Staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee reportedly raised the possibility of a subpoena to get Twitter (TWTR) CEO Jack Dorsey to testify about the social network's data and content policies. (Politico) The Pentagon said it would "explore opportunities" in 2019 for President Trump's military parade originally set for November. CNBC reported the parade had been shaping up to cost $80 million more than initially estimated. * Pentagon: China military "likely training for strikes" on US targets (Reuters) Trump said, in a tweet, America "will pay nothing" to Turkey for the release of "great patriot hostage" pastor Andrew Brunson. The U.S. warned Turkey earlier on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over Brunson. (Reuters) On the first day of deliberations, the jury in the bank and tax fraud trial of Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort asked the judge to clarify the meaning of "reasonable doubt" and the legal requirements to disclose foreign bank accounts. (Reuters) A federal judge will hold a hearing Friday to decide whether parents deported under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy can be reunited with their children still in the United States. (USA Today) The Trump administration is preparing to let conservative-led states impose additional restrictions on the nation's health program for the poor that could push tens of thousands of people off coverage, according to Politico. U.S. regulators cleared Teva (TEVA) to offer the first generic competitor to Mylan's (MYL) EpiPen, after a yearslong delay that many said contributed to the emergency allergy drug's rapid rise in price. EpiPen has been facing supply issues. (CNBC) OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has tapped law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell for financial restructuring advice, as its potential liabilities swell with a wave of lawsuits over the opioid addiction epidemic sweeping the U.S. (Reuters) DoorDash raised $250 million in a round of funding that values the prepared food-delivery startup at $4 billion, more than doubling its valuation for the second time in five months.(WSJ) A medical doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope at a CCI Health and Wellness Services health center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images As an industry reliant on patient records and beset by outdated technology, health care is widely thought to be a prime target for an artificial intelligence revolution. Many believe the technology will provide a host of benefits to clinical practitioners, speeding up the overall experience and diagnosing illnesses early on to identify potential treatment. Just two days ago, DeepMind, an AI (artificial intelligence) firm owned by Google, said it had lent its technology to London's Moorfields Eye Hospital for groundbreaking research into detecting eye diseases. It was used to scan and identify more than 50 ophthalmological conditions. DeepMind's machine-learning technology made correct diagnoses 94 percent of the time, Moorfields said. The development indicated that AI can analyze health problems with as much accuracy as a doctor. But some doctors worry that those in the tech world think AI can not only help clinicians, but even do a better job. Take Babylon Health for instance, which in June said its AI chatbot was able to diagnose medical conditions as accurately as a doctor. The firm's chatbot scored a higher-than-average test score on a practice exam compiled for physicians. Babylon's chatbot passed 82 percent of the test's questions, versus the average mark for human doctors of 72 percent. But the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), an industry body representing doctors that treat a wide range of common illnesses, quickly disputed the claim that AI could diagnose illnesses with the same effectiveness of a human medical practitioner. "No app or algorithm can do what a GP does," Helen Stokes-Lampard, a professor and chair of the RCGP, told CNBC earlier this week. "Every day we deliver care to more than a million people across the U.K., taking into account the physical, psychological and social factors that may be impacting on each person's health." Stokes-Lampard continued: "We consider the different health conditions a patient is living with, their family history, any medications they might be taking, and a myriad of other considerations when formulating a treatment plan." Babylon at the time denied it had claimed an AI could do the job of a GP, saying that it supported a model where AI is complementary to medical practice. 'The role of the doctor will have to adapt' Nevertheless, the spat highlighted a serious question that may one day need to be addressed by those in the health industry: How should health professionals respond to the rapid growth in new, data-driven technologies like AI? "Over the next decade or two, AI will certainly play a big role in supporting doctors make decisions," Dan Vahdat, chief executive of health tech start-up Medopad, told CNBC via email. "The role of the doctor will have to adapt in learning how to use AI to complement their clinical judgments. This will take time, but it's inevitable." Medopad specializes in connecting health-care providers, doctors and patients to monitor a patient's health data and see how their care can be improved. In the U.K., the National Health Service, the country's universal health care system, has come under strain both in terms of funding and resources. The promise of AI to reduce the financial burden on medical services by cutting out some disposable roles and functions could be music to the ears of government and health authorities. Vahdat said that one area in which AI could be hugely beneficial in improving efficiency and cutting costs was cardiological care. "If we collect data in real time and combine it with their historical data as well as data from millions of similar patients, an intelligent system could predict a heart attack with a high rate of precision," he said. "This will allow us to save countless lives and save health care systems around the world huge spend." But some experts fear the fast-paced nature of the still nascent AI industry could come at the risk of patient safety. "We are concerned that in the rush to roll out AI and push the boundaries of technology, there is a risk that important checks and balances that have been established to keep patients safe might be seen as an afterthought, or be bypassed entirely," Stokes-Lampard said. Last month, a report by online health publication Stat said that IBM's Watson supercomputer had made multiple "unsafe and incorrect" cancer treatment recommendations, citing internal company documents. According to Stat, the program had only been trained to deal with a small number of cases and hypothetical scenarios instead of actual patient data. IBM subsequently told CNBC that it has "learned and improved Watson Health based on continuous feedback from clients, new scientific evidence and new cancers and treatment alternatives." Stokes-Lampard said that regulators should keep pace with the rapid advances in technology to avoid harm to patients. She said: "In an ever-changing 'tech space,' it is imperative that regulation keeps up with all technological developments, and that it is appropriately enforced, so that patients are kept safe, however they choose to access care." But many tech companies big and small are mostly averse to new regulation, arguing it could restrain innovation. "There are a lot of regulations to protect patients already," Medopad's Vahdat said. "It isn't about adding more regulation it is about adapting and applying existing regulations to better deal with current realities." He added: "Patients as a cohort are often vulnerable and we feel responsible to not create hope that is not qualified. We feel strongly that unless our technology is clinically validated it shouldn't be marketed. Like doctors, health care start-ups should seek to fully understand the ethical implications of creating expectations with patients." Data Another concern is data. For a medical AI app, myriads of patient data are required to optimize analysis of a patient's health status. That's why firms like Medopad and DeepMind have partnered with hospitals, gaining access to libraries of patient information. But the need for that data has heightened concerns over the privacy of patients, who would more than likely prefer sensitive records about their health problems not be inappropriately shared or exposed through a cyberattack. Before President Donald Trump took office in 2017, criminal alien incarcerations were on the decline in the U.S. The number of convicted inmates in federal prison without citizenship plunged about 22 percent from fiscal 2011 to 2016 before Trump was inaugurated according to a government watchdog's study released Thursday. That drop outpaced the total federal inmate population, which fell 8 percent in the same time period, the study reveals. The shrinking share of criminal aliens in federal prisons appears to reflect other data showing a general downward trend in illegal immigration since its pre-recession peak in 2007. The study shows that the trend also has led to a reduction in the government's costs associated with jailing undocumented criminals. The annual costs of incarcerating criminal aliens, and for providing federal reimbursement to smaller governments for some of those costs fell 9 percent from fiscal 2010 through 2015 to $1.42 billion from $1.56 billion. State prison costs also declined during the same time frame by about $60 million, to $1.1 billion per year. The vast majority, about 77 percent, of the total number of federally incarcerated criminal aliens from 2011 to 2016 were citizens of Mexico, according to the report from the Government Accountability Office. Recent data from Pew Research show that Mexicans have routinely made up a majority of the illegal immigrant population in the U.S. as well, but their numbers fell to about half of all illegal immigrants for the first time in 2016. The GAO's study on "criminal alien statistics" was commissioned by Republican lawmakers Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Steve King of Iowa, as well as Texas Rep. Pete Sessions. In a statement, Sessions said the report "sheds even more light on an alarming Obama-era practice that allowed criminal illegal aliens to roam our streets rather than placing them behind bars where those who break the law belong." While noting that the incarceration rates have declined, Sessions said the severity of some immigrants' crimes including human trafficking, drug smuggling and sexual assault "proves that our national security was neglected by the previous administration." And though illegal immigration has been on the decline, King said the report "validates President Trump's call to 'Build The Wall!'" along the U.S.-Mexico border. "Criminal aliens are exploiting our porous Southern border to gain access to our country," he added. Neither Grassley's office nor the White House immediately responded to CNBC's request for comment. The problem for Macy's investors was how much money they already made off the company over the previous 12 months. Before the department store chain reported earnings Wednesday, its shares had more than doubled, from $20.29 a year ago to a close of $41.82 Tuesday. Even with this week's drubbing, Macy's shares are still up more than 82 percent over the last year and 42 percent since the beginning of the year. "Macy's struck me by how positive they were, and it was a very upbeat earnings call," Retail Metrics founder Ken Perkins told CNBC. While the profit margins at Macy's were slimmer than investors liked, there wasn't anything buried in its earnings that spelled trouble. Macy's shares spun into an almost free fall, closing down 16 percent for the day while Walmart rallied up 9.3 percent . The sales, profit and individual store sales growth at both retailers were better than Wall Street analysts expected, and Macy's even raised its forecast through the end of the year. Walmart and Macy's both had exceptionally good news for investors when they released their second-quarter earnings this week. "They had already had a good run," so investors were largely taking some profits from Macy's this week, Perkins said. Walmart's shares had a decent run too, but not anywhere as good as Macy's. The Bentonville, Arkansas, retailer's shares rose 11.7 percent over the same time frame and are up almost 25 percent over the last 12 months. The sell-off in Macy's shares this week should be viewed as "just a breather" from the long runup already this year, Jefferies analyst Randal Konik told investors in a research note Thursday. "Yesterday's sea of red on [Macy's] results presents a major buying opportunity for the group." The retail sector as a whole is benefiting from strong consumer confidence throughout the U.S. and record low unemployment rates. More shoppers are opening their wallets and are expected to continue to do so through this holiday season. Retail sales for the year are now expected to rise more than previously predicted, the National Retail Federation said earlier this week. One cloud hanging over the industry is potential additional tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump's administration, but it's still uncertain what impact that could have on companies such as Macy's and Walmart, if any. The two retailers' results provide more evidence that the consumer is roaring back and spending more than they have since before the recession. Konik said consumers are "the strongest they have been since 1999." Investors also rewarded Walmart more because they see more stability in the retailer's real estate strategy, while Macy's will likely have to close more stores, analysts said. Uncertainty around when that will happen and what Macy's will do with its remaining locations has spooked investors before. Both companies have been looking for ways to fill excess square footage within their stores Walmart has partnered with FedEx to open service centers, for example, while Macy's leases space to Starbucks for cafes. Both companies also are pouring money into their digital sales, remodeling stores and adding more in-house brands. The expenses have added up and eroded profit margins, although Walmart appears to be further along in the process, analysts said. Both retailers are also trying to stay competitive on price Macy's, for example, is adding more discount locations within its stores across the U.S. "The erosion of profitability and margins are necessary evils," said Neil Saunders, GlobalData retail managing director. Perkins said it's tough for investors to wait for those investments to pay off. "The margin pressure is going to be there for these guys," he said. "And everybody wants a quick buck." Looking to the full year, both Macy's and Walmart are anticipating a strong holiday season as consumers regain confidence. Nordstrom should be another beneficiary of this and also hiked its full-year outlook Thursday, which sent shares soaring more than 13 percent on the news. Retailers including Target, Kohl's, TJX, Lowe's, Gap and L Brands are set to report earnings next week, which should offer a better picture of how the industry is positioned ahead of the second half of the year, and how investors are responding. Many retail stocks have rallied over the past year the S&P 500 Retail ETF is up more than 32 percent. Investors will continue to look for any pressure on profit margins, e-commerce sales growth, and with some of these companies potentially additional store closure announcements. President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort departs U.S. District Court after a hearing in the first charges stemming from a special counsel investigation of possible Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election in Washington, October 30, 2017. Jurors in the trial of ex-Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort ended their second full day of deliberations on Friday without reaching a verdict. The 12-member jury will reconvene Monday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, to continue mulling Manafort's fate. Judge T.S. Ellis let the jury go home at around 5 p.m., several hours after the panel asked to recess at that time because one of its members had a social engagement on Friday night. After the jury left the court, Manafort was sent back to a jail in Alexandria, where he is being kept isolated from other inmates. The 69-year-old Republican consultant, who once routinely spent tens of thousands of dollars on custom-made suits, an ostrich jacket, watches and landscaping, has been locked up without bail since June after being charged with trying to tamper with potential witnesses against him. In the Virginia case, Manafort is accused by special counsel Robert Mueller of a raft of tax and bank fraud charges related to his consulting work for pro-Russia politicians in Ukraine, which predated his tenure as chairman of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow says China's economy looks "terrible," and that investment there is "collapsing." But the data show a more complicated picture. "I'm not a China expert, although I'm boning up as fast as I can, I would just say right now their economy looks terrible," Kudlow said Thursday in response to President Donald Trump's question at a Cabinet meeting about China's prospects. Kudlow also said the latest data showed that "retail sales, business investment is collapsing." "There may be some manipulation" in the currency and "investors are moving out of China because they don't like the economy," he added. Growth is slowing, and the latest economic reports did disappoint analyst expectations. Worries about high debt levels persist. The Chinese yuan has fallen to its lowest level in more than a year against the U.S. dollar. The Chinese stock market also paints a depressing picture for investors. The Shanghai exchange, which is known to be more volatile and less efficient than U.S. markets, is down 25 percent from a high it hit in late January. Other numbers paint a less dire picture than Kudlow's comments suggest. First, fixed asset investment did slow to 5.5 percent year-on-year growth in July, the lowest since 1999, according to Shanghai-based data company Wind Info. Retail sales growth of 8.8 percent in July from a year earlier missed expectations of 9.1 percent and fell from 9 percent in June, according to Reuters. But that is still better than the 6.4 percent year-on-year increase in U.S. retail sales reported for July. Beijing is trying to transition China's economy to a consumption-driven one from one reliant on manufacturing. The economic growth rate is bound to decline in this process, since the labor productivity of the services industry is significantly lower than that of the manufacturing industry, according to Lu Zhang, a Beijing-based economist at investment research firm CEBM. The quality of China's growth is also improving, she noted. Overall, China's gross domestic product is expected to grow 6.6 percent this year, slower than last year's 6.9 percent rate but still one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and far above the 3.9 percent global growth forecast, according to a July report from the International Monetary Fund. That compares with the IMF's outlook for a 2.9 percent increase in U.S. GDP this year, up from 2.3 percent last year. Second, the Chinese yuan has fallen more than 5.5 percent in 2018 against the U.S. dollar. However, it is down less than 1 percent versus the euro over that period. Part of the weakness in the yuan is due to a slowing economy and easing domestic monetary policy. But at the same time, the U.S. dollar index has strengthened to its highest in more than a year amid Federal Reserve tightening. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldiers's Tomb on May 10, 2015 in Moscow, Russia. Alexander Aksakov | Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Berlin this weekend to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the two world leaders will have plenty to talk about. It is the second time in three months that the pair have met after Merkel traveled to the Russian coastal resort of Sochi in May. On this occasion, Merkel will host Putin at the German government's castle in Schloss Meseberg, just outside Berlin. Talks are due to begin Saturday at 6:00 p.m. local time (midday ET). The meeting has been hastily arranged and was only announced Monday this week when Merkel's spokesperson Steffen Seibert named the key topics the pair would concentrate on: Syria, Ukraine and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. That agenda was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who, when asked whether the leaders would also discuss American sanctions, including potential measures against German companies, said, "they will, obviously they will." Berlin and Moscow: It's complicated Merkel and Putin have regularly clashed in the past. Most notably, the German leader fruitlessly attempted to persuade Putin of a diplomatic solution when war raged in the eastern region of Ukraine in 2014. Merkel also annoyed her Russian counterpart in 2012 when she questioned a two-year jail sentence for the band Pussy Riot who had sung anti-Putin "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral. Putin rebuked Merkel, suggesting she did not known all the facts of the case. In August, the U.S. administration said it would impose further sanctions against Russia as punishment for the alleged use of a nerve agent in an apparent assassination attempt on a former spy that ultimately killed a British citizen. Merkel joined President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May in a rare joint statement that said "there is no plausible alternative explanation" to Russian responsibility. But on other issues the pair have agreed, and they are currently united in maintaining the 2014 Iran nuclear accord that saw several world powers remove sanctions on Iran in exchange for the Middle Eastern country agreeing to stop enriching uranium. The United States pulled out of that agreement and in May the U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, said German businesses should immediately wind down any operations in Iran. John Bolton, Trump's national security advisor, then added that European companies that do business in Iran could face U.S.-imposed economic sanctions. Moreover, a new gas pipeline linking Russia to Germany, known as Nord Stream 2, has given the two countries a potential common cause. But, the United States sees the pipeline as a reach of Russian control into Western Europe and has threatened further sanctions on Moscow, which could have knock-on effects for German firms. Although, the U.S. has given assurances that the new penalties won't affect the building of the gas pipeline. In an email to CNBC Friday, the managing director of political consultancy Teneo Intelligence, Carsten Nickel, said that while Trump's threat of Nord Stream 2 related sanctions affected both countries, it would not bring about a German pivot toward Moscow. "Instead, it demonstrates that a fundamental pattern remains the same as in the (Barack) Obama days: Merkel, not the White House, is Putin's key interlocutor in the West," said Nickel. Nord Stream 2 Germany and Russia want to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which would allow Russian gas to flow into Europe without passing through Ukraine. The route of a proposed new gas pipeline from Russia to Europe. nord-stream2.com The project has come under much criticism as some analysts feel it will leave Europe reliant on Russian energy as stocks from Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands dwindle. Ukraine would lose billions if the project to route the pipeline under the Baltic Sea is completed, and in July the Ukrainian president described it as "absolutely a geopolitical project" that made no economic sense. Nickel said that Merkel would use Saturday's talks to press Putin on maintaining an energy commitment to Ukraine. "Merkel's goal will be to have Putin substantiate indications that Russia might still transfer some of its westbound gas deliveries through Ukraine, even after Nord Stream 2 becomes operational," he said. "That might help at least somewhat diffuse respective concerns in Eastern Europe and in Washington," Nickel added. Kristine Berzina, an analyst at thinktank The German Marshall Fund of the United States, told CNBC Friday that Nordstream 2 would be the "prickliest" topic of conversation between Putin and Merkel. In a telephone call from Brussels, Berzina said she was concerned about the principle of Russian guarantees to maintain some sort of gas transit through Ukraine. "This is the moment, before Nordstream 2 is built, that Germany has the most leverage over Russia," she said, before adding that Merkel must secure the strongest possible assurances from Putin now, as she would hold no sway over Moscow once the pipeline was up and running in 2020. Ukraine The war in eastern Ukraine began in early 2014 and skirmishes continue between Russian separatists and forces loyal to the Ukrainian government. Orthodox priests stand among pro-Russian armed men blocking access to the Ukrainian frontier guard base in Balaklava, a small city not far from Sevastopol, on March 1, 2014. Viktor Drachev | AFP | Getty Images Russia has taken control of the Crimean Peninsula and there are reports that Russian troops are still involved in fighting in the country's eastern region. This has led to sanctions from EU countries, including Germany, which are still in place. Berzina said the main areas of conversation between the two leaders will circle around ongoing skirmishes in the Black Sea and the role of peacekeepers in the Donbass region of Ukraine. The analyst added it was unlikely that any request by Merkel for United Nations troops to police a cease-fire was likely to interest Putin. "I don't know whether progress is possible on any of these issues and what leverage Merkel might have," she said. Berzina added that Merkel's focus on Ukraine with Putin may remain on preventing an escalation of conflict, rather than finding a long-term solution. Syria Reports vary, but between 300,000 and 500,000 people are believed to have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. A handout picture released on the official Facebook page of the Syrian Presidency on December 11, 2017 shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in the Russian air base in Hmeimim in the northwestern Syrian province of Latakia. Syrian Presidency Facebook page | AFP | Getty Images Syrian President Bashar Assad has largely crushed opposition forces, which initially challenged his regime over the release of political prisoners and called for his resignation. Russian support of Assad has been crucial to the Syrian leader's ability to maintain a grip on power as he has defeated opposition forces. Currently Assad is launching a new offensive in the country's northwest where the remaining Syrian rebels have been cornered. It is thought Merkel may ask Putin to exert his influence over Assad in a bid to avoid further widespread bloodshed. In early September Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to host a four-way summit on Syria, also attended by France, Germany and Russia. WATCH: Merkel & Trump hold join press availability in July Morgan Stanley's outlook on General Motors shares has dimmed due to the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. The firm reduced its price target to $46 from $50 for General Motors shares and cut its 2018 earnings per share estimate to $5.60 from $6.31 for the company. General Motors sold 1.8 million cars in China including its joint ventures during the first six months of 2018 versus 1.5 million cars in the U.S., according to a securities filing. The lowered forecast reflects "concerns of a slowdown in the Chinese market," said analyst Adam Jonas in a note to clients on Friday. Sales were down 5.5 percent in China in July compared with last year, according to data from CPCA. The company also faces increased competition and "risk of retaliation from trade tensions with the US." Jonas said GM has the biggest exposure to China in terms of "profitability and cash flow" among its U.S. industry peers. The analyst reiterated his overweight rating for GM shares. His new price target is 27 percent higher than Thursday's closing price. General Motors shares rose slightly Friday after the report. The analyst said the company's China sales may decline 10 percent or more, according to the firm's Chinese auto team. "While many investors appreciate the SOTP [sum of the parts] potential embedded in the business, many of these same investors do not want exposure to global macro Risk, China trade tensions and exposure to an elongated auto credit cycle," he said. General Motors declined to comment on the analyst report. The company's stock is down 11.5 percent this year through Thursday versus the S&P 500's 6.3 percent gain. A shipping revolution and a U.S. plan to impose targeted crude sanctions against Iran is likely to prompt wild swings in the oil price over the coming months, Vopak's chief executive told CNBC on Friday. Energy market participants are currently seen weighing bullish factors that include potential supply disruptions to Iranian crude exports against more bearish indicators, such as the darkening global economic outlook and a resurgent U.S. dollar. International benchmark Brent crude traded at around $72.07 on Friday afternoon, up almost 1 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $65.77, up more than 0.5 percent. "With new sanctions coming into play and also the IMO 2020, we see there is more volatility and therefore more opportunities to trade. So, we see our customers taking, slowly but surely, positions for that to happen," Eelco Hoekstra, CEO of Vopak, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Friday. Shipping revolution On January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce new emissions standards designed to significantly curb pollution produced by the world's ships. The rule changes which one leading energy analyst recently described as the "biggest in the history of the market" are seen as a source of great concern for some of the world's largest oil producers. That's because global energy and shipping industries are thought to be ill-prepared for the new measures. Further to the IMO's changes, external observers are particularly concerned about the supply disruptions caused by Washington's plan to impose further sanctions against Iran in November. Tehran is OPEC's third-largest oil producer behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq and currently pumps around 3.65 million barrels per day, according to Reuters data. A support vessel flying an Iranian national flag sails alongside the oil tanker 'Devon' as it prepares to transport crude oil to export markets in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Friday, March 23, 2018. Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images The last time Iran was sanctioned, about half its current oil exports of some 2.4 million barrels were removed from the market. However, this time around, many energy analysts believe sanctions will remove far less, maybe around half the prior amount. "I think that if we had an oil (volatility index) it would be incredibly, incredibly volatile" through to 2020, Tom Kloza, co-founder of the Oil Price Information Service, told CNBC's "Futures Now" last week. He warned crude futures are likely to be so volatile that a slump to $50 a barrel, or a spike above $100 could not be completely ruled out over the same time period. Oil price volatility Italy is embroiled in a blame game that will ultimately discourage many international investors, an economist told CNBC Friday. A freeway bridge collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 39 people, in the city of Genoa. In the aftermath, Rome came under special scrutiny by international investors after deciding to immediately revoke the road management concession from Autostrade a company that is responsible for 3,000 kilometers of toll roads in Italy without waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. Shares of its mother company Atlantia fell by as much as 23 percent on Thursday morning. "The responsibilities still have to be determined by the judiciary, (but) the most striking thing of this story is mostly the initial reaction of the government after the disaster," Davide Oneglia, economist at TS Lombard, said. "The fact they have immediately taken Atlantia and investor as a scapegoat, or they are trying to bring in the European Commission, which is their usual target, might end up in the long run undermining the confidence of investors on Italian institutions," Oneglia told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." "If this proceeds, it has long lasting effects on investor sentiment," he said. Meanwhile, ratings agency Moody's has said that the Italian bridge collapse heightens political pressures and regulatory risks for Atlantia and Autostrade. The agency warns that while the immediate negative financial impact of road closure in terms of revenue loss is likely manageable for Autostrade, the political ramifications of this incident could prove to be more problematic for both the companies. The country's political parties have apportioned blame for the disaster to, variously, previous governments, the European Union (EU), the road management company and even the mafia. Even though, many analysts have pointed out that, for example, one of the coalition partners the leftist Five Star Movement ignored warnings back in 2013 that the collapsed bridge was in danger. The Pentagon said in a Thursday statement that it would "explore opportunities" in 2019 for President Donald Trump's military parade that originally had been set for November of this year. That development came just hours after CNBC reported that the parade had been shaping up to cost $80 million more than initially estimated. The Department of Defense and its interagency partners had updated their prospective cost estimates for the parade, a U.S. defense official with firsthand knowledge of the assessment had told CNBC. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. The parade, originally slated for Nov. 10, had been estimated to cost $92 million, the official said. The figure consisted of $50 million from the Pentagon and $42 million from interagency partners such as the Department of Homeland Security. An initial estimate last month pegged the prospective cost for the parade at $12 million. That $92 million cost estimate included security, transportation of parade assets, aircraft, as well as temporary duty for troops. The official also noted that, while the size and scope of the military parade can still shift, the plans included approximately eight tanks, as well as other armored vehicles, including Bradleys, Strykers and M113s. Here's the statement announcing the parade postponement from Defense Department Spokesman Col. Rob Manning: Security researchers say they've found flaws in the Medtronic pacemaker that leaves the life-saving device vulnerable to hackers and puts patients at risk. Billy Rios and Jonathan Butts say they've found vulnerabilities that compromise the pacemaker's programmer, which can control the electrical impulses that are sent to the heart to regulate a patient's heartbeat. There are about 33,000 of these programmers in use called the CareLink 2090. Rios and Butts demonstrated the security weaknesses earlier this month at the annual Black Hat cyber security conference in Las Vegas, one of the industry's most prestigious annual meetings. Rios, who founded a startup focused on embedded device security called WhiteScope, says he presented his research publicly because he is frustrated by what he calls Medtronic's slow response to addressing and fixing these flaws. "They are more interested in protecting their brand than their patients," Rios told CNBC, noting that the technical fix for these vulnerabilities is relatively easy. For its part, the medical device company says the likelihood of a successful cyber attack is low, and that the company is not aware of any security breaches involving patients with its medical devices. "All medical devices carry some associated risk, and, like the regulators, we continuously strive to balance the risks against the benefits our devices provide," Medtronic said in a statement. Medtronic next reports its financial results on Aug. 21. Here is the full Medtronic statement: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Getty Images In her Op-Ed in this Wednesday's Wall Street Journal, Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed The Accountable Capitalism Act new federal legislation requiring corporations to consider the interests of employees and other stakeholders as well as shareholders. In principle, Warren's ideas sound good, but they are based on a flawed premise. She contends that CEOs and boards are following Nobel-Prize winning economist Milton Friedman's philosophy of maximizing shareholder value. Warren's proposed legislation would require corporations to be federally chartered and consider the interests of all major stakeholders. Furthermore, employees would elect at least 40 percent of directors, companies would limit political expenditures, and officers and directors would face a requirement to hold stock for a minimum of five years. She amplified her arguments on CNBC's "Mad Money" with Jim Cramer this week. Her arguments are filled with so many flaws that it is hard to know where to start. Listening to her, I could not help but wonder how many CEOs she spoke to before launching her bill, or whether she has ever been in a corporate board meeting? Equity-based compensation is a good thing because it aligns their interests with their shareholders. I would like to see stock-based compensation spread more broadly throughout the workforce. Warren's Op-Ed piece and her legislation are based on the belief that CEOs have abandoned all stakeholders other than shareholders. As a Harvard Business School professor, former CEO of Medtronic, and having served on nine public company boards, I can attest to the fact that every CEO I know recognizes the importance of multiple stakeholders in business. To flourish in the long-term, any successful company must serve the interests of all its stakeholders customers, employees, shareholders and its communities. Sustainable shareholder value can only be created by focusing on customer needs with superior products and services. That is what motivates employees, and ultimately, this is how sustainable shareholder value is created. The CEOs I know believe there is no conflict between serving shareholders and stakeholders. In fact, Delaware law which is the predominant corporate standard requires that boards of directors take into account the interests of the company and its shareholders in making decisions. Under the "business judgment" rule, they are given wide latitude to make tradeoffs between competing stakeholders interests as long as they are acting in the best interests of the company. Just to confirm the point, 19 other states have laws explicating enabling boards to consider the interests of customers, employees and communities in addition to shareholders. This past January Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, the world's largest fund manager, wrote to the top 500 CEOs encouraging them to have a mission that ultimately serves society. Two-tier boards Senator Warren's specific ideas for changing America's system of capitalism are even more off base. A law requiring employees to elect 40 percent of directors would create two-tier boards, similar to what currently exists in Germany, wherein the regular directors meet separately to make key decisions, and then bring them to the full board for ratification. Years ago, I served on such a board in France, and saw just how dysfunctional and non-productive it was. Why would we fill boards of directors with front-line employees with limited experience in corporate governance? Most public company board members are former CEOs or executives who have run major companies with thousands of employees who recognize the importance of a healthy culture and committed employees that are treated fairly. Annual employee surveys give them data to assess the health of the culture. They are accustomed to making complex decisions involving tradeoffs, especially when a crisis arises. Warren's article is filled with erroneous claims, charging that "since 1985 (corporations) have extracted almost $7 trillion" in profits, instead of investing in workers. In fact, corporate investment levels are at an historic high in 2018, which is spurring the growth of the U.S. economy. Her assertion that "between 2007 and 2016, large American companies dedicated 93 percent f their earnings to shareholders" is also incorrect. A McKinsey study indicates that "on average, US companies have returned about 60 percent of their net income to shareholders" through dividends and stock buybacks. Credible jobs Telsa board members are concerned about Elon Musk's use of Ambien and recreational drugs, according to an explosive interview with The New York Times published late Thursday. Musk said in the interview he now needs Ambien to sleep, but board members are concerned that the drug isn't having the intended effect for Musk, the Times reported citing an unnamed source. Instead they fear it's fueling his controversial public statements. The report also says board members are aware that Musk has used unspecified "recreational drugs." Ambien maker Sanofi warns against taking the sleeping aid unless you intend to stay in bed for a full seven to eight hours. The report comes amid speculation about drug use around Musk's market-moving tweet about taking the company private. It's just the latest in a series of controversial tweets from Musk, who recently called a diver involved in the Thai cave rescue a pedophile and lashed out at journalists for what he said was unfair coverage. Musk later apologized to the Thai diver and separately for what he called bad manners. The Aug. 7 tweet sent Tesla shares seesawing and company directors scrambling to do damage control and at the same time spurred jokes and questions about whether Musk's proposed $420 price tag was inspired by drug use. The number 420 is commonly associated with marijuana. "I was not on weed, to be clear. Weed is not helpful for productivity. There's a reason for the word 'stoned.' You just sit there like a stone on weed," Musk said in the interview. Musk said he arrived at the price tag by calculating an approximate 20 percent upside from current stock levels and then rounding up one dollar: "It seemed like better karma at $420 than at $419." Tesla provided a statement to the Times in response to questions for the article that it attributed to its board, excluding Elon Musk. The statement said, in part, that "We would like to make clear that Elon's commitment and dedication to Tesla is obvious." Tesla has been searching for a number-two executive to help take some pressure off Chairman and CEO Elon Musk, The New York Times reported on Thursday. Executives at the electric car-maker have been trying to recruit a chief operating officer or another number-two executive for years to take over some of Musk's day-to-day responsibilities and that search intensified following his recent headline-making tweets about taking the company private, the Times said, citing sources. Tesla did not immediately respond to CNBC's emailed requests for comments. A statement provided to The New York Times attributed to the company's board excluding Musk said, "There have been many false and irresponsible rumors in the press about the discussions of the Tesla board ... We would like to make clear that Elon's commitment and dedication to Tesla is obvious." Last week, Musk tweeted that he was "considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured." Tesla shares rose following the tweet but the CEO's statement that he had funding secured came under scrutiny. Musk later explained that his claim was based on repeated and ongoing conversations with the Saudis and tweeted the names of financial and legal advisors he said he was working with on the proposal to take Tesla private. Elon Musk Tweet: Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. Multiple news outlets reported on Wednesday that the Securities and Exchange Commission had served Tesla with a subpoena following Musk's tweets. A subpoena would be one of the first steps in a formal inquiry. On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the SEC is looking into whether Musk tweeted about taking Tesla private to hurt those who were shorting the company's stock. The Times' reporting about the search for a number-two executive was included in an article about an interview with Musk, during which the Tesla CEO talked about his intense workload and discussed the moments that lead up to the tweet. He also told the Times that Tesla board members had not complained to him about the go-private tweet. Musk told the newspaper that Tesla had several years ago approached Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg for the number-two job, but he added that there was "no active search right now." The Times said that sources told the newspaper some Tesla board members have expressed concern about both Musk's workload and his use of Ambien, a sedative. The newspaper reported, citing an unnamed source, that some board members have connected Musk's use of the medication to his after-hours tweeting. Multiple members of the company's board are also aware that Musk has occasionally used recreational drugs, the Times said, citing multiple people familiar with the matter. For more on the newspaper's interview with Elon Musk, read the article from The New York Times. CNBC's Sara Salinas contributed to this report. TIVO, Inc. gave a way free TIVO (DVR) Digital Video Recorder, boxes to thousands of happy Comcast Cable customers, who also donated a toy or clothing for charity outside their corporate headquarters. Shares of TiVo fell as much as 10 percent in afternoon trading Friday following a Bloomberg report that Amazon is eyeing a live TV recording device. TiVo pared losses and closed just 4 percent down at $12.20. The drop extends a challenging run for TiVo, which is now off 20 percent in 2018 and 30 percent in the last 12 months. Amazon is known to scare investors and send stocks tumbling with news of a planned entrance into a new industry. Earlier this week, movie theater stocks dropped on a report that Amazon is considering a bid for Landmark Theaters. Representatives for Amazon and TiVo were not immediately available to comment. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort arrives for a hearing at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on May 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. With Paul Manafort's jury deliberating bank and tax fraud charges, President Donald Trump refused to say Friday whether he would pardon his ex-campaign chief. "I don't talk about that," Trump told reporters on the White House's South Lawn when asked about a pardon for Manafort. But Trump also said: "I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump said. "He happens to be a very good person." A few miles away in Alexandria, Virginia, 12 federal jurors began their second day of weighing charges against Manafort brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller is continuing to investigate whether Trump obstructed justice in a Justice Department probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump campaign officials colluded with the Kremlin-backed meddling. Mueller has reportedly eyed Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey in spring 2017 after the president allegedly told Comey: "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go." Michael Flynn, who was briefly Trump's national security adviser, has pleaded guilty to making false statements and is cooperating with Mueller's probe. That investigation has infuriated Trump, who on Friday again called it "a rigged witch hunt." "Mr. Mueller has a lot of conflicts," Trump said. "Mr. Mueller is highly conflicted. In fact, Comey is like his best friend. I can go into conflict after conflict." While Comey and Mueller worked together, there are no indications they were close personal friends. "Let him write his report," the president said. "We did nothing. There was no collusion." "If he was doing an honest report, he'd do it on the other side," Trump said, referring to the 2016 presidential campaign of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "When you look at criminality and you look at the problems, take a look at what they did, including colluding, the other side," the president added. Trump on Friday also said, once again, that Manafort "worked for me for a very short period of time" on his campaign. In fact, Manafort joined that campaign in mid-March 2016, with responsibility for wrangling committments to Trump from delegates to the Republican National Convention. Manafort then was promoted to campaign manager in June, and remained in that role until mid-August, when he resigned after reports that he may have been secretly paid nearly $13 million from a pro-Russia political party in Ukraine from 2007 through 2012. Manafort is accused in the Virginia case of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars earned from that party, failing to disclose to the IRS the existence of offshore accounts he controlled, and defrauding banks by giving false statements about his financial status in an effort to obtain loans once the income stream from the Ukrainian party ceased. The 69-year-old GOP political operative has pleaded not guilty in that case, as well as in a related case in U.S. District Court in Washington, where he is accused of money laundering and failing to register as an agent of a foreign government. In the Washington case, he is also charged with trying to tamper with witnesses who could be called to testify against him. That alleged effort led a federal judge in June to revoke Manafort's $10 million bond and to jail him. Manafort's former business associate Rick Gates, who also held a senior position in Trump's campaign, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements, and testified against Manafort at his trial. Gates is cooperating with Mueller's probe in an effort to win leniency at sentencing. US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on August 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States "will pay nothing" to Turkey for the release of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, who he called "a great patriot hostage." "We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump tweet: Turkey has taken advantage of the United States for many years. They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage. We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey! The U.S. warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assured Trump at a Cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed. "We have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly," Mnuchin said during the meeting. The United States and Turkey have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs in an escalating attempt by Trump to induce Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan into giving up Brunson, who denies charges that he was involved in a coup attempt against Erdogan two years ago. "They have not proven to be a good friend," Trump said of Turkey during the Cabinet meeting. "They have a great Christian pastor there. He's an innocent man." Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, had issued a blunt warning to Turkish ambassador Serdar Kilic when he met him on Monday at the White House, an administration official said on Thursday. When Kilic sought to tie conditions to Brunson's release, Bolton waved them aside and said there would be no negotiations. "Release Brunson," Bolton told him, according to the official, who declined to be named. Turkey has sought to persuade the United States to spare Turkey's state-owned Halkbank from a threatened fine for allegedly helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions. Ankara also wanted Washington to hand over Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who Turkey suspects of plotting the coup against Erdogan. Gulen denies the allegations. "They missed a big opportunity. This is very easy to resolve," the administration official said. "They made a big mistake trying to tie this to other things." The dispute over Brunson and other frictions between Washington and Ankara have been one reason the Turkish lira has plunged 40 percent this year. Investors also fret over Erdogan's influence over monetary policy. The lira lost strength after Mnuchin's remarks. Trump, who has doubled steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey, said the steel tariffs had kicked in and the aluminum tariffs would take effect soon. President Donald Trump at a press conference at Chequers in the U.K., on July 13, 2018, where he refused to answer a question by a CNN journalist Unlike the rest of the names on the list, including former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, Ohr is still a member of the Trump administration. He was associate deputy attorney general under Eric Holder until 2017 and continues to work for the DOJ. Ohr's name stood out during a news conference earlier in the week, when White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders listed the high-ranking official among a number of vocal critics of the president who she was putting on notice. President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he expected to "quickly" remove the security clearance of Bruce Ohr, a Justice Department official with convoluted ties to special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump's attacks on Ohr revolve around his personal connection to the so-called Steele dossier that was compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential election. The dossier contains a number of allegations about improper connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked on the dossier when she was a consultant at Fusion GPS, the firm that was commissioned to produce it. Republicans insist that the warrant the FBI obtained to investigate former Trump campaign advisor Carter Page and his ties to Russia is tainted because that dossier was part of the evidence used to obtain it. Trump has said the warrant was used to initiate the investigation that led to Mueller's probe. "The big story that the Fake News Media refuses to report is lowlife Christopher Steele's many meetings with Deputy A.G. Bruce Ohr and his beautiful wife, Nelly," the president wrote in an Aug. 11 tweet, which is the first to mention Ohr by name. Tweet The attacks on Ohr are part of a broader critique of Mueller's Russia probe which Trump calls a "witch hunt." The president repeated the attack on Tuesday, writing that "Bruce Ohr of the 'Justice' Department (can you believe he is still there) is accused of helping disgraced Christopher Steele 'find dirt on Trump.'" Tweet Despite Ohr's connections to the Steele dossier, there is no proof that it had any material impact on either the FBI's surveillance warrant for Page or on the Mueller probe. In July, the FBI released redacted documents that showed that the bureau relied on evidence that was unrelated to the Steele dossier in its application to wiretap Page, and disclosed Steele's political motives. While the president has alleged that the dossier spurred Mueller's Russia probe, the investigation began after Australian diplomats tipped off U.S. officials following a suspicious encounter with Trump's former foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. The Department of Justice declined to comment. The U.S. government is trying to force Facebook to break the encryption in its popular Messenger app so law enforcement may listen to a suspect's voice conversations in a criminal probe, three people briefed on the case said, resurrecting the issue of whether companies can be compelled to alter their products to enable surveillance. The previously unreported case in a federal court in California is proceeding under seal, so no filings are publicly available, but the three people told Reuters that Facebook is contesting the U.S. Department of Justice's demand. The judge in the Messenger case heard arguments on Tuesday on a government motion to hold Facebook in contempt of court for refusing to carry out the surveillance request, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Facebook and the Department of Justice declined to comment. The Messenger issue arose in Fresno, California, as part of an investigation of the MS-13 gang, one of the people said. U.S. President Donald Trump frequently uses the gang, which is active in the United States and Central America, as a symbol of lax U.S. immigration policy and a reason to attack so-called "sanctuary" laws preventing police from detaining people solely to enforce immigration law. Trump called members of the gang "animals" this year when the Sheriff of Fresno County complained that California laws limited her co-operation with federal immigration enforcement targeting gang members. The potential impact of the judge's coming ruling is unclear. If the government prevails in the Facebook Messenger case, it could make similar arguments to force companies to rewrite other popular encrypted services such as Signal and Facebook's billion-user WhatsApp, which include both voice and text functions, some legal experts said. Law enforcement agencies forcing technology providers to rewrite software to capture and hand over data that is no longer encrypted would have major implications for the companies which see themselves as defenders of individual privacy while under pressure from police and lawmakers. Similar issues came into play during a legal fight in 2016 between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Apple over access to an iPhone owned by a slain sympathizer of Islamic State in San Bernardino, California, who had murdered county employees. Cryptocurrency miners use graphics cards based on AMD 's and Nvidia's chips to "mine" new coins, which can then be sold or held for appreciation. The price of ethereum is down nearly 60 percent this year, crimping demand for cryptomining cards. "Whereas we had previously anticipated cryptocurrency to be meaningful for the year, we are now projecting no contributions going forward," Nvidia's chief financial officer, Colette Kress, said in a release Thursday. Nvidia shares closed down 4.9 percent Friday, a day after it reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings on Thursday. The company gave sales guidance slightly lower than the Wall Street consensus for the fiscal third quarter and warned about future cryptocurrency-mining revenue. Analysts are optimistic about Nvidia's growth due to a new product cycle even as a key market falters. Bank of America Merrill Lynch reiterated its buy rating on Nvidia's stock, expressing confidence in the company's product pipeline. "While the [guidance] headline miss is likely to pressure the stock [near-term], we reiterate Buy since we believe Q3 contains very limited benefits from NVDA's next gen Turing architecture, which is likely to show up starting in Q4 and into 2019," analyst Vivek Arya said in a note to clients Thursday. "We believe Turing and its ray-tracing capabilities and 10x inferencing benefits will have a pervasive impact across segments, and stimulate new markets in pro visualization." Arya reaffirmed his $340 price target for Nvidia, representing 32 percent upside to Thursday's close. In similar fashion, Jefferies is confident about Nvidia's new eighth-generation Turing graphics architecture, which was announced Monday at a conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. "We are buyers in front of NVDA's next gen GPU platform, 'Turing,' which launches in 3Q," analyst Mark Lipacis said in a note Friday. "We expect Turing will be a revenue tailwind for NVDA over the next 12-18 months." Lipacis noted that Nvidia's gaming business sales historically rose by 40 to 50 percent in the year after it launched major new chip technology. He reiterated his buy rating and $320 price target for Nvidia shares. Cowen told its clients to overlook any short-term transitional hiccups into the Turing gaming card launch. Analysts expect gaming cards based on the new graphics technology will be announced shortly. "The transitional quarter we expected appears a bit sharper than feared, with a zero-ing of crypto and gaming channel management impacting guidance as tables are set for the Turing gaming launch," analyst Matthew Ramsay said in a note to clients Friday. "Our run-rate earnings power and thesis are 100% unchanged. With expectations reset, we see a very favorable set up and would be buyers." Ramsay reaffirmed his outperform rating and lowered his price target to $320 from $325 for Nvidia shares. Nvidia shares are up 33 percent so far this year through Thursday versus the S&P 500's 6 percent return. SMA to rally flood relief efforts in Singapore as death toll in Kerala reaches 167 amidst ongoing rescue efforts Following the heaviest monsoon rainfall over the last century in Kerala, the Indian state has been inundated with floods that have caused havoc. According to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, 167 people have died in the state - more than 100 of them in the last 36 hours - and he issued a fresh rain alert for the battered state. The military has pushed in more than 200 boats into the state for rescue operations. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@shatrujeet009 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kerala this evening. The military has pushed in more than 200 boats into the state for rescue operations. Another four aircraft and three Coast Guard ships have also been brought in to rescue people marooned in areas cut off by vast stretches of water as rescue efforts have been progressing on a war footing. The Singapore Malayalee Association (SMA) in Singapore announced that they would be carrying out relief efforts and emergency fundraising events and expressed their support for the victims of the natural disaster. The SMA is extremely saddened by the unfortunate flood situation in Kerala. We want to support and provide relief to the flood victims, in every way possible, it said in a Facebook post. SMA is currently working with other Malayalee organisations, regulators and authorities in Singapore to plan various relief activities. We are doing everything possible to speed up this process. A tweet from the Chief Minister's Office issued a fresh alert. "Alert: all districts apart from Kasargod are under red alert... heavy rains may affect these 13 districts. Everyone please be cautious," the tweet read. For the people of Kerala, the road to recovery is going to be a long one. Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy. Donate to: Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund NO: 67319948232 Bank: State Bank of India IFSC : SBIN0070028 SWIFT CODE : SBININBBT08 pic.twitter.com/cbsFwRplsG CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 An alarming situation has developed in some districts where roads have become completely submerged. Almost all parts of Thrissur and Chalakudy towns are under water. This morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding." Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 Though the met office has said the rainfall will continue till Saturday, the intensity has lessened slightly. The rainfall is expected to taper off from Sunday. Domestic airlines have been asked to keep a check on air fares for flights operating to and from Kerala. Telecom operators have announced free call and data services and other relief measures for a week for users in Kerala. The flood has disrupted air, rail and road traffic in several places., with the Kochi Airport inundated. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@resulp Kerala is being ravaged by torrential rains since August 8, which has triggered landslides and floods. It has disrupted air, rail and road traffic in several places. Public transport has practically disappeared from most parts of the state. Many parts of Kochi have been flooded. Aluva is one of the worst-affected areas. Fresh landslides were reported from southern Kerala's Idukki and the northern districts of Malappuram and Kannur. Popular tourist destinations like Munnar and Ponmudi are almost cut-off because of bad roads due to landslides, social media posts said. Lockwood Smith: Britain has a golden chance to join the biggest free trade agreement in history. But Chequers is likely to wreck it. Sir Lockwood Smith is a former New Zealand Trade Minister and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The British Government has initiated discussions aimed at joining, post-Brexit, the Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement, CPTPP. Success would open a whole new world of opportunities for UK business. But joining be difficult if the UK ends up in some halfway house, without complete control over its own regulatory system. The greatest benefits from trade liberalisation come from agreements at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Thats because, in the modern world, value chains dont just cross a border between neighbouring countries. They criss-cross the world, forging wider well-being and prosperity. Despite this, many countries have negotiated a spaghetti bowl of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) of varying value. In the past decade, however, countries which understand that trade is the lifeblood of prosperity and a powerful driver in the elimination of poverty have attempted to negotiate larger regional agreements, in order better to support wider-reaching value chains and increase pressure on the WTO for progress. The three biggest regional negotiations have been the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). TTIP hit strong headwinds, partly around EU regulations, and, under the Trump administration, it died. RCEP, involving the ten nations of ASEAN, plus Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Korea and Japan, is also proving challenging, although negotiations continue. The one that made it over the line was TPP, only to have the plug almost pulled post-signing when the Trump administration withdrew from it. Despite that, it will now be implemented without the US, albeit with some minor changes including the name: it is now the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). CPTPP, a free trade agreement between eleven Asia-Pacific countries, involving around 30 per cent of the global economy, was almost 20 years in its evolution. During the late 1990s, a project called P5 involving five Asia-Pacific, or APEC, economies was explored in an attempt to progress APECs Bogor Goals of free and open trade. A geo-political goal of equal importance was to enhance stability across the region. The plan involved the United States and Chile, linking through New Zealand and Australia into East Asia via Singapore. By the middle of 1999, it became clear the project as planned wouldnt get off the ground. New Zealand had been driving it and, undaunted, we negotiated an FTA with Singapore. The direct trade benefits were useful but limited. The focus was strategic to create a new model, twenty-first century trade agreement that others could join. In 2002, Chile came on board and Brunei in 2004, resulting in a new agreement known as the Pacific 4 or P4. In 2008, the United States became involved and, eight months later, Australia, Peru and Vietnam joined in. Malaysia did likewise in 2010 and, following the APEC Leaders meeting in 2011, both Canada and Mexico sought to join. 2013 saw Japan board, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership was agreed by the end of 2015. CPTPP is the largest free trade agreement in history, covering both goods and services. Apart from lowering and in most sectors eliminating tariffs, it also reduces non-tariff barriers to trade regulatory barriers behind the border that often delay if not prevent trade. Member countries are required to pursue good regulatory practice, and ensure that their customs procedures are applied in a way that is predictable, consistent and transparent. Food safety and bio-security measures must not create unjustifiable obstacles to trade, and must be based on sound science.] The agreement has a whole chapter on regulatory coherence to help ensure an open, fair and predictable regulatory environment for businesses operating in CPTPP markets. While it allows members to pursue their own regulatory priorities, they must sign up to a quality management programme that would require them to have control over their own regulatory procedures. If Brexit results in the Chequers approach, with the regulations dictated from Brussels, its difficult to see how the UK could meet these important requirements. CPTPPs coverage of services includes professional, business, education, environmental, transportation and distribution services, reducing barriers to their trade. Specific rules on financial services are also a significant step forward. New elements in the agreement also ensure that economies at all levels of development, and businesses of all sizes, can benefit from enhanced trade. Provisions help small and medium-sized businesses understand the agreement, take advantage of its opportunities. It is one of the first agreements to cover next generation trade issues and challenges, including those related to the Internet and digital economy. There is a chapter on electronic commerce which, among other things, recognises the importance of companies being able to transfer information across borders facilitating digital trade. As well as preventing the imposition of customs duties on electronic transactions, the provisions tackle digital protectionist policies such as data localisation requirements and barriers to cross border data flows, setting a new global standard for trade liberalisation in the digital economy. The United Kingdom is already a global leader in this sector. At G20 Digital Economy meetings, however, EU member states have been less than enthusiastic in supporting the environment of cross-border digital commerce with less burdensome regulation that the Internet facilitates. So in the CPTPP, the UK has the opportunity to join an agreement that liberalises, and provides better access for one of the most rapidly growing sectors of its own economy. It would be such a lost opportunity if remaining part of the EUs regulatory regime were to stand in the way of the UK joining. While the Common Rulebook approach to Brexit is intended to apply only to goods and agri-foods, modern goods often have services embedded in them. If the UK wants to be a serious player in moving forward on matters critical to the modern economy, remaining part of the EUs regulatory regime, even just for goods, would not be helpful. The prize CPTPP has to offer is real. During its negotiation, such countries as Japan moved further than ever before in liberalising sensitive sectors of their economy. Matching such progress in a purely bilateral negotiation would be difficult. Whats more, the centre of gravity of global economic growth has shifted to the Asia-Pacific region. It embodies a dynamism less evident within European economies today. Strategically linking into that region has helped toraise a country like New Zealand to prosperity from near bankruptcy 30 years ago. The real prize from Brexit for the UK, and the way to win from leaving the EU, lies in embracing a smart global trade strategy. Bringing the dynamic of the Asia-Pacific region to Europe through joining CPTPP would be a powerful driver of innovation and growth across the entire region. Now is the time to make decisions that will reap rewards for generations. Deciding to be a rule taker rather than a rule maker risks wasting this historic moment. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. BRIDGEPORT A 2-year-old pulled from a backyard pool Thursday evening has died, officials said. The child, who was taken out of the water around 7:25 p.m., was rushed to the hospital after police responded to a Charron Street residence for a drowning, police spokesman Av Harris said. First responders were at the scene moments after the 911 call was made and initiated CPR at the scene before the child was put into an ambulance that raced to a local hospital, escorted by police, around 7:30 p.m. By 8:20 p.m., Harris confirmed the childs death. Hes dead, hes dead, a distraught family member or friend was heard wailing from the porch of the residence, surrounded by a group of people varying in ages. Im never going to see him again, another yelled. As family and friends cried and let out screams from inside the residence and on the porch, neighbors looked on in horror from their houses and the sidewalk. One neighbor said the family moved into the house in early June from New York. Theyre such a nice family, he said. This is just terrible. The neighbor, who declined to give his name, said his 15-year-old son spends time at the house, adding that its a spot where youth who live on the street congregate. Another neighbor, who lives three houses down on Charron Street, said there is an above-ground backyard pool at the home. At least two additional ambulances were called to the home to help with family members and friends, clearly emotional, at the scene. Several police cars marked and unmarked were dispatched to the scene. The drowning remains under investigation, Harris said. He said no further information would be released Thursday. At 9:25 p.m., all Detective Bureau units cleared from Charron Street, according to dispatch reports. Earlier this year, a 5-year-old drowned in a backyard pool in Stratford. Town cops said the drowning, which happened on July 2, took place at a Sunnybank Avenue home. Officers gave the child CPR before an ambulance rushed the 5-year-old to a local hospital. The child died the next day. Last summer, a 2-year-old was pulled from a backyard pool by her mother at a May Street home in Bridgeport. She was rushed to the hospital on June 30 and was put on life support. She died on July 2. BRIDGEPORT On the day Fire Chief Richard Thode received a national fire safety award, he, the mayor and Bridgeports director of emergency management took the opportunity to warn residents about synthentic marijuana. If you are someone who could be someone who indulges in something like this and think its nonchalant, think about it twice, Mayor Joseph Ganim warned. This is life-threatening, could be life-altering...this is serious...whether we are prepared or not to respond. Their comments came during a week in which more than 100 people required medical treatment after using synthetic marijuana on the New Haven Green. Both Thode and Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency management and homeland security, said Bridgeport has a mass-casualty plan in place should something similar happen here. The citys plan was developed during the years of the Gathering of the Vibes concerts in Seaside Park. Many overdoses occurred during that annual weekend event, which is no longer part of Bridgeports summer. Even without the Vibes, the Bridgeport Fire Department responds to 10,000 calls for medical assistance every year, Thode said. All our trucks are equipped with defibrillators and Narcan which is used to counteract opioid overdoses. Thode said every apparatus carries multiple doses of Narcan both to be used on the victim and if necessary for firefighters should they be accidentally exposed to fentanyl. The New Haven Green crisis apparently involved synthetic marijuana, or K2, not opioids. But Thode said that if a similar event happened in Bridgeport, his department would work closely with the police and American Medical Response teams. If necessary, they could call for help from fire departments in nearby towns, he said. he also said the citys NexGen radio reporting system would pinpoint outbreak areas quickly. Moments earlier, Ganim presented Thode with a glass crystal plaque and a fire bell mounted statue from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The Alan Brunacini Executive Safety Award is presented annually to a chief who exhibits a commitment to fire service, safety, health and survival in his department. During his time as chief, Thode has obtained grants, traded-in old equipment and purchased new equipment within his budget constraints. These include complete second set of turn-out gear for each firefighter and an extractor to remove contaminants from used gear. Hes also obtained new radios, new X3 air packs and compressors to fill them, rapid-intervention kits and special meters that check for cyanide in smoke. We know we have an outstanding individual leading our department, Ganim said. But when peers around the country recognize you...that is probably...the greatest kind of pat on the back award. Perhaps nowhere outside America's heartland is Donald Trump given more credit than in Beijing. In government offices and think tanks, universities and state-run newsrooms, there is an urgent debate underway about what many here see as the hidden motive for Washington's escalating trade war against President Xi Jinping's government: A grand strategy, devised and led by Trump, to thwart China's rise as a global power. "The Trump administration has made it clear that containing China's development is a deeper reason behind the tariff actions," said He Weiwen, a former commerce ministry official and now a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, an independent research group filled with former bureaucrats. These sentiments were echoed by many of the more than two dozen current and former government officials, business executives, state-affiliated researchers, diplomats and state-run media editors interviewed for this article. Most requested anonymity to speak their minds about sensitive matters. A common suspicion ran through the conversations -- that the tariffs are just a small part of Trump's plan to prevent China from overtaking the U.S. as the world's largest economy. Several people expressed concern that the two nations may be heading into a long struggle for global dominance that recalls the last century's rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Union. "The trade war has prompted thinking in China on whether a new cold war has begun," said An Gang, a senior research fellow at the Pangoal Institution, an independent research group in Beijing whose experts include former government officials. The dispute, he says, "now has military and strategic implications" -- reflecting concern among some in Beijing that tensions could spill over into Taiwan, the South China Sea and North Korea. The general pessimism is a major shift among China's elite, many of whom had initially welcomed the rise of a U.S. president viewed as a transactional pragmatist who would cut a deal to narrow a $375 billion trade deficit for the right price. Now, with tariffs on $34 billion of goods already in effect and duties on another $216 billion in the pipeline, a majority saw no quick fix to a problem that is starting to rattle the country's top leaders. The turning point came a few months ago, when Trump put a stop to a deal for China to buy more energy and agricultural goods to narrow the trade deficit. Not only did that insult Xi, China's all-powerful leader who had sent a personal emissary to Washington for the negotiations, but it crystallized a view in Beijing that Trump won't quit until he thwarts China's rise once and for all. "Donald Trump is a smart negotiator who has accumulated abundant experience in doing business for many years -- and also from the show 'The Apprentice,'" said Wang Huiyao, an adviser to China's cabinet and founder of the Center for China and Globalization, whose advisory council is stacked with former lawmakers. While "China is open to negotiations," he said, Trump's pressure tactics "will only arouse Chinese nationalism, which will be counterproductive." The ramifications of that are now rippling through a society that has embraced America's consumer culture -- Big Macs, Bentley cars and Chanel handbags are ubiquitous in Beijing -- even as it retains a one-party political system that champions large state enterprises and has little tolerance for dissent. The trade war is leading to some soul searching in Beijing. Discussions quickly turn to the sustainability of China's state-centered economy and the leadership of Xi, who can rule the country indefinitely after he led a successful effort earlier this year to repeal presidential term limits. The hushed debate centers over the wisdom of Xi's goals for rapid growth and his decision to announce China's ambitions to the world. This was a dramatic shift from former leader Deng Xiaoping's famous dictum, "Hide your strength, bide your time.'' Critics of Xi say policies like Made in China 2025 (a plan to dominate industries such as aircraft, new energy vehicles and biotechnology) and the Belt and Road Initiative (a mechanism to finance infrastructure investments around the globe) raised alarm in the West, and prompted the U.S. to target China before it could build critical technologies. This was seen by how swiftly Trump could bring down ZTE Corp., China's second-largest telecommunications equipment maker. In April, his administration prohibited the company from buying essential components from American suppliers after it violated laws banning the sale of U.S. technology to Iran. The move prompted ZTE to cease major operating activities until Trump came to the rescue and helped engineer a settlement. Although ZTE is now back up and running, the episode showed China just how dependent the nation is on the U.S. for high-end know-how. It has also highlighted wider efforts to block Chinese firms from acquiring tech companies by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews deals on national security grounds. All in all it amounts to "high-tech containment" of China, said Shi Yinhong, a foreign affairs adviser to the State Council and director of Renmin University's Center on American Studies in Beijing. The U.S., of course, sees things differently. Officials have repeatedly said they don't want to prevent China from growing, they just want to stop it from breaking the rules and stealing intellectual property -- allegations that officials in Beijing repeatedly deny. The Pentagon recently named China and Russia as two U.S. rivals actively seeking to "co-opt or replace the free and open order that has enabled global security and prosperity since World War II." Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo obliquely criticized China for wooing developing countries with cheap financing for infrastructure projects, saying the U.S. believes in "strategic partnerships, not strategic dependency." "With American companies, citizens around the world know that what you see is what you get: honest contracts, honest terms and no need for off-the-books nonsense," Pompeo said in a speech before he attended a regional security forum in Singapore. Another advantage of the U.S., he said, is that "we will help them keep their people free from coercion or great power domination." Across the political spectrum in China, from reformers to nationalists, there's a growing consensus that the nation needs to open up more to foreign business, better protect intellectual property and create a more level playing field. The confrontation with the U.S. was "due in large part to China doing nothing for many years" to reduce the surplus, widen market access and ease state control, according to Shi from Renmin University. "China faces a new, uncertain situation and needs to undergo review and adjustment," he said. "We didn't consider other nations' feelings in our strategic great leap forward." Yet sentiments like these are tempered by a reluctance to be seen as bending to Trump's demands. Several people said that at first they viewed the U.S. tariffs as not all bad if they prompted the government to make long overdue adjustments in China's approach to doing business with the West. But as the trade war, and the war of words, has escalated, many of these same people are now digging in against the U.S., saying China won't be bullied. Apart from some criticism from academics and grumbling from unnamed officials, so far there's little visible sign from China's opaque government that the trade war has impacted Xi's ability to control the levers of money and power. If Xi and his ministers are themselves suffering any doubts, it's not reflected in the official press. The People's Daily newspaper -- the main mouthpiece of the Communist Party -- recently confronted critics who say it was a mistake for China to be so public with its global goals. "Such a heavyweight cannot be hidden by taking a 'low key' approach," the paper said in a commentary last week, "just like an elephant cannot conceal its body behind a small tree." Beijing has signaled a willingness to strike a deal that narrows the trade deficit. But policy advisers see little room to budge on some of Trump's other demands, including an end to subsidies for strategic industries, a stop to forced technology transfer and more competition for state-owned enterprises. Those stipulations -- shared widely by both Republicans and Democrats alike -- are seen as posing an existential threat to the Communist Party, whose legitimacy to rule hinges on its ability to improve livelihoods. Trump has tried to portray China as an adversary on the ropes, with a falling stock market, sliding currency and slowing economy. It's certainly true that the U.S. economy is far stronger than China's. But in Beijing, there is general confidence that in a test of wills between the two presidents, it's Xi -- who doesn't have to worry about elections or the wrath of special interest groups -- who can endure more pain. China has also hinted there are ways to turn up the pressure on Trump, if necessary. Tariffs on automobiles, semiconductors and Boeing airplanes aren't off the table, according to Wei Jianguo, a former vice commerce minister and now vice director of China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a group with a mission to "improve China's soft power." While China is dependent on U.S. chips to make high-performance mobile devices and can't completely cut ties with Boeing, it served as the second-largest market for American-made cars after Canada. "If you want to hit Trump hard, give him a right hook so he remembers the pain," Wei said. The instinct to fight back comes naturally to China. The "Century of Humiliation'' that followed the Opium Wars in the mid-1800s -- in which foreign powers forced China to open its markets and provide access to strategic ports -- is etched on the national psyche and used in Communist Party propaganda to spur nationalism. Nearly everyone interviewed in Beijing was looking ahead to the mid-term elections in the U.S. to see where things go next. While Standard Bank predicted on Aug. 15 that Trump would look to cut a deal before then to ride a stock-market surge to victory, the consensus in China saw a higher chance of a deal if the Republicans get walloped, as polls predict. China announced on Thursday that lower-level talks were set to resume later this month. "We're talking to China, they very much want to talk," Trump said Thursday at a cabinet meeting at the White House. "They just are not able to give us an agreement that is acceptable, so we're not going to do any deal until we get one that's fair to our country." Next to nobody is betting on a quick resolution. While Trump could tactically shift course at any time -- similar to what he's done with Nafta, the European Union and North Korea -- with China he's persistently ignored opportunities to lower tensions. "The U.S. and China are now in the most dangerous period in the past 40 years," said Lu Xiang, an expert in relations between the countries at the government-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Mr. Trump put a knife on our neck. We will never surrender." A day after his pregnant wife and two daughters vanished, Christopher Watts stood in his front yard and faced the parade of news cameras with uniform solemnity. "I came home and walked in the house and nothing. Just vanished," the 33-year-old husband and father told Denver 7 ABC on Tuesday. "It just seems like I'm living in a nightmare and I can't get out of it," he told KUSA-NBC, as officers from the Frederick Police Department led search dogs through the family's 4,000-square-foot house. "In my heart I believe she is somewhere, and I hope she is safe," Watts told Fox 31 the same day, while dogs barked in the house behind him. There were no interviews the next day. Shortly before midnight, police returned to the house, quietly arrested Watts and began hauling trash bags out the front door. Now the same TV stations that had interviewed the father are reporting that he has been jailed on charges of murder, and his family is dead. Earlier in the week, when there seemed to be some hope of a happy ending, idyllic photos of the family plastered the news: 4-year-old Bella, her younger sister Celeste, Christopher and his wife, Shanann, who was in her second trimester with the newest Watts member. "She would take the kids to the pool, and he would always take them in a little wagon," a neighbor in the subdivision told KUSA. "We were always impressed by his doting over them and how much he appeared to love them." Their life, however, wasn't apparently perfect. Two years after buying their $400,000 house in 2013, the Wattses filed for bankruptcy. They were drowning in a mortgage and more than $50,000 in credit card debt, bankruptcy court documents show. His paycheck from an oil and gas company and hers from a children's hospital weren't nearly enough. But they resolved the bankruptcy: A deal was struck with the creditors, they stayed in the house and the family kept growing. This month, Shanann took a trip to Arizona to see her family and attend a conference for her new occupation, marketing a "lifestyle system" called Thrive. "Everyone have an amazing day and absolutely fantastic month!" she wrote on Facebook before leaving. It's unclear if the girls went too, or stayed home with their dad. KDVR reported that a friend picked Shanann Watts up at the airport when she flew home on Monday, dropped her off at home about 2 a.m. and never saw her again. Another friend called police after Shanann missed a doctor's appointment that morning, then didn't answer her door, ABC11 reported. By Tuesday, state investigators and the FBI had joined the search. Posters of the family were being handed out to drivers around the neighborhood as Watts stepped into his driveway to tell the reporters what it felt like to find out they were missing. "I was blowing through stoplights. I was blowing through everything just trying to get home as fast as I can, because none of this made sense," he told KUSA. He said he had left the house for work shortly after 5 a.m. on Monday - just a few hours after his wife came home from the airport. "I texted her a few times, called her, but she never got back to me," he told Denver 7. He figured she was just busy, he said. Only after one of Shanann's friends called him and said she wasn't at the house did he begin to worry. "Just vanished," Watts said. "Nothing was here. I mean she wasn't here. The kids weren't here. Nobody was here." Watts wanted to drive around looking for them, he said, but police told him it wouldn't do any good. All he could do was sit in his house or stand in his yard, listening to police dogs bark while he described his emotions. "Last night, I had every light in the house on," he told Denver7. "I was hoping I would just get ran over by the kids, running through the door and just, like, barrel rushing me. But it didn't happen." He paused a moment. "I mean the kids are my life," he said. "I mean, those smiles light up my life. And just, like, I mean, last night, when they usually eat dinner, it was like, I miss them. I miss telling them, 'Hey, you gotta eat that or you're not gonna get your dessert.' I miss that. I miss them, you know, cuddled up on their couches. They have like a Minnie Mouse couch and Sofia couch that they cuddle up on and watch Bubble Guppies, or something. And to just, like, you know, I was cr - it was." He sighed. "It was tearing me apart last night." There was another pause as Denver7's videographer shifted the angle. "This might be a tough question," the reporter asked, "but did you guys get into, like, an argument before she left?" "It wasn't an argument," Watts said quickly. "We got into a conversation, but I'll leave it at that." And then he talked some more about how much he missed them. This interview, and others like it, played over the news through the afternoon and into Wednesday. A few oddities about the search began to leak out. Shanann's friends said her phone, keys and wallet had all been found in the house, ABC11 reported. Her car was still in the garage, per NBC News. No one who knew her said she was the type to just pick up and leave. Late that afternoon, Frederick police held a short news conference. "There is a lot at stake here, and we are exploring all avenues to not rule anything out," a spokesman said. After dark, more police vehicles began to show up at the Watts house. Reporters photographed officers taking bags of evidence out and towing a pickup away. Things became clearer on Thursday morning. At a terse new conference in the late morning, flanked by police and FBI agents, Colorado Bureau of Investigations Director John Camper announced "absolutely the worst possible outcome anybody could imagine." "We've recovered a body we're quite certain is Shanann Watts," he said. "We have strong reason to believe we know where bodies of the children are." Their father was now officially a "suspect," he said. His arrest warrant had been sealed by court order, and he remained jailed on three counts of evidence tampering and three counts of first-degree murder. He had a bond hearing set for Thursday afternoon, and the district attorney's office is now reviewing whether to bring formal charges by Monday. Officials said what they believe to be Shanann Watts' body was found at a property belonging to Anadarko Petroleum, an oil company where Christopher Watts once worked, ABC11 reported. And Thursday evening authorities announced that two bodies believed to be the children were found nearby. Investigators released almost no other details about the killings or what made them suspect Watts, citing the need to protect an investigation that was only just beginning. It's unclear if Watts has a lawyer, and his wife's family could not be reached for comment. But a relative sent a statement to CBS4: "It is with deep hurt, confusion and anger to confirm our beautiful cousin Shanann Watts, her unborn child, and her two angelic daughters, Bella (4), Celeste (3) were viciously murdered by husband Chris Watts; who confessed to the killings," it reads. The family's house now sits unoccupied. In the same yard where Watts had spoke of his hopes and fears hours earlier, a memorial of crosses and stuffed bears lie in the grass. WESTPORT The number of gun permits given to town residents has risen exponentially over the last decade. In 2001, the Westport police issued 26 gun permits, one permit per applicant. Ten years later, in 2011, the number of gun permits approved by Westport police nearly doubled, to 49 permits, which signified a consistent increase in the number of gun permits approved for town residents over the decade. Five years later, in 2016, the department again saw an increase in gun permit applications and approved 99 permits that year. In 2017, the department approved 102 permits and the number of approved permits for 2018 is trending to be above 100, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said. A lot of the climb has to do with elections and whos coming in to be President. In 2008, we had 23 permits and then in 2009, when it changed from Bush to Obama, there was 72, Koskinas said. In total, 1,200 Westport residents have gun permits, which represents 0.49 percent of the total gun owners in the state, Koskinas said. The weapons vary all over the place. We have everything from antiques to high-powered rifles to military grade weapons, such as AR-15 rifles, Koskinas added. The semi-automatic rifles causing havoc in school shootings are military weapons, Koskinas said. As of Oct. 10, 2017, Westport gun permit-holders had 6,741 registered firearms, but that number has now grown to over 7,000 registered firearms, Koskinas added. To get a gun permit residents must first apply with the local police chief and if they receive local approval, can apply for a permit with the state firearms unit, which has final approval, Mike Lawlor, state Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning, said. You have to go through an extensive national background check, at least six hours of firearm training, and then you can be denied if youre not a, quote, suitable person, which is not defined but generally speaking people who have engaged in conduct that is not necessary illegal, such as being a habitual drunk or leaving guns around, but things that in and of themselves demonstrate you are not a suitable person to have a gun, Lawlor said. Permit-holders can get their permit revoked if they are committed to a mental hospital, are convicted of a crime, or get served a restraining order or exhibit any other law-abiding or irresponsible behavior, Lawlor said. Connecticut has one of the tightest gun permitting systems in the country. Its a system thats very comprehensive and it works, because we have one of the lowest rates of firearm deaths in the country, Lawlor said. Westport has no gun ranges or gun stores, Westport police Officer David Baxter confirmed. Despite residents relative safety from gun violence compared to other states, town Board of Education (BOE) Member Candice Savin said at the Aug. 1 Board of Finance meeting that the number of gun permits in town makes her scared for Westport students. I was very alarmed to learn of the enormous number of gun permits in Westport, Savin said, adding, It makes me feel concerned about the access kids who are disturbed or influenced by the larger culture have to these weapons. Savin, along with her fellow BOE member, unanimously recommended the finance board fund two police officers to be housed at Westports middle schools. The BOE says the officers can protect against gun violence in the schools, but the finance board voted against funding the officers. A proposal to fund the officers will likely again come before the BOF at its Sept. 5 meeting, First Selectman Jim Marpe, a proponent of funding the officers, said. Books on the run from Somerset County libraries to just about anywhere One of my earliest and most vivid memories is watching television as election results were announced on Doordarshan after the general elections of 1996. The Narasimha Rao-led Congress government was widely expected to lose power and I found myself fascinated by the bar graphs and charts that were coloured in, now that I think about it, positively psychedelic colours! Loquacious, articulate, avuncular: Atal Bihari Vajpayee interviewed by journalist Rajat Sharma. (Image: Screengrab/YouTube) For me, the party of choice was the BJP despite the fact that almost all of the politicians in my extended family owed an allegiance to the Congress. The reason for my choice was Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I remembered an interview that he gave to journalist Rajat Sharma a few months before the elections. He was loquacious, but articulate too and somehow came across as quite avuncular. In this respect, he was quite unlike the taciturn and morose incumbent Prime Minister. I also remember listening to his speech on the no-confidence motion which was the first time that proceedings apart from Zero Hour were telecast on Doordarshan. As it turned out, Vajpayeejis eloquence could not win the day on the floor of the House and the BJP government could not last for more than thirteen days in power. Standing out: Atal Bihari Vajpayees epic 1996 speech in Lok Sabha against a no-confidence motion. (Image: Screengrab/YouTube) What followed were two anodyne years under HK Deve Gowda first and then, Inder Kumar Gujral. In 1998, Atalji was sworn in again, this time at the head of a disparate coalition of seventeen parties, which was quite ironic as he had perhaps apocryphally described the previous United Front Government as a Bhanumati kaa Kunbaa.Be that as it may, the nuclear tests took place in 1998 and the political and diplomatic trajectory of the subcontinent was altered forever. Pokhran push: PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee with George Fernandes and APJ Abdul Kalam after the bold nuclear tests in 1998. (Photo: Reuters) As an eleven-year-old, I did remember a lot of older people lamenting the same and making doomsday predictions about the damage all of this would cause to Indias economy since sanctions were almost inevitably going to follow. As it turned out, their fears were misplaced and Indias economy progressed fine. All of us born around the mid-80s and afterwards are children of liberalisation and a consequently stronger Indian economy and polity. Although the darbaari historians of the Congress party like to tell us that the process of economic liberalisation was ushered in by Dr Manmohan Singh, the truth, as attested to by Vinay Sitapati in Half-Lion: How PV Narasimha Rao Transformed India, his biography of PV Narasimha Rao, is that the party and the government both lost their stomach for further economic reforms post-1994. Untold history: Congress historians often credit Manmohan Singh, and not PV Narasimha Rao for ushering in economic liberalisation. (Credit: Twitter) In stark contrast, Atalji stood up to the opposition that emanated from within his own ideological parivar, including the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh as well as the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and pressed ahead with economic reforms. When he demitted office in 2004, after a shock defeat in the general elections, which owed primarily to the fickle vicissitudes of regional politics in Andhra Pradesh rather than a dip in the incumbents own popularity, the economy was in rude health and the fundamentals were in some ways even better than they are now. However, the crowning achievement of the Vajpayee years was the victory in Kargil. Crowning achievement: Indian soldiers celebrating victory after the 1999 Kargil War. (Credit: India Today) In many ways, the aforementioned victory was what altered Indias self-image as a nation for good. It literally was a cathartic moment. I remember rifling through the pages of India Today and reading stories about twenty-somethings from ethnic groups that had historically fraught relationships with the Indian Union, including Nagas and even some former ULFA cadres, joining the Indian Army to defend the country on the icy heights of Kargil. Over the course of six years, despite the fact that there was opposition to peace with Pakistan from within his own party, Atalji reached out to Pakistan thrice. As a matter of fact, the peace process initiated by him was concretised in the form of the eponymous Four-Point Formula towards the end of Pervez Musharrafs tenure. Even in Jammu and Kashmir, Ataljis spontaneous invocation of the spirit of Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat and Insaniyat is remembered fondly. Although he was not a multiple-term Prime Minister except for in the most technical sense of the phrase, the magnitude of his legacy is quite humongous. Even in terms of infrastructure building, UPA 1 and 2 were both unable to match him. One in fact wonders how much more he would have achieved if he was not hamstrung by the constraints of alliance politics. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was on the watch of this soft-spoken but firm poet-politician that India finally took its first steps towards carving out its own niche in the comity of nations and thereby winning a place on the global high table. History shall remember him quite fondly. Also read: From Y2K to Rafale: Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a man of progress and science Fitbit, Inc., a technology company, provides health solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers a line of devices, including Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Inspire, Fitbit Inspire HR, and Fitbit Ace 2 activity trackers; Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa family of smartwatches, as well as Fitbit Flyer wireless headphones and the Fitbit Aria family of connected scales; and accessories, such as bands and frames for its devices. It also offers Fitbit online dashboard and mobile apps that sync automatically with and display real-time data from its wearable devices; and Fitbit Care, a connected health platform for health plans, employers, and health systems. In addition, the company provides Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service that uses the data of users to deliver actionable guidance and coaching to help users achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as includes Fitbit Coach that offers exercise programs through personal trainer and yoga apps. It sells its products through consumer electronics and specialty, e-commerce, mass merchant, department store, club, and sporting goods and outdoors retailers; wireless carriers; distributors; and Fitbit.com, an online store, as well as directly to consumers. Fitbit, Inc. has a collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute and Stanford Medicine to study the role of wearables to detect, track, and contain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.; and partnership with Solera Health to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. The company was formerly known as Healthy Metrics Research, Inc. and changed its name to Fitbit, Inc. in October 2007. Fitbit, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Read More American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. ConocoPhillips engages in the exploration, production, transportation and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas on a worldwide basis. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska; Lower 48; Canada; Europe, Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Other International. The Alaska segment primarily explores for produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment is comprised of oil sands development in the Athabasca Region of northeastern Alberta and a liquids-rich unconventional play in western Canada. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations and exploration activities in Norway, the United Kingdom and Libya. The Asia Pacific segment has explorations and product operations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. The Other International segment handles exploration activities in Columbia and Argentina. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Ad Tradesmith Man Who Predicted 2008 Crash: The Mother of All Crashes is Coming Michael Burry was one of the few who profited from the 2008 crash. He made $750 million for his investors and $100 personally. Now he's warning the "mother of all crashes" is coming. If you have any money in the markets, I urge you to click here and get the exact day of the next stock market crash. Wall Street analysts have given Bonmarche 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 Bonmarche wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Pearson: AEL (S) PTE Limited, ATI Professional Development LLC, Addison Wesley Longman Inc., Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., Aldwych Finance Limited, Americas Choice Inc., Atkey Finance Limited, Author Solutions, Axis Finance Inc., CAMSAWUSA Inc., CTI Education Group (Pty) Limited, Camsaw Inc., Casapsi Livraria e Editora Ltda, Centro Cultural Americano Franquias e Comercio Ltda., Century Consultants Ltd., Certiport, Certiport China Co Ltd, Certiport China Holding LLC, Certiport Inc., Cogmed Systems AB, Connections Academy of Arkansas LLC, Connections Academy of Florida LLC, Connections Academy of Iowa LLC, Connections Academy of Maine LLC, Connections Academy of Maryland LLC, Connections Academy of Minnesota LLC, Connections Academy of Missouri LLC, Connections Academy of Nevada LLC, Connections Academy of New Jersey LLC, Connections Academy of New Mexico LLC, Connections Academy of New York LLC, Connections Academy of Oregon LLC, Connections Academy of Pennsylvania LLC, Connections Academy of Tennessee LLC, Connections Academy of Texas LLC, Connections Education Inc., Connections Education LLC, Connections Education of Florida LLC, Dominie Press Inc., Dorian Finance Limited, Dorling Kindersley Australasia Pty Limited, EBNT Canada Holdings ULC, EBNT Holdings Limited, EBNT USA Holdings Inc., Edexcel Limited, Edexcel South Africa Pty Ltd, Education Development International plc, Education Resources (Cyprus) Limited, Educational Management Group Inc., Educational Publishers LLP, Embanet ULC, Embanet-Compass Knowledge Group Inc., EmbanetCompass, Embankment Finance Limited, English Language Learning and Instruction System Inc., Escape Studios Limited, FBH Inc., Falstaff Holdco Inc., Falstaff Inc., GED Domains LLC, GED Testing Service LLC, George (Shanghai) Commercial Information Consulting Co. Ltd, Global Education, Global George I Limited, Global George II Limited, GlobalEnglish, Globe Fearon Inc., Guangzhou Crescent Software Co. Ltd, Heinemann Education Botswana (Publishers) (Proprietary) Limited, Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd, INTELLIPRO INC., Icodeon Limited, IndiaCan Education Private Limited, Integral 7 Inc., Integrated Analytics LLC, J M Solucoes Exportacao e Importacao Ltda, K12 Learning Services LLC, Kagiso Education Pty Ltd, Knowledge Analysis Technologies LLC, LCCI International Qualifications (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., LCCIEB Training Consultancy. Ltd, Learning Catalytics, LessonLab Inc., Lignum Oil Company, Linx Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Longman (Malawi) Limited, Longman Australasia Pty Ltd, Longman Group(Overseas Holdings)Limited, Longman Indochina Acquisition L.L.C., Longman Kenya Limited, Longman Mocambique Ltda, Longman Romania S.R.L., Longman Swaziland (Pty) Limited, Longman Tanzania Limited, Longman Zambia Educational Publishers Pty Ltd, Longman Zambia Limited, Longman Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Longmaned Ecuador S.A., Major123 Limited, Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Limited, MeasureUp LLC, Modern Curriculum Inc., Multi Holding, Multi Treinamento e Editora Ltda, NCS Information Technology Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, NCS Pearson Inc., NCS Pearson Pty Ltd, NCS Pearson Puerto Rico Inc., National Computer Systems Japan Co. Ltd, Ordinate Corporation, PN Holdings Inc., PT Efficient English Services, Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Pearson (Guizhou) Education Technology Co. Ltd., Pearson Affordable Learning Fund Limited, Pearson America LLC, Pearson Amsterdam B.V., Pearson Australia Finance Unlimited, Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Pty Ltd, Pearson Benelux B.V., Pearson Books Limited, Pearson Brazil Finance Limited, Pearson Business Services Inc., Pearson Canada Assessment Inc., Pearson Canada Finance Unlimited, Pearson Canada Holdings Inc, Pearson Canada Inc., Pearson Central Europe Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson College Limited, Pearson DBC Holdings Inc., Pearson Desarrollo y Capacitacion Profesional Chile Limitada, Pearson Deutschland GmbH, Pearson Digital Learning Puerto Rico Inc., Pearson Dollar Finance Two Limited, Pearson Dollar Finance plc, Pearson Educacion SA, Pearson Educacion de Chile Limitada, Pearson Educacion de Colombia S A S, Pearson Educacion de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pearson Educacion de Panama SA, Pearson Educacion de Peru S.A., Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Pearson Education Achievement Solutions (RF) (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education Asia Limited, Pearson Education Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Pearson Education Hellas SA, Pearson Education Holdings Limited, Pearson Education Inc., Pearson Education Indochina Limited, Pearson Education Investments Limited, Pearson Education Korea Limited, Pearson Education Limited, Pearson Education Namibia (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Publishing Limited, Pearson Education S.A., Pearson Education SA, Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd., Pearson Education Taiwan Ltd, Pearson Education do Brasil S.A, Pearson Educational Measurement Canada Inc., Pearson Educational Publishers LLC, Pearson Egitim Cozumleri Tikaret Limited Sirketi, Pearson Falstaff (Holdings) Inc., Pearson Falstaff Holdco LLC, Pearson France, Pearson Funding Five plc, Pearson Funding Four plc, Pearson Funding Two Limited, Pearson Holdings Inc., Pearson Holdings Southern Africa (Pty) Limited, Pearson IOKI Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson India Education Services Private Limited, Pearson India Support Services Private Limited, Pearson Institute of Higher Education, Pearson International Finance Limited, Pearson Investment Holdings Inc., Pearson Italia S.p.A, Pearson Japan KK, Pearson Lanka (Private) Limited, Pearson Learning China (HK) Limited, Pearson Lesotho (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Loan Finance No. 3 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No. 4 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No.2 Unlimited, Pearson Loan Finance Unlimited, Pearson Longman Uganda Limited, Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Pearson Management Services Limited, Pearson Management Services Philippines Inc., Pearson Maryland Inc., Pearson Netherlands B.V., Pearson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Pearson Nominees Limited, Pearson Online Tutoring LLC, Pearson Overseas Holdings Limited, Pearson PEM P.R. Inc., Pearson PRH Holdings Limited, Pearson Pension Nominees Limited, Pearson Pension Property Fund Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Services Limited, Pearson Professional Assessments Limited, Pearson Real Estate Holdings Inc., Pearson Real Estate Holdings Limited, Pearson Schweiz AG, Pearson Services Limited, Pearson Shared Services Limited, Pearson South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Strand Finance Limited, Pearson Sweden AB, Pearson VUE Philippines Inc., Pearson in Practice Holdings Limited, Pearson in Practice Skills Based Learning Limited, Pearson in Practice Technology Limited, Penguin Capital LLC, Phumelela Publishers (Pty) Ltd, ProctorCam Inc., Reading Property Holdings LLC, Rebus Planning Associates Inc., Reston Publishing Company Inc., Rycade Capital Corporation, Shanghai AWL Education Software Ltd, Silver Burdett Ginn Inc., Skylight Training and Publishing Inc., Smarthinking Inc., Sound Holdings Inc., Spear Insurance Company Limited, Stark Verlag GmbH, Sunnykey International Holdings Limited (BVI), TQ Catalis Limited, TQ Clapham Limited, TQ Education and Training Limited, TQ Global Limited, TQ Group Limited, TQ Holdings Limited, The Financial Times (I) Pvt Ltd, The Learning Edge International pty Ltd, The Waite Group Inc, Trio Parent Holdings LLC, US Learning Services LLC, USLS Holdings LLC, Virtual Nerd, Vue Testing Services Israel Ltd, Vue Testing Services Korea Limited, Wall Street Institute Kft., Williams Education GmbH, eCollege.com, and Editions Du Renouveau Pedagogique Inc.. Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides meat products and snacks, deli products, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, salads and kettle products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, muffins, breads, pastas, and baking and sushi products, as well as processed meat products. It is also involved in the distribution of food products, including meat, seafood, and halal food products, as well as operation of retail/convenience store and concessionary, and provision of food and seafood processing services. The company operates under the brand names of Harvest Meats, Hempler's, Grimm's Fine Foods, Piller's, Freybe, Isernio's, Expresco, SJ Fine Foods, McSweeney's, Made Rite, Fletcher's, Deli Chef, Belmont Meats, Conte Foods, SK Food Group, Oven Pride, Hygaard, Quality Fast Foods, HQ Fine Foods, Creekside Custom Foods, Stuyver's Bread, Bread Garden Express, Audrey's Patisserie, Duso's, Gourmet Chef, Island City Baking, Skilcor, Leadbetter's, Mclean Meats, Buddy's Kitchen, Raybern's, Partner's Crackers, Shaw Bakers, Oberto, Concord Meats, Country Prime Meats, The Meat Factory, and Golden Valley Farms. It serves chains and large format retailers, independent and specialty retailers, foodservice operators, foodservice distributors, and other food manufacturers and food brokers. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada. Read More Boyd Group Income Fund operates as an unincorporated open-ended mutual fund trust. The company, through its operating company, The Boyd Group Inc., operates non-franchised collision repair centers. Its collision repair centers offer automotive collision and glass repair, and related services. The company operates its autobody/autoglass repair and related services facilities, as well as auto glass retail facilities under the Boyd Autobody & Glass, Assured Automotive, Gerber Collision & Glass, Glass America, Auto Glass Service, Auto Glass Authority, and Autoglassonly.com trade names in the United States and Canada. Further, it provides Gerber National Claim Services, a claim administrator service, which offer glass, emergency roadside, and first notice of loss services with approximately 5,500 glass provider locations and 4,600 emergency roadside services providers. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. Read More After the resonant arrest of the CSTO Secretary General by the Armenian authorities, which came as a shocking surprise to even weathered Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Nikol Pashinyan's team has continued to take rather provocative steps towards Moscow. Yesterday, Armenia's State Revenue Committee conducted searches in the South Caucasian Railway. Documents were seized, personal belongings of employees were examined. A criminal case has been reportedly initiated in connection with 9.7 million drams of VAT fraud. This event could be attributed to rumbles, prosecutions and inspections that have already become routine after the revolution, if it wasn't for two important aspects to which attention should be drawn. First, the South Caucasus Railway is a subsidiary of the JSC Russian Railways, which is a Russian state company established in 2003 on the basis of the Russian Ministry of the Means of Communication and carrying out transport services in 77 out of 85 regions of the Russian Federation. In 2017, the Russian Railways entered the top five of Russia's largest companies, the company employs 737,000 people. That is, it is about initiating proceedings and inspecting a subsidiary of a Russian state-owned company. Second, a ridiculous amount of money, of which the Armenian authorities made the great deal and even sent special forces to the South Caucasus Railway, stands out here. We are talking about the alleged non-payment of 9.7 million drams. The figure looks impressive, but in fact it is only ... $20 thousand. That is, due to $20 thousand of possible VAT fraud, the Armenian authorities send employees of the State Revenue Committee's special forces to the Russian state-owned strategic company that annually pays $7.5 million to the Armenian treasury and invested half a billion dollars in investment. Couldn't the Armenian authorities, who swear allegiance to an alliance with Russia, discuss this issue in a more delicate way with their ally? In the beginning was the arrest of the CSTO Secretary General, now there are searches in the South Caucasus Railway. It is noteworthy that it is happening against the backdrop of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's rather harsh statement that Russia "must adapt to the new situation." Is it possible that the Armenian authorities looking forward to the Western support do not realize that tomorrow they may face a "new situation" themselves? And it is far from certain that the new Armenian government will be able to adapt to it. Oasis Petroleum Inc., an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through Exploration and Production(E&P), and Midstream segments. The E&P segment engages in the acquisition and development of oil and gas properties. The Midstream segment offers midstream services, such as natural gas gathering, compression, processing and, gas lift supply; crude oil gathering, terminaling, and transportation; produced and flowback water gathering, and disposal; and water distribution. As of December 31, 2020, the company had 401,766 net leasehold acres in the Williston Basin; and 24,396 net leasehold acres in the Permian Basin, as well as approximately 152.2 million barrels of oil equivalent of estimated net proved reserves. The company sells its crude oil and natural gas to refiners, marketers, and other purchasers that have access to pipeline and rail facilities. Oasis Petroleum Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Carnival Co. &: 1972 Productions Inc., 6348 Equipment LLC, A.C.N. 098 290 834 Pty. Ltd., A.J. Juneau Dock LLC, AIDA Kundencenter GmbH, Adventure Island Ltd., Air-Sea Holiday GmbH, Alaska Hotel Properties LLC, Barcelona Cruise Terminal SLU, Bay Island Cruise Port S.A., Belize Cruise Terminal Limited, CC U.S. Ventures Inc., CCL Gifts LLC, CSSC Carnival Italy Cruise Investment S.r.L, Carnival (UK) Limited, Carnival Bahamas FC Limited, Carnival Bahamas Holdings Limited, Carnival Corporation & plc Asia Pte. Ltd., Carnival Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Carnival Corporation Korea Ltd., Carnival Corporation Ports Group Japan KK, Carnival Finance LLC, Carnival Grand Bahama Investment Limited, Carnival Investments Limited, Carnival Japan Inc., Carnival License Holdings Limited, Carnival Maritime GmbH, Carnival North America LLC, Carnival Port Holdings Limited, Carnival Ports Inc., Carnival Support Services India Private Limited, Carnival Technical Services (UK) Limited, Carnival Technical Services Finland Limited, Carnival Technical Services GmbH, Carnival Technical Services Inc., Carnival Vanuatu Limited, Costa Crociere PTE Ltd., Costa Crociere S.p.A., Costa Cruceros S.A., Costa Cruise Lines Inc., Costa Cruise Lines UK Limited, Costa Cruises Shipping Services (Shanghai) Company Limited, Costa Cruises Travel Agency (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Costa Cruzeiros Agencia Maritima e Turismo Ltda., Costa Group Digital & Strategic Services GmbH, Costa International B.V., Costa Kreuzfahrten GmbH, Cozumel Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Creative Travel Lab Ltd., Cruise Ships Catering & Services International N.V., Cruise Terminal Services S.A. de C.V., Cruiseport Curacao C.V., D.R. Cruise Port Ltd., Ecospray Technologies S.r.L., F.P.M. SAS, F.P.P. SAS, Fleet Maritime Services (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services Holdings (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services International Limited, GXI LLC, Gibs Inc., Global Experience Innovators Inc., Global Fine Arts Inc., Global Shipping Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Grand Cruise Shipping Unipessoal LdA, Grand Turk Cruise Center Ltd., HAL Antillen N.V., HAL Beheer B.V., HAL Cruises Limited, HAL Maritime Ltd., HAL Nederland N.V., HAL Properties Limited, HAL Services B.V., HSE Hamburg School of Entertainment GmbH, Holding Division Iberocruceros SLU, Holland America Line Inc., Holland America Line N.V., Holland America Line Paymaster of Washington LLC, Holland America Line U.S.A. Inc., Ibero Cruzeiros Ltda., Iberocruceros SLU, Information Assistance Corporation, International Cruise Services S.A. de C.V., International Leisure Travel Inc., International Maritime Recruitment Agency S.A. de C.V., Milestone N.V., Navitrans S.R.L., Ocean Bahamas Innovation Ltd., Ocean Medallion Fulfillment Ltd., Operadora Catalina S.r.L., P&O Princess American Holdings, P&O Princess Cruises International Limited, P&O Princess Cruises Pension Trustee Limited, P&O Properties (California) Inc., P&O Travel Limited, Prestige Cruises Management S.A.M., Prestige Cruises N.V., Princess Bermuda Holdings Ltd., Princess Cays Ltd., Princess Cruise Corporation Inc., Princess Cruise Lines Ltd., Princess Cruises and Tours Inc., Princess U.S. Holdings Inc., RCT Maintenance & Related Services S.A., RCT Pilots & Related Services S.A., RCT Security & Related Services S.A., Roatan Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Royal Hyway Tours Inc., Santa Cruz Terminal S.L., SeaVacations Limited, SeaVacations UK Limited, Seabourn Cruise Line Limited, Shanghai Coast Cruise Consulting Co. Lda, Ship Care (Bahamas) Limited, Sitmar Cruises Inc., Spanish Cruise Services N.V., Sunshine Shipping Corporation Ltd., T&T International Inc., Tour Alaska LLC, Transnational Services Corporation, Trident Insurance Company Ltd., Westmark Hotels Inc., Westmark Hotels of Canada Ltd., Westours Motor Coaches LLC, Wind Surf Limited, and World Leading Cruise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.. The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sinnerschrader, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight Inc, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH. The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: 87 Leonard Development LLC, ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Acacia (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Accounting Solutions Holding Company Inc, Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Amber Investments S.a r.l., Ambidexter GmbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BHW Kreditservice GmbH, BNA Nominees Pty Limited, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, BTAS Cayman GP, BTD Nominees Pty Limited, Baincor Nominees Pty Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Barkly Investments Ltd., Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Biomass Holdings S.a r.l., Birch (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Blue Cork Inc, Blue Cork Inc., Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cape Acquisition Corp., CapeSuccess Inc., CapeSuccess LLC, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Career Blazers LLC, Career Blazers Management Company Inc, Career Blazers Management Company Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc, Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services of Washington D.C. Inc. Washington D.C., Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc, Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc., Carpathian Investments Designated Activity Company, Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Centennial River 2 Inc., Centennial River Corporation, Chapel Funding, Charlton (Delaware) Inc, China Recovery Fund LLC, China Recovery Fund LLC, Cinda - DB NPL Securitization Trust 2003-1, City Leasing (Thameside) Limited, City Leasing Limited, Consumo S.p.A., Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, D.B. International Delaware Inc., D.B. International Delaware Inc., DAHOC (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DAHOC Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB (Pacific) Limited, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB Abalone LLC, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Alps Corporation, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (in voluntary liquidation), DB Asset Finance I S.a r.l., DB Asset Finance II S.a r.l., DB Aster II LLC, DB Aster III LLC, DB Aster Inc., DB Aster LLC, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Investments Sarl, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Commodity Services LLC, DB Consorzio S. Cons. a r. l., DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Covered Bond S.r.l., DB Credit Investments S.a r.l., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Commodities Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Enfield Infrastructure Holdings Limited, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance International GmbH, DB Ganymede 2006 L.P., DB Global Markets Multi-Strategy Fund I Ltd., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holding Fundo de Investimento Multimercado Investimento no Exterior Credito Privado, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (South America) Limited, DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Immobilienfonds 1 Wieland KG, DB Immobilienfonds 2 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 4 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG, DB Impact Investment (GP) Limited, DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB Io LP, DB Litigation Fee LLC, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Managers LLC, DB Municipal Holdings LLC, DB Nexus American Investments (UK) Limited (in members'voluntary liquidation), DB Nexus Investments (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios Interactivos Agrupacion de Interes Economico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB PWM, DB Portfolio Southwest Inc., DB Print GmbH, DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB RC Holdings LLC, DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Finance 1 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Finance 2 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Holdings Luxembourg S.a r.l., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB U.S. Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a r.l., DB Value S.a r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita S.A., DBAB Wall Street LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBCIBZ2, DBFIC Inc., DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBOI Global Services Private Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management IA Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management US IB L.L.C., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUKH No. 2 Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBX Advisors LLC, DBX ETF Trust, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC, DBO Vermogensverwertung GmbH, DEBEKO Immobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUFRAN Beteiligungs GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK A.S., DG China Clean Tech Partners, DI Deutsche Immobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DIB-Consult Deutsche Immobilien- und BeteiligungsBeratungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DNU Nominees Pty Limited, DSL Portfolio GmbH & Co. KG, DSL Portfolio Verwaltungs GmbH, DTS Nominees Pty Limited, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, De Heng Asset Management Company Limited, De Meng Innovative (Beijing) Consulting Company Limited, DeAM Infrastructure Limited, Deloraine Spain S.L., Delowrezham de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (Mauritius) Limited Port, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (France) SAS, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, Deutsche Asset Management S.A., Deutsche Asset Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (Chile), Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anonima Institucion Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Bauspar-Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance LLC I, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance Trust I, Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency of Delaware, Deutsche Bank International Limited, Deutsche Bank Investments (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Deposits, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Note Programme, Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company Los, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao Sao, Deutsche Bank SPEARs/LIFERs Series DBE-8011 Trust, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Services (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Societa per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Management Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Colombia S.A.S., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 1 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 2 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 3 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 4 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankterHaftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Deutsche Holdings (Malta) Ltd., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche Immobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Inversiones Dos S.A., Deutsche Inversiones Limitada, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mandatos S.A., Deutsche Master Funding Corporation, Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a r.l., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Public Limited Company, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC I, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC II, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC III, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Deutsche Securities S.A., Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Securities SpA, Deutsche Securities Venezuela S.A., Deutsche Securitisation Australia Pty Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trust Company Limited Japan, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsches Institut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.I., Elba Finance GmbH, Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, Emerald Asset Repackaging Designated Activity Company, Erste Frankfurter Hoist GmbH, European Value Added I (Alternate G.P.) LLP, Exinor SA, FARAMIR Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH, FRANKFURT CONSULT GmbH, Fiduciaria Sant' Andrea S.r.L., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Franz Urbig- und Oscar Schlitter-Stiftung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-037, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-039, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-040, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-041, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-043, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-044, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-047, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., G.O. IB-US Management L.L.C., G918 Corp., GAC-HEL Inc., GWC-GAC Corp., Galene S.a r.l., Gemini Technology Services Inc., German American Capital, German American Capital Corporation, Gladyr Spain S.L., Global Markets Fundo de Investimento Multimercado, Global Markets III Fundo de Investimento Multimercado - Credito, Greenwood Properties Corp., Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer Landstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Kerpen-Sindorf Vogelrutherfeld GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Leipzig Petersstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Wiesbaden Luisenstrae/Kirchgasse GbR, HTB Spezial GmbH & Co. KG, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, IOS Finance EFC S.A., ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, Immobilienfonds Mietwohnhauser Quadrath-Ichendorf GbR, Immobilienfonds Wohn- und Geschaftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul Inkasso GmbH, Kradavimd UK Lease Holdings Limited, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Latitude Australia Secured Personal Loans Trust, Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo III Initial GP Limited, Lindsell Finance Limited, London Industrial Leasing Limited, MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MHL Reinsurance Ltd., MIT Holdings Inc., MIT Holdings Inc., MPP Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Securities Corp., Motion Picture Productions One GmbH & Co. KG, NCW Holding Inc., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., New 87 Leonard LLC, Nordwestdeutscher Wohnungsbautrager Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentre", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Holding GmbH, OPB-Nona GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPB-Quinta GmbH, OPB-Septima GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM Flottenfonds V GmbH & Co. KG, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, OPS Nominees Pty Limited, OVT Trust 1 GmbH, OVV Beteiligungs GmbH, Opal Funds (Ireland) Public Limited Company, PADUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, PARTS Funding LLC., PB Factoring GmbH, PB Firmenkunden AG, PB International S.A., PB Spezial-Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PBC Banking Services GmbH, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, PT. Deutsche Verdhana Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Peruda Leasing Limited, Plantation Bay Inc., Plantation Bay Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Immobilien GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH & Co. Objekt Leipzig KG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank Service GmbH, Postbank Systems AG, QR Tower 2 LLC, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, REO Properties Corporation, RREEF, RREEF America L.L.C., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisors Private Limited, RREEF Management L.L.C., RTS Nominees Pty Limited, Reference Capital Investments Limited, RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables LLC, Route 28 Receivables LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SCUDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SEDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SENA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Kamenz KG, SIFA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SOLIDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SP Mortgage Trust, SPINO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SPV I Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, SPV II Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, STATOR Heizkraftwerk Frankfurt (Oder) Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim Alternative Investments GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. AG & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Komplementar AG, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Service Company Four Limited, Sharps SP I LLC, Singer Island Tower Suite LLC, Somkid Immobiliare S.r.l., Stelvio Immobiliare S.r.l., Structured Finance Americas LLC, Structured Finance Americas LLC, Swabia 1. Vermogensbesitz-GmbH, Suddeutsche Vermogensverwaltung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, TAKIR Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TELO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, TEMATIS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TERRUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Halle I KG i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nordhausen I KG i.L., TOSSA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRIPLA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRS Aria LLC, TRS Leda LLC, TRS Maple II LTD, TRS Oak II LTD, TRS SVCO LLC, TRS Scorpio LLC, TRS Tupelo II LTD, TRS Venor LLC, TRS Walnut II LTD, Tagus - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Tasfiye Halinde Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Tianjin Deutsche AM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Limited, UKE Beteiligungs-GmbH, UKE Grundstucksgesellschaft mbH, UKE s.r.o., Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksgesellschaft Kirchnerstrae GbR, Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft Disternich GbR, Ullmann Ullmann Krockow Krockow Esch GbR, VCJ Lease S.a r.l., Vesta Real Estate S.r.l., VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WEPLABeteiligungsgesellschaftmbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., Whale Holdings S.a r.l., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., World Trading(Delaware)Inc., Zumirez Drive LLC, db PBC, and norisbank GmbH. The following companies are subsidiares of Archer-Daniels-Midland: ADM (Shanghai) Management Co. LTD, ADM (Thailand) Ltd, ADM Ag Holdings Ltd, ADM Agri-Industries Company, ADM Agriculture Limited, ADM Agro Iberica S. L. U., ADM Agro Indust Latur and Vizag Pvt Ltd, ADM Agro Industries India Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries KOTA and AKOLA Pvt. Ltd., ADM Agro SRL, ADM Agroinvestimentos LTDA, ADM Alliance Nutrition of Puerto Rico LLC, ADM Americas S de RL, ADM Andina Peru SRL, ADM Antwerp NV, ADM Arkady Ireland Limited, ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. Ltd., ADM Australia Holdings I PTY Limited, ADM Bio Science And Technology (Tianjin) Co Ltd, ADM Bioproductos SA DE CV, ADM CZERNIN SA, ADM Caribbean Inc, ADM Chile Comercial LTDA, ADM Clinton Bioprocessing Inc, ADM DO Brasil LTDA, ADM Direct Polska SP. ZO.O, ADM Dominican Holdings Inc., ADM Dominicana SA, ADM Edible Bean Specialties Inc, ADM Europe HoldCo SL, ADM European Holdings LLC, ADM European Management Holding GMBH, ADM Export Co, ADM Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ADM France, ADM Germany GmbH, ADM Grain River System Inc., ADM Hamburg Aktiengesesllschaft, ADM Holding (Thailand) LTD, ADM Holdings LLC, ADM Hungary Agro Trading LLC, ADM Industries Centers Ltd, ADM International Holdings Inc, ADM International SARL, ADM Interoceanic LTD, ADM Investments LTD, ADM Investor Services Inc, ADM Investor Services International LTD, ADM Ireland Receivables Company Limited, ADM Israel, ADM Japan Ltd, ADM MALBORK SA, ADM Mainz GMBH, ADM Medsofts Sarl, ADM Mexico Inc, ADM Mexico SA DE CV, ADM Milling Co, ADM Milling LTD, ADM New Zealand Limited, ADM Olomouc S.R.O., ADM Paraguay SRL, ADM Protexin Limited, ADM Pura Limited, ADM Receivables LLC, ADM Rice Inc, ADM Ringaskiddy Unlimited Company, ADM Romania Logistics SRL, ADM Romania Trading SRL, ADM Specialty Ingredients - Europe BV, ADM Spyck GMBH, ADM Szamotuly SP Z O.O, ADM Trading Australia Pty. Ltd., ADM Trading Co, ADM Transportation Company, ADM Trucking Inc, ADM Vietnam CO. LTD, ADM WILD Europe GmbH and Co. KG, ADM WILD Ingredients GmbH, ADM WILD Nauen GmbH, ADM WILD Valencia S.A., ADM Wild Netherlands BV, ADM Worldwide Holdings LP, ADMIS Holding Co Inc., ADMIS Hong Kong LTD, ADMIS Singapore Pte Limited, AOR, AT Holdings II Company, Agri Port Services Investments Ltd., Agri Port Services LLC, Agricolas Madagascar SARLU, Agrinational Insurance Co, Agriserve, Agrograin LTD, Alfrebro LLC, Alfred C Toepfer International Netherlands BV, Alimenta USA, American River Transportation Company LLC, Ameriseed, Amylum Bulgaria EAD, Amylum Nisasta Sanayi Ve Ticarek Anonim Sirketi, Archer Daniels Midland (UK) Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Asia Pacific Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Erith LTD, Archer Daniels Midland Europe BV, Archer Daniels Midland Europoort BV, Archer Daniels Midland Nederland BV, Archer Daniels Midland Singapore PTE LTD, Arinos Unlimited, Aston Foods & Food Ingredients, Balanceados Nova SA Balnova, Barbados Mills Limited, Bela Vista Bio Etanol Participacoes LTDA, Bern Aqua, BioPolis SL, Biopolis, Campa Sued GmbH & Co KG, Cattleman's Choice Loomix LLC, Chamtor, Ci ADM Colombia Ltda., Controladora ADM Sa De Cv, Crosswind Petfoods Inc., Daavision BV, Eaststarch, Eatem Corporation, Eatem Foods, Elstar Oils, English River Pellets Inc., Epicore Bionetworks INC, Epicore Networks (USA) INC, Erich Ziegler GmbH, Evialis France, Fasco Mills Co., Filozoo SRL, Florida Chemical, Florida Chemical Company LLC, GP Blanching Inc., Global Cocoa Holdings LTD, Golden Peanut Company LLC, Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Seed SA (PTY) LTD, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts SA, Group Lysac, Guyomarc'h - VCN Company Limited, Guyomarc'h Vietnam CO LTD, HFR Shipping Company Ltd, HRA Shipping Company Ltd, HTI Shipping Company Ltd, Harvest Innovations, Hilltop Grain and Feed, Holding P and A Asia Company Limited, Hubei Meiweiyuan Biotechnology, Ilitchevskiy Maslo Extractionniy Zavod (IMEZ), Invivo NSA Asia PTE LTD, Invivo NSA Philippines Inc, Jamaica Flour Mills Limited, Julius Meijer-Alpharma BV, LLC ADM Ukraine, Liquid Feed Commodities, Malta Industries SA de CV, Malta-Texo De Mexico SA de CV, Master Mix of Trinidad LTD, Medsofts Investment Co, Medsofts L.L.C., Medsofts Trading Co, Mepla Comercio e Navegacao Ltda, NRG Inc, Naviera Chaco SRL, Neovia, Neovia Latina SL, Neovia Nutricao E Saude Animal LTDA, North Star Shipping S.R.L., P and A Marketing SA, PJSC ADM Illichivsk, PT Wirifa Sakti, Pancosma (Shanghai) Feed Additives CO LTD, Pancosma France SAS, Pancosma SA, Premiere Agri Technologies of Mexico Inc, Pura Foods LTD, Rodelle Inc., Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann, Sermix, Setna Nutricion SA, Societe Industrielle Des Oleagineux, Southern Cellulose Products Inc, Soy Investors LLC, Specialty Commodities, Specialty Commodities LLC, Sul Mineira Alimentos LTDA, SzSzV Kft, Toepfer International, Toepfer International Trading (Shanghai) Co. LTD., Vantage Corn Processors LLC, WILD Amazon Flavors Ltda, WILD Flavors, Wild Flavors Inc., Wild Flavors International GmbH, Wild Flavors Singapore Pte. Ltd., Wild Intermare GmbH, Wild Russia LLC, and Wisium SA (PTY) LTD. Oshkosh Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and market of specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies. It operates through the following segments: Access Equipment, Defense, Fire & Emergency, and Commercial. The Access Equipment segment consists of JerrDan and JLG, which manufactures aerial work platforms; and telehandlers that are used in construction, industrial, institutional, and general maintenance applications to position workers and materials at elevated heights. The Defense segment produces tactical wheeled vehicles; and supply parts and services for the United States military and other militaries around the world. The Fire and Emergency segment sells commercial and custom fire vehicles; simulators and emergency vehicles primarily for fire departments, airports and other governmental units; and broadcast vehicles for broadcasters and television stations. The Commercial segment includes McNeilus, CON-E-CO, London, Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc (IMT), and Oshkosh Commercial. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI. Read More 1. We had an early start today, left hotel at 7:35 am, arrived at Ephesus around 8 am when they opened. 2. Ephesus. 3. Ephesus. 4. Ephesus. 5. Public toilets near the Library of Celcius. 6. Public toilets near the Library of Celcius. 7. Library of Celcius. 8. Advertisement for a Roman brothel. 9. Terrace Houses. 10. Terrace Houses. 11. Terrace Houses. 12. Terrace Houses. 13. Terrace Houses. 14. Terrace Houses. 15. Ephesus from Terrace Houses exit. 16. Theatre with a seating capacity of 24,000. This was the site of a mass riot in which St. Paul's life was threatened by the silversmiths of Ephesus for his preaching against the cult of Artemis (Acts 19: 21-41). 17. Theatre. 18. Harbour street from the theatre. In ancient time Ephesus had a natural harbour at the end of the street. 19. Looking back at the theatre from Harbour street. 20. House of the Virgin Mary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Virgin_Mary). It is believed by some that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there for the remainder of her earthly life. 21. House of the Virgin Mary. 22. Ephesus Archaeological Museum at Selcuk. 23. Ephesus Archaeological Museum at Selcuk. 24. Ephesus Archaeological Museum at Selcuk. 25. Ephesus Archaeological Museum at Selcuk. 26. Temple of Artemis site at Selcuk. It is pretty sad to see there is hardly anything left from Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (To be continued) I was inspired by the recent interview of Olzhas Suleimenov (he is introduced there as a "historian, linguist, Slavicist, turkologist, poet", which is true) to the Israeli weekly 'Okna', where he repeats the common misconception that "the Latin alphabet of the Soviet Turks appeared in imitation of the Turks." In fact, things were different: the Turkic peoples of the USSR, including the New Turkey,got the Latin alphabet in Soviet Baku, at the Universal Turkic Congress in the late 1920s. And this might sound odd, but the initiators of the transition from the Arabic script to the Latin alphabet were the Russian orientalists who believed that the adoption of the Cyrillic by the Turks, and there were such cases in imperial Russia, could be perceived as a continuation of the old colonial policy of the czarist regime, an evidence of assimilation. Paradoxically, they even thought in the Soviet Union, for a very short time though, to switch to the Latin alphabet from the Russian Cyrillic alphabet, in order to ... speed up the "world revolution," which the Bolshevik leaders were crazy about, choosing the strategy and tactics of the forcible export of the revolution worldwide throughout the following Soviet years. But Turkey and the Turkic peoples of the USSR went in different ways: after a little more than ten years, the Latin decree from above was abolished in the USSR with the replacement of the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. Turkey, as a result of rejection of the Arabic script (and the abolition of the caliphate) and the adoption of the Latin alphabet, became rapidly Europeanized, becoming a secular state, which was also facilitated by the gradual, but increasingly accelerated replacement of Arabic words, amounting to one-third of the vocabulary of Turkic languages, with Turkic words or largely by neologisms, as a result of which the percentage of native Turkic words in Turkey amounted to 70% by the end of the 1960s (the process, largely artificial, is now suspended). Due to ideological reasons, contacts with the Turkish language - and with Turkey in general - were forbidden in the Soviet Union, and even the use of Turkish neologisms by Soviet Turks (in particular, Azerbaijanis), largely successful and appropriate to the nature of the language, was punished as a manifestation of nationalism or Pan-Turkism. Turkic languages and peoples were increasingly coming under the influence of the Russian language in terms of style and vocabulary, while the replacement of Turkic words by the Russian ones was viewed as a manifestation of internationalism, the interaction of "related" languages with each other was replaced by the connection of each language only with the Russian. Today, the Turkic languages of sovereign states (judging by Azerbaijan) under conditions of free development on their own basis, interaction with other Turkic languages, and, first of all, with the Turkish language, have been given an opportunity for comprehensive enrichment. Along with this, the process of forming a vivid and original Russian-language creativity among representatives of non-Russian peoples - these are the positive aspects of assimilation - is underway, and not in the third or fourth generations, as Pushkin or Lermontov, but already in the second generation in the 20th century there were foreign masters who, along with ethnic Russians, develop great Russian literature. So many names here - not only Olzhas Suleimenov, but also many others, it's easy to start, but it's difficult to stop - Osip Mandelstam, Joseph Brodsky, Chingiz Aitmatov, Fazil Iskander, Vasil Bykov, Bulat Okudzhava, Timur Zulfikarov, Ion Druta, Friedrich Gorenstein ... The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. TelefAnica Brasil S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides mobile and fixed telecommunications services to residential and corporate customers in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, and 4.5G, as well as mobile value-added services and wireless roaming services. The company also offers data services, including broadband and mobile data services. In addition, it provides pay TV services through direct to home satellite technology, IPTV, and cable, as well as pay-per-view and video on demand services; network services, such as rental of facilities; other services comprising internet access, private network connectivity, computer equipment leasing, extended service, caller identification, voice mail, cellular blocker, and others; wholesale services, including interconnection services to users of other network providers; and digital services, such as entertainment, cloud, and security and financial services, as well as sells wireless devices and accessories. Further, the company offers multimedia communication services, which include audio, data, voice and other sounds, images, texts, and other information, as well as sells devices, such as smartphones, broadband USB modems, and other devices. Additionally, it provides telecommunications solutions and IT support to various industries, such as retail, manufacturing, services, financial institutions, government, etc. It markets and sells its solutions through own stores, dealers, retail and distribution channels, door-to-door sales, and telesales. The company was formerly known as TelecomunicaAAes de SAo Paulo S.A. - TELESP and changed its name to TelefAnica Brasil S.A. in October 2011. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in SAo Paulo, Brazil. 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. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. 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. Turkey has been under an economic attack since last week when the United Stated imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers following the arrest of evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson. The attack was furthered with additional taxes on the Turkish import of steel and aluminum and with U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial tweets directly targeting the Turkish lira. As Turkish Daily Sabah writes in the article Economic wars and the emergence of a new chaotic world order, the tweets were sent by President Trump just as Treasury and Economy Minister Berat Albayrak was declaring the new economic model for the country. It was an apparent hostile move against the stability of the Turkish economy. Later, the night purchases of currencies led to a huge manipulation of the lira. Not complying with real economy data, the crisis immediately emerged due to great speculation. A quick glance at information such as the proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) to fiscal deficit, of public debt stock to GDP or the terms of external loans are enough to see how artificial the attack is. That Turkey was the target of an economic attack was immediately realized by world powers. Other countries, particularly Germany and Italy, reacted strongly against the crisis and made supportive statements toward the Turkish government and economy. Italy's Prime Ministry Undersecretary Giancarlo Giorgetti said "the markets are populated by hungry speculative funds that choose their prey and pounce," and added that Italy could face such an attack in the future. Similarly, the German Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier spoke on the economy war and said that the tariffs implemented on China and Turkey were unfair. Later, German Chancellor Angela Merkel highlighted that no one should have any interest in Turkey's economic destabilization. Indeed, all have been aware of the strained tensions between Ankara and Washington for a few years. There are many crises and topics waiting to be solved: The extradition of the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) leader and its members, the United States backing the outlawed PKK's Syrian wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG), the S-400 crisis, the Halkbank case, the pastor trial, the sanctions on Iran and so on. It looks like President Trump, who is already in trouble with the Muller investigation, has played a game on the Brunson issue to strengthen his power for internal purposes. Since the Erdogan administration didn't respond as positively as Trump wished, he immediately started attacking the Turkish economy by declaring sanctions. It can be said that the Turkish-U.S. partnership has entered a very chaotic period with this decision by the U.S. president and it seems that the crisis will last until the U.S. midterm elections in November. However, what's more important is that President Trump's targeting of NATO ally Turkey reveals that the international community is experiencing a deeper crisis. This new chaotic world order is evidently created by the U.S. president himself. In other worlds, it is an order that can be described as the continuation of the former Obama administration. The U.S. started ignoring world problems under the leadership of Barack Obama. As an example: President Obama made an out-of-the-box decision to support its ally Turkey's enemy, the PKK's Syrian wing, the YPG. Thanks to this controversial policy, the Middle East witnessed a rapid increase in violence from non-state armed actors. The Trump administration furthered President Obama's reckless strategy and started imposing sanctions on U.S. allies. At such a time, the world is witnessing how the businessman Trump is using the economy as a weapon for the sake of U.S. interests. Such an understanding of the economy can surely be described as a "cowboy" style, since it includes internal threats, sanctions and financial attacks. Naturally, economic interests have always been of significance in interstate affairs. The fiscal institutions formed under U.S. hegemony and the power of the U.S. dollar in the international order after World War II were all for the sake of U.S. interests. Thinking that this order does not benefit U.S. interests enough, while strengthening the economies of China and other emerging powers, President Trump acts angrily and without thinking. The most visible difference in President Trump's view is that he does not need any international legitimization and he uses U.S. power in a very reckless and irrational way, breaking the rules of even U.S. alliances. At this point, the hegemony of U.S. dollars is something that needs to be feared and measures should be taken against it. As President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says, there is now a "dollar threat" in the world. While breaking the world order and norms, the United States is beginning a very dangerous period: The economy is becoming the first priority of the larger security issue. The anarchist world of fund managers and speculators is therefore being legitimized. In the new chaotic world order, rational actors such as Turkey and the European countries will need one another more than ever. Baker Hughes, a GE company provides integrated oilfield products, services, and digital solutions worldwide. Its Oilfield Services segment offers drilling, wireline, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention services; and drilling and completions fluids, completions tools and systems, wellbore intervention tools and services, artificial lift systems, pressure pumping systems, and oilfield and industrial chemicals for integrated oil and natural gas, and oilfield service companies. The company's Oilfield Equipment segment designs and manufactures products and services, including pressure control equipment and services, subsea production systems and services, drilling equipment, and flexible pipeline systems; and onshore and offshore drilling and production systems, and equipment for floating production platforms, as well as provides a range of services related to onshore and offshore drilling activities. Its Turbomachinery & Process Solutions segment provides equipment and related services for mechanical-drive, compression, and power-generation applications across the oil and gas industry, as well as products and services to serve the downstream segments of industry. Its product portfolio includes drivers, compressors, and turnkey solutions; and pumps, valves, and compressed natural gas and small-scale liquefied natural gas solutions. This segment serves upstream, midstream, onshore and offshore, industrial, engineering, procurement, and construction companies. The company's Digital Solutions segment provides sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing and inspection, turbine, generator and plant controls, and condition monitoring, as well as pipeline integrity solutions for a range of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, aerospace, metals, and transportation. It serves through direct and indirect channels. The company is based in Houston, Texas. Baker Hughes, a GE company is a subsidiary of General Electric Company. Read More Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical flow control and compression equipment; and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three segments: Industrials, Energy, and Medical. The Industrials segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of air compression, vacuum, and blower products, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. Its products are used in process-critical applications, such as the operation of industrial air tools, vacuum packaging of food products, aeration of waste water, and others. This segment sells its products through an integrated network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors under the Gardner Denver, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle, Robuschi, and other brand names. The Energy segment engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of a range of displacement and liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and integrated systems, and engineered fluid loading and transfer equipment, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services under the Gardner Denver, Nash, Emco Wheaton, and other brands. It serves customers in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy markets, as well as petrochemical processing, transportation, and general industrial sectors. The Medical segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of specialized gas, liquid, and precision syringe pumps and compressors for use in oxygen therapy, blood dialysis, patient monitoring, laboratory sterilization and wound treatment, and other applications. This segment sells its products under the Thomas and other brands. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI EAFE 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 EAFE ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services from rodents to flying and crawling insects, as well as to other forms of wildlife management for commercial and residential customers. The company also provides hygiene services, including the provision and maintenance of products, such as air fresheners, sanitizers, feminine hygiene units, hand dryers, paper and linen towel dispensers, soap and hand sanitizer dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, and floor protection mats. In addition, it engages in the supply and laundering of workwear, uniforms, cleanroom uniforms, and protective equipment. Further, the company installs and services interior and exterior plant displays, flowers, replica foliage, Christmas decorations, and ambient scenting for commercial businesses; offers property care services consisting of damp proofing, property conservation, and woodworm and wood rot treatment; and provides a range of specialist cleaning services, such as deep cleaning of kitchens and washrooms, trauma cleaning, and flood or fire damage cleaning, as well as graffiti removal, specialist deep cleaning, and disinfection services, including the professional and discreet disinfection of areas that have been exposed to bio-hazardous situations, such as crime and trauma scenes, prison cells, void properties, emergency vehicles, and healthcare establishments. Additionally, it offers a range of healthcare waste management services comprising the collection, disposal, and recycling of hazardous and offensive waste produced by businesses and organizations associated with the provision of healthcare; and color-coded sharps disposal bins to deal with various types of waste. Rentokil Initial plc was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Camberley, the United Kingdom. Read More 16 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Deutsche Wohnen in the last twelve months. There are currently 9 hold ratings and 7 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Deutsche Wohnen stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in DWNI, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Deutsche Wohnen or view top-rated stocks. Right now more than 700 Russians and their companies now under US sanctions. Moscow has been subjected to successive waves of sanctions that include travel bans, asset freezes and finance and trade restrictions. These sanctions are beginning to bite at the Russian economy and further punishment may affect the rubles value, pushing Russia further into a recession. As Eurasia Review writes in an article "US sanctions push Russia closer to emerging Eastern bloc", sanctioning Russia is not new it is a regular feature of the US toolkit. The Obama administration imposed sanctions for conflict in Ukraine and for alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The Trump administration in April sanctioned oligarchs and government officials over these allegations and other malign activities, and now additional sanctions that will begin in late August have been added. Political leaders, politicians and the state security services have not been exempted from the swinging US sanctions axe. The latest sanctions cover exports to Russia of items with a potential national security purpose, such as gas turbine engines, electronics and testing and calibration equipment. In turn, Russia is threatening to retaliate by banning sales of Russian engines to NASA, but the head of Roscosmos is planning to meet his US counterpart in the fall. Despite the rancor, space cooperation is likely to continue. Legally, sweeping new sanctions may follow 90 days later, in November, including a reduction in diplomatic relations, bans on the import of Russian oil and exports of all other goods and technology aside from agricultural products, and limits on loans from US banks. What is happening is that new sanctions, which have followed a path of squeezing Russia tighter, are increasingly a function of American domestic politics. There is an ongoing struggle between Donald Trump and his supporters, who want to engage with Russia, and the so-called deep state of national security bureaucrats, who are seeking revenge after the November 2016 presidential election. As the time passes since that election, and with Trumps behavior toward Putin, especially in Helsinki, the narrative that the president is under Russias influence is now permanent. That sentiment is a long-term driver in a chunk of American body politic regardless of whether Trump is president or not. Nevertheless, the Trump administration is working with Moscow on a number of issues, regardless of what anti-Trump forces think or demand. Trump cant weaken sanctions, but nothing can stop the American president from engaging with Moscow on matters of international security. The Helsinki summit, and the channels that set up that meeting, are now in action. A process of lines of communication and de-confliction are now more active than ever. Syria is the main topic, but there are also other hot-button issues, especially Turkeys future and the American campaign against Iran. Arms control is also on the table, including extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. All these discussions are intertwined and are increasingly coming under strain. Always proactive, Moscow is taking action. In order to hedge its bets, what is happening now as a result of the current state of US-Russia relations is that Moscow is seeing an opportunity to continue the process of moving away from the West and build a protective shield against American sanctions. Russias moves include tools that the Kremlin has perfected the use of over the past few years, such as currency swaps and further pushing the ability to transact outside the SWIFT system. It is important to remember that Russia holds one of the largest holdings of gold, which gives the country some additional leverage. China is also playing a role as the spoiler in the US-Russia relationship by working closely with Moscow on the new geopolitics of the Middle East, Africa and even Latin America, where Russia is making advances at the expense of American infighting. Debt and seizures are the new tools of Eastern trade and they work in most cases. Trumps sanctions policy, no matter the target country, may find the rate of new subsidiaries that avoid sanctions outpaces the ability for America to chase them down. Some may argue that this phenomenon is already a fact, but the underestimation of the ability for an array of countries, from China to the UAE to South Africa, that are already creating a new strategic arc of innovation, transport and trade is meant to not only band together but also belong to an emerging supra-economic group that threatens Americas ability to use economic tools effectively. In 2000, when Putin replaced Boris Yeltsin as president, the Russian vision about US-Russian relations was as clear as it is now. We know Putin thought the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest calamity of the 20th century. Now, the Russian president sees the emergence of a new order while the West is confused and failing as the next step. With that prognosis in mind, US-Russia relations are in for a rough ride. The post-Trump, post-Putin future will still be contending with the issues of today and tomorrow. Importantly, Putin sees himself as not only a designer but also an influencer of the emerging shift in global economics. As more sanctions hit Russia, Iran and other countries, the resulting bloc will begin to unite more and more. And, as Trump is forced to hit out harder and harder against Russia because of US domestic politics and the importance of the November mid-term elections to Americas immediate future, the rhetoric and actions and reactions may be quite testy. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI EAFE Value 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 EAFE Value ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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. Everest Re Group Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of reinsurance and insurance services. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Reinsurance, International, Bermuda, and Insurance. The U.S. Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including marine, aviation, surety, and accident and health business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S. The International segment offers foreign property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re's branches in Canada and Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami, and New Jersey. The Bermuda segment comprises reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets through brokers and directly with ceding companies from its Bermuda office and reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets through its UK branch and Ireland Re. The Insurance segment writes property and casualty insurance directly and through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents within the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartere Read More Second president of Armenia was arrested pretty unexpectedly. The same can be said about his release. At first, Kocharyan was invited as a witness to testify to the Special Investigation Service. By the end of that day second president of Armenia became a prisoner on charges of going against constitutional order. That's how current law enforcers interpreted the events of March 2008, which followed presidential elections in February of the same year. It seems that after coming to power Pashinyan began to deal with the dark past and try to bring those responsible to justice. It was obvious that authorities are going to address the events of March 1. The Prosecutor's Office initiated criminal cases against former president, defense minister and head of the Yerevan local garrison of those days. Of course, Pashinyan took a risk. No matter what he did, Kocharyan's arrest would always look like personal revenge, and Kocharyan himself would be viewed as a prisoner of new Armenian leader. And that's why it seemed like he will spend a lot of time in prison, especially since petition of a large group of deputies about his release was rejected. But the Appeal Court suddenly made a decision to release him. Is it really bad for Pashinyan? How will this situation end? The fact that once untouchable Robert Kocharyan is now in a completely different position was shown by demonstration of a small group of activists, who disrupted his planned press conference. But that's not the main point, even though it says a lot about his current situation. Kocharyan's release is in Armenian Prime Minister's best interests for several reasons. 1. No one in Armenia should feel like his above the law, although new authorities should this by going against oligarchs and closest relatives of Serzh Sargsyan. 2. International community, including Russia, which didn't like more Kocharyan's arrest, saw that Armenia begins to live by the law, and if the court has decided to release someone, then that's it. In addition, Kocharyan's release also helps to prevent escalation in relations with Moscow in a way. 3. After these events, new government can't be accused of selective use of the law. No one can blame new authorities in using double standarts. 4. With Robert Kocharyan's release, Pashinyan now has a real political rival. But this rival has to use those forced that provoked Velvet revolution not so long ago, so Pashinyan sees no danger in Kocharyan. 5. After prison any person think about the meaning of this event in his life, and how much will it affect him in the future. Robert Kocharyan, who considers his arrest to be a political revenge, will think twice whether to return to politics or not. 6. Pashinyan once again showed the society that he's a man of his word. He promised not to interfere in Kocharyan's trial, and it seems that he really didn't. 7. Nikol Pashinyan announced he's going to hold a "report meeting" on August 17. He's going to tell his nation about his first days in power, what he managed to do, what he has to face, what tasks haven't been resolved at the moment. A lot of people are going to visit this event.. 8. Finally, Robert Kocharyan is a free man, but the "March 1" events are still relevant. Conagra Brands, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of processed and packaged foods. It operates through the following segments: Grocery and Snacks; Refrigerated and Frozen; International; and Foodservice. The Grocery and Snacks segment includes branded, shelf stable food products sold in various retail channels in the United States. The Refrigerated and Frozen segment comprises branded, temperature controlled food products sold in various retail channels in the United States. The International segment consists branded food products, in various temperature states, sold in various retail and foodservice channels outside of the United States. The Foodservice segment focuses in the branded and customized food products, including meals, entrees, sauces, and a variety of custom-manufactured culinary products packaged for sale to restaurants and other foodservice establishments in the United States. The company was founded by Alva Kinney and Frank Little in 1919 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Read More Augusta Gold Corp., a junior exploration company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in the United States. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and other metals. The company holds interests in the Bullfrog gold project located in the north-west of Las Vegas, Nevada. It also owns, controls, or has acquired mineral rights on Federal patented and unpatented mining claims in the state of Nevada for the purpose of exploration and potential development of metals on a total of approximately 7,800 acres of land. The company was formerly known as Bullfrog Gold Corp. and changed its name to Augusta Gold Corp. in January 2021. Augusta Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More 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 GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of EnerSys: ABSL Power Solutions Inc., ABSL Power Solutions Ltd., Acumuladores Industriales EnerSys SA, Alpha Alternative Energy Inc., Alpha Broadband Services Inc., Alpha Innovations Industria e Comercio de Produtos Eletronicos Ltda., Alpha Innovations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Alpha Mexico Network Power S.A. de C.V., Alpha Tech Energy Solutions India Private Limited, Alpha Technical Services Ltd., Alpha Technologies Ltd., Alpha Technologies Pty. Ltd., Alpha Technologies Services Inc., Alphatec Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Argus Research Ltd., Batterias Hawker de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Battery Power International Pte Ltd., Coppervale Enterprises Inc., DCPM Engineering Sdn Bhd, EH Batterien AG, EH Europe GmbH, EH Global Holdings GmbH, EH Swiss Holdings GmbH, ENAS Industrial Batteries Morocco Sarl, EnerSys (Chaozhou) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (China) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (Chongqing) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (Jiangsu) Huada Batteries Company Limited (94.7%) *, EnerSys (Luxembourg) Finance Sarl, EnerSys (Yangzhou) Huada Batteries Co. Ltd., EnerSys A/S, EnerSys AB, EnerSys AD, EnerSys AE, EnerSys AS, EnerSys Advanced Systems Inc., EnerSys Argentina S.A., EnerSys Asia Limited, EnerSys Australia Pty Ltd., EnerSys BV, EnerSys BVBA, EnerSys Battery Private Limited, EnerSys Brasil Ltda., EnerSys Bulgaria EOOD, EnerSys Canada Inc., EnerSys Capital Inc., EnerSys Cayman Euro L.P., EnerSys Cayman Holdings L.P., EnerSys Cayman Inc., EnerSys Delaware Inc., EnerSys Delaware LLC I, EnerSys Delaware LLC II, EnerSys Delaware LLC III, EnerSys Delaware LLC IV, EnerSys Delaware LLC V, EnerSys Energy Products Inc., EnerSys Europe Oy, EnerSys European Holding Co., EnerSys GmbH, EnerSys Holdings (Luxembourg) Sarl, EnerSys Holdings UK Ltd., EnerSys Hungaria Kft., EnerSys India Batteries Private Ltd., EnerSys JSC, EnerSys LLC, EnerSys Ltd., EnerSys Malaysia Sdn Bhd, EnerSys Mexico Holdings LLC, EnerSys Mexico Management LLC, EnerSys Participacoes Ltda., EnerSys Reserve Power Pte. Ltd., EnerSys S.r.l., EnerSys SARL, EnerSys SNC, EnerSys South East Asia Pte. Ltd., EnerSys de Mexico II S de R.L. de CV, EnerSys de Mexico S de R.L. de CV, EnerSys s.r.o., EnerSys sp. z o.o., EnerSystem Chile Ltda., Enersys Aku Sanaya Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Esfinco LLC, Hawker GmbH, Hawker Power Systems Inc., Hawker Powersource Inc., Hawker Systems GmbH & Co. KG., ICS Industries Pty Ltd, ICS Industries Pty Ltd., ICS Sheet Metal Pty Ltd., Industrial Battery Holding Ltda., International Communication Shelters Australasia Pty Ltd., Lancord Pty Ltd., Lenmic Pty Ltd., MIB Energy Sdn Bhd, N Holding AB, National Infrastructure Pty Ltd., National Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd., NaviSemi Energy Pte Ltd., NaviSemi Inc., New Pacifico Realty Inc., NorthStar Battery Company LLC, NorthStar Battery Company LLC, NorthStar Battery DMCC, Outback Power Technologies Inc., Powercom (NSW) Pty Ltd., Powersonic S de R.L. de CV, Purcell Systems, Purcell Systems Inc., Purcell Systems International AB, Quallion LLC, Riverfront Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Shenzhen Huada Power Supply Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd. , SiteTel Shanghai Co Ltd., SiteTel Sweden AB, Telecomponents & Supply (Hong Kong) Ltd., The Enser Corporation, UTS Holdings Sdn Bhd, UTS Technology (JB) Sdn Bhd, UTS Technology (PG) Sdn Bhd, YCI Inc., and Yecoltd S. de R.L. de CV. Turkey will continue to pursue policy of tit-for-tat responses to any U.S. actions, Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said after Washington threatened to impose more sanctions on Turkey in an escalated row between the two NATO allies. "We have responded [to U.S. sanctions] within the context of the rules of the World Trade Organization and will continue to do so," Yeni Safak cited the minister as saying. Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers for not releasing American pastor Andrew Brunson. U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday the United States "will pay nothing" to Turkey for the release of Brunson, who he called "a great patriot hostage." Wall Street analysts have given Invesco Aerospace & Defense 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 Invesco Aerospace & Defense 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 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. The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: Accelerated Production Systems, Acme Elevator, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Advansor Germany GmbH, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International, Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Auto Glanz Solutions LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., BSC Filters Limited, Background2 Limited, Belanger, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., Blackmer, BlitzRotary GmbH, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CDS Visual, CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression BV, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DESTACO UK Limited, DFH Corporation, DFS Netherlands B.V., DSR BZ Holdings LLC, Datamax International Corp, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover CR spol s r.o., Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Products Segment Inc., Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings, Dover France Participations, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover Imaging & Identification Segment Inc., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International Ventures Tunisia S.a.r.l., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dresser Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty. Ltd., Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty. Ltd., Em-tec, Espy, Ettlinger, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries, Gala Kunststoff-und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems Company, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Hydronova Australia-NZ Pty Ltd, Industrial Motion Control LLC, Innovative Control Systems, Innovative Control Systems Inc., Inpro/Seal LLC, JK Group, JK Group S.P.A., JK Group USA Inc., K S Boca Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Knowles Electronics, LIQAL, Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MAAG, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM-IMAJE Corporation, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions, MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag Automatik GmbH, Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Gala Inc., Maag Italy S.R.L., Maag Pump Systems, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Reduction Inc., Maag Service (Malaysia) Sdn. Bdn., Maag Systems (Thailand) Limited, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje - Unipessoal Lda, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Philippines Corporation, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l., Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Singapore Pte. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International, OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluid Transfer Solutions (Jiang Su) Co. Ltd., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing, PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSD Codax Holdings Limited, PSD Codax Limited, PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG California LLC, PSG Germany GmbH, Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Production Control Services, Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario, Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser, Solaris Laser S.A., Somero Enterprises, Sound Solutions, Space S.R.L., Spirit, Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions, Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., Systech GB Limited, Systech Shanghai Consulting Company Limited, TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Triton Systems, Tulsa Winch Inc., UPCO Inc., US Synthetic, Unattended Payment Solutions LLC, Unified Brands, Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vehicle Service Group UK Limited, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., WSCR Corp., Warn Automotive LLC, Warn Industries, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems, Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., WellMark, XanTec Steuerungs- und EDV-Technik GmbH, and em-tec GmbH. Kazakhstan plans to ratify the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea in the near future, the Kazakh Foreign Ministrys Ambassador-at-Large Zulfiya Amanzholova said. "We intend to ratify the convention in the near future. The Foreign Ministry will launch the necessary procedures immediately. We will submit the convention to the government, the time frame and all the procedures are determined, so I dont think there will be any delays," TASS cited her as saying. In addition, the official said that the Kazakh government will later pass the document to the parliament. Amanzholova added that it had taken the Caspian states a long time to agree on the matter so there was no reason to "delay its ratification." The presidents of the five Caspian states (Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan) singed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which had been agreed on by the five states foreign ministers at their Moscow meeting in December 2017, at the 5th Caspian summit held in Kazakhstans Aktau. The McClatchy Company publishes newspapers and news Websites in the United States. Its publications include the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News and Observer, and The (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. It also provides niche publications and community newspapers, as well as other print and digital direct marketing services. The company distributes content, including video products, through its owned and operated Websites and mobile applications, third-party search and ad exchanges, social media platforms, and electronic editions of its daily newspapers, as well as its printed daily newspapers. The McClatchy Company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Sacramento, California. 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. New Media Investment Group Inc. invests in, owns, and operates local media assets in the United States. The company's principal products include 146 daily newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 1.5 million; 323 weekly newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 268,000 and total free circulation of approximately 1.4 million; 132 shoppers with total circulation of approximately 3.1 million; and 581 locally-focused Websites, including Internet and mobile devices with approximately 364 million page views per month. Its principal products also comprise 77 business publications; and UpCurve Cloud and ThriveHive, which provides digital marketing and business services. In addition, the company produces niche publications that address specific local market interests, such as recreation, sports, healthcare, and real estate. Further, it offers print and online products that offer local market news and information on various topics comprising local news and politics, community and regional events, youth sports, opinion and editorial pages, local schools, obituaries, weddings, and police reports, as well as commercial printing services for publishers; and prints commercial materials, including flyers, business cards, and invitations. Additionally, the company produces approximately 350 annual events with a collective attendance approximately 400,000, such as themed expo, signature event, endurance event, and white label event services; and provides digital and print advertising services. It reaches approximately 22 million people per week; and serves approximately 199,000 business customers. New Media Investment Group Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in New York, New York. Read More The ferry line will connect several ports on the Crimean peninsula to Turkey across the Black Sea, CEO of Crimean Sea Ports Alexey Volkov said, adding that the company is expecting to launch the sea connection by fall. "The negotiations with the freight forwarder have been held. The ports that will be part of the future ferry line will be announced later," Sputnik cited Volkov as saying. He added that the ferry will be used for cargo this year, and passenger traffic will begin in 2019. According to the CEO, the Crimean peninsula will deliver meat to Turkey, while the latter will ship fruits and vegetables. Turkey has changed its attitude towards Crimea several times. In October 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a decree banning all shipments from Crimea, saying that he supported Ukraines claim to the peninsula. Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG provides commercial real estate and public investment finance products. Its commercial real estate financing activities include financing instruments, such as financing investment projects, development finance, cross-border portfolio financing, investment bridge finance facilities, standby/backup facilities, and derivatives. The company primarily finances offices, retail, and logistic real estate companies, as well as residential properties targeting real estate companies, institutional investors, real estate funds, and medium-sized and regionally orientated clients. It is also involved in the public investment financing activities, such as financing for public sector facilities, municipal and residential buildings, utilities, infrastructure, medical and geriatric care facilities, and administration and insurance facilities. In addition, the company operates a digital platform for public sector borrowers and institutional investors under the CAPVERIANT name. Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG has offices in four locations in Eschborn, DAsseldorf, Hamburg, and Berlin in Germany; and five locations in London, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm, and New York City. The company was formerly known as Hypo Real Estate Bank AG and changed its name to Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG in June 2009. Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG is headquartered in Garching, Germany. Read More Papillon Resources Limited (Papillon) is engaged in the exploration and development of resource projects located in Mali. The Company has joint venture interests in a portfolio of gold tenements (granted licences and applications) in western and southern Mali. The Company's primary focus continued to be the advancement of the Fekola Project (Fekola or Project) located in south western Mali adjacent to the border with Senegal. Papillon completed its pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project. The Company's subsidiaries include Mali Goldfields SARL, Songhoi Resources SARL, Bamagold SARL, Waraba Resources SARL, PIR Mali SARL, Papillon Exploration (AUS), Papillon Mining (AUS), Papillon Exploration (UK) and Papillon Mining (UK). Read More Wall Street analysts have given BlackRock Municipal Income Investment 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 Municipal Income Investment 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 Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management, Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The Global Wealth and Investment Management provides client experience through a network of financial advisors focused on to meet their needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking, and retirement products. The Global Banking segment deals with lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions to clients, and underwriting and advisory services. The Global Markets segment includes sales and trading services, as well as research, to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses. The All Other segment consists of asset and liability management activities, equity investments, non-core mortgage loans and servicing activities, the net impact of periodic revisions Read More Russian border guards in Armenia have apprehended another trespasser at border with Turkey. Russia's frontier guards at the Artashat border guard detachment division have detained a person who had illegally crossed the Armenian-Turkish border along the Araks River, the press service of the Russian Border Guard Department in Armenia said. The trespasser is a citizen of Guinea born in 1993. The criminal claimed that he arrived in Tehran from Guinea to enter a university. After arriving in Tehran he got acquainted to a taxi driver and asked him to tour him around the country. The taxi driver had allegedly brought him to Turkey bypassing checkpoints. In Turkey the driver took his passport and put the entrance seal of the Turkish checkpoint. The Guinea man said for two days he lived in an abandoned building in Turkey, where he had the money and mobile phone stolen. In search of food, he crossed the river Araks, thereby violating the state border. The detained was handed over to Armenian law enforcement agencies, News.am reported. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme provides financial services in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and France. The company offers retail banking services, including deposits and loans, vehicles and asset management, corporate finance, insurance, payments, investment, and online brokerage and financial information services; Internet, mobile, telephone, and service platforms; and online banking to individual and professional customers, businesses, non-profit associations and local authorities under the Societe Generale, CrAdit du Nord, and Boursorama Banque brands. It also provides international retail banking and financial services, comprising of deposit and loan products; consumer finance and car finance; mortgage facilities; corporate and investment banking; infrastructure, renewable energies, and agribusiness financing; life, retirement savings, and personal protection insurance products; vehicle leasing and fleet management services; and vendor and equipment finance services to corporate and individual customers. In addition, the company offers capital market services, such as fixed income and currencies, equities, and securities services; mergers and acquisitions, advisory and other corporate finance advisory services, and corporate banking and investment banking, as well as capital raising solutions for debt or equity, financial engineering, and hedging for issuers; transaction and payment services, comprising of cash management, trade finance, cash clearing and correspondent banking, supply chain finance, and foreign exchange services; and export finance, aircraft finance, shipping finance, real estate finance, and structured solutions and leasing. Further, it provides financial engineering and wealth management solutions; structured products, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity funds and real estate investment solutions; and asset management solutions. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More Valley National Bancorp is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Lending; Commercial Lending; Investment Management; and Corporate and Other Adjustments. The Consumer Lending segment consists of residential mortgage loans, automobile loans and home equity loans, as well as wealth management and insurance services. The Commercial Lending segment includes the floating rate and adjustable rate commercial and industrial loans as well as fixed rate owner occupied and commercial real estate loans. The Investment Management segment refers to investments in various types of securities and interest-bearing deposits with other banks. The Corporate and Other Adjustments segment represents the income and expense items not directly attributable to a specific segment. The company was founded on November 12, 1982 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of American Tower: 10 Presidential Way Associates LLC, 3267351 Nova Scotia Company, 3286208 Nova Scotia Company, 3298099 Nova Scotia Company, 52 Eighty LLC, 52 Eighty Partners LLC, 52 Eighty Tower Partners I LLC, ACC Tower Sub LLC, AT Kenya C.V., AT Netherlands C.V., AT Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT Sao Paulo C.V., AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT South America C.V., ATC Africa Holding B.V., ATC Africa Shared Services (Pty) Ltd, ATC Antennas Holding LLC, ATC Antennas LLC, ATC Argentina C.V., ATC Argentina Cooperatief U.A., ATC Argentina Holding LLC, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ATC Atlantic C.V., ATC Atlantic II B.V., ATC Atlantic III B.V., ATC Backhaul LLC, ATC Brasil Servicos de Conectividades Ltda., ATC Brazil Holding LLC, ATC Brazil I LLC, ATC Brazil II LLC, ATC Burkina Faso S.A., ATC CSR Foundation India, ATC Chile Holding LLC, ATC Colombia B.V., ATC Colombia Holding I LLC, ATC Colombia Holding LLC, ATC Colombia I LLC, ATC EH GmbH & Co. KG, ATC Ecuador Holding LLC, ATC Edge LLC, ATC Ethiopia Infrastructure Development Private Limited Company, ATC Europe B.V., ATC Europe LLC, ATC European Holdings Inc., ATC Fibra de Colombia S.A.S., ATC France Cooperatief U.A., ATC France Holding II SAS, ATC France Holding SAS, ATC France Reseaux SAS, ATC France SAS, ATC France Services SAS, ATC GP GmbH, ATC Germany Holdings GmbH, ATC Germany Services GmbH, ATC Ghana ServiceCo Limited, ATC Global Employment B.V., ATC Heston B.V., ATC Holding Fibra Mexico S. de R.L. DE C.V., ATC IP LLC, ATC India Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Indoor DAS Holding LLC, ATC Indoor DAS LLC, ATC International Cooperatief U.A., ATC International Financing B.V., ATC International Financing II B.V., ATC International Financing II Holding LLC, ATC International Holding Corp., ATC Iris I LLC, ATC Kenya Operations Limited, ATC Kenya Services Limited, ATC Latin America S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., ATC MIP III REIT Iron Holdings LLC, ATC Managed Sites Holding LLC, ATC Managed Sites LLC, ATC MexHold LLC, ATC Mexico Holding LLC, ATC Niger Wireless Infrastructure S.A., ATC Nigeria C.V., ATC Nigeria Cooperatief U.A., ATC Nigeria Holding LLC, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited, ATC On Air + LLC, ATC Operations LLC, ATC Outdoor DAS LLC, ATC Paraguay Holding LLC, ATC Paraguay S.R.L., ATC Peru Holding LLC, ATC Polska sp. z o.o., ATC Ponderosa B-I LLC, ATC Ponderosa B-II LLC, ATC Ponderosa K LLC, ATC Ponderosa K-R LLC, ATC Sequoia LLC, ATC Sitios Infraco S.A.S., ATC Sitios de Chile S.A., ATC Sitios de Colombia S.A.S., ATC Sitios del Peru S.R.L., ATC South Africa Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, ATC South Africa Services Pty Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure II (Pty) Ltd, ATC South America Holding LLC, ATC South LLC, ATC Spain LLC, ATC TRS I LLC, ATC TRS II LLC, ATC TRS III LLC, ATC TRS IV LLC, ATC Tanzania Holding LLC, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Tower (Ghana) Limited, ATC Tower Services LLC, ATC Uganda Limited, ATC Uganda ServiceCo (SMC) Limited, ATC Watertown LLC, ATC WiFi LLC, ATS-Needham LLC, ActiveX Telebroadband Services Private Limited, Adquisiciones y Proyectos Inalambricos S. de R. L. de C.V., Agile Airband Ohio LLC, Agile Connect LLC, Agile IWG Holdings LLC, Agile Network Builders LLC, Agile Networks Indiana LLC, Agile Networks Site Development LLC, Agile Towers LLC, Alternative Networking LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II LLC, American Tower Asset Sub LLC, American Tower Charitable Foundation Inc., American Tower Delaware Corporation, American Tower Depositor Sub LLC, American Tower Guarantor Sub LLC, American Tower Holding Sub II LLC, American Tower Holding Sub LLC, American Tower International Holding I LLC, American Tower International Holding II LLC, American Tower International Inc., American Tower Investments LLC, American Tower LLC, American Tower Management LLC, American Tower Mauritius, American Tower Servicios Fibra S. de R.L. de C.V., American Tower Tanzania Operations Limited, American Tower do Brasil - Cessao de Infraestruturas Ltda., American Tower do Brasil Communicacao Multimidia Ltda., American Towers LLC, BR Towers, Blue Sky Towers Pty Ltd, Blue Transfer Sociedad Anonima, Broadcast Towers LLC, CNC2 Associates LLC, California Tower Inc., Cell Site NewCo II LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, Central States Tower Holdings LLC, Colo ATL LLC, Colo Atl, Communications Properties Inc., Comunicaciones y Consumos S.A., Connectivity Infrastructure Services Limited, DCS Tower Sub LLC, Eaton, Eaton Towers (Lilongwe) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana (M) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana Limited, Eaton Towers Holdings Limited, Eaton Towers Kenya Limited, Eaton Towers Limited, Eaton Towers Niger S.A., Eaton Towers Uganda Limited, Essar Telecom Infrastructure, Eure-et-Loir Reseaux Mobiles SAS, GTP Acquisition Partners I LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners III LLC, GTP Costa Rica Finance LLC, GTP Infrastructure I LLC, GTP Infrastructure II LLC, GTP Infrastructure III LLC, GTP Investments LLC, GTP LATAM Holdings B.V., GTP LatAm Holdings Cooperatieve U.A., GTP Operations CR S.R.L., GTP South Acquisitions II LLC, GTP Structures I LLC, GTP Structures II LLC, GTP TRS I LLC, GTP Torres CR S.R.L., GTP Towers I LLC, GTP Towers II LLC, GTP Towers III LLC, GTP Towers IV LLC, GTP Towers IX LLC, GTP Towers V LLC, GTP Towers VII LLC, GTP Towers VIII LLC, GTPI HoldCo LLC, Ghana Tower InterCo B.V., Global Tower Assets III LLC, Global Tower Assets LLC, Global Tower Holdings LLC, Global Tower LLC, Global Tower Partners, Global Tower Services LLC, Gondola Tower Holdings LLC, Grain HoldCo LLC, Grain HoldCo Parent LLC, GrainComm I LLC, GrainComm II LLC, GrainComm III LLC, GrainComm LLC, GrainComm Marketing LLC, GrainComm V LLC, Haysville Towers LLC, IW Equipment LLC, IWD Equipment LLC, IWG Holdings LLC, IWG II Holdings LLC, IWG II LLC, IWG Miami LLC, IWG Towers Assets I LLC, IWG Towers Assets II LLC, IWG-TLA Australia Pty Ltd., IWG-TLA Canada Corp., IWG-TLA Encanto 1 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 3 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto LLC, IWG-TLA Holdings LLC, IWG-TLA Media 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Media LLC, IWG-TLA Telecom LLC, IWL-TLA Telecom 2 LLC, Idaho Tower Company LLC, InSite (BCEC) LLC, InSite (MBTA) LLC, InSite Borrower LLC, InSite Co-Issuer Corp., InSite Guarantor LLC, InSite Hawaii LLC, InSite Issuer LLC, InSite Licensing LLC, InSite Towers Development 2 LLC, InSite Towers Development LLC, InSite Towers International 2 LLC, InSite Towers International Development LLC, InSite Towers International LLC, InSite Towers LLC, InSite Towers of Puerto Rico LLC, InSite Wireless Development LLC, InSite Wireless Group, InSite Wireless Group LLC, Insite Wireless LLC, Invisible IWG Holdings LLC, Invisible Towers LLC, JT Communications LLC, LAP Inmobiliaria Limitada, LAP Inmobiliaria S.R.L., LL B Sheet 1 LLC, Lap do Brasil Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Ltda, Lease Advisors-AU PTY LTD, Loxel SAS, MATC Digital S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Infraestructura S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., MC New Macland Properties LLC, MCSU Properties LLC, MHB Tower Rentals of America LLC, MIP III Iron Holdings LLC, MIP III U.S. Iron LLC, Microwave Inc., Municipal Bay LLC, Municipal-Bay Holdings LLC, New Towers LLC, PCS Structures Towers LLC, R-CAL I LLC, RSA Media Inc., Repeater Communications Group I LLC, Repeater Communications Group II LLC, Repeater Communications Group III LLC, Repeater Communications Group IV LLC, Repeater Communications Group LLC, Repeater Communications Group V LLC, Repeater Communications Group VI LLC, Repeater Communications Group of New York LLC, Repeater IWG Holdings LLC, Richland Towers LLC, Signum/IWG Tower Corp., Southeast Network Access Point LLC, SpectraSite Communications, SpectraSite Communications LLC, SpectraSite LLC, T8 Ulysses Site Management LLC, TLA PR-1 LLC, TLA PR-2 LLC, Telecom Lease Advisors Management 2 LLC, Tower Management Inc., Towers of America L.L.L.P., Transcend Infrastructure Holdings Pte. Ltd., Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines) Inc., Turris Sites Development Corp., Turris Sites IWG Corp, Tysons II DAS LLC, UNIsite, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., Ulysses Asset Sub I LLC, Ulysses Asset Sub II LLC, UniSite LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint FL Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint NE Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint PA Tower Venture LLC, Vangard Wireless LLC, Verus Management One LLC, Viom Networks, and Virdi IWG Holdings LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. Azerbaijan and Iran will soon export cars to Russia, Ukraine and the CIS nations via a joint venture 'Khazar Car Factory, ' head of IKCO (Iran Khodro Co.) operations in Asia, Europe, America and Commonwealth of Independent States Sabina Nobari said. She added that all the cars produced at Khazar factory are sold in Azerbaijan now. "Iran Khodro and the Azerbaijani automotive company AzEuroCar LLC have manufactured over 300 units of family sedan model Dena in Azerbaijan since March," Trend cited Nobari as saying. Khazar Car Factory is located in southeast Azerbaijan in the Neftchala Industrial District. In early April, the Azerbaijan-Iran automobile factory started production of the first cars. The factory produces cars under the brand name of Khazar, and a number of models of Peugeot and Renault will also be assembled there. The annual capacity of the factory is about 10,000 cars. Travis Perkins plc distributes building materials to the building, construction, and home improvement markets in the United Kingdom. It operates through four segments: Merchanting, Retail, Toolstation, and Plumbing & Heating. The Merchanting segment distributes interior building products, which include drywalls, ceilings, external envelopes, fire protection products, flooring and partitioning products, and tools and accessories to professionals within the construction industry; civil, drainage, and heavy building materials to specialist contractors and trade professionals; and pipeline and heating solutions. This segment also distributes building materials, plumbing and heating products, landscaping materials, timber and sheet materials, painting and decorating products, dry lining and insulation products, doors and joinery, and hand and power tools to trade professionals and self-builders. The Retail segment operates as a home improvement retailer, which sells kitchen, bathroom, paint, and timber products. The Toolstation segment supplies products to the trade, home improvers, and self-builders industry through approximately 350 branches, as well as online, call center, and a mobile website. The Plumbing & Heating segment supplies its products to the trade, home improvement, and DIY markets. The company also offers kitchens and joinery products to specialist joiners, kitchen fitters, house builders, local authorities, and national house builders; and operates as a tile retailer. The company was formerly known as Sandell Perkins Public Limited Company and changed its name to Travis Perkins plc in October 1988. Travis Perkins plc was founded in 1797 and is headquartered in Northampton, the United Kingdom. Read More Antofagasta plc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, and mining of copper properties in Chile and internationally. It operates through Los Pelambres, Centinela, Antucoya, ZaldAvar, Exploration and Evaluation, and Transport segments. The company explores for copper concentrates containing by-products, such as molybdenum, gold, and silver; and copper cathodes. It holds a 60% interest in the Los Pelambres mine; a 70% interest in the Centinela mine; a 50% interest in the ZaldAvar mine; and a 70% interest in the Antucoya mine located in Chile. The company also provides rail and road cargo, and other ancillary services. In addition, it offers rail and truck services to the mining industry in the Antofagasta Region. The company was incorporated in 1888 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Antofagasta plc is a subsidiary of Metalinvest Establishment. Read More UniCredit S.p.A. operates as a commercial bank. The company operates through Commercial Banking Italy, Commercial Banking Germany, Commercial Banking Austria, Corporate & Investment Banking, and Central Eastern Europe segments. It offers retail, corporate, and private banking services; investment services; leasing and factoring services; transactional, investment, and credit products and services; insurance solutions; and structured financing, hedging, and treasury solutions. The company also provides equity and debt capital market, corporate finance and advisory, syndication, and leverage buy-out services; and project and commodity, real estate, structured trade and export, and acquisition finance services, as well as wealth management services. In addition, it is involved in the structuring of products, such as FX, rates, equities, and credit products; and provision of cash management, e-banking, supply chain finance, global securities, and mobile banking services, as well as trade finance products. The company operates in Italy, Other European countries, America, Asia, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Unicredito Italiano S.p.A and changed its name to UniCredit S.p.A. UniCredit S.p.A. was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy. Read More 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.. China is actively developing its fleet of long-range bombers and "likely" training its pilots for missions targeting the US, according to a new Pentagon report. "Over the last three years, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report said. This year's report also claims that China is pursuing a nuclear capability on its long-range bombers, saying the Chinese air force "has been re-assigned a nuclear mission." "The deployment and integration of nuclear capable bombers would, for the first time, provide China with a nuclear 'triad' of delivery systems dispersed across land, sea, and air," CNN cited the report as saying. According to Thursday's report, among other things, China is working on a "stealthy, long-range strategic bomber with a nuclear delivery capability that could be operational within the next 10 years," in addition to the bombers it already operates. The following companies are subsidiares of HCA Healthcare: 2490 Church LLC, 360 Community Alliance LLC, 4600 Waters Avenue Professional Building Condominium Association Inc., 52 Alderley Road LLP, AC Med LLC, ACH Inc., ADC Surgicenter LLC, AOGN LLC, AOSC Sports Medicine Inc., AR Holding 1 LLC, AR Holding 10 LLC, AR Holding 11 LLC, AR Holding 12 LLC, AR Holding 13 LLC, AR Holding 14 LLC, AR Holding 15 LLC, AR Holding 16 LLC, AR Holding 17 LLC, AR Holding 18 LLC, AR Holding 19 LLC, AR Holding 2 LLC, AR Holding 20 LLC, AR Holding 21 LLC, AR Holding 22 LLC, AR Holding 23 LLC, AR Holding 24 LLC, AR Holding 25 LLC, AR Holding 26 LLC, AR Holding 27 LLC, AR Holding 28 LLC, AR Holding 29 LLC, AR Holding 30 LLC, AR Holding 31 LLC, AR Holding 4 LLC, AR Holding 5 LLC, AR Holding 6 LLC, AR Holding 7 LLC, AR Holding 8 LLC, AR Holding 9 LLC, ASD Shared Services LLC, Acadiana Care Center Inc., Acadiana Practice Management Inc., Acadiana Regional Pharmacy Inc., Access 2 Health Care Physicians LLC, Access Health Care Physicians LLC, Access Management Co. LLC, Ace Leasing II LLC, Acute Kids Urgent Care of Medical City Childrens Hospital PLLC, Acworth Immediate Care LLC, Administrative Physicians of North Texas PLLC, Advanced Bundle Convener LLC, Advanced Plastic Surgery Center of Terre Haute LLC, Advanced Practice Providers of Gulf Coast PLLC, Alaska Regional Medical Group LLC, Albany Family Practice LLC, Aligned Business Consortium Group L.P., All About Staffing (India) Ltd., All About Staffing Inc., All About Staffing Philippines Inc., Alleghany General and Bariatric Services LLC, Alleghany Hospitalists LLC, Alleghany Primary Care Inc., Alleghany Specialists LLC, Alliance Surgicare LLC, Alpine Surgicenter LLC, Alta Internal Medicine LLC, Alternaco LLC, Altitude Mid Level Providers LLC, Ambulatory Endoscopy Clinic of Dallas Ltd., Ambulatory Endoscopy Holdco LLC, Ambulatory Laser Associates GP, Ambulatory Services Management Corporation of Chesterfield County Inc., Ambulatory Surgery Center Group Ltd., American Medicorp Development Co., Anchorage Surgicenter LLC, AppleCare/Memorial Immediate Care Joint Venture LLC, Appledore Medical Group II Inc., Appledore Medical Group Inc., Appomattox Imaging LLC, Arapahoe Surgicenter LLC, Arlington Diagnostic South Inc., Arlington Neurosurgeons PLLC, Arlington Primary Care PLLC, Arlington Primary Medicine PLLC, Arlington Surgery Center L.P., Arlington Surgicare LLC, Arthritis Specialists of Nashville Inc., Ashburn ASC LLC, Ashburn Imaging LLC, Athens Community Hospital Inc., Atlanta Healthcare Management L.P., Atlanta Home Care L.P., Atlanta Market GP Inc., Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Center Inc., Atlanta Surgery Center Ltd., Atlantis Surgicare LLC, Atrium Surgery Center L.P., Atrium Surgicare LLC, Augusta CyberKnife LLC, Augusta Inpatient Services LLC, Augusta Management Services LLC, Augusta Multispecialty Services LLC, Augusta Primary Care Services LLC, Augusta Specialty Hospitalists LLC, Augusta Urgent Care Services LLC, Aurora Endoscopy Surgicenter LLC, Austin GI Surgicenter LLC, Austin Heart Cardiology MSO LLC, Austin Medical Center Inc., Austin Physicians Management LLC, Austin Urogynecology PLLC, Aventura Cancer Center Manager LLC, Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Research Group of Florida Inc., Aventura Healthcare Specialists LLC, Aventura Neurosurgery LLC, BAMI Property LLC, Backlogs Limited, Bailey Square Ambulatory Surgical Center Ltd., Bailey Square Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Bannerman Family Care LLC, Barrow Medical Center CT Services Ltd., Basic American Medical Inc., Basil Street Practice Limited, Bay Area Healthcare Group Ltd., Bay Area Surgical Center Investors Ltd., Bay Area Surgicare Center Inc., Bay Area Surgicenter LLC, Bay Hospital Inc., Bayonet Point Surgery Center Ltd., Bayshore Family Practitioners PLLC, Bayshore Multi-Specialty Group PLLC, Bayshore Occupational and Family Medicine PLLC, Bayshore Partner LLC, Bayshore Radiation Oncology Services PLLC, Bayshore Surgery Center Ltd., Bayside Ambulatory Center LLC, Bedford-Northeast Community Hospital Inc., Behavioral Health Sciences of West Florida LLC, Behavioral Health Wellness Center LLC, Bellaire Imaging Inc., Belleair Surgery Center Ltd., Belton Family Practice Clinic LLC, Big Cypress Medical Center Inc., Blacksburg Family Care LLC, Blossoms Healthcare LLP, Blue Ridge-TKC LLC, Bone & Joint Specialists Physician Group LLC, Bonita Bay Surgery Center Inc., Bonita Bay Surgery Center Ltd., Bountiful Surgery Center LLC, Boynton Beach EFL Imaging Center LLC, Bradenton Cardiology Physician Network LLC, Bradenton Outpatient Services LLC, Brandon Imaging Manager LLC, Brandon Regional Cancer Center LLC, Brentwood ASC LLC, Brigham City Community Hospital Inc., Brigham City Community Hospital Physician Services LLC, Brigham City Health Plan Inc., Brighton Surgicenter LLC, Brookwood Medical Center of Gulfport Inc., Broward Cardiovascular Surgeons LLC, Broward Healthcare System Inc., Broward Neurosurgeons LLC, Brownsville Specialists of Texas PLLC, Brownsville Surgery PLLC, Brownsville Surgical Specialists PLLC, Brownsville Surgicenter LLC, Brownsville-Valley Regional Medical Center Inc., Buford Road Imaging L.L.C., Byron Family Practice LLC, C. Medrano M.D. PLLC, C/HCA Capital Inc., C/HCA Development Inc., C/HCA Inc., CAREOS Surgicenter LLC, CC Clinic PLLC, CCBH Psychiatric Hospitalists LLC, CCH-GP Inc., CFC Investments Inc., CH Systems, CHC Finance Co., CHC Holdings Inc., CHC Management Ltd., CHC Payroll Agent Inc., CHC Payroll Company, CHC Realty Company, CHC Venture Co., CHC-El Paso Corp., CHC-Miami Corp., CHCA Bayshore L.P., CHCA Clear Lake L.P., CHCA Conroe L.P., CHCA Mainland L.P., CHCA Pearland L.P., CHCA West Houston L.P., CHCA Womans Hospital L.P., CHCK Inc., CJW Infectious Disease LLC, CJW Wound Healing Center LLC, CLASC Manager LLC, COL-NAMC Holdings Inc., COSCORP LLC, CP Surgery Center LLC, CPS TN Processor 1 Inc., CRMC-M LLC, CUC PLLC, CVMC Property LLC, Calder Immediate Care PLLC, California Imaging Center Manager LLC, California Urgent Care LLC, Calloway Creek Surgery Center L.P., Calloway Creek Surgicare LLC, Cancer Centers of North Florida LLC, Cancer Services of Aventura LLC, Capital Anesthesia Services LLC, Capital Area Cardiology, Capital Area CareNow Physician Associates, Capital Area Multispecialty Providers, Capital Area Neurosurgeons, Capital Area Occupational Medicine PLLC, Capital Area Primary Care PLLC, Capital Area Primary Care Providers, Capital Area Providers, Capital Area Specialists PLLC, Capital Area Specialty Providers, Capital Area Surgeons PLLC, Capital Division - CCA Inc., Capital Division Inc., Capital Network Services Inc., Capital Professional Billing LLC, Capital Regional Healthcare LLC, Capital Regional Heart Associates LLC, Capital Regional Psychiatry Associates LLC, Cardiac Surgical Associates LLC, Cardio Vascular Surgeons of North Texas PLLC, Cardiology Associates Medical Group LLC, Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio PLLC, Cardiology Specialists of North Texas PLLC, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Texas PLLC, Care for Women LLC, CareNow, CareOne Home Health Services Inc., CarePartners HHA Holdings LLLP, CarePartners HHA LLLP, CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital LLLP, CareSpot Professional Services of Middle Tennessee LLC, CareSpot of Brentwood (210 Franklin Road) LLC, CareSpot of Cool Springs (100 International Drive) LLC, CareSpot of Donelson (2372 Lebanon Road) LLC, CareSpot of Hendersonville (280 Indian Lake Boulevard) LLC, CareSpot of Hermitage (5225 Old Hickory Boulevard) LLC, CareSpot of Lebanon (1705 West Main Street) LLC, CareSpot of Mt. Juliet (S. Mt. Juliet Road) LLC, CareSpot of Murfreesboro (1340 Broad Street) LLC, CareSpot of Nashville (2001 Glen Echo Road) LLC, CareSpot of Nashville (West End Avenue) LLC, Career Staffing USA Inc., Carlin Springs Urgent Care LLC, Carolina Forest Imaging Manager LLC, Carolina Regional Surgery Center Inc., Carolina Regional Surgery Center Ltd., Cartersville Medical Center LLC, Cartersville Occupational Medicine Center LLC, Cartersville Physician Practice I LLC, Catalog360 Limited, Cedar Creek Medical Group LLC, Cedars International Cardiology Consultants LLC, Cedars Medical Center Hospitalists LLC, Centennial Cardiovascular Consultants LLC, Centennial CyberKnife Center LLC, Centennial CyberKnife Manager LLC, Centennial Heart LLC, Centennial Hospitalists LLC, Centennial Neuroscience LLC, Centennial Psychiatric Associates LLC, Centennial Surgery Center L.P., Centennial Surgical Associates LLC, Centennial Surgical Clinic LLC, Centennial Womens Group LLC, Center for Advanced Diagnostics LLC, Center for Advanced Imaging LLC, Center for Digestive Diseases LLC, Center for Occupational Medicine LLC, Centerpoint Cardiology Services LLC, Centerpoint Clinic of Blue Springs LLC, Centerpoint Hospital Based Physicians LLC, Centerpoint Medical Center of Independence LLC, Centerpoint Medical Specialists LLC, Centerpoint Orthopedics LLC, Centerpoint Physicians Group LLC, Centerpoint Womens Services LLC, Central Florida Cardiology Interpretations LLC, Central Florida Division Practice Inc., Central Florida Health Services LLC, Central Florida Imaging Services LLC, Central Florida Management Services LLC, Central Florida Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates LLC, Central Florida Physician Network LLC, Central Florida Regional Hospital Inc., Central Health Holding Company Inc., Central Pasco LLC, Central San Antonio Surgical Center Investors Ltd., Central Shared Services LLC, Central Tennessee Hospital Corporation, Central Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Physicians PLLC, Centrum Surgery Center Ltd., Charleston CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Chatsworth Hospital Corp., Chattanooga ASC Acquisition Inc., Chattanooga Diagnostic Associates LLC, Chattanooga Healthcare Network L.P., Chattanooga Healthcare Network Partner Inc., Chelsea Outpatient Centre LLP, Chesterfield Imaging LLC, Chicago Grant Hospital Inc., Childrens Multi-Specialty Group LLC, Chino Community Hospital Corporation Inc., Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hospitals Inc., Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Sports Medicine LLC, Chippenham Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Chippenham Pediatric Specialists LLC, Chiswick Outpatient Centre LLP, Christiansburg Family Medicine LLC, Christiansburg Internal Medicine LLC, Christina Cano-Gonzalez M.D. PLLC, Chugach PT Inc., Church Street Partners, Citrus Memorial Hospital Inc., Citrus Memorial Property Management Inc., Citrus Primary Care Inc., Citrus Specialty Group Inc., Citrus Surgicenter LLC, City of San Antonio H2U Employee Health and Wellness Center PLLC, Clarksville Surgicenter LLC, Clear Creek Surgery Center LLC, Clear Lake Cardiac Catheterization Center L.P., Clear Lake Cardiac GP LLC, Clear Lake Family Physicians PLLC, Clear Lake Medical Tower Owners Association Inc., Clear Lake Merger LLC, Clear Lake Multi-Specialty Group PLLC, Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Inc., Clear Lake Regional Partner LLC, Clear Lake Surgicare Ltd., ClinicServ LLC, Clinical Education Shared Services LLC, Clinishare Inc., Coastal Bend Hospital CT Services Ltd., Coastal Bend Hospital Inc., Coastal Carolina Home Care Inc., Coastal Carolina Multispecialty Associates LLC, Coastal Carolina Primary Care LLC, Coastal Healthcare Services Inc., Coastal Imaging Center L.P., Coastal Imaging Center of Gulfport Inc., Coastal Inpatient Physicians LLC, Coliseum Health Group Inc., Coliseum Health Group LLC, Coliseum Medical Center LLC, Coliseum Park Hospital Inc., Coliseum Primary Care Services LLC, Coliseum Primary Healthcare - Macon LLC, Coliseum Primary Healthcare - Riverside LLC, Coliseum Professional Associates LLC, Coliseum Same Day Surgery Center L.P., Coliseum Surgery Center L.L.C., College Park Ancillary LLC, College Park Endoscopy Center LLC, College Park Radiology LLC, Colleton Ambulatory Care LLC, Colleton Diagnostic Center LLC, Colleton Medical Anesthesia LLC, Colleton Medical Hospitalists LLC, Colleton Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery LLC, Collier County Home Health Agency Inc., Collin County Diagnostic Associates PLLC, Colorado Health Systems Inc., Columbia ASC Management L.P., Columbia Ambulatory Surgery Division Inc., Columbia Arlington Healthcare System L.L.C., Columbia Bay Area Realty Ltd., Columbia Behavioral Health Ltd., Columbia Behavioral Healthcare Inc., Columbia Behavioral Healthcare of South Florida Inc., Columbia Call Center Inc., Columbia Central Florida Division Inc., Columbia Central Group Inc., Columbia Champions Treatment Center Inc., Columbia Chicago Division Inc., Columbia Coliseum Same Day Surgery Center Inc., Columbia Development of Florida Inc., Columbia Doctors Hospital of Tulsa Inc., Columbia Eye and Specialty Surgery Center Ltd., Columbia Florida Group Inc., Columbia GP of Mesquite Inc., Columbia Good Samaritan Health System Limited Partnership, Columbia Greater Houston Division Healthcare Network Inc., Columbia Health System of Arkansas Inc., Columbia Healthcare System of Louisiana Inc., Columbia Healthcare of Central Virginia Inc., Columbia Hospital Corporation at the Medical Center, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Arlington, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Bay Area, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Central Miami, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Corpus Christi, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Fort Worth, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Houston, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Kendall, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Massachusetts Inc., Columbia Hospital Corporation of Miami, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Miami Beach, Columbia Hospital Corporation of North Miami Beach, Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward, Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Dade, Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Florida, Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Miami, Columbia Hospital Corporation of Tamarac, Columbia Hospital Corporation of West Houston, Columbia Hospital Corporation-Delaware, Columbia Hospital Corporation-SMM, Columbia Hospital at Medical City Dallas Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Hospital-El Paso Ltd., Columbia Integrated Health Systems Inc., Columbia Jacksonville Healthcare System Inc., Columbia LaGrange Hospital LLC, Columbia Lake Worth Surgical Center Limited Partnership, Columbia Medical Arts Hospital Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center Dallas Southwest Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center at Lancaster Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center of Arlington Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center of Denton Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center of Las Colinas Inc., Columbia Medical Center of Lewisville Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center of McKinney Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Center of Plano Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Medical Group - Centennial Inc., Columbia Medical Group - Daystar Inc., Columbia Medical Group - Parkridge Inc., Columbia Medical Group - Southern Hills Inc., Columbia Medical Group - Southwest Virginia Inc., Columbia Medical Group - The Frist Clinic Inc., Columbia Midtown Joint Venture, Columbia North Alaska Healthcare Inc., Columbia North Central Florida Health System Limited Partnership, Columbia North Florida Regional Medical Center Limited Partnership, Columbia North Hills Hospital Subsidiary L.P., Columbia North Texas Healthcare System L.P., Columbia North Texas Subsidiary GP LLC, Columbia North Texas Surgery Center Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Northwest Medical Center Inc., Columbia Northwest Medical Center Partners Ltd., Columbia Ocala Regional Medical Center Physician Group Inc., Columbia Ogden Medical Center Inc., Columbia Oklahoma Division Inc., Columbia Palm Beach GP LLC, Columbia Palm Beach Healthcare System Limited Partnership, Columbia Park Healthcare System Inc., Columbia Park Medical Center Inc., Columbia Parkersburg Healthcare System LLC, Columbia Pentagon City Hospital L.L.C., Columbia Physician Services - Florida Group Inc., Columbia Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Primary Care LLC, Columbia Psychiatric Management Co., Columbia Resource Network Inc., Columbia Rio Grande Healthcare L.P., Columbia Riverside Inc., Columbia South Texas Division Inc., Columbia Specialty Hospital of Dallas Subsidiary L.P., Columbia Specialty Hospitals Inc., Columbia Surgery Group Inc., Columbia Surgicare of Augusta Ltd., Columbia Tampa Bay Division Inc., Columbia Valley Healthcare System L.P., Columbia West Bank Hospital Inc., Columbia Westbank Healthcare L.P., Columbia-CSA/HS Greater Canton Area Healthcare System L.P., Columbia-CSA/HS Greater Cleveland Area Healthcare System L.P., Columbia-Georgia PT Inc., Columbia-Osceola Imaging Center Inc., Columbia-Quantum Inc., Columbia-SDH Holdings Inc., Columbia/Alleghany Regional Hospital Incorporated, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation of Central Texas, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation of Northern Ohio, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation of South Carolina, Columbia/HCA Heartcare of Corpus Christi Inc., Columbia/HCA International Group Inc., Columbia/HCA John Randolph Inc., Columbia/HCA Middle East Management Company, Columbia/HCA Physician Hospital Organization Medical Center Hospital, Columbia/HCA San Clemente Inc., Columbia/HCA of Baton Rouge Inc., Columbia/HCA of Houston Inc., Columbia/HCA of New Orleans Inc., Columbia/HCA of North Texas Inc., Columbine Psychiatric Center Inc., Columbus Cardiology Inc., Columbus Cath Lab Inc., Columbus Cath Lab LLC, Columbus Doctors Hospital Inc., Commonwealth Perinatal Services LLC, Commonwealth Specialists of Kentucky LLC, Community Hospital Family Practice LLC, Comprehensive Radiation Oncology LLC, Comprehensive Radiology Management Services Ltd., Concept EFL Imaging Center LLC, Concept West EFL Imaging Center LLC, Congenital Heart Surgery Center PLLC, Conroe Hospital Corporation, Conroe Montgomery Physicians Group PLLC, Conroe Orthopedic Specialists PLLC, Conroe Partner LLC, Conroe Specialists of Texas PLLC, Continental Division I Inc., Coral Springs Surgi-Center Ltd., CoralStone Management Inc., Corpus Christi Healthcare Group Ltd., Corpus Christi Heart Clinic PLLC, Corpus Christi Primary Care Associates PLLC, Corpus Christi Psychiatric Specialists PLLC, Corpus Christi Radiation Oncology PLLC, Corpus Christi Surgery Center L.P., Corpus Christi Surgery Ltd., Corpus Christi Surgicenter LLC, Corpus Surgicare Inc., Countryside Surgery Center Ltd., Crewe Outpatient Imaging LLC, Cumberland Medical Center Inc., Cy-Fair Medical Center Hospital LLC, DFW Physicians Group PLLC, DOMC Property LLC, DS Real Estate Holdings LLC, Daleville Imaging L.P., Daleville Imaging Manager LLC, Dallas CardioThoracic Surgery Consultants PLLC, Dallas Cardiology Specialists PLLC, Dallas Hand Surgery Center PLLC, Dallas Medical Specialists PLLC, Dallas Neuro-Stroke Affiliates PLLC, Dallas Pediatric Neurosurgery Specialists PLLC, Dallas/Ft. Worth Physician LLC, Davie Medical Center LLC, Daytona Medical Center Inc., Dean 4641 LLC, Deep Purple Investments LLC, Del Sol Bariatric Clinic PLLC, Delray EFL Imaging Center LLC, Denton Cancer Center PLLC, Denton County Hospitalist Program PLLC, Denton Pediatric Physicians PLLC, Denton Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Denver Clinic Surgicenter LLC, Denver Mid-Town Surgery Center Ltd., Denver Surgicenter LLC, Derry ASC Inc., Diagnostic Breast Center Inc., Diagnostic Mammography Services G.P., Diagnostic Services G.P., Dickson Surgery Center L.P., Doctors Bay Area Physician Hospital Organization, Doctors Hospital (Conroe) Inc., Doctors Hospital Columbus GA-Joint Venture, Doctors Hospital Surgery Center L.P., Doctors Hospital of Augusta LLC, Doctors Hospital of Augusta Neurology LLC, Doctors Osteopathic Medical Center Inc., Doctors Same Day Surgery Center Inc., Doctors Same Day Surgery Center Ltd., Doctors-I Inc., Doctors-II Inc., Doctors-III Inc., Doctors-IV Inc., Doctors-IX Inc., Doctors-V Inc., Doctors-VI Inc., Doctors-VII Inc., Doctors-VIII Inc., Doctors-X Inc., Doctors Memorial Hospital of Spartanburg Limited Partnership, Dominion Hospital Physicians Group LLC, Dublin Community Hospital LLC, Dublin Heart Specialists LLC, Dublin Multispecialty LLC, Dura Medical Inc., E.P. Physical Therapy Centers Inc., EASTSIDE URGENT CARE LLC, EHCA Diagnostics LLC, EHCA Eastside Occupational Medicine Center LLC, EHCA LLC, EHCA Metropolitan LLC, EHCA Parkway LLC, EHCA Peachtree LLC, EHCA West Paces LLC, EIRMC Hospitalist Services LLC, EMMC LLC, EP Health LLC, EP Holdco LLC, EPIC Development Inc., EPIC Diagnostic Centers Inc., EPIC Healthcare Management Company, EPIC Properties Inc., EPIC Surgery Centers Inc., EPSC L.P., East Falls Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery LLC, East Falls Family Medicine LLC, East Falls Plastic Surgery LLC, East Florida - DMC Inc., East Florida Behavioral Health Network LLC, East Florida Cardiology Network LLC, East Florida CareNow Urgent Care LLC, East Florida Division Inc., East Florida Emergency Physician Group LLC, East Florida Healthcare LLC, East Florida Hospitalists LLC, East Florida Imaging Holdings LLC, East Florida Primary Care LLC, East Houston Primary Care PLLC, East Houston Specialists PLLC, East Layton Internal Medicine LLC, East Orthopedics PLLC, East Pointe Hospital Inc., Eastern Idaho Brachytherapy Equipment LLC, Eastern Idaho Brachytherapy Equipment Manager LLC, Eastern Idaho Care Partners ACO LLC, Eastern Idaho Care Partners Holdings LLC, Eastern Idaho Care Partners LLC, Eastern Idaho Health Services Inc., Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Inpatient Services LLC, Eastside Behavioral Health Associates LLC, Eastside General Surgery LLC, Eastside Heart and Vascular LLC, Eastside Medical Center LLC, Eastside Surgery Center LLC, Edmond General Surgery LLC, Edmond Hospitalists LLC, Edmond Physician Hospital Organization Inc., Edward White Hospital Inc., El Paso CareNow Urgent Care PLLC, El Paso Healthcare Provider Network, El Paso Healthcare System Ltd., El Paso Healthcare System Physician Services LLC, El Paso Nurses Unlimited Inc., El Paso Primary Care PLLC, El Paso Surgery Centers L.P., El Paso Surgicenter Inc., Eldridge Family Practitioners PLLC, Elite Family Health of Plano PLLC, Elite OB-GYN Services of El Paso PLLC, Elite Orthopaedics of El Paso PLLC, Elite Orthopaedics of Irving PLLC, Elite Orthopaedics of Plano PLLC, Elstree Outpatient Centre LLP, Emergency Physicians at Wesley Medical Center LLC, Emergency Providers Group LLC, Emergency Psychiatric Medicine PLLC, Encino Hospital Corporation Inc., Endocrinology Associates of Lees Summit LLC, Endoscopy Surgicare of Plano LLC, Endoscopy of Plano L.P., Englewood Community Hospital Auxiliary Inc., Englewood Community Hospital Inc., Envision Stakes LLC, Eye Care Surgicare Ltd. a Missouri limited partnership, FHAL LLC, FMH Health Services LLC, Fairfax Surgical Center L.P., Fairview Medical Services LLC, Fairview Park GP LLC, Fairview Park Limited Partnership, Fairview Partner LLC, Family Care Partners LLC, Family Care of E. Jackson County LLC, Family First Medicine in Brownsville PLLC, Family Health Medical Group of Overland Park LLC, Family Health Specialists of Lees Summit LLC, Family Medicine of Blacksburg LLC, Family Practice at Forest Hill LLC, Family Practice at Retreat LLC, Family Practitioners of Montgomery PLLC, Family Practitioners of Pearland PLLC, Fannin MOB LLC, Fannin MOB Property Management LLC, Far West Division Inc., Fawcett Memorial Hospital Inc., Florida Care Partners LLC, Florida Care Partners Orlando LLC, Florida Home Health Services-Private Care Inc., Florida Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Flower Mound Surgery Center Ltd., Focus Hand Surgicenter LLC, Foot & Ankle Specialty Services LLC, Forest Park Surgery Pavilion Inc., Forest Park Surgery Pavilion L.P., Fort Bend Hospital Inc., Fort Chiswell Family Practice LLC, Fort Myers Market Inc., Fort Pierce Immediate Care Center Inc., Fort Pierce Orthopaedics LLC, Fort Pierce Surgery Center Ltd., Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Inc., Fort Worth Investments Inc., Forward Pathology Solutions LLC, Four Rivers Medical Center PHO Inc., Frankfort Hospital Inc., Frankfort Wound Care LLC, Freeport Family Medicine LLC, Fremont Womens Health LLC, Frisco Surgicare LLC, Frisco Warren Parkway 91 Inc., Frist Clinic Express LLC, Ft. Pierce Surgicare LLC, Ft. Walton Beach Anesthesia Services LLC, G. Rowe M.D. PLLC, G. Schnider M.D. PLLC, G. Voorhees M.D. PLLC, G.P. Martin Fletcher & Associates LLC, GA PHYSICIAN SERVICES LLC, GA Urgentcare Holding LLC, GHC-Galen Health Care LLC, GI Associates of Denton PLLC, GI Associates of Lewisville PLLC, GME Services of Osceola LLC, GPCH-GP Inc., GYN-Oncology of Southwest Virginia LLC, Gainesville GYN Oncology of North Florida Regional Medical Center LLC, Gainesville Physicians LLC, GalTex LLC, Galen (Kansas) Merger LLC, Galen BH Inc., Galen Center for Professional Development Inc., Galen College of Nursing, Galen Diagnostic Multicenter Ltd., Galen GOK LLC, Galen Global Finance Inc., Galen Health Institutes Inc., Galen Health Partners Limited, Galen Holdco LLC, Galen Hospital Alaska Inc., Galen Hospital of Baytown Inc., Galen Hospital-Pembroke Pines Inc., Galen International Holdings Inc., Galen KY LLC, Galen MCS LLC, Galen MRMC LLC, Galen Medical Corporation, Galen NMC LLC, Galen NSH LLC, Galen Property LLC, Galen SOM LLC, Galen SSH LLC, Galen Virginia Hospital Corporation, Galen of Aurora Inc., Galen of Florida Inc., Galen of Illinois Inc., Galen of Kentucky Inc., Galen of Mississippi Inc., Galen of Virginia Inc., Galen of West Virginia Inc., Galen-Soch Inc., Galencare Inc., Galendeco Inc., Galichia Anesthesia Services LLC, Galichia Emergency Physicians LLC, Garden Park Community Hospital Limited Partnership, Garden Park Hospitalist Program LLC, Garden Park Investments L.P., Garden Park Physician Group - Specialty Care LLC, Garden Park Physician Group Inc., Gardens EFL Imaging Center LLC, Gastroenterology Specialists of Middle Tennessee LLC, General Hospitals of Galen Inc., General Medical Clinics Limited, General Surgeons of Houston PLLC, General Surgeons of North Richland Hills PLLC, General Surgeons of Pasadena PLLC, General and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Conroe PLLC, Generations Family Practice Inc., GenoSpace LLC, Georgia Health Holdings Inc., Georgia L.P., Georgia Psychiatric Company Inc., Glemm SA, Good Samaritan Hospital L.P., Good Samaritan Hospital LLC, Good Samaritan Surgery Center L.P., Goppert-Trinity Family Care LLC, Grace Family Practice LLC, Gramercy Eye Surgicenter LLC, Gramercy Surgery Center Ltd., Grand Strand Regional Medical Center LLC, Grand Strand Senior Health Center LLC, Grand Strand Specialty Associates LLC, Grand Strand Surgical Specialists LLC, Grandview Health Care Clinic LLC, Grant Center Hospital of Ocala Inc., Grayson Primary Care LLC, Greater Gwinnett Internal Medicine Associates LLC, Greater Gwinnett Physician Corporation, Greater Houston Preferred Provider Option Inc., Greater Tampa Bay Physician Network LLC, Greater Tampa Bay Physician Specialists LLC, Greater Tampa Bay Physicians - Pinellas LLC, Green Oaks Hospital Subsidiary L.P., Greenview Hospital Inc., Greenview PrimeCare LLC, Greenview Specialty Associates LLC, Gulf Coast Division Inc., Gulf Coast Electrophysiology Associates PLLC, Gulf Coast Inpatient Specialists LLC, Gulf Coast Medical Center Primary Care LLC, Gulf Coast Medical Ventures Inc., Gulf Coast Multispecialty Services LLC, Gulf Coast Physician Administrators Inc., Gulf Coast Provider Network Inc., Gwinnett Community Hospital Inc., Gynecology Specialists of Utah LLC, H2U Wellness Centers - Del Sol Medical Center PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers - Las Palmas Medical Center PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers - Medical City Dallas PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers - St. Davids Medical Center PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers LLC, H2U Wellness Centers Clear Lake Regional Medical Center PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers Conroe ISD PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers Conroe Regional Medical Center PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers Corpus Christi PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers El Paso PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers PISD PLLC, H2U Wellness Centers San Benito CISD PLLC, HBP Lone Star Inc., HCA - IT&S Field Operations Inc., HCA - IT&S Inventory Management Inc., HCA - IT&S PBS Field Operations Inc., HCA - IT&S TN Field Operations Inc., HCA - Information Technology & Services Inc., HCA - Raleigh Community Hospital Inc., HCA - Viera ALF LLC, HCA - WHS Progressive LLC, HCA - WHS Services LLC, HCA ASD Financial Operations LLC, HCA ASD Sales Services LLC, HCA American Finance LLC, HCA Carenow Limited, HCA Central Group Inc., HCA Central/West Texas Physicians Management LLC, HCA Chattanooga Market Inc., HCA Development Company Inc., HCA Eastern Group Inc., HCA Global Capital LLP, HCA Gulf Coast GME PLLC, HCA Health Services of California Inc., HCA Health Services of Florida Inc., HCA Health Services of Georgia Inc., HCA Health Services of Louisiana Inc., HCA Health Services of Miami Inc., HCA Health Services of Midwest Inc., HCA Health Services of New Hampshire Inc., HCA Health Services of Tennessee Inc., HCA Health Services of Texas Inc., HCA Health Services of Virginia Inc., HCA Health Services of West Virginia Inc., HCA Healthcare Mission Fund LLC, HCA Healthcare UK Limited, HCA Holdco LLC, HCA Human Resources LLC, HCA Imaging Services of North Florida Inc., HCA Inc., HCA International Holdings Limited, HCA International Limited, HCA LewisGale Regional Cancer Centers Clinical Co-Management Company LLC, HCA Long Term Health Services of Miami Inc., HCA Luxembourg 1 Sarl, HCA Luxembourg 2 Sarl, HCA Luxembourg Equities Sarl, HCA Luxembourg Finance Limited, HCA Luxembourg Investments Sarl, HCA Management Services L.P., HCA Medical City Limited, HCA Medical Services Inc., HCA Midwest Comprehensive Care Inc., HCA Outpatient Clinic Services of Miami Inc., HCA Outpatient Imaging Services Group Inc., HCA Patient Safety Organization LLC, HCA Pearland GP Inc., HCA Physician Services Inc., HCA Plano Imaging Inc., HCA Property GP LLC, HCA Psychiatric Company, HCA Purchasing Limited, HCA Realty Inc., HCA Richmond Cardiac Clinical Co-Management Company LLC, HCA SF LLC, HCA SFB 1 LLC, HCA Sarasota Orthopedic and Spine Clinical Co-Management Company LLC, HCA Squared LLC, HCA Staffing Limited, HCA Swiss Capital 1 LLP, HCA Swiss Capital 2 LLP, HCA Switzerland Finance GmbH, HCA Switzerland Holding GmbH, HCA Switzerland Limited, HCA UK Capital Limited, HCA UK Holdings Limited, HCA UK Investments Limited, HCA UK Limited, HCA UK Services Limited, HCA Wesley Rehabilitation Hospital Inc., HCA Western Group Inc., HCA-Access Healthcare Holdings LLC, HCA-Access Healthcare Partner Inc., HCA-California Urgent Care Holdings LLC, HCA-EMS Holdings LLC, HCA-EmCare Holdings LLC, HCA-Georgia Urgent Care Holdings LLC, HCA-HBPS Holdings LLC, HCA-HealthONE LLC, HCA-Solis Holdings Inc., HCA-Solis Mammography Service Holdings of Continental LLC, HCA-Solis Mammography Service Holdings of Gulf Coast LLC, HCA-Solis Mammography Service Holdings of North Texas LLC, HCA-Solis Mammography Service Holdings of TriStar LLC, HCA-Solis Mammography Services LLC, HCA-Solis Master LLC, HCA-Urgent Care Holdings LLC, HCAPS Anesthesia Manager LLC, HCAPS Conroe Affiliation Inc., HCOL Inc., HD&S Corp. Successor Inc., HDH Thoracic Surgeons LLC, HHBY Holdings LLC, HHNC LLC, HICCH-SCL LLC, HM Acquisition LLC, HM OMCOS LLC, HMMG 1226 LLC, HPG Energy L.P., HPG Enterprises LLC, HPG GP LLC, HPG Solutions LLC, HSS Holdco LLC, HSS Systems LLC, HSS Virginia L.P., HTI Gulf Coast Inc., HTI Health Services of North Carolina Inc., HTI Hospital Holdings Inc., HTI MOB LLC, HTI MSO LLC, HTI Memorial Hospital Corporation, HTI Physician Services of Utah Inc., HWCA PLLC, Hamilton Memorial Hospital Inc., Hamsard 3160 Limited, Harley Street Clinic @ The Groves LLP, Hathor Chelsea Ltd., Healdsburg General Hospital Inc., Health Care Indemnity Inc., Health Insight Capital LLC, Health International Billing Partners Limited, Health Midwest Medical Group Inc., Health Midwest Office Facilities Corporation, Health Midwest Ventures Group Inc., Health Partners of Kansas Inc., Health Service Partners Inc., Health Services (Delaware) Inc., Health Services Merger Inc., Health to You LLC, HealthCoast Physician Group LLC, HealthONE Aurora Investment LLC, HealthONE Care Partners LLC, HealthONE CareNow Urgent Care LLC, HealthONE Clear Creek LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Bariatric Medicine LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Behavioral Health LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Cancer Care LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Cancer Specialties LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Cardiovascular LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Medical Specialties LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Neurosciences LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Obstetrics and Gynecology LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Occupational Medicine LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Oncology Hematology LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Orthopedic Specialists LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Otolaryngology Specialists LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Pediatric Specialties LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Primary Care LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Spine Specialists LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Spine Surgeons LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Surgery Neurological LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Surgical Specialties LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Transplant Services LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Womens Services LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services - Youth Rehabilitation LLC, HealthONE Clinic Services LLC, HealthONE High Street Primary Care Center LLC, HealthONE IRL Pathology Services LLC, HealthONE Institutes for Clinical Research LLC, HealthONE Lowry LLC, HealthONE Radiation Therapy at Red Rocks LLC, HealthONE Radiation Therapy at Thornton LLC, HealthONE Ridge View Endoscopy Center LLC, HealthONE Surgicare of Ridge View LLC, HealthONE Urologic LLC, HealthONE at Breckenridge LLC, HealthONE of Denver Inc., HealthOne Heart Care LLC, HealthOne Lincoln Investment LLC, HealthOne Westside Investment LLC, HealthTrust Europe Company Limited, HealthTrust Europe LLP, HealthTrust Locums Inc., HealthTrust Workforce Solutions LLC, Healthcare Oklahoma Inc., Healthcare Purchasing Alliance LLC, Healthcare Sales National Management Services Group LLC, Healthcare Technology Assessment Corporation, Healthco LLC, Healthnet of Kentucky LLC, Healthserv Acquisition LLC, Healthtrust Inc. - The Hospital Company, Healthtrust MOB Tennessee LLC, Healthtrust Purchasing Group L.P., Healthtrust Utah Management Services Inc., Healthy State Inc., Heart Specialist of North Texas PLLC, Heart of America ASC LLC, Heart of America Surgicenter LLC, Heartcare of Texas Ltd., Hearthstone Home Health Inc., Heartland Womens Group at Wesley LLC, Heathrow Imaging LLC, Heathrow Internal Medicine LLC, Hendersonville Hospital Corporation, Hendersonville Hospitalist Services Inc., Hendersonville OB/GYN LLC, Hendersonville ODC LLC, Hendersonville Primary Care LLC, Henrico Doctors Hospital - Forest Campus Property LLC, Henrico Doctors Neurology Associates LLC, Henrico Doctors OB GYN Specialists LLC, Henrico Surgical Specialists LLC, Heritage Family Care LLC, Heritage Hospital Inc., Heritage Medical Care LLC, Hermitage Primary Care LLC, Hidalgo County Family Practitioners PLLC, Hidden Lakes Health Center PLLC, Highlands Regional Medical Center, Hip & Joint Specialists of North Texas PLLC, Homecare North Inc., Hometrust Management Services Inc., Horizon Orthopedics LLC, Horizon Surgical LLC, Hospital Corp. LLC, Hospital Corporation of America, Hospital Corporation of Lake Worth, Hospital Corporation of Tennessee, Hospital Corporation of Utah, Hospital Development Properties Inc., Hospital Partners Merger LLC, Hospital Realty Corporation, Hospital-Based CRNA Services Inc., Hospitalists at Centennial Medical Center LLC, Hospitalists at Fairview Park LLC, Hospitalists at Greenview Regional Hospital LLC, Hospitalists at Horizon Medical Center LLC, Hospitalists at Parkridge LLC, Hospitalists at StoneCrest LLC, Hospitalists at Wesley Medical Center LLC, Hospitalists of the Wabash Valley LLC, Houston - PPH LLC, Houston CareNow Urgent Care PLLC, Houston Healthcare Holdings Inc., Houston NW Manager LLC, Houston Northwest Concessions L.L.C., Houston Northwest Operating Company L.L.C., Houston Northwest Surgical Partners Inc., Houston Obstetrics and Gynecology for Women PLLC, Houston Pediatric Specialty Group PLLC, Houston Urologic Surgicenter LLC, Houston Womans Hospital Partner LLC, ICU Associates of West Houston PLLC, IMX Holdings LLC, IRL Pathology Services MidAmerica LLC, Idaho Behavioral Health Services LLC, Idaho Physician Services Inc., Illinois Psychiatric Hospital Company Inc., Imaging Realty LLC, Imaging Services of Appomattox LLC, Imaging Services of Jacksonville LLC, Imaging Services of Louisiana LLC, Imaging Services of Louisiana Manager LLC, Imaging Services of Orlando LLC, Imaging Services of Richmond LLC, Imaging Services of Roanoke LLC, Imaging Services of West Boynton LLC, InVivoLink Inc., Independence Neurosurgery Services LLC, Independence Regional Medical Group LLC, Independence Surgicare Inc., Indian Path Hospital Inc., Indianapolis Hospital Partner LLC, Institute for Womens Health and Body LLC, Institute of Advanced ENT Surgery LLC, Integrated Regional Lab LLC, Integrated Regional Laboratories LLP, Integrated Regional Laboratories Pathology Services LLC, Intensive Care Consortium Inc., Internal Medicine Associates of Huntsville PLLC, Internal Medicine Associates of Southern Hills LLC, Internal Medicine of Blacksburg LLC, Internal Medicine of Pasadena PLLC, Internist Associates of Houston PLLC, Isleworth Partners Inc., J. M. Garcia M.D. PLLC, JCSH LLC, JDGC Management LLC, JFK Internal Medicine Faculty Practice LLC, JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, JPM AA Housing LLC, Jackson County Medical Group LLC, Jackson County Pulmonary Medical Group LLC, Jacksonville CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Jacksonville Multispecialty Services LLC, Jacksonville Surgery Center Ltd., James River Internists LLC, John Randolph Family Practice LLC, John Randolph OB/GYN LLC, John Randolph Surgeons LLC, Johnson County Neurology LLC, Johnson County Surgery Center L.P., Johnson County Surgicenter L.L.C., Jordan Family Health L.L.C., Jupiter EFL Imaging Center LLC, KC Pain ASC LLC, KC Surgicare LLC, KPH-Consolidation Inc., Kansas CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Kansas City Cardiac Arrhythmia Research LLC, Kansas City Gastroenterology & Hepatology Physicians Group LLC, Kansas City Neurology Associates LLC, Kansas City Pulmonology Practice LLC, Kansas City Surgery Center Properties LLC, Kansas City Vascular & General Surgery Group LLC, Kansas City Womens Clinic Group LLC, Kansas Healthserv LLC, Kansas Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists LLC, Kansas Trauma and Critical Care Specialists LLC, Kathy L. Summers M.D. PLLC, Kendall Healthcare Group Ltd., Kendall Regional Medical Center LLC, Kendall Regional Urgent Care LLC, Kennedale Primary Care PLLC, Kingwood Multi-Specialty Group PLLC, Kingwood Surgery Center LLC, Kingwood Surgicenter LLC, Kissimmee Surgicare Ltd., Kyle Primary Care PLLC, L E Corporation, LAD Imaging LLC, LGMC Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, LOC @ The Christie LLP, LOC @ The London Bridge Hospital LLP, LOC Partnership LLP, LPN TeleBehavioral Health PLLC, Lafayette OB Hospitalists LLC, Lafayette Urogynecology & Urology Center LLC, Lake City Imaging LLC, Lake City Regional Medical Group LLC, Lake Forest Family Health PLLC, Lakeside Radiology LLC, Lakeside Womens Services LLC, Lakeview Cardiology Specialists LLC, Lakeview Hospital Physician Services LLC, Lakeview Internal Medicine LLC, Lakeview Medical Center LLC, Lakeview Regional Medical Center Inpatient Services LLC, Lakeview Regional Physician Group LLC, Lakeview Urology & General Surgery LLC, Lakewood Surgicare Inc., Laredo Medco LLC, Largo Medical Center Inc., Largo Physician Group LLC, Las Colinas Primary Care PLLC, Las Colinas Surgery Center Ltd., Las Encinas Hospital, Las Palmas Del Sol Cardiology PLLC, Las Palmas Del Sol Internal Medicine PLLC, Las Palmas Del Sol Urgent Care PLLC, Las Vegas ASC LLC, Las Vegas Surgicare Inc., Las Vegas Surgicare Ltd. a Nevada Limited Partnership, Lawnwood Cardiovascular Surgery LLC, Lawnwood Healthcare Specialists LLC, Lawnwood Medical Center Inc., Layton Family Practice LLC, Leaders in Oncology Care Limited, Leadership Healthcare Holdings II L.P. L.L.P., Leadership Healthcare Holdings L.P. L.L.P., Lees Summit Family Care LLC, Leslie Cohan M.D. PLLC, Lewis-Gale Hospital Incorporated, Lewis-Gale Medical Center LLC, Lewis-Gale Physicians LLC, Lewisville Primary Care PLLC, Lewisville Surgicare LLC, Lincoln Surgery Center LLC, Live Oak Immediate Care Center LLC, London Oncology Clinic LLP, London Pathology Limited, London Radiography & Radiotherapy Services Limited, Lone Peak Hospital Inc., Lone Star Intensivists at Gulf Coast PLLC, Lonestar Provider Network, Longview Regional Physician Hospital Organization Inc., Lorain County Surgery Center Ltd., Los Gatos Surgical Center a California Limited Partnership, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, Los Robles Regional Medical Center MOB LLC, Los Robles SurgiCenter LLC, Loudoun Surgery Center LLC, Louisiana Psychiatric Company Inc., Loveland Surgicenter LLC, Low Country Health Services Inc. of the Southeast, Lowry Surgicenter LLC, M. Jamshidi D.O. PLLC, MCA Investment Company, MCA-CTMC Holdings LLC, MEC Endoscopy LLC, MFA G.P. LLC, MFM Fact PLLC, MGH Medical Inc., MH Anesthesiology Physicians LLC, MH Angel Medical Center LLLP, MH Asheville Specialty Hospital LLC, MH Blue Ridge Medical Center LLLP, MH Eckerd Living Center LLLP, MH Highlands-Cashiers Medical Center LLLP, MH Hospital Holdings Inc., MH Hospital Manager LLC, MH Master Holdings LLLP, MH Master LLC, MH McDowell Imaging LLLP, MH Mission Hospital LLLP, MH Mission Hospital McDowell LLLP, MH Mission Imaging LLLP, MH Physician Services LLC, MH Transylvania Imaging LLLP, MH Transylvania Regional Hospital LLLP, MHS Partnership Holdings JSC Inc., MHS Partnership Holdings SDS Inc., MHS SC Partner L.L.C., MHS Surgery Centers L.P., MMC Sleep Lab Management LLC, MOSC Sports Medicine Inc., MOVCO Inc., MP Management LLC, MRT&C Inc., MSL Acquisition LLC, MVH Professional Services LLC, Macon Healthcare LLC, Macon Northside Health Group LLC, Macon Northside Hospital LLC, Macon Psychiatric Hospitalists LLC, Madison Behavioral Health LLC, Mainland Family Medicine PLLC, Mainland Multi-Specialty Group PLLC, Mainland Primary Care Physicians PLLC, Management Services Holdings Inc., Manatee Surgicare Ltd., Marietta Outpatient Medical Building Inc., Marietta Outpatient Surgery Ltd., Marietta Surgical Center Inc., Marion Community Hospital Inc., Mark Gottesman M.D. PLLC, Martin Fletcher & Associates L.P., Martin Fletcher Associates Holdings Inc., Mary Alice Cowan M.D. PLLC, Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists of Corpus Christi PLLC, Maternal Fetal Services of Utah LLC, Maury County Behavioral Health LLC, Mayhill Cancer Center LLC, McAllen Comprehensive Upper Extremity Center PLLC, McKinney Surgeons PLLC, Mechanicsville Imaging LLC, Mecklenburg Surgical Land Development Ltd., Med City Dallas Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Med Corp. Inc., Med Group - Southern Hills Hospitalists LLC, Med-Center Hosp./Houston Inc., Med-Point of New Hampshire Inc., Medi Flight of Oklahoma LLC, MediCredit Inc., MediPurchase Inc., MediStone Healthcare Ventures Inc., MediVision Inc., MediVision of Mecklenburg County Inc., MediVision of Tampa Inc., Medical Arts Hospital of Texarkana Inc., Medical Associates of Ocala LLC, Medical Care America Colorado LLC, Medical Care America LLC, Medical Care Financial Services Corp., Medical Care Real Estate Finance Inc., Medical Care Surgery Center Inc., Medical Center - West Inc., Medical Center Imaging Inc., Medical Center Surgery Associates L.P., Medical Center of Baton Rouge Inc., Medical Center of Plano Partner LLC, Medical Center of Port St. Lucie Inc., Medical Center of Santa Rosa Inc., Medical Center of Southwest Florida LLC, Medical Centers of Oklahoma LLC, Medical City Dallas Hospital Inc., Medical City Dallas Partner LLC, Medical City Dallas Primary Care PLLC, Medical City Frisco, Medical City OB-GYN PLLC, Medical City Pediatrics PLLC, Medical City Specialty Surgicenter of Dallas LLC, Medical City Surgery Center of Alliance LLC, Medical City Surgery Center of Frisco LLC, Medical City Surgery Center of Lewisville LLC, Medical City Transplant PLLC, Medical Corporation of America, Medical Group - Dickson Inc., Medical Group - Southern Hills of Brentwood LLC, Medical Group - Southern Hills of Nolensville LLC, Medical Group - StoneCrest FP Inc., Medical Group - StoneCrest Inc., Medical Group - Stonecrest Pulmonology LLC, Medical Group - Summit Inc., Medical Imaging Inc., Medical Imaging of Colorado LLC, Medical Office Buildings of Kansas LLC, Medical Oncology Associates LLC, Medical Partners of North Florida LLC, Medical Plaza Ambulatory Surgery Center Associates L.P., Medical Specialties Inc., Memorial Family Practice Associates LLC, Memorial Health Primary Care at St. Johns Bluff LLC, Memorial Healthcare Group Inc., Memorial Neurosurgery Group LLC, Memorial Satilla Specialists LLC, Memorial University Medical Center, Menorah Medical Group LLC, Menorah Urgent Care LLC, Mercy ASC LLC, Metairie Primary Care Associates LLC, Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Center of Boerne LLC, Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Center of Landmark LLC, Methodist Cardiology Physicians, Methodist CareNow Physician Associates, Methodist CareNow Urgent Care PLLC, Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio Ltd. L.L.P., Methodist Inpatient Management Group, Methodist Medical Center ASC L.P., Methodist Physician Alliance, Methodist Physician Practice Services LLC, Methodist Physician Practices PLLC, Metroplex Surgicenters Inc., Metropolitan Multispecialty Physicians Group Inc., Miami Beach EFL Imaging Center LLC, Miami Beach Healthcare Group Ltd., Miami Dade Surgical Specialists LLC, Miami Lakes Surgery Center Ltd., Miami-Dade Cardiology Consultants LLC, Michael Mann M.D. PLLC, Mid-America Surgery Center LLC, Mid-America Surgery Institute LLC, Mid-Cities Surgi-Center Inc., Mid-Continent Health Services Inc., MidAmerica Division Inc., MidAmerica Oncology LLC, Middle Georgia Hospital LLC, Middle Georgia Urgent Care Services LLC, Middle Tennessee Neurology LLC, Midtown Diagnostics LLC, Midwest Cardiology Specialists LLC, Midwest Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery LLC, Midwest Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Kansas LLC, Midwest Division - ACH LLC, Midwest Division - CMC LLC, Midwest Division - LRHC LLC, Midwest Division - LSH LLC, Midwest Division - MCI LLC, Midwest Division - MMC LLC, Midwest Division - OPRMC LLC, Midwest Division - RBH LLC, Midwest Division - RMC LLC, Midwest Division Spine Care LLC, Midwest Doctors Group LLC, Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists LLC, Midwest Holdings Inc., Midwest Infectious Disease Specialists LLC, Midwest Medicine Associates LLC, Midwest Metropolitan Physicians Group LLC, Midwest Oncology Associates LLC, Midwest Trauma Services LLC, Midwest Womens Healthcare Specialists LLC, Mikrod Services Inc., Mill Creek Outpatient Services LLC, Millenium Health Care of Oklahoma Inc., Mission Bay Memorial Hospital Inc., Mission Community Anesthesiology Specialists LLC, Mission Employer Solutions LLC, Mission Health, Mission Health Partners Inc., Missouri Healthcare System L.P., Mobile Corps. Inc., Mobile Heartbeat, Mobile Heartbeat LLC, Montgomery Cancer Center LLC, Montgomery Hospitalists LLC, Montgomery Regional Hospital Inc., Montgomery Surgery Associates LLC, Mountain Division - CVH LLC, Mountain Division Inc., Mountain View Hospital Inc., Mountain View MRI Associates Ltd., Mountain West Surgery Center LLC, MountainStar Behavioral Health LLC, MountainStar Brigham General Surgery LLC, MountainStar Canyon Surgical Clinic LLC, MountainStar Cardiology Ogden Regional LLC, MountainStar Cardiology St. Marks LLC, MountainStar Intensivist Services LLC, MountainStar Medical Group - Cache Valley LLC, MountainStar Medical Group - Ogden Regional Medical Center LLC, MountainStar Medical Group - St. Marks Hospital LLC, MountainStar Medical Group Neurosurgery-St. Marks LLC, MountainStar Medical Group Timpanogos Primary Care LLC, MountainStar Medical Group Timpanogos Specialty Care LLC, MountainStar Specialty Services LLC, MountainStar Urgent Care LLC, MountainView GME Primary Care LLC, Mountainstar Brigham OBGYN LLC, Mountainstar Cardiovascular Services LLC, Mountainstar Ogden Pediatrics LLC, Movement Disorders of North Texas PLLC, Mt. Ogden Utah Surgical Center LLC, NPAS Inc., NPAS Solutions LLC, NT Urgent Care PLLC, NTGP LLC, NTMC Management Company, NTMC Venture Inc., NTX Pathology Program PLLC, Nashville Psychiatric Company Inc., Nashville Shared Services General Partnership, Nashville Surgicenter LLC, Natchez Medical Associates LLC, Natchez Surgery Center LLC, National Association of Senior Friends, National Contact Center Management Group LLC, National Patient Account Services Inc., National Transfer Center Management Services LLC, Navarro Memorial Hospital Inc., NeighborMD Management LLC, Network MS of Florida Inc., Network Management Services Inc., Neuro Affiliates Company, Neuro-Hospitalist of Clear Lake PLLC, NeuroHospitalist of McAllen PLLC, Neurological Eye Specialists of North Texas PLLC, Neurological Specialists PLLC, Neurological Specialists of McKinney PLLC, Neurology Associates of Hendersonville LLC, Neurology Associates of Kansas LLC, Neurosurgery Atlanta LLC, Neurosurgery of Kingwood PLLC, Neurosurgical Associates of North Texas PLLC, Neurosurgical Specialists of El Paso PLLC, Neurosurgical Specialists of North Texas PLLC, Nevada Surgery Center of Southern Hills L.P., Nevada Surgicare of Southern Hills LLC, Nevada Urgent Care Holdings Inc., New Iberia Healthcare LLC, New Iberia Holdings Inc., New Port Richey Hospital Inc., New Port Richey Surgery Center Ltd., New Rose Holding Company Inc., Niceville Family Practice LLC, North Augusta Imaging Management LLC, North Augusta Imaging Services LLC, North Augusta Rehab Health Center LLC, North Austin Plastic Surgery Associates PLLC, North Austin Surgery Center L.P., North Brandon Imaging LLC, North Central Florida Health System Inc., North Central Methodist ASC L.P., North Charleston Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, North Florida Cancer Center Lake City LLC, North Florida Cancer Center Live Oak LLC, North Florida Cancer Center Tallahassee LLC, North Florida Division I Inc., North Florida Division Practice Inc., North Florida GI Center GP Inc., North Florida GI Center Ltd., North Florida Immediate Care Center Inc., North Florida Neurosurgery LLC, North Florida Outpatient Imaging Center Ltd., North Florida Physician Services Inc., North Florida Physicians LLC, North Florida Radiation Oncology LLC, North Florida Regional Company Care LLC, North Florida Regional Freestanding Surgery Center L.P., North Florida Regional Investments Inc., North Florida Regional Medical Center Inc., North Florida Regional Psychiatry LLC, North Florida Regional Trauma LLC, North Florida Rehab Investments LLC, North Florida Surgical Associates LLC, North Georgia Primary Care Group LLC, North Hills Cardiac Catheterization Center L.P., North Hills Catheterization Lab LLC, North Hills Orthopaedic Surgeons PLLC, North Hills Surgicare L.P., North Houston - TRMC LLC, North Miami Beach Surgery Center Limited Partnership, North Miami Beach Surgical Center LLC, North Palm Beach County Surgery Center LLC, North River Physician Network LLC, North Shore Specialists of Texas PLLC, North Suburban Spine Center L.P., North Tampa Imaging LLC, North Texas - MCA LLC, North Texas Cardiology PLLC, North Texas Craniofacial Fellowship Program PLLC, North Texas Division Inc., North Texas General L.P., North Texas Geriatrics PLLC, North Texas Heart Surgery Center PLLC, North Texas Internal Medicine Specialists PLLC, North Texas Medical Center Inc., North Texas Neuro Stroke OP PLLC, North Texas Pulmonary Critical Care PLLC, North Texas Sports and Orthopedics Center PLLC, North Texas Stroke Center PLLC, North Texas of Hope PLLC, North Transfer Center LLC, Northeast Florida Cancer Services LLC, Northeast Methodist Surgicare Ltd., Northeast PHO Inc., Northern Utah Healthcare Corporation, Northern Utah Healthcare Imaging Holdco LLC, Northern Utah Imaging LLC, Northern Virginia CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Northern Virginia Community Hospital LLC, Northern Virginia Hospital Corporation, Northern Virginia Surgicenter LLC, Northlake Medical Center LLC, Northlake Physician Practice Network Inc., Northlake Surgical Center L.P., Northlake Surgicare Inc., Northside MRI Inc., Northwest Fla. Home Health Agency Inc., Northwest Florida Healthcare Systems Inc., Northwest Florida Multispecialty Physicians LLC, Northwest Florida Primary Care LLC, Northwest Medical Center Inc., Notami (Opelousas) Inc., Notami Hospitals LLC, Notami Hospitals of Florida Inc., Notami Hospitals of Louisiana Inc., Notami Hospitals of Missouri Inc., Notami LLC, Notco LLC, Nuclear Diagnosis Inc., OB Hospitalists of Womans Hospital PLLC, OB/GYN of Brownsville PLLC, OB/Gyn Associates of Denton PLLC, OBS Diagnostic and Treatment Centre LLP, ODP Holdings LLC, ODP Manager LLC, ODP Properties LLC, OHH Imaging Services LLC, OPRMC-HBP LLC, Oak Hill Acquisition Inc., Oak Hill Family Care LLC, Oak Hill Hospitalists LLC, Oakwood Surgery Center Ltd. LLP, Ocala Health Company Care LLC, Ocala Health Imaging Services LLC, Ocala Health Primary Care LLC, Ocala Health Surgical Group LLC, Ocala Health Trauma LLC, Ocala Regional Outpatient Services Inc., Ocala Stereotactic Radiosurgery LLC, Ocala Stereotactic Radiosurgery Partner LLC, Occupational Health Services of PRH LLC, Occupational and Family Medicine of South Texas, Ogden Imaging LLC, Ogden Internal Medicine & Urology LLC, Ogden Regional Health Plan Inc., Ogden Regional Medical Center Professional Billing LLC, Ogden Senior Center LLC, Ogden Tomotherapy LLC, Ogden Tomotherapy Manager LLC, Okaloosa Hospital Inc., Okeechobee Hospital Inc., Oklahoma Holding Company LLC, Oklahoma Outpatient Surgery Limited Partnership, Oklahoma Physicians - Medical Specialties LLC, Oklahoma Physicians - Obstetrics and Gynecology LLC, Oklahoma Physicians - Primary Care LLC, Oklahoma Physicians - Surgical Specialties LLC, Oklahoma Surgicare Inc., Old Fort Village LLC, On-Site Primary Care PLLC, Oncology Services of Corpus Christi LLC, Oncology Services of Corpus Christi Manager LLC, OneSourceMed Inc., Online Pathology Services Limited, Orange County Healthcare LLC, Orange Park Hospitalists LLC, Orange Park Medical Center Inc., Orlando CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Orlando Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Orlando Outpatient Surgical Center Ltd., Orlando Surgicare Ltd., Orthopaedic Specialty Associates L.P., Orthopaedic Sports Specialty Associates Inc., Orthopedic Hospital Ltd., Orthopedics Specialists LLC, Osceola Neurological Associates LLC, Osceola Physician Network LLC, Osceola Regional Hospital Inc., Osceola Regional Hospitalists LLC, Osceola Surgical Associates LLC, Outpatient Cardiovascular Center of Central Florida LLC, Outpatient GP LLC, Outpatient Services - LAD LLC, Outpatient Services Holdings Inc., Outpatient Surgical Services Ltd., Outpatient Womens and Childrens Surgery Center Ltd., Overland Park Cardiovascular Inc., Overland Park Medical Specialists LLC, Overland Park Orthopedics LLC, Overland Park Surgical Specialties LLC, Oviedo Medical Center LLC, Ozarks Medical Services Inc., P&L Associates, P/SL Hyperbaric Partnership, PET CT LLP, PMM Inc., POH Holdings LLC, PSG Delegated Services LLC, PTS Solutions LLC, Pacific Partners Management Services Inc., Palm Beach EFL Imaging Center LLC, Palm Beach General Surgery LLC, Palm Beach Healthcare System Inc., Palm Beach Hospitalists Program LLC, Palmer Medical Center LLC, Palms West Gastroenterology LLC, Palms West Hospital Limited Partnership, Palms West Surgery Center Ltd., Paragon Physicians Hospital Organization of South Texas Inc., Paragon SDS Inc., Paragon Surgery Centers of Texas Inc., Paragon WSC Inc., Paragon of Texas Health Properties Inc., Parallon Business Solutions LLC, Parallon Enterprises LLC, Parallon Health Information Solutions LLC, Parallon Holdings LLC, Parallon Payroll Solutions LLC, Parallon Physician Services LLC, Parallon Revenue Cycle Services Inc., Park Central Surgical Center Ltd., Park Ridge Surgery Center LLC, Park South Imaging Center Ltd., Park View Insurance Company, Parkersburg SJ Holdings Inc., Parkland Hospitalists Program LLC, Parkland Oncology LLC, Parkland Physician Services Inc., Parkridge East Specialty Associates LLC, Parkridge Hospitalists Inc., Parkridge Medical Associates LLC, Parkridge Medical Center Inc., Parkridge Professionals Inc., Parkside Surgery Center Inc., Parkway Cardiac Center Ltd., Parkway Hospital Inc., Parkway Surgery Services Ltd., Parthenon Insurance Company Limited, Pasadena Bayshore Hospital Inc., PatientKeeper, PatientKeeper Inc., Patients First Neurology LLC, Pavilion 2 Condominium Property LLC, Pavilion 2 Medical Office Building Condominium Association Inc., Pavilion Surgicenter LLC, Peach State Anesthesia Partners LLC, Pearland Institute for Womens Health PLLC, Pearland Partner LLC, Pediatric Anesthesia Consultants of San Antonio PLLC, Pediatric Cardiac Intensivists of North Texas PLLC, Pediatric Critical Care of Clear Lake PLLC, Pediatric Hospitalists of Conroe PLLC, Pediatric Intensivist Group LLC, Pediatric Intensivists of El Paso PLLC, Pediatric Intensivists of North Texas PLLC, Pediatric Specialists of Clear Lake PLLC, Pediatric Specialty Clinic LLC, Pediatric Surgicare Inc., Pediatrics of Greater Houston PLLC, Pensacola Primary Care Inc., Physician Associates of Corporate Woods LLC, Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Physicians West Surgicenter LLC, Pinellas Medical LLC, Pinnacle Physician Network LLC, Pioneer Medical LLC, Plains Healthcare System Inc., Plano Ambulatory Surgery Associates L.P., Plano Heart Institute L.P., Plano Heart Management LLC, Plano Surgery Center - GP LLC, Plano Surgery Center Real Estate LLC, Plano Surgicenter Real Estate Manager LLC, Plano Urology PLLC, Plantation General Hospital L.P., Plaza Medical Specialists PLLC, Plaza Primary Care PLLC, Plaza Transplant Center PLLC, Podiatry of Clear Lake PLLC, Poinciana Medical Center Inc., Port St. Lucie Surgery Center Ltd., Portland Primary Care LLC, Portsmouth Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Portsmouth Surgicenter LLC, Preferred Hospitals Inc., Preferred Works WC LLC, Premier ASC LLC, Premier Medical Management Ltd., Primary Care Medical Associates Inc., Primary Care Plano PLLC, Primary Care Services of Orlando LLC, Primary Care South PLLC, Primary Care West PLLC, Primary Care of West End LLC, Primary Health Asset Holdings Ltd., Primary Health Group Inc., Primary Health Inc., Primary Health Network of South Texas, Primary Health Physicians PLLC, Primary Medical Management Inc., Proaxis Therapy HealthOne LLC, Provident Professional Building Condominium Association Inc., Psychiatry Services of Osceola LLC, Pulaski Community Hospital Inc., Pulaski Urology LLC, Pulmonary Renal Intensivist Group LLC, Putnam Community Medical Center of North Florida LLC, Putnam Hospital Inc., Putnam Radiation Oncology LLC, Putnam Radiation Oncology Manager LLC, Putnam Surgical Group LLC, Quantum/Bellaire Imaging Ltd., Quick Care Centers LLC, Quivira Internal Medicine Inc., RCH LLC, RMC - Pulmonary LLC, RMC Transplant Physicians LLC, RMCA Professionals Mgmt LLC, ROi CPS LLC, Radford Family Medicine LLC, Radiation Oncology Center of Thornton LLC, Radiation Oncology Manager LLC, Raleigh Community Medical Office Building Ltd., Rapides After Hours Clinic L.L.C., Rapides Healthcare System L.L.C., Rapides Regional Physician Group LLC, Rapides Regional Physician Group Primary Care LLC, Rapides Regional Physician Group Specialty Care LLC, Rapides Surgery Center LLC, Raulerson GYN LLC, Raulerson Gastroenterology LLC, Raulerson Primary Care LLC, Raymore Medical Group LLC, Red Rock Holdco LLC, Red Rock at Smoke Ranch LLC, Red Rocks Surgery Center LLC, Redmond Anesthesia Services LLC, Redmond Hospital Services LLC, Redmond Neurosurgery LLC, Redmond Park Health Services Inc., Redmond Park Hospital LLC, Redmond Physician Practice Company, Redmond Specialty Services LLC, Regional Hospital Healthcare Partners LLC, Research Cardiology Associates LLC, Research Family Physicians LLC, Research Internal Medicine LLC, Research Neurology Associates LLC, Research Neuroscience Institute LLC, Resource Optimization & Innovation L.L.C., Reston Hospital Center LLC, Reston Hospitalists LLC, Reston Surgery Center L.P., Retreat Cardiology LLC, Retreat Hospital LLC, Retreat Internal Medicine LLC, Retreat Surgical Associates LLC, Rhodes Limited-Liability Company, Richmond Imaging Employer Corp., Richmond Multi-Specialty LLC, Richmond Pediatric Surgeons LLC, Ridgeline Surgicenter LLC, Rim Building Partners L.P., Rio Grande Healthcare MSO Inc., Rio Grande NP Inc., Rio Grande Regional Hospital Inc., Rio Grande Valley Cardiology PLLC, Rio Grande Valley CareNow Urgent Care PLLC, Rio Grande Valley Urology PLLC, Riverside CyberKnife Manager LLC, Riverside Healthcare System L.P., Riverside Holdings Inc., Riverside Hospital Inc., Riverside Imaging LLC, Riverwalk ASC LLC, Roanoke Imaging LLC, Roanoke Neurosurgery LLC, Roanoke Surgery Center L.P., Roanoke Valley Gynecology LLC, Robotic Radiosurgery LLP, Rocky Mountain Pediatric Hematology Oncology LLC, Rocky Mountain Surgery Center LLC, Rome Imaging Center Limited Partnership, Roodlane Medical Limited, Rose Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Rose Health Partners LLC, Rose Medical Plaza Ltd., Rose POB Inc., Rosewood Medical Center Inc., Rosewood Professional Building Ltd., Round Rock Hospital Inc., Round Rock Trauma Surgeons PLLC, Royal Oaks Surgery Center L.P., S.A. Medical Center Inc., SAPN LLC, SCRI Global Services Limited, SCRI Holdings LLC, SCRI Scientifics LLC, SJMC LLC, SSHR Holdco LLC, SSJ St. Petersburg Holdings Inc., STPN Manager LLC, SWMC Inc., Sahara Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Salem Hospitalists LLC, Salem Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Salt Lake City Surgicare Inc., Samaritan LLC, San Antonio Division Inc., San Antonio Regional Hospital Inc., San Antonio Surgicenter LLC, San Bernardino Imaging LLC, San Joaquin Surgical Center Inc., San Jose Healthcare System LP, San Jose Hospital L.P., San Jose LLC, San Jose Medical Center LLC, San Jose Pathology Outreach LLC, San Marcos ASC LLC, San Marcos Surgicenter LLC, Sante Fe Family Practitioners PLLC, Sarah Cannon Development Innovations LLC, Sarah Cannon Research Institute LLC, Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK Limited, Sarasota Doctors Hospital Inc., Savannah Behavioral Health Associates LLC, Savannah Health Network LLC, Savannah Health Services LLC, Savannah Inpatient Services LLC, Savannah Multispecialty Associates LLC, Savannah Pediatric Care LLC, Savannah Primary Care Associates LLC, Sebring Health Services LLC, Selma Medical Center Hospital Inc., Senior Health Associates LLC, Short Pump Imaging LLC, Silicon Valley Health Holdings LLC, Silicon Valley Surgery Center L.P., Silicon Valley Surgicenter LLC, Sky Ridge Spine Manager LLC, Sky Ridge Surgery Center L.P., Skyline Medical Group LLC, Skyline Neuroscience Associates LLC, Skyline Rehab Associates LLC, Skyline Specialty Associates LLC, Smith Laboratories Inc., Solis Mammography at Bayshore Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Conroe Regional Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Denton Regional Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at HCA Houston Tomball LLC, Solis Mammography at Kingwood Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Las Colinas Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical Center Alliance LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical Center Arlington LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical Center of Lewisville LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical Center of McKinney LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical Center of Plano LLC, Solis Mammography at Medical City Dallas LLC, Solis Mammography at Pearland Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Rose Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Skyline Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at StoneCrest Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at West Houston Medical Center LLC, Solis Mammography at Womans Hospital of Texas LLC, Solis Mammography of Cedar Hill LLC, Solis Mammography of CyFair LLC, Solis Mammography of Dallas LLC, Solis Mammography of Flower Mound LLC, Solis Mammography of Frisco LLC, Solis Mammography of Garland LLC, Solis Mammography of Grand Prairie LLC, Solis Mammography of Houston NW LLC, Solis Mammography of Katy LLC, Solis Mammography of Louetta/249 LLC, Solis Mammography of Mainland LLC, Solis Mammography of Mansfield LLC, Solis Mammography of Mesquite LLC, Solis Mammography of Montgomery LLC, Solis Mammography of North Cypress LLC, Solis Mammography of North Loop LLC, Solis Mammography of Sugar Land LLC, Solis Mammography of West Plano LLC, Solis Mammography of Womans Place LLC, South Atlantic Division Inc., South Austin Surgery Center Ltd., South Austin Surgical Management LLC, South Austin Surgicenter LLC, South Brandon Imaging LLC, South Florida Division Practice Inc., South Texas Surgicare Inc., South Transfer Center LLC, South Valley Hospital L.P., Southeast Georgia Health Services LLC, Southern Hills Medical Center LLC, Southern Hills Neurology Consultants LLC, Southern Kentucky Medicine Associates LLC, Southern Kentucky Surgicenter LLC, Southern Texas Physicians Network, Southpoint LLC, Southtown Womens Clinic LLC, Southwest Florida Health System Inc., Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center Inc., Southwest Medical Center Family Practice LLC, Southwest Medical Center Multi-Specialty Group LLC, Southwest Medical Center Surgical Group LLC, Southwest Medpro Ltd., Southwest Surgical Clinic Inc., Southwest Virginia Orthopedics and Spine LLC, Spalding Rehabilitation L.L.C., Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology PLLC, Specialty Associates of West Houston PLLC, Specialty Physicians of Northern Virginia LLC, Specialty Surgicare of Las Vegas LP, Spotsylvania Condominium Property LLC, Spotsylvania Medical Center Inc., Spotsylvania Multi-Specialty Group LLC, Spotsylvania Regional Surgery Center LLC, Spring Branch Family Practitioners PLLC, Spring Branch Medical Center Inc., Spring Hill Hospital Inc., Spring Hill Imaging LLC, Spring Hill Physicians LLC, Springview KY LLC, Spruce Pine Healthcare LLC, St. Davids Austin Area ASC LLC, St. Davids Cardiology PLLC, St. Davids CareNow Urgent Care PLLC, St. Davids Healthcare Partnership L.P. LLP, St. Davids Heart & Vascular PLLC, St. Davids Neurology PLLC, St. Davids OB Hospitalist PLLC, St. Davids Ortho Neuro and Rehab PLLC, St. Davids Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PLLC, St. Davids Quality Alliance LLC, St. Davids Specialized Womens Services PLLC, St. Davids Trauma Surgeons PLLC, St. Lucie Hospitalists LLC, St. Lucie Medical Center Hyperbarics LLC, St. Lucie Medical Center Walk-In Clinic LLC, St. Lucie Medical Specialists LLC, St. Lucie West Primary Care LLC, St. Marks Ambulatory Surgery Associates L.P., St. Marks Gynecology Oncology Care LLC, St. Marks Investments Inc., St. Marks Physician Billing LLC, St. Marks Professional Services LLC, St. Marks South Jordan Family Practice LLC, St. Martins Healthcare Limited, St. Martins Ltd., St. Martins Medical Services Limited, St. Petersburg General Surgery LLC, Stafford Imaging LLC, Statland Medical Group LLC, Steamboat Springs Surgicenter LLC, Sterling Primary Care Associates LLC, Stiles Road Imaging LLC, StoneCrest Surgery Center LLC, StoneSprings Medical Office Building Property LLC, StoneSprings Surgicenter LLC, Stonecrest Medical Group - Family Practice of Murfreesboro LLC, Stonecrest Medical Group - SC Murfreesboro Family Practice LLC, Stones River Hospital LLC, Suburban Medical Center at Hoffman Estates Inc., Sugar Land Surgery Center Anesthesia LLC, Sugar Land Surgery Center Ltd., Sullins Surgical Center Inc., Summit Convenient Care at Lebanon LLC, Summit General Partner Inc., Summit Heart LLC, Summit Outpatient Diagnostic Center LLC, Summit Research Solutions LLC, Summit Surgery Center L.P., Summit Surgical Associates LLC, Summit Walk-in Clinic LLC, Sun Bay Medical Office Building Inc., Sun City Hospital Inc., Sun City Imaging LLC, Sun Towers/Vista Hills Holding Co., Sun-Med LLC, Sunrise Flamingo Holdings LLC, Sunrise Flamingo Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center LLC, Sunrise Mountainview Hospital Inc., Sunrise Mountainview Multi-Specialty Clinics LLC, Sunrise Outpatient Services Inc., Sunrise Physician Services LLC, Sunrise Trauma Services LLC, Surgery Associates of NTX PLLC, Surgery Center of Atlantis LLC, Surgery Center of Aventura Ltd., Surgery Center of Bay Area Houston LLC, Surgery Center of Greenview L.P., Surgery Center of Independence L.P., Surgery Center of Overland Park L.P., Surgery Center of Port Charlotte Ltd., Surgery Center of Rome L.P., Surgery Center of the Rockies LLC, Surgical Associates of Southwest Virginia LLC, Surgical Care Medical Group LLC, Surgical Center of Irving Inc., Surgical Facility of West Houston L.P., Surgical Park Center Ltd., Surgical Specialists of Clear Lake PLLC, Surgical Specialists of Conroe PLLC, Surgical Specialists of Corpus Christi PLLC, Surgicare America - Winter Park Inc., Surgicare Merger Company of Louisiana, Surgicare Outpatient Center of Baton Rouge Inc., Surgicare Outpatient Center of Jackson Inc., Surgicare of ADC LLC, Surgicare of AGI LLC, Surgicare of Alpine LLC, Surgicare of Altamonte Springs Inc., Surgicare of Anchorage LLC, Surgicare of Arapahoe LLC, Surgicare of Arlington LLC, Surgicare of Ashburn LLC, Surgicare of Augusta Inc., Surgicare of Aurora Endoscopy LLC, Surgicare of Aventura LLC, Surgicare of Bay Area Endoscopy LLC, Surgicare of Bay Area LLC, Surgicare of Bayonet Point Inc., Surgicare of Bayside LLC, Surgicare of Bountiful LLC, Surgicare of Brandon Inc., Surgicare of Brentwood LLC, Surgicare of Brighton LLC, Surgicare of Brooksville LLC, Surgicare of Brownsville LLC, Surgicare of Buckhead LLC, Surgicare of CAREOS LLC, Surgicare of Central Florida Inc., Surgicare of Central Park Surgery Center LLC, Surgicare of Central San Antonio Inc., Surgicare of Chattanooga LLC, Surgicare of Chippenham LLC, Surgicare of Citrus LLC, Surgicare of Clarksville LLC, Surgicare of Corpus Christi LLC, Surgicare of Countryside Inc., Surgicare of Dallas Specialty LLC, Surgicare of Denton Inc., Surgicare of Denver Clinic LLC, Surgicare of Denver LLC, Surgicare of Denver Mid-Town Inc., Surgicare of Dickson LLC, Surgicare of Eastside LLC, Surgicare of Evans Inc., Surgicare of Fairfax Inc., Surgicare of Florida Inc., Surgicare of Flower Mound Inc., Surgicare of Focus Hand LLC, Surgicare of Fort Worth Co-GP LLC, Surgicare of Fort Worth Inc., Surgicare of Ft. Pierce Inc., Surgicare of Good Samaritan LLC, Surgicare of Gramercy Inc., Surgicare of Greenview Inc., Surgicare of Hanover Inc., Surgicare of Houston Kingwood LLC, Surgicare of Houston LLC, Surgicare of Houston Womens Inc., Surgicare of Indianapolis Inc., Surgicare of Kansas City LLC, Surgicare of Kingwood LLC, Surgicare of Kissimmee Inc., Surgicare of Lakeview Inc., Surgicare of Las Vegas Inc., Surgicare of Laurel Grove LLC, Surgicare of Lorain County Inc., Surgicare of Los Gatos Inc., Surgicare of Los Robles LLC, Surgicare of Loveland LLC, Surgicare of Madison Inc., Surgicare of Manatee Inc., Surgicare of McKinney Inc., Surgicare of Medical City Dallas LLC, Surgicare of Memorial Endoscopy LLC, Surgicare of Merritt Island Inc., Surgicare of Miami Lakes LLC, Surgicare of Mountain West LLC, Surgicare of Mt. Ogden LLC, Surgicare of Nashville LLC, Surgicare of Natchez LLC, Surgicare of Newport Richey Inc., Surgicare of North Austin LLC, Surgicare of North San Antonio Inc., Surgicare of Northeast San Antonio Inc., Surgicare of Orange Park II LLC, Surgicare of Orange Park Inc., Surgicare of Orange Park Ltd., Surgicare of Orlando Inc., Surgicare of Overland Park LLC, Surgicare of Palms West LLC, Surgicare of Park Ridge LLC, Surgicare of Pasadena Inc., Surgicare of Pavilion LLC, Surgicare of Physicians West El Paso LLC, Surgicare of Pinellas Inc., Surgicare of Plano Inc., Surgicare of Plantation Inc., Surgicare of Port Charlotte LLC, Surgicare of Port St. Lucie Inc., Surgicare of Portsmouth LLC, Surgicare of Premier Orthopaedic LLC, Surgicare of Reston Inc., Surgicare of Ridgeline LLC, Surgicare of Riverside LLC, Surgicare of Riverwalk LLC, Surgicare of Roanoke LLC, Surgicare of Rome Inc., Surgicare of Rose LLC, Surgicare of Round Rock Inc., Surgicare of Royal Oaks LLC, Surgicare of Silicon Valley LLC, Surgicare of Sky Ridge LLC, Surgicare of Sky Ridge Womens Center LLC, Surgicare of South Austin Inc., Surgicare of Southeast Denver Inc., Surgicare of Southern Hills Inc., Surgicare of Southern Kentucky LLC, Surgicare of Southwest Houston LLC, Surgicare of Spotsylvania LLC, Surgicare of St. Andrews Inc., Surgicare of St. Andrews Ltd., Surgicare of St. Davids Austin LLC, Surgicare of Steamboat Springs LLC, Surgicare of StoneCrest LLC, Surgicare of StoneSprings LLC, Surgicare of Stuart Inc., Surgicare of Sugar Land Inc., Surgicare of Swedish LLC, Surgicare of Tallahassee Inc., Surgicare of Terre Haute LLC, Surgicare of Thornton LLC, Surgicare of Travis Center Inc., Surgicare of Tulsa Inc., Surgicare of Utah LLC, Surgicare of Wasatch Front LLC, Surgicare of West Hills Inc., Surgicare of Westlake Inc., Surgicare of Wichita Inc., Surgicare of Wichita LLC, Surgicare of Willis LLC, Surgicare of Wilson County LLC, Surgicare of Winchester LLC, Surgicenter of East Jefferson Inc., Surgicenter of Johnson County Ltd. a Kansas limited partnership, Surgicenter of Kansas City L.L.C., Surgico LLC, Swedish MOB Acquisition Inc., Swedish MOB I Ltd., Swedish MOB II Inc., Swedish MOB III Inc., Swedish MOB IV Inc., Swedish MOB LLC, Swedish Medpro Inc., TBHI Outpatient Services LLC, TCMC Madison-Portland Inc., THN Physicians Association Inc., TUHC Anesthesiology Group LLC, TUHC Hospitalist Group LLC, TUHC Physician Group LLC, TUHC Primary Care and Pediatrics Group LLC, TUHC Radiology Group LLC, Tallahassee Community Network Inc., Tallahassee Medical Center Inc., Tallahassee Orthopaedic Surgery Partners Ltd., Tampa Bay Health System Inc., Tampa Surgi-Centre Inc., Tarrant County Surgery Center L.P., Tchefuncte Cardiology Associates - Lakeview LLC, Teays Valley Health Services LLC, Telehealth Physician Services LLC, Tennessee Healthcare Management Inc., Tennessee Valley Outpatient Diagnostic Center LLC, Terre Haute Hospital GP Inc., Terre Haute Hospital Holdings Inc., Terre Haute MOB L.P., Terre Haute Obstetrics and Gynecology LLC, Terre Haute Regional Hospital L.P., Texas CareNow Physician Associates, Texas HSS LLC, Texas Institute of Medicine and Surgery, Texas Psychiatric Company Inc., The Austin Diagnostic Clinic PLLC, The Cancer Care Center of North Florida LLC, The Cardiovascular Partnership for Quality LLC, The Charter Cypress Behavioral Health System L.L.C., The Christie Clinic LLP, The Glynne Medical Practice Limited, The Harley Street Cancer Clinic Limited, The London Breast Institute UK Ltd, The Medical Group of Kansas City LLC, The Neurohealth Sciences Center LLC, The Physicians Clinic Limited, The Prostate Centre Limited, The Rankin Foundation, The Regional Health System of Acadiana LLC, The Wasatch Endoscopy Center Ltd., The West Texas Division of Columbia Inc., Timpanogos Pain Specialists LLC, Timpanogos Regional Medical Services Inc., Total Imaging - Hudson LLC, Total Imaging - North St. Petersburg LLC, Total Imaging - Parsons LLC, Town Plaza Family Practice LLC, Travel Medicine and Infections LLC, Travis Surgery Center L.P., Tri Cities Health Services Corp., Tri-City Multi-Specialty LLC, Tri-County Community Hospital Inc., Tri-County Surgical Specialists LLC, TriStar Bone Marrow Transplant LLC, TriStar Cardiovascular Surgery LLC, TriStar Family Care LLC, TriStar Gynecology Oncology LLC, TriStar Health System Inc., TriStar Joint Replacement Institute LLC, TriStar Maury Behavioral Healthcare LLC, TriStar Medical Group - Centennial Primary Care LLC, TriStar Medical Group - Legacy Health LLC, TriStar Medical Network LLC, TriStar OB/GYN LLC, TriStar Orthopedics LLC, TriStar Physicians LLC, TriStar Radiation Oncology LLC, Trident Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Trident Behavioral Health Services LLC, Trident Eye Surgery Center L.P., Trident Medical Center LLC, Trident Medical Services Inc., Trident Neonatology Services LLC, Tulane Clinic LLC, Tulane Professionals Management L.L.C., Tuscan Imaging Center at Las Colinas LLC, U.S. Collections Inc., Ultra Imaging Management Services LLC, Ultra Imaging of Tampa LLC, University Healthcare Specialists LLC, University Healthcare System L.C., University Hospital Ltd., Uptown Primary Care Associates LLC, Urgent Care Enterprise LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Ann & Simmons LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Cactus & Southern Highlands LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Charleston & Decatur LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Charleston/Sloan LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Craig & Clayton LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Craig & Decatur LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Durango & Cheyenne LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Durango & Flamingo LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Eastern & Horizon Ridge LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Rainbow/Mardon LLC, Urgent Care Extra - Warm Springs & Green Valley LLC, Urgent Care Extra Silverado & Maryland LLC, Urgent Care Extra-Tropicana & Jones LLC, Urgent Care Nevada LLC, Urological Specialists of Arlington PLLC, Urology Associates (London) Limited, Urology Center of North Georgia LLC, Urology Services of El Paso PLLC, Urology Specialists Devonshire LLP, Urology Specialists London LLP, Urology Specialists of Kingwood PLLC, Urology Specialists of Richmond LLC, Urology Surgery Center of Colorado LLC, Utah CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Utah Imaging GP LLC, Utah Medco LLC, Utah Surgery Center L.P., VH Holdco Inc., VH Holdings Inc., VHSC Plantation LLC, VIP Inc., Valify, Valify Inc., Value Health Holdings Inc., Value Health Management Inc., Vascular and Endovascular Specialists LLC, Venture Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Venture Medical Management LLC, Village Oaks Medical Center Inc., Virginia Care Partners ACO LLC, Virginia Gynecologic Oncology LLC, Virginia Hematology & Oncology Associates Inc., Virginia Hospitalists Inc., Virginia Psychiatric Company Inc., Virginia Quality Care Partners LLC, Vision Consulting Group LLC, Vision Holdings LLC, W & C Hospital Inc., WCP Properties LLC, WHG Medical LLC, WHMC Inc., WJHC LLC, Walterboro Community Hospital Inc., Warren County Ambulance Service LLC, Wasatch Front Surgery Center LLC, Washington Holdco LLC, Waterway Primary Care LLC, Weatherford Health Services LLC, Weatherford Mammography JV LLC, Weatherford Regional Medical Center, Welbeck Street Diagnostic Centre LLP, Wellington Diagnostic Services LLP, Wesley Cath Lab LLC, Wesley Manager LLC, Wesley Medical Center LLC, Wesley Physician Services LLC, Wesley Physicians - Anesthesiologist LLC, Wesley Physicians - Cardiovascular LLC, Wesley Physicians - Medical Specialties LLC, Wesley Physicians - Obstetrics and Gynecology LLC, Wesley Physicians - Primary Care LLC, Wesley Select Network LLC, Wesley Urgent Care LLC, West Boynton Beach Open Imaging Center LLC, West Creek Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, West Creek Medical Center Inc., West Florida - MHT LLC, West Florida - PPH LLC, West Florida Behavioral Health Inc., West Florida Cardiology Network LLC, West Florida Cardiology Physicians LLC, West Florida CareNow Urgent Care LLC, West Florida Division Inc., West Florida Gulf Coast Primary Care LLC, West Florida HealthWorks LLC, West Florida Imaging Services LLC, West Florida Internal Medicine LLC, West Florida PET Services LLC, West Florida Physician Network LLC, West Florida Professional Billing LLC, West Florida Regional Medical Center Inc., West Florida Specialty Physicians LLC, West Florida Trauma Network LLC, West Florida Urgent Care Network LLC, West Hills Hospital, West Hills Surgical Center Ltd., West Houston ASC Inc., West Houston Healthcare Group Ltd., West Houston Internal Specialists PLLC, West Houston LLC, West Houston Medical PLLC, West Houston Outpatient Medical Facility Inc., West Houston Surgicare Inc., West Jacksonville Medical Center Inc., West Jordan Hospital Corporation, West LPN Fort Worth Oncology PLLC, West LPN Inc., West Los Angeles Physicians Hospital Inc., West McKinney Imaging Services LLC, West Paces Services Inc., West Park Surgery Center L.P., West Valley Imaging LLC, West Valley Medical Center Inc., West Valley Medical Group LLC, West Valley Medical Group Specialty Services LLC, West Valley Therapy Services LLC, Westbury Hospital Inc., Western Plains Capital Inc., Westlake Surgicare L.P., Westminster Community Hospital, Westside Surgery Center Ltd., Wichita CareNow Urgent Care LLC, Wildwood Medical Center Inc., Willis Surgicenter LLC, Wilson County Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Womans Health Group PLLC, Womans Hospital Merger LLC, Womans Hospital of Texas Incorporated, Women Practitioners of Houston PLLC, Women Specialists of Bayshore PLLC, Women Specialists of Clear Lake PLLC, Women Specialists of Mainland PLLC, Womens & Childrens Center LLC, Womens & Childrens Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Center LLC, Womens & Childrens Pulmonology Clinic LLC, Womens Center at Brookside LLC, Womens Health Center of Central Florida LLC, Womens Health Center of SWVA LLC, Womens Hospital Indianapolis GP Inc., Womens Hospital Indianapolis L.P., Womens Link Specialty Obstetrical Referral Clinic PLLC, Womens Multi-Specialty Group LLC, Womens Surgical Specialists of Texas PLLC, Womens and Childrens Professional Management L.L.C., Womens and Childrens Specialists LLC, hInsight-Airstrip Holdings LLC, hInsight-BMA Holdings LLC, hInsight-Customer Care Holdings LLC, hInsight-Digital Reasoning Holdings LLC, hInsight-Healthbox Holdings LLC, hInsight-I2 Holdings LLC, hInsight-InVivoLink Holdings LLC, hInsight-LS Holdings LLC, hInsight-Loyale Healthcare Holdings LLC, hInsight-Mobile Heartbeat Holdings LLC, hInsight-NX LLC, hInsight-PWS I Holdings LLC, hInsight-Procured Holdings LLC, and hInsight-VAI Holdings LLC. ? When I am offended by someone, I always pray peace of mind/heart for myself. Previously, I knew health came from medication. But, now I realize that health also comes from peace in the soul. Living in T state, the very impressed thing is about unfriend people in that state. I had two white co-workers, each one had divorced two times. They all complained that states ladies were mean, rude and crude. I always doubt if their commons are fair to the states ladies. However, after I was treated unfriendly many times by some people in T state. I totally agree with my two co-workers. There are number of cases I want to tell you. Due to room limitation, I can only list three typical cases below. Unfriend Treatment One: When I just moved to T state and I changed my drive license in an office. An agent took care of my case. When everything was done, I asked her if I could keep my expired drive license for souvenir. She tossed me four words, You cannot keep it. Then, threw it into a trash bin. I was disappointed by her terrible attitude. So far, I still kept my old drive license issued by Canada. When I changed that license in M state, the clerk just cut a corner of the license to mark it being void. I really appreciated her. Back to my office, my co-worker told me actually I was also able to keep my expired license in T state. The problem was that lady was not nice. Since I didnt want this event to disturb me more, I kept calming. Unfriend Treatment Two: I went to local immigration office for asking my green card processing. An officer met me. When I was writing down the number on her badge, she suddenly shouted at me like a lion. I was threatened so horribly that I didnt know how to ask my case proceeding. Before visiting the office, my supervisor told me I should remember the officers number in case of needing ask further questions after leaving the immigration building. Anyway, she was unhappy I did this. Since I didnt want this thing to bother me more, I stayed silent. Unfriend Treatment Three: I quite often visited a fast food restaurant for lunch. Every time, I asked a cup of hot water because my stomach liked hot stuff. Once upon a time, I did the same request, but a cashier rejected me stiffly. She just threw a word, No. I asked Why? and then she threw five words, We never serve hot water . I had to give up my request. Since I didnt want this issue to destroy my good mood, I was quiet. These are enough for supporting my co-workers opinion. I dont want to go to long list for talking more cases. However, I would like to share recent one with you. This one is different from above ones, because I didnt remain silent rather than I fed it back. Recently, we went shopping in a world class supermarket, which also is our favorite store. At checkout station, we paid groceries and by the way cashed back one $20 bill. Getting out of the store, I realized we should exchange that bill to one dollar bills for tips in case of dining at a restaurant. We went back to the store at the customer service center for the exchange. Unexpectedly, the clerk, treated us like enemies. She rudely rejected our request. We told her we did this kind of exchange many times, but no any clerk refused us. Suddenly, her face looked terrible and turn into green. Her eye balls rolled up and only white background left. Her mouth bent to the angry style. I never saw such a fantastically magic face. Sitting in our car, I found I still held the receipt. Customer service part reminded me I had right to do survey. I made decision to file a complaint with the help of the online survey, even though I never did any kind of survey for any sort of issue. The complaint attached below for your possible interest. Dear Manager, We are writing to you and tell you we experienced a nightmare at the W-market around 7:30pm, August X. At customer service center, we were treated badly by a young lady, when we asked to exchange one $20 bill for $1 dollar bills. She not only refused our requirement, but also was so rude that we could not believe we were shopping at the W-market, our favorite store. The store address is: ??? FM???? RD E We really wish you can explain why this W-market did not provide exchange bill service that time. Before, we have done several times there, and no clerks rejected our requests. Thanks for your taking care of of our case. We look forward to your response. Thanks. Best Regards, XXX After three days, I received an email asking me to do survey for the customer service center of W-market. They asked me if satisfy the answers from the store representative. I just selected No, but no any comments, because the store never contacted me. I knew that store would not like to help me anymore. I am mature enough to forgive them; while I am not stubborn to trust them again. Living in this world, we must face each kind of person. We should make up our minds. We can't control what people say; while we can control how we respond. I remember Joel Osteen said (I did some changes), Some people like garbage trucks. They go around full of anger, full of frustration and full of bitterness. As their garbage pile up, they need somewhere to dump it. If they dump on you, you should not take it. Personally, it has nothing to do with you. If you take it, it will dirt you. The positive attitude is just remaining smile, staying calm, wishing them well and keeping moving on. Here is the key, successful people don't let garbage trucks take over their days. Keep your lid on. The term of arrest of Armenian General Manvel Grigoryan, who is facing weapons possession charges, was extended for two months, his lawyer Arsen Mkrtchyan said. However, Mkrtchyan said his client's health condition is worsening. In this regard Grigoryan said that they will issue a statement next week, News,am reported. After the searches by the National Security Service, Manvel Grigoryan was detained on June 16, on suspicion of illegal acquisition and possession of weapons and ammunition. Director of the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, Artur Vanetsyan, received the Russian delegation headed by the Deputy Director of Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia, Head of Border Guard Department Lieutenant General Igor Konstantinov, the press service of the NSS reported. At the beginning of the meeting, Konstantinov presented to Vanetsyan the newly-appointed Chief of the Russian Border Guard Department, Major General Roman Golubitsky. The director congratulated him on his appointment and wished him successful service and assured that the Armenia's National Security Service is always ready to assist in the protection of borders, News.am reported. Discussing bilateral cooperation issues, Vanetsyan noted that the Armenian-Russian relations practically cover all spheres of mutually beneficial cooperation and expressed hope that such meetings will promote further strengthening of this cooperation. The Russian side also expressed readiness to contribute to the development of possible cooperation, then touched upon the mission of the Russian Border Guards in Armenia. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with the Russian Security Council's permanent members the issues of his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, scheduled for tomorrow, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "These are the implementation of large-scale joint commercial projects amid threats from third countries regarding these projects and the most relevant issues, both Ukraine and Syria, of course," the spokesman said referring to the agenda of the upcoming negotiations. Merkel, in turn, said that the dialogue with Russia is important in the search for solutions to world crises, but the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin due on August 18 is unlikely to produce specific results at once. "It's a work meeting from which no specific results are expected," she noted. "But the number of problems that occupy us - from Ukraine and Syria to the issue of economic cooperation - is so big that it is justified to be in a permanent dialogue," the chancellor said, speaking at a news conference with Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic in Berlin. Merkel added that a four-way meeting between Germany, Russia, Turkey and France on Syria could make sense. The President of the National Strategy Institute, Mikhail Remizov, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Berlin is still not ready for serious contacts with Moscow with the aim of confronting the aggressive foreign economic policy of the United States. "Despite the fact that Germany does not like the U.S. policy of extreme sanctions, which affects the activities of its companies in Iran, it leaves the U.S. policy unanswered. Like France, it is not ready to confront Washington, therefore, we should not count on serious actions on the part of Berlin. Trump has maneuvered so skillfully that Europe cannot use the Russian factor against the U.S., while the U.S. president uses it against Western Europe," he said. "Germany's position towards Moscow is now less hysterical than Washington's position. Germany is less insane, but its policy is still consistently anti-Russian. Germany has long ago withdrawn from the role of Russia's lawyer in the Western world and will not return to this role in the foreseeable future. It might be possible for France to take the initiative to restore the relations between Russia and Europe - but Macron will not do this because of his personal qualities, as well as political and ideological preferences," Mikhail Remizov warned. Director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, Professor Alexander Gusev, noted that the main topic of the talks will be the economy. "During Merkel's visit to Russia, she reached a certain consensus with Putin on the construction of the Nord Stream-2, and I think this will be the first issue on the agenda," he expects. After that, they will discuss Ukraine. "They will definitely talk about the Normandy format, since the situation in the Donbass is not easy, many analysts agree that Poroshenko is stepping up the military operation in the east. I think our president has information on this subject, and Germany can do a lot to prevent the escalation of hostilities," Alexander Gusev said. "Then they will talk about Syria. Berlin does not directly participate in the Syrian settlement, but the flow of refugees to Europe, including Germany, continues. It is important for the Germans that the refugees go home. Germany is ready to restore infrastructure in Syria,invest in road construction, hospitals and schools. I think it will also be reflected in the negotiating agenda," the expert said. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar held talks in Moscow today, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that the meeting was constructive. In particular, special attention was paid to discussing ways of achieving fast settlement of the humanitarian situation in Syria, including the return of refugees. Among other things Shoigu and Akar touched upon cooperation between Russian and Turkish defense ministries. Washington will pay nothing to Turkey for the release of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, U.S. President Donald Trump said. "Turkey has taken advantage of the United States for many years. They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage," the President wrote on Twitter. "We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!" Trump added. The U.S. also warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. This page may be updated if the event is repeated Past Event - Sunday, September 26, 2021 This page may be updated if the event is repeated Free Event As you walk around Germantown's Veterans Park, you'll see our vendors having hand-crafted items, tasty treats, fun for the kids and more! Sidewalks will guide you around the park to experience everything the Pretzel Festival has to offer. Come and join us for the annual Germantown Pretzel Festival in Veterans Memorial Park. Bring the whole family and take in some of the views of historical Germantown! State-owned GAIL India has sought shareholder nod to amend the charter of the company to invest in start-ups, build solar power plants and set up battery charging stations for electric vehicles as it looks to diversify its portfolio beyond gas and petrochemicals. New Delhi: State-owned GAIL India has sought shareholder nod to amend the charter of the company to invest in start-ups, build solar power plants and set up battery charging stations for electric vehicles as it looks to diversify its portfolio beyond gas and petrochemicals. The nation's biggest natural gas transporting and marketing company wants to insert six new sections in the main objects clause of the memorandum of association of the company, according to shareholder notice. It wants to invest in "start-ups in core business areas (of natural gas, petrochemicals, and energy) and non-core areas (like health, social and environment, safety, and security) either directly or indirectly." "The investment can be made through special purpose vehicle (SPV), alternative investment fund (AIF), fund of funds (FoF) and trust," it said. GAIL said that there is a necessity to adopt new and different pathways to provide clean, cost-effective and efficient mobility services that are safe, reduce dependence on oil imports and achieve more efficient land-use in cities with the least environmental footprints and impacts on human health. With the objective in mind, the firm wants to set up "battery charging stations and providing charging services" to electric vehicles. With the government planning to make a major shift to electric vehicles by 2030, GAIL felt that charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in India has not been fully developed yet. GAIL with its "pan-India presence through the natural gas network is deep-pocketed and has the capability of setting up charging infrastructure at a faster pace," the notice said. The 34th annual general meeting of the company is scheduled for September 11. The company also wants to "explore the business opportunity in waste-water treatment plants, water distribution, large water pipeline laying as an early mover." With groundwater depleting and monsoons becoming less predictable and unreliable, availability and utilisation of water are becoming key issues in modern India. Many cities are sourcing the fresh water through long-distance transport ranging from 50-200 km. Stating that with growing population and industrialisation the effluent water discharged has increased significantly, GAIL said the treatment of the effluent water and maintaining of the freshwater table is a big challenge and a business opportunity. It is also looking to "harness solar power potential available at its various sites and installations which can be connected to grid for sale or for own use at other installations through wheeling of power." In line with its strategy to promote the use of green fuel, it is contemplating to promote gas appliances in households to increase gas usage and minimise electric usage in housing equipment and appliances such as gas boiler, gas-based air conditioner and bathroom heater. Operating nearly 14,000-km of natural gas and LPG pipeline and executing more than 4,500 km of new lines, GAIL feels it can provide services such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), engineering, procurement, construction management (EPCM) and project management consultancy (PMC) in the field of hydrocarbon pipelines. "GAIL also has adequate experienced manpower and infrastructure for providing these services," the notice said. It also wants to "carry on the business of manufacture, import, distribution, and marketing of appliances relating to gas marketing and distribution, such as gas meter and CNG kits." Irdai has given the directive in reference to the Mental Health Act, 2017 which came into force on May 29, 2018. Chennai: In a step that can remove the stigma attached to psychological ailments, Irdai has asked insurance companies to make provisions for medical insurance covering treatment of mental illness. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has given the directive in reference to the Mental Health Act, 2017 which came into force on May 29, 2018. As per Sec 21(4) of the said Act, every insurer shall make provision for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as is available for treatment of physical illness. All insurance companies are hereby directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 with immediate effect, Irdai said in a notification. The Mental Health Care Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2017. The law intended to ensure a life of dignity to those who have mental health issues. Insurance of mental health is a progressive step in right direction. This will ensure a life of dignity for those who have mental health issues, said Jyoti Punja, chief operating officer and customer officer, Cigna TTK Health Insurance. We believe it will certainly create awareness, acceptance and inclusion when it comes to mental illness as any other ailment, while bringing mental health disorders at par with physical illnesses will normalise diagnoses, reducing associated myths and stigma. At Cigna TTK, we focus on the health and wellness of our customers we serve and we welcome this step to drive a robust health and well-being ecosystem, said Punja. However, currently most of the insurance companies do not provide cover for mental illnesses and in many cases their insurance applications get rejected if customers happen to have a history of mental illness. Currently, insurance largely revolves around hospitalisation and mental illnesses mostly do not need hospitalisation. There are not enough hospitals and licensed professionals to treat mental patients. Customers also should have stability of mind to understand the details of the medical cover and this is a challenge when it comes to mental illnesses. However, the industry expects that introducing mental health insurance will promote mental health literacy among masses and thus reduce myths and stigma associated to them. Insurance cover will increase access to licensed mental health professionals as well. A weak rupee will adversely affect the Indian industry as it has to extensively depend on imported inputs such as coking coal, steel scrap etc. New Delhi: The falling rupee will adversely impact the domestic steel sector as import of various raw materials will become expensive and the cost of servicing debt would also go up, government officials and experts said on Thursday. The rupee slumped 43 paise against the US dollar to trade at a life-time low of 70.32 on strong demand for the American currency. In general, a weaker rupee supports exports and at the same time protects the domestic industry, including steel, from imports as they become costlier, Joint Plant Committee (JPC) Chief Economist A S Firoz told PTI. He, however, warned that a weak rupee will adversely affect the Indian industry as it has to extensively depend on imported inputs such as coking coal, steel scrap etc. Besides, export volumes also can not be pushed because of the robust domestic demand of steel, he said. India's total export of finished steel increased 16.7 per cent to 9.62 million tonne (MT) in 2017-18 as compared to export of 8.24 MT finished steel in 2016-17. Domestic steel demand grew at 8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018-19, according to JPC. JPC is officially empowered by the steel ministry to collect data on the Indian iron and steel industry. Anjani K Agrawal EY Partner said the weakening rupee will increase cost of debt for many steel producers. "The landed cost of imported coking coal will also rise. Passing through these cost increases may not be easy as steel is largely a domestic business, particularly in long products," he added. At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the local currency opened at a record low of 70.25 a dollar, down from its previous close of 69.89, and weakened further to trade at a fresh low of 70.32, down 43 paise. The move may also rule out auction of that spectrum and help DoT meet the broadband for all goal envisaged in the new draft telecom policy. New Delhi: Facing a dilemma over the limited number of methods to allot the E&V bands spectrum, DoT may opt for light touch approach for allotment for this backhaul radio waves. The move may also rule out auction of that spectrum and help DoT meet the broadband for all goal envisaged in the new draft telecom policy. Light touch means a fixed fee for allotment of E band, as has been done in the UK and the US. Though the Supreme Court has ruled that all natural resources should be monetised through auction, the technical feature link-to-link nodes makes auction of E band as a whole impossible. No operator would need the entire band and bidding cannot be done in parts, said an official. Recommending the light touch approach, Trai had earlier suggested Rs 10,000 per link of 250Mhz of E band and Rs 1,000 per link of 50Mhz for V band annually. According to a NIPFP research paper, under the light licensing for E&V bands no registration and individual frequency planning are required. Also, there is no limitation on number of users, it added. This model has a first come, first served feature where the user notifies to the regulator position and characteristics of stations. If two links are installed in one location and there is interference between the two, the link installed first is protected and the second link gets reconfigured or removed to prevent interference. Advocating de-licensing of V band (60 GHz), Trai said it has a good device ecosystem and should immediately be made available for consumers. Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra's alleged beau Nick Jonas has arrived in India with his parents - mother Denise and father Kevin Jonas Sr. The family was spotted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport here on Thursday night. It was earlier reported that Jonas and his immediate family are travelling to India to attend an engagement party to be hosted by Priyanka's family. Earlier this week, PeeCee showed off her massive diamond rock on her ring finger at ace designer Manish Malhotra's party. Reportedly, Nick popped the question when they were celebrating the 'Baywatch' star's 36th birthday in London. The speculation about their relationship brewed after the pair met each other's family. First, Chopra met Jonas' family at his cousin's wedding in New Jersey, after which Nick travelled to India to meet Chopra's mother. New Delhi: Bollywood celebrities have expressed their heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praising Vajpayee's openness and his skills as an orator and poet, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Priyanka Chopra, and Paresh Rawal paid their tributes minutes after Vajpayee's death was announced. The Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan took to his official Twitter handle and penned down a heartfelt message for Vajpayeeji. The King Khan said that he considers himself lucky to have got the opportunity to meet him and have had Vajpayee's influence during his growing-up years. "My father used to take me for every speech that Vajpayee made in Delhi when I was growing up. Years on I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for the screen. He was fondly addressed as 'Baapji' at home. Today the country has lost a Father Figure and a great leader," he wrote. For The Poet Prime Minister of our country, love you Baapji...https://t.co/IKTYouMdiy pic.twitter.com/kLO4JAHvNu Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 16, 2018 Reciting one of his poems, veteran actor Anupam Kher posted a video of himself thanking Vajpayee for his life lessons. "I'm saddened to hear the demise of a great statesman Shri.Vajpayee ji. May his soul Rest In Peace," wrote superstar Rajinikanth. Im saddened to hear the demise of a great statesman Shri.Vajpayee ji. May his soul Rest In Peace. Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 16, 2018 Actor and politician Paresh Rawal also took to Twitter and wrote, "He had no enemy in politics because he believed that in politics there are no enemies...only opposition! RIP- Atal Ji. Aum Shanti." He had no enemy in politics because he believed that in politics there are no enemies...only opposition! RIP- Atal ji . Aum Shanti. Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) August 16, 2018 "Former Prime Minister Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee's visionary ideas and contributions for India were truly remarkable. The nation will always remember... #RIP. My thoughts and condolences to the family," tweeted global icon Priyanka Chopra. Former Prime Minister Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee's visionary ideas and contributions for India were truly remarkable. The nation will always remember... #RIP My thoughts and condolences to the family. PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) August 16, 2018 Other celebrities like Vivek Oberoi, Dhanush, Boman Irani and Randeep Hooda also mourned the demise of the former prime minister. Bollywood actor Annu Kapoor, while talking to media, referred Vajpayee as the 'son of the Indian Motherland'. He added,"His memories will live forever and his life was an inspiration." The 93-year-old BJP veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday, at Delhi's All India Institutes of Medical Science (AIIMS) following a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, the 10th prime minister of India who passed away on Thursday evening, will be cremated on Friday with full state honour. The mortal remains of the former prime minister which is presently resting at his Krishna Menon Marg home will be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters at around 9 a.m. Vajpayee's funeral procession will take place at Smriti Sthal at 1:30 pm. Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. Actor Ram Charan might be basking in the glory of his recent blockbuster Rangasthalam, but insists that he has worked hard to reach where he is now. Its been more than a decade since I came into the industry, and every film has been a learning curve. In fact, in my early days, I couldnt take a failure and never used to come out of my room when my film flopped. My mother used to encourage me constantly, he recalls. Further, Charan adds, I realised over time that mistakes will only make me stronger and that I should be open to criticism. Today, I am not scared of failures because my approach to filmmaking is very open and positive. Failures make you introspect, which will eventually lead to success. The actor is currently shooting for an action-drama directed by Boyapati Srinu, and will soon join the biggest multi-starrer directed by Rajamouli along with Jr NTR. HT00 Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. For parents sending their 18 year-old off to college for the first time, concerns about the food choices their young adults will make once out on their own are real. New and less healthy eating patterns tend to be the norm for those transitioning to college life. In fact, many college students tend to skip meals, mostly breakfast, while they transition to a more hectic independent lifestyle. And this is when unhealthy eating patterns start having adverse effects on our health. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. In fact, according to a scientific statement by the American Heart Association, daily breakfast consumption may decrease cardio metabolic risk factors including blood sugar and insulin metabolism. Delhi based nutritionist Ritika Samaddar reiterates how eating almonds can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For college students who usually skip breakfast in the morning, carrying a handful of almonds or a pack of almonds could be a good healthy option. Results of the study have also showed that both groups gained a minimal amount of body mass over the course of the study. New college students are prone to modest weight gain. Several studies suggest that weight gain in college is associated with a decrease in physical activity. Despite the minimal increase in body mass observed in this study, fasting blood sugar decreased over the eight-week trial, indicating benefits to including a morning snack either almonds or graham crackers - in this population. Both groups also had similar beneficial decreases in harmful LDL cholesterol levels. Almond- Apples Chaat Almond- Apples Chaat Serves: 3 Ingredients Almonds toasted: 60g Diced green apple: 1 tbsp Diced red apple: 1 tbsp Lemon juice: lemon Black salt: big pinch Mint leaves: A few Olive oil: 1 tsp Red chilli powder: tsp Steps: Toss all the ingredients in a bowl Mix well and serve Nutrient Analysis Per Serving: Calories: 228.3kcal Protein: 9.9g Total fat: 17.8g Saturated: 1.4g Monounsaturated: 11.2g Polyunsaturated: 4.2g Carbohydrates: 11.8g Fibre: 4.09g Cholesterol: 3.3 Sodium: 67g Calcium: 5.6mg Magnesium: 0mg Potassium: 212.4mg Vitamin E: 0mg Koffee with Almonds Koffee with Almonds Serves: 3 Ingredients Almonds: 60 g Coffee Powder: 1 tsp Powdered Sugar: 1 tsp Salt: A pinch Water: 1 tbsp Step: Whisk together the coffee powder, sugar, salt and water. Pour mixture over the almonds . Toss well and bake for 10 minutes at 170 C. Nutrient Analysis Per Serving: Calories: 122.6Kcal Protein: 4.3 gm Total fat: 10.5gm Saturated: 1.9g Monounsaturated: 6.4gm Polyunsaturated: 2.5g Carbohydrates: 5.3gm Fibre: 2.4g Cholesterol: 0.006 Sodium: 6.03mg Calcium: 4.9mg Magnesium: 0.3mg Potassium: 156.2mg Vitamin E: 0.09mg Almond Mumbai Magic Almond Mumbai Magic Serves: 3 Ingredients Almonds Toasted: 60 gms Oil: 1 tbsp Chopped onions: 1 tbsp Chopped ginger garlic: 1 tsp Chopped green chilli: 1 tsp Cubes of cooked potato: tbsp. Pau Bhaji Masala: 1 tsp Tomato puree: 1 tbsp Water: 1 tbsp Chopped pudina: 1 tsp Lemon juice: 1 tsp Salt n pepper: to taste Steps: Heat oil. Add chopped onions, ginger garlic, chilli, tomato puree. Add the Pau bhaji masala and cook for 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and mash lightly. Add the almonds and toss well. Garnish with chopped onion, and lemon juice. Nutrient Analysis Per Serving: Several parts of the world are struggling with a heat wave as temperatures continue to soar. But while people come up with different ways to cope with it, some bizarre measures are being recommended. A health official in Colombia has raised eyebrows by advising residents to stop having sex in order to deal with temperatures as high as 40 degrees celsius. His input was received either by laughter or by disbelief among locals as no one seems likely to follow it. The tip came along with other measures including staying hydrated and wearing lose fitting clothes. He said people should at least wait till night when the temperatures are lower if they cant control their desire. The SOT in Rachakonda was notified by an inside source that the accused was a distributer of gutka and tobacco products.(Representational Image) Hyderabad: The Special Operations Teams (SOT) in Rachakonda district raided one kirana store in Ghatkesar and apprehended Mr T. Srinivas Reddy, owner of Srinivasa Kirana and General stores for selling illegal, banned gutka products. Officials seized approximately Rs 11.48 lakh worth goods from his possessions. The SOT in Rachakonda was notified by an inside source that the accused was a distributer of gutka and tobacco products. Syed Rafeeq, Addl DCP, SOT, Rachakonda, said, All tobacco and gutka commodities are banned and its sale often continues unabated. However we are constantly on the lookout for such violators and serious action will be taken against them. The apprehended persons and the seized properties, were handed over to the Ghatkesar police station. Pulichintala Bhavya Teja Reddy, 27, and his friend Mohammed Rahim, 24, a driver by profession, consumed alcohol at VMR Grand Bar and Restaurant in Vanasthalipuram till late in the night on August 14.(Representational Image) Hyderabad: The 27-year-old software engineer and his friend, hailing from Nalgonda district have been arrested for mowing two migrants in drunk condition. The drunk techie failed to control the car and rammed into a roadside tent erected by the migrants from Rajasthan, who were selling textiles in Vanasthalipuram. Pulichintala Bhavya Teja Reddy, 27, and his friend Mohammed Rahim, 24, a driver by profession, consumed alcohol at VMR Grand Bar and Restaurant in Vanasthalipuram till late in the night on August 14. They started towards Hayathnagar in the SUV (TS 08 EH 9995) in an inebriated state. Reddy was behind the wheels while Rahim occupied the passenger seat. When the car rammed into the tent, Bhavya Singh, 34, died on the spot. His associate Eswar Lal, 30, died while undergoing treatment in a hospital. Two others Mansingh and Ramsingh sustained injuries. Vanasthalipuram police on Thursday said that CCTV grabs of the duo consuming alcohol till late at the bar were recovered towards the evidence. A case has been booked against the due under Sections 304 II, 337, 109 r/w 34 and 185 of MV Act, said ACP Y. Narsimha Reddy. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. (Photo: File/AP) New Delhi/New York: Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said while condoling the death of the former Prime Minister. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. AIIMS said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but it deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Nepal's Foreign Affairs Minister PK Gyawal, Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Pakistan Law Min Ali Zafar are expected to arrive in Delhi on Friday to pay tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He said Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. "He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian," Pompeo said. The top US diplomat recalled Vajpayee's address to the United States Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterized US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". Vajpayee "recognized early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation," Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing". "Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers," Pompeo added. .@SecPompeo: On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of #India on the passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Today, our two countries & our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayees vision. pic.twitter.com/2mtaOQhYmg Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) August 16, 2018 Many other world leaders too condoled the death of the former Prime Minister. Pakistan's Prime Minister in waiting, Imran Khan said that Vajpayee's efforts to better the India-Pakistan relationship will always be remembered. In a statement he added, "As Prime Minister, Vajpayee sahab took the initiative to further improving Indo- Pakistan relations. With the death of Vajpayee sahab, South Asian politics now left with a huge political vacuum. There can be political differences but both sides of the border want peace. It is only through establishing peace that we can really honour the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In this moment of grief following the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I stand with the people of India." Russian President, Vladimir Putin, sent a message of condolence to President Kovind and PM Modi, calling Atal Bihari Vajpayee "a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries. He added that the great leader had "rightly commanded great respect around the world" and conveyed sympathy and support to Vajpayee's family, and the government and people of India. Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi on the passing of Atal Bihari Vajpayee https://t.co/K9rYP2wV8y President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) August 16, 2018 Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, wrote that Sri Lanka had lost "a great humanist and a true friend", calling the former PM "a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy." Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world. #AtalBihariVajpayee Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) August 16, 2018 Former Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, also tweeted his support. " Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee. The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman." he wrote. Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee. The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman. Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) August 16, 2018 Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli also conveyed his condolences and expressed his grief and sorrow on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister of Nepal @PM_Nepal Rt. Hon. K.P Sharma Oli expressed his grief and sorrow to PM @narendramodi and conveyed his sincere condolences on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 16, 2018 Yuval Rotem, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel said that he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of a giant" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the people of India for their loss. I was deeply saddenned to learn of the death of a giant - #India's former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of India at their loss. pic.twitter.com/thwQmbDJTA Yuval Rotem (@Yuval_Rotem) August 16, 2018 Vajpayee, a diabetic, had only one functional kidney. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia. He had joined the Rastriya Swamsevak Sangha (RSS) in 1947 and rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. A 10-time MP of the Lok Sabha, Vajpayee announced his retirement from politics in 2005. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha twice. Born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to a schoolteacher, Vajpayee did his M A in political science. Following a brief flirtation with communism, he became a full-time worker of RSS in 1947. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. Verma had resigned last week following allegations that her husband was a regular visitor to the girls' shelter home where minor girls were facing sexual abuse. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) New Delhi: In an early morning operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday started searches at five premises of former Bihar Minister Manju Verma in connection with the Muzzafarpur shelter home abuse case, officials said. In addition to five locations, search operations are also underway at seven premises of Brajesh Thakur, who ran the NGO, his friends and relatives, they said. The searches were spread across three residences of former Social Welfare Minister Verma in Patna and one each in Motihari and Bhagalpur, they said. Verma had resigned last week following allegations that her husband was a regular visitor to the girls' shelter home where minor girls were facing sexual abuse. It was alleged by the wife of an arrested accused from the department that Verma's husband was a frequent visitor to the Muzaffarpur shelter home, where 34 girls were allegedly raped over a period of time. What appears to have precipitated her resignation was media reports that examination of mobile phone details of key accused Brajesh Thakur showed that he had spoken to her husband 17 times from January to June this year. Speaking to the media from a prison van in the court compound at Muzaffarpur, Thakur had admitted that he used to speak to the minister's husband, Chandeshwar Verma, but it was "on political issues". Under immense pressure from the opposition, the Bihar government had referred the matter to the CBI. The case relates to mental, physical and sexual exploitation of girl children residing at the Children Home at Sahu Road, Muzaffarpur. The CBI has booked officers and employees of the shelter home in question, Balika Grih, Sahu Road Muzaffarpur. "It is alleged that officials and employees of Girl's Children Home run by Seva Sankalp Evam Vikash Samiti used to mentality, physically and sexually exploit girl children residing at the said home," CBI Spokesperson said. The matter had come to light earlier this year when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The audit report stated that many girls at the shelter home had complained of sexual abuse. New Delhi: Thousands from the Prime Minister to the common man did not leave the side of Indias political titan Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday, the day he was laid to rest. Many paid tribute to the three-time prime minister in his home in the morning. And many more walked by his side when he was carried in a flower-decked gun carriage through the streets of Delhi -- first to the BJP headquarters and then to his final resting place in Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government leaders in paying tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee both at his house and the party headquarters. He then walked along with BJP leaders, Union ministers, chief ministers and the people as the glass casket was taken from the BJP office at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where Vajpayees adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya performed the last rites. Flower petals were showered by people en route the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Leaders from other political parties too turned up en masse to bid him goodbye. The former prime minister was given a gun salute and laid to rest with full military honours. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella arrived early afternoon for the funeral. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Delhi around 3 pm for the former PM's funeral. Vajpayee was kept at his official residence in 6A Krishna Menon Marg on Friday morning where people from all walks of life were allowed to pay their last respects to the departed leader. Thousands were seen carrying flowers and garlands as they walked by the casket when it was taken to the BJP headquarters from his home. People chanted 'Atal Bihari amar rahe' and 'Vande Mataram'. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) The gates of Vajpayee's official residence was opened at 7.30 am for people to pay tribute. There was a heavy presence of the police, traffic and paramilitary personnel to thwart anything untoward. According to news agency PTI, a 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, arrived at Vajpayees residence in Delhi with a group of people from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The group covered a distance of around 500-km overnight in the hope to catch one last glimpse of their beloved leader, Kumar said. "I had met Vajpayeeji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi enroute to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "We have lost a great leader," he said. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. "It is a very big loss for us and his death has left a void that would be impossible to fill," said Anoop Mishra, nephew of Vajpayee. Also Read: Void left by Atal Bihari Vajpayee impossible to fill: Family calls it 'big loss' Delhi High court and all district courts functioned till 1 pm on Friday. A state funeral would be accorded to him and a half day holiday was observed in all central government offices on Friday. Hyderabad: A 58-year-old man sentenced for life in a murder case at Siddipet died in his sleep, reportedly due to a massive cardiac arrest at Cherlapally open-jail on Thursday morning. The last time the convict was seen alive was at 4 am when he woke up to attend natures call. The Kushaiguda police have registered a case of custodial death based on a complaint from prison officials. P. Pochaiah, 58, a native of Peddagundlavalli village in Dubbaka mandal in Siddipet district, was convicted on charges of murder in early 2015 at Siddipet and was lodged at Cherlapally Central Prison for the last three years and eight months. Recently, three months ago, Pochaiah was shifted to the open-air jail for his good behaviour and was working in the prisons farm. Cherlapally open-air jail superintendent, Y. Rajesh, said, Pochaiah was fine on Wednesday night. At around 4 am, he woke up to attend natures call and then went back to sleep. A few hours later, when the other prisoners woke up to take part in their routine, Pochaiah did not. Immediately, the doctors in the prison were called for his medical checkup and he was rushed to Gandhi Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. Doctors said that he suffered a massive cardiac arrest in his sleep. A case under Section 176 of CrPC was registered. An elderly woman is evacuated towards safer area in Thrissur, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. (Photo: AP) Thiruvananthapuram: Savage monsoon continues to wreak havoc on Kerala claiming 324 lives over the last nine days, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Over 2 lakh people have been rendered homeless as Kerala faces its worst flood in 100 years. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected. Donate to https://t.co/FjYFEdOsyl #StandWithKerala. CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has provided 1300 life jackets, 571 lifebuoys, 1000 raincoats, 1300 gumboots, 1200 ready-to-eat meal, 1500 food packets, 25 motorised boats and 9 non-motorised boats for rescue and relief operations. Southern Railway today despatched three special trains carrying water to as drinking water supply has been hit in some parts. Over one lakh water bottles would also be sent through other trains bound for the state, a railways release said. A special train with seven-open wagons (BRN) containing tanks full of drinking water started from Erode Junction at 4pm today, it said. The train, bound for Thiruvanathapuram, will run through Dindigul, Madurai and Tirunelveli. Similarly, a seven-wagon train carrying 2.8 lakh litres of water and a 15-wagon special also commenced its journey to the state, it said. With the murderous monsoon claiming 106 lives on a single day on Thursday, the state plunged deeper into misery today with hospitals facing a shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry, officials said. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Personnel of the three services, besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) resumed the gigantic task of evacuating people stranded on rooftops, highlands where hills came crashing down blocking roads and cutting them off the rest of the world, and those marooned in villages that have turned into islands. Hundreds of people, including women, children and the elderly trapped in places inaccessible by boats were winched up by defence helicopters and shifted to safety. TV channels telecast disturbing visuals of a woman in labour being pulled up with the help of a rope dropped down from a Navy chopper, swinging violently in the air. The woman, whose amniotic sac was ruptured, was shifted to a Navy hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Both the mother and the child are doing fine, officials said. A pregnant lady with water bag leaking has been airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Doctor was lowered to assess the lady. Operation successful #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/bycGXEBV8q SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018 Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones. Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another said an elderly relative Mary Varghese was badly in need of an oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening. In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her 6- year-old child was seen pleading for help. "We have no food or water. Please help us." Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also left for Kerala and is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Saturday. Leaving for Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 The Prime Minister is in regular touch with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the last two days. Also Read: Explore reducing Mullaperiyar water level to 139 feet: SC to NCMC, Kerala panel Vijayan, who also spoke to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the situation continued to be "grave" with over 2.23 lakh people from more than 50,000 families sheltered in relief camps. Though there was some let up in rains at a few places, four districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur remained in the throes of the monsoon fury. Officials said many private hospitals in Ernakulam district are running out of oxygen, forcing the authorities to shift patients to nearby facilities. Many had to be evacuated after flood water entered hospitals. People in relief shelters also complained about dearth of food and drinking water. Also Read: Watch: Rescue operations in full swing as Kerala faces worst flood in decades Quite a few petrol pumps, even in places like the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, which has escaped the monsoon fury to some extent, have run dry. Long queues of motorists were seen at several fuel stations in Thiruvananthapuram district. Authorities have directed each of these fuel bunks to keep in reserve 3000 litres of diesel and 1000 litres of petrol at all time for relief operations. Local fishermen have also joined in the rescue mission with their boats and could be seen evacuating those marooned in places like Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy. Several roads in the hill district of Idukki, including in picturesque Munnar, have been badly damaged from a string of landslides. Wayanad, among the worst-hit by the floods, is cut off from the rest of Kerala. The Kochi airport is shut with rain water flooding the runways. Several trains were either cancelled or rescheduled, sources said. Services on the Kochi Metro are, however, unaffected. The weatherman has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds in various parts of the state. Winds packing speed up to 60 kmph are likely in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. An elderly woman is rescued in a cooking utensil after her home was flooded in Thrissur, Kerala. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Life for people in Kerala, as they have known it, has seen a sea-change since August 8. The state has been ravaged by incessant rains, claiming 324 lives in the process. While airways, rail and road traffic service have all halted in the state, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on August 12 undertook an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas, and announced central assistance of Rs 100 crore to the state for relief works. The government in Kerala has appealed for financial donations and essential items to help the thousands of people who have been displaces. Here's how you can help those unfortunate affected by the Kerala floods: Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF): The chief minister's office released a letter appealing for help to rebuild the lives of people affected by the floods in Kerala. Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site, https://t.co/OFHTHlZ9by #KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala. pic.twitter.com/XNlBKqdCUT CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018 Donations can be made through cheques or demand drafts (DD), or internet banking. Address for cheques: The Principal Secretary (Finance) Treasurer, Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund, Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1; To contribute online - Account number: 67319948232 Bank: State Bank of India Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFS Code: SBIN0070028 PAN: AAAGD0584M Name of Donee: CMDRF Saving their lives was our priority. Now it is our duty to help them rebuild it. Contribute generously to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/eNHjyENt8d CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 11, 2018 The chief minister's office has also released helpline numbers. Kasargod: 9446601700 Kannur: 91-944-668-2300 Kozhikode: 91-944-653-8900 Wayanad: 91-807-840-9770 Malappuram: 91-938-346-3212 Malappuram: 91-938-346-4212 Thrissur: 91-944-707-4424 Thrissur: 91-487-236-3424 Palakkad: 91-830-180-3282 Ernakulam: 91-790-220-0400 Ernakulam: 91-790-220-0300 Alappuzha: 91-477-223-8630 Alappuzha: 91-949-500-3630 Alappuzha: 91-949-500-3640 Idukki: 91-906-156-6111 Idukki: 91-938-346-3036 Kottayam: 91-944-656-2236 Kottayam: 91-944-656-2236 Pathanamthitta: 91-807-880-8915 Kollam: 91-944-767-7800 Thiruvananthapuram: 91-949-771-1281 Alert: People in the low lying areas along Chalakudy river and its tributaries are requested to move to higher locations as a precautionary measure. All stranded people are being attended by the forces in maximum capacity. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/6QWiTj2Guc CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018 #DoForKerala: Displaced people who have found shelter in relief camps are in need of food (pulses, lentils, milk powder, other food items), sleeping mats, water, toiletries, sanitary napkins, towels, blankets, cooking utensils, basic household furniture, containers, and footwear. Ernakulam has joined hands with Anbodu Kochi, an NGO, and has rolled out an initiative called #DoForKerala and is helping by setting up collection points across the state. District collectorss too put up posts on social media to donate for the people stranded in the districts. The Kerala chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) with the IT has launched a donation website. Through their website (keralarescue.in), people can appeal for help and provide specific locations and requirements. Individuals can also register as volunteers on the site. Rapid Response India has also released a portal for donations. World Vision India too has dedicated its website for accepting help for those affected by the Kerala floods. A family affected by the floods being rescued at Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on Thursday ( Image: ARUN CHANDRABOSE) Kollam: As the flood waters of Pamba entered homes of Pathanamthitta district where a large number of expatriates had left their parents back home alone, their cries for help fill the social media. Many shared distress calls from people stranded on the upper levels of inundated houses on platforms like WhatsApp. Apart from social media, television channels also carried these requests, some of them from their relatives abroad. The stranded people are mostly from Cherukolpuzha, Aranmula, Changanasseri, Maramon and Ranni. They were left with no power in their mobile phones due to the power outage in these areas. People in distress have sought refuge on rooftops without electricity, food, or drinking water, surrounded by flood water. The rescue teams are at a loss as these places as inaccessible for boats and choppers to land. As many as 15 troops of national disaster response team are striving hard to address these calls and extend help. Meanwhile, residents allege the calls are not being responded to promptly owing to lack of sufficient rescue force. People being rescued from a flood-affected region following heavy monsoon rainfall, in Kochi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The death toll in Kerala floods has risen to 167, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday. Flood situation in Kerala is worsening with every passing day and the state is expected to receive heavy rains for the next three days. Torrential rains triggered landslides and floods in various parts of the state. Asking people to be cautious, the chief minister's office in Kerala tweeted that all districts apart from Kasargod are under red alert. The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains to affect 13 districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to visit Kerala to take stock of flood situation in the state where more rescue teams have been pressed into to moving stranded people to safer places. He tweeted that he would be reaching the state later on Friday evening "to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there." The prime minister spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday morning. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations," PM Modi, who has been in touch with Vijayan for the last two days, said. PM Modi will leave for Kerala soon after the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. 93-year-old Vajpayee breathed his last on Thursday at AIIMS in Delhi. After an overnight stay at Kochi, the Prime Minister will undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas on Saturday, Union Minister K J Alphons said. Meanwhile, rescue operations are on in full swing in flood affected Kerala. Four Capital Ships of Indian Coast Guard have reached Kochi and have joined the Disaster and Relief team in the rescue and relief operations. 24 teams are already working in flood affected villages. Indian Coast Guard so far has rescued 1,764 people and guided 4,688 people to safer locations. Meanwhile, flight operation at Cochin International airport will remain suspended till August 26 as the runway is still submerged in flood waters. Also Read: Kerala floods: Kochi airport closed till August 26 A CIAL release on Thursday said that the airport operations have been temporarily suspended up to 2 pm, August 26 due to very high flood situation and with key essential facilities like runway, taxiway, apron. NAV aids are under submerged condition. Rescued people were also provided food and shelter. All the assets (boats) and divers at the disposal of SNC have been committed to this operation and more boats and divers have been requested from other commands, said a Defence spokesperson.(Photo: Twitter | @adgpi) Kochi: The Southern Naval Command has deployed 40 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple locations as of 5 pm on Thursday, the eighth day of #OperationMadad. Twenty more teams were sent out to various locations on Thursday to augment those already deployed. More than 131 people were rescued on Thursday by air effort alone, while many more were rescued by boats. Rescued people were also provided food and shelter. All the assets (boats) and divers at the disposal of SNC have been committed to this operation and more boats and divers have been requested from other commands, said a Defence spokesperson. Twenty seven teams with one Gemini boat each are deployed in Ernakulam district at various places. One team is at Pizhala island, one at Edapally and three at Perumbavur. North Paravur has been augmented with five more teams, taking the total number deployed to seven. Eleven rescue teams are employed at Aluva. Two of these teams were able to rescue 25 police personnel at Okkal. Four teams are positioned at Muvattupuzha for rescue efforts urgently required there in light of the Periyar being in spate. In the Thrissur district, a total of five teams were deployed at Chalakkudy. In Pathanamthitta district, three teams, one each at Ayroor, Pollad and Kozhen-cherry, are deployed. One team is at Kottayam. Five naval teams with five Gemini boats which were deployed at different places in Wayanad district are planned to be redeployed in light of the flood situation in that area having imp-roved. Three districts namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta were extensively covered by various aircraft including ALH, Sea King, Chetak and MI 17 (of IAF). A make shift relief camp has been set up at the T2 Hangar inside the Naval Base and all persons rescued through air effort were provided with food, bed and other needs, said the Defence spokesperson. KOCHI: Even as most parts of the state have been plagued by heavy floods and rain, many schools have become relief centres, especially state schools, while several others have come forward to contribute to the relief activities in various ways. In a week-long exercise, the students, teachers and the management of Toc H Public School, Vyttila, collected rice (450 kg), sugar (410 kg), tea (75 kg), wheat powder (400 kg), provisions (300 kg) and cooking oil (200 kg). Large quantities of paste, brush, soap and other sanitary items were also collected and stored in the school for distribution. The total collection can support 300 families for two weeks. They were handed over to Mr Hibi Eden MLA by Dr. K. Varghese, founder director & manager and Mr. Juby Paul, principal of the school. Mary Matha Higher Secondary School, Thrikkakara, donated provisions and other relief materials for 41 families staying in relief camps in the 11th and 12th wards in Eloor municipality. Volunteers from NSS, NCC and Scouts of Panavally NSS High School, Cherthala, collected food materials and other articles and distributed them among the fellow students of the school who were hit by floods. Nehru Memorial Model School, Attupuram, Kadakkal, is on a drive to collect money from students, teachers, parents, management and well-wishers for the flood victims. The students of Global Public School, Thiruvaniyoor, collected nearly a truck-load of essential items from the students. The children donated over 100 kilos each of pulses and sugar and three sackfuls each of biscuits and rusks. Candles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, basic school supplies, soap, bleaching powder, Dettol, medicines, towels, bed sheets and other essentials were also donated. The Asian School of Architecture and Design Innovations (ASADI) in Kochi contributed Rs 1.5 lakh to the chief minister's distress relief fund. Prof. B. R. Ajit, chairman and director, ASADI, handed over the cheque to Mr Hibi Eden MLA. Sai Krishna Public School, Chenkal, Thiruvananthapuram, collected Rs 10,000. The NGT had on August 9 allowed Vedanta to enter administrative unit inside Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to administrative section. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain Tamil Nadu government's plea against the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order allowing mining major Vedanta access to the administrative unit inside its closed Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin and asked the NGT to "finally decide" the matter. A bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra said that the NGT would hear the matter on merits and also on the issue of maintainability raised by the state government. "We may clarify that NGT may continue to hear the matter on merits and finally decide the matter on maintainability also. It is open for the state to argue on maintainability after which the tribunal will give its findings," the bench said. The green tribunal had on August 9 allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for Vedanta, told the apex court that the state has suppressed facts before the apex court. He said that "spate of orders" were passed against the company by the state without issuing it show cause notices. "Without any notice, I (Vedanta) was shut. There are 67 industries in the industrial complex. 14 of them are hazardous plants," he said while terming the issue "political". Sundaram said the matter was already listed for hearing before the NGT on August 20. The counsel appearing for Tamil Nadu raised the issue of maintainability of plea filed by Vedanta before the NGT. In its August 9 order, the NGT had said that the plant would remain closed and the company would not have access to its production unit and directed the district magistrate to ensure this. The Tamil Nadu government had on May 28 ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns. Sterlite's factory had made headlines in March 2013 when a gas leak led to the death of one person and injuries to several others, after which then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered its closure. The company had appealed to the NGT which had overturned the government's order. The state had moved the Supreme Court against it and the case is still pending. The Supreme Court had then ordered the company to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for polluting the environment. Following the latest protests and police firing, the plant was closed on March 27. After Sterlite announced its plans to expand Tuticorin plant, villagers around it started fresh protests that continued for over 100 days, culminating in the May 22 police firing on protestors that claimed 13 lives and left scores injured. Directorate of Higher Secondary Education and Directorate of Vocational Higher Secondary Education postponed the first year improvement and supplementary examinations scheduled for Friday. Thiruvananthapuram: Commissioner for entrance examinations has extended the last date for joining medical and dental colleges from August 17 to 5 p.m. on August 19 as many find it difficult to reach the designated colleges within the stipulated time due to heavy rains. The PSC postponed all examinations including departmental tests, interviews and certificate verification scheduled for August 17 and 18. Directorate of Higher Secondary Education and Directorate of Vocational Higher Secondary Education postponed the first year improvement and supplementary examinations scheduled for Friday. The new dates will be announced later. Those who could not join MBBS and BDS courses before the date will be given another chance to report at the old auditorium of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College till 5 p.m. on August 20, the date fixed for mop-up allotment to fill the vacant seats, CEE P. K. Sudheer Babu told DC. Vacant seats if any under MBBS, BDS courses remaining after the stipulated date will be filled up through a mop-up counselling on August 21 by the CEE here. In the mop-up counselling, the candidates allotted and admitted to BDS course will be considered for allotment to the vacant seats under MBBS course. However, those who stand admitted under All India Quota MBBS and BDS seats will not be allowed to participate. New Delhi: As thick coils of smoke swriled up towards the dark grey sky, a volley of rifle shots reverberated and bugles sounded the Last Post as former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was consigned to the flames of a funeral pyre in front of a grieving nation. Amid rhythmic chanting of Vedic hymns and cries of Atal Behari amar rahe, his foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya walked around the funeral pyre seven times with a flaming torch and lit the pile of sandalwood which had concealed the mortal remains of Indias Hriday Samrat (emperor of hearts). Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said the ashes of the former Prime Minister would be immersed in every river in his state. The UP government has put up a list of 75 districts and small and big rivers picked for immersion of the ashes. Breaking away from tradition and throwing security oncerns to the wind, and braving the hot, burning rays of the scorching sun, Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked the entire way behind the hearse from the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal a 6-km stretch. Along with him walked BJP president Amit Shah and all BJP chief ministers and leaders. People came from all parts of India, from all sections of society pay tributes to an extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation. India salutes you, Atal Ji!, the Prime Minister later tweeted. The government issued a gazette notification announcing the demise of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The notification, signed by Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba, was issued in both English and Hindi. The Government of India announces, with profound sorrow, the death of Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, at 1705 hours on 16th August 2018 at AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi, it stated. Thousands thronged the streets all along the route from the BJP headquarters to Smriti Sthal for a last glimpse of the final journey of one of Indias tallest leaders. That Vajp-ayee was ajatshatru (he who has no enemy) was evident as leaders cutting across party lines reached the cremation ground. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Karnataka CM H.D. Kumaraswamy were among the political rivals who reached Smriti Sthal to pay their homage. It was only Vajpayee whose death could bring the BJPs sworn political rivals belonging to the Left, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI national secretary D. Raja, to the BJP headquarters on Friday. Vajpayees former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni, speaking to a television channel, explained why the former PM was loved by all. Mr Kulkarni said Vajpayee pratcised the politics of sarvasamaveshak rajneeti (politics of taking everybody along). Several foreign dignitaries, including Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Pakistans law minister Ali Zafar and former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, were present as Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours. Joining the pantheon of great Indian political leaders, Vajpayees final resting place is on the stretch housing the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The panelists on television and political pundits seemed somewhat surprised as people from all sections of society gathered in huge numbers and rushed and jostled each other to shower flower petals on the cortege that was carrying Vajpaye on his final journey. Several young people, some of whom were children when Vajpayee was in power, had come out of their homes to join the procession. I have only heard about Vajpayee but if I ever join politics, I want to be like Atal Behari Vajpayee, said a student from St. Stephens College while speaking to a television reporter. Vajpayee, who was out of power for nearly 16 years and was confined to his home for nearly a decade following a long illness, continued to connect with the nation and the people. Overwhelmed political experts couldnt help but compare this funeral procession with those of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. On Friday, all the roads in the Indian capital led to Smriti Sthal. While security people kept entry highly restricted inside the cremation ground, arguments broke out outside as hundreds were prevented from entering. Earlier in the morning, as Vajpayees cortege had made its way from his home at 6A Krishna Menon Marg through the city to reach the BJP office on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, chants of Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata ki jai rent the air. On Thursday, the body draped in the tricolour was handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. For the second consecutive day, leaders across the political spectrum rushed to share their experiences and views on Vajpayee. The focus remained on his inclusive style of Nehruvian politics, as well as on his liberalism, pluralism, poetry and oratory. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday announced Rs 25 crore immediate financial assistance to Kerala which is badly affected by heavy rain. He directed chief secretary S.K. Joshi to ensure that the financial aid reaches Kerala government immediately. The Chief Minister has also instructed the officials concerned to supply water purifiers worth Rs 2.5 crore to Kerala. He said it was the responsibility of the people of Telangana to help the residents of Kerala who are suffering due to floods. Mr Rao also appealed to industrialists, IT firms and other big business houses to help Kerala. He said of the donations are sent to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, he would make arrangements to sent them to Kerala. The Chief Minister expressed his sympathy for the people of Kerala who are suffering because of the natural calamity which claimed several lives and destroyed property worth crores of rupees. Kochi: The Navy team undertaking flood relief had a different mission on Thursday morning when it was alerted about a pregnant woman being trapped in the flood waters in Aluva. A doctor from Naval Base rushed on an Advanced Light Helicopter, examined 25-year-old Sajita Jabil and she was lifted and rushed to the Sanjeevani Hospital of Navy around 10.30 am. Based on the advice of Delhi office, the officials arranged for Matar's deportation on the same flight he had flown to Chennai, sources said. (Representational image) Chennai: Defying seven-tier security at Chennai airport, a 28-year-old man from West African nation Senegal, detained to be deported from city, escaped detention on Friday morning. Immigration officials alerted the Q-Branch of state police about the incident, according to sources. This has come as a major embarrassment to agencies undertaking the security arrangements of Chennai airport as the sensitive facility has been under seven-tier security since August 10 due to Independence Day. The stringent security arrangement would be there until August 22. Sources said that Ndiaye Matar (28), a Senegalese citizen, arrived at Chennai airport from Doha by Qatar Airlines flight (QR528) at around 2.30 am. Passengers from West African countries would be allowed into India only if they possess a proper permit, apart from valid visa, from the ministry of external affairs. But Matar visited the country only with a tourist visa, a source said. As Matars passport and other documents raised suspicion, the immigration officials at the airport reported the incident to their higher-ups in Delhi. Based on the advice of Delhi office, the officials arranged for Matar's deportation on the same flight he had flown to Chennai. However, as the return flight left the city at 4 pm before they could come to a decision, the officials had no other option other than detaining him until 4 am on Saturday," the source said. Officials lodged Matar in a room in the airport and reportedly asked the CISF personnel to keep an eye on him. When officials returned to the detention room to provide food to Matar, they were shocked to find him missing. The officials, along with CISF, searched the entire premise in vain. Meanwhile, CISF relinquished their responsibility as immigration officials had reportedly failed to hand Matar over to them with official communication. Although the immigration officials are yet to lodge a formal complaint with city police, they had informed, presumably, Q-Branch police about the missing Senegalese. "Q-Branch police have been searching for Matar suspecting him to a terrorist or smuggler," source said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked Kalanithi Maran, to face trial in the decade-old illegal BSNL telephone exchange case, along with his brother and former Union Telecom Minister Dayanithi Maran. The Madras High Court while setting aside the trial court order discharging Dayanithi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others from the case remitted the case back to the special court for CBI cases and directed the court to continue the trial and complete framing of charges within 12 weeks. A three-judge bench had on July 30 dismissed the appeals filed by Dayanidhi Maran and three others against the High Court order. At that time Mr. Kalanithi Maran did not prefer an appeal. In his appeal Mr. Kalaninithi Maran said the High Court had allowed the CBIs appeal without affording an opportunity of hearing the matter on merits. The order was in contravention of the statutory mandate of Section 40 (1) of Cr. P.C. and the principles of natural justice. He pleaded for quashing the High Court order. Justice Gogoi told counsel for Kalanithi Maran that the court would not interfere with the High Court and that he should face trial. The court dismissed his appeal. The special CBI court had in March discharged Dayanidti Maran, his brother Kalanithi and others accused in the case. The trial court had allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge, holding that there was no prima facie case against them. Hyderabad: TRS Lok Sabha member from Karimnagar B. Vinod Kumar on Friday said that late Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee played a crucial role in reviving the hopes of statehood for Telangana in 2004. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Vinod said that the legendary statesman influenced the decision of the BJP to lend its support for the cause of a separate Telangana state when the then UPA government sought the opinion of various political parties on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Recalling his debut into the Lok Sabha in 2004, Mr Vinod said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, as the TRS president and the then Karimnagar MP, led a delegation of TRS MPs to meet Mr Vajpayee and sought his support for the bifurcation of AP and form Telangana state. The Central government sought the opinions of all political parties and we were meeting leaders to convince them to support the cause. We met Mr Vajpayee and he patiently listened to our grievances despite his ailing health. As he could not speak much, he nodded his head in approval of our request and shortly afterwards, the BJP made an announcement supporting statehood for Telangana, Mr Vinod said. It was during Mr Vajpayee's tenure as the Prime Minister that the then BJP government formed three new states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarkhand. He also expressed his condolences to the family members of Mr Vajpayee on behalf of the TRS. He said Vajpayee was an irreplaceable leader in the history of Indian politics. He said Vajpayee was one of the very few leaders who are admired by one and all, notwithstanding their political or ideological differences. He walked the path of patriotism and his death is a great loss to the nation. Telangana will always be indebted and remain thankful to him for extending his support to the its statehood, Mr Vinod said. SRINAGAR: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prof. Saifuddin Soz who had defied his party, the National Conference, and voted against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in the most famous no-confidence motion in the Parliament on April 17, 1999 resulting into its collapse said on Friday that it was not against the former Prime Minister as such. The Vajpayee-led coalition government had secured 269 votes while the opposition got 270. Though then Odisha CM Giridhar Gamang who had not resigned his LoK Sabha seat yet also pressed the no button, it was Mr Soz who was credited by the opposition for bringing the 13-month old government down. After being voted out in the Lok Sabha by one vote, Mr. Soz had publicly boasted over his having brought down a communal government and saw himself as a cause celebre in it. Hyderabad: We-hub has shortlisted 24startups of the 296 application for its first cohort with 65percent from Telangana. The hub is being setup at T-SAT office which will likely be operational in October. The shortlisted startups are from diverse fields including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and Virtual reality, Fintech, social enterprise, lifestyle and wellness, medtech and agritech. We-Hub will have 50seats and the entrepreneurs will be charged about Rs3000 for a seat. The startups will undergo incubation for one year in We-Hub, following which next cycle of entrepreneurs will be selected We have selected startups which are in early stage and growth stage startups apart from the market size they are targetting. The shortlisted startups have gone through a rigorous grueling process through our partners UNDP, Nasscom, Naam, Iit-hyderabad, HDFC. We got applications from across India, said Deepthi Ravula, CEO of We-Hub said on Friday We-Hub has partnered with CCMB, ISB, IIT-H, IIIT-H, T-hub partnered. The T-SAT facility is open for any women entrepreneur who can book the facility for meeting with investors and client. Furthermore, the We-Hub will have child play area and mothers room. The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize on Sunday, December 10, 1989, after spending 40 years as a fugitive/refugee in India, due to the hospitality and magnanimity extended by successive governments in India, irrespective of party. Did the much-maligned Jawaharlal Nehru make one of the costliest mistakes of his political life, incurring the wrath of the Chinese Communist Partys dictatorial rulers and the PLA as they were chasing and planning to capture the Dalai Lama? Nehru, with all his failures and mistakes, displayed the remarkably humane side of his personality by giving refuge to the spiritual guru and the ruler of Tibetan Buddhists, in India in March 1959, as the lama managed to escape from the jaws of death. What the Indian government and people across the country have done for the Tibetan people is unparalleled in world history. No other country or people have done anything close. All have given sermons and made promises, but not actually delivered. Not India. Despite being battered and bruised by China from the very beginning in the 1950s, when the PLA brazenly violated Indias territorial integrity in J&Ks Aksai Chin, India, true to its benign tradition, stood its ground like a genuine and spirited host, looking after distressed and uprooted foreign guests, at the cost of its own economy, polity and security. Yet the Dalai Lama, after living luxuriously on Indian taxpayers funds for over 59 years (having entered India on Monday, March 30, 1959), has seen it fit to pass highly speculative and unsubstantiated comments on a legend of Indian history, which certainly is not in tune with his exalted status. His Holiness should know well that history does not deal with what would have happened. History is research, based on facts, not on flights of imagination. History deals with what happened, followed by six fundamental questions: how, why, which, when, where and who. The Dalai Lama says: I think Mahatma Gandhiji was very much willing to give the prime ministership to Jinnah. But Pandit Nehru refused. This shows a surprisingly poor understanding of Indian history and political realities by a revered 83-year-old spiritual guru! Mahatma Gandhi may be the Father of the Nation, but even he did not have any authority to give the prime ministership of a newly-sovereign nation to Mohammed Ali Jinnah, or indeed to anyone else. Newly-free India was born as a democracy, not a dictatorship, and did not follow the norms of the divine right of kingship, or leadership of anarchists. And even if we were to assume, for the sake of argument, that Pandit Nehru did indeed shoot down such an idea mooted by Gandhiji, every sensible Indian should thank his or her lucky star that at least a balanced, secular, fair, objective and learned man with proven literary skills, despite some utopian and impossible-to-implement thoughts and ideas, became Indias first Prime Minister. The Dalai Lama also needs to remember that after Jinnah and his criminal cohorts like H.S. Suhrawardy showed their true colours on Friday, August 16, 1946, killing over 5,000 Hindus in broad daylight on the streets of Calcutta, the so-called Direct Action Day, Jinnah forfeited his right to live in India, let alone rule it. One shudders to contemplate what would have happened to the millions of innocent Indian followers of various religions. In hindsight, Jinnahs Pakistan was a blessing in disguise. In 1947, he created a Muslim nation with two wings; but his inherent arrogance and linguistic intolerance sowed the seeds of disintegration, as united Pakistan broke into two separate nations in 1971. Such was the mans faulty and fatal policy that first his inflexible religious intolerance broke his own country, India. His religious fanaticism massacred 5,000 Hindu countrymen in Calcutta. Then his hatred for the Bengali language and culture sowed the seeds of Bangladesh, thereby shattering Jinnahs own creation. And finally, even virtually on his deathbed, the obstinate Jinnahs political ambition undertook the invasion of Kashmir by the Army-razakar-tribal Pashtun trio, that resulted in mindless violence, murder, rape, loot and every possible type of criminality. So much for the legacy of Jinnah, the imaginary Prime Minister of a United India, or the Akhand Bharat dreamt of by some myopic philosophers and day-dreamers! Imagine what would have been a united Indias plight today. The lashkars, jhangvis, jamaats, fidayeens and mujahideens of all varieties would operate from Jammu to Jamshedpur, Dimapur to Danapur, Kolkata to Kochi and Karwar; and they would have been unhindered and unchallenged. A question crops up. Why did the Dalai Lama make such an unwarranted statement that could be construed as an act by someone biting the hands that feed the greedy? Doesnt the Dalai Lama know his sworn foe China is gunning for him? And that he is in India because of a bellicose China? Why then is he creating resentment in the mind of Indians? Is he playing to the gallery? Or hoping to mend fences with China in order to spend his last days in Lhasa, at the Potala Palace? Or is he really upset over the restrictions imposed on his movement and programmes across India due to a diktat issued by Indias Cabinet Secretary, at the behest of the foreign secretary, in the recent past? All for the sake of a better Sino-Indian bilateral relationship? Is the Dalai Lama thinking that he is being used as a punching bag by both India and China? Its hard to fathom what the Dalai Lama is thinking, but he has definitely crossed a red line, despite his subsequent apology. His statement was totally out of tune with his status as a spiritual guru of Tibetans in India. He has done injustice to both his role as a guest of the Indian people, and to the country that has been his host for well over half a century. One can only hope His Holiness will choose his words more carefully in future. It would be a pity if the revered lama, respected by all Indians, would become a subject of partisan politics in this country. Indians are competent and capable enough to sort out their own problems, and they know their history inside out. They certainly dont need sermons from their honoured guest, and more so if these are prefaced with I think. There is no scope for thinking in history. There is a saying which is repeatedly injected into the mind of Indians going on high-altitude pilgrimages to Tibet: In the land of Lama, dont be a Gama meaning that in the high hills, dont be a show-off. Just go slow. In juxtaposition, one should perhaps coin a reverse phrase: In the land of Indias Gama, dont try to sermonise, my dear Lama! H11 The transition from Muthuvel Karunanidhi to his son M.K. Stalin was always going to be a pipedream. M.K. Alagiri has already given notice of turbulent times ahead. Meanwhile, the AIADMK without Jayalalithaa and MGR is also something of a headless chicken. The manthan, or the churning, will be within both parties, the DMK and AIADMK. First each will churn separately, but eventually the overarching Dravida movement will have to accommodate the cadres and loyalists of both. Tamil Nadu is in for interesting times. The journalist in me will be propelled in that direction 30 years after I bade goodbye to Chennai. Karunanidhis passing away has brought back disparate images of my five unlikely years in Chennai as regional editor of the Indian Express. I use the term unlikely because someone born in Mustafabad, and raised in the Urdu ambience of Lucknow, would generally be expected to expire from culture shock in the four-storeyed office in which every forehead was decorated with vertical, horizontal even circular designs. It was a riot of vermillion, ashen and turmeric. The sight stoked my curiosity, but it did not repel me. Karunanidhi, an atheist like his gurus, E.K. Ramaswamy Periyar and C.N. Annadurai, had an amusing take on namams. So long as the brahmins were busy with the shape of namams on the forehead of the temple elephants, the Dravida movement had nothing to worry about. In his gruff, theatrical voice what he had drawn my attention to was a 200-year-old litigation on what should be the shape of the namam on the forehead of the elephant at the Kanchipuram (Devarajaswamy) temple. One set of Ayyangars (Vaisnavites) called Vadagalai insisted on the U-design. But the Thengalai sect would invite the elephant to walk over them unless it was of the Y-design. If the lower court permitted one design, the opposite side would throw a ginger fit. The case zig zagged from one court to the next, but it was not resolved. Eventually, the matter went to the Privy Council in London, which in the days of the British Raj was the highest authority to which appeals could be made. If both sides were defying court orders, why were they or their office-bearers not sent to jail? As Charles de Gaulle told the French Cabinet as it was considering sedition charges against Jean-Paul Sartre for supporting the freedom fighters in Algeria: No, boomed De Gaulle, you dont send Voltaire to jail. Likewise, all the judges, including the ones on the Madras high court bench hearing the case in 1976, refrained from punishing religious ardour. How can anyone complain against the UP police for showering rose petals on the rioting kawarias. Aastha is aastha, after all. For Karunanidhi, all of this would be amusing. The things that he felt strongly about he proceeded to take up as themes around which he wove his transformational politics. The way Karunanidhi burst upon the political scene in 1953 required political imagination. He pulled together several ideas that were dear to him and which moved the people to their core. The slogans were my land is sacred to me and no one will appropriate it; my language will not be supplanted by another; capitalists from the north should be resisted if they come with hegemonic intent. Karunanidhi put his finger on the pulse. When industrialist Ramakrishna Dalmia set up his cement factory, he sought to change the name of the town to Dalmianagar. Students led by Karunanidhi came out in large numbers, and the town reverted to its original name Kallakudi. Playwright Brian Friel had written Translations, a powerful play on a similar situation in Ireland in the 19th century. This agitation set the scene for the much bigger agitation in 1965 against the imposition of Hindi. Two year later, the DMK came to power and soon abolished the three-language formula in the state, Tamil and English would suffice. It was only proper that he should have found a resting place beside his mentor Anna. Relations between Karunanidhi and M.G. Ramachandran were strained ever since Annas death in 1969. Karunanidhis much greater organisational control was being undermined by MGRs cinematic glamour. I never got to know either well my inability with Tamil stood in the way. But with journalists MGR was both inaccessible and vindictive, if crossed. Meeting him, however, was both, a gastronomical treat and psychedelic show. The interior of his house was a series of criss-crossing, cavernous passages until you came to what in racing terms is called the straight, a 30-foot dimly-lit narrow hall, at the end of which, like a deity, sat MGR, with his trademark cap and dark glasses. He gestured that I sit on the sofa beside him. Suddenly a trolley materialised, which heralded the beginning of elaborate hospitality, an endless procession of delicacies which served a twin purpose they titillated the palate and discouraged conversation. For me, raised on different aesthetics, MGR remained an enigma. And yet, by every yardstick, he had shot into the charismatic stratosphere by projecting an inexplicable persona. Jayalalithaa performed the impossible she amplified charisma, which had already reached the nether regions. We have seen the mess in the AIADMK that these two charismatic leaders mindlessly left behind. The DMK, however, has always more real in its politics. Not only was Karunanidhi more intellectually agile, he had his feet firmly on the ground. The cadres are in place. The next line of leadership, (Stalin, for instance) have been in the drill for quite some time. But the transition may still be problematic. The MGR-Jayalalithaa charisma had obscured the Dravida movements earlier anti-Hindi, anti-north and anti-brahmin edge. In the absence of Karunanidhis hardnosed pragmatism, however, the second line of leadership may fall back on more radical regionalism, possibly even parochialism, to score points over each other. The strain on Centre-state relations will be considerable and might reach breaking point as the new players jockey to inherit the Dravida mantle. H11 Facebook said it was using tools to automatically detect hate speech and hiring more Burmese-language speakers to review posts. Facebook has been too slow to address hate speech in Myanmar and is acting to remedy the problem by hiring more Burmese speakers and investing in technology to identify problematic content, the company said in a statement on Thursday. The acknowledgement came a day after a Reuters investigation showed why the company has failed to stem a wave of vitriolic posts about the minority Rohingya. Some 700,000 Rohingya fled their homes last year after an army crackdown that the United States denounced as ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya now live in teeming refugee camps in Bangladesh. The ethnic violence in Myanmar is horrific and we have been too slow to prevent misinformation and hate speech on Facebook, Facebook said. The Reuters story revealed the social media giant for years dedicated scant resources to combating hate speech in Myanmar, which is a market it dominates and where there have been repeated eruptions of ethnic violence. In early 2015, for instance, there were only two people at Facebook who could speak Burmese monitoring problematic posts. In Thursdays statement, posted online, Facebook said it was using tools to automatically detect hate speech and hiring more Burmese-language speakers to review posts, following up on a pledge made by founder Mark Zuckerberg to US senators in April. The company said that it had over 60 Myanmar language experts in June and plans to have at least 100 by the end of the year. Reuters found more than 1,000 examples of posts, comments, images and videos denigrating and attacking the Rohingya and other Muslims that were on the social media platform as of last week. Some of the material, which included pornographic anti-Muslim images, has been up on Facebook for as long as six years. There are numerous posts that call the Rohingya and other Muslims dogs and rapists, and urge they be exterminated. Facebook currently doesnt have a single employee in Myanmar, relying instead on an outsourced, secretive operation in Kuala Lumpur called Project Honey Badger to monitor hate speech and other problematic posts, the Reuters investigation showed. Because Facebooks systems struggle to interpret Burmese script, the company is heavily dependent on users reporting hate speech in Myanmar. Researchers and human rights activists say they have been warning Facebook for years about how its platform was being used to spread hatred against the Rohingya and other Muslims in Myanmar. In its statement on Thursday, Facebook said it had banned a number of Myanmar hate figures and organizations from the platform. 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. US state election officials are demanding better access to sometimes classified federal government information. US state election officials are demanding better access to sometimes classified federal government information about hacking threats to voting systems. With less than three months until the November midterm elections, 44 states, the District of Columbia, and numerous counties on Wednesday participated in a simulation that tested the ability of state and federal officials to work together to stop data breaches, disinformation and other voting-related security issues. They did not simulate a cyber attack, but rather played out various scenarios to learn how to react if there were one. The Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, US Cyber Command, Justice Department and the FBI participated. Matthew Masterson, a DHS senior advisor, told Reuters it will be important to help election officials before November elections understand how information goes from a classified structure to declassified and out to the states. Part of solving that problem is getting security clearances for state election officials. The fact that we have state officials with clearances and the ability to share classified information is critical, he said, but our goal is to get out as much information as possible and to share it as broadly as we can. So were working through that. Some election officials received top-secret clearances since December 2016 to view classified material but a gap still exists. In some cases during Wednesdays simulations, mock one-day clearances were granted to officials. Californias secretary of state, Alex Padilla, whose security clearance has not yet been authorized, said, the biggest barrier to better communications and information sharing still happens to be funding and red tape. The challenge seems to be as federal officials see something how quickly can they say something, he said. The real test will be in the event something happens between now and election day in November. In February, following a classified briefing between state and federal government officials, multiple secretaries of state said they were disappointed in the quality of information being provided to them about cyber threats coming from Russia. 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. Users will be able to backup their WhatsApp data to Google Drive without having to worry about exhausting their Drive storage quota. Google has announced that WhatsApp users will now be able to back up their chat data to Google Drive without having to worry about it being counted against the drive storage quota. Google started sending emails to users confirming that it has reached an agreement with WhatsApp to no longer count backups against Google Drive storage quota, XDA developers reported. This basically means users will be able to back up their WhatsApp data to Google Drive without having to worry about exhausting their Drive storage quota. So for instance, if you are on the free Google Drive plan in which you get 15GB of storage, you will be able to back up your megabytes or a few gigabytes of photos and videos from WhatsApp separately, without reducing your original quota of 15GB. The policy will come into effect starting November 12, 2018. However, in order to benefit from this, users are recommended to back up their data to Google Drive at least once a year or the backups will be automatically removed. As for the latest policy change, users have to manually back up the data to ensure the two services are successfully linked. 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. The official Twitter app for Android and iOS, as well as the mobile version of Twitter.com will continue to support all the features that users rely on. (Photo: Pixabay) Twitter is the place for knowing whats going on with the world. If you want to stay in touch with Twitter while being mobile, some of the best options have been certain third-party apps for streaming Twitter instead of Twitters official app. While this has been the case for some time now, Twitter now wants to push users towards its own apps and web clients by introducing some new guidelines. In one of their recent blog posts, Twitter announced that they will be withdrawing the support for certain old APIs that some third-party Twitter client apps have been relying on. One of the most important features that will be absent from those apps will be auto-refreshing users will now have to manually refresh their Twitter feeds in those apps. Additionally, the APIs would also not allow push notifications and Direct Messages controls. However, the official Twitter app for Android and iOS, as well as the mobile version of Twitter.com will continue to support all the features that users rely on. Users on the Twitter-owned apps and portals will be able to better organise Tweets to mitigate troll-like behaviour, consistent app navigation and real-time Tweet engagement count, control over your Twitter data, improved accessibility support and notifications and Direct Message controls. Additionally, certain features will remain exclusive to the official apps and the web portal. Therefore, users will be able to use Explore (including Moments), Periscopes, Polls, Bookmarks and Tweet-level controls for feedback. Its worthwhile to note that several of the apps exclusive to the official Twitter app and web portals have been borrowed from the third-party client apps. Twitter acknowledges that, saying, There are good reasons you love the various Twitter apps you have used over the years, and were grateful for the developers who build them. Were still strongly committed to ongoing investment in our developer ecosystem. Our investments are focused on helping developers create fundamentally new and innovative ways to use Twitter. Also, were continuing to invest in TweetDeck, our desktop web client for professionals who need more advanced tools. 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. Trump again aimed a jibe at Canada, saying 'Their tariffs are too high. Their barriers are too strong. So we're not even talking to them right now.' (Photo: File) Washington: President Donald Trump has said he was in "no rush" to complete a deal to rewrite the trade pact with Mexico and Canada. As Mexican officials were gathered in Washington for talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Trump said at a cabinet meeting, "if you can't make the right deal, don't make it." Negotiators have been working for four straight weeks to hammer out differences with Mexico, largely over provisions affecting the auto industry as they try to update the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, and sign a revised deal before the end of the year. But Trump said on Thursday, "I'm in no rush. We want to make the right deal. NAFTA has been a disaster for our country," he said. "So we're going either going to do a good NAFTA -- a fair NAFTA for us -- or we're not doing NAFTA at all." And Trump again aimed a jibe at Canada, saying "Their tariffs are too high. Their barriers are too strong. So we're not even talking to them right now." Trade negotiators have sounded optimistic in recent weeks. Lighthizer told Trump, "I'm hopeful that in the next several days we'll have a breakthrough. There's still some difficult issues to work on. " And he indicated Canada could rejoin the talks soon. "I'm hopeful with Mexico. And then I hope once we get one with Mexico that Canada will come along." Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo has been leading the delegation, and said Canada would rejoin the talks once the issues more relevant to his country had been worked out. Guajardo has stressed that the most difficult issues had been left to the end, including the US demand that NAFTA be approved every five years, a provision known as a sunset clause. US officials have indicated that if the deal can be agreed by the end of August it would be possible to win congressional approval for the new NAFTA before Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office December 1. That also would put the deal in place before the new US Congress is seated in January, which would protect it from the possibility of opposition if Democrats win control of the legislature in the November mid-term elections. The news report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his work place. (Representational Image) New York: A Sikh man has been stabbed to death at his store in the US state of New Jersey, the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Terlok Singh was discovered dead by his cousin on Thursday in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. The Essex County Prosecutor's office is calling the incident a homicide, according to a report in ABC7NY. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known. Singh, described as a very kind person, is survived by his wife and children who live in India. He owned the store to support his family. His family closed the store as a deeply-saddened community watched in horror. The news report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his work place. Civil rights organisation the Sikh Coalition, in a Facebook post, expressed condolences to Singh's family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York University's Centre for Religion and Media and a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, tweeted about Singh's tragic death, saying "this is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness." On August 6 in Manteca, California, 71-year-old Sahib Singh was brutally attacked by Tyrone McAllister and a juvenile when the elderly man went on a morning walk. McAllister, who is this son of a local police chief, and the juvenile were charged with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Read: 71-year-old Sikh man assaulted, spit at in California; cops suspect hate crime On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign signs in support of incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Denham and other local Republican candidates. While beating Malhi, the attackers yelled "Go back to your country!" and spray painted the same message, along with hate symbols, on his truck. Read: Go back to your country: Sikh man beaten up in US, racially abused Following the two incidents, the Sikh Coalition had urged members of the community to know their rights, remain vigilant and report cases of bias, bigotry and backlash in the wake of the attacks. "We are deeply troubled by these two recent attacks and strongly encourage increased vigilance nationwide as we work to support the Central Valley, California community during this difficult time," Sikh Coalition Legal Director Amrith Kaur had said. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime. (Photo: File) Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked "hostile forces" over "brigandish" sanctions, state media reported Friday, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticised Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called "hostile forces" for "trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a "new era" of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticising the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North's east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday which marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to allow a plea to consider political parties as stakeholders for giving views on the standard operating procedure (SOP), prepared to decide on claims and objections of about 40 lakh people left out in the final draft National Register for Citizens (NRC) in Assam. No, political parties are out, a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and R F Nariman said categorically. The court, however, allowed PIL petitioners NGO Assam Public Works and others and associations like All Assam Students Union, All Students Minority Students Union and Assam State Jamaat Ulema e Hind to give their views on the standard operating procedure by August 25. On a request to allow others also to submit their views, the court said, it is our prerogative to decide whom we want to hear. The court asked Prateek Hajela, NRC coordinator, to give in a sealed cover district-wise percentage of people left out in the NRC. The court also directed for placing the NRC records at each Panchayat level to enable people to file their claims and objections. It also approved the proposal to receive the claims and objections from August 30. The court put the matter for further consideration on August 28. As many as 2.89 crore people were found eligible for the final draft NRC, published on July 30, and over 40.07 lakh were left out in the exercise undertaken under its monitoring. On July 31, the court said the draft NRC cannot be the basis for any action. On August 14, the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted the standard operating procedure, which included giving separate biometrics to those whose names were not included in the NRC. The state government has released Rs 50 crore for rain relief, said District In-charge Minister U T Khader. He took part in a meeting with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru on Thursday. The minister said that the chief minister has directed the officials to release Rs 200 crore to the districts affected by the natural disaster and Rs 50 crore will be released to Dakshina Kannada. The chief minister has also assured of necessary help in future, as situation demands, the minister added. Revenue Minister R V Deshpande and Kodagu District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh also took part in the meet. Khader stated told a press meet that the District Congress Committee will provide necessary items to those affected by flood in Wayanad in Kerala. The AICC General Secretary Venugopal has directed the District Congress to come up with timely help for the victims. He said that the Dakshina Kannada DC has been told to establish contact with the collector of Wayanad to extend the necessary assistance. Kits containing food and clothing will be distributed to the flood-affected people. A control room has also been opened in the District Congress office, Khader added. SALT LAKE CITY About 2,000 inmates are working alongside 12,000 other firefighters to combat the deadly and widespread California wildfires. The Mendocino Complex Fire has burned through about 350,000 acres of northern California. In total, 146 homes and more than 1,000 buildings remain under threat from the states largest fire in history. The 2,000 inmates are members of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation volunteer firefighting program. The inmates earn $2 a day and $1 an hour for fighting active fires, according to CNBC. The firefighting inmates also earn time off of their prison sentences. Today, more than 2,000 volunteer inmate firefighters, including 58 youth offenders, are battling wildfire flames throughout CA. Inmate firefighters serve a vital role, clearing thick brush down to bare soil to stop the fire's spread. #CarrFire #FergusonFire #MendocinoComplex CA Corrections (@CACorrections) July 31, 2018 "Each volunteer inmate is evaluated individually to ensure that all those selected for the camp program are willing to be team members with nonviolent behavior, even if their original conviction was for a violent crime," CDCR representative Vicky Waters told CNBC. Inmates who have minimum custody status qualify to be a volunteer. Inmates who committed arson, rape or sex offenses wont qualify. Those who have active warrants or medical issues are also disqualified from the volunteer program. The inmate volunteers live in conservation camps where they do physical labor, including cutting brush and trees to stop the fire from spreading. The inmates also help clear any flood channels, storm drains and clear out hiking trails for people in the area, CNBC reported. They do similar work to any firefighter, working long hours and sleeping in camps with other inmates. Most are on the front lines, using chain saws and hand tools to reduce tinder-dry brush and trees to stop the flames, according to the Associated Press. About 40 firefighters from Salt Lake City, Draper, Murray, Lone Peak, Provo, Uintah City in Weber County and West Valley City traveled to California to join the fight against the flames. One Utah firefighter, Draper Fire Battalion Chief Matt "Matty" Burchett, died Monday night after battling the flames, according to the Deseret News. Officials said a tree fell on him as he and others battled a fire. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. iStock/Thinkstock(ORANGE COUNTY, Calif.) -- Residents of several Orange County, California cities are complaining about a strange, mysterious odor in the air -- and local municipal agencies seem to be pointing fingers at each other as to the cause of the bad smell. The odor is affecting cities like Orange, Anaheim Hills, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, according to Patrick Chandler, spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Orange County Fire Authority Chief Tony Bommarito told ABC News that the odor "appears to be vector control spray for mosquitoes. But a spokesperson for the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District subsequently denied this claim, insisting that the spray is odorless. Residents are reporting smells similar to petroleum, paint thinner or butane in the air. The ongoing investigation is now being handled by South Coast Air Quality Management, officials said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Planning to book a vacation on the home rental site Airbnb? Theres a 1 in 10 chance that youll be hosted by a teacher, according to a new survey from the company. On the website, listers can rent out space in their homes or access to their whole property for short-term stays. Almost 10 percent of hosts in the U.S. say they work in education or teaching, according to results from Airbnbs annual voluntary host survey , which received responses from 80,000 hosts worldwide. These results could include K-12 teachers and administrators, but also college professors and educators who work in other settings. Overall, the rental company estimates that there are about 45,000 U.S. educators renting out their properties on the platform. The findings dont explore why teachers make up such a large portion of homeowners on the site, but educators quoted in the report cite both a desire to connect with travelers from around the world and to make some extra money to supplement a teachers salary. In teaching, there are best practices one must observe and exercisecommitment, integrity, compassion, knowledge, and hospitality, said one teacher-host in the Airbnb report. In hosting, one realizes that best practices are very similar when guests choose to stay at your place. Maintaining a listing on the platform can be a significant source of income for teachers. Among users who included the word teacher or professor in their employment or about me section on their profile, the average yearly income from hosting was $6,500. After large-scale teacher protests this spring over salaries and compensation , the issue of low teacher pay is front and center in the national conversation. Almost 1 in 5 teachers have a second job to cover their expenses. While some work in retail stores or the foodservice industry, otherslike the hosts on Airbnb and teacher-drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft have turned to the growing sharing economy. Airbnbs report acknowledges that teachers are feeling financial strain, noting that teacher salaries have stagnated and that many educators bear additional costs, like paying for school supplies for their students out of their own pockets . The most lucrative time for educators on the platform is the summer, the report found, when teachers host more often and make more money than other listers on the website. And some areas have more teacher-hosts than others: In Wisconsin and Utah, for example, more than a quarter of respondents to Airbnbs survey said they worked in education. Teacher Home-Swapping But teacher home-sharing long predates Airbnbeducators have been opening up their houses to summer travelers through formal exchanges for over 60 years. Intervac , one of the first international home-swapping agencies, was launched in the 1950s by European teachers looking for an easier and less expensive way to travel over shared school breaks. Now a website, the service says they have about 30,000 families as members. Users find other homeowners across the country or across the world, line up vacation dates, and swap keys for a few days to a few months at a time. The service costs $115 annually, but individual swaps are free. Membership on Intervac and other popular home-swapping sites isnt limited to teachers. But one platform, Teacher Home Swap , is hoping to cater specifically to educators. Ben Brown, a 6th grade teacher in Summit County, Colo., got the idea for a teaching home-sharing network a few years ago over the summer. At the time, his family was on vacation in Fruita, Colo. His neighbors, who are both teachers, were also traveling. He remembered thinking that both of their houses would be sitting empty for large parts of the summer months, and he wonderedare the houses of teachers in Fruita vacant too? Teacher Home Swap was born. Less than a year after its launch in 2017, the site numbers fewer listings than other home-sharing services or rental websites like Airbnb: There are about 70 homes on the platform and 500 active members, including users from Holland, Canada, and Australia. The site has yet to complete a swap, but Brown is hopeful that theyll see more activity with growth, as more teachers list properties. Teachers have similar values, we have similar school breaks, we have similar income levels, said Brown. Why wouldnt we share our homes? The teacher-focused site doesnt offer educators as much potential for profit as Airbnbusers on Teacher Home Swap could rent out their houses, but the platform also gives listers the option to arrange free swaps. The focus of his site isnt the extra cash, said Brownits the opportunity to create community. Teacherspeople who have dedicated their lives to helping othersare likely to be gracious hosts, said Brown. Whenever I go on vacation, I remember things that are unexpected, and I remember relationships, he said. He hopes that the platform allows teachers to forge connections across distance. Image: Airbnb and Getty. EDEN, Rich County A new fire ignited Thursday east of Bear Lake in Rich County and quickly grew to burn 5,000 acres, state fire officials said. The blaze, dubbed the North Eden Fire, was 10 percent contained as of Thursday evening and had burned two fire vehicles. A heavy engine and a light engine were both destroyed by the blaze, state fire officials said in a press release. "The group of three firefighters was forced to leave the vehicles and escape into the black," officials said. No injuries were reported. Thursday evening, state fire officials on the Utah Fire Information Twitter account said the fire had reached the three-corner border of Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. No additional information, including the cause of the fire, was immediately released. DRAPER When Robert J. Holmes speaks of his uncle, Robert K. Holmes for whom he was named there is pride in his voice, along with equal parts respect and admiration for the man he only knew for the first six years of his life. That's because the elder Robert Holmes left to serve his country, where he died on the date that will live in infamy, the notorious raid on Pearl Harbor. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II. Now, after more than 76 years of not knowing where the Marine had been laid to rest, his remains have been identified and returned to his family. Sitting at a table in the dining room of his Draper home, nephew Bob Holmes, 83, recounts some of the times he spent with his beloved uncle who was also called Bob and other family members through black-and-white copies of photographs from decades ago. He also has mementoes such as his uncle's various military awards, including his Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal and WWII Victory Medal, among others. One of the family's prized possessions is a copy of the last letter Uncle Bob ever mailed home along with the envelope that was postmarked Dec. 6, 1941. Though he has just a few vivid memories of his uncle, Holmes recalled he was a man of strength and intensity. "He had a look in his eye that 'I'm a Holmes boy and also a Marine, so don't mess with me,'" he said. On Dec. 7, 1941, Marine Corps Pfc. Robert K. Holmes, 19, of Salt Lake City, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, the nephew explained, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo strikes causing it to capsize. The assault left 429 crewmen dead, including Holmes. Several weeks later, the family received notification that Holmes was missing and presumed dead, though his remains were never identified. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, who were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nuuanu cemeteries in Hawaii, according to a news release. In September 1947, members of the American Graves Registration Service, assigned to recover and identify U.S. personnel lost in the Pacific Theater, disinterred the remains of American casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks, the release stated. Initially, the laboratory was only able to positively identify 35 men from the USS Oklahoma. Remains of unidentified personnel were later buried in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific known as the Punchbowl in Honolulu. Later, in October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as nonrecoverable, including Holmes. For decades, the family heard little from the military and were left wondering whatever happened to their beloved relative. The nephew Bob Holmes said that over the years as scientific technology improved, the family wondered why DNA testing wasn't able to verify the identity of remains that had been collected. After watching some news reports, he said his brother contacted the U.S. Marine Corps last year and learned of an effort to use new technologies to identify unverified remains of those killed at Pearl Harbor. After submitting a DNA sample, the brother was able to give the scientists what they needed to compare against samples from remains of previously interred military members. "They started the (testing) process and (eventually) informed my brother who made the contact with them last summer, that, 'We have identified your uncle's remains definitely through the scientific testing and we want to know if you want him buried in Hawaii or brought home?'" the nephew recounted. "We said we wanted him brought home." The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday that Holmes' remains, identified and accounted for on May 9, will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He will be buried Monday in his Utah hometown. In April 2015, the deputy secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma, the release explained. Then, on June 15, 2015, exhumation of the remains from the Punchbowl began for identification. Officials said scientists from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, along with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, used mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA analysis, anthropological analysis, and circumstantial evidence to identify Holmes' remains. The agency reported that of the more than 400,000 military personnel who died during WWII, 72,906 are still unaccounted for. Holmes' name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII, the release stated. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Information on the Defense Department's mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving the country can be found at www.dpaa.mil, on social media at facebook.com/dodpaa or by calling 703-699-1420, ext. 1169. For Bob Holmes, being able to properly memorialize his uncle definitely brings some resolution to a situation that has been troubling for his family for more than 70 years. "I don't know if you can really mourn somebody from 77 years ago," he said. "But it's been so exciting to the family to finally have Uncle Bob brought home." Brad Westwood, public historian for the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts, left, and Clint Schelbitzki, assistant vice president of Western region public affairs for Union Pacific, watch as Gov. Gary Herbert shake hands with Nathan Anderson, director of public affairs for Union Pacific, during a press conference at the Union Pacific Intermodal Facility in Salt Lake City on Thursday. The railroad announced a $1 million-plus donation to help Utah celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was commemorated by joining the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads with a golden spike at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869. Added to $1 million allocated by state officials to Spike 150 the nonprofit initiative created to commemorate the iconic event Union Pacific's donation means Utah residents will party like it's 1869. The Spike 150 celebration includes a yearlong series of events to educate, inspire and unite all Utahns by paying tribute to the heroic achievement. See the world through the eyes of award-winning photojournalists. Click through the gallery above to view the unique images our visual storytellers captured today. Follow the official Deseret News Instagram account for more photographs and videos from the staff. SALT LAKE CITY A federal appeals court upheld the conviction of a Utah man for killing a Millard County sheriff's deputy with an assault rifle, a crime for which he had been acquitted in state court. A U.S. District Court jury last year convicted Roberto Miramontes Roman of shooting Josie Greathouse Fox to death after a traffic stop in 2010. Jurors also found him found guilty of discharging a firearm in connection with a violent crime, three counts of possessing a firearm in the commission of a drug trafficking crime, and three counts of distributing methamphetamine. A federal judge sentenced him to life in prison. Roman argued in an appeal that the court erred in excluding evidence from his acquittal in state court. He also challenged the sufficiency of the evidence in his conviction for carrying a gun in a drug-trafficking crime. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the evidence from the state trial wasn't material and its value was "substantially" outweighed by the risk of unfairly prejudicing the government, confusing the issues and misleading the jury. The court also found there was enough evidence for a "rational" jury to find him guilty of carrying a gun in a drug crime. In August of 2012, a jury in state court found Roman not guilty of aggravated murder but convicted him of tampering with evidence and possession of a dangerous weapon in connection with the deadly shooting. The U.S. Attorney's Office then sought charges against Roman in federal court. A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against Roman in 2013, including a charge of intentionally killing a local law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of official duties. Defense lawyers argued that the new charges amounted to double jeopardy. A federal judge and a federal appeals court rejected those claims. On Wednesday, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a significant announcement the Lord has impressed upon his mind the importance of the full name of the church. In a statement, released on the churchs Newsroom website, President Nelson underscored that the church will have more to say in the coming days. (The statement reads in part: The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months.) The historic announcement evokes a scene from a much earlier time in the grand sweep of Christian history. Four centuries back, in Holland, a small band of English-born Christians listened to the parting words of their longtime pastor John Robinson. They were headed to new England and Robinson was staying behind. In his moving farewell address, Robinson expressed concern over the groups nickname Brownists. Robert Browne had been an English separatist whose attempts to set up a church based on New Testament teachings fizzled in the late 16th century. Although Browne eventually went back to the Church of England, his name stuck to anyone seeking for Christs church beyond the Anglican tradition. Brownist was a label. An epithet. And a punchline. Grasping (undoubtedly) to think of a group about as loathed as politicians, Shakespeare settled on having his token fool in the play "Twelfth Night," Sir Andrew Aguecheek, deliver the chortle-inducing line: "I had as (willingly) be a Brownist as a politician. Perhaps the Book of Mormon musical is unfortunate evidence that the religiously devout still sell laughs. In his remarks, Robinson told his fellow Christians that they should use all means to avoid and shake off the name of Brownist, being a mere nickname and brand to make Religion odious, and the professors of it (odious) to the Christian world. For his congregants, according to follower Edward Winslow, his words were yet more evidence that their poor despised Church of Christ was not so different from those other Churches of Christ. Robinson admonished his co-religionists to study union (rather) than division with the rest of Christendom and reformed churches of their day. Back then they were called Brownist. They saw themselves as the Church of Christ. We know them today as the Pilgrims. "Mormon" is a shorthand that first began as a pejorative term. Years later, hopefully society is generous enough to emphasize a religious traditions divinely appointed name. As others have said, its time to become post-Mormon that is, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hal Boyd is a fellow of the Wheatley Institution at Brigham Young University. He works for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the co-author of "Are Christians Mormon?" His views are his own. PAYSON A woman whose husband flew an airplane into their Payson home after they had argued and fought all day might never find the answers she's searching for now that he's gone. "I don't know what was in his head," Sandy Youd said Thursday. "I don't understand why and I never will." Meantime, the local aviation community where Duane "Rhedd" Youd was known as a trusted pilot and the company that owns the twin-engine jet say they don't know what more they could have done to prevent the tragedy. What is known is that Rhedd and Sandy Youd had a terrible fight in American Fork Canyon last Sunday that led police to arrest and book him into the Utah County Jail for investigation of assault at 9:20 p.m. Rhedd Youd bailed out a few hours later. At 12:52 a.m., he called Payson police to ask them to accompany him to his house at the mouth of Payson Canyon to collect some personal items. He then drove his truck to the Spanish Fork Airport where he took the Cessna Citation 525 belonging to VanCon Inc., a Springville-based general engineering company that employed him as a pilot. Youd crashed into the front of his house, 584 E. Canyon Road, fully engulfing the front of the home in flames about 2:40 a.m. Sandy Youd and her adult son, who were sleeping inside, escaped without injuries. Rhedd Youd died at the scene. Sandy Youd called her husband's actions "completely unexpected." "I just want people to know what a fantastic guy that Rhedd was," she said. The Youd children said at the scene Monday that their father and stepmother were going through a rough patch in their marriage, but that Rhedd Youd was a loving father and a hard-working, giving man. A police report released this week reveals the couple's last day together turned violent. The Youds started arguing and drinking Sunday morning. At some point in the afternoon, Rhedd Youd suggested they go for a drive to Cascade Springs, a serene forest in American Fork Canyon with boardwalks and paved trial running through near natural springs, streams and waterfalls. Rhedd Youd became more agitated as they discussed an ongoing affair and he started screaming and yelling as they walked back to the truck, according to the report. The yelling continued as they drove down the canyon. Youd stopped the truck, pulled his wife from the cab and tried to leave her at the side of the road. Sandy Youd jumped into the bed of the pickup because "she just wanted to go home," the report states. Rhedd Youd started weaving down the canyon and slamming on the brakes, causing Sandy Youd to tumble around in the back. He stopped hard and tried to throw her out again. She climbed into the cab to get her purse with Youd punching her from behind, according to the report. When she turned around, he hit his forehead into her face several times, and she scratched and clawed his face. Several passers-by came to her aid at that point. On Thursday, yellow police tape continued to surround the still standing house, though the charred wreckage of the plane and an overturned car were gone. Boards covered doors and windows on the lower level of the blackened rock-and-stucco two-story home. At the Spanish Fork Airport, manager Cris Child said Rhedd Youd's conduct was always "above exemplary." "He was an extremely talented pilot and did his job well," he said. "He was a trusted member of the airport community." Child said those in the airport community wish they had known Youd was hurting. "If there could have been any intervention, we certainly would have liked that opportunity," he said. As the VanCon corporate pilot, Youd had 24/7 access to the airplane, which was housed in a locked hangar with a digital access code, as are most of the 182 aircraft at the airport. "I can't think of anything that we could have done differently," Child said. Like most small airports in Utah and around the country, Spanish Fork is a general aviation or "uncontrolled" airport, meaning it has no air traffic control tower. Pilots with access to secure areas surrounded by barbed wire-topped fences, locked gates and security cameras can come and go as they please. They share a radio frequency to announce takeoffs and landings. "It's like I-15. You don't have to get permission to drive down I-15 in your car. It's really not any different," Child said. Rhedd Youd once flew for Pinnacle Airlines, which is now Endeavor Air, a company that operates as Delta Connection. He also flew rescue flights for Air Medical Resource Group, now called Guardian Flight. He worked as the VanCon company pilot for 13 months. A VanCon spokeswoman said the company is cooperating with the investigation into the incident and didn't have any comment Thursday. But VanCon's president, Leon Van Sickle, told the Associated Press earlier this week that Youd was a "rock-solid" pilot. He flew employees to business meetings around North America in the company's only plane. "He's the manager of the plane," Van Sickle said. "He had full access to it. It all boils to trust. I don't know what we would have done different. He flies with our lives at stake and we thoroughly trusted him beyond measure. He took great care of us. He never took chances. Everything was by the book." Van Sickle said he heard rumblings that Youd was having some marital problems but that he never fathomed he would do what he did. He was not aware of the domestic violence incident Sunday night or another one in April, he said. Police arrested Youd in April for disorderly conduct. He eventually pleaded guilty on July 23, taking a plea in abeyance to the same charge. As part of his probation, he was ordered to attend marriage and family counseling, according to court records. SALT LAKE CITY Twelve years ago, Emily Leix said she had a bright future ahead of herself. She went to college. She worked in sales for a major computer corporation. But everything changed, Leix said, when she was introduced to drugs at the age of 27, which she said started a downward spiral to a life of crime that led her "in and out of prison." "I just (made) bad choices after bad choices," she said. But Thursday, Leix had what she called her "second chance." She now has two months under her belt in her new job as a sales representative for Nicholas and Company, a wholesale food distributor. She is seven months sober. And she has her 3-year-old son, Noah, who she called her "driving force." "It's just been incredible," Leix said. "Like, I keep doing the next right thing and all these blessings are just pouring down on me." Leix is one of about 100 people who have landed jobs in Operation Rio Grande's Dignity of Work program, an effort launched by state officials in November to help people who come from homelessness, drug addiction, or other difficult circumstances find work so they can become self-reliant. "It's amazing when people give you a second chance and help you build your life to something that you want it to be, not just something that you have to because of bad decisions you've made," Leix said, wiping tears from her eyes as she shared her story from her desk at Nicholas and Company's Salt Lake City warehouse. This week, state leaders have celebrated Operation Rio Grande's one-year anniversary by celebrating success stories of individuals who have turned their lives around in the multiagency effort to end crime around Salt Lake City's downtown homeless shelter, create more drug treatment opportunities and to, ultimately, help people back into society through work. But, as leaders head into year two of Operation Rio Grande in preparation of the June 2019 closure of the downtown homeless shelter state leaders hope to help many more people out of homelessness or addiction and into jobs. "It's the light at the end of the tunnel," said House Speaker Greg Hughes as he described the Dignity of Work program. So far, 106 people have been employed through the program, which uses partnerships between willing employers and the state's Department of Workforce Services to connect clients to jobs. The program has also worked with 333 people to create employment plans and has 221 job postings available, according to Loggins Merril, manager of the Dignity of Work program. That's after an estimated 5,000 people lingered in or near the Rio Grande area last summer, either because they were homeless, in search of drugs, or looking to make money off of drug addiction, Hughes said. "You have to stop the fountainhead of homelessness," the speaker said, adding that he hopes to see many more people take advantage of the work opportunities being offered through the Dignity of Work program. "It is daunting to know there's a lot more to do in the coming year," Hughes said. "No one's getting soft at this point. We're just more resolved to continue that trajectory." "We have to," he continued, pointing to the state law that requires the Road Home's downtown shelter to shut down in June of 2019. The three new homeless resource centers now under construction to replace the 1,100-bed shelter, along with the Midvale family homeless shelter now open, will only have a combined bed count of 700. "If we don't get this right in the next year and we don't see these numbers reduced and we don't see more people taking advantage of help, the whole operation won't work," Hughes said. "And we've put a lot of time and energy into this with the expectation that it will." Over the next year, Merrill said his team will work to improve the Dignity of Work program to hopefully employ more clients, to try a new incentive program to keep job seekers engaged in the program and connect workers to transportation so they can get to their worksites. For some who don't want to or are not ready for work, the program will work closely with the drug court system to connect them with treatment opportunities to support employment as the end goal, Merrill said. Also, the program will be developed to fit inside the three new homeless resource centers currently under construction so employment can be a diversion strategy to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place, Merrill said. Nicholas and Company is one of several employers who have partnered with the state's Department of Workforce Services to employ people who have struggled with homelessness, drugs or have criminal backgrounds trying to turn their lives around. Because of her experience in customer service, Leix's name rose to the top of the resume list, said Gia Dowling, director of people and culture for Nicholas and Company. "She's a gem. We're lucky to have her," Dowling said. Dowling said her company wanted to participate in the Dignity of Work program because it related to the company's mission statement, "Philotimo," a Greek word that means "love of honor," she said. "We see the honor and dignity in all people, and everyone deserves a second chance," Dowling said. "We are happy to be a participant in that." OGDEN Police have arrested a man who they believe shot and killed a 21-year-old man near a pond. Cory Michael Fitzwater, 35, was booked into the Weber County Jail late Thursday for investigation of murder. The man's body was discovered about 4 a.m. Thursday, west of the 21st Street Pond near the Ogden River Parkway Trail, police said. His name has not been released. Deputies say Fitzwater told officers in an interview that a .45-caliber gun they recovered was his and that he was in the area at the time of the shooting. The gun matched bullet casings found near the man, according to a police affidavit. Weber County sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle with two people about 3 a.m. Thursday as it left the pond area, the statement says. The driver, whose name has not been released, had the gun in the car and told detectives he saw Fitzwater shoot the man in the head, police said. The man was arrested for investigation of drug and unlawful gun possession. It's not clear if Fitzwater was the other person in the car. A Utah State Crime Lab analysis indicated the casing found at the pond was fired from the gun seized in the traffic stop, the statement says. People at a transient camp near the pond reported last seeing the man alive at 2 a.m., when he was alone. They left and returned to find him dead, then called police, the statement says. SALT LAKE CITY A representative of Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams' congressional campaign calls a recently filed Federal Elections Commission complaint against the District 4 Democratic congressional candidate "frivolous" and "absolutely without merit." As part of their response, McAdams campaign staffers also shared copies of complaints, one to the FEC and another to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, that include allegations of wrongdoing by Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, in her campaign activities and reporting. An Aug. 8 filing by Salt Lake County Republican Party Chairman Scott Miller alleges that McAdams failed to appropriately include expenses related to a renovated school bus used by the campaign in an FEC filing and, in a second item, implies that three donations made by teenagers were improper "straw donor" transactions. In the complaint, Miller writes that while "it is possible that these contributions were lawfully made" by the children of John and Kristi Cumming, who themselves are McAdams contributors, he suspects malfeasance. "Given the timing, the maximum contributions involved, the fact that the parents are contributors, and the fact that two of the children have never given before, and the third has contributed only small amounts in the past, it is more likely that these contributions were made in the name of another and are properly attributed to one or both of the childrens parents," Miller wrote in the complaint. John Cumming, founder and former CEO of Powdr Corp. and current chairman of American Investment Co., did not respond to messages left at his business by the Deseret News requesting comment. McAdams campaign spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend told the Desert News that the bus, which McAdams has previously used in his campaigns for Salt Lake County mayor, is being rented by the federal campaign. And that the $200 per month rental fee falls under the minimum dollar value that the FEC requires campaigns to stipulate as an expenditure line item. She also noted that some other bus-related expenses, including maintenance and a graphic vehicle wrap, were billed for in July and will appear on the next FEC-required quarterly filing. "In our view, this is a completely frivolous complaint," Heyrend said. "It has absolutely no merit." The two complaints against Love's campaign and the Utah Republican Party, both submitted on Feb. 13 of this year, were filed by American Democracy Legal Fund, a progressive advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. Both complaints revolve around allegations that in 2016 the Utah Republican Party paid for $120,000 worth of political mailings on Love's behalf, which Love did not report as a contribution, and the action was out of compliance under FEC rules. "At over $120,000, this coordinated expenditure well exceeded all applicable limits," the complaint reads. "In fact, when the Utah Republican Party paid for over $120,000 worth of political mail on behalf of Rep. Love, it appears to have made, and the Love campaign appears to have accepted, an excessive contribution under FEC's rules for coordinated party communications and in-kind contributions." The complaint also indicates that even if the expenditure by the Utah GOP was a loan, it exceeded federal caps. "Even if the Love campaign intended to ultimately repay the party for the mailings, the party's expenditures would nonetheless constitute an excessive contribution to the Love campaign," the complaint says. In a statement to the Deseret News, Love campaign spokeswoman Sasha Clark refuted the claims. "There was never a loan from the Utah Republican Party," Clark said. "The FEC doesnt comment on investigations. As such, we do not know the status of those complaints filed by a Washington, D.C.-based, Democratic lobbyist group." Love and McAdams are squared-off in a tight race for the District 4 congressional seat that Love has occupied since 2015. A recent poll showed Love with a slim lead over McAdams but one that fell within the survey's margin of error. SALT LAKE CITY Katie Hoyos never thought anyone would care about her phone case. But she was wrong very wrong. After all, its not a phone case you see every day, if ever again. See, a phone case company in Australia inadvertently sold cases with an image of the LDS Church's Salt Lake Temple on the back of its phone case, which also includes an image of Belle and the Beast from Disney's 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast. The Salt Lake Temple sits on the background, along with a line from Doctrine & Covenants Section 123, verse 17. "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." The phone case, which was designed for iPhone 5, 5S and 5E devices, is no longer available. Pink Beauty Australia, the company that sold the "Beauty and the Beast" temple cases, sells a variety of phone cases and wallets online. U.S. shoppers can find them on both eBay and Amazon. The company does not have an official website. The online sales company bought its phone covers from a supplier in Hong Kong, according to a message sent to the Deseret News. "We only choose some designs they have for sale, and that particular design was in the recommend list," the company said. Pink Beauty Australia did not recognize the Salt Lake Temple until after someone outside the company brought it to their attention, the company said. Hoyos is one of the lucky few to buy one of these cases. This is a Beauty and the Beast phone case from a company in Australia. Clearly, they have no idea their castle stock photo is actually the SLC temple. Seems legit! wrote Hoyos original Reddit post, which began trending two weeks ago. Hoyos, a "Beauty and the Beast" fan and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, posted an image of her case on Facebook, too. When you order a 'Beauty and the Beast' phone case from a company in Australia because clearly they have no idea their castle stock photo is actually the SLC temple #BelleandBeastareMormon #happilyforeverafter, her post read. When you order a Beauty and the Beast phone case from a company in Australia because clearly they have no idea their castle stock photo is actually the SLC temple. #BelleandBeastareMormon #happilyforeverafter Posted by Katie Abernathy Hoyos on Monday, July 30, 2018 Hoyos said she didnt expect her pictures to go viral. In fact, she thought her friends would be the only ones who cared about the phone case because the two things Im most associated with are my love of Beauty and the Beast and my LDS faith, she said. Though not from Utah, Hoyos said shes visited the Salt Lake Temple many times. And, she said, she has no reason to buy another case since it shows her faith. I am keeping the case. Its a fun 'Beauty and the Beast' item to have in my collection, said Hoyos, who graduated from BYU. She added, having a phone case that represents my faith, as well as my favorite movie, is pretty awesome. By Phil Buckley and Nic Franklin. Photos by Nic Franklin The Royal Australian Air Forces main flying training base is at RAAF Base East Sale in the fields of eastern Victoria about 130 miles east of Melbourne. The air station dates back to WWII, and has been a hive of activity ever since. The base has long had a CAC Winjeel trainer on the gate, RAAF serial A85-405. Recently Defence Heritage operations refurbished the Winjeel, which had begun to look a little tired. They also added a new aircraft to sit nearby on public display, CAC-built MB-326H A7-081. These two training workhorses will eventually be joined by a Pilatus PC-9/A when the type is finally retires from base flying operations. Nic Franklin photographed the aircraft for us. We thought it would be interesting to review a little of the history on RAAF East Sale, given its historical nature and current importance to the service. History of RAAF East Sale The Australian government ordered the construction of RAAF East Sale during WWII, formally opening the on April 22 1943. No. 1 OTU (Operational Training Unit) was the first occupant, relocating from airfields at West Sale and Bairnsdale. Their primary mission was to instruct RAAF aircrew in the art of flying multi-engine aircraft. They had a large fleet of DAP Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers on hand, as well as Airspeed Oxfords and Fairey Battles. Despite being a training base, some aircraft from East Sale also participated in convoy protection and maritime surveillance roles. More than 3,000 aircrew passed through East Sale during WWII. In 1947, the RAAF moved its Central Flying School (CFS) from RAAF Base Point Cook to East Sale. This saw the base become busier. Jet training began in 1953 when the school received its first de Havilland Vampires. Using Vampires, the CFS formed its first jet display team during 1962, naming them The Red Sales. Sadly, tragedy struck that August when the teams four Vampires crashed in formation after failing to recover from a maneuver during a practice session, killing all six aircrew. While mourning their loss, the CFS was still determined to have a display team; The Telstars being the result. The Telstars also began on Vampires, transitioning later to the Aermacchi MB-326. The Telstars flew successfully until May, 1968 when budget limitations forced its retirement. By 1970, with the 50th anniversary of the RAAF around the corner, the CFS formed a new display team, The Roulettes, again using the MB-326s. The Italian jet trainers were very popular with air show crowds around Australia and sorely missed when the fleet finally retired (in 2001). The RAAF introduced the Pilatus PC-9 to their training system during the late 1980s, with the first of these arriving at East Sale in November 1987. This fast, nimble and useful advanced turboprop would soon be the primary trainer at the Central Flying School. In 1989, 32 Squadron was reactivated at East Sale and equipped with Hawker Siddeley HS 748s. 32 Squadron used these large twin turboprop aircraft for general transport and training duties, including RAAF Navigator and Airborne Electronics Analyst instruction. Royal Australian Navy Observers also received training on the type. By 2004 the 748s had become tired and expensive to operate, so Beech King Air 350s took over their role. With responsibility for ab-initio training and screening changes taking places in the early 1990s, the RAAF restructured its flight training programs and transferred this work to civil subcontractors, which resulted in the RAAF retiring its fleet of PAC CT-4 Airtrainers. The RAAF selected BAE Systems Flight Training College to run their Basic Flight Training School (BFTS) at Tamworth, in New South Wales. The restructured BFTS operated with new-build and ex-RAAF and RNZAF CT-4s. In 2015, the RAAF announced that BFTS operations at Tamworth would wind down and return home to RAAF East Sale by 2019. The new program will see an updated training program using the Pilatus PC-21; Lockheed-Martin will be providing civilian contractor support. The PC-21 will replace the entire PC-9 fleet over the next few years. Until the new program is fully established at East Sale, the RAAF will continue with the present BAE training program at Tamworth. Present Day Operations RAAF base East Sale is the key Air Force pilot training base in eastern Australia. It comprises several units which come under Air Training Wing control. Core units located on base include No.1 Flying Training School for Air Combat Officers, No. 453 East Sale Flight Air Traffic Controllers at the School of Air Traffic Control, and the Central Flying School. It is also home to the RAAF Roulettes team. The base will soon see more King Air multi-role aircraft join No. 32 Squadron as it expands to fill the hole which will be left with 38 Squadrons disbandment later this year. Other RAAF units on base include the Officer Training School, No 30 (City of Sale) Squadron airbase operations, the Aviation Candidate Management Centre, the Training Aircraft Systems Program Office (TASPO) and No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment East Sale. Many thanks to Phil Buckley for the article and Nic Franklin for the photographs. Looking ahead to the future, the author hopes to see a small base museum built to house and enhance the three historic airframes on the gate, with the possible addition of a Vampire. Remains of Beaufort bombers and other WWII aircraft could also be added to a museum at this significant airfield. Angelina Jolie To Let Brad Pitt Visit Their Children As Per Judges Order It seems that the power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has not settled yet. A judge has now asked Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to let estranged husband Brad Pitt visit their six children before court settles the custody issue once and for all. As per the reports, the two were having some problem regarding their childrens custody and visits. It is being reported that, after the judge intervened, the 'Salt' star allowed Brad Pitt to visit their children for four hours on school days and 12 hours for holidays. Earlier, Jolie had accused Pitt of being a careless father. In his defines, he said that he had filed for a loan of 8 million USD to help the former buy a house. The next date of hearing is August 21. As of now, financial documents are yet to be exchanged between the two since it is a routine for any divorce settlements around the world. As per Brad Pitt, he has given Angelina Jolie millions since the split. The power couple tied the knot in August 2014 and were together since 2004. For latest movie reviews, ratings and trailers, download the Desimartini App. Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com Actors From Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam Film Industry Come Together To Bring Relief To Flood Affected Kerala The whole country has been watching nature take a fierce turn in Kerala and the pictures of the beautiful state being ravaged by incessant rain and flood have been constant on news channels. While the government of Kerala has started a relief fund and actors from all over the country has been donating generously and doing their bit to support the relief aid. Here is what stars are doing to help Kerala get back up on its feet. Dulquer Salman and Mamoothy Dulquer Salman and his dad superstar Mamoothy shared emergency contact numbers on their twitter handle to help the rescue procedure. Mamoothy also visited the flood-affected areas to show solidarity with those affected. Sidhharth He posted this. Mohanlal Superstar Mohanlal has also donated 25 lakhs to the Chief Ministers relief fund and urged other to generously contribute as well. Prabhas and Ram Charan Telugu superstar donated 1 crore to the relief fund. Superstar Ram Charan also donated a generous 60 lakhs to help the flood victims. Anupama Parmeshwaran Actress Anupama Parmeshwaran shared this. Allu Arjun Allu Arjun n pledged to donate a generous amount of 25 lakhs to aid in flood relief. Kamal Hassan and Vijay TV Tamil superstar and Vijay together donated a generous amount of 50 lakhs to help the relief and rescue procedure. Suriya and Karthik Tamil stars Suriya and Karthik also donated 25 lakhs each for the relief fund. Prithviraj The mother of this Malayalam superstar was trapped inside the actors Kochi home. Thankfully, she has finally been rescued. The actor has pledged to donate money for the relief campaign. Manju Warrier Picture Courtesy: Manorama Online The superstar actress visited Kuttanad, which is one of the worst affected areas and distributed fresh clothes, vegetables and grocery to relied camps. Vijay Deverakonda Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda who became a huge hit after his film Arjun Reddy also donated 5 lakhs for the relief campaign and also shared this heartfelt message. Other South Indian film stars from Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam stars Aju Varghese, Jayaram, Vishal and many more donated generously for the relief fund. Actors like Tovino Thomas, Reema Kallingal, Vinakayan, and others shared videos to raise awareness for the relief fund and urged people to donate generously. Sharad To Play The Bad Guy in Sivakarthikeyans Sci-Fi Film Sharad Kelkar, the Bollywood actor, is all set to play a bad man in the upcoming Kollywood film. Hes the one who will sour Sivakarthikeyans plans in the latters film with Ravi Kumar. The actor is in Chennai these days for the shoot and has always wanted to be in Tamil films. I did one film in Telugu with Pawan Kalyan, and thereafter Ive fallen in love with the discipline and punctuality of the south stars. For this Tamil film, one of Ravi Kumars associates got in touch with me, saying that they are in Bombay and that they want to meet me. I said OK very quickly, but then this director is very sweet. He is full-on Tamil, not very familiar with English. So the AD took over and did the narration, recalls Sharad, who admits hes quite unfamiliar with Tamil, but still, is determined to dub his lines himself. Talking about Ravi, he said, Ravi Kumar is a very simple, straightforward guy, always thinking about films and the shots when he is on the set. He is so focused; I was amazed to know he has a 5-month-old baby at home. The actor even said that he loves the works of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. I have grown up watching cult films like Andha Kanoon and Geraftaar. Plus, I have always felt a strange attachment to Rajini, as he, too is a Maharashtrian, like me. He shows me nothing is impossible if you have talent, you can make it big anywhere, says Sharad. For latest movie reviews, ratings and trailers, download the Desimartini App. Source: starsunfolded.com Ever got frustrated with the storage full messages on Google Drive? Well, you might be in for a breather as Google and WhatsApp have come to an agreement according to which WhatsApp backups against Google Drive storage limit wont be counted. In simpler words, this means that WhatsApp users can now backup unlimited data, including chats, photos, audio files and videos, without having to worry about the space crunch on their Drive account. Earlier, WhatsApp backups on Google Drive essentially ate up a lot of space. In a mail attributed to one of our team members, Google Drive said, Due to a new agreement between WhatsApp and Google, WhatsApp backups will no longer count against Google Drive storage quota. However, any WhatsApp backups that have not been updated in more than a year will automatically be removed from storage. It seems Google has sent the mail to all people who are users of Google Drive app. The policy will go into effect for all users on November 12 though some users may see the quota benefits earlier. To avoid the loss of any backups, the Google Drive Team recommended people to manually backup WhatsApp before the date. To manually backup your data, make sure you have Google Drive activated on your phone. Then go to Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap Back Up to backup your data on Google Drive. This move will benefit those who usually get loads of messages and multimedia files on WhatsApp. Google gives 15GB of free Drive storage when you sign up for an account. Users can also buy 100GB space for Rs 130 per month and 1TB for Rs 650 per month. WhatsApp has a total od 1.5 billion users, of which 200 million are in India. Keralas flood situation is worsening by the day as heavy rains continue to pummel the state. Death toll from the flooding has now risen to 168 since August 8, according to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Four districts Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur are the worst affected with all 14 districts under red alert. Water levels in many rivers have risen inundating several towns and villages. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places till Saturday. The situation is certainly grim and there is a pressing need to relocated people and families stranded in flooded areas along with medical attention and provide rescue and relief materials. The Central Government, State Governments, Volunteers and NGOs are working to mitigate the impact of the disaster, but they need your help. Google Search now has a separate tab to track the events of the flood. Google also has a list of emergency and helpline numbers to contact for those affected by the deluge. Googles People Tracker is also active in the area to help locate citizens in Kerala. 16 teams of Army, 42 teams of Navy and 28 teams of NDRF are currently invovled in rescue and aid operations. But theres a lot more that needs to be done. Hospitals are facing oxygen shortage, and theres widespread shortage of fuel. Collector of Kannur has asked people to donate these essential items other than financial help: 1. Cooking utensils and dining utensils like plates, tumblers, etc. 2. Basic household furniture (chairs, tables, etc.) 3. Containers for storing rice and other food items at home 4. Footwear 5. Mugs, buckets. You can send them to: Control Room, Collectorate, Kannur - 670002, Phone no. 9446682300, 04972700645 Furthermore, the District Collector of Idduki has asked for the following items. You can send items at: District Collector Idukki, Idukki Collectorate, Painavu P O, Kuyilimala, Idukki, PIN - 685603. The Kerala chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers with the support of IT Mission has launched a website to collaborate with government departments, volunteers and the public effectively. The website is being monitored by points of contacts in each districts to deliver the requested materials from the public. The website is called keralarescue.in. People affected by the floods can provide their locations and detail their specific requirements. District specific needs can also be seen along with collection points and point of contacts. You can also volunteer individually to help out with rescue operations. Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan has opened his own disaster relief fund where you can send your contributions. You can send a mail with your cheque/DD to: The Principal Secretary (Finance) Treasurer, Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund, Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 695001 To donate online: Account number: 67319948232 Bank: State Bank of India Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFS Code: SBIN0070028 PAN: AAAGD0584M Name of Donee: CMDRF You can also donate via UPI or QR codes available at South Indian Bank, Federal Bank and SBI. This is being called the worst deluge of the century with over 168 lives lost already. Many are stranded and need immediate help with essential supplies and relocation. Lets come together and help out our fellow citizens. Motorola hosted an event earlier this month where it unveiled the new Moto Z3 smartphone and its Moto 5G Mod. The company was expected to unveil two more devices at the event, the Moto One and Moto One Power, but that obviously didnt happen. Now, the Moto P30 was recently launched as a China exclusive smartphone and its global versions are rumoured to be the Moto One and the Moto One Power. Additionally, the Moto One has appeared on GeekBench, tipping that the launch might be just around the corner. Reports suggest that the Moto One might be a less powerful variant of the Moto One Power. The GeekBench listing suggests that the smartphone could be powered by the Snapdragon 625 platform, coupled with 4GB RAM. It is seen running on Android 8.1 Oreo and if reports are to be believed, then the smartphone will be a part of Googles Android One initiative and might launch on Android 9 Pie or at least be one of the first devices to receive the update. The device scored 876 in single-core tests and 4299 in multi-core tests, which is to be expected level of performance from the SoC. Unfortunately, GeekBench doesnt reveal any other information like its camera setup or the display. However, as the Moto One is rumoured to be the global variant of the Moto P30, it could feature the same 6.2-inch IPS LCD screen with Full HD+ resolution and a 19:9 display aspect ratio. It could come in 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB of internal storage options. In terms of optics, the handset is said to feature a 16MP + 5MP dual-rear camera setup and come with a single 12MP sensor on the front. It could be backed by a 2,820 mAh battery. Meanwhile, the Moto One Power might come with a 6.2-inch Full HD+ display with a 2280 x 1080 pixel resolution. It is expected to be powered by the same SoC as the Moto P30, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, and could sport 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The device is also rumoured to be a part of the Android One programme with stock Android 8.1 Oreo. It could be backed by a 3780mAh battery. In terms of optics, the smartphone might come equipped with 12MP + 5MP dual-rear cameras and on the front, it could feature an 8MP sensor. Enjoy great deals on OnePlus smartphones and TVs. OnePlus 9 series smartphones, Oneplus TV earbuds all are available on Amazon Great Indian Festival with many discounts and offers Click here to know more Advertisements Huawei has just officially confirmed two important things. First, it has developed its next flagship SoC, the Kirin 980, featuring a 7nm design and, second, the chipset will feature in the Huawei Mate 20 series of smartphones which will launch in October. The company has officially made the announcements and discussed the details of the processor via a press release which was sent to South African media. According to Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG), Huawei will unveil the Kirin 980 at IFA, which will be the first commercially available 7nm chip in the world. The Kirin 980 will power the Mate 20 series. Huawei Mate 20 will launch with the worlds first 7nm chipset this October. A smaller manufacturing process yields a more powerful and efficient chip, hence, the Kirin 980 is expected to deliver more power and be 40% more efficient that AI-based Kirin 970 chipset. It is based on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Companys (TSMC) 7nm manufacturing process which is claimed to improve processor speed by approximately 20 percent and consume approximately 40 percent less power compared to its 10nm counterpart. Word is that the Kirin 980 will feature an octa-core CPU comprising four A76 cores and four A55 cores, with the larger cores running as fast as at 2.8GHz. As to the NPU, the company suggests that the Kirin 980 will also feature a new iteration of the AI processor that feature improved AI performance. The news comes at a point when there are already a bunch of rumours regarding Qualcomms Snapdragon 855 chipset. A report has claimed that instead of TMSC, Samsung will be manufacturing the next Qualcomm flagship chip, the Snapdragon 855, through their 7nm fabrication process. Samsung is claimed to have completed work on its 7nm fabrication process a whole six months ahead of schedule and the team has moved on to work on the 5nm fabrication process. Meanwhile, it may be a little doubt on the first phone that will have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, Huawei has confirmed that it will launch the Huawei Mate 20 series (expected Mate 20, Mate 20 Lite and Mate 20 Pro) with Kirin 980 SoC in October. Huawei Mate 20 will allegedly sport a 6.3-inch AMOLED panel and the Mate 20 Pro is suggested to feature a massive 6.9-inch display.The phones will run EMUI 9.0 based on Android Pie out-of-the-box. Employees warn Google against China search engine plan After successfully deterring Google from renewing a project to help the US military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones, employees of the technology giant have now demanded more transparency in the operation of a new search engine for China that conforms Beijings demands. Google's plan to launch a censored search engine in China requires more "transparency, oversight and accountability," hundreds of employees at the Alphabet Inc unit said in an internal petition seen by Reuters on Thursday. In a bid to gain approval from the Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, the company is reported to have offered to block some websites and search terms. But the secretive effort has disturbed Google employees and human rights advocacy organisations. They say that by agreeing to censorship demands, Google would validate China's prohibitions on free expression and violate the "don't be evil" clause in the company's code of conduct. Several hundred employees of Google have signed a protest letter over the company's reported work on a censor-friendly search engine to get back into China, The New York Times said Thursday. The employees are demanding more transparency so they can understand the moral implications of their work, it said, which obtained a copy of the letter. It has been signed by 1,400 employees and is circulating on the company's internal communications system, the newspaper said, quoting three people who are familiar with the document. The letter argues that the search engine project and Google's apparent willingness to accept China's censorship requirements "raise urgent moral and ethical issues." "Currently we do not have the information required to make ethically-informed decisions about our work, our projects, and our employment," they say in the letter, according to the Times. After employees petitioned this year, Google announced it would not renew a project to help the US military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones. The latest petition says employees are concerned the China project, code-named Dragonfly, "makes clear" that ethics principles Google issued during the drone debate "are not enough." "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," Reuters cited the document as saying. Google executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly. They are expected to face questions about the project during a weekly employee town hall discussion on Thursday, a person familiar with the matter said. It would be the first such meeting since details about Dragonfly were leaked. US announces Iran Action Group to coordinate sanctions policy US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has formed a dedicated group to coordinate the country's policy towards Iran following President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from a multinational nuclear deal with Tehran, a move, which analysts say, puts US on path to war with Iran. Pompeo announced the creation of the Iran Action Group (IAG) with Brian Hook, director of policy planning at the Department of State, as its head, at a news conference on Thursday. "We are committed to a whole of government effort to change the Iranian regime's behaviour and the Iran Action Group will ensure that the Department of State will remain closely synchronised with our interagency partners," he said. "The IAG will also lead the way in growing efforts with nations which share our understanding of the Iranian threat." Speaking to reporters after Pompeo, Hook said Iran's "malign activities" were "wide-ranging" and Washington's new strategy was addressing all manifestations of "the Iranian threat". "The new Iran Action Group will be focused on implementing that strategy," added Hook, who will have the formal title of the Special Representative for Iran. Reports quoting Sina Toossi, a research analyst at the Washington-based National Iranian American Council (NIAC), said appointing Hook to head the new policy initiative puts the US "on the path to war with Iran". "Nonetheless, Hook stands to play an instrumental role in facilitating US-Iran diplomacy if President Trump follows through on his call for negotiations," Toossi told Al Jazeera. He pointed to Pompeo walking back some of President Trump's comments in late July. Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Iran's leaders, had later said he was willing to meet with them with no preconditions. Toossi cited a lack of sinciarity on the part of the Trump administration in pursuing talks, saying that it should "reverse course" on its decision to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal first. In a separate statement on social media, NIAC said the programme announced by Pompeo was "another echo" of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when the George Bush administration tried to "cherry-pick intelligence and make the case for war". Earlier on Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani questioned the wisdom of Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. "America took some steps that removed the conditions for talks. They destroyed the bridge themselves, and now they are standing on the other side asking, 'How can I cross?' Why destroy the bridge when you wanted to walk across?" On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the country's most important political decisions, ruled out negotiations with the Trump administration. He said that as demonstrated in the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran will only enter into negotiations in the position of strength "so that US' pressures and uproars won't affect us". "Recently, US officials have been talking blatantly about us. Beside sanctions, they are talking about war and negotiations. In this regard, let me say a few words to the people: "There will be no war, nor will we negotiate with the US," Khamenei said in a Twitter post. Hook is also responsible for the unsuccessful attempt of the Trump administration to negotiate changes to the nuclear deal with European allies before the president decided in May to pull out of the landmark accord. Though a young man Des Cosgrove of Cosgrove's SuprValu in Bundoran has spent all his working life looking after people in the grocery trade. Sitting down with Des last weekend in his very busy store in Bundoran he recalled, I have been all my life in this trade and to this day I enjoy every minute of it. I left school at the age of 15 but if the truth be know my mother told me that I was thrown out, he joked. The only way to learn the trade is from the bottom up and I started off packing shelves with Dunnes Stores and three years later I was given the position of trainee manager in Ballina, eventually moving on to Dublin, Athlone and Cork. In total I spent fourteen years with the company. Des continued, It was time to move on - I always had a goal of owning my own stores but I still had some learning to do. I moved to Musgraves, the parent company of both SuperValu and Centra and spent nine years with them before owning my own small Centra store in Cork. Des always had a yearning for the North West and saw tremendous potential in the area and eventually bought a store that he always had his eye on in Magheraboy in Sligo. Continuing he said, This was a different challenge - I had all the large multiples to compete with and I knew that I was going to have to have that unique selling point. This was going to be a very personal store, a store where we developed a relationship with our customers and the local community. We focused on value, quality, best at fresh and a totally personal service. I found that it it was the small things that count - home delivery and even home collection. If the customer was elderly or challenged we brought them to the store - all these things we emulate in Bundoran today. Value Centre, Dundalk, part of BWG Foods UC, will host a celebration on Thursday next to mark the occasion of Value Centres 50th anniversary. Value Centre is Irelands largest network of Wholesale Cash & Carrys with 20 branches nationwide offering both a walk in and delivered service. To mark the occasion, Value Centre Dundalk will be hosting a special celebration and sale event during the afternoon of Thursday, August 23 from 2pm until 5pm. On the day, Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny and some of his League of Ireland leading side will be present to join in the festivities. There will some very strong promotional offers available to walk in customers and the celebrations will include a BBQ, games and an ice cream van. There are loads of special offers for retailers, caterers and the licensed trade and the iradio team will join in the fun. Value Centre Dundalk has been in its current location since 2016. Providing employment to 38 people locally, Value Centre Dundalk is well embedded in the local community and supports a number of local causes. It was also the recipient of the Louth Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in 2016. Branch manager, Fintan Smyth said, Here at Value Centre Dundalk we really appreciate our customers continued support and take great pride in delivering exceptional customer service. "We are delighted to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Value Centre along with our customers and the wider community and are looking forward to the next 50 years with Value Centre, continuing what we do best, which is delivering great service to the business community of Dundalk and greater area. Servicing over 1,500 businesses locally, Value Centre Dundalk boasts a 65,000sq feet premises and a 38-person strong team of employees. Value Centres on-going nationwide success is not due to a single factor but a combination of them, including significant investment made in upgrading the branch network in order to improve efficiencies and deliver a more positive customer shopping experience. Through their retail and wholesale businesses Value Centre serves more than 14,000 customers across the Republic of Ireland, employing over 900 people directly and over 20,000 people through our branded retail estate. Joshua Lyons, 36, of 1778 Villers Road, was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 15 to two to 10 years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections. Lyons pleaded guilty in July to child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. Lyons had previously been indicted by the May 2018 term of the Wetzel County Grand Jury with the charge, along with a second count malicious assault. During Lyons Aug. 15 sentencing, Judge Jeffrey Cramer stated he would talk to the parole board and ask that Lyons remain in prison for 10 years. The judge said he didnt know if his request would do any good. Lyons was given credit for time served and was sentenced to 25 years of supervised release upon his release from prison. He was further ordered to register as a child abuser for 10 years after he is released from prison. Lyons was found to be an abusive parent, and the judge terminated his parental rights. Lyons is to have no contact with his child. He is also to pay a fine of $5,000, along with the cost of prosecution, including court-appointed fees. The New Martinsville Police Department investigated this case, and their quick action responding to the scene earned Chief Tim Cecil, Detective Donnie Harris, Patrolmen Timothy Chichick and Jason Utt, and Dispatcher Iris Isaacs Distinguished Service awards. The NMPD responded to a 911 call at 619 Foundry Street on April 4, which resulted in Lyons arrest. Chief Cecil previously reported that at the residence, officers found a three-month-old baby boy, blue and barely breathing. Cecil had reported that he found a slight pulse on the baby and ordered Patrolman Chichick to bundle the baby. The officers took the baby, via cruiser, to the Wetzel County Hospital. During transport, Chief Cecil remained on the phone with the hospital nurse for the safety of the child. Cecil Cecil said he was met halfway to the hospital by Patrolman Utt, who had been at the scene of a vehicle accident. Utt cleared traffic for Cecil and led the officers to the hospital. According to Cecil, officers arrived at the Foundry Street location of the baby within three to four minutes from the time of the initial call; officers arrived at the hospital within 10 minutes of the initial call. Cecil said the doctor on duty at WCH performed CT scans and decided to have the child transported to UPMC. After an investigation by Detective Donnie Harris, police then arrested 36-year-old Lyons on child abuse and neglect charges. As this year's D'Arcy McGee International Forum comes to a close in Carlingford, Sinn Fein Cllr Ruairi O Murchu, has paid tribute to the organisers of this year's event. Cllr O Murchu said on the Sinn Fein today, it is a great event with a myriad of political opinions, backgrounds and identities all brought together under the roof of the Holy Trinity Heritage Centre. "The idea of the forum is to bring together interested parties from across Canada and Ireland, to discuss and debate, to explore new ideas, and to question old ones. This is much needed. He continued, This years theme was Canada and Ireland exploring new beginnings in uncertain times and with the chaos of Brexit looming, I feel this is very apt. Thomas DArcy McGee born in Carlingford in 1825 . He was a revolutionary Irish nationalist who later became a Canadian parliamentarian and was assassinated in 1868. This year's forum was opened by Kevin Vickers, the Canadian ambassador. The James M. Flaherty lecture was given by the Canadian novelist and poet, Jane Urquhart, who spoke about her Irish roots and the issue of her Quinn antecedents converting to Protestantism. Tributes were also paid by Cllr O Murchu to General John de Chastelain, recipient of this year'sThomas DArcy McGee Award. General de Chastelain was Chairperson of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning", said Cllr O Murchu, "and had the unenviable job of overseeing the weapons issue as part of the Irish Peace Process. "He is very deserving of this award and I wish him all the best going forward." Rethinking social networks August 08, 2018 Recent high profile attempts to manipulate public perception and sentiment via social media have demonstrated that we may not know as much about the formulation and evolution of social networks as we think. It was this gap in understanding which motivated Radu Marculescu, Kavcic-Moura Professor of Carnegie Mellons Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to co-author a paper in Nature Scientific Reports outlining a new model for how social networks change and develop over time. The research, conducted in close collaboration with Mihai Udrescu and Alex Topirceanu of the Computer Science Department of the Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania, proposes what the authors term the Weighted Betweenness Preferential Attachment (WBPA) model. In modeling social networks, a node represents a single individual, and connections between nodes represent relationships between individuals. Prior models have focused on the amount of connections that an individual has, also called the node degree, as the driving force behind a node acquiring new connections. In contrast, the core of the new WBPA model centers around the notion of node betweenness. He and his collaborators discovered that this quality of being between communities is actually a greater attractor and driver for the formation of social ties than other measures of centrality like node degree. In the WBPA, rather than examining purely the amount of connections a single node has, researchers place more emphasis on the communities a node connects and the quality of those connections. When individuals make assessments of social attractiveness in real-world situations, they do not rely on executing algorithms or other types of complex quantitative evaluations, says Marculescu. Instead, individuals make decisions based on their qualitative perceptions. As such, the quality of being in between can be easily and quickly perceived. The WBPA model also overcomes another limitation found in previous degree-driven models, which allow for individual node degree to grow indefinitely. This would equate to an individual being able to develop an unlimited number of friendshipsa scenario which is obviously impossible. The new model builds on the idea that humans are better at observing qualitative aspects than quantitative ones, which is why people typically favor investing in fewer qualitative social ties rather than numerous lower quality ties, says Marculescu. This is why theres a node betweenness redistribution process at play in the WBPA, which limits the number of new links for high-degree nodes. This redistribution process accounts for the real-world physical and mental limitations, which constrains the amount of relationships a given individual can develop and maintain throughout their lifetime. Finally, the WBPA can also offer insights into an individuals possible means to improve their social status. An individual can increase their personal influence by broadening their neighborhood to influential agents, which can, in turn, trigger an increase in the strength of their connections with others. While this research focuses specifically on social networks, the WBPA model could have interesting applications in everything from modeling microbiomes to predicting the properties of new drugs and medications. Marculescu and his collaborators next goal is to use findings from the WBPA model to investigate how opinions spread through social networks, and how robust these networks can act in the face of adversarial attacks. A longtime security guard at Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach was arrested on the first day of school after an anonymous tip led deputies to find a gun in his SUV, according to an arrest report. Nathaniel Strowbridge, 57, of Pompano Beach, was charged Wednesday with bringing a firearm on campus, a felony. He is being held in Browards main jail on a $10,000 bond. According to Strowbridges arrest report, a tip came in to the Special Investigative Unit reporting that Strowbridge carries a firearm on campus and they dont believe he is stable. At first, according to the report, Strowbridge denied having a firearm. Strowbridge later changed his story and admitted that he had a firearm in his personal vehicle which was parked in the designated school parking lot, a deputy wrote in the report. Deputies used a search warrant to search Strowbridges silver 2016 Nissan Rogue. They found a Taurus .45 Caliber pistol on the passenger front floorboard. Strowbridge was arrested and taken to Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale where he is being held on $10,000 bail. Florida allows districts to prohibit weapons in vehicles on school campuses through an exception of the law. In 2001, the Broward School District adopted a policy to prohibit the possession of any firearms in vehicles on campus. According to the district, Strowbridge, who began his career with Broward schools as a temporary security specialist at Coconut Creek High School in 1994, joined Olsen Middle as a security specialist in 1997. 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(21) Apr 13 (15) Apr 12 (13) Apr 11 (14) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (20) Apr 08 (36) Apr 07 (22) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (28) Apr 04 (20) Apr 03 (29) Apr 02 (32) Apr 01 (18) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (15) Mar 28 (22) Mar 27 (24) Mar 26 (17) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (13) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (15) Mar 20 (18) Mar 19 (19) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (10) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (18) Mar 14 (24) Mar 13 (18) Mar 12 (18) Mar 11 (17) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (18) Mar 07 (25) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (16) Mar 04 (22) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (23) Feb 29 (19) Feb 28 (25) Feb 27 (26) Feb 26 (23) Feb 25 (12) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (15) Feb 22 (26) Feb 21 (31) Feb 20 (12) Feb 19 (21) Feb 18 (15) Feb 17 (10) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (19) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (20) Feb 11 (9) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (28) Feb 08 (20) Feb 07 (22) Feb 06 (20) Feb 05 (19) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (16) Feb 02 (28) Feb 01 (37) Jan 31 (27) Jan 30 (31) Jan 29 (18) Jan 28 (14) Jan 27 (10) Jan 26 (18) Jan 25 (26) Jan 24 (34) Jan 23 (21) Jan 22 (21) Jan 21 (18) Jan 20 (18) Jan 19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) 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. Doctoral student Niyousha Karimi Paridari is investigating the electrochemical properties of different materials in order to make them usable for new energy storage technologies. The German research platform CELEST is dedicated to link knowledge-oriented research with real-world development and new production technologies. In addition to Li-Ion batteries, the area of interest includes post-lithium technologies, fuel cells and redox-flow batteries. Energy storage is a key technology for the 21st century. Climate change and the decline in natural resources make it necessary to equip mobility and energy systems as quickly as possible for a period without fossil energies. Therefore, suitable technologies for the storage of regeneratively generated energy are urgently needed. In order to accelerate research, education, development and technology transfer in this sector, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Ulm and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW) have established the Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage (CELEST). It bundles the know-how of 29 institutes at these three partners. CELEST has been established with the objective of improving communication and collaboration between the participating scientists and to pave the way for new interdisciplinary cooperation. It will also coordinate joint activities with other universities and research institutes as well as the industry both in Germany and abroad and further intensify existing contacts. The scientific expertise at the two locations Karlsruhe and Ulm complement each other and covers experimental basic research on elementary processes on the atomic scale, multi-scale modelling of relevant processes and the development of new storage materials and laboratory cells up to the largest pilot plant for battery cell production in Europe at the ZSW, says Professor Maximilian Fichtner, Director of the Helmholtz Institute Ulm, who was appointed as scientific spokesperson of CELEST. With the three research topics Lithium-Ion Technology, Energy Storage Beyond Lithium and Alternative Techniques for Electrochemical Energy Storage, CELEST covers all the very latest topics in the world of electrochemical energy storage. A further focus is on cooperation with industrial partners with regard to technology transfer, innovation and commercialization of new technologies. In addition, CELEST is planning to educate young scientists and is setting up a graduate school in the field of electrochemical energy storage. The outstanding importance of new battery technologies is also the focus of the joint proposal of both the KIT and the University of Ulm for the excellence cluster "Energy Storage beyond Lithium: New storage concepts for a sustainable future". In this cluster, the development of battery technologies based on abundant, low-cost, non-toxic elements such as sodium and magnesium should be promoted, thereby reducing the pressure on critical resources. The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW) and the Justus Liebig University Giessen are also involved. Relevante Anbieter Motorists urged to keep vehicles locked Police are urging motorists to keep their vehicles locked to deter thieves. Officers from the Isle of Man Constabulary have dealt with a number of offences lately where the vehicle has been left unlocked with keys in it or nearby. The police are dealing with those thought to be responsible, but are still encouraging drivers to keep their cars locked and remove valuable items. Dublin has been selected as the European hub of the Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) network. The network was launched in September 2017 with the aim of sharing experience and taking common action to accelerate the expansion of green and sustainable finance. It is a partnership between various cities and the UN Environment Programme, which acts as its secretariat. Its 18 current members include: Casablanca, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Milan, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Stockholm, Toronto and Zurich. The Dublin hub will be supported by a three-year investment of 1.5 million ($1.7 million) from the EUs EIT Climate-KIC initiative, a public-private partnership working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. It will endeavour to mobilise action across more than 30 financial centres of Europe to: develop a common European assessment tool for evaluating the climate/sustainability credentials of financial centres against their peers; create a collaborative mechanism for agreeing development plans and priorities with individual centres to embed the agenda; raise awareness, understanding and capability on sustainable finance; build an open innovation platform to test and transfer new sustainable finance initiatives; put together a framework to ensure dissemination of best practice; and partner with municipal and regional authorities to connect financial centre action with real economy needs. Stephen Nolan, CEO of Sustainable Nation Ireland, has been appointed as a strategic advisor to the global network and will co-ordinate the European hub. The expansion of green and sustainable financial services will need to be accelerated across banking, capital markets, insurance and investment in order to fully meet the needs of the Paris climate agreement, he said. The European Commission estimates that Europe will need 177 billion in additional yearly investment between 2021 and 2030 to keep the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2oC, as agreed in Paris. FC4S Europe will be officially launched at EIT Climate-KICs annual Climate Innovation Summit in Dublin on 6-8 November. Environmental Finance is delighted to be the media partner for this event. Graham Cooper The Right to Information activists and whistle-blowers in India constantly face risk of harassment, assault, and even murder. The attacks on them are explored, with a special focus on Gujarat, by taking into consideration the nature of the cases they have filed. Who the RTI activists are and the role that non-governmental organisations have played in popularising the RTI is looked at as a tool to question the state in the distant villages of Gujarat, and also among the marginalisedwomen, Dalits, and Adivasis. The most common issues raised by the activists, the lack of institutional support and follow-up in protecting the activists, and other issues that are eroding the effectiveness of the RTI Act are highlighted. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, is undoubtedly one of the most empowering pieces of legislation inherited from the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments era. In just over a decade, it has become one of the pillars of Indian democracy. Democracy implies transparency simply because information is power, and citizens can easily be manipulated if they do not know how the state is exercising its prerogatives. Not only has the RTI Act enabled citizens to expose the misdemeanours of the government, but it has also forced the bureaucracy to be more responsive. This is probably the laws most significant achievement, in a country where the administration has traditionally been insulated from society.1 Today, however, the RTI Act is threatened by various amendments and malpractices and those who use it on the groundknown as RTI activistsare, increasingly, under pressure. We have already addressed the first issue elsewhere (Jaffrelot and Nissa 2016, 2017); therefore, we will concentrate, here, on the second one. Students wishing to arrive early to the residence halls may do so if they serve on the Move-In Herd; August 13 will be the earliest move-in date for volunteers. They must serve at least TWO (4 hours) of the listed shifts on the Move-In Herd volunteer form and attend one of the Move-In Herd trainings (more info to come). In addition to completing the Move-In Herd volunteer form, you will need to login to your myHousing Portal (through your Buff Portal) and complete the Move-In Herd Early Arrival Request form (located at the top). The deadline for students to sign up is August 12 at 12 p.m. Student volunteers who sign up, move in early, and do not show up for their shifts or the training, complete their full shifts, or are asked to leave as a result of their conduct, will be charged for their entire early arrival stay at $50 per day as well as the cost of the t-shirt ($10). A research team at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has achieved a ground-breaking advancement in materials research by successfully developing the world's first-ever 4D printing for ceramics, which are mechanically robust and can have complex shapes. This could turn a new page in the structural application of ceramics. Ceramic has a high melting point, so it is difficult to use conventional laser printing to make ceramics. The existing 3D-printed ceramic precursors, which are usually difficult to deform, also hinder the production of ceramics with complex shapes. To overcome these challenges, the CityU team has developed a novel "ceramic ink", which is a mixture of polymers and ceramic nanoparticles. The 3D-printed ceramic precursors printed with this novel ink are soft and can be stretched three times beyond their initial length. These flexible and stretchable ceramic precursors allow complex shapes, such as origami folding. With proper heat treatment, ceramics with complex shapes can be made. The team was led by Professor LU Jian, Vice-President (Research and Technology) and Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who is a distinguished materials scientist with research interests ranging from fabricating nanomaterials and advanced structural materials to the computational simulation of surface engineering. With the development of the elastic precursors, the research team has achieved one more breakthrough by developing two methods of 4D printing of ceramics. 4D printing is conventional 3D printing combined with the additional element of time as the fourth dimension, where the printed objects can re-shape or self-assemble themselves over time with external stimuli, such as mechanical force, temperature, or a magnetic field. In this research, the team made use of the elastic energy stored in the stretched precursors for shape morphing. When the stretched ceramic precursors are released, they undergo self-reshaping. After heat treatment, the precursors turn into ceramics. The resultant elastomer-derived ceramics are mechanically robust. They can have a high compressive strength-to-density ratio (547 MPa on 1.6 g cm-3 microlattice), and they can come in large sizes with high strength compared to other printed ceramics. "The whole process sounds simple, but it's not," said Professor Lu. "From making the ink to developing the printing system, we tried many times and different methods. Like squeezing icing on a cake, there are a lot of factors that can affect the outcome, ranging from the type of cream and the size of the nozzle, to the speed and force of squeezing, and the temperature." It took more than two and a half years for the team to overcome the limitations of the existing materials and to develop the whole 4D ceramic printing system. In the first shaping method, a 3D-printed ceramic precursor and substrate were first printed with the novel ink. The substrate was stretched using a biaxial stretching device, and joints for connecting the precursor were printed on it. The precursor was then placed on the stretched substrate. With the computer-programmed control of time and the release of the stretched substrate, the materials morphed into the designed shape. In the second method, the designed pattern was directly printed on the stretched ceramic precursor. It was then released under computer-programming control and underwent the self-morphing process. The innovation was published in the latest issue of top academic journal Science Advances under the title "Origami and 4D printing of elastomer-derived ceramic structures". All research team members are from CityU, including Dr LIU Guo, Research Assistant, Dr ZHAO Yan, Senior Research Associate, and Dr WU Ge, Research Fellow. "With the versatile shape-morphing capability of the printed ceramic precursors, its application can be huge!" said Professor Lu. One promising application will be for electronic devices. Ceramic materials have much better performance in transmitting electromagnetic signals than metallic materials. With the arrival of 5G networks, ceramic products will play a more important role in the manufacture of electronic products. The artistic nature of ceramics and their capability to form complex shapes also provide the potential for consumers to tailor-make uniquely designed ceramic mobile phone back plates. Furthermore, this innovation can be applied in the aero industry and space exploration. "Since ceramic is a mechanically robust material that can tolerate high temperatures, the 4D-printed ceramic has high potential to be used as a propulsion component in the aerospace field," said Prof Lu. Riding on the breakthrough in material and 4D-printing technique advancement, Prof Lu said the next step is to enhance the mechanical properties of the material, such as reducing its brittleness. ### The research was supported by the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Hong Kong Collaborative Research Fund Scheme and Theme-based Research Scheme, the Innovation and Technology Commission via the Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and the Science and Technology Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality. About CityU City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is now 55th among universities worldwide in the QS rankings. As a leading global university, CityU embraces new ideas and continually seeks new ways to improve the world. We identify solutions to critical global challenges by extending the frontiers of knowledge within and beyond existing research paradigms. Our research clusters revolve around themes embedded in areas such as One Health, which focuses on interdisciplinary, problem-based research collaborations, and communications for health-related issues; Digital Society, which explores how new technological developments advance our economy, culture and society; and Smart City, a cross-cutting theme addressing regional and global concerns in sustainable energy, climate change, environmental degradation, urban planning, government regulation and the law. Together these themes are making a difference. A new research study published in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management tackles an important, unresolved question in the biology of invasive plants. Which is most important to the establishment of new invasive communities - proximity to seed sources, canopy disturbance, or soil disturbance? A research team from Miami University decided to compare those three factors in a mature Maryland forest where the invasive species wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose and Japanese stiltgrass are found. Twice over a three-year interval, scientists conducted a complete census of invasive plants growing in a nine-hectare plot. Any invasives they found were mapped relative to the forest canopy, soil disturbances and an index of 'seed rain' that was based on proximity to reproducing plants and the distances seeds disperse. The team found that seed rain was a significant predictor of where new plants of wine raspberry, Japanese barberry and Japanese stiltgrass established. Not enough seed sources were found to assess the impact of seed rain on multiflora rose. Gaps in the forest canopy were found to contribute to the establishment of multiflora rose and Japanese stiltgrass. Canopy gaps also promoted fruit production by Japanese barberry and wine raspberry - interacting with seed rain to increase the number of plants establishing in and near these areas. Soil disturbances predicted the establishment of Japanese barberry, but not the other three invasive plants. "These findings are especially useful for land managers with limited resources," says David Gorchov, Ph.D., a professor at Miami University. "If the invasive plants you are battling have seed production or seedling growth strongly associated with new canopy gaps, you can target your control efforts in those areas with a high likelihood of success." ### Full text of the article "Seed Rain and Disturbance Impact Recruitment of Invasive Plants in Upland Forest" is available in Volume 11, Issue 2 of the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management. About Invasive Plant Science and Management Invasive Plant Science and Management is a journal of the Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society focused on weeds and their impact on the environment. The publication focuses on invasive plant species. To learn more, visit http://www.wssa.net. Boston, MA, USA Scientists have found that sunscreen from bathers releases significant quantities of polluting TiO2 (titanium dioxide) into the sea. This has the potential to harm marine life. This work, which comes from research on beaches in the South of France, was presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Boston (see below). TiO2 is one of the main ingredients of sunscreen, where it acts as a protective against harmful UV rays: most major regulatory bodies consider it generally safe for human use at the concentrations used in sunscreens*, however, concentrated TiO2 or long term exposure could be toxic to a variety of fish and other aquatic organisms*. In many sunscreens, TiO2 is present as tiny nanoparticles, which are coated with protective chemicals. Because the particle size is so small, nano-titanium dioxide does not reflect visible light, but does absorb UV light, enabling a transparent barrier that protects the skin from the sun's harmful rays. The researchers have found that in water, the nanoparticles tend to lose their protective coating under the influence of UV light or seawater composition, which exposes the more toxic TiO2 to the aquatic environment. They measured TiO2 concentrations in 3 beaches near Marseille in France, as well as surveying bathers about how much they used sunscreen, and how often they used the water. The team found daily concentrations of 15 to 45 g/L of TiO2, which corresponds to several kg of nanoparticles per summer season per beach. Lead Researcher, Dr Jerome Labille (Labex Serenade / Aix-Marseille Universite / CNRS, Aix en Provence, France) said: "For example, with one small beach which held around 3000 people daily, we calculate that around 68kg of cream could be deposited per day, or 2.2 tons over the height of summer. If we consider reasonably that half of the creams used contain 5% of titanium dioxide, this gives 1.7 kg of titanium dioxide released per day: That comes to around 54kg in the two months of high summer, which is a significant amount. Of course, the sea is more or less continually in motion, so some of the titanium dioxide pollution will be dispersed. Nevertheless, we anticipate an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the seashore littoral, which could affect the wildlife there. In recreation areas with stagnant water, such as in lakes or seawater swimming pools, then there will be no such dispersion and the accumulation would be expected to be even more pronounced. It is important to keep this in perspective; titanium dioxide is a pollutant, and we need to take measures to try to reduce the quantities of TiO2 which are concentrated in the aquatic environment, where it can be harmful to fish and other organisms. Nevertheless, it is extremely important that sunbathers continue to use sunscreen for skin protection, the titanium dioxide pollution needs to be dealt with by the manufacturers and possibly legislation, and we've had good feedback from the manufacturers we are working with". The researchers note that in early July of this year***, Hawaii banned certain sunscreens which were found to be harming coral reefs (this was not due to titanium dioxide)- Dr Labille continued, "The good news is that we are working on nanoparticle UV filters and sunscreen formulations which will reduce the potential damage from titanium dioxide. We're looking at developing sunscreens which are "safe by design" in which the release and toxicity of nanoparticles will be minimized, so we anticipate that a solution to this problem isn't too far away". Commenting, Dr. Thilo Hofmann from the University of Vienna said: "This work is of special interest, since it shows for the first time how nanoparticles from cosmetics may influence the aquatic environment. Earlier work from our group has shown this for lakes and rivers, but this is the first study for the marine environment". This is an independent comment; Dr Hofmann was not involved in this work. Dr Hofmann Chaired the session in which this work was presented. ### This work was funded by Labex Serenade and OHM Littoral Mediterraneen. NOTES This work was presented as part of the Natural and Engineered Nanoparticles: Analysis, Processes and Relevance in the Environment session on Wednesday 15th August *See review article at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423755/ **FDA information on TiO2 https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm258468.htm#Q4_Does_FDA_believe ***See press report at https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/03/health/hawaii-sunscreen-ban/index.html For ants and robots operating in confined spaces like tunnels, having more workers does not necessarily mean getting more work done. Just as too many cooks in a kitchen get in each other's way, having too many robots in tunnels creates clogs that can bring the work to a grinding halt. A study published August 17 in the journal Science shows that in fire ant colonies, a small number of workers does most of digging, leaving the other ants to look somewhat less than industrious. For digging nest tunnels, this less busy approach gets the job done without ant traffic jams - ensuring smooth excavation flow. Researchers found that applying the ant optimization strategy to autonomous robots avoids mechanized clogs and gets the work done with the least amount of energy. Optimizing the activity of autonomous underground robots could be useful for tasks such as disaster recovery, mining or even digging underground shelters for future planetary explorers. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation's Physics of Living Systems program, the Army Research Office and the Dunn Family Professorship. "We noticed that if you have 150 ants in a container, only 10 or 15 of them will actually be digging in the tunnels at any given time," said Daniel Goldman, a professor in the School of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "We wanted to know why, and to understand how basic laws of physics might be at work. We found a functional, community benefit to this seeming inequality in the work environment. Without it, digging just doesn't get done." By monitoring the activities of 30 ants that had been painted to identify each individual, Goldman and colleagues, including former postdoctoral fellow Daria Monaenkova and Ph.D. student Bahnisikha Dutta, discovered that just 30 percent of the ants were doing 70 percent of the work - an inequality that seems to keep the work humming right along. However, that is apparently not because the busiest ants are the most qualified. When the researchers removed the five hardest working ants from the nest container, they saw no productivity decline as the remaining 25 continued to dig. Having a nest is essential to fire ants, and if a colony is displaced - by a flood, for instance - the first thing the ants will do upon reaching dry land is start digging. Their tunnels are narrow, barely wide enough for two ants to pass, a design feature hypothesized to give locomotion advantages in the developing vertical tunnels. Still, the ants know how to avoid creating clogs by retreating from tunnels already occupied by other workers - and sometimes by not doing anything much at all. To avoid clogs and maximize digging in the absence of a leader, robots built by Goldman's master's degree student Vadim Linevich were programmed to capture aspects of the dawdling and retreating ants. The researchers found that as many as three robots could work effectively in a narrow horizontal tunnel digging 3D printed magnetic plastic balls that simulated sticky soil. If a fourth robot entered the tunnel, however, that produced a clog that stopped the work entirely. "When we put four robots into a confined environment and tried to get them to dig, they immediately jammed up," said Goldman, who is the Dunn Family Professor in the School of Physics. "While observing the ants, we were surprised to see that individuals would sometimes go to the tunnel and if they encountered even a small amount of clog, they'd just turn around and retreat. When we put those rules into combinations with the robots, that created a good strategy for digging rapidly with low amounts of energy use per robot." Experimentally, the research team tested three potential behaviors for the robots, which they termed "eager," "reversal" or "lazy." Using the eager strategy, all four robots plunged into the work - and quickly jammed up. In the reversal behavior, robots gave up and turned around when they encountered delays reaching the work site. In the lazy strategy, dawdling was encouraged. "Eager is the best strategy if you only have three robots, but if you add a fourth, that behavior tanks because they get in each other's way," said Goldman. "Reversal produces relatively sane and sensible digging. It is not the fastest strategy, but there are no jams. If you look at energy consumed, lazy is the best course." Analysis techniques based on glassy and supercooled fluids, led by former Ph.D. student Jeffrey Aguilar, gave insight into how the different strategies mitigated and prevented clog-forming clusters. To understand what was going on and experiment with the parameters, Goldman and colleagues - including Will Savoie, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student, Research Assistant Hui-Shun Kuan and Professor Meredith Betterton from the School of Physics at University of Colorado at Boulder - used computer modeling known as cellular automata that has similarities to the way in which traffic engineers model the movement of cars and trucks on a highway. "On highways, too few cars don't provide much flow, while too many cars create a jam," Goldman said. "There is an intermediate level where things are best, and that is called the fundamental diagram. From our modeling, we learned that the ants are working right at the peak of the diagram. The right mix of unequal work distributions and reversal behaviors has the benefit of keeping them moving at maximum efficiency without jamming." The researchers used robots designed and built for the research, but they were no match for the capabilities of the ants. The ants are flexible and robust, able to squeeze past each other in confines that would cause the inflexible robots to jam. In some cases, the robots in Goldman's lab even damaged each other while jostling into position for digging. The research findings could be useful for space exploration where tunnels might be needed to quickly shield humans from approaching dust storms or other threats. "If you were a robot swarm on Mars and needed to dig deeply in a hurry to get away from dust storms, this strategy might help provide shelter without having perfect information about what everybody was doing," Goldman explained. Beyond the potential robotics applications, the work provides insights into the complex social skills of ants and adds to the understanding of active matter. "Ants that live in complex subterranean environments have to develop sophisticated social rules to avoid the bad things that can happen when you have a lot of individuals in a crowded environment," Goldman said. "We are also contributing to understanding the physics of task-oriented active matter, putting more experimental knowledge into phenomenon such as swarms." ### In addition to those already mentioned, the research included Michael Goodisman, associate professor in Georgia Tech's School of Biological Sciences. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation through grant numbers PoLS-0957659, PHY-1205878, DMR-1551095 as well as a grant W911NF-13-1-0347 from the Army Research Office, and the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or Army Research Office. CITATION: J. Aguilar, et. al., "Collective clog control: optimizing traffic flow in confined biological and robophysical excavation," (Science 2018). Most of the objects we see are colored by pigments, but using pigments has disadvantages: such colors can fade, industrial pigments are often toxic, and certain color effects are impossible to achieve. The natural world, however, also exhibits structural coloration, where the microstructure of an object causes various colors to appear. Peacock feathers, for instance, are pigmented brown, but--because of long hollows within the feathers--reflect the gorgeous, iridescent blues and greens we see and admire. Recent advances in technology have made it practical to fabricate the kind of nanostructures that result in structural coloration, and computer scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have now created a computational tool that automatically creates 3D-print templates for nanostructures that correspond to user-defined colors. Their work demonstrates the great potential for structural coloring in industry, and opens up possibilities for non-experts to create their own designs. This project will be presented at this year's top computer graphics conference, SIGGRAPH 2018, by first author and IST Austria postdoc Thomas Auzinger. This is one of five IST Austria presentations at the conference this year. The changing colors of a chameleon and the iridescent blues and greens of the morpho butterfly, among many others in nature, are the result of structural coloration, where nanostructures cause interference effects in light, resulting in a variety of colors when viewed macroscopically. Structural coloration has certain advantages over coloring with pigments (where particular wavelengths are absorbed), but until recently, the limits of technology meant fabricating such nanostructures required highly specialized methods. New "direct laser writing" set-ups, however, cost about as much as a high-quality industrial 3D printer, and allow for printing at the scale of hundreds of nanometers (hundred to thousand time thinner than a human hair), opening up possibilities for scientists to experiment with structural coloration. So far, scientists have primarily experimented with nanostructures that they had observed in nature, or with simple, regular nanostructural designs (e.g. row after row of pillars). Thomas Auzinger and Bernd Bickel of IST Austria, together with Wolfgang Heidrich of KAUST, however, took an innovative new approach that differs in several key ways. First, they solve the inverse design task: the user enters the color they want to replicate, and then the computer creates a nanostructure pattern that gives that color, rather than attempting to reproduce structures found in nature. Moreover, "our design tool is completely automatic," says Thomas Auzinger. "No extra effort is required on the part of the user." Second, the nanostructures in the template do not follow a particular pattern or have a regular structure; they appear to be randomly composed--a radical break from previous methods, but one with many advantages. "When looking at the template produced by the computer I cannot tell by the structure alone, if I see a pattern for blue or red or green," explains Auzinger. "But that means the computer is finding solutions that we, as humans, could not. This free-form structure is extremely powerful: it allows for greater flexibility and opens up possibilities for additional coloring effects." For instance, their design tool can be used to print a square that appears red from one angle, and blue from another (known as directional coloring). Finally, previous efforts have also stumbled when it came to actual fabrication: the designs were often impossible to print. The new design tool, however, guarantees that the user will end up with a printable template, which makes it extremely useful for the future development of structural coloration in industry. "The design tool can be used to prototype new colors and other tools, as well as to find interesting structures that could be produced industrially," adds Auzinger. Initial tests of the design tool have already yielded successful results. "It's amazing to see something composed entirely of clear materials appear colored, simply because of structures invisible to the human eye," says Bernd Bickel, professor at IST Austria, "we're eager to experiment with additional materials, to expand the range of effects we can achieve." "It's particularly exciting to witness the growing role of computational tools in fabrication," concludes Auzinger, "and even more exciting to see the expansion of 'computer graphics' to encompass physical as well as virtual images." ### Project page (including paper): http://visualcomputing.ist.ac.at/publications/2018/StructCol/ Original Paper: Thomas Auzinger, Wolfgang Heidrich, and Bernd Bickel. 2018. Computational Design of Nanostructural Color for Additive Manufacturing. ACM Trans. Graph. 37, 4, Article 159 (August 2018). 16 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3197517.3201376 About IST Austria The Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) is a PhD-granting research institution located in Klosterneuburg, 18 km from the center of Vienna, Austria. Inaugurated in 2009, the Institute is dedicated to basic research in the natural and mathematical sciences. IST Austria employs professors on a tenure-track system, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students. While dedicated to the principle of curiosity-driven research, the Institute owns the rights to all scientific discoveries and is committed to promote their use. The first president of IST Austria is Thomas A. Henzinger, a leading computer scientist and former professor at the University of California in Berkeley, USA, and the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. The graduate school of IST Austria offers fully-funded PhD positions to highly qualified candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, and related areas. http://www.ist.ac.at New NASA-funded research has discovered that Arctic permafrost's expected gradual thawing and the associated release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere may actually be sped up by instances of a relatively little known process called abrupt thawing. Abrupt thawing takes place under a certain type of Arctic lake, known as a thermokarst lake that forms as permafrost thaws. The impact on the climate may mean an influx of permafrost-derived methane into the atmosphere in the mid-21st century, which is not currently accounted for in climate projections. The Arctic landscape stores one of the largest natural reservoirs of organic carbon in the world in its frozen soils. But once thawed, soil microbes in the permafrost can turn that carbon into the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane, which then enter into the atmosphere and contribute to climate warming. "The mechanism of abrupt thaw and thermokarst lake formation matters a lot for the permafrost-carbon feedback this century," said first author Katey Walter Anthony at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, who led the project that was part of NASA's Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), a ten-year program to understand climate change effects on the Arctic. "We don't have to wait 200 or 300 years to get these large releases of permafrost carbon. Within my lifetime, my children's lifetime, it should be ramping up. It's already happening but it's not happening at a really fast rate right now, but within a few decades, it should peak." The results were published in Nature Communications. Using a combination of computer models and field measurements, Walter Anthony and an international team of U.S. and German researchers found that abrupt thawing more than doubles previous estimates of permafrost-derived greenhouse warming. They found that the abrupt thaw process increases the release of ancient carbon stored in the soil 125 to 190 percent compared to gradual thawing alone. What's more, they found that in future warming scenarios defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, abrupt thawing was as important under the moderate reduction of emissions scenario as it was under the extreme business-as-usual scenario. This means that even in the scenario where humans reduced their global carbon emissions, large methane releases from abrupt thawing are still likely to occur. Permafrost is ground that is frozen year-round. In the Arctic, ice-rich permafrost soils can be up to 260 feet (80 meters) thick. Due to human-caused warming of the atmosphere from greenhouse gas emissions, a gradual thawing of the permafrost is currently taking place where the upper layer of seasonally thawed soil is gradually getting thicker and reaching deeper into the ground. This process wakes up microbes in the soil that decompose soil organic matter and as a result release carbon dioxide and methane back into the atmosphere. This gradual thaw process is accounted for in climate models and is thought to have minimal effect as thawed ground also stimulates the growth of plants, which counterbalance the carbon released into the atmosphere by consuming it during photosynthesis. However, in the presence of thermokarst lakes, permafrost thaws deeper and more quickly. Thermokarst lakes form when substantial amounts of ice in the deep soil melts to liquid water. Because the same amount of ice takes up more volume than water, the land surface slumps and subsides, creating a small depression that then fills with water from rain, snow melt and ground ice melt. The water in the lakes speeds up the thawing of the frozen soil along their shores and expands the lake size and depth at a much faster pace than gradual thawing. "Within decades you can get very deep thaw-holes, meters to tens of meters of vertical thaw," Walter Anthony said. "So you're flash thawing the permafrost under these lakes. And we have very easily measured ancient greenhouse gases coming out." These ancient greenhouse gases, produced from microbes chewing through ancient carbon stored in the soil, range from 2,000 to 43,000 years old. Walter Anthony and her colleagues captured methane bubbling out of 72 locations in 11 thermokarst lakes in Alaska and Siberia to measure the amount of gas released from the permafrost below the lakes, as well as used radiocarbon dating on captured samples to determine their age. They compared the emissions from lakes to five locations where gradual thawing occurs. In addition, they used the field measurements to evaluate how well their model simulated the natural field conditions. Team members with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) for Polar and Marine Research in Germany then used U.S. Geological Survey-NASA Landsat satellite imagery from 1999 to 2014 to determine the speed of lake expansion across a large region of Alaska. From this data they were able to estimate the amount of permafrost converted to thawed soil in lake bottoms. "While lake change has been studied for many regions, the understanding that lake loss and lake gain have a very different outcome for carbon fluxes is new," said co-author Guido Grosse of AWI. "Over a few decades, thermokarst lake growth releases substantially more carbon than lake loss can lock in permafrost again [when the lake bottoms refreeze]." Because the thermokarst lakes are relatively small and scattered throughout the Arctic landscapes, computer models of their behavior are not currently incorporated into global climate models. However, Walter Anthony believes including them in future models is important for understanding the role of permafrost in the global carbon budget. Human fossil fuel emissions are the number one source of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, and in comparison, methane emissions from thawing permafrost make up only one percent of the global methane budget, Walter Anthony said. "But by the middle to end of the century the permafrost-carbon feedback should be about equivalent to the second strongest anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases, which is land use change," she said. ### To learn more about ABoVE, visit: https://above.nasa.gov/ An international research team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), Yale University and Imperial College London has designed a new way to build high-powered lasers that could result in stable beams, overcoming a long-standing limitation in conventional lasers. In high-powered lasers, which are used in materials processing, large-scale displays, laser surgery and LiDar (a form of radar that uses lasers), laser instabilities often occur that limit their usage. This instability poses no problems for simple applications such as laser pointers, but becomes a serious issue for lasers operating at high power. The scientists have developed a unique D-shaped laser that is able to regulate the light emission patterns and eliminate such laser instabilities to potentially reduce the degree of fluctuations in the laser output. The team's findings were published online yesterday in Science. To suppress the instability, the international research team decided to fight fire with fire. NTU Associate Professor Wang Qijie, who was part of the NTU team involved in the international research, explained, "Traditional lasers emit fluctuations in light waves that limit their usefulness. To prevent them from forming, we created an irregular-shaped laser cavity that causes light to bounce off the walls of the cavity in an unpredictable manner that however results in a stable light stream. It's like using chaos to deal with chaos." The research was done on a semiconductor laser that can be found in devices such as barcode scanners and laser printers, but the joint research team believes their findings could be extended to other types of high-powered lasers, including gas lasers and solid-state lasers. How it works Most traditional laser devices take on a cuboid shape, with mirrors placed parallel to each other on both ends to allow light to bounce back and forth between the mirrors. This seemingly uniform bouncing however leads to laser instability, especially in high-powered lasers, creating irregular peaks and troughs as light is emitted from the laser. These varying peaks could deteriorate the formation of images. (See Annex for a video on laser instability produced by a conventional laser) Yale professor Hui Cao, the principal investigator who led the international study, said previous strategies to reduce such interference have usually involved reducing the power of the laser. "As a result, none of the previous approaches are scalable to the power levels required for practical applications," said the Frederick W. Beinecke Professor of Applied Physics at Yale. Professor Ortwin Hess, Co-Director of the Centre for Plasmonics and Metamaterials in Imperial College London, is the other principal investigator of the study. To tackle this "chaos", Prof Wang led Zeng Yongquan and Hu Xiaonan, his two PhD students at the time, to build a D-shaped laser cavity. The NTU researchers joined the international research team two years ago. Inside the D-shaped laser device, light is forced to bounce off mirrors along the irregular shape walls, making it travel in a disorderly manner. However, this seemingly chaotic method results in a stable pattern of light emission. (See Annex for a video of how the new D-shaped laser tackles laser instability) Further applications Assoc Prof Wang said imaging applications such as next generation high-tech microscopes, laser projectors and biomedical imagery are the end goal for the joint research team. "We have found that a D-shaped laser cavity is easy to fabricate, and is effective in significantly reducing the problematic laser instabilities. Our next step will be to find out if there are other cavity shapes that could make the laser more efficient," he said. ### Annex: 1. Video of laser instability from a traditional laser, characterised by the irregular peaks and troughs of the light emission patterns 2. Video of a D-shaped laser, which tackles laser instability by encouraging disorder in the laser cavity Note to Eds: Paper titled "Suppressing spatio-temporal lasing instabilities with wave-chaotic microcavities" in Science, 16 Aug 2018 Link: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2018/08/15/science.aas9437 DOI: 10.1126/science.aas9437 Media contact: Foo Jie Ying Manager, Corporate Communications Office Nanyang Technological University Email: jieying@ntu.edu.sg About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, set up jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked 12th in the world, NTU has been placed the world's top young university for the past five years. The University's main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and it has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) building projects comprising more than 230 buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Singapore's healthcare district. For more information, visit http://www.ntu.edu.sg. K-FLEX, a flexible endoscopic surgical robot developed by the KAIST Future Medical Robotics Research Center, opens a new chapter for minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery with its precision control of 3.7 mm diameter robotic arms K-FLEX, a flexible endoscopic surgical robot developed by the KAIST Future Medical Robotics Research Center, opens a new chapter for minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery with its precision control of 3.7 mm diameter robotic arms. The two arms, placing at the end of flexible endoscopes, highlight impeccable precision control and robust mini-joint design technologies. While cruising through the complicated inner body pliably, it carries out procedures on the spot with its robotic arms. The research team under Professor Dong-Soo Kwon recently tested the device in-vivo, conducting a complicated endoscopic procedure dissecting a porcine gallbladder in collaboration with Professor Dae-Kyung Son of the National Cancer Center. The arms successfully manipulated the tissue safely. During the test, K-FLEX, inserted through an incision in the navel, snaked through the narrow passages of the complicated inner organs. When reaching the desired spot, one of the robot arms pushed aside and held up the nearby tissue to secure proper vision and space for the procedure. Meanwhile, a cautery needle mounted at the tip of the other hand removed the lesion tissue on the gallbladder. The tiny camera installed at the front of the robot arms relayed the internal conditions. The full procedure was able to be monitored from the master console. The two arms are placed onto 4.2 mm internal channels of an endoscope which is 17 mm in diameter. The arms can be deployable forward and backward and are extendable up to 7 cm for performing procedures. K-FLEX is made of domestically produced components, except for the endoscopic module. It will expand new medical robotics research while offering novel therapeutic capabilities for endoscopes. Flexible endoscopes are very promising for surgical applications because they can treat areas thought to be difficult to reach, such as the posterior side of an organ. Current rigid-type laparoscopic tools could not reach a lesion if it occurs in such serpentine and complicated areas. However, this flexible endoscopic surgery robot will bypass obstacles to reach the troubled area. The ability to seamlessly integrate effective actuation into millimeter-scale deployable mechanisms fits well with minimally invasive surgical procedures. This flexible endoscopic surgery robot, only half the size of current laparoscopic surgical robots, is deployable into natural orifices such as the mouth, anus, and vagina without requiring external incisions. Laparoscopic devices and robots require at least three to four external incisions to insert the devices; however, the applicability of internal incisions reduces the possibility of complications arousing from excessive bleeding and bacterial infections. Despite these advantages, it has remained challenging to manipulate the robotic arms of flexible endoscopes with integrated grabbing force, flexibility, and multiple degrees of freedom for clinical environments. The team focused on smaller but smarter devices. Dr. Min-Ho Hwang, a principal researcher of K-FLEX, said that developing tiny robots that are able to generate the necessary forces without compromising safety was the challenge. They created a robust but smaller-joint technology that can exert a relatively greater force even into millimeter scale. Professor Kwon said, "K-FLEX is the first flexible endoscopic surgery robot in Korea. We already confirmed the clinical adaptation through ex vivo tests and will see complete commercialization in two to three years." The team believes K-FLEX will be very effective for surgery on incipient cancer cells in the stomach, colon, and thyroid. ### Professor Kwon and his eight researchers recently established a tech start-up called EasyEndo Surgical Inc. with these core technologies. In June, K-FLEX won the 'Best Application Award' and the 'Overall Winner' at the Surgical Robot Challenge 2018 held at Imperial College London.The Korea Research Foundation funded the research on K-FLEX. Currently, more than 300 million people around the world rely on desalinated water for part or all of their daily needs. That demand will only grow with larger populations and improved standards of living around the world. Accessing the oceans for drinking water, however, requires desalination technologies that are complicated and expensive. The most commonly used technology for desalination is reverse osmosis (RO), a process in which seawater is forced through a membrane capable of removing salts and other small molecule contaminants. While the use of RO continues to rise around the world, many of its drawbacks, which include high energy consumption and a propensity for membranes to foul, continue to plague the industry. In the current issue of Science, researchers at the University of Connecticut offer a new approach to membrane production that makes us rethink how to design and use RO membranes for desalination. Using an additive manufacturing approach employing electrospraying, UConn scientists were able to create ultra-thin, ultra-smooth polyamide membranes that are less prone to fouling and may require less power to move water through them. "Today's membranes for reverse osmosis are not made in a way that allows their properties to be controlled," says Jeffrey McCutcheon, associate professor of chemical & biomolecular engineering and the paper's corresponding author. "Our approach uses an 'additive' technique that allows for control of a membrane's fundamental properties such as thickness and roughness, which is currently impossible using conventional methods." Conventional approaches to making RO membranes have not changed in nearly 40 years. The traditional approach to making these membranes is known as interfacial polymerization. This method relies on a self-terminating reaction between an aqueous phase amine and an organic phase acid chloride monomer. The resulting polyamide films - exceedingly thin, highly selective, and permeable to water - became the gold standard membrane for RO. However, as the field has advanced, the need to better control this reaction to allow for membranes of varying thickness and roughness to optimize water flow and reduce fouling has become more pressing. UConn's method provides a superior level of control over the thickness and roughness of the polyamide membrane. Typical polyamide membranes have a thickness between 100 and 200 nanometers (nm) that cannot be controlled. UConn's electrospray method allows for the controlled creation of membranes as thin as 15 nm and the capacity to control membrane thickness in 4 nm increments, a level of specificity unseen before in this area. Likewise, typical RO membranes have a roughness of over 80 nm. UConn researchers were able to create membranes with roughness as low as 2nm. In spite of these unique properties, the membrane continued to exhibit high salt rejection and were robust when operated under pressures typical of RO. "Our printing approach to making polyamide membranes has the additional benefit of being scalable," McCutcheon says. "Much like electrospinning has seen dramatic improvements in roll-to-roll processing, electrospraying can be scaled with relative ease." The authors of the study also conclude that this type of manufacturing could save on chemical consumption as traditional chemical baths are not needed as part of the membrane fabrication process. "In the lab, we use 95% less chemical volume making membranes by printing when compared to conventional interfacial polymerization," says McCutcheon, the UConn School of Engineering's Al Geib Professor of Environmental Engineering Research and Education. "These benefits would be magnified in large-scale membrane manufacturing and make the process more "green" than it has been for the past 40 years" This innovative new approach is not limited to desalination and could lead to better membranes for other separation processes. "This method is not limited to making membranes for RO." says McCutcheon, who in addition to his academic duties also serves as the executive director of the Fraunhofer USA Center for Energy Innovation at UConn, which is focused on developing new applied membrane technologies. "In fact, we hope that this method will enable new materials to be considered for a myriad of membrane separation processes, perhaps in processes where those materials were not, or could not, be used before." ### The research team has filed a patent application for the technology and is currently working with UConn's Technology Commercialization Services unit in exploring commercialization options. The team is the recipient of an award from the UConn SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund. Maqsud Chowdhury, a recent Ph.D. graduate from UConn's chemical engineering, served as the paper's primary author and researcher, making and testing all of the membranes described in the publication. James Steffes (a current Ph.D. student) and Bryan Huey (professor and department head) from UConn's Department of Materials Science & Engineering assisted with measurements and analysis of the membrane microstructure and roughness using atomic force microscopy. Steffes and Huey are also co-authors of the paper. The research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency #RD834872, The General Electric Graduate Fellowship for Innovation, the National Science Foundation DMR:MRI Award # 1726862, and the University of Connecticut Academic Plan funding program, and the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. When the good and bad bacteria in our mouth become imbalanced, the bad bacteria form a biofilm (aka plaque), which can cause cavities, and if left untreated over time, can lead to cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases like diabetes and bacterial pneumonia. A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has recently devised a practical nanotechnology-based method for detecting and treating the harmful bacteria that cause plaque and lead to tooth decay and other detrimental conditions. Bioengineering Associate Professor Dipanjan Pan (seated) and doctoral student Fatemeh Ostadhossein have demonstrated a drug-free, nanotechnology-based method for detecting and destroying the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Oral plaque is invisible to the eye so dentists currently visualize it with disclosing agents, which they administer to patients in the form of a dissolvable tablet or brush-on swab. While useful in helping patients see the extent of their plaque, these methods are unable to identify the difference between good and bad bacteria. "Presently in the clinic, detection of dental plaque is highly subjective and only depends on the dentist's visual evaluation," said Bioengineering Associate Professor Dipanjan Pan, head of the research team. "We have demonstrated for the first time that early detection of dental plaque in the clinic is possible using the regular intraoral X-ray machine which can seek out harmful bacteria populations." In order to accomplish this, Fatemeh Ostadhossein, a Bioengineering graduate student in Pan's group, developed a plaque detection probe that works in conjunction with common X-ray technology and which is capable of finding specific harmful bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in a complex biofilm network. Additionally, they also demonstrated that by tweaking the chemical composition of the probe, it can be used to target and destroy the S. mutans bacteria. The probe is comprised of nanoparticles made of hafnium oxide (HfO2), a non-toxic metal that is currently under clinical trial for internal use in humans. In their study, the team demonstrated the efficacy of the probe to identify biochemical markers present at the surface of the bacterial biofilm and simultaneously destroy S. mutans. They conducted their study on Sprague Dawley rats. In practice, Pan envisions a dentist applying the probe on the patient's teeth and using the X-ray machine to accurately visualize the extent of the biofilm plaque. If the plaque is deemed severe, then the dentist would follow up with the administering of the therapeutic HfO2 nanoparticles in the form of a dental paste. In their study, the team compared the therapeutic ability of their nanoparticles with Chlorhexidine, a chemical currently used by dentists to eradicate biofilm. "Our HfO2 nanoparticles are far more efficient at killing the bacteria and reducing the biofilm burden both in cell cultures of bacteria and in [infected] rats," said Ostadhossein, noting that their new technology is also much safer than conventional treatment. The nanoparticles' therapeutic effect is due, said Pan, to their unique surface chemistry, which provides a latch and kill mechanism. "This mechanism sets our work apart from previously pursued nanoparticle-based approaches where the medicinal effect comes from anti-biotics encapsulated in the particles," said Pan, also a faculty member of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. "This is good because our approach avoids anti-biotic resistance issues and it's safe and highly scalable, making it well-suited for eventual clinical translation." In addition to Pan and Ostadhossein, other members of the research team include bioengineering post-doctoral researcher Santosh Misra, visiting scholar Indu Tripathi, undergraduate Valeriya Kravchuk, visiting scholar Gururaja Vulugundam; and Veterinary Medicine clinical assistant professor Denae LoBato and adjunct assistant professor Laura Selmic. ### Their work is described in the paper, "Dual purpose hafnium oxide nanoparticles offer imaging Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and fight it In vivo via a drug free approach," published online on July 30, 2018, in the journal Biomaterials. The research was funded by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Children's Discovery Institute and the American Heart Association. MIAMI--August 13, 2018 - University of Miami's (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Professor Claire Paris-Limouzy was selected for the American Geophysical Union's (AGU) Ocean Sciences 2018 Rachel Carson Lecture. Each year, AGU recognize outstanding scientists within their field for contributing meritorious work or service toward the advancement and promotion of discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. The person chosen to present the lecture is a female scientist who exemplifies Rachel Carson's work with cutting-edge ocean science, especially science relevant to societal concerns. Paris-Limouzy will be honored during AGU's Fall Meeting in December 2018 in Washington, D.C. Paris-Limouzy is a professor in the UM Rosenstiel School's department of ocean sciences. Her early studies on the transport dynamics of fish larvae set the groundwork that led to an unprecedented outlook on larval migration and marine population connectivity. Paris-Limouzy developed numerical and empirical Lagrangian tools that she distributed freely to be used worldwide. She released the open-source Connectivity Modeling System (CMS), a state-of-the-art, probabilistic Lagrangian application that virtually tracks biotic and abiotic particles in the ocean. The CMS is used by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve predictions of recruitment indices of commercial species, and by the scientific community to track plankton migrations, map population connectivity to design marine reserve networks, study paleo-climate, and track pollutants including oil spills to micro-plastics and large marine debris. Paris-Limouzy pioneered the concept of Lagrangian behavioral chambers to detect the navigation of planktonic organisms in response to environmental cues. She designed and built a series of trademarked Drifting In situ Chamber (DISC) instruments, that are distributed to overseas laboratories for plankton research. Paris-Limouzy leads a team of Postdoctoral Fellows and Graduate Students at the Physical-Biological Interactions Laboratory where the CMS is maintained and the DISC is produced. Paris-Limouzy joined the faculty of the UM Rosenstiel School in 2009 with a focus on dispersion at sea and planktonic migrations. She brought recognition to the key role of biophysical interactions between planktonic organisms and the pelagic environment on the resilience of marine ecosystems to stressors such as overexploitation, marine pollution, and changes in climatic conditions. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, many in high impact journals, her contributions to ocean science is internationally recognized. She has participated in more than 24 oceanographic and ichthyoplankton expeditions in the Florida Straits, the Great Barrier Reef, the Caribbean, the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific, the Mediterranean Sea, and Norwegian fjords. After the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf Of Mexico (GoM), Paris and her team developed a state-of-the-art oil spill simulator for deep-sea blowout through NSF-RAPID and GoMRI awards. Paris is the lead PI of the Near- and Far-field Modeling Task of the GoMRI C-IMAGE Consortium and a Co-PI in the UM RECOVER Consortium. She collaborates with scientists from the Western University of Australia (UWA), the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), the University of Calgary (UC), and Texas A&M University (TAMU). Paris-Limouzy is the President-Elect of the Early Life History Section of the American Fishery Society and Associate Editor of Frontiers Journal of Marine Sciences. "The individuals selected for the 2018 section awardees and named lecturers are among the best and brightest in their scientific fields," said Eric Davidson, AGU President. "To be named and recognized from among their scientific peer groups is a testament to their innovative research, leadership, and accomplishments. I congratulate Professor Claire Paris on this honor and thank her for her contribution to society." "I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award. Rachel Carson understood profoundly our oceans and the natural world, establishing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I am up to contribute to her efforts, thanks to my team of awesome postdocs, alumni, and collaborators" ### The AGU Fall Meeting is the largest worldwide conference in the Earth and space sciences, attracting more than 20,000 scientists, educators, students, and other leaders. For years, energized and passionate Earth and space scientists from around the world gather at the AGU Fall Meeting to connect with colleagues, broaden their knowledge base, and embrace the joy of science. About the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School The University of Miami is one of the largest private research institutions in the southeastern United States. The University's mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. Founded in the 1940's, the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, visit: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu. About AGU The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing more than 60,000 members in 139 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our other social media channels. KINGSTON, R.I. - August 16, 2018 - Jason Kolbe has been thinking about hurricanes and lizards for many years. The University of Rhode Island professor of biological sciences has measured the length of lizard legs and the size of their toe pads to assess how those factors influence the animal's ability to cling to vegetation during strong storms. He even used a powerful leaf blower to test his hypotheses in a laboratory. "I think a lot about this," he said. "We know that longer limbs and more muscular limbs enable lizards to wrap their arms around branches and get a better grip on the vegetation." But until the perfect storm of circumstances arose last year, he was never able to field test his ideas. A postdoctoral colleague at Harvard University happened to measure the limb length and toe pads of lizards on the Turks and Caicos Islands just four days before Hurricane Irma swept through with 165-mile-per-hour winds last September. Two weeks later, Hurricane Maria followed suit. The storms provided the scientists with the unusual opportunity to see how hurricanes affect the evolution of the lizards. So Kolbe's colleague returned to the islands to measure the surviving lizards just weeks after the hurricanes. Their findings were published last month in the journal Nature. "Our previous studies suggested that lizards with longer limbs and larger toe pads can cling better, so we expected that the lizards that survived the storms would be those with longer limbs and larger toe pads," Kolbe said. "And our prediction was supported for the toe pads and the forelimbs. But the survivors had shorter hind limbs, which was a surprise." When the researchers watched the videos they previously made of their experiment with the lizards and the leaf blower, they understood why the surviving lizards had shorter hind limbs. "When the lizards start to get blown by the wind, their hind limbs lose contact with the vegetation first, so they're holding on only with their forelimbs," he explained. "When they're perched on vegetation, their hind limbs stick out and catch the wind. It turns out that lizards with shorter hind limbs have an advantage in a hurricane." What does all this have to do with evolution? "The event we documented seems to be about natural selection. Some lizards lived, some lizards died," Kolbe said. "To translate that to evolutionary change, those surviving lizards have to reproduce and those traits - longer forelimbs, larger toe pads - have to be passed on to their offspring. So we're going back this fall to measure the offspring produced by the surviving lizards." While the URI scientist is confident the offspring of the surviving lizards will have many of the traits that made their parents successful at surviving hurricanes, there may be other factors at work pushing them to evolve in different - even opposite - ways. "What's natural selection doing when there isn't a hurricane?" asked Kolbe. "What traits are favored under non-hurricane circumstances? Do their longer limbs now put them at a disadvantage? In between hurricanes, shorter limbs may be favored for moving around on the narrow vegetation." It may take several generations of lizards and several years between hurricanes for all the questions to be answered. And even then, the expected increase in severe storms due to the changing climate will likely raise even more questions. "In the past, when there has been a long period of time between hurricanes, the populations recover and natural selection might act to take them back to some optimal state for their environment," Kolbe said. "But if hurricanes keep hitting the island more frequently - making them more susceptible to extinction - selection may start to act in a back and forth fashion, and at some point they might not be able to respond effectively from an evolutionary sense. "That's the bigger message," he added. "Most populations are experiencing multiple stressors - climate change, habitat change, invasive species - and all those changes are pulling populations in different directions. They might be able to adapt to one of those, but others are forcing them to adapt in another direction. They may end up using up all of their evolutionary fuel." ### New Haven, Conn. -- Body mass index is positively associated with blood pressure, according to the ongoing study of 1.7 million Chinese men and women being conducted by researchers at the Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) and in China. These findings appear in the Aug. 17 issue of JAMA Network Open. In individuals who were not taking an antihypertensive medication, the researchers observed an increase of 0.8 to 1.7 mm Hg (kg/m2) in blood pressure per additional unit of body mass index (BMI). Overall, the population had a mean BMI of 24.7 and a mean systolic blood pressure of 136.5, which qualifies as stage I hypertension according to American Heart Association guidelines. Researchers recorded the participants' blood pressure from September 2014 through June 2017 as part of the larger China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Million Persons Project, which captures at least 22,000 subgroups of people based on age (35-80), sex, race/ethnicity, geography, occupation, and other pertinent characteristics -- such as whether or not they are on antihypertensive medication. "The enormous size of the dataset -- the result of an unprecedented effort in China -- allows us to characterize this relationship between BMI and blood pressure across tens of thousands of subgroups, which simply would not be possible in a smaller study," explained George Linderman, first author and doctoral candidate at Yale. In China, the frequency of obesity is expected to more than triple in men -- from 4.0% in 2010 to 12.3% in 2025 -- and more than double in women -- from 5.2% to 10.8%. Meanwhile, high blood pressure already affects one-third of Chinese adults, and only about one in 20 of those with hypertension have the condition under control, according to an earlier Yale-CORE China paper for the Lancet based on data gathered in the same Million Persons Project cohort. "If trends in overweight and obesity continue in China, the implication of our study is that hypertension, already a major risk factor, is likely to become even more important," said Harlan Krumholz, M.D., the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Cardiology, director of CORE, and senior author on the study. "This paper is ringing the bell that the time is now to focus on these risk factors." According to the researchers, one way for the Chinese healthcare system to address these risk factors would be the management of high blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs.A January 2018 study by Yale-CORE China compared the widespread and successful use of antihypertensive drugs in the United States for blood pressure management to their infrequent use in China, suggesting that by prescribing antihypertensives earlier and more frequently, China might begin to take control of its high blood pressure crisis, say the researchers. ### Other authors on this study include Jiapeng Lu, Yuan Lu, Xin Sun, Wei Xu, Khurram Nasir, Wade Schulz, and Lixin Jiang. This research has been supported by grants from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Science, the Ministry of Finance of China and National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, the China-World Health Organization Biennial Collaborative Projects 2016-2017, the National Key Technology R&D Program, Research Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry of Health, the 111 Project from the Ministry of Education of China, the Peking Union Medical College Youth Fund and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, and National Institutes of Health. this news is not available Hello All, I am writing to you because I am interested in migrating to Australia, and I would like to understand if the option that the immigration agents have recommended to me is the best one. I am 30 years old and my job description is marketing specialist. I have profient english. And my husband also has a job description of marketing specialist but he is 35 years old. We both want to migrate, but because of my age, it is better for me to be the main applicant.The immigration agents have recommended that I study a degree in business studies in Adelaide for a year at a college. Studying a year in this territory (Adelaide), validating my skills and those of my husband assure that I could opt for the 489 visa without problems. According to them with these scores, the scenario is very favorable.30 points by age.15 points for studies.5 points for experience10 points for proficient English10 points for state sponsorship after completing studies in South Australia for the 489 visa.5 points for double validation of my husbandToday I only have 60 points, but with the study and if valid, my husband's skills would reach 75 points.I am writing to ask the following questions:1) Do you consider that this plan is safe to acquire the 489 visa at the end of the study in Adelaide? (because visa 190 it is not possible por marketing specialist)2) Are there other better options? (I do not have studies in Australia)Thank you! Any recommendation is welcome,Pumita Posted a thread yesterday on behalf of my mate who is willing to migrate to AU but unfortunately her profession isn't listed . She is open to study physiotherapy1. Will Tasmania be a great choice for her as the living costs are cheaper and student graduate migration is still comparatively easier ?2. Can she study physiotherapy in TAFE and later process for migration?3. Tasmania TAFE has emailed me saying they don't offer physiotherapy courses to internationals. Can she study in some other state in TAFE and move to Tassie to process for migration or a uni degree is her only option ?4. I can see Tasmania requires at least one year of study in Tasmania to proceed for migration but she is to study physiotherapy, does it have to be a Bachelors ? Can she go for a diploma or post-graduate degree or anything which takes a year to finish?Would be really helpful if we get the specific ......google search is making me quite the confused . Below is the link I'm have come across seemed quite informative 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 Comal, Boerne and Medina Valley independent school districts, three fast-growing systems on the fringes of Bexar County, received high grades from the Texas Education Agency in accountability ratings released this week, feeding their reputation as sought-after destination districts. Boerne ISD, with almost 9,000 students in Kendall and northwestern Bexar counties, got an A with an overall score of 92 percent, while Medina Valley ISD, with about 5,000 students in Medina and western Bexar counties, got an A with 90 percent. Comal ISD, with about 23,000 students in Comal and northern Bexar counties, got a B with its score of 89.4 percent one-tenth of a point short of an A. Im proud of this, said Jodi Spoor, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in Boerne ISD. We do have some pretty amazing kids and some pretty amazing teachers. Under the newly redesigned accountability system, 70 percent of a districts score and that of each of its schools is based on the best of three subscores, for overall student achievement, academic growth or performance relative to those at similar socioeconomic levels. The other 30 percent is based on the performance of students from different demographic subgroups relative to state targets. Although her district did well, Spoor echoed superintendents all over the state in criticizing the new system as overly reliant on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and unfair to high-poverty school districts. About 17 percent of students in Boerne ISD and 29 percent in Comal ISD are considered economically disadvantaged based on federal criteria, compared with the statewide average of 59 percent. You will find every piece of data in the world that says when kids come to school from supportive environments where they are secure, where they feel safe, where they are not worried about survival, they do better, Spoor said. Nobodys going to say that you dont have a bit of an advantage when you dont have kids who are struggling against poverty. But Comal ISD Superintendent Andrew Kim defended the accountability system from criticism that its tied to student income by pointing to the relative performance subcategory that compares schools and districts to their peers with similar ratios of economically disadvantaged students. He said Comal ISD takes students backgrounds into account, but for every student, we really address where they are and we make sure they see growth with us from an academic sense. In a statement with Kerry Gain, assistant superintendent of curriculum and academic services, Kim said student academic growth was their priority. In Comal ISD, we embrace accountability and we own our student performance, Kim said in the statement. Accountability is just one piece of puzzle that gives us an indication of how were doing and whether or not our processes are working. Fast-growing school districts have their own set of challenges. Spoor said the constant influx of new students adds difficulty for teachers who would otherwise be familiar with their needs from previous years. And Boernes relative affluence means most parents work hours that leave little time to help educate their children at home, Spoor said. Teachers in Boerne ISD keep tabs on continually changing state expectations and monitor students to make sure theyre meeting targets, Spoor said. By popular demand, the district has also bolstered career and technical classes and gifted education, she said. Our community gets to decide whats important, Spoor said. In Medina Valley ISD, by contrast, 52 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. High numbers of students from various demographics, including economically disadvantaged and Hispanic, who met state targets boosted the district into A territory. Our focus will continue to be on the needs of each individual learner and increasing our performance year after year, Superintendent Kenneth Rohrbach said in a prepared statement. He did not respond to an interview request Thursday. Alia Malik covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN The Texas prison system handed out more than $9 million this fiscal year on bonuses to aid recruitment as the agency grappled with extensive officer vacancies, but department data show the cash outlay has hardly moved the needle. Seven months after the state launched a concerted effort to bring down the 14 percent officer vacancy rate, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice still has 3,675 unfilled positions roughly 30 more than in January, when the leadership started tackling the problem. But prison officials are optimistic that the tide is turning, pointing out that vacancy numbers are down from a peak in April. I am in no way ringing the bell of victory, said TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier at a June prison board meeting. These numbers make me cautiously optimistic. Still, critics say that longer-term solutions could require more money for salaries and for air-conditioning or more drastic measures. Prison staff vacancy 14.23% June 2018 14.61% May 2018 15.22% April 2018 14.3% January 2018 14% October 2017 See More Collapse RELATED: San Antonio's finally getting a new - but smaller - federal courthouse Theres really only one solution, truthfully, said Scott Henson, policy director with Just Liberty, a nonprofit that advocates for criminal justice reform. And that is that we need to reduce the incarceration levels enough to close more units, and this time target units with high vacancy rates for closure. Staffing shortages have long plagued the prison system, a problem driven in part by the lock-ups remote locations, the tough working conditions including a lack of air conditioning, and the relatively low pay. Back in 2008, just over 13 percent of officer positions were unfilled, and though the vacancies decreased over the next two years, by 2012 some units were so poorly staffed the state was forced to take nearly 700 beds offline due to a lack of guards. In 2015, TDCJ executives offered an across-the-board pay hike as vacancies climbed over 13 percent again. Afterward, the situation improved but by late last year, numbers started creeping up, and as of October just over 14 percent of officer jobs sat unfilled. Twelve of the systems 104 units were under 75 percent staffed, and one in the panhandle town of Dalhart, where a cheese factory pulls away the local workforce had just 56 percent of officer positions filled. Thats why at the start of the year the prison system attacked the problem head-on, bumping up recruitment efforts, expanding targeted $4,000 and $5,000 hiring bonuses to 29 particularly understaffed units, and increasing starting pay 12 percent systemwide effective Feb. 1. Now, new guards can start making $36,000 per year instead of $32,000. The bonus funding was scheduled to come out of the systems existing budget, officials said at the time, and the bonus pay alone turned out to be a record-setting figure. In the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, the prison system shelled out just over $9.1 million on bonus pay, more than in any other entire fiscal year for the past decade. RELATED: Sting operation leads to arrest of former guards on charges of smuggling meth into Bexar jail At first, it didnt seem to have much effect. Through February and March the exodus continued, and by April, 3,930 jobs were unfilled, making for a 15.22 percent vacancy rate. But in May, the numbers started to look a little better, with 3,772 open positions. By June, the figure was down to 3,675 almost back to where it was in October. We are constantly recruiting in the communities that we serve, prison spokesman Jeremy Desel said in a statement. Hiring data shows that our recruiting efforts are working and progress is being made shrinking the number of unfilled positions agency-wide. But even though the overall figures improved, more units are severely understaffed now than last fall. The latest unit-by-unit figures from May 31 show that fourteen units were under 75 percent staffed. Dalhart was down to 51 percent staffed. At the Daniel Unit, between Lubbock and Abilene, staffing dropped from from 77 percent in October to only 62 percent of jobs filled in May. And the notorious Ferguson Unit where a teacher was allegedly raped by an inmate last year in an incident her lawyers blamed on understaffing was down to 69 percent staffed. Of the 29 units with hiring bonuses, 19 including Daniel, Ferguson and Dalhart had higher vacancy rates in May than they did in October. New unit-by-unit data from July 31 is expected to be released in the coming days. Prison officials say the figures would be worse without the pay bumps and bonuses, but Lance Lowry, a Huntsville corrections officer and former union president who now runs a criminal justice nonprofit, said focusing on new hires only addresses part of the problem. A bonus just gets people in the door, he said. Weve never had a problem getting people in the door the problem is getting those employees to stay. Its long been accepted as conventional wisdom that prison guard vacancies are linked to the success or struggles in the better-paying industries, like oil and gas. Obviously the problem is the economy, not to mention oil, said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston. Its just hard to compete with the salaries that the energy sector pays in these areas that oil is doing so well. But the Chronicle talked to a handful of corrections officers and criminal justice experts, who also cited a number of other factors driving the recurring vacancy issues. One common concern was the lack of air conditioning. As inmates fight for access to cooler quarters with the settlement of a federal class-action suit on behalf of prisoners at one geriatric lock-up in East Texas, officers at many units face the same struggles. RELATED: Heat wave sparks concerns in sweltering Texas prisons If they would air-condition every unit across the state, they would keep more people, said one officer, who asked not to be named because he wasnt authorized to speak on the record. If you as a corrections officer tell your lieutenant, Look Im hot, I need to go cool down, theyre gonna laugh you off the unit. Other officers cited broader problems, like a good old boy agency culture, favoritism, sub-par pay and an advancement ladder that doesnt offer scheduled pay hikes after eight years on the job. And even though the agency is striving to tackle those issues, theres the even tougher problem at hand: location, location, location. When the prison system underwent a massive and abrupt expansion in the early 1990s, the state didnt turn to pricey real estate in urban areas. As a result, Texas ended up with dozens of lock-ups in far-flung places and tiny towns exactly the sort of locale where hiring is tough and a hiring bonus may not do the trick. We built the prisons in all the wrong places, Whitmire said. The potential problems that stem from understaffing are not hard to spot. Prisons can become more dangerous, and prisoners are let out less often for activities, making it harder to meet rehabilitative goals. But the solutions to understaffing arent as clear. Adding air conditioning would be expensive, and boosting pay across the board even more so. We already pay less to incarcerate people than just about every other state, Henson said. A 2015 Vera Institute of Justice analysis showed that Texas has 11.6 percent of the countrys state prisoners but only accounts for 7.6 percent of prison spending. Were underspending at pretty radical levels, he added. If you dont want to spend more, your options are: incarcerate fewer people. Thats it. Marc Levin, vice president of criminal justice policy at nonprofit Texas Public Policy in Austin, agreed. I think its the ideal solution, he said. We would obviously want to look at the units with the biggest staffing issues and biggest capital costs. But some officers were skeptical, and Lowry suggested mothballing beds at understaffed units rather than closing them entirely. And, looking ahead, he warned about the possibility of an even more dire staffing situation. Coming out of the GOP convention in San Antonio, one of the partys platform planks included transitioning retirement plans for some state workers from defined benefit pensions to defined contribution plans. If they do away with that defined benefit, they better call in the National Guard, Lowry predicted. Youre going to have the biggest mass walkout youve ever seen. In the meantime and absent any funding influx from lawmakers the prison system plans to keep doing what its doing. The higher starting pay is a permanent change, Desel said, and theres no firm end-date or target goal for the unit bonuses. For the foreseeable future, the bonus pay is in the mix and will be staying because its working, he said. Its been an upward trend for the last three months running. The images that appear in the films trailer are from San Antonio long ago. An African American girl and boy proudly hold school books in their arms. A statue of Martin Luther King Jr. looks out upon New Braunfels Avenue. The combined Leonards Pharmacy & Leon Theater juts out at the corner of Iowa and Pine streets. Over the rumble of a piano, D. L. Grant, branch manager at the Carver Branch Library, talks about black businesses, such as funeral homes, taxi cab companies and hotels that thrived during the days of segregation. Black people did it all, he recounts on the screen. It was not just one experience, we did it all. And we werent just on the East Side, either. There were African Americans living on the West Side as well. If you were going to look at San Antonio (and) the African American in this community, you just couldnt look in one place. These are a few of the scenes and sounds from the independent film, Walk on the River - A Black History of the Alamo City, which premieres Friday night at the Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St. The doors open at 6 p.m. with a meet-and-greet event. The movie starts at 7 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session with the films producer at 8:45 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Tickets can be bought online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-of-san-antonio-movie-premiere-walk-on-the-river-tickets-45187484984. RELATED: Whittier made history as first black football letterman at UT The first public showing of the documentary by director Born Logic Allah and producer Baba Aundar Maat is an official Tricentennial 300 event. Allah and Baba Aundar Maat co-produced the film that chronicles contributions African Americans have made from emancipation to the present. After the filmmakers completed their first film, Message to the People: A Story of Malcolm X, they had no idea that the subject of their next project was the community all around them. Allah said he was prompted by something he discovered while his daughter was taking a class at the Carver. It was an inscription above the South and North archways that reads: Colored Branch of the San Antonio Library and Auditorium. I was kind of taken aback, but also humbled, Allah, 43, said. Originally from Gary, Indiana, Allah didnt know that 60 years ago, self-sufficient, black-owned businesses lined the East Side. He talked with Maat, who was aware of some aspects of the communitys rich history. A year ago, they started the project as a short video about historical places, but their research turned up more than enough for a feature-length film. RELATED: Next mission for women with military service: Run for office The pair interviewed a wide range of historians, residents and activists including Mario Salas, Vera Williams Young and Dr. Rudyard Hilliard and community activist Nettie Hinton. I think that everyone will learn something, Allah said. Im hoping that people walk away with a different perspective, wanting to go home and learn so much more. We need to document these stories before the people with the stories pass away, he said, and the stories pass away with them. Maat, 54, agreed. He said the documentary could serve as a blueprint and encourage people to record the experiences of their elders. The great civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer said never forget where you came from and always praise the bridges that carried you home, he said. This film can be a bridge that will connect our communities and generations because the bridge that were trying to build with this film is an opportunity to share the past with future generations. Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti, who gained national fame for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump, appeared in a Houston immigration court Tuesday to reunite a 9-year-old immigrant boy with his mother, who had been deported to Guatemala. The attorney and cable TV fixture visited early-voting Iowa over the weekend after announcing a potential presidential bid. In Houston, he urged the goverment to immediately release Anthony Tobar Ortiz so that he could return to Central America with Avenatti that same day. The boy last saw his mother three months ago when federal agents separated the two at the southern border and he celebrated his birthday alone in a federal shelter for immigrant children last week. Theres no reason for this child to continue to be detained, Avenatti said. The Los Angeles attorney descended on the Rio Grande Valley at the height of national furor over the Trump administrations family separation policy. On Twitter he declared he was entering this fight to end this outrageous conduct, even though Avenattis law background and practice is focused on civil litigation and dozens of pro bono immigration attorneys volunteered for weeks in South Texas to find separated parents and children. Under the now-rescinded policy, widely regarded as one of the biggest fiascos of Trumps presidency, more than 2,500 immigrant children were separated from their parents. The adults were prosecuted for the federal misdemeanor of illegal entry, then spent a few days in prison before being transferred to immigration detention centers. Their children were sent to federal shelters run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Hundreds of parents were deported without their children, including Anthonys mother, Elsa Johanna Ortiz, and the government has struggled to find them. A California federal judge ordered their quick reunification in June, but as of last week, nearly 400 children remained in federal custody with their parents outside the United States. The government said in recent court filings that it has no contact information at all for the parents of more than two dozen children, and has not been able to reach many others. The judge, Dana M. Sabraw, has criticized the government for risking permanently orphaned children if their parents cannot be found. On Tuesday, Avenatti and Ricardo de Anda, a Laredo immigration lawyer, asked the government to terminate Anthonys immigration case and allow them to immediately take the child to the airport and fly him back to Guatemala City. The mother had signed a legal document giving them permission to do so. Rory Potter, an attorney for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the government opposed ending the case, but agreed to allow Anthony to return home through a procedure known as voluntary departure, effectively closing the legal matter, but not allowing for his immediate release. In a press conference outside the courthouse, Avenatti called it an absolute outrage. Trump and his cronies talk about wanting to return these kids to their parents, but when it really comes down to it, like you saw upstairs, they dont want to do that, he said. They want to continue to send this message to the world that if people come to this country and are caught that basically their child is going to be detained, stolen from them, and their families are going to be destroyed. De Anda said had the government agreed to formally terminate the case, Anthony would have been released from federal custody right then, whereas voluntary departure could take longer. They are delaying as much as possible the reunification to further dampen the desires of refugees to come to America, De Anda said. Potter, the government attorney, did not return a call for comment. Tim Oberle, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in an email that the agency couldnt comment on the case due to privacy concerns because it involved a minor. Charles Foster, a veteran Houston immigration attorney who has advised President George W. Bush, said the governments response was completely routine. Voluntary departure is normally what we would want, he said. Formally terminating cases means immigrants are freed without any compulsion for them to leave the country, while voluntary departure imposes penalties if people dont. Despite all the bluster, Foster said, in practical consequences the latter amounted to the same result for Anthony. Hours after the press conference, Avenatti posted on Twitter that the government had agreed to release Anthony late Tuesday after his negotiating. Thousands responded on social media, with one user noting, people can criticize and critique you all they want for being power and media hungry but any motivation aside, you are actually making America better. Avenattis co-counsel, De Anda, said officials had expedited the boys voluntary departure, and that he would be flying back to Guatemala on Tuesday night. Many separated children remain without their parents. The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the California lawsuit forcing family reunifications, has criticized the government for not doing more to quickly reunite families. It said the government withheld contact numbers for parents for weeks and that it is taking an unnecessarily long time to grant children the voluntary departure orders Anthony quickly received. The New York Times first reported on the boys case in June. His mother, who raised Anthony alone, told the Times that she came here fleeing violent criminals in her Guatemala City neighborhood and to join her boyfriend, who is working here illegally in construction. Instead the mother and son were separated after Border Patrol agents found them near McAllen in May. The mother said agents first told her that Anthony would be put up for adoption, then that the two would be returned to Guatemala together. Instead she was deported alone in June without any idea about what had happened to her son. She found him only after her boyfriend contacted a lawyer who helped them locate the child in federal custody. Avenatti, who took on Anthonys case after it was publicized, has rejected characterizations that he inserted himself into the family separation issue to remain in the national limelight, telling the Washington Post in June that argument was a bunch of nonsense, and its offensive highly offensive. He said he did not seek out family separation cases, but was contacted by families asking him for help and that he was doing so pro bono. He now represents more than 70 such children. Not an hour after leaving Houstons immigration court Tuesday, Avenatti posted on Twitter a summary of his views on various political issues were he to wage an outsider Democratic bid for the White House. They included a basic Medicare plan for all Americans, a path to citizenship for young immigrants here illegally known as dreamers, and decriminalizing marijuana on the federal level. Many have asked me my position on various issues, he said. More positions & details will follow. lomi.kriel@chron.com samantha.ketterer@chron.com San Antonios Animal Care Services is turning its focus on people who sell animals for profit without concern for their welfare as the agency continues to work toward better interaction between humans and animals. Since Heber Lefgren took over in 2015 as director of the largest municipal animal shelter in South Texas, hes been emphatic about involving the community in decisions for the benefit of pets across the city through increased education as well as enforcement. Hes instituted regular meet-the-director meetings where residents address concerns or just stop by to chat. And Lefgren and several of his staff members were at last weeks SA Speak Up meeting at Morgans Wonderland to discuss next years city budget, speaking to constituents and answering questions about present and future programs. The agencys current budget is $14.7 million. Since Fiscal Year 2015, ACS has increased the live-release rate from 85 percent to more than 90 percent. As of July, 92 percent of the dogs and cats taken into the shelter left alive. Just 12 years ago, our live-release rate was less than 10 percent, City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. After focusing our efforts on increasing our spay and neuter services, reducing the amount of strays on the streets and tripling the budget for Animal Care Services, weve fueled the departments live-release rate to 92 percent. Since I appointed Heber as director in 2016, he has been instrumental in the departments overall success and the implementation of important changes to keep our citys pets and people safe. One of the agencys latest initiatives is the district officer program, which takes a community policing approach to animal control in San Antonios high-risk neighborhoods. Lefgren said though ACS personnel the agency has 136 employees are proud of their achievements, theyre not satisfied. Theres still a lot of work to be done, he said. I found that when we start feeling that were the best that we settle, and thats not who we are as an organization. We continue to want to grow and to be better. Last year, ACS sponsored nine community meetings where residents weighed in on topics such as making it unlawful to sell animals at roadside stops, flea markets, festivals and garage sales. The measure was one of several revisions that City Council passed without opposition. Other changes included increasing the number of chickens allowed within city limits to eight with one rooster and banning chains of any weight as a tether for dogs. Recently, council members passed an ordinance requiring residents to provide natural or artificial shade for animals left outdoors. ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said community engagement is a big part of the directors mission to work on behalf of the citys pets and animals. One of the things he heard and listened to was a call for enhanced communication between the community, neighborhood advocates, everyday citizens and businesses, Norwood said. Because theyre impacted by the work that we do. Future plans include a partnership with the nonprofit K9s For Warriors for a pilot program training shelter dogs to become service animals for veterans. There are also plans for a new training area that allows ACS staff to work with shelter dogs and assess what is needed to help the canines become more adoption-ready. And Norwood said the agency also is looking at bringing in volunteer educators as part of a revamped volunteer program. Petco Foundation President Susanne Kogut said the success of any organization is dependent upon the engagement of the community at large. She said most people underestimate the complexities, challenges and the emotional impact one deals with in leading a large municipal animal shelter. It is one of the most difficult jobs around, Kogut said. There are high expectations by the community and local government and often limited resources with which to accomplish laudable goals. But most importantly there are the faces of hundreds of animals looking up to you every day to save their lives. Saving these lives requires a leader that empowers staff, other nonprofits and the community at large to come become part of the lifesaving solution. During Hebers tenure at Animal Care Services, he has continued to further the progression of the organization and their lifesaving work, she added. The Petco Foundation has been proud to partner with Heber, the entire Animal Care Services team and the San Antonio community and support their lifesaving efforts. vtdavis@express-news.net One week before hundreds of elementary students will flood the hallways for the first day of school, 20 Texas school employees ran screaming out of classrooms Friday as the sound of gunshots echoed through the hallways of the empty building. They were practicing an active shooter drill as part of their school marshal training, an intensive six-day course that culminates in their certification to carry a firearm on school campuses. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is holding six courses this summer, which are partially funded by a $114,000 grant from the governors office. Since the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in May, the number of school employees certified as school marshals in Texas has doubled from 33 in late June to 71, with the potential for 94 additional marshals by the time the summer courses end. While some teachers and experts have questioned whether arming school staff is an effective way to stop a shooting on campus, top Texas officials called for more of them after a single gunman killed 10 people in Santa Fe. RELATED: Professors challenge to Texas 'Campus Carry' law rejected Prospective school marshals undergo 80 hours of training during the course, which includes classroom lessons as well as simulations. During these drills, trainees use a Glock 17, a semiautomatic pistol that is modified to shoot rubber bullets. Its intense, but its intended to be, said Kim Vickers, executive director of the law enforcement commission. Its one thing to say, Give me a gun and I can use it if I have to. Its a whole different matter to ask, What is my natural human response, fly or fight? Youll come closer to resolving that in your mind when youre put in a position when youre very keyed up, when you have to learn. Employees who receive the training are selected by the districts where they work, but all public school employees, from administration to custodial staff, can sign up for the course after meeting eligibility requirements. School employees must have a handgun license, and pass a psychological evaluation before participating. Texas schools dont provide firearms to school marshals. When they return to their districts, school employees will be certified to carry their own handguns on campus. Teachers are required to store their firearm in a lock box while in the classroom, but they are free to carry their handgun on their person at any other time as long as it is concealed, said Michael Antu, deputy chief and director of enforcement and special services at the law enforcement commission. RELATED: Gun issued to gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez goes missing Were showing them how to properly use it and how to safely use it when those situations arrive, said Antu, who instructed this weeks course. Some of the tougher decisions are when to shoot and not shoot. We train them that the firearm is only a tool for the school marshal, not the end all, be all. One of the prospective marshals, a 46-year-old educator from a district in Southeast Texas who chose to remain anonymous, said his district decided to participate in the training after considering various school safety options in the last year. The hardest part of this is having to process having something of such incredible consequence happen in an educational setting, he said. Its sad that were having to have this conversation about the level of security in our schools, but we know from past events that it can occur...and we need to be prepared if it happens. DES MOINES Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said he wants to get a sense of Iowa during his visit this week, and that if he decides to seek the Democratic nomination for president he will offer a vision of what Americans need in the 21st century Politics is a combination of personality and the integrity people see in a person, and the vision that somebody has. Of course, you have to be able to raise a certain amount of money, but I dont worry about that, Castro told reporters. When a reporter observed that Castro isnt showing up on some of the lists of top-tier potential candidates, Castro replied that such lists often are compiled in Washington and New York, not Iowa. If theres a lesson in Iowa over the last 40 years, its that the state doesnt always do what it is expected to do, he said. Castro, 43, who was Housing and Urban Development secretary in the Obama administration, spoke to reporters after his first major speech in Iowa, an address at the Des Moines Registers Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. ON THE SOAPBOX: Julian Castros Iowa trip is a must for a presidential candidate Iowas precinct caucuses are the presidential election seasons first contest every four years, and lesser-known presidential hopefuls view Iowa as an opportunity to emerge. The 2020 Democratic field promises to be especially large, with 15 or more candidates vying for the nomination. Castros three-day trip to Iowa is his first this political cycle; he campaigned in the Hawkeye State for Hillary Clinton in 2016. He is meeting with activists and Latino leaders and helping Democratic candidates on the ballot in 2018 raise money. At the state fair Soapbox, Castro spoke on a knee-high platform surrounded by hay bales near a 15-foot-high inflatable ear of corn. He told his story of growing up in San Antonio with his twin brother Joaquin in the home of a single mother and immigrant grandmother, noting how they afforded Stanford University in the 1990s thanks to grants and loans. His story is the basis for an autobiography scheduled to be published in October. This country has been the greatest when it matches meaningful opportunity with hard work, he said. What we need is a blueprint for the future because we know what worked yesterday is not going to work today, he said. We have leaders in Washington D.C. who seem absolutely committed to taking us backward. CAMPAIGN THEME? Castro says nation is ready for a new generation of leaders Castro drew applause when he spoke of the need to invest more in social safety net programs for seniors because theyre going to need it more than ever before. The issue of single-payer health insurance - referred to as Medicare for all - has become increasingly popular among Democrats, who have watched the steady erosion of the Affordable Care Act in a Republican-run Congress. Responding to a question from the audience, Castro said he believes we need to embrace Medicare for all - adding that he believes there are several alternative plans that need to be discussed. The Registers Political Soapbox is a tradition in Iowa politics, and for Castro it represented another step as he considers a national candidacy. He reiterated that he will make his decision after the midterm elections. On Thursday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock reminded fair-goers that he was the only Democratic governor to win re-election in 2016 in a state won by Donald Trump. Others looking ahead to 2020 who have climbed the Soapbox stage in recent days included U.S. Reps. John Delaney of Maryland and Eric Swalwell of California, both Democrats, independent Evan McMullin, Democratic financial backer Tom Steyer and Democratic entrepreneur Andrew Yang. On Monday morning, a coalition of local business leaders got together with Ron Nirenberg at Mi Tierra. Business reps expressed their concerns about a mandatory paid sick leave initiative pending before the City Council and wanted to know where the mayor stood on the issue. Nirenberg told them he shared their unhappiness about the initiative, but added that the council nonetheless would vote to adopt it at their August 16 meeting, according to one of the attendees at the Mi Tierra gathering. Nirenberg was correct. The council, by a 9-2 vote, approved mandatory paid sick leave Thursday for local employees. Nirenberg voted for it, but, as he suggested at the Monday meeting, he didnt look too happy about it. It isnt that Nirenberg disapproves of paid sick leave. He made that clear at Thursdays council meeting, when he said, Paid sick leave is good for business and good for working families. It creates a healthier San Antonio for all. While he supports paid sick leave conceptually, however, he has misgivings about the particulars behind this initiative. Nirenberg thinks paid sick leave needs to be addressed at the state level, so Texas doesnt operate under a patchwork system in which someone who works in San Antonio has protections that someone who works a few blocks away in Castle Hills doesnt have. Related: City Council adopts mandatory paid sick leave ordinance for San Antonio workers He also sees flaws in the language of the initiative, crafted by a petition-gathering coalition called Working Texans for Paid Sick Time. Experts in labor-employment law including freshman Councilman Manny Pelaez contend that the initiative wont hold up to legal challenges, much less the scrutiny of Republicans in the state Legislature. They say that the language of the measure violates the Texas Minimum Wage Act, because it mandates that employers pay a minimum wage for more hours than an employee actually works. (Business leaders also have grumbled that you could own a company outside of San Antonio lets say an air-conditioning firm in Helotes and still be required to provide paid sick time to any employee who works at least 80 hours a year in S.A.) Above all else, Nirenberg seems uneasy about the process or lack thereof that produced this ordinance. After all, this former program director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center built his name on the council by decrying lapses in the governing process. Normally, when the City is considering a policy matter, we come together as a community to understand the issues and shape an ordinance that works for all concerned, Nirenberg said Thursday. Stakeholders from all sides are invited to the table. Staff is able to analyze impacts. The public is involved. Thats what our constituents expect, and thats what everyone involved deserves. In this case, however, paid sick leave, to paraphrase Nirenberg, landed on the desks of council members. They had three options, all of them problematic: They could have dragged their feet past August 20, thereby missing the deadline to get an initiative on the November ballot. That way, a vote would have been delayed until next May and activists would have been justifiably furious. Related: City unveils legislative plan for property tax relief They could have put it on the November ballot, thereby placing it alongside three proposed charter amendments from the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association. Given that council members are determined to defeat the firefighters propositions which would systematically weaken the power of the municipal government a paid sick leave initiative would have been a worrisome complication. If you want to get people to vote no on three propositions, you dont want an adjacent fourth proposition guaranteed to generate a lot of yes votes. So, council members took the third option. They passed it themselves, mindful of the fact that it will be easier (at least in terms of the political optics) to amend an ordinance they passed than one approved by the voters of San Antonio. In doing so, they became only the second southern city (after Austin) to pass mandatory paid sick leave. Ultimately, what were talking about is an ordinance that will give workers six to eight paid sick days a year. It doesnt sound unreasonable, does it? Business leaders privately suggest, though no one came out and said this Thursday, that some workers will use those days to play hooky when theyre perfectly healthy. Business reps see paid sick leave as something that should be worked out between employer and employee, with no role for the government in that bargain. On Thursday, the council reluctantly made history. In the coming months, theyll try to figure out how to fix the history theyve made. @gilgamesh470 Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 WASHINGTON In a major setback to the Trump administration's efforts to roll back Obama-era environmental policies, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency can no longer delay a new set of regulations designed to prevent chemical disasters. The Chemical Disaster Rule, stemming from industrial accidents like the 2013 West Fertilizer explosion in Texas, requires companies to obtain outside audits and share more information with first responders and emergency planners. It also requires industrial facilities to publish chemical inventories and disclose the root causes of chemical incidents at their facilities. Texas environmentalists hailed the decision, saying it also would help address concerns raised during Hurricane Harvey, when explosions at the Arkema facility in Crosby exposed first responders to fumes that they say were hazardous to their health. The EPA delayed implementing the rules, arguing it needed more time to consider the objections of members of industry. THE LATEST: Arkema, CEO indicted for 'reckless' chemical release during Harvey The D.C. Circuit rejected the EPA's arguments, saying that unless it proposes something new or actively changes the rule, it cannot delay the rule's implementation indefinitely. "EPA cannot have it both ways," the court said. "Either there would be 'substantial compliance and implementation' efforts by regulated parties absent the Delay rule, or the rule has no effect on compliance requirements and does nothing more than maintain the status quo." Backers of the Obama rules said they would create much-needed protections for first responders, workers and communities that border chemical and industrial plants, such as the Houston Ship Channel. First responders in the Arkema incident reported that they did not have information about the chemicals they were exposed to. "One of the most tragic aspects of the Arkema disaster was that the first responders were charging head first into the danger without knowing what was inside the facility," said Bay Scoggin, director of the Texas Public Interest Research Group. The West Fertilizer tragedy involved an ammonium nitrate explosion at a distribution facility in West, Texas, north of Waco, while emergency personnel were responding to a fire. Fifteen people were killed and more than 160 were injured. More than 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded in 2016 that the fire had been deliberately set. "This transparency is something that makes first responders safer, and the communities around those facilities safer," Scoggin said. "Houston is absolutely affected by this, and not only in the context of Hurricane Harvey." The EPA justified repealing the rule by pointing out that it will save the chemical industry $88 million per year. But environmental groups said the EPA's posture under President Donald Trump is overlooking the costs of industrial accidents, especially to the communities surrounding major indistrial facilities. "This decision means that people living near industrial facilities and those who respond to chemical accidents will have the stronger protections they deserve," said Bakeyah Nelson, executive director of Air Alliance Houston. "In Houston, the people who live in the places with the most perils are mostly people of color and low incomes. They want their neighborhoods to be healthy and safe. This is a big win for them." At issue are rules implemented by former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy designed to help prevent and mitigate chemical accidents. The changes included more protective accident prevention program requirements, emergency response enhancements, and enhanced public transparency and availability of information. The changes came to be known as the "Chemical Disaster Rule." They were slated to take effect on March 14, 2017, with phased-in compliance over several years. But one of the first actions taken by the Trump Administration's first EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, was to suspend the rules. That action came in March, 2017, a month after an industry coalition including the American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Utility Air Regulatory Group asked EPA to reconsider the Chemical Disaster Rule. The D.C. Circuit's opinion did not include input from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who heard the case but recused himself from the opinion. Its never a good idea to negotiate with a hostage-taker, but when its a NATO ally, there isnt much choice. The Trump administration has been trying to get back a Christian pastor detained in Turkey since October 2016, and when a possible deal at the sidelines of the NATO summit fell through, decided to drop the hammer. A couple of weeks ago, the administration sanctioned Turkeys justice and interior ministers remember, these are top officials of a fellow NATO country. The action hit the Turkish currency and stock market hard. Then President Donald Trump intervened in his inimitable style, with a tweet promising a doubling of aluminum and steel tariffs against the country and pointedly noting the drop in the value of the lira. As always, the presidents shoot-from-the-lip style is open to question, but Turkey deserved every last character including the two exclamation points in that presidential tweet. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not Justin Trudeau or Angela Merkel, a leader firmly within the liberal West who annoys Trump. Hes an Islamist authoritarian who is fundamentally changing the character of an erstwhile ally. Erdogans resort to hostage-taking as a tactic to gain leverage over allies its not just us is a barbarous throwback and a disgusting homage to rogue states like Iran and North Korea. He also has grabbed a Turkish-American NASA scientist and local employees of American consulates. The case against the pastor, the highest-profile case, is ludicrous. Andrew Brunson lived with his family in a seaside city, Izmir, for more than 20 years until the government, after Erdogan survived a coup, decided that he was guilty of aiding terrorist organizations and carrying out military espionage. The alleged supporting evidence is a collection of absurdities that could have been assembled by the Turkish equivalent of Alex Jones a video of a traditional Arab dish sent to Brunson by his daughter, a church member telling the pastor by text that he couldnt make it to a service, a photo of him with a man in a scarf bearing certain colors, and so on, all of which supposedly implicates him in dire crimes against the Turkish state. What this clearly is about is holding Brunson to try to get Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally and cleric who lives on a farm in Pennsylvania. With great fervency but little evidence, the Turkish government accuses Gulen of being behind the shadowy July 15, 2016, coup that became an occasion for Erdogan to seize emergency powers and purge the state and civil society of his political enemies. Erdogan isnt even subtle about the agenda behind the seizure of Brunson. In a talk to police officers last year, he said, They say, Give us this certain pastor, meaning Brunson, to which Erdogans rejoinder was, You have another pastor in your hands; give him to us. This isnt a trade the U.S. should be willing to make, but a swap of a Turkish woman held in Israel for links to Hamas in exchange for Brunson was reportedly discussed at the last NATO summit. When nothing ultimately came of it although Brunson was released into house arrest the crisis escalated to a different level. Erdogan blames an economic war for his countrys dire economic straits. He should instead blame his own mismanagement. Turkey was already vulnerable to an end of the era of cheap capital, even before it pursued a course of confrontation with a country vastly richer and more powerful than it is. There were always going to be stresses in the U.S.-Turkish alliance; Turkey views the Kurds as a threat, and we consider them allies. But the chief cause of the radical deterioration in the relationship is Turkeys rank anti-Americanism, a paranoia stoked at every turn by Erdogan for his own cynical purposes. He is now reaping what he sowed, and if Erdogan wants relief, his first step should be releasing the hostages. comments.lowry@nationalreview.com Deiadra Sturgis life burst into chaos in April, when she says her boyfriend abandoned her and her four children, including his 1-year-old daughter. Without his income, Sturgis was stuck: She had no family in town to help take care of her baby, and she couldnt afford day care, so she couldnt get a job to pay the rent. The landlord for the mobile home she lived in near Ingram Park Mall wouldnt negotiate a payment plan because the lease was in her boyfriends name, Sturgis said. For the same reason, she couldnt fight the eviction in court. She made desperate phone calls and drove to local charities that offer rent assistance, but none could help her. She even donated blood plasma for gas money, she said. I felt a lot like I was a hamster on a wheel. I was just running in a circle, over and over again, Sturgis said. But I couldnt just surrender and give up. Her time finally ran out. One day in June, Bexar County Constable officers came to her mobile home and stuffed her possessions into black trash bags that they carried out to the curb. Even while San Antonios economy thrives and its population swells, more and more local renters are finding themselves in situations like Sturgis. San Antonios eviction rate nearly doubled between 2011 and 2016, from 2.1 to 4.1 evictions per hundred renter homes, according to Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab, which has compiled data on evictions from communities across the U.S. Thats the highest rate for the Alamo City since Princetons data begins in 2000. The data likely underestimates the number of evictions, because it is difficult to collect it in some rural areas, according to the website. About 27 San Antonio residents were evicted on an average day in 2016, adding up to 9,848 evictions for the whole year, the data show. No one is sure what is driving the rate up, but the trend comes as the city grapples with a growing shortage of affordable housing and a dramatic increase in its homeless population. Tenants who are evicted have often suffered a big shock in their lives, such as the loss of their job, the death of a family member, a health emergency or a broken-down car, according to interviews with charity leaders and lawyers and judges who handle evictions. Like Sturgis, many of them fall into financial peril because they couldnt afford day care. Some face eviction after withholding rent when a landlord fails to make repairs, said Rick Roman, an attorney with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, a nonprofit that provides free legal services. Unlike other states, tenants in Texas cant do that. For those having trouble paying rent, an eviction makes their path to financial stability even more difficult, advocates say. They often lose access to the bus routes they rely on to get to work, and their children are pulled away from their friends. Without a permanent address, the tenants can have trouble applying for jobs or using social assistance programs. Theyre demoralized. Children are traumatized, said Navarra R. Williams, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, a charity that helps the homeless. Homelessness really has a huge impact on the children. They dont understand, they dont know whats going on. With an eviction on their credit history, they have more trouble applying for mortgages or other loans. Apartment complexes often charge more or refuse to rent to tenants who have been evicted, so they resort to lower-quality housing advertised on a website like Craigslist. It means youre probably going to have to move downward... and it will be a cycle, Roman said. Thats the real problem with evictions. Its not just the immediate problem of My family is going to be without a roof over their head. The next roof is going to be a worse one. On the day she was evicted, Sturgis scrambled for somewhere to put her furniture, her family pictures and her childrens toys. She says the county officers packed her stuff haphazardly, soaking her papers in vinegar and leaking cleaning products onto her childrens clothing. Someone stole her washer and dryer from the curb. Nonetheless, shes grateful she and her children never had to go without shelter. Local homeless shelter Haven for Hope took them in, and they now sleep in a pair of bunk beds in their own room in the charitys dormitory west of downtown. For the most part, I am grateful every day for the things that I have, and I dont worry about the things that I dont have because if I could have them I would have them, Sturgis said. My kids have somewhere to sleep every day, they have food to eat... Anything else is just something extra. Rising housing costs Housing experts couldnt say for sure what is causing more tenants to be thrown out, but many of them pointed to the local areas rising housing costs as a likely culprit. San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., but developers havent been able to build enough new homes and apartments for the incoming residents. As a result, demand for housing is growing faster than supply, and the cost of renting an apartment or buying a home is soaring. The median rent per square foot for an apartment in the local metro area rose by 39 percent between 2008 and 2018, from $0.82 to $1.14 a square foot, according to Austin Investor Interests, an analytics firm that tracks the local market. At the same time, new residents are flocking to downtown neighborhoods that are home to low-income communities, causing rents and home prices to spike there. Theres been a bit of a housing boom here in San Antonio, and a lot of concentration downtown and in other areas that were somewhat blighted, Williams said. Theyre not putting in low-income housing when they buy this property and redo it and invest millions of dollars in it. Theres just no affordable housing for folks that are really indigent. Rising housing costs are putting local residents in a bind: The city has determined that San Antonio is in need of 153,000 affordable housing units. The waiting list to get an apartment from the San Antonio Housing Authority is 16,000 names long. In 2016, 45 percent of apartment tenants in the San Antonio metro area were what the federal government defines as cost-burdened in other words, they spent more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing, according to Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies. A decade earlier, the rate was 43 percent. Yet housing in San Antonio is cheap relative to many other metro areas, including Austin, where an ongoing tech boom has caused apartment demand to skyrocket. In spite of that, Austins eviction rate in 2016 was 0.98 per hundred renters in 2016, less than a quarter of San Antonios, according to Princetons data. In Dallas, the eviction rate that year was 1.52 percent, while in Houston it was 2.3 percent, the data show. Fort Worths rate was higher than San Antonios, at 4.59 percent. Experts werent surprised that San Antonios eviction rate is higher than other metros, considering the citys stark economic inequality. Bexar Countys median income lags behind Austins Travis County and Houstons Harris County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Eviction process Many eviction cases on the North Side are decided in a courtroom on the third floor of a concrete-faced office building just south of the airport that also serves as the headquarters for Taco Cabana. Judge William Donovan, justice of the peace for Bexar Countys Precinct 3, had a few dozen eviction cases on his docket on a Tuesday afternoon earlier this month. The tenants and landlords were told to turn off their phones, and they seemed bored while they waited for their cases to be heard. Donovan, sitting at a desk between two stuffed deer heads on the walls, brought some levity to the courtroom. How are you folks doing today, apart from having to be here? he asked everyone. Some of the tenants didnt show up, so their cases were automatically ruled against them. Donovan encouraged those who came to work out a deal with their landlords attorneys. Some of them retreated into conference rooms and emerged with a deal, and Donovan told others he would delay their case for a week in the hope they would work something out. One couple, Paul and Lillian Rodriguez, faced eviction from the mobile home they rented near University of Texas at San Antonio after a series of disputes with their landlord that they said arose from his lack of respect for their privacy and Pauls bipolar disorder. The landlord had been going into their home without their permission, they said they think he was suspicious of them because of problems with the previous tenant leaving the door wide open and allowing their dog to scamper away. They filed three police reports against him and changed their locks to keep him out, they said. In June, he told them they had to leave. Several times, I had to walk away from him, because in my manic state, when you have issues like mine, you lose it, it escalates very quickly, Paul said. I tried to avoid all that by just letting him talk to her, but he was insistent that I was being rude to him, and he was insisting that I give him a key. He doesnt understand that renters have rights. Donovan ruled the couple had to leave their apartment and pay $2,600 in rent that had accrued since the eviction process began, and $740 in attorney fees. They said afterward they planned to appeal. The city has a fair housing counseling program that can mediate between landlords and tenants to prevent evictions, and it can also help local tenants get into a federal program for short-term rental assistance, said Melody Woosley, director of the citys Department of Human Services. Other local agencies, including Haven for Hope and SAMMinistries, also have programs to help tenants catch up on their rent. Yet funding for some programs has dried up. For a few years after the housing crisis spiked in 2008, the federal government provided SAMMinistries with about $800,000 a year to prevent homelessness, said Williams, the CEO. As the economy improved, that amount decreased to between $600,000 and $700,000, and it is set to go down again to $300,000, he said. Were looking every day for more funding, Williams said. I think maybe the community doesnt understand how effective and efficient that program can be. Even while living in a homeless shelter, Sturgis and her children managed to have a good summer, she said. The children went on field trips to Splashtown and the San Antonio Zoo through Boys & Girls Club San Antonio, and she walked them to the pool at San Pedro Springs Park, a mile and a half away. Her kids will stay in their same schools in the Northside Independent School District theyll just have to get up a little earlier to catch buses that will take them up there, she said. Sturgis wanted to leave the shelter by the time they start school at the end of the month, but that doesnt look likely. Her goal now is to have a place by her sons birthday in October. She thinks shell be able to find a day care program for her daughter, which will give her the time to get a job in retail; she has previously worked as an assistant manager at Whataburger, Taco Bell and Wendys, she said. Once she has work, shell be eligible for Haven for Hopes rental assistance program. I feel like Im going to get a place, she said. I have definitely learned that even when you feel theres no hope, theres always some hope. Richard Webner 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. | rwebner@express-news.net | Twitter: @RWebner Christina Blais / Contributed photo With music, food and nearly five dozen vendors, Downtown Market: Stratford is expected to attract a thousand people when it opens for one day this weekend. Launched three years ago, this juried crafts, art and jewelry show brings the crowds to the citys downtown to peruse a mix of creative pursuits, including handpainted wood jewelry, art quilts, stained glass pieces and homemade hot sauce. STAMFORD Under the stifling August sun, a group of young sailors slowly navigated the waters of the Long Island Sound this week to the cheers of friends and family watching from Cove Island. Go Jocelyn! one girl exclaimed, dancing on the rocks along the water. Across the channel, fellow campers cheered on their peers by pumping their fists and swinging their hips. The campers in the SoundWaters Young Mariners Academy had more than just their sailing skills on display. Across the parking lot and up the hill was a miniature science lab of sorts where campers demonstrated the STEM skills they learned through hands-on experiments. The five-week program culminated Thursday with the graduation of 29 incoming Stamford fifth-graders. In its sixth year, the camp is a partnership with Stamford Public Schools, which identifies students who would benefit from the STEM and sailing program. Over a cup of murky water, Ben Vita explained to his parents, Eyla and Irina, how the campers used a net to catch plankton and identify them under a microscope. But the 10-year-olds favorite part of camp was sailing. Its really hard, he said. I kept trying hard and I did it. Vitas parents said they were impressed how the camp captivated their sons interest. He comes home and is throwing around all this sailing jargon, Irina Vira said. He makes us jealous. In addition to learning, his parents have seen his confidence grow as hes learned to navigate the sails and tills of the tiny boats. Hes not afraid of the water, his father added. He likes sailing. Jess Castoro, an educator for the Young Mariners Academy, said the sailing also teaches teamwork. It complements the groups morning ritual of starting the day with a chant to declare the power of MVPs: motivated, virtues and perseverance. They also give shout-outs to campers who have embodied these qualities. In the beginning, theyre all hesitant of each other, Castoro said. Its like pulling teeth. Weve seen a lot of growth. Alisha Milardo, vice president of education for SoundWaters, said the organization coordinates with the school district to develop a curriculum based on the Next Generation Science Standards and their own. SoundWaters will track the campers into the school year to see if their scores improve. erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com; (203) 964-2265; @erin_kayata The Tweeter in Chief has dredged up an 8-year-old issue against U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal that state voters thoroughly ignored in 2010 when he defeated Linda McMahon, and again in 2016, when the senator was re-elected with a million votes. President Trump, whose Vietnam-era service was precluded by a doctors diagnosis of bone spurs, late Thursday attacked Blumenthal in a tweet that contained at least three factual errors and arguably a spelling mistake: How can Senator Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement (sic) on anyone? Loser! Blumenthal, whose resistance along with U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy to many of Trumps political ploys and policies, from immigration to gun-safety policy, has helped lead Democrats in Congress, replied to the president with criticism of his own. In an interview Friday with Hearst Connecticut Media, Blumenthal, who served with the Marine Corps Reserve from 1970 until 1976, dismissed the presidents charge. Hes not going to silence me with his ridiculous attacks, said Blumenthal who before reaching the Senate was a state senator and longtime state attorney general. Hes not going to silence former CIA director) John Brennan or silence the press. This is a democracy. I will continue to speak out. During the 2010 campaign, Blumenthal apologized for saying in 2008 that he served in Vietnam. Later, his commanding officer came to Blumenthals defense, saying that the slip was minor and that Blumenthal served honorably in the reserves. So factually, Trumps tweet is wrong about Blumenthals bragging that he was a great war hero in Vietnam. He did not tout for 20 years that proposition. He was indeed a Marine Corps reservist and thus, was in the Marines. Finally, judgment is not usually spelled with an e in the middle. The Oxford English Dictionary says its wrong: In British English the normal spelling in general contexts is judgement. However, the spelling judgment is conventional in legal contexts, and in North American English. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT Contributed photo The grave stone for Caleb Brewster, a spy for General George Washingtons Culper Spy Ring, is located in the towns oldest cemetery, The Old Burying Ground. Brewster died on February 13, 1827, and his headstone, which is no longer legible, reads: IN memory of Captain CALEB BREWSTER, who died February 13th, 1827; aged 79 years. He was a brave and active officer of the Revolution. (W.M.) GREENWICH A town man has been charged with cruelty to animals after a mastiff was found roaming in Bruce Park showing signs of mistreatment earlier this summer, according to police. Christian Dilworth, 23, of Brookside Drive, Greenwich was charged Thursday with cruelty to animals, making a false statement, interfering with a police investigation, illegal release of a domestic animal and failure to comply with dog-ownership regulations. Liberal Politics from the Heart of Bluegrass Country Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut. Read More Place Your Advert Thousands of Active jobseekers are looking for new agricultural positions in 2020. Call us now to discuss the options for advertising your vacancy in our job section. A report which highlights a huge decrease in the number of mountain hares in Scotland "flies in the face" of what farmers and landowners see "everyday". The Scottish Moorland Group has issued a critical response to an RSPB Scotland report on the decline of the UK's only native hare. The RSPB report concluded that mountain hare numbers on moorlands in the eastern Highlands have declined to less than one per cent of their initial levels. It points blame to land use changes, such as the loss of conifer forests to grouse moors. The study follows a recent review by the Mammal Society which listed the mountain hare as 'Near Threatened'. But a spokesman for the Scottish Moorland Group said the research is "very much out of kilter" with other research on mountain hares. "As recently as October 2017 Scottish Natural Heritage reported to the Scottish Parliament that evidence of a national decline in mountain hares since the mid-1990s is not conclusive," the spokesman said. "This latest research also flies in the face of what estate owners and land managers see every day on the ground - that hare populations are very high. "We are perplexed that the author of this report did not seek to get data from moorland managers. It should be remembered that mountain hares are only culled when the populations are sufficiently high and culls only control a very small percentage of the population. The spokesman added: "Culling, which covers a range of activity from shooting for food to habitat protection, is legal and is conducted under a code of practice agreed by the moorland sector." The Scottish Moorland Group is part of Scottish Land & Estates, a membership organisation for landowners and rural businesses. NFU Scotland is to question Asda over its sourcing of lamb as a shelf watch finds the retailer stocking hundreds of packs of imported meat at a time when Scottish farmers are busy finishing their stock. NFU Scotland members have been carrying out a shelf watch in over 50 Scottish supermarkets this week, to identify which retailers are doing their part to support Scottish sheep farmers during peak production season. Secret shoppers counted over 2,500 packs of Scottish lamb, identifying which of the big supermarkets were sourcing the most Scottish and home-produced lamb. The results demonstrate that almost 45 per cent of the lamb available was branded with the Scotch Lamb PGI, with an additional 44 per cent labelled as British or Welsh. This comes a week after the announcement from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, that the Scottish Government is to commit to spend an additional 200,000 on Scotch Lamb PGI promotion. 'Way off the mark' The results notably demonstrate that the supermarket chain Asda continue to stock significant volumes (40 per cent) of imported lamb, where many of its competitors have chosen to source Scottish and British lamb exclusively. NFU Scotlands Livestock Committee Chairman, Charlie Adam said the results show that support for Scottish and UK lamb producers is strong from a number of retailers, providing confidence to the sector. "Indeed, six out of the nine supermarket chains that we visited were stocking only lamb produced in Scotland or the UK," Mr Adam said. While the majority of the lamb was home-produced it was disappointing to see that Asda, The Co-operative and Waitrose had no lamb labelled as Scottish available. In particular Asda is way off the mark with competitors stocking hundreds of packs of imported lamb at a time when Scottish lamb producers are busy finishing their stock. NFU Scotland will raise this issue directly with ASDA in the coming days. The majority of lamb in the Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi stores however was labelled as Scotch Lamb PGI, giving the sector reason to be encouraged despite the ongoing uncertainty over Brexit," Mr Adam added. NFU Scotland is encouraging shoppers to support local farmers and the rural economy by also visiting local butchers. Opportunities for exporting pork to Mexico will be explored when a UK delegation arrives in the country next month. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board's (AHDB) export team will be attending the XVII National Pig Meeting in Puebla de Zaragoza. The event is expected to attract hundreds of people who are interested to learn about innovations in the pork sector. The three-day event, which has been organised by the Confederation of Mexican Pig Farmers (Confederacion de porcicultores Mexicanos), will feature talks from a number of industry experts on pig production, best practice in livestock and future prospects for the pork industry. AHDB will be exhibiting alongside the British Pig Association (BPA) and will showcase the best of the countrys pig genetics, promote UK industry work and highlight the quality and safety of British pig meat. The event forms part of an ongoing programme of fact-finding visits to the country to look at future opportunities for pork exports to Mexico and learn more about the marketplace. Susana Morris, AHDB Senior Export Manage, said: Mexico is an attractive market for our pork exports and while we dont currently have access for pig meat, participating at this event will give us the opportunity to better understand the business environment. The visit follows news of the European Union and Mexico reaching a new agreement on trade that has been described as a "very positive" step for the EU's agri-food sector. The EU-Mexico Global Agreement will make all trade in goods between the EU and Mexico duty-free, including in the agricultural sector. Updated results from the RamCompare project have seen a re-ranking of some rams based on their carcase weight estimated breeding values (EBV). Since preliminary results were released in November 2017, the data set has been updated to include records from later-lambing flocks not included in the first run and analysis has been modified to enhance the way hybrid vigour is taken into account which has caused a shift in the tables. Penygelli, PAP1501802, a Texel ram bred by Alwyn Philips, has moved into the top position for the carcase weight EBV and overall carcase merit. Penygelli PAP1501802 is a high-index ram sired by Boghouse Ultramuscle, one of Alwyns stock rams. Boghouse Ultramuscle was sold to RamCompare and is being progeny tested this year on the project farm run by the Edwards family in Wales. Alwyn Philips said: From the projects inception, I immediately nominated my rams to be put to the test. It is a fantastic opportunity for them to be tested under commercial conditions against their top-performing peers. More and more pressure is put on commercial systems to reduce costs and to utilise grass and home-grown forages. My breeding decisions have focused on rams that perform exceedingly well in grass-based systems specifically in terms of muscling and growth. The Charollais breed has a new leading sire, with Logiedurno Navigator 13ZNN07239, nominated by the Crogham and Coldharbour Charollais flocks, sitting high in the overall rankings for carcase weight EBV and carcase value. Among the Suffolk rams tested, Whichford First Class, bred by Bruce Cook, has now joined the list of the highest ranked Suffolk rams for carcase weight EBV. Bridget Lloyd, RamCompare Project Coordinator said: With all rams from the first two breeding seasons now included, the final results tables show a slight repositioning. This will continue to happen each year as more rams are included in the trial with data regularly coming in from the farms and abattoirs. Genetic linkage between years and farms is important for the project so certain rams are used for more than one season. Artificial insemination with frozen semen is also used to ensure linkage, with some of this semen being made available to other recorded breeders to develop wider links. Many ram breeders are following the project closely and access to this semen provides them with the opportunity to compare the genetic merit of their flock to those rams used on the project, as well as trying new breeding lines. Ms Lloyd: This year, several new Suffolk rams have been put forward due to the generosity of the Bridfa Suffolk breeding group and one of these will have a special role within the project as a reference ram. Drinkstone Distinction (Y68:A20) will be used on all eight RamCompare farms, with his lambs creating a link between each farm to enable comparisons to be made. Distinction was born in 2002 and was an elite sire in his day with over 460 progeny. He is still an important sire with an index in the top five per cent of the Suffolk breed. His semen is available to breeders who want to use him as a benchmark within their own flocks. RamCompare is joint funded by AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Agrisearch. Welsh farmers have expressed concern that the level of bovine TB has risen over the last 12 months, despite the introduction of further cattle control measures in October last year. Recent data from Defra has shown an increase in both the number of New Herd Incidents and the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales. It shows that in the 12 months to May 2018, there was a 4 percent increase in the number of New Herd Incidents and a 2 percent increase in the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales due to bovine TB. More than 10,000 cattle in Wales were slaughtered due to bovine TB control between May 2017 and May 2018. Latest TB data also shows that the number of TB free herds fell from 95.3 percent in quarter 3 of 2016 to 94.6 percent in the same quarter of 2017. Ian Lloyd, FUW Animal Health and Welfare Committee Chairman, said: Losing TB-free status is devastating to farming families and the restrictions imposed on breakdown farms can significantly hinder the ability of the business to operate. Whilst there will continue to be regional variation in these results, this most recent data will undoubtedly be of concern to FUW members, many of whom have been under costly and burdensome cattle restrictions for a significant period of time, he added. Disease in wildlife The current TB programme continues to focus almost entirely on cattle controls. However, farmers hold concerns regarding the implementation of measures such as regionalisation, without significant measures to tackle the disease in wildlife. The Welsh cattle sector continues to operate under a plethora of restrictive cattle controls which are introduced following one policy after another, said Mr Lloyd. However, despite such measures, the long-term disease picture continues to show periods of rising and falling TB levels. The union has called the Welsh government's recognition of the need to deal bovine TB within wildlife as "painfully slow". Supermarkets commit to backing British pork amid crisis Open letter was sent out calling for more support The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Ayushmann Khurrana has been a part of some really interesting films like Vicky Donor, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Meri Pyaari Bindu, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Bareilly Ki Barfi in the past. Now, the talented actor is all set to enthrall us with yet another impressive act in Sriram Raghavan's AdhaDhun. The film has Ayushmann playing the role of a blind piano player. Exclusive: Manoj Bajpayee: Quite Humbling That Satyameva Jayate Is Being Cheered By Masses! Speaking about the film, Sriram told Quint, "Andhadhun is developed from a short film, which I don't want to talk about right now. The short film was recommended by a friend, Hemant Rao. I wanted him to write the script, but then he got the chance to make his own film. After that Arijit and Pooja and Yogesh Chandekar contributed to the film as well. Andhadhun was written a couple of years ago. I had even narrated it to Varun Dhawan along with Badlapur. But Badlapur was ready, and this one wasn't finished." He further added, "It isn't a sordid story. The pianist is happy with himself and is trying to prepare for a competition when he meets a terrific girl and then another woman and many things happen to him. Among my inspirations was the movie Fargo, as well as the television series based on it - it's a bit macabre, like going down a rabbit hole. Meanwhile, Aayushmann Khurrana took to his social media sharing an intriguing motion poster announcing the new release date of the film. Nick Jonas-Priyanka Chopra Engagement: Nick's Parents Arrive In India With A Special Gift For Her! Sharing the motion poster, the actor tweeted captioning, " Presenting the motion poster of #AndhaDhun! @AndhadhunFilm, produced by @Viacom18Movies & @MatchboxPix, is releasing in cinemas near you on 5th October. @radhika_apte #Tabu #SriramRaghavan @ZeeMusicCompany #ManavVij". The motion poster of AndhaDhun black glasses breaking into two parts and Ayushmann's voiceover in the background saying, "Aankhon ka loss aapko zindagi mein loser nahi banata. Hume toh har awaaz mein music lagta hai. Boondon se leke traffic tak, sab inspiration ban jaata hai." AndhaDhun marks the first collaboration of Sriram Raghavan and Ayushmann Khurrana. The film also brings back to the audience the second outing of Radhika Apte and Sriram Raghavan post Badlapur. AdhaDhun also stars Tabu. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures presents A Matchbox Pictures production, AndhaDhun is directed by Sriram Raghavan and is slated to release on 5th October, 2018. The makers of Paltan have gone an extra mile as the makers stay true to their research backend approach for the film. Lieutenant Attar Singh and Major Bishan Singh and family of Captain Dagar (real war hero who was part of the war in 1967) helped the makers to recreate the sets in Ladakh and throughout the film. While talking about his encounter with the real-life soldiers, JP Dutta shared, After Divorce With Malaika Arora, Arbaaz Khan To Marry His Girlfriend Giorgia Andriani? "I meet all the officers with the help of their respective battalions. The commanding officer of the battalion gives me the contact and then I start my research. Attar Singh came on our sets and he pointed out and zeroed in on the feature that was closest to Nathula". He further added, "They live in Delhi and Jaipur respectively... I have met their families and interacted with them very closely". JP Dutta who almost took a year for the research shared, "It look me close to a year... I start with getting in touch with the heroes and their families and then I start getting my facts right and keep it as real as I possibly can for cinema". Climax Of Superstar Rajikinath Starrer Robo 2.0 Revealed! AR Rahman Spills The Beans Zee Studios and J P Dutta films upcoming war drama Paltan starring an ensemble cast of Arjun Rampal, Sonu Soon, Gurmeet Choudhary, Harshvardhan Rane and Siddhant Kapoor amongst others, Paltan will complete India's biggest war trilogy. Based on the Nathu La military clashes of 1967 which took place along the Sikkim border, Paltan showcases on the untold story of the Indian forces facing off in an intense battle of ward off a Chinese infiltration. Renowned filmmaker JP Dutta returns to direction after 12 years with Paltan. The national-award winning director had earlier treated the audience with war films like the border, LOC Kargil, and Refugee among others. With power-packed performances, the film promises to tell the riveting, untold story of the bravest of Indian soldiers who fought with their brothers next to them till the end. Presented by Zee Studio and produced by JP Dutta films, 'Paltan' is directed by JP Dutta and is slated to release on 7th September. Take A Look At Salman Khan's Vanity Van Yes, that's Salman's vanity van. Well, this one is not just for the superstar himself! We hear that the other actors including Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Nora Fatehi too might have an access to this luxurious van. Well, that's one of the perks of working with a superstar. This Is Mind-Blowing The interior of the van looks plush with comfy couches, a kitchen counter and an en suite bathroom. Going green with envy, ain't you folks? Coming Back To Bharat The makers had released the first official teaser of the film on Independence Day which featured a ring of fire and a glittering map of India and ended with the words, "The journey of a man and nation together. Disha Patani's Look In The Film Inspired By Helen? If reports are to be believed then Disha's look in the film will be inspired by veteran actress Helen. She will be styled by Alvira Agnihotri and Ashley Rebello. Apparently, the styling team has done extensive research on Disha's costume and have taken inspiration from the 1960s circus shows Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey. This actress will be playing a trapeze artist in the film. On The Other Hand, Nora Fatehi Is Learning Spanish For Bharat Nora is playing the role of a Latino in Bharat and has been taking basic Spanish lessons for the same. She was earlier quoted as saying, "Yes, I have started taking very basic Spanish lessons from a very good Spanish friend of mine. He has been teaching me how to speak English with a Spanish accent and basic day to day words I can use in my scenes." Mark The Date In Your Calendar Bharat will feature Salman Khan sporting five different looks spanning 60 years, wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking much leaner and younger. The film has an ensemble cast comprising of Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Tabu, Sunil Grover, Nora Fatehi and Aasif Sheikh. Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and touted to be an official remake of the Korean film, 'An Ode To My Father', Bharat is slated to release on Eid 2019. Prince Narula To Play An Important Cameo! Prince confirmed the news of joining the cast to the leading daily, "Yes, I am soon going to shoot for the show and it's an important cameo. I am not at liberty to divulge much. All I can say is that I am playing a snake-charmer, who is actually a charmer as a person. It's a negative character and I wanted to take it up." Prince To Play Negative Role! "After playing the quintessential hero in a daily soap, I wanted to take up a negative character to prove my versatility to my audience. I am an actor and it's the character that's important and not its shade. My job is to act well." If Ranveer Can Play Alauddin Khilji Why Cant I Play A Negative Role The actor further added, "I have been a fan of Ranveer Singh. If he can play a Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmaavat', why can't I play a negative role?" Well it has to be seen how his character will be linked to Mahir, Vish and Bela's lives. Naagin 3 Update Currently, on the show, Bela, who wanted to take revenge on Mahir, has succeeded, as she has apparently killed him. She informs Vish about the same. Naagin 3 Spoiler: Bela To Save Mahir! It is being said that Bela uses her sindoor to bring Mahir back to life! It seems that Bela prays to Lord Shiva to bring Mahir back to life. Has Bela fallen in love with Mahir? Is Mahir a reincarnation of Vikrant? Stay locked to this space to know more about the show. Is Sharad Commitment-phobic? In the recent interview with TOI, the actor says that he is marriage-phobic and not commitment-phobic! Sharad was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "I think I am marriage-phobic. If I have been with someone for two years or seven years, clearly I am not commitment-phobic. I am with the person, I love the person and it's all hunky-dory." Sharad On His Relationships "In all my relationships, I have had some great moments, it's been fantastic. We have also fought like cats and dogs, but the kind of family I come from, I know where to draw the line. In a relationship, you have your good times and then you experience the bump and you don't know how to react." The Actor Is Marriage-phobic! "The topic of marriage comes up and you start stepping back and your partner wonders why. I don't blame them; they are right in feeling that way. Like I have said in the past, the fault is probably mine. I always fall short of taking that final step and that's something I need to rectify. I have to really work on that." Sharad Says His Relationship With Divyanka Was Beautiful It has to be recalled that in a recent interview (Juzz Baat), Divyanka Tripathi got emotional while she was talking about their break-up. Regarding the same, Sharad says, "There's not much I can say except that it was a beautiful relationship. But when the word marriage' popped up, I developed cold feet." Sharad Wishes Divyanka He further adds, "It was a long time ago and I was quite immature. One gradually matures with time and experience. Yes, I have made mistakes. As human beings, we all make mistakes. I realise that now but unfortunately, it's five years down the line. I should have realised it then, but no hard feelings. We have both moved on. She looks very happy and I wish her the very best." Will He Be Friends With His Exes? When asked whether he can be friends with his exes, the actor says, "Surely. Why can't exes be friends? Not immediately maybe, but after a certain amount of time." But when asked whether he is friends with his exes, the actor said that he would love to. He added, "It would be nice to see how their lives are now, of course, without intruding much." Regulatory News: In connection with AP Alternative Assets, L.P.'s ("AAA"; Euronext Amsterdam: AAA) equity investment in Athene Holding Ltd. ("Athene"; NYSE: ATH), AAA informs its investors that Athene has released its unaudited statutory financial statements for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 for its main operating entities in Iowa, Delaware and Bermuda on its website at ir.athene.com. For additional information regarding Athene, please visit www.athene.com. About AP Alternative Assets AP Alternative Assets was established by Apollo Global Management, LLC and its subsidiaries ("Apollo") and is a closed-end limited partnership established under the laws of Guernsey. Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with 28 years of experience investing across the capital structure of leveraged companies. AAA is managed by Apollo Alternative Assets, L.P. For more information about AP Alternative Assets, please visit www.apolloalternativeassets.com. This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from the historical experience and expressed or implied expectations of AAA. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and AAA does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180816005722/en/ Contacts: AP Alternative Assets, L.P. Gary Stein (New York), +1 212-822-0467 Schweiter Technologies / Half-year results for 2018: Schweiter reports steep growth in revenues and profit . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Steinhausen, 17 August, 2018 - Schweiter Technologies reported a strong first half in 2018, posting a double-digit percentage increase in revenues and profit. Group revenues were up by 11% to CHF 540.3 million (+6% in local currencies), while acquisition-driven growth was close to 8%. EBITDA rose 11% to CHF 58.3 million. Despite some major increases in raw material costs, the return on sales came to 10.8%, on level with the previous year. Operating profit (EBIT) improved by 14% to CHF 44.2 million, while net profit from continuing operations rose to CHF 33.0 million. Cash holdings stood at CHF 178 million following a dividend payout of about CHF 64 million. Schweiter Technologies Group (in CHF m) H1 2018 H1 2017 + / - Net revenues 540.3 485.6 +11% EBITDA 58.3 52.6 +11% as a % of net revenues 10.8% 10.8% EBIT 44.2 38.9 +14% Net income from continuing operations 33.0 30.9 +7% Net income from discontinued operations - 98.6 Total net income 33.0 129.5 3A Composites revenues rose by 11% to CHF 540.3 million. EBITDA increased by 10% to CHF 59.5 million, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 11.0%. EBIT came to CHF 45.4 million. Beyond the acquisition-related growth, the main growth drivers were the Architecture business in Asia and sustained, buoyant demand for display products in Europe. The Architecture business performed well on the whole - the significant rise in sales in Asia and the USA more than offset the temporarily lower volumes in Europe and Australia in the first quarter. Athlone Extrusions, acquired in the second half of 2017, made a significant contribution to the rise in revenues and profits. The rest of the Display business in Europe also reported considerable increases in revenues and profitability, outperforming the market trend. Raw material price fluctuations, coupled with a corresponding temporary downturn in demand, impacted further volume growth. The US Display business built on the previous year's success, reporting revenue growth yet again. The Architecture business in Asia benefited from several major projects in China plus an upturn in demand. Revenue growth in this region was in the double-digit range. The US Architecture business posted significant gains compared with the previous year, whereas the Architecture business in Europe and Australia fell short of expectations especially in the first quarter. As expected, the Core Materials business got off to a moderate start in the 2018 business year. Compared with the previous year, profitability was impacted by weaker demand in the first quarter, rising raw material costs in some cases, and price pressure from global OEMs. Sales in the second quarter, however, were up again sharply in both the wind and the non-wind sectors. Business in the Transportation sector fell short of last year's strong performance. Delivery delays for a major customer plus technical changes to two projects led to lower sales than the previous year. Outlook The Group expects to turn in a good performance again in the second half. In the Display and Architecture business, the Group anticipates markets to remain stable but raw material prices to trend lower. The Core Materials business is expected to post firm demand. Moreover, the delayed orders in the Transportation sector are expected to be delivered in the second half. The complete financial statements for the first half of 2018 can be found on our website www.schweiter.com (http://www.schweiter.com) A media conference on the 2018 half-year results for analysts, media representatives, and investors will take place at 11.00 a.m. today at the Marriott Hotel, Neumuhlequai 42, Zurich. For further information please contact: Martin Kloti, CFO Tel. +41 41 757 77 00, Fax +41 41 757 70 01, martin.kloeti@schweiter.com (mailto:martin.kloeti@schweiter.com) Please find the Media release in the PDF attached: Media release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/100347/R/2211072/861028.pdf) THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION BLACKROCK FRONTIERS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC LEI: 5493003K5E043LHLO706 Reconstruction of BlackRock Emerging Europe plc 17 August 2018 The board (the "Board") of BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc (the "Company" or "BRFI") is pleased to announce that terms have been agreed in principle with the board of BlackRock Emerging Europe plc ("BEEP") for the Company to act as the sole rollover vehicle for shareholders of BEEP in connection with BEEP's proposed voluntary liquidation. BEEP announced on 14 June 2018 that the proposed tender offer to shareholders of BEEP ("BEEP Shareholders") would result in the remaining assets of BEEP being below the minimum level which the board deemed necessary for BEEP to continue. The board of BEEP (the "BEEP Board") therefore elected not to proceed with the tender offer and confirmed that revised proposals would be put to shareholders, which would include the option of a full cash exit. The BEEP Board has undertaken a review of the options available to BEEP and has announced today that it intends to put forward proposals to put BEEP into voluntary liquidation and to offer BEEP Shareholders the option of electing for any combination of: receiving cash at net asset value less costs; and rolling their investment into new C shares to be issued by BRFI. New C shares in BRFI will be issued at 100 pence per C share and it is expected that the C shares will be converted into ordinary shares in BRFI on a NAV for NAV basis once the C share portfolio has been substantially invested in accordance with BRFI's investment policy. The costs incurred by BRFI in connection with the proposals will be deducted from the C share pool such that these costs are effectively borne by those BEEP Shareholders electing to roll over. BlackRock has agreed to meet any costs exceeding 1 per cent. of the value of the C share pool such that the opening NAV of the C shares will be not less than 99 pence per C share. Subject to take-up, the other anticipated benefits to BRFI's shareholders include an increase in the future marketability and liquidity of the Company's shares and a reduction of the ongoing charges ratio. The proposals will be effected by way of a scheme of reconstruction of BEEP under section 110 of the Insolvency Act 1986, resulting in the voluntary liquidation of BEEP and a rollover of assets of BEEP into BRFI. The transaction would be subject to approval from shareholders of both BEEP and BRFI. A circular convening a general meeting to seek approval of shareholders of BRFI for the proposals is expected to be sent in due course. BRFI will also be required to publish a prospectus in connection with the proposals. Enquiries: BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited Simon White Kevin Mayger 020 7743 3000 Winterflood Securities Neil Morgan 020 3100 0000 Important Information This announcement contains information that is inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, and is being made by the Company solely to comply with its regulatory disclosure obligations. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Kevin Mayger of BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, Company Secretary. The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked) and may be subject to updating, revision and amendment from time to time. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any shares in the Company nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore. Winterflood Securities Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, acting through its division, Winterflood Investment Trusts ("Winterflood"), is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the proposals set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of Winterflood or for providing advice in relation to the proposals set out in this announcement. Nothing in this paragraph shall serve to exclude or limit any responsibilities which Winterflood may have under the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Winterflood by the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Winterflood accepts no responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this announcement or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it or on its behalf in connection with the Company or the proposals set out in this announcement. Winterflood accordingly disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort or contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement or any such statement. This announcement contains (or may contain) certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's current expectations and projections about future events. These statements, which sometimes use, but are not limited to, words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'intend', 'estimate', 'expect' and words of similar meaning, reflect the Directors' beliefs and expectations and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward looking statement. Statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notice and, except as required by applicable law, neither the Company nor Winterflood assumes any responsibility or obligation to update publicly or review any of the forward looking statements contained herein. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION 17 August 2018 BlackRock Emerging Europe plc (LEI: 549300OGTQA24Y3KMI14) Liquidation and Rollover BlackRock Emerging Europe plc ("BEEP" or the "Company") announced on 14 June 2018 that the proposed tender offer to BEEP's shareholders would result in the remaining assets of the Company being below the minimum level which the Board deemed necessary for the Company to continue. The Board therefore elected not to proceed with the tender offer and confirmed that revised proposals would be put to shareholders, which would include the option of a full cash exit. The Board of BEEP has undertaken a review of the options available to the Company and today announces that it intends to put forward proposals to put the Company into voluntary liquidation and to offer shareholders the option of electing for any combination of: receiving cash at net asset value less costs; and rolling their investment into new C shares to be issued by BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc ("BRFI"). The costs incurred by BRFI in connection with the proposals will be deducted from the C share pool. BlackRock has agreed to meet any costs exceeding 1 per cent. of the value of the C share pool such that the opening NAV of the C shares will be not less than 99 pence per C share. It is expected that the C shares will be converted into ordinary shares in BRFI on a NAV for NAV basis once the C share portfolio has been substantially invested in accordance with BRFI's investment policy. BRFI is a closed-ended investment trust that seeks to achieve long term capital growth by investing in companies domiciled or listed in, or exercising the predominant part of their economic activity in, less developed countries. These countries are those which are neither part of the MSCI World Index of developed markets nor one of the eight largest countries by market capitalisation in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index as at 1 April 2018 (being Brazil, China, India, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Taiwan).Sam Vecht, the co-portfolio manager of BEEP, is also the co-portfolio manager of BRFI, alongside Emily Fletcher, a highly-rated investment management team. BRFI shares have traded at an average premium to net asset value of 3.18 per cent. over the last 12 months. The proposals will provide BEEP shareholders with the ability to elect to rollover some or all of their interests into BRFI in order to enable them to maintain some or all of their exposure to a strategy managed by BlackRock's highly-regarded Emerging Markets team. The proposals will be effected by way of a scheme of reconstruction of BEEP under section 110 of the Insolvency Act 1986, resulting in the voluntary liquidation of BEEP and a rollover of assets of BEEP into BRFI. The transaction would be subject to approval from shareholders of both BEEP and BRFI. A circular convening general meetings to seek approval of BEEP shareholders for the proposals is expected to be sent to BEEP shareholders in due course. The Company's portfolio will remain fully invested according to its investment policy until the above proposals have been approved by shareholders at the relevant General Meeting. Enquiries: BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited Simon White Sarah Beynsberger 020 7743 3000 Winterflood Securities Neil Langford Chris Mills 020 3100 0000 Important information This announcement contains information that is inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, and is being made by the Company solely to comply with its regulatory disclosure obligations. The content of this announcement has been prepared by, and is the sole responsibility of, BlackRock Emerging Europe plc. The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked) and may be subject to updating, revision and amendment from time to time. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any shares in the Company nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore. Winterflood Securities Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, acting through its division, Winterflood Investment Trusts ("Winterflood"), is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the proposals set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of Winterflood or for providing advice in relation to the proposals set out in this announcement. Nothing in this paragraph shall serve to exclude or limit any responsibilities which Winterflood may have under the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Winterflood by the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Winterflood accepts no responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this announcement or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it or on its behalf in connection with the Company or the proposals set out in this announcement. Winterflood accordingly disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort or contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement or any such statement. This announcement contains (or may contain) certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's current expectations and projections about future events. These statements, which sometimes use, but are not limited to, words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'intend', 'estimate', 'expect' and words of similar meaning, reflect the Directors' beliefs and expectations and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward looking statement. Statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notice and, except as required by applicable law, neither the Company nor Winterflood assumes any responsibility or obligation to update publicly or review any of the forward looking statements contained herein. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Trillium's Rapid Growth Attributed to Close-Knit Partnership with the Innovation Platform SUNNYVALE, CA, Aug 17, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Trillium Secure, Inc. (Trillium), a leader in secure data lifecycle management and cybersecurity, was selected as Plug and Play's Hottest Company for the month of August. "We highly value the full-range of support Plug and Play delivers for launching Trillium to its next level of success," said Dr. Sachio Semmoto, Chairman of Trillium and serial entrepreneur who has led eight startup IPOs. To win this award, Trillium competed against hundreds of startups based in Plug and Play's Sunnyvale office. The committee voted for the Hottest Company by considering growth, the leadership team, IP value and other factors. "Trillium stood out from the companies we invested in because of its innovative approach to vehicular data lifecycle protection against cyber-attack," said Saeed Amidi, CEO and Founder of Plug and Play. Because the latest car models increasingly resemble a computer on wheels, the value of a multi-layered approach to reducing your car's cyber-vulnerabilities rises. Trillium's global R&D centers develop comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for vehicle fleets. "Plug and Play provides great access to portfolio and industry partners, which has been a major factor in fueling Trillium's growth," said David Uze, Founder and CEO of Trillium. "Being intimately involved in the larger ecosystem of investors, corporations, and startups is a big advantage as we pioneer the secure data lifecycle management industry." About Trillium Secure, Inc. Trillium delivers comprehensive cybersecurity protection and secure data lifecycle management for vehicles and fleets through a subscription service. This protection uses a multi-layered approach to harden connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and fleets against cyber-attacks. Trillium delivers an authenticated operational and threat management data solution for fleet vehicles that preserves privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity of data while at rest and in motion. A wide range of verticals, including automotive manufacturers, aerospace and defense organizations, and insurance companies, can defend against cyber-vulnerabilities with Trillium's solutions. Value-added service providers depend on secure, authentic data from Trillium for car sharing, digital forensics, preventive maintenance, telematics, usage-based insurance and other services. Trillium design centers and fleet security operation sites are located in Sunnyvale, Ann Arbor, Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo. Trillium will open a European design center in Q3 2018. For more information visit www.trilliumsecure.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to facilitate technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 20 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups and 220 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We are the world's most active venture capital firm, with roughly 250 startup investments a year. To learn more, please visit https://www.plugandplay.com. Press Contact: Kevin Em Email: Kevin.Em@TrilliumSecure.com Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de ALBANY, New York, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global barium carbonate market was valued at US$ 389.13 Mn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2018 to 2026, according to a new report titled 'Barium Carbonate Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2018-2026,' published by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The market is driven by rise in the demand for barium carbonate for use in bricks and tiles in the construction industry. Asia Pacific accounts for a major share of the global barium carbonate market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Request a Sample of Barium Carbonates Market:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=38609 Increased use of barium carbonate in bricks and tiles to drive market With modernization, the pattern of construction has witnessed significant changes over the last few years. Demand for attractive, colored and smooth structures for buildings is on the rise. Rising use of barium carbonate in the removal of efflorescence, which is a crystalline deposit of salt formed due to moisture absorption, in bricks and tiles is anticipated to boost the demand for barium carbonate in the next few years. It is essential that masonry units be covered and left in pallets in order to minimize the risk of efflorescence throughout the construction project. Tiles are also made of the same clay or shale as bricks and they are formed into relatively thin sheets, tubes, or hollow blocks. Bricks is a highly important building material used in construction activities in developing economies. View in-depth table of contents for this report @https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/38609 Growing use of barium carbonate as a raw material in manufacture of electro-ceramic materials to boost demand for barium carbonate Increasing use of barium carbonate in multi-layered ceramic capacitors, fuses, PTC thermistors, piezoelectric transducers, sensors, dynamic RAM, MEMS, optical modulators, and electromechanical devices is likely to boost the demand for barium carbonate in the electro-ceramic materials segment. Advanced electro-ceramic materials have played a significant role in advancement in technologies such as computers, telecommunications, and aerospace. Increase in use of barium carbonate as a raw material in the manufacture of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors is likely to boost the demand for barium carbonate during the forecast period. Use of barium carbonate in applications such as glazes, frits, and enamels to offer growth opportunities to barium carbonate market Glazes, frits, and enamels contain barium carbonate. Barium carbonate is a major source of barium oxide, which is used in glazes, wherein it functions as a flux and helps in producing matte finish. Barium carbonate ensures a good fit between the glaze and the surface that it covers, thereby enhancing the chemical and mechanical strength of surfaces. Thus, the ability of barium carbonate to impart superior finish is likely to offer growth opportunities to the barium carbonate market in the near future. Request for Multiple Chapters on Global Barium Carbonate Market:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=MC&rep_id=38609 Decline in demand for barium carbonate for use in production of CRT glass to hinder market Since the late 2000s, CRTs have been largely superseded by flat panel display technologies such as LCD, plasma display, and OLED. Several large manufacturers of television sets have stopped making CRT-based sets. With the transition toward flat-panel monitor and television technologies, consumption of CRT devices is expected to decrease over the time. With the decreasing demand for CRT, the demand for barium carbonate is also likely to decline in the near future. Powder form segment to dominate global market Among various forms, the powder segment dominates the global barium carbonate market. Powder form of barium carbonate is used in the ceramics industry as a fluxing material to produce matt glazes, specialty glasses, clay bricks, and tiles. It is also employed in the production of barium peroxide, barium hydroxide, and barium chloride. Most manufacturers operating in the barium carbonate market are engaged in the manufacture of powder form of barium carbonate. Asia Pacific leads global barium carbonate market Among regions, Asia Pacific accounted for a major share of the global barium carbonate market in 2017. China is the key producer of barium carbonate in Asia Pacific. In most countries of Asia Pacific such as China, India, and countries in ASEAN; governments have taken initiative for new infrastructure projects. Rising investments in the construction industry in the region are anticipated to fuel the demand for barium carbonate in the region during the forecast period. Several market leaders such as Hubei Jingshan Chutian Barium Salt Corporation, Guizhou Red Star Development Co., Ltd, and Hebei Xinji Chemical Group Co. Ltd. operate in the Asia Pacific market. Request For Discount On This Report:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=38609 High degree of competition among established players Key players profiled in the report include Guizhou Red Star Development Co., Ltd, Hubei Jingshan Chutian Barium Salt Corporation Limited, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd, Chemical Product Corporation, and Vishnu Chemicals. These players are forward integrated and they account for a major share of the global barium carbonate market. Brand promotions and launch of new products are likely to boost sales of barium carbonate in the next few years. Market leaders are striving to adopt measures such as strategic pricing and product improvement to gain market share. Global Barium Carbonate Market, by Form Granular Powder Ultra-fine Global Barium Carbonate Market, by Application Specialty Glass Bricks & Tiles Chemical Compounds Glazes, Frits, and Enamels Electro-ceramic Materials Others Browse Popular Research Reports by TMR: Barite Market:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/barite-market.html Manhole Covers Market:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/manhole-covers-market.html About Us Transparency 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 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: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: https://cmfenews.com/ Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release. EcoVista PLC (EVTP) EcoVista PLC: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 17-Aug-2018 / 10:50 GMT/BST Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice from your stockbroker or other independent adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you have recently sold or transferred all of your shares in Ecovista Plc, please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible either to the purchaser or transferee or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the shares. ECOVISTA PLC (Incorporated in England and Wales with Registered Number 05660908) Directors: Louise Clare Stokely (Chairman) Kenneth William Jones To the Shareholders of Ecovista PLC 13 August 2018 Dear Shareholder ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 11.00 a.m. on 17th September 2018 at Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 0JU, United Kingdom. I am pleased to enclose the notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting, to be held at 11.00 a.m. on 17th September 2018 at Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 0JU, United Kingdom. The ordinary business of the Annual General Meeting will be to receive and adopt the accounts of the Company for the period 31st August 2016 to 31st August 2017, to re- appoint the auditors, and to re-elect directors. The special business of the Annual General Meeting will be to receive authority to allot shares and to dis-apply pre-emption rights. Resolution 4, will if passed, authorise the directors to issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for shares up to a maximum nominal amount of GBP34,862.82which represents the issue of 3,486,282,047.36ordinary shares with nominal value of 0.001p each ("Ordinary Shares") which represents approximately 64% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares as at 9th August 2018. Resolution 5, will, if passed, give the directors power, pursuant to the authority to allot shares (granted by resolution 4), to allot equity securities (as defined by section 560 of the Companies Act 2006) or sell treasury shares for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings up to a maximum nominal amount of GBP34,862.82 . The directors intend to make use of the resolutions to issue shares to continue to implement the Company's strategy. As at close of business on 9th August 2018 the total number of Ordinary Shares in issue is 5,447,315,699 and the Company did not hold any treasury shares. You will find set out at the end of this document a notice convening the AGM to be held at Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 0JU. 1) ACTION TO BE TAKEN A Form of Proxy is enclosed, for use at the AGM. Whether or not you intend to be present at the AGM, you are asked to complete, sign and return the Form of Proxy to the Company's registrars, Share Registrars Limited, The Courtyard, 17 West Street, Farnham, GU9 7DR, as soon as possible but in any event, so as to arrive no later than 11.00 a.m. on 13th September 2017. The completion and return of a Form of Proxy will not preclude you from attending the AGM and voting in person should you wish to do so. Accordingly, whether or not you intend to attend the AGM in person, you are urged to complete and return the Form of Proxy as soon as possible. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS The Directors consider that the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Directors unanimously recommend Shareholders to vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM. Yours faithfully Louise Stokely Chairman ECOVISTA PLC (Incorporated in England and Wales with Registered Number 05660908) Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ("Meeting") of Ecovista plc ("Company") will be held at Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 0JU United Kingdom on 17th September 2018 at 11am. You will be asked to consider and vote on the resolutions below. Resolutions 1 to 4 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolution 5 will be proposed as a special resolution. ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS 1) To receive and adopt the Annual Report and Accounts for the period 31 August 2016 to 31 August 2017 together with the directors' report and auditors' report on those accounts. 2) To re-appoint Welbeck Associates as auditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which the accounts are laid before the members and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration. 3) To re-appoint as a Director Kenneth Jones, who retires in accordance with Article 103 of the Articles of Association of the Company. 4) That the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of GBP34,862.82 such authority to apply in substitution for all previous authorities and to expire on the date which is earlier of the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of this resolution unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting but, in each case, so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements during the relevant period which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares to be granted after the authority ends. 5) That, subject to the passing of resolution 4 above, the Directors be and are hereby empowered to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the Act) wholly for cash pursuant to the authority given by resolution 4 above or where the allotment constitutes an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(2) of the Act up to an aggregate nominal amount of GBP34,862.82 as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such authority to expire on the date which is earlier of the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of this resolution unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting, but in each case, so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements during the relevant period which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted after the authority ends. For the purposes of this resolution: (a) references to an allotment of equity securities shall include a sale of treasury shares; and (b) the nominal amount of any securities shall be taken to be, in the case of rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into shares of the Company, the nominal amount of such shares which may be allotted pursuant to such rights. By Order of the Board Dated 13th August 2018 ISIN: GB00B0W5NJ22 Category Code: NOA TIDM: EVTP Sequence No.: 5888 EQS News ID: 715223 End of Announcement EQS News Service (END) Dow Jones Newswires August 17, 2018 05:51 ET (09:51 GMT) Michael W. Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer, and Susan K. Carter, senior vice president and chief financial officer, of Ingersoll Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will discuss the company's long-term strategy at the 2018 Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference. They will speak at 11:00 a.m. PT, Thursday, September 13, 2018, in Dana Point, CA. The live webcast will be accessible on the Ingersoll Rand website at http://investor.ingersollrand.com/events.cfm. An archive of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the event. About Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands including Club Car, Ingersoll Rand, Thermo King and Trane - work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005012/en/ Contacts: Ingersoll Rand plc Media: Perri Richman, 732-319-1024 prichman@irco.com or Investors: Zac Nagle, 704-990-3001 investorrelations@irco.com Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release. EQS Group-Media / 2018-08-17 / 12:57 *Union Bank AG to be the first fully regulated bank ever to issue its own security tokens, closely followed by a fiat-backed Union Bank payment coin* *Liechtenstein's Union Bank AG announces a transformative Crypto Currency and Blockchain initiative: the fully licensed bank in Liechtenstein will be the first bank ever to issue its own security tokens, closely followed by a fiat-backed Union Bank payment coin.* *Vaduz (Liechtenstein), 17 August 2018 - *Liechtenstein's Union Bank AG (www.unionbankag.com [1]) today announced that it will be the world's first fully licensed and regulated bank to issue its own security tokens in alignment with Liechtenstein's regulatory authority FMA and, subsequently, its Union Bank Payment Coin. The Union Bank Payment Coin will be a stable coin that is fully backed by a fiat currency - e.g. the Swiss Franc. Union Bank AG is a fully licensed and regulated bank based in Liechtenstein, a Principality located in the middle of Europe, bordered by Switzerland and Austria, and participating country in the European Economic Area. Union Bank AG is primarily offering corporate banking services to companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and the Middle East. Operating in the blockchain-friendly environment of Liechtenstein, Union Bank AG already supports ICOs and clients by partnering with crypto-brokers and crypto-advisors to facilitate efficient and transparent conversions between crypto and fiat currencies. Being deeply immersed in the international trade of goods and services as well as the support of crypto and blockchain companies, Union Bank AG is in a unique position to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that will greatly benefit its main customer segments. Through the plans announced today, the bank will extend and improve its existing services and offerings. It will be taking the first steps to position itself as a full-service blockchain investment bank, eventually adopting the blockchain fully throughout its processes and supporting technology. Union Bank AG will be working with Verum Capital AG on this initiative, a leading blockchain boutique based out of Switzerland. In the future, Union Bank AG will be a one-stop crypto and blockchain solution provider which embraces and integrates the new world of blockchain technology and crypto assets and the best practices of traditional banking. Chairman of the Board of Directors M.H. Dastmaltchi said: "Our goal is to become the world's first blockchain investment bank and to provide tangible solutions which help drive efficiencies, reduce cost base and open up new revenue opportunities for our customers and intermediaries alike. As a fully licensed and regulated bank we are in a privileged position to combine all the advantages of traditional banking with the possibilities inherent in the blockchain technology. As such, our fiat-backed Union Bank Payment Coin has the potential to disrupt the approach to international trade and international cross-border transactions. With our initiative we are investing in the future and becoming the world's preeminent blockchain investment bank." *Contact:* Union Bank AG Austrasse 46 P.O. Box 1535 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein blockchain@unionbankag.com *About Union Bank AG* At Union Bank we merge the solid foundation of a bank with the agile mentality of a start-up. This allows us to build trust, create partnerships, and offer a creative banking experience to our clients. We live by these values because they help us go beyond - beyond challenges, beyond boundaries, beyond the status quo - for our clients. Our culture and values act as a springboard from which we can offer these investment, commercial, and banking solutions and continue to find new ways to serve our clients better. *Legal information * This media release is for information purposes only. The information and views contained therein represent neither an invitation nor an offer or a recommendation to use a service, to buy or sell investment instruments or to carry out other transactions. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other results described or implied by forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Additional features: Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=KWHXRXUNGO [2] Document title: Union Bank AG to be the first fully regulated bank ever to issue its own security tokens, closely followed by a fiat-backed Union Bank payment coin Issuer: Union Bank AG Key word(s): Finance End of Corporate News 715199 2018-08-17 1: https://link.cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=c5fb1346fbc8d2d4dacd1360554b85b7&application_id=715199&site_id=vwd&application_name=news 2: https://link.cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=a360178dcd7f0b6f76dc3573f439e0fc&application_id=715199&site_id=vwd&application_name=news (END) Dow Jones Newswires August 17, 2018 06:58 ET (10:58 GMT) CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / August 17, 2018 / Callitas Health Inc. (CSE: LILY, OTCQB: MPHMF, FWB: T3F2), (the "Company" or "Callitas") today announced that it has signed a consulting agreement with BFS Innovations and Pure Leaf Group to launch Callitas' patent-pending cannabis delivery technology and proprietary business model globally. "BFS Innovations and Pure Leaf Group are excited to be partnering with Callitas as it brings its proprietary actives delivery system and tightly controllable dosing technology to this rapidly growing market," says Scott Allen, president of Pure Leaf Group, "CannaStrip's proprietary actives delivery system and tightly controllable sublingual dosing technology are key differentiators for companies who are seeking a competitive edge in the rapidly emerging cannabis marketplace." "This partnership allows Callitas to expand its reach and engage more groups locally and internationally," said James Thompson, President and CEO. "Our CannaStrip technology is amazing, and as we continue to expand our IP portfolio of cannabis tech, Callitas will be able to leverage BFS Innovations and Pure Leaf Group's experience to grow sales." Callitas, which focuses on developing innovative technologies for both OTC and drug markets, is focused on bringing pharmaceutical best practices to the cannabis space through controlled dosing, improved bioavailability and advanced manufacturing techniques. The Company also develops ground-breaking technologies for weight management and female health and wellness. "Our proprietary business model for manufacturing and distribution is novel and efficient. By partnering with BFS Innovations and Pure Leaf Group, we are accelerating our speed-to-market on a state-by-state level, which is very exciting." said Joshua Maurice, Director of Sales and Marketing. About BFS Innovations, Inc: BFS Innovations helps clients to solve diverse new product development challenges, including identifying unique solutions that competitors wouldn't think to consider. About Pure Leaf Group, LLC: Pure Leaf Group was founded to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving and highly-regulated cannabis industry. Our dynamic team provides complete consulting and product development solutions for companies entering or currently operating in the growing cannabis and CBD market. Pure Leaf Group has developed operating partnerships with key partners to help our clients build the necessary infrastructure to bring safe, consistent, and innovative products to medical patients and recreational consumers. About Callitas Health: Formed in early 2015, Callitas Health Inc. is an integrated clinical-stage pharmaceutical development and OTC consumer goods marketing company, focused on developing innovative technologies for weight management, female sexual health and wellness, cannabis delivery technologies and other proprietary drugs. In addition to its recent acquisitions of C-103, a reformulation of Orlistat, Extrinsa and assets from 40J's LLC, the Company successfully launched ToConceive in North America as a clinically proven option for couples struggling with the inability to conceive (www.toconceive.com), and is in the research and development and business development process for its other OTC products, CannaMint strips and orphan drug technologies. For more information visit www.callitas.com. Contacts: Callitas Health: James Thompson, CEO, or Callitas Investor Relations Phone: +1 (859) 868-3131 TraDigitalIR: Investor Relations - Kevin McGrath, Managing Director Phone: +1 (646) 418-7002 Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate,' " continue,' "estimate,' " expect,' "may,' "will,' "project,' " should,' "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. This news release includes forward-looking statements with respect to the regulatory approval and the commercialization of the rights to the Company's biomedical & drug technologies. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com and the Company's filings to the CSE at www.thecse.com. Such risk factors may cause the inability of the Company to successfully commercialize any of its biomedical technologies. Notice regarding investigational devices: CannaMint Strips, C-103 and Extrinsa are investigational drugs or devices and are not currently available outside of approved clinical trials. Claims regarding the safety and efficacy of these devices have not been evaluated by Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or any other international regulatory body. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "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 statements involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty, are predictions only and actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Callitas Health, Inc. The 125 MW solar PV plant, which will supply the power-intensive zinc refinery near Townsville, is Australia's largest operational industrial solar project. As power bills continue to hurt bottom lines, Australia's large businesses are actively moving toward cheaper renewable energy. The project that heralded this radical shift last year was officially opened this week. The opening of the 125 MW solar farm at the Sun Metals zinc refinery, which is expected to cover one third of the company energy needs, was attended by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. "Industry is getting right behind ... 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. California: The Land of OpportunityAlthough marijuana headlines tend to focus on Canada, investors should occasionally turn their attention back to the biggest state in the union: California.There are a lot of formidable companies coming out of the Golden State, which for years was famous around the world for its illicit substances. It is now is birthing some of the hottest marijuana penny stocks on the market.In this report, we'll look at three: Medmen Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS:MMNFF, CNSX:MMEN), High Hampton Holdings (OTCMKTS:HHPHF, CSE:HC) and Harborside (a California-based firm going public later this year).You'll notice all three marijuana. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 5, 2019) - Romios Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: RG) (OTC Pink: RMIOF) (FSE: D4R) ("Romios" or the "Company") wishes to announce that the date for receipt of regulatory approval of the definitive agreement dated November 29, 2018 (the "Agreement") between Romios and Crystal Lake Mining Corp. ("CLM") to option the Company's Newmont Lake Property in the Golden Triangle Area of North Western British Columbia (the "Newmont Lake Property") to CLM (the "Option") has been extended by the parties to February 22, 2019. The terms of the Option were set out in the Press Release dated September 24, 2018. The Agreement was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual and Special Meeting held on January 11, 2019. The Company also wishes to provide an update to shareholders on the results of a 2 week field program completed by its geologists in early October, 2018 on the Newmont Lake Property. Highlights include the discovery of significant copper-gold values in large iron carbonate veins at the Ken-Glacier skarn zones, a new style of dolomite-hosted copper mineralization at Burgundy Ridge, and high grade Ag-Pb-Zn+/-Cu-Sb mineralization at the Cuba North prospect. Highlights: 2.28% Cu and 7.9 g/t Au over 6.0 metres (Ken Zone, chip sample of iron carbonate vein) 1.69% Cu, 4.9 g/t Au and 18.3 g/t Ag over 4.1 metres (Ken Zone, chip sample, calcite vein) 12.7 g/t Au and 12.4 g/t Ag (McLymont Fault pyrite vein, grab sample) 833 g/t Ag, 3.1% Zn and 9% Pb (Cuba North, float sample) Romios' Vice-President, Exploration, John Biczok, P. Geo., commented: "We are very encouraged by the high-grade mineralization discovered at several of the sites during the fall program and believe that we now have a much better understanding of where to drill in order to locate the core of these mineralized systems in the upcoming summer drill program." Ken-Glacier Cu-Au-Ag Skarn Zone Two lines of chip sampling were completed at the Ken Zone across a large iron carbonate vein which is exposed for up to 8 m in width and at least 25 m in length. They returned assays of 6.0 m @ 2.28% Cu and 7.9 g/t Au plus 4.3 m @ 1.32 % Cu and 4.75 g/t Au. This and other smaller veins in the area appear to be part of a widespread network ranging from local very high grade Cu-Au-Ag-(Co)-carbonate veins (e.g. 10.4% to 11.5 % Cu, 30.3 to 32.5 g/t Au, <1 to 135 g/t Ag and 372 ppm to 635 ppm Co across widths of 0.5 to 1.0 m; reported in Romios News Release dated September 10, 2018) to broad zones of barren background iron carbonate alteration. It is believed that this vein hosted mineralization is part of a >10 metre thick iron rich halo around the skarn horizons and it provides an additional promising drill target flanking the skarns. The apparent source pluton for the mineralizing fluids was found 300 metres from the Ken Zone and the intersections of the skarn layers with that pluton is now a high-priority drill target for 2019. Burgundy Ridge Cu-Au-Ag Skarn Zone Mapping and sampling on the >400 m long Burgundy Ridge skarn in September identified a number of well mineralized boulder trains assaying from 1.78% to 5.4% Cu, 0.22 to 2.37 g/t Au and 7 to 54 g/t Ag (samples are individual grabs or composites from up to 10 talus boulders). Outcrops of a newly recognized homogeneous copper-bearing skarnified dolomitic marble intermittently exposed across widths of 25-30 m returned assays ranging from 4.3 m @ 1.33% Cu, 2.85% Zn, 5 g/t Ag to 5.3 m @ 0.64% Cu, 1.34% Zn and 6 g/t Ag. The true width and continuity of this zone is uncertain but it was targeted by two RC drill holes drilled by CLM in October (all assays are pending). Mapping of the Lower High Grade Zone revealed that the syenite dyke forming the core of this system widens from 5 m to 35 m before it disappears from view westward under an icefield. Chip samples along the edges of the dyke returned high grade assays in July 2018 (e.g. 3.8 m @ 2.58% Cu, 2.37 g/t Au, 46 g/t Ag and 7.4% Zn; previously reported). Three chip samples taken in September at the westernmost exposure returned values ranging from anomalous up to 1.77% Cu, 2.6 g/t Au and 26.4 g/t Ag, suggesting that the mineralization may extend under the icefield. Due to weather and time constraints this high-grade target could not be drilled by CLM in October 2018 and remains a high-priority drill target for 2019. McLymont Fault Pyrite Vein A >1 m wide Au-Cu enriched massive pyrite vein discovered in July south of the North West Zone has now been found at several sites over a length of 260 m along the NNE-trending McLymont fault. A one metre chip sample of this vein in July assayed 0.56% Cu and 0.99 g/t Au and grab samples from the northernmost outcrop in September range from 0.17 to 12.7 g/t Au, 2 to 12.4 g/t Ag and 0.04% to 0.4% Cu. The wide range in gold values and unknown total width of the pyrite vein warrant trenching and systematic channel sampling in future. It is unclear at this point if the pyrite vein is part of the plumbing system for the nearby North West Zone or a separate vein system. Cuba Zones High-grade Ag-Pb-Zn+/-Cu-Sb veins and newly discovered clusters of boulders were sampled during a brief examination of the Cuba North and South showings near the east margin of the Newmont Lake graben. Mineralization is found within wide zones of coarse barite and carbonate veins in a prominent N-S fault cutting Permian limestone. Various grab samples returned individual metal values ranging from 55 to 833 g/t Ag, 0.002% to 9% Pb, 0.36% to 10.3% Zn, 0.02% to 0.64% Cu, and 0.008% to 0.34% Sb. The precise source of the most mineralized float is uncertain and warrants further investigation by geophysics (IP), soil sampling and potentially diamond drilling. Romios' Golden Triangle Area Project consists of 80,706 hectares and is located north of Pretium's Brucejack mine, KSM's Seabridge project, and Garibaldi's Ni-Co discovery; a short distance west of Aben Resources' Forrest Kerr Gold Project; and south of Teck Resources' and Newmont Mining's Galore Creek Project. The Newmont Lake Project is located approximately 15 km from infrastructure (power and road) and contains a NI 43-101 inferred resource estimate of 1.4 million tonnes @ 4.43 g/t Au, 0.22% Cu, 6.4 g/t Ag at the North West Zone with over 20 other mineralized zones in the vicinity. In November 2018 Romios signed an option agreement with Crystal Lake Mining Corp. (CLM) covering all of the prospects described in this release. Once the Agreement receives regulatory approval CLM will have the option to earn 100% in these claims by expending $8 million on exploration in the next 3 years and making certain cash and stock payments to Romios, and granting Romios a 2% NSR on any future production (see Romios news release dated September 24, 2018). All samples were submitted to the ALS Canada Ltd. laboratory in Terrace, B.C. for assay. As a matter of procedure, a rigorous quality assurance and quality control program was implemented to ensure reliable assay results. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Biczok, P. Geo., Vice-President, Exploration and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Romios Gold Resources Inc. Romios Gold Resources Inc., a progressive Canadian mineral exploration company established in 1995, is engaged in precious and base metal exploration primarily focused on gold, silver and copper on its properties in the Golden Triangle area, North Western British Columbia. In addition to the properties in the Golden Triangle area, Romios holds a 100% interest in the Lundmark-Akow Lake property in Ontario, the LaCorne Property in Quebec and the Scossa Property in Nevada. It also holds a 2% NSR on the Hislop property in Ontario. This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. 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. For further information, please contact: Tom Drivas, President and Director, (tel) 416-221-4124, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) romios@romios.com. John Biczok, P.Geo., Vice-President, Exploration, (tel) 613-410-7877 or (email) john.biczok@gmail.com Frank van de Water, Chief Financial Officer and Director, (tel) 416-221-4124 or (email) fvandewater@rogers.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42670 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / August 17, 2018 / Late last month, members of Saving Seafood's National Coalition for Fishing Communities (NCFC) submitted two letters asking Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to consider the economic importance of the commercial fishing industry before deciding where to site windmills in the New York Bight. 367 individuals signed a national letter calling on Secretary Zinke not to rush offshore energy development and to ensure projects are 'sited, constructed, and operated using the best scientific information available.' 'The Interior Department should provide for intelligent and deliberate offshore renewable energy development, rather than fall prey to the gold rush mentality promoted by BOEM and financially-interested wind developers, most of which are foreign-owned,' the NCFC members wrote. The signers also invoked President Donald Trump's campaign promise to support working class Americans. 'When President Trump campaigned and was elected, he promised to look after America's working middle class, of which we are all a part,' the letter stated. 'You will not be honoring the President's commitment if you allow BOEM to lease ocean areas first, and ask and answer the necessary questions later.' Another 103 individuals and 32 vessels and businesses from Massachusetts signed a separate letter asking BOEM to reconsider its plan to develop four offshore wind farms in the New York Bight. They specifically cited the damage such development would cause to important Northeast fisheries such as the scallop fishery. 'This is an ill-conceived idea that will cause irreparable economic harm within the fishing communities along the entire East Coast,' the signers wrote. 'The harm to Massachusetts will be especially significant, given that it is the center of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery and contains major surf clam and ocean quahog operations.' The letter pointed out that, on average, nearly $54 million is generated by scallop landings annually from the areas under consideration in the New York Bight, according to data from the National Marine Fisheries Service. An additional $8 million is generated by surf clam and ocean quahog. About Saving Seafood Saving Seafood is a a non-profit corporation funded by the fishing industry. Saving Seafood conducts media and public outreach on behalf of the seafood industry, operates the National Coalition for Fishing Communities, and undertakes communications efforts to keep industry members and the public aware of issues of concern. Saving Seafood works with vessel owners, fishermen, seafood processors and fishing organizations across the United States who are committed to the preservation of the resource that has provided their livelihood, and that of their American forebears, for generations. PRESS CONTACT Bob Vanasse Executive Director, National Coalition for Fishing Communities (202) 333-2628 bob@savingseafood.org SOURCE: National Coalition for Fishing Communities BERLIN, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EU announces finalists in new competition recognising European cities with outstanding achievements in smart tourism The following cities have been shortlisted as finalists in the competition for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 title: Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lyon (France), Malaga (Spain), Nantes (France), Palma (Spain), Poznan (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Valencia (Spain). This new EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, foster innovative, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity, by European cities as tourism destinations. In the first stage of the competition, an independent panel of experts evaluated applications from 38 cities from 19 EU Member States. All finalist cities demonstrated excellence across the four competition categories combined. In the second stage, a European Jury will judge the presentations of the ten finalist cities and will select the two winners that will hold the title of the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019. The two winning cities will benefit from communication and branding support for a year, a promotional video, a purpose-built sculpture for their city centres, and bespoke promotional actions. Four additional cities will receive European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the four categories of the competition (sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation and cultural heritage and creativity). All winning cities will be honoured at an Award Ceremony on the occasion of European Tourism Day in Brussels on 7 November 2018. Contacts Friederike Sandow info@SmartTourismCapital.eu +49-(0)-30-700-186-315 Sandra Bumbar-Malchow info@SmartTourismCapital.eu +49-(0)-30-700-186-707 Notes: 1. The competition was open to submissions from 11 April 2018 to 30 June 2018. Terms and conditions are available at www.SmartTourismCapital.eu 2. The finalist cities appear in alphabetical order, which does not indicate a ranking from 1 to 10. 3. Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital information, products and services; equal opportunities and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries and local talent. 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. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, August 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kleresca, a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialisation of a unique biophotonic technology in dermatology, today announced they have received CE mark approval for their technology platform. For Kleresca, the CE mark approval is the foundation for future expansion in both Europe, US, Canada and Australia. It confirms that the product meets the requirements of the European Medical Device Directive. "The CE mark approval is a significant accomplishment for Kleresca as it is based on a quality management system that we have tailored to our business from scratch securing a high degree of flexibility and agility in our day to day work while still being compliant. This degree of flexibility is important for us to be able to continue growing in a rapidly changing market", said Mr. Mikkel Schoedt, General Manager of Kleresca. Until end of June this year, Kleresca operated under the CE mark of one of its founding fathers, LEO Pharma. Today's CE mark approval enables Kleresca to consolidate its business on the European market as an independent company and paves the way for future market activities in the US, Australia and Canada as the company expects to apply the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) on top of the CE Mark before the end of this year. At the same time, the company has also been successfully certified towards ISO 13485:2016. To date, Kleresca has built a strong partner structure counting more than 250 skin clinics in key markets leveraging gentle, non-invasive skin treatments with high efficacy and safety currently indicated for therapeutic (acne) and aesthetic (skin rejuvenation) purposes. With the new CE-mark, the technology has furthermore been secured for treatment of rosacea as well as a pre-post treatment as an add on treatment to other dermatological procedures like IPL and laser treatments. The Kleresca biophotonic system uses fluorescent light energy to stimulate the skin's own biological processes and repair mechanisms. It has been available on the market since 2014. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/kleresca/r/kleresca--receives-ce-mark-approval-for-the-next-generation-biophotonic-system-in-dermatology,c2592224 The following files are available for download: NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 17, 2018 / On 16th August 2018 (Beijing Time), Bibox, a leading AI-enhanced digital asset trading platform, announced its acquisition of Chain Capital that owns Swiss VQF license. This acquisition enables Bibox to conduct digital currency business in Europe going forward. Bibox was founded by Jeffery Lei, co-founder of OKCoin, and was officially launched in November 2017. Within a mere span of 6 months, Bibox has impressively climbed the ranks to become a Top-10 crypto exchange in the world in terms of transaction volume. Bibox has also established footprint across the world with operation centers in more than 10 countries and regions including Estonia, the United States, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Bibox integrates AI technology into all aspects of its platform trading, carefully screening high-quality projects for users, and has received wide acclaim from both users and industry experts for its smooth trading experience and excellent customer service. As of August 2018, the number of Bibox users has exceeded 1 million. According to CoinMarketCap's statistics, Bibox has a consistent average 24-hour trading volume of $200 million. Bibox's sponsor Jeffery Lei shared that the acquisition of Chain Capital in Switzerland will not only help Bibox to better develop its European business and serve more users, but also to provide more choices to its users hence greatly improving users' convenience. At the same time, this acquisition also serves as an example to the rest of the industry to continually explore more opportunities to further develop their blockchain business as the industry grows towards maturity. It is understood that Chain Capital is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland's financial center, and is a digital asset fund management company. Just 2 months after its establishment in July 2017, Chain Capital received the first VQF license issued by Switzerland, which means that the company can engage in transactions of digital assets. This is of great significance to Bibox's expansion of its global footprint and specifically European business. "Attaining a license is an instrumental step in our global expansion. In the future, our main task at Bibox is to apply our technical knowledge accumulated in the blockchain field to other domains, and accelerate the development of blockchain technology." Jeffery Lei exhibits great confidence in blockchain technology in terms of both its applications and development potential, and aims to invest even more funds and energy to aid the development of the blockchain industry. "I think this is the career I can invest my life in." Bibox's feat of achieving its Top-10 ranking within half a year is a result of its co-founders' years of technical knowledge and experience in the blockchain field. Technical expert Jeffery Lei, was the Marketing Operation Manager / Product Manager at Huawei, later co-founded OKCoin with Xu Mingxing, and also served as CEO of AI company Jixianyuan. Similarly, fellow Bibox co-founder Aries Wang, is the author of Crypto Economics, has gained many years of experience in the blockchain field and is based in North America. Company Website: bibox.com Name: Lesley Zhang Contact: media_ia_release@bibox365.com SOURCE: Bibox Camposol Holding Plc. will announce the results for the second quarter and first half 2018 on Thursday August 23,2018. In connection with the release, a telephone conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Lima) as described below. The results will be published at 8:00 a.m. (Lima) and will be available on the Company's website. In connection with the earnings release Andres Colichon Sas, CFO, and Jossue Yesquen, Deputy Manager of Investor Relations, will host a conference call presentation and a Q&A session at 10:00 a.m. (Lima). To participate in the conference call, please use the following numbers: London, UK Local +44 (0) 20 3107 0289 US/Canada International +1 409 981 0728 Zurich, Switzerland, Local +044 580 1733 Oslo, Norway, Local +47 2231 0524 Colombia, National Free Phone +01 800 518 5094 Chile, National Free Phone +56 800 914686 Peru, National Free Phone +51 0800 71470 Participants will be asked for their name and conference ID. The Camposol conference ID is: 7684418 Audio access for the meeting is available by dialing the above mentioned numbers. To access the presentation webcast in connection with the conference call, please use: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/t3bj8xwt (https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/t3bj8xwt) Participants are advised to log on to the service and check their configuration well ahead of the telephone conference commencement. Please use the following link (that is also available from the registration page of your webcasts): http://edge.media-server.com/m/player/help/systemcheck.php?lan=en (http://edge.media-server.com/m/player/help/systemcheck.php?lan=en) If you are unable to participate in the call, a playback of the conference is available until Jun 01, 2017 by dialing: Replay - US Local +1 404 537 3406 Followed by replay access number: 7684418 For further information, please contact: Andres Colichon Sas, CFO acolichon@camposol.com.pe (mailto:acolichon@camposol.com.pe) Jossue Yesquen, Deputy Manager of Investor Relations jyesquen@camposol.com.pe (mailto:jyesquen@camposol.com.pe) Phone: +511 621 0800 Ext.: 7171 About CAMPOSOL CAMPOSOL is a vertically integrated producer of branded fresh and healthy food that offers high quality, healthy and fresh food to consumers around the world, based on a sustainable management model. CAMPOSOL is organized into two main business units: Camposol Fruits and Vegetables (fresh produce) and Marinasol (aquaculture) and its portfolio includes superfoods like blueberries, avocados, shrimp, mandarins, among others. Additionally, our international commercial platform is responsible for the commercialization of the products of these two units, with offices in the US, The Netherlands and China. CAMPOSOL guarantees the full traceability of its products and is committed to supporting sustainable development through social and environmental responsibility policies and projects intended to increase the shared-value for all its stakeholders. On the strength of this value proposition, CAMPOSOL's commercial offices have established long-term relationships with the top worldwide supermarket chains and service them directly. CAMPOSOL is also an active member of the Global Compact since 2008. It presents annual Sustainability Reports aligned to the GRI Methodology and has achieved the following international certifications: BSCI, Global Gap, IFS, HACCP and BRC among others. To learn more about CAMPOSOL please visit: www.camposol.com.pe (http://www.camposol.com.pe/) 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: Camposol Holding Limited via Globenewswire Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 17, 2018) - Randsburg International Gold Corp. (TSXV: RGZ.H) ("Randsburg" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of 43,333,333 units (each, a "Unit"), each comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one further Common Share for a period of 24 months following closing of the Offering at a price of $0.0075 per Common Share (the "Offering"). In addition, the Company is pleased to report that it has it has entered into debt conversion agreements (collectively, the "Debt Agreements") with certain creditors of the Company. Pursuant to the Debt Agreements, the Company proposes to settle $1,040,041 of debt by issuing 138,720,133 Common Shares at a deemed price of $0.0075 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement"; together with the Offering, the "Transactions"). Closing of the Offering and Debt Settlement is subject to several conditions, including the delisting of the Common Shares from the NEX board of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "NEX"). In addition, the Company intends, subject to shareholder approval, to consolidate its outstanding Common Shares on the basis of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of twelve (12) existing common shares for each one (1) new common share (the "Consolidation"). The Company currently has 28,273,939 Common Shares issued and outstanding. If the Consolidation is approved by shareholders and implemented by the Company, following the Consolidation but prior to closing of the Transactions, the Company will have approximately 2,827,394 Common Shares issued and outstanding, assuming the Consolidation proceeds on a ten (10) for one (1) basis. It is anticipated that an annual general and special shareholder meeting of the Company to approve, among other matters, all required matters in connection with the Transactions and the Consolidation will take place on September 26, 2018, and closing of the Transactions will take place promptly following the Company's shares being delisted from the NEX. In connection with the Transactions, Marc Lustig of West Vancouver, British Columbia, has agreed to acquire 10,833,333 Common Shares and 10,833,333 Warrants under the Offering and 34,680,043 Common Shares under the Debt Settlement, representing, in the aggregate, 21.64% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and 25.48% on a partially-diluted basis (assuming exercise of Mr. Lustig's convertible securities). Prior to the Transactions, Mr. Lustig did not beneficially own or exercise control or direction over any securities of the Company. Mr. Lustig is acquiring these securities for investment purposes and may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of the Company or dispose of such securities as Mr. Lustig may deem appropriate. In connection with the Transactions, Greg Wilson of Ottawa, Ontario, has agreed to acquire 10,833,333 Common Shares and 10,833,333 Warrants under the Offering and 34,680,043 Common Shares under the Debt Settlement, representing, in the aggregate, 21.64% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and 25.48% on a partially-diluted basis (assuming exercise of Mr. Wilson's convertible securities). Prior to the Transactions, Mr. Wilson did not beneficially own or exercise control or direction over any securities of the Company. Mr. Wilson is acquiring these securities for investment purposes and may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of the Company or dispose of such securities as Mr. Wilson may deem appropriate. In connection with the Transactions, Brillco Inc., an Ontario incorporated holding company of Toronto, Ontario, together with its joint actor, Jason I. Goldman Professional Corporation, an Ontario incorporated holding company, has agreed to acquire 10,833,333 Common Shares and 10,833,333 Warrants under the Offering and 34,680,043 Common Shares under the Debt Settlement, representing, in the aggregate, 21.64% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and 25.48% on a partially-diluted basis (assuming exercise of Brillco Inc.'s convertible securities). Prior to the Transactions, Brillco Inc. did not beneficially own or exercise control or direction over any securities of the Company. Brillco Inc. is acquiring these securities for investment purposes and may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of the Company or dispose of such securities as Brillco Inc. may deem appropriate. In connection with the Transactions, 1567953 Ontario Inc., an Ontario incorporated holding company of Toronto, Ontario, together with its joint actors, Steven Mintz and Heather Mintz, has agreed to acquire 10,833,333 Common Shares and 10,833,333 Warrants under the Offering and 34,680,043 Common Shares under the Debt Settlement, representing, in the aggregate, 21.64% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and 25.48% on a partially-diluted basis (assuming exercise of 1567953 Ontario Inc.'s convertible securities). Prior to the Transactions, 1567953 Ontario Inc. did not beneficially own, or exercise control or direction over, any securities of the Company. 1567953 Ontario Inc. is acquiring these securities for investment purposes and may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of the Company or dispose of such securities as 1567953 Ontario Inc. may deem appropriate. Copies of the respective early warning reports that will be filed by Mr. Lustig, Mr. Wilson, Brillco Inc. and 1567953 Ontario Inc. may be obtained on the Company's SEDAR profile or by contacting the Company at (416) 710-4906. All of the Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering and the Debt Settlement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to pay its accounts payable and for general working capital purposes. RANDSBURG INTERNATIONAL GOLD CORP. Michael Lerner, CEO and Director Phone: (416) 710-4906 E-mail: mlerner10@gmail.com Cautionary Statement: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information: This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to comments regarding the closing of the Transactions and the timing of a shareholders meeting of the Company. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties.This is no certainty that the Transactions will be completed on the terms set forth in this News Release or at all or that the matters to be considered at the shareholders meeting will be as described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE US OR THROUGH US NEWSWIRE SERVICES The board of directors of Jet Airways at its meeting held on 9 August had deferred the matter of consideration of the unaudited financial results for the June quarter New Delhi: Jet Airways on Friday said a meeting of the board of directors will be held on 27 August to consider and approve the unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 30 June. The board of directors of Jet Airways at its meeting held on 9 August had deferred the matter of consideration of the unaudited financial results for the June quarter. "The meeting of the board of directors of the company shall be held on 27 August 2018, inter alia, to approve the unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2018," Jet Airways said in a regulatory filing on Friday. The filing further noted that "the trading window for dealing in the securities of the company will remain closed till Wednesday, 29 August 2018". Shares of the company were trading in the positive territory at 303.75, up 1.10 percent, over its previous closing price. These planes are likely to be subleased with its complete crew, maintenance and insurance. Mumbai: Beleaguered carrier Jet Airways is in an advanced stage of discussions with TruJet to sublease up to seven of its ATR planes to the regional carrier as it seeks to reduce costs and mop up additional revenues amid cash drought, according to an industry source. These planes are likely to be subleased with its complete crew, maintenance and insurance. The Naresh Goyal-promoted full-service carrier currently has 15 ATRs in its fleet. TruJet, which started operations in July 2015 has an all ATR fleet. The deal may be stitched by this month, the source privy to the development said. The Mumbai-based carrier had attempted to phase out these regional jets in the past as well. "Both Jet Airways and TruJet are in the advanced stage of negotiations on the ATR deal. As per the on-going discussions, TruJet will initially lease seven ATRs from Jet Airways," the source told PTI. While TruJet confirmed its discussions with Jet Airways, the latter said that "it continues to evaluate all possible alternatives". Partially-owned by Gulf carrier Etihad, Jet Airways has been flying into turbulence since the beginning of this year, having reported a massive loss of over Rs 1,000 crore in March quarter. The source said that the sublease period was likely to be for five years, and under a wet lease arrangement, adding, "If the deal gets through, TruJet could opt for more such planes from the airline." A wet lease is an arrangement under which one airline provides an aircraft, its complete crew, maintenance and insurance to another airline. "We are working options to induct up to seven aircraft for short period from Jet Airways," a TruJet spokesperson said in a statement to PTI. The Hyderabad based airline had last month said it plans to acquire five to seven ATRs and expand the network to 20 more routes by the end of FY19. The carrier currently has five ATR-72s and connects 14 destinations including some under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme, Udan. "Jet Airways continues to evaluate all possible alternatives to ensure optimum utilisation of its fleet," a Jet Airways spokesperson told PTI. "Owing to our quiet period, we're unable to respond to further specific queries," the spokesperson added. The airline management, which had previously deferred its quarterly results stating it needed more time to finalise accounts, today informed exchanges that its board will meet on 27 August to consider June quarter earnings. 'All of us who knew Vajpayee are saddened to hear of his passing away. He was a great leader with a great sense of compassion and humour. He will be remembered fondly by a vast number of us,' said Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts. New Delhi: India Inc on Thursday paid a glowing tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing the former prime minister as a "great economic reformer" under whose visionary leadership the country made rapid strides in economic growth. Vajpayee's death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on 11 June with a variety of ailments. "All of us who knew Vajpayee are saddened to hear of his passing away. He was a great leader with a great sense of compassion and humour. He will be remembered fondly by a vast number of us," said Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts. A guiding light for the nation through all his years in public life, Vajpayee remained a strong proponent of industrial and economic development through market reforms, noted industry the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). "The second generation of economic reforms introduced under his visionary leadership contributed greatly to a facilitative investment climate which in turn promoted India's rapid growth," CII President Rakesh Bharti Mittal said. "The nation has lost a statesman of independent India. An iconic leader on the world stage, Vajpayee led India with great wisdom, foresight and love for the country," said N Chandrasekaran, Chairman Tata Sons. "A great economic reformer, as a Prime Minister he was always guided by a strong conviction that liberalisation would help us realize our economic potential and ultimately open the doors to becoming a globally competitive, strong and resilient economy," Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra also recalled his meetings with the late former prime minister. "RIP Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The leadership lesson that I learned from my interactions with him was that no matter how significant your achievements while in office, you ultimately earn the affection of people through your humanity and your humility...," he said in a tweet. Ficci President Rashesh Shah said the former prime minister was one of the most dynamic leaders who ushered in an era of reforms, progress and took the country forward. "Our nation has lost one of our great political leaders who steered our country as Prime Minister to great heights. A man of great vision and charisma," Biocon Chairperson and MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw tweeted. Assocham President Sandeep Jajodia said Vajpayee's towering personality, vision for nation building and deep respect for democratic institutions would remain an inspiration for the present and coming generations. "He (Vajpayee) put the nation on the fast track with initiatives like Golden Quadrilateral project, the New Telecom Policy, the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and the Fiscal Responsibility Act that laid down the path for future governments to follow," Dr Prathap Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals said. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Anil Khaitan expressed deep anguish over the passing away of Vajpayee, saying that a vacuum has been created with his death which would be extremely difficult to fill. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said Vajpayee will inspire the generations to come. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) Chairman Naveen Jindal said he was a great leader and excellent statesman who was loved and admired all. Vedanta Resources Plc Group Chairman Anil Agarwal said in a statement that on Thursday, India has lost a true son of the soil, who rose from a very humble background to lead the country at a crucial juncture. An excellent orator, a mass leader, a firepower and a sensitive human being, Vajpayee was one of India's tallest leaders and was the first to address United Nations in Hindi, he said. In 1999, there were under 10 million connections, which doubled every year after that for the next five to six years Telecom industry leaders hailed former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 93, as the father of modern telecommunication in the country. Bharti Enterprise Chairman, and the founder of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal said Vajpayee was a great economic reformer and can truly be called the father of modern telecommunication in the country, having ushered in the National Telecom Policy in 1999, which "helped the industry overcome some of its toughest early challenges". Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who earlier owned BPL mobile service, said that Vajpayee was responsible for opening up the telecom sector and for providing policy impetus to expand the telecommunication sector in the country. Chandrasekhar said the telecom policy of 1999, released by the then NDA government under Vajpayee, paved the way for structural reforms in the sector, leading to an unprecedented growth of mobile subscribers, and set off fierce competition in the mobile telephony sector. His government also pushed deep-rooted reforms in the regulatory regime, which were followed up by the amendment of the TRAI Act in 1999. The new telecom policy of 1999 allowed companies to provide mobile services on a revenue share basis instead of the fixed fees they were paying. "A great economic reformer, as a prime minister he was always guided by a strong conviction that liberalisation would help us realise our economic potential and ultimately open the doors to becoming a globally competitive, strong and resilient economy," Mittal said. According to the Business Today, during Vajpayee's regime, the government separated the Department of Telecom from service provider arm BSNL. In September 2015, union communication and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Vajpayee-led NDA government had left BSNL with a profit of Rs 10,000 crore. The Vajpayee government also set up a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in 2000 in order to reconstitute telecom regulator TRAI. According to another Business Today report, the mobile revolution started during his tenure as the government decided to slash call rates. The decisions taken by his government in the telecom sector contributed to exponential growth in the number of mobile phone connections. In 1999 there were under 10 million connections and they doubled every year after that for the next five to six years, according to the Hindustan Times. With inputs from PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to launch India Post Payments Bank on 21 August New Delhi: The launch of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is being rescheduled in the wake of seven-day national mourning to pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an official source said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to launch IPPB on 21 August. "Launch of IPPB is being rescheduled due to national mourning to pay homage to Atalji. A new date will be announced soon," the source told PTI. Vajpayee, the first non-congress prime minister who completed a full five-year term, died at AIIMS here yesterday at the age of 93, following a prolonged illness. The government plans to launch 650 branches of IPPB across the country. All 1.55 lakh post office branches will be linked to IPPB by end of this year to create the largest banking network in the country with wide rural footprint. There are 1.3 lakh post offices in rural areas that have reached to neighbouring villages. With these rural post office branches, IPPB services will be made available across all villages in the country. Payments banks can accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh per account from individuals and small businesses, and facilitate money transfer to other bank accounts, among other services. However, they cannot offer loans, or issue credit cards. With the third party tie-ups, account holders in IPPB will be able to avail financial services as in the case of a regular banking customer. The state government had challenged in the Supreme Court the NGT's order that allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain Tamil Nadu government's plea against the National Green Tribunal's order allowing mining major Vedanta access to the administrative unit inside its closed Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin and asked the NGT to "finally decide" the matter. A bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra said that the NGT would hear the matter on merits and also on the issue of maintainability raised by the state government. "We may clarify that NGT may continue to hear the matter on merits and finally decide the matter on maintainability also. It is open for the state to argue on maintainability after which the tribunal will give its findings," the bench said. The green tribunal had on 9 August allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for Vedanta, told the apex court that the state has suppressed facts before the apex court. He said that "spate of orders" were passed against the company by the state without issuing it show cause notices. "Without any notice, I (Vedanta) was shut. There are 67 industries in the industrial complex. 14 of them are hazardous plants," he said while terming the issue "political". Sundaram said the matter was already listed for hearing before the NGT on 20 August. The counsel appearing for Tamil Nadu raised the issue of maintainability of the plea filed by Vedanta before the NGT. In its August 9 order, the NGT had said that the plant would remain closed and the company would not have access to its production unit and directed the district magistrate to ensure this. The Tamil Nadu government had on 28 May ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns. Sterlite's factory had made headlines in March 2013 when a gas leak led to the death of one person and injuries to several others, after which then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered its closure. The company had appealed to the NGT which had overturned the government's order. The state had moved the Supreme Court against it and the case is still pending. The Supreme Court had then ordered the company to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for polluting the environment. Following the latest protests and police firing, the plant was closed on 27 March. After Sterlite announced its plans to expand Tuticorin plant, villagers around it started fresh protests that continued for over 100 days, culminating in the May 22 police firing on protestors that claimed 13 lives and left scores injured. Walmart India said that with the expectation that the UPI system will boost online transactions, the initiative will certainly complement efforts to make India a digital economy Lucknow: Walmart India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc, on Thursday activated unified payments interface (UPI) for all its registered members. This payment solution will enable members, especially kiranas/resellers, who shop online at Walmart India's B2B e-commerce site www.bestprice.in, to make direct and secured payments online from their bank account without sharing bank details, the global retail giant said in a press release on Thursday. "This will especially benefit kirana members who neither hold any credit/debit card nor have the time to visit banks for making RTGS payments. UPI is in addition to various other payment modes such as credit card, debit card, net banking and e-wallets that Walmart India offers to its members," it said. The company's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Rajneesh Kumar said, "This initiative reiterates our commitment to enable small businesses, especially kiranas, prosper. This payment solution will help our members spend more time with their customers and serve them better as they do not have to step out of their stores to visit banks for making payments." Kumar said that with the expectation that the UPI system will boost online transactions, the initiative will certainly complement efforts to make India a digital economy. After being accorded a gun salute, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body was consigned to flames. The last rites were being performed by Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Auto refresh feeds The last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will take place at 4 pm on Friday at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in Delhi, BJP chief Amit Shah said on Thursday. Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Janpath from Claridges Hotel to Windsor Place, Man Singh Road, C-Hexagon from Shahjahan Road to Tilak Marg, Rajpath from Man Singh Road to C-Hexagon, Ashok Road from Windsor Place to C-Hexagon, KG Marg from Feroz Shah Road to C-Hexagon, Copernicus Marg from Mandi House to C-Hexagon, Shahjahan Road, Zakir Hussain Marg from SBM to India Gate (C-Hexagon), Tilak Marg From C-Hexagon to Tilak Bridge, Bhagwan Dass Road, Sikandara Road, Mathura Road from Bhairon Marg T Point to W Point, BSZ Marg from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate, IP Marg, DDU Marg, JLN Marg from Rajghat to Delhi Gate, Ring Road from IGI Stadium T Point to Yamuna Bazar, Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chhatta Rail, and Nishad Raj Marg from Netaji Subhash Marg to Shantivan. The following roads will be closed for general public from 8 am onwards on Friday: Veteran leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee's bodyhas been kept at his official residence: 6A Krishna Menon Marg. People can pay homage to the late prime minister at his home between 7.30 am and 8.30 am on Friday. Around 9 am, his body will be taken to the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. In a statement provided by the US State Department, Pompeo elucidated, "He recognised early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation." Reacting to former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the relationship between the two countries continues to benefit from the former's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation. Security arrangements made for Independence Day have been extended. More than 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to felicitate crowd movement during the funeral procession, a senior police officer told The Hindu. Central Delhi has been placed under heavy security due to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession that will take place on Friday. The Delhi traffic police has cordoned off 25 roads in the area to restrict vehicular movement from 8 am onwards. After a meeting, officials decided that Independence Day security arrangements will be extended as well. According to The Indian Express , over five lakh people are expected to attend late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral on Friday, including VVIPs, politicians and dignitaries at the BJP headquarters and the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. More than 2,000 Delhi Armed Police (DAP) and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the procession. At the cremation ground, more than 20 companies of DAP and parmalitary forces will be on guard. The report also added that the Delhi Police has not prepared for a funeral of this scale in 27 years. A number of chief ministers, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, Bihar's Nitish Kumar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union minister Sushma Swaraj were some of the leaders who came to AIIMS to get one last glimpse of the poet politician. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains are being moved in a flower-decorated truck to the BJP headquarters at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg in New Delhi. They will remain there till 1 pm, after which the final funeral procession to the cremation ground on the banks of river Yamuna will take place. Referring to the master orator, Modi wrote that Vajpayee could switch from humour to 'lofty vision' and connect with people naturally. "Sharply perceptive, he could summarize the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question," he says. Penning an eulogy to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him the nation's 'moral compass' and 'guiding spirit'. "In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind," he wrote. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains have reached the BJP headquarters, where party workers will be able to pay their tributes till 1 pm, after which the body will be take for cremation at 4 pm. The last remains of Vajpayee will be taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. The senior BJP leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid their last respects to the former prime minister. Other BJP leaders were present too. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the Centre and the national flag would fly at half-mast from today for seven days across India. The half holiday stands for all central government offices, central public sector undertakings across the country and the Delhi government offices. The West Bengal government has declared a half-day holiday today. In Goa, all government offices, public sector undertakings and educational institutions will also remain closed. "We have made elaborate security arrangements for the last rites and the procession ahead of it. We will ensure that people who come to pay their last respect and the commuters face minimum inconvenience," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said. Delhi Police said they have made elaborate security arrangements in the city in view of the final journey and funeral ceremony of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The founding member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who breathed his last at the All India Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on Thursday, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. The Indian Express reported that Swami Agnivesh was assaulted outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi's DDU Marg. He was on his way to pay his respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when the incident took place. The incident comes a month after he was allegedly assaulted by a mob of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists in Jharkhands Pakur. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains are being take to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for cremation. As the coffin carrying his remains is carried out of the BJP headquarters, party chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be seen walking behind it. If reports are to be believed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are probably going to walk the entire 3.6-kilometre stretch from BJP headquarter to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. As a mark of respect to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Union Jack at the British High Commission in New Delhi is flying at half-mast. The mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have arrived at Smriti Sthal, where the last rites ceremony will be held. Among the leaders present at the venue for the last rites ceremony are Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and his deputy Manish Sisodia, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Ashok Gehlot and Raj Babbar. All three forces army, navy and air force laid wreath on the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Army chief Bipin Rawat and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid last respects. In a statement, the France government said, "Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on Indias history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998." "La Liga wishes their most heartfelt condolence. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all." In a Facebook post, Spain's official football league La Liga wrote, "Poet, politician, philosopher, but above all an amazing human being and a true patriot. RIP Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan," Pakistan law minister Ali Zafar told ANI . Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's granddaughter Niharika was handed over the Tricolour which was used to drape his mortal remains. The last rites are being performed by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. After being accorded a gun salute, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body was consigned to flames at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. All three forces army, navy and air force laid wreath on the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Army chief Bipin Rawat and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid last respects. In a statement, the France government said, "Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on Indias history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998." "La Liga wishes their most heartfelt condolence. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all." In a Facebook post, Spain's official football league La Liga wrote, "Poet, politician, philosopher, but above all an amazing human being and a true patriot. RIP Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan," Pakistan law minister Ali Zafar told ANI . Senior #BJP leader @LKAdvaniBJP and party chief @AmitShah pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in #Delhi . (Images via ANI) | Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/yeHrYS2HPF pic.twitter.com/hh3XF8ydgr Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's granddaughter Niharika was handed over the Tricolour which was used to drape his mortal remains. The last rites are being performed by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. After being accorded a gun salute, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body was consigned to flames at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee funeral latest updates: After being accorded a gun salute, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body was consigned to flames. The last rites were being performed by Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Representatives from SAARC paid last respects to Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Pakistan law minister Ali Zafar were among those from the South East Asia who paid homage. All three forces army, navy and air force laid wreath on the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Army chief Bipin Rawat and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid last respects. Several leaders across party lines are present at the venue for the last rites ceremony. While Narendra Modi and Amit Shah walked behind the hearse of the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chef de Mission of Asian Games Brij Bhushan Charan Singh said, "All the medals which will be won by the Indian athletes in Asian Games 2018 will be dedicated to Atal Bihari Vajpayee." If reports are to be believed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are probably going to walk the entire 3.6-kilometre stretch from BJP headquarter to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal behind the cortege along with ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains. Thousands of mourners jostled and some clambered on trees to capture the moment on their phones as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cortege left the BJP's headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for the last rites of the poet-politician. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains are being take from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for cremation. As the coffin carrying his remains is carried out of the BJP headquarters, party chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be seen walking behind it. The European Union said they bloc will remember Vajpayee's visionary contributions to EU-India relations. "We express our deepest sympathies on the passing away of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and with the people of India," it said in a tweet. The cremation of veteran BJP leader and three time prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will take place at Smriti Sthal near Rajghat in Delhi on Friday. Senior BJP leaders such as Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik gathered at the saffron party headquarters to pay their last respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A host of foreign dignitaries including foreign ministers of Nepal and Bangladesh will attend former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral on Friday. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has already reached New Delhi. The Sri Lankan government announced country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella will be attending the funeral. The senior leadership of the BJP Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh paid their respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the party headquarters. The last remains of Vajpayee will be taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. After the last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are conducted, authorities reportedly plan to construct a memorial for the BJP veteran near Raj Ghat. An MCD official told News18, that following an inspection of the site, plans for a memorial have been finalised. Penning an eulogy to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him the nation's 'moral compass' and 'guiding spirit'. "In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind," he wrote. The Supreme Court of India and the Registry will observe a half-day holiday on Friday to mark the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the BJP headquarters in New Delhi ahead of the convoy carrying Vajpayee's mortal remains' arrival. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains are being moved in a flower-decorated truck to the BJP headquarters at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg in New Delhi. They will remain there till 1 pm, after which the final funeral procession to the cremation ground on the banks of river Yamuna will take place. Over five lakh people are expected to attend late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral on Friday, including VVIPs, politicians and dignitaries at the BJP headquarters and the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. On Friday morning, hundreds of people gathered outside Atal Bihari Vajpayee's New Delhi residence to pay their last respects to the former prime minister. His body has been kept at his home for public viewing from 7.30 am to 8.30 am. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's former private secretary Shakti Sinha wrote in the Hindustan Times about his experience working with the late prime minister closely. "Vajpayee was an uncompromising patriot, with a strong sense of his Hinduness, which was cultural and civilisational. That meant that the primary loyalty citizens was to the country. Central Delhi has been placed under heavy security due to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession that will take place on Friday. More than 20,000 security personnel have been deployed and Independence Day security arrangement has been extended as well. Veteran leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body has been kept at his official residence: 6A Krishna Menon Marg. People can pay homage to the late prime minister at his home between 7.30 am and 8.30 am on Friday. The funeral procession for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm on Friday. The Smriti Sthal is a common memorial site, located between Jawaharlal Nehru's memorial 'Shanti Van' and Lal Bahadur Shahstri's 'Vijay Ghat'. Vajpayee's last rites will be performed on a raised platform, surrounded by greenery. Keeping in mind the final procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday, the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for the National Capital. Almost all roads leading to central Delhi including Krishna Memon Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath and India Gate C-Hexagon, among others, will remain closed from 8 am onwards for the general public today in order to ensure smooth vehicular movement during Vajpayee's final journey. Leaving boundaries of their respective parties, political leaders on Thursday bid an emotional goodbye to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee describing him as a visionary statesman with acceptability across a diverse ideological spectrum, a gentle giant and a consensus seeker. Vajpayee, who was 93, died at AIIMS on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. Several leaders saw a personal loss in death of Vajpayee, one of India's most respected leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Vajpayee as a "father figure" who taught him valuable aspects about Sangathan (organisation) and Shaasan (administration)." In a brief televised address, Modi said Vajpayee used to hug him with affection whenever they met. Veteran BJP leader LK Advani, who along with Vajpayee was a central figure in the party for much of its existence, described the former prime minister as one of the country's tallest statesmen and his closest friend for over 65 years whom he will miss immensely. President Ram Nath Kovind said the "gentle giant" will be missed by one and all. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said Vajpayee was a great patriot and among modern India's tallest leaders who spent his whole life serving the country. Former president Pranab Mukherjee said India had lost a great son and an era has come to an end, as he described the BJP stalwart as a reasoned critique in the opposition, who dominated the space like a titan, and a seeker of consensus as prime minister. Describing him as a democrat to the core, Mukherjee, in a letter to Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, said the former prime minister led the government with aplomb and was an inheritor and practitioner of the best traditions and qualities of leadership. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said India has lost "a great son" who was loved and respected by millions. Several of his own party leaders also said Vajpayee was an inspiration to millions, an intense speaker and a true diplomat. BJP chief Amit Shah said Vajpayee nursed the party from its inception to make it a banyan tree and left an indelible mark in Indian politics. The party would work to fulfil the mission he has left behind, Shah told reporters. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said Vajpayee would always listen to his alliance partners as that was his style of working. The Trinamool leader flew to Delhi from Kolkata on Thursday evening and spent an hour at Vajpayee's residence to pay her last respects to the leader, under whom she had served as a union minister. Union minister Jitendra Singh said even non-BJP supporters would listen to Vajpayee in public rallies just to pick up speaking skills from his oratory. Singh, minister of state in the prime minister's office, said, "We grew up listening to him, learning from him, inspired by him. There was no electronic media those days, but many of our college-mates, who did not subscribe to our ideology, would come over to his rallies, just to pick up speaking skills from his oratory," Singh told PTI. Union minister Harsh Vardhan said he has lost his "mentor and guide" who hand-held him into politics. He said the Indian scientific community would ever be grateful to Vajpayee who he expanded the 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan to include 'Jai Vigyan' after the Pokhran nuclear test and his courageous decision to go for the second nuclear test was the beginning of an India to reckon with. Paying tribute to Vajpayee, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said his government is trying to follow the path shown by the former prime minister. Veteran leader Sharad Yadav said Vajpayee was a great human being whose qualities cannot be explained in words, besides being "a great poet, leader, Parliamentarian and an able Administrator." Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Vajpayee's affectionate nature was unique to him. "He was crafted by the god with special care," she said. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said he was deeply saddened by the sad demise of Vajpayee who was a great human being and a true statesman. "He never hesitated in giving full credit to his Opposition party leaders whenever due," he said. Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan said many people are known by the post, but the post of prime minister was very small in front of Vajpayee. "He was a great politician, intense speaker, a true diplomat, having clarity in thinking, warrior of social justice and a great nationalist," Paswan tweeted. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "It is a great loss to the country. It was a joy to listen to Atal ji. He cut across ideology, he was a person who had compassion and his belief to take India together is to be remembered. India has become poor in his loss. He has left a deep imprint." Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis described the death as his personal loss and Vajpayee encouraged and taught everyone to serve the last man with the weapon of democracy. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said,"India has lost the tallest leader." Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "It's an end of an era of Indian politics. He wasn't among those to lose battle. He was a fighter," he said. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandra Babu Naidu and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also offered their condolences. With inputs from PTI Social activist Swami Agnivesh was assaulted and heckled by a mob a few meters away from the BJP office when he was reportedly on his way to pay his last respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Swami Agnivesh was assaulted by a mob once again at DDU Marg in New Delhi on Friday morning. The assault happened outside the BJP office on the Deendayal Upadhyay Road, reports have said. Reports further added that the social activist was heckled and assaulted by a mob when he was on his way to pay his last respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters. A video tweeted by The Indian Express showed Agnivesh walking towards the venue, as a few members of the crowd begin to heckle and then physically assault him. A woman can be seen attempting to hit Agnivesh with her slipper as media crew follow the activist. The people following the activist were raising slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Deshdroshi Wapas Jao', a few metres away from BJP headquarters. The incident comes a month after he was assaulted similarly by a mob in Jharkhand's Pakur district. the mob consisted of BJP Yuva Morcha activists who raised slogans of Swami go back. Reacting to what he called the "murderous assault", Agnivesh said, "I have asked the police to investigate the matter. Don't know what they were angry about. They were not ready to listen to me." He added that the attack was a sponsored attack and that the government should have provided security, CNN-News 18 reported. Agnivesh is now under medical care in a hospital. A day after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died in New Delhi at the age of 93, media outlets across the globe put out glowing obituaries praising his three terms in office and the policies put in place by his governments. A day after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died in New Delhi at the age of 93, media outlets across the globe put out glowing obituaries praising his three terms in office and the policies put in place by his governments. Here are a few of the obituaries from the international media: Pakistani channel Aaj News spoke of India's nuclear mission undertaken under Vajpayee. In an obituary titled 'Nukes and nationalism: Former Indian PM Vajpayee', the writer Yasir Kaneria said, "His ambition to be recognised as a statesman of international stature led him to put his political neck on the line in seeking peace with rival Pakistan. But he also brought India out of the nuclear closet with successful weapons tests in 1998 that radically upped the ante following tests deemed peaceful in 1974." It also spoke about "persistent peace efforts" made by Vajpayee regarding Pakistan. "Vajpayee's persistent peace initiatives came despite him declaring India a nuclear-armed State in possession of advanced weapons following the 1998 tests that drew sanctions from the West.... After his party lost office, Vajpayee said peace with Pakistan would remain a 'lifelong wish' for him," it said. The Pokhran nuclear tests were also the subject of an obituary in Britain's The Guardian. Titled 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Indian prime minister, dies at 93', the obituary wrote, "In 1998 he ordered nuclear tests, stoking fears of atomic war between India and Pakistan, then, a few years later, he made the first moves toward peace. In early 1999, Vajpayee embarked on a historic bus ride to the Pakistani city of Lahore and met then-premier Nawaz Sharif in a bid to ease tensions. But his peacemaker image was shattered later that year when Pakistan-backed forces pressed over the disputed Kashmir border, sparking a deadly conflict." The BBC, meanwhile, looked at the political and economic principles of Vajpayee. "A free marketeer by inclination, he was criticised by unions and civil servants for his policy of privatising some of India's government-owned corporations. But his support for new hi-tech industries made India a global IT player and fuelled the country's economic expansion," it said. "Like many Indian leaders before him, Vajpayee found himself having to hold together a sometimes fractious coalition to wield power. But he was seen by many as a unifying force when divisions threatened Indian society and as a staunch defender of his country's borders," it added. Over in Asia, Asian Sentinel also spoke of Vajpayee as the "moderate face" of the BJP. In an editorial titled, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJPs Moderate Face Dies', "Vajpayee's death brings into sharp focus the contrast with the harsh and strident version of that ideology which the party now exercises with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah." It spoke at length at the contrasting styles of Vajpayee's administration and Modi's. "Freedom of expression is being curtailed and dissenting voices silenced. Vajpayee knew how to manage such tensions before they became destructive in a way that does not seem to interest the current government and party leadership," it added. The New York Times also spoke of Vajpayee's secular credentials in its obituary titled 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India, Dies at 93'. "Vajpayee supported equal rights for Muslims, Christians and others in his overwhelmingly Hindu nation. His Bharatiya Janata Party had long tried to undermine India's secular identity to create a Hindu state. Vajpayee, a moderate, pushed back at militants in his own coalition. He also championed womens rights and the eradication of castes," it wrote. "He shared its (BJP's) view that India should enshrine Hindu culture, but he passionately opposed discrimination against other religions. Critics called it contradictory, but voters did not agree, and in the 1990s he became one of Indias most popular figures," it added. But it was the nuclear tests for which Vajpayee is best remembered for, at least within the international media. Britain's Independent wrote on Vajpayee, in an obituary titled 'Vajpayee death: Three-time Indian prime minister dies at age 93', in which it said, "Within a month of taking the premiership for a second time in 1998, Vajpayee ordered nuclear weapons tests that shocked the world and stoked fears of atomic war with Indias long-time rival. But he regained support just months later after Pakistan sent troops across the border through disputed Kashmir, and Vajpayee resisted pressure to launch a counter attack. The restraint earned Vajpayee international praise for his caution." "His peace efforts then began with a groundbreaking bus ride to Lahore, Pakistan, in February 1999, where he met with then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The diplomatic journey inaugurated the first regular bus service between the two nations. Then, just before leaving office in 2004, he launched a peace process that, while often rocky, remains the basis of ongoing negotiations," the Independent added. The Washington Post too wrote about the issue in its obituary on the 93-year-old. "Weeks into his second stint as prime minister, Vajpayee shocked the world in May 1998 with five underground nuclear tests, prompting international sanctions, rattling neighbors and setting off an arms race with archrival Pakistan.... (US) president Bill Clinton denounced India for undermining the stability of South Asia and directly challenging 'the firm international consensus to stop nuclear proliferation'," the article wrote. "But Vajpayee worked discreet diplomacy behind closed doors and set in motion a friendly dialogue with Clinton, who went to India in 2000, the first visit by a US president to the country in more than two decades." It also wrote about Vajpayee's political ability to bring together a rainbow coalition of allies. "Vajpayee's personal charisma and moderate image that helped the BJP stitch together a broad-based coalition of smaller, disparate regional parties. Between 1999 and 2004, he deftly managed the unwieldy coalition government of fractious partners," it added. Vajpayee began his career in politics as a freedom fighter and took part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. A legend par excellence, Atal Bihari Vajpayee larger than life persona was "humanity personified". Born in a middle-class Brahmin family to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December, 1924 in Gwalior, the former prime ministers humane approach to life earned him the distinction of Ajaat Shatru (One who has no enemies). His father was a poet and a school teacher. Vajpayee did his schooling from the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gwalior. Later, he studied at Victoria College, Gwalior now Laxmi Bai College, for his graduation. It was at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, Kanpur that Vajpayee completed his post-graduation in political science. The Narendra Modi government has declared his birthday on 25 December as Good Governance Day. The Bhishma Pitamaha of Indian politics as former prime minister Manmohan Singh described him, Vajpayee indeed was a legendary statesman of independent India with a political career spanning nearly six decades. The three-time prime minister with broken terms of six years, Vajpayee was decorated with the countrys highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. He was earlier honoured with Padma Vibhusha by prime minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1992. Vajpayees cultural moderation, liberalism and political reasonableness helped him to become an acceptable face of the BJP to successfully lead a 20-party alliance -- National Democratic Alliance, or the NDA. Atalji, as he was affectionately called by his admirers, was a poet by heart, a trait he learnt from his father. He penned down 52 poems reflecting his approach to social and cultural dimensions of the Indian society. It was during his tenure that India successfully conducted five nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998. Vajpayee took several diplomatic initiatives to improve bilateral relations with all South Asian neighbours and extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan undertaking a bus journey to Lahore in 1999 with a message of peace and cooperation. As the first non-Congress prime minister completing a full five-year term, Vajpayee initiated a series of economic reforms and encouraged foreign investment and privatisation. A bachelor for life, the former prime minister came in contact with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1939 and became a pracharak (full-time worker) in 1947. He also had a stint in journalism and worked as the editor of Rashtradharma Hindi monthly, Panchjanya Hindi weekly and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun. Vajpayee began his career in politics as a freedom fighter and took part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. Later he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee and became his political secretary. Vajpayee accompanied Mookerjee during his Satyagraha in Jammu and Kashmir against Article 370 of the Indian Constitution where the veteran thinker from Bengal and a former member of the Jawaharlal Nehru cabinet died under mysterious circumstances in 1951. Vajpayee became national secretary of BJS in charge of the northern region and was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1957 from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. The former prime minister was a ten-time member of the Lok Sabha from different states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat. He was twice the member of the Rajya Sabha. He rose to become the national president of the Jana Sangh in 1968. The former prime minister along with his other party colleagues, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and LK Advani participated in the JP movement spearheaded by veteran socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan against the internal Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and was imprisoned for 19 months. Vajpayee supported the merger of Jana Sangh with the newly formed Janata Party in 1977 which defeated Indira Gandhi in the post-Emergency General Elections. Vajpayee became the external affairs minister in 1977 when the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party coalition came to power. As the foreign minister, Vajpayee travelled extensively across the globe and established himself as a political leader of reckoning. He became the first dignitary to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi. After the collapse of Desai government and the split of Janata Party on the issue of dual membership of the Jana Sangh leaders due to their association with the RSS, Vajpayee along with other former Jana Sangh leaders formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. Vajpayee vehemently opposed Operation Blue Star by the army at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and raised his voice against the anti-Sikh riots after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. Similarly, he did not favour demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December, 1992 and described it as "unfortunate. The BJP lost heavily in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections winning only two seats. Vajpayee himself lost in Gwalior. Vajpayee remained leader of the Opposition in the Parliament till 1996. In 1996, the then president Shankar Dayal Sharma invited Vajpayee to become the 10th Prime Minister of India following the BJP emerging as the single largest party in the 1996 General Elections. However, he lost the vote of confidence in Parliament and his first stint as prime minister lasted only 13 days as he failed to garner support from other parties which considered BJP as politically untouchable. However, in 1998, the BJP-led coalition NDA came back to power and Vajpayee was again sworn in as the prime minister. Vajpayees second term as prime minister will be remembered for the five nuclear tests conducted by India at Pokhran desert in Rajasthan in May 1998. His Jammu and Kashmir doctrine of restoring normalcy in the state in the spirit of Jamhuriat, Insaniayat and Kashmiriyat (democracy, humanity and Kashmiri identity) still reverberates in the Valley as the only way to resolve all the outstanding issues with Pakistan in a spirit of mutual respect. Vajpayee took the peace initiative by inaugurating the historic Delhi-Lahore bus service in February, 1999 and personally took the message of peace and cooperation to the people of Pakistan. However, Islamabad stabbed him in the back by launching Kargil incursions which Indian armed forces successfully vacated. The Vajpayee government lost by one vote on the floor of the house after 13 months after the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by J Jayalalitha withdrew its support to the NDA in mid-1999. In the 1999 mid-term polls, the NDA came back with a full majority in the wake of the Kargil victory and Vajpayee took oath as Prime Minister of India for the third time on 13 October 1999. He successfully managed the 20-party coalition and completed full five years (1999-2004) in office as the first non-Congress prime minister. Vajpayees third term witnessed hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi in December 1999 which was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Also, there was an unsuccessful attack on Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001, when Pakistan-supported terrorists stormed the Parliament building in Delhi. Vajpayee government introduced many economic and infrastructural reforms, including encouraging the private sector and foreign investments. It also undertook National Highway Development Projects and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Vajpayee adopted pro-business, free-market reforms approach to boost Indias economic development and as a result, the Indian economic achieved impressive gains and all-round growth. In March 2000, Vajpayee signed the Historic Vision Document during the visit of the then US president Bill Clinton. The Declaration incorporated several strategic issues, apart from pitching for expansion in trade and economic ties between the two countries. Vajpayee again tried for peace with Pakistan by inviting then president Pervez Musharraf for the Agra summit. But the talks failed to achieve any breakthrough as Musharraf refused to condemn terrorism in all its manifestations. In the aftermath of the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 in the wake of the Godhra train tragedy, Vajpayee made a passionate appeal for peace and communal harmony during a visit to the riot-torn areas in the state. The NDA lost the 2004 General Elections and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance assumed the reins of power with Manmohan Singh succeeding Vajpayee. Vajpayee soon after had to hand over the BJP as well as the NDA leadership to LK Advani and announced his retirement from active politics owing to poor health but he created such a high benchmark in Indian politics which only a few can dare to scale over. Referring to Vajpayee as a 'great statesman', ambassador of Russia to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said Vajpayee was an integral part of Indian politics and was a respected personality in India as well as globally. New Delhi: The diplomatic corps in India offered condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Referring to Vajpayee as a 'great statesman', ambassador of Russia to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said Vajpayee was an integral part of Indian politics and was a respected personality in India as well as globally. "We knew him also as a poet, a man of knowledge and a true friend of our country, where he is well-known as one of the architects of our long-lasting and time-tested privileged strategic partnership," Kudashev said. United Kingdom High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith expressed grief over the death of Vajpayee and termed him as 'one of India's greatest leaders.' "We are saddened by the passing of former Prime Minister of India Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee. We will remember him as one of India's greatest leaders. Shri Vajpayee was much respected in the UK as a statesman par excellence," he said. Pakistan's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan remembered Vajpayee as a "tall personality of the subcontinent". "His attempts for the betterment of India-Pakistan relationship will always be remembered. Vajpayee, as a foreign minister, took responsibility of improving India-Pakistan ties," ANI quoted him as saying. The Japan envoy also expressed grief over the death of former prime minister stating that he was one of the most inspiring world leaders of all times. "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of former prime minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was one of the most inspiring world leaders of our times. The upswing in India-Japan relations was only possible by the initiatives started by Prime Minister Vajpayee," Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu said. "The demise of such a great leader is a great loss not only to India but also to Japan and other part of Asia as well as the entire international community. May his legacy live on, and may his soul rest in eternal peace," he added. The Australian High Commissioner to India, Harinder Sidhu, also expressed deepest condolences on the death of the former Prime Minister. She took to her official Twitter handle to write, "On behalf of the Australian Government, I express my deepest condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. #AtalBihariVajpayee @PMOIndia" Foreign Affairs Ministry of Nepal released a statement with the message of condolence from its Prime Minister K.P. Oli on the behalf of the government and people of Nepal. Referring to the Vajpayee as a 'visionary statesman', Oli said that he will be remembered for his 'sagacity and exemplary selfless service to the people of India.' Remembering Vajpayee's contribution in India in strengthening Indo-Nepal ties, Oli said that Nepal has lost a true friend and a well-wisher. President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena wrote: "Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world." Former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa also condoled the death of Vajpayee. He wrote on his official Twitter account: "India has lost a great leader with the passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I extend my deepest condolences to the family & the people of India." The 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday, here at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) following a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the Bharatiya Janata Party to become India's Prime Minister. (ANI) Hundreds of people queued up outside the residence of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi on Friday morning to pay their last respects to the departed leader. New Delhi: Hundreds of people queued up outside the residence of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi on Friday morning to pay their last respects to the departed leader. Heavy security arrangements, including the deployment of police, traffic and paramilitary personnel, were in place around the 6-A Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in the Lutyens, Delhi. According to security officials present, the gates of the residence were to be thrown open at 7.30 am for the public to pay homage to Vajpayee. The mortal remains would later be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party's national headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. The final journey to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal will begin around 1 pm. Vajpayee died at the AIIMS hospital on Thursday at the age of 93, following a prolonged illness. A 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, arrived here with a group of people from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The group covered a distance of around 500-km overnight in the hope to have one last glimpse of their beloved leader, Kumar said. "I had met Vajpayeeji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi en-route to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of the Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along the Gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "I believe we have lost a great leader in him," he said. Some call Vajpayee a philosopher, a thinker and a poet in Parliament. Some vouch that he was a good listener and a supreme orator. Some swear that he was a true democrat, a statesman, a diplomat, one of Indias ablest administrators and a wily politician who taught India the art of coalition politics. In the age of social media and instant analysis, most commentaries remind one of the blind men and the elephant parable. The tendency to take one's perception for truth becomes more acute when analysing a complex personality such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018). Some call Vajpayee a philosopher, a thinker and a poet in Parliament. Some vouch that he was a good listener and a supreme orator. Some swear that he was a true democrat, a statesman, a diplomat, one of Indias ablest administrators and a wily politician who taught India the art of coalition politics. Others describe him as a leader who carried himself and his rivals along with dignity in a five-decade long career in Parliament. He is at once a moderate, a mukhauta who paved the way for majoritarian rule, the right man in a wrong party and even a pseudo Hindu who betrayed the Hindu cause. There is some element of truth in perceptions. But the former prime minister, who breathed his last on Thursday at 93 after a long battle with illness, is too complex a man. He resists linear analyses that fail to assimilate individual empirical truths into one cognitive whole. Bharat Ratna Vajpayee was a man of his times, yet more perceptive than his peers. He could be both a pragmatist and an incurable romantic. Consider the way he correctly foresaw global reaction and shaped Indias response following Pokhran-II. The May 1998 fusion and fission tests catapulted India among bona fide nuclear powers but the extraordinary act of courage came with consequences. India faced a tsunami of hostility from global powers. The US, taken aback by the way India pulled off the act in complete secrecy, slapped a bevy of sanctions, as did other major powers including Britain, Canada and Japan. For a country still struggling to find its place among the global commons and yet unsure of its rise as a global power, those were tough times. As former diplomat TP Sreenivasan recollects in The Hindu, For nearly two months, the US refused to have any dialogue with India and implemented the Glenn Amendment for the first time. Newer sanctions were imposed, and at one point it looked that relations would never recover. The sanctions hurt but, as then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh reminisced on TV, Vajpayee refused to bow down. We will wait till good sense prevails on them and they lift the sanctions, Singh remembered Vajpayees words on CNN News 18. The letter that the former prime minister had written to then US President Bill Clinton, explaining Indias rationale behind the tests, found its way into the media. New York Times published the letter that described distrust of China as Indias primary threat perception and the biggest motivation behind the tests. It added to Indias diplomatic difficulties. Yet the wily Vajpayee had correctly assessed that the US and other powers will eventually come around, given Indias moratorium on further testing, doctrinal commitment to no first-use and disarmament and track record of behaving as a non-interventionist, responsible power. The power of Indian market, that was beginning to unfold, was not lost on the former prime minister. The risk paid off. Ties with the US improved as Clinton came calling, and both India and the US shook free of the Cold War hangover to forge closer strategic ties that eventually paved the way for the 2008 civil nuclear deal. India, as Sreenivasan correctly assesses, joined nuclear mainstream and got access to global nuclear market without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. It was an example of Vajpayees pragmatism and vision in foreign policy. This pragmatism, however, was absent when it came to Indias relationship with Pakistan. Vajpayee was ready to give an arm and a leg for buying peace with our recalcitrant neighbour at the cost of his credibility. Despite being betrayed and backstabbed several times, Vajpayee strived to improve bilateral ties almost till his last day in office. Vajpayee took a bus to Lahore and signed the Lahore Declaration with Nawaz Sharif only to watch Pakistan army intrude into Kargil. Undeterred, Vajpayee invited General Pervez Musharraf, who had unseated Sharif in a coup after Kargil misadventure, for a summit in Agra. It proved to be another disaster. Musharraf left for Islamabad in a huff as talks fell through, and not long afterwards Pakistan-backed terrorists launched an audacious attack on Indias seat of democracy: the Parliament House. When the Agra Summit failed in 2001, we had the Parliament attack in December. When Indian forces were deployed in response, we had the attack on Kalu Chak in May 2002 and the two countries almost went to war, reminds former R&AW chief Vikram Sood. In 2004, Vajpayee tried one last time to normalise ties with Pakistan. The January 2004 joint declaration had Musharraf reassuring Vajpayee that he will not permit any territory under Pakistan's control to be used to support terrorism in any manner." The fate of that reassurance is well known. Vajpayees romanticism almost led to him acceding to Musharraf demands in Agra, and it was only due to Lal Krishna Advanis pragmatism that the day was saved, as R Jagannathan writes in Swarajyamag. So, how could a pragmatist who ran a fragile coalition of bickering political forces and became the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a five-year term in office fall prey to such romanticism? How could a man who successfully steered India through a geopolitical minefield in the aftermath of Pokhran be taken in so easily by Pakistans perfidies? If there is a mystique around Vajpayee, it must be traced to his enigmatic personality that allowed contradictions to reside. He could be self-assured, yet insecure. His relationship with Lal Krishna Advani, his alter ego, his greatest friend and biggest rival shows us his confident side. He struck a working relationship with Advani that allowed both towering personalities to team up despite their differences. It was a measure of Vajpayees self-confidence that he didnt limit himself to a sum total of his insecurities. And yet, as Kingshuk Nag writes in his book Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man From All Seasons (excerpts published in Scroll): He had also ensured low-key presidents for the BJP, many of whom like Bangaru Laxman, who had served the Atal government as a minister of state, had no independent standing as a thinly veiled tactic to place weak leaders, who could not even get elected from their own states much less challenge Atal, at the top. He declared Sangh is my Soul yet his tenure in high office was marked by a constant tension with the RSS which clearly did not trust him. He taught India the art of running a coalition government that calls for a million compromises, and yet under him India achieved success in Pokhran and Kargil, two acts of exemplary courage and iron will. Vajpayee, at the end of day, was a politicians politician. He could walk on water and run on a razors edge. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains have been taken to the BJP headquarters in Delhi. He will be laid to rest in Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near Rajghat New Delhi: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, were taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi on Friday for the people to pay their last respects to the departed leader. The body in a flower-decked casket was carried in a hearse to 6-A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg headquarters. Vajpayyee, who passed away at the AIIMS in Delhi on Thursday evening at the age of 93, will be cremated at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near Rajghat in the national capital at 4 pm. His last journey will begin from the BJP headquarters to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 1 pm. The government has announced a state funeral for Vajpayee. A seven-day state mourning has been announced as a mark of respect for the former prime minister. Delhi government offices, schools and institutions have been closed. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and all the three armed forces chiefs earlier led a host of leaders in paying homage to Vajpayee. Over the years, Diageo India has extended its support towards relief efforts during natural calamities across the country including the Chennai Floods. In wake of the calamity in Kerala, leading beverage alcohol company Diageo India today donated INR 1 Crore towards the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Honble Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with Diageo India officials earlier today and acknowledged the companys contribution towards the relief efforts in the state. Mr Mathew Xavier, Chief Operating Officer (South) said, Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kerala in this difficult time. It is our endeavour to support communities during tough situations, and our contribution is a step towards rebuilding the state. We will continue to provide any additional help that the state may require in the days to come. Over the years, Diageo India has extended its support towards relief efforts during natural calamities across the country including the Chennai Floods. The unprecedented rains have caused severe damage to not just property and crops in the state but also led to the loss of lives, making it one of the worst disasters in the state. This is a partnered post. An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Karalgund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district and troops of 92 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 32 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group (SOG) cordoned off the area to carry out search operation. Kupwara: An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Karalgund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Friday. Troops of 92 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 32 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group (SOG) cordoned off the area and search operation is currently underway. No report of casualties or injuries has been reported as of now. Meanwhile, another encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists in Hajin area of the state's Bandipora district. More details are awaited. The valley has witnessed a sudden surge in encounter incidents since the past few months. Pakistani leaders mourned former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Imran Khan said that his efforts to improve India-Pakistan ties will be remembered forever Islamabad: Pakistan government and top leaders have paid respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said the former Indian prime minister contributed to bringing "a change" in bilateral ties and remained a key supporter of regional cooperation for development. Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan also expressed condolences over Vajpayee's demise, saying his efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that "we have learnt with sadness the passing away of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee". "Mr Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development," he said in a statement. The government and people of Pakistan extend their "heartfelt condolences" to Vajpayee's family and to the government and people of India, the spokesman said. Cricketer-turned-politician Khan, who is expected to take oath as prime minister tomorrow, said in a statement that Vajpayee was a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and his death has created a big void. "Efforts of Mr Vajpayee for improvement in relations between Pakistan and India will be remembered forever," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief said. Khan said that Vajpayee started efforts for improving Indo-Pak ties and continued them after becoming prime minister. "As foreign minister, Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to new heights after assuming the office of prime minister," he said. Khan said, "I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief". He further said that by creating peace between the two countries, "we can truly recognise the service of Vajpayee". Khan said both countries have just celebrated their independence and there is also a desire for peace on both sides of the border despite political differences. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif said that Vajpayee and former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif had launched a sincere peace effort between the two countries. "In the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India has lost a leader whose services to regional peace will be remembered for long time. He and Nawaz Sharif launched a sincere peace effort between neighbouring countries in 1999. Wish India builds on his legacy by giving peace a chance," Shahbaz said in a tweet. According to the PML-N, Vajpayee and Sharif had initiated peace efforts between the two countries after the former's historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999 but General Pervez Musharraf did a Kargil misadventure, sabotaging their efforts and later overthrowing the Sharif government. The PML-N circles also talk about Nawaz's efforts to bring peace with India and seeking friendly relations with it one of the reasons behind his removal from the post of the prime minister in July 2017 in the Panama Papers case. He was subsequently imprisoned in Avenfield properties corruption case last month. Nawaz and his daughter Maryam are serving 10 and seven years imprisonment respectively at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died yesterday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on 11 June with a variety of ailments. Atal Bihari Vajpayee met Kashmiri separatists in January 2004, despite Pakistan not being in favour of those talks For any separatist leader, engaging in any kind of diplomacy with the Indian government on the future of Kashmir is a decision fraught with political repercussions. In the last three decades of turmoil, many have paid the price for holding back channel negotiations with New Delhi, with their lives. But when the Hurriyat Conference leaders led by Kashmir's head priest and chief of moderate Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, held their first round of talks on 22 January, 2004, with the then NDA government, they put their hope in Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The two initial rounds of talks were held with then deputy prime minister LK Advani, and then they held direct meetings with Vajpayee. "When I first went to meet him as part of a Hurriyat delegation, he looked straight at me and said: 'Professor sahib, iss gutthi ko suljana padega (Dear professor, this puzzle has to be solved)', and whatever we do, we will do it with good intention," said Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, senior separatist leader, who is part of the moderate Hurriyat, on Thursday. Vajpayee met Kashmiri separatists in January 2004, despite Pakistan not being in favour of those talks. The foundation for these talks was laid when the NDA government in New Delhi announced the non-initiation of combat operations (NICO) in the Muslim holy month of fasting in December 2000, like the current dispensation did in the previous Ramzan, but failed to extend it. The decision was aimed at reducing the violence and creating a conducive atmosphere for the peace talks to be held. In 2001, Vajpayee announced a political dialogue on Kashmir and it was followed by the appointment of KC Pant as the Centre's first official interlocutor on Kashmir in 2001. In February 2003, Vajpayee replaced Pant with NN Vohra, the present governor of the state as his point man on Kashmir. But like his predecessor, Vohra too failed to hold talks with the Hurriyat, who insisted that they would talk to the prime minister directly. After two months of back channel diplomacy and a successful India-Pakistan dialogue on the sidelines of SAARC Summit, in 2004, the Hurriyat Conference went ahead and held talks with Advani and Vajpayee. "The first time I met Vajpayee, I felt delighted listening to him. He was a man with a vision a vision to build a peaceful, prosperous and stable tomorrow for the entire people of South Asian region. For that, he wanted the dispute of Kashmir to be resolved, which he did tried when he became the prime minister," Bhat said. He said Vajpayee initiated the process of 'a purposeful dialogue' with Pakistan in which he didn't lose faith. But the troubles back home for the then Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf cast a shadow on the whole process, "He (Vajpayee) understood disputes will have to be addressed. We were close to settling the Kashmir problem. To quote the then foreign minister of Pakistan, the settlement of Kashmir dispute was just 'a signature away'," Bhat said. The first round of talks was held in Delhi between Advani and four separatist groups which was followed by second round of talks on 27 March, 2004 during which discussions were held on human rights issues and the cases of political detainees. After these two meeting, the third did not take place as the government changed in New Delhi. Another initiative by the Congress eventually took off on 5 September, 2005 in which former prime minister Manmohan Singh promised Hurriyat leaders that he would 'consider' reducing the footprint of soldiers in Kashmir, but nothing happened. That led to the collapse of talks. "If any Indian prime minister has to pay tribute to Vajpayee, he should translate his vision into reality. The leaders of India and Pakistan should not stay frozen in the past and initiate a purposeful dialogue for a brighter tomorrow. Dialogue is the beauty of politics," Bhat added. But Mirwaiz said the problem was not the dialogue, but the outcome. He said the Hurriyat leadership at that time took a risk by engaging in talks with New Delhi despite reservations of people, but after Vajpayee, there was no forward movement. "His approach was based on humanity," Mirwaiz said, "And he believed that the road to peace in the entire region of South Asia passed through Kashmir. I would say he was a rare Indian leader who understood to some extent the pain of Kashmiris. In his death, South Asia has lost a great leader." In Kashmir, after the countrys first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, if there is any politician whose name is on the tips of tongues of people, it would be Vajpayee, primarily because of his reconciliatory gestures. In an April 2003 speech in Srinagar, he extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan. He effected the ceasefire along the Line of Control in November 2003 and also started cross-LoC bus services and trade between the two sides of Kashmir. Vajpayees vision for resolving the problems in Kashmir within the framework of 'Insaaniyat (humanism), Kashmiriyat (inclusive Kashmir) and Jhamooriyat (democracy)' remains his abiding legacy in Kashmir, so much so that even the hardliner Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani last year evoked his three-worded strategy to resolve the Kashmir dispute. It was because of Vajpayees humanity and his statesmanship that hope was kindled in Kashmir when the BJP came to office after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning a huge mandate, people thought there would be some positive movement for bringing about a permanent settlement of Kashmir question. This optimism was shared on the streets, but the previous four years have reminded people of anything but the Vajpayee era. "The very philosophy that made Vajpayee a 'statesman' in the eyes of many people across the political spectrum has been dishonoured and rejected by the new BJP leadership. The least his party could do to honour his legacy was to start a dialogue on Kashmir, but with the General Election around the corner, that is unlikely to happen," said Mohammed Syed Malik, a veteran journalist who has covered Kashmir for decades. With weather forecast stating rains in Kerala on Friday as well, another 250 new boats and 23 helicopters are being added to hasten rescue operations in rain-battered Kerala from today onwards With weather forecast stating rain in Kerala on Friday as well, another 250 new boats and 23 helicopters are being added to hasten rescue operations in rain-battered Kerala from today onwards. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday that the situation in the flood-affected state is under control with rescue missions happening in full swings. Presently around 1.5 lakh people are in refugee camps. Around 3,000 people were rescued on Thursday in Ernakulam and Pattanamthitta. The new rescue boats are to be operated in Aluva, Chalakudi, Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Ranni, Aranmula, and Kozhancheri. Other than boats from Central Government, boats from the Tamil Nadu Fire Force have also come to Keralas aid. The rain is forecasted to continue on Friday as well, hence people are asked to be on alert. The water level in Chalakudy is still on the rise, so precautionary methods are to be taken. The chief minister informed that Tamil Nadu government agreed to release more water from Mullaperiyar Dam and that there is good cooperation from them. Vijayan also advised the public not to forward false messages and verify the information they receive. A circular was passed stating strict action against people who spread fake information. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Kerala today to take stock of the situation. The Central Government on Thursday announced that it will be sending 12 fresh teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to Kerala. Six teams each are being airlifted from Delhi and Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and they will be dropped at Thiruvananthapuram today, a force spokesperson had said. On Wednesday, four teams of the federal disaster contingency force were sent to Kerala and with their addition the total number of NDRG teams operating in the state had gone up to 18. The teams had been deployed in the flood affected areas of Idukki, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Alaphuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Thrissur and Pathanamthitta, the spokesperson said. A single NDRF team has about 45 personnel. Till Thursday, NDRF teams have rescued 7 people and evacuated 685 people in the state that has been severely hit by rains and floods, he added. Heavy rains in Kerala have so far claimed the lives of 72 people and the Kochi International Airport has been shut till Saturday. A red alert has been sounded in 12 of the 14 districts. With inputs from PTI Conference Call Details 2018 First Half Results Presentation London, Aug 17, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited ( ASX:SDA ) ( OTCMKTS:SPPDF ), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, will announce its financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2018 on Tuesday 28th August 2018 at 10am Sydney time.Investors and analysts are invited to join a teleconference call hosted by CEO, PJ Beylier & CFO, Clive Cuthell. The call will be a presentation of the 2018 First Half Year results followed by Q&A.Conference call details are as follows:- Time: 10.00am (Sydney time), Tuesday 28th August 2018- Hosts: CEO, PJ Beylier & CFO, Clive CuthellDial-In Details (Conference ID: 1435509):Australia: 1800 123 296 / +61 2 8038 5221HK: 800 908 865UK: 0808 234 0757Singapore: 800 616 2288India: 1800 3010 6141USA: 1855 293 1544New Zealand: 0800 452 782Canada: 1855 5616 766China: 4001 203 085Japan: 0120 994 669About Speedcast International Ltd Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) is the world's most trusted communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications solutions to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. With more satellite capacity than any other provider, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company also integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. Kerala has been ravaged by unprecedented floods following torrential rains that also triggered landslides, claiming 97 lives since 8 August besides disrupting air, rail and road traffic in several places. Kerala has been ravaged by unprecedented floods following torrential rains that also triggered landslides, claiming 97 lives since 8 August besides disrupting air, rail and road traffic in several places. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on 12 August undertook an aerial survey of the floot-hit regions and announced an immediate central assistance of Rs 100 crore to the state for relief works. The Kerala government has put out appeals for financial donations and essential items for thousands of displaced people, living in relief camps around the state. Here's how you can help those affected by the Kerala floods: Contribute through the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) The chief minister's office released a letter appealing for help to rebuild the lives of people affected by the floods in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "We have an important task before us, the task of bringing life back to normalcy." Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site, https://t.co/OFHTHlZ9by#KeralaFloods#StandWithKerala. pic.twitter.com/XNlBKqdCUT CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018 Direct link: https: donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in Donations can be made through cheques or demand drafts (DD), or internet banking. Address for cheques: The Principal Secretary (Finance) Treasurer, Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund, Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1; To contribute online - Account number: 67319948232 Bank: State Bank of India Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFS Code: SBIN0070028 PAN: AAAGD0584M Name of Donee: CMDRF Saving their lives was our priority. Now it is our duty to help them rebuild it. Contribute generously to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. #KeralaFloods#KeralaFloodReliefpic.twitter.com/eNHjyENt8d CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 11, 2018 The chief minister's office has also released helpline numbers. Kasargod: 9446601700 Kannur: 91-944-668-2300 Kozhikode: 91-944-653-8900 Wayanad: 91-807-840-9770 Malappuram: 91-938-346-3212 Malappuram: 91-938-346-4212 Thrissur: 91-944-707-4424 Thrissur: 91-487-236-3424 Palakkad: 91-830-180-3282 Ernakulam: 91-790-220-0400 Ernakulam: 91-790-220-0300 Alappuzha: 91-477-223-8630 Alappuzha: 91-949-500-3630 Alappuzha: 91-949-500-3640 Idukki: 91-906-156-6111 Idukki: 91-938-346-3036 Kottayam: 91-944-656-2236 Kottayam: 91-944-656-2236 Pathanamthitta: 91-807-880-8915 Kollam: 91-944-767-7800 Thiruvananthapuram: 91-949-771-1281 Alert: People in the low lying areas along Chalakudy river and its tributaries are requested to move to higher locations as a precautionary measure. All stranded people are being attended by the forces in maximum capacity. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/6QWiTj2Guc CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018 Donate essential items People in relief camps across the state are in need of essential items like food (pulses, lentils, milk powder, other food items), sleeping mats, water, toiletries, sanitary napkins, towels, blankets, cooking utensils, basic household furniture, containers, and footwear, among others. Click here for LIVE updates on KERALA FLOODS In Ernakulam, the district administration has joined hands with Anbodu Kochi, an NGO, and has rolled out an initiative called #DoForKerala which is a social media campaign and is helping by setting up collection points across the state. The District Collectors of the Kannur and Idukki put up posts on social media with ways to donate for the people in the districts. Infosys and UST Global have also arranged multiple collection points for relief items. Donate through independent websites The Kerala chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) with the IT has launched a donation website. Through their website (keralarescue.in), people can appeal for help and provide specific locations and requirements. Individuals can also register as volunteers on the site. Rapid Response India has also released a portal for donations. Their teams have been been providing on-ground in Kerala since the onset of the calamity, by distributing food and medical assistance. NGO Goonj is also accepting financial donations and essential items. World Vision India has dedicated its website for accepting help for the people affected by the Kerala floods. Actor Siddharth tweeted about donating for the cause of helping people affected by the Kerala flood rebuild their lives. He called it the 'Kerala Donation Challenge', and tweeted the documenting certifying the amount he had donated to the CMDRF, along with a letter urging people to donate. The situation in Kerala's Wayanad district is particularly grim due to the floods in the state. Many villages in the area are completely submerged in and rescue and relief operation has been met with many hurdles due to poor connection and accessibility. The situation in Kerala's Wayanad district is particularly grim due to the floods in the state. Many villages in the area are completely submerged in water and rescue and relief operation have been met with many hurdles due to poor connectivity and accessibility. In a video sourced by Firstpost, children and stranded families can be seen taking refuge at a school in the district which they claim is being done through the help of a private individual (promoter) of the area. The whole village is submerged due to floods and rescue and relief work has been stepped-up to evacuate people stuck in the deluge. Saji Bomman, a resident of Nadavayil, Wayanad District who is part of the district rescue team told Firstpost that, "Most of the villages close to rivers like those in Chaligadha, Palakolli, Padilambam, Neykuppa, Lakkidi-Perur, Mookuthi Kunnu, Panamaram, Cheriyamkolly, Chegadhi, Karapuzha are fully submerged. Residents of villages which are partially submerged havent been fully moved to the relief camps yet and are facing problems like food shortage. Relief camps have been set up across the district by the Scheduled Tribes Development Department and the village panchayat. Some camps are concentrated close to the Wayanad University area and the Wayanad town, while many others are in parts of the areas near the villages which arent submerged. Bomman told that, "Medical treatment and medicines are being provided and these services are being supported by non-governmental organisations. But due to restricted movement, we are facing difficulties both in rescue and relief, however, attempts are on to reach across the region. The Adivasi population in the region is close to 15 percent and they stay in urus which are isolated and difficult to access. Still, some of them have been rescued while efforts are being made to reach the others. Small landslides are also regularly happening across the region, especially around Vythiri but no major casualty has been reported so far. ICICI Bank on Friday announced that it will contribute Rs 10 crore to aid Kerala where over 300 people have died because of the floods. ICICI Bank on Friday announced that it will contribute Rs 10 crore for rehabilitation work in flood-hit Kerala, where over 300 people have died because of the floods. A press release issued by the bank says, "The majority of the contribution will be extended to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. The bank will also contribute to the District Collectors efforts in all the 14 districts of the state to help in the supply of essential commodities like clothes, food items, medicines, sanitation and hygiene products and others. In addition, ICICI Bank has announced a slew of measures to help the flood-hit customers of the state. The bank will waive off penalties on late payment of EMI for all retail loanshome, car and personalfor its customers in Kerala in the month of August. Also, there will be no penalty for late payment of credit card dues, as well as no cheque bouncing charges for the banks customers in Kerala this month. Tom Jose, chief secretary of the government of Kerala said, We thank ICICI Bank for coming forward and supporting the state of Kerala in this time of need. ICICI Bank has promised to donate Rs 10 crore for the relief and rehabilitation work in the state. Of this, Rs 8 crore will be donated to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund while Rs 2 crore will be provided to all the 14 district administrations to help them buy relief material. In this hour of need, it is important that we all stand together to help the people of Kerala. The deadliest deluge in the state in close to a century has claimed 324 lives since 8 August and 2,23,139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. The state is ravaged by unprecedented rains, which forced the authorities to open gates of 80 dams in southern India. With inputs from PTI In the districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Alappuzha in Kerala, functioning of many hospitals has been severely crippled. As hundreds of people marooned in the floods in Kerala are being rescued in a major joint operation, ensuring proper medical care to those with poor health has become a big concern. Many hospitals both those run by the government and by the private sector have themselves been hit by the floods. In the worst affected districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Alappuzha, functioning of many hospitals has been severely crippled after flood water entered their premises. Several hospitals evacuated patients and staff, while some others are offering skeletal services after having shifted critical patients to hospitals not hit by the floods. Surgeries and other critical procedures have been cancelled in most of the affected hospitals. About a dozen hospitals in and around Ernakulam have either ceased functioning or are running with limited services, as the water discharged from dams in Idukki into the Periyar river and its tributaries has marooned them. The Aster Medcity, a multi-specialty hospital situated on the banks of backwaters of Kochi, was closed after water from the Periyar entered its premises. A hospital spokesperson told Firstpost that there were several patients on ventilators and in intensive care units when the water flooded the ground floor of the hospital. All these patients have been shifted to a nearby hospital and fresh admissions stopped. We tried to pump out the water, but fresh water continued to flow in, making the exercise futile. We have called off the operation in the evening, and moved out over 200 patients to different hospitals, the spokesperson said. The Muthoot Hospital at Kozenchery in Pathanamthitta district was inundated with flood water from the Pamba river. While most of the patients in the ICU have been shifted to other hospitals, around 200 others have been shifted to Muthoots orphanage in the town. Another 200 people, including patients and staff are now being moved out in boats. More than 600 people have been trapped on the fourth and fifth floors of the Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SNIMS) at Chalakka close to Ernakulam since Wednesday morning. They include, 100 patients, 150 medical students, faculty, local residents and even those who were involved in rescue operations. The Nirmala Hospital at Muvattupuzha, 40 kilometres from Ernakulam, has also been marooned in the floods. The hospital has not been able to shift patients and staff, as the town is cut off from the rest of the district. More than 200 patients and staff are stranded at the hospital. The PNM Hospital situated on the banks of the Periyar river at Kalady evacuated all patients, including elderly women and critical patients. The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) and Lisie Hospital in Ernakulam have also been crippled by the flood and the hospital authorities are planning to shift the patients to other hospitals. The flood also derailed the functioning of Aluva Najath Hospital, Vimala Hospital, Kanjoor, Aluva Anwar Hospital and the Believers Medical College at Tiruvalla. Several government-run hospitals in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts too have been affected by the floods. The taluk hospitals at Aluva and Chalakkudy are the worst-hit. Dr Anil Vasudevan, a senior state government official, said that the ground floor of the hospital at Aluva was flooded due to the surge in the water in Periyar river. He said that the hospital authorities have been asked to manage the crisis by shifting patients to the upper floors or other government hospitals not affected by the flood. We have instructed district medical officers to manage the situation at their level. They have been asked to divert the patients needing intensive care to nearby government facilities if they cannot be accommodated in a particular hospital. No patient will be denied treatment, Anil told Firstpost. The situation is bad in many hospitals. Several doctors and staff have been deployed in the relief camps. The deployment has been done in such a way that it will not affect the normal functioning of the hospitals, he said. He said that the department was not worried about the medical needs of people evacuated from the affected areas since the relief camps where they will be put up will have all facilities to take care of them. Most relief camps have adequate doctors and essential medicines, he claimed. However, volunteers engaged in providing help to the people in relief camps said that the situation was not as rosy as portrayed by the government officials. Nithin Das, who has been offering services in many relief camps in Ernakulam district, said that most camps have only first aid. Many people in the camps are senior citizens, who are suffering from multiple diseases. There are also many pregnant women in some camps. The facilities in the relief camps are not adequate to provide them the care they require, Nithin told Firstpost. He said that people rescued from the floods will have more health issues, since most of them were trapped without drinking water, food and medicines that they normally take for their conditions. Taking care of them will be a big challenge for the states health department, he added. Doctors said that the situation was very serious. Dr Arun Oommen from Lakeshore Hospital said that the people who are being rescued will have not only multiple physical ailments but also mental issues. Diabetics may require careful management in hospital conditions, as they will be prone to several health risks such as hypertension, cardiac problems, or even strokes. He said that people who were trapped in difficult conditions outside the comforts of their homes, without proper sleep and food, could also develop several mental complications such as anxiety and depression which may precipitate the underlying diseases. Many of them may have to be hospitalised and carefully managed for weeks. The facilities in the hospitals now functioning in the flood-hit areas may not be sufficient to take care of them. They will need extra facilities until the hospitals hit by the flood resume operations, Dr Arun said. He said that most hospitals were functioning now with skeletal staff. Many of the staff members have not been able to come for duty due to the flood. A report in The Times of India said that the staff strength in most of the hospitals in the Kochi city was just between 30 and 35 percent. The report said that the hospital authorities were also concerned about the shortage of liquid oxygen supply and limited diesel stock to run generators during power shutdown. Dr Arun said that the hospitals were running short of oxygen stock as fresh supplies have not been coming due to disruption in the road traffic. The hospitals have been running mostly on generators as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has shut down several transmission units due to the severe flood. At present 4,000 transformers, four 110 KV substations, thirteen 33 KV substations and six power-generating centres have been shut down due to the flood. Health activists have described the situation as very alarming and called on the government to come out with a comprehensive action plan to deal with the post-flood situation. They also fear a massive onslaught of water-borne and air-borne diseases as the flooded areas have turned into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and bacteria. Follow live updates on the Kerala floods here Kerala floods latest updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. He will stay overnight at the Kerala Raj Bhawan and will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit state on Saturday morning. Auto refresh feeds Narendra Modi will reach Kochi on Friday after attending the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will take an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas on Saturday morning, PTI reported. The Kerala government described the rumours of Mullaperiyar dam developing cracks as "completely baseless" rumours being spread on social media. "This rumour is completely baseless and the dam has not developed any cracks as alleged. These rumours are creating unnecessary panic among people living in downstream in the Periyar catchment," Water Resources secretary Tinku Biswal said. In a letter to DGP Loknath Behara, she wrote that she wanted the Cyber cell to trace the source of the rumours and take immediate action against them, PTI reported. The long distance trains cancelled included Train No 12202 Kochuveli Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Garib Rath Express), Train No 12617 Ernakulam Harzrath Nizamuddin (Mangala Lakshadweep SF Express). "Railway officials are deployed round the clock at all sections to monitor the impact of flood on railway tracks, bridges and railway premises. Officials are also closely monitoring the situation from divisional and headquarters control offices," the release said. More than 25 trains were cancelled or rescheduled in Kerala on thursday in view of the unprecedented floods and landslides in the state, the Southern Railway said. Railway officials were closely monitoring the impact of flood on railway tracks, bridges and premises and in various sensitive locations, trains were being run at restricted speeds ranging from 10 kmph to 45 kmph, it said in a release here. Under instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Defence Ministry rushed in fresh teams of the three wings of military for relief and rescue operations in the state where over 1.5 lakh homeless and displaced people are taking shelter in relief camps. All but one of the state's 14 districts are on high alert, sources said. Twelve additional teams of of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 540 personnel were also rushed to Kerala. Altogether 97 people have died till now in rain-related incidents in flood-hit Kerala. Battling savage weather conditions, the Indian navy began airlifting marooned people in Trichur, Aluva and Muvattupuzha. Dramatic videos showed people stranded atop flooded homes and hills being winched up by Navy choppers. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's apex body for handling emergency situations, met in New Delhi to take stock of the rapidly deteriorating situation caused by the worst floods the state has witnessed in close to a century. The meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha was attended by chiefs of the three services, secretaries of home, defence and other top officials, PTI reported. Taking note of the gravity of the situation, the Supreme Court ordered the disaster management panel of the Mullaperiyar Dam to urgently decide on lowering the water level by three ft to 139 ft. Thousands of people are stranded in flood-hit areas in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts are waiting for rescue teams to save their lives. Most of the people are trapped on the roof tops and upper floors of houses, apartments and hospitals for two to three days without drinking water, food and medicines. They include a large number of sick and aged people, pregnant women and children. The stranded people are unable to convey their plight to emergency responders as their mobile phones do not have charge. Many of them had communicated their location earlier. Officials at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said that the rescue team will proceed to rescue them according to the location shared earlier. The Kochi International Airport on Thursday extended the suspension of all services up to 2 pm on 26 August, with large parts of the facility flooded. "Kochi Airport operations is temporarily suspended up to 2 pm on 26 August due to very high flood situation and key essential facilities like runway, taxiway and apron are under submerged condition," an airport statement said. Newborn babies and patients in intensive care units of private hospitals in Aluva town of Ernakulam district were evacuated and shifted to facilities elsewhere. According to some reports, around 200 patients were stranded at a hospital in Muvattupuzha after rain water swamped the building, PTI reported. "Given the urgency, party members, sympathisers and the general public are requested to rush their individual contributions either through drafts/cheques drawn in favour of the party or send it directly to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund," the CPM said in a statement In many places in rain-battered Kerala, families trapped in high rise flats, students stranded in hostels and devotees in churches are using social media platforms to seek help and pass on information about their location. Videos of people pleading for help with folded hands, are being posted and shared by hundreds of people on WhatsApp groups since last night. Panic-struck relatives are also sharing the location of their near and dear ones trapped in various places using Google maps, PTI reported. Fisher folks from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram have joined the Army and state police in rescuing people stranded in Pathanamthitta district following floods in Pampa river and its tributaries. About 130 fishermen who knows swimming have been pressed into action by the Trivandrum Latin Church diocese. The fishermen have arrived in Pathanamthitta with 50 fishing boats. The Indian Army, state police and local rescue groups are engaged in rescue operations at Pathanamthitta, Ranni and Chenganoor localities which are submerged in flood waters. More men, including special forces with diving and rescue equipment and helicopters, are being deployed as calls for rescue have been pouring in from various parts of the districts. Water level in the Chalakudy river in Thrissur has risen on Friday confounding the woes of thousands of people stranded in the Chalakudy town and surrounding areas. Most of the people are stranded for more than two days as rescue teams have not been able to reach them as the town is fully submerged. Over 1,500 people stranded on the roof top of a Christian retreat centre at Muringoor are in panic as the water has risen up to the third floor. The govt has issued an advisory warning for the Cauvery river as it prepares to release more water from the Kabani and Krishna Raja Sagara Dam into the river and its tributaries. More than 2.1 lakh cusecs of water is expected to reach Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. In a huge relief to the people on the banks of Periyar River, the government has decided not to release further water from Idukki dam. Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) officials said that the decision was taken as the water from the river had flooded all residential areas, including the densely populated Aluva. Though the water in the Idukki reservoir is hovering around the maximum storage capacity of 24,003 feet, the KSEB is planning to hold the water till 2,408 feet. The officials said that the present level of discharge will be continued until people in the affected areas are rescued. Complete breakdown of communication networks has made the rescue relief coordination difficult. Even though the air force rescue operation has started, none of the control rooms in the districts could be reached as phones are discharged, The Indian Express reported . "Have been receiving updates about areas affected badly by floods in Kerala. Taking all measures to help those stranded by floods and contributing Rs 5 cr for relief work. Help the victims and donate to Kerala's Distress Relief Fund," the Andhra Pradesh chief minister tweeted. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala chief minister P Vijayan just now.We discussed flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Narendra Modi tweeted. The spiritual guru said that his organisation the Art of Living will do all possible help to aid in rescue work in the flood-hit state. Railways has cancelled services from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam via Kottayam and Ernakulam to Palakkad via Shornur till 4 pm on Friday in view of the continuation of heavy rains and floods. Bookings have been suspended in Thiruvananthapuram Central station. The running of many trains coming to Kerala from various parts of the country has been regulated. The Hubli-Kochuveli Express will run only up to Thrissur whereas, the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express and the Karackal-Ernakulam Express have been suspended at Palakkad junction. Hundreds of messages pleading for help to rescue people stranded in flood-hit areas are flooding the WhatsApp media groups of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). The messages are coming mostly from Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts, where thousands of people are marooned in the floods. KSDMA secretary Shekhar Kuriakose said that they have made arrangement to compile them and pass on to the emergency response team. There is some temporary respite from the rains in the Aluva region. Children and women were seen coming out of troubled areas on boats with relieved faces as they got water and food for the first time in over 24 hours. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi has announced that her organisation will donate Rs 10 crores to the Kerala Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. "My heart goes out to those families who are losing their homes and dear ones. We want to help them in whatever way we can," the spiritual leader said. Red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod for Friday. Red alert has been issued for Saturday also in Ernakulam and Idukki districts, ANI reported. The Kodagu-Mangalore highway is blocked in Makanur area due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy incessant rainfall in the region. Locals say "it is not possible to move as people are stuck in their houses", ANI reported. Water levels across the district haven't stopped rising and the submergence in the eastern part is very high. Locals, police and fire department are looking for people street by street. Land slides continue in Kalikavu, Karulayi and Nilambur regions due to which submerged areas in and around the areas are inaccessible. A car drowned on Thursday night, when it tried to forcefully pass through NH 213. However, the occupants of the car were rescued. BSNL Kerala has announced unlimited free calls for seven days from Friday in Kerala's four rain affected districts - Waynadu, Idukki, Alleppey and Pathanamthitta. This includes unlimited SMS and 20 minutes of free calling to non-BSNL numbers everyday. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that she talked to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone and that he requested her for more helicopters. She said that she has instructed the Vice Chief of Air Staff to provide the required assistance. Nirmala Sitharaman talks to Pinarayi Vijayan, orders for more air force helicopters to be sent for rescue and relief work in Kerala Alappuzha district may face flooding now as water has recedes from Pathanamthitta to Alappuzha district enroute to the Arabian Sea. Kuttanad region is currently submerged. A nine-day-old baby and her mother are stranded near Pandanad village office in Chengannur district. they can be reached out on these phone numbers: +91-9745489684, +91-9562891837 "Sir I am Surendran, Puthuparampil, Valanjavattom, ward number 10 Thiruvalla Kadapra village. Stranded at second floor. Only boat can reach here. Kindly inform Thiruvalla Tehsildar. Since phone battery is weak, I can't use WhatsApp", read the SOS message from the stranded man. NH 47 between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram will be blocked on Friday for sometime as Thottapally spillway shutters will be opened at 11 am. This is to ensure that area is cleared for water from the spillway to flow out into the Arabian Sea. The district administration has appointed officers to shelter homes. District minister Sa Ra Mahesh is camping in district monitoring rescue operations centre. Meanwhile, the road connecting Gonikoppa to Kutta has been blocked. Similarly, the husband of Lini Puthuserry, a nurse who died after treating Nipah virus patients, has donated his first months salary from the job offered to him by the state government. The husband, Sajeesh, handed over the amount to the Kerala labour and excise minister TP Ramakrishnan in an event held at Vadakara Perambra in the Kozhikode district. Kerala student, Hanan Hamid, who became a victim of cyber bullying after her video selling fish in college uniform went viral, has donated Rs 1.5 lakh to Kerala Chief Ministers Relief fund. Hanan said this was the amount she had received in donations from people after her story went viral. She said that she was giving the entire donation with love to the people who have lost everything in the flood. A SOS message has come from P.Kuruvilla (Kunjutty) of Pulimoottil House which is next to the Thalavady Anaprambal South UP School in Alappuzha district. Six people are stranded and two of them are old. There is a 92-year-old partially paralysed man and his sick wife and four other women who are stranded. They can be reached at: +91 9961388619. However, many rescue team members said that they were unable to rescue people even after they had reached near their houses due to huge compound walls and heavy inflow of water, The Indian Express reported . The death toll in the Kerala deluge is likely to go up as hundreds of people stranded in flooded areas, especially in and around Aluva and Pathanamthitta-Chengannur, would be now rescued as multiple sources on the ground reported a slight reduction in the water level in Ranni and Pathanamthitta areas. Clear skies were seen in Kochi for the first time in 72 hours, but IMD has predicted heavy rain in the city and the Ernakulam district on Friday and Saturday, The Indian Express reported . On Thursday, the Supreme Court had directed the sub-committee constituted under Section 9 of the Disaster Management Act to meet with representatives of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to chalk out ways to reduce the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam to 139 ft, The Indian Express reported. The Supreme Court said it will hear the Kerala floods matter before noon on Friday as the court has declared a half-day holiday after 1 pm to mark former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise. The shutters of the Thottapally spillway have been opened in the Alappuzha district. The traffic along NH 47 between Alapuzha and Thiruvananthapuram has been suspended for next three hours as water will flow over the highway. "Total 11 helicopters have been deployed to rescue stranded people across Kerala, especially in areas. We have appealed to Centre to provide more choppers for rescue operation. We haven't been able to deploy more boats in Chengannur, Chalakudy and Aluva. We have received over 140 boats this morning. There are some areas which are high and people can only be rescued by helicopters. Total 16 units of Army deployed across the state." 17 people stranded in Chengannur were airlifted on Friday morning. Alapuzha is most likely to face flooding now as water has started receding from Pathanamthitta to Alapuzha district enroute to the Arabian Sea. Kuttanad region is now submerged. Addressing the media, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that since 8 August, at least 164 people have died due to flooding and landslides. Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the media and said that since 8 August at least 164 people have died due to flooding and landslides. "At least, 4,000 people have been rescued by NDRF till now. A total of 70 people have been airlifted from various parts of the city and 1,568 relief camps have opened up in the state," Vijayan said. At least, 1,000 people got trapped due to overflow of the river Meenachil in Kottayam district. Around 100 people rescued so far.They have been shifted to relief camp of Sh Mount school and Government model school. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought more central forces to assist the state government in the rescue operations. According to him, 16 teams of Army, 13 teams of Navy, 10 teams of Air Force and 39 teams of NDRF are now engaged in the operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people and Navy 550. All roads from Karnataka are open. There had been inundation on NH 766 at Ponkuzhi but it is now fit for traffic. All roads from Tamil Nadu via Nilgiris are open, including the route via Kollegal in Karnataka. From within Kerala, roads from Kozhikode through Thamarassery Ghat and Kuttiadi Ghat are open for traffic. The road from Malappuram through Nadukani Ghat is also open. However Periya Ghat and Boys Town Ghat from Kannur remain closed and work is under progress to get them opened. Supreme Court has directed sub-committee under Disaster Management Act 2005, Court appointed committee and National Committee for Crisis Management to explore possibility of reducing water level in Mullaperiyar dam reservoir to 139 feet from 142 feet. Sub-committee meanwhile decides to bring down water level in Mullaperiyaar dam by two to three feet in a phased manner, Centre informs Supreme Court. Five house have been completely and many more partially damaged in the landlside in Wayanad. People are being evacuated on a large scale from these areas. Though, no casualty has been reported. "This is the biggest natural diaster people of Kerala have ever witnessed. People have been rescued from Patanamthitta which has suffered the most in North Kerala and people have been rescued and shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. The district administration is seeking help from the local authorities and the community organisations who are willing to help the poor. Those who need accommodation near the Thiruvananthapuram Airport or Varkala Helipad should contact the district administration," the district collector and chairman of District Disaster Management Authority Thiruvananthapuram said. Twenty people are missing in Thanthi Pala near Madiker. More than five houses have collapsed in a mudslide there an rescue team is yet to reach there. Eight people in the upper floor of a house in Annamada are struck for the past three days. Food, water and insulin is over. Water is entering the upper floor as well. Last contacted 1 hour ago (11.00 am, 17 August). Mobile number: +91 98464 40468. Address: Chennalil House, Mambrakadavu Road, Palissery Annamanada, Mala, Trissur. "We are receiving multiple repetitive rescue requests in CMO. Ensure that you add date and time along with exact location, any significant landmark, district, number of stranded people and contact number of victim in all new requests," Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has met for the second time in two days in Delhi on Friday to review the rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas in Kerala. Cabinet secretary PK Sinha, who chaired the meeting, held a video conference with the chief secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including army, navy, air force, coast guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide required assistance to Kerala. Meanwhile, the IAF has deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. Army has pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets and the NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment. The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today. The Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life guards. Trouble may be coming Karnataka's way as 2.20 lakh cusecs of water being is being let out into the Tungabhadra river from the reservoir. The Anjaneya temple in Modalagatti is partially submerged. It sits next to a bridge over the Tungabhadra river that connects the Hadagali and Mundargi taluk and provides the shortest route to Gadag. The Indian Navy tweeted a video, Friday, showing a successful rescue operation from flood-hit Kerala. The naval team managed to rescue a pregnant woman, who was very close to labour. The woman has been successfully shifted to a local hospital for further care and treatment. The Trivandrum District Information Office has rubbished rumours about fuel shortages in the state. District Collector K Vasuki has instructed fuel bunk owners to store 3000 litres of diesel and 1000 litres of petrol. She has also asked them to give priority to vehicles involved in relief operations. Kerala has been severely hit by monsoon rains and rivers and dam reservoirs are overflowing, inundating a large part of the state. At least 100 people died yesterday in rain-related incidents, State Disaster Management Authority officials said in Thiruvananthapuram. The NDRF said today it has moved more than 4,000 people to safer places and rescued another 44 from flooded areas in Kerala during the past nine days, even as its personnel struggle to reach remote areas cut off due to landslides. According to state information agency, PIB, IndianArmy is deeply involved in the rescue and relief operations in Kerala. As of today, a total of 10 flood relief columns, each having an approx strength of 65 personnels are carrying out rescue operations. Due to heavy rains in Valparai in Coimbatore, Nadumalai river is in spate and water has entered over 150 homes in the Vazhai Thotham, Children's Park and Gandhinagar. The state transport corporation bus depot has also been flooded forcing the state to suspend bus services. State revenue minister RV Deshpande has said that a team of 80 Indian Navy personnel from Mangalore would be pressed in to rescue operations in Kodagu. Speaking to reporters on Friday he instructed district officers to open relief camps in the affected areas. He has also instructed officers to seize all the excavators in the district and press them to work on clearing the roads. Various medical teams from neighbouring districts are also arriving to attend to the needs of those injured during the floods and landslides. The unrelenting fury of the Southwest monsoon is now affecting parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well, in addition to ravaging flood-hit Kerala. Heavy and incessant rainfall triggered landslides in the Kodagu district of Kerala, and several low-lying areas in the city were also water-logged. Vijayan said that fishermen who know swimming have also joined the operation. The boats have come from Vizhinjam and Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram, Anchuthengu in Kollam, Ponnani in Malappuram district, Azhikkal in Kannur and Thalaserry. Earlier 50 boats from Thiruvananthapuram were pressed into service under an initiative of the Trivandrum Archdiocese of the Latin Catholic Church. In addition to the rubber boats brought in by armed forces and coast guards, about 200 more fishing boats have also been deployed to rescue people trapped in flood-affected areas. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 19 boats have been sent to Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, 15 each were sent to Thrissur and Ernakulam and 48 were sent to Chalakkudy. He said that 48 more boats were ready to join the operation. Two persons have died during the rescue operations in Kochi. Midhunkumar (23), a native of Puthuvype, was washed away by the flood near Kalamaserry. The other person who lost the life in the rescue operation is Vattekkunnam Babu (48). Further details were not immediately available. "We arent getting a single rupee as remuneration for what we are doing, but that isnt why we are doing this. We are saving lives, and we cant think of anything else that could give us this feeling of satisfaction, one of the fisherman told the News Minute . State authorities too have welcomed their help as the boats brought by fishermen are small and can negotiate narrow areas. But the fishermen aren't helping out with hopes of any remuneration. Speaking to News Minute, several fishermen said that they haven't asked for any money from the state authorities and they were only trying to do whatever they can to help save lives. As the navy boats are running short, fishermen from different parts of the state have taken off from their job and are taking their fishing boats to the flood-hit areas. People from of coastal villages of Neendakara, Vizhinjam, Ponnani, Tanur and Kozhikode didnt go for fishing on Friday and have ventured to hilly areas instead, which are reeling under the floods, News18 r eported. They braced several problems in doing so as most of the hilly areas are cut-off due to landslides and heavy flooding on National Highways. Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, has joined the relief effort by announcing free cancellation of booked tickets. On its Facebook page, the low-cost airline said that the passengers will also be able to reschedule the date of their journey and change the sectors free of charge. The airline said that it would refund the full ticket amount if tickets are cancelled. The concession will be available to all to-and-fro flights from Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut international airports till 26 August. Following difficulties faced by the flood-hit people in accessing helpline numbers, the state government has launched a web portal to reach out to emergency responders. People requiring assistance can enter site www.keralarescue.in and key in their requirements like rescue, drinking water, food, clothes, medicines, kitchen and cleaning equipment after pressing "request for help. After providing the information they have to click 'need rescue'. The information from the site will be passed on to Police, Navy, NDRF and other rescue teams. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the people to make use of the facility. Water has started receding in places like Chengannur and Ranni in Pathanamthitta but the same has started filling areas of Kuttanad in Alapuzha. Indian Aiforce and navy are still engaged in evacuation but there is still a lack of boats for which the chief minister has once again spoken to the prime minister for more help. Pandalam which is again a prominent town in Pathanamthitta has been submerged totally on Friday. All this continues inspite of the government not opening the dams any further. Rescue efforts continue on a war footing in Kerala. More than 15000 people have been rescued by the combined rescue team. At least 314 have been airlifted between Thursday and Friday but thousands still await help on roofs across three districts of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Thrissur. Pandanad and Malakkara in Pathanamthitta, certain areas in Aluva in Ernakulam and Chalakudy in Thrissur are still cut off due to heavy flooding. There is a mad rush at Petrol Pumps across south Kerala with serpentine queues of cars wanting to fill their tanks as unconfirmed news spread that the movement of fuel ferrying tanker lorries from north to south Kerala would be severely affected due to the floods. Many pumps in Thiruvananthapuram have already put up 'no stock' boards as consumers continue the panic buying. Oil companies, however, have not confirmed a possible scarcity of fuel in the next few days. People scramble to stock up on fuel as rumours of fuel shortage spread; no confirmation from oil companies yet The Kerala Chief Minister's office has made an appeal to people once again to support the relief and rescue oeprations by contributing more to the relief fund. The tragedy in Kerala is the worst to hit the state in a century. Here is how you can help. With over 250 people safely evacuated to the relief camp at Valiyora AMUP School in Malappuram, rescue operations are underway in full swing despite heavy downpour. Many families are still stuck in Tappancheri hills and around the river banks of Muthalamad in Vengara area. Two fire force units started their rescue operations around 3 pm on Thursday along with a navy unit, which was able to distribute food to the people stuck. Till Friday, 173 people have lost their lives in the floods that damaged homes and crops across 11 districts in the southern state. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, in an appeal for aid and donations, said that 324 lives have been lost so far and 2,23,139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. The state is ravaged by unprecedented rains, which forced the authorities to open gates of 80 dams in southern India. This is termed the worst calamity to hit the state in the past 100 years. According to an official statement, while Rs 5 crore is being transferred from the Punjab Chief Minister's Relief Fund to Kerala counterpart's relief fund, the remaining Rs 5 crore will be in the form of ready-to-eat food material and other supplies, to be flown there with the help of the Defence Ministry. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced Rs 10 crore immediate relief for the flood-ravaged Kerala, where 106 people died on a single day yesterday as the state plunged deeper into misery with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry. The army officials involved in rescue in disaster-hit areas of Kerala have clarified that only dry food items can be distributed among the victims. Food items that require no cooking and that are free of water content are needed for distribution. The clarification came as many people have been donating cooked food at the collection centres, which would only be wasted, without reaching the beneficiaries. The media release from Thiruvananthapuram District Information office said that people should heed this suggestion from the army and contribute drinking water bottles, rice flakes (aval), jaggery, biscuits, dry fruits, buns, chocolates etc. Food collected at Trivandrum International Airport for thousands of flood victims in Pathanamthitta was airdropped and distributed under the supervision of district officials. The Indian Army has requested all those trying to help the flood victims in Kerala to drop off dry food packets at collection centres. Similarly, broadcasting major Star India also said it would donate Rs 2 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund as its contribution towards relief and rehabilitation in the rain-ravaged state. Additionally, Asianet employees have pledged Rs 25 lakh to the relief work in state, a company statement said. ICICI Bank today announced that it will contribute Rs.10 crore to aid the state government and the local authorities in their efforts to provide relief and assistance in the flood-affected regions of Kerala. The majority of the contribution will be extended to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. The Bank will also contribute to the District Collectors efforts in all the 14 districts of the state to help in the supply of essential commodities like clothes, food items, medicines, sanitation & hygiene products and others. Thiruvananthapuram limped back to normalcy as there was some respite for the rains on Thursday and Friday. Water has started receding in the flood-hit areas of the district, said a media release from the District Information Office. As there were no heavy showers reported on Thursday, works to drain water from the water-logged areas and sanitation works could be conducted, helping in a quick recovery of the district. Many who were rehabilitated in relief camps have returned to their homes. However, more than 7000 are still being accommodated in relief camps in the flood-hit areas in the district. Kerala Forest Minister K Raju, who went to Germany to take part in the World Malayali Global Council conference, was called back by his Communist Party of India after it kicked off a controversy. The minister who was given the charge of coordinating the rescue and relief operations in Kottayam district had left the state at a time when the district was reeling under severe flood. Though several other ministers, MPs including Shashi Tharoor and MLAs were invited only Raju and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Mohamed Basheer went for the conference. Kottayam district has been under red alert for the last one week. This comes a day after around 130 labourers from Odisha stuck at Odapally area of Kerala made a video and broadcasted it appealing to the state govt to come to their rescue. Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner from Odisha Bishnupada Sethi has also written to the Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management of the Kerala government requesting him to ensure all adequate support to them like food, drinking water and others. The Odisha government Friday opened a helpline for the Odia community under distress in Kerala, hit by a flood-like situation there. The helpline which would be operated from the office of the Special Relief Commissioner, Bhubaneswar could be reached at 1070 and 0674-2534177. More than 3000 people have been rescued till date by the SNC and continuous efforts are on to bring the flood affected people to safety and also provide them essential relief supplies such as food and water. Today 310 people have been rescued by the boats and 176 by aircraft as of 4.30 pm. Eighteen more teams were sent out to various locations since early morning, to augment the rescue teams. A total of 10 and 9 diving/ rescue teams with Gemini boats were received from Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command respectively. Even as the flood situation continued to remain dire all across Kerala, Southern Naval Command had deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple locations as of 4:30 PM on 17 Aug 18, the ninth day of Operation Madad. "The Southern Railway has dispatched one water special consisting of seven wagons with water tank from the Erode Junction station at 4 p.m. today with 2.8 lakh liter of drinking water," Rajesh Dutt Bajpai, Director Media Railway Ministry, said. "Today 2,740 cartons were despatched from Parassala Rail Neer plant. Another 10,000 cartons of water bottles (1,00,000 bottles) from IRCTC's Parassala plant in Kerala is under progress," he said, adding that about 15,000 cartons with water bottles are being despatched from IRCTC's Palur Plant in Tamil Nadu. With Kerala reeling under one of the worst floods, Indian Railways on Friday sent over 2.8 lakh liter of drinking water to the state through wagons and also bottled water. The Indian Army deployed one coloumn in Karnataka's Kodagu district following heavy rainfall and landslips. The army evacuated over 1,000 people in the area. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said that she has asked her department to coordinate with relief and rescue operations. She tweeted: "Deeply anguished by the critical condition of Kerala. I have asked my team to extend full support to the Government of Kerala in rescue and relief operations. To aid distressed Children stuck in this massive calamity, I have arranged 100 MT of Ready-To-Eat Food. Have also assured the State Govt. for more supplies. Praying for well-being and safety of Children." "The situation in Chenagnnur in Pathanamthitta is getting worse with every passing moment. Thousands are stranded for the third day without food water and medicines in some of the most interior areas. Unless urgent steps are taken to reach them we could be in for huge casualties," Saji Cherian, CPI(M)'s MLA from Chengannur said. Additionally, 19 arrivals/departures have been mounted to/from Trivandrum, Calicut and Coimbatore airports. Nine foreign carriers operating to Cochin have also rescheduled their flights to/from Trivandrum. In view of closure of Cochin airport, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has asked scheduled domestic airlines to mount additional flights for Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut airports. Out of 71 arrivals and 74 departures of scheduled domestic airlines to/from Cochin, 23 arrivals and 24 departures have been rescheduled. "Domestic airlines have also been advised to ensure that airfares to/from Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode airports in Kerala and nearby airports in Mangalore and Coimbatore are kept at optimal level proportionate to sector distance so that travelling public is not inconvenienced," DGCA said. Accordingly, airlines have been requested to cap the maximum fare at Rs 10,000 on longer routes and around Rs 8,000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports. PTI The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which held talks with the carriers, said it is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Mangalore. "Spike in airfare on a few routes have been observed. Airlines concerned have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights," it added. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will visit Kodagu tomorrow and review the relief operations in the district. He will chair a high-level meeting regarding the flood situation in the state at 10.30 am tomorrow in Krishna and then leave for Kodagu. He'll visit rain-affected areas in Nanjangood and Kabini on Sunday. Telangana chief minister has offered Rs 25 crore assistance, while Delhi and Punjab have offered Rs 10 crore each to help flood-hit Kerala. Conservative estimates so far have suggested that the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore, however, an official figure is yet to be released. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. He will stay overnight at the Kerala Raj Bhawan and will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit state on Saturday morning. The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to the rain-ravaged state. Expressing grief over the devastation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government would extend all possible help to Kerala. "Our moral support will always be there. We will also help the state in kind and other ways as well," the CM said in a statement. He hoped that the situation in the state would return to normal soon. PTI Rao has also instructed that water purifying machines worth Rs 2.50 crore be supplied to Kerala as drinking water gets polluted due to floods, it said. The chief Minister has appealed to industrialists, prominent persons in IT sector and others in Telangana to help the rain-hit state, it said. The Telangana government today announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has directed Chief Secretary S K Joshi to see that the money reaches Kerala immediately, an official release said. According to the state disaster management authority, at least 194 people have lost their lives across the 14 districts of Kerala, since 8 August. The highest death toll was reported from Thrissur (42), whereas Wayanad reported the most damage to homes and property, followed closely by Palakkad. Malappuram faced the most severe damage to crops, amid all districts. Additionally, 19 arrivals/departures have been mounted to/from Trivandrum, Calicut and Coimbatore airports. Nine foreign carriers operating to Cochin have also rescheduled their flights to/from Trivandrum. In view of closure of Cochin airport, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has asked scheduled domestic airlines to mount additional flights for Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut airports. Out of 71 arrivals and 74 departures of scheduled domestic airlines to/from Cochin, 23 arrivals and 24 departures have been rescheduled. "Domestic airlines have also been advised to ensure that airfares to/from Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode airports in Kerala and nearby airports in Mangalore and Coimbatore are kept at optimal level proportionate to sector distance so that travelling public is not inconvenienced," DGCA said. Accordingly, airlines have been requested to cap the maximum fare at Rs 10,000 on longer routes and around Rs 8,000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports. PTI The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which held talks with the carriers, said it is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Mangalore. "Spike in airfare on a few routes have been observed. Airlines concerned have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights," it added. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will visit Kodagu tomorrow and review the relief operations in the district. He will chair a high-level meeting regarding the flood situation in the state at 10.30 am tomorrow in Krishna and then leave for Kodagu. He'll visit rain-affected areas in Nanjangood and Kabini on Sunday. Telangana chief minister has offered Rs 25 crore assistance, while Delhi and Punjab have offered Rs 10 crore each to help flood-hit Kerala. Conservative estimates so far have suggested that the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore, however, an official figure is yet to be released. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. He will stay overnight at the Kerala Raj Bhawan and will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit state on Saturday morning. The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to the rain-ravaged state. Expressing grief over the devastation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government would extend all possible help to Kerala. "Our moral support will always be there. We will also help the state in kind and other ways as well," the CM said in a statement. He hoped that the situation in the state would return to normal soon. PTI Rao has also instructed that water purifying machines worth Rs 2.50 crore be supplied to Kerala as drinking water gets polluted due to floods, it said. The chief Minister has appealed to industrialists, prominent persons in IT sector and others in Telangana to help the rain-hit state, it said. The Telangana government today announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has directed Chief Secretary S K Joshi to see that the money reaches Kerala immediately, an official release said. Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state; received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/fAW9D2KCPE According to the state disaster management authority, at least 194 people have lost their lives across the 14 districts of Kerala, since 8 August. The highest death toll was reported from Thrissur (42), whereas Wayanad reported the most damage to homes and property, followed closely by Palakkad. Malappuram faced the most severe damage to crops, amid all districts. Kerala floods latest updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. He will stay overnight at the Kerala Raj Bhawan and will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit state on Saturday morning. "The situation in Chenagnnur in Pathanamthitta is getting worse with every passing moment. Thousands are stranded for the third day without food water and medicines in some of the most interior areas. Unless urgent steps are taken to reach them we could be in for huge casualties," Saji Cherian, CPI(M)'s MLA from Chengannur said. Telangana chief minister has offered Rs 25 crore assistance, while Delhi and Punjab have offered Rs 10 crore each to help flood-hit Kerala. Conservative estimates so far have suggested that the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore, however, an official figure is yet to be released. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the rescue operations today didn't go well. He said that over 84,000 people were evacuated today but the situation remained grim in Chalakudy and Chengannur districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Kochi from New Delhi. He will arrive around 9 pm on Friday and will take an aerial survey of the state tomorrow. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, in an appeal for aid and donations, said that 324 lives have been lost so far and 2,23,139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. The state is ravaged by unprecedented rains, which forced the authorities to open gates of 80 dams in southern India. This is termed the worst calamity to hit the state in the past 100 years. The Indian Navy has rushed a fleet replenishment tanker, INS Deepak from Mumbai to Kochi with 8 Lakh litres of drinking water to help the people stranded in Kerala. The ship is scheduled to reach Kochi on 19 August. More than 15000 people have been rescued by the combined rescue team. However, thousands still await help on roofs across three districts of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Thrissur. Pandanad and Malakkara in Pathanamthitta, certain areas in Aluva in Ernakulam and Chalakudy in Thrissur are still cut off due to heavy flooding. In addition to the rubber boats brought in by armed forces and coast guards, about 200 more fishing boats have also been deployed to rescue people trapped in flood-affected areas. The boats brought by fishermen are small and can negotiate narrow areas. Moreover, the fishermen are also familiar with the conditions. The NDRF said it has moved more than 4,000 people to safer places and rescued another 44 from flooded areas in Kerala during the past nine days, even as its personnel struggle to reach remote areas cut off due to landslides. More than 100 people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala in the last 24 hours since Thursday, sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said, even as defence forces scaled up operations this morning to rescue those stranded in worst-hit areas. The toll for Thursday, initially put at 30, has now been revised to 106, the sources said, which takes the overall fatalities to 173 since the second spell of monsoon fury unleashed itself on 8 August. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has met for the second time in two days in Delhi on Friday to review the rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas in Kerala. Cabinet secretary PK Sinha, who chaired the meeting, held a video conference with the chief secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including army, navy, air force, coast guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala. Supreme Court has directed sub-committee under Disaster Management Act 2005, Court appointed committee and National Committee for Crisis Management to explore possibility of reducing water level in Mullaperiyar dam reservoir to 139 feet from 142 feet. Both the Chalakudy river and the Periyar river are at same level but water is not receding. A landslide occurred in the morning at Manandhavady in Wayanad but no casualty was reported. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought more central forces to assist the state government in the rescue operations. According to him, 16 teams of Army, 13 teams of Navy, 10 teams of Air Force and 39 teams of NDRF are now engaged in the operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people and Navy 550. Explaining the rescue and relief operations in Kerala, TV Sajeev, head of the Forest Health Division at the Kerala Forest Research Institute which is operating three helpline routes told Firstpost that there are three groups, outside Kerala, who are coordinating rescue operations at the moment the National Defence Rescue Force, the Navy and the Air force. "They've divided Kerala into three portions for the purpose of operational efficiency. Rescue activities are coordinated at the district Level. Every district collector is operating a district coordination centre and additionally, has their own rescue teams. Official helplines have been constituted across institutes and offices." According to Sajeev, people who are stranded call with their locations, the role of those managing helplines is to break this down into geographical coordinates and then transfer the information to the District Coordination Centre. "Here, it is assigned to different rescue teams, manned either by the national forces or district teams. Those rescued are being transferred to relief camps across districts which provide accommodation, food and basic medical care services. There are private relief camps set up across districts too." Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought more central forces to assist the state government in the rescue operations. According to him, 16 teams of Army, 13 teams of Navy, 10 teams of Air Force and 39 teams of NDRF are now engaged in the operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people and Navy 550. Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Total 11 helicopters have been deployed to rescue stranded people across Kerala, especially in areas. We have appealed to Centre to provide more choppers for rescue operation. We haven't been able to deploy more boats in Chengannur, Chalakudy and Aluva. We have received over 140 boats this morning. There are some areas which are high and people can only be rescued by helicopters. Total 16 units of Army deployed across the state." Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the media and said that since 8 August at least 164 people have died due to flooding and landslides. "At least, 4,000 people have been rescued by NDRF till now. A total of 70 people have been airlifted from various parts of the city and 1,568 relief camps have opened up in the state," Vijayan said. The Southern Railways has cancel all trains going to Tamil Nadu from Mangalore. This step was taken after the flooding of railway lines in Palghat-Shoranur section. The shutters of the Thottapally spillway have been opened in the Alappuzha district. The traffic along NH 47 between Alapuzha and Thiruvananthapuram has been suspended for next three hours as water will flow over the highway. The district administration has appointed officers to shelter homes. District minister Sa Ra Mahesh is camping in district monitoring rescue operations centre. Meanwhile, the road connecting Gonikoppa to Kutta has been blocked. NH 47 between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram will be blocked on Friday for sometime as Thottapally spillway shutters will be opened at 11 am. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that she talked to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone and that he requested her for more helicopters. She said that she has instructed the Vice Chief of Air Staff to provide the required assistance. BSNL Kerala has announced unlimited free calls for seven days from Friday in Kerala's four rain affected districts - Waynadu, Idukki, Alleppey and Pathanamthitta. This includes unlimited SMS and 20 minutes of free calling to non-BSNL numbers everyday. Red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod for Friday. Red alert has been issued for Saturday also in Ernakulam and Idukki districts, ANI reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation in Kerala as he spoke to chef minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala chief minister P Vijayan just now.We discussed flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Narendra Modi tweeted. In a huge relief to the people on the banks of Periyar River, the government has decided not to release further water from Idukki dam. The govt has issued an advisory warning for the Cauvery river as it prepares to release more water from the Kabani and Krishna Raja Sagara Dam into the river and its tributaries. More than 2.1 lakh cusecs of water is expected to reach Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Army, state police and local rescue groups are engaged in rescue operations at Pathanamthitta, Ranni and Chenganoor localities which are submerged in flood waters. More men, including special forces with diving and rescue equipment and helicopters, are being deployed as calls for rescue have been pouring in from various parts of the districts. Fisher folks from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram have joined the Army and state police in rescuing people stranded in Pathanamthitta district following floods in Pampa river and its tributaries. About 130 fishermen who knows swimming have been pressed into action by the Trivandrum Latin Church diocese. The fishermen have arrived in Pathanamthitta with 50 fishing boats. The Kochi International Airport on Thursday extended the suspension of all services up to 2 pm on 26 August, with large parts of the facility flooded. "Kochi Airport operations is temporarily suspended up to 2 pm on 26 August due to very high flood situation and key essential facilities like runway, taxiway and apron are under submerged condition," an airport statement said. Thousands of people are stranded in flood-hit areas in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts are waiting for rescue teams to save their lives. Most of the people are trapped on the roof tops and upper floors of houses, apartments and hospitals for two to three days without drinking water, food and medicines. They include a large number of sick and aged people, pregnant women and children. In a press conference held on Thursday, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the situation in Kerala is under control, with rescue missions happening in full swings. Presently around 1.5 lakh people are in refugee camps. Around 3000 people were rescued on Thursday in Ernakulam and Pattanamthitta. The Centre and State are conducting the rescue operations together, according to the Chief Ministers office. Prime minister Narendra Modi would visit Kerala and undertake an aerial survey of the flood ravaged areas on Saturday, Union Minister K J Alphons said on Thursday. Modi is expected to reach Kochi on Friday after attending the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee scheduled for 4 pm tomorrow in Delhi. After an overnight stay at Kochi, the Prime Minister will undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas on Saturday, Alphons said. Modi has already been in touch with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and had assured all assistance. The prime minister has taken a "positive stand" towards the state on relief measures, Vijayan had said on Wednesday after he spoke to him for the second time in the past few days. Kerala has been ravaged by unprecedented floods following torrential rains that also triggered landslides, claiming 97 lives since 8 August besides disrupting air, rail and road traffic in several places. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on 12 August undertook an aerial survey of the floot-hit regions and announced an immediate central assistance of Rs 100 crore to the state for relief works. WASHINGTON - A Chico-based air tank pilot committed to a forced landing just 500 feet from the ground on Tuesday afternoon. The pilot experienced an engine failure while fighting a wildfire in Washington. He is out of the hospital, but has a couple of broken ribs and a bruised lung. The fire tanker, known as the "Fire-Boss" aircraft, had just scooped water from the Columbia River, a couple miles from the fire area. The pilot suddenly heard a loud bang and immediately made a distress call, declaring "mayday." He then dropped his water load and made an instant decision for a forced landing into the trees. "Catastrophic engine failure is very rare and this type of an engine or airplane. The airplane is almost brand new, less than 500 hours on the airplane," the General Manager of Air Spray, Ravi Saip said. Saip said the pilot's expertise and training were flawless. He explained how Air Spray is overwhelmed with gratitude that this pilot was able to survive the forced landing. These pilots are executing retardant and water drops to help firefighters on ground level. Air Spray is working with their engine manufacturers to investigate the aircraft incident further. These pictures are of the actual aircraft, provided by Air Spray U.S.A. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram to take stock of the flood situation there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram late on Friday evening. He will be taking a tour on Saturday to take stock of the flood situation in Kerala. On Saturday, the prime minister will leave Raj Bhavan for an aerial recce of the affected areas along with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at 7 am, following which he will chair a meeting in Kochi at 9.39 am. He is expected to leave for Delhi by 10.30 am. Earlier in the day, Modi also spoke with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation. "The suffering of the people of Kerala has been in his thoughts for the last few days. He will review the status of relief and rescue operations, and will also undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Friday. Modi left for Kerala after attending the last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Kerala has been severely hit by monsoon rains and rivers and dam reservoirs are overflowing, inundating a large part of the state. At least 100 people died on Thursday in rain-related incidents in the state and according to state government figures, 164 people have lost their lives in the state since 8 August and over 3 lakh people have been displaced. With inputs from PTI The deadliest deluge in close to a century in Kerala has claimed 173 lives since 8 August, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Thiruvananthapuram: As a murderous monsoon savaged Kerala claiming 106 lives on a single day on Thursday, the state plunged deeper into misery on Friday with hospitals facing a shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry, officials said. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 324 lives since 8 August, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Personnel of the three services, besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) resumed the gigantic task of evacuating people stranded on rooftops, highlands where hills came crashing down blocking roads and cutting them off the rest of the world, and those marooned in villages that have turned into islands. Hundreds of people, including women, children and the elderly trapped in places inaccessible by boats were winched up by defence helicopters and shifted to safety. TV channels telecast disturbing visuals of a woman in labour being pulled up with the help of a rope dropped down from a Navy chopper, swinging violently in the air. The woman, whose amniotic sac was ruptured, was shifted to a Navy hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Both the mother and the child are doing fine, officials said. Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones. Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another said an elderly relative Mary Varghese was badly in need of an oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening. In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her 6-year-old child was seen pleading for help. "We have no food or water. Please help us." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach the state tonight and is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Saturday. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala," Modi tweeted after talking to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan by phone. The two have been in regular touch for the last two days. Vijayan, who also spoke to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the situation continued to be "grave" with over 2.23 lakh people from more than 50,000 families sheltered in relief camps. Though there was some let up in rains at a few places, four districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur remained in the throes of the monsoon fury. Officials said many private hospitals in Ernakulam district are running out of oxygen, forcing the authorities to shift patients to nearby facilities. Many had to be evacuated after flood water entered hospitals. People in relief shelters also complained about the dearth of food and drinking water. Quite a few petrol pumps, even in places like the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, which has escaped the monsoon fury to some extent, have run dry. With at least 164 persons losing their lives in Kerala since 8 August the state's citizens are outraged at how the national media isn't treating the situation with the gravity it deserves With at least 164 persons losing their lives in Kerala since 8 August, 1.5 lakh people in over 1,000 relief camps, more than 75,000 houses submerged in water, and most of its citizens getting no access to food and basic facilities, the state's citizens are outraged at how the national media isn't treating the situation with the gravity it deserves, with many on social media asking the Centre on why it isn't treating the situation as a national disaster. The silence on part of the national media, coming just a few months after a video featuring Priya Prakash Varrier winking in a Malayalam movie went viral, makes many on social media question the nation's priorities when it comes to the state. With posts featuring the hashtag #KeralaFloodsNeedNationalDisasterTag, people, though aware of the efforts put in by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), ask why the state isn't part of national priorities. Journalist Nikhila Henry asks, "Red alert in all 14 districts; thousands crying out for their lives, 35 dams opened, the fourth busiest airport in the country remains closed; still this has not been declared as a national calamity; isn't it because Kerala is not part of India?" The Facebook group, Delhi Solidarity Group, questioned the Rs 3,900 crores sanctioned for the Shivaji statue in Mumbai against the Rs 100 crore fund sanctioned for the worst floods and rains Kerala has faced in 140 years. The hashtag #100CrNotEnough is making its way around Twitter as well. "The Central Government needs to do more for submerged state. A stony silence on the issue and a meagre sum of money is not a show of solidarity or good governance", tweeted Antara. #100crNotEnough The central Government needs to do more for the submerged State. A stony silence on the issue and a meagre sum of money is not a show of solidarity or good governance. #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/qAQGV83LJV Antara (@mukh_ra) August 17, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday evening was also met with criticisms. "Why is it decided that only once the prime minister visits will the nation know about the crisis? Is it because national headlines about Kerala must feature his statements?" wrote Naseel Voici, writer at Manaorama Online on his Facebook page. But even while the outrage continues on social media, the question of when a calamity becomes a national disaster is still not clear. The NDRF is under the control of the NDMA. According to the National Disaster Management Policy of 2009, these units will be made available to state governments in the event of "any serious threatening disaster situation". Although nothing has been said by the central government on declaring Kerala floods as a national disaster yet, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that additional NDRF teams are deployed in Kerala. According to the #ApologiseToLordAyappa folks, the Kerala floods happened because God is mad that women may be allowed to enter temple premises. Every time theres a natural disaster, there seem to be some unnatural responses from some folks responses that are not anywhere near shock, compassion or a desire to help. Remember the time when T John, the civil aviation minister of Karnataka, was forced to resign when he attributed the 2001 Gujarat earthquake as Gods punishment for the atrocities committed against Christians in Gujarat? No? Well, I do. Those were nice times we lived in, right? When if something cruel and illogical was said about a disaster that cost human lives, there would be backlash against it? Good times, I say, acche din. Now were here, not in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, but deep in the 2018 Kerala floods. 35 of the 39 dams in the state have been opened to cope with 257 percent more rainfall than usual. Lakhs of people have had to move to temporary shelter homes and over 100 people have died. This is a disaster that will leave the state paralysed for quite some time. Last weekend, when the disaster was just rolling out, a young man in my neighbourhood in Kochi told me not to donate to the chief ministers disaster relief fund because the money would go to the mythical 'tukde tukde' gang, the left-leaning anti-nationalists of everyones fever dreams. I ignored him and dismissed him as a rare freak. Little did I know. Now, if youre a rational, logical person, you will say that the cause of the flood was the rain. You might wonder if this is because of climate change. But to Hindu Makkal Katchi in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the only possible reason that the flood could have occurred would be because women would be allowed in the Sabarimala temple. Fringe group, right? Chettas and chechis, I am sorry to say that in this week, I have seen a shocking number of silly and cruel people take up the same position. So lets break this down. According to the #ApologiseToLordAyappa folks, the Kerala floods happened because the celibate god is mad that women might be allowed to enter the temple premises. Lets break this down further. Our vaginas are so powerful that they can cause an entire state to be flooded, for airports to be shut down and for bus and train services to be suspended or redirected. I should use the power of vagina more often, right? I mean, if only the thin possibility of women entering the temple made the Lord so angry, imagine the power that women have. Perhaps we should have temples to our climate-change causing organs. Back in 2001, lots of people laughed at T John for misunderstanding that Bible verse Romans 12:19 "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." Cut to the Kaliyuga we are in now. In the last week, I have seen viral Facebook posts from random people urging the Kerala government to apologise to Lord Ayappa and beg his forgiveness, so he can stop being angry. Too bad the Kerala government is busy making sure that the citizens who are stuck are being rescued, restoring power in areas that dont have electricity, and making sure that the situation doesnt get escalate further. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (as far as we know, working in tandem with the Opposition) is doing everything he can to make sure that everything is back to normal and as many lives as possible are saved. The damage is estimated to be of Rs 3,000 crores. The central government has allocated a meagre Rs 320 crores for relief work. Compare this to Rs 1,200 crore the Centre granted to the Uttar Pradesh government for the Ardh kumbh Mela in May. As this piece goes live, the Centre still has not declared this a national disaster. While fisherfolk in Kerala have taken out their boats on their own to rescue people, amazingly charitable people online are telling people not to donate because it would make Lord Ayappa even more angry and create more havoc. Or even more expansively, that contributing to any relief funds to Kerala is a bad plan because the state has Muslims and Christians. A finer display of religious piety has never been seen. In the case of T John, there were widespread protests by Hindus against his statements, which is why he resigned. And you know every time there is a terror attack, there are demands that Muslims display their credentials by condemning the attack. Keeping these precedents in mind, I ask, where are the widespread protests from Hindus against this nonsense? Wouldnt Lord Ayappa mind these aspersions against his benevolent nature? In the last 24 hours, my parents in Kerala went incommunicado. There was no way to reach them or my relatives. Eventually, when I did manage to reach them, I found out that my father and his scooter had taken shelter at a friends house far away from home. My mother and my 99-year-old grandmother were sheltering friends whose house has been flooded. My timeline is full of stories of Malayalis in the state and elsewhere moving mountains to bring safety and comfort in this time of need. If this is what divine intervention looks like, I am okay with that, you misogynistic losers with your petty obsessions. REDDING, Calif. - Four people were arrested Wednesday night after police received numerous complaints about criminal activity at the Vagabond Inn in Redding, said the Redding Police Department. According to Redding police, the Neighborhood Police Unit knocked on the door at one of the hotel rooms at around 7:30 p.m. in 2731 Bechelli Ln, thats where authorities found three men and one woman linked to criminal activity. Officers found Thomas Edward Cardoza, 43, William Elden Dunlap, 49, and Kimberly Rose Woodcock, 28 all of Redding as well as Jason Lee Moore, 40, of Anderson inside the inn. Through a records check, authorities found extensive criminal histories among the subjects, starting with Cardoza who has been arrested a total of four times (one involving burglary) by Redding police and he had a half ounce of methamphetamine and other evidence linked to narcotic sales at the scene, officials said. Dunlap has been arrested a total of 39 times and was on active parole for assault with a deadly weapon, he also had methamphetamine after officers searched him, officials said. The only female suspect, Woodcock, has been behind bars a total of 20 times and was on probation during the NPU discovery, she also has one felony and one misdemeanor warrant for her arrest, according to officials. Redding police say Moore has had a total of 38 arrests and officers saw him possessing methamphetamine and paraphernalia at the scene. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he would visiting Kerala to take stock of the situation of the state ravaged by floods, following a phone call with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala on Friday evening to take stock of the flood situation in the state. He tweeted that he would be reaching the state later this evening "to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there." Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 The prime minister spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday morning. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations," Modi, who has been in touch with Vijayan for the last two days, said. Torrential rain and floods have played havoc in Kerala, claiming the lives of nearly 100 people. Peringavu area in Thrissur city is a low-lying area but for many years, it has never seen the water level rising. Editor's note: This article is a first-person account of the devastation caused by the floods in Kerala, which have claimed over 320 lives till now. "Come upstairs and sleep there. I can't leave you alone this night." I always thought of my mother as an anxious person. Hence, when the rainfall started to get strong at around midnight, I didn't argue with her. "How bad can it get mom?" I asked. Within hours, I got an answer from mother nature. The night of Independence Day should have gone by with some discussions about India's future, current governance and a bit of history. Instead, it was filled with efforts to shift household items to a higher ground, away from the water that was plotting to intrude our home. Peringavu area in Thrissur city is a low-lying area but for many years, it has never seen the water level rising. It's not near any river or hill but water from Peechi Dam was a looming threat. Neighbours were panicking too at this point. There was an elderly couple with them that needed help. A fire brigade official came by around 2 am and asked whether we wanted to move to a camp. "Now? At this hour? How bad can it get?" I thought. Many of our possessions like fridge, washing machine and many such items much like the possessions of a middle class family were all left behind. Documents, money, clothes, food and drinking water. Those were the priorities. Nobody anticipated how bad the flood could get. Nobody was trained for such disaster management. There were no emergency kits, no stock dry food and no warning. Emergency numbers were busy, fire brigade and police officials were doing all the could. We couldn't complain. There were other families facing worse conditions. Families with pregnant women, infants, elderly and sick ones. All we could do was keep a watch on the water level by looking at the rings of the coconut tree across from our home. At around noon, officials and civilians came by for rescue. There was no electricity. Saving battery was also a priority. People who were six feet tall were struggling to find a footing in those muddy waters. Flow was gaining momentum. Rescuing all these families would be a great challenge. Tubes were thrown to help people float. Ropes were tied to help people navigate. Getting into those muddy water was a scary process. It was cold. Who knows what that water contained? My parents, who are senior citizens, had never seen such a disaster before. Watching them struggling in the water was one of the most painful things I've ever watched. Dad was saying how such experiences should make us stronger. He was shivering when he said that. I didn't know how to respond. Houses will definitely suffer damage. Parents who worked hard for them will definitely be more hurt. All I could do was watch, not even console. I did learn, however, that calamities can unite people. In front of nature, it doesn't matter which caste or class you come from. All will huddle together to get safety. Your hands will be holding on to your family or strangers. When water levels further rose, the lorry that was supposed to rescue us got delayed. For almost an hour, we stood in that cold water, rich and poor together. There were even dogs with us who had no clue what was going on. Nobody could see what was flowing between their legs. Nobody knew which wastes were mixed with that water. Nobody cared. Life was far too important. Officials were telling us to calm down. Finally, when the lorry came, we were taken to a camp in Pallimoola. Rain was still pouring, as if to remind us of her presence from time to time. In the camp, there were student volunteers who helped people to their maximum capacity. They were helping people in whatever way they could, with food, hot tea and clothes. The church which hosted us gave all their facilities and medical help. I came to realise how lucky we were. Yes, we had to face the water, but there are others across the state who lost their loved ones and homes. How will they be facing all this? There were people stranded with no food and water for almost 48 hours. Will someone get to them? I'm thankful to people of Kerala and neighbouring states. I cannot forget how hard working the police, fire brigade personnel and civilians were. The state could have been better prepared, considering how advanced the technology to predict weather is now. People could have been given more information. Currently, there's a shortage of clean water, food and medicines in many places. Many flood relief centres themselves are getting flooded. Some people are calling television channels to ask for help because there is no one else to hear them out. Some districts have been cut off due to communication issues. On Friday, most English newspapers gave more prominent coverage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death than floods in Kerala. With the weathermen predicting another spell of heavy rainfall, at least in two districts of rain-battered Kerala, the situation is expected to get more troublesome for the southern state. Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Kerala to take stock of the situation, most English dailies did not give prominent coverage to the floods which have killed 164 people so far. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise dominated headlines in English newspapers on Friday. Here is how major dailies covered the two major news points of Thursday The Times of India The Times of India gave prominent display to Vajpayee on its front page, and the death of the former prime minister was the only lead story on the home page in the Delhi and Mumbai editions. The Kerala floods found the lead spot in the jacket in the Mumbai and Delhi editions. In the Chennai and Ahmedabad editions, Vajpayee's death was the top story which took up half of the front page, whereas the Kerala rains constituted the second most important copy, with a three-column space devoted to it. However, in Bengaluru, there was no mention of Kerala rains on the front page. Vajpayee was the top story in Kolkata too, whereas, rains were the second most important copy. In the Kochi edition, the floods were featured in 3/4th of the page, whereas Vajpayee was pushed to the anchor spot. Hindustan Times The space allotted for Vajpayee's death and Kerala floods was more or less the same in Hindustan Times as well. The former prime minister's death took the lead spot in the Delhi, Mumbai and Noida editions of the newspaper, whereas the Kerala rains were placed as the lead story in the jacket. The Kerala floods found a place on the front pages of the newspaper's editions in Jaipur, Patna, Pune as well as Ranchi. The space allocation however, varied. In the Jaipur edition of the English daily, the Kerala rains were given slightly more prominent display as compared to Delhi, Mumbai and Noida editions. Hindustan Times' Jaipur edition had Vajpayee as lead in half the page, and Kerala rains as second lead (in a three-column space). Lucknow was the only Hindustan Times edition which didn't mention the Kerala rains anywhere on the front page. DNA The DNA's Mumbai and Delhi editions featured Vajpayee's death as the lead story on half of the front page, while reports of the flood situation in Kerala were placed in a three-column space above the anchor slot, but without any image. In the Ahmedabad edition of the newspaper, reports on Kerala rains were featured in a four-column space, right above the anchor slot, with an image. The Jaipur edition of DNA too, featured an image, but the space allocation was lesser. The Indian Express Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death was featured prominently on the front pages in six of the seven editions of the The Indian Express including Mumbai (main), Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata and Lucknow. The newspaper also dedicated eight pages, including a major portion of the the edit page, to the deceased BJP leader. The Kerala floods were not mentioned on the front pages of any of the above-mentioned six editions, and only found half of the anchor space in the Ahmedabad edition of the newspaper. The Asian Age The Asian Age allotted the least space to the Kerala floods across editions. While the English daily's London, Kolkata and Delhi editions featured a full-page story on Vajpayee, the Kerala floods were mentioned in a single column space with a tiny image of the flood-affected regions. The Mumbai edition carried just an image of the flood in a single column space. The New Indian Express All editions of the The New Indian Express in Tamil Nadu had Vajpayee's death as the lead story, with an article paying tribute to the former prime minister, whereas news of Kerala floods was placed in the anchor slot. The space allocation was more or less the same in The New Indian Express' editions in Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While newspapers in Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka featured two copies an overall report on the Kerala floods and another on the destruction caused on 16 August in the anchor slot, The New Indian Express' editions in Andhra Pradesh featured EPS rejecting Vijayan's demand to lower the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam as well as an overall copy on the Kerala floods. In the newspaper's Kerala editions, however, the report on Kerala rains was the lead story of the front page. It covered the entire page excluding the anchor space, which was designated to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In all the Kerala editions (except Kollam), the front page carried a full size image of the flood situation in Kerala, with detailed coverage of the floods. Deccan Herald The Karnataka-based English daily gave prominent space to the Kerala floods, with five columns of half of the front page, dedicated to a report on Kerala and three columns for Vajpayee. The space allocation was same across all its editions in the state. Deccan Chronicle The Kerala floods coverage varied across editions of the Deccan Chronicle. The rains featured as the top story in Kerala editions of the newspaper, with several stories on the floods, spread across the page. Vajpayee's death was announced in a two-column space in the top half of the page. While the newspaper's Hyderabad edition featured Vajpayee on the top half of the front page, and an ad on the rest, Kerala rains found no mention. The flood situation in Kerala however, was mentioned in the Karimnagar edition in Telangana and in all editions in Andhra Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu, Vajpayee's death took the lead spot in the front page, and Kerala rains were placed at the anchor slot. The newspaper's Bengaluru edition featured only Vajpayee's death on the front page, and didn't mention the Kerala rains at all. The Hindu The Hindu had Vajpayee as the lead story on the front page, but also gave space to the Kerala rains across its editions the placement, and space varying across editions depending on ads. In its Chennai, Coimbatore, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai editions, Vajpayee's death was reported in a three-column report on the top half of the front page, whereas a report on the Kerala floods was also displayed prominently. In Bengaluru, the Kerala floods got a good display on the front page, and so did Vajpayee. In Madurai, three stories related to the Kerala floods found their way to the front page, including how Tamil Nadu is keeping an eye on the 11-affected districts in Kerala. In Thiruvananthapuram, coverage of the floods occupied the top half of the page, while Vajpayee was pushed to the space just above the anchor slot. In Kochi, the rains were featured over four columns whereas Vajpayee's death was featured in three-column space. Deputy Superintendent of Police Mrinmoy Goswami confirmed the arrest and said that Father James was taken to Morigaon Police Station in Assam. Father James, Principal of Saint Eugene English School of Morigaon in Assam, was arrested on Thursday for not hoisting the National Flag on Independence Day and for not flying it half-mast, despite the announcement of State mourning in view of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death. Deputy Superintendent of Police Mrinmoy Goswami confirmed the arrest and said that the principal was taken to Morigaon Police Station. The arrest was made at 6 pm on Thursday and a case has been registered against James under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour (Amendment) Act 2005. Before taking him into custody, the team which was sent to arrest him reportedly made him sing the National Anthem. The central government had declared a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday. In a circular, the home ministry had said the National Flag would fly at half-mast from Thursday for seven days across India. With inputs from 101Reporters By Nathan Layne and Karen Freifeld ALEXANDRIA, Va. By Nathan Layne and Karen Freifeld ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - Weighing in even as a Virginia jury deliberates for a second day, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called the bank and tax fraud trial of his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort "very sad" and described the defendant as a "very good person." Manafort's trial in federal court in Alexandria is the first stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 15-month-old investigation of Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, presiding over the case, said he personally had received threats related to the trial and was being protected by U.S. marshals. The judge also refused to make public the names of the jurors, saying he was concerned about their "peace and safety." "I had no idea this case would excite these emotions ... I don't feel right if I release their names," the judge said. In remarks to reporters at the White House, Trump again called Mueller's investigation, which had cast a cloud over his presidency, a "rigged witch hunt," but sidestepped a question about whether he would issue a presidential pardon for Manafort. "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad, when you look at what's going on there. I think it's a very sad day for our country," Trump said. "He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." Trump made his comments while the jury of six women and six men deliberated behind closed doors on Friday morning. The jurors met for about seven hours on Thursday without reaching a verdict on 18 criminal counts with which Manafort is charged. As president, Trump has the power to pardon Manafort on the federal charges. He has already issued a number of pardons, including for a political ally, former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. Asked by a reporter on Friday if he would pardon Manafort, Trump said, "I don't talk about that now." The charges largely predate Manafort's five months working on Trump's campaign during a pivotal period in the 2016 presidential race, including three months as campaign chairman. Manafort, 69, faces five counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of failing to disclose his offshore bank accounts and nine counts of bank fraud. If convicted on all counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Jurors in the trial are not sequestered but have been instructed not to watch news reports or talk to others about the matter. It is unusual for a U.S. president to make comments about the character of a defendant in an ongoing trial and criticize the legal proceedings. But it was not the first time Trump has weighed in since the Manafort trial began on July 31. On the first day the jury heard testimony, Trump said Manafort had been treated worse than 1920s gangster Al Capone. Trump has made previous comments criticizing various federal judges and courts and has been harshly critical of Mueller. On Friday, he accused Mueller of having "a lot of conflicts," but said the special counsel should be allowed to finish a report on Russia's role in the 2016 election. 'HUMAN NATURE' Prohibitions on jurors reading about a case they are deciding are difficult to enforce in the smartphone era, said Jens David Ohlin, a professor of criminal law at Cornell University. "We trust jurors to be on their best behaviour and wall themselves off but that kind of goes against human nature," Ohlin said. "I think it was very ill-advised for the president to do this. He should have kept his mouth shut," Ohlin added. The prosecution could request a mistrial, but such a manoeuvre was very unlikely, Ohlin said. Prosecutors accused Manafort of hiding from U.S. tax authorities $16 million in money he earned as a political consultant for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine to fund an opulent lifestyle and then lying to banks to secure $20 million in loans after his Ukrainian income dried up and he needed cash. "I think we are optimistic the case might end soon with some sort of verdict," Ellis said in open court after the jury resumed deliberations on Friday morning. The judge made the comment before telling spectators including journalists that he did not want them running out of the courtroom while the jury announces its verdict on the various counts. He did not indicate he had inside knowledge of their deliberations. The jury sent a note on Thursday afternoon asking Ellis four questions including one about defining "reasonable doubt." In a criminal case, a jury must find a defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt." (Reporting by Nathan Layne and Karen Freifeld; Additional reporting by Jan Wolfe and Ginger Gibson; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Alistair Bell, Toni Reinhold) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Two men have claimed responsibility for the attack on JNU student Umar Khalid. They said that it was an Independence Day gift for the citizens New Delhi: In a video uploaded on social media, two men have claimed responsibility for the attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid in an upmarket area in Delhi on Monday, and said they would surrender before police on Friday. Police are on the lookout for the two men seen in the video uploaded on Facebook on Wednesday. In the video, the duo, who identified themselves as Darwesh Shahpur and Naveen Dalal, claimed the attack was supposed to be an "Independence Day gift" to the citizens. Police are verifying the authenticity of the video and trying to trace the IP address from where it was uploaded. "We respect our Constitution. But there is no provision in our Constitution to punish mad dogs. By mad dogs, we mean the JNU gang that is making the country weaker and their number is increasing. Our elders in Haryana have taught us that such people should be taught a lesson," Shahpur said in the video message. The duo also requested the police to not trouble anyone and said they would surrender at the village of Sikh revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha on 17 August. A police team has been sent to the village. The city police has contacted its counterparts in Punjab and Haryana to trace the two. Meanwhile, JNU students and teachers along with Khalid held a protest at Parliament Street on Thursday against the incident. The protest was earlier planned at Jantar Mantar, but after the police informed the participants that guidelines for protests at the venue were yet to be framed, the protesters moved near Palika Kendra. From Palika Kendra, they marched till the Parliament Street police station demanding the arrest of the accused in the case. "I would like to thank the Modi government for killing fear inside us. There is no fear inside us now because of what we have faced in the last four years. From a media trial against us to sending us to jail, you have done everything you can," Khalid said at the protest site. He said even if he died, the battle would go on. "I have no personal hatred against those who tried to kill me. I pity those people who tried to kill me because they are being used by the government, that is also troubling their families. You are being used," the JNU student said. "The real culprits are those who have been running a campaign against me for the last two-and-a-half years, branding me 'anti-national' and these include spokespersons, certain news anchors and channels," he said. Khalid tweeted a picture of one of the people who attacked him with the Editor-in-Chief of Sudharshan News. The person who attacked me (on the right) with Editor in Chief of Sudarshan News, Suresh Chavhanke. No further comments!!! pic.twitter.com/IfQBwLNcwA Umar Khalid (@UmarKhalidJNU) August 16, 2018 Khalid was attacked on Monday when he was on his way to take part in an event at the Constitution Club in Delhi. He, however, escaped unhurt. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police handed over the case to its Special Cell, which incidentally is already probing a sedition case against Khalid and two other JNU students. The police had also said that they were not "intimated" about Monday's event attended by Khalid. A police officer, privy to the probe, said the police had seized the weapon used in the crime and preliminary forensic examination suggested that the pistol had jammed when it was used against Khalid. He said they were yet to ascertain whether shots were fired as no empty cartridges were found at the spot. A case of attempt to murder has been registered by police in the incident. New Delhi: The West Bengal government on Friday told the Supreme Court that the row over the recently-concluded panchayat polls in the state has led to a "constitutional crisis" since the tenure of several panchayats were over and new bodies have not been made functional. The apex court had earlier stayed the Calcutta High Court order asking the state election body to accept the nomination papers filed through e-mail for panchayat elections and directed the poll panel not to declare in the gazette the names of those candidates who had won unopposed. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice DY Chandrachud was told that a constitutional crisis has emerged as tenure under Article 243(E) (duration of Panchayat) of the Constitution of several panchayats is over. "The funds allotted to panchayats will go back. There is a constitutional crisis under Article 243(E) of the Constitution. The development in the villages has come to a standstill," the counsel for the state government said. The top court, said that it is a part heard matter by a three-judge bench and only when the bench is in appropriate combination, it will be taken up for hearing. It listed the matter for further hearing on 20 August. The top court had on 13 August asked the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) as to whether it conducted any probe into the fact that a large number of seats in the local body elections in the state went uncontested. Out of a total 58,692 posts for gram panchayat village, zilla parishad and panchayat samiti, 20,159 had remained uncontested in the violence-marred local polls in the state held in May. It had said the state poll panel that the issue of huge number of uncontested seats has been bothering it. The poll panel had argued that 33 percent of nearly 50,000 panchayat seats going uncontested in the state was not "an alarming situation". It had cited Uttar Pradesh where almost 57 percent panchayat seats went uncontested and the figure was 51, 67 and 27.6 percent in Haryana, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh respectively. The panel had said that it cannot persuade political parties to field candidates and, moreover, it took prompt actions when it received complaints about panchayat elections and even held re-polls. The West Bengal government had said that the panchayat polls cannot be set aside on the basis of "conjecture and surmises" of some political parties as no individual candidate has approached the court with the claim that he or she has been restrained from filing nomination papers. The ruling All India Trinamool Congress party had contended that not a single candidate has approached any court with the grievance that he or she has been stopped from filing nomination papers. The Opposition parties CPM and BJP, who have opposed the contention of the state government, poll panel and the TMC, alleged that West Bengal did not witness a free and fair election and the candidates hailing from these two parties were stopped from filing nomination papers. During the previous hearings, the apex court had expressed shock at the fact that "thousands and thousands" of seats in the recent West Bengal panchayat polls had remained uncontested, observing that these figures showed that grass root-level democracy was not working. It had directed the state election commission to provide exact statistics about such contested posts by Saturday. Elections were held in phases for 48,650 posts in gram panchayats, 825 posts in zilla parishads and 9,217 posts in panchayat samitis and it has been alleged that around 34 percent seats were uncontested. The apex court had earlier refused to stay the poll process observing that there were a plethora of judgments which have held that once the poll process has begun, it cannot be interfered into by any court. The court was hearing an appeal filed by the state election panel against the high court order asking it to accept the nomination papers filed through e-mail for the panchayat elections. The CPM had claimed that many of its candidates were prevented from filing nominations by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress. Introduction: Palestine rarely makes the news in Indian media. When it does, it is usually because "clashes" or hostilities have flared up yet again. Knee-jerk sentiments are often quick to ascribe Palestinians with terrorism. The reality is that the Palestinians are an exceptionally warm and welcoming people. Perceptions about Palestine are too often shaped by lack of information or by propaganda. It is easy to dehumanise those we are ignorant about. This 10-part series on Palestine consists of photographs from East Jerusalem and the West Bank taken by the author during a visit in early 2018. They convey varied aspects of Palestines natural beauty, her ancient and unique history, Palestinian art, education and culture, and the grim realities of their lives under Israeli military occupation. In part eight, we look at the aftermath of the clashes between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. [Below: A map of West Bank, Gaza and Israel (L); the West Bank (R). Courtesy: palestinett.org] *** Clashes are often reported between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli military in the West Bank. What may not be immediately clear is the nature of many of these clashes. Israel maintains a massive military presence in the West Bank as we have seen in a previous post. Their soldiers are armed with body armour, skunk water, tear gas, tasers, stun grenades, rubber and rubber-coated steel bullets, live ammunition, armoured trucks, drones, bulldozers and even tanks. The Palestinians are generally armed only with sling shots and stones. Why do the Palestinians clash with the soldiers when so profoundly under-matched? The Palestinians are under no illusion that they they can cause real harm to the soldiers nor do they have a death wish. Their action is meant to express their frustration at the sustained and brutal occupation, and to demonstrate that their spirit is not yet broken. Seen here: Palestinian protestors in Bethlehem city in the West Bank throwing stones towards the Israeli sniper tower in the distance. Few stones will make the distance as is clear from how the road is increasingly free of stones closer to the tower. tech2 News Staff A few days ago, Google officially started to release the public preview of the Android 9.0 Pie, and the company has now announced the 'Go edition' of its latest Android version, which is scheduled to roll out this fall. For the uninitiated, Google introduced the Go edition of its regular Android operating system last year, which is targeted towards entry-level phones that have low RAM and onboard storage. However, the Go edition for Android Pie is going to be way more efficient than the predecessor version. This year with Android Pie, the Go edition is bringing additional storage, faster boot times, better security, among other things. Apparently, where Android Oreo Go used up only a 3 GB installation on an 8 GB chip, Android Pie Go will take up 2.5 GB. A few other features to look forward to on Android Pie Go are voice integration on Google Go, new features on YouTube Go and Maps Go, improved Files Go and Assistant Go, and Messages. In the new Go version, Files Go will allow users to transfer data peer-to-peer, without using mobile data, that too at speeds up to 490 Mbps. On the other hand, Assistant Go has been improved with support for additional languages to the app, including Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Indonesian. In addition to that, Assistant Go on the new light Android app will support device actions like controlling Bluetooth, camera and flashlight, and adding reminders. Finally, Android Messages App for the Go edition is now 50 percent smaller in size and the Phone App includes caller ID and spam detection. Reuters Elon Musks rocket company, SpaceX, could help fund a bid to take electric car company Tesla Inc private, the New York Times reported on Thursday, quoting people familiar with the matter. Musk startled Wall Street last week when he said in a tweet he was considering taking the auto company private for $420 per share and that funding was secured. He has since said he is searching for funds for the effort. Musk said on Monday that the manager of Saudi Arabias sovereignwealth fund had voiced support for the company going private several times, including as recently as two weeks ago, but also said that talks continue with the fund and other investors. The New York Times report said another possibility under consideration is that SpaceX would help bankroll the Tesla privatisation and would take an ownership stake in the carmaker, according to people familiar with the matter. Musk is the CEO and controlling shareholder of the rocket company. Tesla and SpaceX did not respond when Reuters requested comment on the matter. In a wide-ranging and emotional interview with the New York Times published late on Thursday, Musk, Teslas chief executive, described the difficulties over the last year for him as the company has tried to overcome manufacturing issues with the Model 3 sedan. Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 7, 2018 This past year has been the most difficult and painful year of my career, he said. It was excruciating. The loss-making company has been trying to hit production targets, but the tweet by Musk opened up a slew of new problems including government scrutiny and lawsuits. The New York Times report said efforts are underway to find the second top executive to help take some of the pressure off Musk, people briefed on the search said. Musk has no plans to relinquish his dual role as chairman and chief executive officer, he said in the interview. Musk said he wrote the tweet regarding taking Tesla private as he drove himself on the way to the airport in his Tesla Model S. He told the New York Times that no one reviewed the tweet before he posted it. He said that he wanted to offer a roughly 20 percent premium over where the stock had been recently trading, which would have been about $419. He decided to round up to $420a number that has become code for marijuana in counterculture lore, the report said. It seemed like better karma at $420 than at $419, he said in the interview. But I was not on weed, to be clear. Weed is not helpful for productivity. Theres a reason for the word stoned. You just sit there like a stone on weed, he said. Some board members recently told Musk to lay off Twitter and rather focus on operations at his companies, according to people familiar with the matter, the newspaper report said. During the interview, Musk emotionally described the intensity of running his businesses. He told the newspaper that he works 120 hours a week, sometimes at the expense of not celebrating his own birthday or spending only a few hours at his brothers wedding. There were times when I didnt leave the factory for three or four daysdays when I didnt go outside, he said during the interview. This has really come at the expense of seeing my kids. And seeing friends. To help sleep, Musk sometimes takes Ambien, which concerns some board members, since he has a tendency to conduct late-night Twitter sessions, according to a person familiar with the board the New York Times reported. It is often a choice of no sleep or Ambien, he said. Five Redding-area breweries are coming together to help the community after the Carr Fire. These breweries are collaborating on a special brew called Shasta Strong IPA. And all of the proceeds from that beer will go toward Carr Fire relief and recovery efforts. The destructive Carr Fire is still not fully contained, but folks in the Redding-area are already looking for ways to help the community recover. Folks like Wildcard Brewing Company owner Jeff Hansen who had the idea for Shasta Strong IPA, a collaborative brew with four other local breweries to benefit victims of the Carr Fire. He reached out to Fall River Brewing Company, Woody's Brewing Company, Final Draft Brewing Company, and Cedar Crest Winery and Brewery who all eagerly jumped in to help. After the fires and we were just getting back to business he really wanted to bring all of the local brewers together and do something to give back, Final Draft co-owner Adam Ward said. So a collaboration is always a good idea. Final Draft Co-Owner Bart Hauptman says he was excited to be able to use his skills to give back to the community after the fire. We wanted to make the maximum impact with what we knew how to do, Hauptman said. We know how to brew beer. And we were like, so let's do what we can do and maximize the impact that we can make for the community. He says everyone has contributed something unique to this effort. The folks at Fall River Brewing Company offered up the use of the large vats at their new facility Beer is measured in barrels, Woody's Brewing Co. head brewer Neil Petersen said. So we did about 90 barrels over at Fall River Brewing Company. They've got the biggest brewery in town now with their new production facility. Petersen says suppliers even jumped in to help donating the hops and grain used to brew the beer. And even though the fire was tragic, Ward said it's brought out the best in the community, both individuals and business owners. We can never predict what's going to happen in the future, but we can stay Redding Strong and Shasta Strong and continue to strengthen up the community and the awareness of how many great people we have in the community itself, he said. The Shasta Strong IPA collaboration brew will debut simultaneously at all of the breweries August 29 at 5PM. It will also be available in cans at select local retailers as well. Indo-Asian News Service Facing backlash from employees for its reported plan to enter China with a censored version of its search engine, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed them in an internal meeting and informed that the project, called Dragonfly, was at an exploratory stage, the media reported. Pichai also addressed the controversy surrounding the secrecy of the project, BuzzFeed News reported late on 17 August. "I think there are a lot of times when people are in exploratory stages where teams are debating and doing things, so sometimes being fully transparent at that stage can cause issues," the Google CEO was quoted as saying. The news about Google's plan to build a censored search engine in China broke earlier this month when The Intercept reported that the search platform would blacklist 'sensitive queries' about topics including politics, free speech, democracy, human rights and peaceful protest. This triggered an outrage among some Google staff who complained of lack of transparency within the company. Over 1,400 employees reportedly signed a petition demanding more insight into the project. At the company meeting on 16 August, Pichai said that Google has been "very open about our desire to do more in China," and that the team "has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now" and "exploring many options", CNBC reported. While expressing interest in continuing to expand the company's services in China, Pichai told the employees that the company was "not close" to launching a search product there and that whether it would, or could, "is all very unclear", the CNBC report said. Google had earlier launched a search engine in China in 2006, but pulled the service out of the country in 2010, citing Chinese government efforts to limit free speech and block websites. Sheldon Pinto The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was Samsungs return to the phablet after the failure of the Note 7, which went up in flames due to battery issues. The Notes comeback was fantastic, with a class-leading camera, good battery life, an improved S Pen and that massive HDR 10 compatible QHD+ Super AMOLED display. This was good for September 2017, but plenty has changed since then. Dual cameras are now the norm (even in the budget segment), with the likes of Xiaomi offering AI-enabled portrait modes that do a pretty good job considering their low price. Huaweis triple-camera P20 Pro wowed the world with its low-light photography features and even managed to topple the Galaxy S9 Plus launched earlier this year. Smartphones like the Oppo Find X showcased no bezels, with a full-screen display that runs from edge to edge, beating the Galaxy S9 Plus and the iPhone X when it comes to design and elegance. And lets not forget that the Find X also features a 3D face unlock authentication system that reduces the need for a fingerprint reader, a feature that's yet to be replicated in the Android world. With so many improvements since the start of the year, Samsungs Galaxy Note 9 will surely appeal to a few. But after using the Galaxy Note 9 for a day, its clear that the biggest smartphone by Samsung has even bigger shoes to fill, all thanks to the competition. Build and Design The newest Galaxy Note is the biggest Note smartphone yet made. With that said, its even bigger than last years Note 8 that packed in a massive 6.3-inch Infinity Display. The new model moves to a slightly bigger 6.4-inch one with reduced bezels at the top and the bottom, but slightly thicker ones on the sides. The new smartphone could be easily mistaken for the old one, especially in the Midnight Black finish. As for the other colours, its easy to spot the new matte finished frame (instead of the chrome-finished frame of the Note 8) that now has a slightly boxy look with sharper edges as opposed to the more rounded, seamless and narrower design of the Note 8. Its heavier as well, at 201 grams as opposed to the Note 8s already hearty 195 grams, and is large enough, at 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, to pop out of my jeans pocket, although it's not as humongous as the Xiaomi Mi Max 2. There are now two speakers, with the earpiece unit pulling double duty as a speaker, the other is of course, at the bottom, alongside the USB port. The placement of the fingerprint reader has changed as well. Its now more sensibly located below the camera setup, which makes it a lot easier to locate and authenticate, unlike with the Note 8. Since the Note 9 is now marketed as a productivity device, it now also packs in a larger heat spreader that increases thermal conductivity, channeling heat away from the processor, which ends up keeping the smartphone cool. This is a feature that will be welcomed by gamers and the presence of Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney on stage announcing Fortnite for Android is a big deal as it shows that the Note is ready to move on beyond its productivity roots. S Pen It seems like the only piece of hardware that has been redesigned on the Note 9 is the S Pen. The handy stylus now comes with its own supercapacitor (for rapid charging) that works with Bluetooth LE and charges mighty fast in just 40 seconds. The S Pen can be used for up to 30 minutes once charged, with the button acting as a trigger for the camera shutter, for transitioning to the next slide in a presentation and even for unlocking the smartphone. Overall, not much has changed with the Galaxy Note 9 in terms of design, save for the addition of a new S Pen, but the finer points are well appreciated and should add up in my review. Display The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 features a QHD+ Super AMOLED unit that measures 6.4-inches diagonally. The display is HDR10 compatible meaning you will be able to enjoy viewing HDR video content providing a wider range of colours and wider dynamic range. The display has grown from 6.3-inches on the Note 8 to 6.4-inches on the Note 9. It also appears brighter than the previous model. Chipset, RAM and Storage Samsungs Exynos SoCs have always been welcomed with open arms and this years update with the 9810 have also been appreciated with the earlier Galaxy S9 models. The same SoC now makes it to the Note 9 with some enhanced cooling which should make it ideal for gaming (big display + big battery + good chipset= to a great gaming experience). The device will be available in India in two flavours. A 6 GB RAM base model comes with 128 GB of internal storage and is priced at Rs 67,900. The second, top-end variant packs in 8 GB RAM coupled with a massive 512 GB of internal storage. You can also add a 512 GB microSD card and get up to 1 TB of internal storage, which should be good enough for storing all of those 4K 60 fps video clips that you can shoot with the 12 MP dual OIS camera. Software and OS Software is pretty much the same story as with the Galaxy S9 and the Note 8. You get Android 8.1.0 with the Samsung Experience UI v9.5, which hasnt changed much since the last Note. Indeed, those into Samsung devices will not be surprised that the latest serving of Android 9 Pie is not yet available. Hopefully, Samsung hurries up with this. Still with my initial usage, I did not notice any lag or stutter despite running the smartphone at QHD+ resolution. Theres the usual bloat that comes with every Samsung flagship, including the duplicate set of apps that have been made by Samsung but basically copy their respective Google counterparts. Camera Not much has changed when you consider that Galaxy Note 9 packs in similar camera hardware as on the Galaxy S9+, which was launched not too long ago. The device features a dual camera setup with includes a 12 MP + 12 MP rear camera and gets the new dual aperture system as seen on the earlier Galaxy S9+ model with one variable (f/1.5 - f/2.4 aperture) lens and a second fixed (f/2.4 aperture) lens. The front facing camera features an 8 MP sensor and autofocus. Battery and Connectivity Another area where the device sees an upgrade is the battery. The Note 9 gets the biggest battery in Samsung's smartphone range with a 4,000 mAh unit. While I am a bit doubtful about the bump in battery life because of the bigger display, the jump in battery capacity is big enough and should be able to pull off better numbers this time around. Connectivity options on the Galaxy Note 9 include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, Bluetooth v 5.0 (LE), NFC, GPS and a USB Type C port for charging and data transfers. Conclusion We are gone past the days when smartphones were designed to cater to a specific set of customers. No more will you find a smartphone that offers just a great camera or just the best battery life. Every smartphone on the market today is solely separated by price and with that, all of them have to be all-rounders. With that said, the Samsung Galaxy Note in its latest iteration is no longer a productivity or business smartphone aimed at executives, nor is it aimed solely at artists who just buy it for its S Pen. The new Note is aimed at everyone who wants a premium smartphone that packs in a good camera, a quick processor, a big battery and one that even stays cool while gaming. Indeed, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney showing up on stage at the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 launch now shows that the Note series will continue to evolve as per customer needs. So let's hope that all of these small changes add up to a positive impression in my full review, which should be out in a week's time. Indo-Asian News Service Turkey's biggest mobile phone importing companies have cancelled their iPhone orders as Turkish citizens join a move to boycott US products. According to the Hurriyet Daily, a significant number of importers began to withdraw their short and long-term orders after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appeal to boycott American electronic products on Tuesday. Three big companies operating in Dogubank, a trade centre specializing in the sales of electronic products in central Istanbul, suspended $50 million worth of iPhone orders, the Turkish daily said. According to the traders, the buyers in Anatolia also cancelled their contracts for the purchase of iPhone models. "The demands were cut like a knife. We have put local brands on the shelf and removed iPhones," a mobile phone shop owner was quoted as saying. In the meantime, ordinary Turkish citizens continue to back the boycott. Ozgur Altinbas, a 25-year-old student, told Xinhua news agency that he was considering joining the boycott by giving up the iPhone he has used for three years to buy an Asian mobile brand. "I am one hundred per cent behind the boycott appeal," he said. Nearly 10 million people use US' iPhones in Turkey, press reports said, adding that the amount paid for the products hit $7 billion in 10 years. Meanwhile, the Turkish people also expanded their boycott of other US products ranging from textiles to fast food. Last week, Washington doubled steel and aluminium tariffs on Turkey over its continued detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson. In return, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree to raise tariffs on American imports including cars, alcohol, and tobacco. Indo-Asian News Service Researchers have found the world's most ancient solid cheese in a 3,200-year-old Egyptian tomb, as well as evidence of a potentially deadly disease. The cheese was discovered from the tomb of Ptahmes, mayor of Memphis, Egypt during the 13th century BC, said researchers led by Enrico Greco, chemical scientist at the Catania University, Italy. It was initially unearthed in 1885, but got lost under drifting sands, and rediscovered in 2010. A few years later archaeologists found broken jars at the site. One jar contained a solidified whitish mass, as well as canvas fabric that might have covered the jar or been used to preserve its contents. After dissolving the sample, the team purified its protein constituents and analysed them with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The peptides detected by these techniques showed the sample was a dairy product made from cow milk and sheep or goat milk. The characteristics of the canvas fabric, which indicate it was suitable for containing a solid rather than a liquid, and the absence of other specific markers, support the conclusion that the dairy product was a solid cheese. Other peptides in the food sample suggest it was contaminated with Brucella melitensis, a bacterium that causes brucellosis, said the researchers, in the study published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. This potentially deadly disease spreads from animals to people, typically from eating unpasteurised dairy products. If the preliminary analysis is confirmed, the sample would represent the earliest reported biomolecular evidence of the disease, the researchers noted. LIMA (Reuters) - (This version of the story corrects to say Chilean authorities received the threat, not Peru, in first paragraph.) A LATAM Airlines passenger plane that departed Lima for Santiago, Chile, on Thursday was forced to land at an airport in southern Peru due to a bomb threat received by Chilean authorities, Peru's Transportation Ministry said. No one was injured on LATAM flight 2369 and a team for deactivating explosives has been notified, the ministry said. LIMA (Reuters) - (This version of the story corrects to say Chilean authorities received the threat, not Peru, in first paragraph.) A LATAM Airlines passenger plane that departed Lima for Santiago, Chile, on Thursday was forced to land at an airport in southern Peru due to a bomb threat received by Chilean authorities, Peru's Transportation Ministry said. No one was injured on LATAM flight 2369 and a team for deactivating explosives has been notified, the ministry said. "Right now the situation is under control," it added in a statement on Twitter. (Reporting by Maria Cervantes, editing by G Crosse) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In key senses, Imran Khan's rise portends nothing: He may become prime minister, but he won't be running Pakistan. True power elections and democratic transitions notwithstanding continues to lie with the Generals Editor's Note: This article was edited and re-published after Imran Khan was sworn-in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 18 August, 2018 In the autumn of 1997, the corpses of his soldiers still strewn on the Kargil heights, then prime minister Nawaz Sharif swore-in Lieutenant-General Khwaja Ziauddin as his new army chief, sacking the man who had led his country into a disastrous war. There was, however, just one hitch: Nobody had a brass star to pin on General Ziauddin's shoulder, to add to the three already there. Brigadier Javed Malik, witnesses have since recalled, gallantly tore one off from his own uniform, and handed it over. There was another hitch, less easily solved: General Pervez Musharraf, the man Sharif sacked that October, flew back home and sent the prime minister to prison. The Pakistan Army would not countenance a civilian deciding its fate. Now, as 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan promises to invent a 'Naya Pakistan', it's important to reflect on the lessons of that episode. In key senses, Imran's rise portends nothing: He may have become the prime minister, but he won't be running Pakistan. True power elections and democratic transitions notwithstanding continues to lie with the Generals. Historian APJ Taylor, reflecting on the revolutions of 1848-1849, famously observed that "German history reached its turning point but failed to turn". The country marched on, inexorably, towards its near-annihilation in the Second World War. There is no country that has had more new dawns than Pakistan Imran's 'Naya Pakistan' being just its latest iteration. Like imperial Germany, though, it has stayed firmly stuck at each turning point. Imran, without doubt, knows that he does not actually rule the country he has been sworn-in to lead today. Imran's rise began, in some senses, in 2010, when President Asif Ali Zardari put his signature on the 18th Amendment to the Pakistani Constitution, stripping the president of his right to dissolve Parliament. The military ruler General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq had given that power to the President of Pakistan through the 8th Amendment, empowering himself to summarily dismiss the elected politicians he used to legitimise his rule. Sharif did away with this constitutional provision, only to have Musharraf restore it. Zardari's amendment attacked military primacy in Pakistan's political life: The courts could no longer endorse the suspension of the Constitution, the power to appointment of judges was given to a commission; the president could no longer declare an Emergency in any province unilaterally. The Zardari government incensed the Generals early on, by seeking to push strategic policy in a new direction. The new president promised to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 terror attacks to trial, to end terrorism directed at India, and pursue peace in Kashmir. Zardari also let it be known he wanted civilian control over the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate, an agency that not only waged proxy wars across Pakistan's borders, but worked actively to subvert its politics. From 2010 on, Pakistan Army chief Pervez Ashfaq Kayani set about restoring the order that had come about in the wake of Zia-ul-Haq's assassination, a system the scholar and diplomat Hussain Haqqani has described as "military rule by other means". The scholar Hassan Askari Rizvi noted that the army chief was the "pivot" for this political system. In turn, Rizvi has noted, the army chief derived authority from the corps commanders who addressed "not only security, professional and organisational matters, but also deliberate on domestic issues". In May 2010, Pakistan's defence minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said the government was "neither granting extension to chief of army staff, nor had the general sought it". But just a week later, media reported that a conference of the Corps Commanders had called for an extension, and that is just what happened. Kayani repulsed Zardari's early efforts to bring the ISI under civilian control, and defeated his efforts to seek a grand rapprochement with India. "India," Asif Ali Zardari famously said in an October 2008 interview, "Has never been a threat to Pakistan." Less than two years later, in February 2010, General Kayani publicly asserted that the Pakistan Army was an "India-centric institution", adding that this "reality will not change in any significant way until the Kashmir issue and water disputes are resolved". In February 2011, following the US military's raid that claimed the life of Osama bin Laden, the army became increasingly fearful that Zardari might use the opportunity to regain control. It engineered a campaign against his key aides, notably then-ambassador to Washington, Husain Haqqani, alleging the government was engaged in treason. Zardari chose not to push tensions to boiling point, and backed down on his reform plans. In time, he quietly ceded power to then prime minister Sharif. Like his predecessor, Sharif too came to power determined to mend ties with India. In an interview to CNN-IBN, after he took office in 2013, Sharif promised everything Indians hoped for and then some. He vowed to "make sure that the Pakistani soil is not used for any such (terrorist) designs against India", said he would examine allegations of ISI involvement in 26/11, and promised full disclosure on Kargil. To his credit, Sharif did try to deliver: Jihadist attacks on Indian forces in Kashmir declined in 2014 and 2015; terrorist groups like the Indian Mujahideen were reined-in; he candidly blamed the Jaish-e-Muhammad for Pathankot, and promised action. In the end, though, the script played out just as it had after 2010. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, hand-picked by Sharif, proved loyal to the interests of his institution. Pressured by the Corps Commanders, Bajwa ensured anti-India terrorist groups were able to continue operations in Kashmir and across the rest of India. Following Pathankot, the ISI ensured perpetrators identified by India were not arrested. The Generals also backed a series of political challenges to Sharif's authority, culminating in an election characterised by less-than-subtle military-backed action against other parties, and contentious legal action against Sharif himself. The election has made clear the Generals hold the ultimate key to power, not voters. Even though Prime Minister Imran isn't known to spend his time reflecting on history, he'll know leaders who take on the army don't do well. In 1990, Sharif came to power on the shoulders of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, promising to build an Islamic State. In 1993, though, the President of Pakistan appointed General Wahid Kakkar as army chief, superseding Lieutenant-General Rehm-Dil Bhatti, Mohammad Ashraf, Farrakh Khan and Arif Bangash. Sharif pushed back, and was forced out of office. In 1998, Sharif sacked the soft-spoken General Jehangir Karamat for demanding the creation of a National Security Council to adjudicate on civil-military relations. He hand-picked General Musharraf now superseding Lieutenant General Ali Kuli Khan and Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan only for this to end in catastrophe, after the Kargil war. Popular consensus has it that the Pakistan Army is a battleground between Islamists and pro-western professionals. In fact, as scholars like Ayesha Siddiqa have shown us, the military is an independent political actor, representing a set of concrete interests: The military is, after all, Pakistan's largest owner of land and custodian of an industrial empire that runs everything from breakfast-cereal plants to banks. The army is not just the custodian of the ideological and territorial boundaries of the State; it is, in key senses, the State itself. Israeli police questioned prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu again on Friday as part of an investigation into corruption allegations involving Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq. The Associated Press Jerusalem: Israeli police are again questioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of their investigations into corruption allegations. Two police vehicles arrived on Friday at Netanyahu's residence while protesters at the entrance waved a large banner reading "crime minister" and chanted slogans calling for justice. Media reported that Netanyahu is to be questioned over a corruption case involving Israel's telecom giant. Police had no immediate comment. Two Netanyahu confidants have been arrested on suspicion of promoting regulation worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecom company. In return, Bezeq's subsidiary news site, Walla, allegedly provided positive Netanyahu coverage. The confidants have turned state witnesses. Police have recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, dismissing accusations as a media witch hunt. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Nepal confirmed in a statement that Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali is on his way to Delhi to attend the funeral of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Kathmandu: Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali left for New Delhi on Friday to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died on Thursday earlier, an official statement from the Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. Nepal's top leadership including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli have paid their tributes to the veteran leader who also made significant contribution in advancing Nepal-India ties during his term in office. In his condolence message, Oli said: "I am deeply shocked to learn that former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away in New Delhi. On behalf of the government and people of Nepal and my own, I extend respect to late Vajpayee." India and the world lost a towering political figure and Nepal, a true friend and well-wisher, Oli said, adding that his contribution to strengthening Nepal-India relations will be remembered forever. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. His funeral procession will begin at 1 pm. and the last rites will be performed at 4 pm at Smriti Sthal. Pakistan denied all claims of having links with the Taliban attack on Afghanistan's Ghazni. It said that it rejected the 'baseless' allegations Islamabad: The Pakistan Foreign Office has denied allegations that Pakistani citizens supported the Taliban attack on Afghanistans Ghazni last week, a media report said on Friday. "We have not received any evidence to back up these spurious accusations and reject these baseless allegations," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal said, rejecting allegations made by Afghan officials and others. On 10 August, some 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the city of Ghazni and retreated five days later, reports Dawn news. Afghan Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami said earlier this week that the Ghazni attack had been carried out by Taliban with the support of external elements, including Pakistanis. The New York Times also reported that Afghan officials had claimed the Taliban were aided by foreign fighters, including Pakistanis and Chechens, and even some Al-Qaeda affiliates. Faisal said that Pakistan was fencing the border with Afghanistan with the objective of restricting cross-border movement of both "men and material" as part of its counterterrorism efforts. He expressed the hope that the border fencing would help achieve long-term regional stability and improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The spokesman disclosed that Pakistan and Afghanistan, under a new framework for bilateral relations, were negotiating "a time bound" repatriation plan for Afghan refugees. "An Afghan delegation from the Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation will visit Islamabad shortly for consultations," he added. Russian military says that two nuclear-capable strategic bombers have flown to the easternmost Chukotka Peninsula, near Alaska, as part of an air force exercise Moscow: The Russian military says that two nuclear-capable strategic bombers have flown to the easternmost Chukotka Peninsula, near Alaska, as part of an air force exercise. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Tu-160 bombers flew about 7,000 kilometers (4,350 Miles) from their home base near Saratov in southwestern Russia to Anadyr, on Chukotka, before returning to their home base. The ministry said the mission was the first time the bombers had flown to Chukotka, which faces Alaska across the Bering Strait. The ministry said the air force exercise also involved the Tu-95 strategic bombers and tanker planes. The Russian military has increased the intensity and scope of its drills amid strain in relations with the US and its allies. The flight demonstrated that Russian bombers could be deployed close to the US. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey does not wish to have problems with the United States and the two NATO allies could easily overcome their differences but not with the current U.S. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey does not wish to have problems with the United States and the two NATO allies could easily overcome their differences but not with the current U.S. approach, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday. Ankara is locked in a complex rift with Washington that has seen the two countries impose tariffs on some of each other's imports and has exacerbated a currency crisis in Turkey. "We can solve issues with the United States very easily, but not with the current approach," Cavusoglu told a news conference. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Gareth Jones) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assured President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed. By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned Turkey on Thursday to expect more economic sanctions unless it hands over detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, as relations between the two countries took a further turn for the worse. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assured President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed. "We have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly," Mnuchin said during the meeting. The United States and Turkey have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs in an escalating attempt by Trump to induce Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan into giving up Brunson, who denies charges that he was involved in a coup attempt against Erdogan two years ago. "They have not proven to be a good friend," Trump said of Turkey during the Cabinet meeting. "They have a great Christian pastor there. He's an innocent man." Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, had issued a blunt warning to Turkish ambassador Serdar Kilic when he met him on Monday at the White House, an administration official said on Thursday. When Kilic sought to tie conditions to Brunson's release, Bolton waved them aside and said there would be no negotiations. "Release Brunson," Bolton told him, according to the official, who declined to be named. Turkey has sought to persuade the United States to spare Turkey's state-owned Halkbank from a threatened fine for allegedly helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions. Ankara also wanted Washington to hand over Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who Turkey suspects of plotting the coup against Erdogan. Gulen denies the allegations. "They missed a big opportunity. This is very easy to resolve," the administration official said. "They made a big mistake trying to tie this to other things." The dispute over Brunson and other frictions between Washington and Ankara have been one reason the Turkish lira has plunged 40 percent this year. Investors also fret over Erdogan's influence over monetary policy. The lira lost strength after Mnuchin's remarks. Trump, who has doubled steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey, said the steel tariffs had kicked in and the aluminum tariffs would take effect soon. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jeff Mason, additional reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. It is already known that Huawei is working on Mate 20 flagship series and it is also rumored to be powered by the upcoming Kirin 980 chipset which is the successor to the Kirin 970. The company now almost confirmed the same going by an official release issued to South African media on Tuesday. it also confirmed that the Mate 20 series will be powered by the Kirin 980. The company says that the Kirin 980 will feature an Octa-Core CPU comprising four A76 cores and four A55 cores, with the larger cores running at 2.8GHz. It will be based on TSMCs 7nm manufacturing process that promises to improves processor speed by approximately 20% and consumes approximately 40% less power compared to its 10nm counterpart. Since the company is all about A.I, the Kirin 980 will feature a new iteration of the AI processor that feature improved AI performance. The Huawei Mate 20 series will launch sometime in October, but no dates are mentioned just yet. Rumors surrounding the Mate 20 Pro are abundant, but nothing concrete, so we need to wait for a while to know more about the flagships. The company already confirmed that the Mate 20 Pro will pack the biggest battery yet and it is said to pack an in-display fingerprint sensor. We should know all the details about the Kirin 980 at the IFA later this month, and the Mate 20 is set to launch in October. Source LONDON -- With its strong clutch of category-leading consumer brands and growing emerging-market presence, Unilever (LSE: ULVR.L) (NYSE: UL) is a business with very definite attractions. A 67 billion pound FTSE 100 constituent, the company earned a pre-tax profit of 6.2 billion pounds on revenues of 47 billion pounds last year. And with margins like that, no wonder this defensively positioned business is popular with many investors. Better still, with its shares changing hands today at 2,334 pence, the company offers income investors a reasonably tempting forecast dividend yield of 3.4%. But how safe is that share price? And -- of vital importance to income investors -- how safe is that dividend? In short, how could an investment in Unilever adversely impact investors' wealth? In this series, I set out to answer just these questions. My starting point: Unilever's latest annual report, where the company's directors are obliged to address the issue of risk. Risk management One immediate thing I'm looking for is an acknowledgement that risks do exist and need managing. The good news? As you'd expect from a business of Unilever's size and caliber, the company has in place a risk-management policy, a system of regular reviews, and a number of high-level committees tasked with monitoring the risks that the business has identified. But what, precisely, are those risks? Read the small print, and Unilever identifies no fewer than 13 risks as having a significant potential impact on the company's financial performance. They range from political risks and natural disasters to changing consumer tastes, and from private-label brands to supply chain disruption. So let's take a look at three of the biggest. Customer relationships Unilever operates in one of the world's toughest marketplaces, selling premium branded products to supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrison's. And not only are these supermarkets tough negotiators, capable of delisting brands and shrinking available shelf space, but they are also competitors, too. Competitors? That's right: Competing against almost every Unilever brand is a cheaper supermarket "own label" offering. As the company puts it: Successful customer relationships are vital to our business and continued growth. Maintaining strong relationships with our customers is necessary for our brands to be well presented to our consumers and available for purchase at all times ... [and] our retail customers frequently compete with us through private label offerings. Here, Unilever's strength in emerging markets -- where it makes 54% of sales -- helps significantly. As the company points out, it aims to build and maintain trading relationships across a broad spectrum of channels ranging from centrally managed multinational customers through to small traders accessed via distributors in many developing countries. Also, both brands and customer relationships are focused around areas where Unilever thinks it can add value and build sustainable competitive advantage -- positioning it firmly away from price-led markets and customers and more into ones where its strengths in innovation, sustainability, and other non-price characteristics are valued. Sustainability And speaking of sustainability, Unilever has set itself a tough challenge. Sustainability, it recognizes, is important to consumers -- and so it is important to Unilever. But can this importance be reflected without impacting growth and profitability? As the company puts it: "Unilever's vision to double the size of our business while reducing our environmental impact will require more sustainable ways of doing business. This means increasing the positive social benefits of Unilever's activities while reducing our environmental impact." To me, the risk here is around growing the business. In terms of ensuring sustainability, the company can point to the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, which sets clear longterm commitments for environmental impact, underpinned by specific targets in areas such as sustainable sourcing, water availability and usage, waste, and greenhouse gases. These, in turn, are monitored by the Unilever Sustainable Development Group, comprising five external specialists in corporate responsibility and sustainability. But growing the business and profit at the same time? Beyond an acknowledgement that progress toward the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan is monitored by the Unilever leadership executive team and the board, nothing is said. Supply chain risk Unilever is a global business with global supply chains. But what happens to profit and revenue when those supply chains are disrupted? As Unilever puts it: "Our business depends on securing high quality materials, efficient manufacturing, and the timely distribution of products to our customers. Our supply chain network is exposed to potentially adverse events such as physical disruptions, environmental and industrial accidents or bankruptcy of a key supplier which could impact our ability to deliver orders to our customers." How are these risks dealt with? By policies designed to ameliorate risk in the first place and contingency plans to deal with the aftermath of whatever disruption does materialize. Such plans, for instance, are designed to enable the company to secure alternative material supplies on short notice, to transfer or share production between manufacturing sites, and to use substitute materials in our product formulations and recipes. Additionally, these contingency plans also extend to an ability to intervene directly to support a key supplier should it, for any reason, find itself in difficulty or at risk of negatively affecting a Unilever product. Risk vs. reward Two superstar investors who are used to weighing risks are Neil Woodford and Warren Buffett. On a dividend-reinvested basis over the 15 years to the end 2011, Woodford delivered a return of 347%, versus the FTSE All-Share's distinctly more modest 42% performance. Buffett, for his part, has delivered returns of more than 20% per annum since 1965, transforming himself into the world's third-wealthiest person. Each, as it happens, is the subject of a special report prepared by Motley Fool analysts. These reports are yours to download, without any obligation. So click here to download this free special report profiling the investment logic behind eight of Woodford largest and most successful current picks. And click here to discover which beaten-down British share Warren Buffett has been buying of late, why he bought it, and the price he paid. Three Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters, supported by around 90 British personnel are now fully operational and are supporting French counter-terrorism operations in Mali, the UK Minister of Defence said on August 16, 2018. A RAF Chinook heavy lift chopper at Gao Air Base, Mali (Credit: RAF/UK Ministry of Defence) The helicopters, from RAF Odiham, are providing niche logistical support to French combat forces conducting counter-terrorism operations as part of Operation Barkhane. UK forces have built three temporary aircraft hangers on the ground, enabling the Chinooks to fly multiple missions each week. "This deployment demonstrates the vital role our Armed Forces play, working alongside our French allies to tackle terrorism and reduce threats to European and UK security," the British Armed Forces minister Mark Lancaster said. The deployment is in addition to the UKs long-standing support of UN, EU and G5 Sahel Joint Force operations in Mali aimed at preventing extremists from using the ungoverned space in the Sahel to plan and launch attacks on Europe, as well as countering the illegal trade in people, drugs, weapons and wildlife. "This helicopter deployment demonstrates the UKs commitment to do more in the Sahel, alongside 50m of UK Aid providing lifesaving humanitarian support, and a bigger diplomatic network," the British Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin said. News County, Army Corps trade blame for seawall hotel delay GALVESTON As a developer waits with his multimillion-dollar project stalled and expenses mounting, two agencies involved in maintaining the seawall are disputing which had responsibility to issue a permit for construction near the storm-surge barrier. The developer and Galveston residents have questioned how it was that two years of planning for the project a hotel had passed before the Army Corps of Engineers called it to a sudden halt over permit requirements. Employees for both agencies involved in the permitting said Thursday they didnt know why it hadnt come up sooner. Modifying or altering a federal civil works project such as the seawall requires a special permit, known as a 408, officials said. The corps reviews 408 submissions to ensure projects wont harm structures under federal jurisdiction, in this case the seawall, said Karl Brown, an operations branch chief for the corps Galveston District. As custodian of the seawall, the county was responsible for collecting the permits and submitting them to the corps for review, Brown said. But a county representative said the permits are a federal requirement and are issued by the corps. The county has had the authority to collect the permits from developers, but the corps was charged with ensuring projects were properly permitted, County Engineer Michael Shannon said. Federal law requires a head engineer for the corps to sign off on plans that could modify a federally constructed project, Shannon said. In this case, the Galveston district for the corps would have that authority, he said. Now, that has been delegated to the Galveston district, but its still an Army Corps of Engineers action that needs to take place, Shannon said. The corps didnt see it that way, Brown said. Galveston County, as the local sponsor, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the seawall and alterations or modifications of the seawall, Brown said. We really need the county to do their due diligence to notify the corps when there is construction along the seawall, he said. Developer Dennis Byrd had planned for his new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3228 Seawall Blvd., to be under construction this summer. But last month, Galveston County and the Army Corps of Engineers asked Byrd to hold off on construction because of the sites proximity to the Galveston seawall. Engineers were concerned construction could damage a underground retaining wall thats part of the seawall structure. Now, more than two weeks after the concerns were first raised, and two years after the plans for the hotel were first announced, Byrd said the delays have cost him $100,000. Byrd has been meeting with the engineers and was in the process of getting the required permit, he said. His next meeting with the group is scheduled for Monday, he said. Im learning all of this as we go, Byrd said. After a meeting last week, representatives from the county and the corps agreed the permit will come from the corps in the future, Shannon said. Anyone looking to develop on the seawall should make the corps Galveston district the first phone call, he said. It wasnt clear Thursday, though, how often the permit has been required for construction on the seawall. Byrd, for instance, wasnt required to have one when he built The Spot, his beachfront restaurant next to the proposed hotel, he said. He also wasnt required to have one when he built DoubleTree hotel at 1702 Seawall Blvd., he said. But developers of the Galveston Hospitality Health Emergency Room at 4222 Seawall Blvd. were required to have a 408 permit to construct two driveways along Seawall Boulevard, according to county documents. Both the county and corps said they didnt know how two years passed before Byrd was informed he needed a permit. It wasnt until a corps employee had driven by the building and saw the large crane that questions arose, Shannon said. It also wasnt clear what, if any, damage the proposed hotel could do to the seawall, Brown said. The corps would not be able to determine that until the 408 form had been submitted, he said. Instead of paying a daily fee to have a crane onsite, Byrd had it removed until the status of the project could be clarified, he said earlier this week. Byrd is waiting for the corps to tell him whether he needs a permit to move forward with construction, he said. If he does, that could add another four to six months until the start of construction, he said. The delay might scuttle the project and leave him open to a lawsuit by the hotel brand, he 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. Samsung Galaxy F: The next-big foldable innovation from Samsung? News oi-Vivek Samsung Galaxy F has a hinge design similar to the Surface Book 2 Samsung recently launched the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in New York, which does look similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note9. And now, according to a report, the Korean tech giant is working on the next flagship smartphone aka the Samsung Galaxy F (or the Samsung Galaxy S10). According to a report from nieuwemobiel, the company is working on a new smartphone with a foldable display design and considering these renders, the Samsung Galaxy F could be the most innovative smartphone that one can expect in 2019. These are the third party renders. So, take these leaks and renders with a pinch of salt, as these are the third party renders. Samsung Galaxy F speculated features The third-party renders of the Samsung Galaxy F do look super futuristic and we have not seen any smartphone similar to the Galaxy F what so ever. The bend or foldable design of the Galaxy F does look similar to the Microsoft Surface Book 2 with a semi foldable design. These renders also confirm that the Galaxy F has a similar screen design as of the Samsung Galaxy Note9 with no notch design. In reality, the company might reduce the bezels to offer a truly a bezel/notch less solution. The smartphone has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor and a dual camera setup similar to the one seen on the Galaxy Note9, which means that the Samsung Galaxy F might not feature an in-screen fingerprint sensor. It is too early to comment on the expected specifications of the upcoming flagship smartphone from Samsung. However, considering the Galaxy F as a flagship smartphone, the device is expected to offer flagship level specifications and is also expected to be the costliest smartphone from the brand, which could easily cost more than $1500 for the base variant itself. If everything goes right, then the company should launch the Samsung Galaxy F in early 2019 (January) which is expected to replace the Samsung Galaxy S series of smartphones and the device is also expected to come equipped with 5G capabilities. Do note that, even Huawei is working on a new foldable smartphone to compete with the Samsung Galaxy F, the upcoming foldable flagship smartphone. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi Poco F1 could be a Flipkart exclusive: Expected Price, Specifications, and more News oi-Vivek Xiaomi Poco F1 is the first smartphone with Snapdragon 845 SoC with a plastic unibody design Xiaomi is all set to launch a new flagship smartphone in India on the 22nd of August in New Delhi under the Poco series. The company is expected to launch the Pocophone F1 or the Poco F1 in India. And now, Flipkart has started to tease a new smartphone with a tagline AsFastAsYou and HowFastYouAsk. Considering the tagline, the Wallmart owned e-commerce giant might be talking about the Poco F1, which also comes with the tagline #MasterOfSpeed. So, just like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, the Poco F1 could be a Flipkart exclusive. Considering the leaks and renders, the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 will be launched in India as the Xiaomi Poco F1 and the same is expected to launch in international markets as the Pocophone F1. As of now, there is no info on the pricing. However, most of the specifications of the Poco F1 have been leaked online by various publications. Xiaomi Poco F1 specifications According to leaks, the Xiaomi Poco F1 will have a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display with a notch on the top to house a front-facing selfie camera, and other necessary sensors. The smartphone will be powered by the top of the line Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/128/256 GB internal storage. The leaks also suggest that the smartphone will be available in five different colors and three storage/RAM variants including 6/64, 8/128, and 8/256. The entry-level model with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage is expected to be priced less than Rs 30,000 price mark. In terms of camera capability, the smartphone has a dual camera setup with a 12 MP + 5 MP sensors with 4K video recording capability and the device is also expected to have a whopping 20 MP front-facing selfie camera, which is expected to offer features like Beauty mode and Face Unlock. The smartphone will be running on Android 8.1 Oreo-based MIUI skin with a massive 4000 mAh Li-ion battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 capability via USB type-C port with a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack. Lastly, the most interesting finding of the Poco F1 on the leaked videos is the fact that the smartphone has a plastic body and this is the only smartphone based on the Snapdragon 845 SoC to offer plastic (polycarbonate shell). 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 Idea Cellular partners with Nokia to deploy cloud-native core technology in Delhi News oi-Priyanka Nokia cloud core will enable Idea to rollout new deployments, scale faster and adopt a delivery model that meets customer demands for enhanced mobile broadband, improved latency. India's third largest telecom operator Idea Cellular has joined hands with Nokia to deploy the company's cloud-native core technology in Delhi. The Nokia technology will allow Idea to run both data and voice services on a common cloud platform, significantly reducing operational cost and time-to-market and providing a better quality of service for its subscribers. "As India prepares to define its path to 5G, we at Idea are building the foundation by adding Nokia's cloud core capabilities. This deployment will allow us to deliver a best-in-class network experience to our subscribers and significantly reduce the time required to introduce new services," Anil Tandan, Chief Technology Officer at Idea said. Part of Nokia's AirGile portfolio, a modular software architecture built with cloud-native products and capabilities, Nokia's cloud core brings Idea both packet and voice core on a common cloud platform. Nitin Dahiya, head of the Idea customer team at Nokia, said: "Our cloud-native core solutions allows Idea to address the growing demand for both data and voice services to continue to evolve our business model and services. It further leverages the advantages of Nokia's AirGile portfolio, to add flexibility and agility to the network. It is our privilege to partner with Idea in its journey towards digitalization." Furthermore, adaptation to a Nokia cloud core will enable Idea to rollout new deployments, scale faster and adopt a delivery model that meets customer demands for enhanced mobile broadband, improved latency, and accelerated time-to-market for new services. Driven by demand for a unified infrastructure, Nokia's proven cloud-native Cloud Packet Core solution, including its Cloud Mobility Manager, and Cloud Mobile Gateway deployed on CloudBand, are key enablers in Idea's transformational journey from bare-metal to a cloud core architecture, Nokia further said in a statement. 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 Posted on: August 17, 2018 9:35 AM New methods of stewardship, church growth and evangelism will be explored at a conference designed to strengthen Latino / Hispanic congregations in the US-based Episcopal Church (TEC) later this month. The Nuevo Amanecer New Dawn movement began in 2002 when TECs Latino / Hispanic community organised a meeting for churches in Los Angeles. The movement has grown since then and now stages a biennial conference, in partnership with the provincial Office of Latino / Hispanic Ministries and the Kanuga Conference Centre. This years event, with the theme We Build, Equip, Inspire, will take place at the Kanuga Conference Centre in Hendersonville, North Carolina, from 27 to 30 August. Organisers say that clergy, diocesan missioners, parish staff, church planters and lay leaders, who want to expand their knowledge by sharing best practices and exploring new methods of stewardship, church growth and evangelism . . . will learn strategies and ideas for starting and strengthening Latino / Hispanic congregations. They say: Nuevo Amanecer is a space . . . to bring practical tools through workshops and conferences, to support best practices, planting new churches and ministries, leadership and congregational development, common worship, and the organisation of creating networks. It is a gathering for all the people who serve and minister in and to the Latino / Hispanic communities in the Episcopal Church, and all of those who are exploring possibilities to work with this population in the USA and in different places where the Episcopal Church is present. The conference is for those who are already involved in Latino Ministry as well as those that are interested in becoming involved, they said. We are working together to serve Gods Kingdom, communicating the Good News of the Gospel, and inviting all to worship and walk with us. Indus towers install 55 smart poles in CP with Wi-Fi access points and Smart lighting solution News oi-Priyanka The smart poles also enable installation of 4G technology by telecom service providers to support best in a class mobile data network. Indus Towers, the largest telecom tower company, announced the successful installation of 55 Smart Poles in Connaught Place. According to the company each Smart Pole is equipped with Wi-Fi access points, Smart lighting solution, and CCTV cameras (for video surveillance). The company has also installed 18 Environment sensors to measure the Air Quality Index for real-time monitoring, and the information will be displayed on 9 Variable message Display installed in the NDMC area. All the smart services are integrated into the command and control center at NDMC Palika Kendra to provide real-time monitoring and control, the company said. The smart poles also enable installation of 4G technology by telecom service providers to support best in a class mobile data network. Bimal Dayal, CEO, Indus Towers said: "The first of its kind partnership will create a common infrastructure which can be shared by NDMC for its Smart city initiatives and multiple telecom operators to provide their mobile and broadband services to citizens of Delhi." He said: "In the first phase, Indus towers will commission 72 poles to enable more than 4000 concurrent users with Public WiFi,18 Environment sensor locations and 9 Variable displays to present live data. This is in line with Values of our Company and it truly demonstrates 'Putting India First'. Indus Towers is committed to making New Delhi Municipal Council realize its Smart City vision." For those who are not aware, the company has received clearance from stock exchanges for its merger with Bharti Infratel in July this year. 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 Kerala Floods: Airtel, Vodafone, Idea announces talk time credit and special data packages News oi-Priyanka Jio has announced free services for seven days and State-run telecom operator BSNL unlimited free calls within its network and data services along with 100 SMS per day for a week to customers. In order to help Kerala flood victims, telecom companies have announced certain measures under which they are offering talk time credit, special data packages and extensions to bill payments. Both Airtel and Vodafone are providing talk time credit up to Rs 30 for their prepaid customers in the region, while Idea Cellular is offering a credit of Rs.10 for all prepaid customers. Besides this incumbents are offering 1GB of mobile data with a validity of 7 days. Additionally, Airtel extended the bill payments dates for all postpaid and home broadband customers to ensure they have uninterrupted access to services, the company is also deploying VSAT at five major relief centers in Kerala to provide free wi-fi & calling facility to people. Airtel's network teams and partners to continue making efforts to ensure the network is up and running despite the challenge of lack of power supply and disruption in movement of fuel supplies, the company said in a statement. Citizens at large can charge (power) their mobile phones and make free calls to their loved ones from select Airtel flagship stores located in Thrissur, Calicut, Malappuram, Kannur, Kottayam, Trivandrum & Ernakulam, Airtel said further. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Jio has announced free services for seven days and State-run telecom operator BSNL unlimited free calls within its network and data services along with 100 SMS per day for a week to customers. BSNL will offer free on net & off-net (20mins/day), SMS & Data to our customers residing in flood-affected areas of Kerala for the next 7 days beginning from tomorrow. 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 Posted on: August 17, 2018 11:31 AM The Holy Ghost Anglican Church in Genoa says that its members living near the site of a collapsed motorway bridge have all been reported safe. But it says that there is a concern for all who are bereaved, injured or missing. At least 39 people were killed when a section of the 1,102-metre-long (3,615 ft) Ponte Morandi collapsed. Around 20 people are still thought to be missing as rescuers continue to search the Polcevera river, the Genoa to Turin and Milan railway lines, and the Ansaldo Energia industrial area below the bridge. The 45-metre-high (148 ft) concrete and steel bridge was constructed in the 1960s to carry traffic between France to Italy on the A8/A10 motorways. The road is part of the wider E80 trans-European route from Lisbon in Portugal in the west to Gurbulak, on the Turkey/Iran border in the east. The local Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, will conduct a state funeral for the victims tomorrow (Saturday) which has been designated a day of national mourning in Italy. On its Facebook page, the Church and Friends of the Holy Ghost, Genoa, offer their Prayers for all caught up in the collapse of the bridge. They ask their followers to please remember those who were killed, and the survivors, and pray for their families and friends. Give thanks for the work of the emergency services and those making the rest of the structure safe (and pray for their safety). Give thanks, too, that those members of our congregation who live nearby are reported to be safe. Later, they added: Thank you all for thoughts and prayers. Please continue them. So far as we know, members of the congregation who live in that part of Genoa are all safe, but there is a concern for all who are bereaved, injured or missing. Please pray for the safety of the emergency service personnel still . . . searching for survivors amid the wreckage. On its website, the Church says: we thank all of you who have reached out to our congregation and city with your messages and prayers following the tragic collapse of the Morandi motorway bridge. One of those to do so was the Church of Englands Suffragan Bishop in Europe, David Hamid, who broke off from his annual leave to send a message to the parish priest, Canon Tony Dickinson. It is certain to affect huge numbers of people a sudden moment which will change so many lives, he said. Please be assured of the prayers of the people of the diocese at this time. We pray to the Lord for all who have lost their lives so suddenly and we pray that Gods mercy, comfort and healing will be with all who are injured and with those who will be grieving, and that Gods strength will sustain the members of the emergency services and those who are attending to the needs of all who are suffering and affected by this accident. I am sure that you and the members of Holy Ghost parish will be anxiously seeking assurance of the safety of your own members and loved ones. Your brothers and sisters in Christ send our love and we pray that God, our refuge and strength, will be with you and the community and especially with those whose lives are affected by this tragedy. U.S., Argentina Agree to Strengthen Military Relationship Aug. 16, 2018 By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON -- The United States and Argentina are in basic agreement about the security situation in South America, and the countries are looking to increase military-to-military ties, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said today. Mattis spoke with reporters traveling with him while en route from Buenos Aries, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile. "We're in agreement, with an appreciation of the security situation in the region," he said. "There were no disagreements on the situation the worsening situation in Venezuela." Argentine and U.S. officials want a stronger military-to-military relationship, and the two sides discussed ways to move this process along, Mattis said. The two sides agreed to increase education, and exchanges of information. "It was mostly about consultation, collaboration and defining what we need to focus on," Mattis said. "Now we'll go back and we'll start all the various action meetings and get it all underway." Comments on Afghanistan Earlier in the trip, the secretary discussed the situation in Ghazni, Afghanistan, where Taliban forces attacked Afghan security forces. "It looks like many of the enemy have run, but some are in the town in homes, fighting from inside homes, with all the danger and the slowness that requires in order to get them out without hurting innocent people," Mattis said. He called the Taliban attack a "continuation of their willingness to put innocent people in harm's way; nothing new. It's the usual endangering civilians that's part and parcel of what they've done for the last 20 years." NATO forces provided close air support to the Afghan effort. "Every battlefield is a humanitarian field," he said. "It is oftentimes a conventional war, too, but especially so on counterterrorism, when you have people who lack any kind of manhood [who] would fight among innocent people, and use them for protection." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Becoming one team: Moldovan, U.S. National Guard soldiers train in harsh, unpredictable desert By Sgt. Odaliska Almonte August 16, 2018 FORT BLISS, Texas -- 95 Moldovan soldiers are joining their U.S. counterparts for the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team's eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise, August 6-28, 2018. The XCTC exercise, developed and coordinated by First Army and National Guard Bureau, is one of the 30th's largest in recent history, with almost 4,000 Soldiers from North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Minnesota, and Moldova. It is an extremely significant exercise for the Moldovan soldiers, considering that out the thousands of soldiers in the Moldovan Army, only 95 were selected to travel to America and participate in the XCTC exercise. North Carolina National Guard and Moldovan Armed Forces have been training together through NGB's State Partnership Program, which pairs National Guard states with the armed forces of America's global partners and allies. "The Moldovan Armed Forces and the North Carolina National Guard have been State Partners for 22 years," said Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. "Through two decades of engagements our forces know each other and trust each other. The long term relationship and trust is what the State Partnership Program fosters and after all these years we continue to learn from our interactions to become more effective and stronger militaries." The Moldovan soldiers selected to attend the XCTC trained for six months prior to their deployment to Texas. The soldiers were trained in their respective military areas of expertise so they could be embedded within all 30th sections critical to the exercise, such as: logistics, operations, maintenance, medics, engineers, scouts, and mechanized fighting vehicles. "Our hope is that all Moldovan Soldiers involved in this exercise bring the best practices learned here back home to further help us develop our training process," said Lt. Col. Vitalie Micov, an operations officer in the Moldovan army. "When they return home the soldiers will participate in the Moldovan annual exercise with all defense forces, and the learned procedures and experience here are going to be implemented in our national level exercise." Halfway through the XCTC, National Guard Soldiers and their Moldovan counterparts had positive takeaways from the exercise. Within the medical field, Moldovan and U.S. soldiers realized that even with different medical tools varying slightly, battlefield medicine is one and the same. "We are learning how medicine can be practiced if we hand more of the tools used here from a supply perspective," said Staff Sgt. Viktor Spinei, a medic embedded with the 230th Brigade Support Battalion. "Medicine is the same, applying it with different supplies and tools is what's different." During the beginning of the exercise, a mass casualty event occurred and emphasized how U.S. and Moldovan medics saved lives by working together. "It's good to have Soldiers from different countries and knowledge bases be part of this intense training," said Staff Sgt. Gary Chavis, Evacuation Platoon Sergeant of Charlie Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion. "We get to see the capabilities that they have and how well they provide care doing that same job but with half of the equipment." In other aspects, like Field Artillery, the expertise of the Moldovan soldiers in manual targeting instead of using targeting computers of the M109 Paladin reminds U.S. Soldiers that while digital equipment is helpful, knowing how work in manual mode is imperative if the digital systems were to go down. "Here we are all digital, but at the end of the day if the digital system goes down, we still can operate degraded," said Staff Sgt. Jesse Grose, platoon sergeant for Bravo Battery, 1-113th Field Artillery Regiment. "Having the opportunity to see the Moldovans do their job as fast and efficiently as we do when they don't have the same equipment is great for me and the platoon." Moldovan and U.S. National Guard troops have worked together for a long time, but never have they been together in such an austere and challenging environment like at Fort Bliss. "We have trained for the last two years with North Carolina in Camp Butner," said Sgt. Major Cojocaru Andrei, sergeant major of the Moldovan army. "This particular training is very helpful for our soldiers because of the environment, the climate, and terrain that is completely different from our country. Our soldiers must learn to adapt and overcome this challenge so our mission succeeds." Although the Moldovan Soldiers are embedded within many units of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, they are all part of one team with one goal in mind: to accomplish the mission. "We feel we were welcomed and integrated into the 30th team right away and are members of 'Old Hickory' at this point," said 1st Lt. Roman Girtco, a Moldovan soldier embedded within the 230th Brigade Support Battalion. "When it comes to a mass casualty we know exactly what our role is. We have been embraced and incorporated into the battalion team." Brig. Gen. Igor Cutie, commander of the National Moldovan Army, and the Moldovan General Staff had the opportunity to visit Fort Bliss and observe XCTC training and the integration of the Moldovan soldiers. "I would like to express our gratitude for your hospitality because we have spoken with all our Soldiers in the field," said Lt. Col. Vitalie Micov, an operations officer in the Moldovan army speaking on behalf of Cutie, "and General Cutie is very impressed about their morale and excitement to be involved in such a large exercise." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Partner nations come together as curtain closes on Noble Partner 18 By Sgt. Kris Bonet August 16, 2018 VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, Georgia (Aug. 15, 2018) -- Noble Partner 18 concluded with a combined arms live-fire exercise and a ceremony at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, Aug. 15, 2018. NP18 was a cooperatively-led multinational training exercise in its fourth iteration which supported the training of Georgian Armed Forces' mechanized and Special Operation Forces, U.S. Regionally Aligned Forces, the U.S. Army and Air National Guard from the state of Georgia, and 11 other participating nations. "We were able to design some very challenging and complex live fires which pushed our Soldiers to make decisions under pressure in an environment in which we were reliant in our Georgian partners," said Lt. Col. Andrew Gallo, commander of 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. "The relationship between the U.S. and the Georgians has been made much stronger at the tactical level." Key tasks for NP18 were conducting reception staging and onward movement (RSOM) and reverse RSOM, a tactical road march by 2 CR, combined urban operations, air assaults, and combined live-fire exercises in the vicinities of the Vaziani and Camp Norio Training Areas. "These tasks were not easy," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Reginald Neal, Director of the Joint Staff for the Georgia National Guard as he addressed a formation of soldiers from numerous countries. "But due to your perseverance, and ability to work together through daily challenges, this exercise has been a tremendous success." The fifth iteration of the Noble Partner training exercise is scheduled for 2020 and already some leaders are eager to show their country's potential. "We didn't participate in the field with a unit-size element, but two years from now I will bring a company-size Norwegian element to train together with the Georgians and the other nations," said Norwegian army Col. Ivar Hoff. "I've done a number of deployments, I've been to war zones all over, and I saw clearly that this exercise is moving in the right direction." "We have to stand together," Hoff said. "We have to do this as one entity, one team." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldovan and North Carolina Guard Soldiers become one team By Sgt. Odaliska Almonte, North Carolina National Guard August 16, 2018 FORT BLISS, Texas -- Ninety-five Moldovan soldiers are taking part in the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team's eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise Aug. 6 -- 28. The XCTC exercise, developed and coordinated by First Army and the National Guard Bureau (NGB) is one of the 30th's largest in recent history, with almost 4,000 Soldiers from North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Minnesota and Moldova. For the Moldovan soldiers it is an extremely significant exercise, considering that out of the thousands of soldiers in the Moldovan Army, 95 were selected to travel to the United States and participate in the XCTC exercise. North Carolina National Guard and Moldovan Armed Forces have been training together through NGB's State Partnership Program, which pairs National Guard States with the armed forces America's global partners and allies. "The Moldovan Armed Forces and the North Carolina National Guard have been State Partners for 22 years," said Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. "Through two decades of engagements our forces know each other and trust each other. The long-term relationship and trust is what the State Partnership Program fosters and after all these years we continue to learn from our interactions to become more effective and stronger militaries." The Moldovan soldiers selected to attend the XCTC trained for six months prior to their deployment to Texas. The Soldiers were trained in their respective military areas of expertise so they could be embedded within all 30th sections critical to the exercise such as; logistics, operations, maintenance, medics, engineers, scouts and mechanized fighting vehicles. "Our hope is that all Moldovan soldiers involved in this exercise bring the best practices learned here back home to further help us develop our training process," said Lt. Col. Vitalie Micov, an operations officer in the Moldovan Army. "When they return home the Soldiers will participate in the Moldovan annual exercise with all Defense Forces, and the learned procedures and experience here are going to be implemented in our national-level exercise." Halfway through the XCTC, National Guard Soldiers and Moldovan troops had positive take aways from the exercise. Within the medical field, Moldovan and U.S. Soldiers realized that even with different medical tools varying slightly, medicine is one and the same. "We are learning how medicine can be practiced if we hand more of the tools used here from a supply perspective," said Staff Sgt. Viktor Spinei, a medic embedded with the 230thth Brigade Support Battalion (BSB). "Medicine is the same; applying it with different supplies and tools is what's different." During the beginning of the exercise, a mass casualty event occurred and emphasized how U.S. and Moldovan medics can work together to save lives. "It's good to have soldiers from different countries and knowledge bases be part of this intense training," said Staff Sgt. Gary Chavis, evacuation platoon sergeant of Charlie Company, 230th BSB. "We get to see the capabilities that they have and how well they provide care doing that same job but with half of the equipment." In other aspects, like field artillery, the expertise of the Moldovan soldiers in manual targeting instead of using targeting computers of the M109 Paladin reminds U.S. Soldiers that while digital equipment is great, knowing how to work in manual mode is imperative if the digital systems were to go down. "Here we are all digital but at the end of the day if the digital system goes down we still can operate degraded," said Staff Sgt. Jesse Grose, platoon sergeant for Bravo Battery, 1-113th Field Artillery Regiment. "Having the opportunity to see the Moldovans do their job as fast and efficiently as we do when they don't have the same equipment is great for me and the platoon." Moldovan and National Guard Soldiers have worked together a long time but never have they been together in such an austere and challenging environment like at Fort Bliss. "We have trained for the last two years with North Carolina in Camp Butner," said Sgt. Maj. Cojocaru Andrei, sergeant major of the Moldovan Army. "This particular training is very helpful for our Soldiers because of the environment, the climate, and terrain that is completely different from our country. Our soldiers must learn to adapt and overcome this challenge so our mission succeeds." Although the Moldovan soldiers are embedded within many units of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, they are all part of one team with one goal in mind, to accomplish mission. "We feel we were welcomed and integrated into the 30th team right away and are members of an "Old Hickory" at this point," said 1st Lt. Roman Girtco, a Moldovan soldier embedded within the 230th BSB. "When it comes to a mass casualty we know exactly what our role is. We have been embraced and incorporated into the battalion team." Brig. Gen. Igor Cutie, commander of the National Moldovan Army, and the Moldovan general staff had the opportunity to visit Ft. Bliss and observe XCTC training and the integration of the Moldovan soldiers. Lt. Col. Vitalie Micov, an operations officer in the Moldovan Army speaking on behalf of Cutie said, "I would like to express our gratitude for your hospitality because we have spoken with all our soldiers in the field and General Cutie is very impressed about their morale and excitement to be involved in such a large exercise." Moldova is an Eastern European country and former Soviet republic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen targets Saudi troops positions in Najran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 16, IRNA -- The missile and artillery unit of the Yemeni army and popular committees targeted positions and military equipment of Saudi troops in Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, inflicting heavy casualties on them. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Almasirah news network as saying that a garrison and military base of Saudi Arabia were hit in the attack. On Tuesday, the Yemeni forces targeted Jaba al-Dud region and established control over it. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies have been carrying out deadly, indiscriminate airstrikes on civilians in an attempt to restore power to fugitive president, Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. Over 14,000 Yemenis, including thousands of women and children, have lost their lives in the deadly Saudi aggression. 1396**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Visits Naval Partners in Bulgaria and Romania Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180816-04 Release Date: 8/16/2018 10:35:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nelson, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs CONSTANTA, Romania (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, met with NATO allies and partners during a visit to Varna, Bulgaria, and Constanta, Romania, Aug. 13-15, 2018. While in Bulgaria, Franchetti met with Bulgarian Rear Adm. Mitko Petev, chief of the Bulgarian navy, to recognize the importance of Bulgarian defense initiatives, and their participation in international exercises and training in the Black Sea. "By building and maintaining the strong and strategic relationship between our two navies, we can deter regional adversaries from further aggression and signal to the world that our commitment to regional security is strong and enduring," said Franchetti. "The U.S.-Bulgarian relationship will continue to grow strong in the years to come through participation in regional exercises and security forums." Petev expressed gratitude for the support his navy receives from the U.S. Navy during a media availability at the Bulgarian Navy Headquarters in Varna. "This visit is a visual image of the good cooperation and good will between our navies," said Petev. Franchetti then traveled to Constanta to participate in Romanian Navy Day celebrations. Romanian Navy Day is held each year to celebrate those who have dedicated their lives to the sea. This year, celebrations were held for the first time in seven cities Braila, Bucharest, Cernavoda, Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, and Tulcea, and involved service members, ships, and aircraft from several countries. This year's Navy Day celebrations coincide with the 100th anniversary of the creation of Romania, which happened during the Paris Peace Conference of 1918 following World War I. "On behalf of the Sailors and Marines of the U.S. 6th Fleet, I would like to extend my congratulations and best wishes to our valued friends and allies in the Romanian Navy," said Franchetti at the Navy Day ceremony in Constanta. "For decades, our navies have maintained a vital strategic partnership based on collaboration, trust, and mutual commitment to regional security. As the Romanian Navy celebrates 158 years of excellence, please know that the United States Navy proudly stands with you in friendship and values your incalculable contributions to our shared security objectives in Europe." U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expert Exchange Begins in Colombia Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180816-02 Release Date: 8/16/2018 8:24:00 AM From Southern Partnership Station 2018 Public Affairs CARTAGENA, Colombia (NNS) -- A U.S. Navy team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians arrived in Colombia, Aug. 6, to participate in subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and partner-capacity building engagements with Colombian military forces as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2018. Members from Platoon 231, EOD Mobile Unit 2 will participate in classroom and practical field application with the Infanteria de Marina Colombiana (Colombian marines) and the Ejercito Nacional de Colombia (Colombian National army) at the Colombian marine training base located in the town of Covenas, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Aug. 7-24. According to Lt. Sam Gedeon, Platoon 231 commander, the engagement will allow for both militaries to learn from each other and build on best practices and experiences from participating units. "We'll begin the mission with classroom instruction and field exercises set up by the U.S. and the Colombians," said Gedeon. "We'll have the opportunity to observe how they process problems and situations, and they will see how we work through ours." "Working together in this environment will allow us to compare best practices and collectively work to find the best tools, tactics and procedures for many situations," added Gedeon. Participating in SMEEs with joint and international partners allows participating units to learn from each other's experiences and allows for greater interoperability between the forces. "We look to learn a lot from our EOD counterparts in Colombia," said Gedeon. "They have a lot of firsthand knowledge of explosives and have operated extensively in both the urban and rural environments." The engagement will also provide an opportunity for practitioners of a very unique and dangerous profession to bond, work together as team, and share common experiences of the trade. "There is a very small percentage of people across the world who volunteer to be EOD technicians," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Andy Bosko. "This is my first time participating in an exchange like this, and I look forward to working with other professionals who work in this exciting, challenging, and sometimes dangerous career." The SMEE in Covenas is one of two engagements Platoon 231 will participate in during Southern Partnership Station, and is one of four adaptive force packages (AFPs) deployed to the Caribbean, Central and South America during the 2018 iteration of the mission. Held on an annual basis by U.S. Southern Command and executed by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Southern Partnership Station is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on SMEEs with partner nation militaries and security forces. This year's deployment will visit Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Colombia, Honduras, and El Salvador to work alongside those nations' military forces, security forces, civilian health professionals, and other governmental agencies. Southern Partnership Station focuses on enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving operational readiness for all participants. Additionally, the mission will provide an opportunity for U.S. and partner nations to operate in a multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability, and demonstrate flexibility. Southern Partnership Station is a demonstration of the strong U.S. commitment to partners in the Caribbean, Central and South America, fostering goodwill and enhancing our collective ability to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. SPS 18 will conclude in October 2018. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Quick Border Deal Between Kosovo, Serbia Could Quickly Ignite Balkans Alan Crosby August 16, 2018 Talks between Serbia and Kosovo on a possible redrawing of borders largely along ethnic lines are threatening to reignite a familiar European tinderbox. Despite questions over whether they even have a mandate to do so, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his Kosovo counterpart Hashim Thaci have embarked on high-level talks that could envision Kosovo's Serb-dominated north coming under Belgrade's rule in exchange for the Albanian-dominated Presovo Valley in south Serbia being handed to Pristina. The idea is incendiary enough that Thaci has avoided calling it a redrawing of borders, but instead uses the phrase "correction" to describe any possible changes. But no matter what the wording, Western diplomats, Balkan analysts, and even those on the ground say any moving of the borders could destabilize a region that has struggled to come to terms with the violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Perhaps even worse, it is feeding tensions between Serbia's traditional ally Russia, which has been trying to gain influence in the region, and NATO and the European Union, which want to pull the countries into Western structures. "We have to stop this game by the two leaders, who, if they succeed in their intentions, will cause not only the relocation of families and human victims in Kosovo and Serbia, but will destabilize the entire Balkans," Ilir Deda, an opposition deputy in Kosovo's parliament, told RFE/RL. "Because the border between Kosovo and Serbia cannot be changed without affecting Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Not to talk about Eastern Europe," he added. Kosovo didn't exist as a country until it broke free from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after a NATO-led bombing campaign pushed out Serbian forces to end a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanians during a two-year battle for independence. Europe's youngest country's 1.8 million population is more than 90 percent ethnic Albanians and about 5 percent ethnic Serbs. Western powers always hoped Kosovo would mature into a stable, multiethnic state. To that end, there are some 5,000 NATO troops still stationed in Kosovo, which is recognized by more than 100 countries but not Serbia, Russia, China, or five of the European Union's 28 members. Pandora's Box? Changing the border could open Pandora's box across the entire Balkans, and not just Serbia and Kosovo, according to Carl Bildt, the former Swedish prime minister who served as the European Union Special Envoy to Former Yugoslavia from June 1995, co-chairman of the Dayton Peace Conference in November 1995, and high representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 1995 to June 1997 immediately after the Bosnian War. He worries the move could lead to a reopening of the debate over the future of Bosnia and that "there is the even more difficult and dangerous issue of Macedonia, where Albanians are a substantial part of the population." If the Albanian areas of the wider region start coming together also through a process of territorial swaps, there will certainly be those asking why this should not apply to Macedonia as well, he said. "Playing with borders and divisions in the Balkans was dangerous in the early 1990s, and remains so now," Bildt wrote in an opinion piece for the Washington Post on August 9. "Further Balkanizing the Balkans is a recipe for disaster." So why would Vucic and Thaci risk so much? Both countries are looking to join the European Union, and for that to happen they must normalize relations. Serbia considers Kosovo the cradle of its history and religion, and the preamble to the Serbian Constitution describes Kosovo as an "integral part" of its territory. As many as 120,000 ethnic Serbs live in Kosovo, mainly in the north, compared with about 70,000 ethnic Albanians who live in Serbia. Amid mounting speculation, Vucic acknowledged on August 9 that he was prepared to compromise on defining Serbia's borders with Kosovo. Five days later, Thaci told Reuters that he would present his plan "to correct the border" to Vucic when they meet in September in Brussels as part of a dialogue sponsored by the EU that began in 2011 as the two sides tried to iron out issues including control over Kosovo's energy infrastructure, the freedom of movement of citizens, and the future of ethnic Serbs who remain inside Kosovo. The arduous process of building stability in the Balkans was recently given a boost by an agreement between Macedonia, which also has a sizable Albanian minority, and Greece over what to call Macedonia, which is officially known in the UN as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). While Washington and Brussels have been pushing for an agreement, the statements from Pristina and Belgrade still shocked many European diplomats and politicians. 'Inviolable' Border German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on August 13 the border is "inviolable," but concern is less apparent in the United States, which recently seems to be taking the position that it will accept whatever is agreed by the two sides. That is widely regarded as a significant policy shift from previous U.S. administrations, which were openly against the redrawing of Kosovo's borders. "The current U.S. administration is ready to at least take into account on an equal footing our proposals for the resolution of major problems in the region -- a lasting solution to the Kosovo and Metohija problem certainly being one of those," Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said in a statement after a recent visit to Washington. "This is a huge change compared to only two years ago, since in all talks with the representatives of U.S. institutions it was maintained that the Kosovo issue had already been resolved.... Today, a compromise solution is openly supported," he added. Lurking in the not-too-distant background, however, is Russia, which is likely to treat any partitioning in the Balkans as a validation of its claims in Ukraine (Crimea), Moldova (Transdniester), and the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. All of the speculation has even worried Serbia's Orthodox Church. "Partition of Kosovo would lead to one of the most serious destabilizations of the security situation in the last 20 years in Europe. It would cause a huge human tragedy & leave deep wounds. Anyone who knows the Balkans well can't find any common sense in this preposterous idea," Father Sava Janjic, abbot of the Serbian Orthodox Visoki Decani Monastery in Kosovo, tweeted. "After years of forceful ethnic cleansing in the Balkans & reshaping of ex-Yugoslavia into ethnic clean entities there is a new danger of an agreed land-swap which would be nothing but a consensual exchange of populations-an agreed completion of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo," he added. With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/quick-border-deal-between-kosovo -serbia-could-quickly-ignite-balkans/29437775.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 Armenian PM Pashinian Vows To Speed Pace Of Reform RFE/RL's Armenian Service August 16, 2018 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has marked the 100th day since his sudden and unexpected rise to power by vowing to "speed up reform" in the South Caucasus nation. Pashinian, a former activist and opposition politician who was voted into the premiership by parliament in May, told his cabinet on August 16 that, after his initial period in office, "we are entering a new stage and the main meaning of this stage is to speed up the reform." "Quickly and effectively" implemented reforms can give the country and its economy "a new breath," he added. Pashinian asserted that, since taking office, his team managed to complete the main task for the period -- to ensure the regular functioning of the state and continuous economic development in the postrevolution period. Pashinian, an anticorruption campaigner, and a small group of supporters launched from the provinces their campaign against then-President Serzh Sarkisian's continued rule on March 31. Some two weeks later in Yerevan, that campaign turned into large street protests, eventually forcing Sarkisian, who had become prime minister by that time, to resign on April 23. On May 8, the parliament still dominated by Sarkisian loyalists, bowed to popular pressure and pro-Pashinian sentiments countrywide and elected the protest leader as the new prime minister. Since Pashinian's assumption of office, law enforcement bodies have carried out a number of high-profile actions involving former leaders and those connected to them. Former President Robert Kocharian was charged with overthrowing the constitutional order for actions during unrest after the 2008 presidential election that left 10 people dead. Kocharian, 63, was arrested in July and held briefly, but he was released on August 13 on the orders of an appeals court in Yerevan, which said it based its decision on Article 140 of the constitution, which states that a president cannot be prosecuted for "actions deriving from his or her status." The head of Armenia's Special Investigative Service (SIS), Sasun Khachatrian, on August 16, called the court's decision on Kocharian's release "illegal" and expressed hopes he would be rearrested in connection to the matter. He also said former President Sarkisian will be questioned as part of the investigation into the 2008 postelection crackdown against protesters. Members of the families of two brothers of ex-President Sarkisian and a former chief of his security service are also being prosecuted on different charges, including illegal enrichment. In another case, retired General Manvel Grigorian, a member of parliament with the Sarkisian-led Republican Party's faction, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity and arrested on charges of illegally keeping weapons and large-scale embezzlement. The case against Grigorian alleges theft of army rations sent by citizens, including children, to Armenian soldiers fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh during brief 2016 clashes with Azerbaijan. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenian-pm-pashinian- vows-to-speed-pace-of-reform/29437827.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 OSCE Expresses Concerns Over Russian Forces Actions In Transdniester RFE/RL's Armenian Service August 16, 2018 The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) has expressed concerns about Russian forces' "river-crossing military exercise" in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester and said its team was blocked from monitoring the maneuvers. The OSCE said in a statement on August 15 that in accordance with a 1992 agreement designed to seek a settlement to the longstanding dispute, military exercises in the zone must be authorized by the Joint Control Commission (JCC) and the OSCE Mission, "which was not done in this instance." "The OSCE Mission urges all parties involved in the fulfillment of the 1992 Agreement on Principles of a Peaceful Settlement to fully respect its provisions and the regime of the Security Zone, as well as the relevant JCC decisions and regulations," the OSCE statement said. As part of the military maneuvers, armored personnel carriers and armored reconnaissance vehicles of the "Operational Group of Russian Forces" practiced crossing the Dniester River, Russian news agency Interfax reported. The report said the forces "practiced U-turns, evading various obstacles such as sunken trees, reaching designated points on the opposite bank, and other maneuvers." The Moldovan delegation to the JCC called the drills in the demilitarized Security Zone as "provocative actions." The JCC, signed in 1992 by officials from Moldovan, Russia, and Transdniester, is a multistate mission tasked with ensuring cease-fires and security arrangements in the Security Zone along the Dniester River. In June, Moldova also expressed concern over what it called unauthorized movements by Russian military forces in the breakaway region. It said it notified the OSCE at the time. At the time, Moldovan authorities filmed some 40 trucks and other military vehicles with Russian symbols and license plates moving along a main road linking the northern and southern parts of Transdniester, a sliver of land along the Ukrainian border in eastern Moldova. Transdneister is considered one of the many "frozen conflicts" in the former Soviet Union. The mainly Russian-speaking region declared independence from Moldova in 1990 over fears that Chisinau would seek reunification with neighboring Romania. Most of Moldova was part of Romania in the period between World War I and World War II. Moldovan forces and Moscow-backed Transdniester fighters fought a short but bloody war in 1992. The conflict ended with a cease-fire agreement after Russian troops in the region intervened on the side of the separatists. Some 1,400 Russian troops remain in Transdniester guarding Soviet-era arms depots, and Moscow has resisted numerous calls over the years to withdraw its troops. Transdniester's independence is recognized by no country, and the United Nations and OSCE, among others, have attempted to forge a resolution to the dispute. With reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/osce-expresses-concerns -russian-forces-transdniester/29437831.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 Ex-CIA Director Brennan Calls Trump's Denial of Collision With Russia 'Hogwash' Sputnik News 15:55 16.08.2018(updated 16:05 16.08.2018) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia are false, John Brennan said on Thursday, just one day after Trump revoked the ex-spy chief's security clearance. The former CIA director stated in his article for The New York Times that the only remaining questions in the Russia investigation are whether the collision "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," whether Trump obstructed justice to cover up collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of Trump's team tried to defraud the government through money laundering and "concealing the movement of money into their pockets." "Mr. Trump's claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash," Brennan said Brennan stated that Trump made a politically motivated decision to revoke his security clearance in order to silence others as he gets more desperate to protect himself. The former CIA top official went on by calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of his country's interference in the 2016 election also a "hogwash". Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of interfering in the election, and both Trump and the Kremlin have firmly rejected all accusations of collusion. Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance on Wednesday, saying the former intelligence official was using his status to make unfounded and outrageous allegations against the president and his administration, adding, "Any benefits that senior officials glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are now outweighed by the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior." Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ron Johnson said on Thursday that he has "no problem" with the President taking away the security clearence from Brennan. "I'm kind of amazed he didn't pull it sooner. A security clearance is a privilege and I think John Brennan was abusing that privilege," Johnson said in the Fox News interview. When asked how Brennan was abusing his clearance, Johnson said the former spy chief demonstrated "partisanship" and a "divisive attitude" conducting interviews on cable news shows. Brennan led the Central Intelligence Agency from 2013 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama. The White House is also reviewing the security clearances of other officials from former President's administration. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN condemns 'heinous' suicide attack on education centre in Afghanistan 16 August 2018 - The perpetrators of Wednesday's "heinous" suicide bombing that killed students at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, must be brought to justice, the UN Secretary-General has said. Nearly 50 people were killed in the attack which Antonio Guterres has condemned in the strongest terms, according to a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman. Most were teenagers studying for university entrance exams. "Those responsible for this heinous attack must be held accountable. The targeting of civilians, in particular children, is unacceptable," the statement said. The Security Council has joined Mr. Guterres in expressing sympathy to the families of the victims of what they described as "the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack." The 15 ambassadors reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General is also urging warring parties in Afghanistan to step up efforts towards achieving peace following deadly fighting in Ghazni. Antonio Guterres conveyed his condolences to families who have suffered from attacks by the Taliban, which launched an assault on the eastern city on Friday. At least 400 people have been killed in the siege, around a quarter of them civilians, according to media reports. The UN chief stated that the targeting of civilians and of civilian facilities are clear violations of international humanitarian law. He stressed the "urgent need" for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of talks between the sides to negotiate a sustainable peace. "The warring parties must do everything feasible to ensure that no civilians are further killed or injured by the fighting, and must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance so that it can reach Ghazni," he added, according to a statement issued late on Wednesday by his spokesman. The Secretary-General also underlined that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and called for a peaceful settlement to the fighting "in the interest of building a more stable and prosperous future for all Afghans." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Step backwards' for Bosnia's autonomous Serb region as assembly reneges on Srebrenica genocide report 16 August 2018 - The Republika Srpska National Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina drew concern from the top United Nations expert on the Prevention of Genocide on Thursday, over its decision this week to revoke its endorsement of the 2004 Srebrenica Commission Report acknowledging genocide during the Bosnian war of the 1990s. "Rejection of the Commission's findings is a step backwards for Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Special Adviser Adama Dieng. "It undermines the rule of law and national and international efforts to achieve justice for victims of crimes committed against people of all ethnicities during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war," he continued. The war, which killed some 100,000 people, was settled through the Dayton Agreement, brokered in the US city of that same name, which split the former Yugoslav territory into two semi-autonomous ethnic regions divided between Bosnian Muslims and Croats, and Bosnian Serbs. The Commission, which was set up in 2003 by the Republika Srpska Government, found that from 10 to 19 July 1995, between 7,000 and 8,000 Bosnian Muslims went missing in Srebrenica, and that more than 1,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed constituting a serious violation of international humanitarian law. According to news reports, the vote on Tuesday was initiated by Srpska Republika President Milorad Dodik ahead of October elections to mobilize voters around the nationalist agenda. "Given the timing of this decision," Mr. Dieng pointed out "it is likely to exacerbate tensions ahead of the 7 October elections and damage prospects for long term stability and reconciliation." Many of the Commission's findings have been verified and confirmed by the verdicts of international, domestic and foreign courts. The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia have determined that the massacre of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica constituted genocide. In July 1995, a Tribunal Judge described the aftermath as "scenes from hell, written on the darkest pages of human history." During his visit back in February, Mr. Dieng observed: "It is evident that events of the past are being used for political purposes." He raised concerns over the rejection of judicial verdicts; glorification of war criminals and their crimes; appointment of convicted war criminals to public functions; and the negative impact that these developments would have on prospects for reconciliation in the country. "Mistrust and outright hostility between political leaders representing different constituencies is preventing any significant progress towards reconciliation," the Special Adviser concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Tanzania visit, UNHCR official stresses freedom of choice is crucial for refugee returns 16 August 2018 - Refugees should never be pressured to decide if they should return to their home countries, a senior UN official has said. Volker Turk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, on Thursday completed a four-day visit to Tanzania, which is hosting more than 340,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. "Refugees need to have a meaningful choice about whether they wish to return based on the facts and realities on the ground. There should not be any direct or indirect pressure exercised on refugees to choose whether to return," he said, according to a press release, which stated that the Government of Tanzania has assured the agency that the decision to return would be up to refugees themselves. Mr. Turk met with the Tanzanian authorities and partners to discuss protection challenges and solutions for the refugees and asylum seekers who have found shelter in the country having fled conflict and persecution in their homelands. The majority are from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with nearly 90 per cent living in three camps in the Kigoma region, located in the west. The UN official also visited the Nduta Refugee Camp where he met with residents. He also witnessed the voluntary return process for Burundian refugees. So far, more than 42,000 Burundians have returned home, according to UNHCR. Mr. Turk also held a meeting with UNHCR representatives who are working in countries hosting Burundi refugees, who total around 400,000. UNHCR said the Burundi situation is one of the world's most underfunded humanitarian crises, with a $391 million appeal only 12 per cent funded. Mr. Turk called on the international community to address what he called "this forgotten situation". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan, Pakistan at Odds Over Ghazni Assault Claims By Mohammad Habibzada August 16, 2018 Afghan officials claim that dozens of Pakistani nationals were among more than 400 militants killed in fierce battles in southeastern Ghazni province in the past several days. "During the Taliban attack in Ghazni province, over 400 terrorists were killed, including 70 Pakistani nationals whose bodies are ready to be transferred to Pakistan in Jahangir Bazar, a local market located between Muqur and Gelan districts [Ghazni province]," said Wahidullah Kalimzai, governor of Ghazni province. Kalimzai added that other foreign nationals were among the dead militants during battles. He also said at least 100 Afghan national security forces and dozens of civilians were killed. "Some of the dead bodies of Chechens remain in the battlefield. Documents found in their position prove they were Chechen nationals," the governor said. The Afghan Ministry of Defense also said it confirmed the presence of Pakistani nationals fighting in Ghazni province, but did not give details pending an investigation. "Pakistanis are involved in the southeastern Ghazni battle. The clearing operation is still underway, and we are investigating this issue," Sayed Ghafoor Ahmad Jawid, a spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defense, told VOA. Afghan authorities have long accused Pakistan's spy agency of backing militant fighters in the region, which Pakistani authorities have denied. But the Ghazni attack has revived the issue. Last week, the Afghan army chief of general staff, General Mohammad Sharif Yaftali, said Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was behind the five-day siege of Ghazni. "Pakistan is the springboard of international terrorism. All terrorists first land in Pakistan, where they get armed, equipped and then sent to Afghanistan to fight," Yaftali told reporters in Kabul. He also said many members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a U.S.-designated terror group, were among those killed in Ghazni province. Pakistan's reaction Pakistani officials reject the Afghan government's allegations that Pakistani nationals were fighting alongside the Taliban against Afghan government forces. "We have no evidence to back up these comments, hence we reject the reports of Pakistanis killed in Ghazni attacks," Muhammad Faisal, a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told VOA. "We condemn the heinous attacks in Ghazni and want to reiterate that Pakistan wants a peaceful and stable Afghanistan," Faisal added. Jawid, the Afghan Ministry of Defense spokesperson, said, "We will share all the evidence with the Pakistani government and our international allies, including the U.N., once they are complete." Bodies returned to Pakistan? Reports from Pakistan's border region in recent days have cited local officials and social media photos and videos appearing to indicate that militant groups have transported dead fighters from the Ghazni battle back to Pakistan for burial. Afrasiab Khattak, a former senator and current senior member of the Awami National Party, asked his own government to explain the bodies when authorities insist no Pakistani nationals were involved. "The dead bodies from the southeastern Ghazni battle that were shifted to Pakistan some Pakistani groups have posted photos of the dead bodies and have invited people to attend funeral ceremonies of their members on social media. These groups have proudly stated that those men were killed there [in Ghazni]," Khattak told VOA. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Islamabad has not received any evidence to back up the claims. Local accounts Local sources in Pakistan told VOA that bodies have been transported to different provinces of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Baluchistan, from across the border. According to these sources, Usman, a militant commander; Haq Nawaz, a militant from Hangu district; and Rashid Badini, a militant from southwestern Baluchistan province, were among those killed in Ghazni, and people were visiting their families to offer condolences. Local Pakistani officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, told VOA that many Pakistani militants killed in Afghanistan allegedly belonged to Mullah Nazir, an allegedly pro-government militant group. They also said dozens of dead bodies were taken to Punjab's Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Khara areas. The dead bodies allegedly were brought from Wana from Afghanistan, where they were transported to southern parts of Punjab province. VOA could not independently verify these claims. Sanctuaries Relations between Pakistan and the U.S. have deteriorated over allegations that Taliban insurgents fighting local and international forces in Afghanistan use sanctuaries on Pakistani soil to plan attacks. U.S. and Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of being selective in its campaign against militant groups operating in the country. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump charged that Islamabad had failed to take action against terror safe havens in Pakistan and suspended military aid to the country. Pakistani officials deny the charges and maintain that the country has equally targeted all militant groups and suffered enormous losses. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan's outgoing ambassador to the United States, told VOA in an interview in May that his country had done the most against terrorism in the region and that no country could accuse it of not doing enough. "Al-Qaida, if you don't hear about it today, it is because Pakistan and the U.S. were cooperating. Al-Qaida is the organization that caused 9/11, and therefore, we think that no country can tell us that Pakistan has not done enough. In fact, Pakistan has done the most," Chaudhry said. VOA's Madeeha Anwar contributed to this report from Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt Works to Mediate Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap By Edward Yeranian August 16, 2018 Arab media reported that Israel began allowing trucks to deliver various goods into Gaza through the main Kerem Shalom border crossing, after a visit Wednesday by Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, to negotiate a prisoner swap with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv. Egyptian media noted officials of the Palestinian Hamas group are expected to visit Cairo within the next 24 hours to deliver the group's response to the proposed Egyptian-sponsored deal. At the same time that Egyptian mediators were trying to reach a deal between Hamas and Israel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas appeared to shut the door to any new attempt at a reconciliation deal between the PA and Hamas mediated by Egypt. Abbas told his Fatah faction during a two-day meeting in Ramallah that there can be no inter-Palestinian reconciliation agreement outside the comprehensive deal agreed upon last year, in which all factions unite under the same government, the same security forces, the same laws and agree to the abolition of militias operating outside the government. Egyptian analyst Said Sadek tells VOA that Egypt has not given up on an inter-Palestinian agreement, alongside deals between Hamas and Israel. "All these negotiations are concentrating on several issues," Sadek said. First, "reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas; second, cease-fire [between Hamas and Israel]; third, the exchange of prisoners and bodies, along with the fourth, which is the so-called 'Deal of the Century.'" Sadek stressed that regional players, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, appear to be trying to work out details of the Trump administration's Arab-Israeli peace plan, which Arab media has dubbed the "Deal of the Century." But Abbas told his Fatah faction's leaders that he was the first to oppose the Trump administration's Deal of the Century and would continue to do so. The Trump administration's Middle East peace envoy, Jason Greenblatt, indicated in a tweet Wednesday that "no one will be fully pleased with our proposal, but that is the way it must be if real peace is to be achieved." "Peace," he added, "can only succeed if it is based on realities." Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi town of Neom several days ago amid reports that they had discussed the Trump administration's peace plan, in addition to the conflict in Yemen and economic efforts by Saudi Arabia to develop its Red Sea coast. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former CIA Chief: My Security Revocation is Trump Attempt to Silence Critics By Ken Bredemeier August 16, 2018 Former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan says he believes President Donald Trump revoked his security clearance because he wants to "silence others who might dare to challenge him." In an opinion piece published Thursday in The New York Times, Brennan contended that Trump "clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance." Brennan, who was the CIA director during the second White House term of former President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017, said that Trump's claims that "no collusion" occurred between his 2016 presidential campaign and Russia "are, in a word, hogwash." "The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of 'Trump Incorporated' attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets," said Brennan, who often has been highly critical of Trump on cable news talk shows. Trump, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, said he believes Brennan is one of the people responsible for special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing 15-month probe into links between Trump's campaign and Russia and whether Trump, as president, obstructed justice by trying to thwart the investigation. Trump, often critical of the Mueller investigation, told the newspaper it is a "rigged witch hunt ... a sham." "And these people led it," Trump said, referring to Brennan and nine other past and current government security officials whose clearances he is considering revoking. "So, I think it's something that had to be done," Trump said of revoking Brennan's clearance. Other names Trump said he does not trust "many of those people on that list" and does not think they are "good people." On his Twitter account, Trump reposted several comments supporting his revocation of Brennan's clearance, including one from Sean Hannity, a conservative Fox News television host. "I'd strip the whole bunch of them," Hannity said. "They're all corrupt." The White House said Wednesday that security clearances are under review for former U.S. National Intelligence director James Clapper, former FBI director James Comey, former Obama administration National Security adviser Susan Rice, former National Security Agency director Michael Hayden and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. "Security clearances for those who still have them may be revoked, and those who have already lost their security clearance may not be able to have it reinstated," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters, reading a statement in the president's name. 'I will not relent' Sanders, responding to reporters' questions, denied that Brennan and others are being singled out because they are critics of Trump. The president's statement accused Brennan of "erratic conduct and behavior" that "has tested and far exceeded the limits of any professional courtesy that may have been due to him." It also accuses Brennan of "a history that calls into question his objectivity and credibility." Brennan has been vocal in his attacks on Trump, at one point saying that Trump's performance at a joint news conference last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki was "nothing short of treasonous." Brennan on Twitter described Trump's action on Wednesday as part of a broader effort "to suppress freedom of speech and punish critics." Brennan, who spent 25 years with the CIA, concluded: "My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mali President Wins Presidential Runoff Vote in Landslide By VOA News August 16, 2018 Incumbent President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali has won a landslide victory in the West African nation's presidential runoff election. Official results announced Thursday reveled Keita won 67 percent of the vote from Sunday's second round, soundly beating challenger and opposition leader Soumaila Cisse. Turnout in the runoff vote was an abysmally low 34 percent, as voters stayed away due to threats of violence by jihadist militants. The government stepped up security for Sunday's run-off, deploying 6,000 troops in addition to the 30,000 who already were on duty. But despite the added security, a polling station president was killed in the northern Timbuktu region and the polling station there was burned. The 73-year-old Keita took 42 percent of the vote in a field of 24 candidates in the first round of voting, compared to 18 percent for the 68-year-old Cisse, who also lost the 2013 election to Keita. Cisse accused Keita's government of fraud in the first round of voting, but the constitutional court upheld the result. The earlier round of voting was marred by armed attacks blamed on jihadists, including some linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, and ethnic violence that closed several hundred voting places. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian Ruling Party Posts Complete Electoral Sweep By VOA News August 16, 2018 The ruling party of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has won all 125 parliamentary seats in last month's election, which has been denounced by outlawed opposition forces as illegitimate. The National Election Committee said Wednesday that voter turnout for the July 29 balloting was 83 percent, despite the absence of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved last year by the Supreme Court. Nineteen smaller parties participated in the election, but put up only token opposition. The landslide victory by the Cambodian People's Party ensures that Prime Minister Hun Sen will extend his 33-year grip on power once the new parliament convenes next month. He defended the elections as free and fair in a message posted on Facebook Wednesday, and praised Cambodians for choosing peace and development. Sam Rainsy, the exiled leader of the CNRP, accused the National Election Committee of inflating the voter turnout numbers in a written statement. He said the NEC of "playing tricks" with the results because it is under the control of the CPP. Western skepticism Several Western governments pulled their support for the election, and a number of independent election monitors declined to take part after the CNRP was dissolved. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the U.S. will expand visa restrictions imposed late last year on high-ranking Cambodians "responsible for the most notable anti-democratic actions" taken in the run-up to the elections, which she called "flawed." Nauert said the new restrictions may apply to individuals both inside and outside the government, as well their immediate family members. The court ruling dissolving the CNRP capped an apparent crackdown on dissenting voices launched by Hun Sen to avoid a repeat of the last national election in 2013, when he and his ruling government were nearly defeated. The repressive moves include the arrest of CNRP co-leader Kem Sokha on charges of treason, which led half of the party's lawmakers to flee, and the closure of The Cambodia Daily, one of the country's last independent newspapers, after the publishers received an exorbitant overdue tax bill they said was bogus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guardsmen Bring Combat Skills to Fighting Western Fires Aug. 16, 2018 By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON -- Fighting wildfires is "like being in a combat zone, just we're not getting shot at," said Army Sgt. Julian Ross, one of the California National Guardsmen called up to battle the wildfires in his state. Ross and Air Force Staff Sgt. James Brown spoke to Pentagon reporters yesterday via video link about their experiences. Ross is with Task Force MedEvac and flies missions to rescue people and to drop water on the blazes. Brown is with the 149th Intelligence Squadron and uses data from the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle to give firefighters near-real-time information on the fires they are confronting. Huge Fires The fires are huge and creating their own weather systems. Dropping water on the blazes comes with its own set of problems, Ross said. Smoke, shifting winds, heat and a crowded airspace are all part of the equation as the National Guardsmen help to contain the blazes. "So [there are] a lot of dangers we have to deal with -- other aircraft, there's a fire that we're actually trying to put out, there's people on the ground that we're trying to protect, structures we're trying to protect," Ross said. "So I mean, it has its dangers, we're just not getting shot at." Almost 1,000 California National Guardsmen have been called up to assist in the firefighting effort. They include crews flying C-130 aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting system, military police directing traffic and evacuating people, and guardsmen like Brown who use battlefield equipment to help their fellow citizens. Guardsmen also are fighting fires in Oregon, Washington and Colorado. The MQ-9 Reaper is usually associated with killing terrorists, but it is an extremely valuable tool for firefighters. "I am an incident and awareness and assessment coordinator," Brown said. "I have a focus in collection management, and so I leverage that skill to identify threatened structures, threatened and distressed people and fire lines. We're able to task the MQ-9 Reaper, as well as the RC-26 and the UH-72, which are both fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters that have the ability to do remote sensing, and basically record video that our imagery analysts are able to relay back to the incident commanders." The incident commanders, whether they're from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or the U.S. Forest Service, are able to see exactly where their fire lines are at any given time. "So far we've been able to fly our aircraft on all of the major fires," Brown said. "And we are always standing by to help them more." Saving Lives The system has helped save lives. "During the Thomas Fire in San Diego last December, we were able to make a call out where a fire line was within 500 yards of a neighborhood that had not been evacuated," he said. "We were able to evacuate around 5,000 homes and get those people out of there. And unfortunately, the fire did end up rolling through that neighborhood within a few hours." The California Guard is not anticipating calling up any more personnel for the current fires, said Army Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the deputy adjutant general of the California Military Department. "That obviously could change," he said. "Fire season in California is just getting underway. We have yet to experience Santa Ana winds in the southern part of the state, and the typical fire behavior generally occurs much later in the summer and into early fall." The California Guardsmen have already had a busy year. The personnel are called up for about 30 days. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York, Pennsylvania Guardsmen Assist Flood Response Efforts Aug. 16, 2018 By Eric Durr New York National Guard BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Two hundred New York National Guard soldiers and airmen were placed on state active duty yesterday after nearly seven inches of rain fell on parts of the state's Finger Lakes region Aug. 14. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered the guard response as the state declared a disaster area in 14 counties in the Finger Lakes area and counties in New York's Southern Tier region, where heavy rains caused streams and lakes to rise. The declaration allows the state to move assets -- including National Guard members -- to assist local governments. On Aug. 14, 30 airmen from the 174th Attack Wing, based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, were deployed to Ovid, New York, to assist local governments there in clearing debris. A priority was to clear roads and keep drainage ditches and culverts from clogging and overflowing. Flood Response The 204th Engineer Battalion in Binghamton mobilized 25 soldiers with high-axle vehicles for immediate storm response. The Susquehanna River flows past Binghamton, and the river's water level was 4 feet over flood stage at one point before it subsided later on Aug. 14. Yesterday, an additional 150 soldiers and vehicles were placed on duty in Auburn, Binghamton, Walton and Horseheads, New York. All elements were equipped with military vehicles capable of negotiating flooded areas. The soldiers came from additional companies of the 204th Engineer Battalion and the 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn. The New York National Guard also placed an additional 50 members of the 369th Sustainment Brigade on standby at Camp Smith Training Area in the Hudson Valley near Peekskill, New York. The New York Army National Guard also has two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with hoist capability standing by at the Rochester International Airport Army Aviation Support Facility. The Finger Lakes region of New York stretches through the middle of the state and includes 11 lakes, the longest of which is 38 miles long. The region is a major tourism destination and wine industry center. In Pennsylvania, where National Guard assets have been mobilized for several days because of flooding, aerial rescues took place Aug. 14 in the Benton area north of Bloomsburg, where three helicopters with a group run by the National Guard and the state Fish and Boat Commission performed about 10 rescues, including people plucked from the roofs of their homes, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tajikistan Arrests Five, Seeks Others In Russia, In Probe Of Foreign Cyclist Attack RFE/RL's Tajik Service August 16, 2018 Tajik authorities say they have arrested five men in connection with the July 29 attack that killed four foreign cyclists, as Dushanbe widened its investigation. Authorities said they had also ordered 20 Tajik migrant workers in Russia to return home for questioning. Tajik police said on August 16 that the five men were arrested last week in the southern town of Norak, the hometown of two of the suspects in the attack. Abdurahmon Gulov, a local official in Norak, said those arrested were Farhod Davlatov and his father Abdumumin Davlatov, and Bakhtovar Salohiddinov, Qiyomiddin Qurbonov, and Bakhtiyor Solehov. Gulov said the five men were in contact via WhatsApp with Asliddin and Jafar Yusupov, the two brothers from Norak who were among four suspects killed in a police operation on July 29-30. During the same operation, police detained Hussein Abdusamadov, the alleged cell leader of a terrorist group that carried out the July attack, the deadliest on Western tourists in Central Asian history. Gulov said the Yusupov brothers encouraged the five men to join their terrorist cell and disclosed their plans to carry out terrorist attacks in Tajikistan. Gulov said the five men were charged with failing to notify authorities of a possible crime. Gulov said the 20 Tajik citizens ordered to return from Russia for questioning were in contact with the five men suspected of carrying out the attack. Abdusamadov was a migrant worker in Russia before his return to Dushanbe around three months ago. In the brutal July 29 attack on the foreigners, a car rammed into the group of cyclists before multiple attackers emerged from the vehicle and stabbed survivors, killing two Americans, a Swiss, and a Dutch national. Three other foreigners were injured in the attack before the assailants sped off. Islamic Party Blamed The extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack and released a video showing five men -- at least some of whom appeared to resemble four men identified by Tajik officials as suspects killed in a confrontation with security forces -- pledging allegiance to IS's leader. But the government maintained the five men were members of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), which the Tajik authorities have blamed for the attack. The leadership of the IRPT -- which served for several years in the Tajik government -- has called the authorities' claims "baseless and irrational," as well as "shameless and illogical slander." The IRPT was Central Asia's only registered Islamic political party until the Tajik government banned it in 2015. It had tens of thousands of members when it was outlawed and has since been labeled a "terrorist" organization by Dushanbe. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan- arrests-five-seeks-other-russia-probe-foreign- cyclist-attack/29437621.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 Terror attacks strike people 'from all walks of life, the UN included' 16 August 2018 - The terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003 that claimed the lives of 22 people should serve as a reminder that the organization's locally recruited staff often face the greatest dangers in the world's most hostile places, amid increasing attacks on humanitarians, the head of the United Nations in Geneva said on Thursday. Speaking just ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Baghdad atrocity, at the UN's main World Humanitarian Day event in the Swiss city, Michael Mller said that for the fifth year in a row, more than 100 humanitarians have lost their lives while at work. "That horrible afternoon in Iraq does not stand in isolation," he noted. "It was followed by other attacks against the United Nations. At the end of 2007 we lost 17 colleagues in Algiers. Last year alone, 148 peacekeepers and 139 humanitarian workers were killed." Turning to the attack in Baghdad, which led to the UN General Assembly's decision in 2008 to create an annual day of remembrance for humanitarian workers on 19 August, Mr. Mller recalled UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's description of those who were killed as "the best of the best, the most committed of the committed, the hope of the UN until their lives were cut short". The victims of the attack were also the "hope and the future" of the organization, he said, adding that "our blue flag only flies because committed people wave it". The UN's top official in Geneva also noted that while many of the victims were international staff, it is the organization's local workers who "are always faced with more serious situations". "When international staff leave following violent incidents, local staff often remain to continue the UN's work in the world's most dangerous places," Mr. Mller added. His comments echoed a video message by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who paid tribute to those who died "in the service of peace, development and human rights" in the attack on the Canal Hotel attack in Baghdad 15 years ago. Their loss was not in vain, the UN chief insisted. Among the dead was Sergio Vieira de Mello, who in addition to serving as the UN's top official in Iraq, was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "I was always impressed by the way he embodied UN values and our spirit of service," Mr Guterres said, sentiments shared by Master of Ceremonies on Thursday, Ahmad Fawzi, who was Mr. de Mello's spokesperson in Iraq, and avoided the blast after being recalled temporarily to London shortly before the attack. "We have been targeted again and again and again," Fawzi said, noting that terror attacks had claimed thousands of lives all around the world "from all walks of life, the UN included". Among the other speakers at the event in Geneva was Khatan al-Orfali, whose son Omar was killed in the Baghdad attack while he was working for international aid organization Christian Children's Fund of Canada. In a moving speech in which Mr al-Orfali said that his only son's wish had been to help others, and described the young man's joy at finding a job, he appealed for fresh information about the circumstances surrounding the attack. "Until today we do not know how this vicious crime was committed so quickly and so easily," he said. "We still do not know who allowed the car bomb through." And although the Canal hotel that served as the UN's headquarters was heavily protected, "we still don't know who gave the perpetrators the intel", Mr al-Orfali said, or "who financed them, what were the results of the investigation, results that we are entitled to know." Despite the pain of his loss, and in a message of hope to the organization, he made a final appeal to the UN, "to remind this great organization that the peoples of the world still believe in the UN's humanitarian role. We expect a lot from the UN and hope it will not let us down." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM addresses nation from ramparts of Red Fort on 72nd Independence Day Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Prime Minister's Office 15-August-2018 10:51 IST The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day. Asserting that India is today brimming with self-confidence, the Prime Minister mentioned developments such as the success of Navika Sagar Parikrama by six young women naval officers, and the achievements of young Indian sportspersons from humble backgrounds. He mentioned the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers in the Nilgiri hills, a phenomenon that occurs once every 12 years. He said that the recently concluded session of Parliament, was one dedicated to the cause of social justice. He noted that India is now the world's sixth largest economy. The Prime Minister paid homage to the freedom fighters and martyrs. He saluted the jawans of the security forces and police forces. He recalled in particular, the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which happened on Baisakhi day in 1919. He offered condolences to people affected by floods in some parts of the country. He quoted poet Subramaniam Bharti to say that India will show the world the path to freedom from all kinds of shackles. He said such dreams were shared by countless freedom fighters. And an inclusive Constitution was drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar to achieve this dream of a nation where there is justice for the poor, and equal opportunities for all to move forward. He said that Indians are now coming together to build the nation. He gave examples of the pace of development in various fields such as toilet construction, electricity reaching villages, LPG gas connections, house construction etc. He said that the Union Government had taken decisions which had been pending for long, including higher MSP for farmers, GST, and One Rank One Pension. He said this has become possible because the Union Government has kept national interest supreme. The Prime Minister mentioned how international organizations and agencies were looking at India very differently today, as compared to 2013. He said that from a time of "policy paralysis", India had moved to "Reform, Perform, Transform." He said India is now a member of several important multilateral organizations, and is leading the International Solar Alliance. The Prime Minister said that the North-East is today in the news for achievements in sports, for connecting the last unconnected villages with electricity, and for becoming a hub of organic farming. The Prime Minister mentioned 13 crore loans being disbursed under the Mudra Yojana, and four crore loans out of this number, being disbursed to first time beneficiaries of such loans. The Prime Minister said that India is proud of its scientists. He announced "Gagan-Yaan" a manned space mission, to be undertaken by India by 2022, using its own capabilities. He said India would become the fourth nation in the world to do so. Reiterating the vision to double farmers' incomes by 2022, the Prime Minister asserted that the aim is to accomplish tasks which seem extremely difficult. He said initiatives such as Ujjwala Yojana and Saubhagya Yojana are providing dignity to the people. He said organizations such as the WHO have appreciated the progress made in the Swachh Bharat Mission. Shri Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan on 25th September this year the anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. It is high time we ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare, he asserted. He said this scheme would positively impact 50 crore people. The Prime Minister explained how better targeting of government benefits has been achieved by weeding out about 6 crore fake beneficiaries. The honest taxpayer of India has a major role in the progress of the nation, he said, adding that it is due to them that so many people are fed, and the lives of the poor are transformed. The Prime Minister asserted that the corrupt, and those who have black money would not be forgiven. He said that Delhi's streets are now free from power brokers, and the voice of the poor is heard. The Prime Minister announced that women officers of Short Service Commission in the Indian Armed Forces would now be eligible for permanent commission through a transparent selection process. Noting that the practice of Triple Talaq has caused great injustice among Muslim women the Prime Minister assured Muslim women that he will will work to ensure that justice is done to them. The Prime Minister spoke of the decline in Left Wing Extremism in the country. He reiterated former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision of "Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat," for the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized on the vision of Housing for All, Power for All, Clean Cooking for All, Water for All, Sanitation for All, Skill for All, Health for All, Insurance for All, and Connectivity for All. He said that he is impatient, anxious and keen to see India progress, eliminate malnutrition, and to see Indians get a better quality of life. ***** AKT/VJ/PB NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Awards $2.9 Billion for Early Warning Missile Defense Satellites Sputnik News 22:11 16.08.2018(updated 22:16 16.08.2018) The US Air Force announced Tuesday it had awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for a set of satellite-based missile warning systems, to the tune of $2.9 billion. At the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, on August 8, Missile Defense Agency Director Gen. Samuel Greaves laid out a sketch of what the next generation of missile detection and defense systems might look like, noting that the primary purpose of the detection system was "to be the bell ringer if something is going on," Sputnik reported at the time. That early warning system, the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) system, will be composed of five satellites. According to a notice of intent filed by the Air Force in May, Next Gen OPIR will consist of three geosynchronous satellites manufactured by Lockheed Martin and two polar orbit satellites to be built by Northrop Grumman, the contract for the latter of which has not yet been announced, Space News noted. "This is early warning to support our nuclear deterrence," Thomas Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider Wednesday. The system will replace the current Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), a 10-satellite constellation in use since 2006. Although Lockheed's SBIRS contract runs through 2022, the Air Force told Congress in February it wanted to reallocate funds from the seventh and eighth SBIRS satellites toward what became Next Gen OPIR, Space News noted. The first OPIR is scheduled to be launched in 2023 two years earlier than previously planned and the first polar satellite by 2027, with the entire system online by 2029. "As we develop these new systems, speed matters," US Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said in a statement. "We are focused on providing a missile warning capability survivable in a contested environment by the mid-2020s." Deployment of the new detection system was stepped up earlier this year in response to Russian Mach 5-capable weapons tested earlier this year. "The most important thing to do in the missile defense business is make sure you can see and characterize the threat," Gen. John Hyten, head of US Strategic Command, said at the August 8 symposium. The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the US military's budget for the coming fiscal year, was signed into law Monday, Sputnik reported. This NDAA makes establishing a hypersonic missile defense system a priority, with a Congressional defense committee report required in the next 90 days. The early warning system will operate primarily by looking for the heat signature created by a missile's engines, easily detectable when viewed from above during launch but also viewable in flight when silhouetted "against the cold background of space," Greaves said. "That infrared, that heat-detecting satellite is there to detect a missile's plume, so it gives you that early warning of a big missile launch," Karako explained. "That is important from the national command perspective, because in the event of a very bad day, the United States would have that warning and that time to kick our overall deterrence force into gear." The Air Force's selection of Lockheed and not Northrop, via a sole-source contract, was justified by the "unusual and compelling urgency" of a new missile warning system, but it only further secures Lockheed's dominance of the field Northrop is actually serving as a subcontractor for Lockheed on the project, Space News noted. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing to Launch Satellite Network to Monitor South China Sea Traffic Sputnik News 22:00 16.08.2018(updated 23:30 16.08.2018) Officials in China's Hainan province are preparing to send a series of satellites into space starting in 2019 in order to keep track of "every reef and ship" within the contested waters of the South China Sea. The project is headed by the Sanya Institute of Remote Sensing in Hainan and has been sponsored by the provincial government, according to the China News Service. In total, 10 satellites will be launched into low-Earth orbit by the end of 2021. According to the institute, the first three Hainan-1 optical satellites will be sent off into orbit sometime during the second half of 2019 and will be followed by three more Hainan-1 satellites and two Sanya-1 multispectral remote-sensing satellites in 2020. The final two, both Sansha-1 synthetic aperture radar satellites, will go up in 2021. A state report issued on the project noted that Hainan-1 satellites would "monitor every reef and ship within the South China Sea" to offer "accurate and quick response" in emergency situations. "The combination of cameras and automatic identification systems will allow us not only to monitor ships lawfully sailing in the South China Sea, but also to detect and track illegally operating ones," Yang Tianliang, director of the Sanya Institute, told the China News Service on Wednesday. Cameras on the Hainan-1 satellites will be able to monitor large and mid-sized ships, while the Sanya-1s will assess water conditions, the South China Morning Post reported. The Sansha-1 satellites will offer all-weather, high definition monitoring. Although the program is expected to offer aid in weather tracking and emergency situations, Chen Xiangmiao, a researcher with the National Institute for the South China Sea, told the China News Service that the project will also play a role in national defense. Per Chen, the technology will aid Beijing in negotiating the demarcation of the disputed waters. The resource-rich waters have been involved in a longstanding dispute, as countries including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have picked apart the sea and claimed territories for themselves. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, told Sputnik Thursday that the new satellites "will provide the PRC [China] with a greater degree of actionable intelligence which is likely to be employed in undermining counter claims and efforts by other countries to establish their sovereignty." He also noted that, "It may have a practical effect if the intelligence is used to track non-PRC fishing boats and the information is used to interdict them while they are working. This could be a real flashpoint. Consider the cod wars between the UK and Iceland in the 1970s as an example of how natural resources can become a flashpoint for broad tension." China's move to construct artificial islands and stock them with military equipment has been a thorn in critics' sides, as many argue that the move is simply intended to expand China's stake in the sea, with implied threats of violence if it's challenged. "I don't believe the deployment of new capabilities by the PRC will deter other claimants from pressing their interests," Hammond-Chambers told Sputnik. "I do think it unlikely that international courts will be pursued given the non-use of the recent ruling by the Hague declaring the PRC's claims to be spurious. I'd expect PRC military aggression and coercion to be met more head on by claimants as well as interested parties such as the US, Australia, India and the Europeans." In 2016, a Hague-based arbitration tribunal ruled that China had no legal basis for claiming historic rights over areas falling within the so-called "nine-dash line" a vague demarcation line Beijing uses to claim parts of the South China Sea. Beijing refuses to recognize the verdict and says the matter be resolved through negotiations with other claimants. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US forms 'Iran Action Group' to run aggressive policy toward Tehran Iran Press TV Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:27PM The US State Department has formed an "Iran Action Group" to coordinate and run an aggressive US policy toward the Islamic Republic on the eve of the 65th anniversary of a previous American action against Iran - the CIA-led 1953 coup against the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the creation of the "Iran Action Group" on Thursday, saying that the initiative would be "directing, reviewing and coordinating all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity." The group will be headed by senior policy adviser Brian Hook, who is currently the State Department's director of policy planning. He will report directly to Pomepo. "Our hope is that one day soon we can reach an agreement with Iran but we must see major changes in the regime both inside and outside of its borders," Pompeo said in a brief address at the State Department. "The Iranian people and the world are demanding that Iran finally act like a normal nation. The Iran Action Group will drive daily progress on these objectives, and I hope do much more," he added. The top US diplomat went on to say that the State Department is committed to a whole of government effort to change Tehran's "behavior." Pomepo's announcement falls on the 65th anniversary of the CIA coup against Mossadegh. The 1953 United States covert action overthrew Mossadegh in favor of strengthening the monarchical rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on 19 August 1953. Is there a message intended for Tehran? Some political analysts wondered if there was a message intended for Tehran. Veteran political commentator in New York Don DeBar said there may be a message, but that it may not be intended for the Iranian people. "Personally, I suspect that if there was a message intended, it was for domestic consumption here, to make it appear that Trump is being tough while allowing him to strike a reasonable deal with Iran. It's the same tactic they used with North Korea." Meanwhile, American writer and political analyst Daniel Patrick Welch told Press TV that the United States "has always maintained a coterie of war planners intent on fomenting war with Iran." "The new and most significant piece here is the announcement by Pompeo, which amounts to more aggressive saber-rattling from the war dogs of Empire. Unfortunately for these, what is also new is the growing strategic integration between China and Russia, who are more determined than ever to prevent another reckless and murderous US war adventure," he stated. US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear agreement in May, and said that he plans to reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose "the highest level" of economic bans on the Islamic Republic. In August, Trump signed an executive order reimposing many sanctions on Iran to levy "maximum economic pressure" on the Islamic Republic. Trump repeated his opinion that the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran was a "horrible, one-sided deal." Trump also warned that nations that do not gradually reduce their ties to the Iranian economy "risk severe consequences" under the reimposed sanctions. Hook: It was 'pure coincidence' However, Pomepo's special representative for Iran, Hook, claimed it was "pure coincidence" the action group is being formed on the anniversary of the 1953 coup -- which was orchestrated by the US and UK under the name "TPAJAX Project" or "Operation Ajax". Hook refused to name people working in the dedicated group, but said it is launching with a "core staff of several permanent personnel." "This team is committed to a strong global effort to change the Iranian regime's behavior," he added. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in 2015 by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, including the US, plus Germany under then US President Barack Obama. Under the deal, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against it. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday night that the United States isolated itself when it left the nuclear deal with Iran. "Today the US' closest allies, apart from a few of our neighbors, are no longer aligned with Washington," said Zarif during a television interview. The second wave of sanctions that would hit on November 4 would aim to bring Iran's oil exports to zero as claimed by US officials. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has ordered officials and institutions in charge to prepare to build up the country's enrichment capacity in case the nuclear deal falls apart after the US unilaterally scrapped it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pompeo Names Special Representative For Iran, Creates Iran Action Group RFE/RL August 16, 2018 WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the appointment of a special representative for Iran to coordinate U.S. policy as the administration looks to ramp up pressure on Tehran after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal. In a briefing on August 16, Pompeo said Brian Hook, currently the State Department's director of policy planning, will head the new Iran Action Group (IAG) and will coordinate actions among various U.S. agencies. Pompeo said that "we're committed to a whole-government effort to change the Iranian regime's behavior, and the Iran Action group will ensure that the State Department remains closely synchronized with our interagency partners." He added that the IAG will also coordinate policy with the "growing" number of nations that share the U.S. understanding "of the Iranian threat." Hook told the briefing that the IAG was part of U.S. efforts to deal with the wide range of "malign" Iranian activities, including its "aspirations for nuclear weapons," support for terrorism, cyberactivities, and the proliferation of ballistic missiles. Hook, who has held several positions within the State Department, appeared to play down remarks on July 30 by U.S. President Donald Trump that he would be willing to meet President Hassan Rohani with "no preconditions" at "anytime." He said it was the "burden" of Iranian officials to change their behavior to create the possibility of dialogue. Hook referenced 12 requirements outlined by U.S. officials earlier -- "mostly around nukes, terrorism, and the detention of American citizens" -- that Tehran would need to show progress on before closer ties or sanctions relief could be considered. It was also up to Iran to settle internal differences between relative moderates such as Rohani and hard-line religious leaders, such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he said. Pompeo and Hook did not provide details of the IAG or name other members of the group, saying only that a team had been assembled. Trump complained bitterly about Iran's action during his election campaign and into his term of office. He has accused Tehran of violating the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with six world powers and of financing insurgent violence in the Middle East, a charge Iran has denied. Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal in May and, in early August, reimposed economic sanctions that were lifted under the deal, helping to severely cripple the Iranian economy. Trump has called on Iran to negotiate a new deal that would entirely rid Iran of nuclear weapons capability and also curb its development of ballistic missiles, which has been a point of contention between Tehran and Washington for years. Despite the pressure on Iran, the U.S. administration has consistently said it is not seeking regime change in Iran but a "change in behavior." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pompeo-names-brian-hook-us- special-representative-for-iran/29437973.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 US Unveils 'Iran Action Group' for Post-Nuke Deal Policy Sputnik News 21:41 16.08.2018(updated 22:42 16.08.2018) Hook led the Trump administration's attempt to negotiate changes to the nuclear deal with the EU allies before the US president decided to withdraw from the agreement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has unveiled a new Iran action group to coordinate and run Washington's policy toward Tehran in the wake of the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. "Today I'm happy to announce the creation of the Iran Action Group," Pompeo told reporters. "The Iran Action Group will be responsible for directing, reviewing and coordinating all aspects of the State Department's Iran-related activity and it will report directly to me." Brian Hook has been appointed as the new special representative for Iran, who is currently the State Department's director of policy planning. He is expected to oversee implementation of the Trump administration's entire Iran policy. The Iran Action Group will drive efforts to achieve the US objective of changing Tehran's behavior and ensuring the State Department is in sync with other inter-agency partners as it pursues its mission, Mike Pompeo said. Moreover, the Iran Action Group will address all manifestations of the Iranian threat, which has been a force for instability and violence, Hook said. Iran's destabilizing activity is broad, but includes aspirations of developing nuclear weapons, its support for terrorism, malign cyber activity, proliferation of ballistic missiles and much more, he added. Prior to the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May, Hook was dealing with negotiations with the US' EU allies in order to change the agreement. The US relations with Iran have further deteriorated in the wake of Washington's decision to withdraw from the historic 2015 nuclear deal in May, as well as to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The unilateral move has been opposed by other signatories to the agreement, which have pledged their commitment to the deal. On August 7, the United States officially put into effect the first package of sanctions against Tehran, which are targeting Iran's purchase of US dollar banknotes, trade in gold and other metals and transactions involving the national currency. The second package is set to be introduced on November 4 hitting, among other things, Iran's oil exports and energy sector. In response to Washington's reimposition of anti-Iranian sanctions, the European Union activated its Blocking Statute, protecting the European companies from the application of sanctions by a third country, in order to exempt the EU firms from complying with the US sanctions against Iran. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Briefing on the Creation of the Iran Action Group Special Briefing Brian Hook, Special Representative for Iran Washington, DC August 16, 2018 MR HOOK: I'd like to thank the Secretary. In May, the Secretary announced our new Iran strategy to protect America's national security, the security of our allies and partners, and to promote a brighter future for the Iranian people. And we have taken a comprehensive approach to Iran because the scope of Iranian malign activity is so wide-ranging, from its aspirations of nuclear weapons, its support for terrorism, its cyber activity, its proliferation of ballistic missiles, and much more. The Iran regime has been a force for instability and violence. Our new strategy addresses all manifestations of the Iranian threat and the new Iran Action Group will be focused on implementing that strategy. We have an elite team of foreign affairs professionals here at the State Department and across the administration. The Iran Action Group will play a critical role in leading our efforts within the department and executing the President's Iran strategy across the interagency. The administration will also build continue to build the broadest level of international support for our strategy. Just yesterday, I was in London, meeting with senior officials from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom for productive discussions on Iran. We will continue to build on those areas where we are in agreement with our allies and partners around the world and we will work to find consensus on those areas where we are not. I've worked on Iran throughout my career in foreign policy, beginning in 2006 on the UN Security Council, serving as an advisor to UN Ambassador Bolton. I thank Secretary Pompeo for this opportunity and the confidence he has placed in me and my colleagues to execute the strategy. And I'm glad to answer a few questions. QUESTION: So Brian -- MR GREENAN: Matt. QUESTION: Yeah. This is three, but they're so brief it'll seem like just one. (Laughter.) You talk about an elite team. Can you tell us who else is part or at least some of who else is going to be joining you? That's number one. Two is what exactly is this you envision this doing? Is it does it have any resemblance to the Future of Iraq Project that was initiated many years ago with respect to a neighbor of Iran? And then lastly, it has been not it has not gone unnoticed that this announcement is coming right at the 65th anniversary of the 1953 coup in Iran and has prompted lots of speculation about this being the formal group that is going to oversee some kind of or try to oversee some kind of regime change. Can you dispel or confirm that speculation? MR HOOK: Yes. Three questions, three brief answers. On number one: The Iran Action Group will launch with a core staff of several permanent personnel, and additional experts will be detailed from the department. The Secretary is committed to ensuring that the team has all necessary resources to do its job and to drive implementation of the new strategy. We want to be very closely synchronized with our allies and partners around the world. This team is committed to a strong, global effort to change the Iranian regime's behavior. On the second question about -- QUESTION: But you don't have any specific names that you can offer us at the moment? MR HOOK: Not yet. QUESTION: Okay. MR HOOK: For now we have a team that's assembled, and in time we'll be happy to talk about it. QUESTION: (Inaudible) just a follow-up? MR HOOK: He's got two more questions I've got to answer. QUESTION: Okay. MR HOOK: Number two: No connection. Number three: Pure coincidence. QUESTION: That's it? Okay. QUESTION: Thank you. Hi, Brian. MR HOOK: Hi. QUESTION: Do you believe that the U.S. should be talking to Iran right now? Is it the time? And is that going to be part of your brief, to try to get some kind of negotiation going and some direct talks with Tehran? MR HOOK: Well, if the Iranian regime demonstrates a commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior, then the President is prepared to engage in dialogue in order to find solutions. But the sanctions relief, the reestablishment of full diplomatic and commercial relations with the United States, and economic cooperation with the United States can only begin after we see that the Iranian regime is serious about changing its behavior. And in the Secretary's speech in May, he outlined 12 requirements. These are the kinds of things that we would expect any normal nation to do. And a lot of our work is going to be built around advancing those 12 areas mostly around nukes, terrorism, and the detention of American citizens arbitrarily detained. MR GREENAN: We'll go to the back here. Michele Kelemen, NPR. QUESTION: Hi. I'm wondering how you intend to make this a multilateral effort, given the fact that this administration has imposed tariffs on many of the countries that you need as partners and is re-imposing sanctions on companies that are doing business that's allowed under the JCPOA. MR HOOK: No. Well, the purpose of the sanctions is simply to deny the Iranian regime revenues to finance terrorism. That's the purpose of maximum economic pressure. The point is not to create any rifts with other nations. But when you look at the kind of money that Iran provides to Assad and to Shia militias, to Lebanese Hizballah, it's billions and billions of dollars. And we need to get at drying up those revenue streams. And so that is the purpose of our maximum economic pressure campaign. We have had teams from the State Department and the Treasury Department who've now visited, I want to say, 24 countries in most regions of the world. That work will continue in the coming months. And we have very good discussions with allies around the world, because when you look at the range of Iranian threats, especially around missiles and cyber, maritime aggression, terrorism, these are concerns of other nations. The United States is not alone in that regard. And I find that when we sit down and talk with other nations there are shared interests that we're able to pursue and we'll continue doing it. MR GREENAN: Andrea. QUESTION: Can you explain how you work with the quote "regime" when it's evidenced this week by the Ayatollah's speech criticizing Rouhani for even dealing with the United States and negotiating the nuclear deal? This is obviously not the same as dealing with North Korea, dealing with Moscow. This is a divided political system, and the repercussions of whatever may happen have to be dealt with accordingly. MR HOOK: And? QUESTION: And so how does how do you expect, quote, "the regime" to change when there's so many disparate political forces, especially to -- MR HOOK: Well, the burden is yeah. The burden is on the Iranian regime to change its behavior. The President has made clear that he is prepared to engage in dialogue with the regime. We have made it very clear about the kind of normal behavior that we would like to see from Iran. But as for the internal divisions within the regime and whether they want to talk to us, that's up to them. You'd have to ask them. QUESTION: But don't you think that the policy the withdrawal from the nuclear deal and other policies are actually making it more difficult to deal with President Rouhani because of criticism that he dealt with you in the first place not you, but the previous administration? MR HOOK: Yeah. I the President decided to leave the Iran deal because it was a bad deal, and it didn't address the totality of Iranian threats the sunset provisions, the weak inspections regime, the absence of ICBMs in the deal. And so the President makes decisions based on advancing America's national security interest. The Iran deal, as we inherited it, did not do that sufficiently. It did not address the broad range of Iranian threats. And now that we are out of the deal, we have a great a lot more diplomatic freedom to pursue the entire range of Iran's threats. MR GREENAN: Michelle Kosinski. QUESTION: Thanks. Just a couple of weeks ago there was all this talk about meeting with Iran without preconditions, being willing to do so. So can you just clarify this now? You mention that Iran first needs to show that it's serious. Is that right? Before you will engage Iran they need to do something to show that they're serious? Like, what is the precondition, if any? MR HOOK: Well, the President has spoken on this and so has the Secretary. QUESTION: But it's never clear. MR HOOK: Well, it's we don't think it's unclear. QUESTION: Okay. So -- MR HOOK: The Secretary has presented 12 areas where Iran needs to change its behavior. That is our strategy. And we have launched a campaign of maximum economic pressure and diplomatic isolation of Iran in order to advance those 12 requirements. The President has also said that he is prepared to talk with the Iranian regime, and those two things occur in a parallel track. QUESTION: So do they need but before that happens, Iran needs to show that they are serious about -- MR HOOK: I've said everything I can on the subject. These proceed in parallel tracks. MR GREENAN: (Inaudible.) QUESTION: So China has said that they don't plan to cut oil imports. In fact, they might even increase them. So I was wondering, what is your strategy as part of this group towards China? MR HOOK: On China? QUESTION: What kind of measures could you take to get China to comply? Or will you address will you do anything to sanction them, I guess, if they continue to import oil from Iran or increase imports? MR HOOK: Well, our goal is to reduce every country's import of Iranian oil to zero by November 4th, and we are prepared to work with countries that are reducing their imports on a case-by-case basis. As you know, those sanctions will come into effect on November 5th. Those will include sanctions on Iran's energy sector, transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran, Iran's shipping and shipbuilding sectors, among others. And the United States certainly hopes for full compliance by all nations in terms of not risking the threat of U.S. secondary sanctions if they continue with those transactions. QUESTION: Thank you very much. QUESTION: Is it clear -- MR HOOK: We can do one more. QUESTION: Do you see other countries are in risk of violating U.S. financial sanctions? MR HOOK: No, I'm saying that we then QUESTION: Third party -- MR HOOK: In our sanctions regime, yes, we will we are prepared to impose secondary sanctions on regimes I'm sorry, on other governments that continue this sort of trade with Iran. QUESTION: So this is like the North Korea strategy? MR HOOK: I'm only speaking about the Iran strategy. Okay. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq Launches Airstrike on Daesh 'Operations Room' in Syria - Iraqi Army Sputnik News 19:46 16.08.2018(updated 21:20 16.08.2018) The Iraqi military announced Thursday that they had launched airstrikes on Daesh in Syrian territory amid Damascus' efforts to eliminate the last pockets of the terrorist group. "Fulfilling the orders of the commander-in-chief of the [Iraqi] Armed Forces Iraqi F-16 jets successfully carried out an airstrike on the Syrian territory," the statement said, as quoted by the Al-Sumaria broadcaster. As the Iraqi military reported Thursday, the country's jets destroyed a Daesh "operations room" in Syria, killing several fighters. "According to intelligence, those terrorists who were killed were planning criminal operations using suicide vests and intended to target innocents in the next few days inside Iraq," the military said in a statement. According to a recently released UN report, approximately 30,000 Daesh members are operating in Iraq and Syria despite having lost the overwhelming majority of the territory they occupied over the past few years. A lot of them are believed to be in hiding or keeping an otherwise low profile. The report, however, has failed to mention the presence of al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, who have been fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad for years. Iraq has been carrying airstrikes against Daesh positions in Syria with the authorization of the Syrian government. Meanwhile, Syrian government military forces are continuing their offensive against the remaining terrorists in Syria. Following a series of sweeping counterterrorism operations, the Syrian government and Russia, the US-led coalition and the Iraqi authorities have managed to liberate over 90 percent of the territory Daesh had earlier seized. *Daesh, also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS, is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Navy Saar 6 Corvettes to Be Equipped With Barak 8 Missiles Sputnik News 17:25 16.08.2018(updated 18:13 16.08.2018) The Barak 8 missile defense system has been co-developed by the state-owned research and development bodies, and the navies of India and Israel. The two countries have evenly split the $350 million development costs. New Delhi (Sputnik): Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has garnered an order from the Israeli Navy for the Barak-8 weapons system to be fitted to four future Magen-class corvettes named Sa'ar 6. The missile system is already being widely used across the three services of the Indian armed forces. The value of the contract, the number of missiles to be procured within the systems, and the system delivery timeline have not been disclosed. The system is capable of defending naval vessels against several short-to-long range (70-150 km) airborne threats like incoming missiles, planes, and drones at both low and high altitudes. "The procurement of Barak-8 System for the Sa'ar-6 corvettes will expand the operational capabilities of the Israeli Navy, including the defense of Israel's territorial and exclusive economic zone," Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group, IAI said in a statement issued by the company. The Barak-8 defense system integrates several advanced state-of-the-art systems such as digital radar, command and control, launchers, interceptors with modern RF seekers, data link, and system-wide connectivity. Around 70% of the development of the Barak 8, an India-Israel collaborative project, was done in Israel. Nevertheless, the Indian armed forces are the major customer for the defense system. India is in the process of buying $1.1 billion worth of LRSAM for their warships and has placed even larger orders to replace the older Russian SA-6 and SA-8 land-based systems. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Italy Moves To Crack Down On Its Fighters In Ukraine's Donbas Tony Wesolowsky, Yaroslav Kreshko August 16, 2018 For years they traveled with ease from Italy to take part in the Russia-backed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Many boasted of their martial exploits on social media and in videos, often decked out in camouflage fatigues and brandishing weapons. And for years, authorities in Italy largely turned a blind eye, failing to stop these mercenaries despite protests and complaints from officials and others in Kyiv. Until now. On August 1, Italian police announced they had arrested three men accused of recruiting mercenaries to fight in eastern Ukraine. Three others are still being sought after prosecutors in the northern Italian city of Genoa accused the six of fighting in eastern Ukraine and recruiting others to the cause. It was the first time that Italian authorities have charged anyone with fighting in eastern Ukraine, where more than 10,300 people have died since the conflict erupted in April 2014. In a statement, Italian police said they searched the homes of another seven people as part of the investigation into the Italian-Ukrainian recruitment network. Some of the suspects allegedly had ties with the commander of a neo-Nazi paramilitary unit called Rusich, which operates in Ukraine's Donbas region. Genoese prosecutors have also charged 15 others with being members of the recruitment ring. Authorities in Genoa carried out the probes and arrests in tandem with ROS, the anti-organized-crime and antiterrorism branch of the carabinieri, Italy's paramilitary national police force. Police in Genoa have been investigating far-right networks in the area since 2016, according to the Genova Today newspaper. However, as UNIAN notes, the action comes months after a Ukrainian lawmaker submitted a list of 25 Italians believed to be fighting with the separatists in eastern Ukraine. Who Was Arrested? Other than their names and nationalities, few details of those arrested or those being sought were released, and government officials have made few comments on the matter. According to the La Repubblica newspaper, the people under arrest are Italian Antonio Cataldo, Albanian national Olszty Krutany, and Moldovan citizen Vladimir Verbitsky. The carabinieri released a video on August 1 in connection with the arrests, including footage of Verbitsky, who took the nom de guerre "Parma" when he allegedly went to fight in eastern Ukraine in May 2015, joining the Rusich group. He appeared to maintain a low profile at first, wearing a mask -- at least when in front of a camera -- as in this video. Later, however, he seemed less worried about his identity getting out. In a YouTube video posted by the separatists in Ukraine, Verbitsky is apparently shown firing artillery. On camera, "Parma" says he is 21 and, although he grew up in Italy, where his parents moved to from Moldova, he considers himself "Russian." Detainee Krutany is reportedly a veteran of the conflicts in Chechnya, the restive Russian region in North Caucasus. He was also an owner of a gym in Milan, and a fan of Russian martial arts, which allegedly gave him contacts to fighters in the Donbas, according to the Italian online news portal Ottopagine.it. Cataldo, the third detainee, is allegedly a key fixer, having acted as an intermediary between the fighters on the ground in eastern Ukraine and those in Italy wishing to go there. "Antonia Cataldo is a key figure in the probe by the Genoa law enforcement agencies into the recruiting of mercenaries who fought for pro-Russian forces in [eastern] Ukraine," explains Luciano Trapanese, the editor in chief of OttoPagine, in comments to Donbas Reality, the Donbas desk of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "He is considered an experienced mercenary, having fought in Libya, where he was captured by militants loyal to [Muammar] Qaddafi," Trapanese said. "He also took part in military training in Panama. He became well known after he was interviewed on Italian TV. He talked about his mercenary life in the Donbas and elsewhere. After that he became inspirational for those who wanted to travel from Italy to the Ukrainian regions to fight in the ranks of the pro-Putin troops." Still On the Run The three Italians who have so far evaded arrest are reported to be Andrea Palmeri, Gabriele Carugati, and Massimiliano Cavalleri. Cavalleri, known by his alias "Spartak," was regularly spotted in videos posted by the separatists. He was also photographed with Aleksandr Zacharchenko, a top leader in the separatist-controlled area of Ukraine's Donetsk region. Cavalleri posted a picture of himself on Facebook, grimly holding up a "passport" of the so-called "People's Republic of Donetsk," while an Italian flag hung in the background. Like Cavalleri, Palmeri is believed to currently be in separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine. A former leader of the far-right hooligan group Bulldog Lucca, Palmeri has appeared on Italian TV boasting about his martial exploits in eastern Ukraine. In February 2014, he traveled to Ukraine to evade home arrest for an assault conviction. Palmeri claimed in an AFP interview in April 2018 that he was the first Italian to join the Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Palmeri said he had made the decision to go to the Donbas after watching news reports on Russian TV that described Ukrainian authorities as neo-Nazis and broadcast reports -- which are untrue -- that Russian-speakers were being exterminated in Ukraine. Last year, Donbas Reality tried to arrange an interview with Palmeri via social media, but he refused to speak with journalists, ending one of his missives murkily: "We'll see you in [the western Ukrainian city of] Lviv." After the arrests in Italy, Palmeri went on Facebook to post a series of photos featuring himself doing various goodwill work in separatist-controlled areas of the Luhansk region -- distributing onions, potatoes, and cabbages with a caption reading: "Yes, I am a terrorist, I admit it." Carugati is the son of a politician from the far-right League party one of two parties in Italy's ruling coalition government. His mother, Silvana Marin, has publicly praised her son's choice to fight in Ukraine. A year ago Carugati boasted to Donbas Reality about how easy it was for him to slip across the border and get back to Italy. "I have already gone home, had a rest. Now I live in Donetsk," Carugati told RFE/RL. Ties Between Mercenaries And Politicians? As Carugati's case suggests, the mercenaries fighting in Ukraine appear to have at least some support among Italy's ruling elite. And that should come as no surprise. The right-wing League as well as Italy's other ruling party, the 5-Star Movement, are far from being hostile toward the Kremlin. Like other Kremlin-leaning, antiestablishment, and far-right parties in Europe, the 5-Star Movement and the League party have been courted heavily by Moscow, as have other European populist leaders sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin and eager to embrace Russia as a counterweight to the European Union, according to Globalsecurity.org. "This [League] party has signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling party of Russia, with United Russia. [League leader Matteo] Salvini has called on numerous occasions for the lifting of sanctions against Russia," said Taras Semenyuk, an analyst at KyivStratPro. Russia has been slapped with sanctions for its actions in Ukraine, including the seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014. Salvini recently found himself in diplomatic hot water for more controversial statements and actions. Salvini reportedly visited Crimea earlier this year and stated that Russia's annexation was legitimate. For that, Ukraine summoned the Italian ambassador in Kyiv on July 20. However, as the latest arrests by Italian authorities suggest, the Italian government is far from united on its policy toward Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/italy-moves- to-crack-down-on-its-fighters-in ukraine-s-donbas/29437946.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 A protest Friday morning by several hundred activists outside the downtown Stamford headquarters of Purdue Pharma highlighted the growing grassroots campaign seeking accountability from the OxyContin maker, which faces hundreds of lawsuits for allegedly fueling the national opioid crisis. In perhaps the largest-ever demonstration outside the companys offices at 201 Tresser Blvd., about 500 people, including many parents of children who died of opioid overdoses and advocates in recovery from opioid addiction, gathered for around two hours of speeches, marching and chanting. Ryan Hampton, 38, a Los Angeles-based activist and author who battled addiction to opioids including OxyContin for 10 years, and Cheryl Juaire, 59, a Marlborough, Mass.-based advocate whose 23-year-old son died of a heroin overdose in 2011, led the event, which drew attendees from across the country. You dont care, but we do, Juaire said of Purdue, during a speech that described the toll of the epidemic of opioid abuse. We are coming after you, Purdue, together and united ... and we are going to bring you down. In response, Purdue issued a statement that said the company shared the protesters concerns about the opioid crisis and respected their right to peacefully express themselves. Purdue is committed to working collaboratively with those affected by this public health crisis on meaningful solutions to help stem the tide of opioid-related overdose deaths, read part of the statement. During the protest, Hampton, and Juaire went in the building to deliver a letter to Purdue CEO and President Craig Landau, demanding that Purdue create a fund to tackle the opioid crisis, similar to the one established by tobacco companies as part of a nationwide settlement in 1998 that was worth $246 billion. They did not meet Landau; they said they were told he was out of town. My first drug dealer was a person in a white coat that gave me enough OxyContin to almost kill me, Hampton told the crowd. I am a survivor of this crisis, the crisis that the company behind me started. No Purdue officials came outside to meet the protesters, many of whom carried signs with pictures of family members and friends who had died of opioid overdoses. The company did not immediately make any executives available for an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media. Paralleling Hamptons speech, many of the other protesters gave speeches and held signs that described Purdue as a criminal culprit of the opioid crisis that has swept the country since OxyContin, Purdues top-selling drug, went on the market in 1996. From 1999 to 2016, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses related to prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids in 2016 totaled five times the toll in 1999, while sales of those drugs quadrupled, the CDC said. Purdue killed my son, said Westport resident Jim Hood, 66, holding a picture of his son, Austin, who died in 2012, at age 20, from an overdose of an undetermined mixture of opioids. I will never forget the day I walked in, and he was lying almost lifeless on our sofa. This was the beginning of the journey. I didnt know what the hell was going on. He couldnt move, he couldnt talk. Later on, we found out he was given OxyContin by a friend. And he was hooked. Aligning with the protesters arguments, the hundreds of lawsuits filed by local and state governments in recent years have alleged that Purdue has lied and misled medical prescribers and patients about the risks and benefits of its opioids. The company has denied the lawsuits accusations. Borrowing a tactic from a protest in March at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan which has a wing named after several members of the Sackler family that owns the privately held Purdue protesters deposited empty pill bottles in front of the buildings main entrance. The capsule labels listed the Sacker family as the prescriber, with a warning of extremely addictive, will kill and an Rx number of 200,000 dead. They knew that (OxyContin) was addictive, said Rhonda Lotti, 48, of Watertown, Mass., whose 19-year-old daughter, Mariah, died of a heroin overdose in 2011. She had previously used OxyContin. They lied and still continued to push it on doctors to prescribe. Several police officers were deployed at the protest. There were no altercations, but there were a few tense moments, including when protesters booed a group of people in business attire who walked into the building. Many passing cars, meanwhile, honked in apparent support of the demonstration. Fridays gathering marked the third protest in the past three months outside Purdues building. The recent demonstrations included a June 22 incident in which a 10-foot spoon sculpture weighing several hundred pounds, which was stained to represent burnt heroin, was briefly installed outside the companys building. It can be healing to the family members to feel like theyre doing something, Lotti said. If seeing our faces and the pictures of our childrens faces changes the mind of just one person driving by, then it will be worth it. The coverup. With "Cherry," debut novelist Nico Walker has a hit on his hands, but those hands are currently locked behind bars. The former Iraq War medic has two more years left on his sentence for bank robbery, which puts a crimp in the book tour plans - and makes selling the novel's film rights tricky, too. Deadline Hollywood reports that Walker ran out of his weekly allotted phone minutes "and will not be able to entertain any offers until he can again use the jailhouse phone on Sunday." Meanwhile, I was curious about the striking dust jacket for "Cherry." I looked at the book for a couple of weeks before I noticed the skull lurking in those red stars. Janet Hansen, senior designer at Knopf, told me that she worked on this cover for months of trial and error. "There was a lot to work with," Hansen said. "Between the gruesome war scenes, the agonizing PTSD and the dark rabbit hole of drug addiction were fragmented moments of hilarity, love and goodness. And did I mention the smoking? My God, there was a lot of smoking. To symbolize it all with a skull made sense. The trick was how to do it in a way that doesn't feel too creepy. And how could I also incorporate the fact that this is uniquely an American story? Stars immediately came to mind. I played around with these two elements, but what I like about this final execution is the fact that the skull is secondary to the stars, as though all of the things that turn bad in this novel are some sort of naive mistake." Commenting on her final choice for the dust jacket lettering, Hansen said: "This type specimen designed by Armin Haab & Walter Httenschweiler in 1968 has a rawness to it that feels edgy and trippy. It's funny how things this old can feel so current and fresh." "My favorite rejection line of them all: 'This looks like it should be sold in Hot Topic.' Ouch." --- Make New York Great Again. Colson Whitehead has been named New York's 12th State Author, and Alicia Ostriker has been named New York's 11th State Poet. "New York has long been an epicenter for arts and culture," Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday, "and this award celebrates some of the state's most talented and influential writers in their respective fields." Asked about his agenda as State Author, Whitehead replied, "For starters, I'm going to get Gray's Papaya on 72nd recognized as a historical site and reopen the Headless Horseman investigation." This is change we can believe in. --- A grand donation. The National Book Festival is just two weeks away - Saturday, Sept. 1 - but there's still time to support this literary extravaganza that's expected to draw 200,000 people to Washington, D.C. The festival's $2.4 million cost is funded by donors (like David Rubenstein) and sponsors (like The Washington Post), but you don't have to be a billionaire or a big company to help out. For $1,000, you can join the Booklovers Circle, a special program that began last year with 17 donors. Members of this group will receive reserved seating for the Main Stage events at the festival, a festival poster signed by illustrator Gaby D'Alessandro and other benefits. For more information, click here. --- Resistance is not futile. Bob Woods writes in Strategy+Business that "the consumer market for physical, printed books is holding its own in an increasingly digital world." Publishers Weekly reports that sales for the first six months of 2018 were down just 1 percent, to $4.71 billion, compared with the first six months of last year. And the news is even better for independent bookstores. Members of the American Booksellers Association report that their sales for the first seven months of this year were up about 5 percent over the same period in 2017. --- There's still room for imagination. Morgan Jones, author of "The Good Sister," offers a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing debate about cultural appropriation. His essay in the Guardian, "How free should novelists be to imagine radically different lives," begins by acknowledging what a vexed issue this is. "My new novel may need justifying. Half of it is narrated by Sofia, a 17-year-old girl born in Cairo; I'm a 47-year-old man who has never lived outside the UK. More to the point, the story opens with Sofia arriving in Syria to join Islamic State - a long way from any experience of my own. Privately, I have been asked what gives me the right to tell this story." His replay is worth considering: "Fiction remains the best means we have of finding connection where there seems to be none; and the novel, of all forms, encourages a search that's deep and sustained. By reading (or writing) one, you've travelled somewhere else. You've moved, if only slightly, towards others. In a world that finds and increasingly exploits division and difference, this is an invaluable, precious exercise." Perennial Republican candidate Joe Visconti tweeted a photo of Democrat William Tong Wednesday afternoon labeling Tong, who is Chinese, Kim Jong Tong. The tweet was condemned by state Democrats Thursday, who called on Republicans to reject Viscontis thinly veiled racist language. Tong, a state representative from Stamford, is running for attorney general. If elected, he would be the first Asian-American to hold statewide office in Connecticut. The ink hasnt been dried on Williams primary victory and the first thing out of the gate is a racist attack on William, said Mark Bergman, spokesman for Tongs campaign. This kind of rhetoric has become endemic in the Republican party. Visconti, a Trump supporter whose only elective position was a single term on the West Hartford town council, considered runs for governor and U.S. Senate in 2018 and has sought numerous offices in the past. Visconti has never met Tong, but decided to tweet after watching one of Tongs television commercials, he said Thursday. Hes acting like a tyrant. In his television ads using President Trump, it just looks like the debate between (leader of North Korea) Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, said Visconti. He just happens to be of Asian descent. Tong promises to oppose President Donald Trumps policies in campaign advertising. Nick Balletto, chairman of the state Democratic party, called on leaders of the Republican party, including the party chairman, GOP nominee for governor Bob Stefanowski and GOP attorney general nominee Sue Hatfield, to speak out against the tweet. This is a disgusting, vile and disrespectful tweet and no way to refer to a candidate who could make history in the state of Connecticut, said Balletto in a statement. The modern day Republican Party has descended into spreading racist language. Hatfields campaign said Visconti does not speak for their campaign. Sue will not tolerate any of this kind of rhetoric, said Spencer Rubin, Hatfields spokesman. Hateful rhetoric attacking a persons race or ethnicity is unacceptable, said Republican Len Fasano, state senate minority leader from North Haven. "Representative Tong was targeted by an irrelevant individual with a tweet that is ignorant, immature and irresponsible, Fasano said in a statement Friday morning. J.R. Romano, chairman of the Republican party, declined to comment. Within Rabbinic Judaism, we are taught the mitzvah of Hanukat HaBayit LHaShem, or Consecrating a House for God. The idea of this mitzvah is to transform the physical structure of the house into a home that is worthy of housing Gods spirit amongst its inhabitants and creating a sacred loving place imbued with a sense of Gods omnipresence. Houses are physical constructions made of specific materials that require technical knowledge to effectively build. The house can be built well, poorly, or anything in-between these two poles of quality. The house can physically shelter its inhabitants. A home is different. For a home, the materials needed are love, kindness, patience, compassion, etc. We ritually attempt to mark our everyday intentions to always transform our house into our home with the affixing of a mezuzah on our doorposts. By tradition, we invite our family and friends to join us in our ceremony of Hanukat HaBayit LHaShem. When I have the joyful opportunity to perform this mitzvah with families I will often recite the prayerful meditation: Across this threshold may these things never cross: anger and anxiety, hatred and hunger, insult and injury. May this mezuzah as we kiss it going in and out, remind all who enter to bring with them only love and laughter, praise and prayer, kindness and comfort. Let the doors of this house be wide open, so all who enter may find shelter and love. I will then ask those present to take a moment to meditate silently upon the blessings they wish for this Home and then I will affix the mezuzah with the traditional prayers: Bruchim HaBaim BShem Adonai ... We bless all who come in Gods name with love and peace to sanctify this place, as we make this house our home. Blessed are You Gracious One our God, Sovereign of all worlds, who makes us holy with Your mitzvot and commands us to affix the mezuzah. Blessed are You Eternal One our God Who gives us life and keeps us strong and has brought us to this sacred time. As we bless the Source of Life, so we are blessed. Psalm 30 was written for the Dedication of the House. Originally intended for the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Jewish tradition asserts that every home is supposed to be a miniature temple, a sacred place where the residents are always committed to Gods Torah so as to assure the feeling of Gods loving presence. Many Jewish families will conclude their ceremony of Hanukat HaBayit LHaShem with the placing of a tzedakkah (charity) box on their kitchen table so that before everyone eats at the Consecration Ceremony they have the opportunity to make God visibly present by giving money to support others who might be in need. The mitzvah of Hanukat HaBayit LHaShem is a highlight within my rabbinic duties. I hope any local Jewish family will give me the opportunity to consecrate or re-consecrate their home. Please contact me at rabbimitch@templesholom.com or 203-542-7150 so that we can set a time for this wonderful ceremony. Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz is senior rabbi at Temple Sholom of Greenwich, co-founder of the Sholom Center for Interfaith Learning and Fellowship and a past president of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy. For an archive of past columns, visit www.templesholom.com. When Ron Stallworth was a child growing up in Texas and someone called him a n--, his mother encouraged him to respond with a good beatdown. So, it was with much irony, that Stallworth, a former police detective who is the protagonist in the recently released Spike Lee Joint, "BlacKkKlansman," wielded the n-word himself when he launched his investigation into the Colorado Springs Klan in 1978. It would become an undercover role that required Stallworth to submerge his identity as a black man and become a white supremacist, spewing the kind of vile language that he despised. "To deal with people weaponizing the word, you have to talk like them, act like them and think like them. It is a language of hate and that is the language they the live by. They speak it all the time," said Stallworth, who wrote the book, "Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime," upon which the movie is based. "As a black man in America, I know what it's like to be called a n-- and what runs through my mind when I hear the word spoken against me." "BlacKkKlansman" opened last weekend to coincide with the first anniversary of the white nationalists' rally in Charlottesville in which a woman was killed when an avowed neo-Nazi drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. The n-word, the subject of much debate this week about whether there is a tape of President Donald Trump using the racist slur, became Stallworth's ticket into the Colorado Klan. Stallworth, in a recent interview with The Post, recalled his first conversation with Ken O'Dell, a Colorado Springs chapter local organizer of the Klan who unknowingly dialed the undercover line, after Stallworth responded to a Klan ad in the classified section of the local newspaper. "Why do you want to join the Klan?" O'Dell asked. It was a question Stallworth never thought he would be asked. "I felt like saying, 'Well, I want to get as much information as possible from you, Ken, so I can destroy the Klan and everything it stands for.' But I didn't say that," Stallworth recalled. "Instead, I took a deep breath and thought about what someone wanting to join the Klan would actually say." Stallworth recalled all the times in his life he had been called a n--. "That word was a way of claiming some false power," Stallworth said. "That is the language of hate, and now, having to pretend to be a white supremacist, I knew to use the language in reverse." Stallworth told O'Dell: "Well, I hate n--, Jews, Mexicans, spics, chinks and anyone else that does not have pure white Aryan blood in their veins." O'Dell was impressed. "'You are just the kind of person we are looking for," he said. "When can we meet?'" At that point, Stallworth formulated a plan to find a white detective to play him in person at Klan meetings. But for the next seven months, a black detective would be "the voice" who spoke to Klan members by phone, outwitting them at every turn. That undercover role, in which Stallworth played the "voice" talking to Klan members by phone, and his white colleague in the Colorado Springs police department played the "face," required the ultimate in code-switching skills. "I was playing a role and acting," Stallworth said during the interview. "But it was different than Spike Lee's movie. Spike can say cut and move to the next scene. But I was pretending to be a white supremacist, one of them. I had to act like them to make the ruse a success." Stallworth didn't like using racist language, but he acknowledged "having fun making fools of these guys while getting valuable intelligence information." Although no individuals were arrested, the investigation gathered enough information to stop three cross burnings, uncover Klan members in the military and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and thwart a plan by Klan members to bomb two gay bars in Denver. Stallworth, 65, who was born in Chicago and grew up in Texas, said Lee's film connected "the historical thread from the Confederacy to Charlottesville, David Duke and Donald Trump." "People need to realize this is a threat to the very fabric of American society." In his investigation, Stallworth concluded that David Duke, the Grand Wizard of the KKK who endorsed Trump, "is synonymous with hate and a lightning rod in the current political and media landscape." Trump, after being pressed in news interviews about the endorsement, said he disavowed Duke. After last year's deadly Charlottesville rally, Trump blamed "both sides" for the violence and also insisted that there were "very fine people, on both sides" of the confrontation. Before last weekend's rally, he declared in a tweet, "I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence." Duke's mission, Stallworth said, was to normalize the Klan, upgrading "his approach to propaganda by 'professionalizing' it. He avoided wearing his Klan robe in public media appearances, preferring a suit and tie." In those appearances, Duke also avoided using "derogatory epithets to refer to blacks in public, in particular the word, 'n--,' and encouraged his followers to do the same when representing their case to an audience," Stallworth said. "Duke mainstreamed the Klan, making it seem an acceptable and viable alternative to those looking for a means to express their displeasure with the status quo of their lives and government representatives." In Colorado, during the 1920s, many members of the state legislature, as well as local officials, were members of the Klan. Trump's rise to the White House, Stallworth said, was a culmination of the Klan's efforts to once again infiltrate politics at all levels. "With Donald Trump in the White House," Stallworth said in the interview, "they have accomplished that." Stallworth recalled calling Duke during his investigation, after he came across a phone number billed as "The Voice of the Klan." He dialed the number, not expecting what happened next. "Damned, if David didn't pick up the line," Stallworth recalled, calling Duke by his first name. "He laughed and said, 'I'm the 'Voice of the Klan. He identified himself as the Grand Wizard, the director.'" And Stallworth proceeded to dupe Duke, a man who espoused that whites, like himself, were a superior race. "I told him I was a new Colorado Springs chapter member and I was honored to speak with him. I had so much respect for him. I said all the disgusting things he wanted to hear. He thanked me. And said we'll talk at another time." In subsequent calls, Stallworth said, sometimes he would just stroke Duke's ego by saying "'Hi. How are you? I'm honored to meet you. I want to bask in your glory.' "He was very much like Donald Trump in the sense he liked to be fawned over. He liked to be kowtowed to. Everybody called him Mr. Duke. I did too. He liked flattery. I played that game and flattered him a lot. And he was very receptive to this." Duke, Stallworth recalled, was very pleasant to talk to "when he wasn't talking race. But inevitably the subject of race would come up. Dr. Jekyll turned into Mr. Hyde and the monster in him came out and he said all the vile things about racial groups and people of color, ethnicities and people, as they put it, who were not pure Aryan white." Stallworth said he had a hard time keeping a straight face during Duke's rants. When he wasn't in character, Stallworth laughed at the thought of a black man outsmarting an organization that claimed white superiority, but was nothing but a bunch of "idiots." During one phone conversation, when Duke gave Stallworth a lesson in how he could tell a person's color on the phone by the way they talked and pronounced certain words. "He never picked up on the fact that one of his pure Aryan white Klansmen was . . . a proud black man of African descent." Back at the beginning of the month we heard of a project called Dragonfly, aiming to bring back Google Search to China but with revised mechanisms and abiding by the censorship laws in China. Now The New York Times reported that a letter demanding more transparency to understand the ethical consequences has been circling around the Google offices and has already been signed by over 1,400 employees of the Mountain View company. The message asks leadership to work with employees to implement concrete transparency and oversight processes. Undersigned Googlers expect future projects to have an ethics review structure that includes rank and file employee representatives; an ombudsperson; a clear plan to enable Googlers an individual ethical choice; and an ethical assessment of Dragonfly, among other projects. Google officials are also requested to have internally visible communications regarding any new areas of substantial ethical concern. Back in 2010 Google had an issue with Chinese hackers and in response pulled out all its major services from the country. Investors are not pleased that the company right now have no leverage in an eventual attempt to return to the Chinese market and are pressuring officials to find a way, while employees stated concerns about the Dont Be Evil internal motto of the company. Some employees are said to be in favor of re-entering China, saying the decision to exit didn't really cause much trouble to local authorities and Google is missing out on the worlds largest base of internet users. Source This week, Motorola announced the Moto P30 exclusively for the Chinese market. The smartphone itself took inspiration from not only the iPhone Xs notch, but basically the rest of its design. iPhone references aside, the global version of the P30 is rumored to be the Motorola One (leaked images here) and One Power. Were expecting the One to be the less specd device of the two. Today, the Motorola One appeared on GeekBench unofficially confirming that the device will run a Snapdragon 625 CPU and 4GB of RAM for apps. Meanwhile, the device that was benchmarked is running Android 8.1 Oreo. Considering that both the One and One Power will run, you guessed it, Android One, the devices should launch with Android Pie 9.0 or at least be upgradable to Pie as soon as its released. The benchmark didnt reveal any other specs like the screen size or camera resolutions. Based on previous rumors, were expecting that the One would have a smaller notched display than the 6.2-inch one on the P30 (which is believed to be identical to the One Power). Anyway, with the P30 launching just this week in China, we should hear from Motorola about a global release of the Moto One and Moto One Power anytime now. Please send us your Moto iPhone X P20 P30 jokes, we've run out. Source | Via From left to right Jacob Bachmeier, who represents House District 28, Paul Tuss, Candidate for Senate District 14, Brian Hadlock, CEO of Bullhook, and Tricia Ferry, who has a son with a pre-existing condition, all read statements as Aly Russell records them on Facebook Live in the Bullhook Community Health Center Jon Tester Conference Room Thursday, August 16, 2018. Protect Our Care Montana held a discussion in Havre Wednesday about the importance of health care under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. State Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, Paul Tuss, Democratic candidate for the state Senate, Bullhook Community Health Center CEO Brian Hadlock and two local residents spoke to Aly Russell, who organized the Protect Our Care Montana event, in the Jon Tester Conference Room at Bullhook. Paying for pre-existing conditions Tricia Ferry of Havre said she was at the event because her son, Sam, has a pre-existing condition, and the Affordable Care Ac... Havreites can learn how to respond to a mental health crisis this Saturday. After learning to identify people who may have mental health disorders or be suicidal, workshop participants will learn what to do next, Hill County Extension Agent Shylea Wingard said Thursday during a meeting of Hill County officials. The Mental Health First Aid workshop will be held Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Timmons Room of the Hill County Courthouse, Wingard said. The course will provide role playing, scenarios and activities to prepare participants to respond to crisis, the Mental Health First Aid w... Last updated 8/17/2018 at 11:44am West Nile Virus Activity by State United States, 2018 as of Aug. 7. *WNV human disease cases or presumptive viremic blood donors have screened possitive for West Nile but its presence has not necessarily been confirmed. WNV veterinary disease cases, or infections in mosquitoes, birds, or sentinel animals. From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Most of the mosquitoes in Hill County have West Nile virus, Kim Larson of Hill County Health Department said during a meeting of county officials Thursday. All but two pools of mosquitoes tested in the district came back positive for West Nile, she added. From the start of the mosquito season, the health department has advocated people take preventative measures. The "Four Ds of Prevention," she said, are: Dress (in dark clothing with long sleeves and pants) DEET (mosquito repellent) Dusk and dawn (are peak biting hours. Stay indoors or protect yourself) Drain (any... Yet around 63% are planning new investments in HR tech in the next three years. At the HR Tech Summit in Sydney, Con Lambros, Group General Manager - Human Resources at Vocus, Nikki Symonds, Head of Corporate & Enterprise IT, at Origin Energy, Keryn Mendes, Global HR Mobility Specialist, Enterprise Services at CSIRO, and Kate Rowland, Lead Human Resources Business Partner at Sonic HealthPlus will discuss the lessons they learned during complex, large-scale HR tech implementations. They will provide practical tips for keeping projects within budgets and timelines; how to communicate with users before the implementation phase; integrating different HR systems and platforms into a cohesive single system; and much more. 1. Regardless of the provisions that apply to a workforce under awards or enterprise agreements, if an employee has a regular and predictable pattern of work with an expectation of ongoing engagements, they are likely to be permanent as opposed to casual. 2. Where an employee commences employment with irregular hours under a casual contract, the casual can morph into a permanent employee during the course of the employment relationship, notwithstanding that the parties continue to describe the relationship as casual. As a result of the decision, a large number of employees currently described by employers as casuals could in fact be permanent. The treatment of casuals under the Fair Work Act Since the introduction of the Fair Work Act in 2009, a growing body of Fair Work Commission cases had started to recognise the prevalence of casual employees being engaged on regular working patterns or on a long term basis. In the Full Bench decision of Telum Civil (Qld) Pty Ltd v CFMEU, the Fair Work Commission determined that, where an employer engaged a casual employee under an award or enterprise agreement, then, provided that the engagement was consistent with the terms of the relevant industrial instrument, the relationship could be treated as casual. Most awards and EAs simply describe a casual as an employee paid and engaged as such. Accordingly, the Fair Work Commission held that, provided an employee was called a casual and paid a casual loading, they could legitimately be considered casual - notwithstanding their actual pattern of work. So many women in Ghana look decades younger than they really are, and some of the credit goes to shea butter. Processing the kernels found inside the edible fruit of shea trees is a go-to money maker in Ghana's bare-bones Northern Region, where other paying work is hard to find. Shea nuts keep their bounty on tight lock-down, however, and extracting the good stuff is no mean feat. Here's a snapshot of this tough work: Shea fruits grow on trees and fall to the ground when they're ripe, although they often get a nudge when boys climb the trees and shake the limbs. The fruit inside is edible, and it's a common snack and breakfast food. The large shea nuts are boiled clean, then left out to dry in the sun for days. Once dry, the shea kernels are broken into small pieces and roasted. They then go to a mill to be ground into a paste. The paste is then boiled, bringing the fat to the top where it can be skimmed, leaving any residue behind in the pot. Once it cools, the shea butter is ready to be used as a lotion or cooking fat, or as an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. Two men allegedly caught with an estimated 720,000 worth of cannabis and MDMA have been sent for trial. Taxi driver Kieran Hannon (48) and Patrick Kavanagh (58) were arrested after detectives searched a car on an M50 slip road. Expand Close Patrick Kavanagh / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patrick Kavanagh Mr Hannon, who is accused of possessing 79,000, the alleged proceeds of crime, is also facing money laundering offences, Mr Hannon, of Rathvilly Park, and Mr Kavanagh, of Ballygall Crescent, both Finglas, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court charged with possession of cannabis and having the drug for sale or supply. The incident allegedly took place in Blanchardstown last August 21. The pair are also charged with possession of mdma and cannabis and having the drugs for sale or supply in the underground car park at Cloonlara Square, Navan Road, on the same day. Both are charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act, where the alleged value of the drugs is more than 13,000. Warning Gardai estimated the street value of the drugs haul was 720,000. Mr Hannon is also charged with possession of a total of 79,000 in cash, the alleged proceeds of crime, at AIB Blanchardstown on various dates in 2016 and 2017. State solicitor Mairead White said the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who go forward to the next sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge David McHugh gave the men the formal alibi warning. Defence solicitors Wayne Kenny and Simon Fleming were assigned on free legal aid. Due to the seriousness of the charges, two junior and two senior counsel were assigned. Judge McHugh also ordered that a video copy of an interview that gardai conducted with the accused be furnished to their legal teams. The men have not yet indicated pleas to the charges. They were remanded on the same bail terms to appear before the circuit court again on a date in October. Margaret Cash with six of her children The family at the centre of a homeless scandal has been given a three-bedroom apartment. Margaret Cash (28) made headline news when photos emerged showing six of her children - aged between one and 11 - sleeping on chairs in Tallaght Garda Station. The young mum spent Wednesday last week at the station because no suitable accommodation could be found. Ms Cash (28) and her family, who have been homeless for a year, have been given the Dublin apartment on "a week's trial, and then a monthly basis". She described the move as "a great improvement". The mother-of-seven said her children were "over the moon" but stressed it was a short-term solution. "We are definitely in a better situation than we were last week, but it is temporary. It doesn't solve things." Prison Speaking about social media comments about her decision to have seven children, Ms Cash said she "doesn't care" what people think. "When you're a Traveller and you get married, you cook, clean and have kids," she said. "I love that. I love my kids and I wouldn't change it for the world. "I don't really care what people think." Her former long-term partner, John McCarthy, is being held on remand at Cloverhill Prison. He is facing charges of assault at Westmoreland Street on June 24, engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon. Ms Cash said she was raised in caravans by her aunt and got married when she was just 15. Ms Cash spoke of the backlash against photos of her daughter in an elaborate communion dress. "Being homeless and being poor are two different things," she told the RTE show Today With Miriam. "There's no one saying there's anyone poor here. What I'm saying is, I'm homeless. I haven't enough to get a home but I've enough to get me through the week. "I saved hard to get my child that dress. And she was lovely. I think she was beautiful." She said she found the negative responses difficult to deal with. "It's hard when you know you haven't done anything wrong. I'm entitled to live my life, I'm entitled to buy my daughter a communion dress and to go for a few drinks with friends. "I've met hundreds of families in the same situation. There are lots of homeless mothers out there walking around Dublin trying to find some place to go." Inner City Helping Homeless has been working as an advocate for Ms Cash, and she thanked it for all the help it had provided. However she was critical of politicians for the lack of support they had shown her. "No one contacted me. They don't care about me. They're comfortable in their own homes. They're fair sorted. Reared "What gives them the right to think this is OK? I was born and reared here. Every Irish citizen is entitled to a home," she said. The young mum added that she wants to be housed in Tallaght ultimately. "That is where my family are from and that is where all my children's family and friends are," she said. "We will take it as it comes, but we would ultimately want a house in Tallaght." Why domestic violence awareness month is so important October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it is the perfect time to become more educated and aware about the seriousness and prevalence of domestic violence even in Utah. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 33.6% of Utah women and 21.4% of Utah men experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence or stalking in their lifetimes. The number of cases were already high, and these have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ashlee Taylor, program director for The Refuge Utah in Orem, there has been an increase reported in ... Hagerstown on ag officials' radar due to pest; what you need to know local (ANSA) - Berlin, August 17 - The German government said Friday that progress has been made in talks with Rome aimed at reaching an agreement on the return of migrants who have made secondary movements within the EU. "We have gone a long way forward in the negotiations and we believe that we will reach an agreement with Italy," said German interior ministry spokesperson Eleonore Petermann. Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said it would take time to reach a deal with Italy on the return of migrants, adding she was ready to discuss the issue with Premier Giuseppe Conte if necessary. Petermann said Friday that a dead on this issue has been reached with Greece, days after the signing of a similar agreement with Spain. A new government in Pakistan does not mean a change in the countrys policy towards India, as our experience of the last 70 years shows. It would be a mistake to believe that under Imran Khan, our relationship could improve meaningfully. Undue importance should not be attached to statements made for the occasion by Pakistani political or military leaders in favour of peaceful relations and trade to permit focus on shared issues of poverty removal and social welfare. Some circles clutch at such straws in their eagerness to engage with Pakistan and media debates only inflate the importance of sound-good banalities. The coherence of our Pakistan policy suffers. In his victory address to the nation, Khan said all this and, as expected, some in India saw this as an opening to be explored. That Khan described Kashmir as a core issue that needed resolution before other positives set in, and spoke about the violation of human rights of Kashmiris, has been papered over by pro-Pakistani lobbies here as simply enunciating Pakistans standard position. The implication of Khan asking both countries to avoid playing the blame game, India on Kashmir and Pakistan on Baluchistan, has also escaped our soft-on-Pakistan opinion makers. Khan is equating longstanding Pakistani support for terrorism against India with Pakistans concocted narrative about Indias activities in Baluchistan. His effort to evade responsibility on terrorism and making the issue reciprocal needs proper understanding: Pakistan wants parity with India even on culpability for terrorism. The dialogue advocates in India see significance in Khans platitudinous remark that if India took one step Pakistan will take two, overlooking also that he plagiarised a Manmohan Singh line. The latter had a credible step by Pakistan on terrorism in mind while Khan wants an unconditional resumption of dialogue with Kashmir at the forefront. Assuming that we take this step, what will Pakistan do? Control terrorism against India, end infiltration, arrest Hafiz Saeed, try those responsible for the Mumbai attacks? Khan is throwing the ball in Indias court for unblocking the current impasse in ties, which implies continuing denial of Pakistans involvement in terrorism. Khan is hardly in a position to make any pathbreaking gesture towards India, be it on terrorism or trade, because the Pakistani military, which engineered his electoral victory, controls policy towards India. Not winning a majority of his own will make him do the militarys bidding all the more. His own Islamist leanings and links with extremist religious groups, especially the Taliban (which earned him the sobriquet of Taliban Khan), are complicating factors. Because of his Taliban links, his Afghanistan policy could make matters worse for us. The idea floated of inviting all SAARC leaders to Islamabad for Khans swearing-in no doubt flowed from Pakistans obsession with parity with India: to mark Khans (and Pakistans) equal political stature with Modi (and India). If India and others were not prepared earlier to attend a SAARC summit in Islamabad it was because of Pakistans failure to weed out terrorism from its soil. No change in Indias position is warranted when a military-propped politician with known extremist links has been elected, the jihadi structures in Pakistan remain intact and, indeed, the jihadis are being politically mainstreamed into Pakistans polity. Khan has made no promises to address SAARCs concerns on terrorism. At our High Commissioners call on him, his focus was on resumption of dialogue, the need to resolve the Kashmir issue and human rights violations in Kashmir. That he did not mention trade ties suggests a tightening of his agenda by the Pakistani army. Modis gesture in congratulating him even before he took over, the positive sentiments expressed that were appropriate for the occasion, and our diplomatic outreach to him in Islamabad seem enough to remove any impression of cold shouldering him and writing him off even before he took over. These positive gestures have been balanced by our spokesperson, who, reinforcing his earlier call to Pakistan to work for a terror-and-violence-free region and thus throwing the ball back in Khans court, used the latest US decision to designate three more Pakistanis as international terrorists to draw attention forcefully to Pakistans continued support to terrorism. Beyond niceties, agreeing to prematurely to engage Pakistan politically and especially to a SAARC summit without credible moves by Islamabad on the terrorism issue would to hand over the advantage to Khan before he has done anything to deserve it. Kanwal Sibal is former foreign secretary The views expressed are personal Prime Minister Narendra Modis Independence Day speech was a statement about resurgent India even though his political opponents and analysts may be forgiven for targeting him for preparing the ground for the 2019 general elections. The speech did not make a virtue of poverty as Independence Day speeches used to in the past decades, instead spelling out measures to alleviate the poverty of millions of Indians. The speech did not gloat over Indias spiritual legacy, instead stressing on the Prime Ministers impatience to take the country ahead of its competitors in both economic and social development. This is a Prime Minister who isnt coy about Indias ambition to be a global leader. To be fair, Modis predecessors were not any less ambitious in taking India forward but were cramped by resource constraints and ideological mindsets comfortable with the status quo. Modi, on his part, wants India to lead the fourth industrial revolution (as the next wave of global growth is termed by most experts) despite the handicap of his country missing the previous two and playing catch up in the third. Over the past two decades, questions such as why India needs a 1.2 million strong army, a 200-ship Navy or 42 (and half) squadron strong air force when it possessed a credible nuclear deterrent seemed to have no answers. Questions related to the logic of having three aircraft carriers (in the navy of a country with ostensibly no regional or global ambitions) were usually met with platitudinous answers on the countrys peaceful intention. Sure, the PM didnt announce Indias military ambitions in his speech but he did announce that the worlds sixth largest economy is in competition with the world. The speech will become more contextual once Indias strategic document ( a sort of vision and mission statement combined for the country) currently being prepared by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, and a team of top military, scientific and economic experts is ready, with principal objectives clearly defined, and with no room for any ideological confusion. Already, Modis ambitions are clearly reflected in his foreign policy initiatives, which are pro-India, not pro-US, pro-Russia or pro-China. His ability to engage top global powers is evident from the ever-growing bipartisan ties with the US but not at the cost of relationships with trusted partner Russia or neighbour China. The fact is that Modi and President Vladimir Putin of Russia have had long one-on-one conversations extending way beyond formal talks, sometimes into the wee hours of morning (the last such being at the South Africa BRICS summit). The Prime Ministers equation with Chinese paramount leader, Xi Jinping, is no different. Both leaders have been open and upfront in informal talks with the vision of taking bilateral ties forward and simultaneously overcoming the hangover of the 1962 war which is a cloud over the two biggest armies of the world. Modi perhaps wanted the same kind of informal dialogue to succeed within the SAARC nations, including Pakistan, but Rawalpindi GHQ is just not interested and Pakistani politicians are usually too afraid to cross swords with the generals. On the economic front, Modis vision will get a boost with direct and indirect tax revenues expected to grow and a GDP growth of around 7.3%. On the internal security front, Modis vision on Kashmir is a welcome departure from the so-called muscular policy enunciated by hardliners, even within his own party. Building on his party leader and the late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees Insaniyat doctrine, Modi has called for embracing the Kashmiris to remove any misconception of alienation among the masses. At the same time, his approach is pragmatic enough to focus on building new and alternative leadership within the state through elections of empowered panchayats with elected sarpanches. If this is an electoral pitch, then it is a deep one. Many of Modis opponents believe that the BJP will fall well short of majority in 2019 but that the NDA will be able to conjure up the numbers for a PM other than Modi. This belief stems from the calculation that the grand alliance or so-called mahagathbandan will be able to crack the electoral code in its favour in the critical states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with the Congress denting the BJPs nearly absolute gains in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. On paper, this electoral logic makes sense but past elections have shown that people vote for a national leader not for a regional satrap in a general election. Ask BSP supremo, Mayawati, whose dreams of becoming PM were shattered due to this. Her party currently has no representatives in the Lok Sabha. Modi has spelt out a new India narrative. It is time for the Opposition, particularly the Congress, to counter it with better vision rather than rhetoric. shishir.gupta@hindustantimes.com (ANSA) - Falerna, August 17 - Police are investigating after a man originally from the Dominican Republic reported being beaten with a bar near the Calabrian city of Catanzaro in a racist attack. The victim said the incident started when he was at a restaurant with his pregnant Italian wife and his mother-in-law. Someone allegedly came up to him and said: "sh*tty black... get back in the car and go away. Here in Calabria, blacks are not accepted". He said he was then attack outside the restaurant. Police are said to be making good progress in their effort to find the assailant. The Parsi New Year, also called Nowruz is the day of repentance for members of Parsi community. This day is celebrated with great fervor and while preparing for the celebrations Parsis clean their homes in a bid to start afresh in all aspects of life. They regret the mistakes which they had committed the previous year and visit Fire temples. Significance of the Parsi New Year The Parsi community had migrated to India and follow Zoroastrianism, which was founded by Prophet Zarathustra in ancient Iran 3,500 years ago. Zoroastrians migrated to India to escape persecution following the Muslim conquest of Persia as Iran was then known. Parsi means Persian in Gujarati and marks the first day of the year for them. Zoroastrians in India celebrate this day as Jamshed-i-Nouroz, which is named after the Persian king Jamshed who started the Parsi calendar. How it is celebrated A sumptuous lunch and sweets are an important part of the Nowruz celebrations. (Shutterstock) Guests are greeted by sprinkling rose water on them and many families also make donations for various charitable purposes at this time. Special prayers and religious rituals take place on Nowruz and the Parsis wear new clothes and make rangolis outside their homes during the celebrations. A sumptuous lunch and sweets are an important part of the Nowruz celebrations. The Parsi New Year is a regional holiday in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Moong dal, dhansak, prawns, farcha, pulao and sali boti are some of the delicious items that are made. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more It was work as usual for Bollywood on Thursday with a fair sprinkling of airport spottings, film promotion and stars seen around town going about their usual routine. The Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi team comprising Sonakshi Sinha, Diana Penty and Jimmy Shergill were out promoting their film in full steam. Kajol and her team of Helicopter Eela too were out promoting their film which will release in September. TV actor Sharad Malhotra is out of the country in Europe and his pictures are super fun. Actor Monica Bedi made a rare appearance at the airport while Anushka Sharma was seen too. Little Inaaya Naummi Kemmu was out with her nanny, all wrapped up in clothes and a raincoat to shield her from Mumbai rains. Take a look at all the pictures here: Diana Penty, Jimmy Shergill and Sonakshi Sinha promote their film, Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi. Kajol promotes Helicopter Eela with co-star Riddhi Sen. Soha Ali Khans daughter Inaaya is bundled up in clothes and a raincoat as protection from rain. Pataakha actor Radhika Madan spotted at B Blunt, Khar. Sharad Malhotras Europe tour. Nothing quite like cycling in Europe. Prince Narula with his girlfriend in Mumbai. Laila Majnu pair Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwary at Balaji office Akshay Kumar at an ad shoot in Bandra. Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh were spotted at Birdsong cafe, Bandra while Sara Ali Khan was seen after her yoga classes, Bandra. Monica Bedi and Anushka Sharma were seen at the Mumbai airport. (All pictures by Viral Bhayani) Follow @htshowbiz for more Of the many stories of Atal Bihari Vajpayees remarkable ability to win friends and influence people, there is one that stays in the mind. The prime minister was in Lahore on his audacious bus yatra to Pakistan when reports filtered in that the back-channel diplomatic negotiations to frame a joint statement had hit a roadblock. As journalists covering the trip, we rushed to the Lahore fort where Vajpayee was at a grand banquet being hosted by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. As soon as we spotted the Indian PM walking out, we shouted to find out whether there had been any fresh tension in the relations. Atalji looked at us, paused (the famous Vajpayee pause) and then smiled: I dont know about tensions, but I promise you that the best gajar halwa in the world is in Lahore, even better than in Purani Dilli (old Delhi), and then turned to his host, also a foodie, Kyon Mian saab, sahi hai na! Suddenly, the strain of an Indo-Pak meet seemed to lift and everyone had a smile on their face. That Atalji could find a way to spread goodwill among even his political adversaries might explain why his enemies could be counted on the finger of one hand. It almost certainly explains why he was such a successful politician in the era of political coalitions. Until Atalji completed his five-year tenure as PM of NDA 2, coalitions in India had a terrible reputation of being rickety alliances of convenience that were inherently unstable and against the notion of good governance. It was Ataljis reassuring presence that made coalition politics acceptable at the Centre; even more crucially, he made the BJP a nationally acceptable alternative to the Congress. Ataljis first shot at power in 1996 had ended in a 13-day debacle, the ideological isolation of the BJP seemingly complete. The ghosts of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition still haunted the BJP, making the party a seeming untouchable. Vajpayee had shrewdly distanced himself from the act, calling it unfortunate and one that should not have happened. At a time when the Sangh parivar wore the demolition as a badge of Hindu pride, Vajpayee was able to offer a counterpoint. Whether it reflected his liberal Hindu impulses or was simply a politically strategic decision, it ensured that Atalji would always be viewed with less hostility than his party companion LK Advani. Where Advani, the Ram rath yatra charioteer was branded as the face of militant Hindutva, Vajpayee was positioned as the more inclusive leader. Without Advani at the helm in the late 1980s and early 90s, the BJP might have struggled to offer a political and ideological challenge to the dominant Congress. But without Vajpayee as their prime ministerial candidate, the BJP may have never been seen as a party of governance. Where Advani gave the BJP muscle and energy, Vajpayee as the romantic poet-politician provided the party a tolerant and accommodating spirit that could win over a range of parties who had been discomfited by Hindutva politics. When the NDA was forged in 1998, I asked the socialist George Fernandes, who would later become NDA convener, whether he was comfortable with the idea of aligning with the saffron right. As long as Atalji is there, I dont think we should be concerned, was his forthright response. In a sense, if Advani was the ideological mascot of a resurgent Hindu right, Vajpayee became a symbol of a distinct political pragmatism that recognised that governing India was about moving away from all extremities. Atalji appeared to locate himself in the political centre: yes, he was a swayamsewak, and proud to be one, as he publicly admitted, but he was also someone who was never going to allow his origins in the Sangh to constrain his inherent commitment to a plural constitutional democracy. Which is why he relished the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate or the opportunity to lead a multi-party Indian delegation to the United Nations to argue the countrys case on Kashmir. Perhaps, this is because Atalji was a unique political figure: a swayamsewak who was once accused of hate speech during the Bhiwandi riots in Mumbai in the 1970s, but he was also a politician who was infused with the spirit of the Nehruvian age. This was a period with the unfortunate exception of the Emergency years where politicians across party lines did not speak of eliminating their rivals as much as contesting against them. Atalji, in a sense, was the torchbearer of a gentler political era where dissent was not criminalised and the Opposition not demonised as anti-national. Post-script: Last week, at a book release, the Shiv Senas Sanjay Raut called for a return to the Vajpayee-era NDA. The BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia shot back: We also want the Shiv Sena of Bal Thackeray! Now, both Vajpayee and Thackeray are gone and the many shades of Hindutva politics have changed forever. Rajdeep Sardesai is a senior journalist and author The views expressed are personal Since 3pm on Thursday, the 6A- Krishna Menon Marg residence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saw several local BJP leaders and workers visiting amid a sombre mood. By the time, AIIMS officials announced the death of the iconic leader, several more people had joined the party workers in making arrangements. The police presence had grown and traffic was being restricted outside. Soon after the announcement of the death, Union ministers Ravi Shakar Prasad, Dharmendra Pradhan and Jitendra Singh reached Vajpayees residence to oversee the arrangements. The police partially closed Krishna Menon Marg to manage the crowd, which began swelling from about 7pm. Besides politicians and retired bureaucrats, people from all walks of life had started reaching Vajpayees residence to pay their last respect to the BJP stalwart. From 8:30 pm, general public was also allowed to enter the premises, where the mortal remains of the departed leader will be kept until 9 am on Friday. Some people came with bouquets from far flung areas to pay their last respects to the popular leader. Atal ji was the best PM India has ever had for the simple reason that he always used to respect others and was sensitive to their needs. He is probably the only mass leader India has had, for whom even his staunchest political rivals have high regard and praise, said Kashiram, 66, who goes by his first name. With a bouquet of white gladioli flowers, he came straight from work, he said. Members of the Delhi BJP were helping with arrangements managing the stream of visitors. Calling him Jan Nayak, Delhi BJP unit chief Manoj Tiwari, who was among the first ones to arrive at the former PMs residence, said, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his stints as opposition leader, distinguished himself as a great orator, and after becoming PM, he excelled with schemes like Sarv Siksha Abhiyan and Gramin Sadak Yojna, ultimately earning the image of Rashtra Nayak (national hero). The three civic agencies North, South and East Delhi Municipal Corporation have prosecuted over 75,000 persons and establishments for littering, garbage burning and violating the Solid Waste Management (SWM) by-laws, 2018, in the last four to six months. The fines were imposed after people were found not adhering to norms, despite repeated warnings. The east corporation imposed 27,887 fines, while the south issued 29,237 and north 20,000 fines. The EDMC is consistently working towards improving cleanliness in our areas, but we cant achieve results without residents support. We want residents to contribute to the cause and adhere to sanitation norms, EDMC commissioner Ranbir Singh said. The EDMC has issued the fines between January and July 2018 and collected over Rs 2.38 crore in penalties. Of the total 24,612 fines imposed for insanitation, 126 are for garbage burning, 1,916 for SWM by-laws violation and 1,233 for allowing construction dust to fly,Singh said. In case of individuals, the fine amounts range from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, depending upon the number of violations. For bulk generators, the fine amount goes up to Rs 1 lakh, as per the MSW by-laws. However, cases wherein there is no clarity about the category of violation, the matter has been sent to the municipal magistrate . The magistrate, appointed by the high court, hears such cases and decides the fine to be imposed, a senior north corporation official said. Focusing on the effective implementation of MSW by-laws and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions, in the last three months (May to July 2018) south corporation has issued 29,237 fines to the tune of Rs 1. 13 crore for not segregating garbage, dumping waste or debris in the open, creating unhygienic conditions in the neighbourhood and burning green waste, among other reasons. We have issued clear-cut directions to officials in all four zones for close monitoring of defaulters and for booking violators immediately under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. The drive will intensify in the future to improve the cleanliness and sanitation condition in our areas, SDMC commissioner Puneet Goel said. Considering the fact that during next swachhta survekshans (2019) main focus will be on segregation of garbage at source, we are putting in all efforts to get results. As of now, we are targeting bulk generators, but in the future, we will fine residents as well, a senior north corporation said. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) went sleepless on Wednesday night as the news of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees deteriorating health spread. Speculation about his worsening condition started after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited AIIMS at 7.24pm on Wednesday to check on Vajpayees condition. After Modi, the visits of other dignitaries started and in no time the area outside gate No 2 of AIIMS was taken over by broadcast vans of the electronic media. The reporters spent the night in a waiting room outside the Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Centre, where Vajpayee was admitted in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the first floor. The Special Protection Group, which protects VVIPs, and the hospital guards had taken over the area and were guarding both the entrances of the building, the area near the staircase and elevator and the entire first floor on which the ICU is located. By 10pm, AIIMS officials came out with a health bulletin. They informed the waiting reporters that Vajpayees condition had deteriorated and he was on life support systems. PM Modi stayed for a good 30 minutes. A number of Union ministers and senior BJP leaders followed the Prime Minister into AIIMS well past midnight. They included JP Nadda, Harsh Vardhan, Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani, Jitendar Singh, Meenakshi Lekhi, and the wife and daughter of Arun Jaitley. Some stayed in the hospital for over two hours. Several attendants of patients who were admitted near the cardiothoracic and neurosciences centre were also in the crowd to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Modi. Almost all of them had mobile phones in their hand, and were crowding the passage the moment news of popular political leaders visiting the hospital spread. The frenzy continued through Thursday. During the day, the crowd swelled. Kab aayenge Modi ji, asked 20-year-old Gudiya, who had accompanied her mother to the hospitals eye centre, and was curiously scanning each vehicle. When he didnt turn up for more than 20 minutes, her mother forced her to leave. The policemen were trying their best to disperse the crowd. In fact, some of the people were heard telling the policemen that they were from the media in the hope that they would not be asked to leave. After a while the cops got suspicious and started asking for identity cards. Hospital officials said they had not seen so many VIPs visiting during such a short duration. Close to 50 political figures visited AIIMS on Thursday between 7am and 5.30pm. At 5.30pm, the hospital announced Vajpayees death, and within 10 minutes all the hustle and bustle settled. The crowd dispersed soon after. At least 74% ultrafine particles (PM2.5) in Delhis air come from outside the city during summers, a study by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has found. They come from NCR towns located further north or west of Delhi and beyond even from as far as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Oman. Delhi also contributes to 40% pollution in Noida and 15% in Gurugram during winter. The two satellite towns are located in Delhis downwind path. Panipat is located on the upwind path of Delhi and receives only 1% pollution from Delhi. Ultrafine particles are 30 times finer than thickness of human hair and can penetrate deep inside lungs if inhaled. They can cause a range of cardiac and bronchial ailments. During summers, at least 74% of Delhis PM2.5 load comes from sources located outside the city and during winters external sources contribute around 64% of these ultrafine particles, said TERIs earth science and climate change division associate director Sumeet Sharma. As much as 33% fine particles come from outside the country during summers. Around 17% of the pollutants come from areas outside the NCR. Roughly NCR towns contribute to around 24% of these particles. Delhi generates only around 26% of its own pollution. The proportions change and around 64% of the citys pollution comes from external sources in winters. Out of it, around 13% pollution comes from outside India. The contribution of external sources has been found to be more when it comes to PM2.5 pollution compared to PM10, which are coarser particles. External sources contribute just around 28% and 11% of the PM10 load during summer and winter, said Sharma. TERI conducted the study Source Apportionment of PM2.5 & PM10 of Delhi NCR for Identification of Major Sources between November 2016 and March 2017 along with Punes Automotive Research Association of India. Indias pollution forecasting wing, System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research, had said that 40% of dust had come from west Asia in November 2017 when the air quality had dipped in Delhi. In the first week of August, a dust storm in Oman pushed up Delhis pollution levels. Earlier, scientists had found salt particles from Pakistan and Afghanistan in Delhi and NCR. But this does not mean that we can sit idle. A lot can be done to curb the local sources such as dust and vehicle emissions in Delhi, said Sharma. The TERI study found secondary particulates contributed significantly to both PM10 and PM2.5 in winter. An earlier Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur study had found around 20% of the citys PM2.5 pollution comes from vehicles. But we have found that the transport sector is contributing as much as 30% to the citys PM2.5 load. This is higher than the contributions of transport sector reported in IIT Kanpur (2015) report, because in this study we included secondary particulates along with the primary contributions, said Sharma. In its draft comprehensive action plan, the Environment Pollution Control Authority has warned that secondary particulate matter, particles that are born out of the primary source air pollutants, pose as an additional threat to Delhi. Primary particles such as SO2 and NO2 are directly released into the air from vehicles and industries. Secondary particles such as sulphates, nitrates and organic aerosols form in the air from these primary particles. They are equally harmful. A 50-year-old American of Indian origin died after an alleged fight with a security guard and another resident in DLF Phase-2 on Wednesday evening, police said. While the two accused were arrested and remanded to a days police custody, the post-mortem examination suggests that the man, who was a software developer, suffered a heart attack. A case of murder, under sections (302) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, was filed against two accusedidentified as Manik Khosla (25) and Pradeep Singh (46)at the DLF Phase-2 police station on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Somou Balaya, who was staying in DLF Phase-1, where he constructed a house. He visited the city once a year during his sons summer break. Balaya hails from Puducherry and was in India since June 18, the police said. Police said the incident took place around 5pm on Wednesday, near a private school in Block P of DLF Phase 2, when Balaya was returning home after dropping his 14-year-old son for swimming classes. He had reportedly asked for directions from a security guard deployed near the gate. An argument started when Balaya confronted the security guard about allegedly giving wrong directions, the police said. The police said they received a call informing them of a man found lying by the roadside. A team from DLF Phase 2 police station reached the spot and rushed him to a private hospital, where he was declared brought dead, assistant commissioner of police Shamsher Singh said. We could identify him through the passport card kept in his wallet, and got his residential address from the visiting card in his pocket, Singh said. The police said they got suspicious after they visited the spot and cross-checked with the accused Pradeep, who had called the police control room. He was giving us contradictory statements. When we checked the CCTV footage, the two men (Pradeep and Khosla) were seen assaulting the deceased who later fell on the ground. They were arrested, Singh said. Investigators said Khosla, a resident of the area, told them that Pradeep, who was a security guard in the area, had called him to tell him about the alleged altercation between him and Balaya. Thats when he allegedly joined in, the police said. Dr Deepak Mathur, forensic expert at the Gurugram Civil Hospital, conducted post-mortem. He said there were superficial injury marks on the body but added that they seem to have not lead to his death. The man died due to a heart attack. However, we have sent the viscera and swab samples to the Madhuban forensic science laboratory for examination, Dr Mathur said. However, according to the doctor on duty at Uma Sanjeevani hospital where Balaya was first taken there were no external injuries on the body of the deceased. Dr Praveen Kumar Jadhav, who examined the deceased, said he was brought dead around 5:20 pm. Two policemen had come with the body and I had examined the complete body, but it did not seem to be a case of assault. The post-mortem report will reveal the cause of death, Jadhav said. Complainant in the case Sanu Mishra (26), supervisor and caretaker of Balayas residence, said a police team had come to the house to inform them about the incident. When the family reached the hospital, they found that Balaya had died. I was not at the spot, I have no idea about exactly what happened and what led to his death. The driver, Bablu, had left around 4.20 pm and he (Balaya) had asked him (Bablu) to pick him around 5pm, Mishra said. The deceased had to return to US on August 18 and had booked his flight along with his wife and son, the caretaker said. The body of the deceased was handed over to the family after the autopsy, the family friends of the deceased said, adding that Balayas wife is in a state of shock and has refused to speak to any media person. The cremation will be held in Delhi on Friday, said a friend of the deceased requesting anonymity. Its easy to forget, especially after their incredible success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, that Infinity War directors Russo Brothers were initially known for their work in sitcoms. But they pulled a new prank on the easily excitable Marvel fanbase on Thursday, when they posted a picture with the caption A4 title reveal. The brothers deleted the post, possibly counting on someone to take a screenshot, which is exactly what Reddit user MoriartyTheGreat did. You can check out his picture here. The image appears to be of a sign for artist Yayoi Kusamas installation at Houston, called Infinity Mirrored Room: Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity. This got fans speculating what the title could be. Avengers: Eternity and Avengers: Aftermath were the top picks on Reddit. Marvel chief Kevin Feige had previously said that the title for the film would be revealed closer to Captain Marvels release, or at the end of 2018. Still, fans were expecting something at the recently concluded San Diego Comic Con, where the Russos pulled yet another prank on them. The most recent title rumour, however, came at the end of May. That rumour suggested that the film, which will be the 22nd in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was called Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet during production. Whether or not this title was retained is unconfirmed. MCU Cosmic reported that Infinity Gauntlet was the only consistent title used by the cast and crew during the back-to-back filming of the two Avengers movies. The rumoured title is a reference to Thanos weapon, the gauntlet that gives him the power of destroying half the universe, which is exactly what he did at the end of Infinity War. The biggest indicator that this could very well be the title came when Zoe Saldana inadvertently blurted it out on the red carpet for Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2. We all have to go back for Gauntlet later this year, she said. Her statement is notable for two reasons. One, of course is that she might have revealed the super-secret title, but also because her character, Gamora, was killed off in Infinity War. Since it has long been rumoured that the surviving Avengers would use the Time Stone to travel back in time and perhaps save their fallen comrades, could this mean that some form of resurrection is in store for Gamora? However, the most credible title leak came in July, when Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War cinematographer Trent Opaloch shared his list of credits on his website, under which the most recent entry read, Avengers: End Game. Opaloch, who has been a regular collaborator of the Russo Brothers, has since edited the title to simply, Avengers 4. Excitement around the fourth Avengers film is exceptionally high. The film is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a follow-up to the $2 billion-grossing Infinity War. Follow @htshowbiz for more Social activist Swami Agnivesh was allegedly abused, heckled and assaulted by a group of people, who he said were BJP workers, near the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, when he was on his to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday. A video of the alleged attack was later circulated on social media. The 79-year-old former Janata Party MP alleged that the attackers called him a traitor and his pagdi fell down while they continued pushing and thrashing him for almost one kilometre till he reached close to the BJP headquarters. He also alleged that several BJP leaders and party workers witnessed the assault but no one came to his rescue. Not a single policeman was on the entire road while I was being abused, thrashed and pushed by a group of 12-14 BJP workers, who wanted me to go back. I was not allowed to enter the party headquarters and I returned without paying tribute to Atalji, Agnivesh said. BJP leaders, however, denied the allegations. Our party workers couldnt have been involved in this case. Why would they resort to violence on a day like this? said Ravinder Gupta, general secretary, Delhi BJP. Later in the day, his two associates filed a complaint at the office of deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) and sought legal action and police security for Agnivesh. DCP Madhur Verma said, The complaint will be forwarded to DCP (central) since the incident took place in their territorial jurisdiction. Watch: On Vajpayees final journey, PM Modi and sea of mourners walk alongside the casket Macron and Sisi call for Libya elections by yearend 'In line with Paris conference conclusions' (ANSAmed) - PARIS, AUGUST 17 - French president Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, agreed during a phone call on the need to prepare for elections to be held by the end of the year, in line with ''the conclusions of the May 29 Paris conference''. A statement from the French presidency's office reported what was said during the call between the two leaders. The two presidents spoke at length about the efforts in Libya to ''accompany the political process promised by the UN and its special envoy, backed by the conclusions of the Paris conference'', the statement said. It added that this would be done mostly through dialogue set up by Cairo on the unification of security forces, the mobilization of all Libyan players and the preparation of elections by the end of the year. The date of the next Libyan elections is a issue of friction with Italy, which is adamant that no foreign power should be deciding on it, as reiterated in recent weeks by Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi. The Italian government will be holding an ''inclusive'' conference in the autumn on Libya with the aim of stabilizing the country and starting a democratic transition without a strict electoral deadline. (ANSAmed). In the wake of yet another attack on a Sikh man in the United States, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday appealed to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with Washington. According to media reports, a man identified as Terlok Singh was apparently stabbed to death on Thursday near the deli he owned at North Park Street and Burchard Avenue in New Jerseys East Orange. This is the third such attack happening in a span of three weeks. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Sukhbir said, I condemn the brutal murder of Terlok Singh in New Jersey. The way hate crime and attacks on Sikhs are increasing across the globe, it is important to make people aware about Sikhism. I request Sushma Swaraj ji to take cognizance of the case and take up this issue with the US government. Raising similar concerns, Union cabinet minister of food processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted, These hate crimes in US are reaching an alarming level now. Third Sikh to be attacked in three weeks. Appeal to Sushma Swaraj ji to personally intervene and take up this matter with the authorities there. My heartfelt condolences for the family. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gobind Singh Longowal also condemned the incident, and called upon the external affairs minister and US authorities to take action against the culprits. Speaking to ANI, Longowal said, It is very unfortunate that Sikhs are being killed this way in the US. Sikhs have don a lot for the US, both economically and socially. I appeal to Sushma Swaraj and the US Ambassador in India to put an end to this immediately. Authorities have not arrived at a conclusion about the death yet. Police are investigating the matter. On August 6, a 71-year-old Sikh man was attacked in Californias Manteca by two youths, one of whom was later identified as city police chief Darryl McAllisters estranged son Tyrone Keith McAllister. Both Tyrone and his accomplice were arrested. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked in California when he was raising campaign signs in support of Republican candidates. Four states have come forward to help rain-battered Kerala in its hour of need, with Telangana topping the list in terms of generosity. While Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced monetary aid of Rs 25 crore for Kerala, Punjab and Delhi premiers Amarinder Singh and Arvind Kejriwal announced immediate assistance to the tune of Rs 10 crore each. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, for his part, announced financial aid of up to Rs 5 crore. Rao, who had reviewed the situation in Kerala, felt that it was the responsibility of his government to provide monetary assistance to the state on humanitarian grounds. He has directed chief secretary SK Joshi to immediately donate Rs 25 crore to the Kerala chief ministers relief fund on the behalf of the Telangana government. The chief minister also directed that reverse osmosis apparatus worth Rs 2 crore be sent to Kerala to purify drinking water contaminated by floodwater. He called upon industrialists, IT companies, commercial establishments and residents of Telangana to liberally donate to the relief fund. Our government is ready to extend all possible help to Kerala in whatever form it requires, Rao said. Announcing his states donation of Rs 10 crore, Amarinder Singh said that Rs 5 crore would be transferred from the Punjab chief ministers relief fund and the other half would be provided in the form of ready-to-eat food material and other supplies. The first Air Force sortie is expected to take off tomorrow to deliver 30 tonnes of ready-to-eat food, such as biscuits, rusk, bottled water and milk powder, to the flood-hit state. About one lakh food packets are to be sent in the first consignment. The remaining will be dispatched as and when requisitioned by the Kerala government, it said on Friday. The Delhi chief minister also announced the donation of a similar amount, and appealed to the public to contribute generously to the crisis-hit state. Spoke to Kerala CM. Delhi govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, Kejriwal tweeted. Chandrababu Naidu announced a cash relief of Rs 5 crore to Kerala, besides other material, after holding a review meeting on the flood situation there. He also asked the residents of Andhra Pradesh to donate liberally to the Kerala chief ministers relief fund, and posted a link for people to send cash donations on his Twitter account. As many as 173 people have been killed since August 8 in the deadliest deluge to hit Kerala in close to a century. It has dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares, and wrecking infrastructure worth crores of rupees. Over 105 people died on Thursday itself, even as hospitals faced oxygen shortage and fuel stations ran dry. (With PTI inputs) Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full five-year term in office. When his government lost power in 2004, most commentators attributed the defeat to the BJPs India Shining campaign backfiring. This, in a way, describes the biggest economic legacy of Vajpayee. While economic reforms were started in 1991, and there was, by and large, an economic continuity on major issues under the previous Congress and UF governments, it was Vajpayee who was seen as having pushed the envelope on economic reforms, even if it entailed a political cost. The BJPs rise as a force to reckon with in politics was on the back of a campaign demanding that a Ram temple be built where the Babri Mosque stood. Ironical as it may sound, the Vajpayee government will be remembered for constructing completely different things. Statistics speak for themselves. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy data shows the length of standard multi-lane national highways in India was 1,576 km in 1997-98. This increased more than four-fold by the end of 2003-04, the last year under the Vajpayee government. Most of the credit for this goes to his governments Golden Quadrilateral project. Road travel underwent a revolutionary transformation in India after this initiative. It was not just roads the first NDA government was building. India witnessed one of the highest growth phases in the construction sector under his government. This was not by fluke. His government increased income tax deductions attributable to interest payments on housing loans. This gave a boost to housing demand. In hindsight, the construction boom, which outlived his government, can be described as the cushion that prevented the economy from crash-landing on the employment front. Rising share of construction in total employment, notwithstanding the problems associated with earnings and social security, helped re-route labour from the farm sector which has been mired in a systemic crisis for quite some time. Not all of Vajpayees economic achievements were state-led. It was his government which unleashed animal spirits in the telecom sector. In 1999, his government moved from a licence-fee regime to a revenue-share regime. The number of mobile phone connections, under 10 million then, doubled every year after that for the next five to six years. The then Comptroller and Auditor General did make a point about the huge loss of revenue to the exchequer on this account in a draft report, but Vajpayee and his telecom minister Pramod Mahajan clarified that their goal was to increase tele-density, not focus on revenue maximisation. Indias mobile-phone revolution owes a lot to these reforms. His was also the first government to put in place a disinvestment ministry. While some of the decisions by this ministry landed in controversy, even the next government did not dismiss the idea of disinvesting Public Sector Units (PSUs) in principle. Indeed, some analysts maintain that Air India might have been in private hands now if the Vajpayee government had come to power. Vajpayee would have rather lost an election than destroy the idea of India: HT Conversations Many commentators highlight the contradiction between the Swadeshi moorings of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the pro-reform orientation of BJP governments. One area where Vajpayee aced this contradiction was in the Doha Round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations. Represented by Murasoli Maran, Vajpayees commerce minister (and perhaps Indias best ever), India forced the WTO ministerial conference held in Doha in 2001 to recognise that the multilateral trade regime could not be only about liberalisation, and must recognise the concerns of the global south on the role of trade in development and poverty. It was India which led the charge on behalf of the third world in Doha. That the advanced countries have refused to honour the Doha mandate till date, even at the risk of jeopardising decision making in the WTO itself, shows the importance of Indias success in making them agree to it in the first place. This could not have been possible had Vajpayee not given his backing to Maran against pressure from countries such as the US. Vajpayees economic legacy will be evaluated by persons of differing political-ideological persuasions. Indias economic history will be significantly poor if it does not include an objective analysis of the Vajpayee years. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message to Indian leaders on the death of former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away in New Delhi on Thursday. In an emailed statement to the Hindustan Times, the ministry of foreign affairs said the Indian leader was an outstanding Indian statesman and had made outstanding contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations. China expresses its deep condolences on his death and sincere condolences to the Indian government and people and the relatives of Mr Vajpayee. Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message to the leaders of India, the statement said. The death of Vajpayee is a great loss to China-India relations. Vajpayee played an important role in the normalization of Sino-Indian ties, and his visit to China in 1979 was a landmark event in this regard, Lin Minwang, a professor of international relations at Shanghai-based Fudan University, told CGTN Digital. Similarly, his visit in 2003 after he became prime minister injected new impetus to Sino-Indian relations after the Cold War, Lin said. The sincerity and political drive Vajpayee had shown in his diplomacy towards China are admirable. The development of Sino-Indian relations in the new era gives us the reason to adhere to the path of peace and development initiated by Prime Minister Vajpayee, he said. I had the rare privilege of working as the secretary to Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was Prime Minister. I had also spent time with him way back in 1984, when he had visited Japan and I was there. There are a few characteristics of Atal ji which stood out. The first was that he could not be boxed into the narrow confines of any party ideology. He had a national vision and recognised the need for India to join the global economy. When I was appointed as his secretary, he gave me flexibility and handed over all economic departments. He had a macro vision and wanted to constitute both the Economic Advisory Council and Council of Trade and Industry. What he had in mind was a small body where, in a drawing-room atmosphere, the PM could share ideas. For the Council of Trade and Industry, we had some regular names -- Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani. From the east, I suggested the name of RP Goenka. But Brajesh Mishra (Vajpayees principal secretary) said he was busy printing the posters of (then-Congress president) Sonia (Gandhi). Atal ji immediately said, Matlab ka aadmi hai, kaam ka aadmi hai ki nahin? Agar hai toh unhe aap avashya rakhein. (Is he useful or not? If he is, please take him). A key area of focus for him was telecom. He had inherited a legacy where all the private companies had bid for licenses with unrealistic amounts of revenue generation as target. They were going bust. Banks had non-performing assets. Courts were going after them. The telecom minister was Jagmohan. The PM was worried and asked, what should we do? I said, technically, Jagmohan was asking for guarantees to be encashed. But there were real economic concerns for the sector with this. He then said why are we doing it then? Let us solve this. Jagmohan was sidelined. Soli Sorabjee was put in charge. The Supreme Court had to be persuaded. We moved to a new revenue-sharing model. We regained our leadership in telecom. We were travelling to New York. The next day, the PM was scheduled to talk to business and industry. He asked us to come up something new. Brajesh Mishra and I then said we should deregulate telecom and gave him an assessment of the costs and benefits. He said let us go ahead. His sagacity in dealing with allies was immense. He once told me, Chandrababu Naidu has not asked for anything, no ministry, yet he supports us. You give him what he wants. He should not come to me. We solved his problems. In the most difficult and stressful circumstances, one joke of his, one repartee would be enough to ease the tension. He grappled with a lot of internal resistance on pace of reforms. Yet, he constantly supported change, reform, productivity, and liberalisation. Enhancing economic change and helping India achieve leadership status remained his prime motivation. (As told to Prashant Jha) (NK Singh served as secretary to PM Vajpayee and is currently the chairman of the 15th Finance Commission) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees funeral procession has reached Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi, where he will be cremated with full military honours. The former prime ministers last journey started on Friday from the BJP office amid a sea of supporters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and many other leaders of the party walking the four kilometres alongside the carriage. At the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and the King of Bhutan were among those who paid homage to Vajpayee. The cremation will be held soon. Earlier, the mortal remains of the 93 -year-old former prime minister were brought to the headquarters of the BJP at the capitals Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where thousands gathered to pay their respects to one of Indias tallest leaders, who helped form the saffron party. PM Modi, Amit Shah, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers Raman Singh and Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the BJP headquarters in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Vajpayees friend for decades and senior BJP leader LK Advani also paid tribute to him. Advani was also present at the Smriti Sthal. Watch | Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Main jee bhar jiya, main mann se marun The body of the Bharat Ratna recipient, draped in the Tricolour, was brought to the BJP headquarters from his official residence at 6 A Krishna Menon Marg amid chants of Atal Bihari Amar Rahe and Vande Mataram by mourners, who accompanied the casket covered in white flowers. The Union Cabinet had in May 2013 cleared a proposal to set up the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal along the Yamuna River in central Delhi for performing last rites of departed national leaders and for setting up their memorials. Over 5,000 policemen and paramilitary personnel formed a multi-layer security cordon for a smooth passage of the funeral procession to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Delhi Police said. Police personnel from each of Delhis 180 police stations have been drafted for security arrangements. Around two dozen of the anti-terror Parakram vans with commandoes will also be on duty. Sniffer dogs, bomb detection and disposal squads, in coordination with the officials from the Special Protection Group (SPG), began sanitising the funeral route and the venue on Thursday evening, senior police officials said while ruling out inconvenience to the public. Read: Why Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the BJPs Pandit Nehru: Notes from a reporters diary We will ensure maximum security with minimum inconvenience to the public, said Madhur Verma, Delhi Police spokesperson. Police put restrictions on several roads in Delhi to ensure a smooth movement of the traffic and advised citizens to take alternate routes to avoid snarls as they expect thousands of mourners to reach central Delhi for the funeral of Vajpayee. Ataljis demise is an irreparable loss to contemporary India. A statesman, a poet and, above all, a humanist, Atalji practised a version of politics that is rare to find a politics in which love of the nation took precedence over love of power; in which feelings, sentiments and emotions found a place in the world of cut-throat competitive politicking; in which dignity and respect for everyone big and small, friend and adversary alike were the way, not disrespect and rejection, abuse and trolling. Atalji lived a transparent life. He was not a split personality, something from outside and something else from within. Like Gandhi, his life, too, both personal and political, had been an open book. Whether it was his fondness for his family or food, or whether it was about strong political convictions as a quintessential democrat, nothing was hidden from the public eye and scrutiny. At the end, everyone loved him, cared for him and admired him for this very quality of the courage of conviction. But he never held himself above the party organisation. A true Swayamsevak, he religiously obeyed the decisions of the party as a disciplined Karyakarta even when he was not fully in agreement with those. Politics and discipline dont go together. The rare exception is Atal Bihari Vajpayee, commented Walter Andersen, author and researcher. Atalji practised his brand of politics without any hesitation or rethink. We have successfully done away with untouchability in social life. Yet, we acquired a new type of scourge called political untouchability. An atmosphere of intense hatred pervades the political arena today. Atalji never practised such politics. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh, of which he was one of the tallest leaders, was the arch rival of the Congress and Nehru throughout. But neither Atalji nor Nehru ever allowed this ideological adversity to come in the way of mutual respect and goodwill. Nehru would observe that one day the young parliamentarian will rise to occupy his seat. On his part, Atalji, who made ferocious attacks on Nehrus policies in Parliament, would speak out from his heart in the same Parliament after Nehrus funeral, saying: In spite of a difference of opinion, we have nothing but respect for his great ideals, his integrity, his love for the country and his indomitable courage. I pay my humble homage to that great soul. This quality he retained till the end. A real tribute to any leader is when his opponents feel his loss. Today when he is not there anymore, the grief, the loss is being felt not only by his partymen and his countrymen, but even by the neighbours. His bus trip to Lahore, the hand of friendship he extended to Pervez Musharraf and his famous address in Srinagar in 2003 as Prime Minister wherein he had talked about Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat and Insaniyat make him one of the greatest statesmen the country has ever produced. He respected institutions. As Prime Minister, he trusted and reposed faith in his colleagues in the Cabinet. His colleagues in the Cabinet recall that in several meetings he wouldnt utter a single word and patiently listen to the views of all colleagues and take decisions after due diligence. Where he needed to give credit to his Cabinet colleague, he wouldnt hesitate. Atalji was compassionate with Karyakartas. Even at the height of his popularity, he never displayed any arrogance. He was beloved Atalji for many, including me. As a 28-year old journalist of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh magazine, I went to Delhi in 1993 to interview him. Parliament was in session and he was the leader of opposition. Babri masjid had fallen just a few months before. I had some awkward questions for him, betraying my inexperience. He didnt become angry. Instead, he gently guided me through the interview for 15 minutes, giving the right answers to my wrong questions. Kishen Lal Sharma, an elderly MP, peeped in to remind that it was time to go inside the Parliament. Apne Andhra ke Pracharak ko patrakarita sikha raha hun (I am teaching journalism to our Pracharak from Andhra), Atalji said. On one occasion, after the fall of his 13-day government in 1996, I had another opportunity to meet him briefly. How does it feel like losing power in just 13 days, I asked. He taught me a lesson through his answer. Rajneeti me jaldbaji nahi, patience chahiye. Pratiksha karne ka dhairya chahiye (In politics, one needs patience, not haste. One should have the patience to wait), he replied. He waited for a decade or more without losing nerve when BJP was reduced to two members in Parliament. And his patience paid off. Obituary should be an exercise in contemporary history; not a funeral oration, said British journalist Peter Utley. Let us look at it through that prism. True, with the passing of Atalji, an era has come to an end. It is difficult to find another Atalji amidst us. But this end of an era statement has become too much of a cliche. Atalji as a person is no more. But it is time we brought back the era of his politics politics of positivity, compassion, dignity and goodwill. Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk and other South Asian leaders were present at the funeral of former prime minister AB Vajpayee on Friday and many others paid rich tribute to the departed leader, recalling his contribution to regional peace. Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdul Hassan Mahmud Ali attended the funeral. Pakistan sent law minister Ali Zafar to pay homage to Vajpayee and Sri Lanka was represented by acting foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella. Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday aged 93, was on Friday cremated with full military honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where people turned out in tens of thousands to pay their final tributes. There is a void in the politics of South Asia after his death. There can be political differences but the desire of peace remains present across the border. We stand with India in this difficult time, Pakistan prime minister-elect Imran Khan said. Vajpayee did take political risks in mending ties with Pakistan. His attending the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad in 2004 and taking the bus ride to Lahore in 1999 were efforts at improving the ties with the neighbour though relations were soured by the neighbours military aggression in Kargil. Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. The Government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India, the official message from Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Vajpayee paid close attention to the ties with Bhutan in his avatar both as foreign minister and Prime Minister. Bhutan was flying its national flag half mast on Friday as mark of respect to Vajpayee. The Bhutanese King visited the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters and placed a wreath on the body of Vajpayee. Former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, who worked closely with Vajpayee after the fall of the Taliban rule in Kabul in 2001, recalled that the departed leader was the first to offer us civilian planes, Airbuses at the time we were starting out. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fondly recalled her countrys longstanding ties with Vajpayee, who supported the creation of Bangladesh out of East Pakistan following the 1971 liberation war. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was our great friend and highly respected in Bangladesh. Nepals Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that in Vajpayees death, Nepal has lost a true friend and well wisher. In the message, to PM Narendra Modi, Oli stated that the late Vajpayee was a visionary statesman with impeccable integrity and dedication, who will be remembered for his sagacity and exemplary selfless service to the people of India. ------ Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Sri Lankas acting foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella were among several foreign dignitaries present at former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees funeral in New Delhi on Friday. A Pakistani delegation led by acting law and information minister Syed Ali Zafar also arrived in the Capital to pay their last respects. Zafar is accompanied by Fareha Bugti, director-India, ministry of foreign affairs; Muhammad Faisal, director general-South Asia, SAARC, and MoFA spokesperson; and Danyal Gillani, director to law and information minister. Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, Zafar told ANI, We are here to share your grief and pay condolence on behalf of the people of Pakistan and the government of Pakistan. British high commissioner to India Dominic Asquith also paid homage. Bangladesh foreign minister Mahmood Ali told ANI, We remember him (Vajpayee) for his contribution to the Bangladesh liberation war and his strong support to the people of Bangladesh. He had a great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became the foreign minister. A sea of people swarmed the roads with teary-eyed men and women, young and old, jostling to catch a last glimpse of their leader, who lies in state on a decorated gun carriage. Many chanted slogans, and others sprinkled rose petals on the carriage. The cadaver was taken out from the newly built Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters, and the last rites were performed at Smriti Sthal. (With inputs from agencies) BJP corporators in Aurangabad on Friday thrashed a Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) member who opposed a resolution in the municipal corporation to pay tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The assault happened during the general body meeting of the civic body in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, an official said. After the meeting began, BJP corporator Raju Vaidya tabled a proposal to pay tributes to Vajpayee. MIM corporator Sayed Mateen opposed it, which infuriated the BJP members, who rushed to him and thrashed him in the House. A video of Mateen being kicked, punched and slapped by the BJP corporators has gone viral on social media and was aired by some TV channels. In it, the Corporation security officials can be seen coming to Mateens rescue and taking him out of the House through a side exit. He was later taken to a nearby hospital. A BJP corporator said the MIM member has been creating nuisance and had earlier opposed singing of the national song in the House. Mateen told PTI that he was opposing the move of paying tribute (to Vajpayee) in a democratic manner but around a dozen BJP corporators assaulted him. He named some of them. Immediately after the incident, alleged MIM supporters damaged a car belonging to a local BJP functionary and also beat up the driver. BJP corporator Pramod Rathod, who was named by Mateen as one of his assaulters, demanded that Mateen be expelled from the civic body for his anti-national move in opposing a tribute to Vajpayee. Chinese minister of national defence and a member of the Central Military Commission Wei Fenghe is set to visit India from August 21 to 24, during which both sides are expected to discuss measures to deepen the strategic communication between the forces, including the possibility of setting up a hotline between their top military commanders, officials familiar with the development said. This is the highest level Chinese functionary we are hosting after the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. This meeting will focus on what the leaders had underlined: the need for maintaining strategic communication between the militaries, said an official. The Chinese minister will have detailed discussions with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman and other officials. The proposal for setting up a hotline would also come up for further discussion and an official, requesting anonymity, said they are looking for resolving the matter by narrowing down the technical differences. The technical difference is whether the hotline would be between the two Director Generals of Military Operations of two countries or between the commanders who are in charge of the border areas on either side. Neither the PLA nor Indian army have any objection to the hotline, said an official. After Wuhan there were military delegations from both sides visiting each other. There are improved contacts, an official said. Former Northern Army commander Lt General BS Jaswal (retd) said that India and China always have cordial strategic exchanges at the higher echelons, but friction at the ground has still not been controlled. The differences regarding the boundary question need to be ironed out because these small issues tend to flare up from the tactical spectrum to strategic strains, Jaswal added. Almost 120 people died over the past 48 hours in the worst floods to hit Kerala in eight decades, state officials said, as relief and rescue workers stepped up efforts to reach marooned residents by boats and helicopters in the state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Friday to survey the havoc. In some areas, people fled to their rooftops to escape water levels reaching as high as the second floor of their houses. We are trying our best to save the marooned. Saving lives is our main concern now. Rescue operation is going on on a war-footing with more choppers and boats, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told a news conference in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, adding that more than 15,000 people had been evacuated in last two days. Flooding began from August 8 when rains intensified, causing landslides and swelling rivers that have swept away buildings. Around 180 of the flood-related deaths have taken place since then, including the 120 lives lost in the past two days. Vijayan said about 223,000 people were taken to 1,568 relief camps. Hours later, Vijayan said in a tweet that 324 lives had been lost in the heavy rainfall and floods that have battered Kerala. These deaths, according to officials in Vijayans office, were recorded since the end of May when the monsoon made landfall. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the state on Friday and was expected to survey some of the worst-hit regions on Saturday. In New Delhi, the ministry of home affairs said additional resources of all agencies including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force were being mobilised. The union government also offered the Kochi naval air strip for civilian flights, with the citys main airport flooded. Kerala has been hit by 37% more rainfall than normal since the beginning of this monsoon, the Meteorological Department said. Some plantations have also been inundated. Despite relief and rescue teams distributing food packets and other essential items, hundreds of marooned people said they had been without water or food for many days. The magnitude of the disaster is really serious. We are finding it difficult to manage such a volume of the affected, a relief official said in Kochi. Pumps in several neighbourhoods had also run out of fuel and many hospitals said they were running low on oxygen cylinders. A railway spokesman said army help will be sought to clear tracks after which special supply trains will be run. There was however some relief for the battered state after Met office forecast that stagnant low pressure in Bay of Bengal had moved towards central India. Later, authorities withdrew a red alert sounded in two districts, Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargode in north Kerala. Rains have subsided in the worst-hit Idukki and Wayanad districts, but water level in the river Periyar surged again, leaving many towns on its banks submerged. State forest minister K Raju, who is also flood control in-charge of Kottayam district, came in for criticism because of his ongoing visit to Germany. He was asked by the state government to cut short his week-long visit and rush back home after his trip snowballed into a controversy. Raju had left for Germany on Thursday. His own party, the Communist Party of India, requested chief minister Vijayan to advise him to cut short his visit because of the floods. The death toll in Kerala in the current spell of heavy rains climbed to 180, and to 324 overall this monsoon season, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday, as the grave situation triggered by the states worst floods in a century left thousands homeless, destroyed crops, and disrupted air, rail and road traffic for a week. While rain has abated and will lessen in the next 24 hours till Saturday, the relief could be short-lived as the vigorous southwest monsoon over Kerala will bring in more heavy spells during the weekend in the state, besides Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the regional weather office said. Heavy rains are forecast for isolated places over north Kerala, coastal Karnataka and its south interior parts on August 19. However, the red alert has been withdrawn from two districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargode out of the states 14, according to officials. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a tweet, citing the overall toll this monsoon season. Watch: Boats on the road in Kerala to rescue those stranded in floods Officials said four people have died in Thrissur and three bodies were recovered in Pathanamthitta, which are yet to be identified. Seven went missing after a parish hall collapsed in north Paravur trapping several others, they added. A pregnant woman who developed labour pains was safely airlifted by the Air Force from an Aluva village and gave birth to a baby boy in a hospital she was taken to. Both twenty-five-year-old Sajita Jabeel and the newborn are safe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Kerala later in the day and start an aerial survey of the state on Saturday morning. Had telephone conversation with Kerala chief minister P Vijayan just now.We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, Ill be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding, Modi tweeted. Vijayan said the situation was serious but was optimistic of overcoming as most of the state remained under water amid continuous rain, landslides and floods. He said over two lakh people have been shifted to 1,568 camps across the state but many are still stranded. All marooned people will be saved by this evening. I am confident we can achieve this. The Centre is responding well, Vijayan said at a press conference. Sixteen army teams, 28 navy teams, 39 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams are involved in the relief and rescue operations. NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people, he said. An NDRF spokesman in New Delhi said the force has moved more than 4,319 people to safer places and rescued another 44 from flooded areas in Kerala in the past nine days, while its 51 teams, out of the total 53 deployed, are operating on the ground and two more will reach Kerala soon. The Army said it has a total of 10 flood relief columns, 10 Engineer Task Force, 53 BAUTs are in rescue and relief operations. Two additional special teams will be joining soon. Vijayan also sought to allay fears after rumours that the century-old Mullaperiyar dam had developed cracks and warned action against rumour-mongers. There is no threat to any dam, he said. The relief and rescue teams of the Air Force and Army on Friday started distributing food packets among those who have been marooned in several flood-hit areas of the state as more boats and helicopters were pressed into service. The Indian Coast Guard is involved in rescue operations in 28 places in the state. The famous hill station of Munnar, which received 127mm of rainfall on Thursday night, remained cut off even as the armys help was sought to restore the communication network. Many towns like Cheruthoni, Chalakudy and Pandalam are also underwater as reports said many people were still trapped there. Rains have subsided in Idukki and Wayanad but the water level in the Periyar is rising. Waters from the Periyar river and its tributaries kept many towns in Ernakulam and Thrissur submerged. The worst affected include Paravur, Kalady, Chalakudy, Perumbavoor and Muvatupuzha. Waters in Idukki and Wayanad areas and certain areas of Pathanamthitta have however receded. The airport in the main commercial city of Kochi has been flooded and operations suspended until August 26 with flights being diverted to two other airports in the state and more than 25 trains were cancelled or rescheduled. Railways will soon run special flood relief trains with the armys help to reach food to marooned people, a spokesperson of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railway said on Friday. Authorities have started requisitioning bus, trucks and other big vehicles to use for relief work. Many areas are facing fuel shortage after roads were cut off and many hospitals are grappling with a shortage of oxygen cylinders as the floods disrupted supplies with many towns still under water. A shortage of medicines has also added to Keralas mounting woes An Assam government employee, who was involved in the process of compiling the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and declared a foreigner in 2015, has been detained. Superintendent of police Swapnaneel Deka said Khairul Islam was being sent to a detention camp in Tezpur. Islam was arrested from Morigaon on Wednesday. The final NRC draft was released on July 30 and left out over four million applicants as part of a Supreme Court-monitored process to identify and deport foreigners who entered Assam after March 1971. Those declared foreigners earlier were to be left out of the NRC, which was updated to identify illegal immigrants who had escaped detection so far. Police said Islam was identified as a suspected foreigner along with his family in 2003. He had joined government service as a school teacher seven years earlier. A foreigners tribunal in Morigaon declared the family of five foreigners in 2015. After being declared a foreigner, Islam moved the Gauhati high court which stayed the tribunals verdict. However, the court upheld the tribunals verdict while Islam was involved in the NRC process last month. Morigaon deputy commissioner Hemen Das said Islams name had been removed from NRC duty as soon as the court upheld the tribunals verdict. Das said the inspector of schools office had been asked to submit a report on the matter. Four members of Islams family, including his 60-year-old mother, two brothers and a sister, were absconding. Police said they, too, will be sent to the detention camp once they are traced. People declared doubtful (D) voters or marked as suspected foreigners are required to approach 100 tribunals in Assam to prove their citizenship. Those declared foreigners by the tribunals could be put under detention. Over 90,000 people have so far been declared foreigners in Assam. Around 1,000 people are currently lodged at six detention centres in the state. Only two declared foreigners have been deported to Bangladesh since 2013. The descendants of those declared D voters, or those whose cases are pending with tribunals, will only be included in the NRC if tribunals declare them Indian citizens. Islam was among around 40,000 state government employees, who were part of the NRC process. He worked as a field level officer at the Jaluguti NRC Nagrik Seva Kendra and assisted verifications. Morigaon has over 8,000 declared foreigners. Many of them are untraceable. Das had said earlier that 39 families either declared foreigners or whose cases were pending before the tribunals had made it to the NRC draft. According to a SC order, people in these categories cannot be part of the NRC. The uproar over rapes of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home, death of two inmates and severe health problems afflicting two others at the Aasra shelter home in Patna, and the disappearance of a girl from a shelter home in Madhubani have finally galvanised the Nitish Kumar government into action. The initial challenge before the Bihar government is to prevent recurrence of such cases and also address growing health concerns of inmates at most shelter homes across the state. Though the department has decided to completely phase out all non-government organisations running shelter homes in Bihar, this cannot happen overnight, government officials said. Money is not a constraint, as the new dispensation will not require more than an additional Rs 50-Rs 60 crore. The department has a huge budget of around Rs 8,000 crore. We are working to evolve a system, but also trying to streamline the existing system for remaining period by ensuring daily inspection of homes to assess the situation and take immediate corrective measures, said Raj Kumar, director, department of social welfare. Executive director-cum-special secretary, health, Lokesh Kumar Singh has written to superintendents of all medical college hospitals and chief medical officers to ensure regular check-ups. There should be part-time deployment of MBBS doctors for at least three days a week on regular basis at all shelter homes. Children should also undergo regular immunisation, and health concerns must be adequately addressed, he wrote. Singh has also called for constituting permanent medical board to verify the age of children at these homes within 15 days. The civil surgeons of districts and superintendents of medical college hospitals will be accountable for compliance, he wrote. We will soon place a proposal for state-level recruitment of staff. For hiring buildings, we will issue tenders. The payment to staff will also be revised as it is quite low at present, adding that Instead of private guards, policemen would be deployed, the official further said in his letter. Not satisfied with the way Air India has handled complaints of sexual harassment lodged by some of its women staff against a senior executive, the Union women and child development ministry has called the national carriers chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola to its office on August 23 to explain the delay, according to two senior ministry officials who asked not to be identified. Besides Kharola, the head of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted by Air India to inquire into complaints of sexual harassment has also been summoned by the ministry. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act enacted in 2013 to provide redressal to women employees facing sexual harassment at workplace mandates that every employer set up an ICC headed by a senior woman employee. The law also makes it mandatory for the ICC to complete its inquiry within 90 days of receiving a complaint. And action has to be taken within 60 days of the inquiry concluding. At least two air hostesses have written to the Union WCD minister Maneka Gandhi in the last six months complaining about sexual harassment at work and alleging delay on the part of ICC in investigating the matter, one of the senior officials quoted above said. We have called the Air India CMD and head of the ICC on April 23 to take up the matter with them, said Rakesh Srivastava, WCD secretary. An Air India spokesperson said: Women employees in Air India and its subsidiaries have always held pride of place in the organisation and enjoy equal opportunities. Though we cant comment on anything specific as per section 16 of the sexual harassment act.., we will continue to remain committed to the welfare of our women employees and address their concerns individually. Senior officials in the civil aviation ministry did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. In June, Gandhi wrote to Suresh Prabhu, her counterpart in the civil aviation ministry, after one air hostess complained to the ministry that a complaint under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act had not been disposed of since August 2017. In her letter, Gandhi wrote that she had also spoken to Aroona Gopalkrishnan, the head of the ICC constituted by Air India. Ms Gopalkrishnan could not explain the reasons for delay in disposal of the representation, Gandhi wrote to Prabhu. The WCD minister requested Prabhu to ensure that investigation in the matter was completed soon. A man from Chhattisgarh belonging to the Muslim community, who converted to Hinduism to marry his love, has now approached the Supreme Court seeking the release of his wife whom her parents have allegedly held captive. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has issued notices to Dhamtaris district magistrate, its superintendent of police (SP), the station house officer (SHO) of City Kotwali, and the womans father. The bench also directed the SP to produce the woman before it on August 27. Mohd Ibrahim Siddiqui, 33, who filed the writ petition in the SC after the Chhattisgarh high court erroneously declined to direct the release of (his) wife, had converted to Hinduism and took the name Aryan Arya before marrying the 23-year-old woman with whom he had been in a relationship for two years. The high court, despite recording the woman as an adult and admitting that she was married to the appellant of her own will, refused to let her go with the petitioner, Siddiquis petition in the top court stated. His petition added that the HC instead gave his wife the options to either go with her parents or live in a hostel. Siddiqui, now Aryan Arya, said he embraced Hinduism on February 23 in Raipur. Following his conversion, the couple got married at the Arya Samaj temple in Raipur on February 25. His petition stated that his wife returned to her parents home in Dhamtari but did not disclose that she had married him. The plea added that his wifes parents learnt about the marriage, following which she decided to leave her home on the night of June 30 to meet him, but was spotted by police officers who first took her to the police station and from there to a government crisis centre for women. Siddiqui accused the police of recording an incorrect statement of hers that she wished to go with her parents, before sending her to her father. He then filed a petition in the HC seeking her release but the court rejected his petition, his petition in the top court reads. Chengannur MLA Saju Cherian appeals for help In a Facebook post, Chengannur MLA Saji Cherian appealed for urgent help in the region. Please send helicopter. I beg you. People here will die. There is no option other than airlifting people to rescue them. We need the army here. WQe will die. Please help up. PM Modi arrives in Kerala Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state; received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/fAW9D2KCPE ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Railways dispatching water bottles to Palakkad #KeralaFloods Rail Neer bottles from Palur and Parasala Plants are being dispatched to Kerala - 1320 card board boxes of Rail Neer loaded at Chennai Central today by 2 trains to Palakkad pic.twitter.com/kffYcNc95E @GMSouthernrailway (@GMSRailway) August 17, 2018 Odisha govt releases helpline numbers for Odias stranded in Kerala Odisha government releases helpline numbers for people of the state trapped in #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/XAbFxuERc6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Andhra Pradesh announces Rs 10 crore aid Andhra Pradesh government announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala. Expressing grief over the devastation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government would extend all possible help to Kerala. Our moral support will always be there. We will also help the state in kind and other ways as well, the chief minister said in a statement. Rescue operations in Palakkads Nemmara Rescue operations underway by Rapid Action Force (RAF) in landslides affected areas in Palakkad's Nemmara. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/kaslnDC1tk ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Kumaraswamy to visit Kodagu tomorrow Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy will visit Kodagu tomorrow and review relief operations in the district. He will chair a high-level meeting regarding it at 10.30 am tomorrow in Krishna and then leave for Kodagu. Hell visit rain-affected areas in Nanjangood and Kabini on Sunday. Visuals from relief camp in Kochi #Visuals from a relief camp in Kochi; around 400 people affected by the floods have taken shelter at the camp. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ySDVqbEoGg ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Rahul asks Congress workers to help those in need Across Kerala & now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers & leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service & love. Please focus all our resources & people to help those in need. pic.twitter.com/H7MWKaPdGA Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 17, 2018 Armys rescue efforts in Aluva, Kalady #Update #KeralaFloods2018. Column of 120 Engineer Regiment has evacuated & provided relief material to 50 stranded civilians in the general area of Aluva & Kalady in Ernakulam District using Engineer Boats.#OpMadad#KeralaFloodRelief2018 @PIB_India @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/ZdvUkKILsR ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 17, 2018 Telangana announces Rs 25 crore assistance The Telangana government has announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has directed Chief Secretary S K Joshi to see that the money reaches Kerala immediately, an official release said. Rao has also instructed that water purifying machines worth Rs 2.50 crore be supplied to Kerala as drinking water gets polluted due to floods, it said. DGCA asks airlines to add more flights, cap fares Aviation regulator DGCA has asked domestic airlines to operate additional flights to Kerala and cap fares as the state reels under a deluge that has forced its busiest airport in Kochi to shut operations till August 26. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Mangalore. Airlines have been requested to cap the maximum fare at Rs 10,000 on longer routes and around Rs 8,000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports. Army joins rescue operations in Karnatakas Kodagu district The Army has joined operations to rescue people stranded due to floods and landslides in rain-battered Kodagu district bordering Kerala, officials told PTI. All major roads leading to Kodagu are blocked and a massive rescue operation has been launched, they said. Multiple agencies, including Armys one column of Dogra Regiment with 60 personnel, are involved in the operation. Over 3 lakh people in relief camps, 82,442 people rescued today: CM Death toll 324 from May 29. 3,14, 391 people have been moved to the relief camps. 82,442 people were rescued today, says CM. No shortage of petrol, difficulty in getting fuel to petrol stations: CM More army boats will reach Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram tonight. Food is being distributed to those stranded outside and people in relief camps through helicopters and boats. Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala government as the Kochi airport remained closed. There is no shortage of petrol, difficulty in getting fuel to petrol stations due to flooding on the roads, says CM. Situation grim in Chalakudy and Chengannur: CM The situation grim in Chalakudy and Chenganur due to strong flow of water. From tomorrow, more army boats and helicopters will be used in these areas.Fifteen big army boats will reach chalakudy on Saturday, five boats will be in Kalady , 15 in Chengannur and 10 in Thiruvalla. Rescue efforts in these areas will begin again from 6 am tomorrow morning, says CM. CM Pinarayi Vijayan holds press conference There are 2094 relief camps. People in the camps are being provided food and water, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan at a press conference. Fourteen army helicopters, 79 NDRF boats and 403 fishermen boats taking part in relief efforts, he says. WCD ministry sending 100 metric tonnes of food packets: Maneka The Women and Child Development Ministry is coordinating with the Air Force and Kerala government to deliver 100 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat food packets to the flood-affected children in the state, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said. Deeply anguished by the critical condition of Kerala. I have asked my team to extend full support to the Government of Kerala in rescue and relief operations. @CMOKerala @IAF_MCC @TelanganaCMO Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) August 17, 2018 Star India, ICICI Bank donate to Kerala flood relief Broadcasting major Star India said it would donate Rs two crore to the CMs relief fund. ICICI Bank said it has contributed Rs 10 crore towards Kerala flood relief. Southern Railway releases list of trains cancelled, diverted Delhi govt to donate Rs 10 crore to Kerala relief fund Spoke to Kerala CM. Del govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala https://t.co/SfpnlQ7DR8 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 17, 2018 PM Modi leaves for Kerala Leaving for Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 101-year-old rescued by Air Force from North Paravur in Ernakulam #OpKaruna #KeralaFloodRelief@IAF_MCC Garud Commandos from Southern Air Command rescuing a 101 yr old lady with some serious medical issues,and 27 others including ladies and kids from North Paravur, #Ernakulam. The survivors safely brought to INS Garuda@SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/CBur4Ptzgp PRO Defence Trivandrum (@DefencePROTvm) August 17, 2018 Rescue work in flood-hit market of Alappuzha city #WATCH: Boats being used to rescue people in a flood-hit market in Alappuzha city. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/E0iMpbYdlV ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Navy rushes 8 lakh litres of drinking water to Kochi Railways dispatches special train with water wagons to Thiruvananthapuram Defence ministrys update of rescue and relief ops Defence Ministry says 1300 life jackets, 571 lifebuoys, 1000 raincoats, 1300 gumboots, 1200 ready-to-eat meal, 1500 food packets, 25 motorised boats, 9 non-motorised boats have been provided for rescue and relief operations. Update #OpMadad : Material and equipment crucial for rescue and relief operations in #KeralaFloods provided today. The MoD & Indian Armed Forces continue to work tirelessly in the relief operation. @nsitharaman @CMOKerala #KeralaSOS pic.twitter.com/Hzdq00YYeV Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018 Flooding continues in Alappuzha Alappuzha: Flooding continues in several areas affecting normal life across the city. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/GbMiJUovZo ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 53 people moved out of relief camps in and around Kochi: Navy Kochi: Navy rescue operations underway in flood-affected areas. Captain PE Prasad, Executive Officer, INS Venduruthy, says,"315 people had taken shelter at Navy Camps, of which 53 have moved back to their relatives' places in & around Kochi. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/Y7oTq4eUnl ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Details of trains cancelled by Southern Railways #KeralaFloods - Changes in pattern of Train Services on 17th August, 2018 ( today) pic.twitter.com/UEVQfOUDTa @GMSouthernrailway (@GMSRailway) August 17, 2018 Rescue and relief work by NDRF in Wayanad Rescue & relief material distribution work by #NDRF team at Venniyode in kothathara panchyat taluk Vaitri, Wayanad, Kerala pic.twitter.com/VrwU8qE2Oc NDRF (@NDRFHQ) August 17, 2018 Insurance companies asked to settle claims expeditiously Insurance regulator Irdai has asked all insurance companies to set up special camps and make immediate payments against insurance claims, reports PTI The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has issued guidelines in the regard for both life and non-line insurance claims and asked them to report the progress. The regulator has asked the non-life as well as standalone health insurers to widely publicise details of offices/special camps set up for the purpose of claim settlement. In order to gauge the magnitude of the loss, all non-life insurers (including standalone health insurers) are advised to submit information relating to insurance claims in Kerala on a daily basis, Irdai said. Punjab CM announces Rs 10 crore for Kerala flood relief Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced immediate relief worth Rs 10 crore for flood-hit Kerala. Rs 5 crore is being transferred to the Kerala CMs relief fund and the remaining Rs 5 crore will be in the form of ready-to-eat food material and other supplies, reports news agency ANI. More spells of heavy rain over the weekend: Met dept The vigorous southwest monsoon over Kerala will bring in more heavy spells during the weekend in that state, besides Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the regional weather office said on Friday. The weatherman has forecast heavy rains at isolated places over North Kerala, coastal Karnataka and its south interior parts on August 19. According to the observations recorded at 8:30am on Friday, Peermade in Idukki district had recorded 19 cm. Streets flooded in Ernakulams Velloorkunnam village Kochi: Streets flooded in Ernakulam's Velloorkunnam following heavy and incessant rainfall. 167 people have died till now in #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/S93Dsqq5Ae ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Pinarayi Vijayan renews call for donations to CMs relief fund Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected. Donate to https://t.co/FjYFEdOsyl #StandWithKerala. CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 Air India to operate Kochi flights from Thiruvananthapuram Air India said its flights scheduled to depart from the Kochi airport, which has been shut down till August 26 due to floods, will operate from Thiruvananthapuram. The airline said the new schedule is for the August 18-20 period. The rescheduled flights are AI 933 to Dubai, AI 047 to New Delhi, AI 682 to Mumbai, AI 511 to New Delhi and AI 510 to Chennai, a release said. Map showing deployment of search and rescue personnel Update #OpMadad : To provide relief during #KeralaFloods2018 @adgpi has deployed personally to perform search and rescue mission, maintain connectivity and provide first aid. Below map shows the deployment of personnel as on date.@nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/yBZNUrxEEj Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018 Army says it has 10 flood relief columns in Kerala The Army says it has a total of 10 flood relief columns, 10 Engineer Task Force, 53 BAUTs are in rescue and relief operations. Two additional special teams will be joining it. Alappuzhas Chengannur cut off, says Thomas Isaac Chenganoor cut off. The only remaining road connection to the flood hit areas got washed off at Outappice near Kochaalumoode almost in front of me . Returning to Alleppey without visiting Chenganoor. Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) August 17, 2018 Floods hits operations at CUMIs hydel power plant in Maniyar Carborundum Universal Ltd, manufacturers of abrasives, electro-minerals and industrial ceramics, has said its hydel power plant at Maniyar in Kerala, was not generating power as it was flooded due to the heavy rainfall. The Chennai-based group company of Murugappa Group said its facilities in Edapally, Koratty (Thrissur district) and Kakkanad (near Kochi) were safe and continue to be in operation. However, the hydel power plant generating power for captive consumption of the electrominerals division at Maniyar has been flooded and currently is not generating power. The employees at the facility have been moved to safety, the company said in a statement. The non-generation of power has not impacted its operations in Kerala, it said. Odisha urges Kerala to provide food to 130 flood-hit Odias The Odisha government urged its Kerala counterpart to provide minimum assistance like food and water to the people from the state taking shelter at a flood ravaged place, official sources said. The state governments action came soon after it received an SOS message from one Anil Sethi, who informed that about 130 people from Odisha have taken shelter in a house at Aluva Munnar Road, Odapally, Near Asha Munnar Post Office. 51 teams in Kerala, over 4000 people moved to safety in 9 days: NDRF The NDRF said it has moved more than 4,319 people to safer places and rescued another 44 from flooded areas in Kerala in the past nine days, even as its personnel struggle to reach remote areas cut off due to landslides. A National Disaster Response Force spokesperson said in New Delhi that its 51 teams, out of the total 53 deployed, are operating on the ground. Two more teams will reach Kerala soon, he added. Crude shipments to BPCL refinery in Kochi delayed: Report Crude oil shipments to Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltds Kochi refinery were delayed due to heavy rains preventing vessels from berthing, two industry sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. Three vessels, including two very large crude oil carriers and one Suezmax, carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, have been waiting to unload the oil for 5 to 12 days, shipping data on Thomson Reuters Eikon showed. Its very bad weather at the moment and the rains are not subsiding...its not clear when the vessels can discharge, one of the sources said. 25-year-old pregnant woman rescued by Navy from Aluva village Twenty-five-year-old Sajita Jabeel was rescued from an Aluva village. The Air Force was summoned after she developed labour pain. She was airlifted along with a water-filled bag to minimise impact of lifting. She has given birth to baby boy. Both the mother and newborn are safe. The young lady and her new born son both are doing fine. God Bless them pic.twitter.com/ysrh1DVUx6 SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018 Govt to rope in local bodies to locate stranded people While the state government asks people to give their exact address and location for rescue, people stranded in flood waters say it is not possible.The Army and NDRF personnel are facing difficulty in locating people. The government now plans to include local body members to locate them. We are receiving multiple repetitive rescue requests in CMO. Ensure that you add date and time along with exact location, any significant landmark, district, number of stranded people and contact number of victim in all new requests. #KeralaSOS CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018 Red alert withdrawn from 2 districts Red alert has been withdrawn from two districts -- Thiruvananthapuram and north Keralas Kasaragod. Only 12 out of 14 districts are on red alert now with many towns like Chalakudy and Pandalam flooded. Death toll rises to 174 Three bodies were recovered from Pathanamthitta, taking the death toll in Kerala floods to 174. Hill station Munnar remains cut-off Hill station Munnar remains cut-off as it received 127 mm rainfall on Wednesday night. Army help has been sought to restore communication network. Parish hall collapses in Paravur, 7 trapped Seven people are trapped after a parish hall collapsed in north Paravur. KSRTC cancelled over 8,000 tickets due to floods The ongoing flood situation led the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to cancel 8,415 tickets. The KSRTC has refunded Rs. 52,78,126 to the passengers from August 9 to August 17: ANI PM Modi to reach Kerala in the evening PM Modi will reach Thiruvananthapuram in the evening after the funeral of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will start the aerial survey of flood-affected areas on Saturday morning. CM warns of action against rumour mongers CM P Vijayan says there is no threat to any dams, scoffs at rumours. He has warned of action against rumour mongers. SC asks to explore possibility to reduce Mullaperiyar dam water level The Supreme Court today asked the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and a sub-committee set up by Kerala to deal with the flood situation in the state to coordinate and explore the possibility of reducing the water level at the Mullaperiyar Dam by three feet. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice DY Chandrachud asked Kerala and Tamil Nadu to abide by the directions given by NCMC on the rehabilitation of displaced people and the reduction of water level from the existing 142 feet to 139 feet at the dam. The top court also asked Kerala to submit the report on the steps taken on disaster management and rehabilitation measures. It is deluge, says chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan Situation is serious, it is deluge which we will overcome, says CM. Visuals of a flooded road in Alappuzha Kerala: Visuals of a flooded road in Alappuzha's Chunakkara village #KeralaFlood pic.twitter.com/bgm9iqSHXm ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 No threat to any dams, says CM More boats and choppers have been pressed into service. Around 150 boats were added this morning. 14 teams of navy have been deployed in Thrissur while 10 are in Wayanad; Coast guard have been placed at 28 places and 39 teams of NDRF were deployed, says chief minister. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the NDRF has rescued around 4,000 people. In Idukki and Wayanad, rains have subsided but the water level in Periyar River is on rise. We received around 1 lakh food packets from the Centre. All the stranded people will be saved by this evening. I am confident we can achieve this. The Defence minister has also responded quickly. There is no threat to any dams, he adds. Death toll since August 8 is 164: CM Vijayan Rains have subsided in some areas, says CM Vijayan. I talked to the PM and defence minister in the morning. Situation is serious as many remain stranded. There are 2,23,000 people in 1,568 camps. Death toll since Aug 8 is 164, said the CM. CMs presser begins CMs press conference on Keralas flood situation begins Bodies recovered from Pathnamthitta, Idukki Four bodies have been recovered from Pathnamthitta and Idukki. IAF facing problem as there arent any landing facilities The Air force says it is facing problem because here are no landing facilities for helicopters. An IAF official said its difficult to deal with such large volume of marooned people. They can only airlift one by one and it is time consuming 4 Coast Guard ships reach Kochi to join relief teams 4 Capital Ships of Indian Coast Guard have reached Kochi and joined the Disaster and Relief Team. 24 teams are already working in flood affected villages. Indian Coast Guard so far has rescued 1764 people and guided 4688 people to safer locations . Kerala chief minister to brief media soon Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to brief the media on states flood situation soon. Railways to run special flood-relief trains Indian railways to run special flood-relief trains with armys help to reach the stranded people. Around 3 lakh people have been lodged in relief camps. NDRF teams reach Thiruvananthapuram Five units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) reached Thiruvananthapuram and were deployed for rescue operations. 35 teams are expected to reach there today. Red alert issued in 13 districts for today Red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod: ANI. Red alert has been issued for tomorrow also in Ernakulam and Idukki districts. Will head to Kerala to take stock of situation: Modi Had telephone conversation with Kerala chief minister P Vijayan just now.We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, Ill be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding, tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Torrential rains to subside, says IMD Low pressure in bay of Bengal moves towards central part of India, says India Meteorological Department regional office. Torrential rains to subside a bit, it says. Indian Coast Guard reaches flood-affected Manjumala Indian Coast Guards rescue and relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood-affected Manjumala village. The team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village. Food and dry ration has been distributed among them, rescue operation is underway: ANI. The death toll in Kerala climbed to 174, officials said on Friday, as the situation triggered by the states worst floods in a century remained grave leaving thousands homeless, destroying crops, and disrupting air, rail and road traffic for a week. Officials said four people have died in Thrissur and three bodies were recovered in Pathanamthitta, which are yet to be identified. Seven went missing after a parish hall collapsed in north Paravur trapping several others, they added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Kerala later in the day and start an aerial survey of the state on Saturday morning. Had telephone conversation with Kerala chief minister P Vijayan just now.We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, Ill be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding, Modi tweeted. | Read: Kerala floods LIVE: 164 killed, CM says its deluge; Modi to visit today The red alert has been withdrawn from two districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargode out of the 14, according to officials. The weather department has forecast less rain in the next 24 hours till Saturday, which should bring some relief. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the situation was serious but was optimistic of overcoming as most of the state remained under water amid continuous rain, landslides and floods. Vijayan said over two lakh people have been shifted to 1,568 camps across the state but many are still stranded. All marooned people will be saved by this evening. I am confident we can achieve this. The Centre is responding well, Vijayan said at a press conference. Sixteen army teams, 28 navy teams, 39 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams are involved in the relief and rescue operations. NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people, he said. Watch: Indian Air Force airlifts a person in flood affected Pathanamthitta The chief minister also sought to allay fears after rumours that the century-old Mullaperiyar dam had developed cracks and warned action against rumour mongers. There is no threat to any dam, he said. The relief and rescue teams of the Indian Air Force and Indian Army on Friday started distributing food packets among those who have been marooned in several flood-hit areas of the state as more boats and helicopters were pressed into service. The Indian Coast Guard is involved in rescue operations in 28 places in the state. The famous hill station of Munnar, which received 127mm of rainfall on Thursday night, remained cut off even as the armys help was sought to restore the communication network. Many towns like Cheruthoni, Chalakudy and Pandalam are also underwater as reports said many people were still trapped there. Rains have subsided in Idukki and Wayanad but the water level in the Periyar is rising. Waters from the Periyar river and its tributaries kept many towns in Ernakulam and Thrissur submerged. The worst affected include Paravur, Kalady, Chalakudy, Perumbavoor and Muvatupuzha. Waters in Idukki and Wayanad areas and certain areas of Pathanamthitta have receded. The airport in the main commercial city of Kochi has been flooded and operations suspended until August 26 with flights being diverted to two other airports in the state and more than 25 trains were cancelled or rescheduled. Railways will soon run special flood relief trains with the armys help to reach food to marooned people, a spokesperson of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railway said on Friday. Authorities have started requisitioning bus, trucks and other big vehicles to use for relief work. Many areas are facing fuel shortage after roads were cut off and many hospitals are grappling with a shortage of oxygen cylinders as the floods disrupted supplies with many towns still under water. A shortage of medicines has also added to Keralas mounting woes. Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding. @CMOKerala Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 A soldier was killed in a shootout with militants during a cordon-and-search operation at Rafiabad in north Kashmir on Friday morning. A hunt has been launched for the militants, who managed to escape in the confusion. Officials said militants opened fire at the Armys 32 Rashtriya Rifles battalion while they were conducting a cordon-and-search operation at Kachlu village on Friday morning. Rifleman Ram Babu Shahi (24), who was injured in the shootout, died in a nearby hospital soon after being shifted there. The soldier was killed during an operation in Rafiabads Kachlu village, an Army spokesperson confirmed. Shahi was a resident of Chitwan in Nepal. His body has been flown to Varanasi, where he will be laid to rest. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Encounter in Hajin town Another shootout erupted between militants and Army personnel during a similar operation in nearby Hajin town in the wee hours of Friday. This mission turned out to be unsuccessful too, with all the militants managing to escape. According to official sources, residents of the town came out in support of the militants and began pelting security personnel with stones soon after the shootout began. Although police managed to disperse them by firing smoke shells and launching a lathi-charge, the militants managed to escape in the confusion. Security personnel later called off the operation and restored Internet connectivity in the town. Hajin has become a hotbed of militancy with many fighters from Pakistan establishing bases in the town and its surrounding areas. Many local youths have also joined their ranks. According to officials, militants coming from Bandipore, Kupwara and Rafiabad use Hajin town and its villages as a transit point before heading to Srinagar and south Kashmir. A majority of the militants here are believed to be of foreign origin. About 170,000 cusecs of water has been released from the full-to-capacity Mettur dam into the Cauvery this year but farmers in Tamil Nadus Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts claim they are not getting enough to irrigate their fields. The farmers, living in the districts close to the tail end of the Cauvery, have been complaining that most of the water is simply draining into the Bay of Bengal in the absence of a check dam in Nagapattinam district and inadequate desilting of the network of canals that branch out from the river and lead into the fields. This is the first time since 2005 that there is such an overflow in the Cauvery, thanks to heavy rain in the rivers catchment areas in Karnataka, following which about 170,000 cusecs were released from the Krishna Raja Sagara and Kabini dams in that state. Thousands of families have been evacuated from Tamil Nadus Salem, Erode, Namakkal and Karur districts due to the outflow from the Cauvery but farmers living in the districts near the river mouth claim water has not been flowing into irrigation canals leading to their fields. Elankeeran Veeramani, the secretary of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, said over 25 tmc ft of water has drained into the Bay of Bengal since July but the farmers were still struggling to irrigate their fields. After reaching Mukkombu in Trichy, the Cauvery splits into the Kollidam, Cauvery, Vennar rivers and the Grand Anicut canal. Of these, Kollidam is the widest, which can carry 400,000 cusecs of water. As of now, about 150,000 cusecs is flowing into the Kollidam. But we are still struggling to get water for cultivation in 60,000 acres in the tail-end region, Veeramani told HT. Urging the state government to build a check dam to stop water from draining into the sea, he said, When (J) Jayalalithaa was chief minister, she had announced that a check dam would be built across the Kollidam between Kumaramangalam in Nagapattinam district and Aadhanur in Cuddalore district. The project is yet to take shape. Cauvery Dhanapalan, the general secretary of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, claimed that many villages in the Cauverys tail-end region were deprived of water despite the flow exceeding normal supply level (NSL). The NSL for Vennar in Nagapattinam is 9,200 cusecs. But now 10,700 cusecs are flowing into it. In the delta region, the Cauvery flows for nearly 37,000 km in Trichy, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai and Cuddalore districts. The A-type and B-type canals are the primary rivers Cauvery, Kollidam, Vennar and Grand Anicut canal. Branches of the primary rivers are the C-type and D-type canals, which connect to the agricultural fields. Because of the poor condition of the C-type and D-type canals, water is not flowing into them. Instead, there are breaches at a few points, Dhanapalan explained. PR Pandiyan, the co-ordinator of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers Co-ordination Committee, said constructing a check dam at Rasimanal near the Karnataka border was the only solution. In the early 60s, when K Kamarajar was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, he laid the foundation stone for a check dam in Rasimanal to store water coming from Karnataka. But it did not materialise. Since the Cauvery region comprises plains, it is hard to construct check dams. So, constructing a check dam in hilly Rasimanal can help Tamil Nadu to store water and stop water from draining into the sea, Pandiyan said. Calls to ministers from the Cauvery Delta region, including OS Manian, R Kamaraj, R Doraikkannu and MC Sampath, for reactions to the farmers claims went unanswered. But a top public works department (PWD) official claimed desilting of canals had been properly done. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has already said that geographical conditions are not feasible to build a check dam in Tamil Nadu. However...we have desilted all the canals, the official said on condition of anonymity. (ANSAmed) - Berlin, August 17 - The German government said Friday that progress has been made in talks with Rome aimed at reaching an agreement on the return of migrants who have made secondary movements within the EU. "We have gone a long way forward in the negotiations and we believe that we will reach an agreement with Italy," said German interior ministry spokesperson Eleonore Petermann. Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said it would take time to reach a deal with Italy on the return of migrants, adding she was ready to discuss the issue with Premier Giuseppe Conte if necessary. Petermann said Friday that a deal on this issue has been reached with Greece, days after the signing of a similar agreement with Spain. The death toll in the Kerala floods rose to 200 on Saturday, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the state to assess the disaster. He will undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas on Saturday. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the situation caused by torrential rain, flash floods and landslides in the state as really serious. Although he had quoted the toll as 164 on Friday morning, 16 more were reported in the hours that followed. Over 120 people have lost their lives in the last two days. Vijayan said that although two lakh people have been shifted to as many as 1,568 relief camps, many are still stranded. Air, railway and road services remained disrupted in many areas for over five days, and marooned people flooded government and media offices with desperate phone calls. Fresh landslides were also reported from Wayanad and Kannur districts. We are trying our best to rescue marooned people. Saving lives is our main concern now. Rescue operations are being taken up on a war footing with choppers and boats, Vijayan said, adding that over 15,000 people were evacuated in the last two days. He dispelled reports that a few dams in the state were in the danger of bursting. Relief and rescue teams deployed by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well as three armed forces launched a massive relief operation distributing food packets and other essentials across the state. However, despite their best efforts, marooned people complained that they had to survive without food or potable water for many days. The magnitude of the disaster is really great. We are finding it difficult to manage such a volume of affected people, a relief official said in Kochi. In the midst of the disaster, Air Force personnel airlifted a pregnant woman from a flooded village near Aluva in a dramatic rescue. Hours later, the woman 25-year-old Sajitha Jabeel gave birth to a baby boy at a private hospital in Kochi. Jabeels relatives had alerted chopper-borne rescue officials after her water broke. Many areas faced acute fuel scarcity, and hospitals complained of oxygen shortage. A Railway spokesperson said they plan to seek Army help to clear the tracks and run emergency trains. However, the Met offices prediction that the stagnant low pressure in the Bay of Bengal was moving towards central India brought some relief to the battered state. Authorities later withdrew the red alert from north Keralas Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargode districts. Although rain subsided in the worst-hit Idukki and Wayanad districts, the water level of the Periyar river surged again leaving many towns on its banks submerged. Comparisons with two outreach events of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London since November 2015 will be inevitable when Congress president Rahul Gandhi holds a series of interactive events with journalists and others next week. It will be the first time that Gandhi, as Congress president, will speak in public before audiences in London on key issues in Indias contemporary politics and economy. He has been a frequent visitor to Britain, but has so far not held public events. Modi addressed two major events that were televised live during his visits in November 2015 and April this year. On Gandhi's agenda on August 24 and 25 is a working lunch with the Indian Journalists Association (established in May 1947) and a conversation with London School of Economics academic Mukulika Banerjee. His sessions will begin on August 24 morning with a session at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) on Indias economic growth and foreign policy in an uncertain world, followed by an on-the-record Q&A session. IISSs notice mentions that the event is limited to a select group, and notes that Indias next general elections take place in 8 months. The notice includes a detailed CV, which mentions that Gandhi is a black belt in Aikido and a qualified pilot. Gandhi, who will reach London on August 23 evening from Germany, will also join what the Indian Overseas Congress UK called a mega conference, and address MPs in an event in Parliament complex in Westminster. There are some misgivings over the timing of Gandhis events due to the current holiday season, when students and others are away from London, but organisers are confident of an enthusiastic turnout. There is also a possibility of Gandhis political opponents demonstrating outside the venue of his events. He is also likely to meet ministers in the Theresa May government, particularly those in the Foreign Office, and visit Birmingham. Organised by Sam Pitroda, a long-time associate of the Gandhi family, his sessions in London follow those at the US-based universities of Berkeley, Princeton and New York in September last year, when his performance was noted as indicators of his growing in the new party role. In a series of tweets, Pitroda said Friday, Because of the high demand from NRIs and political, business, academia, Intellectuals and media in EU and UK, President of the @INCIndia Indian National Congress Mr. @RahulGandhi will be visiting Germany on Aug 22 & 23rd and London on Aug 24 & 25th. It is believed that people abroad are very interested in listening to Mr. @RahulGandhi on the economy, employment, demonetization, security, developments and overall performance of the government and future obstacles, opportunities and challenges in India. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be cremated on Friday with full state honours in centrals Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna, the designated spot for the last rites of presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers. The last rites of the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader will be performed on an elevated platform, surrounded by greenery, at the national memorial located between those of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehrus Shanti Van and Lal Bahadur Shastris Vijay Ghat. The Smriti Sthal is a common memorial site that was proposed following concerns over shrinking land resources in the Capital. The Union cabinet gave its approval for the construction of Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near Rajghat for performing the last rites of departed national leaders as well as public gatherings at the Samadhis Complex near Ekta Sthal in New Delhi in May 2013. The decision of not creating more memorials was taken in 2000 but it took 13 years for the government to earmark a single place for such leaders. Earlier, separate memorials were created for national leaders near Rajghat. Former prime minister IK Gujral was also cremated at the Smriti Sthal in December 2012. Police expect lakhs of mourners to reach central Delhi to pay homage to the leader who died at 93 in New Delhi on Thursday. The funeral procession is expected to start from the BJP headquarters at 1pm and the last rites would be performed at 4pm, party president Amit Shah said. Thousands of policemen will form a multi-layer security cordon for a smooth passage of the funeral procession to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Sniffer dogs, bomb detection and disposal squads, in coordination with officials from the Special Protection Group (SPG), sanitised the funeral route and the venue. Former social welfare minister Manju Vermas demand that deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi should ensure resignation of urban development minister Suresh Sharma too in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape cases has not only precipitated a face-off between the BJP-JD(U) but also cast a shadow on an early cabinet expansion. Verma, who resigned last week after reports of her husbands conversation with prime accused Brajesh Thakur came out, used a public platform in her assembly constituency Cheria Bariyarpur to voice her demand. Deputy CM should ensure the resignation of Sharma whose name had also cropped up. Questioning the delay, Verma said, if I had to resign on moral grounds, the same yardstick should apply to the minister. I am being targeted, under a conspiracy, as I come from a backward community, she said, adding that if justice is not meted out, I will stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. On August 6, two days before Verma had to put in her papers, deputy CM had rejected the need for Verma or any other minister to resign. An allegation is a different matter in comparison to proven complicity after an investigation. Some people have even levelled allegations against a minister from our party, Modi had said, referring to Sharma. Sharma, meanwhile, told a local channel, If my complicity in the case is established, I am ready to be hanged, he said. My name is being dragged on the basis of allegation levelled by Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who has stopped speaking after being served with a legal notice. The face-off has cast a shadow on cabinet expansion, though there are over half a dozen vacancies. Vermas resignation has cost the Nitish cabinet its only woman face in the government. The Uttarakhand high court has said protests against its orders or judgements was a dangerous trend and directed all district magistrates in the state not to allow any demonstrations or sit-ins. Several vehicle owners had taken out a procession in Ramnagar a few days ago after the high court restricted the number of vehicles, hired by tourists for safaris in Corbett and Rajaji tiger reserves, to not more than 100 per day. We have also come across a number of news items whereby the persons were permitted to organise processions, dharnas against the judgments/orders passed by the courts with impunity. This is a dangerous trend. This should not be permitted at all, the court said in its order issued on Thursday. A bench of acting chief justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Lok Pal Singh, however, said the aggrieved persons have a right to take legal recourse. The high court also made it clear that only 20 private and commercial Gypsies will be permitted to inside the Sitabani zone in Corbett. The local inhabitants of the area and the devotees are permitted to visit Sitabani temple on the basis of the pass obtained from the office of the concerned divisional forest officer. He/she shall maintain a proper record. The vigil shall be kept against the persons who are frequent visitors of this core/sensitive/ critical area, the court said. It also said according to the affidavit filed by the Uttarakhand government a proposal for the rehabilitation of those who have encroached upon the forest land has been approved by the state forest minister and it has already been sent to the confidential department with a request to place it before chief minister and cabinet. It directed the state government that the status report is filed on or before August 23, the next date of hearing. Ramnagar legislator Diwan Singh Bisht on Thursday met chief minister TS Rawat in Dehradun and handed over a memorandum to him. The legislator demanded the government must challenge the high courts order in the Supreme Court as it would hamper the livelihood of people. Vajpayees ashes to be spread in Ganga, Yamuna, Tapti Ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be spread in every river in Uttar Pradesh including Ganga, Yamuna, and Tapti, to respect his grand stature: UP government Ashes of former prime minister #AtalBihariVajpayee will be spread in every river in Uttar Pradesh including Ganga, Yamuna, and Tapti, to respect his grand stature: UP government pic.twitter.com/UC2pW12CIq ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 17, 2018 Singapore says Vajpayee a selfless and visionary leader Singapore condoles Vajpayees death, describing him as a selfless and visionary leader. Deepest condolences to the government and people of India on the passing away of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is of Indian origin, wrote in the condolence book at the Indian High Commission in New Delhi. Mr Vajpayee was a selfless and visionary leader who made great contributions to India, transforming her economy and elevating her standing in the region and the world, Balakrishnan said. Man thrashed for opposing Vajpayee tribute BJP corporators in Aurangabad thrash a Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) member who opposed a resolution in the municipal corporation to pay tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an official said. People travelled from far-off distances to see Vajpayee one last time A man from Uttar Pradesh rode a scooter, another flew in from Tamil Nadu, and many travelled by trains and buses to bid farewell to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Aakash Kumar, standing outside the BJP headquarters in Delhi, told PTI he had been waiting for hours to see Vajpayee one last time. The flowers I have brought have dried up in this heat, he said. Vajpayee architect of Indias China policy, says Chinese scholars From the 1998 nuclear tests that angered China to initiating a new boundary talks mechanism in 2003, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is regarded as an architect of Indias China policy, Chinese scholars told news agency PTI. During Vajpayees rule, India-China relations improved a lot. After his visit in 2003, India-China relations improved quite fast in the political, economic and cultural field, Ma Jiali, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at China Reform Forum said. Foreign dignitaries from Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan at funeral Read full story here Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistan acting law minister Syed Ali Zafar, Nepal Foreign Minister Pradip Kumar Gyawali and EAM Sushma Swaraj at funeral of #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/vyuYiBGf6e ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Atal Bihari Vajpayee cremated at Delhis Smriti Sthal Former prime minister and Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee cremated with full state honours at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Y3ff4o43SP ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Vajpayees daughter performs last rites Last rites ceremony of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee underway at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/ws2VYaKaHB ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 LK Advani, Amit Shah pay tribute to Vajpayee Senior BJP leader LK Advani and BJP President Amit Shah pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/51KVjpTDJR ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 King of Bhutan, ex-Afghan president pay last respects to former PM Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/BaWegOx4mi ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/0t5KiYojtI ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Foreign dignitaries at Smriti Sthal to pay last respects to Vajpayee Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Sri Lankas acting foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella were among several foreign dignitaries present at former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees funeral in New Delhi on Friday. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai also arrived in the capital earlier today to attend the funeral. President Kovind pays last respects to Vajpayee President Ram Nath Kovind pays last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/TdJsh0wpm6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Army Chief, Navy Chief pays tribute to Vajpayee Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba & Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, pay last tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/oDq4kzHl4V ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Vajpayees name remains linked to Indo-French friendship, says France Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on Indias history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998: France statement #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/vIm3U639RP ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Top leaders at Smriti Sthal to attend Vajpayees funeral Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Ashok Gehlot and Raj Babbar, at Smriti Sthal for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/9Lvhfxj2ap ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh arrive at Smriti Sthal Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrive at Smriti Sthal for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/lw1jtCx3DF ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 India pays tribute to our beloved Atal Ji, says BJP; shares pictures of procession India pays tributes to our beloved Atal Ji. pic.twitter.com/tEDxG77KtO PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2018 Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British High Commission Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British High Commission in New Delhi as a mark of respect to Former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/QN0DKiB5OW ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Ex-Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi to attend Vajpayees funeral Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/rqSEwGzKvi ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 What routes to avoid in Delhi today, traffic police issues advisory Sea of humanity at last rites of Bharat Ratna, says BJP Sea of humanity at the last rites of Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. Watch at https://t.co/wCR93wAhfR #AtaljiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/ABM1swpgnL BJP (@BJP4India) August 17, 2018 Thousands join as procession heads towards Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg #Delhi: Visuals of people gathered during funeral possession of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee to Smriti Sthal. pic.twitter.com/MnQr5CHr0p ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Vajpayees funeral procession reaches ITO Chowk Traffic Alert The funeral procession reached at ITO Chowk. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 17, 2018 Vajpayees funeral procession proceeds towards ITO Traffic Alert The funeral procession proceeds from 06 DDU Marg towards ITO Chowk. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 17, 2018 Mortal remains of Vajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for funeral. PM Modi also takes part in the procession pic.twitter.com/QE3iS9qZj6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Mulayam Singh Yadav pays tribute to former PM King of Bhutan pays tribute to Vajpayee King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP HQ. PM Modi, EAM Sushma Swaraj and Amit Shah also present pic.twitter.com/9JVvUQ1DH2 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 He was deeply concerned about Indias growth on all levels, says Padma Bhushan David Frawley I met with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as part of various programs I was doing in India at the time he was Prime Minister (this picture from 2000). He was cordial, informed and deeply concerned about India's growth and development on all levels. pic.twitter.com/ohzRzPheoW Dr David Frawley (@davidfrawleyved) August 17, 2018 Arvind Kejriwal pays last respects to former PM Vajpayee Paid our last respects ... https://t.co/R8VPhcexTW Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 17, 2018 When a great person burns in flames of patriotism, one gets an Atal: Amit Shah ... "" pic.twitter.com/hi81qBK0Bk Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 17, 2018 People wait for their turn to pay tribute to Vajpayee at BJP headquarters Thousands stand in front of the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters for a chance to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. ( AP ) He never let humanity be harmed due to differences, says Yechury CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today condoled the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and praised the BJP veteran. It was the specialty of Atal ji that he never let humanity be harmed due to the political and ideological differences. Such principle is needed in the country today, Yechury told ANI. Rajnath Singh pays tribute to former PM Vajpayee Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays his last respects to the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters at DDU Marg in New Delhi . ( PTI ) Sri Lankan President condoles Vajpayees death Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena condoled the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said the former Indian prime minister played a vital role in ensuring stability of the island nation. The president extended his condolences to the veteran via Twitter. Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world. #AtalBihariVajpayee Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) August 16, 2018 Delhi Traffic Police tells what roads to avoid and when Traffic Alert Today at 1 PM the funeral procession will start from DDU Marg and will reach Smriti Sthal at about 4 PM .The route will be followed as DDU Marg ITO Chowk , Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg , Delhi Gate , Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg, Shanti van and Smriti Sthal. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 17, 2018 Want to pay my last respects to a man of his stature: British High Commissioner to India He was an enormously important person who we have great respect for and it's a great loss for India. I wanted to pay my respects to a man of that stature: Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/wQYq86y2ZG ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays last respects to Vajpayee Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays his last respects to former PM Vajpayee. Many senior leaders, including PM Modi, Amit Shah and LK Advani paid tributes to Vajpayee earlier today at the BJP headquarters in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, where his mortal remains have been currently placed. American people mourn with people of India, says US Embassy The American people mourn with the people of India on the passing of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/ciAqJlpBkn U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) August 17, 2018 All roads except Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to be available for movement The Delhi traffic police had earlier today put restrictions on movement around the capital to ensure smooth traffic movement. However, it said in a Tweet that all roads except for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, where the mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been placed, would be available for movement. Traffic Alert All roads except DDU Marg available to general movement of traffic right now. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 17, 2018 LK Advani pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Delhi: Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/RoUMwlqyR8 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Devendra Fadnavis, Raman Singh pay last respects to former PM Delhi: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/fTC8MDUvOH ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 King of Bhutan in Delhi to attend Vajpayees funeral King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/cjQZZ5CjsY ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Huge crowd gathers, senior leaders pay tribute to Vajpayee Huge crowd gathers at BJP Headquarters, PM Modi, Shri @AmitShah and other senior leaders pays tributes to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. #AtalJiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/iLFDjEArqb BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) August 17, 2018 Amit Shah pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee #Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/RnyGmxRL3T ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 PM Modi pays tribute to former PM Vajpayee Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/HfqBe0xdcP ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Former PM Vajpayees body reaches BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg #Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee have been brought to BJP Headquarters pic.twitter.com/ujL8ZmYn6a ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 #Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee have been brought to BJP Headquarters pic.twitter.com/R0MCPh9LS9 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 A moment caught in time: A heart-melting picture of Vajpayee in his early days This picture of the late former PM was posted yesterday by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Delhi High Court, all district courts to function till 1 pm today The Delhi High Court as well as all district courts are to function till 1 pm today. A half-day holiday has been announced today to allow officials and staff to attend the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. People chant Atal Bihari amar rahe, Vande Mataram as Vajpayees final journey begins LIVE : The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are being taken to BJP Headquarters. Watch at https://t.co/dsLcPTQ6lb #AtalJiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/LBNCt3sDOQ BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) August 17, 2018 Huge crowd gathers at BJP Headquarters Huge crowd gathered at BJP Headquarters where mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be brought shortly, reports news agency ANI. Mortal remains of Vajpayee taken to BJP headquarters Delhi: The mortal remains of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee are being taken to BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/pdAlxzSmpi ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Traffic restrictions on roads, citizens advised to take alternate routes Police put restrictions on several roads in Delhi to ensure a smooth movement of the traffic and has advised citizens to take alternate routes to avoid snarls as they expect thousands of mourners to reach central Delhi to pay homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister arrives at BJP headquarters PM Modi has arrived at the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where the mortal remains of the former PM will be placed. The funeral procession would leave the BJP headquarters at 1pm and the last rites would be performed at 4pm, he said. Over 5,000 policemen and paramilitary personnel will form a multi-layer security cordon for a smooth passage of the funeral procession to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the Delhi Police said. PM Modi posts blog remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee Prime Minister Narendra Modi today posted a blog on his Twitter account remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a person with a gifted spirit, heart and mind and the rarest of human beings who touched the heart of every person he met. A leader for the ages, he was ahead of the times. Penned some thoughts on Atal Ji, which have also appeared across various newspapers today. https://t.co/kCaLbf5JE3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2018 Lakhs expected for Atal Bihari Vajpayees last rites Hours after the announcement of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees death, officials from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation received the first set of directions to arrange sandalwood and sweep the route from the BJP headquarters to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where the last rites of the former PM would be held. Officials said the former PMs mortal remains would be taken to the BJP headquarters at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg around noon. Delhi BJP leaders have said around 50,000-60,000 party members would be present at the party headquarters. Expecting around 1-2 lakh people assembling to pay homage at both locations, civic authorities have asked employees to clean the entire route between the BJP headquarters in central Delhi to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in north Delhi Preparations underway to take former PMs body to BJP HQ Preparations are underway at Atal Bihari Vajpyaees residence to take his body to BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Trucks which will be a part of the convoy in which former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee's mortal remains will be taken to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters & for funeral. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/OPxmD7pZZX ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu pays homage Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid a wreath and paid homage to the former prime minister. Dedicated Swayamsevak and a giant politician, tweets RSS A dedicated Swayamsevak and a giant politician with exceptional oratory skills who ruled over the hearts of countless Indians. Your memories will always continue to inspire us.https://t.co/7AXqHij1Uk pic.twitter.com/nb87zTSZ1v RSS (@RSSorg) August 17, 2018 US joins world in paying tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee The United States joined the world in paying tributes to late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he was among those who recognized early that India and the US could develop a partnership for the benefit of the region and the world. Standing before the United States Congress in 2000, he famously characterized U.S.-India ties as a natural partnership of shared endeavors, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Congress president Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/NVwl6N04s6 ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 NSA advisor Ajit Doval pays homage to former PM National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at 6-A Krishna Menon Marg to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba pays tribute to Vajpyee Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/mzeNdspyLU ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Army chief pays tribute to Vajpayee Army Chief Bipin Rawat paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi on Friday. Railway exams to be held as scheduled The Indian Railways has announced that the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams scheduled for Friday for the post of assistant loco pilots and technicians will go ahead as per schedule across India except for flood-hit Kerala. It will be ensured there is no compromise with security: Delhi DCP Madhur Verma Delhi police has made elaborate security arrangements for the last rites procession. It will be ensured that the people who come to pay last respect & the commuters face minimum inconvenience & that there is no compromise with security: Delhi DCP Madhur Verma RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat pays homage RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reached the official residence of Atal Bihari Vajpyaee and laid a wreath. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat lays wreath at Atal Bihari Vajpayees body. ( ANI / Twitter ) Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi at the former PMs residence Javed Akhtar & Shabana Azmi arrive at former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee's residence to pay last respects. Javed Akhtar says,'very rare that a politician is respected across party lines. People with different ideology have also come as they love him because he used to love all' #Delhi pic.twitter.com/oCsrvU9tcU ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018 Kerala and TN governors pay tribute to Vajpayee Kerala governor P Sathasivam a nd Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi. Traffic advisory issued for the national capital. The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for the national capital. Almost all roads leading to central Delhi including Krishna Memon Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath and India Gate C-Hexagon, among others, will remain closed from 8 a.m. onwards for the general public today in order to ensure smooth vehicular movement during Vajpayees final journey. Heavy security arrangements at 6-A Krishna Menon Marg Heavy security arrangements have been made around 6-A Krishna Menon Marg, the former PMs official residence. These include deployment of police, traffic and paramilitary personnel. Hundreds queue up outside Vajpayees residence Hundreds of people queued up outside the residence of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to pay their last respects to the departed leader. The gates of his official residence was thrown open at 7:30am for public. Govt offices, educational institutes closed in several states Government offices and educational institutes in several states including Delhi will be closed on Friday as a mark of respect for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died in Delhi on Thursday after a long illness. Restricted traffic movement across central Delhi Traffic movement is set to be restricted across central Delhi for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees funeral. Lakhs of mourners are expected to reach central Delhi to pay homage to him. The last rites for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were performed by his foster daughter Namita Bhattarcharya at Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna with full state honours on Friday evening. Vajpayee was cremated a little after 4:30pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked alongside the carriage that carried Vajpayees mortal remains over 4km from the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to Smriti Sthal. BJP president Amit Shah and other senior party leaders too joined the procession. At the funeral ground, President Ram Nath Kovind and many dignitaries, including from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations, were present. Political leaders cutting across party lines also attended the funeral ceremony. Apart from Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, Samjawadi Partys Mulayam Singh Yadav was at the Smriti Sthal. Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, BJP veteran LK Advani, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, and others laid wreaths as they paid their last respects. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Ravi Shanker Prasad, Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman and Nitin Gadkari, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal too attended the funeral. Earlier, the mortal remains of the 93-year-old former prime minister were brought to the headquarters of the BJP where thousands gathered to pay their respects to one of Indias tallest leaders, who had been one of the main founders for the party. The body of the Bharat Ratna recipient, draped in the Tricolour, was brought to the BJP headquarters from his official residence at 6 A Krishna Menon Marg amid chants of Atal Bihari Amar Rahe and Vande Mataram by mourners, who accompanied the casket covered in white flowers. Read: Why Vajpayee was the BJPs Pandit Nehru: Notes from a reporters diary Atal Bihari Vajpayee is remembered in Kashmir for his April 2003 speech in Srinagar in which he extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan. He reiterated the gun was no solution and went on to resume a composite dialogue process with Pakistan. Kashmir reaped its peace dividend for the next decade with a decline in militant violence. A ceasefire along the Line of Control was agreed upon in November 2003 and largely observed. Cross-border bus services and trade was introduced between two sides of Kashmir. Vajpayee met separatists in January 2004 while Pakistan put its insistence on the implementation of UN resolution for a plebiscite on the backburner. His vision for resolving the problems in Kashmir within the framework of insaaniyat, (humanism) Kashmiryat (inclusive Kashmiri culture) and jhamooriyat (democracy) remains his abiding legacy. For separatist leader Abdul Gani Bhat, Vajpayee rose above everything in choosing to address the Kashmir issue. Bhat believes things would have been different had not Vajpayee lost elections in 2004. Former Central University of Kashmir dean Noor Baba said Vajpayee was ready to take a difficult path. He had the clarity and had reached that maturity to realise that India has to make peace with Pakistan. Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed ur Rehman said Vajpayee won hearts of Kashmiris because he conveyed to them that they are owners of the Valley. CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Taragami said the first unilateral ceasefire during the fasting month of Ramzan was observed under Vajpayees rule in 2000. Congress leader Saifudin Soz said Vajpayee was always interested in solutions. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was keen to resolve the Sino-India boundary problem during his lifetime and had underlined the need to hasten the negotiation process he initiated in 2003, a former Chinese negotiator in the border talks, says in a book. According to the then Chinese Special Representative (SR), Dai Bingguo the progress of the talks was jolted within a year by the unexpected defeat of the Vajpayee government in the 2004 elections. In 2003, Vajpayee had appointed National Security Advisor (NSA) Brajesh Mishra as the first Indian SR while President Hu Jintao named Dai, who was then with international department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as the Chinese counterpart. The two SRs first met in October that year. During the first and second meeting of the SRs, I said we would try to make some results through three to five years negotiation and try to settle it appropriately. Mishra heard and replied, saying if it takes so many years as you say, I wouldnt be around to see it. After the second meetings talks, Mishra stopped to convey some words to me for Chinese leaders. PM Vajpayee is already 79 years old and is very concerned about the boundary question, Dai, recalling the early days of the talks, wrote in his memoir Strategic Dialogues published in 2016. Mishra himself is already 75 years old and hopes to settle the question as early as possible. The current meetings should exchange some substantial ideas, Dai wrote indicating that Vajpayee was keen to resolve the festering borer dispute at the earliest. Concerning the current international situation and strategic interests, we need to make the public of the two countries realise that solving the boundary question as early as possible is good for the national interest of the two countries, Dai wrote. Vajpayee had first proposed that India and China needed designated people to negotiate the boundary sort of a precursor to the SR mechanism which is the current mechanism for talks -- during his visit to China as foreign minister in the Janata Party government in 1979. Vajpayees 1979 visit cut short after the Sino-Vietnam war broke out was the first by an Indian politician since the 1962 war between China and India. The SR mechanism with designated diplomats from both sides was finally set up almost 25 years later after Vajpayee visited China as Prime Minister in 2003 and stressed on a solution to the border issue quickly. Vajpayees visit to China in 2003 was the first by an Indian PM after PV Narasimha Rao did in 1993. Vajpayees visit was preceded by that of the then defence minister George Fernandes. From June 22 to 27, the Indian PM Vajpayee paid an official visit to China. This visit was exceptional because the PM of India, an important neighbour of ours, had never been to China for a decade since Prime Minister Rao in 1993, Dai wrote. Vajpayees visit was a major event in India-China history. During this visit both sides announced agreement emphasising that both sides are dedicated to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respect each other, accommodate each others concerns, and establish a long-term cooperative partnership, Dai wrote. When he went to visit China in 1979 as the Foreign Minister, he proposed that the two countries establish special representatives on boundary question which reflects that he has been thinking about this question for a long time, Dai wrote. Vajpayee had a clear idea on how he wanted the SR talks to proceed. On June 23, Vajpayee proposed again at the welcome dinner held by Premier Wen Jiabao that both sides appoint SRs. He stressed that the SRs need to detach themselves from the current boundary negotiation mechanism to discuss the framework for solving the boundary question from the political level and report directly to each others prime minister. Mishra and Dai met a couple of times. Then came the 2004 general election. At that time, the BJP had made many achievements and put forward a slogan of India Shining. PM Vajpayee felt like victory was at hand, and Mishra was also planning to speed up the progress of SRs meeting after Vajpayees expected re-election for the second term, Dai recollected in his book. Nobody expected that the party would lose the elections and Vajpayee would resign. Mishra was also forced to resign as Indias SR. The boundary question special representatives meeting had a good beginning but was later to face some twists and turns, which was a real pity. Later when I went to India I had met with Mishra more than once. He had also visited my hometown in Guizhou. Unfortunately, he left the world a few years later. Mishra died in September 2012. More than 15 years later, the SR talks between India and China continue; the 21st round is expected to be held this year even as the boundary question remains an irritant in Sino-Indian ties. Kerala is among the states that receive the highest monsoon rainfall, but sustained low-pressure conditions over Indias western coast this year have caused the flooding in the state, India Meteorological Department officials said. Different studies, however, have found that climate change and deforestation were the main causes of an increase in rainfall. Environmental scientist Dr VS Vijayan, a member of the expert panel on the Western Ghats, said Kerala was going through a man-made disaster. He said the impact should have been limited if the Gadgil committee report, aimed at protecting ecologically-fragile mountain ranges, was implemented. He attributed the floods to human incursions and unscientific developmental activities in ecologically-sensitive areas. This was waiting to happen. Insensible use of land, soil and rocks led to this deluge. Landslips and flash floods happened in areas that witnessed widespread human incursions. I hope everyone will learn a lesson from this. Due to climate change, such tragedies are bound to increase. Nobody can stop rains or control floods. But we can take measures to lower the intensity of such impacts, he said. A 2014 Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology study based on rainfall data since 1900 had said that intensity of the monsoon rains was increasing and one of the factors for it was global warming. Another 2017 IIT Bombay study held deforestation mainly responsible for the phenomenon. In 2010, the Centre set up an expert panel under Gadgil following widespread concern that the Western Ghats, which plays a key role in breaking rain clouds over the subcontinent, was shrinking due to human incursions. When all six states falling under the Ghat region (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat) opposed the recommendations , another committee was constituted under former ISRO chief Kasturirangan. Kasturirangan had made some changes in the zonal classification and reduced ecologically sensitive areas to 37% from 64%. But still many states opposed it saying people living in the fringe areas of Ghats will be thrown out of their habitat if the report was implemented. IMDs senior scientist Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the lowpressure situation of different levels was persisting over the Kerala-Karnataka coast for the last fortnight. The low pressure in the Arabian Sea attracts the southwesterly winds from the high-pressure Bay of Bengal, gets concentrated over the region due to high moisture in the air and causes rain once it hits the Western Ghats, he said. Mohapatra said the two major low-pressure situations happened on August 7 and 13, causing heavy downpour in the region, apart from several other small similar situations since July last week. The region -- Kerala, coastal Karnataka and KonkanGoa -- has received 7,158 mm of rainfall, which was about 46% of the total rainfall received in rest of India during this monsoon . The IMD on Thursday said a low pressure system persisted off the Kerala coast over the Lakshadweep Islands, causing an eddying of the water vapour currents at different levels of the atmosphere leading to precipitation. More rain is predicted in the coming days. An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, study in May 2018 showed that evapotranspiration from the vegetation over the Western Ghats accounts for half of the total rainfall in southern peninsular India during monsoon months. The years there is less moisture in the Western Ghats, the region sees deficient rainfall, the study said. Migrants: EU says following Diciotti case, ready to support 'But for the moment no contact with member states' (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, AUGUST 17 - Tove Ernst, spokesman for the EU's Commission for Migration, on Tuesday said the EU is "closely following developments" regarding the case of the Italian Coast Guard ship Diciotti, which rescued migrants in Maltese waters and is now awaiting the assignment of a safe port to disembark the migrants, which Malta has thus far refused. Ernst said, "for the moment I am not aware of any contacts between the Commission and member states" for an agreement on the distribution of the migrants aboard, which would allow for the assignment of a safe port for disembarkation, as in previous cases. "But as in the past, we are ready, if necessary, to provide support for coordination and to lend all of our diplomatic weight for rapid solutions," he said.(ANSAmed). A Ratna of Bharat is no more. I have fond personal and professional memories of Atal Bihari Vajpayee that persuaded me to believe in him on an as-is-where-is basis, if not in the ideology with which he was associated all his life. Here are notes from a reporters diary in remembrance, and respect. At Minar- e- Pakistan Kya chal raha hai, partner? Whats up, asked Atal ji, seeking me out of a crowd of journalists at Lahores Minar-e-Pakistan on February 21, 1999. He was aware of my stint earlier as HTs Pakistan correspondent, and was perhaps keen to know how his State visit, the last since by an Indian prime minister, was playing out in that country. In the winter of 1999, I wasnt quite sure until Vajpayees helicopter landed at Iqbal Park that the PM from a party that spoke of akhand bharat would visit the memorial to the Muslim Leagues 1940 call for a separate homeland. Its a miracle, sir, I gushed. If thats the message toh zara tafseel sey kahen (tell it in some detail). Pakistanis ask what purpose will be served by talking to people who dont recognise their wajood (existence) as a sovereign country. On the plush lawns of the West Punjab governors residence that evening, the BJP veteran surpassed himself -- as an orator and a statesman. To me, he shone like Indias Ratna that day itself. The Punjabi elite at the civic reception sat bedazzled as Vajpayee began his speech in what Mahatma Gandhi used to call Hindustani, with the disclosure that his visit to the Minar was against the advice of a party colleague who had accompanied him on the historic bus ride to Lahore the previous day. He told me I shouldnt go to Minar-e-Pakistan because thatll put my stamp on this country. I said Pakistan does not need my stamp of approval. It has a valid stamp of its own: Pakistan ki apni mohar hai jo chal rahi hai (Pakistan has its own stamp). Vajpayees Pakistan diplomacy was brave at the time: HT Conversations Paradigm shift The right wing, anti-India Jamaat-e-Islami later had the Minar washed with rosewater in what it termed the memorials ablution after Vajpayee set foot there. But that did not erase from the popular mind the impression the Indian leader made by his bold acceptance of the reality of Pakistan. It was a paradigm shift bigger than LK Advanis June 2005 endorsement during a visit to Karachi, of Jinnahs secular beliefs that the Sangh Parivar could not bring itself around to agreeing with. Pakistan betrayed the Lahore peace process in Kargil. But Vajpayee persisted with his hand of friendship, inviting Pervez Musharraf to Agra in 2001. It wasnt for want of his efforts that the summit ended on a lunatic note. The madness flowed from Musharrafs megalomania, and to some extent, the BJPs internal contradictions. What followed was a near-war scenario after the December 2001 terrorist attack on Indias Parliament. Two years down the line, a high-profile visit to Pakistan by Indian parliamentarians afforded another opening for peace. Vajpayee seized it with alacrity, making Musharraf commit in January 2004 to non-use of his countrys territory by terrorists perpetuating violence against India. Mumbais 26/11 attacks made a mockery of the Pakistani promise. But history must judge Vajpayee by what he achieved against the odds. Anti-Sikh riots I once asked a senior BJP leader to recall one action or policy for which posterity should remember Vajpayee. He agreed wholeheartedly when reminded of his leaders role in ensuring the secular character of the 1984 vote after Indira Gandhis assassination. That was the time when the Congress cared little for Sikh support. It was left to Vajpayee, then president of the BJP, to reach out to the alienated community. And he did so admirably, denouncing at public rallies the mayhem in the aftermath of Indira Gandhis murder by two of her Sikh security guards. The Nehruvian Atal On the centenary of Nehru in 1989, I worked on an article on the first Prime Minister based on conversations with people who had known him before the Independence and had worked with him after India became a free country. Among those with whom I spoke was Vimla Sindhi, caretaker of Teen Murti House where Nehru lived as PM. I asked her, who, among the departed leaders political opponents she found the most distraught after his demise. Vajpayee, she instantly replied: He was inconsolablewas weeping like a child. As PM, Vajpayee recalled in a speech in Parliament how he got restored in South Blocks corridor a portrait of Nehru he would notice while walking in, during his years in the Opposition. I just had to ask as who removed it and the portrait was back at the assigned place, the BJP veteran remarked. He never shied of wearing as a badge his admiration of Nehru -- and the latters fondness of him as a young leader who could be PM one day. Post-script In 1990, Advani launched his Rath Yatra over the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute. That prompted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangth (RSS) top brass to ask Vajpayee, then a forlorn, marginalised figure in the BJP,, to lead the party in Parliament in Advanis place. He refused. I met him thereafter at his Raisina Road bungalow. The conversation was interrupted by his daughter, who wanted him over for lunch. But a tearful Vajpayee said it all in one line: How can I defend in the House an issue (Advanis yatra) on which I have basic disagreement. HT published at the time a report I had filed based on that exclusive conversation. The Bharat Ratna conferred on Vajpayee in 2015 was richly deserved. He was the BJPs Nehru -- acceptable to even those who disagreed with his party, or his extended political family. Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu on Friday said West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees trip to that counrty earlier this year got cancelled due to technical problems from the Chinese side and revealed that they are working on rescheduling her visit in the coming months. The visit did not happen due to some technical problems on the part of the Chinese side. But do not want to focus on that anymore. We want to focus on how and when the visit can happen in the coming days, Ma told the reporters on the sidelines of an event in Kolkata. Our invitation to the Chief Ministers office is open. She is most welcome to visit China. We hope that she could settle on a date, maybe in the coming months or next year. We are working on it, the envoy said. Banerjee was supposed to visit China on an eight-day tour starting June 22 this year as part of the Exchange Programme between the Government of India and the International Department of the Communist Party of China. However, she cancelled the trip as the scheduled political meetings at the appropriate level between the two countries were not confirmed. Although our Ambassador tried his best to make the programme a success, non-confirmation of the political meetings as proposed by the Indian Ambassador to China, at the last moment, unfortunately compelled us to cancel the visit, she had said on social media. The Persian New Year falls on August 17, 2018. The Parsis migrated to Gujarat when Persia was invaded by Islamic armies in the seventh century. Globally, Zoroastrians celebrated their New Year on March 21, 2018, in India, Navroz will be celebrated today. The day is also known as Jamshed-i-Nouroz, after the Persian king Jamshed who is believed to have introduced the Parsi calendar. The Parsis in India follow the Shahenshahi calendar, which does not count leap years. As a result, the Parsi New Year is celebrated in India and Pakistan 200 days after the rest of the world. Here are some of the best messages and quotes that you can share with family and friends to mark the occasion: * Wishing you a year that marks the beginning of a remarkable era of success and happiness in your life. Happy Parsi New Year 2018. * May this Navroz be as bright as ever, May this Navroz bring joy, health and wealth to you, May the festival of lights brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives, May this Navroz bring in you the most brightest and choicest happiness and love you have ever wished for, May this Navroz bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity, May lights triumph over darkness, May peace transcend the earth, May the spirit of light illuminate the world, May the light we celebrate at Navroz show us the way and lead us together on the path of peace and social harmony, Wish you a very Happy Navroz. * May the glory of King spread all over, May Lord praise us in galore, Lets pray for happiness and prosperity May this Parsi New Year give us Happiness. Lasting ever and ever. Happy New Year! * All things bright and beautiful, All things good and true, All things fine and wonderful, All these are wished for you on this day and always. Navroz Mubarak! * May every day of the New Year glow with new cheer and happiness for you and your family. Navroz Mubarak. * Subah ho yaa shaam ho, Din ho yaa raat ho, Jaane kaise bhi halaat hon.. Hum nahi bhoolenge aapse kehna.. Aaj hai Jamshed Navroz.. Dua hai yeh ki ye din aapka khaas ho Mubaarak Navroz. Here are some images that you can share on social media: Courtesy: Updatebro.com Courtesy: desispy.com Courtesy: inewyearwishes.com Courtesy: Updatebro.com Follow @htlifeandstyle for more The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has been accused of violating the Supreme Court (SC) and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders restraining it from constructing a car shed for the Metro-3 line in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon. MMRCL has denied the allegations. We are not carrying out any activities at Aarey that are stayed by court, said an MMRCL spokesperson. Environmental group Vanashakti, which had filed petitions seeking an alternative location to the car shed, has issued a legal notice to MMRCL managing director Ashwini Bhide, director (projects) SK Gupta and chief project manager Charuhas Jadhav. Vanashakti said MMRCL had resumed landfilling and constructing pillars at Aarey Colony on Thursday evening, defying SC and NGT orders to maintain the status quo. This act amounts to wilful and deliberate contempt of the tribunals orders, read the notice undersigned by Zaman Ali, advocate to the applicants. The notice asked MMRCL to restore the land back to its original status or face contempt proceedings. The purpose of court orders is to ensure that there is no change in the status quo. It is shameful to call them a company that represents Mumbais public interest, Ali said. Meanwhile MMRCLs counsel disputed the claim by Vanashakti. The applicants had filed a civil application in NGT. They had to stop construction or any other activity at Aarey. The court had restrained us from carrying out three activities debris dumping, reclamation and tree felling. However, there is no restriction on construction, said advocate Kiran Bhagalia, counsel for MMRCL. Stalin D, director, Vanashakti said, We are shocked to see brazen violations. Toilets have been built, land filled and boundary made of concrete pillars built. The terrain has completely changed. After constructing boundary walls, the entire work is being carried out hidden from public view, he said. On August 19, 2015, the western bench of NGT in Pune passed an order to maintain status quo on construction ban at Aarey Colony. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the director of Aarey Colony and chief conservator of forest, SGNP, shall keep status till further orders are passed in this application, read the order. The principal bench of NGT in Delhi and SC upheld the status quo order on May 14 and August 6. Chanda Jadhav, P-South ward officer, said BMC would not intervene in the dispute because the land belongs to MMRCL. Nathu Rathod, chief executive officer, Aarey dairy administration, said they could not take action against MMRCL because of no violations. A 16-year-old student died at a clinic in Greater Noidas Dadri on Wednesday evening. His parents alleged that he was treated by a man who they suspect to be a quack. According to family members of Saurabh Nagar, of Bambhod village in Dadri, he was taken to a private clinic on railway road in Dadri around 5.30pm on Wednesday after he complained of fever. The clinic was being run by one Anand Prakash Sharma, who claimed to be a doctor. Saurabh complained of fever in the evening and he was taken to Sharma clinic by his father Ajay. He was behaving normally at the clinic. Sharma administered an injection and his condition deteriorated as he fell unconscious, Yogesh Nagar, Saurabhs uncle, said. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad by 6pm. We took him to Yashoda Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. It was the injection which worsened his condition, Yogesh said. Saurabh was enrolled in class 10 of a private school in Dujana village of Dadri. Earlier, we did not know that Sharma was a quack but after Saurabhs death, we were told by other residents that he is a fake doctor. Sharma has no medical licence and he runs a clinic and chemists shop with no proper qualification. We want him arrested, Yogesh said. The postmortem of the body has been done and the report is awaited. Sharma has shut his clinic and he is on the run. Police have lodged a case in the matter. We have lodged a case against Sharma under Indian Penal Code Section 304A for death due to negligence. The autopsy was carried out at Yashoda Hospital at the behest of Ghaziabad police and we are awaiting the report. The accused is on the run and all efforts are on track him, Ram Sen Singh, station house officer, Dadri police station, said. Sharmas son Ankit is an MBBS graduate. We are not sure whether Sharma himself had a licence. The allegations are being probed, the SHO said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday raided more than 10 premises, including official and personal residences of Bihars former social welfare minister Manju Verma, in four districts of Bihar in connection with the rapes of minor girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur district. According to the police, as many as 34 of the 44 girls, some as young as six years old, at the Bihar government-funded shelter home were sexually abused. CBI teams raided properties in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai and Motihari districts. Probe agency officials, familiar with the development, said the raids were conducted at the residences of Verma, who was forced to resign after allegations surfaced of links between her husband Chandeshwar Prasad Verma and Brajesh Thakur, the man whose NGO ran the shelter home and who is one of the accused in the rape cases. The CBI officials said on condition of anonymity that their teams also interrogated Verma and her husband in separate rooms at her official residence in the state capital. The CBI teams later detained Vermas personal assistant Amresh and his wife Punam, a child development programme officer, to question them. Manju Verma, a Janata Dal (United) MLA from Cheria-Bariarpur in Begusarai district, was forced to resign on August 8, after it was disclosed that Thakur had spoken to her husband 17 times between January and June this year. Thakur had told journalists from a prison van in the Muzaffarpur court compound that he used to speak to the ministers husband on political issues. CBI officials said the searches were spread across three residences of Verma one in Patna and two in Begusarai, including her in-laws house. The residence of another accused Ravi Raushan, who was posted as district child protection officer in Muzaffarpur, was also raided in Motihari in East Champaran district. Raushan is currently lodged in Muzaffarpur Central Jail. During investigation, Raushans wife had taken the name of Vermas husband, alleging that he was a frequent visitor to the Muzaffarpur short-stay home. Another team raided the office of the Pratah-Kamal, a vernacular daily in the state capital linked to Thakur. Three packets of condoms, porn CDs and magazines were seized from the premises, said CBI officials. In addition to the three locations, search operations were also underway at seven places belonging to Thakurs relatives besides his ancestral house and a hotel in Muzaffarpur. The probe agency also interrogated Thakurs in-laws. Official sources said the CBI teams have recovered several evidences related to the case. The teams also raided the residential premises of Sunil Kumar Jha in Pataliputra Colony in the state capital. Jha is a counsellor in the social welfare department. The matter had come to light earlier this year when the states social welfare department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the home by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. After the report came out, Opposition parties in the state demanded a CBI probe into the case and its monitoring by the high court. Under pressure, the government conceded both the demands and requested the HC to monitor the probe and ensure a speedy trial of the accused by appointing a special judge. US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had cancelled a planned military parade for November due to high costs and would instead visit Paris to commemorate the end of World War I, a day after the Pentagon postponed the event to at least next year. Trump had requested a parade to honour US military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war, after marvelling at the Bastille Day military parade he attended in Paris last year. But, on Thursday, a US official said the cost of such an event could top $90 million, nearly three times as much as the White House had earlier estimated. The Defense Department ultimately postponed the event, originally planned for November 10 in Washington. Trump, in a pair of tweets, said he would instead celebrate the occasion in Paris on November 11, the US Veterans Day holiday. He also said he would attend a parade at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, but gave no date. A spokeswoman at the base was not able to immediately provide the date for the event. Critics had blasted the planned Washington parade, questioning the lofty cost and the need for it as the Pentagon has sought to stabilize an over-stretched military. But in Trumps tweets, the Republican president blamed local Washington officials for seeking a windfall, and suggested they were inflating the parades costs. Washington, DC, mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, hit back at Trump, saying in a Twitter post that she was the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad). A great celebratory parade costs money, Mr Trump, and its YOUR Pentagon thats suggesting more than $90 million. Dont blame others, Washington, DC Council chairman Phil Mendelson, another Democrat, also tweeted. Republican lawmaker Scott Taylor backed the decision to cancel the parade, saying he did not think it was appropriate to hold such an event while US troops were still fighting in wars overseas. I dont agree that its a good idea. Were still at war right now ... Were still out there, our people are still out there around the world right now, in harms way, Taylor said in an interview with CNN. Military parades in the United States are rare and historically have been used to mark the end of a military conflict. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. The Elysee Palace, the official residence of French President Emmanuel Macron, had no immediate comment on Trumps planned visit. A Sikh man was stabbed to death at a deli he ran in the US state of New Jersey on Thursday the third attack on a member of the community in three weeks. Tarlok Singh, the victim, was found dead by a relative at the Park Deli in East Orange city. Local authorities have called it homicide but have not determined whether it was a hate crime. The motive remains unclear. Singhs wife and children live in India, ABC7NY, a local news channel, said. Simran Jeet Singh, a scholar at New York Universitys Center for Religion and Media, tweeted: This is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness. Thursdays incident followed an attack on Sahib Singh Natt, 71, in California earlier this month. The septuagenarian was assaulted by two young men, one of whom turned out to be the estranged son of the local police chief. He had been thrown to ground and kicked repeatedly as caught on a home surveillance video. Also in California in July, Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign posters. They threw sand in my eyes and then they started hitting me after that, Malhi told a local affiliate of ABC News. They were cussing at me saying, Go back to your country, you dont belong here. Anti-king banner hung during Barcelona attack anniversary 'Not welcome in Catalan Countries' (ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 17 - A banner hung on Thursday evening from the top floor of a building overlooking Barcelona's Plaza Catalunya stated that 'The king of Spain is not welcome in Catalan Countries'. On Friday morning a ceremony was being held in the square to commemorate the anniversary of attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils in which 16 people lost their lives, including two Italians. The banner includes an upside-down image of King Felipe VI. The Catalan police tried to remove the banner on Friday morning at dawn but only managed to take part of it down before giving up. A few hours later a group of activists put it back up entirely. On Friday morning the national secretary of the Catalan separatist organization ANC, Adria Alsina, mentioned a ''counter-order'' that had ''stopped the police''. In October 2017, just before the referendum held on Catalan independence in which the 'yes' vote won, the king took sides against the Catalan government, accusing it of ''unacceptable disloyalty'' and ''irresponsible behavior'', calling on the prime minister at that time - Mariano Rajoy - to restore ''constitutional order''. (ANSAmed). Iraqi security officials said their air force carried out two strikes targeting Islamic State group inside Syria, killing at least 28 militants. They say one of the two airstrikes by F-16s targeted a meeting of would-be suicide bombers who intended to strike in Iraq during next weeks Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. About 20 militants were killed in that airstrike, while eight died in the second one. Both targets were inside Syria near the Iraqi border. Iraq announced the strikes on Thursday but details on targets and casualties only emerged on Friday. The statement said the targets were identified by the Eagles Cell, Iraqs top counterterrorism agency. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. Hundreds of US news publications on Thursday ran editorials in a coordinated move to push back against continuing attacks from President Donald Trump, who has called news media the enemy of the people and the opposition party. The Boston Globe for the coordinated action and organised the countrywide effort that was eventually embraced by more than 350 publications. In an editorial with the headline Journalists are not the enemy, the Globe wrote: Today in the United States we have a president who has created a mantra that members of the media who do not blatantly support the policies of the current US administration are the enemy of the people. This is one of the many lies that have been thrown out by this president much like an old-time charlatan threw out magic dust or water on hopeful crowd. The New York Times, in its editorial, wrote: Criticising the news media for underplaying or overplaying stories, for getting something wrong is entirely right. News reporters and editors are human, and make mistakes. Correcting them is core to our job. But insisting that truths you dont like are fake news is dangerous to the lifeblood of democracy. And calling journalists the enemy of the people is dangerous, period. Trump has been known to call news articles critical of him or those about the Russian meddling in the 2016 election as fake news. Steve Bannon, his former strategist, called news media the opposition party and Trump picked it up. In recent weeks, he has called the media the enemy of the people, to widespread general concern. Even his daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump disagrees with him and has said so publicly. Asked about it at a recent news briefing, press secretary Sarah Sanders defended Trump, saying he is frustrated by the news coverage. 90% of the coverage on him is negative, despite the fact that the economy is booming, ISIS (the Islamic State) is on the run, and American leadership is being reasserted around the world, she had said. Trump pushed back in a string of tweets on Thursday. THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING! he wrote. There is nothing that I would want more for our Country than true FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The fact is that the Press is FREE to write and say anything it wants, but much of what it says is FAKE NEWS, pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. HONESTY WINS! he added. The United States on Thursday joined the world in paying tributes to late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he was among those who recognized early that India and the US could develop a partnership for the benefit of the region and the world. Standing before the United States Congress in 2000, he famously characterized US-India ties as a natural partnership of shared endeavors, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a statement. He recognized early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayees vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation. The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayees passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers, Pompeo said. Vajpayees visit to the US in September 2000 was a landmark one in many ways. Together with President Bill Clintons visit to India earlier that year in March, it ended the chill that had set in after Vajpayees decision to conduct nuclear tests two years earlier in 1998, which had angered the US and other western powers and had resulted in sanctions that are still unravelling. The final restoration of ties and Indias ultimate goal of being recognized a nuclear power was still few years away, but the seeds of if were sown during that visit. George W Bush, then Texas governor who was running for the White House as a Republican candidate, had sought a meeting with Vajpayee the only one from among the hundreds of world leaders in town then for the UN general assembly, Indian officials had then stressed. India and the United States would go on to sign a landmark civil nuclear deal in 2008 under the watch of a different Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, in an initiative that President Bush had pushed relentlessly, according to several former US officials. That deal has since become a yardstick to measure warmth levels of succeeding administrations. In another far-reaching impact of that 2000 visit, Prime Minister Vajpayee had described India and the United States as natural allies in a speech at a New York think-tank. That phrase would resonate for years in policy circles and go on to define Indo-US relationship. Barack Obama, the then Democratic Party candidate for the White House, used a variation of it during the campaign saying in an interview to India Abroad, a news publication dedicated to community news, The worlds oldest democracy and the worlds largest democracy are natural partners. After being elected, however, he went right back to the phrase coined by Vajpayee in 2000. The US and India are natural allies not just on counter-terrorism issues but on a whole host of issues, Obama said after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009. He went on to launch another phrase that would come to be used widely for describing the India-US relationship during his tenure the defining partnership of the 21st century. The US government on Friday hit four Myanmar military commanders and two military units with punitive sanctions, accusing them of serious human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing in violently expelling minority Rohingya from their homes. Military and border guard commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe, Khin Hlaing, and Thura San Lwin were accused of leading violent campaigns against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state as well as minorities in Kachin and Shan states. Burmese security forces have engaged in violent campaigns against ethnic minority communities across Burma, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights abuses, said Sigal Mandelker, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Treasury, which announced the sanctions. The US Treasury said the sanctions on individuals were meant as a warning to security forces to cease abuses of ethnic and religious minorities and to respect their rights. The sanctions, which seek to lock those named out of global financial and commercial networks and freeze any overseas assets they have, were brought under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, a US law originally targeting Russia but now expanded to punish rights abusers worldwide. Aung Kyaw Zaw was singled out for having presided over the operations that drove some 700,000 Rohingya from their homes in Rakhine state, in southwest Myanmar, and into neighbouring Bangladesh since 2016. The campaign has been marked by numerous extrajudicial killings, rape and burning of villages by security forces. Khin Maung Soe was in charge of a command which participated in a massacre of Rohingya on August 27, 2017 in Maung Nu, where soldiers reportedly beat, sexually assaulted and summarily executed or otherwise killed dozens of Rohingya villagers, the Treasury said. Thura San Lwin was the leader of the Border Guard Police, allegedly responsible for extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and assault against various minorities. And Khin Hlaing was singled out for abuse of Kachin, Shan and Chinese minorities who in November 2016 were forced to serve as human shields for his military unit in battles with militias. The two military units also sanctioned for involvement in those abuses were the 33rd Light Infantry Division, which participated in Rohingya abuses, and the 99th Light Infantry Division, which was led by Khin Hlaing. There must be justice for the victims and those who work to uncover these atrocities, with those responsible held to account for these abhorrent crimes, said Mandelker. We will continue to systematically expose and bring accountability to human rights abusers in this region and many others and greatly appreciate the efforts of civil society who are doing the same. FERRARA - The 31st edition of the Ferrara Buskers Festival, an international street artist fair, is ready to come alive, following previews in Mantova and Comacchio on August 18 and 19. The festival will feature more than 1,000 musicians and artists, who will perform over 100 shows per day, through August 26 (with an intermediate stop in Lugo on August 20). Among the 20 groups of invited musicians who will perform at the fair are some from Dublin, Ireland, the guest-of-honour city for this year's edition. This year, for the first time ever, the festival will move after midnight to the courtyard of the Estense Castle. Associated events include the "Plaza del Tango" and the Traveling Artisans. In addition, for the eighth year running, the EcoFestival project is back, with numerous "green" initiatives for a more ecologically friendly festival. MADRID - The city of Madrid has assigned two new centres to host migrants, with a total of 200 places, to be managed by the Red Cross and the NGO Comissione Spagnola di Aiuto al Rifugiato (CEAR). The initiative aims to respond to the humanitarian emergency provoked by the wave of migrant boat landings on Spanish coasts, according to Madrid Mayor Manuela Camena. However, there is controversy over one of the structures, which is a 3,300-square-metre former boarding school in Valdes Palace, in the Spanish municipality of Tres Cantos. The city's deputy mayor, Javier Juarez, said it would be "impossible" to host the migrants, because the building is zoned for educational use, despite the fact that it has been in disuse for years. "We spoke this morning with the City of Madrid and told them it would be impossible to create the reception centre," Juarez said, cited by Europa Press. The plan announced by Carmena calls for starting the new centre already this month, with 100 places. A second structure, in the former pavilion of the Casa del Campo, in Madrid, with an additional 100 places, would open in October. Meanwhile, the City of Madrid has also assigned the NGOs a location in the Arganzuela district to be used as an initial reception centre for new arrivals. Kanye West and Kid Cudi performed together at a private party in L.A. Thursday night. As HighSnobiety reports, the event was held for creative director Willo Perron, who has previously worked with West on projects including YEEZY Season 4. It reportedly took place at Los Candiles Night Club. Only a few clips have surfaced online, showing the two performing their collaborations "Ghost Town" from Ye and "Father Stretch My Hand Pt. 1" from The Life Of Pablo, as well as Kanye's solo Graduation cut "Can't Tell Me Nothing." It appears that no songs from their joint album Kids See Ghosts were performed. The set comes just after Kanye and Cudi were announced as headliners for Tyler, The Creator's annual Camp Flog Gnaw festival, billed as Kids See Ghosts. So far, it is the only official live performance booked by Kanye following his May-June run of releases. Set for November 10th and 11th , there's still plenty of time for West to announce a tour in the meantime. At the time of the listening parties, there was some casual talk of taking all the artists involved in the Wyoming session on one mega-tour, but we've yet to hear any more about it. In case you forgot, the 5-album streak featured 7-8 track albums from Pusha T, Kanye, Kids See Ghosts, Nas, and Teyana Taylor. Read our ranking of the Kanye-produced releases here. O'Shea Jackson Jr. is reportedly lacing up to join Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson in the upcoming drama, Just Mercy. The 27-year-old's role in the film has yet to be announced. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film follows the Bryan Stevenson memoirs of the same name, who later went on to form the Equal Justice Initiative that fights on behalf of the wrongly condemned and death-row prisoners trapped in the criminal justice system. The film will specifically focus on Walter McMillian, a black man who was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. I really needed a nice bring-in after Ingrid Goes West which was an indie film I did after Straight Outta Compton," O'Shea said of his first acting roles. I wanted to get back to the big blockbuster you know, at least some sort of dramatic role. So Den Of Thieves gives you drama and action. [50 Cent and Gerard Butler] are in it so I felt like I was in good hands. O'Shea's also set to star in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Den of Thieves 2. ROME - A new stand-off is underway between Italy and Malta, following the rescue by the Italian Coast Guard of 177 migrants, its subsequent request to dock at a port in Malta, and that country's refusal. The Italian Interior Ministry said it was not informed of the rescue operation, and now the ship Diciotti is between Italian and Maltese waters awaiting instructions about what to do. The Italian Coast Guard said the migrants were on a leaking boat with a failing engine. The migrants were rescued during the night between Wednesday and Thursday in Maltese waters, with the coordination of Maltese authorities, and brought onto the Diciotti. Initially there were 190 migrants, but 13 were evacuated for medical care. Amazon, whose streaming video service has threatened Hollywood studios with blockbuster movies of its own, is apparently now interested in acquiring a means for distribution, putting the fate of Houstons last historic cinema in the balance. The e-commerce giant is one of several prospective buyers bidding on Landmark Theatres, one of the nations largest arthouse cinema chains showing independent and foreign films, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing anonymous sources. The Los Angeles-based chain, founded in 1974 and owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban, operates more than 50 movie theaters nationally, including the River Oaks Theatre locally. Amazon declined to comment. Landmark and its parent company, Wagner/Cuban Cos., did not return requests for comment. Now Playing: Amazon may be buying Landmark Theaters? Video: Buzz 60 DISRUPTED: Amazon offers home delivery in latest battle for Houston shoppers Amazons potential acquisition of Landmark would be the online retailers first foray into the movie theater business, and its latest expansion into brick-and-mortar retail after purchasing Whole Foods Market last year. The online retailers $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods shocked the grocery industry, prompting major grocers such as Kroger, Walmart and H-E-B to invest heavily in food delivery services and e-commerce technology. Anytime Amazon shows up, youve got to pay attention, said Lance Gilliam, a partner with Houston-based real estate firm Waterman Steele. This would be the first time theyre going into experiential retail. Although Amazon began selling books online in 1994, the e-commerce retailer has expanded into almost everything, including digital media in recent years. In 2007, the Seattle-based company launched Amazon Music, a music streaming platform. Three years later, the company started Amazon Studios, which focuses on creating TV series and films. Amazon Studios has embraced partnerships with movie distributors to bring its films to the big screen, said Daniel Loria, vice president of content strategy at Boxoffice Media, a trade publication covering the movie business. REVIEW: Dining in the dark at iPic theater in River Oaks District Those efforts paid off last year, when Amazon Studios became the first streaming media company to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Manchester by the Sea, produced by Amazon Studios, ultimately won Academy awards for best actor and best original screenplay. If Amazon acquires Landmark, it would allow the studio to more easily bring movies to the big screen, Loria said. Amazon believes in cinema wholeheartedly, Loria said. They see the value of their movies being seen in as many movie theaters as possible before bringing it to their streaming platform. However, Amazon likely would not upend the movie industry, which has already seen disruption from tech companies such as Fandango and MoviePass, Loria said. Movie theaters over the past decade have adapted to online ticket purchases and mobile ticketing, and have been experimenting with e-commerce innovations. For example, Cineplex, a Canadian movie theater chain, has pioneered the concept of SuperTickets, which allows movie-goers to watch films in theaters and later download them when the theatrical release ends. The move to e-commerce is happening with or without Amazon, Loria said. Amazon would be part of an industry that is already transitioning to this digital world. CLICKS TO BRICKS: Amazon, online retailers open physical shops in the Galleria Amazons possible acquisition of Landmark would not seriously challenge major movie chains such as AMC, Regal and Cinemark, which together operate thousands of movie theaters globally. And although the online retailer was able to put pressure on organic food prices when it acquired Whole Foods, its unlikely Amazon can budge movie ticket prices with so much competition in the movie business, Loria said. A Landmark acquisition would make Amazon another player, but not a dominant one overnight, Loria said. Locally, preservationists say they will be keeping a close eye on Amazon potential deal for Landmark. The River Oaks Theatre, opened in 1939, is the longest-running historic movie theater in Houston. The movie theater, in the River Oaks Shopping Center at 2009 West Gray, was originally part of the Interstate Theatres chain out of Dallas. Designed by Dallas-based architects Pettigrew & Worley, the historic theater features art-deco designs and a classic neon marquee. There were once dozens of historic movie theaters in Houston showing westerns and black-and-white films, but most have been torn down over the years to pave way for new development. A few remain, including the Alabama Theatre, which was converted into a Trader Joes; the Tower Theater, which became El Real Tex-Mex, restaurant and the former Ritz Theatre, now the Majestic Metro events space. Weingarten Realty, which has owned the River Oaks Shopping Center since the 1970s, announced plans in 2006 to demolish the River Oaks Theatre, prompting outcry from preservations. Ultimately, the real estate firm redeveloped part of the property into a two-story Barnes & Noble bookstore, leaving the theater alone. The firm is now working with Hanover Co. to develop a high-rise apartment tower on part of the River Oaks Shopping Center. Weingarten Realty said it is aware of the speculation of Amazons interest in Landmark, but said it has not been approached by either company at this time. The landlord declined to comment on lease terms, but said it is not aware of any changes to the lease should Amazon acquire Landmark. Longtime Houstonians said they are cautiously optimistic about a new owner taking over the River Oaks Theatre, rumored to be up for sale for a while. I think that Amazon presents an incredible opportunity to reinvent the theater, Ed Wulfe, chairman and CEO of Houston-based retail brokerage Wulfe & Co. said. I think itll be a boon for the future of the River Oaks Theatre. Jim Parsons, the programs director for Preservation Houston, gave a more tempered response. We would welcome anything that could bring new life into the historic theater, Parsons said. The River Oaks Theatre is significant to Houston. Its a very special place to see a movie. I hope nothing will change with new ownership. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi A poster at The Galleria touts the environmental virtues of shopping in a mall, which include less packaging and lower truck emissions than when people buy goods off the Internet. Later, when I saw an Amazon kiosk outside the entrance to Macys, I had to wonder who was trolling whom. Retail stores employ more Americans than any other sector of the economy, which is why everyone should worry when Macys stock plummets 14 percent as it did on Wednesday. Despite posting good financial results, stock analysts simply dont have faith in the future of brick-and-mortar stores. Most observers blame e-commerce giants like Amazon for the demise of hundreds of shopping malls and the tens of thousands of jobs contained in each one. But those same e-commerce companies hold the key to the malls future if they choose to use it. The average Macys looks pretty much the same as it did 10 or 20 years ago. The floor is jam-packed with thousands of different products in dozens of sizes. Sales racks fill the walkways offering 70 percent discounts, and the customers disregard for the clothing keeps salespeople scrambling to clear the floor of trip hazards. Macys Chief Executive Jeff Gennette has promised investors he will overhaul the stores and offer better experiences while growing online sales. He managed to break a nearly three-year losing streak in comparable sales and even raised his earnings forecast on Wednesday. Analysts, though, believe traditional department stores are doomed. They sell other companies products in a stale, old-fashioned environment. Houstons Galleria touts a rehabilitated Saks Fifth Avenue, yet I found only cosmetic differences. There was more open space between racks and a cocktail bar near the mens section. But Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands operate their own stores just a hundred yards away. Younger shoppers want stores filled with natural light where the owner offers a unique product, point-of-view or experience. When it comes to commodity goods, they choose maximum convenience, which is why delivery driver is one of the fastest growing jobs in America. Many retailers are trying to find a profitable middle ground. Macys and other stores offer substantial discounts for buying online and picking up in the store. U.S. e-commerce companies have opened small brick-and-mortar stores to speed delivery and build brand recognition. But you rarely see online and brick-and-mortar retailers working together. That innovation is taking place in China. Alibaba, TenCent and JD.com are three of the worlds largest online retailers, but each is developing technology that automates and improves brick-and-mortar shops ranging from department stores to gas stations. Alibaba says it has partnered with 1 million stores to deploy what it calls New Retail technology. The company supplies mom-and-pop corner shops with mobile phone apps, sensors and analytical software that helps them identify their most popular products, order them from the cheapest distributor and speed up check-out. Remodeled stores, QR codes and mobile payments have boosted revenues at these partner stores by 30 percent, Alibaba said. When it comes to department stores, Alibaba is developing interactive changing rooms that allow you to see your reflection wearing a product. In a current experiment with fashion label Guess, once you find something that looks good, a tap on the mirror activates a robot that delivers the shirt, skirt or other item to your changing room. If you like the item, an artificial intelligence tool shows other products that pair well with your choice. If you have the T-Mall app on your phone, your account is billed when you walk out of the store. JD.com has similar digital packages for brick-and-mortar stores it calls retail as a service. Shopkeepers that partner with an e-commerce company agree to an annual fee and a promise to buy a set value of products every month. The store essentially becomes a new distribution center. Amazons purchase of Whole Foods comes the closest to mimicking these experiments, but it is primitive by comparison. While such new technology will make shopping in stores fun and convenient again, it will also eliminate jobs and reduce retailers overhead costs. Most of these stores eliminate cashiers by automating transactions, and robotic stocking and delivery can create stores where customers never encounter a salesperson unless they request one. Thriving shopping malls offer goods that people want to inspect before they buy, and as long as thats true, there will be a future for brick-and-mortar retail. Chinese companies are proving that e-commerce giants can partner with stores to deliver the benefits of online and in-person shopping to customers. A little less competition and a little more cooperation may be in order. Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business and economics. chris.tomlinson@chron.com | twitter.com/cltomlinson WASHINGTON - Earlier this week Al Gore, the former presidential candidate turned climate crusader, told a reporter that the Trump administration wasnt as harmful to the environment as hed feared, describing it as a blend of malevolence and incompetence. A cutting insult, it was also a sharp contrast to how many other environmentalists and world leaders have portrayed the Trump administration. When Trump announced last year he was pulling the United States from the Paris climate change agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron said, He is making a mistake for the future of his country and his people and a mistake for the future of the planet. But looking at some of the recent roadblocks Trumps hit in his promise to pull back environmental regulation and speed up permitting for oil and gas projects, coal miners and industry at-large, its not hard to see Gores point. Just in the last few weeks two major natural gas pipeline projects in Virginia were put on hold after a federal appellate court ruled the government had failed to meet their own protocols in approving permits on the projects. Of the U.S. Forest Services permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, the judges wrote that Americans deserve more than silent acquiescence to a pipeline companys justification for upending large swaths of national forest lands. The fallout appeared swift. The supervisor of the Jefferson National Forest now reassigned to a regional office in Atlanta, the Roanoake Times reported. The Trump administration hasnt fared much better in their bid to expand offshore drilling outside its traditional home off the Texas and Louisiana coasts. So far, almost every governor on the Atlantic Coast, even Republicans such as South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, has told the administration their state doesnt want oil and gas drilling off the coast. Governors dont have veto power on this, and Trump could go ahead without them, but in doing so, could create political backlash that he might not want to risk. Already some pundits are wondering whether a renewed push by oil lobbyists to drill off the Gulf Coast of Florida could hurt Republican Governor Rick Scotts bid to take one of the states two senate seats from the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Bill Nelson. Come January, the Trump administration will be halfway through its first term. You would figure that to be enough time to work out some of the kinks in navigating Americas inordinately complex legal and bureaucratic systems. And there is some sign the administration is learning from its mistakes. The promotion of Andrew Wheeler, a studied Washington hand and former top staffer in the Senate, to acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is an example. Wheeler, who is familiar with how things get done in the capital, was cheered by the oil and gas attorneys who had shaken their heads at Scott Pruitts repeated ethical blunders. If thats a sign of things to come, Gore might very well come to rue his words. james.osborne@chron.com Twitter: @osborneja The hacker who leaked photos of several big-time celebrities in 2014 is feeling remorseful and ashamed of his actions. So now he's asking for a shorter sentence, according to the New York Post. George Garofano, 26, was one of the men busted for the scandal dubbed "Celebgate" and federal prosecutors in Connecticut asked that he be sentenced to 10 to 16 months behind bars for his crime, following a guilty plea. SLAY: Kate Upton proves she's still the 'Sports Illustrated' queen in sexy photo shoot video However, according to the NY Post, Garofano "whined" that his life was ruined by the incident and that he deserved a lesser sentence because he had "matured" and "accepted responsibility for his actions." Now Playing: Kate Upton is modeling something new these days: a baby bump! Video: People "It will take me a while to forgive myself for this, and I am disappointed in myself," Garofano says in the court filing reportedly obtained by the Post. "I feel remorse for anyone that could have been affected by this on any scale, public or private. It is a part of my life that I will always regret, as it has never been a reflection of who I am as an individual." According to the Daily Mail, Garofano and three other men engaged in a phishing scheme in order to get access to the victim's username and passwords that were then used to steal personal information, including sensitive photographs and videos, which they posted to Reddit. Edward Majerczyk, 29, and Ryan Collins, 36, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to nine months and 18 months in prison respectively. Emilio Herrera, 32, signed a plea to a felony violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and is set to be sentenced in September. Take a look through the gallery above to see which celebrities got caught up in the nude photo scandal. Daniela Sternitzky- Di Napoli is a digital producer covering Texas news and pop culture. | Daniela.DiNapoli@chron.com | @Dani_DiNapoli There is something about Texas that keeps writers coming back. From Cormac McCarthys descriptions of the searing beauty of the borderlands to Naomi Shihab Nyes intimate poems about San Antonio, the state has left its mark on the literary scene. Spend an afternoon tracking down rare books in Archer City, or explore the bayous and back roads of East Texas to discover why Texas has a hold on so many writers. Track down a rare find at Booked Up Archer City Customers come to us from wherever the four winds blow, writes Larry McMurtry about Booked Up, his legendary store featuring fine, rare and scholarly books. And indeed book lovers from around the world have made the pilgrimage to Archer City, two hours northwest of Dallas, to visit one of Texas literary greats. McMurtry, author of the novels Lonesome Dove and Terms of Endearment and the screenplay for Brokeback Mountain among many other works, told the New Yorker he is a slave to books. The four converted warehouses that make up Booked Up are a testament to that statement. And although sightings of McMurtry himself are hard to come by, youre sure to leave with at least a few books from his handpicked collection. Spend an afternoon immersed in the archives at the Harry Ransom Center Austin This gray stone building tucked into the corner of the University of Texas campus looks unassuming, but inside is a treasure trove. Among its collection of more than one million rare or significant books are writings from Beckett, Hemingway, DeLillo, Joyce, Kerouac, Sexton and Whitman. If that isnt overwhelming enough, some of the most recently acquired collections include the archives of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Kazuo Ishiguro, Julia Alvarez and David Foster Wallace. No matter what your literary taste, the Harry Ransom Center includes enough material to while away many an afternoon. Just know that the reading rooms are often full, so contact the center before visiting to make sure you can access what you want to see. Get to know Cormac McCarthy at the Wittliff Collections San Marcos While Cormac McCarthy is famously reclusive, almost completely avoiding the press, those who want to get a little closer to the legendary novelist can visit his archives at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Housed in an elegant gallery at the top floor of the Albert B. Alkek Library are McCarthys personal papers, as well as his handwritten letters, notes for novels like Blood Meridian, and drafts of two of his screenplays. And while youre there, immerse yourself in the writings of other writers with close ties to Texas, including Sandra Cisneros, Sam Shepard, J. Frank Dobie and Naomi Shihab Nye. Attend an evening reading at the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center Kyle After visiting the Wittliff, stop by the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center, the childhood home of the Pulitzer-Prize winning writer and political activist, who published the best-selling Ship of Fools when she was 71 years old. Visitors can tour the beautifully preserved Victorian house that is a tribute to Porter, who was known for delicately crafted short fiction about her childhood in central Texas. The historic site is also home to a literary reading series sponsored by Texas State University. The fall 2018 schedule is packed with notable writers, including Tyehimba Jess, Valeria Luiselli and Marie Howe. Road trip along Highway 59 Attica Locke left Texas for Los Angeles, where she worked on the hit series Empire. But the Houston native was drawn home to write a series of novels set in her home state. She writes, My bloodline runs along Highway 59 in East Texas. Lockes newest novel, Bluebird, Bluebird, a crime thriller that uncovers racial tensions in small-town Texas, has been picked up by FX with plans to turn it into a series. Explore what brought Locke home again in the cafes and small towns of East Texas. Cate Malek is a writer based in Austin. Email: travel@chron.com. The automobile is a killer. In the U.S., 36,675 people died in traffic accidents in 2014. The year before, 2.3 million people were injured in traffic accidents. During the past decade, over 438 U.S. municipalities, including 36 of the 50 most populous cities, have employed electronic monitoring programs in order to reduce the number of accidents. Red light camera programs specifically target drivers who run red lights. In a study I co-authored with economist Paul J. Fisher, we examined all police-recorded traffic accidents for three large Texas cities over a 12-year period hundreds of thousands of accidents. We found no evidence that red light cameras improve public safety. They dont reduce the total number of vehicle accidents, the total number of individuals injured in accidents or the total number of incapacitating injuries that involve ambulance transport to a hospital. Red light cameras In a red light camera program, a camera is installed in a location where it can take photos or video of vehicles as they pass through the intersection. City employees or private contractors then review the photos. If a vehicle is in the intersection when the light is red, a ticket is sent to the person who registered the vehicle. These programs aim to reduce cross-street collisions. The idea is that drivers, fearing a higher chance that they will be fined, will be more likely to stop, lowering the number of angle, or T-bone, accidents. Evidence clearly shows that camera programs are effective at decreasing the number of vehicles running red lights. In one study in Virginia, red light cameras reduced the number of total drivers running red lights by 67 percent. However, cameras can have contradictory effects on traffic safety. Some drivers who would have otherwise continued to proceed through the intersection when the light is yellow or red will now attempt to stop. That means that the number of accidents caused by vehicles not stopping at a red light will likely decrease. But the number of accidents from stopping at a red light such as rear-end accidents is likely to increase. Thats not an inconsequential side effect. Some drivers will attempt to stop, accepting a higher risk of a non-angle accident like getting rear-ended, in order to avoid the expected fine. The overall effect of a camera program on vehicle accidents and injuries depends on the net impact of these two effects. Overall driver safety could increase or decrease. Focusing on Houston In our study, we focused on Houston, a major U.S. city that operated a large camera program at 66 intersections between 2006 and 2010. One reason we chose Houston is to take advantage of the natural experiment that occurred when city residents passed a referendum in November 2010 to ban the cameras. We accessed detailed accident information on every traffic accident in Texas from 2003 to 2014 through a public records information request. The data included the accidents precise geocoded location; the type of accident; whether the driver ran a red light; and details on any injuries. When the Houston cameras were removed, angle accidents increased by 26 percent. However, all other types of accidents decreased by 18 percent. Approximately one-third of all Houston intersection accidents are angle accidents. This suggests that the programs drawbacks canceled out its benefits. Our study showed no evidence that cameras reduce the total number of accidents. We estimate that total accidents are reduced by a statistically insignificant 3 percent after the cameras are turned off. Likewise, theres no evidence that the camera program reduced the number of traffic-related injuries or the likelihood of incurring an incapacitating injury. The elevated number of traffic accidents at urban intersections is a serious public health issue. But our study shows that Houstons camera program was ineffective in improving traffic safety. Electronic monitoring is not the solution. Justin Gallagher is Assistant Professor of Economics at Case Western Reserve University. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. Its drawbacks do not cancel out its benefits. School is officially back in session, and the annual "first day of school" photos of your friends and family's kids are probably starting to fill your social media feed. As adorable as those pictures are, there are few things a classic throwback photo can't top, especially when they are coming from popular Houstonians. A Houston jury Thursday convicted a former Baylor College of Medicine physician of raping a woman who had been hospitalized at Ben Taub Hospital for an acute asthma attack in 2013. The jury of five women and seven men reached its verdict after about 15 hours of deliberation over two days. The defense team admitted the doctor had sex with a patient but said it was consensual. The woman reported the rape to Ben Taub staff, saying an unknown physician came to her bedside three times in the dark, sexually assaulting her while she was tethered to machines. The call button she repeatedly pressed to summon a nurse was unplugged. But it took investigators two years to identify Dr. Shafeeq Sheikh as the suspected attacker, based on DNA from her rape kit. Sheikh, an internal medicine resident on call at Ben Taub, was spotted on surveillance video and logged swiping his badge to enter her floor at least 12 times, even though she wasnt assigned as his patient. TRIAL: Former Ben Taub doctor accused of raping patient testifies sex was consensual In court this week, the 32-year-old woman testified that the attack upended her life and precipitated the end of her marriage. She was identified as Laura in a series of Houston Chronicle columns by Lisa Falkenberg about the incident. The Chronicle does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault. Sheikh, now 46, lost his job, and the Texas Medical Board revoked his license in 2015, finding that he posed a continuing threat to public welfare. In 2016, a Harris County civil court cleared Ben Taub and Baylor of liability in a lawsuit the patient brought. Prosecutors this week told jurors the doctor betrayed the womans trust when she was at her most vulnerable. Caregivers rushed to her room for several acute medical episodes and she was was unable to fight off the doctors assault, they said. BACKGROUND: Patient says she became doctor's prey at Ben Taub A lawyer defending Sheikh picked at inconsistencies in the womans account and vigorously questioned her credibility, asking about her career as an actress and model, and whether she agreed she had posted sexually suggestive photos and videos on social media. Records showed her cellphone transmitted many texts and logged lengthy phone calls during her stay at the hospital, which indicated she was alert. DNA indicated she had sexual relations with her husband her first night at the hospital, which meant she couldnt have been incapacitated, the defense said. Their client violated medical ethics, the lawyers said, but placed the blame on the patient for allegedly seducing him to make her husband jealous and cash in on a lawsuit. Sheikh, a father of four who emigrated from India, told jurors the patient led him on. He said she took his hand to her breasts when he was performing a chest exam. He returned later, allured by her breast implants, and she touched his genitals, he said. She then shifted onto one side and pushed her buttocks to the edge of the gurney, signaling that she wanted more, he said. After he completed a sex act with her, without a condom, he testified, It immediately sunk in that something terrible had happened, and I was scared for myself. Youre not supposed to have sex with a patient. Thats part of medical ethics. COLUMN: Immunity law works against victim of alleged rape in hospital When he realized she had reported the incident as an assault, Sheikh said, he began checking her chart hourly. He did not come forward because he was terrified of the consequences of an obvious breach of ethics. Baylor College of Medicine declined to comment. But Bryan McLeod, a spokesman for the county health system that operates Ben Taub Hospital, said, Harris Health System has been supportive of the legal process and has fully cooperated throughout the investigation and trial phase of this case. We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our patients, he said. Late Thursday, the jury began hearing evidence for the punishment phase of the trial. Final arguments are expected Friday. gabrielle.banks@chron.com Federal officials have agreed to count volunteer work hours and donated materials toward the local match required for disaster recovery grants to repair streets, buildings, utilities, parks and other public facilities a national policy change, initiated in Houston, that could save local governments tens of millions of dollars. The Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to expand its acceptance of volunteer hours and donated supplies after months of discussions with leaders of Houstons Hurricane Harvey recovery effort. The change is retroactive to Aug. 23, 2017 two days before the official declaration of Harvey as a major disaster. Typically, local governments must match 25 percent of the federal governments contributions during a disaster and its aftermath, and only can count volunteer hours and donated materials toward that match in the removal of storm debris and immediate emergency response efforts, such as sheltering victims. For Harvey, the Trump administration agreed to drop the local match to 10 percent. Even with the change, Mayor Sylvester Turner said, Houston will still be responsible for a projected local match of $250 million. For the first time in FEMAs history, they are allowing this volunteer program on permanent repairs to be used as a part of that 10 percent local match, and theyre not only allowing it for the city of Houston for our region but its a national initiative that they would allow in all other disasters now going forward, Turner said. Thats a monumental shift, because most local governments are hard-pressed to come up with that 10 percent match. Marvin Odum, the former Shell CEO who serves as the citys recovery czar, first floated the idea when the scope of damage to Houstons facilities became clear. We were sitting around in early December as we were starting to break down this recovery and saying, OK, if we have $3 billion worth of repairs where is $300 million going to come from? There wasnt any answer, Odum said. Thats where it started. Its great that its available to everybody. Officials have not determined how much of the citys estimated $250 million match could be offset with donations. Officials with the city and Harris County which also would benefit from the new policy, as would every other disaster zone designated since last August have been meeting with FEMA officials to work out a system for documenting the new types of donated time and materials. Gloria Moreno, a city finance department official who has been working on the implementation of the new policy, said four subcommittees were assigned to different aspects of the process. Its definitely a work in progress, Moreno said. Even from the FEMA side, they are still dotting the Is and crossing the Ts. A June 25 memo from FEMA Assistant Administrator Keith Turi sets out certain conditions. For example, the donated time or material must come from a private entity or person and, as with FEMAs existing volunteer and donation rules, the applicant or volunteer organization must track the work performed or material donated, including specific locations and hours. The fair market value of the donated time or material will be used to determine how much of the local match it can offset. After a disaster, volunteers and donations play a critical role in a communitys recovery, said FEMA spokesperson Jenny Burke. After Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, volunteers went above and beyond to help those affected by the hurricane. In order to ensure those types of contributions are valued, FEMA announced (the) amended policy. The city has sought grants for about 350 projects related to facilities or infrastructure affected by Harvey, with a total estimated repair cost of $2.5 billion. Projects potentially eligible for use of the expanded local-match policy include repairs to City Hall and its annex, municipal courtrooms, libraries and parks. You could have a contract which repaired the municipal courts building. Well, you could have a volunteer group come in and do the painting and you could count it, and market rate what that painting job would have cost, Odum said. An engineering firm could contribute some design services. A legal firm could donate their resources to negotiate the contract. Odum said he hopes to find volunteer jobs for everyday citizens things like painting or minor repairs to community centers in parks but said the most robust outreach will be to the engineers, lawyers and contractors whose expensive expertise would, if donated, have the biggest imapct. They get the feel good of what they donate, but they double its impact by also saving the city that much more money because we get to count it twice: We get it for free and we get to count it against the match that we would otherwise pay, Odum said. And, of course, for every donated dollar FEMA also saves 90 cents, Odum noted. The chief complication still to be addressed surrounds local, state and federal procurement rules, Odum said, as vendors in some instances would not be allowed to use charitable contributions to undercut competitors bids. We have to recognize theres a risk here that somebody could structure their pro bono element in a way that could preference their bid, and thats a minefield, Odum said. I think it can be done. FEMA has the authority to enact this change without Congressional action, but he said legislative changes would be necessary to fulfill the more comprehensive goal of, for instance, counting hours volunteers spend mucking and gutting neighbors homes toward the citys local match on repairing its flooded buildings. mike.snyder@chron.com mike.morris@chron.com A federal judge expressed deep concern for public safety and cited previous incidents involving explosives as he sentenced a Houston man to more than six years in prison for attempting to bomb a statue of a Confederate commander last summer in Hermann Park. Clad in a green jail uniform and wearing thick-rimmed glasses, Andrew C.E. Schneck, 26, received his 6-year sentence without offering a statement or displaying much emotion as several members of his family watched from the court gallery. After completing his time in prison, Schneck will be placed on three years of supervised release, according to the order by U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. Now Playing: FOX 26 News Reporter John Donnelly Video: Brandpoint The high risk conduct of the defendant has now, on two occasions, endangered the public, Werlein noted during sentencing. You cannot count always on getting maximum leniency. You have got to reform your conduct. Schneck, who was previously arrested for amassing explosives at his parents upscale home in Southampton Place, near the Museum District, has spent the past year at a federal jail in downtown Houston. He admitted to fashioning a bomb out of materials he collected in an effort to destroy the statue. The attempted bombing happened amid a wave of protests around the country over civic monuments that venerate people touted as heroes of the South during the Civil War. Attorney Philip Hilder on Friday argued for five years of confinement, the minimum possible sentence, in part because of Schnecks behavioral disabilities. Hilder objected to the sentence of six and a half years, but Werlein overruled it, calling the sentence sufficient according to the law. Schneck will also pay a $10,000 fine. The conditions of his supervised release include not being allowed to possess, store or purchase chemical agents that can be combined to make explosives. I think the court was very reflective, and the sentence reflects the courts sentiment, Hilder said after the sentencing. I am confident that Andrew will become a productive member of society upon his release and I do think hes learned a valuable lesson. Schnecks family declined to comment after the hearing. BOMB PLOT: Houston man pleads guilty in attempt to bomb Confederate statue in Hermann Park Liked building explosives Schneck pleaded guilty in March before Werlein to a willful attempt to maliciously damage or destroy property in violation of federal law. At the time, a federal prosecutor dismissed a sentence enhancement related to the harm an explosion could have caused, which could have allowed for a longer prison sentence. In court on Friday, Werlein pointed to Schnecks affinity for concocting homemade explosives. He asked Hilder several questions about Schnecks previous brush with the law, as well as an instance where the Austin Fire Department found ammonium nitrate at Schnecks apartment. Hilder said that there hadnt been an actual fire, but confirmed that the fire department was called to the scene. In 2014, he was convicted of storing explosives for which he earned five years of probation. The attempted bombing of the statue in Hermann Park came less than 10 months after he was released from probation ahead of schedule, Werlein said. Schnecks arrest last summer alarmed many residents in Southampton Place. After the attempted bombing, law enforcement officials forced the evacuation of the neighborhood, and residents stood on the fringes watching police and federal agents swarm their usually quiet street. Bomb squad experts eventually detonated a cache of high-powered explosives found on the property owned by Schnecks parents. GRAY MATTERS: We know what Confederate symbols mean. Why keep them? Schneck spent several months of his detention at an intensive inpatient program. He told the judge during sentencing that he was taking mood stabilizing medication. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from Austin College in Sherman and had a penchant for experiments, according to a source familiar with the case. A special prison? Hilder advocated that Schneck be sent to a prison that is experienced in accommodating people with disabilities. That decision is ultimately up to the Bureau of Prisons. Werlein said that while he understands the difficulty of determining sentences for people with disabilities, Schneck has repeated the same mistakes. Ultimately, each person has to be responsible for certain choices made, Werlein said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Feazel said at his plea hearing that on Aug. 19, 2017, a park ranger saw Schneck kneeling with two small boxes in the bushes near the base of a statue of Lt. Richard Dowling. The ranger told Schneck to put the boxes on the ground. SEEKING ACTION: Abbott to ask for review of Confederate plaque in Capitol The boxes contained a homemade detonator, a timer, wiring, a battery, a bottle of nitroglycerin and an explosive organic compound known as HMTD, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, officials said. Upon being discovered, Schneck reportedly tried to drink some of the liquid explosives but then spit out the liquid and poured the contents of the bottle onto the ground, Feazel said. Schneck lived at home with his parents at the time of the incident, Hilder said. The white marble statue of Dowling, an Irish immigrant who lived in Houston and fought for the Confederacy, was erected in 1905 to honor the Confederate victory he led at Sabine Pass. A street named for Dowling was changed last year to Emancipation Avenue. gabrielle.banks@chron.com twitter.com/gabmobanks LOCKHART Retired state archivist Donaly Brice, whose business card describes him as historical sleuth, raconteur and mild-mannered curmudgeon, grew up in this pleasant town 35 miles southeast of Austin. Except for the first four months of his life in Austin and a stint with naval intelligence in Washington, D.C., hes lived here his whole life. He knows the Caldwell County seat, past and present. I love it here, he told me over lunch earlier this week at Chisholm Trail B.B.Q. One of the four best barbecue joints in the self-described barbecue capital of Texas Blacks Barbecue, Smittys Market and Kreuzs Market are the other three Chisholm Trail B.B.Q. is where the locals eat, the website boasts. I had the brisket, while Brice had catfish, not because hes a mild-mannered curmudgeon, but because hed had barbecue the day before. That happens when you live in Lockhart. I had met Brice last Saturday when he gave a talk at Lockharts historic public library about cattle on the hoof in Caldwell County pre-barbecue beef, in other words back when area ranchers drove thousands of cattle up the Chisholm Trail. He introduced us to men like John J. Meyers, who drove cattle to Salt Lake City and sold them to the Mormons; Stephen Rowe McClain, a black cowboy from nearby Prairie Lea, who roped buffalo and elk for Wild West shows and who once bulldogged a full-grown moose; and Marcus A. Withers, a Caldwell County trail driver who made his first drive at age 13. He made 27 in all, between 1867 and 1887. Read more: Creativity flows in a writers getaway with fluid future In the summer of 1868 Withers was one of four Texans and three California vaqueros railroad promoter Joseph McCoy chose to rope buffalo and load them on a train to be paraded back east to advertise cattle sales in Kansas. After getting the buffalo loaded, with difficulty, on cattle cars that sometimes required double-slatted oak boards to keep the beasts from kicking the cars to splinters, Withers went along on the trip to St. Louis and Chicago, where he was one of two men who roped buffalo in the countrys first Wild West show. Another fellow was supposed to rope, as well, but as Withers recalled in a 1932 reminiscence, Jake Carroll was dancin in the caboose as the train run along and then he tried to kick the roof and fell and hurt his hip and couldnt rope any. Before his death in 1937 at age 91, Withers recounted a number of his adventures, including the following to Joe Bunch, a 94-year-old Lockhart resident who told the story to Brice. One day in the 1870s, Withers rode over to nearby Bastrop to buy some stock and happened to see a horse he liked the looks of. He bought the animal, which became his favorite mount on the next trail drive north to Kansas. The man who sold him the horse had warned him about an equine quirk the horse had: He could not, would not, tolerate being hitched. Tie him to a hitching rail, and he would figure out some way to get unhitched, even if it meant ripping the posts out of the ground. Withers discovered, though, that he could simply drop the reins to the ground wherever he was, and when he came back, there would be his horse, standing still as a statue. Read more: Former Texas inmates story proves to be a page turner He was a fine cow pony too, and on that first drive with him, Withers made good money at the railhead in Kansas. He was a happy man heading home to Lockhart, his saddle bags bulging with a combination of gold and cash worth several thousand dollars. He and his fellow drovers were in Indian Territory, not quite halfway home, when misfortune struck. At dinner time one evening, he ambled over to the chuck wagon for some grub, and for whatever reason maybe it was the aroma of sizzling hot spareribs dripping with brown gravy he forgot to leave his horse untied. The next thing he knew, the animal had ripped loose and was heading to parts unknown, saddle and treasure-laden saddlebags bouncing with each bounding gallop over the prairie. Tossing aside his tin plate, a suddenly unhungry Withers raced after the wayward pony, to no avail. For two weeks, the Lockhart bunch hunted the horse in the thick brush along both sides of the Red River. Withers must surely have been brooding about the hot, dusty days herding hundreds of balky cows, the nights trying to find a comfortable place to stretch out on hard ground, the treacherous storms and potential stampedes. All for nothing. When they finally gave up, Withers saddled a more reliable horse he always brought three on the drives, he recalled and headed home to Lockhart, no doubt rehearsing along the way how he was going to explain to his wife that their years income had galloped away on the rump of a skittish horse. And what was he going to tell the Lockhart banker who had loaned him money to buy the cattle? Back home, he must have moped around the ranch for several weeks until a penny postcard showed up in the mail from the horses original owner, informing Withers that his horse had come back to Bastrop, still saddled. Read more: In a little West Texas town, Conans creator still lives The former owner told Withers later he had no idea what had happened. A rider-less horse showing up usually meant bad news. Had the unfortunate rider been killed by Indians? Had he drowned in the Red? Did lightning strike him down out on the prairie? Until he knew for sure, the Bastrop man had hung the saddle in the barn and put the horse out to pasture. Driving the 35 miles over to Bastrop as fast as his buggy could carry him, Withers must have marveled at the fact that his quirky horse, somehow, had meandered southward more than 300 miles from where hed last seen him. He shook hands with the man, thanked him for getting in touch and then strolled with him to the barn to retrieve the saddle. And the bags. Which the Bastrop man hadnt opened. Withers his hands trembling, perhaps? untied the straps and reached inside. It was all there gold and greenbacks and, out in the pasture, a wayward pony that had brought it home to Texas. djholley10@gmail.com Twitter: holleynews The heart transplant program at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center is set to lose federal funding Friday, a serious blow to a Houston hospital long regarded as one of the nation's best for cardiac surgery. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in June that it would cut off funding for heart transplants this month after concluding that the hospital had not done enough to correct issues that led to a high rate of patient deaths in recent years. The federal action came weeks after an investigation by the Houston Chronicle and ProPublica detailed the depth of the problems and revealed that several physicians had left the program in recent years after raising concerns. Barring a last-minute delay by the agency, which would be highly unusual, the hospital will no longer be allowed to bill Medicare and Medicaid for heart transplants, and experts say the termination could affect the hospital in more far-reaching ways. HEART FAILURE: At St. Luke's in Houston, patients suffer as a renowned heart transplant program loses its luster With the federal sanction looming, some patients awaiting heart transplants at St. Luke's have transferred their care to neighboring Houston Methodist and Memorial Hermann hospitals, officials at both said; at least two patients have already received new hearts since switching to Methodist. Meanwhile, St. Luke's spokeswoman Marilyn Gerry said in an email that the hospital "is continuing to communicate with CMS about possible options" to maintain federal approval. "We have taken steps to make sure all of the critically ill patients in our heart transplant program continue to receive the care they need," Gerry wrote. "We have advised all of our Medicare and Medicaid patients on the heart transplant wait list of their options. Many of them have chosen to continue their care at Baylor St. Luke's with the physicians and staff they have come to know." Gerry downplayed the impact of federal termination, saying that it "only affects how Medicare pays for heart transplant costs" and that it won't affect patients in need of lung, liver or kidney transplants. But experts say once Medicare refuses to cover heart transplants at a hospital, private insurance companies often follow suit. If that happens, most of the 87 patients on the program's heart waiting list would have to either pay out of pocket for their surgeries, transfer to another hospital or hope that St. Luke's is willing to perform the procedure at no cost. The transplant program has remained open since Medicare announced its intentions, but it performed no heart transplants in June or July, an unusual gap for a program that historically has done about 40 each year. St. Luke's administrators suspended the program for two weeks in June to study what led to two patient deaths in May but then reopened it after saying they had made policy and staff changes. St. Luke's officials declined to say if the program has performed any heart transplants in August. Hospital leaders also would not say if they intend to formally appeal the termination or whether they will seek recertification from Medicare, a costly process that can sometimes take several months or years. The deadline to appeal to an administrative law judge is Sept. 14. A Death in Slow Motion: A heart transplant, a medical mishap and a drawn-out end The federal termination could affect St. Luke's in a number of ways beyond heart transplants. For example, federal rules require hospitals to have a written agreement with a Medicare-approved heart transplant program before implanting mechanical heart pumps in Medicare patients who would eventually require a new heart a common treatment known as "bridge-to-transplant." Without such an agreement, St. Luke's much-celebrated left ventricular assist device program could suffer. In addition, private cardiologists might hesitate to send some advanced heart failure patients to a hospital that lacks a Medicare-approved transplant program. And St. Luke's, along with its academic partner Baylor College of Medicine, could have a more difficult time recruiting top physicians, fellows or residents to staff its heart failure program. "This has far-reaching ramifications beyond just the heart transplant program," said Alexander Aussi, a San Antonio-based transplant consultant who has closely followed the situation at St. Luke's. Losing Medicare is not unprecedented, but rarely has such a severe sanction been levied against a transplant program of St. Luke's prominence. Some of the world's first heart transplants were performed at the hospital in the 1960s and '70s. Since the heart transplant program was formally established in 1982, only a handful of hospitals in the nation have performed more. And, along with its research affiliate, the Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's has been credited with numerous advancements in the development of mechanical heart pumps now routinely used to keep patients alive until they can receive a transplant. "I hope they recover from this," Aussi said. "This is one of those marquee programs that's going to remain in the history books when it comes to innovation. ... We all have a vested interest in it succeeding." Medicare first raised concerns about the heart transplant program during an inspection in December. At the time, an unidentified St. Luke's transplant physician told a CMS inspector that the hospital had hired a consultant to determine what led to poor outcomes in 2015. The physician "explained that issues were identified with the major issue being surgical technique with one of the heart transplant surgeons, who was no longer practicing," inspectors wrote. St. Luke's officials have declined to say which surgeon was being blamed for poor outcomes. In a more detailed written response to regulators a few weeks later, the hospital's CEO, Gay Nord, detailed actions the hospital was taking to improve outcomes. In 2015, Nord wrote, the hospital hired "an international leader in heart transplantation" as the heart program's new surgical director. The new surgeon, she wrote, had "led another renowned heart transplant program to national prominence." The physician St. Luke's had hired, Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, came from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, whose heart program was smaller than St. Luke's. Morgan was not its director and had only been the lead surgeon on 18 heart transplants in the previous five years. St. Luke's officials say the heart transplant program's one-year survival rate improved in 2016 and 2017 under Morgan's leadership. But multiple heart transplant recipients have suffered unusual complications since 2016, the Chronicle and ProPublica investigation found, including two who had major veins stitched closed during surgery, according to numerous sources. Another patient's heart transplant failed this year after operating-room equipment malfunctioned during a key stage of surgery. Once Medicare cuts off funding, the program could face an uphill fight if the hospital wishes to regain federal approval, said Laura Aguiar, an Arizona-based transplant consultant who has spent years helping programs navigate regulations. In most cases, Aguiar said, a program seeking Medicare approval must perform 10 transplants and follow those patients for a year to demonstrate it has the proper medical and administrative infrastructure in place to support a safe transplant program. "The challenge is going to be finding 10 patients they can transplant who have coverage," Aguiar said, noting that Medicaid and most private insurance companies won't pay for heart transplants at programs that don't have Medicare approval. "Otherwise, the hospital will have to make a decision to absorb those costs." *** This story is the result of a collaboration between the Chronicle and ProPublica, an independent nonprofit newsroom based in New York. Mike Hixenbaugh is an investigative reporter at the Houston Chronicle. Charles Ornstein is a senior editor at ProPublica. Tell us your story Are you an employee, patient or a family member of a patient at the Texas Medical Center? We'd like to hear from you about your experience. Please fill out this confidential questionnaire. WASHINGTON Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro travels this week to the Iowa State Fair a rite of passage for White House seekers since the 1950s - as he gears up for a run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. Castro has been running a PAC, writing a book and building quietly at the grassroots while helping 2018 candidates around the country get elected. But with a speech on Friday at the fair at the time-honored Des Moines Registers Political Soapbox, Castro will thrust himself into a diverse mix of lesser-known Democrats expected to vie for their partys next nomination. Castros three-day trip to Iowa is his first this year, which will trigger more speculation about his future. Iowa opens the 2020 presidential season with a round of precinct caucuses. Building a network is essential to making the cut in Iowa, known as the Big Winnower, and Castro could make headway this weekend with a strong impression. Castro, 43, Housing secretary in the Obama administration, has said he will decide after the November midterm elections whether to seek the presidency. Earlier this year he visited New Hampshire, which holds the nations first primary. He was scheduled to be in Iowa in June but canceled to attend a protest in Texas over the Trump administration policy of separating migrant families at the border. He recently picked up the pace of travel, campaigning in Nevada last week on behalf of office-seekers. Earlier this month, he was among potential Democratic presidential candidates who delivered speeches in New Orleans at a Netroots Nation conference, a gathering of left-leaning politicians and activists from around the country. Dont waste a minute of your time feeling daunted that Donald Trump has a base of die-hard supporters. So did Richard Nixon before he resigned. So did (Alabama GOP Senate candidate) Roy Moore before he lost. And so will Donald Trump before he loses as well, Castro told his New Orleans audience. Others who spoke included Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, all mentioned as possible contenders for the Democratic nomination. Biography drops in October Publishing a book often is a modern-day precursor to a presidential candidacy and Castros family-heavy biography, titled An Unlikely Journey, published by Little, Brown and Co., is scheduled for release Oct. 9. Castro has worked to build a political operation outside Texas with his Opportunity First PAC, raising $464,000 thus far. Last week, the PAC announced endorsements of congressional and legislative candidates in Texas and 18 other states, including Iowa. In Iowa, Castro planned events in a half-dozen cities and towns, meeting with activists and helping candidates raise money, all the while making contacts needed to compete in the Iowa caucuses. Jennifer Fiore, spokeswoman for Castros PAC, said Castro aims to energize folks ahead of the midterms. She added that Castro is actively working to elect Democrats in Iowa to local, state and federal offices where they can make a difference by increasing opportunity for all Iowans and bringing accountability back to Washington. Castro is scheduled to meet on Saturday in Des Moines with Iowa Latino Political Network leaders and later that day attend a barbecue in the central Iowa city of Marshalltown, where Hispanics make up a quarter of the population. The number of Hispanics in Iowa has grown six-fold since the 1990s, to nearly 200,000, or 6 percent of the population. Candidates amass after slow start Candidate jockeying in Iowa has been slower to begin this cycle as better-known Democrats focus on helping their party regain control of the House. They may be wary, too, of opening themselves to early scrutiny. Nonetheless, several prospective Democratic candidates are visiting Iowa this month, among them Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Ohio and Eric Swalwell of California. John Delaney, a Maryland congressman and entrepreneur who declared his candidacy a year ago, is scheduled to make his 14th trip to Iowa this weekend and already is airing television ads in the state. Other more unconventional politicians also are showing up. Last week, Michael Avenatti, a lawyer for adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, declared at a state party fundraiser that Democrats need a fighter to take on President Donald Trump. He implied that he fits the bill. At the Registers Soapbox forum last week, former CIA officer Evan McMullin declared that his new mission is helping both parties elect moderate candidates. McMullin is a former top aide to House Republicans. Andrew Yang, another entrepreneur and declared Democratic candidate, touted a plan to state fair-goers for a monthly $1,000 dividend for every adult in America. A state that demands vision Dennis Goldford, Drake University political science chair, predicted a fight in the state over the future of the party, which he jokingly referred to as the Sandinistas versus the Clintonites - a reference to Nicaraguan socialist party and Hillary Clintons former followers. Those battles have been playing out in primaries around the country over support for a single-payer health care system. Goldford, who has written a book on the Iowa caucuses, contends that Democrats have stumbled in Iowa over the years due to a lack of a clear vision, instead offering vague plans or arms-length lists of policy proposals. He recalled Ronald Reagans are you better off than you were four years ago refrain in 1980 as an example of something easily understood. All of his issues and programs hung on that. You have to have an overarching vision to give people a way of making sense of all your policy proposals, he said. For Castro and others, now is a time for crafting a message while laying groundwork for a campaign. In New Hampshire and New Orleans, Castro spoke of a 21st century blueprint for progress, which would include free public college. Brainpower is the new currency for success in the 21st century economy, he said in New Orleans, suggesting a plan to embrace education themes. AUSTIN Gov. Greg Abbott is attacking rival Lupe Valdez for misplacing her government-issued pistol as the former Dallas County Sheriff resigned at the end of 2017. Abbotts campaign tweeted Thursday about the missing gun, posting an online video that paints Valdez as a hypocrite for saying parents should be held accountable for the reckless storage of weapons that can lead to crimes, and questioning whether she is responsible enough to lead the state. Shes running on her law enforcement background. Thats one of the premise (sic) of her campaign, says a narrator in the Abbott ad. And she cant even keep track of her gun. Valdez, the Democratic candidate in the governors race, released a statement Thursday saying she takes full responsibility for the Beretta 9 mm pistol, which was misplaced after she followed protocol to return it to the Dallas County Sheriffs office when resigning from the department last year. It is not clear what she means by following protocol, and her campaign did not immediately respond to a reporters question. Valdez said the gun was misplaced during her transition out of office. She said she tried to locate it after she learned it was missing. The Dallas County Sheriffs office filed a report last month documenting that the weapon was missing in the event it is later used in a crime. GUNS ON CAMPUS: Santa Fe shooting prompts jump in number of Texas school marshals, who can carry guns on campus Reports of the missing gun come at a bad time for Valdez, who has been pushing for a conversation about gun reform in light of a shooting in May at Santa Fe High School. The 17-year-old shooter used his fathers guns to kill 10 people. In Dallas, Valdez was elected county sheriff four times. She has also served in the Army National Guard, U.S. Customs and the Department of Homeland Security. The battle for Houstons 7th Congressional District is unquestionably one of the hottest races in the nation. But when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spent more than six hours in Houston yesterday, she had zero public appearances with Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, the Houston attorney who Democrats are counting on to defeat Republican U.S. Rep. John Culberson. Instead, Pelosi spent almost all of her time with two Democrats who are overwhelming favorites to win in November. Pelosi attended a Moms Summit with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, then later appeared with Democrat Sylvia Garcia, who is seeking to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Gene Green in Congress. Jackson Lee faces Republican Ava Pate for re-election, while Garcia faces Republican Phillip Aronoff. Both districts were drawn to favor Democrats. As the rainfall inched higher during Hurricane Harvey last year, so, too, did the amount of toxic fumes that industrial facilities across the state reported releasing until it breached 8.3 million pounds of unpermitted air pollution. But companies later reduced those estimates by 1.7 million pounds, a steep drop that environmental experts say could have been prompted by Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to suspend Texas' environmental reporting rules for months after Harvey. It calls into question if the waiver "encouraged companies to downgrade or eliminate their pollution reporting after the fact," according to a report released Thursday by the Environmental Integrity Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. "Such activity undermines public trust in our regulatory systems and may mask real health risks posed by air pollution releases during storms." The changing estimates underscore questions about just how much air and water pollution was truly released in the aftermath of Harvey and how much of it could or should have been avoided by better planning, maintenance and procedures. The report chronicles the amount of air and water pollution caused by Harvey and how state, local and industry officials can better prepare for the next big storm. For example, the organization found that industries in the Houston area waited more than three days after Abbott declared a "state of disaster" on Aug. 23 to shut down their plants, leading to more significant air pollution releases, on average, here than in Corpus Christi another major center for refineries that was hit by the storm before Houston. 2 1 of 2 Godofredo A. Vasquez, MBO / Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Elizabeth Conley, MBO / AP Show More Show Less The report also found that Harvey-related water pollution was vastly underestimated. In all, industrial and municipal plants reported that more than 150 million gallons of sewage and industrial discharge spilled across the Texas coastline due to Harvey but at least 24 percent of facilities that reported spills provided no estimates of the overflows, listing them only as "zero." Andrea Morrow, spokeswoman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said in a statement that the agency does not comment on other organizations' reports, but that "we vigorously defend our practices." SILENT SPILLS, PART 1: In Houston and beyond Harvey's spills leave a toxic legacy The Environmental Integrity Project's findings confirm reporting by the Houston Chronicle and the Associated Press published in a series earlier this year on the government's inaction following more than 100 toxic spills on land, in water and in the air during and after Harvey. This, despite the fact that documents show benzene, vinyl chloride, butadiene and other known human carcinogens were among the dozens of tons of industrial chemicals released throughout Houston's petrochemical corridor and surrounding neighborhoods and waterways. The project recommended that TCEQ should, in the future, draft less ambiguous permits, as well as avoid suspending pollution reporting requirements. Both wastewater treatment plants and industrial plants should be better prepared for natural disasters like Harvey in the future. SILENT SPILLS, PART 2: For Crosby residents, a 'bitter taste' about Arkema and little help from government "While some pollution may be unavoidable during major storms, improvements like coordinated shutdowns of plants ... could help improve the responses next time there's a major storm," Ilan Levin, the project's Texas director, said Thursday during a conference call. And there will be a next time, said Ron Sass, a climate expert with emeritus status at Rice University. Climate change is making storms more intense, Sass said Thursday. "The time is here for all of us to put aside the old normal ... and deliver creative and effective policy to change and meet the new normal of our affected climate." Conflicting reports Workers at the Flint Hills Resources plant in Port Arthur were in the beginning phases of a planned shutdown on Aug. 29 when a loss of steam forced an emergency shutdown of their Light Olefins Unit. The company produces ethylene and propylene (both light olefins), which is used to manufacture parts for medical devices. The emergency shutdown caused a release of air pollution initially estimated at 533,200 pounds, project data shows. But in the company's final report to TCEQ, that number was cut to 33,490 pounds, an erasure of almost 500,000 pounds. The reason for such a drastic change is unclear. The company did not respond to a request for comment. MORE POLLUTION: After Harvey, a second storm of air pollution, state reports The project found 17 other examples of similar changes an erasure of 1.7 million pounds of air pollution in total by examining air emission reports from during and after Harvey at two different times, first in October 2017 and again in June 2018. Also in Port Arthur, the Chevron Phillips Chemical facility completely removed its initially reported 34,591 pounds of emissions, saying the pollution was authorized under its permit, the report found. In a statement Thursday, Chevron Phillips said it began shutting down in preparation for Harvey alerting officials and providing an estimated emissions amount but ultimately determined that a complete shutdown wasn't necessary. "Once it was apparent that the emissions would be within the allowable limit of the permit for a shut-down, the notice to the TCEQ was rescinded," the statement says. The state authorizes emissions for planned maintenance, startup and shutdown activities. But unplanned activities, like those that happen during a natural disaster, are not authorized and the limit for these events, effectively, is zero, the report states. MONITORING PLANTS: Government ill-equipped to monitor industrial plants damaged by Hurricane Harvey This suggests that the state is drafting permits that are too broad, the report says, and that Harvey-related releases are being mischaracterized "to hide the unauthorized emissions." Morrow, the TCEQ spokeswoman, said in the statement that "any emissions resulting from emergency or unplanned events would not be included in a permit." Within 24 hours of discovering an emissions event, she added, companies must file an initial report that contains emissions estimates, usually based on experience or engineering calculations. Those initial estimates can be revised in the final report due two weeks after the event ends which is then investigated by the TCEQ, she added. A disaster declaration On Aug. 28, three days after Harvey began pummeling the Houston area, Abbott suspended environmental reporting and record-keeping rules relating to air pollution, wastewater and fuel standards for vehicles, as well as liability for unauthorized emissions for the duration of the disaster declaration. He did not lift the suspension until April, just a few weeks after the Chronicle and the Associated Press published their series. Environmental experts believe this suspension also is partly to blame for the altered reports. SEVEN MONTHS LATER: Abbott lifts post-Harvey suspension of environmental regulations In its report, the project noted that this suspension likely led to an underestimation of Harvey-related air pollution. No one knows how many industrial plant operators opted out of reporting emissions because of this suspension, the report continued, and it led to "widespread confusion" because many companies still had to report their emissions to the federal government. Therefore, the report recommends that pollution reporting should not be suspended during major storms in the future. It also suggests that the state should bar plants from retracting pollution reports because of "disaster declarations or questionable interpretations of the state permits." But Morrow said companies had to comply with the reporting rules "at the earliest opportunity available," adding that companies claiming Harvey caused a "situation of noncompliance" have to demonstrate with documentation that they were unable to take the necessary actions to cope with the hurricane because of those requirements. "The TCEQ is and will continue to conduct investigations of Hurricane Harvey related incidents, including emissions events," she said. Spewing sewage The 150 million gallons of sewage and industrial discharges that spewed into local communities and waterways as a result of Harvey shocked residents and environmental experts alike. But the project found that the amount reported likely is low. ONE COMPANY, 100 MILLION GALLONS: Port Arthur plant had largest wastewater spill in Texas after Harvey Of the 691 sewage and industrial discharge spills reported to the state, about 24 percent reported releasing zero gallons. It's unlikely, however, that these facilities released nothing, the report stated. For example, Dow's Deer Park chemical plant near Houston reported releasing zero gallons, but the description of the incident states that 103.6 million pounds of non-hazardous biosolids and 17.4 million pounds overflowed from its treatment plants. It's also not clear what contaminants were released in many of these spills, the report found. $1 MILLION IN DAMAGES: 3 wastewater treatment plants offline because of Harvey. The project suggests TCEQ develop a better way to quickly assess dangerous chemicals discharged during floods and then communicate those risks to the public in a timely manner. It also suggests that these facilities be better prepared for future storms, which could include building better barriers or levees or moving the plants to higher ground. Morrow said that TCEQ "actively works to monitor" facilities that have reported spills, as well as provide guidance on how to handle these events. The facilities were prepared, she added, but "the magnitude and the nature of the record-setting flooding from Hurricane Harvey impacted facilities in a way that they could not respond to operationally." Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Texans may disagree on the kinds of folks they want representing their interests in Austin, but there should be no question that were all entitled to some kind of voice. Thats what makes a head-scratching stalemate between Democratic state Sen. Sylvia Garcia and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott so frustrating. If the political squabble isnt resolved soon, an estimated 840,000 Texans could be left without a state senator when the Texas Legislature convenes in January. It all started on July 23, when Garcia tweeted out a letter announcing her intent to resign from the office of Senator for District 6, effective midnight January 2, 2019. Garcia, who won a March primary to replace U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, is poised for another victory in November that would send her to Washington. She patterned her resignation letter after one submitted four years ago by former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, that was accepted without a hitch by then-Gov. Rick Perry. In her letter, Garcia asked Abbott to schedule a special election on the same day as the general: Nov. 6. That would allow her open seat to accompany all the other races on the ballot. . And it would ensure continued representation and save Harris County hundreds of thousands of dollars, Garcia wrote. But so far, Abbott hasnt set date for voters to choose Garcias successor. His office contends that Garcias letter merely expresses your intent to resign at a later date and does not qualify as an actual resignation. The Governor stands ready to call an election to fill your seat, says the July 31 response from the governors chief of staff, but only after you submit a resignation in accordance with the Election Code. The governors office waited the full eight days allowed by law to send that response. Since then, the two staffs have exchanged a flurry of letters, with Abbotts office insisting that Garcia must change the wording before he can set a date for a special election, and Garcia maintaining there was nothing wrong with her original letter. Caught in the middle are the people of District 6, who could be left without a senator to file bills and advocate on their behalf in Austin and to fight legislation they dont want. The clock is ticking. If Abbott doesnt set a date by Aug. 20, the next potential uniform election date would be in May 2019 meaning that Garcias successor would likely not be seated until after the 86th legislative session ends. Abbott can call an emergency special election on an earlier date, which would allow Garcias replacement to be sworn in for at least part of the session. But theres no way of knowing if he will because his office wont say. Garcias staff told Abbotts office that she is willing to simply remove the word intent from her letter and resubmit it. But her concern, she told the editorial board, is that a new letter restarts the deadline clock, giving the governor wiggle room to delay the election until May. In an Aug. 10 letter, Garcias chief of staff asked Abbotts office point-blank, if the senator resubmitted her letter, when will the Governor call an election to fill her position? The response, three days later from Abbotts office: The Governor has no authority to call a special election until Senator Garcia submits a valid and unequivocal resignation. So it goes. Back and forth, like bickering on the schoolyard. The memo war needs to stop. The hundreds of thousands of people Garcia serves have a right to know when they will be voting on their next state senator. Abbotts stalling isnt just unfair, it could be expensive for taxpayers forced to shoulder the expense of a separate special election. As we have written, special elections often result in low voter turnout and can carry costs of $300,000 up to $20 million. Abbott himself demanded that former Congressman Blake Farenthold cough up $84,000 to pay for a special election to fill his seat after scandal forced him to resign. Whats different now? Why does Abbott seem to be avoiding putting Garcias seat on the November ballot? Is the governor, as Garcia believes, afraid that scheduling the District 6 race during the general election would increase voter turnout among Democrats? Is this just a tussle between partisans? Enough is enough. Political games are no reason to deprive people of a state senator. The governor needs to take Garcia up on her offer to resubmit the letter, accept her resignation, and set an election date that will ensure the constituents of District 6 have the representation to which they are entitled in the next session. After the 2016 Tax Day Floods, the Houston Chronicle quoted me as saying, Our elected officials need to come together committed to mobilizing our governmental agencies on all levels to adopt policies and actions to identify and address all aspects of our flooding infrastructure now in the same way and with a similar degree of funding as devoted to the Sandy storm on the East Coast, Katrina in New Orleans and others. It took Hurricane Harveys wake up call to really energize our elected officials. Judge Ed Emmett, our Harris County Commissioners and others deserve credit for putting a $2.5 billion plan before voters on Aug. 25. This plan, known as Proposition A as proposed by the Harris County Flood Control District, will fund 237 flood control projects. It will include $1.2 billion for channel improvements, $401 million for detention basins, $242 million for buyouts and $12.5 million to remap the floodplain. Proposition A will also pay for a county-wide flood warning system and keep $500 million in reserve, some of which can be leveraged as a match for federal projects. This matching fund capability could produce another $1 billion to $2 billion for shovel-ready projects. With Proposition A in place, federal funding could also provide a large share of the remaining millions needed to complete the infrastructure needed to accommodate a 100-year storm event in all 23 Harris County watersheds. Although the Houston region did not obtain as much federal funding as the East Coast after Sandy or New Orleans after Katrina, we are much better off because our state leaders and Houstons congressional delegation were successful in obtaining $89.4 billion in federal appropriations for flood control projects. This money must be shared with Florida, Puerto Rico and 19 other states and territories, so it is important for Harris County to ask for its share as quickly as possible. A vote for Proposition A sends a message loud and clear to our governmental officials that Houston is serious about addressing its flooding problems head-on. Harris County has already appropriated its 2018 budget for flood control. So a later or unsuccessful election would require the Flood Control District to wait until 2019 to start new projects and further delay reconciling the backlog of buyout applications for homeowners that flooded repeatedly. To effectively address our flooding issue, our leaders and our community must work to get every available dollar out of Washington, pursue all other possible funding sources and ensure that every project is done responsibly and every agency involved is actively working on the right projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston Office announced on July 5 that it will receive approximately $5 billion for infrastructure; $6 million to study Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries; and $3 million to conduct a regional assessment. These studies are slated to take three years. Where it makes sense, such as on projects that take less study, the Corps should take action as soon as possible. Silt removal is one example. The Corps did well recently in quickly desilting the San Jacinto River. However, the Corps has neglected to remove silt from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, even though, unlike the San Jacinto River, the Corps owns the two reservoirs. The overarching need for long-term commitment and cooperation is imperative and must remain a top priority. Our community and our leaders must maintain this sense of urgency, and we all must join them now by voting Aug. 25 for Proposition A. Our future economic vitality and success depends on your vote. Kicking the can down the road is no longer an option. Wulfe is founder, chairman & CEO of Wulfe & Co., a Houston-based commercial real estate brokerage, development and property management firm. Indeed, the players donned aprons and pitched in to help cook a range of dishes from various countries including Vietnam, Spain and Mexico as AIG sought to engage staff while also promoting diversity and inclusion. We wanted to create an event today that was quite diverse and that everyone could participate in, whether you love rugby or not, said Scott Bunting, AIGs general manager for NSW and ACT. Diversity is really important for us at AIG, weve got over 350 employees here, and we want everyone to feel respected and valued and to have a voice, Bunting told HRD. We believe that creates better value for our business and better results for our customers. The event comes as AIG continues to collaborate with New Zealand Rugby on a global campaign dubbed Effort is Effort which aims to promote the power of difference. Page Content Montreal and Strasbourg, 12 July 2018 Accelerating traffic growth and emerging challenges on the safe integration of drones, commercial space flights, and artificial intelligence were some of the key points addressed in Strasbourg, France where ICAOs Council President and Secretary General took part in the European Civil Aviation Conferences (ECAC) 36th Plenary Session. In his keynote address to the European government and industry air transport leaders in attendance, ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu highlighted Europes status as one of the most liberalized and integrated air transport markets in the world. He praised the Region for its high levels of safety and security even as it carries half of the worlds international passengers, but stressed that forecast growth poses significant challenges in this regard, and that States and operators alike could benefit from ICAOs global planning as they seek to optimize the socio-economic benefits of increasing flight volumes in finite air space. The most important step which governments seeking to modernize and expand their air transport systems today can undertake is to work closely through ICAO and strengthen their ICAO compliance, President Aliu remarked. We have global strategies, plans, programmes and agreements in place to ensure that new civil aviation standards are continuously developed to address emerging challenges, and in particular I would emphasize the importance of the ICAO Global Aviation Safety and Air Navigation Plans. The ICAO President also updated the European audience on the recent progress made by the ICAO Council on the standards for its CORSIA emissions offsetting programme, set to commence in 2021, and set the stage for what will be decided at ICAOs 13th Air Navigation Conference this October. Today we are exploring new methods to enhance global harmonization and interoperability, researching new technologies and innovations to continuously make air transport operations more safe, secure, efficient and environmentally-friendly, and we continue to advocate for the more liberalized multilateral approaches and open skies which are so vital to a truly global and accessible network, he said. Taken together, air transports many and diverse benefits are of critical importance today to every countrys Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but in order to realize them, and improve local prosperity for their citizens and businesses, States must make due commitments to modernize and expand capacity, and to effectively implement ICAOs global standards and policies. In her opening statement, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu emphasized that the 27 percent of global traffic managed by Europe today corresponds to some 11.9 million jobs being generated in the Region, and a 735 billion impact on local GDP. With low-cost carriers being responsible for over 40 percent of the seats available to passengers travelling in Europe today, we may also wish to recognize the synergies between air transport affordability and sustainability, she highlighted. Dr. Liu also underscored that safety performance has been a key contributing factor to Europes air transport growth and success, and how its improved coordination had helped its States achieve particularly admirable ICAO safety oversight audit results. I appreciate the important contributions ICAO has received from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Eurocontrol toward these results, and how they represent such a positive example of enhanced pan-Regional coordination. Referring to the upcoming CORSIA capacity building being undertaken by the ICAO Secretariat, Dr. Liu noted that States, industry and other stakeholders must commit to it together, to ensure that the CORSIA goals and objectives are met, and I would encourage European States to take a leadership role in these initiatives. One early assistance effort in need of your support will be the CORSIA implementation Train the Trainer sessions ICAO will be conducting this autumn at our Headquarters. She also recognized and supported ECACs objective to achieve greater pan-European harmonization on air transport policy priorities, and strongly emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum on the Regions implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP). In light of how both aviation security threats and the methods to confront them are continuing to evolve, it is critical that your States plan and guide your cooperative progress on the basis of what the GASeP European and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Roadmap sets out, and to ensure that your national priorities continue to be aligned with the Plans provisions, she remarked. She concluded by noting that as Europe has coalesced into a more unified region in the ensuing decades, we have also seen the role of ECAC, and its relationship with ICAO, evolving as well. I believe the current and admirable levels of coordination and partnership can be further enhanced, to the benefit of ICAO and ECAC and all States and Regions. During their stay in France, ICAOs senior officials, accompanied by EUR/NAT Regional Director Mr. Luis Fonseca de Almeida, conducted bilateral meetings with Mr. Henrik Hololei, Director General, DG MOVE, European Commission, Mr. Volodymyr Omelyan, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Mr. Sangdo Kim, Director General for Aviation Safety Policy, Republic of Korea, and Mr. Kevin Shum, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Resources for Editors About ICAO A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 192 Member States. ICAO Europe and North Atlantic Regional Office ICAO's CORSIA Offsetting Framework ICAO's No Country Left Behind initiative Aviation and the UN SDGs Contacts Anthony Philbin Chief, Communications aphilbin@icao.int +1 514-954-8220 +1 438-402-8886 (mobile) Twitter: @ICAO William Raillant-Clark Communications Officer wraillantclark@icao.int +1 514-954-6705 +1 514-409-0705 (mobile) Twitter: @wraillantclark LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raillantclark/ Drones driven by AI will track illegal fishing in African waters August 17,2018 | Source: CNN Across the African continent, drones are finding innovative uses -- from monitoring displaced populations, to delivering critical medical supplies. Moroccan technology startup ATLAN Space is developing artificial intelligence (AI) to guide autonomous drones so they can scan large areas for "environmental crimes" like illegal fishing, poaching or deforestation. In June, ATLAN Space won the National Geographic Society's $150,000 Marine Protection Prize to implement a pilot project to combat illegal fishing in the Seychelles. Drones will be armed with information about illegal fishing hotspots, explains Badr Idrissi, CEO and co-founder of ATLAN Space. Once a drone detects a boat, AI will enable it to verify whether it is a cruising boat, tanker or fishing vessel. The drone will then establish whether the boat is operating inside a marine protected area, and if it is an authorized fishing vessel. If it concludes that the activity is illegal, the drone will register the boat's location, identification number, and number of people on board and relay this information to authorities via satellite. Currently governments employ light aircraft or coast guard vessels for this kind of surveillance. "With artificial intelligence we are able to replace the pilot, the data analyst, transmission equipment, and with that we can reduce the cost," says Idrissi, a former account manager at Microsoft. He adds that using drones guided by AI would relieve coast guards from their monitoring duties and allow them to focus on intercepting vessels. According to Idrissi, ATLAN Space technology can be integrated in any type of drone. He says the operational range could reach up to 800 kilometers when using drones equipped with a combustion engine. Idrissi, 37 and co-founder Younes Moumen, 35, both based in Rabat, started developing the technology when they learned that illegal fishing costs coastal countries in West Africa approximately $2.3 billion every year. "We consider ourselves a partner of government to build a sustainable solution to the issues and challenges they are facing," Idrissi says. Drones for good ATLAN Space is one of many startups innovating with drone technology on the continent. Across Southern Africa, drones are used to protect elephants and rhinos from poaching. In Sudan, a startup wants to drop Acacia tree seeds from the sky to tackle desertification, and in South Africa, drones are used in agriculture to monitor crop health and detect disease. In Rwanda, drones deliver vital medical supplies like blood and vaccines to remote areas. They are also used for critical humanitarian missions, like mapping displaced people in Niger, Burkina Faso and Uganda. In Lilongwe, Malawi, UNICEF partnered with the government to set up a testing corridor in 2017 to investigate how drones can be used for humanitarian work. Over the past year, universities and private sector companies have used drones to map cholera outbreaks and mosquito breeding sites in the corridor. "The idea is to see what's working in Malawi and be able to scale the solutions to a global level," UNICEF's Michael Scheibenreif tells CNN. "Drones will substantially change our way of working in Africa," says Scheibenreif. "As a leapfrog technology they can help us to deliver goods like medicine quickly ... in places where developed transportation networks or roads do not exist." Sky's the limit? But drone expert and World Bank Consultant Frederick Mbuya, who has previously worked on drone mapping projects in Tanzania and Zanzibar, cautions that drones, while hugely effective in land surveying and delivery of medical supplies, are not always the silver bullet they're hyped up to be. "Drones have a huge potential to impact Africa, and not just the rich, all areas of Africa," he tells CNN. "But a lot of work needs to be done." As of July 2017, only 14 African countries had dedicated drone regulations, according to an African Union report. But Mbuya stresses that often these regulations are too restrictive and exorbitant licensing fees can price local startups and operators out of the market. He adds that if drone technology is going to change Africa, Africans have to be able to enter business using the technology and profit. Idrissi agrees that drone technology and startups should be homegrown. "We are based in Morocco because we believe Africa has reached maturity to build solutions that can really tackle the challenges and issues that Africa is facing," he says. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Theme(s): Others, Landing Centres, Fisheries Resources, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats, Communities and Organisations, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. Kenya fishermen decry harassment by Uganda police August 17,2018 | Source: N TV Fishermen and fish traders are decrying harassment from Uganda police and are now calling the government to revisit regulation governing fish trade along the border. The fish traders say that the harassment and intimidation cases by Uganda police has affected the business. They have faulted bad legislation by the East African Community saying the business along the border and fishing at the shores of lake Victoria has largely been affected. Theme(s): Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Landing Centres, Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Others, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats, Fisheries Resources, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Communities and Organisations. Will trade tariffs cause the American fish industry to flop? by Maisie Ganzler August 17,2018 | Source: Forbes An estimated $900 million worth of American-caught or -farmed seafood from fish sticks to cod fillets may get a lot more expensive thanks to the U.S.s current trade war with China. How? Well, last month the Trump administration proposed a 10% duty on a wide range of imports from China, including many varieties of fish. Trade representatives will finalize the tariffs, which could increase to 25%, in September. While these tariffs are designed to punish China for unfair trade practices, when it comes to seafood, its the U.S. that may be on the hook. Heres a surprising fact: In many cases seafood labeled as from China is actually American. That $900 million of seafood I mentioned earlier? Its seafood that is first caught or raised in the U.S., sent to China for processing, and then subsequently imported back into the U.S. by companies that sell it to American consumers. Why would pink salmon or squid thats caught in U.S. waters be labeled a product of China? Well, thanks to our confusing Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL for short), American products that undergo a substantial transformation abroad such as calamari being breaded or pink salmon being filleted and canned must then be labeled as coming from the country where they were processed. For example, in some cases a package of frozen Alaskan Cod fillets may say product of China on the back. The fish was caught in Alaska, but it was cleaned, filleted, and frozen in China. (If youre interested in more, the USDA has a good blog post on the subject.) If this sounds incredibly inefficient, yes, it is until you start trying to make sense out of dollars. Our food system has gone global because price competitiveness hinges on cheap labor. Cheap labor is hard to come by in the U.S., though it should be noted that immigrant farmworkers are the lowest-paid laborers in the country. So companies outsource the processing of meat, seafood, and sometimes produce to workers in other countries. Its cheaper to catch a fish in the Gulf of Mexico, ship it 7,000 miles to China to have it filleted, then ship it back, than it is to fillet it in the U.S. (If that doesnt blow your mind then nothing will.) As a cost-saving measure, machines have begun to replace laborers in the U.S., but so far they result in significant loss of product. As I learned while touring shrimp processing facilities in Vietnam, processing seafood requires a lot of dexterity and skill and a lot of people! So in the current model, that labor is mostly likely to be found overseas. he rub is that our hunger for cheap food which in seafood and in other food industries, is really a hunger for cheap labor compounded by COOL laws may ultimately endanger the livelihoods of small- and medium-scale fisherfolk in America. If up to a 25% tariff hits American-caught or -raised seafood thats being processed in China, profits for fisheries and aquaculture operations will plummet, and that may lead to U.S. job losses as well as rising prices for consumers. Maybe if tariffs for China get high enough, it will become cheaper to process seafood domestically, which would be a win for many reasons. Seafood caught, processed, and sold in the U.S. would be more traceable, less likely to be fraudulently labeled, and at least theoretically, wed be better able to ensure that human trafficking and slave labor issues arent a concern. (Reports by the Associated Press have shown that even U.S. seafood isnt always slavery free, however.) My guess is well probably just ship it to other countries for processing, like Vietnam, Thailand, or Indonesia. I fear that when it comes down to it, Americans as a whole arent ready to pay more for their seafood, even if doing so could benefit American fisherfolk. As chief strategy and brand officer for a $1.3 billion food-service company, I get to visit California dairies, Iowa hog farms, Vietnamese shrimp processing plants, and other supply-chain nodes. Theme(s): Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Landing Centres, Others, Communities and Organisations, Fisheries Resources, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats, Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. Aryan Khan Released | What Are The Bail Conditions For SRK's Son In The Drugs On Cruise Case Beautiful headquarters. Delicious snacks. Adorable pooches. These features aren't required for running a fast-growing company, but they certainly make the experience more pleasant for employees. Check out some of the best offices for companies that ranked on this year's annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. SnackNation 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 24 Location Culver City, California Subscription-food company SnackNation has one of the cooler meeting rooms you'll find in a startup office. It looks like a giant sculpture that's been dropped into the middle of the room--until you notice the glass doors and conference table inside. The company delivers healthy snacks to corporations on a monthly basis. In the light-filled cafe, employees get to reap the benefits. The office also has a meditation room and offers yoga classes, many of which are taught by employees. Calm.com 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 19 Location San Francisco In the headquarters of mindfulness startup Calm, the company's name feels like a directive. Employees and guests are greeted with peaceful, earthy colors accented with pops of sky blue. A swing and some cozy seating make you feel like you're in someone's backyard. Even when you're out of range of the windows, plant life and some cumulus clouds make the common areas feel like you're outside. Mesosphere 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 32 Location San Francisco Mesosphere, a startup that creates software for data centers, offers employees daily catered breakfast and lunch--plus the occasional dinner for those who stay late. In the kitchen, classic drink recipes serve as wall art. The cloud company has adopted a space theme, as evidenced by the astronaut cartoons hanging in this common area. Each represents a different employee persona, like "Archie the Architect" and "Alice the App Developer." Perhaps best of all: The office is dog-friendly. Thinx 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 17 Location New York City Feminine hygiene company Thinx uses pastel colors to make each of its communal offices unique. Employees are encouraged to work wherever in the space they feel comfortable. There's also a cozy breastfeeding room dubbed the Milk Bar, and a conference room equipped with soft, kid-friendly furniture. Compass 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 71 Location New York City Real estate company Compass makes use of clean lines throughout its no-frills San Francisco office. It encourages collaboration with long bench seating and a classic open floor plan. Tall arch windows let in plenty of California sunlight. Swarm 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 98 Location Miami The headquarters of event planner Swarm are located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. The space is filled with artwork by local graffiti artists, plus repurposed materials such as the painted shipping container doors seen here. Grove Collaborative 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 37 Location San Francisco Grove Collaborative, which sells safe, sustainable cleaning products on a subscription basis, incorporates nature into its design whenever possible. In addition to natural wood finishes and copious greenery, the company names each meeting room after a tree or shrub. Known as the Treehouse, Grove's loft serves as a quiet escape. It features soft furniture and a white-noise machine to drown out distractions. It's home to weekly meditation sessions for employees looking to get back in the right mindset. Brooklinen 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 25 Location Brooklyn Bedding maker Brooklinen is growing rapidly, but it still works out of a WeWork in Brooklyn. It makes the space feel more like home by keeping some of its sheets laying around--a perk enjoyed by the many dogs roaming around the space. Velocity Global 2018 Inc. 5000 rank No. 4 Location Denver Hiring startup Velocity Global moved its 78 employees into a 20,000-square-foot Denver headquarters last year. There's lots of open space in the airy, three-story building. Four- and two-person pods are great for meetings or some solo work. EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES Trina Spear (left) and Heather Hasson exploited a market that hadn't seen much innovation since penicillin. By combining style with utility, they clicked with nurses, doctors, and other health care workers who were looking for something better. Shayan Asgharnia Trina Spear first discovered the sleepy but lucrative scrubs market when she did a private equity deal for a large U.S. scrubs maker. Then a mutual friend introduced her to Heather Hasson, a fashion designer who was working on scrub designs that featured high-tech fabrics and trendy silhouettes. The two started Figs, the first e-commerce site to sell scrubs directly to consumers. They weren't the only ones who saw a smart idea--early investors included Lululemon's ex-CEO Christine Day and actor Will Smith. They expect revenue this year to top $100 million. --As told to Lindsay Blakely Trina: Scrubs are a $10 billion industry in the United States-- $60 billion worldwide. The beauty of this industry is that it's stable. Thousands of medical professionals enter the workforce every year and 90 percent have to buy their own uniforms. But the product has never really changed. Heather: My first experience with scrubs was when I was premed in college. I'm 5'8" and 116 pounds, and there I was, working on cadavers in these extra-large, boxy, unisex scrubs. Medicine wasn't my strength, so I went into design. After seven years of running my own high-end handbag company in Italy, I decided I wanted to do something that would give back. I started a couple of philanthropic ventures, outfitting kids in school uniforms and then making and donating scrubs to doctors and nurses in Africa. When I came back to the States, I met up with a nurse friend, and she was wearing big, boxy scrubs, and I said, "Wait. They're still like this?" She had a closet full of these things that she had picked out from a cardboard box at a medical supply store--which is also, by the way, where you buy things like knee braces and walkers. All of the traditional scrub makers sell only to retailers. The experience is terrible. I altered her scrubs so they fit better and soon heard from friends of hers who also wanted alterations. That's when I knew there was so much to change in this industry. Trina: The fabric isn't functional--scrubs are typically made of cotton, which absorbs liquids and smells. You can find advanced fabrics at Lululemon and Nike, but no one was developing them for the medical profession. Ours are antimicrobial, comfortable, and stylish. We had this idea by the tail. We just needed to execute. "A hospital is a lot like a college campus. We know where our customers are eating, sleeping, and working." Heather: We developed our own fabrics, down to the yarns, in L.A. before approaching factories. My 10 years in fashion helped me develop a network of factory contacts, but it was really important to me to find factories that knew how to make technical performance-wear, not scrubs. Now we have an innovation lab in Taipei and 27 factories where we are the only customer. We designed a core set of scrubs, but we also have trendier pieces that come out each month on a limited basis, such as a jogger pant. One of our bestsellers is a sleeveless top with a mandarin collar. Trina: I was like, "A sleeveless top? Are you out of your mind?" But it's Heather's job to know what our customers want, even if they don't. Heather: The first year, we were very scrappy. We went to where our customers were. At 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.--that's when shifts change--we put on our scrubs, parked a coffee cart outside of a hospital, and passed out free cups of coffee. The doctors and nurses would notice how cute the scrubs were and we would pull a set out of my car to sell. Trina: There was a viral, word-of-mouth effect. A hospital is a lot like a college campus. We know where our customers are eating, sleeping, and working. Heather: Actually, it's stronger than on a college campus. At college, everyone wants to look different. At a hospital, everyone wants to look alike. When a new nurse joins the team, she'll ask, "Where do you get your scrubs?" Trina: We also went to medical conferences and set up a beautiful booth. Over three days, we'd see more than 20,000 nurse practitioners, and we'd be the only medical apparel company there. We were also the first in our industry to interact with customers on social media. We feature medical influencers on our Instagram. Heather: People started to catch on. We have 24/7 customer service, so we listen to our customers and know them well. They're working 12-hour days. They work night shifts. We learned they needed a specific pocket for wedding rings. The head of fetal medicine at Cedars-Sinai told us she was on her fifth wedding ring. Doctors lose them because they're pinning them to bra straps or tying them onto their scrub drawstrings. Trina: Our relationship with our customers helped us diagnose a quality-control problem early on. We started getting these emails from our male customers saying their pants were too tight. They included pictures that were, um, probably not safe for work. One guy used the subject line "My package." Heather: Our technical designer checked some of the returned pants and figured out that 12,000 pairs had been constructed with a women's front sewn to a men's back. That was when we realized we needed a quality-control team on the sewing side at all of our factories. We ended up donating the whole lot of pants--that was more than $100,000 in inventory. Trina: When you're growing fast, those consistency issues can happen. Our biggest challenge is to keep meeting our own high standards. Today, we have over a half-million customers, each of whom buys eight to 12 sets of scrubs a year. We're just getting started. Within five years, I could see us expanding beyond medical. We're solving problems, and the uniform industry overall is broken. Heather: A uniform is a symbol to tell the world, "This is what I do. I'm here to care for you." That's true around the world. And when you put on something you like, it changes the way you feel and do your job. Diagnosis: The scrubs market is comatose. The cure? Add fashion and function. What's the biggest danger in growing too fast? Missing the opportunity to learn the lessons worth learning. From an operational and financial perspective, making sure that the infrastructure scales with sales. Number of vacation days taken in the past year: 0 Have you ever turned down VC funding? Yes. Figs has never accepted capital for the sake of capital. Aligned goals, values, and ethos are important for any successful arrangement. What are the biggest obstacles to your company's growth? Managing demand. Finding and retaining good staff. Difficulty securing suppliers or materials. How many hours do you sleep each night? <5 EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES A few weeks ago, my Facebook ads changed considerably. Suddenly, I was getting ads for Walmart and Target home delivery service. I live in Switzerland where, sadly, neither store exists. I clicked on "why am I getting this ad?" and it informed me that the ad was Targeted to me because I lived in Pennsylvania. Well, I did live in Pennsylvania--nine years ago. These Pennsylvanian ads continued for a few weeks, and then something happened at Facebook and I was back to my normal Swiss focused ads. It demonstrated to me just how much I don't see because of what I've listed in my social media profiles. What I post about, what I search for on Amazon, and what videos I watch on YouTube all affect what I see in my Facebook feed. The other thing that affects my feed is my age. It turns out that while Facebook stopped businesses from targeting job seekers by race or gender, it still allows companies to indicate an age. And at 45, I may be too old to see certain job postings. Now, depending on the job, it may seem quite logical that people older than 38 wouldn't be interested. If it's entry level, there aren't many 50-year-olds interested in an entry-level job. But, interest aside, you can't legally make that assumption. Gray areas in hiring While it's clearly illegal to reject an applicant because she's too old (except in a small range of jobs with mandatory retirement ages, like airline pilots), targeting certain groups hasn't been clearly defined. Companies frequently recruit new grads and have for years. While, technically, you can be a new grad at any age (my own grandmother completed her bachelor's degree in her 70s), everyone knows the vast majority of candidates will be young. But, businesses claim there is a difference between rejecting a particular candidate and targeting a group of people. Nobody has unlimited recruiting dollars and it doesn't make sense to target everyone. Companies may be damaging their own applicant pool With unemployment at records lows right now, it doesn't make much sense to limit applicants by age or maximum years of experience. Some claim the maximum amount of experience is simply another proxy for age. Recruiters claim that for many jobs, too much experience makes you overqualified and not likely to thrive in the job. But, by limiting age specifically, you are also eliminating people returning to the workforce or people who are attempting to change career paths. Assuming that all entry level candidates will be young means you limit your pool of candidates. No quality company wants to do that. Remember, you too will get old Age discrimination fascinates me because, unlike race or gender, every single one of us changes our age every day. So, while you say "ugggh, we need fresh ideas! No one over 30!" you know that someday, you too will be over 30. And yet it continues. Of the many illuminating chapters in Robin Greens new memoir, The Only Girl, in which she recounts her time as the sole woman writing for US music magazine Rolling Stone during its early 1970s heyday, the one entitled A Big Journalistic No-No is surely one of the more memorable. Green, the well-educated daughter of upwardly striving East Side Jews, had never had any formal training to become a journalist, nor a particular desire to become one. When she drifted towards San Francisco in the late 1960s in the hope of dropping in on the offices of her favourite magazine, the very apex of her ambition was the possibility of landing a secretarial role. Instead, charmed by her deadpan humour, editor Jann Wenner was soon asking her to write 5,000-word cover stories on subjects ranging from David Cassidy to Marvel Comics, Green thereby almost instantaneously graduating to a level most rock hacks can only dream of. I was lucky, I guess, she says, somewhat disingenuously. Three years later she was thriving. It was 1973, a year in which, she writes: Id travel the country, and the world. Sleep with who knows how many men. Then she received perhaps her juiciest commission: to write an in-depth article on the children of Robert F Kennedy. The research bore fruit: drugs, endless privilege, paranoia. But it was when she went back to the bedroom of one of them, Bobby Jr, and, in her words, took [their] clothes off and had sexual intercourse on the waterbed, that Green realised she might have crossed a line, and whatever she would write would be compromised as a result. So she didnt write it. Her boss wasnt happy. He fired her. Jann had a habit of firing people and then hiring them back again. But you know what? I didnt fight it. I was ready to go. It felt time to move on, says Green. It is a peculiar thing to say for someone in her position, then one of the most celebrated young writers in America, the cultural world at her feet. She was just 28 years old. What on earth would she do next? She waited tables. Hey, she counters, I liked waiting tables. Footnote: though she may have elected not to write about her liaison with a Kennedy in the magazine, she chooses to do so now, 45 years on, in her memoir. The Only Girl is a gripping read for all sorts of reasons, one of which is its candidness. Green likes to tell it as it is. What I found out on that undulating waterbed could have been key to understanding the Kennedy male, she writes. It wasnt just his command of the situation, but what he looked like naked when he knelt before me. How to say it delicately? The guy was hung. Probably halfway to his knees. The confessional memoir is a complicated beast, requiring as it does full disclosure in pursuit of a compelling read. But many writers choose to err on the side of caution when it comes to chronicling others into whose orbit they stray for reasons of diplomacy, etiquette, discretion. Not Green. She writes it all down. At one point she recalls going to bed with her editor and how disappointing she found him. Well, she tells me now, laughing, I mean, he was gay Wenner came out sometime later. But this doesnt make her book a cheap tabloid read; quite the opposite in fact. Its a fascinatingly direct account of a woman in a mans world and no, she says perhaps surprisingly, she never had a #MeToo moment, was never taken advantage of by predatory rock stars and also of just how far natural talent can take even the least ambitious of people. I never considered writing for a living, she tells me earnestly. That never even crossed my mind. I just sort of went with it. After crashing out of Rolling Stone and that stint waiting tables Green eventually returned to the West Coast, specifically Los Angeles, where a former colleague thought she might prove adept at writing for TV. Much as with journalism, she says, writing for television had never occurred to me. But I tried it and I found that I loved it. I loved the drama of it, of not writing with my head but my heart. It was wonderful. She wrote for the hit show Northern Exposure before being hired by legendary TV writer David Chase, who at the time was developing the story of a troubled Mafia boss living in New Jersey. The Sopranos was subsequently hailed a landmark in television. People are saying it changed the whole medium of TV, Green says, with what sounds like a shrug of the shoulders. Thats nice. Her TV years proved as rich in incident as her Rolling Stone ones and Green, ever the straight talker, describes precisely what its like to work on a behemoth production for a boss who, according to her portrait of Chase, sounds a complete nightmare. He is described as variously petty, jealous and childish. Green routinely stood up to him and so inevitably became viewed, in the writers room, as a negative presence. Her firing was only a matter of time. I tell her Im surprised at just how much she chose to reveal about working for the man. Surely hell be furious? Recommended China blocks HBO after John Oliver criticises Xi Jinping She laughs uneasily. Which version of the book have you read? Because Ive taken a few things out. The British legal notes were much more stringent than the American ones, I guess because you have tighter laws around privacy. Nevertheless, she says, everybody knows that David [is difficult to deal with]. Anything I say or do angers him! Even if I go to a party that he isnt invited to, it pisses him off. I did tell the legal people that he would be the one to complain, but there is nothing in there, I dont think, that he has any legal grounds for. Hell be unhappy about it sure, and Im sorry about that. But the purpose was not to piss him off; I just wanted to write an honest book. And that, clearly, is what she has done. At 73, Robin Green believes she is done with TV, at least for now. She is considering writing a novel next, though confesses she has no idea how she might go about it. Still, its worth thinking about. You know that expression: over the hill? Well, Im on top of it, I guess, and Im looking down. I know that this thing is going to end soon, but I hope it doesnt end just yet. Im having fun, you know? I want to continue having fun. The Only Girl: My Life and Times on the Masthead of Rolling Stone, by Robin Green, is published by Virago The second significant religious festival of Islam, Eid al-Adha, will begin on the evening of Monday, 19 July this year. The first of the two observances is Eid al-Fitr, which was observed in May to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha is one of two Eids, or days of celebration for Muslims worldwide, in a year, a spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain tells The Independent. They explain that the festival coincides with the completion of Hajj, which millions of people partake in every year. However, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Hajj commenced much fewer pilgrims than the usual 2.5 million people who usually attend. This year, just 60,000 of Saudia Arabas own citizens and residents have been allowed to take part. Known as the festival of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha commemorates the prophet Ibrahims readiness to sacrifice his son in order to demonstrate his dedication to God. Here is everything you need to know about Eid al-Adha: What is its significance? During the festival of Eid al-Adha, Muslims acknowledge the devotion of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son, Ismail, under the order of Allah SWT (God). Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Show all 40 1 /40 Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muslim pilgrims throw stones towards the symbolic devil represented by a Jamarat (Burning Coal) on the last day of the Muslims Hajj 2018 pilgrimage in the tent City of Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world People at a fairground set up celebrate Eid Al-Adha in Burgess Park, south London REUTERS Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Ivorian Muslims pray during the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid-al- Adha in Abidjan EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world People take a selfie during Eid-El-Kabir festival in Dakar AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Girls pose with a frame decorated with holiday wishes after Eid al-Adha prayers, held in a sports hall in Bucharest, Romania AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A Palestinian man throws his child in the air following morning prayers marking the first day of Eid al-Adha celebrations Reuters Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Jamil, eight months-old, lies on the floor during Eid al-Adha prayers, held in a sports hall in Bucharest, Romania AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A Muslim pilgrim arrives to throw stones towards the symbolic devil represented by a Jamarat EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muslim pilgrims head to take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, near Mecca AFP/Getty Images Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Families enjoy rides on the dodgems during an Eid in the Park celebration at the New River Sports ground in Wood Green, London Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Ivorian Muslims pray during the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid-al- Adha in Abidjan EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muslims attend a morning prayer at the industrial wasteland of Parco Dora in Turin AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A boy cast stones at the huge stone pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the annual Haj pilgrimage on the first day of Eid al-Adha in Mina, outside the holy city of Mecca AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Members of Naples' muslim community gather at Garibaldi Square EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A Syrian boy, dressed in his holiday outfit, prays over the tomb of a loved one AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Men prepare to eat during Eid al-Adha celebrations in the village of Kok-Jare outside Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Palestinians attend prayer on the first day of Eid al Adha in Gaza City EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A man attends a Muslim morning prayer gathering at the industrial wasteland of Parco Dora in Turin AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Cairo, Egypt Muslims try to catch balloons distributed for free after Eid al-Adha prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, August 21. AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Afghans greet each other after congregational prayers during the holy festival of Eid al-Adha, in Kabul EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A man distributes sweets to children after Eid al-Adha prayer at King Abdul Aziz Mosque, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Kosovo boys pray to mark the first day of Eid al-Adha outside the Sultan Mehmet Fatih mosque in Pristina AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A child holds up a selfie stick before morning prayers in Quezon City, Philippines EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muslim Hajj pigrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque on the first day of Eid al Adha in Mecca EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Palestinians attend prayer on the first day of Eid al Adha in Gaza City EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Palestinians attend prayer on the first day of Eid al Adha in Gaza City EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A clown distributes balloons near the Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's old city on the first day of Eid al-Adha AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world A young Palestinian girl flies a helium balloon near the Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's old city AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Women and children conduct morning prayers to mark Eid al-Adha at a public park in Quezon City, Philippines EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muslim Hajj pigrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque on the first day of Eid al Adha in Mecca EPA Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Men hug each other after offering Eid al-Adha prayers outside of the Shah-e-Dushamshera mosque in Kabul AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Children dressed in their holiday clothes play on a swing in the opposition-held southern Syrian city of Daraa on the first day of Eid al-Adha AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Bamako, Mali Malian women have their hair cut and styled in a salon, on the eve of Eid al-Adha in Bamako on August 20, 2018. AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Almaty, Kazakhstan A man squats as he carries a sheep during a competition to mark Kurban-Ait, also known as Eid al-Adha, at the Central Mosque in Almaty, Kazakhstan August 21, 2018. Reuters Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Nairobi, Kenya Muslims attend prayers to mark Kurban-Ait, also known as Eid al-Adha, at an open field in Nairobi, Kenya August 21, 2018. Reuters Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Kavaja, Albania Albanian Muslims pray in the main square of Kavaja on August 21, 2018, to mark the first day of the Eid al-Adha Festival. AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Gaza City Palestinian women take a selfie while waiting for for prayers on the first day of Eid al-Adha festival, in Gaza City August 21, 2018. Reuters Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Muscat, Oman Muslim men take part in the morning prayers outside a mosque in the Omani capital Muscat on the first day of Eid al-Adha on August 21, 2018. AFP/Getty Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Pristina, Kosovo Kosovo men pray to mark the first day of Eid al-Adha outside the Sultan Mehmet Fatih mosque in Pristina, Kosovo, Tuesday, August 21, 2018. AP Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Beirut, Lebanon Muslims perform the Eid al-Adha prayer outside Al Ameen Mosque in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 21 August 2018 EPA Ibrahim, also known as Abraham, is a prominent figure in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. This story in different versions is in the Quran, the Bible, and the Old Testament, which shows the common heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, states the United Religions Initiative. According to the Quran the sacred religious book of Islam just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God replaced Ismail with a lamb, which was sacrificed instead. This command from Allah SWT was a test of Prophet Ibrahims willingness and commitment to obey his Lords command, without question. Therefore, Eid al-Adha means the festival of sacrifice, states UK-based charity Muslim Aid. What is the difference between Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr? Eid al-Adha and Eid-al-Fitr are the two major religious festivals observed in the religion of Islam. Eid al-Fitr, which was celebrated in May in countries across the world, translates in Arabic to mean the feast of the breaking of the fast. The festival marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which involves Muslims fasting during daylight hours for 29 to 30 days. Eid al-Adha coincides with Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or the Mount of Mercy), where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon Reuters In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj A Muslim pilgrim prays as another takes a photo on the Mount Arafat AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims arrive at the plains of Arafat Reuters In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims arrive at the plains of Arafat AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Mount Arafat during the Hajj EPA In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat (or Jabal ar-Rahmah) during the Hajj AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims pray by the Namira Mosque on the plains of Arafat during Hajj Reuters In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims pray by the Namira Mosque on the plains of Arafat during Hajj Reuters In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or the Mount of Mercy) during the Hajj AFP/Getty In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj A Muslim pilgrim wheels his children on a wheelchair towards Mount Arafat AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Pilgrims circle the Kaaba as they pray in the Grand Mosque of Mecca ahead of the Hajj AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims arrive at the plains of Arafat Reuters In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or Jabal ar-Rahmah) during the Hajj EPA In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or the Mount of Mercy) during the Hajj AFP/Getty In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims shelter from the sun under a bridge near Mecca EPA In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims walk towards Namirah mosque on Mount Arafat during the Hajj AP In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or Jabal ar-Rahmah) during the Hajj AFP/Getty In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or the Mount of Mercy) during the Hajj AFP/Getty In pictures: Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat (or Jabal ar-Rahmah) during the Hajj AFP/Getty When is it? This year, Eid al-Adha begins on the evening of Monday 19 July and ends on the evening of Friday 23 July. How is the date of Eid al-Adha decided? The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning the dates of annual events may vary on an annual basis in accordance with the phases of the moon. Eid al-Adha takes places on the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah. Dhu al-Hijjah is the 12th and most sacred month of the Islamic year, during which observant Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj. All able-bodied adults of the Islamic faith are expected to complete Hajj at least once in their lifetimes. How is the festival celebrated? As Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice made by the prophet Ibrahim, Muslims typically celebrate the festival by carrying out a Qurbani, meaning sacrifice in Arabic. The animal that is sacrificed which is usually a goat, sheep, cow or camel is separated into three parts. At least one third of the meat from the animal must go to poor or vulnerable people, states international aid organisation Islamic Relief. Traditionally, a Muslim would keep one third of the meat for their family and give the final third to their neighbours. During the morning of Eid al-Adha, a special prayer called Salat al-Eid is recited in honour of the festival, ahead of the Dhuhr prayer at noon. Muslims traditionally dress in fine clothes in celebration of Eid al-Adha, in addition to exchanging gifts. Eidi is the Arabic word for a gift given to children by relatives during Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. What food is eaten during Eid al-Adha? While Eid al-Fitr is known as sweet Eid, Eid al-Adha is contrarily known as salty Eid. As such, the food eaten during the second festival is predominantly savoury, including the animal which is sacrificed during the observance. Arabian pastries called Maamoul are also eaten during both Eid festivals, as well as at night during the holy month of Ramadan. Maamoul are made using ingredients including dates and nuts, and are often served in a ball or cookie shape. How do you wish someone a happy Eid? The phrase widely used to wish someone a happy Eid during Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak. In Arabic, this phrase translates to mean Blessed Eid. Edward Enninful has made a huge impact on British Vogue ever since the news of his appointment as the first ever male editor-in-chief of the esteemed publication was announced in April 2017. While it may be widely believed that we live in a very inclusive society, according to Enninful, many gay male models often feel hesitant about coming out due to the way in which they assume theyll be perceived and judged by society if they do. Speaking to Attitude magazine, Enninful explains that the Hollywood ideal of the perfect man has prevented numerous gay male models from feeling as though they can discuss their sexual preferences, as they assume that doing so may hinder their careers. Its like Hollywoods image of the perfect man, and this old notion of what it meant to be a man and that this perfect man couldnt be gay. We know thats wrong, he says. In Enninful's opinion, being viewed as different due to his race and sexuality has enabled him to gain skills that have consequently benefitted the trajectory of his career. When youre gay youre always viewed as the other, he says. Youre able to have empathy, which is a very important word: to empathise with people and cultures. Enninful believes that his ability to empathise with others is what provided him with the tools he needed to succeed as a stylist over the years, working with a variety of top womens magazines and editors. I never think in terms of sex or gender, I think in terms of what are you bringing to the table, he says. While some gay male models may still feel as though they need to keep the truth about their sexuality a secret, the British Vogue editor-in-chief states that more are beginning to feel comfortable coming out, a sign that the fashion industry is progressing in a positive way. Rihanna covers British Vogues September issue Enninful has made a huge impact on British Vogue ever since the news of his appointment as the first ever male editor-in-chief of the esteemed publication was announced in April 2017. The first issue of the magazine that came out with Enninful at the helm featured British Ghanaian model and activist Adwoa Aboah on the front cover and a number of influential individuals including Sadiq Khan, Zadie Smith and Naomi Campbell inside. In March this year, the magazine made history by featuring a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, on the cover for the first time in its 102-year history. Yesterday, the UKs Audit Bureau of Circulations announced that British Vogue had seen a 1.1 per cent increase in its combined digital and print circulation between January and June this year. Cryptocurrency scammers are using fake celebrity endorsements and social media to trick victims into investing in fraudulent bitcoin projects, the Financial Conduct Authority has warned. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether are not regulated in Britain, and the FCA said it has received a rising number of reports about investment scams that claim to offer high returns. Some scams have falsely claimed to be endorsed by Deborah Meaden from Dragon's Den and Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com. Given that cryptocurrencies are not regulated, consumers are unlikely to get their money back, and are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The warning comes in the same week that reports emerged of a 22-year-old Finnish man losing $35 million worth of bitcoin in a major cryptocurrency scam. 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 "In recent months, the FCA has received an increasing number of reports about cryptocurrency investment scams, some of which may involve regulated activities, others which dont, but all of which use similar tactics," the FCA said on Friday. The FCA warned that UK consumers are being targeted by scammers with investment opportunities related to cryptocurrencies. The fraudsters often use social media or images of well-known celebrities to promote their cryptocurrency investment scams, the watchdog said. The online adverts link to professional-looking websites for investments either using cryptocurrencies or traditional cash. The bitcoin scam involved a new cryptocurrency called Dragon Coin (Getty Images) "The firms operating the scams are usually based outside of the UK but will claim to have a UK presence, often a prestigious City of London address," the FCA said. "Scam firms can manipulate software to distort prices and investment returns. They may scam people into buying non-existent cryptocurrencies. They are also known to suddenly close consumers online accounts and refuse to transfer the funds to them or ask for more money before the funds can be transferred." A similar warning on cryptocurrency scams was issued by Action Fraud in April after it received 21 reports of fraudulent activity that had resulted in victims losing 34,000. With the growing sophistication of online fraud, it becomes increasingly important to carry out checks before parting with cash online," Dragons' Den investor Deborah Meaden said. " A quick Google search will often reveal the truth and all online advertising should be read set against the premise of 'If it looks too good to be true then it probably is'." Additional reporting from agencies. Google has changed a description on its website of when and how exactly it is tracking its users. The revision was made to the explanation of how its "Location History" settings works. The page suggested that it might turn off all location tracking but it now makes clear that actually turning it off does not necessarily mean Google won't be following you around. The alteration came after the company was criticised over the fact that there one of Google's settings offered the option to switch Location History either on or off. But it didn't actually switch of all location history: only a specific feature within the maps app. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Show all 11 1 /11 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Easter Eggs There are a lot of Easter Eggs hidden in Chrome, and more and more are discovered each year. One of our favourites is the dinosaur game. The next time you fail to connect to the internet on Chrome, tap the spacebar. Its also worth Googling barrel roll, zerg rush, super mario bros (and clicking the question mark graphic), festivus, recursion, askew and atari breakout (and then clicking Images). 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Pin tabs If you tend to browse with a lot of tabs open at once, you can clear up the clutter by pinning the ones youre least likely to close. Right-click them and select Pin Tab. Theyll automatically shrink and slide left. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Save battery You can save some battery life by sacrificing performance. In Settings, scroll down to the System section and uncheck the box reading Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed. We wouldnt recommend having this feature enabled all the time, but it could come in handy if youre nowhere near a charger. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Browse faster There are loads of Chrome Extensions available, but one of the most useful is Googles Data Saver. It compresses the pages you visit to reduce data usage and speed up loading times. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Make multiple profiles If you use multiple Google accounts, for work and for personal use, for instance, you can keep your bookmarks and browsing history for each account separate by creating individual profiles. Go to Settings, Manage People and Add Person. This is also handy for when you lend your computer to a friend, and you dont want them to have access to your internet history. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Downloads Many users would prefer it if Chrome downloaded files straight to the desktop, but by default it sends them to your Downloads folder. You can change this by going to Settings, opening the Show Advanced Settings menu, clicking Downloads and choosing your preferred destination. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Extra info To see cookies and permissions for every site you visit, click the View Site Information symbol on the left-hand edge of the omnibar. It will also let you quickly control things like Popup and Location settings. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Task manager You can quickly find out which pages are using up the most memory and slowing down your browsing experience by opening the burger menu, going down to More Tools and opening the Chrome Task Manager. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Calculator When youre online and need to do a quick sum, you dont have to hunt down your computer calculator or whip out your phone. Just type it into the Chrome omnibar and hit Enter. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Startup If theres a certain set of pages you always open when you turn your computer on, you can get Chrome to open them automatically when you launch the browser. In Settings, click Set Pages in the On Startup section, and choose the ones you want. 11 hidden Google Chrome features you didn't know existed Search Gmail from omnibar You can search your gmail inbox directly from the omnibar by going to Settings, Manage Search Engines, scrolling to the bottom and pasting https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/#apps/%s into the box on the right-hand side. The Associated Press criticised Google for continuing to collect vast amounts of data on its users even when they had switched that setting off and believed themselves to be free from being tracked. Google's help page for the Location History setting now states: "This setting does not affect other location services on your device." It also acknowledges that "some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, like Search and Maps." Previously, the page stated: "With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored." Recommended Google stores location data even when users turn services off The AP observed that the change occurred midday Thursday, a finding confirmed by Internet Archive snapshots taken earlier in the day. The AP investigation found that even with Location History turned off, Google stores user location when, for instance, the Google Maps app is opened, or when users conduct Google searches that aren't related to location. Automated searches of the local weather on some Android phones also store the phone's whereabouts. In a Thursday statement to the AP, Google said: "We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clear across our platforms and help centers." The statement contrasted with a statement Google sent to the AP several days ago that said in part, "We provide clear descriptions of these tools." Jonathan Mayer, a Princeton computer scientist and former chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission's enforcement bureau, said the wording change was a step in the right direction. But it doesn't fix the underlying confusion Google created by storing location information in multiple ways, he said. "The notion of having two distinct ways in which you control how your location data is stored is inherently confusing," he said Thursday. "I can't think off the top of my head of any major online service that architected their location privacy settings in a similar way." K. Shankari, a UC Berkeley graduate researcher whose findings initially alerted the AP to the issue, said Thursday the change was a "good step forward," but added "they can make it better." For one thing, she said, the page still makes no mention of another setting called "Web & App Activity." Turning that setting off that would in fact stop recording location data. Huge tech companies are under increasing scrutiny over their data practices, following a series of privacy scandals at Facebook and new data-privacy rules recently adopted by the European Union. Last year, the business news site Quartz found that Google was tracking Android users by collecting the addresses of nearby cellphone towers even if all location services were off. Google changed the practice and insisted it never recorded the data anyway. Critics say Google's insistence on tracking its users' locations stems from its drive to boost advertising revenue. It can charge advertisers more if they want to narrow ad delivery to people who've visited certain locations. Several observers also noted that Google is still bound by a 20-year agreement it struck with the Federal Trade Commission in 2011. That consent decree requires Google to not misrepresent to consumers how they can protect their privacy. Google agreed to that order in response to an FTC investigation of its now-defunct social networking service Google Buzz, which the agency accused of publicly revealing users' most frequent Gmail contacts. A year later, Google was fined $22.5 million for breaking the agreement after it served some users of Apple's Safari browser so-called tracking cookies in violation of settings that were meant to prevent that. The FTC has declined to say whether it had begun investigating Google for how it has described Location History. Additional reporting by Associated Press Alan Rabinowitz was a zoologist who overcame a debilitating stutter to become a powerful voice for leopards, jaguars and other wild cats threatened by humans. In 2006 he co-founded Panthera, a conservation organisation that was dedicated to the conservation of big cats worldwide. As a child with a severe stutter, Rabinowitz spent much of his free time playing on the floor of his bedroom closet, where he secluded himself with a little menagerie of pet chameleons, snakes, turtles and hamsters the only living beings around me that seemed to listen but not judge. He went on to conquer his speech disorder to become the Indiana Jones of wildlife protection, as Time magazine once called him. He braved 500-mile hikes through the wilderness, vampire bats, attacks of leeches and malaria, and a plane crash in the jungle, to preserve wild cats from Latin America to southeast Asia. At Americas Wildlife Conservation Society, where he worked for nearly three decades before moving to Panthera full time in 2008, Rabinowitz gained international renown for his research on jaguars, tigers, rhinos, bears, racoons, Asiatic leopards, leopard cats and civets. In Belize, his work was credited with spurring the creation of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the worlds first jaguar preserve; in Myanmar, he discovered a deer known as the leaf muntjac an animal so tiny that hunters wrap it in a single, albeit ample, leaf from a tropical plant, according to The New York Times. In recent years, he linked the worlds declining populations of big cats to the rise of infectious diseases such as Sars, West Nile virus and Ebola, saying that these apex predators stabilise and help balance the ecological food webs to which they belong. But the New Yorker also went beyond the science, said biologist and conservationist George Schaller, to convince foreign governments and local populations of the importance of protecting animals, especially those that are seen as a nuisance, threat or a lucrative source of fur. Nobody goes to Belize, or anywhere else, and establishes a reserve you convince the government to establish it. That takes a certain political sense, said Schaller, who serves as vice chairman of Pantheras science council. It takes passionate people like Alan to be on the ground in these countries, sometimes for several years, to reach the trust of the government and convince them to protect something. And thats not what you train for as a scientist. Rabinowitz successfully pressed the military leaders of Myanmar to create the worlds largest tiger reserve, a sanctuary in the Hukawng Valley nearly as large as US state Vermont. He said his work was actually easier in communist countries and in dictatorships than in democracies, where he was often frustrated by slow-moving agencies and bureaucratic red tape. I find that most of these dictators theyre not nice people, and Im not an apologist for the ones I work with, but I will do anything I can to save animals, he said in 2008. Rabinowitz also helped create the largest nature preserve in Taiwan; drew international attention to tigers in Thailand, where the United Nations added a wildlife sanctuary to its World Heritage list in 1991; and, in the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan, identified a previously unknown population of high-altitude tigers. Still, he maintained a particular affinity with jaguars, which he often described as an indomitable beast the title of a 2014 book about his conservation efforts surrounding the animal and which had fascinated him since childhood. Born in Brooklyn in the early Fifites, and raised in Queens, Alan Robert Rabinowitz recalled that as a boy how he was often taken to the Bronx Zoo by his father, a physical-education teacher who served as an army paratrooper in the Second World War. I would always be drawn to this one cage, with a solitary jaguar, he told National Geographic in 2014. All the other cats would charge at the bars or vocalise. But the jaguar would mostly stay quiet, watching everybody pass by, in a world of its own. Thats the way I felt. So I would go to the bars, wait until nobody was around, and talk to the jaguar tell it my hopes and dreams, whether it was a bad day at school or how stupid I felt people were because they didnt try to understand me. And I would never leave that enclosure without promising the cats that if I ever found my voice, I would try to be their voice and help them, he continued. I had no idea what I would be in life or that I would ever work on jaguars. All I knew is that these cats made me feel whole. They were like me, trapped inside a cage not of their making. Rabinowitz overcame his stutter while studying biology and chemistry at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in Westminster, Maryland, where he graduated in 1974. At the University of Tennessee, he received a masters degree in ecology in 1978 and a doctorate in ecology in 1981, focusing on the endangered gray bat before shifting his research to racoons in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was Schaller, who met Rabinowitz while visiting Tennessee, who suggested he begin studying jaguars in Belize. He soon received a fellowship from the Wildlife Conservation Society then the New York Zoological Society and became a researcher, with an office not far from the jaguar cage at the Bronx Zoo. Rabinowitz wrote more than 100 scientific articles and several books for a popular audience, including Jaguar: Struggle and Triumph in the Jungles of Belize (1986) published the same year he succeeded in establishing the jaguar preserve in that country and A Boy and a Jaguar (2014), an autobiographical childrens book. He was also featured in television programmes including 60 Minutes and in the 2015 documentary Tiger Tiger, which followed his travels to the Sundarbans, the vast mangrove forest on the border of India and Bangladesh. By then, he had been diagnosed with leukaemia and had two children with his wife, Salisa Sathapanawath, a geneticist. I have two choices in my life now, Rabinowitz said in the film. I can play it very, very safe and sit at home, and maybe prolong my life by a few years and be there for my kids... or I can be the person who I am, and who makes me feel best, and be the father I want them to know but maybe cut my life short with them. Im really good at what I do, and the best thing I can do is be a model for them, he said, explaining his reasons for leaving to make the expedition. Not a bad father, but not an ever-present father. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Alexander Rabinowitz and Alana Rabinowitz, all of Mahopac, New York; and two sisters. At Panthera, which he formed with billionaire investor Thomas Kaplan, Rabinowitz oversaw projects including the Jaguar Corridor Initiative, which aims to protect jaguars across the full range of their native habitat, from Mexico to northern Argentina. Last year, he began the Journey of the Jaguar, an expedition in which he planned to traverse the length of that habitat over four years, in chunks. After leading his team through the Mexican state of Sinaloa, despite security concerns from Mexican friends and colleagues, he was diagnosed with appendicitis and then pneumonia. Rabinowitz was still in recovery and out of shape, according to Howard Quigley, executive director of the Panthera jaguar program, when he rejoined his team to continue the trip in Honduras, Colombia and Brazil, ultimately covering about 4,000 miles of jaguar habitat. The Jaguar Journey will continue, Quigley wrote in an email, with trips to Brazil, Mexico and the Colombian Amazon. All of them will be to commemorate his legacy, the legacy of Mr. Jaguar, or Papa Jaguar, as the Latinos in our program call him. Alan Robert Rabinowitz, zoologist, 31 December 1953, died 5 August 2018 Washington Post Most anglers are keen to show off their catch. But New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has found himself at the centre of mounting controversy after posting a photograph of a vulnerable thresher shark he had caught. The New York Post said that Ms Cuomo landed the shark while fishing off the South Shore of Long Island on Sunday and tweeted a photograph of the 154.5lb creature. A spokesman for the governor told the newspaper: This is an edible game fish that is indigenous to New York waters and catching them is allowable under both state and federal regulations. But while the sharks may be legal to catch, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable to extinction. As a result, Mr Cuomo found himself being widely condemned by environmentalists. Worse than #CecilTheLion? Andrew Cuomo @NYGovCuomo Gov of New York boastfully posing with threatened thresher shark, tweeted the Blue Planet Society, an environmental group. Takes a big man to kill a species that is globally vulnerable due to declining population, tweeted @Icetrekker2009. Two people have been charged with carrying out female genital mutilation (FGM) on a three-year-old girl. The suspects, a 42-year-old man and 36-year-old woman who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Friday. They are each accused of FGM and failing to protect a girl from risk of genital mutilation on 28 August last year. The woman, a Ugandan national who lives in East London, is further accused of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with dogs, and of publishing videos of human sexual activity with a dog and a snake. The man, from Ghana, faces a charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with a horse and a snake, and of publishing videos of sexual activity with dogs. He is also accused of possessing indecent videos of a child, while the woman is accused of distributing an indecent video of children. The pair were remanded in custody and are next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 31 August. Operation Limelight: The FGM unit operating in Heathrow Airport to intercept families taking their children to be mutiliated It is the third attempted FGM prosecution in Britain, and two previous cases have ended with the suspects being acquitted. In March, a solicitor was cleared of arranging FGM for his daughter when she was nine years old at their London home. The 50-year-old man, originally from West Africa, was also acquitted of five other charges at the Old Bailey, including child cruelty and wounding with intent. At least 16,265 women and girls living in the UK have told doctors they have FGM but officials believe the figure is the tip of the iceberg as the practice remaining widely unreported. FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Show all 12 1 /12 FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl cries after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM The traditional practice of circumcision within the Pokot tribe is a rite of passage that marks the transition to womanhood and is a requirement for all girls before they marry Reuters FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls are encouraged to leave their hut and make their way to a place where they will take off their clothes and wash during their circumcision ceremony REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl, covered in animal skins, walks to a place where she will rest after being circumcised in a tribal ritual in a village about 80 kilometres from the town of Marigat in Baringo County REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls, draped in animal skins, sit on rocks during their circumcision ceremony REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot woman performs a circumcision on a girl REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot woman holds a razor blade after performing a circumcision on four girls REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl bleeds onto a rock after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl is smeared with a white paint after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM More than a quarter of girls and women in Kenya have undergone genital cutting, according to United Nations data REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl, covered in animal skins, walks to a place where she will rest after being circumcised Reuters FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls covered with animal skins squat on rocks after being stripped naked and washed during their circumcision rite in a village about 80 kilometres from the town of Marigat in Baringo County REUTERS NHS figures show that almost 4,500 women and girls came forward for the first time in the year to March, although the procedure may have been carried out years before and most cases happen abroad. According to the World Health Organisation, the percentage of women who have undergone the procedure in some countries is as high as 96 per cent, with the highest rates including Somalia, Guinea, Egypt and Sudan. FGM, which refers to any procedure that intentionally alters female genital organs for non-medical reasons, has been illegal in the UK since 1985 but the law was strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling to undergo FGM abroad. School holidays are a crucial time to intercept potential offenders, sparking the start of Operation Limelight in 2014 to question families flying into and out of Britain. Additional reporting by PA The imam of a mosque attended by the Manchester bomber praised jihad for the sake of Allah at a sermon months before the atrocity, it has emerged. Didsbury Mosque insisted there was no call for military jihad but rather a struggle for the oppressed, and denied any links between its teachings and Salman Abedis radicalisation. The 22-year-olds family used to pray at the mosque, with his father sometimes performing the call to prayer before moving to Libya during the countrys revolution. Police are reviewing a recording obtained by the BBC of a sermon given by imam Mustafa Graf in December 2016, days before Abedi bought a ticket for the Ariana Grande concert where he would detonate a suicide bomb that killed 22 victims. The attack, which was claimed by Isis, was the deadliest of five terrorist atrocities that struck the UK last year. It was unclear whether Abedi was at Friday prayers when Mr Graf told worshippers: Jihad for the sake of Allah is the source of pride and dignity for this nation brothers and sisters, it is time to act, not only to talk. The speech, which came during the Syrian governments siege of rebel-held Aleppo in Syria, continued: We ask Allah to grant the mujahideen, our brothers and sisters right now in Aleppo and Syria and Iraq, to grant them victory. Manchester bomber Salman Abedi's cousins speak out Lots of brothers stay behind unfortunately they love Islam and Muslims but they do nothing about the support of their brothers and sisters. Mr Graf claimed that Europe, the US and the civilised world were doing nothing to stop civilian deaths, adding: In fact they help the Russians and the Iranians and others, the militias, to kill Muslims over there. The speech was interpreted by two Islamic scholars to call for followers to travel to Syria and Iraq, as well as creating a narrative of us against them. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: We have been handed the material from the BBC following their broadcast and will now review it to establish if any criminal offences have been committed. Mr Graf refused to be interviewed by the BBC but denied calling for armed jihad. The imam, who like the Abedi family is of Libyan origin, travelled to the country in 2011 during the revolution that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi and appeared in a video wearing military fatigues. Mr Graf later became part of a group called the Libyan 17 February Forum, which held protests against a general who was fighting Islamist militias in the ongoing civil war. Abedi was filmed at one of the groups demonstrations in London, smiling and appearing relaxed as he stood outside the United Arab Emirates embassy in September 2015. Mr Graf was not present at that protest. Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on Show all 10 1 /10 Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Flower Festival at St Ann's Church marking the Manchester Arena bombing Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trail in St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Flower Festival at St Ann's Church marking the Manchester Arena bombing Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trail in St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trailin St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trailin St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trailin St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on Embracing Manchester Exhibition at St Ann's Church was created by artist Ghislaine Howard after being inspired by Muslim video blogger Baktash Noori who, after the attack spent days in the city centre trying to win the trust of the public. Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Flower Festival at St Ann's Church marking the Manchester Arena bombing Manchester Bombing Attack: one year on The Trees of Hope trailin St Ann's Square where people are encouraged to leave and share tributes A statement from Didsbury Mosque said the speech had been taken out of context but that it had launched an investigation into the sermon. The statement added that the prayer was encouraging the worshipers at the centre to donate generously to charity appeals raising money for humanitarian aid in Aleppo following a chemical attack. There would have been many such passionate speeches in support of the Syrian people amongst the Muslim community at that time, the statement said. The term jihad was used in its wider meaning to strive and struggle and in this case aid to those being oppressed. There was no call for any military jihad. Nor was there any comment which could in any way be construed to suggest that Britain or British people should be targeted or attacked. The focus was on the behaviour of the Syrian regime and its victims. Didsbury Mosque said it does not encourage anyone to go and fight in any military struggle, adding: We refute strongly any suggestion that there is a link or association between our preaching and the criminal actions of Salman Abedi or his radicalisation. Beverley Hughes, the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, said these serious allegations are very concerning for us all. She added: The mayor and I are clear: we will always act on any evidence of the incitement of hate and violence whenever it happens and from wherever it comes. And, as we made clear in our response to the Commission on Tackling Violent Extremism, we expect all communities in Greater Manchester to do the same. The crashing of a car into the Houses of Parliament, which prompted a major counterterrorist operation, may not have been an act of terrorism, The Independent has learned. While the motive of the driver remains unclear, investigators are coming to the view that it is likely to be related to his personal circumstances. The police have been granted an extension of time, until next Monday, to hold 29-year-old Salih Khater, and more information about what happened may emerge in that time. But senior Whitehall and diplomatic sources say there is no evidence yet that he had been radicalised into Islamist extremism. Investigations into Sudanese-born Mr Khaters activities and associates are continuing, and officials point out that while proof of terrorist links may emerge, that is currently looking unlikely. A number of people, however, were injured during the incident and he may face serious charges including that of attempted murder. Salih Khater, in a 2010 Facebook post (Facebook) Mr Khaters home in Birmingham is near an address where Khalid Masood, who carried out a car and knife attack in Westminster last year, had lived at one point. But no links have emerged between the two men so far and investigators dismiss suggestions that a svengali may have influenced both. Officials say that even if the crash this week was a copycat strike, it does not necessarily mean that it was a terrorist one. Within hours of Mr Khaters Ford Fiesta crashing into barriers outside parliament, Donald Trump had tweeted: Another terrorist attack in London. These animals are crazy and must be dealt with through toughness and strength. However, US diplomatic sources who closely liaise with British security and intelligence services, and Scotland Yards counter terrorism unit echo Whitehall officials in saying they have not seen anything to prove this was a terrorist attack. Masood, a 52-year-old Muslim convert, left a message on WhatsApp declaring his motive for the attack, as The Independent revealed at the time. Sent just before he began his rampage in which five people died and 50 were injured, he said he was waging jihad in revenge against Western military action in the Middle East. Mr Khaters telephone as well as those of some of his associates have been examined and, according to Whitehall and diplomatic sources, they are yet to yield anything which shows he had been indoctrinated into extremist ideology. Inquiries continue however into electronic communications. His overseas background, so far as it has been checked to date, does not show terrorist connections. His family originally came from Darfur, where a vicious conflict had taken place between the Sudanese government and its militias, including the Janjaweed, and rebels including Islamist groups. However, there is nothing to suggest the family took part in the fighting there. Mr Khater had spent time in Libya before seeking asylum in the UK. That was, however, under the Gaddafi regime and before the revolution and civil war which saw the emergence of Islamist groups in the country. Friends and neighbours of Mr Khater in Birmingham have expressed disbelief that he could have been responsible for an act of terrorism and have denied that he was involved in radical Islam. Investigators say this has been taken into account in building up a picture of his personality and background, but it is the lack of any evidence so far which is drawing them towards the conclusion that the Westminster incident was not instigated by politics or religion Three people were injured in Tuesdays incident, including a man and woman who required hospital treatment and have subsequently been discharged. Mr Khaters friends have claimed the crash may have been an accident. He was going to the Sudanese embassy to get a visa to visit his family in Sudan, one man told The Independent, saying that Mr Khaters father had died in recent months. In my opinion he was going the wrong way and he didnt know what he was doing, and when he saw the police he got scared. He was under a lot of stress. Mr Khaters brother, Abdullah Khater, said he was a normal person with no fanatical ideas or links to extremist groups. The Sudanese embassy sits in Cleveland Row, less than a 10 minute drive away from where his silver Ford Fiesta hit cyclists and then crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. Police officers had to leap out of the vehicles path, after aerial footage showed it appearing to swerve off Parliament Square and cross a central reservation to drive into the security lane. No other weapons were found in the car, which has been removed from the scene of the crash and searched. Investigators said it had been driven from Birmingham to London late on Monday night and drove around the city centre for almost eight hours before the incident. It came during parliaments summer recess and ahead of the daily rush of tourists to Westminster, leaving the area relatively deserted. Nassar Mahmood, a trustee at Birmingham Central Mosque, said Mr Khater did not worship there and enquiries suggested he was not a fervent Muslim. He had his paperwork with him to go to the Sudanese embassy, and we know that the office opens very early in the morning so probably rather than going very early he went overnight, he added. He was very humble in terms of his finances and may not have wanted to pay for a hotel. Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Show all 30 1 /30 Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Forensic officers by the car that crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police arrest the man Sky News Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Forensic officers work at the scene EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Damaged bikes near the crash site Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police arrest the man who crashed a car into the barriers ITV Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police activity outside the Houses of Parliament after a car crashed into security barriers BBC/PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Bicycles lie on the ground at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensics investigator arrives at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police and emergency response teams work outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament The area is cleared near to the incident PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensics investigator works at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Armed police on Victoria Embankment PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensic officer attends the scene near the Houses of Parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police officers and a search team secure the roads around the Houses of Parliament as forensic teams continue their work around a vehicle Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police forensics officers outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament The car crashed into parliament barriers Vincent McAviney/NBC News/Euronews/Twitter/PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Fire fighters attend the scene Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A police dog team works behind the cordon REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament olice and emergency services respond EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police on Westminster Bridge PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police respond EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Armed police stand in the street after the incident Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police officers stand at a cordon Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police activity on Millbank PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Reuters An official at the Sudan embassy told The Independent that it does not offer visa appointments and instead advises applicants to arrive on a first come, first served basis. The visa office has been very busy for the past couple of weeks but nobody makes an appointment, they just stand outside and wait for the office to open at 9am, said the woman, who did not want to be named. Mr Khater, whose social media indicated a liking for Celine Dion and Rihanna, is believed to have arrived in the UK in 2010 as an asylum seeker. He was granted refugee status and later applied successfully for British citizenship. He studied English at City College from 2010 to 2011, then a diploma in science at Birminghams South and City College from 2014 to 2017, and started an accountancy course at Coventry University but was thrown out in May after failing his first year. Mr Khater described himself as a shop manager on his Facebook page, which says he studied at Sudan University of Science and Technology and went to school in Wad Madani, a city southeast of Khartoum. Additional reporting by Lizzie Dearden, Home Affairs Correspondent The government is preparing to publish more than 80 reports on the possible consequences of a no-deal Brexit, leaked reports suggest. The papers are expected to be released over the course of the next month and will cover areas ranging from aviation safety to animal breeding to gun regulations. They have been drawn up by government departments across Whitehall as the prospect of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal edges closer. Theresa May will hope the breadth of the reports highlights the risks of a no-deal Brexit, as she attempts to convince both Tory Brexiteers and EU leaders to support the plan agreed by ministers at Chequers last month. At that meeting the cabinet also agreed to step up preparations for a no-deal Brexit, given there are only months left before Britain leaves the EU next March. For a deal to be ratified by the European parliament before then, an agreement with the EU would need to be reached by October or November this year. While most of the basis of a deal has been agreed, there is still deadlock over the issues of customs and the Northern Ireland border. The lack of agreement prompted an increase in preparations for no deal. Eurosceptic ministers have also suggested the EU will only compromise if it believes Britain is serious about the prospect of quitting the bloc without a deal. A list of the assessments of a no-deal Brexit was leaked to Buzzfeed News. It shows how Britain works closely with the EU in a huge number of areas, including those as diverse as medicine testing, broadcasting, consumer protections, driver licensing and the transportation of horses. Some of the so-called technical notices are expected to be wide ranging, covering issues as broad as financial services, climate change and company law, while others will focus on specific issues such as travelling abroad with pets. They are due to be published in stages over the course of the next month, beginning as early as next week. 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 Almost half of the documents have been drawn up by either the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, or the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Department for Transport and the Treasury have also played leading roles. The planning is being coordinated by the Department for Exiting the European Union. A spokesperson said: We dont comment on leaks or speculation. However, as weve already made clear, individual departments are preparing specific technical notices to help citizens, businesses and consumers to prepare for March 2019 in the unlikely event of a no-deal scenario. This is part of our preparatory work that has been underway for the past two years. These will be published in August and September and will be available on gov.uk in a centralised location that is easy for people to access and use. The secretary of state for exiting the EU [Dominic Raab] and the prime minister confirmed this in July. The reports are believed to be written in a neutral tone in order to avoid fuelling accusations that the government is scaremongering. However, they are likely to draw attention to the stark consequences of leaving the EU without a deal. Ministers have already admitted they are preparing for possible food and medicine shortages, while warnings have also been voiced about potential gridlock at ports and borders if all shipments entering the UK have to be checked by customs officials. More than 650,000 people have now signed The Independents petition to give the public a Final Say on Britains future relationship with the EU. According to Buzzfeed, the full list of reports due to be published covers these areas: The mayor of London has said he has no choice but to order the capitals crisis planners to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. Sadiq Khan said the London Resilience Forum would assess the impact Britain crashing out of the EU would have on access to medicine, energy and food, as well as on the emergency services ability to maintain medical care, law and order. The forum, whose 170 member organisations include police and the other emergency services, is charged with preparing for and responding to crises, including terror attacks, situations such as the Grenfell Tower fire and any incident which threatens serious damage to human welfare. Mr Khan, said: The government has completely mishandled the Brexit negotiations and been held hostage by the hard-Brexit zealots in parliament. Even ministers now admit that crashing out of the EU with no deal is now more likely than ever. If the government had taken a different approach to the negotiations this would never have been an option, but we are now left with no choice but to plan for a no-deal scenario. The Labour politician said City Hall is also working to help businesses prepare for any changes to the rights of EU citizens living and working in London. Earlier this month, the government was warned a no-deal Brexit would put public safety at risk and reduce policing capacity in Britain. A letter from leaders of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) 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, seen by The Independent. Considerable additional resource would be required for policing to operate using non-EU tools, and... such tools would be sub-optimal 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 APCCs Brexit working group, which contains Conservative, Labour and independent commissioners, said 32 law enforcement and national security measures that depend on EU membership are 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, its letter read. A no-deal scenario could cause delays and challenges for UK policing and justice agencies. 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 The letter called on the home secretary to prioritise access to EU-wide systems while developing effective contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit and giving the work the funding it needed. Britain risks losing access to systems including Europol, the European Arrest Warrant and the Schengen Information System II (SIS II) a huge database containing information on terrorists, criminals, missing people and objects that police say there is no alternative to. The government has proposed a security treaty it claims would enable information sharing to continue, but its refusal to be governed by the European Court of Justice could block transfers because of data protection laws. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said without an arrangement allowing for continued close working, UK police and EU member states will lose the capability to identify criminals, terrorists and missing people crossing borders, to detain foreign citizens and to access vital data. The NPCC said a small team is working on contingency plans in the event access to some or all European systems is lost. The Home Affairs Committee has condemned UK and EU negotiators for putting the safety and security of 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. Labour claims that no perpetrators of the Munich massacre are buried where Jeremy Corbyn attended a wreath-laying ceremony have been cast into doubt by an article from a leading Palestinian political party. Fatahs official Facebook page carries a tribute to Atef Bseiso, who is buried at the cemetery in Tunisia, stating that he was involved in planning the Munich operation. Mr Corbyns supporters insist no one linked to the 1972 Munich atrocity is buried at the cemetery, while a Labour complaint to press regulator IPSO argues that news coverage suggesting they are is misleading. The Facebook post in question is a biography of Bseiso, charting how he joined Fatah aged 17 and was nominated for military training in Syria. Dated December 2016, the post states: He joined in the planning of the Munich operation. The post also sets out how Bseiso worked with security officials like Ali Hassan Salameh, who was operations chief for Black September, the group behind the Munich attack which left 11 Israeli athletes dead. It then records how Bseiso was killed at The Meridian Hotel in Paris in 1992, with Israeli intelligence organisation Mossad accused of the assassination. The Jeremy Corbyn wreath-laying story Show all 3 1 /3 The Jeremy Corbyn wreath-laying story The Jeremy Corbyn wreath-laying story Atef Bseiso Facebook tribute The tribute to Atef Bseiso on Fatah's official Facebook page The Jeremy Corbyn wreath-laying story Corbyn wreath laying Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attends the ceremony at the cemetery in Tunisia in 2014 where Atef Bseiso is buried Ambassade de Palestine en Tunisie/Facebook The Jeremy Corbyn wreath-laying story Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli prime minister Benjamin Israel has attacked Mr Corbyn over his attendance at the event Reuters Fatah is the largest party in the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the umbrella group for which Bseiso was head of intelligence before he was assassinated. The PLO, who had tasked Bseiso with building relations with western intelligence agencies, denied at the time of his death that he had any connection to the Munich attack, while Israeli officials said he was involved in that and other terror operations. Mr Corbyns role in a 2014 wreath-laying ceremony was thrust into the spotlight when pictures emerged of him holding a wreath near a plaque honouring Palestinians linked to Black September, the terrorist group behind Munich. The Labour leader said he only laid a wreath in memory of victims of a 1985 Israeli air strike on a Palestinian base in Tunisia, and while he admitted being present while a wreath was laid in honour of those linked to Black September, including Atef Bseiso, he said he did not think he had done so himself. Labour has since insisted that those who perpetrated the Munich atrocity are not even buried in the cemetery, and have used the argument as part of their complaint to IPSO. The Independent provided Mr Corbyns office with a link to the Facebook post and the Arabic text, along with an English translation. Jeremy Corbyn: I was present when the wreath was laid I dont think I was actually involved in it. A spokesman said: Jeremy visited the Palestinian National Cemetery to attend the annual commemoration of those killed in the illegal, UN-condemned airstrikes on the PLO headquarters in 1985. He did not commemorate Atef Bseiso or [any] other PLO leader buried in the cemetery. The party also argues that stories published in the Daily Express, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Metro, Times and Sun had seriously misrepresented the wreath-laying event and had underplayed the role of mainstream Palestinian leaders in it. Dame Margaret Hodge has compared Labour's disciplinary process to Nazi Germany and publicly accused Jeremy Corbyn of being antisemitic. The veteran Labour MP, who is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust, said being investigated by the party after a row with Mr Corbyn had made her feel like "a Jew in Germany in the 30s". She accused her party leader of being on "the wrong side" of the line between being pro-Palestinian and antisemitic and suggested "the cult of Corbynism" had allowed this to happen. The MP was told she faced disciplinary proceedings last month after an furious confrontation over antisemitism in Labour in which she accused Mr Corbyn of being a "racist and antisemite". The investigation was later dropped after she threatened to take the party to court. Recommended Jewish Labour members boycott antisemitism talks with party leaders Labour hit back as the latest row over antisemitism escalated, saying Dame Margaret's comments were "extreme and disconnected from reality". Speaking to Sky News, Dame Margaret compared her treatment by Labour to the actions of the Nazis, suggesting she felt she had been punished for being Jewish. She said: "On the day that I heard they were going to discipline me and possibly suspend me, I kept thinking: what did it feel like to be a Jew in Germany in the 30s? It felt almost as if they were coming for me." The MP said her father, who fled Nazi Germany, had told her as a child that "you've got to keep a packed suitcase at the door, Margaret, in case you ever have to leave in a hurry". Speaking of finding out that Labour had opened a probe into her conduct, she said: "When I heard about the disciplinary [action] my emotional response resonated with that feeling of fear that clearly was at the heart of what my father felt when he came to Britain." She compared her treatment to "McCarthyism" and suggested it was part of a "purge" of opponents of Mr Corbyn. 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 Asked about her party leader, Dame Margaret said: "It's a very fine line between being pro-Palestinian and the Palestinian cause, which he's always believed in, and being antisemitic, and I think he's gone the wrong side of that line. "I think it's a bit scary we've got this growth of populism - whether its Trump, whether its Boris Johnson and now whether it's the cult of Corbynism - which allows these sort of attitudes to emerge, and that's what scares me." In response, a Labour spokesperson said: "Jeremy is determined to tackle antisemitism in the Labour Party, so Jewish people feel it is a warm and welcoming home. "The comparison of the Labour Party's disciplinary process with Nazi Germany is so extreme and disconnected from reality, it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of antisemitism. "We all need to work together to build support and confidence in the Labour Party among Jewish communities in Britain." Dame Margaret said she had received "thousands" of supportive emails and letters from people who she described as being part of "Middle England", including many non-Jews. Margaret Hodge speaks about being on the receiving end of antisemitism as a Labour MP She called on Mr Corbyn to accept an internationally-recognised definition of antisemitism that has been the subject of a major row in Labour in recent weeks, but said this would "only be the start of a very, very, very long journey in rebuilding trust with the Jewish community". She added: "As leader of the party he has got to start healing that rift. That's his job, that his responsibility, that what he's leader of the Labour Party for." The MP also criticised Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite trade union and a close ally of Mr Corbyn, after he condemned Jewish leadership groups and suggested the row over antisemitism was being exploited to undermine the Labour leadership. Dame Margaret said: "I find that offensive I think that's trivialising the issue of antisemitism to pretend that somehow we're using that for cheap party political purposes. I'm not, and I think most of those colleagues who are with me, Jews and non-Jewish MPs feel exactly the same as I do." The Satanic Temple has become a thorn in the side of conservative officials hoping to preserve a newly-erected religious statue in Arkansas. The organisation, which doubles as a non theistic religion and political activist group, has repeatedly condemned a decision to unveil a Ten Commandments monument outside of the Arkansas state capitol building last year. Its most shocking demonstration arrived this week in the form of a monument of its own: Satanists carried an over eight-foot tall bronze statue depicting Baphomet a goat-headed devil figure to the state capitol building on Thursday, drawing Christian counter-protestors and backlash from Republican officials. "It will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us to be permanently erected on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol," said Jason Rapert, a Republican senator who described the Satanists as extremists. Mr Rapert sponsored a bill proposing the Ten Commandments monument be erected on the grounds of the capitol building in 2017. The Baphomet monument was only temporarily allowed near the capitol building, but the Satanic Temple has called on local officials to make it a permanent structure. "If youre going to have one religious monument up then it should be open to others," said Ivy Forrester, Satanic Arkansas co-founder. "If you dont agree with that then lets just not have any at all." Its not the first time the Satanic Temple has brought Baphomet around to make political statements. The statue also made an appearance in Detroit on 25 July 2015, to protest against another Ten Commandments monument which had been erected on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol. "We chose Baphomet because of its contemporary relation to the figure of Satan and find its symbolism to be appropriate if displayed alongside a monument representing another faith," the Satanic Temple said in a statement at the time. After the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the state, the Supreme Court deemed the religious monument was unconstitutional since it had been erected on government grounds. Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? Show all 2 1 /2 Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? 60009.bin Getty Images / The Bridgeman Art Library Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? 60008.bin Getty Images / The Bridgeman Art Library This time around, the Satanic Temple has asked to join a lawsuit from the ACLU, which seeks to remove the latest Ten Commandments monument from the Arkansas capitol building. The ACLU requested the court block the Satanic Temple from joining its suit, however. The groups protests over religious monuments have virtually all been peaceful. Its website reads "The Satanic Temple holds to the basic premise that undue suffering is bad, and that which reduces suffering is good. We do not believe in symbolic 'evil.'" On Thursday, just one demonstrator was removed from the area as they were yelling during the protest. Nearly 150 people continued the event as planned. New York governor Andrew Cuomo has mandated any agency under his control to divest from companies which are aligned to a Palestinian-backed boycott of Israel. Mr Cuomo signed an executive order - the first of its kind, according to NY1 News - on Sunday. The order affects most of state government, public boards and public-benefit corporations. He made the announcement at the Harvard Club in Manhattan before marching in the citys Celebrate Israel Parade. If you boycott against Israel, New York will boycott you, he said at the private club. If you divert revenues from Israel, New York will divert revenues from you. If you sanction Israel, New York will sanction you. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) was launched in 2005 and aims to put economic and political pressure on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories. The order targets BDS but also any other boycott against Israel. New York senator Chuck Schumer said on Sunday at an unrelated press conference that he would like to implement the order on a federal level. I think that the state (of New York) should not do any business with any company that participates in BDS, and I am looking at introducing a federal law to do the same thing. BDS is a movement that is just totally unfair to Israel, he told reporters. Omar Barghouti, a BDS founder, told the New York Times that Mr Cuomos order is in reaction to decreasing popular support for Israel. Having lost many battles for hearts and minds at the grass-roots level, Israel has adopted since 2014 a new strategy to criminalize support for BDS, from the top, Mr Barghouti wrote in an email. The executive order will involve compiling a list over the next six months of any groups in the BDS movement, and it will be made available to the public, based on credible information. Avi Posnick, managing director of international Israeli organisation StandWithUs in New York, told The Independent: "New York does hundreds of millions of dollars in annual economic trade with Israeli entities, in addition to business done with many other partners who have commercial interests in Israel. This trade encompasses many of the states most important economic sectors. Governor Cuomo is defending the state's economic interests against attempts to weaken its ability to conduct trade with Israel." Mr Cuomo has banned other things in the past based on certain political allegiances. He implemented a travel ban on nonessential government travel to North Carolina in protest of a new bill which legalizes discrimination of transgender people. New York passed similar travel bans to Mississippi and Indiana. Four passenger planes have been forced to make emergency landings after a series of bomb threats were issued to authorities in Chile. The jets, two operated by Latam Airlines Latin America's largest airline and two by the budget carrier Sky, touched down safely before undergoing security checks. The Chilean Civil Aviation Authority said the threats were made by an anonymous phone call and appeared to be false. Recommended Man late for flight calls police to report bomb so it will be delayed Emergency slides were used to disembark passengers and video showed police rushing towards one of the affected aircraft parked on the tarmac. A Latam jet scheduled to depart Peru's capital Lima for Santiago, Chile, with 83 on board diverted to Pisco airport in Peru. Another, from Mendoza in Argentina to Santiago, was grounded. Two planes operated by Chile-based Sky Airlines bound for Rosario, Argentina, and the northern Chilean city of Calama returned to Santiago without incident. The disruption in Chile, Peru and Argentina came on the same day that a court in the UK heard how a man running late for his flight made a bomb hoax to delay the plane. A French man booked onto a flight from London to Los Angeles tried to delay it by calling police to say there were explosives on board. Librarian Jacob Meir Abdellak, who lives in east London, made the call eight minutes before his 5.47am Norwegian Air flight from Gatwick on 11 May because he was significantly late and airline staff had refused to allow him on board, a court heard. Satanists turned out to cheer the unveiling of a bronze statue dedicated to a goat-headed winged creature called Baphomet in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Satanic Temple organisation arranged the rally outside the Arkansas State Capitol building to protest a Ten Commandments monument already on the grounds. Although the striking, eight-and-a-half foot tall icon was only allowed to be on display temporarily, Satanists argued they should be allowed to erect the winged goat effigy on a permanent basis under freedom of religion rights outlined in the US constitution. Satanic Arkansas cofounder Ivy Forrester, one of the rally organisers, said: If youre going to have one religious monument up then it should be open to others, and if you dont agree with that then lets just not have any at all. The display inspired a counter protest by Christian activists, while a leading Republican politician in the state condemned the Satanic icon as offensive. Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? Show all 2 1 /2 Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? 60009.bin Getty Images / The Bridgeman Art Library Religion vs science: can the divide between God and rationality be reconciled? 60008.bin Getty Images / The Bridgeman Art Library Not one of Arkansas legislators responded to a letter sent by the Satanic Temple urging them to make Baphomet a lasting feature in Little Rock, according to KATV News. The Ten Commandments monument was first put up last year after a bill sponsored by Republican senator Jason Rapert was passed. Mr Rapert said he respected the Satanic protesters First Amendment rights to practice their religion, but also described them as extremists. The state senator said: It will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us to be permanently erected on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. Atheists also attended Thursdays rally at the grounds of the state capitol building, with several speakers arguing the existing biblical monument violated the separation of church and state. A similar Ten Commandments statue was installed on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol, but in 2015 the states supreme court ruled it should be removed. Judges decided it violated the state constitutions ban on the use of state property for religious purposes. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The Satanic Temple has attempted to sue the state of Arkansas over its own monument, citing religious discrimination. The group tried to join a case already brought against the state by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), but the ACLU asked the court to bar the religious organisations intervention. About 150 people attended Thursdays rally in Little Rock. A smaller group of Christian counter protesters stood nearby, holding signs with Bible verses and singing hymns. The rally was mainly peaceful, but police did escort one yelling counter protester away from the speakers stage. The US Defence Department has postponed Donald Trumps Veterans Day military parade amid claims the spectacle could cost $92m (72m). Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said on Thursday the armed forces and the White House would now explore opportunities to reschedule the event for 2019. The president previously said the parade, planned to honour US military veterans and mark the centenary of the end of the First World War in November, would be great for the spirit of the country. The announcement of its cancellation came hours after reports emerged that US officials expected the parade to cost more than $90m, three times more than original estimates. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the Pentagon would have been forced to spend $50m (39m) on the transport of aircraft, equipment and personnel to Washington for the event. Several other agencies would have covered remaining costs, mainly consisting of security provisions, the government sources said. However, defence secretary James Mattis has rubbished the reports, suggesting whoever claimed the parade was set to cost upwards of $90m was probably smoking something. I'm not dignifying that number with a reply, the Pentagon chief told reporters while travelling to the Colombian capital Bogota. I would discount that, and anybody who said it, I'll almost guarantee you one thing: They probably said, 'I need to stay anonymous.' No kidding, because you look like an idiot. And number two, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. I'll just leave it at that. The parades cost has become a politically-charged issue, particularly in the wake of the USs decision to cancel its annual war games with South Korea in August. Mr Trump called off the military manoeuvres following his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June, claiming the drills were provocative and ending them would save the US a tremendous amount of money. The Pentagon later said the Korea drills would have cost $14m (11m). Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Show all 20 1 /20 Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim leave following their historic meeting AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim sign a document committing to peace between their nations, amongst other things EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump holds up a document that both he and Mr Kim have signed AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un The two leaders reach out to shake hands for the first time AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim shake hands as they meet for the first time Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim walk off stage, following their historic meeting Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim take a stroll after their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim interrupt their stroll to talk to the media AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim and Mr Trump look out over a balcony at the Capella hotel, where they held their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump takes questions at the press conference following his meeting with with Mr Kim AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump appreciates the crowd in the press conference following his meeting with Mr Kim Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with Kim Jong Un on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Kim Jong Un travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with President Trump on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim poses for a photo with Singapore's Finance Minister Vivian Balkrishnan and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung ahead of the summit with Mr Trump Twitter/Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump shakes hands with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, meeting on Monday June 11 in the Istana, Singapore's presidential palace AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un At a working lunch on Monday, Singapore's Prime Minister surprised Mr Trump with a birthday cake, in early celebration of his 72nd birthday later in the week EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions about the summit at a press briefing in Singapore on Monday, June 11 Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump arrives at the Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore on June 10, two days prior to his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim met on Tuesday June 12 in the Capella hotel on the island resort of Sentosa, just off the south coast of Singapore AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump boards Air Force One following the summit AFP/Getty Lieutenant colonel Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said earlier on Thursday that defence department planning for the parade continues and final details are still being developed. He added that any cost estimates were pre-decisional. The parade was expected to include troops from all five armed services the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard as well as units in period uniforms representing earlier times in the nation's history. It also was expected to involve a number of military aircraft flyovers. A Pentagon planning memo released in March said the parade would feature a heavy air component, likely including older, vintage aircraft. It also said there would be wheeled vehicles only, no tanks, amid fears heavy tracked vehicles could tear up streets in the District of Columbia. Additional reporting by AP A news anchor on the Fox Business network has been widely mocked for warning about the dangers of socialism in Denmark, claiming it was a land where no one wants to work. Trish Regan even compared the Scandinavian country to Venezuela, suggesting the people of both countries were victims of the same repressive economic system. Denmark like Venezuela has stripped people of their opportunities, she said. While many Danes have laughed off the dramatic claims on social media, some of Denmarks top politicians felt the need to highlight a few facts about the rude economic health of their nation. Ms Regans comments even prompted Denmarks ambassador in Washington to invite the TV host to visit the northern European country to see Danish prosperity up close. The Fox Business segment, which aired earlier this week, entitled Something rotten in Denmark, featured a series of claims about the Danish peoples dependence on the state. Ms Regan attacked the lack of incentives to work because of generous education provision. Not only is school free, they actually pay you, said the anchor. You know what happens then? Nobody graduates from school. They just stay in school. Because thats the reality of socialism Nowadays all the kids graduating from schools in Denmark, they want to start cupcake cafes. Fox News 'finest moments' Show all 13 1 /13 Fox News 'finest moments' Fox News 'finest moments' Penis pictures are news Pulling photos straight from Twitter moments before going on-air was a nightmare waiting to happen for any network, as Fox-affiliated KDVR found in spectacular fashion when a penis was spliced into coverage of the Seattle helicopter crash Twitter Fox News 'finest moments' Homosexual impulses lead to serial killings A licensed psychotherapist booked to appear on Foxs Justice With Judge Jeanie programme suggested Santa Barbara shooter Elliot Rodger could have been acting upon homosexual impulses when he targeted his victims Fox News 'finest moments' Single ladies rely on government like a husband Fox News host Jesse Watters coined the phrase Beyonce Voters, who depend on government because theyre not depending on their husbands. Watters was critical of this section of the electorate for needing contraception, health care, and they love to talk about equal pay Getty Images Fox News 'finest moments' Its OK to use racial slurs about China Fox News presenter Bob Beckel claimed Chinamen had been taught how to do computers by Americans in a rant about Chinas threat to the national security of the US Fox/YouTube Fox News 'finest moments' Michelle Obama needs to drop a few pounds Foxs psychiatry contributor, Dr Keith Ablow, claimed that Michelle Obama isnt in a position to campaign for healthier eating because she needs to drop a few herself Fox News 'finest moments' Russell Brand is left-wing commie scum Fox presenter Greg Gutfeld called Brand left-wing commie scum after he condemned the news station for hiring a token black person to come on to lament the riots Getty Fox News 'finest moments' Women in the armed forces are boobs on the ground Presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle asked if the UAEs first female fighter pilots role during Isis air strikes could be considered boobs on the ground in Syria Fox News 'finest moments' Sexism awareness videos should themselves be treated with sexism Bob Beckel again. The Fox host addressed the viral video actress Shoshana B Roberts created highlighting catcalling in New York by saying: She got 100 catcalls, let me add 101. Damn, baby, youre a piece of woman Fox News 'finest moments' Young women shouldnt worry themselves with politics Foxs Guilfoyle said young women shouldnt be able to vote or sit on juries because they dont have the same concerns as their elders. I just think, excuse them so they can go back on Tinder and Match.com, he said Fox News 'finest moments' Ignore CIA torture because the US is awesome Foxs National Security Analyst KT McFarland condemned the release of a damning report into the CIA's use of torture as a political manoeuvre designed to show Americans "how were not awesome" Fox News/YouTube Fox News 'finest moments' The Sydney terror siege justifies CIA use of torture Elizabeth Hasselbeck used the hostage situation in Sydney to defend the CIA after it was widely condemned for enhanced interrogation techniques revealed in the so-called 'torture report' Fox News 'finest moments' Videos should be edited to say what you want Fox apologised after editing a video of protesters to make it sound as if they were chanting "kill a cop" during a demonstration over a grand jury decision not to charge the police officer who put Eric Garner in an illegal chokehold YouTube Fox News 'finest moments' The AirAsia plane crashed because of the metric system Presenter Anna Kooiman linked the use of different measurement systems to the safety of flights abroad Denmarks Social Democrats decided to release a video response entitled Something is rotten at Fox News, picking apart Ms Regans claims about welfare, school and employment. Representing the party, the former government minister Dan Jorgensen said: Trish, youre wrong. We have a welfare state in our country. This means our society provides opportunity for people. It doesnt strip people of possibilities in their life. Danish finance minister Kristian Jensen said Ms Regan should come to Denmark if you dare to be confronted with facts and pointed out that Denmark was 11 places higher than the US in OECD rankings for employment rates. Lars Gert Lose, Danish ambassador to the US, also took to Twitter to say he would love to assist Ms Regan on a trip to his homeland, but quipped she might find the lack of cupcake cafes disappointing. Regan has since tried to clarify her remarks. I was never implying that conditions in Denmark were similar in any way to the current tragedy on the ground there in Venezuela, she said. I was merely pointing out that socialism is not the way. Close Manafort Trial Turns from Prosecution to Defense as Manafort's wife and attorneys arrive The jury in the trial of Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort have finished the second day of deliberations with no verdict as Robert Mueller and the prosecution prepare for his next trial in Washington DC. Mr Mueller's team reportedly has more than 1,000 pieces of evidence in the next trial but in the meantime, the jury in the Alexandria, Virginia federal courthouse had sent Judge TS Ellis four questions for review ahead of their second day. Among them was a request for the judge to define what "reasonable doubt" in this particular case means. Legal experts say the jury asking to define this points to the possibility that at least one juror may feel the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof. The jury also asked Mr Ellis for guidance on the regulations regarding when someone must disclose a foreign bank account to the US Treasury Department and whether the exhibit list could be amended so the jury could see which pieces of evidence corresponded which counts. The six men and women also asked the judge to clarify the definition of a "shelf company," which is an inactive company often sold to people aiming to bypass the registration process. Mr Manafort faces five counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of failing to disclose his offshore bank accounts, and nine counts of bank fraud today, as the trial carries over into next week. The former foreign political agent's next trial to take place in the US District Court in Washington DC also includes charges of witness tampering. Mr Mueller alleged Mr Manafort "repeatedly" contacted two witnesses in an effort to sway their testimony, court documents stated. The longtime political operative was under house arrest at the time of the suspected contact and as a result, Mr Mueller asked federal judge Amy Berman Jackson to "promptly" reconsider Mr Manaforts release. She did and Mr Manafort has been in jail ever since the 5 June charge. FBI Special Agent Brock Domin, in a declaration filed with Mr Muellers motion, said Mr Manafort had attempted to call, text, and send encrypted messages in February 2018 to two people from The Hapsburg Group, a firm he had worked with in the past when promoting the interests of Ukraine in the US. Agents have recovered telephone and text records from Mr Manaforts iCloud account as evidence of his contact with the two individuals, Mr Domin said. Follow the latest updates in the trial below A theme park in Canada is opening a dive rollercoaster that will be the worlds fastest, highest and longest ever. The ride, named the Yukon Striker, will be unveiled next year by Wonderland, an amusement park in Ontario already featuring more than a dozen coasters. According to a press release, the ride will reach speeds up to 81mph, a height of 245ft, with the track more than two-thirds of a mile long. The park said Yukon Striker had stadium-style seating, with every car featuring three rows of seating, each placed above the other to give riders a view of the vertical drop. The cars are also floorless, leaving peoples legs to hang in mid-air during the experience. Dive coasters feature one or more near-vertical drops which provide a moment of free-falling for passengers. A spokesperson said a three-second pause at the top of the coaster would be the longest three seconds of your life. Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters Show all 5 1 /5 Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters 635381.bin Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters 635382.bin Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters 635383.bin Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters 635384.bin AP Travel By Numbers: Rollercoasters 635385.bin Jordan May, from the American Coaster Enthusiasts, told Global News he was looking forward to the rides opening. Yukon Striker is going to be a huge step forward for Canada, he said. It does something no Canadian rollercoaster has ever done before. The death toll of Keralas worst flood for more than a century has risen to 324, a senior politician in the Indian state has announced. Keralas chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, added in a statement more than 200,000 people had now been displaced by torrential rain that began nine days ago. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years, he said on Twitter on Friday: 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223,139 people are in [more than] 1,500 relief camps. Recommended Man films selfie video asking for rescue from Kerala floods Thousands of people are still thought to be stranded on rooftops across the southern Indian state, with rescuers struggling to reach all of those in need by air. I spoke to the defence minister this morning and asked for more helicopters, Mr Vijayan told Indian broadcaster NDTV, adding he planned to send 11 more aircraft to the worst-hit areas. In some areas, airlifting is the only option, thousands are still marooned. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Friday afternoon he would travel to Kerala to take stock of the flood situation. Dozens of relief teams made up of armed services personnel are engaged in the rescue effort and hundreds of boats have been drafted in to help search for survivors. Meanwhile, hospitals where many injured in the disaster would be expecting to receive treatment are struggling to provide care. In the areas worst affected by the floods, many medical centres are reportedly running a skeleton service or have been forced to close. Dr Anil Vasudevan, a senior state government official, told Indian news website Firstpost hospitals had been advised to do their best by moving patients to higher floors. Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Show all 40 1 /40 Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India A man removes debris from a collapsed house after floods in Paravur Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An ariel shot of Kerala from Thiruvanpuram Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Murgan and his family clean up their house in Mundancavu village at Chegannur upon returning home after the flood waters receded Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India People assess damage caused by floods on the outskirts of Kochi AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Men paddle their boat through the lawns of a partially submerged church at Kuttanad in Alleppey district Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Sandhya Biji and her son in front of their damaged house on the banks of Pamba river Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Border Security Force distribute food food and water to the residents who are stuck in their houses as well who have not vacated houses because of the flood water in interior places at Allapy Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India A damaged house on the banks of Pamba river Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Murgan cleaning up his house Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An aerial view shows partially submerged houses at a flooded area in the southern state of Kerala Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Murgan and his family clean up their house Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India People are airlifted by the Indian Navy soldiers during a rescue operation Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India People wait for aid on the roof of their house Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian volunteers and rescue personal evacuate local residents AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian people use a boat to rescue an elderly man in the flooded water in Kochi EPA Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An aerial view shows partially submerged houses at a flooded area in the southern state of Kerala Reuters Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An Indian woman watches residents walking through flood streets next to their marooned houses AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian army personal evacuate local residents AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian commuters wade through flooded streets AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India People move past a flooded road in Thrissur AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Water gushes out following heavy rain and landslide in Kozhikode AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Fire and Rescue personnel evacuate local residents in an inflatable boat from a flooded area at Muppathadam near Eloor AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian residents look at the Shiva Temple submerged AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Roads and houses engulfed in water following heavy rain and landslide in Kozhikode. AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India People look at vehicles stuck in the mud AFP/Getty Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India A young man wades through a flooded street in Kochi EPA Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Rescue operations being conducted at the landslide location at Kuttampuzha AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An elderly woman is rescued in a cooking utensil AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Local residents look at a partially destroyed house after heavy monsoon rains led to a landslide in Kannappankund AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An Indian woman sits inside her house immersed in flood waters in Ernakulam district of Kochi AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian fire and rescue personnel evacuate local resident AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India A woman stands at the door of her flooded home in Kochi EPA Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India India residents stand on the shore as Periyar river flooded AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India An Indian man carries a basket of bananas next to houses immersed in flood waters AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Laborers hailing from northern states wade through flood waters as they shift to higher ground AP Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan (L) along with opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala (2L) visit relief camp in Chengamanadu Government Higher Secondary School AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Athirampally Falls EPA Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India EPA Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Indian residents look at houses destroyed by flood waters at Kannappankundu AFP/Getty Images Kerala floods: heavy monsoon rains lead to deaths in India Kochi's International airport apron flooded AFP/Getty Images We have instructed district medical officers to manage the situation at their level, he said. They have been asked to divert the patients needing intensive care to nearby government facilities if they cannot be accommodated in a particular hospital. No patient will be denied treatment. The situation is bad in many hospitals. Several doctors and staff have been deployed in the relief camps. The deployment has been done in such a way that it will not affect the normal functioning of the hospitals. Monsoon floods have hit 12 of Keralas 14 districts with fears more incoming rain over the weekend could push water levels higher. Indian army personnel evacuate residents (AFP/Getty) Hundreds of properties are thought to have been destroyed by the flooding and crops across 80,000 acres of land have been damaged, according to Indias home ministry. Hundreds of people across the country die each year during the rainy season, which runs from June to September. This year more than 1,000 people have lost their lives in seven states since the monsoon rains began. Some 407 people have died in Kerala, 190 in Uttar Pradesh, 183 people in West Bengal and 139 in Maharashtra, while dozens more have also been killed in Gujarat, Assam and Nagaland. Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Actor Oscar for The Revenant in 2016 but arguably wasnt the real star of the show. The film recounts the true story of 19th century fur trapper Hugh Glass, who was so badly mauled by a grizzly bear near the Missouri River his mercenary colleagues left him for dead in a shallow grave, from which he duly escaped to seek vengeance. The bear attack is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking and has lingered in the public imagination ever since, inviting the question: what should you do if you find yourself facing off against a slavering grizzly? Heres the answer. Precautionary measures If youre camping or hiking in the woodlands of North America particularly Canada, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, the Dakotas or Montana or in parts of northern Europe and Asia, its perfectly possibly you could encounter a large bear. When passing through known bear country, you should be sure to make noise to alert them to your presence. Bears might regard any attempt to cross their territory stealthily as the behaviour of a threat and initiate an attack as a defensive measure. Talking, clapping or singing aloud could help remove any doubt about your intentions. Watch out for evidence of their presence, from excrement on paths to the remains of animal carcasses. If you are lucky enough to spot a cub, rest assured their mother is not far behind and will defend her children to the death. This is where Hugh Glass went so badly wrong. Recommended How to survive a shark attack Keep your dog on a lead in case they race off, encounter a bear and provoke it, risking getting clawed to pieces themselves or leading an enraged grizz straight back to you. Unless your dog is Baxter from Anchorman, their intervention is unlikely to be helpful. When eating or preparing food, be sure to do so far away from your campsite. Any leftovers should be sealed in Tupperware boxes as bears have a powerful sense of smell and might be drawn by its tantalising odour like Yogi to a picnic basket. If youre proposing to camp, ensure you have a tent large enough to accommodate a makeshift protective wall of rucksacks and equipment inside. This could prove a lifesaving defence in the event that an aggressive bear goes for you in your sleeping bag, a highly rare occurrence but not entirely unknown. Types of bear At this point, its important to distinguish what kind of bear youre up against. The grizzly is by far the bigger threat, a burly devil with a pronounced hump of muscle at the shoulder. Grizzlies can grow as tall as six foot five and have powerful jaws and long, sinister talons, ideal for digging up roots or disembowelling prey. You can distinguish it by its shaggier, silver-tipped fur. A black bear, by contrast, has no such hump and is far more slender. It can be black but also various shades of brown to blonde. Less aggressive than its larger counterpart, it poses a different threat by being better able to climb trees. Neither kind wants to attack a human for its own sake and will only do so in response to a perceived threat to themselves or their offspring or if they have reason to believe you might be food bears are omnivores and will eat almost anything. Grizzlies If you encounter a grizzly bear, the first thing to remember, as with sharks, is: stay cool. Panicking or screaming will alarm the bear and cause it to attack, either to quell a threat or eat you, depending on how it interprets your behaviour. This is where adventurer Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard went wrong, as documented by Werner Herzog in the harrowing Grizzly Man. Making no sudden moves, you should stay still and speak to it reassuringly in a calm, steady monotone. This at least confirms you are human, a species about which bears are broadly ambivalent. From here, a bear may walk away or become agitated. Youll know if its the latter because the animal will pin its ears back, dip its head and nod from side to side, pawing the earth and emitting a low growl of warning. If it meets your gaze, it is about to attack. Dropping its jaw means its about to charge. It might plan to feint by charging at you and halting to see how you react or just knock you straight down. Grizzly bear brawling at Yellowstone Park (Getty) This is your moment to step back and attack it with pepper spray, aiming for the eyes and snout to temporarily blind and disorientate the creature. You should never leave home without this invaluable product when venturing into bear country. The good people at UDAP manufacture the market-leading brand, complete with natty Griz Guard holster. Ideally, you should spray from 40 to 50 feet away, creating a fog of tear-inducing gas around you. Unless you have maced your opponent, dont try to run. Despite looking lumbering, grizzlies can hit top speeds of 30mph and won't hesitate to bring you down. If you are charged, you should roll yourself into the foetal position, keeping your backpack on as an added protective shield and, as advised by the Wu-Tang Clan, protect ya neck. The bear will not attack once it believes the threat is suppressed so play dead. And stay down. Grizzlies are suspicious beasts and known to return to the scene to double-check. Black bears These animals are less aggressive than the grizzly but are equally likely to attack if they feel threatened. As discussed, black bears - common in Eurasia are agile and adept at climbing trees so on no account ascend the branches to evade them. You might get away with it in the case of a grizzly but not here. Asiatic black bears settling a dispute in Japan (Rex) (Rex Features) If attacked by one these creatures, your best option is to stand your ground and respond in kind rather than hit the deck. Shout, raise your arms to intimidate it and hit it in the eyes and snout with whatever weapons you have to hand, be it a rock, branch or hunting knife. Hopefully, this will alarm the bear into a retreat. Polar bears Should you find yourself alone in the Arctic tundra staring down the largest land carnivore on earth, good luck. This is actually more likely than it has been in the past as there is some evidence to suggest polar bears are being driven inland as a result of climate change melting the sea ice it uses as a platform from which to hunt seals and fish. Plans to drill for Alaskan oil threaten polar bear numbers Show all 3 1 /3 Plans to drill for Alaskan oil threaten polar bear numbers Plans to drill for Alaskan oil threaten polar bear numbers 12182.bin PA/Getty Images Plans to drill for Alaskan oil threaten polar bear numbers 12183.bin PA/Getty Images Plans to drill for Alaskan oil threaten polar bear numbers 12184.bin Intimidation tactics might work with a polar bear but remember they want to eat you rather than simply neutralise a threat. Again, bear spray is your friend here but, honestly, you dont have a lot of options. They can outrun you on open ice and snow despite weighing a tonne, will not be deterred by attempts to play dead and can kill you with a single swipe of the paw. Best to avoid the scenario at all costs if you can possibly help it as the chips are decidedly stacked against you. Italys government has demanded the countrys biggest toll-road operator rebuild the collapsed motorway bridge in Genoa at its own expense. The countrys Transport Ministry opened an investigation on Thursday into infrastructure company Autostrade per lItalia, after a section of the Morandi Bridge collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 38 people. Autostrade has been given 15 days to show it has met its contractual obligations in relation to the structure. The company said it had made regular, thorough safety checks on the motorway bridge. If the justifications provided by the company are judged inadequate, Rome would consider it a breach of concession terms, and the company could be fined up to 150m (134m). The Transport Ministry also said it wanted the company to rebuild the bridge at its own expense, as well as pay to restore buildings damaged by the collapse. Italys deputy prime minister, Luigi Di Maio, said the state would have to take over Italys motorways if concession-holders could not do the job properly. Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Show all 50 1 /50 Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Morandi bridge after it collapsed, in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A satellite image of the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge EPA/European Space Imaging Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers inspect the rubble and wreckages AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Night view of the Morandi bridge collapsed in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Displaced people from their homes EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers work among the rubble AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers inspect the rubble and wreckages AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A satellite image of the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge EPA/European Space Imaging Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa People living in the buildings in the area have been evacuated EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Excavators dig into the rubble at the site of the highway-bridge-collapse disaster EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A lorry stands on the edge AFP/Getty Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A large section of the Morandi viaduct, of which the A10 motorway runs, collapsed in Genoa Reuters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Reuters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers at work amid the rubble EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Reuters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A large section of the Morandi viaduct, of which the A10 motorway runs, collapsed in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescue workers at the collapsed Morandi Bridge Reuters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Cars seen among the rubble Vigili Del Fuoco/AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa AFP/Getty Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers work among the debris of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa The viaduct gave way amid torrential rain EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa The viaduct runs over shopping centres, factories, some homes, the Genoa-Milan railway line and the Polcevera river AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Around 10 vehicles are involved in the collapse, rescue sources said EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa A view of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge ANSA via AP Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescue teams on the site EPA/Italian Firefighters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescuers at the site of the collapsed bridge EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Both sides of the highway fell AFP/Getty Images Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA/Italian Firefighters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa The site of a collapsed bridge EPA/Italian Firefighters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Sergio Battelli/Twitter Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Rescue teams on the site EPA/Italian Firefighters Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa EPA Italian bridge collapses: part of highway gives way in Genoa Vigili del Fuoco/Twitter The search for survivors entered a new phase on Friday, as rescuers used heavy equipment to remove a large vertical section of the collapsed motorway, clearing a new area to investigate. Officials say 38 people were killed and 15 injured and prosecutors say 10 to 20 people may be unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise. More than 600 people were evacuated from their homes below the bridge over fears remaining spans of the structure could collapse. Officials have decided the buildings will be demolished, as it would be too dangerous to leave them in place. Genoa bridge: Aerial video shows aftermath of Italy motorway collapse Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the reasons behind the bridge collapse and have yet to publicly identify the cause. Italys prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, has declared a state of emergency for Genoa, one of Italys busiest ports, whose main land corridor with southern France has effectively been severed. One expert, Antonio Brencich at the University of Genoa, had previously called the 50-year-old bridge a failure of engineering. Other engineers, noting its age, said corrosion and decades of wear and tear from weather could also have been factors in the collapse. EU hits back at Italy populists over Genoa bridge collapse: 'We gave you money to fix your infrastructure' Italys ruling populist coalition has threatened to break EU budget rules if required, to repair infrastructure and ensure there is no repeat of the disaster. A spokesman for the European Commission rebuffed any suggestion European spending rules were limiting action by the Italian government, saying Rome was getting 2.5bn from EU coffers for investments in network infrastructure for the period 2014-2020. Earlier this week it emerged one of Italys two governing populist parties wrote off safety fears about the bridge, with a statement on the Five Star Movement website in 2013 dismissing warnings of the imminent collapse of the Morandi Bridge as a favoletta, or childrens fairy story. Additional reporting by agencies What would have been Russias first-ever gay Pride event has been cancelled within 24 hours of being announced. A gay rights activist said the celebration would be held in the village of Yablonevy, near the town of Novoulyanovsk, which has a population of seven people. Nikolay Alexeev wrote on Facebook to say he had received a letter saying the event could take place outside the town. Thousands of people gather in London for Pride 2018 Mr Alexeev said the mayor of the town, Svetlana Kosarinova, was the bravest person in Russia for approving the demonstration. He said the event would take place on 26 August and warned that the authorised number of attendees, 300, should not be exceeded. The activist said it was the most awesome event in Russias history! and called Ms Kosarinova a real liberal, democrat, and simply the greatest human. However, unnamed local authorities then said the information is not true and stressed we will not hold any gay parades in a statement to the Tass news agency. London Pride 2018: in pictures Show all 47 1 /47 London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures EPA London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Barefoot Wine London Pride 2018: in pictures Getty Images for Pride In London Such parades are often shut down by Russian authorities due to a 2013 law which banned homosexual propaganda and demonstrations supporting gay rights. Gennady Denikayev, the town manager of Novoulyanovsk, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty the decision was invalid because he had not been consulted. I made a decision, there will be no gay parade, he said. We intend to protect traditional family values and, foremost, our children from the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations. For all the revolutionary potential of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the digital inventions are extremely bad news for the environment. At the end of 2017, when bitcoin mania was at its peak, the surge in processing power needed by computers for mining and transactions upped its estimated annual energy consumption to a staggering 30 terawatt hours roughly the same energy use as the entire country of Morocco. A new blockchain company, Soluna Technologies, is building a huge 900-megawatt wind farm in Dakhla in the Sahara to power its computing needs, touted as a potential model for powering blockchain computing with renewable sources in the future. Snow falls in Sahara desert for third time in 40 years We at Soluna have a goal, to bring abundant, efficient green energy online at utility scale, CEO John Belizaire told The Independent. Dakhla is one of the most promising regions for renewable energy generation in the world and thus the perfect location for our flagship site. The farm will take up 36,000 acres of desert classified as a high quality wind site and will also help the country of Morocco meet its goal of producing 52 per cent of its electricity from green sources by 2030. Activists, however, have taken issue with the projects claim that the Dakhla site is in southern Morocco pointing out the area actually lies in the disputed territory of Western Sahara. 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 initiative raises new questions about the legality of Moroccan administered infrastructure projects in the area, Sara Eyckmans, coordinator for Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), said in a statement. [The project] is situated on land under foreign military occupation, she said. Any agreement that [parent private equity firm] Brookstone has signed with the Moroccan government for that particular area is thus null and void. Parts of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, were annexed by neighbouring Morocco in 1975 in a move not recognised by the international community. The mostly desert territory is home to just 500,000 people and has been subject to physical and political clashes between Rabat and the Polisario independence movement ever since. Morocco, which imports more than 90 per cent of its energy requirements and is home to a youthful and growing population, is in desperate need of diversifying its energy sources. High electricity and other utility prices have driven protesters to the streets en masse several times since major Arab Spring protests in 2011. The Rabat authorities have built several wind energy projects in Western Sahara so far, although several UN and European Court of Justice rulings have said that Sahrawis should have full control of development of the areas natural resources. WSRW has urged Brookstone and Soluna Technologies to support the UN peace process by cancelling the Dakhla project. Its backers told Forbes they are aware of the political sensitivities of the region and that the investments respect Western Saharas international legal status. The Soluna project brings benefits for local Sahrawis as well as Rabat, Mr Belizaire said. Protests in Morocco after fishmonger crushed to death It will create more than 1,000 high tech jobs in Dakhla and the company also plans to reinvest one per cent of the sites revenue into local educational programmes, creating a community of trained resources in blockchain computing and launch a centre of excellence in the region, he added. Construction of the new wind farm and computing centre begins next year and should be connected to Moroccos national grid in the next five years. Soluna is investing $100m (79m) into the sites initial phase, which it hopes will generate 36 megawatts of electricity, and will then seek additional input from private equity and large institutional investors. Moroccan officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this article. The Yemeni doctor first learned her husband had been kidnapped by al-Qaeda when its heavily armed militants stormed her house in Mukalla, while she was home alone with their two-month-old baby. The masked fighters, who were wielding machine guns, attacked Dr Fatma (not her real name), locked her in the kitchen and ransacked the building. They told me they had taken my husband and brother. They robbed the house and took everything. They sealed my front door. I was only able to get out when my family came to rescue me, she told The Independent from the hospital where she now works. From that day on I have not heard my husbands voice or seen him at all. Ive heard nothing for three years. Her husband and brother, whose names The Independent have withheld for their safety, were reporters for a local network. They had covered a rare demonstration in Mukalla against al-Qaedas rule, during the autumn of 2015. The militants, who were concerned about losing support, did not want news of the rallies to spread. Despite the obvious dangers of speaking out, Fatma decided not to stay quiet. She issued a statement via social media about the kidnapping and complained about how she was attacked. Twelve days later, in an extraordinary act of bravery, she even staged a protest outside al-Qaedas main headquarters in the city, where militants opened fire. They threatened to kill her elderly father and sent masked men repeatedly to her home to keep her quiet. Fearing for the safety of her loved ones, she eventually announced she had left the province. She quit her job and went underground. By this time, October 2015, around 1,000 battle-hardened fighters from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the groups most lethal franchises, had been in control of Mukalla for half a year. Back in the spring of 2015, the terror group had conquered swathes of territory, exploiting a security breakdown in the war which erupted when the Shia Houthi rebel group ousted Yemens President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened to reinstate the recognised Yemeni government. Three years on, the conflict with the Houthis is still raging and at least 10,000 people have been killed. Seizing Mukalla, a city of 300,000, was a major feat for the global terror group. From the strategic provincial capital, they ruled a mini-state which stretched for 700km from near the border with Oman into a western district of Aden. AQAP held Mukalla, Yemens fifth biggest city, for a whole year, until April 2016, when a 10,000-strong force of Yemeni soldiers, trained and managed by the UAE, took back the city. The Emiratis maintain a significant presence in the strategic port city. Two years after their retreat, and in the middle of a devastating and drawn out war, the city is trying to put itself back together again. Dr Fatma is back at work, manning a crucial womens and childrens health clinic in the city, which would not have been possible under al-Qaeda. Her brother was freed when AQAP fled the city, but her husbands location is still unknown. Every day I wait for news, maybe they took him with them to the countryside when they fled the city, she added. Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Show all 22 1 /22 Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Young recruits from Mukalla's new police academy attend their graduation ceremony after a UAE-led six-week training course Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Yemeni soldier on the look out for militants or smugglers from his look out post over Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Afrah Jamaakhan, Yemen's first female radio director, says they have rebuilt Mukalla's radio station after al-Qaeda torched the old building Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Soldiers guard the streets of Mukalla, a former al-Qaeda stronghold in south Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen An Emirati pilot in a Chinnok overlooking Eritrea on a flight back from Yemeni military bases Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Emirati-supported look out points dot the mountains surrounding Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen UAE armoured truck at Mukalla's strategic port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The city of Mukalla, which for a year was al-Qaeda's stronghold in Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Soldiers guard the streets of Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Dr Fatma whose husband was kidnapped by al-Qaeda Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A wooden boat docks at Mukalla port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Maj-Generaal Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, governor of Hadramawt, at his offices in Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla's new radio station, the old building was burnt down by al-Qaeda Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen New Emirati-trained police graduates gather for their graduation ceremony Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla from an observation post over looking the city Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The UAE said it has delivered 60 police bikes to Hadramawt to support the police forces Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A panorama of Mukalla, south Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A commercial vessel docks at Mukalla port which officials hope will become a major business hub Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The UAE said it has donated over 150 police trucks to Hadramawt's new police force Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen UAE security forces drive through town in armoured cars fearing attacks from militant sleeper cells within Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Afrah Jamaakhan, Yemen's first female radio director, at Mukalla's new radio station Bel Trew/The Independent According to the UAE army, AQAP militants are now present in a string of villages around Marib, in the centre of Yemen, Bayda just south of it and Wadi Hadramawt north of Mukalla. But there are sleeper cells within the city and so no one takes any chances. UAE soldiers travel around in nine-vehicle armoured convoys. Heavily-armed Yemeni soldiers clear streets when Yemeni officials move. Al-Qaeda in Yemen, which the United Nations says has around 7,000 fighters, is not an easily distinguishable entity. Its members are often part of or have married into powerful tribes and militias. When they first entered Mukalla, they formed a council with local leaders, and were careful to tout their image as a powerful Sunni bulwark against the encroaching Shia Houthi threat. Many of AQAPs leaders hail from Hadramawt, the province in which Mukalla lies, and so the group even rebranded themselves the Sons of Hadramawt to curry local favour. During their one year in power the group boasted about providing residents with basic services, such as drinking water, electricity, and fuel. Today, checkpoints manned by Emirati-trained brigades litter Mukalla. Bombed out buildings from the conflict sporadically scar the city. Signs demanding people hand over their weapons ring the outskirts of the city. It is noticeable that no one is visibly armed, which can be common in other parts of Yemen. I have not heard my husbands voice or seen him at all. Ive heard nothing for three years Dr Fatma, wife of an al-Qaeda kidnapping victim Major-General Faraj Al-Bahsani, governor of the region, said that they were now working on a busy schedule of rebuilding health and education services, new homes and even a local police force. We dont have much of a budget from the state because of the conflict, but we have started oil production, the ports are working, while access to electricity here in Hadramawt is the best in Yemen, he said proudly from his offices in the city. The city, he added, went through a lot. The first thing the militants did upon taking Mukalla in April 2015 was to empty the jails, he claimed. Then they went to the banks and took all the money. Hadramawt is a big state, the money stored in Mukalla came from five different provinces. They took it all, he said. AQAP furnished their war coffers with an estimated $100m from looting Mukallas banks and collecting revenue from the citys port. A recent report by Associated Press claimed the militants were permitted to leave the city with much of that loot in controversial deals with the Yemeni and Emirati forces when they took over. The UAE has denied the accusations, claiming 500 militants were killed in the battle for the city. Dr Fatma described the year under their leadership as hell on earth. She said opposition figures or members of security forces were slaughtered like sheep in public, people were extorted under the guise of taxes and graves of religious figures deemed infidels were destroyed. We dont have much of a budget but we have started oil production, the ports are working, while access to electricity here is the best in Yemen Major-General Faraj Al-Bahsani, governor of Hadramawt Women, however, suffered the most. I remember a woman, accused of adultery, who was buried in the ground with only her head above. They kept throwing big rocks at her until they smashed her head and she died. We were not permitted to leave the house, they were strict about dress, she told The Independent. Even children changed their behaviour. Their street games were playing wars and dressing as the terrorists, she added. Near Dr Fatmas workplace, another prominent female resident who was threatened by al-Qaeda spoke about having to go underground during the terror groups year-long rule. Afrah Jumaakhan, who before the takeover was a radio presenter, is now Yemens first female director of a radio station. They used to send people to my house to threaten me. They burnt down our radio building, but we have rebuilt it here, in this former childrens book shop, she said. UAE-trained cadets of the Yemeni police marching during their graduation in the southeastern port city of Mukalla (AFP/Getty) Ahmed, not his real name, is a young journalist, kidnapped by al-Qaeda in early 2016 just months before the militants lost the city. He told The Independent he was not only investigated and tortured in detention but so was everyone who came to visit him. At that time, it was impossible for a man and a woman to cross the street alone without being questioned. All government bodies were closed. Many suffered to feed their families and so even joined AQAP due to a lack of jobs just to get the pay check, he said. He was only freed after he vowed not to report again. After my release, I rarely left the house and only stayed in close proximity. Psychologically and mentally, I was broken, he added. And while the city still appears much destroyed, there are positive signs. At the citys port, officials say for the first time since al-Qaeda swept control, it has started exporting goods specifically fish. Salem Ali Basamer, the ports chief, said 300 wooden ships now dock a year, double the number in 2016, while the number of commercial and fuel ships has tripled. He claimed the port had even secured a security certificate from the International Maritime Organisation. The port is open again for business, with fish being exported (Bel Trew/The Independent) Under al-Qaeda, the port was used as a lucrative source of funds for the group. Basamer estimated the militants were able to make some $700,000 from the port during their year in power. But a lot has changed since then, he claimed. Europe thinks this place isnt secure yet but we have the IMO certificate, he told The Independent. We want to change their view of Mukalla. It is a stable city. We are ready to participate in international business in Europe. We have only seen two European vessels in two years, the only ships that come are Saudi, Emirati and Indian. We need that to change, he added. One of the biggest projects under way at the moment is a new police force. There was a lot of criticism of the Yemeni security forces that manned Mukalla before al-Qaeda took over, amid accusations that the city was effectively handed over to the militants without a fight. Earlier this year the Emiratis, who have built significant military infrastructure here and so have massive influence over the city, flew in their own interior ministry officials to train up new recruits and they say this will stop any capitulation happening again. The first batch of graduates 224 young men completed the six-week training last week. The Emiratis have shipped in nearly 160 police wagons, four fire trucks and 60 motorbikes for the province. They hope the police force will eventually take over manning checkpoints and security of the city, freeing up the military forces. On the sidelines of the graduation ceremony, attending Emirati officials said that with the new police force, they even plan to reopen Mukalla international airport. One young officer, Lieutenant al-Moody, 28, told The Independent he signed up because his best friend was murdered by al-Qaeda for being part of the resistance in Mukalla. Im proud to be in this force. It is my responsibility to restore peace to Hadramawt, Im doing this job because of my friends, my family and my freedom, he added. Back at the womens clinic, Dr Fatma distracts herself from missing her husband by planning a new wing of the hospital for severe malnutrition cases. I thank God for those who gave us the security and safety after Mukalla was liberated, she said after a long shift in the hospital. It gives us hope. Read the first piece in Bel Trews series, One Week in Yemen, here: Inside the UAEs war on al-Qaeda in Yemen The check in area of Terminal 1 of Milan Malpensa airport offers a magnificent prospect. Travellers can gaze through a widescreen wall of glass and beyond the apron to a silhouette of Alpine corrugations. Every few minutes, the slow motion choreography of manoeuvring aircraft is pierced by a takeoff or landing. Aviation as a work of art and celebration of mobility would enthral Leonardo: da Vinci, certainly, and possibly di Caprio as well. Barely had a tiny Flybe jet soared away to Southend than a giant Airbus A380 touched down from Dubai, bringing 500-plus passengers from the intense heat of the Gulf to the Alpine foothills of Italy. The Emirates plane parked wingtip to wingtip with a Tam jet destined for Sao Paulo in Brazil. A marvellous tribute to the global village, I might have concluded had I been in a brighter mood. My final task last Saturday, before I left Heathrow for Milan, was to report on the chaotic start to one of the busiest weekends of the year. British Airways and easyJet had made dozens of weather-related cancellations, adding thousands of passengers on top of those out of position due to the Ryanair pilots strike. And just 48 hours later, I was able to assess BAs duty of care for myself. To make the most of my time in Italy, I had booked the last British Airways flight on Monday night back to Heathrow. But seven hours before departure: ping! A text revealed that the flight had been cancelled, and I had been rebooked on a flight the following day. We will contact you, or call BA to discuss, the message added. Along with most of the 150 other passengers booked on BA581, I preferred not to arrive home unfashionably late from the fashion capital of Europe. So I called British Airways repeatedly, being told every time that the call centre was too busy and I should instead visit ba.com. The airlines website offered a straight choice: do you accept the replacement flight, or not? Unfortunately I needed a third option: Please let me hold this flight while I see if theres a way of getting back sooner. So I re-entered the realm of the British Airways call handling software automatically putting the phone down on me. When all else fails, head for the airport. At least there will be a helpful BA person there who can help, I imagined. By 4.30pm I was admiring Malpensas spectacular view. There was little else to do: at check-in area 13 (unlucky for some), the conversation with staff who were preparing to check in an earlier BA flight did not go well. Might I squeeze on board? Could I join a waiting list? Check-in does not open for another 20 minutes. Come back then. When I did, I was told to wait another hour to see if space was available. Back to the phone and, at last, I spoke to a human. It wasnt a great success. Under no circumstances could I be moved to an earlier flight, I was assured. Despite BAs promise to meet its obligations under European air passengers rights rules (If youre delayed until the next day, youll be offered hotel accommodation for your overnight stay and airport transfers), I would have to organise a room myself: pay first, reclaim later. Any extra expenses for hotels, transport and meals, youll need to keep receipts and claim back from customer relations, I was told. At that point BAs airport duty manager took control. She organised a hotel for all the stranded passengers, together with a bus to get us there, with the practised professionalism of someone who had done this many times before. Unlike a sudden grounding in a far off location, Mondays cancellation was about as routine as they get. Whenever British Airways has to axe a wave of flights to create a firebreak and rebuild the schedule, Milan is one of the usual suspects along with Barcelona, Dublin, Geneva and Nice. All are places with plenty of alternative flights. So it is perplexing that what call centre staff tell travellers should be completely at odds with what actually happens on the ground. A BA spokesperson said: When bad weather is forecast which affects the safety of our flights, we will always put safety first. We understand the frustration that cancellations cause, so we automatically rebook customers onto the closest flight we can to minimise the disruption. We know that sometimes there could be another solution which fits better to our customers plans, so we always include a contact number so that they can discuss the option best suited to them. At beautiful Malpensa, British Airways could turn cancellation into an art form. Until it does, the best advice I have for anyone caught up in a cancellation kerfuffle is: dont believe everything you are told or texted. Judging from one of the big aviation stories this week, airlines really must take a look at the size of the glasses they use to serve wine onboard their flights. Last time I flew between the UK and Dubai, they were normal sized. But the terrifying ordeal of Dr Ellie Holman and her daughter, who were detained on arrival in the UAE for a visa infraction, suggests they have grown dramatically. Ellie was jailed in Dubai for drinking a glass of wine on a flight from London, the Daily Mail said. Dr Holman told the Mail: I enjoy a glass of wine with my meal and accepted it from the cabin crew. That was the only alcohol I had on the flight. She also said that she was breathalysed several hours after having been questioned for a visa infraction and taken to a police station. The result, said Dr Holman, showed she had 40 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of blood half the drink-drive limit. It is reasonable to presume that the unfortunate passenger was not served any alcohol after leaving the flight. So lets assume the meal was served and the glass of wine was consumed halfway through the eight-hour flight. And I shall guess that several hours means about three. Therefore seven hours after drinking that single glass, Dr Holman was still on a blood-alcohol score of 0.04 per cent. According to the NHS: If you drink a large (250ml) glass of wine, your body takes about three hours to break down the alcohol. So if my calculations are correct, the only possible conclusion from the information provided by Dr Holman is that she was served 750ml of wine an entire bottles worth in a glass along with her meal. Maybe it was one of those goldfish bowl glasses popular in places like Magaluf; I trust the Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the practice of airlines serving wine in quantities of well over a pint. Leaving aside some of the other puzzling aspects of the case, such as how Dr Holman was allowed to board the flight with an expired visa in her Iranian passport, the drama draws attention to the questionable practice of giving airline passengers free alcohol. I must declare that no one likes a complimentary drink more than me. Indeed, one of the pleasures of air travel, after all the airport stress has been left below and behind, is ordering a beer. And maybe a glass of wine as well, while youre here. But giving away alcohol raises all sorts of issues because of human nature. First, if you have paid handsomely for your flight, and someone is offering you drinks that would, on budget airlines, cost a small fortune, it is all too easy to conclude that the more you consume, the cheaper your flight. Next, some travellers are particularly prone to overindulgence. As a former smoker, I know that it is tempting to compensate for the temporary loss of one vice due to the no-smoking rule by switching to another. Third, while I have never been frightened of flying, I have observed that nervous passengers will often seek to anaesthetise their anxiety with a few free drinks. The consequences are contained in the latest figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for disruptive passengers, which shows that reports about disruptive passengers from UK airlines are running at one a day. Although that is slightly below the figure of 1.1 for each of the last two full years, it does not include the busiest holiday times of late July and August. Alcohol is very often a factor in disruption. Drunken and abusive behaviour on an aeroplane is totally unacceptable, says the CAAs Richard Stephenson. Not only does it upset everyone else, but it can also jeopardise flight safety. Criminal charges should be brought against offenders more often to act as a deterrent passengers need to know they will face the full weight of the law should they be found guilty of disorderly behaviour. On the subject of the law, the Foreign Office reminds travellers to or through Dubai: It is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public. British nationals have been arrested and charged under this law, often in cases where they have come to the attention of the police for a related offence or matter, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour. And even if you have no intention of encountering immigration officials, because you are merely changing planes, note that Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested. So perhaps just one glass. Of a normal size. My six-year-old son is trapped in his room. Its been 18 days now. He begs me to let him out. But it is too dangerous for him to even step into the corridor. My son has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He is in semi-isolation because his white blood cell count is so low that he is at extreme risk of infection. We are not at home in London. Were in a paediatric haematology hospital in Italy. He was diagnosed here almost four weeks ago, soon after wed arrived for a holiday. My husband and I have much be grateful for despite this devastating situation. Our gratitude extends far and wide: the paediatric doctor working in a remote and mountainous region who did some rapid blood tests; the transfer without delay to a world-class hospital where my sons diagnosis was confirmed; and the right of my son to receive immediate and expert health care through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is currently the right of every UK resident, my son included, to receive emergency or medically necessary state-provided healthcare, when travelling in the EU. It extends to all EU citizens travelling from where they live. The cost is paid back by your state healthcare provider in your country of residence, in my sons case, the NHS. Before someone complains about wasting NHS money in Italy, let me say this. If our GP had run some blood tests when my son had an instant-access appointment because of fever and stomach pains less than two weeks before his diagnosis in Italy, he would be now confined to a room in the paediatric haematology unit at Great Ormond Street. Ive never before detoured to a hospital while in the EU. Ive taken this profound right that the EHIC gives me for granted. Until now. And it disturbs me that its future is in jeopardy. NHS at 70: A timeline of the National Health Service and its crisis Theresa Mays government has said that it wants to retain the EHIC, but with the current shambles, theres no guarantee. Will the EHIC become just another right that Brexit bulldozes away? My experience of the health system in Italy so far has impressed me it is excellent. Let me give you an example. Just after wed arrived at this hospital, my son began to feel excruciating pain in his lower right leg. Deadly infection can be a by-product of leukaemia. Within a very short period time, hed had ultrasounds, an MRI, visits to his room by the head of infectious diseases and the head of surgery. He could have lost his leg had they not acted so decisively. The lead consultants here are also in regular contact with their equivalents at Great Ormond Street on my sons behalf and theyve put him on the UK protocol treatment plan (which is two years long) to ease our return back home to London once his white blood cell count is out of the danger zone. My sons care in Italy is in stark contrast to the recent experience of an Italian teenager while on an English course in the UK in July. She went to A&E three times between 17 and 20 July complaining of severe headaches and vomiting. Prescribed painkillers, she was told that she was as healthy as a fish. On 22 July, back in Italy, after a CT scan, the teenager was diagnosed with a cerebral brain haemorrhage. Maybe thats just one example, but a huge study published in May 2017 by The Lancet revealed that the UK has the 30thbest healthcare in the world. Italy is way ahead in 12th place. People may say, who cares if the EHIC is lost as a result of Brexit? Just buy travel insurance! If only it were that simple for people with pre-existing conditions such as dialysis patients. Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Show all 6 1 /6 Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves The elderly We acknowledge that there are pressures on the health service, there are always extra pressures on the NHS in the winter, but we have the added pressures of the ageing population and the growing complex needs of the population, Theresa May has said. Waits of over 12 hours in A&E among elderly people have more than doubled in two years, according to figures from NHS Digital. Getty Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Patients going to A&E instead of seeing their GPs Jeremy Hunt has called for a honest discussion with the public about the purpose of A&E departments, saying that around a third of A&E patients were in hospital unnecessarily. Mr Hunt told Radio 4s Today programme the NHS now had more doctors, nurses and funding than ever, but explained what he called very serious problems at some hospitals by suggesting pressures were increasing in part because people are going to A&Es when they should not. He urged patients to visit their GP for non-emergency illnesses, outlined plans to release time for family doctors to support urgent care work, and said the NHS will soon be able to deliver seven-day access to a GP from 8am to 8pm. But doctors struggling amid a GP recruitment crisis said Mr Hunts plans were unrealistic and demanded the Government commit to investing in all areas of the overstretched health service. Getty Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Simon Stevens, head of NHS England Reports that key members of Ms Mays team used internal meetings to accuse Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, of being unenthusiastic and unresponsive have been rejected by Downing Street. Mr Stevens had allegedly rejected claims made by Ms May that the NHS had been given more funding than required. Getty Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Previous health policy, not funding In an interview with Sky Newss Sophy Ridge, Ms May acknowledged the NHS faced pressures but said it was a problem that had been ducked by government over the years. She refuted the claim that hospitals were tackling a humanitarian crisis and said health funding was at record levels. We asked the NHS a while back to set out what it needed over the next five years in terms of its plan for the future and the funding that it would need, said the Prime Minister. They did that, we gave them that funding, in fact we gave them more funding than they required Funding is now at record levels for the NHS, more money has been going in. But doctors accused Ms May of being in denial about how the lack of additional funding provided for health and social care were behind a spiralling crisis in NHS hospitals. Getty Images Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves Target to treat all A&E patients within four hours Mr Hunt was accused of watering down the flagship target to treat all A&E patients within four hours. The Health Secretary told MPs the promise introduced by Tony Blairs government in 2000 should only be for those who actually need it. Amid jeers in the Commons, Mr Hunt said only four other countries pledged to treat all patients within a similar timeframe and all had less stringent rules. But Ms May has now said the Government will stand by the four-hour target for A&E, which says 95 per cent of patients must be dealt with within that time frame. Getty Images Everyone the Government blames for the NHS crisis except themselves No one Mr Hunt was accused of hiding from the public eye following news of the Red Crosss comments and didnt make an official statement for two days. He was also filmed refusing to answer questions from journalists who pursued him down the street yesterday to ask whether he planned to scrap the four-hour A&E waiting time target. Sky News reporter Beth Rigby pressed the Health Secretary on his position on the matter, saying the public will want to know, Mr Hunt. Sorry Beth, Ive answered questions about this already, replied Mr Hunt. But you didnt answer questions on this. You said it was over-interpreted in the House of Commons and you didnt want to water it down. Is that what youre saying? said Ms Rigby. Its very difficult, because how are we going to explain to the public what your intention is, when you change your position and then wont answer the question, Mr Hunt. But the Health Secretary maintained his silence until he reached his car and got in. Getty The EHIC never replaced travel insurance. It doesnt cover you for cancellation, lost phones, rescue from mountain slopes, or air ambulances. What the EHIC has done is make travel insurance cheaper. According to a report by the House of Lords, travel insurance costs will rise exponentially among older people if the EHIC ends. And then theres the issue of getting your travel insurance to pay. When I was in the US in 2011, I needed two stitches for a cut on my thumb. It took nine months of calls and stress, which finally, in desperation, I ended with a sit-in in reception at one of my insurers offices (I was over seven months pregnant at the time) before they paid the $3,000 bill. With the EHIC, that potential stress is removed. And as I am often overwhelmed by sadness and exhaustion, as all parents are who have a seriously ill child, Im so relieved that I have one less thing to think about. But the EHIC is more than just a question of access, money or convenience. It is one of many nuances of European citizenship that were forgotten in the Brexit campaign. The EHIC symbolises how continental Europe shares the UKs core value: that everyone has a right to decent healthcare. And we should not forget at this precipitous moment that this value is hardly universal. There is a joke circulating among southern Yemenis, that every four years there is a war in south of the country. And right now they are bracing for another one. Most would retort that Yemen is very clearly already at war. Thousands of Yemeni have been killed since 2015 when the Shia Houthi rebel group swept control of the country from Yemens president, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched a bombing campaign shortly after to reinstate the recognised government, fearing a Houthi-controlled Yemen was part of the expansionist plans of Iran. Three years on, the devastating conflict, which grinds on in the north, has bought the country to its knees. Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Show all 22 1 /22 Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Young recruits from Mukalla's new police academy attend their graduation ceremony after a UAE-led six-week training course Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Yemeni soldier on the look out for militants or smugglers from his look out post over Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Afrah Jamaakhan, Yemen's first female radio director, says they have rebuilt Mukalla's radio station after al-Qaeda torched the old building Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Soldiers guard the streets of Mukalla, a former al-Qaeda stronghold in south Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen An Emirati pilot in a Chinnok overlooking Eritrea on a flight back from Yemeni military bases Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Emirati-supported look out points dot the mountains surrounding Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen UAE armoured truck at Mukalla's strategic port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The city of Mukalla, which for a year was al-Qaeda's stronghold in Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Soldiers guard the streets of Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Dr Fatma whose husband was kidnapped by al-Qaeda Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A wooden boat docks at Mukalla port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Maj-Generaal Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, governor of Hadramawt, at his offices in Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla's new radio station, the old building was burnt down by al-Qaeda Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla port Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen New Emirati-trained police graduates gather for their graduation ceremony Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Mukalla from an observation post over looking the city Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The UAE said it has delivered 60 police bikes to Hadramawt to support the police forces Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A panorama of Mukalla, south Yemen Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen A commercial vessel docks at Mukalla port which officials hope will become a major business hub Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen The UAE said it has donated over 150 police trucks to Hadramawt's new police force Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen UAE security forces drive through town in armoured cars fearing attacks from militant sleeper cells within Mukalla Bel Trew/The Independent Mukalla: Ex-Al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen Afrah Jamaakhan, Yemen's first female radio director, at Mukalla's new radio station Bel Trew/The Independent Three-quarters of the population or 22 million people rely on aid to survive. The estimated death toll veers from 10,000 dead to five times that much. The country has been on the verge of famine for a year. Its also brought some bad PR for the Gulf coalition (that is incidentally a major beneficiary of UK arms) over the soaring civilian casualties. Most recently, 40 children were killed when a Saudi airstrike hit a school bus, according to the Red Cross. But one group at least is winning out of this war: the southern separatists, who have been imbued with significant power since they joined forces with the Gulf coalition. And for them, bashing the Houthis is just the precursor to the true fight. Below the surface, a dangerous civil war within an already devastating civil war is brewing and its roots are older than unified Yemen its self. For the next conflict in Yemen will be the war for independence and a return to divided country. Adam Baron, a former resident of Yemen and visiting fellow at ECFR who joined me in Yemen, said its arguable that the tensions are among the highest theyve ever been. The ways things currently stand theres a real limit to how far things can get kicked down the road, he said. Yemen was only unified in 1990. Civil war broke out four years later, which the south ultimately lost. Separatists in both South Yemen and in the UAE, where many Yemenis are now based, have spoken of being occupied by the north when they lost that war. Its an occupation we still feel today, one said to me quietly. This may not seem important issue to the west, lost in the mesmerising mess of Yemen: the Gulfs most impoverished and least understood country. But it is within the fault lines of fighting in Yemen that insurgencies tend to flourish. During the start of the 2015 conflict in Yemen, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), arguably al-Qaedas most pernicious branch, conquered a 700km stretch of coastline. A second civil war germinating out of a pre-existing one will only cultivate more fertile land for AQAP to return. It could also set two Middle East power houses, and UK allies UAE and Saudi Arabia against each other with potentially devasting consequences. From my brief stay hopping between Emirati bases in Yemen, it was clear, unlike Saudis, that the UAE had unfurled a serious military infrastructure across South Yemen. Through their proxies in the form of tens of thousands of Yemeni soldiers they have trained they control most of the air strips, bases and sea ports along Yemens strategically placed southern coast. For the five-day stay, I did not see a single Saudi officer. Despite publicly insisting they want a united Yemen, the UAE has been accused of siding with the separatists by arming and funding them, because of their hatred of both the Houthis and the Muslim Brotherhood, Abu Dhabis arch enemy. The ill-will between UAE and President Hadi is no secret. In January, both sides came to blows in Aden, the de facto capital of the anti-Houthi alliance. In a barrage of grad missiles and tank fire, forces loyal to Hadi battled the separatist Southern Transitional Council and its forces the Security Belt, which was formed, financed and armed by the UAE. The STC is part of the anti-Houthi coalition and headed up by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the one-time governor of Aden who was sacked by Hadi. From the outside it looked like Saudi-backed forces were at war with Emirati ones. Calm has largely been restored to Aden. Hadi, who hadnt been back to Aden for over a year, was finally let back in June 2018. But the war-wounded city still feels tense. At Aden international airport, I am introduced to a young man called Khalid al-Khali. Slightly shy to camera, he doesnt cut the most imposing figure as he talks about studying law before the war with the Houthis broke out. Dressed in fatigues, he explains he now mans a battalion, trained by the Emiratis, which guards (and so controls) the airport, Yemens main exit and entry point ever since the Gulf Coalition shut down Sanaa airport. But over a quiet dinner in the UAE, Khalid and his brothers are described by Yemenis as powerful figures in the separatist movement. In one case the word troublemaker is used. That he was chosen to man such a key airport is significant. Amr al-Beidh, who comes from separatist royalty (his father, Ali Salem al-Beidh, a prominent politician, was president of the short lived separate South Yemen in the 1990s) tells me the division of Yemen isnt just inevitable but essential for the stability of the region. Without independence in the south there will always be a cycle of violence between the south and the north, he said. International trade lines will be affected, the fight against al-Qaeda will be affected. We cant build a civil state with the north. Reunification failed. Lisa Chambers said there has been virtually no progress. Photo: Tom Burke Fianna Fail has accused the Taoiseach of using damaging "megaphone diplomacy" in the Brexit negotiations. The party's Brexit spokesperson launched one of the strongest attacks yet on Leo Varadkar's approach to the talks, saying he is responsible for creating tensions in Anglo-Irish relations. As high-level talks between the EU and UK resumed on the Border question yesterday, Lisa Chambers said there had been "virtually no progress on the Irish Border issue since last December". She said the Government was "relying far too much on the hope of a good outcome and not preparing for all potential outcomes". Mr Varadkar has previously said that the Government is preparing for all possible outcomes, except the reinstatement of a Border on the island of Ireland. The issue was top of the agenda when officials gathered again in Brussels yesterday - but neither side is expecting any imminent breakthrough. Despite the resumption of talks, ratings agency Fitch said the risk of a bitter and economically damaging Brexit is growing. "An acrimonious and disruptive 'no deal' Brexit is a material and growing possibility," it warned. Previously Fitch had assumed the UK would leave the EU in March next year with a transition deal in place and the outline of a future trade deal with the bloc. However, UK Prime Minister Theresa May is struggling to get her own Conservative Party to support her proposed Brexit deal, while the EU has raised objections to key parts of her plan, suggesting it will seek more concessions that could deepen the divide within the Conservatives. "An intensification of political divisions within the UK and slow progress in negotiations with the EU means there is such a wide range of potential Brexit outcomes that no individual scenario has a high probability," Fitch said. Speaking at the Parnell Summer School, in Wicklow, Ms Chambers expressed a hope that the summer recess has provided "sufficient time for reflection on both sides and that cool, calm heads can prevail". She called for Northern Ireland to be made "a special economic zone and work to ensure the closest possible relationship between EU and the UK". Pressure is growing on EU trade officials to end long-running anti-dumping duties on Russian ammonium nitrate fertilisers. Irish farmers and diplomats have long been lobbying the EU to end the measures, in place since 1994. The bloc says Russian companies had been flogging exports at lower prices than at home, and renewed the duties in 2014. They come up for review in November. EU sources say it is no longer just an Irish issue, while news magazine Politico reported this week that farmers unions across the bloc are supporting the call. But some EU commissioners and many big producers such as the UKs Grow How, global agri-giant Yara and Polands Grupa Azoty Zakady Azotowe fear ending the duties would allow Russian companies to undercut them again. Fertiliser is the second-largest expenditure on Irish farms, with prices rising at twice the rate of other farm costs, according to the IFA. New EU limits on cadmium in fertiliser imports could further raise costs for farmers, as the only country where cadmium levels in soil naturally respect the limit is Russia. Our weather over the past 12 months has delivered storms, hurricanes, monsoon rains and finally drought. Increased uncertainty in weather patterns has made forward planning extremely difficult for farmers. While everyone is tired of hearing about grass growth and fodder, the reality is that the effects of the deficit will be felt well into 2019. Additional fodder supplies from previous years have always been vital in crisis situations like this. The last few weeks have seen farmers - conventional and organic - scrambling to sow forage crops in order to increase their fodder supplies. Like any crisis, it will force many farmers to look at their business models and consider their options in the months ahead. Organic farmers must feed organic fodder to livestock. For many, good soil structure with high organic matter has been important to sustain crops this year, and once again red clover proved how vital it is in organic farming systems. John Faulconbridge from Western Seeds was speaking recently at an IOA Field Talk event about the management of red clover leys in forage production on the organic farm, and he stressed that "red clover leys are best utilised as a cutting mixture (three to four cuts per year) in the farm rotation, producing high-volume crops of quality forage". John, who has been working with organic farmers in Ireland and in the UK since the late 1970s, added: "Crop management is the key for success and the productive life of a four- to five-year red clover ley will be reduced by: grazing, insufficient fertility due to high potential forage yields, cutting crop below three inches and infrequent cutting, ie, two large cuts a year. "The reduction in crop is due to a reduction in crop plant population in the field, allowing weeds to establish. "Timing of the first cut is important - cut when the red clover is at big bud stage with a tinge of red showing in the crop which enables you to obtain further cuts in the year. "All fertility (manures) needs to be applied to the conservation fields to build up fertility for future forage cropping and the possibility of tillage - this could be growing cereal crops for a couple of years, for home use or cash cropping oats for sale to the miller and then back into the fertility building forage cycle again." Organic is an option that some farmers might consider, particularly those in tillage, dairy and horticulture as there are obvious market deficits in those sectors. There is growing interest among dairy processors to get more organic milk, but to date supply has been slow to come on stream, especially as the Organic Farming Scheme is not open to new entrants. One lesson that this year has taught is that management of organic soils is critical in order to maintain productivity, and in difficult farming years price premiums are vital in order to keep farming sustainable. Grace Maher is development officer with the Irish Organic Association. Email: grace.maher@irishoa.ie LAIRG, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 14: Potential buyers watch as sheep farmers gather at Lairg auction for the great sale of lambs on August 14, 2018 in Lairg, Scotland. Lairg market hosts the annual lamb sale, which is one of the biggest one day livestock markets in Europe, when up to fifteen thousand sheep from all over the north of Scotland can be bought or sold. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) A Roscommon sheep farmer has hit out at sheep imports from Northern Ireland which he claims are seeing local farmers struggling to have their lambs slaughtered with factories. Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) sheep chairman John Brooks has said that sheep farmers right around the country are struggling to have their lambs slaughtered with factories fully booked up. We are seeing big throughput numbers of sheep, however, questions about the origin of these sheep are arising. According to Brooks ICSA has been getting reports of extra quantities of lamb coming down from the Northern of Ireland for slaughter in the south. Sheep from across the border have always been brought down here but the larger numbers are getting out of hand. They are having too much of a knock on effect with farmers in the south having difficulty getting their own slaughtered. As far as we can see, this is just another ploy to keep prices down at a time when farmers are suffering due to drought costs. Brooks said the increased imports again brings up labelling issues and puts at risk Irelands traceability, origin green and quality assurance systems. It also shows a complete lack of respect for both the producer and the consumer. Our cattle dont enjoy the same welcome in the north, certainly not under the same terms and conditions, he said. Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced it is to wind down its operations in Sligo, with the loss of 165 jobs. After operating in the region for more than 40 years, British-based GSK announced the job losses which will take place over the next three years. The company told employees at Stiefel Laboratories of its proposal to phase down production at the skincare manufacturing site. It is understood that the proposal is to decommission the site, which first opened in 1975, by the end of 2021. GSK said that the site had delivered significant improvements in cost and efficiency. "However, demand for the products made on site has not grown in line with previous expectations, due to the highly competitive market in which we operate, making our current business model unsustainable," it added. Expand Close Sligo-Leitrim TD Tony McLoughlin. Photo: Tom Burke / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sligo-Leitrim TD Tony McLoughlin. Photo: Tom Burke "We have not made this proposal lightly. We thoroughly evaluated a number of alternatives for the Sligo site, none of them were considered feasible without significant further investment." The company said that its main priority at present is to support the highly skilled professionals working at the site through this period. "We understand the impact of this proposal on our employees, their families, and the local region," the statement read. GSK's manufacturing sites in Cork and Dungarvan and commercial operations in Dublin are not understood to be affected by this proposal. Local Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin spoke of his disappointment at the company's decision to pull out of the area and pledged to help families. "I have spoken to the Department for Business Enterprise and Innovation this morning, who have advised me that the immediate concern of the department is for the workers and families directly impacted by this development," he said. While he believes that many of the affected employees will remain in their jobs during the wind-down process, he said the Government will do all that it can to source new employment for the area. "The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is aware of the situation and we will be doing our utmost to help these workers transition and find new employment opportunities when the time comes," he said. This week, Adrian and the panel discuss the thorny question of whether social media services should be allowed or obliged to kick people off for airing views and opinions that are considered extreme or dangerous. Its an issue that Twitter is currently hamfistedly trying to deal with in the case of Alex Jones, the American conspiracy theorist whose InfoWars channel has been accused of stirring up violent sentiment through its broadcasts and editorials. (Jones has argued that the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US were an inside job and that the Sandy Hook massacre, which killed innocent children, never happened.) Facebook and YouTube have kicked Jones and Infowars off. Are they right? Is this a question of freedom of speech or sensible policing by the social networks? Joining Adrian to debate the issue are Constantin Gurdiev, a professor of finance and a former editor of Business & Finance, and Jason OMahony, a political pundit and regular columnist with the Times Ireland Edition and Sunday Times. Gurdiev argues that its an overstep on the part of the social networks to ban voices, even ones as repugnant as Jones, as social networks are public spaces now. OMahony says that its proportionate to ban characters like Jones. Norwegian Air International, the Dublin-based arm of the Scandinavian carrier, made a $445.7m (391.1m) loss last year, almost double the loss it posted in 2016. The company said the increased loss was primarily due to establishing new bases, and "offerings to customers", as it increases its presence in the market. The loss was before a $55.7m income tax credit was factored in. Ticket and ancillary revenue at the Irish unit jumped to $1.94bn (1.7bn) last year from $1.43bn (1.25bn) a year earlier. Its total revenue was just over $2bn (1.75bn) for the year, when $47m of revenue from leases to other group companies, as well as cargo, are included. The figures for the Irish division cover flights from Ireland, Edinburgh and Belfast to the US, as well as short-haul services across Europe, including flights to and from the UK. At the end of 2017, Norwegian Air International operated 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners leased from its parent, 64 Boeing 737-800 jets and six other 737 aircraft. After the year end, Norwegian Air International sold the commercial interest in the 787 jets to its parent firm, Norwegian Air Shuttle. In 2017, the parent firm also injected $75m in equity into Norwegian Air International. The accounts show that Norwegian Air International had 61 employees at the end of 2017, and that its total wage bill for the year was $241m (211.4m). That included $179.2m paid to operational staff, and $61.8m for administrative staff. A spokesman for Norwegian said the Irish subsidiary made planned investments in 2017 to support its global network expansion. Norwegian has been under pressure from investors to prove that its long-haul, low-cost model has long-term viability. It posted a net profit of almost 32m in the second quarter, compared to a 73m loss in the second quarter of 2017. "We've reached the peak of our growth phase and we plan to build on the success of our transatlantic routes from Ireland by creating more jobs, introducing more flights and a new route to Canada that will benefit Irish consumers and the wider economy," said a Norwegian spokesman. IAG acquired a 4.6pc stake in Norwegian this year with a view to acquiring the carrier. For years, Jim Coulter and David Bonderman, the billionaire co-founders of private equity titan TPG, flirted with the idea of selling shares in their own firm to the public. No longer. Coulter and Jon Winkelried, the former Goldman Sachs president who took over for Bonderman as co-CEO three years ago, have decided to remain an old-school partnership. TPG has instead explored other private financing arrangements, including a possible sale of a stake in the company, according to people with knowledge of the deliberations. TPG remains a holdout among peers, such as Apollo Global Management, Blackstone, Carlyle Group and KKR, all of which went public over the last decade or so. These firms have seen their stock prices struggle in part because of the earnings volatility associated with private investments. Inside and outside the firm, some consider TPG's approach to be a competitive advantage because it can focus on a long-term strategy that has tended to yield uneven returns. "Their successes come in terms of taking the path that others haven't taken," said Susan Chaplinsky, a University of Virginia business school professor. TPG's decision comes as the firm tries to raise at least $14bn (12bn) for its flagship buyout fund and a pool that would invest alongside it in health-care deals. Its strategy signals that the debate over the ownership structure of private equity funds is far from settled. "We have chosen not to be a public company and not to define ourselves around AUM," or assets under management, Coulter said, during a June meeting with one of the firm's largest clients, Oregon Investment Council. TPG declined to comment. (Bloomberg) Bankers at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) admitted they were selling "total f***ing garbage" to investors and made light of destroying the housing market in the lead-up to the financial crisis, damning documents released by US authorities show. The quotes were published by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) after announcing it had finalised a US$4.9bn (4.3bn) settlement with RBS over the mis-selling of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) between 2005 and 2008. RMBS were home loans bundled together as tradeable assets that helped spark the financial crash. The documents detail how RBS "routinely made misrepresentations to investors about significant risks it failed to disclose about its RMBS." The DoJ has accused the bank of failing on due diligence around the packaged loans and including loans that were unlikely to be repaid. It cites RBS's chief credit officer in the US as saying that the assets were made up of "total f***ing garbage" loans with "fraud (that) was so rampant ... (and) all random," so "the loans are all disguised to, you know, look okay kind of ... in a data file." Throughout the deals, the DoJ said RBS executives joked and showed little regard for their misconduct. RBS's head trader received an email from a friend that said: "(I'm) sure your parents never imagine(d) they'd raise a son who (would) destroy the housing market in the richest nation on the planet." The head trader answered: "I take exception to the word 'destroy.' I am more comfortable with 'severely damage.'" The DoJ estimates RBS underwrote and issued mortgage-backed securities that have so far resulted in losses worth more than US$49bn, and forecasts another US$5.6bn will be lost. While RBS has agreed to pay a US$4.9bn fine to the DoJ, it disputes and has not admitted the allegations put forward by American authorities. The UK bank was the world's third largest underwriter of RMBS behind Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns. US authorities highlighted that while Lehman and Bear Stearns collapsed, RBS went on to be rescued in a 45bn bailout by the UK government in 2008. Andrew Lelling, the US attorney for the district of Massachusetts, said: "This resolution - the largest of its kind - holds RBS accountable for defrauding the people and institutions that form the backbone of our investing community. "Despite assurances by RBS to its investors, RBS's deals were backed by mortgage loans with a high risk of default." RBS chief executive Ross McEwan said: "We are pleased to have reached a final settlement with the DoJ and that we can focus our energy on serving our customers better and returning capital to our shareholders. "This settlement dates back to the period between 2005 and 2007. "There is no place for the sort of unacceptable behaviour alleged by the DoJ at the bank we are building today." (Press Association) One would like to have been a fly on the wall when the idea for Christopher Robin was first pitched. How the writers must have minced around the Disney boardroom as they explained how Christopher - not AA Milne's real son mind, but the character from his Winnie the Pooh stories - has grown up into a miserable git who crunches numbers at a suitcase company and has no time for his wife and little girl. Meanwhile, Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Owl wander the Hundred Acre Wood like those scruffy old guys from Waiting for Godot, mired in existential gloom as they wonder why young Master Robin has forsaken them. But moods will lift when the honey-obsessed bear wanders through a wormhole to 1940s London to remind Christopher of a gentler, kinder life. 'Sounds great!' some enthused executive must have shouted. Only on reflection, it doesn't. Leading a production that seems oddly unsure of itself from the very start is Ewan McGregor, who plays the grown-up, miserablist Christopher Robin. In the film's opening scene, we watch the young Christopher say a fond farewell to his imaginary childhood buddies as he leaves the Hundred Acre Wood and Sussex for a spell at a stern boarding school. That seems to knock the nonsense out of him, because when we next meet him he's trudging off to work at Winslow Luggages, a dreary family-run firm where he heads up the 'efficiency department' - the very title makes you yearn to fall into a deep sleep that will end as this film's credits roll. When his immediate boss Giles Winslow Jr (a pleasingly hammy Mark Gatiss) tells Christopher that slashing cuts must be made at his department, he's given the weekend to come up with a plan. This means cancelling a family trip to the old cottage at the Hundred Acre Wood with his wife Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and daughter Madeleine (Bronte Carmichael), but work is work he tells them, as they head out the door muttering darkly. Alone in London, Christopher is returning home from work on Saturday night when he hears a daft, familiar voice emanating from the undergrowth in the park beside his house. It's Pooh, large as life and just as full of endearing pseudo-philosophical nonsense. Expand Close Look, Poohs talking: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger at the beach / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Look, Poohs talking: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger at the beach While Christopher, his family and work colleagues are all smoggy-looking postwar Londoners, Pooh and his friends (rather antiseptically rendered in Cgi) sound just like the American-accented creatures in the classic Disney animation. As they must, given the provenance of this production, but the effect is jarring: not half so jarring, though, as the unwarranted intrusion of angst and what looked to me suspiciously like midlife crisis depression into a previously magical, child-like world. What is wrong with this Christopher Robin? How can the sunny and supremely imaginative little boy from the stories have turned into this glass-half-empty sad sack? And how, while we're at it, has he failed to notice that his wife is staggeringly beautiful? At least last year's thematically related Goodbye Christopher Robin, though rather dull also, had a clear aim and told the coherent story of the real Christopher Robin Milne and the cruel indifference of his self-absorbed parents. This film doesn't know what it's at, and in trying to connect the mutually exclusive worlds of childhood and adulthood, falls with a heavy thud between those two stools. Perhaps the hardest thing to figure out about Christopher Robin is who the hell it's supposed to be aimed at. Too miserable for kids, too whimsical for adults, it occupies a strange cinematic wasteland where punters will surely be in short supply. It doesn't even manage to sustain its own internal logic and careers about wildly in terms of tone. It's as if Peppa Pig had been adapted for the screen by Ionesco. Video of the Day I'm not going to bring my little boy to this! He'll have nightmares about his superannuated teddy shuffling down skid row nursing a bottle in a brown paper bag and wondering why his perfidious owner abandoned him. Christopher Robin (G, 104mins) - 2 stars Read More Films coming soon... BlacKkKlansman (Adam Driver, John David Washington); The Children Act (Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead); Alpha (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Leonor Varela, Jens Hulten); The Spy Who Dumped Me (Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon). Majella ODonnell has said that she will never be as desperate or as low as she was when her first marriage broke down. The business woman turned celebrity got hitched to heartthrob Daniel ODonnell in November 2002. Since then, the pair have become one of Irelands favourite couples and made occasional television appearances, such as on the RTE series B&B Road Trip, and the hit show Room to Improve. Ms ODonnell has disclosed that her wedding to Daniel saw an unusually long guest list, 500 guests were invited, and out of the 500, only 40 were on Ms ODonnells side. However, she was not overwhelmed by it. I knew that once the wedding was over and all those people were gone away it was just going to be the two of us at home anyway, she said. I suppose if I had been younger, I may not have been able to cope with it, but I was 42 and at that stage, nothing - and still to this day - nothing will affect me as much as my marriage breakdown. Speaking to Brendan OConnor on his new show Time Out, she said: I will never ever feel as bad and as low and as confused and as desperate as I did. That will never happen to me again because I know now how to deal with things." Before her marriage to Daniel, Ms ODonnell ran three restaurants with her former husband and was a manager at a five-star hotel in Edinburgh. She separated from her former husband in 1999. Along with heartbreak, Ms ODonnell has also dealt with other distresses in her life - she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2013. When she shaved her head live on The Late Late Show to raise money back in September 2013, it raised an amazing 600,000 for The Irish Cancer Society. Speaking to RTE, she said: I was lucky. It hadnt spread, and I had it removed in August. Then chemotherapy treats the system, to make sure there are no rogue cancer cells hiding anywhere. She underwent a double mastectomy and thankfully, she managed to beat cancer. Video of the Day She has also revealed that when she was diagnosed, her husband wanted to cancel all his tours to support her. However, her preferred method of handling the news was to be left alone to get on with it. Speaking at the opening of a new service in Youghal, Co Cork yesterday, which was opened for individuals impacted by cancer, she said he did what was best for her because she told him please go out to work. Addressing cancer survivors in an interview with Belfast Telegraph, she said: Take every single day at a time; dont be thinking you might die. I went onto those forums for survivors, but I didnt like it. It was over, done and dusted, and I didnt want to go through it all over again. I just wanted to move on. PIRLS showed how the reading skills of Irish 10-year-olds were the best in Europe Irish 10-year-olds may be the best readers in Europe, but many of them wrongly assume that a strong character in a story is male, even if an image or name is obviously female. A problem of gender stereotyping among fourth-class pupils has emerged in research that probed further into the findings of the 50-country Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) last year. PIRLS showed how the reading skills of Irish 10-year-olds were the best in Europe, and, only beaten by Singapore and the Russian Federation globally. Now further work by the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra has thrown up deeper insights. Lead author Dr Eemer Eivers said incorrect assumption of maleness by pupils emerged in a number of contexts. One example she gave was an online newspaper article about Mars exploration, which included the author's byline, Maria Greene. In their answers, just 23pc of Irish pupils identified her as female. Assigning maleness to the more heroic character also occurred frequently in the text 'Pemba Sherpa', despite the character's femaleness being a key part of the plot. Dr Eivers said it was "depressing that young children still seem to fall back on gender stereotypes, such as assuming that a science writer is male, even when she is clearly flagged as a woman in the article". "It seems there is more work to be done in identifying and addressing the unconscious gender biases that permeate everyday lives, including those of young children in school." Clelia Murphy and Brendan Gleeson at St Francis Hospice, where they launched the annual coffee morning fundraising appeal in 2018 Hollywood actor Brendan Gleeson has seen first-hand the vital work provided by hospices due to the care received by his parents prior to their deaths. Gleeson was at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown, Dublin, yesterday where he helped launch an annual fundraiser event with former 'Fair City' actress Clelia Murphy, asking people to host a coffee morning. His mother Pat, who passed away in 2008, and his dad Frank, who died two years later, both benefited from hospice care. "It's the gift of a good death," Gleeson explained. "I always felt a huge sense of gratitude." The star paid tribute to the amount of volunteering that goes on, and the commitment of people to make things better within the hospice community, describing it as really "life-enhancing". "I have seen first-hand the important work hospices do in local communities and have been personally touched by the vital work done in St Francis Hospice," he said. The actor has just returned from the US, where he was filming a second series of the successful TV thriller 'Mr Mercedes' in South Carolina. He has also been filming a project with Oscar-winning director/producer brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, which will features another Irish Hollywood star, Liam Neeson. Gleeson will be off to Portugal in October to begin filming a movie. The star revealed that he would like to work with his sons - who have also made names for themselves in the acting profession - again. Last year, he made his directorial debut with 'Psychic', a dark short which also starred two of his sons, Domhnall and Brian. "I hope to be doing stuff with them. It would be crazy not to," he said. "Actually getting us all in the one place is tough enough. I enjoy working with them. It kind of keeps me on my toes a bit." Gleeson pointed out that the money raised from the hospice annual fundraiser event in September will go towards helping hospice and healthcare services around Ireland give patients the best quality of life during illness. "I urge people to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 20, and continue to make a difference," he said. Register at www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie. The funeral of a GAA player who died in Florida will take place on Sunday as family and friends continue to pay heartfelt tributes. Conal McKee (26), originally from Dundrum in Co Down, passed away in the West Boca Medical Centre last Saturday after being in a coma for over a week. The former Dundrum GAC player had moved to the US to live with his partner Kata and seven-month old son Danny. Mr McKee's death has stunned his local community here as well as those who knew him in America. Expand Close Conal McKee died in Miami on Saturday morning Photo: Dundrum GAC/Facebook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Conal McKee died in Miami on Saturday morning Photo: Dundrum GAC/Facebook While living in New York he worked as a barman at the St Pat's Bar and Grill on West 46th Street. Many regulars at the New York City FC supporters pub shared their fond memories on social media of the man they knew as "Capitan". "Conal was a good guy and a great bartender," said Mario Norena. "We called him 'Captain' because of the black armband tattoo he had. "We enjoyed his company so much pre and post-game that I asked the people in charge of the supporters group to request that Conal be our official bartender. In other words, If we were there for an NYCFC game, we wanted Conal on the second floor. "I don't know if the request was ever made, but eventually things lined up perfectly and he was always on the second floor when we were. "We learned he was living in Queens, not too far from us, and we talked about hanging out after work or inviting him to an NYCFC game." Members of Mr McKee's family flew out to the US to bring the body home earlier this week with the assistance of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Mr McKee's remains will leave his family home at 1.15pm on Sunday, with his funeral service taking place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dundrum at 2pm. A group representing survivors of clerical abuse around the world has demanded that three top cardinals who are due to attend the World Meeting of Families in Dublin next week stay away. Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), which represents clerical abuse survivors in 15 countries, named the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who was criticised in the US grand jury's investigation into clerical abuse in six catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania over 70 years. Cardinal Donald Wuerl spent 18 years as the bishop of Pittsburgh before he became archbishop of Washington. The two-year investigation found 301 credible cases of clerical abuse against more than 1,000 children. The Shapiro report accused Cardinal Wuerl of approving the transfer of priests against whom allegations of abuse were made instead of removing them from ministry. The report also claimed that he oversaw inadequate Church investigations and concealed information when priests were reported to law enforcement. In a statement, Peter Isely, abuse survivor and founding member of ECA, said the grand jury's conclusions were "clear and backed by evidence: Cardinal Wuerl covered up sex crimes". Expand Close The Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park, where the Pope will celebrate Mass. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park, where the Pope will celebrate Mass. Photo: Collins He said the prelate "profoundly failed to protect Catholic children and allowed countless Catholic families to be broken". "That is why Wuerl has no business as a keynote speaker at the World Meeting of Families (WMOF 2018) and the papal visit." The survivors group also named Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery of Laity, Family and Life in the Vatican, who is overseeing the World Meeting of Families, as another prelate who should not be allowed to attend the event in Ireland. Dublin-born Farrell worked as vicar general in the archdiocese of Washington for six years with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and he also shared a house with the now disgraced prelate. Cardinal McCarrick is currently being investigated for alleged abuse of a minor and for sexual harassment of seminarians. Cardinal Farrell has said he had no knowledge of McCarrick's activities. However, other members of the US hierarchy have claimed that McCarrick's targeting of seminarians was an open secret among the bishops. The third cardinal named by ECA is Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, who is one of Pope Francis's inner circle of nine cardinal advisers. In recent weeks, Cardinal Maradiaga's auxiliary, Bishop Juan Jose Pineda Fasquelle of the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, resigned from office after allegations emerged that he had sexually abused seminarians. Cardinal Maradiaga is also battling accusations of financial mismanagement which resulted in the loss of $1.2m. In its statement, the ECA said that if Pope Francis allowed Cardinal Wuerl "a place of honour and respect during his time in Ireland", he would be supporting and encouraging "a culture of abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church". In the wake of the grand jury's damning report in Pennsylvania, the ECA reissued its open letter to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who is president of WMOF2018, calling on Pope Francis to remove the three cardinals from the event. So far Archbishop Martin has not responded to the letter. The Irish Independent asked both a spokesperson for Archbishop Martin and a spokesperson for the World Meeting of Families for a response but there was no reply at the time of going to print. Meanwhile, the director of the Lumen Fidei Institute in Ireland has said Cardinals Wuerl, Farrell and Maradiaga "all have questions to answer". Anthony Murphy, who is organising an alternative conference on the family to coincide with the WMOF congress at the RDS, said the laity had had enough of "a deeply corrupt episcopacy" which has lost touch with ordinary Catholic families. "How could Wuerl even consider giving a lecture on 'the welfare of the family' at the WMOF?" he challenged. TALKS between Ryanair and pilots union Forsa are understood to be progressing well following todays meeting. The no-frills airline carried out another day of discussions with union representatives today, as they bid to prevent any further travel disruption taking place. Discussions continued this evening with both Ryanair and Forsa due to come back to the table again next week. It is understood that technical issues are still to be resolved and they are currently being explored, in particular around base transfers and rosters. So far the dispute has gone on for five weeks and resulted in some 100 Ryanair pilots taking strike action across five days. The most recent strike took place on Friday, August 10. The pilots want a more transparent system to decide who gets first call on base transfers, holidays and promotions, They are arguing for the system to be based on how long they are in the job. Today was the fourth day of talks between both sides, with Kieran Mulvey acting as mediator. Mr Mulvey took on the role of independent mediator for the talks at the beginning of this week after attempts to come to an agreement had failed in previous weeks. Talks also took place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tonight Mr Mulvey again requested that both Ryanair and Forsa would not brief the media on the current discussions. Earlier this morning, prior to talks, Forsa chief Bernard Harbour said that they were going into the discussions with a positive view and that progress had been made. Mr Harbour told RTE that it was significant to have a fourth day of talks and there seemed to be hope they could be concluded soon. He said a fair bit of business had been done in the previous three days of negotiations. Ryanair could yet face further strike action abroad from cabin crew and pilots in a number of other European countries. Tom Hanks is a famous typewriter anorak. In 2013, the Oscar-winning actor wrote in the New York Times that there are three reasons for owning a vintage manual typewriter, "and none of them are ease or speed". The first reason is the sound of typing: "Everything you type on a typewriter sounds grand, the words forming in mini-explosions. A thank-you note resonates with the same heft as a literary masterpiece." Hanks sounds like a bit of a fetishist. In the article, he admits to owning hundreds of typewriters and his second reason for using one is the "sheer physical pleasure of typing" which "feels just as good as it sounds." His third reason is more interesting. Permanence. "No one throws away typewritten letters, because they are pieces of graphic art with a singularity equal to your fingerprints, for no two manual typewriters print precisely the same." Such is his obsession that last year the actor published Uncommon Type, a generally acclaimed book of short stories in which typewriters are the common theme. In 2014, the Apple store launched Hanx Writer, an iPad app designed by Hanks. The app simulates a typewriter keypad, along with sound effects and boasts "bold and adventurous typewriters inspired by Tom's personal collection" and "authentic typewriter sounds unique to each machine." Nobody really needs to use a typewriter now, but people love them in the way that they love vintage cars. Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, had a golden typewriter. Not solid gold, but gold-plated. It was a gorgeous looking yoke and not the only one if its kind. The Royal Quiet Deluxe was a portable typewriter, made by the Royal Typewriter Company, New York, from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, and the gold plated model was first produced in 1947, in limited edition. Fleming ordered his to celebrate finishing Casino Royale and dodged the duty by having a friend smuggle it back to England on the Queen Elizabeth, wrapped up in furs. In 1952, he wrote to his wife: "My love, this is only a tiny letter to try out my new typewriter and to see if it will write golden words since it is made of gold." In 1995, the typewriter sold at Christie's, London, for 56,750. Vintage typewriters are beautiful pieces of machinery, but they rarely make big money, unless they belonged to someone famous. In 2009, an Olivetti belonging to the best-selling author Cormac McCarthy sold at Christie's, New York, for $254,500 (around 216,527). It came with a note from the author, stating that he had "typed on this typewriter every book I have written, including three not yet published." Then, in 2011, the Smith Corona typewriter on which Ted Kaczynski (the Unabomber), had typed his manifesto sold at auction in the US for $22,003 (19,187). The controversial auction was organised by the US Marshals office and raised a total of $232,246 (202,513) which, was donated to Kaczynski's victims. In November 2016, a bright red Valentine portable typewriter went under the hammer in Sotheby's, London (est. 348 to 580). It sold for 52,245. The typewriter came from the collection of David Bowie, a keen collector of the Milan-based Memphis group and Ettore Sottsass, who designed the Valentine typewriter with Perry King. The model was first produced by Olivetti in 1968 and is now considered a design classic. Sottsass described the machine as being "for use any place except an office, so as not to remind anyone of monotonous working hours but rather to keep amateur poets company on a quiet Sundays in the country." It was one of the first objects to introduce the notion such machines could be pretty as well as practical, an idea later taken up by Apple. In 2016, Lady Gaga spoke about her writing process on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show, explaining that her single Perfect Illusion was written on a typewriter. She had previously posted images of her vintage Underwood portable. In general, vintage typewriters are not expensive. They can be bought on eBay for a song, but you may be taking a gamble on quality. Reconditioned vintage typewriters from the Typewriter Emporium in London range from 150 to 250. Many of them have their own history, like the Remington Noiseless (250) which, allegedly, was the brand that Winston Churchill insisted on for the War Cabinet rooms. Apparently the British leader liked a quiet working environment. Closer to home, a visit to the Typewriter Shop on Dublin's Dorset Street is like stepping back in time. It's run by Joe Millar, who worked as a mechanic with Remington Typewriters before setting up his own business in 1984, and his son Joe Millar Jnr. They still sell and repair functioning typewriters, where they can find the parts, but point out that they not interested in reconditioning machines in poor repair. These are two-a-penny on eBay and may cost a great deal more to get up and running than they do to buy. But having something mended is part of the charm of typewriters. They remind us of a time when the machines that we depended on could be mechanically fixed. typewriter-emporium.co.uk, typewritershop.ie In the Salerooms Victor Mee Irish whiskey showed its staying power at Victor Mee's auction of pub memorabilia on July 24, when a Mitchell's Cruiskeen Lawn Old Irish whiskey advertising mirror (est. 4,000 to 6,000) sold for 11,500. Happily, the mirror went to an Irish bidder and is going to remain in the country. Another whiskey mirror, this one advertising Cowan's Old Irish Whiskey, Belfast, sold for 4,600 to a bidder based in Dublin. Of the whiskeys themselves, a 1890s bottle of Mitchell's Cruiskeen Lawn Old Irish whiskey sold for 6,000; a pre-1919 John Jameson & Son Dublin whiskey, bottled by Belfast's Lyle & Kinahan, sold for 1,100; and an early 20th-century bottle of 10-year old John Jameson & Son whiskey fetched 900. An 1890s bottle of Dunville's Old Irish Whiskey brand in its original wrapper sold for 1,500. The sale also included two glass whiskey dispensers, originally used for holding and dispensing whiskey in 19th-century pubs. A Specially Selected Very Old Irish Whiskey glass whiskey dispenser (est. 600) sold for 8,000 to a London pub; while an Old Irish Whiskey Comber cut glass whiskey dispenser (est. 750) fetched 2,500. See victormeeauctions.ie Antique and vintage fairs This Sunday, August 19, sees interesting fairs of north and south of the border. Up north, an AVA Antique & Collectors Fair will take place in Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen, with the usual array of furniture, art, jewellery, silver, vintage, porcelain, advertising, lamps, barometers, militaria, and curios. The fair runs from 11am to 5pm and admission is 2 (children go free). Down south, the South Dublin Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair runs at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, also on Sunday, from 11am to 6pm. Expect around 30 traders from across Ireland and the UK with an eclectic display that includes film, television and music memorabilia, as well as the usual books, coins, collectibles, and jewellery (both antique and vintage). Admission to the fair is 3.50. Bonhams Expand Close Cartier ruby bracelet / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cartier ruby bracelet Selling jewellery at auction can be intimidating the first time around. Many people find it hard to know where to start, and are unclear what their jewellery may or may not be worth. London-based Bonhams knows more than most - its headline sales this year include a gold stepping stone bracelet by Grima, which sold for 15,420, and a Cartier ruby bracelet, which changed hands for 84,117 (pictured above). To demystify the process, Bonhams is holding a Jewellery Selling Advice Day on September 6, at the Merchant Hotel Belfast (10am-6pm), hosted by Kieran O'Boyle, Head of Bonhams Ireland. It's followed, on September 11, by a Jewellery Valuation Day, in Bonhams' Dublin office, 31 Molesworth Street, where the valuations will be undertaken by jewellery specialist Nathalie Jordan. Both events are free, by appointment only, and there's no obligation to sell any piece that you've received advice on. To book, contact Marie Lynch on tel: (01) 602 0990, or email marielynch@bonhams.com Interiors expert and author Caroline Foran, who has partnered with Ikea to highlight the need to relax in our homes by creating a reading space in the living room Your home is a haven. That's a word that estate agents adore applying to legions of inexpressibly bland properties. Sometimes it's hard to find a contemporary apartment without the word haven in the sales pitch, even if the complex in question has a clear view of the local bypass and absolutely no infrastructure. Interior designers like it too. "I turned the bathroom into a haven," they'll say blithely. What they really mean is that they put in beige tiling and dimmable lights. The notion of the home as a haven is by no means worthless or meaningless. It's just overused. A haven is a place of safety or a refuge, and that is something that you'd wish from every dwelling place. Everyone needs somewhere to recover from the day. "Your home is a battery charger," says Helen Sanderson, space therapist, interior designer, and professional organiser. "Your phone runs out of battery during the day. So does your body and your being." In an ideal world, your home is the place where you recharge your batteries. But it doesn't always work that way. Sanderson's approach to interiors is based on mindfulness, a trendy buzzword often used to describe a secular practice based on Buddhist teaching and often in association with meditation forms. The University of Massachusetts Center of Mindfulness describes it as: "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally." Sanderson has a background in psychotherapy, spent the last 15 years studying zen, and defines mindfulness quite simply, as "being present". If this sounds odd to you, bear with us for a moment. Expand Close Interiors expert and author Caroline Foran, who has partnered with Ikea to highlight the need to relax in our homes by creating a reading space in the living room / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Interiors expert and author Caroline Foran, who has partnered with Ikea to highlight the need to relax in our homes by creating a reading space in the living room "We spend so much of our time in automatic mode, making assumptions and almost doing things with our eyes closed, especially when it comes to our homes," she says. "We think that we're more in control of our home environment than we are when we're out in the world, but we tend to keep things the same so that we can walk around in an unconscious state." Because we are familiar with everything in our homes, we tend to wander around them listening to the chitter-chatter in our heads about what happened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow. That certainly isn't being in the moment. Sanderson's practice is about being aware that home is the place where you're most automatic, and learning how to be there in a more mindful way. "Slow right down and be mindful about your habits. Watch what you do. Often the habits around the home are unconscious. It's really common for people to throw things in a drawer or a cupboard without thinking about it. Then they jump out at you when you open the door. Put them in with mindfulness and the cupboard will support you instead of being something you're frightened to work with." Clutter is the enemy of mindfulness in the home. "For many of us, the home becomes a series of problems that need to be solved," she explains. Full disclosure, I can relate. Every time I come in the hall door, I'm faced with a damp-stained wall. "I must get that wall repainted," I say to myself. But I don't. That wall's been a minor irritant for so long that I'm used to quelling my internal critic's voice. So I go downstairs. Again, my internal critic kicks in. "This place is a mess!" it says, quite accurately. As Sanderson explains, this critical rhetoric is not conducive to recharging the batteries. If you experience your home as a continual series of minor reproaches, it will never become a haven. Sanderson is the author of the Home Declutter Kit, a tool for purging the home of the unwanted objects and unfinished tasks that have the potential to erode your mental well-being. The basic kit (41) includes a set of 30 action cards and a book that takes you through a six-step decluttering process. For 99 you can buy a package that combines a decluttering kit and a mentoring session. Sanderson is based in the UK so, for Irish customers, the mentoring happens over the phone. "We are so busy that we have to be more present and to make more conscious choices, otherwise we just go into unconscious consumption," she says. Expand Close Audenza gold filigree table lamp and mini buddha statue / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Audenza gold filigree table lamp and mini buddha statue If clutter is a barrier to mindfulness in the home, so are the incessant demands of electronic communication. Mindfulness is about being in the moment and you can't achieve that while simultaneously posting about it on Instagram. Compulsively checking email doesn't help either. Earlier this summer, Ikea conducted an online survey on the work-life balance in Irish homes. According to the survey, 48pc of us read work emails during personal time; 36pc take work home with them; and 67pc feel that they "need to take more time out of their busy schedules to wind down and relax at home". While 46pc of respondents said that reading a book was the best way to switch off, many of us (31pc) only read a book on holidays. Caroline Foran, interiors expert and author of Owning It: Your Bullsh*t Free Guide to Living with Anxiety, is no stranger to the comfort of a good book. In response to the survey, she partnered with Ikea in project designed to highlight the need to relax in our homes by creating a reading space in the living room. Needless to say, Ikea furniture played a starring role. "Ideally, your reading corner would be somewhere with plenty of natural light and an armchair big enough to put your feet up," she says, flagging the Soderhamn corner chair (900) or the Fasalt swivel armchair in yellow velvet (495, see Must haves, right) as potential candidates. Then you need your bookshelf and a side table "big enough for a cup of whatever you're having." For this, she recommends the cheap and portable Gladom tray table (20). The tough part of it is that a clutter-free interior won't turn your home into a haven. Neither will a book nook. They may help to create a more conducive environment to mindfulness but, ultimately, changing your habits requires mental discipline. Mindfulness is hard work, not magic. If that's all too much to tackle, you can slip into unconscious consumption and buy a Buddha statue. There are some lovely ones in the shops, ranging from a small Buddha ornament in gold (5) from Penneys to a larger Buddha statue from Harvey Norman (50). These won't make you mindful either, but they might remind you to take a deep conscious breath every once in a while. See helensanderson.com, ikea.com, harveynorman.ie, and your local branch of Penneys. A couple living in Glantane, Mallow, have told of their horror at finding "a large blue bag of dead turkeys" on their property this week. However, this isn't the first time that Vincent and Anne Donovan from Ballyglass have found a large blue bag of "dead offal," and they are now in the process of making a formal complaint to Cork County Council along with sending in photographs. "I got a very toxic smell and found a large blue bag of dead turkeys on my property. A lot of dead turkey's and turkey necks have been dumped. The smell is just horrific," said Mr Donovan. Mrs Donovan told The Corkman that the dumping of dead turkeys has increased. "Nobody wants this dumped on their property. We want this to stop. We live on a quiet road and it is safe to go out walking and no one deserves to suffer from the putrid smell of dead turkeys," she said. "This has been ongoing and it is disgusting," said Mr Donovan. "The smell is of rotting organic material - and the turkey necks are fresh but then there is the fat and the offal contents. The smell is really terrible. "We have been in contact with Cork County Council and will be sending in photographs and information on this," said Mrs Donovan. Receiving their leaving cert results is perhaps one of the most stressful experiences that young school-leavers will have gone through in their lives to date. With this in mind the post primary section of the National Parents' Council (NPC) has once again set up their post-primary free-phone helpline offering confidential advice and support to students receiving their exam results this week. The helpline on 1800 265 165, which has been in operation each year for the past two decades, is run in conjunction with Eircom, Irish Independent Newspapers and this year is also being supported by the GAA. As part of their Community Support Programme, the GAA will be using their purpose built media centre at Croke Park as a base for the helpline, which will be open today (Thursday) from 8am-7pm and on Friday from 10am-1pm. It will also be running next Monday and Tuesday from 8am-7pm and on Wednesday from 10am-1pm. In addition there will be a live online blog at www.independent.ie/caolive, which will run next Monday (CAO offers Day) from 8am-4pm. The helpline will be staffed by experts from the Institute of Irish Guidance Councillors and SUSI, which supports qualifying undergraduate students through the grant application process will also have an advisor on hand to answer queries. Since its inception, the helpline has proved to be an invaluable tool for students, with calls and enquiries last year alone increasing by 40%. NPC(pp) president Geoffrey Browne said the helpline will allow students to make informed choices about their future paths and further education choices. He said that all queries on third level courses, leaving certificate appeals, and repeats, CAO procedures, no offers and financing further education will be dealt with in a "professional and confidential manner". The stadium director at Croke Park, Peter McKenna, said that they were pleased to be able to offer the use of facilities at GAA HQ for the helpline. "Our Community Support Programme is delighted to be able to support young people at this important career decision point," he said s. Mr Browne said the GAA and the NPC(pp) were "ideal partners in supporting young people as they make the transition in to adult life". "No matter how prepared students are, this can be a very stressful and confusing time for them and their families, so talking to a professional can really help," he said. Volunteers from Fermoy A Cleaner Town clearing litter from the sluice gates and south bank of the River Blackwater in the town last Saturday. The first ever survey undertaken by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) of Ireland's coastal areas and inland waterways has not made for particularly pleasant reading from a Cork perspective. Of the seven areas in Cork inspected just one was deemed to be 'Clean To European Norms', with two stretches of the River Blackwater in Fermoy and Youghal described by IBAL as being 'moderately littered'. Fermoy has consistently performed well over the years in IBAL's annual anti-litter league, finishing in eighth position and earning the coveted 'Cleaner Than European Norms' designation the last time it featured on the table at the end of 2016. However, judges were this time around less than impressed with what they found in and around the River Blackwater in Fermoy during their inspection. While their report praised the overall aethetics of the river, it did point out that the prevalence of litter was a serious concern. "A lovely riverside environment and most of the walkway was quite good with regard to litter. Overall, the area was very well presented and maintained," read the report." However, there was some litter in the river, on the banks and scattered about - mostly food and beverage related litter, with cigarette butts and plastic bottles the most prevalent type," it added. The chair of Fermoy Tidy Towns, Cllr Noel McCarthy, said he was disappointed with the report, saying he felt that it brought down the overall standing of the town. "The findings were disappointing, particularly in light of the fact that Tidy Towns and volunteers from the rowing club have been putting in a huge amount of work over recent weeks to clean up litter in the river and its surroundings," said Cllr McCarthy. "Were it not for their efforts the report could well have been a lot worse," he added. Cllr McCarthy said that it was now down to groups within the town to put in place strategies to ensure the river and its environs are properly maintained and litter free. "One example of this is along Barnane Walk, which has been very busy this year due to the good weather. Unfortunately, many people did not tidy up after themselves and at times the walk was in a disgraceful condition. That is something that needs to be tackled by a combination of people cleaning up after themselves and increased monitoring of the walk," he said. "There is also a case for additional riverside bins and perhaps even a weekly river patrol along the river to clean up rubbish and act as a visible deterrent to people leaving litter behind. I will be raising the issue at county council level seeking funding to help put measures such as these in place," he added. Of all the Cork areas included within the survey only Kinsale Harbour received a 'Clean To European Norms' designation, with Ballycotton and Cork Harbour in Crosshaven also 'moderately littered'. Bantry was labelled 'heavily littered', with areas of Cork Harbour in Midleton and at Blackrock Castle described as being 'litter blackspots'. Conor Healy of IBAL said the most common forms of litter found during the survey were cigarette butts, sweet wrappers, plastic bottles and cans. "Sadly, accumulations of litter in and around our waterways are a common sight in Ireland and this has been borne out by these disappointing results." While the common sense adage that 'there is something for everyone' has taken a significant amount of pressure off students in recent years, nevertheless for those who have their hearts set on a particular course or career, opening that brown envelope containing their Leaving Cert results is indeed a daunting task. According to the principals of schools across Duhallow, all students were really happy with their results and with the first hurdle behind them now they await news of their college places. At Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, Principal Miriam Downey said staff were delighted with the results. "We congratulate students and teachers on these excellent results with almost 30% of students scoring in excess of 500 points and three achieving 590 points. We wish them well in their future chosen careers" Miriam said. Meanwhile, across town at Colaiste Treasa, Principal John Murphy echoed that sentiment and added that management and staff were very proud of all the students. "Thirteen students achieved over 500 points, eight students achieved over 550 and one student got 613 points. All 90 Leaving Cert students were overjoyed with their results and the majority are looking forward to begin their college courses while others are taking up positions in PLC courses or apprenticeships," John said. At Boherbue Comprehensive, retiring Principal Mary O'Keeffe is going out on a high with two students achieving maximum points and 24% of the class scoring between 500 and 600 points. "This is a testament to the hard work of our students, staff and parents. We wish them the very best for the future". Mary said. Two girls at Boherbue Comprehensive hit the jackpot with 600 points each. Roisin Murphy, who will go on to study physiotherapy at UL said that she was "shocked and delighted" with her results. Lena Sheehan, who also achieved 600 points, will pursue pharmacy studies at UCC. "I wasn't expecting to do this well, I'm absolutely delighted," Lena said. Ewan O'Sullivan was thrilled to get enough points for what he wants to do and Sarah O'Connor was also delighted when she opened her envelope. "I'm so happy, I just can't get over it," said Shauna O'Neill when she realised she had achieved sufficient points to pursue the course of her choice, while John Walsh exclaimed that he was "over the moon" when he opened his results. Happily, these were common reactions among the 6,462 Cork students collecting their results on Wednesday morning while those who were disappointed with their results were left with plenty of options to proceed from here. Renee Zellweger is the latest Hollywood star to make the move to television, having landed a role in a new Netflix series. The actress, who won an Oscar for her part in 2003 film Cold Mountain, will star in a new 10-part drama called What/If, from the writer of drama series Revenge Mike Kelley. Netflix described the series as a social thriller which explores the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things. Renee Zellweger will star in "What/If," a new drama series from the creator of #Revenge that explores the fallout of good people behaving badly & show what happens when a single decision changes the trajectory of an entire life. pic.twitter.com/XQQuj6Gjhj Queue (@netflixqueue) August 17, 2018 Each season will tackle a different morality tale inspired by culturally consequential source material, and the power of a single, fateful decision to change the trajectory of an entire life. A post on Netflixs See Whats Next Twitter account, which shares information about releases on the streaming service, said the show will look at the fallout of good people behaving badly & show what happens when a single decision changes the trajectory of an entire life. Zellweger, 49, will play the role of Anne in the series. Kelley, along with Back To The Future director Robert Zemeckis, will executive produce the series, among others. Zellweger follows in the footsteps of a number of high-profile film stars to take the leap into the growing world of TV, including Winona Ryder (Stranger Things), Sir Anthony Hopkins (Westworld), Claire Danes (Homeland) and Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies). The American actress is best known for her roles in the Bridget Joness Diary films, Chicago, Jerry Maguire and Empire Records. Video of the Day She will next appear in a big-screen biopic about Judy Garland, in which she plays the late Hollywood star. Pictured at the RTE New Season Launch 2018 (Back from left) Kathryn Thomas, Ryan Tubridy, Ray DArcy, Rodrigo Ternevoy and Jenny Dixon, Brendan Courtney, Tommy Tiernan, Marty Morrissey, (Front from left) Anna Geary, Laura Whitmore, Amy Huberman, Doireann Garrahy, Dr. Eva Orsmond and Brendan OConnor. Picture: Andres Poveda With the summer heatwave nothing but a distant memory, our eyes are fixed forward to the cosy fabrics of autumn, and one woman who mastered the art of transitional dressing is Amy Huberman. The actress made a rare public appearance on Thursday at the RTE New Season Launch to promote her new show Finding Joy, which she also wrote, and brought her usual effervescent style to Montrose. The mother-of-two chose a vintage-hued mini dress from cult British high street brand Rixo London's AW18 collection. The vintage inspired label was established by Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey three years ago, intended to "evoke a wanderlust and free spirit in all our wearers, filling a gap in the contemporary market with easy-to-wear, feminine shapes and high quality materials" and has become a must-buy among celebrities in particular, also counting Holly Willoughby and Sandra Bullock as fans. Since its launch in Ireland in 2016, it has become a consistent seller at its home in Brown Thomas, Dublin and remains one of her label staples.The tv star was also enjoying the perks of having your own shoe range and wearing a pair of new season 'Siliver Lining' boots from her Bourbon Footwear range, as well as accessories from her eponymous Newbridge Silverware collection. Yesterday's network launch saw an array of the state broadcaster's best dressed women flock to the studio to promote their latest small screen projects, including new mother Kathryn Thomas in a multi-stripe collared dress, marking her one week anniversary since returning to the airwaves after her maternity leave, signalling her arrival with a bold red lip. Expand Close Amy Huberman at the RTE New Season Launch 2018. Picture: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amy Huberman at the RTE New Season Launch 2018. Picture: Collins Rising star Doireann Garrihy, who was announced as the new host of the Podge & Rodge revival, also opted for a colourful combination in the form of a Samse & Samse shift dress from Arnotts, representing the latest Scandi-invasion into Irish women's wardrobes. Rosanna triumphed over 105 other young ladies to become the 52nd Miss World and Ireland's first Miss World in 2003. Lets take a stroll down memory lane There was a time when the Miss Ireland contest was a guaranteed springboard to fame, launching the careers of many a top Irish model. It is responsible for introducing us to the likes of Sarah Morrissey (2006), who is still one of the most in-demand models in the country; Aoife Cogan (2005), who just hung up her heels in 2015 after a decade at the top of her game and of course, the pageant queen bee Rosanna Davison, who became a household name when she cinched the Miss World title in 2003. From about 2002 to 2010, the pageant summed up Irelands fascinating culture of celebrity. Expand Close Jasmine Gerhardt, Carolyn Reilly and Emma Doherty pictured at the launch of Miss Ireland. Pictures: Brian McEvoy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jasmine Gerhardt, Carolyn Reilly and Emma Doherty pictured at the launch of Miss Ireland. Pictures: Brian McEvoy During the Celtic Tiger heyday, an endless cascade of socialites would sashay down a red carpet in a glittering gown, models would be flown over and gossip columns would be filled for weeks with antics of judges and contestants alike. There was always a token story to keep the contest in the news - Robbie Keanes wife tried her hand at the crown in 2004 and most recently, Holly Carpenters revelation that her grandmother was infamous columnist Terry Keane, secured her media coverage for months in 2011. Nay-sayers may claim that Irish celebrities a pool which comprises mainly of radio hosts, tv presenters and the aforementioned models - arent real celebrities, but their selling power is undeniable. Read More In fact, there was so much demand (and money to be made), that in 2008, Andrea Roche set up the Miss Universe Ireland pageant and now, there are two separate competitions to determine the entrants for Miss Universe and Miss World. Expand Close Aoife Cogan was crowned Miss Ireland in 2005 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aoife Cogan was crowned Miss Ireland in 2005 Roche, a previous title holder, is responsible for launching the careers of Lynn Kelly and Roz Purcell and the pageant was a segway into launching her own agency. Miss Ireland is now run by former model agents Brendan Scully and Sean Montague. These entrepreneurs might run successful businesses and these women may have flourishing careers, but being a pageant queen isnt exactly considered cool anymore. Video of the Day Read More Sure, you get a free car, a free trip to your contests host city and if youre savvy, a long-lasting modelling career but winners are no longer guaranteed the same longevity as they were in previous years. Youd be hard pressed to name the last two winners of both pageantsand no cheating with Google. Similarly, Rose of Tralee organisers last year had to beg for contestants with organiser Brendan Galvin begging mothers and grandmothers to be "cruel to be kind" and to "almost bully their daughters" into entering last years competition. Expand Close Rosanna triumphed over 105 other young ladies to become the 52nd Miss World and Ireland's first Miss World in 2003. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rosanna triumphed over 105 other young ladies to become the 52nd Miss World and Ireland's first Miss World in 2003. From the sidelines, its been an interesting transition to see what young women aspire towards and the most notable changes were made when the boom went bust and it was seen as tacky to flaunt wealth. During that time, social media took hold and now, everyone wants to be an Instagram it girl whose #OOTD sells out with their referral links. They want their own hashtag when they go on holidays and want at least one cosmetics line to their name. Modelling used to be the most desired occupation among a number of young Irish women every girl with a pair of heels and a hairbrush in Dublin was a model during the noughties - and agency open days were filled with young, beautiful women keen to get their names on their books. Now, only four major agencies have stood the test of time two which specialise in high fashion and the other two namely in commercial work, while four others have closed in as many years. Expand Close Roz struts her stuff in Las Vegas at the 2010 Miss Universe final. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Roz struts her stuff in Las Vegas at the 2010 Miss Universe final. As it stands, 35 beautiful young women will go forward to compete for the title on September 23, but after thatits anyones guess. Afghan police officers search a vehicle at a checkpoint on the Ghazni highway (Rahmat Gul/AP) Afghan president Ashraf Ghani is visiting the embattled city of Ghazni, a week after the Taliban in a surprise attack managed to infiltrate deep into the key provincial capital and capture several areas. The insurgents hung on in Ghazni for nearly five days before US-backed Afghan forces flushed them out. Earlier this morning I arrived in #Ghazni to assess the security situation in the province. During this visit, besides offering fateha prayers for the Ghazni martyrs, I met separately with the people, civilian and military officials of this province. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/ZB1ip3SrdW Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) August 17, 2018 President Ghani arrived in the city by helicopter on Friday and is holding meetings with security officials and elders. Police official Bilal Ahmad said security is tight, with Afghan helicopters patrolling overhead and a heavy security presence. The five-day battles with the Taliban in Ghazni, the capital of Ghazni province, killed at least 100 members of Afghan security forces and 35 civilians before calm was restored on Tuesday. The Taliban still hold power in much of the province. A bus sits beside the Autobahn A 19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) Sixteen people were injured when a bus struck a ditch and turned over (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP) A bus heading from Stockholm to Berlin has come off a major road in north-eastern Germany and overturned, authorities said. Six people were seriously injured and a further 10 slightly hurt. Police said the incident happened at about 6.30am local time at Linstow, near Rostock, on the A19 autobahn. Photos from the scene showed the bus lying on its side. FlixBus, the main operator of long-distance buses in Germany, said the bus was heading from Stockholm to Berlin via Copenhagen, with 63 passengers and two drivers on board. Ferries from Scandinavia arrive in Rostock. It was not immediately clear why the bus left the road; no other vehicles were involved. More to follow A man dressed as Tinkerbell was removed from a Ryanair flight at Stansted Airport due to "disruptive" behaviour. Two men, both passengers on the plane to Krakow, were removed by UK police ahead of departure on Friday morning, an airline spokesman said. Another passenger, writing on Twitter, said a police officer "adjusted the man's wings", while a second man dressed as Bob the Builder was "exceptionally well behaved". An Essex Police spokesman said officers provided assistance to Stansted Airport just before 10am on Friday. "Two men had become disruptive on a plane," the spokesman said. "They were co-operative on being asked to leave the aircraft. "They scheduled a later flight to their destination." A Ryanair spokesman said: "This is exactly why we are calling for significant changes to prohibit the sale of alcohol at airports, such as a two-drink limit per passenger and no alcohol sales before 10am. "It's incumbent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to excess before their flights." A Stansted Airport spokesman said the flight departed after a short delay. Machines have continued to sift through the bridge wreckage in the hope of finding survivors. Photo: Piero Cruciatti/Getty Images Remarkable footage has emerged of a man being rescued from the mangled wreckage of his van, suspended amid the debris of the Genoa bridge collapse. Firefighters carefully plucked businessman Gianluca Ardini (28) out of his vehicle, which was barely recognisable, and then abseiled him down to the ground. Mr Ardini reportedly plunged about 40 metres in the vehicle before coming to rest amid the smashed remains of the bridge. "We still can't understand how it was possible for that to happen, but he is alive," said his girlfriend, Giulia Organo, who is eight months pregnant. "He dropped 40 metres and then remained wedged between the rubble, suspended 20 metres above the ground. "He held on because he was determined to see the birth of his son. The firemen told him to remain totally still because the slightest movement could have caused another collapse. Then they pulled him out. It's a miracle." As many as 20 people are still missing in the wreckage of the motorway bridge that collapsed in the Italian port city of Genoa, officials have revealed. The death toll from the disaster currently stands at 39. Rescue workers have been combing through mountains of concrete and other debris since the collapse on Tuesday. Until now, authorities had not said how many people might be unaccounted for. Chief Prosecutor Francesco Cozzi said that "there could be 10 to 20 persons still missing". Expand Close A view of the Morandi highway bridge that collapsed in Genoa, northern Italy. (Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A view of the Morandi highway bridge that collapsed in Genoa, northern Italy. (Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP) Emergency workers worked through the night for a second time but did not find any survivors or bodies. Large cranes, which are capable of lifting up to 300 tonnes, are being used to remove giant slabs of concrete. Chunks of concrete that are too heavy for the cranes are being broken up into smaller pieces with a giant jack hammer. The emergency services are anxious to clear the river that runs beneath the bridge before autumn rainfall brings the danger of floods. "They're still digging and not all areas have been reached yet, so we are working to find people who are still missing," said Giovanni Toti, the governor of Liguria, the region that encompasses Genoa. As well as those killed, 16 people were injured by the collapse of the bridge, with nine of them still in critical condition. Mr Ardini suffered cuts, bruises and a compound fracture and is now recovering in hospital. A colleague travelling with him in the van did not survive. Eleven apartment blocks beneath the shattered bridge have been evacuated of around 630 occupants and the buildings will probably have to be demolished. "It's going to be difficult for those homes to remain because the bridge is dangerous and there is a good chance of more parts of it collapsing," said Marco Bucci, the mayor of Genoa. The government has announced that the victims of the disaster will be given a state funeral tomorrow, which has been declared a day of national mourning. The company that manages the motorway bridge, Autostrade per l'Italia, says it wants to reconstruct the bridge and that the project would take five months. But the government wants to revoke the company's concession and punish it with a fine of up to 150m. In a growing row between the government and Atlantia, the holding company that controls Autostrade, Atlantia said its concession could not be revoked before the cause of the collapse had been determined. Prosecutors have launched an investigation which will look at the original design of the bridge in the 1960s and efforts to maintain it. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] The Vatican last night broke its silence on the latest clerical scandal to rock America, condemning the sex abuse and saying Pope Francis is on the side of victims. A statement late last night said that Pope Francis understands how "these crimes can shake the faith and spirit of believers". More than 300 "predator" priests were this week accused of abusing more than 1,000 children across seven decades in Pennsylvania. The Vatican called the sex abuse described in a grand jury report in Pennsylvania "criminal and morally reprehensible". It said the Church must "learn hard lessons from its past" as it vowed to "root out this tragic horror". Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said that victims should know that Pope Francis is on their side. Expand Close Former Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is facing calls for an investigation by the Vatican into sexual abuse allegations. Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is facing calls for an investigation by the Vatican into sexual abuse allegations. Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images The outcry comes just days before the start of the World Meeting of Families in Ireland, which culminates with a papal visit to Dublin and Knock. US Catholic bishops yesterday called for a Vatican-led probe, backed by lay investigators, into allegations of sexual abuse by former Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who resigned last month. "Whatever the details may turn out to be regarding Archbishop McCarrick or the many abuses in Pennsylvania (or anywhere else), we already know that one root cause is the failure of episcopal leadership," said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who is president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The group said it would create a new way for victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy to report allegations, and for those claims to be investigated without interference by the bishops who oversee priests who are accused of sex abuse. It said that mechanism would involve more Church members who were not members of the clergy - but who have expertise in law enforcement or psychology. The Pennsylvania grand jury report on Tuesday was just the latest bombshell in a scandal that erupted onto the global stage in 2002, when the 'Boston Globe' reported that for decades, priests had sexually assaulted minors while Church leaders covered up their crimes. Similar reports have since emerged in Europe, Australia and Chile, undercutting the moral authority of the leadership of the Catholic Church, which has some 1.2 billion members globally. McCarrick last month became the first cardinal in living memory to lose his red hat and title. A celebrity plastic surgeon known as Dr Bumbum has been charged with murdering one of his patients in Brazil after an operation allegedly went wrong. Dr Denis Furtado was enlarging the buttocks of Lilian Calixto when she fell seriously ill. He was performing the procedure at his home in Rio de Janeiro using his mother, girlfriend and maid as assistants. The 45-year-old - who was not actually licensed to practise medicine in the city - used a far greater dose of the chemical PMMA than advisable, the charge sheet said. Although he took Ms Calixito to hospital as her condition deteriorated, the 46-year-old bank manager and mother-of-two died hours later. The public prosecutor's office said Dr Furtado - who has appeared on Brazilian TV and amassed 650,000 social media followers - had "attracted women with the false promise of quick and immediate beauty". The charge sheet detailed how he had used 300ml of PMMA, a synthetic resin substance, when "it is recommended that it is used only in very small doses and in a restricted way". Dozens of deaths among women in Latin America have been put down to the use of synthetic polymers such as the one Furtado is alleged to have used. He was quickly denounced by the Brazilian Plastic Surgery Society, who warned against using the chemical for any aesthetic purposes altogether because of the associated risks. Dr Furtado's flat, meanwhile, was prepared for surgery "in a very provisional and precarious way", the sheet said. He himself was licensed to practise medicine only in the state of Goias and in Brasilia, not in Rio. His mother, Maria de Fatima Barros Furtado, also faces charges. She allegedly continued to practise medicine and operate with her son after her own licence was revoked. Dr Furtado disappeared after the operation but police caught him in July after four days on the run. His lawyer said he had not turned himself in because he was panicking. Donald Trump says he has cancelled plans for a Veterans Day military parade, citing the ridiculously high price tag. The president spoke the day after US officials said the November event could cost 92 million dollars (72 million), more than three times the price first suggested by the White House. Mr Trump accused local politicians in Washington DC of price-gouging, but preliminary estimates from the Pentagon showed more than half the price tag would come from military aircraft, equipment, personnel and other support. The remainder would be borne by other agencies and largely involve security costs. The Defence Department had announced on Thursday there would be no parade in 2018. Mr Trump tweeted that something could be scheduled next year when the price comes WAY DOWN. He did not explain how the costs would be reduced. He said he would instead attend an event at Andrews Air Force Base on another day and travel to Paris for November 11 events marking the centennial of the end of fighting in the First World War. The president added: Now we can buy some more jet fighters! He did not offer additional details. Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad). https://t.co/vqC3d8FLqx Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) August 17, 2018 Colonel Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said the military and the White House had agreed to explore opportunities in 2019, an announcement that came several hours after reports about the projected parade price tag. Officials said the parade plans had not been approved by defence secretary Jim Mattis, who said on Thursday that he had seen no estimate and questioned media reports on the reported 92 million dollar cost. The Pentagon chief told reporters that whoever leaked the number to the press was probably smoking something that is legal in my state but not in most a reference to his home state of Washington, where marijuana use is legal. Expand Close Jim Mattis dismissed the reported cost of the parade (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jim Mattis dismissed the reported cost of the parade (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Mr Mattis, who spoke before the announcement that the parade would not happen in 2018, added: Im not dignifying that number with a reply. I would discount that, and anybody who said (that number), Ill almost guarantee you one thing: they probably said, I need to stay anonymous. No kidding, because you look like an idiot. And number two, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. Ill just leave it at that. The parades cost has become a politically charged issue, particularly after the Pentagon cancelled a major military exercise planned for August with South Korea, after Mr Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Mr Trump said the drills were provocative and that dumping them would save the US a tremendous amount of money. The Pentagon later said the Korea drills would have cost 14 million dollars (11 million). Former CIA director John Brennan has hit back at President Trump's claims of no collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential election and called his comments "hogwash". The remarks, posted on the 'New York Times' website, came a day after Mr Trump announced he was stripping the security clearance of Mr Brennan, who led the CIA during most of President Barack Obama's second term and has emerged as one of the Trump administration's fiercest critics. In his article, Mr Brennan characterised Mr Trump's action as "politically motivated" and said it was "an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him". Mr Brennan wrote that it is "critically important" that special counsel Robert Mueller be permitted to complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether Mr Trump's campaign colluded with Russia. While Mr Trump has repeatedly insisted there was "no collusion", Mr Brennan wrote that the "only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of 'Trump Incorporated' attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets". The former CIA director took aim at Mr Trump over his public call as a candidate in July 2016 for Russia to help find missing emails of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, who was being scrutinised for having used a private email server while secretary of state. "By issuing such a statement, Mr Trump was not only encouraging a foreign nation to collect intelligence against a United States citizen, but also openly authorising his followers to work with our primary global adversary against his political opponent," Mr Brennan wrote. Insight "Such a public clarion call certainly makes one wonder what Mr Trump privately encouraged his advisers to do - and what they actually did - to win the election," Mr Brennan said. "While I had deep insight into Russian activities during the 2016 election, I now am aware - thanks to the reporting of an open and free press - of many more of the highly suspicious dalliances of some American citizens with people affiliated with the Russian intelligence services. Mr Trump's claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash." Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he was also reviewing the security clearances of nine other former officials, including former FBI director James Comey, all of whom have criticised the president or been targeted by congressional Republicans seeking to discredit the Russia probe. Mr Trump appeared to make a direct link in an interview with the 'Wall Street Journal' on Wednesday. "I call it the rigged witch hunt," Mr Trump said of the Russia probe. "And these people led it. So I think it's something that had to be done." Former National Security Agency director Michael Hayden and Bruce Ohr, a Justice Department official currently in the criminal division, were also on the list that threatened to revoke security clearances. "I don't trust many of those people on that list," Mr Trump told the 'Journal'. "I think they're very duplicitous." Mr Brennan has frequently criticised the president on television news shows and in blistering tweets that Mr Trump called "wild outbursts". Reactions from Republican lawmakers were mixed, with some critical of Mr Trump while others blamed Mr Brennan for acting inappropriately. Democrats blasted the move. US Representative Joaquin Castro said Mr Mueller should also investigate the issue now that Mr Trump tied it to the Russia probe. "It's an abuse of power because he's not doing it for a legitimate reason," Mr Castro told CNN. ( Washington Post) Among thousands of others who are mourning the death of former prime minister and political icon Atal Bihari Vajpayee is Lata Mangeshkar. The towering politician who took his last breath yesterday was admired by millions. For Lata Mangeshkar, he was like a father figure. Devastated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death, Asia's nightingale Lata Mangeshkar who shared a very close bonding with him, said, "He was like my father. He called me Beti. I called him Dadda. I feel I've lost my father all over again. When I saw the glow on his face, his persuasive oratorical powers and his love for the arts, I was always reminded of my father (the legendary musician-stage actor Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar). When I was a child many national leaders and politicians would visit my home. Vir Savarkar was one of them. Atalji reminded me of Vir Savarkar. He was a noble soul . No words of praise can do justice to him. Atalji was never short of words. But I am." Lataji gets pensive about her association with Atalaji. "He was very close to me, and I to him. When we Mangeshkars inaugurated a hospital in Pune in my name, I asked Atalji to do the inauguration. He happily agreed and gave a rousing speech -- as usual -- where he said he was in a dilemma as he thought naming a hospital after me was not right. There should be a music academy named after Lata Mangeshkar, not a hospital. Now what do I say? That people should fall sick so that this hospital named after my Beti would run?' His speeches were works of art. There is not one orator in Indian politics, or for that matter in India, to match Atalji." afp In 2014 Lataji had the rare privilege of doing an entire album of song devoted to Atalji's poems. Recalling the "unforgettable" experience, Lataji says: "I still remember the album was officially released in his home in Delhi. We had flown down for the occasion. All the poems in the album we entitled 'Antarnaad' were handpicked by me and my composer Mayuresh Pai. We then flew to Delhi to get his approval. When Atalji saw the poems we had selected he was very happy, specially with 'Geet naya gata hoon', which was among his personal favourites. "However there was some doubt over another poem 'Thann gayi maut se' which we had selected. Though Atalji himself loved the selection his (adopted) daughter and others close to him felt it was wrong of him to challenge death through poetry. So we decided to drop that poem. When we told Atalji of our decision he was very quiet then he said, if that's what everyone wants, then so be it." Lataji says she has seldom been more impressed by any other politician. "Atalji hriday se kavi the aur swabhav se sadhu (he was a poet at heart and a saint by nature). He was a visionary and India made rapid progress during his prime ministership. I remember how much he did to improve relations with Pakistan. He started the bus service to Pakistan. And he was very keen that I be one of the first passengers in that journey to the other side of the border. He told me that people in Pakistan were as keen to hear me as people in India. But I didn't go. It was always hard to say no to Atalji. He was such a wonderful human being and great statesman." Lataji feels the nation has lost more than Bharat Ratna. "Dadda was man with a vision. He could see the future. His speeches were works of art. When he spoke, the nation listened. I still have his speeches on my mobile phone. I can listen to them for hours. In his going India has been orphaned. But then, if he was in so much pain it would've been selfish of us to hold him back. He is now relieved of all pain probably regaling the gods with his oration." Last month thousands of trees in Delhi were cut and many more thousands were marked to be cut in South Delhi for the redevelopment of seven colonies. Apparently, the clearance for the project was given based on wrong information. BCCL Gautam Bhan, an urban planning expert and amicus curiae, told a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Nauroji Nagar project was copy-pasted from an EIA report seeking clearance for a Tamil Nadu mine. Bhan in his 57-page report to the court said that the EIA report had named of lakes in Tamil Nadu, which had nothing to do with the project in Nauroji Nagar. It also questioned how the government could allow cutting of trees for such a project in Delhi, which was categorised as one of the most polluted cities in the world. BCCL Taking note of the report, the court refused the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) permission to resume works at one of the seven colonies. The court asked the central government why the redevelopment projects should be allowed as the environment clearance was wrongly granted. The court, however, allowed NBCC to secure the area. Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested a Muslim Cleric and two others for not allowing national anthem to be sung in a madrasa in Maharajganj on Independence Day. In a video, making rounds on social media the cleric, Mohammad Junaid Ansari and two unidentified persons stopped students of the Arabia Ahle Sunnat Anware Taiba Girls College from singing the national anthem after hoisting the national flag on August 15th. Hamare yahan rashtragan nahi hoganajayaz hai, Ansari is heard saying in the video. Police who booked the trio for sedition said Ansari was an outsider and had no role in the college. The national flag was hoisted by principal Fazlur Rahman, after which the students were about to sing the national anthem when Ansari came up and stopped children saying it was not allowed in Islam. The principal who was standing next to him does not oppose Ansari, while another teacher, Sunil Mani Tripathi, who shot the video, can be heard protesting against Ansaris action. Police also confirmed that despite the objection buy Ansari, the students in fact sung the National Anthem later. With every passing day the flood situation in Kerala is only getting worse. With rains showing no signs of slowing down red alert has been issued across the state for the next couple of more days. Twelve out of the fourteen districts of Kerala are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfalls, which are likely to continue for at least a few more days. India Meteorological Department issues Red Alert in the entire state of Kerala. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/I4GqJMUrOS ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018 In the past two days 52 deaths have been reported from across the state and the numbers are feared to rise further. A bus stand in Kerala, struck in the flood. You can see the top of the bus above the water#KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala pic.twitter.com/86ZUCpk5wW nishad rawther (@nishad_rawther) August 15, 2018 Thousands of people whose houses have been inundated have been shifted to hundreds of relief camps across the state. These two pics are just in 4 hours of time span, so you can imagine the amount of water rising up due to #KeralaFloods So I am urging people if the authorities are insisting you to leave the house it means LEAVE THE HOUSE RIGHT AWAY..DON'T HESITATE AND WAIT TO COLLECT THINGS.. pic.twitter.com/yj3klG73Mc The Great Dictator..! (@tittoantony) August 16, 2018 Teams of Army, NDRF, Fire Force and volunteers are working around the clock to bring those stranded in isolated house to safety. The whole of Kerala is working together to contain the damage from the unprecedented deluge. #KeralaFlood This team of volunteers near Pathanapuram have a professional diver and off-road equipment. Please contact Oommachan on 8921800833 pic.twitter.com/Zt8QgebcfH The Last Caveman (@CarDroidusMax) August 16, 2018 With many areas cut off by water, social media pages are flooding with people posting videos of themselves seeking help. Many popular Facebook pages in the state have also stopped all other activities to focus sharing information on flood. The Kerala government had sought Rs 8,316 crore as a special package from the Central Government for dealing with the situation. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who visited the flood-hit state on Sunday announced an immediate relief package of Rs 100 crore. The Kerala government has also set up various platforms were public can contribute to the flood relief. Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site, https://t.co/OFHTHlZ9by #KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala. pic.twitter.com/XNlBKqdCUT CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018 Donations can be made through donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in via almost all money transfer platforms including net banking, credit and debit cards, UPI Payments etc. Name of Donee: CMDRF Account number : 67319948232 Bank: State Bank of India Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFSC: SBIN0070028 PAN detail: AAAGD0584M SWIFT CODE: SBININBBT08 A dedicated website keralarescue.in has also been set up to coordinate the relief rescue activities, where people can request help, seek information and make donations. With thousands who lost their life saving living in shelter camps across the state, various NGOs from across the country are also collecting relief materials like food and dress for those in need. Do get in touch with them in your city if you wish to make a contribution. Long before Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister, he used to visit the homes of his childhood friends riding a bicycle, much to the surprise of many here in Madhya Pradesh, his niece Kanti Mishra said. Kanti Mishra said Vajpayee, who died today at the age of 93, was humble in his conduct despite becoming a towering personality in the Indian politics. "Years ago, Atalji used to take my son Nitin Mishra's cycle and often visited his childhood friend Deepak, a Kashmiri, to far off Murar area," Kanti Mishra told PTI. afp He used to cycle down to the homes of other childhood friends in the city also, she said. The 75-year-old lives next door to the former PM's house in Kamal Singh Ka Bagh area, which plunged into grief after the news of Vajpayee's death came. "On hearing about his humble gesture, BJP patriarch Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia once told my Chachaji that if he (Vajpayee) just informs her about his movements in Gwalior, she can send a chauffeur-driven car for him to go around," said Kanti Mishra, taking a trip down the memory lane. "He was a jewel in the crown of India," she said, adding he was the last man of his generation in their family tree. reuters "Chachaji had three brothers, including my father Sada Bihari Vajpayee' and as many sisters - all of them are no more," she said. "I don't have words to express the grief of our family. Chachaji was too fond of me," she added. Kanti Mishra said she visited the BJP stalwart four years ago in New Delhi. "I had visited him four years ago. It was painful to see him lying on the bed. Before this, I had always seen him happy and full of life," she recalls. reuters "My husband O P Mishra rushed to Delhi this afternoon after getting to know that Chachaji was critical," she said. Kanti Mishra said Vajpayee last came to Gwalior, his native town, around 12 years ago. "Chachaji came to Gwalior last time round in 2006 to celebrate his birthday and stayed here for three days," she recalls. Ravi Upadhayay, a photojournalist who lives close to Kanti Mishra's house, said Vajpayee got his two-storey house converted into a free computer training centre and children's library in 1997 in the memory of his father late Krishnaji. The house is spread in an area of around 2,000 sq feet, he adds. The entire state of Kerala is fighting an unprecedented battle to stay afloat in the worst flooding the region has witnessed in nearly a century. Millions of people across the state have been forced out of their homes after flood waters entered their homes, in some cases up to second and third floors of houses. Most of the displaced have been shifted to over a thousand relief camps which have been opened across the state. In one of the worst affected northern district of Kozhikode, a madrasa has opened its doors for the displaced, sheltering some 400 people now. The Hujjathul Islam Madrasa in Perambra, is now one of the biggest relief camps in the district. Currently, the spacious building is 'home' to some 120 families who have lost everything in the deluge. Similar a church in Kannur opened its gates to house those affected by the flood. Teh This is how the St. George's Church Ambayathode now looks like. In neighbouring Palakkad, a newly built government building which was meant to provide affordable housing for migrant worker have been turned into a temporary home for many displaced. The Apna Ghar lodging facility at Kanjikode spread over 44,000 sq ft which have 64 big rooms have four accommodation blocks It also has separate community kitchens for vegetarians and non-vegetarians, a dining room, a washing line with bathrooms, toilets, washes basins, and apparel washing-drying area. The Mata Maratnanamiy Math headed by Hindu Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi is also actively involved in flood relief and helping those in distress across the state. The charity has also donated Rs. 10 crores to the Kerala Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. As the nation mourns the loss of a stalwart politician and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, many states have declared a holiday to mourn his demise. Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday, shared a unique, special bond with Maharashtra, especially Mumbai. He was honoured by all the party leaders in Mumbai. Even with Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, whose views were aggressive while Vajpayee was a moderate, they were connected by a common thread of Hindutva. Yesteryear connect In 1980, Vajpayee first spoke of Andhera chatega, Suraj Niklega, Kamal Khilega (the darkness will go, the sun will come out and the lotus will bloom) at a rally in Mumbais Shivaji which became an important motto and an anthem for the BJP. Party leaders and cadres kept repeating this famous quote after every election defeat until 1998. The former PM loved Mumbai and its rains. Sudhir Nandgaonkar a BJP who has translated two books of the former PM told Hindustan Times that "he was so much in love with Mumbais rains that he would tell people who visited him at Breach Candy Hospital where he was admitted for his knee surgery are chodo yaar, main to khidki se barsaat dekh raha hun (let me watch the rains) He also had special relations with Pramod Mahajan and his family. He called LK Advani Ram and Pramod Mahajan Laxman, thereby elevating the latters profile in the party. In Mumbai, he would always visit BJP leader Ved Prakash Goyals house in Matunga. Marathi movies and snacks He was a fan of Marathi films and plays and was a huge movie buff. He liked watching films so much that he had watched Seeta Aur Geeta starring Hema Malini about 25 times in 1972 as he was a fan of her work. Rekha Mahajan told Hindustan Times that "I recall one Diwali in Delhi when we had carried home-made sweets and savouries for him and he preferred the humble chakli to all sweets and snacks that had been brought from outside." The former PM knew Marathi well and had immense respect for Marathi language, cinema and food. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, he would frequent to Dadar at Plaza Cinema to catch Marathi movies whenever he had some free time in Mumbai. Love for Maharashtra BJP MLA Atul Bhatkalkar told Economic times that Vajpayee would go to Kolhapur and speak about the history of Shahu Maharaj and, at the same time, would speak about saint Damodar Pant. "On many occasions, I had noticed that the bag that he would carry was torn, but he would not bother, said Bhatkalkar. Vajpayee also had a strong connection with Nagpur as his sisters daughter Anita Pande lived in Nagpur with her family. Rupa Rai, the niece of Sunderlalji Rai, then president of Maharashtra Jan Sangh, said that till he became the PM, the BJP leader was a frequent visitor to their home. As the world is finding a way to make the environment clean and litter free, a French theme park has already come up with a creative solution. This theme park in western France this week has a new attraction for visitors: six crows that have been specially trained to pick up cigarette ends and rubbish. Since Monday, these birds have been seen doing their 'clean up' act at the Puy du Fou park, picking up litter on the site that features shows and rides themed around different periods of history. afp The black rooks, a member of the crow family, were chosen for their intelligence and have been trained to take small items of litter to a special wooden box in exchange for a tasty nugget of bird food for each deposit. There have been some instances of cheating, however, with some of the crows attempting to steal rubbish from others to win the rewards. "It's ecological, it's practical and it's fun to see," Swiss tourist Dorothee Haefliger told AFP. The managers of the park say the experiment is designed to make visitors more aware about litter. afp "We can see litter here on the car park and the crows are picking it up," Christophe Gaborit, who is in charge of falconry at the park, told AFP. He stood holding the wooden box and dispensing the bird food for each piece of collected rubbish. "That's not normal. It's up to us, humans, to take care of it. That's the ultimate message," he added. He said that he had always loved rooks, adding that they are under-appreciated birds. "People see it differently, so that makes me happy," he said. "We've changed its image and that's really interesting." With inputs from AFP An Australian teenager pleaded guilty earlier today on charges of repeatedly hacking into Apple servers and stealing data. He was reportedly able to make off with customer account data, authorized keys, and 90GB of secure files before being caught. When Apple learned of the intrusions, it blocked him off and notified the FBI, who in turn contacted the Australian Federal Police. The AFP then raided the teenagers home last year, seizing two Apple laptops, a smartphone, and a hard drive. According to court proceedings reported by The Age, police were able to connect his IP addresses and device serial numbers to the hacks. They also discovered a stash of hacking files and instructions saved in a folder he had smugly named hacky hack hack. The kids lawyer claims he hacked Apple because he was a huge fan of the company and supposedly even dreamed of working there one day. The sentencing is scheduled for next month. Lets just say, given Apples rigidity as far as security is concerned, not to mention the recently heightened public focus on privacy online, things are looking good for the teen. Have you ever faced rejection in life? You're not alone because literally all of us have been rejected. Be it a job, love or friendship, rejection is bound to take place. However, what really makes or breaks you is what you do after getting rejected. While the term 'rejection' has a very negative connotation to it, the truth is that it isn't negative. Rejection is what builds character and helps you stand tall in the face of the lows that life throws at you. People on Twitter shared stories of rejection that lead them to do much better things in life. Their stories are nothing short of inspirational: #1. I wrote five books and got 99 rejections (no joke) over seven years before getting an agent and then a book deal. Im now a full-time writer, and my 5th book comes out in January 2019. Never give up. Always keep working and learning and growing. #ShareYourRejections Dan Gemeinhart (@DanGemeinhart) August 16, 2018 #2. I have a folder labeled "New York Times Rejections" and it's filled with rejection emails I've received. There are 25 emails currently sitting in that folder. Yesterday I signed a freelance contract with The New York Times. #ShareYourRejections Danielle Campoamor (@DCampoamor) August 15, 2018 #3. My English Comp 102 professor in college failed my final paper and gave me a D for the semester. Now Im a paid columnist for the best publication in my profession. #ShareYourRejections Allissa Haines (@allissahaines) August 15, 2018 #4. #ShareYourRejections the head of my college theatre program told me to quit acting, "marry a rich man, and move to a greek island". Instead, I decided I'm never getting married, & I booked my first feature film this year. pic.twitter.com/Dp71DA98gE Jennifer Levinson (@JenHearts247) August 15, 2018 #5. I got fired from a movie theatre I worked at because I skipped a shift to go to an audition. The role I got was in a movie that then played at the same theatre. #ShareYourRejections elias toufexis (@EliasToufexis) August 16, 2018 #6. I tried my hardest to do voice overs during college. After 2 years of failing to land a gig, my agent dumped me and said "your dumb voice isn't ever going to be on TV or radio".She was right. 15 years later I'm making videos with my dumb voice on the internet #ShareYourRejections Jesse Cox (@JesseCox) August 16, 2018 #7. I applied for 65 jobs and never heard back. Then applied for the one I thought I'd never EVER get because I wasn't qualified. I got it and that has happened twice now. Keep fighting. Keep throwing yourself out there. For everything you want.#ShareYourRejections PrairiePhlox (@PrairiePhlox) August 15, 2018 #8. #ShareYourRejections I applied for my college's illustration/animation program but they rejected my portfolio because I "wasn't ready." I got a job in animation a week later. Liz Climo (@elclimo) August 15, 2018 #9. Was told by a college professor I would never be a successful artist because my work was "a cheap imitation of other people's creativity". I now draw comics full time with an average reach of 3 million viewers per post. #ShareYourRejections Meg (@artbymoga) August 16, 2018 #10. was about to sign to a major label. they backed out last minute. now i'm an independent artist with 200 million+ streams, own my masters & publishing, create & release whatever the fuck i want & run my own business. rejection is always for a reason. #ShareYourRejections VERITE (@Verite) August 17, 2018 #11. I was constantly told that video games were stupid and a waste of time by teachers, by other adults, and to a lesser degree my parents. "Get a real job" mentality. Now I work with my best friends, talk about video games, and create videos on them every day. #ShareYourRejections SpaceHamster ( Jeff ) (@Jeff_like_Feff) August 16, 2018 #12. My GCSE science teacher told me I wasn't good enough to be a palaeontologist. I got a double C at GCSE & I was not allowed to do A-level science. I've now written many scientific papers, books and even named several new species.#ShareYourRejections #alevelresults2018 Dean R. Lomax (@Dean_R_Lomax) August 16, 2018 #13. Some militants may have succeeded in sneaking into Indian side while taking advantage of the clash between the facing armies. The sources said that in the initial barrage of gun fire from militants, four soldiers were injured. (Representational Image) Srinagar: Four Army jawans have been injured in a gunfight with militants in an area of Nowgam sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district. The police and Army sources said that the gunfight began after the soldiers of Armys 8 Bihar regiment intercepted a group of militants near Sangam Post of the LoC at around 9.20 am on Thursday. Confirming the incident, an Army official said, The group of militants after being challenged opened fire triggering a gunfight which was going on as reports last came in. The sources said that in the initial barrage of gun fire from militants, four soldiers were injured. They were immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility, the sources added. Reinforcements have reached the area to take on the militants. The Army has laid siege to a vast area to ensure the militants do not escape. Earlier on Thursday, the security forces launched a major search operation along the LoCs Jhanger area in Rajouri district. This comes a day after the Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire in the area, leaving one India Army jawan injured. The officials said that a huge cache of explosives has been recovered during the search operation. SSP Rajouri Yougal Manhas said that search operation is underway in Lam and Keri villages of the LoC. The officials believe that a group of militants may have succeeded in sneaking into the Indian side of the de facto border while taking the advantage of clash between the facing armies and the explosives found in the area may have been in their possession. Dogs are a lot more than just best friends. Their affection for us goes beyond what we can imagine they are nothing but devoted loyal and selfless souls. One such dog is Nala who took a bullet to shield her owner from a robber. When her owner, a woman living alone, was attacked by robbers, it was Nalla who came to the rescue and chased the intruders. But in the process, she got injured very badly. The robbers shot her and the bullet shattered her forelimb. The video below shows the painful process of surgery to save Nala and that meant amputating the leg. But she recovered and was braver than ever. Watch the video below: We all have grown up learning different cultures and traditions in our lives and we have our own ways of greeting people. Just like this Swedish woman who denied handshake during an interview which apparently offended the male manager and made him end it abruptly. Farah Alhajeh, a Swedish Muslim went for an interview where she applied for a job as an interpreter in the city of Uppsala, north of Stockholm. 9news However, she was shown the door the moment she declined to shake hands with the male boss who took offense instantly. Keeping aside her abilities as a candidate the man dismissed the interview right away ignoring the fact that the 24-year-old placed her hand over her heart, a common alternative greeting. Being a Muslim she explained how they avoid having any physical contact with non-family members of the opposite sex. Unsplash She took this case of discrimination to Sweden's labor court and has won $6000 in compensation, which she said was never important. Doing the right thing that she should have, Farah also explained how you can not treat men and women differently and how the way of greeting can be different and we need to respect them all. It's the right of every individual to live by the rules of their religion and also follow the rules of the country that we live in. Switch the Market flag Open the menu and switch the Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice. for targeted data from your country of choice. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced this was being done because Uttar Pradesh was Vajpayee's karmabhoomi' - the land of action. Flames rise from the funeral pyre of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, watched by his foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya on the banks of the River Yamuna in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: AP) Lucknow: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in rivers in all the districts in Uttar Pradesh, the state government said on Friday. The UP government put out a list of 75 districts and the small and big rivers picked for the immersion of the ashes of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader who was cremated in New Delhi on Friday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced this was being done because Uttar Pradesh was Vajpayee's karmabhoomi' - the land of action - its people will get an opportunity to be part of his final journey. Ashes of former prime minister #AtalBihariVajpayee will be spread in every river in Uttar Pradesh including Ganga, Yamuna, and Tapti, to respect his grand stature: UP government pic.twitter.com/UC2pW12CIq ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 17, 2018 Vajpayee represented the state's national capital in the Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms. He was elected from the Lucknow constituency in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. The Bharatiya Janata Party's city unit will organise a condolence meeting on August 21, when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the present parliamentarian from Lucknow, and other leaders will pay homage to Vajpayee. On a visit to the city on August 5, Rajnath Singh had hailed Vajpayee for setting in flow a Vikaas ki Ganga' - a river of development - in Lucknow. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Vajpayee while addressing a symposium in the city on 'Transforming Urban Landscape'. There is a very close relationship between our mission (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation-AMRUT) and Lucknow city. Lucknow has been the 'karmabhoomi' of 'mahapurush' Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he had said. A local BJP leader has demanded that winter shelters for the poor people across the state should also be named after Vajpayee. Happily, there are signs that message is starting to sink in at boardroom level in Australia, he continued. Conversations around cyber insurance have picked up markedly in the last 12 months following new legislation and a series of major global ransomware attacks in 2017. Parnells comments come after a top politician urged SMEs to take action on cyber, saying many were seen as easy targets by online criminals. As governments, utilities and corporations harden their cyber security, the criminals are seeing SMEs as vulnerable targets, warned Angus Taylor, minister for law enforcement and cyber security. Speaking to the AFR, Taylor also pointed to recent data which shows SMEs were the target in 43% of the 48,000 cyberattacks reported last year. At a time when small business owners are becoming more reliant on digital applications for things like accounting and banking, many of them are running outdated and unpatched software and many of them have outdated views of the online world, he told the news outlet. One report found that 87% of SME business owners thought an anti-virus application would protect them from a cyberattack. Members who have had to cancel or downgrade their cover since June 1 due to the financial impact of the drought may also avail of the health insurance premium relief package. It means eligible farmers who are nib members will effectively get free health insurance for them and their families for six months, said Mark Fitzgibbon, nib managing director. Hopefully, this will help see them through until things improve, and also that there is some trickle-down effect for their local communities. Our support also reflects our recognition that the sustainability of our business and that of any other, relies upon having sustainable communities. nib said it will directly contact eligible members to advise them of the health insurance premium relief package and how to apply. Members may also contact the health fund via phone (13 14 63), website, email, or by visiting one of nibs retail centres. In this Q&A, Morris shares insight on how to take a significant career step forward, where the industry could do better at promoting women, and the issues she sees affecting her line of work right now. Before coming to Verisk, you worked at AIG for a number of years. Do you have any advice to other women hoping to make a similar career change? Be confident! Although I didnt previously work at a data analytics company similar to Verisk, I was confident moving to Verisk because of my vast experience in general insurance and my broad skillset I knew they would add value to the company. Has the insurance industry developed since you started your career and where can it still improve, in regards to promoting the advancement of women in this field? Although it has developed, continued improvement is needed. Progress has been made in the lower and middle management layers, but the promotion of women to senior leadership roles in the industry has not kept pace. Companies must proactively seek opportunities to promote talented female business decision-makers into senior leadership roles, which, among other things, will help them gain further critical diversity of thought. What should we be doing today to ensure the future achievements of women in insurance? Continued training of senior management in the importance of diversity and in the damage of unconscious bias is key. Reliance on men and women in senior roles to promote and give opportunity to women is a must. Blind resume reviews when hiring from the outside is a good tactic for finding the most qualified person, and ensuring a diverse set of candidates for internal promotion is best practice. While I appreciate and support corporate goals and personal goals of leaders regarding diversity, promoting women into leadership as a quota-driven achievement cannot be the only way to ensure our future success. What role does mentoring play in this, and how can leaders find and start that meaningful mentorship? Mentoring plays an important role in ensuring the future achievements of women in insurance. I have mentored many women during my career, and been mentored myself by a woman, and the lessons learned (from both mentor and my mentees) have helped me to be a better leader. But, mentoring is not a gender issue. All future leaders should have mentors, men and women. The quality of the mentor and the engagement of both the mentor and mentee is what makes a difference in the outcome of the relationship and what leads to future achievements of women and men in the industry. What issues stand out to you as ones having a significant effect on commercial insurance today? Data its the new oil. It seems nearly every company is working to harness data, enhance and analyze it, and secure tools and solutions to help them make better decisions about risk. Further, predictive analytics and machine learning will have a profound impact on the market and how it assumes risk. Airbnb faces tightening regulations in New York City that could take a big bite out of its profits, and on Wednesday the short-term rental company offered a counter-measure designed to appease hostile politicians: a $10 million contribution to charities. At a Manhattan news conference, officials of the San Francisco-based company said the money is just a taste of what New Yorks city and state governments could reap to benefit New Yorkers struggling with rising rents, homelessness, health care and education if some restrictions were loosened while imposing hotel-style taxes. Most legal rentals for fewer than 30 days now require the owners presence. Last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill that requires Airbnb to reveal the names and addresses of hosts, as well as whether theyre renting out a room or a whole apartment, allowing the city to crack down on illegal listings and impose fines. Critics say such listings are pushing up rents for New Yorkers by diminishing the number of available properties. The $10 million is going to seven nonprofits: The New York Immigration Coalition; the New York Mortgage Coalition; the New York State Rural Housing Coalition, Inc.; Women in Need; the Gay Mens Health Crisis; the NYC Foundation for Computer Science; and the Abyssinian Development Corp. Josh Meltzer, the companys head of public policy for the Northeast region, said taxes from Airbnb rentals would top an estimated $100 million a year and could be used to bolster such organizations. These are all organizations that typically receive tax money from government, so these are the types of programs that could be funded with upwards of $100 million per year, Meltzer said. The New York City Council voted last month to pass the legislation signed by de Blasio to go into effect in February 2019. Airbnb has accused council members of being biased because theyve received campaign contributions from the hotel industry competing for clients in one of the worlds largest Airbnb markets. The New York state Assembly and Senate have yet to vote on legislation affecting the city that would allow short-term rentals not requiring the owners presence. Asked when names and addresses of hosts would be released, Meltzer said, We have six months to figure this out. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Profit Loss New York Sharing Economy Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. has continued its expansion into Pennsylvania with its acquisition of Merchants Preferred Insurance Services, headquartered in Erie, Penn. This acquisition will strengthen Seeman Holtz Property & Casualtys foothold in the Northeast, according to a company press release. Merchants Preferred Insurance Services has been serving the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia areas for more than 25 years. Family owned and operated, Merchants offers commercial, personal and auto insurance products and services. The Seeman Holtz family of companies provides comprehensive financial and insurance advice to clients across the country. Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. continues to target independent agencies for geographic expansion and further growth throughout the U.S. Source: Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. Topics Property Property Casualty Pennsylvania Casualty The panel should also consider a plan of action for release of water and in what manner the plan could be conveyed to the people, it observed. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday while directing the sub-committee of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to meet on Friday morning, asked it to take a call whether the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam can be reduced from 142 feet to 139 feet so that people downstream do not live in constant fear. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Indu Malhotra took up the application filed by Russel Joy on an urgent basis asked the committee to assess the dam storage in the context of more water received to the dam than the quantum of water released. Earlier, the counsel for Tamil Nadu, G. Umapathy, submitted that the present water level is 142 feet. It can only draw 2,300 cusecs (cubic foot per second) of water from the reservoir for irrigation purposes, but the current inflow is more than 20,508 cusecs. The remaining water has to be drained to the larger Idukki reservoir, which is already close to its storage capacity. The bench, after hearing additional solicitor general P.S. Narasimha for the Centre and counsel Mohan Katarki for Kerala, said it was needless to say that the committee should consider the possibility of reducing the water level to 139 feet. The panel should also consider a plan of action for release of water and in what manner the plan could be conveyed to the people, it observed. The ASG informed the court that the NCMC, which met this morning, has been meeting regularly and monitoring the situation on an hourly basis. For proper reservoir management, a committee has been constituted which is chaired by the chairman of Central Water Commission and chief engineers of both the states. The committee is to meet again on Friday to assess the situation. Taking note of the submissions, the bench in its order further directed that there must be a disaster management plan, which should be implemented forthwith. It said, Both Tamil Nadu and Kerala should implement the plan of action forthwith as action speaks much faster than what words can convey. Appearing for petitioner, counsel Manoj George submitted that the Mullaperiyar dam has 13 shutters, including three old ones. All of them have been opened up to 1.5 metres to drain the excess water. They can be opened up to 16 metres. As much as 10,000 cusecs of water is being released from the Mullaperiyar reservoir to the Idukki reservoir since Wednesday night. He said authorities have warned that the outflow could be increased to up to 30,000 cusecs, aggravating the unprecedented flood situation in Kerala. Global broker has appointed Brian Wanat as chief broking officer of U.S. Commercial Risk Solutions. In his new role, Wanat will have direct management responsibility for Financial Services Group, National Property, National Casualty, Aviation, Crisis Management, Marine and Aons Global Risk Consulting Group. He will work with Tom Fitzgerald, chief executive officer, Aon Broking, and the Aon Broking Executive Committee to ensure the U.S. broking strategy is aligned with global objectives. He will also be responsible for setting best practices for commercial broking across Aons field organization, and will work with Theresa Bourdon, National Industry Practice Leader, to execute broking strategy across industry practice groups. Wanat joined Aons Financial Services Group in 2002, where he most recently served as chief executive officer. He brings 25 years of experience in insurance underwriting and broking to his new role, spending time at both AIG and CNA. He will continue to be based in New York and remain a member of the U.S. Commercial Risk & Health Executive Committee, reporting to Lori Goltermann, chief executive officer, U.S. Commercial Risk & Health. Topics USA Commercial Lines Business Insurance Aon President Donald Trump said Thursday he wants the U.S. government to sue pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioids as part of his efforts to halt an epidemic of drug addiction. Trump said hed like to bring a federal lawsuit, rather than just join existing litigation against the drugmakers. Some states have done it, Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. But Id like a lawsuit to be brought against these companies that are really sending opioids at a level it shouldnt be happening. So highly addictive. People go into a hospital with a broken arm, they come out, theyre a drug addict. Drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma LP and Johnson & Johnson that sell opioid painkillers face hundreds of lawsuits filed by states, cities, counties, Native American tribes and labor unions as the epidemic of addiction continues to rage in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said preliminary estimates indicate that almost 72,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses last year, a figure that has been rising for years. Trump didnt offer more detail on a possible a lawsuit. Purdue shares the presidents concern about the opioid crisis, the Stamford, Connecticut-based drugmaker said in a statement. While our opioid medicines account for less than 2 percent of total prescriptions, Purdue is committed to working collaboratively with those affected by this public health crisis on meaningful solutions to help stem the tide of opioid-related overdose deaths. Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee wrote Aug. 3 to opioid manufacturers Purdue, Insys Therapeutics Inc. and Mallinckrodt Plc, asking about their role in the epidemic. Lawmakers have also focused on pharmaceutical distributors such as McKesson Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc. J&J, Insys, Mallinckrodt and the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Chinese Imports Trump also asked the Justice Department to address the flow of synthetic opioids from China. The drugs have played an increasing role in overdose deaths in the U.S. as users turn from prescribed pills to often illicitly obtained compounds from overseas, manufactured from a variety of producers. Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to do whatever you can do from a legal standpoint, whether its litigation, lawsuits, with people and companies. In China you have some pretty big companies sending that garbage and killing our people, Trump said. Its almost a form of warfare. And Id like to do whatever you can do legally to stop it from China and from Mexico. Sessions said that the Justice Department had identified companies shipping some of the illegal drugs and was taking action. Were returning indictments now against distributors from China, Sessions told Trump, though he added that some of the imports were still coming in through smuggling. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits USA China Manufacturing Drugs The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) is set to launch its annual hurricane tour aimed at reminding coastal residents to be ready in case a hurricane or tropical storm should make landfall this year. Beginning on Aug. 20, ICTs Mark Hanna and a team of experts will make media stops in 16 Texas coastal cities traveling from Beaumont to Brownsville in five days. Hanna will join representatives from the Texas Department of Insurance, the National Weather Service and the insurance industry. The team will visit with local media outlets and help educate residents on how they can prepare for the next hurricane. Although this has been a quiet year for hurricanes, peak of hurricane season in Texas is September 13, and typically, the states largest hurricanes have happened after mid-August. Hanna was in Corpus Christi last year shortly before Hurricane Harvey hit and evacuated along with thousands of other Texans. Upon making landfall Aug. 25, 2017, Hurricane Harveys winds caused more than $5 billion in insured windstorm losses in the Port Aransas and Rockport area. Harvey then stalled over the Houston and Beaumont areas and caused massive flood damage with record rainfall, including 60 inches of rain in Nederland, and flooding large portions of southeast Texas, including Houston and Harris County. The majority of residents whose homes flooded from Hurricane Harvey had no flood insurance, said Hanna, an ICT spokesperson. In Harris County, at least half of the flooded homes were outside existing flood plains. The National Flood Insurance Program expects $11 billion in insured flood losses. Estimates of uninsured flood losses exceed $100 billion. The insurance industry has paid $3.5 billion in losses for an estimated 250,000 flooded vehicles. Overall, insurers have paid more than $19 billion for Harvey related claims. The Rockport and coastal bend areas suffered the worst of the wind damage. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) will pay an estimated $1.6 billion in wind related property losses for coastal residents and businesses. The private insurance market has paid $282 million to TWIA to help pay for those losses. Source: Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Flood Hurricane Market A former police officer in Alabama who pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and burglary has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Montgomery Advertiser reports 51-year-old Leon Todd Townson was sentenced Aug. 13. The former U.S. Marine is one of two former Prattville Police Department lieutenants charged with breaking into a home in 2015. The other lieutenant, 48-year-old John Wayne McDaniel, is set to be sentenced Friday. Townson also was charged in 2017 with defrauding an insurance agency by filing a claim containing false information. The fraudulent claim prompted the agency to award Townson more than $190,000. He resigned from the police department in 2005 before pleading guilty to trying to sell a modified rifle seized by the departments drug unit. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud Law Enforcement Alabama A lawsuit filed against a North Carolina school system and its board of education says an elementary school in need of repairs was discriminated against because of race. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the lawsuit, filed Monday against the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and its board of education, centers on Ashley Elementary School. The Action4Ashley Coalition says the systems took no action to address mold and indoor air quality at the school, which is made up of predominantly black and Latino students. When all the evidence is considered, the Districts inadequate and sluggish response to the Ashley crisis cannot be explained by any reason other than intentional racial discrimination, the lawsuit said. This discrimination has had an inexcusable harmful impact on students and families of color and clearly violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. A school system spokesman wasnt immediately available for comment Tuesday. The complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights calls on the school system to order the district to build a new school. Until then, the lawsuit says students and teachers whose health is affected by current conditions should be able to transfer to another school. According to the lawsuit, a group of teachers complained to school system officials about the conditions at Ashley in 2017. One teacher reported that mold was literally scraped off the classroom walls and left in a trash can, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said two tests were performed at the school by the same company hired by the school system. In each instance, the company said its analysis reported very low levels of indoor mold spores. The lawsuit also points to a $350 million bond issue which voters approved in November 2016. The bond project list included the building of new schools, replacing schools, renovations and student safety and transportation improvements. Ashley Elementary was slated for replacement, and school officials said in 2015 that they were trying to negotiate a land deal to secure property to build a new school for Ashley. In the spring of 2016, Ashleys new building was cut from the proposed list of bond projects, the lawsuit said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits North Carolina Training Development A woman has filed a lawsuit against Bellevue College claiming the school, and by extension Washington state, fostered a hostile work environment by failing to protect her from a former dean. SeattlePI.com reported the womans attorney Julie Kays filed the lawsuit last week alleging former assistant dean Faisal Jaswal sexually abused his assistant starting in 2010. Kays says the 29-year-old woman has intellectual delays that made it easier for Jaswal to manipulate her. The lawsuit says Jaswal told the woman that he would fire her if she reported the alleged sexual abuse. The woman did make a report in 2016 and Bellevue police say the case remains under investigation. An attorney for Jaswal didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Bellevue College declined to comment on the lawsuit but said in a statement that Jaswal was removed from his position. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Washington Education Universities What Are Withdrawal Credits: Pension Plan? A withdrawal credit in a pension plan refers to the portion of an individuals retirement assets in a qualified pension plan that the employee is entitled to withdraw when they leave a job. Key Takeaways A withdrawal credit in a pension plan refers to the portion of an employee's retirement assets in a qualified pension plan that the employee is entitled to withdraw when they leave a job. Whether you have a government-sponsored plan or one in the private sector, it's important to know your options and obligations before you withdraw funds from your retirement account. Understanding Withdrawal Credits: Pension Plan In the context of pension plans, withdrawal credits describe the rights of an employee-participant in a qualified pension plan to withdraw their portion of assets, plus a share of employer contributions, if applicable, upon their departure from that job. Under most pension plans, both the employer and employee make periodic contributions to a fund shared by all eligible employees. About Distributions Each individual has an account within that fund, and multiple employers may participate in a single pension fund. When an eligible employee reaches retirement age, they are entitled to periodic distributions that generally equal a percentage of their income in pre-retirement years. An employee who leaves a firm before retirement age likely would be eligible for a partial distribution of their pension funds, depending on the vesting rules established by the employer and the plan. If you're planning to leave your job, make sure that you roll your retirement funds into another qualified retirement account, as the IRS charges penalties on funds that are not placed in a tax-sheltered account. Withdrawal Credits: Pension Plan Prior to Retirement When an employee leaves a firm prior to retirement age, various factors determine the extent to which they are entitled to their pension's balance. Most important among these is their vesting status. Vesting refers to the extent to which the employee has control over their retirement assets. In most cases, employees' contributions vest immediately, and employees with longer tenures will be entitled to a greater share of employers contributions. The Importance of Rollovers Because of the tax-exempt status of most retirement funds, departing employees should always roll these funds into a qualified individual retirement account (IRA) administered by a qualified financial institution. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) charges penalties on funds that are not placed in a tax-sheltered account. The IRS may consider some special cases such as death or disability when granting exceptions to these requirements. Other potential exceptions include some extreme medical expenses or corrections to a previous over-contribution. Rules That Govern Withdrawal Credits For public-sector pensions, withdrawal rules are determined on a state-by-state basis. Private pensions are subject to rules set out in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. ERISA and subsequent tax rules outline a complex system of policies regarding vesting and withdrawals from the many variations of defined benefit and contribution plans. Beyond the ERISA guidelines, employers have the discretion to structure their plans to their own needs. When leaving a company, it's wise to consider your own needs by educating yourself about your options and obligations about withdrawals from qualified retirement plans. In a pension plan, the responsibility for funding an employee's retirement rests on the employer while, in a defined-contribution plan such as a 401(k), the responsibility falls on the employee. Defined-Benefit vs. Defined-Contribution Plans The defined-benefit plan is the most common type of pension plan. A defined-benefit plan is an employer-sponsored retirement plan where employee benefits are computed using a formula that considers several factors, such as length of employment and salary history. Defined-benefit plans guarantee the retiree a set cash distribution upon retirement. Because the employer is responsible for making investment decisions and managing the plan's investments, the employer assumes all the investment and planning risks. In a defined-contribution plan, like a 401(k) or a 403(b), employees contribute a fixed amount or a percentage of their paychecks to an account that is intended to fund their retirements. The IRS has set an annual contribution limit for 401(k)s and defined-contribution plans. For 2020 and 2021, the maximum contribution limit that an employee can make to a 401(k) is $19,500. Those who are aged 50 or more can make an additional catch-up contribution of $6,500 for both 2020 and 2021. Sometimes the sponsoring company will match a portion of employee contributions as an added benefit. However, the total contribution between the employee and employer cannot exceed the lesser of $57,000 in 2020 or $63,500, including the $6,500 catch-up contribution for employees aged 50 and over. For 2021, the total contribution must be less than $58,000 or $64,500, including catch-up contributions. A defined contribution plan is generally comprised of investments, which the employee selects from a curated list of options that often consists of mutual funds. There is no way of knowing how much a defined-contribution plan will ultimately give the employee upon retiring, as contribution levels can change, and the returns on the investments may go up and down. Here is your lunchtime bulletin... GET INFORMED ... IRELAND: Experts at an archaeology field school in Trim, Co Meath have uncovered almost 30 skeletal remains of infants, many of whom they believe were buried there up until the early 20th century because they weren't baptised. IRELAND: If the government will not properly deal with the housing crisis there should be a general election, according to Sinn Fein. IRELAND: There have been calls for the President to release his medical records to the public. IRELAND: Heavy rain due Saturday as Ireland to feel the effects of Storm Ernesto. WORLD: A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and serious sexual assault after a "horrific" attack left a woman in a life-threatening condition. BUSINESS: Turkey and the US have exchanged new threats of sanctions, keeping alive a diplomatic and financial crisis threatening the economic stability of the Nato country. SPORT: The reminders of a lifetime in rugby are plentiful as Declan Kidney returns to Cork this evening. ... SOME DISTRACTION Rodrigo Ternevoy. Pic: Lorna Fitzsimons SHOWBIZ: Heres what Netflix has got to stop you from getting intense cabin fever. VIRAL: Have you ever been at a wedding where the bride unveiled a new haircut at the reception? LIFESTYLE: Rising star: Brazilian actor Rodrigo Ternevoy on finding love and fame in Ireland. The Benetton family has said it will fight the Italian governments seizure of its road-toll assets in the wake of a deadly bridge collapse, in a confrontation between one of the countrys pre-eminent industrial dynasties and populist politicians demanding justice for a disaster that killed 39 people. Investors in Atlantia, the infrastructure company controlled by the family, faced dramatic losses after the accident ignited a political firestorm. Italian officials said they started the process to revoke the companys road concession, while the company said it would protect shareholders and bondholders. Kanpurs Chakeri airport is proposed to be named after freedom fighter Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. Lucknow: After renaming Mugha-lsarai as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has now sent a letter to the Centre seeking its approval to rename three airports in the state. The airports to be renamed are Bareilly, Kanpur and Agra and all three are defence airports but the state government is in consultation with the Airports Authority of India to facilitate flyers under the regional connectivity scheme in these airports. UP civil aviation minister Nand Gopal Nandi said renaming of the three airports was long awaited. We have reached out to the Centre to get the airports renamed. A meeting with the Union ministry of civil aviation is expected soon, he said. According to a proposal from the state civil aviation department, the Bareilly airport is to be named Nath Nagri, which is believed to be an ancient name of the city for its history of having ardent worshippers of Lord Shiva. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath belongs to the Nath sect and is the mahant (priest) of Gorakhnath temple. He had earlier renamed the civil terminal of IAFs Gorakhpur airport as Maha Yogi Gorakhnath Airport, founder of Nath Pant (monastic movement). The proposal speaks about Bareilly in great detail. It says that the city is surrounded on all sides by as many as seven Lord Shiva temples Alakhnath, Trivatin-ath, Marhinath, Dhopes-hwarnath, Vankhan-dinath, Tapeshwarnath and Pashupatinath. Kanpurs Chakeri airport is proposed to be named after freedom fighter Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. The proposal says that Kanpur was earlier known as Kanha Pur and was founded by Sachendi King Hindu Singh. The Agra airport, on the other hand, is proposed to be named after BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. By Joe Dermody Up to 25 ambitious Irish-based technology companies will be selected to compete for up to 1 billion in growth capital at an event to be hosted in London in October. The TechTrailblazers 2018 event is organised by Moore Stephens chartered accountants, in conjunction with InterTradeIreland and TechIreland. UK-based investors have already committed to more than 1bn in venture capital funding; how much they invest will be based on their meetings with the Irish companies. Moore Stephens are still open to applications from Irish-based tech companies that are looking for growth capital funding of 5m to 20m. In other words, a step or two above startup level. Some very impressive applicants have already applied; many are from Dublin, but there are also very strong regional candidates. The ideal criteria include generating revenues or being able to demonstrate a run rate of 1m plus; ideally, candidates will be post-profit. We will pick the top 20 or so applicants and connect them with the UK investors, said Ned Murphy, managing partner in Ireland for Moore Stephens. The response has been very positive so far, and the quality of applicant is very high. These are the types of companies who might previously have found it hard to access 5m to 20m in growth capital here in Ireland. "Theyre the type of companies who might previously have been targets for acquisition, but now were hoping they might stay in Ireland and develop further high-quality jobs here. The funding event came about following meetings between Moore Stephens London executives, led by London-based partner Damian Ryan, and VC investors in the UK. There is a clear appetite for investment. Brexit is creating demand among some investors who are looking to invest outside of the UK, said Ned Murphy. The VCs are looking at their options, and the closer to home the better. "Theyve made it clear that if these companies meet their criteria, then they will be investing. We are seeing a broad range of entries, from biotechnology to media technology companies, among others. The VCs have very set criteria, but theyll look at any sector. "And, while we have very good applicants in already, the door is still very much open. We havent married anyone off yet. As well as meeting the financial markers set by the VCs, candidates will also have a strong management team, with a strong balance of equity still held inside the business. The applicants should possess trademarks, patents, or have explored their IP potential. In terms of sector, the preference is on software and technology solutions rather than hardware. The model for the London event will be brokered introductions with the dozen or so UK investors. Selected participants will attend investor readiness workshops led by Moore Stephens. After delivering speed-pitches, delegates are invited to an exclusive evening event at the Irish Embassy with opportunities to network alongside invited guests from InterTradeIreland, plus TechIreland and more. They will also network with influencers, investors and advisers. Then, in London, they will pitch to their matched investors. If this goes well, you could very see over 1bn being invested in these Irish companies, said Ned Murphy. What could that lead to? I wouldnt leap to saying the next Google or Facebook, but I think we could hope to see the next Voxpro. I think its fair to say that Ireland is globally perceived as another Silicon Valley. Just look at Tyndall Institute and the spinouts it is creating. We have worked with some of those companies raising funds. Wed be hoping that some of the companies coming out of the Tyndall and the Rubicon will grow in stature and creating quality employment that stays in Ireland and benefits the country, said Ned Murphy. We have had a number of very strong applicants from Dublin, but not exclusively from Dublin. Moore Stephens played a role in a funding deal for SensL Technologies a Tyndall Institute spinout which develops products for medical, industrial and consumer markets. SensL has also seen huge growth in its light detection and ranging (Lidar) products, which are a cornerstone of the new technology behind autonomous vehicles. In May, SensLs unique light technologies led to it being acquired in a multimillion euro deal by the US giant On Semiconductor. Moore Stephens is hoping that TechTrailblazers 2018 may well be a step for other Irish companies to enjoy similar success. Once the applications for Tech Trailblazers 2018 have been reviewed, longlisted companies will be interviewed by Moore Stephens. A final shortlist will be announced a month before the event in October. www.moorestephens.ie Business movers Clodagh Quane Clodagh Quane has joined Audiology Medical Services, the Munster-based hearing test, tinnitus therapy and hearing aids company. Clodagh is a highly qualified audiologist, and already a favourite with clients in Cork and Kerry. She has a masters in audiology and specialises in developing audiology competencies for adults and children, especially in the area of correct hearing aid fitting. She is also skilled in helping patients with tinntus, vertigo and balance disorders. She helps people suffering from tinnitus find ways of managing the condition. Her masters dissertation examined the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing students at UCC. Brendan Mc Elroy Brendan Mc Elroy has been appointed as head of programmatic with Carzone, the motoring marketplace. He holds a diploma in Media & Communications and has over ten years experience with ad operations, website management and advertising sales. He held previous roles at Mediabrokers Ltd (part of the Electric Media Group), Distilled Media, Page7Media and Dentsu Aegis. Carzone is part of Auto Trader Group plc, the largest digital automotive marketplace in Ireland and the UK. As well as being a car trading platform, Carzone is also an authority in the motoring industry with incredible insight into consumer buying trends. Sean Carty Sean Carty has been appointed as business development manager with SLX Data Structures, the elevated engineering company. He brings valuable industry experience in both technical knowledge and client relations, which will assist the company as it grows and adds to its services portfolio. Has spent the past 21 years serving customers in the wind and the telecoms sectors. SLXs services include masts, towers, foundations, anchoring, fittings, ancillaries and accessories; notably products include SLX guyed tubular masts, SLX guyed lattice masts and SLX self-supporting towers. The company is headquartered in Dublin. Enda Murphy Enda Murphy has been named as head of engineering with construction firm Ardmac. Ardmac, which employs more than 300 people and provides specialist construction services to the commercial fit out, life sciences and data centre sectors. Enda will manage and support the design and engineering department to ensure that technical design and delivery is consistent on projects, while also developing a continuous improvement environment at the company. He brings 22 years experience as an engineer. He joined Ardmac from his role as project manager within the industry, notably in senior roles with Jacobs, Riverside Group, Sammon Group and M+W Group. Aidan Haughey Aidan Haughey has been appointed as communications manager with IT Sligo. He brings 15 years experience in public and private sector communications, including Foroige, the national youth organisation. Having worked as a journalist and radio producer in mid-1990s, he moved into PR, notably as communications manager for the Flight of the Earls Commemoration and for the Mayor of Londons Office on a major regeneration project in South East London. As communications manager with IT Sligo, he will implement the communications strategy for the college and enhance all aspects of internal and external communications. Peter Harvey Peter Harvey has been named as head of business with Arc Legal Assistance (Arc Legal), a provider of specialist legal expenses and add-on insurance products in the UK and Republic of Ireland. He assumes his new role as the firm opens a new branch in the Republic of Ireland, to support the growth of its business in the North and South. He joins from Arthur J Gallagher, where he led the firms Northern Ireland personal lines business. Before Gallagher, he was insurer relationship manager for Swintons Open & Direct brand in Northern Ireland. Arc Legal has formed a new product partnership with Irish personal lines MGA KennCo Underwriting (KennCo). Arc Legals new Dublin branch is co-located with parent AmTrust International. By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent More than 120 third-level courses are open for fresh applications, even from students who did not apply for a college place yet. From Monday, the courses will accept applications from those who have already registered with the Central Applications Office (CAO) but also first-time applicants. The CAO will fill most of around 47,000 first-year places on courses at 39 colleges through its main Round 1 offer stage on Monday. In a change to the usual timeline, those who get an offer then will have up to Friday evening to accept if they wish three days earlier than in previous years. But the CAOs available places facility also opens from midday next Monday, offering the option for students to choose a course they did not already apply for. There are around 120 courses listed on the CAO website, including almost 40 that lead to honours (level 8) degrees. They might not have had enough applications to fill the course yet, or some courses may only have been added by a college late this year. Rachel Andrews, head of the journalism faculty at Griffith College in Cork, said students come to them late for many reasons. The colleges three-year level 7 journalism degree is one of those for which applications will be accepted from Monday. Sometimes its simply that they have not heard of the course in time. Or perhaps they have applied for something because all their friends are going to do it, and realise at the last minute its not for them, she said. The students who take our course tend to really enjoy it, even if it initially wasnt their first choice. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that we have small class sizes, so students have a very strong working relationship with their lecturers, and lecturers and students know each other very well. As well as private institutions like Griffith College, Maynooth University and several institutes of technology also have courses with places available to be applied for. Those who are already registered with CAO can simply add one or more of these courses to their existing list, while first-time applicants can apply for a fee. As well as those who did the Leaving Certificate in June, this years 77,425 CAO applicants seeking entry to third-level colleges include more than 2,200 people applying with A-level exam results from Northern Ireland or Britain. There are also applications from 17,360 people who hold a further education qualification, with post-Leaving Certificate courses run by education and training boards and other providers now proving a strong alternative route to third-level entry. - The minimum points needed for the 1,300-plus courses filling places through the CAO this year will appear in the 12-page Choices for College supplement in Mondays Irish Examiner. Arlene Foster has declined an invitation to an address by Pope Francis in Dublin later this month. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and former Stormont First Minister said she would be away with her family at the time. The Irish Government had asked her to attend a speech by the pontiff in Dublin Castle on Saturday August 25. A DUP statement said: Mrs Foster appreciates the invitation but regretfully will be away with her family at that time. Pope Francis will visit Ireland for the first time (Andrew Medichini/AP) The DUP was founded by fundamentalist firebrand preacher the Reverend Ian Paisley, who declared Pope John Paul II the anti-Christ when he addressed the European Parliament in 1988. Mrs Foster has previously met the head of the Catholic church in Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. The head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Moderator Dr Charles McMullen, earlier said he was very pleased to accept an invitation to attend papal visit events at Dublin Castle and Croke Park. Stormont powersharing between the DUP and Sinn Fein is suspended in a row over identity issues like the Irish language, during which Mrs Foster has faced criticism from republicans. She has also met Irish speakers and watched Gaelic games as conciliatory gestures. - Press Association The Government is being called on to clarify if the new National Maternity Hospital will be run under a Catholic ethos. It will be built on the St Vincent's Hospital Campus at Elm Park in Dublin. Frontline gardai are calling for handheld devices, which enable officers to check the records of drivers at the roadside, to be provided nationally to members once a pilot project is completed. The call by the Garda Representative Association follows a recommendation for a rollout of such devices by a jury in the inquest of a jogger killed in a hit-and-run by a disqualified driver. Separately, the Policing Authority said members outside of garda stations should have access to real time information. Karl Robertson, aged 28, from Kilmore, north Dublin, was fatally injured when he was struck by a van driven by Patrick Morgan in nearby Artane on March 8, 2017. Morgan, who was given a five-year sentence last May for dangerous driving causing death, had three driving bans at the time. Gardai have no way when stopping drivers to instantly check their record at the roadside. The Robertson family called on the ministers of justice and transport to extend a trial of handheld devices with gardai in Limerick to all traffic gardai. GRA director of communications John OKeeffe said they had been critical for some time at the lack of modern policing facilities available to frontline members, both inside and outside their patrol cars. For example, currently only Roads Policing cars have Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) fitted. All other garda cars, marked or otherwise, are not routinely fitted with this critical detection device. Furthermore, nor do frontline gardai (in addition, or as an alternative) have access to handheld technology to check a drivers record at the roadside. He said the pilot, which forms part of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, was launched in the Limerick division in November 2017. He said a total of 41 mobile devices have been distributed across sections, from the regular unit, the traffic corps, community policing and crime unit. The mobile devices allow members to do operational access lookups while on patrol and remove the necessity to contact the communications, he said. He said the pilot of the Active Mobility Project in Limerick was seen as the first step for An Garda Siochana in the deployment of secure mobile technology. The focus of the pilot is to understand mobile technologies, the effect on policing and the ability of the ICT team and the wider organisation to adopt these new technologies into policing, said Mr OKeeffe. He added: To date, the feedback from members who have been issued with the mobile devices is very positive and all feedback is being recorded and reviewed. Once the pilot is complete, we call on management to roll out these handheld devices across the force, to ensure that our frontline men and women may police our roads with modern equipment that is in keeping with best international practices. In a statement, the Policing Authority said: The Policing Authority considers that frontline gardai should have access to real-time information to improve efficiency and allow members to be present more outside of stations. It said their recently published fifth report to the justice minister on the implementation of Garda reform welcomed the mobility pilot project and outlined some of the expected benefits and challenges. The statement added: We look forward to receiving the evaluation report of the pilot project and any consequent plans that the Garda Commissioner has for rollout. Speaking after the inquest on Wednesday, Mr Robertsons family said the driver had three driving bans. We believe that the inability of the gardai to identify this disqualified driver, prior to the collision, led directly to Karls death, the family said in a statement. They called on the ministers of justice and transport to extend the hand-held devices, which formed part of the Limerick pilot, to all traffic gardai. These devices will give gardai instant access to a drivers record when carrying out their roadside checkpoints, the family said. Morgan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and sentenced to five years and disqualified from driving for 10 years. No response was received from the departments of justice or transport, nor from An Garda Siochana, before going to press. Renewed calls to double the betting tax in the budget to fund gambling addiction services are being considered by the Department of Finance. Independent Alliance Minister John Halligan wants the tax increased from 1% to 2% a move which would result in an extra 50m in revenue annually for the exchequer. The extra 50m should be ringfenced and go on gambling addiction services, says Mr Halligan, and this would save lives. Speaking to RTEs Today Show, Mr Halligan said: The problem with gambling comes into the spotlight every few months, maybe when a high-profile sports star comes forward with their personal harrowing stories of how their lives have been destroyed. Then public interest wanes, he said. But every day of the week, you speak to individuals or organisations dealing with addictive gambling; they will tell you that it is destroying the lives of thousands of people and families. With 1%, what they are paying in Ireland is one of the lowest in Europe. And we are asking for 1% more. The same request was made by the Government partners in the build-up to last years budget but no decision was taken to increase the tax. Mr Halligan said Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is looking at the potential increase this time. Asked about the proposal, a Department of Finance spokesman declined to speculate on budget matters under consideration. However, the spokesman said: An increase in the tax rate from 1% to 2% for the traditional and remote bookmakers would result in a doubling of tax receipts from 51.5m in 2018 to 103m in 2019. The Alliance had a meeting last month with Mr Donohoe at which its budget wish list was proposed. This included the increase in the betting tax. Mr Halligan said research from the Irish Institute of Public Health in 2010 concluded that 40,000 people in Ireland have a gambling problem. Ireland has the highest gambling losses in Europe, said the junior business minister. He added that the real figure for people with gambling problems is now probably much higher. The Waterford TD maintains that larger betting firms control most of the 900 betting shops nationwide and therefore can afford to pay the higher tax. Betting firms argue that a higher tax would result in shops closing and the loss of local jobs. A tax strategy group paper published last month by the Department of Finance concluded that, given the overall increase in employment and economic growth, the Government expects betting receipts to increase further this year. Revenue has estimated an increase in betting receipts in 2018 and is forecasting a total of 53.3m for this year, which would mean a growth of 2.1%. The housing minister is to bring forward proposals to clamp down on Airbnb lettings and people who rent their homes out on a short-term basis. A new licencing regime for homeowners who rent out rooms or entire properties to tourists is expected to be among the measures which Eoghan Murphy will bring forward for the Governments approval. Some 640,000 people have used Airbnb properties in Ireland this summer alone and opposition parties have expressed concern that these short-term lets are exacerbating the housing and rental crisis. The Department of Housing has confirmed Mr Murphy will bring proposals to the Government next month to regulate the sector. The measures are expected to broadly reflect the recommendations of the working group on short-term letting which handed its report to the minister earlier this summer. In a letter sent to Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin, it was confirmed Mr Murphy will bring forward plans to Government in September that will provide further clarity on the next steps and timeline to progress the matter in facilitating a more managed approach to short-term tourist lettings around the country. The Oireachtas housing committee has already carried out an examination of Airbnb lettings and suggested the introduction of a two-level regulatory regime which would involve strict regulations targeted at the entire property. These regulations would be underpinned by a licensing system and would require letting platforms, such as Airbnb, to register hosts with local authorities. The working group on short-term letting also recommended a new licensing system for short-term lettings to oversee the letting of accommodation within homes. This would aim to protect the existing stock of residential property, in particular, long-term rental accommodation, in areas of high demand. Mr O Broin said: The lack of regulation for short-term lets is another symptom of a dysfunctional housing system. Cities in countries across the world have moved to regulate the sector. The prevalence of short-term lets in high demand urban areas such as Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Dublin 7, and Dublin 8 is putting further pressure on the rental sector and adding to the dwindling supply of long-term rental properties, he said. Labour senator Kevin Humphreys said regulations similar to those seen in European countries should be introduced here. By Sean ORiordan An 84-year-old postmaster says he wont take a severance package from An Post because closing his post office could sound the death knell for his rural community. John Murphy has run the post office at a northwest Cork village since the 1960s and says its as much of a social service as a business. Mr Murphy lives in the village of Kiskeam, which has suffered the loss of a pub, a couple of shops, and a creamery in recent years. He is concerned about the demise of rural Ireland, in particular because of the plight facing his neighbouring village, Knocknagree. The post office closed there a year ago. It now has no shops and no petrol station. In addition, Knocknagree GAA Club has had to amalgamate its underage team with nearby Boherbue and club mentors say that if the population decline continues, they wont be able to field an adult team within the next 10 years. The severance package [being offered by An Post] is good. But it would be a huge body blow to the village if I was to close. As far as Im concerned Ill keep it open as long as I can, Mr Murphy said. If he were to close the post office the nearest one is 8km away and this could present difficulties for people collecting their pension if they dont have their own cars. We dont have a bus service here anymore, he added. Mr Murphy said his post office is also a meeting place where locals could have a chat. Tom Doody, vice chairman of Kiskeam Development Association, praised Mr OKeeffe for his decision. We think hes taken a great stand, especially as hes foregoing a nice payout [severance package] for the sake of the community, Mr Doody said. The post office is the focal point of any village. If it were lost it would be the start of the downfall of the community. We want to hold onto what we have and keep it vibrant for those who are coming after us. Cllr Bernard Moynihan, who lives close to Kiskeam, has repeatedly highlighted the threats facing rural areas and declared Mr Murphy is an inspiration. You can often see him picking up litter at 7am. Hes a leader in the community and an unsung hero of rural Ireland, Cllr Moynihan said. He said theres huge potential to expand the business in post offices. In my opinion they should have internet access to become a hub for connecting with government departments to process grants etc, he said. PM Modi said he would be reaching Kerala later on Friday 'to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there.' People being rescued from a flood-affected region following heavy monsoon rainfall, in Kochi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The death toll in Kerala floods has risen to 167, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday. Flood situation in Kerala is worsening with every passing day and the state is expected to receive heavy rains for the next three days. Torrential rains triggered landslides and floods in various parts of the state. Asking people to be cautious, the chief minister's office in Kerala tweeted that all districts apart from Kasargod are under red alert. The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains to affect 13 districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to visit Kerala to take stock of flood situation in the state where more rescue teams have been pressed into to moving stranded people to safer places. He tweeted that he would be reaching the state later on Friday evening "to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there." The prime minister spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday morning. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations," PM Modi, who has been in touch with Vijayan for the last two days, said. PM Modi will leave for Kerala soon after the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. 93-year-old Vajpayee breathed his last on Thursday at AIIMS in Delhi. After an overnight stay at Kochi, the Prime Minister will undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas on Saturday, Union Minister K J Alphons said. Meanwhile, rescue operations are on in full swing in flood affected Kerala. Four Capital Ships of Indian Coast Guard have reached Kochi and have joined the Disaster and Relief team in the rescue and relief operations. 24 teams are already working in flood affected villages. Indian Coast Guard so far has rescued 1,764 people and guided 4,688 people to safer locations. Meanwhile, flight operation at Cochin International airport will remain suspended till August 26 as the runway is still submerged in flood waters. A CIAL release on Thursday said that the airport operations have been temporarily suspended up to 2 pm, August 26 due to very high flood situation and with key essential facilities like runway, taxiway, apron. NAV aids are under submerged condition. A dozen of 51 Labour Party councillors have written to leader Brendan Howlin to seek an urgent meeting with him to discuss his leadership. The letter, drafted by Dublin South West councillor Mick Duff, and supported by colleagues marks a significant escalation in the level of pressure on Mr Howlin over his failure to address the partys poor poll ratings. The Irish Examiner understands that the letter from the councillors is demanding Mr Howlin meet with them to discuss the leadership issue, the core values of the Labour Party, and the increasing disengagement of the membership. It is also understood that more councillors are likely to back the call for such a meeting in the coming days. Attempts to contact Mr Howlin yesterday went unanswered. Speaking yesterday, Dublin councillor for Tallaght South Martina Genockey defended the calls for Mr Howlin to go, saying the party needs a new approach. It is the party that needs to be turned around and having a leadership contest would do that. Now is the time for that. A lot of members feel we need a leadership contest at this time to refocus the party, she said. The reason I want a leadership contest is that we need to have people set out a vision for the future. That just isnt happening at the moment. Brendan has been a great TD and servant to the party but we need to change, she said. Dublin City Councillor Dermot Lacey said the party has to refocus, to figure out what has gone wrong with the party. The leadership issue has to be addressed. The absence of someone like Alan Kelly from a key leadership role is a major mistake for the party, he said. Alan Kelly is the sort of loud voice we need, he added. Mr Lacey added his voice to the growing chorus of councillors who have expressed support for Mr Kelly to become leader. Another Dublin City Councillor Rebecca Moynihan, who is opposed to a change of leadership, described the news of the letter being sent as disappointing. It is disappointing and it is disappointing to hear Labour representatives talking about themselves this way, she said. I am not saying the polls are looking great and like other members I want to see the party survive. I really dont think focusing on an internal leadership and talking about personalities is the way to go, she said. We must look at why people do not trust us, she said adding she feels the party is too defensive about what it did in government between 2011 and 2016. Several councillors have said Alan Kelly, the partys former deputy leader, should take over the leadership of the party to revive its standing. Donegal councillor, Martin Farren, said Mr Howlin must accept responsibility for the party being in the doldrums. Asked who he would like to lead, Mr Farren was clear in his support for Mr Kelly. I would like to see Alan Kelly lead. We need a young, vibrant and energetic person to re-energise the party ahead of the elections coming up, he said. Howlin resists growing calls to quit Labour leader Brendan Howlin has rejected calls to bring forward a meeting with party councillors who want him to resign Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Howlin said he has invited all party members to a meeting in Drogheda on September 16 and that it would be unreasonable to bring forward any meeting. This, bluntly, is a distraction we could do without, he said. The bottom line [is] we are in the middle of holidays. Members of staff are away on holidays. We fixed the date before the summer so people could make arrangements to be available, he said. It is only a few short weeks away. Everyone will have an opportunity there. I want everyone to be in attendance and give people decent notice to be there. Anything else would be unreasonable, dont you think? Mr Howlin was speaking after a dozen of Labours 51 councillors had written to him to seek an urgent meeting about the partys poor poll position. The letter, drafted by Dublin South-West councillor Mick Duff, marks a significant escalation in the level of pressure on Mr Howlin over his failure to address the partys poor poll ratings. The Irish Examiner understands the letter demands that Mr Howlin meet with councillors to discuss the leadership issue, the core values of the Labour Party, and the increasing disengagement of the membership. I havent received the letter yet. I would like to see it, said Mr Howlin. The bottom line is that we will have a full and open discussion. People have views as to who should be leader. They have had those from the get-go. My focus is on rebuilding the party, reconnecting with people who have been alienated from us. Catholic bishops have made no response to criticisms by the former head of the Churchs child safety watchdog that Pope Francis record on child protection has been a dismal failure. Speaking in an interview with The Irish Times, former chief executive of the Irish Catholic Churchs National Board for Safeguarding Children Ian Elliott also hit out at Irish bishops saying they had paid a lot of lip service to child protection at the beginning of his work in 2007. He said the bishops were also very resistant to his work at this time. I came into the post being told that I would be pushing on an open door. Everybody wanted reform. They recognised there was a problem. They wanted to solve that problem. "They were committed to solving that problem and they wanted me to come in to lead that process. That proved not to be the case, he told the Irish Times. However, Mr Elliott was particularly scathing in his criticism of Pope Francis. He said the Pontiffs record on child protection has been a dismal failure and that he needs to visit Ireland later this month with a mindset that its not good enough to simply apologise for what has happened. Mr Elliott, who has worked on child protection with the Catholic Church in other countries around the world since his contract was not renewed by the Irish Catholic Church, said it was clear the church worldwide was failing in the realm of child protection. Looking at the evidence across the world the problem is not being managed effectively anywhere by the church. I dont believe that bishops, the clerical hierarchies, are capable of exercising the sort of judgment that is needed in order to have confidence that the vulnerable will be protected, he stated. Mr Elliott said his time working with the Irish Catholic Church was incredibly challenging and left him drained. He also said he would not do it again given the resistance he faced. At the end of the six years I left a lot wiser but I was exhausted, emotionally, every way. I met with a lot of hostility, sometimes it wasnt even in anyway hidden, completely hostile. I chose to be there, I chose to stay, he said. Mr Elliotts comments are the latest in a series of high profile criticisms of Pope Francis ahead of his visit to Ireland. Head of Amnesty Ireland Colm OGorman is organising a solidarity meeting to be held at the same time as Pope Francis begins Mass in Dublin and criticised the notion that a meeting held between the Pope and survivors would be behind closed doors. It would all be very quiet and private and secret. Theyd say that the Pope listened carefully to the stories that were told to him. That he was aggrieved and heart-broken and distressed to hear the trauma that people had suffered and that he expressed his sorrow at the actions of some priests and maybe even the failure of some bishops. But that is not an appropriate response from an institution that was directly involved in the cover-up of those crimes. That there is ultimate responsibility, he said. Survivors and relatives of infants from the Tuam Mother and Baby Home are also planning to hold a vigil to coincide with the Papal mass in the Phoenix Park. The parents of a Dublin boy who died from sepsis earlier this year are calling for a national awareness campaign. Sean Hughes, 15, was watching Netflix with his mum, Karen, on the night of January 11 when he fell unconscious. His mum had been planning to take him back to the doctor when antibiotics for a chest infection were having no effect. The teen's symptoms included a chest infection, a runny nose, and sleeplessness but he had no underlying health complaints. He passed away at Temple Street Hospital. Sepsis is triggered by infection which leads to organ malfunction and failure. Karen Hughes wants sepsis to automatically be part of the diagnostic process for medical practitioners. The infection, which mimics the symptoms of other illnesses, kills more people every year than heart attacks. Sean was a pupil at Colaiste Eoin and was a fan of rap music. He was awarded a school scholarship with the Rising Tide initiative to allow him to enter into the world of music. Digital Desk By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent Fourth-class pupils show strong evidence of gender bias in their answers to reading tests, research has found. Even where a womans name is given as author of a science article, children are more likely to identify the writer as male. It is one issue identified in Irish pupils answers on reading tests in 2016 as part of the long-running Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The main findings published last December show Irish pupils to be among the best performers out of 50 countries taking part. More than 4,600 fourth-class pupils took the 80-minute test at 148 primary schools here, and reading scores have improved in the five years since the same tests were last done. But deeper analysis at the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in Dublin shows that a significant number of pupils make incorrect assumptions of maleness in particular contexts. When asked how the writer of one item in the test shows they are in favour or Mars exploration, most did not specify a gender in their answers. But even though she was clearly tagged in the article byline as Maria Green, nearly one-in-four pupils identified the writer as male which was more than identified her as female. It is somewhat depressing that young children still seem to fall back on gender stereotypes, such as assuming that a science writer is male, even when she is clearly flagged as a woman in the article, said the reports lead author, ERC research fellow Eemer Eivers. In another text on the test, the main protagonist was a young girl determined to be a sherpa, a male-dominated role in the Himalayan mountains. But despite her gender being a key element of the plot, pupils answers frequently referred to a male character. "It seems that there is more work to be done in identifying and addressing the unconscious gender biases that permeate everyday lives, including those of young children in school, Ms Eivers said. Meanwhile, State Examinations Commission (SEC) data released today shows the breakdown of male and female Leaving Certificate students performance in this years exams, after more than 57,000 people got their results on Wednesday. Despite a low number of women in Irish politics 100 years after the extension of female suffrage in the 1918 general election, it is evident that young women are very much interested in the subject. The new Leaving Certificate politics and society course was examined for the first time in June and was taken by 443 females and 424 males, with girls taking it at higher-level more likely than boys to get a top grade. Girls are also the ones moving in greater numbers to higher-level maths, although boys are still more likely to do the harder papers. A record 31.5% of all Leaving Certificate students doing maths took higher level in June. The SEC data shows, however, that female students are still more likely to pick higher level in the majority of subjects. And in the most popular subjects, female students doing higher level are also more likely than boys to get the top H1 grade (higher level 80% to 90%) or to get a grade between H1 and H4, in other words at least 60%. The SEC also said yesterday that up to 43 students have had not been given a result in at least one exam because of cheating discovered either during the exam or in the correcting process. Another 37 have provisionally had a result in a subject withheld, pending further contact with the students or their schools. Gender stereotyping embedded in children Gender stereotyping may be embedded in Irish children as young as 10, evidence from reading tests suggests. More fourth-class pupils who assigned a gender to the writer of a science article whose name was given as Maria Green referred in their answers to a male than a female. In another item on the international tests two years ago, a new study reveals that pupils frequently assigned male gender to the main character in a story centred on a young girls ambition to pursue a male-dominated job. Research author Eemer Eivers of the Educational Research Centre said it was somewhat depressing to see gender stereotyping in such young children. It seems that there is more work to be done in identifying and addressing the unconscious gender biases that permeate everyday lives, including those of young children in school, she said. More than 4,600 fourth-class pupils took the 80-minute test at 148 primary schools here. The main results, published in December, showed Irish reading scores had improved in the five years since the same tests were last done. Beaten 2011 presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher, has refused to comment on whether he is behind a newly registered website highlighting his 2018 Aras an Uachtarain bid amid growing speculation he is set to enter the race. Mr Gallagher did not respond to Irish Examiner requests for comment on the soon-to-go-live website seangallagher2018.com despite potential rival candidates travelling the country to win over local authority support in recent weeks. On Wednesday evening, sources close to Mr Gallagher confirmed to RTE that he is actively considering a second Aras bid and is set to announce his intentions by the end of this month. The comment came after a website domain name seangallagher2018.com was registered at 1.16pm on Wednesday, just as potential rival candidates were preparing to speak to a special meeting of Carlow County Council. Speculation over Mr Gallaghers intentions has been growing since a leaked opinion poll from his own supporters suggested he is the most likely candidate to challenge Michael D Higgins. However, Mr Gallagher did not respond to requests for comment on the issue yesterday. The speculation over the beaten 2011 candidate came as 2018 potential candidate, Kevin Sharkey, said yesterday he is in no way offended by a Fianna Fail councillor who asked him if Ireland is ready for a coloured president. During Wednesdays Carlow County Council meeting, Councillor Arthur McDonald noted Mr Sharkeys ethnic background, which the presidential hopeful repeatedly referred to throughout his speech. Mr McDonald asked, given that Ireland already has a gay Taoiseach and an atheist president, and has legalised divorce and abortion, whether people are ready for a coloured president. The comment provoked an angry response from anti-racism groups. However, in a statement yesterday, Mr Sharkey said he is not offended by what was said. The Carlow meeting is one of a number due in the coming weeks to allow candidates to make their pitch for political support. When Rodrigo Ternevoy first arrived in Ireland a decade ago, he spoke only a couple of words of English. The charming Brazilian had given up a steady job in his native Sao Paulo in search of travel and adventures. He fell in love with Ireland and an Irish man, and found the security here to pursue a long-dreamed-of acting career. I was working in a bank and decided I wanted to explore other countries, he says. After three months I met David, my husband, and weve been together ever since. He found career success too, working in accountancy, but decided to finally embrace his desire to act after being accepted by top acting school Bow Street. If you put in a lot of effort and passion things will work out. I worked as an extra because I wanted to learn from scratch. I applied for Bow Street. Then I got an agent Alex Cusack she was great. Im in a feature film called The Green Sea released next year. And Ive filmed Big Boys Dont Cry, a video about depression and masculinity. By far his biggest breakthrough has been Fair City, where his character, Cristiano, has quickly become one of Carrickstowns most popular residents. He arrived in Carrickstown looking for his brother. He liked the community, he became a more settled character and is now one of the regulars on the show. I think people do respect him and like him. What shape are you in? Im not a gym rat. However, I do think Im in a reasonable shape, but definitely could be better. When I wasnt so busy with work I was going to the gym three or four times a week but lately, Im finding running a really good alternative. I try to do it every second day before I head to RTE. Running makes me feel calm and energised. What are your healthiest eating habits? I became pescatarian about two years ago so Im eating a lot of fish since. I love seafood apart from mussels. I like salads as well and carbs are still necessary as my metabolism is pretty fast. I use them to get all the energy I need. What are your guiltiest pleasures? I dont need to think too much about this answer: pizza and chocolate. What would keep you awake at night? Being far from my family in Brazil can be hard sometimes so if any trouble or problem arises back home that can keep me awake. How do you relax? Lately, Im doing a lot of sessions of Alexander Technique and vocal lessons to neutralise my accent a bit more and throughout those sessions Esther Doorly, my teacher, goes through many different relaxation techniques. Im finding them extremely useful, especially if Im a bit anxious on set. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Id love to have Judi Dench for dinner, not only because I think shes one of the best actresses of all time, but also because we would have lots of fun. Whats your favourite smell? I am a big fan of essential oils. Lately, Im really enjoying one that I bought in Bulgaria when I went on a short trip this year. Its a rose geranium oil. What would you change about your appearance? If you asked me this question a few years ago Id have said my nose, I used to hate it but it grew on me! I think with age we learn how to accept things the way they are. We are all unique and thats something to celebrate and not to question or change. When is the last time you cried? In February when my mother-in-law passed away. I havent lost someone so close to me in a long time and it definitely took a toll on me and still does, but life does go on. What traits do you least like in others? I find it very difficult to understand selfishness. I cant stand it. We are all the same, we are all born with nothing and we will all end with nothing, so why not share with each other and be happy? What traits do you least like about yourself? Im a little, no actually Im a big control freak. I tend to take on all tasks that need to be done myself, and I end up doing it all. It can be a bit stressful at times. Do you pray? I tend to thank the universe for everything Ive been given. I believe we are all part of this massive engine and that if you live in peace and you surround yourself with good energy, positivity and love, then the universe will throw all that back at you. What would cheer up your day? If Im having a bad day, a phone call to my husband and a long chat with him cheers me up. Its probably more like a monologue I talk and he listens. But it makes me feel better no matter what. Ask Audrey has been sorting out Cork people for ages... Cmere, myself and the old doll have moved in with her parents to save money for a deposit on a gaff. We do be legends now at doing the business in silence, the old doll dont even shout Oh Dowcha Donie, you do be taking me to paradise during the good bits. After doing it the other night I ran out to the jacks in the nip and who should I meet only the old dolls Mam, and she was in the nip as well and she and the husband are well in their 70s. Fit of the gawks! Do you think I should make a joke out of it? Dowcha Donie, Blackpool, Id like to get it out in the open. Youve done enough of that already. Id love to help, but I have a mental block about old age pensioners having sex, ever since I went on a date with an elderly member of the RCYC just because of the size of his house. The less said about his efforts to hoist his spinnaker the better. Im todally in Schull at the moment because Im rich and its August and my old man offered me 10 grand to leave him alone in Dublin for a fortnight, I said 15, we settled on 12 plus the use of his vintage jaguar. (Im like the Johnny Sexton of negotiating.) Anyhow, earlier today I was actually snorting with laughter at the way they talk on your local bog radio, when the goy said Cork is the third friendliest city in the world. Like, it isnt even the third friendliest city in Munster. Who decides these friendly city things, people treated me like dirt the last time I was in Cork? Gordo, Ballsbridge, #Hurting. #Laughing. Cork people are stunned at the news, we cant believe there are two cities in the world nicer than Cork. Still, it was fantastic to beat Galway into fifth place. Youd think theyd be super-friendly given that 94% of them are bongo-playing hash fanatics. (The other 6% dont have a bongo.) Ive been farming my two out to kids clubs for August because you know the way theyd wreck your head. Anyway, I promised to bring them to the cinema last weekend as a treat, but I left it late to book tickets online because I was busy posting photos of me drinking gin cocktails by the wall in Crookhaven. Mahon Point was booked out so, for the first time in my life, I had to go to Blackpool. (Imagine). It wasnt actually that bad, and Id bring them again if I thought no one would recognise me or the kids. So, do you know anywhere in Cork I could rent a decent disguise? Monica, Douglas Road, would it be ok if we wore burqas? Ill check with Boris Johnson. I asked my Posh Cousin if its ever acceptable for a member of the cream of Cork society to be seen in a northside Shopping Centre. She said not really, unless they are opening it. I said, would she be better sticking to the one in Mahon Point so. She said do you mean the carpet or the cinema? I said good point. Were having a great summer break here in Courtmacsherry, its so civilised and everyone earns over a 150 grand a year. The only problem is we put in an outdoor jacuzzi and never one to be outdone, my neighbour is putting an extension on her extension. (Shes great crack until the second bottle of rose.) Anyway, the problem is shes using a building firm from Kerry and you know the way they talk, so now my boys have picked up yerra and any crack lads because its contagious. I cant send them back to Pres sounding like Daithi OSe. Any advice? Lisa, Sundays Well. This is a common problem. A lot of Posh Cork people coming back from Kerry in August find their kids sound like something youd find on the ground in chipper in Tralee. Luckily, I have just launched an accent correction app called Pretentious? Moi? The bad news is it costs 1500 and doesnt do anything. The good news is you can boast to everyone that you can afford it. #KeySellingPoint. Hello old stock. Myself and Hoggy tried to chat up two gorgeous visiting academics in the Abbey Tavern last night, but no dice, particularly after Hoggy said, Your glasses would sit nicely on my bedside locker to the blondie one. Anyway, weve decided to improve our intellectual credentials by writing a history of the southside. (Im sick of reading about the history of poverty on the northside, as if theres something noble about walking to Youghal for your holidays.) Any tips? Reggie, Blackrock. My uncle William is a local history enthusiast. (Or Billy the Bore as we call him at home.) I asked him what would be a good topic for your book? He said the railway to Passage West. I said thats fascinating. He said why. I said, imagine people wanting to go to Passage West. The countdown is on. As the summer holidays come to an end, Ciara McDonnell asks well-known parents for their back to school routines Its almost that time of year. Youve bought the new shoes, the pencil case is stacked with all kinds of goodies and the hair has been cut. The first day of school is on its way, and with it, all the little niggles and worries that come with it. We spoke to some of Irelands well-known parents and asked them for their top tips for easing the transition from laid-back summer holidays to school mode. Lucy Kennedy, Television Presenter Do it all in June! Get your books, uniforms, PE kits, school bags and pencil cases while youre still in the organised mother routine! Thats what I do. Im not a fan of any last minute panics! Joanna Fortune, Clinical Psychologist specialising in children and families I always suggest a return to school routine one to two weeks before you start school. This means bedtimes and getting up times and some structure to the day as this makes the transition smoother. "I also suggest involving children in the back-to-school preparation. This means choosing a new bag, helping to cover books, packing up the pencil case, getting the uniform organised etc as this allows them anticipate the change coming and can, again, make that transition smoother and easier to manage. And finally speak about the return to school at home and do so in positive terms. www.solamh.com Eimear Hutchinson, Blogger This year Ive had to be so organised in terms of back to school because my fourth baby is due about two weeks before school starts back, so I suppose my tip is not rocket science its just to be organised. "I buy uniforms for the following September before she finishes school in June. Theres always lots of stock in stores then and some places, like Marks & Spencer, have sales on uniforms in June too. I order everything online too, the sizes arent rocket science so it saves me going into the shops and dragging all the ladies with me. www.thetwodarlings.com Stella OMalley, Psychotherapist and Author Try to have a wide ranging conversation before school starts about how the kids and parents would like their days to pan out. Would they like to get up early so theyve lots of time before school? "Would they like an alarm clock or parents to wake them? The point of this would be to elucidate from the children their preferred rhythms of the perfect school day. "It can be quite surprising to hear kids say, for example, that they want everything slower and it can remind parents to take it easier with their kids in this busy, busy lifestyle. Stella is the author of Bully-Proof Kids and Cotton Wool Kids. www.stellaomalley.com Derval ORourke Derval ORourke, Former pro athlete and cookbook author Dont worry about other parents and dont compare what you are doing, trust yourself whether thats about their lunch, their school bag etc. Just trust yourself, you are probably doing a far better job than you give yourself credit for. www.derval.ie Siobhan Howe, Communications Manager, Cork Opera House Packed lunches prepared at home are not only cheaper but usually much more nutritious. Spending time planning a lunch menu for the week reduces food waste and saves money. "Buy in bulk and use your own reusable containers. For example large tubs of natural yogurt are cheaper and can be put into small tubs and topped with fruit and seeds. Mini fish cakes or meatballs can be made in bulk and frozen in portion sizes. 'It can be a family activity preparing them too and kids are more likely to get excited about food they choose and prepared themselves. Your pockets will be fuller and your bins lighter. Cliona OConnor, Blogger Have a little trial run before their first day of school, so they get the hang of their lunch box, school bag and pencil case. Also peel the oranges for them. leanmeanmomma.ie Emer Lysaght & Sarah Breen, Authors of Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling Sarah Breen, Author of Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling My eldest daughter is starting Junior Infants this year and, following an orientation day at the school, my biggest concern is making sure she can open her lunchbox and water bottle. "I was also gifted a very handy book called The Essential Parents Guide to the Primary School Years by Ciara Brennan, Audrey Devereux, Alison Gilliland and Gene Mehigan (Primary ABC). Its full of invaluable hints and tips for first-timers like me. www.gillbooks.ie/humour/humour/the-importance-of-being-aisling Eddie Murphy, Clinical Psychologist Try to talk to your child about the positive things that they will most likely appreciate about starting school. These include making new friends, participating in fun activities such as arts and crafts or PE. "Story books about starting school are also useful as they often highlight the positive aspects associated with school. Additionally, talk to your child about how they feel about starting school and take note of any concerns or worries they may have. Try to ease these concerns by providing your child with various scenarios. www.dreddiemurphy.ie Elizabeth MacDonnell, Blogger Make sure each child has two pencil cases; one with everything on the school list, one that just has pencils, colours and an eraser. Ask the teacher if the first one (clearly labelled) can remain in school on the childs desk, the second one stays at home for homework. "There is a Bermuda Triangle between school and home and it is brimming with Twistables and colouring pencils, so this avoids you having to replenish the pencil case supplies on a weekly basis. www.lifeonhushabyefarm.com Tracy Gunn, Founder www.mumager.ie Take your photos early! If your little one is starting school for the first time its a good idea to try on the uniform a few days before and take your back to school pictures then. On the first day of school emotions can be running high (especially the parents) and no-one wants tears on the first morning. Alison Curtis with her daughter Alison Curtis, Today FM Before school starts, my daughter and I start experimenting with different lunch ideas. She creates hers and we start to use a new lunchbox, which she loves doing. I also aim to bring bedtime back down a little from mid-August on, so aiming for earlier bedtimes, but gradually! www.todayfm.com/sunday-breakfast Sinead Fox, Blogger If work permits try to take a day or half day the first week back to get to meet/see your childs new teacher and classmates. "When youre not at the school gates every day you can feel disconnected, especially at the start of a school year so I always take the first day off to get everyone sorted, reconnect with other parents and make sure that scratchy uniform issues are addressed. www.bumblesofrice.com Jill Holtz, Co-Founder of www.mykidstime.com The week before school starts, check that everything fits. If you bought the uniform early then just make sure your child or teen hasnt shot up and outgrown anything. Make sure the shoes are comfortable and still fitting correctly. "And make sure all the bits fit into the school bag OK. So, eg, the lunchbox fits in with their books. Theyll only be carrying all the books on the first day but you still want to know that the bag is big enough. Youve time then to get a final shop done if needed. Research shows we think young people have a lot more sex than they do in reality and men have a particularly skewed view of the sex lives of young women, writes Bobby Duffy. As part of Ipsos long-running studies on misperceptions, to be released in a new book, The Perils of Perception, we asked people in Britain and the US to guess how often people aged 18-29 in their country had sex in the past four weeks. The average guess about young men in both countries is that they had sex fourteen times in the last month, when the actual number is just five in Britain and four in the US, according to detailed surveys of sexual behaviour. Our guess would mean that, on average, young men are having sex every other day around 180 times a year compared with the more mundane reality of around 50 times. But thats not the most remarkable error in our guessing. Men are even more wildly wrong when they guess about young womens sex lives, in both the US and Britain. Men think British and American young women are having an incredible amount of sex 22 times a month in Britain, and 23 times a month in the US. These guesses would be the equivalent of the average young woman having sex every weekday, plus two or three times on one special day each month. In reality, its around five times. Why we get it so wrong As with so many of our misperceptions, the explanations for this will be both how we think and what were told. The survival of our species literally depends on sex. Yet it is a hotbed of misperceptions, because unlike many other core human behaviours, where we can get a better idea of social norms from observation, sex mostly happens behind firmly closed doors (and the sex that is available for general viewing is not a fully accurate representation of the norm). Because we dont have access to very much real-life comparative information, we turn to other authoritative sources: playground or locker room chat, dubious surveys, salacious media coverage and porn. These provide extreme examples and dodgy anecdotes that distort our views of reality. In the same survey, we asked people in three countries to guess how many sexual partners people in their country have had by the time they get to 45-54 years of age. On this, people are actually very accurate at guessing the average number of partners reported by men. The actual figure in Australia and Britain is an average of 17 partners by the time men reach 4554. In the US, its 19. The average guesses are almost spot-on. But it gets much more interesting when we compare men and women. First, the standout pattern is with the actual data. The number of partners claimed by women in surveys of sexual behaviour is much, much lower than the number claimed by men. In fact, women claim to have had almost half the number of sexual partners as men. This is one of the great conundrums of sexual behaviour measurement: its seen again and again in high quality sex surveys, but its a statistical impossibility. Given that both men and women are reporting pairings, and they make up roughly equal proportions of the (heterosexual) population, the numbers should roughly match. There are a number of suggested explanations for this everything from mens use of prostitutes to how the different genders interpret the question (for example, if women discount some sexual practices that men count). But it seems most likely to be a mix of mens tendency to be more rough and ready when they add up, combined with mens conscious or unconscious bumping up of their figure, and womens tendency to deflate theirs. There is evidence of the latter effect from a US study among students which split the participants into three groups before asking them about their sexual behaviour. One group of women was left alone to fill out the questionnaire as normal. Another was led to believe that their answers could be seen by someone supervising the experiment. And the third was attached to a fake lie detector machine. The group of women who thought their answers may be seen claimed an average of 2.6 sexual partners, the standard anonymous questionnaire group said 3.4 on average, while those attached to the useless beeping machine said 4.4 which was in line with the men in the study. Check your figures, American men There is one final worrying twist in the US data. Men and women guess very differently for women in the US. American men think that American women have had 27 partners on average, but American women guess only 13, which is much closer to the figure women claim for themselves of 12. This ludicrously high average guess among men for US women is largely due to a small number of US men who think that US women have an incredible number of partners. In fact, there were around 20 US men in our sample of 1,000 that went for numbers of 50 or (sometimes way) above, and that skews the data. Our misperceptions reveal a lot about how we see the world. They are a brilliant clue to our deep-seated biases, as our guesses at what is normal are more automatic and unguarded. In this study, these guesses point to some frighteningly wrong views of young people and women, particularly among a small section of men. As with other misperceptions, the answer is not just to bombard people with more facts to correct these views, but to also deal with the underlying causes that what were told and how we think leads many of us to get so much so wrong. This article was written by Bobby Duffy, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, King's College London and was originally published on The Conversation Read the original article here. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya performed the last rites. India's former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was accorded a gun salute and laid to rest on Friday. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) New Delhi: Thousands from the Prime Minister to the common man were by the side of Indias political titan Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday, the day he was laid to rest. Many paid tribute to the three-time prime minister in his home in the morning. And many more walked by his side when he was carried in a flower-decked gun carriage through the streets of Delhi -- first to the BJP Headquarters and then to his final resting place in Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government leaders paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee both at his house and the party headquarters. He then walked along with BJP leaders, Union ministers, chief ministers and the people as the glass casket was taken from the BJP office at Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where Vajpayees adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya performed the last rites. Flower petals were showered by people en route the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Leaders from other political parties too turned up en masse to bid him goodbye. The former prime minister was given a gun salute and laid to rest with full military honours. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella arrived early afternoon for the funeral. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Delhi around 3 pm for the former PM's funeral. Vajpayee was kept at his official residence in 6A Krishna Menon Marg on Friday morning where people from all walks of life were allowed to pay their last respects to the departed leader. Hundreds were seen carrying flowers and garlands as they walked by the casket when it was taken to the BJP headquarters from his home. People chanted 'Atal Bihari amar rahe' and 'Vande Mataram'. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) The gates of Vajpayee's official residence was opened at 7.30 am for people to pay tribute. There was a heavy presence of the police, traffic and paramilitary personnel to thwart anything untoward. According to news agency PTI, a 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, arrived at Vajpayees residence in Delhi with a group of people from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The group covered a distance of around 500-km overnight in the hope to catch one last glimpse of their beloved leader, Kumar said. "I had met Vajpayeeji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi enroute to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "We have lost a great leader," he said. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. "It is a very big loss for us and his death has left a void that would be impossible to fill," said Anoop Mishra, nephew of Vajpayee. Also Read: Void left by Atal Bihari Vajpayee impossible to fill: Family calls it 'big loss' Delhi High court and all district courts functioned till 1 pm on Friday. A state funeral would be accorded to him and a half day holiday was observed in all central government offices on Friday. Whether you've missed your pill or had unprotected sex, Liz Connor explains how to take charge of your sexual health in a foreign country. Whether its the hot weather, free-flowing cocktails or the fact everyone seems to look better with a tan, summer holidays are a catalyst for spontaneous romance. Meticulous editing on shows like Love Island can fool you into believing that sex abroad shouldnt come with careful planning. With any new partner, expert advice is to always use barrier method contraception (to prevent pregnancy and avoid STIs), but even the most organised packer can overlook the essentials in the heat of the moment. So if you happen to be taking a holiday and you find yourself needing to access emergency contraception, its good to know your rights ahead of your flight... Can I buy emergency contraception at a pharmacy while Im on holiday? Currently, 19 countries allow emergency contraception to be sold over-the-counter, and 76 countries require a prescription from a pharmacist. According to the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception, France, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, America, Sweden and India are just a few of the popular holiday destinations where you can grab EC over the counter. If youre travelling to the likes of Australia, Italy, Thailand, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain or Croatia though, youll need to speak to a pharmacist who will ask you a series of questions before you can buy EC. Just like in Ireland, you wont need a prescription. Countries like Colombia, Cambodia, Poland, Japan and Russia are more strict, however, and youll need to book an appointment and get a prescription for emergency contraception from a doctor. How can I find out what the rules are in the country Im visiting? Your first stop should be the ICEC (cecinfo.org). Its website has country-by-country information regarding how to obtain emergency contraception, which is well worth checking before you travel. Just Landed (justlanded.com) also provides information on all kinds of topics regarding travel, including sexual health guides in several foreign countries, and the prices of contraception (which can hugely vary) in each. What should I do if I need a prescription does my health insurance cover me? Your European Health Insurance card lets you access state healthcare in other EEA countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free. However, it does not entitle you to free private healthcare, and you may have little choice as to what is available should you need it. Its worth checking with your travel insurance provider, ahead of your holiday, if your policy will cover a doctors appointment to access the morning-after pill, should you need a signed prescription. What can I do ahead of time to help make travel less stressful? Your best bet is to get emergency contraception before your trip and pack it in your carry on, to avoid any stress trying to access it in an unfamiliar place. Purchasing the morning-after pill ahead of needing it is particularly sensible if you know that the country you are visiting does not sell it over the counter, or you are travelling to a remote area, says pharmacist Deborah Evans. Like any form of emergency contraception, Evans says its there as a back-up, rather than to be relied upon as your first method of contraception. Ahead of travel, it might be a good time to think about other, more regular forms of contraception, such as taking the pill, having an implant, using the patch or having a coil fitted. If you already have a preferred method of contraception, then make sure youre up-to-date with supplies before you go away. Remember: if you do have unprotected sex, you wont be protected against getting a sexually transmitted infection, so remember to always pack condoms. How long after having sex abroad can I take the morning-after pill? Its called the morning-after pill as it most effective when taken as soon after unprotected sex as possible, says Evans. Although you dont have to wait until the morning to take it. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill EllaOne, which contains ulipristal, and Levonelle, which contains levonorgestrel (levonorgestrel may come under different brand names in other countries). Ulipristal has been shown to be more effective than levonorgestrel, says Evans. EllaOne can be taken up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy, while Levonelle can be taken up to three. The most effective emergency contraception is to fit a copper coil within five days of the unprotected sex/failure in contraception, but this is not always practical, especially if you are on holiday. Evans stresses there may be some circumstances where the morning-after pill is not appropriate for a woman, for example, if she has certain health conditions or is on some medicines. The recent Slaintecare report on the health service details the pressure on all sectors. Pharmacists say they can help to take the load off GPs, writes Sharon Ni Chonchuir. The next time you find yourself sitting in your doctors waiting room, ask yourself if you really need to be there. Could your health problem be dealt with by a pharmacist instead? Pharmacists today are highly trained and the range of services they offer to customers is constantly expanding. In addition to dispensing medicines and providing people with advice and information on those medicines, pharmacists now offer flu vaccinations, emergency hormonal contraception (the morning-after pill), weight management services, monitoring of blood pressure, and cholesterol and advice on how to manage burns and cuts. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) represents more than 2,300 pharmacies (approximately 95% of all pharmacies in Ireland). It advocates an even more enhanced role for pharmacists in the healthcare system. Slaintecare (the recently published report detailing a ten-year plan to reform the healthcare system) outlined the severe pressure on the health service and the need for it to be reoriented towards primary care, says the IPU secretary general Darragh OLoughlin. Pharmacists have a key role to play in this. They are ideally placed to expand the services they offer, taking pressure off GPs and ensuring the public has access to professional, trustworthy and accessible healthcare in the community. Jack Shanahan has run Shanahans Haven Pharmacy in Castleisland, Co Kerry, for almost 30 years and he is editor of the Irish Pharmacy Union Review. He thinks such an expansion would benefit both the health service and patients. Doctors are screaming from the rafters about being overburdened and some GPs have waiting lists of up to five days, he says. Pharmacists are one part of the primary care team that could play a bigger role. One of the ways they could do this is by tackling minor health problems. Were not doctors but if people have a health concern and are unsure whether to go to the doctor or not, they should call to their pharmacist first. Theyll get seen quickly, save money, and get good professional advice. Ger Browne owns the Carrigtwohill Pharmacy in Cork and has worked as a pharmacist for 27 years. He welcomes the changes that have taken place in pharmacy in recent years. As well as general counselling on medication and over-the-counter consultations, in our pharmacy, we offer health screening, blood pressure checks, monitored dosage systems, and medication review and management, he says. Basically, we try to provide a friendly face to anyone who has issues with their health. Ironically, many pharmacists initially resisted the one thing that allowed them to offer these enhanced services. Since 2010, all pharmacies have been required to have private consultation rooms for patients. When I first heard of this, I thought it was bureaucracy gone mad, says Shanahan. But its been a boon. It wasnt easy for people to talk about health issues standing at a counter in front of others. Now they can do so in a confidential manner in a private room. Conor Phelan, the pharmacist behind the Phelan Pharmacy chain, with outlets throughout Cork and in Stillorgan in Dublin, agrees. Conor Phelan outside Phelan Pharmacy in Cork I set up my first pharmacy in Carrigaline in 1988 and back then it was all about dispensing prescriptions and advising on medications, he says. Now, with our consultation rooms, we can take blood pressure, administer the flu vaccine, or advise on the morning-after pill. Its much better for patients. The IPU is pushing to expand this even further. It would alleviate pressure on the health service, particularly on GPs, says OLoughlin. It would also provide more choice and accessibility to the public. The Slaintecare report makes no reference to broadening the role of the pharmacist. Their approach to primary care is creating an overreliance on GP services that GPs themselves say is unsustainable, says OLoughlin. They need to utilise the potential of pharmacists whose contribution to primary care has been recognised internationally. "GPs need to be supported to see patients who genuinely need a doctor by ensuring that those who dont need a doctors expertise can get the care they need elsewhere. Schemes such as the minor ailment scheme on offer in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Britain could do this. If we had this scheme, medical card holders could receive treatment for common illnesses free of charge directly from their local pharmacy in a timely manner without the need for a visit to the GP, says OLoughlin. At present, private patients who want to access non-prescription medicine for ailments such as hay fever or migraine consult with their pharmacist on the best option for them and pay for over-the-counter medication. Medical card holders with the same symptoms get the same free advice but can only access those medicines on their medical card if they visit their GP and get a prescription. "If a minor ailment scheme were introduced, it would save time for everyone. According to the IPU, up to 18% of a GPs workload is spent dealing with these minor health problems. At a time when we are facing a GP shortage, such a scheme would save 950,000 GP consultations annually, freeing up the equivalent of an additional 91 full-time GPs nationwide. All of the pharmacists interviewed for this article were able to identify other ways in which their services could be further expanded. Shanahan thinks there are more medicines that could become available off prescription. Not so long ago, you needed a prescription for Zovirax if you had a cold sore, he says. You shouldnt need a prescription for something like a simple eye infection. Pharmacists can diagnose issues like this easily. Phelan suggests pharmacists be trained in first aid. I know lots of pharmacists do this already but all pharmacists should become the first port of call for splinting a finger or stopping a bleed, he says. It would take pressure off GPs. Both Phelan and Shanahan believe that pharmacists could play a role in medicine management. Launching a campaign for parents to seek advice about their childs health by talking with pharmacists are Darragh OLoughlin, Irish Pharmacy Union general secretary, Thomas Whelan and Hannah Whelan. Pic: Julien Behal People are getting older and living longer. Medication management will be a big thing in years to come, says Shanahan. There is benefit in the pharmacist sitting down with the patient and their GP and talking about what medicines might no longer be necessary, says Phelan. I know of some nursing homes where pharmacists are already playing this role as part of a healthcare team. Browne believes pharmacists can capitalise on being the most accessible part of the healthcare system. We are in and of the community and we are there if a patient needs to talk, he says. In my opinion, this is a huge part of the role of pharmacist. Recent experience of expanding the services we provide has shown that not only does the public want more from pharmacies but we are very capable of providing more services. The IPU shares his view. Pharmacies are the most accessible part of the healthcare system, with 50% of the population living within 1km of a pharmacy, says OLoughlin. Research from Behaviour and Attitudes found that the public values pharmacies opening hours, ease of access, and the lack of need to make an appointment. "98% rated the professional service they receive at their pharmacy as good or very good and 96% valued their pharmacists advice. "This paints a good picture of a trustworthy service that is a valued part of the local primary care team. The modern-day Irish pharmacy offers a wider range of services than you might imagine. So the next time you think you need to visit the doctor, stop to ask yourself if you could save time and money by visiting your local community pharmacy instead. Wide range of services available In 2016, Brendan Howlin said he wouldnt pay attention to the polls for two years. Well, now its time the Labour leader did something, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold WB Yeats Two years on from its near wipeout, were still awaiting the second coming of the Labour Party. Brendan Howlin was a reluctant candidate to become leader. Now he finds himself an increasingly isolated leader of a party which, to say the least, has become somewhat reluctant about him. Serving in several ministerial roles since he entered Leinster House in 1983, Howlin is a veteran politician who was the self-proclaimed minister for cuts between 2011 and 2016. He excused himself from contending the Labour leadership in 2014 when tanaiste Eamon Gilmore resigned. Joan Burtons term ended in disaster in 2016 her resignation was inevitable. For the partys much-reduced band of TDs, Howlin was the obvious choice to succeed her. But he had to be convinced. Colleagues leaned on him to take on the mantle, but it was clear he would not have any interest in a contest such a battle was in the offing as the partys former deputy leader, Alan Kelly, wanted a shot. His other TD colleagues did not fancy allowing Kelly take over and refused to even facilitate his entry into the race, in order to ensure Howlins ascension to the throne. Alan Kelly At the media event to formally announce Howlins successful election, Kelly was a noticeable absentee, tweeting, later that night, a picture of a row of pints of Guinness, exclaiming it was not his day. More than two years later, the 62-year-old Howlins Labour Party remains a chastened force. Languishing at sub-10% in every opinion poll and with elections, local and European, pending next year and a possible general election beforehand, Labour members are getting nervous. Thus in recent weeks we have seen a number of Labour councillors emerge from the fog of frustration and call on Howlin to make way. They include: Martin Farren, Mick Duff, Martina Genockey, Pamela Kearns, Terry OBrien, Noel Tuohy, and Lettie McCarthy. Speaking to me on Wednesday, Farren, who is based in Donegal, said Howlin must accept responsibility for the party being in the doldrums. He has been given considerable time to turn the party around, but we are making no progress. He should, for the good of the party, consider his position, said Farren. Duff, a councillor for Dublin South West, was more trenchant in his opinion. He said the leadership issue is an impediment to all other work being done. The away days should be postponed until this issue is dealt with. It is now the number one issue. He said it is not acceptable for the leader to refuse to meet councillors to discuss the issue before then. We have had two weeks of calls for Howlin to resign, but, from him, we have had silence. Stony silence. Neither Farren nor Duff claim they have had a call from Howlin or his office over their calls for him to resign. This vacuum has allowed such calls to gather momentum. Are the councillors being unreasonable? The lack of progress in terms of the partys recovery has been painfully slow, that is true. Howlin, on taking office, played for time. In an interview with me, he said he would be ignoring the polls for the first two years. The polls are all over the shop. The best advice I got was to ignore the polls for the first two years, he told me in November 2016. We were on 8% two weeks ago, now we are on 3%. I think they are really meaningless to be honest with you. We are more than two years on from when Howlin took over, so even by his own standard, the polls are now meaningful. And by his own standard, he is a failure. Brendan Howlin speaking at the Labour Party Conference Howlin has not been helped by a team of TDs who are jaded from ministerial office or being around the Dail for more years than many would care to remember, an apathetic media who has concluded the party is now of limited news value, and his own habit of speaking as if he is still a minister. One of the chief complaints aired by councillors and Oireachtas members who did speak to me this week was that Howlin has refused to stop championing what the party did in government, even though the public has wholesale rejected that viewpoint. Duff severely criticised Howlin for not being a strong enough voice in opposition. He has not left his ministerial hat behind him and looks forward to being in coalition with Fine Gael again, he said. As we edge towards autumn and the political season gearing up again, Howlin will have to stare down his detractors if he is to survive. So far, the calls for his head are limited to county-council level. If they stop there, then Howlin will be OK. However, were a TD or senator among the partys gang of 12 decide to break ranks then Howlins position would genuinely be under pressure. The unhappy Labour councillors have said Alan Kelly should take over the leadership of the party in order to revive its standing. Kelly sought to be nominated to contest the leadership in 2016, but failed to secure the support of any other TD to do so. Speaking to me, a number of councillors have said Kelly is what the party needs and restated the calls for Howlin to make way. Asked who he would like to lead, Farren was clear in his support for Kelly. I would like to see Alan Kelly lead. We need a young, vibrant, and energetic person to re-energise the party ahead of the elections coming up, he said. Duff said while he would prefer a contest to occur, his preference would be to see Kelly assume the leadership. Yesterday, Dermot Lacey, a Dublin councillor, also came out saying he would support Kelly as leader. Kelly has been conspicuous by his silence thus far. A cynic would think he would be quite happy to see this heat on Howlin while not directing a campaign to oust his leader. By maintaining his silence, Howlin is surely only allowing his critics galvanise and organise his refusal to meet councillors before the planned think-in in Drogheda next month will prolong the agony and keep the party under a negative media spotlight. It is blindly obvious the party needs a leader who wants to lead and has one in waiting in Kelly. Whether Howlin has the stomach, energy and enthusiasm, after a long career, to kill this challenge off remains to be seen. Now more than ever, for the Taliban, action on the battlefield is aimed at political effects as much as military, writes Peter Apps On the streets of the city of Ghazni this week, Afghan troops and Taliban fighters battled for the future of Afghanistan. It was a savage fight. Several hundred Taliban insurgents attacked the town last Friday, and at the height of the battle they dominated the city, pushing back Afghan security forces to only a few key strongpoints while residents cowered in their homes. The Taliban said on Wednesday it was pulling back its fighters from the city, but the government said an attack on an army base nearby killed at least 44 police and soldiers. Should the Taliban have captured Ghazni, it would have been the first major urban victory since a short-lived 2015 takeover of Kunduz. Instead, they demonstrated once again their limitations. The insurgents remain adept at savage, one-off attacks, grabbing headlines and continuing to seize control of rural areas this week they have overrun several countryside districts in the broader Ghazni Province. But they have proved unable to grab control of Afghanistans key urban areas from a government with access to US and Western airpower as well as its own increasingly capable security forces. Now more than ever, for the Taliban, action on the battlefield is aimed at political effects as much as military. The most recent assault looks less like an attempt to capture ground and more a deliberate demonstration of the groups reach and capability, essentially setting the groundwork for negotiations already quietly under way. On Tuesday, several Taliban sources said the group was considering a ceasefire for the Eid-al Adha holiday next week, building on a similar but previously unprecedented truce in June. Seventeen years after the 9/11 attacks and invasion of Afghanistan that followed, this is how war in that country works now. Individual battles are important, but primarily for the way in which they shape the larger political fight. For both the Taliban and the government, both violence and negotiation are very much part of the same process. The dynamics are very different from when the US and its allies deployed tens of thousands of Nato troops in the hope of smashing the insurgency for good. The Taliban's siege of Afghanistan's Ghazni led to the killing of 400 people. Here's what you need to know about the Taliban's recent attacks: pic.twitter.com/ML4paZEw8G Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 16, 2018 It was a strategy always doomed to failure, not least because the Taliban always knew the foreign forces could not maintain that pressure forever. You may all have the watches, a Taliban sympathiser reportedly told a senior American official in Kabul, but we have all the time. He was right but only up to a point. Faced with mounting casualties and diminishing results and having spent breathtaking amounts of money, an estimated $1tn to $6tn depending on what is measured the West pulled back its large troop formations in 2014. But thats when the real Afghan war began, between a rebooted Western-trained and supported Afghan National Army and a Taliban that knows they may now be the ones losing the long-term battle. The UN estimates that by 2050 half of Afghanistans population will live in cities, up from 27% in 2016. The population of Kabul skyrocketed from 1.5m in 2001 to almost 6m now, making it the fifth fastest growing city globally. The society an increasingly urbanised Afghanistan produces is inevitably more liberal and outward-looking, much less susceptible to the neo-medieval philosophies of the Taliban. The insurgents know this and it clearly infuriates them. Between April and June, suicide bombers killed dozens in a succession of attacks in and around Kabul. The Taliban took credit for most, although some were also claimed by the Afghan branch of Islamic State, which has increasingly attempted to pitch itself as a rival to the more established insurgents through its own series of brutally effective attacks. Those assaults came amid a wider propaganda battle between the Afghan government and the Taliban, coupled with Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis unconditional offer in February of peace talks. Factionalism amongst the Taliban makes tracking that process particularly difficult, but it is clear the group is tentatively stepping towards negotiations. In June, it rejected the peace talks offer despite an unprecedented Eid holiday ceasefire, but informal outreach continues. AP file photo In July, Taliban sources said they had held indirect talks with US officials, while last week a delegation from the group visited Uzbekistan to discuss issues including peace in Afghanistan, another apparent sign of renewed diplomatic enthusiasm. As this weekends fighting makes clear, such activity does not preclude further bloodshed. The Afghan government, too, remains broadly on the offensive, its military shortly to be bolstered with new foreign trainers and equipment. Many of those who fight with its army now have little memory of the time before the US-led intervention, and no appetite to return to the days of outright Taliban control. Ultimately, the future of Afghanistan will be won through diplomatic and political negotiation as well as on the battlefield. The situation remains extremely complex, with interventions of neighbouring states, particularly Pakistan, rubbing up against ongoing Afghan issues like massive corruption. The war has now gone on so long it has produced entire economies and career structures, and that itself make it harder to manage, let alone end. Put simply, from corrupt military contracts to protection rackets, some powerful people would simply now rather the current conflict and instability continues. Donald Trump A number of wild cards remain in play, not least US President Donald Trump, whose comments before taking office suggested he might favour removing US troops entirely, but subsequently ordered an increase in troops and air strikes in Afghanistan. International support to the Afghan military remains vital, but it is equally important that the country stands more on its own two feet. Ultimately, the idea conflict in Afghanistan could somehow be Americas, Britains, or anyone elses war was always doomed to failure. Its now turning back into what it should perhaps always have been, a confrontation between the countrys own power centres in which the outside world does what it can to push things in the right direction. If the Afghan government can win its current battle, that may finally be beginning to show tentative signs of success. Peter Apps is Reuters global affairscolumnist, writing on international affairs, globalisation, conflict and other issues. Two Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and another 60 injured at a protest along the Gaza border amid Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire, Gaza's Health Ministry said. The protesters threw rocks and firebombs from behind clouds of black smoke from burning tyres at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and live fire. Israel's military said some Palestinians also threw improvised explosives and firebombs at the fence and several were spotted briefly crossing into Israeli territory. It said troops "fired live rounds selectively according to standard operating procedures". Hamas officials have been meeting Egyptian officials in Cairo for days, hammering out details of a possible truce. Israel and Hamas have come close to serious conflict in recent weeks after four months of violence along Gaza's border. In several instances Gaza militants fired rockets and mortars at Israel which responded with air strikes on Gaza. Hamas has led weekly border protests aimed in part at drawing attention to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed after Hamas took control of Gaza. Large turnout at the protests has also been driven by widespread desperation in Gaza, amid worsening conditions linked to the blockade. Power is on for just a few hours a day, unemployment has rocketed and poverty is widening. Abdelatif al-Qanou, a Hamas spokesman, said the protests forced Israel to reconsider its blockade policy. "Our people's sacrifice in the protests will be translated into national achievements soon," he said. Since the Gaza protests began at the end of March, 168 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, including at least 125 protesters, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry and a local rights group. An Israeli soldier was killed by a Gaza sniper during the same period. Israel says it is defending its border and accuses Hamas, a group sworn to its destruction, of using the protests as cover for attempts to breach the border fence and attack civilians and soldiers. Palestinians have thrown explosive devices and opened fire at forces along the border in numerous instances over the past few months, the military says, but the high casualty rate among mainly unarmed protesters has drawn international criticism. Also on Friday, Israeli police said officers shot and "neutralised" a 30-year-old man from an Arab town in Israel who tried to stab them as they were on duty in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli media said the attacker was killed. Since 2015, Palestinians have killed more than 50 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. Israeli forces killed more than 260 Palestinians in that period, most of them attackers. These attacks were at times daily but have since significantly decreased. PA Asia China Sacks Top Official Over Vaccine Scandal, Firm May De-list A nurse prepares a vaccine to be given to a child in a hospital in Beijing, China, April 13, 2016. / Reuters BEIJING China has sacked a senior provincial official and is probing a former top drug regulator after a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co. Ltd., which again warned it could be delisted over the scandal. The company was accused in July of falsifying data for a rabies vaccine and manufacturing an ineffective vaccine for babies, sparking widespread consumer anger. While there were no known reports of people being harmed by the vaccines, regulators ordered Changsheng to halt their production and recall the rabies vaccine. Changsheng has apologized and said it is cooperating in the investigation. A meeting of the ruling Communist Partys Politburo, overseen by President Xi Jinping, ordered the sacking of Jin Yuhui as vice governor of the northeastern province of Jilin, where the company is based, state media said late on Thursday. Jin had been in charge of supervisory work over food and drug safety. Wu Zhen, a former deputy head of the food and drug regulator, will be investigated by the partys anti-corruption watchdog, it said in a separate statement. The case is a serious offense, in which the vaccine producer violated the law and relevant standards and regulations in pursuit of profits and fabricated false production inspection records, state news agency Xinhua said, citing the meeting. A number of local government officials and supervisory departments were found in dereliction of duty. The case resulted in a negative impact and exposed many loopholes, such as inadequate supervision, and reflected institutional defects in the production, circulation and use of vaccines. In a statement to the stock exchange late on Thursday, Changsheng said that because it would face huge fines and confiscation of all illegal income it faced the risk of delisting. Changsheng Biotechnology did not respond to an emailed request for comment. More than 40 government officials, including seven at the provincial level, have been held accountable for the scandal, some of whom have been sacked, Xinhua said. Guo Hongzhi, a senior official at the Jilin branch of the China Food and Drug Administration(CFDA), and Bai Xugui, a senior member of the Jilin branch of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, were removed from their posts, Xinhua. Bai oversaw drug supervision as deputy mayor of Jilin between 2016 and 2018. Zeng Xiangdong and Yan Haijiang, both deputy directors at the Jilin branch of the CFDA, were also removed from their posts, according to Xinhua. Four Changchun City CFDA officials were also removed, Xinhua said, among a number of others. Changsheng is based in Changchun City in Jilin Province. It is Chinas second-largest producer of rabies and chickenpox vaccines, the company said in its 2017 annual report. Xinhua said on Wednesday the company had made nearly 500,000 sub-standard vaccines for children, roughly double an earlier estimate by authorities. China is no stranger to food and drug scandals, despite repeated pledges by the government to get tough and impose harsh punishments. Sanlu Dairy Group in 2008 was at the center of a tainted milk powder scandal that affected almost 300,000 Chinese babies and killed six. It filed for bankruptcy soon after it was exposed and several top managers received long jail terms. In 2007, Chinas former drug safety chief Zheng Xiaoyu was executed for taking some 6.5 million yuan ($944,000) in bribes to let medicine companies slip past his regulatory net. Burma 2 Police Officers Detained After Argument Ends in Gunfire An injured police corporal is receiving medical treatment at Mandalay General Hospital while another policeman was arrested after a fight between the two ended in gunfire on Thursday. / Mandalay Region Police Office MANDALAY Two police officers in Mandalay were detained on Thursday after an argument between them ended in gunfire. One of the men was taken to receive medical treatment at Mandalay General Hospital for minor injuries. According to officers from the No. 7 police station in Maha Aungmyay, police corporal Soe Lin and police private Ye Yint Aung fought before they were supposed to go out on night patrol on Thursday at about 9 p.m. Police officers said the police private opened fire with a 12 gauge shotgun and the police corporal was injured in his right thigh, left ear and forehead. The police corporal is receiving medical treatment at Mandalay General Hospital. He is stable, as the injuries were not life-threatening, the duty officer from No.7 police station told The Irrawaddy. The two policemen were from the Kyaukpadaung and Ngazun township police stations. They were participating in operation Eagle, a district-level operation in Mandalay that deals with security and narcotics. Police private Ye Yint Aung was detained at the No. 7 police station where the incident happened, and the case is under investigation. Since the incident was between police officers, we cannot disclose details of the case at this time. However, we will take action against them under the police law, said police colonel Myo Aung of the Mandalay district police station. According to the police colonel, the two policemen will be questioned and brought to police court in Mandalay district. Their punishment could range from three to five years, with possible dismissal from their rank and duties as police. De Hlaing Winn from The Irrawaddy Burmese edition contributed to this story. Locals near Makanur were stuck in their houses as the landslide-hit area blocked all roads. The major rain-affected districts are Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkmagaluru, Kodagu and parts of Hassan and Uttara Kannada. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday announced a grant-in-aid of Rs 200 crore for relief work in districts hit by floods and landslides in the state due to incessant rains. On Friday morning, the Kodagu-Mangalore highway was badly hit and eventually blocked due to multiple landslides after heavy rains in the area since Thursday. Locals near Makanur area were stuck in their houses as the landslide-hit area blocked all roads. One of the residents of Makanur said, "It is not possible to move, people are stuck in their houses. I have not witnessed such heavy rain before." (Photo: ANI/Twitter) In Madikeri, too, a similar situation was witnessed as heavy rains and landslides hampered rescue operations. Speaking about the condition of the Kodagu-Kushalnagar road, PRS Chetan, Civil Defense QRT (quick reaction team) said, "We are landlocked as all roads leading out of Madikeri are blocked due to multiple landslides, we are unable to move to save people," Road clearing operations are underway. However, incessant rains continue to hamper rescue operations. The major rain-affected districts are Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkmagaluru, Kodagu and parts of Hassan and Uttara Kannada. A press release from the Chief Minister Office said 29 relief camps have been set up and 1,755 people provided shelter. The release said two deaths in Kodagu and one each in Udupi and Shivamogga have been reported till now. Kodagu has been badly affected by flood and mudslides and many people were stranded in various places. The help of the Army has been sought to rescue the people, the Chief Minister said. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) CM Kumaraswamy said Rs 237.55 crore was available with all district commissioners and there was no dearth of funds to take up relief measures. When asked whether the state would be approaching the Centre for relief, Kumaraswamy said he would certainly be seeking its assistance for which the losses have to be estimated. (With inputs from PTI) Burma Drug Abuse Leaves Many Palaung Women to Fend for Their Families A Palaung woman carries her child in Mongyaw. / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint MONGYAW Recently, I happened to be in Palaung ethnic villages in Monyawa sub-township some 60 miles from the urban areas of Lashio in northern Shan State. At first sight, it was as if the villages were women only, all of them working on farms, tending to cattle and grinding rice in their traditional clothing and silver jewelry. I was shocked by their response to my question, Where are all the men? They are high on drugs at home, was the answer. On some farms, there was only one man to 10 women, but on most of them, there were no men at all. Here, men dont work. They just do drugs at home. Women have to work. They have to work for their husbands, said Saew who runs a clinic on a volunteer basis in Lwel Soh village. Almost all of the men in all of the 32 Palaung villages in Mongyaw rely on women for their livelihoods, locals said. In rainy season, women grow paddy and corn. In cold season, they grow poppy, which is an ancestral business for them. Ma Un Sa, 40, has spent the past 20 years working on farms and in poppy fields to raise her children. I had no choice. I had to feed my children. Otherwise, we would have starved, she said. She grows corn and rice on a hillside farm in the middle of Lwel Soh village. In cold season, she grows poppy. Her two daughters help her on the farm but her husband spends most of the days at home, sleeping and doing drugs, she said. Growing corn and rice is not an easy job. It takes weeding, plowing and plenty of elbow grease. Shan and Chinese businessmen come to the villages to buy opium latex in the later period of cold season. One viss [around 1.6 kg] of opium latex is sold for 300,000 kyats. Palaung women in Mongyaw only earn a maximum 700,000 kyats a year from selling opium latex, locals said. Men only do drugs here. They dont work. And there are fights when some women refuse to give money to their husbands. Men beat their wives and many have divorces, said Lwei Aye Naung of Pansai village. Many women in the villages give birth to between six and 10 children, who have to begin helping their mothers on the farms when they are about nine of 10 years olds. Some Palaung parents sell their children because they cannot afford to raise them. They go to Lashio and sell them to Shan and Chinese businessmen for 200,000 to 400,000 kyats for a child, locals said. Girls who remain at home have to share household chores with their mothers, babysitting their younger siblings, tending to cattle and helping on farms. What is worse is that the custom of arranged marriage is still maintained in Mongyaw. The fiances family gives a dowry, but once engaged, the fiancee has to help her future mother-in-law with her household chores. Usually, Palaung women are engaged as teenagers. Palaung girls say they feel like they are being bought. Divorce procedures are also not fair for Palaung women. They are forced to return their dowries if they choose not to marry their fiances after the engagement or if they get divorced after having children. Men dont have to pay anything to ask for a divorce, said Mar Aye Saung of Lone Tet village. After divorce, most women care for the children. It is unlucky to be a woman here. In a marriage, both man and woman should work together, said Mar Aye Saung. According to the Taang Womens Organization (TWO), some men from Mongyaw go to China and the Thai border to work. But most of them do not come back and abandon their families. A decade ago, men in Monyaw were dutiful breadwinners, but these days, men only care for doing drugs, said Lwe Poe Ka Mi Khe, a research officer of the TWO. Some men have moved to other areas because of recruitment by armed groups, she said. Men dont stay home as a result of fighting. And drugs are easily available and men use them. So, women had to take a lead role in earning livelihoods. As time went by, it became a custom, she said. Against all of the outward appearances of shinning silver and brightly dyed clothing, Palaung women lead a hard life in Mongyaw. Mongyaw is not under the administrative influence of the government, but is an area under the control of the Man Pan peoples militia. The Shan State Army-North and Taang National Liberation Army are also active in the area. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Burma Police, Soldiers Patrol in Maungdaw amid Reports of Renewed ARSA Threat Fully armed police patrol in Rakhines capital, Sittwe, on Thursday night. / Min Aung Khaing / The Irrawaddy YANGONBorder police and Myanmar Army troops have been conducting joint patrols in Rakhine States Maungdaw District after local authorities received a tip off about possible militant activity by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) from residents on the Bangladesh side of the border. This week marks the one-year anniversary of ARSAs coordinated attacks on Myanmar government border outposts. The attacks killed dozens of government officials and sparked month-long clashes in Maungdaw that left several hundred militants dead. Both Muslim and non-Muslim civilians were targeted by the militant group. The Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw) later launched clearance operations against the ARSA militants, but the indiscriminate actions of the security forces ended up driving around 700,000 Rohingya across the border into what has become the largest refugee camp in the world in neighboring Bangladesh. The talk of renewed militant activity follows reports from Bangladeshi news outlets last month that the countrys Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) raided a gun factory in Kalarmar Chhara, in the Moheskhali area of Coxs Bazar. According to the Daily Stars website, the RAB apprehended two gun-making technicians identified as Abdul Hakim and Shahidullah, as well as 20 handmade firearms, a number of bullets, and equipment from the factory. Asia Times regular contributor Bertil Lintner, who has covered rebel groups in Myanmar for decades, also wrote about the RAB gun seizure in Coxs Bazar. His report stated that the factory produced guns for various criminal gangs in Bangladesh in past, as well as for militias associated with local politicians, and militant groups in Myanmar. His report cited Bangladeshi sources as saying that the factory was the source of weapons smuggled across Myanmars western border to Maungdaw and used by ARSA in its attacks on the border posts in August last year. It remains unclear whether the tip off received by Maungdaw authorities was related to the gun factory raid. Government administrative official U Myint Khine of Kyein Chaung sub-town in northern Maungdaw Township said security forces are always on standby in his region, but had not been reinforced. According to him, authorities were informed by Bangladesh residents about ARSA members activities in refugee camps. He acknowledged that the information was hard to confirm. Its hard to judge whether the information is right or wrong. As you know this is a border region and the situation can change within hours. So all we can do is to prepare as best we can, he said. He explained that northern Maungdaw is geographically crucial for the militants movements; militants can cross the Bangladesh border into Myanmar side within an hour. Thus, officials at his location were prepared to take action. At the moment, concern is high among the residents, U Myint Khine said. Maungdaw district deputy director U Ye Htoo told The Irrawaddy that both Muslims and Buddhist Rakhine people are overwhelmingly concerned about surprise attacks by Muslim militants, as they had a really bad experience last year. Some are speculating that similar attacks could break out this month. Several Muslim residents of both downtown Maungdaw and rural areas corroborated the statement by officials that people fear fresh attacks in the region, adding that groundless rumors are spreading rapidly. Abdul Rashid, a resident of downtown Maungdaw who asked that his name be changed for safety reasons, told The Irrawaddy that police convoys had been seen moving about this week, adding that on Friday morning, fully equipped soldiers and border police patrolled through the town twice. The police convoys contained about 6-7 trucks each, which carried soldiers from a battalion based in Buthidaung, he said. Many rumors have spread within the Rakhine and Rohingya communities, including that this time [the clashes] could be more serious than last time. Some Muslims are saying that the Rakhine people will eliminate the Muslims. On the Rakhine side, some are saying that this time the Muslims will wipe out the Rakhine people. Such baseless speculation is spreading on both sides, said Abdul Rashid. A displaced Rohingya from Rathedaung Township, Abdul Wahid, who has been sheltering with relatives in Buthidaung Township since October 2017, confirmed that about 60 armed border police and soldiers were counted in the area last week. According to him, Tatmadaw soldiers were on guard outside the village while dozens of police questioned Muslim residents of the village about whether any strangers had been seen. According to Abdul Wahid, a new base housing a police regiment located on the former site of Ale Chaung (a former Rohingya village in Buthidaung that was razed during the Tatmadaws clearance operations last year) has seen an influx of some of 500 border police and soldiers. The village and police base are flanked by the Buthidaung-Nyaung Chaung Highway. In early April, The Irrawaddy reported on new border bases in Maungdaw established following the 2017 violence. These are now housing troops. The Muslim village Myo Thu Gyi, located about 1.6 km from downtown Maungdaw and once home to some 8,600 Rohingya, was reduced to ashes and bulldozed to make way for a border police regiment and fully fenced in with barbed wire. Abdul Rashid explained that many structures are being built and that border police vehicles could clearly be seen in the compound. Although the base does not yet have a name, locals know it as the Myo Thu Gyi regiment. An official from Maungdaw confirmed the presence of the Myo Thu Gyi border police regiment and a new one in Inn Din village. Two other bases are planned but not yet operational, the official said. When asked by The Irrawaddy whether these new border regiments could play a crucial role in security operations or in the event of unexpected militant attacks in future, the official said that parts of northern Maungdaw like Kha Maung Seik, Aung Zan, and Bandula villages are much more important than southern Maungdaw and urban areas. The Irrawaddy attempted to phone a border police major to obtain further information on new border police regiments in Maungdaw District but he could not be reached as of press time. News Facebook Says it was Too Slow to Fight Hate Speech in Myanmar A Facebook user in Myanmar. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON Facebook has been too slow to address hate speech in Myanmar and is acting to remedy the problem by hiring more Burmese speakers and investing in technology to identify problematic content, the company said in a statement on Thursday. The acknowledgement came a day after a Reuters investigation showed why the company has failed to stem a wave of vitriolic posts about the minority Rohingya. Some 700,000 Rohingya fled their homes last year after an army crackdown that the United States denounced as ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya now live in teeming refugee camps in Bangladesh. The ethnic violence in Myanmar is horrific and we have been too slow to prevent misinformation and hate speech on Facebook, Facebook said. The Reuters story revealed the social media giant for years dedicated scant resources to combating hate speech in Myanmar, which is a market it dominates and where there have been repeated eruptions of ethnic violence. In early 2015, for instance, there were only two people at Facebook who could speak Burmese monitoring problematic posts. In Thursdays statement, posted online, Facebook said it was using tools to automatically detect hate speech and hiring more Burmese-language speakers to review posts, following up on a pledge made by founder Mark Zuckerberg to US senators in April. The company said that it had over 60 Myanmar language experts in June and plans to have at least 100 by the end of the year. Reuters found more than 1,000 examples of posts, comments, images and videos denigrating and attacking the Rohingya and other Muslims that were on the social media platform as of last week. Some of the material, which included pornographic anti-Muslim images, has been up on Facebook for as long as six years. There are numerous posts that call the Rohingya and other Muslims dogs and rapists, and urge they be exterminated. Facebook currently doesnt have a single employee in Myanmar, relying instead on an outsourced, secretive operation in Kuala Lumpur called Project Honey Badger to monitor hate speech and other problematic posts, the Reuters investigation showed. Because Facebooks systems struggle to interpret Burmese script, the company is heavily dependent on users reporting hate speech in Myanmar. Researchers and human rights activists say they have been warning Facebook for years about how its platform was being used to spread hatred against the Rohingya and other Muslims in Myanmar. In its statement on Thursday, Facebook said it had banned a number of Myanmar hate figures and organizations from the platform. News Google Employees Demand More Oversight of China Search Engine Plan The brand logo of Alphabet Inc's Google is seen outside its office in Beijing, China, August 8, 2018. / Reuters SAN FRANCISCO Google is not close to launching a search engine app in China, its chief executive said at a companywide meeting on Thursday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters, as employees of the Alphabet Inc unit called for more transparency and oversight of the project. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told staff that though development is in an early stage, providing more services in the worlds most populous country fits with Googles global mission. Hoping to gain approval from the Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, the company plans to block some websites and search terms, Reuters reported this month, citing unnamed sources. Whether the company could or would launch search in China is all very unclear, Pichai said, according to the transcript. The team has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now, and I think they are exploring many options. Disclosure of the secretive effort has disturbed some Google employees and human rights advocacy organizations. They are concerned that by agreeing to censorship demands, Google would validate Chinas prohibitions on free expression and violate the dont be evil clause in the companys code of conduct. Hundreds of employees have called on the company to provide more transparency, oversight and accountability, according to an internal petition seen by Reuters on Thursday. After a separate petition this year, Google announced it would not renew a project to help the US military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones. The China petition says employees are concerned the project, code named Dragonfly, makes clear that ethics principles Google issued during the drone debate are not enough. We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what were building, states the document seen by Reuters. The New York Times first reported the petition on Thursday. Google declined to comment. Company executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly, and their remarks at the company-wide meeting marked their first about the project since details about it were leaked. Employees have asked Google to create an ethics review group with rank-and-file workers, appoint ombudspeople to provide independent review and internally publish assessments of projects that raise substantial ethical questions. Pichai told employees: Well definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here on Dragonfly, according to the transcript. He noted the company guards information on some projects where sharing too early can cause issues. Three former employees involved with Googles past efforts in China told Reuters current leadership may see offering limited search results in China as better than providing no information at all. The same rationale led Google to enter China in 2006. It left in 2010 over an escalating dispute with regulators that was capped by what security researchers identified as state-sponsored cyberattacks against Google and other large US firms. The former employees said they doubt the Chinese government will welcome back Google. A Chinese official, who declined to be named, told Reuters this month that it is very unlikely Dragonfly would be available this year. News Outgoing Remarks from Rakhine Advisory Board State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met the members of the Rakhine Advisory Board and received their report on Thursday. / Myanmar State Counselor Office / Facebook YANGON The Rakhine Advisory Board said its recommendations to the government remain a work in progress, although the government has responded to them well so farmost notably that of the establishment of the Independent Commission of Inquiryduring its press conference, before dissolving the Board in Naypyitaw on Thursday. The Advisory Board to the Committee for Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine State, led by Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, was formed in December last year and has now completed its advisory role saying on Thursday that work should now progress to the implementation stage. It submitted the final report on Aug.16 to State Counselor Daw Aung San San Suu Kyi and the committee chairman, Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. The Advisory Board praised the Implementation Committee for its ongoing efforts and progress in implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Commission led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, but also highlighted in its statement on Aug. 16 that it recognized that much work remains to be done, particularly in the area of repatriation and resettlement. The Advisory Boards recommendations also included implementation of inter-communal dialogue between the communities, a pilot project for a model township and assistance to the health sector in Rakhine State. The mandate of the Advisory Board has been completed as it has submitted its findings and the Implementation Committee will continue its tasks, said U Zaw Htay the government spokesman. The Advisory Boards recommended commission, the Independent Commission of Inquiry, is to investigate allegations against the security forces of human rights violations and related issues in northern Rakhine state, following the attacks by ARSA on security posts on Oct. 9, 2016 and Aug. 25, 2017 which led some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from their homes to neighboring Bangladesh. Although its term was a short and one of its members, the UK diplomat Bill Richardson left at the beginning of the mission, the Advisory Board said it assisted by acting as a bridge-builder between the Myanmar government and the international community. I was pleased to note that since January 2018 when the Advisory Board began its work, relations between the Myanmar government and the UN had improved, said Dr. Surakirat in the statement, citing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and UNHCR and UNDP at the end of May, as well as the visit of the UN secretary-generals special envoy to Myanmar in June. News UWSA Plans Major Military Celebration in 2019 to Mark 30 Years of Peace United Wa State Army soldiers march in Pansang, in Wa territory in northeast Myanmar, in October 2016. / Reuters MON STATE The United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmars largest ethnic armed group, has begun preparations for a large-scale military parade next year to mark the 30th anniversary of its ceasefire agreement with the central government and to display its continued military strength, according to a party spokesperson. Nyi Rang, a Lashio-based spokesperson for the UWSA, told The Irrawaddy that the special celebration will be held on April 17 next year. He did not say exactly how many people would participate. At its schools and military bases, the UWSA is training local youth to march with various types of weapons including rifles and artillery pieces, Nyi Rang said. Footage of these parade drills, including some featuring young women, could be seen on videos posted to his Facebook page. Earlier this month, Nyi Rang told The Irrawaddy that the armed group would use about 500 youths for the military parade and for traditional cultural music and dance performances at the event. It will select 40 to 50 youths, both male and female, aged around 20, from each of the 10 townships under its control for the event, he said. Discussing the reason for the 30th anniversary celebration on Friday, Nyi Rang told The Irrawaddy, Our region has been peaceful for many years. We strongly want it to remain peaceful and to understand the value of peace; therefore, we celebrate it. The UWSA plans to invite State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to attend the event, according to the spokesman, who had no information on whether she would be able to do so. The group also plans to invite the leaders of other ethnic armed groups. The organization intends to complete construction of a paved road network through the Wa region by the time of the celebration to show that the area has developed in the 30 years since the ceasefire. We are working hard to complete paved roads in the Wa region, Nyi Rang said. The UWSA has not yet signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). It serves as the chair of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) alliance, some of whose members are still fighting the Myanmar Army. The Myanmar government has pressured the UWSA to sign the NCA, but it and other members of the FPNCC want the government to amend some parts of the agreement. The Wa Army is estimated to number 30,000 troops and 10,000 auxiliary members, according to Myanmar Peace Monitor. It signed a ceasefire with the Myanmar military in 1989 after splitting from the Burmese Communist Party. Some Wa leaders are the subject of US arrest warrants and have been placed on international blacklists for involvement in drug trafficking. August 16, 2018 POCATELLO The public and educators can join Idaho State University geosciences Associate Professor Shannon Kobs Nawotniak as researchers from NASA, NOAA and other partners explore the possibility of life on one of Saturns moons by sending unmanned submersibles down to study volcanoes on the Pacific Oceans sea floor. From Aug. 22 to Sept. 12 an unmanned submarine from the Ocean Exploration Trust will head deep in the Pacific Ocean off the Hawaiian Islands to observe underwater eruptions of the Lo`ihi volcano. Images from that mission will be streamed live online at www.nautiluslive.org. Online participants can ask scientists involved with the mission live questions as the exploration takes place. This expedition is part of the Systematic Underwater Biogeochemical Science and Exploration Analog (SUBSEA) project that is studying volcanoes on the Pacific Ocean seafloor to help understand what may be happening at Saturns moon Enceladus. We are using underwater volcanoes in the Pacific to understand the habitability of one of Saturns moons, Enceladus, Nawotniak said. People may have heard of it because it has been in the news lately as one of NASAs top candidates for possible life in the solar system. She described Enceladus as a big ice ball. It has a rocky interior, liquid water ocean and we know its water has some salt, Nawotniak said. We know it has warm volcanoes and warm geothermal interaction consistent with what we get at seamount volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean. Water and heat are two critical things in our understanding of what it takes to support life. When the NASA exploration spacecraft Cassini passed by Enceladus it observed water geysers shooting out of its South Pole, with these plumes creating one of the rings around Saturn. SUBSEA research partners include NASA, NOAA, Ocean Exploration Trust, Arizona State University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and ISU. Nawotniak is a co-investigator and will be working as the volcanologist on the three-year study, now entering its second year, that will bring in about $365,000 to ISU to fund two graduate students, research travel and sample analyses. SUBSEAs focus is to understand the habitability potential of ocean worlds in our solar system. The study will focus on the chemical reactions between the rock and water, to examine how they facilitate microbial communities and provide building blocks for life. Samples collected from the ocean floor will be sent to Nawotniak's ISU lab for preparation and analyses. During the deep-water exercise, Nawotniak and a graduate student will be at the SUBEAs mission control center at the University of Rhode Island University Graduate School of Oceanography's Inner Space Center, with another ISU graduate student participating remotely. Idaho students are strongly encouraged to dial in online and witness the exploration research live. GDPR has been in place for nearly three months. While were still in the earliest stages of seeing how the regulations will shake out, GDPR has been talked about enough that people outside the security industry want to know why we cant do something similar in the U.S. The California state government took up that challenge and in a matter of weeks, delivered the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to the governors desk, who then signed it into law. CCPA goes into effect on January 1, 2020, and like GDPR, will give users more control over their personal data. The bold move from California definitely ups the ante for other states and potentially the federal government to adopt similar initiatives, said Jim Varner, CEO of SecurityFirst. The good news is, we have the European Unions GDPR to help navigate around most of the hurdles of meeting compliance. CCPA: Similar But Not the Same If your company did all the legwork to be in compliance with GDPR, youre set with CCPA . . . right? Not exactly, said Erik Archer Smith, marketing director, ABM at Arm Treasure Data. With the California law, GDPR-compliant companies will have additional work to do to prepare for CCPA implementation in 2020. According to Archer Smith, here are some of the ways CCPA differs from GDPR: CCPA requires companies to set up specific communication channels toll-free numbers and websites so California residents can request information about their data. CCPA expands the definition of personal data to include household information and data from devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). CCPA establishes a different set of data deletion requirements. CCPA establishes new requirements around selling data for commercial purposes. How CCPA Improves on GDPR GDPR casts a wider net over the companies that the regulations apply to than CCPA will be required to do, James Slaby, security expert at Acronis, pointed out. Even having just one customer living in the EU forces you to be compliant with GDPR, no matter the size of your company. CCPA compliance, on the other hand, is required for businesses earning at least $25 million a year in revenue, collecting personal data on at least 50,000 individuals, or when selling consumer personal information is more than half of the companys revenue. Yet, Slaby added, CCPA does improve on GDPR in a few important ways, including: Consumers have the right to sue companies for monetary damages if their personal data is abused, whereas GDPR uses hefty regulatory fines as its big stick to make companies comply. CCPA also worries about the potential abuse of metadata, and so requires companies to not only let consumers look at personal data, but explain how it is being categorized, where it comes from, and who its being sold to. Further, if a company can expand a consumers profile by making inferences about the individual (say, by looking at offline data to draw conclusions about his/her income or buying preferences), the consumer is entitled to access and control that information, too. CCPA doesnt give companies as much wiggle room as GDPR on how they are supposed to comply with various provisions of the law. For instance, CCPA explicitly says that businesses under its jurisdiction must put a Dont Sell My Personal Data button on their homepage. There are also differences between the two in choices of bureaucratic jargon, Slaby stated. For example, GDPR calls the main objects of its protections data subjects, while CCPA calls them consumers. Also, CCPA doesnt make as fine a distinction in terminology between controllers and processors of personal data, but the law still covers that distinction conceptually. Yet Still Falls Short of GDPR While CCPA will improve on GDPR, it also falls short of GDPRs stringency. CCPA doesnt have to worry about protecting the privacy of consumers around the world, nor does it have the strict penalties of GDPR. CCPA doesnt apply to every company, meaning plenty of private data will be left unprotected. Also, said Sven Dummer, director of marketing at customer identity and access management (CIAM) company Janrain, CCPA was rushed through as opposed to the years of deliberation and preparation of GDPR and that can leave holes in the legislation. This means many of the California laws finer details are waiting to be ironed out between now and 2020, he said. For example, he added, it is unclear how the law will deal with cookies. The law counts unique personal identifiers such as IP addresses; geolocation data; and shopping, browsing and search histories in its broad definition of personal information. However, the law wont apply to personal information that is de-identified or in the aggregate consumer information, which makes it sound as if anonymous tracking data will be exempted. While the two privacy regulations have their similarities, their differences, and their growing pains, one thing is certain, according to Slaby. Any progress you have made on GDPR compliance issues, like improving your ability to defend customer personal data against security breaches, can only boost your efforts to achieve CCPA compliance, he said. The two arent perfectly alike, but the gist is the same: Be much more careful with how you handle consumers sensitive data and obey their wishes on what you do with it, or be ready to pay heavy penalties. Sue Marquette Poremba has been writing about network security since 2008. In addition to her coverage of security issues for IT Business Edge, her security articles have been published at various sites such as Forbes, Midsize Insider and Toms Guide. You can reach Sue via Twitter: @sueporemba A claimed "revolutionary, world-first" connectivity module from communications provider Powertec, dubbed myinsight, promises to shake-up the IoT/E (Internet of Things/Everything) space, and it has been done by an Australian company. Powertec tells us it has developed "an elegant solution in response to what is often described as the next Industrial Revolution The Internet of Things/Everything (IoT/E) and both it and the Connectivity Module dubbed MyInsight.io, are the first releases from the Powertec IoT Division". Geoff Carroll, Powertec head of Technology, said: In simple terms the IoT or E is the intelligent connection of people, process, data and things. In a world where billions of objects have sensors to detect, measure and assess and are connected over public and private networks, myinsight.io was developed in response to deliver a complete, customised open source solution. We're told that "myinsight.io by Powertec delivers unparalleled harnessing of IoE/T for industry, due in large part to Powertecs strong foundation of optimising connectivity far and wide with its low-cost, smart technology solutions and through encouraging local groups and organisations to band together in solving connectivity issues. "But it is the development and introduction of the world-first Connectivity Module (patent pending) that sets it apart from anything available in the space to date." Carroll continued: Put simply, the myinsight.io Connectivity Module can retrofit to any sensor on the market, and extract information from data points using WiFI, LoRa and/or NB-IoT to send all data to the myinsight.io portal. The sensor market is fragmented with different portals needed for different sensor uses the Connectivity Module allows you to tie all your sensor data into one convenient portal with one supplier using the latest technologies. The result is efficiency and cost savings for the user. This robust product is specifically designed for outdoor use and its low power design not only provides access to LoRa but an array of power options, depending on the outcome required and the most cost-effective option for the user. It also includes failover within the same Module. So, what distinguishes this solution from the rest? Well, the company claims what distinguishes myinsight.io by Powertec is "in the ability to provide total visibility and sensor control, its ease of use, plus integration into existing investments, and is set to become the biggest agricultural business enabler seen in years". Carroll added: Agriculture is one key area where IoE will have significant impacts. Reducing costs, increasing yield, lowering waste and energy consumption, downtime and improving quality, are key impacts integrated technology can deliver. It will make a staggering impact on rural and regional industries in the next decade and will change the life of many but particularly those in the agricultural industry. The company says the myinsight.io solution "comprises a complete open source, end-to-end agricultural solution for Internet, cellular, WiFi and long-range communication (LoRa) gateways". Carroll explained: myinsight.io will assist business to increase productivity, environmental sustainability, safety and workflow, which will ultimately make the working farm more self-sufficient. Using cloud-based or on-premise smart farm technology that adeptly addresses connectivity, plus the integrated use of digital equipment such as sensors and GPS, our solution provides farmers with the information and data they need to make highly informed choices and help improve efficiency. "The solution for agriculture is customised to control, measure and track assets, people, animals and things with a combination of live and historical data, events, notifications and machine learning Areas such as water management, weather, security, process automation and more will be revolutionised by the myinsight.io solution, which is both scalable and backward compatible to existing IoT investments. More than just agriculture use? Yes. MyInsight.io and the Module have been wholly designed, built and manufactured by Powertec Telecommunications and is currently being utilised within factory and warehouse environments and is flexible enough to address IoT requirements across all industries", concluded Carroll. Here's more about Powertec Telecommunications Australian-born, global hardware and communications company, Powertec Telecommunications, proudly boasts it is "optimising connectivity far and wide with its low-cost, smart technology solutions". From humble beginnings in 1995 as a one-man team on the Gold Coast, the company says it has "grown into an international operation with offices in NSW, Victoria, WA, QLD, NT and New Zealand". Founder and chief executive Raymond Smith said that the driving force for the development of the business was to deliver individuals and businesses with solutions to help stay connected, and added: Our wireless communication products and solutions aim to make a difference in peoples lives and ensure that they can communicate and be connected no matter where they may be. The products we offer are intelligent, reliable and durable for optimal connectivity and best possible performance. Through a commitment with its partners and manufacturers, Powertec reminds us that it has "secured exclusive distributorship in Australia and New Zealand for many complementary products that have attracted more than 2000 resellers and retailers, as well as internationally. "In 2012, the company teamed up with Nextivity a leading developer of cellular coverage technology becoming the Australia Pacific distributor of Cel-Fi mobile smart repeaters; a first of its kind consumer product to be approved by all mobile carriers in Australia and New Zealand." Smith noted that Powertecs product reliability and onboard intelligence is the reason our network continues to grow and were able to offer effective wireless coverage and technology solutions in addition to products that work in harmony with cellular networks". Thanks to Powertecs innovative solutions there are now thousands of sites and users with access to high speed data where previously it was not possible Today, Powertec proudly supplies "mobile carriers, large multinational companies, government departments, defence, emergency services, small to medium sized businesses and individuals with its breadth of hardware solutions enhancing the ability to communicate". More information on Powertec here. As the war between iOS and Android rages on more fiercely than ever before, Samsung still reigns supreme as the most well known Android maker, with its new Note9 and Tab S4 ready to strike back against all comers. With Samsung proud to take every opportunity to remind the world it launched the large screen phone category with its first Note model with 5.3-inch screen in October 2011, you might be surprised to know that Dell announced its 5-inch "Dell Streak" in 2009, and launched it in 2010. Dell even announced a 7-inch Streak at CES in 2011, but then discontinued both models later in 2011 in what was clearly a dumb decision given how popular Samsung made the Note category, but where Dell dismilly failed, Samsung succeeded, with Samsung's other big differentiator not just the screen-size, but the advanced stylus that has made the Note so notable, and which no-one else has yet seen fit to properly implement in a smartphone. Apple does have its buttonless Pencil, which rumourmongers are suggesting might work with this year's 2018 iPhone models at long last, but unless Apple includes a button or two in any future Pencil 2.0, and despite the fact Microsoft Surface devices have a button, Samsung's pencil with new remote control feature on a smartphone is arguably the most advanced portable device stylus available. But it's not just the enhanced S-Pen that Samsung has added to the Galaxy Note9 , but built-in DeX support with just a USB-C to HDMI cable, up to 512GB storage with the ability to add up to 512GB more, dual-SIM support for the first time in official Australian Note models, 6GB or 8GB of RAM depending on whether you get the 128GB or 512GB model, improved camera software and more. For existing Note users who have been waiting for this new model, as well as users of other Samsungs or Androids that want Samsung's best 2018 model, or even Apple users who, for whatever reasons, want to dabble on the Android side of the force, the Note9 is arguably the best Android out there, no matter what Google launches with the Pixel 3 series. The major benefit of the Pixel 3 might simply be the fact it has Android OS 9 Pie, but Samsung generally releases Android OS updates around 6 months later, from memory, so the Note9 will get Android9 and its new gesture-based OS, too. There's also the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, which likewise has a built-in DeX mode that, when connected to a keyboard, gives it DeX's Windows 10 desktop-like UI directly on the Tab S4's screen, not requiring display to an external monitor, with multiple resizable windows, full screen apps for those that support that mode, the ability to use a mouse, run multiple regular Android apps and more. Indeed, Samsung has determinedly stuck to its guns with Android tablets, unlike Google itself that can't seem to make an Android tablet to save itself or keep on sale, Samsung has pressed on year after year with improved models that put Google to shame, and which do their best to fight back against the mighty iPad juggernaut replete with hundreds of thousands of iPad specific apps taking full advantage of the large iPad screen canvas, unlike the vast majority of Android apps. That said, there are a range of DeX optimised apps too, a much smaller selection than with iPad apps, but now that DeX is so much widely available, many more will hopefully be going soon, as Android developers get the larger DeX canvas to play with. I've only had a chance to have a first look at these devices at a Samsung event earlier this week, so this isn't yet a review, but a first look article. I'm overseas at a conference and then visiting relatives, and will be back in town on Wednesday 22, whereupon I'll have the chance to play with a 6GB RAM, 128GB storage Note9 that arrived the day after I got on a plane for a much closer look. However, I did have a play with the Note9 and Samsung Tab S4 at Samsung's preview event earlier this week, and on first impressions, both devices are impressive, with the Note9 looking very similar to the Note8 yet with differences, with the Tab S4 looking thoroughly modern and ready for action. Compared to the Note8, the Note9 It is slightly narrower, which should make it nicer to hold in your hand, and the screen is slightly larger at 6.4-inches. Performance was fast and smooth, and even when it ends up with gigabytes of data and apps installed, it should remain fast and smooth, as it has a Qualcomm 845 processor, but users will be sure to report on that in the months ahead. The S-Pen remote control was fantastic. You can program the pen to open up whichever app you want, you do a click, double click and a long press. You can use the button to start and stop videos, activate the camera to take photos, move slides forward and back. It's such a simple yet useful thing, and you almost have to wonder why Samsung didn't think of doing it sooner. Samsung is also encouraging developers to support the new remote control capabilities of the stylus, so hopefully, developers do just that. The cameras offer an AI feature that lets you know, on the spot, whether the software thinks someone blinked, or the image is blurry, and you can definitely see this being a useful feature to have and use. The issue of AI also being implemented to take better photos of situations it recognises is also included, something we've seen on other phones but is now in Samsung's camera software, too. Along with the improved camera software comes some improvements with Samsung's animated AR Emoji software - you can now edit some elements of the animated emojis after you've created them, which you couldn't do before, and there are some new panoramic backgrounds you can apply, including one that represents a "galaxy". I look forward to using the new DeX mode with single USC-C to HDMI cable, which is a great improvement and should see DeX usage explode massively, while also encouraging app developers to make their apps optimised for the DeX experience. Regarding Note9 sales, the world also awaits to see what developments Apple offers with its 2018 iPhone models, which will have an impact on the sales of all competitors, but that hasn't stopped Australians from pre-ordering the Note9 in huge numbers, or at least, according to Samsung executives during the preview launch for local media. Given Samsung's pre-launch offer of the 512GB model for the price of the 128GB model, it's no surprise to see people take advantage of the deal. Samsung is also launching a 512GB microSD card to augment the Note9, and while there's no word yet on what this will cost, if will presumably be a few hundred dollars, although smaller card sizes are already widely available. Then there's the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 as described above. When you connect a keyboard, or the keyboard cover from Samsung, the interface turns into a Windows 10-style desktop. This means full screen access to various apps, multiple windows for Android phone apps, re-sizeable windows for apps that support it, as well as mouse support, turning your S4 into a notebook environment. It's an excellent addition that transforms the typical Android tablet into a much more traditional experience - and it's easy to switch between the two modes as required when the keyboard is connected via bluetooth or directly to the contacts. The only thing is that there are only a few dozen apps with official optimised DeX support for full screen usage, but surely developers will get on board here to make their apps shine on what is the best Android tablet available. As for mouse support, I wish Apple would allow mouse or trackpad usage with the iPad Pro, simply to make text selection easier in word processing apps, so a finger or Pencil did not need to be applied to the screen - sometimes keeping your hands on the keyboard when it text-based content creation mode is just plain easier, and at least with the Tab S4 you get the option of fingertip, stylus or mouse control, meaning it is up to you the way you best want to interact, even if you are effortless changing interaction modes as often as you want. That then said, it is a shame there is no trackpad with the official Tab S4 keyboard cover, as is the case with the very nice Windows-powered Samsung Galaxy Book, but the limitations of keyboard cover size with the Tab S4 obviously get in the way. I'll have more on both devices in future articles, but in short, they are Samsung's best devices yet, and augment the Samsung ecosystem into the best one available in the world of Android. Whether any or all of that is enough for you to jump into Samsung side of the force, or continue with Samsung devices, is only something you can answer for yourself, but they are certainly impressive upon first impression. If you want to know more, Engadget already has its Note9 review up, which you can read here. In a letter to Kerala CM, Palanisamy said that water in the dam was being stored at permitted level of 142 feet as per orders issued by SC. Palanisamy's comments came few days after Vijayan had sought the Tamil Nadu government's intervention to draw water from the brimming dam. (Photo: File/The Asian Age) Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy has written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assuring that there was no threat to the safety of the Mullaperiyar Dam. In his letter to Vijayan, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister further said that the water in the dam was being stored at the permitted level of 142 feet as per the orders issued by the Supreme Court. "I would like to state that the Mullaperiyar Dam is safe in all aspects hydrologically, seismically and structurally as per the Supreme Court order on May 7, 2014. During the past, the dam was inspected by many experts, on several occasions, and they had also found that the dam was safe in all aspects," Palanisamy wrote. Palanisamy's comments came few days after Vijayan had sought the Tamil Nadu government's intervention to draw water from the brimming dam. The Mullaperiyar Dam has reached its full level of 142 feet and Kerala Government wanted the water level to be at 139 feet. Palanisamy further informed in the letter that periodical inspection of the apex court-appointed supervisory committee had taken place, pointing out that the last inspection was on August 4. He added that the committee has found that it is safe to store water up to 142 feet. "Therefore, there is no threat to the safety of the dam and water is being stored at the permitted level of 142 feet as per the orders of the Supreme Court," Palanisamy said. Palanisamy also claimed that the "Kerala officials were not permitting their Tamil Nadu counterparts to gauge the rainfall in the catchment area." The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister further informed that they are in constant touch with Kerala State Electricity Board for restoring the power supply to the dam, but of no avail. The state has deposited Rs 1.65 crore with the Kerala Electricity Board to restore power supply. Mullaperiyar Dam is one of the dams in Kerala, whose shutters have been opened, to release excess water, following the heavy downpour in the state. The dam is although located in Kerala, it is operated by Tamil Nadu. Kerala had said the dam was dangerous, but the Tamil Nadu had always opposed this. This has always been a contentious issue between both states. Chinese state-sponsored attackers appear to be carrying out network reconnaissance of several organisations in Alaska, Nairobi, Kenya and Germany, using the assets of an elite university, the security firm Recorded Future claims. In a research brief published on Thursday, the company, which has close links with In-Q-Tel, the CIAs investment arm, and Google Ventures, said these findings came in the wake of its finding Chinese campaigns targeting the Tibetan community and being carried out from Tsinghua University, an elite Chinese institution. The Tibetans were being targeted via a Web server that was running on a CentOS system a clone of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It had what was described as "a novel Linux backdoor called 'ext4'". Recorded Future's Sanil Chohan, Winona DeSombre and Justin Grosfelt said among the targets were the Alaskan State Government, its Department of Natural Resources, the UN office in Nairobi and the Kenya Ports Authority. Apart from these, targeted scanning was noticed to be aimed at the office of Germany's Daimler AG, a day after it reduced its profit outlook for the year due to the growing US-China trade tensions. "In several cases, these activities occurred during periods of Chinese dialogue for economic co-operation with these countries or organisations," the trio wrote. "We assess with medium confidence that the network reconnaissance activities we uncovered were conducted by Chinese state-sponsored actors in support of Chinas economic development goals." The three researchers found the following: Tsinghua IP 166.111.8[.]246 engaged in network reconnaissance targeting organisations in Alaska, Kenya, Brazil, and Mongolia during times of economic dialogue or publicity around Chinas investment in foreign infrastructure projects concerning Chinas flagship Belt and Road Initiative. The network reconnaissance activity against Alaskan organisations increased following a trade delegation trip led by the Alaska governor to China in late May. Organisations targeted by the reconnaissance activity were in industries at the heart of the trade discussions, such as oil and gas. The targeting of Daimler AG was observed a day after it announced a profit warning in light of the growing US-China trade tensions. The Tsinghua IP made at least one attempt to subscribe to a US-based hotels high-speed Internet portal. It was assessed with low confidence that this may demonstrate an intent to breach Nomadix Internet gateways within the hospitality sector running vulnerable WindWeb servers. The Tsinghua IP repeatedly attempted to connect with a Tibetan network that was compromised with a highly sophisticated backdoor, ext4. ext4 only allowed incoming TCP 443 connections to the compromised network during a 180-second window every hour, with packets requiring a unique combination of TCP header options to successfully connect. In over 20 observed attempts, the Tsinghua IP did not transmit the correct TCP options to activate the backdoor. This suggested: The threat actors connecting from the Tsinghua IP were ill-informed of the correct ext4 backdoor connection sequence and were making mistakes. The targeting of the Tibetan network is not associated with the presence of the ext4 backdoor and the network was being probed in line with wider geopolitical and economic network reconnaissance activity being conducted by the Tsinghua IP. The detailed research report is here. Australian Government legislation to combat the practice of revenge porn has passed the House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill was passed by the Senate in February. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said in a statement that the law would send a message that sharing of intimate images without consent was not acceptable. The Turnbull Government is acting to combat this violation of a persons freedom and dignity, he said. The new laws will actively discourage potential offenders through both civil and criminal penalties which complement existing state and territory laws. The law was first introduced to Parliament via a private members' bill by the Australian Labor Party in October 2015. It is meant to complement the online complaints portal pilot which was launched by the eSafety Office in October 2017. The legislation will give the eSafety Commissioner additional powers to combat image-based abuse, including revenge porn, by issuing removal notices to websites, content hosts and social media providers. Individuals will face civil penalties of up to $105,000 and corporations up to $525,000 if they do not comply with a request from the eSafety Commissioner to remove an intimate image. Attorney-General Christian Porter said amendments to the Criminal Code Act 1995 imposed serious penalties for offenders, in keeping with the seriousness of the offence. Perpetrators could face penalties of imprisonment for up to five years where the material transmitted is private sexual material, or seven years if they transmit the material and have already had three civil penalty orders made against them, the Porter said. Labor Shadow Communications Minister Michelle Rowland pointed out that her party had taken a policy to criminalise image-based abuse to the 2016 Federal Election, undertaking to do so within the first 100 days of being elected. "In October 2016, Labor reintroduced its Private Members Bill into the current Parliament but it lapsed in 2017 because the government refused to call it on for debate," she said. "In June 2017, Labor moved a second reading amendment calling on the Turnbull Government to criminalise the sharing of intimate images without consent." Rowland said a number of Labor MPs had prosecuted the issue over the years, in particular: Terri Butler Tim Watts, Clare ONeil and Mark Dreyfus. The government has allotted $4 million over four years to pay for the eSafety Office to implement the civil penalty regime. Advice on how to report revenge porn is here. Global hardware giant Samsung has announced its single-chip Exynos Modem 5100, working from 2G through to 5G while boosting 4G LTE speeds to 1.6Gbps and 5G speeds of up to 2Gpbs, is designed to "accelerate 5G commercialisation", achieving a "successful over-the-air 5G-NR data call". Samsung has launched its new 5G Exynos Modem 5100, a "single-chip modem that supports multi-mode communication, ensuring high efficiency in data transmission". It is the industrys "first 5G modem that is fully compatible with 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 15, the most up-to-date standard specification for 5G New Radio", with an infographic at the end of this article with more visual information. Built on power-efficient 10-nanometer process technology, the new modem "also supports legacy radio access technologies designed into a single chip". Dr Inyup Kang, president and head of System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics, said: "Samsungs leadership in communication technologies and market-proven knowledge allowed us to develop the industrys first 5G modem, the Exynos Modem 5100, which fully complies with the latest 3GPP standards. As the industry prepares the shift toward 5G, Samsung will continue to drive the growth of innovative ideas and new services in mobile applications and other emerging industries. Samsung reports having successfully conducted an "over-the-air 5G-NR data call test under a wireless environment utilising a 5G base station and 5G end-user equipment prototype embedded with Exynos Modem 5100". "As the test simulated real-world cellular network conditions, this will ensure faster development and commercialisation of 5G mobile devices that adopt this new modem. Samsung is also working closely with a number of global mobile carriers and partners to quickly bring 5G mobile communications to the market". Samsung explains its Exynos Modem 5100 "supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave spectrums specified in 3GPPs 5G standard as well as legacy networks, including 2G GSM/CDMA, 3G WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, HSPA, and 4G LTE, with a single chip solution". "As 5G is expected to be first deployed over existing network infrastructures, commercial implementation will benefit from the single-chip design that maximises data transmission efficiency and reliability between other communication networks. "The modem delivers a maximum downlink speed of up to 2-gigabits per second (Gbps) in 5Gs sub-6-gigahertz (GHz) settings and 6Gbps in mmWave settings, which are about 1.7 and five times the data transfer speeds of its predecessor respectively. Fast and stable data communication can also be secured in 4G networks with the downlink speed of 1.6Gbps. "5Gs capability to transmit large-capacity data and real-time low-latency communication is expected to bring new user experiences not only in mobile but also in areas such as the Internet of Things, ultra-high resolution videos, holograms, real-time artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. "Exynos Modem 5100 is also offered with radio frequency IC, Envelope Tracking and power management IC solutions, and will be available to customers by the end of 2018." More information about Samsungs Exynos products can be found here. Here's Samsung's Exynos Modem 5100 infographic, click here or the image below for a higher resolution version. 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 Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power, said Mike Pompeo. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. (Photo: File/PTI) New Delhi/New York: Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said while condoling the death of the former Prime Minister. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died on Thursday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. AIIMS said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but it deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He said Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. "He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian," Pompeo said. The top US diplomat recalled Vajpayee's address to the United States Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterized US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". Vajpayee "recognized early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation," Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing". "Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers," Pompeo added. .@SecPompeo: On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of #India on the passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Today, our two countries & our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayees vision. pic.twitter.com/2mtaOQhYmg Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) August 16, 2018 Many other world leaders too condoled the death of the former Prime Minister. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, PK Gyawal, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal, Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Lakshman Kiriella, Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Pakistan Law Minister, Ali Zafar will be arriving in Delhi on Friday to pay tributes to the former Prime Minister. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, sent a message of condolence to President Kovind and PM Modi, calling Atal Bihari Vajpayee "a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries. He added that the great leader had "rightly commanded great respect around the world" and conveyed sympathy and support to Vajpayee's family, and the government and people of India. Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi on the passing of Atal Bihari Vajpayee https://t.co/K9rYP2wV8y President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) August 16, 2018 Pakistan's Prime Minister in waiting, Imran Khan said that Vajpayee's efforts to better the India-Pakistan relationship will always be remembered. In a statement he added, "As Prime Minister, Vajpayee sahab took the initiative to further improving Indo- Pakistan relations. With the death of Vajpayee sahab, South Asian politics now left with a huge political vacuum. There can be political differences but both sides of the border want peace. It is only through establishing peace that we can really honour the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In this moment of grief following the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I stand with the people of India." Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, wrote that Sri Lanka had lost "a great humanist and a true friend", calling the former PM "a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy." Today, we have lost a great humanist and a true friend of Sri Lanka. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and an ardent defender of democracy. My condolences to his family and millions of his admirers around the world. #AtalBihariVajpayee Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) August 16, 2018 Former Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, also tweeted his support. " Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee. The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman." he wrote. Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the passing of #AtalBihariVajpayee. The world will celebrate him as an exemplary statesman. Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) August 16, 2018 Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli also conveyed his condolences and expressed his grief and sorrow on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister of Nepal @PM_Nepal Rt. Hon. K.P Sharma Oli expressed his grief and sorrow to PM @narendramodi and conveyed his sincere condolences on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 16, 2018 Yuval Rotem, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel said that he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of a giant" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the people of India for their loss. I was deeply saddenned to learn of the death of a giant - #India's former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of India at their loss. pic.twitter.com/thwQmbDJTA Yuval Rotem (@Yuval_Rotem) August 16, 2018 Vajpayee, a diabetic, had only one functional kidney. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia. He had joined the Rastriya Swamsevak Sangha (RSS) in 1947 and rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. A 10-time MP of the Lok Sabha, Vajpayee announced his retirement from politics in 2005. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha twice. Born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to a schoolteacher, Vajpayee did his M A in political science. Following a brief flirtation with communism, he became a full-time worker of RSS in 1947. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. It was at about 4.45 pm when amid the chanting of Vedic mantras Vajpayees daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the funeral pyre of the BJP stalwart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political leaders and the public at large join in the last journey of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi. (Photo: Biplab Banerjee) New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath on the bier of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, chants of Modi Modi rent the air at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in the national capital. The Prime Minister had walked the entire 6-km stretch from the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg to the cremation ground behind the cortege of the partys tallest leader. After that cries of Jai Shri Ram reverberated as one of the leading architects of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Lal Krishna Advani, approcahed the coffin of his closest friend of 65 years to place a wreath and bid his final adieu. The bugles sounded the Last Post, uniformed soldiers clicked their heels and a sombre silence fell over the crowd as Vajpayees mortal remains were consigned to the flames on Friday evening, with the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness. It was at about 4.45 pm when amid the chanting of Vedic mantras Vajpayees foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the funeral pyre of the BJP stalwart. As orange flames rolled up from the pyre, Ms Bhattacharya and her daughter Niharika hugged each other with tears glistening through their eyes. There was also a light drizzle just minutes after the pyre was lit. And just before the veteran leader was consigned to the flames, 14 soldiers of the Gorkha Regiment fired thrice from their weapons to pay homage to the departed leader. The picturesque Smriti Sthal also saw hectic activity as government officials gave the final touches to the canopy raised on a platform where Vajpayee was cremated. Fearing heavy rains, the officials had wanted to cover the area with iron sheets. But the paucity of time forced them to put up only two iron sheets over the iron structure, that was painted saffron hours before the cremation. The cremation site had chief ministers, Opposition leaders, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, several governors and a host of other dignitaries to bid a final adieu to the veteran BJP leader. President Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, BJP president Amit Shah, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Navy chief Adm. Sunil Lanba laid wreaths. Other attendees at the funeral included home minister Rajnath Singh and some of his Cabinet colleagues including Harsh Vardhan, Ram Vilas Paswan, Shripad Naik and Piyush Goyal. Many chief ministers, including Arvind Kejriwal, Yogi Adityanath, Nitish Kumar, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Vijay Rupani, also attended the funeral. Among the foreign dignitaries present were Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. Other political leaders at the funeral included Congress president Rahul Gandhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and Congress leader Raj Babbar. Mr Gandhi, who arrived much before the PM, first sat next to Mr Badal. Later, he sat next to Dr Manmohan Singh. Those sitting in the front row were RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and some of Vajpayees relatives. Before the cremation, Ms Sitharaman walked into the media gallery where she explained the proceedings of the cremation ceremony. Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Smriti Irani, along with local MP Rambir Singh Bhiduri, were seen actively involved in preparations for the cremation. At Vajpayees 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence, it was minister of state Gajender Shekhawat, BJP leader Bhupinder Yadav and MP Anurag Thakhur who were overseeing preparations for the funeral procession. While a large number of politicians paid their homage to Vajpayee at his residence, poet-lyricist Javed Akthar and his wife Shabana Azami also visited the Krishna Menon Marg house. Among the last ones to pay homage to the veteran leader were the SPG personnel who had been guarding him for years. Like other visitors, they stood in a queue to bid adieu to the veteran leader. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena also wrote to PM Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences on the demise of Mr. Vajpayee. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk offers his final respects during the cremation ceremony of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the banks of the River Yamuna in New Delhi. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Foreign dignitaries including Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk and former Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Friday attended the last rites of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. Pakistani Law Minister Ali Zafar (in the caretaker government there), Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kiriella also visited New Delhi to attend the last rites. The Pakistani Law Minister who later met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was also accompanied by Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal and another foreign ministry official Fareha Bugti. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, When neighbours came together to express the sense of loss on sad demise of a statesman! His Majesty King of Bhutan, former President of Afghanistan and Ministers from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka came to Delhi to pay tributes to former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The MEA spokesperson also tweeted, Remembering a visionary (Mr. Vajpayee) who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent! Pakistans caretaker Minister of Law and Justice, Syed Ali Zafar expressed condolences to EAM @SushmaSwaraj on sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena also wrote to PM Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences on the demise of Mr. Vajpayee. In his condolence message, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said the Indo-US bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayees vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation. Mr. Pompeo said, On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. We know that many Indians will reflect on Prime Minister Vajpayees many contributions that led to Indias rise as a global and economic power. He championed tirelessly for his countrys development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian. Mr. Pompeo added, Standing before the United States Congress in 2000, he famously characterised U.S.-India ties as a natural partnership of shared endeavours. US defence secretary Mike Pompeo recognised early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayees vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation. The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayees passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers." In its reaction, the French Foreign Ministry said, It was with deep grief that we learnt of the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. France offers its condolences to his family as well as the Indian authorities and people. Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on Indias history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 51F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 51F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Reddit Email 536 Shares Washington (AFP) Americas former top spy has alleged he was stripped of his security clearance in a bid by President Donald Trump to scare critics and stymie an investigation into ties with Russia. In a searing opinion article published in the New York Times on Thursday, ex-CIA director John Brennan said Trumps decision to remove his security clearance was politically motivated. Mr. Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, said Brennan, seeing an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him. Brennan, who was until January 2017 the guardian of Americas most closely held secrets, stridently dismissed Trumps claims that his campaign did not work with Russia to win the 2016 election. Mr. Trumps claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash, he said. The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of Trump Incorporated attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets. Even by the standards of angry Trump-era criticism, Brennans words represent an unprecedented attack by Americas normally hush-hush spooks on a political leader. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump admitted his decision on Brennans clearance was linked to the ongoing Russia probe. I call it the rigged witch hunt, [it] is a sham, Trump was quoted as saying and these people led it! So I think its something that had to be done, he added. Featured Photo: AFP/File / JIM WATSON. Former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan says US President Donald Trumps assertions of no collusion with Russias meddling in the 2016 US elections are hogwash. Reddit Email 282 Shares BETHLEHEM (Maan) Shin Bet, Israels internal security agency, detained Iranian-American writer, Reza Aslan, as he was entering Israel through Jordan, with his family. Reza Aslan, 46, took to his Twitter account, where he said that the Shin Bet used police state tactics against him and his family. Aslan arrived in Israel with his wife, children, and in-laws after a visit to Jordan. Upon his arrival, he was separated from his family at the border and detained by the Shin Bet, which repeatedly threatened him . He wrote in his Twitter post that the Shin Bet interrogator threatened him by repeatedly saying we can make it so you dont see your kids for a long time. Aslan mentioned that the police state part began in earnest: Write down names of journalists you associate with. Write down names of Palestinian organizations you support. According to Aslan, he tried to cooperate as best as he could, but was accused of lying after answering each question. The Shin Bet interrogator warned Aslan not to enter the Palestinian territories, not to meet with or speak to any Palestinians or any Israeli troublemakers and warned him by saying that we are watching you, Aslan wrote. Aslan concluded his tweets by saying that this was my 4th trip to Israel in ten years and every time its gotten worse. Its becoming unrecognizable as a democracy. It is becoming a full-blown police state. Aslans tweets were triggered when American-Jewish journalist and commentator, Peter Beinart, 47, was also detained by the Israeli Shin Bet at Ben Gurion Israeli airport and interrogated about his political views and involvement in political activities that threaten democracy or promote violence. Beinart, who considers himself a supporter of Israel, has publicly criticized the Israeli governments policies toward the Palestinian people and its close alliance with United States President Donald Trump. Following his interrogation, Beinart said in a statement my hope would be that this provokes a conversation more generally about the way in which Israel harasses people based on their political views. The real scandal is what happens to people who are much more vulnerable than me because they dont have the privilege that I have as an American Jew. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office released a statement saying that upon learning of Beinarts detention, he immediately asked Shin Bet officials about what happened and labeled it as an administrative mistake. The Shin Bet later apologized for causing any distress saying that it was investigating the incident. Netanyahus office mentioned that Israel is an open society which welcomes allcritics and supporters alike. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where people voice their opinions freely and robustly. This statement contradicts the newly approved controversial Nationality Law, that Netanyahu showed full support for, in which the law enshrines the status of the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. Hence, non-Jewish citizens of Israel are already classified as second class citizens. Featured Photo: h/t Wikimedia MONTREAL, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEMAFO Inc. (TSX:SMF) (OMX:SMF) regrets to report that a bus transporting employees from the town of Bobo-Dioulasso to the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso was shot at by armed bandits this morning. In the exchange of fire between the policemen and bandits, one SEMAFO national employee and one sub-contractor employee lost their lives. Operations at the Mana Mine, located 80 kilometers from the incident, are not affected. Early analysis suggests that this incident and the armed incident that occurred in the Est region six days ago are unrelated. However, the Corporation will be increasing its security measures at Mana and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the mine and of its employees. The Corporation would like to express its sincere sympathy to families of the victims. About SEMAFO SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation operates the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, which includes the high-grade satellite deposit of Siou, and is targeting commercial production at the Boungou Mine in the third quarter of 2018. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest. SEMAFOs strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities. For more information, contact John Jentz Vice-President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ruth Hanna Analyst, Investor Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel. local & overseas: +1 (514) 744 4408 North America Toll-Free: 1 (888) 744 4408 Website: www.semafo.com A 55-year-old woman and her nephew were stabbed multiple times with a shovel allegedly by her brother-in-law at their residence in Delhi. The accused Rajkumar alias Raju attacked the trio with a shovel and a kitchen knife while they were asleep and fled from the spot. Subsequently, he was arrested. (Representational Image) New Delhi: A 55-year-old woman and her nephew were stabbed multiple times with a shovel allegedly by her brother-in-law at their residence in central Delhi's Paharganj area, police said on Thursday. The police were informed on Wednesday about the incident. The deceased were identified as Kaushalya and her 30-year-old nephew Purushottam. Kaushalya's 25-year-old son Rohit, was also injured in the attack. The accused Rajkumar alias Raju attacked the trio with a shovel and a kitchen knife while they were asleep and fled from the spot. Subsequently, he was arrested. When police reached the spot, they found Purshottam's body lying in a pool of blood on the first floor. Kaushalya and her son were rushed to a hospital where she was declared brought dead. Tarachand, who is the brother of the accused, had informed the police about the incident. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, police said adding that a case has been registered. Police are probing the reason behind the killings. It will actually be a smart Google Assistant-featuring speaker with a display. After voice-assisted speakers have acquired the market of smart devices, it's now time to see several companies trying their hands on smart voice-assisted displays. And, after Amazon having already done so, Google is the next player which will be taking a plunge into the territory with its Google Assistant. As reported by Nikkei Asian Review, it will basically be a smart Google assisted speaker with a display. A similar product is currently sold by Amazon with the name Amazon Echo Show which is powered by its Alexa assistant. The Echo Show and all the other devices which are available with the smart display are mostly similar looking but are distinguished in terms of features they offer. Whenever the smart display with Google Assistant comes out, we can expect several features on it which aren't offered with the Amazon Echo Show. As the NextWeb predicts, these devices may lend you the benefits of accessing YouTube and Spotify along with the Chromecast compatibility to stream audio and video. You may also be able to access your photos via the Android Things. With the launch of the smart speaker bearing a screen, Google is foreseeing to ship 3 million units of the device in the first batch itself. In 2017, Amazon could sell 3,15,000 units of its Echo Show smart device after its launch. Google is expected to introduce the smart display by the end of this year. The Herald reports: A mother who claims she was jailed in Dubai for drinking a glass of wine on a flight from London has told for the first time the full story of her harrowing ordeal. But was it for that? At Dubai International airport, she handed over her Iranian passport at the immigration desk. The officers computer told him that her visa had already been used two months earlier, which Ellie acknowledges was her mistake. So she had an incorrect visa. He advised Ellie to get a transit visa, which would allow her to stay in the country for the duration of her five-day trip. But then a different immigration officer took one look at her Iranian passport and told her: You get a ticket and go on a flight home. And was told she could not fly. Ellie said: I did not swear and told him I was told I could get a transit visa. He just refused to listen and he was so close I could feel his spit on my face. He was jabbing a finger in my face and was rude and aggressive. He looked at me as if I was like the dirt under his shoes, and I think it was because I was from Iran. If it had been a European woman he might not have reacted in the same way. Ellie said she became afraid so she used her mobile phone to film the immigration officer. This inflamed the situation further. This was incredibly stupid. Youre in bloody Dubai. Maybe this may be a good idea (but probably not) at Los Angeles Airport, but to start filming security officers in an authoritarian states airport is incredibly dumb. People in Britain film police all the time. I was doing it for my own protection. You were not in the UK. None of this justified what the security guards did arresting her and her four year old daughter. Of course they should not have. But Dubai is an authoritarian state with awful human rights abuses. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr Security firm FireEye said it had found indications that cyber espionage activities were increasing throughout Southeast Asia. China-based groups and others seek to gain information on BRI projects and deals. (Representational Image: Pixabay) Chinese state-sponsored hackers may be targeting companies and state agencies in Malaysia as it looks to review several major projects linked to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc. said on Wednesday. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who took power after an election win in May, will be in China on Friday seeking to renegotiate and possibly cancel billions of dollars worth of Chinese-invested projects authorised by his predecessor, Najib Razak. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), unveiled in 2013, aims to develop a network of land and sea links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. FireEye said it had found indications that cyber espionage activities were increasing throughout Southeast Asia, as China-based groups and others sought to gain information on BRI projects and deals. Malaysias recent political changes and its reassessment of China-backed projects put it at heightened risk of such activity, FireEyes head of global intelligence operations, Sandra Joyce, told a media briefing. Malaysia is looking more and more like a typical target of Chinese state-sponsored cyber activity, she said. As Chinese investments continue to be scrutinized, that is going to be a motivator for groups ... to gain more intelligence and information on the future of these projects. The Malaysian prime ministers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while a spokesman for the foreign ministry declined to comment. China opposes all forms of hacking, its foreign ministry told Reuters in a statement. China is a resolute protector of internet security, and advocates that the international community should jointly face internet security threats via dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, it added. Joyce said Malaysian targets could include any company or agency involved in a $20-billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. The 688-km (428-mile) project, linking Malaysias west coast with ports in the east, has been suspended pending discussions over pricing and graft allegations. Mahathirs government also halted work on two projects worth more than $2.3 billion awarded to the China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau. Joyce said its observations on Malaysia were in keeping with developments in other countries with major BRI interests such as Belarus, which has been targeted by a Chinese group called Roaming Tiger. FireEye said in July that a China-based group identified as TEMP.Periscope had interfered in a general election in Cambodia, breaching systems used by several Cambodian state agencies and political entities. (Source) Hoping to gain approval from Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, Google plans to block some websites and search terms. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told staff that though development is in an early stage, providing more services in the world's most populous country fits with Google's global mission. (Photo: File) San Francisco: Google is not close to launching a search engine app in China, its chief executive said at a company wide meeting on Thursday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters, as employees of the Alphabet Inc unit called for more transparency and oversight of the project. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told staff that though development is in an early stage, providing more services in the world's most populous country fits with Google's global mission. Hoping to gain approval from the Chinese government to provide a mobile search service, the company plans to block some websites and search terms, Reuters reported this month, citing unnamed sources. Whether the company could or would launch search in China "is all very unclear," Pichai said, according to the transcript. "The team has been in an exploration stage for quite a while now, and I think they are exploring many options." Disclosure of the secretive effort has disturbed some Google employees and human rights advocacy organizations. They are concerned that by agreeing to censorship demands, Google would validate China's prohibitions on free expression and violate the "don't be evil" clause in the company's code of conduct. Hundreds of employees have called on the company to provide more "transparency, oversight and accountability," according to an internal petition seen by Reuters on Thursday. After a separate petition this year, Google announced it would not renew a project to help the US military develop artificial intelligence technology for drones. The China petition says employees are concerned the project, code named Dragonfly, "makes clear" that ethics principles Google issued during the drone debate "are not enough." "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building," states the document seen by Reuters. The New York Times first reported the petition on Thursday. Google declined to comment. Company executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly, and their remarks at the company-wide meeting marked their first about the project since details about it were leaked. Employees have asked Google to create an ethics review group with rank-and-file workers, appoint ombudspeople to provide independent review and internally publish assessments of projects that raise substantial ethical questions. Pichai told employees: "We'll definitely be transparent as we get closer to actually having a plan of record here" on Dragonfly, according to the transcript. He noted the company guards information on some projects where sharing too early can "cause issues." Three former employees involved with Google's past efforts in China told Reuters current leadership may see offering limited search results in China as better than providing no information at all. The same rationale led Google to enter China in 2006. It left in 2010 over an escalating dispute with regulators that was capped by what security researchers identified as state-sponsored cyber-attacks against Google and other large U.S. firms. The former employees said they doubt the Chinese government will welcome back Google. A Chinese official, who declined to be named, told Reuters this month that it is "very unlikely" Dragonfly would be available this year. In case a simple majority of 172 members is not met, then the election is carried out on the basis of majority members in the House. Islamabad: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is set to be elected as Pakistans new Prime Minister today (Friday), three weeks after his party won the general elections. Imran Khans and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President Shehbaz Sharifs nomination papers were accepted for the election of Prime Minister to be held on Friday in the National Assembly. For the election of the 22nd prime minister of the country, the nomination papers of two Members of the National Assembly were filed, said the NA Secretariat. The nomination papers were accepted after the process of scrutiny, said an official statement. According to the NAs code of conduct, in the house of 342 members, for a lawmaker to be elected the as the prime minister, a simple majority of 172 is necessary. In case a simple majority of 172 members is not met, then the election is carried out on the basis of majority members in the House. In the nomination papers, the PTI chairmans proposer is Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and seconder is Fakhar Imam. Shehbaz Sharifs nomination papers were submitted by party leaders Khawaja Mohammed Asif and Ahsan Iqbal. Later, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah said his party has apprised the PML-N of its reservations over Mr Sharifs candidate for the prime minister-ship. Speaking to reporters here, Mr Shah said if the PML-N did not change its PM candidate then the PPP will make a decision accordingly. Following the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the lower house of the parliament on Wednesday, Speaker Asad Qaiser had announced the process for prime minister election. On Wednesday, PTIs Asad Qaiser and Qasim Suri were respectively elected as the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Mr Qaiser was contesting against Khurshid Shah for the PPP. He received 176 votes while Mr Shah got 146 votes. A total of 330 votes were cast in the election for NA speaker, out of which 322 were accepted and eight were rejected. The PTI leader was administered oath by outgoing speaker Ayaz Sadiq. Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto had convened a meeting on August 14, a day before the Punjab Assemblys maiden session. The PML-N, on the other hand, also convened a meeting of its MNAs in Islamabad on August 13. Those who are following bhai, indeed Salman Khan intently by now know that he is soon to come up with Bharat. The Ali Abbas Zafar film has left all his fans curious and excited. Recently, the cast and crew of the film flew off to Malta for the shoot. Now, you will be stunned to know where the Dabangg Khan rests when not on the sets. It is this super-lavish palatial vanity van. As we can see in the pictures, the vanity van's interior is nothing less than an exquisite suite. Who would think that the big box like thing resting on the wheels would have so many luxurious amenities inside? Here, we can spot comfortable and upmarket couches, a kitchen counter and an en-suite bathroom. We wonder whether the Dabangg Khan would even feel like getting out of this palace on wheels! Salman Khan's vanity van's interior. (Photo credits: Social media) Salman Khan's vanity van's exterior. (Photo Credits: social media) Meanwhile, Bharat's female lead Katrina Kaif has also flown off to Malta. Not only Katrina but also Dilbar fame Nora Fatehi joined the cast of Bharat in Malta. The pictures shared by the actors are breathtaking and we are almost sure that it will be a visual treat to watch it on the big screen. The makers of Bharat recently released the teaser that has Salman Khan's dialogue in it. The film is in the constant buzz because of its varied cast and even more because of Priyanka Chopra's exit from the film. The reason for exit is still unknown but rumors have it that her engagement with Nick Jonas has something to do with it! Coming back to these amazing stills of Salman Khan's posh vanity van, tell us your thoughts on it in the comments section below. Don't you secretly wish to actually see it IRL? (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kathmandu, Aug 17: Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali left for New Delhi on Friday to attend the funeral of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died a day earlier, an official statement confirmed here. Nepal's top leadership including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli have paid their tributes to the the veteran leader who also made significant contribution in advancing Nepal-India ties during his term in office. In his condolence message, Oli said: "I am deeply shocked to learn that former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away in New Delhi. On behalf of the government and people of Nepal and my own, I extend respect to late Vajpayee." India and the world lost a towering political figure and Nepal, a true friend and well-wisher, Oli said, adding that his contribution to strengthening Nepal-India relations will be remembered forever. Vajpayee, 93, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. His funeral procession will begin at 1 p.m. and the last rites will be performed at 4 p.m. at Smriti Sthal. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 09:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, Aug 17: The mortal remains of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) following a prolonged illness on Thursday, will be brought at the Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters in the national capital for paying tributes. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession will begin at 1:30 pm and he will be laid to rest at Smriti Sthal at 4:00 pm. Catch live and latest news updates on funeral and last rites of Vajpayee here. On Thursday, a host of political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence. Vajpayee, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications and was admitted to AIIMS with urinary tract infection on June 11, breathed his last at 5:05 pm. Vajpayee became the Prime Minister first in May 1996 for 13 days and again in March 1998 till 2004. He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full five-year term. He oversaw five underground nuclear tests in Pokhran desert in Rajasthan and refused to bend under the international pressure in his attempt to make India a nuclear power. As the prime minister, Vajpayee showed political will to find a permanent solution for Kashmir conflict, initiating a full-scale diplomatic peace process with Pakistan. However, when Pakistan backstabbed and attempted to capture Kargil, Vajpayee gave free hand to Indian armed forces that pushed them back and recaptured the territory. The victory in Kargil bolstered the image of Vajpayee and he was hailed across the country for his bold and strong leadership. Stay connected with us to get latest updates on Vajpayee's funeral here. The Parsi community in India will celebrate Nowruz on August 17 this year. Also known as Parsi New Year, the Zoroastrian religious community celebrates the first day of the spring. The day before Nowruz is called Pateti on which Parsis repent for their sins and ask for forgiveness. They believe in a fresh start on the first day of the New Year. The Parsi community has elaborate festivities and meets friends and family on this day. While India and Pakistan celebrate Parsi New Year in August every year, Iran and many other countries observe the day in March. Here's why India and Pakistan celebrate the Parsi New Year in July-August while other countries observe the day in March-April: People in India and Pakistan follow the Shahenshai calendar, while in other countries, the Iranian calendar is followed. As the Shahenshai calendar does not take leap years into account, Parsi New Year is celebrated in India and Pakistan about 200 days after it falls in rest of the countries of the world. Hence the date falls between July and August in India. The festival is named after the Persian king Jamshed who began the use of the Parsi calendar. Hence the day is also called as Jamshed-i-Nouroz. Nowruz 2018: Quotes, GIF Images, SMSes, WhatsApp Messages & Facebook Status to Send New Year Greetings The Parsis or the Persians in India and Pakistan also include Iranis who migrated to the then Gujarat region, which is now in Pakistan. The community shifted after Islamic armies invaded them in the seventh century. Parsi New Year 2018: Date, History, Significance and Celebrations of Pateti & Nowruz Parsi New Year is celebrated with much pomp and fervour just like any other festival in India. Zoroastrians make rangolis outside their houses, cook delicious food, meet relatives and offer special prayers at Agyari (Fire temple) among other things on this day. Some believers also donate to charity and help people in need. They wish each other peace, harmony, health, wealth and prosperity. We wish everyone celebrating Nowruz a very Happy New Year! (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2018 05:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). In a scathing report on the state of affairs in the Maldives, Human Rights Watch has accused the government of intimidation of the political opposition and media. It says the ruling dispensations action threatens the prospects for free and fair elections in September. HRW in its report openly says that the upcoming general elections will be far from fair as the government has interfered with the judiciary and the national electoral commission in order to tighten its grip on power. The Maldives became a multiparty system in 2008 ending decades of autocratic rule but, according to rights groups, the nascent democracy has been at risk since Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, took office following a disputed election in 2013. According to HRW, Yameen has, ahead of the presidential elections, moved to expand his use of broad and vaguely worded laws to intimidate, arbitrarily arrest, and imprison critics. Among these are counterterrorism laws widely used against opposition activists and politicians; anti-defamation laws used against the media and social media activists who criticize the president or his policies; and restrictions on assembly that prohibit or severely limit peaceful rallies and protests. The general elections are scheduled for September 23, 2018. But, the main opposition leader Mohammad Nasheed -- the first president to be democratically elected to office in the archipelago is living in exile after Yameen had him arrested and tried on terror-related charges. The United Nations has said that Nasheeds prosecution was politically motivated. Yameen has also had his half-brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom arrested in a sweeping raid that also put into jail judges of the Maldives Supreme Court. HRW has listed names of journalists and bloggers who have been killed or been missing for their criticism of the government which has turned to right-wing Islamic parties to shore up its support base. It says that the governments abuse of laws has had a crippling effect on the Maldives nascent democracy and struggling civil society. Yameen has drawn close to China and Saudi Arabia during his time in office, with both countries investing heavily in the tiny tourist archipelago in the Indian Ocean, and his actions show that he believes he has enough support to weather global criticism as well as retain his grip over the island nation. Maldives drift towards China has come at Indias expense. The Indian government had expressed its displeasure at the State of Emergency imposed by Yameen earlier this year. Since then, the Yameen government through significant actions is working to reduce Indian presence on the islands from refusing to resign contracts for surveillance aircrafts to denying visas to Indian diplomats. The government has also cracked down on Indians working in the hospitality industry and has not allowed the reissuing of work visas of hundreds of Indians. HRW is hence calling on the United Nations to appeal to the Maldives to put an end to the abuses, which, it says are eroding fundamental human rights. Patricia Gossman, associate director of the HRW Asia division says, I think it's time for the international community - who largely look at the Maldives as a luxury tourist destination - to really look seriously at what it's like for ordinary Maldivians who have to bear the brunt of this increasingly repressive government." (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 06:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Aston Martin plans at least two more DBS Superleggera variants Aug 17, 2018, 3:55am ET The line-up will grow with the addition of a convertible and a hotter model. The DBS Superleggera that Aston Martin introduced in June won't occupy the top spot in the company's line-up on its own for very long. The company has confirmed it will add at least two variants of the car to its catalog in the coming years. "I'm on record saying that there will be an AMR version of every car, so you can take that as a read, and the Volante is a given. In fact, testing has already begun," affirmed Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer in an interview with British magazine Autocar. He added the Volante (Aston Martin-speak for convertible) is a no-brainer. The AMR model makes a lot of sense, too. The British firm eagerly wants to demonstrate it's more than capable of keeping up with Ferrari and Lamborghini. "The engine can be turned up more and it will be on the AMR. As for how much and how, you will have to wait and see," Palmer told Autocar. To add context, the standard DBS Superleggera (pictured) packs a twin-turbocharged, 5.2-liter V12 rated at 715 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It takes 3.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop. The Ferrari 812 Superfast, one of its closest rivals, gets a 6.5-liter V12 with 789 horsepower on tap. The Lamborghini Aventador S uses a different 6.5-liter V12 to produce 740 horsepower. Palmer stopped short of revealing when Aston Martin will introduce the two variants. The Volante could arrive this year, either at the Paris auto show or the Los Angeles auto show, but the company will likely decide to keep the AMR until later in the DBS Superleggera's life cycle in order to inject life into the model when the initial wow effect wears off. Aug 17, 2018, 2:50pm ET Jeep Wrangler's plug-in hybrid system to be made in Ohio The Wrangler PHEV will arrive on the market in 2020. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced plans to build the new Jeep Wrangler's plug-in hybrid module in Ohio. The power electronics module contains the power inverter and integrated dual-charge system. The module will be installed under the vehicle between the exhaust and prop shaft. The 54-year-old Toledo Machining Plant will be tasked with assembling the sub-systems, uploading applicable firmware and conducting final testing on the coolant and electrical systems. The finished modules will be delivered to the nearby Toledo Assembly Complex where the Wrangler is assembled. FCA says the factory will play a key role in "helping the company meet future regulatory requirements." The statement is presumably referring to fuel-efficiency targets, though the US assembly could also help avoid any trouble if the Trump administration moves forward with proposed NAFTA changes that would require vehicles to have a higher US parts content. The Wrangler PHEV is expected to launch in 2020, representing one of 30 models on FCA's electrification roadmap through 2022. Aug 16, 2018, 5:44pm ET Tesla 'whistleblower' alleges Gigafactory cocaine, meth ring The former Tesla security worker has accused the company of refusing to disclose the alleged conspiracy. A former Tesla worker has filed a whistleblower claim with the Securities and Exchange Commission, accusing the company of covering up an alleged drug trafficking ring. Former security team member Karl Hansen claims the Drug Enforcement Administration had received an anonymous tip accusing several Gigafactory workers of distributing "substantial quantities" of cocaine at the plant, according to a Jalopnik report citing the August 9 complaint. Some level of illicit substance dealing is presumably not uncommon at factories with thousands of workers. The complaint outlines a much deeper operation, however, leading the DEA and Storey County Sheriff's Office to issue a notice to Tesla "alleging that several Tesla employes may be participants in a narcotics trafficking ring involving the sale of significant quantities of cocaine and possibly crystal methamphetamine at the Gigafactory on behalf of a Mexican drug cartel from Sonora Mexico." Hansen claims his security team had "corroborated connections" between certain Tesla employees and alleged cartel members. He allegedly encouraged Tesla to report the findings to law enforcement, but the company brushed the issue aside and opted to hire "outside vendors" to further investigate. The complaint apparently suggests Tesla erred in not firing the workers or reporting the investigation to the public. Hansen also says the company did not report $37 million worth of material theft and installed specialized equipment to "capture" employee cellphone communications. "It seems that the manner in which it was handled, in telling my client not to report it back to the authorities that requested it be investigated raises an issue of potential obstruction of justice, which is a serious crime," said Hansen's attorney, Stuart Meissner. "If senior people at Tesla were involved in that, well, I think that's very material for shareholders to know." It is unclear if the SEC has decided to act on the former worker's complaint. The agency is reportedly pursuing a separate investigation into CEO Elon Musk's claims that funding had been secured for taking the company private. Allentown shored up the top two spots in its fire department Thursday, by swearing-in a new chief and deputy chief ahead of Chief Lee Laubach's retirement Friday. New interim fire Chief Jim Wehr is a 24-year veteran of the department, and had been No. 2 in command under Laubach as deputy chief since February 2016. The new deputy chief is Efrain "Freddie" Agosto Jr., who joined the department in 2003. Both were sworn-in by Mayor Ray O'Connell at a City Hall ceremony that also served as a goodbye to Laubach, whose arson K-9 partner, Judge, is also retiring. "Lee has been an outstanding chief," O'Connell said in a statement on Laubach's departure. "He has managed what I believe to be an extremely talented department. Our specialty teams are among the finest which is a testament to the chief's overall leadership." All four have earned accolades during their careers in the Allentown Fire Department, with both Laubach and Wehr being named the city firefighter of the year, in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Wehr also earned the Alfred W. Fischl Firefighter Service Award in 2014, and has been cited for both valor and heroism. Agosto is the recipient of five unit citations for his work within the department. Eight-year veteran Judge, with Laubach as his handler, performed more than 550 fire investigations and was the 2016 American Humane Hero Dog winner in the national competition's arson dog category. The yellow Labrador retriever is 9 1/2 years old and will remain with Laubach. Wehr and Agosto, who was born in Puerto Rico, are both alumni of Dieruff High School in Allentown. Wehr served in the U.S. Air Force prior to joining the department in 1994, and Agosto is a U.S. Army veteran. Both are pursuing bachelor's degrees. "I have no doubt that Jim will be a fine leader of the department," O'Connell stated. "We are fortunate to have someone with his experience who is ready to take over the reins." "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor O'Connell and Managing Director McMahon for their confidence in my ability to lead the Allentown Fire Department," stated Wehr. "It has been my privilege to have served on the Allentown Fire Department for the past 24 years and it is with great honor and pride that I accept the position of interim chief. I cannot imagine leading a better department and working with a finer group of firefighters." Wehr is interim chief because he lives outside of Allentown, and it is a city rule that department directors carry an interim tag unless they are city residents. That is the case with interim police Chief Tony Asleben, as well, O'Connell said. Wehr will earn $119,000 annually in his new role, and Agosto's salary is $105,000. Laubach joined the department in 1993 and served as chief since February 2015. O'Connell credited him with securing a $500,000 state grant for the purchase of a new pumper truck, expected to be delivered in January. The purchase follows the acquisition of two rescue pumpers, expected to be delivered in December; both were included in the 2018 capital budget. "I believe during my time as chief we have reinforced and stabilized the foundation of the Allentown Fire Department," Laubach wrote in his letter of retirement to the mayor. "Local 302 and the fire administration have worked together to address operational shortfalls and improve safety for our members. I am sure both entities will work together along with city administration to improve public safety for the benefit of our citizens and our fire department staff." The 122-person department maintains seven fire engines and one ladder truck across six stations. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The 35 local priests identified this week in a massive investigation into sex abuse allegations have, over several decades, worked at at least 102 churches and schools in the Lehigh Valley, Reading and the surrounding area. They are among 301 priests across six Roman Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania accused of abuse beginning in the mid-1950s. The grand jury concluded that all six dioceses, including Allentown, engaged in abuse and coverups. Some of the offenders -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro called them "predator priests" -- were placed on sick leave and shuffled to other parishes, the 884-page grand jury report concluded. Based on the information from the report released Tuesday, lehighvalleylive.com compiled a list of locations where the accused priests from the Diocese of Allentown were assigned over their careers. The resulting interactive map below covers parishes all over the diocese's five counties -- Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill. (MORE: THE COMPLETE LIST OF SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN) This map is meant to be informative. There are more than 1,000 victims in the grand jury report, but authorities believe there may be many more victims or witnesses who have not come forward. A location's inclusion on the map should not be taken as a sign that abuse occurred there. Some of the churches and schools may have closed or changed their name. Any given priest may have been reassigned before any abuse allegations surfaced. The list also should not be considered comprehensive. The grand jury report indicates where many -- but not all -- of the accused priests were assigned over their careers, with start and end dates for most. But their exact roles within each location were, in most cases, not specifically defined in the report. Some may have held multiple roles at the same time. Administrative positions within the diocesan offices, charitable events and roles outside the diocese are not included here. It should also be noted that many of the priests cannot be charged because the statute of limitations has passed. Also, one priest from the Allentown diocese had his name redacted in the report pending court hearings. However just from what is known, it is clear that the men accused held positions in many of our communities at one time or another. To report sex abuse: The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office has a clergy abuse hotline at 888-538-8541. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Neither one of them speak English, according to a federal judge. They don't have high school diplomas. Yet Jose Castillo and Ivan German Sierra managed to steal $2.6 million from the U.S. government. Each man admitted to stealing the identities of Puerto Rican citizens, then using those identities to file false income tax returns and cash hundreds of bogus refund checks. They ran their scheme out of Allentown, according to U.S. District Court Judge Edward G. Smith "The scope of this is staggering," Smith said Friday in his Easton courtroom. Sierra, 32, was sentenced Friday to four years and six months in federal prison. Castillo, 40, was sentenced to four years and nine months. He got extra time because he used a fake social security number to try to obtain documents he couldn't get as an illegal immigrant. Both men will be deported to their native land, the Dominican Republic. Smith said Castillo grew up in abject poverty. "You would get your water from the river. There was no electricity," the judge said to Castillo in court. Court records say the men helped recruit employees for at least two of three check-cashing businesses where the more than 300 ill-gotten checks were cashed. Castillo was involved in the scheme from 2009 to 2012, according to the judge. Records say Sierra was involved from 2010 to 2014. Their attorneys minimized their leadership role in the enterprise, saying that both men left the United States for the Dominican Republic in either 2010 or 2011. But both continued receiving money from the scheme when they were abroad, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall. Castillo's attorney, John J. McMahon Jr., said Castillo didn't incorporate the check cashing companies or do the billing. Others they recruited later formed their own companies and were no longer underlings of Castillo and Sierra, he said. But their roles were nonetheless significant, Ignall said. The convictions for conspiracy to commit fraud and illegally obtaining a social security number are the first criminal convictions for Castillo, Smith said. "It is somewhat amazing that you've been crime free and organized a scheme to defraud the U.S. government of $2.6 million," Smith told Castillo. "You did that without benefit of a college degree or even a high school diploma. It's a staggering amount of money." The judge said most of the money is unaccounted for. Sierra apologized to the government and his family. "I know I'm guilty of what I participated in and I want to take responsibility," he said. But he denied having a leadership role in the enterprise and scowled when Smith handed down his sentence. Castillo had no comment in court. Sierra's wife, Mariela Evangelista, served two years in federal prison for her role in the scam, records say. She has been released. Another conspirator, Susan Perez, served 15 months and has been released, records say. Another leader in the scam, Jessenia Cordero, was sentenced last year to serve three years and six months in federal prison. Her enterprise was linked to but run independently of Sierra and Castillo's, according to federal authorities. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" on Thursday about a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report about clergy who raped and molested children in six dioceses and decried the abuse as "criminally and morally reprehensible." In uncharacteristically strong language for the Holy See even in matters like the long running abuse scandals staining the U.S. church, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said that victims should know "the pope is on their side." Pope Francis himself wasn't quoted in the statement, and there was no mention of demands in the United States among some Catholics for the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington. The grand jury report made public this week accused the cardinal of helping to protect some molester priests while he was previously bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Burke, in the statement, described the abuse in the report as "betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith. The church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur." Pope Francis had recently accepted the resignation from cardinal's rank of former Washington archbishop Theodore McCarrick for alleged sexual misconduct. It was the first time a prelate had lost his cardinal's rank in a sexual abuse scandal, and Francis was stepping up his crackdown on the abuse to include some of the highest ranking churchmen. Burke said that Francis "understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults in the church and in all of society." The grand jury report documented how pedophile priests in the Diocese of Allentown and five other dioceses across Pennsylvania were often protected by church hierarchy or moved to other postings without the faithful being told of the priests' sexual predatory history. More coverage of the grand jury report's release: Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The case for the removal of key Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services from Portlaoise hospital is based on the low throughput of acutely ill patients who need life saving help. The National Critical Care Progamme for the Adult Critical Care Model memo sent to the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group says 46 patients required 'invasive ventilatory support' in 2016. This represented just 3% of the total number of patients who need such care at Tallagh, St James, Tullamore, Naas and Portlaoise hospitals. The memo, which was sent to senior management and doctors and nurses, goes further and says the Laois hospital has the lowest amount of ICU patients of any Irish hospital. It says a hospital should have 200 critically ill patients each year to maintain the professional skills and competencies of staff. However, it also admits that 18 of 26 hospitals do not reach the desired level. The memo outlines a number of tables on the staff and resources available to Dublin Midlands Hospitals. It says there is a 'slight (counterintuitive) tendancy' away from concentrating resources at the hub hospitals. The memo points to several reports and policies to back up the need for change. it quotes a 2016 report from the health watchdog Hiqa which questioned the sustainability of critical care services in Portlaoise. It also points to the draft plan for the Dublin Midland Group which reocommended that Portlaoise become a Model 2 hospital consistent with national guidelines. The memo says the Critical Care programme is 'pleased' to provide recommendations input of a hub-and-spoke model which would see Portlaoise relegated to Model 2 status. It recommends that the DMHG requests and obtains sufficient resource to 'reconfigure'. The document is authored by Dr Michael Power, Clinical Lead, Mr Derek Nurse Manager and Ms Una Quill, Pogramme manager. A source at Portlaoise hospital claimed the document did not have the support of many but confirmed its implentation would see A&E removed from Portlaoise. It was also claimed many hospitals would lose ICU services if the figures applied to Portlaoise were applied to all hospitals including Naas and Tullamore. A reunion is planned at an historic Laois school, but photos are needed to show the full picture of its history in a commemorative reunion book. Shanganamore National School opened its doors in 1831, in Barrowhouse village near the Kildare border. The small school was part of a nationwide historic battle to remain open in 1975 when the Department of Education closed it and other small schools. The local community united and dug deep to pay for the teachers and the schools upkeep for a year, until a new government was elected and the closure was reversed. The school moved to a new building in the village in 1998, with the old one becoming a community hall. Barrowhouse has the unusual honour of being the only part of Laois that is in the Dublin diocese, while also a part of Athy parish though it is in Laois. Dublin Bishop Eamon Walsh will come to celebrate mass for the reunion in the old school, on Sunday September 23. Refreshments will follow and a time to reminisce about old school memories. The book of old photos is hoped to be ready for launch on that day. Some photographs already gathered date as far back as 1904. However there is a gap, as John Langton explains. We have nothing from the 1950s up so we are asking people to send us their photos, either by email to my son langtonsean7@gmail.com, or drop them by hand to me in Kilmoroney, Barrowhouse, he said. Call Sean with queries at 087 0958381. Laois school has two students with top Leaving Cert marks A local district court judge has branded an estranged couple odious and a disgrace after hearing evidence from them in the course of an application from the man to have access to his two younger children. The case, which was held at Naas District Court last Thursday, involved a former couple living in county Kildare who have separated but until recently were living together in the family home. Judge Miriam Walsh was told that a few days before the father was due to take the children on holiday to Kerry he arrived back to the house from a job interview and found that his former wife had left, taking the children with her. She had organised separate accommodation, she told him in a sparse text later that day, but wouldnt tell him where. That was five weeks ago, and since then he has only had access to his eldest child who is a teenager. She has stayed with him over a number of weekends. The holiday, which had been booked, had to be cancelled. His former wife alleged that he had mental health issues, that his behaviour had caused the youngest child to wet the bed, that he allowed the children to stay up late and that he paced around the house at night time. She alleged mental abuse and erratic behaviour on his part. For his sake the man said that his former wife was projecting and that he was tip-toing around his own house. Representing the man, David Powderly said that the woman had decided unilaterally that she was in charge. Legal proceedings to initiate a separation agreement had been sent the previous year but had not advanced since then. The man said that he had been expecting that the separation would happen in due course and was ok with that. In her evidence, the woman said that her son was no longer wetting the bed since they had left. She added that she had been in regular contact with her own solicitor and didnt know why the separation process had not advanced. Having heard evidence from both, Judge Walsh said the pair had an unseemly display of hatred towards each other. She said that she was appalled that the woman had effectively cancelled the holiday, adding that it was malicious. She said that there was no evidence presented to court that she was terrified of the man, or that the children were terrified of him. Judge Walsh issued an interim access order, saying that the children would spend every second week with their father at the family home. You are both odious people to allow this to happen, the judge told the former couple, describing them as a disgrace. She felt they were using the kids against each other. She told them that even after a separation, they would be joined together at the hip for many years to come for weddings, funerals and bar mitzvahs or until the children wake up some morning and a light bulb goes off and they tell either one of you where to go. She warned them that the fate of their children were in their hands and that either they would turn out to be well balanced adults or end up with massive chips on their shoulders. Read more: Remnants of Storm Ernesto set to track across the Kildare this weekend A motorbike run organised in memory of a Newbridge woman who passed away from breast cancer back in 2015 will be held for the third time this September. Noirins Run, named after 43-year-old Noirin Conlan from Moorefield Park, will leave from Toughers Restaurant between Newbridge and Naas on Sunday, September 9, for a 100-mile round trip. The cost is 10 per bike and the run will start at 12 sharp. The event is run by the East Ireland Bikers group, and all proceeds raised will go to the Friends of St Brigids Hospice on the Curragh. SEE ALSO: Relief all round in Newbridge as students pick up Leaving Cert results This year the route will take the participants from Toughers Restaurant on to Naas, Sallins, Clane, into Kilcock, Enfield, Moyvally, Clonard, Kinnegad, Rochfortbridge, Tyrrellspace, and the Topaz at Kilbeggan, where there will be a half-hour break. After that, the bikers will continue to Tullamore, Geashill, Clonygowan, Portarlington, Monasterevin, Kildare town, Newbridge and return back to Toughers around 3.45pm. The first iteration of Norins Run took place in 2016, just a year after Noirin sadly passed away. It was organised by her husband Brian, himself a keen biker, and their teenage son Adam. Toughers who are sponsoring tea and sandwiches on return will be delighted to see the bikers come along on the morning, said Brian. Brian and Noirin, who worked in Burns Nowlan Solicitors in Newbridge, had been together for some 24 years, after meeting as youngsters at a disco. The Hillsboro native, nee ONeill, was well-known for her stylish and quirky dress sense, and Brian said his wife always saw the good in people and loved the simple things in life. She passed away peacefully at her home in Newbridge in October 2015, where she was cared for by her family with the help of hospice nurses. 20-year-old Shauntelle (Shan) Tynan, whose mother Leona is from Newbridge, has revealed she is cancer free. Shan battled a rare form of cancer at the Texas Children's Hospital in the USA for the last 18 months. Shan during her treatment The inspirational teen posted a video of her cancer journey on her Facebook page. The post said: This is the day we have dreamed about and anticipated for so long!. We are so lost for words right now but wanted you all to know that my journey of active cancer has come to a close and we hope it remains that way!, said Shan. Now I truly have a chance at life and will keep you all updated to how I grow in the future. Next stop is ringing that bell I've watched so many kids ring when they got to cancer free, something we never thought I'd do!, she added. She thanked the public for their generosity after a massive national fundraising appeal raised over 750,000 for treatment. Shan will return to Irish soil on August 18. WATCH POST HERE: by Bernardo Cervellera By the end of August, all the dioceses of China have to present a five-year plan (2018-2022) to the National Patriotic Association (PA) and the Council of Bishops (BCCCC) on how they can implement the syncization, commissioned by Xi Jinping. The National Five-Year Plan augments the physical control over members of the Church (bishops, priests, laity), also control over culture, theology, social doctrine, art, architecture, liturgy. A political and non-religious document: Jesus Christ is mentioned only once; the Patriotic Association is mentioned 15 times. Rome (AsiaNews) - The entire Church in China, official and underground, is about to enter a new, great prison through one magic word: sinicization, assimilation to Chinese culture and society and above all submission to the Party. It will allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Patriotic Association to control not only people (bishops, priests, faithful), but also what they think and the fruit of their thinking: historical records and interpretations, theology, social doctrine, architecture, sacred art and even liturgical books and liturgy. In short, a political colonization of the minds and consciences of Chinese Catholics. By the end of August, all the dioceses of China must submit to the National Patriotic Association (CCPA) and the Council of Bishops (BCCC) a five-year plan (2018-2022) on how they can implement the sinicization. For this reason, the CCPA and the BCCC have drafted a national "Five-Year Plan", which serves as a model and inspiration "to advance the Catholic Church's accession to China towards the sinicization". The word "Jesus Christ" is mentioned once only in the 15-page document; the word "Gospel" 4 times; but the term "Communist Party" is mentioned 5 times and the word "Patriotic Association" 15 times. The English translation of this five-year nation plan has been published by UCAN newsagency; the text in Chinese came to us from Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong (see attachment below). The theme of sinicization was launched by Xi Jinping as early as May 2015. After an analysis of the situation, in which the Chinese Communist Party feared a similar fate to that of the USSR, on May 20, 2015, in a meeting with the United Front, Xi decreed that religions must "sinicize" if they want to stay in China. The same theme was reiterated at a national meeting on religious affairs in April 2016, and also turned up in the footnotes of the intervention on religions at the 19th NPCC Congress, in October 2017. In all these interventions, Xi places sinicization in a relational context with submission to the CCP, with independence from foreign religious powers or policies (including the Vatican), with the strengthening of "democracy" in religious decisions (divesting religious authorities of all power). The National Five-Year Plan extends the field of sinicization by enveloping not only the physical control of the members of the Church, but also the cultural, theological and liturgical control. In the original 15 pages of the document, divided into 9 chapters, it addresses not only the subject of submission to the CCP (n.2) and adherence to socialism with "Chinese characteristics", but also the integration of Catholicism with Chinese culture (No. 4); the development of a theology with Chinese characteristics; re-reading the history of the Church in China through the lense of sinicization (No. 5); exploring liturgical expressions with Chinese elements (No. 6); how to sinicize architectural works, paintings and sacred music (No. 8). All this must take place under the supervision of the PA and the BCCC, founding avant-garde theological academies, centres of historical study, institutes of Chinese Catholic culture, liturgical centers, all subjected to the leadership of the PA and the BCCC who exercise control, supervision, evaluation, to "correct", "create consensus", "oppose those who oppose". At this point one may ask: is such a sinicization still Catholic? Above and beyond the fact that the Catholic Church in China must "accept the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party" (No. 2, 3): how could one escape the omnipotent and omniscient system of control and power? Moreover, what about the "implement the core values of socialism as well as to strengthen their own base to push forward with evangelization and pastoral work" (No. 2,2)? What is the purpose of Benedict XVI's question in his Letter to Chinese Catholics, in which he asked for the freedom to work in society by working "for justice" (Letter, No. 4)? What about this "forced sinicization", in which a vanguard creates models that others must apply, "opposing those who oppose"? From the Catholic point of view there are two problems: the first is that - as Pope Francis affirms in the Evangelii gaudium (no. 115 et seq.) - inculturation is something entrusted to the entire Holy people of God (and not to a select few, however enlightened). The second is that in matters of inculturation the People of God must be left free and not forced. The "sinicization" project - that is, to insert the proclamation of the Gospel into the Chinese culture - the different spheres of the life of the Church is to be applauded and shared. But it must be said that this commitment is what Christians have been trying to do from the first proclamation in China (which is that of the Syrian Christians of the seventh century, not mentioned in the document, which instead mentions the Jesuits of the Ming and Qing era). A controversial point is the one on Christian buildings that must increasingly reflect Chinese style (as the nuncio Celso Costantini had already recommended 100 years ago). But Catholics - in freedom - may also like Western-style buildings. To make a secular comparison, the Shanghai rich - and members of the Party - prefer skyscrapers designed by foreign architects and even the buildings of the Bund, that of the old concessions, have become among the most expensive buildings in the metropolis. The document states "view that styles of church structures, painting and sacred music must be westernized should be changed" (No. 8, 1), but it is conceded that it is possible to construct structures in Chinese and Western style. Yet, in recent months we are witnessing the iconoclasm of local governments in Henan, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang where churches and decorations are destroyed because "Western". The fear is that this momentum towards the sinicization is only a chain and a control over the theological, historical, social, artistic works of Catholics. It is evident that such control leads to partiality, seen in the fact that several Catholic cultural centers have begun to enthusiastically study Catholic and Protestant personalities who have condemned or opposed the Japanese colonization of China. Unfortunately, nothing is heard about the lives of Catholics during the early period of Mao and during the Cultural Revolution and the persecution and murder of bishops, priests and laity. Soon we will have history books duly sterilized and adapted to the wishes of the prince, according to the imperial Chinese tradition. The deep impression that this document makes is that of a political manifesto with very little religious or theological subject matter. And even if its constantly quotes both "PA and BCCC", the power lies completely with the "PA". Kildare band Bunoscionn formed by chance at a random charity trad session in the Village Pub in Rathangan, and haven't looked back since. We had a great night and we were jamming together again, and we just started doing gigs out of nowhere. Since that weve been flat out, weve done nearly every festival around Europe at this stage, it just took off, band member Mick Cross told the Leader. The five piece band is made up of Mick from Rathangan, Con Dunne from Prosperous, Glenda McCormack from Robertstown, Michelle Lynch from Caragh and Ciaran Connaughton from Kill. They have gone from strength to strenth, making a name for themselves on the international stage. Where did the name come from? We were playing a gig somewhere and we didnt have a name for the band at this stage so we just asked the people in the crowd to think of a name for us and shout it up, and some little girl shouted up and said upside down so we just kept it from there, laughed Mick. We're a very random band. The alternative Irish folk group have a mix of different styles. Id be big into rock and grunge, Glenda would be more traditional style so its just fusing what we all like. The band are just fresh from headlining the Secret Village Festival in Roscommon at the weekend, and are now preparing for gigs in London before gearing up to perform at Electric Picnic in Stradbally starting on Friday, August 31. The band first played EP in 2013. They did a Pink Floyd tribute show called Trad Side Of The Moon instead of Dark Side Of The Moon. The band will play three gigs over the course of this years EP. They also have a few local shows lined up. We always play in the Village Pub in Rathangan, its our spiritual home, we just done a gig there for Pieta House there recently, we raised nearly 3,500 on the night. Roches in Donadea is another place we learned our trade as well. When were around we always keep it local. Its all go for the next few months, and the band are hoping to get back into recording before the year is out. Were hoping to get back into the studio before the end of the year and bring out another EP of original material, were always writing stuff and its just trying to get the time to get into studio. If you want to catch them live, they play a host of regular weekly gigs. We play up in Temple Bar every Tuesday and Thursday, and Monday nights we play the Roost in Maynooth. They have a number of upcoming gigs from Cork, Wicklow, Dublin, Roscommon, to Switzerland, Germany and Austria. For more information, visit their website www.bunoscionn.com. Both Aughavas and Aghacashel closed the hatch in their post office for the final time last Friday, August 10. It was an emotional day in Aghacashel as the Lee family said goodbye to a profession that has been in their family for 143 years. The Lees have been running the postal service in Aghacashel since 1875, long before the foundation of the Irish State and An Post. The Lee family provided a link for locals to the world outside their parish. John S. Lee opened the post office in 1875, a few hundred metres down the road from the current building. A teacher from Arigna, he passed the business onto his son Christy Lee, who in turn passed it to his son Jackie. Jackies daughter Antoinette Tivnan has been the Postmistress for the past 25 years. Jackie took over the post office just out of school. It was a service he grew up with and he watched it grow, expand and become computerised. He was sad to see the career that he reared his 11 children on close down, but mostly he was emotional for the local community who rely upon it. The post office was busy on Friday as pensioners collected their last state benefit there. Locals will now have to transfer payments to either Drumshanbo or Ballinamore post offices or move payment into their bank account. Jackie told the paper his father Christy Lee built the post office and current shop and family home in 1924. The Lees not only ran the post office for generations but provided numerous services for the community. Over the years the Lees were farmers, undertakers, travel agents, shipping masters, taxis and hardware and electrical experts! Postmistress of Aghacashel Post Offfice Antoinette Tivnan Antoinette said her father often booked the ticket for people to emigrate to America, drove them to Shannon to get the plane and then organised shipping to and from the United States. The mother of six children said it was hard to explain her emotions on Friday. She said locals are sad but she has seen the drop off in post office users in the last decade. She said with pensioners dying and no young people taking their place, it was inevitable. She also said transferring payments into peoples bank accounts was the beginning of the end for post offices. Antoinette is keeping the shop open for the time being and the family hopes it will continue to be used. Antoinette said the older people dont like change so are not taking the news of the closure well, Jackie quipped, they will need to make a bigger effort going into town, they didnt have to dress up to come into us! Antoinette said only a few people do a big shop with them and mostly people pick up a few bits passing by. She commented, I will miss the chats, as will the older people who came in for some social interaction. Meanwhile, Killargue Post Office is due to close on Friday, August 31, while Newtowngore Post Office is set to continue operating until the end of January 2019. The community of Aughavas has lodged an appeal against the closure of their post office. The current postmistress has retired. Adding to the appeal, the new owner of The Dugout, where Aughavas Post Office was housed, Michael Reilly, said that he wants to continue the business and has staff ready to train to provide the service. Also read: Newtowngore Post Office set to continue serving customers until 2019 THE advent of online Leaving Cert results has not changed the annual ritual very much. Most students still come in to school to collect their Leaving Cert results, according to principal Liam Murphy who was ready and waiting for the queues to form at Colaiste Ide agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale this Wednesday morning. By 10.30am, there were a mere half-dozen students in the queue with Cillian Murphy, Abbeyfeale first in line. No, he said firmly, when asked was he nervous. He has a plan and he will be sticking to it. But by 11am, the queue was long, the smiles were nervous and the knees were jerking up and down. I do look forward to it, Liam Murphy said. It is an important day for the students. It is a culmination of all their hard work, the teachers work and the support they get at home. The Leaving Cert for them, as it has been for all of us, is like a rite of passage. Having gone through the results for all 90 Leaving Cert students, Mr Murphy declared himself pleased with the results. The high numbers of failures in Maths nationally werent reflected in Abbeyfeale results and they were very happy with their STEM results and also with business and accountancy results. Being a community college, we have a broad range of subjects to suit the broad range of aptitudes and abilities, Mr Murphy said. But students, he added, are well grounded in their expectations and not every student is looking to get points in the high 500s. I think students have a very realistic idea of what they want and what they can achieve, he said. Vice-principal Joan Collins agreed. There is such a wide range of options and routes now, she pointed out. Next September, the school will be one of just 50 schools nationally to offer PE as a Leaving Cert subject and two classes will be taking up that option. There is a lot of excitement about that, Mr Murphy said. Apprenticeships are now also attracting more students, he added. But Mr Murphy and other members of staff were taking nothing for granted. The school chaplain, Noirin McCarthy was there in case any student felt overwhelmed, distressed or disappointed. Many students though, were leaving without opening their big, white envelopes. Im going to open it with my mom, several students informed the Limerick Leader. Others immediately got their phones out to get down to the very serious businness of calculating their points. But after the first few had gone through, the atmosphere became more relaxed and outside the school, the hugs and smiles were fast becoming the norm. I am delighted. I am very happy, said William Reynolds, Abbeyfeale who had scored an exceptional 575 points. I got what I needed,said the young man who is heading for medicine. I am over the moon, Jessica Lane, Abbeyfeale said. I did better that I thought. She hopes to be heading to Tralee to do nursing. Ellen Scanlon was another student who fared better than she had expected. She now hopes to study finance in UCC. For them, and for their schoolmates and their peers throughout the county and city, the future beckons. And they are preparing to embrace it with energy. THE PUBLIC was only warned of a severe superbug outbreak at University Hospital Limerick one month after the outbreak was declared by management, the Limerick Leader has learned. Last Thursday, August 9, the UL Hospitals Group announced that it was enforcing strict visitor restrictions at the hospital and that significant volume of patients were being isolated. A spokesperson said that the restrictions are in place "not because there is a high risk of transmission" but for the purpose of facilitating an "increased need for cleaning and demand on the wards and nursing staff during the outbreak". After a number of media organisationsincluding this newspaperasked the group what had prompted the isolated treatment, a spokesperson revealed six hours later that a CPE outbreak had occurred. Twenty-one CPE cases had been detected since June, one of the worst outbreaks since it was first detected in Ireland in 2009. After the first case was detected in early June, an incident meeting took place and an alert was issued within UHL, the spokesperson told the Leader this Wednesday. The Health Protection and Surveillance Centre, the Department of Public Health in Limerick and the National Clinical Lead for Healthcare Associated Infections were then notified. Subsequent to confirmation of further CPE-positive cases, an outbreak was declared internally on July 9, he said. However, the public was not informed of this outbreak until August 9. He added: A response to an outbreak is dependent on the type of outbreak; type of bug and severity, for example the number of patients affected and the potential impact on other patients, staff and visitors. Appropriate control measures are put in place following incident meetings with multi-disciplinary teams. New CPE cases are frequently picked up through screening and appropriate precautions taken. In addition, patients previously identified as CPE-positive may be readmitted, said the spokesperson, adding that CPE is endemic in the Mid-West. While the UL Hospitals Group cannot confirm the outbreaks index caseor patient zerothe National CPE Reference Lab in Galway will assess each case, using whole genome sequencing. This may provide insights into the epidemiology of CPE cases in the Mid-West. Every new positive case also generates more screening and therefore more detections. Other factors contributing to an increase in detections includes a shortage of isolation facilities and increasing resistance nationally. The importance of hand hygiene precautions in containing the spread of healthcare-associated infections is recognised by all stakeholders, he said. The spokesperson said the CPE superbug is a challenge for hospitals and healthcare providers around the world. In these circumstances, it is not realistic to expect there will never be an outbreak. UL Hospitals Group, instead, focuses on preparing to meet these challenges when necessary and on keeping patients safe. The group has developed a quality improvement plan for the management of CPE, largely influenced by the NHS toolkit for the control of CPE. This plan includes the use of isolation wards; flagging all CPE-positives and CPE contacts; using surveillance and reporting software; and improved ICT systems. This contributed to a massive decrease of CPE cases from 57 in 2015 to 30 in 2016. There have been more than 230 CPE cases since 2009. More than 40 cases have been confirmed so far this year. Regrettably the current outbreak has seen the number of detections rise again this year but management and staff remain absolutely committed to implementing the quality improvement plan to contain the number of new cases as much as possible. CPECarbapenem-producing Enterobacteriaceaeis a multi-drug resistant superbug that is resistant to the carbapenem antiobiotic group. The 21 detections were colonised cases, meaning the bug is harmlessly resting in the bowels. However, if infected, there is generally a 50% survival rate. There has not been a bloodstream infection in the region since 2015. ITS BEEN a summer of hurling to remember, and the day is almost upon us when over 40,000 men, women and children from Limerick will hit the road for Dublin to roar on their hurling heroes in the hope of a first All-Ireland victory in 45 years. The mass exodus by road and rail for those who have secured a coveted ticket for Croker will get underway on Saturday with the majority of fans leaving Shannonside on Sunday morning. Those without a ticket have the choice of two big screens to view the action - in the Gaelic Grounds in the city, and the Square in Newcastle West. All 20,000 tickets have been snapped up for the big screen event at the Ennis Road venue where gates open at 12 noon. The atmosphere across both the city and county reached a crescendo of excitement, and tension, this week, with people talking about nothing but the match. Flags, teddies, hats, houses, headbands, cars, cathedrals, bunting and bikes are all dominated by one colour, green. Prayers have even been offered up in the Vatican for the Limerick lads. At Limerick District Court this Wednesday, Judge Marie Keane granted a number of special exemptions for public houses in the city to remain open until 2am on Monday, saying she had done likewise in Galway Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, one county Limerick farmer has pulled out all the stops by organising an elaborate display on his road frontage, see above. Roger Mulqueen, 39, spent three evenings - after hurling training and after milking - putting it all together. I was at it until 10.30pm every evening and I had to get a man to stack the bales as well! said the dairy farmer from Crean, Bruff. The detail is incredible even down to injured Paul Browne's crutch. Roger, who calls himself the Leonardo da Vinci of Limerick GAA, nearly caused the Bruff midfielder more pain. I sent it to him in a Snapchat before I posted it to make sure it was alright and he said he nearly fell off the chair from laughing! David Reidy [from nearby Dromin-Athlacca] passed this morning while I was doing it and he thought it was brilliant. The car which isnt roadworthy is the property of Rogers nephew 15-year-old Oisin Mulqueen. The mannequins - decorated in Sean Finn and Paul Brownes likeness were drafted in from Raspberry Red boutique in Bruff and Charleville stores Chic Boutique and Murrays. Such was the crowd that turned out for the Leaders photoshoot on Monday morning, that Rogers mother Bridie had to oversee traffic control in one of their fields. You wouldnt get as many at training, said one local who counted 53 people at one stage gathered around the bales. Two of those were parents of Limerick cornerback Sean Finn of Bruff. This is one of the most joyful portraits of local life the @Limerick_Leader has published on its front page since 1889. It captures perfectly the support behind the Limerick hurlers this week. Picture taken by Michael Cowhey and conceived by assistant editor @AineFitzgeraldA pic.twitter.com/B2Z8nGobKd Alan English (@AlanEnglish9) August 16, 2018 This is what you dream of when you are in a house full of GAA, said his mum, standing in the middle of Mulqueens field. Meeting people in our local shop, Nagles, everyone is asking how things are and hows Sean. Hes doing his normal thing, working away. The 22-year-old finished his degree in business in UL this year and continues to work in Glynns chipper in Bruff. He is working there part-time. He worked there all through college and they have been fantastic to him. Seans twin sister Sarah is currently on holidays in America but shell be home, please God, on Friday, says Siobhan who is one of these mothers who is great in the first half of a match but a different person in the second half. I have to make trips for cups of tea and then come back down and Brian gives out to me saying, why are you leaving?Everytime I wake up all I can think of is the match. Its more tense this week. I hope that none of them get injuries and when they come off the field they can say they gave it everything. These bunch of guys are so excited to be at the senior level. According to his proud mum, Sean simply loves hurling. Ever since he was about two he never went anywhere without a hurley. He always went to school with a hurley - it was just part of his school bag. Seans older brother Brian played with the U21s when they won the All-Ireland final. Younger brother Patrick plays with the U15 squad. We just eat, sleep and drink hurling, Siobhan laughed. Patrick is so proud of Sean but he is also the one, when Sean comes in after a match, who would say, OK, Sean, you should have done this and that. There is room for improvement. But Sean takes it - he doesnt bat an eyelid. Im his biggest critic, laughed Patrick from afar, who plays centreback. Across the field, Seans dad Brian is shooting the breeze with a few locals. Brian was on the Limerick senior hurling panel in 1994 when they reached the All-Ireland final. Im very hopeful that they will win - weve lost too many of them. We are just hoping and hoping. I wish it was over and we had the cup in our possession but we have to go through a lot before we get to there, he says. With feet firmly on the ground he insists we have to respect Galway. They are All-Ireland champions. They have been there for the last five or six years. Their experience will be a big factor for them but I think our youth and our passion and our desire, please God, will win it for us. I think their management team is excellent. I notice even with Sean, they are very cool, they are not getting caught up in any of the hype and I think they are being very, very well protected. And come the morning of the big game, will he have any advice for his son? I will be just wishing him the best of luck. At the end of the day, be it a player or supporter, you are just hoping for a performance and if enough of them perform, I think it should be sufficient. Meanwhile, wishing the team well ahead of the final, Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said that, win or lose, we can all take great example from Limerick manager John Kiely and his brave squad. No matter what happens on Sunday, this Limerick team is the story of what has been an amazing sporting summer in Ireland. They have been humble, honest and passionate in what they have said and we admire them for that. Among those who will be in Croke Park on Sunday will be the mother of the late Dolores ORiordan. Hurling fans experienced a spine-tingling moment at the semi-final in GAA HQ when, after the final whistle, Limerick players stood arm-in-arm while Dolores voice echoed around the stadium as Linger was played aloud. I hope they can do it. Im going to be there with my son Joseph and three grandchildren, Eileen told the Leader this Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Limerick teams banquet is to take place at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin on Sunday night. They are due in Colbert Station station, Limerick at 5.40pm on Monday evening when, win or lose, they will be taken by open top bus to the homecoming reception in the Gaelic Grounds. GARDAI in Limerick are appealing to young men and women to be vigilant when attending debs over the coming weeks. Often when young people are at these events they relax their guard and they can leave their mobile phones un attended for a moment, warned Sgt Ber Leetch. I see young ladies leaving their bags to go out dancing, probably believing that their friends will watch it for them but you are responsible for your property and a careless moment could spoil what should be a very happy night, she added pointing out that young men are also careless with their wallets and mobile phones. Meanwhile, gardai are appealing to those attending the big screen at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday to be conscious of their personal safety. Be cautious where you park your car and make sure its locked. Protect your wallets and handbags at all times, said a garda spokesperson. Children should also know their parents numbers, gardai added. TWO GROUPS of Limerick collectives are teaming up to bring the inaugural Feil Na Greine dance and alternative music festival this weekend. The festival is a joint venture between Lower Your Expectations and DIY LK music nights, and will take place at a number of venues in the city centre between this Friday and Sunday. All events on Saturday and Sunday are free. On Friday night, Limerick-based Post-Punk Podge and the Technohippes will launch their new EP. There will be a 5 admission fee, which will go towards the running of the festival. Organisers have said that it is a 100% non-profit event. Lower Your Expectations is a semi-regular dance music night run across a number of various venues. This was established by local musican Jack Brolly, who was getting tired of the status quo that dominated the Limerick music scene and introduced a fresh element. DIY LK is a collective of Limerick bands and musicians running gigs in Pharmacia, featuring rising acts from Limerick, Ireland, the UK and further afield. The reason we have decided to collaborate on this event is because we have both managed to run very successful regular gigs over the last 18 months and felt that between the two groups we would have enough resources, contacts and know-how to run a successful festival for low cost. Beyond just running a one-off event, its important to us that this becomes a yearly thing and helps grow the local music scene. We are all passionate about Limerick and want to stamp its place on the national musical map properly, said spokesperson for Feile Na Greine. LINE-UP FOR FEILE NA GREINE A NEW digital project is allowing everyone to virtually get inside the original objects that make up the unique collection at Limericks Hunt Museum. The Hunt Museum is currently undertaking the Limerick 3D Project together with Digital Heritage Age, thanks to a European Year of Cultural Heritage grant and support from Limerick City and County Council. Using photogrammetry, a number of volunteers have generated 3D models of the Hunt Museum's collections following an intensive programme of training in this form of digitisation. The idea that we can make the amazing Hunt Museum objects accessible as 3D online is very exciting, Gary Dempsey from Digital Heritage Age said. The perseverance of #Limerick3D volunteers last week has produce this wonderful 3D model of a Painted Blue Glass Bead from the @HuntMuseum collection. https://t.co/jPlNNlN49Q @cags_maria you can let the team know their work is impressive DigitalHeritageAge (@DH_Age) August 14, 2018 Photogrammetry involves using photography to record objects, as well as special software to process them and generate the 3D models. A number of full day sessions have been held to train the group, with the project aiming to increase the numbers learning this technology. Sometimes the eye doesnt see an objects detail but working with it digitally on a computer screen reveals so much, one volunteer at a training session said. Several 3D models of Hunt Museum collection objects have already been generated and can be explored on the Limerick 3D project Sketchfab page. What's this - More #Limerick3D models created during @HuntMuseum community volunteer photogrammetry project thanks to @HeritageHubIRE for supporting and @Sketchfab for providing #CulturalHeritage account https://t.co/zNZ40KDxIK @cags_maria you can leave the Palstave tomorrow :) DigitalHeritageAge (@DH_Age) August 14, 2018 For Heritage Week 2018, visitors to the museum are invited to take part in a hands-on experience with the photogrammetry technology used during the process, while also getting the chance to handle some of the original objects that are being digitised. The Limerick 3D project workshop will take place on Thursday August 23 and Saturday August 25 from 11am to 1pm. Other events include a talk by archaeologist Dr Ros O Maolduin of the Irish Prehistoric Field School on the use of 3D modelling in archaeology on Thursday August 23 from 7pm to 8pm. For further information please contact Maria Cagney, Curator of Education and Outreach on 061 312833 or education@huntmuseum.com or go to www.huntmuseum.com/events by Sandra Awad* The daily survival of people displaced from the rebel enclave on the outskirts of Damascus. Rebels and jihadists "live happily" in Turkey, while civilians suffer. Women who give birth on the streets amid garbage; diseases and skin infections; the hunger of children scavaging for sugar and biscuits. They lack food, drinking water and doctors. However, the feeling of abandonment prevails over hunger. "They come to bring us aid, they treat us like insects and look with disgust at us". Part II. Damascus (AsiaNews) - The second part of the journey among the displaced people of eastern Ghouta, an area on the outskirts of Damascus that was controlled for a long time by rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad. These people who, despite hardship and deprivation, are often without food to give to their children, claim they have "more need for love than for food". And they reject the association with extremist and rebel groups who have long controlled the area and who today "have fled to Turkey and live happily. We, on the other hand, have not hurt anyone, we are suffering." At the end of July Caritas Syria, together with a Muslim NGO, distributed 1480 food baskets to displaced families. The Christian activists have delivered a thousand baskets of fruit and vegetables and 600 packages containing diapers for the little ones to a population in extreme need. Sandra Awad, wife and mother of two children, is head of Communication of Caritas Syria. Together with a group of colleagues she crossed the threshold of the reception center and recored the desperate testimonies of the refugees for AsiaNews (in photo). The extreme poverty and overcrowding of the rooms, broken families, wives and husbands who can only spend a few minutes a day together, the feeling of being looked at with "disgust" even by those who should provide help and assistance. Here is the testimony of the Caritas manager. For Part I click here: We finally reached our destination, Al Nashabiyeh lodging center, which is, technically, a primary school, that had gathered in its narrow classrooms hundreds of displaced families from the villages of Ghouta. Families over there were divided in two buildings, one for men, and another for women and children. I stepped off the bus, and my colleagues and the volunteers from a Church scout group who accompanied us started preparing the lists to distributes the humanitarian aids. My eyes met one of the ladies, so I smiled to her, and it seemed as if my smile was all what she had been waiting for a long time, so she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the building. At the beginning, I felt afraid, but the smiles of women and children around me, and their great joy with my visit to them had vanished all my fears away. We went up to the second floor, and as I was passing by each classroom, I was sneaking with my sight inside it, only to see the view of extreme poverty and the overcrowding of their inhabitants. We finally reached the classroom where the women who invited me lived; clothes being spread on wires here and there in front of the green board. Two kids sleeping in a dirty bed, and a big piece of cloth covering them to protect them from flies and the many insects which were there, dirty mattresses, pillows and covers were piled in the corners. Plastic shoes, extremely ragged, thrown all around the room. "How many families are there in this room?", I asked one of those women. "We are nine families in this classroom, ma'am", she answered, "women and children. Our men and sons are in the other building. We never meet but during daytime in the school playground, like total strangers, under the burning sunrays. At that moment, a young woman entered, carrying an infant in her arms, so one of the women sitting around me said to me: "This is my daughter-in-law. She gave birth a few days ago on this same mattress that we're sitting on. I helped her deliver the baby myself since The Red Crescent ambulance car couldn't arrive on time and was too late to take her to the health center. A very skinny woman added: "I'm pregnant, too, and I'm really concerned that the ambulance car might not arrive on time. Can you believe it? It's been 7 months since I got pregnant, and no single gynecologist has seen me during that entire period. Another woman said: "Just women illnesses? Let me show you, ma'am." She removed her veil and showed me her neck, to show me what she called "A weird insect's bite" spreading all around her neck like a necklace, and covered with white purulence, and many other women did as she did and showed me their necks and the bites in different parts of their bodies. "The worst thing, ma'am", one of them added, " is hunger. When you see your own kids starving in front of you and desiring a piece of a biscuit. The other day, an association distributed some detergents to us, thus I took the detergent, sold it and bought some sugar for the tea instead. Another woman said to me: "Believe it or not, ma'am, there are a charity who comes to provide our kids with psycho-social support. My son avoids playing outside when they come, because they don't give him biscuits. Those kids are hungry! They are in need of food, what kind of psycho-social support can be offered to hungry people?!!! "You're right", I said, What about water? Where do you drink from?" One of them answered: "From The Red Cross & The Red Crescent containers down there. I swear to you, ma'am, the water is polluted. I was drinking the other day when I found a worm inside the water. The diarrhea and stones cases are endless, but we can't help drinking it, I mean I try to boil it before giving it to the kids to drink, but that is not always possible. " They accompanied me to the extremely dirty school bathrooms, and one of the women, who seemed to be a tough lady, started talking in a loud voice: "Ma'am, I swear to you that we are in pain, and our lives resemble those of beasts rather than humans. We are forgotten in this lodging center for five months, not many people care about us. Do you know that there has been two suicide cases between men so far? How wouldn't they commit suicide while they have no work to do the entire day. They have no more hope. Our homes are destroyed, our properties are gone, and up above this we are living totally forgotten. Suddenly, it seemed that words were insufficient for that woman to express the pain that was inside her heart, and she started to cry, and I found myself approaching her to hold her to my chest and cry with her too, in the middle of the dirty bathrooms. She looked at me with her wet eyes, not believing what had just happened, and told me: "You know what, ma'am? Perhaps we are in need of love more than food. They come to bring us aids, they treat us like insects and seem to be disgusted of us, but we feel that you love us and want to help us from your hearts. Look at you, you're standing with us in these dirty bathrooms, and listening to us from all your heart. Ma'am, I want to tell you that not all people inside Ghouta are bandits. Believe me those bad people ran away to Turkey and are living happily now, but we, who have not hurt anyone, are suffering here. I beg you, ma'am, deliver our voice. I call, from my heart, on all the national associations working on the ground and the good people and friends abroad to help our people in Ghouta. For we are all in Syria, one body; if one organ aches, the entire body won't be fine, whether now or in the near or the far future. Aug 17, 2018, 8 AM The Seattle Philatelic Exhibition is Sept. 14-16 at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 S. 42nd Ave., Tukwila, Wash. By Linn's Staff The Seattle Philatelic Exhibition, Seapex 2018, celebrates the 75th anniversary of the United States Womens Army Corps. The show will take place Sept. 14-16 at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 S. 42nd Ave., Tukwila, Wash. New collectors, noncollectors and experienced philatelists are welcome. Parking and admission are free. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The show committee encourages attendees to register in advance in order to obtain a name tag and sign up for the awards dinner. Seapex will include 30 dealers from across the United States offering a wide range of material. The United Nations Postal Administration will also operate a booth. For young collectors, Seapex has a youth area, which will give away free stamps and supplies. In addition, on Saturday, there is a free session to support Boy Scouts working on their stamp collecting merit badge. Advance registration is required. Two societies will convene at Seapex: the American Helvetia Philatelic Society and the United Postal Stationery Society. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our Newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Seapex is an American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately Show. The multiframe grand award winner will qualify to compete in the Champion of Champions exhibition at APS Stampshow 2019 Aug. 1-4 in Omaha, Neb. The single-frame grand award winner may compete at APS Ameristamp Expo 2019 Feb. 15-17 in Mesa, Ariz. Seapex features a 200-frame exhibiting competition for single- and multiframe exhibits. The show also will have a noncompetitive court of honor and a number of society frames. On Saturday afternoon, the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors will lead an open forum on exhibiting, and the judges critique will be held. Other events at the show include a session on Colonial American postal history on Friday, a ceremony honoring the Womens Army Corps on Saturday, and meetings of the Women Exhibitors, the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs and the Universal Ship Cancellation Society. Each day, the show will hold a silent auction, and, in the evenings, there will be a hospitality suite available at the show hotel, the Residence Inn South Seattle/Tukwila. The hotel is offering a $119 per night special show rate. Judges for Seapex are led by new APS president Bob Zeigler. Other jury members are Jeff Shapiro, Christopher Dahle, David Piercey, Mark Banchik and Igor Grigorian as apprentice. Awards will be presented at the Saturday night awards dinner. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance or at the show. In honor of the theme, the show committee is offering show cachets and a special cancellation. Ordering information and more details about the show are available online. May 1, 2021, 12 PM Members of the Fort Riley Doughboy Honor Guard present the World War I Turning the Tide stamp during the July 27 first-day ceremony in Kansas City, Mo. United States Postal Service photograph used with permission. By Molly Goad Its time to catch up on the week that was in stamp-collecting insights and news. Linns Stamp News is looking back at its five most-read stories of the week. Click the links to read the stories. 5. Final set of Canada Posts feathered friends available: The third and final installment of Canada Posts Birds series shows five different feathered creatures in flight. 4. Poinsettia global forever stamp to be issued on a Sunday: The nondenominated ($1.15) stamp will be issued in a pane of 10 on Aug. 26; no first-day ceremony is planned. 3. Ten Hot Wheels cars will zoom onto U.S. stamps: The popular Mattel line of die-cast toy cars is being honored on its 50th anniversary. Ten stamps will be issued on a date to be announced later. 2. Finding town cancels to match your name: For those who would like to personalize their collection or create a present for a friend, preparing covers with town cancellations reflecting someones name is both a conversation piece and a gift no else will give. 1. World War I stamp ceremony: With a musical backdrop by the American Legion Band playing Kansas City, the United States Postal Service dedicated its World War I stamp. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever to prowl the oceans and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth," and for good reason: Its massive teeth are almost three times larger than the teeth of a modern great white shark. The megalodon's fossilized bones and teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off. When the megalodon went extinct While the popular 2018 movie, "The Meg," pits modern humans against an enormous megalodon, it's actually more than likely that the beast died out before humans even evolved. But it's difficult to pinpoint the exact date that the megalodon went extinct because the fossil record is incomplete. In 2014, a research group at the University of Zurich studied megalodon fossils using a technique called optimal linear estimation to determine their age. Their research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that most of the fossils date back to the middle Miocene epoch to the Pliocene epoch (15.9 million to 2.6 million years ago). All signs of the creature's existence ended 2.6 million years ago in the current fossil record, the authors wrote. For comparison, our earliest Homo sapiens ancestors emerged only 2.5 million years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. A very small portion of the Zurich study's data 6 out of 10,000 simulations showed a 1% chance that these giant sharks could still be alive. That chance seems pretty slim, and the researchers wrote in the study that they rejected "popular claims of present-day survival of C. megalodon." Because no one has discovered any recent evidence of the monster not even fossils that are any younger than 2.6 million years old scientists agree that megalodons are long gone. How big were megalodons? The megalodon was a gigantic creature, but maybe not as big as you think. There are a lot of arguments in the scientific community about the animal's actual size. Going solely by the size of the teeth, some believe that the fish could grow up to 60 feet long (18 meters), according to the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London, while others think that about 80 feet (25 m) long is more likely, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. For comparison, modern great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) reach lengths of 20 feet (6 m), according to Animal Diversity Web. Even larger is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which reaches 32 feet (9.7 m). The longest bony fish alive (sharks do not have bones; their skeletons are made of cartilage) is the giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), which has been known to reach up to 36 feet (11 m), according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Related: Oarfish: Photos of World's Longest Bony Fish "Original calculations greatly overestimated the size of megalodon," Marty Becker, a William Paterson University Professor of environmental science who studies shark paleontology, told Live Science. "This is in part related to the fact that the megalodon fossil record is dominated almost exclusively by teeth. Current calculations indicate that megalodon may have achieved lengths up to 10 meters [around 33 feet] and nothing like what is currently featured in the summer 2018 movie 'The Meg.'" The largest megalodon tooth measures around 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) in length, which is almost three times longer than those of great white sharks. That giant size led ancient peoples to theorize about the creatures' origins. For example, early discoveries of megalodon teeth in western Europe were thought to be the petrified tongues of ancient serpents. People called them "tongue stones." The impressive teeth are found all over the world in great quantities. "Teeth of megalodon are known to have a global occurrence and are prized among fossil collectors for their assorted colors, serrated edges and large size when compared to other fossil and modern shark teeth," Becker said. "Availability on the internet marketplace has devalued earlier fossil collections of megalodon teeth as investments." Monster bite: A single Megalodon tooth. (Image credit: Courtesy of the Bertucci family.) Where did megalodons live? Like the dinosaurs, the megalodon liked warmth. During its time, it hunted in the warm, shallow seas that covered much of the planet. Megalodon teeth have been found on every continent except Antarctica. Megalodon may have gone extinct when these seas dried up, the ice age began and water was locked up at the poles, according to Discovery. The shark either starved or was frozen into extinction. What did megalodon eat? The megalodon was a top-of-the-food-chain predator. It fed on other big marine mammals, like whales and dolphins. It may have even eaten other sharks, according to Discovery. Researchers think the megalodon would first attack the flipper and tails of the mammals to prevent them from swimming away, then go in for the kill, according to the BBC. The megalodon's 276 serrated teeth were the perfect tool for ripping flesh. These sharks also had a ferocious bite. While humans have been measured to have a bite force of around 1,317 newtons, researchers have estimated that the megalodon had a bite force between 108,514 and 182,201 newtons, according to the NHM. "Megalodon co-evolved with whales as a principal food source," Becker said. "As mammals, whales had the ability to thermoregulate and migrate toward colder waters of the poles. While the exact thermoregulatory capabilities are a topic of current study, inability to hunt whales in colder water is believed to be one of the leading causes of megalodon extinction." Additional resources: This article was updated on May 17, 2021 by Live Science Reference Editor Kimberly Hickok. We like considering an apocalypse. (Image credit: AMC) People have been making predictions about the end of times for a very, very long time. They've never been correct, but that doesn't seem to deter modern-day apocalypse forecasters. Live Science previously reported on the growing trend of apocalypticism, and how an increasing number of books, television shows and movies have portrayed postapocalyptic worlds over the past several decades. Among them is AMC's sci-fi series "Fear the Walking Dead" (which airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. CDT). The show, now in its fourth season, follows characters as they try to survive a zombie-driven apocalypse. [10 Failed Doomsday Predictions] Zombies are more thrilling than they are terrifying. (Image credit: AMC) Walking-dead humans don't exist, and people know this. They enjoy the scary feelings they get when watching horror shows because they know they aren't really in danger, David Rudd, a psychologist and president of the University of Memphis, previously told Live Science. Because they know the risk of something like a zombie attack is marginal, they experience excitement instead of fear, Rudd said. Zombies represent a longing to reconnect with humanity. (Image credit: AMC) Humans are naturally good at empathy, but we are bombarded with information from news outlets and technology, which tends to destroy that empathy, especially when it comes to empathy for people outside your personal circle, said P. J. Manney, writer and humanist, in an article she wrote for Live Science. But empathy is restored when people discover things they share, and sometimes that's pain and suffering, Manney said. In zombie apocalypse stories, people are generally more likely to survive if they seek power in numbers. It's easier to fight off a herd of the walking dead if you have a dozen people by your side. That means you can't disregard other people and face-to-face communication is a necessity a stark contrast from today's world, in which cellphones and computers allow people to communicate without ever meeting in person. We're intrigued by the art of survival. (Image credit: AMC) Even if you don't spend your life preparing for the apocalypse, it may have crossed your mind how you might handle things, especially when watching others go through it in a fictional world. After all, the drive to survive is a deeply rooted instinct. Dystopian shows help people work through how they'd act in a survivalist situation, Angela Becerra Vidergar, a literary scholar at Stanford University, said in a statement. Watching people fight for their lives against zombies "allows the audience to work through some of those difficult, threatening ethical dilemmas, or to think about their own capacity for survival," Vidergar said. "What character would I be like? What would I be willing to do in order to survive?" [7 Perfect Survival Foods] We're attracted to violence. (Image credit: AMC) Research in mice suggests that the mammalian brain processes aggressive, violent behavior the same way as it does other rewards, Live Science previously reported. "We learned from these experiments that an individual will intentionally seek out an aggressive encounter solely because they experience a rewarding sensation from it," Craig Kennedy, professor of special education and pediatrics at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, told Live Science. And considering that aggression is a highly conserved trait in mammals, it's likely humans crave violence, too, Kennedy said. We also like fear. (Image credit: AMC) People enjoy watching their greatest fears come to life in a fictional story, Paul Bloom, a psychologist at Yale University, told Big Think. Bloom's theory is that fictional tragedy and imaginary horrors help prepare people for real life by delivering moral truisms. There's not as much to learn from a story about an average person, living an average life and in an average place, Bloom said. [The Anatomy of Fear (Infographic)] Zombie stories help relieve stress. (Image credit: AMC) The alternate realty of a zombie apocalypse allows people to briefly escape the stress of social pressure and information saturation they encounter in their everyday lives, said Douglas Rushkoff, author of "Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now" (Current, 2014). "People watch zombie shows almost as a dream-come-true," Rushkoff told Business Insider. "Sounds bad on the surface," Rushkoff said. "But in the zombie apocalypse, there's no Twitter, there's no cellphone, there's no boss, there's no [Internal Revenue Service] IRS." Instead, the only goal is to survive and help the people you care about survive, he said. "It's relaxing on a certain level." [11 Tips to Lower Stress] It's a scary situation we think we could handle. (Image credit: AMC) The zombies in AMC's series "Fear the Walking Dead" are the kind that shuffle along slowly, with limited coordination, and they clearly lack cognitive abilities. They can be deadly, but it's not like a professional fighter coming at you. "We can actually deal with zombies," said Richard Smith, a mathematician at University College Dublin in Ireland who uses zombies to create mathematical models. Fighting zombies is easier if there's teamwork, Smith previously told Live Science. "If we fight them individually, we're not going to be too effective, because most individuals just aren't good at fighting," said Smith [5 Strange Facts About the Pentagon's Anti-Zombie Plan] Zombie stories make us feel hopeful. (Image credit: AMC) There are typically at least a few survivors during a zombie apocalypse, and that gives the audience hope that things might work out even in the toughest of times maybe they'll figure out a way to overcome the zombies! (Of course, if they did, then the thrilling tale would be over.) Hope is a positive emotion that humans instinctively to want to feel, Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist wrote previously for Live Science. "Life through rose-colored glasses keeps us healthy, energized and focused on reaching our special goals," she wrote. "We are built to hope." This photo, taken in 2016, shows the field of reindeer carcasses shortly after they were struck by lightning. Two years ago, a lightning storm was responsible for a major reindeer massacre in Norway. Exactly 323 reindeer, including 70 calves, were felled by the strikes, which caused widespread damage because the electricity was able to course through the wet ground. Shortly after the mass die-off, officials took the reindeers' heads, to test for chronic wasting disease a nervous-system disease found in deer and elk but the rest of the bodies were left in the field for nature to take its course. Now, the headless carcasses are teaching scientists how new life sprouts from a land of death. That's because an area with so much decomposing matter could be fertile grounds for new plant life to grow, a group of Norwegian scientists reported Aug. 15 in the journal Biology Letters. To document how the reindeer bodies affected the ecosystem, the researchers surveyed the carcass-strewn area for traces of poop from scavenging animals. Their research was part of a self-funded project called "REINCAR," short for both "reindeer carcass" and "reincarnation." And if this sounds like a particularly smelly endeavor to you, it is: The team had to smear menthol cream in their noses to deal with the stench, according to The New York Times. But rotting stench aside, the researchers found a landscape that's getting ready to sprout new life. Fox and bird feces were scattered around the carcasses, and in the feces of the crows, there were crowberry seeds. [6 Surprising Facts About Reindeer] Crowberry plants (Empetrum nigrum) are a "keystone species of the alpine tundra," meaning that they play a large role in shaping the ecosystem, and without them, the ecosystem would be very different, the authors wrote in the study. And the carcasses are creating a bare, nutrient-rich soil for such plants to grow in, according to the Times. As various scavengers drop a mix of crowberry and other seeds around the carcasses, you get "directed seed dispersal to the ideal germination spot," lead author Sam Steyaert, a researcher at the University of South-Eastern Norway and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, told the Times. In other words, the scavengers are delivering the seeds to perfect places for them to grow. In 21 out of the 24 fecal samples they took from crows, the researchers found viable crowberry seeds, or seeds that could potentially grow into seedlings. And when the team visited the site last week, they saw many crowberry seedlings spurting up around the field, which also now contains grass and sedges, according to the Times. "Our study provides novel insight into how scavengers may have landscape-level effects on plant distribution," the authors wrote in the study. "Our study took advantage of a rare event." But not all animals loved this area. The team found that rodent poop was less concentrated around the carcasses compared with in other areas. This could be due to fear or just the dearth of plant life to eat around there, they wrote in the paper. Originally published on Live Science. Dubai-based ports operator DP World has benefited from improved conditions in global trade during the first half of the year but has warned that geopolitical headwinds and recent changes to trade policies continue to pose uncertainty for the container market. Revenues at the group were up 14.4% to $2.6bn during the first half, with strong volume growth across its regions supported by new businesses including Drydocks World, Dubai Maritime City and Cosmos Agencia Maritima. On a like-for-like basis, revenue increased by 3%, driven by a 4.6% increase in total containerised revenue. But the ongoing problems at Doraleh and startup costs in Santos ate into profits, which were down 7.9% at $629m. Profit declined due to the deconsolidation of Doraleh (Djibouti) and consolidation of DP World Santos (Brazil), which remains in ramp-up stage. Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said: The near-term trade outlook remains uncertain with recent changes in trade policies and geopolitical headwinds in some regions continuing to pose uncertainty to the container market. However, the robust financial performance of the first six months also leaves us well placed for 2018 and we expect to see increased contributions from our recent investments in the second half of the year. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew 7.9% and ebitda margin for the half-year stood at 50.3%. Like-for-like adjusted ebitda grew 4.2% with a margin of 54.4%. The company blamed the consolidation of lower margin maritime services businesses for the fall in the ebitda margin. Last month, DP World reported a 6% like-for-like increase in volumes across its portfolio for the first six months of the year, despite a slowdown in the second quarter. DP World handled 35.6m teu across its portfolio of terminals in the first half of 2018, with gross container volumes growing by 4.8% year on year on a reported basis and 6% on a like-for-like basis. First published on www.lloydslist.com Exports forecast to gain impetus from currency depreciation, but imports likely to decline Logistics firms are largely upbeat about the trading outlook for Turkey despite the country's ongoing economic crisis and depreciating currency. Philip Stephenson, chairman of UK-based forwarder Davies Turner, told Lloyd's Loading List the weak Turkish lira and escalating tariff war between the US and Turkey would likely make life harder for British exporters, but easier for importers. If it becomes more difficult for not only UK, but European, exporters to sell to Turkey, it will put a strain on the rotation of trailers between Turkey and the UK, he said. Ideally for Davies Turner, balanced traffic flows in both directions are best, supplemented by collecting extra southbound freight from our partners in countries in the near-continent. Davies Turner operates two overland trailer services between the UK and Turkey with Turkish partner EKOL. Stephenson said so far this year it had been business as usual and the company was sheltered from fluctuations of the lira because most its large, international Turkish-related freight and logistics contracts were in euros or sterling. We have some concern if the current financial situation has a significant impact on future foreign investment within Turkey, he added. US-based global logistics and transportation solutions company, BDP International, expects Turkey's strong export growth to continue despite the current economic crisis, according to one of its senior executives. The Philadelphia-based firm has 11 offices in Turkey, employing 220 staff and boasting an annual turnover of more than US$125 million. Speaking to Lloyd's Loading List, managing director, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, Fikret Ersoy, said BDP International had not experienced any negative impact from Turkey's financial woes due to a highly diversified group of verticals, and the varied sizes of the businesses we serve. He continued: It is important to note that BDP Turkey is primarily focused on export logistics. Companies specialising in import logistics have been subjected to more immediate effects related to the devaluation. We are closely monitoring the private sector and have measures in place to adapt accordingly if the situation changes. Ersoy cited Germany, the UK, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy as the main trading partners of Turkey, for both inbound and outbound shipments. Turkey's exports have been increasing steadily to Western European countries, but imports from that area into Turkey have struggled, he added. He said there were various factors behind this, including a weakened Turkish lira versus the euro and US dollar, declining demand in the domestic market, a lack of purchasing power in Turkish households and strained relations with the EU - primarily Germany and Holland during 2018, although there had been an easing of tensions over the past month. Ersoy said the most popular Turkish exports included automobile/automotive parts, steel/ iron/other metals, textiles, FMCG, construction materials, chemicals, mining and agricultural commodities, foodstuffs and machinery. As for imports, chemical and petrochemicals timber, high-tech products, consumer goods, fashion, pharma/medical devices, automotive, defence and aerospace were to the fore. The breakdown would be 54-46% in favour of exports, Ersoy noted. Asked how he saw the economic crisis playing out, Ersoy replied: The main goal of the Turkish government is to boost exports. The current position of the Turkish lira provides certain competitive advantages in the global marketplace. Our expectation is for exports to rise approximately 11% in Q4 of 2018. With 85-90% of BDP Turkey's business consisting of exports, we anticipate a continuation of strong growth through end of year. He concluded: Turkey has an important strategic position between Europe and the Middle East, and considering its young and well-educated population, abundance of natural resources and economic reforms, we believe that the country will recover quickly." Meanwhile, Deutsche Post DHL whose freight unit last month opened a new 38,000sqm warehouse near the city of Izmir in response to increasing customer demand in line with a growing economy and logistics industry in Turkey, is not unduly concerned about economic uncertainty in the country. The Group has the experience of adapting to changing economic conditions caused by a variety of trade developments and potential obstacles, a spokesperson told Lloyd's Loading List. Naturally, we are paying close attention to the current financial developments in Turkey and are analysing the situation for its impact on our services. So far, we havent experienced any significant negative impact. Image: Shutterstock.com Progress made over the past few days in fighting the largest wildfire in California history could be lost this weekend, as the weather seems unlikely to continue to cooperate. The Mendocino Complex, made up of the River and Ranch fires, grew to 329,800 acres overnight but was 76 percent contained as of Friday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Overnight, firefighters were able to reinforce containment lines, tying together pre-existing containment barriers, especially north of the Snow Mountain wilderness, officials said. But higher temperatures starting Friday afternoon, in addition to a drop in humidity, are expected to fuel the flames. While the River Fire has been fully contained since Monday, the Ranch Fire will present extended challenges as crews continue to conduct suppression operations on the southern edge of the blaze. Firefighters are planning to take advantage of an inversion layer of smoke that clears around the same time every day to fly fixed-wing aircraft over the blaze this weekend and drop retardant in a tight period of time, said Steve Kaufmann, a Cal Fire public information officer for the Mendocino Complex. The inversion layer, which occurs when there is high pressure over a fire, has created smoky conditions for personnel fighting the fire and makes it impossible for fixed-wing aircraft to navigate overhead. Helicopters can still navigate through the area, he said. Kaufmann said the smoke typically lifts everyday around 1 to 3 p.m. Firefighters are also challenged by the blazes position, which is located deep in the forest on steep terrain. Kaufmann said. When officials look on a flat map in the smoky base camp, he said its difficult to understand the steep conditions firefighters are struggling with in the field. I walked out there and put my eyes on the terrain myself, and its very, very steep. That has been a challenge for our crews to access, Kaufmann said. In total, 3,569 firefighters and officials including crews from as far away as Australia and New Zealand are working to extinguish the Mendocino Complex. Operations also feature 209 fire engines, 73 hand crews, 21 helicopters, 63 dozers and 91 water tenders. The blaze has injured two people and killed Utah firefighter Matthew Burchett. Investigations into the cause of these incidents are ongoing. The Carr Fire near Redding continued to burn Friday morning, scorching 218,598 acres since it began July 23. The fire has destroyed 1,079 homes and is 75 percent contained. Three people have died as a result of the inferno, which included an unprecedented fire tornado. Josh Koehn and Lauren Hernandez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: josh.koehn@sfchronicle.com; lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Josh_Koehn, @LaurenPorFavor by Lawrence Jangma Gam Listed as a Tier-3 country, Myanmar can be denied aid. Washington accuses the Asian nation of hindering UN measures to fight human trafficking. According to the US State Department, Burmese officials are involved in prostitution and exploitation of people. Child soldiers remain a major issue. Yangon (AsiaNews) Myanmar is among the countries that most contribute to the exploitation and trafficking in human beings, this according to a report by the US State Department. The US accuses Myanmar of using child soldiers and violating the human rights of Rohingya Muslims. It also says that some Myanmar officials are involved in prostitution. The US State Department released its 18th annual report on Trafficking in Persons Report, which looks at 187 countries and territories and ranks them into four tiers, with Tier 1 being the best and Tier 3 the worst. Tier 1 countries meet US minimum standards. Tier 2 have made significant efforts to do so. Tier 2 Watch List includes nations deserving special scrutiny. Tier 3 countries do not fully comply with the minimum standards and have not made any commitment to do so. Countries on the last ranking can face sanctions, including restrictions on US and international aid. The US has accused Myanmar of interfering with the fight against human trafficking by not allowing the United Nations to enter into child demobilisation agreements with ethnic armed groups (EAGs). The State Department claims that Burmese women, especially from ethnic minorities, "are increasingly transported to China and subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude through forced marriages to Chinese men". On the positive side, the report also states that compared with the previous years, this year Myanmar is raising awareness and taking more actions against human trafficking and child soldier recruitment. Although complaints have increased in recent years because of greater awareness, child soldiers remain a major problem in Myanmar. A 2002 report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) estimated that at least 70,000 minors (under 18) had been recruited. In 2012, Myanmar signed an Action Plan with the UN to end the exploitation of children by its Armed Forces. Since then, the latter has taken steps to cut recruitment and has released about 850 from its ranks. If there's one thing that has been consistent about the ever-mercurial Animal Collective, it's that they will almost assuredly zig when you expect them to zag. Enter: "Tangerine Reef," an audiovisual album featuring images of the sexual reproduction of coral reefs created to coincide with the celebration of 2018 as the "International Year of the Reef." When you watch the video, you're sucked into an almost uncanny valley of coral reef imagery. The figures appear to be too vivid and acting in such an oddly patterned and discernible way, as though you're watching computer-generated imagery. Unless you are a coral reef expert, you wouldn't know that you are simply observing coral in its natural state. "(The visuals are) important for us because some of our initial inspirations for making music were - and is - the unknown and the mysterious," says Dave Portner, the band's co-vocalist and guitarist under the name Avey Tare. "I think it's cool to be able to remind yourself and to remind people that there's still otherworldly and unknown things out there to be seen or heard." This is sort of Animal Collective in a nutshell. They are an amorphous musical entity that seems allergic to any casual adoration from fans and critics. Rather than regurgitating the same sounds and thoughts every album and touring cycle, they have given themselves the runway to evolve from four guys who used to take the stage in animal masks obscuring their faces to having the freedom to be themselves. Brian Weitz, who mans the synthesizer sounds in the band under the moniker Geologist, was one of the main champions of "Tangerine Reef." Weitz and Josh Dibb - known as Deakin, the multi-instrumentalist of the band - are avid scuba divers and have planned annual vacations centered on diving for about two decades. Because of their interaction with marine life through their dives, Weitz and Dibb have long had an affinity for coral reefs and the surreal images that can be found deep in our oceans. The band knows that they have an opportunity to turn their spare-time passion for diving into a message for the uninitiated. "I think everybody is aware of the direction the environment is headed over the last few decades - and the ocean has been hit particularly hard for a lot of reasons," Weitz says. "We thought this project could help highlight that." Before committing himself full time to Animal Collective, Weitz had one toe dipped in the water of the D.C. political world, working for a Senate subcommittee on oceans, fisheries and the Coast Guard. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's in public administration in environmental science and policy from Columbia University. "Tangerine Reef" merges the branches in the road where his career could have gone. The genesis of the project came about in 2017 as a one-off art exhibition called "Coral Orgy," which took place at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center in Miami. The event was billed as "a site-specific performance celebrating the cosmic synchronicity of sex on the reef." This theme becomes evident when viewing the album because the imagery of coral is rife with mouth-like orifices enchantingly swaying and gesticulating. That imagery was provided by art collaborative Coral Morphologic, an art-science duo formed by marine biologist Colin Foord and musician J.D. McKay, who filmed all the visuals of the album. The pair were longtime Animal Collective fans and approached the band about a collaboration. This is the first studio album from Animal Collective with this configuration of the band - Portner, Weitz and Dibb. Noah Lennox, who shares vocal duties with Portner and has released critically acclaimed solo albums under his nom de plume, Panda Bear, was unavailable for this recording session. On "Tangerine Reef," the band cites the musical influence of "Koyaanisqatsi," the 1983 experimental film scored by Philip Glass with extended tracking shots of natural scenes around the United States. Glass' minimalist score was pioneering for soundtracks to come. Portner's vocals are harmonized with the sharp, laserlike blasts of glitchy, modular music in quick bursts of vocal phrases that come off as chants and incantations for the free-flowing species. The experimental band, which has its roots in Baltimore, has run the gamut of the modern music narrative over the course of its 20-plus years of existence. In the mid-2000s, after drifting northward to New York City, they were the oddballs making obtuse synth music with albums like "Feels" and "Strawberry Jam," beloved by their die-hard fans while their contemporaries were strumming away on guitars, clinging to the last vestiges of modern rock-and-roll. They concluded the aughts in 2009 with their career-defining album, "Merriweather Post Pavilion," a rapturous distillation of the band's more experimental tendencies with a straightforward songcraft of bouncing, viscous sounds. The band rode high atop the wave of indie synth rock churning out of Brooklyn and could have been content to try to recapture magic by making "Merriweather"-esque albums every cycle. But they delivered a curveball the following year when they released their first go at an audiovisual album, "ODDSAC." It features vignettes of loosely connected, Lynchian imagery - some of which is acted out by the band members themselves - scored to knotty, visceral arrangements. The band refutes that it was released as a direct rebuke to its Billboard-charting album. "Originally, we got asked to do a tour documentary, and then it just turned into what it became," Weitz says. "We got asked a lot with 'ODDSAC' if it was a reaction to the popularity of 'Merriweather.' But we would point out that we were working on it for four years, before we even recorded 'Strawberry Jam'; it was just what we wanted to do, and we kind of thought if we enjoyed it, other people would enjoy it, too." In true form, they continued their studio output with one of their most challenging albums in 2012, "Centipede Hz." The album is confrontational, both sonically and structurally. The band admitted in interviews around its release that they made the album with the intention of creating a frenetic composition that would test their physical limits in trying to re-create it in a live setting. Following that album, the band went on a brief hiatus as the four dispersed around the globe and some started families. They returned in 2016 with the release of "Painting With," which featured songs more in the vein of the bright arrangements found on "Merriweather" and earned the co-sign of experimental musician John Cale, who featured on the album. "At this point, we feel like we do have a core audience, and those are the outside thoughts or ears that we think about the most outside our own," Portner says. "There is a continuous thread, or sound, that goes through all this stuff. Whether it's something that we're trying to work on for an album cycle or something like ("Tangerine Reef") that's a little more off the cuff." By most metrics of what makes a successful indie band these days, Animal Collective checks nearly every box. Their hardcore fans still have the devotion of light Deadheads, and the band fits nicely near the middle to the top of any music festival lineup and can play concert halls around the world. Today's streaming-centric world allows bands to be presented in a sort of vacuum that doesn't require some grand narrative arc potentially wrought with peaks and valleys. "People are discovering us, like high school kids now; there's a pretty large body of work for them to jump into. For them, it's not a linear experience of what came after what, and what was going on in their life," Weitz says. This became clear to Weitz as he re-listened to some of his favorite bands, like classic rock heroes Pink Floyd and krautrock pioneers Can, and being able to turn his ear toward what is most alluring - like what he expects from any Animal Collective fan. "To be able to jump in and not exactly know where to go and kind of work your way through the murkiness and see that there are all these different sides," Weitz says. "You can almost make up your own relationship with the band based on what resonates with you out of context, and I think that's a cool thing." Residents and staff of The Buckingham, a senior living community in Houston, have recently been in for more than a few sweet treats literally. For the last four years, resident Fred Perkins, 90, has honed his talent of baking in his apartment, sharing the fruits of his labor with the community. Perkins, who was born in Florida, moved to Texas in 1952 and worked at Exxon for 43 years. When he retired, he and his wife decided they had had enough of the work and maintenance their Houston home required and thus moved to The Buckingham. (She has since passed away.) Even before they moved to the senior living community, Perkins did most of the cooking for the previous 10-15 years and started focusing more on baking pies and cakes, eventually ending up with three freezers in their house to store all of the baked goods they ended up with. Extra food storage wasnt an option at The Buckingham, but the easy solution for this was sharing his creations with the communitys residents and staff team. Perkins will often spend hours baking in his apartment at The Buckingham before handing treats out to front desk workers, drivers and other staff members at the retirement community, or passing them out to residents in his exercise group to enjoy as a post-workout treat. Staff members and workers at The Buckingham often request my pecan pie, which I enjoy making, he said. I also recently baked a tequila cheesecake for a party, which proved to be a hit. Perkins has also participated in bake sales and baked for other activities and events at the community. Some of his other baking specialties include key lime, apple and chess pies, as well as cheesecake, chocolate cake and Mexican cornbread. In addition to being an accomplished baker, Perkins is a seasoned cook. Being from Florida, seafood has been a favorite focus of mine after spending my childhood summers at my grandparents Gulf coast home, where I fished with my grandfather every day, in addition to helping cook and clean our catches, he said. Some of his favorite things to cook include Oysters Rockefeller and a Creole dish with oysters, fish, shrimp and okra. It takes a long time, but I make the roux and everything, he said. Perkins also enjoys grilling and smoking meats such as turkey and duck, although he doesnt get to do that often nowadays, as it isnt allowed at The Buckingham. Hes also famous for his homemade chili in fact, last year his recipe won the top honors in The Buckinghams competitive annual resident and team member chili cook-off, and this year he was named runner up. Perkins isnt much of a fan of cooking vegetables, which surely doesnt lead to any complaints from people who have tried his sweet treats. He also occasionally will have a small group of people over if he cooks a meal in his oven in his apartment. I love it here at The Buckingham and would love to see it fill up with more people before long, he said. For more information about The Buckingham, visit www.buckinghamhouston.com. The US Secretary of State sets up a new group to put pressure on Tehran and implement sanctions against the countries that trade with Iran. John Bolton, Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook are the "hawks" in the US administration. The day of the announcement falls on the anniversary of the coup against Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, raising questions about coincidences and similarities. Washington (AsiaNews) The new Iran Action Group (IAG) announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is designed to manufacture an international consensus for a war against Iran, this according to Trita Parsi, an Iranian-born Swedish academic and writer, founder of the National Iranian American Council, an organisation that encourages dialogue between Iran and the West. In an article, published on Information Clearing House, Parsi states that "The Iran Action group will likely lead and intensify efforts to foment unrest in Iran, further creating tensions with the EU who view the destabilization of Iran as a direct national security threat to Europe. Ultimately, Pompeos move is putting the US closer to war with Iran. Yesterday, when Secretary Pompeo announced the Iran Action Group, he said that is designed to put maximum pressure" on Iran and other countries that do business with it. The group will be headed by Brian Hook, who was in charge of the failed effort to get support from US allies for Washington's decision in May to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. Pompeo blames Iran for widespread violence, supporting the Syrian government and the Lebanese Hezbollah, for holding US citizens in prison. He also added that "Our goal is to reduce every country's import of Iranian oil to zero by November 4. According to analysts, Pompeo's stance coincides with the interests of Israel and Saudi Arabia, both of which are afraid of Irans growing political and economic influence in the Middle East. For their part, China, India and Turkey appear set to continue buying Iranian oil. The European Union is trying to find ways to continue trade with Iran whilst avoiding US sanctions. According to Trita Parsi, John Bolton, Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook are the hawks in the Trump administration. By contrast, the US president is more inclined towards a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, the economic situation in Iran is getting more difficult. "We have less hope," a businessman told AsiaNews. In his piece, Parsi notes that Pompeos announcement falls on the anniversary of the 1953 coup organised by US and British secret services that removed then Iranian premier Mohammad Mossadeqh, who had nationalised the countrys oil industry at the expense of foreign interests. Asked about the matter, Hook said that it was pure coincidence". WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is investigating whether longtime Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy sought to sell his influence with the Trump administration by offering to deliver U.S. government actions for foreign officials in exchange for tens of millions of dollars, according to three people familiar with the probe. As part of the investigation, prosecutors are scrutinizing a plan that Broidy allegedly developed to try to persuade the Trump government to extradite a Chinese dissident back to his home country, a move sought by Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to two of the people. They also are investigating claims that Broidy sought $75 million from a Malaysian business official if the Justice Department ended its investigation of a development fund run by the Malaysian government. The Malaysian probe has examined the role of the former prime minister in the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the fund. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment. Christopher Clark, an attorney for Broidy, said in a statement: "Elliott Broidy has never agreed to work for, been retained by nor been compensated by any foreign government for any interaction with the United States Government, ever. Any implication to the contrary is a lie." Broidy's alleged activities were detailed in news reports earlier this year that cited hacked emails. The Los Angeles-based venture capitalist, who served as top fundraiser for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump, has said that allegations against him are an effort by his enemies to smear him. Rudy Giuliani, an attorney for Trump, said he had no knowledge of any request for records related to Broidy. The White House referred a request for comment to the Republican National Committee, which declined to comment. In recent weeks, prosecutors with the Justice Department's public integrity section - which examines possible political and government corruption - have sought documents related to Broidy's business dealings. Among the information sought by investigators are details about Broidy's work on behalf of and interactions with the Chinese and Malaysian officials, according to two people familiar with the document requests. As part of their efforts, prosecutors have subpoenaed casino magnate Steve Wynn, the former RNC finance chairman and longtime Trump friend, for copies of records and communications related to Broidy. An attorney for Wynn, Reid Weingarten, declined to comment, saying only that Wynn is cooperating with the Justice Department. "Steve Wynn is completely cooperating with the investigation and he certainly has no reason to believe that anyone acted improperly in anything he knew about or was involved in," Weingarten said in a statement. Wynn was tapped by Trump to serve as the RNC's lead fundraiser after the election. Earlier this year, he stepped down from that post and from his executive role at his resort company after reports of sexual misconduct. Wynn has denied the allegations of inappropriate behavior. The public-integrity probe is the latest legal challenge for Broidy, who helped corral big donors to support Trump's presidential campaign, throwing a lavish fundraiser for the then-nominee at his Los Angeles-area home during the 2016 campaign. After the election, he was appointed to serve as a national deputy chairman for the RNC. Broidy sought to parlay his party role and connections to the White House and on Capitol Hill in pitches to foreign governments, according to a person with direct knowledge of his activities. In April, he resigned from his RNC position in the wake of a report that he had paid a former Playboy model $1.6 million in exchange for her silence about a sexual affair. Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen - another RNC fundraiser - helped arrange the settlement, Broidy acknowledged. Cohen is under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan who are examining whether he fraudulently obtained millions of dollars in loans and whether his efforts to squash negative stories about Trump during the campaign violated election law. Broidy's business dealings captured the attention of investigators for special counsel Robert Mueller III, who asked at least one witness about Broidy's activities, according to a person familiar with the matter. Broidy's attempts to solve high-level headaches for the Chinese and Malaysian governments were first reported this spring by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, which cited in part a cache of hacked emails. Broidy has said the documents were stolen by enemies seeking to ruin his reputation. "This whole narrative is a fabrication driven by hackers who want to undermine me," Broidy said in a statement to the Times. Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit against Qatar and Qatari officials, alleging that the country hacked his email accounts in retaliation for his allegations that Qatar supports terrorists. A spokesman for the Qatari government has called the suit "without fact or merit," and a federal judge dismissed the country as a defendant in the suit earlier this month, citing jurisdictional issues. The Journal reported in March that, according to a draft contract, Broidy and his wife, Robin Rosenzweig, were seeking $75 million from Malaysian businessman Jho Low if federal prosecutors dropped their investigation into a Malaysian state investment fund. The Justice Department has filed civil suits claiming $4.5 billion in public money was misappropriated from the fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, seeking to claim a portion of those assets. Last month, Malaysian authorities charged former prime minister Najib Razak with embezzling billions in public money from the fund. Clark, the Broidy attorney, told the Journal that Rosenzweig's firm had been hired to provide strategic advice to Low, adding that "at no time did Mr. Broidy or Ms. Rosenzweig, or anyone acting on their behalf, discuss Mr. Low's case with President Trump, any member of his staff, or anyone at the U.S. Department of Justice." The Times reported in April that Broidy had explored ways to force Chinese exile Guo Wengui to leave the United States. The billionaire businessman had fled China in 2014 as he was facing arrest for a range of charges, including corruption. Guo has said the allegations were fabricated by a government that wants to silence him. Since his arrival in the United States, Guo has publicly detailed allegations of corruption in the Chinese ruling party. The Times reported that Broidy drafted a plan to enlist Emirati officials to pressure the United States to turn over Guo. In his statement to the newspaper, Broidy said he "never had a strategy or plan regarding Mr. Guo nor was there any compensation given or even discussed." Broidy's alleged efforts to push for Guo's extradition came after Wynn separately helped deliver a message from the Xi government seeking to have the dissident returned to China, according to a person familiar with the effort. Wynn, who has contacts with Chinese officials because of his business interests in Macau, hand-delivered a letter to Trump seeking Guo's deportation, The Journal reported last year. A spokesman for Wynn Resorts has said that the report about Wynn's role was false. At the time, the president expressed interest in assisting the Chinese but was met with resistance by senior law enforcement officials, according to the person. White House officials did not respond to requests for comment. ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Jurors weighing the fate of President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort ended its first day of deliberations Thursday with a set of questions for the judge, asking for further explanation of legal points the defense made in closing arguments. Just before 4:50 p.m., there was a knock at one of the doors to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis' courtroom, behind which jurors are deliberating. The court security officer emerged minutes later with a note. Jurors had four questions, some of which centered around defense arguments made by Manafort's lawyers. Manafort faces 18 tax and bank fraud charges. Prosecutors say he hid millions of dollars from the IRS in overseas bank accounts, and then lied to banks to obtain multimillion dollar loans. The jury's deliberations began just before 10 a.m. Thursday. They are expected to resume Friday at 9:30 a.m. The jurors' questions suggest they are quickly diving into the weeds of the sometimes complex tax laws at issue in the case. First, jurors asked if someone was required to file a form called an FBAR - which is required of people with foreign bank accounts containing more than $10,000 - if they owned less than 50 percent of such an account and did not have signature authority but did have the ability to direct disbursement. At trial, Manafort's lawyers suggested their client might have believed he did not have to file such forms, because the companies in question were set up under his consulting firm. After 2011, he shared ownership of the firm equally with his wife. In response, the judge read to them again the legal instructions he had provided on that point Wednesday. Second, jurors asked if the judge could define "shelf company" and the filing requirements related to income. Witnesses testified at Manafort's trial that he used so-called shelf companies - companies previously created by a lawyer in Cyprus that could be used to control the bank accounts in question - in order to move Manafort's money. To that question, the judge said the jury would have to rely on their memory of the evidence presented at trial. Third, they asked if the judge could "redefine reasonable doubt." Jurors sometimes struggle with what constitutes a reasonable doubt of someone's guilt, versus an unreasonable doubt. The judge told them reasonable doubt "is a doubt based on reason," but added: "The government is not required to prove guilt beyond all possible doubt." Defense attorneys emphasized in their closing argument that it's not enough to believe a defendant is "likely" guilty or even "highly likely" guilty, using a thermometer chart to make the point. Fourth, the jurors asked if they could have an updated exhibit list, connecting each piece of evidence to the corresponding charge in the indictment. The judge said they would have to rely on their collective memory to link exhibits to specific charges. Outside the courtroom, defense attorney Kevin Downing said that it was "overall, a very good day for Mr. Manafort," and he was heartened by the jury's questions. "I think it's all a good sign, yes," he said. - - - The Washington Post's Tom Jackman contributed to this report. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Claude D. Morris, 36, of 750 E. Chambers St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday on charges of criminal trespass to state land and resisting a peace officer. Wayne A. Milsap, 53, of 623 N. East St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:04 p.m. Wednesday on charges of violating an order of protection and resisting a peace officer. Michael E. Copley, 40, of 324 W. Dunlap St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:33 p.m. Thursday on a charge of domestic battery. Compiled by Nick Draper and Greg Olson by Sumon Corraya The World Health Organisation estimates that about 11,000 Bangladeshis kill themselves each year. In the Christian community, ten young people committed suicide in 2018. The Church in Tejgaon organised a seminar to address the problem. For a Catholic doctor, parents should think more about their children than at work. Dhaka (AsiaNews) The Catholic Church in Tejgaon, Dhaka, organised a seminar to tackle the issue of suicide, a growing problem. Participants spoke about people like Shuvosree Gomes, a university student. Officially engaged to be married, she hanged herself when she found out that her future husband was having an affair with another women. Prodip Dass story is different. After an argument with his younger brother, the 17-year-old took his own life when he was home alone. He left a note for his parents in which he says that they are "the best parents in the world" and told them not to feel guilty. Of course, this was to no avail; his relatives are now in utter despair. Rodala Cruze, a 30-year-old homemaker, tried to take her life by ingesting a bathroom disinfectant because of marital problems but was saved because relatives took her to the hospital in time. Shuvosree, Prodip and Rodala are not real names, but their stories are real. They highlight the problem of self-murder and the desperation that drives some people to do this. Dr Edward Pallab Rozario, secretary general of the Association of Catholic Doctors of Bangladesh, spoke at the meeting. "The lack of attention on the part of working parents, too much societal and school pressure and depression are the most common reasons young people are driven to commit suicide," Dr Rozario said. Speaking to AsiaNews, he explained that "suicide has become a serious problem in our society. This year many young Christians decided to take their lives and we often hear from others who tried to do the same. It is a social disease. We have to work on it." According to the latest estimates, at least ten young Christians took their lives so far this year, and many more tried to. World Health Organisation data indicate that 11,000 people kill themselves each year in the country, most of them under 30. More than 100 people attended the Tejgaon meeting. Fr Kamal Corraya, parish priest at the local church, explains that "the goal of the meeting was to create greater awareness about suicide. Among Christians, the rate is increasing. Both we and parents are worried about the situation. We discussed why more people choose to die and what we can do about it." Looking at the factors that drive young people to commit suicide, "Frustration, social impoverishment, and family turmoil are among the main reasons," the clergyman explained, adding however that "Life is a gift from God. No one has the right to take it away". For Fr Kamal, parishioners must pay more attention to their children and follow Christian values. "I tell them not to favour situations that could lead to suicide." Dr Rozario agrees. In his view, "Those who go through moments of particular emotional and mental stress should be helped with medical treatment." On the issue, Muslim psychologist Mohit Kamal noted that "If a person suffers deep depression, he is more likely to commit suicide. This is why I believe they need compassion, love and proper care. Families must support them and encourage them to follow the treatment." Santa Fe, N.M. Forensic investigators said Thursday they identified the remains of a Georgia boy whose father is accused of abducting him and performing purification rituals on the child as he died at a remote New Mexico desert compound. The cause of the child's death remained unknown. The body of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj was found Aug. 6 in an underground tunnel. It was so severely decomposed that investigators could not determine how the severely disabled boy reported missing in December had died, New Mexico's Office of the Medical Examiner said in a statement. The office did not immediately respond to emailed questions on what else the office will do to try to determine the cause of death, but a prosecutor said no charges regarding the death are imminent because officials still don't know how the boy died. "All we have is a positive ID," Donald Gallegos, the district attorney for Taos County in northern New Mexico, said in an interview. "We'll need something else, actual cause of death, manner of death." Authorities have said they believe Abdul-ghani died in February, when he was 3. The boy's father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj was among five people arrested on suspicion of child abuse at the compound near the Colorado state line, where authorities say 11 hungry children were found living in filth during a raid earlier this month. Subsequent interviews led sheriff's deputies to the body in a tunnel. Prosecutors seeking to keep Sirah Ibn Wahhaj and four members of his extended family behind bars said in court on Monday that he had been training some children at the compound to use firearms and carry out attacks on an anti-government mission that might target schools. An FBI agent, citing interviews with two children from the compound, said Abdul-ghani died as relatives performed a ritual on the boy to cast out demonic spirits while reading from the Quran. State District Court Judge Sarah Backus on Monday said the evidence provided by prosecutors was troubling but did not indicate any clear threat to public safety from the defendants, who have no criminal records. She admonished prosecutors for apparently expecting her to take the defendants' Muslim faith into account in her decision. Defense attorneys disputed accusations of neglect and said guns on the property were legally owned. The judge's order cleared the way for the release of three defendants two women and one man on house arrest with ankle monitors. But they had not been released as of Thursday amid concerns about their safety, in part stemming from threats of violence against Backus based on her pre-trial release order. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj will continue to be held on a warrant from Georgia that accuses him of abducting his son from the boy's mother. Defendant Jany Leveille, a native of Haiti, has been transferred to the custody of federal immigration authorities. Gallegos said his office will appeal Backus' decision to allow the release of the three suspects. "We gave her all the evidence we needed to and some of the evidence wasn't allowed," he said. "We'll just see what another set of eyes and ears has to say." Washington A Chinese delegation will come to Washington this month for talks to defuse an escalating trade dispute that threatens global economic growth. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters Thursday that the U.S. team will be led by David Malpass, U.S. Treasury under secretary for international affairs. Earlier, the China said it would send a delegation led by a deputy commerce minister. This meeting would be the first between senior U.S. and Chinese officials since June 3 talks in Beijing ended with no settlement. The United States has already imposed taxes on $34 billion in Chinese goods, drawing Chinese retaliation. President Donald Trump is readying tariffs on $216 billion more, and Beijing has vowed to counterpunch with its own trade sanctions. "Talking is always better than not talking," said Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council. "We haven't really had a sit-down with them in quite some time at any level. So who knows? But it's got to be a good thing." In Beijing, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said China Beijing "reiterates its opposition to unilateralism and trade protectionism and does not accept any unilateral trade restrictions." The world's two biggest economies are battling over China's aggressive campaign to challenge American technological dominance. The U.S. charges that China uses predatory tactics ranging from outright cybertheft to forcing foreign companies to hand over technology as the price of admission to the Chinese market. Efforts to resolve the dispute have bogged down. In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had declared the trade war "on hold" after China agreed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit by buying more American energy and farm products. But Trump reversed course and announced that the U.S. would go ahead with tariffs on Chinese goods, and Beijing withdrew its offer to step up purchases of American products. The U.S. trade deficit with China in goods and services the gap between what the U.S. sells the Chinese and what it buys from them came to a record $336 billion last year. Over the past two weeks, Americans have been treated to one of the most astonishing tales of grand corruption in our republic's history. The trial of Paul Manafort - former Trump campaign chairman and lobbyist for some of the sleaziest regimes of the past quarter-century - has given us a remarkable look at the tools, the tactics and the trade craft of kleptocratic overseas regimes, and how their Western enablers have abetted America's transformation into a thriving offshore haven. The trial, of course, is about much more than Manafort. As the Atlantic's Franklin Foer has written, the proceedings against the ex-lobbyist, who made tens of millions from his consulting work for then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, have offered "an occasion for the United States to awaken from its collective slumber about the creeping dangers of kleptocracy." Are we getting the message? There are actually some reasons to think so. Over the past few months, activists and officials across the country have been experimenting with reform of the institutions that have allowed corrupt overseas politicians and businesspeople to stash their ill-gotten gains in the United States. The trend isn't getting much press, but the United States' days as a global offshore haven could be drawing to a close - and we may have the president, and his vile campaign manager, to thank for it (at least in part). Consider, for instance, one of the primary tools authoritarians and arms dealers have been using in the United States: anonymous shell companies. For years, American states such as Delaware, Wyoming and Nevada have created rules favoring the creation of opaque corporations, and the resulting opportunities have been exploited by everyone from Russian gun runners to Iranian theocrats and the dictatorship of Equatorial Guinea. And why not? Companies like these were the perfect vehicle for anyone who wanted to hide the origins of their dirty money. Now that may be changing. Recently, two dozen attorneys general signed a letter calling for an end to the United States' empire of anonymous corporations. Most notably of all, Delaware's secretary of state has published a letter of his own that supports the rollback of the excessive protections granted to publicity-shy beneficial owners. That statement, says one expert on American corporate anonymity, is a "game-changer" when it comes to combating anonymous shell companies in the United States. Next, look at what those shell companies tended to buy: luxury condos in Manhattan, lavish high-rises in Miami, deluxe beachfront property in Malibu. This sort of high-end real estate, which is notoriously opaque, is the kleptocrats' preferred asset class for storing their stolen wealth (usually with the effect of driving up real estate markets and property taxes for the rest of us). In 2016, the Treasury Department launched a pilot program, called Geographic Targeting Orders, that aimed at unveiling the identities of once-anonymous buyers of luxury properties in New York, Miami, San Antonio and a few other metro areas. The results have been revealing: This summer, researchers found that the types of anonymous purchases targeted by the program have fallen 70 percent since the program's implementation. In Miami-Dade County alone, spending from anonymous corporate entities has collapsed almost entirely. Now the Treasury Department has lowered the disclosure requirement price threshold in Miami-Dade from $1 million to $300,000, extending transparency to non-luxury real estate purchases. And there's sudden momentum for applying the measures nationwide - a move that some South Florida realtors themselves support, as long as Miami is no longer placed on an uneven footing against other locales. Then there's the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Justice Department-based regulations that are supposed to ensure transparency for foreign lobbyists in the United States. In fact, though, those rules have been all but ignored for the past eight decades. Foreign lobbyists wined and dined their targets in political Washington without ever revealing the identities of their ultimate clients. But then Donald Trump came along, ably abetted by his campaign manager Manafort. Both men's opaque ties to the former Soviet Union have prompted a renewed interest in FARA. For the previous half-century, you could count FARA-related prosecutions on two hands. Yet since Manafort's public implosion, FARA registrations have soared - and a new database from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets enables us to see just which countries have spent the most, and on whom, under the Trump administration. (Manafort goes on trial in September for what prosecutors describe as his failure to register as a Ukrainian lobbyist.) None of these new efforts are panaceas. Arms dealers can still travel to Carson City, Nevada, or Laramie, Wyoming, to set up their anonymous shell companies for chump change. Kremlin henchmen or the heads of drug cartels can still park their wealth in Dallas, Boise, Idaho, or Boston, with the rest of us none the wiser. That could change dramatically, though, if current trends hold. And if it happens, we may well owe the credit to Manafort - and, of course, to President Trump, his former employer. At the very least, it is now much harder for the rest of us to deny the magnitude of the problems created by dirty money flowing into the United States. - - - Michel is a reporter with ThinkProgress, covering money laundering and corruption. GLEN CARBON The Glen Carbon Police Department will be adding two new vehicles to its fleet, thanks to the seizure of property from criminals. At the last regular full meeting of the Village Board, Police Chief Todd Link requested to purchase two cars to be used as detective vehicles. To purchase the cars, Link said funds from the federal Asset Forfeiture and Equitable Sharing Program will be used for the purchase. Link said the department has been part of the program since 2015 and money is sitting in a state escrow account and a federal escrow account for a total of $38,174.23. Link said the bulk of the money was awarded to Glen Carbon from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for assistance provided to the DEA by Glen Carbon Police officers. Our task force officer assigned to the DEA and our two K9 officers have participated in a number of state and federal prosecutions which have led to some money being awarded to us, Link said. Under the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Justice, seized assets are shared with local participating agencies, like the Glen Carbon Police Department, and those funds may be lawfully used to pay for law enforcement purposes, including the purchase of patrol and unmarked vehicles, Link said. The two vehicles being replaced are both 2008 Chevrolet Impalas. Link said the vehicles have high mileage and the maintenance cost is more than the cars are worth. They will be replaced by two 2016 Dodge Chargers that were previously used by the Missouri Highway Patrol. The cost for both of the cars would be $35,700, which would come out of the seized asset escrow accounts. Link said many area police departments purchase used police cars from the Missouri Highway Patrol and they have a good reputation for taking care of their vehicles. This has been a long-standing program and the Missouri Highway Patrol pulls vehicles out of service at 50,000 miles and they have a reputation for being very good, reliable cars, Link said. Trustee voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the vehicles. Israeli sources mention a six-phase agreement, which Hamas denies. The Kerem Shalom crossing has reopened and Gazas fishing area has been extended. Still, life in the Strip remains appalling. People in need of medical have a hard time leaving, including children like Louay, a three-year-old cancer patient. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) In Gaza, news about a new ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been met with uncertainty and doubtful optimism after weeks of tensions, said Dr Jamal Dakdouki, who spoke to AsiaNews. Dr Dakdouki is the director of The Galilee Society and member of the Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, which provides psychological assistance to Gazans. The apparent six-point agreement, said to have been reached in Cairo, Egypt, with the mediation of the United Nations, calls for gradual implementation, Israeli media report, provided peace is fully maintained. It includes: a comprehensive ceasefire; the reopening of Gaza's border crossings and expansion of the permitted fishing zone; medical and humanitarian assistance; a resolution to the issue of captive soldiers, missing civilians and prisoners; a broad reconstruction of Gaza's infrastructure, with foreign funding; and discussions about sea and air ports in Gaza. A senior Hamas official denied the reports about the emerging Israel-Hamas deal, noting talks in Cairo are only an internal Palestinian matter. For now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bureau has not released a statement on the issue, whilst Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has denied any agreement. Last week, the cabinet had approved the talks. In the Strip itself, the ceasefire has held for the past two days, the Kerem Shalom crossing has been reopened, and the fishing area expanded. "There is still a lot of uncertainty, Dakdouki said, and little trust, given the long history of the conflict. For now, we do not know the details of this agreement, so there is doubtful optimism. The truce could end at any moment, we must wait ..." For Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, life remains appalling, especially for people who suffer from illnesses that cannot be treated locally. For months, the Strip's health system has been in serious crisis. One of the patients is Louay Al Khoudari, a three-year-old boy diagnosed with an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma in January. The child has been treated at An-Najah hospital in Nablus, but he had to be accompanied by a stranger because his mother could not go with him since she is a first-degree relative of a Hamas member. After the case was reported by Israeli daily Haaretz, Israeli authorities relented and allowed his mother to leave Gaza and join him. But Louay and his mother are not the only Gazans who need to travel outside the Strip. Last month, seven seriously ill women needing life-saving treatment were denied permission to leave because they are related to Hamas members. Did my life make a difference? is a question most people ask themselves. How fulfilling it is to know ones life made has made an impact in this world for good. Those who successfully make life better for others are truly an inspiration. Gretchen Wilson definitely fits that description. She has been very passionate about caring for adults with disabilities and has made a huge contribution to Houston by founding the Texas not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Sean Ashley House organization, designed to provide model homes for individuals with blindness, mental retardation, autism and/or multiple disabilities. The organization has expanded from Wilsons original home, which she converted into the first Sean Ashley House in 1994. Now there are more than a dozen houses, according to its website, seanashleyhouse.org. The organizations goal is for individuals to reach and maintain their maximum potential and to have meaningful, productive lives in a loving, happy and safe home environment. Residents at Sean Ashley Houses are afforded a day habitation program with engaging activities like music therapy and horseback riding. Sean Ashley is the name of Wilsons beloved grandson. As Sean grew into adulthood, Wilson realized she couldnt continue to care for him on her own. She investigated available options and did not feel comfortable with them. After praying for God to provide the best life possible for Sean, she was moved to fill the void herself by starting the Sean Ashley House. Wilson overcame many obstacles in her mission to help disabled individuals, and she never envisioned the tremendous growth to multiple Sean Ashley homes. The Elmcroft of Braeswood community, where Wilson resides, has recognized Wilsons efforts and applauds her courageous and compassionate investment in the lives of individuals with challenges, many with autism. As part of Elmcrofts Signature Program Second Wind Dreams, Wilsons dream of visiting her grandson recently was facilitated by Elmcroft of Braeswoods staff so that she and Sean could have a meaningful visit. For more information, visit seanashleyhouse.org; www.secondwind.org; and Elmcroft.com. Despite high costs, many choose to travel to the former British colony for safe treatment. The Politburo Standing Committee sacks and sanctions 51 top provincial and national officials. Changsheng Biotech employees, including chairwoman Gao Junfang, will be indicted. Beijing (AsiaNews) Parents with young children are increasingly worried as a result of the scandal over the sale of bad vaccines. Many fear the possible repercussions on children's health and are opting to go to Hong Kong or even Japan for medical treatment and "safe" vaccinations. Hong Kong University has opened a hospital in Shenzhen, on the Chinese side of the border, to treat Chinese patients. Mainlanders have been coming to Hong Kong for treatment for some time. Even if it is very expensive, everyone thinks it is safer. Rich people, who also have access to good health care in China, seek treatment in Hong Kong, a Hong Kong healthcare worker said. There is a lot of going back and forth. Meanwhile, the crackdown on those responsible for the scandal continues. The authorities have sacked or sanctioned 51 politicians and high-ranking provincial officials and 18 Changsheng Biotech employees. The latter provided false data and distributed 500,000 sub-standard doses for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT). Four senior officials with the Ministry of Health have been fired. A special commission set up by the government to investigate has frozen Changsheng Biotechs assets. The Politburo Standing Committee ordered the sacking of Jilin vice-governor, Jin Yuhui, who had overseen food and drug regulations in the province since April of last year. Other top officials to lose their jobs include Li Jinxiu, deputy chairman of the Jilin Peoples Political Consultative Conference and a former provincial food and drug chief; Changchun mayor Liu Changlong; and Bi Jingquan, party secretary and deputy director of the State Market Regulatory Administration in Beijing. Beijing also asked Jiang Zhiying, a top party official from Jilin, and Jiao Hong, director of Chinas national drug regulator, to make a deep self-inspection, and imposed penalties on 35 other unidentified officials. For its part, the National Supervisory Commission, the countrys anticorruption super agency, launched an official investigation into Wu Zhen, former deputy director of the China Food and Drug Administration who was also in charge of drug registration and management. The Politburo Standing Committee called for severe punishments for violators and introduced new measures to beef up supervision of vaccine production. Police also announced on Thursday that they had completed their investigation into the company and the 18 people arrested, including chairwoman Gao Junfang, would face prosecution. Further investigations found that the company had produced an additional substandard batch of DPT vaccines, raising the total to 499,800 doses. The shoddy vaccines were given to hundreds of thousands of babies some as young as three months old and were sold in the eastern provinces of Shandong and Anhui, investigators said. A federal judge expressed deep concern for public safety and cited previous incidents involving explosives as he sentenced a Houston man to more than six years in prison for attempting to bomb a statue of a Confederate commander last summer in Hermann Park. Clad in a green jail uniform and wearing thick-rimmed glasses, Andrew C.E. Schneck, 26, received his 6-year sentence without offering a statement or displaying much emotion as several members of his family watched from the court gallery. After completing his time in prison, Schneck will be placed on three years of supervised release, according to the order by U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. The high risk conduct of the defendant has now, on two occasions, endangered the public, Werlein noted during sentencing. You cannot count always on getting maximum leniency. You have got to reform your conduct. Schneck, who was previously arrested for amassing explosives at his parents upscale home in Southampton Place, near the Museum District, has spent the past year at a federal jail in downtown Houston. He admitted to fashioning a bomb out of materials he collected in an effort to destroy the statue. The attempted bombing happened amid a wave of protests around the country over civic monuments that venerate people touted as heroes of the South during the Civil War. Attorney Philip Hilder on Friday argued for five years of confinement, the minimum possible sentence, in part because of Schnecks behavioral disabilities. Hilder objected to the sentence of six and a half years, but Werlein overruled it, calling the sentence sufficient according to the law. Schneck will also pay a $10,000 fine. The conditions of his supervised release include not being allowed to possess, store or purchase chemical agents that can be combined to make explosives. I think the court was very reflective, and the sentence reflects the courts sentiment, Hilder said after the sentencing. I am confident that Andrew will become a productive member of society upon his release and I do think hes learned a valuable lesson. Schnecks family declined to comment after the hearing. BOMB PLOT: Houston man pleads guilty in attempt to bomb Confederate statue in Hermann Park Liked building explosives Schneck pleaded guilty in March before Werlein to a willful attempt to maliciously damage or destroy property in violation of federal law. At the time, a federal prosecutor dismissed a sentence enhancement related to the harm an explosion could have caused, which could have allowed for a longer prison sentence. In court on Friday, Werlein pointed to Schnecks affinity for concocting homemade explosives. He asked Hilder several questions about Schnecks previous brush with the law, as well as an instance where the Austin Fire Department found ammonium nitrate at Schnecks apartment. Hilder said that there hadnt been an actual fire, but confirmed that the fire department was called to the scene. In 2014, he was convicted of storing explosives for which he earned five years of probation. The attempted bombing of the statue in Hermann Park came less than 10 months after he was released from probation ahead of schedule, Werlein said. Schnecks arrest last summer alarmed many residents in Southampton Place. After the attempted bombing, law enforcement officials forced the evacuation of the neighborhood, and residents stood on the fringes watching police and federal agents swarm their usually quiet street. Bomb squad experts eventually detonated a cache of high-powered explosives found on the property owned by Schnecks parents. GRAY MATTERS: We know what Confederate symbols mean. Why keep them? Schneck spent several months of his detention at an intensive inpatient program. He told the judge during sentencing that he was taking mood stabilizing medication. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from Austin College in Sherman and had a penchant for experiments, according to a source familiar with the case. A special prison? Hilder advocated that Schneck be sent to a prison that is experienced in accommodating people with disabilities. That decision is ultimately up to the Bureau of Prisons. Werlein said that while he understands the difficulty of determining sentences for people with disabilities, Schneck has repeated the same mistakes. Ultimately, each person has to be responsible for certain choices made, Werlein said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Feazel said at his plea hearing that on Aug. 19, 2017, a park ranger saw Schneck kneeling with two small boxes in the bushes near the base of a statue of Lt. Richard Dowling. The ranger told Schneck to put the boxes on the ground. SEEKING ACTION: Abbott to ask for review of Confederate plaque in Capitol The boxes contained a homemade detonator, a timer, wiring, a battery, a bottle of nitroglycerin and an explosive organic compound known as HMTD, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, officials said. Upon being discovered, Schneck reportedly tried to drink some of the liquid explosives but then spit out the liquid and poured the contents of the bottle onto the ground, Feazel said. Schneck lived at home with his parents at the time of the incident, Hilder said. The white marble statue of Dowling, an Irish immigrant who lived in Houston and fought for the Confederacy, was erected in 1905 to honor the Confederate victory he led at Sabine Pass. A street named for Dowling was changed last year to Emancipation Avenue. gabrielle.banks@chron.com twitter.com/gabmobanks When people think of Texas, they think of a larger-than-life state. Its a landscape of open expanses and unlimited opportunity. A state defined by brash politicians and oil booms. Home to soulful country music and Friday night lights. An integral part of that tapestry is fierce protection of property rights. Search Google or comb through newspaper archives and you can find plenty of Texas politicians invoking private property rights. The Right to property is one of the most basic rights of Americans, and it has empowered pioneers to create opportunity and fuel commerce since the founding of our nation, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wrote on Facebook in 2014. He was speaking against Bureau of Land Management action on the Red River. And heres an excerpt from an op-ed Gov. Greg Abbott penned for the Austin American-Statesman in 2017: While we rightly rail against overreach by the federal government like the previous administrations attempt to take away rights from Texas landowners by regulating ponds and ditches on private land local municipalities are increasingly infringing on private property rights and driving up costs for homeowners, renters and job-creating businesses alike. We could go on, but you get the point. Texans care about private property rights except, apparently, on the U.S.-Mexico border. For whatever reason, such deep respect for private property rights seems to go out the window when it comes to plans for 25 miles of border levee barrier in Hidalgo County and another 8 miles in Starr County. This is a small piece of President Donald Trumps border wall, which will cut right through private property about a mile north of the border. I think Washington politicians, including some of our Texas senators and congressmen, are accomplishing what Gen. Santa Anna couldnt do, and that is establishing the border north of the Rio Grande River, Becky Jones, whose family farm will be spliced by the wall, told us earlier this summer. Jones and her brother, Frank J. Schuster, own about 700 acres near McAllen that sit next to the Rio Grande. Their father purchased the original parcel of land in 1948 with his military savings, and over time he pieced together other parcels. The familys farm sits next to the 2,088-acre Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge where there wont be a wall. Doesnt seem to make much sense. Like many landowners along the border in South Texas, Jones has worried about what life will be like on the south side of the wall. Will family members or employees be safe? Will they have adequate protection? Gates will be used to allow access to private property on the south side of the wall, and she has wondered if those who know the gate codes will be targets for those who want to pass through for nefarious reasons. Similar concerns abound at the National Butterfly Center, where about 70 percent of the property would be on the south side of the wall. Its not that property owners near the border dont want security. Of course, they do. But there are ways to provide security without building a wall. The smart wall plan from U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican who represents a different part of the Texas-Mexico border, comes to mind. That plan relies on technology, sensors and manpower to address security concerns. The absurdity of the border wall speaks for itself. It will cut off precious wildlife corridors. It will harm relations with Mexico, one of our most important allies and trading partners. And it will cut through private property a mile north of the U.S.-Mexico border, putting houses and farms and Americans on the south side of the wall. This is nonsense and it represents quite the opposition of respect for property rights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported an increase in pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. in 2016, reaching a total of 5,987 deaths. Stay in shape this summer while keeping yourself safe with these tips when sharing the road with vehicles. Safety Precautions for Runners and Pedestrians Make Yourself Visible - Increase your visibility to passing vehicles by wearing light-colored clothing and reflective material. Always carry a flashlight or wear a clip-on LED light if you choose to walk or run at night. Face the Traffic - Be sure to walk or run while facing oncoming traffic, and stay towards the edge of the road if there is no sidewalk. Look both Ways - It is a simple rule that can often be forgotten when youre preoccupied with your workout look both left and right twice before crossing the road to ensure there are no approaching vehicles. Cross Streets at a Corner - Pedestrian injuries are more likely to occur mid-street. It is best to cross at a corner or a pedestrian crosswalk whenever possible, as drivers are likely to be more aware of their surroundings in these areas. Avoid Distractions - While many people prefer to walk or run while using headphones or earbuds to listen to music, these devices cause you to be less aware of your surroundings and miss auditory signals that alert you of dangers. Beware of Parked Vehicles - Be alert if you are passing near or through parking lots. These areas can be dangerous for pedestrians because there are blind spots for drivers backing out of parking spaces. Use caution whenever you are around parked vehicles in neighborhoods, as well. Pedestrian Accident Statistics In 2014, there were 4,884 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States. An additional estimated 65,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes. The following pedestrian accident statistics for 2014 are provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes. Alcohol impairment was reported in 48 percent of all fatal pedestrian crashes. Eighteen percent of pedestrian fatalities involved a hit-and-run driver. Pedestrians were killed more often in the dark (72 percent) than in daylight (24 percent). Nineteen percent of children 14 and younger who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. California lead the nation in pedestrian fatalities (697), followed by Florida (588) and Texas (476). Hit By a Car or Truck? Contact Our Team of Pedestrian Accident Attorneys If you or a loved one were hurt after being struck by an automobile, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team of experienced pedestrian injury lawyers are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim. We will help you recover the maximum amount of compensation and bring the negligent driver to justice. In addition, you wont pay a thing unless we win your case. Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys has a track record of achieving record-breaking verdicts, settlements, and judgments for clients. Extensive legal and financial resources allow our attorneys to put you in the best position possible to recover the damages you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com. While recalls are relatively common, there are several ongoing food recalls that consumers should be aware of due to their scope and their potential to cause serious illness and infection. 1. McDonalds Salad Recall Since May 1, an outbreak of illness due to McDonalds salads has been sweeping states including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia and Missouri. Salads are no longer sold at 3,000 McDonalds locations in these states. There have been 395 reported cases of illness, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, are caused by bacteria called Clyclospora. Symptoms of illness begin about a week after consuming contaminated food and can include frequent diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, headache, and fever. 2. Salad and Wrap Recall Due to Clyclospora, the US Department of Agricultures Food and Safety and Inspection Service warned customers not to buy more than two dozen salads and wraps from major grocery chains. Salads sold by Fresh Express, the company involved in the Clyclospora outbreak in McDonalds salads, are also sold at grocery chains. Other salad items were recalled as well, including beef, pork, and poultry salads and wraps sold at Kroger, Trader Joes, Walgreens and others. These products were distributed by Caito Foods, LLC. 3. Vegetable Tray Recall There is also a chance of a clyclospora outbreak in vegetable trays. The FDA is investigating at least 237 cases of clyclospora-caused illnesses involving Del Monte vegetable trays. The trays, containing cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and dill dip, were sold in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. These are a few of the states in which the McDonalds clyclospora outbreak occurred. However, The FDA says this outbreak is not related to the Fresh Express Outbreak. 4. Pasta Salad Recall 79 cases of salmonella have been linked to pasta salad sold at Hy-Vee, a Midwestern grocery chain. Hy-Vee has since recalled the pasta salads. Illnesses have been reported in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, and North Dakota. Salmonella symptoms will begin about 12 to 72 hours after infection. The symptoms includes diarrhea, cramping, and fever which can last from four to seven days. Most recover without treatments, however those who are very young or very old are at risk for complications. 5. Raw Turkey Recall 90 illnesses due to Salmonella have been linked to raw turkey according to the CDC and USDA. Patients have reported eating multiple different turkey brands from multiple different locations. Two people who have fallen ill said that they live in a household where raw turkey is fed to pets. This being said, health officials have not been able to determine the source of the salmonella outbreak. The CDC said that raw turkey in pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys have tested positive for salmonella. This means that salmonella may be widespread throughout the turkey industry. 6. Kellogs Honey Smacks Recall There have also been 100 reported cases of salmonella in 33 states in Kellogs Honey Smacks Cereal. Although the cereal was recalled on June 14, the FDA sent out another warning a month later due to the cereal still being sold in some stores. 7. Swiss Roll Recall Swiss Rolls have been recalled by Flower Foods due to a risk of salmonella. Whey powder was also recalled for possible contamination. This being said, there have no reported cases of salmonella infection due to Swiss Rolls, says the company. Swiss Rolls sold under brands names including Mr.Freshleys, Food Lion, H-E-B, Bakers Treat, Market Square, and Great Value have also been recalled. 8. Ritz Cracker Sandwich Recall Due to the recall of whey powder for potential salmonella contamination, Mondelez Global LLC has recalled Ritz Cracker Sandwiches, and other products. There have been no reported illnesses so far. 9. Goldfish Cracker Recall Four flavors of Goldfish crackers have been recalled by Pepperidge Farm: Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar, Flavor Blasted Sour Cream & Onion, Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar and Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel. Whey powder is also an ingredient in these products. There have been no reported illnesses. 10. Hungry Man Chick Wyngz Recall Pinnacle Foods, Inc have recalled Hungry Man Chipotle BBQ Sauced Boneless Chicken Wyngz meals. This product is 15.25 ounces and has a best by date of September 6, 2019. This product was shipped to Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia. 11. Turkey and Swiss Sandwich Recall Swiss and Turkey submarine sandwiches produced on July 17 have been recalled due to listeria. Listeria poses risks mainly for pregnant women because it can cause miscarriages. According to the CDC, listeria can also affect newborns, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, leading to sepsis. There have been no reported illnesses. 12. Crab Meat Recall An outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus that started in April has been linked to crabmeat from Venezuela. 12 cases have been reported in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia. Symptoms begin around 24 hours after infection and include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Contact an Experienced Food Recall Attorney If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or illness due to a defective or dangerous product, contact Thomas J. Henry. Over two decades of experience handling a multitude of defective product cases and extensive legal and financial resources allow us to provide our clients with truly dynamic legal representation. Thomas J. Henry has a proven track record of achieving real results for clients devastated by recalled products. Let us help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Contact us today for a free case review. Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com. Longfords drinks and hospitality businesses are highly vulnerable to a hard or no deal Brexit following a new report published by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the umbrella group for drinks and hospitality businesses in Ireland. The report, National and Regional Employment in the Drinks and Hospitality Sectors, authored by DCU economist Anthony Foley, shows that drinks and hospitality businesses account for significant proportions of rural employment. In Longford, hospitality employment accounted for 619 jobs 4.1% of all employment in the county. Kerry saw the highest portion of hospitality employment, with accommodation and food service sector employment as high as 10.5%. Hospitality employmentwhich includes pubs, hotels, B&Bs and restaurantsaccounts for 9.5% of all employment in the West of Ireland. The figure is 8% in the capital. Both are above the national average of 7.6%. In terms of employment in the accommodation and food service sector, which includes many drinks and tourism businesses, nine counties report a total employment share above the county average of 5.8%. This is based on the Census of Population "main activity" measure. The drinks industry directly and indirectly employs a total of 90,000 people. When the tourism sector is included, much of which is dependent on or associated with the drinks industry, total employment is 254,400, or 11.5% of all Irish jobs. Rosemary Garth, Irish Distillers' Communications and Corporate Affairs Director and Chair of DIGI, said that the new report clearly demonstrates the vital importance of the drinks and hospitality sector to rural Ireland, local employment and the economy in general. In many parts of Longford, drinks, hospitality and tourism businesses are the primary and sometimes only employers. This makes these areas highly vulnerable to economic shocks, like Brexit, said Garth. If a hard or no deal Brexit occurs and sterling devalues further, British tourists will look to save their money rather than spend it. That means fewer holidays and a smaller budget when they travel. Considering the British are our single biggest tourism market, this is a significant problem for rural areas that completely rely on foreign spend to power their local economy. Without a way to offset this decreased trade, some towns and villages could face business closures and job losses not unlike those of the recession. A downturn in the drinks and hospitality trade could also harm our economy. Irelands drinks industry alone generates Exchequer revenue worth 2.3 billion and exports 1.25 billion in goods every year. Faced with an uncertain economic environment, DIGI has called upon the Government to safeguard the growth of the drinks and hospitality industry by implementing a defensive alcohol excise tax reduction. Ireland has the second-highest overall alcohol excise tax in Europe behind only Finland. Broken down by drink type, we have the highest tax on wine, the second highest on beer, and the third highest on spirits. A series of road infrastructral improvements aimed at ensuring Ballymahon is ready for the arrival of Center Parcs next year are being lined up by local authority chiefs. Fine Gael Cllr Colm Murray gave a broad welcome to the publication by Longford County Council of Part 8 Planning Notices for improvement works to Ballymahon's Main Street. They include the construction of a roundabout at the N55 junction at the Inny Bridge, the installation of traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at Nally's Corner, the construction of a traffic island along a section of the R392 from Nally's Corner to St Matthew's Church and improvements to the town's public realm. The Kenagh based councillor said he was confident work on the main bulk of the project, subject to planning approval, had been pencilled in to get underway in late Spring 2019. Cllr Murray expressed his confidence at how the improvement works had all the promise of easing congestion concerns coming into and out of the south Longford town. The works will substantially improve traffic flow through through the town as well as improving the streetscape in general, he maintained. "The plans will be available for public inspection or purchase from the County Council from August 10th until September 24 and the council will be accepting submissions on the project until Monday October 8 at 4pm. I would urge as many people as possible to view and have their say on the plans while the opportunity is there to do so. I feel this project will greatly enhance Ballymahon and I for one will be endorsing the proposed changes. Cllr Murray was joined by party colleague Cllr Paul Ross who, like his Fine Gael running mate, vowed to ensure Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) chiefs are kept up to task in bringing about the successful completion of the project in as swift a manner as possible. Longford's most popular music festival, the Marquee in Drumlish, is set to kick off this weekend, with a stellar line up of artists ready to entertain crowds from all over the county and further afield. And with the festival preparations well and truly underway, the committee are very grateful for the support of the local business community. Once again Michael and Martin Mulleady of Mulleady Properties have pledged their valued support as main sponsors for the festival. ALSO READ: Close to 9k in government funding for Marquee in Drumlish Festival Broadband suppliers Imagine LTE have also once again come on board and will be supplying free Wi-Fi throughout the village and festival site throughout the weekend. Cathal and Laura Quinn of Quinns Bar and The Ledwith Family are valued publican and licensee partners this year, while many other local businesses support the festival in many ways each year. Aiden Gray and his family have provided the site for the festival each year and their continued backing is highly valued. Fr Manning Gaels are currently in their ninth year of hosting The Marquee in Drumlish Festival. As a community and voluntary festival, it has gone from strength to strength. Volunteerism is the backbone of all community groups and the festival could not take place without the goodwill of people and local groups who give up their time to steward festivalgoers. Its all about community spirit and each year the festival also donates funds to local community and voluntary groups. Chairperson of Fr Manning Gaels GFC, Seamus Gallagher said that this year's festival promises to be a fantastic weekend for everyone. We would like to welcome everyone from near and far to our ninth annual festival, he told the Longford Leader last week. A special word of thanks goes to our main sponsor, Mulleady Properties. Thanks also to our other sponsors, Imagine LTE Broadband. We also want to thank the whole community for their support - especially those adjacent to the festival site, he continued. Mr Gallagher added that this year's line-up is a strong one, with local bands, Brave Giant and Painted Skies opening the festival on Friday night followed by DJ Fergal DArcy. On Saturday the marquee goes country with Jimmy Buckley and Derek Ryan. The fabulous Cronin headline Sunday night with Jerry Fish and his Electric Sideshow, and also an Ed Sheeran Tribute Artist. On Monday, we'll have four hours of dancing with Mike Denver and the Marquee man himself, Declan Nerney, he said. Wed like to thank the local Gardai for their support and we are once looking forward to the Garda Mounted Unit attending over the weekend. Other events will take place across the weekend, including Monster Bingo and a kids' disco to ensure there's something for all the family to enjoy. Local News, Crime, Business & Finance, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: August 17 2018 Marjan Kasapinov and EMLO Corp. Are Charged With Failing To Pay Over $40,000 in Wages and Benefits to Workers Performing Construction Work at LaGuardia Airport. New York, NY - August 17, 2018 - Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood and Port Authority Inspector General Michael Nestor announced today the arrest of Marjan Kasapinov for allegedly underpaying 28 workers by more than $40,000 in wages and benefits for a publicly-funded construction project at LaGuardia Airport. If convicted, Kasapinov faces up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison, prohibition from performing public work for five years, and payment of back wages to his employees. Contractors that corrupt public projects and fail to pay their workers will be held accountable, said Attorney General Underwood. Workers deserve fair pay of the wages and benefits theyve earned not to be exploited by their employer. Our office will continue to work relentlessly to combat wage theft and the abuse of public dollars. Michael Nestor, Inspector General for the Port Authority of NY & NJ, said, Companies doing business with municipalities, state agencies, and authorities are legally bound to pay their employees the fair and prevailing wage. In this case, the defendant chose to enrich himself at the expense of his own workers. Todays arrest will serve notice to all contractors that the Port Authority of NY & NJ will not tolerate wage fraud or any other criminal misconduct on public projects. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its Law Enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity of the construction industry. This construction company and its owner are accused of blatantly depriving their workers of fair pay and required protections, which cannot be tolerated, said Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott. These charges should send a clear message that my law enforcement partners and I will not tolerate any business that tries to cheat the system, especially while putting their own employees at a disadvantage. Marjan Kasapinov, doing business as EMLO Corp. in Paterson, New Jersey, was contracted to perform asbestos removal work on several buildings at LaGuardia Airport between March 2014 and March 2015. Kasapinov is accused of allegedly submitting certified payroll records paperwork required to be filed with the Port Authority that falsely listed the amount of money in wages and benefits paid to his workers, resulting in 28 construction workers being underpaid by $40,000. Kasapinov is also alleged to have failed to secure the required workers compensation insurance for his company, even though asbestos removal work is hazardous. Kasapinov and EMLO Corp are charged with Failure to Pay the Prevailing Rate of Wage or Supplements, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Failure to Secure Workers Compensation Insurance, all felonies. The defendants were arraigned today before Justice Scott Dunn in Queens County Criminal Court and were released on their own recognizance. The Attorney General thanks the Office of the Port Authority Inspector General and the Office of the New York State Inspector General for their assistance in this investigation. The Attorney Generals investigation was conducted by Attorney General Investigator Melissa Kaplan, under the supervision of Senior Investigator Sylvia Rivera and Deputy Chief Investigator John McManus. The Attorney Generals Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Dominic Zarrella. Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Pfetsch is prosecuting this case, under the supervision of Labor Bureau Criminal Section Chief Richard Balletta, Labor Bureau Chief ReNika Moore, and Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice is Matthew Colangelo and the Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice is Margaret Garnett. The Port Authority Office of Inspector Generals investigation was conducted by Forensic Investigator Mia Chang, with the assistance of Detective Steve Poulos, under the supervision of Supervisory Forensic Investigator Fred Ferrone, Assistant Director of Investigations Salvatore Dalessandro, and Director of Investigations Steve Pasichow. Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: August 17 2018 Alleged Conspiracy to Sell Narcotics Involved Seasonal Workers in Local Bars, Restaurants. Hauppauge, NY - August 17, 2018 - Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and members of the District Attorneys Offices East End Drug Task Force today announced the arrest of 16 individuals in connection with an alleged narcotics ring operating in the Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and members of the District Attorneys Offices East End Drug Task Force today announced the arrest of 16 individuals in connection with an alleged narcotics ring operating in the Montauk area. This case surrounds the drug trafficking that has been going on in the Montauk area for far too long, District Attorney Sini said. Year-round residents in Montauk have been voicing their concerns for years about the prolific drug dealing in their community, particularly during the summer season when the population increases dramatically. This investigation was swift and effective in targeting the ongoing drug problem, and the reason why is because of excellent collaboration between the federal and local law enforcement agencies involved. One thing is clear, the wrong kind of traffic was coming to Montauk, NY. I commend the members of our DEA Long Island District Office who worked on this investigation with our incredible federal, state, and local partners. I would also like to thank the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office for prosecuting this drug trafficking organization and for making a significant impact on the east end of Long Island. Traffickers who send narcotics through the mail and distribute within restaurants and bars endanger every person and community along the way. It's time that these defendants are held accountable for their brazen actions, said DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge James Hunt. As Postal Inspectors, one of the most important roles we play is protecting our employees, our customers and the U. S. Mail. This case reflects the dedication to this mission and exemplifies the collaboration of law enforcement to stop drug trafficking organizations from the transport and distribution of drugs into communities, putting an end to their illegal activity. We want to thank our partners who support our mission and the sanctity of our seal, said U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina. A multi-agency investigation beginning in March 2018 revealed evidence of an alleged conspiracy by the defendants to sell narcotics, including cocaine and oxycodone, to patrons in bars and restaurants in the Montauk area. The commercial establishments include Swallow East, Six-Eight-Six the Gig Shack, Shagwong Tavern, The Liars Saloon, and OMurphys Pub & Restaurant. Several of the defendants are seasonal workers in the service industry who live together in rented houses or motels provided by their employers. The investigation revealed evidence that the defendants were using both the residences and the commercial establishments at which they are employed to conduct the alleged sale of narcotics. These tourist locations thrive during the summer months, providing this organization an expanded client base from Memorial Day to Labor Day, District Attorney Sini said. Given their control over the drug market in Montauk, these co-conspirators were able to charge significantly inflated prices for their illegal products, which included cocaine and oxycodone. The defendants are alleged to have received packages of illicit substances through the mail from locations in and outside of the continental United States. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service resulted in the seizure of a package of approximately 100 oxycodone and alprazolam pills addressed to one of the locations where the defendants were living and a second package containing approximately $17,460 cash alleged to be mailed by the defendants as payment. On August 15, detectives and police officers executed search warrants at five locations connected to the alleged narcotics distribution ring. The search warrants resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals and the seizure of approximately $100,000 cash; approximately 650 grams of cocaine; marijuana; various pills, including alprazolam and hydrocodone; and assorted drug paraphernalia, including a kilo press, cutting agents, cell phones and packaging materials. The individuals arrested are: Geraldo Vargas-Munoz, a/k/a CHELO, 37, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, an A-1 felony. Elvin Silva-Ruiz, a/k/a PITO, 40, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony. Antonio Ramirez-Gonzalez, a/k/a TETE, 30, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Gilberto Quintana-Crespo, a/k/a JIMMY, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. William Crespo-Duran a/k/a FLACO, 35, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony. Thomas Harwood, 25, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor. Nawar Qanbar, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor. Louis Madariaga-Medina, 31, of Montauk, is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor. Israel Padilla-Rosas, 33, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Fourth Degree, an A misdemeanor. Bryan Ruiz-Sanchez, 22, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Alex Joel Tirado-Rivera, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Bracklie Vargas-Gonzalez, 24, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Kevin Becker, 30 of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. John DeMelio, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Gilbert Rodriguez-Mendez, 41, of Montauk, is charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. On August 16, the East Hampton Town Police Department arrested John Doherty Valentin, 29, of Montauk, in connection with the alleged sale of narcotics in Montauk. He is charged with seven counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony. The investigation was executed by members of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices East End Drug Task Force, including law enforcement officers and detectives from the New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Department of Probation, East Hampton Town Police Department, East Hampton Town Police Department, Riverhead Town Police Department, Southampton Town Police Department, Southampton Village Police Department, and Southold Town Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Nash, of the Narcotics Bureau, and the Special Narcotics Unit. Local News, Crime, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: August 17 2018 Criminalizes Misrepresentation of Caregiver's Experiences and Qualifications to Help Ensure Children are in Safe Hands. Albany, NY - August 17, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed Lulu and Leo's Law (A.11125-A/S.9070-A) to establish the crime of misrepresentation by, or on behalf of, a caregiver for children. The legislation was prompted by the murders of Lucia and Leo Krim by their nanny who included false information on her application to become their caregiver. "No parent should fear harm to their children by the very people entrusted to protect them," Governor Cuomo said. "As the father of three daughters, I cannot imagine the horror and the heartbreak experienced by the Krim family and while nothing can erase that, I'm proud to sign this law that will help protect New York children and provide some peace of mind to their parents and loved ones." "As a mother, I know how important it is to be able to trust individuals with caring for your children," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Caregivers are supposed to protect our children from harm, and no parent should have to experience any misrepresentation or mistrust by those who are tasked to keep them safe. This legislation will help to ensure that caregivers are honest about their background and assure parents that their children are in good hands." "This important legislation closes a gap in the law by establishing a legal duty that representations on behalf of a caregiver for children in the home be accurate. Thanks goes to Governor Cuomo, both houses of the legislature and the advocacy of Kevin and Marina Krim for protecting the safety of children with this new law," said Assemblyman Steven Otis who sponsored the bill in the Assembly. Kevin Krim said, "Marina and I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing Lulu & Leo's Law. We hired the woman who murdered our children based on a deliberate set of lies. Thanks to Governor Cuomo's support and the hard work of sponsors Assemblyman Otis, Senator Lanza and their co-sponsor, there is now a strong deterrent to that kind of deception. We're honored and grateful that Lulu and Leo's powerful legacy includes protecting vulnerable children, parents, guardians and caregivers." CANCELLED - Nassau Police Issues Alert for Missing Vulnerable Adult from New Cassel Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: August 17 2018 Mohammad Saleem, 30, is non-verbal and was last seen on Friday, August 17. NCPD are seeking Mohammad Saleem, 30, a missing vulnerable adult from New Cassel. UPDATE - August 20, 2018 - Police report that Mohammad Saleem has been located. Below is the original report. New Cassel, NY - August 17, 2018 - The Missing Person Squad is investigating a missing vulnerable adult from New Cassel that occurred on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 4:00 a.m. and was reported to Police on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. According to detectives, Mohammad Saleem, 30, a male, was last seen at his residence wearing a gray tank top and black pants. He is 51 tall, 100 pounds with black hair, black eyes and a black mustache. He is non-verbal and his possible destination is unknown. Greg Henning, a Democratic candidate for the Suffolk County district attorney race, received an endorsement from outgoing Suffolk D.A. Dan Conley on Friday. "Greg Henning's unparalleled experience makes him the clear choice to serve as the next Suffolk County District Attorney," Conley said in a statement shared Friday. "From his plan to address unsolved shootings to his proposed Law Enforcement Early Diversion mentoring program, Greg has proven he is ready to do this job, and I am proud to endorse him." Conley, who has served as the Boston-area D.A. since 2002, announced earlier this year he would not run for another term. Greg Henning has worked in the Suffolk D.A.'s office, most recently as a supervisor of a Gang Unit, and has spent time teaching in Boston. He has campaigned heavily on his plans to curb gun violence in the Boston area. Henning is one of six candidates in the race, alongside Evandro Carvalho, Linda Champion, Michael Maloney, Shannon McAuliffe and Rachel Rollins. All are running as Democrats, except Maloney, who is running as an Independent. In his statement of endorsement, Conley said Henning had worked under him for 10 years. Conley praised Henning's leadership in prosecution as well as community engagement, which is also a key part of the candidate's platform. Conley's endorsement comes on the same day as an editorial endorsement from the Boston Herald. The Democratic Primary for the race will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 4, and the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. SPRINGFIELD - Two reputed gang members have been indicted on murder charges following a fatal shooting last month in Springfield's McKnight neighborhood. Donte King, 32, of Springfield, is charged with murder, armed assault with intent to rob, possession of a machine gun and three related firearms charges under an indictment returned Thursday by a Hampden County grand jury. The grand jury also charged Aaron Kelly-Griffin, 27, of Springfield, with murder, armed assault with intent to rob and carrying a firearm without a license. The pair were arrested after Corey Drummer, 34, of Springfield, was killed during an allegedly botched drug robbery on Westminster Street on July 5. A prosecutor said both men pulled guns on Drummer and another man and King shot Drummer three times during an ensuing struggle. When police arrived, Drummer was conscious and allegedly identified King as the shooter. He died several hours later at Baystate Medical Center. Both King and Kelly-Griffin denied murder and firearms charges in Springfield District Court on July 11 and were ordered held without right to bail. The indictments move their cases to Superior Court, where no arraignment date had been set as of Friday. In court documents, both men are described as members of the Sycamore Street gang, whose members have been convicted in shootings, drug dealing and other crimes. King also has an extensive criminal record, and was arrested two days before the fatal shooting for allegedly carrying a stolen firearm. He was released the next day after posting $10,000 bail. King was arrested 16 times on a total of 42 charges, from cocaine distribution to firearms possession, during an eight-year period ending in November 2012, according to court records. The number of arrests is especially high considering that, during the same period, King served a total of three and a half years in jail for repeated convictions for selling cocaine. More than half of King's arrests took place while he was out on bail and awaiting trial on other charges. In all, King served more than seven years behind bars in Massachusetts and New York before being charged in last month's fatal shooting, court records show. SPRINGFIELD -- They take pot to avoid prescription drugs. Most still prefer to smoke it. Over half use the weed to ease anxiety. Such information is part of the preliminary results from a survey about marijuana use and attitudes being done by the Cannabis Community Care and Research Network (C3RN) of Somerville and the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth. The survey began in June and is scheduled to last through 2020, said Dr. Marion McNabb, public health doctor and CEO of C3RN. Most of the 618 survey responses are from Massachusetts residents but the survey is available globally, she said. "This survey is open for anyone in the world to participate, and honestly that is our goal -- to take this global. We have seen responses from others states popping up, but we are in the process of analyzing the data and will present more" at an event Thursday in Somerville, McNabb said in a text message. About 62 percent of the over 600 respondents in the ongoing survey said they use marijuana to reduce intake of prescription medication, she said. In Massachusetts, 17 percent of respondents were concerned about their workplace knowing they use marijuana compared to 24 percent nationally citing that as a concern, according to the early survey numbers. The survey is anonymous and takes less than 30 minutes, according to the survey website. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C3RNCoE Preliminary survey results will be updated by the time a presentation is made Aug. 23 from noon to 6 p.m. at Revolutionary Clinics, a medical marijuana facility in Somerville, she said. "But what's cool about this approach, is if you complete the survey now, you immediately see how your responses compare to the whole: a cool immediate feedback for one who responds and might geek out about what the results will be," she said. The survey's aim is to understand consumer/patient demographics, attitudes, choices, methods of consumption and knowledge of cannabis products in legal cannabis states, while also reducing the marijuana stigma, she said. "We are looking forward to how this dynamic cannabis community information system can evolve," she said. Other results from the survey so far, according to information from McNabb: smoking remains the preferred way of ingesting the weed for 50 percent of respondents, followed by edibles, vaping, tinctures, concentrates and others 77 percent of respondents were female 51 percent use pot to ease anxiety 23 percent said they use marijuana only for health issues. After the survey, a message appears on screen that says the information shared is "100 percent anonymous" and will be used to develop resources to break the stigma of pot use and improve data. "This information will be used to build an open, fact-based and community-led information resource that promotes the safe and effective use of recreational and medical cannabis," the message said. C3RN, a marijuana industry consultant and advocate, led a forum in Holyoke May 29 on marijuana's potential to replace opioids for pain relief. Other events C3RN is holding in relation to the survey are scheduled for, McNabb said: Aug. 29 from 3 to 8 p.m. at INSA Easthampton, a medical marijuana facility at 122 Pleasant St., Suite 144, in Easthampton. Presentation of survey data will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. at INSA Springfield, 506 Cottage St. in Springfield. Presentation of survey data will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22, starting between 10 and 11 a.m. and running to 4 or 5 p.m. in Boston, at a location to be determined: "Cannabis Community-Led Research Symposium: Final Series Event." Others that C3RN is working with on the survey are BASK Inc., a medical marijuana facility in Fairhaven, and medical doctors Dustin Sulak and Ryan Zaklin. BOSTON - A man convicted of robbing 10 banks in four months was sentenced to more than five years in prison and three years of supervised release in U.S. District Court Thursday. Paul B. Landrum, 38, of Boston, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of bank robbery in May. He was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He has been in custody since being arrested in November 2017, said Christina Dilorio-Sterling, spokeswoman for United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. Landrum was dubbed the "Route 128 Bandit" after he robbed eight banks in the greater Boston area between July 31 and Oct. 6, 2017. Each time tellers gave police similar descriptions of the suspect leading police to believe the crimes were all committed by the same person, she said. Two more banks were robbed between Oct. 17 and Oct. 19 by a woman later identified as Tamea Chambers. While reviewing video footage of the robberies, police spotted a man who fit the description of the "Route 128 Bandit" with her, she said. Following up on information about the getaway car used in the crimes, police were able to identify Chambers and Landrum as suspects. The two were arrested Oct. 24, Dilorio-Sterling said. Chambers also pleaded guilty to robbing the banks in May. She is to be sentenced in September, she said. The crimes were investigated by Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office and the Massachusetts State Police. Boston, Brookline, Medford, Somerville, and Wellesley police departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine, of Lelling's Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case. UPDATE, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, 4:25 p.m.: Sinclair will be released on personal recognizance with a monitoring device, a judge ordered. A new story has been posted --> WARE -- A Level 3 sex offender living in town was arraigned Thursday and charged with child rape at Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown. Joseph David Sinclair, 62, of 40 Cherry St., is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the crime he was charged with, according to section 23 of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 265, titled "Rape and abuse of child." The statute pertains to a child less than 16 years old. Sinclair landed on the sex offender registry following a 1997 conviction of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or older, according to the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board. The state classifies sex offenders as Level 1, 2 or 3, with Level 3 being the most dangerous and most likely to re-offend. Contact Jim Russell at newstips123@gmail.com SPRINGFIELD -- The manager of a pet store with a checkered history says the criticism aimed at the company's business practices is not based in reality. The Puppy Place, a puppy retailer whose owner runs locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, formerly had a store in West Springfield that came under scrutiny. That store recently closed, but in July, the business opened at a new location on Boston Road. The company has weathered a number of criticisms, including a series of articles published by MassLive in November that documented large numbers of complaints filed against the business and reported it had received many of its animals from "puppy mills" -- large, poorly managed distributors where dogs are kept in squalid conditions. Now a local group has organized to protest the opening of The Puppy Place's new store, claiming the business should be shut down. The protest's organizer, Sheryl Becker, wrote in a social media post that the conditions in which animals were kept at puppy mills is "deplorable," and asked that people "spread the word about the cruelty behind the cuteness!" Becker plans to protest outside the store Saturday at 1 p.m. Katie Kelleher, manager at the new Springfield location, told The Republican the criticisms of the business are unfounded. "We're always trying to improve, obviously," she said. "But a lot of the rumors involved in the controversy back then were just misinformation. It's not that we were doing a poor job and then just suddenly changed -- it's just misinformation, generally from a small group of very active people." Richard Carty, owner of the business, has previously stated that he felt his business tries "very, very hard" to make sure the animals sold are treated humanely and are healthy. Carty could not be reached for comment for this story because of family issues. Kelleher flatly denied that any of the animals that the company sells come from "puppy mills." "Unfortunately there's a lot of ignorance there," she said. "A lot of their claims are simply made up. We do our best to make sure they're solid breeders taking good care of their pups." Kelleher, a dog owner herself, denied that the West Springfield store had been "shut down" by the state, which detractors contended. She said the real reason that store closed was the lease was up. The business also runs a sister store, "The Dog House," in Manchester, Connecticut, as well as an affiliated rescue shelter called "Save All Dogs Rescue," Kelleher noted. "We contribute over $70,000 a year to the shelter we're affiliated with," Kelleher said, explaining that the business hopes to open another rescue shelter next door to the new Springfield location. BOSTON - A 37-year-old Quincy man who was found with two kilograms of fentanyl, three kilograms of cocaine, 250 grams of cocaine base and a stolen gun was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday. Jonathan Andrade pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base; one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris, said Christina DiLorio-Sterling spokeswoman for United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. A federal drug investigation led agents to apply for a search warrant for Andrade's Quincy apartment on Sept. 15. When agents arrived with the warrant, Andrade did not answer the door and police outside saw him dropping a black canvas bag out the window, she said. "The bag was recovered and found to contain approximately two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl and 250 grams of cocaine base. Once agents entered the apartment, they found Andrade standing near the open window where he was arrested," she said. While searching the apartment they found a 9 mm semi-automatic firearm, which was one of 33 stolen in December 2012, about $20,000 in cash, several gold bars and luxury jewelry, DiLorio-Sterling said. Police also searched Andrade's four cars and found two electronic hides in a Nissan Altima and one kilogram each of fentanyl and cocaine were found in the hiding places, she said. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross announced the sentencing Thursday. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Cannon. Suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper Kevin Sweeney was charged with embezzlement Friday in connection with a massive overtime scandal within the agency. Sweeney, 40, of Braintree was paid $11,000 for overtime hours he did not work. He has agreed to plead guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Prosecutors said Sweeney made $249,406 in 2015, including $111,808 in overtime pay. In 2016 he made $218,512, including $95,895 in overtime pay. Like others implicated in the investigation, Sweeney allegedly wrote "ghost tickets" in an attempt to prove he was on the job. On Dec. 14, 2016, Sweeney claimed to have worked an overtime shift from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to prosecutors. He wrote eight motor vehicle citations but never sent them to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The investigation also showed Sweeney never turned on his cruiser radio, or run any of the records during the shift he supposedly worked, prosecutors said. Sweeney is the sixth trooper to be charged in the investigation. On June 27 former Lieutenant David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester; and former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick, were arrested and charged with the same crimes, according to prosecutors. On July 2 Trooper Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood pleaded guilty to charges. On July 25 retired Trooper Daren DeJong, 56, of Uxbridge, was also charged. Over 40 members of Massachusetts State Police are under scrutiny, as state and local investigators examine alleged abuse of overtime shifts on the Massachusetts Turnpike. An audit by the state police found dozens of troopers who pay have been paid for overtime shifts they did not work. Sweeney was part of the Troop E, the subject of investigation, which patrolled the turnpike and tunnels before it was disbanded this spring. Credit: Pamela LittkyAlice in Chains' upcoming album Rainier Fog is named after Mount Rainier, which, with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet, is the highest mountain in the band's home state of Washington. Fittingly, the grunge icons have planned a high-elevation performance to celebrate the album's arrival...although not quite that high. On August 21, Alice in Chains will perform 500 feet in the air on top of Seattle's Space Needle. They'll be the first band to play the iconic tower's new revolving glass floor, called The Loupe. "I've visited the Space Needle many times in my life and it's going to be a real honor and a total trip for us to play there," says guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell. "We're so proud of this album and to be able to celebrate its release with a performance at one of our town's most iconic landmarks is really special," he adds. "It sorta reminds me of the time we did the 'Again' video, but instead of being six feet in the air rocking out on a glass floor, we'll be 50 stories high...slight difference." Rainier Fog will be released August 24. Alice will launch a North American tour behind the album August 22 in Vancouver. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The Hardwick-Hogshead Apartments, with nearby buildings at Fountain Square, have sold for over $11 million. The sale was to Eh Hogshead Llc from Cbb Real Estate Partners for $11,025,000. The venerable apartments, dating to the early 1900s, are on Georgia Avenue near the Fireman's Fountain. Rachelle Bond, the mother of murdered Bella Bond, has tested positive for drugs for a second time this year. Conditions of Bond's two-year probation term, which began July 12 , 2017, include no use of substances, alcohol or drugs; mental health treatment; and high level drug testing. She is also not allowed to reside with anyone who uses illegal drugs. Bond appeared briefly in Worcester Superior Court on Friday morning, where the probation department said Bond had recently tested positive during a drug screening. What drug she tested positive for was not disclosed in open court. The test was administered on Aug. 10. Bond has been on probation since last year after she took a plea deal in connection with the murder of her toddler Bella. The body of a toddler washed up on Winthrop's Deer Island in June 2015. For months, the child was just referred to as "Baby Doe." Eventually, authorities identified the girl as Bella Bond. Bond is going into intensive outpatient treatment, the probation department said during her hearing Friday. She is scheduled to return to court Sept. 19 for a compliance hearing. In May, Bond violated her probation after testing positive for drugs. She admitted to using cocaine at the time and tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. Bond's ex-boyfriend, Michael Patrick McCarthy, was convicted of second-degree murder in Bella's killing. Bond testified against McCarthy and was a key witness for prosecutors, describing the night her daughter died in gruesome detail. Her testimony was part of a plea deal. She was sentenced to time served. She had been in jail since the fall of 2015. Bond in 2017 pleaded guilty to charges of being an accessory after the fact and larceny over $250 for receiving benefits for her daughter after Bella's death. Bond was placed on two years of probation with conditions that required a psychiatric evaluation and barred her from using or living with someone using illegal substances. Eventually, Bond's probation was transferred to Worcester Superior Court after she began living in the area. After being sentenced to time served, Bond's attorney, Janice Bassil, said her client wanted a fresh start. "I think that she'd like to avoid locations where she was able to connect for drugs," Bassil said after her client's sentencing. "I think she really wants a fresh start so there are plenty of places in Massachusetts where she could do that." -------- Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Bond violated her probation. Though Bond tested positive for drugs, it has not yet been determined if she violated her probation. The Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear a case involving a group of foreclosed homeowners who say Worcester Housing Court judges are biased against litigants who represent themselves -- in particular those homeowners working with a Worcester anti-foreclosure group. The group is also alleging procedural improprieties by the Housing Court. "Courts assume lawyers know what they're talking about and people who aren't lawyers by trade don't," said Grace Ross, coordinator of the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending. The Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team is a member of that group. Lawyers for the Worcester Housing Court, which is represented by the attorney general's office, are asking the SJC to dismiss the case on procedural grounds. Around 40 members of the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team, all of whom have fought foreclosures, filed a brief with the SJC alleging that the Worcester Housing Court "has destroyed its credibility and function as a fair and just tribunal of the people." "The WHC has become a no-man's land where the power and greed of an industry reign free, rather than impartiality and due process," they wrote. The homeowners are asking for all cases involving members of the anti-foreclosure group to be transferred to a new judge, for an injunction preventing the court from pursuing their foreclosures, and for the SJC to require the Worcester Housing Court judge to change the way she questions members. The case first went to a single justice, Justice Frank Gaziano, who denied the homeowners' request. Gaziano's decision, dated Aug. 31, 2017, denied the petition without a hearing and without providing any reason. The full SJC has taken it up on appeal. Trial Court spokeswoman Erika Gully-Santiago said the court is not able to comment on a pending matter. The Worcester Housing Court consists of Chief Judge Diana Horan and an assistant judge. The homeowners, many of whom are poor or disabled, laid out their arguments in briefs totaling more than 200 pages. According to the homeowners, the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team is an organization that lets owners facing foreclosure, who often do not have legal representation, work together to learn about foreclosure law and develop legal briefs in their cases. They say judges have treated litigants without lawyers differently than they treat litigants with lawyers -- for example, allowing only verbal arguments without letting litigants refer to or submit their written materials. They write that the judges have repeatedly questioned members of the group about whether a Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team member is practicing law without a license by writing legal briefs for them, and then threatened to open a criminal investigation. "Using their authority, they demand information irrelevant to the legal issues of saving your home, make public accusations, name-calling, threats on the record, and sometimes put their unfounded accusations in their decisions," the homeowners wrote. Ross said Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team members are scared that they will face criminal charges for practicing law illegally, when all they are doing is sharing information and templates. The group also wrote that they had experienced "discourteous, dismissive or derisive treatment" from the court's chief clerk-magistrate when trying to file papers, access court documents or review their files. A separate issue is that the homeowners say some lawyers for banks in foreclosure cases have been allowed to insert documents relating to the foreclosure into someone's file -- but the subject of the case is never notified the document is there, and never given a chance to contest its validity. They argue that this qualifies as an illegal "ex parte communication," which biases the judge. In seeking a dismissal of the case, attorneys from Attorney General Maura Healey's office wrote that the briefs are too long and do not address the central legal issues of why the homeowners believe Gaziano's ruling was incorrect. Attorneys for the housing court wrote that the petitioners' brief is "severely deficient and fails to make legal argument relevant to their appeal." They wrote that the question of bias in these cases could be addressed through the normal review process, and questions related to self-representation have already been decided by the court. NORTHAMPTON -- A lawyer for the Jo Comerford campaign said Wednesday that all primary ballots in the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Senate race should contain a special space for write-in candidates, but state election officials on Thursday disagreed. Former Senate president Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst resigned May 3 after the release of a scathing ethics report. Primary ballots in his former district contain one name: Democrat Chelsea Kline of Northampton, who returned her nomination papers on time. However, there are four people campaigning for the seat in the Sept. 4 Massachusetts primary. The problem for the three write-ins, according to Northampton attorney Marissa Elkins, lies with hand-counted paper ballots used in the district's small towns. The ballots have no dedicated, large space beneath Kline's name for voters to place a sticker or write another name. "It's not clear where you should put that information on the ballot," she said. Elkins, representing the Comerford campaign, wrote to Secretary of State William Galvin on Aug. 15 claiming that the paper ballots are not compliant with Chapter 54 Section 42 -- a statute governing blank spaces on ballots. She said the campaign wants the ballots to be reprinted. Galvin's office wrote back saying the ballots are indeed compliant. In her Aug. 16 response, Massachusetts elections division director Michelle K. Tassinari advised Elkins that she had cited the wrong law in criticizing the hand-counted ballots. The elections chief said under Chapter 53 Section 34, which governs primaries, blank spaces must be provided on a hand-counted presidential or state primary ballot only "where there are fewer names than there are persons to be chosen." Kline is on the ballot, so there is no "deficiency of candidates" for the Democratic nomination. Such a deficiency would trigger the need for a space. Elkins told The Republican that she believes Tassinari's ruling on primary ballot configuration represents a "cramped interpretation of the statute," and said it's noteworthy that ballots are designed differently depending upon voting machine technology. "It speaks volumes to the issue of voter accessibility," the lawyer said. Elkins had advised Galvin that the ballots represent a "significant problem" for Comerford and other write-in candidates. "We are hearing from early voters that clerks are telling them to write in our candidate's name in the very limited space below Kline's name, but they are finding the situation confusing," Elkins wrote. She told Galvin the Comerford campaign has already expended "significant resources" in voter education and in "printing materials to familiarize voters with the ballot as we expected it to be printed and to provide stickers of the appropriate dimensions." In a telephone conversation, a press spokeswoman for Galvin's office said the Secretary is following election laws passed by the state Legislature, and cannot deviate from requirements outlined in various statutes. The Senate race here has been hotly contested, and three write-in candidates -- Comerford, Steven Connor, and Ryan O'Donnell, all Northampton Democrats -- emerged to challenge Kline only after Rosenberg resigned two days after the ballot deadline. Rosenberg's husband, Bryon Hefner, now faces criminal sexual assault charges, and the couple are named in civil litigation claiming Rosenberg must have been aware of Hefner's inappropriate behavior with men he knew from the Massachusetts Statehouse. At a June campaign event, Comerford told The Republican she did not initially challenge Rosenberg because she was "not going to use a vulnerable moment to declare my own candidacy ... It was easy for me not to declare in the face of all Stan was facing." Kline, for her part, has said Rosenberg signed her nomination papers and encouraged her to run against him. There are 24 communities in the district. The larger ones, including Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, and Amherst, use optical scanners. Those ballots will have a special space for stickers and write-ins below Kline's name, said Elkins. On the paper ballots used in small towns, there is still enough space to write a name, according to guidance issued by Galvin's office. What's important is that a voter clearly show intent to support a candidate for a specific post, it says. "Courts have ruled that a vote should be counted whenever the intent of the voter can reasonably be determined, even if a voter omits the candidate's address or makes a mistake in the name or address," Galvin's guidance for poll workers reads. Tassinari wrote that Galvin's office held informational meetings for town clerks and others across the state in districts where there are many write-in candidates. She added that a representative from the Comerford campaign attended such a session on Aug. 9 in Amherst. Elkins said Comerford hopes the disagreement will serve to raise awareness of voter access issues. "It's a perfect storm here in Western Mass," she said. "Twenty-four towns are without representation in the Senate. We're losing many years of experience on Beacon Hill. The state already refused to extend the ballot deadline to accommodate our extraordinary circumstances." Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, who later declared as a Comerford supporter, in May asked Galvin to extend the ballot deadline after Rosenberg's resignation. Rosenberg had previously said he planned to run again. Comerford has praised Rosenberg on the campaign trail, saying at a recent candidates night that she would "pick up his baton" on Beacon Hill. The district is comprised of Amherst, Bernardston, Colrain, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Leverett, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Royalston, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately. Jo Comerford Ballot Dispute by Mary Serreze on Scribd U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, announced Friday that he will participate in a second televised debate ahead of Massachusetts' Sept. 4 Democratic primary. Neal, who is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, confirmed that he will attend an Aug. 30 debate sponsored by WGBY-Public Television in partnership with The League of Women Voters. The debate, moderated by Carrie Saldo, will air on WGBY from 8 to 8:30 p.m. It will also be available online. Neal's Campaign Manager Peter Panos said the congressman "is thrilled to announce his participation in this second televised debate." "Congressman Neal looks forward to addressing voters about his leading the fight against Donald Trump's inhumane immigration policies, attempts to gut healthcare, slash Social Security and Medicare and cut taxes for corporations and the wealthiest 1-percent while sharing his vision for fairer taxes, making healthcare more affordable and accessible, defending Social Security and Medicare, combating the opioid epidemic and addressing income inequality," he said in a statement. Amatul-Wadud's campaign did not immediately respond to requests seeking confirmation that she will attend the evening debate. She, however, said in a late-Thursday statement that she was "looking forward to being there." The Springfield attorney, who is looking to unseat Neal, criticized the longtime incumbent earlier this week for announcing an Aug. 22 televised debate with WWLP, for which she said the terms had not yet been finalized. She, however, noted that the two campaigns "have painstakingly negotiated a debate with the League of Women Voters and WGBY 57 on August 30, 2018" and that the terms for that matchup had already been decided. Global Diabetes Drugs Market Overview The global diabetes drugs market is growing with a swift phase; mainly due to increase in patient population and research and development done by market players to fill the gap of market. The WHO estimated that diabetes leads to 1.6 million deaths in 2015 and it is the major causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. Get Premium Sample Report Available @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1160 Increase in incidence of chronic disease owing to diabetes will drag the interest of biopharmaceutical researchers for developing effective drugs for the treatment. More than 170 diabetes drugs are in the development stage to cure diabetes or diabetes related conditions. In 2014, the cost of diabetes diagnosis was around USD 245 billion in the United States, and biopharmaceutical researchers are focusing to find new lifesaving and life-changing treatments. Global Diabetes Drugs Market Scenario Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body glucose level is elevated. There are two type of diabetes namely type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes. During last decade there is a tremendous increase in the number of diabetic population. According to International Diabetes Federation, in 2016, it was estimated that 420 million adult population were suffering from diabetes which is increasing at the rate of 8.4% and is expected to reach 625 million by 2040. A number of different types of drugs are available in the market however, no available treatment can cure diabetes totally. However, cost issues, strict regulatory rules and long approval time for drugs may led to restrain the growth of the market. The global Diabetes Drug Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% during forecasted period 2017-2023. Global Diabetes Drugs Market Key Players The major player in the global diabetic drug market are Eli Lilly (US), Novo Nordisk (Denmark), Abbott (US), AstraZeneca (UK), Biocon (US), Sunpharma (India), Sanofi (France), Novartis (Switzerland), Merck & Co. (US), Pfizer (US), Daiichi Sankyo (Japan), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), Akros Pharma (US), Amgen (US), Adocia (France), Peptron (South Korea), Takeda (Japan). Global Diabetes Drugs Market Segmentation The global diabetes drug market is segmented on the basis of types, route of administration, drug class, and end users. On the basis of types, the market is segmented into type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes. On the basis of route of administration, the market is segmented into oral, intravenous and other. On the basis of drug class they are insulin, sensitizers, SGLT-2 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, secretagogues, peptide analogs and others. Sensitizers are sub segmented into thiazolidinediones and biguanides. Secretagogues are further segmented into sulfonylureas and non-sulfonylureas On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospital & clinics, ambulatory clinics and other. Global Diabetes Drugs Market Regional Analysis America dominates the global diabetes drug market owing to large diabetic patient population. According to the WHO, in 2016, 9.6% of total America population were suffering from diabetes. In addition to this, increasing number of obese people, changing lifestyle and increasing healthcare expenditure have boosted the growth of the market in America. Increasing cholesterol level and smoking increases the possibility of causing diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), 73.5 million adults in the US had diagnosed with high cholesterol level. Europe accounts for the second largest diabetes drug market, which is followed by Asia Pacific. Huge smoking population, availability of funds for research, and government support for research & development will drive the market in Europe. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the market due to the presence of a huge patient population, continuously developing economies, and increasing need for the better treatment. On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa has the least share in the global diabetes drug market due to presence of poor economy especially in Africa region. Middle East holds the major share in the Middle East & Africa diabetes drug market owing to well-developed healthcare sector and huge healthcare expenditure. MAJOR TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restrains 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators Major TOC Continued! Get Exclusive Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1160 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 An Endoscopy is a procedure that allows physicians or surgeons to look interior parts of the organ. The technique is used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. To perform endoscopy a specialized instrument is used named as endoscope. Various types of endoscopes and adoption of endoscope depends upon the affected body organ, for instance, bronchoscopes are used for lungs related problem, arthroscopes are preferred for problems associated with joints, and many others. Other instruments required during an endoscopic procedure includes biopsy forceps, cytology brush, flexible forceps, trocar sleeves, etc. For therapeutic purpose, the endoscopes are either attached or passed through surgical instruments to perform surgery. Endoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery in which an endoscope is inserted in the body through small incisions to examine the internal organs. Endoscopy Device Market Major Players Some of the key players in Endoscopy Device Market are Cogentix Medical Integrate Endoscopy J&J services Inc. Shaili Endoscopy Interscope Inc. Cantel Medical Micro-Tech Endoscopy Cognetix Stryker OLYMPUS KARL STORZ Gmbh Co. KG FUJIFILM PENTAX MEDICAL RICHARD WOLF Endoscopy Device Market Segmentation The Global Endoscopy Device Market is segmented on the basis of type, therapy, treatments & procedures, application, accessory & processors, and end user. On the basis of type, it is segmented into flexible endoscopes, rigid endoscopes, capsule endoscopes, surgical endoscopes, and robot-assisted endoscopes. On the basis of therapy, it is segmented into colonoscopy, gastroscopy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreotography, ureteroscopy, and cystoscopy Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1967 Endoscopy Device Market Key Developments Integrate Endoscopy July, 2016: Integrated Endoscopy received clearance from the FDA for its nuvis Single-Use Arthroscope. It is the first FDA-approved disposable rigid endoscope. In February, 2016: Integrated Endoscopy demonstrated its nuvis Single-Use Arthroscope at the 2016 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Meeting in Orlando, USA. Johnson & Johnson Services Inc. September, 2016: Acclarent Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, received FDA approval for ACCLARENT AERA Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System. It is a first FDA-approved device to treat Eustachian Tube Dysfunction effectively. March, 2016: Ethicon, a medical device company of the Johnson & Johnson, acquired NeuWave Medical, Inc. June, 2015: Verb Surgical Company was created by the collaboration of Ethicon and Verily. March, 2015: Ethicon, a medical device company of the Johnson & Johnson, enter into a collaboration with Google, Inc. Cantel Medical September, 2015: Acquired UK-based medical innovations for a purchase price of USD 79.6 million. February, 2015: Cantel medical expanded product portfolio with the acquisition of the North American Science Associates, Inc. Stryker September, 2017- Stryker acquired NOVADAQ Technologies Inc., to expand its product portfolio in imaging technology. NOVADAQ is one of the leading developer of fluorescence imaging technology which in providing surgeons visualization of blood flow in vessels, and related tissue perfusion in cardiac, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, plastic, microsurgical, and reconstructive procedures. PENTAX MEDICAL July, 2017- PENTAX MEDICAL announced the collaboration with Shanghai Aohua Photoelectricity Endoscope Co., Ltd. (AOHUA) to improve the standard of patient care and quality of healthcare. January, 2017- PENTAX MEDICAL acquired C2 Therapeutics to expand interventional endoscopy offering. According company reports, this acquisition will expand the companys role in the gastroenterology worldwide from being a provider of advanced imaging for diagnostics, to now providing advanced therapeutic solutions. Boston Scientific Corporation June, 2017: Boston Scientific Corporation launched Alair bronchial thermoplasty therapy in India. Alair bronchial thermoplasty treatment uses a bronchoscope to deliver radiofrequency energy to reduce the amount of excess smooth muscle tissue in the airways. November, 2016: Boston Scientific Corporation acquired EndoChoice Holdings, Inc., a Georgia based company focused on the development and commercialization of infection control products, pathology services, and single-use devices. June, 2017: Olympus launched 3D Surgical End To Know More Enquire @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1967 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. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Global Post-operative Pain Management Market was expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during forecasted period 2017-2023. Post-operative Pain Management Market Scenario: Post-operative pain management is a branch of the that deals with the minimizing the pain occur due to tissue injury together with muscle spasm to the patients after surgery. It is the branch of pain management. Global post- operative pain management market is growing steadily due to increasing demand for the pain control drugs and devices. Increasing number of surgeries and rising demand for the pain management treatment is the major reason for the growth of the market. Analgesics are habit forming drugs and can also damage the renal system, this is the major restraining factor for the market. According to cancer research UK, in 2012, globally over 14.1 million of new cancer cases were registered. The treatment for the all types of cancer are nearly similar, thus increasing prevalence of cancer has boosted the development of the new treatments. According to Migraine Research Foundation, (2014), migraine was the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone with migraine. Moreover, 12% of the population including children have migraine problem. 18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines. Mostly migraine occurs at the age of 25-55. Get Sample PDF Illustration @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1246 Key Players for Global Post-operative Pain Management Market Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Israel), Eli Lilly Company (U.S), Pfizer (U.S), Johnson & Johnson (U.S), Purdue Pharma (U.S), Endo Pharmaceuticals Plc. (U.S), Forest Laboratories Inc. (U.S), GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (UK), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Baxter International Inc. (US), Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (Canada) are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Post-operative Pain Management Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Global Post-operative Pain Management Market Competitive Analysis Many of the top companies are launching new and novel drug treatment to increase their market. Because of side effect and habit forming property of the therapy major players are concentrating on development of better analgesic. Companies are using a trend of strategic alliance and acquisition to gain the market and minimize the competition in the market. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is the Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company working in the development and manufacturing of the drugs. Celecoxib intravenous is the major products of the company. Company has signed a collaborative agreement with Regeneron for the development of fasinumab which is a pain management drug. In first quarter of 2017 company has accounted a revenue of $ 5.6 billion. In 2014, company has acquired Labrys Biologics. This acquisition will help to achieve its goal of becoming a global leader in pain drugs by 2020. Novartis, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies headquartered in Switzerland. In Nov 2016, company has plan a phase II trial for the NCT02961062 in the treatment of postoperative pain. They have almost completed the trials for the SAF312 in postoperative dental pain patients and company is expecting to launch the product soon. In May 2017, Novartis has sign a deal of $ 293 million with Durect for pain killer Posimir. Pfizer Inc. a worlds largest American pharmaceutical companies headquartered in US. Parecoxib is the widely used drug of this company. Due to Lyrica which is a pain treatment the net income of the company has increased by 13 % in 2016. Company has completed the clinical trials for the EMBEDA for the post-operative pain management. Forest Laboratories which is the American Pharmaceutical company headquartered in US. Forest Laboratories and Trevena Inc. has announce Collaboration for development of TRV027 which is used in the post-operative pain treatment. Regional Analysis for Global Post-operative Pain Management Market Geographically, America accounts the largest share for global post-operative pain management market owing to increasing number of surgeries and rising burden of chronic diseases has led to the growth of this market in America. Europe is the second largest post-operative pain management market owing to a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, government support for research & development, and huge patient population. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the market due to increasing prevalence of many diseases, increasing aging population and development in healthcare infrastructure in this region has provided fuel for the growth of the market. The Middle East dominates the Middle East & Africa market due to the presence of well developed countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and South Arabia. Whereas, Africa region is expecting a healthy growth due to presence of huge opportunity for the development of the market. Some Brief Table of Contents of Report Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restrains 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment Chapter 5. Market Factor Analysis 5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.1.1 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers TOC Continued Get Prime Discount on Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1246 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 by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, August 16, 2018 Local citations any mention of the companys name, address and phone number in search results not only helps people searching find the information needed, but also assists in ranking the business higher in search query results, according to data released Thursday. Among local businesses, 5% do not have listings on any of the most popular citations sites, according to data released Thursday from BrightLocal. Businesses that rank No. 1 in Google local rankings have an average of 86 citations, while businesses that rank No. 10 have an average of 75 citations, according to the research. The analysis from BrightLocal explores how local businesses use citations and the importance of the practice in local search engine optimization (SEO). The study looks at the average number of citations for businesses in each industry, and the average number of citations for businesses ranked between No. 1 and No. 10 in Google Local listings. advertisement advertisement The SEO Citations Study explores profiles of 122,125 local businesses across 26 industries. From the data, BrightLocal created an interactive tool to identify trends. The top five citations sites include Facebook, Yelp, Mapquest, Yellow Pages, and Manta. Hotels, bars, and restaurants have the highest number of citations. Photographers, tradesmen, and storage businesses have the lowest. When a business ranks in the No. 1 spot in Googles search listing, the company on average has 86 citations. In the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, the company has an average of 85 citations. In the No. 4 spot, the company has an average of 83 citations, and in the No. 5 spot the company tends to have 82 citations. BrightLocals study also found differences in the average number of citations between industries. Hotels and B&Bs have 152 citations on average, whereas bars and pubs have 124, and restaurants and cafes have 108. Photographers typically have 34, while tradesmen have 47, and storage and removal businesses have on average of 51. The study also found the popular citation sites for each industry, based on the proportion of businesses in the industry that have a listing. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, August 16, 2018 While department stores are still struggling to find their way through the omnichannel jungle, Macys just released better-than-expected numbers, citing its revamped marketing approach and a greater focus on fashion. JC Penney, on the other hand, reports soft results, a sign that it still hasnt regained its appeal for Middle America. And industry observers seem doubtful that either brand can pull off strong holiday results. Sales at Macys slipped 1.1% in the second quarter to $5.57 billion, from $5.64 billion in the comparable period of the prior year. Operating income climbed to $303 million, up from $282 million. Both exceeded industry forecasts. In a conference call discussing the results, Macys CEO Jeff Gennette chalked the improved results up, in part, to a strong start to the back-to-school season and positive consumer reaction to its new Time to Shine ad campaign. advertisement advertisement We are still only early in our journey, but as I look at the progress weve made, on merchandising, our strategic initiatives, the re-engineering of our marketing machine, and our company culture, I feel good about the work thats underway and optimistic about Macy's Inc.'s future, he said on the call, as reported by Seeking Alpha. The Cincinnati-based company raised its forecast for the full year. But analysts were underwhelmed by the numbers. We believe today's results, though solid, are not enough to change negative investor sentiment as many retailers face tough second half comparisons, writes Paul Trussell, an analyst who follows Macys for Deutsche Bank. While we commend management on delivering solid improvement, we believe valuation had become stretched. Results from J. C. Penney, still leaderless following the defection of its CEO to Lowes back in May, are more downbeat. The Plano, Tex.-based chain says net sales for the second quarter sank 7.5% to $2.76 billion, compared to $2.99 billion in the year-ago period, primarily due to the 141 stores it closed recently. On a comparable-store basis, sales inched up 0.3%. And its net loss increased to $120 million, compared to a loss of $23 million a year ago. Overall, we remain somber about JCP, writes Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, in his commentary about the results. Apparel is especially problematic, and remains unfocused and unsure about its strategy, he writes. Indeed, the company has changed direction several times, first trying to attract younger shoppers, then younger moms, and now back to older shoppers. In our view, this flailing around is a symptom of a wider problem in that JC Penney no longer has a sense of what it wants to be and who it wants to serve... it fails to inspire anyone. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, August 16, 2018 Tech companies appear to be concerned that they might face some unintended consequences as a result of a battle over whether President Trump violates the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter. In court papers submitted this week, the Silicon Valley group Internet Association is urging a federal appellate court to clarify that Twitter can continue to block users -- regardless of whether Trump may legally do so. "Even if this Court finds that government actors who operate Twitter accounts are restrained by the First Amendment, it should make clear that Twitter itself is not similarly restrained," the Internet Association writes in a proposed friend-of-the-court brief filed with the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The group's papers come in a court battle that began last July, when the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven critics of the president who were blocked by him argued that the @realDonaldTrump account is a "public forum" -- meaning it's comparable to city streets, parks and other locales where the government can't prevent people from speaking based on their views. The users asked U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in New York to declare the blocks unconstitutional, and to order Trump and other officials to remove the blocks. advertisement advertisement Buchwald agreed that the blocks are unconstitutional. "The blocking of the individual plaintiffs as a result of the political views they have expressed is impermissible under the First Amendment," she wrote in a sweeping ruling issued earlier this year. The Department of Justice recently asked the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse that decision on the grounds that Trump's account, @realDonaldTrump -- which the president uses to broadcast official policy statements -- is "personal." The DOJ argues that Trump's blocks mark "an exercise of his personal, not governmental, authority to exclude individuals from that private account." The Internet Association says it isn't taking a position on whether Trump's blocks are legal. Instead, the group is asking the appellate court to issue a "narrow" ruling. "This Court should be ... cautious when making decisions at the crossroads of private property and an asserted public forum," the Internet Association writes. "Here, that cautious approach counsels in favor of ensuring that any decision is expressly limited to the exceptional facts of this case." The organization is obviously concerned that a decision declaring Trump's account a "public forum" will be misinterpreted to mean that all Twitter accounts are public forums. If so, Twitter could lose the right to suspend or block accounts over alleged terms of service violations. The Internet Association's concerns aren't farfetched -- especially given that Twitter has been sued at least twice in recent months for suspending or blocking accounts. A judge threw out one of the complaints, but a different judge allowed the second case -- a lawsuit brought by white nationalist Jared Taylor -- to proceed. (Twitter is currently asking a California appeals court to halt Taylor's case.) Google has also been accused in court of "censorship" for allegedly discriminating against conservative clips on YouTube, and Facebook has been sued for allegedly blocking the group Sikhs for Justice. So far, Google and Facebook have prevailed in those matters. But even though the companies have (largely) won in court, they are facing pressure on Capitol Hill, where Congress has held hearings over whether tech platforms are suppressing speech by conservatives. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-California) rightly called the first hearing "stupid and ridiculous," noting that the First Amendment doesn't prevent private companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter from deciding what to publish. The Internet Association is now calling on the court to reaffirm that principle. "It is possible that some will assert that Twitter itself is ... subject to First Amendment constraints," the organization writes. "It is not." by Melynda Fuller , August 17, 2018 Vice Media signed a licensing deal this week with Bell Media to bring its line-up of programming back to Canada. Viceland content will air across linear and streamer channels, like CraveTV and SnackableTV and a short-form programming hub, per The Hollywood Reporter. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In addition to new programming, Bell Media has licensed Vices library of programming, rounding out at about 650 hours. The companies will also discuss the possibility of coproduction opportunities for both Canada and Vice platforms to launch internationally. After inking a three-year, $100 million deal with Canadas Rogers Communications in 2014, Vice Media announced in January of this year that it would sever ties with the company and go off the air in the country. The initial deal with Rogers Communications was terminated as the Canada branch of Viceland began to lose revenue and subscribers. advertisement advertisement In 2016, Viceland Canada reported a pre-tax loss of $2.49 million, after recording a miniscule pre-tax profit of $236,938 in 2015. Overall revenue for the channel fell 14.1 between 2015 and 2016. Following the termination of the deal, Viceland content was available to viewers in the country only on Vice.com. Viceland Canada went off the air at the end of March. The first round of funding from Rogers Communications allowed Vice to expand its Viceland network of content and also build a production studio on Toronto. Since severing the relationship between the two companies, Vice Media has been looking for a new Canadian partner to relaunch its content for viewers. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, August 17, 2018 Facebook users who are suing the company over data transfers to political consultancy Cambridge Analytica have "no viable claim" because they consented to sharing the information, the social networking service says in new court papers. "The problem with Cambridge Analytica was not that Facebook shared data without user consent -- all users did consent -- but that the app developer, Aleksandr Kogan, obtained the user data and sold it to Cambridge Analytica in violation of Facebooks policies," Facebook writes in papers filed Wednesday with U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria in the Northern District of California. "Plaintiffs counsel has admitted that this is not a data breach case, in which users data was obtained against their will," the company adds. "And if Plaintiffs disagree that people should be permitted to consent to sharing their data with apps, their remedy is not in the courts where they have no viable claim." advertisement advertisement The company's statements come in a lawsuit over this year's revelations that President Trump's data consultancy, Cambridge Analytica, obtained personal information for as many as 87 million Facebook users. Cambridge Analytica, how defunct, received the data from researcher Aleksandr Kogan, who obtained the information in 2014 through the personality-quiz app "thisisyourdigitallife." Only 270,000 Facebook users downloaded Kogan's app, but he was able to gather data about many of those users' contacts. The revelations sparked an ongoing Federal Trade Commission investigation, Congressional scrutiny and a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Facebook's users. In April of 2015, Facebook stopped allowing developers to access data about users' friends. But in 2014, when Kogan's app scraped the data, Facebook allowed developers to glean information about users' friends, subject to their privacy settings. Facebook's terms of service prohibited developers from sharing that information. The company says in court papers that Facebook's users have no grounds to sue because they would have consented to sharing the data. "Facebook users (like users of apps on other platforms) consent to their data being shared with third-party apps or have the option to turn off such sharing entirely," the company writes. "Facebooks terms of service and data use policy ... make this expressly and abundantly clear. And with respect to the sharing of data with apps by a users Facebook friends, that was also done only with the consent of the user whose data was shared (until that feature was eliminated in 2015)." Facebook also suggests in its papers that Chhabria has already expressed skepticism about whether the case should proceed. The company's lawyers say that at a recent case management conference, Chhabria "repeatedly asked plaintiffs to explain how their factual allegations amount to civil liability against Facebook." Facebook's new papers specifically respond to a request by the plaintiffs' counsel for an order requiring the company to disclose evidence that may relate to the lawsuit -- including information about Facebook's agreements with developers with access to data about users. Facebook argues that the request for that type of information is premature, noting that it plans to ask Chhabria to dismiss the case at a preliminary stage. by Ray Schultz , August 17, 2018 Gmail has extended its confidential mode, a feature that lets emails self-destruct, as some headline writers put it, to Android and iOS. Confidential mode is now available on mobile devices and can help you protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, Gmail tweeted on Wednesday. Gmail says on its website site: You can use confidential mode to set an expiration date for messages or revoke access at any time. Recipients of the confidential message will have options to forward, copy, print, and download disabled. When the confidential mode was announced earlier this year, it drew mixed reviews from email practitioners. The feature would help when we send proposals in a sales organization that we dont want to be outside of their network or their world, said Brady Edwards, director of customer solutions at email deliverability company 250ok. advertisement advertisement In addition, email marketers may use the confidential mode when sending short-term promotional offers. deadlines. But there are potential downsides. For one thing, emails sent via Microsoft or Yahoo Mail will not have these same capabilities at this point. Once its outside their walls, its going to be nearly impossible to control how and what the platform does with the message, Edwards said. Len Shneyder, VP of Industry relations at SendGrid, also felt that self-destructive emails really will only work within the Google universe. Once an email is sent its really quite impossible to claw it back or force a receiving MUA to delete it from a users inbox. However, he added, Having an option to delete or make an email vanish, regardless of it being a time sensitive message/offer/invite is a great way to minimize footprint and clutter. Do you smell things that arent there? If so, you are not alone. A recently published study finds that so-called phantom odor perception is much more common than you might think. Share on Pinterest Detecting odors that arent there is more common than once believed. Phantom odor perception (POP) describes the experience of smelling something perhaps burning hair or an ashtray that is not there. This experience is well documented, but very little specific research has been carried out. Scientists of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) recently conducted a study into POP, asking why it might occur in certain people but not others. Kathleen Bainbridge, Ph.D., led the study. Its findings are now published in JAMA OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery . Researcher Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D., the acting director of the NIDCD, explains why this topic is important. Problems with the sense of smell are often overlooked, she says, despite their importance. They can have a big impact on appetite, food preferences, and the ability to smell danger signals such as fire, gas leaks, and spoiled food. The statistics behind POP The researchers took data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They used data from more than 7,000 people over 40 years old, taken in 20112014. Within the questionnaire was the question, Do you sometimes smell an unpleasant, bad, or burning odor when nothing is there? They discovered that, overall, 6.5 percent of people over the age of 40 experienced POP, which equates to around 1 in 15 people. Sense of smell tends to decline with age, but the opposite seemed to be the case for POP. Around 5 percent of over 60s experienced the phenomenon, but the figure was much higher in the 4060 age range. The study also revealed that POP affected women almost twice as often as it did men, and this sex difference was more pronounced in the 4060 age group. When the scientists looked for potential risk factors, they found that risk was increased for people with poor overall health or a lower socioeconomic status. This latter risk factor, they hypothesized, could be because people with a lower socioeconomic status might be exposed to higher levels of environmental pollutants and toxins. They are also more likely to have other health conditions and medications that could produce POP. New research now published in the journal mSphere examines the effects of poor dental hygiene on the respiratory health of elderly Japanese people. The recent results shed light on the importance of the tongue microbiota for our respiratory health. Share on Pinterest Good oral hygiene is particularly important for seniors respiratory health, suggests a new study. The new study was carried out by a team of Japanese-based scientists affiliated with the Kyushu University in Fukuoka. Dr. Yoshihisa Yamashita, from the Division of Oral Health, Growth, and Development in the Faculty of Dental Science at Kyushu, is the corresponding author of the study. As Dr. Yamashita and his colleagues explain in their paper, the oral microbiota is important for overall health because the bacteria we ingest affect every aspect of our health. Medical News Today have reported on a number of studies highlighting the link between the gut microbiota and cancer, obesity, heart conditions, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Also, explain the authors of the new research, not only do the bacteria in our tongue microbiota reach our guts, but seniors are also particularly likely to inhale some of these microorganisms. Problems such as difficulty swallowing and cough reflux may cause the elderly to accidentally inhale bacteria that could lead to pulmonary infections such as pneumonia. Can you taste sounds or visualize symphonies of color whenever you hear a song? If your answer to these is yes, you may have a wonderful condition known as synesthesia, which you share with many great artists, writers, and musicians. Share on Pinterest In this Spotlight, we look at how synesthesia can affect perception. Writer Vladimir Nabokov had it, and he called it color hearing. By his own account, Nabokov saw each letter in different colors, despite the fact that text was printed all-black on white paper. Interestingly, both his wife and his son shared this fascinating ability, though they each saw different palettes of color for the alphabet. My wife has this gift of seeing letters in color, too, but her colors are completely different, declared the writer in an interview. [W]e discovered one day that my son [] sees letters in colors, too. Then we asked him to list his colors and we discovered that in one case, one letter which he sees as purple, or perhaps mauve, is pink to me and blue to my wife. This is the letter M. So the combination of pink and blue makes lilac in his case. Which is as if genes were painting in aquarelle. Vladimir Nabokov in an interview for the BBC in 1962 Many other cultural personalities besides Nabokov have reported having a form of synesthesia, including painter Wassily Kandinsky, inventor Nikola Tesla, and composer Franz Liszt. What is synesthesia? The word synesthesia is derived from Greek and literally means concomitant sensations. People with this condition often referred to as synesthetes experience a unique blending of two senses or perceptions. This may be sounds automatically coupled with tastes, sounds with colors, or written letters with colors. There are actually various different types of synesthesia, and people who have one type might often also experience another. But how many different types of synesthesia are there? Researchers explain that this is difficult to deduce. Since there are five traditionally accepted senses sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell and synesthesia is characterized by the crossover of two senses or perceptions, there could be numerous possible combinations. The most commonly reported types of synesthesia, however, are color-graphemic, in which letters, numbers, or geometric shapes are linked to colors or patterns, and color-auditory synesthesia, in which various sounds immediately recall specific colors, shapes, or textures. Like iridescent white cubes moving around in clusters One synesthete who spoke to Medical News Today gave us a highly impressive description of her experience of color-auditory synesthesia. As far back as I can remember, she told MNT, I would experience music on the radio as a colorful landscape of moving shapes in my head, whereas speech would invoke mental images of a single moving line of color a bit like a floating stroke of spray paint, hanging in the air. [The sound produced by] each [musical] instrument has its own color Flutes are sky-blue whereas an oboe is more indigo The sound of a piano seems to me like iridescent white cubes moving around in clusters as though theyre floating in water. Like a number of other synesthetes, however, she also has another form of synesthesia: the color-graphemic kind, which causes her to experience numbers and letters in particular colors. In her case, however, it comes with some unique twists. For instance, she said, there are no purple numbersand yet both 7 and 8 are blue(Although 7 is sky-blue and 8 is indigo), adding that, for her, Words are usually the color of their first letter. This isnt always the case though, she notes. Friday for instance is brown, when F is green and Thursday is maroon, when T is indigoI see the days of the week as though theyre on a ladder, with Saturday and Sunday as the top two steps Ive heard that some others see this as well! How common is synesthesia? It is difficult to say how many people actually experience synesthesia, mainly because there is very little research that has aimed to address this question. Moreover, some people may not know that what they experience is unusual, and so they may not speak about it. Share on Pinterest Many synesthetes may not realize for a long time that their condition is unique. The synesthete that MNT interviewed explained to us that she did not, in fact, realize for a long time that her condition was unique, having assumed that most people experience something similar. I always knew that my specific coloring of letters and numbers was personal to me, but presumed everyone else had a similar code of their own, she told us. And then at primary school, I realized not everyone saw colors and imagery in this waybut, she went on, it was only in university that I realized that it was a real minority of us who had synesthesia. Researchers at Boston University in Massachusetts have suggested that around 1 in every 100,000 people to 1 in every 5,000 people have one or more forms of synesthesia. A study that was conducted in 2006 by several researchers based at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom indicated that color-graphemic synesthesia may be experienced by just over 1 percent of individuals. The study authors also concluded that this kind of perception may nevertheless be more common than we would have thought, saying that the prevalence of synesthesia [seemed to be] 88 times higher than previously assumed. Mechanisms and causes From a specialist point of view, synesthesia is defined as a neurological condition, as it changes a persons perception of, and interaction with, certain aspects of the surrounding world. As some specialists will explain, the main characteristic of this condition the association of two complementary sensations or perceptions arise[s] spontaneously during [early] development. These associations are also constant for synesthetes. That is, if the letter A recalls the color blue, for example, this perception will never change. Some people with color-graphemic synesthesia report that a letter or number may evoke a color whose name it sounds like. So, A may trigger a vision of gray, and the number 5 may evoke white. In fact, Nabokov who was fluent in several languages reported experiencing the same letters in different colors and textures, depending on the language that he was using at any one time. The long A of the English alphabet has for me the tint of weathered wood, but a French A evokes polished ebony, he explained in his interview for the BBC. Is it down to genetics or to early learning? So, what causes these intriguing perception cross-overs? Researchers do not always agree, and in fact, synesthesia may quite possibly arise via different mechanisms in different people. Some studies have suggested that the condition is genetically inherited , which may explain why Nabokovs son had color-graphemic synesthesia, like both of his parents. However, research conducted in identical twins in which one sibling of the pair has synesthesia while the other does not suggests that other factors may also be at play. A paper that was published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports in 2014 by researchers from the University of Brighton in the U.K. proposes that early learning may be key in the development and continuity of synesthetic experiences. [Color-graphemic synesthesia], the authors write, appears to emerge in early school years, where first major pressures to use graphemes [symbols and codes such as letters and numbers] are encountered, and then becomes cemented in later years. In fact, they say, for certain abstract inducers, such as graphemes, it is implausible that humans are born with synesthetic associations to these stimuli. Hence, learning must be involved in the development of at least some forms of synesthesia. The incessant torrential rains that continue to threaten more lives and the grey clouds that loom large over the southern state of Kerala, have been giving the locals, the government and the country many a reason to worry and lose sleep. The unauthorised encroachments on the forest cover to mass deforestation and lack of concern towards the forest resources in the state are being blamed for the fatal floods, which have already claimed over 160 lives in Kerala, according to the latest reports. Areas Of Concern Twitter The central and northern parts of Kerala have been affected the worst by the unceasing rainfall over the last few days. The death toll is on the rise even as we read about it and the floods are now being seen as a man-made disaster. 14 districts in the state continue to be on high alert with the gates of 35 out of a total of 39 dams being let open - a first in the history of the state. Flight and train operations have been put on hold due to excessive flooding and landslides. The Southern Railways has cancelled or rescheduled more than 25 trains in Kerala and while the water level in the Periyar river continues to rise, the Kochi Airport is submerged in water and operations have been suspended till the 26th. What The Experts Say Twitter Renowned environmental scientist Madhav Gadgil has spoken out, claiming that the flood in Kerala occurred due to the unreliable environmental policies that have been put in place. He also expressed that if the Gadgil committee report for the protection of Western Ghats was paid heed to by the Kerala government, this havoc could have been controlled. He has also put substantial blame on quarrying for the landslides that are also plaguing the state. Losses That Are Increasing By The Day Reuters Locals in Kerala continue to suffer as the water level continues to rise. The unceasing rains have claimed many lives by swallowing houses and destroying roadways. Numerous instances of losses have surfaced over the last few days. During a mudslide at Kolappad on Thursday, a woman was killed when her house gave way under the onslaught. In another incident, 9 lives were taken away by a landslide in Vazhakkad on the afternoon of Wednesday, while the lives of a 6-year-old and her parents were lost, as the family was buried in their sleep in Pulikkal, when their house collapsed on Wednesday morning due to a landslide. More than one and a quarter lakh people have been shifted to approximately 1165 shelters around Kerala and another 4000 families have been evacuated from the areas around the 123-year-old Mullaperiyar dam - a displacement arising out of the loss to precious lives and property. A Call For Help Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the situation remained unchanged seeking help and resources. The Prime Minister immediately responded with a press note stating that immediate help shall be put into effect and he is also set to visit Kerala today and undertake an aerial survey of the flood-hit state on Saturday. More help and resources can be expected to reach the state soon. Do Your Bit & #StandWithKerala Twitter The mainstream media has been unable to report the incident efficiently and present the situation on the ground in its entirety. This is the time for the general public to make use of their social media outreach on a personal level and reach out to the masses to seek help and resources for the camps and shelters that are in operation in the flood-hit state, who are working day and night to provide for the ones suffering from the flood. Here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site, https://t.co/OFHTHlZ9by #KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala. pic.twitter.com/XNlBKqdCUT CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018 Help By Donating Here: https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/ Here Are The District Control Room Numbers Instagram Collectors of Kannur and Idukki have also sought help with non-monetary contributions such as clothes, blankets, utensils, grocery items, toiletries, umbrellas, non-perishable food items and other articles of immediate need. You can send any of these items to the following addresses 1. Control Room, Collectorate, Kannur - 670002, Phone No. 9446682300, 04972700645 2. District Collector Idukki, Idukki Collectorate, Painavu P O, Kuyilimala, Idukki, PIN - 685603. People can use Keralarescue.in to seek help with the location and specific needs and also to contribute as much as they can. There are a lot more ways to reach out with help and we hope you will do your bit to ease the pain and loss of God's own country. The Indian landscape serves as the perfect canvas for myriad artists to get inspired, hone their skills and display their talents. The music scene in India has emerged loud and proud over the last few years with music festivals being a huge hit amongst the audience and artists alike. The cheering crowd, mind-numbing to even soulful music, there is something to be said about the shared experience of music festivals. MensXP One such festival that has touched the hearts of innumerable Indians since its inception in 2014 is the 3-day music carnival that's gotten popular by the name of Magnetic Fields. This three day event of unadulterated contemporary music and arts takes place in the Alsisar Mahal in Rajasthan and conducted its uber successful fifth edition in December last year. Magnetic Fields has surfaced as one of India's premier music events that's as much about experiencing music as it is about serving as a melting pot of futuristic sound and music from all around the world. Spearheading this entire movement of music and art are Munbir and Sarah Chawla who have taken it upon themselves to give India a taste of its own cultural heritage as well as experience the widening horizon of world music all at once. The First Steps MensXP The idea and concept behind it all was shaped when Munbir and Sarah met in London. Munbir was studying sound production in the UK and Sarah was into organising cultural events and productions. Since Munbir was working closely with artists from the electronic space, they saw the charge spreading fast. This led to their getting together to start an online music magazine that came to be known as 'Wild City'. MensXP When recession hit UK, they decided to move to India and explore the music and events scene here. Starting from scratch, they began to make inroads into India's love for good music and the Magnetic Fields Festival was born out of this need for Indians to interact with music on a deeper and more personal level in 2013. Here's More On Their Story When the duo launched the first edition of the Magnetic Fields Festival, it was special because since the beginning they've always tried to create something meaningful and maintain it over the subsequent years of production. They admit to having given their all to make this festival a success, be it financially or mentally. Their passion and dedication must have touched a chord with the attendees because looking at the success of the event over the years, Munbir states that things seems to be finally paying off - at least mentally if not financially. MensXP From having 400 people in attendance in the first year to upscaling that to 4000 in the fifth and moving from 20 tents in the first year to 450 in the latest edition and form selling out their tickets two days before the fest to now those getting sold out in mere 20 minutes, they have come a long way. All The BTS Scoop For You Producing a successful festival of such magnitude takes a lot of effort and Munbir tells us how they begin to plan for the next fest almost as soon as the previous one ends. Right from brainstorming on the kind of content they want, the changes that need to be made to even making the bookings, they always think ahead. Less sleep, longer hours in the office and working on multiple layers, a lot goes into these productions but Munbir has no complaints. MensXP Talking about why they chose to start Wild City in India, Sarah states that at the core it was always going to do events in India. Even though they started with the idea to bring international artists to the country, they ended up discovering that many supremely talented Indian producers and artists were also looking for a platform. Today, Wild City is much more than an online music magazine - they organize everything from little parties to cultural showcases. That's pretty brilliant, isn't it? What Makes Magnetic Fields Special Right from having predefined and individuals programs to involving the emotions of the audience, they choose the music sessions based on the location and the kind of vibes it attracts.They aim to tell a story through their series of programs right from the moment a visitor wakes up! When they landed in India and explored the music festivals here, they decided to bring their own touch to it and harness the inherent cultural talent that exists in the country and bring it to the forefront. MensXP Today, after five years of great offerings to the community, Magnetic Fields has come to mean a whole lot to an entire community of music lovers and the duo which to maintain that value within their brand. Having brought their passion and dreams together and turning the two into reality by offering such a fulfilling and entertaining fest to the masses in India, Munbir and Sarah stand as examples for what all can be achieved when you want to make others happy through your venture. What you receive then, is much more than a sense of accomplishment, there is also mutual love and happiness shared by the end of it. Munbir and Sarah Chawla have been nominated in the categories of 'Aspirational Icon of Newhood' and 'Culture Icon of Newhood' in Times Prime presents MensXP 'Icons of Newhood', to be held on 4th May 2019, at The Lalit, New Delhi. LANSING Michigan is beginning the process of reinstating federal work requirements that able-bodied adults without dependents in 69 counties must meet to continue receiving food assistance a result of improvements in the states unemployment rate. Able-bodied adults without dependents will be required to meet federal work requirements that have been waived for more than a decade. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS ), this week, is sending letters to more than 67,000 people who may be affected by the change notifying them that the state will begin reinstating the requirements on Oct. 1. Once they reach the date of their next annual case eligibility redetermination, the able-bodied adults will have three months to meet the work requirements or qualify for an exemption before they will lose food assistance benefits. New applicants who are determined eligible for food assistance will be subject to work requirement immediately. The state previously reinstated requirements in 14 counties Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Clinton, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Oakland, Ottawa and Washtenaw. Now the requirements will be reinstated in all other counties in Michigan. Michigan began receiving a waiver from the requirements in 2002 due to high unemployment. With the significant reduction in the states jobless rate over the last several years, the federal government notified Michigan that it would no longer be eligible for the waiver in some counties. Since then MDHHS had been phasing in the reinstated requirements. Able-bodied adults are recipients ages 18 to 49 with no dependents. Unless the recipient has a disability that prevents him or her from working or meets other federal exemption criteria, the recipient is subject to work requirements. The able-bodied adult can meet the reinstated work requirements to receive food assistance by: Working an average of 20 hours per week each month in unsubsidized employment. Participating for an average of 20 hours per week each month in an approved employment and training program. Participating in community service by volunteering at a nonprofit organization. MDHHS is prepared to assist affected individuals in meeting these work requirements so that they can achieve self-sufficiency, said MDHHS Chief Deputy Director Nancy Vreibel. The good news is that Michigans economy is much-improved, and the job market is far better than it was when the state received the federal waiver. The federal government determines work requirements and other eligibility criteria for individuals to be eligible to receive food assistance under the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. MDHHS administers federal food assistance benefits through the states Food Assistance Program. In 20 counties, MDHHS and its partners at Michigan Works! Agencies and the Talent Investment Agency will provide resources such as approved training programs to help affected residents meet work requirements. Those counties are: Bay, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Isabella, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wayne. Potentially affected food assistance recipients in these counties will be referred by MDHHS to their local Michigan Works! In counties in which Michigan Works Agencies are not able to assist the clients, a community service option is available. Some federal exemptions to the reinstated work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents will remain. They include exemptions for individuals who are physically or mentally unable to work for 20 hours, are pregnant or care for a child under age 6 or someone who is incapacitated. Able-bodied adults without dependents can call their MDHHS case specialist with questions or visit www.michigan.gov/foodassistance for more details on the work requirements, exemptions and other information. CROMWELL For months, the Cromwell Historical Society has been revisiting one of the most meaningful though now largely forgotten periods of American history: U.S. participation in WWI. Known to the British as The Great War, the four-year struggle that played out primarily in portions of northeast France and western Belgium continues to affect the world today. The United States engaged in WWI in April 1917. In many ways, the war created much of that world, most dramatically in the Middle East, where whole countries were created out of the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. The war also brought about the collapse of two other empires, the already rickety Hapsburg Empire and the nearly 200-year-old Russian empire, with similarly dramatic impacts. The hard peace that followed the bitter war provided a pretext that the Austrian misfit Adolf Hitler used to raise up a new and even more hideous empire that continued for 12 years before being ground into the dust in a Second World War that cost 55 million lives. Now, the historical society is trying to broaden the understanding of the war and its impact not only nations or empires but on ordinary men and women, some of who were swept up in an extraordinary event. The society will hold a wine-and-cheese reception Monday night to mark the opening of its summer exhibit, Cromwell & The Great War, at the Stevens-Frisbie House, 395 Main St. Related video: Watch: Prince William joins commemorations for decisive WW1 battle America came late and hesitantly to the World War I, yet emerged from it a preeminent power, largely because of the indebtedness of the British who bought food and weapons from America. Even more importantly, U.S. casualties (117,000 killed), while painful, were nowhere near the 900,000 men of the United Kingdom or the 1.4 million Frenchmen who died in the war. It was a power America was loath to accept: The real emergence of Untied States as a global world power came in 1945 and the years that followed. Today, if they remember it at all, some Americans think of the war as men scurrying about in black-and-white films that are not corrected to the 24 frames per second of modern film. According to a press release from society president and town historian Richard F. Donohue, when the U.S. entered the war, Cromwells residents answered the call, with more than 100 men and women joining the service (with) even more supporting their efforts at home. Cromwell & The Great War provides a glimpse into the work and sacrifice of these brave and patriotic Cromwellians, Donohue added. In a subsequent email, Donohue said, The exhibit tells the story using several items from the periods, including photographs, news clippings and artifacts. It (uses) labels with direct quotes from a contemporary account of Cromwells wartime activities. The display includes a medal, similar to those presented to all of Cromwells world war veterans, representing the great respect that the people of Cromwell had for their returning heroes, he said. My favorite item on display is a book of signatures in which many of the former soldiers signed up for membership in the newly formed America Legion Post 105. Seeing their names in their own hand is very poignant, Donohue said. He hopes exhibit goers will feel a connection with not only the men and women who served, but with the Cromwell community that supported them a century ago, he added. By coincidence, the exhibit is opening to the public just days after a significant anniversary, the Aug. 8 centennial of the Battle of Amiens. A truly Allied action, involving 100,000 British, French, Australian, Canadian and American troops in a coordinated air/land assault, Amiens broke the back of German resistance. In a war where gains had been measured in mere feet amid daunting casualties, the Allied offensive gained eight miles and took thousands of Germans prisoner. The German commander Ludendorff described Aug. 8, 1918, as the black day of the German Army. He knew of what he spoke: the breakthrough at Amiens forecast the end of the war a mere 95 days later. The reception begins at 7 p.m. Monday and is free and open to the public, however, the society welcomes donations, Donohue said. The exhibit will remain viewable by the public Saturdays in August and Sundays in September from 1 to 3 p.m. Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com. Currently Reading What you need to know about Conn. tax-free week, Aug. 19-25 MIDDLETOWN United Way Worldwide has made some great progress in the area of education, and last week announced its Global Results Snapshot highlighting how United Way programs support school readiness through a focus on early childhood education. United Ways throughout the nation have impacted nearly 400,000 children and achieved some incredible results. Over 77 percent of students achieve developmental milestones last year, and 68 percent of kindergartners ranked as proficient in their readiness assessments. In all, 88 percent of students improved their school attendance, and over 45,000 staff were trained to offer a higher-quality curriculum. Nearly 80,000 volunteers contributed to this success, and over 5,400 United Way community partners joined the fight for childhood success. United Way believes that children deserve a strong start in life, said Mary Sellers, U.S. president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. We strive to make that possible by empowering parents to support their kids, improving the quality of their learning environments, and offering solutions to challenges outside the classroom. We at Middlesex United Way are proud of the collective successes that United Ways has achieved, including our own local success. Our vision is that all of our local students should succeed academically. Our goals within our education work have expanded to three areas. We focus on early childhood education, as well as third-grade reading and college and career readiness. Related video: 5 Things You Learned in School That Are All Wrong To make this goal a reality, we support local programs and organizations that help foster academic success. Our school readiness initiative is working with school systems, early child-care providers, and parents throughout Middlesex County to identify and assist our youngest children who have social and emotional problems before they enter school. Last year, 106 Middletown preschoolers with social and emotional concerns received a consultation to ensure they were prepared for kindergarten, getting them a good start in school and improving their chances of graduating on time. We also support programs that assist young children to become school ready, while also educating their parents about the important role they play in their childs earliest years. Middlesex United Way is also a national partner in the Born Learning initiative, which provides simple activities and ideas to create learning opportunities throughout the day with your child. One of the key tools of Born Learning is the trails, which can be installed in any public setting. If you have younger kids, visit one of the 10 Born Learning Trails in Middlesex County. A Born Learning Trail provides young children with an opportunity to get active, have fun and boost language and literacy skills. The trail features age-appropriate, simple-to-construct activities that can be easily followed with the help of an adult. For a list of area locations, visit middlesexunitedway.org/content/bornlearning. With school right around the corner, we encourage you to get involved in our work and learn more about the resources offered in Middlesex County. Please visit middlesexunitedway.org/education. We wish everyone the best of luck this school year! Kevin Wilhelm is executive director and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown. President Donald Trump brushed off criticism from retired Adm. William McRaven Friday on the lifting of security clearances of administration opponents. "I don't know McRaven," Trump said of the former Navy SEAL who organized the 2011 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. A day earlier, McRaven, who retired in 2015, wrote a scathing open letter to Trump published by the Washington Post in which he ripped Trump for lifting the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan. McRaven called Brennan "one of the finest public servants I have ever known" and called on Trump to lift his own top secret clearance to show solidarity with Brennan. "Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency," McRaven said. While ignoring McRaven's criticism, Trump said he had been buoyed by support for his action against Brennan, a persistent critic who said Trump's behavior was "treasonous" in his Helsinki meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. "I know that I've gotten tremendous response from having done that because security clearances are very important to me -- very, very important," Trump said in a brief session with reporters on the White House lawn. Trump denied attempting to muzzle Brennan. "There's no silencing. If anything, I'm giving him a bigger voice. Many people don't even know who he is, and now he's a bigger voice, and that's okay with me, because I like taking on voices like that. I've never respected him," Trump said. In an op-ed for the New York Times, Brennan renewed his charges that Trump and his aides may have known about and cooperated with Russian attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. "Mr. Trump's claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash," Brennan said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington, D.C., officials want too much money to offset costs of a big military parade on Veterans Day -- so he canceled it and said he'll go to a parade in Paris instead. In a series of early morning Tweets, Trump wrote, "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it." "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it," he said, without stating how much the District was asking. Trump said he would go to an already scheduled military parade at Joint Base Andrews in the Washington suburbs at a later date, although it was not immediately clear whether such an event is actually planned. The president was more definite on what he will do on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, which also marks the centennial of the end of World War I, saying he will take up a standing invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and "go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th." "Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN," Trump said. But he saw an upside in the money saved by canceling the parade, saying, "Now we can buy some more jet fighters!" Trump began pushing for a major parade as a tribute to the military after being impressed by the pomp and ceremony of Paris' July 14 Bastille Day parade, which he attended with first lady Melania Trump. The Pentagon began planning for a bigger and better version of the Paris parade featuring fly-bys, units from all the services and troops dressed in period uniforms. After Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser complained that having tanks in the parade would tear up the streets along the Pennsylvania Avenue route between the Capitol and the White House, the Pentagon said that only wheeled vehicles would participate. In her own Tweet in response to Trump on Friday, Bowser claimed victory at the parade's cancellation, saying, "Yup, I'm Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities [$21.6M] of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)." In Colombia, where he was winding up a South American tour, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis scoffed at media reports that the parade might have cost as much as $92 million. Any journalist who gave the high-end figure was "probably smoking something," Mattis told reporters traveling with him. "I'm not dignifying that number with a reply." The American Legion said it was probably best to shelve the idea of a military parade this year. Denise H. Rohan, national commander of the two-million-member Legion, said in a statement, "The American Legion appreciates that our president wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops. "However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible," she said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical Elements Mineral List Gold 1 valid mineral. 1 valid mineral. Detailed Mineral List: Gold Formula: Au Reference: Centenary Gold Monument plaque, Sturt and Albert streets, Ballarat. List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification Group 1 - Elements 'Gold' 1.AA.05 Au List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification Group 1 - NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS Metals, other than the Platinum Group Gold 1.1.1.1 Au List of minerals for each chemical element Au Gold Au Gold Au Regional Geology The Sir Henry Loch Mine achieved during its life 43 562 ounces of alluvial gold, the tenth highest figure on the Ballarat goldfield. The shaft is at the intersection of Campbell Crescent and Yarrowee Parade.The company was formed in 1883, taking over land previously part of the Smiths Freehold lease, which had prospected unsuccessfully for gold for the previous four years. This mine had been named after a Mrs Smith who owned the land, and was the wife of a local photographer. The Sir Henry Loch Company was formed by H. Williams, Charles Seal, J.H. Williams, W.H. Hicks, Dan Brophy, and F.M. Claxton. The mine was named after the Victorian governor at the time.The company worked the Band and Albion Lode between 900 and 1730 feet below the surface. The mine proved a rich source of gold, with many dividends and few calls on shareholders. In addition, the company was required to pay royalties to local residences under which the mine operated. This included a small church near the shaft, leading to the local name for the lease 'The Hullalulah'.A 20 stamp battery was on the lease. W.H. Hicks managed the mine.Early in 1897, the company amalgamated with the North Band and Barton Company, the new company formed called the Sir Henry Loch United. Also in 1897, the company's safe was broken into and 430 ounces of amalgam stolen. Soon after the Band and Albion Company, and Sir Henry Loch United Company amalgamated to form the Band and Loch Company. This geological map and associated information on rock units at or nearby to the coordinates given for this locality is based on relatively small scale geological maps provided by various national Geological Surveys. This does not necessarily represent the complete geology at this locality but it gives a background for the region in which it is found. Click on geological units on the map for more information. Click here to view full-screen map on Macrostrat.org Newer Volcanic Group Age: Cenozoic (0 - 23.03 Ma) Stratigraphic Name: Newer Volcanic Group Description: Cinder cones - scoria, minor ash and agglutinates; Lava flows - tholeiitic to minor alkaline and basanitic lavas. Comments: igneous mafic volcanic; synthesis of multiple published descriptions Lithology: Igneous mafic volcanic Reference: Raymond, O.L., Liu, S., Gallagher, R., Zhang, W., Highet, L.M. Surface Geology of Australia 1:1 million scale dataset 2012 edition. Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia). [5] Paleozoic sedimentary rocks Age: Paleozoic (427.4 - 541 Ma) Comments: Lachlan Fold Belt Lithology: Sedimentary rocks Reference: Chorlton, L.B. Generalized geology of the world: bedrock domains and major faults in GIS format: a small-scale world geology map with an extended geological attribute database. doi: 10.4095/223767. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 5529. [154] Data and map coding provided by Macrostrat.org, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License References Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) The Ballarat Star newspaper (1884) Sir Henry Loch Company, 23 December 1884. The Ballarat Star newspaper (1897) Sensational Mine Robbery. Sir Henry Loch Company's Safe . 430 Ounces Amalgam Stolen, 08 March 1897. The Age newspaper (Melbourne) (1897) Mining at Ballarat. Sir Henry Loch United Company. The 'Royalty' Question, 09 July 1897. The Argus newspaper (Melbourne) (1898) The Band and Albion Company, 24 September 1898. Centenary Gold Monument, Sturt and Albert streets, Ballarat. Hendrick J. Westers ELMER TWP., MI -- With police approaching a large-scale marijuana-growing operation, a 60-year-old man at the scene fled to a canoe and paddled onto his pond. His floating flight from justice didn't last long, however, before he surrendered and police seized hundreds of plants. Such was the scene that recently played out on a piece of farmland in the 2000 block of West Frenchline Road in Sanilac County's Elmer Township. After receiving numerous tips and complaints of a marijuana operation there, Sanilac Drug Task Force personnel had checked up on the property and observed numerous pot plants growing in a field, in violation of medical marijuana laws. Just before noon on Aug. 9, police executed a search warrant on the property and attempted to make contact with owner Hendrick J. Westers. Westers, though, had other ideas and fled from his home, jumped in his canoe, and paddled onto his pond, police report. Westers eventually rowed back to shore and was interviewed by officers. Police say he told them he had five marijuana grow sites on his property. He added he had never applied for any licenses or permits under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Marijuana plants mixed with other crops on the Elmer Township property of Hendrick J. Westers on Aug. 9. Courtesy Sanilac Drug Task Force. Police found more than 700 plants throughout the five sites. The amount would have far exceeded state limitations even if Westers were a licensed caregiver. The MMMA states "a primary caregiver may assist no more than five qualifying patients with their medical use of marihuana." Caregivers can grow up to 12 plants producing 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana for each of their five patients and themselves. If a caregiver is a patient and has five registered patients, he or she can grow 72 plants. The plants had been intentionally blended with other crops, apparently to avoid detection, police said. Police arrested Westers and lodged him in the Sanilac County Jail. He later appeared in Sanilac County District Court for arraignment on two counts of manufacturing or delivering 45 kilograms of marijuana and single counts of maintaining a drug house and assaulting, resisting or obstructing police. Westers has since bonded out of jail and is next due in court on Aug. 21. The task force is continuing to investigate and was assisted at the scene by the Sanilac County Sheriff's Office Uniform Division, Sanilac County Animal Control, and the Michigan DNR. Update: This story has been updated to include a recent statement from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. DETROIT - A lawyer for a state legislator accused of uttering racial slurs against her primary election opponent issued an apology Thursday. Several groups earlier this week called on state Rep. Bettie Cook Scott, D-Detroit, to apologize to Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, for offensive comments she made during primary elections Tuesday, Aug. 7 against the lawmaker and the Asian-American community. The group Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote - Michigan (APIAVote-Michigan) released various accounts of Scott making the distasteful comments, which included: "You don't belong here," and "I want you out of my country" directed at one of Chang's campaign volunteers. To a voter, Scott said "these immigrants from China are coming over and taking our community from us," adding "disgusts" her "seeing Black people holding signs for these Asians and not supporting their own people." To a campaign volunteer, Scott said not to vote for the "ching-chang." She was also overheard telling voters "Vote for me. Don't vote for the ching-chong!" She also called Chang's volunteers "ching-chongs," saying "I called them ching-chongs. That's what they are!" Scott did not deny any of the accusations in her apology, released via Twitter by Detroit attorney Bill Noakes. "I deeply regret the comments I made that have proven hurtful to so many. Those are words I never should have said," Scott said in a statement. "I humbly apologize to Representative Chang, her husband, Mr. Gray, and to the broader Asian-American community for those disparaging remarks. "In the divisive age we find ourselves in, I should not contribute further to that divisiveness. I have reached out to Representative Chang to meet with her so that I may apologize to her in person. I pray she and the Asian American community can find it in their hearts to forgive me." Noakes said in various Twitter postings that Scott plans to meet privately with Chang next week to apologize in person. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights urged that Scott and her staff to go through training in cultural competency, discriminatory harassment, racial equity and unconscious bias, and guidance in basic civil rights law. "Rep. Scott's apology and plan to meet directly with Rep. Chang is a good initial step," said Agustin V. Arbulu, director of the state civil rights department. "But an apology alone is not enough. Rep. Scott also needs to commit to a guided learning process to address her unfortunate behavior so that she can adequately serve all of her constituents, regardless of their race or ethnicity, whether as a member of the Michigan legislature or in any other capacity." "In these times of rampant xenophobia, racism and intolerance, it is extremely disappointing to hear of an elected official speak to voters in this way," said Aamina Ahmed, executive director of APIAVote - Michigan, in a news release. "We all need to work together to combat prejudice, bias and systems of discrimination, not fall prey to them. We cannot let stereotyping and stigmatization become normalized by ignoring it." Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon said Democrats who do not share values of "tolerance, decency and respect" should find another party. "Bettie Cook Scott's remarks were not only offensive but go against all the values of the Democratic Party ... There is no place in our state or our party for bigotry and discrimination," Dillon said. "We, at the Michigan Democratic Party, are deeply offended by these statements and the attitude behind them. We expect better from anyone who wants to call themselves a Michigan Democrat." The organizations that called for the apology included: APIAVote - Michigan, African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs, Association of Chinese Americans, American Citizens for Justice, Cortland Street Block Club, Detroit Action Commonwealth, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Engage Michigan, Equality Michigan, Fair Elections Center, Filipino American Community Council of Michigan, Good Jobs Now, Michigan League for Public Policy, Michigan United, Michigan Voice, MOSES, Mothering Justice, Pontiac Policy Council and Progress Michigan. FLINT, MI -- A Fenton Township doctor and two others have been indicted on federal charges alleging they duped UAW retirees into filing $10 million fake insurance claims. Jeffrey S. Fillmore II was arraigned on multiple federal charges on Thursday, Aug. 16 in Flint U.S. District Court. He was charged alongside the Fenton Township doctor and another man -- who investigators claim acted as a consultant and schemed to provide kickbacks to pharmacists. MLive-The Flint Journal is not identifying the doctor and the consultant charged because they have not yet been arraigned. All three have been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 17 counts of health care fraud, while the consultant also faces seven counts of money laundering, according to the indictment that was unsealed on Thursday. The consultant worked out of the doctor's Fenton Township office, the indictment claims. Fillmore was an independent contractor who worked for the consultant and was paid on commission based on the number of sales Fillmore made. Investigators allege in the indictment that from July 2014 until July 2017, the group would submit or have others submit fraudulent claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Express Scripts and/or Medicare for prescription pain creams, scar creams, pain patches and vitamins that were fraudulently authorized by the Fenton doctor or not medically necessary. Some of the creams were billed to the insurance company at over $15,000 per prescription, the U.S. attorney's officer said. More than $9.5 million was billed to Blue Cross Blue Shield and Express Scripts, and Medicare paid more than $800,000, according to the indictment. "Health care fraud involving medically necessary prescriptions not only is dangerous to those patients receiving the drugs, but also drives up the cost of health care for everyone," U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a statement. "This indictment demonstrates that our office is committed to stamping out health care fraud in the Eastern District of Michigan." The creams, patches and vitamins were targeted because of the high rate paid by the United Auto Workers insurance for the items, the indictment claims. Fillmore had acquaintances and personal contracts with the UAW because of his job and family, according to the indictment. It's alleged in the indictment that the consultant also used his business contacts with multiple pharmacies to receive kickback payments for the treatments. In exchange for the items, pharmacies would pay the consultant for each prescription directed to them. Investigators claim he then made an agreement with Fillmore for prescriptions Fillmore was able to secure. When the consultant would get the kickback from the pharmacies, he would then pay Fillmore for the prescription, according to the indictment. Fillmore and the consultant would schedule times at various UAW meetings and, along with the doctor and others, would tout the cream, patches and vitamins, the indictment claims, telling the UAW members they could get the prescriptions free without having to pay a copay at the pharmacy. The three would then get the UAW members to sign up for the items by having them fill out evaluation forms and provide insurance information for them and their families, the indictment alleges. The doctor would then give prescriptions to the UAW members and their families without establishing a valid doctor-patient relationship nor determining the medical necessity of the items, according to the indictment. Investigators allege that the doctor also provided the prescriptions without physically examining the people or without them making an office visit. The doctor also is accused in the indictment of pre-signing prescriptions and allowing the consultant, Fillmore and others to choose what item to write on the prescriptions. Investigators said UAW members did not have a choice as to which pharmacy would fill their prescriptions. Instead, they had to use the pharmacies that the consultant had contracts with and provided kickbacks, the indictment alleges. The pharmacies would then fill the prescription and submit the bill to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Express Scripts or Medicare. The consultant also faces seven charges of money laundering after prosecutors claim he transferred more than $530,000 in unlawfully gained money to Fillmore and other bank accounts. Health care faud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine for each count. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Quinn James' defense attorney will have an opportunity to argue that the Kent County Prosecutor's Office has a conflict of interest in his client's case after a judge approved his motion for a hearing. Attorney Jonathan Schildgen has requested that the prosecutor's office be disqualified from all criminal matters against James because a member of the victim/witness unit with the prosecutor's office had a previous dating or intimate relationship with James. James is accused of sexually assaulting 16-year-old Mujey Dumbuya in summer 2017, and then killing her in January before she could testify against him in court. On Friday, Aug. 17, Kent County Circuit Judge George Quist sided with the defense and said he will allow a "brief" evidentiary hearing, despite the prosecution's argument that Schildgen hasn't provided enough evidence beyond speculation. "I've put a lot of thought into this," Quist said. "I don't want to hold an evidentiary hearing on this matter. I think that one is unavoidable ... I'm not going to let this turn into a side show." The judge tentatively scheduled the hearing for Aug. 31, and said he doesn't want it to be pushed back much further because he plans to begin one of James' three trials on Oct. 1 -- most likely the criminal sexual conduct case with Dumbuya as the victim. "I'm going to have a tight rein over the hearing to make sure we don't go into areas we're not supposed to go into," Quist said. "I don't want to embarrass anybody, but you've got to do what you've got to do." Quist sided with the prosecution on a second motion Friday, allowing the admittance of statements made by Dumbuya to witnesses in the criminal sexual conduct case to be used in the subsequent murder trial. James was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in November 2017. Dumbuya went missing on Jan. 24, then turned up dead a few days later in a wooded area of Kalamazoo. James and co-defendant Gerald Bennett are charged with murder in the teen's death. Prosecutors say Bennett helped James kill Dumbuya or dispose of her body. Schildgen filed a motion earlier this year after he learned that a victim's advocate in the prosecutor's office had a relationship with James that ended in May or June 2017. The sex assaults allegedly happened in July. Kent County Assistant Prosecutor James Benison has acknowledged in court that there was a past relationship between James and the staff member, but he said there's no indication the employee ever talked to James about the rape case. Quist said the evidentiary hearing would likely include testimony from three people, including the staff member, the victim/witness coordinator and the county prosecutor. The judge is looking for information on the relationship, its timeline, the staff member's involvement in the case, and when and what the prosecutor's office did when it learned of the conflict of interest. Both the defense and prosecution can call additional witnesses if necessary. Quist said he expects to hear the criminal sexual conduct case first, and to adjourn the additional cases against James until after the first trial is resolved. All three trials are currently scheduled for Oct. 1. ALTO, MI -- Drinking water at an elementary school in southeast Kent County has tested positive for levels of toxic per- and polyfluorinated compounds called PFAS. Testing done on the Alto Elementary drinking well detected a combined PFAS level of 23-parts per trillion, or ppt. The PFAS compounds detected were PFHxS at 21-ppt and PFBS at 2-ppt, according to results from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. There are currently no federal health advisories for either compound. PFOS and PFOA are the only two PFAS compounds with a federal health advisory. That advisory is set at a combined 70-ppt. Exposure to PFAS has been linked in human studies to some cancers, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol and other diseases. PFAS compounds are called "forever chemicals" because they accumulate in the body and do not breakdown in the environment. The K-5 school has a yearly enrollment of about 500 students, according to Lowell Area Schools Superintendent Gregory Pratt. Parents were notified Wednesday, Aug. 15, of the detection, Pratt said. DEQ and Kent County Health Department officials gave the school the OK to continue using the water for drinking and food preparation, the superintendent said. "Right now they don't have any immediate action for us to take," Pratt said. Lowell Area School students return from summer break next week. Lowell's municipal water supply, which services other schools in the district, has no detected PFAS, according to DEQ findings. Alto is an unincorporated community in Bowne Township. PFAS compounds have been used in fire suppressant foam at airports, fire departments and refineries, as well as by industrial chrome platers and apparel manufacturers. They repel water and oil and resist heat. While there is currently no health advisory for PFHxS, a recent federal study suggested "minimum risk levels" for the compound at about 70-ppt. The compound PFHxS is closely associated with AFFF, a chemical-laden firefighting foam. The testing by DEQ is part of a pledge from the state of Michigan to test 1,380 public water systems and about 460 schools for PFAS. Results already coming in have sparked a public health crisis in a community of about 3,000, when PFOA levels of 670-ppt and PFOS levels of 740-ppt were found in the Parchment city water system. DEQ recently conducted a second sampling on the Alto Elementary School well. Test results have not come back yet. WYOMING, MI -- A 19-month-old boy who perished from dehydration had the same weight at death as he did at 9 months of age, a medical examiner said. The parents of Yurik Birkenmeyer -- Alexander Birkenmeyer, 30, and Andrea Todd, 26 -- are charged with second-degree murder and child abuse in their son's death from alleged neglect. They were in court Thursday, Aug. 16 for a probable cause hearing. Yurik was found dead in his crib March 16 at his family's home in the 2600 block of Longstreet Avenue SW in Wyoming. Dr. David Start, a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy on Yurik, testified the boy was thin with sunken eyes. He determined the boy died from dehydration from several factors, including a diminished sinus glad that is typically an indication of chronic stress caused by malnutrition and dehydration. A test of eye fluid showed elevated levels of sodium, chloride and urea nitrogen -- and indicator consistent with dehydration. The boy weighed 22 pounds at death, the same weight as he was at nine months, according to Yurik's medical records. "There is no medical condition that would give a reason for him not to gain weight appropriately," Start testified. Yurik was in a room with a space heater with the temperature at about 85-90 degrees, testimony showed. Defense attorneys questioned whether the boy might have died from asphyxia in his crib, but start said that a 19-month-old would easily have been able to move his head and avoid suffocation. Start also said that such a state of dehydration would not have occurred overnight. The boy had a wet diaper but, according to Start, a person can still produce urine and be dehydrated. The parents agreed to waive their probable cause hearing Thursday, but defense attorneys wanted to get testimony from Start anyway. Birkenmeyer and Todd now will stand trial in Kent County Circuit Court. An estimated 2,662 Michigan residents died from drug overdoses in 2017, according to a report released this week by the federal Centers for Disease Control. That's a 82 percent increase over five years and an 8 percent jump from 2016, based on CDC data. Overdose deaths now exceed the number of traffic and firearm deaths combined. Michigan had 1,028 traffic fatalities in 2017 and 1,230 gun deaths in 2016, the most recent data available. Moreover, the number of overdose deaths is likely underreported, the CDC says, since their estimates are based on death certificates, some of which had "pending investigation" listed under cause of death. The CDC estimates this underreporting is about 8 percent for Michigan numbers. Experts attribute the overall rise in drug deaths to more Americans using opioids and increase potency of the drugs. Opioids including heroin account for 73 percent of Michigan's drug overdose deaths in 2016, according to state data. There were 1,733 opioid deaths in 2016, that data shows, up 36 percent from the 1,279 deaths in 2015. The number more than doubled between 2013 and 2016, and has quintupled since 2004. Drug overdose deaths in Michigan between 1999 and 2016, based on data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In 1999, there were 455 total overdose deaths, of which 99 were caused by opioids. In 2016, the state recorded 2,376 total overdose fatalities, with 1,733 caused by opioids. The opioid deaths include heroin. State officials have enacted a series of reforms to address the opioid crisis. Health-care providers are being urged to rely less on opioid painkillers -- either by decreasing the amount prescribed or trying alternatives first. In addition, the state has upgraded its computer system for tracking controlled substances,. That system now gives doctors, dentists and other prescribers much quicker access to patient history, making it easier to identify those who are using multiple doctors and/or multiple pharmacies to obtain opioids. In 2017, the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed in Michigan dropped almost 11 percent, according to state officials. The state also has increased access to Naloxone, a drug to counteract an opioid overdose. Previously, naloxone was available only to individuals who received a prescription from their doctor. In recent years, law enforcement and other first responders have increased their capacity to administer naloxone to address. In addition, individuals cannow receive naloxone from a registered pharmacy without having to see a healthcare provider. People who obtain naloxone from pharmacies receive information on steps for responding to an opioid overdose and important information about where to go for further treatment. Michigan will spend $11.2 million in upcoming months to evaluate and improve election security at the state, county and local level, said Fred Woodhams, spokesman for the Michigan Secretary of State office. The state has received a $10.7 million grant from the federal Election Assistance Commission and is contributing another $500,000 from the state's general fund. The announcement comes amid growing concern about America's vulnerability to a cyberattack that could disrupt elections as well as other government systems and functions. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats recently said the "warning lights are blinking red" on potential cyberattacks by Russia and other nations such as China, North Korea and Iran. Specifically in regards to the 2018 elections: Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson said last week that The FBI has warned Maryland that one of its vendors managing its election system has Rolling Stone has reported on a U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat seeking re-election this year, has been Woodhams said there are no reports of cyberattack involving Michigan elections. "We're not aware of any attacks by hackers on the Michigan election system," he said. "But we're not resting on our laurels. We take the concerns very, very seriously." This week, he said, Michigan officials were among the participants in a workshop held by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to role-play what federal, state and local officials would do in response to cyberattacks on election infrastructure. Michigan has two aspects to its election system that make it more difficult for computer hackers, Woodham said. One is the state uses paper ballots tabulated by machinery not connected to the Internet. The latter means a hacker would have to physically manipulate each individual machine to corrupt the count. The system also creates a paper trail that can be used to verify results if the vote tally is questioned. In addition, Woodham noted that Michigan is among the state with a very decentralized system -- elections are mainly run by 530 local city and township clerks. The downside of that, Woodhams said, is that many smaller municipalities lack an IT department or any computer specialist on staff at all. The plans for spending the $11.2 million: $5.5 million on a thorough security assessment of the election system at the state, county and local levels to identify vulnerabilities and award grants to address the potential problem areas. $3.1 million on improving the state's voter registration system -- which includes ensuring the security of the Michigan qualified voter file, a statewide list of registered voters. The file is used by county and local officials across the state. $1.6 million on training and auditing. That includes "comprehensive election security training" for election officials; security procedural reviews; "enhanced/expanded" post-election audits, and "exhanced/expanded" plans for election security, disaster recovery and overall communications. JACKSON, MI - With an outbreak of canine influenza in Michigan, dogs in Jackson County animal shelters are receiving vaccinations to combat the disease. Dr. Cathy Anderson, veterinarian at the Jackson County Animal Shelter, said in an email that dogs at the Jackson County Animal Shelter and Cascades Humane Society are receiving canine influenza vaccinations. As of Aug. 16, there have been 111 confirmed cases of canine influenza in Michigan, according to the state's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The first case of canine influenza was reported on July 13, according to MDARD. Oakland County leads the state with 42 confirmed cases, while Macomb County is second with 27. Other Michigan counties with confirmed cases include Genesee, Huron, Kent, Livingston, Ottawa, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne. There have been zero cases confirmed in Jackson County, according to MDARD. But those in charge of county shelters are concerned with the well-being of dogs in care, Anderson said. Anderson reached out to an infectious disease expert in the shelter medicine program at the University of Florida veterinary school. Anderson said she asked about recommendations for shelters. After a similar outbreak in Florida, the veterinarian recommended vaccinating all dogs in shelters. Anderson said the JCSA and humane society has instituted this practice. Information about the canine influenza virus is provided by the University of Florida. Anderson said dogs coming into the shelter must be vaccinated twice, with the second vaccination two weeks after the first. "We're really being proactive and preemptive," Anderson said. "I'm really proud of what we're doing." The nonprofit Rescue Me Jackson Area purchased the first 50 doses for Jackson County Animal Shelter and Cascades Humane Society, Anderson said. MARSHALL, MI - Medical marijuana is coming to Marshall, and bringing jobs with it. Marijuana grower and processor Michigan Pure Med is planning to build a new headquarters in Marshall, creating an estimated 400 jobs over five years. The business hopes to break ground within the next month, said Scott Fleming, Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance CEO. The space will be more than 1 million square feet, per reports from the Battle Creek Enquirer and Detroit Free Press. The business will be built at the Brooks Industrial Park, off Kalamazoo Avenue south of Wooley Drive. This is the first of a handful of medical marijuana companies looking for approval to build, Fleming said. Medical marijuana growing and processing was approved by the Marshall City Council in June 2017. Dispensaries will not be allowed in the city, however. Michigan Pure Med grows medical marijuana in Detroit, Hazel Park and Lansing. It also has eight dispensaries in Michigan, per its website. Marshall will have the only processing facility in the state for the company so far. With the addition of the jobs, Fleming said community leaders are looking at options for new housing. "That will increase the population. We want them to live here as they work here," Fleming said. "And we're also looking at the multiplying affect of the economy, where they buy goods and services here and pay taxes." Marshall has a population of about 7,000, per U.S. Census 2017 estimates. "This is a business that's coming in. It's no different than a tomato grower or pepper grower coming in," Fleming said. "They're producing product and sending it out." JACKSON, MI - At the request of the attorney general's office, Michigan State Police are looking into "additional items" related to Jackson County Sheriff Steven Rand. The First District Special Investigation Section has been asked within the last two weeks to investigate "some actions by the sheriff that may be criminal in nature," Detective 1st Lt. Tom DeClercq said Friday, Aug. 17. He declined to provide further details. Efforts on Friday to contact Rand were not successful. He has previously said he was confident the state police would not find evidence of criminal activity at the sheriff's office. For months there has been an unresolved state police inquiry involving the sheriff, under public scrutiny since February, when an attorney for one of his lieutenants released secret recordings of the sheriff making crude, offensive comments during command staff or other work meetings. DeClercq earlier said he took a police report to Attorney General Bill Schuette's office in March regarding an allegation of misappropriation of funds. Schuette's office has not announced any decision and Rand has not been charged with any crime. In late January, sheriff's Lt. Tommy Schuette, who is suing Rand and the county, made a complaint, alleging Rand used money from the county jail commissary fund to purchase a $32,300 take-home, work SUV for Rand's use. In May, the sheriff's office bought the 2017 Ford Explorer for $30,359 plus $1,952 in "trim level or options." The money came from the general fund, capital improvement budget designated for sheriff's vehicles, Undersheriff Chris Kuhl has said. In the state police report, there are commissary records from February 2017 to May 2017. At that time, the fund took in about $99,000; about $72,000 was spent and none of it appears to have been transferred to the general fund. When asked about the status of the criminal case and to confirm the state police were looking into additional information, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, Megan Hawthorne, wrote in an email: "As this is an ongoing review, we are not commenting on the information we or MSP have gathered." She continued: "At the conclusion of our review, a letter will be sent to Gov. (Rick) Snyder, and he will be... responsible for any further action." The attorney general also has been asked to issue an opinion on a request sent to the governor by Jackson County commissioners who wish to see Rand removed from office. DeClercq said he has nothing to do with the attorney general's review of the removal request. Hawthorne did not respond to follow-up questions about the criminal case. Bill Schuette, approached in late July during a Jackson stop during his campaign for governor, called Rand's recorded comments offensive, disturbing and wrong. He would not, however, give any indication of whether Rand's statements or actions rose to the level of misconduct, justifying removal, or when his office might complete its review. He said the office had received new information. The state statute addressing the governor's authority to oust elected officials requires a finding of official misconduct or willful neglect of duty. Some in Jackson and the Michigan Democratic Party have contended Bill Schuette's inaction is politically motivated. The Democratic party this week submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Bill Schuette's office for communications, notes or scheduled meetings mentioning Rand, his office or Tommy Schuette and between the offices of the attorney general and Rand. In February, Tommy Schuette sued Rand and the county alleging Rand created a hostile work environment, harassing him for his hearing disability, and the county retaliated against him for opposing and reporting Rand's conduct. Schuette recorded Rand calling a sitting judge a "scatter-brained c---" and discussing the creation of a murderous pornographic film involving a female court employee. His lawyer, Jim Fett, gave the recordings to MLive and the Citizen Patriot. In their answers to the lawsuit, the county and the sheriff have accused Schuette of trying to use the tapes to extort retirement benefits from the county. This allegation also was investigated by the state police and is part of the report submitted to the attorney general's office in March. Fett called it a wild claim. "It doesn't have any legs. It is not going anywhere." For a listing of stories on Tommy Schuette's lawsuit and the sheriff, click here. This story was updated at 4 p.m. Aug. 17 after MDEQ released test results. PARCHMENT, MI -- Perched on the railing of his front porch deck, Garry Burnham took a small drag from a cigarette, letting a wisp of smoke pass from his beard before he pointed toward an old landfill across the street. "There was all kinds of crap going through there," Burnham said, recalling how his shoes decayed while he walked through the Crown Vantage landfill as a child. Since 1961, he's lived across the street from two Cooper Township landfills used to dump paper-making waste from the nearby Parchment mill. Burnham, 57, didn't worry about possible pollution when he was younger. :ast week, he learned his private well is contaminated with high amounts of per- and polyfluroalkyl substances. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality started testing private wells in Parchment and Cooper Township after high amounts of PFAS were found entering Parchment's water supply on July 26. A study area includes homes within a 1-mile radius of the contaminated water source. Residents hooked up to the Parchment water system were provided bottled water, and will soon drink water from the city of Kalamazoo. Meanwhile, private well owners wondered whether they are at risk. A total of 115 private residential wells were tested as of Thursday, Aug. 16. Homeowners said they were told their results over the phone starting Aug. 10. Results of private well tests in Cooper Township showed 86 homes are contaminated with some amount of PFAS. Homes within a 1-mile radius of Parchment's contaminated groundwater wells were tested. Most are within a wellhead protection area established in 1994. Results for 107 homes were released on Aug. 17, while the DEQ waits for results to come back for an additional 40 homes. The most-contaminated well showed 340 parts-per-trillion of total PFAS and 209 ppt for two other compounds, PFOS and PFOA. Results showed contamination at the well is almost three times greater than an EPA lifetime health advisory of 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA. MDEQ spokesperson Scott Dean said the highest amounts were found south of the Parchment municipal wells near the shuttered Crown Vantage paper mill and landfill. Burnham said 148 ppt of PFAS was found in his groundwater well. Across the street from his house at the corner of Remus Street and Everhard Avenue sits two landfills, a wastewater treatment plant and wastewater lagoons used by paper companies in Parchment. (Milt Klingensmith | MLive.com) Former landfills used to dump paper waste are the likely source of contamination found in Parchment's water supply, according to the DEQ. Officials are also considering other sources, including North American Aluminum Extrusion Co. in Cooper Township. In 1968, the company was accused of polluting Travis Creek with a gray sludge. According to a Kalamazoo Gazette article at the time, the waste formed a gray-white precipitate that coated the sides and bottom of the creek. A 1994 chemical safety data document obtained by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette shows products known to contain PFAS were once used at Parchment's shuttered paper mill. "They dumped all kinds of stuff out there," Burnham said. "A lot of that stuff was all different colors and nasty. It stank like crazy all summer." His girlfriend Lisa Mario said she remembers seeing rows of oil cans and many of the cylindrical wrappers Pringles chips come in. Oil and water-resistant coating used in paper products was made with PFAS compounds in the past, including 3M-manufactured products at the Parchment mill. Cooper Township residents are sharing their test results on social media. A map posted on the Facebook group "Concerned Citizens of Cooper Twp" shows residents self-reporting results between non-detect and 268 ppt. Rand Riggs, 67, was fortunate enough to find no PFAS in his private well off Travis Street. His well is around 130 feet deep, dug into a thick protective clay wall. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposures to PFAS. However, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry acknowledges an increased risk of thyroid disease, developmental effects in infants and children, reproductive effects, hypertension in pregnant women, increased cholesterol levels and other effects. Common sense Lynn Goolsby was surprised by the numbers when he looked at the map from his desktop computer. Goolsby, 67, lives in Cooper Township and is hooked up to city water. Three groundwater wells supply the Parchment system with drinking water. Each are located in close proximity to one another and sit less than a mile north of the landfill near the east bank of the Kalamazoo River. Goolsby is a former mill worker who takes medication for a thyroid condition. He said "anyone with any common sense" would know the wells are in a bad location. "It only makes perfect sense for all this stuff (to be) coming up to bite people in the ass," Goolsby said. Long before high levels of PFAS were found, Parchment was warned about its wellfield being at risk. In 1997, W. Richard Laton shared his Western Michigan University dissertation with city staff. Now a professor of hydrogeology at Cal State University Fullerton, Laton he found Parchment's well fields were susceptible to contamination. In 2002, DEQ found the three wells to be "highly susceptible to potential contaminants." Parchment was sent a letter with the results, according to the city's water quality reports. Parchment City Commissioner Robert Heasley said a lack of political will and funding prevented Parchment from acting on the DEQ source water assessment. Heasley said the city had no money to dig new wells and any commissioner who suggested an agreement to receive drinking water from Kalamazoo would have been voted out of office. Tom Novak, a Parchment High School teacher who has a private well in Cooper Township, said elected officials "chose to do nothing." He is concerned his own well is contaminated. Novak is being provided bottled water, but his home on Mount Olivet sits outside the DEQ's study area. It's not clear if his well will be tested for PFAS, he said. "At least if you were put on bottled water, the state owes you a test," Novak said. Novak is a survivor of a rare type of cancer called splenic zone lymphoma. His daughter had half of her thyroid removed due to benign nodules when she was 16. Their dog was diagnosed with jaw cancer two weeks ago. Novak can't say for sure that these health issues are connected to PFAS, but the thought lingers. He plans to reach out to a Detroit law firm which also reached out to Goolsby seeking plantiffs for a possible lawsuit. In-house filters are available for people with contaminated wells. In other communities where PFAS was found, the state covered the cost of filters and installation within a certain area. Homeowners who are close to Parchment water mains could be connected to city water. Burnham fears he can't afford to pay for the connection. Moving is out of the question, especially since he anticipates property values to drop. While he talked to reporters from his porch Wednesday, one foot was wrapped in a boot; Burnham's toes were recently removed due to a medical issue. He lives on a fixed income with disability benefits. "It's another cost I don't need," Burnham said. Rodney Prewitt KALAMAZOO, MI -- A sexual harassment lawsuit between a district employee and Kalamazoo Public Schools was settled for nearly $500,000. The lawsuit against the district and former Loy Norrix principal Rodney Prewitt said he made unwanted advances toward Alicia Curry, a school counselor. The lawsuit was settled, but the agreement was not originally available to the public. Kalamazoo Public Schools permitted MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette to inspect the document after a Freedom of Information Act request was submitted. The settlement between Curry and her attorneys and Middle Cities Risk Management Trust, which represented both the district and Prewitt, said Curry was paid $495,000. The settlement allots $115,000 of the payout to Curry's attorneys. The district is responsible to pay for the $25,000 insurance deductible, school spokesperson Alex Lee said in a statement to MLive. "The insurer negotiated the terms of the settlement and paid the costs thereof" except for the deductible, Lee said. Curry said in the lawsuit filed in December 2016 that her civil rights and First Amendment rights were violated due to a sexually hostile environment created by Prewitt, who was serving as the principal at Loy Norrix High School. Prewitt and Curry were in a consensual relationship, but she said the work environment became hostile after the couple split. Her claims were investigated but the school found that they had no merit. Through the school's investigation, district officials found that Prewitt had lied on his employment application, claiming no prior discipline. The investigation found that he had been disciplined for sexual harassment by the Florida Educational Practices Commission while he worked as a teacher in Florida. In an order on April 2, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jonker dismissed a First Amendment claim brought by Curry, but not her remaining claims of sexual harassment, sex discrimination and retaliation under Michigan's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit was later dismissed -- in an order signed Wednesday, Aug. 8, by Jonker -- as a result of the settlement reached between the parties. The settlement also said Curry was to resign from her position with the district, effective Aug. 17. She is not permitted to seek any future employment with the school, but is allowed to volunteer for events as a parent of a student in the district, the settlement said. According to the settlement, Prewitt and the district are not admitting fault in the case. The agreement was entered into "solely to avoid further expenses of litigation." Curry and her attorneys agreed that the settlement is not an "admission of any obligation, liability or fault," the settlement said. All parties of the agreement were subject to a confidentiality clause which said they must only share that the lawsuit "ended amicably." Attorneys for Curry and the district were unable to be reached for comment late Friday. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - A person of interest in a recent homicide is facing additional charges related to an incident in which a man was allegedly pistol whipped and forced to strip naked in the street. Leroy Jamal Butler, 35, of Muskegon Heights faces a potential life sentence for assault with a deadly weapon and other felony firearm charges. He was charged earlier with perjury in connection to statements he made to police regarding the July 19 homicide of his neighbor. Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said earlier that Butler is a person of interest in the shooting death of Tyrie Fulgham. Butler's latest charges stem from an alleged assault that occurred on Dec. 23, 2017. It's alleged that Butler offered a ride to a person he knew who was walking along the street, said Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat. The two got into an argument in the car and it's alleged that Butler struck the victim repeatedly in the legs and head with a pistol, Maat said. It's alleged that Butler then forced the victim out of the vehicle, made him remove his clothing and then drove off, Maat said. The victim ended up at the front door of a stranger, who gave him a blanket to cover himself until police arrived, Maat said. Butler is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm while committing a felony. Because Butler is charged as a four-time habitual offender, he faces up to life in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm -- normally a five-year felony. Butler earlier was charged with lying to police about his whereabouts when Fulgham, 35, was shot in his home in the 2200 block of Sanford Street, which is across the street from Butler's address. Fulgham had been chased into the basement of the home where he was staying by a black male who shot him and then fled, according to a Muskegon Heights Police affidavit. The shooting occurred around 11:20 p.m. Muskegon Heights Police Chief Joseph E. Thomas Jr. said earlier that it was believed that the shooter was with someone else who "aided and abetted him." Thomas said that until recently, Fulgham and Butler had been very close life-long friends. Butler also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in the perjury case. The perjury charge carries a sentence of up to life in prison. Butler has prior felony convictions of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and larceny from a person in 2002 and fleeing and eluding police in 2000. SAGINAW, MI -- A Mancelona trucker is accused of raping a teenage girl inside his tractor-trailer a year ago. According to prosecutors, 38-year-old Michael D. Taylor on Aug. 2, 2017, was driving a 14-year-old girl through Saginaw County when they stopped at TA Truck Service, 6364 Dixie Highway in Bridgeport. Taylor then sexually assaulted her inside his rig, prosecutors allege. Taylor had access to the girl as he's a friend of her family, prosecutors said. Michigan State Police troopers at the Gaylord Post began investigating shortly after the incident was reported. As a result, Taylor initially faced charges in Antrim County. As the investigation continued, though, police learned the alleged assault occurred in Saginaw County, prompting Antrim County prosecutors to dismiss their case in November. Troopers arrested Taylor on a warrant on Wednesday, Aug. 15, and lodged him in the Saginaw County Jail. The next morning, he appeared before Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank for arraignment on one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The former is a life offense and involves penetration, while the latter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and is limited to touching. Frank set Taylor's bond at $150,000 cash-surety or 10 percent. Taylor is to appear for a preliminary examination before Frank on Aug. 30. SAGINAW, MI -- At about 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, Saginaw Fire Department was dispatched to a fire on South Fayette between Fraser and Dearborn on the city's southwest side. A single-story house was on fire and about a dozen neighbors gathered to watch firefighters put out the fire. Three fire engines reported to the scene. The home was vacant, according to neighbors and Saginaw Fire Battalion Chief Thomas Raines. Smoke could be seen coming from under the roof of the house. Raines said the home had no utilities and the fire was being investigated as suspicious. The investigation will be turned over to the Michigan State Police, Raines said. SAGINAW, MI -- When her class walked across the stage two months ago, Keisha Roberson didn't have enough credits to join them. Undaunted, she buckled down this summer and now is celebrating the result: she graduated. Roberson, 18, officially graduated from Saginaw High School on Wednesday, Aug. 15, before the school board held its meeting at the district's Administration Building, 550 Millard. Board members certified Roberson as a graduate of 2018 during the emotional ceremony. The event was complete with black and gold cap and gown, balloons and family members and friends on hand. "I feel happy," she said. "I feel blessed. I feel like I can start doing something bigger and better now." 'I could never give up' A few months ago, she wasn't so upbeat and felt the world crumbling around her. When her classmates were preparing for graduation, Roberson learned that she didn't have enough credits to do so herself. "I felt angry at the world," she said. "But I had to face the fact that I messed up on my own. It was too much stress and too much going on." Roberson said that she was letting her outside life get the best of her and caused her to lose focus. But through encouragement from family, friends and teachers, Roberson said she decided to do what was required to receive her diploma. "You can't just sit down and do nothing when you got legs to walk and arms to still move," she said. "I just figured that I could never give up." Academic Interventionist Tanya Welch, who worked with Roberson at times during the school year, was not able to attend the ceremony but said she viewed pictures that were sent to her phone. "It really brought tears to my eyes because she fought the battle," Welch said. "That child, she is an example of how your struggle does not determine your outcome because she has truly overcome." Time to shine After enrolling in a credit-recovery program through the district, Roberson spent her summer completing required coursework. On Wednesday, she received her diploma during a ceremony in front of the school board. "I thought it was a beautiful thing," said Secretary Kim Hamilton. "I commend her effort because when she didn't get it done, she continued to fight to get it done and go through summer school." Board members praised Roberson for her accomplishment. "Congratulations to her and her family and all the staff that helped her get there," said Ruth Ann Knapp, school board trustee. Roberson now wants to go to college to be a social worker. "I want to get a nice paying job and get myself together," she said. "I feel like it's my time to shine." MARQUETTE - A large band of wildfire smoke will drift over Michigan's Upper Peninsula today, filtering the sunlight and keeping conditions hazy for a while. The National Weather Service in Marquette pulled together a map of the approaching smoke, which is drifting over the Upper Great Lakes from wildfires burning in the western United States as well as Canada. "Filtered sunshine is expected on Friday. There is a large area of smoke aloft which will move over Upper Michigan on Friday. The smoke originated from wildfires over the western U.S. and Canada," the weather service said. Other areas in Michigan also could be affected, depending on the wind flow today. In recent days, smoke from those wildfires has pushed east, bringing hazy skies to our area, giving a red glow to our sunrises and creating some pretty stunning sunsets. MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa explains how the right wind flow pattern can move smoke from wildfires 2,000 miles away and push it over the Great Lakes within just a couple days: "What it really takes to get smoke over our sky is the right path of wind flow. We have that now," he said earlier this week. "The air over California is moving east into Idaho, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Minnesota. Then, because of the circulation around a low pressure center in Pennsylvania, the upper-air is moving south over Michigan." The cost of Chattanooga's downtown freeway makeover - estimated at $85 million in 2006 and bid at $126.3 million when it got underway in November 2015 - has climbed to $143 million as issues were encountered along the way, TDOT's Ken Flynn said Monday. The Highway 27 project to provide three lanes in each direction from the I-24 split to the river was already the most expensive highway project in the state's history at the starting price. Mr. Flynn, TDOT Region 2 Director of Operations, told members of the Chattanooga Engineers Club that the project is now 71 percent complete with a new target for finishing of January, 2020. He said, This is a very expensive 2.3 miles. The massive cost of building 43 retaining walls has contributed to the high price, along with replacing nine bridges and adding an extra lane and shoulders along the Olgiati Bridge. When finished there will be three lanes in each direction. The S curve will also be removed and a collector or frontage road will be constructed southbound from the Olgiati Bridge to MLK Boulevard that will solve the problem of ramps running in and out of the highway. There will be exits to 4th Street, 6th Street and MLK Boulevard from the frontage road." The geology around Chattanooga has been a big challenge in building the road. The contractors found 10 times more rock than was anticipated. The area really is a boulder field, said Mr. Flynn. This has caused the necessity of drilling through alternating layers of rock and soil to set pilings - one of the reasons that the completion date has been extended. Other problems are man-made. The area underneath the largest retaining wall, which is 40,000 square feet, 70 feet tall and runs from 6th Street to the Olgiati Bridge, was filled in over the years and used as a makeshift landfill. Mr. Flynn said, "This area had a lot of voids and a mixture of good and bad soils, rock, etc. The very tall retaining wall required the placing of anchors into this material to support the retaining wall. To fill the voids and strengthen the soils, holes were strategically drilled and 300,000 cubic feet of grout was pumped into the slope for stabilization. This, too, increased the original time and cost." Another man-made problem came to light when foundry sand was encountered while constructing other retaining walls. This sand was tested and it was determined that to dispose of it properly it had to be taken to a certified landfill, thus increasing time for disposal and costs. Another increase came when it was determined that, due to new design requirements, struts needed to be added to the river piers of the Olgiati Bridge to reinforce existing sandwich beams so they would not sag. An attempt was made to contain the footprint of the whole project that prevented the need to acquire additional property along the road. Instead of the customary sloping of adjacent land, retaining walls are being used to prop up the new roads. Only about 17 tracts of land had to be bought. Funding for rebuilding this road comes from an 80/20 match between the state of Tennessee and the Federal Highway Administration. As costs have changed, TDOT has gone back to get the extra funding. Mr. Flynn said maintaining two functioning lanes in each direction in order to keep traffic moving is accomplished by building a little and then shifting a little. While Phase 2 is under construction, lanes are being shifted to make room for the work that will be done in Phase 3. Reasons for rebuilding the road were that the capacity needed when the road was originally designed was much lower than what it is now. As traffic increased, the ability of the road to function has been reduced. Due to the age of the roadway the bridges were in need of constant maintenance. Another road project is also underway in the area, which is repairing the highway up Signal Mountain. This work is only to stabilize what is already there, not to increase capacity, Mr. Flynn said. And, it is not the last project that is planned for the road. A lot of voids have been discovered under the road, which has required pumping a lot of grout to fill them. The work is about on schedule, said Mr. Flynn. TDOT is considering improvements to other areas fairly close to the current job, while the equipment is already there. The future big project will include making improvements to drainage and adding new guardrail in addition to stabilization. A public meeting will be held next year to discuss what work is planned for this project. Mr. Flynn told the club a new approach will be taken for road building in Tennessee roads in the future. The new method, called Design Build, will reduce the customary 12 years that it typically takes to get a highway under construction. The traditional method is that all phases of a road project are done separately because each step, such as environmental studies, preliminary design, finalized design, right of way acquisition, and construction, is funded individually. In Design Build, different phases are done concurrently. The first step will be to get qualifications and review them before picking design build teams to bid. TDOT provides a 30 percent plan and the designer builder is encouraged to find better ways to do the project faster and less expensive than conventional means. The project for replacement and reconfiguration of the I-75/I-24 Interchange is a Design Build project and should be awarded after the first of next year. Work could begin in the spring. Another method is Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) and is it is being used for replacing the I-24 Bridge over Germantown Road along with the Belvoir Road Bridge over I-24. This method hires a contractor to serve as a part of the design team to bring innovative ideas and techniques into this phase of the project. Accelerated construction ideas such as pre-building a bridge and installing it in one or two weekends, he said. "We design the parameters and the contractor does the details," said Mr. Flynn. Mr. Flynn said TDOT is always looking for ways to save the taxpayers money so that it can be used to fund and build other needed projects. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland today said it has bagged an order from the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation to supply 300 double-decker buses. The delivery of buses to BRTC will take place within eight months, the city based commercial vehicle major said in a statement. "Bangladesh is one of our key export markets and this order further strengthens our position. Winning this order in Bangladesh is yet another testimony of our leadership in the country," company Managing Director, Vinod K Dasari said. "Our in-depth understanding of public transport and understanding of the market and customers is what differentiates us and has helped us win this order", he added. The company has been making a 'strong focus' on exports to de-risk from cyclicality in Indian market and to globalise the product portfolio, he said. "This is a significant win for us and builds on the strong export growth we had last year", he added. Recently, Ashok Leyland's UK subsidiary Optare PLC bagged an order for supply of 31 units of 'electric double-decker' buses from Transport for London. Shares of Ashok Leyland were trading at Rs 128.40 apiece, up by 1.82 percent over the previous close in BSE. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Pre-school to K-12 company EuroKids is planning to triple the number of pre-school centres to 3,000 in five years. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Prajodh Rajan, Co-Founder and CEO said they have 1,000 centres across the country. It has taken us 17 years to get to the 1,000 mark. We will use the franchise model for the pre-school centres and will partner with women. Currently, about 95 percent of our franchisee partners are women entrepreneurs, he added. At present, EuroKids has a presence across 400 towns and cities in the country. Apart from the pre-school division, EuroKids also has EuroSchool, which is a chain of 10 K-12 schools across six cities. Rajan explained that for the past two years, they have been adding 250 centres per year. The idea, he said, is to increase this gradually every year. We decided to partner with women as it gives a good work-life balance and accordingly 95 percent of our franchise partners are women. For the pre-schools, Rajan said the curriculum undergoes regular updates. He added they already have a gym programme for children called EuroGym. In the near future, EuroKids is also looking at introducing augmented reality in these schools. The children will get a much more interactive experience through the use of this technology, he added. In FY18, EuroKids acquired pre-school chain Kangaroo Kids and Billabong High International Schools. These brands will continue to operate independently according to Rajan. Kangaroo Kids has a network of 75 pre-schools and there are 21 Billabong High Schools. Our strategy will be to further international expansion through these brands. Billabong already has schools in Qatar, Dubai, and Maldive through a franchise approach, he added. EuroKids is planning an investment of Rs 500 crore over the next five years across businesses. This, said Rajan, will for the K-12 schools, pre-schools as well as their newly set-up daycare facilities. According to the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, it is mandatory for companies in India employing 50 or more people to have a creche facility within a prescribed distance. EuroKids has started a day care facility to meet the needs of the corporates. There is an increasing demand from companies to have tie-ups for having a creche facility. We have set up multiple such facilities across India with large corporates as our partners, he said. Institutes like Indian Institute of Management, Indore as well as State Bank of India have taken the on-site day-care/creche facilities from EuroKids. Further, community centres that act as day care for corporate employees in a particular area have also been launched in Pune, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Rajan explained that most of the corporates have followed a 75-25 co-pay model for the day-care facilities. Here, 75 percent of the expenses are paid by corporate and the rest 25 percent by the employee. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Considered as a cash cow for Indias IT services companies for long, the banking and financial sector is gradually being weaned off the outsourcing model. The companies are now opting to build and maintain software in-house. With emerging technologies, such as blockchain, which are touted to play a pivotal role in the financial sector, bankers are keen to keep their cards close to their chest and cut reliance on third parties for technology. India still continues to be the preferred destination for technology hubs though. Many foreign banks have set up global in-house centres (GIC) in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The banking domain has been key to the fortunes of Indian IT companies, but the share of the finance vertical in their earnings has been on a downward spiral in the past couple of years. The share of revenue derived from the banking sector by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the largest IT company in the country, declined by 2.3 percentage points, from 33.4 percent in FY17 to 31.1 percent in FY18. A similar trend was observed in the annual reports of peers. The segments share in the overall revenue of Infosys and Cognizant has slipped by 1.4 percentage points and 3 percentage points, respectively. IT firms are diversifying into other domains to compensate for the shortfall in revenue from its traditional stronghold. The overall revenue of TCS grew 10 percent in the previous quarter, while its banking services wing posted only 4 percent growth year-on-year. Infosys and Cognizant posted robust growth of 6.8 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively, in the quarter ended June. But the share of banking and finance remains subdued at 2 percent for Infosys and 4.5 percent for Cognizant. It isnt that digitization of the financial sector has reached a saturation point. Large financial institutions are increasingly looking inwards to meet the demands of the marketplace. The COO of Infosys, UB Pravin Rao admitted as much when results for the previous quarter were announced. HCL Technologies revenue from the sector also dropped by 1.4 percentage points in the June quarter due to clients in-sourcing working. Both HCL and Infosys did not name clients. Bank of America, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, and UBS rank among the biggest customers of Indian IT service companies. Bank of America spends USD 5 billion annually, with Accenture, IBM, TCS, and Infosys among the major contractors. The software vendors contracted by Citibank include Wipro, TCS, NTT Data and HCL. Deutsche Bank is the biggest outsourcer of IT, with an annual spend of USD 6 billion, the spoils of which are shared by Infosys, Wipro, IBM, and DXC. Other foreign lenders like Credit Suisse, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) have set up shop in India for in-sourcing technology. Citibank had hived off its captive business in India in 2008, selling the dismantled unit to Wipro and TCS. But this has not stopped Citi from returning to India with a renewed mandated of cutting outsourcing costs by developing a tech ecosystem from scratch. Sources contacted by the Economic Times estimate that the New York-based bank employs 4,500 people in Pune, with plans to scale up operations by doubling employee count. In addition to Pune, Citi has facilities in Mumbai and Chennai, employing around 16,000 people in all. Recurring costs aside, banking firms are moving away from outsourcing to differentiate their brand offering. With nascent technological developments like blockchain and internet of Things (IoT) threatening to disrupt the financial services space, banks believe the time is right to ramp up operations and reinvent themselves as technology firms. Former COO of Deutsche Bank, Kim Hammonds, told Times of India in 2013 that almost 80 percent of the firms IT requirement was met by outsourcing. That figure has now come down to almost 50 percent. The Frankfurt-based bank has around 4,500 engineers on its rolls in India. Denmarks Danske Bank is another global financial player which has laid down roots in India to insource technology by leveraging the countrys human capital. Deval Shah, who heads the banks IT and support service centre in India, told the news daily that productivity tends to improve with insourcing. He added that IT staff of the parent company were likelier to pick up the intricacies of the business when compared to contractor hired on an ad hoc basis. Moreover, outsourcing companies are not drawn to creating alternate work flows involving automation as their earnings would dwindle. Service providers are billed for hours worked per employee on a full-time basis. A study undertaken by KPMG and IT research firm HFS Research found that only 30 percent of companies were willing to renew existing agreements with contractors. Among the firms polled, 44 percent said they would look to insource or change provider. Financial companies in-house centres are coming of age at the expense of third party contractors. But Indian IT firms do not believe this portends lean years in the future. Many firms including TCS have invested heavily in acquiring expertise in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Recently, TCS clinched a USD 2-billion deal with Transamerica in insurance, highlighting the fact that the tap has not been closed on revenue from the financial sector. However, revenue from banking has been gradually dwindling. The legal and technological compliance issues associated with Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has seen banks cutting down investment in IT, choosing instead to outsource work to third parties. The resurgence of orders from European banks represents a silver lining for Indian IT companies, however transitory. Giant 9-ton aluminium ingots are seen at the Rusal Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter outside the Siberian town of Sayanogorsk, Russia, March 15, 2017. Picture taken March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin - RTX3196N live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Rain Industries posted a robust Q2 with the key highlights being higher sales for calcined petroleum coke (CPC) and improved profitability of advanced carbon materials. While a strong end market remains a key catalyst for the companys earnings growth, lurking risk in terms of lower availability of green petcoke (GPC) in the medium term needs to be closely watched. Source: Company Net sales were up 44 percent year-on-year (YoY) in Q2 CY18 led by higher volume (12 percent YoY, 22 percent quarter-on-quarter) and CPC realisation. Shipments of CPC were delayed in the previous quarter due to pricing-related (pass-through of higher import duty) issues, so the quarter under review benefitted from inventory gain. Coal tar pitch (CTP) volumes declined 5 percent sequentially after increasing 10 percent in the previous quarter. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin declined sequentially on account of lower profitability for carbon and cement divisions, partially offset by improved EBITDA/tonne (15 percent QoQ) for the advanced carbon materials (ACM) division. Source: Company The managements focus is gradually shifting to additional growth levers: advanced carbon materials (18 percent of EBITDA). Recently, it hired a business head with 30 years' experience from BASF. As announced in Q1 CY18, its 30,000 tonne capacity (Castrop-Rauxel, Germany) expansion for water-white resins (Dicyclopentadiene) is on track by Q3 CY19. As far as other capacity expansion plans are concerned, coal tar distillation facility (Belgium) is on track and is expected to be commissioned by CY18-end. Similarly, the calcination plant (37,000 tonne) in Visakhapatnam is expected to be operational by Q3 CY19. Restart of aluminium capacity in the US remains a key near term driver of CPC volume growth. The restarts so far have been slower-than-expected due to technical constraints and lack of skilled labour.The Supreme Court recently ordered a ban on import and use of petcoke as fuel, exempting only a few industries. The management is hopeful that the CPC industry would get an exemption as petcoke usage is less polluting and is used only as feedstock (not as a fuel which is a more polluting usage). In the interim, it has sufficient inventory till September.Production of calcinable-grade GPC is expected to grow at a moderate level (2.1 percent compounded annual growth rate over CY17-21). The lower growth is mainly a function of worldwide trend, wherein refineries are shifting towards processing more sour crude, which results in production of lower quality GPC. This trend gets more weightage from regulation specified by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The regulation requires lower sulphur content in marine fuel starting 2020. In turn, refineries are now incentivised to process sour crude, negatively impacting production of good quality GPC. The management said the above development can lead to lower availability of calcinable-grade GPC (decline of 900,000 tonne). While this development is negative for the industry, the ray of hope lies in the company's advanced technology (Isotropic Coke Experiment and flue gas desulphurization), which helps it utilise lower grade GPC to produce high grade CPC. Source: Company Growth in aluminium production in the US (restarts) and Asia remains the key demand driver. Recently, GPC prices moderated, which would be helpful in stabilising carbon division margin. Improving margin profile for the advance carbon materials segment is a key variable to watch. We acknowledge the industry wide threat of MARPOL regulation. Even though the company is better placed to meet the challenge, it needs to be closely monitored. The stock is currently trading at a multiple of 6.4 times CY19e earnings, which in light of better end market prospects provides a decent opportunity to enter. Follow @anubhavsays The insurance regulator has asked companies to keep a simplified claims settlement procedure for Kerala flood victims and their kin. According to the Home Ministry's National Emergency Response Centre almost 247 lives have so far been lost. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has said the insurance companies should follow a procedure similar to the one used to settle claims after the Chennai floods in 2015. During the Chennai floods, insurance companies had done away with the practice of waiting for a death certificate in case a persons body was not found. Instead, a statement from a municipal body or a list of deceased from government hospitals was considered adequate for settling death claims. As per the general practice in the insurance industry, a company has to wait seven years before settling a death claim, in case a person is missing. After seven years, a person is presumed to be dead. Initiate immediate action to ensure that all reported claims are registered and eligible claims are settled expeditiously, said IRDAI. As a result of the heavy rains and floods, there are reports of loss of human lives and loss of belongings in the state of Kerala. In order to extend every possible facilitation in quick and timely settlement of life insurance claims, the regulator advised the following actions immediately > For cases where a surveyor is required to be appointed for verifying the claim, insurers should get claims surveyed immediately and ensure early disbursements. > All details related to claims settlements and special numbers for the policyholders should soon be displayed on the individual insurance company websites. The government has petitioned the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to water down the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework which imposes strict regulatory curbs on public sector banks to ensure their financial health. Cash-strapped banks have been struggling to expand their lending base on account of the central banks directive aimed at keeping their stressed assets in check. The RBI had tightened PCA norms last year, adding to stress in the sector. Banks bad loan provisioning rose after the regulators asset quality review in 2015-16. In February, the central bank issued a circular to the effect that it was tightening norms to be followed in identifying and stressed assets. The government wants the RBI to review all three aspects of the PCA framework, namely net non-performing assets, minimum capital requirement and profitability criteria. At present, it can impose sanctions on banks for not meeting either of these three clauses in the PCA. Under the regulatory framework, banks with a net NPA level exceeding 6 percent, two consecutive years of negative returns on assets, or those with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) below the minimum requirement, are liable to face sanctions curtailing their ability to issue fresh loans. The government wants banks showing profitability in a single year to be taken out of the PCA as opposed to the requirement of two consecutive years. It also wants banks that have already made full provisioning for bad assets to be removed from the ambit of PCA. Banks have already adhered to the RBIs February diktat, listing more bad loans as NPAs. Banks provision coverage ratio (PCR) for Q1 FY19 was 63.8 percent, over 6 percentage points higher than FY15 PCR of 57.5 percent. Banks were forced to report and provision more bad loans in the aftermath of the RBIs asset quality review in 2015. The PCR is defined as the proportion of stressed assets that have been provided for by banks. The Business Standard reports the government had sought relaxation of minimum capital norms for banks. The RBI requires banks to maintain a minimum level of capital with it, which is measured in terms of capital to risky assets ratio (CRAR) and the common equity tier (CET) 1. This ensures that banks do not lend all money they receive from depositors and acts as a buffer in the event of a run on the bank. The government is of the opinion that banks should be allowed to keep CET-1 at 4.5 percent of total risk-weighted assets (RWA), as opposed to the prevailing minimum requirement of 5.5 percent. According to Basel-III norms, the minimum CET-1 requirement is 4.5 percent of RWA. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released a report in 2010, prescribing measures to bolster the health of banks and diminish the possibility of bank failure induced by indiscriminate lending. It was formulated after the financial crisis of 2008, where many banks in the US went under. By moving to Basel-III, banks will have more leeway in lending and asset formation. The RBI has been gradually implementing Basel-III norms in phases, with the first tranche of reforms coming into effect on April. All Indian banks are expected to be Basel-III compliant by March next year. The government remains defiant that the worst is over for public sector banks. Banks recovered Rs 36,500 crore in Q1 FY19. By bringing state-run banks out of the PCA framework, they will be able to deliver modest growth in the coming fiscal. The PCA framework was first adopted in 2002, but was later updated in 2017. Under the old regime, the net NPA ratio had to be in excess of 10 percent to trigger the PCA. At present, even if the net non-performing asset (NPA) ratio breaches the six percent mark, PCA norms will be enforced. The next revision to the PCA framework is set to happen in 2020. State-run banks have fallen afoul of the PCA norms. Of the 21 public banks, 11 are under the PCA. These include Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, IDBI Bank, UCO Bank and Bank of Maharashtra. The RBI has put fresh lending restrictions on Dena Bank. By coming under the PCA, banks will be encumbered in adding new branches, dividend distribution and management compensation. If the situation deteriorates further, the RBI can ask weak banks to merge with others. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Lemon Tree Hotels rose 2 percent on Friday morning after the company signed a license agreement for a property at Vijayawada. The stock touched an intraday high of Rs 79.55 and an intraday low of Rs 78.50. The company signed a license agreement for a 90 room property at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh under the company's brand 'Red Fox Hotel'. The hotel is expected to be operational by June, 2020, it said in a filing to the exchanges. This is the second signed property of the Lemon Tree Hotels group in Vijayawada, the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh. Carnation Hotel Private Limited, the hotel management arm of the Company will be operating and marketing this property, it further added. The stock has gained over 7 percent in the past one month, while in the past three days, it rose a percent. At 10:15 hrs Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. was quoting at Rs 79.40, up Rs 1.40, or 1.79 percent, on the BSE. 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 Private equity firm Blackstone Group LP is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in the loyalty programme of Jet Airways. The stock has responded positively by nearly 8 percent in the hope that Jet Airways can be revived from what looked like a certain crash landing. But Naresh Goyal, the promoter, is running out of options to save the firm. The last time when Jet was in financial trouble, Goyal sold a 24 percent stake in the airline. This time he is selling a stake in Jet Privilege Pvt Ltd, which is valued at Rs 3,000-4,000 crore. However, media reports say that the deal is contingent on Jet securing funding for the airline operations. Getting a fresh line of credit from banks will be a tough task for a company that has postponed the release of its financial results. Few banks would be courageous enough to commit funding without looking at the damage, at least not until Goyal commits more money and improves the debt to equity ratio. The damage to Jets financial numbers seems to be severe. For instance, there were reports that pilots may have to take a pay cut but after a meeting with Goyal it was decided that no cuts would be announced. Now, Jet Privilege is the last card that Goyal is holding. Jet Airways owns a 49.9 percent in the loyalty programme. At its expected value of Rs 3,000 to 4,000 crore, Jet Privilege accounts for close to half the Rs 3,500-crore market capitalisation of Jet Airways. Etihad Airways has a 50.1 percent in Jet Privilege but holds only 24 percent stake in Jet Airways. A smaller stake in Jet Airways may well be because of Indian government policy of capping stakes for foreign airlines. But the fact that Etihad insisted on a higher stake in Jet Privilege implies the importance of the company. The 2017-18 annual report of Jet Airways points out that Jet Privilege membership has grown by 30 percent to 8 million. Its financial results are also robust. Jet Airways posted a consolidated profit of Rs 1,499 crore in FY17 and a loss of Rs 636.45 crore in FY18. Jet Privilege, on the other hand, posted a profit of Rs 106.63 crore in FY17 and a profit of Rs 177.35 crore in FY18. While Jet Airways posted a flat topline, Jet Privileges saw its income grow at nearly 16 percent to Rs 622.24 crore. The numbers show that Jet Privilege is sheltered from the volatilities of the airline industry which is exposed to the fluctuations of oil prices and exchange rates. The very nature of this business provides the shelter. Through the loyalty programme, frequent flyers acquire what is called air miles within Jet Airways or other partner airlines. Apart from flying, there is another way of acquiring these points/miles and that is through transacting with co-branded credit cards. The main partners of such programmes are banks, credit cards providers, car rental companies, hotels, and retailers. The air miles so accumulated can be exchanged for an air ticket or any other goods that can be bought using the credit card. Using loyalty programmes is fast becoming an important source of revenue for airline companies globally. According to an E&Y report, such programmes allow an airlines commercial partners to collect data on customers at reduced marketing costs, allowing them to optimize their marketing campaigns. Loyalty programmes have a variety of cash flows. One is from the gross margin on points redeemed which is the spread between the cost of points and the price for which they are sold to commercial partners. Secondly, they offer working capital benefits from interest earned on the cash received from the sale of points (an average of 10 months to 2.2 years before redemption of points). And finally, there is revenue from the breakage which is the expiration of unused points (which usually takes place 6 to 36 months after issue) which results in no reward on these points and no associated costs. In a price competitive market like India, these loyal customers are willing to let go of a cheaper airline ticket in order to accumulate more air miles in their frequent flier card. It is this loyalty that companies like to keep close to their chest. If the deal to sell a stake in Jet Privilege goes through, Jet Airways will get a lease of life for a few more months till it hits the next hurdle. Whats worse is that Jet Airways shareholders will have a lower stake in the cash cow business of the airline. The bigger problem is that Goyal is running out of options with fewer things to sell if the airline falls in trouble again. Even if Blackstone picks up a stake in Jet Privilege it will only act as an oxygen cylinder for a person on the ventilator. Every old and still thriving business empire has one thing in common. Adaptability and of course resilience and trustworthiness.This is Rakesh and on the Business of Family series that we have running on Digging Deeper with Moneycontrol, I will narrate the story of the TVS Group, Indias leading supplier of automotive components and one of the countrys most trusted brands with multiple companies covering diverse areas like two-wheeler and automotive component manufacturing to automotive dealerships, finance and electronics. Documentaries shot in pre-independence India and books written about the time mostly chronicle the use of vintage cars by Maharajas and of course the gora saabs . Patiala's Maharaja Bhupinder Singh for instance was infamous for having a fleet of more than two dozen Rolls Royce beauties for his exclusive use. For ordinary Indians, this kind of luxury was unthinkable though we use the term ordinary only in a limited sense because there was nothing ordinary about the multiple mass movements that created a ground swell big enough to oust the British. So yes, cars were not yet part of the unfurling Indian aspirations. There were other pressing matters like a crushing colonial rule to worry about. This was unlike the US for instance, where even in the roaring twenties, citizens had access to stylish and economical personal transport and even in fiction and cinema, cars had a role to play. The cars driven by Gatsby and Tom, the protagonists in Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby for instance represent power, ostentation and hedonism. Even cruelty. While Buster Keaton...the stunt star of the twenties often used cars as breathtaking plot devices. Ford and General Motors were already a part of American lexicon and lifestyle in the US and trying to scout newer markets. In the late twenties, General Motors began to look towards the East and scouted a south Indian company to become its franchisee. A fortuitous choice this because the scion of the Indian company, TS Duraisamy as legend has it, was an audacious sales genius. He would drive a gleaming Chevrolet to the zamindars, the prospective rich customers, leave the car behind for over a week or so just to give them a taste of convenience and luxury. By the time, he went back to reclaim his car, a sale was already in the bag as the customer, now used to a car could not imagine going back to a horse cart. The company also invited the moneyed customers to enjoy the benefits of an exchange offer where they could bring their horse-drawn carts and leave in a spanking new car. Not just that, after the car was sold, the dealership at TVS & Sons kept a check on its performance, complaints and offered quick servicing. Another pathbreaking move as early as in the 1940s was a doorstep mobile service facility! His father of course was the original pathbreaker. TS Duraisamy's father, TV Sundram Iyengar, by this time had already spent nearly 20 years in business after taking the route his family did not expect him to. Like most affluent young Indians, he was earmarked for a career in law but did not go down that road. He even quit two well-paying jobs in banking and railways and instead in 1911, pioneered a rural bus service in Madurai. The pioneer TV Sundram Iyengar was a visionary and in order to ensure that buses never got delayed, he customised vehicles by fitting magnets underneath so that punctures could be avoided. The magnets would clean up nails etc left behind by horse and bullock carts and ease the way for the buses. During the times of the second world war, in times of acute petrol scarcity, Sundram Iyengar envisioned the TVS Gas Plant and later on also started a factory for rubber retreading, and started the Madras Auto Service Ltd and Sundaram Motors. Sundram Iyengar had eight children and as was the case in families then and also is widely prevalent today, only the five male heirs were included in the business. After the early demise of one of the sons, the other four TS Rajam, TS Santhanam, TS Srinivasan and TS Krishna went on to thrive in their chosen directions under the sheltering sky of the TVS brand. In 1919, TVS forayed into vehicle sales, service and spare parts and in 1929, it bagged the dealership for General Motors. In 1954, Sundaram Finance was floated to finance buses and trucks and in 1960, the group set up Wheels India in Chennai, and started making car parts. In 1996, the group entered the logistics business. By 2011 when the company was a hundred years old, the TVS group was cradling 40 companies, with more than 25,000 employees and aggregate revenues of over $4 billion Further diversification A 2011 Business Today story pointed out how the group which was till 1960, engaged in service oriented areas like rural transport, car dealership, auto parts distribution, vehicle insurance, and auto finance - ventured into manufacturing with the second generation, consisting of T.S. Rajam, T.S. Krishna, T.S. Srinivasan and T.S. Santhanam. Wheels India was set up in 1960, followed by Sundaram Clayton, Brakes India and Lucas TVS. The third generation, according to the piece, focused on quality management and we go on to learn how the first three Indian companies to win the prestigious Deming prize, awarded by the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, were from the TVS group. TVS Motor also set up a factory in Indonesia, Sundram Fasteners started one in China, and bought companies in Germany and the UK. A highly ranked spokesperson of the company had said then memorably and we quote, "Our dharma is to... add value to the nation and to the stakeholders in it TVS Group went on to become one of India's largest diversified industrial conglomerates with a presence in 129 countries with 73 holding group companies. The largest and most visible subsidiary of course is TVS Motor Company, the third-largest two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturer in India. TVS Group, boasts group revenues of more than US$ 7.2 billion, an employee strength of over 60,000 and specialises in the manufacturing of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, auto-components, hardware electronics, high tensile fasteners, die casting products, brakes, wheels, tyres, axles, seating systems, corrosion management, fuel injection components, electronic and electrical components and many more. It also owns vehicle dealerships. Through the decades, the family has stayed connected as well as independent through four generations and multiple challenges. And has also stayed relatively controversy free. Even though an India Today report in 2012, spoke about dormant tensions over the fact that the posts of chairman, managing director, vice-chairman and joint managing director have always gone to the families of Santhanam and Rajam. There was also an appeal in 2012 to the Madras High Court to ask for a a postponement of the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), which would decide the top slots. However, the court dismissed the petition but the problems had erupted as early as in 1982 when the push and pull between various branches became apparent. The amicable split A 2014 report in FirstPost hailed the company for taking the dignified route and splitting without too much visible acrimony and drama. It spoke of how brothers Venu and Gopal Srinivasan of the TVS group parted ways by reorganising the businesses of holding company Sundaram Clayton. We quote from the report, "With the restructuring that happened, all automobile businesses came under Venu, while other investments related businesses went to Gopal. Sundaram Clayton had four arms with completely different business focuses-Anusha Investments, TVS Motor, TVS Investments, and Sundarama Investment. The operating companies have been separated to give management focus and enhance value for stakeholders." The group while keeping the family's interests in mind, has also taken professional help in running the businesses and is a good example of keeping the roots and the branches of the family tree healthy overall. The success rate according to observers has been steady because the largely conservative company uses capital judiciously and has consistently upheld global standards of quality in its manufacturing competencies. Add to this, a legacy of employee assessment based on merit and we can see why the group has succeeded where so many have failed. A 2007, archived article in outlookbusiness.com quoted one of the family members who said and we quote, "Too much centralisation is dangerous is every sphere. Thats true for family businesses, too. TVS has a decentralised set-up but centralised unity." This according to the piece was the ideal way forward for a scenario where there was not one but many leaders bound together by certain core values like quality parameters and employees wellbeing. Enduring Success Stories Every successful conglomerate has an emblematic service or product and the TVS moped is one such offering that inspires fierce loyalty in its small town customers who want value for money and reliability. In 2017, a Business Today article reported how in 2016, TVS XL touched the 10-million sales mark, underlining its role in country's rural economy that and we quote the piece here, " moves on TVS XL mopeds, as attested by faithful users." The company also appeals to a diverse demographic with an assortment of automobile options and this quality, says the article, has made TVS stand out in the highly-competitive Indian automobile market with its mopeds, scooters, bikes and auto-rickshaws. We quote, "This is reflected in the company's financials. Over the past three years, while TVSMC's revenue grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2 per cent, net profit grew at 27.8 per cent CAGR. TVSMC is now India's third-largest two-wheeler player, with around 14 per cent market share. Its stock is trading at its highest levels in the past 15 years. While at first glance, all this may seem not out of the ordinary, what TVSMC has achieved over the years is pretty impressive if we look at how challenging things were around 2001 when it had just ended its two-decade-old joint venture with Japan's Suzuki. That time, not many competitors, observers and analysts thought it would be able to do well after the break-up. That it thrived is all thanks to the leadership of Venu Srinivasan, the third-generation scion of the storied T.V. Sundaram Iyengar family." TVS ventured into the two wheeler space in 1978 and launched its first moped, the now legendary TVS 50, a couple of years later, says the article and recalls how in 1982, it joined hands with Suzuki for technology, and in 1984 entered the bike segment. Ind-Suzuki, bikes were trailblazing successes till the endeavour ran into labour trouble. The company was re-named TVS-Suzuki but the inevitable rupture in the partnership left the company floundering till it independently designed and released their first four-stroke bike, Victor. TVSMC has taken a number of steps over the past few years, says the Business Today article, to strengthen its product portfolio by launching Jupiter in the fast-growing scooter segment to challenge the dominance of Honda's Activa. In the premium segment, it launched RTR 200 to take on Bajaj's Pulsar range. In the commuter segment, it launched a refreshed Victor. We quote, "In 2013, TVS tied up with German major BMW to manufacture the latter's products at its Hosur facility. An industry analyst who did not want to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media says the arrangement with BMW will not only provide an additional revenue stream but also give TVS's portfolio of premium products an aspirational value. An improved product mix with greater emphasis on higher-margin scooters and bikes is what has helped the company do well in the marketplace." Succession planning The Business Today article, also outlines how the fourth generation is being trained to take over the business mantle. Venu Srinivasan's son Sudarshan Venu, joined as Joint Managing Director a few years ago. And Sudarshan has reportedly led the company's foray into real estate through a subsidiary. Its first two projects, says the piece, sold out in record time and have been delivered. Venu Srinivasan is also passionate about Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), which works in 4,000 villages, which helps more than 2.5 million people. He spends about 30 days a year in villages monitoring the SST's work. Says the article eloquently, "Even as Venu Srinivasan grooms his son to succeed, he leads TVSMC in battles amid intense competition with global players such as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, and local majors Hero, Bajaj and Mahindra. He, though, believes there is space for everybody to do well. For now, TVSMC is sitting pretty and getting ready to fight the next battle in its war for market dominance. " The family of pioneers continues to grow, leaving behind old milestones to move towards new ones. The family of pioneers continues to grow, leaving behind old milestones to move towards new ones, and in the process, giving India's rural middle-class wheels, to fly on. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vedanta welcomed the Supreme Court's refusal to entertain Tamil Nadu government's plea against the NGT's order allowing the mining major's access to the administrative unit inside its closed Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin and said its appeal is already scheduled for hearing before the National Green Tribunal on Monday. "We welcome the Honourable Supreme Court's decision directing that both the maintainability and merit of our case should be heard and decided by the National Green Tribunal. Our appeal is already scheduled for hearing before the National Green Tribunal on August 20th 2018," Vedanta's Sterlite Copper said in a statement. The apex court today asked the NGT to "finally decide" the matter. A bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra said that the NGT would hear the matter on merits and also on the issue of maintainability raised by the state government. "We may clarify that NGT may continue to hear the matter on merits and finally decide the matter on maintainability also. It is open for the state to argue on maintainability after which the tribunal will give its findings," the bench said. The green tribunal had on August 9 allowed Vedanta to enter its administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant, observing that no environmental damage would be caused by allowing access to the administrative section. The state government had challenged the NGT's order in the apex court. Sterlite's factory had made headlines in March 2013 when a gas leak led to the death of one person and injuries to several others, after which then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had ordered its closure. The company had appealed to the NGT which had overturned the government's order. The state had moved the Supreme Court against it and the case is still pending. The Supreme Court had then ordered the company to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for polluting the environment. Following the latest protests and police firing, the plant was closed on March 27. After Sterlite announced its plans to expand Tuticorin plant, villagers around it started fresh protests that continued for over 100 days, culminating in the May 22 police firing on protestors that claimed 13 lives and left scores injured. A bushel of soybeans are shown on display in the Monsanto research facility in Creve Coeur, Missouri, July 28, 2014. Monsanto engineers designed a chipper to shave a tiny tissue sample off a seed to analyze the seed's genetics. If the sample is positive for desirable genetic traits, the seed is still viable so a breeder can plant it in a field test and use it in the breeding process to create more seeds of its kind. Picture taken July 28, 2014. 20 of 25 Monsanto Stand Alone Picture Package. REUTERS/Tom Gannam (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AGRICULTURE) - RTR42TJN Angel Commodities' report on Soybean NCDEX Oct Soybean edged higher on Thursday mainly on fresh buying initiated by the market participants on good meal exports. Government has increased the e xport incentives on soymeal to 10% of the free - on - board value from the current 7% till Mar 31. According to the latest report by the Soybean Processors' Association of India, India's soymeal exports rose 12% on year to 102,000 tn in July. Soymeal exports i n August are expected to double on year to over 100,000 tn due to robust demand from European countries. There was strong demand from Bangladesh, France and Israel boosting export of the oilmeal. The area under soybean in the country increased by 9 % at 11.1 lakh ha as of last week compared to last year sowing, according to data released by the farm ministry. Outlook Soybean futures are expected to trade sideways to higher due to higher crushing demand due to increase the incentives for soy meal exports. However, expectation of good area this season due to forecast of normal rains is keeping the prices under pressure. For all commodities report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies 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. Read More Toyota Valuation: $53.4 billion Change in valuation: 6 percent Change in rank: 0 Japan's Toyota Motor Corp will build additional capacity at its auto plant in China's Guangzhou, a company source said, in addition to beefing up production at a factory in Tianjin city by 120,000 vehicles a year. A person close to the company said Toyota will build capacity at the production hub in the south China city of Guangzhou to also produce an additional 120,000 vehicles a year, an increase of 24 percent over current capacity. Altogether, between the eastern port city of Tianjin and Guangzhou, Toyota will boost its overall manufacturing capacity by 240,000 vehicles a year, or by about 20 percent. Toyota's production capacity in China is 1.16 million vehicles a year. Toyota plans to build additional capacity in Tianjin to produce 10,000 all-electric battery cars and 110,000 plug-in hybrid electric cars a year. China has said it would remove foreign ownership caps for companies making fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2018, for makers of commercial vehicles in 2020, and the wider car market by 2022. Beijing also has been pushing automakers to produce and sell more electric vehicles through purchase subsidies and production quotas for such green cars. Toyota's planned additional capacity in Guangzhou is also for electrified vehicles, said the company source, who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the matter. The source did not say how much the additional capacity would cost. The Tianjin expansion is likely to cost $257 million, according to a government website. The planned capacity expansions in Guangzhou and Tianjin are part of a medium-term strategy of the Japanese automaker that aims to increase sales in China to two million vehicles per year, a jump of over 50 percent, by the early 2020s, according to four company insiders with knowledge of the matter. The plans signal Toyota willingness to start adding significant manufacturing capacity in China with the possibility of one or two new assembly plants in the world biggest auto market, the sources said. Car imports could also increase, they said. In addition to boosting manufacturing capacity, Toyota also plans to significantly expand its sales networks and focus more on electric car technologies as part of the strategy, the sources said, declining to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. Ride-hailing giant Uber has reiterated its commitment to India's high potential market, according to a report by The Economic Times. Speaking to investors during the second quarter results announcement, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the company is cementing its leadership position in India and the Middle East. According to the report, Khosrowshahi said that the ride-hailing company had another great financial quarter and continues to expand at an impressive rate. Going forward, Uber will be investing in the future of its platform and in big bets such as Uber Eats, Express Pool, e-bikes and scooters, Khosrowshahi said. The report adds that Uber will be investing further in its emerging businesses like freight and high-potential markets in India and the Middle East. After selling its operations in South Asia to rival Grab, Uber has been exiting unprofitable markets such as China and Russia to focus on profitable ones like the US, the report suggests. The report suggests, citing people aware of the matter, that Uber's exit from other markets such as South Asia, China and Russia, has helped the California-based company in investing into the markets where it believes it can win. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected Kotak Mahindra Banks proposal to dilute promoter holding through an issue of non-convertible perpetual non-cumulative preference share (PNCPS). Kotaks move has triggered a debate, which pivots on two issues. First, whether Kotak did the right thing. Second, whether the RBI policy on ownership of banks is irrational and flawed and needs a relook. The focus of this essay is on second issue. Hopefully, the analysis will also answer the first issue. As a regulator, the RBI has the job to ensure that a banks stakeholders are not put to risk, the bank is not spreading systemic risk, and its following all regulations. It is through this lens we will analyse the RBI policy. Does concentration of ownership have anything to do with risks and governance? There is no empirical data to establish any causality between risk and governance failure with ownership. Presently with voting rights capped at 26 percent, higher ownership is better as economic risks are higher based on actual ownership. Further, non-promoters get disproportionately higher voting rights. In Kotaks case, promoters are holding 30 percent but can vote only on 26 percent. Therefore, any ownership-related risk of management is automatically taken care by capping voting rights. Board appointments are almost controlled by the RBI and Kotak has only one promoter director on the Board compared to three each in Axis Bank, Laxmi Vilas Bank and Karur Vysya Bank, and two each in HDFC Bank and IndusInd Bank. The last failure of a bank was Global Trust Bank (GTB) in 2004. Now, 14 years later, we are much smarter, better regulated and better informed. In GTB, the promoters had almost 40 percent equity in 1999. There was no regulation then to dilute, yet the promoters were selling shares and their stake came down to almost 20 percent in 2004, when the bank failed. Therefore, it was not high ownership which caused failure, but dilution of equity which preceded failure. That was the red signal which the RBI and everyone missed. Despite a reduction in equity, the promoters wielded disproportionate board control and pursued other businesses where potential conflict of interest could have existed. Conflict of interest Conflict in any form is the first source of governance failure and increased risk. Conflict emanates from varied business interests and where one tries to advance the interests of one business at the cost of other. In the case of Bank of Rajasthan (BOR), there were allegations that promoter-related entities were beneficiaries of bank credit from the lender. In the case of Kotak, as per publicly available information, its promoter Uday Kotak does not have any other business. If the Kotak promoters are forced to dilute equity, one will be forcing a conflict of interest situation. At current prices, if Kotak promoters sell 15 percent equity, they will net Rs 37,000 crore. Wherever, they deploy this money, it will create conflict for the current business. Not only that, it is likely that the banks premium valuation will be lost as the market sees reduced interest of promoters with added conflict. That makes the bank a shade riskier and something, which the RBI surely doesnt want. Dilution of equity Apart from a secondary sale, the promoter equity can be diluted by a fresh issue of equity and acquisitions. Both are neither practical nor going to be value accretive to stakeholders and might result in greater risks. If the fresh equity route is raised, at current market prices, the bank will raise around Rs 2.47 lakh-crore, increasing its net worth to Rs 2.84 lakh-crore, an almost eight times jump from its present net worth, overtaking HDFC Bank and the State Bank of India (SBI). It will catapult its capital adequacy ratio from 18.22 percent to more than 100 percent. This route has multiple problems. First, which investor has this kind of money? Note that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) data shows that total funds mobilised through public issue, rights issue, qualified institutional placements (QIPs) and preferential offer in 2017-18 were less than Rs 2.25 lakh-crore. Can Kotak make that kind of issue? Not unless it chooses to sell it to an international bank. That too appears difficult in current scenario. With a sudden influx of huge capital, its return ratios will be depressed, causing more risk to shareholders. The other way to reduce promoter equity is to merge or acquire other banks. In such a case, it will have to either merge with all three of ICICI, RBL and Karur or Axis and Yes Bank, or merge with all private sector banks excluding HDFC, ICICI, Axis and IndusInd. Such a route is neither practical, nor will it create value for shareholders. Governance metrics Bank Contingent Liabilities/ Networth Ratio Tier-I CRAR Axis Bank 11.58 13.04% ICICI Bank 12.62 15.92% Yes Bank 22.58 13.20% HDFC Bank 8.23 13.20% Kotak Mahindra 5.47 17.56% SBI 5.30 10.02% Good governance is the sum total of countless actions. At the end, it is reflected in the perception of stakeholders, and financial and operational results. It is here that Kotak scores over its peers. It commands the highest price-earnings ratio, one of the lowest bad loans ratio, a very high tier-I capital to risk assets ratio and one of the lowest contingent liability to net worth ratio. It has had no regulatory action against it which can put it in a risky category. Therefore, what objective does the dilution of promoters equity will achieve? Form over substance Regulations must be framed to achieve desired objectives and implementation must result in their achievement. Many a times, regulations do not keep pace with changing times and at the end become counterproductive. That appears to be the case here. Since the law is there, it has to be implemented. However, a forced dilution is certainly going to be counterproductive and will cause loss to stakeholders and elevate risks to an otherwise efficient bank. Unfair dictate In this context, it is important to trace the history of Kotak Bank and ownership norms. When the bank was applied for license under the 2001 guidelines, it was required to have minimum 40 percent promoters equity. Holdings over 40 percent were to be diluted in a year. In 2002, the guidelines changed, and the maximum promoter limit was increased to 49 percent in line with FDI norms and to create a level playing field. The licence condition allowed promoters to hold 49 percent equity. Thereafter, post the GTB crisis, in 2005, the policy changed and required dilution to 10 percent. However, the RBI would permit a higher level of equity taking into account licencing condition, which in the case of Kotak was a minimum 40 percent. This lower limit of 10 percent in all likelihood was linked to maximum voting rights capped at 10 percent as per the Banking Regulation Act. This kneejerk reaction post the GTB crisis linked failure to higher promoter equity. In 2016, the RBI capped individual promoter holding to 15 percent, however, the RBI could permit higher holding in certain scenarios. Well-diversified holding companies are allowed 40 percent. In 2016, on-tap licensing allowed reduction of an individual promoters equity to 15 percent in 15 years. Between 2013- 2016, the voting rights cap increased from 10 percent to 26 percent in phased manner for fit and proper persons. With voting rights increased to 26 percent there is no rationale to keep holding limit to 15 percent. It must also be questioned why a non-operating financial holding company structure is better when you cannot hold an individual accountable. Ownership norms have been volatile. When Kotak started, it required a minimum 40 percent promoter shareholding. All over regulations are grandfathered, especially licencing conditions. Should the RBI not allow it, in all fairness, 40 percent promoters equity as it was a licensing condition? Unless of course, the RBI can demonstrate in a cogent manner, the logic for reduction and risks that higher equity may cause to the bank, its stakeholders, and system. Regulations cannot be made for individual cases but individual cases can be examined as well. Regulatory arbitrage The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) wants minimum 50 percent to be held by a promoter in an insurance company, and the SEBI allows 100 percent ownership in mutual fund asset management companies (AMCs). It is only in stock exchanges, that a single owner is not allowed to hold over 5 percent equity, as they are public utilities and are not commercial enterprise like banks. In non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), which are also large financial institutions, promoters can hold any amount of equity. The SEBI takeover code recognises control only after 25 percent or majority in the board of directors. Insurance is much longer-term product than mutual funds (MFs) or banking products. If the control risk requirement is 50 percent promoter holding in insurance, what is the logic for banks to limit to 15 percent? In the latest guidelines, a well-diversified holding company can have 40 percent in bank. Practically, even well-diversified companies are eventually controlled by their largest shareholders; hence, such a holding structure encourages disproportionate control compared to financial risks that an individual takes. There are NBFCs whose market cap is more that Rs 1 lakh-crore, yet they are not converting to a bank. Why? The answer is obvious. No one wants to let go of a successful creation. Conclusion In the case of Kotak, there are no signs of governance failure or ill-effects of high promoter holding. On the contrary, looking at the negative impact of dilution, loss to stakeholders, increased risk etc., there appears to be no case for forced dilution, unless the RBI wants to prove its supremacy as regulator. The current ownership norms are irrational, dated, arbitrary, discretionary and violates the original licensing conditions. If implemented, they will cause losses to all stakeholders, force a conflict of interest situation and may result in a successful institution becoming foreign owned or losing value due to regulatory action. (The author is the co-founder and managing director of Stakeholder Empowerment Services and a former executive director at SEBI. Views are personal.) Rescuers evacuate people from a flooded area to a safer place in Aluva in the southern state of Kerala, India, August 18, 2018. REUTERS/Sivaram V - RC1F24AC0630 The death toll in Kerala, as a result of rains after August 8th, has risen to 197. Torrential rains have not only flooded the southern state but have also triggered landslides at multiple locations. Many districts are on high alert. Orange alert has been issued in 10 districts and 2 districts are on Yellow alert. Flight operations from Kochi airport have been suspended till August 26 as the airport has also been flooded. Rescue operations are underway in across the state and the Centre has deployed 58 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help stranded individuals. Many people had to be airlifted from the roofs of their own homes. Alert: People in the low lying areas along Chalakudy river and its tributaries are requested to move to higher locations as a precautionary measure. All stranded people are being attended by the forces in maximum capacity. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/6QWiTj2Guc CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018 People in need of rescue, food, water, and medicine can register on the Kerala Rescue site. The state's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has put out the numbers of all district rescue helplines on his Twitter handle, and has called for contributions to the state's relief fund. Here is how you can help donate to help the state out. You can directly donate using the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) portal or the Government of Kerala portal. Entering the details will give you an option to pay using debit/credit cards while donations through online wallets can be done using the CMDRF portal. These are the details for making a donation through bank transfer: Bank: State Bank of India (SBI) Account Number: 67319948232 Branch: City Branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFSC: SBIN0070028 PAN: AAAGD0584M Account Type: Savings SWIFT Code: SBININBBT08 Name of Donee: Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund Address: Govt of Kerala District: Thiruvananthapuram State: Kerala Pin Code: 695001 Here are several other ways you can do your bit in helping Kerala in this moment of struggle: Atal Bihari Vajpayee China today paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as an outstanding politician who made path-breaking contributions to the development of bilateral relations. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died yesterday at the age of 93 in New Delhi. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Vajpayee is an outstanding politician in India and has made path-breaking contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations". The Chinese side expressed deep condolences over his death to the Indian government and people and to the relatives of Vajpayee, the ministry said in a statement. Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message, the ministry said. Vajpayee visited China in 2003 during which the two countries set up the Special Representative mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute. August 17, 2018 / 08:34 PM IST China on Friday paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as an outstanding politician who made path-breaking contributions to the development of bilateral relations. Vajpayee is an outstanding politician in India and has made path-breaking contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The Chinese side expressed deep condolences over his death to the Indian government and people and to the relatives of Vajpayee, the ministry said in the statement to PTI. Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message, the ministry said. Vajpayee visited China in 2003 during which the two countries set up the Special Representative mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute. Kerala is no stranger to heavy rainfall during monsoon, but incessant rains in the past couple of weeks has caused massive flooding across the state. The deluge has claimed over 200 lives, and rendered hundreds of thousands homeless. More than 1,50,000 people are currently lodged in relief camps, while 444 villages have been declared flood-hit. The total damage to property due to the devastation caused has been pegged at Rs 8,316 crore. Incessant rainfall over the past few days has exacerbated the situation, but doubts linger as to whether the floods this year are a natural calamity or a disaster induced by indiscriminate development. Indias western coast has received above-average rainfall on account of sustained low-pressure conditions. However, other factors such as a change in land use patterns and climate change could have contributed to the situation on the ground. Experts believe that injudicious use of land is responsible for making some regions of the state more prone to floods and landslides. Incursions into catchment areas of rivers that have dried up and mountainous areas have rendered settlements in their vicinity vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. Further, Kerala is yet to implement recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on conservation of Western Ghats, which was submitted in August 2011. Many political parties had protested against the report on the grounds that it was excessively environment-friendly, and not in tune with ground realities. The committee prescribed the cessation of intrusive activities in ecologically sensitive areas, a move that could affect the livelihood of many upcountry people. The Institute of Tropical Meteorology analysed rainfall data dating back to 1900s and held global warming responsible for an increase in the intensity of rainfall during monsoon. A study undertaken by IIT Bombay found deforestation culpable for growing ferocity of each successive monsoon. The Gadgil Committee was set up by the Centre in 2010 over concerns that human intervention was changing the face of the Western Ghats, the mountain range responsible for breaking down cloud formations and dissipating rainfall. However, another committee was constituted under the leadership of former ISRO director Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, after all six states in the Ghat objected to the previous committee's recommendations. The broader contours of the Western Ghats span across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat. The second committee took a lenient view towards the problems of those living in the hills. The zones considered for the study were reclassified and the land labelled as ecologically sensitive was reduced to 64 percent from 37 percent. Even then, state governments protested saying that those who have called the forest their home for generations would have to be evicted and resettled if the recommendations were implemented. As far as conditions in the Western Ghat are considered, low pressure over the Arabian Sea draws in southwesterly winds which result in rainfall once they hit the ghats. Two such instances happened on August 7 and 14, resulting in torrential rains in Kerala and large parts of the Konkan coast. It resulted in 7,158 mm of rainfall roughly 46 percent of the total rainfall recorded in other parts of the country since the onset of monsoons. As of August 16, Kerala received 2,191 mm of rainfall, the highest in the last five years. Despite the closure of the monsoon season being far off, the state has already recorded 30 percent excess rainfall over the long-term average of the past 50 years. Idukki district, which is home to the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams, received 70 percent excess rain. Low lying Ernakulam district had received 21 percent excess rain, enough to cause cancellation of flights from Kochi airport. Kerala is the only state that has recorded excess rainfall this season. On average, the state received 37 percent excess rains. Manipur is the only other state with a below par monsoon, with a deficit of 66 percent. The formation of a low pressure system in the Arabian Sea over Lakshadweep could move towards mainland, leading to precipitation. More rain is forecast in the coming days. Atal Bihari Vajpayee | On August 16, India's most revolutionary politician and its first non-Congress prime minister breathed his last after prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was 93, is known for the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted in 1998, which made India a nuclear-armed nation. Pakistan's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan today expressed condolences over the demise of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying his efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered. Khan said in a statement that Vajpayee was a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and his death has created a big void. Vajpayee died aged 93 in New Delhi on August 16. ALSO READ: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dies at 93 "Efforts of Mr Vajpayee for improvement in relations between Pakistan and India will be remembered forever," said Khan. He said Vajpayee started efforts for improving Indo-Pak ties and continued them after becoming prime minister. "As Foreign Minister Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to new heights after assuming the office of prime minister," the statement read. Catch the LIVE updates on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final procession here. Khan said, "I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief". He further said that by creating peace between the two countries, "we can truly recognise the service of Vajpayee". Khan said both countries have just celebrated their independence and there is also a desire for peace on both sides of the border despite political differences. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Pakistan paid tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hailing him as a "statesman" after he passed away, aged 93. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokesman said in a statement that "we have learnt with sadness the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee". Catch the LIVE updates on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final procession here. "Mr Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development," the spokesman said. ALSO READ: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dies at 93 He said the government and people of Pakistan extend their "heartfelt condolences" to Vajpayee's family and to the government and people of India. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has donated Rs 30 lakh to the relief fund for Kerala flood victims. In a circular issued by the SCBA, it also called up on its members to contribute "generously" towards 'SCBA Calamity Relief Fund' that has been set up for this purpose. It said a corpus of about Rs 30 lakh lying in the account shall be transferred for Kerala flood relief operations. "The SCBA, as always, must come forward not only to express its solidarity with the people of Kerala in times of this crisis, but also provide help to bring some relief in mitigating the miseries of millions," the circular undersigned by SCBA secretary Vikrant Yadav said. Catch the LIVE updates on the flood situation in Kerala here. The bar body of the apex court said the calamity had struck Kerala in enormous proportions. It said the state has completely come to a halt and people are deprived of their basic needs such as food, water, shelter and electricity. "I request all members of the Supreme Court Bar Association to contribute generously to help our brethren suffering overwhelming and insurmountable difficulties on account of incessant floods," Yadav said in the circular. There has been no let-up in the torrential rains in the southern state which have claimed 97 lives since August 8. Thousands of people gathered outside the BJP headquarters today and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the poet-politician who wove together pragmatism and a vision for an inclusive India. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after prolonged illness. The young and old, men and women, some with children, jostled outside the gates of the BJP headquarters, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader before the state funeral at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna later in the day. Catch the LIVE updates on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final procession here. Inside, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders. The air was solemn as Vajpayee's body, draped in the tricolour, was placed on a platform draped in white flowers. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee a BJP flag on either side in the backdrop. ALSO READ: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 13-day term: The shortest PM stint in India's history - Opposition leaders like CPI's D Raja and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury were among those who visited the BJP headquarters to pay their respects. Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office. A decorated gun carriage carrying his mortal remains left his home on Krishna Menon Marg around 10 am and reached the party's headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, about five kilometres away, around 11 am. The funeral procession will leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. The funeral procession will go through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti van before reaching Smriti Sthal, Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet. Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP's right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. SLIDESHOW Atal Bihari Vajpayee's life in pictures: A poet, a visionary and an inspiring leader His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. In view of the funeral procession, several roads in the national capital have been closed for the public later in the day. Some roads closed from 8 am include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. SLIDESHOW RIP Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Memorable quotes of the visionary prime minister DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. Atal Bihari Vajpayee | On August 16, India's most revolutionary politician and its first non-Congress prime minister breathed his last after prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was 93, is known for the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted in 1998, which made India a nuclear-armed nation. The US, Russia and Japan condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders, who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died here today at the age of 93. The American Embassy here, in a statement, said the US grieves with India on the loss of the former prime minister. "He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations. During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as 'natural allies'," it said. ALSO READ: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dies at 93 The US mission in India extends its deepest condolences to the family of Vajpayee and the citizens of India, it said. Ambassador of Russia to India Nikolay Kudashev said, "We mourn the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a great statesman". Vajpayee's name became an integral part of a whole era in Indian politics, the envoy said. "His devoted service to the nation can hardly be overestimated. Vajpayee enjoyed due respect in India and globally. We knew him also as a poet, a man of knowledge and a true friend of our country, where he is well-known as one of the architects of our long-lasting and time-tested privileged strategic partnership," Kudashev said. ALSO READ: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 13-day term: The shortest PM stint in India's history - Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee". Hailing Vajpayee as one of the most inspiring world leaders, the envoy said the upswing in India-Japan relations was only possible by the initiatives started by the former Indian prime minister. Catch the LIVE updates on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final procession here. "The demise of such a great leader is a great loss not only to India but also to Japan and other parts of Asia as well as the entire international community," he said. lok sabha, Parliament ,session Of the total Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP)s, 30 percent (175) participated in less than 20 debates and raised very few questions since the 16th Lok Sabha, constituted in 2014. An analysis of the performance of MPs shows that 25 MPs have neither participated in any debate nor raised a single question so far. The report in The Times of India used data from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research. The analysis has considered only the MPs who have been there since 2014, and excludes the ones elected in bypolls. These 175 MPs include some senior politicians from all parties and yesteryear film personalities, as well as first-time MPs. The average attendance of these MPs is 73 percent as against the overall average of 80 percent. Generally an MPs performance cannot be decided based only on their participation in debates or raising questions as they may be doing good work in their constituencies, said Jagdeep Chokkar, the founder of Association of Democratic Reforms. However, he further stressed that the MP has to be present when the house is in session, so if the attendance is below 50 percent, the MP is not really representing the people who voted for him/her. Vitthalbhai Hansrajbhai Radadiya, BJP MP from Porbandar in Gujarat has has never participated in any debate or raised any question. In fact, his attendance is only 15 percent. While Hemendra Chandra Singh, a Biju Janata Dal MP from Kandhamal has maintained an attendance at 97 percent, but has never participated in any debate or raised a question. Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The former Prime Minister and a BJP stalwart passed away in August, 2018. Although out of active politics for some time now, Vajpayee was a 12-time Parliamentarian. Shiv Visvanathan Each death is a summon to memory, where narratives flow around you. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees death, his quiet farewell to a nation was poignant because it was not the politician but the person who mattered. When you remembered Vajpayee, you did not raise a flag or shout a slogan. At the most, you recite a poem, echoing a few stanzas, because this man brought poetics to politics. He was a style, an aesthetic at a time few people achieved an aesthetics in politics. Historically and psychologically, no two leaders could have been more apart and more complementary than Lal Krishna Advani and Vajpayee. Advani is a puritan, a Spartan. He reminds one of a piece of geometry in his integrity. But he lacks humour, a sense of frailty. Vajpayee that way was more vulnerable, more open to desire and to mistakes. As a result, he was more tolerant, more open. The sense of the bohemian in him made him more likeable. It added a sense of tolerance. While one watches Advani, one senses a bit of the unforgiving. Advanis ethics is like a chartered accountant. Its precise. Vajpayees aesthetic was like an impressionist, built stroke by stroke. When Advani said he loved movies, he sounded like a headmaster evaluating a tutorial. When Vajpayee claimed he loves a poem, one wanted to recite it with him. Yet the aesthete and the ascetic built the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the party we know. Narendra Modi is secondary to building the BJP. Advani and Vajpayee could survive in potential wilderness, Vajpayee was more relaxed and tolerant realising with a poets wisdom that eventually power does not last. Modi, on the other hand, needs a certainty of power to be Modi. Modi loves power, Vajpayee loved life and that is why their legacies will be different. Vajpayee loved words. When he wrote a poem he celebrated language, desire and life. When Modi wrote a poem, it was a dutiful shakha exercise. Vajpayee, in that sense was the last of the aesthetics, who loved life and language. He worked out of a celebration of life and in that sense he was not a complete chauvinist. In fact, at one level one is tempted to compare him with another giant figure who died last week M Kurunanidhi. Karunanidhi wedded films and politics to create a great movement. Vajpayee added poetry, language and politics to create a union of a party. Each gave to his language a sense of life, of cosmopolitanism which they thrived on. But Vajpayee had something few politicians had an easy sense of charisma. A Vajpayee for all his ideological inclinations could convey doubt, regret, and enact an apology. His ideology could not overwhelm his personality. When most politicians share persona, public masks, Vajpayee remained an endearing person. When one thinks of a Modi or Advani, one thinks of duty. When one thinks of Vajpayee one thinks of desire. He was probably the only BJP man who had a sense of the erotic, who enjoyed life, had a sense of laughter, could be himself outside and inside power. One senses few politicians who could match him on that. He was easy with his body and its frailties. That ease described his life and politics. He was not like his colleagues living life through an ideological foot rules. For friendship, enjoyment, sharing a drink went beyond straitjacket. If anyone humanised the BJP and prevented it from projecting itself as a robotics club it was Vajpayee. His shakha was a poets soiree. He could talk of love, when others breathed the brimstone of patriotism. But this does not mean he loved his country less; just that he loved it differently. I remember people talking of Vajpayee during the Emergency. Even his opponents sensed that there was a politician both human and humane. In that sense he was also a bit confusing. One had to naively ask, what was a fun-loving man doing in a cart load of ideologues. Vajpayee himself must have seen the irony and paradox, laughed over it as he shared a drink and celebrated memories. He was a gentleman. He used wit not like the bully boys heckling we see today. He would ensure that Sonia Gandhi would always be treated with respect and grace, something which todays leaders would never understand. It was a gracefulness, an old world aesthetics that todays electoral politic could never condone. His decency was more than skin deep. He looked at Pakistan as a friendship to be recovered. I think his finest moment was after the Gujarat riots when he asked Modi to follow Raj Dharma after the violence. Modi recoiled and in that capsule encounter lies the history of Indian politics since 2000. Vajpayee moves to oblivion. With his passing away, the BJP has lost a touch of magic and decency. (Shiv Visvanathan is professor, Jindal Global Law School and director, Centre for Study of Knowledge Systems, OP Jindal Global University. The views expressed are personal.) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 after battling a prolonged illness. He was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and considered by some as the moderate face of the party. Vajpayee breathed his last at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, former deputy prime minister and close friend of the former PM LK Advani were among those who paid their respects to Vajpayee. Vajpayee will be remembered for three things primarily - a string of economic reforms during the NDAs term between 1999 and 2004; the nuclear programme that culminated in the test at Pokhran in 1998, and his role in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. Some also credit him for his deft handling of the troubled relationship with Pakistan and managing very demanding allies in a complex ruling coalition. Not to forget his excellent oratory and his penchant for poetry. Vajpayee first became Indias Prime Minister in 1996, serving in office from May 16, 1996 to June 1, 1996, then again between 1998 and 1999. His government was famously brought down after a no-confidence vote. He then won the elections was back in power as PM and served a full term from 1999 to 2004. As of 2018, he is the only non-Congress Prime Minister to successfully complete a full term in office. Lets talk about what will be his enduring legacy - the economic decisions that led to a decade of growth. Vajpayee took five very significant steps that changed the way India functioned. Firstly, telecom reforms. Today, India has ~980 million active wireless phone users. The credit for this goes to Vajpayees leadership. In 1999, his government decided it was time to end state monopoly by entities like BSNL and introduced a new telecom policy where a revenue-sharing regime was started. This paved the way for lower call rates as well as affordable mobile phones, and an overall revolution in communication in India. The second is disinvestment. Vajpayee had set up a separate department for disinvestment as early as 1999. During his term, large disinvestment initiatives including that of Bharat Aluminium Company, or BALCO, Hindustan Zinc as well as Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited were initiated. The insurance sector, which was dominated by state-owned entities in both life and general insurance segments, was privatised to allow private players to set up insurance companies. Foreign direct investment of up to 26 percent was permitted which led to several global insurance companies starting businesses in India. Insurance Laws have now been amended under Narendra Modi, which allow foreign shareholders to hold up to a 49 percent stake in Indian insurance companies. Number three was the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, a mission to provide free and compulsory education to all children between ages 6 and 14. The objective of the scheme was to reduce dropouts and increase net enrolment ratio at the primary school level. A song, School Chale Hum, penned by Vajpayee himself, was used to promote his scheme. Once it was implemented, the rate of dropouts reportedly reduced from almost 40 percent in 2000 to under 10 percent in 2005. The fourth significant economic policy that the Vajpayee era brought was the Fiscal Responsibility Act. His government passed the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act in 2003. It set targets to reduce fiscal deficits and boost savings in the public sector. While there were several amendments made to the Act, it was Vajpayee who brought forth the idea of keeping fiscal deficit under check at 3 percent of GDP. And five, the GST. Well, not GST as we have it today, but a precursor. Vajpayee was the first to talk about a common tax structure for goods and services across the country. In 2000, his government set up a committee to design the backbone of the GST model and ensure that the technology back-end was put into place. However, predictably, due to lack of consensus among the coalition partners, as well as various state governments, the reform was delayed. Vajpayee also had an eventful political life before becoming prime minister at age 75. He was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior to a schoolteacher and poet, Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, and his wife Krishna Devi. Atal Bihari graduated from Victoria College with distinction in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit and earned his M.A. in Political science from DAV College, Kanpur. Vajpayees involvement in politics began early - as a freedom fighter during the Quit India Movement. He and his older brother Prem were jailed for 23 days during the movement and released after submitting a written undertaking that they would not participate in the anti-British struggle, a promise that the brothers kept. Vajpayee joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and became a full-time worker for the organisation after quitting law studies. He later joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Balrampur in UP in 1957. Vajpayee was an excellent orator and his stature grew in politics. He was jailed along with longtime friend and ally LK Advani during the 1975 emergency by Indira Gandhi. His only served to increase his stature. After the emergency, the Janata party formed the government with Morarji Desai as Prime Minister. Vajpayee was made Minister of External Affairs in that government. He also played a crucial role in the formation of the BJP and became its first president in 1980. This was the start of a seminal chapter in Vajpayees life one that would culminate in him becoming prime minister 16 years later. Initially though, Vajpayee led the BJP through a string of defeats for more than a decade. In 1992, as the Ram Janmabhoomi crisis reached a crescendo, Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed a gathering of RSS workers at in Lucknow on December 5, 1992 a day before the Babri Masjid was demolished. Vajpayee has stated that he neither was involved in the demolition nor had prior knowledge of it. However, according to Scroll.in, when a video of his speech, allegedly recorded by intelligence agencies, surfaced in 2004, fresh suspicions arose that he knew what would transpire the next day. Scroll notes that one particular line in which he talked about sharp-edged boulders and the need to level the ground stood out and was greeted with cheers from the crowd. At the time, Vajpayee was not present at the gathering near Babri Masjid the next day and allegedly told Outlook magazine later that he had made a speech in a lighter vein and had not intended for it to be provocative. However, this accusation would remain through the rest of his political career. Indeed, in 2009, the Liberhan Commission, which investigated the demolition of Babri Masjid, strongly indicted Vajpayee, LK Advani and others, calling them the pseudo-moderate leadership of the BJP, who were party to the decisions of the Sangh Parivaar in the event. In 1996, Vajpayee became Prime Minister but was unable to secure a coalition majority and resigned in 13 days. He was back in power in 1999, this time as the leader of the NDA. He helmed a stable government and became the first and, currently, the only non-Congress prime minister to have successfully completed a full five-year term in office. The first major challenge his government faced was in December 1999 - the hijack of an Indian Airlines flight, IC 814, with nearly 190 people on board. The flight was coming from Kathmandu to New Delhi but was hijacked by five terrorists and rerouted to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Vajpayee government submitted to the hijackers' demands, and foreign minister Jaswant Singh escorted terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar to Kandahar in exchange for the passengers. Vajpayee faced a stiff military test in 1999 with the Kargil conflict. The Vajpayee government oversaw the successful recapturing of Kargil from militants and non-uniformed Pakistani soldiers in harsh weather conditions and heavy artillery firing. Operation Vijay was successful in fending off invasions from thousands of enemy soldiers. This victory was celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas in 2012. Conversely, Vajpayee was also known for his magnanimous peaceful overtures to Pakistan. His government pursued a full-scale diplomatic peace process with Pakistan through late 1998 and early 1999, which was initiated with the inauguration of the Delhi-Lahore bus service in February 1999. Vajpayee retreated from public life after the NDA lost the 2004 Lok Sabha election. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that left him speech impaired. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, in 2015 by the Modi government. His birthday, December 25, is celebrated as Good Governance Day by the central government. Vajpayee never married. He is survived by an adopted daughter, Namita Bhattacharya. Vajpayee once said: My poetry is a declaration of war, not an exordium to defeat. It is not the defeated soldier's drumbeat of despair, but the fighting warrior's will to win. It is not the dispirited voice of dejection but the stirring shout of victory. Mothers hold their newly-born babies as they rest inside a maternity hospital during "World Population Day" in Kolkata July 11, 2012. The world's population edged to 7 billion people in 2011, up from 2.5 billion since 1950. This year's World Population Day focuses on the theme of "Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services", according to the United Nations. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri (INDIA - Tags: HEALTH ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - GM1E87B1KMJ01 Dipa Sinha As was expected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement on the Ayushman Bharat (AB) National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) in his Independence Day speech. While earlier news reports suggested that the PM would launch the scheme from the ramparts of the Red Fort, it will now be launched on September 25, the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay. In that sense, except for renaming the scheme as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan, what Modi said is similar to what the finance minister had said in his Budget speech six months ago. The re-naming of the scheme bringing in the reference to the Prime Minister is possibly confirmation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopes to ride on this as one of its major achievements in the run up to 2019. Much has been written on the (un)desirability of an insurance-based model for achieving universal healthcare in India. Given the double burden that India faces of communicable and non-communicable diseases along with the high burden of out-of-pocket expenditure (a large part due to outpatient expenses), inadequate health infrastructure in many parts of the country and a poorly regulated and heterogeneous large private sector, many would argue that a more appropriate strategy would be one where public expenditure is enhanced to strengthen the public health system at all levels, from primary to tertiary. While one component of the AB is setting up of health and wellness centres at the primary level, the budgets allocated are nowhere enough in comparison to the gaps that currently exist in human resources, infrastructure, medical supplies, etc. From what the ministry and its officials have been putting out in the press and on social media, it seems that the energies over the past six months have been focused on trying to bring the state governments and private sector (hospitals and insurance companies) on board so that the scheme can be rolled out. Eight major states are yet to sign MoUs while the rest have chosen to implement the scheme through the trust-based model. The associations of private hospitals have been complaining that the package rates are too low and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is trying to negotiate on their behalf. It is becoming clearer that the private sector does not want to get onto this unless profits are guaranteed. Experience of other countries, particularly the United States, shows that a model of health that is based on insurance provision is expensive with continuously escalating costs. In India too, for instance, in Chhattisgarh, the premiums have gone up from Rs 804 to Rs 1100 for a coverage for just Rs 50,000 in recently opened tenders under state scheme. An insurance-based strategy at a smaller scale has already been tried through the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) as well as the number of state public health insurance schemes. The experience of these schemes has also thrown up a number of lessons, which the new NHPS does not seem to take account of. First, the provision of insurance coverage for in-patient care through the RSBY did not succeed in reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. While the NHPS increases the insured amount, it is not clear how that in itself would solve the problem. It is found that the expenditure relates to transport, loss of wages, pre- and post-treatment costs, which are not covered by the insurance. Second, the RSBY was also a targeted scheme (based on BPL lists) and it was found that many poor were excluded. While the socio-economic caste census (SECC) on which the NHPS is based is a relatively better method of ranking deprived households, the problem of arbitrary caps in coverage (40% in this case) remains and can be expected to cause inclusion and exclusion errors. Moreover, it is over seven years since the SECC has been conducted and these lists have not been updated. Third, existing healthcare facilities are concentrated in urban areas and near the metropolitan cities making access to institutions inequitable. This is once again a problem that can only be exacerbated through excessive focus on insurance coverage. Just because of its scale the NHPS has the potential to change the health landscape in India. While it is welcome that health is final making front page news and has captured political imagination, the worry is that this particular strategy ends up putting more emphasis on the viability of provision through the private sector rather than on reaching the neediest and the most vulnerable with good quality healthcare. Issues related to prevention as well as social determinants of health are totally out of the picture. (The author is a teacher at School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi. The views expressed are personal.) Want to travel the world while sipping gin, and make moolah while you are at it? Mr Fogg's has you covered. Inception group and Bombay Sapphire are searching for a global ambassador to celebrate the launch of a new bar Mr Foggs Society of Exploration, inspired by fictitious Victorian explorer, Phileas Fogg. The chosen candidates (the global ambassador and their gin-loving pal) will mimic Foggs 80-day route around the world by travelling to Mumbai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Lisbon and San Francisco between August 2018 and November 2018. As a part of the paid job, the "ambassador" will have to document their journey by maintaining a journal, posting on social media, and writing a blog about their "exploits". Also, they will have to collect botanicals and inspiration along the journey to make their own variant of "Around the World" cocktail, once they reach London. The last day of filing the form and submitting a proposal video is August 27, and the final candidate would be selected by renowned explorer Levison Wood. As dreamy as the job sounds, it involves a rigorous application process. The candidate will have to be a proficient photographer, writer and should know how to handle social media. They should have a valid passport, a strong brand awareness of Mr Foggs and Bombay Sapphire and most importantly, should love gin. Chancellor Angela Merkel receives Valentine's Day flowers from the Central Gardening Association at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, February 9, 2018. (Reuters) German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she did not expect her Saturday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to produce any particular results. "It's a work meeting from which no specific results are expected but the number of problems that occupy us from Ukraine and Syria to the issue of economic cooperation is so big that it is justified to be in a permanent dialogue," Merkel said. Speaking at a news conference with Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic in Berlin, Merkel also said a four way meeting between Germany, Russia, Turkey and France on Syria could make sense. The Asian rout | The continents 128 billionaires lost $144 billion in 2018. The top three losers were from China, with Wanda Groups Wang Jianlin losing $11.1 billion this year. Close to 40 percent of the Asians under the index, lost their billionaire status as of December 7. (Image: Reuters) Scholars in China have cautiously welcomed India's move to invite limited Chinese investments for the development of its North Eastern states by connecting them with Bangladesh's Chittagong port. India has unveiled a major plan for the development of its North Eastern states by connecting them with Chittagong port and invited for the first-time limited Chinese investments which were shunned till now due to security concerns in the border areas. Senior Cabinet Ministers from Assam, Tripura and Nagaland the states governed by the BJP and its allies accompanied by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav visited the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou last weekend and met Indian and Chinese businessmen. State-run Global Times in a report said the invitation to China to participate in an India-Bangladesh connectivity project is a surprise move that Chinese observers broadly and cautiously welcomed it. "If the Indian government confirms an invitation to China to participate in its northeastern projects, that means India is shifting toward China's Belt and Road Initiative," Zhao Gancheng, director of the Shanghai Institute for the International Studies Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies in Beijing told the daily. China would highly welcome the Indian government's proposal, Zhao said, given the recent uncertainties in the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) which is part of the BRI. But it was a decision that needed to be made by the Indian prime minister or the national government, not a party political leader, Zhao noted. China is promoting Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) as part of its BRI. The BRI focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe. The BRI includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a project over which India has protested as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Lan Jianxue, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies echoed Zhao's views, saying as long as the project did not relate to any territorial dispute, China would likely get involved. "Cooperation between India and China is promising, but India needs to banish any vestiges of a Cold War mentality," Lan told the Global Times. An op-ed article in Global Times also welcomed Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) President Vinay Sahasrabuddhe's announcement to launch understanding India programme in ICCR missions abroad to "demystify" India. "The good news is, New Delhi is trying to have some kind of 'understanding India programme' in major countries like China," the article said. "Sahasrabuddhe made a good point. Most Chinese have a one-sided understanding of India. When it comes to this close neighbour, the Chinese people naturally think of gorgeous songs and dances, successful Bollywood films, or the rape incidents, pollution or people hanging onto the outside of trains. Quite a few have never heard of Hinduism and many believe Buddhism is the most popular religion in India," it said. Madhav while interacting with media here on August 15 outlined a plan prepared by the BJP-led government for the development of North Eastern states by providing the landlocked region direct access to Bangladesh's Chittagong port instead of shipping the goods all the way from Mumbai and Chennai ports. He said the Indian delegation held talks with Chinese investors and invited investments from e-bike manufacturers, software and hardware firms. He said India is developing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional hub and even invited Chinese investors to use North East to access Indian Ocean through Chittagong. We have not attempted connecting North East with China. Our vision was that they are natural neighbours. North East has huge boundary with China," he said. South West China can use North East as hub to go to Indian Ocean through Chittagong . We have not explored much. We only thought through Sikkim we can give access to China to the Indian Ocean through Kolkata port. But this (Chittagong port) is also an excellent opportunity," he said. But challenges remain as China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet. "We have issues in Arunachal Pradesh, that is a challenge," he added. China's military has expanded its bomber operations in recent years while "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said. The assessment, which comes at a time of heightened US-China tensions over trade, was contained in an annual report that highlighted China's efforts to increase its global influence, with defence spending that the Pentagon estimates exceeded $190 billion in 2017. "Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for China's People's Liberation Army. The report comes as China and the United States plan to hold trade talks, offering hope they might resolve an escalating tariff conflict that threatens to degenerate into an all-out trade war. The report said that while the PLA had continued to extend operations, it was not clear what message Beijing was seeking to send by carrying out the flights "beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities." The Chinese embassy in Washington could not immediately be reached for comment. This year China's air force landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region. In January the Pentagon put countering Beijing, along with Russia, at the centre of a new national defence strategy. While Washington and Beijing maintain a military-to-military relationship aimed at containing tensions, this has been tested in recent months, notably in May when the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to join a multinational naval exercise. In June, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis became the first Pentagon chief to visit China since 2014. The Pentagon report said that despite a projected slowdown in economic growth, China's official defence budget would be more than $240 billion by 2028. The Pentagon report also said China's space programme was progressing rapidly. "The PLA continues to strengthen its military space capabilities despite its public stance against the militarization of space," it said. This month, President Donald Trump's administration announced an ambitious plan to usher in a new "Space Force" as the sixth branch of the military by 2020. One of the arguments in favour of developing such a force is that American rivals like China appear increasingly ready to strike US space-based capabilities in the event of a conflict. President Donald Trump has said he was in "no rush" to complete a deal to rewrite the trade pact with Mexico and Canada. As Mexican officials were gathered in Washington for talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Trump said at a cabinet meeting, "if you can't make the right deal, don't make it." Negotiators have been working for four straight weeks to hammer out differences with Mexico, largely over provisions affecting the auto industry as they try to update the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, and sign a revised deal before the end of the year. But Trump said yesterday, "I'm in no rush. We want to make the right deal". "NAFTA has been a disaster for our country," he said. "So we're going either going to do a good NAFTA a fair NAFTA for us or we're not doing NAFTA at all." And Trump again aimed a jibe at Canada, saying "Their tariffs are too high. Their barriers are too strong. So we're not even talking to them right now." Trade negotiators have sounded optimistic in recent weeks. Lighthizer told Trump, "I'm hopeful that in the next several days we'll have a breakthrough. There's still some difficult issues to work on." And he indicated Canada could rejoin the talks soon. "I'm hopeful with Mexico. And then I hope once we get one with Mexico, that Canada will come along." Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo has been leading the delegation, and said Canada would rejoin the talks once the issues more relevant to his country had been worked out. Guajardo has stressed that the most difficult issues had been left to the end, including the US demand that NAFTA be approved every five years, a provision known as a sunset clause. US officials have indicated that if the deal can be agreed by the end of August it would be possible to win congressional approval for the new NAFTA before Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office December 1. That also would put the deal in place before the new US Congress is seated in January, which would protect it from the possibility of opposition if Democrats win control of the legislature in the November mid-term elections. Unitatea Administrativ-Teritoriala Municipiul Galati anunta finalizarea proiectului cu titlul Cresterea performantei energetice a blocului de locuinte M, str. Albatros nr. 1 din Municipiul Galati, cod SMIS 122620, finantat prin Programului Operatio ... Bovine constiente in timpul sacrificarii, abatorizarea vacilor gestante cu extragerea fetusilor, sange prelevat pentru extragerea serului fetal. Un investigator de la L214, asociatie pentru apararea animalelor folosite ca resurse alimentare, s-a in ... Guvernul Ungariei le va cere angajatilor din institutiile de stat sa fie vaccinati impotriva COVID-19, dupa o crestere a numarului de contaminari, a anuntat joi seful de cabinet al premierului ungar Viktor Orban, Gergely Gulyas, informeaza Reuters. P ... A new mum from Manchester is believed to have one of the shortest labours on record, after giving birth in just 9 minutes and only pushing for 2. Nicole Jamieson, 25, barely had time to get out of bed before her 2.8kg son Jack arrived suddenly in the middle of the night. She didn't originally realise she was in labour as it was still 3 weeks out from her due date. Nicole puts her waters breaking down to her husband Jack making her cry with laughter by singing a rendition of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time. "Jack was making me laugh. He'd been doing stupid voices and singing Britney Spears. I was crying with laughter so that must have been what set it off. I didn't even realise I was in labour. He was making me laugh that much. I told him to stop it because I needed to go to sleep, but as I turned over I felt this big pressure drop down. It was my waters, but I didn't know it was my waters" Nicole said. Nicole then ran to the bathroom thinking she had wet herself. She ran herself a bath and after 7 minutes felt the need to push. "The next thing I knew he was there on the bathroom floor. I looked at my phone just after and it was 2.04am", just 9 minutes after her water broke. An ambulance that Jack had called arrived after half an hour to check Nicole and her new baby over, cut the umbilical cord and take them to hospital as a precaution. "It was 9 minutes in total from my water breaking. I was pushing for 2 minutes. It didn't hurt but I didn't really know what was going on. Obviously as soon as I realised he'd arrived I was worried, but Jack grabbed him and shoved him onto my chest and then he peed on me and started crying so I knew he was ok." "As for motherhood, it's great. Little Jack is amazing, I wouldn't change him for the world. He never stops smiling." Labour usually lasts between 12 and 18 hours, and can be faster if it's not the mother's first birth. Births like Nicole's are extremely rare, and are known as precipitate labours if they are shorter than 2 hours. The fastest UK birth recorded was Daisy Stewart, 20, who says she gave birth to her baby Poppy in 5 minutes and just 3 pushes. Daisy had been induced and in hospital though, so Nicole has reason to believe her birth is the fastest non-induced labour yet. If only every birth could be that quick and painless... Adients (ADNT) stock has taken a wild ride since the October 2016 spin-off from Johnson Controls. The shares briefly dipped under $40 in November 2016, then reached an all-time high of $86.42 in September 2017. So far in 2018, the stock price has dropped nearly in half. Operational problems disclosed in January in the seat structures and mechanisms group turned out to not be confined to that segment. Then in June, management lowered fiscal 2018 guidance due to unspecified manufacturing issues in the seating segment and announced the immediate resignation of the chairman and CEO. We think this sell-off is an excellent buying opportunity for the long-term investor. We consider Adients problems to be primarily from poor execution and therefore fixable. Also, we do not consider the company to be heading toward financial distress, and we think it can even maintain its dividend as it restructures. Adient still has selling, general, and administrative expenses to cut from its Johnson Controls days and manufacturing to move from high-cost countries to low-cost countries. Its seating EBIT margins trail those of top competitor Lear (LEA), and we dont see why that difference must be permanent. Ditech Financial hand about 450 mortgage employees their walking papers, the company has announced. Ditech is shuttering a call center in Rapid City, S.D., next year, according to a report by The Rapid City Journal. That closure will leave 450 employees without jobs. Earlier this month, several of our leadership team members met with employees of our Rapid City, South Dakota location to let them know we have made the difficult decision to close the office when our lease expires in November of 2019, Ditech said in a statement emailed to the Journal. This outcome has been part of a thorough evaluation process in selecting the locations that will best accommodate our long-term business requirements and the needs of our customers. Whether it's a pipeline explosion, a drilling rig accident, a well blowout or a mishap downhole while reworking a well that forces a re-drill, unexpected events can hit an energy company's bottom line hard. That is why insurance policies and indemnity agreements exist. But New Orleans attorney Sarah Stognar urges companies to not be complacent. "Read the policy. Read the contract," she advised members of the Permian chapter of the American Association of Drilling Engineers this week during their luncheon at Green Tree Country Club. "The goal, before something bad happens, is to define who is responsible for what," she said. Beyond carefully reading the insurance policy and contract, she advised making sure all parties agree with the language and to eliminate vague language. "There are unique risks in the energy industry," she said, citing the use of third parties who own, rent or occupy leases on behalf of the first parties. Another risk is well control and the questions of who is responsible for the costs of bringing a well under control and to re-drill or rework the well. There are also pollution clean-up costs for an oil field site and stand-alone pollution coverage and cyber security coverage. Companies need to know what is in the contract and, when management and lawyers are crafting authorization for expenditure contracts, that they segregate the costs for liability and for well control. That investment on the front end can avoid costly disputes after an incident, she said. Establishing indemnity who has a right to be reimbursed for costs, who will pay that reimbursement and who will receive it can reduce litigation costs in the future, Stognar said. She told the audience there are nuanced differences in insurance and indemnity laws between Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana. Mella McEwen is the Oil Editor and covers the latest business and energy news. You can read more from her here. |mmcewen@mrt.com| Enjoying significant success from its Permian Basin wells, Occidental Petroleum is making moves that will allow it to invest even more in its Permian holdings. Dominating those actions are Occidental's plans to sell its Ingleside Energy Center terminal, its Centurion pipeline system and a southeastern New Mexico crude gathering system, all for $2.6 billion in proceeds the company will pour into its core exploration and production business. Mike Prince, chief executive officer of Lotus Midstream, told the Reporter-Telegram by telephone he understands Occidental's desire to focus on that core business. Lotus is acquiring the Centurion system in a deal expected to close later in the third quarter. The acquisition involves about 3,000 miles of crude oil gathering and transportation pipelines from southeast New Mexico across the Permian Basin to Cushing, Oklahoma; two storage terminals in Midland and Cushing with a combined capacity of about 7 million barrels; and more than 125 truck stations. The secondary acquisition in southeast New Mexico is a gathering system with more than 50 miles of crude gathering pipelines connecting to the Centurion system and a third-party intrabasin system. Lotus was launched this spring with backing from EnCap Flatrock Midstream, but Prince said the Centurion deal will be a major leap forward. "When I began Lotus, the path wasn't an acquisition like this, but organic growth," he said. "We were growing at one pace, and now that's been rapidly expedited." But the opportunity to acquire Centurion was too good to pass up, he added. Like Lotus, Moda Midstream is experiencing a major leap forward with its acquisition of the Oxy Ingleside Energy Center. "You never know what a big company will do, but I know this is, was and will be a vital link to their supply chain, and we're ecstatic to buy it," Bo McCall, Moda president and chief executive officer, told the Reporter-Telegram by telephone. He said the acquisition will be a game-changer for Moda and put it at the forefront of new trends in the industry. Since the ban on exporting U.S. crude was lifted in December 2015, exports have surged, he noted, and Corpus Christi "is the direction where a lot of Permian Basin and Eagle Ford production is pointed." The company is also developing terminals projects in Houston and St. James that, along with Corpus, will capitalize on foreign demand for the light crude coming out of the Permian and South Texas. Moda is acquiring a facility with about 2.1 million barrels of oil storage capacity and three deep-water berths for crude oil. It is designed to handle a variety of vessels, including very large crude carriers. McCall said that after a dredging project to deepen the Corpus ship channel is completed, loading those VLCCs will be even more efficient. "We have a mantra of controlled growth," McCall said, so the company can provide good service and economic rates. Right now, he said, Moda executives are still working to understand the facility, its capabilities and what it could be capable of in the future. "It takes time to get our heads around what the facility has and what it needs," he said. Prince said plans are to retain the Centurion name "There's too much goodwill with that name," he said and its employees. He estimated there were between 270 to 280 dedicated to Centurion and another 30 who were Occidental employees but supported Centurion. After the acquisition is completed, Prince said plans are to improve the system's connectivity and expand its footprint for long-haul pipelines. "The amount of dollars allocated to Centurion was limited because Occidental was focused on its core business. We can employ more growth capital. The number of projects we've identified over three months of the due diligence process, we're excited to develop that project list with Centurion's employees and getting busy." And with the expansion he has planned, he expects to increase that employee base, he said. He still plans to work closely with Occidental and its Occidental Energy Marketing subsidiary to maintain, and even improve, their takeaway capacity. But he also sees other producers in proximity to the system who would also be a great fit. Both Prince and McCall said Occidental has been great to work with, calling the company very forthcoming and cooperative, with a focus on the fate of its employees. With significant new pipeline capacity under construction, Prince said there's a chance capacity will be overbuilt for a while but that "if you extrapolate the numbers, it's not hard to see that growth will eat into that excess." "You've got to stay nimble. You never can predict the future," he said. Mella McEwen is the Oil Editor and covers the latest business and energy news. You can read more from her here. |mmcewen@mrt.com| PUYALLUP, Wash. A Washington state mother is facing charges after police found her two children secured with bungee cords in a truck bed. Puyallup police said the children an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were placed under a tarp and held down only by the bungee cords, according to KFVS-TV. A passerby saw the kids in the truck bed and called police. Ambrosia Jurado, the children's mother, is charged with reckless endangerment. The driver of the truck, Philip Wells, is charged with reckless endangerment and delivery of drug paraphernalia. Used needles and traces of heroin found in the truck likely belong to Wells, police said. Police said the children thought their ride in the truck bed was "fun." "Neither child seemed to understand the danger of traveling at speeds that were in excess of 60 mph in the bed of a truck and not secured inside of a vehicle cabin with seat belts, all while being exposed to the dangers of not having a cabin to be secured within," according to the police report, KFVS-TV reported. Jurado said she hopes to hold her children again. "Unless we choose to become aware, it will be just like it is for me, where you have nothing and even when you're trying your hardest to do something they take it from you," she said. It's August, which means it's high beach season, which means it's time to accuse famous women of ostentatiously showing off their bodies because they are wearing beach-appropriate attire. "Lady Gaga flaunts her bikini body in a tiny bikini in the Hamptons," reads an Us Weekly headline. "Katy Perry flaunts her bikini body on a beach in Spain," reads one from PopSugar. These headlines are everywhere. "Sean Penn and Robin Wright's model daughter Dylan flaunts her bikini body while vacationing with new boyfriend." "Heidi Klum flaunts her bikini body during fun sun-soaked day in Sardinia." In that last one, from the Daily Mail, Klum was technically wearing a bikini, but it was covered by a sarong in a series of pictures in which she did not appear to know she was being photographed. Her "flaunting" consisted of: 1) Monitoring her kids as they splashed around a pool. 2) Letting her son pretend to push her in. 3) Lugging around a giant blow-up float shaped like a fish. This is not "flaunting" a body. This is "having" a body - an immutable state that all of us who are not incorporeal brains in jars must deal with. What was Lady Gaga doing to flaunt her body? Swimming and taking selfies with her boyfriend. Dylan Penn? Unpacking water bottles from a canvas bag. How was Katy Perry flaunting her Katy Perryness? By wearing dark sunglasses and a giant floppy hat. Sometimes the stars are apparently flaunting their bodies even when they've gone to great lengths to hide them: "Jennifer Lawrence flaunted her fit figure while relaxing on a yacht in the Bahamas," read the caption of a PopSugar photo, in which the Oscar-winning star, still dripping from a swim, chatted with a friend. The woman got on a private boat in the middle of the sea - a popular refuge for paparazzi-chased celebrities - where she left her hair uncombed, looked away from the camera, and dared to go swimming in something designed for swimming. This could only have been less "flaunting" if she'd swaddled herself in a Hamburglar costume before diving in. So, there are your choices, Jennifer Lawrence: Either be accused of flaunting, or drown. The trouble with "flaunting" - which means, by the way, either "dressing or behaving in a provocative way" or "displaying something ostentatiously in order to provoke envy" - is that it implies everything women do is sexual. Designed to conjure lust. Jennifer Garner "flaunted her toned figure" when she took her son for a walk, but when her ex and co-parent Ben Affleck was himself photographed in a bathing suit, the New Yorker published a melancholy essay comparing him to "a defeated Roman senator," or an early-19th-century oil painting. (And, sure, we could Google our way toward a paparazzi shot of Zac Efron "flaunting" his abs on the set of the "Baywatch" remake - but the fact that the phrase "flaunted his body" gets about 17,000 search hits, and "flaunted her body," gets 378,000 implies this is a way we talk mostly about women, not men.) The other trouble with "flaunting" is the allusion to purposeful teasing. As if it's something egotistical women do to taunt the opposite sex by showing off what men can't have. As if conspiring hordes of attractive ladies wake up, throw some Goldfish crackers and SPF 50 in a straw tote, and then head to the Outer Banks just so they can lure in men, then reject them. Truly, this woman just wants to eat her snack and finish reading "The Woman in the Window." Truly, she'd just as soon do it away from the public eye, but she doesn't have an ocean on her back patio. As the past 10 months have made clear, women and men can perceive interactions in very different ways, and the misuse of "flaunting" does not help clarify things. "Jenna Dewan is summer chic as she flaunts her fabulous figure," blared the Daily Mail last week. The actress wasn't even in a bikini for that one. She was waiting for a flight at the airport. "Hilary Duff flaunts her baby bump while walking with a friend," it blared again in July. Flaunting a baby bump! The nerve! Doesn't Duff know she's supposed to leave that bump at home and/or hibernate in a Snuggie in her living room until the kid is 12? I wish magazines wouldn't do this. I wrote to several of them. I wrote multiple times to multiple staffers at three of the biggest offenders - Us Weekly, PopSugar, the Daily Mail - asking to hear more about why they do this. "We feel 'flaunt' exudes confidence," a representative from PopSugar wrote back. "Our use in the specific cases you mention suggests that the bikini wearers feel great about themselves and are comfortable in their own skin. No word is sacred, however, and if we feel the word becomes completely stale or outdated, or insulting, or offensive, it will be pulled in a heartbeat." Pull it, PopSugar. Do it. The other sites didn't respond. But while I was writing this paragraph, I got a news alert: "Ariel Winter flaunts her assets," the Daily Mail headline read, as the "Modern Family" star appeared to walk to her car. Douglas Sacha | Getty Images Routt Catholic High School students were sent home early Friday after several gas leaks were discovered inside the school just after noon. Fire Capt. Brian Nyberg said a science teacher lit something, causing a small fire that extinguished itself. Last year, wind energy officially emerged as the nations top source of renewable energy for the first time. That is probably not that surprising for anyone in the energy sector, but it may be surprising to others that conservative policymakers have been a driving force in winds growth. Recent polling shows a strong majority of conservative voters support the development of wind energy. The fact is, conservative principles and values naturally align with the benefits of wind energy, so there are several reasons it should be particularly appealing to voters and lawmakers alike. First, it is about job creation. According to the American Wind Energy Association, this sector now supports more than 100,000 jobs in all 50 states, and the industry added jobs at a rate nine times faster than the overall economy in 2016. Job creation is associated with every phase of wind development, including project planning, siting, construction, manufacturing and operations. Most of these are good-paying, long-term careers that offer families reliable employment across the country. Second, wind energy is essential to broader economic growth. Wind is the fastest growing energy resource, and the industry has attracted nearly $150 billion in investments to date, averaging more than $14 billion a year over the past decade. Landowners, especially farmers and ranchers, receive land lease payments that average $245 million annually, which is often reinvested in agricultural development. Wind energy projects usually require a robust supply chain, which means countless small businesses downstream receive a financial boost. Another reason for the appeal is that wind energy is particularly important to rural communities where many conservative voters live. In fact, more than 99 percent of wind power capacity is in rural areas, and 71 percent is in low-income counties. Wind energy projects increase local spending, which strengthens those local economies. They also greatly expand local tax bases, which means they contribute to community development by increasing revenue to better fund local schools, parks, emergency services, roads and so on. From a political perspective, one more reason conservatives love wind energy is that the states most suitable for it are traditionally Red States. In fact, look to the top three states for wind capacity Texas (23,262 megawatts), Oklahoma (7,495 megawatts) and Iowa (7,312 megawatts). In addition to Iowa, wind energy now accounts for more than 30 percent of electricity generation in Kansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The final reason conservatives should love wind energy and other energy innovations is because it strengthens our national security. Wind energy has become an essential part of the nations all-of-the-above energy portfolio, accounting for 6.3 percent of the nations electricity generation in 2017. If our country wants to remain energy independent, diversifying our supply is the only way to guarantee a future with access to affordable, reliable energy that is not affected by geopolitics. Aug. 5-11 was American Wind Week, an event aimed at raising awareness about the success of wind energy and promoting favorable policies with lawmakers in Washington and in state capitals. Wind energys success signals an important juncture in American clean energy history as the industry and other clean energy industries are finally maturing, acquiring more market share and generating profits. Conservatives need to help keep up the momentum to benefit our priorities as well as our nation. Heather Reams is the managing director of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, a clean energy advocacy organization. She wrote this for InsideSources.com. We are not at loggerheads with ... I got a great laugh when I heard a consortium of the greatest newspapers in the world would band together as one mighty voice and collectively castigate President Trump for his repeated attacks on newspapers, their editors and their reporters. Our words will differ, said Marjorie Pritchard of the Boston Globe, who called for the group-fest, but we can agree that such attacks (like fake news) are alarming. Word has it about 250 of Americas newspapers joined in the war cry against press-bashing yesterday and, as I skimmed over several versions during my Morning Reading, so help me I could just picture the President running around his bed in his pajamas, jumping with the glee of a 10-year-old on Christmas morning. The spectacle was strangely reminiscent of back when you would hold a pretty girls hand and sing Kumbaya around the campfire at some church retreat long ago. Honestly, the nations media played right into The Donalds hand and, if you dare think such buffoonery is going to shorten the Presidents stride, you are off your medicine. Virtually every newspaper that took part in the Thursday cattle call, youll remember, heartily endorsed Hillary Clinton in the last election, and some still openly mourn her defeat. But tell me, pilgrim, how did that trial run of press-ink solidarity work out in the election for the journalistic wackos? Worse, since the very day Trump won the election, the vicious liberals who write each days stories have attacked the president, his policies, his cabinet picks, this family, his hairdo nothing is off the table. The barrage is without end. And now the most pompous in the entire newspaper game want to demand that Donald should now fight fair? I am serious. The bias is so bad that editors force their writers to produce a pound of Trumps flesh every day and never forget that negative stories sell far better than nice ones. This is part of the reason newspapers are going belly-up in America the liberal mindset no longer matches that of the readers. Ive always held the belief a well-written opinion story is one that will not change the readers opinion but illustrate there are two banks to every creek just on different sides of the stream. I love the Washington Post, the LA Times, the NY Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and a stack of others. While I rarely agree with their liberal views, they have troves of stories that I enjoy and appreciate. Back in the day I knew a lot of newspaper folks around the country and had the readers a way to know them human-to-human, people would discount their self-ordained authority. On the other hand, much of my newspaper career was battling mightily against the Chattanooga Times and we fought over everything advertising, the first break on a story, and all else. One of the biggest blunders a publicity hound could make was to give the break on a good story to them before trying to peddle it at our place. Many a fool has been escorted to the door by us and Hey, you want that story in our newspaper then buy an ad, Goldilocks! When my family took over the Times and insisted they maintain a separate editorial voice, the competition between the two newsrooms wasnt as intense we had all the marbles. But when the papers merged to one daily paper in 1999, and I got to know many of the Times writers who I had known as the enemy for years, I quickly found they were some of the finest human beings alive. Sadly, Trump has no way of knowing that for every scallywag in the nations media, there are nine others he would love as a next-door neighbor. But because America has now turned meaner that I have ever known, the got cha journalism method has been allowed to flourish. Trump has been a brawler for all of his life and his methodology is Youre fired. After Thursdays day of editorial-page unity, just you wait Donald will evermore turn up the flame because he knows the jugular vein in the newspaper game is attacking its liberal stance to the delight of his audience. Face it, Trump was elected by an overwhelming conservative base that doesnt like liberal writers, either. (Look at CNNs fall.) He tells his followers that journalists are dangerous and sick and absolutely dishonest. Trump also says the wide-spread liberal views in the media bring about great division and distrust but whoa! heres where he is right. You see, he is playing to his conservative base in a way that causes a ripple effect in rancor. By discrediting the flock of liberals who guide the nations newspapers, he is boosting a revolution of sorts among conservatives that is so telling that the popular joke is the Republican Party will soon be called The Trumps! Joe Engel, who owned the Chattanooga Lookouts when I was a kid and who once traded a pitcher for a live turkey, had a great outlook on the media. I dont care if you write good things about me or bad things about me --- just write about me! On Thursday Trump had 240 of the greatest newspapers in the world write about him. Advantage? Mr. Trump, and this in such a way the man no longer needs as much as a dogs leash to lead them wherever he wants to go. royexum@aol.com Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen traveled to Sacramento and Redding, California to address the ongoing wildfires. Nielsen was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. While in California, the Secretary participated in a briefing with state and local officials regarding the damage caused by the recent wildfires. She also participated in a ground survey of areas affected by the Carr fire. Secretary Nielsen discussed the importance of individual preparedness, fire safety and prevention in the United States, and the response and recovery support provided by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to state and local partners. Additionally, Secretary Nielsen visited the United States Coast Guard Air Stations in Sacramento to meet with personnel. She thanked them for their service and dedication to the Departments mission and acknowledged the challenging work they do for DHS and the American people. Last week, Secretary Nielsen met with California Governor Jerry Brown to discuss wildfire response and recovery efforts. They had the opportunity to address the need for long-term risk reduction to better protect communities across the state. Secretary Nielsen reiterated that the Department would continue to support California during what is looking to be a long and challenging wildfire season. Sonora, CA Mother Lode Congressman Tom McClintock joins 14 California members of the House of Representatives that are not only objecting, but also threatening legislative and legal action to counter a State Water Resources Control Board plan that would impact flows from February to June at New Melones. McClintock co-authored the letter to State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus with Congressman Jeff Denham, which voices fervent opposition to the boards proposed final San Joaquin River flows and Southern Delta water quality amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/ Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary. The letters states, The Boards proposal clearly subordinates the beneficial human use of the water in favor of fish and wildlife measures of dubious validity, contrary to congressional authorization of the Central Valley Project and the New Melones Dam. It also notes that the proposed 40 percent unimpaired flow standard will decrease power generation and public recreation on the lake, as first reported here. Instead, the group supports the adjustments contained in the Bureau of Reclamations Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) for New Melones operations in the 2015 water year. Its aim is to protect municipal, agriculture, recreation, power water supply, steelhead population, and preserve a least a modicum of water storage behind New Melones Dam for the remainder of the water year. The letter ends with a threat to seek legislative, administrative and judicial countermeasures. The entire letter can be viewed here Letter to SWRCB Regarding Unimpaired Flow (FINAL). Kevin De Leon In Twain Harte View Photos Twain Harte, CA Some state and federal candidates for office were in Twain Harte Thursday evening at a dinner hosted by local Tuolumne County Democrats. The keynote speakers were former Democratic leader of the California Senate Kevin De Leon and Congressional candidate Jessica Morse. De Leon was recently endorsed by the California Democratic Party in his effort to upset longtime fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein in the US Senate race. They were the top vote-getters in the June Primary election. He has been campaigning on issues like immigration reform, renewable energy, increasing the minimum wage and a Medicare for all healthcare system. He tells Clarke Broadcasting, It is exciting for me to be here, and I think it is important to take my campaign up and down the state of California so that more people can learn about who I am and my values. Wildfires have been a key concern in Tuolumne County over past weeks with the Donnell and Ferguson fires. When asked about the federal governments role in preventing and combatting wildfires, De Leon responded, It is tragic and sad, but I think wildfires are the new-new for California. The fires here have had a huge impact on the air quality that we breath and the fact that we have so many tourists that come up to this neck of the woods. We have to really put our heads together, CAL Fire and the federal government, to see how we can deal preventatively in regards to the fires. But, just as important in the long run is that we deal with climate change, because climate change is going to make the situation even worse. De Leon was the Democratic leader of the state senate, Senate pro tempore, between October of 2014 and March of this year. Jessica Morse also addressed wildfires in her speech at the event, arguing that it should not be a partisan issue. A fire doesnt care if you are a Republican or a Democrat before it burns down your home, she stated. Morse noted in an interview with Clarke Broadcasting that she feels her campaign is picking up momentum as she challenges Republican incumbent Tom McClintock. I try to canvass and knock on doors every day. Ive knocked on well over 1,000 doors and I have gone to all the counties in the district, and I hear some things consistently. She says the biggest concerns are topics like healthcare, jobs and wildfires. A candidate for state Senate was also on hand, Paulina Miranda. She is running against Republican Andreas Borgeas for the seat currently held by the soon to be termed out Republican Tom Berryhill. The Tuolumne County Democratic Central Committee noted that last nights dinner at Eproson Park was sold out with over 200 on hand. Hart City Council members on Monday unanimously voted to raise the tax rate for the city. The council voted to raise the 2019 property tax rate to $0.423/$100 valuation for the next fiscal year. The current tax rate is $0.416. Castro County Chief Appraiser Jerry Heller said that the new proposed rate triggers a required public hearing before being officially adopted. He added that if the rate had been more than the $0.423, the public could petition for a rollback election. Property values have increased each year for some time for the City of Hart, Heller said. The certified 2019 value is $27,948.560, compared to $26,290,550 for 2018, which, he said, is mostly because of improvements by Southwestern Public Service. Since 1982, Appraisal District records show that the highest tax rate for the city was in 2006 when it was $0.578 and lowest was $0.416 in 2017 and 2018. In other business, the Council voted to pay outright $182,000 for the new trash truck. City Administrator Adrian Rosas said this amount is the approximate cost of the truck, which is in Justin, Tex. Councilwoman Vickie Ethridge asked if the city's finances would be in jeopardy by taking this amount from funds. Mayor Eliazar Castillo replied that the Utility Fund from which the money will be taken has about $500,000 in it. As for the old trash truck, Rosas said that the transmission is "pretty much gone" and the motor is "shot." He said the tires are good and the body and compactor unit are good. He thinks maybe it will bring $10,000. Castillo suggested taking bids on the truck, which was unanimously approved. Rosas spoke to the Council about the Texas Community Development Block Grant program, which has been used over the years by the city to improve its infrastructure. It's primarily for water and wastewater plants improvements. He mentioned some of the concrete is crumbling on the south wastewater lift station. He also told the Council said that Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, which coordinates services for the Texas Panhandle public governing entities, contacted him about the grant. A PRPC representative will come to a future City Council meeting to explain the process and field questions. Rosas said that to improve chances for a grant, Hart may have to increase sewer and water rates to show a good faith effort that the city is working to help itself. There will be no extra charge to the city for PRPC services and for engineering services, he said. The deadline to apply for a grant is February 2019. The City will be required to match 10 percent of the grant proceeds in money or in-kind matches. When bills were discussed, Rosas said that the street sweeping costs were more than expected. The charge for this year's sweeping is $7,700. He said the street sweepers were in Hart for three full days. Bills were approved to be paid. Council members present included Castillo, Ethridge, Ezekiel Barron and Mary Reyna. Johnny Carrasco and George Chapa II were absent. Tony Lee Hernandez recently completed his Ogallala Commons Internship with the City of Plainview. During his three summers at the City, Hernandez interned in the Community Development Department for two summers and the Information Technology Department this past summer. In the Community Development Department, Hernandez worked on a Planning and Zoning project, updated contractor's insurance forms and violation letter templates. In the IT Department, he was responsible for assisting in the incorporation of municipal court computers and troubleshooting computer issues. "Some of the experience I gained included communication and organizational skills, troubleshooting issues and project management," said Hernandez. "I learned that it is really important to get to the root of the problem and that involves good communication. I also learned the importance of organizing computer wires and that small things make a big difference." The internship is overseen by Kristyn Dickey, Intern Coordinator at Ogallala Commons, as well as local staff who work alongside interns to help them use their talents and find their voice. While at the City, Hernandez was supervised by former Community Development Manager Cris Valverde and IT Director Isauro Gutierrez. "Tony was a great asset to the IT Department. He was very engaging and acquired real world experience as well as gaining confidence in customer service and communication skills," said Gutierrez. "Our IT Specialist, David Ellis, worked with Tony day in and day out and was instrumental in helping him develop these skills." The organization initially reached out to Tim Crosswhite, Public Works Director. Crosswhite worked with Ogallala to determine the best direction for the intern and worked to get them into the various departments at the City. Ogallala Commons is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit education and leadership organization that reinvigorates commonwealth to build vibrant Great Plans communities. Since 2007, more than 400 youth and adults from twelve states have been involved in our Internship & Apprenticeship Program. A program for gaining work experience, skill development and hometown career exploration for high school, college and graduate students as well as older adults. These 200-240 hour internships are created through partnerships with civic organizations, agencies, institutions and businesses to provide meaningful projects as well as a stipend for work experience. "We are proud of Tony and pleased with the tremendous work experience and professional skill development he has gained through 3 internships at the City of Plainview," noted Darryl Birkenfeld, Executive Director of Ogallala Commons. "Just as important, he has gained a network of adults that know his abilities and can help him build a career pathway that will bring him back to Plainview. Helping youth to come back to their hometowns is a key outcome of Ogallala Commons Community Internship Program." Along with his work at the City, Hernandez was required to attend an orientation, execute a work plan, complete ten hours of community service which included visiting nursing homes, assisting at his school store through Future Business Leaders of America and participating in "Chick-A-Fil Serves", publishing five blog posts and conducting a harvesting ceremony which is a public presentation about his experience. Hernandez graduated from Plainview High School this past May and will be attending Navarro College in Waxahachie this Fall. WASHINGTON - Scientists are raising alarms over a Trump administration plan to overhaul two federal offices tasked with food and agriculture research, calling the move a ploy to slash funding to projects on climate change, nutrition and other top concerns. The plan, announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last week, would relocate one top research office - the Economic Research Service - into the Office of the Secretary, a political branch of the Agriculture Department. It would also move ERS and a second scientific office, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, out of Washington by the end of 2019. The reorganization, one of several launched over the past 15 months, would streamline the USDA's operations, save taxpayer money and help the agency recruit and retain top staff, Perdue said in a statement. But a number of leading agricultural scientists and economists say the move risks gutting both agencies and stifling important federal research. The Trump administration has already targeted ERS for steep funding cuts, saying in its 2019 budget proposal that some of the agency's research duplicated work being done at nonprofits and in the private sector. ERS research spans topics from crop yields and food prices to farm conservation practices, rural employment and nutrition assistance. Occasionally, its findings appear to contradict the administration's official positions: One February ERS report concluded that trade liberalization benefited U.S. farmers. "It seems weirdly punitive," said Sonny Ramaswamy, who served as NIFA's administrator until his six-year term expired in May. "I can't figure out why they would do this ... There's no compelling rationale." ERS and NIFA account for just over half of the $2.5 billion Congress budgeted for agricultural research in 2018. ERS employs 300 people in the D.C. region, according to the USDA. NIFA, which funds competitive research grants at U.S. universities, employs a D.C. staff of roughly 400. Both agencies have struggled to recruit and retain qualified staff in the Washington region, Perdue said in his statement. That was one of three reasons the administration has given for relocating ERS and NIFA, along with cutting costs and moving researchers closer to farming communities. Relocating ERS within the Agriculture Department will also further streamline its operations, Perdue said, because its mission overlaps with the Office of the Chief Economist, also in the secretary's office. "It's been our goal to make USDA the most effective, efficient and customer-focused department in the entire federal government," Perdue said. "In some cases, this has meant realigning some of our offices and functions, or even relocating them, in order to make more logical sense or provide more streamlined and efficient services." But some researchers and former USDA officials say the change seems designed to slash scientific funding. The USDA has said no economists or researchers will lose their jobs as a result of the reorganization, but the department has acknowledged that many will choose not to relocate. And it is unclear if the USDA plans to fill those vacancies. Scott Swinton, an agricultural economist at Michigan State and the former president of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, said the reorganization may be a pretext for gutting federal agricultural research. Many top economists and scientists will resign, he predicts, rather than leave the D.C. area. Ramaswamy, the former NIFA administrator, said many longtime staffers in that office will not make the move, either. The USDA said the reorganization "was not undertaken as a method of reducing staff." "What really troubles me is that the administration proposed cutting the ERS budget by 48 percent and laying off half its staff six months ago," Swinton said. "My fear is that now this plan will lead to a high number of resignations - and the administration will say, 'Well, we don't need as much money now,' rather than build that capacity again." The plan may also weaken ERS research, in particular, critics say, by making it more difficult for agency economists to consult with other federal research offices, lawmakers and federal policy groups. The Union of Concerned Scientists has warned that placing ERS in the Secretary's Office could intensify political scrutiny of its research, an issue the office's current placement was designed to prevent. It is not unusual for ERS reports to contradict or complicate administration policy, said Susan Offutt, a former ERS administrator who served in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. "That's a constant source of tension, but that's also the benefit of ERS," Offutt said. "You learn things you may not have otherwise thought of. It's good government." Offutt cautions that it's impossible to judge the administration's plans without more information. Outside policy groups and other stakeholders will ultimately decide if the reorganization improves USDA's research, she said. But not everyone is so optimistic. In hindsight, Ramaswamy said he now sees hints that cuts were coming to USDA. For months after the Trump administration took over, he said, Perdue refused to allow him to fill open positions at NIFA, even as other departments added employees. At one point, Ramaswamy also met with congressional staff members to argue against proposed cuts to his department's budget, although he says he remained on good terms with USDA's political appointees. "I don't have an ax to grind here," Ramaswamy said. "I'm just concerned that they're taking this agency back decades at a time when we want them thinking about compelling scientific challenges." William Luther /San Antonio Express-News A new report shows that water use in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction in West Texas' Permian Basin oil field increased nearly nine times between 2011 and 2016. The report, titled "The Intensification of the Water Footprint of Hydraulic Fracturing," said all six of the shale oil and gas fields studied saw increases in water use, but the Permian Basin had the largest increase, growing from 4,900 cubic meters of water per well in 2011 up to 42,500 cubic meters of water per well in 2016, an increase of 767 percent. FAIRFIELD A Maine man was charged Friday with sexual assault for an incident that happened in Connecticut early last year, state police said. Chad J. Harris, 41, of Sanford, Maine, was charged with second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. In Dec. 2017, state police at Troop G in Bridgeport got a call from Stratford police about a sexual assault allegation that was reported to the Stratford department by the Kennebec County Sheriffs Office in Maine. Initially, investigators thought the assault might have happened in Stratford, but soon found out it was Fairfield. State police said that on Sept. 15, 2017, a 14-year-old female victim told investigators in Maine that she had been inappropriately touched by Harris while at a Connecticut rest stop in February of that year. The Kennebec County Sheriffs Office was already investigating Harris for previous allegations made by the victim, state police said. It was determined that the sexual assault occurred at the (Interstate) 95 southbound, Fairfield Service Plaza, on Feb. 19, 2017, state police said. On Aug. 10, state police were granted an arrest warrant charging Harris in the incident. On Friday, a week after getting the warrant, police learned that Harris was on board an Amtrak train headed to Maine from Pennsylvania. Amtrak police helped state polices Mass Transit Security Team take Harris into custody around 5 a.m. at the New Haven train station. Harris was transported to Troop G without incident. He was held on a $150,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court Friday. MIDDLETOWN The water and sewer department plans to hold a public session Thursday for residents to voice opinions on and learn common misconceptions about the tree removal process in the Forest City. Barbara Road, Phedon Parkway and Old Mill Road in the Westfield portion of the city will undergo complete road reconstructions, which includes installation of a new water main and sewers, according to city Environmental Resource Specialist Jim Sipperly, who also staffs the Urban Forestry Commission. Trench work slated along the sides of these streets will disrupt the growth of and damage a lot of the tree roots. Old Mill Road trees will mostly undergo pruning. The sewer line is going to be on the left side of the road, so these roots go underneath the road, Sipperly said Friday on Phedon Parkway, pointing to an area with large oaks and silver maple trees he estimated could be as old as 100 years. More for you Middletown, Tree City for 28th year, marks Arbor Day with dedicated plantings The public session is for neighborhood residents, as well as others curious about the citys urban forestry plan. The hearing will begin at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Water & Sewer Department at 82 Berlin St. Middletown prides itself on being designated a Tree City USA under guidelines established by the National Arbor Day Foundation, something only 18 of 169 municipalities in Connecticut obtained. There are several conditions under which a tree might be removed: being deemed by an arborist or forester as unhealthy, diseased or damaged, Sipperly said. Theyre not good species of trees, so they should come down, he said of those to be removed. There are some that are very healthy, but, because we are going to be removing the root system, eventually, in a few years, theyre going to die. It makes prudent sense. Often, residents who see trees stapled with notices of public hearings required by ordinance see greenery, the diameter of trunks and height, and assume theyre healthy and sturdy. Its only when hurricanes, thunder and ice storms hit certain areas, knocking down massive branches split at their junctions with the trunks that its evident certain species of these trees arent as stable as believed. Thats what people need to understand. They look at this and say, Look at this beautiful oak tree. Why are they taking it down? Its healthy, Sipperly said. When the work is being done, half of the root system is going to be removed from these trees, said Arborist Jane Harris, chairwoman of the Urban Forestry Commission. Its always a quandary when youre going to do repaving work, because tree roots spread way the heck out. Most people think roots go down, but, actually, they go wide. For example, a 100-year-old sugar or Norway maple likely is stabilized by roots that span 50 to 60 feet in all directions. When you come in and you cut trenches and do drainage work, youre cutting into big important roots, and the roots are there for more than one reason, said Harris, a self-proclaimed tree hugger who goes by the use name Tree Fanatic online. She offers an analogy of a wine glass standing on a dinner plate, with the tree being the vessel. All that root mass, 85 percent of it, is in the top 18 inches of soil. We really put a lot of work into our tree-maintenance program and removal program, Sipperly said. These trees are hazardous theyre dead, theyre losing branches, and theyre in populated areas. Budgeted funds about $10,000 annually allow the city to to call in professionals to remove about 50 to 60 trees a year. Every fall and spring, staff and volunteers either raise money through donations or grants to replant those taken down. Tree City USA has a stringent policy for municipalities to qualify for the designation: an urban forestry commission that meets on a regular basis, a tree ordinance, and annual Arbor Day celebration. Also, each must spend $2 per capita, said Sipperly, something most towns cant afford because they dont have the spending, staff or resources. Every other tree I look at there is scruffy looking, just grew there, or its a big old Norway maple or silver maple. Those are trees we would never plant for that purpose, Harris said. We do not remove trees that are healthy, even if it blocks peoples sewer line. We tell them got to replace their lateral (which connects to the main city sewer system). We will not cut down a healthy tree in the city of Middletown, Sipperly said. Over the years, trends in planting street trees fluctuate, Harris said. Silver and Norway maples are beloved by landscapers, because they are very fast-growing (though not recommended these days), and give you a shade canopy within 10 years, but the price you pay is (ultimately feeble) trees, especially silver maples. You get a combination of a bad winds and heavy rain, and those things will split. When they coming crashing down, thats tons and tons of weight coming down in an uncontrolled fashion, Harris said. People dont regard trees the same way arborists and foresters do. When you stand under a maple tree in the middle of August, you look up, you should see nothing but green leaves. You look at half of those trees on Phedon Parkway, and youre looking up through a sparse canopy where you can see blue sky, Harris said. So you know those trees are going to be gone in five to 10 years. Taking them down while the money is available to speed up the process, Harris said, makes sense. Every one will be replaced with 2.5- to 3-inch diameter trees. We do a very thoughtful job of replanting. Were not going to go in there with little ditzy trees and say: Well, here you are. Well pick out nice selections. Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@hearstmediact.com or Twitter @cassandrasdis. A bronze statue of the satanic goat monster Baphomet was unveiled Thursday at the Arkansas Capitol building in front of a cheering crowd of free-speech activists and a smaller crowd of unhappy people holding handwritten Bible verses. The nearly 8-foot-tall statue's brief public appearance marked the culmination of a three-year effort for the Satanic Temple to bring it there. Below is the story of Baphomet's journey to Little Rock. 1. Baphomet was born in Detroit Well, technically his history dates back to 12th century Europe, when the Catholic Church accused blasphemers of worshiping the idol, according to the BBC. Whether any Satanists actually did worship Baphomet is an open question, and he didn't acquire his popular goat-human avatar until an occultist author made it up in the 19th century. And then, somewhere in Detroit in the summer of 2015, the Satanic Temple unvieled a one-ton bronze-coated rendering of Baphomet. Left off was Baphomet's traditional hermaphroditic breasts and it added two little kids at his side to make the statue more publicly palatable. The temple hoped to install it next to a Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma Capitol. But the plan fell through after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the Ten Commandments taken down because they violated state laws on the separation of church and state. So the Satanic Temple started looking for a new home for Baphomet - preferably another government building with a prominent religious display for the goat to complement. 2. Satan's kind of an attention hog The thing about members of the Satanic Temple: They don't actually worship Satan. Or, at least, devil worship is not a requirement to join the organization based in Salem, Massachusetts. "The Satan of Modern Satanism is a metaphorical icon for Enlightenment values," the temple's co-founder, Lucien Greaves, once wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. "I identify nontheistically with a Miltonic Satan that defies all subjugation, exalts scientific inquiry and promotes Humanistic, pluralistic values." In other words, the temple is a group of atheists, humanists and free-speech activists. They tend to use satanic imagery to mess with governments they feel are violating the separation of church and state. A 2016 city council meeting in Pensacola, Florida, came to resemble an exorcism when a cowled Satanist showed up to give the opening prayer, prompting nearly everyone else in the room to recite Bible verses at him. 3. Baphomet <3 Arkansas As soon as Baphomet's Oklahoma trip fell through, the Satanic Temple turned its attention to Arkansas. The state legislature had just passed a bill to erect a Ten Commandments monument of its own in Little Rock. In a common legal tactic for religious equality activists, the temple sought to install Baphomet alongside the Christian symbol. "The Satanic Temple's application was blocked by an emergency-session bill that requires all monuments have legislative sponsorship," the temple wrote. Unable to find any state legislators willing to invite a monstrous winged goat onto the Capitol grounds, the Satanists started a crowdfunding campaign to bring Baphomet to Arkansas themselves. The fundraiser easily met its $20,000 goal. Top donors got their name engraved on Bapohmet's back. 4. "Honk AGAINST Satan!" More than 100 Satanists, atheists and some Christians headed to Little Rock for the big event on Thursday, the Associated Press wrote. Baphomet fans really got into it. As for the good people of Little Rock, not everyone welcomed the demonic visitor. "It will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us," state Sen. Jason Rapert, a Republican and a key supporter of the Ten Commandments display, wrote on the day of Baphomet's arrival. More protesters were on hand holding Bible verses when the goat rolled up to the Capitol on a flatbed truck Thursday afternoon. A few people also brought Confederate flags, for reasons unclear. 5. It's been a rough year for the Ten Commandments While legal challenges have not (yet?) forced Arkansas to remove the Ten Commandments monument, as they have in other states, the old tablets have had a hard time of it. No sooner had the monument been installed in 2017 than "an alleged serial destroyer of Ten Commandments monuments" rammed a Dodge into it and shattered it, as Cleve R. Wootson Jr. wrote for The Washington Post. The monument was rebuilt, but a KATV reporter noticed it had been curtained off behind black tarps by the time Baphomet arrived. Local officials denied the Ten Commandments were being hidden or sheltered from the Satanists. Rather, they said, the monument just happened to be cordoned off for preventive algae treatment. It's a little misleading for the temple to call Thursday's ceremony an unveiling, since that took place three years earlier at what appeared to be a Detroit heavy metal concert. But Satanists did technically pull a veil off the statue again in front of the Arkansas Capitol, thrilling a crowd that looked more cowboy-hats-and-jean-shorts than hood-and-cowl. This was not to be Baphomet's new home, though. He only stayed in Little Rock for a few hours. From a lectern beside the goat and bronze-cast children, Greaves took a jab at "flabby old men who fashion themselves the master race" among the protesters, and then made a short speech. "Good people of Arkansas and supporters of religious liberty," he said. "I present to you Baphomet: symbol of pluralism, legal equality, tolerance, free inquiry, freedom of conscience and reconciliation." A man in a black ski mask holding a large stick interrupted to scream at Greaves for "leading people to hell, " a video tweeted from the scene shows. But a police officer intervened and the ceremony went on. "The Satanic Temple never asked for the Ten Commandments monument be taken down, nor do we ask that Baphomet be erected to the exclusion of any other monuments of religious significance," Greaves continued. "We have as little interest in forcing our beliefs and symbols upon you as we do in having the beliefs of others forced up on." The Satanists all cheered when he was done. The Bible poster-holders on the other side of the truck did not. Eventually, the visitors packed up, the flatbed rolled away and Baphomet returned to an undisclosed location to await his next adventure. Madison County Animal Care and Control is nearing its no-kill goal for saving healthy and treatable animals. The county is working hard to get to its no-kill status and because of the efforts of local rescue groups and organizations we are succeeding, Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. We wouldnt be able to reach the numbers we have without their help. Prenzler said that in order to be no-kill there must a 90 percent save rate for the cats and dogs and this year through the end of July the county met that goal. The county held a press conference on Friday to announce the changes in numbers. According to Animal Control records as of July 31, the county saved 91.3 percent of the dogs taken in and 83.4 percent of the cats. Prenzler said that prior to 2017 the numbers were not available online. However, the statistics are now put up weekly. Anyone can go online and check the numbers, Prenzler said. The public can track our progress. Through the end of July, the county euthanized 103 of the approximately 1,000 animals it took in with most of the remaining going to local rescues for adoption. Katherine Conder, Animal Care and Control manager, credits several changes for the drop in euthanasia rates. The biggest change is the work done by rescues, Conder said. She said when the county increased the hold time from three days to 10 it gave rescues more time The longer an animal is held the greater chance its owner will be found, or a rescue will take it, Conder said. The last thing we want to do is euthanize a healthy animal. Conder said as rescues pull more animals from the facility there will be fewer animals euthanized, bringing the county toward the goal of no-kill. The overall number of animals brought in during 2017 was 1,911 and in 2016 was 2,221. The number of cats and dogs euthanized in 2017 was 685. In 2016, the total of euthanized animals was 1,078. We want to continue bringing our numbers down, so weve started allowing rescues from outside Madison County to come in and pull from our facility, Conder said. The new policy will allow rescue groups or organizations who hold a license with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pick up animals. Since taking over as manager, Conder said shes worked hard to make connections with rescue groups and organizations in order to place as many animals as she can. We want to find every healthy dog and cat a home, she said. They deserve it. Conder said the county is also getting ready to start a pilot program for fostering cats and kittens from the facility. She said that one of the rescues is taking the feral cats and relocating them after spaying and neutering them as part of its barn program. Prenzler said the numbers speak volumes for what is taking place. It represents a big shift in how we are taking care of animals at the shelter, he said. He said in the past, it was acceptable to bring an animal to the shelter because you did not want it anymore and shelter personnel put them down without giving it any thought. People now place value on the lives of cats and dogs, Prenzler said. The county considers them of value and we want to make sure if they are healthy and treatable they remain alive and ready for adoption. NORWALK Two congressional lawmakers updated area healthcare providers and others on Republican efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act during a roundtable discussion at Norwalk Hospital on Friday afternoon. The president, every week, seems to come up with new and creative ways to try to destabilize the existing healthcare system, said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. And its kind of hard to figure out what the root causes are of his crusade to try to sabotage not just the Affordable Health Care Act but the broader healthcare system other than hes mad that the system has President Obamas signature. Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, led the discussion with about two dozen healthcare providers and consumers over what they described as the Trump administrations latest efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. While Republicans under Trump havent been able to repeal Obamas signature law, they have removed the individual coverage mandate, resulting in 13 million Americans losing coverage and increasing insurance premiums for others, according to Murphy. He described the short-term insurance plans introduced by the Trump administration as junk and carrying fewer consumer protections. Murphy said personal bankruptcies in the U.S. have been cut in half since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. Beforehand, more than 1.5 million such bankruptcies were caused by medical debt. Since introduction of the law, more than 750,000 bankruptcies have been lopped off the court system, he added. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was passed in 2010 following fierce debate among Congressional lawmakers as well as the general public. While Republicans fought the law, some Democrats also opposed it, arguing instead for implementation of a single-payer healthcare system as is in place in many other industrialized nations. Dr. Chuck Herrick, chairman of the psychiatry department for the Western Connecticut Health Network, which operates Norwalk Hospital, asked the lawmakers about the prospects of bringing such as system to the U.S. Is there a long-term plan that the Democratic Party is attempting to put together to address universal healthcare? Herrick asked. Murphy said the U.S. has come pretty darn close to universal health care through adoption of the Affordable Care Act. He has advised his congressional colleagues to focus on the here and now. If we spend all of our time designing a health-care system that we can implement once we get control of the House, the Senate and the presidency, we may have lost the health-care system that we have now because of the changes that the president is making and the continued desire of this Congress to unwind what we have, Murphy said. Remember, at the heart of that repeal bill is the end of Medicaid. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said Democrats have no pre-baked plan to introduce a single-payer system and that tensions exist within the party over the idea. He and Murphy lent their support to expanding Medicare, the federal health-care insurance program for people aged 65 and over as well as the disabled. Medicare is a program that pretty much everybody loves but it also has some very serious long-term sustainability issues, Himes said. So theres already, given the demographics of the country, very substantial overhang liabilities that have not been funded by the Medicare system. Under Murphys plan, those liabilities would be dealt with by pricing Medicare in an actuarially neutral way, Himes said. Regardless, of the provider model or the administrator model that we go to, we are still left with this immensely difficult challenge of getting costs under control, Himes added. Craig Glover, Norwalk Health Care Center CEO, said lawmakers can increase access to healthcare services amid the broader debate over whether to expand or repeal the Affordable Care Act. He said Medicare pays for only certain services, particularly in the areas of behavioral health. Licensed family therapy services arent among them. When we see a Medicare patient, we cant provide that service, Glover said. To me, thats a simple fix, a legislative thing saying here are these folks that have the credentials, the credential organizations are established. Why cant they be considered as folks that can provide a service? Eco Rally in Punta Mita to Celebrate National Parks Day Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico - The Riviera Nayarit is joining in the celebration of National Parks Day with an Eco-Rally on Saturday, August 18, in Punta de Mita. The goal is to promote the protection of this tourism destination's natural areas. The Event: The event is organized by the National Commission for Protected Areas (Conanp) via the Islas Marietas National Park and the Sierra de Vallejo Rio Ameca Nayarit Jalisco, together with the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Bahia Unida, the Punta Mita Foundation, and Mita Recycled, using the tagline "Enjoy, Learn, and Protect." This community event also has the support of the following organizations: Ocean Connectors; Aquaventuras from Dolphin Discovery; the Manta Project; El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary; Pronatura Noroeste A.C.; Scouts; CEMBAB (Bahia de Banderas Marvelous Species Conservation), Quality & Hygiene Laboratories, and San Pancho Bird Observatory. The Details: Organize your family and/or friends into teams of 4 or 6 people. There will be awards and prizes for the Eco-Rally winners! Registration will take place at 8:30 am on Saturday, August 18th at the Punta Mita Foundation's Del Mar Community Center. The community center is located on 67 Avenida Las Pangas, Corral del Risco, Punta de Mita, Nayarit. The Facts: National Parks Day is celebrated around the world every August 24th to educate the public about the importance of conservation and the protection of the existing species of flora and fauna. The national park is a natural reserve that's subject to the regulations protecting it for posterity and for the conservation of its flora and fauna. There are two protected areas in Nayarit: Las Marietas National Park in Bahia de Banderas and Isla Isabel National Park in Santiago Ixcuintla. The spring at La Tovara in San Blas is currently in the process of being declared a protected area as well. ALEXANDRIA, Va. - President Donald Trump weighed in with a public defense of Paul Manafort on Friday as a jury concluded its second day of deliberations to decide whether the president's former campaign chairman is guilty of tax and bank fraud. Jurors signaled Friday afternoon they were unlikely to reach a verdict before the day ended and asked if they could leave the courthouse at 5 p.m. U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III agreed, and the panel is scheduled to resume deliberations Monday morning. At the White House, Trump declined to answer a question about a possible pardon for Manafort, but spoke out against special counsel Robert Mueller III, whose office brought charges against the 69-year-old political strategist. It's the first trial to emerge from Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, although the charges against Manafort center on his personal finances. "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad. When you look at what's going on, I think it's a very sad day for our country," Trump said, adding that Manafort "happens to be a very good person, I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." Trump spoke shortly after the jury in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, began its second day of deliberations. Manafort faces 18 charges of tax and bank fraud. Prosecutors say he hid millions of dollars from the Internal Revenue Service in overseas bank accounts and then lied to banks to obtain multimillion-dollar loans. As the panel deliberated, Ellis disclosed he had received threats and is being guarded by deputy U.S. marshals. "They go where I go," the judge said. "I don't even go to the hotel alone; I don't give the name of the hotel." The judge lives in Charlottesville but stays at a hotel on the weekdays when he works out of the Alexandria courthouse. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately comment. Ellis made the surprising statement during a hearing at which a consortium of media organizations pressed for the release of jurors' names, along with documents sealed during the trial. The judge rejected the request for juror information, citing security concerns. There have been specific threats, Ellis said, although he declined to provide details. He said that if jurors were identified, they would be threatened as well and that for their "peace and safety" he would not release their names. "I had no idea this case would excite these emotions, I can tell you frankly," the judge said. Ellis was more accommodating on another request made by the news media. He said some of the sealed material involved "the court's administration of the jury in this case" and would be made available when the trial ends. One bench conference would remain sealed, Ellis said, "because I don't want to interfere with any ongoing investigation." A media coalition including The Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN and BuzzFeed filed motions requesting sealed discussions and records from the trial be made public. The group also asked for the names and addresses of jurors and alternates. In making the request, the media organizations said the information is public under the First Amendment and common law, and would "aid the public's understanding of this important case." Earlier in the day, Ellis said he was open to scrutiny. "A thirsty press is essential to a free country," he said. On Thursday, as the jury of six women and six men neared the end of its first day of deliberations, they sent a note to the judge asking for technical answers to legal issues raised by Manafort's lawyers. The jurors' questions suggest they are quickly diving into the weeds of the sometimes complex tax laws at issue in the case. Two of the questions sought definitions of laws or technical terms. They also asked the judge to define "reasonable doubt." Manafort faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the more serious charges against him. He also faces a second trial next month in Washington on charges he failed to register as a lobbyist for the Ukraine government, and conspired to tamper with witnesses in that case. The ever-rising death toll from the synthetic opioid fentanyl showed graphically this week how vulnerable the United States has become to powerful drugs concocted in laboratories. On the same day that more than two dozen people were raced from a New Haven, Connecticut, park to emergency rooms after violent reactions to synthetic marijuana, federal authorities announced that more than 72,000 people had died of drug overdoses nationwide in 2017. Leading the death toll is the increasing number of fatalities from fentanyl. "It is the 2.0 of drugs right now, the synthetics," said Tom Synan, the police chief in Newtown, Ohio. In an unusual episode involving a batch of synthetic drugs, more than a dozen people fell ill in less than an hour in New Haven's central park on Wednesday. People lay unconscious. Others convulsed and vomited. First responders could barely keep up, sprinting from person to person; a news conference with the police chief was interrupted by word of another victim and medics rushing to administer treatment. All of those who took the drug survived, and authorities announced an arrest in connection with the incident. The culprit was synthetic marijuana, a potent drug that has hospitalized hundreds of people in 10 states in recent months. Unlike previous overdose clusters around the country, "there is no indication of the presence of fentanyl" in samples of the synthetic marijuana being analyzed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Uri Shafir, acting assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's New Haven office. Early media reports had indicated the synthetic marijuana was laced with fentanyl. Illicit fentanyl continues to do far more damage on the streets than other drugs. About 50 times more powerful than heroin, it is cheap and easy to make. It is being cut into heroin, cocaine and other drugs and is often pressed into pill form, tricking users who covet prescription medications. According to one medical specialist in Baltimore, users aware of the combination of drugs they can receive in a single purchase are calling the mixture "scramble." More than 72,000 people died of drug overdoses last year, according to preliminary 2017 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is a 9.5 percent increase from 2016, a rise driven largely by deaths from fentanyl and carfentanil, an even stronger opioid typically used as a large-animal tranquilizer. Just a few grams of either can kill a person. In Cincinnati, 174 users overdosed in six days in 2016 after taking heroin cut with carfentanil. For years, much of the focus has been on curbing the supply of illicit opioid painkillers from doctors and pharmacies to people who abuse the drugs. Now, there is some evidence that battle may be succeeding. The CDC data shows that deaths involving hydrocodone and oxycodone appear to have flattened out, offering possible hope that painkiller deaths might have peaked. On Thursday, the Justice Department and the DEA announced a proposal to further curtail the manufacturing of six powerful prescription painkillers, reducing production quotas by an average of 10 percent in 2019. President Donald Trump also asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to bring a federal lawsuit against opioid suppliers. The federal government already has filed a statement of interest in a mammoth federal lawsuit involving cities, counties, Native American tribes and unions who have sued companies up and down the opioid supply chain. But authorities and others who work with those who are addicted say that prescription pills are no longer the most urgent threat. "Seventy-five percent of the deaths we get are fentanyl related," said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County, New Jersey, prosecutor. "It's the heroin laced with synthetic opioids that we're getting creamed with." Andrey Ostrovsky, president and chief executive of the Concerted Care Group in Maryland, a chain of three outpatient treatment centers, said positive tests for fentanyl among opioid users during the past three months were in the 30 to 40 percent range. The organization sees about 1,300 people each day. Much of the nation's supply of fentanyl is coming in large quantities from Mexico, where it is made by cartels, and from China, where it is made in clandestine labs and purchased on the dark web. State and federal authorities are cracking down on the drug, with prosecutors more aggressively using laws that hold drug dealers criminally liable for overdose deaths. Sessions has targeted 10 areas of the country to bring charges against anyone dealing fentanyl, regardless of the quantity. The Justice Department has tripled fentanyl prosecutions across the country, seized thousands of kilograms of heroin and fentanyl and brought the first cases charging Chinese nationals with selling large quantities of the drug to Americans. Trump on Thursday asked Sessions to look into opioids coming from China and Mexico, saying those countries were "sending their garbage and killing our people." But some on the ground said the help is not coming quickly enough. "I think people aren't willing to take the tough actions needed to deal with the immediacy of the synthetics. . . . The emergency is stopping the synthetics," Synan said. He lamented the role of politics in drug policy, which he said has limited progress regardless of which party has been in power. Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry and a drug policy expert at the Stanford University School of Medicine, said the United States is poorly positioned to have an impact in China's illicit supply of fentanyl because of the ongoing feud over tariffs between the Trump administration and Beijing. "They could help us, but they're not going to," said Humphreys, who spent a year in the Obama administration's Office of National Drug Control Policy. The way to enlist the Chinese is "carefully, respectfully, and not on the front page or on Twitter." The overdoses in New Haven illustrate other difficulties for authorities: There are numerous synthetic drugs available; amateur chemists often simply tweak chemical compositions to skirt laws and make the drugs available to the public. Federal officials last month issued a warning about the spread of synthetic marijuana, known as K2, across the country. In recent months, K2 has caused hundreds of people in about 10 states to be hospitalized, sometimes with severe bleeding. Several people have died because of complications. The danger lies in the drug's unpredictability and its tendency to be cut with potent opioids or an anticoagulant used in rat poison. "Drug dealers are putting [fentanyl] on the street because obviously it's more powerful, people get addicted, they make more money," Synan said. "But on the other end, more people overdose, more people die and it takes a larger response from authorities." A quick Google search of the current biggest mysteries in physics turns up a daunting list of questions: What exactly is dark matter? Why does time only move in one direction? What happens inside a black hole? But sometimes, as American physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman discovered decades ago, equally vexing conundrums can be found in everyday objects, say dry spaghetti noodles. One night, while preparing one of his favorite meals with supercomputer pioneer Danny Hillis, Feynman noticed something strange about spaghetti. If a dry noodle is taken and broken in half, it will almost always break into three or more pieces, tiny bits spraying in every direction. "Why is this true - why does it break into three pieces? We spent the next two hours coming up with crazy theories," Hillis recalled in a biography about Feynman. But, after two hours, all the duo had were their theories - "no real good" ones, Hillis said - and a mess of broken spaghetti all over Feynman's kitchen. Courtesy researchers-MIT Decades later in the spring of 2015, two graduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found themselves in an oddly similar situation - only Ronald Heisser and his friend Edgar Gridello had been breaking spaghetti for much longer than two hours. "For maybe a month, a month and a half, we would just break spaghetti after class, just cover the floor in broken pieces of spaghetti," Heisser, now a PhD student at Cornell University, told The Washington Post Thursday. He and Gridello had decided to take on Feynman's spaghetti enigma as a final project for a class. "I thought it would be cool to try and complete something that a famous physicist began," Heisser said. But Heisser and Gridello weren't trying to figure out why dry spaghetti noodles don't break in half cleanly. That mystery had already been cracked in 2005 by French scientists Basile Audoly and Sebastien Neukirch, whose research earned them an Ig Nobel Prize, a parody award intended to "celebrate the unusual" and "honor the imaginative." More for you Strikeforce: Inside Silicon Valley's Most Unusual Apprenticeship The MIT students wanted to tackle a bigger question: Is it even possible to break a spaghetti noodle in two halves? Can it be done and if so, how? Turns out the answer is yes, with a twist. Literally. Using mathematical modeling, a one-of-a-kind spaghetti breaking contraption and a high-tech camera that can capture up to a million frames per second, Heisser, with the help of fellow MIT graduate student Vishal Patil, took what began as a class project and turned it into the latest revelation in Feynman's famed puzzle. Heisser and Patil figured out that all you need to do to halve spaghetti is bend and twist, publishing their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The twist is crucial, Patil told The Post. He created a mathematical model to explain the theory drawing on the research done by Audoly and Neukirch. A decade ago, the French scientists discovered that when a long thin object is broken by applying pressure evenly to both ends, the force creates a "snap-back effect" - a wave of energy released from the initial break that causes other sections of the object to also fracture. "In our study, we go a bit further and show that actually you can control this fracture cascade and get two pieces if you twist it," Patil said. "You can control the fracture process and then you get two pieces instead of many, many pieces." By twisting and bending, the stress placed on the object being broken is distributed, Patil said. The "snap-back effect" is weakened by the twist and the pasta unwinding itself releases energy, preventing more fractures, according to a news release from MIT. As expected, testing the theory required breaking spaghetti - a lot of it. Heisser said he thinks the number is north of 500. Patil recalled hours in the lab. "We'd just be in lab breaking spaghetti all the time," he said. Luckily, instead of relying on bare hands and manual strength, Heisser designed a special device. "The way our contraption worked is you had sort of a clamp where you clamp the ends of spaghetti," Patil said. "You have to clamp it hard enough, so you could twist the spaghetti a lot, but softly enough that it wouldn't just break at the ends." As one clamp rotates to twist the spaghetti, the other clamp slides toward it to bring the two ends together, bending it. Finally, after several years of research, Heisser and Patil arrived at a conclusion: A dry noodle needed to be twisted nearly 360 degrees and bent slowly to achieve a clean break, the MIT release said. "It was awesome," Heisser said, recalling the moment the spaghetti broke in half. "This is my first research project. I felt like I was doing science." Even if the topic was "a little silly," he added. While breaking spaghetti may seem frivolous, Patil said the research may be applicable to studying how fracturing, usually a "chaotic and random" process, can be controlled for a wide variety of materials. Patil added that the theory he and Heisser developed can also be applied to any brittle rodlike object, for example a pole used for pole vaulting. "Just understanding these complex fracture systems would be interesting going forward as well," he said. "There's still a lot to be discovered about fracture control and this is an example of fracture control." In fact, there's even still more work to be done with pasta. Patil said he's often asked what pasta type will be tested next or if he and Heisser plan to study linguine, which is flatter and more ribbonlike compared to spaghetti. But Patel said he won't be participating in any pasta-related research for the time being. "I have spent way too much time with spaghetti," he said with a laugh. Heisser, on the other hand, is a different story. Though he's not ready to start on another project, he said he hasn't grown tired of breaking spaghetti. "I still do it, just on occasion," he said. "I enjoy it." WASHINGTON - The State Department will pull back funding it had allocated to rebuild parts of Syria once held by the Islamic State, saying Friday that other countries will now provide $230 million in planned spending. Most of the U.S. money was first announced in January by then-secretary of state Rex Tillerson to "stabilize" areas such as the Syrian city of Raqqa, which was largely destroyed by U.S. airstrikes and proxy combat on the ground in a major offensive that ousted the Islamic State last year. The spending was frozen in March, after Tillerson was fired, as part of President Donald Trump's effort to hasten American withdrawal from Syria and turn more responsibility over to members of the U.S.-led coalition. The administration informed Congress on Friday that the money would be "redirected" away from Syria to other, unspecified areas. Commitments from other countries already total $300 million, according to State Department officials, including $100 million announced this week by Saudi Arabia. The funding announcement came as Syria's dual wars - the civil conflict to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and the separate fight against the Islamic State - have increasingly overlapped and moved into new phases. Assad, aided by Russia and Iran, has claimed victory over Syrian opposition fighters - once backed by the United States and others - in most of the western two-thirds of the country. Russia has spearheaded an international campaign to declare Assad firmly in power and persuade the rest of the world to solidify the peace by paying to reconstruct the country and repatriate the millions of Syrians who fled the fighting. The United States, declaring near-victory over the Islamic State in the eastern third of Syria, has said it will spearhead - but not pay for - initial stabilization of the territory it now oversees, including demining and restoration of basic services such as water and electricity. Long-term reconstruction of the country, devastated by more than seven years of war, is to be overseen by the World Bank and other international financial institutions. But the administration, along with much of the international community, has said that no reconstruction money will go to Syria until Assad fully participates in United Nations-led negotiations among all Syrians to establish democratic governance there. At a news conference with Trump following their meeting last month in Helsinki, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they had discussed cooperation in Syria. "The task of establishing peace and reconciliation in this country could be the first showcase example of this successful joint work," Putin said. But State Department officials said Friday that the United States would not cooperate with Russia until it fully commits to supporting the U.N. effort that has been stalled for many months. "There is not going to be, by international agreement, reconstruction assistance to Syria unless the U.N. - not Moscow, not Washington, not any other capital, the U.N. - certifies, validates that a credible and irreversible political process is underway," David Satterfield, acting assistant secretary for the Middle East, said Friday. "That's the door to getting what we believe the regime, the Russians, very much want, which is international money flowing into the wreckage that is presently Syria," he said. The United States and the U.N. have advised refugees - whose presence has caused economic and political upheaval in surrounding countries and in Europe - that it is still not safe to return to once-densely populated parts of western Syria under government control. The administration has additionally demanded that Iran withdraw all of its personnel and assistance to Syria. Trump's initial announcement that he expected an early withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria - and the freezing of stabilization funding - sparked widespread concern that the United States was giving up leverage to press for its long-term goals in Syria, including the eventual departure of Assad and end to Iranian influence there, along with the establishment of democratic, nonsectarian governance that would prevent the regrowth of the Islamic State. Countering the view of critics that ending U.S. stabilization funding will decrease leverage, officials said the United States would remain in control of most of the funding stream from other countries, and work would be done according to a U.S. plan already in place for Raqqa and other areas. The funding decision "represents the success of our . . . administration's efforts to execute the president's direction that we mobilize the international and regional support for the critical stabilization efforts in northeastern Syria," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Friday. "This allows us to free up our tax dollars - U.S. tax dollars to use on other key foreign policy priorities." Nauert and other officials who briefed reporters Friday, including Satterfield and Brett McGurk, Trump's special envoy to the coalition, insisted that, despite Trump's call for withdrawal, the United States was not leaving Syria anytime soon. "There should be no doubt as to the position of the president with respect to the broader issue of the U.S. enduring presence in Syria," Satterfield said. "We're there for the defeat, the enduring defeat of ISIS," he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. Although 99 percent of territory formerly held by the militants has now been retaken, "we still have not launched the final phase to defeat the physical caliphate," McGurk said. "That is actually being prepared now, and that'll come at a time of our choosing. But it is coming." McGurk described a "very significant military operation, because we have a significant number of ISIS fighters holed up in a final area of the Middle Euphrates Valley. And after that, you have to train local forces to hold the ground, to make sure that the area remains stabilized so ISIS cannot return." "So this mission is ongoing," he said, "and it's not over." Offensives against remaining militants along the Euphrates River south of Raqqa were held up last spring when fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-dominated U.S. proxy against the Islamic State, left their positions to participate in a separate fight against the Turkish military attacking Syrian Kurdish positions in northwestern Syria. To organize the many moving parts of its engagement on the Syria issue, the State Department has named two new officials with newly created portfolios. James Jeffrey, a retired senior Foreign Service officer, was named Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's "representative for Syria engagement," Nauert said. "Jeffrey will serve as the secretary's adviser for and the department's primary contact on all aspects of the Syria conflict," although McGurk will remain as Trump's special envoy to the coalition, she said. Nauert also said retired Army Col. Joel Rayburn, who has served as senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon on the National Security Council staff since the beginning of the administration, had joined the State Department as deputy assistant secretary for Levant Affairs, and "special envoy for Syria." Rayburn's job will apparently focus on removing Iranian influence from Syria and the region, including, Nauert said, "our strong opposition to Hezbollah and the importance of a strong Lebanese government," as well as "our strong bilateral ties with Jordan." Vatican City The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" Thursday over a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report about clergy who raped and molested children in six dioceses in that state, calling the abuse "criminally and morally reprehensible" and says Pope Francis wants to eradicate "this tragic horror." In a written statement using uncharacteristically strong language for the Holy See even in matters like the long-running abuse scandals staining the U.S. church, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke sought to assure victims that "the pope is on their side." Pope Francis himself wasn't quoted in the statement, and there was no mention of demands in the United States among some Roman Catholics for the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington. The grand jury report made public this week accused the cardinal of helping to protect some molester priests while he was bishop of the Pennsylvania city of Pittsburgh. Wuerl has defended his actions in Pittsburgh while apologizing for the damage inflicted on victims. Burke said the incidents of abuse graphically documented in the report were "betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith." "The church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur," he said. Victims and their advocates for decades have lamented that top Catholic churchmen repeatedly put the reputation of the church ahead of obligations to protect children from harm from pedophile priests. In a sign that Pope Francis wants to end that pervasive mind set among church hierachy, including bishops and cardinals, he recently accepted the resignation from cardinal's rank of former Washington archbishop Theodore McCarrick amid allegations that the American prelate had engaged in sexual misconduct. Resignations by cardinals are extremely rare, and McCarrick's was the first time a prelate lost his cardinal's rank in a sexual abuse scandal. Burke said Francis "understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults in the church and in all of society." The grand jury report documented how pedophile priests were often protected by church hierarchy or moved to other postings without the faithful being told of the priests' sexual predatory history. The long-awaited grand jury report was full of vivid examples of horrendous abuse. In one such example, a young girl was raped by a priest visiting her while she was in a hospital following surgery to remove her tonsils. In another, a priest tied up a victim with a rope in a confessional booth, and when the victim refused to perform sex, the priest assaulted him with a crucifix. Speaking about Francis, Burke said: "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent." Even before the report was released, a series of scandals over the last few decades involving pedophile priests and systematic attempts by pastors and bishops to cover up the abuse by shuttling offenders to new parishes had rocked the faith of many Catholics in the United States. Similar abuse and determination by protect abusers had also stained the reputation of the Catholic Church in many other countries. Francis recently did a turnaround on how accusations by victims in Chile were viewed by the Vatican. After casting doubt on the victims' accounts during his visit to Chile earlier this year, Francis apologized to them, hosted the victims at the Vatican and later accepted the resignations of some of the country's bishops, who offered en masse to step down. On Thursday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invited the Vatican to play a key role in investigating the scandal involving McCarrick, who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with minors and adult seminarians. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office, working with the Houston Humane Society, seized almost 300 animals from a property on Wednesday, the human society stated Thursday in a news release. A total of 291 animals were seized from the undisclosed location, including 242 "various small dog breeds" and 49 "mini horses and Shetland ponies," according to the news release. See inside Magic Island as construction crews work to renovate it for a planned fall revival... Magic Island, once an '80s and early '90s Houston nightlife attraction, is getting new life after a decade of inactivity. The site at 2215 Southwest Freeway, the large, white building with the pharaoh head on top, has been buzzing with construction crews working to transform the dining and performance venue. MAY 2018: Magic Island, one of Houston's most peculiar buildings, prepares for a revival Manny Fahid and his assistant, Sue Smith, are working for the building's owner Mohammad Athari to get the venue open by Nov. 15. Chron.com toured the building Thursday to check on the progress. First opened in 1983, Magic Island was a destination dining experience featuring magic shows, music, dining and drinking. Acts like Don Rickles, Tiny Tim, and Frank Sinatra Jr. played its stage. It wouldn't be a stretch to call it a piece of Vegas on Greenbriar. OLDEN DAYS: Paul Driscoll, one of the magicians at Houston's old Magic Island, reminisces about the club According to Fahid on Thursday they've installed all new wiring and plumbing in the building that had been a haunt for transients since it closed after Hurricane Ike in 2008. A decade of damage, including fire and vandalism, wasn't easy to undo. Every lick of electrical wire was taken by scavengers. It's also been a favorite site for urban explorers looking for thrills and chills in old, abandoned buildings. "We had to rip down all the sheet rock and basically reduce the building to a shell," Fahid told Chron.com, pointing to walls reduced to the studs on the first floor. "We were able to save some of the antique furniture though." The decorations from Magic Island that weren't pilfered over the years are in safekeeping offsite, ready to go back inside. LOOKING BACK: See what some of Houston's favorite buildings, landmarks looked like while under construction Currently three Egyptian statues are sitting in the parking lot waiting for a date a with a painter who will hopefully return them to their '80s luster. Stacks of sheet rock are on the second floor ready to be installed. The elaborate Egyptian-style molding has been restored where it was salvageable. Around-the-clock armed guards watch over the construction site. Fahid was an employee at the venue back in 1983 when it first opened and he's also emotionally invested in seeing Magic Island not just get back to what it once was, but even better. HIGH ON HOUSTON: Get a bird's eye view of the city from high atop downtown Houston's Heritage Plaza "We had painters come in already and restore some of the murals upstairs," Fahid said, pointing to a large "Ask Alexander" mural near where a new bar should reside in a few months. A large patio on the building's western end is currently being dug out, which Fahid said should be able to seat up to 200 people. As for pharaoh head on the roof, which presides over Houston traffic, it's in the process of getting a facelift of its own. "We're excited to bring the magic back to Houston," Fahid said. 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 VATICAN CITY (AP) The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" Thursday over a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report about clergy who raped and molested children in six dioceses in that state, calling the abuse "criminally and morally reprehensible" and saying Pope Francis wants to eradicate "this tragic horror." In a written statement using uncharacteristically strong language for the Holy See even in matters like the long-running abuse scandals staining the U.S. church, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke sought to assure victims that "the pope is on their side." Pope Francis himself wasn't quoted in the statement, and there was no mention of demands in the United States among some Roman Catholics for the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington. The grand jury report made public this week accused the cardinal of helping to protect some molester priests while he was bishop of the Pennsylvania city of Pittsburgh. Wuerl has defended his actions in Pittsburgh while apologizing for the damage inflicted on victims. Burke said the incidents of abuse graphically documented in the report were "betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith." "The church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur," he said. Victims and their advocates for decades have lamented that top Catholic churchmen repeatedly put the reputation of the church ahead of obligations to protect children from harm from pedophile priests. In a sign that Pope Francis wants to end that pervasive mind set among church hierachy, including bishops and cardinals, he recently accepted the resignation from cardinal's rank of former Washington archbishop Theodore McCarrick amid allegations that the American prelate had engaged in sexual misconduct. Resignations by cardinals are extremely rare, and McCarrick's was the first time a prelate lost his cardinal's rank in a sexual abuse scandal. Burke said Francis "understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults in the church and in all of society." The grand jury report documented how pedophile priests were often protected by church hierarchy or moved to other postings without the faithful being told of the priests' sexual predatory history. The long-awaited grand jury report was full of vivid examples of horrendous abuse. In one such example, a young girl was raped by a priest visiting her while she was in a hospital following surgery to remove her tonsils. In another, a priest tied up a victim with a rope in a confessional booth, and when the victim refused to perform sex, the priest assaulted him with a crucifix. Speaking about Francis, Burke said: "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent." Even before the report was released, a series of scandals over the last few decades involving pedophile priests and systematic attempts by pastors and bishops to cover up the abuse by shuttling offenders to new parishes had rocked the faith of many Catholics in the United States. Similar abuse and determination by protect abusers had also stained the reputation of the Catholic Church in many other countries. Francis recently did a turnaround on how accusations by victims in Chile were viewed by the Vatican. After casting doubt on the victims' accounts during his visit to Chile earlier this year, Francis apologized to them, hosted the victims at the Vatican and later accepted the resignations of some of the country's bishops, who offered en masse to step down. On Thursday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invited the Vatican to play a key role in investigating the scandal involving McCarrick, who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with minors and adult seminarians. The conference's president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said he would go to Rome to ask the Vatican to conduct a high-level investigation known as an "apostolic visitation" to deal with McCarrick's case, working together with a group of predominantly lay experts. A man is accused of shooting a woman twice in the abdomen Aug. 3, because she was on the phone with her child's father, according to an affidavit. Ralph Lugo, 31, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bail is set at $75,000. RELATED: Eerie scene as S. TX man refuses to leave burning car The woman, who was not identified in the affidavit, said she had been at a bar with Lugo and her friends moments before the shooting occurred. She told Bexar County Sheriff Deputies that Lugo got mad because she was on the phone with her childs father. Thats when Ralph punched her in the face, causing her to fall down, the affidavit states. She said she then left with two of her friends and drove to the MGM Cabaret. Lugo had followed them there, according to the affidavit. He walked up to the vehicle the woman was sitting in and began talking to her friends, according to the affidavit. She then got out and used another mans phone in the parking lot, investigators said. RELATED: New city ordinance to affect nearly all workers in San Antonio She watched as Lugo then walked back to his car and reach into the drivers side door, where she knew he kept a gun, according to the affidavit. As she was on the phone, she told investigators that Lugo walked up to her from the side, yelling an obscenity at her as he shot her twice in the abdomen. She than ran inside the establishment for safety, the affidavit states. Another man was also shot in the abdomen, according to earlier reports, but no other details were available. Deputies found both victims at the scene of the shooting about 2:45 a.m. Aug. 3 at the MGM Cabaret, 13580 Interstate 35 South, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The two were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center where deputies interviewed the woman after she and the man were listed in stable condition. Lugo, 31, was apprehended by authorities Sunday morning at a hotel in El Paso. It was unclear if he will face any charges related to the shooting of the other man. A Bexar County Sheriff's Office civilian employee was arrested Friday by San Antonio police on suspicion of assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to a news release. Daniella Velia Garcia, 27, was taken into custody around 1 a.m., according to the sheriff's office. She is a jail employee assigned to video visitation as a civilian monitor. A lawsuit filed against the owner and managers of a San Marcos apartment complex that was razed by a fire grew in size again Tuesday. A fifth fire survivor, Michelle Trevino, has joined the suit initially filed by the family of James Miranda, one of five people killed in the July 20 fire. The suit was also amended to add Thomas Steubing Jr., another apartment complex manager, as a defendant. The other defendants include San Marcos Green Investors LLC, the company that owns the apartments; Elevate Multifamily LLC, the property management company; and Deborah Jones, a manager of the complex. The suit claims the building lacked adequate safety equipment, including a fire sprinkler system, and failed to warn tenants of "hidden dangers." It also claims smoke detectors did not activate when the blaze started about 4:30 a.m., failing to alert residents and guests to evacuate the apartments. RELATED: 4 fire survivors join lawsuit against San Marcos apartment complex Miranda, 23, of Mount Pleasant and the four other victims who died had been living or staying in second-floor apartments at Building 500, where the fire started. The others were Dru Estes, 20, of San Antonio; Haley Frizzell, 19, of San Angelo; Belinda Moats, 21, of Big Wells; and David Ortiz, 21, of Pasadena. The five survivors who joined the suit also lived in Building 500 and were injured while trying to escape the inferno. The fire and smoke damaged two other adjacent structures Building 300 at Iconic Village and an apartment building at Vintage Pads, another complex. More than 200 people were displaced. Iconic Village, located two blocks from Texas State University, was heavily populated by students, and four of the five people killed were current or former students. A massive investigation of the fire continues. Officials say they have determined where the fire started, but haven't disclosed the information. After the fire, a news release from the city of San Marcos said battery-powered smoke alarms had been installed in each apartment as required by law. The property management company provided records to the city indicating the alarms had recently been inspected. FROM OUR SUBSCRIBER SITE: Investigators retrace path of deadly San Marcos fire Still, a number of survivors said they did not hear smoke detectors go off in their apartments. Elevate did not respond to an email seeking comment about the lawsuit. The company previously noted it doesn't comment on litigation. San Marcos city officials also said the complex wasn't required to have a sprinkler system because it was built in 1970, before the fire code mandated that safety equipment. Buildings only have to be retrofitted with sprinklers if they are substantially remodeled. The surviving plaintiffs are seeking costs related to their injuries and damages, while Miranda's father, who lives in Arkansas, is seeking a wrongful death judgment. The plaintiffs are asking for more than $1 million. The Houston-based law firm Arnold & Itkin is representing the plaintiffs. Vice President Mike Pence will visit Houston's Johnson Space Center -- home of NASA's astronaut corps -- next week. Pence announced his impending visit in a Tweet on Thursday, saying only that he was coming to "talk about the future of human space exploration." "Under [President Donald] Trump's administration, America is leading in space once again!" he said. Pence will visit on Thursday, Aug. 23, according to NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Johnson officials said they are ironing out the details with the White House. NEW FRONTIER: Department of Defense delivers Space Force plans to Congress QUICK TAKE: Ted Cruz thinks Trump's Space Force is 'a great idea' Johnson is home to the nation's astronaut corps, where human space flight research and training take place. The Houston center had a budget of $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2017 and employs about 10,000 civil service and contractor employees. It is also home to the international space station mission operations and the Orion program. Pence is head of the National Space Council, which was revived by President Donald Trump last year after being dissolved for more than two decades. It's just one way Trump has pushed for bolstered human exploration during his time in the oval office. LAST YEAR: VP Mike Pence will visit NASA, but Twitter is having none of it Trump's $19.9 billion NASA budget proposal for the coming fiscal year funnels billions of dollars to human exploration. It tasks the space agency with sending Americans around the moon in 2023, while also setting aside $504.2 million in the coming year to begin working on the foundation of a $2.7 billion Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway basically, a mini-space station orbiting the moon where astronauts could live and work. In April, NASA abruptly ended a $250 million rover mission meant to find water on the moon. Earlier this month, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was in Houston to announce first nine astronauts to fly on commercial vehicles being built by Boeing and SpaceX. Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Dear Mr. President: Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don't know him. Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency. Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs. A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself. Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be. - - - McRaven, a retired Navy admiral, was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. He oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. From the beginning of the American republic, its founders obsessed about how it all would end. Democracy never lasts long, said John Adams. There never was a democracy yet, that did not commit suicide. George Washington used his farewell address to warn that partisan factions could tear the country apart. The Federalists worried that domestic disunity could be exploited by hostile foreign governments. James Madison in particular feared that liberty might be lost by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power. Check. Check. Check. But there is one factor in our politics that the founders could not have predicted: the debilitating infection of celebrity culture. Were Washington to be resurrected, it would be difficult to explain how historys most powerful nation, after surviving civil war and global conflict, turned for leadership to a celebrity known for abusing other celebrities on television. It is the single strangest development in American history. And we have only begun to process its consequences. It is not that American leaders have never been famous. Dwight Eisenhower was one of the most famous men in the world for organizing victory in World War II. Ronald Reagan was famous for his acting career, but also for being governor of California and an articulate conservative. Fame usually has some rough relationship to accomplishment. Celebrity results from mastering the latest technologies of self-exposure. Ingrid Bergman was famous. Kim Kardashian is a celebrity. Franklin D. Roosevelt was famous. Donald Trump is ... not in the same category. Within its proper bounds confined to stunts on a desert island or in a fake boardroom the ethos of reality television is relatively harmless. Transposed to the highest level of politics, it is deeply damaging. The founders generally believed that the survival and success of a republic required leaders and citizens with certain virtues: moderation, self-restraint and concern for the common good. They were convinced that respect for a moral order made ordered liberty possible. The culture of celebrity is the complete negation of this approach to politics. It represents a kind of corrupt, decaying capitalism in which wealth is measured in exposure. It elevates appearance over accomplishment. Because rivalries and feuds are essential to the story line, it encourages theatrical bitterness. Instead of pursuing a policy vision, the first calling of the celebrity is to maintain a brand. Is the skill set of the celebrity suited to the reality of governing? On the evidence, not really. Our celebrity president, as on North Korea, is prone to take credit for nonexistent accomplishments. As on the border wall and the travel ban, he deals in absurd symbols rather than realistic policies. As on Russian policy, he is easily manipulated by praise. As on the revoking of former CIA Director John Brennans security clearance, he uses the power of his office to pursue personal vendettas. When a real estate developer attacks an enemy in the tabloids, it is a public relations spectacle. When the president of the United States targets and harms a citizen without due process, it is oppression. But the broader influence of celebrity culture on politics is to transform citizens into spectators. In his book How Democracy Ends, David Runciman warns of a political system in which the people are simply watching a performance in which their role is to give or withhold their applause at the appropriate moments. Mr. Madison, meet Omarosa. Donald Trump is sometimes called a populist. But all this is a far cry from the prairie populism of William Jennings Bryan, who sought to elevate the influence of common people. Instead, we are seeing a drama with one hero, pitted against an array of villains. And those villains are defined as anyone who opposes or obstructs the president, including the press, the courts and federal law enforcement. Trumps stump speeches are not a call to arms against want; they are a call to oppose his enemies. This is not the agenda of a movement; it is the agenda of a cult. Will the republic survive all this? Of course it will. But it wont be the same. michaelgerson@washpost.com The Lone Star State is suffering a severe shortage of doctors. On a per-capita basis, Texas has fewer primary care physicians than all but three states. About 20,000 primary care doctors currently practice in Texas but the state will need 6,000 more by 2030 to meet the needs of its growing population. Texas medical schools wont be able to satisfy this demand on their own even if every one of their graduates sticks around to practice. The only way to solve Texass doctor shortage is to look abroad to graduates of international medical schools. Across Texas, there are 475 federally designated healthcare professional shortage areas, or regions with too few primary care health care providers. Over 6 million people reside in these regions. Thirty-five counties lack a single doctor. Many current physicians will soon leave the profession, further exacerbating the shortage. Nearly 3 in 10 Texas doctors are 60 or older, so theyre likely to retire within the next decade. Meanwhile, demand for care is soaring. Texas population is growing rapidly. And new and longtime residents alike face serious chronic diseases. More than 1 in 10 Texans suffer from diabetes. More than one-third are obese, which increases their risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and hypertension. Texas medical schools are graduating about 1,400 new doctors each year. But more than 40 percent of them leave the state after graduating. Doctors trained abroad can help fill the gap. They already treat millions of patients across the Lone Star State. And many of them are U.S. citizens who chose to study overseas and then return home to practice. More than a quarter of Texas doctors are international medical graduates. Thirty-four graduates from the school I lead, St. Georges University in Grenada, will begin residencies in Texas this year 85 percent of them in primary care. And the pipeline remains strong. Dozens of Texans will begin their medical studies at our school this month. Seven incoming Texans earned scholarships to underwrite their education at St. Georges. Importantly, international medical graduates are more likely to serve in primary care, where the doctor shortage is most acute. In the 2018 residency match cycle, 70 percent of IMGs chose primary care residencies, compared to just 40 percent of U.S. grads. Fortunately, some doctor groups and state officials are working to bring more international medical graduates to the Lone Star State. The Texas Medical Association has a program that connects IMGs with mentors known as physician leaders. These leaders help international graduates understand medical licensing rules and acclimate to Texas culture. The state has also ramped up funding for residency programs, which all medical school graduates must complete before they can practice. In 2014, the state Legislature began a Graduate Medical Education Expansion program to train more doctors. In January, program officials announced they were awarding $97 million to support nearly 1,300 residencies for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. But state leaders are by no means as welcoming of international medical students as they should be. Texas is one of only two states that prohibits students from international medical schools from participating in clinical rotations at state hospitals even if theyre natives of the Lone Star State. These rotations which students must complete during their last two years of med school in order to graduate enable students to gain hands-on medical experience and learn from established health practitioners. California, New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida require international medical schools to meet national training standards before they allow their students to perform clinical rotations at hospitals within their borders. Texas should do the same rather than simply banning international medical students altogether. Texas cant solve its doctor shortage by relying solely on physicians educated within its borders. Recruiting more graduates from international medical schools is the only way to stave off a health care crisis. Dr. G. Richard Olds is president of St. Georges University, (www.sgu.edu) in Grenada, West Indies. United States President Donald Trumps administration is ratcheting up pressure on embattled President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa by demanding that he institutes a transparent and credible investigation into the August 1 killing of at least six protesters in Harare. Speaking after meeting Mnangagwa in the capital on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, said Washington was greatly disturbed by reports of violence and the death of six people. The US is also appalled by the intimidation of opposition polling agents as well as alleged beatings of civilians in high-density suburbs by suspected State security agents. There should be a transparent and credible investigation and those involved should be charged according to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Respect for human rights, rule of law and economic reforms should be observed, Nichols said. At least six people lost their lives in the protests after the army was deployed to disperse demonstrators who were frustrated by inordinate delays in the release of presidential results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec). The protesters also accused Zec of rigging the poll results in favour of Zanu PF and its presidential candidate. In the ensuing melee, the soldiers fired live ammunition, drawing widespread condemnation from the international community. While no arrests have been made in connection with the killings, dozens of opposition activists, particularly polling agents, have since appeared in court over the violence. Other opposition activists are reportedly in hiding amid allegations that they are being hunted down by security agents who want to force them to sign fake V11 forms that form part of the MDC Alliances evidence in the ongoing electoral challenge at the Constitutional Court (Con-Court). Mnangagwa has reacted to the deadly violence by stating that he would institute an investigation into the incident. During his most recent public address, the 75-year-old politician blamed the MDC Alliance for allegedly inciting the violence. Nichols, who met Mnangagwa for one hour at State House a fortnight after the killings, described their engagement as very productive. Notwithstanding, he said Washington was concerned with recent events and the human rights situation of August 1. President Mnangagwa has stressed commitment to creating a peaceful environment for Zimbabwe and to respect human rights. Trump is committed to a positive relationship with Zimbabwe. We support freedom of speech, democracy, free and fair elections but we do not support any particular person or party, said Nichols as he emerged from the meeting. Nichols replaced Ambassador Harry Thomas Jnr, whose tour of duty came to an end recently, and the new envoy is a veteran member of the US Senior Foreign Service and has served as an American diplomat since 1989. A dyed-in-the-wool career diplomat who is a recipient of 20 State Department awards and has served in Peru and the Colombia capital, Bogota, Nichols has gone through a hell of a lot more substantive responsibilities in hot-spots, one diplomat said. Meanwhile, Nichols also spoke to Zimbabwes opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday and reiterated the need to put the country back on a democratic path. The Daily News understands he wanted to hear from Chamisa a little bit how he viewed the political situation in Zimbabwe. This comes as the US is under pressure to take a firm line with Mnangagwa who took power in a coup in November, and won elections that are being disputed in the Con-Court. Chamisa yesterday declined to state what he discussed with the US envoy, referring the Daily News to his tweet. Had a great meeting with the US Ambassador to Zim on norms, values and standards regarding free, fair elections & human rights, Chamisa said in his tweet. Diplomats said Washington fears the turmoil will distract attention from the urgent task of fixing a dying economy that has led to worsening hardships here. Prior to the elections whose results are being challenged at the Con-Court by Chamisa, Trumps administration had made it clear that it would wait for Mnangagwa to fulfil his reform promises before it can put a seal of approval on his government. But the latest developments have dented the credibility of the plebiscite. Trumps administration has already responded to the August 1 killings by extending US sanctions against Zimbabwe, in a development deplored by the Mnangagwa administration. With former president Robert Mugabe out of the way following his ouster by the military last year, Mnangagwa as the successor has been speaking social, economic and political reforms. Ahead of the just-ended polls, he invested a lot into international re-engagement following decades of isolation. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The leader of the out-phased reformed All Progressives Congress, Kawu Baraje, on Thursday, August 16, defected from the APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. The Punch reports that Baraje, during a media conference in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, said he will soon make a formal and celebrational defection in his ward, Baboko in Ilorin. He declared that he belongs to the party where his leader, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, defected to. READ ALSO: List of PDP presidential aspirants who want Buharis job Baraje commended the PDP where he had been the secretary and acting chairman before he defected to APC. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that a former lawmaker and 2015 Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Enugu state, a senator Ayogu Eze, defected to the APC. Before moving to the APC, Eze had engaged in intensive consultations with political associates and stakeholders in Enugu and the ruling party. A grand reception is being planned to officially receive the two-time senator, who has already registered as an APC member in his ward. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app APC members in the state are reportedly overjoyed over the development, as they view Eze as a strong force who will help them dislodge the PDP from power in the state come 2019. In a related development, the senator representing Ebonyi south senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sonni Ogbuoji, and an ex-minister of state for power and steel, Goddy Ogbaga and 13 others on Saturday, August 4, defected from the PDP to the APC. The defectors announced their defection during a rally organised by the state chapter of the APC in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari and the partys national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Senators, lawmakers defect from APC - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Nigerian actress Uche Ogbodo has shared some photos of her body transformation - The actress talked about weight loss transformation and getting her revenge body back For many people who are unhappy with their bodies either because they don't like that they are plus-sized or maybe because they don't have the curves they want, working on getting the right body is always the best option. Some have to loose weight and others have to work on getting a bit fuller. After achieving the transformation goal, many people take to social media to celebrate and that's exactly what this Nigerian actress did. Popular Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has shared a throwback photo to celebrate her weight loss progress. The beautiful actress took to social media to share reasons why people need to get their revenge body. READ ALSO: Oge Okoye storms social media with her hot legs (photos) On an Instagram page, the actress expressed that the best reason to get a revenge body is to make people appreciate you. She said:"This Is The Best Reason Why you need A Revenge Body! The Whole Of me couldnt even fit into my Camera phone Make Them Eat back their words! Now Fine Girls Like Us , We no dey hustle Nah them Dey Rush Us . #fitnessactivists #bodypositive #goddess #bodybositivewithucheogbodo #nahthemdeyrushus #bootcamp #transformation #bodyswap." PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group It seems like body transformation is the new thing, Legit.ng recently shared the story of an American lady who transformed incredibly into a gorgeous lady after she lost some weight. Why I trust Simi with everything regarding my music Adekunle Gold | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - Nigerian governors say it is regrettable that state governments have been limited to only paying of salaries while other sectors are not given the same attention - The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state, explains that governors do not have the money to pay the N65,000 minimum wage which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is proposing - Fayemi berates Fayose over mass recruitment of teachers in Ekiti 2 months before expiration of his tenure Nigerian governors have said they were not elected into office solely for the purpose of paying salaries but also to provide good roads, electricity, education and other necessary amenities. The governors made the statement under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) when reacting to the clamour on the implementation of a new minimum wage. The chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state, said it is regrettable that state governments have been limited to only paying of salaries while other sectors such as health, electricity, education, among others, are not given the same attention, The Cable reports. He said governors do not have the money to pay the N65,000 minimum wage which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is proposing. READ ALSO: PDP suffers another blow, loses 4 lawmakers to APC, ADC in Ogun state We have a committee of six which represented us in discussions in the committee headed by labour minister, Yari said. The committee is yet to give us the final report. When they give us the final report, for which they have our mandate to present our position, and the position most likely is to look at the record of up to 14 years. For instance, in global practice, in your income, how much are you spending as salary? So that we can start from there. They have given us interim report, that at the federal government level, over 82 percent is being spent on overhead which cannot move the country forward in terms of infrastructure development and development that we need now. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app So, on our own part, we are saying we are going to look at how our income are trained from our final account from 14 years ago so that we can come up and stay in the middle. I dont think you people voted us for only to pay salaries. You are looking for good roads, electricity, education and others. So, we cant do magic. Its only when we have the funds do all those things. Meanwhile, the last minute massive recruitment exercise by the outgoing administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose has been described as a deliberate effort to put obstacles in the way of the in-coming administration of the governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi. Vanguard reports that no fewer than 600 teachers have been recruited to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) while 400 staff were employed at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and 1000 at the ministry of establishment. Legit.ng gathered that a statement by the director of media and publicity in the office of the governor-elect, Wole Olujobi, berated Fayose for embarking on a last minute mass recruitment to deceive the unsuspecting victims and set a booby-trap for the incoming administration. Ekiti State REC Reveals How INEC Will Stop Rigging In Forthcoming Election | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit The federal government and governors of the 36 states of the federation, on Thursday, August 16, resolved to explore how the operations of the Nigeria police can be decentralised in order to improve the level of policing and security in the country. Legit.ng understands that this was part of the highlights of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting where a committee of state governors and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has been set up to ensure the decentralisation. In a press release after showing the highlights, the members of the committee include the governors of Zamfara, Ondo, Plateau, Ebonyi, Katsina, Edo and Borno states. They will work with IGP Ibrahim Idris. READ ALSO: Good news as Kano state approves recruitment of 1,196 female teachers, N450m for capacity building The press release reported by Premium Times said at the NEC meeting, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, assured that the intelligence community and security agencies will continue to sustain current efforts to mitigate the security challenges across the country. Monguno had earlier briefed the council on security matters. The deputy governor of Benue state, Benson Abounu, who spoke with journalists after the meeting, commended the efforts of the security agencies at mitigating the spate of insecurity in the state. Abounu reportedly thanked the security agencies for the thoroughness of Operation Whirl-Stroke mounted by the Nigerian Army in Benue state for their decisive activities which, according to him, have brought relative peace to the state. The security situation in Benue state has improved significantly. Now many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned home, the State is relatively calm, he said. The report added that at the NEC meeting, presentations were made on Value Added Tax (VAT) and withholding tax by states and MDAs by the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler. Fowler, it was learnt, informed council that the audit of the state MDAs has commenced with respective governors and finance commissioners duly notified. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app He added that the total outstanding VAT and Withholding debt of states MDAs stands at N41 billion for the period 2008 to 2016. Legit.ng earlier reported that the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to immediately overhaul the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Nigeria Latest News: Atiku Abubakar - Exclusive Comments About The Elections | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng The minority leader of the Gombe state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Haruna, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Haruna announced his defection on Thursday, August 16, during the house plenary presided over by the speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Abubakar Nono, Daily Trust reports. READ ALSO: No ransom was paid for Dapchi girls - FG Legit.ng gathers that Haruna stated that the division in the Gombe state chapter of the APC and the injustice meted out to him by the party's leadership, was what caused him to defect. He lamented over the fact that he had been denied the opportunity to defend himself, after being unjustly suspended by the party, four months ago. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the deputy speaker of the Kaduna state House of Assembly, John Audu Kwaturu, and the member representing Kudan state constituency in the Assembly, Junaidu Yakubu, defected from the APC to the PDP. Kwataru who made the decision known through a phone call, said he had submitted his letter of withdrawal of membership of the APC to his Kwataru ward in Kachia local government area. Senators, lawmakers defect from APC - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - A court has threatened to commit the IGP to prison if he fails to obey its orders - Ibrahim Idris has been accused of alleged contempt of court over the Offa robbery incident - The order followed the disobedience of the police to release Governor Abdulfatah Ahmeds personal assistant on political matters after a previous order by the court A state High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara state capital city has threatened to imprison the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, over alleged contempt of court. The court presided by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf made the declaration in a notice of consequences of disobedience of order if court (form 48). The order dated 10 August, 2018 was signed by the registrar of the court and addressed to the IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja. READ ALSO: Major loss for APC as top lawmaker in Northern state defects to PDP The judge in the order said: "Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the High Court of Justice of Kwara State delivered on the 1st of August, 2018, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison. The order followed the disobedience of a previous one made for release Governor Abdulfatah Ahmeds personal assistant on political matters, Olalekan Alabi. Alabi was arrested by the police on Monday, May 30, over his alleged link with Offa banks robbery suspects. READ ALSO: National pride swells as German pastor urges countrymen to emulate Nigerians However, he was granted an interim bail by Justice Yusuf on Wednesday, August 1, after declaring that his continued detention was illegal and not justifiable. In the condition, Alabi was granted an interim bail of N20m with two reliable sureties in like sum. The judge also held that the police had failed to justify why they had kept the governors aide in detention for over two months. However, despite the court's order, Alabi has remained in custody as the police have failed to release him. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the police moved the key suspects of the April 5, 2018, Offa bank robbery from its headquarters in Abuja back to the southwest. The police said the relocation of the suspects would enable the recovery of firearms used in the deadly robbery. The gang leaders have also revealed to the police five hideouts where this firearms are hidden in Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti states. Nigeria News: Offa bank robbery - The untold story (NAIJ EXCLUSIVE) | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, has assured indigenes in the state of infrastructural development - Obaseki said that no matter the pressure he comes across, he will never succumb to using state funds for personal purposes - He said that if the right infrastructures are put in place, people will have no reason to travel to Libya for a so-called better life through illegal means Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that contrary to the rampant trend of embezzling state funds, his brand of leadership is about infrastructural development, Punch reports. READ ALSO: Civil society groups fault N242bn budget for 2019 elections He vowed that he would not yield to pressure, no matter how much or from whatever source it came, to go back on his oath to provide purposeful leadership for the state. He remarked that if structures are put in place to ensure quality life for the people, they will not embark on illegal and life-threatening journeys to Libya in a bid to cross to Europe in search of greener pastures. Obaseki said this on Thursday, August 16, in a statement he made during the first anniversary of the Edo state task force against human trafficking held at the Government House in Benin City. The governor emphasised that under his administration, money meant for the development of the state would not be used for frivolities. Obaseki said: All Edo State Governments money will be used for the development of the state. This is the brand of politics I have chosen to play. Our developmental challenges are so enormous and only a frugal and prudent utilisation of taxpayers money would ameliorate the sufferings of our people. No matter the pressure and irrespective of the quarter such pressure would come from, I will not break my oath with Edo people, to provide purposeful leadership. Taxpayers money is meant for development and it will be used to develop the state and make life better for our people. We are taking development to those in the grass roots where the need is greater. We will not share money like those we displaced from the government. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The governor further said that his government would not slack in its efforts to open up the rural regions by providing infrastructure to boost the economy, adding that his vision for the state is for it to rank as one of the three most developed states by the end of his tenure. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Obaseki had reportedly lamented that efforts by his government to provide the much-needed infrastructure in the state are being hampered by the huge debts he inherited when he came to office. Obaseki said the debts were incurred by successive governments in the state. Legit.ng gathered that the governor said this when he received the chairman of the governing board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Amb Fatima Balla Abubakar, and her delegation. Market Survey: Edo traders lament about Buhari over unbelievable prices of goods - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A female hospital worker identified as Mrs Rachael J. Ochibi has shared details of a miracle that happened recently - According to her, a baby who swallowed a chess pawn was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead few moments later - She prayed and started playing the song of Pastor Enenche of Dunamis and the child sprung back to life A female hospital worker in Lokoja recently shared details of a miracle that occurred right before her eyes. Mrs Rachael J. Ochibi revealed that a child was brought back to life after hearing the song of Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis church. She shared this on the Facebook page of Testimonies at Dunamis Lokaja Central. According to Mrs Racheal, a boy was rushed to the military hospital in Lokoja on August 10 after swallowing a chess pawn. The young boy who was near death, bleeding from his mouth and nose profusely and was pronounced dead few moments later. Ochibi who revealed she had given up prayed for the child and proceeded to play a song by Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre and almost immediately, the little boy sprung back to life, vomiting the chess pawn. READ ALSO: Nigerian actress Uche Ogbodo shares photos of fabulous body transformation Racheal revealed that the real miracle happened when the boy didn't need any surgery and was discharged after a few hours of check up. Read her post below: Mrs Rachael revealed that the baby was discharged without surgery Source: Facebook, Testimonies at Dunamis Lokoja Central Indeed, miracles do happen. In the same light, just recently, a famous pastor allegedly healed a blind woman with a prophetic word. According to reports, the woman had suffered blindness for a year and got her healing when she attended a special church program in Enugu. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Nigerian Pastor Reveals How He Got the Gift of Prophecy at a Young Age on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit While growing up, many men and women have at one point bullied a friend or gotten bullied by another school mate. Some of these people end up meeting each other years after secondary school while others dont. Such was the case of this beautiful young lady, Olashile Abayomi (@FireOFola) as identified on Twitter has come out to share a story of how she came across the man she beat up years back while in secondary school. Abayomi revealed that she beat him up after he bullied her in school. Many would think she was still going to look down on her old school mate or even haul insults at him but the young lady did neither of the two. Abayomi disclosed that the man who is now a keke Napep driver in Lagos was shocked when he picked her up and they both laughed at what they did in the past. Lady takes an old friend for lunch years after she beat him up in secondary school. Source: Olashile Abayomi READ ALSO: Female corps member shows off her mum who sold fish to sponsor her education (photos) She did not end her story there, Abayomi added that she took him out for lunch and when she asked how much he must have lost because she took him for lunch, he told her the price and she did the needful. Her tweets read: I saw an old secondary school mate today, he was the driver of the keke I boarded, I recognized him, I beat him up once when he bullied me, so the scar gave him away. We got talking and laughing & he said Oju ntimi I asked why? He said mon wa keke I told him Mon wo keke. He looked at me and said iwo fresh na I looked at him back and said Iwo ni motor na Then he smiled.. We exchanged numbers.. I took him for lunch, asked how much he would have made within that time I've interrupted his job for lunch and he told me. Did what I needed to do with that information.. He was shocked.. Hugged him well, pecked him and bade him farewell.. That route is not my regular route and I may not see him in a long while.. But we will speak on the phone.. Life is easy.. Put a smile on people's faces. Even if you know you are probably richer than someone, don't rub it in, make them feel better in their situation.. That is the highlight of my day.. I am fulfilled. I don't beat up people, I beat up bullies... And that was years ago.. You people.. Sigh! PAY ATTENTION: Best love tips and relationship advice on Africa Love Aid group! See tweets below: Its good to be good! What do you think will happen if women rule the world? (Nigerian Street Interview) | Legit.ng TV - on Legit.ng TV. Source: Legit.ng - The speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, has urged Muslim pilgrims in Mecca to pray for peaceful 2019 polls - Ojo made this plea in his message to faithful who are preparing for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration - He also called on Muslims to ask for Allahs infinite mercy and guidance for the entire state Few days to the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, has urged Muslims, especially Nigerians pilgrims in Mecca, to pray for the success of the 2019 general elections, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: It is not new, defections happen everywhere in the world - Jonathans former aide Okupe Ojo gave the advice in his message to mark the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir, signed by his special assistant on media and publicity, Yemi Alao on Friday, August 17, in Ibadan. He also called on Muslims to ask for Allahs infinite mercy and guidance for the state and its leaders as they steered the affairs of the state. According to him, the exemplary virtues of sacrifice, obedience, steadfastness and generosity, typified by Prophet Ibrahim should not be lost to the pageantry that would accompany the festival. The speaker reassured the people of the state of the commitment of the legislature to the onerous task of moving the state to greater heights. NAN reported that the federal government has declared Tuesday, August 21 and Wednesday August 22, as public holidays to celebrate the festival. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The minister of interior, retired Lieutenant.-General Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Thursday,August 16, in Abuja in a statement issued by Mohammed Umar, the permanent secretary at the ministry. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Sultan of Sokoto and president general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, had declared Sunday, August 12 as the first day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. This was contained in a statement released on Sunday, August 12, by the deputy secretary general of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu. By the Sultans declaration, this years Dhul-Hijjah 10, which is Eid-el-Kabir celebration day, would be Tuesday August 21, 2018. Eid-el-Kabir: Why the ram killed must not exceed three days in your house - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Nyesom Wike hosted a banquet in honour of former governor Peter Odili - He urged the former governor to forgive those that betrayed him - Wike said Odili helped him to be a successful governor The governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has called on his predecessor, Peter Odili to forgive the politicians that have betrayed him. Vanguard reports that Wike spoke on Thursday, August 16 at a state banquet in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to mark Odilis 70th birthday. READ ALSO: APC finally splits in Rivers as Senator Abe opens factional secretariat (photos) Wike called on the former governor to forgive his political sons who betrayed and abandoned him through the years. He said: Whoever has annoyed or betrayed you, forgive them. When you have 20 children, leave room for rebels. Since 1999, nobody has been key in the politics of Rivers State without being directly or indirectly linked to Dr Odili. The Rivers governor said he owed his success as a governor to a three point developmental secret that Odili handed over to him. He said: Everything the former Rivers governor told me in his guidelines has played out. I am successful because I followed religiously the items on the guidelines to rapidly develop Rivers State. I dont have high blood pressure because I was fully prepared. I know each local government area because I took the advice from a man who was there. From the guidelines I received from Dr Odili, I can easily predict appointees who will stay and those who will leave. By their steps you can determine their next move. Odili in his reaction commended Wike for his loyalty saying he had forgiven all those who betrayed him. He said: I have forgiven. I will attempt to command my mind to forget. I will grant conscience amnesty to those whose conscience have told them that they offended me Today, I feel I am properly handing over to my successor. Meanwhile, a former governor of Kano state and current senator, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has visited Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers as reports indicate that the former is eyeing the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of 2019. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Kwankwaso, who recently left the APC and joined the PDP, visited Wike late Monday, August 14. Both leaders held a meeting with Kwankwaso declaring that Wike deserved to be reelected in 2019. Legit.ng, however, understands that Kwankwaso was in the state on a condolence visit on Governor Wike over the death of the attorney general of Rivers state, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN). Top Nigeria Corruption Scandals: Joshua Dariye, Olisa Metuh and Sambo Dasuki | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Major General Chikezie Ude thanks General Irabor for the remarkable achievements recorded during his tenure as MNJTF commander - Ambassador Mamman Nuhu describes General Irabor as a commander with a remarkable pedigree - Court threatens to commit IGP to prison over alleged contempt Major General Chikezie Ude has assumed duty as the new commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at a ceremony which took place at headquarters of the MNJTF in N'Djamena, Chad. The spokesperson for the MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha, in a statement on Friday, August 17, said Major General Ude thanked his predecessor, General Irabor for the remarkable achievements recorded during his tenure. The new commander also lauded the executive secretary of the Lake Chad basin commission and head of mission MNJTF, ambassador Mamman Nuhu for supporting the former commander. He stated that he looked forward to enjoying similar support and cooperation during his tour of duty. READ ALSO: Gombe minority leader abandons APC, defects to PDP General Ude assured members of the MNJTF and staff of the African Union Mission Support Team, that he would continue from where his predecessor stopped and solicited the cooperation of everyone to ensure that the problem of Boko Haram terrorism is eradicated quickly. Also speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu describes General Irabor as a commander with a remarkable pedigree. He said Irabor will be missed by everyone. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, in another report, a state High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara state capital city has threatened to imprison the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, over alleged contempt of court. The court presided by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf made the declaration in a notice of consequences of disobedience of order if court. The order dated 10 August, 2018 was signed by the registrar of the court and addressed to the IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja. Buhari Warplanes Cost Nigeria 496 Million US Dollars | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria Violent crime rates in our country tripled from 1964 to 1980. Robbery tripled, murder doubled, and aggravated assault nearly tripled. This was an alarming time for communities across our nation. To fight back, Congress passed the Armed Career Criminal Act in 1984, giving federal prosecutors a powerful new tool to deal with the growing rate of violent crime. The ACCA gave prosecutors the ability to take the most violent criminals off the streets by requiring courts to impose a minimum 15-year sentence for felons who were caught with a firearm and had a criminal history of three or more violent felonies. Federal prosecutors across the county aggressively used this new tool, charging and convicting violent offenders and taking them out of the communities they were terrifying. By 1992, violent crime had begun a historic decline. From 1991 to 2014, violent crime and murder fell by half, aggravated assault fell by 47 percent, and robbery fell by nearly two thirds. While some debate how much of this dramatic decline was caused by the enactment of the ACCA, the United State Sentencing Guidelines (when their application was mandatory across the country), and a number of other things, there really is no doubt the most significant factor in the decline in the rate of violent crime was due to keeping the most violent criminals off the streets longer. In 2015after 30 years on the booksa critically important part of the ACCA was struck down by the Supreme Court in Johnson v. United States as being vague. Lawyers, judges, and scholars can disagree about whether the Court got it right, but one thing not up for reasonable debate is the dire fallout resulting from the Johnson decision. Invalidating a portion of the ACCA nullified many violent offenders sentences, causing their release to be earlier than intended. This resulted in real consequences across the nation and has led directly to an increase in crime. The defendants released as a result of this ruling have already victimized hundreds of persons: 10 defendants were arrested for murder, 14 for kidnapping, 11 for sexual assault, 37 for robbery, 218 for assault, 56 for burglary, 156 for larceny, and 13 for stolen cars. In addition, 53 defendants were re-arrested for drunk driving, 81 defendants went back to drug trafficking, and 166 were re-arrested for other drug charges. Ironically, 100 defendants were also re-arrested for weapons offenses. In the Eastern District of Tennessee, at least 37 defendants were granted relief in light of the Johnson ruling. Twenty-seven have already been released from prison. Of those, at least 14more than halfhave already had their terms of supervised release revoked or modified due to noncompliance. Three of the 14 referenced above have actually had their supervised release revoked twice and are back in jail today. Placing career violent criminals back on the street before their time is served should be unacceptable to everyone. More than 1,400 criminalseach convicted of three felonieshave been let out of jail since the Court ruling. So far, more than 600 have been arrested again. On average, these 600 criminals have been arrested, rearrested, or reoffended three times since 2015. A majority of those who have been out of prison for two years have already been arrested again. While these numbers are shocking, experience tells us they are likely an under-representation of the illegal activity committed by these criminals. In the short three years since the ruling by the Supreme Court, released violent felons have already needlessly victimized hundreds of Americans. How many more will be victimized this year, or the next, or the next? As the top federal law enforcement official in our District, I shudder to think we will only see history repeat itself again and again. Thankfully, the problem is solvable. Congress can fix the problem created by the Johnson decision. Congress has the ability to amend the ACCA so that prosecutors can continue to keep the most violent offenders behind bars and out of our neighborhoods and communities. Its not for me to say how Congress should go about this fixI understand that there are many options on the table. But, in my opinion, one more victim is one too many. J. Douglas Overbey United States Attorney Eastern District of Tennessee - The ministry of health has been given a donation of $11 million by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - Isaac Adewole, the health minister, said that the fund is aimed at supporting a health survey supposed to be conducted by the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) - Adewole revealed that the survey will run from Wednesday, August 15, to Saturday, December 15 In an effort to support the health survey to conducted by the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated the sum of $11 million. Commenting on the survey, Isaac Adewole, the minister of health in Abuja on Thursday, August 17, said it will be conducted by the ministry and the National Population Commission (NPC) between Wednesday, August 15, to Saturday, December 15, Premium Times reports. READ ALSO: Just in: APC finally splits in Rivers as Senator Abe opens factional secretariat (photos) Adewole, represented by Abdullziz Abdullahi, the permanent secretary of the ministry, said the survey will be held across the nation including the FCT. Abdullahi remarked that the NDHS will generate data that will aid in achievement sustainable development goals. He said: The sample size for the 2018 NDHS consists of a total of 1,400 clusters (small geographically defined areas) with each state and FCT having 37 clusters with the exception of Lagos and Kano States which have 53 clusters respectively. The aim of the NDHS is to collect high-quality data for policy formulation, program planning, monitoring and evaluation. It is also aimed at fostering and reinforcing host-country ownership of data collection, analysis, presentation, and use He urged media operatives to give proper coverage for the success of the NDHS survey. He also appealed to the media to help in taking the message on the exercise across Nigeria by rehashing the narrative of cooperation and ownership by the citizens. Still on the survey, the chairman of NPC, Eze DuruIheoma, remarked that the information obtained from the all-important exercise will be useful in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of intervention programmes. DuruIheoma said: The survey will take place in 42,000 scientifically randomly selected households in all the states of the federation ,and the Federal Capital territory. It is a nationally representative survey designed to provide information on the demographic and health status of the population. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The acting mission director of USAID, Erin Holleran, said the survey will give firm answers about what has been done in the last five years and the areas to concentrate in order to make progress. We can take time to understand the data ,and then fully invest in improvement for the quality and coverage of key interventions to address excess morbidity and mortality, he said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had said that Adewole had no right to deny the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) members of their salaries. Wabba said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the union suspended its six weeks nationwide strike on Thursday, May 31 in Abuja. N1,500 for health of Nigerians - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Former governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Kalu is to be conferred with the traditional title of Dan Baiwan (gifted child) - The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, conveyed the decision of the Daura Emirate Council to honour Kalu - The APC chieftain in his acceptance letter said that the honour would encourage him to sustain his good works Dr Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia, it to be conferred with the traditional title of Dan Baiwan (gifted child), by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar. The monarch in a letter dated Aug. 9, conveyed the decision of the Daura Emirate Council to honour Kalu, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC). A statement endorsed by Kunle Oyewumi, Kalus special adviser, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday, August 17, in Abuja stated that the event would take place during the Eid-el-Kabir period. READ ALSO: Offa robbery: Court threatens to commit IGP to prison over alleged contempt Kalu in his acceptance letter dated Aug. 16, said that the honour would encourage him to sustain his good works. The former governor stressed that the emir has demonstrated his passion and commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria. He said: I received with so much excitement, a letter of conferment of traditional title of Dan Baiwan Hausa on me by the Daura Emirate Council headed by Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar. The honour is timely and encouraging. I am a detribalised Nigerian. This is a good compensation for continually spreading the message of peace and unity across the nation. We must continue to build friendship and relationships beyond our communities. I was born in Aba, I had my university education in Maiduguri, and Lagos is my business base. I have workers from different ethnic groups and religions. Nigerians should see themselves as one. I am appreciative of the recognition of my contributions to nation building and I pledge my continued loyalty to Daura Emirate Council, Katsina State and Nigeria at large. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng previouly reported that the federal government declared Tuesday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 22 as public holidays to celebrate the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir. The minister of interior, retired Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Thursday, August 16, in Abuja in a statement issued by Mohammed Umar, the permanent secretary of the ministry, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Top 3 Money-Saving Tricks: Spend Less On Family Holidays | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Dapo Abiodun says he will make Ogun state compete with Lagos in terms of internally generally revenue and development - Abiodun says he will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) - He promises to open up the entire Ogun state and make it an industrial hub As he joins the race for the Ogun governorship seat in ahead of 2019, Dapo Abiodun, an oil magnate, has said the state should compete favourably with Lagos in terms of generated revenue and development. Abiodun, who made his intention known Iperu-Remo on Friday, August 17, said his ambition was divinely inspired The Punch reports that Abiodun had earlier contested the senatorial seat of the Ogun East district in 2015, but lost. READ ALSO: Just in: FG, governors finally agree to decentralize Nigeria police The businessman said it was time seasoned and successful private sector players joined politics and turned around the fortunes of the country and its people around. Abiodun, who said he would be contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, added that the achievements of the current administration of Ibikunle Amosun could be better. Abiodun, who contested, but lost the senatorial seat of the Ogun East sistrict in 2015, said it was time According to him, if elected as the governor, he would make Ogun an industrial hub with constant supply of electricity. He also said he would bring his business success to bear on governance so as to make the state successful. If elected in 2019, I will run masses-oriented programmes, and will de-emphasise projects which will only give me visibility but would not add any value to the lives of the masses in the state. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app I will open up the roads in the rural communities, in order to improve the fortunes of the people in the rural communities. They need to bring their farm products to the market. If there are good rural roads, the farmers will get their farm products to the market in good time and they will make money. I will link the towns and the rural communities, he said. Legit.ng earlier reported that Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state on Tuesday, April 10, declared that his successor would be a woman and a whiz kid. Amosun's disclosure apparently shocked members of his cabinet who were with him at the world press conference venue to herald the 3rd African drum festival at Mitos suites and residences, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria Only a few things will leave you completely inspired like the story of Segun Ogundare aka Corporate Keke driver. Earning the tag of the most unconventional keke driver you will see in Lagos or even Nigeria, the young man has used his rich heart to motivate thousands of Nigerians who have heard about him. They always say poverty, success and happiness are states of ones mind and for people like Segun who appear not to have the perceived luxuries of life, he has a rich soul that is contagious. Legit.ng first introduced Segun who is proudly identified as Corporate keke driver on social media when Nigerians experienced a ride in his customised tuk tuk. Everyone loves a genuinely good-hearted person who will survive against all odds, you can say Ogundare is a life teacher. Not only does the young man drive a keke in suit, he also sometimes doubles as a motivational speaker on his Instagram page, where he drops wisdom nuggets and daily doses of inspirational quotes as he goes about his work. READ ALSO: Completely adorable photos of Nigerian kids rocking NYSC kit in style Having earned the respect of Nigerians with his zeal and positive attitude towards life and his humble job, Ogundare is one of the most loved Nigerians on social media these days. Everyone who has come in contact with him has something to say. Recently, a social media user identified as RXTata shared a photo of him and it immediately went viral with many people stating that his story is nothing short of inspiring. Here's how they reacted below: READ ALSO: Ini Edo goes on vacation in New York, shares cute pictures Among thousands of keke drivers scattered around several corners in Nigeria, Segun stands out for being a professional. Unlike most of his colleagues, he shows up to work everyday with his tuk tuk in a clean suit, clean shave and with a positive mindset. The corporate keke guy has also managed to extend the care towards his tool of work as well. When Legit.ng met the gentleman, the transporter not only had sweet bowls in his tricycle but a fan to keep his clients cool as well as air freshener to keep his customers happy. It's not what you do but how well. Born into a family of seven, Segun, who hails from Osun state moved to Lagos in 2013. Like many people, he began his keke business as a means to get by but as a passionate individual, he decided to make it worth the while. He revealed to Legit.ng his dreams to someday turn his business into a corporate company, where he can own many more tuk tuks and ply many more routes around Lagos instead of just Surulere environs where he currently works. If Segun's story doesn't teach you about being a passionate human, no matter what life throws at you, nothing else will. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Haha! This Kiki challenge in a Keke is all you need to spice up your day on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - James Barka denies leaving the APC and returning to the PDP - Barka confirms that members of the PDP in Adamawa actually visited him and pleaded that he return to the party - He says he did not give any specific response to their request James Barka, an ally of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, has declared that he would remain in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) even though his close friend is in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and even seeking to contest in 2019. Barka said this in reaction to reports that he had left the APC. READ ALSO: Just in: FG, governors finally agree to decentralize Nigeria police The Punch quoted Barka as confirming that the Adamawa state chapter of the PDP actually paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Yola. He said at the meeting, they pleaded with him to return to the PDP. He, however, said he did not promise to join the party. In a statement on Friday, August 17, in Abuja, Barka said he had no plans to join the PDP which he left in 2014 while he was Nigerias ambassador to Malaysia. Of a truth, some members of PDP led by the chairman paid me a courtesy call to seek my return to my former party. I told them Im a bonafide member of APC, I am not contemplating leaving the APC. However, I would consult, and there is no any reason to join my former party. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app I said I would get back to them when Im through with my consultation. To me, it was just a simply political statement. Now that the press has reported, I would make a statement categorically that Im a member of APC and all my followers should remain as such, Barka said. Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria's former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state met behind closed doors in Abuja on Sunday night, August 12. It was gathered that both men met at the Asokoro Abuja residence of the former vice president in what sources close to Atiku said was a courtesy visit. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The police said Senator Bukola Saraki has not been exonerated in the Offa robbery probe - It invested that detailed investigation was ongoing - Saraki was accused of sponsoring political thugs who later committed robbery in Offa The inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris and the attorney genral of the federation who is also the minister of justice, Abubakar Malami have said that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki has not been exonerated in the Offa robbery probe. The Nation reports that they instead sais based on the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), a detailed investigation has been carried out and the report sent. They said it was premature for anyone to claim that Saraki had been exonerated as investigation is still ongoing on the case. READ ALSO: Why you must reconvene National Assembly now - APC tells PDP, Saraki They also denied that the investigation was politically motivated as insinuated by some persons. They said the investigation was based on allegation by some of the people arrested who claim to be political thugs of the Senate president. The AGF, the NPF and the IGP in their separate counter affidavits filed in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by some 10 individuals, who claimed to be acting for Saraki. The suit is pending before Justice M. A. Nasir of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, Abuja. They are: Anthony Onukaogu, Lawrence Umudu, Bamidele Ojo, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Ogechi Duruaku, Veronica Onoja, Chidiebere Achebe, Chika Onyiorah, Chigozie Eburuo and Patrick Uzim. They claimed the case against Saraki was influenced by his political enemies. Before their counter-affidavits, the AGF and IGP also filed motions and notices of objection, challenging the applicants locus standi, the courts jurisdiction and the propriety of courts interim order of injunction, made on August 8 by Justice Nasir, restraining the respondents from further inviting Saraki in relation to investigation on the robbery case. The AGF in his counter-affidavit said the police interim investigation report on the Offa, Kwara State robbery and other alleged crimes, as it affects Senator Bukola Saraki, revealed that further thorough investigation be made so as to ascertain whether the planning and the execution of the robbery attack of 5th April 2018 at Offa, Kwara State was carried out at his instance, knowledge or approval. Or whether the weapons used for the robbery attack were supplied by him (Saraki); and other possible areas which will aid the establishment of prima facie case against whoever is involved. The interim investigation report is not a conclusive investigation and does not put an end to the investigation of Senator Bukola Saraki, hence the investigation to ascertain direct or any possible link of Senator Bukola Saraki and the robbery incident is still on going. That the Interim Investigation Report does not in any way exonerate Senator Bukola Saraki from any further investigation. As a matter of fact, Senator Bukola Saraki has no immunity whatsoever from investigation, arrest, detention or prosecution where reasonable suspicion is established. Contrary to paragraphs 8, 14, 17 and 21 of the applicants affidavit, neither the position of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Nigerian Senate President nor his political portfolio is a barrier to any investigation by the 2nd and 3rd respondents (NPF and IGP) if he is suspected of having committed any crime. There was never a time Senator Bukola Saraki, in the cause of his investigation in relation to the Offa, Kwara State robbery incident, that he was detained in breach of the provisions of the law. All invitations made by the 2nd and 3rd respondents to Senator Bukola Saraki, in respect of the Offa robbery are in an effort to ascertain the veracity of the allegation made against him in accordance with the spirit of right to fair hearing. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The 2nd and 3rd respondents have the statutory duty to investigate Senator Bukola Saraki or any other person linked to the alleged commission of any offence. The investigation and/or invitation of the Senator Bukola Saraki is not in any way malicious or aimed at tarnishing his image. Meanwhile, a state High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara state capital city has threatened to imprison the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, over alleged contempt of court. The court presided by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf made the declaration in a notice of consequences of disobedience of order if court (form 48). The order dated 10 August, 2018 was signed by the registrar of the court and addressed to the IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja. Nigeria News: Offa bank robbery - The untold story (NAIJ EXCLUSIVE) | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News The Osun state government has reportedly declared Monday, August 20 as a public holiday for traditional worshippers. Dr Adebisi Obawale, the commissioner for home affairs, said in a statement on Thursday, August 16, in Osogbo that the holiday was to commemorate the 2018 Isese Day (Traditional Worshippers Day), Daily Trust reports. The holiday is in recognition of the annual Isese festivals grand finale which allows adherents of traditional religion to come together for the annual celebration. READ ALSO: Why I cannot join PDP - Atikus political friend reveals he will remain in APC Also known as Traditional Worshipers Day, Isese Day is the celebration of the peak of festivities among adherents of traditional religion, he said. The commissioner, however, urged adherents of traditional religion to celebrate the Isese Day in a peaceful manner and avoid any act capable of breaching the peace of the state. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Osun state some traditional rulers and chiefs, on Tuesday, August 14, declared their support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gboyega Oyetola. The monarchs, under the aegis of Boripe Traditional Council, said Oyetola remained the most qualified candidate among all those contesting for the seat. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app They claimed he also had the political acumen to rule the state just as they added that the candidate would be able to make the state witness the positive impact of democracy. The monarchs who gave their endorsement included the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Olabomi, the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ogunwole, the Olona of Ada, Oba Abimbola Abioye and Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Qamarudeen Adeyanju. Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Oba Olabomi called on the people of the state to discountenance the ongoing insinuations that Oyetola is from Lagos. Osun Osogbo Festival - Behold the 'sacred' Arugba preparing for 2018 | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Ram dealers have decried low patronage by buyers ahead of Tuesday, August 21, Eid-el-Kabir celebration - Musa Yero, the acting chairman, Ram Dealers Association (RDA), Enugu chapter, attributed the situation to the high cost of the animals - He said that a medium-size ram was selling at N55,000 as against its previous price of N35,000 Ahead of the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, ram dealers at new artisan market, Enugu, have decried low patronage by buyers. Legit.ng gathered that Musa Yero, the acting chairman, Ram Dealers Association (RDA), Enugu chapter, attributed the situation to the high cost of the animals. Yero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the price increase was beyond dealers expectations. READ ALSO: President Buhari was not elected to share money to Nigerians - Lai Mohammed The ram prices increased beyond our expectations; the prices are about 44 per cent higher when compared to last Eid-el-Kabir prices. He attributed the increase to the cost of transportation from the northern part of the country. He said that a medium-size ram was selling at N55,000 as against its previous price of N35,000, while a bigger ram also goes for between N75,000 and N95,00 as against N68,000 and N73,000 previously. According to him, the least price of a ram currently is N24,500. Another ram dealer, Isa Abdullahi, noted that the price hike had affected sales, stressing that customers were not coming to buy as they should. Abdullahi said that dealers in the northern part of the country were still afraid to go about their ram business due to the security situation around them, which, he noted, had impacted on the prices. The security situation along the routes where these rams are being moved down from and some main ram markets had been attacked by insurgents, thereby causing the ram prices to rise, he said. Shehu Umar, another dealer, however, said he was hopeful that patronage would improve by Saturday, August 18, three days to the celebration.(NAN) PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the Sultan of Sokoto and president general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, declared Sunday, August 12 as the first day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. This was contained in a statement released on Sunday, August 12, by the deputy secretary general of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu. The statement said, after due consultation with scholars, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) and the Fatwa Committee of the NSCIA, it was decided that the dates of Dhul-Qaadah be adjusted to make Sunday, August 12, 2018, the 1st day of Dhul-Hijjah, 1439AH. Eid-el-Kabir: Why the ram killed must not exceed three days in your house - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered immediate payment of August 2018 salaries - The measure was to enable civil servants and their families enjoy the Eid el-Kabir festivities - Workers are expected to reciprocate the good gesture and be more dedicated in the discharge of their duties Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has ordered immediate release of August 2018 salaries to state and local government workers. In a statement, the state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said the measure was to enable civil servants and their families enjoy the Eid el-Kabir festivities. He said the gesture was also in line with the governors commitment to improve the welfare of workers in the state. READ ALSO: I can never join PDP - Atikus political ally Barka declares, remains in APC The commissioner enjoined all banks to ensure that workers access their salaries with ease and they should clear with their banks if they had any problem. He expressed the hope that the workers would reciprocate the good gesture and be more dedicated in the discharge of their duties. The commissioner also rejoiced with the civil servants ahead of the festival and urged them to pray for the peace and progress of the state and the nation. Legit.ng had reported that ahead of the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, ram dealers at new artisan market, Enugu, have decried low patronage by buyers. Legit.ng gathered that Musa Yero, the acting chairman, Ram Dealers Association (RDA), Enugu chapter, attributed the situation to the high cost of the animals. Yero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the price increase was beyond dealers expectations. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app The ram prices increased beyond our expectations; the prices are about 44 per cent higher when compared to last Eid-el-Kabir prices. Eid-el-Kabir: Why the ram killed must not exceed three days in your house - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng A presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, has expressed concern over the National Assemblys silence on President Muhammadu Buharis request for consideration of security agencies budgets ahead of the 2019 General Elections. Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), while addressing the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Abuja on Friday, said the focus had been on INEC Budget. He sought to know why the 2019 election budgets for the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as National Security Adviser (NSA) were not being considered. My concern is that much is being said about the INEC budget. Mr President also submitted budget for the office of the NSA, DSS, Immigration, Police and NSCDC. These are budgets relating to the conduct of the 2019 elections and all I have heard and noticed emphasised is the budget of INEC. READ ALSO: Ortom advises Benue people to register for PVC as INEC extends registration date So, I just want to raise the question whether the other budgets have no problem and would be passed with the budget of INEC or whether it will be considered later by your committee or another committee. Enang said that there would be challenges in the successful conduct of the elections, if the budgets of the security agencies were not considered. If we pass INEC budget now and do not pass the other related budgets, we will still have problem. I plead that as this is considered, we should be able to consider the other budgets. Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee Chairman on INEC, Mr Suleiman Nazif, said the committee was only concerned with INEC budget. This committee is essentially involved with INEC. The budgets of the other agencies will be handled by another committee. Ours is INEC. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested Senates approval of N242.45 billion for the 2019 General Elections. Part of the funds, according to the Presidents request, will be given to the Department of State Services and other security agencies for the same purpose. The request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and dated July 11 and personally signed by Buhari. The letter, which Saraki read at plenary on July 17, indicated that Buhari requested that out of the needed figure, N164.10 billion should be provided through virement or supplementation of 2018 Budget. It also requested that the balance of N78.34 billion, mostly related to personnel allowances, fuelling and other costs not required until election proper, be provided for in the 2019 budget. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The sum of N189.21 billion was earmarked for INEC, N4.3 billion for Office of the Security Adviser, N12.21 billion for DSS and N3.6 billion for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The Nigeria Police Force got a proposal of N30.5 billion while N2.6 billion was earmarked for Nigeria Immigration Service. Legit.ng earlier reported that for the third time in a roll, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to reach a resolution on the proposed 2019 general election budget of N189.2 billion. Is the Nigerian PVC really powerful? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit Nigeria - Former minister of aviation Osita Chidoka has been appointed by PDP chairman as special adviser on strategy and external engagements - Chidoka contested the last Anambra governorship election on the platform of the United Progressives Party (UPP) - The former minister's appointment suggests he has returned to the PDP Prince Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appointed Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation and former corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) as his special adviser on strategy and external engagements. A statement issued by PDP national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Friday, August 17, in Abuja said that the appointment was with immediate effect. READ ALSO: I can never join PDP - Atikus political ally Barka declares, remains in APC The statement read in full: "The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has appointed former Minister of Aviation and former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Chief Osita Chidoka, as his Special Adviser on Strategy and External Engagements. "The appointment is with immediate effect. "Chief Chidoka, who is well reputed for his ingenuity and organization skills in public office, is expected to bring to bear his analytical expertise and wealth of experience in political strategy development, coordination and implementation, as the PDP sets for the 2019 general elections. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Osita Chidoka, called for the creation of a sixth state in the southeast region. Chidoka said the new state will bridge the disparity faced by the Igbo people within the country. Chidoka, a former minister of aviation and corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps had said that with his election into office as Anambra state governor, he will begin the agenda for the state creation. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Southwest people have been urged to be vigilant against external forces - Some eminent Yoruba leaders made this call recently in Lagos - They also alleged that a minimum of 500 migrants comes into Lagos state everyday Prominent Yoruba leaders have called for vigilance as a way the people of southwest can protect their land from external forces. The leaders disclosed this at a roundtable chaired by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Aare Gani Adams with the theme: Protecting Yoruba Land: Migrant Incursion and Threat to Peace and Security of Lagos state. They also alleged that a minimum of 500 migrants comes into Lagos state everyday. Credit: Maxwell Adeleye READ ALSO: I can never join PDP - Atikus political ally Barka declares, remains in APC In a statement signed by leaders in attendance and made available to Legit.ng, the Yoruba leaders said the situation of the southwest people was where it was because facts and counsel of history had been ignored. They said migrants are trooping in to Lagos and southwestern states without security checks. From the empirical findings conducted by the Directorate of Organization, Research and Publicity of Yoruba Koya, we found out that a minimum of 500 migrants comes into Lagos state everyday," their statement read in part. Eminent personalities present at the event are Afenifere leader and elders statesmen, Pa Ayo Adebanjo who was represented by Professor, Kolawole Ogundowole, Aare Gani Adams, represented by the national publicity secretary of OPC, Barrister Yinka Ogunmodimu. Others are second republic senator and emeritus Professor of History, Professor Banji Akintoye, chief Imam of Yoruba land, Sheik Abudulahhi Aduramigba among others. Legit.ng had reported that in reaction to the rampant killings and high-profile violence all over Nigeria by herdsmen, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams said that for a long time the silence of his people was taken or misunderstood as foolishness and that this will not be the case anymore. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Giving his voice against the rampant killings and violence throughout the nation, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Tuesday, July 3, said he was ready to do everything to protect the Yoruba people as his office demands. Osinbajo Oighlights Reasons for Incessant Herdsmen Troubles, Proffers Solution | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News Editor's note: Folu Olamiti, a media consultant based in Abuja, in this piece writes about the spiritual journey of Right Reverend (Dr) Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye after being enthroned as the new Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Monday, 30th July 2018 will remain significantly and memorable for the Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). It was the day the Diocese enthroned a new Diocesan Bishop in the person of Right Reverend (Dr) Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye to take over from Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo who retired gloriously after serving for 29 years as Bishop of the Church Of Nigeria and Archbishop of the Lagos Province. The enthronement ceremony which was quite serene was at the same time colourful due to the array of dignitaries who graced the occasion. Not less than 62 Bishops representing the hierarchy of the Church of Nigeria were present. They were joined by eminent personalities from all walks of life across the country. Church members of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, were present also to celebrate the day. The church auditorium was filled to capacity while worshippers and guests who could not find seats inside had to sit under canopies outside the church. The ceremony was, by all means, a historic event; a testimony to the wide acceptance of the new Bishop thus laying to rest the initial apprehensions raised in some quarters following his election. READ ALSO: Why I cannot join PDP - Atikus political friend reveals he will remain in APC Rt Revd Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye and his wife Prof Mrs Motunrayo Olumakaiye In his inaugural address, Bishop Olumakaiye humbly acknowledged the good and unforgettable footprints of his predecessors in the diocese and promised to build and improve on their efforts to lift the diocese to the next level. He said he would carry the priests along in this task and would make their welfare a priority. He also recognized the contributions of the various societies in the church and prayed that God would reward them. He, however, observed that it may be a hard task for him to surpass the achievements of his immediate predecessor, Bishop Ademowo, whom he said trained and nurtured him in the ministry. On the state of the nation, he said the country required divine intervention in her quest for the right and enduring solutions to her challenges. He urged Nigerians, both the leaders and the led, to return to God so that the light of God would illuminate the nation thus paving the way for the desired positive changes to manifest. Light brings order where there is disorder. Light and glory are inseparable, he said. Quoting from the book of Isaiah 60:1-3, he said: It is time for the light of God to shine in our lives. It is time for us to arise and shine. When the light of God comes, the glory will shine. The intensity of your light will determine your glory and shining. We should go back to the ancient path of obedience, dignity of labour, honesty, fear of God, love and also being faithful to the things of God. By the time we walk on the path of righteousness, the beauty of holiness will be seen in our lives by everybody and the society will be better for everyone to live. He urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country but to continue to pray and preach the undiluted gospel that will lead to a positive change of the hearts and attitude of all stakeholders. We should live the talk and allow the light of God to illuminate the hearts of our leaders. When we have absolute faith in the words of the Lord, there will be a major change in the country." He advised the country's leaders to lead the country in the path of righteousness, guided by the fear of God. Unfolding his plans to take the Diocese to higher level, Bishop Olumakaiye said his top priority would be evangelism and revival of the church, which he noted had been a significant pillar of the evolution of the Anglican Communion since the 18th Century with the emergence of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) that God used to bring revival and awakening to the church. He recalled the historic efforts of the early fathers of faith under the CMS who braved all odds including demonic strongholds to bring the gospel to the dark alleys of Africa. He said: Our light has come in this diocese. The mission mandate is not a suggestion but a command. When the glory of God appears, deliverance takes place. The church of God is not a clubhouse. It is a place of fulfilment. He explained that the revival will target the total man. We will provide for the needs of the people. We will engage in the priestly, prophetic, pastoral, prayer and praise ministries. We shall have diocesan convention ground where we will hold large-scale meetings. Our diocese shall exist mainly to exhibit God's glory. Bishop Olumakaiye's emphasis on the revival and reawakening of the church in Lagos diocese is not a surprise to many people who were familiar with his activities in his previous pastoral postings. He is well known for his uncommon zeal for the spread of the gospel as well as the spiritual development and welfare of both the shepherds and the flock under his watch. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app True to his words, the revival in the Lagos diocese has already commenced with a spiritually loaded 21-day fasting and praying programme which began on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, two days after the bishop's enthronement. It is mandatory for all churches in the diocese and he has vowed to pay unscheduled visits to the various assemblies to ensure compliance. Also in furtherance of the revival, the bishop has inaugurated a healing and charismatic service which is to hold in the evening of every first Sunday of the month at the Cathedral Church of Christ. The first edition took place on Sunday, August 5 and according to worshippers, it was a glorious encounter with the Holy Spirit. The 49-year-old bishop has had a very eventful journey of over 30 years in the ministry. He is also an excellent scholar. He holds a Doctorate degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan and he has many scholarly theological publications to his credit among which is a book titled Inculturation and Decolonization of Oral Liturgy of the Anglican Communion Nigeria. Bishop Olumakaiye is spiritually supported by his wife Professor Mrs Motunrayo Olumakaiye. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. Meet Port Harcourt-based Nigerian pastor who is changing the lives of the poor nationwide - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit As weve covered, CalPERS has used banana-republic level, legally-dubious procedures, like leveling charges in secret, to try to silence board members who are trying to serve the public and monitor staff, rather than act like rubber stamps. In the face of critical press over these staff-serving campaigns to dirty up tough-minded board members, CalPERS Board President Priya Mathur looks to have teamed up with General Counsel Matt Jacobs in institutionalizing anti-beneficiary practices to allow staff to continue to run a $350 billion pot of money with no effective supervision. And make no mistake, CEO Marcie Frost is also responsible for this legally and morally dubious scheme. Fortunately, this effort fell flat on its face at Tuesdays CalPERS Board Governance Committee meeting, which was supposed to approve this shiny new tool for railroading board members and then send it to the full Board of Administration for a sign-off. That failure was due in part to the planned kangaroo court, presented in the Trojan horse of an anti-harrassment policy, being incredibly poorly and incompetently drafted. But a significant number of board members were also concerned about overreaching provisions, such as relying on in-house lawyers for the investigation, and a failure to specify what potential sanctions might be. The latter matters because many of the planned punishments, like removing a board member from certain committees, would interfere with their ability to perform their fiduciary duty. In addition, an unusually large number of prominent members of the public, such as Tim Behrens, President of California State Retirees, sDonna Snodgrass, an officer in the Retired Public Employees Association, board candidate Jason Perez, and former board member JJ Jelnicic, spoke out in public comments against the measure. This show of opposition is particularly impressive since key participants told me it was not orchestrated. However, this rancid measure is not dead. Its backers are reformulating it and bring it back to the board. And we will discuss below, they are so eager to do so that they are trying to modify the long-set CalPERS board calendar to get to a new vote faster. The unseemly sense of urgency makes it all too clear that this plan is not about having sound policy in place, but giving a power faction that is starting to lose its control over events new weapons to deploy against perceived threats. Background: How CalPERS Has Targeted Diligent Board Members Board member Bill Slaton, backed strongly and completely inappropriately by General Counsel Matt Jacobs, ambushed board member JJ Jelincic at a January offsite last year, claiming Jelincic engaged in abuses that were never specified. As law professor and former general counsel Bill Black wrote in CalPERS Seeks to Destroy Its Most Effective Director: First, while Slaton provided zero evidence of any wrongdoing by Jelincic, he demanded that that the board act as soon as possible to consider Slatons demand that the removal of Jelincic from the board. (A director that cannot take part in the closed board meetings cannot function as a director.) Without any showing by Slaton of anything remotely approaching an emergency, the board appears to be expediting its effort to muzzle Jelincic. As a general counsel, I would have responded immediately to Slaton at the board meeting. First, I would have emphasized that Slaton had presented nothing to warrant the board considering such a drastic sanction against another director. Second, I would have stressed that Jelincics request that Slaton notify Jelincics of the specific charges was an absolute necessity Third, I would have called attention to Slatons refusal to provide any facts We know is that CalPERS general counsel responded in a very different manner . Matt Jacobs, the General Counsel did speak up, but solely to implicitly support throwing Jelincic under the bus. Jacobs failed to note that the board did not have the power under the powers he had just read, to impose Slatons proposed sanction. To make a very long story short, CalPERS initially said it would give Jelincic a public airing of charges as he demanded. The pension system then reneged on this commitment and moved the process behind closed doors. Months later, they gave Jelincic the weak sanction of making him attend a course he said he would have wanted to attend had he known about it. As we recounted earlier this year, CalPERS again tried to intimidate the new self-procliamed watchdog board member Margaret Brown via a private sanction. The implicit threat was that CalPERS could bring the matter public, and that that threat served as leverage. Brown herself instead exposed the sanction, over the alleged misuse of a scanner by a friend without Browns knowledge. As Los Angeles reporter Mike Hiltzik noted in April: Just a year ago, as I reported, the board was bogged down in intramural bickering and attacks on one of its most tough-minded members, J.J. Jelincic. As recently as last month, this behavior surfaced again, when board President Priya Mathur locked board member Margaret Brown out of CalPERS premises over what appeared to be a minor infraction. Moreover, according to a letter sent to Mathur on Friday by James Moody, an attorney for Brown, and reported by Webber, Mathur or CalPERS staff under her direction have been diverting mail addressed to Brown at CalPERS and apparently to other board members as well and in at least some cases not sharing its contents with the addressee. All this suggests that the CalPERS board members need to be given something serious to work on so they have less time to act childishly. CalPERS Board Rejects Shoddy, Overreaching Official Kangaroo Court Policy Weve embedded the draft policy that the board voted down at the end of this post. If you view the video of the board session embedded below, you will see Matt Jacobs at 3:55 saying, We think its pretty clean, and happy to entertain any discussion or comments, questions about it. Objective parties begged to differ. As Tim Behrens, who has considerable experience in EEO matters, said in his public comment at 25:43: This seems like an ill-conceived document. I see no due process for the accused. You see that happens fairly often. I would urge this committee to put more thought into this language. Similarly, board candidate Jason Perez stated at 40:33: Im kind of surprised its this sloppy coming to the table. I applaud you all for giving pushback on it. It takes only a casual reading of the document to see obvious problems. The entire premise of the policy is bogus. The very first paragraph states that the policy is to implement the CalPERS Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention Policy. There is no such policy. The Office of the General Counsel is to perform the investigation. As Board member and head of CalHR Richard Gillihan pointed out, you cant have staff investigating board member and his agency refers matters like this to independent counsel. The sanctions were not specified, which leaves considerable room for mischief. As Board member Margaret Brown and the Treasurers designee Steve Juarez argued that many of the contemplated punishments could constitute violation of fiduciary duty and could therefore be challenged legally One of the eye-rolling parts took place at 14:00 when Jacobs is trying to beat back the idea of having an independent party handle the process and keeping it in house, meaning under staff and the power faction on the Boards control: The Section B, this is 3B on Page 2, talking about distinguishes between preliminary investigation and formal investigation and it says upon determining it formal investigation is warranted, the general counsel shall, with concurrence review panel appoint an invest gator who may or may not be a CalPERS employee. Im personally completely happy with outsourcing this, but Im also concerned about the cost to the agency of doing that when, if you farm it out, you can end up spending a lot of money because someone takes you have seen some of the special counsels on a national level, spend millions of dollars. Im not suggesting anything on that scale, but you, at least for the purposes of the preliminary investigation, there is some value in maintaining that within CalPERS, not necessarily the office of the general counsel, but within CalPERS. As I read this, the way it reads to me, at that point, if the GC, with the concurrence, of course, of the review panel, think that a formal investigation is warranted, they could assign it to an investigator. I think that is the point at which the determination Mr. Gillihan was making can be made about with the concurrence, who ought to be doing this. I think the board members will have the sensitivity to know when that ought to be farmed out and when it can be effectively done in-house. Help me. First, it isnt a good look for Jacobs to be depicting the cost of the Mueller investigation in a Democratic-party-owned state. Second, there is no way to pretend, as various parties pointed out, that an in-house investigation amounts to due process. And Jacobs actually gives a tell on this point. Notice his use of the word sensitivity. When did we hear that last? From Priya Mathur, when she was defending CEO Marcie Frosts inaction on the evidence of resume misrepresentations, and still defending him. From the Sacramento Bee in April: Board President Priya Mathur said Frost is handling this matter with all due diligence and sensitivity. What I have seen of Charles performance is that he has been a very effective CFO since joining CalPERS. In other words, sensitivity is CalPERS-speak for going easy on favored parties. Third, the idea that independent counsel could run up ginormous bills is ludicrous. When JJ Jelincic demanded and got his own counsel for the trumped-up non-charges against him last year, Jacobs set a budget of a mere $3500, which is tantamount to zero. The attorney complained and the ceiling was increased, but not all that much. As the discussion went on, the normally chipper Priya Mathur started looking less and less happy. And the statements in public comments were deadly, particularly the one by former board member JJ Jelincic, which starts at 26:55: JJ Jelincic:This strikes me as the perfect Mathur/Jacobspolicy. Does anyone really believe Ms. Mathur and Ms. Brown will be treated equally under the policy? I know what the public answer is. I ask you to look into your heart of hearts. It purports to enforce the CalPERS Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention Policy. Ive been around 30 years, seen policies dealing with all those subjects that I do not remember seeing anything ever being called the CalPERS Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention Policy. Im very bothered by the fact a board member may not have the right to a public statement of the charges and a public hearing. What will happen is there will be a public finding that the member somehow violated this nonexistent policy and the following discipline has been imposed. The board member is left to deny theyre guilty of this unspecified charge. Im very sensitive to this because of my own experience. Bill Slaton publicly accused of me of leaking confidential information but refused to disclose what I supposed disclosed. Roy Cohn Im sorry, Matt Jacobs, made up the charges. I believe that in order to protect his own incompetence or complicity, asserted the charges were secret and attorney-client privileged. The boards fiduciary council said the privilege belonged to the board. However, board members who asked were denied access to the charges. The charges were so secret that the client couldnt even see the attorney-client privileged document. Why is this dangerous? Let me make up an example. I wont violate the attorney-client privilege by talking about specific charge. Lets say the Sacramento Bee wrote about an investigation in January of 2012. In May of 2015, a board member mentioned the investigation. A board member could be accused of found guilty of discussing confidential information but prevented from ever disclose the accusation or showing it was false or that the information was public and not confidential. Members of the board, especially elected members, deserve a fair and public hearing in defense. Removal from a committee or blocking participation in board meetings may be more punishment for the CalPERS members and constituents than the actual public official. Although it may make for more efficient railroad and lead to shorter meetings. I would encourage greater specificity about the privileges that could be forfeited. Does that include the catered meals behind the stage? Ringing the bell at the London stock exchange? Meeting with members? Although chief counsel has opined that doesnt cover. Travel to training? Seems to be in doubt. I guess it will depend whos being punished. I urge you to reject this policy. Thank you. Jelincics abbreviated recap of some of the abuses he suffered included that he was artificially gagged by being faced with the claim that his censure was subject to the Boards attorney-client privilege. Thats absurd since Jelinic was inherently adverse, had independent counsel and had even sent in a Notice of Adverse Interests before the process started. How his attorney Karl Olson did such a poor job of lawyering so as to let this stand is beyond me. Or did Jacobs succeed in neutralizing him by setting such a meager budget for Jelincics defense that Olson dialed it in? In addition, Jelincic also effectively says that he was accuses of leaking confidential information when one of the instances was something that had already been made public in the Sacramento Bee. That should give any concerned citizen pause. Donna Snodgress, an RPEA official who also has been an EEO investigator for California, raised concerns at 31:29 that the policy was designed to evade public disclosure under the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and also was deficient as far as due process was concerned. Al Darby, the president of RPEA, argued that the policy was off-kilter since it was based on a UC Regents misconduct policy, when CalPERS was attempting to craft an anti-harrassment policy. At 33:00, he too objected to due process failings: I want to reiterate what the others have said, that there does not seem to be due process in this procedure. It doesnt appear that the accused can face the accuser and get a clear understanding of what the context of the action was that caused the harassment to be charged or misconduct to be charged. Will a Proper Policy Come Back or Not? This plan suffered a second setback on Wednesday. At the Tuesday meeting, the Board Governance Committee had decided to allow staff to bring back a revised policy back directly for a vote of the full Board of Administration, short-circuiting the usual process of going to the Board Governance Committee first. Only when it is approved there does it go to the full Board of Administration. However, at the Board of Administration meeting on Wednesday, Margaret Brown expressed concern over circumventing the usual process of having committees review and approve Board policies before being presented to and approved by the full Board of Administration. the State Treasurers representative Steve Juarez pointed out it would be setting a bad precedent not to trust the committees to do their work and pick and choose how to move various initiatives forward. The full Board of Administration thus failed to approve of the plan to review the revised policy without having it approved by the Board of Governance first. Board President Priya Mathur and her allies appear to have an undue sense of urgency about getting their pet plan approved. There is no objective reason to give this policy such high priority, yet the board discussed to override decades of practice at CalPERS by forcing the scheduling of a Board Governance meeting for September, as if this policy represented some sort of emergency (the next had been set for December 2018). And Marcie Frost, who has managed to increase her control over CalPERS as well as her pay, continues to adopt the practice so common in diseased corporations, of wanting the kudos for being in charge yet pretending never to be responsible for anything in particular, including this fiasco. ____ 1 We argued at the time that the claim that Brown had done something wrong was based on a willful misreading of statute. Yves here. Engelhardt makes clear his frustration of being on the right side of history but the wrong side of the times. By Tom Engelhardt, a co-founder of the American Empire Project and the author of a history of the Cold War, The End of Victory Culture. He is a fellow of the Nation Institute and runs TomDispatch.com. His sixth and latest book is A Nation Unmade by War (Dispatch Books). Originally published at TomDispatch Fair warning. Stop reading right now if you want, because Im going to repeat myself. What choice do I have, since my subject is the Afghan War (Americas second Afghan War, no less)? I began writing about that war in October 2001, almost 17 years ago, just after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. That was how I inadvertently launched the unnamed listserv that would, a year later, become TomDispatch. Given the websites continuing focus on Americas forever wars (a phrase I first used in 2010), what choice have I had but to write about Afghanistan ever since? So think of this as the war piece to end all war pieces. And let the repetition begin! Here, for instance, is what I wrote about our Afghan War in 2008, almost seven years after it began, when the U.S. Air Force took out a bridal party, including the bride herself and at least 26 other women and children en route to an Afghan wedding. And that would be just one of eight U.S. wedding strikes I toted up by the end of 2013 in three countries, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, that killed almost 300 potential revelers. We have become a nation of wedding crashers, I wrote, the uninvited guests who arrived under false pretenses, tore up the place, offered nary an apology, and refused to go home. Heres what I wrote about Afghanistan in 2009, while considering the metrics of a war gone to hell: While Americans argue feverishly and angrily over what kind of money, if any, to put into health care, or decaying infrastructure, or other key places of need, until recently just about no one in the mainstream raised a peep about the fact that, for nearly eight years (not to say much of the last three decades), weve been pouring billions of dollars, American military know-how, and American lives into a black hole in Afghanistan that is, at least in significant part, of our own creation. Heres what I wrote in 2010, thinking about how forever war had entered the bloodstream of the twenty-first-century U.S. military (in a passage in which youll notice a name that became more familiar in the Trump era): And lets not leave out the Armys incessant planning for the distant future embodied in a recently published report, Operating Concept, 2016-2028, overseen by Brigadier General H.R. McMaster, a senior adviser to Gen. David Petraeus. It opts to ditch Buck Rogers visions of futuristic war, and instead to imagine counterinsurgency operations, grimly referred to as wars of exhaustion, in one, two, many Afghanistans to the distant horizon. Heres what I wrote in 2012, when Afghanistan had superseded Vietnam as the longest war in American history: Washington has gotten itself into a situation on the Eurasian mainland so vexing and perplexing that Vietnam has finally been left in the dust. In fact, if you hadnt noticed and weirdly enough no one has that former war finally seems to have all but vanished. Heres what I wrote in 2015, thinking about the American taxpayer dollars that had, in the preceding years, gone into Afghan roads to nowhere, ghost soldiers, and a $43 million gas station built in the middle of nowhere, rather than into this country: Clearly, Washington had gone to war like a drunk on a bender, while the domestic infrastructure began to fray. At $109 billion by 2014, the American reconstruction program in Afghanistan was already, in todays dollars, larger than the Marshall Plan (which helped put all of devastated Western Europe back on its feet after World War II) and still the country was a shambles. And heres what I wrote last year thinking about the nature of our never-ending war there: Right now, Washington is whistling past the graveyard. In Afghanistan and Pakistan the question is no longer whether the U.S. is in command, but whether it can get out in time. If not, the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, the Indians, who exactly will ride to our rescue? Perhaps it would be more prudent to stop hanging out in graveyards. They are, after all, meant for burials, not resurrections. And thats just to dip a toe into my writings on Americas all-time most never-ending war. What Happened After History Ended If, at this point, youre still reading, I consider it a miracle. After all, most Americans hardly seem to notice that the war in Afghanistan is still going on. To the extent that theyre paying attention at all, the public would, it seems, like U.S. troops to come home and the war to end. That conflict, however, simply stumbles on amid continuing bad news with nary a soul in the streets to protest it. The longer it goes on, the less here in this country at least it seems to be happening (if, that is, you arent one of the 15,000 American troops stationed there or among their families and friends or the vets, their families and friends, who have been gravely damaged by their tours of duty in Kabul and beyond). And if youre being honest, can you really blame the public for losing interest in a war that they largely no longer fight, a war that theyre in no way called on to support (other than to idolize the troops who do fight it), a war that theyre in no way mobilized for or against? In the age of the Internet, who has an attention span of 17 years, especially when the president just tweeted out his 47th outrageous comment of the week? If you stop to think about it between those tweets, dont you find it just a tad grim that, close enough to two decades later, this country is still fighting fruitlessly in a land once known by the ominous sobriquet the graveyard of empires? You know, the one whose tribal fighters outlasted Alexander the Great, the Mongols, the British, and the Russians. Back in October 2001, you might have thought that the history lurking in that phrase would have given George W. Bushs top officials pause before they decided to go after not just Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan but the Taliban, too. No such luck, of course then or since. They were, of course, leading the planets last superpower, the only one left when the Soviet Union imploded after its Afghan war disaster, the one its leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, grimly dubbed the bleeding wound. They hadnt the slightest doubt that the United States was exempt from history, that everyone else had already filled that proverbial graveyard and that there would never be a gravestone for them. After all, the U.S. was still standing, seemingly triumphant, when history officially ended (according to one of the neocon prophets of that moment). In reality, when it comes to Americas spreading wars, especially the one in Afghanistan, history didnt end at all. It just stumbled onto some graveyard version of a Mobius strip. In contrast to the past empires that found they ultimately couldnt defeat Afghanistans insurgent tribal warriors, the U.S. has as Bush administration officials suspected at the time proven unique. Just not in the way they imagined. Their dreams couldnt have been more ambitious. As they launched the invasion of Afghanistan, they were already looking past the triumph to come to Saddam Husseins Iraq and the glories that would follow once his regime had been decapitated, once U.S. forces, the most technologically advanced ever, were stationed for an eternity in the heart of the oil heartlands of the Greater Middle East. Not that anyone remembers anymore, but Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, and the rest of that crew of geopolitical dreamers wanted it all. What they got was no less unique in history: a great power at the seeming height of its strength and glory, with destructive capabilities beyond imagining and a military unmatched on the planet, unable to score a single decisive victory across an increasingly large swath of the planet or impose its will, however brutally, on seemingly far weaker, less well-armed opponents. They could not conquer, subdue, control, pacify, or win the hearts and minds or anything else of enemies who often fought their trillion-dollar foe using weaponry valued at the price of a pizza. Talk about bleeding wounds! A War of Abysmal Repetition Thought of another way, the U.S. military is now heading into record territory in Afghanistan. In the mid-1970s, the rare American who had heard of that country knew it only as a stop on the hippie trail. If you had then told anyone here that, by 2018, the U.S. would have been at war there for 27 years (1979-1989 and 2001-2018), he or she would have laughed in your face. And yet here we are, approaching the mark for one of Europes longest, most brutal struggles, the Thirty Years War of the seventeenth century. Imagine that. And just in case youre paying no attention at all to the news from Afghanistan these days, rest assured that you dont have to. You already know it! To offer just a few examples, the New York Times recently revealed a new Trump administration plan to get U.S.-backed Afghan troops to withdraw from parts of the countryside, ceding yet more territory to the Taliban, to better guard the nations cities. Here was the headline used: Newest U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan Mirrors Past Plans for Retreat. (The withdrawal resembles strategies embraced by both the Bush and Obama administrations that have started and stuttered over the nearly 17-year war.) And that generally is about as new as it gets when it comes to Afghan news in 2018. Consider, for instance, a report from early July that began, An American service member was killed and two others were wounded in southern Afghanistan on Saturday in what officials described as an apparent insider attack; that is, he was killed by an armed Afghan government soldier, an ally, not an enemy. As it happened, I was writing about just such insider or green-on-blue violence back in July 2012 (when it was rampant) under the headline Death by Ally (a message written in blood that no one wants to hear). And despite many steps taken to protect U.S. advisers and other personnel from such attacks since, theyre still happening six years later. Or consider the report, Counternarcotics: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan, issued this June by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR). Its focus: 15 years of American efforts to suppress opium growing and the heroin trade in that country (at historic lows, by the way, when the U.S. invaded in 2001). More than eight and a half billion American dollars later, SIGAR found, opium remains the countrys largest cash crop, supporting 590,000 full-time jobs which is more people than are employed by Afghanistans military and security forces. Oh, wait, historian Alfred McCoy was writing about just that at TomDispatch back in 2010 under the headline Can Anyone Pacify the Worlds Number One Narco-State? (In ways that have escaped most observers, the Obama administration is now trapped in an endless cycle of drugs and death in Afghanistan from which there is neither an easy end nor an obvious exit.) Recently, SIGAR issued another report, this one on the rampant corruption inside just about every part of the Afghan government and its security forces, which are famously filled with scads of ghost soldiers. How timely, given that Ann Jones was focused on that very subject, endemic corruption in Afghanistan, at TomDispatch back in hmmm, 2006, when she wrote, During the last five years, the U.S. and many other donor nations pledged billions of dollars to Afghanistan, yet Afghans keep asking: Where did the money go? American taxpayers should be asking the same question. The official answer is that donor funds are lost to Afghan corruption. But shady Afghans, accustomed to two-bit bribes, are learning how big-bucks corruption really works from the masters of the world. I could, of course, go on to discuss surges the latest being the Trump administrations mini-one to bring U.S. troop levels there to 15,000 such surges having been a dime-a-dozen phenomena in these many years. Or the recent ramping up of the air war there (essentially reported with the same headlines you could have found over articles in well 2010) or the amount of territory the Taliban now controls (at record levels 17 years after that crew was pushed out of the last Afghan city they controlled), but why go on? You get the point. Almost 17 years and, coincidentally enough, 17 U.S. commanders later, think of it as a war of abysmal repetition. Just about everything in the U.S. manual of military tactics has evidently been tried (including dropping the mother of all bombs, the largest non-nuclear munition in that militarys arsenal), often time and again, and nothing has even faintly done the trick to which the Pentagons response is invariably a version of the classic misquoted movie line, Play it again, Sam. And yet, amid all that repetition, people are still dying; Afghans and others are being uprooted and displaced across Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and deep into Africa; wars and terror outfits are spreading. And heres a simple enough fact thats worth repeating: the endless, painfully ignored failure of the U.S. military (and civilian) effort in Afghanistan is where it all began and where it seems never to end. A Victory for Whom? Every now and then, theres the odd bit of news that reminds you we dont have to be in a world of repetition. Every now and then, you see something and wonder whether it might not represent a new development, one that possibly could lead out of (or far deeper into) the graveyard of empires. As a start, though its been easy to forget in these years, other countries are affected by the ongoing disaster of a war in Afghanistan. Think, for instance, of Pakistan (with a newly elected, somewhat Trumpian president who has been a critic of Americas Afghan War and of U.S. drone strikes in his country), Iran, China, and Russia. So heres something I cant remember seeing in the news before: the military intelligence chiefs of those four countries all met recently in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, officially to discuss the growth of Islamic State-branded insurgents in Afghanistan. But who knows what was really being discussed? And the same applies to the visit of Irans armed forces chief of staff to Pakistan in July and the return visit of that countrys chief of staff to Iran in early August. I cant tell you whats going on, only that these are not the typically repetitive stories of the last 17 years. And hard as it might be to believe, even when it comes to U.S. policy, theres been the odd headline that might pass for new. Take the recent private, direct talks with the Taliban in Qatars capital, Doha, initiated by the Trump administration and seemingly ongoing. They might or might not represent something new, as might President Trump himself, who, as far as anyone can tell, doesnt think that Afghanistan is the right war. He has, from time to time, even indicated that he might be in favor of ending the American role, of getting the hell out of there, as he reportedly told Senator Rand Paul, and thats unique in itself (though he and his advisers seem to be raring to go when it comes to what could be the next Afghanistan: Iran). But should the man who would never want to be known as the president who lost the longest war in American history try to follow through on a withdrawal plan, hes likely to have a few problems on his hands. Above all, the Pentagon and the countrys field commanders seem to be hooked on Americas infinite wars. They exhibit not the slightest urge to stop them. The Afghan War and the others that have flowed from it represent both their raison detre and their meal ticket. They represent the only thing the U.S. military knows how to do in this century. And one thing is guaranteed: if they dont agree with the president on a withdrawal strategy, they have the power and ability to make a man who would do anything to avoid marring his own image as a winnner look worse than you could possibly imagine. Despite that militarys supposedly apolitical role in this countrys affairs, its leaders are uniquely capable of blocking any attempt to end the Afghan War. And with that in mind, almost 17 years later, dont think that victory is out of the question either. Every day that the U.S. military stays in Afghanistan is indeed a victory for well, not George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, and certainly not Donald Trump, but the now long-dead Osama bin Laden. The calculation couldnt be simpler. Thanks to his precision weaponry those 19 suicidal hijackers in commercial jets the nearly 17 years of wars hes sparked across much of the Muslim world cost a man from one of Saudi Arabias wealthiest families a mere $400,000 to $500,000. Theyve cost American taxpayers, minimally, $5.6 trillion dollars with no end in sight. And every day the Afghan War and the others that have followed from it continue is but another triumphant day for him and his followers. A sad footnote to this history of extreme repetition: I wish this essay, as its title suggests, were indeed the war piece to end all war pieces. Unfortunately, its a reasonable bet that, in August 2019, or August 2020, not to speak of August 2021, Ill be repeating all of this yet again. By Sam Husseini an independent journalist who contributes to The Nation, CounterPunch, Truthdig, Consortium News, CommonDreams and other outlets. He is also senior analyst at the Institute for Public Accuracy and founder of VotePact.org. Originally published at his website Today, hundreds of newspapers, at the initiative of the Boston Globe, are purporting to stand up for a free press against Trumps rhetoric. Today also marks exactly one month since I was dragged out of the July 16 Trump-Putin news conference in Helsinki and locked up until the middle of the night. As laid in my cell, I chuckled at the notion that the city was full of billboards proclaiming Finland was the land of free press. So, Ive grown an especially high sensitivity to both goonish behavior toward journalists trying to ask tough questions and to those professing they are defending a free press when they are actually engaging in a marketing campaign. As some have noted, the editorials today will likely help Trump whip up support among his base against a monolithic media. But, just as clearly, the establishment media can draw attention away from their own failures, corruptions and falsehoods simply by focusing on some of Trumps. Big media outlets need not actually report news that affects your life and point to serious solutions for social ills. They can just bad mouth Trump. And Trump need not deliver on campaign promises that tapped into populist and isolationist tendencies in the U.S. public that have grown in reaction to years of elite rule. He need only deride the major media. They are at worst frenemies. More likely, at times, Trump and the establishment media log roll with each other. The major media built up Trump. Trumps attacks effectively elevate a select few media celebrities. Campaign committees have been set up in the past week to fight the permanent closure of post offices in five Tipp communities under the controversial voluntary retirement scheme for rural post masters. Save our post office action committees were formed at public meetings in Clogheen, and Ballingarry last week and a joint committee covering the three Mid-Tipp communities of Littleton, Templetuohy and Gortnahoe was formed at a public meeting in Littleton on Monday night. There was a large turnout of concerned residents as well as local councillors and TDs at all three public meetings. Ballingarry FF Cllr Imelda Goldsboro estimated about 100 people attended the public meeting in Ballingarry Community Hall last Thursday night at which the Save Ballingarry Community Post Office Committee was formed. The Ballingarry meeting was addressed by Limerick City based post master Tom O'Callaghan, who chairs the Independent Post Masters Group that is campaigning for the post office network to diversify to a community banking system similar to the Kiwibank model in New Zealand. Mr O'Callaghan and local politicians are pictured above with a framed copy of a motion passed by 158 members of the Dail last year calling for post offices to get new services including community banking. Cllr Goldsboro said there was a lot of feedback at the meeting, particularly elderly residents, highlighting their fears of rural isolation and the negative social impact of the post office closure on the community. The knock-on economic impact of losing the post office on other shops and businesses in Ballingarry was also highlighted. "If 200 people are picking up their pension at the post office on a Friday every week, they are going to spend money in the local shop. If you calculate what that amounts to over a year, it's very significant, Cllr Goldsboro pointed out. She said the Save Ballingarry Post Office Committee will hold its first meeting early next week to draw up a plan of action. One ray of hope for the Ballingarry group is the commitment An Post has given that communities with populations of more than 500 will have a post office. Cllr Goldsboro points out that according to the 2016 Census more than 1600 people live in Ballingarry. "It's a very large parish. We used to have post offices in Coalbrook and The Commons and they are gone." She fears An Post will confine the 500 population criteria to residents living in a village. If that is the case, it's very unfair, she declared. The committee formed at the public meeting in Clogheen Community Hall on Tuesday, August 7 is also focusing its campaign on the fact Clogheen has a significant population. Local FG Cllr Marie Murphy, who is on the committee, said there are 776 people in Clogheen and its rural district on the Electoral Register and the population of the village is close to 500 if not more. She is trying to clarify with An Post how it is defining communities with populations of 500 and more. She also argues that Clogheen's Post Office provides "enhanced" services to customers, namely AIB banking services. She points out the village lost its long standing bank a few years ago and the closure of the post office will mean Clogheen will lose all its banking services. Alongside these factors, Cllr Murphy says a shopowner in Clogheen expressed an interest at the public meeting in taking over the village's post office service when the current post mistress retires. Cllr Murphy has been in phone and email contact with officials in An Post over the past week pressing the case for Clogheen to secure a new post office contract. Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill, who attended all three public meetings, pointed out that Littleton, Templetuohy, Gorthahoe and Ballingarry were all geographically close to each other. He believes the loss of post offices in these four communities and in Clogheen will weaken their economic viability. He compared the economic viabilities of rural villages to a three legged stool. Losing one of the legs , namely the shop, pub or post office, was the beginning of the end for that village, he declared. Deputy Cahill said the Minister for Communications should now intervene and direct An Post to stop these post office closures. (Natural News) A team of scientists at the Research Center for Brain-Inspired Intelligence in Beijing, China recently developed a technique to decode perceived images by analyzing data from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. To carry out the research, the scientists monitored the activity in the visual cortex. One challenge was to efficiently process fMRI data. The task involved mapping the activity in three-dimensional voxels inside the brain to two-dimensional pixels to project an image. The process proved to be difficult as brain scans were known to be too noisy, and that voxel activities were known to influence each other. Dealing with these factors were previously regarded as computationally expensive. According to the research team, most approaches in mind-reading algorithms do not take voxel activities into account, which in turn significantly diminished the quality of image reconstructions being produced. In order to process fMRI data more efficiently, the researchers adapted deep-learning techniques that were more capable of handling nonlinear correlations between voxels. According to the research team, using deep-learning techniques resulted in better brain-image reconstruction. How the brain scans were processed As part of the study, researcher Changde Du and colleagues examined several sets of fMRI scans of the visual cortex. The scan featured a human subject looking at a simple image such as a single digit or letter. The data sets were made up of more than 1,800 fMRI scanned images and the original images. The research team used 90 percent of the data to train the new network, called Deep Generative Multiview Model (DGMM), to determine the correlation between the scanned and the original images. The experts then fed the DGMM the remaining 10 percent of the scans and prompted it to draw what it thought the people saw. According to the research team, a big advantage of using the DGMM is that the network learned to determine which voxels to use in the reconstruction process. The network was also trained to learn how these voxels were correlated. The researchers then compared the efficacy of DGMM against a number of other brain image reconstruction techniques though standard image comparison methods. The researchers noted that the DGMM was able to accurately draw images perceived by humans. Overall, the images reconstructed by DGMM captured the essential features of the presented images. In particular, they showed fine reconstructions for handwritten digits and characters, the researchers said in DailyMail.co.uk. So far, the new network can only decipher simple symbols. However, the researchers claimed that the network could one day decipher videos or even dreams. Potential implications in interrogation process The latest development in mind-reading algorithms may have potential uses in interrogation. In fact, an archived article discussed another brain scan method that helped researchers look into a persons brain and identify his intentions. To carry out the process, a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany, University College London, and Oxford University used high-resolution brain scans to identify patterns of brain activity. The experts then translated these brain scans into meaningful thoughts, which readily revealed a persons intentions in the near future. Using the scanner, we could look around the brain for this information and read out something that from the outside theres no way you could possibly tell is in there. Its like shining a torch around, looking for writing on a wall, lead researcher John-Dylan Haynes reported in TheGuardian.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk TechnologyReview.com TheGuardian.com (Natural News) A growing segment of the public has made it clear that they do not want to consume GMOs, and you only need to look at the labels touting the non-GMO status of a growing number of foods in the grocery store to see evidence of just how much the masses have awakened to the dangers of genetic modification. Now, the food industry has found a new way to cut corners, and theyre trying to convince people that this type of genetic editing is somehow a better alternative to the current GMOs. Its certainly better for their bottom line, as the costs for developing and marketing the food that results from gene editing are reported to be as much as 90 percent lower than those of traditional genetically modified crops. One of the more popular approaches to gene editing is CRISPR, which involves transferring an enzyme and RNA molecule into a crop cell. The RNA then finds the targeted DNA strands and binds to them, at which point the enzyme causes a break in the DNA of the cell; the cell then repairs the DNA in a way that alters the gene if everything goes according to plan but what happens to those who eat the resultant foods is anybodys guess. Biotech firms are hopeful the technology will avoid the negative labels that traditional genetically modified crops have attracted Frankenfood, anyone? and theyre hoping that people can be convinced that this approach is somehow different. However, it remains to be seen just how accepting the public and regulators will be. While the USDA says that gene-edited crops do not meet their criteria for oversight right now, the Court of Justice of the European Union has said that the technique will indeed be subject to their regulations that apply to genetically modified crops. This ruling means that gene editing in Europe will be limited to research; growing commercial crops this way will be illegal there. It will also be difficult to convince the public the method is safe. Changing the DNA of crops could create undesirable changes in the food supply, and it is unlikely to be embraced by those who are opposed to genetically modified crops. Agribusinesses are well aware of this fact, with Cargills Food Safety Vice President Randal Giroux admitting that public acceptance is an uncertainty. He said: We really do want to see gene-editing evolve in the marketplace. Were watching to see how consumers adopt these products and react to these products. What are the consequences of interfering with nature? Last year, researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center carried out a study that warned the scientific community that Crispr-Cas9 Gene editing can result in unintended mutations in genomes that go undetected. There is a lot that we still dont know about the technology, and scientists know essentially nothing about the potential long-term implications of this technique. There is nothing natural about editing the genes of a plant, and once people truly understand what is involved, many will avoid these foods the same way that they avoid GMOs today. In the meantime, agricultural biotech firms are trying to make the most of the lack of regulation on gene editing in the U.S. as they speed up their development. Some of the foods in the pipeline include tomatoes that take a longer time to spoil, waxy corn with higher yields, apples that do not turn brown, wheat with a lower gluten content, and soybeans that resist drought. These advancements might sound good in theory, but what price will humanity ultimately pay for interfering with nature? See more coverage at Biotech.news. Sources for this article include: News.Trust.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) As it becomes more apparent that Democrats are increasingly lurching to the extreme Left, supporting far-out proposals like banning the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, open borders and importantly government limitations on speech and expression, their propaganda division, the mainstream media, is attempting to craft a false narrative that Republicans are the far bigger threat to our country. In recent days ABC staged a faked experiment in an attempt to portray Republicans and supporters of POTUS Donald Trump as speech Nazis when, in fact, its Democrats who want to curb Republicans right to speak freely. A recent Friday night episode of What Would You Do? in a small GOP-dominated township in New Jersey portrayed Republicans as enemies of free speech and Democrats as its defenders, Information Liberations Chris Menahan reported. After the show aired, the U.K.s Daily Mail reported on it, claiming that the episode shows an anti-Trump liberal being refused service in a restaurant (something that happens to Trump supporters and Trump administration officials all the time). The headline intimated that the staged scene was in fact real. EXCLUSIVE: Shocking moment customer in Impeach Trump shirt is denied service at restaurant while a fellow diner tells the manager to call police, the paper said in a tweet. EXCLUSIVE: Shocking moment customer in 'Impeach Trump' shirt is denied service at restaurant while a fellow diner tells the manager to call police https://t.co/zdFIVns22o Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) August 10, 2018 The headline was immediately criticized by people who watched the show and knew that everything was staged, so the Daily Mail eventually changed it to add that it was an actor in an Impeach 45 shirt who was being confronted in the restaurant though the story left out the fact that the restaurant manager was also an actor. While ABCs actual report wasnt as one-sided as The Daily Mails article made it seem, it was thoroughly idiotic propaganda filled with falsehoods which portrayed the inverse of reality, Menahan reported. The network staged scenes where the actor customer was first harassed by the actor manager for wearing a red MAGA hate and second for wearing an Impeach 45 shirt. In the video where he wore the hat, only one woman asked that he remove it, but only after the actor baits her. All the other customers stand up for his right to wear it, though many walked out. Trump supporters arent harassing non-supporters, its the other way around In the next segment, the actor takes off his hat and puts on the shirt. And in that video, Republican after Republican side with the actor-manager who agreed the actor customer should be refused service. One patron even asks the manager to call the police. For a t-shirt, youre going to have me thrown in jail? says the customer. I hope so, the real customer responds. But is this accurate or was the entire set-up rigged from the outset? Because if published news reports are any indication, Trump supporting Republicans are not the ones who have been harassing people over their political clothing; its been the other way around whenever a Trump supporter is seen wearing a hat or a pro-Trump t-shirt. Whats also true is that, in survey after survey, Democrats and Leftists are the ones who have voiced support for government-enforced speech codes under the guise of regulating hate speech which, of course, is often a very arbitrary determination (and, as it happens, very unconstitutional). (Related:Brighteon.com will not shadow ban; affirms protection of legal speech.) Nobody is hearing that Trump supporters are getting harassed, especially in small GOP-dominated towns like Randolph, New Jersey, where ABC staged its What Would You Do? episode. Banning speech is a blatant violation of the First Amendments supposed guarantee that were free to say whatever we want as long as were not slandering or libeling anyone (or yelling Fire in a crowded theater). But the longer the Trump administration is in office, the closer we are to outright speech bans if the Left ever manages to steal power. Read more about First Amendment freedoms at Freedom.news. Sources include: InformationLiberation.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) The Chinese government has admitted that hundreds of thousands more doses of childrens vaccines are faulty, bringing the total number of vaccines known to be defective there to nearly one million. The State Council of China announced that another batch of vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) that were produced by the firm Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology, were considered substandard. Most of the doses were sold to authorities in the Shandong province in northeastern China, and some have already been given to children. The latest batch of 247,200 vaccines joins the 253,338 defective DPT vaccines from the same company that were discovered last November, along with more than 400,000 produced by a different company. According to the South China Morning Post, 76 percent of those children who were given injections from the first substandard batch have already been treated by doctors, and there are now plans in place to treat those who received injections from the second batch. Although the Chinese government has done its best to prevent people from talking about the crisis, Chinese social media is still full of conversation about the topic. There have also been reports that the company used expired ingredients and altered testing records. Last month, thousands of enraged parents expressed their anger and disappointment that their country has let them down when it comes to their handling of vaccines. The Chinese president promised swift action and a prompt investigation, yet the problem continues. Critics have accused the government of being more concerned about saving face than making things right with the children who were subjected to the faulty vaccines. In the Nikkei Asian Review, Yanzhong Huang writes: Officials have reportedly restricted news coverage and censors have swiftly scrubbed away widely shared essays and posts criticizing the government or spreading bad news. Even news reports from state-owned publications, such as an investigation into Wuhan Institutes substandard vaccines by the newspaper Economic Observer, have been taken down. He called for Beijing to improve vaccine safety and for the public and the press to get involved in exposing violators. He said that whistleblowers should be viewed as heroes rather than troublemakers. Arrests, recalls issued in vaccine scandal Some Changsheng Biotechnology personnel have already been arrested in connection with the problem. Chairwoman Gao Junfang, who is also known as the Vaccine Queen and considered one of Chinas wealthiest women, is among the 18 people who have been arrested so far. The mayor of the drug manufacturers home city, Changchun, has also been arrested, along with the deputy governor of the Jilin province where the company is located and the national drug regulators deputy director. Where is the media outrage? Its not just the Chinese government that is trying to keep the scandal quiet; many American mainstream news outlets are also ignoring the situation or keeping their coverage to a minimum, which isnt surprising given their general reluctance to report on anything that could cast the vaccine industry in a negative light. There isnt any word on injuries caused by the vaccines, but vaccines have been impounded and production has been suspended. There has also been a recall of vaccine products from foreign markets, but details are scarce. Chinese parents had already lost a great degree of confidence in the government after a scandal a few years ago in which children were disabled and even killed by vaccines that were ruined after they had been transported and stored improperly. This latest incident wont do much to restore their faith. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Its laughable to hear the Big Tech titans complain about issues like discrimination, bigotry, racism, and authoritarianism as they supposedly pertain to POTUS Donald Trump and his administration because characterizing him in that way is so blatantly dishonest. The president hasnt banned or censored or deplatformed anyone that we know of, but the opposite cannot be said of the Big Tech titans who are busy meting out such treatment to conservatives and, in one recent case, a Jewish conservative. Former Project Veritas investigator Laura Loomer is making a name for herself exposing corruption, lies, and digging deep for details on public figures and elected officials mostly Democrats because the mainstream media refuses to do so. And in her work, she has scored some notable bombshells, such as this weeks discovery that embattled Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., twice now accused of sexual harassment, doesnt have a valid law license though hes just been nominated to become his partys choice for Minnesota attorney general. What Loomer is doing is real journalism the kind of street-pounding, shoe-leather journalism that the corporate establishment media used to do before they sold their souls to the Deep State Left. But at every turn, shes being punished, especially by the Big Tech titans who are shutting down conservative voices in order to push fake news establishment propaganda. In recent days Loomer became the latest conservative independent media journalist to be de-platformed by Facebook over a video she posted featuring her attempt to ask questions of Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar at a rally in Minnesota and got assaulted in the process. As Voice of Europe reports: Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian Muslim, forcefully grabbed Laura Loomer, a Jewish independent journalist, then took her phone when Loomer approached her with questions that the congresswoman would not answer. According to prominent attorney, Jared Beck, after watching the video says it is assault and battery, as well as, the felonious taking and removing of anothers personal property with the intent of depriving the true owner of it, or attempted theft. Tlaib is also a congressional candidate. Tough questions of Muslim candidates NOT allowed Loomer tried to ask Omar if shed be willing to admit that Hamas, a proxy of the Iranian government, is a terrorist organization like the U.S. government says it is. Loomer also continued to ask additional questions, such as whether Omar would faithfully serve her Jewish constituents if elected since she is a committed believer in Islam and the Muslim faith tradition is hostile to Jews. She also chided Omar for voting against legislation that would have made the Islamic practice of female genital mutilation a felony. Finally, Loomer wanted to know why Omar chose to marry her own brother a claim that Loomer says she has documents to substantiate. You can watch the video of her questioning here: MUST WATCH: I confronted Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, two Jihadi US candidates with connections to terror organizations. They have both expressed hatred towards Jewish people, & are campaigning w/ pro-HAMAS Linda Sarsour, & CAIR, which is a terror org.@OzraeliAvi @debbie1ala pic.twitter.com/qbiJMjW0ge Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 12, 2018 By any measure, Washington Beltway reporters have been just as hard if not harder on White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and yet their networks videos dont get removed from Facebook and their network pages de-platformed like hers. (Related: What? So Facebook de-platforms Alex Jones but allows huge assortment of pro-terrorist filth across its platform.) After Loomer posted the video to Facebook, the censoring Nazis there informed her she had violated community rules and standards and that it was removed. But less than 24 hours later she found that her page was completely taken down as well; apparently, asking a Muslim congressional candidate tough but appropriate questions is not allowed on Facebook (or Twitter, or YouTube, or Google, or any Left-wing Big Tech platform). Freedom of speech is systematically being destroyed in America by social media platforms that, ironically, managed to become as large and pervasive as they are on that very fundamental First Amendment guarantee. If theyre not going to adhere to a constitutional mandate, then maybe its time for the federal government to de-platform them. Read more about social media censorship at Censorship.news. Sources include: VoiceofEurope.com NewsTarget.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) Every 30 minutes spent in front of a screen can delay speech development by 49 percent in children younger than two, claimed a team of researchers from the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Their study was the first to link language skills to smart device use among young children. The team said that by the age of two or three, infants should typically be able to communicate in sentences between three to four words. However, children who spent a majority of their time on handheld devices struggled with their communication skills. Staff pediatrician at the Hospital for Sick Children Dr. Catherine Birken told the Independent.ie that while new pediatric [sic] guidelines suggest limiting screen time for babies and toddlers, we believe that the use of smartphones and tablets with young children has become quite common. This is the first study to report an association between handheld screen time and increased risk of expressive language delay. Dr. Birken recommended that all screen media be limited in children younger than 18 months. The study observed almost 900 children aged between six months and two years old. Dr. Birkens findings were presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in San Francisco. A world of technology, a galaxy of potential problems Perhaps smartphones are not the smartest solution for very young children. An article on DailyMail.co.uk said that 90 percent of children younger than two know how to use an iPad. In fact, 50 percent of 12- to 17-month old babies displayed moderate ability in using the device, as reported on the same DailyMail.co.uk article. When children turn one year old, they switch from using both hands and all their fingers to interact with the tablet to using an index finger which is what adults do, wrote the lead author of the study to the publication. The article ended on a light note, stating that this could lead to more educational apps being developed to benefit a far younger audience. Yet there are also other experts who see these findings as disturbing. We have a lot of two-year-olds using tablets now, and I see three- and four-year-old that are already addicted, noted Dr. Fran Walfish a Child and Family Psychotherapist in LittleThings.com. Its mind-blowing and a little scary. Possible side-effects of using a smart device early on include brain development delays. This new study found that every hour an infant spent on a smart tablet device was linked to 16 minutes of less sleep. Sleep is essential in brain development. Scientists believe that the light emitted from these devices suppresses the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. This disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle. A neuroscientist cautioned in the LittleThings.com article that, using these devices in the evening before bedtime really has this negative impact on our sleep and on your circadian rhythms. Moreover, children younger than two who regularly use smartphone devices may not develop the necessary neural connections associated with social relationships. Researchers have noted that it is during the first few years in life where essential neural pathways are built. Between the ages of zero and two, the infants brain triples in size. Typically this is the time when the child learns how to interact with a parents touch, voice, and other external stimuli. However, something different happens among children who merely just interact with a computer screen. Pediatric nurses have warned that children who spend more time on their computers lack concentration and often find it difficult to develop deeply personal relationships. There is also intriguing supposition that children who grow up mostly with their noses on the screen have an increased likelihood of mental illness particularly body dysmorphic disorder caused by a lack of self-esteem. Sources include: Independent.ie CBC.ca Pediatrics.AAPublications.org LittleThings.com DailyMail.co.uk Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has entered an agreement to provide advanced defense systems to Israel Navy's Sa'ar-6 corvettes. The systems will be used to protect Israel's exclusive economic zone and strategic facilities which are faced with diversified threats in the marine arena. The contract was led by the navy, Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the procurement administration in Israel's Ministry of Defense. The Barak-8 system was chosen after it was demonstrated to meet the operational requirements and future challenges faced by the Navy. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has entered an agreement to provide advanced defense systems to Israel Navy's Sa'ar-6 corvettes. The systems will be used to protect Israel's exclusive economic zone and strategic facilities which are faced with diversified threats in the marine arena. The contract was led by the navy, Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the procurement administration in Israel's Ministry of Defense. The Barak-8 system was chosen after it was demonstrated to meet the operational requirements and future challenges faced by the Navy. Barak-8 launched from an Israeli Navy Saar 5 corvette. IAI picture Barak-8 is an operational air & missile defense system used by the Israeli navy as well as by the India's navy and air forces. It provides broad Aerial and point defense against a wide range of threats to the marine arena from the air, the sea or the land. The system integrates several advanced state-of-the-art systems as, digital radar, command and control, launchers, interceptors with modern RF seekers, Data link and system-wide connectivity. Joseph Weiss, IAI CEO & President, said, "Barak-8 is one of IAI's leading systems and a growth engine for IAI in sales to its customers. The new deal adds to several Barak-8 contracts entered over the past few years with total value of more than $5 billion, which is another feather in the system's glorious cap." Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said, "The procurement of Barak-8 System for the Sa'ar-6 corvettes will expand the operational capabilities of the Israeli navy, including the defense of Israel's territorial and exclusive economic zone . With land and naval modules, the system provides a complete response to a wide range of threats and is developed to work with other systems. Barak-8 is a proud member of the exclusive club that hosts Israel's most successful global military developments." The Barak-8 was developed by IAI in collaboration with Israel's DDR&D, India's DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), the navies of both countries, RAFAEL, IAI's ELTA Group and local industries in India. Israeli Navy animation Comment about Saar 6 The Saar 6 class was developed from the German MEKO A100 base (and variations for the German Navy K130 corvettes). The Saar 6 vessels will not just be "Patrol Vessels" as initially reported but rather powerful Corvettes with a displacement in excess of 2,000 tons and a length of 90 meters.The width of the class is 13.5 meters and its draft is more than 4 meters. Their maximum speed is 26 knots thanks to their diesel power plant and dual-shaft arrangement. The crew complement is about 70 sailors. Saar 6 class corvettes will be heavily armed for their size: They are set to be fitted with: - 32x VLS cells for Barak 8 surface to air missile system by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) - 2x C-DOME naval point defense system launchers by Rafael (20x Tamir missiles in each launcher for a total of 40x per ship) - 16x anti-ship missiles (Boeing Harpoon Block 2 or Israel's IAI Gabriel Mk 5) - 1x 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun - 2x Typhoon 25mm remote weapon stations by Rafael (likely able to launch Spike-ER missiles as well) - 2x 324mm torpedo launchers for MK54 Lightweight Torpedo by Raytheon The main sensor system aboard the Saar 6 will be the MF-STAR multifunction AESA radar by IAI. Saar 6 corvettes will have hangar space and platform able to accommodate a medium class (SH-60 type) helicopter. infographics on the Saar 6 The California Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for some immigrant children who are abused or abandoned by a parent to seek a U.S. visa to avoid deportation. It was not immediately clear how many children the ruling would affect. State judges cannot require that children drag an absentee parent living abroad into court in their visa application process, the justices said in a unanimous decision. Immigration rights advocates had warned that such a requirement would make it nearly impossible for the children to fight deportation. That's because courts in California cannot establish authority over a foreign citizen and the parent may want nothing to do with a child claiming abuse, and would refuse to participate in a court proceeding in the U.S., immigration groups said. The ruling overturned a lower court decision. The California Supreme Court said it was sufficient to adequately notify the absent parent of the court proceedings, but that parent did not have to be a party to the case. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in court documents that the case had implications for a "substantial portion" of the thousands of children who have fled to the U.S. from Central America and Mexico and settled in California. The decision came in the case of a girl, identified in court documents only as Bianka M., who fled Honduras as a 10-year-old and arrived in the U.S. alone in 2013. Bianka's mother was in the U.S., and the girl sought a state court order granting her mother sole custody. She also asked a state court judge to declare that she could not reunite with her father because he abandoned her and that returning to Honduras was not in her best interest. She sought a special visa that could lead to a green card. A Los Angeles County court, however, said it needed to determine that the man Bianka claimed as her father was in fact her father. The court also raised concerns that awarding custody to Bianka's mother without his involvement could violate his right to determine how she is raised and expose him to child support requirements. Bianka's mother testified that the man left her when she was pregnant with Bianka and said he would rather see Bianka dead than have to support her, according to court documents. Bianka's attorneys noted that California courts could not establish authority over an "unwilling foreign resident," so she would have to convince the man to attest that he was her father. "In her case and a lot of other cases, California family courts were putting up insurmountable barriers to these children," said Kristen Jackson, an attorney for Bianka. Jackson estimated the ruling would help thousands of children. "We're thrilled that the California Supreme Court made sure that vulnerable immigrant children in California are able to access the protection they need and which both federal and state law mandate." As wildfires continue to choke California and other Western states, the Trump administration pledged Thursday to work more closely with state and local officials to prevent wildfires from ever starting. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the Forest Service and other agencies will step up efforts to cut down small trees and underbrush and set controlled fires to remove trees that serve as fuel for catastrophic blazes, including a series of deadly fires that have spread through drought-parched forests and rural communities in California. Six firefighters have died in those wildfires. Perdue, who toured the California fires this week, said they were "stark reminders of the immense forest-fire health crisis in this country, and the urgent need to dramatically increase our preventative forest treatments." While officials have boosted forest management efforts in recent years, more needs to be done, Perdue said. "To truly protect our forests we must increase the number and the size of our (prevention) projects across the local landscape and across boundaries, and frankly we can't do this by ourselves," Perdue said at a news conference at the Capitol. Perdue pledged a "shared stewardship" approach in which the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies work with state, local and tribal officials to fight and prevent wildfires. The action comes as California and other states face longer and more destructive wildfire seasons because of drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change and homes built deeper into forests. Yosemite National Park's scenic, Northern California valley reopened Tuesday after a 20-day, smoked-forced closure, and hundreds of people were evacuated from Glacier National Park in Montana after a wildfire destroyed at least nine homes and cabins in one of the park's historic districts. In Washington state, meanwhile, officials have distributed masks to combat unhealthy air filled with smoke from wildfires that have blanketed the Northwest. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said the current crisis underscores the importance of collaboration to fight and prevent wildfires. "It is unacceptable to me to have Northwest seniors and young people being afraid to open their doors in the morning because they are afraid of smoke." Wyden said. Longer and hotter wildfire seasons are the "new normal," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., "and we have to meet it with a very, very aggressive response" that includes drones, satellites and other technology. Not all efforts will be popular, Cantwell said, noting that some Seattle area residents opposed controlled burns this spring because they feared the smoke. "I guarantee you now, Seattle would definitely take a little bit of smoke instead of the eventual, all-summer-long smoke that we're getting," she said. Perdue, Cantwell and other officials said the focus on prevention could save money, noting that federal wildfire costs approached $3 billion last year, an all-time record. "There's no quick fix," Perdue said, but increased collaboration could eventually save money or at least "get more done with the same costs." Congress earlier this year created a wildfire disaster fund to help combat increasingly severe wildfires. The law sets aside more than $20 billion over 10 years to allow the Forest Service and other federal agencies to end a practice of raiding non-fire-related accounts to cover wildfire costs. The plan takes effect in October 2019. On the lookout for their own territory, young coyotes are venturing out, wildlife experts say, and in San Francisco, that can lead to some close encounters. That has prompted an educational effort to help ease fears and keep the encounters safe. Recently, a coyote was caught on camera wandering through the University of San Francisco campus. Some say the wild animal is a regular, spotted nearly every day. San Francisco Animal Care and Control says there are a few dozen coyotes in the city. It held a meeting Thursday night to let people know what to do when they encounter a coyote because some are about to become more visible. "We're getting right now into dispersal season," said Virginia Donohue. "Expect pups to leave the den." The Presidio Trust tracks it's coyotes. It says since it started the program, every tracked coyote that left its den has been hit by a car. Researchers are urging people to slow down. They also want to reduce coyote and dog confrontations, so they are encouraging dog owners to carry noise makers and to use neon collars with bells to scare the coyotes away. And they advise keeping dogs on a leash. Dog walkers in Buena Vista Park say coyotes live there. They even have their own Facebook page. Resident Scott Seeley says he has only had one slightly aggressive encounter. "We came across a coyote pulling a vole out," Seeley said. "He hissed, he pulled the vole out and took off." Warning signs have been posted in the area. Seeley applauds the effort to educate people about how to live with the wild animals. "I think it's probably more sensible to manage our behavior than theirs," he said. As friends and family of CHP Officer Kirk Griess prepare to say their final goodbyes Friday, the family of the second victim of the deadly crash on Interstate 80 in Fairfield last week also are making arrangements for his funeral. Jaime Buenza Manuels family just flew in from the Philippines on Thursday and were trying to cope with the sudden loss. Manuel's daughter, 20-year-old Jamie, is still trying to come to terms with her dads death. "He was a very special person to us, especially our family of three," she said. Manuel, a caregiver who lived in Vallejo, was hit and killed along with CHP Officer Kirk Griess last Friday by an alleged distracted driver. Sean Walker of Rocklin was arrested and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter in the deaths. Jamie says her father moved to the U.S. 10 years ago to support his family in the Philippines, working hard as a caregiver to provide for his wife and daughter. He just finished putting Jamie through St. Paul University in Manila. "If Im going to expect my dad to die, I expect him to die of illness," she said. "It so happens he dies of a car crash; out of the middle of nowhere this news came he died." "Its a timely thing that I finished college before all this happened," she added. "I think my dad finished his mission for me." Jamie said though she wants the driver to face consequences, she forgives him. "We will pray for him as much as we pray for the two souls," she said, adding that she knows exactly what Griesss family is going through and is heartbroken for them as well. Jamie said she and her mother just arrived in the Bay Area from the Philippines and hope to bring her father's remains back home. "We love him, we miss him," she said. "Wherever he is, he knows that, and its like an angel." A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family with the funeral costs. A memorial service to celebrate the life of fallen California Highway Patrol officer Kirk Griess was held Friday in Vacaville. Griess, 46, and Jaime Bueza Manuel, 49, of Vallejo, were killed Aug. 10 after they were struck by a pickup truck on westbound Interstate 80 in Fairfield. Griess, a 19-year CHP veteran, had pulled Manuel's Saturn SUV over on the freeway near Manuel Campos Parkway. NBC Capt. Mark Headrick, CHP Solano area commander, remembered Griess, his "perfect hair" and why he was nicknamed "Hollywood" at the memorial. "When he took off his helmet, you couldn't tell he had been wearing a helmet because his hair was perfect," Headrick said. "If each of us could spread a just little more kindness, happiness, love, understanding and look for opportunities to serve others, we would be honoring Kirk's memory everyday." A group of Stormtroopers and fellow CHP officers stood in line on stage at The Father's House Church to honor Griess as they talked about their favorite memories of the officer. Prosecutors have charged Sean Matthew Walker, 36, of Rocklin, with gross vehicular manslaughter. Both the CHP and Solano County District Attorney's Office said Walker was speeding at the time of the collision, was completely on the shoulder and was distracted while accessing his cellphone. Walker's arraignment has been postponed until Sept. 12 after he posted $90,000 bail on Thursday, according to the DA's Office. Police said traffic in Vacaville will be momentarily impacted Friday during the memorial procession. The estimate times and areas impacted are as follows: 7 9:30 a.m. All lanes of Elmira Road in front of Vaca Hills Chapel between Allison Drive and Beelard Drive will be completely closed. All lanes of Elmira Road in front of Vaca Hills Chapel between Allison Drive and Beelard Drive will be completely closed. 8 9 a.m. A procession will cause momentary delays as it travels south on Browns Valley Parkway from Vaca Valley Parkway. The procession will continue to southbound Allison Drive and then east on Elmira Road, stopping momentarily in front of Vaca Hills Chapel. A procession will cause momentary delays as it travels south on Browns Valley Parkway from Vaca Valley Parkway. The procession will continue to southbound Allison Drive and then east on Elmira Road, stopping momentarily in front of Vaca Hills Chapel. 9 - 10 a.m. The procession will proceed from Vaca Hills Chapel eastbound on Elmira Road to northbound Leisure Town Road. The procession will travel northbound on Leisure Town Road, east on Vaca Valley Parkway, south on East Ackerly Drive, and then south on Horse Creek Drive before arriving at The Fathers House. The procession will proceed from Vaca Hills Chapel eastbound on Elmira Road to northbound Leisure Town Road. The procession will travel northbound on Leisure Town Road, east on Vaca Valley Parkway, south on East Ackerly Drive, and then south on Horse Creek Drive before arriving at The Fathers House. 12:30 1:30 p.m. The procession will leave The Fathers House northbound on Horse Creek Drive, north on Grassland Drive, north on New Horizons Way, east on Vaca Valley Parkway, and then onto I-505 as the procession leaves the city of Vacaville. A memorial account has been created for the family of Officer Griess through the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) Credit Union. Donations can be made online at https://cahpcu.org/OfficerKirkGriessMemorial or may be mailed to the CAHP Credit Union, P.O. Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95826. NBC Bay Area's Jodi Hernandez and Bay City News contributed to this report. A music school teacher was arrested in San Jose on Thursday for allegedly having sexual conversations with a 16-year-old female student, according to police. Christopher Florio, 39, an instrumental music teacher at Harker Upper School as well as a conductor for the California Youth Symphony in Palo Alto, was arrested on suspicion of internet crimes against children, said the San Jose Police Department. Officials said Florio had sexually inappropriate conversations with the teenage girl during school related functions and communiated with her through social media to "solicit sexually explicit images." NBC Bay Area Harker Upper School serves students from 9th to 12th grade. A spokesperson for the school told NBC Bay Area that Florio was fired last June when the administration learned of his alleged interaction with a student. Florio taught at Harker from 2005 until his termination, according to the school. "To our knowledge, the inappropriate interactions involved only one upper school student. We were notified today that he was arrested, and we will continue to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation," the South Bay school said. The California Youth Symphony has not responded to a request for comment. Florio was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail Friday night. Officials ask anyone with informationregarding this incident or any other similar incidents are urged to contact Detective Chris Mendoza #3883 of the San Jose Police Departments ICAC/CED Unit at (408) 537-1379. What to Know YoGov is a startup that will wait in line for you at the DMV The "line waiting concierge" service costs about $25 an hour YoGov also helps with road tests and finding open appointments It's an activity many wouldn't wish on even their worst enemies: spending hours or even days waiting in line at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Now, Oakland-based startup YoGov is offering a solution: a "concierge" who will wait in line for you. "Government inefficiency has been around for thousands of years," said YoGov's CEO and founder, Ryder Pearce. Pearce says he started the company after his own trip to the DMV led to confusion, frustration, and ultimately a second visit to finish what he couldn't the first time. The company began as a website offering tips and assistance navigating the state's dizzying bureaucracy of vehicles and driver's licenses.[[491068431, C]] But Pearce said YoGov hit a turning point when he met an international student at UC Berkeley who needed to borrow a car for his road test. It's a Catch-22, Pearce said: road test applicants need a licensed driver with a vehicle not a rental car to come with them to the DMV. YoGov (short for "Your Government Services") began offering licensed drivers with their own vehicles a chance to help road test applicants in exchange for an hourly fee. Then came the Federal government's Real ID program, and its 2020 deadline. "We've seen how bad the DMV lines have gotten these past several months in California," Pearce said. Like any good entrepreneur, he saw a business opportunity: A "concierge" who will wait in line for you, in exchange for an hourly wage. We took YoGov's new DMV "line waiting concierge" service for a test drive. Watch the video above to see how it worked. Newspapers from Maine to Hawaii pushed back against President Donald Trump's attacks on "fake news" Thursday with a coordinated series of editorials speaking up for a free and vigorous press. The Boston Globe, which set the campaign in motion by urging the unified voice, had estimated that some 350 newspapers would participate. They did across the breadth of the country. The Portland, Maine Press-Herald said a free and independent press is the best defense against tyranny, while the Honolulu, Hawaii Star-Advertiser emphasized democracy's need for a free press. "The true enemies of the people and democracy are those who try to suffocate truth by vilifying and demonizing the messenger," wrote the Des Moines Register in Iowa. Read statement from NBC Bay Area's general manager. On Thursday morning, Trump again took to Twitter to denounce "fake news." He wrote: "The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT!" That followed this tweet from the president: "THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING!" Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution affirming that "the press is not the enemy of the people." The resolution Thursday offered by Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, of Hawaii, drew on the words of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and President Ronald Reagan, among others, to champion the role of the free press, which it said is "integral to the democratic foundations of the United States." The resolution condemns attacks on the press "as an attack on our democratic institutions." It noted that the First Amendment "protects the press from government control and suppression." No senator raised objections to resolution. In St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch called journalists "the truest of patriots." The Chicago Sun-Times said it believed most Americans know that Trump is talking nonsense. The Fayetteville, N.C. Observer said it hoped Trump would stop, "but we're not holding our breath." "Rather, we hope all the president's supporters will recognize what he's doing manipulating reality to get what he wants," the North Carolina newspaper said. The Morning News of Savannah, Georgia, said it was a confidant, not an enemy, to the people. "Like any true friend, we don't always tell you want you want to hear," the Georgia newspaper said. "Our news team presents the happenings and issues in this community through the lens of objectivity. And like any true friend, we refuse to mislead you. Our reporters and editors strive for fairness." Some newspapers used history lessons to state their case. The Elizabethtown Advocate in Elizabethtown, Penn., for instance, compared free press in the United States to such rights promised but not delivered in the former Soviet Union. The New York Times added a pitch. "If you haven't already, please subscribe to your local papers," said the Times, whose opinion section also summarized other editorials across the country. "Praise them when you think they've done a good job and criticize them when you think they could do better. We're all in this together." That last sentiment made some journalists skittish. Some newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle, wrote editorials explaining why they weren't joining the Globe's effort. The Chronicle wrote that one of its most important values is independence, and going along with the crowd went against that. Both the Chronicle and Baltimore Sun said that it plays into the hands of Trump and his supporters who think the media is out to get him. Nolan Finley, columnist and editorial page editor of The Detroit News, spoke up for the press but added a scolding. He said too many journalists are slipping opinion into their news reports, adding commentary and calling it context. "Donald Trump is not responsible for the eroding trust in the media," Finley wrote. "He lacks the credibility to pull that off. The damage to our standing is self-inflicted." The Radio Television Digital News Association, which represents more than 1,200 broadcasters and web sites, is also asking its members to point out that journalists are friends and neighbors doing important work holding government accountable. "I want to make sure that it is positive," said Dan Shelley, the group's executive director. "We're shooting ourselves in the foot if we make this about attacking the president or attacking his supporters." It remains unclear how much sway the effort will have. Newspaper editorial boards overwhelmingly opposed Trump's election in 2016. Polls show Republicans have grown more negative toward the news media in recent years: Pew Research Center said 85 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said in June 2017 that the news media has a negative effect on the country, up from 68 percent in 2010. Associated Press correspondents Hannah Fingerhut, Skip Foreman, Amanda Kell, Jack Jones, Herb McCann, David Runk and Juliet Williams contributed to this report. What was supposed to be a small Neighborhood Watch session with the San Jose Police Department turned into a heated community meeting Thursday evening for residents in willow Glen. The residents said theyre fed up with a crime wave that has engulfed their neighborhood. They said they feel like theyre under attack. Last week, a carjacking and a neighborhood lockdown were the latest incidents in a rash of crimes in the Willow Glen neighborhood and prompted many neighbors to realize theyve had enough. They went to Thursday's meeting looking for answers from police and to vent their concerns. "Theres a lot of frustration and anger in there, and Im right there with them because its super scary to live in a neighborhood and feel like youre under siege," said Diana, a Willow Glen resident. Some residents voiced concerns about police response times when they call 911. Others encouraged their fellow neighbors to get organized and get to know each other. "What we found in our neighborhood is that the absolute best thing we can do is get to know our neighbors," resident Sandy Payne said. After last week's carjacking, several residents say they need to do more to help their streets become safe again. That includes helping track down suspect information when a crime happens. "I think theres quite a few people in the neighborhood that do have security cameras," Neil Jack said. "I have a few." A worker has died at a luxury condominium construction site in San Jose that had been accused by the Department of Labor of forcing immigrants to work for free. Details of the worker's death at the Silvery Towers condo has not been released but the employer, Swinerton Builders, notified California Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the fatality Thursday morning, Cal/OSHA told NBC Bay Area. Officials were on site Thursday to conduct an investigation, which typically takes between three to six months, according to a spokesperson for California Department of Industrial Relations. Swinerton Buildings is based in San Francisco but the company has several locations throughout the state of California. It has worked on big projects like One Steuart Lane on San Francisco waterfront, and even a parking plaza at San Diego International Airport, according to the company's website. The Department of Labor said the workers at the Silvery Towers were held against their will and forced to work for nothing. Critics and unions called the development the "Slavery Towers." The developer, Full Power Properties, shut down the project in response. Click here for NBC Bay Area's previous coverage on the Silvery Towers. What to Know National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists say a sudden seal die-off in Maine is now spreading south. In the last 30 days, more than 130 dead seals have been recorded in southern Maine. According to the NOAA, 26 dead seals were recorded in New Hampshire and Massachusetts in July, and 25 were recorded in August. As more dead seals wash up on southern Maine beaches, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say a sudden and unexplained seal die-off is spreading to New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. "We are very concerned about this," said Jennifer Goebel, NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional spokesperson. In the last 30 days, more than 130 dead seals have been recorded in southern Maine. Goebel said in an average August, Maine typically records just 38 dead seals. "It's unusually high," she said, and scientists are testing the seals to find out if an infectious disease like Avian flu or phocine distemper could be the cause. According to the latest NOAA statistics, 26 dead seals were recorded in New Hampshire and Massachusetts in July, and 25 were recorded for the same area in August. "It's significantly more than we should expect to see for those states this time of year," Goebel said. "We aren't seeing any external injuries. There have been reports of coughing, sneezing, and lung issues." It has been an exceptionally busy week for seal rescuers with The Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME). On Monday, 11 dead seals washed up in the Saco area. On Thursday, nine more showed up. MMoME is also responding to stranded seals and has been rehabilitating some of them at their Harpswell triage center. For now, NOAA is asking MMoME to stop taking in live seals, due to the risk that a potentially infectious disease might spread. NOAA hopes to have preliminary test results for some of the deceased seals by next week. Goebel said if anyone sees a dead seal, keep distance and report it immediately. Their hotline is 866-755-NOAA. After his pregnant wife and two daughters disappeared, Christopher Watts stood on his porch in Colorado and lamented to reporters how much he missed them. He longed for the simple things, he said, like telling his girls to eat their dinner and gazing at them as they curled up to watch cartoons. "Last night, I had every light in the house on. I was hoping that I would just get ran over by the kids running in the door, just barrel-rushing me, but it didn't happen," he told Denver TV station KMGH. On Thursday, Watts was in jail after being arrested on suspicion of killing his family, probably before he spoke those words. Authorities did not offer a motive. The body of 34-year-old Shanann Watts was found on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, one of the state's largest oil and gas drillers, where Christopher Watts worked, police said. Investigators found what they believe are the bodies of 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste nearby on Thursday afternoon. "As horrible as this outcome is, our role now is to do everything we can to determine exactly what occurred," John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said at a news conference in Frederick, a small town on the grassy plains north of Denver, where fast-growing subdivisions intermingle with drilling rigs and oil wells. Watts, 33, has not been formally charged. A judge ordered him held without bail and told prosecutors to file charges by Monday afternoon. He set a Tuesday hearing to review the case. As he was escorted into the courtroom, Watts did not speak. He looked down for much of the hearing but made eye contact as the judge reviewed his rights. Watts's attorney, James Merson of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office, left without commenting to reporters. He did not immediately respond to a voicemail left at his office Thursday by The Associated Press. A family friend reported Shanann Watts and her daughters missing on Monday, police said. In his previous interviews with Denver TV outlets, Christopher Watts said his wife of nearly six years returned home about 2 a.m. Monday after a flight for a work trip was delayed. He said the two had an "emotional conversation" before he left for work a few hours later and that he became concerned after she did not return his calls or texts or those of her friends. He said he came home to an empty house after a friend knocked on the door at noon and got no answer. Shanann Watts' Facebook account paints a portrait of a happy married life, with a constant feed of photos and videos of friends, relatives and herself. Her comments were typically upbeat, whether she was running errands, playing with her kids or promoting a health program. The couple got married in North Carolina nearly six years ago and moved to Colorado around the same time. She posted selfies of her and her husband smiling in restaurants, at the ocean on vacation and at their house. On May 5, she wrote: "I love this man! He's my ROCK!" On June 19, she posted a photo of some texts with her husband after sending him a picture of a sonogram. He replied that he loved the baby already. She posted: "I love Chris! He's the best dad us girls could ask for." Her page has photo collages and video slide shows praising Chris Watts, describing how their love was growing stronger and how he gave her the strength to have a third child. The couple's 2015 bankruptcy filing captures a picture of a family caught between a promising future and financial strain. The filing estimated that they had the same range of assets as liabilities, according to court records. At the time, Christopher Watts worked for Anadarko, earning about $61,500 a year as an "operator." His wife was working at a call center at a children's hospital, making about $18 per hour. Combined, they earned $90,000 in 2014. But they also had tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, along with some student loans and medical bills for a total of $70,000 in unsecured claims on top of a sizable mortgage. A spokeswoman for the oil company said Christopher Watts was fired Wednesday, but she declined to provide any details, citing the active investigation. Shanann Watts was one of the first customers to visit Ashley Bell's tanning salon in nearby Dacona two years ago. The two women quickly became friends, and before long they were texting or calling each other almost daily. Their daughters also played together during salon visits. On Thursday, Bell and her family added several items to a memorial of stuffed toys, candles and flowers on the lawn of the Watts family home. Bell said she never detected that anything was wrong between Shanann and her husband. Bell also got to know Christopher Watts and described him as a loving father. "I just don't understand it," she said, reaching out to accept a flower that her daughter picked from a nearby lawn. Shanann worked from home as a saleswoman for a freeze-dried food company and took her two girls everywhere, Bell said. "She was always about her girls," Bell said. "She would do anything for her girls." One day she came into the salon and announced that she couldn't tan for a while, then grinned and confirmed she was pregnant. Shanann's father, Frank Rzucek, said on Facebook that the family did not want to talk to the media. The synthetic drug K2 suspected to have caused more than 100 overdoses in the New Haven area between Tuesday night and Thursday was contaminated with another synthetic drug called fubinaca, police said Friday, and New Haven police have identified two people arrested in connection with the case. One form of fubinaca is an "ultrapotent" synthetic cannabinoid known to be 50 to 85 times more powerful than K2 and "poses a public health concern," according to a 2017 article in the New England Journal of Medicine that found the drug was involved in a 2016 outbreak in Brooklyn, New York, that resulted in dozens of hospitalizations and left the area looking like a "zombieland." We want to get the word out to make sure people understand, please do not use this K2. It is clearly contaminated, New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said Friday morning. The results have come back that it is K2. One of the chemicals is fubinaca, which really seems to be, for whatever reason, knocking people down, taking them out, so weve been trying to get that word out. Emergency responders in New Haven have been dealing with a massive number of overdoses since Tuesday night. Many of the people became ill while they were on the New Haven Green, which is located near Yale University. There have been no fatalities, but Campbell warned that the drug can be fatal and for people to stay away from it. Police have arrested 53-year-old John Parker and 37-year-old Felix Melendez in connection with the case. Campbell said that Parker had 32 bags of K2 on him at the time of his arrest and has been identified as one of the dealers who distributed the K2 that caused the rash of overdoses on the Green. He has been charged with possession with intent to sell and other related charges. Melendez was arrested on a violation of probation warrant and possession of a controlled substance. Police said Melendez had K2 on him at the time of his arrest, but at this time, he has not been connected to the distribution of the K2. New Haven Police Department Both men have been previously arrested for selling drugs on the Green, police said. A third suspect is in federal custody, but New Haven police would not comment on the status of the federal investigation. K2 is considered synthetic marijuana, but experts say its nothing like actual marijuana and can be fatal if ingested. People who take the K2 have been having seizures, going into cardiac arrest, vomiting or passing out. The health emergency began escalating at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to city fire officials. Between Tuesday night and Wednesday, 79 overdoses suspected to be linked to K2 were reported and 72 of those cases resulted in hospitalizations. Chief Campbell said he witnessed up to eight people not being able to breathe and needing to be resuscitated. New Haven Emergency Operations Director Rick Fontana said there were 36 suspected overdose calls from 10:15 p.m. Wednesday through 8:30 p.m. Thursday alone. There have been no additional cases on Friday, according to police. NBC CT crews were reporting on the story of recent K2 overdoses on the New Haven Green when two people were seen needing treatment for possible additional overdoses. Police said they have identified 47 of the victims of the overdoses. Many of the people who needed to go to the hospital sought medical assistance up to four or five times. Other victims were not positively identified. Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily classified fubinaca as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin, a move the federal agency said was necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. Officials said fubinaca was found in nearly all the K2 samples New Haven police recovered this week. The DEA helped the city discover what was in the co-called bad batch. Police said it speaks tot he dangers of taking illegal street drugs that can be laced with anything. "There is no quality control on clandestinely produced substances that are distributed by people with not the scruples that most of us have," said Uri Shafir, acting assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's New Haven District Office. Fubinaca was to blame for the Brooklyn outbreak in July 2016, according to the New England Journal of Medicine review of samples taken from some people hospitalized. "When they smoke that stuff, they drop like flies," a resident told NBC New York at the time. Another resident said the passed-out patients he saw being treated made the area look like "zombieland," according to the Guardian. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumental met with New Haven officials Friday and said the new synthetic drugs are "killers" that are coming across borders from China and Mexico. "They are used by amateur chemists, mixed with other contaminants fatally used in overdoses," Blumenthal said. "I hope this administration will put aside tariff feuds and the trade wars and focus on cracking down on the synthetics coming across our borders," Blumenthal said. During a news conference Thursday, Campbell said that the city is a "great provider of service for people who struggle with addiction." In Photos: New Haven Overdose Emergency "It is thereby the reason that so many people who struggle with these type of issues are then susceptible to those who would prey on them, who would give them drugs, who would come to areas where they go for services to try to sell them drugs," he said. New Haven Mayor Toni Harp said that the city is finalizing plans for Jim Carroll, the presidents nominee for drug czar, to be in the city Monday. Police said they have arrested three people believed to be responsible for the sale and distribution of the K2. Campbell said Thursday that one person was handing out K2 and might have intended to try to get people addicted and start a chain of clients for themselves. Gov. Dannel Malloy has called the massive number of overdoses in New Haven deeply troubling and provided the city with state resources. Officials from the state Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are providing assistance, including delivering 50 doses of naloxone to the City of New Haven to replenish the supply first responders used over 24 hours. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is also working with health professionals to assist the emergency responders. Malloy said psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, medical and homeless outreach staff also assisted in triage, administering naloxone, and sending people to the hospital. The city of Hamden also shared signs of an overdose, citing the Quinnipiac Valley Health District, for the information. Symptoms include: As jurors deliberate over fraud charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, back in his hometown of New Britain its a street sign inscribed with the Manafort name thats the talk of the town. I think theres always gonna be that Paul Manafort Junior stink over it, said Justin Vega of New Britain. But Paul Manafort Drive, near the Central Connecticut State University campus, was never named after him, it was named after his father, Paul Manafort Senior. After a public petition to name the street after someone else, the mayor decided instead to tweak the sign, adding Sr. to the end to make sure theres no confusion between father and son. I appreciate that. Things that get changed like that even though its small its important to do that, said CCSU student Gina Pelligrinelli of Glastonbury. I feel like if theyre making the change its kind of blowing it out of proportion, said Joel Garcia of Bristol. Unfortunately, those who are not aware of the City of New Britains story do not know or understand the big difference between Paul Manafort Senior and Junior. Senior was a former mayor, a veteran, and someone who served our City well, said Mayor Erin Stewart. I dont know how much its going to cost the city but I think its a really good step to keep Paul Manafort Seniors work intact, Vega added. Manafort Senior actually faced corruption charges of his own in the 80s but was never convicted. A 2018 graduate from Watertown High Schools said she was bullied in her yearbook. Daniela Paternostro submitted pictures for a collage for the back pages of her yearbook, as hundreds of other students do, but the four pictures of her and her family were replaced with a single image. It was of Daniela at 7 years old with a broken tooth and bloody lip after an accident. I was really embarrassed, Daniela Paternostro said. I was like, How did this happen? I forgot that I even put up that YouTube video when I was 7 years old. Its sad. Shes robbed of her memories and cant get them back, Danielas mother, Gina Paternostro, said. Daniela and her mom immediately reached out to Watertown High School administrators. They were told someone impersonating Danielas father sent an email with the picture. Somebody intentionally replaced her four beautiful pictures and it was with malice and intent, said Gina Paternostro. Rydell Harrison, the superintendent of Watertown Public Schools, told NBC Connecticut he immediately notified police and the school launched its own investigation to try and find the person responsible. In a statement, Harrison wrote in part, As a school district, we do not and will not tolerate any inappropriate conduct toward any of our students. That sort of conduct has absolutely no place in a school setting. He went on to write, In each situation, our goal is to provide for the wellbeing of all of our students, to educate students about appropriate and respectful behaviors, and to prevent any recurrence of inappropriate conduct. Daniela said the principal of the high school offered to have stickers made to replace the embarrassing image. The superintendent also told NBC Connecticut that the district is looking into several solutions to prevent this from happening again, including having students approve their pages before the yearbook is printed. Daniela said she is hoping this embarrassment for her will serve as an example for other students and encourage them to speak up if they are being bullied and get the support they need. People commit suicide over this. I just wanted to put this out there so people know its OK if youre getting bullied to speak up about it, Daniela said. The Watertown Police are still investigating. The Paternostros said they hope police can interview students involved in making the yearbook before they return to school or go to college. A billion dollar project is on the way to rework the "Southeast Connector" in Fort Worth where I-20, I-820 and US 287 all come together. TXDOT is trying to relieve a bottleneck. But neighbors worry one part of the plan, to shut down two on-ramps onto 820 will create a traffic nightmare of its own. You'll always find a line at the Meadowbrook Drive entrance ramp headed north onto 820. "There's always cars stopped at that light," said Judy Taylor, President of the Handley Neighborhood Association. Its how Taylor makes it to regular doctor's appointments and any other business toward downtown Fort Worth. "Makes it an issue for me if I have to go another exit through three more lights to get on the freeway," Taylor said. That's what will happen if a new TXDOT proposal goes through to close the Meadowbrook northbound on-ramp and the one directly south of it at Craig Street, pushing all traffic onto the Brentwood Stair entrance. "It's going to put three times more of us at that one intersection," Taylor said. Neighbors voiced their concerns at a transportation town hall meeting hosted by TX State Representative Nicole Collier Thursday night, where TXDOT laid out its early ideas to transform the "Southeast Connector." "It's Interstate 20, Interstate 820 and US 287 all coming together," said TXDOT Public Information Officer Jodi Hodges. The mish-mash of highways was designed in the 1960s for a very different traffic load. It includes a number of left-hand exits and merging lanes. "The bulk of the crashes have been due to the weaving and merging of traffic, Hodges said. So the proposed design will minimize that." But neighbors worry the proposal may fix one problem, just to open up another. "I think they're just going to relocate the bottleneck," said Thomas Brown, Vice President of the Handley Neighborhood Association TXDOT stresses this is just the beginning of the process and their plans are not final. They'll be taking public opinion for another year and a half before settling on a design, with the goal of starting construction in 2022. One person is in custody after an undercover, plain-clothed Dallas police officer was shot in the leg during a gun battle that left another person dead Friday morning, police say. The officer was hospitalized following the shooting but has since been discharged from Baylor University Medical Center and sent home. Dallas police have released few details around the shooting, but did confirm that officers were dispatched at 5:20 a.m. to an "armed encounter" in the 4000 block of North Jim Miller Road. Dallas police said the first officer to respond to the call was a plain-clothed, undercover officer who confronted two people. Moments later, there was an exchange of gunfire where the officer was injured and one of the others was fatally wounded. The second person ran from the encounter but was later found by police and taken into custody, police said. Dallas police have not yet said what led to the exchange of gunfire between the officer and at least one of the two people, but they did confirm weapons were found on both people confronted by the officer. Military Parkway was shut down in the area of Jim Miller Road due to the ongoing investigation. No other information was available. Dave Dave, a respected Las Vegas artist who was badly scarred as a boy when his father tried to burn him to death in Southern California, has died. He was 42. Dave, who was born David Rothenberg, died on July 15 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg said Wednesday. The cause of his death awaited results of toxicology and other tests and a police investigation, the coroner said. Dave was a close friend of Michael Jackson, who met him after the boy survived a 1983 attack that left him with burns over 90 percent of his body. Dave was 6 years old when his father, Charles Rothenberg, gave him a sleeping pill, doused his bed with kerosene and lit it in a Buena Park motel room near Disneyland during a bitter custody fight. The father fled. The boy underwent numerous skin grafts and was left disfigured but refused to define himself as a victim. "There is a lot that happens in people's lives, but that doesn't define them as a human being, it makes them stronger," Dave told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2016. Dave "grabbed hold of life with a sense of urgency and passion," Mike Watkiss, a family friend, told the Orange County Register. "He put people at peace, he brought people together. A guy who had no reason to trust anyone other than his mother was amazingly trusting." "To have gone through what he had gone through as a child at the hands of his father, and to lead a life as rich as he did and as creative and as caring and as giving as he did, I think is amazing," Watkiss said, speaking on behalf of his mother, Marie. Dave was 19 when he met his father in prison their first contact since the attack. "It was very cathartic to be able to look my dad in the face and tell him exactly what was on my mind," Dave told the Review-Journal. "A lot of people don't get a chance to do that, to face the person who hurt them." Charles Rothenberg spent less than seven years of a 13-year sentence in prison for attempted murder. He went on to amass a criminal record for robbery and other crimes, eventually being sentenced in 2007 to 25 years to life in prison in California. Miami-Dade County has reached a tentative agreement with the school district to add police officers to every school in the county, according to a news release. The move is an expansion to the previous rule, which placed officers at every middle and high school throughout the county. Under the new agreement, officers would also be stationed at elementary schools and K-8 centers, according to a news release. After the Parkland school shooting, the state of Florida required every school to arm security personnel. But Miami-Dade schools said they didnt just want to arm anyone, asking specifically for trained, qualified officers. In a last minute negotiation Thursday, the City of Miami and the Miami-Dade school district worked out a plan to arm their remaining 36 elementary schools with officers. As part of that agreement, there will be a Miami officer in every school in that city, a push for long term state funding and the district will be able to use the citys police academy at no cost. Miami Gardens also has a tentative agreement for their police force to cover 10 schools in that area. The signing of the agreement is scheduled to take place Friday at 12:30 p.m. An Alaska man will be spending the rest of his life in prison for the January 2017 Fort Lauderdale airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded. A sentencing hearing was held Friday for 28-year-old Esteban Santiago, who pleaded guilty in May to 11 charges in a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, admitted he opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. At the hearing, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom accepted the agreement, which calls for a life prison sentence plus 120 years. She described the incident as "85 seconds of evil." Several relatives of the victims delivered statements to the judge at the hearing. Santiago chose not to speak. "You robbed me of so many more memories with my mom," said Melissa Beauchamp, whose mother, Mary Louise Amzibel, was killed in the shooting. "She is no longer going to be there for birthdays and holidays." Beauchamp's father, Ed, was also wounded in the shooting and still suffers. "While nothing can ever heal the wounds inflicted by the defendants unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones," U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg said in a statement. An Iraq war veteran, Santiago is diagnosed as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Santiago initially told the FBI after the shooting he was under government mind control, then switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of the Islamic State extremist group. "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone affected by this senseless and cowardly act of violence," Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami, said in a statement. "While this sentence cannot erase what happened, may it serve to demonstrate societys commitment to honor and remember those who suffered that day." Authorities are investigating the death of a 35-year-old man whose body was found on the ground outside his on-again off-again girlfriend's window in New Jersey, a source familiar with the investigation tells News 4. Lakeview Avenue in Watchung was cordoned off near the home as authorities awaited the medical examiner's arrival Friday. The source told News 4 the death is not believed to be suspicious and that the woman didn't even know the body was there until a neighbor gave her a call. The man's identity has not been released. It's not clear how long he had been outside, nor was the status of his current relationship to the woman immediately clear. What to Know Two men have been sentenced for causing the death of an FDNY chief who was killed in an explosion at an illegal indoor pot-growing operation Garivaldi Castillo, 33, and Julio Salcedo, 36, were sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to manslaughter, criminal possession of marijuana Salcedo was sentenced to six years in prison, while Salcedo was sentenced to up to four years Two men have been sentenced for causing the death of a New York City fire department chief who was killed in an explosion at an illegal indoor marijuana-growing operation two years ago. Garivaldi Castillo, 33, and Julio Salcedo, 36, were sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to manslaughter and criminal possession of marijuana charges on July 13, 2018 in the death of FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced. Castillo was sentenced to up to six years in prison, while Salcedo was sentenced to up to four years. Citing the investigation, prosecutors say, that on Sept. 27, 2016, firefighters responded to a gas leak at a two-story building in Kingsbridge. There they allegedly found marijuana plants, heaters and fertilizer that were apparently maintained by Castillo and Salcedo. Additionally, prosecutors say, the windows on the second floor were covered by foil panels, which allegedly prevented the second floor from being ventilated of the leaking gas. After responding to a report of a gas leak at the two-story house, Fahy was directing operations from the street. He ordered the occupants to leave shortly before the building blew up with such force that it moved mugs in a cabinet several blocks away. A section of the exploding home's slate roof hit Fahy and killed him. Fahy, a 17-year fire department veteran whom Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro called "a star" of the department, had earned a law degree and briefly worked as an attorney before deciding to become a firefighter, as his father had been. He was 44 years old at the time of his death and a married father of three. What to Know NYU School of Medicine announced Thursday it's offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in the MD program It's an effort to address the rising costs of medical education and still attract the best and brightest students to careers in medicine, NY It is the only top 10ranked medical school in the nation to offer free tuition New York University is offering free tuition for all of its medical students. The move, which makes NYU School of Medicine the only top-10 ranked medical school in the nation to do so, was announced as a surprise ending to the annual White Coat Ceremony Thursday morning, where each new student is presented with a white lab coat to mark the start of their medical eduation and training. "Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our trustees, alumni, and friends, our hopeand expectationis that by making medical school accessible to a broader range of applicants, we will be a catalyst for transforming medical education nationwide," says Kenneth G. Langone, chair of the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone Health. About 62 percent of NYUs School of Medicine graduates leave with some debt, the New York Times reports. The average debt incurred by members of the class of 2017 was $184,000. Rising tuition and six-figure loans have been pushing new doctors into higher-paying fields and contributing to a shortage of researchers and primary care physicians. The associate dean for admissions and financial aid, Dr. Rafael Rivera, says there's a "moral imperative" to reduce debt. Tuition had been set at about $55,000 for the coming year. Most medical students will still need to pay about $29,000 for annual room and board and other living expenses. NYU estimates it will need about $600 million to fund the tuition package in perpetuity. It has raised more than $450 million. Last December, Columbia University announced a $250 million gift from alumnus Dr. P. Roy Vaeglos offering students with greatest financial need full-tuition scholarships, and other students grants, according to the Times. What to Know Suffolk County has banned the sale of Dragons Breath liquid nitrogen in food establishments Dragons Breath are liquid nitrogen puffs are a food novelty made by freezing cereal puffs or similar foods in liquid nitrogen Officials say consuming the liquid nitrogen puffs could cause injury Suffolk County has banned the sale of Dragons Breath liquid nitrogen in food establishments regulated by the countys Health Department, citing its alleged potential for causing harm to those who consume it. On Thursday, the countys Board of Health unanimously adopted a resolution that identified Dragons Breath, as an adulterated food and because of its potential to cause serious injury to consumers, it considers the product as unsafe for human consumption. This action will prevent dangerous chemicals from winding up in the hands of children in Suffolk County, Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County executive, said Friday. Dragons Breath is a food novelty made by freezing cereal puffs or similar foods in liquid nitrogen. When the frozen cereal is chewed, the cold condenses moisture in the consumer's exhaled breath giving them the appearance of breathing smoke. This food trend has allegedly caused harm, such as reported instances of frostbite and tissue damage when residual liquid nitrogen is left in a serving cup and fingers are used to remove the product. Additionally, officials say that ingesting of liquid nitrogen can cause damage to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken said that the significant potential to cause serious injury which far outweigh the novelty feature of the product. The New York State Association of County Health Officials has expressed concern over Dragons Breath to the New York State Department of Health. Other counties such as Clinton and Cattaraugus have or are considering not permitting its sale. Authorities are searching for a man in connection with a possible machete attack near Union Square. A call about the attack near Fourth Avenue came in around 11 a.m. Friday. Fire officials said they transported one victim to a hospital after getting a call about an unconscious person; they said that person is expected to survive. Police confirmed they were searching the area for a man in multicolored shorts who allegedly fled east on 13th Street. The motive for the attack is unclear. What to Know President Donald Trump said Friday he expects to "very quickly" take away the security clearance for Bruce Ohr of the Justice Department Ohr has been criticized for his contacts in Fusion GPS, which was hired to compile the dossier on Trump and Russian ties Trump's comments come two days after he yanked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan President Donald Trump said Friday that he suspects he'll "very quickly" revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing a dossier on Trump's ties to Russia. Signaling that his efforts to target clearances over his frustration with the Russia investigation were not over, Trump tweeted that it was a "disgrace" for Bruce Ohr to be in the Justice Department. His comments came two days after he yanked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, saying he had to do "something" about the "rigged" federal probe of Russian election interference. Critics have cast it as an act of political vengeance. Ohr has come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts to Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS. The opposition research firm hired former British spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 presidential campaign to compile the dossier on Trump and his Russia ties. Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked for Fusion GPS during the campaign something Trump has tweeted about to highlight his assertions of political bias behind the Russia investigation. Former U.S. security officials on Thursday issued scathing rebukes to Trump for moving against Brennan. Trump's admission that he acted out of frustration with the Russia probe underscored his willingness to use his executive power to fight back against an investigation he sees as a threat to his presidency. Legal experts said the dispute may add to the evidence being reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, Brennan said Trump's decision, announced Wednesday, to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mueller's investigation. Brennan, who served under President Barack Obama and has become a vocal Trump critic, called Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia "hogwash." The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," Brennan wrote. Later Thursday, the retired Navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden called Trump's moves "McCarthy-era tactics." Writing in The Washington Post, William H. McRaven said he would "consider it an honor" if Trump would revoke his clearance, as well. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," McRaven wrote. That was followed late Thursday by a joint letter from 15 former senior intelligence officials calling Trump's action "ill-considered and unprecedented." They said it "has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech." The signees included seven former CIA directors, six former CIA deputy directors and two former national intelligence directors, James Clapper and retired Navy Adm. Denny Blair. Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Then on Friday, 60 former CIA officials issued their own statement, joining a chorus of opposition from the intelligence community to Trump's decisions to threaten to or actually pull clearances. They said former government officials have a right to express unclassified views on national security issues without fear of being punished for doing so. They said they did not necessarily concur with all the opinions expressed by Brennan, or the way in which he expressed them. But they said they believe the "country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views." Trump on Wednesday openly tied his decision to strip Brennan of his clearance and threaten nearly a dozen other former and current officials to the ongoing investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump again called the probe a "rigged witch hunt" and said "these people led it!" "So I think it's something that had to be done," he said. The president's comments were a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House earlier Wednesday that cited the "the risks" posed by Brennan's supposed "erratic conduct and behavior." It marked the latest example of the president contradicting a story his aides had put forward to explain his motivations. Attorneys said the revocation appeared to be within the president's authority. But they noted the power play also could be used to reinforce a case alleging obstruction of justice, following the president's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his repeated tweets calling for the investigation to end. Patrick Cotter, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York and a longtime white-collar defense attorney, said that while a prosecutor could argue that Trump's targeting of clearances was intended as a warning that "if you contribute to, participate in, support the Russia probe and I find out about it, I'm going to punish you," it is likely not obstruction in itself. But, he said the move would be a "powerful piece of evidence" for prosecutors as part of a pattern to demonstrate an intent to use presidential power in connection with the probe. Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor agreed. "What it shows is that the president is fixated on the Russia investigation, he's angry about it, and he wants to do everything he can to discourage or slow down the investigation," he said. Mueller and his team have been looking at Trump's public statements and tweets as they investigate whether the president could be guilty of obstruction. "I don't think it advances the criminal obstruction case, but I think it's factually relevant," said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. "I think it shows the state of mind and intent to interfere or impede any unfavorable discussion of his potential connection to Russia." Former CIA directors and other top national security officials are typically allowed to keep their clearances, at least for some period. Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann and Jessica Gresko contributed to this report. An environmental group sued President Donald Trump's administration Thursday to make officials move more quickly to protect the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas. The recent grieving of one whale for her dead calf and scientists' extraordinary attempts to save another from starvation highlight the urgency of their plight, the Tucson, Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity said as it filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle. There are just 75 orcas remaining in the Pacific Northwest population, the lowest number in 34 years. They're struggling with a dearth of chinook salmon, their preferred prey, as well as toxic contamination and vessel noise. The lawsuit says the National Marine Fisheries Service has failed to act on the center's 2014 petition to expand habitat protections to the orcas' foraging and migration areas off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California even though the agency agreed in 2015 that such a move was necessary. The center says the protections would help reduce water pollution and restrict vessel traffic that can interfere with the animals. "Time is running out fast for these magnificent, intelligent orcas," Catherine Kilduff, an attorney with the organization, said in an emailed statement. "It's heartbreaking to watch them starving to death and mourning their dead calves. Every day that Trump's people delay action is a step toward extinction for these whales." The three orca pods that make up the so-called southern resident population have not successfully reproduced since 2015. One orca, known as J35, drew international attention as she carried her dead newborn on her head for more than two weeks covering more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) in a vain effort to help it live and breathe. She finally dropped the decomposing calf and returned to feeding and frolicking with her pod. Another killer whale, 4-year-old J50, is so emaciated that researchers have taken unprecedented efforts to save her, injecting her with an antibiotic dart and dropping live salmon from a boat into the water in front of her. They didn't see her take any of the fish, and the pod has moved to open water off Vancouver Island, delaying any further intervention. Michael Milstein, a spokesman for NOAA Fisheries, said Thursday the agency agrees the situation for the orcas is dire. "We continue to work hard to protect and support the recovery," Milstein said. The orcas that return to Puget Sound every summer are genetically distinct from other killer whale populations around the world and differ from some of the others in eating primarily salmon, rather than seals or other marine mammals. They were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005 after the center sued to get the status. The following year, the fisheries service designated the inland waters of Washington state as critical habitat. The designation means federal agencies must ensure that activities they pay for, permit or carry out do not harm the habitat. Nevertheless, the orcas' population has remained dangerously low, increasing the risk of inbreeding, which could further hurt their long-term survival. In 2014, the center filed a petition seeking the critical habitat designation for an area from the northwest tip of Washington to Point Reyes, California, out roughly 47 miles (76 kilometers). The agency accepted the petition and said it intended to develop and publish a rule for public comment in 2017, but none has been offered. Milstein said in an email the work continues: "This effort involves the analysis of recent information about the ecology and behavior of southern resident killer whales." On its website, the agency also said it must consider the benefits and impacts, including to the economy and national security, of designating particular areas. What to Know The Trump administration was telling Congress Friday it wouldn't spend $200 million on Syria stabilization projects as planned, sources said The sources said the cut will be more than offset by an additional $300 million pledged by coalition partners The move is a sign the administration is heeding the president's demand to end U.S. involvement in Syria and reducing its commitment there The Trump administration is ending funding for Syria stabilization projects as it moves to extricate the U.S. from the conflict, citing increased contributions from anti-Islamic State coalition partners. The State Department said it had notified Congress on Friday that it would not spend some $230 million that had been planned for Syria programs and would instead shift that money to other areas. Most of that money, initially pledged by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in February, had been on hold and under review since he was fired in March. A small fraction of that amount was released in June. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the cut, which was authorized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and does not include humanitarian aid funds, will be more than offset by an additional $300 million pledged by coalition partners, including $100 million that Saudi Arabia announced it had contributed late Thursday. "As a result of key partner contributions by coalition members, Secretary Pompeo has authorized the Department of State to redirect approximately $230 million in stabilization funds for Syria which have been under review," she said in a statement. Nauert said Pompeo's decision took into account the White House's desire to increase burden sharing with allies. The funds will be redirected "to support other key foreign policy priorities," said Nauert, who along with other officials rejected suggestions that the elimination of the funds showed diminishing U.S. interest in Syria. Nauert, along with David Satterfield, the acting assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, and Brett McGurk, the special envoy for the anti-IS coalition, told reporters on a conference call that the U.S. would remain active in Syria until the Islamic State has been defeated. "This decision does not represent any lessening of U.S. commitment to our strategic goals in Syria," Nauert said. Still, the move was seen as a sign the administration is heeding Trump's demand to end U.S. involvement in Syria and reduce its commitment there. "This is astonishingly shortsighted," Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee tweeted. They called it a "lack of US leadership" and said it was "undercutting US interests in Syria and around the world." In a bid to reassure its partners in the coalition against IS as well as opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Pompeo appointed veteran diplomatic troubleshooter, James Jeffrey, to be a special envoy for Syria, Nauert said. Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Iraq and Albania who also served as a deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush, will hold the title of "special representative for Syrian engagement." Jeffrey, who retired in 2012, also holds the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service: career ambassador. He will lead U.S. efforts to reinvigorate a long-stalled peace effort known as the "Geneva Process" between Assad, the opposition and other countries with equities in Syria, Nauert said. Yet Friday's funding cut is the latest Trump administration financial retreat from Syria. In May, the State Department announced that it had ended all funding for stabilization programs in Syria's northwest. IS militants have been almost entirely eliminated from that region, which is controlled by a hodgepodge of other extremist groups and government forces. In June, the administration freed up a small portion $6.6 million of the $200 million that Tillerson had pledged in order to continue funding for the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defense organization, and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, a U.N. agency that is investigating war crimes committed during the conflict. That left $193.4 million in limbo that would have had to have been returned to the Treasury Department on Sept. 30 at the end of this budget year if it had remained unspent. Last month, the U.S. helped to organize the evacuation through Israel of White Helmet workers from Syria's south, where Assad's Russian-backed forces launched a new offensive despite a de-escalation agreement between Washington and Moscow. Nauert said that Friday's decision would not affect "life-saving, needs-based humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Syrians" or U.S. support for the White Helmets or the U.N. mechanism. When Amy Schindler went to an animal shelter in 2003, she was looking for a little dog. She was thinking her new pet would be under 10 pounds. But she fell in love with a 70-pound pit bull mix and adopted him instead. Schindler, the animal behavior director at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, urged anyone looking to adopt a dog to keep an open mind, particularly when it comes to pit bulls. "Try to remove any preconceived notions about who you want or what you want, and try to focus on the individual dog," she said. Ahead of the annual Clear the Shelters adoption event, animal experts said preconceptions can be strong as they relate to pit bulls. The category encompasses several breeds of muscular, block-headed dogs, including American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American bulldogs. Shelter officials and rescue organization leaders say it's especially hard to find homes for pit bulls in the Washington, D.C. area because of preconceptions combined with breed bans in apartment buildings, homeowners associations and all of Prince George's County, Maryland. "As a result of prejudice, it is hard to find a home for these dogs," said Tamela Terry, president of the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County (PGSPCA). The PGSPCA is one of several organizations in the D.C. area including county shelters and rescue groups that find homes for pit bulls that need to be relocated from Prince George's County. When pit bulls go into the county's Animal Services facility, they must be sent elsewhere. Since 1997, it has been illegal in the county to own, harbor, sell or give away any dogs that "exhibit the characteristics of a pit bull more than any other breed of dog." Anyone who violates the ban can face a fine of as much as $1,000 or six months in jail. Supporters of the ban say it helps keep dogs that are trained to be aggressive out of neighborhoods. Critics say the ban is expensive to uphold and unnecessarily kills dogs that are loving pets or can be rehabilitated. The county shelter cares for, on average, 30 to 40 pit bull mixes every day, making up as much as a quarter of their total dog population, Chief Rodney Taylor said. Rescue coordinators place most of these dogs with rescue organizations and shelters in neighboring counties. But about 15 dogs of all breeds need to be put down every month because of behavioral issues, Taylor said. Of the pit bulls that are ready for adoption, the PGSPCA neuters and spays them, and helps find them homes. Terry, the organization's president, blamed irresponsible owners for raising aggressive pit bulls. "People want dogs that look tough and then fail to manage them," she said. Vindicated Pit Bull Rescue, which operates in Northern Virginia, also takes pit bulls from the Prince George's County shelter. President Amy Osterman said some of the dogs show signs of abuse and neglect by their owners. But others are well-trained, even as service dogs. "They're great dogs," Osterman said. "They're friendly, they're goofy, they're intelligent." "But they're still a really misunderstood breed," she added. The rescue group takes as many pit bulls as possible, based on the number of foster homes they have. On Thursday, they had 15, all confiscated from the same home in Prince George's County. The shelter in Arlington County, Virginia, also takes pit bulls from Prince George's County. At the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, pit bulls make up a quarter to half of their total population of dogs. Schindler, the shelter's animal behavior director, said bans on pit bulls by property managers and homeowners associations are the biggest barrier to adoption that they see. If you're interested in helping pit bulls, shelter officials and rescue organization leaders urge you to adopt, foster or donate time or money. Terry, of the PGSPCA, asked residents of Prince George's County to urge their elected officials to eliminate the pit bull ban and instead support "broad, effective dangerous-dog laws." "The pit bulls need all the help we can give them," she said. WARNING: Details in this story may be disturbing for some readers Two suburban teens were charged with murder Thursday, accused of killing another teenager who was strangled and stabbed before being set on fire while still alive. In a case prosecutors said was filled with "vicious brutality... beyond imagination," 18-year-old Francisco Alvarado, of West Chicago, and 16-year-old Tia Brewer, of Wheaton, were both charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and concealment of a homicidal death in the killing of 18-year-old Luis Guerrero. Brewer is in a relationship with Alvarado but used to date the man they allegedly killed, according to authorities. They added that Brewer said Guerrero had raped her, but didnt say if that was their motivation. [[491053971, R]] Guerrero's burned body was found smoldering around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday by members of the West Chicago Fire Department during a training exercise. The body was found in the 1300 block of Joliet Street near some abandoned houses. Authorities allege that Alvarado and Brewer arranged to meet Guerrero, who was previously in a relationship with Brewer, Monday night near the West Chicago Public Library to buy a phone. When Guererro arrived, Alvarado allegedly used a belt to strangle the teen before both he and Brewer stabbed him more than a dozen times in the neck, prosecutors and police said. The pair then put Guerrero in their Jeep Cherokee and drove to the 1300 block of Joliet Street where they dumped his body. Once there, they called a friend, 18-year-old Jesus Jurado Correa, who was also charged with concealment of a homicidal death, and asked him to bring gasoline, prosecutors allege. [[491046971, R]] According to authorities, the group poured gasoline on Guerrero and lit him on fire. Officials believe that at one point after that, Guerrero got up and began to run away before Alvarado and Brewer ran him over with their car, took his body back to the initial location and set him on fire once again. Police located the teens in a Chicago motel room, where they were found with some of Guerreros belongings and food packed as though they were planning to flee. According to authorities a backpack with blood on it was found in the room, containing a bloody knife and screw driver inside. "I can't begin to imagine the pain that Mr. Guerrero must have endured as his life was brutally taken from him," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. Both Alvarado and Brewer were denied bail Thursday. Correa's bail was set at $100,000. Members of the DuPage County Major Task Force and states attorney were assisting with the investigation. Attorney information for the teens was not immediately available. Their next court appearance is set for Sept. 13. A political opponent claims U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is corrupting the election process in Vermont. Even though Folasade Adeluola was soundly defeated by Sanders in the states primary elections this week, she is still trying to secure a place on the ballot in November. It is time for Senator Sanders to go, said Adeluola, a self-described political underdog. Bernie can do his politics in a wishy-washy way. Sanders, who is deeply popular with his constituents, won this weeks primary, overwhelmingly. However, as he has before, Sanders is expected to decline the Democrats nomination and run as an Independent, since he cant appear on general election ballots as both. Adeluola, a U.S. citizen born in Nigeria who moved to Vermont last year, said she is self-employed in insurance and accounting. She said she believes if Sanders doesnt want to run as a Democrat, she should be able tosince she received the next-highest vote total. Hes not a true Democrat, Adeluola said of Sanders. I am a Democrat. NBC 10 Boston and necn obtained the formal complaint Adeluola filed this week with the Vermont Secretary of States office, in which she alleges Sanders is trying to game the systemclaiming his pattern of infidelity to the Vermont Democratic Party has corrupted the process. Adeluolas filing says she should be declared the winner of the Democratic primary, calling her the only true candidate in this contest. Christopher Di Mezzo of the Vermont Democratic Party said Sanders has done great things for the party, both on the state and national levels. Bernies a great friend of the party, Di Mezzo told NBC 10 Boston and necn. I think youd be hard-pressed to find a Democrat around the country that doesnt believe that Bernie Sanders is a leader of that party. Di Mezzo said for all intents and purposes, the state party considers the Independent Sanders a Democrat, because he has long caucused with Democrats in Congress, and works hard to get other liberals elected up and down the ballot in Vermont. Whether he chooses to take our party line or not, our party is going to choose to support him, full-heartedly, Di Mezzo said, adding that the state party passed a resolution saying that as long as a candidate caucuses with the Democrats and wins the support of a majority of Democrats in Vermont, the party will consider that person their candidate. Adeluola said she believes Sanders travels around the country on behalf of other candidates has been dividing his attention from Vermont issues, which she would focus on were she to be elected to office. Personally, I respect Senator Sanders and I love himlike the rest of the Vermonters, Adeluola said. But politically, I disagree with him. The reelection campaign of Sen. Sanders issued the following written statement in response to a request from NBC 10 Boston and necn: Senator Sanders is very proud that almost 95 percent of Vermont Democrats cast their ballots for him on Tuesday. They know he is fighting every day for them and their families. As he has in the past, Senator Sanders will appear on the ballot as an independent, with the strong endorsement of the Vermont Democratic Party. And he will continue to vigorously support Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in Vermont and across the country who are standing up against the disastrous Trump administration and fighting for economic, racial, social, and environmental justice. As for Folasade Adeluolas complaint about Sanders handling of the nomination, Will Senning, Vermonts director of elections and campaign finance, said the office of Secretary of State Jim Condos will issue a written determination as soon as possible. What to Know Stewart Weldon, of Springfield, was indicted on 52 charges, including three counts of murder, on Aug. 17. Weldon was arrested May 27 after fleeing a traffic stop. A woman inside the car told police she was being held against her will. Three bodies were found during a search of his Page Avenue home several days later. A suspected kidnapper who lived in a Springfield, Massachusetts home where the bodies of three women were found back in May has been indicted on 52 charges, including three counts of murder. The Hampden County District Attorney's office announced the indictment of Stewart Weldon on Thursday, more than two months after his arrest. Authorities said Weldon was indicted by the Hampden County Grand Jury on three counts of murder, eight counts of strangulation, nine counts of aggravated rape, two counts of rape, five counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of kidnapping, and two counts of assault to rape. The charges stretched over a year's time and involved 11 different victims. three counts of Murder, eight counts of strangulation, nine counts of aggravated rape, two counts of rape, five counts of gggravated kidnapping, four counts of Kidnapping, and two counts of assault to rape. Authorities said the charges stem after Weldon was arrested May 27 after fleeing a traffic stop. A woman in his car said she had been held against her will. The bodies were found during a search of his home several days later.three counts of Murder, eight counts of strangulation, nine counts of aggravated rape, two counts of rape, five counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of Kidnapping, and two counts of assault to rape. Authorities said the charges stem after Weldon was arrested May 27 after fleeing a traffic stop. A woman in his car said she had been held against her will. Three bodies were found during a search of his Page Avenue home several days later. The victims were later identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as Ernestine Ryans, 47, of Springfield, America Lyden, 34, of Springfield, and Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow. Two people have been arrested after a Massachusetts State Police trooper was dragged by a vehicle in Webster Friday. Police say the trooper stopped a Honda Pilot driven by 27-year-old Cory Peterson, with 40-year-old Jessica Crutchley as a passenger, around 12:25 p.m. in the area of Chase Avenue. When the trooper was on foot, the SUV sped up and dragged him a short distance. The trooper was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. State police announced around 5:30 p.m. that he had been released. Peterson and Crutchley fled on Chase Avenue toward Dudley, where they both live. After hours of searching, the SUV was found on South Street in Fitchburg around 5:10 p.m. Crutchley was found inside the vehicle and taken into custody, while state police set up a perimeter and searched for Peterson. Just after 6 p.m., police say Peterson was found hiding under the deck of a home about a block away. Peterson faces charges of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer, possession of a weapon while commiting a felony, resisting arrest, failure to stop and giving a false name. He also had three outstanding default warrants on charges of larceny over $250, resisting arrest and breaking and entering. Crutchley also had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation from East Brookfield District Court. Both suspects are being held without bail until their arraignments, which are expected Monday. It was not immediately clear if they had attorneys. What to Know A suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper has agreed to plead guilty in connection with the overtime pay scandal. Kevin Sweeney, of Braintree, was charged with one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of wire fraud. Sweeney is the sixth member of the Massachusetts State Police to be charged and the second to plead guilty. A suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper has agreed to plead guilty in connection with the overtime pay scandal that continues to rock the department. Kevin Sweeney, 40, of Braintree, was charged with one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of wire fraud. According to court documents, Sweeney was assigned to Troop E, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate I-90. Authorities said in 2015, Sweeney earned $249,407, which included approximately $111,808 in overtime pay. In 2016, Sweeney earned $218,512, which included approximately $95,895 in overtime pay. Authorities said Sweeney was allegedly paid for overtime shifts that he either did not work at all or from which he left early. He allegedly concealed the fraud by submitting fraudulent citations. Authorities said Sweeney agreed to plead guilty to being paid $11,103 for overtime hours that he did not work. Sweeney is the sixth member of the Massachusetts State Police to be charged and the second to plead guilty. A court date for Sweeney has not yet been scheduled. The Stairwell Gallery at Gunn Memorial Library in Washington will showcase photography by resident Philip Dutton Aug. 18 through Sept. 29. Duttons photography document The Chief Bigfoot Memorial Ride of 1990, a momentous event that helped commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Massacre at Wounded Knee Creek. Autoimmunity plays a role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study led by Georgia State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center that analyzed human genome information stored in Vanderbilt's DNA biobank. COPD is a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the third leading cause of death in the United States and has been diagnosed in more than 13 million people, with millions more probably affected. There is no treatment for COPD. Genome-wide association studies have already identified several genes that contribute to the development of COPD, but scientists still lack a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study, the researchers examined the link between genetic variants in COPD and clinical phenotypes, or physical characteristics such as disease history, to understand the biological mechanisms underlying COPD. Using genetic data from patients who participated in BioVU, Vanderbilt's DNA biobank that is linked to deidentified electronic health records, the researchers performed a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) of 16 previously reported COPD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were identified from a genome-wide association study. SNPs represent a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide, and are the most common type of genetic variation among people. Data were available from 18,335 adults of European descent who had provided informed consent. The researchers identified 1,805 COPD cases. They defined phenotypes by using ICD-9 codes, or unique codes for different symptoms of disease. "Because there's no treatment right now for COPD, we're trying to figure out whether we can diagnose or prognose this disease earlier to prevent it," said Dr. Xiangming Ji, assistant professor in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State. "People are genetically very similar, but a major difference is because of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). This could be changed by the environment also. So some people with a specific SNP are more prone to get this disease. We found that a specific SNP, rs2074488, is positively associated with COPD and is linked to the HLA-C gene, which presents a protein to B or T immune cells to kill bacteria or viruses. This makes COPD similar to autoimmune disease. "This SNP is also associated with several autoimmune diseases, like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, which suggests a genetic link between autoimmune disease and COPD. Many years ago, people believed that one of the causes of COPD is because the autoimmune system attacks its own lungs. We kind of confirmed that by our big data." The findings are published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. This study could provide insight on opportunities for drug repurposing, Ji said. For instance, a drug that is effective for diabetes could possibly be used to treat COPD because both diseases involve autoimmune responses. The findings suggest future studies should explore the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of COPD. The researchers also hope that scientists will investigate how normal SNPs, such as those associated with metabolism pathways or different nutrient receptors, are related to COPD. 3D-printed human body parts with lifelike bone, skin and muscle densities are being developed in South Australia as teaching aids for surgical training. Replica dog leg bones to help veterinary surgeons plan an operation to correct bowed legs in a dog. The medical devices can also be designed with built-in pathogens such as tumors, bone fractures or defective hearts to allow surgeons and students to practice specific procedures. An experienced and respected conventional printer in Australia, Mark Roe founded Fusetec 3D in Adelaide in April 2017. After spending time researching in the United States and speaking to surgeons and academics in South Australia, Roe bought a state-of-the-art 3D printer in April 2018. Roe said that although similar technologies were being used for research and patient-specific modeling at universities and medical centers in North America and Europe, his system was the only purely commercial operation of its kind in the world. It was hard to get momentum, nobody was really taking us seriously so I had to take a great leap of faith in what I believed would be a good commercial market and buy the equipment with the theory of build it and they will come and thats pretty much what is happening, he said. Were starting to get a lot of demand now, most of our demand is coming from export, driven by inquiries from China and the US. The main benefit with this machine is we can replicate human tissue density they can operate on it, they can sew it and they can drill the bones so it simulates a human cadaver. You can change density from bone-like to skin-like to muscle-like all in the same print job. Fusetec 3D manufactured its first commercial product in May and has so far completed a number of bespoke jobs including dental simulation units for the University of Adelaide and a replica set of four dogs legs to help veterinary surgeons develop techniques to correct bowlegs. The company also has Fusetec 2D, which Roe started with John Budgen in 2017 to help provide cash flow for the 3D business by printing high quality corporate, university and government documents. Roe said the real IP in Fusetecs manufacturing process lay within the files they generated to determine the density, color and feel of the photopolymer base materials to achieve the life-like results. To make a head we are working on we broke it down into 128 different files so that means we allocated 128 different colors and densities of material textures, he said. Theres no limit to the amount of files or the combinations of colors or material densities that we can use in one product, its just a matter of how big the file is. The biggest problem is the development cost and the time to develop but once we have the file we can mass produce. Fusetec is looking to start selling its first off the shelf product next month and gradually build its catalog to 10 products before beginning to sell globally. Were starting to get a lot of demand now, most of our demand is coming from export, driven by inquiries from China and the US. The main benefit with this machine is we can replicate human tissue density they can operate on it, they can sew it and they can drill the bones so it simulates a human cadaver. You can change density from bone-like to skin-like to muscle-like all in the same print job. Fusetec 3D manufactured its first commercial product in May and has so far completed a number of bespoke jobs including dental simulation units for the University of Adelaide and a replica set of four dogs legs to help veterinary surgeons develop techniques to correct bowlegs. The company also has Fusetec 2D, which Roe started with John Budgen in 2017 to help provide cash flow for the 3D business by printing high quality corporate, university and government documents. Roe said the real IP in Fusetecs manufacturing process lay within the files they generated to determine the density, color and feel of the photopolymer base materials to achieve the life-like results. To make a head we are working on we broke it down into 128 different files so that means we allocated 128 different colors and densities of material textures, he said. Theres no limit to the amount of files or the combinations of colors or material densities that we can use in one product, its just a matter of how big the file is. The biggest problem is the development cost and the time to develop but once we have the file we can mass produce. Fusetec is looking to start selling its first off the shelf product next month and gradually build its catalogue to 10 products before beginning to sell globally. He said interest from teaching universities there had been so strong that he had since appointed a consultant and a lawyer in China to help manage demand. Fusetec is also working closely with South Australias three public universities, University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. Ive also got relationships with several universities on the (Australian) eastern seaboard, Roe said. Surgical training is probably one of the last professions where there is very limited real-life training, Roe said. By manufacturing these medical training devices, were overcoming that problem. They can actually do life-like training but on a mannequin, they can have repetitive training and they can have training with pathologies. Anything that can be surgically operated on we can manufacture a medical training device for. CartiHeal, developer of Agili-C, a proprietary implant for the treatment of joint surface lesions, and two LSU Health New Orleans orthopedic surgeons announced today the successful enrollment of the first two US patients in the Agili-C IDE pivotal study. The first two cases in the United States were performed by Principle Investigator Dr. Vinod Dasa, Associate Professor and Director of Orthopedic Research, and Dr. Michael Hartman, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, on August 14, 2018. The first patient who was randomized to receive an Agili-C implant in the US is a 53-year-old male. He suffered from a chronic painful cartilage lesion in the trochlea's center and received a single implant in a mini-arthrotomy approach. "Currently we lack good treatment options for patients who experience persistent knee pain due to cartilage problems and are too young for knee replacement" said Dr. Dasa. "The Agili-C implantation was smooth without complications. We plan to enroll more patients in the upcoming weeks and hope that this lDE trial finds that the Agili-C implant alleviates pain in these patients, allowing them to return to an active lifestyle." In Europe and Israel, 80 patients have already been enrolled and treated in the study, which will include a minimum of 250 patients in US and OUS centers, aiming for an FDA PMA application. The trial's objective is to demonstrate the superiority of the Agili-C implant over surgical standard of care (microfracture and debridement) for the treatment of cartilage or osteochondral defects, in both arthritic knees and knees without degenerative changes. Nir Altschuler, Cartiheal's founder & CEO said, "We would like to congratulate Dr. Dasa and Dr. Hartman for enrolling the first two US patients. This is a significant milestone for our company and for our study. We are very pleased with the enrollment rate to date, and plan to open more US sites in the near future." CartiHeal's cell-free, off-the-shelf implant is CE marked for use in cartilage and osteochondral defects. Agili-C was implanted in a series of trials conducted in leading centers in Europe and Israel, in over 400 patients with cartilage lesions in the knee, ankle and great toe. In these trials, the implant was used to treat a broad spectrum of cartilage lesions, from single focal lesions to multiple and large defects in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Certain female mosquitoes quickly evolve more selective mating behavior when faced with existential threats from other invasive mosquito species, with concurrent changes to certain genetic regions, according to new research from North Carolina State University. The findings shed light on the genetics behind insect mating behavior and could have implications for controlling mosquito pests that plague humans. At issue is the displacement of Aedes aegypti (yellow fever) mosquitos by a cousin species, Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger), which occurred in the southeastern United States in the 1980s. In this "battle of the Aedes," the invading A. albopictus decimated A. aegypti populations throughout the Southeast, leaving smaller A. aegypti populations in Key West, Florida, Arizona and a few other southern locales. A. aegypti mosquitoes carry and spread many diseases that harm humans, including Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya. Part of the takeover was attributed to how the larvae of each species grew; A. albopictus mosquitoes seemed to be able to outcompete the native mosquitoes. But another factor also played a huge role in the battle: When A. aegypti females mated with A. albopictus males - a genetic no-no - those females became sterile for life, a process called "satyrization." A. albopictus females didn't face the same fate; no offspring were produced when they mated with A. aegypti males, but they were later able to be fertile when mating with males of their own species. Martha Burford Reiskind, research assistant professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the research, and colleagues wanted to understand more about how A. aegypti females respond to this type of threat and what happens in their genetic blueprint as their responses change. The researchers found that A. aegypti females quickly - in just six generations - became more picky when selecting mates, eschewing A. albopictus males for males of their own species. This response occurred when A. aegypti females were exposed to cousin males in the lab and in the wild. Geographic location didn't seem to make a difference: The female mosquitoes in both Florida and Arizona exhibited similar genetic changes. "We wanted to know what genes were involved in the evolution of this choosiness in female A. aegypti mosquitoes," Burford Reiskind said. "We can now look at certain gene regions and feel confident that they are involved in mating behavior." Choosiness had its costs, though. Burford Reiskind said choosy female A. aegypti mosquitoes mated later in their brief lifespans - most live for two or three weeks - and were generally smaller. "Invasive species are often seen as better competitors for scant resources, but that doesn't seem to be the case for these mosquitoes," Burford Reiskind said. "This study suggests other mechanisms are at play." Burford Reiskind hopes to continue learning more about the genes involved in mating behaviors by conducting a larger-scale study, perhaps in places where A. aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes live in relatively equal densities. When Medicare in 2011 agreed to pay for a revolutionary procedure to replace leaky heart valves by snaking a synthetic replacement up through blood vessels, the goal was to offer relief to the tens of thousands of patients too frail to endure open-heart surgery, the gold standard. To help ensure good results, federal officials limited Medicare payment only to hospitals that serve large numbers of cardiac patients. The strategy worked. In the past seven years, more than 135,000 mostly elderly patients have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement, known as TAVR. And TAVR's in-hospital mortality rate has dropped by two-thirds, to 1.5 percent. Now, in a campaign motivated by a muddy mix of health care and business, smaller hospitals and the medical device industry are arguing that the technique should be more widely deployed. They note only about half of the nearly 1,100 hospitals offering surgical valve replacement can do TAVR. And they say current limitations discriminate against minorities and people in rural areas, forcing patients to undergo a riskier and significantly more invasive treatment or miss getting a new valve altogether. Hospitals that already have a TAVR franchise are fighting to stifle new competitors, saying programs that don't do enough procedures would not provide high-quality care. At stake is the care of thousands of patients. Half of the more than 250,000 Americans estimated each year to develop severe aortic valve stenosis narrowing of the valve that regulates the flow of blood from the heart to the largest artery of the body die within two years. Getting an artificial heart valve lowers that death rate to as low as 17 percent, studies show. Also at stake is the $45,000 Medicare pays hospitals for each TAVR case excluding the doctor's fee. While hospitals typically make only a small profit on the procedure partly because the device costs more than $30,000 they benefit because each TAVR patient typically needs other cardiac services and tests that can boost the hospital's bottom line. In addition, offering TAVR carries a cachet that helps recruit and retain top specialists, who bring in more patients. At a Medicare advisory committee hearing in Baltimore on July 25, both sides of the debate emphasized how they were seeking to help patients. But the economics of TAVR was ever-present given the horde of medical device and hospital officials and industry analysts in the audience. The committee split on the issue, although a majority of members backed the continued use of volume requirements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expected to decide later this year whether to change its patient volume minimum for TAVR. Dr. Jason Felger, a heart surgeon who wants his community hospital in San Angelo, Texas, to offer the procedure, said behind the fight over TAVR is protecting profit and revenue. He refers patients to hospitals more than three hours away for the procedure or, if they aren't willing to travel, they risk their lives to undergo the conventional operation. Hospitals that offer TAVR, he said, aren't willing to give up the referrals they now rely on from other hospitals. "It's all about the money," he said. Improving A Hospital's Reputation Unlike open-heart surgery, in which the chest is cracked open to remove the unhealthy valve, TAVR involves threading a catheter tipped with a replacement valve through a blood vessel to the heart. Doctors then implant the new valve. The old valve remains but is pushed aside, and the new one takes over its work. With this less invasive valve procedure, people can get out of the hospital within two or three days and get back to daily activities much sooner than with open-heart surgery, which typically has a six-week recovery time. TAVR has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for people who cannot have open-heart surgery or for whom it would be risky. These include the elderly and frail and people with complications such as kidney and lung disease. But TAVR use has expanded among younger, and less sick, patients in recent years. Within the next year, the FDA is likely to approve the procedure for all patients needing a new aortic valve, industry analysts say. TAVR does carry risks, including stroke. Patients may also need a pacemaker after the procedure to regulate heart rhythm. The large majority of patients getting TAVR are 65 and over. The importance of Medicare's blessing goes beyond its payments, since private insurers typically follow Medicare standards. Physicians seeking to expand use of TAVR point out that Medicare has no volume requirements for other major cardiac procedures. The two largest TAVR medical device companies are divided on the issue. Edwards Lifesciences Corp. of Irvine, Calif., supports eliminating the minimum-patient requirements, while Minneapolis-based Medtronic favors keeping the status quo. The Advanced Medical Technology Association, or AdvaMed, an industry trade group, also supports the change. About 50,000 patients are expected to have TAVR this year, and those numbers are forecast to double by 2020, according to American College of Cardiology and other major heart groups. When Michael Vigil, 50, needed TAVR in May, he drove more than three hours from his home in eastern Wyoming to a hospital in Denver. Before the procedure, the oil-drilling contractor was constantly tired and out of breath even after mundane chores at home. Vigil's aortic valve had been damaged from radiation treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma decades before. Vigil was sent home a day after the TAVR procedure. He was back at work the following week. He said he felt more energized almost immediately after having the procedure. "It's worked so well, my wife wishes they dialed it back a little," Vigil said. Donnette Smith, president of the patient advocacy group Mended Hearts, said many patients don't have good access to the procedure. "Patients do not know of this option unless they walk through the right door of the right hospital," said Smith of Huntsville, Ala. She had heart valve surgery in 1988. Mended Hearts receives funding from device makers. 'Experience Matters' To gain Medicare approval for TAVR programs, hospitals have to perform annually 50 open-heart valve repairs, 400 angioplasties and 1,000 cardiac catheterizations a procedure in which medical teams use skills similar to those needed for TAVR. Doctors at larger hospitals say procedure volume is a good predictor for success. The American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons recommend hospitals be able to do at least 50 TAVRs each year within two years of startup. More than three-quarters of the 582 hospitals authorized by Medicare for TAVR meet that standard. "Whether it's playing the violin or performing heart surgery, experience matters," said Dr. Thoralf Sundt, chief of cardiac surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Ashish Pershad, an interventional cardiologist who performs TAVR at Banner Medical Center in Phoenix, agreed that there are access issues. But he said it's not because of a lack of programs. Rather, he said, surgeons too often don't refer patients for it because they make more money from doing the open-heart surgical valve replacement. "Patients are missing out on this procedure because they are not being referred, and primary care doctors lack knowledge about it," he said. Expanding Treatment Options Doctors seeking a Medicare rule to widen access say there is little evidence hospitals that perform more TAVRs have lower mortality rates. As long as they can show low mortality and complications, they believe their hospitals should be able to offer the service. "Our intention is not to lower the quality of outcomes by expanding to 'low volume' centers; but to provide excellent care to a larger population of patients," Felger and his colleagues at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas, wrote to the CMS advisory group. Last year, Felger said, he sent a dozen patients to hospitals in Austin or Dallas for TAVR, while eight other patients opted for the open-heart surgery. "I have patients tell me they would rather have the surgical procedure at their local hospital than traveling to another city," he said. "They tell me 'Let's do this; if I die, I die.'" New research from Indiana University suggests that computer models used to predict the spread of epidemics from climate change -- such as crop blights or disease outbreaks -- may not take into account an important factor in predicting their severity. A study recently published in the journal Ecology has found that pathogens that grow inside organisms at higher temperatures produce offspring that cause higher rates of infection compared to pathogens that grow inside organisms at lower temperatures. This suggests that climate can cause an "echo effect" in future pathogens, ultimately making them more infectious. "It's well known that environment can affect offspring across generations in plants and animals," said Spencer Hall, a professor in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology, who is senior author on the study. "This study is one of the first to suggest that similar cross-generational effects occur in parasites and pathogens." The work was led by Marta Strecker Shocket, a Ph.D. student in Hall's lab at the time of the study. Hall is also a member of the Environment Resilience Institute at IU, part of the IU Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge. "If past environmental conditions impact the frequency or severity of future infections, then current climate models are not taking an important factor into consideration when predicting threats from climate change," said Shocket, who is now a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. "This might include threats to animals, plants and people." The researchers' analysis draws in part upon research in water fleas conducted at three freshwater lakes in southern Indiana where Hall's lab has collected samples since 2009. Located on the site of a former coal mine in Green-Sullivan State Forest in Linton, Indiana, the lakes are known locally as Lake Gambill, Lake Clear and Lake Scott. Water fleas, also known as Daphnia, are small crustaceans that contribute to the health of lakes by feeding on algae. Without these organisms to control algae, a lake can quickly degrade into a turgid brew that resembles pea soup. Water fleas are susceptible to infection from a fungal pathogen called Metschnikowia, which reproduces inside water fleas as needle-like spores that multiply until they kill them and burst out of their bodies to infect the next generation. A single autumn can produce six to 10 generations of the spores, with up to 60 percent of water fleas infected at the epidemic's peak. For the study, Shocket conducted lab experiments that found that the fungus caused more infections when higher temperatures were observed in the previous generations of water fleas. She then conducted research in the field to compare the lab results against fresh lake samples collected in late autumn. The analysis found that an increase of merely 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit caused the fungal spores to become two to five times more likely to infect a new host. Shocket said additional research is needed to explore these effects in other pathogen systems, especially since they could have an impact on agriculture. This is because the effect of climate across generations in parasites is more likely to have an impact on cold-blooded host organisms, such as crop plants or the insects that eat them. The study also features mathematical methods to predict the effect of temperature changes on spore infectiousness across generations. Hall said the principles behind these models could potentially enhance other simulations that draw upon many factors to predict disease outbreaks. "The translation of observational data into computational models is important in the field of ecology since nature is so messy," he added. "The refinement of the algorithms to predict risks from climate is a crucial step in our ability to prepare for environmental change." The MDI Biological Laboratory has announced that Life Biosciences, a biotech company co-founded by David Sinclair, Ph.D., a leading researcher on aging and age-related diseases, has contributed $100,000 to fund its biomedical innovation course on aging. Other sponsors of the recent course, Comparative and Experimental Approaches to Aging Biology Research, included the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and the Gerontological Society of America. The intensive, two-week course attracted graduate and post-doctoral students from around the globe to the coast of Maine to study the latest advances in the biology of aging with the leaders in the field, and to gain hands-on experience in working with the techniques and laboratory models used to study aging. The course emphasized the advantages of various model animal systems for addressing mechanisms relevant to the field. The participants engaged in hypothesis-driven research utilizing experimental methods including CRISPR, mRNA translation profiling, microinjection of animal models, quantitative fluorescence microscopy (QFM) and health/survival assays. The course also featured a "Live Longer, Live Better" lecture series for the public, which included a talk by Sinclair, who, in addition to being co-founder and chairman of Life Biosciences, is also a professor at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. The aim of the lecture series was to bridge the gap between the public's perception of how close science is to being able to extend healthy lifespan, and what is really occurring. The speakers described many therapies now under development for extending lifespan and delaying the onset of the age-related degenerative diseases. The series is available for viewing on the "The biggest thing that will happen in this century is our ability to control biology," Sinclair said in his lecture, which was entitled "Why Reversing Aging is Easier Than Reversing Baldness." "It's happening so fast that even I cannot believe it. I am regularly reading about things that even as recently as two years ago were considered -- if not impossible -- then far-in-the-future technologies. My head is spinning." The course, which was first held in 2016, is an outgrowth of the MDI Biological Laboratory's mission to extend healthy lifespan by developing new therapies to prevent or repair damage due to age-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and heart disease. "Both Life Biosciences and the MDI Biological Laboratory view many of today's biggest health challenges -- from Alzheimer's and heart disease to cancer and macular degeneration -- as responses to the aging process," said David Setboun, vice president of the Academy, a not-for-profit branch of Life Biosciences. "By attacking the aging process, we can also attack its manifestations." Life Biosciences is focused on extending "healthspan" -- or the period of life spent in good health -- by researching the eight components of aging in order to delay or reverse them. The Boston-based company, described by Sinclair as a "Manhattan Project" for aging, serves as an investment platform for a group of early-stage biotech companies focused on these critical components. "The partnership with Life Biosciences is a natural extension of our goal to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying aging," said MDI Biological Laboratory scientist The course represents a natural link between the scientists at Life Biosciences, who are at the forefront of aging research, and the next generation of aging biology scientists, who will continue to build on the rapidly accelerating body of knowledge in the field, he added. "The introduction of therapies to prolong healthy lifespan isn't science fiction -- it's happening right now," said A new study focusing on the environment inside cancer cells may lead to new targeted treatment strategies. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Maryland and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona, suggest that lowering the pH inside cancer cells to make it more acidic can slow down the growth and spread of the disease, and possibly provide new options for treatment. Their results were published in Nature Communications. "We see the alkaline pH of cancer cells as an evolutionary advantage. To exploit it, we designed a system biology approach to harness this as a targetable vulnerability against cancer cells," said Mehdi Damaghi, Ph.D., co-first author on this study and a research scientist at Moffitt. Cancer cells have the ability to adapt and change their metabolism in order to survive, grow and reproduce. The research team, which included a computer scientist, bioinformatics expert, tumor biologist and cancer metabolism scientist, utilized data from previous biochemical assays and a database on the gene expression of cancer cells to develop a computational model that analyzes how variations in pH affect the activity of nearly 2,000 metabolic enzymes. "If we can better understand how the metabolism works in different pH environments, we can determine the changes cancer cells make to survive and grow," said Robert J. Gillies, Ph.D., senior member and chair of the Department of Cancer Physiology at Moffitt. The researchers found that cancer cells proliferate more with an alkaline intracellular pH, making them more vulnerable under acidic pHi. They also identified the metabolic enzymes that have their highest activity under alkaline pHi during the development of cancer, which can now be used as possible therapeutic targets. "We have already tested five of these potential targets using breast cancer cell lines and had positive results," said Damaghi. "While more research is needed in the pre-clinical trial setting, this study provides us with a promising new therapeutic strategy." Major Natalie Taylor, a member of the British Armys six-strong female team to cross Antarctica unassisted, will share insights into the 61-day expedition with visitors at Medical Innovation 2018. The Ice Maiden showcase will unveil the state-of-the-start physiological monitoring sensor technology used to measure the teams heart rate, respiration and skin turgor, along with glucose, salt and sodium levels remotely. The session will explore how wireless sensor technology, developed by the Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College London, can monitor and aid the care of individuals in remote and extreme locations. Research Associates, Dr Bruno Gil-Rosa and Dr Salzitsa Anastasova-Ivanova of Imperial College London will further the discussion and highlight the clinical relevance of data generated by small-form wearable sensors to aid the delivery of medical attention to military and civilian patients. The Ice Maiden team will return to the spotlight to explore the endocrine effects of arduous military training on women, led by Squadron Leader Rob Gifford, Research Fellow Centre for Cardiovascular Science DMS. The session will explore the data collected from the Ice Maiden expedition, in a bid to understand the nuances of female hormone physiology in arduous training. Major Taylor and Squadron Leader Gifford join a programme of high-profile, international speakers who will deliver thought-provoking presentations as part of this years two-day conference, led by Defence Medical Services (DMS). Attendees will hear the latest research on the patient and career journey and the innovation that seeks to improve the outcome for both. A wide range of topics under the theme of prolonged care starting with preparedness and finishing with rehabilitation will see expert speakers from DMS national and international collaborators illustrate the challenge and innovative solutions with real-life vignettes. The history of medical innovation Exploring the history of medical innovation, Dr Emily Mayhew, Resident Historian with the Institute of Blast Studies, Imperial College London will provide a fascinating account of the history of medical innovation and how the healthcare system has evolved, in light of the First World War Centenary. We need to remember that there is a history of medicine. Quite often we stop ourselves looking further back than a decade, and certainly fail to appreciate the relevance of research and knowledge from the previous century. I believe this talk is important to everyone in the medical community and I hope to encourage those from the technical innovation community to listen closely to hear the wider needs of medical professionals. Dr Emily Mayhew, Imperial College London Emerging Technologies Civilian and military healthcare professionals are invited to join Air Commodore Rich Withnall, Medical Director and Colonel Mike Smith, Defence Professor of General Practice, DMS to discuss the emerging technologies making an impact on the delivery of healthcare services. They will be joined by Professor Guang-Zhong Yang, Director, The Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College London who will provide a fascinating glimpse into the future of emerging biosensor and monitoring technologies. International experts will go on to explore how the implementation of robots, artificial intelligence (AI) and physiological sensors and imaging can meet the requirements of operational challenges. Simon Toh, Consultant Surgeon and Director of Victory Institute for Minimal Access and Robotic Surgery will demonstrate how robotics can revolutionise surgical procedures. The Defence Medical Services has chosen the prolonged care theme for Medical Innovation 18 as it reflects the reality that medical care is not always delivered in an optimal location. The event is an opportunity to bring together both civilian and military expertise from across the specialities to witness and discuss recent advances and innovations in this field. Colonel Mike Smith, Defence Professor of General Practice & Primary Care For more information and to register for this year's event, please visit the Medical Innovation website. While global incidence rates of HIV have declined notably in recent years, the virus that causes AIDS remains a major and, in some ways largely unmitigated, public health threat in some countries and regions. In a pair of new modeling studies, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with international colleagues, examined how policy reform in terms of drug decriminalization (in Mexico) and access to drug treatment (in Russia) might affect two regions hard hit by the HIV pandemic: Tijuana, Mexico and the Russian cities of Omsk and Ekaterinburg. In the most recent study, published August 16 in the journal Lancet Public Health, first author Annick Borquez, PhD, and senior author Natasha K. Martin, DPhil, in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and their collaborators evaluated the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2012, Mexico reformed its drug laws, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of specified drugs and instituting drug treatment instead of incarceration. However, implementation of the reforms has been uneven and limited. Borquez and colleagues looked at the specific impact of the reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico, a city adjacent to San Diego, California on the US-Mexico border and a major international drug trafficking route. Modeling estimated that the limited reform implementation due to a lack of reform dissemination and operationalization prevented only 2 percent of new HIV infections between 2012 and 2017. "But going forward, if implementation reduced incarceration among people who inject drugs by 80 percent and instead diverted these individuals to evidence-based opioid agonist drug treatment, 21 percent of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs could be prevented between 2018 and 2030," said Martin. The study also highlighted the potential harms of inappropriate implementation. "Unfortunately, the predominant type of drug 'rehabilitation' available in Tijuana is compulsory drug abstinence, which our modeling showed could potentially increase HIV transmission, underscoring the need for affordable evidence-based opioid agonist treatment which is effective at preventing HIV and other health harms," said co-author Steffanie Strathdee, PhD, Harold Simon Professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and associate dean of global health sciences. Said Borquez: "Monitoring and evaluation of public health-oriented drug law reforms is essential to inform their implementation at the local and global levels if we are to successfully guide this shift in drug policy." In the second study, published July 19 in Lancet HIV, first author Javier Cepeda, PhD, senior author Martin and colleagues employed epidemic modeling to determine the detrimental impact of Russian government policy prohibiting access to opiate agonist therapy, a key intervention used to prevent the risk of HIV and fatal overdose. The study also explored how the potential benefits of scaled-up opiate agonist therapy, needle/syringe programs and antiretroviral therapy (ART) might have on preventing new HIV infections and fatal overdoses among people who inject drugs in Russia. "Russia has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. Data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 80 percent of new infections in Eastern Europe and central Asia occurred in Russia in 2015, fueled by injection drug use. And people who inject drugs in Russia have a very high risk of overdose," said Martin. "Opiate agonist therapy, which uses drugs like methadone to treat addiction and is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV and overdose, is prohibited. Needle exchange programs are scarce and access to ART is very, very limited." The researchers found that without intervention, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs in Omsk could increase to 34 percent by 2028 and remain even higher in Ekaterinburg at 61 percent. However, scaling up opiate agonist therapy and needle exchange programs to half of people who inject drugs and tripling ART recruitment (thus reaching approximately 65 percent of HIV-positive people who inject drugs) could prevent 53 percent of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs in Omsk and 38 percent of new HIV infections in Ekaterinburg by 2028. Additionally, these programs could prevent roughly 30 percent of fatal overdoses over this time period. "The data are unequivocal," said Martin. "Without intervention, modeling shows the burden of HIV among people who inject drugs in Russia will worsen, escalating in places like Omsk and remaining endemically high in places like Ekaterinburg. However, by implementing already known and proven interventions, HIV and overdose rates can be significantly reduced and many lives saved. The Russian government urgently needs to reverse its policies towards harm reduction access." Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common congenital diseases in the world, affecting one in 3,500 Canadian males. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that results in progressive muscle degeneration and there are currently no effective treatments for DMD. In an effort to fulfill this unmet medical need, AbCellera Biologics Inc. has entered into a three-year partnership with Drs. Fabio Rossi and Michael Underhill of the University of British Columbia (UBC) to discover, test, and develop therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-associated fibrosis. "It is immensely satisfying to see many years of investment in the basic science now being translated towards therapies for patients in need, and that this work will lead to economic benefits here in BC," commented Dr. Rossi, a professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and co-director of the Biomedical Research Centre. Genome BC and Genome Canada are contributing $3 million of the $6.5 million project as part of the Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP), which supports university-industry collaborations to bridge the gap between basic research and commercialization. The project builds on more than a decade of genomics-based research, conducted by the Rossi and Underhill teams that will yield new insights on the interplay of stem cell biology and the process of healing and fibrosis. Providing $3.5 million of in-kind funding, AbCellera will apply its microfluidic single-cell platform to the discovery and engineering of large panels of antibodies against three novel targets. Lead candidates from the discovered antibodies will be selected by UBC and then functionally tested in genetically modified animal models. It is hoped that an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a first therapeutic will be made by the end of the project. "As a spin-off built on research done at UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories, we are thrilled that AbCellera's success is propagating a virtuous circle of innovation," said Dr. Carl Hansen, CEO of AbCellera. "We are now positioned to engage with UBC's outstanding researchers and enable the translation of basic science into new therapies for patients." A major contributor to DMD progression is fibrosis, the accumulation of scarring in muscle tissue, which contributes to progressive muscle stiffness and weakness. Beyond DMD, the same anti-fibrosis therapies discovered from this project have potential for uses in a variety of other high-burden indications, including fibrosis of the liver, lungs, and heart. "Effective treatments that prevent fibrosis would be life-changing for people living with DMD by slowing disease progression and improving quality of life," says Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors, at Genome BC. "We invest in projects that will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians and this type of therapy has the potential to make a significant impact." Preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a nearly 7 percent increase in drug overdoses in 2017, with more than 72,000 deaths. Of the total deaths, almost 68 percent of them were tied to opioid use. A new statewide program in North Dakota called ONE Rx aims to stem opioid misuse by increasing awareness when patients first fill an opioid prescription. ONE (which stands for opioid and naloxone education) Rx is an innovative approach to screen and educate patients who receive prescribed opioid medications in participating community pharmacies in the state of North Dakota. In an earlier pilot program with 107 participants in eastern North Dakota, 26 percent of patients identified at some risk of opioid misuse. Approximately 30 percent of patients in the pilot study identified at risk of accidental overdose. The ONE Rx project is a collaborative effort of the North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy, the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy, the North Dakota Pharmacists Association and the state's Department of Human Services. "We know that some people do need prescribed opioids in some circumstances and many are not always aware of the impact the prescribed drugs can have," said Mark Hardy, executive director of the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy. "ONE Rx is designed to equip pharmacists with tools to screen for opioid use disorder, identify patient needs and provide counseling and resources to safely use prescribed opioids." The project is the effort of multiple partners to proactively help patients and communities. The program received grants totaling $150,648 to make it available in the fall of 2018. Funding from the North Dakota Department of Human Services, the Alex Stern Family Foundation and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation made the program possible. The group enlisted the expertise of faculty members in the NDSU School of Pharmacy to provide statewide continuing education for community pharmacists. The free three-hour training sessions will be offered in several North Dakota cities. Participating community pharmacies also will be provided a toolkit with the resources they need to deliver this program of care. The program covers the science of addiction, opioid use and community support services. "Opioid misuse is a disease, just like diabetes or high blood pressure or depression. We don't know who's going to maybe go down that path," said Heidi Eukel, associate professor in the NDSU School of Pharmacy. "No one expects after they have surgery, for example, to become an abuser of prescription pain medication," she said. This continuing education program developed in the NDSU School of Pharmacy will educate pharmacists in North Dakota on a method to screen patients receiving opioids, using an Opioid Risk Tool (ORT). The tool assists in identifying individuals who may be at higher risk of opioid misuse. Pharmacists who are trained to administer the tool can then provide patient care and counseling as needed. "Community pharmacists have a unique relationship with their patients and are often the most easily accessible health professionals in their communities, particularly in more rural areas," said Mike Schwab, executive vice president of the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. "This program will provide tools to assist community pharmacists to do even more to ensure safe use of opioids." The One Rx program also will deliver education on the use of naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. NDSU School of Pharmacy faculty members Mark Strand, PhD; Heidi Eukel, PharmD; Amy Werremeyer, PharmD; and Elizabeth Skoy, PharmD; along with Jayme Steig, PharmD, of Quality Health Associates of North Dakota, received the grants and will be among those providing the continuing education. "This continuing education program for pharmacists at community pharmacies in North Dakota moves opioid misuse and overdose prevention to the initial patient encounter," said Elizabeth Skoy, associate professor in the NDSU School of Pharmacy. The ONE Rx project is an effort associated with North Dakota's State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grant (Opioid STR), funded by the federal Department Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), administered through the North Dakota Department of Human Services. SmallMolecules.com, a website designed to assist scientists in the life sciences, biomedical research and drug discovery space, has recently been launched. The search tool is intuitive to use and provides a variety of ways to search for specific small molecule products, including CAS#, product name, trivial name, catalog number, alternative names, and chemical formula. Researchers can also browse product listings by supplier. The goal of SmallMolecules.com is to be a one-stop online shop for scientists to quickly and easily source small molecule products for their research. Brenda Knox, Director of Marketing There are hundreds of manufacturers of small molecule products worldwide, and it can be a tedious process to find and compare products from multiple vendors. SmallMolecules.com solves that problem by listing small molecule products from a multitude of companies, in one easily searchable place. Its a space thats not currently being served wellthe small molecules market, says Ariel Louwrier, President of StressMarq Biosciences Inc, one of the companies that lists their small molecule product line on SmallMolecules.com. Currently the available small molecule reagents are lumped in with products across the entire life sciences industry, or are listed by individual manufacturers. This makes the process of due diligence and product comparison more difficult than it needs to be." Ariel Louwrier, President, StressMarq Biosciences Inc SmallMolecules.com helps scientists search, sort, compare, and price small molecule products, and provides them a way of connecting directly with suppliers to request more information and/or ask for a price quote. Think of it as an online search engine specifically for small molecule products, says Ms. Knox. If your research requires you to use small molecules, its worth your while to give SmallMolecules.com a try. We are confident that youll want to bookmark it and use it again and again. Twenty manufacturers list more than 600,000 small molecule research products on SmallMolecules.com and new companies are continually being added. Manufacturers currently listing their small molecule products on the site include: AdipoGen Life Sciences AdooQ Bioscience Alfa Chemistry Alichem BiochemPartner BIOTREND BOC Sciences Cambridge Isotope Cayman Chemical Chem Scene Creative Biolabs Creative Peptides Eximed Laboratory LKT Laboratories MedChem Express Rosewell Industry Selleck Chemicals StressMarq Biosciences TargetMol Toronto Research Chemicals For more information on SmallMolecules.com, visit the website. Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company leveraging its novel technology platforms to develop and commercialize ready-to-use injectable and infusible drug formulations, announced today that Jessica Castle, M.D., an associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine and OHSU Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center in Portland, Oregon, is conducting a clinical trial with a dual-hormone artificial pancreas using Xeris' ready-to-use liquid glucagon to evaluate a new closed-loop algorithm. Managing diabetes requires ongoing monitoring of blood glucose levels and regular intervention with glucose and insulin - a burdensome process for the over five million people on insulin in the United States. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems available today can dial up and down or stop the delivery of insulin. They are limited in their ability to co-deliver glucagon, as current dry-powder glucagon formulations must be used immediately because they begin to degrade after reconstitution. Xeris' ready-to-use liquid glucagon is room-temperature stable over extended periods of time, thereby enabling a dual-hormone artificial pancreas system to be possible. The ability to co-administer both insulin and stable liquid glucagon in one system may reduce the risk of hypoglycemia by mirroring the body's normal glucose control, which is especially important during periods of exercise. Supported by funding from JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, OHSU is conducting a Phase 1 single-center, randomized, three-way, controlled, crossover clinical study to test the efficacy of a new closed-loop algorithm for managing blood glucose in people with T1D before and after exercise. "JDRF is excited to support OHSU's research into ready-to-use liquid glucagon," said Marlon Pragnell, Ph.D., JDRF associate director of research. "This program has the potential to change the way millions of active individuals with T1D monitor and treat their glucose levels." The purpose of this study is to determine whether a dual hormone artificial pancreas using Xeris' ready-to-use liquid glucagon with an exercise detection algorithm outperforms both single hormone artificial pancreas and a low glucose suspend algorithm. In addition to the dual hormone therapy, this integrated system includes a continuous glucose monitor ("CGM"), an infusion pump, and a control algorithm that actuates the pump based upon real time CGM data. Study results are expected in the first half of 2019. "The goal in researching our liquid stable glucagon formulation as part of a dual-hormone closed-loop mated system is to overcome the limitations of current dry-powder glucagon formulations in automated pump systems to manage diabetes; this trial will help us better understand the potential application of our ready-to-use glucagon formulation," said Paul R. Edick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xeris Pharmaceuticals. "Our research collaboration with OHSU and JDRF is an important opportunity to determine how a dual hormone artificial pancreas may help advance the standard of care for people with diabetes." A new study by researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City has found that patients with low-risk blood clots may be better off receiving treatment at home versus being admitted to the hospital. For the study, published in the journal CHEST, researchers tracked 200 patients who were treated for acute pulmonary embolisms or serious lung blood clots in five Intermountain Healthcare emergency departments, including Intermountain's Level I trauma center, Intermountain Medical Center, from 2013 to 2016. Through a series of tests including echocardiograms and ultrasounds, the patients were determined to have a low risk of developing severe complications from the blood clots. Instead of being admitted to the hospital, patients were given an outpatient management strategy, which included steps like an oral anticoagulant or blood thinner, and/or blood thinner injections administered at home, and close follow up in clinics. The patients were then tracked for 90 days. Researchers found that only one out of 200 patients enrolled in the study had any follow-up incidents that required hospitalization, and that patient's hospitalization was the result of an accident. The study also found that patients were much more satisfied with at-home care. "We found a large subset of patients with blood clots who'd do well at home - in fact who probably did better at home," said Joseph Bledsoe, MD, research director in emergency medicine at Intermountain Medical Center. "When patients are sent home versus staying in the hospital, they're at lower risk of getting another infection. It's a lot less expensive, too." Currently, the standard of care in the United States for acute pulmonary embolisms, which affect more than 200,000 patients in the U.S. annually, is hospitalization for all patients. That's recommended, in part, because their overall mortality rate is 17 percent. However, the lower mortality rate among some appropriately risk-stratified patients suggests that at-home care, which has become the norm in some European countries, leads to better outcomes for those patients overall and less chance of a hospital-introduced infection, said Dr. Bledsoe. "Our findings show that if you appropriately risk stratify patients, there are a lot of people with blood clots who are safe to go home," he said. Dr. Bledsoe says the next step for researchers is for similar research to be conducted outside of the Intermountain Healthcare system to confirm the results, and with a larger group of people. A federal district court judge in Texas has set Sept. 10 as the date for oral arguments in a case filed by Republican state attorneys general and governors from 20 states. Their lawsuit charges that the Affordable Care Act should be found unconstitutional following Congress' elimination of the tax penalty for failing to have insurance. That date is less than two months before the critical midterm election that will determine which party controls Congress. Meanwhile, a group of cities whose leaders support the health law have also filed suit. They charge that President Donald Trump has violated his constitutional duty to "take care" to "faithfully execute" laws passed by Congress in relation to the ACA. They say the damage done to the law by the Trump administration has raised health costs in their jurisdictions. Also in court this week were Medicaid recipients from Arkansas, who say the state's new work requirements for healthy people getting such coverage threatens their health care. This week's panelists for KHN's "What the Health?" are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner. Among the takeaways from this week's podcast: The timing of the arguments in the attorneys general's ACA case and the possibility of a quick decision could remind midterm voters that the GOP is still vowing to get rid of the law. On the other hand, some Republicans are hoping that the case will help fire up the base, which in the past has responded well to the party's criticisms of the law. The attorneys general in Missouri and West Virginia are among those bringing the suit and they are also challenging incumbent Senate Democrats. Their political futures could be closely tied to the suit. As Arkansas' work requirements move to a court case, the state announced that thousands of people are in danger of losing coverage because they did not report their work hours online, as required. Despite the administration's strong opposition to the ACA, officials are divided over whether to allow states to accept only a partial expansion of Medicaid under the law. That would save money for the states who shoulder part of the cost of Medicaid but likely would cost the federal government more because many people who ordinarily would qualify for Medicaid would instead move to the health insurance marketplace and get federal subsidies. Hospitals are watching with concern the Democratic debate over setting up a national, single-payer health system. Savings that the Democrats expect from such a move would likely have to come from hospitals and doctors revenues. Plus, for "extra credit," the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Examiners "Hospitals Present a Major Roadblock to Medicare for All Act," by Kimberly Leonard Also, Rovner mentioned a 2009 story: The New Yorkers "Getting There From Here" by Atul Gawande Margot Sanger-Katz: Kaiser Family Foundations "An Analysis Of Out-Of-Network Claims In Large Employer Health Plans," by Gary Claxton, Matthew Rae, Cynthia Cox and Larry Levitt Alice Ollstein: STAT News "Tapered To Zero: In Radical Move, Oregon's Medicaid Program Weighs Cutting Off Chronic Pain Patients From Opioids," by Lev Facher Kimberly Leonard: Pew Statelines "For Addicted Women, the Year After Childbirth Is The Deadliest," by Christine Vestal To hear all our podcasts, click here. And subscribe to What the Health? on iTunes, Stitcher or Google Play. It begins with cold hands. Not just put-on-some-gloves cold. Instead, the fingers overreact to cold by turning white or blue and may become numb or tingly. This hypersensitivity to cold, called Raynaud's phenomenon, may occur alone, or it may be the first symptom of systemic scleroderma. A rare, autoimmune disease, scleroderma sometimes is known as the "disease that turns people to stone." Months or even two or three years after the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon, people with the systemic form of scleroderma usually notice swelling of the hands with an uncomfortable tight sensation. That's followed by thickening and hardening of the skin that usually starts in the fingers and may spread to the hands, forearms, body, legs and feet. The word "scleroderma" comes from the Greek "sclero," meaning hard, and the Latin "derma," meaning skin. The localized form of scleroderma -; more correctly called morphea -; is primarily a skin disease and does not affect the internal organs. However, the systemic form of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis or SSc) is much more complicated and serious. "SSc is far more than a skin disease," says Maureen Mayes, M.D., professor in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics and the Elizabeth Bidgood Chair in Rheumatology at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). "In most people SSc is a multi-organ system disease." With scleroderma, the immune system becomes activated, damages the small blood vessels and may cause excessive buildup of fibrous connective tissue, or scar tissue, in the lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, muscles and joints, as well as the skin. It may cause difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing, joint pain or other complications. Estimated to affect 300,000 people in the United States (200,000 with morphea and 100,000 with systemic disease), scleroderma affects primarily women who are 25 to 55 years old at onset. Although there is a genetic component, the exact cause of this noncontagious disease is not yet known. "We know there are about 30 genes thus far -; and there are probably more of them -; that will increase a person's susceptibility to SSc," Mayes says. "It's rare, but occasionally we see that more than one family member will have scleroderma. Then we also see in other families that one member has lupus, someone else has scleroderma, and someone else has rheumatoid arthritis, so those families have susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases." To enhance patients' well-being, the Scleroderma Foundation provides these tips: Avoid over-fatigue by taking it easy and getting sufficient rest. Learn to control and minimize stress. Eat well-balanced meals and maintain a sensible weight. Practice good hygiene habits, especially of the skin, teeth, gums and feet. Avoid smoking. It is particularly dangerous to people with scleroderma because smoking can affect blood circulation and lung function. Maureen Mayes, M.D., UTHealth professor and author of The Scleroderma Book: A Guide for Patients and Families, recommends contacting the nearest chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation for additional information and support. To contact the UT Physicians Scleroderma Clinic, call 713-486-3100. There's no explanation for occurrence of the disease in individuals who have none of the known susceptibility genes. "Just having the genes is not adequate to cause the disease," Mayes says. "People have to be exposed to something that triggers the disease, and that might not be a single thing. It could be a viral infection or a bacterial infection or some sort of environmental exposure. We've certainly looked into a lot for potential environmental exposures but have not yet found much that seems to be specific for people with scleroderma versus those without scleroderma. "We don't know what triggers the immune system to respond in this way. Partly because of that, although we can treat it, we can't prevent or cure it," says Mayes, who is a past president and a current director of the National Medical and Scientific Board of the United Scleroderma Foundation. People with scleroderma typically see a rheumatologist first, then other specialists, depending on what organ systems are involved. The UT Physicians Scleroderma Clinic, which is directed by Mayes, coordinates all the subspecialists. "We try to have a more holistic approach toward the diagnosis and management of scleroderma so we know what's going on in the lungs, the heart, the kidneys and the GI tract and can help to coordinate therapy," she says. Patients generally take multiple medications, some just to treat symptoms. For milder cases, for example, there are medications for Raynaud's phenomenon and for heartburn and reflux. "One of the important things that we do in the scleroderma clinic is to monitor people with annual or biannual testing. Just because a patient doesn't have lung disease today doesn't mean that they might not get lung disease a year from now. So we get pulmonary function tests and sometimes chest CAT (computerized axial tomography) scans if it looks like the pulmonary function tests are abnormal. We have some treatments that, although not curative, can slow or stop the progression of the disease," Mayes says. "Our treatments have potential adverse effects, so you don't want to give them to someone who's stable and not worsening. But you want to be able to identify someone who is developing internal organ involvement. It's better to get treatments started before a lot of damage has been done," she adds. Immunosuppressants are the major category of medications used against the overactive immune system. Unfortunately, in decreasing the activity of the immune system, the medications also can make people more susceptible to infections. To guard against serious side effects of some of the medications, the UT Physicians Scleroderma Clinic tests for hepatitis and TB before beginning treatment with immunosuppressants and treats those diseases first if they are present. While most of the research on scleroderma's causes and treatments are partially supported by grants from pharmaceutical companies or the National Institutes of Health, the work benefits from additional financial support. In this multicenter study, for which Mayes was one of the principal investigators, patients were treated with a high dose of chemotherapy to destroy the overactive immune system. The patients' own immature stem cells -; removed before beginning chemotherapy -; were then infused to reconstitute the immune system. Because the stem cells are immature or "naive," they will not cause a recurrence of the autoimmune disease. Most of Mayes' patients who participated in the study did very well. Although some features of scleroderma remain -; such as Raynaud's, vascular damage and scar tissue in the lungs -; those problems tend to stop progressing, and skin manifestations tend to improve significantly. Because there was a 3 percent mortality rate from destruction of the immune system, this treatment is appropriate only for people with severe disease and poor prognosis. Mayes is optimistic about development of future treatments. She encourages people with scleroderma to participate in a clinical trial if they have the opportunity. "I've been involved in almost every single treatment trial that has been conducted in scleroderma over the past 25 years. At first, there would be one trial and then two or three years later a second trial. Now we have six ongoing trials simultaneously, which is, I think, very hopeful that at least one of these medications is going to be effective," she says. Ask Steve Poizner about how he'll tackle health care costs if he recaptures his old job as California's insurance commissioner, and he has a ready example. Last year, he said, in a single fraud case involving bogus "medicated" creams and unnecessary urine tests, a Beverly Hills couple was charged with defrauding 27 health insurers out of $40 million. "That's just the tip of the iceberg," said Poizner, a Silicon Valley businessman. "Then there's all of the fraud that never gets reported." Poizner held the office from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican but now is running as an unaffiliated candidate, and has made fighting fraud a centerpiece of his health care agenda. He argues that the health industry may be forfeiting billions of dollars because the state insurance department's fraud division is understaffed: 57 investigator jobs, or 24 percent, are unfilled. Ultimately, that inflates health care costs and puts patients in harms way, he said. "These vacancy rates are critical to fill," Poizner said. "The less health care fraud there is, the better the quality of the health care system." Poizner is sounding a very different note from his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Ricardo Lara, who says reducing health care costs requires a broad transformation of health care, not just chasing criminals. Lara, who co-authored the controversial single-payer legislation that stalled last year, said he believes health care costs will drop if people have coverage instead of postponing care until it is most urgent and expensive. "If we can get everyone comprehensive primary care, that's a good way to start," Lara said. The insurance commissioner oversees car, property and some health insurance plans. Rooting out illegal activity is part of the job. But in a state dominated by liberal politicians, many challenging the very structure of the U.S. health care system, Poizner's nuts-and-bolts focus stands out as traditional and politically pragmatic. Some political observers see his platform as a safe way to secure votes, or as one put it, "an old standby." Walter Zelman, professor of health science at California State University-Los Angeles, said focusing on other areas of health care, such as how doctors and hospitals get paid, would make a much bigger dent in cutting health care costs. But they're less popular to implement, he said. "To talk about fraud and abuse that doesn't really threaten anybody," Zelman said. "It's more maybe of a good campaign issue than it is an actual way of reducing costs." Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio agreed. "Who's against combating fraud? I mean that's the safest bet you can take, and that's the one that's in everybody's platform, Republican or Democrat," he said. When candidates don't have a comprehensive solution to health care issues, Maviglio added, "that's their go-to talking point." Poizner said fraud is worth chasing because it poses a threat to patients, often involving unnecessary surgeries or prescriptions. And the costs are "all passed on, every dollar, to consumers, in the form of higher rates," he said. Vacancies in the department's fraud unit have gone up and down over the years. In 2013, 1.5 percent of positions were unfilled, but in 2016, almost 30 percent were vacant. When Poizner was insurance commissioner, the vacancy rate hovered between 12 percent and 23 percent. The current insurance commissioner, Dave Jones, said one reason the rate is high now is because he has created more positions. "It's a challenge for any law enforcement agency to fill positions," Jones said, pointing to the relatively low pay his department offers compared with other state offices. The starting yearly salary for a fraud investigator who are sworn police officers ranges from $54,280 to $88,000, Jones said, so his department is "hemorrhaging" those employees to higher-paying jobs at the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the attorney general's office. "There's no question that we have more work than we have resources available to do," Jones said. To make the most of the manpower, his department prioritizes the biggest scams, he said, such as those that inflict the most patient harm. In one 2016 case, for instance, the insurance department joined whistleblowers in a lawsuit alleging that drug manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb paid doctors to prescribe their products, such as cholesterol and diabetes drugs. The company settled for $30 million. California's other health insurance regulator, the Department of Managed Health Care, oversees the vast majority of commercial health insurance plans in the state. But it has only three employees who look into fraud. On occasion, the Department of Insurance collaborates with them to root out criminal billing. Poizner said he would fight to lure more people to insurance department jobs by lobbying for more state money to raise investigators' wages. Lara said he also wants the department's fraud unit to be fully staffed, but "you can't fix health care costs just from fighting fraud alone." Instead, he said, he would try to prevent insurers from gouging consumers on premiums and look into reducing prescription drug costs. A fraud investigator with the insurance department said his team could always use more help. Vladislav Mikulich, a detective sergeant who supervises about a dozen investigators at the department's southern fraud division, which covers the Los Angeles area, said health care scammers are savvy white-collar criminals that hide their illegal activities in "fantastic ways." He said he knows there's much more fraud than his team can investigate, partly because of what they hear from informants. "Every one of them could talk my ear off for the next month about the things that they have done in the past, or things they are currently seeing," Mikulich said. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. Longnose Skate Creature: Wondrous and Weird Oregon Coast Find Published 08/17/2018 at 4:27 AM PDT - Updated 08/17/2018 at 5:11 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Oregon Coast) There's little doubt the Oregon coast is full of wild n woolly surprises. (Photos courtesy Seaside Aquarium). Periodically, these beaches are the recipient of something really strange flopping around the tide line. Or perhaps their corpses show up on the beaches, as a myriad of things do when the die in the deep below and eventually wash up onshore. In fact, there have been some reports of them appearing recently: the longnose skate. Its a little rare - perhaps a few times a year. These freaky beasts of the deep are literally from way down beneath the waves. Its a truly wondrous find because this species usually lives well below the ocean surface. Most of the time theyre not living when found on these beaches, but sometimes they are. Even when they wind up on the beaches as a whole creature, albeit dead - as seen above - it's kind of a big deal. Seaside Aquarium has had a lot of experience with this in the past. A few times over the past decade, theyve discovered one still alive and flopping around the tideline. Its an extraordinary experience. Such as the one time in 2007 when they received a report of something moving in the surf at Sunset Beach near Gearhart. The moment was recounted by Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium. They dug a hole in the sand around it to keep it in water, Chandler said. It was incredible that was it still alive. Thats extremely rare. A longnose skate is what is called a benthic fish, meaning it spends most of its time on the ocean floor, or anywhere from 82 feet to 2000 feet below the surface. The scientific name of the creature is Raja rhina, said Tiffany Boothe, of the aquarium. They reach a size of about four feet in total length, although the average size is two to three feet. The one found by aquarium staff back then was 32 inches. Other photographs shown here, from Boothe, reveal quite the elegant creature. (And lets face it, a little reminiscent of the shuttlecraft ship from the 60s series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.) Notice the round dots on the skates pectoral fins. These, Boothe said, are referred to as eyespots. These eyespots are used to distract potential predators, she said. They attack the eyespots believing that they are the true eyes of the animal. Skates also bury themselves in the sand to avoid predators. Those who eat this species include large bony fish and sharks. Boothe said the longnose skate feeds on small fish and invertebrates. They have adapted a unique way of capturing their prey by pouncing on top of their victim, pinning it to the ocean floor. Little is known about their life span, Boothe said, although one is known to have lived for 13 years. They are usually found from the Bering Sea to Baja California. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours Below: skate eggs found on the beaches and a skate egg casing (courtesy Seaside Aquarium) 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 Growing up in Brentwood, NY, Leslie Peralta saw that her community had many health and wellness needs. This thought, combined with her interest in science pushed her to study health sciences. She attended Johns Hopkins University and majored in biology, then followed that with a Master's in Biomedical Sciences at Rutgers University and a stint teaching science to high schoolers in New Jersey. Her goals grew and she pursued medical school. Now Leslie is among the 136 students at Stony Brook University School of Medicine making up the 2018 incoming class. The students, their families and Stony Brook faculty celebrated and officially launched the students' medical school journey at Stony Brook University's traditional White Coat Ceremony. The 21s t annual event was held on August 12 at the Student Activities Center. Leslie and all of her classmates are on a transformative journey. In a profession built on saving lives, the journey begins with rigorous training about the human body, training in clinical skills and understanding how to think and communicate like a physician, and learning how to implement new technologies into patient care. "Your futures will be filled with many firsts your first patient, your first diagnosis, your first clinical success, your first patient death," said Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, MACP, Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine. "Medicine is a challenging, rewarding profession that will transform your life and the lives of your patients. Your white coat is a symbol of professionalism, scientific excellence and compassionate care. Wear it well while at Stony Brook and in your future lives as physicians." The class is a diverse and talented group with many interests in medicine. Sixty percent are residents of New York State and 40 percent hail from 16 other states or from around the world. They represent 70 undergraduate schools, have a collective grade point average of 3.80 and an average national MCAT score in the 90th percentile. Only 9 percent of the total 2018 applicants were accepted into Stony Brook. Among some of the other students are: Alex Baez, a native of Colorado who came to Stony Brook as an undergraduate and was inspired to choose medicine as he took part in the Stony Brook ambulance volunteer corps on campus. He has an interest in the neurosciences and patient care. Alex is among the students enrolled in Stony Brook's MD/PhD program. Lara Ambrosi, who has been an international citizen as her father works for the United Nations, hopes to become an oncologist but is open to other areas of medicine. She has a goal to be a physician-scientist within some specialty. Simon Nin Riccardi Zhu studied philosophy and economics as an undergraduate. Inspired by his mother, a physician, Simon is considering psychiatry but also has interest in the expanding arena of global health. Leslie Peralta is not sure what specialty she will choose, thought she favors OB/GYN. She is thrilled to be back in her home zone and has a goal after graduation to be a physician focusing on the many health and preventive medicine needs of her Brentwood community, or a similar community somewhere in the country. Jack Fuhrer, MD, Associate Dean for Admissions, and Latha Chandran, MD, MPH, Vice Dean, Academic and Faculty Affairs, jointly announced and presented each student with a physician-in-training white coat. Dean Kaushansky administered the Hippocratic Oath, which the students recited for the first time another symbolic entry into medicine. Ramon Parsons, MD/PhD, Class of 1992, was presented with the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award and honored for his distinguished career as a cancer researcher. He is the Director of the Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Lauren Ferrante, MD, Class of 2007 was presented with the Outstanding Recent Graduate Award. Dr. Ferrante, Assistant Professor of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, is a recognized leader in clinical outcomes research at the interface of critical care medicine and geriatrics. In just three years, physician burnout increased from 45.5 percent to 54.4 percent, according to a paper authored by doctors at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. "Doctors aren't depressed or less content at home," write coauthors Drs. Andrew G. Alexander and Kenneth A. Ballou in the August 2018 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. "They're less happy at work." Alexander, an associate clinical professor of family medicine, and Ballou, an assistant clinical professor of family medicine, list three factors that contribute to physician burnout: The doctor-patient relationship has been morphed into an insurance company-client relationship that imposes limitations upon the treatment doctors can provide to the insurance company's members. Feelings of cynicism (resulting from patients no longer expecting continuity of care and routinely changing doctors). Lack of enthusiasm for work. Alexander and Ballou compared data from 2011-14 on physician burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance to arrive at their conclusions. They found that physician burnout measures highest in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. They also posit that five transformational medical practice events that occurred between 2011 and 2014 contributed to the increase in physician burnout. "These are hospital purchases of medical groups, rising drug prices, the Affordable Care Act, 'pay for performance' in which providers are offered financial incentives to improve quality and efficiency, and mandated electronic health records," Alexander said. "Doctors now spend more time with electronic health records than they do with patients. Electronic health records were pushed by the government at great expense and without regard to the effects upon patient or physician health. Go into any hospital and look for the nurses and the doctors. You will find them sitting in front of computers. They are not happy, and their patients are not healthier." Electronic health records (EHRs) snuck up on the medical community, Alexander noted. "At first, they were accepted because of the promises of chartless offices, initial government subsidies, interconnectivity between health care sites, availability of records from home, faster charting, e-prescribing direct to the pharmacy, and higher physician pay for computer-cloning the federal government's bullet-point reimbursement formula," he said. "When the subsidies ran out and the promises turned into extra cost, less time with patients, time at home finishing EHR records, unreadable and meaningless cloned patient notes, HIPAA-restricted access to outside records, and government penalties for not 'mining' patient data that cost money to input, doctors became overworked robots." Alexander stressed that doctors need to spend less time on their EHRs. "EHRs are not going away, but they don't need to be the focus of the patient's visit," he said. "Doctors should oppose EHRs that occupy valuable doctor-patient time and which use billing diagnoses rather than patient assessments. EHRs need to be portable. Computerized notes should be templated for meaningful patient care notes." He noted that physicians like him and Ballou are dedicated to educating medical students to be physicians that care. "It should be a treat to care about another person, but I see that too many of our seasoned physicians are frustrated with medicine, and it rubs off onto the physicians in training," Alexander said. "Doctors have a wonderful job, yet they are inundated with numerous extraneous burdens that collectively rob them of the joy of medicine." The Valley Hospital is proud to announce that it has achieved the prestigious Magnet recognition -; the highest national honor for professional nursing practice -; for a fourth consecutive time. The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. A recipient of Magnet recognition since 2008, The Valley Hospital is one of only 477 healthcare organizations of the more than 6,300 hospitals in the nation that have achieved Magnet recognition. "Receiving Magnet designation for a fourth time is a remarkable accomplishment that recognizes the inspiring work our nurses do every day," said Ann Marie Leichman, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer. "It is a reflection of the commitment our entire staff has made in providing the very best care to those who entrust their well-being to us. Magnet designation not only symbolizes excellence in nursing practice but it acknowledges the importance of a strong interdisciplinary team in creating a safe, patient-centered, healing environment." Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence. U.S. News & World Report's annual showcase of "America's Best Hospitals" includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, such as: Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates Higher job satisfaction among nurses To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. The American Nurses Credentialing Center evaluates Magnet Recognition Program applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization's nursing excellence, including quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care. Healthcare organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition. The world lost a good soul this week. A man who had many names - his real name was Edward but all his friends called him Skip or Skipper. To the kids of Lookout Valley he was known as Santa. He was my friend and someone who I respected. Over the years i got to know the man behind the gray beard and red velvet suit. I learned he was a Vietnam veteran and a proud Marine. He always ... (click for more) GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Marvel's new Iron Fist probably is a Chinese hero that's been waiting in the wings for years Marvel may have revealed the new Iron Fist the moment it announced Danny Rand's retirement Khartoum : At least 22 students drowned on Wednesday morning when a boat sank on the Nile River in Sudan, state news agency SUNA reported. A woman also died in the drowning accident that took place at al-Buhaira area, SUNA added. The boat was carrying more than 40 students when it sank. The civil defence forces were sent to the area to search for the bodies of the victims, which have not been recovered. The incident resulted from an engine malfunction, SUNA said. Phnom Penh : The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has won all 125 seats in the general elections, the poll body has said. The opposition was declared illegal and banned from participating in the July 29 exercise. The Electoral Commission announced the official results late on Wednesday that showed that all seats in the National Assembly went to Prime Minister Hun Sen's party, which received 76.78 per cent of the votes, Efe news reported. "(The result) clearly shows that the people have given confidence to the correct leadership of the CPP and that they have decided to choose peace, development and democracy for the whole country," Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page. The other 19 candidates secured not more than six per cent of the votes nor managed to secure a seat in Parliament. The former opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) will not be in the new National Assembly either, as it was banned ahead of the polls by the Supreme Court. It had managed to snatch 44 per cent of the votes in the 2013 general elections. The CNRP called to boycott elections after the judicial persecutions in 2017 that led to the imprisonment of its leader and prompted around 100 members of the party to go into exile the finally led to its dissolution. Several countries, including the US and various members of the European Union, questioned the legitimacy of the Cambodian elections. The US State Department on Wednesday expanded its visa restrictions on Cambodia following the poll results. It said that since the US has characterised the election as "flawed and neither free nor fair" the restrictions first applied in December 2017 were further expanded. The Hague : Over 600 members of the Indian community and friends of India gathered in "India House" -- the Ambassadors residence in Wassenaar, the Netherlands --to celebrate Indias 72nd Independence Day. This was the largest Independence Day gathering ever in the Netherlands and organized the second time at the India House' in Wassenaar. For the first time, Mayors of two leading cities of the Netherlands - Utrecht and Wassenaar - Jan van Zanen and Frank Koen also took part in the celebrations. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian flag by Indian Ambassador Venu Rajamony, singing of the National anthem and reading out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. This was followed by patriotic songs by the local music group "Madras Chorus" and kathak and odissi fusion dance performance by Netherlands Marathi Mandal. The participants were served delicious Indian snacks. India and the Netherlands have a long history of friendly bilateral relations going back to more than 400 years, encompassing many areas of shared interest. The Netherlands is one of first three countries that established diplomatic relations with independent India in 1947. Prime Minster of India Narendra Modi visited the Netherlands on June 27, 2017. During his visit, he met with King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rutte as well as his senior cabinet colleagues. He participated in a CEOs Roundtable and interacted with Queen Maxima in her capacity as UNSG's special advocate for financial inclusion. by Dr. Irtiza Sheikh The Prophet Muhammad said, Love of ones country is a part of faith. Throughout the many decades that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been a part of American society, it has embodied this principal of Islam. This community believes that this love should be expressed by engaging in services to uplift our fellow Americans, such as blood and food drives, and help during disaster recoveries. It also emphasizes participation in community activites such as Independence Day Parades. While many may see this sort of thing as merely superficial displays, it is an important symbol of the love and loyalty the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds in its heart for this country we call home. These activities also serve as a reminder regarding the freedoms and liberties that we have been bestowed as citizens of the United States. It is these same freedoms that, as Ahmadiyya Muslims, we are denied in much of the Muslim world. Presently in Algeria, Ahmadi-Muslims are being rounded up and imprisoned simply for the crime of practicing their faith. Over the years, hundreds of Muslims have been killed or imprisoned in countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. The freedoms of this country are products of sacrifices that we hold close to our hearts. Keeping that in mind, we request our fellow Americans to remind our elected leaders and institutions of this closely held loyalty when they choose to vilify Muslims through their rhetoric. This sort of unreasonable fear mongering is based on a narrow sensationalized sample set and is far from reality. The reality is what the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community represents: love, loyalty and service. Next time you see us in your local parade, your local blood drive, or your local food kitchen come join us and help celebrate this reality. Cairo : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a political settlement in Libya. The call was issued in a phone conversation held by the two leaders, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement, Xinhua reported. "Noting that the two countries are keen to restore stability and security along the Mediterranean region, the two presidents discussed the recent developments in Libya and means of pushing the political settlement forward in the north African country," the statement said. The two leaders agreed that a national consensus among different Libyan parties would be the solution and the Libyan crisis can only be resolved by Libyan people, it said. They also discussed the situation in Syria, calling on the international community to reach "a comprehensive and lasting solution" to Syrian civil war, according to the statement. San Francisco : The ethnic violence in Myanmar is horrific and we have been "too slow" to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech on our platform, Facebook acknowledged on Thursday. The admission came after a Reuters investigation on Wednesday revealed that Facebook has struggled to address hate posts about the minority Rohingya, the social media giant said the rate at which bad content is reported in Burmese, whether it's hate speech or misinformation, is low. "This is due to challenges with our reporting tools, technical issues with font display and a lack of familiarity with our policies. We're investing heavily in Artificial Intelligence that can proactively flag posts that break our rules," Sara Su, Product Manager at Facebook, said in a statement. According to Facebook, in the second quarter of 2018, it proactively identified about 52 per cent of the content it removed for hate speech in Myanmar. "This is up from 13 per cent in the last quarter of 2017, and is the result of the investments we've made both in detection technology and people, the combination of which help find potentially violating content and accounts and flag them for review," said Facebook. Facebook said it proactively identified posts as recently as last week that indicated a threat of credible violence in Myanmar. "We removed the posts and flagged them to civil society groups to ensure that they were aware of potential violence," said the blog post. In May, a coalition of activists from eight countries, including India and Myanmar, called on Facebook to put in place a transparent and consistent approach to moderation. The coalition demanded civil rights and political bias audits into Facebook's role in abetting human rights abuses, spreading misinformation and manipulation of democratic processes in their respective countries. Besides India and Myanmar, the other countries that the activists represented were Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Philippines, Syria and Ethiopia. Facebook said that as of June, it had over 60 Myanmar language experts reviewing content and will have at least 100 by the end of this year. "But it's not enough to add more reviewers because we can't rely on reports alone to catch bad content. Engineers across the company are building AI tools that help us identify abusive posts," said the social media giant. Not only Myanmar, activists in Sri Lanka have argued that the lack of local moderators -- specifically moderators fluent in the Sinhalese language spoken by the country's Buddhist majority -- had allowed hate speech run wild on the platform. Facebook said it is working with a network of independent organisations to identify hate posts. "We are initially focusing our work on countries where false news has had life or death consequences. These include Sri Lanka, India, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic as well as Myanmar," said the company. Washington : The US State Department has expanded its visa restrictions on Cambodia after the official results of the country's election on July 29 were confirmed. In a press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that since America has characterised the election as "flawed and neither free nor fair" the restrictions were issued, Xinhua news agency reported. The announcement followed the Cambodian electoral committee's announcement that the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen won all the 125 parliamentary seats. The visa restrictions were initiated on December 6, 2017 on individuals involved in the undermining of democracy in the Asian country. "The expanded entry restrictions may apply to individuals both within and outside the Cambodian government" that are responsible for the "anti-democratic" actions taken in the run-up to the election, Nauert said. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry in December 2017 had expressed dissatisfaction over the decision saying "the move was politically motivated with prejudice and double standards". Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Abby: Im dating my grammar school and high school sweetheart, Gary. Weve known each other since I was 6. (Im 33 now.) In high school we dated for nine months and were in love, but he told lies to my dad, so Dad ordered him to stay away. Now, 16 years later, after being only friends all this time, we finally both became single and got back together. Gary is and always has been the love of my life, as I am his. He would do anything for me. He says he wants to marry me and have kids, and hes never said that to any other woman. Since we broke up at 16, Gary has done some bad things (drugs, prison). Because of it, my dad hates him. Dad was finally getting used to Gary being back in my life until a few months ago, when Gary crashed my car after relapsing. Gary is getting me a new car and trying to get my dad to like him, but Dad is stubborn. I know hes just worried about me. I want to bring Gary to my parents to visit because enough time has gone by since the accident. Is there any way to get my dad used to him? Torn in New Jersey BRIDGEPORT It seems several family members assumed someone else at the party was watching the 2-year-old boy who drowned Thursday night in a backyard pool on Charron Street. After partygoers realized he hadnt come inside with the rest of them, the child was found floating and lifeless. One teen pulled him out of the pool and one started CPR, while others called 911. But their efforts and those of first responders could not revive the boy, who has pronounced dead a short time later at St. Vincents Medical Center. Hes dead, hes dead, a voice wailed from the homes porch. Family members had gotten a text from the boys mother, saying he was dead, police said. Im never going to see him again, another voice cried. Police asked that the boys name not be disclosed. A city spokesman said the incident remains under investigation. In accordance with protocol, police said, they notified the Department of Children and Families of the death shortly before 1 a.m. Friday. The pool is not fenced in or otherwise barricaded, and can be accessed easily from any direction, the police report said. Thinking someone else is watching the kids is a common occurrence, according to the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center said. Sometimes that assumption ends tragically. Parents normally have a lapse in supervision, not a lack of supervision, a recent statement from the center said. Sometimes one parent thinks the other is watching the child. In this case, police said, The amount of time which elapsed between the time when (the 2-year-old) was noticed to be missing and when the was located is not certain, as several family members gave different estimates ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. The first officer to arrive observed a chaotic scene, said the police report. He said there were 20 to 30 people, most of them appearing to range from 4 to 17 years old, in the backyard. The officer said everyone was in an obvious state of distress and hysteria. He said as he got closer, he saw firefighters performing CPR on the boy, who was limp and unresponsive. An uncle of the 2-year-old told police a pool party had been underway for several hours and that many of the children had been swimming in the above-ground, 5-foot-deep pool. The gathering moved inside and to the front of the house before people realized he 2-year-old was missing, the uncle told police. Family members said the boy had been in the pool many times before, always with a life vest, but not that day. When he was pulled from the water, the boy was not wearing a vest. One neighbor, who declined to give his name, said the family moved into the house in early June from New York. Theyre such a nice family, he said. This is just terrible. This isnt the first time in recent years that the tragedy of a childs drowning has hit the area. A 5-year-old drowned in a backyard pool on Sunnybank Avenue in Stratford on July 2. In that incident, officers gave CPR to the child, who died the the next day at a local hospital. And last summer, a 2-year-old was pulled from a backyard pool by her mother at a May Street home in Bridgeport. The girl was rushed to a hospital on June 30 and was put on life support. She died two days later. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 percent of drowning deaths in the nation involve children younger than 5, and 67 percent of swimming pool drowning deaths involve children younger than 3. And of the drowning victims who survive, more than half are hospitalized or transferred for further care and many of these cases involve permanent brain damage, the CDC reports. NEW HAVEN As emergency personnel continued to respond Friday to more than 100 overdoses in New Haven, a two-day public spat unfolded between Mayor Toni Harp and the state Senates top leaders, Len Fasano and Martin Looney. The quarrel was kicked off Thursday morning when Fasano, a North Haven Republican, issued a public statement criticizing city officials for knowingly allowing the New Haven Green to deteriorate to a place of despair, the site frequent drug use. It is my hope that yesterday will be a wakeup call to the mayors administration about a problem they can no longer turn a blind eye to, the Senate minority leader wrote after a spate of overdoses broke out Wednesday morning on the Green. Harps administration needs to act swiftly and decisively to take control over the problems that have festered on the New Haven Green and surrounding areas to prevent the Elm City from becoming a ghost town. At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Harp said she had been working on improving the Green for four years. We are the only city in Connecticut that got a $9.4 million hit from the state legislature, she said. I am really appalled that someone who contributed to our citys lack of resources would say that is our fault. A few hours later, Looney, a New Haven Democrat, came to Harps defense, calling Fasano out of touch. What disturbs me most about Senator Fasanos characterization of the recent drug overdoses in New Haven is that he implies that drug abuse is somehow an exclusively inner-city problem, brought about by government indifference, Looney, the state Senate president pro tempore, wrote. While Senator Fasano was quick to assign blame, Mayor Harp and her administration were busy working with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Public Health, and state, local, and federal law enforcement. Fasano came back with a new statement Friday saying that New Haven was not cut $9.4 million in state aid, as Harp claimed. Even Senator Martin Looney, the Democrat leader of the Senate, has pointed out repeatedly that New Haven has fared better than other cities in the state, seeing dramatic increases in funding over the last 7 years, with total municipal aid rising from $194 million in 2011 to $226 million in 2018, Fasano wrote. Mayor Harps knee jerk defense in response to my comments about the need for action in New Haven is disappointing. Brian Zahn contributed reporting. European Blockchain Week is September 7-13 and it will be a scenic cruise with several days on the island of Ibiza. The people attending will share similar interests in blockchain, with an atmosphere of relaxation, sharing, creativity, and community. If someone mentioned blockchain conference in conversation, it would more than likely bring to mind a weekend filled with people in suits and booths trying to sell their ideas and agendas regarding technology and cryptocurrency. As of September 7, 2018, that will change. European Blockchain Week 2018 is looking to change from boring meetings and conferences to creative and exciting. Giving, Caring, and Creativity Bitcoin Foundation chairman and visionary Brock Pierce, looks for the week to have a feel similar to the annual Burning Man a yearly event that emphasizes aspects such as radical inclusion, communal effort, civic responsibility, participation, and giving. Brock Pierce, crypto billionaire and former child actor, currently resides in Puerto Rico as he continues to impact the blockchain world. Pierce is someone who seems to embrace the values of burning man in his own life. In fact, he was actually married at Burning Man. Listed among The Richest People In Cryptocurrency, Pierce states that this is an opportunity to be a trillionairesomeone who is positively impacting a trillion living things on this planet. Futurama which is part of the European Blockchain Week, also had a very successful first summit in Dubai (May 2018), of which Pierce stated: Dubai was the best event Ive seen in the space. First time events always have tons of room for improvement so the second edition should be out of this world. European Blockchain Week 2018 will be an event with an atmosphere of giving more than taking, with a focus on creating a community of people who are creative, as well as caring for the world around them. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain are all about breaking the current mold by means of creativity and innovation. Blockchain technology has the potential to change the world. But, for that to happen, innovation must be given the right atmosphere to thrive, and great minds must be given unique opportunities to gather and collaborate, without the standard atmosphere of pure personal agenda and monetary gain. Miko Matsumura, co-founder of Evercoin exchange and partner at Gumi Ventures, says; Futurama is an effort to kind of create a point of concentration, where the future can be brought out from. European Blockchain Week 2018 (Sept 7-13, 2018) Will Consist of 2 Connected Events: Coinsbank Blockchain Cruise The week will start off with a cruise organized by CoinsBank for 2000 guests. The cruise is from September 7-11, touring Barcelona, Monte Carlo, France, Italy, and Ibiza, where a full day deck pool party will be held. The entire cruise ship is reserved solely for the event. The cruise will feature an impressive number of notable cryptocurrency experts. Some of the speakers include: Charlie Lee (creator of Litecoin), Bobby Lee (co-founder of BTCC), John McAfee (CEO of MGT Capital Investments). Brock Pierce (Bitcoin Foundation) Jimmy Song (venture partner at Blockchain Capital LLC) Roger Ver (CEO of Bitcoin.com) Tone Vays (blockchain consultant and researcher) Miko Matsumura (co-founder at Evercoin exchange and general partner at Gumi Ventures) Sally Eaves (CTO and blockchain global strategy advisor at Forbes Technology) Futurama Blockchain Innovators Summit The week will also include the Futurama Blockchain Innovators Summit, from September 10-13, also organized by CoinsBank/Futurama Blockchain Innovators Media. The summit will be held on Ibiza and feature many of the worlds top crypto exchanges, crypto banks, business media, regulators, and 12 of the best international tokenized startups who have passed the futurama-pipeline.com program. This will be an excellent place for some of the brightest minds and influencers to impact the future of the blockchain space, in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Venue limit is 300 guests and looks like it will be sold out soon. Futurama Blockchain Innovators Summit Dubai was a fan favorite earlier this year (May 2018), being referred to as the most mesmerizing conference of the year. European Blockchain Week 2018, this coming September looks to top that, as an event for the ages. About CoinsBank And Futurama CoinsBank is a popular cryptocurrency wallet, exchange service, and mobile app providing customers with viable options to interact in crypto markets. https://coinsbank.com/cruise. https://www.instagram.com/_coinsbank_/ Futurama partners with CoinsBank, Bithumb, DNA, bitINKA, InkaPay, and Crypto PR Lab to provide some of the worlds most effective and exciting blockchain experiences. ev@futuramasummit.com https://futuramasummit.com. An international team, led by researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), who joined forces with theoreticians from the University of Bern (UNIBE), Switzerland, discovered the presence of iron and titanium vapors in the atmosphere of and exoplanet. The detection of these heavy metals was made possible by the surface temperature of this planet, which reaches more than 4000 degrees. KELT-9 is a star located 650 light years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan). With a temperature of over 10,000 degrees, it is almost twice as hot as the Sun. This star is orbited by a giant gas planet, KELT-9b, which is 30 times closer than the Earths distance from the Sun. Because of this proximity, the planet circles its star in 36 hours and is heated to a temperature of over 4,000 degrees. Its not as hot as the Sun, but hotter than many stars. At present, we do not yet know what an atmosphere looks like and how it can evolve under such conditions. This discovery reveals the atmospheric properties of a new class of so-called ultra-hot Jupiter. However, scientists believe that many exoplanets have completely evaporated in environments similar to KELT-9b. Although this planet is probably massive enough to withstand total evaporation Here's a dinner plan: Start by opening a bottle of Montenidoli Chianti and letting it air - decanted, if possible. Then enjoy a Pampelonne wine cocktail while you cook. When you begin to eat, whether nibbles or a more formal first course, switch to either the Attems Ramato Pinot Grigio, Ken Forrester Old Vines Chenin Blanc or Esprit Gassier rose. Wow your guests with the Chianti at the main course. GREAT VALUE Sono Montenidoli "Il Garrulo" Chianti Colli Senesi 2015 3 stars Tuscany, Italy, $23 This is an old-style traditional Chianti, including the white grapes Trebbiano Gentile and Malvasia del Chianti, as well as red grapes Canaiolo and Sangiovese. Yet the wine seems modern in style, with intense fruit and depth. Its flavors unfold over several hours, rewarding advance planning and a decanter. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent. Attems Ramato Pinot Grigio 2017 3 stars Friuli, Italy, $16 This wine looks for all intents and purposes to be a rose, but it technically isn't. Pinot gris, or pinot grigio in Italy, is a dark-skinned white grape, and when the juice is left on the skins for a time after pressing, some of that color remains in the wine. Most pinot grigio that we know as the ubiquitous crisp, refreshing white wine is made from juice separated from the skins at pressing. The Attems Ramato has a glorious copper-orange color resulting from 24 hours of skin contact with the must ("ramato" means coppery), an effusive aroma, and a tannic grip that gives the wine heft. ABV: 12.5 percent. GREAT VALUE Ken Forrester Vineyards Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2017 2.5 stars Stellenbosch, South Africa, $16 Ken Forrester is one of the best-known South African producers of chenin blanc. His Petit Chenin is an excellent introduction to the grape variety. The Old Vine Reserve shows more depth and concentration, yet there's a limpid fluidity that keeps it fresh and vibrant. ABV: 14 percent. Esprit Gassier 2017 2.5 stars Cotes de Provence, France, $18 This is a classically styled, delicious Provence rose, crisp and refreshing with flavors of melon and herbs. Enjoy this with garlicky or spicy foods, either appetizers or late-summer entrees. ABV: 13 percent. Pampelonne Sparkling Wine Cocktails 1 star California, $13 for four 250-milliliter cans Pampelonne comes in a variety of fun flavors inspired by wine cocktails popular in European cafes and bistros. I like the Blood Orange Spritz, and the Negroni Sbagliato flavor has a nice bitter orange note that mimics a negroni. A Harvest Pear Palmetto has been introduced for fall, with pear and Meyer lemon flavors. These are nice for patio lunches when you don't have time for a nap afterward, or for a tasty quaff before moving on to more serious wines with dinner. ABV: 6 percent. - - - Three stars exceptional, two stars excellent, one star very good - - - Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor. ALBANY The Albany County district attorney's office will hold a community meeting on marijuana laws and prosecutions Monday at the Albany Public Library's Howe branch. The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at 105 Schuyler St., is the latest in a series District Attorney David Soares has been hosting around the county this summer as New York considers amending its recreational marijuana laws. Fifteen teams have been selected as the winners of the 2018 Resolution Social Venture Challenge. A total of thirty teams of Mastercard Foundation scholars gathered in Kigali, Rwanda to compete in the challenge for a fellowship that includes seed funding, mentorship, and access to a network of young global changemakers to pursue impactful projects in their communities. What some of the winners have to say A collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and The Resolution Project, the Resolution Social Venture Challenge provides a pathway to action for socially responsible young leaders who want to create change that matters."Africa's young leaders are brimming with talent, ideas, energy, and a deep desire to have a positive impact on their communities. Yet few young people receive the support and tools they need to ensure a project or social venture they want to undertake is successful," explains Ashley Collier, manager of youth engagement and networks at the Mastercard Foundation. "By winning the Social Venture Challenge, these young leaders have earned the resources, network, mentorship, and capital they need to implement their venture and to maximise their impact."Winning projects address a wide range of challenges scholars have observed first-hand in their communities, including digital literacy, a lack of mental health support, access to sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture."We envision a world in which no girl suffers the physical and mental trauma of female genital mutilation," says Ubah Ali, on behalf of her team, including Claudette Igiraneza and Kawsar Muuse, scholars at the American University of Beirut and founding members of Solace for Somaliland Girls Foundation. "The Social Venture Challenge is an incredible opportunity that will empower us with strong and lasting guidance to successfully implement our project and transform our communities.""The Social Venture Challenge has provided us with more than the financial means to execute our project," says Nicholas Toronga, on behalf of his team, including Tinotenda Makuvire, scholars at McGill University and founders of ZimDigester. "They welcomed us to a network of fellows and professionals who will mentor and support each other in solving challenging problems.""We are working for our community by keeping Uganda's most vulnerable girls in school all month long, even during menstruation," say Marion Apio, on behalf of her team, including Lokolimoe Susan Hilda and Mutoni Suzan, Scholars at Makerere University and founding members of Girls Alive Uganda. "This opportunity will enable us to collaborate with other young changemakers around the world. Together, we can impact the lives of Africa's leaders of tomorrow and champion other young changemakers in our community."The 2018 cohort of Social Venture Challenge winners include projects based in Kenya, Gambia, Uganda, Somaliland, Ghana, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Malawi, Tanzania, and Lebanon.For a complete list of award-winning projects, go to mastercardfdn.org Win a 2018 Polaris Ranger SEYMOUR Project Purple and the Team Carone Foundation are joining forces in the name of pancreatic cancer research by raffling off a 2018 Polaris Ranger 900 in sage green with power steering. Tickets to win the utility vehicle which is valued at over $13,600 will be sold at $100 per entry in order to benefit the Rick Carone Fellowship Grant for pancreatic cancer research at the University of Chicago Medicine. Only 250 tickets are being sold. Rick Carone and his family founded the Team Carone Foundation in 2014 after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Carone passed away from the disease in June of 2017. Dino Verrelli, founder and CEO of Project Purple, knew Carone personally and often worked with Rick on fundraising efforts, so it was only natural for Project Purple to join the Team Carone Foundation in funding the Rick Carone Fellowship Grant. This is just another way to fulfill Ricks desire of shutting down cancer, Verrelli said. Those interested in participating in the raffle can call the Project Purple Office at 203-714-6052 or email dino@projectpurple.org to purchase tickets which are on sale now. The winner will be drawn on September 22 at the Team Carone Foundations #Shutdowncancer Music Festival in McHenry, Illinois. However, Project Purple guarantees delivery to their office at 115 Main Street in Seymour, CT so there is no need to drive to Illinois. Check out Projectpurple.org or Project Purples Facebook or Instagram pages to learn more about how you can join the fight against pancreatic cancer. Chocolate Make & Take Program SHELTON Tweens entering grades 5-8 can join Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations for a mouthwatering afternoon from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Huntington Branch Library. Learn about young chocolate entrepreneurs and chocolate history. Take a trivia quiz. Then, sample make-and-take chocolate creations during a demonstration of a tempering machine. Please note: ingredients have been processed in a facility that also processes nuts. The Library is at 41 Church St. To register, call 203-926-0111 or register online. Griffin Hospital Gala Set DERBY The 2018 Griffin Hospital Gala offers a unique look into the future along with lavish food, tantalizing auction items and lively music and dancing from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 29 at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Rd., Oxford. Tickets start at $185 per person. Black tie is suggested. Proceeds will support Griffins vision of a new generation of care, focusing on preventative services, chronic disease management and care coordination to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals that live and work in the region. Contact Lisa at 203-732-7384 or lnista@griffinhealth.org, or visit griffinhealth.org/gala. Local Farm to Host Farm-to-Table Dinner WOODBRIDGE Massaro Community Farm will host its annual farm-to-table Dinner on the Farm fundraiser at 4:30 p.m. September 2. Located amid the fields and flowers of historic Massaro Farm, the celebration will feature an all-inclusive meal for the senses prepared by award-winning chef and owner of Zinc, Denise Appel, in addition to an open bar, hors doeuvres, dessert and coffee and a silent auction. Admission includes a farm tour by Farmer Steve Munno. Ingredients for the dinner will be primarily sourced from the 10-acres of organic produce grown on the 57-acre former dairy farm. Additional menu items will feature New England Brewing Co., RIPE Bar Juice, Koffee?, and Walnut Beach Creamery. Proceeds will benefit Massaro Community Farms education and food donation efforts. The farm regularly hosts field trips, after school programs and summer camp for area youth and donates 10% of produce to organizations in need. In 2017, the farm donated more than 10,000 pounds of organic produce to local hunger relief agencies including Salvation Army in Ansonia, Woodbridge Senior Center and the Connecticut Food Bank. Tickets are $150 and may be purchased online by visiting the farms website, www.MassaroFarm.org. Or a check can be sent to the farms office for the appropriate number of tickets, 41 Ford Road, Woodbridge, CT, 06525. $75 of the ticket is tax-deductible. Mini-Med School Course Offered DERBY Griffin Hospital is accepting registrations for its free, 10-week Mini-Med School course that begins Sept. 6. Specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, Mini-Med School provides a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. This free course will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions. Griffin Hospital physicians serve as faculty, covering a wide range of topics, including: Anatomy and Physiology; Primary Care; Cardiology; Endocrinology; Orthopedics; Pulmonology; Gastroenterology; Nephrology; Neurology; Oncology and Hematology; Cardio-Thoracic Surgery; Ophthalmology; Gynecology; Urology; Rheumatology; Dermatology; and General Surgery. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics, with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers. The program meets from 6L30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at the hospitals Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a graduation ceremony for participants Nov. 15. The course is comprehensive and the knowledge base is cumulative, so those participants who attend all sessions will gain the most benefit. There is no fee to enroll, but space is limited; early registration is encouraged. To register, visit the events calendar at griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511. Compiled by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich. jean.sos@snet.net. Authorities in Lesotho should immediately withdraw a baseless complaint of incitement against the privately owned MoAfrika FM radio station and cease trying to intimidate critical journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Mikhail Mishchenko via 123RF Media licenses Action Lesotho's Broadcasting Dispute Resolution Panel (BDRP) in a letter dated August 7, summoned MoAfrika to appear tomorrow, after the Ministry of Communication filed a complaint on behalf of the government accusing the station of incitement to violence, according to its editor-in-chief, Sebonomoea RK Ramainoane, and documents reviewed by CPJ. The letter cites four instances in July when the station aired critical reporting or commentary on government officials and the government claims MoAfrika may have incited violence."The Lesotho government's allegations of incitement to violence against the MoAfrika FM are clearly baseless and expose intolerance to critical journalism," said CPJ Sub-Saharan Africa Representative Muthoki Mumo. "The government should withdraw its complaint immediately and let journalists do their work of holding the powerful to account."On a weekly news review program July 1, according to the documents seen by CPJ, Serialong Qoo, an opposition party spokesperson, called in and made several critical comments about Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, including about his purported per diem allowance. On July 4, the complaint says, Qoo was again interviewed by MoAfrika and discussed the prime minister's alleged role in a diplomatic crisis with South Africa relating to Lesotho's King Letsie III's delegation being stopped and searched at the border on the way back to Lesotho.The complaint further claims that on July 12, MoAfrika quoted Deputy Home Affairs Minister Machesetsa Mofomobe refusing to respond to questions on a procurement dispute in connection to birthday celebrations for King Letsie III. The government also complained about July 23 radio programming in which Ramainoane and guests, including Qoo, discussed reports that Lesotho's first lady, Maesaea Thabane, had been warned to behave well when she took over as chairperson of a continental anti-cancer forum.Thabane took up the role in the wake of news reports that she had been involved in a public altercation with a woman at a hospital in the capital, Maseru. Tabane denies having started the altercation, according to Lesotho Times.Ramainoane told CPJ that his station aired the content cited in the government complaint but denied it amounted to incitement of violence.Ramainoane and MoAfrika lawyer Zwelakhe Mda told CPJ that they fear tomorrow's hearing could lead to authorities ordering MoAfrika to shut down. Lesotho's BDRP, which is a statutory body of members appointed by the minister of communication, can impose fines on stations but not withdraw media licenses, according to Lesotho's 2012 Communication Act . However, the BDRP may refer cases to the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), which can withdraw licenses, according to the same act.BDRP chairman Arthur Majara on August 10 told CPJ that he could not comment on the matter until the hearing was completed. He referred CPJ to the LCA, the broadcasting industry regulator whose chief executive, Tseliso 'Mokela, declined to comment, saying he was not party to the dispute. Communication Minister Thesele Maseribane did not respond to a phone call, text messages, or WhatsApp message on August 10.Rorisang Molefe, a legal officer who responded on his behalf, today told CPJ via telephone that the minister had filed the complaint on behalf of the cabinet because he could not sit back and watch MoAfrika insult people. Citing as an example MoAfrika's coverage of the diplomatic crisis, Molefe said some of the station's programming had posed a threat to public order, leaving people at "loggerheads" and causing confusion.She said the station also failed to label commentary as such, as required by Lesotho's 2004 broadcasting rules . She said the ministry has the power to shut down MoAfrika but chose to go the civil route by having the BDRP adjudicate the matter, and that it would take other measures if this fails.Maseribane on August 10 warned the media that the government would take unspecified action against outlets inciting violence, according to Chalale Mokhenthi, a MoAfrika journalist who attended the press conference, and Tsebo Mats'asa, national director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa who watched reporting of the event on the state-owned Lesotho Television.The action, the minister said, would be taken within existing legislation and the constitution, according to these same sources. Molefe said that no warnings were issued at the press conference and that the minister was reminding the press to be ethical and comply with existing regulations. She referred CPJ to a video recording of the event, but did not immediately provide the recording and CPJ was unable to locate it.In a separate incident, Thabo Thakalekoala, spokesperson for the prime minister, on August 9 tried to forcibly enter the MoAfrika studio in Maseru, Ramainoane told CPJ. Thakalekoala was reacting to MoAfrika's earlier on-air criticism of the spokesperson, according to Ramainoane and Malichaba Lekhoaba, manager of the privately owned Harvest FM which shares a building with MoAfrika and whose journalists reported the incident.Thakalekoala wanted to enter the studio with a group of men that had accompanied him but Ramainoane denied entry, saying that he would speak with the spokesperson alone, according to these same sources. Thakalekoala told CPJ that he left the MoAfrika offices after Ramainoane went on air and called on MoAfrika's "supporters" to come to the studio. Some of the "supporters" who showed up included opposition politicians, according to Ramainoane and Thakalekoala.He denied the allegation that he tried to enter the studio forcibly, telling CPJ that he had gone to MoAfrika to ask why Ramainoane had "insulted" him on air. He did not specify the nature of the insults. Ramainoane and Mda, the lawyer, said the editor-in-chief had reported the incident to the police in Maseru.MoAfrika has run into difficulty before. Authorities shut down the station in August 2017 for six days saying it had not paid government fees, allegations that MoAfrika disputed , according to media reports and Ramainoane.In September 2017 the station was shut down for 72 hours as the government alleged incitement to violence, while Ramainoane was briefly arrested as police accused him of criminal defamation, according to media reports and a statement by international human rights group Amnesty International . The criminal defamation case has fallen apart since Lesotho repealed the law earlier this year, Ramainoane told CPJ.However, the station in April applied for the High Court to set aside a 40,000 Maloti ($2,929) fine imposed by the BDRP in a separate case in which MoAfrika is accused of contravening broadcasting codes through a historical drama series, according to Ramainoane and documents reviewed by CPJ. Editors note: Duo Dickinson will write occasional columns on architecture in and around New Haven. This is the first column. We who live and work in and around New Haven, Conn. are having a moment: The bridge is just about done. The bridge is what was known as The Q Bridge but is really a huge array of highways, overpasses, on ramps, huge retaining walls and concrete piers all new, replacing the jumble of colliding ribbons of steel and concrete with wider, gentler, swooping waves of flowing cars all having a full-o crescendo at the stolidly expressive new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. We may refer to the project as the bridge but the past two decades have meant unending work on virtually all those roads going over, off, up and to the massive intersection of two of the countrys large interstate highways - Interstates 95 and 91. If mothers analyzed the pain and danger of giving birth, would they have children? I think so, but I am not a mother. But the love and devotion of parents for their offspring after all that pain and danger makes all the travail and risk worth the life changing effort. Large-scale building efforts are also scary and painful for everyone involved. The chaos and costs of construction fade once enough time goes by, as well. But no matter what the outcome, the flaws of any design are fully revealed once any project is finished. Being an architect for 40 years, I have lived this sequence more than 800 times. But some projects work on just about every level. I think it is safe to say the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge project is a remarkable success. It has been 17 years in construction, but the New Haven Harbor Crossing Improvement Program has been envisioned since a 1989 Connecticut Department of Transportation study. This month, at last, the final layer of blacktop is being rolled onto the south side lanes of the last leg of this mammoth effort - the widened bridge to the west of Long Wharf. As we drive by and on the cluster of bridges to the east, and now to the west we can easily forget the terror and cursing that was there before construction began. The intersection was designed for 30 percent of the traffic that came to use it, but its design was tortuous in some places, no matter how many cars or trucks used it. There was direct dumping of ongoing traffic from any number of on ramps directly in front of you. There were few, if any, breakdown lanes, anywhere. Huge tanker trucks slowly coming up a steep ramp from the oil tanks on the New Haven harbor had to force themselves directly into the jammed traffic. Cross-lane shifting to get from one side to the other as left exits followed right on ramps made a mile or two of terror and frustration. And it only got worse during the last 16 years of construction. Perhaps all that that pain makes the result seem more positive than it might otherwise be if this were simply a newly minted construction, but I do not think so. In truth the miracle of maintained traffic flow all these years, however compromised, seems almost miraculous. Even though its origins were chaotic (initially no bidders, aborted contracts during construction, the awkward fate of the old Yale Boat House) the result seems, dare I say, effortless. No one needs to slow down. Lanes flow around curves up and under other lanes, signage is clear, there is space to accommodate accidents and breakdowns - in short two huge highways crash into each other 60 or 80 feet above a neighborhood and water and no one is distressed in transit. Of course it cost $3 billion. The project involved scores of contracts, companies and extreme co-ordination. Of course it took 17 years. Of course the laughable 40,000 cars a day had to be tripled if reality had to be addressed after 60 years of bad planning evidenced themselves. Of course it took then-Mayor John DeStefano Jr. to beg for a sexy extradosed bridge design by Parsons Brinkerhof to create the imagery that everyone now sees. Almost 30 years in planning and construction, the benefits of time are now evident. Although it was envisioned to take 12 years, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Federal Highway System took 35 years to fully complete the entire network of roads. In retrospect, the expedition of that effort is incredible, but there was little existing traffic to be accommodated, and, of course, there were errors (like the low-balling of the flow that made this new interchange necessary.) Clearly in the rush to create the interstate system the aesthetics were simply not as important to that ground-breaking effort much of the federal highway system is simply deadly dull, if not ugly. Given all these gritty realities being rubbed in our noses all these years, it is also understandable that the rough and tumble realization of the old Q Bridge gave way to the gilt letters, oval piers, gathered cabling and multicolored accent lighting that resulted in the Pearl Harbor Bridge. But the beauty of completion is not just aesthetic. The simple fact that a huge pain has been lifted off all those drivers fundamentally makes all our lives just a little better. Real estate agents think property values on either side of the interchange may just be enhanced by it, as commuting is not so onerous. And if you remain just a little bitter about the seemingly unending insanity of construction-caused lane-changes, rerouting, spontaneous stoppages and mind-numbing slow-downs over so many years, just remember it was a safe site. If it were just one highway, or a single bridge or even a direct interchange like the Interstate 84 and I-91 connection in Hartford, lingering frustration might be justified. But this effort involved three towns and dozens of on/off ramps, spans, signs, utility lines, fresh and salt water encounters, and collateral integration with the ending of the 34 Connector and a resiliency imperative that accommodated potential flooding after the spate of hurricanes a decade ago. So the raw size, complexity and ongoing use of this ganglia of connection has been overcome by money, time and skill. The effort worked. It is harder to write a favorable review than a negative rant, but consider this: this effort was planned and built in about the same amount of time as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Of course that was then, but that stone singularity also required a focus and determination to get built, too. It is done. Duo Dickinson, FAIA, graduated from Cornell, and is an architect of over 800 things and has written eight books. He writes for Common Edge and Mockingbird and teaches at the Building Beauty Program in Sorrento, Italy and will be an adjunct instructor at The University of Hartford next spring. SHORELINE Lock Your Cars is the mantra police up and down the Shoreline are repeating as car thefts and burglaries of unlocked vehicles continue to plague the area. While there are isolated cases of actual break-ins, most of the incidents are a result of keys left in the ignition and unlocked cars, with valuables left inside. Its an epidemic in the state right now, said Madison Police Department Capt. Joseph A. Race. In addition to locking cars and bringing all valuables inside, fobs should be stored a safe distance from the vehicle since fobs from keyless vehicles can activate the vehicle within a certain range. When we talk to the kids that are doing it, we ask them, said Clinton Police Department Detective Bryan Pelligrini. They say, Were not going to break a window and make noise. We just get the cars that are unlocked. We go up to a car, we jiggle the handle and if its open, we go in and if its locked, we move on. The majority of cars are being retrieved in surrounding towns and cities, including Bridgeport, Milford, New Haven and Waterbury. Branford Chief of Police Kevin Halloran said it appears to be groups of individuals targeting the area. What we believe is happening and what weve seen on video is that cars are coming into neighborhoods, and they probably have between four and six occupants, and they get out of the cars and they scatter all over the neighborhood and what theyre doing is trying to open up car doors, he said. Wallets, laptops, money and any other items of value are being taken and if there are keys are in the car they take the vehicle, he explained. In some sense it seems almost completely senseless, said Race. If they come here, they come to Clinton, Guilford, Killingworth, wherever, theyll steal car, drive it back to New Haven and dump it; drive it around for the night and dump it. It doesnt make sense. While the thefts have occurred randomly, Race said that there is a spike on the weekends. Statistics vary from town to town, yet the rise in this crime appears to have started in January 2017 and steadily increased over time. In Branford, this year alone, there have been 36 motor vehicle thefts, showing a 29 percent increase from 2017 and an 84 percent increase in the five-year average. Thefts from motor vehicles, year-to-date totals are 93, a 9 percent increase from last year and a 33 percent increase over the five-year average. In Madison, the incidents started escalating in June 2017. According to Race, over the last 14 months there have been 19 vehicle thefts and 69 thefts from vehicles. He said in 2015 Madison had no vehicles stolen and in 2016 there were about eight incidents. The same pattern is evident in Guilford, where there were 12 stolen cars and 126 thefts or attempted thefts from vehicles this year alone. Theres definitely a spike, both in 17 and 18. The reality is its increased exponentially, said Guilford Chief of Police Jeffrey Hutchinson. They (criminals) are using the trust that people have in the area that theyre living in and the comfort levels, against them, Hutchinson added. People need to understand that just because youre somewhere that you consider to be safe, it doesnt mean that your property can be left unprotected and unlocked. The majority of the perpetrators are juveniles and young adults. Some officers attribute the crime wave to the criminal justice reform enacted over the last two years ago that has reduced the authority of judges in the state to deal with young criminals, especially juveniles. These are often juveniles, under 18 by Connecticut law, who know, or are quite confident, that nothing is going to happen to them, even when they get caught, said Hutchinson. Due to this, these individuals are often repeat offenders. The police are less likely to put the kid in detention because really all thats left for grounds for detention are essentially that the kids a threat to public safety, said Francis J. Carino, supervisory assistant states attorney. So, unless the kid is on his fifth stolen car, theres a high-speed chase, an accident, a judge might just say, Well, the kid stole a car, but that doesnt necessarily pose a threat to public safety sufficient to lock the kid up, because thats now the basis for detention Carino added. I would say, yes, kids are less likely to go to detention after theyre arrested, he said, because unless they pose a threat to public safety or they have some history for not appearing in court or theyre wanted by some other jurisdiction, those kids arent likely to go to a detention center. This leads to repeat offenders. One thing that is kind of troubling is, when we run fingerprints we get hits on the fingerprints, its because these individuals have stolen cars before and theyre still doing it, Race added. Police urge anyone who witnesses this activity to immediately contact their local police department. These individuals have engaged police in high speed chases and some have been caught in possession of firearms. Anytime theres someone willing to engage the police in a pursuit, there is an element of danger there, said Race. Vehicle owners are encouraged to be vigilant about protecting their property. We live in a wonderful community, Race said. Its wonderful that people feel safe, but its that mindset that is drawing in those that would do harm because they know we feel that way and because its a small town. UPDATE: Remaining suspects wanted in ambush shooting of Camden cops arrested in Philly Authorities have charged three men in connection with the Aug. 7 ambush shooting of two Camden police detectives. At a Friday afternoon press conference, authorities announced they've charged Alexander DeJesus, 19, of Philadelphia, Ammar A. Hall, 26, of Camden, and Juan M. Figueroa, 20, also of Camden, with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses. The men remained at large Friday afternoon and Camden Police Chief J. Scott Thomson called them "homicidal maniacs." "These individuals are considered armed and extremely dangerous," Thomson said. "At this point in time, we believe that they are still in the Philadelphia/Camden area." Authorities urged the public to use extreme caution if they encounter them, and to call police. Alexander DeJesus, 19, Ammar A. Hall, 26, and Juan M. Figueroa, 20, are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in the shootings of two detectives. (Camden County Police Department) The plain-clothes detectives, a man and a woman, were wounded as they sat in their SUV at a red light in the Bergen Square neighborhood around 8:30 p.m. The male detective, a three-year veteran of the force, suffered wounds to the bicep and forearm. The female detective, who has served more than four years, was struck in the hand. Both have been released from the hospital and are recovering from their injuries. Neither has been named because of the undercover nature of their work. As the officers sat in an unmarked vehicle on Broadway at the intersection with Walnut Street that night, two men in a white Chevrolet Uplander stopped at a green light on Walnut, exited their vehicle and began firing. They fired 21 rounds, striking the detectives' vehicle 14 times, according to an investigation report. One detective returned fire at the assailants, firing a total of four rounds. Thomson put the number of rounds fired at the detectives at 25 in a span of 7 seconds. "It defies the laws of probability that our officers survived, let alone escaped with minor injuries," Thomson said. He said he did not believe the assailants were struck. As they exchanged gunfire, the detectives pulled through the intersection to gain a better tactical position, a police official previously explained. "They were able to drive these cowards off who were trying to ambush them," said Rick Kunkel, president of Camden County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 218. The Uplander was recovered hours after the shooting in south Camden. While a motive behind the assault hasn't been revealed, Kunkel said he was confident the shooters knew their targets were detectives. Officials would not speculate on a motive for the shooting Friday. "What is absolutely clear to all of us was their intent to kill whoever was in that vehicle," Thomson said. The chief would not discuss which of the three men were the suspected shooters. All three have prior criminal records, he said. Figueroa was sentenced to 5 years probation on a weapons charge in October 2017, according to court records. Hall was sentenced to 3 years in jail in 2012 on drug distribution charges and sentenced to 180 days in jail and 5 years probation in 2016 on another drug offense. No adult charges were listed for DeJesus. DeJesus is described as Latino, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 210 pounds, with a tattoo that reads "MOYA" on his right hand. Hall is described as African-American, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 175 pounds, with "Sucka Free" tattoos on his outer forearms. Figueroa is Latino, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 210 pounds, with a tattoo that reads "Easy Come Easy Go" on left inner forearm. A reward in the case stands at $60,000. Anyone with information about the suspects can call Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Matt McKeown at 609-820-7192 or Camden County Police Detective Frank Cardoso at 609-519-5898. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips. For much of the turmoil inside the Miss America pageant this summer, Miss America has remained on the sidelines. No longer. Cara Mund, the reigning titleholder, has taken a bold step in coming out against the pageant leadership. Mund, 24, has sent a lengthy letter to 11 former Miss Americas who petitioned this week for the resignation of Gretchen Carlson, the chairwoman of the Miss America board of trustees, Regina Hopper, the pageant's CEO, and the entire Miss America board. In the detailed letter, which Mund calls "just the tip of the iceberg," she alleges that pageant leaders, including Carlson and Hopper, have silenced and bullied her and retaliated against her when she spoke publicly about being unhappy with how she was treated. Mund charges that the pageant's "rhetoric about empowering women, and openness and transparency" is diametrically opposed to reality. "I am living that difference," she writes. "To stay silent is to give away my power and the power of the women who will follow me." She acknowledges that as an employee of the Miss America Organization, she may be punished for speaking out, but says she chooses to do so as a matter of integrity. "Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis," Mund writes. "After a while, the patterns have clearly emerged, and the sheer accumulation of the disrespect, passive-aggressive behavior, belittlement, and outright exclusion has taken a serious toll." The Miss America Organization issued a brief response to Mund's letter on Friday. "The Miss America Organization supports Cara," it said in a statement. "It is disappointing that she chose to air her grievances publicly not privately. Her letter contains mischaracterizations and many unfounded accusations. We are reaching out to her privately to address her concerns." Mund, a graduate of Brown University who became the first North Dakota to win the crown last September, has served as Miss America during a time of prolonged scandal and conflict for the Atlantic City pageant, which is on the cusp of marking a century on the boardwalk. She says that Carlson and Hopper's leadership has proven even more harmful than that of the former CEO, who was pushed out after a scandal over his leaked emails in December. With the start of the 2019 pageant a little more than two weeks away -- a contestant arrival ceremony is scheduled for August 30 in Atlantic City -- Mund's comments cast another long shadow over the immediate future of the pageant. Mund, who deferred law school at the University of Notre Dame in order to compete one last time for Miss North Dakota, told The Press of Atlantic City at a charity event earlier this month that "it's been a tough year" and that she "wasn't always always heard or utilized or appreciated." "The way I'm portrayed isn't always me," she said, adding that she could be punished for saying more. Now, Mund says she has already been punished. "Within 72 hours, I was told my final farewell as Miss America would be cut to a total of 30 seconds for the national telecast," she writes. "The following day, I was told my custom 'Show Me Your Shoes' Parade Costume which had already been made, publicized by the designer, and based on a July 2018 agreement with MAO would no longer be allowed." Miss America 2018 says she also researched the definition for workplace bullying in New Jersey, which specifies "deliberate insults, threats, demeaning comments, constant criticism, overbearing supervision" and more. "Ultimately, this is my year in a nutshell," she says, alleging that leaders engaged in spreading false information about her through a "concerning back channel." A key point in Mund's account is that even when she was in the same room, she was left out of the picture. She is ostensibly the face of Miss America, but Mund says Carlson, Miss America 1989, was the only person allowed to give major interviews. When Carlson announced the pageant's big decision to drop the swimsuit competition on "Good Morning America" in June, Mund asked to be a part of the interview, but ended up documenting the event with her phone instead. She says a producer was surprised to learn she was there and immediately asked for an interview. "Right away, the new leadership delivered an important message: There will be only one Miss America at a time, and she isn't me," Mund writes. Hilary Levey Friedman, a sociologist whose mother, Pamela Eldred, was Miss America 1970, has been critical of the pageant's decision to let Mund become a background player when those types of announcements are made, particularly in the case of the swimsuit competition. While Miss Americas have certainly been sidelined in previous years and decades, silencing the titleholder while promoting women's voices -- "There's no question that that's problematic," she says. "It's just showing the decline of Miss America more and more," she says of the disconnect that Mund described in her letter. Levey Friedman, a former judge at Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, also happens to have been Mund's professor at Brown University. The class: "Beauty Pageants and American Society." "When everything fell apart in December and January, they needed Gretchen Carlson," Levey Friedman says. Cara Mund's Instagram account has hosted a series of not-so-subliminal messages in recent weeks. (Instagram: @realcaramund) "She was very much in the public eye on a topic that related to what led to the email scandal," she says, referring to Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit against former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. As a result, Carlson had become a strong voice in the emerging #MeToo movement. The former Miss America CEO, Sam Haskell, had been pushed out after his emails revealed misogynistic language and demeaning comments about former Miss Americas. Now, she think the woes of the pageant can only be cleared up by someone who has experience restoring the reputation and finances of nonprofit organizations. But could Miss America fire its Miss America? Levey Friedman doesn't think it's in the cards. Critics of the Miss America leadership have also pointed out that Mund's ability to control the Miss America official Instagram account, which had also controlled by past titleholders, was taken away. The Miss America Organization now posts from the account. Among those critics is Betty Cantrell Maxwell, Miss America 2016. "They definitely are very controlling over you during your year," Cantrell Maxwell, 23, told NJ Advance Media before Mund sent her letter. But something Cantrell Maxwell did control was the Miss America Instagram account, she said. The platform allows Miss America to communicate directly with others in the pageant community, including young women who aspire to her position. "I can tell from Cara's social media posts how sad she is ... You can just tell she's almost crying out for help. They are not giving her a voice." In her letter, Mund, who now posts from her @realcaramund account, claims she was blamed for sponsors dropping the pageant because she was "bad at social media." But Mund has successfully telegraphed her unhappiness via a series of Instagram posts by way of inspirational quotes and mantras and four bookmarked updates that spell out the phrase "my voice will matter" (see image above). Cantrell Maxwell is one of the 11 former Miss Americas calling for Carlson and Hopper's resignation. The petition from the 11 former Miss Americas, posted on Monday, currently has about 4,600 signatures. "Miss America is engaged in a great struggle about its identity and its future direction," a petition from the group reads. In her letter, Mund says that the alleged misdeeds of current leaders make the previous administration look good. "I truly felt more valued, respected, and viewed as a real collaborator within my first three months rather than these last eight months," she writes. "The differences in treatment are stark." Jaime Gialloreto, the current Miss New Jersey, who will be among 51 contestants competing for the crown on Sept. 9, said it was "really disheartening" to read Mund's letter. "I have nothing but respect for her for standing up to the organization," said Gialloreto, 19, who lives in Woolwich Township and is a student at Loyola University Maryland. "Talking to some of the other girls, it definitely shifts the mood," she says. "It's upsetting for us because we love her and she's such a positive person to be around." Gialloreto and Cantrell Maxwell have numbered among the titleholders who criticized the pageant's decision to drop its swimsuit competition. After Carlson announced in June that Miss America would no longer judge contestants on physical appearance, 22 state pageant directors, including New Jersey's director, Sally Johnston, signed a letter asking for the resignation of Carlson, Hopper and the pageant board. Critics said the swimsuit decision was made under false pretenses -- that board members were led to believe the pageant's broadcast on ABC could be canceled if the swimsuits remained. The leadership denied this, but said the cooperation of production partners did hinge on the swimsuit issue. The reigning Miss New Jersey said she doesn't know what could happen as a result of Mund's comments, but that she still has her eyes on the prize. "One of us will get her job in just a few short weeks," Gialloreto said. "For me, I'm just trying to stay positive throughout the entire process. At the end of the day, I still want to be Miss America." Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Authorities in Mozambique should immediately reverse plans to impose prohibitively high financial charges that unduly target independent media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. laurent davoust via 123RF A July 23, 2018, government decree outlined massive hikes in registration fees to be paid to the government-run Gabinete de Informacao, a bureaucratic body that facilitates media registration. The decree states that new fees will take effect on August 23, 2018.It comes as the Mozambican government looks to sign natural gas contracts with multinational corporations, and hold municipal elections in October 2018 and general elections in 2019, according to the Mozambican state news agency (AIM) and Agence France-Presse."Not only do these fee increases by the Mozambican government make it practically impossible for independent press to continue working, they also lay bare a flagrant attempt to undermine transparency ahead of elections and as the country brokers natural resource deals," Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa program coordinator, said from Johannesburg, South Africa. "The Mozambican government should reverse the decree mandating such outrageous fee increases for media."The decree includes a chart of fees for various types of media outlets and journalists, including for registration, licensing, and license renewal. Accreditation for foreign correspondents living in Mozambique will cost 500,000 metical (US$8,630), according to the decree. Tom Bowker, editor with the privately owned Zitamar News, told CPJ that the previous administrative fee for foreign correspondents' accreditation was "insignificant" and came out to around US$5.Community radio stations will need to pay a 50,000 metical (US$855) licensing tax as well as a 3,000 metical (US$50) annual licensing tax, according to the decree. Erik Charas, publisher of the privately owned Verdade newspaper, told CPJ that the previous annual licensing tax for community radio stations was 2,000 metical (US$34).Charas emphasised that the fees imposed by the July 23 decree were "crippling" and that Mozambicans would not be able to pay them.Tomas Vieira Mario, president of Mozambique's press regulator, the Conselho Superior da Comunicacao Social , told CPJ that he believes the fees imposed are "illegal" because they violate the right to freedom of expression enshrined in Mozambique's constitution . The government should move to nullify and renegotiate the decree, he said.Mario also said the regulator, which is made of 11 members -six appointed bythe presidency and parliament, and five appointed by the journalists' union and media companies -first learned about the decree when it was published as law in the government bulletin, and should have been consulted beforehand. An initial conversation between journalists and the head of Gabinete de Informacao took place on August 10, and a second meeting is scheduled for August 21, Fernando Lima, chairman of the privately owned, independent media cooperative MediaCoop, told CPJ.Cecilia Napido, a public employee with Gabinete de Informacao, told CPJ over WhatsApp messages in Portuguese that the government did consider press freedom when forming the decree and the new fees were introduced to "make the industry sustainable".Yesterday, influential members of the Mozambican media community--including CEPL (Emergency Committee for the Protection of Liberties), MISA-Mozambique (Mozambican chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa), AEJ (Association of Journalistic Companies), FORCOM (National Forum of Community Radios), CIP (Center for Public Integrity), and OAM (Mozambican Bar Association) - sent a petition to the national ombudsman, Isaac Chande . The petition requested support to have Mozambique's constitutional council review the decree's constitutionality and legality, according to a press release from the groups.Repeated calls to Jaime Basilio Monteiro, Mozambican minister of the interior, went unanswered. Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario hung up when a CPJ representative called and identified himself. WhatsApp messages to Rosario asking to speak about Mozambican journalists' concerns about the fees were marked as read but went unanswered. A 55-year-old grocery store employee was killed Thursday morning in East Orange, authorities said. Tarlok Singh, who worked at the Park Deli & Grocery on North Park Street, was pronounced dead at the deli on Thursday morning, according to a statement released from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. He was killed at about 7:30 a.m., authorities said. Singh's death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, the statement said. Authorities did not say how Singh was killed. A spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Katherine Carter, said, "We are not releasing that information at this time." A cousin, Karnail Singh, told ABC7 that Tarlok Singh was stabbed in the chest. Residents told the news station that Singh was a well-liked member of the community who was kind to everyone. This Sikh community took to social media to condemn the alleged attack against Singh, which is reportedly the third violent attack against a Sikh in three weeks. Two men were attacked in separate incidents in California. In one of the incidents, a 50-year-old man was assaulted as his assailants yelled, "go back to your country" and spray painted a white supremacist symbol on his truck. "We share our deepest condolences to Mr. Singh's family, friends and local community and we will provide updates when they become available," The Sikh Coalition wrote on Facebook. We strongly condemn this brutal attack on S. Tarlok Singh in New Jersey. It was third Sikh to be attacked in last three weeks. Now it become important to make people aware about the #Sikhism across the globe. https://t.co/Df3Ka8MEJP Sikhs For Sikhs (@SikhsForSikhs) August 17, 2018 The Sikh Coalition reported earlier this year that Sikhs living in the United States experience an average of one hate crime per week. The group said anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 Sikhs are living in the country. One of the most recent publicized discrimination incidents against a Sikh in New Jersey came in July when the state's attorney general, Gurbir Grewal, was the target of racist remarks by two NJ101.5 hosts. Authorities in Essex County have not stated a motive in the killing of Singh. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- A Jersey City church pastor arrested in July on charges he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl church member and fondled a relative faces more charges after a third alleged victim came forward following his arrest. Orlando Martinez-Chavez, 47, was charged on Wednesday with touching the breast of a then 16-year-old girl over her clothing, the criminal complaint says, adding that the alleged victim is now 21. The complaint says she was also a member of the church. He made his first appearance Thursday on the new charges of criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. At the hearing, Martinez-Chavez was ordered released with conditions of supervision, but he isn't going anywhere. He was order detained through the course of his prosecution after his arrest on the previous charges. The former spiritual leader of the Iglesia Pentecostal Lirio de los Valles church on Summit Avenue in the Heights neighborhood had been arrested on July 30 and charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal sexual contact, officials said. Martinez-Chavez was removed from his position on June 26 after he was accused of sending graphic pictures and videos to a 32-year-old woman who attended the church, the source said. No charges have been filed in that incident. The previous charges include a 10-year-old alleged victim who is now 15. She told authorities that Martinez-Chavez reached inside her pants and touched her genital area in November 2012, the complaint said. One of the pastor's relatives had also come forward with the allegation that the pastor -- who is married and has two girls and a boy, ages 4, 10 and 18 -- fondled her breasts over her clothing, the complaint said. A source with knowledge of the church said another alleged victim, a 15-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by Martinez-Chavez two years ago, is too traumatized to come forward. When confronted by the girl's mother, Martinez-Chavez threatened to have the family, which is undocumented, deported, the source said. That alleged victim and her family, former congregants, left the church and moved out of state almost immediately, the source said. Martinez-Chavez had been with the storefront church for six or seven years, the source said. Martinez-Chavez's next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12 before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Administration Building. A Jersey City man is facing as many as 70 years in prison after pleading guilty to a multi-million dollar olive oil scam. Antonio Fasolino, 62, recently pleaded guilty to claims that he conned two investors into spending $3.4 million on his business by falsely claiming that he'd secured contracts to sell olive oil to major retailers. According to an FBI investigation, in 2012 Fasolino convinced a business in Kansas City and an individual in Florida to give him $3.4 million to purchase a large order of olive oil. He claimed to have two contracts to distribute the oil, but no such contracts existed. The investigation also claimed that he supplied the investors with altered bank statements and spent the money on himself, including car and mortgage payments, apartment rentals, a wedding, college tuition and credit card payments. The plea agreement comes more than two years after he was charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of transacting with criminal proceeds. Fasolino pleaded guilty to all four charges on Thursday and could be sentenced to 70 years in prison. Each count of wire fraud comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years and the transacting charge comes with a maximum of 10 years. Vasquez determined not to accept Fasolino's plea until sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 11 next year. This wasn't Fasolino's first brush with the law. Fasolino has been convicted three times previously, twice on bank fraud charges and once on mail fraud. He was sentenced to 46 months, 14 months and 51 months for those convictions, officials said. A 21-year-old Jersey City man faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the aggravated manslaughter of a man who was shot in the head in 2016 and wounding three women. Kenneth L. Barnes, of Orient Avenue, pleaded guilty to the homicide of Shaheer Parson, 35, who was found by responding police officers with a head wound on Van Wagenen Avenue on Sept. 11. Parson was pronounced dead at the scene, between Pavonia and Sip avenues, about 10 minutes later at 2:10 a.m. That morning, three wounded women were located nearby. Two women, ages 32 and 24 at the time, were shot once in the upper body, while a 35-year-old woman was shot multiple times in the upper body. The women were taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said at the time. Barnes was arrested Dec. 14, 2016 and pleaded guilty Wednesday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Nelson on Oct. 19, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Ray Worrall said. Probable cause for the charges listed surveillance footage from that night, witness statements, and the findings of the state Regional Medical Examiner's Office. That autopsy found that Parson died of the gunshot wound to his head and the manner of his death was homicide. At a prior hearing, Hudson County Prosecutor Najma Rana said Barnes had been arrested twice in November 2016 on numerous drug charges. Information on the outcome of the drug charges was not immediately available yesterday. Worrall did not comment on a potential motive for shootings. Barnes' bail was set at $1 million cash only when he made his first court appearance on the charged the day following his arrest. He has remained in custody since his arrest. The case is being handled by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Weiner. An apparently intoxicated Union City man has been charged with repeatedly punching a Union City emergency medical technician in her breast as well as a police officer at Hoboken University Medical Center. Juan Flores, 29, of the 300 block of Fourth Street, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and repeatedly punching the Hoboken police officer who responded to the assault of the EMT on Aug. 8, the criminal complaint says. The ambulance had just arrived at the ambulance port when the EMT called for help, the complaint said. The police officer said Flores punched him multiple times in the left side when he intervened and Flores was eventually taken to the ground and arrested, the complaint says. It could not immediately be determined what incident precipitated Flores' trip to the hospital. Flores made his first appearance on the charges on Monday in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. Postal employees in Middlesex County knew something was wrong when they spotted millipedes and scorpions crawling around a mail truck and inside a post office three summers ago. The critters were the work of Wlodzimie Lapkiewicz, a Metuchen man arrested Thursday on federal charges, officials said. Lapkiewicz, 29, is accused of smuggling several species of wildlife into the country, including some that are endangered, between July 2015 and July 2018, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey alleged. He's charged with wildlife smuggling and false labeling of wildlife. He's accused of shipping them to New Jersey from places like Tanzania, and falsely labeling the packages to avoid detection. He recently labeled one box containing multiple live, giant millipedes: "Plush Toys for my Friends Child about to be born," the complaint against him says. Two species of scorpions that Lapkiewicz received, emperor and dictator scorpions, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Authorities say Lapkiewicz was twice warned about his actions, and federal investigators eventually learned he was selling the creatures through his Facebook page. Hello Everyone, I know quite few of you been asking and here they are. I'm offering about 30 or so Giant African... Posted by Wlodek Lapkiewicz on Saturday, April 7, 2018 Postal inspectors first learned of the imports in July 2015 when live scorpions and millipedes escaped from a package that originated from Tanzania in east Africa while on a truck that was on its way to Lapkiewicz's home. A postal inspector interviewed Lapkiewicz that month, and he admitted ordering 20 emperor scorpions, 20 giant African millipedes, and five egg cases containing praying mantises. The inspector told Lapkiewicz that it was unlawful to import live species via mail and gave Lapkiewicz a warning because he told the inspector they were for personal use, the criminal complaint against him says. A similar incident occurred two months later, in September 2015, when two more millipedes were found on the loose in the post office. Meanwhile, in France, customs officers seized two more packages addressed to Lapkiewicz, one containing 69 millipedes and one with 46 live emperor scorpions. They originated in Cameroon. In December 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with Lapkiewicz and they told him it was illegal to import invertebrates without obtaining the necessary authorizations. They filed no charges and told him to stop, the complaint says. Federal investigators kept on him and found several individuals who purchased invertebrates or insects from Lapkiewicz, the complaint says. And he kept importing insects. On June 20, customs officers in Indianapolis intercepted a Federal Express package addressed to Lapkiewicz containing live giant millipedes. And on July 3, fish and wildlife agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York intercepted a package with 245 small containers with live orchid mantids inside. Lapkiewicz is on Facebook under the name Wlodek Lapkiewicz. That's also how he's listed on several web pages and past stories at the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, where he was the living colonies director. John Cambridge, the insectarium's CEO, said Friday that Lapkiewicz is no longer with the museum and he left a few years ago, amicably. He knows him well - their relationship goes back to Rutgers University, where they both studied - and Cambridge described Lapkiewicz as one of the best breeders of that type of species. "He was absolutely fantastic," Cambridge said. A stunned Cambridge said the Philadelphia Insectarium has all its permits, and has a solid working relationship with federal wildlife authorities, and while the allegations against his former colleague have nothing to do with their organization, he said he could vouch for Lapkiewicz's work. "I hope this is all just a giant misunderstanding," Cambridge said. Lapkiewicz could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wildlife smuggling charge. The false labeling of wildlife charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. After a court appearance Thursday, in federal court in Newark, Lapkiewicz was released on $50,000 bond. Editor's Note: This story was update on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 with comment from the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion. Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Unless the City Council takes action itself, Asbury Park residents will vote in November on whether to change to a ward-based council, after the city clerk certified that petitioners for the change had submitted enough valid signatures to place the question on the ballot. "They got the signatures they needed to put the question on the ballot," said Sonya Spina, a city spokeswoman. Currently, the council consists of five members, all elected by a city-wide vote, or "at-large," under a form of government approved by voters in 2013 following the recommendation of a local charter study commission. Two of the members are designated mayor and deputy mayor. But under the change being sought by a group known as the Committee for a More Fair and Equitable Asbury Park, the city would be divided into three wards, each with its own city council member elected solely by residents of that ward. Two council members, the designated mayor and deputy mayor, would continue to be elected at-large. Under a ward system, proponents say, council members could not ignore the interests of the largely poor, largely African-American west side in favor of the city's rapidly developing waterfront to the east, the shops and restaurants of its bustling downtown, or the restored Victorian homes and tree-lined streets of its north end. The west side has lagged behind other rebounding neighborhoods even as the Monmouth County resort community has become one of the trendiest destinations on the Jersey Shore, those in favor of the change have previously told NJ Advance Media. Voters will also decide whether the city moves from a November non-partisan election with a runoff in the event that no candidate wins a majority to a partisan system that would include party primaries, but dispense with runoffs. The city council now has 10 days to act on the ward and partisan elections petition, with the option of crafting ordinances to make the change themselves. If not, the questions will be placed on the Nov. 6 ballot. A spokesman for the petitioners welcomed Wednesday's certification of the petitions by City Clerk Cindy Dye. "We're satisfied that she accepted the ballot initiatives to let the residents decide that the under-served community should have a voice," said Tracy Rogers, a spokeman for the petitioners. However, Rogers said a third question proposed by the group, on a residency requirement for city employees, was not certified because of city officials' conclusion that the petition did not adequately explain the issue. Nonetheless, Rogers said his group would work with the city council to craft an residenty requirement ordinance under the council's standard legislative process. Ward-based systems are the norm in New Jersey's larger cities, and in some smaller ones that include distinct communities with varied interests. A common argument against wards is that they can be divisive, pitting council members against one another. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A retired Trenton firefighter rescued two fishermen when a whale capsized their boat off Long Branch Thursday. Former Capt. Gary Szabo rushed into action when he heard a "mayday" over the radio while out Fluke fishing on his boat. The caller, Szabo recounted, said a boat was flipped by a whale, launching people into the water. "It caught my ear," he said of the unusual report. The former fire department diver found two men in the water, clinging to their 25-foot overturned vessel. Video of the rescue shows one man swim toward Szabo's boat and be helped aboard from a dive ladder. A second fisherman, seen sitting on his capsized craft, was also pulled to safety by Szabo. "We watched the whale ... and all of the sudden the boat just goes whee and it's gone," one of the just-rescued fishermen explained in the GoPro video after being helped aboard. The area was teeming with baitfish, apparently attracting a whale before the creature flipped the fishing boat about 50 yards from the beach, Szabo added. One man appeared to have suffered a small cut, but they were otherwise not hurt. "They were in good spirits," Szabo said. "They're going to be sore in the morning." Szabo said it was common to see whales in the area, but he could not recall a similar rescue. Rescue crews, including a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and State Police, also responded to the call. A Coast Guard spokeswoman confirmed the boat was hit by a whale, but the exact kind of aquatic mammal was unclear. For Szabo, the instinct to rush to those in distress continued after his career serving on the Trenton Fire Department, including as a SCUBA instructor and rescue captain. "I retired about six years ago ... until today," he joked. Whale vs. Boat Final Score: Whale 1- Boat 0 And suddenly the great beast was before them! He was ten stories high if... Posted by New Jersey State Police on Thursday, August 16, 2018 Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The bullets spewed out in rapid fire in broad daylight at a neighborhood cookout in a Newark public housing complex, as children played nearby. The gunman was Kwasi Mack, a member of Newark's Grape Street Crips known as "Welchs," who was armed with an automatic assault rifle and was out for blood. His target--a fellow gang-member who had cooperated with authorities in a murder investigation and whose loyalty to the gang was in question. He had been released from prison just three months before the Columbus Day 2011 shooting. On Thursday, the 29-year-old high-ranking gang member was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for a violent crime spree of assaults and murders, including the fatal shooting of a teenager who cried for his mother as Mack--who laughed about it later with another gang member--pulled the trigger. Mack pleaded guilty in October to eight counts charging him with murder and attempted murder, assaults, and conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was among more than 70 members of the Crips who were arrested in a multi-year federal takedown that recently ended with the conviction of Corey Hamlet, the leader of the violent street gang that controlled much of the heroin trade in Newark and its nearby suburbs, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Mack admitted to a deadly series of assaults that began as far back as August 2006, when he shot and killed the teenager, a rival gang-member, and shot and paralyzed another young man. He also pleaded guilty to the October 2011 shooting in Newark at the Kemsco Village housing complex. While nobody died, Mack shot eight people, with at least two of suffering permanent or life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors said after being charged with attempted murder, he discovered the identity of the only person willing to testify against him and ordered fellow gang-members to kill the witness. While gang-members took steps to carry out Mack's orders, prosecutors said the murder never took place. Mack admitted as well to a 2013 plot to kidnap and rob a major heroin-trafficker, and ordering the murder of two other gang-members. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Apparently, I like my Cheerios how I like the weeds in my yard -- covered in Roundup. That's right, traces of glyphosate -- the cancer-linked active ingredient found in the popular weedkiller, Roundup -- has been found in Cheerios, Quaker Oats and a string of other popular oat-based products, according to a report released by an environmental research and advocacy group on Wednesday. In its report, the Environmental Working Group said in a statement that it tested 45 samples of breakfast foods made with conventionally grown oats and found "a hefty dose" of glyphosate. Of the 45 tested breakfast foods, the group said it found glyphosate in 31 products. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, a popular weedkiller used in pesticide. The group said it was disappointed in the "tone-deaf response" by Quaker Oats and General Mills, which makes Cheerios, saying that while the companies claim the levels of glyphosate remain within the government regulatory levels, there is nonetheless "far too much glyphosate in their products for parents to feel comfortable feeding them to their kids." The regulatory standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A spokesperson for the EPA said in an email that "as stated in our December 2017 announcement, the EPA's draft human health risk assessment concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans." Kelsey Roemhildt, a spokeswoman for General Mills, told NJ Advance Media in an email that, "Our products are safe and without question they meet regulatory safety levels." "The EPA has researched this issue and has set rules that we follow as do farmers who grow crops including wheat and oats," she added. "We continue to work closely with farmers, our suppliers and conservation organizations to minimize the use of pesticides on the crops and ingredients we use in our foods." According to the report, nearly three-fourths of the samples that were tested had glyphosate levels "higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children's health with an adequate margin of safety." Deborah Kotz, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, told NJ Advance Media in an email that the agency "was aware of the new report and will carefully consider the findings along with our larger body of evidence concerning glyphosate levels in foods." The group called on General Mills and Quaker Oats to volunteer to remove glyphosate from their products and "should not wait for a mandate from the federal government to do what's right for their consumers." "We expect better from General Mills and Quaker Oats, and we will continue to urge consumers to express their preference with their pocketbooks. People don't like to eat pesticides," the group said. The following are some of the products that were tested and found to contain traces of glyphosate: Granola: Back to Nature Classic Granola Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisins & Almonds Back to Nature Banana Walnut Granola Clusters Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats 'n Honey KIND Vanilla, Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds Instant oats: Giant Instant Oatmeal Original Flavor Simple Truth Organic Instant Oatmeal Original Quaker Dinosaur Eggs, Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal Great Value Original Instant Oatmeal Umpqua Oats, Maple Pecan Market Pantry Instant Oatmeal, Strawberries & Cream Oat breakfast cereal: Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal Lucky Charms Barbara's Multigrain Spoonfuls original cereal Kellogg's Cracklin' Oat Bran oat cereal Snack bar: Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip granola bar Kellogg's Nutrigrain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars, strawberry Whole oats: Quaker Steel Cut Oats Quaker Old Fashioned Oats Nature's Path Organic Old Fashioned Organic Oats Whole Foods Bulk Bin conventional rolled oats For more information on the report, click here. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have information about this story or something else we should be covering? Tell us. nj.com/tips The Iziko Museums of South Africa and printing and framing company Orms launched its collaborative effort, the People's Project, on 9 August 2018. The project aims to promote the art of women artists, while making art more accessible to the public. Thania Petersen The launching artwork South African women and art Orms will showcase the work of South African women artists from the permanent collections of Iziko South African National Gallery. Every three months, the selected artworks will be displayed on the street-facing shop front of the Orms Print Room on the corner of Roeland Street in Cape Town.The initiative commenced with the showcase of a photographic piece by multi-disciplinary artist Thania Petersen, titled Location 4: District Six. Location 4: District Six is from the series I am Royal, which addresses particular historical and cultural issues around Cape Town. Through the selected image, the artist draws attention to one of the sites of forced removals in the 1950s. The now haunted empty space she stands in, once a thriving diverse neighbourhood, points to the enduring effects of apartheid and spatial segregation and the slow pace of redress and restitution.Petersen says: I think it is of utmost importance that the people of South Africa know that this collection belongs to them. It is theirs to enjoy and engage with. Most commuters dont have the time nor space in their lives to see their very own art collection, which the curators at Iziko National Gallery work so hard to collect and preserve for them. It is wonderful that the work can now spill out onto the streets and into the public for all to see at any given time of day or night.Women in the development of art receive little recognition or access. In recent years, there have been smatterings of evolution yet the patriarchal rule still applies. This is doubly true for female artists of colour. Socio-economic factors may appear to have been solved with access to fellowships and scholarships being granted to many more artists of colour. Yet the brokerage of daily survival issues still remains arduous for too many. These factors, coupled with the fact that South African society does not regard the role of artists and the arts as vital to the development and transformation of a society and life.We are honoured to collaborate with Iziko to create greater access to art and promote the talent that exists in our country, says Mike Ormrod, owner of Orms. The question came up more than once as Gov. Phil Murphy stood amid a tense group of residents forced from their homes by flash floods earlier this week. "Is FEMA going to help us?" Murphy didn't have much of an answer for the residents of the Greenbriar community in Brick on Friday as pleaded for aid and assistance. No one in the 55-and-up community had flood insurance, since the Ocean County town is not considered a flood zone. For now, Murphy's staff advised residents to document every expense and track every repair. The Office of Emergency Management is working with FEMA to determine if the level of damage in Brick, Howell, Little Falls, Woodland Park and other towns reaches the threshold to receive federal help, OEM spokeswoman Laura Connolly said. The process is complicated, FEMA spokesman Don Caetano said. There is no official number threshold. There's a formula used to determine if the feds should step in. The factors include the number of victims and destroyed homes, if the houses have been damaged in the past, and accounting for flood and homeowners insurance, among some aspects, Caetano said. In order for FEMA to help, Murphy needs to request federal assistance, which is granted or denied by the president, Caetano said. No request has officially been put in as of Friday morning, he said. "Every incident is different, so we can't say what's going to happen," he said. Until FEMA is called to assist in an official federal capacity, state emergency management is working with local authorities and partnering with FEMA on the local level to assess the damage and determine how likely assistance is, Connolly said. "No one has a timeline right now," Connolly said. "Once the damage assessments are complete, depending on what the threshold is, we'll continue to work with FEMA. But we're still going through the process." But those answers have left residents asking more questions: How do they start to rebuild, with a fixed income, and where can they get help? "Our insurance companies are shooting us down," one resident shouted at the governor. "Where do we go from here?" Murphy urged residents to begin rebuilding and document everything they lost. Those affected by the flooding can also call 211, where they will be connected with volunteers and resources will be made available. Those interested in donating or volunteering can register through helpnjnow.org, which the state Office of Emergency Management opens during emergency situations. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips By Seth Grossman Last June, I surprised a lot of people. I won the Primary Election and became the Republican nominee for the Congress in South Jersey's 2nd District. I was known for helping to kill the toll hike scheme of Democratic Governor Jon Corzine in 2008. I was also known for running against Governor Chris Christie in the 2013 Republican primary at the height of his popularity. I opposed his reckless borrowing with NJ's pension plans, Atlantic City government, and dozens of unelected "authorities." Now, the national media -- including this paper -- describe me as a "bigot." Why? I am the grandson of Jews who fled violence and persecution in Eastern Europe 110 years ago. I grew up in Atlantic City in the 50s and 60s, when its 60,000 people of all races and backgrounds lived in vibrant neighborhoods. I went to Atlantic City's mostly black Central Junior High and largely black high school. Many of the teachers who taught and inspired me the most were black. So were many of the best students in my classes. Like most kids back then, I worked summer jobs since age 14 when I could get working papers at age 14. I made change at arcades, washed dishes, waited tables, and drove cabs with kids from all over the city. I served in Atlantic City's Army National Guard unit from 1971 to 1977. Since it had been a "colored" unit before President Truman integrated the army in 1948, most of my officers, sergeants, and fellow reservists in that Atlantic City unit were black. When I finished law school, I opened my practice in Atlantic City. I began with small, difficult cases few other lawyers wanted. Roughly half of my clients were black or Hispanic. In 1986, I was elected to City Council in an at-large, city-wide election. When I moved my office to Somers Point, most of my inner-city clients stayed with me. Why am I called a "bigot?" I think it comes down to these four factors: 1. I am "another white man." That is how I was described in this paper last June. Is it acceptable to describe a person of any other race or gender that way? In today's politically correct America, every "white man" is presumed to be a bigot. We can prove innocence only by embracing "progressive" causes -- something I refuse to do. Meanwhile, people of other races and genders, like Sarah Jeong, are ignored or excused when they routinely spout racist hatred like "#CancelWhitePeople". 2. I believe blacks are equal to whites in every way. I know they can succeed in every area of life without quotas, preferences, or other special treatment. That is because I personally know so many who did, and how they did it. I also know many immigrants of all races who overcame even bigger obstacles. 3. I recognize the danger of radical Islam. I closely followed the teachings of the "Blind Sheik" ever since one of his followers murdered Rabbi Meir Kahane in a New York hotel in 1990. I had long conversations with an Atlantic City friend who was the FBI agent who arrested another follower who tried to topple the World Trade Center with a truck bomb in 1993. 4. I believe in the American tradition of having open and honest conversations about the important issues that affect us most. I agree with Benjamin Franklin who said "By the collision of different sentiments, sparks of truth are struck out, and political light is obtained." Over the years, I admit saying things that turned out to be wrong. However, if I did not speak out, I never would have learned the truth by being corrected. My opponent is a Democratic State Senator who has been in Trenton for the past 16 years. He did not offend anyone, because he rarely if ever spoke openly about controversial issues. During these years, he supported his party's leaders to borrow and spend more and more on pay raises, pensions, and everybody's favorite projects. Voters have a clear choice on November 6. Seth Grossman is a Somers Point attorney and was executive director of LibertyAndProsperity.com until he became a candidate for Congress this year. He can be reached at info@grossmanforcongress.com. In May, Gov. Phil Murphy announced he was taking the fight to President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans to save New Jersey property taxpayers about to be slammed by the new federal tax law. He signed a law allowing local governments to establish charitable funds to accept property tax payments so New Jersey residents could get around the new $10,000 cap imposed on income tax deductions for state and local property taxes. But to date, no community has launched such a fund to help property taxpayers. And it may soon be too late for for local governments to act in time to accept payments for the coming tax year, municipal and county government experts said. Michael Cerra, assistant executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, says they're still awaiting guidance from Murphy's administration on how to go about this complicated task. A Murphy administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they, too, are in a wait-and-see mode until the Internal Revenue Service publishes formal rules expected to crack down on these types of workarounds. The state wants to fashion its regulations for charitable funds accordingly and put itself in the best possible position legal position to defend them, the administration official said. The law Murphy signed May 4 allows municipalities, counties and school districts to create these charitable funds into which taxpayers can make donations in lieu of paying property taxes the conventional way. Charitable contributions aren't subject to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. Hard-hit states like New Jersey have been looking for ways to combat the $10,000 cap installed as part of Republicans' federal tax overhaul. Tax experts say this is a risky scheme and the IRS is unlikely to bless such a quid pro quo. Mahen Gunaratna, a spokesman for Murphy, said Thursday the Democratic governor is leading "the charge against President Trump's unfair and arbitrary cap on the SALT deduction, which is nothing more than a tax hike on middle-class families." The average New Jerseyan paid $8,690 in property taxes last year -- the highest of any state. Average property tax bills in four counties -- Bergen, Essex, Morris and Union -- exceeded $10,000. In Madison, more than half of homeowners pay more than $10,000, said Mayor Robert Conley. The Morris County borough collected $8 million in property tax prepayments at the end of 2017 from taxpayers looking to log the deductions under the old tax rules in 2017 instead of the rules new to 2018. "That's certainly a sign they're paying attention," he said Thursday. "That helped them with their 2018 tax liability by paying it in advance in 2017. But now they're going to be looking for ... what's the long-term solution?" he said. "And as we approach a new tax year, the pressure is going to be greater." He signaled interest back in May in setting up a charitable fund, but said he's waiting on the state's anticipated rules on implementation. "If we're going to do it, it's got to be consistent across the state," he said. "We need those guidelines." John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties, said he's not aware of any counties pursuing charitable funds yet, and his group has advised its members to hold out for that guidance, as well as a formal opinion from the IRS and a lawsuit New Jersey and other blue states have brought against the federal government to invalidate the cap on tax deductions. While the rules may come too late for 2019 property taxes, it's also possible the state could provide some additional leeway, Donnadio said. A spokeswoman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, Janet Bamford, also said they didn't know of any districts planning to participate. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. The Trump administration Thursday approved a request from New Jersey to protect an important aspect of Obamacare. New Jersey was given the OK to create a fund that would help pay the medical bills of catastrophically sick people who buy health insurance through Obamacare, state Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride said. Without the reinsurance fund, premiums would have risen about 15 percent, Caride said. "The Murphy administration has made it a priority to pursue policies that protect the health of New Jersey families by improving access to affordable quality health coverage," said Caride. "The reinsurance program is an innovative way to increase stability in the insurance market and reduce costs to consumers. Ultimately, this is about creating greater access for residents in the state to the coverage and care they deserve." Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill in May creating the New Jersey Health Insurance Premium Security Fund, but the state needed permission from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to move forward with it. That came through Thursday. Permission for the program is granted through 2023, according to the letter. The state law creating the fund is the second half of a two-prong strategy to protect the health exchange created under the Affordable Care Act. In May, Murphy signed a law creating a state-imposed mandate. He also signed the reinsurance fund, which will rely on the fees people pay at tax time if they choose not to buy an insurance policy. President Donald Trump ended the mandate for people to buy insurance, effective 2019. The state is also counting on $218 million in federal funds to support the program, Caride's announcement said. A final decision by the federal government on this funding is expected in October. In 2015, 189,000 New Jerseyans collectively paid $93 million, or roughly $500 in fees, rather than comply with the individual mandate, according to IRS data collected by the research institute, New Jersey Policy Perspective. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, one of the prime sponsors of both laws, said this was great news for the roughly 300,000 people who have insurance coverage under the law. "In spite of the President's attempt to destroy access to health care, New Jersey now leads the nation in preserving the ACA while reducing premiums," Vitale said. N.J. Rep. Bill Pascrell, praised the federal government's actions, as well. "This move will mitigate Republicans' destructive actions and save New Jerseyans good money," said Pascrell, D-9th Dist. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- Remember when Rep. Leonard Lance was one of only two House Republicans who opposed allowing mentally incompetent veterans to buy guns? Lance, R-7th Dist., is in the re-election fight of his life, and a major gun control group, which didn't forget his vote, has just backed him. Giffords, the group co-founded by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot and seriously wounded while meeting with constituents in 2011, endorsed Lance and Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., on Friday. They are only the second and third House Republicans receiving the group's endorsement. The Arizona Democrat said Lance and Smith "have the courage to stand up to the corporate gun lobby and who will never stop working to make New Jersey communities safer." The group previously backed three New Jersey Democrats: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., and challengers Andy Kim in the 3rd District and Mikie Sherrill in the 11th Dist. While Smith is considered a safe bet for re-election, the Cook Political Report says Lance is in a tossup race against former Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Tom Malinowski. "Keeping our children and communities safe is not a partisan issue," Lance said. "I am proud of my bipartisan record of supporting expanded background checks, ending the ban on federal gun violence research and outlawing dangerous bump stocks. I look forward to continue reaching across the aisle and working with groups such as Giffords in the future." Such provisions, Smith said, "do not infringe on the Second Amendment rights of hunters and sportsmen or the rights of law-abiding citizens to self-defense." "Gabby Giffords knows personally the horrors that can come from guns falling into the wrong hands, and I thank her and her husband -- and their coalition of veterans, law enforcement officers, gun owners, and others -- for their support and their efforts to stop gun violence." he said. Lance voted in March 2017 against what was known as the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which would require a judge to rule that veterans posed a danger to themselves or others before they could be denied the right to buy guns. House Republicans brought up the legislation following an election in which the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun rights lobby, spent $23 million to keep Congress under GOP control. Smith, who voted for that bill, later came out against House Republican efforts to make it easier for gun owners to buy silencers following the mass shooting in Las Vegas in October that left more than 50 people dead. The two Republicans signed onto Democratlc-led legislation earlier this year that would require background checks for all gun purchases and help states improve the database used to screen potential buyers. And they were two of only 14 Republicans to buck their party and oppose legislation that would take away New Jersey's ability to regulate concealed weapons in its state and require the state to accept permits issued in other states. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. #Loeries2018: The work that's expected to fly Keeping to the Women's Month theme, we asked a couple of female local jurors: Keri-Ann Stanton (head of PR a Avatar) and Nkgabiseng Motau (co-founder and CD at Think Creative Hub) to select this year's Loeries predictions in their respective judging categories. Keri-Ann Stanton and Nkgabiseng Motau Here, the work they think deserving of a bird at Loeries 2018 Predictions by Keri-Ann Stanton, head of PR at Avatar on the live communications and PR judging panel Predictions are always tricky. My gut is telling me that the live events may be the more innovative and exciting part of the judging as PR seems to have gone into quite a functional space this past year. Perhaps this has been because of the incredible amount of crisis and brand trust issues that have arisen as marketers, and agencies have struggled with corporate governance, fake news, global campaigns not translating well to local environments. It doesnt seem as if it has been a fun time in the PR space, but I am hoping that there are some clever cut-through creative entries. As always, Im looking forward to seeing the Middle East and African entries. Outside your category, what are your general expectations for the quality of this years entries. Outside your category, what are your general expectations for the quality of this years entries. Here, the work they think deserving of a bird at Loeries 2018 Favourite ad campaigns of the year? Favourite ad campaigns of the year? Predictions by Nkgabiseng Motau, co-founder and creative director at Think Creative Hub on the non-English, film craft, print and out of home judging panels This year I judged non-English entries across various categories. I predict the work that will win is work that is culturally nuanced and well crafted. The non-English work is judged separately, but it competes with all the other work of the show, so we are looking for excellence. Outside your categories, what are your general expectations for the quality of this years entries? Outside your categories, what are your general expectations for the quality of this years entries? Favourite ad campaigns of the year? Favourite ad campaigns of the year? Jessica Tennant's articles About Jessica Tennant Jess is Senior Editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com. She is also a contributing writer. Jess is Senior Editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com. She is also a contributing writer. moc.ytinummoczib@swengnitekram The Cannes winners were a good indication of creativity in our region being alive and well. I loved seeing the spread of agencies that were represented.That said, the Apex Awards were a sobering indictment of how little great, results-driven work has been delivered this year.It is clear that it has been a tough year with lots of business challenges for all. So, perhaps the quality of the entries may be lower, but it will also make it easier to laud and applaud the pieces of work that make us laugh, cry and ultimately change our behaviour.From a PR perspective, locally, I loved the Avbob Poetry campaign. I thought it was a clever, smart way of linking an insurance product to a relevant and resonant message that made complete sense for their target market.I also thought the Sanlam 2-Minute Shower Songs PR campaign was brilliant taking a message and making it relevant for the audience.Globally, Fearless Girl, a PR Cannes award winner is close to my heart. Ive actually broken it down as a case study for a client: on how flexible and fluid the campaign was (she only got her name hours before launch), to how it actually shone a light back on the client for not puttingmoney where their mouth was regarding gender diversity (they actually got fined) and how social activism and community support took what was essentially a short-term PR stunt and, a year later, Fearless Girl has morphed into many different messages whilst still standing. Love it!The Loeries is a regional show that looks for excellence among local advertisers and marketers and that informs the judging criteria. We look for innovation, relevance and craft in every piece of work.I love so many pieces of work this year, but I really love the Allan Gray Fathers Share commercial. It is a wonderful story that is truly South African, but also set well in the Allan Gray brand. The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting 300 people who have made New Orleans New Orleans, featuring original artwork commissioned by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune with Where Y'Art gallery. Today: musician Lloyd Price. The icon: Lloyd Price. The legacy: It was 1952, and a 19-year-old Lloyd Price was working out a new song on the piano at his mother's Kenner restaurant when he caught the eye, and ear, of local bandleader and talent scout Dave Bartholomew. Price soon found himself in Cosimo Matassa's soon-to-be legendary J&M Studios, where he recorded that song, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," with none other than Fats Domino on piano and Earl Palmer on drums. It would become an immediate hit, selling a million copies and spending seven weeks atop Billboard's R&B charts. It would also mark the start of a career that would see Price crank out 15 top-ten R&B hits, including "Personality" and "Stagger Lee," raising the national profile of the then-burgeoning New Orleans sound -- and earning Price recognition one of the earliest architects of rock 'n' roll. The artist: Queen Hope Parker. The quote: "It was two weeks, the record (had been playing) on the radio. I'm hearing it every day. And my brother, my elder brother said, 'Ain't no other Lloyd Price in Kenner. They keep saying (Lloyd Price). Is that you?' I said, 'I think so!' I had never heard myself. I never heard nothing about a microphone. And a week or so later, the world just blew loose." -- Lloyd Price, discussing "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" in a 2009 interview at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Explore more of Parker's work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St. Lloyd Price was born on March 9, 1933, in Kenner. He studied piano and trumpet and was known to play at his mother's Fish 'N' Fry Restaurant. Source: The Times-Picayune archives; the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; staff research More on 300 for 300: New Orleans said goodbye to one of the most successful pieces of public art in recent memory on Friday morning (Aug. 17). After standing for two years at the corner of Elysian Fields Avenue and Dauphine Street in the Marigny neighborhood, the Deepwater Horizon memorial "ELEVEN," comprised of 11 life-size iron men, was lifted from the earth and trucked to a new permanent location in a sculpture collection in St. Rose. "ELEVEN" was meant as a memorial to the workers who were killed when BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. It served that purpose well. The rusty steel patina of the sculpture befit the industrial tragedy perfectly and the lack of individuality of the figures symbolized the danger experienced by all rig workers. The sculpture was a collaboration between master welder Jason Kimes and Michael Manjarris, the founder of the altruistic Sculpture For New Orleans organization that has placed scores of modernist artworks in public places across the city. Kimes used his own body as the model for the 500 pound men, made from innumerable small steel disks. They were placed in a wide circle, symbolizing eternity and situated on Elysian Fields Avenue, which was named for the final resting place of heroes in Greek Mythology. Kimes and Manjarris paid for the project out of their own pockets, without use of public money. But few contemporary sculptures have had such a public impact. In addition to its intended meaning as a memorial, the public used the accessible sculpture for other unrelated purposes. In its two years in the Marigny, the 11 figures were adorning with symbolic pink shirts during the 2017 Women's March, Mardi Gras beads, neck ties, white carnations, scarves and party hats. Though the accoutrement may have been seen by some as disrespectful, the random additions kept the memorial sculpture alive in the public imagination. A young woman passing the deinstallation on Friday morning said she was happy that the figures were being hauled away, because she found the eerie silhouettes "creepy," particularly at night. But she was in the minority. The vast majority of passers-by expressed regret that the striking neighborhood landmark was disappearing. Why was "ELEVEN" removed? Back when Kimes and Manjarris proposed the project, the city allowed them to place it on the Elysian Fields neutral ground for two years. Those two years are up. Businessman and art collector Tommy Coleman is a fan of Kime's sculpture. His outdoor collection in St. Rose already includes two examples of the Mississippian's art. When Coleman became aware that "ELEVEN" would be removed, he offered to buy the entire installation from Kimes. The artist said he was relieved that the 11 figures would remain together, as the memorial they were meant to be. The 11 who died on the Deepwater Horizon were Jason Anderson, Aaron Dale Burkeen, Donald "Duck" Clark, Stephen Ray Curtis, Gordon Jones, Roy Wyatt Kemp, Karl Kleppinger Jr., Keith Blair Manuel, Dewey Revette, Shane Roshto and Adam Weise. Loved ones of those men may visit the "ELEVEN" by contacting jenodem@gmail.com. Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream. Jimmy Lawson, who served 19 years on the Jefferson Parish Council and now sits on the parish's Housing Authority, is suing the local government, the Jefferson School Board and 34 other defendants for asbestos exposure. He blames them for his mesothelioma, which he says was diagnosed less than a year ago. The suit represents a late-in-life attempt to collect damages for what Lawson, 71, describes as repeated encounters over almost three decades with asbestos "from a number of different sources ... throughout the greater New Orleans area." Among them were school system properties where he worked from 1966 to 1968, Avondale Shipyard where he worked briefly in the late 1960s and Jefferson Parish government offices, the suit says. Lawson was a Parish Council member from 1976 through 1995, elected from a Marrero-based district. He later was appointed to the Jefferson Finance Authority, and in 2014, the council, at Councilman Paul Johnston's request, put him on the Housing Authority. He is a former chairman of the Housing Authority. Inhaled asbestos particles have been linked to mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly form of cancer in the thin tissue covering internal organs. Workplace damage claims have been litigated in U.S. courts since 1929 but began skyrocketing in the late 1960s and might not peak until 2020, according to the Mesothelioma Asbestos Awareness Center. Already, however, asbestos litigation has made for the longest, most expensive mass tort in U.S history, according to Reinsurance News. Fitch Ratings projects ultimate losses for the U.S property and casualty insurance sector to be $100 billion. Many of the defendants in Lawson's suit are insurers, equipment manufacturers and big corporations such as Huntington Ingalls, which owns the closed Avondale Shipyard property, and Union Pacific Railroad. The suit says Jefferson government and the School Board, like many of the companies, "designed, evaluated, manufactured, packaged, furnished, stored, handled, transported, installed, distributed, sold and/or supplied asbestos-containing products" to Lawson's exposure sites. 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 suit was filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on July 11. It's been assigned to Judge Nicole Sheppard. Some of the defendants have denied Lawson's allegations in court filings. Others, including the Jefferson government and School Board, have not yet responded. . . . . . . . CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Lawson is the current chairman of the Housing Authority. Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and education, Louisiana interests in Congress and other odds and ends for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach. Prosecutors in a gang-related murder case want a state appeals court to reverse a judge's decision to give defense attorneys unredacted grand jury transcripts. Criminal District Judge Laurie White gave the transcripts to attorneys for Vernell "Vernt" Nelson, Edmund "Tune" Bacchus IV and Andre "Dre" Francis at a hearing Aug. 3. Prosecutors requested she halt the proceedings, which White denied. They then filed an emergency stay with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, and that court ordered the defense attorneys to return the packets in sealed envelopes by 6 p.m. that day. Assistant District Attorneys Irena Zajickova and Alex Calenda last week asked the appeals court to reverse White's decision. They cite a "fear that the defendants will attempt to have any cooperating witnesses eliminated before trial." In their filing, Zajickova and Calenda argue White abused her discretion when she provided the unredacted transcripts to defense attorneys Michael Kennedy, Gary Wainwright and Eric Malveau. Nelson, Bacchus and Francis are charged with murder, attempted murder, and other crimes in a series of shootings that happened in the span of a week. All are accused of committing the crimes in furtherance of criminal street gang activity. Three co-defendants -- Errol Krish, Corey Coleman and Tyrone Scott -- already have pleaded guilty in the case. Bacchus is charged in a Jan. 27, 2017, shooting on South Claiborne Avenue that left Latonya Clark dead and two women wounded. Bacchus and a former co-defendant believed one of their rivals was driving the vehicle Clark was in, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors allege Bacchus was at the scene of another fatal shooting the next day in the 2600 block of Port Street. He is not alleged to have fired a weapon in that shooting, which killed brothers Torey and August Riley. Nelson and Francis are accused in a Feb. 2, 2017 shooting at the Chateau D'Orleans apartment complex in New Orleans East that killed Kala Bienemy, who was standing in the doorway of her apartment. Bienemy was not the intended target. Prosecutors said ballistics evidence shows the assault rifle used to kill the Riley brothers, a 9mm handgun used to kill Clark and a .40-caliber handgun were used in the New Orleans East shooting. In their appeal, Zajickova and Calenda suggest White's decision to hand over the transcripts "disregarded the important principle of grand jury secrecy, as well as the legal distinction between exculpatory and impeachment evidence." 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 Generally speaking, exculpatory, or Brady material, is favorable to the defense. They said White handed out the transcripts while still speaking on the record, claiming they didn't have an opportunity to object in open court. Prosecutors said they disclosed the only exculpatory material in the grand jury transcripts to defense counsel in June -- a witness named an alternate suspect in Bienemy's murder. That information later was disproved, according to the state's notice of disclosure. White said she is "highly cognizant" of the secrecy of grand jury proceedings and also is sensitive to witness security, according to a transcript of the Aug. 3 hearing. She also noted the safety of the community is a "vital concern." "But this court is further extremely salient that if convictions are obtained in this crime spree, that those convictions will be upheld as lawfully attained and not reversed in future appellate or post-conviction proceedings for the prosecution's failure to disclose," she said. Zajickova and Calenda said in their appeal they always intended to provide full grand jury transcripts to the defense approximately 10 days before trial. A trial date has not yet been set. White said she didn't think it was proper or "ethically permissible" to disclose material contained in more than 150 pages of transcripts so close to trial. White also said in the hearing the district attorney's office "continues to have scenarios and situations which appear to this court to be a failure to train of their prosecutors in identifying Brady material, and that their failure to train is a systemic problem that continues to this day in Orleans Parish." White has expressed contempt for Cannizzaro and his office in the past, and publicly stated at a hearing in 2016 she did not trust him. "I've always made it clear I do not like the district attorney," White said at a hearing for a case in which she was a victim. "He is not always truthful. He is always concerned with the political outcome of decisions and I am concerned about him handling my case." Cannizzaro's office in 2015 charged an Alabama man with felony home invasion after he was accused of intruding upon White's French Quarter courtyard and scuffling with her husband. The attorney general's office, which stepped in to prosecute, dismissed the case last year. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal does not have a deadline to respond to the state's writ in the gang case. A motions hearing is set for Aug. 24, but that could be continued if the appeals court has not issued a ruling by then. A man suspected of shooting three people on Interstate 10 earlier this month was already wanted by New Orleans Police for a murder -- but apparently was never booked on that charge despite being in prison serving another sentence. Nas Jackson, 19, was arrested Wednesday on attempted murder charges in the Aug. 1 shooting on Interstate 10 at Crowder Boulevard in New Orleans East, as well as a murder charge in the Oct. 12, 2015 killing of Clarence Johnson. Jackson, who was also shot that day in 2015, was named early on as a suspect in Johnson's death in the 1300 block of Annette Street, in the 7th Ward. An NOPD warrant for Jackson's arrest, signed Nov. 17, 2015 says that officers who responded to the Annette Street shooting found two types of casings at the scene, from a 9mm handgun as well as an assault rifle. Johnson was shot with a handgun. Officers then found a second person who had been shot: Jackson was a few blocks away, suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of his torso. That wound was determined to be from an assault rifle, police said. Jackson was taken to the hospital. Police found he had a "fully charged magazine containing 9mm cartridges," and tested positive for gunshot residue, according to the warrant. Jackson was also seen on surveillance videos with another man, identified by police as Jerry Pipkins, "quickly walking" away from the area of the homicide, the warrant said. Pipkins was initially arrested in connection with the crime: He was booked with second-degree murder in November 2015 but the charges were refused after screening by the DA's office in March 2016. DA's office spokesman Ken Daley said the charges were refused due to "testimony insufficient to prove crime." Court records, however, do not indicate that Jackson was ever arrested in Orleans Parish in connection with the murder, until this week, despite the fact that police had a warrant. NOPD did not respond to questions asked Wednesday about why Jackson was not arrested earlier in the 2015 crime. 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 Law enforcement knew where Jackson was: Between 2016 and May 2018, he was in prison. He had been arrested in Jefferson Parish in January 2016, one of three people who ran away from a carjacked minivan after crashing it in Harvey. Louisiana State Police found Jackson and the two other people hiding in a dumpster. He gave deputies a fake name and birthdate, telling them, "It's your job to find out. It's my job to lie," arrest reports said. Jackson pleaded guilty in May 2016 to having a handgun while in possession of marijuana, and possession of stolen items worth more than $1,500, which refers to the minivan, according to Jefferson Parish court records. Jackson was sentenced to five years in prison. After accounting for time already served before he was sentenced, as well as Act 280, which required him to serve 35 percent of his sentence, he ultimately served about 511 days and was released May 5, according to Department of Corrections spokesman Ken Pastorick. Three months later, New Orleans Police say, Jackson fired at a moving car while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle driving on Interstate 10 in New Orleans East. The warrant says Jackson was identified as the shooter by witnesses in the car that was fired upon. The shooting may be part of an "ongoing feud" and connected to another shooting about a week earlier, the warrant says. The warrant ties the I-10 shooting to a July 25 shooting on Bullard Avenue, close to I-10, where four people were shot. The warrant does not specify how the two shootings could be connected or who was involved in the earlier shooting. In both shootings, children were injured. A 5-year-old and a 7-year-old were shot in their legs in the July 25 shooting. In the Aug. 1 shooting, a 2-year-old suffered a graze wound and a 16-year-old was shot in the leg. Jackson was in Orleans Criminal District Court for a first appearance Thursday. His bond was set at $875,000, court records show. The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office on Thursday (Aug. 16) terminated Brian Green, the deputy said to be a member of the Proud Boys, a far-right organization that some have categorized as a hate group. Green was fired after an internal affairs investigation determined that he violated the department's social media policy, according to a statement released by the Sheriff's Office. Under the policy, Sheriff's Office personnel cannot engage in social media activity that "negatively affects the public perception of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office" or engage in speech "that would reasonably be considered reckless or irresponsible," the statement said. Internal affairs began investigating on Aug. 8 after receiving Facebook screenshots and other images purportedly showing Green's affiliation with the Proud Boys, a conservative, men-only group whose members describe themselves as "Western Chauvinists." According to the Proud Boys' website and social media pages, the group eschews racial guilt and extolls gun rights, closed borders, minimal government and the "veneration of the housewife." The Proud Boys, founded in 2016 by Vice Magazine co-founder Gavin McInnes, rejects the "alt-right" or white nationalist labels, claiming to be a diverse group that does not discriminate based on race or religion or sexual preference. Proud Boys members have attended alt- and far-right events such as last year's violent "Unite The Right" rally in Charlottesville, Va., which was organized by a former Proud Boys member, according to the SPLC. 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 Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's office does not support the organization or its ideals, and law enforcement in general has an obligation to treat all people equally, fairly and impartially," the department's statement said. A Facebook profile page under Green's name listed him as a "Deputy Sheriff, Father, Proud Boy" in the intro section on Aug. 8. That description was scrubbed from the page by the next day, as was a photo filter that put the phrase "The West is The Best" on the profile photo and other pictures. Also removed was a self-recorded cell phone video in which Green appears to recite the Proud Boys oath, "I'm Brian Green and I'm a proud western chauvinist who refuses to apologize for creating the modern world." Making the video is the first step in joining the organization. Green's name was also listed as one of five administrators on the "Proud Boys Louisiana Vetting Page," which was available for viewing on Aug. 8 but was unpublished the next day. "Green's decision to utilize the PPSO uniform to promote the views of the Proud Boys, whose values are contradictory to the values and the vision of the PPSO will not be tolerated," the statement said. A sheriff's department in Washington state recently fired a deputy after she posted a photo on social media of herself wearing Proud Boys-related paraphernalia. Deputy Erin Willey was released from employment following an internal investigation, according to Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins. "Law enforcement officers are peacekeepers whose core mission is to protect and safeguard the community. My expectation is that my employees do not engage in activities or associations that undermine or diminish our role as peacekeepers," Atkins said in a statement released about Willey. The warden of the Orleans Justice Center jail was suspended this week pending the outcome of an internal investigation, an attorney for the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said. Maj. Nicole Harris, who has been the warden of the jail for more than a year, is being investigated by OPSO's Investigative Services Bureau, said Blake Arcuri, counsel for the sheriff's office. He said he was not able to disclose the allegations against Harris that prompted her suspension. Suspended OPSO employees do not receive pay, he said. Harris is the No. 3 leader at the jail and as part of her duties supervised four lieutenants who each run a different section of the jail in a system OPSO refers to as "unit management." The only people above Harris are Chief of Security Col. Scott Colvin and Independent Compliance Director Darnley Hodge, who runs the jail with input from OSPO Sheriff Marlin Gusman as part of an agreement stemming from a 2013 federal consent decree. Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation said the suspension is related to possible payroll irregularities involving one or more of Harris' relatives who also work for OPSO at the jail. 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 Records show Harris has been with OPSO since 2002. A message left for Harris with a relative was not immediately returned. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has been operating the jail under a federal consent decree for more than five years after a federal judge, prompted by a lawsuit filed by people who were incarcerated there, found conditions there were unconstitutional. The agency shuttered the old Orleans Parish Prison in September 2015 and opened the Orleans Justice Center jail, which houses about 1,200 to 1,400 people, most of them awaiting trial. Staffing at the jail, including in top leadership positions, has been among the biggest challenges for the sheriff's office since federal oversight began. In the last five years, Michael Tidwell and Carmen DeSadier both served as chief of corrections - the No. 2 position at the jail, which is currently vacant - for two different terms after resigning from OPSO, returning and again resigning. Darnely Hodge is the second compliance director to run the jail in less than two years. The previous director, Gary Maynard, resigned in January after the judge who oversees compliance with the consent decree, U.S. District Judge Lance Africk, said he was dissatisfied with the amount of progress that had been made. The upscale Gretna restaurant O'Brien's Grille has closed after a decade in business. A message on the restaurant's voicemail said it is "closed until further notice" and its page has been removed from Facebook. Attempts to reach the owners were not successful. The staff, according to a report in the Advocate, were told after dinner service on Saturday (Aug. 11) that the restaurant would close. The menu at O'Brien's offered both steaks with traditional sides and sauces along with upscale entrees such as parmesan crusted Gulf fish, veal medallions with lump crab and shrimp with truffled mac and cheese. Critic Brett Anderson also praised O'Brien's Irish Dip sandwich, which he named one of the best sandwiches he ate during a quest to find the area's top roast beef po-boys and sandwiches. *** Got a tip? Know some restaurant news? Email Todd A. Price at TPrice@NOLA.com or call 504.826.3445. Follow him on Twitter (@TPrice504), Facebook (ToddAPriceEatsDrinks) or Instagram (@tprice504). The second speaker at the 2018 DStv Seminar of Creativity was Lethepu Matshaba, vice president of Homecare Southern Africa at Unilever SA, who spoke on the relevance of creativity in a hyper-fragmented world. Lethepu Matshaba, Vice President Homecare Southern Africa, Unilever, South Africa Al Nicoll, Gallo Images. The pace will never be slow again The hyper-segmented consumer, who seeks convenience at the cost of brand loyalty The hyper-connected consumer With 2.7bn consumers connected online globally Hyper convenience We already see the e-commerce industry growing at a phenomenal rate, and Matshaba says that by 2020, 50% of all online searches will be voice searches Hyper empowered The consumer journey is ever-more critical to advertising, as the consumer is unafraid and empowered to let brands know what they want Hyper glocal Global knowledge can, should and is being used in a local context, thanks to technology Hyper fragile There will be an extra one-billion consumers in the world by 2020. Matshaba says that brands need to work harder to differentiate themselves. What does this mean? Matshaba said the world is bi-polar, operating in a realm of polar opposites such as traditional vs modern principles, age vs youth, haves vs have nots and men vs women.With all these aspects constantly at play, we are now looking at a multi-polar consumer in a hyperactive market and the creative industry can no longer afford to simplify and segment in the haves and have nots space.According to Matshaba, we are experiencing a multitude of hyper fragmentation across all sectors of the industry, with a hyper active market and consumer with the following characteristics:First of all, it means that creativity is everyones business, according to Matshaba.She explained business model disruption by referring to Unilevers recent redesign of the C4G (Connected 4 Growth) programme that sees the company evolve in both its global and local innovations, with the focus being on the power of purpose-led brands (with Dove as a good example) that connect more fundamentally with the consumer.In essence, a purpose-led brand makes for a good business case and has a meaningful impact on the environment of the business/brand.A brand without a purpose is just a product, said Matshaba. She explained that brands should keep people at heart, and that being closer to the consumer is key in building a lasting relationship.Diversity and creativity are more important than ever in this growing consumer market - Matshaba commented, If two of us are the same, one of is irrelevant, which sums up the need established for individuality in the industry perfectly.She went on to say that risk taking is essential when trying to appeal to consumers and that we need to take risks and be bold, or consumers will do it for us. The example she used was the Axead:Concluding her talk, Matshaba said we should continue to learn and pivot as we go along if we are to survive in the ever-changing, hyper-active consumer space. Biloxi officials hope the remains of a Mississippi Gulf Coast man killed in the Korean War are among those being sent back to the U.S. from North Korea, a Biloxi television station reports. WLOX reported that Biloxi Mayor Andrew "FoFo'' Gilich sent a letter to the U.S. Defense Department telling officials there that if 1st Lt. Robert Phillip Gaude Jr. is among the soldiers whose remains are coming home, the city of Biloxi will arrange to have his remains buried in the family's burial plot. Gaude was reported as killed in action July 10, 1953, after flying a combat mission over North Korea, WLOX reported. Gilich's letter says that Gaude doesn't have any surviving family and asks if the city of Biloxi be allowed to claim his body and handle burial arrangements, the story said. Gilich told the Defense Department that Gaude's family had set aside a burial plot for him in Biloxi in case his remains ever were returned home, the station reported. The story said Gaude Lanes Bowling Center at Keesler Air Force Base is named in Gaude's honor. On Feb. 3, 2014, the newly constructed USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock of the United States Navy, left Avondale Shipyard to great media fanfare and bittersweet waves. For seven decades, the shipyard had been a bustling, vibrant facility, employing generations of residents at all levels of education and skill sets - 26,000 men and women at its peak. The USS Somerset was the last Navy ship constructed at the storied facility, and its departure coincided with the closing of what had once been the state's largest employer. Since then, the conspicuous lack of commercial activity on that strategically located acreage along the Mississippi River, with cranes visible from miles away, has energized economic development organizations throughout the state and attracted the interest of potential investors around the nation. The site also served, in part, to inspire the Port of New Orleans to broaden its perspective about freight-based possibilities as part of its strategic master plan by thinking beyond port-owned property to encompass sites throughout the jurisdiction. Louisiana has a great opportunity to recapture certain types of cargo and services, which would enhance our region's global reputation as a gateway for international trade. Although the port does not have facilities for value added and light manufacturing, Avondale Shipyard does. The port recognizes the site's tremendous potential to grow the region's maritime industry with the attraction of new cargo commodities, value-added manufacturing and services that enhance existing port business. Everyone will benefit from the reactivation of Avondale Shipyard for maritime and logistics related purposes. A redevelopment project of Avondale's size and economic importance can be complicated, with the coordination of many variables necessary for success. Port officials have been working closely with the property's prospective buyer to do our part to ensure that the development achieves the goals set by the state, Jefferson Parish and private investors. We are pleased that we share a vision with the prospective buyer for additive cargo activity that includes distribution centers, value-added services and manufacturing facilities using imported raw materials coming through Louisiana's port system. Additionally, depending on business need, container-on-barge and access to the New Orleans rail gateway will serve the site well. At the March 2018 board meeting, Port Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of support for the redevelopment of Avondale Shipyard for increased economic prosperity. Elected officials, economic development professionals and civic leaders were on hand to applaud the resolution. Five months later, we remain committed to Avondale's redevelopment and enthusiastically support the progress that has been made toward the day we can all celebrate the reopening of the facility. Brandy D. Christian President and chief executive officer, Port of New Orleans Chief executive officer, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Corp. The threat of coastal erosion to Louisiana's future is so dire that it seems impossible that anyone within the state's borders could be unaware of the risk. But even people who are aware might have difficulty comprehending the extent of land loss and what it means in practical terms. And the farther people live from the coast, the less real the peril may seem. To combat that problem, the state has put together digital "story maps" to explain in detail the effect storm surge and coastal erosion could have on education, health care and roadways. The education story map includes statistics on how many students were displaced during the 2005-06 school year, when Hurricane Katrina and the levee breaches and Hurricane Rita devastated South Louisiana. Students from the New Orleans area ended up scattered across the country. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 students didn't attend school at all that year. Childcare centers lost more than 15,000 children who should have been enrolled. It cost $1.8 billion to rebuild damaged schools. Those aren't the only disasters we've faced. Because of flooding and tornadoes, every parish in Louisiana has been touched by at least three federal disasters since 2005. Some parishes, mainly in the New Orleans area, have gone through eight disasters in 13 years. Dozens of schools dot the education story map showing the disaster areas. On the version for health agencies, hospitals are spread across the map showing recent disasters. Without the restoration projects in the state's Coastal Master Plan, more hospitals in South Louisiana will become vulnerable to storm surge. Currently, two could be exposed to surge. That number could grow to 11 in 50 years, if nothing is done. For the Department of Transportation and Development, 4,100 miles of roads in coastal Louisiana are susceptible to storm surge now. That number could more than double in 50 years -- to as much as 10,300 miles of highway -- without the projects in the master plan to restore and protect land. The potential damage totals would double as well -- from $1.2 billion now to $2.5-3 billion in the future. If the master plan is done, the state could reduce the risk to roads by as much as 75 percent. These concrete comparisons ought to help Louisiana residents and elected officials better understand the stakes in coastal restoration. Not only does Louisiana have to try to convince the federal government that the state needs more resources to fight erosion, voters here need to be willing to help pay the cost as well. The Coastal Master Plan covers 50 years and will cost an estimated $90 billion dollars to complete. So far, the state has only identified about $20 billion to spend on the work. Louisiana also owes $100 million a year for the next three decades for its share of the cost of the hurricane protection system built after Hurricane Katrina. And state and local governments will need millions more each year to maintain the new system and keep it elevated to protect it from rising seas. Results on referendums for flood protection taxes have been mixed. In April, West Jefferson voters approved a tax to raise $42.5 million over the next decade to raise and armor levees and do pump station maintenance. Voters had turned down a higher tax in 2015, so the flood protection authority lowered the amount and length of the tax this time. Twice in St. Bernard Parish, voters have rejected property tax increases to pay for maintenance on the $1.4 billion in levee improvements made around Lake Borgne post-Katrina. Opponents point out that St. Bernard is being asked to pay the full cost to maintain levees that also protect New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. They have a valid point, and leaders in those parishes need to find a fair solution. But the message of these new story maps is clear: We're in this sinking boat together. And it will take all of us working together to find the resources we must have to stay ahead of the tides. 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 Friends of the Library announce the Semi-Annual Book Sale that will take place from Sept. 1 through Sept. 18 at Eastgate Town Center, "B" Entrance, 5600 Brainerd Road. Monday-Saturday sale hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. Half price day is Saturday, Sept. 15. Books for educators and charitable organizations are free on Bag Day, Sunday, Sept. 16. Monday, Sept. 17, is "dollar a yard" or "dollar a bag" day. Tuesday, Sept. 18 is "bring your own boxes for free books" day. Proceeds from the sale help support the various programs of the Chattanooga Public Library. #WomensMonth: The tech world is a growing opportunity for women Michelle Wynne, head of marketing for sub-Sahara Africa at HMD Global, shares some insights into female adaptability and problem-solving as a female in the tech industry and what has helped her to grow in her career in this male-dominated sector. Michelle Wynne, head of marketing sub-Sahara Africa at HMD Global In South Africa, a As a marketer and technology enthusiast, Wynne has had the pleasure of working in both FMCG and telco industries over the last 12 years to refine her competencies in brand and customer marketing, and people management across sub-Sahara Africa. She has an exceptional understanding of the African market, and played an instrumental role in Nokias return to the local smartphone industry. This Could you describe a typical day in your job? Could you describe a typical day in your job? In South Africa, a PWC report estimates that women currently hold only 19% of tech-related jobs at the top 10 global tech companies versus their male counterparts. In leadership positions at these global tech giants, women make up 28%, with men representing 72%.As a marketer and technology enthusiast, Wynne has had the pleasure of working in both FMCG and telco industries over the last 12 years to refine her competencies in brand and customer marketing, and people management across sub-Sahara Africa. She has an exceptional understanding of the African market, and played an instrumental role in Nokias return to the local smartphone industry.This Women's Month , Wynne shares the lessons she feels has helped her garner success in this industry and tackles some of the challenges women may perceive as being barriers. What did you want to be when you grew up? What did you want to be when you grew up? How did you get into the tech space? How did you get into the tech space? I had a driving desire to understand how things are made and why people buy them. What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? What advice do you have for the future generation of women wanting to get into the tech space? What advice do you have for the future generation of women wanting to get into the tech space? I came from a FMCG background and was able to add value to a tech company with the experience and knowledge I gained from the FMCG sector. Who or what is your biggest motivation? Who or what is your biggest motivation? As a female business leader, whats the least and most exciting aspect of your workday? As a female business leader, whats the least and most exciting aspect of your workday? Could you list a few, if any, specific challenges females face in this industry? Could you list a few, if any, specific challenges females face in this industry? What is your advice for overcoming these challenges? What is your advice for overcoming these challenges? I know I always look to find more efficient ways of doing things and increasing productivity in order to balance time at work, versus time with family. What trends do you predict in tech in the coming years? What trends do you predict in tech in the coming years? Evan-Lee Courie's articles About Evan-Lee Courie Editor: Marketing & Media; Head of Content for Entrepreneurship Editor: Marketing & Media; Head of Content for Entrepreneurship Im not sure a typical day exists in marketing. Any communications role is a dynamic function, that works across other functions in the organisation from both a local and global perspective.On a day-to-day basis, I work with the teams to ensure that the right products are available at the right time in the right channels, and supporting them with a relevant campaign to convey benefits and delight consumers at the point of purchase. For this to happen, I have a number of working sessions, face-to-face meetings, or telecons with my teams and customers based in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.Growing up, I always wanted to be a chef as I started cooking with my mom at seven years old. However, after job shadowing in a hotel kitchen, I felt my passion would be best served to friends and family only.My career started in FMCG as a marketing graduate, fresh out of the University of Johannesburg.It was whilst working on a well-known toothpaste and toothbrush brand that I was led to tech. In 2009, whilst doing research on toothbrush consumption in rural areas in Kenya, I was amazed that the number of cellphones in a household exceeded toothbrushes. It was at this point I became intrigued by the human connection to tech. When Nokia rang me in 2011, I jumped at the opportunity.My marketing professor at the University of Johannesburg told me, "Dont chase money, do what interests you and challenges you. Success and everything else will follow!".Dont be put off by stereotypes, the tech industry is so diverse, ranging from coding, services and hardware like smartphones. With the rise of social media, services like Uber and Airbnb the tech industry offers a multitude of opportunities for women.You dont necessarily need to be from a tech background to add value to a tech company.Consumer-centricity is at the heart of most companies. It takes a bit of time to understand the products and the technical side, but it wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. I would attribute adaptability and a bit of determination as being keys to success.My husband and especially my four-year-old daughter. I feel like everything I do is to be able to set the best example for her. Showing her not only what success looks like but also how to deal with failure and making them learning moments and not defining moments.The most exciting part of my current days (remember I said no one day looks the same) is launching our new Nokia smartphones. Im always amazed by the level of innovation and ability of smartphones today versus a decade ago.I dont actually have a least favourite part of my workday, as I dont see what I do as a job but rather a passion that helps me gain more knowledge in a mobile-led digital economy an economy I place a lot of importance in as it will be one which my daughter will need to navigate as she gets older.For many women, their ambitions for promotion and career advancement are hampered by their desire to have a family. According to a recent PwC survey of 3,600 professional women, 42% feel nervous about the impact that starting a family could have on their career. I see this as one of the key challenges women perceive there to be. I know I felt this way before starting my family.I feel one of the strengths women have is creative problem-solving and the ability to manage and organise multiple tasks simultaneously.Time management is important for me to increase quality time with my family. Setting clear tasks for each day and planning my week in advance. Getting to the office straight after dropping my daughter at school, forgoing tea and lunch breaks and opting for a quick bite to eat. This allows me to leave the office by 4pm and get home to make dinner and spend time with my family. After putting my daughter to bed at 7pm with a story, I can then finish up any outstanding actions for the day, but this is the exception rather than the rule.One of the positives of technology is mobility and the ability to work from anywhere. I also attribute the ability to balance my work and home life by working for a company like HMD Global, which is people-centric and affords equal opportunity for all.This was most evident when I was afforded the opportunity to present at the Mobile World Congress in 2017, as part of the official global launch of Nokia smartphones on Android. Together with my colleague, we were one of the few and youngest females to be on stage.Not sure I can predict any new trends that the trend gurus havent already published. But one of the trends Im looking forward to is the advancement of IoT (Internet of Things) related to the connected home and it being more commercially available to everyone. Where if I forget my grocery list at home, my fridge could send a list to my phone and the local grocer and the groceries could be delivered before I get home from work. 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. Meeting Space for Hire in Cape Town CBD Can be used for: meetings, hearings, workshops, discussions, training, workspace, events, presentations, demonstrations, brainstorming, strategic planning, Cape Town-based space, etc. Seats 18 comfortably around three round tables of six each. Room configuration is flexible. Can hire in additional chairs if required Air-conditioning Flat screen monitor Data projector available to rent (extra) Wi-Fi Flipchart stands and rails Variable lighting Comfortable, modern, stylish seating Standard set-up: round tables; other options available, i.e. school room or board room Standard package - R20 per person Arrival, Morning, and Afternoon refreshments - includes: water/tea/coffee/biscuits Treat package - R40 to R50 per person Arrival, Morning, and Afternoon refreshments - includes: water/tea/coffee/juice/biscuits/pastries/muffins/table sweets Lunch package - R25 per person Standard Package plus in-room lunch, including ordering take aways, cutlery, crockery, and cleaning (actual take away food order cost not included) Availability Monday to Friday from 7am till 6pm (not open on weekends or evenings) Cost Full day: R1,095 - eight hours Half-day: R765 - four hours Address 11-on-Buiten, Buitensingel Street, Cape Town (in i-fix building). Located near trendy Kloof and Long Street in the middle of Cape Town CBD Note Conveniently Located on MyCiTi bus route - close to bus stops for a number of routes No parking available on premises Street parking available in area and Kloof Lifestyle Centre is two blocks away with undercover pay parking The show organized by Linda Komaroff, curator of Islamic Art doesnt say this directly. In fact, it says nothing directly at all. The galleries are all but bare of explanatory labels. (There are a few informational touch screens halfway through.) Ordinarily, Id find this lack of history or commentary disturbing, perverse. But here silence works because so much of the art and particularly the new art, by Pouya Afshar, Shoja Azari, Ramin Haerizadeh, Malekeh Nayiny, Yasmin Sinai, Newsha Tavakolian is so strong. You may not understand details of specific narratives, but you clearly see that there are narratives, old and new, and that theyre related, that theyre about the drama of power clashes and the violent emotions they can stir. Only the visual language changes. The most extensively depicted historical figure here is Shah Naser al-Din (1831-1896), largely because he introduced photography to Iran and sat for the camera a lot. He ruled for nearly 50 years, did some modernizing, but pandered to Europe, ignored corruption in his own regime and was finally assassinated. Official images of him on view reveal little of any of this. Most show a stiff, reserved, inexpressive, sword-bearing figurehead, a version, only slightly updated, of an antique icon of imperial might. But we see quite a different Naser al-Din in a 2009 series of digital prints by the Iranian artist Siamak Filizadeh. Using actors and elaborate sets, Mr. Filizadeh presents the story of the rulers life as a phantasmagoria of kink and corruption, and the Shah himself as a shameless, let-it all-hang-out clown. The images are beyond sendup. Theyre a pointedly flipped version of old power. The rulers a failure, but hes also a winner because now hes a big personality, a folk hero, a star! The images, old and new, say it all. Chances are good that Im not going to encounter as offbeat an exercise in art-as-history in any other museum anywhere soon. Maybe theyre only likely to happen with any regularity in a place where art institutions and their conventions are still in a healthy state of flux. Im glad I caught the show here. HUDSON RIVERFLICKS SINGALONG: FROZEN at Pier 96, Hudson River Park (Aug. 23, 8:30 p.m.). Let it go your voice, that is. As part of its RiverFlicks series, the park will present a free outdoor screening of this Disney animated blockbuster in its 2014 singalong version, which features onscreen lyrics and a bouncing snowflake to help you follow them. Loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Snow Queen, Frozen follows the fortunes of sibling princesses, one of whom has unleashed an unfortunate chill on the realm. When your children arent belting out the score by the married songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, they can munch on free popcorn. hudsonriverpark.org/events NEW YORK CITY MATH FESTIVAL at Fosun Plaza (Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). You say you hate math? Be prepared to eat your words or at least a few bagels. This free celebration, which will take place rain or shine, will feature the Great Manhattan Tori Toss, which welcomes families to join professionals in a frenzy of bagel juggling, starting at 2:30 p.m. (In geometry, a bagels shape is called a torus.) The National Museum of Mathematics, which sponsors the festival, offers this physics-dependent exercise as proof that math can be fun. Other activities that will make the case: exploring giant mazes and designing a roller coaster in the program MoMath 2 Go; playing with patterns, using Truchet cubes and Math-on-a-Stick, an exhibit from the Minnesota State Fair; building enormous geometric sculptures with the mathematicians Chaim Goodman-Strauss and David Reimann; and watching the married mimes Tim and Tanya Chartier illustrate concepts like tiling and infinity. 212-542-0566, nycmath.momath.org REBEL VERSES YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL at Vineyard Theater (through Aug. 18). Not all adolescents are rebels, but theyre not known for embracing the status quo. Youre bound to witness some startling moments if you let them put their own art onstage. Thats the purpose of this festival, in which the organizations Developing Artists and Vineyard Theater invite teenagers in their own youth ensembles and other companies to work with professionals and one another. At 7 each evening, the groups this weekends guests are MCC Youth Company, Epic Next and 6th Borough Slam present a showcase for audiences 12 and older that also features a prominent adult actor: on Friday, the Hamilton alumnus Brandon Victor Dixon, and on Saturday, Joe Morton, a star of Scandal. 212-353-0303, vineyardtheatre.org STORIES AT THE STATUE OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN in Central Park (Saturdays through Sept. 29, 11 a.m.). Andersen (1805-75) never married or had children, and its possible that in his lifetime, no young Danish listeners ever heard stories at his knee. Little New Yorkers, however, have been doing that for more than 60 years through this free summer program from the Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center, which invites audiences 6 and older to enjoy Andersens tales and those of others in front of the bronze statue of the author, near 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue. This Saturday, rain or shine, Jane Dorfman will relate the British writer Eleanor Farjeons Tom Cobble and Oonie, a comic adventure about a failed magician, and Laura J. Bobrow will offer her version of Vardiello, an Italian tale about an unintelligent youth who, with the help of his mother, still outsmarts his detractors. hcastorycenter.org Diamonds book is, according to his introduction, a peoples history of Chicago an attempt to capture the city as it was lived by its ordinary residents. One of its defining features is that it centers on Chicagos history of racial conflict, tracing how the citys transformation into a global metropolis systemically excluded blacks and perpetuated inequality. Diamond covers mob attempts to keep blacks out of its neighborhoods in the 1940s, as well as reports of police brutality, like the Chicago police forces use of methods like suffocation and electric torture to get false confessions from black men, documented over two decades, until 1991. Image HIGH-RISERS Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing By Ben Austen 384 pp. Harper/HarperCollins Publishers. (2018) Austen, who contributes frequently to The New York Times Magazine, tells the story of the dissolution of the Cabrini-Green buildings, once located on Chicagos North Side, to show how discriminatory housing practices have affected the city and its residents. Cabrini-Green was built in the 1940s, part of Franklin D. Roosevelts effort to provide enough for those who have too little. But over the years, commitment to public housing wavered, resulting in budget cuts that led to the gradual deterioration of the buildings; the buildings were eventually demolished, with the last one going down in 2011 to make room for condos and higher-income residents. Though the city promised to reserve some of the new residences for former occupants, long-term residents were instead placed in other deteriorating neighborhoods, perpetuating the concentration of poverty, which is one of the main drivers of violence in low-income neighborhoods. Image LONG WAY DOWN By Jason Reynolds 320 pp. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy. (2017) This young adult novel in verse is about Will, a young man whose brother, Shawn, has just been shot. The rules of his community no crying, no snitching and enact revenge no matter what dictate that he avenge his brothers death, and this novel takes place in the 60 seconds it takes him to ride down the elevator, gun tucked into his waistband, prepared to kill his brothers murderer. On the way down, he is visited by ghosts from his past, all of whom have faced a fate similar to his brothers. Ultimately, he must decide whether he will get off on the ground floor after all. For the nations journalists, this has been a summer of unease and unrest. On live television, a caller to C-Span threatened to shoot a pair of CNN journalists, Don Lemon and Brian Stelter, for their political commentary. In Tampa, Fla., rallygoers hurled vitriol at reporters covering a speech by President Trump, who later tweeted his approval. Mr. Trump added a new adjective to his nickname for the media the fake, fake, disgusting news and his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, declined to disavow the phrase enemy of the people. All of this came on top of the usual, apolitical afflictions facing news organizations, like Troncs move to lay off half the staff of The Daily News, decimating one of New Yorks biggest papers. On Thursday, newsrooms responded. In a coordinated effort started by The Boston Globe, more than 300 publications issued editorials reaffirming the purpose and promise of journalism in American society. Journalists Are Not The Enemy, declared The Globe. A Free Press Needs You, wrote The New York Times. Mixed in with pro-press quotes from founding fathers were reminders of journalists role in provinces small and large: tying communities together, keeping citizens informed, holding governments to account. Collectively, the output read as a cri de coeur: part catharsis, part civics lesson, part plea to a public whose attitude toward the news media has soured under Mr. Trump. A poll this week by Quinnipiac University asked a black-and-white question: Which comes closer to your point of view: the news media is the enemy of the people, or the news media is an important part of democracy? Lack of nuance aside, the results were notable: 26 percent of respondents went for enemy of the people, including 51 percent of Republicans. FRIDAY PUZZLE If you have been reading Wordplay for a while, you know that I do not believe that crossword puzzles are merely two-dimensional blocks meant to test your knowledge. That would be demeaning not only to this puzzle solving pastime of ours, but also to the people who make them. Crossword puzzles have personalities. Well, they reflect the personalities of their creators, and after a while if you are paying attention you can begin to see those personality traits peek through. I enjoy that aspect of solving, because its very much like getting to know a new friend, or even catching up with an old one. Jeff Chen is a fun guy. He sees the humor in things, which I very much appreciate, and he is also a science buff and an engineer, which makes him much smarter than me. I can respect that. So it is not surprising to see a puzzle from Mr. Chen that contains clues like Process by which neutrinos are produced, Constellation between Cygnus and Aquila, or 30-foot-long dinosaur able to walk on either two legs or four. The Fitzpatrick-Leland house a multitiered L-shaped structure just off Mulholland Drive in L.A.s Laurel Canyon neighborhood has had many lives. Frank Lloyd Wright protege Rudolph M. Schindler designed it in 1936 as a spec for a real estate developer looking to lure Hollywood into the hills, and its since seen everyone from artists to architecturally minded Airbnbers. Now, it will be the showroom and by-appointment shop of the contemporary womens clothing brand Co. We didnt want to be another storefront on Melrose Place, says co-founder Stephanie Danan. This felt truer to what we believe in, and to the line." She and her now-husband, Justin Kern, who live nearby, launched Co out of their dining room in 2011 and soon found a devoted following for their feminine silhouettes and sensible luxury. Its for the woman who wants to dress well but doesnt really care about fashion, says Danan, who worked as a film producer for 15 years, while Kern got his start in photography. He was scouting locations to shoot look-book photos when he came across the Fitzpatrick-Leland and inquired about leasing it from the MAK Center, which also operates the famous Schindler House in West Hollywood. It needed some work (there were three-inch gaps where the walls didnt meet the floor, he says), as well as furniture: Several International Style pieces are on loan from L.A. dealer Joel Chen, while others, like a cream-colored tete-a-tete sofa in front of the fireplace, they sourced themselves. The teak folding screen in the dressing room was a commissioned piece, and they worked with Jed Lind, formerly of L.A.s Commune Design, to build a new travertine top for the kitchen table, the base of which Danans parents bought in Morocco in the 70s. For art, the pair has partnered with the gallerist Michele Maccarone, showing pieces by her artists (currently, abstract paintings by Rosy Keyser and Marco Perego) better served by small walls, and they plan to hold pop-up exhibits and readings, too. Its a house, after all, and the couple wants to encourage people to linger. Already theyve seen their friends browse the racks, sit by the pool and stay for drinks. L.A. in the 50s had a real salon culture, with Anais Nin and Gore Vidal, and we want to speak to that history Kern says. The fight over Judge Kavanaugh is the latest in long-running partisan warfare over judges. An earlier chapter included Democrats fight against a group of conservative nominees that Mr. Bush put forward after the disputed 2000 election, some of whom were for vacant seats Senate Republicans had refused to let President Bill Clinton fill. One of those nominees was Mr. Bushs effort to elevate Judge Pickering, who drew criticism because, among other things, he pushed as a district court judge to reduce the sentence of a man convicted of burning a cross in front of an interracial couples house. After Democrats blocked Judge Pickerings nomination with a filibuster, Mr. Bush used his recess appointment power in 2004 to appoint him without Senate confirmation. Judge Kavanaughs testimony that the Pickering nomination was not one of those he primarily handled came in response to a narrow question about whether he knew about Judge Pickerings solicitation of letters of support from Mississippi lawyers who appeared before him, a step that legal ethics experts criticized. He said he had not. But he was also asked more broadly to describe his role in the Pickering nomination and to identify which nominees he had worked on in any capacity in written questions after an earlier hearing before the Judiciary Committee. He wrote that he was one of about 10 White House lawyers on a judicial selection committee deciding who to recommend, all of whom participated in discussions and meetings concerning all of the presidents judicial nominees. He also named six appeals court nominees, among others, he had aided in the confirmation process, such as by reviewing nomination paperwork and preparing for hearings, and did not include Judge Pickering. Many of the emails showing glimpses of Judge Kavanaughs involvement with the Pickering nomination were minor, such as circulating articles or remarks by public officials related to him. Indeed, Mr. Brennan, who led the C.I.A. under President Barack Obama and has been one of the most vocal intelligence community critics of Mr. Trump, drew attention on Thursday by striking back. He dismissed as hogwash the presidents claims of no collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 election and argued that Mr. Trump was trying to silence challengers. Mr. Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him, Mr. Brennan wrote in an opinion article in The New York Times. He said the move made it more important than ever for the special counsel in the Russia inquiry, Robert S. Mueller III, to complete his investigation. But others predicted that political appointees who have security clearances will be nervous about saying or doing anything that might make Mr. Trump angry, especially about the Russia investigation. And it is likely to worry the consulting firms, defense contractors and other private businesses that have employees with security clearances, they said. The message hes sending is: Dont cross me, said Mary McCord, who helped run the Justice Departments national security division until she left last year. Career national security professionals are good at blocking out the noise of whats in the news, but its harder to ignore when its the president attacking you. The presidents move to strip former top officials of their ability to access classified information was the latest example of Mr. Trump successfully using the power of his office to exert influence over the political and legal maelstrom swirling around his administration. He pressured the F.B.I. to fire Andrew G. McCabe, the bureaus deputy director, and several members of the Mueller team. Mr. Trump helped his allies in Congress to strong-arm the Justice Department to hand over internal documents related to the Russia inquiry. And the presidents repeated attacks on Mr. Muellers investigators are meant to undermine the credibility of the investigation in the eyes of the public, lawmakers and even potential jurors. None of his moves have brought down Mr. Muellers investigation, in part because Mr. Trump has mostly resisted the temptation to order officials at the Justice Department to act on his Twitter-fueled musings. And when he has not, including at least two attempts to fire the special counsel, White House aides blocked Mr. Trumps way. ALEXANDRIA, Va. Jurors deciding the fate of Paul Manafort ended their first day of deliberations on Thursday with four written questions to the judge, including, Can you please redefine reasonable doubt? The other questions suggested that the jury was trying to grapple with some of the complexities of the financial laws that Mr. Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman, is accused of breaking. Jurors asked about the requirements to disclose foreign bank accounts and whether it was possible to match the governments 388 exhibits to the 18 counts in the indictment. They might have found the answers from Judge T. S. Ellis III, delivered just before they left for the day, less than satisfying. He told them that reasonable doubt did not mean all possible doubt but was doubt based on reason. He told them they would need to rely on their own memories to line up the governments exhibits with the counts in the indictment; they would receive no other guidance. As the jury deliberated, Mr. Manafort, 69, sat in a holding cell on the first floor of the courthouse, waiting to hear whether he would be convicted of crimes that could land him in prison for the rest of his life. He faces charges of tax fraud, bank fraud and failure to disclose foreign bank accounts to federal authorities, brought by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. Not so at Thursdays gathering. Mr. Trump steered clear of the more controversial news of the day including his decision to revoke the security clearance of a prominent critic and the unflattering tell-all book by a former aide and instead began by noting the death of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. I want to begin today by expressing my condolences to the family of a person I knew well, Mr. Trump said as he opened the meeting. She worked for me on numerous occasions. She was terrific: Aretha Franklin. It was not clear what the president was referring to, but Ms. Franklin did perform a handful of times at Mr. Trumps properties during her lifetime, which was far more notable for her scores of chart-topping singles, her 18 competitive Grammy Awards, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her performances at the inauguration of Barack Obama and for other presidents. In the middle of a health care update from R. Alexander Acosta, the labor secretary, Mr. Trump engaged in some wishful thinking about the repeal of the health care law enacted under Mr. Obama. We actually got rid of Obamacare, the president said, except for one vote. The Affordable Care Act remains law, although parts of it have been rescinded or weakened; a Republican effort last summer to repeal it was thwarted most famously by Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona. Two other Republicans also voted against its repeal, as did 48 Democrats. Mr. Trump also offered his own, inaccurate explanation one rejected by state officials and firefighting experts for the scourge of wildfires ravaging California. He said they were the result of water being diverted into the Pacific Ocean to save fish. Were spending a fortune in California because of poor maintenance and because, frankly, theyre sending a lot of water out to the Pacific to protect the smelt, Mr. Trump said. In October 1983, the body of Timothy Coggins, a 23-year-old black man, was found on a grassy roadside in a small Georgia city about 40 miles south of Atlanta. He had been stabbed more than 30 times, and been dragged behind a truck. X marks had been cut into his body. The brutal killing in Sunny Side, Ga., remained unsolved until last year, when new information emerged, leading to arrests in what the authorities called a heinous racially motivated murder. On Thursday, a second defendant was convicted in the killing of Mr. Coggins and sent to prison. Instead of telling someone that our family member was brutally murdered and no one was arrested, we can say, Hey, we finally got justice, Heather Coggins, a niece of the victim, said in an interview. Thirty-five years later, but we got justice. On Thursday morning at the Spalding County Courthouse in Griffin, Ga., Bill Moore, 59, sat in a wheelchair before Judge W. Fletcher Sam of Spalding County Superior Court and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and concealing a body, but did not provide any further statement. He will serve 20 years in prison and 10 years probation as part of the plea deal, said Marie Broder, chief assistant district attorney. He had originally been charged with murder. James McHenry, the director of the federal immigration courts, testified that unaccompanied minors were about twice as likely as other migrants to fail to appear in court. More than half miss their hearings and are ordered deported in absentia, though most of those remain in the country anyway without legal status. The officials who were questioned argued that migrant children become the responsibility of local child welfare agencies when they are released to sponsors. But the senators pushed back, pointing out that the federal government does not alert those authorities when migrant children are placed in their jurisdictions. You want to talk about catch and release? said Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, referring to a term used by Mr. Trump and other critics of the Obama administrations policy of releasing migrant families while they await asylum decisions. Youre catching these children and then youre releasing them, and everyone goes like this: Not my problem. Children traveling alone surged across the southern border under Mr. Obama in 2014, when border agents apprehended 68,541 trying to enter the United States. About 41,000 have been apprehended in the current fiscal year, a 16 percent increase from the same period in 2017. Since the congressional investigation began in 2015, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, part of the Health and Human Services Department, has strengthened the background checks that it conducts on sponsors before releasing children to them. The agency also began the practice of placing a phone call to sponsors one month after a childs release. Commander White, the department official, acknowledged that follow-up ends there, and most of the phone calls go unanswered. He said that sponsors are not required to stay in contact with the agency, and many do not want anything more to do with the systems that they have been through. Senator James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, asked whether fewer children might travel to the United States on their own if the government required sponsors to be in the country legally. Commander White declined to speculate on whether such a rule could deter migration over all, which is a well-known goal of the Trump administration. In the short term, he said, it would create a backup into border stations and produce a humanitarian crisis. Experts had warned for years that the bridge, built from 1963 to 1967, was in poor shape and potentially dangerous, and various theories about the collapse have been aired this week. But whether the failure was caused by design flaws, poor maintenance, substandard materials, earth movement or some combination of factors, it could be a long time before investigators provide definitive answers and make it possible to draw lessons from the tragedy. But it is clear that the debate on how to relieve the bridge of distressingly heavy traffic spanned decades and entangled many city administrations in ideas, projects, problems raising funds and problems finding the political will at all levels of government to carry out a solution. The result is that Genoa, a fragile piece of urbanity squeezed between the mountains and the sea, has for years been physically paralyzed by its own psychic paralysis when it comes to making major strategic decisions. That wasnt always the case. At one time, Genoa and cities all over Italy were doing major construction projects. In the early 1900s, the hill that descended all the way to Genoas historic lighthouse was excavated, making room for a coastal railway and further expansion. The first modern piers were built during the Fascist years, when a major state-run steel factory was also set up on the citys western coast. After World War II, the number of piers and the ports capacity were enlarged to help Italys reconstruction efforts. We dont want Sinjar to be a hotbed of the P.K.K. and we dont want to be the enemies of Turkey, said Murad Ismael, who co-founded Yazda, a group providing support to Yazidi women raped by Islamic State militants. But Turkey watched patiently as the Yazidi genocide unfolded and did nothing. Mam Zaki was one of the first who arrived to help us, Mr. Ismael added, using a Kurdish word that means uncle. Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who was abducted from her village on Sinjar mountain and repeatedly raped by Islamic State fighters before escaping, wrote in an email: Mam Zaki was a fine human who came to the rescue of Yazidis. For this we are thankful. That said, Sinjar cannot be a place for people to fight their wars. As many as 40,000 people are believed to have been killed in decades of conflict between Turkish soldiers and P.K.K. fighters. The P.K.K. has found refuge in Iraqs remote mountains, and in recent years, Turkey has been fighting the group outside its borders, including carrying out airstrikes on Iraqi soil. The continued P.K.K. presence in the Sinjar region of Iraq, the ancestral homeland of the Yazidi people, has created a complicated and increasingly tense dynamic. Numerous armed groups have tried to lay claim to the rugged landscape and its collection of villages. The area was overwhelmingly Yazidi until 2014, when they were forced to flee the Islamic States advance and seek shelter in refugee camps set up hours from their homes. Years later, a sizable portion of the community is still living in those same open-air tent cities, unable to return as the struggle for control unfolds on the mountain. One of the players in that battle for control is the P.K.K., which is also considered as a terrorist organization by the United States. Mr. Curatola said that because the people of Florence, like those of Venice and Genova, historically had no inferiority complex about admiring beautiful objects produced elsewhere, Italy had one of the worlds greatest Islamic art collections. Yet it had only staged one other Islamic art exhibition in recent times (which he also curated): at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice in 1993-4. The West pays very little attention to the Islamic world. We still havent realized that the world is a little more vast, and that culture is not just a Western prerogative, he said. We continue to think that were the center of something. The Uffizis director said that in the last three decades, he had noticed the spread of anti-Islamic views in the Western world, and that he felt a duty to counter them. Mr. Schmidt recalled that at the exhibitions June 21 press event, attended by the Imam of Florence, he called in his opening remarks for construction of a golden-domed mosque in Florence, inshallah (God willing in Arabic). The museum directors words did not go unnoticed by Italys new interior minister, Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigration League movement (one of the two main parties in the government). Mr. Salvini has ordered Italian ports to turn away boats carrying migrants, and earlier this year voiced strong doubts about Islams compatibility with the countrys values. Asked by reporters to comment on Mr. Schmidts remarks, he replied: If I were the director of the Uffizi, I would focus on the great museum that Im in charge of, rather than on big mosques. I dont think thats a priority for Florence or for anyone else. Mr. Salvinis views on Islam appear to be shared by a majority of Italians. According to a May survey published by the Pew Research Center, 53 percent of Italians said Islam was fundamentally incompatible with their culture and values the second-highest ratio of the 15 countries in Western Europe surveyed. The event did attract some foreigners, but most seemed to be ethnic Albanian members of the Kosovar diaspora. One of them, Nora Thaci, 18, a college student, said her father had driven her for, like, 24 hours over 1,000 miles from Switzerland to see Dua Lipa. But there were some non-Kosovars, too. On Friday morning, Sara Aleksieska, 18, a high-school student from neighboring Macedonia, got onto a packed minibus in the countrys capital, Skopje, with her sister and a friend to travel for two hours to the festival. It was her first time going to Kosovo, she said, and she didnt know what to expect. Whenever her parents had talked about the country, it was always to do with politics and always very serious. Before she left, she said, her father had told her repeatedly to be safe. But on Saturday evening, lazing in the festivals chillout area, Ms. Aleksieska said she would try to bring her parents next year. Im going to go back and tell them how great this place is, she said. Everyone was friendly, the bands were great and the food was cheap, she added. She had not understood any of the Albanian spoken from the stage, she said she knew no Albanian words; her sister only the numbers up to 10 and the word for ice cream but that hadnt mattered. When everyone yelled, we yelled. Its been so much fun. The story line hews pretty closely to your real life. How much input did you have? The day I walked into the office and had eight or however many writers around me, I spoke for one hour, crazily. I just talk and talk and talk and talk about whats really going on in me and my wifes life, and for some reason on this day I was on fire. And everybody was just laughing and laughing and laughing and laughing. We threw out everything against the wall we could think of until we were out of breath. Theres a scene where Joes son Wesley, played by Anthony Andersons son, Nathan, implies that youre out of touch as a rapper. Are you really? I am the most up-to-date rapper at my age you will ever meet. I listen to everything from Drake to Young Thug. I know whats going on. Nicki Minaj has a new record with 6ix9ine, and I listened to that the day it came out. Im waiting on DJ Khaleds new record that hits today at 1 p.m. with Justin Bieber and Quavo. Im all over Instagram, Im all over Twitter, Im all over everything. Im young. Im not, Oh, the way rap used to be. Im not that guy. Whos your favorite young rapper? My total favorite is Drake. He reminds me of Run-DMC. We came through with rock and rap mixed. He has singing and rapping mixed, and it works very well for him. Hes doing something different. Hes fascinating to me. Your alter ego on All About the Washingtons is retiring. How about you? If I could retire tomorrow I probably would, but my wife says, Youd go crazy. The joke on the show is I would probably be on Instagram showing everybody that Im retired, and I can retire the best, so its a retired competition going on in my mind. Youd see me every day saying: Look at my new boat. It says Justine on the side. Hi, heres a selfie of me in the South of France. So Id probably be fake retired. What brought you to religion? I went to church because of every rock stars Behind the Music story. My top was my bottom. I was this big, big, big, monster star and still empty because I found out that you can have things but you cant let things have you. So youre 20 years old, youre on the cover of Rolling Stone, you have all this going on and its still not quite quenching the thirst because once everybody is looking at you Look! There he is, oh my God, hey, look at him, thats the greatest guy ever! theres more thats needed. And I went to church to find that love that I needed, that balance, that mentorship. The trend can be traced back to a hyperbolic 1983 report, A Nation at Risk, issued by President Ronald Reagans National Commission on Excellence in Education. Against the backdrop of an ascendant Japanese economy and consistent with President Reagans disdain for public education (and teachers unions), A Nation at Risk blamed Americas ineffectual schools for a rising tide of mediocrity that was diminishing Americas global role in a new high-tech world. Image Policymakers turned their focus to public education as a matter of national security, one too important (and potentially too profitable) to entrust to educators. The notion that top-down decisions by politicians, not teachers, should determine what children need was a thread running through the bipartisan 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, the Obama administrations Race to the Top and state-initiated Common Core standards, and the current charter-driven agenda of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Accountability became synonymous with standardized tests, resulting in a testing juggernaut with large profits going to commercial publishing giants like Pearson. The education wars have been demoralizing for teachers, over 17 percent of whom drop out within their first five years. No one believes that teaching to the test is good pedagogy, but what are the options when students future educational choices, teachers salaries and retention and, in some states, the fate of entire schools rest on student test scores? In meticulous if sometimes too laborious detail, Gabor documents reforms institutional failings. She describes the sorry turns in New York Citys testing-obsessed policies, the undermining of Michigans once fine public schools (spurred in part by constant pressure from the DeVos family) and the heartbreaking failure of New Orleans to remake its schools after Hurricane Katrina. The largely white city establishment bypassed the majority-black community, inviting philanthropists and the federal government to rebuild its public schools as the nations first citywide, all-charter system. A dozen years later, more than a third of the citys charter schools have failed. These grim realities are not Gabors whole story. She takes pains to highlight diverse school districts that have succeeded, mostly by directly or indirectly implementing the quality management philosophy of W. Edwards Deming, the subject of one of her previous books. She sees Demings bottom-up, collaborative approach in New Yorks progressive school movement, in postindustrial Massachusetts and in the large Leander district of central Texas as well as in inspiring, educator-led experiments across the country based on community participation, teacher voice, professional development and student-centered pedagogy. As befits a literary effort, the writing strives for beauty: A persimmon from Isle de Jean Charles becomes a shiny globe, full of sun and the little freshwater that still snakes its way along the islands stubborn spine. Rush captures nature with precise words that almost amount to poetry; the book is further enriched with illuminating detail from the lives of those people inhabiting todays coasts. Image But language raises as many questions as it answers in the case of this crisis. What distinguishes a refugee from a migrant from an exile? When does retreat become flight? What is wisdom versus recalcitrance, and who determines what makes a happy home? The American language seems to lack the words to adequately capture this creeping calamity, the words that will help Americans comprehend the future, accept the fact that the waters will rise and continue to rise for decades and centuries thanks both to melting glaciers and to the physical expansion of warmer waters. The last time carbon dioxide made up this proportion of the air, the rock record suggests sea levels were 100 feet higher. By 2100, the seas could rise anywhere between five inches and 10 feet, or more, depending on what we do and whom you trust to make that forecast. How profound our ignorance has been, how relatively new our knowledge. This provokes the need for new words, like endsickness, a kind of vertigo that Rush and others experience when confronted by weird climate phenomena like warmer waters intruding in the Gulf of Maine. The dispatches of the subtitle really come straight from the people on the front lines of this drowning, much as Svetlana Alexievich skillfully accomplished in her Nobel Prize-winning reportage. Rush transcribes a range of voices, from a victim of Hurricane Sandys harrowing tale of devastating human loss to the plain truths spoken by people like Dan Kipnis, who has already fled Miami Beach: Their dream is gonna drown. To me, these are the most intense portions of the book, yet there is no character, not even Rush herself, to guide you through the whole of this story. Nor is there really a plot to follow, not even a chronology that points the way through a series of essays veering from haunting survivors tales to poetic musings on science. Its an intentional series of vignettes, however, bolstered by deep reporting and a sense of history, reminiscent in part of W. G. Sebalds works evoking place, even up to including photographs, like the pictures of rampikes that mark various chapters. Its often a treat to figure out where Rush is going with any particular story, to discover the direction of your own thinking in the course of mining the past, as she writes. The conclusion arrived at not in advance but through the process, by unearthing whatever is buried in the strata. There are also few solutions on offer beyond what she calls the radically egalitarian nature of organized retreat the water will affect us all, and getting out of its way demands a collective response. NEVER ANYONE BUT YOU By Rupert Thomson 350 pp. Other Press. $25.95 The basic facts of the lives of Claude Cahun (nee Lucie Schwob) and Marcel Moore (nee Suzanne Malherbe) offer enough material for any number of novels. They met as teenagers in France in 1909 and fell in love. They hid the affair, of course, but fortunately for them Schwobs divorced father married Suzannes widowed mother in 1917, making them stepsisters. After moving to Paris, the pair began their lives together deep in the Surrealist milieu. Separately and together, they produced a great deal of art collages, theater pieces, poetry, prose, photographs and sculpture. Perhaps Cahuns most famous work is an extensive series of photographed self-portraits as various identities, morphing from androgyne to Pierrot to angel with wings to bodybuilder. They are still astonishing. In some, Cahun looks like a marine; in others, a strange doll; in still others, a two-headed being, with both heads bald. It isnt hard to understand why David Bowie curated an exhibit of Cahuns work in 2007, Cahun being one who fell to earth long before Ziggy Stardust was even imagined. During World War II, Cahun and Moore lived in Jersey, which was under German occupation. They created and distributed a series of anti-Nazi fliers, for which they were arrested, jailed and condemned to death. Liberated before the sentence could be carried out, they remained together until Cahun died in 1954. Moore committed suicide in 1972. One can hardly glance at these facts without wondering so many things. Not least is how they had the courage to do what they did, all their lives, and what it was like to be them, together, over all those decades, in all those rooms, jail cells, salons and studios. Plus being, legally, sisters. And did I mention that Cahun was Jewish? Theres so much sheer moxie, prismatic identity, pleasure and danger in these lives that a novelist might have trouble deciding what angle to choose. The fact that Rupert Thomson has centered Never Anyone But You, his novel about the pair, on that 40-plus-year relationship suggests that his imagination was fired by a queer intimacy that spanned two world wars and was intertwined with a highly original, often collaborative Surrealist artistic practice in which identities were fluid and ever-changing. This turns out to be a false assumption. Thomson, the author of 10 previous novels, many of them either thrillers or incorporating the elements of thrillers, doesnt appear to be much interested in those aspects of Cahun and Moore. He isnt obliged to be, of course, although one might well wonder why so much rich raw material has been left on the table or signal that Cahun and Moores relationship is at the heart of this novelistic transformation of history when it isnt. Thomson offers, instead, two well brought-up young ladies who say things like Whats gender, anyway? and deliver explanations of the Dreyfus affair, Surrealism (the Surrealists used automatic writing and trancelike states to unearth truths hidden in language and in themselves), sexist attitudes toward women and madness, Andre Bretons many feuds with his fellow Surrealists and other encyclopedic facts. Famous artists are always attending the novels parties and gatherings, and are duly described. There is an episode of Claudes with a man named Bob perhaps an affair, perhaps not and much is made of Bob, who reappears either in the flesh or as a topic of discussion. Claude attempts suicide on a fairly regular basis, but this is never explored, nor does Marcel dwell on it overmuch. Image The novel is narrated from Marcels point of view, but Marcel is at best a lens, an eyewitness to history, a stoic nursemaid and a reliable guide. Of Claude, her partner in life and art, she says, like the Surrealists, she believed dreams had a way of throwing light on the fundamental questions of our daily lives. To whom would she be addressing this observation? Late in her relationship with Claude, she observes that sometimes the person youre closest to is the one you understand the least. True enough. Thomsons engagement with Cahuns work is slight, and his engagement with Moores nearly nonexistent. Cahun is gifted and troubled, in a very distant way, and Moore pretty much abides by the conventions attached to the wife of a powerful artist: helpmeet, reasonable intermediary, survivor, emotional caretaker. The president has highlighted a key consideration for American companies and, importantly, American investors and their families encouraging long-term investment in our country, the S.E.C. chairman, Jay Clayton, said in a statement. The S.E.C.s division of corporation finance continues to study public company reporting requirements, including the frequency of reporting. Mr. Trumps suggestion is not unheard-of. In 2013, the European regulators abolished requirements that publicly listed companies file quarterly reports. On the other hand, Japan has moved closer to current American rules, requiring quarterly reporting starting in 2008. Still, any move away from the system of quarterly reporting would be a significant shift for investors, who have come to rely on the regular financial disclosures on the performance of publicly held companies. The fact of the matter is, investors are used to getting updates four times a year on the status of companies financials, and changing that would require a change in behavior, said Ed Clissold, the chief United States strategist for Ned Davis Research. On the positive side, getting frequent updates holds companies accountable. They lay out plans to grow their business, and quarterly updates are a chance for investors to see the progress toward those objectives. The downside is that companies have occasionally managed their businesses to meet those quarterly objectives. Critics have long argued that quarterly reporting can drive executives to give priority to short-term goals, rather than more strategic long-term objectives. Elon Musk, the chief executive of the electric-carmaker Tesla, was the latest corporate chieftain to raise the issue. In a message to Tesla employees last week explaining why he has proposed taking the company private, he wrote, Being public also subjects us to the quarterly earnings cycle that puts enormous pressure on Tesla to make decisions that may be right for a given quarter, but not necessarily right for the long term. MOBILE, Ala. Crystal Thompson was at home watching the Rose Bowl parade when a county sheriff came to arrest her for shoplifting from the local Walmart. Ms. Thompson, 43, was baffled and scared. An agoraphobic, she had not shopped at a Walmart in more than a year. She was taken to a Mobile jail, searched, held in a small room and required to remove her false teeth, something she didnt even do in front of her husband. Four days after she returned home, the letters from Walmarts lawyer started to arrive. The lawyer demanded that Ms. Thompson pay the company $200 or face a possible lawsuit. She received three letters over two months in early 2016. Shoplifting is an intractable problem for retailers, costing stores more than $17 billion a year, according to an industry estimate. To get the money back, many companies employ aggressive legal tactics and take advantage of loosely written state laws, pushing for restitution even when people have not been convicted of wrongdoing. Jason Tamagni, 33, is a fire captain in Calistoga, Calif. The state is experiencing a record-setting fire season, including one blaze that is the largest recorded in the state. How did you get started in your career? When I was young, my uncle, who was involved in a Bay Area fire service, allowed me to visit the fire station and sit on the engines. What a thrill that was for a young boy! After finishing at Butte College in Chico, I transferred to Santa Rosa Junior College, both in California. A few friends from high school who were working part time as firefighters encouraged me to join, which I did in 2004. I went full time in 2008. What is the emotional experience of fighting a fire? From the moment the alarm goes off, no matter how many times it happens, the jolt starts the adrenaline pumping like mad. Tesla is not considering hiring a second in command, the electric carmakers founder and chief executive, Elon Musk, said in wide-ranging comments to The New York Times. Mr. Musks remarks came during an hourlong interview Thursday in which he described the extraordinary demands of running Tesla and the profound effect it has had on his personal life. If you have anyone who can do a better job, please let me know. They can have the job, he said from his home in Los Angeles. Is there someone who can do the job better? They can have the reins right now. [Read more from Mr. Musks interview.] Here are five takeaways from the interview. Impromptu Tweet on the Way to the Airport Mr. Musk provided a detailed timeline of the events that preceded the tweet that roiled financial markets, outlining how the day began with an early workout at his home before he drove himself to the airport in a Tesla Model S. They notified their homeowners association that theyd be putting their house in Shrewsbury, Mo., on the market and canceled a vacation because theyd be moving in 90 days. Ms. Walsh contacted a realtor and began packing. Then came a call from the residence director, asking Ms. Walsh the nature of her relationship with Ms. Nance, 68, a retired professor. Natives of the area, theyd been partners for nearly 40 years. Before the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages across the country, theyd had a harborside wedding in Provincetown, Mass. I said, Weve been married since 2009, Ms. Walsh replied. She said, Im going to need to call you back. Last month, the women brought suit in federal court, alleging sex discrimination in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act and the Missouri Human Rights Act. In turning down their application, Friendship Village had mailed a copy of its cohabitation policy, which limits shared units to siblings, parents and children, or spouses. The term marriage as used in this policy means the union of one man and one woman, as marriage is understood in the Bible, the policy noted. Last month, a group of 20 current and former tenants at the building filed a $10 million lawsuit, claiming that their apartments were made nearly uninhabitable during two years of renovations, when an army of workers trooped through the seven-story building on the Brooklyn waterfront. The tenants say the sound of drilling reverberated through the hallways. A fine layer of dust covered their furniture and clothing at the end of each day. Anytime we lose rent-protected units, its a problem, said Stephen T. Levin, the city councilman who represents Williamsburg and other parts of Brooklyn. We have an affordable housing crisis. Its also harder and harder to find middle-income housing on the open market. The Kushners denied the charges that they deliberately drove out renters. In a statement, the Kushner companies insisted that they took all the appropriate precautions to protect existing tenants, including daily vacuuming, mopping and daily air scrubbing. State officials are investigating the tenants claims. This is not a story of low-income families being forced out of their homes. But it is a classic tale of gentrification and profit-taking on the Brooklyn waterfront over the past two decades. First, small manufacturers, breweries and sugar mills made way for artists and musicians who remade industrial buildings into lofts. They, in turn, were replaced by young professionals buying pricey apartments in the renovated factories or in the new glassy towers that have sprung up. At its center is the family real estate company once led by Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, who has moved to Washington to be a White House adviser. Mr. Kushner led the companys push into New York real estate, from its roots in New Jersey, a move that included the purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan for a record $1.8 billion, that brought the company to the brink of financial disaster, until it was bailed out in a deal by Brookfield Asset Management this month. Could Mr. King suffer a similar fate in the general election? He does not seem overly worried. I am running on my record, Mr. King said in an interview. I get things done, whether its ISIS, the Gateway tunnel, Sandy funding or MS-13. On MS-13, I got President Trump to come here. I dont think any president has ever come into Long Island on an issue before. They come to raise money or campaign. If there were to be a Crowley-like upset, there would need to be a Democrat cast in the role, if not the mold, of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. Liuba Grechen Shirley believes she can be that person. The granddaughter of Russian immigrants and the daughter of a single mother who teaches in public schools, Ms. Grechen Shirley previously worked in global economic development and human rights for nonprofit groups, as well as at the United Nations Foundation and New York University. After President Trump was elected, she formed a local group of Indivisible, the liberal grass-roots network, on Long Island, where she had settled with her husband in her hometown, Amityville. She organized rallies and letter-writing campaigns, directing her anger at Representative King. She said she objected to his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, as well as his views on everything from abortion (he is against it) to the administrations polarizing travel ban (he was a vocal supporter). At 15, he left home for the South of France, where he took a job in a ski patrol. His girlfriend at the time was a hairdresser, and she inspired him to learn the craft himself. Moving to Paris, he apprenticed with the stylist Pierre Jacy in cutting and coloring hair, and in 1954 Mr. Jacy invited him to join him at a salon he owned in Manhattan. He gets off the boat on the West 57th Street pier, Ms. Stella said in a telephone interview. All he has to do is get to East 57th Street, but he gets in a cab, where they proceed to take him over three bridges. Image Mr. Gignac in the late 1970s. He asked his clients to stand while having their hair cut. You cant just look at a woman from the neck up, he said. You have to get the right proportion. Credit... Denise Winters After spending his only $100 on the roundabout ride, Mr. Gignac resolved to spend the night in Central Park. When it started raining, an officer took pity and allowed him to sleep in a police station. That was his welcome to the United States, Ms. Stella said. His luck quickly turned around. Within two years, Mr. Gignac had begun his own business with a partner, Guy Hoffman, calling it Louis-Guy D Salon. They eventually brought in a third partner, Gregory Schaedle. The salon, also on East 57th Street, was small and L-shaped, but the architects John Fulop and Justin Lamb designed its interior to shoehorn as many styling chairs and sinks into it as possible. The decor scheme, of primary colors and metallics, projected the kind of optimism clients want to feel when they walk into, and out of, a hair appointment. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan When Imran Khan is sworn in as the prime minister of Pakistan on Saturday, he will be confronted by daunting challenges. The country has a balance-of-payments crisis. The judiciary is in a hyperactivist mood. The effects of climate change are being keenly felt, with a major water-supply crisis. Hard-won gains against a decade-long terrorist campaign have to be consolidated. Many Pakistanis, including senior military officials, blame an incompetent and venal political class for Pakistans chronic problems, from economic vulnerabilities to anxieties about security. They have been yearning for a messiah-like figure who can turn Pakistan into a financially autonomous and militarily robust nation that is respected globally. They see Mr. Khan as that man of destiny. In his victory speech, Mr. Khan offered a glimpse of how he will rule. Having built his politics on an anti-corruption platform, he expressed hope that a transparent and accountable leader will increase global confidence in Pakistan. He intends to bank heavily on the Pakistani diaspora, which is already a major source of remittances. In 2005 a grand jury report from Philadelphia tainted those memories, naming as it did two sexually abusive priests who had served at my parish and several more who taught at my high school. Even in the midst of so much grace, it turned out, sin had abounded, and I wept for the victims, who had been my classmates and neighbors. Tuesdays grand jury report, which involves six other Pennsylvania dioceses, has also devastated me personally. Many names are familiar: I attended college in one diocese, and have researched and written about two others. Above all, I know Pennsylvania Catholics, who are generally more inclined than Catholics from elsewhere to place Father or Monsignor or Bishop on a pedestal and deem him above criticism or even suspicion. The consequences of gullibility, to our shame, are made manifest in the report. I mourned privately 13 years ago, but today I state publicly that the church must come to terms with the sins of its past and reform itself so thoroughly that they will never be repeated in the future. People can point out, and they surely will, that the Catholic Church has not cornered the market on sexual abuse of children and young people. Yes, I realize that. Nonetheless, it is clear that the scale of the abuse is magnified in an institution whose leaders time and again chose self-preservation over the protection of the most vulnerable people entrusted to their care. People will say that there is still holiness in the church, that there are many priests and bishops with good and pure hearts, and they are right. But there are times when the sin is so pervasive and corrosive that it is irresponsible to talk about anything else, and this is one of those times. My once-polite requests for incremental reform have morphed overnight into demands that church leaders voluntarily relinquish their place at the head table. Imagine hearing abdications of power along the following lines in Sunday homilies, in diocesan news conferences, or in statements from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: We were granted privileges because we were meant to represent Jesus Christ on earth. But Jesus said that we should humble ourselves like little children if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and also that anyone who harms a little one would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone around his neck. We are no longer worthy of your sacred trust. In times of crisis, the leaders of the military and intelligence communities try to put aside their differences, often many and sundry, and work together for the good of the country. Thats whats happening today with a remarkable group of retired generals, admirals and spymasters who have signed up for the resistance, telling the president of the United States, in so many words, that he is not a king. Thirteen former leaders of the Pentagon, the C.I.A. and the F.B.I. have signed an open letter standing foursquare against President Trump, in favor of freedom of speech and, crucially, for the administration of justice. They have served presidents going back to Richard M. Nixon mostly without publicly criticizing the political conduct of a sitting commander in chief until now. We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case. They rebuked Mr. Trump for revoking the security clearance of John Brennan, the C.I.A. director under President Obama, in retaliation for his scalding condemnations and, ominously, for his role in the rigged witch hunt the investigation into Russias attempt to fix the 2016 election, now in the hands of Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel. The presidents latest attempt to punish or silence everyone connected with the case, along with his fiercest critics in political life, will not be his last. To the Editor: In his essay Israel, This Is Not Who We Are (Op-Ed, Aug. 14), Ronald S. Lauder sees the Israeli sky falling, as a result of Israels destructive actions like the maintenance of traditional Jewish religious decorum at the Western Wall, which Mr. Lauder criticizes as coming at the expense of a planned egalitarian prayer space, and a new Israeli law that establishes Israel as a state with a Jewish identity, which he says damages the sense of equality and belonging of Israels Druze, Christian and Muslim citizens . But Israel, as a self-described Jewish state, needs a Jewish standard for public behavior at religious sites and to inform religious personal status issues. The standard that has served the state since its formation has been the Jewish standard of the ages what the world calls Orthodoxy. And, whether or not the nation-state law was necessary or wise, it does not impinge in any way on the equality before the law of any Israeli citizen. Israel is not, as Mr. Lauder says some think, losing its way . It is the vast majority of the worlds Jews, those who do not regard their religious heritage as important, who are in danger of being lost to the Jewish people. And it is those indifferent Jews who have the most to gain from the example of Israel preserving the traditional Jewish standards and values that have stood the test of history. Avi Shafran New York The writer, a rabbi, is the director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. If emotions were water, and you took all the heartbreak felt by the millions who followed the plight of a starving orca whale grieving over her dead calf, youd have a river the size of the mighty Columbia. If anger were a volcano, and you let loose all the rage felt by people over the daily assaults on public land by the Trump administration, youd have an eruption with the fury of Mount St. Helens. And if just one unorganized voting segment, the 60 million bird-watchers of America, sent a unified political message this fall, youd have a political block with more than 10 times the membership of the National Rifle Association. For New Yorkers a city of renters with apartments that are usually just barely big enough to accommodate their lives a vacation home is not always just a house. Sometimes, its more like a long-distance lover, the kind you only see when the weather is nice and no one has to go to work in the morning. Or maybe its a favored child, lavished with attention and worry. If you dont own the place where you live during the week, the vacation retreat becomes the final destination. A proper dining room, even one thats two hours away, means you have space to host Thanksgiving dinner, plus you have enough rooms for your in-laws to spend the weekend. Soon enough, that scrappy cabin in the Catskills starts to house not just the trinkets collected during three-day weekends, but the memories that make a life. Because we live in small places, this is where we sleep, this is where we work, but it isnt where we live, said Kathy Braddock, a managing director of the New York City office of William Raveis. We Live, with capital letters, in our country home. Its where the kids spread out. Its where they can run. Its where we can actually live like, quote unquote, normal people. Name: Vincent Frederic Colombo Age: 27 Hometown: Saint-Claude, Guadeloupe Now Lives: In a two-bedroom courtyard apartment in the Saint-Ambroise area of Paris. Claim to Fame: Mr. Colombo is an art director, model casting director, fashion stylist and designer, whose work explores cultural and racial appropriation in fashion and the arts. His stylist work has been featured in publications like Theones2watch and Dedicate. Casting clients include Vivienne Westwood and Bernard Wilhelm, who rely on his ability to find unique-looking models from the street for their runway shows. Its about seeing potential in people that they dont see themselves, Mr. Colombo said. To be able to see someone as an actor who can help create a story. Thats surprising, given that amezaiku speaks to the Japanese obsession with all things kawaii, or cute, which arguably developed as a response to the failed antiwar student protests of the 1960s. In the economic boom that followed, kawaii, defined as something both lovable and pitiable which is to say, something lovable because it is naive to forces larger than itself provided both solace and consumerist distraction from dashed hopes for change. But it is also a protest against the rigidity of Japanese society, a choice to remain innocent instead of joining the ranks of miserable adults. In this, amezaiku suggests a connection between kawaiis sentimental appeal and the Japanese principle of mono no aware, loosely translated as the sadness of things, or an attunement to the power of objects to awaken our empathy. Still, unlike wagashi the classical tea-ceremony treats with complex flavors and textures, haiku-like names and brief shelf lives these lollipops are not intended to be allegories of impermanence. They dont contain mysteries; their entire story is told through their making, and most of their pleasure derives from witnessing true virtuosity, another Japanese specialty: the steady hands, the coaxing of form out of formlessness, the race against time. Risking pain makes the achievement all the greater, as with Japans urushi, lacquerware that requires artisans to work with toxic sap. Through repeated contact, they grow immune. Though amezaiku is dying out as street craft, its spectacle has been embraced on social media, earning it recognition beyond Japan. The greatest appraisal has gone to the 29-year-old Shinri Tezuka, who runs two shops in Tokyo, and who renounces cuteness for realism. His intricately detailed creatures, often pulled from the deep sea, wed beauty with menace: giant squid, arms flowing like streamers; venom-spined scorpionfish, mouth agape to capture prey. They look surprised in motion, seized from life, seeming to glow from within. But they, too, are kawaii helpless and, when we decide to eat them, utterly at our mercy. Mr. Jones and accounts associated with his media website Infowars were booted from Apple, Facebook, YouTube and other platforms last week for violating policies against hate speech. But Twitter did not ban Mr. Jones and Infowars, saying they had not violated its policies. Yet Twitter struggled to define its policies to my colleagues Cecilia Kang and Kate Conger when they visited the company last week. After journalists turned up examples of Mr. Joness tweets that contravened Twitters rules, the company said on Tuesday that it would suspend him from the platform for seven days after he tweeted a video calling for his supporters to get their battle rifles ready against the media and others. But the move was a temporary fix, and we still dont know what exactly Twitter will and wont allow on its service. That brings us to our next big Twitter question: Was Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on drugs when he tweeted on Aug. 7 that he was taking his company private? Im asking thanks to rapper Azealia Banks, who took to Instagram this past week to recount how she had spent the weekend at Mr. Musks house waiting to record an album with his girlfriend, the electronic musician Grimes. Grimes, Ms. Banks said, never showed up. Then Ms. Banks dropped this bombshell: Lol I waited around all weekend while Grimes coddled her boyfriend for being too stupid to know not to go on Twitter while on acid. That immediately caught the attention of Tesla fans who were struggling to make sense of what was going on after Mr. Musk had announced on Twitter that he had secured funding to take the electric car maker off the public market at about $420 per share. The casual way in which Mr. Musk just tweeted the news out without regard to process raised a kerfuffle. And last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission served Tesla with a subpoena to learn more about the circumstances of the tweet. LONDON One very sticky afternoon last month amid a surprisingly crowded summer theater season Michael Billington came calling on me in the un-air-conditioned Marylebone flat where I was staying for a few weeks. Mr. Billington has been the drama critic for The Guardian since 1971 and is probably the most revered member of his profession in this country. At 78, he retains the air of the enthusiastic Oxford student he must have been more than half a century ago. He arrived bearing notes taken during research he had conducted in anticipation of our meeting and a gift, a paperback edition of his 2015 book, The 101 Greatest Plays: From Antiquity to the Present. The subject of greatness, in absolute terms, was what we were there to discuss (coolly, rationally). Mr. Billington had come at my invitation to share sparkling water (too warm for tea) and a gentlemans debate about theatrical excellence, the arbitrariness of lists and the differences between the British and American drama. Both of our publications had recently offered compilations of the best in contemporary theater that their respective homelands had to offer, each numbering 25. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) The Eastern Villa Apartments are two rows of slate-gray buildings in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Sacramento. On Wednesday morning, residents awoke to their parking lot filling with black S.U.V.s and F.B.I. agents swarming toward the corner unit of the apartment complex. The heavily armed federal authorities, with help from the Sacramento Sheriffs Office, arrested Omar Ameen, 45, an Iraqi citizen whom they accused of being a longtime member of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. We were all looking and saying, What is this? said Greg Hutson, 65, an Uber driver who was one of Mr. Ameens neighbors. He didnt do anything while he was here that hinted that he was part of a terrorist organization. Federal authorities accused Mr. Ameen of killing an Iraqi police officer in 2014 and then lying on his successful application for refugee status in the United States. An Iraqi court in May issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Ameen. According to a summary of the case by the Justice Department, Mr. Ameen was in a convoy of ISIS vehicles that entered Rawah, Iraq, in 2014. Mr. Ameen is accused of traveling to the house of an Iraqi police officer in Rawah, firing at him and then firing again when the officer was on the ground, killing him. Erika P. Rodriguez: Until the Stars Collapse by Tonya Ingram Ms. Rodriguez, a freelance photographer who covers Puerto Rico for The New York Times, searched for something else in familiar places. When I first read the poem, I felt like it was both a reminder and permission to see the beauty in life, something I feel I had forgotten after covering and living the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The disaster left me in some ways hopeless. I felt it was a permission to accept that nothing is perfect, that life is made by experiences of love and of hurt, but that it is important to live it to feel it and to remember that we are all a working title. I went to photograph familiar places where I usually look for images that speak to the economic crisis or the disaster, and I searched for something else. I wanted to avoid repeating the visuals that have become the representation of my homeland in the past years. We are more than the crisis. I photographed the ocean with a little palm tree in the corner. I come from three generations of people from islands in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Spain. The ocean is part of who I am. I photographed in Old San Juan, searching for daily moments and color, life. I photographed in Cayey, the town where my family is from. And I photographed my grandmother, because life is deeply connected to ancestry and the experiences of love and hurt by those that came before me. She did not want to have her photo taken because she had not dyed her hair and she said did not look beautiful so I photographed her hidden white hair, her years, her wisdom. In Comerio, a town affected by the storm, I photographed the remnants, the life, the faith, the hope, a hammock in an unconventional place that seemed like a beautiful place to rest. The floor base of what was once someones home and was taken by Maria last September. An image of Christ placed outside, near a big Puerto Rican flag painted on a rock. It was, personally, a challenge to say: How can I photograph there places that have formed me with the core of what I felt from the poem in mind that sense of life and complexity of being? I put the poem in the lock screen of my phone for the days I was shooting, so I was constantly thinking about it. I think it changed as I went out to shoot and gave myself permission to see my surroundings with more care and love, and with less pain and hopelessness. WASHINGTON After President Trumps inauguration, Debbie Matties felt helpless. The next day she attended the Womens March, and reflected on her past work volunteering on Democratic campaigns. But Ms. Matties, a Washington resident with little say in Congress, felt left out of the democratic process. So she joined a Facebook group of other disillusioned liberals with an eye toward constituency advocacy if their voices could not be heard, at least they could amplify others across the country. We started contacting friends and family who dont live in the District of Columbia saying: Hey, I live really close to the Capitol. Send me a letter by email and Ill print it at my house and bring it up myself because I just feel so frustrated and I dont know what to do with myself, Ms. Matties said. That ragtag group of volunteers would soon become Herd on the Hill, an organization with more than 300 members who have spent their lunch breaks and after-work hours delivering more than 12,000 letters to congressional offices on behalf of constituents seeking to inject a human element into the issues roiling the country. DES MOINES A year from now, this will be the political epicenter of the country. The Iowa State Fair: where presidential ambitions are made and broken; where a selfie of a candidate eating a double bacon corn dog is worth its weight in electoral gold. The New York Times spent four days talking to fairgoers, who provide a political bellwether for the 2020 presidential election and the midterms in November. Its not Iowas job to pick the president, said Paul D. Pate, the Iowa secretary of State. Its our job to ask the questions you would want asked. The president described Mr. Manafort as a very good person who worked for him only briefly, adding: The whole Manafort trial is very sad. When you look at whats going on there, I think its a very sad day for our country. The presidents comments added to the perception that the jurys decision will be not just a verdict on the actions of Mr. Manafort, but also on the broader Mueller inquiry. Although the charges against Mr. Manafort are not related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign or whether any Trump associates conspired with Moscow, an acquittal would most likely provoke calls for Mr. Mueller to end his 15-month investigation. The outcome of the 14-day trial is so eagerly anticipated that news camera crews have all but blocked the path to the courthouse from the hotel opposite it, where the defense lawyers and Mr. Manaforts wife, Kathleen, have been camped out at a high-top table in the corner of the restaurant. Mr. Manafort is being kept in a holding cell on the first floor of the courthouse. Judge T. S. Ellis III of United States District Court said the publics interest in the trial has deeply surprised him. I had no idea that this case would excite these emotions, he said. While he said that a thirsty press is essential to a free country, he denied a motion by more than a half dozen news organizations, including The New York Times, to release the jurors names. To do so would create a risk of harm to them, he said, as well as intimidate prospective jurors in other cases. Melania Trump. Is she trapped? A reluctant first lady? Or is she poised, polished and a quiet, but supportive, first lady? Who is the real Melania? Very few, at least among those who are speaking publicly, will say. Im very strong. People, they dont really know me. People think and talk about me like, Oh, Melania. Oh, poor Melania. Dont feel sorry for me. Dont feel sorry for me. I can handle everything. But as Donald Trumps presidency has progressed, the first lady has become a versatile avatar, her image split sharply down political lines. In one version of the public imagination, Melania is unhappy. She dislikes her husband and disagrees with his policies. She may even be mulling a divorce. This Melania has shown up on late-night TV and in tabloids. Youre beautiful, dutiful Melania. I cant take it anymore. Then theres the other version of Melania, painted by conservative media as confident, fashion forward, graceful and adored. I have been so impressed with, not just her quiet dignity, as you brought up, but also just this diplomatic use of fashion. This version is closer to the official portrayal of Melania. Through her spokespeople, the first lady says she is supportive of her husband and focused on raising their son, Barron. I support my husband 100 percent. But we have a 9-year-old son together, Barron. And Im raising him. She says she prefers to take a back seat to her husband, to keep his place in the limelight. Its not the first time Melanias been in the public eye. You spin, baby, you spin. Shes a former model and jewelry designer. I love when idea comes to life. And I study architecture and design and its something very creative for me. Im very passionate about what I design, and there are some beautiful pieces. When they got together in the late 1990s, the Trumps say their chemistry was instant. We were both at the same party and thats how we met. He came to me... Like her right away? I went crazy. Melania and Donald became synonymous with the New York social scene. Theyve stood did together for a number of years now. New Yorkers have come to know them as a very solid couple. And in 2005, they married. Hi, fans. Im going to Metropolitan Gala. In the following years, Melanias social media posts focused on fashion, travel, fitness and spending time with family. Now as the first lady, next to one of the most outspoken presidents in recent history, Melanias silence has taken on a life of its own. The most important thing is just to be you. Thats the end. The targets of the sanctions are the Burmese military commanders Aung Kyaw Zaw, Khin Maung Soe and Khin Hlaing; Thura San Lwin, a Border Guard Police commander; and the Burmese Armys 33rd Light Infantry Division and the 99th Light Infantry Division. The Treasury Department did not give any details on foreign assets or foreign financial ties of those commanders or members of those units. The naming of the units will make it difficult or impossible for the United States military and those of some other nations to do exercises with the units or cooperate with them. This is a message to the Burmese military that there were risks to what you were doing, said Brad Adams, the Asia director for Human Rights Watch. Do I think this will lead to institutional reform? No, not yet. But these are building blocks. Mr. Adams also said it was rare for a government to name entire military units as targets of sanctions. Thats a big deal, he said. The State Department has been preparing a detailed report on the violence against the Rohingya and is likely to release the findings next week. Mr. Adams said he expected the report to name more people. Two questions include: Will the United States impose sanctions on Myanmars top military commanders, and will it use the genocide label? WASHINGTON When officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico gathered a year ago to begin negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement, many of those involved in the talks assumed there would be a hard road ahead. But few of them would have anticipated the current state of affairs: frayed relations between the United States and Canada, traditionally close economic and political partners, and a growing bond between the United States and Mexico, which President Trump has accused of stealing American manufacturing jobs. On Friday, the United States and Mexico appeared close to agreeing on how to revise the 24-year-old Nafta deal. Canada, which has become one of Mr. Trumps favorite foils in his fight over global trade, was not party to the talks. Were not negotiating with Canada right now, Mr. Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Their tariffs are too high; their barriers are too strong. So were not even talking to them right now. Experts point to several reasons. The volume and sheer ubiquity of information about politics, combined with Americans ability to instantaneously render public judgment on one anothers views, has made the political conversation much noisier. And for the first time the country is led by someone who inflames that conversation on a nearly daily basis, taunting his adversaries on Twitter and quickly triggering tens of thousands of responses. There is a constant obsession with the ups and downs, the tweets, who were supposed to be mad at and that is different, said the historian Jon Meacham, who has written a new book, The Soul of America, on how the country endured its most traumatic moments, from the Civil War to the rise of the Ku Klux Klan to Vietnam. Trump has raised the metabolism of division to remarkable levels. Partisan identification is now a bigger wedge between Americans than race, gender, religion or level of education. The Pew Research Center, which for two decades has tracked demographic and partisan differences on issues like national security, immigration and the governments role in helping the disadvantaged, found last year for the first time that the gap between Republicans and Democrats dwarfed gaps between people of different races, genders, religions and education levels. There is a sense, especially among Democrats who recoil at Mr. Trumps style of politics, that partisan affiliation reflects more than just a voting preference. Rather, it says something about your character. And where you come down on Mr. Trump is increasingly a decisive factor in whether or not someone wants to associate with you. Sixty percent of Republicans and 65 percent of Democrats interviewed by Pew in a separate survey in March said that people who feel differently than they do about how Mr. Trump is handling his job probably do not share their values and goals. Savannah Fehling, 23, of Sarasota, Fla., is one of many Americans whose own troubles live out the data. She said her relationship fell apart after she and her ex-boyfriend came to realize that their political differences initially something that drew them together were driving them apart. She described herself as quite liberal and him as quite conservative. WASHINGTON The Trump administration announced Friday that it had decided against spending $230 million earmarked to help stabilize Syria, the United States latest step back from a seven-year war that has been largely won by a brutal government and its Russian and Iranian backers. Administration officials said they would alert Congress that the money, which had already been approved, would not be spent to fix water systems, clear rubble or dig up unexploded mines in Syrian cities and towns that have been devastated by the war. Those repairs were seen as vital to persuading hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees to return home people the Trump administration has largely barred from resettling in the United States. The unspent funds are part of nearly $3 billion in foreign aid money allocated last year by Congress with broad bipartisan support that the administration has so far refused to spend and could rescind or send back to the Treasury. In the case of the Syria money, the administration has decided to spend it on other yet-to-be-determined priorities, not return it to the Treasury, officials said. President Trumps dream of a military parade in Washington D.C. is being put on hold, for now. On Twitter, Trump blamed local officials for inflating the estimated cost $90 million by some accounts. His inspiration for the parade? This. Frances annual Bastille Day festivities commemorate a turning point in the French Revolution more than 200 years ago. The Pentagon says its exploring options for the president. But military parades also come loaded with history. Yes, they can be celebrations, but theyre also used by dictators to strike fear into civilians. The U.S. has used parades to celebrate military achievements in the past. In 1946, soon after World War II ended, a victory parade was held on Fifth Avenue in New York. America celebrated again in Washington in 1991 after claiming victory in the first Gulf War. Both parades featured troops and tanks. But they were one-offs designed to celebrate, not intimidate. In other parts of the world, though, thats not always the case. North Korea regularly parades new ballistic missiles and goose-stepping soldiers around its capital. In theory, its to celebrate various milestones. But in a police state where applause is essentially mandatory, the effect is also to instill fear, both at home and abroad. China, too, likes to flex its military muscle, with highly synchronized troop formations marching beside columns of tanks. At this event in 2017, President Xi Jingping is in uniform among thousands of troops. It was to celebrate 90 years since the Peoples Liberation Army was created. But it was also political theater. At the time, Xi was trying to solidify his leadership for another term. Russias annual Victory Day parade commemorates the defeat of the Nazis, but it also highlights its global ambitions. In 2017, for the first time, air defense missile systems were painted in the white camouflage colors of the Arctic, emphasizing the countrys expanding reach into oil-rich regions. Who knows what a U.S. parade will look like if it happens. The White House says it wants to thank Americas troops. But a president showcasing his military might without a current war victory to celebrate risks sending the wrong message. Robert Graetz: The thought of tiny babies having bombs thrown at them in the middle of the night was just incredibly difficult to deal with. My mother, my poor mother, she had come down to help take care of the babies, and she was just devastated that these terrible people would just throw bombs at our babies. Jeannie Graetz: I had always figured that a lot of the harassment we got was just trying to intimidate us. They wanted us to go back north because we were outsiders who came to make trouble. They did things to our car, threw rocks at the house, telephone calls, letters. The first bomb that night had 11 sticks of dynamite and a container of TNT. There was no reason that it didnt go off. They had prepared seven bombs, so they came and threw this extra bomb, and it landed up by the house the other one landed on the sloping driveway and we figured the second one was supposed to detonate the other. So it was 2 oclock in the morning, and we got woken up. It was a shock. It broke all the windows and door and lifted the roof up. It made a big mess. Meta Ellis: Theres no missing a bomb explosion. I think I was about 3 years old, probably closer to 4. But Ill never forget it. There were arrests, and acquittals, by all-white juries. How did those acquittals shape your views of the South and what had happened to you? LORAIN, Ohio Welcome to Lorain, where the mayor, Chase Ritenauer, would like to show you around. The police car over there? It broke down during a pursuit not long ago, leaving the officer to continue the chase on foot. The new high school? It is part of a school system so badly underfunded that it is now overseen by the state. Traffic signals are kept operating with parts recycled from discarded traffic lights. This city of 63,000 is in such dire financial straits that it has ceded part of an administrative building to raccoons; repeatedly calling the exterminator was too costly. But even as Lorain and many other Ohio cities are barely scraping by, the state government is flush with money. Ohio announced a budget surplus of $657 million in July. State officials have made it clear, however, that none of the windfall will go to Lorain or any other city or town, many of which are struggling because of heavy cuts made by the state over the years. And I know everyone is going to say: An 87-year-old woman? How big a threat can she be? Chief Etheridge told The Daily Citizen-News of Dalton on Monday. She still had a knife. I completely understand, and if I hadnt been there and it would come across my desk, that is the first thing I would ask as well, he said. Why did we Tase an 87-year-old woman? he added. I guess in that circumstance, I am glad I was there and saw it firsthand and understand why it occurred. An 87-year-old woman with a knife still has the ability to hurt an officer. He did not respond to requests by phone and email for comment on Friday. Chief Etheridge told the newspaper that the officers goal had been to not resort to deadly force. At one point, he took his own knife out and threw it on the ground, trying to indicate to the woman what he wanted her to do with her knife, it said. The stun gun, he said, was the lowest use of force we could have used to simply stop that threat at the time. The newspaper also published a description of a body camera video taken by the third officer. The video shows Chief Etheridge, who had his gun drawn, and Officer Marshall, who was holding his Taser, urging the woman to drop the knife. But the recording is from a distance and what the woman is doing with the knife cannot be determined clearly, the newspaper said. Ms. Bisharas case was being transferred from municipal court to the state Superior Court, said Bert Poston, the district attorney for the Conasauga Judicial Circuit. He said he had not seen the documents yet, but he understood that the chief had requested the transfer to Superior Court so an independent prosecutor could review it. BEIJING The Chinese leadership, bowing to immense public pressure, has fired 10 officials and punished dozens more in connection with a scandal over faulty vaccines that has undermined President Xi Jinping and fueled parent protests. The government said on Saturday that it had removed six senior officials at the China Food and Drug Administration for their role in a scandal that left hundreds of thousands of children with faulty vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Another four officials accused of wrongdoing were fired on Thursday after a meeting of Mr. Xi and Chinas top leaders. The dismissals were the latest attempt to quell public anger over the affair, which has hurt confidence in the nations health care system and raised questions about Mr. Xis leadership. Criticism of officials and companies has swelled since news of the defective vaccines emerged on social media last month, and parents have organized protests to demand compensation for the affected families. While the government said the children were unharmed, the case has touched a nerve among Chinese parents frustrated by years of similar food and medicine scandals. SEOUL, South Korea North Korea pressed its demand on Friday that the United States agree to declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, as South Koreas leader indicated that the American secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, was preparing for his fourth visit to the North. Mr. Pompeo, the point man in President Trumps efforts to end North Koreas nuclear weapons program, has been struggling to follow up on the agreement reached between Mr. Trump and North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, when they met in Singapore in June in the first summit meeting between their nations. In Singapore, Mr. Kim committed to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But the summit agreement lacked details on how to achieve that goal, and Mr. Pompeo and his team of negotiators has strained since then to win concrete action on this front from their North Korean counterparts. When he met with representatives of political parties in Seoul on Thursday, President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said that negotiations between the United States and North Korea have recently gained speed, with Mr. Pompeo planning to visit North Korea again, according to Yun So-ha, an opposition leader, who briefed reporters on the meeting. More Events and Another Giveaway A reminder that our first subscribers event in Ottawa is fast approaching. Three members of The Timess Washington bureau will be at the National Gallery of Canada on Sept. 5 to discuss the 2018 midterm elections and their potential consequences for Canada and the rest of the world in the age of President Trump. Im moderating. Everything you need to know about the event, including how to buy tickets, can be found here. The previous evening, Sept. 4, were holding another screening of selections from our Opinion sections Op-Docs video series at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto. I hosted an earlier session and was amazed at how the videos were transformed when projected onto a full-sized theater screen. The video screening will be hosted by Lindsay Crouse, coordinating producer for Op-Docs, and most of the six videos are about Canada or produced by Canadians. After the screening, Ms. Crouse will have a discussion with Charlie Tyrell from Toronto (director of the moving My Dead Dads Porno Tapes) and the director Matthieu Rytz of Montreal (Sinking Islands, Floating Nation, a video about an ambitious plan to deal with rising sea levels in the nation of Kiribati). King Felipe VI of Spain led a ceremony in Barcelona on Friday to pay tribute to the 16 people killed in terrorist attacks there one year ago, an event that was also designed to show harmony amid a bitter dispute over independence for the region of Catalonia. On Aug. 17, 2017, a van swerved down Las Ramblas, a famous Barcelona boulevard, leaving behind a trail of bodies. One person was then killed in the drivers getaway, and another in a second attack at a nearby seaside resort. More than 100 people were wounded. Britain is already in upheaval over Brexit, its looming withdrawal from the European Union, with many experts warning of economic hardship ahead. But Northamptonshire is foreshadowing another potential fiscal crisis: Local governments drained of resources, cutting services to the bone. Councils are Britains fundamental unit of local government, dealing with an array of basic needs: trash collection, public transport, libraries, town planning, and care for children and other vulnerable people, among other things. They levy a tax on homes and charge fees for some services. They also collect a nationally set tax on commercial real estate, and keep an increasing share of it. But for years they received most of their funding from the central government. The crisis in Northamptonshire is complicated and partly self-inflicted. But it has roots in the austerity policies and cost cutting that the Conservative-led national government imposed a decade ago in response to the global financial crisis. The Tories in London argued that austerity was the responsible solution to balance public accounts and encourage future growth. Now some Conservatives, especially at the local level, are openly defying what has been a pillar of the partys ideology. Funding from London for local governments has fallen 60 percent since 2010, with reductions expected to total $21 billion by 2020, the Local Government Association has calculated. In response, nearly every council in Britain has cut or outsourced services, sold off assets and tried a host of budget gimmicks, experts in local finance say. But Elizabeth Seymour, a spokeswoman for JPMorgan Chase, said that while she did not have historical data available, Chase currently has safe deposit boxes in more than half of its branches and that they are still popular with customers. David McGuinn, a safe deposit box consultant in Houston, said there were still millions of boxes rented and plenty of branches offering them. He said he considered them the safest place to store anything you consider valuable. So what should you keep in one? The bank boxes are best for storing documents and valuables that you usually dont need on short notice. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation says good candidates include originals of birth certificates, property deeds, car titles as well as paper United States savings bonds that havent been converted into electronic versions (availability of paper savings bonds is limited these days). If you travel often or on short notice, keeping a passport in a safe deposit box may be inconvenient, since you can access the safe deposit box only during regular bank hours. A home safe may be a better choice. The Wirecutter, a New York Times company that reviews and recommends products, tested and recommended fireproof home safes. Estate lawyers generally frown on keeping wills in safe deposit boxes in case access to the box is restricted after the owners death. That may cause delays in retrieving the will. When a person dies, you may not be able to get to it, said T. Randolph Harris, a lawyer specializing in estate and trust planning at McLaughlin & Stern in New York. He advises clients to keep the original will with their lawyer, and to keep a copy at home in a secure place like a locked file cabinet. The vast majority of charitable gifts some $286 billion, out of $410 billion given last year come from individual donations, according to Giving USA, the annual report on philanthropy in the United States. Foundations, like the ones run by Mr. Gates and Mr. Bloomberg, account for $67 billion of gifts made. The KentPresents festival, in its fourth year this weekend, attracts Nobel laureates, secretaries of state, academics, artists and journalists discussing topics as varied as global affairs and visual arts. The festival is the brainchild of Benjamin M. Rosen, a venture capitalist in the 1980s and 90s and former chairman of Compaq, and his wife, Donna. It was conceived as a way to give back to the area where they have made their life for the past 15 years. For Mr. Rosen, though, it was also a way to try something new in philanthropy after a lifetime in the big leagues. He has served on the boards of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, California Institute of Technology, the Metropolitan Opera and the Columbia University School of Business, giving gifts in the tens of millions of dollars. Unfortunately, I gave away too much, too soon, and lived too long, said Mr. Rosen, 85. Our days of big philanthropy are gone. Were not making multimillion-dollar donations any more. But theres still a lot of room for philanthropy. He modeled the event on the Aspen Ideas Festival, an annual gathering of intellectual luminaries in the Colorado ski town, but he said he wanted to distribute the money the festival raised to small, little-known nonprofit organizations. Mr. Rosens approach is not a rebuke of the splashy grants that technology giants are making today but an exploration of a different way of giving. To him, it also harks back to his early career investing in unknown technology companies. Its a completely different world, Mr. Rosen said. But from the recipient viewpoint, the grants are so appreciated and do so much good. We get handwritten letters saying that your several thousand-dollar gift helps them, which is so different from big philanthropy where your million-dollar gifts get you a letter saying, Could you add an extra zero to that? Gap between highest and lowest earners Asian White Black Hispanic $150,000 income 90th percentile 100,000 Income gap 50,000 10th percentile 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 Asian White 90th percentile $150,000 income 100,000 Income gap 50,000 10th percentile 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 Black Hispanic $150,000 100,000 50,000 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 Asian White 90th percentile $150,000 income 100,000 Income gap 50,000 10th percentile 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 Black Hispanic $150,000 100,000 50,000 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 Asian White Black Hispanic $150,000 income 90th percentile 100,000 Income gap 50,000 10th percentile 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 Asian White Black Hispanic $150,000 income 90th percentile 100,000 Income gap 50,000 10th percentile 0 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 1970 2016 Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census and American Community Survey data The leads of the new romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians are precisely what you might expect, based on the title: picture-perfect images of the immigrant success story. Viewers might even get the impression from watching the film that every Asian lives a charmed life. Nick Young (played by Henry Golding) and Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) are young, high-achieving professors at New York University. Nick is the scion of a spectacularly wealthy family from Singapore, while Rachel shared a hardscrabble life with her mother, a Chinese immigrant, before becoming a star economist. The fictional couple Nick Young (center) and Rachel Chu (right) meet Nicks mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), at the Young familys palatial estate in Singapore. Sanja Bucko/Warner Bros. But that is not a full picture of the Asian-American experience. Asian-Americans are now the most economically divided racial or ethnic group in the country, displacing African-Americans, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of United States Census Bureau data. The chart below shows that income inequality among Asian-Americans has nearly doubled from 1970 to 2016. Income inequality In 2016, Asians in the top 10th percentile earned 10.7 times as much as those in the bottom 10th percentile. Asian 10.7 Black 9.8 9.1 All 8.7 Hispanic 7.8 White 7.8 6.9 6.7 6.3 6.1 2016 1970 In 2016, Asians in the top 10th percentile earned 10.7 times as much as those in the bottom 10th percentile. Asian 10.7 Black 9.8 9.1 All 8.7 Hispanic 7.8 White 7.8 6.9 6.7 6.3 6.1 1970 2016 Income inequality is measured as the ratio of income in the top 10th percentile to income in the bottom 10th percentile for each race or ethnic group. Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census and American Community Survey data And in the city that Nick and Rachel call home? Asians in New York are the poorest immigrant group. The number of Asians living in poverty grew by 44 percent over about a decade and a half, to more than 245,000 in 2016, from 170,000 in 2000, according to the Asian American Federation. While rich Asians have become the highest-earning group in the nation, income growth among poor Asians has largely stagnated. This trend mirrors that of other racial groups, though income inequality has accelerated fastest among Asians. A wedding among elite Singaporeans plays the central role in the plot of Crazy Rich Asians. Warner Bros. By 2016, Asians in the top 10th of income distribution earned about $120,000 more than those in the bottom 10th. Disparities among Asian-Americans are primarily driven by the different levels of education, skills and English-language proficiency among the many groups that make up the diaspora. People from India and China have higher incomes than those from Southeast Asia because they have higher levels of education on average. For example, three-fourths of Taiwanese and Indians in America have a bachelors degree or higher, said Jennifer Lee, a professor of sociology at Columbia University. Southeast Asian groups from countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, however, lag well behind the average for other Asian-Americans. Jonathan Lee, 30, a Chinese-American who lives in New York and works as a senior designer at Etsy, and his sister, Jessica, are both college graduates, unlike their parents. My father told us stories of sleeping on an ironing board at his fathers laundromat, Mr. Lee said. My mother came here when she was 19 and took night classes at F.I.T. to become a pattern maker. My father spent his career at ConEd. Now they own a home. Education and income of Asian-Americans Indian $100,000 median household income Immigrant population 500,000 100,000 Filipino 80,000 Japanese Sri Lankan Chinese Pakistani 60,000 Korean Vietnamese Indonesian Cambodian Thai Laotian Bangladeshi Hmong Nepalese 40,000 Burmese 20% have college degrees 40 60 $100,000 median household income Indian Immigrant population 500,000 100,000 Filipino 80,000 Japanese Chinese Vietnamese 60,000 Korean Cambodian Laotian Bangladeshi Hmong 40,000 Burmese 20% have college degrees 40 60 Indian $100,000 median household income Immigrant population 500,000 100,000 Filipino 80,000 Japanese Sri Lankan Chinese Pakistani 60,000 Korean Vietnamese Indonesian Cambodian Thai Laotian Bangladeshi Hmong Nepalese 40,000 Burmese 20% have college degrees 40 60 Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census and American Community Survey data Asian immigrants make up a less monolithic group than they once did. In 1970, Asian immigrants came mostly from East Asia, but South Asian immigrants are fueling the growth that makes Asian-Americans the fastest-expanding group in the country, said Dr. Lee, the Columbia University sociologist. Asian-Americans, who accounted for less than 1 percent of the population in 1970, are up to 6 percent today. South Asians and Southeast Asians together now outnumber East Asians. Family-sponsored migration remains the largest source of Asian immigration. Inequality is elastic, of course, adjusting over time because of fluctuating waves of immigration, as seen among the 10 most populous Asian immigrant groups in the United States. When Asian immigrants arrived Before 1970 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Korea* 17% 24 19 24 14 Cambodia 10 50 13 16 10 Laos 20 51 14 9 6 Vietnam 15 23 29 18 14 After the Vietnam War, a wave of lower-income refugees came to the U.S. in the 80s and 90s. Thailand 15 17 17 24 23 Philippines 6 12 20 21 26 15 Pakistan 6 13 25 29 26 In following decades, the H-1B visa program brought a new wave of high-earning immigrants to the U.S. China 12 21 26 33 India 6 9 19 29 35 Bangladesh 8 24 28 36 Japan 15 11 10 16 18 31 *Includes North and South Korea. Before 1970 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Korea* 17% 24 19 24 14 Cambodia 10 50 13 16 10 Laos 20 51 14 9 6 Vietnam 15 23 29 18 14 After the Vietnam War, a wave of lower-income refugees came to the U.S. in the 80s and 90s. Thailand 15 17 17 24 23 Philippines 6 12 20 21 26 15 Pakistan 6 13 25 29 26 In following decades, the H-1B visa program brought a new wave of high-earning immigrants to the U.S. China 12 21 26 33 India 6 9 19 29 35 Bangladesh 8 24 28 36 Japan 15 11 10 16 18 31 *Includes North and South Korea. Before 1970 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Korea* 17% 24 19 24 14 Cambodia 10 50 13 16 10 Laos 20 51 14 9 6 Vietnam 15 23 29 18 14 After the Vietnam War, a wave of lower-income refugees came to the U.S. in the 80s and 90s. Thailand 15 17 17 24 23 Philippines 6 12 20 21 26 15 Pakistan 6 13 25 29 26 In following decades, the H-1B visa program brought a new wave of high-earning immigrants to the U.S. China 12 21 26 33 India 6 9 19 29 35 Bangladesh 8 24 28 36 Japan 15 11 10 16 18 31 *Includes North and South Korea. Source: American Community Survey (2016), IPUMS The disparity in income is in part caused by the gap between immigrants who arrived on skills-based visas and those who did not. Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians, theyre primarily refugee populations, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, director of AAPI Data, which publishes demographic data and policy research on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. The difference becomes even more pronounced over time. Existing immigrant Indians and Chinese are highly educated, and then they recruit their highly skilled relatives, Mr. Ramakrishnan said. Family visas tend to go to highly educated people. So when President Trump and his Republican allies call for an end to family-based immigration, theyre asking to keep the best and the brightest out, he said. English-language proficiency is also crucial to income, education, and access to health care. At the same time, even some highly educated immigrants may experience language barriers. About 35 percent of Asians have limited English proficiency, Dr. Lee said. An article in The New York Times more than 50 years ago referred to the growing success of Japanese-Americans within a generation of their World War II internment, helping to solidify the image of Asian-Americans as a so-called model minority. But many Asian-Americans resist that characterization, saying it is false and dangerous, helping to mask bigger issues among an especially wide diaspora. Crazy Rich Asians will only reinforce the myth. With income growth skewing to the top from 1970 to 2016, its true that there are more very rich Asians. While a majority of Asian-Americans have a higher standard of living than other ethnic groups, and while whites and Asians outearn African-Americans and Latinos at all rungs of the income ladder, Asian-American poverty is also increasing. The trend is occurring in the largest American cities, with their historic Chinatowns, and in newer ethnic centers, like Ramsey County, Minn., which has many Hmong families living in or near poverty. I watched my parents struggle to make ends going to adult school to learn English, working factory jobs and cleaning homes to make ends meet, said Bo Thao-Urabe, 45, of St. Paul, Minn., who came as a refugee from Laos in 1979, after extensive American bombing during the Vietnam War. As kids we got up extra early to go dumpster diving for aluminum cans in those early years. In the summer months, we became farm laborers throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Summers spent farming were also hard on Kay Moua, 23, of St. Paul, whose family is from Thailand. I was really embarrassed to go back to school, she said, because I knew that once the other kids saw my dark skin, my sunburned face, my calloused hands, they would know: This is what it looks like to be a poor person. Throughout the country, there is little uniformity. The Chinese population in Boston and New York looks very different from that of suburban California. Slightly more than half of Asians (57 percent) have achieved the American dream of homeownership, Pew says. For the rest of the United States population, its 63 percent. America Burnett, a student at Cleveland State Community College, is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are also encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 1,200 applications were received.A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the U.S.military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges, said Jane Hale Hopkins, executive vice president and president-elect of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa, make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals, and support tomorrows leaders of the global community.The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.Ms. Burnette said, I filled out the scholarship application, but didnt really think Id win. I was so excited when I found out that I won because this was very competitive! Thats $1000 that I didnt have!Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers, said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isnt an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.I am thrilled that America has been chosen to receive this scholarship recognizing her leadership skills, stated Holly Shiveley, PTK advisor. As one of our chapter's officers, she has already demonstrated her ability to motivate others, her attention to details, and hard work ethic. We look forward to what she will accomplish and how she will lead this year.Ms. Burnette is not only involved in PTK, but she also serves as a CSCC Ambassador and is a member of the CSCC Honors Program. She is still undecided about what four-year college or university where she will transfer after CSCC, but plans to major in business administration. She plans to use her scholarship money to travel abroad with CSCCs Honors Program. She is the daughter of Anton and Grace Burnette of Cleveland. The former president of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Dr Kizza Besigye has called for the unconditional release of all politicians and civilians arrested in Arua this week. Among those arrested are Arua municipality MP elect Kassiano Wadri, MPs; Robert Kyagulanyi (Kyadondo East), Francis Zaake (Mityana), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo), Paul Mwiru (Jinja East) and former Makindye East MP Mike Mabikke. The politicians were arrested alongside 30 others on Monday and Tuesday for allegedly obstructing the president's motorcade and pelting it with stones. Except for Kyagulanyi, the other suspects were arraigned before Gulu Magistrate's court and charged with treason and remanded to prison until August 30 when their case will come up for mention. The presiding magistrate didn't allow the suspects to enter plea, saying the court lacks jurisdiction on the charges brought against them. Relatedly, Kyagulanyi was later arraigned before an Army court in Gulu and charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms. He was remanded to Makindye military barracks until August 23. Some of the suspects Now, Besigye has the demanded for the unconditional release of the suspects. Besigye told reporters during a press briefing at his Katonga office that the violence in Arua was state inspired and as a result many leaders were arrested and tortured, which he says must be condemned by all Ugandans. "The people who are in detention have been detained against a background of state inspired violence. The whole idea that we now see being again choreographed in the media that people had guns should be dismissed with contempt at this stage because if there was a situation that these people were having guns, really there should have been a more transparent way. Accordingly, we demand that all those persons being detained be freed unconditionally and immediately." said Besigye. Besigye also dismissed the decision by the state to arraign Bobi Wine in a military court for alleged illegal gun possession, saying even if the charges were true; the case can still be tried in a civilian court. "No civilian person should be charged and attempted to be charged in military courts. Military courts are courts of service discipline of servicemen. They are part and parcel of the hierarchy of the military service. These courts are not only formed by Mr Museveni like the civilian courts of course but these ones are subordinates to the commander-in-chief. They take orders, they have no protection of independenceeven if the charges were that they had guns illegally those cases are triable also in the civil courts and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why somebody should be arraigned in a military court." he added. Besigye observed that he and his wife, Winnie Byanyima have also been victims of the trumped-up charges and asked the jailed MPs to stand firm. "I have been charged with treason twice. I have been charged with rape, terrorism, illegal possession of guns, my wife was charged with having a pistol at home in our home in Luzira where we used to live...These trumped up charges are the rule in as far as how NRM addresses opponents and in their attempt to criminalise them." he said. Besigye further disclosed that they have set up a team of lawyers to help secure the freedom of all those under detention and attend to their health as well to be coordinated by Kampala City Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago. He also said that Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe South MP and three other FDC officials including Mahmood Mutazindwa, Hajji Sowedi Wanyama, Musa Lukwago and others were arrested and tortured in Arua while monitoring the polls. He also said several other injured by the president's security are suffering in silence. Besigye said there are so many casualties that have not been reported. At least one person Yasin Kawuma, the driver of Bobi Wine was shot dead on Monday and six others are nursing bullet wounds following a confrontation between presidential guards and opposition supporters on Monday. Kawuma was laid to rest on Wednesday and Besigye commiserated with the families of the people in detention. "We extend our sympathies, condolences to the family of Yasin who lost his life and certainly to the families of those who are in detention to encourage them to remain strong because that is what freeing this country entails. They need to remain strong and supportive of those who are in detention." said Besigye. Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, the wife to jailed Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi has said her husband, though in bad physical shape after being tortured by security officials, has not lost his resolve to fight for a better Uganda. Mrs Kyagulanyi, in a Facebook post said her husband who was arrested this week and charged in a military court with three counts of illegal possession of firearms is in great pain everywhere but knows too well that this the price that he has to pay for what he believes in. Kyagulanyi and more than 30 others were arrested on allegations that they had stoned President Yoweri Museveni's motorcade in Arua on Monday. Below is her statement in full... Barbie Kyagulanyi (file photo) Family, friends and well-wishers, Today I went with lawyers and members of the Uganda Human Rights Commission to Makindye military prisons, and after many days I was able to see my husband with my own eyes. I am first of all thankful to God that he is still alive! Lets continue to pray for him. Bobi is in pain. Bobi is hurting EVERYWHERE. We nearly lost him! He wonders how he is still alive after such treatment. Bobi cannot stand on his own. He has a swollen face- very deformed. At first sight, it is very unlikely that you would recognize him. You may not understand this unless if you see him. His forehead is bruised and his eyes are red. He has many wounds including one on his ear. He seems to have been punched many times on the face. He cannot walk. He was carried into the room where we saw him. He cannot sit straight. He speaks with difficulty and has a lot of pain breathing. He has great pain in the left side ribs and hip. He bled a lot through the ears and through the nose. Blood stains are still visible! He is in such a terrible state and in need of urgent medical attention. I could not believe that an innocent man can be taken through all this because he has a different political opinion. According to his story, he was not even at the scene where chaos allegedly took place in Arua. He was with friends watching news at a restaurant when news came out that his driver had been shot dead. He quickly went into his room as gun shots raged on, and for many hours throughout the night, he kept hearing soldiers banging doors and breaking into rooms of the hotel. Later, the soldiers came to his room and broke into it. They found him standing in the room and the soldiers immediately ordered him to kneel down. Before he could reach the floor, one soldier hit his head with an iron bar and he fell down. They all descended on him, stepping on his head with boots and hitting him everywhere. He became unconscious thereafter and after so many hours, he realized that he was at the Arua airfield on handcuffs. He can't tell what they might have done to him during that time. After gaining consciousness, he was given many injections and has no idea what they were for. They took him to Gulu where he was detained. He can hardly remember what took place in court yesterday as he was only regaining consciousness. He was later airlifted to Makindye where he is being detained. I have seen many victims of torture- never have I seen anyone in the state which Bobi is in! When he narrates these stories, you see the kind of trauma he is going through. He told us that he spends every night on handcuffs, with his legs tied! When you set your eyes on him, you cannot help but wonder what kind of human beings can do such things to a fellow human being. Here is the good news - Bobi is strong at heart. His resolve has not diminished. His bones have been broken, but his spirit has not been crushed. He is still the husband I met many years ago. He knows that he is innocent of all that he is being accused of. His only crime is standing for justice and for trying to speak for the common person. He was surprised when we told him that he is accused of possessing firearms- he was hearing about this for the first time. Instead, the soldiers who arrested him took away his wallet and the money he had on him. He wonders why he is being tried by military courts! But he knows that this is part of the price he has to pay for what he believes in. He asks Ugandans to remain firm, even in the face of such repression. He is deeply hurt by his driver, Yasin Kawumas death and very sad that he was not allowed to bury him! We told him about the dire health condition of Hon. Francis Zaake and others, and he sent sympathies. He asked me to be strong for the sake of our children and I promised him that I am strong and I will remain strong. I told him how many people in Uganda and abroad are very concerned about him and he asked me to appreciate you all on his behalf. Our request is that he is urgently allowed to access his doctors so that he gets the much needed medical attention. Especially since he highly suspects that he underwent internal bleeding. May Gods angels be with you Bobi in that military facility where I am not. May the God of heaven fight this battle for you and for all of us. Barbie Kyagulanyi Sean Moore Sean Moore has joined the US Tire Manufacturers Assn. as director of government affairs in charge of federal affairs and state advocacy efforts. Previously, Moore spent more than a decade at the Consumer Healthcare Products Assn., departing as director of state & local government affairs. He also did a stint at the Consumer Specialty Products Assn., handling government outreach and its industrial & auto products offering. Moore will further the USTMA efforts in the areas of improved tire performance, developing policies to develop the scrap tire markets and highlighting the economic contributions of member companies. USTMA counts Goodyear, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Michelin, Toyo, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Giti, Kumho and Hankook as members. They support 250K tire manufacturing jobs and combine for $27B in annual revenues. Puneeth Rajkumar passes away: Here is how politicians, top celebrities, cricketers react to actors death Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, We All Love Your Powerstar!!! Puneeth Rajkumars last rites to take place tomorrow: Many yet to pay last respects says CM Bommai 12 hours before death, Puneeth Rajkumar had great time with celebs at Gurukirans birthday party [Viral video] Karnataka Congress unit sets up 3 teams to assess flood situation Bengaluru pti-PTI Bengaluru, Aug 17: The Congress' Karnataka unit has set up three teams to assess the situation in rain and landslide-ravaged districts of the state. Three teams have been constituted to assess the flood situation, assist and provide valuable information on how the party unit can render assistance in these areas, Karnataka PCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao said in a tweet. Earlier today the Congress had askedlocal Congress men to help those affected due to rains. "Unprecedented rains are now seriously affecting some parts of Karnataka.We urge all Congress members in the region to extend a helping hand," it said on its twitter handle @INCIndia. The teams will assess the situation in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru. Each team, consisting of about five to six party office bearers, after assessing the situation in the affected districts in coordination with the party's local units, have been asked to submit a report to the KPCC at the earliest. Several districts of coastal and Malnad regions of the state like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkmagaluru, Kodagu, parts of Hassan and Uttara Kannada, have been facing the brunt of incessant rains in the last few days. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had yesterday announceda grant-in-aid of Rs 200 crore to affected districts for therelief work. For more Bengaluru news Click Here PTI A journey former of PM Vajpayee that began from 110 South Avenue to India oi-Vinod By Vinod New Delhi, Aug 17: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has left for his heavenly abode and but his mortal remains will be given his due close to the place where other great leaders of the country are laid to the rest. But roads of Delhi will miss his footmarks which were blown away by the wind of time. From 110 South Avenue flat to 1 Ferozshah Road to 7 Race Course Road to 6-A Krishna Menon Marg to Smriti Sthal, this is how his journey could be summed up. An octogenarian journalist, who has not only the experience of having closely connected with the former PM but undertook several journeys with him, Manmohan Sharma told One India that after getting elected to the Lok Sabha from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh, he was allotted flat no 110 in South Avenue. There was no personal vehicle with most of the politicians of the time, he relied on public transport for over 10 years as even the party did not have funds to purchase vehicles. World mourns the death of statesman Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sharma said, "There used to be 1-15 vehicle in Parliament premisses mostly belonging to minister except one Mercedes that belonged to Pilu Modi." He further said that the office of Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJP) and many other offices were at Azmeri Gate and he used to visit them by public transport and used to walk all the way to Parliament from his South Avenue residence. He used to have lunch at the Parliament canteen along with many of his friends and RSS leader a few prominent faces included Yadav Rao Deshmukh, Dattopant Thengri and Ravindra Banerjee. With the growth of party the BJP office was later shifted to Vitthal Bhai Patel House (VP House) in New Delhi which was close to Parliament before it was shifted to 30 Rajendra Prashad Road and finally moving to 11 Ashok Road which was allotted to the then minister Jaisukhlal Hathi, which finally became the office of the BJP from where the BJP came to power and Vajpayee became the PM. Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat, Kashmiriyat: Understanding Vajpayee's Kashmir doctrine Jagdish Mathur used to take care of the party office even from the time when the BJS office was at Azmeri Gate. Everyone knows that Vajpayee ji was very fond of sweets, many other Indian food along with non-vegetation foods then he was also fond of dogs. He had two dogs when he was living at Feroz Shah Road. Manmohan Sharma said, "When the party was confined to two seats he used to walk in the morning along with his dog and used to meet passers by. I happened to meet him several time." But this was the time after which BJP emerged under the leadership of Vajpayee-Advani to become principal party of the ruling alliance, which obviously distanced these leaders from the people due to looming terrorist threats on leaders of the country. But Vajpayee still be remembered as the leaders of the workers. Manju Verma Manju Verma on August 8 handed over her resignation to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid uproar over sex scandal case in the Muzaffarpur shelter home. Manju Verma has been is in the eye of a storm after the name of her husband cropped up in connection with the shelter home case. Brajesh Thakur Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home case, had earlier alleged that he was being framed in the case. Thakur had earlier said, "I was in touch with Manju Verma's husband but it was for political reasons. None of the girls from my shelter home have levelled any accusation against me." The Bihar government has cancelled the registration of Brajesh Thakur's NGO, which ran the infamous shelter home in Muzaffarpur where 34 girls were allegedly raped over a period of time. The sale of the NGO's assets was banned and the bank accounts were frozen, an official said in Muzaffarpur on Friday. Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Prime accused alleges conspiracy The Muzaffarpur shelter home Sexual exploitation of girls at the shelter home first came to light in the report of a socia audit conducted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, which was submitted to the state social welfare department in April. The FIR in the case was registered on May 31 against 11 people, including Thakur. On July 26, the Bihar government recommended a CBI inquiry in the matter. Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Bihar Minister Manju Verma resigns Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi Earlier, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi had 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. Entire Indian Navy puts its Weight behind 'Op Madad' India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 17: Even as the flood situation continued to remain dire all across Kerala, Southern Naval Command had deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple locations as of 4:30 PM on 17 Aug 18, the ninth day of #OperationMadad. Eighteen more teams were sent out to various locations since early morning, to augment the rescue teams. A total of 10 and 9 diving/ rescue teams with Gemini boats were received from Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command respectively. More than 3000 people have been rescued till date by the SNC and continuous efforts are on to bring the flood affected people to safety and also provide them essential relief supplies such as food and water. Kerala: Explore possibility of bring down water level at Mullaperiyar from 141 to 139 ft says SC" title=" Kerala: Explore possibility of bring down water level at Mullaperiyar from 141 to 139 ft says SC" /> Kerala: Explore possibility of bring down water level at Mullaperiyar from 141 to 139 ft says SC Today 310 people have been rescued by the boats and 176 by aircraft as of 4.30 p.m. Some 500 rescued people have been accommodated at the T2 hangar inside the naval base, a make-shift relief camp, before shifting them to a relief camp at Fort Kochi. Meanwhile, the Aluva rescue camp is catering to its maximum capacity of 151 persons. As all the assets of SNC have been committed to this operation, other Commands have provided additional disaster relief items comprising 1000 raincoats, 1300 gum boots, 264 lifebuoys and 1000 life jackets. 25 more rescue teams with boats are being readied for deployment as per request from Kerala Govt. Karnataka rains: CM Kumaraswamy to visit Kodagu to review flood situation Thirty seven teams with one Gemini boat each are deployed in Ernakulam district at various places. One team is at Pizhala island, one at Edapally and three at Perumbavur. North Paravur has the most number of teams deployed - 16, while 12 are at Aluva and four at Muvattupuzha. In the Thrissur district, the deployment at Chalakkudy has also been augmented to nine teams, while in Pothanamthitta district, four teams are deployed at Chengannur, and one team each at Ayroor and Pollad. One team is positioned at Kottayam. Meanwhile, five naval teams with five Gemini boats which were deployed at different places in Wayanad district on 9th August, are continuing to remain there for relief operations till the situation improves. In addition, all air assets available at INS Garuda have been extensively utilised for winching up stranded personnel, transfer of stores, boats, relief material, etc. Air rescue has been carried out at various places of the three badly affected districts; namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta. Various aircraft including ALH, Sea King, Chetak and MI 17 (of IAF) were able to rescue more than 176 people till now. Food was airdropped on the roof tops of various houses/ churches till now. A total of 50 air sorties amounting to 80 hours have been flown. During the air sorties, it was found that Sajita Jabil, a 25 year old pregnant lady, had developed complications and she was immediately evacuated from Aluva by air to INHS Sanjivani, where she later gave birth to a male child. Both baby and mother are stable at the naval hospital. A naval medical team has also been airlifted to Aluva as there is a report of collapse of a building. A makeshift relief camp has been set up at the T2 Hangar inside the Naval Base, which has catered for 500 displaced civilians, who were provided meals and other basic necessities. The Navy Wives Welfare Association has also been keenly involved with the relief activities at the camp and have been collecting freshly prepared food, clothing, etc for distribution to these people. Subsequently, the survivors are being shifted to a relief camp set up at Fort Kochi. Meanwhile, INS Venduruthy had set up a community kitchen at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) to cater for 3000 people. The kitchen is fully operational and has commenced providing hot meals for the affected population. Kargil: When Vajpayee stood firm and got Nawaz Sharif to buckle India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: During his tenure as Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has faced several challenges and despite his peace moves, it was Pakistan which troubled him the most. Be it the Kargil War, Khandahar hijack or the Parliament attack, Vajpayee dealt with one crisis after another. However, what was remarkable was that despite pressure from all quarters, he stood firm and did not give in. One particular incident was at the time of the Kargil war. There was intense backroom diplomacy going on by the United States in 1999. Pakistan was trying to get the better of India through the US. There were several calls made to Vajpayee, but he stood firm. The legend of Pokhran: Rao told me bomb was ready, I only exploded it said Vajpayee A top Bill Clinton aide, Bruce Riedel gave an account of how it was hard to get Vajpayee to change his stance and how the then PM of India stood form on India's demand for unconditional withdrawal of Pakistan troops, which eventually led to then Pakistan PM, Nawaz Sharif buckling. There was no give in: There was no give in Bruce Riedel, Special Assistant to former US President Bill Clinton had said in an article. Riedel was part of the entire parleys the US had with Pakistan to force it to withdraw from Kargil unconditionally. Clinton had invited Vajpayee to Washington for a face-to-face meeting with Sharif but the Indian Prime Minister had declined to undertake the visit in view of the then security situation. Clinton had informed Vajpayee after intensive parleys with Sharif in Washington in early July 1999 that he was "holding firm on demanding the withdrawal of Pakistani troops to the Line of Control." Interestingly, according to Riedel''s account, Sharif briefed an angry Clinton on his frantic efforts during that period to engage Vajpayee and get a deal that would allow Pakistan to withdraw with some face saving. Sharif's brief was confused: "Sharif''s brief was confused and vague on many details but he seemed a man possessed with fear of war," Riedel said. Riedel said the US was quick to make known its view that Pakistan should withdraw its forces back behind the Line of Control (LoC) immediately. At first, Clinton aides Rick Inderfurth and Thomas Pickering conveyed this view privately to the Pakistani and Indian Ambassador in Washington late May that year after the outbreak of the conflict. Why did Vajpayee weep before becoming Prime Minister? US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called Sharif two days later followed by similar tough talk by General Tony Zinni who also spoke to then Army Chief Pervez Musharraf. "These message did not not work. So we went public and called upon Pakistan to respect the LoC," Riedel said adding that Clinton called both Vajpayee and Sharif in mid June and sent letters to each pressing for Pakistani withdrawal and restraint from Indian side. Sharif became increasingly desperate as he saw how isolated Pakistan''s position had become and sought urgent American intervention. In the last days of June, Sharif began to ask to see Clinton directly to plead his case. On July 2, Sharif called Clinton and appealed to him to intervene and stop the fighting and also help resolve the Kashmir issue. Clinton made it clear that he could help only if Pakistan first withdrew to the LoC. Clinton also consulted Vajpayee on phone, Riedel said, observing that the Indians were adamant. Vajpayee would not not negotiate under the threat of aggression. Clinton sought to assure the Indian leader that Washington would not not countenance Pakistani aggression nor nor reward them for violating the LoC, he said adding the US stood committed to the Lahore peace process. On 3rd July, Sharif was more desperate and told President Clinton he was ready to come immediately to Washington to seek help. "The President repeated his caution ''Come only if you are ready to withdraw, I can''t help you if you are not ready to pull back''," Riedel wrote. Sharif said he was coming and would be there on 4th. Pakistan undermined Lahore efforts: Riedel said Sharif''s intention also became clearer. He was bringing his wife and children with him to Washington, a possible indication he was afraid he might not be able to go home if the summit failed or that the military was telling him to leave. Clinton started his discussion with Sharif on July 4 by handing him a cartoon from the day''s Chicago Tribune newspaper that showed Pakistan and India as nuclear bombs fighting with each other. During the parleys, the US leader, according to Riedel, reminded Sharif that Washington played a role in the Arab-Israeli conflict because both sides invited it to mediate. But this was not not the case with Kashmir. World mourns the death of statesman Atal Bihari Vajpayee Clinton advised that the best approach was the road begun at Lahore, that is direct contact with India. He bluntly told Sharif that Pakistan had completely undermined that opening by attacking at Kargil and it must retreat before disaster set in. "The room was tense and Sharif visibly worried," Riedel wrote. Sharif also warned that fundamentalists in Pakistan would move against him and this meeting would be the last with him. Clinton was clear and firm. Sharif had a choice -- withdraw behind the LoC and the moral compass would tilt back towards Pakistan or stay and fight a dangerous war with India without American sympathy. The President told Sharif he had draft statement ready to issue that would pin all the blame for the Kargil crisis on Pakistan. "The President was getting angry." After 90 minutes of intense discussions, the meeting broke to allow each leader to meet with his team and consider next steps. What do you want me to say: Clinton put through a short call to New Delhi just to tell Vajpayee that he was holding firm on demanding the withdrawal to the LoC, Riedel said, adding Vajpayee had little to say, even asking the President "What do you want me to say"? Riedel said there was no view in New Delhi and none was asked for. "After an hour, when the President, Sharif and I returned to the discussions, the President put on the table a short statement to be issued to the press to announce agreement on withdrawal to the LoC," he said. The statement also called for a ceasefire once the withdrawal was completed and restoration of the Lahore process. It also included a reaffirmation of the President''s longstanding plans to visit South Asia. "Sharif read the statement several times quietly. He asked to talk with his team and we adjourned again," Riedel said. "After a few minutes Sharif returned with good news. The statement was acceptable with one addition," Riedel said, adding Sharif wanted a sentence added to say ''The President would take personal interest to encourage an expeditious resumption and intensification of bilateral efforts (i.e. Lahore process) once the sanctity of the LoC was fully restored. The President then called Vajpayee to preview the statement, Riedel said. How many pregnant women in Kerala have died due to Covid-19? Health Minister Veena Geroge reveals How an Arabic to Malayalam book on Jihad led to Islamic fanaticism in Kerala Kerala: Explore possibility of bringing down water level at Mullaperiyar from 141 to 139 ft says SC India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: The Supreme Court has directed the national crisis management committee and sub-committee constituted by Union Cabinet secretary for Kerala flood crisis to coordinate with the committee on Mullaperiyar dam to explore possibility of bringing down water level from 141 ft at present to 139 feet. The court said that it is not an expert to deal with the unprecedented crisis faced by Kerala, but added that the national crisis management committee's directions on rescue, relief and rehabilitation will be binding on Kerala. Kerala floods: Committee formed for proper management at Mullaperiyar dam The court said that both Kerala and Tamil Nadu will cooperate with the committee to give displaced people adequate security immediately. The court observed that people should not live in constant fear. The court said that the sub committee of the Disaster Management committee may suggest, what measures can be taken to handle the disaster so that people do not suffer the catastrophe of the flood. During the hearing, Tamil Nadu said that the inflow into the dam is 20,000 cusecs. Due to rains, it may not be possible to reduce the water level immediately. There is limited capacity to release water, TN also said. Kerala submitted that the water level at the dam should be reduced to 139 feet. The Centre said that the National Crisis Management Committee met today and assured continued assistance to Kerala. Kerala floods: Find ways to reduce water level at Mullaperiyar dam says SC The court said that the decisions of the sub-committee regarding water level of the dam shall be implemented by TN and Kerala immediately. The sub-committee shall file its report by 2 pm tomorrow. A petition had been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a directive to the Centre to arrange meetings with Tamil Nadu in the wake of the floods. The petitioner sought for a meeting between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar dam in the backdrop of the floods. The petitioner also sought for a Disaster Management Plan to be activated. Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart in Tamil Nadu E Palaniswami on the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam. He asked Tamil Nadu chief minister to release water from Mullaperiyar Dam that was close to breaching the 142-feet mark, the maximum level that Kerala believes, the dam structure can safely hold. He also made phone calls to PM Modi and the Union Home Minister, urging them to nudge Tamil Nadu to release some water from the dam to bring down the water level to 139 feet. Kerala CM assures Rs 10,000 to even those who leave relief camps Kerala floods: Amid row over foreign aid, state focuses on rehabilitation India oi-Madhuri Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24: With rescue operations in rain-ravaged Kerala nearly over, the focus is now on taking care of the over 10.40 lakh people staying in relief camps and rehabilitating people whose houses were destroyed in the deluge, even as the row over accepting foreign aid for relief work saw the Congress and Left attacking the Centre. More than 50,000 volunteers have taken up the task of cleaning houses and public places filled with mud deposits and debris dumped by the floodwaters in the rain fury. Meanwhile, health department officials said post-floods their focus has shifted to ensuring medical attention for the injured and the people living in shelter camps, cleaning of houses and wells, distribution of medicines and cleaning materials to the affected people. As many as 387 people have been killed while over nine lakh are sheltered in relief camps in the state. How to help flood-hit people of Kerala Here are the Highlights on Kerala rains: Cochin Airport suspends operations till Aug 26 The waters may be receding in Kerala but previous post-flood scenarios in other states suggest it could take years for the southern state to help rebuild its people's lives, destroyed in one of the worst floods in a century, and some more to implement measures that could significantly minimise the impact of a similar disaster. [Kerala cancels Onam celebrations after worst floods hits the state] The Kerala government has estimated a loss of Rs 20,000 crore, with Idukki, Malappuram, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts being the worst affected. Government officials say the state's topmost priority is to rescue people and provide lakhs of the affected with relief materials. They, however, admit that rebuilding the state will be a "daunting task". Kovind's letter to Vajpayee's daughter: "Atalji's persona drew me towards public life" India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 17: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday described Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise a personal loss for him and said it was the former prime minister's stature and dignity that attracted him to public life by giving up his legal profession. Conveying his condolences on the passing away of Vajpayee, the president in his letter to the former prime minister's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya said that working with him was an unforgettable experience. "Atalji's death is of course a personal loss for you and others at home. It is also a personal loss for me. It was his stature and dignity that attracted me to public life, as I gave up the legal profession to become his colleague," he said in the letter. [Here is what Atal Bihari Vajpayee called Pandit Jasraj] "Years later, when I called on him after being elected the President of India, he was bed-ridden but responded as only he could with a movement of his eyes. Silently I felt he blessed me," Kovind said. The president said millions of homes across the country have felt the loss on Vajpayee's demise. "He was our much-loved former prime minister, a national leader of rare distinction and a statesman of modern India. In his long and distinguished public career, he touched innumerable lives in innumerable ways as a freedom fighter and an intellectual, as a writer and a poet, as a parliamentarian and an administrator and finally as prime minister. He was truly the Renaissance Man of Indian politics," Kovind said. [The Vajpayee I knew: Poet statesman and a commander who was not authoritative] The loss of this large-hearted, larger-than-life leader will be felt not only in India but across the world, the president said. As the Prime Minister of India, Atalji was an example of grace under pressure, and of decisive leadership in challenging circumstances, he said, adding the Pokhran (nuclear) tests of 1998, the Kargil crisis of 1999, the economic changes his government brought about, and the growth and development track on which it put our country's GDP his was a term rich in achievements and in legacy. The Bharat Ratna conferred on him in 2015 was a fitting manifestation of India's affection and gratitude, the president said and asserted that the loss of this large-hearted, larger-than-life leader will be sensed not only in India but across the world. "Please once more accept my deepest condolences and convey these to the countless friends and admirers of Atalji. May the Almighty give you and other members of the family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss," he said in the letter to Bhattacharya. Former prime minister Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died here yesterday. He was 93. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital, where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. PTI Last rites of Vajpayee to be performed at 4 pm today, govt declares 7 day mourning India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 16: The government has announced a 7 day mourning from August 16 to 22 after the passing away of former prime minister and Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The flag will fly at half mast and Vajpayee will be accorded a state funeral, the government has also decided. The mortal remains of the former PM will be taken to his Delhi residence. From there it would be taken to the BJP headquarters tomorrow, where people would be able to pay their last respects. The Cabinet decided that the state funeral for the departed leader would be held at Smriti Sthal, New Delhi. Decisions of the Cabinet: State mourning for seven days till 22 August. State Funeral for Mr Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal, New Delhi. Half day holiday in the afternoon of day of funeral in all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country, and Delhi government offices in NCT of Delhi. National Flag to fly at half mast throughout India and Indian missions abroad till 22 August. The body of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been taken to his residence in the national capital where people can pay their last respects, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said. "Vajpayeeji's body is being taken to his residence where people can pay their last respects," the home minister told reporters in Delhi. Describing former prime minister's death as a "huge personal loss", Singh said he was pained beyond words at the demise of Vajpayee, who had cherished the ideal of a developed and powerful India. Following the death of the leader, the BJP's national executive meeting scheduled for August 18 and 19 has been cancelled. Modi-Vajpayee bonding goes back to over three decades; Vajpayee faith in Modi unparalleled India oi-Vinod By Vinod New Delhi, Aug 17: This could be a surprise to many that why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present at every moment that counts being a family member of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee right from the time of his illness to his admission at AIIMS to his demise to paying last respect at his Krishna Menon Marg residence to central BJP office at Deen Dayal Upadhyah Marg. There is a deep rooted understanding and respect that goes beyond over three decades. The PM himself acknowledged his blessings, help, support, recognition and chance in the making of Narendra Modi. But many naysayers could still doubt despite the occasion being when people refrain from talking about uncomfortable truths of life if at all there are some but relations between the present Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister have been really special with mutual understanding and commitment to the cause. There are many testimony to it. A former RSS Pracharak having very close links with a political family in Uttar Pradesh was with the media cell of the BJP led by former Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Dina Nath Mishra. The incumbent Prime Minister was general secretary (organisation) of the BJP in 1998 along with other general secretaries like Pramod Mahajan, K N Govindacharya, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley. Kargil: When Vajpayee stood firm and got Nawaz Sharif to buckle Former RSS pracharak Shivendra Singh told One India that Vajpayee was very well aware of the capabilities Modi and he was so fond of him that as long as Modi is not present in the meeting he never started proceedings in the meeting. He told One India one incidence, "I was having my lunch with Modi ji at 11 Ashok Road kitchen in the back where Govindacharya and Kushabhau Thackerey used to live. Modi ji was asked that meeting is starting but he remained stuck with something and after 15 mines one worker of the office came calling him to say that Vajpayee ji is waiting for him to start the meeting with full house in the meeting room. Modi literally ran towards the meeting hall with this instruction." There is a general understanding that so-called Vajpayee Group had Pramod Mahajan and Rajnath Singh by his side but truth was far different. He not only relied on Rajnath Singh to send him to UP as its CM but also send Narendra Modi to Gujarat who unlike Rajnath Singh did not have any legislative experience forget about running the government. Shivendra says, "Modi has never been tentative in his approach and had always an alternative plans be it in the matter of organisation or governance. This is what Vajpayee ji liked about him so he took a calculated risk of sending a person to deal with the crisis in Gujarat that a seasoned politician like Kesu Bhai Patel failed to deal with." A journey former PM Vajpayee that began from 110 South Avenue to... In the aftermath of Godhara riots, not only Modi but Vajpayee ji too was under tremendous pressure and half truth of video clipping suggesting Modi to follow his Rajdharma was being shown but Vajpayye's support to him was rock solid with the belief that as a constitutional guardian of a state he was chief minister to all irrespective of their faith. Political analyst further say, "Vajpayee did not mince worlds and said whatever he wished to albeit in his own style as he answered about Advani ji after taking retirement from active politics that the BJP will fight election in the leadership oo Advani (Aadvani ke netratv me sankhnad). So if he had any problem with Modi, why he did not made it public?" Shivendra Singh said that had there been any disagreement with Advani on the issue of Modi about him being removed, there was no one in the party or the government who could have stopped him. Modi knows all this very well. Modi neither missed any chance nor an occasion to get his blessing without considering the fact that Vajpayee stopped recognizing people of late due to his deteriorating health. So the understanding between Modi and Vajpayee was unparalleled which is reflecting even today. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 14:10 [IST] IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who shot to fame during Kerala floods, resigns over restrictions Rahul writes to Centre seeking help for flood relief works in Kerala NCMC reviews Kerala flood situation, decides to mobilise unprecedented rescue, relief operations India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 17: The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met for the second time in two days here today to review the rescue & relief operations in the flood affected areas in Kerala. Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, who chaired the meeting, held a video conference with the Chief Secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala. Kerala floods: Google launches 'Person Finder' application Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights etc. Kerala Chief Secretary requested for motorised boats so as to reach people marooned in flood affected areas. So far, the Centre has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed. 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well. Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in 48 hours in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today. Kerala floods: IMD issues red alert in all 13 districts except Kasaragod today Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys. The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets. NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment. Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment including from CAPFs such as CRPF, BSF and SSB. Railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles. Another 1,20,000 bottles are ready to be despatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayakulam tomorrow. Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala Government as the civilian airport remained closed. Kerala Government has been advised to explore use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. Cabinet Secretary also directed that emergency medicines may be put on standby. The NCMC will meet again tomorrow to review the situation. Larry Mishel : What I don't like about the 'shock' terminology is that the damage to jobs and wages are permanent, not a temporary phenomenon. One can argue... Noah Smith : An easy way to reconcile @de1ong and @joshbivens_DC on trade is to see the China Shock (and thus China's entry into the WTO) as sui generis http://www.bradford-delong.com/2018/08/eg-it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-the-sharp-josh-bivens-is-engaging-in-some-motivated-reasoning-here-1-_putting-pen-to-.html Assessing the China Shock : I enter into a conversation between Noah nd Larry to give my views: Noah Smith: A shock can be a unit root shock... Larry Mishel: Does anyone say that? All those words by Autor and co-authors? Noah Smith: ? I'm just saying, shocks can be permanent shocks. Larry Mishel: Got you... I think we areor ought to belooking at the total collapse of the neoclassical synthesis. Shocks having transitory Keynesian effects because of nominal wage and debt stickiness causing fluctuations around a Classical or Neo-Classical trend appears to have been the wrong horse. If it every workedand that looks to be a big ifit was, much more likely than not, because the policy response to business-cycle shocks was attaque a outrance, as when Eisenhower gave Burns the baton to stop recession. Once policy is run by Bernankes, Geithners, and Orszags, who believe in their bones that the economy returns rapidly to classical equilibriumunless you frighten the bankersthen it simply does not work. And it never really worked outside the US. Only US hegemony in economics and our parochialism produced the impression it did... The "China shock" papers all look at the micro-regional impact of competition from Chinese imports. They do not look at the micro-regional impact of Chinese financing of investment. Thus the comprehensive net effect on country very different from what's in the papers... Noah Smith: They also don't look at trade diversion, clustering effects, etc... They take a partial-equilibrium approach to an inherently general-equilibrium question... Are Imran Khan and Gen Bajwa at war over appointment of new ISI chief? Only by establishing peace can we honour Vajpayee's legacy: Imran Khan International pti-PTI Islamabad, Aug 16: Pakistan's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan today expressed condolences over the demise of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying his efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered. Khan said in a statement that Vajpayee was a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and his death has created a big void. Vajpayee died aged 93 in New Delhi today. "Efforts of Mr Vajpayee for improvement in relations between Pakistan and India will be remembered forever," said Khan. He said Vajpayee started efforts for improving Indo-Pak ties and continued them after becoming prime minister. "As foreign minister Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to new heights after assuming the office of prime minister," the statement read. Khan said, "I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief". He further said that by creating peace between the two countries, "we can truly recognise the service of Vajpayee". Khan said both countries have just celebrated their independence and there is also a desire for peace on both sides of the border despite political differences. PTI Curfew in Ahmedabad extended till 6am on May 21; Night curfew to continue in 36 cities for another 3 days Into the deep: Ahmedabads Science City gets a boost! Nature Park, Aquatic, Robotic Galleries and more! Personalities like Vajpayee never die India oi-PTI Ahmedabad, Aug 17: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a jovial person and a simple human being, recalled his relatives from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Local BJP leader Poonam Vajpayee, who is married to Vajpayee's nephew Surendra Kumar Vajpayee, said the former PM's death is a great loss to the nation. Bharat Ratna Vajpayee no more: List of states which have declared holiday today "This is a moment of grief for the entire family as well as our nation. We feel that our family has lost its guardian. However, it is also true that Vajpayeeji will always remain alive into the minds of people through his work, poetry and memories," she said. Poonam said personalities like Vajpayee never die. "I had last met Vajpayee in 2006. He was my husband's uncle. My son is already in Delhi and my husband is about to leave for Delhi to attend last rites of Vajpayee," she said. To build memorial for Vajpayee, NDA to scrap 2013 UPA law Surendra Kumar Vajpayee's sister Binaben shared some memories of Vajpayee. "Vajpayeeji was my uncle. We all belong to the same family. Such was his influence on us that we started living a simple life. He was very jovial and always met us with warmth," Binaben recalled. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 7:00 [IST] PIL against cap on free withdrawals from ATMs dismissed India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 17: The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL against the cap on free-of-charge withdrawals by banking customers from own bank ATMs, saying it was a policy decision. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao yesterday said the ATM facility provided by banks have lot of overhead costs, like salary of guards and power consumption charges, and therefore, there cannot be unlimited free ATM transactions. "They have to maintain the ATMs and there would be establishment costs," the court said, adding that it would be "disastrous" if banks close the ATMs due to its interference in the issue. As per the Reserve Bank of India's new guidelines, bank customers in six metros -- Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru -- are allowed to withdraw money free of charge only five times a month from the ATMs of their banks and will be charged Rs 20 for every subsequent transaction. The court said Rs 20 for every additional transaction in a month can be afforded by a banking customer and dismissed the petition, filed by lawyer Swati Aggarwal, seeking directions to allow unlimited number of free transactions for banking customers at the ATMs of their banks. In her PIL, Aggarwal claimed that the guidelines were issued at the behest of a few banks and IBA (Indian Banks Association) which had approached the RBI seeking changes in the extant instructions regarding free transactions at other banks' Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). [Are you a victim of ATM skimming? Here is how you can be safe] It alleged that levying charges was highly "arbitrary and unjustified" besides being "discriminatory and against good banking practices and reforms and a backward move". "In almost all modern economies of the world, there is no cap on the number of transactions one can make on own bank ATM and unlimited number of transactions remain free of charge on their own bank ATMs," the petition said. [Rats chew up Rs 12 lakh worth currency notes in ATM!] It contended that the RBI decision contradicts its own circular dated March 10, 2008, whereby it had "justified and given directions allowing the free usage of ATMs for unlimited number of transactions on own bank ATMs". PTI PM Modi to inaugurate strategic Atal Tunnel at Rohtang on October 3 Vajpayee's efforts for making prosperous India will be remembered forever: PM Modi To pay Vajpayee a tribute, PM Modi walks the distance India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: Atal Bihari Vajpayee was cremated on Friday with full state honours. Thousands of people including several foreign dignitaries, including political leaders paid tributes to the departed leader, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. President Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders LK Advani and MM Joshi, Union ministers, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were present at Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. Did you know Vajpayee and his father were classmates Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied Vajpayee from the BJP's headquarters to Smriti Sthal on foot. Accompanying him was party president, Amit Shah too. Several people were touched with this gesture by the Prime Minister. They called it the best possible tribute to a great leader. Not Sanskrit alone, Tamil is also language of Gods: Madras HC You cannot drive at 120 kmph on highways says Madras HC Madras HC to hear actor Vijay's civil lawsuit against his parents, nine others Security lapse in Rahul Gandhis security: HC notice to TN govt India oi-Madhuri Chennai, Aug 17: The Madras High Court today issued notices to the Tamil Nadu and Central governments on a PIL seeking a judicial probe in alleged security lapses during Congress President Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Rajaji Hall here to pay homage to departed DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. A Division Bench comprising justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad, which heard the petition filed by advocate A P Suryaprakasam, posted the matter for further hearing on September 14. According to the petitioner, when Gandhi visited the Rajaji Hall on August 8 to pay homage to late Karunanidhi, whose mortal remains were kept there to enable public to pay their last respects, there was a confusion in the security apparatus and a big lapse in the security of the SPG protectee. "Rahul Gandhi was literally isolated and made to wade through a huge crowd of emotionally charged people in the overcrowded staircase of Rajaji Hall," he claimed, and sought a judicial probe into alleged lapses. The petitioner said the police had resorted to lathicharge on the public who came to pay tribute to the departed leader as a result of which three people died. He sought an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of those who died. A video-clipping showed one security officer in front of Gandhi and another precariously clinging to the half-rail of the staircase, both exposing their pistols and other arms they were carrying to the crowd, he submitted. Alleging there was a 'grave' security lapse, the petitioner said the administration had neither provided any surveillance cameras nor metal detector to screen people accompanying the VIP. After battling for life in a private hospital here for about 10 days, Karunanidhi breathed his last on August 7. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 14:53 [IST] Strict no to 'two-finger-test', states MHA in guidelines for doctors dealing with rape victims India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Aug 17: The medical practitioners, who handling rape victims or sensitive issues of sexual hrassment, must adhere to certain guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The guidelines issued by the MHA on July 25, states that the doctors not only have to provide treatment and psychological support to the victims, but should also collect evidence which can be used by the police later in the court. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring that the case is properly documented which, while helping the police file a chargesheet swiftly, would also aid the prosecution to put forth a tight case. The guidelines have been sent to the director generals of police and police commissioners across India for effective follow-up in sexual assault cases against women and children, reported HT. The two-finger test to to determine virginity, which has been strongly opposed by the women rights activists for several years now, the latest guidelines state while asserting that past sexual experience has no bearing on a case of sexual violence. [2-finger test on rape victim and controversy: All you need to know] The Supreme Court had in 2013 held that the two-finger test on a rape victim violates her right to privacy, and asked the government to provide better medical procedures to confirm sexual assault. [Delhi Govt clarifies on 2-finger test advisory, says it was misinterpreted] The guidelines have been framed for the MHA by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh, and issued by the Directorate of Forensic Sciences Services (DFSS), a nodal organisation of the MHA, said the HT report. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 15:02 [IST] Swami Agnivesh attacked when he came to pay homage to Vajpayee India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Aug 17: Social activist Swami Agnivesh was reportedly chased by a group of people outside the BJP office in Delhi when he had come to pay tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away yesterday. In a video of the incident which is doing rounds, it can be seen that a group of around 10 people are chasing Agnivesh, while one person is trying to shield him. Delhi Police personnel who were on duty outside the BJP office are said to have swiftly responded and prevented any major mishap. It is not yet know as to who are behind the incident, but it must be recalled that Agnivesh was allegedlly attacked by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and ABVP members at Pakur in Jharkhand last month. During the attack Swami Agnivesh was severely injured and his clothes were also torn apart. Later, he was admitted to a hospital for treatment. [Swami Agnivesh attacked by fringe group in Jharkhand, CM orders probe] Agnivesh had said that he would approach the Supreme Court for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the attack on him, in which, he claimed, there had been no probe or arrest. [No arrests made, Swami Agnivesh likely to move SC] "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 had told ANI on August 6. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 14:17 [IST] The legend of Pokhran: Rao told me bomb was ready, I only exploded it said Vajpayee India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: Days after P V Narasimha Rao passed away in 2004, Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, " Rao told me that the bomb was ready, I only exploded it." Rao's words were, " Saamagri tayar hai." In 1995, the nuclear tests had been postponed after the Americans discovered the preparations in Pokhran. A year later when Vajpayee took over, he did not go ahead with the tests as he was aware that his government would not last. Bharat Ratna Vajpayee no more: List of states which have declared holiday today When in 1998, he formed a more stable government, one of his first order was to go ahead with the tests. The recent movie starring John Abraham depicts so well, the secrecy around the tests and how India managed to successfully hoodwink the Americans. In intelligence circles, this is one of the most spoken about incident. Officials recall the secrecy involved in conducting the tests. The Americans could not get wind of it and it could not fail at any cost. The officer also recalls the backing that all those involved in the tests got from the Prime Minister's Office. There was plenty at stake says the officer to OneIndia. Failing was not an option especially after what happened in 1995. Moreover Vajpayee was fully aware of the harsh sanctions that would follow once the tests were conducted. He was not deterred by that fact, the officer also recalled. To build memorial for Vajpayee, NDA to scrap 2013 UPA law Following the tests, Pakistan too tested a few days later. There was palpable tension in the region and the world was concerned about it. However Vajpayee handled the situation well and even announced a nuclear doctrine for public consumption in 1999. He took steps for greater engagement with China. With Pakistan, Vajpayee did all to ensure that there was peace. He took the bus to Lahore from Amritsar and delivered a historic speech only to be told by Nawaz Sharif that he could even win an election in Pakistan. The meet even led to the Lahore Declaration. The Vajpayee I knew: Poet statesman and a commander who was not authoritative India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last on August 16 at 5.05 pm in New Delhi. As the nation mourns the death of their beloved leader, several officers who have worked with him recall the kind of person he was and how he handled several issues. Amar Bhushan, the former special secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing speaks with OneIndia about Vajpayee, the Pokhran incident and also what he was on a personal level. " One of the greatest qualities about Vajpayee was that he was a consensus man. A great poet, he was filled with compassion. I would call him a statesman because he took everyone along." RIP Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Here are some of the top quotes of Former Prime Minister and BJP Stalwart " Whenever I would meet him on a personal level, he would make you sit with him, recite poems. He was jovial, friendly in personal groups and never withdrawn," Bhushan recalls. Bhushan recalls one Public Accounts Committee meeting, which he was officially part of. There was a discussion on operational costs and an MP called Shahbuddin had sought for an explanation. He was upset with the budgetary hike and sought for an explanation. Vajpayee who was present at that meeting as Prime Minister, handled the situation in a very calm manner. " You have been a foreign service officer. Let us not get involved in these things. There are certain things we must gloss over," Vajpayee said. The discussion came to an end and none disputed him, recounts Amar Bhushan. No body could dispute him says Bhushan while adding that Vajpayee was a commander who was not authoritative. None could argue with him, not because he was autocratic or he would snub people. He commanded such authority that none could disobey him, Bhushan also recounts. When I would meet him personally, he would always make me feel comfortable in his company. He would always have a smile on his face. I recollect Vajpayee as a poet statesman, says Bhushan. I only wish there was a social media at that time. Had it been there, he would have returned to power in 2004. The Pokhran tests: Bhushan who was with the Research and Analysis Wing at the time of the Pokhran tests said that it was a very essential exercise. We needed a test to find out the capacity. There were lot of pressure from the scientific community. Conducting a test in the lab is very different when compared to doing it in the open. Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee's best speeches It was a very tough period for all of us and we faced immense problems. Scientists wanted to find out the capability and the effectiveness of what they had. The first test was very crude and since then our scientists had moved ahead a lot. Vajpayee stood like a rock all through this period. We were all aware that the sanctions would come. However the test had to be done as it was extremely crucial says Bhushan. Following the tests, a lot suffered. The defence, intelligence and commerce suffered as a result of these sanctions. Vajpayee found a way through all this. Slowly and gradually we got around the United States. Following the tests, Pakistan too tested a few days later. There was palpable tension in the region and the world was concerned about it. However Vajpayee handled the situation well and even announced a nuclear doctrine for public consumption in 1999. He took steps for greater engagement with China and Pakistan. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 10:29 [IST] PM Modi to inaugurate strategic Atal Tunnel at Rohtang on October 3 BJP gives '6-point agenda' to celebrate Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary Vajpayee's efforts for making prosperous India will be remembered forever: PM Modi BJP President JP Nadda to inspect Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh today Vajpayee instilled Indian values in public life: Bhagwat India oi-Madhuri Nagpur, Aug 17: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a universal leader who had instilled Indian values in public life. Vajpayee (93) died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in Delhi this evening after a prolonged illness. "Vajpayee was a steadfast & universally accepted leader, a great personality who instilled Bharatiya culture & values in public life (sic)," Bhagwat tweeted using the RSS's Twitter handle. Vajpayee nursed BJP into a banyan tree: Amit Shah He said the void created by Vajpayee's demise would remain forever. "We join the nation in paying our deepest respects to the departed soul," Bhagwat said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 7:53 [IST] India bids farewell to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 17: One of India's tallest leaders, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on Thursday, August 16 at 5.05 pm was cremated on Friday with full state honors at Smriti Sthal in New Delhi. As the entire nation plunged into sorrow over the passing away of the former prime minister, the government announced a 7 day mourning from August 16 to 22. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya performed the last rites of the former Prime Minitser at Smrithi Sthal in New Delhi as Vajpayee, even in death, sends a message by going against the tradition of a male family member performing the duty. Here are the Highlights: Vajpayee no more: 5 lakh expected in Delhi, heavy security in place India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 17: The streets of Delhi are swarming with security personnel to ensure that the funeral of former prime minister, Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a smooth affair. The Delhi Armed Police along with the Paramilitary police from Central, North and New Delhi, number over 2,000 have been tasked with providing security. Incidentally this the first funeral on this scale the Delhi police is handling after a gap of 27 years. The last time such elaborate security was provided was for the funeral of former PM, Rajiv Gandhi. The protocol will be the same this time as well. Last rites of Vajpayee to be performed at 4 pm today, govt declares 7 day mourning The police say that there would be at least 5 lakh people including dignitaries and VVIPS attending the funeral. There is heavy security in place both at the BJP's headquarters and Rashtriya Smrithi Sthal, where the late leader would be cremated. As a precautionary measure, the police have closed 25 arterial roads starting at 8 am. These include, Krishna Menon Marg, Tughlak Roadd, Akbar Road, Mansingh Road, Shahjahan Road, DDU Marg, a portion of KG Marg and also the stretch between Rajghat and Delhi Gate. Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee's best speeches The police have advised people to keep a tab on the social media pages of the Delhi police for traffic updates. The procession will go to the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg from Krishna Menon Marg, at 9 am. The procession would reach the cremation ground by afternoon. The last rites will take place at 4 pm. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 6:24 [IST] Sonia ji unwell, Rahul Gandhi should take over as Congress chief: Siddaramaiah as party preps up for CWC meet Vajpayee a towering figure who stood for democratic values: Sonia India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 16: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a "towering figure" who stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts. Expressing sadness over his demise, the former Congress chief said his warm personality and gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and every walk of life. "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee....His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul," she said in her condolence message. "Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister of India. He was a spell-binding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount. "But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions -- with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy," she said. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died here today. He was 93. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. He will be cremated tomorrow in New Delhi. Only one party has access to 90 per cent of election funds: Manmohan Singh World mourns the death of statesman Atal Bihari Vajpayee India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 17: The US, Russia and Japan today condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders, who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died here today at the age of 93. The American Embassy here, in a statement, said the US grieves with India on the loss of the former prime minister. Bharat Ratna Vajpayee no more: List of states which have declared holiday today "He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations. During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as 'natural allies'," it said. The US mission in India extends its deepest condolences to the family of Vajpayee and the citizens of India, it said. Ambassador of Russia to India Nikolay Kudashev said, "We mourn the death of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a great statesman". Vajpayee's name became an integral part of a whole era in Indian politics, the envoy said. "His devoted service to the nation can hardly be overestimated. Mr Vajpayee enjoyed due respect in India and globally. We knew him also as a poet, a man of knowledge and a true friend of our country, where he is well-known as one of the architects of our long-lasting and time-tested privileged strategic partnership," Kudashev said. Last rites of Vajpayee to be performed at 4 pm today, govt declares 7 day mourning Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee". Hailing Vajpayee as one of the most inspiring world leaders, the envoy said the upswing in India-Japan relations was only possible by the initiatives started by the former Indian prime minister. "The demise of such a great leader is a great loss not only to India but also to Japan and other part of Asia as well as the entire international community," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 7:13 [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 Undertrial shot outside court Lucknow oi-Madhuri Mathura, Aug 17: An undertrial sitting in a police van was shot at by a bike-borne assailant outside a court in Chhata town, a police official said. Karmveer was rushed to a private hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical, SP (rural) Aditya Kumar Shukla said. US: Telangana student shot dead at restaurant in Kansas city He was brought to the court from jail by police for appearance during the hearing of a case. A probe into the matter is underway, Shukla said. For more Lucknow news, Click here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, August 17, 2018, 9:30 [IST] Papua New Guinea supports the decision at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers meeting for the Blue Pacific countries to collectively put forward their positions on climate change, ocean conservation, security, and economic development. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rimbink Pato, said he endorsed Pacific regionalism as expressed in the Blue Pacific identity.I also congratulate Nauru for its theme for the forthcoming Leaders meetings: Building a Strong Pacific: Our People, Our Islands, Our Will, Mr Pato said.This theme emphasises the determination of the Blue Pacific countries to act together to protect the Pacific Ocean, which is a priceless treasure for all humanity, and to work for the economic and social development of our peoples.Mr Pato said Pacific regionalism was at the heart of the agenda of the ministerial meeting last Friday .As well as climate change, security and economic development we tackled other important issues such as fisheries surveillance, maritime boundaries, and connectivity, and recommended a draft declaration on security for the leaders consideration and endorsement in Nauru, he said.Mr Pato said PNG endorsed the move to commend to the leaders that Wallis and Futuna be admitted as associate member of PIF.He said the meeting noted the initiative of PNG as chair of APEC 2018 to arrange an informal dialogue between Pacific Islands leaders and APEC leaders on the margins of the November summit, noting that Australia and New Zealand would be invited as APEC members.I also made sure at the meeting to express gratitude to Australia for its generous assistance for aircraft surveillance and maritime boundaries, and for the longstanding security assistance provided by Australia and New Zealand.Mr Pato said the ministers recognised that the PIF ministerial meeting was well chaired by Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, with the help of PIF Secretary-General Dame Meg Taylor. Papua New Guinea's Jackson International Airport has the capacity to handle additional passenger demands during the APEC leaders summit, chief executive Christopher Hawkins says. Hawkins told The National that this includes landing and parking of large aircraft such as Boeing 747s through to smaller aircraft.The safety of leaders, ministers, delegates and the public is the number one concern in planning for Apec, he said.We are working with our friends in Australia and Indonesia, as the two closest geographical neighbours, to enable some aircraft to park at their airports.Hawkins said in many APEC and G20 host cities, not all aircraft are able to park at the host airport and fly on to other airports for the duration of the meeting.He said this happened in Sydney for Apec, Brisbane for the G20 meeting and other events.For commercial arrivals and departures, we have existing flights, and additional flights that will arrive and depart at staggered times throughout the day and night, Hawkins said.For state and charter aircraft, Jackson International Airport has the capacity to manage arrivals and departures so long as this is effectively managed.This is from increased commercial passenger travel, and from state and charter aircraft carrying world leaders and business people, he said.SOURCE: TheNational/PACNEWS/ONEPNG Aug. 20, Intermediate Shopify 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Edney, Floor Five: 1100 Market St. This class is for users who understand the basics of websites and/or Shopify and want to go further in their understanding of how to use its intermediate features. Register at thechattery.org. $25 Aug. 21, Red Bank/Signal Mountain Chamber Council Meeting 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Red Bank Community Center: 3620 Tom Weathers Dr., behind Erlanger Program: BBQ & Networking $12 Aug. 21, City & Federal Government Contracting for Women-Owned Small Business 1 to 3 p.m. INCubator: 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Please park across the street in the Republic parking lot) In this two part session, learn how to start doing business with the City of Chattanooga, through their free Vendor Registry for Diverse Business Enterprise. Secondly, learn about the Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) program through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Key topics include eligibility requirements and steps towards the certification process. Speakers: Jacqueline Merritt, SBA & James McKissic, City of Chattanooga Register at tsbdc.org/chscc/. No cost. Aug. 22, Nonprofit Startup Information Session 9:30 a.m. to Noon United Way of Greater Chattanooga: 630 Market St. Interested in starting a nonprofit in Tennessee? This information session covers early considerations such as for profit business options and collaboration, differences between a nonprofit and for profit and an overview of the nonprofit startup process. Register ventureforwardnow.org. $25 Aug. 22, Pick the Brain of a Commercial Insurance Agent 11 a.m. to noon INCubator: 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Please park across the street in the Republic parking lot) Business owners, let the insurance agent know your area of inquiry regarding all things Commercial Business Insurance. This Q & A group session will cover: insurance coverage required by law, top three policies every business should have and how proper risk management can reduce your insurance cost and protect your company. Speaker: Keith Rocha, The American Insurance Group Register at tsbdc.org/chscc/. No cost. Aug. 22, 2018 Chattanooga Chamber Annual Meeting 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chattanooga Convention Center: 1150 Carter St. The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce presents their Annual Meeting. Local volunteers receive awards, including: Ambassador of the Year Award, Chamber Council of the Year Award, and Chamber Council Membership Award. Keynote speaker Mick Fleming, nationally recognized Chamber of Commerce Executive, will speak about the power of community leaders. Aug. 22, When Does HR Matter & Why 2 to 5 p.m. INCubator: 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Please park across the street in the Republic parking lot) Every small business owner wears more than one hat. But when it comes to HR issues, they face an ever-increasing range of legal obligations and risks, and its good to know when outside expert help is needed. In this program, we will explore the primary HR challenges faced by growing small businesses and offer practical suggestions for addressing them. Speaker: Attorney Dan Gilmore, Founder of Squire Strategies Register at tsbdc.org/chscc/. No cost. Aug. 23, Enterprise Gateway Chamber Council Meeting 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Hospice of Chattanooga: 4411 Oakwood Dr. Speaker: Charita Allen, Deputy Administrator of Economic Development with City of Chattanooga $10 Aug. 23, Small Business Orientation: Morning Seminar 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. INCubator: 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Please park across the street in the Republic parking lot) This seminar addresses key topics of interest for individuals considering starting a business. Get to know our TSBDC staff, as we cover topics such as business entity options and tax registration, the importance of business planning, financing options and the extensive network of resources available through the TSBDC. Participants receive a startup packet containing vital phone numbers and addresses for getting established within State and Federal regulations. Speakers: TSBDC Staff Register at tsbdc.org/chscc/. No cost. Aug. 23, Small Business Orientation: Evening Seminar 5:30 to 7 p.m. INCubator: 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Please park across the street in the Republic parking lot) This seminar addresses key topics of interest for individuals considering starting a business. Get to know our TSBDC staff, as we cover topics such as business entity options and tax registration, the importance of business planning, financing options and the extensive network of resources available through the TSBDC. Participants receive a startup packet containing vital phone numbers and addresses for getting established within State and Federal regulations. Speakers: TSBDC Staff Register at tsbdc.org/chscc/. No cost. Aug. 24, Lunch & Learn: Finding Your Zen in a Corporate World 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chattery at Chattanooga WorkSpace: 302 W. 6th St. In this class, you will learn basic concepts of breath and gentle motion that will allow you to stop stress in its tracks. After discussing stress and its effects on you and your workplace, we will practice techniques to calm your mind, relieve your body and boost your mood. Register at thechattery.org. $15 Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: Binance LCX, a joint venture between Binance and Liechtenstein Cryptoassets Exchange (LCX), has announced the launch of a fiat-to-crypto exchange. According to a press release the new trading platform will be located in Liechtenstein and offer trading between Swiss Francs (CHF) and euros (EUR) against major digital currencies pairs, subsequently adding more trading pairs following regulatory approvals. The new exchange will also include crypto custody. Binance will provide and support the platform, while Binance LCX will lead customer support, regulatory compliance, and government communication. A formal event was held on August 16 to discuss the new exchange including the participation of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Michael Arrington, founder of Techcrunch and partner at XRP fund. Adrian Hasler, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, welcomed Binance LCX to Lichtenstein: "Blockchain technologies are laying the basis for an entirely new industry. We are confident that Liechtenstein's existing and future legal framework and practice provide a robust foundation for the Binance LCX and other Blockchain companies to provide exceptional services here in Liechtenstein." Zhao commented on the new partnership calling it a reliable and sustainable project for both retail and professional investors: "I hope Binance LCX will drive new standards for usability and compliance for the blockchain industry, and we are very excited to bring the relevant...................... To view our full article 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. Philadelphia, 2018 (Image by Linh Dinh) Details DMCA During a recent gay pride parade in Philly, a transgender woman was arrested for attempting to burn a Blue Lives Matter flag. The charges against ReeAnna Segin were arson, causing/risking a catastrophe and other misdemeanors. After Segin was released, however, her case smoldered on, for he/she claimed that his/her human rights and dignity were violated since he/she was locked up for four hours with male inmates, that is, with other humans cursed or gifted with a penis. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "Kall's Bottom-up explores refreshing yet timeless ways of seeing and ways of thinking about economics, knowledge and wisdom. He presents his message, that decentralized, local and small are both good and healthy in business and economics, in a model that makes sense and offers practical solutions." Amar Bhide, professor of Economics, Tufts University, former editor, Capitalism and Society, author, The Venturesome Economy: How Innovation Sustains Prosperity in a More Connected World Article Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their articles after publishing them. To see if the article 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. Reprinted from www.paulcraigroberts.org Ecological economists, such as Herman E. Daly, stress that as the external costs of pollution and resource exhaustion are not included in Gross Domestic Product, we do not know whether an increase in GDP is a gain or a loss. External costs are huge and growing larger. Historically, manufacturing and industrial corporations, corporate farming, city sewer systems, and other culprits have passed the costs of their activities onto the environment and third parties. Recently, there has been a spate of reports with many centering on Monsanto's Roundup, whose principle ingredient, glyphosate, is believed to be a carcinogen. A public health organization, the Environmental Working Group, recently reported that its tests found glyphosate in all but 2 of 45 children's breakfast foods including granola, oats and snack bars made by Quaker, Kellogg and General Mills. In Brazil tests have discovered that 83% of mothers' breast milk contains glyphosate. The Munich Environmental Institute reported that 14 of the most widely selling German beers contain glyphosate. Glyphosate has been found in Mexican farmers' urine and in Mexican ground water. Scientific Americanhas reported that even Roundup's "inert ingredients can kill human cells, particularly embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells." A German toxicologist has accused the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the European Food Safety Authority of scientific fraud for accepting a Monsanto-led glyphosate Task Force conclusion that glyphosate is not a carcinogen. Controversy about these findings comes from the fact that industry-funded scientists report no link between glyphosate and cancer, whereas independent scientists do. This is hardly surprising as an industry-funded scientist has no independence and is unlikely to conclude the opposite of what he is hired to conclude. There is also controversy about what level of contamination is necessary for products adulterated with glyphosate to be classified as dangerous. It does seem to be the case that the concentrations rise with use and time. Sooner or later the concentration becomes sufficient to do the damage. For this article, the point is that if glyphosate is carcinogenic, the cost of the lost lives and medical expenses are not borne by Monsanto/Bayer. If these costs were not external to Monsanto, that is, if the corporation had to bear these costs, the cost of the product would not be economical to use. Its advantages would be out-weighed by the costs. It is very difficult to find the truth, because politicians and regulatory authorities are susceptible to bribes and to doing favors for their business friends. In Brazil, lawmakers are actually trying to deregulate pesticide use and to ban the sale of organic food in supermarkets. In the case of glyphosate, the tide might be turning against Monsanto/Bayer. The California Supreme Court upheld the state's authority to add the herbicide glyphosate to its Proposition 65 list of carcinogens. Last week in San Francisco jurors awarded a former school groundkeeper $289 million in damages for cancer caused by Roundup. Little doubt that Monsanto will appeal and the case will be tied up in court until the groundkeeper is dead. But it is a precedent and indicates that jurors are beginning to distrust hired science. There are approximately 1,000 similar cases pending. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. By Dave Lindorff Fist Freedom Of Expression ? Free vector graphic on Pixabay504 -- 720 - 48k - png (Image by pixabay.com) Details DMCA Some 300 newspapers, large and small, joined today in publishing, often on their front pages, editorials defending the First Amendment's freedom of the press, often making note of their own efforts to combat current threats to that freedom posed by President Trump's attacks on journalists and the entire Fourth Estate, which Trump routinely denounces in tweets and at rallies as "enemies of the people." However, missing from most of these full-throated editorials is any real defense of those who are in the trenches doing the hardest job of a free press, which is exposing the worst offenses of government: the war crimes, the craven systemic corruption of the political system, and the purveying of propaganda and disinformation in the furtherance of anti-democratic policies. (A good example would be the employment by most major news organizations of retired generals and colonels as war commentators without noting their roles on corporate boards of arms merchants that profit form war -- a scandal that not one major news organization will expose.) Nowhere does one read, in these coordinated impassioned editorial paens to press freedom, a condemnation of the five-year torture and pursuit of journalist and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in the London embassy of Ecuador, hiding from a secret sealed indictment that since the days of the virulently anti-free-press Obama administration has been sitting in the Attorney General's office waiting for his capture. Assange is trapped in the cramped Ecuadoran embassy by a complicit British government that has threatened to arrest him if he exits the building, claiming he is wanted for jumping bail in a court case that was already long-ago mooted by the expiration of Swedish arrest warrant that itself was based upon trumped-up charges of "rape" made against Assange by women who say they had not wanted those charges made in the first place. His real crime, and the thing the US wants to extradite him from Britain for, is publishing leaked Pentagon documents and videotapes proving a policy in the Iraq war of massive and deliberate war crimes. Although news organizations like the New York Times and Washington Post made the most of those Wikileaks documents, publishing their horrific evidence of war crimes, such as the helicopter gun-ship machine-gun slaughter of a group of innocent Iraqis, including two journalists, shown in graphic detail in a leaked gun-sight video, and profited handsomely from the circulation and attention they derived from those stories, both those papers have slammed Assange, shamelessly questioning his status as a "journalist," impugning his integrity. They have ignored the reality that any prosecution of him for the work done by Wikileaks in exposing war crimes opens the door to prosecutions in the future of other more "traditional" journalists. 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). Do My Products Need Leak Testing? Sealed Component Leak Test There are several steps to evaluate before selecting a leak testing instrument. When a Quality Engineer is tasked with determining a new components specifications, production process, and testing procedures, he or she should first consider the costs and benefits of leak testing to determine if it is necessary for the test part.If the part is a disposable plastic straw, it may not be worth taking the time and money to test for a crack in each drinking straw. If a consumer gets a broken straw from a package, theyll probably just throw it away and get a new usable straw without batting an eye. The only consequences being a slight inconvenience and minor customer dissatisfaction. However, if a company is manufacturing a medical pacemaker device, the consequences of a device that is not properly leak tested could be lethal.If leak testing is determined to be necessary for your manufactured component, the next step is to identify the potential leak paths. Common areas can include welds, seals, microcracks, and pinholes. Most leaks are so small they are not visible to the human eye, which is why precise, data-rich testing results are necessary.After potential leak paths are identified, engineers establish a leak rate reject limit for the application based on theoretical calculations, industry specifications, and comparisons to specs of similar existing applications. One of the most common methods used to establish a reject level is to measure leak rates on customer returned products.Next, the manufacturing engineer can work with a leak testing engineer to determine the most appropriate leak testing method for the application, whether that be differential pressure decay, tracer gas, or sealed component ingress leak testing. Based on the companys budget, application specs, determined testing method and production integration requests, the manufacturer can select the most suitable leak testing instrument to fit their needs.Many times, the manufacturer will want the leak testers integrated into their production line. If this is the case, once a leak tester is selected, a leak testing engineer will work closely with the customer and a machine builder to design personalized fixtures to meet the customers testing requirements.ATEQ is a global manufacturer of compact leak/flow testing instruments used for non-destructive quality testing in a variety of industries to ensure the integrity of manufactured products. Instruments are fast, reliable, accurate, and repeatable and feature pressure decay, mass flow, electrical, tracer gas or multi-channel leak testing technologies. With locations in more than 40 countries and more than 40 years of experience, ATEQ is able to provide exceptional sales and services to customers worldwide.ATEQ Corp.35980 Industrial Rd.Livonia, MI 48150734-838-3100PR Contact: Heidi Franklinhfranklin@atequsa.com Hydropower Turbines Market Analysis 2018 to 2025 by Top Vendors - VOITH, Gamesa, Goldwind Science & Technology, Siemens wind power http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012197583/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012197583/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW00012197583/buy/4900 ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Hydropower Turbines Market Insights Forecast to 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 presents the worldwide Hydropower Turbines market size (value, production and consumption), splits the breakdown (data status 2013-2018 and forecast to 2025), by manufacturers, region, type and application.This study also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.The Hydropower Turbines market was valued at Million US$ in 2017 and is projected to reach Million US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Hydropower Turbines.The following manufacturers are covered in this report:VOITHGamesaGoldwind Science & TechnologySiemens wind powerVestasDongfang Electric CorporationGE Wind EnergyENERCON GMBHNORDEXChina Ming Yang Wind Power GroupOrmat TechnologiesEGP GroupCyrq EnergyCalpineAlterra PowerNorthern California Power AgencyU.S. GeothermalContact EnergySumitomo CorporationMannvitMitsubishi Minatomirai IndustrialEnergy Development CorporationKSBRequest for the Sample Report Here:Hydropower Turbines Breakdown Data by TypeImpulse TurbineReaction TurbineHydropower Turbines Breakdown Data by ApplicationSmall Power PlantsMiddle Power PlantsLarge Power PlantsHydropower Turbines Production by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsOther RegionsThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Hydropower Turbines market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of Hydropower Turbines market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global Hydropower Turbines manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Hydropower Turbines with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To project the value and volume of Hydropower Turbines 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.Ask for Discount on Report @Table of ContentGlobal Hydropower Turbines Market Research Report 2018-2025, by Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Applications1 Study Coverage2 Executive Summary3 Market Size by Manufacturers4 Hydropower Turbines Production by Regions5 Hydropower Turbines Consumption by Regions6 Market Size by Type7 Market Size by Application8 Manufacturers Profiles8.1 VOITH8.1.1 VOITH Company Details8.1.2 Company Overview8.1.3 VOITH Hydropower Turbines Production Revenue and Gross Margin (2013-2018)8.1.4 VOITH Hydropower Turbines Product Description8.1.5 VOITH Recent Development8.2 Gamesa8.2.1 Gamesa Company Details8.2.2 Company Overview8.2.3 Gamesa Hydropower Turbines Production Revenue and Gross Margin (2013-2018)8.2.4 Gamesa Hydropower Turbines Product Description8.2.5 Gamesa Recent Development8.3 Goldwind Science & Technology8.3.1 Goldwind Science & Technology Company Details8.3.2 Company Overview8.3.3 Goldwind Science & Technology Hydropower Turbines Production Revenue and Gross Margin (2013-2018)8.3.4 Goldwind Science & Technology Hydropower Turbines Product Description8.3.5 Goldwind Science & Technology Recent Development9 Production Forecasts10 Consumption Forecast11 Upstream, Industry Chain and Downstream Customers Analysis12 Opportunities & Challenges, Threat and Affecting Factors13 Key FindingsBuy the comprehensive report trusted by everyone@Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiOrganization: ReportsWebEmail: sales@reportsweb.comPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb.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 E. Coli Testing Market to Gain from Increasing Investment in Research and Development Activities 2017 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/e-coli-testing-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4822 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=4822 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ The global E. coli testing market is decently competitive, mainly as six key players held about 57.0% of total shares in 2016, observes Transparency Market Research on the basis of a recently published report. With new players entering the market on a regular basis, the vendor landscape has become substantially fragmented in recent times. Extensive focus on developing improved testing methods, launching innovative technologies, and regulating service costs are three key strategies implemented by most players in the global E. coli market.Read Report Overview:Capitalizing on new trends and opportunities in several regions has caused many players to gain a competitive edge over others. Participating in valuable mergers & acquisitions to take over small, regional players also are other key strategies implemented by several companies in the E. coli testing market. Alere Inc., Dickinson and Company, BioMerieux Inc., NanoLogix, Inc., Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Becton, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., CPI International, Inc., Pro-Lab Diagnostics, Inc., and DEXX Laboratories, Inc., are prominent players operating in the global E. coli testing market.The global E. coli testing market was valued at US$1.18 bn in 2016 and is projected to rise at an impressive CAGR of 8.0% from 2017 to 2025. Expanding at this pace, the opportunities in the market is anticipated to reach US$2.36 bn by the end of the forecast period.Request A Sample:Prevalence of Unhygienic and Unclean Environments Makes E. Coli Bacteria Spread FastThe E. coli bacteria commonly grow in hospital and community-based environments. The bacterium can be easily acquired by anyone spending substantial time in such spaces. Un-cleanliness kept in these environments causes the bacterium to further mushroom with regards to its spread. Thus, a lack of cleanliness and a general disregard of maintaining hygiene has been chiefly responsible for driving the global E. coli testing market. Rising concerns about anti-microbial resistance acquired by those affected is also driving the global E. coli testing market, by triggering extensive research on the bacterium, especially with regards to its resistance power. In contrast, notable susceptibility of the bacterium against penicillin and amoxicillin antibiotics has made drug vendors expand research and drug production activities to tackle E. coli outbreaks.Request Report For Discount:High Costs of E. Coli Treatments Dampen GrowthHowever, high costs of E. coli treatments is notably hampering the E. coli testing market, mainly by discouraging those having less disposable income. Many underdeveloped and remote regions depict a lack of healthcare experts, consequently restraining the markets growth. Nevertheless, extensive research and innovations are being carried out by several players, and this is expected to reduce the restraints up to a certain extent.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: Vascular Graft Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 5.0% Between 2016 and 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vascular-graft-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=11096 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=11096 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=11096 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Other than the emergence of a few major players, the worldwide vascular grafts market is home to numerous littler organizations and a couple of nearby makers of implantable gadgets. Notwithstanding the nearness of an extensive number of undertakings, just a modest bunch of them hold strength in the worldwide vascular grafts market. Organizations, for example, B. Braun Melsungen AG, MAQUET Holding B.V. and Co. KG (Getinge AB), CRYOLIFE, INC., W. L. Gut and Associates, Inc., C.R. Poet, Vascutek Ltd. (Terumo Company), Cook Medical, Inc., Medtronic plc, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., constituted about 93.5% of the general market in 2016. Given the situation, the worldwide vascular grafts market displays extraordinary aggressive contention among the key undertakings. The market features broad endeavors with respect to makers to enhance novel levels of vascular grafts. Their innovative work endeavors are for the most part focused at beating concerns, inconveniences, and contaminations related with the utilization of vascular grafts.Read Report Overview:According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the worldwide vascular grafts market is conjecture to show a strong CAGR of 5.0% within the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. With this pace, the markets valuation is likely to be worth US$ 3.29 bn before the finish of year 2024, from US$ 2.15 bn in year 2015. Among the key end clients, the predominance is gauge to stay with healthcare facilities, which additionally constituted the main share of 41.8% in the market in year 2016. Territorially, North America rose prevailing around the same time holding more than 45% of the worldwide vascular grafts market.Rise in Geriatric Population to Fuel the Vascular Graft MarketVascular graft has been a great decision among the cardiovascular and vascular specialists worldwide because of its solid, idle and biocompatible plan which additionally changes in sizes and setups with a specific end goal to enhance vascular access. The ascent in vascular graft utilization has been expanded because of increment in cardiovascular infections and diabetes. Increment in geriatric populace, request of new mechanical headways in vascular access, ascend sought after of vascular grafts among patients can likewise quicken the development in vascular graft market.Request A Sample:Danger of contamination because of diabetes safe reaction and mellitus can expand some genuine entanglements, for example, sepsis, amputation, disturbance of tainted anastomotic inflexible line along with a break, and so on can limit the market development. The central point driving the healing center end client section is that the vast majority of the vascular graft with most recent innovative source and plan accessibility in doctors facilities. Besides, ceaseless ascent in the rate of diabetes, cardiovascular illness are additionally anticipated that would support the development of doctors facility section amid the estimate time frame from 2016 to 2024.However, makers are trying different things with creative and mechanical propelled items. With their coming, the greater part of the previously mentioned difficulties can be alleviated with. These advancements are likewise pointed towards diminishing regular dangers related with the utilization of vascular grafts. Combined with this, the rising rate of weight, diabetes, renal impedances, and other ceaseless diseases worldwide will keep the interest for vascular grafts high in the inevitable years.Request Report For Discount:Advancement in Technology to Augment the Growth of Vascular Graft in Global MarketOn the drawback, absence of administrative endorsement is making preventions for the worldwide vascular grafts market. The changed administrative condition and human services financial matters of various districts, make circumstance more intricate for market players. Likewise the surgical procedure has its own hazard. A high blood stream amid arteriovenous access can prompt perilous issue. Information with respect to the same, frequently makes patients and their families incredulous about the entire procedure. Also, the expanding valuing weight and moderate development rate are making bottlenecks for the worldwide vascular grafts market.The study presented here is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), titled, Vascular Graft Market (Product Endovascular Stent Graft, Peripheral Vascular Graft, Hemodialysis Access Graft, and Bypass Graft; End User Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Specialty Clinics, and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories; Source Synthetic, Biosynthetic and Biological; Application Coronary Artery Disease, Aneurysm, Vascular Occlusion, and Renal Failure) Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 2024.Request For Custom Research: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: Cancer Stem Cells Market is likely to register double digit CAGR during 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cancer-stem-cells-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2733 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=2733 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Cancer stem cells (CSCs) refer to the cells obtained from tumor that posses potential to reproduce all types of cancer cells found in a cancer sample. Cancer stem cells are planned to grow in tumors as a separate population and thereby cause deterioration and metastasis of existing tumor through generation of new tumor. Thus, with advancement in technology especially in cancer stem cells research area, therapies specific to targeting cancer stem cells are expected to improve quality of life and survival cases of cancer patients with metastatic diseases.Read Report Overview:Morbidity and mortality rate of cancer is rising at a faster speed worldwide and thus prevention of cancer and cancer treatment is grabbing attention of cancer researchers globally. Stem cells and cell therapy have shown significant potential to treat cancer effectively. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been tested on animal models and have also shown satisfactory results. However, human testing of cancer stem cells is still in its developing stage owing to stringent regulations and ethical issues associated with the same.Worldwide cancer research activities are increasing rapidly owing to rising burden of mortality rate of cancer. Cancer stem cells are under research for various types of cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer and bone cancer. Government initiative to boost the cancer research activities and availability of funds are some of the factors that are driving the global cancer stem cells (CSCs) market towards growth. While on the other hand, ethical issues involved in the stem cells research and stringent regulations to perform human trials are some of the factors that are restraining the growth of the global cancer stem cells (CSCs) market.Request Brochure of Report:Geographically, global cancer stem cells market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world (RoW) regions. Currently, North America is leading the global cancer stem cells (CSCs) market and is followed by Europe. Factors such as highly developed research infrastructure, well defined regulatory norms, availability of research funds, availability of skilled research and healthcare professionals and supportive economy are driving the North American cancer stem cells market towards growth. Asia Pacific is lucrative market for cancer stem cells. Governments in the Asia Pacific countries mainly, India and China are taking initiative to boost the healthcare and biotechnology industry in the respective countries and thus, research and development activities in these countries are swiftly increasing.Apart from India and China, Japan will play a significant role in the cancer stem cells market. Japanese government is heavily investing in healthcare industry in order to improve the healthcare facilities in the country and thus rising cancer treatment are expected to escalate the cancer stem cells treatment market in Japan. Latin American countries namely, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are expected to contribute more to cancer stem cells market than other countries in the rest of the world region. While on the other hand, African countries and Middle Eastern countries are expected to show slow or no growth rate in the global cancer stem cells (CSCs) market.Request For Custom Research:Some of the major players in the global cancer stem cells market are AdnaGen GmbH, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc., AVIVA Biosciences Corporation, Celula, Inc., Epic Sciences, Inc., Fluxion Biosciences, Inc., Rarecells USA, Inc. and Silicon Biosystems, S.p.A.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.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: Tourism Vehicle Rental Market to Reflect Impressive Growth Rate of 12.08% by 2023 | Global Key Players Autoeurope, Avis, Carzonrent, Easycar, Europcar, Hertz, Kemwel, Zoomcar Tourism Vehicle Rental Market https://www.marketprognosis.com/sample-request/15960 https://www.marketprognosis.com/buyReport/15960 https://www.marketprognosis.com/enquiry/15960 https://www.marketprognosis.com Marketprognosis.com Publish a New Market Research Report On Global Tourism Vehicle Rental Market - Growth, Trends and Forecast (2018 - 2023) which contains global key players survey information and forecast to 2023.Overview of the Global Tourism Vehicle Rental Market:The report spread across 94 pages is an overview of the Global Tourism Vehicle Rental Market - Growth, Trends and Forecast (2018 - 2023). These report study based on the Tourism Vehicle Rental Market. It is a complete overview of the market, covering various aspects prevailing market landscape. It accumulates comprehensive information and research methodologies.Get a Sample Copy of this Report @The Global Tourism Vehicle Rental Market is expected to grow at a CAGR close 12.08% during the forecasted period of 2018-2023.Vehicle rental services are relatively developed in the industrialized economies and have been around for a long time. More importantly, the general public is comfortable with the concept and as a result of proper procedures and insurance; there is little risk for the vehicle rental vendor. Previously, in the emerging economies, there existed several regulations and high-security deposits needed to be given by the customer to take a vehicle on rent. The market was also highly unorganized and unregulated. Tourists who have little idea about the local conditions need clarity and uniform rules that were not present earlier and were impeding the growth of the market. In the new decade, however, this sector, as a result of the entry of global brands into the emerging economies, has boomed. The entry of established players in the market has resulted in strong growth, as tourists are familiar with these global brands and are, therefore, more willing to choose this option.With a total vehicle fleet size more than 2 million, United States is the leader in the tourism vehicle rental market, but the market is saturated and will post modest gains. The major growth is expected to come from Asia-Pacific countries like Vietnam, Philippines, India, and China where tourism is expected to grow sharply. Organized vehicle rental services are still in their nascent stage in the emerging economies and offer significant opportunities for growth.The rental market for luxury vehicles will grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period due to increased travel budgets of tourists around the world. Also, tourists from developed nations and emerging markets who are increasingly exploring new destinations prefer to rent luxury and high-end cars and this will boost the market for these cars. In the U.S. alone more than 2.10 million vehicles are engaged in the car rental market.Purchase this report online with 94 Pages, Top Key Players Analysis and List of Tables & Figure @Major Key Players:1 Autoeurope2 Avis3 Carzonrent4 Easycar5 Europcar6 Hertz7 Kemwel8 Zoomcar and MoreWhat Information does this report contain?1 A detailed analysis of regulatory trends, drivers, industry pitfalls, challenges and growth opportunities for participants2 Which are the leading market products, applications & regions and how will they perform by 2023?3 What are the technologies & innovation trends, how will they evolve by 2023?4 Which companies lead the industry, how are they positioned in the market in terms of sustainability, competency, production capacity and strategic outlook?Any Query? Ask to our Expert @In the end, this report covers data and information on capacity and production overview, production, market share analysis, sales overview, supply, sales, and shortage, import, export and consumption as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin of Tourism Vehicle Rental Market.Table of Contents:1 Introduction2 Research Methodology3 Executive Summary4 Market Overview And Technological Trends5 Market Dynamics6 Tourism Vehicle Rental Market, By Vehicle Type7 Tourism Vehicle Rental Market, By Booking Mode8 Tourism Vehicle Rental Market, By End User9 Tourism Vehicle Rental Market, By Geography10 Competitive Landscape11 Key Vendor Analysis (Overview, Products & Services, Strategies)12 Future Outlook Of The MarketAbout us:We 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.sales@marketprognosis.com+1 973 241 5193 Global Magnetic Bead-based Nucleic Acid Extraction Market to Incur Steady Growth During 2017-2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/19609 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/19609 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction is one of the most common method adopted for the nucleic acid purification. There are numerous magnetic bead-based extraction and purification kits available in the market for rapid and reliable isolation of nucleic acids. These uniquely coated magnetic beads bind DNA with high affinity. Thus, high quality DNA is obtained with high purity and yield after the magnetic separation technique. This high quality DNA can be used for enzyme digestion, sequencing and analysis. The magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction is a less rigorous method as compared to tradition DNA separation process (involving precipitation and centrifugation steps) that may lead to nucleic acid degradation. Thus, nucleic acid isolation is one of the most vital steps in molecular biology as it is a prerequisite for a wide range of experiments.The global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market is expected to witness a favorable growth during the forecast period. Increasing adoption of magnetic beads for the isolation of nucleic acids, technological advancements in magnetic bead based nucleic acid methods, availability of bench top systems, and huge amount of investments in research and development from pharmaceutical companies are some of the primary factors driving the growth of the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market. Moreover, increasing government investments in the field of life sciences is further contributing to the growth of the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market. However, the extraction of intact RNA with high yield and purity is one of the major challenges hindering the growth of the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market.Request Sample Report@The global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market is segmented on basis of product type, end user and geography:Segmentation by Product TypeKitsSemi-automated Magnetic Bead-based KitsManual Membrane Column-based KitsReagentsInstrumentsSegmentation by End UserAcademic and Government Research InstitutesPharmaceutical and Biotechnology CompaniesContract Research OrganizationsHospitals and Diagnostic CentersOther End UsersBased on product type, the semi-automated magnetic bead-based kits market is expected to be the most promising segment during the forecast period. This can be primarily attributed to the ongoing innovations in the segment along with the new product launches in the market.Regionally, the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to lead the global market due high adoption of advanced products and increasing investments in research and development activities in the region. However, the magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth rate over the forecast period.Some of the players operating in the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hamilton Company, Roche, Takara Bio USA, Creative Diagnostics, Tecan, Milan Analytica AG, Axygen, Inc. (A Corning Subsidiary), Analytik Jena AG, PerkinElmer Chemagen Technologie GmbH, Bioneer Corporation, Diagenode S.A., DiaSorin S.p.A., Covaris, Inc., AI Biosciences, Inc., Innosieve Diagnostics, QuanDx, Precision System Science Co., Ltd., Zymo Research, Isogen Life Science, TBG Diagnostics Limited, Geneaid Biotech Ltd, Aurora Biomed, and Primerdesign Ltd, among others.Request TOC@These players are highly focused on providing novel beads based DNA extraction and purification kits for rapid and reliable isolation of DNA, which is set to further stimulate the growth of the global magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction market. For instance, in March 2017, Roche introduced the MagNA Pure 24 System for the extraction and purification of nucleic acids. This is an advanced instrument that is designed to extract nucleic acids from a range of human samples through a single reagent kit. Likewise, in March 2013, Aurora Biomed launched the VERSA 10 Nucleic Acid Purification Workstation. It is one of the smallest automated liquid handling workstation in the market that helps researchers to conduct large projects in limited space. Thus, innovation is set to drive the demand for automated magnetic bead-based nucleic acid instruments.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Smart Clothing Market Outlook to 2025 - AiQ Smart Clothing, Mad Apparel, Clothing+, Lumo Bodytech, CuteCircuit, Adidas AG, Nike Inc., Google (Project Jacquard), OMsignal and Hexoskin Smart Clothing Market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000341 https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000341/ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/smart-clothing-market/ Smart clothing, also known as E-textiles smart garments, electronic textiles, smart textiles, or smart fabrics, are fabrics that enable digital components (including small computers), and electronics to be embedded in them. These smart clothing market like other wearable devices are currently in emerging stage, however, prediction says it is an innovative ways to keep multiple things on track and have substantially high growth rate.An exclusive Smart Clothing market research report created through broad primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, and stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Smart Clothing Market By Type, By Application, By Region - North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global Smart Clothing market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.Get Sample Copy of this Report atLeading Smart Clothing Market Players:- AiQ Smart Clothing Ltd.- Mad Apparel, INC.- Clothing+- Lumo Bodytech- CuteCircuit- Adidas AG- Nike Inc.- Google (Project Jacquard)- OMsignal- HexoskinWorldwide Smart Clothing Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Smart Clothing industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Smart Clothing market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Smart Clothing market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Smart Clothing players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Smart Clothing market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Smart Clothing market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.Inquire about this Report atAlso, key Smart Clothing market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global Smart Clothing market- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Smart Clothing market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.Get Complete Report With TOC and Company Profiles atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 ePharmacy Market Quadruples by 2023; with a ~ 14.76 % of Whooping CAGR | Rowlands Pharmacy, CVS Health, DocMorris N.V, Giant Eagle, OptumRx Inc, Express Scripts, Kroger, Walmart and Walgreens ePharmacy Market https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report-sample/HC03659 https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report/epharmacy-market The ePharmacy Market was worth USD 25.18 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach approximately USD 86.97 billion by 2023, while registering itself at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.76% during the forecast period.Access sample copy of this report:Expanded penetration of the internet over the world, enhanced medicinal services foundation, rapid aging of the populace, and expanding awareness relating to ecommerce among clients are a portion of the elements driving development. Change in customer conduct with an expanded interest for convenience is additionally one of the key components adding to the market development. Besides, rising adoption of ecommerce based business and advanced innovations in medicinal services part is anticipated to drive development.ePharmacy Market - Competitive Insights:The leading players in the market are Rowlands Pharmacy, CVS Health, DocMorris N.V, Giant Eagle, OptumRx Inc, Express Scripts, Kroger, Walmart and Walgreens. These players are embracing different promoting techniques to increase higher share in the ePharmacy market and concentrating on extending their geographic existence, particularly in developing locales that offer lucrative opportunities.ePharmacy Market - By Region:North America - U.S, Canada, MexicoEurope - Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of EuropeAsia-Pacific - Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia PacificRest of the World - Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, OthersePharmacy Market - Regional Outlook and Trend Analysis:North America commanded the ePharmacy market in 2016 with the biggest share of the overall industry. High adoption of internet business, increment in online requests, and development in elderly populace are a portion of the key factors that add to the substantial share of the market. Existence of entrenched players and increment in pharmaceutical needs, particularly of people born after WW2, are additionally anticipated that would drive development. Asia Pacific is anticipated to enlist speediest development throughout the following couple of years inferable from the existence of an expansive patient pool and ascend in target populace. Developing economies, for example, China and India have a high development potential. Vast populace base of these nations alongside the high neglected medicinal needs are a portion of the difficulties looked by the social insurance area in these districts.ePharmacy Market - Table of Contents:1. Introduction1.1.Report Description1.2.Research Methodology2.Executive Summary2.1.Key Highlights3.Market Overview...6.Company Profiles6.1. The Kroger Co.6.2.Walgreen Co.6.3.Giant Eagle, Inc.6.4.Walmart Stores, Inc.6.5.Express Scripts Holding Company6.6.CVS Health6.7. Optum Rx, Inc.6.8.Rowlands Pharmacy6.9.DocMorris (Zur Rose Group AG)7.Global EPharmacy Market Competition, by Manufacturer....The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global EPharmacy market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2023 for overall EPharmacy market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World, which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.In order to browse complete report with TOC:Also, key EPharmacy market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered.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- 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 advancementsTo be ContinuedAbout Crystal Market Research:Crystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customised research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contact Us:Judy304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.com Contact Lenses Market 2018 to 2023 Along with Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, CooperVision, etc. Says MRFR till 2023 Contact Lenses Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6210 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6210 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6210 Market research future has a cooked research report on analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next seven years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Contact Lenses Market. And Outlook till 2023Contact Lenses Market - Summary:The Global Contact Lenses Market is projected to witness a moderate CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023. Market estimations and valuations anticipate an evaluation of USD 11 Billion by the end of 2023 from USD 7.9 Billion in 2017. The increasing prevalence of visual problems and eye disorders, combined with product advancements and the development of associated technology are some of the prominent factors driving market growth.Request Premium Sample copy atReport Overview:This MRFR market perspective sheds light on the recent developments in contact lenses market on a global scale. Based on the research findings a market outlook has been established highlighting the key historical market trends, current market scenario and a revenue forecast till 2023. The scope of the discussion covers types of contact lenses such as corrective lens, therapeutic lenses, and cosmetic & lifestyle oriented lens. Also, assessment of prominent materials (silicone hydrogel soft contact lens, methacrylate hydrogel soft contact lens, gas-permeable contact lens etc.) used for manufacturing contact lenses has been made as a part of overall market sizing. The discussion also includes contact lens designs that are currently popular and worth a mention such as spherical, toric, and multifocal among others.All the market segments and sub-segments are profiled under five major geographies North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) with the respective country-level market projection.Top Players:Johnson & JohnsonNovartis AGCooperVisionBAUSCH + LOMB, NEOVISIONCLEARLAB SGHoya CorporationAnd more.Report Coverage:Value, Market Share, Player Analysis, value chain analysis, Porter's five forces model, demand & supply: gap analysis, investment opportunities analysis, pricing analysis, technological trends, country level break down for type, material, and design.Contact Lenses Market Segmental Analysis:The contact lenses market globally is segmented on the basis of material, design, and type. The segmentation of the market on the basis of material comprises of methacrylate hydrogel soft contact lens, gas-permeable contact lens, silicone hydrogel soft contact lens, and others. The silicone hydrogel soft contact lens is expected to hold a prime market share of 66.2 percent in the duration of the review period, and it is also projected to develop at a CAGR of 5.61 percent during the forecast period. On the basis of design, the market is segmented into toric, spherical, multifocal, and others.Get Prime Discount atThe spherical segment holds the chief market share of 55.1 percent in the forecast period, and it is also anticipated to develop with a rapid CAGR of 5.57percent during the forecast period. The market is segmented on the basis of type, into therapeutic lenses, corrective lens, and cosmetic & lifestyle oriented lens. The corrective lens type holds the maximum market segment of 43.4 percent over the forecast period, and it is also projected to develop at a CAGR of 5.22 percent throughout the forecast period.Detailed Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of the contact lens market consists of regions such as Americas, Middle East, Europe, Africa, APAC and rest of the world. The Americas controls the contact lenses market globally due to the growing population of contact lens wearer, the mounting occurrence of eye-related diseases, and growing adoption of cosmetic lens among the young population. The American contact lenses market is estimated to develop at a CAGR of 5.8 percent through the forecast period. Moreover, the rising cases of cataract and eye diseases owing to diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma have added to the markets progress in this region. The European region holds the next major market share due to the high acceptance of contact lenses and growing incidence of age-related eye diseases. This region is likely to develop at a CAGR of 6 percent throughout the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is the most rapidly developing market for the contact lenses and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 6.2 percent all through the forecast period. The market growth is developing at a very speedy pace and has shown the appearance of many companies.Major TOC of Contact Lenses Market Research Report Forecast to 2023:1 Report Prologue2 Executive Summary3 Market Introduction4 Research Methodology5 Market Dynamics6 Market Factor Analysis7 Global Contact Lenses Market, by Type8 Global Contact Lenses Market, by Material9 Global Contact Lenses Market, by Design10 Global Contact Lenses Market, by Region11 Competitive Landscape12 Company Profiles13 AppendixInquire more about this Report atAbout 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.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Plastics Market Worth USD 1050.00 Billion by 2025; Robust CAGR of 8.78% with E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Dow Chemicals and BASF SE Plastics Market https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report-sample/CM09221 https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report/plastics-market https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/checkout/CM09221 https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/check-discount/CM09221 https://www.crystalmarketresearch.com The Plastics Market was valued around USD 492.32 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach roughly USD 1050.00 billion by the end of 2025 while registering itself at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.78% during the forecast period, owing to various advantages of plastic materials. Plastics are a large array of synthetic or semi-synthetic natural solids which are molded or transformed into numerous useful products. Generally, plastics are natural polymers which occur sometimes naturally or developed from petrochemicals and have elevated molecular weights. Global plastic market is regularized by means of the end user market application.Request sample Copy of this Report:Plastics Industry -Regional Outlook and Trend Analysis:Asia Pacific regional market dominated the global plastics market and reported for 44.6% of overall market share in 2013. The expansion of major end use industry, predominantly in economies such as India and China, are likely to drive plastics demand in the region. North America and Europe are moderately established markets and are anticipated to grow at fairly lower rates than other high growth regions. European and North American plastics market are mainly stimulated by rising demand for environmental friendly and high-performance plastics materials like engineering thermoplastics and bio-based plastics. South & Central America is predicted to be the top growing market for plastic products with CAGR of 6.3% over forecast years. The growth of construction and automobile industry in Argentina and Brazil is anticipated to encourage the demand for plastic products in this region.Plastics Industry Competitive Insights:The major players in the global plastic market include E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Dow Chemicals and BASF SE. Other players in the plastic market are ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, Formosa Plastics, Indorama Corp., Nan Ya Plastics, M&G Chemicals, DAK Americas, Octal Petrochem and Total SA.Plastics Industry -Product Outlook and Trend Analysis:The segmentation of the plastic products is depending upon the resin type such as polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, engineering thermoplastics, polystyrene, PVC, and others. These plastic products vary from one another concerning the monomers and molecular arrangement implicated in their production. The plastics products have extensive applications varying from space ship parts to manufacturing paper clips. In 2013, polyethylene has been recognized as the major product segment worldwide, reporting for 34.9% of the overall plastics manufactured globally. Rising demand from a variety of end user industries such as injection molding, food & beverage packaging, pipe, and film/sheet is measured to be the major driving factors for international polyethylene market. However, numerous environmental concerns and disposal policies are major challenges for global polyethylene market. However, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is anticipated to be the fastest increasing product segment above the next few years with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% over the forecast years.Browse Full market data Tables and in-depth TOC on Plastics Market:Plastics Industry -Application Outlook and Trend Analysis:The plastics can be utilized in several end-user industries counting film/sheet, injection molding, pipes, construction, electrical & electronics and consumer appliances, automotive parts manufacture, textiles, food and beverage packaging among others. Growing Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) demand for sparkling drink packaging is projected to boost the demand for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) during the next few years. Plastic products also have a wide variety of applications in electrical and automobile segment.The Plastics Market is segmented as follows-Plastics Market, By Product Type, Estimates and Forecast, 2016-2025 ($Million)Polypropylene (PP)PETPolyethylene (PE)PVCEngineering PlasticsPolystyrenePlastics Market, By Application, Estimates and Forecast, 2016-2025 ($Million)Film & SheetInjection MoldingTextilesPackagingTransportationConstructionReasons to buy a Exclusive report?1) An extensive research study on the Global Plastics market, and its entire ecosystem, describes the market trends, drivers, restraints and opportunities of the Plastics market.2) We provide you the longest possible market segmentation based on type of products, procedures and geography and describe the market share region wise.3) The report gives a bird eyes view on the competitive landscape which includes mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, market strategies, and new product launches.Click to Buy In-depth TOC "Exclusive report":Major TOC of Plastics Market:Chapter1. IntroductionChapter2. Executive SummaryChapter3. Market OverviewChapter4. Market Analysis by Type4.1.Introduction4.2.Plastics Market Assessment and Forecast, By Product Type, 2016-20254.3.Polypropylene (PP)4.3.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)4.4.PET4.4.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)4.5.Polyethylene (PE)4.5.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)4.6.PVC4.6.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)4.7.Engineering Plastics4.7.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)4.8.Polystyrene4.8.1. Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)Chapter5. Plastics Market, By Application5.1.Introduction5.2.Plastics Market Assessment and Forecast, By Application, 2016-20255.3.Film & Sheet5.3.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)5.4.Injection Molding5.4.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)5.5.Textiles5.5.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)5.6.Packaging5.6.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)5.7.Transportation5.7.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)5.8.Construction5.8.1.1.Market Assessment and Forecast, By Region, 2016-2025 ($Million)Chapter6. Plastics Market, By RegionChapter7. Company ProfilesChapter8. Global Plastics Market Competition, by ManufacturerChapter9. Plastics Market Forecast (2018-2023)CONTINUED FOR TOCList of FiguresFigure 1.Plastics Market Share, By Product Type, 2016 & 2025 ($Million)Figure 2.Plastics Market, By Application, 2016 & 2025 ($Million)Figure 3.Plastics Market, By Region, 2016, ($Million)Figure 4.BASF SE: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 5.BASF SE: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016Figure 6.BASF SE: Net Revenue Share, By Geography, 2016Figure 7.Eastman Chemical Company: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 8.Eastman Chemical Company: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016Figure 9.Eastman Chemical Company: Net Revenue Share, By Geography, 2016Figure 10.E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 11.E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016Figure 12.E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY: Net Revenue Share, By Geography, 2016Figure 13.CHEVRON PHILIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 14.CHEVRON PHILIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016Figure 15.CHEVRON PHILIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY: Net Revenue Share, By Geography, 2016Figure 16.EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 17.EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016Figure 18.EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION: Net Revenue Share, By Geography, 2016Figure 19.Huntsman International LLC.: Net Revenues, 2014-2016 ($Million)Figure 20.Huntsman International LLC.: Net Revenue Share, By Segment, 2016ContinueList of TablesTable 1.Plastics Market, By Product Type ($Million), 2016-2025Table 2.Polypropylene (PP) Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 3.PET Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 4.Polyethylene (PE) Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 5.PVC Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 6.Engineering Plastics Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 7.Polystyrene Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 8.lastics Market, By Application ($Million), 2016-2025Table 9.Film & Sheet Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 10.Injection Molding Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025Table 11.Textiles Market, By Region ($Million), 2016-2025ContinueTo Get Discounts and customized details here:About Crystal Market Research:Crystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customized research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contacts UsJudy | 304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesE-mail: sales@crystalmarketresearch.com | Ph: +1-888-213-4282Web: Oil and Gas Mobility Market 2018 by Top Key Players in 2022-Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Microsoft, CISCO Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Wipro, Accenture, IBM Corporation, Infosys Oil and Gas Mobility http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001390854/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001390854/buying ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Oil and Gas Mobility Market Size Status and Forecast 2022, The report classifies the global Oil and Gas Mobility Market in a precise manner to offer detailed insights about the aspects responsible for augmenting as well as restraining market growth.According to Publisher, The Global Oil and Gas Mobility Market is estimated as $8.42 billion in 2016 and is poised to reach $25.99 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.47 % during the forecast period. Companies are having a hard time in regulating the supply of oil and gas over the globe due to the increasing global order for fuel. Since, oil and gas industry involves complex data, there is an improved need of considerable amount of investment in mobility sector. Thus many oil companies are transforming their traditional practices into a mobile performance-powered approach, which acts as a key driver for the oil and gas mobility market growth. However, optimum utilization of resources such as human, technology, processes and financial data is the critical challenge for this market. By geography, North America is expected to be the largest market in terms of revenue, while Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) are expected to grow at a significant CAGR, during the forecast period.Get Free sample copy @The Key Players mentioned in our report:Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Microsoft, CISCO Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Wipro, Accenture, IBM Corporation, Infosys, Cognizant Technology Solutions, MNM View and Halliburton.Applications Covered:-Workforce Automation-Risk and Regulatory Compliance-Mobile Analytics-Materials Management-Data Management-Asset Management-Other ApplicationsType of Deployment Covered:-On-Site-HostedServices Covered:-Professional Services-Integration Services-Cloud ServicesEnd users Covered:-Small & Medium Business(SMB)-Large Scale EnterprisesRegions 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 Oil and Gas Mobility 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 theOil and Gas Mobility Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 WorldOil and Gas Mobility 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 WorldOil and Gas Mobility 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 Hospital Acquired Infections Market Evaluated to Reach $36.16 Bn by 2023 | 3M Company, Becton Dickinson and company, STERIS Corporation, Getinge AB, etc Hospital Acquired Infections Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2576 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2576 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2576 Market Research Future published reports related to the healthcare sector among others, recently forecasted in its report on Global hospital acquired infection (HAI) Market Research Report- Forecast to 2023 that the market will demonstrate a steady CAGR of 7.3% while achieving million dollar growth readily in the forecast period. A hospital acquired infection (HAI) or nosocomial infection or health care associated infection (HAI or HCAI), is an infection that is acquired in a health care facility.Get Sample PDF Illustration @The markets driving factors are nature and virulence of the microbial agent, patient susceptibility such as immunity, presence of other diseases, environmental factors such as infected materials and bacterial load in hospitals, crowding, temperature and humidity etc., bacterial resistance to drugs, the age of patient., high prevalence of HAI, lack of awareness, poor training and infection control practices, poor hospital infrastructure and regulation, low expenditure on healthcare, rise of chronic diseases with prolonged stay in hospitals etc.The Global market for hospital acquired infections was $23.7 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach around $36.16 billion by the end of the forecast period growing at a CAGR of 7.3%.Key Players for Global Hospital Acquired Infections MarketSome of the key players in this market are: Advanced Sterilization Products, 3M Company, Becton Dickinson and company, STERIS Corporation, Getinge AB, Cantel Medical Corp., Belimed AG, and others.Regional Analysis for Global Hospital Acquired Infections MarketThe prevalence of HAI is greater in Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. Nations are close to the extreme north of the Northern Hemisphere have the least prevalence of HAI such as Norway. Globally America is the largest market for Hospital Acquired Infections Market which is expected to reach around $12 billion by the end of the forecast period 2022.The growth of this market has started since 2016 thus, growth period of this market can be stated as 2016 to 2022. Europe is the second largest market for hospital acquired infections. Asia Pacific region is expected to be fastest growing region in Hospital Acquired Infections Market.Segments for Global Hospital Acquired Infections MarketGlobal Hospital Acquired Infections Market has been segmented on the basis of pathogen types which comprises of viral, bacterial and fungal. On the basis of method of treatment the market is segmented into sterilization, chemical, radiation and on the basis of infection type market is segmented into urinary tract infections, blood stream infections, surgical site infections, gastrointestinal infections, and respiratory infections.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 Query? 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 Western Blotting Market 2018-2025 | Demand, Technology, Innovation & Top Manufactures Research like (Thermo Fisher, Bio-Rad, GE, BD, Merck Millipore, Sigma-Aldrich, PerkinElmer, Roche Applied, ProteinSimple etc.) Western Blotting Market https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/604224 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/604224 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/604224 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 Western Blotting Market spread across 91 pages with top 15 key manufacturers and list of tables and figures. Enquire more @Key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: Thermo Fisher Scientific Bio-Rad Laboratories GE Healthcare BD Biosciences Merck Millipore Sigma-Aldrich Corporation PerkinElmer Roche Applied Science Global Western Blotting 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 @Major Points Covered in Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Western Blotting2 Global Western Blotting Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Global Western Blotting Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2018)5 United States Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook6 EU Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook8 China Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook9 India Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Western Blotting Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2018-2025)12 Western Blotting 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 Smart Speaker Market | Top Most Vendors( Amazon, Apple, Harman International, Alphabet, Sonos, , Xiaomi ) Forecast 2018-2026 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16476 https://www.mrrse.com/smart-speakers-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16476 https://www.mrrse.com/ A comprehensive study, titled Smart Speaker Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 2026 has been broadcasted to the wide database of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE), which presents a deep analysis of the latest trends and market expansion traits. This 432-page precise and intelligent study also covers the geographical segmentation which analyzes the scope of the market in different regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America. Moreover, the report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market, in which market dynamics, trends, product summary, and country-level information are covered.For more information on Smart Speaker Market, get free sample report @Smart speakers are getting more intelligent and rapidly becoming imperative devices used across homes. Along with increased demand, most early adopters of smart speakers report they have become an essential part of their daily life. In order to provide accurate results, the market has been forecasted based on revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (thousand units) from 2018 to 2026. According to the analyst projections, the global smart speaker market is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 18,472.1 Mn by 2026. At this pace, the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 18.01% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.The research study finds that growing demand for smart speakers from emerging markets such as China and India is likely to boost growth of the Asia Pacific smart speaker market. To pour more light on the market expansion, the research deeply analyzes the market opportunities on the basis of components, mode of sale, application, and voice assistant type. By component, the study covers hardware and software. On the basis of mode of sale, the study has been segmented into online and offline mode. By voice assistant type, the study covers Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, Google Assistant, Apple Siri and others. Application-wise segmentation includes commercial and personal.Outlook Complete Research Reports on Smart Speaker Market with Industry Key Players and Complete List of Tables & Figures @On the basis of segmentation, the analysts find that Google Assistant segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of over 19% during the forecast period. It is also important to note that key players are also introducing their new smart speakers in developed markets such as North America and Europe, therefore, these regions are likely to account for a dominating share of the global smart speaker market.As the report concludes, Porters Five Forces model for the smart speaker market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. This vital section profiles well-established players functioning across the globe, such as Harman International, Amazon.com, Inc., Alibaba Group, Apple, Inc., Sonos, Inc., and Xiaomi, Inc. among others.Else Place a Query to Our Industry Experts at @About Market Research Report Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State Street Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 (United States)Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Alpha-Amylase Market Intelligence Report Offers Growth Prospects 2016 - 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/12172 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12172 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Alpha-amylase is an enzyme, which is used for protein hydrolysis. It is used for hydrolysing the alpha bonds of polymeric carbohydrate molecules i.e. polysaccharide to yield maltose and glucose. Thus, it helps in breakdown of starch and carbohydrates in the body and hence are used as inhibitors for weight loss. Alpha-Amylase is derived from plants, bacteria and fungi. The bacterial and fungal alpha-amylase has dominated in terms of market share and is used in wide range of applications in food and pharmaceutical sector. Solid state and submerged fermentation methods are used in the manufacturing process of alpha-amylase. Submerged fermentation method is the conventional method of alpha-amylase production and the different parameters such as temperature, moisture, pH level etc. can be controlled with ease in this method. Solid state fermentation is expected to account for significant share, due to its resemblance to natural habitat favourable for the growth of microorganisms. Alpha-amylase is used in the production of products such as animal feed, bakery goods, sugar products, brewed products, detergents, biofuels etc. In September 2016, a Denmark-based leading biotechnology company announced acquisition of Organobalance GmbH, a Germany-based research and development company, specialist for manufacturing products based on microbial strain. BASF SE, a Germany-based leading global chemicals manufacturer has acquired Verenium Corporation, a leading manufacturer of performance enhanced enzymes.Alpha-Amylase Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe use of alpha-amylase in the manufacturing of wide range of products such as animal feed, bakery goods, sugar products etc. is the major driver for the growth of global alpha-amylase market. The demand for convenience food is increasing and the rapid growth of food processing industry in the developing economies is expected to boost the growth of global alpha-amylase market. The need for renewable and sustainable energy solutions has increased the demand for biofuels. Amylase enzymes have significant role in the production of biofuels, which is anticipated to fuel global alpha-amylase market growth. The increasing consumer awareness regarding nutritious and healthy food and the rapid growth of nutraceuticals market during the forecast period, is anticipated to upsurge the demand for alpha-amylase.Visit For Table of Contents:Alpha-Amylase Market: SegmentationOn the basis of application, the global alpha-amylase market can be segmented as follows:-Fruit RipeningMedical DiagnosticsFlour ImproversMalt ProductionOn the basis of source, the global alpha-amylase inhibitors market can be segmented as follows:-PlantsBacteriaFungiOn the basis of production technology (fermentation process), the global alpha-amylase inhibitors market can be segmented as follows:-SubmergedSolid StateAlpha-Amylase Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global alpha-amylase market can be divided into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is anticipated to account for significant share in global alpha-amylase market. This is attributed to the rise in expenditure for functional ingredients in food industry. The increasing consumption of beverages also contributes to the growth of alpha-amylase market. Europe also accounts for significant share in global alpha-amylase market. APAC is expected to record higher growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of fast food outlets in the region. APAC holds significant share in the production of animal feed and the rising demand for feed ingredients is expected to increase the growth of alpha-amylase market in the region. There is a rapid growth of oil industry and agro business in Latin America, and hence the alpha-amylase market is expected to record higher growth rate in the region.Request for the Sample Copy:Alpha-Amylase Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global alpha-amylase market are as follows:Novozymessuzhou Sino EnzymesCalzyme, Inc.Biogreen Technochem Pvt Ltd.Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC.EnmexBiolaxi CorporationSeydel CompaniesSpecialty Enzymes & BiotechnologiesABOUT US :Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT :Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Seaweed Market Information, Figures and Analytical Insights 2016 - 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/12370 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12370 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Seaweed is species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae, which are found in oceans and seas across the globe. The hydrocolloids such as alginate, agar, and carrageenan, gelatinous substances are extracted from seaweed. Seaweed is beneficial to health to fight against illness and diseases. Seaweed is used in food, medicines, cosmetics and organic fertilizers and feed additives. The red seaweed is a source for carrageenan hydrocolloid, which is highly used in food industry owing to its improved gelling and thickening property. The red seaweed segment is anticipated to dominate among the product type segment, due to the increasing demand for agar and carrageenan from the food industry. The brown seaweeds is expected to follow red seaweeds owing to the growing use of brown seaweed in animal feed additives and fertilizers. On the basis of form type, the liquid form seaweed is expected to account for larger market share in terms of value and volume, this is owing to rising demand from agriculture and pharmaceutical industries across the globe. On the other hand, the human food segment is expected to hold significant market share among the application segment, this is due to increase in seaweed consumption in human food coupled with increasing demand for seaweed derived snacks. The global seaweed market is anticipated to witness significant CAGR during the forecast period.Global Seaweed Market: Drivers, Restraints, and TrendsIncreasing consumption of seaweed as a food extract, medical use, and for bio-refining is expected to drive the demand for seaweed. Furthermore, growing consumer awareness regarding nutritional benefits of seaweed, rising demand for alginate in food, pharmaceutical industries is expected to boost the growth of global seaweed market. In addition, increasing demand for seaweed derived snacks is anticipated to fuel the demand for seaweed.Visit For Table of Contents:However, lack of awareness of harvesting various species of seaweed among the manufactures is expected to hinder the growth of global seaweed market.Key trends are observed in the production of seaweeds are, the manufacturers are implementing growth strategies such as merger and acquisition, partnership, and agreement.Global Seaweed Market: SegmentationThe global seaweed market is segmented on the basis of product type, form type, and application.On the basis of product type, the global seaweed market is segmented into:Red SeaweedBrown SeaweedGreen SeaweedOn the basis of form type, the global seaweed market is segmented into:LiquidPowderedFlakesOn the basis of application, the global seaweed market is segmented into:Food and BeveragesAgricultureAnimal Feed AdditivesPharmaceutical and BiotechnologicalOther (Aquaculture, Biomass for Fuel, and Wastewater Treatment)Global Seaweed Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, the global seaweed market is segmented into five key regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Owing to the increase in harvesting and consumption of seaweed in China, Japan and Indonesia, the Asia Pacific seaweed market is anticipated to hold major revenue market share. North America and Europe is anticipated to collectively, contribute in the global seaweed market, this is due to increasing seaweed harvesting coupled with consumption in US, Germany, UK and France. Also, rising demand for seaweed in food industries coupled with increasing investments in R&D activities by key manufacturers in US, and increasing popularity for seaweed baths coupled with increasing use of seaweed in German beer (contains agars, carrageenans and alginates) in Germany and UK are making these regions as favorable regions. Owing to growing consumer awareness regarding medical and other benefits of seaweeds in Brazil, GCC countries and South Africa, the Latin America and MEA are expected to witness modest growth rate.Request for the Sample Copy:Global Seaweed Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified in the global seaweed market includeCargill, IncorporatedDuPonAcadian Seaplants Limited (ASL)Biostadt India LimitedBrandt Consolidated, Inc.COMPO Expert GmbHGelymarLonza Group Ltd.Marinalg InternationalOcean Harvest TechnologyOcean Rainforest Sp/FQingdao Bright Moon Group Co., Ltd.Groupe RoullierSeasolTBK Manufacturing CorporationW Hydorcolloids Inc.CP KelcoHigh Hope Foods (Nanjing) Co., Ltd.ABOUT US :Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT :Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Business Travel Insurance Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Assicurazioni Genarali (Italy), Allianz (Germany), Seven Corners (U.S.), American International Group (U.S.) Global Business Travel Insurance Market Growth, Global Business Travel Insurance Market http://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3335051-global-business-travel-insurance-market-analysis-2012-2017-and-forecast-2018-2023 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3335051-global-business-travel-insurance-market-analysis-2012-2017-and-forecast-2018-2023 Global Business Travel Insurance MarketDescription:-Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Global Business Travel Insurance Market 2018: Global Analysis, Industry Size, Share, Trends, Application Analysis and Growth Opportunities Forecast to 2023 To Its Research DatabaseThe global Business Travel Insurance market will reach xxx Million USD in 2018 and CAGR xx% 2018-2023. The report begins from overview of Industry Chain structure, and describes industry environment, then analyses market size and forecast of Business Travel Insurance by product, region and application, in addition, this report introduces market competition situation among the vendors and company profile, besides, market price analysis and value chain features are covered in this report.Product Type Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Major Company of Product Type etc.):B2BB2CB2B2CCompany Coverage (Sales Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Main Products etc.):Assicurazioni Genarali (Italy)Allianz (Germany)Seven Corners (U.S.)Travel Safe Insurance (U.S.)USI Insurance Services (U.S.)MH Ross Travel (U.S.)American International Group (U.S.)AXA Group (France)Chubb (U.S.)Request a sample copy @Application Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile etc.):Insurance TradeInsurance CompanyBankInsurance BrokerInsurance AggregatorOthersRegion Coverage (Regional Production, Demand & Forecast by Countries etc.):North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain etc.)Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia etc.)South America (Brazil, Argentina etc.)Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa etc.)Table of Content1 Industry Overview1.1 Business Travel Insurance Industry1.1.1 Overview1.1.2 Development of Business Travel Insurance1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.3 Cost Analysis2 Industry Environment2.1 Policy2.2 Economics2.3 Sociology2.4 Technology3 Business Travel Insurance Market by Type3.1 By Type3.1.1 B2B3.1.2 B2C3.1.3 B2B2C3.2 Market Size3.3 Market Forecast4 Major Companies List4.1 Assicurazioni Genarali (Italy) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.2 Allianz (Germany) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.3 Seven Corners (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.4 Travel Safe Insurance (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.5 USI Insurance Services (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.6 MH Ross Travel (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.7 American International Group (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.8 AXA Group (France) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.9 Chubb (U.S.) (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)5 Market Competition5.1 Company Competition5.2 Regional Market by Company6 Market Demand6.1 Demand Situation6.1.1 Demand in Insurance Trade6.1.2 Demand in Insurance Company6.1.3 Demand in Bank6.1.4 Demand in Insurance Broker6.1.5 Demand in Insurance Aggregator6.1.6 Demand in Others6.2 Regional Demand Comparison6.3 Demand Forecast7 Region Operation7.1 Regional Production7.2 Regional Market7.3 by Region7.3.1 North America7.3.1.1 Overview7.3.1.2 by Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico)7.3.2 Europe7.3.2.1 Overview7.3.2.2 by Country (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain etc.)7.3.3 Asia-Pacific7.3.3.1 Overview7.3.3.2 by Country (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia etc.)7.3.4 South America7.3.4.1 Overview7.3.4.2 by Country (Brazil, Argentina etc.)7.3.5 Middle East & Africa7.3.5.1 Overview7.3.5.2 by Country (Saudi Arabia, South Africa etc.)7.4 Regional Import & Export7.5 Regional ForecastContinued.Browse full Report @About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Contact Us:Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltdsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Maharashtra, Pune 411028 Aircraft Actuator Market to Gain Impetus on Back of Growing Demand by 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4065 An actuator is a device which controls the movement and mechanism of the system and requires an energy source or a control signal. Where the energy source or control signal can be electric voltage, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure or mechanical power. The aircraft actuator is consists of a reduction gear, which is used to control and maintain the rotating motion. It is a key component of an aircraft of a spacecraft, it plays an important role for control and flight. Additionally, their actions ensure the aircraft safety as well as passengers safety. Above the use of electric aircraft actuators, the use of piezoelectric concepts is also used for the application in vibration control and noise control.Aircraft actuator has many applications such as flaps, landing gear, weapons systems, etc. Traditionally, hydraulic actuators were used in landing gear, but owing to the advancement of technology and reliability, use of electric actuators is increasing. Also, for the same application, heavy-duty linear actuators are being used, which can tolerate high pressure, as the weight of the aircraft creates a difference in its efficiency. Flap actuators are positioned on the wings in order to maintain flight efficiency also at the low speed of air. As the large aircraft (for e.g. commercial aircraft) are required to maintain the speed of air during landing.Electric actuators and hydraulic actuators are the most reliable actuators for fighter planes, in order to effectively control the bay doors, which hold weapons. They are used because they are technologically advanced, have stop modules for emergency and sensors are mounted on the device.Request sample:Aircraft Actuator Industry:Market DynamicsSome of the factors which are driving the market of the aircraft actuator industry are increasing passenger traffic across the world, increasing aircraft capability of reducing weight limits, etc. are influencing the manufacturing of aircraft. Additionally, the growth of aircraft actuator market is directly proportional to the growth in aircraft manufacturing industry. This has added rise to the procurement of low weight and power-efficient aircraft actuator. Increasing use of electromechanical actuators due to its high efficiency and reliability as compared to other products is the trend of the aircraft actuator market. Additionally, increasing focus on the use of piezoelectric actuators and magnetic actuators, which are small in size and provide high energy density and support to the aircraft system, are the trend of the industry. Some of the factors such as excessive system topologies, safety issues, technological up gradations, government regulations, etc. can be considered as the restraints for the market of aircraft actuator industry.Aircraft Actuator Industry: SegmentationSegmentation of the Aircraft actuator market on the basis of product type:ElectricElectromechanicalElectrohydraulicPiezoelectricSegmentation of the Aircraft actuator market on the basis of application:Landing GearAircraft FlapsWeapons SystemsOthersSegmentation of the Aircraft actuator market on the basis of aircraft type:AirbusJet planesCargo planesAircraft Actuator Market: Regional OutlookNorth America region dominates the market for aircraft actuator systems followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe. And the growth in North America region is expected to grow with rising CAGR over the forecasted period. And the growth in the region is owing to the factors such as less price of oil, upgraded fiscal & monetary policy, supportive private sector, and low labor cost available in this region. Additionally, North America is leading the market of the military and fighter aircraft. Also, Asia-Pacific region holds the large market as compared to other regions, in terms of revenue.According to the product type, in Asia-Pacific and North America regions, electrohydraulic sub segment dominates the market of aircraft actuator industry, followed by electro-hydrostatic sub segment. The rising growth of above-mentioned sub segments is attributable to their benefits such as low investing costs, energy efficient, high power density and capacity, easy implementation, etc. Additionally, the market share of Latin America and The Middle East and Africa is expected to increase over the period of forecast.Aircraft Actuator Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the Aircraft actuator market, identified across the value chain, include, Moog Inc., maxon motor ag, Sitec Aerospace GmbH, Progressive Automation Inc., Tamagawa seiki Co,.Ltd., PARKER HANNIFIN CORP, Aero Space Controls Corporation, Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc., Eaton Corporation PLC, Rockwell Collins, Price Wheeler Corp., etc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705 Global M2M Healthcare Market Segments by Products, End-UsersApplication, Growth Rate, Trends and Outlook till 2022 https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=159139 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=159139 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=159139 www.researchnreports.com Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology is an extremely significant tool in the healthcare sector. Medical devices can enhance patient care skills and provide remote diagnostics, it can change health care in a lot of manners such as it needs a small quantity of BW, reduced distress for the patient, and improved quality of care.Global M2M Healthcare market is projected to grow at a CAGR of +22% by 2022The Global M2M Healthcare Market is an exceptionally divided, niche market with the presence of a limited number of merchants. The report systematically analyzes the most vital details of the global M2M Healthcare market with the help of an in-depth and professional analysis. Described in a ground-up way, the report presents an all-inclusive overview of the market based on the aspects that are expected to have a substantial and measurable impact on the markets developmental prospects over the forecast period.Ask for PDF Sample Copy:Company Profiled: The Key Players operating in the M2M Healthcare Market includes Apple, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, GE Healthcare, Vodafone.The foremost business strategies such as associations, partnerships and the contracts that are implemented by the vital players in the market are recognized and analyzed in the report. Additionally, the report also offers the extensive research of the M2M Healthcare market and detailed insights on the competitiveness of the players. For each market segments, the report figures out their competitors, product type, application and specifications.Apart from this, the research report offers the vital segmentation of the market that merges on the development rate and market of M2M Healthcare. The key drivers, opportunities, difficulties and the forthcoming trends of the market are well explained to the viewers for their better understanding. Similarly, its key products, end users, applications and technological details are emphasized in this report. It also examines the growth status in the regions like North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.To Get Reasonable Discount:Global M2M Healthcare Market is the best way to win the finest business selections. Numerous organizations are starting to know about the implication and outcome of the market in each aspect of their business. Many more are willing to spend more currency just to get the exact and precise demographics of their market. The massive rate of the customers selects products and services from an organization that has a strong and accurate marketing research.Table of ContentsGlobal M2M Healthcare Market Research Report 2018Chapter 1 M2M Healthcare 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 M2M Healthcare 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 M2M Healthcare Market ForecastFor More Information: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 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, Pre-engineered Buildings Market Growth Analysis, Share, Demand by Regions, Types and Analysis of Key Players- Global Forecasts to 2021 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1304 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pre-engineered-buildings-market-1304 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1304 Synopsis of the Global Pre-engineered Buildings MarketMarket Scenario:The global pre-engineered buildings market is driven by the increased demand for warehouses globally and the eco-friendly nature of the construction. There is a boom in e-commerce and logistics sector. This particularly augments the demand for warehousing and other storage facilities, which make use of the pre-engineered buildings. This material majorly used in the construction of the pre-engineered buildings is steel which in turn is highly reusable without losing its engineering properties. This eco-friendly nature of the constructions further has led to the growth of the global pre-engineered market. The global pre-engineered buildings market is expected to and reach at projected market size at the end of the forecasted period and is expected to show a staggering growth at high CAGR from 2016 to 2021.Ask for Sample @Study Objectives of Global Pre-engineered Buildings Market To analyze the Global Pre-engineered buildings market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (RoW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by material, end-use and by region. To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global pre-engineered buildings marketPre-Engineered Buildings Global Market - Competitive AnalysisCharacterized by the presence of several well-established and small players, the global Market of Pre-Engineered Buildings appears to be highly competitive. International players who are increasingly expanding their footprint in the developing economy, are making it difficult for regional vendors to compete with them, especially in terms of features such as product differentiation, product portfolios, quality, and pricing. These Key Players make a substantial investment for R&D and to secure a guaranteed resource for the customers. Pre-Engineered Buildings market demonstrates a high growth potential which is likely to attract many entrants to the market resulting in to intensified competition further.SegmentsGlobal pre-engineered buildings market is segmented on the basis of material, end-use, and region. On the basis of material it is segmented as steel, aluminum, and others. On the basis of end-use it is segmented as commercial (such as offices and showrooms), industrial (such as factories and warehouses), and Infrastructure (such as bridges, airport hangers and railway platforms). Additionally on the basis of region, it is segmented as North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.Industry NewsIn August 2017, Zamil Steel Pre-Engineered Buildings Company was recently awarded a contract valued at USD 6.7 million (SAR 25 million) by the Kuwait Company for Process Plant Construction and Contracting K.S.C. for Agility. The scope of the contract includes the supply of more than 4,600 metric tons of pre-engineered steel buildings and more than 100,000 square meters of sandwich panels, which will be used to construct the four air-conditioned warehouses in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait.In February 2017, Zamil Steel Construction Company, a subsidiary of Zamil Industrial Investment Co. was awarded with a project contract by the Saudi AlbiTek Company for the construction of its new baby wipes factory in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The project spans an area of 39,000 square meters, which includes the factory, administration and utilities buildings.In March 2016, Richa Industries Limited, a leading Construction & Engineering company received an order from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the construction of Pre Engineered Building (PEB) for the assembly of Masts & Composite Structures with labs & office area at BEL-NAMU in Navi Mumbai. The Project included design and construction of three buildings including composite shed, finishing shed & rain test shed with the total area of approximately 4300 sq.mt.Access for More Details @Key Players BlueScope Steel Ltd. Tiger Steel Industries LLC Kirby Building Systems Everest Industries Ltd. Interarch Building Products Pvt. Ltd. Era Infra Engineering Ltd PEB Steel Buildings Co. Ltd. Pennar Engineered Building Sytems Ltd Jindal Buildsys Limited Zamil Steel Holding Co. Ltd. Multicolor Steels India Pvt. Ltd.The report for Global Pre-engineered Buildings Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Regional Analysis of Global Pre-engineered Buildings MarketAPAC dominates the Global pre-engineered buildings market with its fast growing market worldwide. It will expand at a good CAGR over the forecast period. The region is expected to show rapid economic and infrastructural growth. With lot of investments in the regions of China and India, the construction sector is growing. The inflow of foreign investment in India further augments the market for pre-engineered building.Enquiry Before Buying@About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Market (By Product & Service, Application, Source Type, and Modality) is Expected to Reach 6 billion by 2025 https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/sample/HnM/QBI-CMR-HnM-54999 https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/enquiry/HnM/QBI-CMR-HnM-54999 https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/buy/HnM/QBI-CMR-HnM-54999/ https://www.qurateresearch.com/ Industry Trend AnalysisThe global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market is expected to be around 6 billion by 2025. The market is primarily driven by the increased adoption of IONM for the risk management during complex surgeries, rising prevalence of chronic disorders coupled with rapidly aging population, and growing application areas of IONM, with significant increase in the number of surgeries. According to World Health Organization, around 266.2 to 359.5 million surgeries were performed globally in 2012, representing an increase of 38% over the past eight years. This will significantly contribute to the growth of IONM market during the forecast period with the growing awareness related to the benefits of the use of IONM during complex surgeries. However, low awareness related to the benefits of the use of IONM during complex surgeries in developing economies and dearth of skilled professionals to operate complex IONM systems will restrain the market growth.Product Outlook and Trend AnalysisIONM systems segment held the larger market share in 2016 as they provide critical information related to the progression of any threat to central nervous system, thus aiding the physicians to take timely remedial measures. IONM services market is expected to exhibit fastest growth during the forecast period as the hospitals have shifted towards outsourced monitoring services as they cannot afford the cost of having a full-time IONM professional and cannot provide standard training that is required to improve the quality of service.Get Sample Copy of This Report@Application Outlook and Trend AnalysisIONM finds major applications in neurosurgery and spinal surgery. With technological developments, IONM has expanded its applications areas to ENT surgeries and orthopedic procedures. The spinal surgery segment dominated the overall IONM market in 2016, while orthopedic surgery is poised to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.Source Type Outlook and Trend AnalysisOutsourced IONM monitoring market is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. This is primarily attributed to its benefits as compared to insourced IONM monitoring and increased preference of hospitals and ASCs for outsourced IONM monitoring. Thus, the market is gradually moving towards outsourced monitoring services.Regional Outlook and Trend AnalysisNorth America held the largest share of the global IONM market in 2016 owing to increased adoption of IONM for risk management during complex surgeries in the region along with the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure. Asia-Pacific market is expected to exhibit fastest growth during the forecast period due to presence of huge unmet medical needs and growing awareness related to IONM for risk management of complex surgeries.Competitive AnalysisThe key players operating in the IONM market focus on strategic mergers and acquisitions in order to gain a competitive edge over other players. For instance, in June 2016, Biotronic NeuroNetwork acquired NuWave Monitoring, LLC, an intraoperative neuromonitoring company. The acquisition was intended for strengthening Biotronics presence in Chicago and northwestern Indiana. Similarly, in June 2016, SpecialtyCare, a provider of outsourced IONM and surgical services, acquired Sentient Medical Systems, in order to increase its coverage throughout the Atlantic states.Some of the key players in this market are SpecialtyCare, NuVasive Inc., Medtronic plc, Natus Medical Incorporated, Neuromonitoring Technologies, Inc., Computational Diagnostics, Inc., IntraNerve, LLC, Moberg Research, Inc., Accurate Monitoring, LLC, and inomed Medizintechnik GmbH.Market OpportunitiesWith development in intraoperative neuromonitoring techniques such as advanced pedicle screw stimulation techniques to avoid complications associated with misplacement of the a pedicle screw(s) which could result in vascular and neural complications, the market will witness more sophisticated devices and procedures being introduced in coming years.Enquiry about Report@Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Market Segmentation:By Product & Service:IONM SystemsIONM ServicesAccessoriesBy Application:Vascular SurgerySpinal SurgeryOrthopedic SurgeryNeurosurgeryENT SurgeryOther SurgeriesBy Source Type:Insource IONMOutsource IONMBy Modality:Electroencephalography (EEG)Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs)Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs)Electromyography (EMG)Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs)Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs)Buy This Report@About Us:Qurate Business Intelligence delivers unique market research solutions to its customers and help them to get equipped with refined information and market insights derived from reports. We are committed to providing best business services and easy processes to get the same. Qurate Business Intelligence considers themselves as strategic partners of their customers and always shows the keen level of interest to deliver quality.Runwal Platinum,Ramnagar Colony, Bavdhan,Pune, Maharashtra, India-411021IN +919881074592info@qurateresearch.com Medical Nonwoven Disposables Market : 2018 Prominent Players | Covidien, First Quality Enterprises, Medline Industries, Ahlstrom Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/805 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/805 Medical Nonwoven Disposables Market to exceed USD 12 billion by 2024 as per a new research report.Rising incidence of incontinent patients, increasing number of hospitalization, growing preference of nonwoven disposable supplies, expansion of existing healthcare facilities and development of new ones will fuel the medical nonwoven disposables market growth over the coming years.Prevalence of hospital acquired infections (HAI) such as AIDS and other infections, technological advancement like the launch of micro-encapsulation and peach mat absorbent core technology to absorb odor and urine in disposable pads will foster the growth of medical nonwoven disposables market.The accessibility of substitutes like re-usable drapes, masks for surgical procedures, gowns and reusable underwear will continue to obstruct the growth of medical nonwoven disposables market over the forecast years.Medical nonwoven disposable hygiene product market should experience lucrative growth owing to the rising prevalence and increasing usage rates of fecal and urinary incontinence. Surgical drapes market segment commanded the hygiene products category in 2016, because of increasing awareness about hospital-acquired infections and high usage of drapes during medical procedures.Request sample copy of this report @Growing need for disposable medical supplies for surgical interventions should expand business share over the coming years. The number of surgical procedures is likely to grow, resulting in escalating demand for these nonwoven medical supplies.Currently, ostomy liners and disposable incontinence pads hold the largest share in medical nonwoven disposable hygiene products market, owing to the novel features such as chlorine free and sustainable incontinence pads coupled with biodegradable materials, this should continue to drive the growth of global medical nonwoven disposables market in coming five-seven years.U.S. medical nonwoven disposables market is poised to witness substantial growth owing to the growing demand for incontinence products among women and child population. Nearly 28 million people in North America use incontinence disposables out of which 10% contribute to the geriatric population followed by women with a larger share of 33%.European government favor the use of medical nonwoven disposables accounting for its better protection against infections. The Europe medical nonwoven disposables market exhibits a steady growth rate, owing to the implementation of AAMI (Advancement of medical instrumentation) for sterilization of medical tools.Asia-Pacific medical nonwoven disposables market commanded for the largest industry share, be indebted to the improving healthcare infrastructure in the incipient markets and increasing geriatric population base. Japan medical nonwoven disposables market accounted for a major proportion in the Asia-Pacific region and will fuel the medical nonwoven disposables industry growth owing to its huge geriatric population base.International trade development and improving economic condition across Brazil and Mexico are major factors responsible for the growth of Latin America medical nonwoven disposables market.Make Inquiry about this report @Key industry players are: Domtar Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Covidien, Molnlycke Health Care AB, Molnlycke Health Care AB, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Cypress Medical Products, UniCharm Corporation, which are consolidating their market position by focusing on research activities to develop naive cost-effective technologies.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.com Global Wind Turbine Bearing Market Size, Share, Development by 2025 - QY Research, Inc. http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/goods-1790703.html www.qyresearch.com This report studies the Wind Turbine Bearing market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2013-2017 and forecast data 2018-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Bearings are machine elements used to reduce energy loss caused by friction in the rotary parts of a broad range of equipment and machinery. There are several types of bearings such as ball bearings, roller bearings, plain bearings, and others. Technological advances and the growing need to address energy efficiency in a range of applications are leading to a continuous improvement in bearing designs. Therefore, the prospects for market growth of bearings are closely linked to the growth in production of high-performance industrial equipment and machinery.According to the report, increase in rotor diameter will be a key driver for market growth. Unlike conventional power plants, wind energy generation is highly dependent on meteorological conditions, especially wind speed. The maximum energy that can be harnessed by a wind turbine is roughly proportionate to the swept area of the rotor.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Wind Turbine Bearing in these regions, from 2013 to 2025, coveringNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam)South America (Brazil etc.)Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries)The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in this market includeDalian Metallurgical BearingSKFTimkenTMBNSKNTN BearingRollixRothe ErdeSchaefflerZWZBy the product type, the market is primarily split intoSlewing Ring BearingsSpherical Roller BearingsBy the end users/application, this report covers the following segmentsOn-ShoreOff-ShoreRequest Sample Report and TOC@Contact USQY Research, INC.17890 Castleton, Suite 218,City of industry, CA 91748USA: +1 626 295 2442Email: sales@qyrsearchglobal.comWeb:About Us:QY Research established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc.Room 2905, Vili International, 167 Linhe West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China Global C5-C8 Normal Paraffin Market Expected to Grow at a CAGR 3.2% by 2026 end Market Research Report Search Engine https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16445 https://www.mrrse.com/c5-c8-normal-paraffin-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16445 https://www.mrrse.com/ A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Market Research Report Search Engine (MRRSE). The research study is titled Global Market Study on C5-C8 Normal Paraffin: Gasoline Blending to Remain Leading Application, with Producers Striving to Strengthen Distribution Capability which encloses important data about the production, consumption, revenue and market share, merged with information related to the market scope and product overview.To Get Complete Table of Content, Tables and Figures Request a Sample Report of C5-C8 Normal Paraffin Research Report @Recycle and reuse practices are impacting the sales of virgin materials, resulting into lesser dependency on volume-driven growth. New materials are showcasing potential for driving value-based growth, but chemical companies are still some time away from achieving voluminous production, while maintaining high quality at the same time. Barring few exceptions, a majority of players are still prioritizing short-term volume growth over long-term value growth. Pressure on improving bottom-line is influencing manufacturers to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. The impact of value-driven growth may not be visible in the short-term, but long-term outlook remains in favor of a balanced approach between value and volume.Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to incorporate digital solutions in their offerings. Forward-thinking manufacturers are investing in technology to reduce human interference and streamline key operational aspects such as ordering and shipping. Resonating its influence over every industry, Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform and disrupt the chemical sector. Connectivity through IoT devices is gaining traction, whereas product-level sensors on dispensing equipment and barrels are helping manufacturers track their consignments digitally. Through assessment of long-term benefits, chemical companies are capitalizing on digitization by adopting digital platforms & processes that eliminate human error in profit-associated operations.Manufacturers continue seeking low-priced feedstock in a bid to marginally reduce pre-production costs. Industry leaders are joining forces to replace fossil fuel-derived feedstock with bio-based alternatives. However, concerns related to producing affordable and sustainable feedstock at mass scale remains a challenge. Access to quality and affordable feedstock will continue to remain a focus area for manufacturers. Chemical manufacturing processes are running on limited energy, while volume of feedstock is getting stranded at ports as disapproval from import authorities keeps disrupting supply chains in sectors, such as oleochemicals and petrochemicals industries.Chemical manufacturers have promised support and adherence to governments & regional authorities that are committing towards green, sustainable initiatives. Development of bio-alternatives is gaining momentum. Research & academic institutes are teaming up with manufacturers to formulate sustainable substitutes for commonly-used chemical substrates. Many companies are keeping a close eye on advancements in green chemistry. Shift towards eco-friendly chemicals will gain momentum in the future on the back of government regulations and end-user preference. Rising costs of fossil fuels will also instrument the upsurge for sustainable chemicals manufacturing.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below:List of factors tracked in the Chemicals and Materials Market ReportChemical Industry Value AddChemical SalesPer Capita ConsumptionStandard Capacity FactorsPlastics Consumption OutlookGlass Consumption OutlookPolicies and RegulationsHistorical growth of top playersGrowth in associated marketsNet trade scenarioApparent production capacityResearch MethodologyMRRSE utilizes robust methodology and approach to arrive at market size and related projections. The research methodology for this report is based on 3 dimensional model. We conduct about 45-60 min duration detailed interviews with product manufacturers; apart from this we also collect market feedback from industry experts. To validate this data, we interact with senior panel members having more than 10 years of experience in relevant field. The panel members help in validating the findings and fill the gaps if any. In addition, we leverage on our existing pool of information, paid database and other valid information sources available in public domain. Usually industry interactions extend to more than 50+ interviews from market participants across the value chain.Data CollectionMRRSE collects data from secondary sources including company annual reports, association publications, industry presentations, white papers, and company press releases apart from these we leverage over paid database subscriptions and industry magazines to collect market information and developments in exhaustive manner. After being done with desk research, detailed questionnaire and discussion guide is formulated to initiate primary research with key industry personnel; the discussion aims at collecting key insights, growth perspectives, prevalent market trends and quantitative insights including market size and competition developments. Both of these research approaches help us in arriving at base year numbers and market hypothesis.Data ValidationIn this phase, MRRSE validates the data using macro and micro economic factors. For instance, growth in electricity consumption, industry value added, other industry factors, economic performance, growth of top players and sector performance is closely studied to arrive at precise estimates and refine anomalies if any.Data Analysis and ProjectionData analysis and projections were made based on proprietary research frameworks and statistical analysis, which was further validated from industry participants. These frameworks include Y-o-Y growth projections, macro-economic factor performance, market attractiveness analysis, key financial ratios, and others.For public companies we capture the data from company website, annual reports, investor presentations, paid databases. While for privately held companies, we try to gather information from the paid databases (like Factiva) and based on the information we gather from databases we estimate revenue for the companies. In addition, the team tries to establish primary contact with the companies in order to validate the assumptions or to gather quality inputs.Standard Report StructureExecutive SummaryMarket DefinitionMacro-economic analysisParent Market AnalysisMarket OverviewForecast FactorsSegmental Analysis and ForecastRegional AnalysisCompetition AnalysisMarket TaxonomyThe global C5-C8 Normal Paraffin market has been segmented into:By Application:Gasoline BlendingChemical IntermediateBy Product Type:C5 C6C7 C8Multicomponent (C5 C8)By Region:North AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaChinaJapanSoutheast Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaFor Any Query on Global C5-C8 Normal Paraffin Market, Speak to Expert @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY 12207(United State)Telephone: +1-518-730-0559(US, Canada toll free no)Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Semiconductor Etch Equipment Market Become Dominant At CAGR Of 11.2% By 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1876037 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1876037/global-semiconductor-etch-equipment-insights-market-research-reports/toc https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ MarketResearchReports.Biz has recently announced the Latest industry research report on: "Global Semiconductor Etch Equipment Market" : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, Forecasts.This report presents the worldwide Semiconductor Etch Equipment market size (value, production and consumption), splits the breakdown (data status 2013-2018 and forecast to 2025), by manufacturers, region, type and application.This study also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Etching is a process in which layers from the surface of a wafer are removed using chemicals. An etch system shapes the thin film into a desired patterns using liquid chemicals, reaction gases or ion chemical reaction. An etch system is used in manufacturing lines for semiconductors and other electronic devices. Semiconductor etch equipment is used copiously in various semiconductor fabrication processes. Among the different types of semiconductor etch equipment available in the market, dry etch equipment held the largest etch equipment market share in 2016 both in terms of revenue and volume. Reduced material consumption coupled with low cost associated with disposing the materials. However, the wet etching equipment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth rate both in terms of value and volume owing to its higher adoption rate in wafer manufacturing process due to its high etching rate and ease of operation. By equipment type the semiconductor etch equipment can be bifurcated into dry etching equipment, and wet etching equipment. The semiconductor etch equipment market size can be further segmented by etching film type into conductor etching process, & dielectric etching process, and polysilicon etching process). The market has several application areas such as logic and memory, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), power device, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), and CMOS image sensors.Request Sample Copy of the Report @By Equipment Type the semiconductor etch equipment market can be bifurcated into dry etching equipment, and wet etching equipment. High etching rate and ease of operation of wet etching equipment are some of the factors responsible for the high growth rate of this segment.The Semiconductor Etch Equipment market was valued at 7400 Million US$ in 2017 and is projected to reach 17300 Million US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Semiconductor Etch Equipment.The following manufacturers are covered in this report:Lam ResearchTokyo Electron LimitedApplied MaterialsHitachi High-TechnologiesOxford InstrumentsSPTS TechnologiesPlasma-ThermGigaLaneSAMCO IncNAURAAMECSemiconductor Etch Equipment Breakdown Data by TypeWet Etch EquipmentDry Etch EquipmentSemiconductor Etch Equipment Breakdown Data by ApplicationLogic and MemoryPower DeviceMEMSOthersSemiconductor Etch Equipment Production by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsOther RegionsSemiconductor Etch Equipment Consumption by RegionNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandVietnamEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalyRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesTurkeyEgyptSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaRequest For TOC Report @The study objectives are:To analyze and research the global Semiconductor Etch Equipment status and future forecastinvolving, production, revenue, consumption, historical and forecast.To present the key Semiconductor Etch Equipment manufacturers, production, revenue, market share, and recent development.To split the breakdown data by regions, type, manufacturers and applications.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regions.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Semiconductor Etch Equipment :History Year: 2013 - 2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year: 2018 - 2025This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million USD) and volume (Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Semiconductor Etch Equipment market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Submarine Market: Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Saab https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1874952 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1874952/global-submarine-insights-forecast-to-market-research-reports/toc https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ MarketResearchReports.Biz has recently announced the Latest industry research report on: "Global Submarine Market" : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, Forecasts.This industry study presents the global Submarine market size, historical breakdown data (2013-2018) and forecast (2018-2025). The Submarine production, revenue and market share by manufacturers, key regions and type;The consumption of Submarine in volume terms are also provided for major countries (or regions), and for each application and product at the global level. Market share, growth rate, and competitive factors are also evaluated for market leaders BAE Systems, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, etc.A submarine is an underwater naval platform that can stay submerged for extended periods and is deployed for multiple defense functions. It is considered crucial for a nations maritime security and is used for both offensive and defensive purposes. Submarines are designed for greater agility and stealth capabilities. These vessels are armed with powerful weapons such as missiles and torpedoes.The growing demand for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) has been a key growth driver for this market. UUVs have extensive applications in naval intelligence, mine countermeasures operations, surveillance and reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare missions. In maritime operations, UUVs are primarily designed for underwater surveillance, hull inspection, dock inspections, and underwater mines deactivation. Also, these UUVs are fitted with high-definition cameras that send visual data from the UUV to the operator. With better images and improved control of the vehicle, a better inspection of the underwater environment is possible which aids in naval operations. Recently, there has been an increased usage of these unmanned vehicles for electronic attack, communication transfer, combat, search, and rescue missions, and C4ISR operations. Thus, the increasing activities related to seabed mapping and mining will propel the market for submarines during the forecast period.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The Americas dominated the market, accounting for more than 40% of the market share. Factors like high military spending and increasing focus the Virginia-class submarine program will contribute to strong demand for submarines in the region.Global Submarine market size will reach 30500 million US$ by 2025, from 21400 million US$ in 2017, at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018-2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Submarine.The following manufacturers are covered in this report:BAE SystemsDaewoo Shipbuilding & Marine EngineeringGeneral Dynamics Electric BoatHuntington Ingalls IndustriesKawasaki Heavy IndustriesLockheed MartinMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesSaabSubmarine Breakdown Data by TypeNuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSN)Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)Kilo-Class Submarine (SSK)Submarine Breakdown Data by ApplicationSurveillance and ReconnaissanceIntelligence GatheringPatrollingOthersSubmarine Production by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSouth KoreaIndiaOther RegionsSubmarine Consumption by RegionNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandVietnamEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalyRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesTurkeyEgyptSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaRequest For TOC Report @The study objectives are:To analyze and research the global Submarine status and future forecastinvolving, production, revenue, consumption, historical and forecast.To present the key Submarine manufacturers, production, revenue, market share, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To segment the breakdown data by regions, type, manufacturers and applications.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regions.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Submarine :History Year: 2013 - 2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year: 2018 - 2025This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million USD) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Submarine market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Segmentation, Opportunities, Trends & Future Scope up to 2023 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/143779 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/discount/143779 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/market-insights/global-and-chinese-endoscopic-operative-devices-industry-2018-market-research-report https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com Worldwide Market Reports added Latest Research Report titled Endoscopic Operative Devices Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Product Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 to its Large Report database.Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Report provides important information related to the overall market and price forecast over a five-year period, from 2017 to 2023. In this bit, the experts have offered essential figures which relates to the production and consumption forecast for the major regions that the market is categorized into, production forecast by type, and consumption forecast by application.To get holistic SAMPLE of the report, please click:Endoscopic Operative Devices Market report presents the detail analysis of the parent market based on elite players, present, past and futuristic data which will serve as a profitable guide for all the Endoscopic Operative Devices Market competitors.Endoscopic Operative Devices Market is a growing market into the following sector at present years. The Endoscopic Operative Devices Market has uncovered rapid development in the current and past years and is probably going to proceed with a continuing development in the upcoming years.With thorough market segment in terms of different Countries, this report divides the market into a few key countries, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share, and growth rate of the market in these countries over the forecast period 2017-2021.Enquire here get customization & check discount, please click:Some Table of Content (ToC) points of Endoscopic Operative Devices Industry Report: Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Research Objective and Assumption Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Purview - Report Description, Executive Summary, and Coherent Opportunity Map (COM) Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Dynamics, Regulations, and Trends Analysis - Market Dynamics, Regulatory Scenario, Industry Trend, Merger and Acquisitions, New system Launch/Approvals, Value Chain Analysis Global Endoscopic Operative Devices Name, By Regions Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Competition by Manufacturers including Production, Share, Revenue, Average Price, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type. Endoscopic Operative Devices industry Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis including Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors. Endoscopic Operative Devices market Manufacturing Cost Analysis including Key Raw Materials and Key Suppliers of Raw Materials. Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers including Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders including Marketing Channel, Market Positioning and Distributors/Traders List. Market Effect Factors Analysis including Technology Progress/Risk, Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change and Economic/Political Environmental Change. Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Forecast including Production, Consumption, Import and Export Forecast by Type, Applications and Region. Research Findings and ConclusionBrowse more detail information about Endoscopic Operative Devices Market Report at:Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the Endoscopic Operative Devices Market and its commercial landscape. Assess the Endoscopic Operative Devices Market production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Endoscopic Operative Devices Market and its impact in the global market. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. To understand the outlook and prospects for Endoscopic Operative Devices Market.In conclusion, Endoscopic Operative Devices Market report presents the descriptive analysis of the parent market based on elite players, present, past and futuristic data which will serve as a profitable guide for all the Endoscopic Operative Devices Market competitors.About WMRWorldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Worldwide Market Researchs well-researched inputs that encompass domains ranging from IT to healthcare enable our prized clients to capitalize upon key growth opportunities and shield against credible threats prevalent in the market in the current scenario and those expected in the near future.Contact Us:Mr. ShahWorldwide Market ReportsTel: +1 415 871 0703Email: sales@worldwidemarketreports.comVisit our Website for More Details: Nasal Irrigation - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast 2018 2025 Global Nasal Irrigation Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3289677-global-nasal-irrigation-market-by-product-neti-pot https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3289677-global-nasal-irrigation-market-by-product-neti-pot https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-guy-research-consultants-pvt-ltd-?trk=biz-companies-cym Global Nasal Irrigation IndustryNew Study On 2018-2025 Nasal Irrigation Market Global Key Player, Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Forecast Added to Wise Guy Reports DatabaseThe report covers the analysis and forecast of the nasal irrigation market on global as well as regional level. The study provides historic data of 2016 along with the forecast for the period between 2017 and 2025 based on revenue (US$ Mn).The study provides a detailed view of the nasal irrigation market, by segmenting it based on by product, by application, by end-user, and regional demand. Rapid industrialization and urbanization coupled with changing lifestyle of individuals has propelled the growth of the nasal irrigation market. Moreover, as it is a painless process, hence the market is demanding among individuals worldwide. Technological innovations and product development by key vendors further creates a high growth opportunity for this market during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Try Sample Report @Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The segmentation also includes by product, by application, and end-user in all regions.The competitive profiling of the key players in the global nasal irrigation market across five broad geographic regions are included in the study. These include different business strategies adopted by the leading players and their recent developments.A comprehensive analysis of the market dynamics that is inclusive of market drivers, restraints, and opportunities is part of the report. Additionally, the report includes potential opportunities in the nasal irrigation market at the global and regional levels. Market dynamics are the factors which impact the market growth, so their analysis helps understand the ongoing trends of the global market. Therefore, the report provides the forecast of the global market for the period from 2017 to 2025, along with offering an inclusive study of the nasal irrigation market.The report provides the size of the nasal irrigation market in 2017 and the forecast for the next eight years up to 2025. The size of the global nasal irrigation market is provided in terms of revenue. Market revenue is defined in US$ Mn. The market dynamics prevalent in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America has been taken into account in estimating the growth of the global market.Market estimates for this study have been based on revenue being derived through regional pricing trends. The nasal irrigation market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Bottom-up approach is done to estimate the global revenue of the nasal irrigation market, split into regions. Based on product, application, and end-user, the individual revenues from all the regions is summed up to achieve the global revenue for nasal irrigation. Companies were considered for the market share analysis, based on their innovation and application and revenue generation. In the absence of specific data related to the sales of nasal irrigation several privately held companies, calculated assumptions have been made in view of the companys penetration and regional presence.The report covers a detailed competitive outlook that includes the market share and company profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Bayer AG, Vearox, Neilmed Pharmaceuticals, Nasopure, Alkalol Company, Shenzhen Xinface Electronics Technology Co. Ltd., Chammed Co. Ltd., Flaem Nuova, Medstar, Becton, Dickinson and Company, and GIANTSTAR.The global nasal irrigation market has been segmented into:Global Nasal Irrigation Market: By Product Neti Pot Baby Bulb Syringe Teledyne Waterpik with AdaptorGlobal Nasal Irrigation Market: By Application Chronic Sinusitis Rhinitis Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Sinus SurgeryGlobal Nasal Irrigation Market: By End-User Hospitals Clinics HouseholdGlobal Nasal Irrigation Market: By Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo U.K.o Franceo Germanyo Italyo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Indiao Chinao Japano Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East and Africao South Africao Rest of Middle East and Africa Latin Americao Brazilo Rest of Latin AmericaFor Detailed Reading Please visit WiseGuy Reports @Some Major Points from Table of content:1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, ASSUMPTIONS AND ACRONYMS2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET3 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET-MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 INTRODUCTION3.1.1 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET3.1.2 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET SNAPSHOT3.1.3 COMPANY PRODUCT MAPPING4 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET OVERVIEW- BY PRODUCT4.1 INTRODUCTION4.1.1 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET- BY PRODUCT4.1.1.1 NETI POT4.1.1.2 BABY BULB SYRINGE4.1.1.3 TELEDYNE WATERPIK WITH ADAPTOR5 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET OVERVIEW- BY APPLICATION5.1 INTRODUCTION5.1.1 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET- BY APPLICATION5.1.1.1 CHRONIC SINUSITIS5.1.1.2 RHINITIS5.1.1.3 ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION5.1.1.4 SINUS SURGERY6 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST, BY END- USER6.1 INTRODUCTION6.1.1 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET- BY END- USER6.1.1.1 HOSPITALS6.1.1.2 CLINICS6.1.1.3 HOUSEHOLD7 GLOBAL NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET, BY REGION7.1 INTRODUCTION7.2 KEY TAKEWAYS8 NORTH AMERICA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET8.1 MARKET DYNAMICS8.1.1 DRIVERS8.1.2 RESTRAINTS8.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES8.2 NORTH AMERICA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT8.3 NORTH AMERICA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY APPLICATION8.4 NORTH AMERICA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY END- USER8.5 U.S.8.6 CANADA8.7 MEXICO9 EUROPE NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET9.1 MARKET DYNAMICS9.1.1 DRIVERS9.1.2 RESTRAINTS9.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES9.2 EUROPE NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT9.3 EUROPE NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY APPLICATION9.4 EUROPE NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY END- USER9.5 U.K.9.6 FRANCE9.7 GERMANY9.8 ITALY9.9 SPAIN9.10 REST OF EUROPE10 ASIA PACIFIC NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET10.1 MARKET DYNAMICS10.1.1 DRIVERS10.1.2 RESTRAINTS10.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES10.2 ASIA PACIFIC NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT10.3 ASIA PACIFIC NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY APPLICATION10.4 ASIA PACIFIC NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY END- USER10.5 INDIA10.6 CHINA10.7 JAPAN10.8 REST OF ASIA PACIFIC11 MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (MEA) NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET11.1 MARKET DYNAMICS11.1.1 DRIVERS11.1.2 RESTRAINTS11.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES11.2 MEA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT11.3 MEA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY APPLICATION11.4 MEA NASAL IRRIGATION MARKET ANALYSIS- BY END- USER11.5 SOUTH AFRICA11.6 REST OF MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICAContinued..For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.Contact Us:Norah Trent+1 646 845 9349 / +44 208 133 9349Follow on LinkedIn: Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market Application Survey 2025 | Sugentech Inc., Swiss Precision Diagnostics https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=3170 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=3170 https://www.tmrresearch.com/digital-pregnancy-test-kits-market Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: SnapshotThe global market for digital pregnancy kit has witnessed significant traction in the past few years, with a massive shift in consumer preference towards innovative and technologically advanced products and vast technological advancements seen in these products key to the steady growth of the market. As an increasing number of companies foray into the global digital pregnancy test kit market, the number of product varieties available has also increased steadily.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Owing to the consecutive rise in competition, companies have started focusing on growth opportunities across emerging markets wherein a large number of women have started preferring home pregnancy tests over clinical diagnosis. A steadily rising population of financially self-dependent women in these emerging markets, a population that is also more aware about wellness and healthcare, has become the new target audience of companies operating in the global digital pregnancy test kits market.Owing to easy and early availability of technologically advanced products and innovative products, regional markets across North America and Europe presently account collectively for a massive share in the overall market. The presence of some of the leading vendors known to the global market and an aware female population in these regions also contribute to their dominant positions. While the regions are likely to remain the leading revenue contributors to the global market over the forecast period as well, the market in Asia Pacific is expected to present more promising growth opportunities owing to a vast set of untapped opportunities in the region. The market in Asia Pacific is also expected to benefit from a thriving medical devices industry and rising awareness regarding wellness and healthcare among women.Request TOC of the Report @Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: OverviewDevices that enable the identification or possibility of pregnancy in females are termed as pregnancy test kits. Primarily, these devices sense any trace or presence of tiny Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG or the female pregnancy hormone). The amount of HCG rises to an extent during early stages of pregnancy in the female body. Digital pregnancy test kits are a result of the introduction of cutting edge technologies such as digitalization and smart connected networks with pregnancy test kits. The advances in technology in pregnancy test kits, coupled with the growing demand of immediate and self-contained test results are significant factors which are likely to propel the growth of the global digital pregnancy test kits market in the coming years.This report provides in-depth analysis of the global digital pregnancy test kits market, focusing on the market opportunities and possible restraints, along with the latest trends. The report segments the global digital pregnancy test kits market based on its type, distribution channel and geography.Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: Trends & OpportunitiesAnalog pregnancy test kits are being rapidly replaced by digital pregnancy test kits in the past few years. The conventional line indicators, or color indicators offered by traditional pregnancy kits may cause confusion or may be difficult to interpret in some cases. Digital pregnancy test kits overcome these issues by providing the information on a digital screen, thereby fueling the digital pregnancy test kits market to a large extent.Digital pregnancy test kits also come equipped with several cutting-edge innovations, such as a smart countdown and Bluetooth connectivity. The growing number of female working professionals over the globe leaves them little time to seek medical help, and they prefer the use of home kits in order to confirm the possibility of pregnancy over visiting a physician. Hence, the expanding number of working women present a wide range of growth opportunities for the global digital pregnancy test kits market.Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: Market PotentialThere have been instance of misleading advertising of the features of pregnancy test kits in the past, and a leading giant was involved in a major litigation for deceptive marketing. Recently, Church & Dwight, a leading vendor in the digital pregnancy test kits market, presented a consumer survey in which nearly 20% of consumers considered the products estimation number of weeks would be the same as that measured through conventional methods. The survey result proves that advertisement and campaigning activities without providing false information can provide manufacturers with bountiful growth opportunities in the digital pregnancy test kits market.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: Regional OutlookThe global digital pregnancy test kits market is segmented on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.Global Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Market: Competitive LandscapeLeading manufacturers of digital pregnancy test kits are focussing on co-promotions and co-marketing strategies to expand commercial presence. Launch of technologically advanced products by local manufacturers is expected to provide ample opportunities for the growth of digital pregnancy test kits in the U.S. market.Key players in the global digital pregnancy test kits market are Sugentech Inc., Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., and Gregory Pharmaceutical Holdings.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Global Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market 2016 - 2024 : Sorbead India, N Shashikant & Co., and Patalia Chem Industries, Tricat Group https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1362648 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1362648 https://www.researchmoz.us/zeolite-molecular-sieve-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2024-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market: OverviewMolecular sieve is a specialty material used to separate small-sized molecules from a mixture, whereas zeolite molecular sieve is a special class of molecular sieve that uses aluminosilicates as its skeletal composition. Zeolite molecular sieve has small-sized holes that block large molecules and allow small molecules to pass through it. Hence, it can be used as a desiccant. A molecular sieve can adsorb water up to 22% of its own weight. The adsorbed product remains trapped as it is able to penetrate the pore and fill the space in absence of another material. Molecular sieve can be further classified into microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous materials depending upon size of molecular sieve. Microporous materials have pore diameters less than 20 angstrom (A), the mesoporous category lies in the middle with pore diameters between 2 and 50 nanometers (nm), and macroporous materials have pore diameters greater than 500 A.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Zeolite molecular sieve is a microporous material where size of molecular sieve lies between 3 and 4 A. Zeolites are highly crystalline material with anionic framework. Thus, they can be used as an adsorbent for liquids and gases. Zeolite molecular sieve with a pore size of 3 A blocks molecules with size more than 3 A; hence, it can be used in diversified applications such as purification of gas streams, drying reaction starting materials, and in the chemical laboratory for separating compounds. The ratio of silica to alumina in zeolite molecular sieve is close to two, which provides it with characteristic features such as fast adsorption speed, good crushing resistance, frequent regeneration ability, and good pollution resistance. These properties help improve durability and efficiency of sieve. Zeolite molecular sieve is used in the petroleum and gas industry for selective adsorption of water from gas so that the latter can be used in applications where moisture from gas can corrode the equipment. This sieve can also be used to filter air supplied for breathing apparatus by removing particulates and compressor exhaust products from breathing air supply.Environmental effects of detergents can be manipulated by replacing sodium tripolyphosphate with zeolite molecular sieve. This type of zeolite molecular sieve can reduce surface tension. This, in turn, assists detergents by producing demineralized water through calcium ion exchange, thereby avoiding deposition of dirt. Zeolite molecular sieve can also be used in soil conditioning. Extensive research and development activities are being conducted to use silver zeolite as an antibacterial agent in medicines. In April 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of sodium aluminosilicate for direct contact with consumable items. As a result, it is employed in personal care and pharmaceutical industries. Zeolite molecular sieves have high selectivity for ammonium ions; therefore, they are widely used to combat eutrophication and other effects in waterways. Zeolite molecular sieves have also been used to remove heavy metal ions present in water due to industrial activities.Make An Enquiry @Global Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market: Regional OutlookDiversified applications of zeolite molecular sieve are likely to significantly propel its market growth during the forecast period. Raw materials required for production of zeolite molecular sieve are abundantly available in China, which makes it the leading producer of zeolite molecular sieve. Additionally, India is a frontrunner in the manufacture of zeolite molecular sieve. This country also exports zeolite to various economies. Asia Pacific accounts for major share of the zeolite molecular sieve market. The market for zeolite molecular sieve is projected to rise in regions, such as the Middle East and Africa due to increasing use of zeolite molecular sieve in petrochemical industries. High cost of zeolite molecular sieve can act as barrier for growth of the zeolite molecular sieve market.Global Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market: Key PlayersKey manufacturers of zeolite molecular sieve include Tricat Group, Luoyang Jiandong Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Sorbead India, Pingxiang XINTAO Chemical Packing Co. Ltd, N Shashikant & Co., and Patalia Chem Industries.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Browse Report @The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on Blogger at: Global Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostics Devices Market: Industry Size, Growth, Analysis and Forecast of 2025 Global Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostics Devices Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3289672-global-cardiovascular-monitoring-diagnostics-devices-market-by-product https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3289672-global-cardiovascular-monitoring-diagnostics-devices-market-by-product https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-guy-research-consultants-pvt-ltd-?trk=biz-companies-cym Global Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostics Devices IndustryNew Study On 2018-2025 Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostics Devices Market Global Key Player, Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Forecast Added to Wise Guy Reports DatabaseThe report covers the analysis and forecast of the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market on global as well as regional level. The study provides historic data of 2016 along with the forecast for the period between 2017 and 2025 based on revenue (US$ Mn).The study provides a detailed view of the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market, by segmenting it based on by product type, and regional demand. Robust development in medical devices in the past several years propels the growth for the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market. Growing occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is another prime factor driving the market demand. Additionally, development of healthcare infrastructure in the urban areas are further expected for making the market demanding.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The segmentation also includes by product type in all regions. These include different business strategies adopted by the leading players and their recent developments.A comprehensive analysis of the market dynamics that is inclusive of market drivers, restraints, and opportunities is part of the report. Additionally, the report includes potential opportunities in the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market at the global and regional levels. Market dynamics are the factors which impact the market growth, so their analysis helps understand the ongoing trends of the global market. Therefore, the report provides the forecast of the global market for the period from 2017 to 2025, along with offering an inclusive study of the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market.The report provides the size of the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market in 2017 and the forecast for the next eight years up to 2025. The size of the global cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market is provided in terms of revenue. Market revenue is defined in US$ Mn. The market dynamics prevalent in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America has been taken into account in estimating the growth of the global market.Market estimates for this study have been based on revenue being derived through regional pricing trends. The cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Bottom-up approach is done to estimate the global revenue of the cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market, split into regions. Based on product type, the individual revenues from all the regions is summed up to achieve the global revenue for cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices. Companies were considered for the market share analysis, based on their innovation and revenue generation. In the absence of specific data related to the sales of cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices several privately held companies, calculated assumptions have been made in view of the companys penetration and regional presence.Try Sample Report @The report covers a detailed competitive outlook that includes the market share and company profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Boston Scientific Corporation, Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic Inc., Nihon Kohden Corporation, Philips Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, Spacelabs Healthcare, and St. Jude Medical, Inc.The global cardiovascular monitoring & diagnostic devices market has been segmented into:Global Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostic Devices Market: By Product Type ECG systems ECG management systems Event Monitors Holter Monitors Implantable loop recordersGlobal Cardiovascular Monitoring & Diagnostic Devices Market: By Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo U.K.o Franceo Germanyo Italyo Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Indiao Chinao Japano Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East and Africao South Africao Rest of Middle East and Africa Latin Americao Brazilo Rest of Latin AmericaFor Detailed Reading Please visit WiseGuy Reports @Some Major Points from Table of content:1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, ASSUMPTIONS AND ACRONYMS2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET3 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET-MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 INTRODUCTION3.1.1 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET3.1.2 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET SNAPSHOT4 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET OVERVIEW- BY PRODUCT TYPE4.1 INTRODUCTION4.1.1 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET- BY PRODUCT TYPE4.1.1.1 ECG SYSTEMS4.1.1.2 ECG MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS4.1.1.3 EVENT MONITORS4.1.1.4 HOLTER MONITORS4.1.1.5 IMPLANTABLE LOOP RECORDERS5 GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET, BY REGION5.1 INTRODUCTION5.2 KEY TAKEWAYS6 NORTH AMERICA CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET6.1 MARKET DYNAMICS6.1.1 DRIVERS6.1.2 RESTRAINTS6.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES6.2 NORTH AMERICA CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT TYPE6.3 U.S.6.4 CANADA6.5 MEXICO7 EUROPE CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET7.1 MARKET DYNAMICS7.1.1 DRIVERS7.1.2 RESTRAINTS7.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES7.2 EUROPE CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT TYPE7.3 U.K.7.4 FRANCE7.5 GERMANY7.6 ITALY7.7 SPAIN7.8 REST OF EUROPE8 ASIA PACIFIC CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET REVENUE FORECAST AND POTENTIAL ADDRESSABLE MARKET8.1 MARKET DYNAMICS8.1.1 DRIVERS8.1.2 RESTRAINTS8.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES8.2 ASIA PACIFIC CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING & DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES MARKET ANALYSIS- BY PRODUCT TYPE8.3 INDIA8.4 CHINA8.5 JAPAN8.6 REST OF ASIA PACIFICContinued..For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.Contact Us:Norah Trent+1 646 845 9349 / +44 208 133 9349Follow on LinkedIn: Global Insurance Rating Software Market Report 2018: Analysis, Trends, Insights, Growth, Size, Comparative Analysis, and Forecast 2018 - 2026 https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=41 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=41 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=41 www.reportconsultant.com A new research report, displays a comprehensive review of the global insurance rating software market by investigating the past and the present execution of this market. The report, assesses the key patterns and other noteworthy components, which are affecting the market's development, to pick up an unmistakable comprehension of this market.Insurance is a measurement of the risk that an insurance company has when it provides insurance for someone or something that affects how much someone must pay for insurance: Various factors are used by underwriters to determine the price of your insurance. Vendors in the global insurance software market are developing and delivering new insurance software and services to their clients. The insurance agents are increasingly using social media platforms to maximize their online presence to keep in touch with consumers. Global insurance rating software market was valued at US$ XX Mn in 2017 and is expected to reach US$ XX Mn by 2026 at +XX% CAGR.Download sample copy:Top Key Players:Agency Matrix, TurboRater, Vertafore, Applied Systems, Insurance Systems, Jenesis Software, EZLynx, Buckhill, QQ Solutions, Insurance TechnologiesThis report studies the global insurance rating software market, analyzes and researches the Insurance Rating Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market It evaluates this market taking a number of important parameters, such as the type and application, into consideration. The geographical presence of the market has also been examined closely in this research study.Discount on this report:Market segment by type split into On-Premise, Cloud-Based, market segment by application, market will split into, Automobile, Home, and Motorcycle, Other.Factors that are expected to influence this global market are the rising employment rate among investments in emerging economies are mentioned in the report. Export incentives offered by several competitive nations and robust trade agreements are other factors that also favor the growth rate in the global market for insurance rating software market. The report presents a thorough overview of the whole market growth. For this, the global revenue, and share of the prominent players, and the average price has been provided. The competitive situation and trends, the report explores the market, the recent mergers and acquisitions, and their expansion strategies which allow the readers and players to have a strong understanding of the overall market.For more information:If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Content:1. Industry Overview of Insurance Rating Software Market2. Manufacturing Competition Analysis by Players3. Company (Top Players) Profiles4. Software Market Size by Type and Application5. US Market Status and Outlook6. EU Software Development Market Status and Outlook7. Japan AI Software Development Status and Outlook8. China Software Status and Outlook9. India Insurance Rating Software Market Status and Outlook10. Southeast Asia Market Status and Outlook11. Market Forecast by Region, Type and Application12. AI in Software Market Dynamics13. Market Effect Factor Analysis14. Research Finding/ Conclusion15. AppendixAbout Us:Report Consultant - A global leader in analytics, research and advisory that can assist you to renovate your business and modify your approach. With us, you will learn to take decisions intrepidly. We make sense of drawbacks, opportunities, circumstances, estimations and information using our experienced skills and verified methodologies.Our research reports will give you an exceptional experience of innovative solutions and outcomes. We have effectively steered businesses all over the world with our market research reports and are outstandingly positioned to lead digital transformations. Thus, we craft greater value for clients by presenting advanced opportunities in the global market.Contact us:Rebecca Parker(Report Consultant)Akasaka biz tower,5-3-1 akasaka minato-ku,Tokyo, JapanContact No: +81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Frozen Ready Meals Market Recent Adoption Overview 2025 | Kraft Foods Group Inc., Fleury Michon https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=3164 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=3164 https://www.tmrresearch.com/frozen-ready-meals-market Global Frozen Ready Meals Market: SnapshotThe global frozen ready meals market is envisioned to expect high growth opportunities birthing on the back of the availability of a broad scope of products that keep consumers interested at all times. Convenient and healthy options prepared with the use of natural ingredients could collect significant demand in the coming years. High purchasing power of consumers in developed countries and busy lifestyle of people could act as strong factors augmenting the consumption of frozen ready meals. Players operating in the market could be more concerned about offering products that come with convenience of handling, microbiological safety, and nutritional quality.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Advantages such as extended product life, low nutrition loss, and easy preparation are projected to create a massive consumer base for businesses dealing with frozen ready meals. Worlds several consumer marketplaces could witness increased popularity of frozen ready meals including fruit and vegetable, poultry and fish, and meat. In order to ensure effective distribution of frozen ready meals, manufacturers are predicted to adopt sophisticated packaging solutions. Frozen ready chicken meals in particular could rake in a telling demand in the future years. On the other hand, large end users such as food chain services are forecasted to lead the market.With a view to facilitate cook-assemble-freeze manufacturing of frozen ready meals at a broader scale, companies could use new machinery with advanced features. A greater level of product safety is said to be achieved by manufacturers if they collaborate with the right packaging company. Cold storage firms could witness consolidation to make sure the quality of frozen ready meals does not degrade to a higher extent because of fluctuating storage conditions. Millions of dollars of investment could be made by players to ensure safer frozen ready meals reach consumers. Thus, production techniques that sustain the quality of products could be largely adopted in the global frozen ready meals market.Frozen Ready Meals Market: OverviewThe global market for frozen ready meals is expected to trail along a lucrative growth path due to the rising propensity of the masses towards packaged food. The need for fresh and readily available food has continually expanded over the past years, and this trend is expected to continue over the coming years as well. Frozen ready meals are a convenient option for people who run on strict schedules of work and are also low on cost. Hence, it is safe to estimate that the global market for frozen ready meals would reap a commendable revenue over the coming years.Request TOC of the Report @The report is a succinct portrayal of the forces that operate in the global market and gives an estimated value of key performance indicators such as market value, regional market share, and growth rate.Frozen Ready Meals Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesThe last decade has witnessed major changes in the eating habits of the masses as people have become inclined towards packaged foods. This has given an impetus to the growth of the global market for frozen ready meals while offering tremendous scope for growth to market players. The development of better refrigeration equipment has persuaded several retailers to keep frozen meals on their product portfolio. This has also given a boost to the demand within the global market for frozen ready meals. The changing lifestyles of the people have left little time for cooking, which has shifted the focus of the ever-expanding working population towards packaged food. Food made from fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products can be conveniently stored in refrigerators for long durations of time. Moreover, the nutritional value of the ingredients can also be retained by storing food in specialized refrigerators. Owing to these factors, the market for frozen ready meals is prognosticated to surge ahead at a robust rate over the coming years.Frozen Ready Meals Market: Market PotentialA report by The Washington Post expounds that frozen food is not just an option for health-conscious people with office jobs, and other population demographics including children and aged people also consume frozen meals. This is due to the efforts of the manufacturers of frozen food to offer wholesome and protein-rich meals to the consumers.Frozen Ready Meals Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global market for frozen ready meals could be segmented into North America, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (LAMEA), Asia Pacific, and Europe. The market in North America is expected to register an astral growth rate over the coming years due to the popularity of frozen food in the region. Asia Pacific and Europe also harbor commendable growth opportunities for growth over the coming years.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Frozen Ready Meals Market: Competitive LandscapeThe market players are on a quest to ensure that their products can attain supremacy over other products in the market. In order to do this, they are expected to bring about variations in their product portfolio. Some of the key market players include Conagra Brands Inc., Kraft Foods Group Inc., Fleury Michon, and Nestle S.A.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com The Insurance Industry in Republic of the Congo Key Trends and Opportunities to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012076777/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012076777/buying http://www.reportsweb.com/the-insurance-industry-in-republic-of-the-congo-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2022 Publisher's "The Insurance Industry in Republic of the Congo, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2022", report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Congolese insurance industry.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium and claims during the review period (2013-2017) and forecast period (2017-2022).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Congolese economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Publisher's research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Free | Get Sample Copy atThis report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Congolese insurance industry, including--The Congolese insurance industry's growth prospects by segment and category-A comprehensive overview of the Congolese economy and demographics-Details of the competitive landscape in the Congolese insurance industry-The various distribution channels in the Congolese insurance industry-Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Congolese insurance industry-Analysis of natural hazards in the Congolese insurance industry.Key Highlights-On September 20, 2017, World Bank signed an agreement with the government of the Republic of the Congo to fund XAF58.2 billion (US$100.0 million) towards improving the productivity of local farmers and the overall agricultural market.-As of May 2017, there were 24 registered brokers operating in the Congolese insurance industry.-Until 2016, six insurance companies, two life insurers and four general insurers were operating in Congo.Make an InquiryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the insurance industry in Republic of the Congo--It provides historical values for the Congolese insurance industry for the report's 2013-2017 review period, and projected figures for the 2017-2022 forecast period.-It offers a detailed analysis of the key segments in the Congolese insurance industry, with market forecasts to 2022.-It covers an exhaustive list of parameters, including written premium and claims.-It analyzes the various distribution channels in Republic of the Congo.-It profiles the top insurance companies in Republic of the Congo, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons to buy-Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Congolese insurance industry and each segment and category within it.-Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Congolese insurance industry.-Assess the competitive dynamics in the Congolese insurance industry.-Identify the growth opportunities and market dynamics in key segments.-Gain insights into key regulations governing the Congolese insurance industry and their impact on companies and the industry's future.For More Information about This Report:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.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.Pune, India The Insurance Industry in the Central African Republic Key Trends and Opportunities to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012076782/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012076782/buying http://www.reportsweb.com/the-insurance-industry-in-the-central-african-republic-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2022 Publisher's "The Insurance Industry in Central African Republic, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2022", report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Central African Republic insurance industry.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium and claims during the review period (2013-2017) and forecast period (2017-2022).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Central African Republic economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Publisher's research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Free | Get Sample Copy atThis report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Central African Republic insurance industry, including--The Central African Republic insurance industry's growth prospects by segment and category-A comprehensive overview of the Central African Republic economy and demographics-Details of the competitive landscape in the Central African Republic insurance industry-The various distribution channels in the Central African Republic insurance industry-Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Central African Republic insurance industry-Analysis of natural hazards in the Central African Republic insurance industry.Key Highlights-In January 2018, the European Union and the African Development Bank jointly allocated XAF19.6 billion (US$35.2 million) for the construction of a fiber optic path in the Central African Republic to improve internet connectivity in the country.-On May 16, 2017, the World Bank approved aid of XAF16.3 billion (US$28.0 million) to help people affected by the sectarian violence.-According to the World Bank, the Central African Republic was the 186th largest export-based economy in the world in 2016.Make an InquiryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the insurance industry in the Central African Republic--It provides historical values for the Central African Republic insurance industry for the report's 2013-2017 review period, and projected figures for the 2017-2022 forecast period.-It offers a detailed analysis of the key segments in the Central African Republic insurance industry, with market forecasts to 2022.-It covers an exhaustive list of parameters, including written premium and claims.-It analyzes the various distribution channels in Central African Republic.-It profiles the top insurance companies in Central African Republic, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons to buy-Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Central African Republic insurance industry and each segment and category within it.-Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Central African Republic insurance industry.-Assess the competitive dynamics in the Central African Republic insurance industry.-Identify the growth opportunities and market dynamics in key segments.-Gain insights into key regulations governing the Central African Republic insurance industry and their impact on companies and the industry's future.For More Information about This Report:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.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.Pune, India Global Bone Marrow Needles Market 2018 | Major Key Players CareFusion, Argon Medical Devices, Medtronic, Tsunami Medical, STERYLAB - Analysis & Forecast Bone Marrow Needles http://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2422693-bone-marrow-needles-global-market-status-trend-report-2013-2023-top https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2422693-bone-marrow-needles-global-market-status-trend-report-2013-2023-top http://www.wiseguyreports.com Description:Bone Marrow Needles-Global Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 offers a comprehensive analysis on Bone Marrow Needles industry, standing on the readers perspective, delivering detailed market data and penetrating insights. No matter the client is industry insider, potential entrant or investor, the report will provides useful data and information. Key questions answered by this report include:Worldwide and Regional Market Size of Bone Marrow Needles 2013-2017, and development forecast 2018-2023Main manufacturers/suppliers of Bone Marrow Needles worldwide, with company and product introduction, position in the Bone Marrow Needles marketMarket status and development trend of Bone Marrow Needles by types and applicationsCost and profit status of Bone Marrow Needles, and marketing statusMarket growth drivers and challengesRequest For sample Report @The report segments the global Bone Marrow Needles market as:Global Bone Marrow Needles Market: Regional Segment Analysis (Regional Production Volume, Consumption Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate 2013-2023):North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanRest APACLatin AmericaGlobal Bone Marrow Needles Market: Type Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume, Average Price, Revenue, Market Share and Trend 2013-2023):DisposableReusableGlobal Bone Marrow Needles Market: Application Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume and Market Share 2013-2023; Downstream Customers and Market Analysis)HumanVeterinaryGlobal Bone Marrow Needles Market: Manufacturers Segment Analysis (Company and Product introduction, Bone Marrow Needles Sales Volume, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin):CareFusionArgon Medical DevicesMedtronicTsunami MedicalSTERYLABM.D.L.Egemen InternationalBiomedicalBiopsybellDepuy SynthesJorgensen LaboratoriesZamar BiopsyTenko International GroupComplete Report Details @Table Of ContentChapter 1 Overview of Bone Marrow Needles1.1 Definition of Bone Marrow Needles in This Report1.2 Commercial Types of Bone Marrow Needles1.2.1 Disposable1.2.2 Reusable1.3 Downstream Application of Bone Marrow Needles1.3.1 Human1.3.2 Veterinary1.4 Development History of Bone Marrow Needles1.5 Market Status and Trend of Bone Marrow Needles 2013-20231.5.1 Global Bone Marrow Needles Market Status and Trend 2013-20231.5.2 Regional Bone Marrow Needles Market Status and Trend 2013-2023Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions2.1 Market Development of Bone Marrow Needles 2013-20172.2 Production Market of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions2.2.1 Production Volume of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions2.2.2 Production Value of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions2.3 Demand Market of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions2.4 Production and Demand Status of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions2.4.1 Production and Demand Status of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions 2013-20172.4.2 Import and Export Status of Bone Marrow Needles by Regions 2013-2017Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types3.1 Production Volume of Bone Marrow Needles by Types3.2 Production Value of Bone Marrow Needles by Types3.3 Market Forecast of Bone Marrow Needles by TypesChapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry4.1 Demand Volume of Bone Marrow Needles by Downstream Industry4.2 Market Forecast of Bone Marrow Needles by Downstream IndustryChapter 5 Market Driving Factor Analysis of Bone Marrow Needles5.1 Global Economy Situation and Trend Overview5.2 Bone Marrow Needles Downstream Industry Situation and Trend OverviewChapter 6 Bone Marrow Needles Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers6.1 Production Volume of Bone Marrow Needles by Major Manufacturers6.2 Production Value of Bone Marrow Needles by Major Manufacturers6.3 Basic Information of Bone Marrow Needles by Major Manufacturers6.3.1 Headquarters Location and Established Time of Bone Marrow Needles Major Manufacturer6.3.2 Employees and Revenue Level of Bone Marrow Needles Major Manufacturer6.4 Market Competition News and Trend6.4.1 Merger, Consolidation or Acquisition News6.4.2 Investment or Disinvestment News6.4.3 New Product Development and LaunchChapter 7 Bone Marrow Needles Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data7.1 CareFusion7.1.1 Company profile7.1.2 Representative Bone Marrow Needles Product7.1.3 Bone Marrow Needles Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of CareFusion7.2 Argon Medical Devices7.2.1 Company profile7.2.2 Representative Bone Marrow Needles Product7.2.3 Bone Marrow Needles Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Argon Medical Devices7.3 Medtronic7.3.1 Company profile7.3.2 Representative Bone Marrow Needles Product7.3.3 Bone Marrow Needles Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Medtronic7.4 Tsunami Medical7.4.1 Company profile7.4.2 Representative Bone Marrow Needles Product7.4.3 Bone Marrow Needles Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Tsunami Medical7.5 STERYLAB7.5.1 Company profile7.5.2 Representative Bone Marrow Needles Product7.5.3 Bone Marrow Needles Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of STERYLABContinued.CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Smart Labels Industry Market - Advanced Technologies with Reprogrammable Attribute Bode Well for Growth https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9575 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-labels-industry-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=9575 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Item identification slip having more cutting-edge technologies than a conventional barcode data is known as a smart label. QR codes, RFID tags, and EAS tags are the most common enhancements in smart labels. Furthermore, smart labels offer real time tracking and are made from paper, fabrics, or plastic, and can be used as chip labels.PDF Brochure For Future Advancements@High tolerance and automatic interpretation enhances efficiency and eliminates errors. The global smart labels industry market is anticipated to gain lucrative opportunities due to the growing use of smart labels in assets tracking and merchandises.Obtain Report Details@The growing technological proliferation of smart labels and a significant rise in industry partnerships have proved to be core factors among others supporting the growth of the global smart labels industry market. Moreover, increasing urbanization along with large amounts of disposable income in developing countries are boosting the growth of this market. Due to the high demand for antitheft devices across the globe, the demand for smart labels is further expected to increase in the future.Download TOC@Increasing demand for the reliable anti-theft devices is the key factor driving growth of the global smart labels industry market currently. The smart labels come with various features, such as re-programmability, real time tracing, and simultaneous identification, which are further driving growth of the market in logistics and manufacturing related industries.About UsTransparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals.Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.Contact UsState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesUSA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market Intelligence Study for Comprehensive Insights to Sustained Growth during the Period 2018-2028 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1503 https://www.factmr.com/report/1503/goodpasture-syndrome-treatment-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=1503 https://www.factmr.com/ The Goodpasture syndrome is a rare autoimmune and life-threatening disease. It affects both kidneys and lungs. The Goodpasture syndrome was first identified by Dr. Ernest Goodpasture in 1919. It is also known as anti-GBM disease. In goodpasture syndrome, antibodies are produced against a specific region of collagen in kidneys and lungs. The initial symptoms of goodpasture syndrome are fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and pale appearance. Sometimes, the symptoms of goodpasture syndrome become life-threatening and cause respiratory failure, especially if there is a lot of bleeding. The Goodpasture syndrome majorly affects the kidney and causes a burning sensation during urination, swelling of hands and feet, back pain, elevated blood pressure readings and others. Goodpasture syndrome treatment involves medications which slow down the immune system. The treatment depends on the age, overall health of an individual and severity of the disease. The diagnosis of goodpasture syndrome can be done through urinalysis, blood test, chest X-ray and biopsy. Presently, the exact cause of goodpasture syndrome is still not known. Goodpasture syndrome develops due to unknown causes. Cigarette smoke, hydrocarbon chemical exposure and infections, such as influenza, may be some of the causing factors. The goodpasture syndrome can become fatal if not diagnosed and treated on time. In severe cases, goodpasture syndrome treatment includes procedures where waste products are removed from the blood. In most severe cases, goodpasture syndrome treatment requires kidney transplantation. Goodpasture syndrome treatment reduces the severity of the symptoms. In addition, the treatment also prevents the destruction of lung tissues and kidney.Request TOC of this Report-Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle and increasing geriatric population are the major factors driving the growth of the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market. In addition, other factors, such as utilization of hair dyes, usage of tobacco and exposure to hydrocarbons, etc. are also driving the growth of the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market. Moreover, increasing number of clinical trials, robust R&D and increasing awareness in developed countries are major factors anticipated to drive the growth of the goodpasture syndrome treatment market. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the goodpasture syndrome affects males more frequently than females. Presently, around 600 cases of goodpasture syndrome have been observed in medical literature. According to the Clinical Kidney Journal, it is estimated that goodpasture syndrome affects one of one million people per year. However, stringent regulations and difficulties in diagnosis are some of the factors which are expected to hamper the growth of the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market during the forecast period.Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market: SegmentationThe global goodpasture syndrome treatment market can be segmented on the basis of treatment type, end user and geography.Based on treatment type, the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market is segmented into: Immunosuppressive Drugso Methylprednisoloneo Cyclophosphamide Corticosteroids OthersBased on End User, the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market is segmented into: Hospitals Clinic Ambulatory Surgical Centers OthersGoodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market: OverviewThe global market for goodpasture syndrome treatment is expected to witness moderate growth rate over the forecast period. Immunosuppressive drugs are expected to contribute the major revenue share to the goodpasture syndrome treatment market. The hospital end-user segment is expected to contribute maximum market share to the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market.Medications for a mild form of goodpasture syndrome treatment include immunosuppressive drugs (like cyclophosphamide), corticosteroids (like prednisone) plasmapheresis and others. Goodpasture syndrome treatment controls the antibodies in the blood and also reduces the risk of infections. Plasmapheresis is a procedure used to remove unwanted substances, such as damaging antibodies, toxins and metabolic substances from the blood. Plasmapheresis is often administered in combination with corticosteroid treatment. Plasmapheresis is under investigation for goodpasture syndrome treatment and other autoimmune disorders.Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, CIS & Russia, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is anticipated to be the dominant market in the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market owing to the growing unhealthy lifestyle and drug abuse. Europe is expected to hold second-largest share in the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market throughout the forecast period owing to high awareness regarding health-related problems. The goodpasture syndrome treatment market in the Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow at a rapid pace at a significant CAGR, primarily due to the growing geriatric population and increasing healthcare facilities.To know more about the Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market Trends, Visit the link Goodpasture Syndrome Treatment Market: Key PlayersExamples of some of the key players operating in the global goodpasture syndrome treatment market are Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sandoz Inc. and others.The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, and inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators, and governing factors, along with market attractiveness as per segment. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Market Segments Market Dynamics Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies Involved Technology Value ChainRegional analysis includes: North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of LATAM) Europe (Germany, Italy, U.K, Spain, France, Nordic countries, BENELUX, Eastern Europe, Rest of Europe) CIS & Russia Japan Asia Pacific Excluding Japan ( Greater China, India, South Korea, ASEAN Countries, Rest of APEJ) Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries, Turkey, Iran, Israel, S. Africa, Rest of MEA)Report Highlights: Detailed overview of parent market Changing market dynamics in the industry In-depth market segmentation Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value Recent industry trends and developments Competitive landscape Strategies of key players and products offered Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective on market performance Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintAsk our Industry Expert on this Report-About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market insights 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.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb: Global Multifunctional Label Adhesive Market 2018 | Major Key Players Henkel, Arkema, H.B.Fuller, 3M, Hexion, Dow Corning, Eastman Chemical - Analysis & Forecast Multifunctional Label Adhesive http://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3337964-global-north-america-europe-asia-pacific-south-america https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3337964-global-north-america-europe-asia-pacific-south-america http://www.wiseguyreports.com Description:This report studies the multifunctional label adhesive market. It is used for fast pet, glass and metal label application for water bottle and cabonated beverage, etc. It provides excellent performance on all label stocks and containers, at the highest manufacturing speed, and that can survive the most extreme temperatures.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Multifunctional Label Adhesive in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for Multifunctional Label Adhesive, especially China, with revenue exceeding USD 1414.30 million in 2017. In addition, North America andEurope are the other large consumption market.In the future, global market is expected to witness significant growth on account of rising applications, so in the next few years, Multifunctional Label Adhesive production will show a trend of steady growth. In 2025 the production of Multifunctional Label Adhesive is estimated to be 2330 K MT. On product prices, the slow downward trend in recent years will maintain in the future.The worldwide market for Multifunctional Label Adhesive is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2023, from xx million US$ in 2017, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.Request For sample Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversHenkelArkemaH.B.Fuller3MHexionDow CorningEastman ChemicalAvery DennisonMapei S.P.A.RPM InternationalYokohamaMactacIllinois Tool Works (ITW)AshlandHuntsmanSikaGardner-GibsonFranklin InternationalHuitian New MaterialsWyncaMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversWater-based Label AdhesiveSolvent-based Label AdhesiveMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFood & BeveragesPharmaceuticalsPersonal CareIndustrial LabelsRetailers and SupermarketsLogisticsOthersComplete Report Details @Table Of Content1 Market Overview1.1 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Water-based Label Adhesive1.2.2 Solvent-based Label Adhesive1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Food & Beverages1.3.2 Pharmaceuticals1.3.3 Personal Care1.3.4 Industrial Labels1.3.5 Retailers and Supermarkets1.3.6 Logistics1.3.7 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 United States Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Henkel2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.1.1 Henkel Description2.1.1.2 Henkel Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.1.2 Henkel Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Introduction2.1.2.1 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.1.2.2 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Information2.1.3 Henkel Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.3.1 Henkel Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.3.2 Global Henkel Multifunctional Label Adhesive Market Share in 20172.2 Arkema2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.1.1 Arkema Description2.2.1.2 Arkema Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.2.2 Arkema Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Introduction2.2.2.1 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.2.2.2 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Information2.2.3 Arkema Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.3.1 Arkema Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.3.2 Global Arkema Multifunctional Label Adhesive Market Share in 20172.3 H.B.Fuller2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.1.1 H.B.Fuller Description2.3.1.2 H.B.Fuller Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.3.2 H.B.Fuller Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Introduction2.3.2.1 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.3.2.2 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Information2.3.3 H.B.Fuller Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.3.1 H.B.Fuller Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.3.2 Global H.B.Fuller Multifunctional Label Adhesive Market Share in 20172.4 3M2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.1.1 3M Description2.4.1.2 3M Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.4.2 3M Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Introduction2.4.2.1 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.4.2.2 Multifunctional Label Adhesive Product Information2.4.3 3M Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.3.1 3M Multifunctional Label Adhesive Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.3.2 Global 3M Multifunctional Label Adhesive Market Share in 2017Continued.CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services: Market 2018 Global Analysis By Top Key Players K.T. Aviation Services, AERO Specialties, Australian Aviation Detailers Cairns, Dyn-o-mite, Paragonaviationdetailing Qy Research Groups https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/1018649 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/checkout/1018649 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/1018649 An exclusive Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market research report created through broad primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, and stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services Market By Type, By Application, By Region - North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services Market Players: Immaculateflight ABM JetFast Diener Aviation Services LGS Handling Sharp Details Higheraviation K.T. Aviation Services AERO Specialties Australian Aviation Detailers Cairns Dyn-o-mite Paragonaviationdetailing Kleenol Nigeria Limited Clean before flight TAG Aviation Libanet Plane DetailGet Sample Copy of This Report Now @ORPURCHASE the Full Report please click on the Link @Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Exterior Service Interior ServiceMarket segment by Application, split into Fighter Rotorcraft Military Transport Regional Aircraft TrainerMajor regions are as follows: United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaWorldwide Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Also, key Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Civil Aircraft Cleaning and Detailing Services market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.Get Avail Discount @Contact Us:Call: +1-888-236-2744Email: sales@qyresearchgroups.comAbout Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Room B1510, Shiji Kemao Building,No.66 Zhongguancun East Road,Haidian District, Beijing,100190, China. Asia Pacific Cancer Biological Therapy Market Continue to Rise Novartis gushes over Roche Surging Profitability in the Region - 2018-2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4371 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4371 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4371 Cancer is the leading and the second largest cause of death across the globe. The disease is characterized by disordered and deregulated cellular and stromal explosion along with reduced cell death and growth factor deprivation, and others. Biological therapy treatment is done with the help of living organisms, parts of living organisms or laboratory manufactured version of such content. Various types of biological therapies, which inhibit specific molecules involved in development and growth of cancer tumor, such therapies known as; cancer targeted therapies.The major driving factors for Asia Pacific cancer biological therapy market are increasing cancer survival rates, growing demand for advanced therapies such as biological therapy, growth of cancer healthcare facilities in emerging countries, etc. Additionally, less number of side effects associated with biological therapy as compared to conventional treatment methods is the critical growth factor. Conventional cancer treatment methods like chemotherapy, radiotherapy give effective result, but along with that these methods also show its counter effects on body. The side effects may include, loss of hair, weakened immune system, and such others depending upon the type, and phase of cancer. Biological therapies help to reduce the level of side effects as compared to other treatment methods. Biological therapies are giving the same amount of success rate for curing the cancer patient with 1st stage cancer approximately 27% to 35%. Owing to low level of side effects and high success rate of this therapy, the market is expected to grow rapidly. However, high cost of the treatment may restrain the market growth. The Asia Pacific cancer biological therapy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecasted period.Get Sample Copy of Report At:Key Companies Analyzed In Report AreMerck & Co., Inc. (US), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland), Novartis AG (Switzerland), Amgen Inc. (US), Bristol-Myers Squibb (US), Celgene (US), Eli Lilly and Company (US), EnGeneIC (Australia), Pfizer (US), Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)Market Segmentation:Asia Pacific cancer biological therapy market is segmented into types, phases, and end users.On the basis of types the market is segmented into monoclonal antibodies, interferon, interleukins, cancer growth inhibitors, gene therapy, colony-stimulating factors, targeted therapy, cancer vaccines, and others. On the basis of phases, the market is segmented into phase I, phase II, and phase III.On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, cancer research centers, laboratories, and others.Regional Analysis:China dominates the Asia Pacific cancer biological therapy market owing to increasing prevalence of cancer. Increasing adoption of smoking by people, rapid research & development and presence rapidly developing economy in this region fuel the growth of the market in Asia Pacific. Japan and Australia are other major contributor to the market growth in this region.Intended Audience Pharmaceutical Companies Pharmaceutical Suppliers Cancer Research Organizations Potential Investors Key Executive (CEO and COO) and Strategy Growth Manager Research CompaniesGet Amazing Discount on Report @Some Major Table Of Contents :1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope Of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 Assumptions2.4.2 Limitations3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 OpportunitiesHave a Question Ask to our Experts @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 FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Surgical Broaches Market to Receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2028 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7147 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7147 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Surgical broaches are simple instruments designed to provide reconstructive and supportive approach in comforting the operative target in surgical procedures. Surgical broaches are similar to rasps as they are used provide a fine edges to support replacement implants. Surgical broaches are used to form an intramedullary canal in a bone to provide prosthetic support. The presence of cutting teeth provide an efficient approach for guiding such implant and provides a suitable gap between the prosthesis and the intramedullary canal. With better technological developments it has led to a 3D surface textures for better removal of bone particles. Generally made of biocompatible metal to provide a strong and sturdy approach in the operation which requires the removal of bone to place an implant, the features result to create sharp points needed to efficiently place prosthetic. The surgical broaches requires to be of high strength in order to come up with the best result during an operation providing accurate and uniform alignment between implants.A sample of this report is available upon request @Surgical broaches Market: Drivers and RestraintsPrimary factors driving surgical broaches market include growing need for replacement surgeries. Advancement in the production of surgical broaches like 3D etching process which makes it rather convenient as an instrument to use in general orthopedic surgeries. It is an important instrument used in total hip replacement, and with rise in geriatric population. Besides, surgical broaches could also be used in removing soft medial cancellous bone, pulse lavage the canal. However, alternative approaches like rasps which operates the same limit the growth of the global surgical broaches market. Implants now have a set broach to make their own canal for perfect fitting will affect the already established surgical broaches market. The market is also dependent on the trauma incidences which reports the use of surgical broaches as Musculoskeletal injuries in developing countries account for a substantial share (13%) in global burden for trauma cases. Though, state wise medical device regulations makes it harder for the product to penetrate unmet markets. Much of the manufacturers are doing it regionally but it slows down the process in order to make efficient product. Different healthcare regulations or standards are followed by respective regions for the use surgical broaches.Surgical broaches Market: SegmentationTentatively, the global surgical broaches Market has been segmented on the basis of application, end users, and geography.Based on application, the global surgical broaches Market is segmented as:OrthopedicENTNeurologyPlastic SurgeryBased on end user, the global surgical broaches market is segmented as:HospitalsASCsSpecialty clinicsSurgical broaches Market: OverviewThe global market for surgical broaches is highly consolidated with very few players operating in the global space. Combined approaches of using surgical broaches with other surgical instruments to obtain accurate results to treat patients, which is expected to create high demand for surgical broaches in invasive bone related surgeries. Some of the established brands of surgical broaches are, Zimmer Biomet, Tecomet Inc, Smith and Nephew, Sandvik and others.Surgical broaches Market: Regional Wise OutlookGeographically, the global surgical broaches market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to be the leader in global surgical broaches market owing to the quality difference healthcare infrastructure. The Surgical broaches market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow due to expansion of major manufacturers into such fragmented markets. Europe is expected to take a large share in the global surgical broaches market during the forecast period because of their medical expenditure over healthcare supporting such use.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Surgical broaches Market: Key PlayersExamples of some of the major players in the global Surgical broaches market are Surgical broaches are Integrated Medical Technologies (IMT) USA LLC, Zimmer Biomet, Tecomet Inc, Smith and Nephew, Sandvik A, Precision Edge Surgical and others.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact UsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Global Barite Market Key Information By Top Key Player New Riverside Ochre, Halliburton, Excalibar Minerals, Ashapura Group of Industries, Anglo Pacific Minerals, Deutsche Baryt Industries Barite Market, Global Barite Market Size, Barite Industry, Barite Market Trends, Barite Market Share, Barite Market Growth https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/496331/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/496331/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/barite-market/?utm_source=OPR-SP https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog/ The 2017-2024 report on global Barite market explores the essential factors of Barite industry covering current scenario, market demand information, coverage of active companies and segmentation forecasts.Barite Market size is expected to surpass USD 4.1 billion by 2024; according to a new research report. Rapidly growing oil & gas industry primarily in the U.S. owing to excess availability of shale reserves along with changing industry dynamics to increase dependency on alternative energy sources has pushed barite market size in the past few years. This is prospective to continue owing to strong need to meet energy demand in several industries including transportation, power, etc. which will subsequently generate ample growth avenues for barite market size by 2024. In addition, positive growth indicators in the pharmaceuticals industry primarily in Asia Pacific will complement barite market size by 2024, owing to improving healthcare standards and rising geriatric population. This is due to widespread product applications in diagnosis and as fillers in plasters.Request a sample of this premium report atSturdy growth in paints & coatings industry owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization in Asia Pacific will propel barite market size by 2024. White & off-white barite is majorly used to prepare pigments in the paints industry. Rapidly growing construction industry primarily in China and India due to mounting population and improving socio-economic factors will be driving paints & coatings demand across end user business such as automobile.Upto grade 3.9 barite market size is probable to attain CAGR over 3% by 2024. It is lower grade and is formed by 50/50 ratio of product and other alternative weighing material such as ilmenite and hematite. Grade 4.2 is projected to grow at a CAGR near to 4% by 2024, as it is widely used in the oil & drilling industry owing to its excellent rheological properties, which makes it desirable as a weighing agent. They are premium quality grades and are found beneath the earth surface. However, grade 4.2 is gradually being replaced by grade 4.1 in the oil & drilling industry as it possesses similar attributes and is cost effective compared to grade 4.2. This replacement is also due to increasing transportation issues related with grade 4.2. Grey barite market size is estimated to attain CAGR of over 4% owing to its extensive application in oil & drilling industry by 2024.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report atRising population in the Asia Pacific along with progressive consumer lifestyles is driving automobile industry which in turn will propel rubber industry over the projected timespan. This tendency is expected to make noteworthy contribution to rubber & plastics segment of barite market size by 2024. Furthermore, rapid pace of oil & drilling industry due to the U.S. shale boom will also contribute towards the product market size by 2024. North America is likely to witness CAGR of over 4.5% over the projected time spell.Key industry share contributors of barite market size are Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp., New Riverside Ochre, Halliburton, Excalibar Minerals, Ashapura Group of Industries, Barium & Chemicals, Inc and Deutsche Baryt Industries.Table of ContentsChapter 3. Barites Industry Insights3.1. Industry segmentation3.2. Industry size and forecast, 2013 - 20243.3. Industry ecosystem analysis3.3.1. Vendor matrix3.3.2. Distributor channel analysis3.4. Industry impact forces3.4.1. Growth drivers3.4.1.1. Increasing product demand due to the U.S. shale oil drilling3.4.1.2. Escalating product demand in paints & coatings industry in Asia Pacific3.4.2. Industry pitfalls & challenges3.4.2.1. Substitution of barite for other minerals3.5. Growth potential analysis3.6. Regulatory trends3.6.1. U.S.3.6.2. Europe3.6.3. China3.7. Porters analysis3.8. Company market share analysis, 20163.8.1. Strategy dashboard3.9. PESTEL analysis3.10. Regional price trends3.10.1. Cost structure analysis3.10.2. Raw material trendsChapter 4. Barite Market, By Grade4.1. Barite market share by grade, 2016 & 20244.2. Upto grade 3.94.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.2.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 20244.3. Grade 4.04.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.3.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 20244.4. Grade 4.14.4.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.4.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 20244.5. Grade 4.24.5.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.5.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 20244.6. Grade 4.34.6.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.6.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 20244.7. Grade above 4.34.7.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 20244.7.2. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2013 2024For more information on this report, Please visit at:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Global Sleeping Aids Industry Research Report, Growth Trends and Competitive Analysis 2018-2025 Sleeping Aids Market Sales, Sleeping Aids Market Size, Sleeping Aids Market Share https://www.marketresearchnest.com/report/requestsample/404006 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/Global-Sleeping-Aids-Industry-Research-Report-Growth-Trends-and-Competitive-Analysis-2018-2025.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/report/purchase/404006 Global Sleeping Aids Industry Research Report, Growth Trends and Competitive Analysis 2018-2025The Sleeping Aids Market research report displays the latest industry insights with future trends and analysis of the products and services, enabling you to deeply penetrate the market with high profitability. It also makes you aware of the leading competitors influencing the market along with the key factors to help you sustain your products or services with better forecast of demand and growth opportunities.Sleeping aids are defined as products or devices used to facilitate sleep in individuals with various sleep disorders. Sleeping aids include pressure-relief mattresses, sleep apnea devices, and drugs.Owing to the high adoption and the increased availability across the world, the mattress and pillow segment will account for major share of the sleeping aids market. These multipurpose products are adopted by individuals suffering from sleep disorders as they are being continuously evolved with technological innovations to alleviate sleep disorders. The introduction of technologically advanced products and the growing awareness about their availability will drive the growth of the sleep aid market in this segment.For Request sample copy here @This report includes the following manufacturers; we can also add the other companies as you want. GlaxoSmithKline Pfizer Merck Becton Dickinson Hill-Rom Koninklijke Philips Teva Pharmaceuticals Abecca Healthcare Betterlifehealthcare Cadwell Laboratories Compumedics Lifeline Corporation Medical Depot Natus Medical Talley GroupMarket Segment by Product Type:- Medication Mattresses and Pillows Sleep Apnea Devices OtherMarket Segment by Application:- Insomnia Restless Legs Syndrome Sleep Apnea Narcolepsy Sleep Walking OtherBrowse more In-depth information with TOC here @Market size split by RegionNorth America United States Canada MexicoAsia-Pacific China India Japan South KoreaAustralia Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Thailand VietnamEurope Germany France UK Italy RussiaCentral and South America BrazilRest of Central and South America Middle East and Africa GCC Countries Egypt South AfricaFor Purchase a sample Copy here @The Sleeping Aids Market research report completely covers the vital statistics of the capacity, production, value, cost/profit, supply/demand import/export, further divided by company and country, and by application/type for best possible updated data representation in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs.Browse related information here @Sleeping Aids IndustrySleeping Aids MarketAbout us: - MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on Shipping Containers industries, organizations, products, and trends.Contact us: - Mr. Jeet Jain, Sales Manager, sales@marketresearchnest.com ;+1-240-284-8070(U.S), +44-20-3290-4151(U.K);Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Smart Robots Market: Industry Share, Growth Rate, Statistics, Revenue, Top Companies- IRobot Corporation (U.S.), DeLaval (Sweden), Lely (The Netherlands), KUKA AG (Germany), Amazon (U.S.), Honda (Japan) | Forecast 2018-2025 Global Smart Robots Market 2018-2025 https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/604817 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/604817 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/604817 www.orianresearch.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/13281002/ Smart robots are the robotic systems which are capable to carry out operation without direct human intervention. They are currently being designed to perform autonomous tasks and work along with humans. The smart robots market for industrial applications consist of collaborative robots which are designed to work along with humans and they are adopted by various industrial sectors such as automotive, electronics among others.The collaborative robots global market size is expected to reach USD 1.07 Billion by 2020. In the service industry, smart robots are used in different professional and personal applications.Get Sample Copy of this Report @The Global Smart Robots Industry based on geographic classification is studied for industry analysis, size, share, growth, trends, segment, top company analysis, outlook, manufacturing cost structure, capacity, supplier and forecast to 2025. Along with the reports on the global aspect, these reports cater regional aspects as well as global for the organizations.This report covers the global perspective of Smart Robots industry with regional splits into North America, Europe, china, japan, Southeast Asia, India, apac and Middle East. Where these regions are further dug to the countries which are major contributors to the marketAlong with the reports on the global aspect, these reports cater regional aspects as well for the organizations that have their Smart Robots gated audience in specific regions (countries) in the world.Complete report Smart Robots Industry spreads across 116 pages profiling 18 companies and supported with tables and figures, Enquiry of this Report @Analysis of Smart Robots Market Key Companies:IRobot Corporation (U.S.)DeLaval (Sweden)Lely (The Netherlands)KUKA AG (Germany)Amazon (U.S.)Honda (Japan)Kongsberg Maritime (Norway)Google Inc. (U.S.)The report spotlights on global major leading industry participants with information such as company portraits, product snaps and specification, scope, production, price, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats further, the worldwide Smart Robots industry development trends and marketing carriers are analyzed.Get Direct Copy of this Report @Major Type as follows:Collaborative Industrial RobotsPersonal Service RobotsProfessional Service RobotsMajor applications as follows:Industrial ApplicationsService IndustryWith the list of tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Major Points from Table of Contents -The main contents of the report including:Section 1:Product definition, type and application, global and regional market overview;Section 2:Global and regional Market competition by company;Section 3:Global and regional sales revenue, volume and price by type;Section 4:Global and regional sales revenue, volume and price by application;Section 5:Regional export and import;Section 6:Company information, business overview, sales data and product specifications;Section 7:Industry chain and raw materials;Section 8:SWOT and Porter's Five Forces;Section 9:ConclusionList of Tables and FiguresAbout 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 Us:Ruwin MendezVice President Global Sales & Partner RelationsOrian Research ConsultantsUS: +1 (832) 380-8827 | UK: +44 0161-818-8027Email: info@orianresearch.comWebsite:Follow Us on LinkedIn: Global Health Insurance Exchange Market the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World https://www.researchreportsinc.com/sample-request?id=152614 https://researchreportsinc.com/enquiry?id=152614 https://researchreportsinc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=152614&&attribute_pa_choose-license=single-user&&quantity=1 The Health Insurance Exchange Industry is expected to increase at high growth rates during the forecast period (2018-2023). The Health Insurance Exchange Industry is supported by various growth drivers.Get sample copy of this report @The regional analysis of Global Health Insurance Exchange Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading/significant region across the world in terms of market share. Whereas, owing to the countries such as China, Japan, and India, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit higher growth rate / CAGR over the forecast period 2017-2023.The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study.Enquire more at @Complete report on Global Health Insurance Exchange Industry 2017 Market Research Report is spread across 162 pages and provides exclusive vital statistics, data, information, trends and landscape details in this niche sector.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Health Insurance Exchange Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, Health Insurance Exchange landscape analysis, and major regions' development status. The report focuses on Global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. What's more, the Health Insurance Exchange industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed...Get Direct Copy of this Research Report @In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Then this Report analyzed the worlds main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysisThe report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) Basic Information;2.) Asia Health Insurance Exchange Market;3.) North American Health Insurance Exchange Market;4.) European Health Insurance Exchange Market;5.) Market Entry and Investment Feasibility;6.) Report Conclusion.Major points from Table of Contents for Global Health Insurance Exchange Industry 2017 Market Research Report include:1 Industry Overview of Health Insurance Exchange2 Global Health Insurance Exchange Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Global Health Insurance Exchange Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2017)5 United States Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook6 EU Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook8 China Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook9 India Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Health Insurance Exchange Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2023)12 Health Insurance Exchange Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors Analysis14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceAbout Us:Research Reports Inc. is one of the leading destinations for market research reports across all industries, companies, and technologies. Our repository features an exhaustive list of market research reports from thousands of publishers worldwideContact us for your special interest needs and we will get in touch within 24hrs to help you find the market research report you need.With our expertise and research offerings, we ensure we deliver on all your requirements, whether youre looking for industry analysis or market trends or anything else, first time and every time!Email us sales@researchreportsinc.comCall: US / Canada Toll Free: +18554192424, UK : +4403308087577 Electronic Security Market 2018 World Technology,Development,Trends and Opportunities Market Research Report to 2020 Electronic Security Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/622844-global-electronic-security-market-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/622844-global-electronic-security-market-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Electronic Security Market 2018 World Technology,Development,Trends and Opportunities Market Research Report to 2020.Description:-The analysts forecast the global electronic security market to grow at a CAGR of 14.4% during the period 2016-2020.Physical security refers to security measures that help to monitor and control access of an entity to premises, or equipment, or resources. These measures protect individuals and property from theft or attacks. Physical security involves the use of multiple layers of security products, such as surveillance systems, locks, and access control systems. It is mainly divided into two: electronic physical security and mechanical physical security. Electronic physical security is a system that is developed by integrating numerous entities as per end-users' requirements. This security system is a combination of various security equipment or solutions.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global electronic security market for 2016-2020. This report provides a list of vendors that provide electronic security solutions across the globe. Vendors are identified based on their product features, geographical presence, customer base, and product portfolio.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global Electronic Security Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Axis Communications Bosch Security Systems Honeywell Security Tyco Security ProductsOther prominent vendors ADT Security Services (acquired by Apollo Global Management in June 2016) A2 Systems ALL-TAG Security Americas Anixter ASSA ABLOY AxxonSoft Checkpoint Systems Delphi FLIR Systems Gallagher Genetec Hikvision Digital Intergraph Ketec Lenel Systems Nedap NetVersant Nortek Security (acquired by Melrose Industries and Nevada Corp in July 2016) Panasonic S2 Security Corporation Salient Systems Samsung Techwin (named changed to Hanwha Techwin) Siemens videoNEXTMarket driver Decline in prices of security products For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Replacing analog cameras with new IP cameras For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Rising adoption of electronic security products by SMEs For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Complete Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01:Executive summary Key findingsPART 02:Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03:Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04:Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05:Market overview IoT in security solutionsPART 06:Market size and forecast Global electronic security marketPART 07:Market segmentation by type Video surveillance Access control Intrusion detection Vehicle securityPART 08:Market segmentation by end-users Electronic security in commercial sector Electronic security in government sector OthersPART 09:Geographical segmentation Geographical segmentationPART 10:Buying criteria Buying criteriaPART 11:Market drivers Decline in prices of security products Development of smart cities Increased adoption of security solutions by commercial sectorContinuedFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) Market Latest Advancements & Market Outlook 2018 to 2026 Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1856 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/1856 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/toc/1856 Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) is a ship borne multifunction 3D radar. APAR has four fixed non-rotating sensor arrays (faces), fixed on a pyramidal structure. Each face consists of 3424 transmit/receive (TR) modules operating at X band frequencies. APAR has a wide application in the military and defense sector.Download PDF Copy of this Business Report @Increasing application of APAR in the defense and military sector is a major driver for growth of the marketThe primary application area of Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) is in the defense sector. Governments across various economies are focusing on increasing investment in their military sector, in order to strengthen their defense system, which will allow them to better defend in times of war. For instance, according to the April 2017 fact sheet released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure was valued at US$1686 billion in 2016, an increase of 0.4% as compared to 2015. APAR is mainly the implementation of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) in radars. AESA is a type of phased array antenna that is controlled by a computer. The radio beam can be electronically steered into different direction without actual physical movement of the antenna. AESA is more advanced and sophisticated version of the Passive Electrically Scanned Array (PESA). The APAR radar system can spread signal emissions across a wider range of frequencies, which makes them more difficult to detect over background noise, allowing ships and aircraft to radiate powerful radar signals while still remaining stealthy.Active Phased Array Radar (APAR): Regional InsightOn the basis of geography, the APAR market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, The Middle East, and Africa.Europe held the largest market share in the global Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) in 2017. APAR is an advanced and effective radar system used in the naval defense sector. The technology is already adapted and implemented by the navy, in countries in the Europe region. APAR is operational in the four Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) LCF De Zeven Provincien class frigates, three German Navy F124 Sachsen class frigates, and three Royal Danish Navy Ivar Huitfeldt class frigates, since late 2000s. APAR is the first naval AESA radar that gives a hemispheric coverage of out to 150 km. It is capable of searching, tracking and supporting of Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) and Standard Missiles SM-2, simultaneously. During a missile testing held in March 2005 by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), APAR radar system was successful in guiding two ESSM and two SM-2 simultaneously to various targets.Ask for Discount before Buying @Key Vendors of Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) Market: Thales Nederland, Anokiwaves, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Thales Nederland is a major key player operating in the Active Phased Array Radar (APAR). APAR is typically paired with Thales Nederland's SMART-L passive electronically scanned array radar (which operates at L band frequencies).Active Phased Array Radar (APAR): TaxonomyBy End-User: Navy Army Air ForceBy Region: North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East AfricaAsk for TOC @About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Online Beauty and Personal Care 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 16.70% and Forecast to 2020 Online Beauty and Personal Care Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/622833-global-online-beauty-and-personal-care-market-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/622833-global-online-beauty-and-personal-care-market-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Online Beauty and Personal Care 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 16.70% and Forecast to 2020.Description:-The analysts forecast the global online beauty and personal care market to grow at a CAGR of 16.70% during the period 2016-2020.The global beauty and personal care market will grow at a CAGR of approximately 5% during the forecast period. Germany and France dominated Europe's beauty and personal care market with a combined share of nearly 30%. In APAC, most of the demand came from China and Japan.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global online beauty and personal care market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the online sales of beauty and personal care products to individual customers in the global market.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC Europe MEAThe report, Global Online Beauty and Personal Care Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Amazon Estee Lauder LOreal Procter & Gamble SephoraOther prominent vendors Drugstore eBay Groupon JCPenney Kroger Macys StrawberryNET Target ULTA Beauty WalmartMarket driver Rising popularity of digital payment services through third-party providers For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Revenues affected by taxes and regulations For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Growth of m-commerce and network marketing For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Complete Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary Highlights Market overviewPART 02: Scope of the report Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Market landscape Global beauty and personal care products market Global online beauty and personal care products market Five forces analysisPART 06: Market segmentation by product Market segmentation by product type Global online skin care market Global online hair care market Global online color cosmetics market Global online fragrances market Global online oral hygiene products market Global online bath and shower products market Global online male grooming products market Global online deodorants market Global online baby and child care products market Global online sun care products market Global online depilatory products marketPART 07: Geographical segmentation Market segmentation by geography Online beauty and personal care products in APAC Online beauty and personal care products in Europe Online beauty and personal care products in the Americas Online beauty and personal care products in MEAPART 08: Key leading countries US UK ChinaPART 09: Market drivers Rising popularity of digital payment services through third-party providers Contribution of millennials to online growth Surge in demand for halal beauty and personal care products online High rate of internet and smartphone penetration and increase in online spendingPART 10: Impact of driversPART 11: Market challenges Revenues affected by taxes and regulations Growth of webroomingContinuedFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. GSM Mobile Phone Market Report, History and Forecast 2013-2025, Breakdown Data by Manufacturers, Key Regions, Types and Application https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/665304/global-gsm-mobile-phone-market https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/8d69320897e2940db4f9ce7045939a55,0,1 http://www.qyresearch.com This report studies the GSM Mobile Phone market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2013-2017 and forecast data 2018-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.GSM (Global Systems for Mobile Communications) is an international standard developed with the help of time-division multiple access (TDMA) technology that allows users to share the same frequency channel by dividing the signal into different time slots. This standard was developed by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe protocols for the second generation digital cellular network used by mobile phones.The global GSM Mobile Phone market was xx million US$ in 2017 and is expected to xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2018 and 2025.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of GSM Mobile Phone in these regions, from 2013 to 2025, coveringNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam)South America (Brazil etc.)Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries)The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in this market includeSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd.Micromax Informatics Ltd.LG ElectronicsHuawei Technologies Co. Ltd.LenovoXiaomiSony Mobile Communications Inc.ZTE CorporationTCL CorporationNokiaRequest Sample Copy of Report@By the product type, the market is primarily split intoSmartphoneFeature PhoneBy the end users/application, this report covers the following segmentsIndividualEnterpriseThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global GSM Mobile Phone market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of GSM Mobile Phone market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global GSM Mobile Phone manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the GSM Mobile Phone with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To project the value and volume of GSM Mobile Phone 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.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of GSM Mobile Phone are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million USD) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of GSM Mobile Phone market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersRaw material suppliersDistributors/traders/wholesalers/suppliersRegulatory bodies, including government agencies and NGOCommercial research & development (R&D) institutionsImporters and exportersGovernment organizations, research organizations, and consulting firmsTrade associations and industry bodiesEnd-use industriesAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, QYResearch offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Further breakdown of GSM Mobile Phone market on basis of the key contributing countries.Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players.Request To buy Full Report @About Us:QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry.Contact US:QY Research, INC.17890 Castleton,Suite 218,City of industry, CA 91748USA: +1 626 295 2442Email: enquiry@qyrsearch.comWeb: Global Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Market Size study, by Application (On Shore, Off Shore) and by Regional Forecasts 2018-2025 Research Reports Inc https://www.researchreportsinc.com/sample-request?id=152706 https://researchreportsinc.com/enquiry?id=152706 https://researchreportsinc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=152706&&attribute_pa_choose-license=single-user&&quantity=1 This report provides a detailed analysis of the Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Market with description of market sizing and growth, segmentation of market by products, services and major markets, top market players etc. The report recapitulates the factors that will be responsible for the growth in the market in the forecasted period.Global Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Market valued approximately USD 8.1 billion in 2016 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 10.80% over the forecast period 2017-2025. Rising focus to minimize environmental impact in the power generation industry, has fueled the wind energy market. Exponential rise in wind turbine installation across the globe, especially in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America is expected to have a positive impact on the industry over the forecast period. Various components such as blades, gearbox, rotors, generator, yaw, and hydraulic pumps are susceptible to failure and require regular condition monitoring to avoid breakdown. Effective maintenance at regular interval helps to decrease failure rate and thus increases the operational efficiency by reducing downtime. Focus to establish cost effective operations &maintenance is expected to fuel industry growth over the next nine years.Get free Sample Request atOnshore accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2016 and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. 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The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below:By Application: On Shore Off ShoreBy Regions: North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo UKo Germany Asia Pacifico Chinao Indiao Japan Latin Americao Brazilo Mexico Rest of the WorldFurthermore, years considered for the study are as follows:Historical year 2015, 2016Base year 2017Forecast period 2018 to 2025Buy Now Report atThe industry is seeming to be fairly competitive. Some of the leading market players include Enercon GmbH, Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica, GE Wind Turbine, Nordex SE, Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technologies Co. Ltd., Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Siemens Wind Power GmbH, Suzlon Group, Guodian United Power Technology Company Ltd., Upwind Solutions, Inc. and so on. Acquisitions and effective mergers are some of the strategies adopted by the key manufacturers. New product launches and continuous technological innovations are the key strategies adopted by the major players.Target Audience of the Global Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Market in Market Study: Key Consulting Companies & Advisors Large, medium-sized, and small enterprises Venture capitalists Value-Added Resellers (VARs) Third-party knowledge providers Investment bankers InvestorsAbout us Research Reports IncResearch Reports Inc. is one of the leading destinations for market research reports across all industries, companies, and technologies. Our repository features an exhaustive list of market research reports from thousands of publishers worldwide.Contact Us:DavidSales Manager,US / Canada Toll Free: +18554192424UK: +4403308087577Email: sales@researchreportsinc.com Narcotic Analgesic Combination Drugs Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/narcotic-analgesic-combination-drugs-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=42071 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=42071 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ According to a recent market research report by Transparency Market Research, the global market for narcotic analgesic combination drugs will be positively influenced by the rising population of geriatrics and the vast surge in prevalence of conditions leading to chronic pain across the globe. The report is titled Narcotic Analgesic Combination Drugs Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 20172025.Read Report Overview @Narcotic analgesic combination drugs refer to the drugs that contain an opiate-based pain reliever in combination with at least one different form of analgesic such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The demand for these drugs has significantly increased in the past few years owing to the vast rise in incidence rate of rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and osteoarthritis across the globe in the past few years. However, the market could be hampered owing to the potential side effects of these drugs, including vomiting, constipation, urination-related issues, and risk of death due to overdose.For a much detailed account of the global narcotic analgesic combination drugs market, the report segments it on the basis of criteria such as indication, drug class, route of administration, and geography. Based on indication, the market is segmented into osteoarthritis, chronic cough, and rheumatoid arthritis. Of these, the segment of osteoarthritis is likely to exhibit the most promising growth avenues over the forecast period owing chiefly to the rise in global population of geriatrics suffering from the condition.Based on drug class, the market has been segmented into analgesics, opiate agonists, and others. Of these, the segment of analgesics is expected to account for the dominant share in the overall market owing to high preference by healthcare practitioners for these drugs for pain relief. Based on route of administration, the market for narcotic analgesic combination drugs is segmented into intravenous, oral, and intramuscular.Obtain the Report Brochure @Geographically, the report covers the market for narcotic analgesic combination drugs for regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, the market in North America is chiefly driven due to encouraging reimbursement policies associated with the market for prescription drugs. The market in Europe is driven due to the rising population of geriatrics, the significant rise in prevalence of conditions causing osteoarthritis pain, and the easy availability of a number of over-the-counter drugs for pain management.The market in Asia Pacific is expected to be driven by massive rise in geriatric population and the increased awareness regarding the treatment of a number of infections and diseases with the help of combination drugs among healthcare professionals. The market in Africa will be influenced due to the increased prevalence of chronic back pain, arthritic pain, and neuropathic pain among the population.Some of the leading companies operating in the global market for narcotic analgesic combination drugs are BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc., Akron, Inc., Pfizer Inc., UCB, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan plc, and Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Request for Report TOC @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: Yacht Battery Market Report, History and Forecast 2013-2025, Breakdown Data by Manufacturers, Key Regions, Types and Application https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/498342/global-yacht-battery-market https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/4e97bd587066475c4f381e6ec03ce955,0,1 http://www.qyresearch.com This report studies the Yacht Battery market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2013-2017 and forecast data 2018-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Yachts are recreational boats designed with luxury amenities, and are purchased by individuals belonging to the high-income group. Yachts with a length greater than 24 feet are known as luxury yachts, superyachts, mega yachts, or large yachts. They are segmented based on size and propulsion, and are largely used for recreational purposes. The global yacht battery market is mainly driven by the increase in sales of leisure boats due to the rising popularity of boat shows in the US, Europe, and ROW. Leisure boat sales in the US is estimated to increase with the recovering economy. With the increase in disposable income in households, customers in the US are replacing their leisure boats.According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is growth of boating industry. Increase in the number of boat shows in the US and the rise in the number of participants are driving the boating industry in the country.The global Yacht Battery market was xx million US$ in 2017 and is expected to xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2018 and 2025.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Yacht Battery in these regions, from 2013 to 2025, coveringNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam)South America (Brazil etc.)Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries)The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. 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Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Yacht Battery market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersRaw material suppliersDistributors/traders/wholesalers/suppliersRegulatory bodies, including government agencies and NGOCommercial research & development (R&D) institutionsImporters and exportersGovernment organizations, research organizations, and consulting firmsTrade associations and industry bodiesEnd-use industriesAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, QYResearch offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Further breakdown of Yacht Battery market on basis of the key contributing countries.Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players.Request To buy Full Report @About Us:QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry.Contact US:QY Research, INC.17890 Castleton,Suite 218,City of industry, CA 91748USA: +1 626 295 2442Email: enquiry@qyrsearch.comWeb: Swine Flu Drugs Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/swine-flu-drugs-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=41309 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=41309 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ According to a recent market research report by Transparency Market Research, the global market for swine flu drugs has witnessed a massive surge in government funding and R&D activities post recent pandemics that affected several Asian countries. The report, titled Swine Flu Drugs Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 20172025, presents a detailed account of the complete growth dynamics of the market over the past few years and presents forecasts pertaining to the potential growth dynamics of the market over the period between 2017 and 2025.Read Report Overview @The vast rise in prevalence of the condition and the increased focus of governments across emerging and less-developed economies on the improvement of healthcare facilities have remained the two key growth factors for the global swine flu drugs market in the past few years. The market is expected to expand in the next few years owing to increased funds being spent on the prevention of the condition and rise in R&D activities focused on the development of more effective vaccines.The report segments the global swine flu drugs market based on criteria such as dosage form, drug class, distribution channel, and geography. Based on drug class, the market has been segmented into inhaled anti-infectives and neuraminidase inhibitors. Based on the form of dosage, the market has been segmented into oral powder inhalation and capsule. On the basis of distribution channel, the report segments the global swine flu drugs market into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies.Obtain the Report Brochure @Geographically, the report segments the global swine flu market into regional markets such as Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, the Asia Pacific market accounted for the dominant share in the global swine flu drugs market in 2016 owing to the vast rise in prevalence of a number of zoonotic diseases in the region and a recent pandemic, which compelled governments to put more effective treatment and preventive measures in place.In the same year, Europe accounted for the second-largest share in the global swine flu drugs market owing to an increased prevalence of the condition in certain demographics such as young children, pregnant women, and geriatrics. The market in North America also witnessed a decent rise in 2016 owing to increased focus on preventive measures concerning the condition. Increased focus on disease prevention and risinh funds towards its treatment are expected to help the market in Latin America and Middle East and Africa expand at a promising pace in the next few years.Request for Report TOC @Some of the leading companies operating in the global swine flu market are F. Hoffmann -La Roche AG, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech, Inc., and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.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: Malaria Treatment Market to Perceive Substantial Growth During 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/malaria-treatment-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=41990 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=41990 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A recent market research report by Transparency Market Research delves deep into the past and present growth dynamics of the global market for malaria treatment, a market that has witnessed vast focus on R&D activities and the active participation of governments and non-government organizations through grants and funds in the past years. The report is titled Malaria Treatment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 20172025.Read Report Overview @According to the report, the vast funds ploughed by government bodies into activities aimed at the prevention of the disease, which has remained one of the leading causes of death in a number of emerging and less-developed economies over the years, is a leading factor driving the market. According to WHO estimates, funds nearing US$2.9 bn were devoted across the globe for the treatment and eradication of malaria in 2015. In the same year, nearly 212 mn cases of the condition were reported globally and around 429,000 deaths registered. This high burden of the condition is also a key factor driving the global malaria treatment market.For providing a more thorough account of the growth prospects of the market, the report segments it on the basis of criteria such as route of administration, treatment type, end-user, and geography. Based on the type of treatment, the market has been segmented into indicators, diagnostics tests, anti-malarial agents, and vaccines. On the basis of end-user, the market has been examined for specialty clinics, hospitals, and others. Based on the route of administration, the market has been examined for parenteral, oral, and intravenous.Obtain the Report Brochure @Geographically, the market has been examined for regions such as North America, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. The prevalence of malaria in regions such as Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific is significantly higher as compared to Europe and North America. It is thus justified that the malaria treatment market acquires a large share of its revenue from sales across these regions. According to the WHO, nearly 53% of the population in the Middle East and Africa region is at the risk of malaria. Moreover, nearly 76% of all the malaria cases registered in 2015 were only from 13 countries across the globe, majority of which were from these regions.The report also includes a thorough assessment of the vendor landscape of the global malaria treatment market. The report provides an overview of the leading companies in present times, recent developments, and the strategies adopted by companies to find a better treatment method for the deadly viral. Some of the leading companies operating in the global malaria treatment market are Concordia International Corp., Novartis AG, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amyris, Roxane Laboratories, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Lannett Company, Inc., Baxter International Inc., Fresenius Kabi, LLC, and Sanofi.Request for Report TOC @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: Cleveland State Community College recently welcomed students from New Mexico as part of the Student Wildlands Adventure Program (SWAP). The SWAP program is a student exchange program that allows students to gain experience in other parts of the country at little or no expense to them.During last years SWAP, students from CSCC were able to travel to New Mexico to learn about and experience first-hand the ecosystems throughout Northern Mexico, and this year, the students from New Mexico came to Tennessee where they were able to experience Tennessees forests and water resources.The SWAP program originated from an idea from CSCC Associate Professor Robert Brewer and Daryl Ratajczak, former TWRA chief of Wildlife, now a wildlife biologist with the U.S.Forest Service in New Mexico.Mr. Ratajczak said, This really opened up a whole world to these students from New Mexico, not just with the natural resources, which are vastly different, but also meeting and talking to people. There is just a huge diversity of people that we have here.We always want to make sure the host site really goes out of their way to show them something that they dont normally see. So, coming from the southwest, we knew this visit needed to be water-based because there are so many beautiful rivers and streams that they dont have the opportunity to see in the southwest.Some of the weeks activities included trips to the Hiwassee Refuge Cherokee Removal Park, Aquatic Organism Passage on Sina Branch, Cades Cove and the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. Students were also able to snorkel in Daddys Creek and the Conasauga River and go rafting down the Ocoee River.Chris Redd, CSCC Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries student, said, Ive gotten to interact with several of the New Mexico students on a personal level, outside of hiking, working and doing our daily activities. Its been nice to talk to them about where they come from and how this is so different culturally.According to Mr. Brewer, programs like this set Cleveland State apart from others schools in the region.Mr. Brewer said, First and second year students simply do not have opportunities like these anywhere else! This is something they might expect to do at a senior level institution at the graduate level, but they are getting this opportunity now as freshmen and sophomores.The first year, the SWAP program was funded by a grant from Cleveland State, but this years program was funded by a Youth Engagement Grant from the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, there were still other expenses that were covered by donations.We collected $4,000 from donations to pay for all of the food and other expenses, stated Mr. Ratajczak.All of the dinners were made from venison collected from the CSCC Wildlife Societys research from last year. "SWAP participants were able to enjoy venison spaghetti, meatloaf, tacos, vegetable soup and more from the meat Mr. Brewer processed," officials said.For more information on the SWAP or FWF programs, contact Mr. Brewer at 423-473-2342 or by email at rbrewer@clevelandstatecc.edu. Peripheral Nerve Repair Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Medtronic, Boston Scientific Corporation, Axogen Inc, Stryker Corp, Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp, Polyganics Peripheral Nerve Repair https://www.upmarketresearch.com/buy/peripheral-nerve-repair-market www.upmarketresearch.com Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.Get Exclusive FREE PDF Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/6259UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. 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The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Peripheral Nerve Repair market analysis & forecast 2018-2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region-wise Analysis Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)The Major players reported in the market include: Medtronic Boston Scientific Corporation Axogen Inc Stryker Corp Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp Polyganics Collgan Matrix Baxter InternationalBuy Peripheral Nerve Repair Market analysis & forecast 2018-2025 Report along with complete TOC @Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market: Product Segment Analysis: By Techniqueo Direct Repairo Nerve Graftingo Nerve Conduito Other By Type2Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market: Application Segment Analysis: Hospitals Clinics OtherGlobal Peripheral Nerve Repair Market: Key Stakeholders: Peripheral Nerve Repair Manufacturers Peripheral Nerve Repair Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Peripheral Nerve Repair Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Peripheral Nerve Repair are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025The Report covers in-depth analysis as follows: Chapter 1 Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Market Overview Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Chapter 3 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Competition by Manufacturers Chapter 4 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018) Chapter 5 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2013-2018) Chapter 6 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Chapter 7 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Analysis by Application Chapter 8 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Manufacturers Analysis Chapter 9 Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter 10 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Chapter 11 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Chapter 12 Market Effect Factors Analysis Chapter 13 Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Forecast (2018-2025)Peripheral Nerve Repair Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market-driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real-time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real-time scenario.Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Industry Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Peripheral Nerve Repair market analysis and forecast 2018-2025.For More Information, Please Visit https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/6259Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500, East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Irvine Scientific, Origio a/s, Vitro Life, Esco Micro Pte., Genea Limited Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3322899-global-assisted-reproductive-technology-art-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3322899-global-assisted-reproductive-technology-art-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com adds Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2025 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report studies the global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is the technology used to achieve pregnancy in procedures such as fertility medication, in vitro fertilization and surrogacy. It is reproductive technology used primarily for infertility treatments, and is also known as fertility treatment. It mainly belongs to the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and may also include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and cryopreservation. Some forms of ART are also used with regard to fertile couples for genetic reasons (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). ART is also used for couples who are discordant for certain communicable diseases; for example, HIV to reduce the risk of infection when a pregnancy is desired.North America is also expected to witness growth in the coming years. This is due to people awareness towards various fertility options, government support for the in-vitro fertilization and various technological and procedure up gradation. For instance, in August 2015 Ovasciences treatment named AUGMENT has been reported to have rejuvenated womens aging egg cells and provided benefits to eggs with poor quality. In February 2015, the scientist of U.S. who invented the three parent IVF procedure requested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant permission for its clinical trials as age related infertility.This report focuses on the global top players, coveredIrvine ScientificOrigio a/sVitro LifeEsco Micro Pte. Ltd.IVFtech ApSResearch InstrumentsGenea LimitedSmiths MedicalThermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.Cook MedicalRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoFresh DonorFresh NondonorFrozen DonorFrozen NondonorEgg/Embryo bankMarket segment by Application, split intoWomen Younger Than Age 35Women Older Than Age 35Key StakeholdersAssisted Reproductive Technology (ART) ManufacturersAssisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Distributors/Traders/WholesalersAssisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market Size, Status and Forecast 20251 Industry Overview of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)1.1 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market Overview1.1.1 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2013-2018)1.2.1 United States1.2.2 Europe1.2.3 China1.2.4 Japan1.2.5 Southeast Asia1.2.6 India1.3 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market by Type1.3.1 Fresh Donor1.3.2 Fresh Nondonor1.3.3 Frozen Donor1.3.4 Frozen Nondonor1.3.5 Egg/Embryo bank1.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Women Younger Than Age 351.4.2 Women Older Than Age 352 Global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market Size (Value) by Players (2013-2018)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Irvine Scientific3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.2 Origio a/s3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.3 Vitro Life3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.4 Esco Micro Pte. Ltd.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.5 IVFtech ApS3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.6 Research Instruments3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.7 Genea Limited3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.8 Smiths Medical3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.9 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.10 Cook Medical3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)Continued.Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRESS:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Immune Check Activators Market Global Industry Insights, 2018-2026 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/179 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/179 Immuno-stimulators are chemical compounds that can be drugs or nutrient substitutes that induce resistance in the human body by encouraging stimulation or increasing activity of any of its mechanisms. Immune-stimulants are broadly classified into specific immune-stimulants and non-specific immune stimulants. Specific immune-stimulants deliver antigenic specificity in immune response, while non-specific immune-stimulants act without considering the antigenic specificity. Immune check activators are induced to enhance the activity of an immune systems over the antigen. There are no specific approved immune check activators available in the market, with over 20 molecules under clinical trials.Request a sample copy of this report @Cancer immunotherapy specifically target the immune system, in order to trigger a response to destroy tumors cells. Various diverse approaches are in use and few are undergoing research and trials. Randomized controlled trials in various cancers result in exceptional survival rate and decrease in reoccurrence. Efficacy is further improved by 2030%, when a cell-based immunotherapy is used in conjunction with conservative treatment approaches. The cells destroy the tumor cells that express the antigen when G-CSF lymphocytes are extracted from the blood and growing in-vitro in contradiction to a tumor antigen.Immune check activators market mainly in pre-clinical trial stage, with rampant growth projected post-commercializationInovio Pharmaceuticalsa major player in the industryhas three different DNA immune activators in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Inovios DNA-based IL-12 immune activator enhanced antigen-specific T cell immune responses from its HIV DNA vaccine, PENNVAX.Inovio, testing DNA IL-28B in combination with its multi-antigen hepatitis C DNA immunotherapy, INO-8000, is in phase I study in HCV patients.Inovios DNA-based IL-33 immune activator, in combination with a DNA immunotherapy targeting HPV-16, led to rapid and complete tumor regression in mice. The approval and launch of these products would position the global immune check activators market on high growth trajectory.GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals and Genentech are much focused on investment for research and development in immune activation methodologyRegional segmentation of the immune check activators market by Coherent Market Insights comprises North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. North America accounts for the largest share in the global market, mainly due to presence of major players and adoption of advanced research technologies in countries such as the U.S. and Canada. Increase in cancer prevalence globally is the prominent factor projected to boost growth of the market of immune check activators during the forecast period (20162024). Increase in government support and funding towards clinical trials on development of new drugs for cancer therapy also inspires the investigators in developing novel drugs. For instance, as of 2012 U.S. Department of Human Health and Services and National Cancer Institute raised funds of around US$ 5.1 billion to develop cancer drugsLarge number of clinical trial molecules in pipeline to boost growth of Immune check activators marketKey players operating the Immune check activators market include Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Hoffmann-La Roche, ImmuNext, Celldex Therapeutics, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genmab, Eutilex Co. Ltd, and Enumeral among others.Ask for customization @Major companies in the market are constantly working on research and development, this is a highly lucrative and largely untapped market. For instance, there over 20 pipeline drugs worldwide that are used to activate the immune response over antigens. Inovio states that it will focus on expanding its research and development and clinical trials of its pipeline portfolio of immune activators to further describe its competences and enhance the immune responses obtained by its numerous DNA vaccine and immunotherapy products. The launch of these molecules that offer a new ray of hope for treatment of this deadly disease will significantly propel growth of the immune check activators industry.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.Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Aerospace Filters market 2018 global analysis by key players Parker Hannifin Corporation, Pall Corporation, Freudenberg & Co. Kg, Donaldson, Inc., Clarcor, Inc. Aerospace Filters market 2018 global analysis https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/6438 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/buy/aerospace-filters-market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/6438 www.upmarketresearch.com Aerospace Filters industry research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.Upmarketresearch offers a latest published report on global Aerospace Filters market analysis and forecast 2018-2023 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 98 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Get exclusive free pdf sample copy of this report @Aerospace Filters industry research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Aerospace Filters industry global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2023.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as swot analysis, bcg matrix, scot analysis, pestle analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Aerospace Filters market analysis & forecast 2018-2023 is segmented into product segment, application segment & major players.Region-wise analysis global Aerospace Filters market covers: North america Europe China Japan India Southeast asia Other regions (central & south america, middle east & africa)The major players reported in the market include: Parker Hannifin Corporation Pall Corporation Freudenberg & Co. Kg Donaldson, Inc. Clarcor, Inc. Amphenol Corporation Camfil Porvair PLCGlobal Aerospace Filters market: application segment analysis: Hydraulic System Engine AvionicsGlobal Aerospace Filters market: key stakeholders: Aerospace Filters manufacturers Aerospace Filters distributors/traders/wholesalers Aerospace Filters subcomponent manufacturers Industry association Downstream vendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Aerospace Filters are as follows: History year: 2013-2017 Base year: 2017 Estimated year: 2018 Forecast year 2018 to 2025The report covers in-depth analysis as follows: Chapter 1 Aerospace Filters industry market overview Chapter 2 global economic impact on Aerospace Filters industry Chapter 3 global Aerospace Filters industry competition by manufacturers Chapter 4 global Aerospace Filters industry production, revenue (value) by region (2013-2018) Chapter 5 global Aerospace Filters industry supply (production), consumption, export, import by regions (2013-2018) Chapter 6 global Aerospace Filters industry production, revenue (value), price trend by type Chapter 7 global Aerospace Filters industry analysis by application Chapter 8 global Aerospace Filters industry manufacturers analysis Chapter 9 Aerospace Filters industry manufacturing cost analysis Chapter 10 industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream buyers Chapter 11 marketing strategy analysis, distributors/traders Chapter 12 market effect factors analysis Chapter 13 global Aerospace Filters industry forecast (2018-2023)Buy Aerospace Filters market analysis & forecast 2018-2023 report along with complete toc @Aerospace Filters market analysis and forecast 2018-2023 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market-driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. Upmarketresearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real-time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real-time scenario.Key reasons to purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the global Aerospace Filters industry analysis and forecast 2018-2023 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Aerospace Filters market analysis and forecast 2018-2023.For more information, please visitCustomization of the report:Upmarketresearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.About upmarketresearch:The upmarketresearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact info:Name: alex mathewsEmail: alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: upmarketresearchAddress: 500, east e street, ontario, ca 91764, united states. Media Planning Software Global Market 2018: Key Players comScore, SAP, Centro, Strata, SQAD https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3340214-global-media-planning-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3340214-global-media-planning-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3340214 https://www.wiseguyreports.com Media Planning Software IndustryDescriptionWiseguyreports.Com Adds Media Planning Software -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecast To 2023 To Its Research DatabaseThis report focuses on the global Media Planning Software status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Media Planning Software development in United States, Europe and China.Media planning software is a type of software used by advertisers and agencies to get a complete overview and helps manage their campaign plans, marketing activities, and annual summaries in a faster and smarter digital way.Global giant players mainly distributed in U.S. The players in U.S. have a long history and unshakable status in this field.The key consumption markets locate at developed countries. The USA takes the market share of 42.6% in 2017, followed by Europe with 31.93%. Chinas consumption market has a quicker growing speed, with a CAGR of 11.46%.In 2017, the global Media Planning Software market size was 450 million US$ and it is expected to reach 940 million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of 9.8% during 2018-2025.The key players covered in this studycomScoreSAPCentroStrataSQADTelmarBluHornBionic (NextMark)MediatoolremagsHeyOrcaQuintiq (Dassault Systemes)Request for Sample Report @Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoWeb-based and Cloud-basedOn-premisesMarket segment by Application, split intoSMBsLarge BusinessMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Media Planning Software status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Media Planning Software development in United States, Europe and China.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.To define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Media Planning Software are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Leave a Query @Table of Contents1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Media Planning Software Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2013-2025)1.4.2 Web-based and Cloud-based1.4.3 On-premises1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Media Planning Software Market Share by Application (2013-2025)1.5.2 SMBs1.5.3 Large Business1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Media Planning Software Market Size2.2 Media Planning Software Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Media Planning Software Market Size by Regions (2013-2025)2.2.2 Media Planning Software Market Share by Regions (2013-2018)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities...12 International Players Profiles12.1 comScore12.1.1 comScore Company Details12.1.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.1.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.1.4 comScore Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.1.5 comScore Recent Development12.2 SAP12.2.1 SAP Company Details12.2.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.2.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.2.4 SAP Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.2.5 SAP Recent Development12.3 Centro12.3.1 Centro Company Details12.3.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.3.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.3.4 Centro Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.3.5 Centro Recent Development12.4 Strata12.4.1 Strata Company Details12.4.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.4.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.4.4 Strata Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.4.5 Strata Recent Development12.5 SQAD12.5.1 SQAD Company Details12.5.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.5.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.5.4 SQAD Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.5.5 SQAD Recent Development12.6 Telmar12.6.1 Telmar Company Details12.6.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.6.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.6.4 Telmar Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.6.5 Telmar Recent Development12.7 BluHorn12.7.1 BluHorn Company Details12.7.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.7.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.7.4 BluHorn Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.7.5 BluHorn Recent Development12.8 Bionic (NextMark)12.8.1 Bionic (NextMark) Company Details12.8.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.8.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.8.4 Bionic (NextMark) Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.8.5 Bionic (NextMark) Recent Development12.9 Mediatool12.9.1 Mediatool Company Details12.9.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.9.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.9.4 Mediatool Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.9.5 Mediatool Recent Development12.10 remags12.10.1 remags Company Details12.10.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.10.3 Media Planning Software Introduction12.10.4 remags Revenue in Media Planning Software Business (2013-2018)12.10.5 remags Recent Development12.11 HeyOrca12.12 Quintiq (Dassault Systemes)Buy Now @Continued...Contact Us: Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (Us) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (Uk)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt LtdPune 411028Maharashtra, GlobalPh: +91 841 198 5042 Flexible Substrates Market Analysis For 2018 With Global Players Like Corning Incorporated, SCHOTT, Doosan, Heraeus, Indorama Ventures PCL, FLEXcon, Teijin, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings America, Polyonics, Inc. Flexible Substrates https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-flexible-substrates-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-flexible-substrates-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-flexible-substrates-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com The report includes market shares of flexible substrates market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa. The global market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in flexible substrates market.The Flexible Substrates Market report contains data for historic year is 2016, the base year of calculation is 2017 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025. The Global Market is expected to reach USD 1014.6 million by 2025, from USD 353.2 million in 2017 growing at a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025.Get Free Sample Report:Key Market Competitors: Global Flexible Substrates MarketThe key players operating in the global flexible substrates market are Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited Teijin Limited Kolon Industries Polyonics, Inc. American Semiconductor, Inc. Corning Incorporated, Heraeus Holding i-components Co., Ltd.The other players in the market are Nippon Electric Glass Co.,Ltd., Schott AG , Coveme, Doosan Corporation Electro-Materials, Ferrania Technologies, FLEXcon Company, Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Taimide, Toyobo Co., 3M, Griff Paper and Film, Arlon Graphics LLC, BenQ Materials Corporation, Rogers Corporation.Market Drivers: The adoption of thin-film solar modules for various applications The Increasing adoption for flexible displays in applications such as smartphones and wearable devicesMarket Restraint: Conventional rigid electronic products for the established market Growing demand in medical & healthcare and environmental monitoring applications for flexible substratesWant Full Report? Enquire Here:Segmentation: Global Flexible Substrates MarketBy Type Metal Plastico Peto Polyimide,o Others GlassBy Application Consumer Electronics Solar Energy Medical & Healthcare Aerospace & Defense OthersBy Geography Asia Pacifico Chinao South Koreao Japano Indiao Australiao Singaporeo Thailando Indonesiao Malaysiao Philippineso Rest of Asia-Pacific North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Russiao Turkeyo Belgiumo Netherlandso Switzerlando Spaino Franceo Germanyo Italyo UKo Rest of Europe South Americao Brazilo Rest of south America Middle East & Africao Saudi Africao Rest of MEASpeak to Research Analyst for Regional Customization or Other Query:About UsData Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with an unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. Get Customization and 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 Slotted Boxes Market - Key Vendors, Promising Countries & Applications https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25007 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/slotted-boxes-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Packaging has become a means to ensure safe and secured transportation of goods and products across regions. Slotted boxes are one of the most common used materials to package product manufactured across several industrial verticals including food, beverage, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, chemical, electronics, etc. These industries manufactures items that are shipped across regions and hence requires reliable as well as cost effective packaging solutions such as slotted boxes. Slotted boxes are made from paper boards and may be corrugated or plain as per the need and requirement of the product to be packed.Request a PDF Brochure with Future Analysis @The use of paperboards in the manufacturing of the slotted boxes results in its relatively lower price and hence is preferred across several industrial verticals and the trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period. The manufacturers of the slotted boxes are continuously involved in designing and producing innovative slotted boxes that are compatible with wide range of products. Due to the continuous innovations in the packaging industries, there are many variants of slotted boxes available for attracting the end users.Slotted Boxes Market DynamicsPackaging has always been a concern among the end users when it comes to shipping and transportation of the products. Slotted boxes are cost effective as it is manufactured from paperboards and hence are anticipated to be preferred packaging solutions. Slotted boxes are also available in corrugated form which ensures a higher degree of product safety and are generally used to package fragile products such as glass and other products. The cost effectiveness and product friendly features of the slotted boxes are anticipated to drive the market of slotted boxes throughout the forecast period. However, the availability of other packaging solutions such as shrink wrap films, bubble wraps, etc. are expected to challenge the growth of the slotted boxes market between 2017 and 2027.North America has been an established market for last couple of decades and the trend is anticipated to continue over the forecast period which is anticipated to reflect into lower demand for slotted box in the region between 2017 and 2027. Latin America is also expected to witness a sluggish growth in terms of demand in the slotted box market owing to the prevailing stagnant economy in the region. However, Asia Pacific is expected to show a meteoric growth in the slotted box market throughout the forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Emerging economies like India and China due to the increasing disposable income coupled with the growing industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, etc. are anticipated to experience a hike in the demand for the slotted box translating into the burgeoning growth of the slotted box market over the forecast period. Europe is also expected to follow Asia Pacific in the slotted box market in terms of demand attributed by the cost effectiveness of the product and its applicability across several industrial verticals. However, Middle East and Africa is anticipated to witness a sluggish growth in the slotted boxes market throughout the forecast period due to the prevailing stagnant economy in the region.Slotted Boxes Market Key PlayersThe key players in the Slotted Boxes market include International Paper, Coyle Packaging (Peterborough) Ltd., Wisconsin Packaging Corporation, Packaging Corporation of America, PILOUS spol. s r.o., Corrugated Concepts & Packaging, Inc., Greenpack Industries.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Artificial Pancreas Device System (APDS) Market Forecast till 2024 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/79 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/79 Artificial Pancreas Device System (APDS) Putting the Ease in Diabetes ManagementAdministering insulin on daily basis is cumbersome for type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients in a busy lifestyle. While devices such as insulin pumps, pens, and jet injectors have made living with diabetes less stressful by ridding users of relatively painful insulin delivering devices such as needles and syringes. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is working in collaboration with many industry players such as Medtronic, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. to develop innovative insulin and glucose monitoring systems/devices.Request Sample Copy of this Business Report @Artificial pancreas is the outcome of these collaborations which is also encouraged for use by the FDA. Artificial pancreas device system (APDS) consists of an insulin pump, sensor, transmitter, and a receiver. MiniMed 530G from Medtronic, Inc. was the first artificial pancreas device system (APDS) approved by FDA. This threshold suspend device system enables temporary suspension of insulin delivery when the glucose level is lower than the threshold level. Another system, Medtrums P6 Easy Touch Disposable Pump is a semi-closed loop artificial pancreas that is under clinical trials in Europe. Many such systems are under clinical trials and expected to be launched in near future in the global artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market. Developed economies in North America, Europe and Pacific region would be the potential regional opportunities for this novel system in the global artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market.The global artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market was valued at US$ 64.0 million in 2015 and is expected to witness a moderate CAGR of 18.6% during the forecast period (2016 2024).Technological advancements to drive growth of the global artificial pancreas device system (APDS) marketIn 2016, the U.S. FDA approved a hybrid closed-loop artificial pancreas device system (APDS) MiniMed 670G which is an automated system. The continuous glucose monitor in the system automatically sends signals to the insulin pump to deliver insulin when the glucose level in body goes beyond the acceptable limit. Thus, there is no need for the user to stimulate the release of insulin every time the glucose level is abnormal. This provide the user freedom to perform his/her daily activities. Such advancement in T1D management is expected to be highly preferred by the users and medical community, leading to higher advocacy to use this device especially among the patient group using insulin pumps. Moreover, in mid-2018, a study will test a bihormonal bionic pancreas system at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) and Boston University. This would further fuel the artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market growth and attract more investments.Strategic collaborations fostering artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market growthThere were over 20 projects undertaken by the industry payers in 2015 with respect to development of artificial pancreas device system (APDS). Bigfoot Biomedical acquired Asantes FDA approved Snap insulin pump technology in 2015 and at the same time signed a development agreement with Dexcom to integrate Dexcoms CGM in its under development artificial pancreas device system (APDS).Dexcom is in collaboration with many other market players such as Insulet Corporation, Animas Corporation, and International Diabetes Closed Loop wherein, these companies would be incorporating Dexcoms CGM in their artificial pancreas device system (APDS). Such collaborations are expected to expedite market entry for new artificial pancreas device system (APDS)s and thus drive the growth of artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market.Lack of reimbursement to hinder artificial pancreas device system (APDS) market growthThe prevalence of T1D in the U.S. is 1.35 million which is expected to increase to 5 million by 2050 as per the estimates (2016) by JDRF. Each year 40,000 people are diagnosed with T1D in the U.S. according to the JDRF. With this huge patient base, potential opportunity for artificial pancreas device system (APDS) looks considerably high at global level. However, lack of reimbursement for glucose sensors is expected to inhibit the uptake of artificial pancreas device system (APDS).Ask for customization @With an average cost of US$ 6000-7000, adoption of artificial pancreas device system (APDS) is estimated to be restricted among rich T1D patients. Furthermore, only a few T1D patient group prefer insulin pumps for treatment. According to the 2013 report of JDRF, about 350,000 insulin pumps were sold in the U.S. Thus, creating awareness should also be an objective of artificial pancreas device system manufacturers to increase its adoption.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.Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com X-Ray Detectors Market Growth Forecast By 2018 And Top Industry Players Like Varex Imaging Corporation, Agfa HealthCare, Teledyne DALSA, Analogic, Hamamatsu, Thales, MOXTEK, Canon, Inc. X-Ray Detectors Market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-x-ray-detectors-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-x-ray-detectors-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/dexa-equipment-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com The X-Ray Detector market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024. Global Market is expected to reach USD 3,586.2 million by 2024 from USD 2,250.0 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 6.0% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024.Some of the major factors driving the growth of market for X-ray detector market, such as growing geriatric population and chronic diseases, growing government initiatives, declining prices and benefits offered by digital detectors, and reimbursement cuts for analog X-rays will increase the demand for digital systems. Global X-Ray Detectors Market Analysis By Product Type (Flat Panel, Computed Radiography, Line Scan, CCD) Portability (Fixed, Mobile) Application (Medical, Dental, Security, Veterinary, Industrial) End User(ICU, Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Lab) Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA) With Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024.Get Free Sample Report @The major factors contributing to the growth of the market includes factors such as growing geriatric population and chronic diseases, growing government initiatives, declining prices and benefits offered by digital detectors, and reimbursement cuts for analog x-rays.Market Key Points: Global X-Ray DetectorsVarian Medical Systems, Inc.is going to dominate the X-ray detector market following with VAREX imaging corporation Agfa Healthcare Amptek, Inc. Analogic Corporation Canon Inc. Detection Technology Oyj Fujifilm Medical Systems Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Konica Minolta, Inc. Moxtek, Inc. Perkinelmer, Inc. Rigaku Corporation Teledyne DALSA Inc. Thales Group,Others: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Varian Medical Systems and, Yxlon International GmbH, among other local players. Flat-panel detectors market is growing with the highest CAGR. Globally portable/wireless detectors are driving the market with highest market share with growing with the highest CAGR. Medical application is dominating the global X-ray detector market.Want Full Report? Enquire Here:Market Segmentation: Global X-Ray DetectorsThe global X-ray detector market is segmented on the basis of type, application, end user, and geography.The global X-ray detector market is segmented into 4 product types, namely flat panel detectors (FPD), computed radiography detectors (CRD), line scan detectors and, charged coupled devices detectors (CCD). In 2017, the flat panel detectors (FPD) segment is expected to dominate the market with a share of around 71.0% and is expected to continue this trend till 2024. The FPD are further segmented on the basis of panel size into large area, medium area, and small area FPD. Based on portability, the market is segmented into fixed detectors and portable detectors. On the basis of applications, the market is segmented into medical imaging, dental imaging, security, veterinary and, industrial. On the basis of end users the market is classified into hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, clinics, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and ICU. In 2017, the hospital segment is expected to dominate the market and is expected to continue this trend till 2024.Market Key Drivers: Global X-Ray Detectors The demand for advance medical devices such as digital X-ray detector is rising for the diagnosis and treatment in the healthcare system worldwide. The rising number of initiatives by the government has promoted the use of digital X-ray detectors to drive the growth of the market Reduced cost of FPDs will contribute to the growth of the X-ray detector market.Related ReportGlobal DEXA Equipment Market is expected to reach USD 370.3 million by 2024 from USD 213.8 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 7.1%.Visit:About UsData Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. Get Customization and 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 Hyperlocal Services Market Share Dominated By Grocery and Food Delivery Segment By 2026 Hyperlocal Services Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/625 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/hyperlocal-services-market-625 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/625 Hyperlocal services refers to online business models that provide various products and facilities that rely on the platform of smartphones with GPS technology. The offerings include food delivery from restaurants, grocery from superstores or hypermarkets, logistic services, and home utility services such as electrical repairing, plumbing, carpentry, laundry, and personal tutors. Increased adoption of smartphones featuring internet connectivity is the prominent factor driving the Hyperlocal services market growth.Download PDF Copy of this Report @According to GSM Association Intelligence report in October 2016, around 44% of the total smartphone users, had subscribed to internet connectivity which is projected to account for around 60% by 2020. Moreover, hyperlocal services market participants are increasingly enhancing search options and application support for better consumer experience. Proliferation of improved and secured mobile payment gateways such as, Android Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, etc. has led to significant increase in consumer confidence for the application of mobile platform for transactions. These factors are expected to provide strong industry growth prospects through the forecast period."Large discounts on first purchase and competitive product offering costs are expected to present potential growth landscape"The hyper local services market is characterized by the presence of large number of local players venturing for better business growth prospects. Moreover, some competitors have entered into significant private ventures offering capital investments to the start-ups for enhancing their presence through marketing and promotional activities for acquiring large consumer base. This has led to increased competition among the global and local players in the industry, in turn leading to frequent major discounts and competitive pricing strategies for consumer retention. Large savings on purchases and increased consumer convenience owing to easy accessibility to resources is expected to present solid growth prospects for hyperlocal services market.Browse Detail Market Report @"Grocery and food delivery segment dominated the global hyperlocal services market share"Grocery and food delivery segment participants perform the aggregation of local restaurants and superstores through smartphone applications and provide products on demand. This helps participants gain the trust of the local shops through online shopping. Moreover, owing to presence of large untapped potential consumer base and almost everyday requirements of foods and groceries will drive growth of these market segments."Expansion of product offerings to rural and remote locations is expected present consistent challenge over the forecast period"Catering to customers with best product quality with access to marginal profits is major challenge hindering the market growth. Increasing consumer base and business activity may also lead decline of the product quality that can result in loss of consumer retention. Industry is characterized with large number of global and local choices available in the industry, causing increased consumer volatility. Moreover, customer catering potential of these hyperlocal service market is limited to urban regions only. These factors are expected to consistently challenge the business growth of the players.Developed economies such as the U.S. and countries in Western Europe have witnessed major adoption of hyperlocal services and are leading the market in terms of revenue and consumer base. However, with the increasing proliferation of mobile devices in emerging economies such as China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for market players over the forecast period.Industry is characterized by the presence of large number of players acquiring small hyperlocal services market shares. This is expected to continue over the forecast period, however, few industry participants have gained competitive edge over other participants. These participants include GrubHub, Just-Eat, Swiggy, Delivery Hero, Foodpanda group, BOXC, Shipster, and HelloFresh Group.Need more information? Ask to your analyst @About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Biocides Market Analysis by focusing on Top Players like Ecolab, SUEZ, Buckman, Thor, Troy Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, British Plastics Federation, CAMSON Bio Technologies Pvt Ltd, Champion Technology Services http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-biocides-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-biocides-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-biocides-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-biocides-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-innovation-management-market/ Biocides Market 2018 Industry report gives a brief summary of definitions, applications, types and leading key players/manufacturers of Biocides industry. It provides complete, professional, and extensive analysis of Biocides market. key trends, market drivers, standardization, deployment models, challenges, opportunities, circumstances and business competition design is also discussed in the report.The Global Biocides Market is expected to reach USD 13.9 billion by 2025, from USD 9.1 billion in 2017 growing at a CAGR of 7.0 % during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2016, the base year of calculation is 2017 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025.For In depth Information Get Free Sample Copy of this Report@Complete report on Global Biocides Market Research Report 2017-2024 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figuresMarket Definition: Global Biocides MarketThis market report defines the market trends and forecast the upcoming opportunities and threats of the biocide market in the next 8 years. Biocides are chemical or biological compounds inhibiting the growth or activity of living organisms. Biocides include antiseptics, preservatives, disinfectants which are used to kill or prevent harmful effects of organism. Examples of various biocides are pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Biocides are commonly used in medicine, industry, forestry, anti-fouling agents & disinfectants, agriculture and other as disinfectants. Biocides are very simple to use, just a quick pour when bacterial problem occurs. Biocide in right concentration produces a quick result. Its major disadvantage is its toxicity which can be dangerous to human health and can affect staff being exposed to it during its application, even if extractors and air purifiers are installed if biocide is exhausted, the bacteria develop quickly and this leads to a serious health issue. In many countries anti fouling paint is banned because of the presence of TBT biocide, which is hazardous for people and the environment.In 2017 the acquisition of ReachCentrum and JSC Consulting is done to set up a consortium for product authorisation under the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 and its main aim is to provide producers, distributors and placing biocidal products on the market for PT 2 anti-lichen, PT 4 and PT 5, In 2016 ERM acquired JSC international to increase the biocidal product line in market.Many companies are engaged in providing biocides one of them is Clariant, which offers biocides for the prevention of forming bacteria and fungi in water-based fluids. The company deals in various biocides products one of the product is Nipacide BIT 20 that is an in-can biocide based on BIT. It is a glycol-based solution developed for the complete in-can protection of water based products. It is an effective chemical against a wide range of microorganisms including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, yeast and fungi. Nipacide BIT 20 can be used over a wide pH and temperature range. Nipacide BIT 20 has been designed for products with pH >8 and production temperatures of >40 C.Dow Microbial Control had launched new product SEA-NINE which is designed for marine antifouling paint, used in process preservation chemistries, formulation expertise, preservation and dry films, water treatments, sanitizing and disinfection, and regulatory and toxicology research.Global Biocides Market, By Type (Halogen Compounds, Metallic Compounds, Organo Sulfurs, Organic Acids, Phenolic, Nitrogen Compounds, Glutaraldehyde), By Application (Personal Care, Water Treatment, Wood Preservation, Food & Beverage, Paints & Coatings), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025Request for Detailed TOC:Key Questions Answered in Global Biocides Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Biocides Market in 2025? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Biocides Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Biocides Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Biocides Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Biocides Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Biocides Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Major Market Drivers and Restraints: Increase in demand for water for domestic/industrial purposes Growth of end-users Rising demand from industrial applications Environmental regulations & low and zero voc coatings are driving biocide market Rising raw material cost Lengthy & expensive registration process Environmental regulations on toxic biocides Volatility in raw material costsTop Key Players: British Plastics Federation Akzo Nobel N.V. Albemarle Corporation ANPATH GROUP INCORPORATED Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. BWA Water Additives CAMSON Champion Technology Services, Inc. Clariant Troy Corporation Thor The Dow Chemical Company Sigma-Aldrich Co. Ecolab Lonza Chevron Oronite Company LLC LANXESS Kemira SUEZ FMC Corporation BASF SE Among othersInquire Before Buying @Customize report of "Global Biocides Market" as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Biocides Market is segmented on the basis of Type Application GeographyMarket Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Type, the global biocides market is segmented into halogen compounds, metallic compounds, organo, sulfurs, organic acids, phenolic, nitrogen compounds, glutaraldehydeOn the basis of Application the global biocides is classified on personal care, water treatment, wood preservation, food & beverage, paints & coatings, and othersOn the basis of Geography, North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaCompany Share Analysis: Global Biocides MarketThe global biocides market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of biocides market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Speak to Author of the report @Other ReportGlobal Innovation Management Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Innovation Management Market, By Geography; Type (Software, Services); Organization Size (Large Enterprises, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)); Deployment Model (On-premises, Cloud); Application (Product Research & Development Platforms, Marketing, Design, Idea Platforms, Collective Intelligence & Prediction Platforms, Human Resource & Freelancers Platforms); Vertical (Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, IT, Media & Communication Technology, Aerospace & Defense, Public Sector & Education, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Retail & Consumer Goods, Automotive & Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Active Implantable Medical Devices Market Outlook 2018-2025 By Product | Offer by Top Key competitors: Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., Smith & Nephew, Abbott, Straumann AG, Medtronic; Active Implantable Medical Devices Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-active-implantable-medical-devices-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-active-implantable-medical-devices-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-active-implantable-medical-devices-market/ Active Implantable Medical Devices Report covers the comprehensive market, vendor landscape, present scenario, and the growth prospects of the Active Implantable Medical Devices for 2018-2025. Report, consists of various factors such as definitions, applications, and classifications. Global Sales Volume, Sales Price and Sales Revenue Analysis, SWOT analysis are also covered in the Active Implantable Medical Devices market research report. This report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industryFor In depth Information Get Free Sample Copy of this Report@Global Active Implantable Medical Devices Market: Product (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators {Transvenous, Subcutaneous}, Ventricular Assist Devices, Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers, Dental Implants, Implantable Hearing Devices, Ventricular Assist Devices, Neurostimulators), End-Users (Hospitals, Ambulatory Centers, Cardiac centers, Dental Clinics, Others), Geography- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025.Active Implantable Medical Devices Market accounted to USD 18.9 billion growing at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, 2016 the base year of calculation is 2016 & 2017 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025.Some of the major players operating in global active implantable medical devices market are: Boston Scientific Corporation, Cochlear Ltd., Zimmer Biomet, Smith & Nephew, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, LivaNova PLC, Abbott, Straumann AG, Medtronic, Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation, Stryker, William Demant Holding A/S, Nurotron Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Sonova Holding AG, C.R. Bard Inc., 3M, Dentsply Sirona, Allergan Inc., NuVasive, Inc., Cardinal Health, Inc., Microport Scientific Corporation, CONMED Corporation, Globus Medical, Inc., MED-EL among others.Competitive Analysis: Active Implantable Medical Devices MarketThe global active implantable medical devices market is highly fragmented and is based on new product launches and clinical results of products. Hence themajor 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 report includes market shares of active implantable medical devices market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Market Segmentation: Active Implantable Medical Devices Market By technology the global active implantable medical devices market is segmented into implantable cardioverter defibrillators, ventricular assist devices, implantable cardiac pacemakers, dental implants, implantable hearing devices, ventricular assist devices, and neurostimulators. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators is further sub-segmented into transvenous, and subcutaneous. Transvenous defibrillators are again sub-segmented into biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds), single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Implantable hearing devices are further sub-segmented into active hearing implants, and passive hearing implants Neurostimulators are again sub-segmented into deep brain stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, sacral nerve stimulators, vagus nerve stimulators, and gastric electrical stimulators. On the basis of end-users the global active implantable medical devices market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory centers, cardiac centers, dental clinics, others. On the basis of geography, global active implantable medical devices market report 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.Inquiry Before Buying@Major Market Objectives : Active Implantable Medical Devices Market Growing Problems of Cardiovascular Diseases Prolonged Applications of Neurostimulators Regulatory Hurdles in U.S. Rising of Other Emerging Market Shortage of Skilled ProfessionalsImplantable medical devices are the medical device that has been intended to be totally or partially inserted, surgically or medically, into the human body using the medical intervention into a natural orifice, and it is dedicated to remain after the procedure. There are many various devices which are inserted in the body such as implantable nerve stimulators, implantable cardiac pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, and bladder stimulators.Key questions answered in the report: What will the market growth rate of Active Implantable Medical Devices Market in 2025? What are the key factors driving the Global Active Implantable Medical Devices Market? Who are the key manufacturers in Active Implantable Medical Devices Market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Active Implantable Medical Devices Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Active Implantable Medical Devices Market? Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Active Implantable Medical Devices Market? What are the Core Materials Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Active Implantable Medical Devices Market industry? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Active Implantable Medical Devices Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Active Implantable Medical Devices Market industry?Note: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Access Full Report@About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-281Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Southern Blotting Market Opportunity Analysis, 2018-2026 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/2 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/toc/2 Molecular biology has gained significant momentum over the last decade with increasing R&D spending on development of therapeutic drugs. It has wide role across various healthcare industry verticals- most prominent in clinical trials and diagnostic purposes. Among such technology, southern blotting has gained significant traction offering substantial market opportunities for the players across value chain. The technique was first introduced in 1970s to detect presence of DNA fragment in samples. The technique not only helps in molecular R&D but also to detect some of the most chronic diseases cancers and genetic diseases prevalent across world.Request Sample Copy of this Business Report @Drug discovery advancement along with demand for effective therapeutic treatment for genetic diseases is expected to bolster the southern blotting market worldwideOver the last few years, many rare diseases surfaced globally. Moreover, rare genetic diseases are on rise owing to changing lifestyle and environmental concerns. As per the estimates, there are over seven thousand rare genetic diseases prevalent globally with over 11% of U.S. population living with these diseases. Over 80% of these diseases are genetic in nature. As a result, pharmaceutical companies are spending heavily on R&D to develop effective drugs. Increased R&D spending coupled with increasing diagnostic cases is expected to create substantial opportunity for players engaged in southern blotting industry.Forensic science is also expected to increase the overall sales of market to some extent.Though the market is expected to create substantial opportunity over the forecast period, players might find difficulty in capitalizing emerging regions wherein lower government funding along with high product pricing is a major cause of concerns for the players.North America to dominate the southern blotting market owing to increased government funding and availability of technologies in the regionThe southern blotting market report covers market analysis across regions North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.Global southern blotting market is witnessing a positive trend with North America and Europe as the main engine of growth. North America and Europe are expected to capture a major chunk of the market before easing out to Asia Pacific market by 2021.North America currently represents the largest regional market for southern blotting industry followed by Europe. Rise in genetic disorders, HIV prevalence, and on-going clinical research across various therapeutic application are some major factors driving the growth in the region. North America is expected to be primarily driven by U.S. accounting for over 87% of the regional market in 2015.Access Table of Content (TOC) Of the Report @Penetration rate of southern blotting instruments and consumables in Asia Pacific is low compared to developed regions. However, is expected to witness huge growth over the time frame. China and India are two major power engines of Asia Pacific.Companies such as BioRad Laboratories and ThermoFisher Scientific spends heavily on molecular diagnostic R&DSome of the key players in the skin replacement market include BioRad Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, ThermoFisher Scientific, Perkin Elmer Inc., Aplegan, Applied Bio systems, Cleaver Scinetific Ltd, Pall Life Science Laboratories.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.Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Mining Waste Management Industry to 2020 : Market Capacity, Generation, Investment Trends, Regulations and Opportunities Mining Waste Management Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/622817-global-mining-waste-management-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/622817-global-mining-waste-management-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Mining Waste Management Industry to 2020 : Market Capacity, Generation, Investment Trends, Regulations and Opportunities.Description:-The analysts forecast the global mining waste management to grow at a CAGR of 1.85% during the period 2016-2020.In plain terms, mining operations pertain to the set of activities that facilitate the exploration, production, and separation of certain desirable metals and minerals from their ores. With all the major day-to-day operations based on the availability of these minerals, the importance of the mining industry increases manifolds. Mining operations are dependent on several factors that pertain to the accurate estimation regarding the positioning and recovery of the reserves.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global mining waste management for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the waste generation perspective and is calculated from the demand side.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global Mining Waste Management 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors AMEC Foster Wheeler EnviroServ Interwaste VeoliaOther prominent vendors Ausenco Global Mining Solutions Golder Associates Knight Piesold Metsana Ramboll Zeal EnvironmentalMarket driver Introduction of ever-more stringent environmental laws For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Logistical issues in mine waste disposal For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Evolution of waste management techniques to suit low-grade ores For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Complete Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Market landscape Market overview Technological overview Market size and forecast Five forces analysisPART 06: Market segmentation by waste types Global mining waste management market by waste typePART 07: Geographical segmentation Global mining waste management market 2016-2020 segmentation by geography APAC Americas EMEAPART 08: Market drivers Focus on reduction of carbon emissions Introduction of ever-more stringent environmental laws Increased impact of public perceptionPART 09: Impact of driversPART 10: Market challenges Investment austerity in mining domain Complexities of managing wastewater resources Logistical issues in mine waste disposalContinuedFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Vacuum Blood Collection System Market Opportunity Analysis, 2018-2026 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/toc/3 Vacuum blood collection tube has gained significant valuation in the last few decades. Emergence of this technology has led to significant drop in overall blood contamination; while offering ease-of-use and accuracy in blood to additive ratios. As a result, many laboratories are well characterized by presence of vacuum blood collection tubes. Vacuum blood collection gained major market share at start of 1970s wherein many leading players along with new entrants emerged in the market. Since then, the growth was however staggering before making major leap at start of 21st century. This blood collection tube industry is expected to create significant market opportunity over the forecast period 2016-2023. Vacuum blood collection system is a double pointed needle with a plastic holder and series of vacuum tubes with stoppers at the end.Request Sample Copy of this Business Report @Technological advancement towards offering better therapeutic results with single drop blood along with rising pharmaceutical R&D spending to create good market prospects for the industry leadersRising incidences of diseases, changing lifestyle, increasing surgical and transfusion procedures and emergence of many new diagnostic centers in developing regions is expected to create substantial market opportunities for the players.Moreover, the system has its added advantage over other blood collection technique. It is light weight, close loop, safety protection cap and easy to handle making it preferable choice among end-users. High shelf life also makes it one of the key products available in the market. It has a long shelf life of as high as 16 months.Europe to dominate vacuum blood collection system market with EU dominating the market throughout the forecast periodThe vacuum blood collection report covers market analysis across regions North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.Global vacuum blood collection system market is witnessing a positive trend with Europe dominating the market. The region is primarily driven by Germany and UK. EU-5 accounted for over 70% of the regional market. The region is however, expected to lose a major chunk of the market in near future.North America trails Europe with both regions accounting for over 57% of global market. The region is primarily driven by U.S.Penetration rate of vacuum blood collection tube in Asia Pacific is low compared to developed regions. However, is expected to witness huge growth over the time frame. China and India are expected to drive the market in near forecast period.Access Table of Content (TOC) Of the Report @Latin America and MEA are expected to grow at relatively sluggish rate.China based players are gaining significant market traction and are expected to capture major chunk of the market in developing regions.Some of the key players in the vacuum blood collection system market includeTerumo, Shandong Wego, Hebei Xinle Sci&Tech Co.,LTD, Dickinson and Company (US), Sunphoria Co., Ltd., Narang Medical Limited, CML Biotech, Bio X, Labtech Disposables, BectonCoherent 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.Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Hypotension Treatment Market 2023 Top Key Players are A & D medical, Schiller AG, American Diagnostic Corporation, Spacelabs Healthcare, and OMRON Corporation and More Hypotension Treatment Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5628 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5628 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/5628 MarketResearchFuture.com has as of late communicated another investigation to its wide research portfolio, which is titled as Hypotension Treatment Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023" gives an inside and out examination the gauge of market size and development.Market Overview:Hypotension refers to very low blood pressure and affects people across all age groups. Blood pressure is the force exerted by human blood against the artery walls, while blood is pumped out by the heart. Hypotension is normally characterized by a diastolic pressure that is lower than 60mm Hg. A systolic pressure lower than 90 mm Hg is also typically symptomatic of hypotension.Global Key Players:Worldwide Hypotension Treatment Market include A & D medical, Schiller AG, American Diagnostic Corporation, Spacelabs Healthcare, and OMRON Corporation. They engage in product & therapeutic developments to generate higher sales & maintain an edge over the others.Get Premium Sample Copy @The global hypotension market is propelled by hypotension incidences, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and other health issues. When patients suffer from low blood pressure or hypotension, they may feel dizziness while standing up after sitting for long periods of time. This is why, many of them are advised to not rise suddenly and take support/more time to stand up without any discomfort.Hypotension can also result from dehydration, nervous disorders, and endocrine issues. The geriatric population is quite susceptible to suffering from low blood pressure, boosting the rates of hospitalization and driving the industry. Apart from the elderly population, postpartum mothers and teenagers are also affected by hypotension. Rising population contributes to stress and lifestyle illnesses, leading to the demand for advanced treatments.In addition to the above factors, the advent of novel participants (companies investing in hypotension treatments) and wider technological adoption should drive market growth. With the industry predicted to experience decent expansion over the forecast period, the side-effects of hypotension medicines can prevent further growth.Considering the side-effects, many patients resort to alternative treatments and exercises. Patients need to assess whether they can tolerate the harmful effects of these medicines and decide for themselves. Every patient is different and what is suitable for someone may not be ideal for others. That said, exercising conveniently & regularly under the doctors guidance could yield very good results.Some of the other propellers of the hypotension treatment market are the need for cardiovascular devices and poor eating habits. On the other hand, what has restricted the industry from progressing more is the lack of proficient medical professionals. Also, huge expenditures in the detection & management of cardiovascular disorders hamper the industry.Get Standard Discount @The World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 59 percent of the overall mortality rates stem from chronic illnesses globally. The prevalence of diabetes and cardiac disorders is adding more burden on developed & emerging regions. The targeted audiences of the hypotension treatment industry comprise research laboratories, manufacturers, research & development firms, potential spenders, and market research & consultation services.Categorization/Segmentation:The worldwide market is divided on account of indications, products, end-users, and regions. Coronary heart diseases, hypotension, and others constitute the indications. The products consist of blood pressure transducers, sphygmomanometers, blood pressure devices, etc. By end users, the industry is fragmented on the basis of diagnostic centers, homecare, hospitals & clinics, and others. According to regions, the global hypotension treatment market is divided further into Europe, Americas, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific.Regional Analysis:Americas has generated the largest shares and its diabetic & cardiovascular incidences have accounted for the same. Europe is the second biggest market and driven by larger medical expenses & patient groups. Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest expansion till 2023. The Middle East & Africa would grow stably owing to its need for therapeutic & diagnostic centers.Table of Content1 Report Prologue2 Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions2.5 Limitations2.6 Market Structure2.7 Market Segmentation3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation3.5 Forecast Model4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 Opportunities4.4 Mega Trends4.5 Macroeconomic IndicatorsContinuedReports Enquiry @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.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com PEEK Market Outlook 2018-2025 By Type | Offer by Top Key competitors: Victrex PLC, Solvay S.A., Evonik Industries AG, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), J. K. Overseas, Darter Plastics Inc., PEEK Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-peek-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-peek-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-peek-market/ PEEK Market Report covers the comprehensive market, vendor landscape, present scenario, and the growth prospects of the PEEK for 2018-2025. Report, consists of various factors such as definitions, applications, and classifications. Global Sales Volume, Sales Price and Sales Revenue Analysis, SWOT analysis are also covered in the PEEK market research report. This report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.Get Free Report Sample@Global PEEK Market, By Type (Unfilled, Carbon Filled, Glass Filled); By Application (Electrical & Electronics, Aerospace, Automotive, Oil & Gas, Medical, Others) By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025Global PEEK Market accounted for USD 470.6 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Some of the major players in PEEK market include: Victrex PLC, Solvay S.A., Evonik Industries AG, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Panjin Zhongrun High Performance Polymers Co. Ltd, Celanese Corporation, Zyex Ltd, Quadrant Epp Surlon India Ltd, Prototype & Plastic Mold Co. Inc., Jrlon Inc., J. K. Overseas, Darter Plastics Inc., Caledonian Ferguson Timpson Ltd, Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corp., A. Schulman AGCompetitive Landscape: PEEK MarketGlobal PEEK market is consolidated due to the presence of a limited number of players concentrated in few countries. These major players have adopted various organic as well as inorganic growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, and others to strengthen their position in this market.Customization With Discount Available On This Report @Major Market Drivers: Increasing demand for PEEK in aerospace and automotive industries Replacement of conventional materials by PEEK Rapid growth in emerging economies coupled with improving economic conditions in developed economiesMarket Restraint: High Price as compared to conventional materials Increasing competition from hybrid polymers and compositesMarket Segmentation:PEEK MarketThe PEEK market is segmented on the basis of type into unfilled, carbon filled and glass filled. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into electrical & electronics, aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, medical and others. On the basis of geography, the PEEK market report 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, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market.Key questions answered in the report: What will the market growth rate of PEEK Market in 2025? What are the key factors driving the Global PEEK Market? Who are the key manufacturers in PEEK Market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the PEEK Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of PEEK Market? Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of PEEK Market? What are the Core Materials Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the PEEK industry? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications PEEK Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of PEEK industry?Read More About This Report@Note: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-281Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Rice Noodle Market Report 2018: Segmentation by Product (Chinese Style, Western Style, Others) by Application (Direct Consumption, Processing Consumption, Others) Rice Noodle Market http://marketreportscompany.com/contact.php http://marketreportscompany.com/contact.php http://marketreportscompany.com/contact.php Global Rice Noodle market research report provides company profile for Nature soy, Mandarin Noodle Manufacturing, Ying Yong Food Products, J.D. Food Products, Leong Guan Food Manufacturer, JFC International, American Roland Food Corp., Eskal, Nan Shing Hsinchu, Cali Food and Others.This market study includes data about consumer perspective, comprehensive analysis, statistics, market share, company performances (Stocks), historical analysis 2012 to 2017, market forecast 2018 to 2025 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2018 to 2025, etc. The report also provides detailed segmentation on the basis of product type, application, end user and regional segmentation. The regional segment is further bifurcated on country level.Request for Free sample copy of ready Report @Report Coverage:Top Manufactures/vendors of Rice Noodle market:JFC InternationalAmerican Roland Food Corp.EskalNan Shing HsinchuCali FoodNature soyMandarin Noodle ManufacturingYing Yong Food ProductsJ.D. Food ProductsLeong Guan Food ManufacturerOthers (Note: We can profile additional players without any additional charges)Rice Noodle Product Type:Chinese StyleWestern StyleOthersApplication of Rice Noodle:Direct ConsumptionProcessing ConsumptionOthersRegions covered in Rice Noodle Market Research Report:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)(Note: We can provide country or region specific report on request; please contact us for your specific requirement)The Global Rice Noodle Market analysis report covers detailed value chain analysis of Global Rice Noodle Market. The value chain analysis helps to analyze major upstream raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. The report also provides Porter analysis, PESTEL analysis and market attractiveness which helps to better understand the market scenario on macro and micro level. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities occurred in the market during current and past few years. The Global Rice Noodle Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors. The report also covers import/export data across all major regions covered in this report. Moreover, we can exclusively provide information about import/export data across any particular country as per requirement.How helpful this report will be? Rice Noodle Market share (regional, product, application, end-user) both in terms of volume and revenue along with CAGR from 2018 to 2025 Key parameters which are driving this market and restraining its growth What all challenges manufacturers will face as well as new opportunities and threats faced by themEnquire before Buying @......Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Rice Noodle1.1 Definition and Specifications of Rice Noodle1.1.1 Definition of Rice Noodle1.1.2 Specifications of Rice Noodle1.2 Classification of Rice Noodle1.2.1 Chinese Style1.2.2 Western Style1.2.3 Other........................Continue (What does Report Include?Historic Data: What was the Rice Noodle Market data (Size, competition, company share, YoY growth rate, etc.) from 2013 to 2018.Current Market Status: A comprehensive analysis of current market Size, trends, growth drivers, industry pitfalls, challenges and opportunities for players.Market Forecast: Report will comment and provide details about market growth and forecast till year 2025.Customization: We can provide following things 1) On request more company profiles (competitors) 2) Data about particular country or region 3) We will incorporate the same with no additional cost (Post conducting feasibility).Contact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website: marketreportscompany.comEmail: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Antifreeze Admixtures Market Industry Analysis, Trend and Growth-2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/antifreeze-admixtures-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35153 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Antifreeze admixtures are a type of protective admixtures that provide protection at temperatures as low as -15 oC. These antifreeze admixtures are available either in powder or liquid form in the market. These admixtures improve workability of concrete without air entrainment; therefore, they are used to produce high-quality concrete in cold weather conditions. Antifreeze admixtures aid in stabilizing microscopic air bubbles in concrete and further improve concretes resistance to surface scaling caused by certain chemicals. The building & construction industry is a key end-user of the antifreeze admixture market. Antifreeze admixtures are widely used in various applications such as joints in precast concrete structures and repair of dams, tunnels, and foundations.View Report Preview:Based on chemical agent, the global antifreeze admixtures market can be segmented into calcium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, calcium nitrate, potassium carbonate, ethylene glycol, and sodium formate. Demand for sodium nitrate is expected to increase in the near future due to its excellent performance in lowering the freezing temperature. Demand for calcium chloride and sodium chloride is expected to increase moderately during the forecast period. In terms of application, the antifreeze admixtures market can be segregated into residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure Residential is a highly lucrative application segment of the market. Rise in urbanization in emerging countries such as India and China expected to boost the demand for residential complexes and in turn the demand for antifreeze admixtures in the residential segment.Production of concrete in freezing temperatures or cold climatic conditions is an expensive as well as time-consuming process, as the freezing temperature inhibits the hydration process of concrete. This leads to concrete with poor characteristics such as low strength, micro cracks, and gaps. Antifreeze admixtures prevent water from freezing before or during the hydration process, resulting in a high-quality concrete product. Rise in demand for antifreeze admixtures for quality construction products coupled with increase in demand for roads, buildings, bridges, tunnels, and water retention structures; and reduction in water usage and construction time are some of the factors driving the market. High prices and lack of awareness about admixtures among consumers are some factors restraining the market. However, brand promotion and product awareness among consumers expected to boost the market in nearby future.Based on geography, the global antifreeze admixtures market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of consumption, Asia Pacific dominates the antifreeze admixtures market, followed by Europe. Countries such as Russia, Poland, and Finland are leading consumers of antifreeze admixtures in Europe, while China, India, and ASEAN countries dominate the market in Asia Pacific. Rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the building & construction sector, typically in developing markets such as India and China, is offering new market opportunities for antifreeze admixtures. Gradual aging of housing complexes in regions such as Europe and North America offers major opportunities to the antifreeze admixtures market. Rise in the number of infrastructure projects and expansion of the construction industry in Middle East & Africa are augmenting the market in the region. Latin America is also one of the lucrative regions of the antifreeze admixture market. Number of residential structures in Brazil has increased due to the rise in standard of living and growth in construction schemes. Repair and maintenance applications and renovation and repair activities provide potential opportunities for manufacturers of antifreeze admixture.Key players operating in the global antifreeze admixture market include BASF SE, Arkema SA, Ashland Inc., Fosroc International Limited, Mapie S.p.A, Pidilite Industries, RPM International Inc., Sika AG, The Dow Chemical Company, and W.R. Grace & Company.Request to view Sample Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Invisible Orthodontics in China 2018 Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 15.92% and Forecast to 2020 Invisible Orthodontics in China Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/636866-invisible-orthodontics-market-in-china-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/636866-invisible-orthodontics-market-in-china-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Invisible Orthodontics in China 2018 Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 15.92% and Forecast to 2020.Description:-The analysts forecast the invisible orthodontics market in China to grow at a CAGR of 15.92% during the period 2016-2020.Invisible orthodontic braces such as clear aligners, ceramic braces, and lingual braces are aesthetic products that are replacing the use of traditional devices including unattractive metal wires and braces. Invisible orthodontic braces help enhance self-esteem and physical confidence in people.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the invisible orthodontics market in China for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales clear aligners, ceramic braces, and lingual braces.The market is divided into the following segments based on products: Clear aligners Ceramic braces Lingual braces.The report, Invisible Orthodontics Market in China 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors 3M Align Technology Angel Align ClearCorrect Ormco TC MedicalOther prominent vendors American Orthodontics Shanghai Astar Orthodontics eClear International Hangzhou DTC Medical Apparatus Hangzhou Headway medical equipment Hangzhou NanXi Dental Medical Equipment Henghui Technologies Ivoclar Vivadent Riton Biomaterial Shanghai Smedent Medical Instrument Sino Ortho Southern Cross Dental Laboratories TP Orthodontics ZZ Dental ApplianceMarket driver Rise in dental laboratories outsourcing orthodontic products For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Turnaround time and complications of invisible orthodontic devices For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Focus on digital dental technologies in dental shows For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Complete Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlights Scope of invisible orthodontic devices in ChinaPART 05: Market landscape Market overview Market size and forecast Five forces analysisPART 06: Market segmentation by product Invisible orthodontics market in China for clear aligners Invisible orthodontics market in China for ceramic braces Invisible orthodontics market in China for lingual bracesPART 07: Market segmentation by end-user Dental clinics HospitalsPART 08: Market drivers Rise in dental laboratories outsourcing orthodontic products Direct and online sales for expansion Use of CAD/CAM technology to develop high-precision invisible orthodontic devicesPART 09: Impact of driversPART 10: Market challenges High cost of invisible orthodontic devices Turnaround time and complications of invisible orthodontic devices Use of counterfeit orthodontic braces among teenagersPART 11: Impact of drivers and challengesPART 12: Market trends Focus on digital dental technologies in dental shows Social media marketing for dental practices Nanoparticles to develop next-generation invisible orthodontic bracesContinuedFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Lithium Market Volume Analysis, size, share and Key Trends -2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/lithium-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35285 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Lithium is the lightest element in the periodic table and reacts immediately when exposed to air and water. Lithium exhibits properties such as high coefficient of thermal expansion, viscosity, and electrochemical potential. Lithium has a wide range of applications in various end-user industries such as industrial, consumer electronics, electric vehicles, energy storage, and medical. Lithium does not occur in its elemental form due to its high reactivity. Products made of lithium are resistant to thermal shock and have high mechanical strength. Lithium is commonly found in continental brines, hard rock minerals, and clay.View Report Preview:The global lithium market is driven by the demand for lithium-ion batteries in grid connected storage. Lithium-ion batteries can store a significant amount of power, and the stored power can be supplied to the grid when it is required. Another major driver for the global lithium market is the low emission of carbon. Usage of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles helps reduce global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicles. Devices such as laptops, calculators, cameras, mobile phones, activity monitors, etc., require enhanced performance of the batteries, and batteries based on lithium can perform better in this regard. Military applications are witnessing a rise in demand for lithium batteries. However, the high cost of batteries based on lithium are acting as a hindrance to the expansion of global lithium market.Based on the type, the global lithium market can be classified into metal, compounds, and alloys. Compounds include carbonate, chloride, and hydroxide. Based on end-user application, the global lithium market can be segregated into batteries, glass and glass ceramics, automotive parts, greases, metallurgy, polymers, air treatment, aluminum smelting, and alloys. Lithium is utilized for the production of glass ceramics, as lithium can provide additional durability. Lithium can lower firing temperatures and thermal expansion and increases the strength of ceramic bodies, including heat-proof ceramic cookware. Lithium-ion batteries are employed in the electric cars and hybrid cars.The global lithium market expanded at a robust pace in 2016. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. In terms of geography, the global lithium market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific is considered as a prominent market for lithium compounds. Rising demand for new energy storage applications in vehicles, grid connected energy storage, and the increasing demand for personal devices are propelling the expansion of lithium market in the region. North America, is another key market for lithium due to the existence of a strong market for rechargeable batteries in the region. A strong military sector, which demands the application of rechargeable batteries, is anticipated to propel the expansion of the lithium market in the region. Expanding semiconductor industry in Europe is driving the lithium market in the region. In Europe, most large car manufacturers are launching models that integrate the lithium-ion battery technology. Latin America presents lucrative growth opportunities for the lithium market, due to the presence of a large number of mineral reserves in the region. In Middle East & Africa, the lithium market is in the nascent stage, and is expected to have significant growth opportunities due to the strong demand for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices in the region.Moderate degree of competition exists in the lithium market. Albemarle Corporation, SQM, FMC, and Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries are major manufacturers operating in the global lithium marketRequest to view Sample Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Vitreoretinal Surgery Devices Market Development Trends, Competitive Analysis and Key Manufacturers Report 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2281 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vitreoretinal-surgery-devices-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=2281 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Vitreoretinal Surgery Devices Market: OverviewVitreoretinal surgeries are undertaken to treat eye disorders related to the retina, macula, and vitreous fluid. These include macular degeneration, retinal detachment, uveitis and vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, and complications related to diabetic retinopathy. The variety of instruments, tools, and surgical equipment designed to help surgeons execute the surgery fall under the umbrella of medical devices called vitreoretinal surgery devices.Request Brochure-Over the past few years, the global market for vitreoretinal surgery devices has witnessed significant advancements in terms of the easy availability of specialized solutions, techniques, and instruments, which allow for less invasive procedures, reduce the amount of suffering to the eye, and lead to reduced healing time and improved patient outcomes.Developments in the market continue to happen at a rapid pace and an increasing number of companies are manufacturing highly sophisticated vitreoretinal surgery devices capable of supporting the surgery technique and the overall efficiency of the procedure.This report on the global vitreoretinal surgery devices market presents a thorough account of the present growth dynamics of the market and its key segments, along with verifiable projections pertaining to the growth prospects over the period between 2016 and 2024. Potential impact of the regulatory framework at regional and global levels on a variety of decisions related to the vitreoretinal surgery devices market is also analyzed in the report.Vitreoretinal Surgery Devices Market: Drivers and OpportunitiesThe vast and rapid rise in the global population of geriatrics, a demographic considered most vulnerable to vitreoretinal disorders such as macular degeneration, is one of the key factors to have led a significant rise in the number of vitreoretinal surgeries taking place globally.Furthermore, the rising global prevalence of eye disorders is also expected to lead to an increase in the number of vitreoretinal surgeries in the next few years. Along with these factors, the global demand for vitreoretinal surgery devices is expected to rise due to technological developments observed in the field and the increased availability of automated and easy-to-use devices.View Report-Vitreoretinal Surgery Devices Market: SegmentationThe market can be segmented on the basis of criteria such as product type, end-use sector, and surgery type. On the basis of product variety, the market can be segmented into vitreo retinal per fluoro carbon liquids (PFCL), vitreo retinal surgical packs, and vitreo retinal prefilled silicone oil syringes. On the basis of type of surgery, the market can be segmented into anterior vitreoretinal surgery and posterior vitreoretinal surgery.Both types require specific varieties of equipment and devices. However, not a large range of devices are present in the market capable of being used across both types of surgeries. This could be a lucrative growth opportunity for companies operating in the market.Vitreoretinal Surgery Devices Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsOn the basis of geography, the market has been segmented into regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, North America is presently the leading contributor to the revenue of the global vitreoretinal surgery market, chiefly owing to the vast population base of geriatrics, highly developed healthcare infrastructure, and an encouraging medical reimbursement structure.Over the reports forecast period, however, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the most lucrative regional market for vitreoretinal surgery devices owing to the rising geriatric population, rising population of affluent patients, and improvements in healthcare infrastructure of countries such as South Korea, India, and China.Request For Custom Research-Some of the key companies operating in the global vitreoretinal surgery market are Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center International BV, Bausch & Lomb, Inc., OCULUS Optikgerate GmbH, Designs For Vision Pty Ltd, MedOne Surgical, Inc., and Alcon, Inc.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: Global Medicinal Mushroom Market : Along With Trends and Top Manufacturers Profiled like Bonduelle, Costa, Monaghan Mushrooms, Monterey Mushrooms, Inc., THE MUSHROOM COMPANY http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-medicinal-mushroom-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-medicinal-mushroom-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-medicinal-mushroom-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-medicinal-mushroom-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-innovation-management-market/ Medicinal Mushroom Market 2018 Industry report gives a brief summary of definitions, applications, types and leading key players/manufacturers of Medicinal Mushroom industry. It provides complete, professional, and extensive analysis of Medicinal Mushroom market. key trends, market drivers, standardization, deployment models, challenges, opportunities, circumstances and business competition design is also discussed in the report.The Global Medicinal Mushroom Market is expected to reach USD 78765.65 million by 2025, from USD 38108.68 million in 2017 growing at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2015 & 2016, the base year of calculation is 2017 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025.For In depth Information Get Free Sample Copy of this Report@Complete report on Global Medicinal Mushroom Market Research Report 2017-2024 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figuresMarket Definition: Global Medicinal Mushroom MarketReishi mushrooms are medically significant edible fungus scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum. It is usually of deep red colour and has a bright surface with woody texture. These mushrooms are called as Ling Zhi in China, and reishi or mannentake in Japan. The parts of these mushrooms used as medicine are fruiting body or the above-ground portion, and mycelium or filaments linking group of mushrooms. The extracts obtained from these mushrooms are composed of complex carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids. These mushrooms have antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer, and immunological properties. Hence, they are used in the treatment of diabetes, respiratory problems, viral infections, heart & kidney diseases, liver problems, insomnia, anxiety, nervous system disorders, and others. Extensive research is being conducted on medicinal properties of reishi mushroom and many studies are supporting its health promoting characteristics. These factors have increased the demand of reishi mushroom extract globally. According to the article published by sustainability journal the total value of mushroom products was USD 24 billion in the year 2011 and the average annual growth rate has been over 10% over the past 30 years in China.Global Medicinal Mushroom Market, By Type (Button Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom, Oyster Mushroom, Other Mushroom), By Application (Processed Mushroom Market, Processed Mushroom Market {Dried Mushroom, Frozen Mushroom, Canned Mushroom, Other Mushroom}), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025Key Questions Answered in Global Medicinal Mushroom Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Medicinal Mushroom Market in 2025? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Medicinal Mushroom Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Medicinal Mushroom Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Medicinal Mushroom Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Medicinal Mushroom Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Medicinal Mushroom Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Request for Detailed TOC:Major Market Drivers and Restraints: Increase in consumption of processed foods Rise in consumer awareness about health and wellness Promising and profitable business R&D and innovations to expand applicability & accelerate growth Improving technologies to increase the shelf-life Limited shelf-life of mushrooms Proper process managementTop Key Players: Bonduelle Fresh Costa Pty Ltd Drinkwaters Mushrooms Limited Lutece Holdings B.V. Monaghan Mushrooms Ireland Monterey Mushrooms Inc. Okechamp S.A. Shanghai Finc Bio-Tech Inc The Mushroom Company New Roots Herbal Inc North American Medicinal Mushroom Extracts Nutra Green Biotechnology Co Amax NutraSource, Inc Nyishar Real Mushrooms Oriveda BV Bio-Botanica Inc. Amax NutraSource, Inc. Qingdao Dacon Trading Co., Ltd. Xian Greena Biotech Co.,Ltd Dragon Herbs Hokkaido-reishi Huachengbio Mushroom Science Qingdao Dacon Trading Co., Ltd Xian Yuensun Biological Technology Co.Ltd many more.Avail 10% Instant Discount on Purchase of This Report Mail @ sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.comKey Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the Global Medicinal Mushroom Market and its commercial landscape. Assess the Medicinal Mushroom production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Medicinal Mushroom Market and its impact in the Global market. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Global Medicinal Mushroom Market.Inquire Before Buying @Customize report of "Global Medicinal Mushroom Market" as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Medicinal Mushroom Market is segmented on the basis of Type Application GeographyMarket Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Type, the global medicinal mushroom market is segmented into button mushroom, shiitake mushroom, oyster mushroom, other mushroomOn the basis of Application, the global medicinal mushroom market is classified into mushroom market, fresh mushrooms market, processed mushroom market, processed mushroom market LIS.On the basis of Geography, North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaCompetitive Analysis: Global Medicinal Mushroom MarketThe global medicinal mushroom market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of medicinal mushroom market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Speak to Author of the report @Other ReportGlobal Innovation Management Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Innovation Management Market, By Geography; Type (Software, Services); Organization Size (Large Enterprises, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)); Deployment Model (On-premises, Cloud); Application (Product Research & Development Platforms, Marketing, Design, Idea Platforms, Collective Intelligence & Prediction Platforms, Human Resource & Freelancers Platforms); Vertical (Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, IT, Media & Communication Technology, Aerospace & Defense, Public Sector & Education, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Retail & Consumer Goods, Automotive & Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Pumped Storage for Gas Turbines Market Intelligence with Competitive Landscape 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pumped-storage-gas-turbines-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35441 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Hydroelectric energy storage used by electric power systems are utilized for load balancing which are known as pump storage. The power generation segment is expected to expand rapidly. Gas turbines power plants are majorly used as medium-sized peak load plants for efficient functioning during short intervals of high electric power demand on electric systems. Pumped storage balances large steam power plants and have become increasingly important for storing renewable energy which is an emerging technology. The capacity ranges of pumped storage would become predominantly relevant for gas turbines. Moreover, pumped storage has exhibited excellent response for renewable power variability. Pump storage for gas turbines is used as renewable energy sources have emerged rapidly in the recent years.View Report Preview:The pumped storage for gas turbines market can be segmented based on types of sizes, applications, and region. Pumped storage is the largest form of grid energy storage available for gas turbines. Based on types of sizes, the pumped storage for gas turbines market can be divided into large storage pumps, small storage pumps, and micro storage pumps. Large storage pumps have the capacity of more than 30 megawatts (MW). Small storage pumps have the capacity of less than 10 megawatts (MW). Micro storage pumps have the capacity of less than 100 kilowatts (KW). Pumped storage for gas turbines is also used in hydro power generation. Pumped storages are used in storing and generating wind, solar, and tidal energy. They have the ability to store for generating electricity during water shortages. Usage of pumped storage for gas turbines is low in nuclear reactors.Demand for pumped storage for gas turbines is high as gas turbines are clustered together. The fuel to run them should be abundantly available. Such power plants are usually employed for providing electricity grid relief and power supply during peak consumption hours. However, pumped storages are also now being used for supplying base loads due to technological advancements. A major advantage of using pumped storage for gas turbines is its ability to be operational in less time and its supply of power during peak consumption hours.It is essential to reduce the high cost of production of pumped storage for gas turbines through adoption of new and emerging technologies. Furthermore, pumped storage for gas turbines requires special attention when it operates in high pressure and temperature, which is anticipated to restrain the market. Moreover, high frequency noise produced by the pumped storage are also a cause of concern while using pumped storage for gas turbines market.In terms of geography, countries such as China, India, Japan, and Singapore are leading the pumped storage for gas turbines market in Asia Pacific due to the increase in demand for electricity and power generation for the purpose of developing smart cities in these countries. North America is the emerging market for pumped storage for gas turbines due to the newly discovered oil & gas fields in the region and the development of infrastructure. The pumped storage for gas turbines market in Europe, particularly in the countries such as the U.K., Germany, and France, has been expanding significantly due to rapid industrialization.Key players operating in the gas turbine electrical power generation market include Siemens AG, Doosan Heavy Industries, General Electric, and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd.Request to view Sample Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applicationsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Semiconductor Fabrication Material Market Value Share, Analysis and Segments -2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/semiconductor-fabrication-material-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35498 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A semiconductor conducts electricity, but only partly. It is a substance, usually in solid state, that has conductivity between that of an insulator and many other metals. In other words, it conducts electricity under certain conditions, and not under others. Thus, it is a good medium for the control of electrical current. Semiconductors are used extensively in electronic circuits because of the characteristic given above.Semiconductor fabrication materials can be defined as materials used to pattern the wafer of the semiconductor. The semiconductor fabrication process is used for the creation of integrated circuits on the semiconductor. Electric current is transferred through these integrated circuits. On the other hand, materials used to protect and/or connect the die are called packing materials.View Report Preview:The global semiconductor fabrication material market can be segmented based on type, fabrication material, packing material, and end-user industry.In terms of type, the market can be classified into N-type and P-type semiconductors. This classification is dependent upon the impurities, also called as dopants, added to it. N-type semiconductor primarily carries electric current in the form of negatively-charged electrons, while the P-type semiconductor mainly carries the electric current in the form of electron deficiencies called holes. A hole has a positive electric charge, equal and opposite to that of an electron.In terms of the fabrication material, the global semiconductor fabrication material market can be divided into silicon wafers, photomasks, photoresists, photoresist ancillaries, wet chemicals, gases, sputter targets, CMP slurry & pads, and others, which includes new materials. Of these, silicon wafers are the most commonly used semiconductor fabrication materials. Selection of the semiconductor fabrication material is dependent on several factors such as purpose, usage, and end-user industry where the semiconductor is required.In terms of packing material, the global semiconductor fabrication material market can be segmented into leadframes, substrates, bonding wire, die attach, mold compounds, encapsulants, ceramic packages, and other packaging materials. Similar to fabrication materials, the packing material is also selected on the basis of several factors such as the usage and end-user industry of the semiconductor.Semiconductors are primarily used in electricals and electronics. However, these devices are used in a wide range of industries. Accordingly, the global semiconductor fabrication material market can be segregated into computers, communications, consumer goods, defense & aerospace, and others. Computers and communications industries account for major share of the demand for semiconductors. Semiconductors are increasingly used in various consumer goods. Defense & aerospace industry is also a strategically important sector for semiconductors. The others segment includes automotive, medical, office automation, and industrial machinery.Based on region, the global semiconductor fabrication material market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific constitutes large share of the semiconductor fabrication material market in terms of demand. It also has a large number of semiconductor fabrication factories. Developed regions such as North America and Europe also play an important role in terms of research & development.Key companies operating in the global semiconductor fabrication material market include Air Liquide SA, Avantor Performance Materials Inc., BASF SE, Cabot Microelectronics Corp., The Dow Chemical Company, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., JSR Corporation, and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo America, Inc.Request to view Sample Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market Outlook 2018-2025 Product Type | Offer by Top Key competitors: Huntsman Corporation, Ineos Group Limited, Jet Technologies, Klk Oleo,; Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=methyl-ester-ethoxylates-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=methyl-ester-ethoxylates-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/methyl-ester-ethoxylates-market/ Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Report covers the comprehensive market, vendor landscape, present scenario, and the growth prospects of the Methyl Ester Ethoxylates for 2018-2025. Report, consists of various factors such as definitions, applications, and classifications. Global Sales Volume, Sales Price and Sales Revenue Analysis, SWOT analysis are also covered in the Methyl Ester Ethoxylates market research report. This report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.Get Free Sample Report@Global Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market, By Type (C16-C18, C12-C14); By Application (Domestic Cleaning, Industrial Cleaning, Personal Care, Others) By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Some of the major players in methyl ester ethoxylates market include : Huntsman Corporation, Ineos Group Limited, Jet Technologies, Klk Oleo, Lion Corporation.Global Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market accounted for USD 120.4million and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025.Competitive Landscape: Methyl Ester Ethoxylates MarketThe global methyl ester ethoxylates market is consolidated due to the presence of a limited number of players concentrated in few countries. These major players have adopted various organic as well as inorganic growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, and others to strengthen their position in this market.Market Segmentation: Methyl Ester Ethoxylates MarketThe methyl ester ethoxylates market is segmented on the basis of type into C16-C18, C12-C14.On the basis of application, the market is segmented domestic cleaning, industrial cleaning, personal care and others.On the basis of geography, the methyl ester ethoxylates market report 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, Asia-Pacificis expected to dominate the market.Customization With Discount Available On This Report @Major Market Drivers: Rising demand from end-use industries Shift in consumer lifestyles Increasing demand for ecofriendly surfactants and low-rinse detergentsMarket Restraint: Low potential in developed countries Fluctuating petrochemical pricesResearch Methodology Use: Methyl Ester Ethoxylates MarketData collection and base year analysis is done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analyzed and forecasted using market statistical and coherent models. Also market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report. To know more please request an analyst call or can drop down your enquiry.The key research methodology used by DBMR Research team is data triangulation which involves data mining, analysis of the impact of data variables on the market, and primary (industry expert) validation. Apart from this, other data models include Vendor Positioning Grid, Market Time Line Analysis, Market Overview and Guide, Company Positioning Grid, Company Market Share Analysis, Standards of Measurement, Top to Bottom Analysis and Vendor ShareAnalysis. To know more about the research methodology, drop in an inquiry to speak to our industry experts.Key questions answered in the report: What will the market growth rate of Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market in 2025? What are the key factors driving the Global Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market? Who are the key manufacturers in Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market? Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market? What are the Core Materials Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Methyl Ester Ethoxylates industry? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications Methyl Ester Ethoxylates Market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Methyl Ester Ethoxylates industry?Read More About This Report@Note: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-281Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Global SPC Software Market Size Trends in Future, Application and Top Key players - : DataLyzer International, PQ Systems, Quality America, Zontec, Hertzler Systems, Minitab, KnowWare, Isolocity https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=177732 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=177732 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=177732 www.researchnreports.com Research N Reports has added a new market aptitude report to its extensive collection of research. The report is titled as SPC Software which emphases in describing the primary prospects and outlines in the market. Moreover, it gives a broad overview of the global market including the cataloguing, descriptions and executions. Additionally, it also converses the growth strategies along with the cost structures and production processes.Additionally, the historical information and current growth of the market have been given in the scope of the research report. The latest trends, product portfolio, demographics, geographical segmentation, and regulatory framework of the SPC Software market have also been included in the study.For Sample duplicate of this report:Major Key Players in this report are: DataLyzer International, PQ Systems, Quality America, Zontec, Hertzler Systems, Minitab, KnowWare, Isolocity, Analyse-it Software, BPI Consulting, InfinityQS, Lighthouse Systems, AddinsoftThe report also uses feedbacks given by industry experts to support the present and new players in enclosing effective business policies in the upcoming years. The report has been accumulated by taking the aid of info graphics, charts and tables to present the historical data and appraised figures of the SPC Software.The research study throws more light on the competitive landscape of the market across the globe along with product portfolio, company profiles, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and gives an understanding into the newest expansions of the key players that have been tinted in the study.Avail discount on this report:According to the discoveries of the report, SPC Software is an item produced by preparing numerous high propelled innovation. This application is found in a few items. The report has found that the SPC Software showcase is set apart by a few fragments. The SPC Software showcase is clarified on socioeconomics foundations too. The players in the worldwide market are encouraged to comprehend the various and dynamic administrative confinements and plot their extension systems appropriately.For more enquiry:Table of ContentsGlobal SPC Software Market Research ReportChapter 1 Global SPC Software Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global SPC Software 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 AnalysisResearch 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.Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr,Houston, TX, Pin 77064,+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Key Growth Analysis - Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Suzuki, Mitsubishi & Mercedes Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Study, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Size, Fuel Cell Elec https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/797207/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/797207/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/fuel-cell-electric-vehicle-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog/ Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market is anticipated to surpass USD 9 billion by 2024, E-bikes are predicted to hold approximately 23% of the overall fuel cell electric vehicle market volume share.With substantial number of e-bikes already on roads in China, its sales are surging in Europe particularly in northern countries of the region as per the European Cyclists Federation. These two-wheelers are available at affordable costs and serve the purpose for middle class population which will enhance the fuel cell electric vehicle market share over the projected time frame.This Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle market report provides 2024 forecasts built using statistical analysis while covering data from primary research as well as secondary sources that help gain market insights and provide industry growth expectations.Report Mainly focuses on the top Manufacturers in global market are given bellowGeneral Motors, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and MercedesRequest a Sample of this premium Research ReportThe Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Report gives a clear picture of the current situation of the market which covers global industry analysis, size, share, growth, trends, key statistics and forecast Till 2024. The report on global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle market evaluates the growth trends of the industry through historical study and estimates future prospects based on comprehensive research. The report extensively provides the market share, growth, trends and forecasts for the period 2017-2024. The market size in terms of revenue (USD MN) is calculated for the study period along with the details of the factors affecting the market growth (drivers and restraints).Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Vehicle PCV LCV HCV E-bikes ForkliftsFuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Distance Short LongGlobal fuel cell electric vehicle market share is projected to surpass 300 thousand units by 2024. Increasing research activities will pave the way for emerging technology and simultaneously reduce the product cost. Continuous technological developments along with OEMs investing in increasing production level to achieve economies of scale will result in price drop. Continuously increasing demand for advanced automobiles will boost the fuel cell electric vehicle market over the projected timespan.Several government initiatives are supporting transition of conventional automobiles to zero emission automobiles. Government funding is speeding up R&D and number of hydrogen refueling stations. Government incentives can effectively bring down the price ranges by manifesting reduced taxes on such automobiles thereby driving the fuel cell electric vehicle market from 2017 to 2024.Long distance travelling range along with short refueling time offers superior customer convenience thereby supporting the fuel cell electric vehicle market growth. Moreover, vehicles possess superior energy density of hydrogen storage units compared to conventional batteries. Less number of accessible hydrogen stations for refueling is the major factor limiting the industry growth rate. Prohibitive product cost poses challenge to fuel cell electric vehicle market share over the forecast timeline.Ongoing research activities are focused on developing raw materials that will support in cost minimization and extending automobile life. High volume manufacturing and low cost will help make fuel cell vehicles more competitive with combustion engines by 2024.Passenger cars segment in fuel cell electric vehicle market is expected to witness significant gains at over 42% from 2017 to 2024. This can be attributed to increasing automobile production across the world and rising government initiatives. For instance, U.S. government plans to build hydrogen refueling stations across the country via H2USA public-private partnership coupled with auto producers support. In addition, California is investing USD 20 million annually until 100 stations are built for commercial purpose.Request a Discount on standard prices of this premium Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Research Report@The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Sweden, Italy, Norway, Spain, Netherlands)Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea)Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina)MEA (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa)Asia Pacific fuel cell electric vehicle market is expected to dominate the industry volume share over the projected time line. This can be credited to automobile production across the region, especially in developing economies such as China. China is observed to be the significant contributor in the regional revenue generation. Rising domestic demand along with increasing vehicle production will spur the country's share over the projected time span.North America fuel cell electric vehicle market was approximately worth at USD 173 million in 2016 and is anticipated to pose a CAGR of 41% over the forecast time frame owing to the presense of well-established players in the region. Moreover, strict rules and regulations along with government funds is boosting the industry over the study period.To View Full Report@About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Interceptor Missiles Market Key Analysis of Boeing Co., Raytheon Co., Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Interceptor Missiles Market, Interceptor Missiles Market Study, Interceptor Missiles Market Size, Interceptor Missiles Market Segm https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/859973/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/859973/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/interceptor-missiles-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog/ Interceptor Missiles Market is estimated to surpass USD 14 billion by 2024, Using statistical analysis while covering data from primary research as well as secondary sources that help gain market insights and provide industry growth expectations.Interceptor missiles of up to 125 kms range are anticipated to dominate the interceptor missiles market, generating a demand of over 2,000 units till 2024. Continuously increasing penetration of missiles conforming to this range such as PAC-3, Iron Dome, and SM-3, from MEA including UAE, Israel, and Saudi Arabia will primarily support the industry dominance. Interceptor missiles of range above 200 kms will exhibit over 18% CAGR in terms of revenue owing to rising deployment of advanced missiles such as HQ-19. Regular innovations in these missiles in countries such as China will further strengthen the industry penetration over the forecast timeframe.Report Mainly focuses on the top Manufacturers in global market are given bellowLockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co., Raytheon Co., Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Rafael Advanced Defense SystemsRequest a Sample of this premium Research ReportThe Interceptor Missiles Market Report gives a clear picture of the current situation of the market which covers global industry analysis, size, share, growth, trends, key statistics and forecast Till 2024. The report on global Interceptor Missiles market evaluates the growth trends of the industry through historical study and estimates future prospects based on comprehensive research. The report extensively provides the market share, growth, trends and forecasts for the period 2017-2024. The market size in terms of revenue (USD MN) is calculated for the study period along with the details of the factors affecting the market growth (drivers and restraints).Interceptor Missiles Market by SurfaceSurface to airWater to airInterceptor Missiles Market by RangeUp to 125 kmsBetween 125 to 200 kmsAbove 200 kmsInterceptor Missiles Market by TechnologyTHAADPAC-3SM-3HQ-19Iron domeFD-2000Patriot GEM-TAegis ashoreAsterGlobal interceptor missiles market is expected to cross 3,000 units till 2024. Continuously increasing threat of attacks from rival countries has resulted in proliferating demand for interceptor missiles over the forecast timeframe. Multiple countries across the globe including Netherlands, U.S, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, etc., have purchased patriot interceptor missiles to strengthen their defense inventory, impacting the industry positively.Countries across the globe have witnessed a considerable increase in their defense budget. For instance, in 2015, the defense budget of China was USD 131 billion, which was increased by 11% and crossed USD 145 billion in 2016 and was further increased by 7% in 2017. This will accelerate the revenue generation owing to their enhanced purchasing power for defense systems. However, high initial investment and high manufacturing costs may restrain new entrants from entering the interceptor missile market.Industry is witnessing regular upgradations and innovations in interceptor missiles. For instance, HQ-19 is a significant upgradation of HQ-9 and has gained prominence in 2017. It is capable of targeting satellites and ballistic missiles in lower earth orbit and is featured with kinetic kill vehicle. Moreover, it can intercept the ballistic missiles from a range of 3,000 kms. These innovations are anticipated to induce immense growth potential to the interceptor missiles market over the coming years.Surface to air missiles are expected to capture maximum interceptor missiles market revenue share of more than 80% by 2024. Some of the benefits offered includes light-weight and portability which in turn will drive the industry demand. Water to air missiles will exhibit approximately 7% CAGR owing to rising adoption of these missiles in various countries across the globe for naval border protection.MEA interceptor missiles market will showcase dominance over the next eight years owing to rising threat of enemy attacks across the region.Collaborations of various countries with industry players for purchasing of these missiles will further contribute towards the high revenue generation. For instance, UAE and Qatar are anticipated to enter an agreement with Lockheed Martin for supplying patriot missiles. Europe will witness over 7% CAGR till 2024 owing to rising sales of interceptor missiles from countries including Sweden and Poland.Request a Discount on standard prices of this premium Interceptor Missiles Market Research Report@The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:North America (U.S.)Europe (Germany, Romania, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan)Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan)Latin America (Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kuwait, Turkey)MEA (UAE, Qatar)PAC-3 is expected to account for highest interceptor missile market share crossing USD 6 billion over the coming years. Proliferating demand of these missiles, especially in developed countries will primarily support the revenue generation. For instance, in January 2013, the U.S. army entered into several contracts worth USD 755 million for purchasing 168 PAC-3 missiles and associated services and equipment. HQ-19 will exhibit over 40% CAGR till 2024 owing to its continuously rising usage as an upgradation of HQ-9. Its enhanced features as compared to its counterparts will further support the industry growth till 2024.To View Full Report@About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Unsurprisingly, the infrastructure development industry is facing numerous challenges, because of long term practices and some unprecedented levels of demand for design construction and project management services. However there could be solution in the form of partnership contracting. Partnership contracting is conceivable across all forms of contracting where it is applied and approached in a manner that is aligned with all parties favoured outcomes and in which all parties are actively By Eli Lake Bloomberg Opinion President Donald Trump's decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan is, according to conventional wisdom, an effort to silence his critics. This is what Brennan himself says, though there's no need to take his word for it; James Clapper, former director of national intelligence and potential target for security clearance retaliation, agrees. Even the American Civil Liberties Union, which had harsh words for Brennan during his tenure at the CIA, says Trump's action violate Brennan's First Amendment rights. As is so often the case, however, the conventional wisdom is wrong. Far from trying to silence Brennan, Trump is elevating him. He wants to make Brennan the face of the so-called resistance. This is the Trump playbook. Why do you think he keeps tweeting about Maxine Waters? He is a man who approaches politics like professional wrestling, happy to play the villain if it energizes his base. And for Trump, Brennan is a perfect adversary. There are at least three reasons for this. To start, a fight with Brennan is at this moment a great way to change the subject from the trial of his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, and the slow-motion revelations of his former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman, who says there is a recording of him using a racial slur. This also plays into Trump's broader strategy. It's no secret that the president is now campaigning against what his supporters deride as a "deep state," a permanent national security bureaucracy that he believes undermines his presidency. The term is often used in reference to police states like Egypt or Pakistan. It's wrong to ascribe a single motivation to the vast network of national security and intelligence agencies in the U.S. government, or to presume that these institutions are more powerful than the president. Indeed, Trump's very decision to revoke Brennan's clearance undermines this thesis. That said, running against the deep state provides Trump a rhetorical crutch. It's a built-in excuse for failing to deliver on his 2016 campaign promises. Sitting presidents usually have to run as incumbents. Trump can try to run for re-election as an outsider. And is there a better poster boy for the alleged deep state than Brennan? The best and final reason Trump wants to prolong this battle is that, for all of Brennan's earnest passion, he is an easy political target. Start with Brennan's recent obsession, Russia. It's true that, as CIA director, Brennan took a keen interest in the prospect of Russian agents suborning members of the Trump campaign. That said, Brennan was a senior national security official throughout the Obama presidency. It was not until Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014 that Obama began seriously countering Russian aggression - and even then the policy was tempered by the administration's primary goal of getting a nuclear agreement with Iran. That deal was negotiated in part with Russia. Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA station chief in Moscow, told me that the Obama administration was less interested in holding Russia accountable for its actions in Syria and Ukraine than in getting Russia's cooperation in signing a nuclear agreement with Iran. "My impression was that John Brennan felt we could come to terms with Russia," he said. Brennan would argue that he rang the alarm inside the government about Russia's campaign to influence the 2016 election in favor of Trump (his efforts are richly detailed in "Russian Roulette," by David Corn and Michael Isikoff). But he was stymied in part by a White House that did not want to launch a full counteroffensive during the campaign. But none of this explains why Brennan did not act sooner against Russia. As I reported at the time, the U.S. intelligence community was surprised by Russia's stealth invasion of Ukraine. Brennan was a senior White House adviser when the Obama administration went out of its way to reset relations with Russia. Brennan is also a divisive figure for progressives. As the ACLU's own statement defending the former director notes, "Brennan's record is full of grave missteps, and we have been unsparing in our criticism of his defense of the CIA torture program and his role in unlawful lethal strikes abroad." Drone strikes and torture are only part of Brennan's problems with the left. He nearly lost his job in 2014 when the then-chair of the Senate select committee on Intelligence, Dianne Feinstein, accused him of spying on her staff as they completed research on a scathing report about the CIA's black site program. Brennan survived, but until Trump's election was wounded within the Democratic Party. Of course, Trump's decision to target the security clearances of his critics is vindictive and petty. But it's a mistake to think it was impetuous. Trump understands that singling out Brennan will only amplify Brennan's voice. If mere punishment were Trump's goal, he would have simply urged the CIA to revoke Brennan's clearance. Instead, he did it himself - thereby letting the world know that Brennan is his foil. And so far, Brennan has obliged. - Eli Lake is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering national security and foreign policy. He was the senior national security correspondent for the Daily Beast, and covered national security and intelligence for the Washington Times, the New York Sun and UPI. Picture a dry riverbed. Boulders, big and small. Sand. Rocks. Thousands of trees and a towering mountain. You'd set out on a day hike almost a week ago. And now you're lost, dehydrated and weak, alone on a flank of Mount St. Helens. But a pair of searchers find you and call for more colleagues to respond. You can't walk, but they carry you down the mountain. A helicopter whisks you to a hospital. Your parents hold a news conference outside the building. You're in satisfactory condition. And, presumably, will be able to go home before long. That harrowing sequence is Matthew Matheny's reality. The 40-year-old Ohio man set off on a day hike last Thursday, only to get lost on the famous southwest Washington mountain and become the subject of a large search-and-rescue operation that ended in success Wednesday when he was airlifted to a hospital. Searchers found him suffering from superficial cuts and scrapes, in a riverbed that's bisected by a ski trail that eventually leads to a road, said North Country Emergency Medical Service Chief Shaun Ford. He hiked in sandals, carried virtually no supplies and sustained himself by eating bees and berries, according to authorities and his parents. He also went without water for days. "I think most people did not expect this positive of an outcome after five or six days," Ford said. So how'd rescuers find him? It was a mix of old-school searching and the use of cellphone data and computer modeling, said Charlie Rosenzweig, chief criminal deputy for the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, which was the main coordinating agency. Searchers covered a wide swath of land, surveying the area from the air and on foot. Canine search teams were among those that helped. And ultimately, several days into the search, two volunteers from the North Country Emergency Medical Service's Volcano Rescue Team found him in the creek bed an area one of them knew and thought a lost person might go. The crew had only been searching for roughly a half-hour that day. Not bad. Ford, who was two miles away at the time, said Matheny was tired and relieved. "I can't imagine what he was thinking," Ford said. Ford said people lost in mountain environments usually try to go downhill, and a dry riverbed makes for a relatively easy path. He didn't know, however, what led Matheny to the place where he was found. Searchers from multiple rescue organizations eventually hauled him in a litter to a spot where a helicopter could land, Ford said. He was flown to a Vancouver hospital where he remained in satisfactory condition Thursday afternoon. His parents, speaking Wednesday, described their son as a former Boy Scout who is interested in fitness and nutrition with a sense of humor and a knack for getting himself into humorous situations. They also thanked all the emergency responders, volunteers and his friends who aided in helping find their son. Bees chased after Matheny as he moved about on the mountain, his father said, so Matheny killed and ate some. Matheny hadn't seen another person since last Thursday and was without water for days, his mother said, but the fluids from berries may have been enough to keep him going. "He knew it was a tough situation," said Linda Matheny, who arrived in Washington with her husband on Sunday. "But everyone who has encountered him have told us it's remarkable the condition he's in." Matheny was in Washington visiting friends and decided to spend last Thursday afternoon hiking while his friends were at work, the Mathenys said. He drove a friend's Subaru Outback to the mountain and later couldn't find his way back to the car. His friends reported him missing when he did not return, the sheriff's office said. A Skamania County sheriff's deputy found the Subaru unoccupied at the start of the Blue Lake trail on Saturday. A search launched the same day. Ford, reflecting on the operation Thursday, said hikers have to be prepared for the unthinkable. And Rosenzweig said that once people understand they're lost in the wilderness, they shouldn't put themselves in greater jeopardy by going farther away from the trail. Authorities generally encourage hikers to carry the "10 essentials," which include a map, compass, extra food and extra clothing. Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Everton Bailey Jr. of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report A former Redmond resident will serve 22 years in prison for child sex abuse for acts that took place in 2014-15. "I am sorry for what I've done, and I pray that God has mercy on me," said Stanley Keith McGuyer, who was sentenced Wednesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court. McGuyer, 45, will additionally serve 20 years of post-prison supervision and must register as a sex offender for life. Though originally indicted on 40 counts 39 of them felonies he pleaded guilty to just four: first-degree sex abuse, first-degree unlawful penetration, first-degree sodomy and incest. Judge A. Michael Adler called the penalty "appropriate but certainly not overly harsh" for one of the worst cases he said he'd ever seen. "I think you know the horrors you brought on your victim," Adler said. McGuyer lived in Redmond from 2014 to 2015, the same years the abuse took place, but later moved to Portland. The abuse had ceased for more than a year when the victim reported it to a Portland-area school counselor, who contacted the interagency Multnomah County Child Abuse Team. Redmond detectives traveled to Portland on Feb. 6 to interview McGuyer. They arrested him at his workplace and brought him to Deschutes County, where he was held without bail. McGuyer's plea negotiation stretched for months. His defense attorney secured a condition that if he pleaded guilty in Deschutes County, Multnomah County officials would not pursue child pornography charges for material they allegedly found on his cellphone. Aside from court staff, the only person attending the hearing was the victim's mother and she did so via phone and didn't speak when given a chance. The defendant sat with his head down as prosecutor Kirsten Naito of the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office described the abuse. Adler stared at him from across the room. "This would happen more times than the victim could articulate," Naito said, wrapping up. McGuyer's lawyer, Shawn Kollie, asked the judge to not add years to the recommended sentence, saying he'd seen "sadness" in his client since his arrest. "He did this, and he pleaded guilty," Kollie said. "And his sentence is appropriate and what we would have expected for a crime of this magnitude." --Garrett Andrews, The Bulletin A clash over money donated to the victims of the MAX train attack came to an end this week as they reached a legal agreement over how to divide roughly a third of $1.6 million raised by supporters. But donors may never know precisely how the money that caused the thorny dispute is being carved up. Lawyers for the families of Ricky Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche wrangled for 15 months over nearly $600,000 raised on GoFundMe by a Portland restaurateur after both men were fatally stabbed in 2017. In a statement provided Friday to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Namkai-Meche's family said the stalemate stretched for so long, in part, because the crowdfunding company does not have policies to address conflicts that may arise among beneficiaries. "The absence of established protocols for distributing the funds ultimately required that the victims' families decide among themselves how one of the funds should be shared," the statement said. "This imposed a painful burden that, when reduced to its core, required the families to compare their losses. That is both an impossible and cruel task." [ ] Best, Namkai-Meche and a third man, Micah Fletcher, tried to intervene when police say Jeremy Christian launched into a racist harangue against two teenage girls, one of them wearing a hijab, riding a MAX train during rush hour in May 2017. Witnesses and police say Christian plunged a knife into the throats of all three men, killing Best and Namkai-Meche. Fletcher barely survived. Nearly 35,000 people around the world donated to a series of online fundraisers created for victims of the brutal assault at the Hollywood Transit Center. Only the money raised by restaurateur Nick Zukin's "Tri Met Heroes" campaign remained contested. The campaign ultimately topped $586,000 from 11,000 donors. Disagreements over how to distribute the funds emerged almost immediately. Fletcher, who was also listed as a beneficiary of the crowdfunding campaign, relinquished claims to the money in March, his lawyer Rosemary Brewer told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Erin Olson, a lawyer for the family of Namkai-Meche, a 2016 Reed College graduate had proposed the money be evenly distributed among parties. But Best family attorney Robert J. Miller argued his clients should receive most of the money because Best, an Army veteran and his household's breadwinner, left behind a wife and four children. The parties avoided mediation or formulas commonly used after tragedies to distribute funds for almost a year. They sought an independent arbitrator this spring. Retired Multnomah County judges Dale Koch, Jean Kerr Maurer, and Douglas Beckman helped conduct the arbitration, according to Namkai-Meche's family. In its statement, the family said the donated money helped pay for his memorial services, travel costs and counseling services, among other expenses. The family also said GoFundMe pocketed $49,561 in fees from the "Tri Met Heroes" campaign, along with whatever earnings the six-figure fund accrued while the company held it. Reached by phone, Olson, the family's lawyer, declined to disclose the final sum her clients received from the "Tri Met Heroes" campaign or how they money was ultimately distributed. Emails to Miller's office were not returned. - Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 || @shanedkavanaugh A 62-year-old man was convicted Friday for a 2010 rape after he was linked to the attack through an old sexual assault kit that was finally tested. Multnomah County Circuit Judge David F. Rees found Steven Guy Tubbs guilty of two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse in the attack that occurred in Tubbs' home. The judge acquitted Tubbs of two counts of first-degree sodomy after a bench trial. Tubbs will be sentenced Wednesday. Tubbs' conviction marks the third successful prosecution in Multnomah County stemming from the push in three counties to send their untested sexual assault kits to a private lab for analysis. The one in the Tubbs' case had been languishing in the Portland police property warehouse for years. Steven G. Tubbs Prosecutors said Tubbs sexually assaulted a woman who was "mentally incapacitated'' and "physically helpless.'' The woman had passed out in Tubbs' condo in the Jantzen Beach area while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after partying among a group of people at his home on the night of Dec. 1, 2010. The victim was 25 and Tubbs was 55 at the time. At some point late that night or early the next day, the 25-year-old woman became so intoxicated that she fell asleep. When she woke up in the morning, she was on Tubbs' bed and was told by Tubbs that he had sexual contact with her, according to evidence presented at the trial this week. "(Steven Tubbs) was with her the entire night. ... He knew everything that she was up to and he would have known that she was in no shape to consent to sexual activity,'' Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt said in court. "This is not a case about whether or not (the victim) meant to give consent or gave actual consent. It's that she couldn't give consent because she was either mentally incapacitated or physically helpless." The 25-year-old woman called a friend to pick her up from Tubbs' residence. She reported the attack to police immediately on Dec. 2, 2010, and had a forensic exam done at a hospital, according to prosecutors and court records. But there was a nine-month unexplained delay in the case being assigned to the Portland police sex crimes unit. A patrol officer unsuccessfully tried to reach the woman to give her the name of a police sergeant and the case stalled, according to court records. The sex crimes unit wasn't assigned the case until September 2011. By then, a detective was unable to set up an interview with the woman, according to the prosecutor. The woman reported feeling anxiety and wanting to "push it aside,'' Girt wrote in a court document. The woman's forensic evidence was never sent to a lab for analysis even after the sex crimes unit got the case to investigate. It was one of thousands of kits that sat on evidence shelves throughout Oregon, some for decades. The kits remained untouched by police until public pressure mounted and authorities sought grants to have the evidence analyzed. The 25-year-old woman's sexual assault kit was tested after the District Attorney's Office got a grant in 2015 that allowed police to send kits to a private lab in Utah for analysis. The results came back in 2016, prompting Portland police to reopen their investigation. At that time, the woman was interested in pursuing the case, and her friend who picked her up from Tubbs' condo that morning also was interviewed. Police arrested Tubbs in February 2017. At the time of the 2010 rape, Tubbs had a sexual assault history. He was convicted in 1998 in federal court in Colorado of coercing or enticing a minor for sex after propositioning a federal agent posing as a girl during an online sting. He was sentenced to two years in prison and required to register as a sex offender. By 2000, he had moved to Oregon and was on supervised release for the federal offense. While on supervision, another woman he knew accused him of forcing her to have anal sex as he held her wrists down even though she had told him to stop. She reported it to Portland police. Tubbs then denied assaulting the woman, saying he never heard her say stop. The Portland police detective didn't refer the case to prosecutors, according to federal court records. After his February 2017 arrest in the 2010 assault, Tubbs posted $75,000 bail and was released from jail the next day. He was rearrested in June 2017 in an alleged domestic violence assault on his wife at their Hayden Island condominium, according to court testimony. In July 2017, prosecutors dismissed the fourth-degree assault charge stemming from the domestic complaint. Two other defendants are awaiting trial in Multnomah County on other sexual assault cases stemming from the recent analysis of old sexual assault kits. -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian No one remembers when David Testawich showed up. Best guess is 15 years ago. He appeared one morning and began selling a newspaper outside a Northwest Portland store. Testawich hawked Street Roots at Trader Joe's in the 2100 block of Glisan Street. The weekly is a way for those in need to make money. Customers pay $1 and the vendor keeps the profit. Testawich was there every day. And then he wasn't. In early August, he suffered a stroke and later died from a brain hemorrhage. His daughter texted a couple of Trader Joe's employees she had met to let them know her 71-year-old father was gone. Store workers set up a memorial -- a card table at his spot with a sign explaining what had happened along with a notebook for those who wanted to share a thought. How we touch another life has less to do with power and wealth. It comes down to simple acts of humanity. Within days of Testawich's death, hundreds of people left tributes to a man they didn't really know but who had quietly eased his way into their lives. *** "Such a beautiful soul. We will miss you. You have lit up so many days for us." "Your presence in the life of the community is heartfeltly appreciated and deeply missed." "Your sweet energy and generous heart will be missed by all of us who come here regularly." *** Testawich had picked that spot on the sidewalk because he believed the grocery store customers, even those who never bought a paper, were a community. And that filled a deep need within the man. "My dad was born on an Indian reservation," said Angel Spear. "He was orphaned at a young age. He grew up in an orphanage and was taken in by a foster family as a teen. "He had a really rough life growing up," Spear said. "If there ever was a person that had a reason to hold a grudge against the world, it could be him. But he knew the importance of helping others and letting them know you care." Testawich was married for nearly 50 years and the couple had three daughters. A heavy equipment operator, he suffered a serious work injury in 2000 and was forced to retire. He and his wife, Adrienne, lived in Gresham, just blocks away from Spear's place. Another daughter, Lorelei Schooler, lived in Vancouver, but was over frequently. Selling the newspaper, Spear said, allowed her father to supplement his Social Security check and tackle enormous medical costs incurred by his wife, who had end-stage renal failure. She died three years ago. Another daughter, Kim, died four years ago. "He had an amazing work ethic," Spear said. "He'd be selling that paper outside rain or shine, 100 or 30 degrees, six to seven days a week." The pain of his childhood made her father a soft touch, Spear said. In the lives of those struggling, he saw his ghost. He'd give people money for a meal or groceries, pay for transportation and medical needs. "He had the least to give," Spear said. "But he gave so much because he knew that little things can sometimes make the most difference." Art Garcia, a former Street Roots vendor hooked him up with the organization. He once asked Testawich why he drove all the way from Gresham to sell in Northwest Portland. He liked the people. "He had a big heart and never had a bad word for anyone," Garcia said. "He'd give money to people and loan it to people who never paid him back. I'd tell him to stop it. He refused. He told me people need help and it was his responsibility to do what he could." When Testawich arrived at his spot, he'd talk with anyone and considered all who passed by part of a grand family, said Kayt Brandon, a Trader Joe's employee. "David was genuine," she said. "It's so strange to not see him out there." Heather Mills, another employee, said Testawich would be in and out of the store during the day to buy something to eat and was known by all the workers. "People connected with him," Mills said. "I can honestly say I loved him." When Testawich died, his daughter learned he was an organ donor. Even in the end, the man who had so little wanted to help strangers. "It was the perfect ending to his life," Spear said. "He always told us that yesterdays don't define tomorrows." --Tom Hallman Jr. thallman@oregonian.com; 503 221-8224 @thallmanjr The 2018 Midland County Road Commission (MCRC) brush and invasive species spray program for 2018 has been cancelled due to changing Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements. "I was told that the DEQ told the contractor to use different chemicals. They the contractor came to us and backed out of their contract," MCRC Managing Director Terry Palmer said. The MCRC has contracted the spraying of brush in the right-of-way for many years and recently started spraying to kill invasive species such as phragmites and Japanese knotweed. "The lack of long-term spraying will cost the road commission much more money," Palmer said. "Trees grow and fall over the roads and power lines. Vision is impaired and there will be many more complaints for brush and ditch cutting." Last year, the MCRC sprayed the northeast and northwest quadrants of Midland County, beginning at M-20 and proceeding north to the county line. This year, the MCRC was prevented from conducting any spraying. Since the contractor back out of the contract, the MCRC did not spend any money on this year for chemicals. Last year, $52,012 was spent for brush and $10,268 for phragmites. Plans are to resume the spray program next year. "It is a crucial component for keeping our roadways safe in Midland County," Palmer said. "We will work with the DEQ prior to bidding this out to see what different chemicals they will require us to use." The following chemicals were planned to be used for brush spraying and phragmite spraying: Brush Control -- Garlon 3A, Escort XP, Surfactant, Drift Control and Krenite S Cattails and phragmites: -- Rodeo, Habitat, Surfactant, Drift Control and MSO Guardrails -- Roundup, Oust Extra, Amine, Esplanade 200 SC and Nufilm IR After more than four decades dedicated to education, Craig Douglas is retiring from work -- but he has no plans to step away from his community. Douglas retired as dean of Saginaw Valley State University's College of Education, where he served since 2015. He joined SVSU in 2014 as director of the School and University Partnership office after spending the previous 38 years largely in K-12 education, including 18 years as superintendent of Carrollton Public Schools. Associate Provost David Callejo Perez, who joined SVSU in 2009, will serve as interim dean as the university searches for Douglas' permanent replacement. Deborah Huntley, SVSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Douglas' leadership was critical to keeping the College of Education responsive to the changing demands of the state's K-12 education industry. She was equally confident in his successor. "Craig has been instrumental in recognizing challenges and answering with strategies that have strengthened our academic programs and community partnerships in the education field," Huntley said. "His work here will positively impact educators and students long after his retirement. David understands that legacy and possesses the energy, knowledge and work ethic to keep the College of Education moving forward." Douglas expressed gratitude to Huntley and SVSU President Don Bachand for supporting his work at the university. Douglas said he was proud of many accomplishments earned during his tenure as dean, attributing those victories to a team effort. "I didn't do any of it alone," he said. "I'm most proud of the way so many people came together -- staff, faculty, students, other deans, the region's school leaders -- to step up and help us exceed expectations. There was a lot of synergy there." Douglas said he will remain engaged in the community. He plans to continue serving as a trustee on Carrollton's Board of Trustees, and as a member of both the Saginaw Valley Rotary Club and Carrollton Lions Club. He also hopes to become involved in assisting Emmaus House of Saginaw, an organization that aids in the transition period for women returning to their communities after spending time in jail, prison or rehabilitation centers. His wife, Joan Douglas, is an active volunteer with the organization. "I look forward to continuing to devote time and energy to the Great Lakes Bay Region," he said. He was quick to complement his interim successor. "David is going to do a terrific job in transition," Douglas said. "He has great ideas for ways to improve efficiencies, utilize technologies and continue to develop our accelerated degree program." Callejo Perez joined SVSU in 2009 as the Carl A. Gerstacker Endowed Chair for the College of Education. In 2014, he was named associate provost at the university. He received his Ed.D. from Florida International University in 2000, a master's degree in history from the University of Mississippi in 1995, and a bachelor's degree in history from Florida International University in 1993. Previously, he served as an educator at West Virginia University, Barry University, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Callejo Perez said he was looking forward to continuing to build SVSU's reputation as a provider of talent for the education market. "The challenges ahead involve shifting from a job market that was very tight to one that has a lot of demand for teachers," he said. "The College of Education will continue to help fill that void. Our impact can be beyond measure if we work together and commit our talents to be stewards of education in the region." The Gleaner Life Insurance Society Scholarship Foundation has presented Eden Hackett with a $1,500 Frederick & Evelyn Fountain Scholarship Award, Hannah Loveless with a $3,000 Frederick & Evelyn Fountain Scholarship Award and Emily McDonald with a $1,500 Floyd Arbor Scholarship Award. Hackett, a resident of Shepherd, is one of 100 members selected to receive a 2018 scholarship award from the Gleaner Life Insurance Society Scholarship Foundation. Hackett is attending Northern Michigan University, majoring in public relations. SWMRS evidently didnt mean theyd be right back with new music when they released Brb on their debut album Drive North (if you want the songs actual backstory though, guitarist/vocalist Max Becker gave some insights on Twitter last week). However, they are finally back with new music and with their social commentary wrapped in churning guitars, they drop some UC Berkeley history on their latest single, Berkeleys On Fire. This is the first new music from the punk quartet since Drive North was released at the beginning of 2016 (re-released later that year on Fueled By Ramen). Brothers Max and Cole Becker swap roles as lead vocalist, and on Berkeleys On Fire, Coles distinctive howl can be heard at the forefront. The members of SWMRS are known for being vocal about their political views on social media, but Berkeleys On Fire is the most overt political track theyve released (Palm Trees is easily the most direct on Drive North, which, overall, isnt a particularly political album). The grinding guitars give the song a roiling anger and the agitation only increases in the chorus, where Coles slippery lead vocals are swarmed with others to chant, Berkeleys on fire. Your TV lies. This track is the music youd hope to get from SWMRSa song that expresses their oft-shared frustrations with the political/social climate. Too many motherfuckers confusing this freedom speech with swastikas, Cole rages, and Max jumps into the forefront for a moment to call out Milo Yiannopoulos. Yiannopoulos planned speech at Berkeley last year was canceled when 150 masked agitators showed up to an otherwise-peaceful protest to disrupt the event. The song harkens back further to Berkeleys history: The Free Speech Movement was led by students on campus in 1964 protesting a ban on on-campus political activities, and demanding their right to free speech and academic freedom. Even more of California seeps into the song with the surf-rock guitar solo. I wrote this song about the very strange feeling of participating in what the television was calling a riot, but looking around and seeing things much differently, Becker says. While the video takes its jabs at the far right losers who showed up on [Berkeleys] campus that day to incite violence and infighting, we mostly tried to place the viewer in that same moment of being unsure of whether the world around you actually is falling apart, or if youre just tripping on your anxiety for the future. The other visual provided is the songs artwork: Berkeleys On Fire and so is Sather Tower, as the songs cover art displays. Also called the Campanile, the campus building is the third-tallest bell and clock tower in the world, the university states. SWMRS have a few tour dates currently scheduled for the end of the year, including Reading & Leeds later this month and Chicagos Riot Fest in September. Friday, the band announced the third installation of their one-day festival Uncool Halloween, set for Oct. 27 at The UC Theatre in Berkeley, Calif. The lineup includes a performance by Mt. Eddy, whose lineup includes Jakob Armstrongthe brother of SWMRS drummer Joey Armstrong (both sons of Green Days Billie Joe)who is acting as an extra guitarist on SWMRS current EU/U.K. tour. Watch the video for Berkeleys On Fire (directed by Stanley Kalu and Andrea Granera) below and check out a recording of Figuring It Out from the Paste archives, recorded around the time of Drive Norths initial release, further down. According to current and former senior administration officials, President Donald Trump is expressing renewed interest in Blackwater founder Erik Princes proposal to privatize the war in Afghanistan amid his frustrations with the current U.S. strategy. Princes proposal was first introduced last year and would consist of replacing current troops with private military contractors who work for a special U.S. envoy for the war. These military contractors would directly report to Trump. This proposal has raised concerns from senior military officials, lawmakers and even Trumps own national security team. Their concerns include the impact to security and the overall ethics of the plan. In an interview with NBC, Prince commented on Trumps frustrations. I know hes frustrated, he said. He gave the Pentagon what they wanted. ... And they havent delivered. Prince recently released a video claiming that his plan would save the U.S. money. According to a senior administration official, this video caught the attention of Trump. Prince also announced his plans to launch an aggressive media air campaign over the next few days in an attempt to give Trump a final push toward his plan. However, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said: No such proposal from Erik Prince is under consideration. The president, like most Americans, would like to see more progress in Afghanistan. However, he also recognizes that withdrawing precipitously from Afghanistan would lead to the re-emergence of terrorist safe havens, putting American national security and lives in danger. Last year, Trump announced the current U.S. strategy in Afghanistan that increased U.S. troop presence. However, Jarrett Blanc, who is a former Obama-era special representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan at the State Department, said the new strategy is simply a dressed-up version of the status quo. The aforementioned NSC spokesperson said Trump is still committed to that current strategy. The spokesperson also ensured that Trump receives regular briefings on Afghanistan and that those briefings cover both positive improvements and problematic actions. However, one senior official familiar with the briefs said, The president hears about Afghan military and political progress, and the possibility of reconciliation during his briefings, but he rarely gets the full picture of security on the ground. A defense official warned, The current effort will show results, but it could be another year or more before the new advising mission makes a real, widespread difference on the ground. This slow payoff may increase Trumps interest in Princes plan to privatize the war. The defense official also reported that Princes plan hasnt made it to the Pentagon yet, but could if Trump pushes for it. Meanwhile, a senior State Department official reported that Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both oppose the plan. He went on to claim theres not a chance the plan will be put into action. Do you have what it takes to be a special person in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood? Then you might want to plan to be in Pittsburgh for an open casting call for paid extras on the upcoming Tom Hanks' Mr. Rogers' biopic, entitled "You Are My Friend." As TribLive.com reports, the casting company, Extras Casting, has put out an open call for paid extras. The casting company is looking for extras of all ages -- from infants to adults -- and of ethnicities to be in the film about the PBS children's TV star from Pittsburgh. Extras will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown Pittsburgh, TribLive reports, adding: Extras will be cast for various scenes in the movie -- as New York and Pittsburgh pedestrians, ballroom party guests, journalists, business types, wedding guests, bar and restaurant patrons, hospital staff, and audience members. Because the film is based on an article written for Esquire in 1998, those interested are asked to come dressed in 1990s attire, although it's not a prerequisite for being cast. The movie is slated to be released Oct. 18, 2019. For more information, go to the Movie Casting PGH Facebook page. Tiny lights sparkle like jewels inside the windows at Carlisle's newest restaurant. Jewels of India opens Aug. 22 at 26 N. Hanover St. in the former Andalusia restaurant. As its name implies, the BYOB restaurant and second-floor cooking school will shine a light on the regional cuisines - or jewels - of India. "We want to give them a full experience," said owner Chenna Chakka. He has spent the past couple of weeks installing carpet and lights and painting the walls in blue and gold jewel tones. To assist with the restaurant, Chakka, who also owns several dry cleaning shops in the area, brought in Leena Shenoy, owner of Passage to India in Harrisburg, as a consultant. Shenoy opened Passage in 1993 with her late husband, Vishnu Shenoy, and together they introduced Harrisburg diners to their first taste of Indian food. Jewel of India's menu will combine traditional Indian dishes such as chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken with regional dishes offered as monthly specials. Introducing new dishes will allow the restaurant to highlight different cuisines representing India's 29 states, Shenoy said. "I'm a foodie. When I go to India, I go to all the restaurants possible," she added. Compared to 25 years ago when Passage to India opened, Shenoy said diners today are more adventurous and willing to try non-traditional foods. Among Jewel of India's initial specials will be a Goan crab - crab curry cooked in onion and tomatoes with spices - tuna fish cutlets, chicken Xacuti and a lamb dahi wala. The restaurant also will serve a daily lunch buffet priced at $9.99. The buffet will reflect the menu changes. Starting in the fall, the cooking school will host monthly classes, priced at about $35. Classes will be open to about 45 people and focus on Indian food, from appetizers to entrees. The restaurant will offer discounts to college students, military and senior citizens. It will be open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a Johnstown man after he appeared in Waterloo, New York, trying to sell 1,000 pounds worth of brass military grave markers. New York State Police contacted the Cambria County-based Ebensburg station on Aug. 16, notifying them of the man, not identified in the release, who was trying to sell the markers. NYSP called the Ebensburg barracks because the markers had Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, markings on them. Police said it is likely the markers were stolen from cemeteries within the Ebensburg barrack's jurisdiction. State Police, Edensburg, are looking for families who may have been victimized by these thefts. Anyone with information can call the barracks at 814-471-6500. Nancy Eshelman Barry didn't sleep well Tuesday night. The release of the grand jury report on sexual abuse by priests stirred decades-old memories. The boat. The school bus that served as a cabin. Motel rooms. Swimming nude at the CYO while two priests watched. Priests Francis A. Bach and Joseph M. Pease co-owned a boat they kept in Goldsboro. Beginning in the mid-60s, Barry (not his real name) went there several times with other boys from school. Barry remembers the school bus contained cots. He was not abused there, but suspects others were. His abuse would come later. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro pointed to Pease as a textbook example of the church's failure to deal with sexual predators by simply moving them around. He also was one of many priests sent to an internal treatment center in an attempt to cure him. Bach, said Barry, was Pease's buddy. Barry came in contact with the priests while attending parochial schools in Harrisburg. He attended St. Lawrence until fourth grade and then St. Patrick's at the cathedral. Sometimes, he recalled, Bach would come into religion class and pull out all the boys. He would take them outside to clean up the area around the school. The priest would "reward" them by taking them over to the CYO building where they would strip and swim nude. Barry suspects now that as Bach and Pease watched the swimmers, they were selecting their victims. READ MORE: Like a good Catholic boy, Barry served as an altar boy and was involved in church music. Those sorts of activities made parents proud. So when Bach asked if he could take Barry to Mount Carmel to visit the priest's mother, his parents were pleased that their son had earned such a special reward. Several times the two made the trip. After they visited the priest's mother, they would head to a Holiday Inn, where Barry swam. Bach would take Barry out to dinner. When they returned to the room, Bach would fondle him. As a child, Barry never told his parents. If the thought crossed his mind, he figured he wouldn't be believed. "I don't even remember how many times it happened," Barry said. "It wasn't like every day because he had other kids." His abuse ended, he said, early in high school. Bach took him to a new, bigger boat on the Chesapeake Bay. They had dinner. But back at the boat, Barry said, "Enough." The abuse ended, but the memories haunted him. That was around the time, Barry said, that he changed. "I just started doing things I would have never done. I can't blame every mistake I made on the abuse, but I'm pretty damn sure my life has changed in ways it wouldn't have," he said. "It sends you down a path that you're not ready for." A decade or so ago, when he was in his 50s, Barry, who still lives in the Harrisburg area, contacted the diocese and shared his story. He learned then he wasn't the first to report abuse by Bach. The diocese offered Barry counseling. He didn't continue with it because he felt the counselor was more concerned about Barry's relationship with the church than he was with his well-being. Although he said he has tried to swallow his anger, he knows it simmers under the surface. "My biggest anger is that they did nothing to stop it," he said. With the grand jury report, "I feel better that the names of the (abusers) are out there. I'm not happy that guilty people just walked - and not just the perpetrators. "Somebody should be paying for this, not moneywise," he said. "It's a crime." And a crime, he said, that should have no statute of limitations. While any abuse is horrifying, abuse by a religious leader, Barry said, "not only takes your innocence, it takes your faith." While Barry has lost faith in the church, he said his personal relationship with the Almighty remains intact. After 50 years of dealing with the fallout from his abuse, Barry has reached a conclusion: "My adult opinion is that any religion that gives God's power to humans, over humans, will fail. We do not possess the wisdom or self-control to own that kind of power." NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net LOCK HAVEN - The defense in a 27-year-old Clinton County homicide case accuses the prosecution of "reckless and at worst, intentional" conduct. Attorneys for Loyd W. Groves make the charge in a motion asking the case be dismissed or the murder trial moved to another county. Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel J. Dye opposes the motion claiming the media coverage did not compromise the case. Loyd Groves Lycoming County Senior Judge Kenneth D. Brown, who is specially assigned, on Wednesday scheduled a Sept. 11 hearing on the motion. At issue is what occurred following a June 26 county court hearing at which the testimony of a cancer-stricken prosecution witness was taken so it could be preserved for trial. Following the hearing, reporters from The Express in Lock Haven were advised that investigators and Dye were going to a property outside Lock Haven where Groves lived when Katherine Dolan Heckel disappeared in 1991. The reporters followed, took pictures and described in an article the search of the property. The article stated Dye addressed the reporters saying the investigators, that included state police and members of a FBI task force, would follow up on every lead. Groves' trial had been scheduled to begin June 18 but was postponed after the defense said it needed more time upon learning the accused's former wife had spoken with police three days earlier. "The new information provided by the defendant's ex-wife led to additional investigative efforts in an attempt to locate the body of the victim," Dye wrote explaining the reason for the search. "Those efforts included the use of cadaver dogs, metal detectors and foot searches of the Groves property in June and July 2018," Groves' lead defense attorney, David Lindsay, points out in his motion that Brown on June 18 had directed the parties to cease communications with media to avoid prejudicing potential jurors. Neither he nor co-counsel George E. Lepley has "ever seen, or been involved in, a criminal matter wherein the media was allowed unfettered access to an ongoing investigation" as described in The Express article, Lindsay wrote. He contends the conduct and the effect it will have on Groves' ability to receive a fair trial violated his due process rights. Dye responded that the commonwealth has made no comment on the facts of the case, so media coverage is not a basis to dismiss the charges. He points out a defense team member discussed plea negotiations with a Pennlive.com reporter in June just prior to when jury selection had been scheduled. If Brown does not dismiss the charges, he should issue an order condemning the prosecution and provide Groves appropriate remedial relief, the defense argues. Sanctions should be imposed to cover the defendant's expenses if the judge find the need to move the trial out of county, the motion claims. Groves, 69, is charged with killing Heckel, who was last seen July 15, 1991, leaving the former International Paper Co. mill in Lock Haven for lunch. Groves was an industrial hygienist there. READ MORE: New evidence delays trial in 1991 murder case in which body has never been found Groves became a suspect immediately because of the extramarital affair he was having with her. But, he was not arrested until January 2015 in Beaver where he was living. He has been jailed since without bail. A statewide grand jury presentment states DNA evidence established to a mathematical certainty blood found in the area where carpet was removed from Groves' van belonged to Heckel. He gave different accounts to the grand jury on why he discarded the carpet sections, the document states. The grand jury report also states witnesses observed Groves' hostile behavior toward Heckel prior to her disappearance but a lack of dismay or concern after she went missing. Groves, who is being held without bail, could not account for his whereabouts during that period or explain his sudden memory loss, it states. At the time of her disappearance, Heckel's husband John was on duty with the National Guard at Fort Drum, N.Y. The couple was married in 1973. He told the grand jury he suspected his wife was having an extramarital affair but was unable to confirm it. Jury selection currently in scheduled for Nov. 13. Although it is not a death penalty case, prospective jurors will be interviewed individually. Detours will be in place on a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Dauphin and Lebanon counties over the next two weekends so crews can replace bridge beams in a section of the roadway. The detours will be in effect on Interstate 76 between Exit 247 (Harrisburg East) and Exit 266 (Lebanon-Lancaster). They will be in effect this weekend from 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 3:00 a.m. Sunday. The detours will also be in effect from 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, to 4 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. The detours will be in place so crews can safely remove and replace existing bridge beams at milepost 251. Detours are as follows: Travelers heading east should take Exit 247 (Harrisburg East) to I-283 North to US 322 East to SR 72 South to return to Turnpike at Exit 266 (Lebanon-Lancaster). Travelers heading west should take Exit 266 (Lebanon-Lancaster) to SR 72 North to US 322 West to I-283 South to return to Turnpike at Exit 247 (Harrisburg East). Message boards will be activated to notify motorists of any delays. For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources. Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here. Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com. Former Harrisburg Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades on Friday announced plans to release the names of priests in his current diocese who have been accused of sexually molesting children. Rhoades, the head of Fort Wayne-South Bend (Indiana) Dioceses, explained that he made his decision in an effort to foster reconciliation and healing among victims. "As leaders, we have an obligation to protect the vulnerable who cannot protect themselves. As a bishop, I have worked to expose and punish those responsible for abuse," Rhoades said. "If the Pennsylvania grand jury report taught us anything, it's that victims deserve to see the names of their abusers made public for all to see. For everyone to know the pain caused by these priests." Rhoades made his announcement just days after the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General released a scathing grand jury report into widespread and systemic child sex crimes across six dioceses in Pennsylvania. The findings, announced Tuesday by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, identifies 301 priests who have been credibly accused of rape or sexual molestion of more than 1,000 children over six decades. Shapiro warned that more victims will likely come forth as a result of the report. Grand jury presentation on child sex abuse in Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania 53 Gallery: Grand jury presentation on child sex abuse in Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania According to the grand jury report, Rhoades in 2006 wrote that his predecessor, Bishop Nicholas Dattilo "was personally aware" of a predator priest by the name of William Presley. The priest, who had been accused of sexual abuse while serving in the Diocese of Erie, retired to Lancaster, within the Harrisburg diocese, in 2000. The ninth bishop of Harrisburg, Rhoades, who grew up in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon Catholic High School in 1975, served as head of the Harrisburg Diocese from 2004-2010. Rhoades, who left Harrisburg for Fort Wayne, in 2010, also wrote that, "were this information to become known, especially in the light of his offers of public assistance at Mass in several parishes, great public scandal would arise within this diocese." Rhoades on Friday called the details of the grand jury report "equally appalling and heartbreaking." "The church failed you. For that, I apologize," he told victims. Rhoades emphasized that during his tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend he has released the name of every priest removed from ministry as a result of a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Current Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer earlier this month released the names of 72 priests who have been credibly accused of child sex crimes. Gainer also took the unprecedented measure of ordering the removal of the names of all of his predecessors dating to 1947 from diocesan buildings. He stressed that he hoped the release of the names of accused priests would bring about a healing process for victims. "In the shadow of this report, we must make an effort to regain the trust of our faithful and the communities we serve," he said. ".We must be vigilant in our efforts to protect our youth. With the Lord's guidance and love, we will do so." Rhoades noted that the grand jury report mentions two cases of abuse that were brought to his attention while bishop in Harrisburg. "In each of these instances, upon learning of the allegations, I notified law enforcement and punished each individual, even though both had already been removed from ministry after previous allegations," he said. "I have upheld an unwavering commitment to child safety both in the Diocese of Harrisburg and now, right here, in the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend." The Vatican on Thursday issued a statement regarding the Pennsylvania report. Vatican has issued a statement expressing "shame and sorrow" for the crimes. "The Holy See treats with great seriousness the work of the Investigating Grand Jury of Pennsylvania and the lengthy interim report it has produced," the Vatican said in the statement. "The Holy See unequivocally condemns the sexual abuse of minors." "The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible," the Vatican said. "Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith. The Church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur." Bishop Ronald Gainer opened his homily at the Friday noontime Mass of Forgiveness at St. Patrick Cathedral with the disturbing words of the beginning paragraph in the grand jury report on the rampant clergy sex abuse of teens and children in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. "We, the members of this grand jury, need you to hear this. We know some of you have heard some of it before. There have been other reports about child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. But never on this scale. For many of us, those earlier stories happened someplace else, somewhere place away. Now we know the truth: it happened everywhere," he read. With that, an apologetic Gainer launched into a nearly eight-minute homily during the well-attended mass inside the ornate sanctuary located a half block away from the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The head of the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Gainer expressed his "heartfelt sorrow and sincere apology to all survivors of clergy sexual abuse." He said the Harrisburg Diocese today is a different one from 15 years ago. The bishop announced a year-long effort to "address our need for a spiritual conversion" and "repentance for these grievous sins." "We all know the saying 'words are cheap.' By my words in these last weeks and my words now in this mass are invested with profound remorse, firm resolve and consistent action that these horrific actions by some members of the clergy which violated the dignity and innocence of children must be absolutely eliminated from the church's life," Gainer said. But the church has changed, he said. Over the past decade, the church has taken "significant and effective measures to protect our children and to identify and remove any person who would intend to do harm to them," he said. Outside the cathedral before Friday's mass, a woman handed out white ribbons to show support for the survivors of abuse. A security guard stood inside the entrance to the church, outside the sanctuary. While Gainer's message alluded a few times to the grand jury report, one part he did not address was the criticism in it targeted toward him. The Harrisburg diocese has sought to defend Gainer's actions in the wake of the report's release. Grand jury findings The grand jury slammed the Harrisburg bishop for refusing to defrock James Pease, a priest who was accused in 1995 of sexually abusing a boy, from the priesthood. It was not until 2003 that Pease retired and was removed from active ministry. The allegations of abuse were reported to police, but they determined the allegations were too old to prosecute. Gainer was installed at bishop in the Harrisburg diocese in 2014, and wrote a letter to the Vatican about Pease's case that year, in which he advised against any church trial or stripping Pease of his priesthood. "The grand jury disagrees," the panel's report states. "While removing Pease from ministry was a start, he was clearly unfit to carry the title of priest. Moreover, public knowledge of Pease's crime is exactly what was required in service to the public and Pease's victims." This week, the Harrisburg diocese issued a statement defending Gainer's handling of the Pease case and the case of The Rev. James Beeman. Once a chaplain for the state prison at Camp Hill, Beeman was accused of raping a 7-year-old girl while visiting her in the hospital after she had her tonsils removed. Beeman raped her again when she was 13, the girl reported, and again when she was 19 and pregnant, the grand jury report stated. Beeman also fondled the genitals of three other girls between 1958 and 1972, the grand jury said. The grand jury report noted that Gainer wrote to the Vatican regarding Beeman in 2014. "I believe that the scandal caused by his admission of the sexual abuse of minor girls has been sufficiently repaired by his acceptance of the penal precepts," Gainer wrote. The diocese issued a statement after the grand jury report was released saying Gainer's recommendations regarding Pease and Beeman had been misconstrued. Stripping Pease of his priesthood "would have required a church trial, and that "was not a viable option against Joseph Pease in 2014 given his diminished mental capacity," the statement read. "As such, Bishop Gainer, in a form letter meant solely to resolve his canonical status, recommended Joseph Pease live out his days in prayer and penance. The form letter is regrettably not written well and does not accurately represent the action that was taken." The diocese noted that in 2014, Beeman was 88 years old and in declining health; he died in 2016. Beeman had been suspended for two decades and an allegation of child sex abuse was reported to authorities in 1988, the diocese said. In its statement this week, the diocese said that Gainer hadn't attempted to cover up the abuses of Pease and Beeman. "The status of both of these men was not addressed for many years prior to Bishop Gainer coming to Harrisburg," the diocese said. "Bishop Gainer acted appropriately and definitively to get these men out of the Church as soon as possible. Survivors come forward In his remarks to the attentive congregants seated before him, Gainer said that since the public release of the names of clergy in the diocese who had accusations of abuse made against them, several survivors have come forward. He welcomed others to do so and "allow us to support them along the path of healing." Gainer said survivors told him that making that list public has been a healing experience for them. "Survivors who have contacted me expressed relief that they finally felt affirmed and believed that the one who had abused them was outed," Gainer said. The road ahead to restoring Catholics' trust and credibility in the church will be a long and challenging one, he said, but they will do so together trusting in the Lord will be at their side. "The practical changes to avoid repeating the sad and troubling past are in place and are being faithfully observed and will continue to be improved in our diocese," he said. The year-long effort started with Friday's Mass of Forgiveness, Adoration of the Sacrament and Service of Repentance to begin the process of making "reparation for the sins committed and calling out for God's mercy and healing." The prayer that followed was riddled with references to the scandal. Petitions were made for those who have been abused by clergy, survivors of abuse, families whose lives were broken by the failings of church leaders, for the protection of all children. The prayer included petitions for those "whose faith has been shaken by scandal and failure of church leaders," for those in public office as they pursue laws to safeguard children's wellbeing, and for the complete repentance of those who committed the crime of child abuse and ignored cries of the helpless. Finding comfort As parishioners exited the church, some commented that the bishop's words brought them peace and comfort. One woman was offended that the media had been invited to be present during the service, saying it should have been kept private. Joe Carduff of Harrisburg praised the bishop for being a "brave strong leader when we really need one. I also would like to see the pope come visit us again and visit these diocese where it happened. I think it would help. Everyone pray for us." "It was a wonderful service. I give him a lot of credit. I've lost a couple of friends over this because I refuse to demonize every religion or priest over this," said parishioner April Moore of Harrisburg. "They didn't have to do this." Randy Lee of Harrisburg said he was surprised by the way the bishop started his homily but it made sense. "You can't heal until you confront the wound and that 's really what the bishop has been trying to do," he said. "We have to be ready to be healed to move forward and embrace the peace that God wants us to live in. When we're ready to embrace that peace, we can begin the process of healing. That's why he's talking about let's start with a year." Harrisburg diocese's statement regarding Joseph Pease and James Beeman by Teresa Bonner on Scribd A Dauphin County judge sided with a former Harrisburg School District business manager who alleged school officials didn't handle his demotion properly last year. Judge John F. Cherry vacated the school board's previous decision to demote Kenn Medina and ordered a rehearing on the matter after Medina filed a lawsuit. The ruling represents the second legal entanglement revealed this week against the district. The teachers' union announced Wednesday that the district's human resources department violated their collective bargaining agreement by paying newly recruited teachers more than veteran city teachers. The HR department then asked 65 of the new teachers to repay about $500,000 from the "inflated" salaries they earned in the past two years. Medina served as business manager starting in April 2016 at a salary of $120,000. He received a satisfactory performance review in February 2017 and a raise to $121,898 that June, according to his lawsuit. But 10 days later, Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney placed him on administrative leave and gave him a list of four alleged infractions: Failure to notify the superintendent of a large vehicle loss Submitted budget to the state department of education with incorrect totals and figures Failure to schedule and execute building renovations at John Harris and other properties Failure to make arrangements for mail pickup and delivery at the district properties. The district held an internal "Loudermill," or due process, hearing after which administrators confirmed the allegations and recommended Medina be demoted to program grants administrator. Medina appealed the decision to the school board, of which five members confirmed the demotion after three days of closed-door hearings. The school district solicitor then informed Medina that his salary in his new position would be $60,000, or less than half his previous salary. Medina began working in his new position, but hired an attorney. The attorney, Sean Fields, told school officials they had not provided Medina with a written adjudication required under the Local Agency Law or documentation that the school board had voted on his new salary, which violated the School Code under state law. According to Medina's lawsuit: School districts are limited in removing business managers, superintendents and assistant superintendents under Section 1089 of the School code to a certain number of reasons: "incompetency, intemperance, neglect of duty, violation of any of the school laws of this Commonwealth or other improper conduct." School officials argued that Medina's reassignment did not constitute a "removal" under Section 1089, which Medina's lawsuit said was "absurd. "Under the school district's interpretation of Section 1089, it would have the unlimited power to reassign Medina to a custodial staff position at a salary of $10 per hour. Such an interpretation ...would render the statutory safeguards specific to business administrators meaningless and ineffective." Fields also alleged in the lawsuit that administrators violated district policy by not providing Medina with an employee evaluation prior to his removal. The lawsuit alleged that the administration did not present substantial evidence of the original allegations during his hearings but instead presented evidence that differed considerably from the original allegations. Knight-Burney also testified that Medina had not been previously disciplined, reprimanded or subjected to progressive discipline. "The only form of documentation regarding Medina's job performance was a June 29, 2017, reprimand letter that preceded the administration's hasty action to remove Medina from his position," according to the lawsuit. Medina's new position as grants director was one of about 50 eliminated from the budget this summer when district officials had to find $8 million in cuts to balance the budget. Medina told PennLive he got crossways with Knight-Burney soon after he was hired when he called attention to the theft of $30,000 in computer equipment from the Marshall Math Science Academy. He believes the relationship got worse after he asked questions about the measurable outcomes of an annual academic achievement contract awarded to one of Knight-Burney's former assistant superintendents, Barbara Hasan, who retired in 2014. The charges Knight-Burney outlined for his demotion weren't accurate, Medina said. He said he was investigating after an employee crashed a school van into a telephone pole whether it was better for the district to repair it or "total" it as a loss when Knight-Burney asked him where the situation stood. The district stood to lose a $2,500 insurance deductible, he said, and he believed she was already aware of the crash. The figures he provided to the state education department for the last budget year also were accurate within .27 percent, he said, when the prior year's budget submitted by the previous business manager was 1.4 percent off. Medina previously worked in the York city school district as business manager but was let go, according to the York Dispatch. District administrators told the newspaper earlier this year that they believed Medina's office made errors in the 2011-12 budget that threw it "out of whack," including forgetting to account for all charter school payments. Medina represented the seventh business manager to serve under Knight-Burney since she was hired as superintendent in 2011, according to testimony during Medina's hearings. The district has not publicly commented on Medina's lawsuit. The district could agree to the rehearing ordered by Cherry, appeal his ruling, allow Medina to return as business manager, or try to reach a settlement with Medina. The business manager's position is currently filled by acting manager Bilal Hasan, but the state department of education requested in June that the district conduct a search for an experienced business manager. According to the Burg magazine: Education Secretary Pedro Rivera said the district's chief financial officer and business manager do not meet the criteria set forth in its five-year recovery plan, which calls for full-time, permanent, highly qualified employees to fill both positions. Former Harrisburg Business Manager Kenn Medina's petitioner brief by PennLive on Scribd Order Vacating Respondent's Decision and Remanding Matter by PennLive on Scribd Officials at Tanger Outlets in Lancaster are still waiting for engineers to present a plan to repair the large sinkhole that opened up last week. Mall spokeswoman Monica Trego said engineers have to present to the mall's senior construction team in Greensburg, South Carolina. "Their goal was to enlist multiple engineers, not just one, to ensure we're putting together a plan we can move very quickly on for repair," she said. If all goes accordingly, crews could begin work by Tuesday or Wednesday, but Trego noted that nothing is certain. All of the shops are open for business. The sinkhole formed around 4:30 p.m. Friday in a year-old section of the outlet in East Lampeter Township, trapping several cars in the process. No one was injured, but one woman was stuck in her car. All of the cars were removed by crane with some of them sustaining minor damage. Crews have blocked off about 95 parking spaces, but Trego said the sinkhole affected about 20. Officials have not yet said what may have caused the sinkhole. A New Providence man is accused of crashing into a car that was carrying a pregnant woman, ultimately killing the baby, police said. Charles Singleton, 45, was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person and multiple summary charges, according to a release from Pennsylvania State Police. Singleton was driving an Isuzu Trooper south on Beaver Valley Pike in the area of Walnut Run Road in Strasburg Township, around midnight on July 17, 2017, police said. The Isuzu crossed over into the northbound lane and hit a Volkswagen Jetta. The Volkswagen was transporting two women, neither of which were identified by police. One of those women was pregnant, police said. Singleton and both women were taken to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment. Due to the severity of the pregnant woman's injuries, she was forced to undergo an emergency cesarean surgery to deliver her baby, police said. The baby girl was born alive, but was unable to overcome her injuries from the crash. At the time of the state police release, Singleton had not been arraigned, according to online court documents. EDITOR'S NOTE: In this story, The Associated Press erroneously reported how a bill passed by the Pennsylvania House in 2016 would have changed state law. The legislation would have allowed lawsuits to be filed on decades-old abuse claims now barred by statutes of limitations, but it would not have required those lawsuits to be filed within a new two-year window. The AP also erroneously reported the title for a religious studies professor at the University of Pittsburgh. She is the John and Lucine O'Brien Marous Chair of Contemporary Catholic Studies, not the O'Brien Chair of Catholic Studies. HARRISBURG -- Reeling from a landmark grand jury report on child sexual abuse, the leadership of Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic Church is under pressure to support a change in state law to give those victims -- now adults -- a temporary opportunity to file lawsuits on decades-old abuse claims. So far, it has been avoiding the topic. It is a change in state law that bishops have successfully fought in recent years even as a handful of other states have opened such windows to let victims sue the church, raising the prospect of massive payouts. In a report released Tuesday, a state grand jury said it found that more than 1,000 children were molested or raped by over 300 "predator priests" in six Pennsylvania dioceses since the 1940s. It said a succession of bishops and other diocesan leaders worked to shield the church from bad publicity and financial liability by shuffling abusive priests around parishes rather than reporting complaints to police, permitting hundreds of known offenders to return to ministry. Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a challenge to the bishops. If they truly have changed and no longer tolerate sexual abuse, Shapiro said, they should immediately support several changes in law recommended by the grand jury, including one allowing a new two-year window to bring claims regardless how old the cases are. READ MORE: Where accused priests served; bishops' roles: Clergy sex abuse report details In the days since the report was made public, the bishops have expressed sorrow about the horrific findings of the grand jury and said the church today deals swiftly with priests who abuse children. But they have been nearly silent about Shapiro's request. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, which speaks for all the state's dioceses, said it was "devastated and outraged by the revelations of terrible sexual abuse crimes committed in the Catholic Church." But, it said, "the time to discuss legislation will come later." The church may have a difficult path forward as it seeks to restore public trust and also ensure the financial viability of its ministries. Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico, singled out for praise by the attorney general for his response to the investigation, told The Associated Press on Thursday that bishops are reviewing the grand jury's recommendations, which also include wiping out time limits for prosecutors to pursue criminal charges in older child sex abuse cases. Persico acknowledged there is concern about how lawsuits would affect church finances, "but there's also a concern for the victims, that they get justice." "It's a two-edged sword isn't it? You have to be concerned about the victim and the church's ministries," said Persico, the only bishop who agreed to testify in person to the grand jury. READ MORE: Clergy sex abuse report delivers a scathing rebuke on Catholic Church officials: overview Dioceses across the country have paid more than $3 billion in settlements with victims since 1950, according to the bishops' own studies and news reports. Liability insurance covered some of the payouts, but many dioceses have had to sell off major properties to help cover the costs and about a dozen of the 197 U.S. dioceses have sought bankruptcy protection in the face of abuse claims. Childhood victims rarely report the abuse until years later, and few, if any, of the victims cited in the grand jury report can sue today because they've exceeded time limits under Pennsylvania law. Timothy Hale, a California lawyer who represents child sex abuse victims and helped successfully sue the Los Angeles Archdiocese and the San Diego Diocese for a combined $858 million, dismissed concerns about dioceses being bankrupted. Seeking bankruptcy protection is a strategic move dioceses make to limit their financial exposure, and the vast majority of dioceses have insurance coverage and extensive financial assets that the public knows nothing about, Hale said. In any case, the greatest value of civil lawsuits is forcing dioceses to improve how they protect children and uncovering more abusers, Hale said. Paula Kane, a professor of religious studies and the O'Brien Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, said the church has long made secret payments -- to victims and abusive priests -- to hush up the scandal. If it needs to, the church can take up collections for its ministries, Kane said. Legal scholars disagree over whether creating a two-year window to sue in Pennsylvania would even be constitutional. Currently, a 2002 Pennsylvania law gives victims of childhood sexual abuse until they turn 30 to sue. Before that, victims had to file suit within two years of an alleged incident. The Pennsylvania House approved a two-year window in 2016 but the measure was blocked in the Senate. The Republican House majority leader, Dave Reed, said Thursday that he plans to try again as early as next month. "If not now, then what would force people to deal with this issue head on," Reed said. "I don't think there is one, if this is not it." ___ Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter. ROYERSFORD, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania teacher who portrays a Nazi villain named Blitzkrieg at local professional wrestling events can keep his teaching job. The superintendent of the Spring-Ford Area School District says an investigation of sixth-grade teacher Kevin Bean found no evidence that he violated school board policy. The Daily Local reports Superintendent David Goodin made the announcement in a letter to parents. The district launched a probe last month after video surfaced of Bean performing at a wrestling event in the Philadelphia suburbs. It showed Bean, as Blitzkrieg, carrying a flag bearing the German Iron Cross and chanting the "Sieg Heil" Nazi salute. The letter includes an apology from Bean, saying the character doesn't reflect his personal beliefs. He says he prides himself on "providing an exceptional education to his students." ___ Information from: Daily Local News, http://www.dailylocal.com A Shippensburg woman is accused of using a company credit card to spend more than $13,000 in addition to another $5,000 from a second card. Martina L. Lebo, 50, was charged with two counts of felony access device fraud, according to online court documents. Chambersburg Police said Patriot Federal Credit Union in the 800 block of Wayne Avenue, Chambersburg, reported the fraudulent activity on a corporate credit card on May 9, 2018. Lebo, a former employee of Rosalie's Fabulous Grille, made several purchases using the restaurant's card, totaling $13,292, police said. As police investigated the fraud, a second victim came forward, police said. Lebo is accused of using that person's card to spend an additional $5,484. Lebo was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Glenn Manns on Thursday. Bail was set for Lebo at $75,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28. If there was ever an argument for reining in the generous salary and suite of perks that Pennsylvania's 253 state lawmakers receive, it's state Rep. Margo Davidson. The Delaware County Democrat has stuck taxpayers with $30,000 in auto repair bills to her state-provided vehicles over the past three years, Philly.com reported this week, citing information it obtained from Right-To-Know requests. Davidson has been in three accidents over the past three years and she's been cited for driving with a suspended license. A rundown of the crashes, according to Philly.com. In January, Davidson rear-ended a vehicle on I-476 while driving her state-provided Jeep Cherokee. She didn't report the crash to state officials as regulations for using state-owned vehicles require. She was found guilty of driving without a license and failing to notify police. In February, just three weeks later, she struck another car while backing out of a driveway. She was still driving without a license. In 2015, she rear-ended a car while driving a state-provided Dodge Journey in Lansdowne. Davidson told her hometown news organization that "accidents unfortunately happen from time to time when people drive." Give us a break, Rep. Davidson. Accidents, yes, sometimes do happen. But as the data above appear to make clear, Davidson - who was first elected to the House in 2010 - was negligent in at least two of those incidents. That's not the cruel hand of fate. That's carelessness and disregard for the safety of fellow motorists. She also told Philly.com that the costs associated with her multiple crashes "are not out of the ordinary when someone is involved in an accident." That's easy for Davidson to say. She's not the one being stuck with the bill. Her constituents - and the rest of us - are. And most of us would have a heck of a time coughing up that kind of money. We'd simply watch our insurance rates skyrocket instead. Voters deserve far better than her patronizing shrug. Fortunately, there is a remedy. State Rep. Brad Roae, a Crawford County Republican, is sponsoring legislation that would strip lawmakers of their taxpayer-funded vehicles. Like their constituents, that means lawmakers would have to drive their own cars to work and charge back the mileage for their travel. In a December 2016 memo seeking support for his bill, Roae wrote that 20 of 203 House members drove state-leased cars - which cost the taxpayers up to $650 a month in lease payments. That's compared to 183 who use their own vehicles. Those leased vehicles, Roae noted, "can be used for campaign purposes, for personal use and also for official state business." "If 90 percent of the miles driven on these vehicles are logged as 'official business,' taxpayers pay for 90 percent of the lease payment," Roae wrote. But, he added, "There is currently not a way to monitor these miles to ensure that personal mileage and campaign mileage is not mistakenly logged as business mileage. It is also an unnecessary liability exposure to risk an accident in a state vehicle being used for personal business. This is also a very expensive program to maintain for the 10 percent of Members who actually use it." No kidding. Davidson is Example No.1. Pennsylvania's state lawmakers already earn a base salary of $87,180. Only one state - California - pays its lawmakers more. That's on top of a pension, bottomless expenses and healthcare for life. That's a way better deal than most of the people they represent. Lawmakers can do just fine without a state-leased car at the public's expense. Pairing Northern Michigan craft beer with Halloween candy Parents who like to steal a piece of candy or two may find that Halloween candy pairs nicely with area craft beer. 2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Not long after Donald Trump attacked the Boston Globe on his Twitter account on Thursday, the newspaper received a bomb threat that forced them to step up security. According to Boston 7 News, There is an increased police presence at The Boston Globes headquarters after a bomb threat was made against the newspaper Thursday in wake of a tweet that was sent out by President Trump, officials said. Luckily, the news agency reports that the threat against the newspaper is not super serious, but that isnt stopping the FBI from looking into it. The president sent out this tweet Thursday morning after the Globe and hundreds of other newspapers defended the free press in a series of editorials: The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 Somebody is going to get hurt The entire rationale for Thursdays push by newspapers all across the country was to defend the free press from the dangerous attacks being lobbed against them by the president of the United States. Instead of celebrating journalism, even if he doesnt always like the reporting, this weak and insecure president again went on the attack and just hours later, one of Americas leading newspapers received a bomb threat. As Trumps presidency continues to be buried in scandal and legal trouble, the White House has stepped up its attacks on the free press. At his rallies and on social media, Trump has talked about the media in disgusting and dangerous terms. Its only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt, and when that happens, the president of the United States will be directly responsible. 1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rachel Maddow sounded the alarm on Thursday, saying that Donald Trump isnt just using his power to go after his critics; hes also targeting key witnesses in Robert Muellers investigation. Maddow said that the practical effect of Trumps move to terminate the security clearance of former intelligence officials is to interfere with that former official accessing his or her own notes and files to use during key testimony. Video: Maddow said: What if the practical effect of taking away a security clearance from a former official who was involved in the formative stages of the Russian investigation is that you interfere with that former official accessing his or her own notes and files? His or her own materials? From the former agency where those people worked during their time working on the Russia investigation. According to Brennan, thats something that youd need to do and that you might employ your security clearance to do if youre going to be questioned on these matters as part of ongoing investigations. Look at the list. Look at almost all the names on the list of people the president wants to do this to. Brennan, CIA director during the Russia attack. Clapper, director of national intelligence during the Russia attack. Comey, director of the FBI during the Russia attack. McCabe, deputy director of the FBI during the Russia attack. Strzok, head of counterintelligence at the FBI during the Russia attack. Susan Rice, national security adviser during the Russia attack. Sally Yates, deputy attorney general during the Russia attack. Security clearances may or may not be something any of these people are using for their current work. But if they are stripped of their clearances or blocked from ever getting them again, what does that do to their ability to prepare for testimony and to testify if need be? We have good reason, after all, to think that a bunch of these people might have important things to say provided they can speak about classified material in a classified setting. Trump himself admitted this is all about Russia For a president who repeatedly says he isnt guilty of obstruction, Donald Trump certainly obstructs justice a lot. On Thursday, he even admitted that his decision to terminate Brennans security clearance was directly connected to the Russia investigation. As Maddow noted, reporting on Thursday suggests that Brennan was only the first, and Trump plans to target other former intelligence officials with similar connections to the Russia investigation. Its bad enough for a president to abuse his authority to go after his critics. But Trumps behavior goes well beyond that. He isnt just waging war on those who criticize him. He is systematically attacking key witnesses in Robert Muellers Russia investigation. In doing so, the president has only bolstered the special counsels already-strong case that he is guilty of obstructing justice. 617 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Christopher Bing WASHINGTON (Reuters) A majority of U.S. states has adopted technology that allows the federal government to see inside state computer systems managing voter data or voting devices in order to root out hackers. Two years after Russian hackers breached voter registration databases in Illinois and Arizona, most states have begun using the government-approved equipment, according to three sources with knowledge of the deployment. Voter registration databases are used to verify the identity of voters when they visit polling stations. The rapid adoption of the so-called Albert sensors, a $5,000 piece of hardware developed by the Center for Internet Security https://www.cisecurity.org, illustrates the broad concern shared by state government officials ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, government cybersecurity experts told Reuters. CIS is a nonprofit organization based in East Greenbush, N.Y., that helps governments, businesses and organization fight computer intrusions. Weve recently added Albert sensors to our system because I believe voting systems have tremendous vulnerabilities that we need to plug; but also the voter registration systems are a concern, said Neal Kelley, chief of elections for Orange County, California. Thats one of the things I lose sleep about: Its what can we do to protect voter registration systems? As of August 7, 36 of 50 states had installed Albert at the elections infrastructure level, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. The official said that 74 individual sensors across 38 counties and other local government offices have been installed. Only 14 such sensors were installed before the U.S. presidential election in 2016. We have more than quadrupled the number of sensors on state and county networks since 2016, giving the election community as a whole far greater visibility into potential threats than weve ever had in the past, said Matthew Masterson, a senior adviser on election security for DHS. The 14 states that do not have a sensor installed ahead of the 2018 midterm elections have either opted for another solution, are planning to do so shortly or have refused the offer because of concerns about federal government overreach. Those 14 states were not identified by officials. But enough have installed them that cybersecurity experts can begin to track intrusions and share that information with all states. The technology directly feeds data about cyber incidents through a non-profit cyber intelligence data exchange and then to DHS. When you start to get dozens, hundreds of sensors, like we have now, you get real value, said John Gilligan, the chief executive of CIS. As we move forward, there are new sensors that are being installed literally almost every day. Our collective objective is that all voter infrastructure in states has a sensor. Top U.S. intelligence officials have predicted that hackers working for foreign governments will target the 2018 and 2020 elections. Maria Benson, a spokesperson for the National Association of Secretaries of States, said that in some cases installations have been delayed because of the time spent working out technical and contractual arrangements. South Dakota and Wyoming are among the states without Albert fully deployed to protect election systems, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The South Dakota Secretary of States office did not respond to a request for comment. The Wyoming Secretary of States office said it is currently considering expanding use of the sensors. (Reporting by Chris Bing; Editing by Damon Darlin and Dan Grebler) 1.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks said Donald Trumps push to strip the security clearance of former intelligence officials is eerily similar to the tactics used by Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. It is exactly the same thing, Wine-Banks said during an interview with MSNBCs Ali Velshi. It is something that he didnt get away with during the Watergate era. On Wednesday, Trump revoked former CIA director John Brennans security clearance as political payback for Brennans public criticisms of the president. Jill Wine-Banks explained how this behavior mirrors Nixons, and she said Trump should be held accountable in the same way. Video: Wine-Banks said: It is exactly the same thing. And it is something that [Nixon] didnt get away with during the Watergate era and that the president shouldnt be allowed to get away with. We need more people who will stand up and tell the truth to Donald Trump, not fewer. Instead of taking away security clearances, he should be listening to them. When Nixon used the enemies list, he used the IRS to go after his reported enemies which included mainly a lot of journalists and that seems to be one of the big targets of Donald Trump. But now hes actually going against civil servants and the intelligence community, which puts at risk our national security. Not just the freedom of the press, but the freedom of our whole country is at risk with this. So its probably even more serious than Watergate. Trumps presidency is on the verge of collapse From so many different legal and political angles, Donald Trumps presidency is on the verge of collapse. He may not verbally acknowledge this, but his panicked behavior has made it abundantly clear. From his increasingly erratic tweets to his targeting of former intelligence officials to his repeated efforts to undermine Robert Muellers investigation, Trump is not acting like a man who knows he is innocent. As Donald Trumps behavior continues to deteriorate, the threat he poses to the rule of law and the national security of the United States continues to increase. His presidency should share the same fate as Richard Nixons and be tossed into the scrap heap of history. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the U.S. government have finally agreed on a new plan to reunite hundreds of families which had been separated by immigration officials at the U.S.-Mexican border. The families were trying to cross into the United States at the border but without proper documentation the adults were arrested and put in jail awaiting trial, and their children were taken from them and put in detention facilities. Approximately 500 children have still not been given back to their parents, and in some cases the parents have been sent back to their home countries in Central America while their children remained in custody in the United States. On Thursday U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers made a filing in federal court which stated that the changes in the new plan would ensure an efficient process for reunifications. It also said that they would not be requiring that parents removed from the United States be returned for the purpose of being reunited with their children. But ACLU lawyers in a separate filing with the court wrote that in some cases families could be made whole only if parents were returned to the United States for that purpose. They said that the failure to address the rights of parents who had been deported without their children was still a significant area of dispute. The ACLU lawyers also maintained that this one area of dispute should not impede swift reunification efforts. They also made clear that they DID agree to the plan as revised. The revised plan includes provisions for the government to locate and interview the removed parents who still need to be brought back together with their children. The new plan is the second stage of government efforts to reunite over 2,500 children with their parents after they had been separated under Trumps zero tolerance policy which required arresting and jailing illegal immigrants. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered the reunifications on June 26 and he still must approve any reunification plan that the ACLU and the government agree to. As of Thursday, 541 of the children remained separated and under care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The new plan sets forth details concerning how to locate removed parents, interview them, and provide for the childrens safety. One new plan feature requires the U.S. government to make arrangements for travel for children to be sent back their parents in their home countries. A weekly hearing with the judge to discuss the reunification process is scheduled for today. 402 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Stormy Daniels lawyer, Michael Avenatti, has taken another step which shows his seriousness about running for president in two years. On Thursday he announced that he has a new 2020-themed website called TheFight2020.com. The site is currently empty but has the headline All the Presidents Con Men. It also shows a black-and-white photo of Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani wiping his face with a cloth. Avenatti came to national prominence by representing the former adult-film actress in her lawsuit against President Trump, and developed a wide following because of his frequent, combative appearances on television. He has done battle with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and has said that he has seen evidence about Trumps and Cohens misdeeds. He has said that the information he has, that could come out in eventual trials, would bring down Trumps presidency. Recently Avenatti has been making public statements, saying that he is exploring a bid for the presidency. Last week he was in Iowa meeting with party leaders, giving high profile speeches to Democratic Party meetings, and touring the Iowa State Fair, all of which are traditional activities for prospective presidential candidates. The attorney on Tuesday posted his policy positions to Twitter. Many have asked me my position on various issues. Below is a summary of where I stand. This is not an exhaustive list and more positions & details will follow. Most importantly, I didnt have to hire a pollster or political consultant to tell me what to say or what to believe. Many have asked me my position on various issues. Below is a summary of where I stand. This is not an exhaustive list and more positions & details will follow. Most importantly, I didn't have to hire a pollster or political consultant to tell me what to say or what to believe. pic.twitter.com/hbXj1Vv3O9 Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 14, 2018 Avenatti holds traditional Democratic positions on health care, trade, gun control and immigration. He criticized, however, the calls for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead he said he believes that the U.S. should change the way the agency carries out enforcement. He also said he supports single-payer healthcare, and he said that money is the root of all evil in politics. He promised to take no corporate money in his run for the presidency. Avenatti, like Donald Trump, has never held a political office, but is adept at appearing on television and making headlines with bold statements. He often has lambasted Trump in public, and has slammed him as a Manchurian candidate and referred to his erratic behavior as constant baffoonery. I think that if the Democratic Party focuses on nominating who will make the best president, thats going to be a critical mistake, Avenatti told NBC News on his recent trip Iowa. Theres only one question at the end of the day, and that question is: Can the potential nominee beat Donald Trump? He has already created a video to promote his presidency. It starts out by saying We are fighting for is nothing short of the survival of our republic. In the video he maintains he is the right person to take on the Trump and win. not gonna lie, this video is pretty epic. pic.twitter.com/ZxQlTE31EH David Yankovich (@DavidYankovich) August 17, 2018 Avenatti has been a strong advocate for the children taken from their parents at the U.S.-Mexican border and has even helped reunite some families, donating his time and legal services. His most recent tweet attacks Congress for going on vacation when there are still over 500 separated children in government custody. I know Congress is on vacation but there is no vacation for the over 500 children separated from their families & still in custody. Why arent many of our elected officials not doing more to reunite these kids? Being a leader means actually doing something NOW! #WhereAreYou I know Congress is "on vacation" but there is no "vacation" for the over 500 children separated from their families & still in custody. Why aren't many of our elected officials not doing more to reunite these kids? Being a leader means actually doing something NOW! #WhereAreYou Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 16, 2018 Many current Democrats do not want an outsider like Avenatti to be the partys standard bearer in 2020, so he has already been criticized by some politicians and their followers. Avenatti has proven himself to be a fighter, since he is one of the top trial lawyers in the country and he has won massive settlements from large corporations on behalf of poor people who would otherwise be powerless. Michael Avenatti sees himself as the champion of the underdog, but as the 2020 race begins he is the underdog himself. It should be interesting to watch him fight this battle, even though it is unlikely that ultimately he will prevail and win the Democratic Partys nomination. 1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday sought to speed up the deportation of illegal immigrants, telling immigration judges they should only postpone cases in removal proceedings for good cause shown. Sessions, in an interim order that was criticized by some lawyers, said the good-cause standard limits the discretion of immigration judges and prohibits them from granting continuances for any reason or no reason at all. Unlike the federal judiciary system, U.S. immigration courts fall under the Department of Justice and the attorney general can intervene. Sessions, a Republican former U.S. Senator appointed by President Donald Trump, has been unusually active in this practice compared to his predecessors. Sessions has led efforts by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration, including a zero tolerance policy that separated immigrant parents from their children while they were in U.S. detention. Trump abandoned the separation policy in June under political pressure. Critical in showing good cause is whether a person is likely to succeed in efforts to remain in the United States, either by appealing for asylum or receiving some form of visa or work permit, Sessions said on Thursday. Stephen Kang, an attorney with the ACLU immigrants rights project, described Sessions order as troubling and one of a series that has moved in the direction of restricting due process rights for individuals who are in removal proceedings. Kang said Sessions seemed to portray immigrants seeking more time to prepare their cases as trying to game the system and avoid deportation. Kang said removal proceedings were complex and people needed time both to get lawyers to ensure that their due process rights are protected and time just to make sure their cases get a fair hearing. The Justice Department has been struggling to reduce a backlog of deportation cases. An analysis by the Government Accountability Office last year found the number of cases that drag on from one year to the next more than doubled between 2006 and 2015, mainly because fewer cases are completed per year. Department spokesman Devin OMalley said more immigration judges had been hired, but unnecessary and improper continuances continue to plague the immigration court system and contribute to the backlog. Sessions said on Thursday that the use of continuances as a dilatory tactic is particularly pernicious in the immigration context because people in the country illegally who want to remain have an incentive to delay their deportation as long as possible. Granting continuances solely for good cause would be an important check on immigration judges authority and demonstrate public interest in expeditious enforcement of the immigration laws, Sessions said. (Reporting by David Alexander; editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool) 341 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard While the jury is still deliberating in Paul Manaforts bank and tax fraud trial in Virginia federal court lawyers are busily getting ready for his next legal battle, which will take place in September in Washington, D.C.. Since his second trial is rapidly approaching, his legal team is starting to feel pressured for time, and are complaining that special counsel Robert Muellers team is asking to present too much evidence. They filed a motion with the court on Thursday, asking for a time extension for the trial to begin and saying they want to file a joint pretrial statement with prosecutors. One of the reasons they say they need a time extension is that there is an excessively long list potential evidence items that has been requested by Muellers office. Prosecutors have nearly three times the number of exhibits to present in the upcoming Washington, D.C., trial compared to the Virginia trial that is still in jury deliberations, according to a Thursday court filing obtained by CNN. Mueller team has three times as much evidence for next Manafort trial Mueller team has three times as much evidence for next Manafort trial https://t.co/nutLKH8vaO pic.twitter.com/oupt3W0UNz The Hill (@thehill) August 17, 2018 To date, the Special Counsel has provided counsel with well over 1000 proposed exhibits, the court filing said, noting that most of them were not part of Manaforts current trial in Virginia, despite both cases being related to Manaforts work in Ukraine. Prosecutor Greg Andres said in the Virginia court Wednesday that 388 documents were submitted into evidence in the case currently under jury deliberation. The judge in the D.C. criminal case told prosecutors to review their collection of evidence, according to CNN and granted Manaforts attorneys a four day extension. Judge Amy Berman Jackson agreed to the extension which was not for as long as Manaforts lawyers wanted. She issued an order late Thursday stating that the joint statement prepared by the two sides together must now be filed by August 24th. She also said that by August 21st Muellers office must inform Manaforts attorneys which exhibits from their extensive list they plan on withdrawing and not using at trial. The government is encouraged to review the exhibit list closely with an eye towards streamlining the presentation of its case, Judge Jackson wrote in her court order. The two sides are scheduled to discuss questions for the questionnaire they will use to select member of the jury at a hearing before the judge on August 28th. 10.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Rand Paul came home from a trip to Russia and called on Trump to lift sanctions on Russian lawmakers so that they can travel to the US. Video: Paul told Fox News that he wants the sanctions lifted so that Russians can come to the US for meetings, They have two houses in their parliament, one called the Federation, like our Senate, and then the lower body the Duma. They have both agreed to come to Washington in the fall for further meetings. That is a good thing. The downside is, the chairman of each of the committees is banned from coming to the United States because of sanctions. One of the things Im going to ask the president, I will talk to the president this weekend, is Im going to say why dont we take people off the list that are in the legislature. The people who are leading the attack on the United States are at the highest levels of Putins government. There is a reason why there are sanctions on members of the Russian legislature. The sanctions date back to Russias annexing of Crimea and destabilization of Ukraine in 2014, and they were strengthed after their 2016 attack on the presidential election. What Putin wants more than anything is for Trump and the Republicans to lift the sanctions. The steady march of Republican members of Congress to Russia should be troubling to every voter. What Rand Paul is calling for is a weakening of US sanctions against Russia. It is exactly what Putin wants, and Sen. Pauls comments arent a symbol of peace and cooperation, but a symbol of the depth of Putins takeover of the Republican Party under Trump. The Russia problem is more significant than Trump. The Republican Party appears to be selling itself out to Russia right before our eyes. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 1.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard On Thursday night President Donald Trump called a U.S. Senator a loser for criticizing his expensive plans for a military parade in Washington. But by Friday morning he had changed his mind about the parade and announced he was cancelling it altogether and would attend a parade in Paris on November 11th instead. The feud began when Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut posted a tweet critical of the president. He said Trump should show real patriotism by supporting and improving health benefits for veterans instead of spending money on a costly parade. Real patriotism should mean $92 million to honor military service & benefit veterans, not glorify politicians. Improve vets health care, more jobs & skills, end vet homelessness & suicidesstill killing at least 20 heroes every day. Real patriotism should mean $92 million to honor military service & benefit veterans, not glorify politicians. Improve vets health care, more jobs & skills, end vet homelessness & suicidesstill killing at least 20 heroes every day. https://t.co/G7gG1fo4AI Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 16, 2018 Trump, of course, does not take kindly to any form of criticism no matter how wrong he is. So in response to Senator Blumenthal he tweeted: How can Senator Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement on anyone? Loser! How can Senator Richard Blumenthal, who went around for twenty years as a Connecticut politician bragging that he was a great Marine war hero in Vietnam (then got caught and sobbingly admitted he was neither a Marine nor ever in Vietnam), pass judgement on anyone? Loser! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 But after getting (hopefully) a good nights sleep the president apparently changed his mind about the parade, and of course had to blame others for his decision. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead .attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 .attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 The Pentagon on Thursday said it estimated that it would need $50 million to do the parade, and the Department of Homeland Security said it would also need $42 million, according to a CNBC report. They said the high amount of money was needed to get military aircraft and equipment to the parade, to provide adequate security, and to pay for the troops to be in attendance at the parade. Trumps reference to local politicians who run Washington, D.C. wanting a windfall was a total lie as they were not the ones who set the cost of the parade. It was nothing more than another way for the president to take a cheap shot at African American politicians. The cancellation is likely a disappointment for the president. After he attended a parade in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron celebrating Bastille Day, Trump said he wanted to have his own parade in Washington on Veterans Day. Trump is increasingly fond of an idea from Eric Prince to replace the US troops in Afghanistan with a private for-profit military. NBC News reported: President Donald Trump is increasingly venting frustration to his national security team about the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and showing renewed interest in a proposal by Blackwater founder Erik Prince to privatize the war, current and former senior administration officials said. Princes idea, which first surfaced last year during the presidents Afghanistan strategy review, envisions replacing troops with private military contractors who would work for a special U.S. envoy for the war who would report directly to the president. There is an immense number of ethical and security concerns that would come with a privatization of the US effort. For instance, would Congress still have oversight power over a private military force? A private military force that reports only to Trump also would avoid the rules of war and the Geneva Convention. A private military force is both unethical and would make the United States less secure. Trump is now the third president to struggle with the Afghanistan conflict. Obama had the right idea. The problem isnt that the US military cant handle the war in Afghanistan. The problem is that the conflict is unwinnable. A for-profit military is a recipe for corruption. Trump is trying to take money from the taxpayers and line the pockets of his friends, and no one would be surprised to find out that some of that money will end up in the bank account of Trump. Donald Trump is not content will pillaging the taxpayers domestically. He is also going to steal from them with an unlawful privatization of war. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. , Cookies . cookies. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 52F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 52F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Charlestons International African American Museum celebrated a milestone Thursday they've crossed the goal line of raising $75 million to start construction. "Setting a $75 million goal was monumental, and many thought it was impossible," former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told about 150 supporters who gathered near the site in a crowded meeting room at the Charleston Maritime Center to mark the occasion. Riley, a museum board member, announced the vision for the museum in his 2000 State of the City address and has been the chief fundraiser. The city kicked in $12.5 million, plus land valued at $25 million. The county pledged $12.5 million and the state $25 million, including an $11 million commitment from the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority. The $25 million in private donations came from hundreds of sources, ranging from $100 from individuals to $10 million from the Lilly Endowment. The donation that pushed the campaign over the goal line was a $125,000 gift from Herbert L. Drayton III, a Charleston native whose ancestors arrived on a ship near the site of the museum to work on the rice fields at Middleton Plantation. Drayton served in the Air Force and Marine Corps Reserves and is president and CEO of Vertical Holdings, an investment company based in North Charleston. "It is both fitting and meaningful to recognize Herberts pledge today," Museum CEO Michael Boulware Moore said. It was a day for celebration and thanks but also a time to look ahead to the next phase. "The big one is done, but we still have other work to do," Moore said. "We will quickly shift to raising money to breathe life into this museum." The next mission is to raise $8 million for educational programs and another $6 million to build a $10 million endowment, he said. Riley said he already has more potential donors lined up to talk with next week. Tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were unloaded at the wharf on Charleston's waterfront. Museum planners call it a sacred site. Construction is expected to start early next year, with an opening two years later. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. A single-dose vial of the measles-mumps-rubella virus vaccine. Outbreaks of measles and mumps have been documented across the United States in recent years. File/AP Lauren Sausser is the Health & Science Editor at The Post and Courier. She also writes about health care issues in South Carolina. Gregory Yee covers the city of Charleston. He's a native Angeleno and previously covered crime and courts for the Press-Telegram in Long Beach, CA. He studied journalism and Spanish literature at the University of California, Irvine. Political Editor Schuyler Kropf is The Post and Courier political editor. He has covered every major political race in South Carolina dating to 1988, including for U.S. Senate, governorship, the Statehouse and Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. The Bushy Park reservoir is one of three sources in the Santee Cooper river system that provide drinking water for most people in the Charleston area. Environmental groups challenged a rollback of Obama-era Clean Water Act rules that govern use of those waters. Chloe Johnson covers the coastal environment and climate change for the Post and Courier. She's always looking for a good excuse to hop on a boat. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication. Assistant Columbia bureau chief Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill. Across the celestial dome throughout the course of the year, there are big and bright constellations like Orion the Hunter and Scorpius the Scorpion. They are wonderful to gaze upon, but personally Ive always had a liking for diminutive but distinct constellations. One of them is Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, available in the evening sky since spring, but now its beginning its gradual exit in the late summer. Theres still plenty of time to see it though, through at least September. Currently its hanging in the western sky and fairly easy to find. Corona Borealis is Latin for "the Little Crown," and a case can certainly be made for how the Greeks and Romans saw it as a crown of stellar jewels in the heavens. Its also really easy to see how the Australians see it as a boomerang. In China its known as a cord, and I have to confess I really dont get that at all. According to a Shawnee Indian legend, the stars of Corona Borealis are the homes of maidens that occasionally descend down to Earth and dance about. To me, though, it looks like a little cereal bowl. However you want to see Corona Borealis, look for it in the western sky just to the upper left of the much larger constellation Bootes the Hunting Farmer. Actually, Bootes resembles a giant kite more than a farmer in pursuit of the constellation Ursa Major the Big Bear. The brightest star in the evening sky shines at the tail of the kite. Thats Arcturus. One of the classic adages of stargazing is the saying "arc to Arcturus." Just extend the curved handle of the Big Dipper beyond the end of the handle with your minds eye and youll run right into Arcturus. The brightest star in Corona Borealis is Alphecca, pronounced al-feck-ah. Its a hot bluish-white star about 75 light-years or 435 trillion miles away. Its so far away that the light we see from Alphecca this week left that star when World War II was still raging on. According to Greek mythology, Corona Borealis was the crown of Ariadne. So who is Ariadne? The story goes like this. Ariadne was the daughter of the evil king of Crete, who sacrificed seven young men and seven young women to the horrible monster the Minotaur once a year. This beast had the body of a bull and an incredibly ugly human head. Sound like anybody you know? Anyway, one year, as the men and women were being led to the Minotaur, Ariadne made eye contact with Theseus, one of the men being led to slaughter and poof! It was love at first sight. Wasting no time, Ariadne secretly armed Theseus with a sword. Theseus ripped the Minotaur to shreds and dashed over to where Ariadne was waiting for him. The couple quickly hopped in a boat and stopped overnight on the island of Naxos. They probably should have had some premarital counseling and got to know each other a little better because it just didnt work out. Theseus ditched Ariadne, leaving her sobbing uncontrollably on a beach at Naxos. The island of Naxos was run by Bacchus, the god of wine. The wine-sipping god fell in love with Ariadne, big-time. Once again Ariadne immediately fell in love, but with Bacchus it was real love. Bacchus and Ariadne were eventually married, and he gave her a very extravagant gift. He took off his own crown and threw it so high into the sky that it sprouted stars, symbolizing his everlasting love for the princess. Ariadne has long since left us, but her crown shines on in the western sky tonight. CELESTIAL HUGGING THIS WEEK:The first quarter waxing gibbous moon will be passing by the planet Saturn and above the constellation Sagittarius the Archer Sunday through Tuesday evening this week in the early evening southern sky. Later this week, on Wednesday and Thursday evening, the near-full moon will have a close encounter with the very bright planet Mars. 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 Students from Okkodo High School and Simon Sanchez High School worked hard over the summer to prepare for the FIRST Global International Competition in Mexico City, Mexico. The theme for the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge is energy impact one of the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering identified by the National Academies of Engineering. The robotics competition is being held at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico from August 16-18, 2018. This is the first time a team from Guam is participating in the event that aims to spread STEM education to students who are underrepresented in the technology and engineering communities, said GDOE spokesperson Isa Baza. GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said Team Guam won their first match this morning. The next match starts between 9:15am and 10am Guam time. Tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulBrfoPd63c Alex Acostas Department of Labor has issued a Directive regarding the exercise of religious liberty by employees of federal contractors. The document, promulgated by DOLs Office of Federal Contract Compliance, is here. It instructs staff to be mindful of recent developments in Supreme Court jurisprudence regarding religious freedom. Specifically: Pursuant to Masterpiece Cakeshop, agency staff cannot act in a manner that passes judgment upon or presupposes the illegitimacy of religious beliefs and practices and must proceed in a manner neutral toward and tolerant of religious beliefs. They must not, given Trinity Lutheran, condition opportunities (such as federal contracts) upon an organizations willingness to surrender its religious focus. Consistent with Hobby Lobby, they must comply with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act when seeking to restrict the activities of a for-profit closely held corporation, meaning facially neutral laws must not unduly burden the exercise of religion. They must permit faith-based organizations equal opportunity to compete for federal contracts. They must allow for individuals and entities free expression of religion without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the federal government. The Directive is a reminder of what existing law requires. It may be useful, inasmuch as the previous administrations guidance was inconsistent in some respects with recent Supreme Court developments. However, the Directive breaks no new ground and offers no real guidance on how to resolve cases when considerations of religious liberty conflict with claims of discrimination by LGBT individuals. Paige Smith, part of the Bloomberg team that has been providing good coverage of Acostas DOL, filed this report on the Directive and issues relating to it. Among the insightful points her sources made are these: 1. Issues regarding religious liberty rarely, if ever, arise among federal contractors. They tend to arise among small, closely held businesses that dont deal with the federal government. 2. The Directive comes shortly after the resignation of OFCCPs director. I should add that some, including me, have speculated that the resignation was due to Acostas unwillingness to undo the left-wing policies of the Obama administration. I discussed that unwillingness here. 3. The Directive looks like an attempt to appease conservatives without doing anything hard. Indeed, I agree with Adam Pulver, a former senior attorney in the DOLs solicitors office, who told Smith the Directive does hardly anything at all. Certainly, it does nothing to change the OFCCPs radical course. As noted, the Directive simply directs OFCCP staff to follow Supreme Court law. It says nothing new or original. To these observations, I would add the following: In Masterpiece Cakeshop, the Supreme Court ducked the key issue of whether the cake baker could refuse to bake a cake to celebrate an event that violates his strongly held religious beliefs. But Acostas DOL didnt need to duck the issue. It could have taken the position that people like the Colorado baker do not engage in unlawful discrimination when they refuse to provide services that go against their religious views. Acostas Directive did not do so. Im not saying it needed to. As noted, these issues are not particularly germane to the OFCCPs work. But lets not be under the illusion that Acostas DOL has struck a meaningful blow for religious liberty. The Directive appears to be mostly for show. Pressure on Keith Ellison to drop out of the race for Attorney General of Minnesota is growing. National and state party leaders are hedging their bets, mostly either refusing to comment or releasing anodyne statements. But the National Organization of Women has called on Ellison to step down. The best sign of mounting pressure is this: Ellison has declined interview requests from the Star Tribune since winning the primary Tuesday night. On Thursday, Ellison refused to talk to a Star Tribune reporter who knocked on the front door of his Minneapolis home. CBS has the story on the most recent domestic abuse allegation against Ellison: Woman accusing Rep. Keith Ellison of abuse speaks out. On Thursday, [Karen] Monahan, 44, spoke on camera for the first time about an incident she said happened nearly two years ago. Monahan said she has video of what happened but that its too traumatic for her, so she has chosen not to share it with anyone. I doubt that there is a video, but its possible. Monahan said that in September of 2016, she and her then boyfriend, Ellison, got into a heated argument that scared her. She said it started when he came into a room where she was laying on a bed, listening to a podcast. Laying on a bed? Its like fingernails on a blackboard, but irrelevant to the present point, except to note that reporters are increasingly illiterate. He asked her to take out the trash and when he asked if she heard him, she shook her head. He looked at me, goes Hey you f***ing hear me and then he looked at me, he goes Bitch, get the f*** out of my house, and he started to try to drag me off the bed, Monahan said. Thats when I put my camera on to video him. That Ellison quote leads the Drudge Report tonight. The other notable development is that the local press has finally started reporting on the first domestic abuse allegation against Ellison, which dates to 2005by no means ancient history when it comes to me too issues. This is perhaps because I wrote about the 2005 incident, which generated a 911 call by Ellisons then-girlfriend, here. The Star Tribune says they havent been able to locate that complainant, Amy Alexander. They also refer to an odd-sounding legal proceeding where Ellison apparently prevailed. But the record of the 911 call is now in the public domain: There is no ambiguity here: CLR RPTG SHE WAS ASLTD BY ELLISON/KEITH/BM/41/WRG SUIT LS LEAVING APTCLR WANTS TO SEE SQD. How many me too allegations are supported by a record of a 911 call? For years, the Minnesota press, led by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, has covered up for Keith Ellison. It has buried the stories of his long association with the Nation of Islam, his rank anti-semitism, his political radicalism, and, above all, his decades-long support for cop-killers. It is a little ironic that Ellisons brush with the me too movement may doom his candidacy, when there are far better reasons why he should never get anywhere near the office of Attorney General. Scott detailed Ellisons long and enthusiastic advocacy for cop killers here. It is a sickening story; to call Keith Ellison depraved would be doing him too much justice. Yet it is a story that so far, Minnesota media have found too hotor too troubling for the Democratic Partyto handle. At this point, no one knows what will happen. My prediction, take it for what it is worth, is that Ellison will be forced to step down as the Democrats AG nominee. Not because he is a socialist or worse, not because he is a long-time supporter of the Nation of Islam and an anti-Semite, and most important, not because, as a life-long supporter of, and advocate for, those who murder police officers, he is utterly unfit to be the states chief law enforcement officer. Rather, because many Minnesota Democrats are bitter about the fact that Al Franken was driven out of office by his Democratic colleagues for far less. Paul Kane of the Washington Post compares the reaction by leading Democrats to evidence of Keith Ellisons domestic abuse with the reaction to evidence of Al Frankens sexual touchings and harassment. He finds a disparity. In Frankens case, Sen. Kristin Gillibrand forcefully called for an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee within hours of the first accusation against the then-Senator. So did Sen. Kamala Harris. Both made it clear they would not give Franken a pass just because he was a leading liberal. Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere against anyone, Harris exclaimed. But neither Gillibrand nor Harris has called for a congressional investigation of Ellison. According to Kane, no congressional Democrat has. Harris says, I know the DNC is investigating it, so well see and let that run its course. Gillibrand hasnt even made a statement about the allegations against Ellison, and her press office has not responded to requests for a comment. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has also declined to comment. And when Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked if he had anything to say, he responded, Nope, nothing. What are the differences between Frankens situation and Ellisons, and how do they cut. One difference cuts in Ellisons favor. There was photographic evidence of some of Frankens misconduct. In Ellisons case there is none just reports by alleged victims and/or their kin. But credible reports are all that should be required for purposes of investigating. And the reports against Ellison include a 911 call, certainly credible evidence. There was no photographic evidence against Roy Moore, either. Another distinction is that the DNC supposedly is looking into the allegations against Ellison, as Sen. Harris says. However, the Posts Kane notes the difference between a somewhat vague DNC review' and a congressional ethics investigation. Unlike congressional ethics committees, the DNC isnt set up to conduct serious investigations. Moreover, Ellison is the number two guy at the DNC. The most obvious distinction between the Ellisons situation and Frankens is that Ellison is accused of far more heinous conduct. Even in the MeToo era, beating ones girlfriend correctly deemed much worse than anything Franken did. Frankens misconduct consisted of low-level harassment of a colleague and inappropriate touchings of admirers who wanted to be photographed with the Senator. He didnt beat anyone. Rep. Ellison quite possibly did. Congress should investigate. Another distinction between Franken and Ellison is that Ellison is Black. Race matters big time to Democratic politicians. However, John Conyers race didnt protect him when he was accused of sexual misconduct. Nancy Pelosi initially defended him but, under pressure, quickly changed her tune. Conyers wasnt accused of beating anyone and, like Ellison, denied wrongdoing. There seems to be something special about Ellison even beyond his race something that is causing Democrats not to want a congressional investigation of his conduct. Is it his religion Muslim? Is it the authenticity of his radicalism, manifested by his animosity towards Israel, his support for cop killers, and his associations with Louis Farrakhan? Al Franken seemed like an authentic leftist, but he hadnt manifested his leftism in any of these three ways. I dont know why Democrats are skirting the issue of Ellisons possible domestic abuse. But when the Washington Post calls out its favorite party for doing so, something is up. The Dems motives are worth exploring. UPDATE: Here is distinction I should have noted. At the time of Frankens travails, Democrats were intent on defeating Roy Moore in Alabama and, if that failed, running him out of the Senate due to his dating of teenagers and alleged assault of at least one them many years ago. By calling out Franken, they avoided charges of hypocrisy. There is no comparable imperative right now that necessitates calling out Ellison. Our friend Sen. Tom Cotton has written an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal opposing the latest jailbreak legislation that I discussed here. He argues: [U]nder no circumstances should Congress cut mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes or give judges more discretion to reduce those sentences. That foolish approach is not criminal-justice reformits a jailbreak that would endanger communities and undercut President Trumps campaign promise to restore law and order. Sen. Cotton points out first that this legislation comes at exactly the wrong time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2017 more than 72,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, a 37 percent increase from 2015 and a nearly 100 percent increase since 2008. Violent crime, he adds, has declined since the 1980s because mandatory minimums adopted then locked up violent criminals. But in 2015-16, the most recent years for which full data are available, violent crime increased at its fastest rate in a quarter-century. These increases coincide with a 16 percent decline in the federal inmate population since 2013. That population now sits at its lowest level since 2004. With drug deaths and violent crime rising and the prison population falling, it makes no sense to legislate a jailbreak now. To do so, Sen. Cotton contends, ignores the obvious problem of recidivism. He notes: Five out of six prisoners end up rearrested within nine years, according to a recent Justice Department study. In fact, on average reoffenders are rearrested five timesand not for minor crimes. Only a handful of ex-convicts return to prison exclusively for parole violations, whereas 77% of drug offenders are rearrested for serious nondrug crimes, such as murder and rape. Most criminals will commit more crimes after being released from prison, even with improved rehabilitation programs. The last thing Congress should do is shorten their sentences or allow them to serve time in home confinement. Next, Sen. Cotton takes on the arguments made by proponents of the leniency legislation. They maintain that we need to end mass incarceration. He calls this a curious characterization when less than half of crimes are even reported to police and more than 80% of property crimes and 50% of violent crimes that are reported go unsolved, according to Pew Research Center. Tell those victims denied justice that the U.S. locks up too many criminals, he dares proponents of leniency legislation. Perhaps Tom has been reading my long series on Americas under incarceration problem. Proponents also contend that its unjust to mete out tough sentences to low-level, non-violent drug offenders. But, as Sen Cotton responds: Virtually no one goes to federal prison for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses, especially mere drug use or possession. In 2015, there were 247 inmates in federal prison for drug possession. In these rare cases, the inmates usually pleaded down from a more serious offense. In the extreme case of a manifestly unjust sentence, the pardon power is a better instrument of justice than broad sentencing reductions. President Trump has shown himself more than willing to intervene to redress such cases. Too willing, I say. But that discussion is for another day. Finally, Sen. Cotton makes short work of the argument that we need leniency legislation because America spends too much on prisons: [T]he Bureau of Prisons costs taxpayers less than $8 billion a year, or about 0.2% of the entire federal budget. After national security, the governments most basic responsibility is to protect its citizens from crime. The costs of crime and disorderpersonal and economicfar outweigh the downsides of putting serious criminals behind bars. The latest leniency legislation has plenty of momentum, thanks to a bizarre coalition that includes, congressional Democrats, Sen. Charles Grassley, Jared Kushner, Kim Kardashian, and Van Jones. I hope that, with Tom Cotton standing strong against this rush to undo policies that have helped produce a remarkable reduction in serious crime, the train can be stopped short of its dangerous destination. When a massive power outage hit Cleveland this past weekend leaving some 40,000 customers without power for seven hours, the blame game began in earnest between utilities. The outage was the result of a failed line connecting two substations one operated by First Energy and the other by Cleveland Power. A backup line designed to provide power in the event of an outage has been out of operation since 2016, though a $6 million repair project is reportedly expected to be completed by the end of September. Some of the components of the backup line are more than 60 years old. The two utilities were already at odds with each other through a lawsuit involving construction of power lines to access power from a solar field in Brooklyn, Ohio, and took their battle over this latest outage to social media. Cleveland Power said the extended outage was a result of having to wait for FirstEnergy subsidiary CEI to repair its substation before CPP could restore power to customers. FirstEnergy, on the other hand, took to Twitter (News - Alert) to blame CPP for being negligent in maintaining both the main and backup lines. CPP & CEI are assessing an outage to CPP customers on Clevelands west side. CPP couldnt restore their customers quickly because their own alternate line has been out of service for a year+. We are happy to help restore power once the outage cause is identified. Illuminating Company (@illuminatingco) August 12, 2018 CPPs Commissioner Ivan Henderson explained the repair process is complicated, leading to the extended timeframe for the backup line to be re-established. However, he adds that, Within the next 30 days, we cannot guarantee [a power outage] wont happen again. Residents and businesses are frustrated, having to deal with a fifth outage since June 18, and the finger pointing between CEI (FirstEnergys subsidiary in the area) and CPP certainly wont help matters. Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek has already called for hearings to investigate the ongoing situation and what is being done to ensure reliable power for customers going forward. Rocco Whalen, owner and chef at Fahrenheit restaurant voiced his displeasure, pointing out the Saturday evening is a peak period for the hospitality industry and recovering lost revenue is difficult. These are big boy companies, he said, referring to the dispute over responsibility between CPP and CEI. The executives make lots of money and someone needs to be held accountable. While outage makes it impossible for most businesses to function, especially in the evening hours, there are steps they can take to ensure their downtime is limited to only the outage duration. Outages and power restoration are often accompanied by power surges, which can damage circuits that allow computers, servers, switches, and other technology to function. By installing power protection systems that normalize currents that power their equipment, business leaders can ensure that once power is restored, their systems will function normally. While it doesnt solve the problem of outdated utility systems, power protection systems will eliminate costly equipment repairs and replacement, which can create days or weeks of downtime far exceeding the impact of the outage alone. Edited by Erik Linask PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-17 09:04:02 One of Chinas most significant personal financial services groups will preview its Smart City project, which will focus on smart solutions to city operations. CORRECTING and REPLACING Ping An Set to Reveal Smart City Project For Ping An William Schwartz, +1-347-508-3103 info@rootcomms.com Please replace the release dated August 16, 2018 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions. The corrected release reads: PING AN SET TO REVEAL SMART CITY PROJECT One of Chinas most significant personal financial services groups will preview its Smart City project, which will focus on smart solutions to city operations. One of Chinas largest personal financial service groups, Ping An, is debuting its innovative new Smart City and AI initiatives at next weeks China Smart City Expo in Shenzhen, China. As one of the expos key organizers, Ping An will be launching their new 1+N platform. Through their Smart City initiative, the Ping An will cement its status as a global technology and financial services powerhouse. Ping Ans Smart City 1+N platform is based on four core technologies: intelligent cognition, AI, blockchain and cloud technology. This platform, namely a set of the Smart City Cloud, integrates Ping Ans globally leading innovation technologies, and strongly supports 10 core smart city sectors including: smart administration, insurance, security, transportation, port, financial trade, finance, education, healthcare, real estate, environmental protection, and elderly care. Ping Ans Smart City Cloud platform has provided cloud-hosted medical insurance, finance, education and real estate services in over 200 cities across China. In Shenzhen, Ping An provides smart communication services to help with traffic congestion and improve air quality. Similarly in Zhangzhou, Ping An is continuously helping the government in operation efficiency enhancement and resource controls. Furthermore, Ping An also cooperates with city officials to support elderly care by improving the quality of life for senior residents in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Wuhan. At the fourth annual China Smart City Expo -- which is a leading tech and innovation conference -- over 400 enterprises and organizations will showcase their new innovations and projects, focusing on the smart cities theme. It also coincides with Chinas current rapid advancement of smart city and artificial intelligence innovation. China is becoming a leader in developing smart cities, spearheading 500 of the worlds 1000 pilot projects. Ping Ans massive investment in science and technology has great significance both nationwide and globally. Alibaba has a special focus on the development of urban business, Tencents competitive edge lies in making connections, and Huawei strength is seen in the application of fundamental technologies. Ping An is different in that it offers comprehensive solutions for smart cities. These four tech giants have formulated the "PATH to Smart Cities" in China. This makes Ping Ans investment in this space crucial to smart cities development around the country and globally. With Ping An leading the pack, the groups effort is making a positive impact on Chinas economic and social status on the world stage. The expo is set to take place from Aug. 21-23, 2018 in Shenzhen, with Ping An exhibiting at the conferences Special Booth for Ping An Smart City in Hall 1, Booth B006. About Ping An: Ping An, with the most comprehensive range of financial business licenses, the widest business scope, and the most compact shareholding structure, currently ranks 29th out of the Global Fortune 500. Founded in 1988 in Shekou, Shenzhen, Ping An has become one of few major financial groups in China to provide customers with a full range of financial products and services, including insurance, banking and investment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180816005 Ping An Set to Reveal New Smart City Initiative. PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-17 15:00:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 384 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for International Cannabrands Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU.A) . has issued a press release with the following headline:JuJu Royal Product Launch to Coincide with Julian Marley TourTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on International Cannabrands Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/International Cannabrands Inc.Source: International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU.A, OTC Bulletin Board: GEATF)Date: August 17, 2018Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of International Cannabrands Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains over Kano, Gusau, Kebbi, Yelwa and Sokoto in the morning hours of Saturday. NiMet made this known in its Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Friday. It said that thunderstorm would be expected over Maiduguri, Potiskum, Nguru, Katsina and the environs later in the day. The agency added that, day and night temperature in the northern region would be in the ranges of 28 34 degree Celsius and 22 25 degree Celsius respectively. NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms over Gombe, Abuja, Bauchi, Minna, Bida, Jos and Mambilla Plateau. It envisaged thunderstorms and rains over most places of the central states in the afternoon and evening hours. The agency said that, day and night temperature in the region would be in the range of 27 32 degree Celsius and 20 24 degree Celsius respectively. Nimet also predicted cloudy conditions with the chances of rains over Enugu, Owerri, Awka and Abakaliki in the morning hours. It added that afternoon and evening rains would be expected over most places in the southeastern states. The agency said that, day and night temperature would be in the range of 30 31 degree Celsius and 22 24 degree Celsius respectively in the region. Nimet predicted cloudy conditions with prospect of rains over Ijebu-Ode, Akure, Oshogbo and Ibadan in the morning hours. It envisaged rains over most parts of the southwestern states later in the day with day and night temperature in the range of 26 30 degree Celsius and 21 23 degree Celsius respectively. According to Nimet, cloudy conditions are likely with chances of rains over Calabar, Uyo, Ikom and Eket during the morning hours. It predicted moderate rainfall over the entire south-south region with day and night temperature in the range of 29 31 degree Celsius and 21 24 degree Celsius respectively. (NAN) Premium Times has replied the police on false allegations levelled against its detained reporter, Samuel Ogundipe. Mr Ogundipe has been arrested since Tuesday with the police insisting he disclose his source for a story. The police in a statetement by its spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, on Thursday accused Mr Ogundipe of being in posession of classified document. Mr Moshood added that Mr Ogundipes action was capable of capable of causing a breach of national security and a breakdown of law and order. In its response, PREMIUM TIMES through its lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Mr Moshoods statement was misleading and prejudicial. Read Mr Ogunyes full statement below. We are counsel to Premium Times Services Ltd , owners and publishers of Premuum Times, the management and employees of Premium Times Newspaper, including Mr. Samuel Ogundipe, the Security Sector Corespondent of Premium Times who is under police incarceration. Our attention has been drawn to the statement issued and statements made by ACP Jimoh regarding the unlawful arrest and illegal detention of Mr. Samuel Ogundipe by a the Nigeria Police Force under the directive of Mr. Ibrahim Idris , the Client Inspector General of Police . In the said statements, ACP Jimoh claimed that Mr. Ogundipe was arrested, and is being investigated and prosecuted for being in possession of a classified document; and that he has been arraigned in court within 24 hours of his arrest in accordance with the rule of law . He went on to allege that Mr. Ogundipe s action was capable of causing a breach of national security and a breakdown of law and order. May we state that contrary to the misleading and prejudicial statements and assertions of ACP Jimoh, Mr. Samuel Ogundipe has not committed any offense known to law, even if it is admitted that his organization, Premium Times did publish the Interim Report dated 8th August , 2018 , on the barricade of the entrance to the National Assembly Complex by the operatives of the SSS ( DSS), issued by the IGP and submitted to the Acting President. The Nigerian case law, foreign judicial authorities from countries of the common law tradition , and provisions of Nigerian statutes , including the grund norm, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , 1999 , the FOI Act , 2011, and the Nigerian Press Council Act are unanimous in stating that generally , no journalist can be compelled to disclose the source of information for a published story, as the Police are forcing Samuel Ogundipe to do. In the said statements, ACP Jimoh was deliberately mistaing the position of the law. Luckily, however, the law being mistated is the Nigerian law, and not the law of the Nigeria Police Force. And luckily, Nigeria is a democracy and not a police state . Evidently, in the realization that the police, lawfully, cannot compel Samuel Ogundipe to disclose the source of his information, the police are now blackmailing our client by charging him with the offences of theft, trespass in a dwelling house ( as if the Force Headquarters is a dwelling house ) and being found in possession of a thing reasonably suspected to be stolen . Our client sure has a solid defence to this charge , and need not , at this stage, engage in a needless arguments with the Police . However it suffices to categorically state that the burden of proof in a criminal action lies on the prosecution. The Nigerian people and the entire world will find it ridiculous that the Police, in spite of their capacity for mischief , could think of no charge than to laughably allege that our client broke into the Force Headquarters to steal a copy of the said Interim Report and that being in possession of a copy of that Report , he must explain how he got the document. Our client had no duty to explain under the law . May we end this response by calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, in particular the Acting President to intervene and save Nigeria from further international embarrassment by the Nigeria Police Force. The Federal Government owes Nigerians a duty to reign in the police. The Presidency cannot look on while the Police Force is operating like a colonial power without any regard to the due process of law, the rule of law and respects for the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights of journalists . Alfred Adegoke, a lawyer and human rights activist, is the governorship candidate of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) in the upcoming September 22 governorship election in Osun State. He speaks with PREMIUM TIMES Oluwole Josiah on his chances at the poll and related issues. PT: You are coming into the governorship race from the background of activism and agitations for good governance. What are your plans for the Osun workers who are owed several months of unpaid salaries? Adegoke: Our support has always been for the workers. We have been demanding that the workers be paid full salaries. We have been demanding for an end to half salary. We have also been demanding an end to half pensions. We called on the government to pay the arrears of all salaries and pensions. That is exactly what the SPN government will implement. We plan to establish a government of workers, youth and the poor masses, so that we can bring about an egalitarian society, a society that is free from oppression and exploitation. PT: The Osun State Government had complained of lack of funds as the reason why the salaries are not paid. How do you intend to go about this when elected as governor? Adegoke: Well, it is not true that funds are not available. If that were to be true, all the vote buying and all the election monetisation will not be there. And let me tell you this, can you say that there is no money, when some roads in Osun State are built with N1 billion per kilometre of road? The Osogbo Gbongan road is built approximately for N1 billion per kilometre of that road. The contractors have collected their money at least 90 per cent of their money. So, how can anybody tell you that there is no money? What is happening is that the contractors were brought in by the regime to milk the state dry. That is the penchant of all the pro-rich politicians and government which has been ruining our country today. We have to bring an end to this kind of system by ensuring that public projects are done by well-equipped ministry of works which will do all the government programmes. We will try to abolish the contract system and replace it with a mass public works programme to be supervised by government, the workers and the communities where the projects are being implemented. It would mean that the cost of production will be cut by 90 per cent, so that the road project done by N1 billion per one kilometre of road will cost N10 million, so that a lot of money will be saved for programmes to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses and pay salaries and make infrastructure and social services available. Secondly, the public officials of the SPN will earn only salary obtainable within the civil service. That means for example, if I am elected as the governor, my salary or emolument will be what is obtainable in the civil service of the Osun State and not just all those corrupt and obscene salaries that the governor and public office holders are taking. We are going to abolish and block all those areas where all these huge amounts which should have been used to develop the state and better the welfare of the people are being siphoned through contracts and emoluments. And that includes security votes and all those fraudulent schemes through which government (officials) steal money. PT: How do you address the issue of corruption with the government involved in construction and execution of projects, particularly in the present Nigerian setting? Adegoke: That is exactly the reason why public officers are elected. Public officers are elected for the purpose of ensuring that the public work is done corruption-free. But the reason why it is not being done is because all the politicians of all other political parties, except those of the SPN, their main aim is to do government programme through contract, through which they will divert the money into private purse. The question of saying there is corruption in government business, is like saying calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The truth of the matter is that it is the politicians that are behind the corruption that has bedevilled this country, it is not the working class. We will put the commanding heights of the economy under a democratic control and management of the working people and through that we are definitely going to plug corruption. Let me give you an example. You want to construct all the roads and all the bridges in a community. We will look for a place where there is sand and stones in that community. We are not going to pay for the sand and the stones. Government owns the sand and the stones. The SPN will ensure that the commanding heights of the economy is collectively owned and democratically managed and controlled. Alfred Adegoke, a lawyer and human rights activist, is the governorship candidate of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) It means we will not buy sand, we will not buy stones, we will not buy wood from the forest. If not for corruption, why should any government that wants to better the lots of the people ask a contractor to go and steal in quotes? It is tantamount to stealing to give the contract to a company to go and get these materials which ordinarily belong to the government for construction. We are going to abolish all that. The workers know where the stones and timbers are. They will go and get them for the construction of the roads and other infrastructure. That is the only way we can plug corruption. PT: The socialist party espouses a lofty ideology for the people. But how can the SPN get into office in the face of the two party dominance without first getting the people to understand and accept your socialists ideas? Adegoke: That question is a major question. In fact, apart from the question of the dominance of two political parties like the PDP or the APC, etc., the question of monetisation of the process is also there. But I place these proverbs before our people: First, if a man narrowly escapes the guillotine, which takes away his cap instead of his head, the person ought to be grateful. But I ask our people, what should that man do? He should take care of his head and not let it return to the guillotine. That is the challenge facing our people, because hitherto, there had been the political dynamics of no choice between the people. I will refer you to the era of Bisi Akande. When they were saying, Akande was not good, they voted him out as governor of AD, which preceded the APC. They chased him away and replaced him by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the PDP. But it was just for a short while. Within that four years of that regime it became glaring that Oyinlola did not represent the aspiration of the working people. So, it brought about the yearning for change. But yet, in the absence of any alternative, they were faced with the choice of the Aregbesola. They thought his candidature from the APC could make a difference. In the face of no alternative, they brought him to power, and we all can see the ruinous state of the economy and the polity today. Now, there is a call for a new alternative. It doesnt need the help of a soothsayer to know that the two dominant political parties represent the same thing. The difference between them is that of six and half a dozen. They do not represent the aspiration of the working people of Osun State. It means that only the party of the SPN that can offer a clear ideological alternative to the corruption and decadence and the collapse of the state by all these parties like the APC and the PDP. PT: The incumbent governor has persistently accused the last PDP administration of ruining the Nigerian economy and had blamed it for what is happening in Osun State. Do you share this view? Adegoke: But what has he done with that allegation. Has he fared better? Why are people clamouring for a change? Has he fared better? We have backlogs of salaries, half salary, non-payment of pensions.in fact in Osun State there has been an attack on the working class particularly in the second term of his administration. So, you dont need a crystal ball to know that the PDP had ruined the state, and the Aregbesola regime has further ruined the state. This is the reason why the people are yearning for a new alternative, and that is in fact the exact reason why our party, the SPN, was registered to provide an alternative to the working people, the youth and the oppressed. Any vote cast except for the vote for the SPN, is a waste for the working class. PT: Besides the programmes and projects of the SPN, does the party have the resources to push this campaign beyond the limits of verbal campaigns given the nature of the politics in the country? Alfred Adegoke, a lawyer and human rights activist, is the governorship candidate of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) Adegoke: Well, talking about resources, we are not a party of money bags, and we reject the money bag politicians. Our appeal is to the rank and file of the youth and the poor. For instance, in our party, every card carrying member pays a monthly subscription, which we all subscribe to. My campaign is being financed from the sweat of our members and our supporters. So, you can see our profile. We are coming up with our posters and leaflets and other campaign materials. Our supporters and members will join us in our mobilisation across the state so we can whip up that possibility of ideological transformation of our country and the state ahead of the September election. If we have 500,000 supporting our campaign, let me even say we have 200,000, let me even reduce it to 100,000; if all of them contribute N100 each, it is more important to us than the stinking money or the obscene money that all the corrupt politicians are coming up with and which we have said that parties should reject them. We are urging the people to join the campaign and identify the future and their aspirations and destiny with our party. I will remind you to go back to history, when the Babangida regime dared to ask Nigerians what kind of socio-political economic system that they will prefer. The people voted for socialism. That is the only referendum in this country where the people voted for socialism in 1986, even though that was suppressed by the regime. That referendum is superior to any other constitution. For us, the SPN, we stand up for revalidating and reinvigorating the political aspiration of our people and demanding for the way forward for our country. PT: Socialism had been practiced in some parts of the world, without much success. What brand of socialism are you espousing for the Nigerian society? Adegoke: The kind of explanation on that is to tell you that we stand on the works of Max and Hengel; Lenin and Trotsky and the struggles that we, the Democratic Socialist Movement and the ideologies and the perspectives that we have been building upon. You should remember that the Democratic Socialist Movement is one of the major sponsors of the registration of Socialist Party of Nigeria. Arguments and polemics and themes that we have been working upon and deepening for over 25 years of our history and now we have the SPN to translate these things into practical reality. However, I must say that the experience of the 1917 revolution of Lenin and Trotsky was betrayed by a Stalinist bureaucratic cliche which degenerated that revolution. Even the last term of Leon Trotsky, he tried to build (we can refer to him as the founder of modern socialism today), the kind of socialism that we are trying to build as espoused how the Lenin and Trotsky revolution was betrayed by Stalinism and the need to reverse and build a new, international alternative to the betrayal of Stalin and the bureaucratic cliche. Of course, Trotsky himself was assassinated by the agents of Stalin in 1940 while he was in exile. We are reversing to the genuine idea of socialism. Russia, which was cited as an example of failed socialism, betrayed the socialist revolution. Trotsky himself had predicted that unless there was a democratic socialism in Russia, the country would reverse back to capitalism. So we are not surprised what has happened in Russia. We dont preach the kind of tyranny, oppression and anti-people and anti-workers ideas characterising the USSR socialism. We opine a more democratic system where the workers and the youth and the oppressed are at the forefront of the struggle and not subjugated to the whims and caprices of a few cliche which tilted in favour of Stalinism. This was fabricated in some countries like Cuba, China and Venezuela. We dont consider those regimes as genuine socialist regimes. We can call them nationalised economies without democracy. Without democracy, we cannot have socialism. So we want a situation whereby we have a collective ownership of the economy side by side with a democratic placement. A nationalised economy under a democratic control that is the fundamental difference between our struggle and the experiences of USSR, China and all those countries. PT: Speak on the issue of vote buying witnessed in Ekiti. As we go into the Osun election, the police, INEC and other security agencies appear to be helpless in this situation. What is the way out of it? Adegoke: INEC and the police are not helpless. My own assessment is that they are collaborators with vote buyers and riggers of the election and I will explain. The election is supposed to be a secret ballot in Nigeria. Why will you place the ballot in the open? It is open enough for the voter to vote and show the gladiators who he has voted for and then go to collect his pepper soup money after the vote. It clearly tells you that the election in Ekiti and election in Nigeria have been done in contravention of the law and in collaboration and in conspiracy with INEC and the police to rig the votes. It can be stopped by ensuring that the election is cast in a secret and it is the job of INEC. INEC should provide a place. It should not just be a box, it should be a cubicle where voters should enter. These are part of the campaign. I told the INEC people that came to our congress, because they are saying they are helpless I told them that it is a lie, because it is their responsibility. They have failed to provide a free and fair election. They conspired with the riggers to make the votes open instead of the secret ballot. Secondly, we demand that the voting process should be officially covered by cameras. There should be an official video coverage of the election process from the beginning to the end. On our part, we call on our members to be vigilant and to ensure that these rules are followed and monitored and that voting is done in secret. We call on INEC to end the kangaroo manner they have been conducting elections in Nigeria. PT: What are your chances of your party emerging victorious in the coming election? Adegoke: The chances of the Socialist Party of Nigeria is dialectically linked with the chances of the Osun State workers, the youth and the oppressed to stand up and wake from their slumber. If they wake up from their slumber and chase out the capitalist pro-rich parties, kick them out and put SPN in power, good, so be it; but it is dialectically linked. It is not about my chances, it is about the chances of all the workers, the youth and the oppressed masses of Osun State. We are going to campaign to them, we are going to go to the corners and crannies of Osun State, but it is the choice of the workers, the youth and the oppressed of Osun State. If they will continue to put their heads in the guillotine, then that is their choice. But if they choose to liberate and emancipate themselves from this corruption and desperate politicians, then we can have a new dawn for Osun State and for our country. A PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe, who has been detained since Tuesday has been released. Mr Ogundipe was released on Friday morning after he was granted bail by magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Kubwa, Abuja. The judge had first heard the case on Wednesday after Mr Ogundipe was secretly arraigned without being allowed legal representation. On that day, Mr Mohammed granted a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five days until August 20. However on Friday morning, PREMIUM TIMES learnt Mr Ogundipe was to be taken to the same court. The companys lawyer was thus present at the court. At the court, the lawyer argued for the bail of Mr Ogundipe, a request that was not opposed by the police counsel. Mr Mohammed granted the bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must be resident withing the courts jurisdiction. The bail conditions were met and Mr Ogundipe was released. Earlier on Thursday, PREMIUM TIMES had responded to a statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, accusing Mr Ogundipe of being in possession of classified document. Mr Moshood alleged that Mr Ogundipes action was capable of causing a breach of national security and a breakdown of law and order. In its response, PREMIUM TIMES through its lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Mr Moshoods statement was misleading and prejudicial. Mr Ogundipe had been held since Tuesday for refusing to disclose his source for a story. The story, also published by other news media, revealed a report by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. The report indicted sacked Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) Lawal Daura for his role in the siege on the National Assembly last week. Mr Ogundipes detention has been condemned by Nigerians, local and international rights groups including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists. Activities in Jabi area of Abuja have been put on hold as a four-storey building under construction collapsed at about 2 p.m. Friday. The building is situated within Jabi/Utako park, directly opposite Panda shopping mall. Two people are feared dead from the incident. The incident has caused heavy gridlock with many residents and passersby converging at the spot of the collapse. According to multiple witnesses, more than 10 people are currently inside the debris while two people have been reported dead. Witnesses said poor construction contributed to the collapse. It sounded like a bomb, said Chinedu Ike, a witness. The workers, including some women selling groundnut are trapped inside. Officials from the FRSC, NEMA, civil defence, police and other security agencies are at the building making frantic efforts to rescue the people trapped inside. The tractors brought were not sufficient and construction companies have been called as reinforcement. A police officer said two people have been confirmed dead but did not speak on record. Some rescue victims including the contractor who have various degrees of injuries have been rushed to hospital. An eyewitness said one of the workers trapped inside the rubble contacted him on phone, but I could not hear him clearly. A worker who narrowly escaped the tragedy said over 50 people work there. According to the worker, the building has been there for more than eight years. There is a sewage inside that piece of land and this contributed to the collapse, the worker said. Rain temporarily dispersed the crowd as more tractors enter the scene to save the trapped people. Jabbi building collapse Jabbi building collapse Jabbi building collapse Jabbi building collapse More details later The National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has for the third time, failed to reach a resolution on the proposed Election Budget of N189.2 billion presented by INEC. The Senate Committee on INEC had on Wednesday invited the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to present and explain the election budget. Members of the panel had queried the INEC boss for the N62 billion increase in the budget as against the 2015 election budget. Mr Yakubu gave several reasons for the increase in the budget after which the committee adjourned to Thursday for further deliberation and possible resolution. Members of the committee deliberated on whether to grant INECs request or that of President Muhammadu Buhari. Even though Mr Buhari, in his letter to the Senate, requested that N189.2 billion be released to INEC, he had asked that N143.5 billion be released now and N45.6 billion be released in 2019. However, the commission, in its presentation on Wednesday, demanded for the entire sum. On Thursday, the joint committee again invited the INEC boss to give further clarifications on the budget. The Chairman of the Senate committee on INEC, Suleiman Nazif, on Friday disclosed that the panel came to a conclusion that more clarifications needed to be made on the budget. Also invited by the committee was the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, and the presidential liaison officer to the Senate, Ita Enang. In an attempt to make clarification, Mr Udoma on Friday explained that the N189 billion presented by INEC is not their regular budget, it is special election budget. He also told the panel that if they approve the entire N189 billion, President Buhari will have no objection. We will have no objection to your appropriating the whole amount, so you wont have to reconsider this for the 2019 budget. If this is done, we will not include the N45 billion in the 2019 budget. If you appropriate the whole money now, the president will have no objection, he said. Mr Enang asked that the budget of other security agencies submitted by President Buhari be considered with that of INEC. The president also submitted the budget for the office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Immigration Service. These are all budgets relating to elections and the conduct of the 2019 elections and all I have heard and noticed is the budget of INEC. I want to know whether the budgets of these other agencies will be passed along with the budget of INEC or it will be considered by other committees. If we pass INEC budget and ignore those ones, well still have a problem, he said. Deliberations, thereafter, ensued among the lawmakers. While some members of the committee suggested that the entire N189 billion be approved as requested by INEC, others said approving the entire amount will be going against the presidents request. Majority of the members, including the chairman of the committee, moved that the committee accepts INEC requests and refer it to the committee on appropriation to determine how the funding will be made which was the committees final resolution. PREMIUM TIMES appreciates all persons of conscience and civic groups in and outside Nigeria who, in firm defence of free speech, joined in demanding the immediate release of our reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, from the custody of the Nigeria Police. Mr Ogundipe was arrested on August 14 for his refusal on the grounds of professional ethics to disclose the source of a story on police investigations into the blockade of the Nigerian parliament by the State Security Service. The police thereafter secretly arraigned the reporter before a Magistrates court in Kubwa, Abuja, and obtained permission to detain him for five days until August 20. Following sustained outcry against his incarceration, the court reviewed its position and granted bail to the reporter. Mr Ogundipe has since been released, after meeting the bail conditions. Given recent experiences of prolonged detention without trial in Nigeria, including of journalists, Mr Ogundipes release was no doubt influenced by the overwhelming public expression of outrage in and outside Nigeria that attended his detention. We thank all who through speech and action joined in the protest against the apparent clampdown on the press and war on free speech manifest in this incident. We thank the Nigerian Union of Journalists, civil and human rights organisations, non-governmental organisations, legal practitioners, political leaders and officials of government at different levels who , openly or discreetly, contributed to securing freedom for Mr Ogundipe. We are grateful to local and foreign media organisations who reported the event as it unfolded and pressured the authorities to do the right thing. We also thank individuals at home and abroad who called to encourage us in our work. Premium Times restates its resolute commitment to the quest for truth and justice through the practice of ethical journalism, and pursuit of the ideals of open society and accountability in public affairs. In the immortal words of Mahatma Gandhi, truth never damages a just cause. Dapo Olorunyomi Publisher A United Nations (UN) official on Friday spoke on a report submitted to the UN Security Council that showed Nigeria paid ransom to free scores of schoolgirls kidnapped in Dapchi, Yobe State, The UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said the report was by an independent committee and he has no concrete evidence at this time to qualify such a statement. The report, first published by the News Agency of Nigeria, said such ransom was one of the ways Boko Haram andother terror groups raise funds. The report was titled 22nd Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, was carried out (in) pursuance of a UN resolution 2368 (2017) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities. The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Thursday restated its stance that no ransom was paid contrary to the UN report. About 111 Dapchi girls were kidnapped in February this year by the Boko Haram terror group, with majority, about 105, released about a month after negotiations with the government. One of the girls, Leah Sharibu, is still with the Boko Haram after she reportedly refused to denounce her Christian faith. Speaking at a joint press conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, to mark the 2018 World Humanitarian day, Mr Kallon said the report on the ransom was not authored by the UN. The official and the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, jointly addressed the press at the latters office on the ongoing humanitarian situation in the state. Asked by PREMIUM TIMES if he was aware of the report, the UN official said, We have just seen those reports, but (what) I want to emphasise is that we are here in Nigeria and we are committed to work with the government to address the needs of people that have been in this unfortunate situations of conflict. And that is our priority focus. The official did not, however, disprove the content of the report or agree with the stance of the Nigerian government. I really dont get distracted by some of these independent report that are coming out; and I dont have any concrete evidence at this time to qualify such a statement. But all I can tell you is that it is a report of an independent committee. Earlier, the UN humanitarian coordinator said in his statement that this years humanitarian day commemoration, just like the previous year, was held to mark the attack on the UN in Baghdad of which 22 UN humanitarian workers were killed. Since the tragedy, he said over 4000 humanitarian workers have been killed, injured, detained or kidnapped. Mr. Kallon said the global figure of attack on humanitarian workers includes that of Borno State during which five humanitarians (three in Rann, one in Ngala and one in Damasak) were killed this year, while three others were abducted in the ongoing Boko Haram conflict. He said about 26,000 people have been killed, while thousands of women and girls have been abducted or used as suicide bombers by the Boko Haram. He called on Nigerian leaders to do everything in their power to protect the people caught up in conflict. And I call on all who are concerned to join our campaign to show that civilians are #NotATarget, he said. Rescue efforts were ongoing on Friday at about 10:30 p.m. at the site of a building collapse in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, visited the site of the collapsed four-storey building under construction in the Jabi part of the Nigerian capital. He commended rescue efforts. :As you can see, all of the emergency equipment are here, he said. Mr Osinbajo expressed satisfaction with the level of activities being carried out to ensure successful rescue of the victims. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello, also expressed sadness over the collapse when he visited, before Mr Osinbajo. The minister visited the scene of the collapse few hours after the tragic event occurred. Obviously you all agree with me, that this is a very sad day for us in Abuja. We can see what has happened, a building under construction collapsed and we can see that government agencies are trying their very best to rescue our citizens who are trapped in the building, Mr Bello said. The reeling impact of Fridays collapse has left many residents and victims demoralised. For eyewitnesses, it was a memory they will reflect on for sometime. It sounded like a bomb, said Chinedu Ike, a witness. There were reports of two deaths and their bodies evacuated earlier, but that is yet to be officially confirmed. Between 1 and 2 p.m., the building situated within Jabi/Utako park, directly opposite Panda shopping mall, collapsed to the consternation of many residents and passersby. Multiple witnesses said more than 10 people were trapped in the debris as at Friday evening when rescue efforts were still on. Before my eyes, the building just fell to the ground gboom, a woman selling cooked food in the area exclaimed. I was trying to withdraw money from an ATM when I heard the sound of the collapse. I rushed to the scene and we brought six people out. Two of them were no longer breathing. The site engineer had a broken leg while the others where critically injured. We rushed them to Gwarimpa Hospital in Keke, I dont really know their current condition at the moment, Joel Joseph, a witness, explained. Other witnesses corroborated Mr Josephs account. Many government agencies, including National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Road Safety Corporation, police and other security agencies were still at the site trying to rescue the trapped victims at the time of filing this report. When tractors brought were not sufficient, construction companies also joined the rescue mission. When we heard about it, the lead organisation in search and rescue on a collapse building is the fire service, we activated both the federal and the FCT fire service to the scene. And on arrival, there are some people that were not deeply trapped, so they were rescued by bystanders and taken to the hospital. The number of people in the hospital is not yet ascertained as the situation is not yet under control; but we will go round to all the hospitals soon, said Leberan Aman, NEMA head of search and rescue in Abuja, Another NEMA official at the scene, A. Eyamo, also said the number of casualties is yet to be confirmed. The experts are still trying to put their reports together and when it is ready we would let Nigerians know. But for now, we are concentrating on the rescue efforts, so we would tell you letter. The Collapse Who to Blame? Many have blamed the collapse on poor construction of the building. They say the building was not just poorly constructed but also abandoned for many years and it all resulted to the collapse. It is really unfortunate, the building collapsed and people are trapped. To my observations one could see some compromise in use of materials, Muthar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control in Abuja said at the venue. He, however, noted that it was his personal viewswhich is subject to professional tests. The building has been abandoned for more than 15 years, and the owner of the building just mobilised contractors to continue with the project. I would like to go back and cross check whether an approval for them to resume work was granted and to find out if some integrity test was fully conducted which I cannot confirm at the moment. Further details and investigation on who is doing what and who has done what would be conducted soon. Abbas Idris, the Director General of FEMA, described the incident as unfortunate and blamed structural lapses for the collapse. We always tell builders to build according to the plan and within a defined time frame. It is not our fault because we always move around in search of abandoned buildings like this. And if you abandon a building for a while, you have to carry out an integrity test, get development control before you continue the work. He did not, however, specify if such conditions were met before work continued on the collapsed structure. This building has been abandoned for 15 years and work resumed not too long ago, a building research officer of the Nigerian Building and Research Institute said. There are many people trapped underneath. We are here for structural investigation and at the end of the day we will ascertain the course and prevent future occurrences. Umar Shuaibu, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council Coordinator, expressed shock over the incident. He said it has been long the nations capital experienced such a serious collapse of a building. For the past two years, we never had a serious building collapse like this. Whenever we inspect a building site, we make cement hammer test and if it is satisfactory, we give a go ahead and if its not we stop work. Recently , we have given notices to all abandoned buildings in Abuja. Work commenced here not long a go before this tragic incident occurred. When asked if its true that the building has been abandoned for 15 years, the FCT minister said, our investigation on this would easily unravel what has happened but I think our priority at this point is to make sure that whoever is trapped comes out safely and we have already prepared adequate medical attention. The hospitals have been made available, the ambulances are there. So now I think we should support our officers that are working on this site to bring out everyone trapped out safe and sound. An eyewitness said one of the workers trapped inside the rubble contacted him on phone, but I could not hear him clearly. A worker who narrowly escaped the tragedy said over 50 people work there. The owner of the building was yet to be identified as at the time of this report. However, YALIAM PRESS LIMITED plot No. 20 , SECTOR CENTRE B. (B16 DISTRICT) JABI, ABUJA, was boldly written on a big signboard in front of the collapsed structure. The chairman of the Independent National Eelctoral Commission has spoken of some of the records preparations for the 2019 elections have set. Mahmood Yakubu, a professor said this was the first time in Nigerias history that the electoral budget would be made public. He also said the announcement of dates for next years general elections was the earliest ever made. Mr Yakubu stated these and others while briefing journalists when he visited the State House, Abuja, on Friday. Read excerpts of the interview with the election chief below. Q: On voters registration extension? Yakubu: Well, we started the continuous voters registration exercise on 27th April 2017, so we have been, as provided for in our constitution , registering voters consistently in the last 16 months. In response to appeal by Nigerians, we have created more centers for the registration; but finally decided that we should suspend the process as provided for by the law, six months to the elections. But again, in response to appeal by Nigerians, we have now extended to the end of the month. As at Saturday last week, the 11th of August, we have registered 12.1 million citizens, this will eventually be added to the 70 million voters that are already registered for the 2019 general elections. We have voters register of over 80 million citizens. Q: Is the registration also for weekends? Yakubu: Let me make this very important clarification, the registration is going to take place between 9 in the morning and 5 p.m. daily including weekends but excluding the public holiday. You know Tuesday and Wednesday next week have been declared public holiday. The second important clarification that I should make, is that the second voters registration exercise, the end of the continuous voters registration is 31st of August. But (it) does not mean the end of the collection of PVCs. Collection of PVCs will continue until at least one week to the general election in February 2019. Q: Are you not worried that the virement is still before the National Assembly? Yakubu: Well, we have made the clarification that the National Assembly asked for and I am happy that the National Assembly and the two committees on INEC expressed satisfaction on the clarification that we made for the matter of appropriation. So we look forward to hearing what the the National Assembly will say. But we also need to make this very important clarification, the commission requested for N189.2 billion, that is what the executive proposed to the National Assembly, so there are no discrepancies in the figures at all. Q: Are the elections going to be postponed? Yakubu: I have said this over and over again, there are no conditions under which elections should be postponed. Under section 26 of the Electoral Act, the date is formed and fixed, February 16, 2019. We issued the timetable way in advance for the very first time in the history of our nation. Citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place one year in advance. It has never happened before. Secondly, also for the very first time in the history of our country, that citizens know the budget of the electoral commission. That budget has never been defended before the National Assembly; as citizens know line by line how much the commission proposed, what the money is going to be spent on. I think I am very happy with this process. Q: What brought you to the villa? Yakubu: It has nothing to do with our national politics. Recall that in March 2016, I was elected the President of ECOWAS network of electoral commission, in that capacity recently, we undertook a NEEDS assessment visit to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and part of what they request for Nigeria, is assistance with voters registration kits. Since I returned a little over two weeks ago, I have received daily calls from electoral commission, and this afternoon, the ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria, they want to start the voters registration on the 23rd of this month but they are relying on Nigeria to provide the assistance. That is why I came and had a meeting with Ambassador Lawal with the senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs to facilitate Nigerias electoral assistance to Guinea-Bissau. It is important to do so because you should also remember that for several years now, Nigeria has had troops in Guinea-Bissau to stabilise the country and that stability is dependent upon the conduct of proper elections. Once elections are conducted, Nigerian troops can now safely withdraw. So its much cheaper for Nigeria to provide this assistance. Q: Is there budget for foreign observers? Yakubu: I have had this question that we have prepared budget for international observers, there is no such thing. There is no line in the budget for international observers. What we are provided for are the kits, you know the jackets, caps, publication, that we give to international observers, the stickers that are fixed on their cars to be identified on Election Day. This is the standard practice. Each country that organises elections provide these facilities for those who monitor elections. But their accommodation, transportation will be born by various election monitoring groups and not by the Nigerian government. Two senators, Isa Misau and Rafiu Ibrahim, have insisted they would sponsor a motion urging the federal government to immediately set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to probe the recent invasion of the National Assembly Complex by officials of the State Security Service (SSS). Messrs Misau and Ibrahim, in a joint statement on Thursday, stated that an open enquiry would enable Nigerians know what led to the siege and those behind the plot to illegally take over the National Assembly. The senators stated that one of the priority assignments of the Senate on resumption would be a motion on the floor in which the National Assembly siege and the rape on democracy would be debated and appropriate resolutions taken on how to redress the situation. The statement reads: Is it not curious that the Federal Government has not deemed it necessary to constitute a judicial panel to conduct an impartial and public enquiry into the recent siege on the National Assembly which amounted to a coup against democracy in the country? The Federal Government cannot afford to sweep this treasonable act under the carpet nor commit it to a secret in-house committee that may fail to do justice to the matter by treating the heist like business as usual. Sacking the former Director General of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, does not end this. That is just a knee-jack, spontaneous reaction. We now need to understand how to cut off the cancer. The National Assembly must insist on getting to the root of the case. We must understand the causes of the invasion, unravel the brains behind the anti-democratic action in order to bring the perpetrators to book and prevent future re-occurrence. The inquiry must not be subjected to executive manipulation and cover up. We must ensure transparency and that is why an open judicial inquiry is what is needed now. A judicial commission of enquiry, holding its investigation in an open environment will help. This we believe would serve as a deterrent to any person or group of persons that may want to contemplate such condemnable action in future. They warned that security forces should not be used to derail the nations democracy and called on Nigerians and members of the international community to remain alert in order to frustrate any other attempts to truncate the nations democracy through illegal deployment of security forces to intimidate, harass and arrest political opponents. The recent siege on the National Assembly must not happen again and the only way to prevent a future reoccurrence is to ensure that the perpetrators and their evil collaborators are unmasked and made to face the full wrath of the law. Anything less would only be condoning illegality and this will be unacceptable to Nigerians and our International development partners who look up to Nigeria as a leading democratic nation in Africa. Any attempt to sweep this siege under the carpet by not setting up a judicial panel to determine the role and level of involvement of those who masterminded the shameful act will be resisted by the National Assembly, and by extension, Nigerians, the statement reads further. An alleged pipeline vandal Thursday vanished into thin air moments after he was arraigned before a federal judge in Lagos. Kingsley Ibeto was charged with two counts of conspiracy and felony by unlawfully dealing in petroleum products by the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps and brought before Chuka Obiozor, a judge of a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court. According to the charge sheet, Mr Ibeto committed the offence on January 14 around the Ile-Epo/Oke-odo area along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. The offences, according to the prosecutor, Rita Ezeli, are contrary to section 3(6) of miscellaneous offence act, Cap. M17, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under section 1(7) of the same act. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. After his plea was taken, the defendants lawyer, Babatunde Adeyanju, informed the judge that the bail application he filed on behalf of his client was not in the courts file, a situation that led to the judge standing down the matter for it to be resolved. The prosecutor had also told the court that she was yet to be served with the bail application. However, while the matter was stood down for his bail application to be brought before the court, the accused disappeared to thin air. When the case was recalled after his bail application had been brought, the accused was nowhere to be found. Phone calls by his lawyer to his mobile phone were not answered and all efforts to get hold of him were unsuccessful. Mr Adeyanju pleaded with the judge to grant him a short adjourned date to enable him find the accused. The judge adjourned till August 28. An Abuja Chief Magistrate court presided by Chukwuemeka Nweke has adjourned the trial of a journalist, Jones Abiri, to September 5. The adjournment Friday followed the absence of the prosecution counsel in court and after the court realised the prosecution counsel had not served the defence application. Mr Abiri, who was detained by the State Security Service (SSS) for two years without trial over alleged linked to armed militancy in the Niger Delta, was released on Wednesday after meeting his bail conditions. His release came after the court reviewed his bail conditions. Mr Abiri, publisher and editor-in-chief of Weekly Source Newspaper, had been granted bail after he was charged to court following public outcry. On Friday, the Chief Magistrate when put on notice that the prosecution counsel was absent ruled for an adjournment. On Thursday, the defendants lawyer, Samuel Ogala, had complained to the court that the prosecution had ignored its order to serve the defence the proof of evidence. He described the action of the prosecution as a breach of section 350(2) of ACJA as it is mandatory to serve the defence such evidence. According Mr Ogala, serving the defence the proof was to ensure speedy dispensation of justice. The lawyer had also opposed the any further adjournment of the case, saying it will not serve justice to the defendant as he needs to reunite with his family after his prolonged incarceration. On Thursday, Mr Nweke, said the reasons given by the prosecutors for an adjournment were not justifiable and said he had earlier warned the prosecution that the court would not be used as a cell for storing cases. He said if by Friday the proof of evidence was not served on the defence and witnesses called, the case would be struck out. On Friday, however, the judge adjourned the matter to September 5 for definite hearing. Ahead of the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, ram dealers at New Artisan Market, Enugu, have decried low patronage by buyers. Musa Yero, the Acting Chairman, Ram Dealers Association, Enugu chapter, attributed the situation to the high cost of the animals. Mr Yero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the price increase was beyond dealers expectations. The ram prices increased beyond our expectations; the prices are about 44 per cent higher when compared to last Eid-el-Kabir prices. He attributed the increase to the cost of transportation from the northern part of the country. He said that a medium-size ram was selling at N55,000 as against its previous price of N35,000, while a bigger ram also goes for between N75,000 and N95, 00 as against N68,000 and N73,000 previously. According to him, the least price of a ram currently is N24,500. Another ram dealer, Isa Abdullahi, noted that the price hike had affected sales, stressing that customers were not coming to buy as they should. Mr Abdullahi said dealers in the northern part of the country were still afraid to go about their ram business due to the security situation around them, which, he noted, had impacted on the prices. The security situation along the routes where these rams are being moved down from and some main ram markets had been attacked by insurgents, thereby causing the ram prices to rise, he said. Shehu Umar, another dealer, however, said he was hopeful that patronage would improve by Saturday, three days to the celebration. (NAN) The lingering and recurrent leadership crisis, which has been prominent in the upper Legislative Chamber since 1999, has developed into a threat to the democratic system, a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) have said. This was one of a host of issues highlighted during a press briefing at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Thursday, in Abuja. Auwal Rafsanjani, the executive director of CISLAC, said the crisis between the Senate and the presidency, today, is a cause of worry for Nigerias democracy. There are multiple signs that the political class is even more self-serving than it has been in the past and (the) civil society believes the time has come to clearly define the national interest and work towards edifying it. We recall that a combination of internal and external crisis has at different times, resulted in the removal of three senate presidents and the speaker of the House of Representatives by 2014. We also note that since 2015, there has been crisis between the executive and the legislature that has affected the effectiveness of both arms of government in performing their statutory functions. As civil society activists, we note with deep concern that a lot of the crisis have been caused by narrow intra and inter-party partisan interests rather than legislative priorities aimed at promoting good governance. The on-going musical chairs of political nomadism have no relationship to issues of concern to the Nigerian people. What we can all see is reckless self-serving behaviour of politicians whose only concern is their determination to continue exercising power without responsibility. As political tensions grow and the risk of system failure grows, we seek to draw attention to the primary purpose of democratic politics, which is the pursuit of the common good, he said. He also said one of the greatest concerns of the civil society activists is the intimidation of the institutions of the legislature by the security agencies signalled by the attack on the Senate last week. Another issue highlighted by the group of CSOs include attacks on press freedom seen in the recent arrest and detention of journalists. Mr. Rafsanjani said such action undermines the cardinal principle of press freedom in a democratic system of government. Also, the lag in the fight against corruption, the damnation of revelations of the 2016 Auditor General report, the non-inauguration of the National Procurement Council, non-compliance to freedom of information requests, lack of board for the National Human Rights Commission, and the budget for the conduct of the 2019 elections, were other issues pointed out and discussed by the CSOs. CSOs make recommendations In the light of the aforementioned issues, the CSOs made these recommendations; We call on the National Assembly to refocus and carry out its legislative responsibilities with a sense of patriotism and prioritising the provision of good governance in line with its constitutional mandate. We call on the Senate to ensure that the current crisis is resolved speedily and amicably in the national interest by rising above party affiliations and personal ambition. We call on the National Assembly to objectively scrutinize the budget proposal for the 2019 elections to eliminate duplications, and wasteful provisions and consequently expedite actions on the virement and supplementary appropriation to ensure INEC receives necessary and timely funding for a hitch-free conduct of the 2019 general elections; We call on the National Assembly through its Public Accounts Committee to intensify oversight over the MDAs to address non-compliance to the Constitution and financial regulations. We call on the National Assembly to take adequate steps to strengthen the anti-corruption efforts by the passage of necessary laws and confirmation of the appointment of heads of government agencies to enable swift execution of delegated responsibilities; we call on the National Assembly to expedite action on pending anti-corruption Bills to strengthen the fight against corruption in line with the promises to the Nigerian people. We call on the National Assembly to ensure that the proposed Legislative Forum for the Implementation of the EITI is properly constituted and operational to ensure prompt implementation of recommendations from NEITI audit reports and to conclude work on the outstanding components of the PIB; we call on the President to constitute and inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement as provided in the PPA 2007 to bring an end to the illegality in the award of contracts. We also call on the President to act decisively on the report of the Auditor-General of the Federation by sanctioning defaulting MDAs and insisting on zero-tolerance to disregard for financial regulations; we call on the President to assent to the PIGB sent to his office by the National Assembly in furtherance of the reforms in the oil and gas sector and in line with his promise the Nigerian people. We call on the President to call his security agencies to order and put a definite end to Constitutional breaches and violations of human rights by security agencies that have been acting with impunity. Finally, we call on the National Assembly to adopt open legislative framework of governance as an institutional process and not a one-off activity by making its budget spending and procurement public. This will restore public confidence to the legislature in Nigeria. The group of civil society organisations include; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy centre (CISLAC), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Say No Campaign (SNC), Centre for Information Technology and Democracy (CITAD), State of the Union (SOTU), Partners for Electoral Reforms (PER), Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Accountability Mechanism for Maternal New Born and Child Health in Nigeria (AMHiN), Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT), National Procurement Watch Platform (NPWP), African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), and Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP). Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, has faulted the polices continued detention of PREMIUM TIMES journalist Samuel Ogundipe, for refusing to name the sources of a story he wrote which was published by the newspaper. In a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria condemned the arrest of Mr Ogundipe and the earlier detention of newspapers Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed. The police had accused Mr Ogundipe of publishing a classified document of the police which detailed the role of the sacked SSS Director General, Lawal Daura, in the siege of the National Assembly, and which was addressed to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo. The police also mounted pressure on Mr Ogundipe to disclose his source, which the reporter has refused to do as accepted by global journalism ethics. Mr Ozekhome noted that the action of the police undermined the relevant sections of the constitution and court judgments regarding the role of the press in information dissemination. In both Adikwu &Ors v Federal House of Representatives of the NASS & Ors (1982) 3 NCLR 394; and Tony Momoh vs Senate of the NASS &Ors (1981) 1 NCLR 105, the courts upheld and broadened the legal and constitutional vistas of the rights of journalists to freely publish stories, without being censured or being compelled to disclose the sources of their privileged information, Mr Ozekhome said. The courts reasoned, rightly in my humble view, that free media reports in any democratic society are matters of public interest and that free flow of information and protection of journalists confidential relationship with their sources of information must be upheld as a necessary constitutional safeguard and guarantee of freedom of speech and expression, so as to prevent such sources from drying up. The Federal High Court in Maliam Ismaila v President (2009-10) CHR 166 was later to strike down many provisions contained in the Nigerian Press Council, on the grounds, inter alia, that they amounted to censorship of the press and could therefore be used by the government to censor freedom of expression provided in section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, he explained. He noted that the police had made itself a tool of tyranny at the hands of the government, and abandoned its constitutional role of protecting the lives and property of the citizens. The Police has since abandoned its constitutional role under sections 214 and 215 of the Constitution and section 4 of the Police Act, of protecting and defending the Nigerian people, in an aberrative preference for being an instrument of government tyranny, oppression, repression and arbitrary subjugation of the very people it was set up to protect and defend in the first place, the senior lawyer said. The government has since taken us back to the inglorious locust days of Decree No 4 of 1984, under the same Muhammadu Buhari (then as military dictator). Under that Decree, publication of any material, even if true and correct, was a crime, once it embarrassed the government. Messrs Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor were victims who were unceremoniously jailed under the draconian piece of legislation. Mr Ozekhome observed that in recent times, there had been an unwarranted harassment the Fourth Estate of the Realm (media), which he described as the only entity recognised by section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, to hold government accountable and responsible to the Nigerian people. I whole-heartedly condemn, in most unequivocal terms, the latest onslaught, assault and detention carried out by an increasingly intolerant and desperate non performing government, in a Gestapo like manner, against the Premium Times veteran journalist, Samuel Ogundipe, including Misikilu Mojeed, the Editor-In-Chief of Premium Times, he said. This media house is a well-known pro-masses online publication. Their offence is that this same media house that had exposed the ricocheting and never ending NYSC certificate forgery saga (Adeosungate) of Kemi Adeosun, the Finance minister, is that it published a yet unrefuted skewed interim report by the Police, forwarded to acting President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, on the well deserved sacking of Lawal Daura, over his ignoble role in laying siege on the NASS, the third arm of government. I had warned in 2016, when hooded and masked DSS and EFCC operatives infamously descended on judges in their homes in the wee hours of morning, broke down their doors and terrorised the judges and members of their families that Nigeria was steadily gravitating towards dictatorship, absolutism and fascism. I predicted then that the governments next port of call would be the legislature and then the Fourth Estate of the Realm. These predictions have since come to pass. Ironically, those who not only disagreed with me then, but even cowardly abused me, for this nostradamus-like astral peep into the future, are today emergency born-again crusaders against this sustained anti-people norm of this government. Mr Ozekhome then called on the government to immediately and unconditionally release the PREMIUM TIMES reporter and leave newspaper and other media houses alone, to carry out their social and constitutional responsibilities. Where it believes they have committed any offence known to law, they should be released and charged to court immediately. That is the path of honour dignity, ethics, morality, legalism and constitutionalism, he added. This government should stop mocking the people that elected it to office, with serial anti-people actions, chastisement, intimidation, harassment, embarrassment and utmost ridicule. The prevailing grinding hunger, deprivation, abject penury, insecurity, parlous economy and unspeakable acts of monumental corruption enthroned and nurtured by this government are already more than enough for beleaguered Nigerians to contend with. The government should not add salt unto injury by further depriving Nigerians of their inalienable rights freely given to them by God Almighty, Mr Ozekhome added. A U.S.-based lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, has written to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo demanding the release of PREMIUM TIMES journalist Samuel Ogundipe. Mr Ogundipe has been detained by the Nigerian police since Tuesday for refusing to disclose his source for a story. The police also secretly arraigned him at a magistrate court, denying him access to legal representation. The police accuse Mr Ogubdipe of stealing police document used for the story. The story revealed a report written to Mr Osinbajo by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, indicting ex-director general of the State Security Service for the siege on the National Assembly by security operatives. In his letter to Mr Osinbajo, Mr Ogebe decried the unjustified arrest and violations of the constitutional rights of Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe. Read the full letter below. Acting President Osinbajo SAN Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja, Nigeria Your Excellency, RELEASE DETAINED JOURNALIST OGUNDIPE AND INVESTIGATE LEAKS IN PRESIDENCY/NPF I wish to commend your speedy intervention to halt the descent into anarchy and anomie orchestrated by the lawless and brutish actions of the former DG of the DSS. However today I write with concern over the unjustified arrest and violations of the constitutional rights of Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe. Our preliminary inquires and analysis of the situation evinces the following: 1. CHAIN OF CAUSATION Samuel Ogundipe was arrested with regard to the publication of a police report to your office detailing the findings of their investigation pursuant to a petition instituted by you over last weeks besiegement of the NASS. Accordingly the proximate cause of the arrest of Samuel Ogundipe arose from your office which was ground zero in the chain of causation. In this light your office is a primary stake holder in the issue. 2. CHAIN OF CUSTODY the police report originated from the office of the Inspector General of Police and terminated in the office of the Acting President. By virtue of this chain of custody, both the office of the IGP and the office of the AgP were variously in custody of the report and are therefore both susceptible and subject to investigation for the leakage complained of. Accordingly your office is a logical locus of interest to any inquiry into the leak. 3. PROPER COMPLAINANT As the authority requesting the report and as the end recipient thereof, your office should determine whether it is injured by the leakage thereof. Your office is the primary consumer or end user of the information and if you feel aggrieved by the public disclosure thereof, you should be the complainant and not the police IG who transmitted the report. 4. LAWFUL POSSESSION If the report was provided to the reporter by a party in the office of the AgP, it is incumbent for your office to affirm that the reporter had lawful possession of same and relieve him of further prosecution and detention. Your excellency is no doubt aware that our professional ethics of the bar forbids us from attributing to an innocent person an offense for which we are defending a client when we are aware that said client did in fact perpetrate same. Your office should clarify if indeed it provided the report to the media. 5. NON CLASSIFIED MATERIAL A review of the report in question indicates that it was neither marked TOP SECRET or Confidential as is customary for memos deemed to warrant such restrictions. Accordingly an innocent possessor of such a document could not reasonably be expected to assume that it is classified. 6. DE MINIMIS The prosecution of a journalist for publishing a harmless document is a highly immaterial issue in the face of a criminal justice system that needs to address serious offenses of terrorism, genocide, crass corruption amongst others. The de minimis rule holds that minimal infractions of this nature (for the sake of argument not admission) be dispensed with as a nuisance to the administration of justice. 7. NATIONAL SECURITY The report did not reveal anything of import to national security. Indeed the content of the report was so quantitively and qualitatively modest that an average blogger who watched the besiegement videos online would have been able to write a comparable or better report. 8. NO DAMAGE The leakage of the report did not cause any damage to the government. Indeed on the contrary it generated goodwill as the public was given a sense that the government was taking the besiegement saga seriously. 9. PUBLIC INTEREST It must be recognized that the disclosure was in the public interest. Indeed your office issued a press statement saying there would be an investigation and actors in the besiegement saga would be held to account. It is therefore absurd that the only person known to be in custody is a journalist who reported on the progress of the investigation and not the individuals who perpetrated an assault on the legislative arm of Government. We are all witnesses to how the delayed attention to your own investigation of the corruption allegations of your then SGF led to his remaining in office longer than necessary. Indeed the non publication thereof has allowed him walk free till date without prosecution for misappropriated IDP funds. 10. PERSONS OF INTEREST It should be made clear that the IGP should investigate his office and the AgP yours as Mr Ogundipe is not an officer of either office. Even the US White House which has suffered much leakage has looked into its staff and not arrested the journalists who gained information from the leakers. 11. GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Premium Times has shown itself to have a mechanism for addressing grievances. Mr Ogundipe had once been suspended for a mistaken identity report affecting the wife of the president which was apologized for. PT recently fired another journalist over incorrect attribution of a quote from a Herdsman spokesperson on the recent Plateau massacre. Therefore the rush to press charges was needless in an organization that is amenable to ethical review. 12. SARS REFORM It is ironic that as the AgP requested reforms of the SARS which is a notorious rightsviolator of innocent citizens, it has simultaneously meted the same rights violations on Mr Ogundipe. We note that you had announced SARS reforms several months ago and reannounced reforms again this week. In what appears to be another direct disregard to a presidential order, it appears that the reforms do not go beyond superficial media announcements. Indeed it is shocking that the police is purportedly accusing Mr Ogundipe of trespass and theft of a police document. No self-respecting police force would claim that its headquarters were trespassed on by a solitary journalist or that a document was stolen from the inner sanctum of no less than an IGP himself. Little wonder the NPF ranks abysmally low in global ratings. Your excellency I urge you to act swiftly to reverse this travesty before your current stint ends this weekend. Much of the unconscionable human rights abuses, disregard for court orders which as a distinguished lawyer you would never have sanctioned etc have occurred when you were not in a position of total responsibility. However the arrest of Mr Ogundipe happened on your watch and indirectly on your account. It is best addressed by you before you divest authority this weekend. Your excellency is reminded that the 2 year long incarceration without trial of journalist Abiri Jones has now made the current Buhari administrations record of attacks on the media worse than the prior dictatorial regime of General Buhari. That regime only lasted 20 months while Joness detention has exceeded that time frame making your current administrations record worse for journalists by this indicator even without the existence of the ignominious Decree 4. The prosecution of journalist Luka Binniyat, the desecration of NUJ Abia state by the army and the detention of reporters of Elombah online media are just a few of the other blemishes on your administration. Your excellency will acknowledge that the foUrth estate of the realm is needed all the more urgently in Nigeria to curb the abuses and excesses of authoritarian and corrupt state actors who lack democratic pedigree and culture. We therefore call on you to order the Attorney General to entire a nolle prosequi in the farce trial to which Mr Ogundipe has been subjected and order his immediate release by the Inspector General of Police. Your excellency, you are acting President but you are still a Minister in the temple of justice and must be held to a higher standard. Respectfully, Emmanuel Ogebe Cc: SA MEDIA OVP International Press Institute Committee to Protect Journalists PT Nigerian police should immediately release journalist Samuel Ogundipe, drop all charges against him, and cease efforts to pressure him to reveal any journalistic sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mr Ogundipe, a reporter with the privately owned Premium Times online newspaper, was arraigned yesterday (Wednesday) in a magistrates court in the Kubwa suburb of Abuja, Nigerias capital, after police detained him overnight and repeatedly tried to force him to reveal the source for an article about the inspector general of police, according to Musikilu Mojeed, editor-in-chief of Premium Times, and Esther Bassey, one of the journalists lawyers, who said the arraignment was illegal. Police from Nigerias special armed robbery squad, commonly known as SARS, on August 13 also briefly detained Azeezat Adedigba, an education reporter from Premium Times, and used her phone to summon and arrest Mr Ogundipe, Mr Mojeed and Ms Adedigba told CPJ. Nigerian authorities should immediately release journalist Samuel Ogundipe and drop all charges against him. No journalist should be forced to reveal their sources, Muthoki Mumo, CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, said from Nairobi, Kenya. Nigerias authorities have too often proven brazenly willing to flout the law in order to intimidate the press. According to the charge sheet seen by CPJ, Mr Ogundipe was charged with criminal trespass, theft and having possession of Police Interim Investigation report under sections 352, 288, and 319(a) of the Nigerian penal code. Bassey told CPJ that the sections of the penal code did not seem to match the charges. Ms Bassey also told CPJ that he had spoken with the journalist, and that the magistrate had ordered an additional five days in detention. Its not legal to be arraigned without the presence of a lawyer, Ms Bassey told CPJ. They secretly put [Ogundipe] in a vehicle and took him to a magistrate court and accused him of criminal trespass and that he stole a police report, Bassey said. Mr Ogundipes arrest occurred after Ms Adedigba was detained for roughly four hours at the SARS office in Abuja, Ms Adedigba told CPJ. According to Ms Adedigba and a Premium Times report, Ms Adedigba went to the station in the company of Mr Mojeed after receiving a formal police invitation letter on August 13 from an officer identified as Emmanuel Onyeneho. The letter came after repeated, often threatening calls since August 11 asking her to report to the police station, Ms Adedigba said. The letter, which was seen by CPJ, stated that Ms Adedigba was implicated in criminal conspiracy, cybercrime, attempted kidnapping, and a fraudulent act. Ms Adedigba told CPJ that her phone was seized by the guard upon arrival at the SARS office, but Mr Onyeneho eventually brought it into the holding room and told Ms Adedigba to dial a number she did not recognize. When it started to ring, it was revealed to be Mr Ogundipes number saved in her phone, Ms Adedigba said. Mr Onyeneho ordered Ms Adedigba and Mr Mojeed to instruct Mr Ogundipe to report to the SARS office, the two journalists told CPJ. Mr Mojeed told CPJ that as soon as Mr Ogundipe arrived, Md Onyeneho turned his attention away from the accusations listed in the invitation letter and began asking questions about an article that he claimed was injurious to the police and Nigeria. Ms Adedigba said she was told the accusations raised against her were cleared and she was free to go. They have been giving me a lot of psychological trauma since Saturday [August 11], just to get Samuel, Ms Adedigba told CPJ. When contracted by phone yesterday, Mr Onyeneho told CPJ he did not want to talk about the case. Mr Ogundipe was then transferred to the inspector generals monitoring unit at the police headquarters in Abuja, where police interrogated him in an effort to discover the source of his article. The piece was about a report sent from Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the security services involvement in blocking access to the Nigerian National Assembly on August 7, according to Mr Mojeed, who accompanied Mr Ogundipe, and a report by Premium Times. I kept reminding them that this was not acceptable, Mr Mojeed told CPJ, referring to the polices efforts to pressure Mr Ogundipe into revealing where he got the information for the report. Mr Ogundipe did not reveal his source and the police commissioner in charge called for officers to rush to a court and get a warrant for Mr Ogundipes arrest, Mr Mojeed said. Mr Ogundipe that evening was taken back to the SARS station where he remained until being arraigned, Mr Mojeed and Ms Bassey told CPJ. Mr Mojeed also told CPJ that the police showed him a file of information on Mr Ogundipe, including call history, which the officer said they received from the telecommunication service provider, and bank details. Ms Adedigba also told CPJ that police said they got her number from her service provider, privately owned MTN. Mr Ogundipes bank account was frozen on the same day he was detained, according to Premium Times. CPJs repeated calls to Abayomi Shogunle, assistant commissioner of police and head of the public complaint rapid response unit for the Nigerian police, went unanswered. CPJs calls to Jimoh Moshood, Nigerian police spokesperson, also went unanswered. On the same day Mr Ogundipe and Ms Adedigba were detained by SARS, Osinbajo instructed Mr Idris to reform the same police unit and investigate allegations of human rights violations, according to Reuters. Since Mr Ogundipes arrest, social media uses have used the hashtag #FreeSamuelOgundipe to call for the journalists release and today protesters gathered in Abuja to additionally demand his release, according to Premium Times. Protesters on Friday gathered at the Nigerian Police Force headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of detained PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Samuel Ogundipe. The groups which include Nigerian activists, civil society leaders and journalists held the first day of protest on Thursday, The demonstration led by the #TakebackNigeriaMovement and the #OurMumuDonDo, held in front of the polices Louis Edet House headquarters in Abuja. At about the time the protesters gathered on Friday, Mr Ogundipe was granted bail by a magistrate court in Kubwa, and was consequently released, information later brought to the attention of the protesters. The police already deployed armed officers to check the protesters, forming a shield around them The National Secretary of #OurMumudondo, Adebayo, who was first to arrive the protest ground on Friday, said whether the representatives of NUJ are here or not, we will continue to protest for his release because he is a Nigerian. Mr Adebayo started the protest alone while waiting for others. The convener of concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, said the protest will continue everyday till Mr Ogundipe is released. Mr Ogundipe, who covers the security beat for PREMIUM TIMES, was arrested on Tuesday by the police and secretly arraigned at a magistrate court in Abuja on Wednesday without access to his lawyer. The police want Mr Ogundipe to disclose his source for a story, a demand that goes contrary to ethical journalism. Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released Protesters gather at police headquarters as Samuel Ogundipe is released The police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood, while addressing the protesters on Monday said no journalist has a right to access and publish classified documents, notwithstanding the Freedom of Information Act. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Musikilu Mojeed, and education reporter, Azeezat Adedigba, were also briefly held by the polices notorious anti-robbery unit, SARS. The arrests sparked global condemnation with calls for Mr Ogundipes immediate release. The governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has said lack of funds has hindered state governors from carrying out their responsibilities in other sectors such as health, electricity, education, roads, among others. This, he said, was because state governors have been limited to the payment of salaries alone in their respective states. He added that they cannot perform any magic as funds are needed for these things. According to Punch Newspaper, Mr Yari said this to journalists after the governors meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. Mr Yari, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, also called for the examination of the national income in the last 14 years to enable them to agree on the contentious issue of minimum wage implementation. The committee working on the minimum wage is concluding negotiations on the matter. The federal government had set September for rolling out a new minimum wage for workers. The governors are insisting on the overwhelming impact of the implementation of the new wage if approved while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is proposing a minimum wage of N65, 000 for workers. We have a committee of six which represented us in discussions in the committee headed by labour minister, he said. The committee is yet to give us the final report. When they give us the final report, for which they have our mandate to present our position, and the position most likely is to look at the record of up to 14 years. For instance, in global practice, in your income, how much are you spending as salary? So that we can start from there. They have given us interim report that at the federal government level, over 82 per cent is being spent on overhead which cannot move the country forward in terms of infrastructure development and development that we need now. So, on our own part, we are saying we are going to look at how our income are trained from our final account from 14 years ago so that we can come up and stay in the middle. I dont think you people voted us for only to pay salaries. You are looking for good roads, electricity, education and others. So, we cant do magic. Its only when we have the funds (to) do all those things. Mr Yari also disclosed that the governors also deliberated on the way the anti-graft agencies have been handling the fight against (corruption) and resolved that they must adhere strictly on due process. He said that the governors resolved that both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corruption and other Related Offences Commission must adhere strictly to due process. Speaking on the freezing of Akwa Ibom and Benue states government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Yari told journalists that even President Muhammadu Buhari will not support the action. We believe strongly that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari would not sit down and supervise this illegality in the system. What we are saying is that we all support the government to fight corruption because it is endemic and has retarded the nation for over six decades. Definitely, it was part of what we discussed. What we are saying now is that we are going to support the government in terms of what it is doing to fight corruption, but due process must be respected in whatever action the agencies are going to take in the name of fighting corruption. That is the position of the governors, he said. The EFCC had on August 7, frozen the bank accounts of both states trapping workers salaries, pensions and crippling public activities an act which sparked outrage from Nigerians. Terver Akase, a spokesperson for Venue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said the banks did not cite any reason for freezing the accounts, saying they only told the states attorneys general that documents relating to the measure were confidential. Mr Akase also said the accounts were holding salaries of thousands of workers, as well as pensions. The anti-graft agency had also investigated Akwa Ibom finances, and the residence of its finance commissioner was said to have been raided by anti-graft agents a few weeks ago. However, the commission lifted restrictions on bank accounts run by two state governments. But while Benue officials have confirmed unblocking of all the accounts affected, Akwa Ibom was only able to confirm a partial relaxing of limited access imposed on its accounts in commercial banks. Only two days ago, the Osun State government commenced the implementation of full salary payments to all civil servants in the state after three years. The state started modulated salary payment in June 2015 when the state faced an economic crisis. This years June salary payment marked the third year anniversary of half salary payments in the state. Prior to this time, only workers below level 7 received full salary payment. Workers between level 8 and 12 had been receiving 75 per cent of their salaries while the states staff on grade level 13 and above had been receiving 50 per cent of their salaries in line with the structure. Despite a Court of Appeal decision in April stating that the Freedom of Information Act is applicable to all states in Nigeria, the Lagos State government has refused to disclose its education budget. An appellate court in Akure in March had ruled that Nigerian states had no powers to reject requests filed under the FOI Act, especially on information around public expenditure. Last May, two civic organisation, BudgIT, filed an FOI request to the Lagos State government asking for a breakdown of the states education budget between 2015 and 2018. The state government, through its ministry of justice, refused to accede to the request. After a careful review of the FOI Act and the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal (Edo State Division) in EDOCASA V OSAKUE & 8 ORS delivered on 28th March, 2018, it is the advise of this Office that the FOI Act is not applicable to State Governments except the FOI Act is domesticated by the State Government (being at the discretion of the State to enact a similar law), read the governments response signed by Hameed Oyenuga, Director of Advisory Services and Judicial Liaison. In view of the above, we further advise that any request in line with the FOI Act should not be acceded to as Lagos State has not domesticated the law and as such not applicable to the Lagos State government. One law, multiple rulings The Freedom of Information Act was signed into law in 2011 by former President Goodluck Jonathan to make public records more easily accessible to the people. But various state governments had continued to argue that the law requires to be similarly passed by their houses of assemblies. Last November, an Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court ruled that ruled that the FOI is applicable to the Lagos State government and does not require domestication by the state to have an effect. The Lagos State government promptly lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal seeking to set aside the ruling. In March this year, another appellate court in Benin gave a different ruling from that given by the one in Akure, holding that the FOI is not binding on state governments as they are not a stooge to the federal government. Atiku Samuel, the head of research at BudgIT, said the Lagos State governments decision to pick court judgments to obey shows its insincerity. We suspect that something is actually wrong, Mr Samuel told PREMIUM TIMES. What we did was to ask some critical questions especially around education and then the result was so disheartening, the state government again decided that information should not be for the general public. We feel that thats condemnable giving the fact that the government of Lagos State are just the custodians of the income of the people that had been passed over to them. It wasnt the first time Mr Samuel organisation had run into a brick wall while seeking information from the Lagos State government. Last January, a similar request for the governments financial statement relating to its revenue over the past five years did not get a response. It shows clearly that there is something the state government is hiding from the people, and that explains why the educational system the educational institutions in Lagos are the way they are, Mr Atiku said. Virtually all secondary schools in the state are in a very bad state despite the huge revenue the state had been collecting over the years. The budget would have been the pointer to where the problem lies. The Lagos State government is renowned for ignoring FOI request on its activities from journalists and civil society organisations. Adetokunbo Mumuni, executive director of Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, told PREMIUM TIMES that the Supreme Court would be the final arbiter on the FOI issue. It only shows a lack of transparency on the part of the government and that they cannot be talking about transparency and accountability when some of their dealings are shady and not open, its as simple as that, said Mr Mumuni, whose organisation is challenging in court the state governments refusal to account for spendings on public schools in the state following a $90 million World Bank loan. If they try to pick one judgment and rely on it, whereas another judgment said it is possible, then until we have a final pronouncement from the Supreme Court thats when we can say we are at the end of it. The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has appointed former Minister of Aviation and former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, as his Special Adviser on Strategy and External Engagements. A statement issued by PDP National Publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Friday in Abuja, said that the appointment was with immediate effect. Chidoka, who is well reputed for his ingenuity and organisation skills in public office, is expected to bring to bear his analytical expertise and wealth of experience in political strategy development, coordination and implementation, as the PDP sets for the 2019 general elections, he said. Mr Chidoka contested the last Anambra governorship election on the platform of the United Progressives Party but lost. His appointment suggests he returned to the PDP. (NAN) Niger State Government has released N77 million to Soject Nigeria Limited, for immediate completion of collapsed Dangana bridge in Lapai Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner of Finance, Zakari Abubakar, disclosed this to journalists when the state Deputy governor, Ahmed Ketso inspected the bridge on Friday. The bridge collapsed in 2017 and an alternative diversion created got flooded during a heavy rain on Thursday night leaving commuters including vehicles conveying for burial the corpse of the late mother of Jonathan Vatsa, former Commissioner of Information, stranded. Mr Zakari said already the state government had made payment to the contractor, adding that the sum of N77 million was released to enable the contractor complete the construction of the bridge. Mr Ketso said that the reconstruction of the bridge was part of the state government intervention to fix the collapsed bridge to ease vehicular movement. He directed the contractor to create a temporary diversion for motorists and appealed to commuters to exercise patience, adding that measures have been taken to hasten the construction work. We want to appeal to the road users to be patient as we are doing everything possible to fix the bridge to reduce the hardship being experienced by our people plying the road. Though the road is a federal road, we cannot just seat and watch our people going through hardships that is why we are intervening before the federal government assistance comes, he said Meanwhile, Milad Jarbanda, Contractor, Soject Nigeria Limited, said the contract for the reconstruction of the bridge was awarded to the company at the cost N470 million. He gave assurance that the construction of bridge would be completed within the next few weeks. Kabiru Umaru, a motorist who spoke to NAN, expressed dissatisfaction with the quick intervention of the state government over the rehabilitation of the bridge that collapsed on January 2017. I am a regular user of this road, because I convey passengers from Lapai to Munye, a border town between Niger and Kogi. This bridge collapsed since last year and yet the reconstruction is at slow phase. This is the only closer route to Kogi and most of the drivers prefer the route. We are calling on the state government to as a matter of urgency to intervene to reduce our hardship, he said. (NAN) Hundreds on Thursday from Jigawa North-east senatorial district staged a rally round the streets of Hadejia Local Government Area in support of the defection of their senator, Ubale Shitu, to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PREMIUM TIMES reported how supporters of Governor Mohammed Badaru from the district protested against the senator last Sunday. Mr Shitu is among the 15 senators who defected to the PDP. Mr Shitu was not present at the rally because he was engaged in another important national assignment in Abuja, his spokesperson, Bala Aji, said. The convener of the rally, Tijjani Usman, told the gathering that the rally was organised to show support for the senator. He added that the constituents instructed Mr Shitu to defect from APC because Mr Badaru didnt keep his promise, thus cant be trusted. Mr Usman said prior to 2015 general election, they supported President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Badaru with the hope that they (duo) will support their people but unfortunately most of them are saboteurs to President Buhari and governor Badaru inclusive. Mr Badaru deceived our senatorial district because since he came on board he didnt commission a single project at Hadejia emirate, all the projects in this district are inherited ones and they are still ongoing three years after, Mr Usman explained. Mr Usman viewed Mr Badarus style of politics as deceitful because according to him Mr Badaru flagged-off a school of nursing at Hadejia with only N50 million and went to his hometown and flagged-off school of nursing and midwifery with N2 billion. For Gods sake this is purely injustice and deceive (deception), we will not allow such to continue beyound 2019. What I will like Governor Badaru to understand is that, even white colonial masters were defeated in Hadejia because our people are not gullible. Governor Badaru will be the easiest person to be defeated in 2019, he added. The convener explained that the relationship between Senate President Bukola Saraki and Mr Shitu is fruitful because Jigawa North-east senatorial district experienced more dividends of democracy courtesy of Mr Saraki who helps actualise his dreams in the constituency. Jigawa North-east senatorial zone is the political nerve of the state. It consists of eight local council areas which: Hadejia, Mallamadori, Kaugama, Kafin-hausa, Auyo, Kirikassama, Guri and Birniwa. Hundreds rally in support of senator who defected to PDP Hundreds rally in support of senator who defected to PDP Hundreds rally in support of senator who defected to PDP Meanwhile, Bello Zaki, the spokesperson of Governor Badaru said in response that Mr Shitu is just an attention seeker, because Hadejia emirate benefits more than any other zone in the state. Two days after governor Mohammed was sworn as a governor in 2015, flood swept off Hadejia town because of lack of drainage. Mr Badaru ordered for the construction of roads and drainages, as a result of this, there were never issues of flood in the town (again). More so, this administration constructed roads at Kafin-hausa, and Baturiya which are all under the zone. We renovated and upgraded hospitals in the zone, Mr Zaki said in a brief statement. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has ordered immediate release of August 2018 salaries to state and local government workers. In a statement, the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the measure was to enable civil servants and their families enjoy the Eid-el-Fitr festivities. He said the gesture was also in line with the governors commitment to improve the welfare of workers in the state. The commissioner enjoined all banks to ensure that workers access their salaries with ease and they should clear with their banks if they had any problem. He expressed the hope that the workers would reciprocate the good gesture and be more dedicated in the discharge of their duties. The commissioner also rejoiced with the civil servants ahead of the festival and urged them to pray for the peace and progress of the state and the nation. (NAN) The Retired Officers Welfare Association (ROWA) in Kebbi, on Friday gave up on the authorities as they sought divine intervention over their unpaid gratuities and pension. The spokesperson of the association, Muhammad Aliyu, told journalists in Birinin Kebbi, the state capital that seeking divine intervention was the only recourse left for them to get out of their dilemma. Mr Aliyu said not paying their pension arrears and gratuities had thrown the members into penury. He said the situation had also left them impoverished, so much that they could hardly afford daily sustenance or pay their childrens school fees, house rent, among others. We are calling on every stakeholder in Kebbi and the federal government, to come to our rescue and save our members from hunger, he said. Another retiree, Babangida Gwandu, urged the government to as a matter of urgency pay their due entitlements. Over 300 pensioners had to come out to seek divine intervention for the settlement of our entitlements and benefits by the state government, he said. According to him, many of them retired between 2012/2013 but still have issues regarding their pension with the state government. The pensioners held a special prayer session for the payment of their gratuities and pension at the Eid ground located at Gesse Area, Birnin Kebbi. (NAN) The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, visited Akwa Ibom on Friday to show solidarity with the state governor, Udom Emmanuel. Mr Saraki was accompanied by other senators, including Bassey Albert who is from the state, Dino Melaye, Biodun Olujimi, Phillip Aduda, Clifford Ordia, and Isa Misau. Political tension heightened in the state since the defection of a senator, Godswill Akpabio, from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a few days ago. Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, resigned his position as the Senate minority leader before his defection. In a subsequent media interaction, Mr Akpabio had linked his defection to the lack of an internal reward system in the PDP ostensibly referring to a recent decision by the PDP to make Mr Saraki its national leader, in the wake of his defection to the party. Considered as one of the most influential politicians in the Akwa Ibom and Nigerias South-south region, Mr Akpabios defection is also seen by many as a threat to Governor Emmanuels ambition for re-election. Several politicians and groups have been paying solidarity visits to the governor, in apparent effort to ward off such a political threat. A number of solidarity rallies have also been organised in the state to mobilise support for the governor. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Udoh, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Sarakis visit to the state was to show solidarity with Governor Emmanuel. Mr Udoh said the Senate president addressed the PDP leaders in the state, including members of the House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly. He (Mr Saraki) is leading a delegation of some senators to show solidarity with the governor. He told the governor that he has the full support of his office and his colleagues in the National Assembly, the commissioner said. Its great to be back in Akwa Ibom! Mr Saraki tweeted in the afternoon, through his personal Twitter handle @bukolasaraki. The governor reportedly thanked the Senate president for finding it worthy to pay a solidarity visit to the state. The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Benin Zone, has called for the resignation of the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi and the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for their inability to pay salary of the staff of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso. According to a statement signed by Fred Esumen, the ASUU zonal coordinator, he expressed the union displeasure over the lackadaisical attitude of both state governments to the school. Condemning their negligence, Mr. Esumen said in an ideal situation, when a government engages workers, the workers deserve to be paid their wages. This is not the case in LAUTECH where the two visitors to the university have shied away from their responsibilities and have conspired to deny the workers in that university their rights to wages. It is, therefore, our view that what is left for these visitors is to honourably resign for not meeting up with what is expected of their offices. For the umpteenth time, our union ASUU emphasised that education is the fulcrum upon which growth and development of any nation revolve. Yet, education is brutally neglected by our leaders in Nigeria. The case of LAUTECH is very pathetic; owned by the two states of Oyo and Osun, yet lacks so much, especially at the level of funding. In fact, the chronic underfunding of LAUTECH has manifested itself in so many ugly forms viz over-bloated students population, outrageous fee regimes, poor state of infrastructural facilities, inadequate staff development programme, unpaid promotion arrears and unpaid salaries of workers running into 10 months, etc. Rather than redress the abnormally of underfunding, the two states have since established additional universities, each in their respective states, he said. PREMIUM TIMES reported last week Wednesday that ASUU disrupted the ongoing second semester examination for 2017/2018 academic session at the institution. The lecturers action was due to non-payment of workers salaries as well as decayed infrastructure of the institution. The union, which embarked on a two-week warning strike to express its displeasure, also said the strike would become indefinite considering the silence of the governments. Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday took to the street in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, in protest against poor funding of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. The university, co-owned by Osun and Oyo states, has for years been in crisis over inadequate funding. Last year, it was shut down for several months. On Friday, university teachers from across the country joined in the march against the lackadaisical attitude of Osun and Oyo state governments to the troubled institution. The teachers in large number marched from Freedom Park to the State Secretariat in Abere, Osogbo with placards with inscriptions such as Oyo/Osun, Dont Play Politics with the Lives of Our Students, Aregbesola/Ajimobi, Do Not Kill the Best State University in Nigeria, Ajimobi and Aregbesola Haba! Must LAUTECH Die? Speaking with journalists, Secretary of ASUU in LAUTECH, Toyin Abegunrin, decried the neglect of education in the institution and condemned alleged commercialisation of the university. The coordinator of Akure zone of the union, Alex Odiyi, said the protest was organised to force the two state govenors to address the plight of the university. The protest is simultaneously going on in Osun and Oyo to compel the two states to do the needful and be alive to their responsibilities, Mr Odiyi said. He said the governors had failed to take action on a Memorandum of Agreement the state governments signed with ASUU before it called off its last strike. The people who are at the helms of affairs acquired formal education free of charge. Many of them emerged governors and became very wasteful at the expense of the people, he said. 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. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cal/OSHA has issued citations to an outdoor advertising company for serious safety violations after a worker suffered third-degree burns when a metal pole he was using to install a sign on a billboard came into contact with an overhead power line. On February 6, two sign hangers for Outfront Media were working 25 feet above ground on the billboard's platform to install a vinyl sign over West 3rd Street. The workers were using 11-foot poles to place the 14-by-48-foot sign. One of the metal poles touched an energized high-voltage power line located near the edge of the billboard, which resulted in serious burns to 25 percent of the sign-hanger's body. "Employers must identify and evaluate all hazards in the workplace," said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. "When energized overhead lines are present, the employer must ensure that employees maintain required clearances, or minimum safe distances from the overhead lines, to protect employees from electrical shock or electrocution." Cal/OSHA issued three citations to Outfront Media totaling $32,435 in proposed penalties. A serious accident-related citation was issued for the employer's violation of provisions for preventing accidents due to proximity to overhead lines, which requires a minimum clearance of 6 feet be maintained for work done near 34.5 kilovolt lines. A serious citation was issued for failure to identify and evaluate hazards related to installing signs on billboards in proximity to power lines. Cal/OSHA also issued a general citation to the employer for an inadequate heat illness prevention plan for its outdoor workers. Since 2015, Cal/OSHA has opened 11 inspections with outdoor and display advertising employers. Among those inspections were six accidents, including an electric shock incident last year when a worker's ladder came into contact with overhead power lines during preparations to hang a sign. A citation is classified as serious when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual hazard created by the violation. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, is the division within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) that helps protect California's workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace. Cal/OSHA offers a fact sheet for safety meetings on working safely on or near high voltage overhead lines. Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their safety and health programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services. Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices. Members of the press may contact Peter Melton or Frank Polizzi at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates. https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR https://twitter.com/CA_DIR http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1 The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department. SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; Cal/OSHA Related Links http://www.dir.ca.gov He will arrive at Cedarville August 17 carrying more than bags and boxes. Hundreds of shotgun pellets are still in his body. The lead level in his blood sits around 29, seven times the normal range, because the pellets are leaking. Kidney problems, high blood pressure, potential neurological and reproductive problems are the risks. On January 20, 2017, Cole was the victim of a school shooting at West Liberty-Salem High School, north of Dayton. Suffering a shotgun blast to his chest, Cole convinced the shooter, classmate Ely Serna, to not carry out what could have been a horrific Columbine-style incident at their high school. In May, Serna was sentenced to 23 years in prison for attempted murder, felonious assault and inducing panic. "I remember begging him to put the gun down and not kill anyone, including himself," Cole read in a prepared statement at the sentencing, recounting that day. Principal Greg Johnson and assistant principal Andy McGill walked into the bathroom shortly after Logan made his plea, and Serna handed his shotgun to them. Cole has traveled a complicated road to recovery, including multiple surgeries; a 15-day stay at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; fractured vertebrae; broken teeth; prolonged and intense pain; terrifying nightmares; emotional scarring; three months in a neck brace; and innumerable doctors' office visits. For parents Julie and Ryan, it's tough to send another child off to school, even with five more still at home. "With the possibility of losing Logan, you realize not to take things for granted," said Ryan Cole. "We'll miss having him around, but we're thankful that he's around to do what he's going to do." Cedarville University is an accredited Baptist institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate, graduate, and online students. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, and accredited professional and health science programs. For more information, visit www.cedarville.edu. SOURCE Cedarville University Related Links https://www.cedarville.edu SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Customer experience solutions and software company McorpCX, Inc. (TSXV: MCX,OTCQB: MCCX) ("McorpCX" or the "Company") today announced second quarter ended June 30, 2018 results, as well as management changes and a corporate restructuring. SECOND QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS Select financial highlights for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 include: Revenue increased by 133% from $602,613 during the second quarter of 2017 to $1,404,654 during the second quarter of 2018 and by 124% from $899,904 in the first half of 2017 to $2,018,508 in the first half of 2018. during the second quarter of 2017 to during the second quarter of 2018 and by 124% from in the first half of 2017 to in the first half of 2018. Gross profit increased by 83% from $362,412 in the second quarter of 2017 to $663,865 , in the second quarter of 2018 and 89% from $519,930 in the first half of 2017 to $980,304 in the first half of 2018. in the second quarter of 2017 to , in the second quarter of 2018 and 89% from in the first half of 2017 to in the first half of 2018. We recorded net operating income of $145,177 in the second quarter of 2018 compared to a net operating loss of $78,650 during the same quarter of 2017. Net operating loss was $53,626 in the first half of 2018 compared to a net operating loss of $328,438 for the first half of 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 compared to a net operating loss of during the same quarter of 2017. Net operating loss was in the first half of 2018 compared to a net operating loss of for the first half of 2017. The Company reported EBITDA of $199,539 and $49,638 in the second quarter and first half of 2018, respectively, compared to ($16,241) and ($209,994) in the second quarter and first half of 2017. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See note 1 below for our definition of EBITDA and reconciliation to net operating income (loss). and in the second quarter and first half of 2018, respectively, compared to and in the second quarter and first half of 2017. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See note 1 below for our definition of EBITDA and reconciliation to net operating income (loss). The Company had a cash balance of $1,338,291 at June 30, 2018 compared to a cash balance of $1,616,076 at December 31, 2017 . "We are pleased to see the continued growth of our consulting business, with strong year-over-year performance." stated Michael Hinshaw, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We have continued to expand relationships with existing clients during 2018. and have signed several new clients during the year. Additionally, increases in revenue, combined with a focus on controlling expenses, helped us generate net income in the second quarter of 2018 and positive EBITDA in both the quarter and year-to-date periods." For more complete financial results, please see the Company's quarterly financial statements and notes thereto filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on a Form 10-Q on August 10, 2018. MANAGEMENT CHANGE AND CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING Overview Over the past year, the Company has focused on growing our consulting business while re-evaluating the future state of our technology-related product and service offerings. As part of this re-evaluation, and after several months of review and deliberations, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") determined that it was in the best interests of the Company to separate the Company's growing consulting business from the rest of the Company in order to allow the Company to pursue strategic options such as the development or acquisition of additional product and service offerings, while allowing the management of our consulting business to focus exclusively on growing such business, independent of the Company's software business. Consequently, on August 16, 2018, the Board approved the transfer of the assets and liabilities related to the Company's consulting business (excluding the underlying technology and databases related thereto, which remained with the Company) to its wholly-owned subsidiary, McorpCX, LLC. In connection with this corporate reorganization, Mr. Hinshaw has resigned as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer in order to devote his full-time energies to the Company's consulting business as President of McorpCX, LLC. However, Mr. Hinshaw will remain as Chairman of the Board, which the Board believes will allow him to continue to provide CX thought leadership for the entire Company. The Board has appointed the Company's current Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Gregg Budoi to serve as the Company's interim President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with his greater role in directing the Company's business, Mr. Budoi has also been appointed to serve as a director on the Board until the next annual meeting of the Company's shareholders. Mr. Budoi has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 26, 2017, and prior to assuming that role with the Company, he had developed extensive experience as an executive leader with both public and private companies including leadership in the SaaS software space. Over the course of his career, Mr. Budoi has had exposure to several disciplines of business management with an emphasis on corporate strategy and finance, capital markets, business development and M&A activities. "We believe that Gregg brings to the Company as CEO the right mix of skills and experience needed to navigate the Company through this transition period and that the transfer of the Company's consulting operations to McorpCX, LLC will allow the Company to focus on the pursuit of additional product and service offerings, as well as additional strategic options for driving increased shareholder value," stated Matthew Kruchko, independent director on the Board. As interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Budoi is expected to focus on developing various potential strategies to improve the Company's ability to achieve additional revenue and profit growth. These possible strategies may include further software or technology development expenditures, pursuit of merger, acquisitions or joint ventures with companies that provide complimentary products and services, software licensing arrangements, and investment in additional infrastructure within our Company. Each of these possible strategies will be thoroughly vetted by the Board to assess expected levels of enterprise value creation compared to various risks associated with each possible scenario. In connection with Mr. Budoi's appointment as the Company's interim President and Chief Executive Officer, the Board has initiated a search for a new Chief Financial Officer. Employment Agreements In connection with his appointment as the Company's interim President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company and Mr. Budoi have entered into an executive employment agreement under which Mr. Budoi will be eligible to receive (in addition to his base salary) a $100,000 bonus contingent upon the achievement of certain milestone events, that include completion of an equity financing in excess of US$5.0 million or completion of an acquisition of a new business with annualized revenues in excess of US$5.0 million per year, among other initiatives. In addition, Mr. Budoi will be entitled to participate in the Company's employee benefit plans and receive stock options under the Company's stock option plan. To reflect his interim role, Mr. Budoi's employment is for an initial term expiring October 31, 2018, with automatic renewals (subject to right of the Company and Mr. Budoi to elect not to renew) for additional one month periods. In connection with his appointment as President of McorpCX, LLC, Mr. Hinshaw has entered into an executive employment agreement with McorpCX, LLC under which he will be paid a reduced base salary. He is also eligible to receive additional, incentive-based variable compensation including: Quarterly payments equal to (i) 2.5% of all gross revenues generated by McorpCX, LLC, plus (ii) an additional 2.5% (for a total of 5%) of all gross revenues generated by McorpCX, LLC in excess of US$5.0 million per year, and per year, and Participation in McorpCX, LLC's sales commission plan wherein Mr. Hinshaw can receive sales commissions up to 10% of the aggregate of all fees received by McorpCX, LLC on projects from new clients and new projects with existing clients, which he sells and closes. Mr. Hinshaw is also eligible to participate in any deferred compensation plan that may be developed in the future by McorpCX, LLC. The term of Mr. Hinshaw's employment with McorpCX, LLC is for an initial six month term, with automatic renewals (subject to the right of McorpCX, LLC and Mr. Hinshaw to elect not to renew) for additional three month periods. Grant of Stock Options The Board has also approved the granting of stock options to purchase 700,000 common shares of the Company to Mr. Budoi (300,000 options), and to each of the Board's independent directors, Mr. Nii Quaye, and Mr. Matthew Kruchko (200,000 options each). These options are the first options granted by the Company to Mr. Budoi, Mr. Quaye and Mr. Kruchko. The options will be priced based on the closing price of the Company's common shares on grant date, which is the date of this news release. The options will vest over a three-year period, with 1/3 vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and an additional 1/3 on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The vesting of these stock options will accelerate upon a change of control. About McorpCX, Inc. McorpCX, Inc. (http://mcorp.cx) is a customer experience services company targeting the Global Customer Experience Management (CEM) market. Customers range from Fortune 100 brands to fast-moving mid-market leaders and other customer-centric companies. McorpCX, Inc. is focused on pursuing value-enhancing growth opportunities for its shareholders. Note 1 We define EBITDA as net loss plus interest, tax, depreciation and amortization expenses. We consider EBITDA to be a meaningful supplement to net income (loss) as a performance measure primarily because depreciation and amortization expenses are not an actual cash costs, and interest and tax expenses are not related to our direct operating activities. In addition, we believe EBITDA is commonly used by investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance. EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, or as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is an internal measure and therefore may not be comparable to other companies. EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that EBITDA does not reflect: (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; and (iii) the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our outstanding debt (if any). Because of these limitations, EBITDA should only be considered as a supplemental performance measure and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity or cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Because all companies do not calculate EBITDA in the same manner, EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from EBITDA as calculated by other companies. We compensate for these limitations by using EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance and by relying primarily on our GAAP financial statements. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net Income (Loss) $ 147,930 $ (76,056) $ (54,786) $ (331,186) Depreciation and Amortization (51,316) (56,941) (104,021) (115,450) Interest expense (293) (2,874) (403) (5,742) EBITDA $ 199,539 $ (16,241) $ 49,638 $ (209,994) For more information, please contact: Gregg R Budoi, CEO 1-866-526-2655 toll free in the U.S., or +1.440.503.9241 [email protected] Investors: [email protected] General Information: 1-866-526-2655 toll free in the U.S., or +1-415-526-2655 Website: http://mcorp.cx Twitter: @McorpCX (https://twitter.com/mcorpcx) Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States securities laws and applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are, in effect, management's attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact or our financial results, are forward- looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to the Company and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management's expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the Company's business and operations, including but not limited to the Company's ability to develop and execute a strategy leading to additional revenues and profit growth. Specifically, statements concerning the Company's planned focus on ways to create a more complete slate of customer experience solutions for the Company's clients, and the specific ways such a focus may be implemented are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve assumptions relating to the Company's business, the ability of the Company to execute on its business or strategic plan, the competitive environment of the Company's products and services and the future development and pricing of the Company's products and services. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these statements. Such factors include the following: general economic and business conditions, changes in demand for the Company's products and services, changes in the competitive environment and the introduction of competing software solutions by competitors, the Company's ability to complete any future required financing, the Company's ability to find a suitable take-over target or joint venture partner, the Company's ability to develop complimentary products and services, and the Company's dependence upon and availability of qualified personnel. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that its plans and objectives will be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements unless required by applicable law. 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. SOURCE McorpCX, Inc. Related Links www.mcorp.cx PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Darryl Williams, MediSpend's senior director analytics, will moderate a panel of leading pharmaceutical experts in a discussion of the varying degrees of analytics programs across the life sciences industry at the 12th Annual Forum on Transparency and Aggregate Spend at 2:50pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. The session, "Stepping-Up Your Data Analytics Program" will explore the framework of a data analytics program and the benefits it derives including utilizing analytics for risk management and compliance data monitoring processes. Additionally, panelists will share best practices for building internal programs, its impact on internal resources and the value analytics delivers in improved decision making. "The value of embedded analytics in any organization is critical to improving decision making," said Williams. "There are varying degrees of analytics programs from company to company but there is one thing that we all agree on actionable data drives better decisions." The CBI 12th Annual Forum on Transparency and Aggregate Spend serves as the largest and most essential meeting place for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device professionals to stay up to date with the increasingly complex state and local regulations, as well as federal and emerging global regulations for HCP spend reporting. The event will be held at the Ritz Carlton, in Washington, DC. About MediSpend MediSpend is a global leader in cloud-based compliance software for the life sciences industry. MediSpend is the compliance system of record for some of the world's largest life sciences companies. We help pharmaceutical, medical device dental and emerging biotech companies comply with global healthcare laws while reducing risk and lowering costs. The MediSpend Compliance Cloud enables life sciences companies to manage and monitor physician engagement, aggregate and analyze enterprise data and comply with global data privacy and transparency reporting regulations. Our employees are committed to customer success, innovation, and exceptional product development. Our customers are located in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. MediSpend is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, with offices in Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania. To learn more about MediSpend, visit www.medispend.com. Media Contact: Kathleen Fallon Director of Marketing, MediSpend 610-952-3223 SOURCE MediSpend Related Links https://www.medispend.com LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A former Riot Games employee filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, alleging disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and breach of contract. Peter Grossman, 51, had joined the developer of the blockbuster MMO League of Legends as a recruiter in 2011. During his first several years at the company, Grossman's performance was commended many times, and he was awarded both with greater pay and career advancement, rising to senior recruiter and then lead recruiter. However, following a major depressive episode in 2014, Grossman sought out support and lawful accommodation for his disability, as required by state and federal law, and this is when the lawsuit alleges that Riot Games soured on him. In the months and years that followed, Grossman claims that he was subjected to a variety of discriminatory tactics: He was relegated to a menial, repetitive job; placed on probationary status; had his work mischaracterized and over-scrutinized; and was subjected to repeated criticism, before finally being terminated in 2017. During this time, the lawsuit notes that Grossman made numerous efforts to seek out lawful accommodation, as he loved his job and was eager to find a resolution, but that his efforts were met only with hostility. The lawsuit alleges that Grossman's disability and age were the motivations behind his awful treatment following what had been a successful career track. Grossman's attorney, Carney Shegerian of Los Angeles employment law firm Shegerian & Associates, noted that this behavior is typical in these types of cases: "An employer can turn ugly very suddenly when an employee discloses a disability condition," Shegerian said. "Together with Mr. Grossman's age, we have seen many cases like this where a valued employee is cast aside for discriminatory reasons. This behavior is against the law and we intend to hold the defendants accountable." The lawsuit also names Tencent Holdings Limited, a Chinese conglomerate and majority stakeholder in Riot Games, as a defendant, as well as various specific individuals who had worked with Grossman directly. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Shegerian & Associates, Inc. WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dear members of the press, The Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia) Interim Government is inviting you for a Press Conference at the National Press Club, Monday August 20th at 1PM. The Press Conference shall focus on the ongoing genocide in the country of Cameroon and the civil war in which the Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia wants to secede and become an independent country. It shall also address the alleged fraud and bribery involving the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Anthony Guitterese and the government of Cameroon, to cover up human rights abuses by the Cameroon government. Speaking at the press briefing shall be the major stakeholders and different frontline leaders for Ambazonia, including the Interim President, Dr. Samuel Sako Ekome. They will address the current armed struggle/civil war in Cameroon in which US military equipment meant for use against Boko Haram is being used by the government of Cameroon to kill civilians. The leaders shall also use the opportunity to publish a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) that binds all the movements in a collaboration pack. We will greatly appreciate your presence at the conference. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 603-682-2687. Contact person is Chris Anu. He can also be reached on email, [email protected]. SOURCE The Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia) Interim Government Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, Chief Executive Officer, TCP Group, said, "Our business goal is to become, within 2022, one of Thailand's most admired corporations that is a house of powerful brands with our annual sales tripled to US$ 3 billion. We will drive our goals with investments of over US$ 300 million that will strengthen our capabilities in every field." "We have, today, taken an important first step into becoming a most admired company by making the fulfilment of sustainability goals an integral and inseparable part of our company's overall goals. Those goals are grouped under three main pillars -- Integrity, Quality and Harmony -- and are consistent with the United Nations' sustainability guidelines," he said. He said TCP Group would work in partnership with other stakeholders in any area that can enhance the fulfilment of its sustainability goals, including NGOs, local communities, and government agencies. Integrity "Integrity is the first of our three pillars on which we have built our sustainability goals," said Mr. Yoovidhya. "It's about how we behave both internally and externally, and includes operational guidelines that ensure good corporate governance as well as fair procurement practices, and the promotion of sustainability in the supply chain," he said. According to Mr. Yoovidhya, TCP Group will encourage all its stakeholders, from suppliers to employees and its own board to directors, to adopt sustainable practices across the entire spectrum of its activities, from acquiring raw materials from socially responsible sources to ensuring that TCP products are properly delivered to consumers. Quality He said that 'quality' was another pillar around which the company had formulated its sustainability goals. "We have already begun several programmes to improve the quality of life in the workplace, so that our employees find greater fulfilment and pleasure in their daily work activities. We believe it is the primary foundation for an organisation's ability to deliver great products and great results," Mr. Yoovidhya said. He said that the company would also promote greater quality in the lifestyles of consumers by investing in programmes to create awareness about wellness and healthy nutrition while ensuring that quality is always embedded into the nutritional value of all TCP products. Harmony "Harmony is the third of our sustainability pillars, and its focus is on ensuring that everything we do as a company is 'in harmony' with the environment as well as the communities in which we operate," Mr. Yoovidhya said. "We not only wish to preserve and protect the environment and communities, but to be proactive in helping them to flourish," he said. TCP Group announced that it would maximise the efficiency of its use of natural resources, such as water, and that it would also support local communities by creating jobs and giving precedence to the use of local raw materials. "Our sustainability goals are real and actionable, because we see them as integral to our business development," Mr. Yoovidhya said. Contact: P.Pachanapreeda +662-664-9500 - www.tcp.com SOURCE TCP Group Related Links http://www.tcp.com How to Choose the Best Press Release Distribution Service It's no surprise that one of marketing's biggest priorities is content distribution and amplification. Figuring out your brands objectives, analyzing vendors and measuring success can be a complex job and sometimes even intimidating. Thats where press release and content distribution providers come into play. There are many marketplace options from which to choose, and they vary widely in what they offer and how well they can help achieve your objectives. Learn what to evaluate in our How to Choose the Best Press Release Distribution Service guide, including: LAVAL, QC, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard") (TSX: ATD.A) (TSX: ATD.B), will release its first quarter financial results for fiscal year 2019 on Wednesday, September 5th, 2018, after the closing of the TSX and alternative markets. Couche-Tard will be holding a conference call on Thursday, September 6th, 2018, at 8:00 A.M. (EDT) to present its first quarter of fiscal 2019 financial results. As such, Brian Hannasch, President and CEO, as well as Claude Tessier, Chief Financial Officer, will be the speakers and will answer the analysts' questions. Therefore, Couche-Tard invites analysts known to the Corporation to submit their two questions to its management before 7:00 P.M. (EDT) on Wednesday, September 5th, 2018. Financial analysts, investors, medias and any individuals interested in listening to the webcast on CoucheTard's results, which will take place online on Thursday, September 6th, 2018, at 8:00 A.M. (EDT), can do so by either accessing the Corporation's website at http://corpo.couchetard.com and by clicking in the "Investor Relations/Corporate presentations" section, or by dialing 1-866-865-3087 or the international number 1647-427-7450, followed by the access code 6296798#. Rebroadcast: For individuals who will not be able to listen to the live webcast, a recording of the webcast will be available on the Corporation's website for a period of 90 days. About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Alimentation Couche-Tard is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the United States, it is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of the number of company-operated stores. In Europe, Couche-Tard is a leader in convenience store and road transportation fuel retail in the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), as well as in Ireland and also has an important presence in Poland. In addition, under licensing agreements, more than 2,000 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 14 other countries and territories (China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam), which brings the worldwide total network to more than 16,000 stores. For more information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., please visit: http://corpo.couche-tard.com/. SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Related Links http://corpo.couche-tard.com/ PUNE, India, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research report "Amphoteric Surfactants Market by Type (Betaine, Amine Oxide, Amphoacetates, Amphopropionates, Sultaines), Application (Personal Care, Home Care & I&I Cleaning, Oil Field Chemicals, Agrochemicals), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 3.52 billion in 2018 to USD 4.94 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 7.0% between 2018 and 2023. Rising demand for personal care products and high-performance amphoteric surfactants is expected to drive the growth of the Amphoteric Surfactants Market during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 90 market data Tables and 44 Figures spread through 119 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Amphoteric Surfactants Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/amphoteric-surfactant-market-228852138.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Based on type, the amine oxide segment of the Amphoteric Surfactants Market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, in terms of value and volume from 2018 to 2023. Based on type, the Amphoteric Surfactants Market has been segmented into betaine (alkyl betaine, alkyl amido betaine, and others), amine oxide, amphoacetates, amphopropionates, and sultaines. The amine oxide segment of the market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in terms of both, value and volume during the forecast period. Amine oxide is a mild surfactant, which offers excellent secondary surfactant characteristics. It has the ability to decrease skin irritation in combination with Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) or alcohol sulfates. Moreover, amine oxide possesses inherent stability and has improved cleansing properties. Get PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=228852138 Based on application, the personal care segment is projected to lead the Amphoteric Surfactants Market during the forecast period in terms of both, value and volume. The personal care segment is projected to lead the Amphoteric Surfactants Market in terms of both, value and volume between 2018 and 2023. Amphoteric surfactants are the mildest surfactants and hence, are commonly used in the formulation of various personal care products. The mildness of amphoteric surfactants can be attributed to their zwitterion nature. The use of these surfactants in the personal care products results in lower skin irritation as compared to other surfactants. The European region is expected to be the largest market for amphoteric surfactants during the forecast period. The Amphoteric Surfactants Market has been studied for 5 regions, namely, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. The European region is projected to be the largest market for amphoteric surfactants during the forecast period due to the strong foothold of manufacturers of personal care products in the region. Amphoteric surfactants are the key compounds used in the formulation of various personal care products. The European region is also home for the leading manufacturers of amphoteric surfactants. The major countries driving the growth of the amphoteric surfactants in the European region are France, Germany, Italy, and Russia. Some of the key players in the Amphoteric Surfactants Market include AkzoNobel N.V. (Netherlands), BASF SE (Germany), Clariant AG (Switzerland), Croda (UK), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Lonza (Switzerland), the Lubrizol Corporation (US), Oxiteno SA (Brazil), Solvay (Belgium), and Stepan Company (US). Know more about Amphoteric Surfactants Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/amphoteric-surfactant-market-228852138.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/amphoteric-surfactant-market.asp Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PLANO, Texas, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BG Staffing, Inc. (NYSE American: BGSF), a rapidly growing national provider of professional temporary staffing services, today announced that Dan Hollenbach, CFO, will present at the Three Part Advisors Midwest IDEAS Conference at 9:20am on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at The Gwen Hotel in Chicago. The presentation will be webcast live with slides (and available for replay) and can be accessed via the following link: http://www.wsw.com/webcast/threepa26/bgsf. To request additional information or to register, please contact Lacey Wesley at [email protected]. About IDEAS Investor Conferences The mission of the IDEAS Conferences is to provide independent regional venues for quality companies to present their investment merits to an influential audience of investment professionals. Unlike traditional bank-sponsored events, IDEAS Investor Conferences are "Sponsored BY the Buyside FOR the Buyside" and for the benefit of regional investment communities. Conference sponsors collectively have more than $200 billion in assets under management and include: Adirondack Research and Management, Allianz Global Investors: NFJ Investment Group, Ariel Investments, Aristotle Capital Boston, Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss, BMO Global Asset Management, Constitution Research & Management, Inc., Fidelity Investments, First Wilshire Securities Management, Inc., Gamco Investors, Granahan Investment Management, Great Lakes Advisors, Greenbrier Partners Capital Management, LLC, GRT Capital Partners, LLC, Hodges Capital Management, Ironwood Investment Management, Keeley Teton Advisors, Luther King Capital Management, Marble Harbor Investment Counsel, Perritt Capital Management, Punch & Associates, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., and William Harris Investors. The IDEAS Investor Conferences are held annually in Boston, Chicago and Dallas and are produced by Three Part Advisors, LLC. Additional information about the events can be located at www.IDEASconferences.com. If interested in attending or learning more about the IDEAS conferences, please contact Joe Noyons, (817) 778 -8424, [email protected]. About BG Staffing, Inc. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, BG Staffing provides staffing services to a variety of industries through its various divisions. BG Staffing is primarily a professional temporary staffing platform that has integrated several regional and national brands achieving scalable growth. The Company was ranked as the 59th largest U.S. staffing company and the 45th largest IT staffing firm in 2018 by Staffing Industry Analysts. The Company's disciplined acquisition philosophy, which builds value through both financial growth and the retention of unique and dedicated talent within BG Staffing's portfolio of companies, has resulted in a seasoned management team with strong tenure and the ability to offer exceptional service to candidates and customers while building value for investors. For more information on the Company and its services, please visit its website at www.bgstaffing.com . Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this press release are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties including those listed in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All of the risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases, the Company cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "believes," "plans," "expects," "will," "intends," and "anticipates" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. CONTACT: Terri MacInnis, VP of Investor Relations Bibicoff + MacInnis, Inc. 818.379.8500 [email protected] SOURCE BG Staffing, Inc. Related Links http://www.bgstaffing.com CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund (CTPF) Board of Trustees voted for CTPF to divest and to prohibit future investment in private prison companies and businesses that operate immigration detention centers. The Trustees directed staff to instruct investment managers to prudently liquidate public market holdings in private prison companies, engaging in either incarceration or in immigrant detention as soon as reasonably practical and in accordance with the managers' fiduciary duties. Jay C. Rehak, President of the CTPF Board of Trustees, said, "As part of our duty to maintain sound, long-term investments, CTPF has divested from investments in private prisons and privately-run immigrant detention centers that deliberately outsource public services and foster unsafe working and living conditions. We know these institutions disproportionately incarcerate people of color and those who live below the poverty line, house immigrant children and perpetuate the separation of immigrant families, and take advantage of and put at risk unprotected, low-wage employees, while lacking fiscal and operational transparency." Rehak continued, "CTPF continues to be a leader in scrutinizing our investments worldwide. I'm proud of our action, and members should be too." The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that in 2015 (the most recent numbers available), for-profit corporations held approximately 7 percent of state prisoners and 18 percent of federal prisoners. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency reported that nearly three-quarters of federal immigration detainees were held in private custody. Private corporations also hold an unknown percentage of people in local jails in Texas, Louisiana, and a handful of other states. ABOUT CTPF Established by the Illinois state legislature in 1895, the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund manages members' assets and administers benefits. The $10.8 billion pension fund serves nearly 86,000 members, and provides pension and health insurance benefits to more than 28,000 beneficiaries. PRESS CONTACT: Tracey L. Schroeder, JD, MBA Director of Communications, CTPF [email protected] 312.604.1234 www.ctpf.org SOURCE Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Related Links http://www.ctpf.org AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Timicoin/TimiHealth (www.timicoin.io), a healthcare Blockchain-as-a-Service company, and First Vitals, Inc. announced today they have entered into a partnership to use Timicoin/TimiHealth's blockchain for storing real-time data required to support First Vital's healthcare operations throughout the State of Hawaii. First Vitals, a Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) grant awardee 2012 through 2015, also supports a CMS practice transformation program for physician organizations and providers throughout the State participating in the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC+) program. The program includes nine physician organizations, representing approximately 100 practices, 252 providers and over 375,000 patients with chronic conditions throughout Hawaii. "The requirements of today's value driven healthcare system forced us to look for an infrastructure that could provide the on-demand, real-time access to data that only the utility function of blockchain can provide," said Ernie Lee, CEO of First Vitals. "After extensively vetting several blockchain technologies, we engaged with Timicoin/TimiHealth as we found their vision most closely aligned with ours, making them the choice to partner for our patients. Ultimately our mutual desire to place the patient firmly at the center of care and empower individuals through incentives made this an easy decision," he added. "We are very excited to explore all of the many use cases that will emerge as a result of our partnership with First Vitals," said Will Lowe, Founder of Timicoin/TimiHealth. "It will provide the opportunity to address the high need, chronically ill population that especially requires a comprehensive medical record for efficient care management. Ernie Lee is a visionary who understands the value of blockchain while also understanding that patient empowerment is really what will drive meaningful change throughout healthcare," said Lowe. About First Vitals, Inc.: First Vitals was founded in 2010 to deliver scalable healthcare solutions that incorporate high touch with high tech for wellness and disease management programs based on proprietary technology-enabled services, with special focus on its unique diabetes intervention programs. About Timicoin/TimiHealth: The Blockchain-as-a-Service Platform provides decentralized healthcare data which can be accessed instantly from anywhere in the world. Timicoin/TimiHealth (Timicoin.io) is a patent-pending solution to securing patient data, while providing unprecedented portability. The company is actively deploying pilot programs in the US, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico. Media Contact: Adrienne Mazzone 561-750-9800 x2270; [email protected]. At BlockShow.com, August 20-21 contact 561-908-1683 SOURCE Timicoin/TimiHealth Related Links http://www.timicoin.io Credit: Brantley GutierrezFoo Fighters are launching a special pop-up shop to celebrate the upcoming second edition of the band's CalJam festival. It'll be open August 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Palladium in Los Angeles. The pop-up will feature exclusive merch and a performance from Foo drummer Taylor Hawkins' cover band Chevy Metal. Admission to the event is free. CalJam 18 will be held October 6 in San Bernardino, California. Along with the Foos, the festival will feature performances from Iggy Pop, Greta Van Fleet, Garbage, Silversun Pickups and Manchester Orchestra. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. This year's winner's are: Dominika Wojtowicz , Illinois, U.S.A. , Mackenzie Wilson-Juszkiewicz , Ontario, Canada , Phillip Pham , Ontario, Canada , Patrick Vaughan , Ontario, Canada , Ontario, Canada Christopher Langlois , Ontario, Canada "I'm grateful to Guaranteed Removals for selecting my submission, as this money will help support my education. I'm looking forward to studying criminology in my first year of university this fall." said Mackenzie Wilson-Juszkiewicz, from Smithville, Ontario. "We need more young people to help make change in the online world. So many of our clients come to us in crisis because of what is being done and said about them online. We need to change the way the online world operates." said Swiednicki. Guaranteed Removals looks forward to continuing the scholarship program and adding an internship program as well to support student development. About Guaranteed Removals Guaranteed Removals is North America's largest and most successful online image management company, helping people defend and protect their image online. Guaranteed Removals has been offering online reputation management services out of its Burlington, Ontario, Canada location. Guaranteed Removals has successfully removed negative content for clients across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates and New Zealand. The company has helped more than 2,500 clients improve their online image. With a team of 58 employees, Guaranteed Removals has assisted businesses and individuals who have been victimized online, to rebuild and restore their online reputation. For more information visit GuaranteedRemovals.com. SOURCE Guaranteed Removals LINDON, Utah, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation (OTCQB: FVRG), a global direct marketing company and provider of health and wellness products, announces that is has released Q2 2018 Financial Results. To review the filing please visit www.sec.gov. Some of the highlights include: Cost cutting initiatives implemented resulted in a loss of revenues, but the net effect of the changes was to put the Company in a position for improved profitability Cost of sales was approximately 22.7% of revenues for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 26.7% of revenues for the second quarter of 2017 Selling and marketing expenses decreased to 40.1% of revenues compared to 41.7% for the second quarter of 2017 General and administrative, inclusive of depreciation and amortization, decreased as a percentage of revenues to 39.5% for the first six months of 2018 from 40.1% during the same period in 2017. The primary decrease is due to a decrease in employee expenses in 2018 compared to 2017. The net cash provided by operating activities increased by $1,101,086 to $243,143 from a loss of $857,952 , through June of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017. This is attributable to management's cost cutting efforts "The company has set the foundation for future growth and profitability by improving efficiency and other cost cutting measures. We anticipate double digit monthly sales growth moving forward, with significant operating profitability. With the recent launch of new products, new sales regions and the efficiency of our envelope shipping model, we are convinced the company is on the right path to deliver the appropriate financial metrics required. We anticipate that Q3 and Q4 financials will be substantially improved," commented Joe Jensen, Principal Executive Officer ForeverGreen. About ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation Empowering a health-conscious community to focus on mindful self-care, ForeverGreen's products, opportunities and ideals reach around the globe to thousands of individuals in over 100 countries. ForeverGreen combines technology, science and ancient resources into products that can be shipped anywhere using a revolutionary envelope model. Despite this successful development, our most important product will always be people; community involvement and good character are the seeds of complete health. ForeverGreen is a publicly traded company based in Lindon, Utah. For more information, visit forevergreen.org. Welcome Home! Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and involve both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such uncertainties include, among others, certain risks associated with the operation of the company described above. The company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. Contact: Brokers and Analysts Chesapeake Group +1-410-825-3930 [email protected] Joe Jensen +1-(801)655-5500 [email protected] SOURCE ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation Related Links http://www.sec.gov CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fishman PR, a national agency specializing in PR, content marketing and social influencer relations to help franchise brands grow, has been recognized as the top public relations firm for franchise companies in Entrepreneur magazine's inaugural "Best in Service" ranking of top franchise industry suppliers. The industry-leading agency, founded in 1991, was ranked by franchisors as the No. 1 public relations firm in the space in terms of volume of franchise brands served and overall service satisfaction. In addition, Franchise Elevator, another agency owned by Brad Fishman that focuses on helping emerging franchise brands grow, was ranked No. 5 on the list. "After more than 27 years of helping franchisors gain exposure of their franchise opportunities and brands, we're humbled to be ranked as their top choice of PR agencies," said Sherri Fishman, president and co-founder. "Our staff is inspired to generate awareness of the franchise model through earned media and storytelling because they know their results ultimately contribute to increasing small business ownership, and to the health of franchisees. It's meaningful work." To determine the top suppliers in franchising, Entrepreneur magazine surveyed hundreds of franchisors from brand-new companies just jumping into franchising to top-ranked Franchise 500 brands with thousands of locations to find out which suppliers they do business with and how satisfied they are with them. Suppliers were then scored based on both how many franchisors reported using them and their satisfaction ratings. The final ranking consists of the 15 top-scoring suppliers in each of seven categories: accounting, banking/financing, legal services, marketing, merchant services, other technology services and public relations. Fishman PR's depth of understanding in public relations for franchise companies goes back to the agency's roots. In 1991, Sherri Fishman recognized the need for a specialized PR firm to manage the unique needs of franchisors. She and husband Brad Fishman entrenched themselves in the industry and grew the agency to fill the niche in franchising PR. Over the years services have evolved to meet the changing needs of franchisors for both franchise lead generation and consumer brand awareness, including strategic media relations, digital content marketing and social influencer relations. The agency also has a dedicated division providing local Grand Opening support for new franchisees. "Being recognized as the number one PR agency by emerging and established franchisors is a tremendous honor for our team," said Brad Fishman, CEO and co-founder. "We always have and always will focus on bringing results for our clients. We will continue to make that our No. 1 priority by always looking to strengthen and evolve our services to help franchise brands grow." About Fishman PR Founded in 1991, Chicago-based Fishman Public Relations offers best-in-class public relations, content marketing and influencer relations services for franchisors. For 27 years, the specialty agency has helped hundreds of brands grow through smart and powerful franchise lead generation and brand awareness campaigns. Fishman PR is the only franchising PR agency approved as a partner of Worldcom Public Relations Group, an exclusive group of global PR firms consisting of 110 international agency partners operating in over 95 cities on 6 continents. This provides clients' access to trusted PR partners across the globe. For more information, visit www.fishmanpr.com. Media Contact: Debra Vilchis, Fishman PR, 847-945-1300 ext. 227, [email protected] SOURCE Fishman PR Related Links http://www.fishmanpr.com MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Waters Financial, a financial planning firm located throughout Minnesota with offices in Minneapolis, Richfield, Plymouth, White Bear Lake and Duluth, for the second year has been named to Inc. magazine's 37th Annual List of America's fastest-growing private companies with a ranking of No. 3113 with a three-year revenue growth of 127 percent. This list, which is one of the most prestigious rankings of the nation's fastest-growing private companies, represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. "We consider it a great honor to be named to the 2018 Inc. 5000 list. This ranking represents our dedication to growing our business and reflects the success of our mission: educating Minnesota residents about investment and retirement planning strategies in an effort to help provide a better, more secure financial future," said Michael Palumbo, co-founder of Great Waters Financial. "I also want to thank our team members at Great Waters Financial who helped make this ranking possible through their hard work and commitment to providing our clients with superior service that prioritizes their needs. We look forward to the future and continuing our mission to help pre-retirees and retirees achieve their retirement dreams." Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "If your company is on the Inc. 5000, it's unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice," says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn't change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives." Methodology The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. About Great Waters Financial Great Waters Financial, a financial planning firm located throughout Minnesota with offices in Minneapolis, Richfield, Plymouth, White Bear Lake and Duluth, specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning and strategic retirement solutions to pre-retirees and retirees. Founded in 2012 by financial advisors Skip Johnson, Elijah Kovar and Justin Halverson, Great Waters Financial was named one of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 companies in 2016. Since opening its doors, the company has grown to 32 employees and five office locations. Dedicated to consumer education, the firm has reached thousands of Minnesotans through its courses at local colleges and universities as well as frequent contributions on local television news shows on a wide variety of financial planning topics. Johnson, Kovar and Halverson are all life insurance and securities licensed and are members of Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM. For more information visit www.greatwatersfinancial.com or call (612) 360-2127. Investment advisory services offered through AdvisorNet Wealth Management (AWM). Great Waters Financial and AWM are not affiliated. Insurance products provided by Great Waters Financial, a Minnesota insurance agency. CONTACT Advisor PR (702) 685-7450 SOURCE Great Waters Financial Related Links https://www.greatwatersfinancial.com NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine today revealed that Concourse Federal Group, LLC (Concourse) is No. 645 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. Co-founder, Geffrey Perkins, said that, "this award is a reflection of the dedicated Concourse Federal Group staff and the faith our customers place in us day in and day out. We are honored." Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years. Concourse Federal Group, headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA and Norfolk VA, is a technical advisory firm that provides architecture, planning, real estate, information technology and management consulting services to its federal clients. Concourse Federal Group, is owned by Air Force veteran, Geoff Perkins, Esq., and The Concourse Group, LLC, located in Annapolis, Maryland. For More Information Contact: Geoff Perkins, Esq. Concourse Federal Group, Principal (703) 945-4208 [email protected] SOURCE Concourse Federal Group, LLC NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine revealed on Wednesday, August 15 that Palomar Specialty Insurance Company is No. 807 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Further, Palomar Specialty earned the No. 1 spot among Property & Casualty insurance carriers and No. 13 across the broader insurance industry. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. "It's an honor to be recognized by Inc.," said CEO Mac Armstrong. "The tremendous profitable growth of Palomar Specialty over the past few years is a tribute to the efforts of our remarkable team. We have established a company culture dedicated to delivering innovative insurance products. Whether it be earthquake, hurricane or flood, Palomar Specialty offers its customers financial resiliency in the face of catastrophic disruption." Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 15) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "If your company is on the Inc. 5000, it's unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice," says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn't change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives." About Palomar Specialty Insurance Company Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (www.PalomarSpecialty.com) is a leading specialty insurer that focuses on catastrophe-exposed residential and commercial property lines of business. Palomar's underwriting and analytical acumen allow it to offer catastrophe insurance products including residential and commercial earthquake, multi-peril homeowners, residential flood, residential hurricane and commercial business written on an "all risks" basis in select hurricane exposed states. Based in La Jolla, California, the company is an admitted carrier in 24 states. Palomar Specialty has an A.M. Best financial strength rating of "A-" (Excellent). More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. For more information contact: Inc. Media Drew Kerr 212-849-8250 [email protected] SOURCE Palomar Specialty Insurance Company "This is an incredible honor to be on the INC. 5000 list for the 2 nd year in a row," said Jim Van Schaik, CEO of RNN Group. "For the past 5 years, we've doubled or tripled our growth, year over year. We're building a billion-dollar brand with products, customer service and industry changing technology. What a joy this award is as we continue our quest to deliver the next generation of post charge off liquidation and compliance solutions and services." Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 15) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "If your company is on the Inc. 5000, it's unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice," says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn't change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives." The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 17 to 19, 2018, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, in San Antonio, Texas. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation. About RNN Group RNN was founded by former Lexis Nexis and American Express executives to build an alternative solution for post judgment recovery. RNN Group is the leading provider of post charge off liquidation and compliance solutions. By constantly investing in technology, security and experienced teams, RNN has become the trusted and strategic partner for procuring verified and accurate data, national portfolio monitoring and innovative SaaS solutions to deliver control, consistency and visibility across national portfolio networks. For More Information, Please Contact: Jeffrey Wisard Senior Director of Marketing [email protected] More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. SOURCE RNN Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.rnngroup.com PUNE, India, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "IoT Medical Devices Market by Product (Blood Pressure Monitor, Glucometer, Cardiac Monitor, Pulse Oximeter, Infusion Pump), Type (Wearable, Implantable Device), Connectivity Technology (Bluetooth, Wifi), End User (Hospital) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is projected to reach USD 63.43 billion by 2023 from USD 20.59 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 25.2% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 199 market data Tables and 39 Figures spread through 280 Pages and in-depth TOC on "IoT Medical Devices Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/iot-medical-device-market-15629287.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Factors such as increasing initiatives by governments of both developed and emerging countries for promoting digital health and the evolution of high-speed networking technologies and increasing penetration of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms in healthcare services are expected to drive the growth of this market during the forecast period. By type, the wearable medical devices segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period On the basis of type, the IoT Medical Devices Market is categorized into stationary medical devices, implantable medical devices, and stationary medical devices. The wearable medical devices segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR due to increasing health awareness, preference for preventive care, rising need for the prolonged home health monitoring of patients owing to the rising geriatric population, and subsequent prevalence of chronic diseases are making wearable devices common in home care settings. By type of vital signs monitoring devices, the blood glucose monitoring devices segment is expected to have the largest market share On the basis of type, the vital signs monitoring market is categorized into blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors, ECG/heart rate monitors, oximeters, and multiparameter monitors. The blood glucose monitoring devices segment held the largest market share in 2017. The increasing adoption of smartphones and changing lifestyles have boosted market momentum in favor of IoT-enabled wearable glucose monitoring device since companion software (device-linked applications) enables vital data transfer to physicians for better diagnosis. By end user, the nursing homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, & home care settings segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period The major end users of IoT Medical Devices Market are hospitals & clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, & home care settings, and other end users. The nursing homes assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, & home care settings segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth rate of this market segment is attributed to the need for prolonged treatment for certain chronic diseases, increasing preference for participatory and preventive care by patients, high cost of hospital stays, and the growing number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care centers. The increasing inclination towards self-health management has also propelled the use of IoT-enabled medical devices for patient monitoring. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=15629287 APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific countries, particularly China and India, offer significant growth opportunities for players in the market owing to the growing government initiatives for the promotion of eHealth, rising medical tourism, growing awareness among patients about self-health management, and the growing demand for quality healthcare. GE Healthcare (US), Philips (Netherlands), Medtronic (US), Honeywell Life Care Solutions (US), BIOTRONIK Germany), Boston Scientific (US), Johnson & Johnson (US), Siemens (Germany), Omron (Japan), BioTelemetry (US), AliveCor (US), iHealth Lab (US), AgaMatrix (US), Abbott Laboratories (US), STANLEY Healthcare (US), and Welch Allyn (US) are the prominent players operating in the IoT Medical Devices Market. Product launches, product upgradations, and approvals are the major organic growth strategies undertaken by these players. The companies are also focused on inorganic growth strategies like acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships with other medical technology companies as well as digital technology and software companies to strengthen their IoT device product portfolio as well as garner a larger share in the market. Know more about the IoT Medical Devices Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/iot-medical-device-market-15629287.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently, servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/iot-medical-device-market.asp Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets ATLANTA, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingsland University - School of Blockchain was named the winner of an international Stevie Award in the Tech Startup of the Year - Services category at the 15th Annual International Business Awards today. Judges hailed Kingsland University's model as including "great concepts" that drive innovation and address public misconceptions about blockchain technology. 2018 Stevie Bronze Winner "The company clearly has shown its abilities by capturing the first mover advantage and growth through targeting a growing market," judges commented. "Knowledge is power and technologies like blockchain will define the future. Great job in creating an ecosystem where [the] knowledge hungry can get trained and lead the future." The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2018 IBAs received entries from 74 nations and territories. "Being recognized for our diligence in revolutionizing education - especially among the other nominees in the category - is a high honor," said Kingsland Founder & CEO, John Souza, who also won a Stevie Award in the Innovator of the Year category this year. "This is only the beginning for Kingsland. These awards will serve as cornerstones in our foundation as we continue to build up and secure the future of blockchain." Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala awards banquet at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel in London, England on 20 October. "This year's Stevie Award winners in the IBAs are the most distinguished group of winners we've had yet," said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. "We raised the minimum average score from the judges required to qualify as a Stevie winner, so 2018 winners should be especially proud of their achievements." Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 270 executives worldwide who participated on 12 juries. Press and Media Inquiries Heather Delfs Head of Content Kingsland University - School of Blockchain E: [email protected] KingslandUniversity.com SOURCES: Kingsland University - School of Blockchain & the Stevie Awards About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com. SOURCE Kingsland School of Blockchain Related Links http://www.kingslanduniversity.com SAN DIEGO, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) announced today that its subsidiary Kannaway will host a European tour during the month of August. This tour will host events in six cities to provide Kannaway brand ambassadors with the chance to network with top Kannaway Europe leaders, the company's global executive team and fellow business owners. "We are excited to broaden our reach and impact throughout Europe with these events," said Kannaway CEO Blake Schroeder. "It is an excellent opportunity for our brand ambassadors, new and old alike, to network with their fellow brand ambassadors, learn about new and upcoming products and build a successful Kannaway business." Attendees will hear from executive team members, including Kannaway CEO Blake Schroeder and International Vice President Alex Grapov, along with brand ambassadors such as Vice Presidential Director Tibor O'dor and Crown Ambassador Juraj Mojzis. "During the tour, we will celebrate what has been an incredible launch of our European business and will continue laying the foundation for our European Grand Opening later this fall," said Kannaway International Vice President Alex Grapov. The Kannaway European tour will include events in Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; Wroclaw, Poland; Bratislava, Slovakia; Linz, Austria and Regensburg, Germany. More details on event dates and locations will be available on the Kannaway website. Kannaway is the first direct selling company to offer hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) wellness products to the entire European market, where the market for organic foods is valued at 29.8 billion. Direct selling companies have been extremely successful in Europe, generating more than $35 billion in retail sales in 2015, according to The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA). Information on Kannaway in Europe or on how to become a European Kannaway Brand Ambassador can be found at Kannaway.com/EU. About Kannaway Kannaway is a network sales and marketing company specializing in the sales and marketing of hemp-based botanical products. Kannaway currently hosts weekly online sales meetings and conferences across the United States, offering unique insight and opportunity to sales professionals who are desirous of becoming successful leaders in the sale and marketing of hemp-based botanical products. About Medical Marijuana, Inc. We are a company of firsts. Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s corporate video, click here. Shareholders and consumers are also encouraged to buy CBD oil and other products at Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s shop. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. LEGAL DISCLOSURE Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil. CONTACT: Public Relations Contact: Andrew Hard Chief Executive Officer CMW Media P. 858-264-6600 [email protected] www.cmwmedia.com SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc. Related Links https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Aug. 22, to discuss the upcoming launch of the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2), which will fly NASA's most advanced laser altimeter to measure Earth's changing ice. The teleconference will stream live on NASA's website. ICESat-2 is scheduled to launch Sept. 15 on a mission to provide critical, precision measurements of Earth's ice sheets, glaciers and sea ice, which will help scientists better understand how changes at the poles will affect people around the world. The briefing participants are: Tom Wagner , cryosphere program scientist in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at NASA Headquarters , cryosphere program scientist in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at NASA Headquarters Richard Slonaker , ICESat-2 program executive in SMD , ICESat-2 program executive in SMD Doug McLennan , ICESat-2 project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center , ICESat-2 project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Donya Douglas-Bradshaw , Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument manager at Goddard , Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument manager at Goddard Tom Neumann , ICESat-2 deputy project scientist at Goddard At the time of the briefing, associated graphics will be available online at: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13044 Media who would like to ask questions by phone must send an email with their name and affiliation to Steve Cole at [email protected] by 10 a.m. Aug. 22. Questions also can be submitted during the teleconference via Twitter using the hashtag #askNASA. The teleconference will be followed at 2:30 p.m. by a live, televised discussion with social media followers and mission experts at Goddard, which manages the ICESat-2 mission for SMD. It will be carried on NASA Television, the agency's website and NASA's Facebook Live, Periscope, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and UStream channels. Members of the public can ask questions with the hashtag #askNASA on Twitter or in the comment section of the NASA Ice Facebook page. ICESat-2 will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard United Launch Alliance's final Delta II rocket. For more information on the mission, visit: https://nasa.gov/icesat-2 For more information about NASA's Earth science activities, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/earth SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit released a new piece revealing the state of California's aging bridges, in the aftermath of a deadly bridge collapse in Italy. The piece also mentions crucial transportation safety infrastructure funding currently threatened by Proposition 6, the attack on bridge and road safety. Below are excerpts from the piece: "A deadly bridge collapse in Italy is raising new concerns about the safety of bridges in the United States. The highway bridge located in Italy's port city of Genoa was 51-years old when it collapsed on Tuesday, killing 39 people." "NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit reviewed the Department of Transportation's 2017 National Bridge Inventory and found there are 13,721 bridges in California 50 years old or older 1,960 of which are located in the Bay Area." "The Investigative Unit also found 336 bridges in the Bay Area are ranked as 'structurally deficient,' meaning essential structural elements are in need of repair." "SB-1 is expected to generate an estimated $52.4 billion between 2017 and 2027, according to the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The revenue is aimed at repairing California's roads and bridges and other transportation projects." "But SB-1 revenue is now at risk by Proposition 6, a California ballot initiative which would repeal taxes and fees enacted through SB-1 and require voter approval for future fuel and vehicle taxes. Voters will decide the future of SB-1 on November 06, 2018 in the General Election." To see the full piece, click here: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/A-Deadly-Bridge-Collapse-in-Italy-Shines-Light-on-Californias-Aging-Bridges-490980881.html A report released yesterday by TRIP, a transportation research organization, found that throughout California, more than two-thirds of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and that more than 1,600 locally and state-maintained bridges are structurally deficient. About No on Prop 6 the Attack on Bridge and Road Safety: The California Professional Firefighters, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, American Society of Civil Engineers, business, local government, labor, environmentalists and first responders urge NO on Prop 6 because it will stop critical transportation projects and jeopardize the safety of our bridges and roads. Prop 6 eliminates more than $5 billion annually in existing transportation funds and stops funding for more than 6,500 bridge and road safety, transportation and public transit improvement projects currently underway throughout California. Prop 6 is opposed by a broad coalition of more than 300 public safety organizations, engineers, local transportation agencies, cities, counties, environmental groups, business and labor organizations throughout California. www.noprop6.com @noprop6 Paid for by No on Prop 6: Stop the Attack on Bridge & Road Safety, sponsored by business, labor, local governments and transportation advocates Committee Major Funding from California Alliance for Jobs Southern California Partnership for Jobs State Building and Construction Trades Council of California Funding details at www.fppc.ca.gov SOURCE No on Prop 6 Related Links http://www.noprop6.com CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional services firm Sikich was again named to Microsoft Dynamics' Inner Circle. Microsoft selects members of the Inner Circle from its global network of partners based on sales achievements. "Microsoft Dynamics products are a key piece of the technology ecosystem we leverage to address companies' business challenges," said Jim Drumm, partner-in-charge of Sikich's technology practice. "We value our long-standing relationship with Microsoft and are honored to continue to be members of this elite group of partners." Sikich is a national technology consultancy that helps companies across industries including discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, distribution, horticulture, life sciences and professional services improve productivity and performance with innovative digital strategies and technology solutions. Sikich is a leader in cloud and emerging technologies and has one of the deepest, most diverse solution portfolios in the middle market. Sikich's solutions include business applications and workplace productivity, security and compliance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, and blockchain. "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 organization. "Our Inner Circle members are chosen based on their business performance as well as capabilities as an organization, whether that's creating IP, developing solutions, or having an industry leading focus on digital transformation. Microsoft is honored to recognize Sikich for their achievements this past year, their dedication to our customers, and their innovation around the Microsoft Cloud." Members of the Inner Circle were recognized during Microsoft Inspire, which took place July 15-19 in Las Vegas. About Sikich LLP Sikich LLP, a leading professional services firm specializing in accounting, technology, investment banking* and advisory services**, has more than 750 employees throughout the country. Founded in 1982, Sikich now ranks as the country's 28th largest Certified Public Accounting firm and is among the top 1 percent of all enterprise resource planning solution partners in the world. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments, Sikich clients can use a broad spectrum of services and products that help them reach long-term, strategic goals. *Securities offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. **Investment advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Media Contact: Kyle Adams / Mackenzie Gorham Sikich (312) 690-8732 / (312) 690-8734 [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Sikich LLP Related Links http://www.sikich.com STOCKHOLM, August 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Elkem has delivered another excellent quarter with strong growth in revenue and profit. The strong result is particularly driven by the Silicones division, where attractive market conditions continue to boost financial performance. However, all four divisions report revenue growth and improved results compared to second quarter 2017. The total operating income for the second quarter 2018 was NOK 7,120 million, which is 38 per cent higher than second quarter 2017. EBITDA for the second quarter 2018 amounted to NOK 1,970 million, up from NOK 810 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Earnings per share (EPS) was NOK 2.28, bringing EPS up to NOK 3.53 year-to-date 2018. "We are very pleased to report another strong quarter for Elkem. All divisions deliver revenue growth and improved earnings, both in the second quarter and year to date. Market conditions are still favourable and the specialisation strategy pays off", says CEO Helge Aasen in a comment. All divisions report revenue growth and improved earnings compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The result is however, particularly driven by the Silicones division, where the tight market situation for intermediate products leads to higher sales prices across all market segments. Elkem's financial position is strong. The group's equity at 30 June 2018 amounted to NOK 12,178 million, giving a ratio of equity to total assets of 44 per cent. Net interest-bearing debt at quarter-end was NOK 4,458 million, a reduction from NOK 5,369 million at the end of the first quarter. The integration of Xinghuo Silicones and Yongdeng Silicon Materials, which were acquired in connection with the IPO, is making good progress. The focus is on organisational implementation and operational excellence. Xinghuo Silicones has gradually increased its production capacity in 2018 through operational improvements and debottlenecking. Yongdeng Silicon Materials will be significantly upgraded during the second half of 2018, through furnace relining, technical upgrades and environmental and safety investments. Elkem continues to deliver in accordance with its specialisation strategy. The Silicones division increases its sales of specialities, particularly within personal care and sealants, Foundry Products continues to increase its sales of specialty products to the foundry market, while Silicon Materials and Carbon both increase their sales of special grades. The market sentiment continues to be good, but is expected to soften somewhat. Silicone prices seem to be levelling off and are expected to soften somewhat going forward. The effect of duties on US imports of silicone products from China is still uncertain, but could represent a downside risk. Prices for silicon metal and ferrosilicon have softened during the second quarter, which is likely to continue during third quarter affected by higher seasonal production in China and weaker market conditions for polysilicon. The markets for foundry alloys and carbon products are expected to be stable. Xinghuo Silicones completed the announced maintenance stop in August 2018. This is expected to negatively impact EBITDA by approximately NOK 200 million. Based on these factors, the result for the third quarter is expected to be somewhat weaker than the second quarter. Elkem ASA Oslo, 17 August 2018 For further information, please contact: Morten Viga, CFO Phone: +47-416-09-752 Email: [email protected] Odd-Geir Lyngstad Head of Investor Relations Phone: +47-976-72-806 Email: [email protected] About Elkem Founded in 1904, Elkem is one of the world's leading suppliers of silicon-based advanced materials with operations throughout the value chain from quartz to specialty silicones, as well as attractive market positions in specialty ferrosilicon alloys and carbon materials. Headquartered in Oslo, the company's 27 production sites and extensive network of sales offices and agents around the world ensure proximity to customers and access to attractive end markets. Elkem's over 6,000 skilled employees and significant R&D activities provide a solid basis for further technology-driven growth and optimisation. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/elkem/r/strong-performance-supported-by-favourable-markets,c2594394 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Public/16930/2594394/b6b764d3463a4977.pdf Elkem ASA - 2Q-2018 - Report http://mb.cision.com/Public/16930/2594394/96f66bb427698083.pdf Elkem ASA - 2Q- 2018 - Presentation http://mb.cision.com/Public/16930/2594394/915f20d90b7b24d0.pdf Elkem ASA - 2Q-2018 - Press release SOURCE Elkem PRINCETON, New Jersey, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 15th, 2018 Beijing time, TAL Education Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Educational Testing Service (ETS) on GRE test preparation and will introduce authentic, official GRE practice materials to provide more authoritative test preparation resources for Chinese students. This collaboration follows the first strategic agreement between TAL and ETS, which was signed in November 2017, which authorizes TAL to provide official preparation materials for the TOEFL iBT test in China. At present, TAL is the only authorized company in China that provides official practice test questions from retired TOEFL iBT tests and additional value-added exercises in its TOEFL prep products across various platforms. In May 2018, TAL and ETS furthered their cooperation by introducing ETS' SpeechRater and e-rater technologies into China. These provide instant scores and feedback on different aspects of spoken and written English to help TOEFL test takers improve their speaking and writing skills. Building upon the strategic synergies in international education between the two organizations, TAL and ETS will continue to broaden and deepen collaborations in test preparation and learning products, advanced artificial intelligence technologies, as well as scientific research. For more information, please visit: http://en.100tal.com/ SOURCE TAL Education Group Related Links http://en.100tal.com Over 40 judges, experts in various mediums spent all day Thursday, August 16, reviewing and critiquing this year's entries and determining the winners. The announcement of the Best of Show, Best of Class, and Special Award winners was made publicly at the Best of Show Luncheon on Friday afternoon. This year's overall Best of Show winner is Kevin Pourier of Standing Rock, South Dakota. The Dobkin Family Foundation generously underwrites the 2018 Best of Show Award of $10,000. "My work is a belt with portraits of Native women from around the country. During the Standing Rock protests, there was a lot of coverage about men. But the women were there. They were cooking and taking care of the families and then out on the front lines. My wife said, 'you need to create something for the women warriors.' The portraits are carved buffalo horns, used by my Lakota ancestors since the beginning of time," said Mr. Pourier as he accepted the award. All of the Best of Show winners' phenomenal artwork will be available this weekend during Santa Fe Indian Market on the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe. This year's Best of Class winners by classification are: Class I: Jewelry Farrell Pacheco (Santo Domingo Pueblo) Class II: Pottery Nancy Youngblood (Santa Clara Pueblo) Class III: Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography Cara Romero (Chemehuevi Indian Tribe) Class IV: Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carving & Sculpture Mavasta Honyouti (Hopi) Class V: Sculpture Terresa White (Yup'ik) Class VI: Textiles Nellie Begay (Navajo) Class VII: Diverse Arts Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota) Class VIII: Beadwork & Quillwork Dallin Maybee (Northern Arapaho/Seneca) Class IX: Youth (artists aged 17 and under) Isaak Kohlmeyer (Jemez Pueblo) Class XI: Basketry Jeremy Frey (Passamaquoddy) 2018 Special Award Winners: Bernard Ewell Innovation Award Adrian Pinnecoose IAIA Distinguished Alumni Award Shane Hendren Helen Naha Memorial Award for Hopi Pottery Karen Abeita Peter Dechert Award for Excellence in Native Art Timothy Smith Western Art Collector Magazine Editor's Choice Award for Excellence Derek No Sun Brown Native American Art Magazine Editor's Choice Award for Excellence Jody Folwell "Art of Technology" Award (New Award this year) Darby Raymond-Overstreet "Art is a way for countless Native people to support themselves while sharing and celebrating history, tradition and culture. There is no better way to experience this magic than by being at Santa Fe Indian Market," said Ira Wilson, Executive Director of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), which produces the Santa Fe Indian Market. A full schedule of events can be found at www.swaia.org. SOURCE SWAIA/Santa Fe Indian Market Related Links http://www.swaia.org WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, based in Woodland Hills with offices throughout California, is proud to announce its newest partnership with Mitchell & Mitchell Insurance Agency of Novato, California. In a transaction that closed August 10, Liberty will become majority owner joining with several former shareholders of Mitchell & Mitchell, including Gary Mitchell who will continue as President. Mitchell & Mitchell, formed in 1954 by Gary's father, Ed Mitchell, is well known in California as the professional liability authority for Lawyers, Dentists, and CPAs. For nearly 20-years, Mitchell & Mitchell has been the exclusive agent for the CNA lawyer's professional liability program in California. With over 200,000 attorneys insured, CNA is the largest writer of lawyer's professional liability insurance in the nation, for firms of any size. Mitchell & Mitchell prides itself on providing all lines of insurance to its prestigious client base of professionals, including life, health, commercial, and personal. "We could not be more excited to welcome the impressive team from Mitchell & Mitchell and the wealth of experience they bring to Liberty for professional liability and program business," noted Jerry Pickett, CEO of The Liberty Company. "Their management of the CNA programs for Lawyers, Dentists, and CPAs is among the highest performing in the nation and we look forward to continuing that exceptional level of stewardship while tapping into our multi-office infrastructure and sales culture to grow our clientele in these professional niches." For more information about Mitchell & Mitchell Insurance please visit: https://www.mitchellandmitchell.com About The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers provides agency owners a flexible exit strategy and ambitious producers an entrepreneurial platform to achieve equity partnership, as an independently owned full service broker with offices throughout California. Established in 1987 by Bill Johnson its Chairman, The Liberty Company was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles by the LA Business Journal. Media Contact Cheri Amaro EVP/Director of Corporate Operations [email protected] 408-510-5802 SOURCE The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers CHANGZHOU, China, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar Limited ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading total solutions provider for solar energy, recently released its "2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report". The report elaborates on Trina Solar's ideas, strategies and concrete practices in relation to corporate social responsibility in 2017, covering all factories and operating business units which were under the management control of Trina Solar. It consolidates the reporting on economy, environment, supply chain, people and community. The current CSR report states that Trina Solar supports and takes actions to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Trina Solar has achieved 'zero' carbon emissions for operations in China since 2016. In 2016 and 2017, the solar power stations owned by Trina Solar in China contributed an additional 1.1 billion kWh of clean solar power to the world, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 900,000 tons. In the four years from 2014 to 2017, Trina Solar collected a total of 12 million tons of industrial wastewater, and produced and reused 7.6 million tons of new-water (or recycled water), which could meet the annual water consumption for 41,500 households in China. Trina Solar also pays attention to the social responsibility of its global suppliers and partners. The company continuously reduces carbon emissions in its supply chain by promoting the optimization of packaging methods, transportation modes, and increasing the local supply of products and raw materials, so as to jointly promote sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry. Trina Solar works together with partners to bring long-term benefits to local communities through investing in education, promoting public welfare and implementing volunteer programs. Trina Solar has compiled and issued CSR reports since 2011, and the previous report was published and issued in August, 2017. The company refers to Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) to compile the CSR report every year. The GRI Standards are the first and most widely adopted global standards for sustainability reporting. In 2017, Trina Solar was granted a Gold Recognition Level in Ecovadis' 2017 CSR assessment, a global supplier sustainability ratings organization. The award of Gold Recognition Level in EcoVadis' CSR assessment demonstrates Trina Solar's commitment to promoting sustainable development. "We believe that a beautiful tomorrow comes from our joint efforts today. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility remains as strong as ever. We will integrate our efforts and practices into the collaborative partnership towards the UN's sustainable development goals. We will make unremitting efforts to forge ahead for a better and sustainable future," said Gao Jifan, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar. The report is written in both Chinese and English, and is retrievable on the company's official website (www.trinasolar.com). About Trina Solar Trina Solar is a leading global total solutions provider for solar energy. Founded in 1997, Trina Solar develops proprietary smart PV solutions for large power stations as well as commercial and residential solutions, energy storage systems and photovoltaic modules. As the world's leading provider of integrated solar energy solutions, Trina Solar has taken the lead in evolving into a brand in the world of energy IoT (internet of things) and is committed to becoming a global leader in this new and emerging sector. For more information, please visit www.trinasolar.com. SOURCE Trina Solar Limited Related Links http://www.trinasolar.com SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nutritional company USANA was honored at a luncheon yesterday for its inclusion in Utah Business Magazine's Fast 50 list. This year marks the 11th consecutive time the company has made the list of fastest growing companies in Utah. USANA finished ranked number 37 on the list. Utah Business Magazine determines the Fast 50 recipients based on a company's most recent five-year revenue growth. USANA's consistent growth over the years, along with a historic 2017 were the driving force behind its place on the list. USANA saw record net sales in 2017 totaling $1.047 billion a 4.1 percent increase from 2016. And 2017 became the 15th consecutive year of record sales. "Our spot on the Fast 50 list wouldn't be possible without our excellent independent sales force, hard-working employees and innovative health and beauty products," said Doug Hekking, USANA's chief financial officer. "The timing of the event couldn't be better, with thousands of our distributors in town this week to participate in our International Convention." The Fast 50 highlights the companies in Utah that generate record revenues or expand at rapid speeds. The list is determined by Utah Business Magazine, Utah's premier business news and information provider. About USANA USANA (NYSE:USNA) prides itself in providing consumers the highest quality nutritional products in the world. From its award-winning supplements to its innovative new skincare line, USANA has proven for more than 25 years why it's a company you can trust. How about giving us a try? Shop at USANA.com or learn more at whatsupusana.com. Media Contact: Ashley Collins Vice President of Marketing & PR (801) 954-7629 media(at)us.usana(dot)com SOURCE USANA Related Links http://www.usana.com "We are all far less rational in our decision-making than standard economic theory assumes," said Dan Ariely, Ph.D, Chief Behavioural Scientist and co-founder of BEworks; James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioural Economics at Duke University; and New York Times best-selling author of Predictably Irrational and Dollars and Sense. "Our irrational behaviours are neither random nor senseless: they are systematic and predictable. As we look at the mounting challenges in the financial services sector such as rising consumer debt, ongoing barriers that make it difficult for consumers to save, and increasingly complex information being disclosed to retail investors about their investments the financial services sector needs to dramatically shift its approach to create real impact and change." Drawing on research from thousands of academic studies and experiments, the summit will examine barriers to innovation in the financial services and insurance sectors and understand the cognitive biases and heuristics involved in financial decision-making, including time discounting, the status quo bias, and the implementation gap. More importantly, the sessions will equip attendees with research and actionable insights to advance scientific thinking in their organizations. "If business leaders truly want to accelerate change, take risks and advance innovation, they must embed the rigor and discipline of scientific thinking into their organizations," said Kelly Peters, CEO and co-founder of BEworks. "Status quo is simply not an option anymore when there is so much to learn from science. By bringing leading academic experts and business leaders together in this unique forum, we aspire to help business leaders understand the role of science to drive change, encourage new approaches to innovation and ultimately help organizations understand how consumers think about money." New academic research will be shared from some of the world's leading behavioural scientists shaping the application of behavioral economics in the world of finance, including: Dan Ariely , Ph.D., Chief Behavioural Scientist and co-founder of BEworks; James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioural Economics at Duke University ; and Chief Behavioural Officer at Lemonade. Named as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Thinkers by Bloomberg, Dr. Ariely's ground-breaking experimental research, TED Talks and prolific writing, including his New York Times best-seller Predictably Irrational, has made him one of the most prominent leaders in the field of behavioural economics. His most recent book, Dollars and Sense, explores a wide range of everyday topicsfrom credit card debt and household budgeting to holiday salesto demonstrate how our ideas about dollars and cents are often wrong and cost us more than we know. Chief Behavioural Scientist and co-founder of BEworks; James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioural Economics at ; and Chief Behavioural Officer at Lemonade. Named as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Thinkers by Bloomberg, Dr. Ariely's ground-breaking experimental research, TED Talks and prolific writing, including his best-seller has made him one of the most prominent leaders in the field of behavioural economics. His most recent book, explores a wide range of everyday topicsfrom credit card debt and household budgeting to holiday salesto demonstrate how our ideas about dollars and cents are often wrong and cost us more than we know. George Loewenstein , Ph.D. , the Herbert A. Simon University Professor of Economics and Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University . Dr. Loewenstein helped found the field of behavioural economics, the field of neuroeconomics, and was one of the early proponents of a new approach to public policy called libertarian paternalism. He is one of the leading thinkers in the world examining the interface between economics and psychology. , the Herbert A. Simon University Professor of Economics and Psychology at . Dr. Loewenstein helped found the field of behavioural economics, the field of neuroeconomics, and was one of the early proponents of a new approach to public policy called libertarian paternalism. He is one of the leading thinkers in the world examining the interface between economics and psychology. Kelly Peters , MBA, CEO and Co-Founder of BEworks. Kelly co-founded BEworks, the first consulting firm dedicated to the practice of applying behavioural economics. She is a Faculty Lecturer of Applied Behavioural Science at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, and regularly lectures at universities including Cornell and Harvard . CEO and Co-Founder of BEworks. Kelly co-founded BEworks, the first consulting firm dedicated to the practice of applying behavioural economics. She is a Faculty Lecturer of Applied Behavioural Science at the of Management, and regularly lectures at universities including and . Hal Hershfield . Ph.D., Associate Professor at Anderson School of Management at UCLA . Dr. Hershfield studies how thinking about time transforms the emotions and alters the judgments and decisions people make. He will be presenting research from one of his most well-known discoveries, that when people are confronted with their 'future selves' they experience an emotional sense of connection that can influence long-term financial and ethical decision-making. Associate Professor at Anderson School of Management at . Dr. Hershfield studies how thinking about time transforms the emotions and alters the judgments and decisions people make. He will be presenting research from one of his most well-known discoveries, that when people are confronted with their 'future selves' they experience an emotional sense of connection that can influence long-term financial and ethical decision-making. Nina Mazar, Ph.D., Co-founder of BEworks, and Professor of Marketing at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University . Dr. Mazar's focus includes the investigation of how expectations, emotions, peers, and random cues in the environment affect how we think about products, money, investments, and morality, and their implications for welfare, development, and policy. Behavioural Economics is the study of psychology related to the economic decision-making of individuals and institutions. Evidence-based insights from the fields of cognitive and social psychology, neuroscience, and marketing science allow behavioural economists to understand how people make decisions and why they behave the way they do, offering powerful new ways to create and measure change. Hosted by BEworks, the inaugural Summit for Science in Financial Services takes place in Toronto on Monday, September 17. Students currently enrolled in behavioural science programs are invited to submit abstracts outlining their work related to financial decision-making. Special pricing is available for non-profit associations, academia, with early bird event pricing until August 24 and specialized sponsorship packages are available. Given our desire to facilitate rich dialogue in an informal setting, seats are extremely limited. The full agenda and speaker line-up can be found at: www.BEworksSummit.com. When: Monday, September 17, 2018 | 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) 317 Dundas St. West, Toronto ON, Canada About BEworks Founded in 2010, BEworks is an unconventional management consulting firm that believes science has the potential to transform the economy and society. Our team of experts in cognitive and social psychology, neuroscience, and marketing work answer our client's most complex business questions, execute disruptive growth strategies and accelerate innovation. Part of the kyu collective of companies since January 2017, the firm's client list includes Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies. BEworks was co-founded by Dan Ariely, renowned behavioural scientist, Kelly Peters, the firm's CEO and BE pioneer, and top marketing scholar Nina Mazar. For more information, please visit www.BEworks.com, @BEworksInc, #SummitForBE, or https://www.linkedin.com/company/beworks/. SOURCE BEworks Inc. SAN DIEGO, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Zoe's Kitchen, Inc. (NYSE: ZOES) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Cava Group, Inc. ("Cava"). On August 17, 2018, Zoe's announced that it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Cava. Under the terms of the agreement, Zoe's shareholders will receive $12.75 in cash for each share of common stock they hold. The investigation concerns whether the Zoe's 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 Zoe's shares of common stock. Nationally recognized Johnson Fistel is investigating whether the proposed deal represents adequate consideration, especially given one Wall Street analyst has a $14.00 price target on the stock. The 52-week high for Zoe's stock was $17.65. If you are a shareholder of Zoe's 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 United Nations, Aug 17 : Children deported from Mexico and the US to Central America face violence, stigma and deprivation, worsening the root causes of irregular migration, the UN Children's Agency (UNICEF) warned in a Child Alert issued on Thursday. The alert shows that dangerous journeys and deportations intensify poverty, extreme violence and lack of opportunity, Deputy UN Spokesman Farhan Haq said. "It is common that children who are sent back to their countries of origin have no home to return to, end up deep in debt or are targeted by gangs." "Being returned to impossible situations makes it more likely that they will migrate again," he told reporters at a regular briefing, citing the alert report, Uprooted in Central America and Mexico, Migrant and Refugee Children Face a Vicious Cycle of Hardship and Danger, Xinhua reported. More than 68,000 migrant children were detained in Mexico between 2016 and April 2018, 91 percent of whom were deported to Central America, the 25-page report said. "In the countries of northern Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - and in Mexico, gang-related violence, organized crime, extortion, poverty and limited access to quality education and social services are part of daily life for millions of children," the report said. "Each day, families facing these harsh conditions make the painful decision to leave their homes, communities and countries in search of safety and a more hopeful future," it said. "Some move within the region, while others head north to Mexico and the United States." "Yet many of the families trying to escape their desperate circumstances experience a host of new problems and traumas once they turn to irregular migration routes," UNICEF said. These families must navigate a long, uncertain journey in which they risk being preyed upon by traffickers or other criminals, or losing their bearings." "They may be apprehended in transit or upon reaching their destinations, only to be detained and then returned to their countries of origin," the report said. "If they are sent back, they are likely to experience an intensification of the factors - violence, poverty, lack of opportunities, stigmatization, social exclusion and internal displacement - that drove them to migrate in the first place." UNICEF urged governments to work together in implementing solutions shown to help alleviate the root causes of irregular and forced migration and safeguard the well-being of refugee and migrant children along the journey. "The report also outlines a series of recommendations to keep refugee and migrant children safe and reduce the factors that push families and children to leave their homes in search of safety or a more hopeful future via irregular and dangerous migration routes," Haq said. New York, Aug 17 : A Sikh store-owner has been stabbed to death in the US state of New Jersey, in a third incident targeting the community in the country in the last three weeks. Terlok Singh was found dead by his cousin Karnail Singh on Thursday in his East Orange suburb store with apparent stab wounds, WABC TV reported. The assailant had put a knife in his chest, Karnail Singh told the station. Terlok Singh had a wife and children in India. He owned Park Deli and Grocery store in the US to support them. The Essex County Prosecutor's office called the incident a homicide, reported ABC7NY. WNBC TV reported that the police did not have a motive for the killing and had made no arrest as of Thursday evening. A worker interviewed from a nearby petrol station said he found Terlok Singh's body in a puddle of blood in the bathroom of the store. Customers who spoke to the TV said the victim was "extremely generous". One of them, Anthony Pointdexter, said Terlok Singh was a "great guy and never bothered anybody". Two Sikhs were attacked in separate incidents in California over the past few weeks, but they survived the assaults. On July 31 in Keyes, Surjit Singh Malhi, 50, was attacked by two men when he was putting up a campaign sign for Republican Congressman Jeff Denham, KCRA TV said. Malhi said they shouted at him, beat him and spray-painted his truck with a white nationalist symbol and wrote "go back to your country" on it, according to the station. Malhi said that his turban saved him by acting like a helmet and absorbing the blows. The police were considering it a hate crime. On August 6, Sahib Singh Natt, 71, was thrown to the ground and spat on by two people in Manteca, about 40 km from Keyes. The police arrested two teenagers and charged them with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon, but not a hate crime. One of them, Tyrone McAllister, 18, an African American, is the son of police chief Darryl McAllister of Union City. Earlier, an Indian woman, Sasikala Narra, and her six-year-old son were stabbed to death in another New Jersey town, Maple Shade, in March 2017 but that case has not been solved. Manila, Aug 17 : Philippine aviation authorities on Friday decided to close the runway in Manila airport where a passenger plane skidded off late on Thursday. All passengers and crew are safe. Twelve flights have been cancelled, while many have been diverted to other airports following the Xiamen Airline flight's "runway excursion", Xinhua news agency reported. Early on Friday, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a joint statement. It said the Boeing 737-800 plane swerved off the runway and onto the grass at the airport after a "missed approach" due to "heavy downpour" at 11.55 p.m. on Thursday. There is need to clear the runway of debris from the damaged engine and landing gear of the plane as such the operations were temporarily suspended. An investigation has been ordered. Washington, Aug 17 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death and praised his vision for famously characterising US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". In a statement issued by the State Department on Thursday, Pompeo extended his heartfelt condolences to the people of India on losing Vajpayee. Recounting the former Prime Minister's many contributions, the US statement said: "He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian" leading it to become "a global and economic power". "Standing before the US Congress in 2000, he famously characterised US-India ties as a 'natural partnership of shared endeavours'. "He recognized early on that the US and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. "Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation." Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday following a prolonged illness. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan calls on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, on May 28, 2016. Image Source: IANS/PIB New Delhi, Aug 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he discussed the flood situation in Kerala with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," he tweeted. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of nearly 100 people in the state. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 : Kerala has been facing unusually high rainfall since early August, which has led to statewide floods taking several lives and causing severe damage. According to the government, there hasnt been a flood of this scale in last 90 years. The death toll as of August 16, stands at 114. As per information from the officials, in the past one week itself more than 53,000 people have been moved to 439 relief camps across the state. A total of 143,220 people have been living in 1,790 relief camps all through this year's monsoon, in which Kerala has received an unusually high amount of rainfall. According to a report from the National Disaster Management Authority, 130 people have died in Kerala this monsoon from May 29 to July 19. Adding to this, the deaths from the August rainfall, the death toll for Kerala is 217 as of August 16. There has been mobilisation of resources to deal with the floods. In a a press release, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: "As per the primary assessment, the state has incurred a loss of Rs 8,316 crore (Rs 83 billion). Kerala is facing its worst flood in history after 1924. Ten out of 14 districts were badly affected. Twenty-seven dams in the state were opened due to water rise. Thirty-seven people died in just four days. There were mudslides and landslides in 211 different places across the state. Central forces, National Disaster Response Force and all the state forces are full time engaged in rescue mission at different districts. More than 20,000 houses were totally ruined, about 10,000 kilometres of public roads were also destroyed. The state will have to bear the loss of this disaster for a long time." Union Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh, after his visit to the flood hit areas of the state termed the situation of Kerala "very serious". He also announced an immediate relief of an additional Rs 1 billion rupees. Idukki dam opened after 26 years Though 27 small and big dams were opened across Kerala in this crisis, the opening of the Idukki dam's shutters at Cheruthoni gained media and public attention. Idukki is the biggest arch dam in Asia and the last time this dam's shutters were opened was in 1992. In the wake of the heavy rains this year, the water level in the dam had reached almost 2,400 feet, just a few feet lower than its maximum capacity of 2403 feet. On August 9, following a warning to the public, the officials opened shutters of the dam, after 26 years. It was first time in the history that all five shutters of the dam were opened. After the shutters were opened it cause rapid swelling of Periyar river that flows through Idukki and Ernakulam districts. Nearly 700,000 litres of water per second was discharged from the Idukki dam into the Periyar river. "Because of torrential rains and landslides, 18 relief camps have been started in different parts of Idukki district and almost 1,000 people have been relocated to these camps. Opening of the shutters of Cheruthoni dam due to increased water level of Idukki dam has also resulted in people being moved to camps. We have taken enough measures to provide all the necessary facilities for the affected people," Idukki district collector D. Balamurali said. Environmentalists point at poor policy decisions Most of the regions impacted by this monsoon were once classified as ecologically-sensitive zones (ESZs) by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the Gadgil Committee. The report was crafted by a team headed by Madhav Gadgil, ecologist and founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. According to environmentalists, the committee's recommendations were strong enough to protect the sensitive Western Ghat region. The committee had suggested that 140,000 kilometres of the Western Ghats be classified in three zones as per the requirement of environmental protection in the areas. In some areas the committee recommended strong restrictions on mining and quarrying, use of land for non forest purposes, construction of high rises etc. The report was first submitted to the government in 2011. But the Kerala government rejected the committee report and did not adopt any of its recommendations. Speaking to various regional media, Madhav Gadgil has said that irresponsible environmental policy is to blame for the recent floods and landslides in Kerala. He also called it a "manmade calamity". He said that the committee report had recommended to protect the resources with the cooperation of local self governments and people, but those recommendations were rejected. He also pointed out that quarrying is a major reason for the mudslides and landslides. Other environmentalists also point fingers at the extensive quarrying, mushrooming of high rises as part of tourism and illegal forest land acquisition by private parties as major reasons for the recent calamity. (In arrangement with Mongabay.com, a source for environmental news reporting and analysis. The views expressed in the article are those of Mongabay.com. Feedback: gopi@mongabay.com) Islamabad, Aug 17 : The Pakistan Foreign Office has denied allegations that Pakistani citizens supported the Taliban attack on Afghanistans Ghazni last week, a media report said on Friday. "We have not received any evidence to back up these spurious accusations and reject these baseless allegations," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal said, rejecting allegations made by Afghan officials and others. On August 10, some 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the city of Ghazni and retreated five days later, reports Dawn news. Afghan Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami said earlier this week that the Ghazni attack had been carried out by Taliban with the support of external elements, including Pakistanis. The New York Times also reported that Afghan officials had claimed the Taliban were aided by foreign fighters, including Pakistanis and Chechens, and even some Al Qaeda affiliates. Faisal said that Pakistan was fencing the border with Afghanistan with the objective of restricting cross-border movement of both "men and material" as part of its counterterrorism efforts. He expressed the hope that the border fencing would help achieve long-term regional stability and improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The spokesman disclosed that Pakistan and Afghanistan, under a new framework for bilateral relations, were negotiating "a time bound" repatriation plan for Afghan refugees. "An Afghan delegation from the Ministry of RefuAgee and Repatriation will visit Islamabad shortly for consultations," he added. Sydney, Aug 17 : An Australian teenager pleaded guilty to charges of hacking into Apple's secure systems and said that he was a fan of the technology giant and hoped to work there one day, the media reported. The 16-year-old boy is facing criminal charges after the technology giant called in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke into Apple's mainframe from his suburban home on multiple occasions over a year because he was such a fan of the company, according to his lawyer," The Age reported late on Thursday. The teenager, who studies in a private school, reportedly stored the saved information in a folder titled "hacky hack hack". He was able to access authorized keys, view customer accounts and download 90GB of secure files before being caught. "The teen's defence lawyer said his client had become so well known in the international hacking community that even mentioning the case in detail could expose him to risk," the report added. The magistrate has acknowledged the teenager's guilty plea and he is set to be sentenced next month due to the "complexities" of the case. Washington, Aug 17 : Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to serve in the US Senate, is set to make her first endorsement in an Iowa campaign on Friday, sources said. Harris, a California Democrat, will endorse Deidre DeJear for Iowa Secretary of State, the informed sources told Politico news. Harris however, is not expected to appear in Iowa for the endorsement announcement. But her endorsement of DeJear was not unexpected. Harris' out-of-California endorsements this year have focused on non-white candidates, including Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Jahana Hayes in Connecticut. DeJear is Iowa's first black nominee for statewide office from a major political party. When DeJear won her primary election in June, Harris tweeted: "Congratulations to @DeidreDeJear on being the first black nominee for statewide office in Iowa! Black women have voted at a higher rate than other groups, yet are continually underrepresented in elected office. In 2018, we have a chance to buck that trend." DeJear, a businesswoman who worked on former President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in Iowa in 2012, replied with a tweet calling Harris "a phenomenal role model to us all!" Mumbai, Aug 17 : Actor Avinash Tiwary, who is playing the protagonist of "Laila Majnu", presented by prolific filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, says looking deglamourised in his first ever big film did not bother him as the essence of his character is to celebrate eternal love which goes beyond physicality. "Narrating the character of Majnu made me liberated from the social trap, vanity and all the judgment that we have as people for others. That is when one can experience the true sense of freedom from mind. So as an actor, I did not think about my vanity when I was internalising my character," Avinash told IANS in an interview. "The thought that I am not looking like a hero of a love story in my first big film, did not cross my mind," he added. According to him, Majnu is a character with a heart of gold that can love someone at a spiritual level. He hopes the audience gets to see that beauty of the character. Set in Kashmir, the film has been written by Imtiaz and directed by his brother Sajid Ali. It is based on the classic love story "Laila Majnu", a well-known folklore. Not only is the film's director a debutant, but the film's lead actress Tripti Dimri is also making her first-time appearance in Bollywood. Avinash has done short parts in some films like "Boring: A Day in the Life", "Tu Hai Mera Sunday" and a few projects on television works. "Laila Majnu" has given him an opportunity to get a wider reach. Is he feeling any pressure before its release? "I know that people are not coming to the theatre to see me, but how the collaboration of Imtiaz Ali and Ekta Kapoor has worked in the form of a film called 'Laila Majnu'. But I think eventually people would love the story. "So, basically I am not feeling the pressure but out mentors and makers are. They have taken a bold step of making a film based on a classical love story with two newcomers," he explained. Produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film "Laila Majnu" is releasing on September 7. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and other senior leaders including L.K. Advani and Sitaram Yechury, and thousands of people paid their tributes as the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached the party's central office here on Friday. The body, draped in the national flag reached the 6-A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg headquarters in a procession which was joined by a large number of people from different parts of the country who chanted "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" in unision to pay their tributes to the departed leader. The body was brought from the Krishna Menon Marg residence of the former Prime Minister in a flower-decked hearse drawn by a military truck. Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stood in silence near the gate as the body arrived. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers to the body of the late leader. The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Advani, a long-time associate of Vajpayee, visited the new party office to pay his tributes. Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D. Raja also paid their tributes. Among those present were union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and BJP office-bearers. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes in memory of their beloved leader who had a pan-India appeal. They had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling even jumped the gate to get inside the party office. Vajpayee will be given a state funeral at around 4 p.m. at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. His last journey from the party headquarters to Sthal will begin at 1 p.m. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. Delhi government offices, schools and institutions are closed on Friday and central government offices will work for half-a-day. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force has earlier visited Vajpayee's official residence to pay their tributes. Vajpayee had passed away at the AIIMS on Thursday evening. Islamabad, Aug 17 : A four-member delegation from Pakistan will be attending the last rites of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday, the media reported. Caretaker Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal and other senior officials from the Law Ministry will represent Pakistan at Vajpayee's funeral, Geo News reported citing sources. The delegation will return the same day after attending the funeral, it said. Vajpayee, 93, had battled poor health for years, and died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday. His last rites will be performed at 4 p.m. at Smriti Sthal. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who talked to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday, will travel to the state for an aerial of the affected areas on Saturday. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Modi tweeted. "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. " Modi is expected to land in Thiruvananthapuram by 9 p.m. and will be staying at the Raj Bhavan. He will take an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas on Saturday. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of nearly 100 people in the state. Bhopal, Aug 17 : The bodies three of the six people swept away in the Sultangarh waterfall in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district have been recovered, police said on Friday. Sub-divisional Police Officer Suresh Dohre said: "Out of the six missing, bodies of three have been recovered. The police and the divers are now searching for others." On the occasion of Independence Day on Wednesday, several people were picnicking near the Sultangarh waterfall when the water level suddenly swelled. Several people, who were standing on the river rocks, got stuck and about 10 people were washed away. The rescue teams including the Border Security Force (BSF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indian Air Force, have till now rescued around 40 people with the help of an IAF helicopter and thick ropes. Srinagar, Aug 17 : Unidentified gunmen shot dead a woman on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said. The gunmen fired at Shamima, 38, in Drabgam village. She was rushed to a local hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. "She had come to visit her ailing mother when the incident occurred," police said. Srinagar, Aug 17 : Three civilians were injured in a grenade explosion on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said. Police said militants hurled a grenade at the office of Superintendent of Police (SP) in Awantipora town. The grenade exploded outside the office, injuring three civilians. The injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off for search operations, police said. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Tens of thousands of commoners joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the final journey to bid adieu to Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the former Prime Minister's body was being taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna river for the last rites. The journey began around 2 p.m. -- an hour behind schedule -- from the BJP's new central office on the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Modi and Shah walked behind the flower-decked gun carriage carrying the body of Vajpayee draped in the tricolour as security personnel kept a tight watch. People from across the country, many of them teary-eyed, threw flower petals on the casket all through the three-kilometer route as an expression of their love, respect and admiration for the late leader. Slogans like "Atalji amar rahen", "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" rent the air as the procession progressed. Some people were carrying banners containing lines from poems written by Vajpayee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also in the procession and supporters accompanying him raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram". A number of BJP chief ministers including, Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh), Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana), Union Ministers and BJP leaders accompanied the funeral procession. It passed through some populated areas of Delhi, inclduing Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, on its way to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers. Earlier, Modi, Shah, veteran BJP leader L. K. Advani, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D. Raja, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palanisami were among the national leaders who paid tributes to Vajpayee at the party office after his body was brought there from his Krishna Menon Marg residence. Before the body was taken from the residence, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin, MDMK chief Vaiko, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force placed wreaths and paid their last respects. Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Yogi Adityanath received the body near the gate of the party office. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith were among those who paid their tributes at the party office. Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali will attend the funeral. The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Among those present at the party office were union ministers, chief ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and BJP office-bearers. People had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling jumped the gate to get inside the party office. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes. Tight security arrangements had been made for the final procession by security forces anticipating participation of a large number of people. Vajpayee, who had passed away at the AIIMS on Thursday evening, has a pan-India appeal and his flair for foreign policy and initiatives were acknowledged globally. The country is observing a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the leader who had been decorated with Bharat Ratna and was very popular. The tricolour is flying half-staff. Mumbai, Aug 17 : "Badlapur" director Sriram Raghavan's next film titled "AndhaDhun" is set to release on October 5. "AndhaDhun" marks the first collaboration of Raghavan and actor Aayushmann Khurrana. On Friday, Aayushmann tweeted a motion poster of the film announcing its release date. Aayushmann captioned it: "Presenting the motion poster of 'AndhaDhun', produced by Viacom18 Movies and Matchbox Pictures, is releasing in cinemas near you on October 5th." The film also stars Tabu and Radhika Apte. This is the second outing of Radhika and Raghavan after "Badlapur", which released in 2015. Radhika also shared the motion poster and captioned it: "Blinded by love or blindly loved? Isme phir andha kaun hai? (Who is blind here then?)" Paris, Aug 17 : France on Friday condoled the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying his name will remain linked to Indo-French friendship as he shaped the strategic partnership that the two countries share. "It was with deep grief that we learnt of the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "France offers its condolences to his family as well as the Indian authorities and people," it said. "Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India's history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998." Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday evening at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here following a prolonged illness. Los Angeles, Aug 17 : Actor Mark Wahlberg says he gets along with director Peter Berg well, and loves working with him. Wahlberg has worked with Berg on films like "Patriots Day", "Deepwater Horizon", "Lone Survivor" and forthcoming film "Mile 22". "We get along tremendously well. My family gets along well with his family and my friends get along with his friends. We just have a good time," Wahlberg said in a statement to IANS. Berg said he was inspired by Wahlberg's work ethics. He said: "Mark's work ethic is probably better than mine, and I think mine's pretty intense! He's a very hard worker. I trust him to be there for me, and I think the feeling is mutual." Written by Graham Roland and Lea Carpenter, "Mile 22" is a story of an elite American intelligence officer who, with the help of the top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of a foreign country. Being brought to India by PVR Pictures, the film will release in India on August 24. New Delhi, Aug 17 : The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Friday decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide assistance to Kerala. Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha, in a meeting chaired by him, directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights among other things. Kerala Chief Secretary requested for motorised boats so as to reach people marooned in flood-affected areas, a government statement said. It was the second meeting of the NCMC in two days. It will meet again on Saturday to review the situation. Kerala is battling one of the worst rains and flood with the death toll touching 164 in 10 days. The Centre has so far mobilised 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 lifebuoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats. A total of 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 lifebuoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats were also deployed. Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots. It flew 16 sorties in 48 hours in rescue operations. Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 lifebuoys. The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. The Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets. NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment. The Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment including from CRPF, BSF and SSB. New Delhi, Aug 17 : The Congress clarified on Friday that there has been no change in the engagements of Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his scheduled visits to Germany and the UK and accused the BJP of trying to undermine the visit because "it is getting popular". Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said there is "absolutely no change in Gandhi's itinerary". "He will go as per schedule of the itinerary decided by the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC). He will engage and interact with various sections of people as per the schedule. There is no change in the plans," she said. "BJP is trying to undermine the entire visit because they know how popular it is getting and how people wish to hear Rahul Gandhi and want to reach out to him," she added. Chaturvedi said if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to get any invite withdrawn, it exposes "its pettiness and its shortsightedness" at a time when leaders from across the political spectrum were appreciating the democratic norms followed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Congress sources said IOC Chairman Sam Pitroda had conveyed that there had been no change in the proposed visit of Gandhi to the UK Parliament. A media report said on Friday that Indian-origin millionaire Dr Rami Ranger, co-chairman of the Conservative Friends of India, and Tory peer Baroness Verma have rescinded an invitation to Rahul Gandhi during his trip to London saying the event had been cancelled. It also said Labour MP Keith Vaz has sponsored a room elsewhere in the Parliament and Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has taken over running the event. Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Germany and London next week to meet businessmen, politicians, academics and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Sam Pitroda said in a tweet on Thursday that Gandhi will be visiting Germany on August 22 and 23 and London on August 24 and 25. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Terming the solid waste problem in Delhi "serious", the Supreme Court on Friday asked Lt Governor Anil Baijal to consider the setting up of a committee also comprising experts on solid-waste management. "The fact of the matter is that it's a very serious problem. It's not only affecting Delhi, but also other cities. Let the L-G constitute an expert committee," a bench of Madan B. Lokur, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Deepak Gupta said. It said that the Lt Governor should not "rush into the decision of constituting the committee" but take a thoughtful decision. "Let's leave it to him (Lt Governor) -- he is the chief administrator. He said he was responsible," said the bench. The committee should also consist of members of civil society and Resident Welfare Associations and should deal with cleaning up of huge mounds of garbage at the landfill sites at Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa as well, the court said. "In our opinion, prima facie, the problem of solid-waste management needs the assistance of people. The L-G said that the solid-waste management is his responsibility... constitute a committee that will go in depth into all aspects of solid-waste management, including cleaning of dumping sites," the court ordered. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Lt Governor, told the bench that she would discuss the matter with him and revert back on the issue. The apex court fixed August 27 for the next hearing. On July 12, the court had expressed displeasure over the failure of Lt Governor -- whom it termed "Superman" -- to take effective steps to tackle the garbage problem, after his office admitted that waste management comes within its jurisdiction. The bench had said that the situation in Delhi was "absolutely bizarre", and referred to three landfills as "mountains of garbage". It had said that there was a 65-metre high mound at Ghazipur which was "only eight metres less than the historic Qutub Minar". On July 16, the Lt Governor had told the court that he was regularly monitoring the situation and immediately after assuming office in 2016, he had visited three landfills. Efforts were on to tackle the problem at the three sites in a comprehensive, safe and scientific manner, the Lt Governor had said. The top court is hearing a matter related to the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules. It had earlier directed the Central government to submit a chart, indicating whether states and union territories have constituted state-level advisory boards in accordance with the provisions of said Rules of 2016. Kolkata, Aug 17 : The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is planning to set up a 1,500mw pumped storage facility in Jahrkhand's Bokaro at an estimated cost of Rs 5,200 crore, an official said on Friday. "We are planning to set up the 1,500mw (6*250 mw) pumped storage facility at Lugu Pahar near Bokaro," its Chairman P.K. Mukhopadhyay said. "The total project cost is estimated at Rs 5,200 crore and it will act as a storage facility for solar power generating units," he said on the sidelines of CII Energy Conclave here. A pre-feasibility study has been completed and a detailed project report will be prepared by an agency at a cost of around Rs 40 crore, according to him. The report will be completed in the next two years. The power utility, along with its partner NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), recently won a supply contract of 300 mw of power for a 15-year time period. "We are prepared for starting supply. We are expecting to start selling power to Bangladesh within a month," Mukhopadhyay said. Responding to a query relating to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court against both these firms, challenging the legalities involved in the bidding process, he said: "We will contest it. We have been supplying power to eight states and we do not have any restrictions in supplying power." Asked whether the utility will find any difficulties in exporting power generated from domestic coal, he said: "We have a combination of power including sources like thermal, hydro and solar. Our contract with Bangladesh is not based on any specific plant and we will supply from our pool of power." Lucknow, Aug 17 : Aiming to bridge the digital divide in the country, Logitech --global mouse and keyboards making firm -- on Friday donated Devanagiri-enabled Hindi keyboards to 100 schools in Uttar Pradesh. As part of Logitech's Digi@Bharat initiative, the students will now have the ability to select Hindi as a language in their keyboards. "We are extremely proud and humbled to have reached out to 100 schools across Uttar Pradesh under our Digi@Bharat initiative, empowering many dreams through the power of technology," Sumanta Datta, Managing Director, India and SWA, Logitech Asia Pacific, said in a statement "We firmly believe that the use and adoption of technology should be democratised and language should not be a knowledge barrier," Datta added. The Logitech MK235 Wireless Devanagari Keyboard Combo as well as the wired Devanagari keyboard K120 would empower them to cross linguistic barriers in the use and adoption of digital technologies. The Digi@Bharat campaign promotes the idea of inclusivity and aims at promoting content creation coupled with consumption in regional languages. Kolkata, Aug 17 : Bangladesh, which is importing around 700 megawatt (mw) of power from India, is looking to ramp up its electricity import from the country, an official of the neighbouring nation said here on Friday. "We are currently importing around 700 mw of power from India and import of about 500 mw of additional power will be commenced very soon. Grid transmission line of 400 KVA has been completed," said Md. Abdul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator (SDGs) Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh. "We have signed an agreement with an Indian company to import 600-800 mw of power through a dedicated transmission line. We have received proposals from several Indian power generating companies which are wanting to set up transmission line to sell power to Bangladesh," he said on the sidelines of CII Energy Conclave. The neighbouring country is aiming at importing 10,000 mw from India, he said. He said both the countries have been working together to develop the infrastructure. Power sector cooperation between the two countries is "not limited to transmission and supply only." India is "supporting its neighbouring country to enhance the capacity building", particularly, human resource development for power generation, transmission and distribution. "In Bangladesh, power capacity has been increased by five times in the last 10 years and we are getting support from India for human resource development," he added. New Delhi, Aug 17 : The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) on Friday condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death describing him as a strong advocate of cooperation within the South Asian region. In a message to Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Saarc Secretary General Amjad Hussain B. Sial said: "We have lost a great statesman, politician, writer, poet, and above all a humane person committed to peace." Sial, who is from Pakistan and assumed office as Saarc Secretary General in March last year, recalled Vajpayee's statements at the 10th Saarc Summit in Colombo in 1998, in Kathmandu in 2002 and in Islamabad in 2004 and said: "His vision for a self-reliant and fully integrated South Asia continues to guide the Saarc process even today." The Saarc Secretary General also recalled Vajpayee's "grand diplomatic gesture" of taking bus rides to Lahore and Dhaka during his Prime Ministership. "Besides, as the three-time Prime Minister of India, Late Shri Vajpayee's leadership greatly contributed to the prosperity and stability of India, and the country attained steady economic growth and became a leader in information technology," Sial said. "On behalf of officials at the Saarc Secretariat and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the government and the people of India on the sad demise of Shri Vajpayee." Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. New Delhi, Aug 17 : The Belgium Embassy here kept its flag at half mast on Friday in the honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday. "The flag at the Embassy of Belgium flies half-mast as a mark of respect to the great statesman, Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee Ji. #AtaljiAmarRahen," the mission said on its Twitter handle. Belgium's capital Brussels serves as the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Vajpayee, 93, passed away after a prolonged illness at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on Thursday evening. Lucknow, Aug 17 : Former Prime Minister and five-time MP from Lucknow Atal Bihari Vajpayee leaves behind memories of the foodie in him. "Before his health deteriorated after a paralytic stroke about a decade back, Lakhnavi food always topped his list," recalls an old-timer of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. He says not only did the three-time prime minister have a sweet tooth, he also liked 'chatpata' (spicy). A close aide told IANS that Vajpayee loved 'dudhiya barfi' from a shop in Raja Bazaar, 'malai paan' from Ram Asrey and Babulal's bada-makkhan or 'thandai.' At times he would pass through narrow lanes of old Lucknow for his favorite 'gol-gappas' and 'chaat papdi'. "I remember how his staff would order his favourite sweets in advance much before his arrival. Most of the times it was on personal request of Vajpayee ji," says a staff member at the famous sweets shop Ram Asrey. Vishal Khanna, a BJP worker of Lucknow, says there were occasions when Vajpayee would randomly walk into shops to have 'chaat' and have impromptu dinners for party workers. Sometimes he cooked himself. Raj Kumar Tripathi of the famous Raja Thandai, credits much of the popularity of his shop to Vajpayee. "There would be endless 'chakallas' (gossip) sessions of Atal ji and his poet friends. There would also be some political chit-chat involving him and his close friends at our shop, run at that time by my father, Vinod Kumar Tripathi," says Tripathi. "He was a very simple man, uninhibited...he looked so much like us," says Tripathi. A party functionary says that despite being a diabetic, he was so fond of special milk pudding (dudhiya barfi) made at Trivedi Mishthan Bhandar in Raja Bazaar that at times it was sent by air from Lucknow to Vajpayee's 7, Race Course Road residence in New Delhi. Tiwari Chaat of Latoosh Road and steaming hot 'poories' from Bajpayi Poori Bhandar at Hazratganj were also his favourites, residents say. Virendra Nath Chaturvedi, an octogenarian who has followed the political career of Vajpayee, says Vajpayee came across as a commoner to most people. "That made him stand apart from other politicians. Can you think of any politician today who could stop by for 'chaat' or sweets at a shop and have a bit," wondered Chaturvedi, his wrinkled face hardly hiding his emotions, as he watched the last rites of the former Lucknow MP. (Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in) Mumbai, Aug 17 : Investor sentiments in the Indian equity market firmed up on Friday with the NSE Nifty50 ending at a record closing level, following broadly positive cues in the global markets. The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex breached the 38,000-mark during the day before closing slightly below the psychological mark. Index-wise, the Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange closed at 11,470.75 points, up 85.70 points or 0.75 per cent from its previous close. The S&P BSE Sensex, which had opened at 37,898.60 points, closed at 37,947.88 points, up 284.32 points or 0.75 per cent from previous close of 37,663.56 points. It touched an intra-day high of 38,022.32 points and a low of 37,840.16. In the broader markets, the S&P BSE Mid-cap rose by 0.88 per cent and the S&P BSE Small-cap ended higher by 0.94 per cent from the previous close. The BSE market breadth was bullish with 1,629 advances and 1,076 declines. "The gains came on the back of positive Asian markets as investors seemed to cheer Washington and Beijing's decision to hold trade talks next week," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. Investment-wise, provisional data with exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors bought scrip worth Rs 147.31 crore and the domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 151.89 crore. Sector-wise, the S&P BSE Banking index rose 398.95 points, FMCG index was up 219.19 points and the metal index ended higher 216.43 points from its previous close. In contrast, the S&P BSE oil and gas index was the only losing index with a decline of 22.55 points. In a major development, share price of FMCG major ITC on the BSE touched a 52-week high of Rs 315.20 on Friday. It settled at Rs 313.75 per share, higher Rs 6.95 or 2.27 per cent from the previous close. The major gainers on the Sensex were Yes Bank, up 3.76 per cent at Rs 392.95; State Bank of India, up 3.18 per cent at Rs 302; Vedanta, up 3.09 per cent at Rs 215; Hindustan Uniliver, up 2.63 at Rs 1,780.80; and Tata Motors, up 2.47 per cent at Rs 257.35 per share. The major losers were Hero Motocorp, down 1.14 per cent at Rs 3,248.60; ONGC, down 0.61 per cent at Rs 163.10; Maruti Suzuki, down 0.58 per cent at Rs 9,148.30; Coal India, down 0.44 per cent at Rs 281.20; and HDFC, down 0.39 per cent at Rs 1,883.60 per share. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-devastated parts of Kerala on Saturday to assess the Central government's aid efforts and also the rescue operations. Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday. "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Modi tweeted. Modi is expected to land in Thiruvananthapuram by 9 p.m. and will be staying at the Raj Bhavan. The death toll in rain-battered Kerala in 10 days touched 174 on Friday as a red alert continued in 12 of the 14 districts of the state, the Kerala government said in a statement. The red alert in Kasargode and Thiruvananthapuram districts was withdrawn on Friday, it said. The intensity of rains, although has decreased in several districts since Friday morning, flood waters from big dams in Idukki district continued to be let out. Since August 8, 2.23 lakh people are put up in 1,568 relief camps across the state, the statement added. Cabinet Secretary P .K. Sinha on Friday chaired a meeting with the Chief Secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu through video conference. Sinha directed various agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala. He also ordered these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights among other things. The Centre has so far mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats, said a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Over 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets, it said. The Railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles and will despatch additional 1,20,000 bottles, it added. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayakulam on Saturday, the ministry said. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats will be deployed, the Home Ministry said. The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, while 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots were rushed to Kerala and 1,600 food packets were airdropped on Friday. In the past 48 hours, the Navy flew 16 sorties in rescue operations, the Ministry said. The Coast Guard, according to the Ministry, has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys. The IAF has deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft, while the Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets and the NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment, it said. The use of Naval airstrip at Kochi by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala Government as the civilian airport remained closed. Kerala Government has been advised to explore the use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. Istanbul, Aug 17 : The Third Penal Court in Izmir on Friday rejected an appeal for the release of US pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest during his trial, the media reported. Brunson's lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt filed an appeal earlier this week for the second time in the Second Penal Court in Izmir to lift his client's house arrest and travel ban. The court rejected Halavurt's petition and sent it to the Third Penal Court on Wednesday. The 50-year-old pastor, who has been living in Turkey for more than two decades, was detained two years ago for espionage and having links to a network led by US-based outlawed cleric Fethullah Gulen and the Kurdistan Workers' Party. He faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. Gulen is accused by Ankara of being behind a failed coup in July 2016. Brunson's next hearing is scheduled for October 12. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Pakistani and Sri Lankan Ministers on Friday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here after Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cremation and conveyed their condolences over the passing away of the former Prime Minister. "Remembering a visionary who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent!" External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted following a meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan's caretaker Minister for Law and Justice Syed Ali Zafar. Vajpayee, 93, passed away here on Thursday following a prolonged illness. In a separate tweet, Kumar said that Sushma Swaraj also met Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kiriella who recalled the contribution of Vajpayee in ensuring stability in the island nation. Earlier, the Indian Minister held meetings with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, who recalled Vajpayee's contributions to ties with their respective countries. Sushma Swaraj and Karzai talked about Vajpayee's role in consolidating democracy in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said. In the meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Ali, the two recalled Vajpayee's contribution in consolidating India's friendship with Bangladesh. All these South Asian leaders were present at Vajpayee's cremation with full state honours at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Calling Atal Bihari Vajpayee an "extraordinary personality", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister, saying that "Atal ji will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian". "Atal ji, you will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. No words can ever do justice to your rich contribution towards the making of our country", Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister said that people from all parts of India, all sections of society, had thronged to Delhi to pay tributes to an "extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation". The late leader was cremated with full state honours around 4 p.m. at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, during which President Ram Nath Kovind, Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a host of Indian and foreign dignitaries were present. Jerusalem, Aug 17 : Condoling the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Israel on Friday said that it will always remember him as a genuine friend. "We extend our deepest condolences to the government and people of India at the loss of India's former Prime Minister Vajpayee," the Israel Foreign Ministry said on Twitter. "He will always be remembered as a genuine friend of Israel," it stated. Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. His funeral was held on Friday. Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Aug 17 : A ruckus was witnessed in an Aurangabad Municipal Corporation general body meeting on Friday when a dozen-odd BJP corporators assaulted an AIMIM member who opposed a condolence resolution on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on Thursday. The AIMIM said the opposition to the resolution was not the party stand, but demanded action against the corporators involved in the assault. Shortly after the house convened, Bharatiya Janata Party corporators led by Rahul Vaidya moved a condolence resolution on Vajpayee's death, which was opposed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's (AIMIM) Sayed Mateen. Livid at this, 10-12 BJP corporators, including some women members, pulled Mateen from his seat, pounced on him and slapped, punched and kicked him repeatedly even when he fell on the floor. Even as other corporators attempted to rescue Mateen, the municipal corporation's security officials rushed in and whisked him to safety through a side exit and later to a hospital. The CCTV video of the incident went viral on the social media. The assault sparked angry reactions outside as alleged AIMIM supporters indulged in stone-pelting to damage local BJP leader Baburao Deshmukh's car and injure his driver. Several BJP corporators, including Vaidya and Pramod Rathod, urged the Mayor to suspend Mateen for his "anti-national move" to oppose the resolution. Mateen demanded that the Mayor take strict action against his attackers. Mateen maintained that he was opposing the motion in a democratic manner, but the BJP members chose to respond by attacking him. Legislator Imtiaz Jaleel of the AIMIM -- which has 25 corporators in the AMC -- met the city Police Commissioner and demanded a thorough probe into the assault. "Mateen's decision was in his personal capacity. It is not AIMIM's official view, nor did he consult us. For this, I am recommending stringent disciplinary action against him," Jaleel told mediapersons this evening. However, he condemned the assault on Mateen as "totally undemocratic" and displaying a "mob-lynching mentality". "We have asked police to investigate on the basis of CCTV recording and take action against those who violated the law," Jaleel added. On the other hand, a BJP delegation led by Aurangabad East MLA Atul Save, along with Mayor Nandkumar Ghodele (Shiv Sena) and other corporators, met the police chief and demanded Mateen be booked for sedition. The Aurangabad Police beefed up security inside and outside the corporation complex, besides other parts of the tourist town, in view of the assault. Bengaluru, Aug 17 : Indian Army troops and Navy divers joined the national and state disaster relief forces to rescue hundreds of people marooned in Karnataka's flood-hit Kodagu district, said an official statement on Friday. "About 60 Dogra Regiment soldiers and 12 expert naval divers rescued 873 marooned people in the flood-hit district, where overnight heavy rains caused landslides and inundated low-lying areas at Makkanduru," said the statement from the Chief Minister's office. Kodagu, about 250 km from Bengaluru, is one of the districts in the southern state worst hit by the south-west monsoon rains since June first week. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is visiting Kodagu on Saturday to assess the situation and review relief operations in the district, where landslides claimed four lives since Thursday. "Kumaraswamy will visit the rain-hit areas in the district and review the rescue and relief operations with officials," said another official statement released by the Chief Minister's office on Friday night. The Chief Minister also directed district in-charge Sa Ra Mahesh to rush relief materials to Kodagu from Mysuru. The Army's engineering task force deployed 73 boats, equipment and rafts in rescuing the people and escorting them to safer places in the district. About 60 members of the national and state disaster relief forces and 45 members of the civil defence joined the rescue and relief operations with boats and equipment in Madikeri in the hilly district. "Though the Indian Air Force (IAF) aborted rescue mission due to inclement weather, it will fly M17 chopper from Mysuru on Saturday to rescue the remaining stranded and transport relief supplies," noted the statement. About 200 personnel of the state fire service had rescued people in flood-hit towns and villages across the district with their boats and equipment. "Telecom services, disrupted due to rains and strong winds uprooting poles and snapping phone lines, are being restored on priority. HAM operators have been deployed as back-up. Power lines are also being restored," said the statement. The district administration has housed 573 persons in 17 relief camps. Intra and inter-state bus and train services between Karnataka and flood-hit Kerala were suspended due to landslides and rainwater submerging the highways and roads in the ghat section. State-run and private bus services from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar to Ooty and Coonoor hill stations in Tamil Nadu were suspended due to flooding and fallen trees blocking the routes in the ghat section. According to the weather office, rain fury continued in the state's coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, disrupting normal life, including vehicular movement of goods and people. Schools and colleges will remain shut even on Saturday in the affected districts due to flooding and disruption of bus services. The state's metrological department has warned of moderate to heavy rain in coastal, south interior and north interior areas of the state till Sunday. A record 14.6 cm of rainfall was recorded at Madikeri, 11.5 cm at Virajpete, 10.4 cm at Sakleshpura, 10.3 cm at Sringeri, 9.3 cm at Supa, 9 cm at Sulya, 8.8 cm at Somwarpete and 8.6 cm at Belthangadi during the last 24 hours. Army personnel carry out rescue operation at flood affected area, in Kerala, on Aug 17, 2018. Image Source: IANS Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 : The death toll in rain-battered Kerala touched 174 on Friday as a red alert continued in 12 districts, with various agencies continuing the rescue operations after rains subsided to evacuate over 80,000 persons during the day. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media in the night that the situation arising out of unprecedented floods and subsequent havoc caused by turgid rivers and gushing waters in Kerala continues to be "grave". He said that since August 8 -- when the rains began pounding the southern state -- as 3,14,391 persons have been lodged in 2,094 relief camps across Kerala. "The worst affected districts include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur," Vijayan said after a review meeting with state officials. Hundreds of defence personnel, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, helped by more than 20 helicopters, mounted search and rescue operations. Fishermen along with their motorboats too joined the humanitarian efforts. More helicopters were pressed into service on Friday to fly sorties for rescue and relief. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sanctioned the extra choppers, as people marooned in Chengannur and Chalakudy could only be airlifted to safety. Waters from the Periyar river and its tributaries kept many towns in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts submerged. The worst affected include Paravur, Kalady, Chalakudy, Perumbavoor and Muvatupuzha. "We have no food. There are 150 persons waiting to be rescued," rued a group of people who sent a video clip to TV channels from Chalakudy. Thousands of people are still perched on high-rise buildings waiting to be rescued and taken to relief camps. Over 50,000 people are lodged in the Ernakulam and Thrissur camps alone. Intensity of rains, however, decreased in several districts since Friday morning, leading to decrease in water level in three big dams in Idukki district. The red alert in Kasargode and Thiruvananthapuram districts was withdrawn on Friday though the warning continued in other 12 districts in Kerala. "On Saturday, 25 big Army boats will be deployed for evacuation in Kalady, Chengannur and Thiruvalla. More helicopters will be used for rescue and relief. We are confident that by Saturday, we will be able to rescue all those awaiting help," the Chief Minister said. In the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the flood situation with Vijayan over phone. He was slated to arrive in the state in the evening and undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas on Saturday. Vijayan pointed out that 40,000 policemen, 3,200 firefighters, 18 teams of the Army, 28 of Coast Guard, 39 of NDRF and 46 of Navy were engaged in rescue operations. As many as 82,442 persons were rescued on Friday, Vijayan said. "The Centre has allowed the use of the Cochin naval airbase for commercial operations of small aircraft, as the Cochin International Airport has been closed due to flooding. Punjab, Maharashtra, and Telangana have said they will provide food packets while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has pledged Rs 10 crore and other help," Vijayan said. Waters in Idukki and Wayanad areas and certain areas of Pathanathitta has receded, he said. "One big problem that rescue teams are facing is that some people are unwilling to move to the relief camps. This is not good for their safety," the Chief Minister added. Many people, especially in Kuttanadu area, refused to move to the camps, Finance Minister Thomas Issac said. Rising waters though forced them to change their plan. Idukki's senior revenue official M.P. Vinod said that with lesser rains, water level in various dams in Idukki had come down. "The biggest problem is disruption in telecommunication facilities... We are unable to communicate freely. All relief camps are functioning well and none has any complaint. In Munnar, I am given to understand that the Army is restoring damaged roads. Another huge problem is spread of fake news, which has to be tackled," Vinod said. Helicopters loaded with food packets took off from the state capital and dropped these in central districts. Authorities in worst-affected districts took help of big lorries to navigate flooded roads to reach those marooned in small pockets. Amid the grim scenario in the state, there was good news: A pregnant woman Sajitha Jabeel airlifted on Friday morning by a Navy rescue team from a waterlogged place near Aluva delivered a baby boy at the Kochi Naval Base hospital soon after she was admitted. Meanwhile, authorities in Ernakulam faced problems as a camp set up at U.C. College at Aluva was overcrowded with over 8,000 people. Aluva legislator Anwar Sadat said shortage of fuel was hampering rescue as only boats were being pressed into service. "Things are very bad. Aluva is completely marooned. People have no food or water. Our only solace is the numerous fishermen who are rescuing us. "But now even their families are asking them to return. More defence personnel are required to speed up the rescue and relief," Sadat said while pleading for help. The central district of Pathanamthitta is also facing destruction as overflowing Pamba river has inundated several towns. Ranni, Kozhenchery continue to be completely submerged. Hundreds of fishermen from coastal villages of Thiruvananthapuram arrived at Pathanamthitta and began rescue even as helicopters too began to airlift affected persons to safer places. On Friday, Achenkovil river overflowed into Pandalam town. A boat overturned while carrying out the rescue work, but luckily all on board were saved. The MeT office forecast lesser rains in Kerala till Saturday, which should bring some relief to the embattled authorities. Rescue operations are progressing well in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. In the last two districts, over 20,000 camps have been set up. Major national and state highways, as well as rail traffic, continued to be disrupted in various parts of the state though more government buses were operated from various depots on Friday. Railway services between Ernakulam and Thrissur remained suspended even as long- distance trains were diverted via Nagercoil route. Long queues were witnessed in front of petrol stations across the state following reports of shortage of automobile fuel due to floods. Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told the media that even though one should not be finding faults with the state government, a lot needs to be done as thousands of people are still at risk. "We do not know who is providing all these figures to the Chief Minister... there seems to be a lack of coordination as people are suffering in relief camps," he claimed. Kerala is facing the heaviest rains and consequent floods and destruction since 1924, which the state estimates has caused a loss of Rs 8,000 crore. Dibrugarh (Assam), Aug 17 : BJP legislator from Dibrugarh constituency, Prasanta Phukan has appealed to the Centre to name the yet-to-be-inaugurated Bogibeel bridge after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The former Prime Minister had inaugurated the construction of the Bridge, a major infrastructure project in the region in 2002. A commitment of the historical Assam Accord, the bridge was sanctioned by the Centre in 1997-98 and it was expected to be completed by the end of the Ninth Five Year Plan. In 2007, the government declared the project as national project. "I feel Atal ji had done a lot for the North-East as a Prime Minister. The best way to pay tribute to the visionary leader will be to name the Bogibeel Bridge as Atal Setu," said Phukan while interacting with media in Dibrugarh on Friday. "I am going to meet Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal soon with a formal request so that he convinces the Centre to name the Bridge as Atal Setu," said Phukan, adding the government should also inaugurate the Bridge on December 25, the date commemorating the birth of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The design of Bogibeel Bridge has 39 spans of 125 m and a superstructure of composite welded steel truss and reinforced concrete. It is designed to carry a double line 1,676 mm (5 ft-6 inches) broad gauge railway on the lower deck and a 3-lane road on the upper deck. Upon completion it will be the longest combined rail and road bridge in India and second longest bridge over the Brahmaputra after Dhola-Sadiya Bridge which is a road bridge of 9.15 km length. The construction work of 4.94 km long bridge is likely to be completed by October this year. The bridge once completed will ramp up logistical movement of armed forces in Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China. Although civil work on Bogibeel bridge has been completed, but electrical and signalling work remains to be completed. The bridge is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by December this year. Hyderabad, Aug 17 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday announced Rs 25 crore and 10 reverse osmosis plants worth Rs 2.5 crore for flood-ravaged Kerala. Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao tweeted: "To aid and assist our brothers and sisters of Kerala in their hour of grief, Telangana CM KCR Garu has just announced assistance of Rs 25 crore and 10 reverse osmosis plants worth Rs 2.5 crore towards the flood hit Kerala." On Twitter, the Kerala Chief Minister's office appealed to the people of the country to donate to the state which has "lost 324 lives" in the floods. "Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. Eighty dams opened, 324 lives lost and 2,23,139 people are in about 150 relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected," it said. At least 174 people have died so far across Kerala, since torrential rain on August 8 submerged large areas in the state and created havoc. New Delhi, Aug 17 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed concern over the flood situation in Kerala and urged party workers to demonstrate the core party values of service and help those in need. "Across Kerala and now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers and leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service and love," said Gandhi on Twitter. "Please focus all our resources and people to help those in need," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-devastated parts of Kerala on Saturday to assess the Central government's aid efforts and also the rescue operations. Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday night to see for himself the rain-battered Kerala and also survey the relief and rescue operations. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of 174 people, leaving over three lakh people in over 2,000 relief camps. The Prime Minister was received by Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues among others. He will spend the night at the Kerala Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor. On Saturday, Modi along with Vijayan will make an aerial survey of the worst affected districts. Before returning to Delhi from Kochi, the Prime Minister will chair a meeting to discuss the grave situation in the state. Earlier in the day Modi had tweeted "Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding." "Had a telephone conversation with Kerala Chief Minister...We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations." New Delhi, Aug 17 : Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday condoled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death describing him as a "good friend of Japan". "I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Abe said in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the copy of which was shared by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar over Twitter. Recalling Vajpayee's visit to Japan in 2001, Abe said that the late Indian leader "made significant contributions to friendship between our two countries as a good friend of Japan". Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Thursday here after a prolonged illness. He was cremated at Smriti Sthal here on Friday. Abe said that Vajpayee "established the cornerstone of Japan-India relations today". Describing Vajpayee as an eminent leader of India, Abe said: "I pray from the bottom of my heart that his soul may rest in peace." Washington, Aug 18 : The US Treasury Department on Friday announced to sanction four commanders and two military units in Myanmar, accusing them of being related with human rights abuse cases in the country. In a statement, the Treasury said the targeted commanders were from Burmese military and Border Guard Police (BGP), Xinhua reported. Together with the 33rd Light Infantry Division (LID) and the 99th LID, the commanders were punished over the alleged involvement in ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State and "other widespread human rights abuses" in Kachin and Shan States. These individuals and entities were designated according to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016 that targeted "perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption." Sigal Mandelker, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in the statement that the US government "will continue to systematically expose and bring accountability to human rights abusers in this region." As a result of these actions, any property, or interest in property, of those designated within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked. Additionally, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with blocked persons, including entities 50 percent or more owned by designated persons. Building upon the act, US President Donald Trump signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, or "Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption." To date, 84 individuals and entities have been sanctioned under the order. Washington, Aug 18 : US President Donald Trump on Friday defended his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, as a "good person", as a jury at a Virginia federal court entered the second day of deliberations in Manafort's bank and tax fraud trial. "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters in White House before departing for fundraising events in New York. "He worked for me for a very short period of time," Trump said of Manafort. "He happens to be a very good person," Xinhua reported. The president did not give an answer when asked if he is prepared to pardon Manafort, a veteran lobbyist who joined Trump's campaign team in March 2016 and spent three months as Trump's campaign chairman until mid August of that year. After a full day Thursday, the six-man, six-woman jury had not reached a verdict on the 18 criminal charges of bank and tax fraud Manafort is facing. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. "You may deliberate as long or as little as you wish," U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III told the jurors on Friday morning before they resumed deliberations behind closed doors. However, the trial "might end soon", Ellis told reporters later. Manafort, 69, is the first member of Trump's election team to face trial on charges arising from the ongoing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. general elections. The charges largely stem from Manafort's time working for a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine before the 2016 election. But the trial is being seen as a key test of the strength of Mueller's investigation, which is probing alleged ties between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. Trump has repeatedly called the probe a "witch hunt" that has not found evidence of Russian collusion with his campaign, and his lawyers are urging the special counsel wrap things up. Manafort is also facing a separate trial in Washington D.C. on charges of money laundering and fraud conspiracy, which is scheduled for September. GUEST OBSERVATION It is easy for those of us who have ignored emails from Nigerian princes or refused to transfer money on behalf of an online love interest to scroll past stories about scams, thinking it could never be us. But so far this year, Australians have reported losing more than AU$76 million to all types of fraud, with phishing scams being the most prevalent. Given fraud has one of the lowest reporting rates, this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg. From the outside, its difficult to understand how fraud occurs, and why some victims send large sums of money to offenders or take other drastic actions. Its easy for a rational person to identify these situations as fraud. Too often, we focus our attention on the culpability of victims in these situations. But its the offenders and their actions we should be focusing on. How exactly do fraudsters get victims to do such outlandish things? Grooming the victim In many cases, its a culmination of efforts that result in the victim sending money or complying with a fraudsters request. Some offenders target specific victims and build a profile of them through online or offline tracking. In other cases, the contact may start as random, but the fraudster will work hard to establish trust and build rapport. There is research to support the concept of hyperpersonal relationships, or ones that are developed more intensely and quickly online compared to offline. Online communication lacks the non-verbal cues that could raise suspicions on the part of a victim. Further, there is power in the written word. Several fraud victims I interviewed in my research told me they saved all their chat logs with their offenders from the first contact. Re-reading these conversations allows them to feel a deeper connection to the words and the person sending them compared to a verbal conversation. By being persistent and patient with their contact, fraudsters raise few red flags when they ask a victim for money. Many victims come to believe the situation they are being presented with and the reason behind the request. Social engineering techniques Online offenders are also able to identify a weakness or vulnerability in a person relatively quickly and decide on the appropriate strategy to exploit this. The use of authority to gain trust and compliance is commonplace. Offenders will take on the identity of a person or organisation and use this to threaten victims into submitting to their requests. Fear can be a strong motivating factor. This is why so many people fall for phishing emails, or those that appear in our inboxes from a bank or government organisation. These emails say there is a problem and threaten a negative consequence (such as the closure or freezing of a bank account) if their instructions are not followed. A sense of authority has been clear in the recent scams targeting Chinese students in Melbourne who have been tricked into staging their own kidnappings. The victims receive calls from the Chinese police or some other authority and are told there is a problem with their visa, or that they have been involved in criminal activity. In order to prove their innocence, the victims are asked to send money. Or, they are directed to stage their own kidnapping, with the intention of extorting money from their families. The threat of deportation and jail time are powerful motivators for victims, who genuinely fear for their safety. The use of scarcity the idea of a limited offer is another successful technique of fraudsters. By implying their request has a limited timeframe for response, or that the promised reward is limited in availability, they compel people to respond. Examples of scarcity are commonly seen with lottery scams and sales frauds. Earlier this year, for instance, Scamwatch reported that fraudsters were advertising pedigree breeds of puppies for sale, often demanding money up front to cover transport or medical costs. Victims were duped out of over AU$300,000 in a single year. Coercive control The use of psychological abuse tactics by online fraudsters also helps to explain why they have so much power over victims despite a lack of physical proximity. Richard Tolman, a professor of social work at the University of Michigan, identified nine techniques of psychological abuse used by offenders in situations of domestic violence. In an exploratory study, my colleagues and I were able to apply many of these to the context of fraud. In these cases, offenders employ abusive techniques in their communications to gain compliance at the beginning and maintain it throughout the fraud. In my research, several victims reported being verbally abused when they questioned the nature of the relationship or refused to send money. Several victims felt the offenders were deliberately leading them to question themselves or their own judgement. This destabilisation is not exclusive to romance fraud and can allow offenders to exploit victims over long periods of time. Fighting against fraud The pervasive nature of these tactics is difficult to guard against. Most people do not believe they are vulnerable to fraud and are not aware how they could be deceived. Offenders rely on this. There is also a strong stigma attached to falling prey to scams. Victims are often blamed for their own circumstances and losses. This exacerbates the suffering theyve experience at the hands of the offender. Its important to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of this type of fraud and the methods used by offenders to target victims. Promoting a culture in which we can openly talk about fraud without judgement or blame is critical to achieving this. After all, offenders rely on the silence of victims most of all to continue committing these crimes. In order to break through the silence, we need a better understanding of the techniques they use and more work to identify successful countermeasures and prevention messages. Cassandra Cross, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Queensland University of Technology This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Adrian S. Johnson SVP/CFO MECA of Baltimore, Inc. I appreciate the boards confidence in electing me chairman of the organization. I look forward to working with our new executive team, talented group of board members, and executive director. The African-American Credit Union Coalition, (AACUC), elected the new Executive Committee for 2018-2019 during the 20th Annual Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, August 7 11, 2018. The AACUC Board of Directors announced Adrian S. Johnson, SVP/CFO of MECU in Baltimore, MD., as the new Chairman. He succeeds Timothy L. Anderson, President and CEO, Government Printing Office FCU. Johnson is the tenth Chairperson to lead the national organization. Johnson is a graduate of University of Baltimore with a BS in Accounting. He received his MBA in Business Administration from Loyola University in MD. He is a CUES Certified Chief Executive (CCE). He is a member of the Senior Leadership Team at MECU, and oversees Accounting/Finance, which includes Accounting, Liquidity Management, Balance Sheet Management and the Fixed Income Bond Portfolio. He has been a member of the AACUC since 2002. Johnson currently served as the Chairman of the AACUC Reaching Toward the Future Internship Program. He is also a founding member of the AACUC Eastern Regional Chapter. Johnson has received numerous awards. He was recognized by the Baltimore Business Journal in June 2014 as one of eight top CFOs in the region. Following his election, Johnson shared with the membership: I appreciate the boards confidence in electing me chairman of the organization. I look forward to working with our new executive team, talented group of board members, and executive director. At the business meeting, the membership elected to 3-year terms, one new board member, Tracey Jackson, CFO, Delaware State Police FCU, and re-elected incumbents Timothy L. Anderson and Adrian S. Johnson. The new executive officers and board members are: Chairman, Adrian S. Johnson; Vice Chairman, Larry Sewell, VP Corporate Partnerships & Advocacy, Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Union; Treasurer, Ed Presnell, Business Development Executive, Peach State FCU ; Secretary, Lynette W. Smith, President and CEO of Washington Gas Light FCU. Board members include: Timothy L. Anderson; Tracey Jackson; Maurice Smith, President/CEO of Local Government FCU; Dorthy Mack, Senior Vice President, Northwest Division Executive, CO-OP Financial Services; and Sheilah Montgomery, Board Secretary, 1st Choice FCU. During the conference, Sheilah Montgomery received the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award, and Carolyn Adele Brooks, Board Member, SecurityPlus FCU; Goldie Randle, Board Member and Louisiana Sanders, Board Secretary, both from SRP FCU were inducted into the AACUCs African American Credit Union Hall of Fame. About AACUC The AACUC was created to increase the strength of the global credit union community. In 2003 the AACUC became a 501c3 non-profit organization. Over the years, AACUC has grown and is ever changing to meet the needs of the dynamic credit union community which it serves. The AACUC Members are individuals (professionals and volunteers) in credit unions, insurance, regulators, consultants and other entities in the credit union industry. For many Americans, their retirement account is their greatest asset. That is as true for the Self-Directed IRA holder as it is for the casual investor. According to Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA, in a recent blog post, that is all the more reason for investors to be diligent about their Self-Directed IRA and to guard their wealth closely. In the post, Jim Hitt pointed to the story of a real estate rush in Texas, wherein investors heard rumors that the Disney Corporation was looking to build nearby. Investors, engaging in speculation, were quick to nab up close by property in an effort to build hotels, restaurants, and other businesses to which tourists might flock. The problem: the rumors never materialized into news. Disney had no such plans. What does this have to do with a Self-Directed IRA? asked Jim Hitt in the article, pointing to the fact that many people seem willing to risk their entire fortunes on speculation and rumors. You need to exercise extreme caution and check into every detail before you make any payments, said Jim Hitt in the article. Because the Self-Directed IRA can be such a powerful source of wealth for those prudent investors who diversify their accounts and continue to build wealth for the long term, the opportunity costs can also be substantial. Those who engage in speculative ventures without doing their due diligence can end up costing themselves untold amounts of money thanks to compounding interest in safer, more diversified investments. The Self-Directed IRA is a powerful tool, says Jim Hitt. But it is also a tool that investors can sometimes use the wrong way. It is important to remember whats on the line with any of these investments. That is hard-earned money that is supposed to go toward retirement. Spending all of ones Self-Directed IRA on a speculative venture without doing any homeworkit is just a recipe for disaster. As CEO of American IRA, a Self-Directed IRA administration firm, Jim Hitt does not give out specific investment advise to clients. However, Jim Hitt notes, American IRA does reach out to try to inform and educate investors about the value of a Self-Directed IRA. Use this tool wisely, Jim Hitt said. Stick with what you know. Being cautious might not be as thrilling, but in the long run, a well-funded retirement is whats best. For more information, visit American IRA at http://www.AmericanIRA.com or call 866-7500-IRA. "About: American IRA, LLC was established in 2004 by Jim Hitt, CEO in Asheville, NC. The mission of American IRA is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry. Jim Hitt and his team have grown the company to over $400 million in assets under administration by educating the public that their Self-Directed IRA account can invest in a variety of assets such as real estate, private lending, limited liability companies, precious metals and much more. As a Self-Directed IRA administrator, they are a neutral third party. They do not make any recommendations to any person or entity associated with investments of any type (including financial representatives, investment promoters or companies, or employees, agents or representatives associated with these firms). They are not responsible for and are not bound by any statements, representations, warranties or agreements made by any such person or entity and do not provide any recommendation on the quality profitability or reputability of any investment, individual or company. The term "they" refers to American IRA, located in Asheville and Charlotte, NC." Workers' Compensation Attorney Brian C. Cloherty Seeing them get the benefits they deserve is the real award Keches Law Group, the largest workers compensation firm in Massachusetts, is proud to announce that Brian C. Cloherty has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. His hard work, dedication to workers compensation law and tireless support of labor unions since 1988 has not gone unrecognized by his peers. Im truly humbled to be recognized by my fellow attorneys but its not the awards that bring me satisfaction, its the reactions of my clients after helping them through a difficult time that keeps me going. Seeing them get the benefits they deserve is the real award said Cloherty. About Best Lawyers Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Almost 87,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received almost 10 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. For the 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 7.8 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in almost 60,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice." About Keches Law Group Keches Law Group is a workers' compensation and personal injury law firm with 37 lawyers in six offices across New England. Our attorneys have won over $918 million for our injured clients since 1987. It is truly an honor to be named to the Inc. 5000 list for a second consecutive year, said Trevor Hardy, BlueWaves CEO and co-founder. "Our ability to scale quickly while staying true to our core values is unquestionably our greatest accomplishment. For the second consecutive year, BlueWave Solar has been named to Inc. Magazines list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America. The exclusive annual list represents the most comprehensive look at a critical segment of the economy Americas independent-minded entrepreneurs. It is truly an honor to be named to the Inc. 5000 list for a second consecutive year, said Trevor Hardy, BlueWaves CEO and co-founder. Since 2012, BlueWave has worked hard to deliver innovative solar solutions to our partners and customers. Over the past year, our team has nearly doubled in size while vastly expanding the range of residential loan and community solar products and services we offer. We are also incredibly proud of our certification as a B Corp, joining leading socially responsible companies in a commitment to transparency and accountability. Our ability to scale quickly while staying true to our core values is unquestionably our greatest accomplishment. BlueWave is ranked #1449 overall on the Inc. 5000 list, also ranking #41 out of 94 energy companies, #13 out of 31 Boston-based companies and #30 out of 147 Massachusetts-based companies. The 2018 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com, is one of the most competitive crops in the lists history. Collectively, the companies on this years list amassed $206.2 billion in revenue in 2017, up 158 percent from $79.8 billion in 2014. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The announcement comes just one year after BlueWave made the list for the first time in 2017 as Americas #585th fastest growing private company. BlueWave was also recognized in Boston Business Journals Fast 50 in 2017 and 2018 as one of Bostons fastest growing companies. About the Inc. 5000 Selection Process: Companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2014 to 2017. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies--as of December 31, 2017. (Since then, some on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Note: Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to two decimal places. There were two ties on this year's Inc. 500; the companies with more revenue were placed higher. About BlueWave Solar: BlueWave is a B Corp on a mission to revolutionize energy with simple, powerful solar solutions. For homeowners who can install rooftop solar, we offer innovative loan financing through installers in MA, RI, NY, SC, NC, and FL. In addition, BlueWave is the only company offering AllBlue, which combines rooftop and community solar to deliver savings on 100% of customers energy use. Our solar management platform enables installers to make BlueWave loans and community solar accessible to more residents and businesses, while conveniently managing customers. Pioneering developers of community solar farms in Massachusetts, BlueWave has developed and built more than 135 MW of projects to date and now provides community solar power access to thousands of customers, both through our own solar farms and through farms developed by others. To learn more about BlueWave, visit bluewavesolar.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram at @BlueWaveSolar. In the age of online shopping and numerous discount offers, the hunt for a better deal often comes at a price. Following the number of stories shared on Internet about people suffering unexpected medical effects after the usage of non-registered product, Dr.Numb, the leading topical anesthetic cream brand, warns the potential customers about risks and shares several simple tips on how to identify the authentic product from a fake. After the series of health accident cases happening all over Britain when people were buying fake anesthetic cream, Dr.Numb worked closely with BBC program Fake Britain to investigate the case. The laboratory tests of the fakes revealed shocking results: "We were looking for lidocaine which is what it states on the packaging and on the internet has been the active anesthetic ingredients. So lidocaine is a relatively safe product and there is no known real risk to humans. So when we run the tests on the counterfeit, we didn't find any lidocaine at all. It contains tetracaine. Tetracaine has warnings associated with it. It's been found to cause fetal defects in animal experiments and there are no studies supporting that it is without risk in the use of humans. It's reckless to put this into a product and to label it as lidocaine, shares Paul Thomas, Professor of Analytical Science, Loughborough University. "Lidocaine and Tetracaine are similar in the sense that they both work as local anesthetics. They're different in their chemical structure. Tetracaine has an ester-based structure, Lidocaine has an amide-based structure. What difference that does make, well there's higher instance to allergic reactions to ester-based anesthetics. The allergic reactions to tetracaine vary. It is possible to get a full blown anaphylactic reaction to tetracaine. So the fact that you can buy a cream which is supposed to contain lidocaine but in practice contains tetracaine is worrying, particularly if you then apply very large amount to your skin and cover it. It is that you run the risk of absorbing large amounts of tetracaine which would be very dangerous, adds Dr. Tom Clutton-Brock, Consultant Anesthetist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Founded over a decade ago by Canadian pharmaceutical company ShinPharma Inc., Dr.Numb built its reputation as a brand of topical anesthetic products. The bright red packaging of Dr.Numb today is recognized all over the world and is associated with the quality, efficiency and customer trust. Although, this popularity turns out to have a downside: the number of counterfeit products is growing daily, confusing the customers and often causing dangerous consequences. During the last year alone, we identified over 100 outlets which are selling counterfeit products, mostly within the aesthetic industries in Russia, UK, Eastern Europe and Asia. Sometimes, USA outlets also have some fake products even without realising it. Craig Crosby from the Counterfeit Report has taken down almost 10,000 of counterfeit product listings just on eBay each year which is a shame that eBay opens its door for counterfeit sellers to easily list the products for sale without verifying its origin such as by requesting sellers to produce certificate of analysis. Globally, the trafficking of counterfeit goods is growing and expanding its reach in a shocking speed. This growth is fueled by consumer demand and the desire to buy Dr. Numb products at very cheap prices with little regard to possible dangers of using products with no certifications and have unknown origins, says Daniel Shin, the Founder of ShinPharma Inc. Dr.Numb creams are used in countless cosmetological procedures (such as tattoos, microblading, permanent and semi-permanent makeup, and waxing) and dermatological treatments (such as microneedling, laser treatments, injection of dermal fillers, etc.) all over the world. To make sure that the Dr. Numb product on hand is real, Dr.Numb has prepared some easy steps to distinguish the real from fake: Dr. Numb manufactures both 4% and 5% lidocaine in North American Market. This is the highest concentration of lidocaine allowed in North America to be sold as over-the-counter product. Numbing creams that contain higher than 5% active substance and claim to be OTCs are illegal products. Dr. Numb has a shelf life of 3 years: Each tube has batch number and expiration date clearly imprinted on the box and the tube itself. Dr. Numb distributes fresh batch only. Every production batch goes through stability testing. The purpose of stability testing is to provide evidence on how the quality of a drug substance or drug product varies with time under the influence of a variety of environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and light, and to establish a retest period for the drug substance or a shelf life for the drug product and recommended storage conditions. Shinpharma Inc. will never release any product that has not gone through a testing. It is recommended to verify such documents for its authenticity and to ensure safety of the product. Call 1.877.786.2001 to verify batch number, authenticity and expiration. Dr. Numb Packaging: Box: The authentic Dr. Numb box has vibrant colors of red, yellow and blue with prints both in English and Canadian French languages. The box should also have a hologram sticker label in the upper right corner which confirms the authenticity of the product. Data is embedded in the hologram stickers for scanning and serves as prevention of illegal copy attempts, protection of intellectual property rights, and confirmation of ownership through the embedded unique information into digital contents. Fake Dr. Numb products are commonly distributed in the market come in boxes with varying colors. with pale red, white and blue colors and claim to have 13% concentration of lidocaine, prilocaine and benzocaine. Tube: The authentic Dr. Numb tube material is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material, in which the surface appears smooth, shiny and not dented. The crimping of tube is also neat and clean. The material used in counterfeit products are sometimes made of aluminum, a material that is not approved by Health Canada and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as receptacle for substances such as lidocaine cream. Leaflet Insert: All Dr. Numb products come with a leaflet insert that contains product information and precaution. Fake Dr. Numb products usually claim inappropriate uses of the product and false ingredient list. When buying Dr. Numb on eBay or amazon, look for Authorized Resellers. Authorized Resellers can be looked up using the official Dr. Numb Retailer Map. For other inquiries pertaining to authorization / registration of Resellers, call 1.877.786.2001. Choosing the authentic Dr. Numb product is not only important for fighting counterfeit, but also for ensuring consumer safety. All Dr. Numb productions are Health Canada and FDA-compliant and are all properly documented and certified. More about product range you can learn at: http://www.drnumb.com Distributors and retailers can apply at: https://www.drnumb.com/become-a-drnumb-distributor/ from l-r; Rhythm Nation A&R Jareiq Kabara, GoDigital and Cinq Chairman Jason Peterson, Janet Jackson, GoDigital CFO Hunter Paletsas and Cinq President Barry Daffurn. Janet is a singular talent, a pop culture icon, incredibly innovative and socially conscious, a true music superstar." Indie distributor, label and publisher Cinq Music has partnered with global icon Janet Jackson for a recording and distribution agreement through her label Rhythm Nation Records for her recently announced new single, Made For Now featuring Reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee. At 12am on Friday, August 17, the Made For Now video will debut on Janets You Tube page and later that morning she and Daddy Yankee will appear on MTVs TRL AM at 8:00 a.m. EST to discuss the project. The announcement was made by Janet, her brother Randy, who is her partner at Rhythm Nation Records, GoDigital Media Group and Cinq Chairman Jason Peterson alongside Cinq co-founder and President Barry Daffurn. Janet is a singular talent, a pop culture icon, incredibly innovative and socially conscious, a true music superstar, says Daffurn. Her career is a highlight reel of an artist pushing the boundaries of pop music. Together, well leverage Cinqs data-driven toolbox, global presence, and best-in-class capabilities in Latin and Urban music to connect with and grow her worldwide fan base. The Made For Now video is an ambitious multi-million dollar Dave Meyers-directed music video for the song recently shot in Brooklyn, NY. ,Meyers has collaborated with Jackson extensively, including previous videos All For You, No Sleep, and Dammn Baby as well videos for other megastars including Kendrick Lamar and SZA (All the Stars), Ariana Grande (God is A Woman) and Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug (Havana).The Made For Now video is produced by Peterson, along with Nathan Scherrer and Justin Diener from Freenjoy (productions for Beyonce, Drake and Kendrick Lamar). Additional songs and videos are also scheduled for release later this year. Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her 6 GRAMMY Awards, 2 Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet is a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist and one of the biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 160 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry has opened doors through which other top artists have followed, many acknowledging her impact on their musical perceptions. She is currently touring this summer as part of an extension of her outstanding and in-demand State of the World Tour with stops remaining in Raleigh, NC (Aug. 1), Charlotte, NC (Aug. 3), Miami (Aug 5), Tampa (Aug. 7), Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey (Aug. 10), and Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco (Aug. 12). About Cinq: Cinq Music is a technology driven distributor, record label and rights management company. Cinqs repertoire has won four Grammy awards, dozens of Gold and Platinum RIAA certifications, numerous number one chart positions on the Latin Urban and Tropical Billboard charts and was nominated for Latin Rhythm Label of The Year at the 2016 Latin Billboards. http://www.cinqmusic.com. Cinq Music is a GoDigital Media Group company http://www.godigitalmg.com Dale Carnegie of Central and Northern Alabama President, Nancy Covert's appearance on Talk of Alabama Appearance Leadership doesn't necessarily come naturally to everyone. - Nancy Covert, President, Dale Carnegie of Central and Northern Alabama Nancy Covert, president of Dale Carnegie Training of Central and Northern Alabama appeared on Talk of Alabama this week to talk about leadership skills and the importance of workplace learning. To that end, she announced that, in conjunction with the Birmingham Business Journal, the organization is set to deliver a new leadership development workshop to business leaders in the Birmingham, Alabama market. Leading a team is so important for business professionals because the old adage, people join companies and leave managers, is truer today than ever. During this workshop, leaders and managers will learn strategies to: -Increase employee motivation levels -Drive innovation ideas -Develop their teams to achieve great things within their organizations -Make their people want to stay Business professionals will be introduced to tools they can implement to help them with: -Understanding what drives and motivates employees -Time management -Delegation -Coaching -Giving feedback Leadership doesnt necessarily come naturally to everyone. Often people are promoted to leadership positions because they are great at doing their jobs. Being great at doing and being great at leading are not the same. Developing leadership skills from a great doer is a tough transition. Participants will learn how to develop leaders from within their strong team. With four generations in the workplace today, its more important than ever to have the skills necessary to help each generation grow and work together, leading to success in their respective roles. This is the first time Dale Carnegie Training is offering this Leadership workshop in partnership with the Birmingham Business Journal. Mr. Carnegie pioneered the workplace learning industry and over the last 105 years, Dale Carnegie Training has been helping companies develop their leaders. There are approximately 9 million graduates of Dale Carnegie Training programs to date and most graduates report that their experiences were life changing. In addition to the leadership workshop, Dale Carnegie Training of Central and Northern Alabama also offers a 7-week program; Leadership Training for Managers. This is a more intensive program that takes a deeper dive into the ideas, tools and fundamentals that are key for being an effective leader. Managers are challenged to apply the skills learned in each session directly to their roles within their organization and are given the opportunity to practice each skill over the course of the 7-week program. During the program, managers are encouraged to make changes to their leadership styles and apply what theyve learned in the workplace. Covert reports that there are processes and skills you can learn to make the leadership transition easier. The upcoming workshop is an introduction to these and the half day event will be an action-packed, participative learning experience with a large group of like-minded business professionals. The workshop is taking place on August 23; 8:30am - 11:00 am at The Harbert Center in Birmingham, AL For more information or to register, please visit the BBJ Events Page. Dale Carnegie is the Exclusive training partner to the BBJ. Find Dale Carnegie of Central and Northern Alabama on the web at birmingham.dalecarnegie.com To view the full Talk of Alabama segment, click here. Deborah Aitken hosts Engel & Volkers booth at LPS Beijing It was such a rewarding experience, having the opportunity to teach industry power players from around the world about Engel & Volkers and the South Bay. Engel & Volkers made its mark at the Luxury Property Showcase (LPS) in Beijing. Deborah Aitken, premier Advisor of Engel & Volkers South Bay represented the international brand at the world-renowned event. Over 150 exhibitors from more than 40 countries participated in the 3-day show. Representing Engel & Volkers, Aitken not only hosted a booth throughout the event, complete with an interpreter, but was also invited to speak regarding her specified market and specialties. She discussed her tactics on finding hidden gems, in addition to processes of purchasing real estate in the United States, among other appealing facts for attendees looking to invest in the South Bay and beyond. The Beijing Luxury Property Showcase was absolutely one of the highlights of my real estate career thus far, Aitken says. It was such a rewarding experience, having the opportunity to teach industry power players from around the world about Engel & Volkers and the South Bay. I am thankful for the incredible new connections I made and everything I learned from them. The LPS is the leading invitation-only luxury property show in China that brings together over 6,000 highly targeted Chinese homebuyers, premium homeowners and high profile real estate mavens in one place, to cover 220 elite property destinations. Engel & Volkers was honored to be represented. About Engel & Volkers Since its beginning in 1977 as a specialty boutique providing exclusive, high-end real estate services in Hamburg, Germany, Engel & Volkers has become one of the worlds leading companies specializing in the sale and lease of premium residential and commercial property, yachts and private aviation. Engel & Volkers currently operates a global network of over 10,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. # # # For more information please contact: Sheela Shouhed Director of Communications Sheela.Shouhed(at)evusa.com I am excited to be part of an energetic and growing company with a sharp vision and guided by a well-defined, community-oriented mission, said Hawk. North Charleston-based pharmacy services management company Equiscript, LLC has added PollyBeth Hawk, LL.M., J.D. as Director and General Counsel. Hawk joined the company in July after serving as Corporate Compliance Officer for the Roper St. Francis Health System. Previously, Hawk practiced private law for over a decade with large law firms. She transitioned from a general business litigation practice while working at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, to an exclusive focus on regulatory and transactional healthcare practice at K&L Gates, LLP. Hawk holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College, a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law, and a Master of Law in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago. She is licensed to practice law in both South and North Carolina and is also Certified in Health Care Compliance (CHC) by the Health Care Compliance Association. I am excited to be part of an energetic and growing company with a sharp vision and guided by a well-defined, community-oriented mission, said Hawk. We are very pleased to have PollyBeth join our team as a senior leader, said Equiscript CEO Michael Burkhold. The knowledge and experience she has gained working for prestigious law firms and a well-respected health system will be a great resource for Equiscript and our clients, he said. Equiscript was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina for the second year in a row and has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest-growing private companies for the past three years. ECS Inc. Magazine ranked Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) No. 4224 on its 37th Annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. With a three-year growth of 81 percent, ECS, an award-winning training solutions and services company that serves clients around the world, is among very few companies that have been represented on the list six times. This impressive list includes the most successful companies within the U.S. economys most dynamic segment its independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Dominos Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known companies gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000. Out of the nearly seven million private companies moving the American economy forward every day, only a tiny fraction have demonstrated such consistent high growth as those appearing on the current Inc. 5000 list. According to Inc., only about 12 percent of American companies achieve one-year revenue growth of 25 percent or more. Within the 5,000 companies just listed only 193, which is less than four percent, have made this respected list six times. ECS has been included on the Inc. 5000 list in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, and now 2018. ECS CEO & President, Waymon Armstrong, said: For more than 21 years, our company has provided global support to the U.S. military, government and private industry sectors, including health care and first-responders. The success of our company, and recognition such as this, are a true testament to our amazing team and our outstanding clients. We are extremely honored to be one of the rare companies included on this prestigious list for the sixth time. If your company is on the Inc. 5000, its unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice, says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. The lines of business may come and go or come and stay. What doesnt change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives. About ECS ECS is an award-winning global services and solutions company, headquartered in Central Florida with a second office in Huntsville, Alabama. ECS specializes in training, technology, and consulting services across a wide range of platforms that support aviation, aerospace, healthcare, and other industries. Its diverse portfolio includes 2D and 3D visualization as well as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality to produce immersive and relevant advanced learning technologies and services for both government and commercial clients. The ECS services, support, and staff augmentation teams place experienced and relevant personnel, including instructors, operators, and staff, with the joint military services throughout the U.S. and internationally. http://www.ecsorl.com/ About Inc. 5000 The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates their remarkable achievements. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must be founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They have to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2017. (Since then, several companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. Related Links: https://www.inc.com/profile/engineering-and-computer-simulations http://www.ecsorl.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineering-&-computer-simulations https://twitter.com/Ecsorl https://www.facebook.com/ECSORL https://www.youtube.com/user/ECSORL New Zealand Offers an Itinerary and Style for Every Globetrotter Goway is offering a wide range of offers on its late summer New Zealand packages for 2018. Whether its a highlights tour, self-drive, or a cheeky side trip to the Cook Islands, theres a New Zealand vacation to suit every traveller. With this in mind, Goway is offering a wide range of offers on its late summer New Zealand packages for 2018. Those who want to see the highlights can enjoy the 13-day Four for Free package, which brings four complimentary value adds to its essential New Zealand trio of Auckland, Rotorua, and Queenstown. The Out and About in New Zealand trip offers a slightly shorter alternative, skipping Rotorua to create a memorable and satisfying 10-day trip with a complimentary Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour in Auckland. Travellers who prefer to focus on the North Island will love the 10-day Auckland and Rotorua Explorer, which offers a complimentary night in Auckland among its bonuses. Those wanting a real contrast however shouldnt go past the New Zealand and Cook Island escape, a vacation combining beautiful Rarotonga with an essential Auckland package. Each of these packages includes international flights with Air New Zealand. Their corresponding offers are available on departures up until September 17, 2018. For ultimate freedom, travellers can choose from any of Goways self-drive New Zealand vacations and receive a complimentary $50 fuel card. This fuel offer is valid until March 31, 2019. Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Idyllic Island destinations and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America's leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Manila, and Sydney, Australia. For reservations and information, visit http://www.goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850. Hoosier Hill Farm, Fort Wayne, IN Our fantastic team of employees have played a significant role in our growth and are a huge part of our success. "We are all thrilled about making the list again in 2018 and appreciate the ongoing validation of our hard work and vision," says Peter Roesner, CEO. "Our fantastic team of employees have played a significant role in our growth and are a huge part of our success." Inc. Magazine ranked Hoosier Hill Farm number 1,348 on its Inc. 5000 list again for 2018, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Hoosier Hill Farm ranks 12th of 63 companies in Indiana and 1st of 5 companies from Fort Wayne, Indiana to make the list. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -America's independent entrepreneurs. There currently are over 6 million private companies in the US. Mr. Roesner adds, "We have had great success online and now have interest from several leading national retailers, additionally our international sales are a significant component of our business." Hoosier Hill Farm, which has experienced 3-Year Growth of 355% relocated its business last year in order to expand its sales, customer service, marketing and warehouse operations to five times the size of its previous facility. Additionally, Hoosier Hill Farm is investing in new equipment to assist with growth and productivity. About Hoosier Hill Farm LLC Hoosier Hill Farm LLC is a Fort Wayne, Indiana based company that markets and sells its products throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Contact support(at)hoosierhillfarm(dot)com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada, August 17, 2018 - The International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) is pleased to announce the release of the Russian translation of Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories, Fourth Edition. The Fourth Edition publication, originally released in January 2018, is a practice-changing publication aimed at advancing the science of biobanking to meet the needs of a growing industry. The English publication has been downloaded over 1000 times, and this translation will help meet the needs of more members worldwide and facilitate further growth in this field. The ISBER Best Practices publication is a key document for further developing biobanking. For ISBER as an international society, it is very important to translate the Best Practices in different languages relevant for and required by ISBER members, said Dr. Daniel Simeon-Dubach, Chair of ISBERs Standards Committee. Translation of the Best Practices document into Russian makes it accessible to a much wider audience of biobanking colleagues in the region, said Dr. Alison Parry-Jones, Director-At-Large for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. It is only by sharing good practice with tools such as the Best Practices that we will advance the science of biobanking, a key goal for ISBER and the community worldwide. The ISBER Best Practices 4th Edition aims to sustain and support biobankers everywhere, added David Lewandowski, President of ISBER. Translating these Best Practices into multiple languages aligns with ISBERs position as the leading resource in repository management and the Russian translation of Best Practices is but one more step in our goal. The ISBER Best Practices will be published in Russia soon with the support from NBS and officially presented during the educational biobanking workshop to be held at Skolkovo Technopark (Moscow) in November 2018. The workshop aims to expand professional knowledge in the biobanking field among Russian physicians, researchers and biobanking community. Dr. Zisis Kozlakidis, ISBER Past-President and Dr. Daniel Simeon-Dubach, Chair of ISBERs Standards Committee are going to join the event with lectures and presentations. We hope that this collaborative workshop will help advance the implementation of modern biobanking standards in Russia. ISBER would like to thank Sergey Anisimov and the National BioService LLC for their involvement in the translation of this publication. For a full list of languages in which the Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories, Fourth Edition is available or to access the original English edition, please see http://www.isber.org/bestpractices. To learn more about ISBER, please visit: http://www.isber.org For further information, please contact: Ana Torres, BA (Hon), MPub ISBER Executive Director 750 West Pender Street, Suite 301 Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2T7 T: 1-604-484-5693 E: info@isber.org About ISBER: ISBER is the only global forum that addresses harmonization of scientific, technical, legal, and ethical issues relevant to repositories of biological and environmental specimens. The mission of ISBER as a global organization is to create opportunities for sharing ideas and innovations in biobanking and harmonizes approaches to evolving challenges for biological and environmental repositories. ISBER fosters collaboration, creates education and training opportunities, provides an international showcase for state-of-the-art policies, processes, and research findings, and innovative technologies, products, and services. Together, these activities promote best practices that cut across the broad range of repositories that ISBER serves. To have sustained a high level of growth over five consecutive years is a testament to the vision and commitment of the entire Lowers Risk Group team. Enterprise risk management solution provider, Lowers Risk Group, announced that it has again been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in America. As a five-time honoree, Lowers Risk Group also enters the rankings Honor Roll, an achievement less than one-tenth of Inc. 5000 honorees have attained. Mark Lowers, President and CEO of Lowers Risk Group remarks, It is a proud moment for our entire organization to not only appear alongside an incredible group of companies on the 2018 list, but to join the Honor Roll among some of the most successful companies in history. To have sustained a high level of growth over five consecutive years is a testament to the vision and commitment of the entire Lowers Risk Group team. The Inc. 5000 list is regarded as the most prestigious ranking of the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment--its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known companies gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. Lowers Risk Group has appeared on the list each year since 2015, and in 2016 it earned recognition among the top performers by making the Inc. 500 list. The company is based outside the nations capital in Purcellville, Virginia and offers enterprise risk management solutions with a focus on employment screening, tenant screening, forensic accounting, and risk mitigation services. Remarking on the significance of appearing on the Inc. 5000 list for five consecutive years, James Ledbetter, Editor in Chief of Inc. Media wrote, Needless to say, making the list gets harder every year as your starting base grows. Of the tens of thousands of companies that have applied to the Inc. 5000 over the years, only a fraction have made the list more than once. A mere one in ten have made the list 5 times. To learn more about Lowers Risk Group visit http://www.lowersriskgroup.com. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. Homeowners receive a very official offer and think that is the law for what they are able to receive, said NC Eminent Domain Attorney Jason Campbell. If an offer has been made, there may be a more complete and satisfactory offer to be gained through reappraisal and negotiations. The massive NC 24/US 421 widening and extension, a nearly $35 million road project affecting approximately 65 properties, is moving forward after years of discussion. The offers some property owners receive from state officials may amount to far less than what their property is worth, according to former NCDOT attorneys at the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm. They suggest that rather than accepting these offers, owners may want to exercise often-misunderstood rights, including the ability to negotiate for a second check. A seminar on Tuesday evening, August 28th, at 7 p.m. at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center in Clinton will explore property owners rights at no cost to participants (more below). Sampson County property and business owners in the path of the NC 24/US 421 project will soon receive purchase offers from state officials. According to attorney Jason Campbell, with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and former NCDOT attorney, property owners should be careful a project with this size and scope can spare a few moments to ensure citizens get a fair shake. Homeowners receive a very official offer and think that is the law for what they are able to receive, Campbell said. If an offer has been made, there may be a more complete and satisfactory offer to be gained through reappraisal and negotiations. Second Check By North Carolina law, property owners whose land or businesses are targeted for acquisition ultimately receive an offer from the state. If the owner chooses not to accept the offer and takes no further steps, the state will still acquire the land and deposit the amount of the original offer with the County Clerk for the owner. This is where the NC Eminent Domain Law Firms second check approach comes in. In most cases, the property owner is then free to pursue a potentially better, fairer arrangement, without losing the first offer. If continued negotiations do not change the offer, the owner still has the first offer. But if continued negotiations are successful, the property owner will receive a second check in addition to the first offer. We hate it when we see property owners get less money than they should, simply because they didnt know the full extent of their rights, said Stan Abrams, also with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and a former NCDOT attorney. The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm will host a free informational session on Tuesday, August 28th at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center (414 Warsaw Road Clinton, NC 28328) to answer property and business owners key questions. Those questions typically include: For more information about the meeting, please call the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm at 1-877-393-4990. About the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm A division of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is dedicated solely to representing property owners throughout North Carolina, who may be impacted by eminent domain law. The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is led by attorneys Stan Abrams and Jason Campbell, both of whom previously worked as Assistant Attorneys General for the North Carolina Department of Justice in the Transportation Section, where they litigated condemnation cases for the NCDOT. The firms lawyers have over 35 years of combined experience working exclusively on eminent domain cases. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has the legal resources of 46 attorneys and is based in Durham, North Carolina, with 13 additional offices throughout the state to serve its clients. Contact Information: Stan Abrams 1-877-393-4990 NC Eminent Domain Law Firm 517 Owen Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 Phi Beta Kappa, the nations oldest and most prestigious honor society, has admitted Chapman University as a member. Less than 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities have received the designation of Phi Beta Kappa, said Chapman University President Daniele Struppa. It is truly the highest distinction a university can earn. We are proud to have been selected to join this time-honored association, and we know it is an important next step in the life of Chapman University. Student Impact The benefit to students is enduring, Struppa said When a student is elected as a Phi Beta Kappa scholar, it is a prestigious achievement that will have a highly positive impact on their career pursuits and lifelong opportunities, the president noted. To employers and future associates, it is a recognized measurement of their hard work, critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity. The honor follows a rigorous three-year application and review process. Chapman will officially open its Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapter this fall. In addition to having a top GPA, students must meet Phi Beta Kappas stringent national requirements in mathematics, foreign languages, conduct/character and breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. These students are then acknowledged as the top 10 percent of the Universitys undergraduate liberal arts and science students and are granted lifetime membership. Students are inducted as members of PBK in their final year of college. All members are entitled to wear the Phi Beta Kappa key pin, an internationally recognized symbol of academic and personal achievement. Acknowledgement of Excellence This is an exciting and proud time for us Chapmans substantial growth and educational advancements have again been heralded on a national stage, said Lisa Leitz, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Peace Studies at Chapman University. Leitz led the committee working on Chapmans application. This acknowledgment heightens the prestige of Chapmans undergraduate education. Every aspect of what makes a university exceptional from general education requirements to student affairs programming, graduation rates to financial stability, library holdings to faculty governance procedures was evaluated by PBK at Chapman over the last 20 years. This success acknowledges our simultaneous growth and improved educational outcomes of our students and faculty. Endowment Support Chapman has committed to supporting its PBK chapter by establishing a $3 million endowment designated to further the work of Phi Beta Kappa at Chapman and to support related initiatives on campus that develop the talents of Chapman students in preparation for graduate work and excellence in the workforce. Students elected to Phi Beta Kappa join a lifetime network of more than 500,000 other members around the nation who are business, technology and government leaders; distinguished scientists, doctors and lawyers; noted artists, writers and journalists; and prominent activists and philanthropists. The first five universities to found Phi Beta Kappa chapters were the College of William & Mary (1776), Yale University (1780), Harvard University (1781), Dartmouth College (1787) and Union College (1817). With its new membership in PBK, Chapman University joins the company of Stanford University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Occidental College, Scripps College, UC San Diego, UC Davis, San Francisco State, Claremont McKenna, Pomona College and others in California. Renters Warehouse Each year, I am in awe and so proud of our team for making this achievement possible, said Renters Warehouse CEO Kevin Ortner. Renters Warehouse is thrilled to announce that for the ninth consecutive year, it has been named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. An Inc. 5000 Honor Roll honoree since 2014 after landing on the list for five consecutive years, today in its ninth year, Renters Warehouse ranks at #3287 on the list. Each year, I am in awe and so proud of our team for making this achievement possible, said Renters Warehouse CEO Kevin Ortner. Upon learning that fewer than 1% of companies that ever make the list, do so nine years in a row, Im incredibly grateful for this honor. In Houston, Texas, Renters Warehouses Houston Franchise, led by Richard Drake, also made the Inc. 5000 list this year. Ranking #794, it was Houstons 2nd consecutive year on the list. This is Inc. Magazines 37th annual list, and it represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 15) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years. If your company is on the Inc. 5000, its unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice, says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesnt change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives. While Renters Warehouse began as a way to help accidental landlords and everyday property owners rent and manage their residential real estate, it has since grown to not only become one of the most recognized property management companies in the country; it also services larger, mid- to institutional-level real estate investors through its celebrated Portfolio Services Division. Expertly serving single-property homeowners and real estate investors, Renters Warehouse removes risk, increases cash flow, and makes it easy and worry-free for everyday people to create wealth through real estate. The company manages more than $3 billion in residential real estate, servicing over 14,000+ investors across 22,000+ residential homes over 42 markets and 25 states. A key component of the Renters Warehouse success story is its trademarked term Rent Estate (real estate for the rest of us) that has redefined the entire SFR industry as more traditional real estate gives way to this new lucrative asset. To learn more visit http://www.rentestaterevolution.com and order your copy of Rent Estate Revolution, Renters Warehouses cornerstone book for the masses authored by Kevin Ortner and with foreword Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Phd., Economic Policy Advisor to President Ronald Reagan. The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 17 to 19, 2018, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, in San Antonio, Texas. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation. More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. About Inc. Media Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for todays innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. About Renters Warehouse Renters Warehouse is one of the fastest growing and highest reviewed residential property management companies in America. Backed by growth equity investor and majority stakeholder Northern Pacific Group, and under the leadership of President and CEO Kevin Ortner, Renters Warehouse now manages more than $3 billion in residential real estate, servicing over 14,000+ investors across 22,000+ residential homes over 42 markets and 25 states. NPG Managing Partner Scott Honour, who in 1999 was a founder of YapStone, a leading online rental property payment service provider, serves as Chairman. Renters Warehouse expertly serves everyday single-property homeowners as well as real estate investors. In 2015, the company officially trademarked the term Rent Estate to redefine the entire SFR (Single Family Rental) industry as more traditional real estate gives way to this new lucrative asset. Through their dedicated Portfolio Services Division led by Chief Investment Officer Anthony Cazazian, the company also brings professional, scalable and efficient single property management solutions to investment portfolios with both centralized services and local market expertise and staff. Not only has Renters Warehouse received the prestigious honor of being included on the Inc. 500 | 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in America nine consecutive years in a row, it was also named one of the Best Places to Work in Minnesota (where they are headquartered) by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The company was also honored as a best place to work in Arizona (a centralized corporate services center) by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2013, 2014 and 2017, and achieved a spot on the prestigious 2016 Top Companies to Work for in AZ list. Nationwide, Renters Warehouse has been honored as one of America's "Best Places to Work" in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 by Outside Magazine. Recognized as pioneers in real estate, business management and innovation, Renters Warehouse has been awarded 22 Business Stevie Awards both internationally and stateside. In 2017, Renters Warehouse received an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) after meeting the BBBs eight Standards of Trust and earning BBB Accreditation. In 2016, Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) offering a wide array of services including operational risk assessments, assigned its MOR RV2 residential-vendor ranking to Renters Warehouse as a residential property manager, indicating that the company demonstrates proficiency in managing key areas of operational risk. In 2017, Renters Warehouse published its first book - Rent Estate Revolution. Authored by CEO Kevin Ortner, the book shares the Renters Warehouse philosophy and business expertise around single-family rentals and the power of Rent Estate to drive long-term wealth creation, retirement security and financial freedom for the everyday person. Order your copy today: http://www.rentestaterevolution.com. Media Inquiries / Interviews: Crystal Richard Public Relations crystal(at)renterswarehouse.com Guests booking a 3-night stay between now and November 7, 2018 will get 1 additional night for free. Homeowners Collection (https://homeownerscollection.com) one of Seaside, Floridas top vacation rental agencies, has announced a special Fall Colors promotion. Guests booking a 3-night stay between now and November 7, 2018 will get 1 additional night for free. All Homeowners Collection properties are located directly in Seaside, a family-friendly beach community that feels like a step back to a simpler time. Visitors to Seaside can easily walk to local boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, and children can ride bicycles to the local ice cream shop. Fall is a lovely time to come to Seaside, says Amy Wise-Coble, General Manager of Homeowners Collection. We have lots of activities in Seaside throughout the Fall season, and you can always enjoy the beaches along Highway 30A. This Fall the town of Seaside will be hosting its annual Labor Day Weekend Concert, the 9th annual Halloweener Derby, and 28th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival. Seaside also features its weekly Farmers Market and Central Square Cinema open-air movies. In addition, Seaside features the largest private beach access along Floridas famous Highway 30A. Travelers can visit the Homeowners Collection website to see rates for all available cottages. The Fall Colors promotion cannot be booked online and is only available by calling the Homeowners Collection at 855.411.1557 ext. 1. The Fall Colors promotion is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. The promotion is not available for existing reservations, and discounts do not apply to lodging taxes and fees. Visit the companys website for a full list of rules and restrictions. To learn more, visit the Homeowners Collection website at https://homeownerscollection.com/Seaside-FL-Promotions or call (855) 411-1557 ext 1. About Homeowners Collection Homeowners Collection is an exclusive collection of premier vacation rentals operated by the homeowners of Seaside, Florida. The company manages more than 75 vacation rentals directly in Seaside, one of Americas most celebrated beachfront communities. For more information, call (855) 411-1557 or visit the collectives web site at http://www.homeownerscollection.com. The private beach at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa This is the kind of accolade that speaks volumes about our setting, our presentation and the level of service we offer, said Ed Weibrecht, owner of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa Earlier this summer, the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa in Lake Placid was notified by travel editors from USA Today that it is one of the 20 best waterfront properties in the country. From the initial editors list, a readers poll would determine the USA Today 10Best in that category. Thanks to strong support from its guests and followers, the only AAA Four Diamond lodging and dining combination in the Adirondacks collected a silver medal among the national papers 10Best waterfront resorts in the USA. This is the kind of accolade that speaks volumes about our setting, our presentation and the level of service we offer, said Mirror Lake Inn owner Ed Weibrecht. To come out of the voting at the very top among all those outstanding properties, is another noteworthy achievement for us. What stands out to me is the fact that, yes, we are fortunate to have this stunning location that overlooks Mirror Lake. But what our staff does to enhance that location with a beautiful floral presentation, meticulous care of the grounds and attention to guest service, is really impressive. The top vote-getter was Acqualina Resort and Spa near Miami Beach, while Halekulani Hotel in Hawaii finished third. This honor for the Mirror Lake Inn is added to the list of recent notable achievements the Inn has accumulated, starting in June with the AAA Four Diamond Award for 34 consecutive years in the lodging category and 11 years in a row for The View Restaurant. Also: --#1 Ski Hotel East of the Rockies in USA Today 10Best poll --Conde Nast Travelers number one resort in New York State for 2018 --Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in a streak of 19 straight years --One of eight luxurious hotels on the worlds most tranquil lakes by Architectural Digest and MSN --CNN.coms placement of the Inn as one of seven of the worlds most beautiful lakeside lodges --Named Hotel Suite of the Week by ABC.com The Mirror Lake Inn management was excited to know the 10Best contest is promoted across USA TODAY Travel Media Groups digital and mobile products, as well as via social media. Nominees are also announced and/or promoted across relevant USA TODAY departments, and through Gannett media outlets, including the websites of its 81 local newspapers and 43 television stations. Also, 10Best has four million monthly readers and is syndicated to readers across the USA TODAY Network. This kind of exposure is certainly good for the Mirror Lake Inn, and it draws attention to Lake Placid as a world class destination. We feel blessed and are thankful for the wonderful support we receive from our fans and followers, concluded Weibrecht. -MLI- About the Mirror Lake Inn The AAA Four Diamond Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa is a luxury lakefront resort, offering its guests an authentic Adirondack experience. The Inn, rated Four Diamond for 34 consecutive years, offers both Four Diamond world-class cuisine and casual dining options, with impeccable service amid awe-inspiring views. Only one other property in New York (located in Manhattan), has maintained the Four Diamond designation longer than Mirror Lake Inn. It is the only property in Lake Placid that combines Four Diamond lodging and dining. The Inn's renowned Lake Placid spa pampers the body and refreshes the mind with a comprehensive menu of services. The Inn is conveniently located one block from the restaurants and shops on Main Street in Lake Placid. STACK Leadership Team Celebrates Fast 55 Recognition ...not only are we attracting talented and passionate staff, were also gaining customers who are equally as passionate about winning more profitable work. STACK Construction Technologies, which offers industry-leading, cloud-based takeoff and estimating software for construction contractors, was recognized as #13 on this years Fast 55 list by the Cincinnati Business Courier. The Fast 55 program ranks the fastest-growing, privately-held companies based in the Greater Cincinnati area and this marks the companys second consecutive year on the list. Being recognized on this prestigious regional list of fast-growth companies for the second year in a row is quite an honor. Our team works tirelessly to develop, promote and grow software in support of our company vision to streamline the construction bid process. As a result, were proud to provide the industrys best cloud-based takeoff and estimating software and thrilled to have grown more than 140% from 2015 -2017, said Phillip Ogilby, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of STACK Construction Technologies. Our continued exponential growth is proof that not only are we attracting talented and passionate staff, were also gaining customers who are equally as passionate about winning more profitable work, Ogilby continued. The construction sector has seen significant increases in technology adoption in recent years and STACK software is thrilled to see their intuitive takeoff and estimating tools making measurable impacts on contractor efficiency and profits. With STACK software, contractors are able to bid more work, in less time with greater accuracy than ever before reducing takeoff time per project by up to 80% and project wins by more than 60%! In the past 12 months, our users have uploaded more than 12.3 million pages of plans and estimated more than 300,000 construction projects in STACK! Our team and software are having significant impact in our customers lives and business and I could not be more excited to see continued growth ahead, concluded Ogilby. About STACK Construction Technologies: STACK Construction Technologies provides the first and only truly cloud-based takeoff and estimating software for professional construction contractors. Through a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use SaaS platform, STACK is transforming and streamlining the bid process for contractors of all sizes, throughout North America and Australia. Using the latest in web technology, STACK empowers users to quickly and accurately measure digital plans, collaborate with team members, customize materials and pricing and finalize project estimates. STACK integrations aim to infuse users with greater efficiency and estimating accuracy than ever before while also improving access to the real-time project data needed for continuous growth. Visit http://www.stackct.com to learn more. Stepping Stone School, Wells Branch, Austin, TX, present donation of $14, 366.22 to the Ronald McDonald House, August, 15, 2018. Stepping Stone Schools role in the community for the past 39 years has been to provide the highest quality care and education for our children, but to also give back through community service, sponsorships, volunteering and donations." On August 15, 2018, the school age children of Stepping Stone School proudly presented at check for $14,361.22 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. The funds for this generous donation were raised by the school age children of Stepping Stone School who participated in the annual Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists summer camp at Stepping Stone Schools The Brainery, and was generously matched by a grant from the Paver Family and Stepping Stone School which also provided all of the in-kind materials. Stepping Stone Schools summer camp provides a unique and exclusive program called Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists which exposes students to the principles of forming and running a business, as well as the philanthropic giving which is an integral part of any community-conscious business model. Over the summer, the students created four businesses in which they made products and sold them in booths at the Stepping Stone School campuses. It is the profits from each business which our Philanthropreneurs are donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin. Stepping Stone School began matching the total amount raised by the children which will continue this year. To date, our students have raised and donated over $55,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas through this wonderful and inspiring program. Stepping Stone Schools role in the community for the past 39 years has been to provide the highest quality care and education for our children, but to also give back through community service, sponsorships, volunteering and donations. We believe in playing an integral role in our community by supporting efforts and activities that directly benefit children and families. We enthusiastically embrace opportunities to help make central Texas a better place to learn, work, live and be, said Rhonda Paver, Stepping Stone School founder and executive director. Stepping Stone School understands the greater connection between families, businesses, schools and the community. At Stepping Stone School, while sharing is taught in the classroom children are also educated about generosity at a higher level. About Stepping Stone School: Stepping Stone School, the largest privately owned childcare provider in Central Texas and the 30th largest in the nation, has been locally owned and operated since 1979. The Paver family has grown the company from its humble beginnings to the 20 schools it currently operates. The founders and employees apply the principles of the schools nationally recognized curriculum while providing the highest quality early education and care. In addition, the founders and organization consistently exercise their philanthropic commitment to their community through donations of time, money, sponsorships and resources to organizations whose missions are to better the lives and education of children and families. Stepping Stone School has been named the Best in Childcare by the readers of Austin Family magazine for 19 years, Best of the Brazos Valley over the last three years and Best Austin Preschool by the parents on Nickelodeons Parents Connect website in 2010. Stepping Stone School is also the tenth largest provider of corporate child care in the nation. For more information, please visit the Stepping Stone School Web site at http://www.steppingstoneschool.com./ Contact: Susan Watson or Acasha King (512) 459-0258 susan@steppingstoneschool.com acasha@steppingstoneschool.com Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 13 of the firms lawyers have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice areas by Best Lawyers in America 2019. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the Lawyer of the Year. Best Lawyers in America 2019 compiles its list of outstanding lawyers by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The lawyers being honored as Best Lawyers in America 2019 Lawyer of the Year have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism and integrity. The following Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2019 Lawyer of the Year: Ann Arbor, MI John C. Blattner, Copyright Law Thomas D. Hammerschmidt, Jr., Tax Law Jordan Schreier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Detroit, MI Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law James B. Spica, Litigation Trusts and Estates Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law Grand Rapids, MI Timothy A. Stoepker, Land Use and Zoning Law Lansing, MI James E. Lozier, Insurance Law Las Vegas, NV Jeffrey A. Silver, Gaming Law Phoenix, AZ Leonce A. Richard, III, Family Law Troy, MI Terence M. Donnelly, Public Finance Law Daniel D. Quick, Litigation Banking and Finance About Dickinson Wright PLLC Dickinson Wright PLLC is a general practice business law firm with more than 475 attorneys among more than 40 practice areas and 16 industry groups. Headquartered in Detroit and founded in 1878, the firm has 19 offices, including six in Michigan (Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw) and 12 other domestic offices in Austin and El Paso, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Lexington, Ky.; Nashville and Music Row, Tenn.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Silicon Valley, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. The firms Canadian office is located in Toronto. Dickinson Wright offers our clients a distinctive combination of superb client service, exceptional quality, value for fees, industry expertise and business acumen. As one of the few law firms with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, Dickinson Wright has built state-of-the-art, independently-verified risk management controls and security processes for our commercial transactions. Dickinson Wright lawyers are known for delivering commercially-oriented advice on sophisticated transactions and have a remarkable record of wins in high-stakes litigation. Dickinson Wright lawyers are regularly cited for their expertise and experience by Chambers, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and other leading independent law firm evaluating organizations. Like free beer? Volunteer beer pourers and greeters are needed to help produce the 22nd Annual Fremont Oktoberfest, September 21-23, 2018 in Seattles Fremont neighborhood. In exchange for working a four-hour session, volunteers can enjoy the festival as a guest with free admission after their shift or on another day. Volunteers receive free admission to the festival plus 7 beer tokens, a free Oktoberfest shirt, a fun activity to do with friends or family, and satisfaction of giving back to the Fremont neighborhood. Fremont Oktoberfest is a benefit for the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, funding local schools, art groups, community events, and promoting Fremont as the Center of the Universe. Volunteering at Fremont Oktoberfest provides a one-of-a-kind experience to step behind a bar and share amazing craft beer with people, said John Thorburn, Fremont Oktoberfest marketing director. The festival thrives with a crew of fun and energetic volunteers that allows us to welcome 20,000 guests to the Fremont neighborhood. While drawing from the original Munich Oktoberfest, in true Fremont fashion, Seattles Fremont festival puts its own unique delibertas quirkas (freedom to be peculiar) twist on tradition combining big beer steins and boots with mini-mugs to sample and enjoy 100 craft beers and ciders from 50 different breweries, spanning two city blocks. For volunteer registration and details, click on https://fremontoktoberfest.com/participate/volunteer/ More details about the festival at http://FremontOktoberfest.com. 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. Theres something about a train ride that seems to inspire great story ideas (just ask J.K. Rowling). And a rail trip from New York City to Washington, D.C., is where YA authors Emily X.R. Pan (The Astonishing Color of After) and Nova Ren Suma (The Walls Around Us)and friendshatched the idea for Foreshadow: A Serial YA Anthology, a free, monthly online publication committed to publishing YA short stories that feature underrepresented voices, which will run January to December 2019. The venture was announced on August 1, with the debut of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to support it, and a dedicated website where readers will find the teaser/preview Issue Zero to get a taste of whats to come next year. By August 12, Pan and Suma had already surpassed their initial Indiegogo goal of $16,000. Theyve now added a stretch goal, hoping to raise an additional $8,000 by September 15. Donors can select perks that range from a curated reading list, stickers, pins, and tote bags to a series of pick their brain phone calls with an editor or agent, and a one-hour Skype visit with Pan and Suma. Some higher end perks, including a query-critique phone call with an agent and a 100-page critique from Suma, quickly sold out. Each issue of Foreshadow will contain three stories, a mix of original work by well-established authors and emerging writers, but always including one story from a new voice that has been selectedand then presentedby such favorite authors as Jason Reynolds, Nicola Yoon, Laurie Halse Anderson, Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli, Rita Williams-Garcia, and many others. As members of the YA community, we couldnt help noticing the glaring lack of venues to publish young adult short stories, said Suma, describing what led to the genesis of Foreshadow. Pan points out that in adult publishing, literary magazines have traditionally been one of the places where agents look to scout out new talent. I know people who got their agents this way, and even had a couple agents reach out to me based on a short story they found, she recalled. Why has this practice not trickled into YA? It felt like a gap that needed filling. We both wanted to make a YA-centric literary magazine. Both Pan and Suma had previously worked on literary magazines while pursuing their MFA degrees in New York, and Suma said that creating a YA-focused publication had been a dream of mine for years. She added, I knew that Emily had experience with building an online publishing platform from the ground up, because she was the founding editor-in-chief of Bodega Magazine. Several months after the idea was sparked on that train ride, Suma said, I emailed Emily to ask if she was up for creating something together. Something to elevate underrepresented voices, and new writers. Something that paid every contributor. The pair had their first meeting about their proposed digital magazine at East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka in October 2017. Over five hours and many notebook pages we conjured up a new idea: a digital anthology, released serially, comprised of only young adult short stories, said Pan. With the vision in place, Pan and Suma needed to staff and finance their operation. In December they put out a call for applications for a masthead of volunteer positionsfiction editors, readers, managing editor, social media manager, publicist and editorial coordinatorto add to their own roles as co-editors-in-chief. We were really starting from scratch, Suma said. They received more than 130 applications. It was mind-blowing, said Suma, and energizing to see how many people were so excited to be a part of this project. We read every single application. Pan and Suma also gave edit tests and reading tests in addition to follow-up phone interviews to assemble a group of the strongest, most passionate people, said Suma. By March of this year they were hard at work on Issue Zero. On the money side, Suma said that they chose a crowdfunding option because for the project to really follow our mission, we couldnt be tied to any specific publisher or companywe needed to do this for ourselves. Pan believed that the climate might be right for such a fundraising effort, too. Organizations like We Need Diverse Books have been calling for change, and were striving to rise up to that call and offer an example of how publishing can be better, she said. It was our hope that in light of the recent discussions around the lack of diversity in both published authors and publishing employees, the YA community would hear our mission and show up to help us out. So far so good. Were absolutely blown away, said Pan of the response to date. I think we were cautiously optimistic when we launched, but we didnt know what to really expect. We hit our minimum goal of $16,000 in less than two weeks! Suma added, Weve been so touched by the support from members of publishing, and colleagues, and beloved readers. And were so proud of Issue Zeroits been wonderful to see the enthusiastic reaction to those first three stories. The first $16,000 raised will cover payment of contributors, the authors who are reading to discover and select new voices, and the staff, as far as it reaches. If the stretch goal of raising an additional $8,000 is met, Pan and Suma will publish a bonus issue of Foreshadow containing all-new voices, pay contributors a higher rate, and also pay an honorarium to all staff members. In addition, they will open up applications for a mentor program, selecting three marginalized people who want to work in publishing, to be mentored by Pan and Suma who also have background experience working for Big Five publishers. Looking ahead, Pan said, Our ultimate goal is really what were already working to doto create new opportunities in this community, and to publish the best stories we can by talented writers who genuinely reflect the diversity in the world we live in. And Suma believes that growing organically and staying focused is key. Maybe it sounds like a simple task, but every step of the way we make sure to pause to carefully examine whether were staying true to our mission, she said. Wed of course be thrilled if this project developed into something morebut for now well take it one step at a time! As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, the Foreshadow Indiegogo campaign had notched up to $16,760. The Bushwick Book Club, a hip literary series that launched in Brooklyns Bushwick neighborhood in 2009, is a bit of a misnomerits not really a book club, and it has spread far from Brooklyn. The series, which brings together performers at monthly events celebrating a single literary work, has U.S. branches in Los Angeles; New Orleans; Portland, Ore.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Seattle, as well as international branches in Malmo, Sweden, and Toronto. New chapters are developing in Ireland and Wales, theres talk of an event in London next month, and its inaugural Oakland, Calif., event is slated for August 29. Theres even a podcast. What it doesnt have, though, is a book club. That befits its originsthe series was founded by Susan Hwang, a songwriter, at a beloved, now-closed Bushwick arts and music venue, Goodbye Blue Monday. The idea, she said, was to have a night of new songs inspired by literature. The owners response was, simply, Sure. With Jessie Kilguss, who handles communicationsher position is listed on the website as architect of world dominationand technical director Charlie Nieland, Hwang has taken the series much further. The trio will travel to Oakland later this month, where an event will be themed around the late Oliver Sackss Musicophilia. A typical event involves a communal evening featuring songs and other performances, all of which interpret different aspects of whichever book has been chosen as the nights theme: Jonathan Amess Wake Up, Sir!, for instance, or, Chuck Palahniuks Legacy last year, for which the group orchestrated a three-city tour. Earlier this summer, the group held an event at Barbes, in Brooklyns Park Slope neighborhood, for Tea Obrehts The Tigers Wife, and another at the same location in July for Dean Haspiels The Red Hook, a webcomic turned comics collection. (Haspiel called himself thrilled and honored to become an audience member of my own graphic novel.) Last year the group partnered with the New York City Mayors Office of Media and Film as part of the One Book, One New York initiative, putting on a show at the City Winery as an official ancillary event. In addition to the free publicity the events bring to a particular book, some also serve as opportunities for authors and publishers to sell their books. When the author is present at the shows, their publishers sometimes arrange with a local bookseller to have the books available for saleand then the author can sign the books as well, Kilguss said, noting that this was the case with Ames, Palahniuk, and Haspiel. People are thirsty for stories, savoring the written word and excited by new ways of extending the enjoyment they get from their favorite literature, Hwang said. The way she sees it, she added, readers enjoy hearing, seeing, and tasting their books, while the musicians and artists who take on the Bushwick Book Club challenge enjoy the artistic experiment of absorbing the book, seeing how it interacts with them and allowing for that exalted human experience of making a new thing. The announcement last month that Macmillans Tor division (perhaps the worlds best-known science fiction publisher) has instituted a four-month embargo on new e-book titles for libraries is an unwelcome development. Tor officials say the change is designed to test whether library lending is affecting retail e-book sales. Librarians, however, see the move as an unwarranted restriction that will needlessly impact science fiction fans, some of our most avid readers. Also of concern to librarians is that, after years of relative stability in the library e-book market, marked by improved communication and collaboration between American Library Association leaders and publishing executives, Tors move came as a total surprise. The library community was unaware of any specific concerns prior to the change in terms. And news of the Tor embargo was delivered via a generic notice from our service providers, just days after the ALA Annual Conference, despite ALAs hosting an e-book summit at the show. In my June PW column, I casually identified a few steps the ALA and others were taking to remain engaged in the digital content conversation with publishers. But I realize now that the library community has been strolling along on these issues, when we should have been galloping. Or, as my deputy director, Tracy Strobel, recently put it, weve been baking brownies while the house is on fire. As the ALAs appointed digital content fellow, I admit I was one of the library leaders asleep at the switch. Too often, librarians and ALA leaders can get lost in minutiae, debating issues and situations rather than acting to defend our profession or our services. But at the risk of sounding alarmist, I am done baking brownies. I am ready to take a fire hose to this problem. Common Ground Tors new embargo has been a topic of scrutiny in recent weeks among librarians. On the Public Library Association and Urban Libraries Council listservs, for example, librarians have been pushing for a range of responses, including a letter-writing campaign to Macmillan officials. Personally, Ive been synthesizing my thoughts to communicate with Tor Books chairman Tom Doherty. I have never met Mr. Doherty, but I bet we have something in commonwe both care deeply about readers and writers. Thousands of readers have discovered great Tor titles at my library, the Cuyahoga County Public Library, as well as in libraries nationwidethe groundbreaking Binti series by Nnedi Okorafor, for example, or the multiple Tor nominees for this years World Fantasy Awards. But with this change, library e-book readers have, for some mysterious reason, lost the privilege of timely access to Tor titles. Tor officials have thus far declined to say what data they are looking at, or why they think library lending might be negatively impacting retail e-book sales. But looking at our own data, I can see no evidence that library e-book lending could be adversely impacting Tors retail e-book sales. In fact, librarians know the opposite to be true: libraries offer an essential window of discovery for readers, and the access libraries offer to eager fantasy and science fiction readers doesnt hurt Tors sales, it enhances them. Mr. Doherty knows well the importance of discovery. He founded Tor Books in the 1980s precisely to expose readers to such important writers as Andre Norton and Poul Anderson. In 1985, Tor published Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, a book the ALA named one of its 100 Best Books for Teens, and which was recognized with the Margaret A. Edwards Award, further increasing awareness of the book for countless readers. The fact is that libraries are fantastic showrooms for Tor authors, in whatever format. So were puzzled why Tor would seek to test new terms that effectively relegate e-book readers to second-tier customer status? Beyond the effect such restrictions will have on readers, I am also concerned that embargoes like Tors can also hurt the library brand. As public librarians, we feel great pressure to satisfy our customers. And when it comes to e-books, we have few ways to explain such restrictive publisher policies to readers. In the age of Netflix, with so much digital content now readily available to consumers through a variety of platforms, our gloomy story of embargoes, exclusive author contracts, or exorbitant cost-per-unit pricing glazes over the eyes of library patrons in seconds. We sound like whiners, or worse, we look inept at providing reasonable service in the digital age. For librarians, Tors sudden change of terms is a wake-up call. Yes, this is just one imprint of one publisher. But we cannot let Tors example become a larger trend. After years of work to secure basic access to e-books for library customers, we cant let a patchwork of embargoes and other restrictions become our new digital reality. Friends with Clout Eight years ago, the ALAs Digital Content Working Group was the right structure for ALA to address the issue of basic access to e-books and other digital content for libraries. Through a deliberate, detailed analysis, library and publishing leaders worked together to understand the business models and conditions needed for licensing e-books to libraries. As the first co-chair of the DCWG, I know firsthand that one of the groups major accomplishments was to establish open lines of communication between library leaders and publishing executives. Tors new terms, however, and the fact that Macmillan executives have not engaged with librarians about the change, suggest to me that libraries have once again been relegated to the kitchen, instead of joining decision makers in the boardroom. Librarians of course remain ready and eager to talk with Macmillan officials. But it is clear that we must also expand our options. It was encouraging to see the overwhelming, swift backlash to last months anti-library, Amazon-pandering Forbes op-ed by Panos Mourdoukoutas. If nothing else, that episode showed us that there is strong support out there for public libraries. Now is the time to find more authors and journalists ready to explain how libraries are intrinsic to our quality of life. Now is the time to line up political advocates and other collaborators with clout to stand with libraries. And now is the time to fight back against the slow choking out of library access to digital content. As the director of a large public library system, and in my current role as the ALA OITP fellow for digital content, Ive engaged in many discussions about the state of digital content in libraries. But I recognize now that we must do more than talk. We must craft a strategy that will protect our patrons access to digital content. I, for one, do not wish to be surprised again. PW libraries columnist Sari Feldman is executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio, and a former president of the Public Library Association and of the American Library Association. Months after President Donald Trump's lawyers slapped Macmillan with a cease-and-desist letter in advance of the publication of Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury, the president has done similarly with Simon & Schuster. Charles Harder, a lawyer for President Trump, sent a letter to S&S on August 13a day before the publication date of Omarosa Manigault Newman's tell-all about her stint in the White House, Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White Housewarning of possible legal action. Trump's letter threatens "substantial monetary damages and punitive damages" should the book be published, according to a response letter from S&S counsel Elizabeth A. McNamara. McNamara's letter rejects Harder's argument that a non-disclosure agreement allegedly signed by Manigault Newman would prevent S&S from legally publishing the book. As McNamara explains in her letter: "Private contracts like the NDA may not be used to censor former or current government officials from speaking about non-classified information learned during the course of their public employment." In a statement, Simon & Schuster said: "Despite various legal claims and threats made by representatives of the Trump campaign, Gallery Books and Simon & Schuster are proceeding as planned with publication of Unhinged by Omarosa Manigault-Newman, confident that we are acting well within our rights and responsibilities as a publisher." An early response to the cease-and-desist demand, from PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel, condemned the president's action as well. "Yet again the Trump Administration is attempting to intimidate a publishing house by threatening legal retaliation in an attempt to keep a book off the shelves and out the hands of Americans who wish to read it," Nossel said in a statement. Nossel, referring to the dust-up between the Trump administration and Macmillan over Fire and Fury, went on to say that the White House's last attempt to keep a title from shelves "only fueled sales and conversation about the book." She added: "It is deeply regrettable that the White House did not learn its lesson and persists with tactics that are both unlawful and unbecoming of the presidency." This piece has been updated with further information. Claudia Dey's new novel Heartbreaker brings readers into the unique world of the territory, a secluded town in the upper reaches of North America founded by a charismatic cult leader. The 391 residents live in an infinitely extended 1985, listening to Billy Joel and watching Dallas reruns in complete seclusion from the outside world. One of the many imaginative moments is its shift to the perspective of a dog. Dey discusses fiction's ability to fill any perspective, and picks some of her favorite dogs in literature. The second part of my forthcoming novel, Heartbreaker, is narrated by a killer dog with a dancers posture. She goes by the name, Gena Rowlands. She is the heroines guard and confessionalerudite, a long lensand yet, a wolf-sized predator who carefully arranges the bones of her catches beneath her beloved owners pillow. When I try to track the origins of this ideathe dog narratorI think back to reading Anna Karenina with a four-month-old baby asleepheavy, warm, his eyelids shifting with dreamson my chest. I was inside a vast peasant scene, paragraphs-long descriptions of men working the land, when I was suddenly inside a dogs point of view. It came as a shock. I felt surprised, unsettled, moved. It marked me as a writer. I have long been obsessed with this idea that an unhealthy human heart has a regular beat, and a healthy human heart has an irregular beat. The irregular beat tells you that you are inside something vital. This moment in Anna Karenina, when the narrative swerved and I was behind the eyes of a dog, looking out, reminded me that a book could, like us, be wild as any animal. Here are some of my favorite instances of dogs in literature: The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante The narrator loses her long-time husband one April afternoon, right after lunch to the love of a younger woman. His announcement comes with the brutal, casual sting of a slap. The narrator must reconfigure her life and her interiors. She does this with the rage and odd remove of a woman watching her own body be consumed by fire. The reader cannot help but be addicted to the dark rush of Ferrantes brain, the velocity of her sentences. The narrators small children pin her to reality, and yet what is so disturbing about this slender book, is that we, the readers, must take on the concern for them. The abandonment in the title is not only the husbands but the mothers instinct to keep her children safe. Add to this volatility: Otto, the dogpanting, straining, barking, whining, baring his fangsanother unruly, needy being the narrator must care for. By straining against his collar, he also strains against the mothers violent wish for the love she has lost. The Dark Dark by Samantha Hunt In the deeply funny and quietly genius short story, "The Yellow," a dog, Curtains, is accidentally hit by the speeding car of lonely, aimless Roy. Roy is forty-two. He lives with his ashamed parents. In a fit of self-improvement, Roy has just painted his bedroom yellow and found himself also turned, fermented into something wonderful, something porous and bright yellow. Then, he crushes Curtains. With the dog, soft and limp, truly dead in his arms, Roy knocks on the nearest door. He finds Suzanne vacuumingher exhausted lifeher house empty as her husband sensed a certain ticking, and evacuated the children, leaving her alone to explode. With very few words exchangedsome grief, some arrangementsSuzanne and Roy locate each others bodies. They visit the brightness that lies just outside of their contained, oppressively un-strange livesand Curtains, as if such a state is contagious, turns in his way, and beautifully, terrifyingly comes back from the dead. Cujo by Stephen King King writes so that when we exit his books we can see only the menace that lurks inside all thingsa hotel off-season, for instance. Or all of Maine. Those pinhole moments of bad luck when an entire life is changed. In Cujo, a mother (cheating, isolated) brings her son, Tad, (a name to emphasize his smallness, his vulnerability), to a remote garage to fix their dying Pinto. Instead, they are terrorized by a rabid Saint Bernard (bitten by a sick batnice touch, Mr. King.) A 1981 classic, and all these years later, our dreams are still stalked by the animals jaw, gaping wide and sharp as a bear trap. When King writes about the murderous dog, he also writes about his own creation: The monster never dies. "The Lady with the Dog" by Anton Chekhov The dog in this short story, as dogs do, allows the philandering Gurov to approach the mysterious new arrival to Yalta, a fair-haired young woman of medium height, wearing a beret. Met by growls, Gurov offers the dog a bone. An affair beginsthat sweet trance, that madness. Only once the young woman, Anna, leaves the heat, the smell of the sea and Gurov returns to winter in Moscow does he understand he has been left to a life that is clipped and wingless. He is possessed by dreams of Anna. She peered out at him from the bookcase, from the fireplace, from the cornerhe heard her breathing. Gurov tracks Anna to her home. The affair resumes, and the lovers feel as though they were a pair of migratory birds, male and female, caught and forced to live in different cages. The dog is mentioned only once after the lovers introduction, and yet when they decide that it is as if Fate itself had meant them for one another, we can only picture the dog, a white Pomeranian, as its harbinger. So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell This spare, generous-hearted masterwork begins with the image of a gravel pit, the size of a small lake, and so deep the boys under sixteen were forbidden by their parents to swim there. The way the gravel pit holds waterblack and bottomless, its straight promise of dangeris how this novella holds its sorrow and love. When, in the last fifteen pages, the narration is turned over to the farm dog, left roped to a tree, her agate-colored eyes and her long, pointed, sensitive nose, she voices the despair and longing of all those who populate these pages. The section is nearly unbearable to read. Maxwell writes, And it wasnt just the dog howling, it was all the dogs she was descended from, clear back to some wolf or other. Kenya is set to start construction of a multi-billion-shilling cable car project linking Mombasa Island and the mainland in a first public-private partnership (PPP) of its kind. President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday at State House Nairobi where approval of the construction of the Sh4.1 billion ($40 million) Likoni cable car was arrived. The aim is to take the pressure off the ferry service, which presently struggles to transport 330,000 people and more than 6,000 vehicles a day in five ferries. Tourist stakeholders welcome the move saying the cable cars will be the critical driver of tourism in Mombasa especially the South Coast. At the moment, commuters rely on ferries which currently take about 10 minutes to move passengers across the channel, however, frequent breakdowns have proved challenging leading to delays of up to one hour. Once complete, Likoni cable cars will carry commuters from one side to the other of the 500m-wide Likoni Channel in less than three minutes. The two major masts will be put on that land. The masts and the landing stations are the major installations in this project and the land where they are to be put must be given a clean bill of health for use. Bakari Gowa, the managing director of the Kenya Ferry Service said. The system will be built by C&C Construction Company, which will be in charge of erecting two 90m masts and building the landing stations. C&C will work with Doppelmayr Group, an AustrianSwiss cable car specialist Group, which will be in charge of the technological part of the project. Doppelmayr Group manufactures ropeways, cable cars and ski lifts. The plan is to run 22 gondolas, each able to carry 38 passengers, translating to 180,000 commuters a day. The operator will be the Likoni Cable Express, a subsidiary of the Kenya Ferry Services, and Tropos, a Nairobi-based aerial transit development firm. The public-private partnership will run it on a 25-year concession. According to government officials, the project will take two years to complete and it is expected to generate hundreds of jobs, during the construction period and after completion. Here are three African countries that already have cable car services that Kenya can borrow some ideas as it embarks on the iconic project. South Africa - Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Table Mountain Aerial Cableway started operations on October 4, 1929. Before the Cableway was established, the only way up Cape Towns iconic mountain was by foot a climb undertaken only by adventurous souls, such as the famous Capetonian, Lady Anne Barnard. The cable cars travel at a maximum speed of 10m per second and take four to five minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Each of the two cable cars can carry 65 people translating to more than 800 people every hour. Each of the Cableways cables is 1 200m in length, the cables weigh 18 tons and are attached to counter-weights weighing 134 tons each. The cable car base is a water tank with a 3 000l capacity, this provides fresh water for visitors and is also used as ballast in windy conditions. The cable cars can carry up to 5 200kg each and the floor of the circular cabin rotates to allow travellers 360 views. Algeria - Constantine gondola and multiple others Algeria has multiple cable systems including three gondolas systems and several short-haul aerial trams. The gondolas are all multi-station MDG systems with blue, egg-shaped cabins. At least two more gondolas are being planned. Located on a plateau, the Constantine gondola provides traffic congestion relief without the need for a surplus of new bridges and roads. The Skikda gondola system connects two hillside communities to the citys downtown, located in the valley. In Tlemcen, the gondola is a seemingly tourist-oriented attraction, connecting the citys south end elevated park to an amusement park in the north. Nigeria - Obudu Ranch Resort cable car In 2005, the Cross River state Government contracted Doppelmayr of Switzerland to install a cable car over the Obudu Plateau. The cable car brings guest from the base of the mountain to the summit of the Obudu Ranch Resort. When it was completed it was the worlds longest point to point cable car system. The resort is found on the Obudu Plateau, close to the Cameroon border in the northeastern part of Cross River State, approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) east of the town of Ogoja and 65 kilometres (40 mi) from the town of Obudu in Obanjiku Local government area of Cross River State. Manufacturers and traders are pleading with Kenyan farmers to increase their production of Soybeans and Sunflower so has to bridge a growing deficit of the two crops. The situation has seen key players who manufacture edible oils forced to turn to neigbouring Tanzania and Uganda to import the raw materials for processing in order to meet demand. Despite the crops being drought resistant and adaptable to many ecological zones in the country, local farmers currently only produce 50 percent to meet the industry needs. BIDCO Africa, a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Thika, Kenya with subsidiaries and distributorships across 17 countries in East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa, has especially been hard hit. The company says it currently requires over 10,000 metric tonnes of Sunflower and Soybeans annually, but local farmers only supply an estimated 5,000 metric tonnes. We are operating at 50 percent capacity in terms of seed crushing. We need farmers. We need young people to step and take up the challenge, said Vimal Shah, the Chief Executive Officer at Bidco Africa Ltd. In an attempt to remedy the situation, BIDCO Africa has contracted over 25,000 small-scale farmers in different parts of the country to cultivate the two crops. Duncan Kimani, one of the contracted farmers in Kikopey, in Nakuru County says Sunflower can withstand pests and is rarely destroyed by livestock and wildlife making it a lucrative crop. Early this year, the company partnered with Kenyas largest bank by assets, Kenya Commercial Bank to try and convince Kenyan jobless youths to embrace Soybeans and Sunflower farming. The partnership with KCB is part of KCBs Sh50 billion 2Jiajiri programme will provide 1,000 entrepreneurs every year with training, technical support and market linkages. The young entrepreneurs have access to guaranteed oil seed markets Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta is quietly charming his way into the hearts of women especially African women. The commander in Chief is boldly sending a message to Africa and the world that women too can not only serve in the military but can also hold prestigious and senior positions once the preserve of men. In a yet another heartwarming gesture, Mr. Kenyatta appeared in public with first-ever assistant female aide-de-camp, Racheal Nduta. On Friday, while attending the Kenya Music Festival Winners' State Concert held in Nyeri, the president stepped out his official car not accompanied by a stiff no-nonsense male aide-de-camp (ADC) as usual but a smartly dressed Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Nduta Kamui who immediately warmed Kenyans hearts. According to State House, Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Nduta Kamui is attached to the Kenya Air Force and will be working alongside Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Lekolool, in carrying out ADC duties. On July 13th, President Kenyatta similarly booked his place in Kenya and Africas history when he promoted Fatuma Ahmed to become Kenya's first Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Major General. Ahmed who was enlisted to KDF in 1983 had in Tuesday, August 11, 2015 been promoted to be the country's first woman Army Brigadier in first changes under Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe. She is currently the highest ranking female military officer in Kenya. For the first time in Kenyan history, President Kenyatta also appointed a woman as his defense cabinet secretary, a position women for decades had only dreamt about and seen in movies. Hon. Raychelle Omamo was first appointed Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Defence in 2013 and later retained in 2018, effectively proving just how confident the head of state is in her abilities. ] You would think President Kenyatta would stop there, but no when it comes to women the commander in chief not only understands but practices no retreat no surrender dogma. On June, he appointed renowned Citizen TV anchor Kanze Dena as the new Deputy State House Spokesperson and Deputy Head of the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU), making her the first woman to hold such a position in Kenya. In similar fashion, the President also appointed Ms. Munira Mohamed as Deputy Head, PSCU and Head of the Presidential Library. Currently, more than seven women are serving in President Kenyatta's administration holding key decision making positions either as cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, ambassadors etc. And the good thing is that President Kenyatta's moves are not going unnoticed, like the handsome chap he is Kenyan women are not only love struck but greatly admire him as well. According to a recent survey by consumer insights Africa, President Kenyatta is the most admired public figure among a majority of Kenyan women. Mr. Kenyatta is serving his last term in office and will be leaving office come 2022 but knowingly or unknowingly he may not only have planted the seed but went out of his way to water it and ensure Kenya elects her first woman president in the near foreseeable future. One body has so far been found with the other missing according to the reports. Lily Ampofowaa Asiedu from the University of Ghana, Accra campus was found dead with Sara Kwarteng's body still missing. Sara Kwarteng was a student at the University of Education, Mampong. READ ALSO:Katanga alumni vow to fight conversion of KNUST halls The two contestants drowned at a Cape Coast beach during a photoshoot session as part of pageantry procedure. Reports indicate trip to the beach was against the advice of the Dean of students of the host school University of Cape Coast where a USAG Congress is being held. A large crowd of past residents of the halls climaxed their demonstration with presentation of their petition to the Chancellor of the university Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene. READ MORE: Ghanaians top the world in ACCA exams The authorities of KNUST are bent on converting the two traditional all male halls to mixed halls with an aim of increasing female residents on campus at the expense of their male colleagues. The Junior Common Room (JCR) and the alumni of these two halls have argued that decision is unwarranted because it infringes on the rights of males. They added the university should be proactive by collaborating with private institutions to put up hall of residents on campus to cater for the needs of females and let the traditions that has existed over 50 years. However, the university went ahead to allocate female students to the hall ahead of school reopening. The alumni base of the two halls put behind their differences and hit the streets to express their displeasure over the decision. They demonstrated scary scenes, including a coffin with the name of the Vice chancellor of the University Prof Obiri Danso on it to indicate their quest to stop the conversion. According to them, they will continue to fight until management rescinds its decision on the conversion of hall. Spokesperson of the Katanga Alumni, Nana Otu Turskson, said they have already resorted to court to seek an injunction to halt managements decision. That decision doesnt make sense. It is not backed by any research. There is a plethora of academic work on the advantages of men and women getting educationit just doesnt make sense, he told Accra-based Citi FM. We are not in this for a short time. We are Katangees, we rest not [and] the allegiance will always be there. It doesnt matter how hard they fight well be fighting back we have secured an injunction to push it to the logical conclusion, not for ourselves. We are no longer on campus it doesnt benefit anybody, but for posterity and the future of Ghana. We are not backing off; we will be on them until the right thing is done, he added. On Wednesday, management of the KNUST announced that from the next academic year, which begins this September, all halls in the school will house both male and females. The single-sex halls which have been converted include Katanga, Unity, Africa, Independence, University, Unity and Queen Elizabeth. In a statement, authorities of KNUST said the decision is in line with the universitys policy of periodic review of Residential Accommodation for students. Hermeisha Robinson had applied for a job as customer service representative with Mantality Health in Chesterfield, and was expecting to hear a good response from the company. However, she got disappointed when the organisation wrote back to her saying: unfortunately we do not consider candidates that have suggestive ghetto names. She was so appalled that she resorted to Facebook to share her story and solicit support to shame the Mantality Health. READ MORE: University student cries as tall soldier boyfriend proposes to her She posted copies of the companys response to her job request to substantiate her claim, saying my feelings are very hurt, and I would like for everyone to share this post because discrimination has to stop. Hermeisha Robinson wrote: I HAVE A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE TODAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ABOUT THIS JOB THAT I APPLIED FOR AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT Mantality Health I KNOW IM WELL QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION AS THEY SEEN ON MY RESUME! THEY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ME BECAUSE OF MY NAME WHICH THEY CONSIDERED IT TO BE ghetto FOR THEIR COMPANY! MY FEELINGS ARE VERY HURT AND THEY EVEN GOT ME SECOND GUESSING MY NAME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF MY NAME IS REALLY THAT GHETTO I WOULD LIKE FOR EVERYONE TO SHARE THIS POST BECAUSE DISCRIMINATION HAS TO STOP! Meanwhile,CEO of Mantality Health, Kevin Meuret described the development as deplorable, saying this is not a reflection of who we are as a company. It is not clear what prompted the lady identified on twitter as Lorena Ramos to make such a statement, and whether she was oblivious of the consequent backlash that it might engender. According to her, for a man to make the choice and proceed to cheat on his partner, it means the woman has some deficiencies, and for which reason she must not complain, but rather check herself to ascertain that deficiency. Having figured out the deficit, Lorena Ramos said the woman must then apologise to the man for having deprived him of that special thing all along. She wrote: If he cheated on you, instead of leaving him, just understand that you lack something which the girl he cheated on you doesnt. Find out the error in yourself, apologise to him, say sorry to him. Accept it be a better woman. He is innocent and you are the one with guilt. Shut up. Lorena Ramos view infuriated some feminists who launched attacks on her left right center, condemning her. However, some people, mostly men whose case she seemed to have fought quickly came to her defense, saying she was spot-on. If Lorena Ramos' opinion is to be taken seriously, then every man will cheat on their women, because just like the men, women cannot be perfect. The young man resorted to his Instagram page to rant, saying: I was alright .. FAIRY TALES OF RELIGION SPOILT my life .. till I achieved my liberty it was a whole new ERA.. its funny when I see some people just Dey drive Acura now self and they feel like they bought a lambo. Bitch my Acura was even interior customized! King TBlak HOC went further to showcase the kind of lifestyle he was leading and the caliber of cars he possessed before deciding to follow Jesus and gave out all his luxurious cars. Just to buttress his claim that the choice to follow Jesus has indeed disadvantaged him, TBlak HOC said he was living a comfortable life when he returned from the US, but women messed up his life and Jesus worsened it further. The event reportedly took place in front of the Faculty of Law in Bayero University where fellow students cheered their colleague on as she looked around in shock. Instead of extending her hand to the military man, the lady rather placed her hands on the face and begun to cry before the man pulled her hand and finally placed the ring on her finger. READ MORE: Rapper proposes to lover on stage hours before 20 years jail term How to make Ghana cocoyam fufu COOKING TIME 25mins RECIPE TYPE Side dish CUISINE Ghanaian COOKING METHOD Pounding NUTRITION Cocoyams, Taro roots, is jam-packed with high concentrations of vitamin A & C. It also contains other phenolic antioxidants which help to boost the immune system and eliminate free radicals from the body. Cocoyam is also good for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis because of vitamin B6 present in it. Vitamin B6 helps control pain in the muscles and joints. READ ALSO: How to make crunchy cocoyam chips The leaves of the wonder plant have numerous health benefits too. Kontomire is good for the brain, sperm production, eyes, bones and skin. INGREDIENTS COOKING INSTRUCTIONS mashed cassava Your Ghana cocoyam fufu is ready to be enjoyed with any soup of your choice SERVING SIZE 2 persons ABOUT Ghana cocoyam fufu is my second favorite fufu variety. The first time I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised by its thick and heavy texture. My once soft supple fufu had turned a bit hard in about 15mins. Immediately recalled my mum telling me to hurry with my dinner. Now I understood why. Speaking at the maiden launch of the exercise at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, the Programs Director of AGAMAL, Mr. Samuel Asiedu disclosed that the project was in line with the company's focus of eliminating malaria among vulnerable sub-populations in society. READ ALSO: Country fights malaria chemical resistance with new spray ''We are dellighted that we have this opportunity to extend our expertise to our brothers and sisters at the prisons as well as the hardworking prison staff who are continuously exposed to the menace of the female anopheles mosquitoes", he remarked. Mr. Asiedu also said, "This initiative will be very beneficial to the Prisons Service because the insecticide we are using lasts up till 9 months before its efficacy reduces." The team will be working in 43 prison sites and staff quarters in all 10 regions of the country as well as the Prison's Training School and Headquarters. It is estimated that 13,707 structures will be sprayed with 2,742 unites of SumiShield 50 WG insecticides. The Program Manager for the National Malaria Control Programme, Dr. Keziah Malm showed gratitude for the initiative by AGAMAL and thanked them for their continued efforts in helping Ghana tackle its malaria challenges. Works and Housing Minister, Samuel Atta Akyea, has disclosed that government is currently in deliberations to peg rent advance at one year. When amended, the law will give the Rent Control the authority to set a ceiling on the rents chargeable by landlords. We are the pro-poor, people do not have the money, their income levels would not permit huge sums of money in terms of rent advance so it should stay at six months, but somebody will say do you want real estate developers to be rewarded? the Minister stated on Accra-based Class FM.Do you want to encourage them that they will also have some money by way of return on investments? So are we going to strike a middle ground?Six months is what the existing law is saying, but with the new law there is a proposition of one year, would it not be also an arrangement for real estate developers to be encouraged to roll out more houses? According to him, the new law is a proposition from cabinet for now, and will need to be approved by Parliament. So this is what we are looking at, but the ultimate responsibility as to what will be good for the people of Ghana will not rest with cabinet, we need to come to parliament for them to take a decision as to what will be good for our brothers and sisters who do not own houses. The group was also alleged to have attacked clients who had visited the hospital, before locking up the office of the hospitals CEO. This led to a strike by the staff of the hospital in support of their CEO as well as against the incessant attacks against the hospital by thugs in the past. The leader of the group, Alhaji Baba Alhassan was arrested and arranged before a Magistrate Court in Tamale where he was granted a GHS 10,000 bail. This was disclosed by the Controller and Accountant's General, Eugene Ofosuhene, at the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Mr Woyome was paid 51 million for helping Ghana raise funds to construct stadia for purposes of hosting the CAN 2008 Nations Cup. However, an Auditor General's report released in 2010 said the amount was paid illegally to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier. On Thursday, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) confiscated three vehicles belonging to the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga. He is alleged to use a Parliamentary Resolution dated April 7, 2017, contracting a facility of US$22, 500 between the Parliamentary Service and the Societe Generale Bank Ghana which was for the purchase of one brand new vehicle for the 275 MPs. The Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has revealed attempts by Mahama Ayariga to stop an investigation into the suspected commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Martin Amidu in a statement accused the MP of sending some personal friends, former colleagues, chiefs, pastors among others, to beg him [Amidu] to stop the investigations against him. Also on Thursday, The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, was on allegedly stoned by some irate supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Ajumako in the Central Region. The supporters hurled stones and other objects at the Minister for going there to inaugurate a polyclinic and some health projects ostensibly started by the Mahama administration. The 89-year-old founding member of the governing party, passed away in the early hours of Thursday July 12, 2018 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.President Nana Akufo-Addo who was among other dignitaries at the burial service described the late politician as someone with profound attachment to democratic values and a subscriber of the concept of development in freedom, the mantra of the Dankwa-Dombo-Busia political tradition. Other statesmen and bigwigs from the two major parties were also present to pay their last respect to the fallen hero. Former President John Agyekum-Kufuor, Speaker of Ghanas Parliament Mike Oquaye, Minister of Food and Agriculture Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, National Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay, Senior Minister Osafo Marfo, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, General Secretary of the NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and other Members of Parliament were on the list. He retired from active politics in 2005, having been appointed as Senior Minister by the then President Kufour. Both Hakeem and the father of the young girl are currently in Police grip, after being arrested on Thursday, 16 August in Accra. The arrest was effected after the husband and parents of the girl were invited for questioning. The betrothal of the adolescent girl came to light after some neighbours in the community raised concerns over the secret wedding. Reports suggest the JHS 1 pupil replaced her elder sister who refused the early marriage. Despite assurances from Kamal Yusif that the marriage would not truncate the little girl's education, his distraught relatives think otherwise. Accra-based Class FM reports that the minor has been brainwashed into coming to terms with the marriage a decision which did not go down well with her other relatives. The incensed youth marched to the premises of the Regional Police Headquarters to demand his immediate release. Accra-based Joy FM reports that but for the timely intervention of the Youth Organiser of the party, Mohammed Alhassan Gaana, there would have been mayhem. The Youth Organiser managed to dissuade the party supporters from invading the Police station, with a promise to have Baba Alhassan released on Friday. Although the incensed group agreed, they threatened to return if their man is not released as promised. The Kandahar Boys, who are affiliated to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been in the news in the last few days following their attack of the Tamale Hospital. On Monday, members of the vigilante group laid siege on the hospital and attacked the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Akolbila. The group held that under the watch of Dr. Alkolbila, the Tamale Teaching Hospital is deteriorating. They accused the CEO of adopting a habit of issuing threats to staff, engaging in procurement breaches and neglecting the purchase of key hospital consumables such as examination gloves, needles and syringes, among others. They also said he had neglected them despite the role they played in getting him appointed. The anti-graft agencies claim they are just using the land cruisers as exhibits in a case against the Bawku Central Member of Parliament. The Special Prosecutors Office and EOCO are investigating Mahama Ayariga for possible tax evasion in the importation of the three luxury vehicles. They claim only two of the V8s are in their exhibit garage, adding that no seizure notices have been issued to that effect. They stated further that the third vehicle, which was recently involved in an accident, is in the custody of the police at Kasoa. Reports earlier in the week indicated that EOCO has impounded the vehicles of Ayariga. He is alleged to have used a Parliamentary Resolution dated April 7, 2017, contracting a facility of US$22, 500 between the Parliamentary Service and the Societe Generale Bank Ghana which was for the purchase of one brand new vehicle for the 275 MPs. Accra-based Asempa FM reports that some journalists who had gathered to over the inauguration ceremony got injured in the process after being hit by the stones. The irate group continued to hurl objects at the Minister until the Member of Parliament for the area, Casiel Ato Forson, stepped in to intervene. The MP persuaded the NDC supporters to calm down and to put a stop to the hurling of objects. He explained to them that governance is a continuous sequence irrespective of which party was in power. East Africas biggest economy has overtaken Africas second-biggest economy to emerge as Africas top avocado exporter. Kenyan farmers are growing more and more Avocadoes to meet European demand and as a result the country is now among the worlds biggest exporters of avocados and currently the worlds sixth largest exporter of the fruit. According to International Trade Centre (ITC) data, Kenya exported a record 51,507 tons in 2017 against old champ South Africas 43,492 tons. Although Kenya's commercial production of avocado began only 40 years ago, avocados are now estimated to be the fourth most important national fruit crop, behind only to banana, mango and pineapple. Moreover, avocados have grown to represent 17% of Kenya's total horticultural exports. In a bid to diversify from its traditional market amid rising competition, Kenyan farmers are now looking to sell their produce in China and India. The rise of Avocado in Kenya has, however, come with a price. Early this year, the government banned all avocado exports following a severe shortage of popular varieties, Fuerte and Hass, which were off-season. Also read: Kenyan farmers are eyeing a huge jackpot as the prices of avocados are expected to rise on the international market Farmers and traders were intentionally starving the domestic market in favour of the international market resulting in the shortage of the 'new wonder crop' which saw the price of the fruit rise to a three-and-a-half-year high with an avocado in Nairobi's retail markets going selling for between Sh50 and Sh80 up from between Sh10 and Sh20 each during high season. In March 2018, Kenyan listed company, Kakuzi limited also announced it will stop growing its trademark crop, pineapples after more than two decades of planting the crop and instead adopt fast moving avocados whose demand has skyrocketed globally. Apart from high demand, Avocados also takes a shorter time to produce compared to Kenyas traditional cash crops such as coffee which further boosts its appeal. I was amazed at the magnitude of the problem. 72 percent decline over time is a dangerous downward trend. This situation is indeed scary.The study also found that the possible major causes are poorly treated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hormonal abnormalities, consumption of excessive alcohol and tobacco smoking."We have put forth the evidence of the decline and discussed various causative factors over the past 50 years like lifestyle, food habits, disease prevalence and others. More than one factor is involved in this decreasing trend, correlation with a single factor is difficult to establish. But we are also working on their correlations for our upcoming reports, said Dr Sengupta.The studies were carried out in Nigeria, Tunisia, Tanzania, Libya and Egypt among males aged 19 to 55.After analysis of this data, a time-dependent decline of sperm concentration (r = -0.597, p = 0.02) and an overall 72.6 per cent decrease in mean sperm concentration was noted in the past 50 years.WHO estimated that almost 20-35 million couples were infertile in Africa in 1991. Overall studies show a 57 percent decline in sperm count worldwide from 1980.It said Nigeria was suggested to have been suffering from highest infertility problems among the other African countries, the male infertility factor accounting for 40-50 per cent.In recent times, in the course of managing infertility in Nigeria, I have observed the apparent decline in sperm count in men and a decrease in ovarian reserve over time in women.We, therefore, advocate more epidemiological studies to identify the possible etiological factors to enable us to halt this dangerous trend, and to avoid natural reproductive extinction. said Prof Nwagha. In a special report released on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, the UN revealed various sources of funding for Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations operating in Africa. The report was submitted to the UN Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaida and associated terrorist entities. The report was signed by Edmund Fitton-Brown, Coordinator, Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, and Kairat Umarov, Chair, Security Council Committee. Fitton-Brown said the report was comprehensive and independent. Here are some of the revelations from the report: North Africa Libya The report stated that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) still has the capacity to launch significant attacks within Libya and across the border, reverting to asymmetric tactics and improvised explosive devices. It stated that the group maintain networks of mutual financial support and arms supply. Tunisia According to the report, the mountainous areas in the west of Tunisia continue to harbour elements of ISIL and Al-Qaeda affected by the fluid situation in Libya. Egypt United Nations Member-States assessed that returning foreign terrorist fighters, particularly those of North African origin, continue to pose a threat to the region. Member states reported that terrorist groups in North Africa derived substantial income from kidnapping for ransom, local extortion and the taxing of smuggling routes. During the reporting period, however, there was no evidence that they were directly involved in trafficking in drugs or persons, the report revealed. West Africa In the Sahel The report stated that Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) successfully combined regional terrorist groups in an Al-Qaida-affiliated coalition, which increased attacks and propaganda against French, United States of America and other international interests during the reporting period. Mali and Niger The report noted that the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) is active mostly at the border between Mali and the Niger. It stated that its goal is to destabilise the Sahel and any normalisation of life there, to maintain freedom of movement in the north and access to smuggling routes. Burkina Faso The United Nation said Member-States assessed that terrorists are taking advantage of territorial control and ethnic conflicts to radicalise populations. It also revealed that the number of doctrinally based non-governmental organisations sending funds to local terrorist groups is growing, and Member-States are concerned that radicalisation is increasing the threat level in the Sahel. Nigeria The report revealed that the cash economy is predominant in the region without controls. It further stated that terrorist groups are funded by extortion, charitable donations, smuggling, remittances and kidnapping. The report cited the 111 schoolgirls from the town of Dapchi kidnapped on 18 February 2018 and released by ISWAP on March 21, 2018, in exchange for a large ransom payment. East Africa Somalia Al-Qaida affiliate Al-Shabaab remains the dominant terrorist group in the region, according to the report. Member-States noted that although ISIL in Somalia is fragile and operationally weak, it still presents a threat because Somalia remains a focus for probable future ISIL operations The report also revealed that Al-Shabaab continues to fund its operations from forced zakat taxation, levies at checkpoints and roadblocks, covert businesses and donations from supporters and sympathizers in Somalia, Europe and the Middle East. In 2016 alone, over 10 countries had internet shutdowns, some were experienced during and before elections and also during national exams like it happened in Algeria. In 2017, Cameroon instituted a 93-day blackout in its English-speaking regions. Togo also shut down the internet during recent protests against President Faure Gnassingbe. According to the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa, internet shutdowns are becoming a mainstay in Africa. The authority tallied the shutdowns in the countries below. Over a combined period of 236 days since 2015, internet interruptions in these countries led to deficits of over $235 million. The shutdowns are even more damaging as technology and the internet are needed to enable more businesses across the continent. By 2025, the internets contribution to Africas GDP could grow by as much as 10% or $300 billion, according to McKinsey. Apart from the fact or the excuse that the Nigerian academic environment is hostile, a lot of students only want to graduate with first class without shedding a bead of sweat. There are many factors that can hinder a student's pursuit of distinction in higher institutions. Campus distractions are there to steal their time, but these five mistakes play a major role in derailing a student's dream of graduating with distinction. 1. Underrating two-unit courses A lot of students tend to take three unit courses more seriously than those with smaller units. A two-unit course can cause a huge damage to a flourishing grade if the student laxes. To bag a first class degree requires you to have As in all courses without looking down on any of them from the first semester of the first year to the last semester of the final year. 2. Taking internship and project works with levity Depending on the course and the institution, internship and project works are worth 12 to 15 units. So, imagine what a B or C would do to the cumulative grade of a first-class student. Poor filling of the logbook, badly written internship reports and poor performance during the defence of industrial attachment can cost you your first class dream. 3. Over partying For a lot of students, partying is an escape from academic rigours. They consider it as the only means to enjoy life as students. However, this can be very counter-productive if it gets too much. You can correct me if I'm wrong. Over partying hasn't helped any undergraduate to become the best graduating student. And every student who aspires to become the best would have to be careful with partying or shun it to avoid a dip in his or her academic goals. ALSO READ: 4. Missing classes You can't afford to be pursuing first-class goals and at the same time be missing lectures. You know some Nigerian lecturers like it word for word, giving it back the same way they gave you. Missing such lecturers' class is like running away from your own goals. Missing classes can truncate your academic desires in more than one ways. Apart from affecting your continuous assessments, it also reduces your lecturer's estimation of you if class attendance matters in your school. 5. Assisting others during exams Most students consider this as an act of goodwill that involves helping someone in need, but this kind of good samaritan act is not recognized in academics. It is a negative kindness that could destroy everything a student has been trying to gather. Imagine a final year student with a strong CGPA caught assisting someone during exams. This act constitutes examination malpractice and every student aspiring to graduate with distinction must refrain from it. Any academic assistance you have for your friend must have been done before the exams start, not during the exams. Words of advice... The zonal leadership according to Punch accused the two governors of alleged neglect of their constitutional responsibilities of providing quality education and alleged conspiracy to deny the workers of the institution their right to wages. While addressing newsmen in Benin, Edo state on Thursday, August 16, 2018, ASUU described LAUTECH crisis as pathetic saying despite the fact that university is owned by two governments, the institution continues to deteriorate. The Union's Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Fred Esumeh added that poor infrastructure, inadequate staff development, non-payment of 10 months salaries of the workers and outrageous fee regimes would not be accepted from the school authorities. ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about the Naval Tertiary Institution He said, One would have thought that in an ideal situation when a government and, indeed, any establishment engages workers, the workers deserve to be paid their wages. This is not the case in LAUTECH, where the two visitors have shied away from their responsibilities and have conspired to deny the workers in that university their right to wages. It is, therefore, our view that what is left for these visitors (governors) is to honourably resign for not meeting up with what is expected of their offices. ASUU disrupts ongoing exams to start two-week warning strike Recall thatThe Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology reportedly disrupted the ongoing second-semester examinations to begin another strike. According to Premium Times, the secretary of the union, Toyin Abegunrin confirmed the development saying the university lecturers are embarking on a two-week warning strike to express their displeasure with the non-payment of salaries and poor facilities in the institutions. It would be recalled that the NUC recently suspended Law, Dentistry, Fine and Applied Arts, Botany and Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences at the institution. Following the suspension of the courses, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board JAMB immediately urged prospective students who selected any of the courses in the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to change their course or institution. ALSO READ: OAU reacts to suspension of Law and other courses by NUC Meanwhile, the university in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju stated that OAU and other affected schools were denied accreditation because of the existing NUC regulation which does not allow for back to back interim status. The statement reads in part: ''There are 106 programmes in the University of which the five mentioned above have issues with accreditation. Although all these programmes actually had interim status during the last exercise. ''The university management is working assiduously to address the issues raised by the NUC. It, therefore, has no doubt that the affected programmes will be restored hopefully in the forthcoming accreditation exercise slated for November 2018. We hereby use this medium to officially appreciate the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) for the prompt release of funds to upgrade the existing structures and facilities in the University. ''We appreciate the concern of all stakeholders, particularly parents/guardians and prospective students on this development and plead for their understanding. OAU is the best university in South-West However, OAU recently emerged as the best university in South-West Nigeria. The University won the award at South-West Nigeria Education Awards, organised by Excellent Media Group and held at the University of Ibadan. Also, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, Prof Durotoluwa Oyedele, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Prof Abayomi Fasina; and Dr Tomi Alade of the University of Lagos all emerged as the best lecturers in the region. The veteran rapper took to his Instagram page on Friday, August 17, 2018, where he took slammed the Inspector General of Police for detaining the journalist. According to him, the IGP will have countless sleepless nights over the arrest of Segun Ogundipe. "A Journalist would rather be tortured, jailed or in the extreme, killed rather than disclose his source. To the Journalist, it is sacrosanct, it is cardinal, it is the peak of his ethical responsibility to never disclose his source. Many have gone to jail and it is considered a badge of honour in the profession. Mr IGP, the young man, Samuel Ogundipe will give you hundreds of sleepless nights and super high blood pressure if you are waiting for him to expose his source. "He would rather go to jail and when out, will be held in honour, promoted, sponsored by international organisations, remembered and used as reference by students of journalism and journalists world over. Mr IGP sir, what will you be remembered for beyond your transmission gaffe, will you even still be in the police force after this dispensation? What will you be remembered for? Putting a Journalist in jail? Disobeying the president? Oppression and suppression of truth? It sure doesn't end here, Sir. Conscience is an open wound, Sir," he wrote. Reports have it that Segun Ogundipe has however been released. Eedris Abdulkareem is a known vocal rapper who is never shy to call out both celebrities and the people at the corridors of power. ALSO READ:Eedris Abdulkareem says new generation artists are disrespectful Eedris Abdulkareem says younger artists will regret having baby mamas Eedris Abdulkareem has a word for young Nigerian artists on their new found "Baby mama" syndrome. In an exclusive interview with blogger, Linda Ikeji, the veteran rapper said "Another thing is having several baby mamas because they will all regret it when they grow up. Don't let you kids kill themselves because of jealousy", he concluded. Decades later, those characters are still iconic in pop culture and the actors are still fondly addressed by fans as these characters. From Andy in "Living in Bondage" to Black Arrow in "Silent Night," here are 10 memorable Nollywood movie characters of the 90s and 2000s. Check them out: 1. Aki & Pawpaw The characters, played by Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, respectively, made their debut in the 2002 comedy movie "Aki na Ukwa." In subsequent years after 'Aki na Ukwa,' Ikedieze and Iheme reprised their roles as two mischievous brothers in different films. 2. Andy Played by Kenneth Okonkwo, Andy is a character in "Living in Bondage," who, out of desperation to acquire wealth by any means, joins a cult where he sacrifices his wife for wealth. After his wife's death, her ghost haunts and terrorizes him, leading to embarrassing situations in public. 3. Black Arrow Black Arrow is one of the most ruthless characters to appear in a Nollywood movie. In "Silent Night," he is a mean gang leader, who is notorious for his killings and robbery attacks in his neighbourhood. 4. Ogbuefi Ozor Nnamani in "Last Burial" 18 years ago, in the Lancelot Imasuen movie, "Last Burial,"Clem Ohameze played Ogbuefi Nnamani, a wealthy Knight in the Catholic church, who was also a member of the Shankiki cult group. When he passed away, the church and the cult group battled for who would bury his corpse. A film with several fear-inducing scenes and a famous bone-chilling soundtrack, an image of a dead Ogbuefi sitting in his coffin is unforgettable. 5. Blessing in "Cry for Help" While Nkiru Sylvanus, during her active years as an actress, was popular for having the knack to elicit sorrow from her audience, she's most popularly known for her role as Blessing AKA Ble-Ble in "Cry for Help," a movie that follows the ordeal of an orphaned girl, who had to go through lots of torturous experiences to survive. 6. Vuga - Vuga Several years after his role as the titular character - a mute superhero - in "Vuga," Nollywood actor Gentle Jack is still referred to as Vuga. His character is one that cannot be forgotten in a hurry. 7. Sakobi - Sakobi Played by Susan Patrick, the titular character in the spiritual thriller is a seductress/snake girl, who is sent to the world to entice a young man, Francis,into sacrificing his daughter for wealth. 8. Domitilla Played by Ann Njemanze, Domitilla is a young lady, who, alongside her friends, ventures into prostitution to survive a hard life. 9. Ahanna - Rattlesnake Played by Francis Duru, Ahanna Okolo is a young boy drawn into the world of crime and gang rivalry after a twist of fate cuts short his happy childhood. 10. Osuofia Played by Nkem Owoh, the character made its major debut in the 2003 Kingsley Ogoro film, "Osuofia in London." In the film, Osuofia leaves his village for London after he inherits the wealth of his late brother, who left the village years before and amassed a business fortune in London. The 2003 film spawned several sequels and spin-offs, all headlined by the hilarious character, popular for his outlandish behaviour. The preacher who collected about N4 from his audience reportedly describes their offering as satanic because he considers it too little. Interacting with the listeners in Swahili, he was heard talking to the bus passengers in a harsh tone. Brian Mutinda shares a clip of the incident on Twitter. ALSO READ: University students to die by hanging for killing pastor Pastors can't do nothing as whirlwind scatters crusade In Ukambani, Kenya, a strong wind has disrupted a church crusade held on an open ground. A video shared on YouTube captures a whirlwind as it navigated the breadth of the venue where some Christians were to be gathered. As if with a mind of its own, the wind blew the chairs reserved for sitting like a light object until they lied face down. If it is X-Files, this is one mystery to solve for Agent Fox Mulder and his partner Dana Scully. The man who lives in in the city of Joliet, Illinois is expected to meet with his boss Mirabel to discuss the status of his employment at an unnamed company. But it appears to be an unplanned response from Cory who had no idea it was his superior texting him about coming to work. ALSO READ: Angry lady gets fired for reporting white boss who sexually harassed her He seems to have misinterpreted her message sent from a mobile not registered on his phone. "I'm making you come at 12 on Friday," reads a text from Mirabel. In a report by Metro News UK, Cory seemed to understand "come" to mean "cum" before she replies: "This is your boss Mirabel I got a new number." Cory understood that he is in a mess following this response. He plans to show up at his office today to know what the boss has decided. The attention of the police has been called to the incident which led to the arrest of six men in total. On Thursday, the Abia State Police Commissioner Mr Anthony Ogbizi paraded Fred Ndubuisi, Anyanwu Chidera, Kamsiriochukwu Onuoha, Anderson Emeruwa, Sampson Nwadike and Nnadi Promise on suspicion of acts of homosexuality frowned at by the law in Nigeria. It wasn't me In a conversation with Punch News, one of the suspects Anyanwu Chidera denies being gay. I arrived the hotel at about 6pm and I asked my friend to book for a room for me. The hotel management said we should pay N5,000 for a room and we could afford it. So, we decided to manage that one room. After drinking at the hotel bar, we went to the room to change our clothes. "It was at that time that we heard a knock on the door and when we opened the door, the manager started asking why we were six in the room. After explaining to him, he said they dont allow more that three persons in a room and that was how he accused us of practising homosexuality in the room. "There was nothing like kissing or making love in the room and we are not gays," he tells Punch. ALSO READ: Man killed for rejecting sexual advances from homosexual friend A hair stylist Anyanwu Chidera is reportedly responsible for bringing five others together. Unable to find a preferred accommodation at the hotel, he opts to pay for a room which they all shared. Chidera confirms to Punch that the group convened for his birthday party. According to Metro news, the psychologists conducted a study that investigated the relation of mens access to resources with their preferences for women's boobs size. It was further reported that the two psychologists carried out two experiments in which they tested whether men who lack material goods would find larger breasts more desirable than men who do have material goods. First Experiment In the first experiment, the psychologists explored the relationship between financial security and mens preferences in breast size. 266 men from three socioeconomic status were recruited for this experiment. Each of the men was shown animated female figures, each varying in breast size. The men were rated out of five for physical attractiveness. The result showed that men with a lower socioeconomic status found larger breasts more appealing than those with a higher socio-economic status. ALSO READ: Nigerian men search for big breasts on Pornhub Second Experiment The psychologist again moved for the second experiment where breast size ratings were compared in reflection to the evolutionary perspective of breast size. The second experiment was based on a full stomach, where 66 hungry male university students were used as case study. 55 of the 66 male students with satisfied appetites to test whether the security of food had an effect on their preferences. The psychologists also used white males for this study, as ethnicity is known to influence breast size preferences. The while males were shown five women with varying sized breasts. In 2016, it was common to see young Nigerians rock th famous Cash Money t-shirts with the huge logo and excessive display of blinged out designs in Lagos. And in case you haven't noticed, the VHS filter app is now a cool tool to give your video that cool retro home video film. No one knows the reason behind the renaissance of 90's aesthetics. You could blame 'Stranger Things'- the hit Netflix show that unashamedly taps into 80s and 90s nostalgia. ALSO READ: 30 unforgettable home videos you should watch again One thing we are sure about is that trends never die. They lurk in the dark until a generation dusts its up and deems it to be cool again. Right now in Nigeria, there has been a growing appreciation of the aesthetics of the home video era. Nigerian home videos started in the early 90s as an avenue for filmmakers to sell their movies, after the crumble of Nigerian cinemas. Low budget, poorly produced, cheesy special effects, and over-the-top acting were the main features of most of these home videos. Though they were insanely popular at the time, they did receive their fair share of criticisms. Apart from the already stated features, Nollywood home videos also featured weird camera angles and a unique sense of fashion. By 2004, the first era of Nollywood started to fade off because of the G8 ban. A few years later, Nollywood's big players would turn their attention back to the cinema. Now, with bid budget Nollywood productions frequently showing in cinemas, Nigerian millennials have turned their attention to the glorious 90s of spaghetti tops and baggy denim pants. Nollywood aesthetics and the Nigerian video style as forerunners In March 2018, Pulse about a fast growing Instagram account, Nolly Babes, which posts screen shots of Nollywood home videos. It celebrates the fashion statements and style in '90s and 2000s Nollywood movies. The Instagram account has close to 5,000 followers and now serves as an inspiration for creatives who want to tap into the independent spirit of Nollywood movie makers during this period. Nigerian photographer, Andiekan, recently did a photo shoot which was inspired by the throwback Instagram account. Nolly Babes is not the only online account tapping into the home video vibe. On Twitter, Yung Nollywood has been extracting screen shots from the home videos of the 90s with humourous subtitles to match. Presently at 10,000 followers, the account has developed a following. 90s inspired music videos The thirst for the 90s vibe is also reflecting in music videos too. Rising pop act Pretty Boy D.O who flirted with home video aesthetics in his 'Footwork' music video went full 90s on his next music video 'Chop Elbow'. The anti-establishment song boasts of an extremely low budget and weird visual that immediately takes you back to the days of Even Ezra produced music videos. The music video even has the shaky chroma key scene, a staple of 90s music videos in Nigeria. In the alte scene, poster boys Odunsi, Santi and Zamir star in the VHS shot video of 'Alte Cruise'. The mood and vibe of the music video is a nostalgic trip to the peak era of VHS. Santi would double down on his love for home video aesthetics when he released a trailer for his latest single 'Freaky' which featured his own visuals mixed with the trailer of a spiritual thriller made by the controversial evangelist Helen Ukpabio. Why are Nigerian millennials tapping into the 90s There is a cool about recreating the trends of yesteryears. The trendsetter of whatever contemporary generation also become trendsetters by revisiting the old school to create newness. On July 13, 2018, an article on Urban Central addressed the aesthetic obsession with the Nigerian alte movement. It highlighted the retro, scenery, props, no bra and VHS aesthetics that seemed palpable across board. The trendy generation has only just borrowed from a familiar source. The 90s-2000s Nollywood aesthetics has inspired on a few noticeable fronts that we constantly overlook. ALSO READ: How lucrative is the acting business in Nollywood? The 90s influence Mostly though, they have influenced contemporary music video culture and contemporary style. What they did was create a template for future pop culture and attractive styles. They introduced the world to the ideas, however avant-garde or terrible they seemed. While our generation will want to take credit for making these aesthetics attractive, we cant. We have the luxury of evolution and positively, time on our behalf. The key though has been time, as a true custodian of change and purveyor of evolution that makes things better. This same time has again proved a worthy reason why things we critiqued have been reborn as new and cool. No one has really put numbers to the desire for Nigerians to travel abroad until now. The Pew Research Centre released a new report on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. According to the centre, 74% of Nigerians would relocate to another country if given the chance. Funny enough, despite the high percentage, some Nigerians felt it wasn't accurate. With the rate at which Nigerians queue up at embassies, the percentage should be higher. Reality of life abroad In 2016, I had a conversation with a certain Tawa (not real name), 38 - then 36, and a mother of one, somewhere around Schoolgate, Ibeju Lekki for over 70 minutes. She had just returned - mostly for her son - from a 36-month sojourn in London having saved enough while working as a nanny, and then, a babysitter. She claimed she used to work with her sisters work permit with whom she shares a striking resemblance, but it just goes to highlight the immense risks and life on edge lived by these people. The juiciest in all the gist was the way illegal immigrants move through London in buses. If it is true, I dont know, but she says, They basically only take buses driven by other Nigerians. Since they have no documents, they cannot get permits for buses or make payments. So, what they do is leave their homes around 3am to meet buses at stations to continue the sleep they cut short for one-to-two hours. She continues, The reason is simple; they want to be on those buses before automated checks for passengers start with the central controlling system a little later. The crazy aspect though is during impromptu police checks. The drivers, being Nigerian help these passengers if they spot the police early enough. They always give them a head start to prepare to run when necessary. Why relocate? Foreign countries simply possess far greater prospects to anything Nigeria can offer most people, barring the affluent or the politicians. Even some affluent people still loathe the idea of living in Nigeria. For the lucky immigrants who dont get deported, the job opportunities and the prospect of great paydays are simply better than being faced with unemployment in Nigeria especially for one without expertise in any craft or trade. The desperation to live abroad is a worry, however. Recently, the BBCreported how over 50 Nigerian immigrant girls were victims of serial abuse, violent crimes, terrible working conditions and other factors that mirror modern slavery in Saudi Arabia they also reported that the actual number runs into the thousands. Equally, we hear of Nigerians who perish in the Sahara desert or the Atlantic Ocean while attempting to illegally cross to European countries like Spain through Libya and Morocco on overfilled boats or via the desert. We cannot really blame them, terrible conditions in their countries made extreme choices palatable. According to the PEW Global research; The rate of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe was pegged at about 970,000 people between 2010 and 2017. About 400,000 people fleeing conflict from sub-Saharan Africa moved to the United States of America between 2010 and 2016. From that number, The United Nations reports that about 420,000 sub-Saharan African migrants lived in Europe in 2017 (4.15 million) than in 2010 (3.73 million), and that another estimated 1.55 million sub-Saharan African migrants lived in the U.S in 2017, an increase of about a 325,000 from 2010, when an estimated 1.22 million sub-Saharan African migrants lived in the country. The In terms of destinations, as of 2017, nearly three-quarters (72%) of Europes sub-Saharan immigrant population was concentrated in just four countries: the UK (1.27 million), France (980,000), Italy (370,000) and Portugal (360,000). In the U.S., migrants from sub-Saharan Africa can be found across the country, with 42% in the American South, 24% in the Northeast, 18% in the Midwest and 17% in the West. The drug mixture was also mentioned in the movie Lord of War in which Nicholas Cage is a ruthless drug dealer. It is popular among child soldiers who are used by war lords to fight civil wars in the West Africa in countries like Liberia. In Nigeria's war against terrorism, the drug of choice is the already notorious The BBC Report In June 2018, Stephanie Hegarty published an article for the BBC about the Tramadolconsumption that, the vigilante fighters, those displaced by the war and even the militants themselves are hooked on the drug. The wave is crippling Borno State where thousands of people are addicted to Tramadol. Addicted vigilantes In essence, the northern drug use has created a positive and negative; tramadol-addicted insurgents make for positivity, but addicted vigilantes is a definite negative. While we hope drugs propel the insurgents to make improperly calculated destructions that lead to foiled attacks, we expect vigilantes, sworn to protect people to be on their best levels of sanity. Mustafa Kolo, a 23-year old vigilante says, It really helps me in fighting , he says. When I go into the bush, even the way I run, the way I walk, its different. It gives me strength. ALSO READ: Kidnapper dies from Tramadol Admittedly, one needs a unique level of bravery to face such force as the Boko Haram, that only a few humans possess and this could be a cheap excuse for drug use, you do not use drugs that you do not enjoy. Moreover, enjoyment fuels addiction. Once you are hooked, arguments on bravery cannot avail you. As the article continues, Hegartyinterviews Marcus Ayuba who heads a unit run by Nigerias National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He tells her that, The problem is really huge. The reports goes on to document Ayubaintimating that, by his own estimate, one in three young people are addicted to the drug in Maiduguri. For clarity, the article documents Mustafa Kolo, a 23-year old member of a vigilante unit who confirms that he, used to take three to four when I first began taking it. But now I have reduced it to one or half. Bereaved people and mental health Some of them take the drug to numb their pain. Parents who have lost children told Ayubathat What else can we do? We just want to get out of this world. This bring to the fore, the issue of mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder predated by loss sometimes repeated in a place desolated by the effects of terrorism. These ones need comfort and they seek it from wrong places. Nonetheless, people take the loss of loved ones differently. The case of people people who have lost multiple loved ones is however, unimaginable to the average mind. Drug abuse is however not the way. Two wrongs will never make a right. Boko-Tramadol-Haram Hegartydocuments Boko Haram camps where edibles and water were scarce, but had ample supply of Tramadol.According to her, this reality has however been shelved with the Nigerian Army closing in and eliminating several camps. She documents a 21-year old former Boko Harammember saying, When you are going for a military operation you will be given it to take, otherwise if you take it you will be killed, They told us when you take it you will be less afraid you will be strong and courageous. All this talk about measles might have you wondering whether there's a chance you could contract the disease, even if you've been vaccinated. Here's everything you need to know about the measles vaccine. When was the measles vaccine invented? The measles vaccine became available in 1963, according to the Immunization Action Coalition. In 1971, the measles vaccine was combined with the mumps and rubella vaccines to form the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. How old do you have to be get the measles vaccine? The CDC recommends the vaccine be delivered in two doses. Kids should get their first shot between 12 and 15 months old, and their second between four and six years old. Unvaccinated adults born after 1957 should get at least one dose. People born prior to 1957 were likely exposed to the measles and are therefore considered immune. Can you get measles if youve been vaccinated? First things first: The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. One dose is around 93 percent effective at preventing measles, and two doses are around 97 percent effective. That means it's possible, but extremely rare, to contract measles after you've been vaccinated, as the Mayo Clinic pointed out. When the U.S. was hit with a record-breaking 667 measles cases in 27 states in 2014, the majority of people who got sick were unvaccinated. How long does a measles vaccine last? If you already got the government-recommended dosage of the MMR vaccine, the CDC says you don't need to re-up. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, described the report as baseless, mischievous and irresponsible. Bamigbetan said the claims were nothing, but absolute falsehood and a mere figment of the imagination of unscrupulous persons who concocted it. According to him, the report had alleged that the governor had outlawed the position of Eze Ndi-Igbo in Lagos and was making other moves against non-indigenes. The report, which did not state the event where the governor allegedly made such pronouncements, also quoted the governor as saying that Lagos was not a colonial settlement, but owned by the Yorubas. The contents of the alleged report are laughable and ridiculous. Gov. Ambode had clearly emphasised at the inception of his administration that he would run a government of inclusion regardless of tribe, colour or creed, which he had not only adhered to, but also sustained it. While we would have opted to totally ignore such crass report, we have chosen to set the records straight for unsuspecting members of the public who might be tempted to believe such falsehood. For emphasis, there is no record anywhere of the governor making such remarks and we dare the faceless authors to come out with any evidence otherwise. This is certainly the handiwork of enemies of Lagos State whose sole aim is to distort the existing harmonious relationship among ethnic groups in the state. They have totally failed in this attempt. Besides, in this season of politics, it is expected that those seeking to gain mileage will stop at nothing and cling to any straw just to score cheap points. Indeed, the governor, precisely in his inauguration speech had stated emphatically that I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you. The governor has not only lived up to that, but has also sustained it and every Lagosian can attest to it, Bamigbetan said in a statement. He, however, urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety. This was disclosed by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, during a familiarisation visit to the 302 Artillery Regiment, (General Support) Onitsha, Anambra State. Maj. Gen. Kabuksaid the annual training programme, tagged "Operation Python Dance III" (also known as Exercise Egwu Eke III), will return to South East States formations and units under 82 Division of the Nigerian Army. He said, "Exercise Egwu Eke III, is a training exercise for troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and during the training, if there are criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities that distort peace and tranquility of the citizenry along the line, the Army will not close its eyes and watch those criminals activities to thrive." Maj. Gen. Kabuk clarified that the exercise is merely a training programme for troops and not a sinister programme to target anyone. He said, "The Army trains on daily basis and at times, as a group annually, so Exercise Egwu Eke, from the beginning was Python Dance I. We changed it to Egwu Eke to align with the environment which is the South East, still referring to it as Python Dance II and so, we are now saying that Exercise Egwueke III is going to hold. It is still going to be a training exercise. "Whenever Exercise Egwueke is mentioned, people always think the Army has come to do some dangerous things in the South East. It is a wrong impression, it is a training exercise, but I must tell you that the people that get afraid are criminal elements who are looking for cover in their crimes. "We want to let Nigerians know that if we are training, we are training to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria. So, the pro Biafra activists and killer herdsmen are also Nigerians who are misguided. "We should not allow misguided elements to disturb our peace. What we want is for law abiding citizens to live in peace. If you are not law abiding, the law will take its course.That is all we are saying." He concluded that the only people afraid of the exercise are criminal elements who don't want to face the consequences of their criminal actions. Operation Python Dance II was controversial The exercise attracted a lot of controversy last year as many regarded it as a military campaign targeted against separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Soon after the commencement of the exercise in 2017, soldiers publicly clashed with IPOB members with the group alleging that dozens of its members were killed in a crackdown that lasted over a week and ended in the disappearance of Kanu and his parents. The outgoing Controller of the Command, Comptroller Lami Wushishi, made this known on Thursday in Lagos while handing over the seized goods to her successor. According to her, the command detained a 40ft container with Registration No. SEGU532813-6, and that the container has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N707.9 million. She said the container was seized after examination and detained, and that the consignment originated from the Bahamas. The consignment originated from Bahama and investigation is still ongoing because no suspect was arrested in connection to the seizure. Items found in the container were: 23 cartons of military boots totaling 460 pairs; 11 cartons of welding cable, jumbo cartons of safety eyeglasses, 120 cartons of baby beds, 33 packages of aluminum welding rods. Other items are; 170 cartons of rain boots, 44 cartons of plastic buckets, 310 cartons of assorted carpentry tools, 55 sacks of shower caps, 112 cartons of childrens toys and 135 cartons of cosmetics /make-up. The container was intercepted by vigilant officers during the 100 per cent examination in line with the Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajos directive on Ease of Doing Business, Wushishi said. She said the command generated the sum of N5. 897 billion in the last eight months in spite of various challenges encountered. Wushishi assured port users of the commands commitment to ensuring the implementation of the fiscal policy of the Federal Government and willingness to continue to collaborate with other sister agencies. She, however, urged importers and stakeholders operating within the commands terminals to comply with all extant laws by making honest declarations in order to enjoy seamless clearance of cargo. In a statement, the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said the measure was to enable civil servants and their families enjoy the Eid-el-Fitr festivities. He said the gesture was also in line with the governors commitment to improve the welfare of workers in the state. The commissioner enjoined all banks to ensure that workers access their salaries with ease and they should clear with their banks if they had any problem. He expressed the hope that the workers would reciprocate the good gesture and be more dedicated in the discharge of their duties. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colourful ceremony held at the NAFRC, Oshodi, Lagos was presided over by the new Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Liman. Speaking during the ceremony, Jekennu called for 100 per cent dedication and loyalty among officers and men still in service so as to continue protecting the nations territorial integrity. I cannot imagine a more privileged and meaningful pulling out parade than what we are witnessing today, more especially in a tri-service setting. It is a great honour to have served as the commandant of this prestigious institution, although there were challenges but we were able to surmount them. For those still serving, I wish you safe landing at the appointed time and may the good Lord grant you good health to retire well, he said. He urged the soldiers not to give up on their chosen endeavours but to strive toward becoming better citizens of Nigeria now and always. As I bow out of military active service, I enjoin you to accord the new commandant the required cooperation and assistance for him to succeed, he said. The Minister said the current government will rather invest in infrastructural development which will translate to wealth creation. Mohammed, who inspected the rehabilitated Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa road project in Niger state on Friday, August 17, 2018 said the past government which shared money around left the country in a mess. He said, people are complaining of no money and high cost of living, but I want to tell you that it would have been worse today but for the massive infrastructural development this government is investing on. ALSO READ: Minister says Nigeria cant face another civil war Continuing, Mohammed said, We are not a government that will share money like what others did which put the country in a mess. This government believes in investing in infrastructure because if you get this rightly, it will translate to wealth creation. "People complaining about lack of money in circulation easily forgot that for 16 years, one political party was in power, sharing money, when this road became completely failed. Fraudulent politicians accusing Buhari of doing nothing - Lai Mohammed Lai Mohammed, has accused fraudulent politicians in Abuja of playing down the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Okonjo-Iweala served as Jonathans finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy from 2011 to 2015. She writes that even though there was sufficient evidence of corruption in government circles and operations under Jonathan, not much was done by the president to bring perpetrators to book. I spent my time confronting corruption in my work and in all its faces in government. But at times, I felt that the pace at which I wanted to act was slowed by those who presented alternative narratives to the president, Okonjo-Iweala writes. Both the implementation of the forensic audit in the oil sector and the sharing of the report were delayed and thereby muted the positive impact of the audit. I also felt a great deal of frustration that few high level perpetrators were convicted or jailed for any acts of corruption during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, she adds. 'Weak president' Okonjo-Iweala cites instances when it became clear that fighting corruption was never going to be one of Jonathans strongest suits. While pension fraud perpetrators were convicted and some were jailed, fraudulent oil marketers were not. Some were picked up by the but were later released. "The masterminds behind have never been identified, much less investigated, even though it was clear from the sequence of events that it was not planned by low-level kidnappers. Okonjo-Iweala says Jonathan allowed himself to be called a weak president. But some critics saw the president as weak. This led to a feeling of impunity on the part of vested interests who felt they could get away with corrupt acts. Okonjo-Iweala says there were moments she felt like tendering her resignation because of the corruption in government and the brick wall presented by vested interests.There were moments when I wanted to throw in the towel", she writes. She adds that for a nation to win the war against corruption, support from the topin this case, the president--is vital...it is a necessary, not a sufficient, condition to fight corruption. You still need the coalitions and the teams. In countries with weak institutions, if the president is against action, then little or nothing can be done within the framework of government because even the production and analysis of objective evidence can be blocked. According to the former finance minister, Jonathans reputation for condoning corruption blotted whatever good his administration achieved elsewhere. There were instances where we were slowed down (such as the forensic audit of the missing $20billion), but we were never stopped. President Goodluck Jonathan supported the anti-corruption work and in some instances brought questionable situations to my attention for action. Yet the president and the administration earned a reputation for corruption because corrupt people were not brought to account and communication was poor about positive anticorruption actions. The presidents approach to governance was low key, and the governments stance against corruption delivered mixed messages in the sense that in some areas the fight was being waged successfully, while in others, unprincipled politicians and government officials continued with corrupt practices and few people were apprehended or jailed. Jonathan lost the 2015 election thanks in large part to a reputation that bordered on being weak on corruption, and not wielding the big stick on persons who had been caught dipping their hands in the nations cookie jar. Ogundipe was arrested on Aug.14 by the police for the alleged publication of the Inspector-General of police report on the siege of the National Assembly by the Department of State Service. The Police had said that Ogundipe was also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violated Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code Law for which he had volunteered statements. In a statement, the Spokesman for the Police, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, on Friday in Abuja said that no investigator asked Ogundipe to implicate Saraki before he could be released. There are video and audio records of the whole interrogation, which include the confessions of Ogundipe and his criminal roles in the commission of the crime for which he is being prosecuted, he said. The spokesman said that the video and audio concerning his interrogation would be tendered in evidence in court at the appropriate time. He implored members of the public to disregard and discountenance the claim that the police asked Ogundipe to implicate Saraki before he could be released. It is also untrue, and a blatant misrepresentation of facts that Ogundipe was subjected to any form of brutality, psychological or real torture, while he was in the custody of the police. Ogundipe was released on Friday, August 17, 2018, after he was granted bail by magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Kubwa, Abuja. The judge had first heard the case on Wednesday after Ogundipe was secretly arraigned without being allowed legal representation. On that day, Mohammed granted a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five days until August 20, 2018. However on Friday morning, it was learnt that Ogundipe was to be taken to the same court. The companys lawyer was thus present at the court. At the court, the lawyer argued for the bail of Ogundipe, a request that was not opposed by the police counsel. Mohammed granted the bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must be resident withing the courts jurisdiction. The bail conditions were met and Ogundipe was released. 'Ogundipe stole classified documents' The Police in a statement by its spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, had accused Ogundipe of being in possession of classified documents. Moshood alleged that Ogundipes action was capable of causing a breach of national security and a breakdown of law and order. Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, issued the Presidents congratulatory message in Abuja on Friday. Buhari saluted the business magnate for his vision, wisdom and dexterity in setting up businesses that cut across the oil and gas industry, flour mills, hospitality and transportation. He noted that such businesses had been providing services and employment that strengthen the Nigerian economy. The President said he shared the joyful time with members of Oba Otudekos family, friends and community of business colleagues as he celebrates his 75th birthday. He also acknowledged his contributions to the development of the country through wise counsels to governments and willingness to serve on boards and committees focusing on steering and buoying the economy. Buhari extolled the warm heartedness and magnanimity of the business mogul for setting up the Oba Otudeko Foundation, which provides for less privileged members of the society and inspires start-ups, especially among the youth. During an interview with Bloomberg this week, he said he's actively considering running for President of the Republic of Nigeria, and this has been interpreted to mean he'll definitely throw his hat into the ring for the 2019 presidential election. Interesting times. The Senate President's revelation might be the biggest story about him this week, but he had other interesting things going on as the All Progressives' Congress (APC)accused him of committing 'high treason' for refusing to reconvene the National Assembly to consider the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections. In a statement jointly issued by Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, they noted that recalling members of the National Assembly at the moment would be 'irresponsible' as joint Senate and House Committees don't yet have reports on the budget. Since this statement was issued on Tuesday, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has met a couple of times with both committees and the breakdown of the budget is...interesting. INEC also extended the deadline for the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise for permanent voter's card (PVC) from August 17 to August 31. 21 new political parties were also registered to take the country's total of parties to 91. End...SARS? After months of social media pressure from Nigerians for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be scrapped, the federal government ordered an 'overhaul' this week. Even though the Force has announced 'sweeping' changes after Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, gave the directive, it's not immediately clear how it will play out yet. In other news... Even though the Nigerian Army's Operation Python Dance II controversially led to the proscription of separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the disappearance of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in 2017, the Army announced that the training exercise will soon return to the southeast region for a third run. This was announced just days after soldiers took over the Maiduguri airport and shot in the air for hours in protest of their redeployment to a restive region of the Boko Haram-ravaged Borno State. Nigeria's defection bug does not seem to be over as five members of the Ogun House of Assembly dumped their parties for other parties. Emmanuels godfather and former governor Senator Godswill Akpabio defected on 8 August to the All Progressives Congress, dumping the Peoples Democratic Party. The defection ceremony at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium attracted huge crowd and APC big guns. Akpabio also resigned his role as PDP Minority Leader in the Senate. Saraki, who is now the national leader of the PDP and who recently also switched from APC to PDP, said he was in the state to show solidarity to Emmanuel. He assured the governor that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representatives in the National Assembly would continue to support him to provide dividends of democracy to the people. We have come here on a solidarity visit to show that we are strongly with you. We are with you because we know you are serving your people well. We are with you, because since you have been the governor, you have shown your worth and capacity and more importantly, you have shown your leadership skills. It is not easy to lead and rise above board and behave like a leader in spite of provocations; that is how leadership should be. You have done a lot of good works here and I do not want you to be distracted. He charged the governor not to relent in his quest to provide good governance to Akwa Ibom people, stressing that the people would continue to support him. Saraki said Emmanuel had nothing to fear since the all the members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly, local government chairmen, councillors and stakeholders are supporting him. The people of Akwa Ibom have spoken and they are saying they are behind you. I want that to encourage you to forge ahead and work hard and serve the people. Since your people are with you, fear nobody. We, in Abuja, will continue to work and support you. I will come here to congratulate you when your people will give you a second term to serve them. And when I come back, we will come and discuss politics. Responding, Emmanuel urged the senate president to continue to work and protect Nigeria. He urged the senate president to continue to maintain his exemplary character and serve the Nigerian people as the number three citizen. He urged leaders not only to prepare the young ones for the future but prepare the future for them through good governance. This is unprecedented that in time like this, you have come to show solidarity to Akwa Ibom people. We appreciate you and love you the way you protect the project Nigeria. The governor used the opportunity to welcome Saraki back to PDP, adding that Akwa Ibom people are solidly behind the party. In the piece that follows, financial analyst Chinedu Ekeke explains what the FRC is all about and why everyone should follow their activities with more than a passing interest. _________ SMEs should learn about FRC codes When will more Nigerians start paying attention to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the institution that regulates auditors, accountants and sets Nigerias Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes? At the moment, only a few people bother with FRCs guidelines: practicing accountants, auditors, and a handful of management and board members of formal and properly-structured businesses. Yet more people should show interest, especially for a country in dire need of foreign investments. No investor takes a dime to a jurisdiction where utmost transparency and integrity in business is not promoted, where they are not sure that institutional regulations will guarantee safety to their dollars and returns on their investments. Now, 96% of all businesses in Nigeria are Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), compared to 53% in the United States and 65% in Europe. Still, this huge number contributes only 1% to Nigerias GDP while the smaller numbers in United States contribute a staggering 50% to that countrys GDP. We can argue that the United States is not at the same level of development with Nigeria, hence the huge gap in contribution of SMEs to GDP, yet when weighed against countries on the same level of development, Nigeria is still light years behind with respect to tapping into the huge benefits of SMEs. A key challenge facing small businesses in Nigeria is poor credit environment; the inability to access funding. Yet one known aid to funding of small businesses is a countrys sound Corporate Governance Code. Investors consider matters of transparent reporting seriously when allocating investment funds, and Nigerian SMEs can attract these funds by first appreciating, and then applying the principles set out in the FRCs Code. Code of corporate governance Consider this as Nigeria being in competition with other countries of the world for investment capital. And investors look carefully at laws and regulations that guarantee safety of investments before moving in their money. Even donors (for non-profit organisations) also want to be sure that there are institutional regulations that ensure transparency in the use of funds they give to non-profit organisations within a country. This means that with sound Corporate Governance Code, and all other factors being equal, theres a chance we will attract huge investment capital into our economy. It is this understanding that the FRC assumes as it invites members of public to take a look at its draft of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018. The Code is the product of a 15-member committee set up in January to review an initial one issued in October 2016, but which was suspended by the Federal Government just eleven days after. The plan now is to replace it with a new one. Code of Corporate Governance is a set of rules that set standards of good practice in issues like composition of boards of organisations both private and public, their remuneration, accountability, relation with shareholders, as well as overall governance of the firm. The FRC is responsible for setting and promoting compliance with these standards for accounting, financial reporting and auditing in Nigeria. It has the powers to ensure good corporate governance practices in organisations. This proposed new Code of Corporate Governance is resting on 28 principles and 230 practices. The principles are the ideals which corporate organisations should strive for in their governance journey. These principles are like the objectives to which organisations should aspire. The practices are the hows of implementing the principles. During implementation, the new code is designed to allow organisations focus more on its spirit, rather than its letters. The spirit is the intent what FRC had in mind while a particular principle was being crafted. This focus on intent, rather than the letters, is captured in the philosophy of this new code which the regulatory body described as APPLY and EXPLAIN. This philosophy was favoured because it is believed to be scalable. It assumes application and simply requires entities to explain how the principles were applied with regards to the business and the nature of its operations. Scalability suggests that the APPLY and EXPLAIN philosophy can be applied to meet the individual needs of the organisations while, at the core, the spirit behind the principles is borne in mind. It is in contrast with the former one whose philosophy was COMPLY or ELSE. Seen by many experts as rigid, the COMPLY or ELSE philosophy is one-size-fits-all, and does not recognize the differences in business types and their operations. It gives no room for flexibility. It has also been jettisoned in other jurisdictions and replaced with the Apply and Explain philosophy Everyone should get involved One fear comes to mind at this point: with this seemingly lax philosophy, will there ever be penalties for any breach? Of course, there will. FRC, through the Securities and Exchange Commission, will monitor the adoption of this code and will impose appropriate sanctions to entities that deviate Its important to note that there are also sectoral regulators whose own governance codes are already in place and have been running for years in their sectors. For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria has its code for banks and discount houses; the Nigerian Communications Commission has for the countrys Telecommunications sector while the Securities and Exchange Commission has for publicly quoted companies. These sectoral regulators are also empowered to impose appropriate sanctions on companies that deviate from the code. For instance, if a bank deviates, the Central Bank will impose appropriate sanction on it based on the specific deviation. FRC thinks it has done a good job with the new Corporate Governance Code, but still expects inputs from members of the public before releasing the final version. But the only members of the public who can make inputs are those who have shown interest in the draft copy currently in the public domain. This is why more Nigerians need to follow the activities of the Financial Reporting Council. The national assembly adjourned legislative sittings till September 25 during plenary on July 24, amid a controversial clampdown by security operatives on Saraki and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in what has been described as a witch-hunt orchestrated by the executive. The alleged witch-hunt raised even more concerns when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)invaded the national assembly complex on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. The APC has been putting public pressure on Saraki to reconvene the National Assembly, describing his actions of 'shutting down' parliament as bordering on high treason. In a statement signed by the party's Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, on Friday, August 17, the APC once again demanded that the National Assembly should be reconvened to consider the budget sent by President Muhammadu Buhari last month. The party accused Saraki of using the legislative arm to serve his own personal interests as well as the 'sinister ends' of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The statement read, "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempt to hide under the yet-to-be assented Electoral Act Amendment bill is an attempt to draw attention away from the treasonable actions of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has refused to convene the National Assembly to consider at plenary the crucial 2019 Election Budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). "The Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly is alive and awaiting assent. However, assent to Bills in all democratic governments reflects the prudence and discretion of the president in balancing the powers of key constitutional bodies and understanding the concerns of the executive. "While we strongly condemn the abuse of office by the Senate President backed by his PDP cohorts in sabotaging the executive, specifically INEC, all well-meaning Nigerians have a duty to speak up and ensure that the National Assembly performs its constitutional role and not serve an individuals personal interest and sinister ends of the opposition PDP. "We call on all Nigerians, civil society and indeed the international community to resist the ongoing travesty and legislative rascality being perpetuated by the Senate President and the PDP. The sanctity of our electoral system is being threatened by this orchestrated sabotage and deliberate attempt to weaken INEC as we prepare for General Elections in 2019. "The National Assembly must be convened immediately. "Meanwhile, the PDP has realised that the 2019 elections has been won and lost. If the election is held today, it is clear that the APC will win by a landslide, judging by visible and landmark achievements recorded by the President Buhari administration. "This is an apparent fact that gives the PDP sleepless nights, hence its daily lies and propaganda in its desperate, failed and early campaign to attract non- existent votes." Why National Assembly won't reconvene soon - Saraki, Dogara In a statement jointly issued by Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, August 14, they noted that recalling members of the National Assembly at the moment would be 'irresponsible' as joint Senate and House Committees don't yet have reports on the budget for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the 2019 general elections. The APC has relentlessly called for Saraki's impeachment since he dumped the party for the PDP last month and both sides have made several public allegations of evil plots by the other party. El-Rufai gave the charge during a meeting with APC stakeholders in Soba Local Government Area held at the councils chambers, Maigana, headquarters of the local government. The governor said the call became necessary to ensure success in the forthcoming general elections. El-Rufai gave an assurance that he had no intention to support any candidate, hence the need for people to scrutinise and select the best out among aspirants vying for different positions in the party. As a people, you know who is good and who is more credible among the aspirants; therefore, it is an opportunity for you to select the best out of them. We are not going to interfer during the primaries, because we have no candidate and whatever you elect is going to be our choice. The governor used the medium to call on eligible voters to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to be able to exercise their franchise. He also advised those who had not registered to do so as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had extended the registration period to Aug. 31. I want to emphasise here that we should make sure that we collect our PVCs and also encourage our women to do same in order to vote credible candidates of your choice. Your PVC is your weapon; without it, you have no vote. Therefore, we must endeavour to register and collect it for use in the forthcoming elections. El-Rufai thanked the entire people of the area for conducting themselves well, saying that it had paved the way for successful local government elections. He appealed to them to maintain the good spirit in the upcoming elections in order to have more dividends of democracy. In his speech, the Chairman, Soba Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu-Gimba, thanked the governor for the visit. He assured him that the council was doing its best to ensure hitch-free primary and general elections in the area. The chairman said in view of the laudable projects executed by the present administration in the state, his people had no choice than to vote El-Rufai for a second tenure. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced that the 23 newly registered political parties will not be allowed to participate in the governorship election in Osun State. Reasons for stopping 23 parties from participating Prof. Yakubu explained why the 23 political parties won't be participating in the Osun state governorship election. The INEC chairman said the though the political parties have been registered, their registration didn't meet the deadline for submission of candidates for the governorship election. ALSO READ: INEC issues Certificate of Registration to new parties "Since the commission has closed nomination for the Osun State governorship election holding on September 22, 2018, none of you can sponsor a candidate for that election," Yakubu said. The INEC Chairman, however, congratulated the leaders of the 23 new political parties after handing certificates to the newly registered parties. He said, The 23 political parties emerged out of 144 applications received by the commission so far from associations seeking registration as political parties. I wish to congratulate the chairmen and leaders of the new political parties for meeting the criteria enshrined in the constitution for your registration as political parties." Needless to add, from today, you are recognised as political parties under the law. From today also, you have equal status with any political party in Nigeria. This means you can sponsor candidates for elections including the 2019 general elections. From today, you are also members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council. Despite publicly supporting Buhari before he was elected president in 2015, Senator Melaye has been one of the most vocal critics of the president's administration. After months of public animosity and mounting court cases against him, the lawmaker was part of a dozen lawmakers that dumped the ruling All Progressives' Congress (APC) for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in July. While speaking during an interview on ARISE TV, published on Friday, August 17, 2018, the lawmaker said he has no regrets about antagonising Jonathan in the past, but hailed him as a better president than Buhari. He said, "At the time I was criticising President Jonathan, I have no regrets criticising him, like I have no regrets now criticising the Buhari administration, but I want to say if you carry out comparative analysis between the Jonathan admnistration and this (Buhari's administration), I would say President Jonathan is far far mileage above this present administration." While further describing Jonathan as a 'saint' and calling Buhari's administration 'militocratic', Melaye said he was never persecuted by the previous administration as is happening now. "There was never a time that the Jonathan administration arraigned me or created false charges against me. There was never a time I was maltreated or even attempted to kill me. But in this present dispensation, I've not even gone to the streets, but you can see what I've gone through," he said. Buhari's government is deaf and dumb - Melaye Melaye further condemned Buhari's administration for being unaccountable to the people and without a vision to lead the country. He said the administration has been unable to solve Nigeria's problems and cannot be allowed continue. He said, "This government is deaf and dumb. This government is not pro-people. There's a government in government, a cartel that has completely hijacked this government. And a situation whereby the president often at times just comes out to say he doesn't even know what's happening calls for serious concern. "Like I said, there are a lot of square pegs in round holes. You cannot give capentry job to tailors, it'll never ever happen. This particular government has no agenda. "It is unheard of in the 21st century that you have a Federal Executive Council with no single economist. It is outrageously unacceptable. "All the problems inherited or created by this government have not been ameliorated and there's a double jeopardy - no capacity, no capability. When these two happen, you're going for a disaster and I cannot be part of that. "I cannot be supporting this government that is visionless and using all its time to fight the opposition. "We cannot continue like that. The government must be sincere with the people and the people must have the temerity and audacity to also hold their government accountable." But right above the spot on Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas boulevard where a van came to a stop after ploughing into and killing 14 pedestrians on August 17, 2017, separatist activists unravelled a banner reading: "Free political prisoners. Without them this ceremony is a scam." Under the banner -- which refers to separatist leaders in jail over the failed secession attempt -- relatives of the victims laid flowers on a pavement mosaic designed by Barcelona-born artist Joan Miro. Further up the road on the central Plaza Catalunya, another large banner hung from a building reading in English: "The Spanish king is not welcome in the Catalan countries", with an upside-down picture of the monarch, who took a hardline stance against the secession bid. King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez joined families of the victims on that very plaza for an emotional commemoration, to cries of "long live the king" and "long live Spain" by pro-unity onlookers. English poet John Donne's 17th century poem "No Man is an Island", which lauds the community spirit, was read out and songs including John Lennon's "Imagine" were played. Dark day for Spain A year ago, tourists and locals in Barcelona were enjoying yet another sunny day in the city, perusing the many flower stands that line Las Ramblas. But around 4:30 pm (1430 GMT), everything changed. Younes Abouyaaqoub, a 22-year-old Moroccan man, drove his van into the crowds, killing 14 people, including two children aged three and seven. "I was really lucky as I had left half-an-hour before but my mother was still there and she's been really affected," said Fidel Poles, a 33-year-old florist. "The man from the flower shop opposite as well -- he saw a woman dying in front of him and he's having a really hard time." Abouyaaqoub fled, stabbing to death a young man before stealing his car. Hours later, a car carrying five of his accomplices sped into the seaside resort of Cambrils some 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Barcelona. The five occupants of the Audi A3 jumped out and went on a stabbing spree, killing a woman, before they were shot dead by police. Even then, at a defiant gathering against the attacks days after they happened, the king was jeered by supporters of independence. On Friday, separatist organisations staged their own commemorative marches to avoid being with the monarch. 'Thought I was dying' On Twitter, Sanchez on Friday stressed the need for "the unity of all of Spanish society", which "makes us stronger in the face of terror and barbarism." Catalonia's pro-independence president Quim Torra said "we emerged stronger and more united and more convinced of our principles" after the attacks. He paid tribute to former Catalan police chief Josep Lluis Trapero and Joaquim Forn, the former regional interior minister who is in jail over the subsequent secession bid, and whom Torra described as "unjustly imprisoned". Ruben Guinazu, one of the victims in Cambrils, described the horror of a moment when he was convinced he would die. "I don't remember anything about the attacker, I only saw him stabbing me. He left the knife stuck in my face, it plunged 15 centimetres (six inches) into my head," the 55-year-old said. "He slashed my tonsils, my carotid, my vocal cords, my tongue." The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage but investigators have not found any evidence that the cell of young men who carried them out had any international links. Instead they believe an imam in the Catalan mountain town of Ripoll indoctrinated a group of youths of Moroccan origin. They made explosives at an abandoned house which police believe they intended to use to strike the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, the city's Camp Nou stadium or even the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Keita, 73, picked up 67.17 percent of the vote on Sunday against 32.83 for opposition challenger and former finance minister Soumaila Cisse, 68, who also ran against Keita in 2013, the government announced. Turnout was low, at 34.5%. Mali, a landlocked nation home to at least 20 ethnic groups where most people live on less than $2 (1.76 euros) a day, has been battling a years-long Islamic revolt that has now fuelled intercommunal violence. Hundreds of people have died this year alone, most of them in Mopti, an ethnic mosaic in central Mali, in violence involving the Fulani nomadic herder community and Bambara and Dogon farmers. Keita's response to the burgeoning security crisis was the big campaign issue, with opposition candidates rounding on him for alleged incompetence or indifference. But the verbal assaults failed to dent his core support, and a fractured opposition and widespread voter apathy left him firm favourite in the final round. Voting was also marred by jihadist attacks that forced the closure of a small percentage of polling stations, and by allegations of ballot-box stuffing and other irregularities. The three main opposition candidates mounted a legal challenge to the first-round result, but their bid was rejected by the Constitutional Court. - 'Fraud' claim Cisse on Monday declared in advance that he would reject the results. He called on "all Malians to rise up... We will not accept the dictatorship of fraud" -- a verbal broadside that triggered a UN appeal for calm. On Wednesday, the opposition claimed a technician working for Cisse was tortured while detained by security forces for three days. Internet access was cut on mobile networks in Bamako on Thursday morning ahead of the announcement, AFP journalists witnessed. However, observer missions sent by the European Union and the African Union (AU) have issued provisional reports saying the election was not badly impaired. "Our observers did not see fraud but irregularities," EU mission chief Cecile Kyenge said. The AU said voting was conducted "in acceptable conditions." Political analyst Souleymane Drabo downplayed the risk of voter unrest, saying the country's politicians, including Cisse and Keita in past ballots, had a long history "of calling fraud at election time." "Everyone knows that the page has turned," Drabo said, adding that the most immediate issue for most people was to prepare for Tabaski, the west African name for the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-al Adha. But Jonathan Sears, Sahel researcher at Centre Francopaix in Montreal, was more cautious, fearing that doubts about voting transparency could erode Mali's democracy. "These elections have been a lost opportunity and Cisse's insistence in interrogating the results underlines that," he told AFP. "The rejection is deeply concerning -- if Cisse is speaking for many people, there is a possibility of it being socially disruptive." Challenges Keita will take office on September 4, facing high expectations to boost a 2015 peace accord between the government, government-allied groups and former Tuareg rebels. The credibility of the deal -- billed by Keita as the cornerstone of peace -- has been battered by a state of emergency that heads into its fourth year in November. France, which intervened to root out jihadists in northern Mali in 2013, still has 4,500 troops in the country. They are deployed alongside the UN's 15,000 peacekeepers and a regional G5 Sahel force, aimed at fighting the insurgents and restoring the authority of the state in the lawless north. Other bishops "whose actions are being analyzed, could also be accused," Arias told AFP in an interview at the Rancagua prosecutor's office 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Santiago. State prosecutors began investigating scores of abuse cases last month after outrage around the country over the church's own probe into decades of abuse by priests, crimes over which it often failed to take any action or handed down too-lenient punishments. Now bishops and other priests accused of abuse in Chile will face the full force of secular law. Arias said he will have to determine if Ezzati "fulfilled or failed to fulfill his obligations" to protect victims and enforce church regulations. Ezzati has come under pressure after prosecutors ordered a search of church headquarters in Santiago after it refused to hand over documents linked with how it dealt with abuse cases. "The church should have acted immediately to denounce the abuse. It is in its interest to make it stop," says Arias. He pointed out that "not having an obligation to report (abuse) does not mean they are forbidden" to do so. Chilean prosecutors announced last month they were investigating 158 members of the church, both priests and lay people. The cases related back as far as the 1960s and involved 266 victims, including 178 children and adolescents. Pope Francis has already apologized repeatedly to Chileans over the scandal, admitting the Church failed "to listen and react" to the allegations, but vowed to "restore justice." In May, the entire Chilean hierarchy of bishops who Francis summoned to Rome, tendered their resignations over the pedophile priests scandal. So far, five Catholic bishops have resigned and a priest, Oscar Munoz -- a former top aide to the archbishop - was jailed for the abuse of at least seven minors. Trials in six to eight months The first cases will come to trial within "six to eight months" Arias told AFP. He said cases where clerics are charged with covering up crimes would take longer, being more "difficult" to prove wrongdoing. "The fact that a person is cited as being complicit in a cover-up does not mean that they are guilty," he cautioned. Arias has lashed out at the church over the destruction of evidence in the sex-abuse cases but said he was confident it "will help more than hinder" him in an attempt to apportion blame in the cases. What matters more, he says, is that "the victims come forward" with evidence so the perpetrators can be tried before ordinary courts. Arias says around half of the cases are subject to the statute of limitations, though investigating them will help "to specify the behaviour deployed in the past" by church authorities, especially the tactics they used to conceal abuse. The prosecutor does not think the sex abuse scandal in Chile is comparable to the church scandal in Pennsylvania, where prosecutors found more than 1,000 children had been abused over decades by some 300 priests, while bishops covered up their crimes. Governor Albert Chalamila had on Wednesday, "ordered that all the inhabitants of this village be arrested regardless of their condition." Sabotage In response, police on Thursday deployed several vehicles and officers to arrest the villagers, said regional commander Ulrich Matei. "They committed economic sabotage. The government has disbursed money, installed water pipes and they destroyed them! We cannot accept that," Matie said. Sting operation The police chief added that he had sent "enough vehicles, with enough fuel and police on board" to arrest the villagers. Roger Mulder, professor in the department of psychological medicine at the university of Otago, Christchurch discusses the new study which shows New Zealanders are being prescribed more antipsychotics, despite there being no increase in the country's psychosis rates. Listen to all of the interviews from The Long Lunch above. The Long Lunch with Wendyl Nissen, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. A good behaviour clause in the New Zealand First constitution could see MPs personally liable for up to $300,000 if they go against party instructions. The clause indicates that MPs would be fined $300,000 if they're expelled or resign from the caucus but remain in Parliament. Both electorate and list MPs would have three days to vacate their seat or pay the fine. The contracts were revealed after National's Electoral Law spokesperson Nick Smith was contacted by someone inside the party who claimed all NZ First MPs had signed them except Mr Peters. It really cuts against all the values we would have about how our parliamentary democracy should work, Mr Smith told RadioLIVE. If you were in Australia, this would be unconstitutional. Effectively, every one of those New Zealand First MPs who have signed those contracts making them personally liable for $300,000 has given Winston a gun to hold against their head. Mr Smith says that New Zealanders should be concerned with the clause because NZ First is essentially running the place while being held to a clause that would be more appropriate in authoritarian states. If you were in Europe, if you were in North America, if you were in Australia, this would be unconstitutional." However, the NZ First clause could be moot if the waka jumping bill gets passed. The legislation, which is expected to pass with Labours support, would allow a party majority to expel MPs who have serious and public disagreements with the wider party. Listen to the full interviews with Nick Smith and Andrew Geddes above. Morning Talk with Mark Sainsbury, 9am - 12pm Weekdays and streaming live on 'rova' channel 9 - available on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. Friday Night Cocktail by MermaidMary. The MermaidMary Cocktail is from the team at Wild Turkey, who are bringing a taste of Kentucky to Auckland by hosting the Wild Turkey Heritage Sessions at the base of the Sky Tower from August 17th - 25th. This pop-up bar will have Wild Turkey cocktails, BBQ food and bluegrass music. (Yee haw). To win a double pass to the VIP launch go to MermaidMary's Instagram @MermaidMary. The Wild Turkey Apple & Rye Ingredients: 30mls Wild Turkey Rye 100mls Fresh Granny Smith Apple Juice 10mls Fresh Lemon Juice 5mls Caramel Syrup, (you can make your own caramel syrup with water, sugar & sea salt but its just as easy to buy some). Method: Fill a tall glass with ice, (or for the authentic serve in a copper mug). Add Wild Turkey Rye, fresh Granny Smith apple juice, fresh lemon juice and caramel syrup. Stir with a spoon Garnish with lime Serve For more on MermaidMary, visit her website or follow her on Instagram or Facebook. MermaidMary is a wine writer & enthusiast who contributes every Friday on The Long Lunch. Never one to be described as an Oenophile her true passion is to spread the word of great wines, while making wine accessible & never using alienating wine speak that confuses people - like Oenophile! The Long Lunch with Wendyl Nissen, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. HUNGARY: The government has given the go-ahead for MAV-Start to exercise an option for Stadler to supply a further eight Kiss double-deck electric multiple-units. President Donald Trump's first year in office must have been a pleasant surprise for Chinese President Xi Jinping. A successful state visit in Beijing and an apparent personal chemistry between the two leaders suggested a close relationship between the countries was brewing. But President Trump's second year has turned that narrative on its head. The trade war between the two largest economies in the world has been intensifying of late, with both countries implementing a second round of tariffs on $16 billion worth of goods. It has been one of Trump's main goals to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China. The shale revolution in the U.S. has shrunk the deficit slightly, with China requiring ever-larger volumes of oil and gas to power its economy. In an attempt to avert a trade war, Beijing proposed to buy nearly $70 billion of American products of which LNG was an important part. The U.S. administration turned down the offer and chose instead to implement the first batch of tariffs, hoping to squeeze more out of China. Many have been criticizing ethanol ever since the corn-alcohol distillate was proposed as an anti-knock additive to replace lead in gasoline. In the mid-2000s, faced with the prospect of diminishing oil production and higher energy prices, the U.S. Congress turned to ethanol as an alternative fuel that could supplement and (supporters claimed) eventually even supplant gasoline in the our fuel supply, along with biodiesel from corn and soybean oil. The oil and gas fracking revolution over the last decade, however, has shown the pessimists were wrong. Yet, a federal mandate that requires refiners to blend increasing amounts of ethanol into gasoline each year lives on. Now E10 an approximately 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline is pervasive in the U.S. fuel supply, and the ethanol industry is well developed. A victim of its own success, ethanol is under mounting pressure. Economists point out the inefficiency of using fossil fuel-derived fertilizers to grow an alternative fuel with only two-thirds the energy content of gasoline. Environmentalists decry the conversion of marginal lands to grow crows for fuel stocks. Clean air advocates warn about the adverse health effects of ethanols significantly higher emissions of ozone-forming nitrogen oxides. Indeed, recent developments suggest the overthrow of King Corn may be coming. Consider: In January 2018, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest refiner in the eastern U.S., filed for bankruptcy because of the $200 million twice as much as its payroll it was forced to pay for credits since it could not properly blend-in ethanol; On June 29, 2018, EPA released a long-delayed report that finds the federal ethanol program harms the soil, water, and air; and On July 26, 2018, 21 U.S. senators wrote EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, warning him not to deviate from sound policy and the law by retroactively reallocating obligations to blend ethanol the EPA regularly waives for small refiners to larger refiners. The senators letter comes as the ethanol industry faces the collision of flat demand for gasoline and a production-glut of corn and soybeans, with the blend wall. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 expanded the federal mandate on refiners to blend increasing amounts of ethanol and other biofuels with gasoline and diesel through 2022. The law set annual targets but allowed EPA to set lower amounts if supplies were insufficient to reach the goals. EPA set the total volume of renewable fuels for 2017 and 2018 at about the same level, 19 billion gallons, which is well below the 26 billion gallons originally required by the 2007 law. Big oil refining companies such as BP and Shell have gotten into the ethanol distilling and blending business, and have reaped huge profits from the sale of credits for blending more fuel than they are required to, thanks mostly to their greater capacity. Independent oil refineries that are not equipped to process ethanol have an alternative. They can purchase credits called Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) generated by other refiners that produce or blend more biofuels than they need. RINs are bought and sold separately from the blended fuel in a RINs market. The purchase price of those credits, however, rose from a few cents a gallon to (at one point) nearly $1.50 due to speculation. (Hence, the bankruptcy of Philadelphia Energy Solutions.) More recently, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade association of ethanol refiners, complained that RINs prices have collapsed. They blame the falling RIN market on hardship exemptions from the requirement to blend or purchase RINs that EPA gave to 48 small refiners (as allowed under law). In a July 25th letter to the chair and ranking member of the House Subcommittee on the Environment/Committee on Energy and Commerce, RFA President Bob Dinneen said that RINs prices have plummeted from 95 cents in late November 2017 to just 25 cents today. The RFA letter calls this demand destruction. But whatever the state of the government-created demand for RINs in an artificial market, it has little to do with the actual amount of ethanol that is blended. That is determined by the amount required by EPA, acting under the mandate of mid-2000s laws. RINs prices do not determine the price of corn and other ethanol fuel stocks. The purpose of RINs, according to RFA, is to serve as a critical economic incentive to expand the production and use of renewable fuels. Indeed, the ethanol industry wants to increase demand by requiring refiners to blend higher amounts of ethanol in gasoline, such as E15 or E20. But members of Congress, environmental groups, and drivers themselves are all asking why we should encourage an increase in the production of a product for which there is no market. Last year, Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Bob Goodlatte proposed legislation to repeal the RFS mandate altogether, cheered on by free marketers, environmentalists, and consumer advocates. Within the Trump administration, the chief ally of ethanol opponents was former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The RFS mandate was one of many items on his aggressive deregulatory agenda. In the midst of these developments, the controversial Pruitt resigned, and on July 9th, Andrew R. Wheeler became acting EPA chief. (Wheeler had been confirmed by the Senate as the EPAs deputy administrator in April.) By all reports, Wheelers ascension was welcomed with bipartisan relief on Capitol Hill. It helps that Wheeler worked for four years at EPA in the early-1990s and for another 14 years for the Environment and Public Works Committee under Sen. James Inhofe, before joining a lobbying firm. Thanks to his experience, Wheeler may have a clearer sense of what regulators can do versus what Congress should do. Thus, Wheeler says he will not take actions that federal laws do not authorize and are unlikely to be upheld when challenged in the courts. With respect to ethanol, that presumably means he will not retroactively reallocate ethanol obligations, because the law does not authorize him to do so. On the other hand, he could allow summer sales of E-15, which requires a waiver because of the potential for higher emissions that contribute to ozone formation. And he could help refiners to meet their RINs obligations by allowing ethanol exports to qualify. More fundamental reforms, or repeal of the renewable fuel mandate altogether, will require congressional action. Joe Barnett (joepaulbarnett@att.net) is a freelance author and former senior director of policy research at the National Center for Policy Analysis. After riding a populist wave to election in May, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has threatened to eliminate major foreign investments in the southeast Asian country by fiat. As Mahathir escalates his threats, the Trump administration must signal it is prepared to retaliate if American investments are jeopardized. Mahathirs criticism of investors out-negotiating past administrations on deals and foreigners taking Malaysian jobs is downright Trumpian. The Malaysian leader, who served as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, imprisoned political foes, exploited racial divisions and suppressed the media. But since assuming office, he has cast himself as a reformer focused on rooting out pervasive waste, fraud and graft. Mahathir recently said he will try to cancel multibillion-dollar Chinese-backed energy pipeline and rail projects in his latest effort to curb corruption, promote economic nationalism and shrink a staggering debt load. Construction of the projects, estimated to cost more than $22 billion, has been indefinitely delayed as Mahathir seeks a better deal with China. "We don't think we need those two projects. We don't think they are viable. So if we can, we would like to just drop the projects," he told the Associated Press in an interview. The government has not reported exactly how much of its debt of $250 billion is owed to China. But Beijing-led projects represent a substantial portion, including the $20 billion, 430-mile East Coast Rail Link and two gas pipelines worth $1 billion each. Much of the money has already been paid and would be difficult to claw back. The deals were negotiated in 2016 by former prime minister Najib Razak, who has been indicted on multiple charges connected to a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme at the state investment fund 1MDB. The scandal has transfixed Malaysian society as prosecutors indicted Najib just last week on his latest criminal charge--accepting some $10 million from unlawful activities. Prosecutors allege that $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund during Najibs nine-year tenure as prime minister. He denies wrongdoing. Experts, though, draw a distinction between Mahathir's anti-corruption campaign and his brinkmanship on cancelling foreign investment projects. Even if Malaysia feels justified in scrapping the contracts, its a very risky thing to do unilaterally because it could scare off investment from the United States or other countries, said Stuart Gottlieb, a former U.S. Senate foreign policy adviser who now teaches international affairs at Columbia University. If the Malaysian prime minister can do this to China, he can do it to American and other foreign investors. Mahathir arrives today for a multi-day visit to China, his first since taking power, focused mainly on economic matters. The symbolism of Mahathir first visiting the Chinese city of Hangzhou to meet with Alibaba founder Jack Ma is intentional. Mahathir has strongly encouraged investments in line with his populism and blasted foreign ownership of property and infrastructure. Alibaba has invested more than $100 million in partnership with the Malaysian government for a digital free trade zone. The prime minister likes our idea about not coming here to buy land and build and construct without hiring local people, Ma told Malaysian reporters in June. Its not just Chinese investments that have been derailed by Mahathir. In May, soon after he assumed power, Mahathir unilaterally announced the cancellation of a $28 billion high-speed railway link to Singapore. Its going to cost us a huge sum of money -- well make no money at all from this operation, he told reporters. That may be the case. But as the prime ministers new government scrambles to cut costs, hes also obliterating the trust of foreign investors who depend on consistent legal rules beyond Mahathirs whims. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo chose Malaysia as the first stop on a recent southeast Asian tour. Before his trip, Pompeo stressed in a speech that the United States, unlike China, can provide certainty to financial deals because its economic system is based on the rule of law. It may also have served as a warning to Malaysia: With American companies, citizens around the world know that what you see is what you get: honest contracts, honest terms, and no need for off-the-books mischief, he said. Integrity in business practices is an essential pillar of our Indo-Pacific economic vision, and it is what each country in the region needs. Mahathir, who at age 93 is the worlds oldest elected leader, has developed a reputation as highly critical of the United States while open to American investment. But he has a history of bizarre statements that should alarm enterprises with interests in Malaysia. The Europeans killed six million Jews out of 12 million. But today the Jews rule this world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them, he declared in 2003, just one among decades of anti-Semitic statements. Mahathir is a fervent Sept. 11 truther, suggesting that the U.S. government staged the terrorist attack to build support for a global war against Muslims: I am not sure now that Muslim terrorists carried out these attacks, he said at a press conference in 2010. There is evidence that the attacks were staged. If they can make Avatar, they can make anything. President Trump, after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement in 2017 and then directing his economic advisors to renegotiate U.S. entry to the pact in April, has limited credibility on investment and trade policy in southeast Asia generally and Malaysia particularly. His advisors, though, should make clear to Mahathir that the United States will retaliate if Malaysia cancels investments involving U.S. firms. An open letter to The Boston Globe and media outlets that authored coordinated editorials about President Trump: President John Adams once wrote, The liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom. We at America First couldnt agree more. A free press is a bedrock of a democratic society. It is at the heart of our constitutional rights. But with liberty comes responsibilitythe responsibility to report information accurately and fairly. Unfortunately, too many times, the media have failed to live up to their responsibility. Lets cite a few egregious examples that fall under three different categories: Category 1: Straight-Up Inaccurate Reporting Lets remember how it all started. After an initial pool spray that took place within hours of President Trumps inauguration, a Time magazine White House correspondent incorrectly reported that the bust of Martin Luther King Jr. had been removed from the Oval Office. This false detail even made it into a White House pool report about Trumps first actions in the Oval Office as president. Was this an honest mistake, or a blatant attempt to make the president appear racially insensitive? We try to give all people, including the press, the benefit of the doubtbut this was far too suspicious, a gotcha moment gone wrong. Then there was the time ABC News had to suspend reporter Brian Ross for four weeks after a seriously erroneous Trump report. Ross was eventually fired, and rightfully so. More recently, a CNN senior White House correspondent falsely claimed that President Trump hadnt answered questions on the news in at least a week. Mind you, this claim was made the day after the president had answered reporters questions at a joint press conferencea press conference that said reporter attended. And who can forget the infamous Time magazine cover, and its editor even doubling down on this massively misleading and embarrassing misstep, instead of simply apologizing? Category 2: Biased Reporting Shortly before the election, CNN declared a Trump victory would be America's Brexit and cause U.S. stocks and global markets to tank. Politico agreed. Well, we all know just how wrong they turned out to be. Then there was the huge screw-up by the New York Times, which falsely insinuated the Trump administration was covering up a report on climate change. Speaking of the New York Times, both that publication and the Associated Press took the presidents comments on MS-13 completely out of context in May. And, of course, there was Chris Cuomos recent defense of Antifa violence. Category 3: Sins of Omission What the media choose to not report on is just as damning as the examples above. Here are a couple stories that highlight such sins: Giving a Trump victory its due: Media ignores his ISIS success, mocks him Media ignores success of Trump economy: Varney We could go on, but the evidence is clear. The litany of transgressions began on Day 1 (literally) of Donald Trumps presidency and hasnt slowed much since. And lets face it: Some of the media undermine their own credibility when they lose any semblance of objectivity. All editors have the right to opine, as they did in their editorials yesterday (thats what you do in an editorial, after all), but they still ultimately fail to understand the role of a journalist. Yes, a journalist should be tenacious in pursuit of the truth, but the pursuit of truth does not entail omitting certain facts, overlooking a presidents key achievements, promoting a political agenda, or slipping into the role of an activist. Thankfully, the American people are a lot smarter than the media think they are. Poll after poll show that wide swaths of the public believe that the media are biased and inaccurate and report news they know to be false or purposely misleading. And the overwhelmingly negative coverage of our president and his policies isnt just a matter of opinion; its backed up by a number of studies by the Media Research Center, Pew Research Center, and Harvard. The Harvard researchers found that, in the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, CNN's Trump coverage was 93 percent negative, and 7 percent positive. The numbers were the same for NBC. We do not believe anyone in the Trump administration wants to undermine a free press. The president himself tweeted Thursday that he wants a free press: There is nothing that I would want more for our Country than true FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The fact is that the Press is FREE to write and say anything it wants, but much of what it says is FAKE NEWS, pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. HONESTY WINS! What the president is against is the presss coordinated efforts to push an agenda that vehemently works against him at every turn. In fact, the Globes coordinated editorial experiment proves this very point. The signature of a free press is diversity of thought and opinion. A parade of more than 300 newspapers marching in lockstep is, quite ironically, the very opposite. Overlooked in these editorials is the indisputable list of accomplishments of President Trump. So, in an effort to remind the press (yet again), we here provide a recap, by no means comprehensive: Almost 4 million new jobs have been created since President Trumps election. African-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian-American unemployment rates have all recently reached the lowest levels in history. Womens unemployment rate has reached the lowest level in 65 years. Veterans unemployment rate recently reached its lowest level in nearly 20 years. The unemployment rate for Americans without high school diplomas is at the lowest level ever recorded, and the Trump administrations new workforce initiative will deliver job-training to more than 4 million Americans. Manufacturing jobs are being created at the fastest pace in over three decades. Nearly half-a-million manufacturing jobs have been created since the president took office. In the month of July alone, nearly 40,000 new manufacturing jobs were added. Almost 3.9 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps since President Trumps election. The president crafted the largest tax cut in a generation, which led to savings for more than 80 percent of households and pay raises and bonuses for 4 million American workers. President Trump protected American taxpayers by asking Congress to rescind $15.4 billion in unused appropriations. The president has hired/nominated an impressive number of women to senior positions in his administration, including the first female director of the CIA, Gina Haspel. Hes appointed two Supreme Court justices, and the Senate has now confirmed 26 appellate court judges of his choosing, as well as Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. He successfully negotiated the return of four American hostages in one months time. President Trumps Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Action has exceeded the 2:1 mandate, eliminating 22 job-killing regulations for every one new regulatory action. President Trump signed the Right to Try Act to give terminally ill patients a chance to try lifesaving treatments. The Department of Homeland Security arrested 796 MS-13 gang members and associates in FY 2017, an 83 percent increase from the previous year. The president signed the VA Mission Act, which allows veterans who dont live near a VA facility or cant get an appointment in a timely manner to seek medical care from private health-care providers. Signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides an $82 billion funding increase for the Department of Defense over the current period, including a $617 billion Pentagon budget, $22 billion for the nuclear weapons program and $69 billion for U.S. military efforts abroad, as well as new tanks, ships, and planes. The package includes a salary boost for service members, about a 2.6 percent raisethe biggest military pay raise in nearly a decade. Numbers dont lie, so in the name of a free and fair press, we implore all journalists to start sharing theminstead of their own personal biases. Sincerely, Sean Spicer Senior Adviser and Spokesman America First Action Author of The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President Tommy Hicks Jr. Chairman America First Action Nativism, not economic concern, appears to be the defining attribute of the Continent's populist backlash. Support for many populist parties is on the rise in Europe. Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is now the third largest political party in Germany, with seats in the German Bundestag for the first time. Italys anti-immigrant Leagueis the countrys third-largest party and became co-leader of the government after this springs national election. And in last years presidential election, Frances National Front (since renamed National Rally) won a third of the vote, nearly double its results in 2002, the last time a National Front candidate reached the second round of voting. Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center document the nativist attributes of this populist upsurge. The findings underscore that such views are still in the minority in most European nations, with one key exception: Italy. In Italy, those with a favorable view of the League hold nationalist, ethnocentric, and economic sentiments that closely track beliefs held by those with a negative opinion of the party, suggesting that right-wing populist views may not remain confined to the fringes of European politics. Nationalist populism has long been thought to have its roots largely in economic anxiety. But roughly three-quarters of those who have a positive view of the AfD (77 percent) and the anti-immigrant Swedish Democrats (75 percent) say their countrys economic situation is good. Their enthusiasm for their nations economy is only slightly less intense than that of other Germans (87 percent) and Swedes (91 percent). And while only 15 percent of the populist League supporters give the Italian economy a thumbs up, thats in line with the 18 percent of other Italians who hold that view. Those who favor populist parties, however, are much more nostalgic than their counterparts. Roughly six-in-ten French with a positive view of the National Front (62 percent) say life in our country today is worse than it was 50 years ago for people like me. Just around four-in-ten (41 percent) of other French adults have that negative perspective. In Germany, 44 percent of AfD supporters say life today is worse, but only 16 percent of other Germans agree. Those who favor populist parties in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom similarly lament the passing of better times in the past. Nationalist sentiment is clearly evident in modern European populism. Asked if it is important to have been born in our country to be truly one of us, 74 percent of National Front adherents say yes, compared with 42 percent of other French adults. A similar divide exists in Germany, where those who have a favorable view of AfD (75 percent) say one has to be born here to be one of us, while only 44 percent of other Germans voice such views. Family ties are also given primacy by many right-wing European populists. Roughly three-quarters of AfD backers (78 percent) and National Front supporters (73 percent) and more than half of PVV adherents (55 percent) in the Netherlands believe it is important people have family from their country to be truly German, French, or Dutch. Roughly half or fewer of other French, German, and Dutch adults agree. But such nationalistic sentiment does not divide all European publics. In Italy, roughly three-quarters (76 percent) of League supporters, but also two-thirds (66 percent) of other Italians say being born in Italy is important to being truly Italian. Similarly, while 86 percent of those with a positive view of the League believe it is important to have family from Italy to be truly Italian, 72 percent of other Italians also voice this belief. Ethnocentrism also plays a role in the current European political landscape. Roughly six-in-ten AfD supporters (61 percent), a majority of National Front backers (56 percent) and nearly half of PVV adherents (47 percent) believe their culture is superior to others. This sense of cultural superiority is far less prevalent among those with negative views of these parties. There is also strong sentiment among right-wing European populists that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with their countrys culture and values: Seventy-five percent of those with a positive view of AfD, 66 percent of PVV supporters, and 63 percent of National Front backers hold this view. Roughly four-in-ten or fewer among other adults in their countries agree. Again, however, Italy is the outlier. The ethnocentric views of League supporters on these two issues are no different than the sentiment of those who do not voice a favorable view of the League. There is no way to know if Italians broadly shared nationalist, ethnocentric, populist sentiment is a product of recent Italian history or a foretaste of what is to come in the politics of other European nations. For this reason, populist sentiment in Italy, as well as Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands bears watching. If current views from the far right of these nations become more widely shared, European politics could be entering a new era. Bruce Stokes is the director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center. The views expressed are the author's own. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Ashley Graham celebrated her 8th wedding anniversary to Justin Ervin on Instagram, posting a collection of photos of herself with her husband throughout their time together. ADVERTISEMENT The photos include images of the couple having fun in the sun, being dressed up for fancy events and smiling together, among others. "EIGHT YEARS of laughter, adventure, love, growth and being able to experience true love with you only has me wanting more of you," Graham said. "I love you, Justin and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life in your arms. Happy anniversary baby," the model and "America's Next Top Model" judge continued. Ervin also celebrated the anniversary on Instagram, releasing a number of photos of himself and Graham on their many travels. "#Happyanniversary to my one and only. I love you so much and I'm so happy to have just completed our BEST year yet! Can't wait to top ourselves! Whether we're across the globe or on the couch, you're my favorite person to be with," Ervin said. "God has blessed me with the gift of YOU and I'm so happy that we get to do this life together. Here's to 8 down and 8x8x8 to go! I love you, @ashleygraham God bless you!" he continued. Graham made headlines in July when it was announced that she will be hosting Season 2 of Lifetime competition series, "American Beauty Star." Athens, GA (30605) Today Clearing skies after some evening rain. Low near 50F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Clearing skies after some evening rain. Low near 50F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. You should always use all five of your senses when cooking. But sometimes a sixth sure would be helpful. Not the Haley-Joel-Osment-I-see-dead-people type of sixth sense (although hey, whatever). I'm talking about the extrasensory perception type, the ability to know exactly what your food is telling you. Namely, is it done? Thankfully, there is a handy tool for that! And it's not all that exotic, either. If you don't have one, friends, it's time you got an instant-read thermometer. Cooking already involves plenty of guesswork, or at least educated guesswork, so why introduce another element of surprise. Go for a digital thermometer, ideally one with a probe long enough to keep your hands clear of hot liquid and reach the center of large cuts of meat. Many culinary professionals swear by the $79 ThermoWorks Thermapen (a souped-up version for $99 is the most recent winner in an America's Test Kitchen equipment test). It may be the gold standard - and we have at The Washington Post - but for years I've been more than happy with a less than $20 model from CDN. Or go with America's Test Kitchen's budget pick, the $29 ThermoWorks ThermoPop. Here are the times when an instant-read thermometer will be most useful. - Meat Getting your meat to the right temperature is not only a matter of taste. There's that whole preventing food poisoning thing, too. On the flip side, overcooked meat isn't pleasant either (at least for most of us). Poultry (including ground) is easy to judge - go for 165 degrees, making sure not to hit bone or empty cavities when cooking a whole bird. Beef, lamb and pork are a little different, America's Test Kitchen says, because their temperature will continue to rise after being removed from the heat source. This carry-over cooking is why it suggests stopping the cooking process when the meat is 5 to 10 degrees below the serving temperature. Those serving temperatures for beef and lamb are 120 to 125 degrees for rare, 125 to 130 for medium-rare, 135 to 140 for medium, 140 to 145 for medium-well and 155 to 160 for well-done. In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration lowered the safe minimum cooking temperature for pork to 145 degrees (previously 160, although ground pork should still be cooked to that temperature), again assuming at least a three-minute rest time to allow for a bit of carry-over cooking. Like chicken, fish does not experience carry-over cooking. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 for fin fish, while America's Test Kitchen says you can aim for 110 degrees for rare tuna, 125 degrees for medium-rare tuna or salmon and 135 to 140 degrees for medium white-fleshed fish. - Liquids Can you tell when water is boiling just by looking at it? If you're anything like me, you can't. For most of my cooking life, I assumed my water was boiling when it wasn't. Water boils at 212 degrees, and only after I started using an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature did I realize that boiling water bubbles more vigorously than I thought it did. Getting water sufficiently boiling may not sound like the biggest deal, but I have found that it has improved how I cook my pasta and boil my bagels. You also want to know how hot your oil is if you're frying, as in that all-American classic, fried chicken. I found that keeping the oil in the 275- to 300-degree range maintained good color and moisture on the chicken in my recipe, although for deep-frying, the general guidance ranges from 325 to 375 degrees. Other situations where you might want to know the temperature of a liquid: If you're making caramel (get the sugar to 350 degrees) or an egg custard for an ice cream base (160 degrees). Some folks recommend a separate candy thermometer for monitoring liquid temperature, but who needs another piece of equipment? Most of the time I can get away with just dipping my thermometer in as often as I need to (stay away from the bottom and sides of the pan), but if your probe is long enough to reach into the pot and liquid, for a few bucks you can hack your way to a kind of candy thermometer with a simple metal pot clip. - Baked goods Alas, underbaked or - gasp - raw cakes and breads are not a mere "Great British Bake Off" plot twist. It can happen to us, too. The toothpick, cake tester or knife method that involves poking into the top of your quick bread or pound cake can be hit or miss, especially depending on the size of your testing implement, the moisture content of the batter or the mix-ins you have added. King Arthur flour has a nice primer on knowing when your banana bread is done, in which it recommends getting your quick bread to 200 to 205 degrees, as measured in the center. As to yeast breads, you might have seen those same "Great British Baking Show" contestants knocking on the bottom of a free-form loaf of yeast bread to test for doneness. Again, makes for good TV, but those of us who are less experienced bread bakers might benefit from something more precise. Your standard, more rustic yeast bread is done when the temperature at the center reaches 200 to 210 degrees, according to America's Test Kitchen, while those rich in butter - "enriched doughs," such as brioche - should be cooked to between 190 and 200 degrees. After a string of K2 overdoses in New Haven on Wednesday, the city saw many more drug emergencies Thursday. Officials said there were 17 more overdoses as of Thursday evening, though it wasnt known whether the substance was the same as the K2 that caused the overdoses in the previous 36 hours. K2, also known as spice, is a potent, synthetic cannabinoid. Emergency personnel had been run ragged on Wednesday, as crews responded to a total of 76 overdoses over the span of 24 hours, officials said. Its very reminiscent of a mass casualty incident, said New Haven Office of Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana. Nationally, overdose deaths reached 72,000 in 2017, The Associated Press reported. In Connecticut, there were 3,090 visits to hospital emergency rooms for suspected drug overdoses between January and April of 2017. Preliminary data from the state Department of Public Health showed that Connecticuts emergency rooms saw an average of 156 suspected drug overdose visits per week in January and February of 2018. A breakdown of the data showed 405 suspected drug overdose visits in New Haven County and 186 in Fairfield County during that time. Ready for trouble Several local officials in Fairfield County said Thursday that treating overdoses has become an increasing part of the job for first responders. Between Jan. 2017 and Wednesday, Trumbull first responders had 18 cases classified as overdoses, Police Capt. Keith Golding said. In 2016, there were a lot of cases of ODs caused by fentanyl-laced heroin, but fortunately those number have gone down, Golding said. In Milford, the citys Prevention Council said first responders used Narcan about 80 times in 2017. We have seen more overdose cases and the administration of Narcan, said Wendy Gibbons, the councils program director. We try to be proactive. Tammy Trojanowski, who administers Stratfords Drug-Free Communities Grant, said the town is not immune to overdoses and addiction, referring in this case specifically to opioids, not K2. Weve installed a medication drop-box at the Police Department thats open 24/7, and response has been fantastic, she said. We publish information on how to talk to your kids about prescription drug safety, and we have a support group ... for families that are struggling with this problem. Should Bridgeport see any kind of mass-overdose incident similar to the one on the New Haven Green, first responders are ready, officials said Thursday. We would bring in the Health Department immediately, Police Chief Armando Perez said. Bridgeports Emergency Operations Center would kick into high gear and immediately evaluate the situation, constantly touching base with any necessary agencies and spreading the word, Perez said. When it comes to K2, the substance hasnt been an issue in Bridgeport since 2011, Perez said. But he said a major concern with synthetic marijuana is how its made. Its a substance that is created, he said. They add chemicals, but theyre not chemists. It can be deadly. K2 confined Bridgeport Police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald, who runs the departments Detective Bureau, said the police department would call on mutual aid from State Police and police in surrounding towns in the event of a large-scale event. He said the department is working to outfit the entire police force with the overdose-reversal nasal spray, Narcan. All Bridgeport fire vehicles have Narcan supplies on board, which are replenished as needed. Fitzgerald said overdoses in Bridgeport are fairly common, estimating that there are roughly two a day. Some days are high, some are lower, he said regarding the number of overdose calls. Fortunately, we havent seen the issues with K2 like whats going on in New Haven. We dont see widespread use of it. But in New Haven, at least two men, who are not being named at this time, were arrested in connection with the overdoses and have been known to sell K2 in the past, Police Chief Anthony Campbell said. New Haven officials said the Drug Enforcement Administration office in New York confirmed the substance in a joint taken from one victim was K2. Only a small percentage of the patients admitted to the hospital in New Haven had fentanyl in their systems, Fontana said. He said it was likely ingested from a separate injection. Many victims told police they were given free samples of K2, and Campbell said he thinks one of the men was trying to get people addicted to establish a clientele. We will have a continued presence on the New Haven Green, both today and in the days to come, to ensure that no further victims can purchase, or no further sales can be done (there), Campbell said. NEW HAVEN, Conn. A third man, believed to be a distributor of the bad batch of K2 that led to more than 100 overdoses since Tuesday night, has been arrested on a federal search warrant, New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said Friday. Campbell declined to identify the man, who is being held on federal drug charges, at a City Hall new conference Friday afternoon. But he did identify two city residents previously arrested in connection with the overdoses as Felix Ayala Melendez, 37, and John Parker, 53. Campbell said Melendez, whom police had arrested in February on drug charges, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance. Parker is facing state drug charges as well as a federal narcotics charge. Campbell said he is cautiously optimistic that city first responders now had seen the worst. Between 12:01 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, he said there were no drug overdose calls made that required a response to the Green. New Haven police Lt. Karl Jacobson, who heads the departments intelligence and narcotics division, said city officials determined that 47 individuals were treated at least once for overdose. Some individuals were treated multiple times for overdosing, resulting in roughly 120 separate ambulance calls. We are a city that takes care of people who cant take care of themselves, Jacobson said. Jacobson and Assistant Police Chief Herb Johnson acknowledged that trying to stop drug dealing on the Greenpresents a difficult set of challenges. Without restricting the publics movement through the Green and citing people for minor infractions, Johnson said officers treat drug dealing there the way they would in any other part of the city. We investigate drug dealing all over the city, he said. When we get reports of it on the Green, we check it out. Campbell said the investigation into the overdoses is ongoing. We are continuing the investigation to see how high up it goes, he said when asked whether any arrests of suppliers would be forthcoming. And part of the ongoing investigation is to see whether a higher level of charges in appropriate (for those already arrested). The overdoses have drawn international attention, as city, state and federal officials and emergency crews grapple with ways to end the immediate health crisis, as well as address the social, economic and other issues that are part of a national drug addiction problem. With visitors coming to the city for the Connecticut Open womens tennis tournament over the next week, Mayor Toni Harp sought to assure visitors that they will be safe here. The citys image has already taken a hit from this, Harp said. The sad thing is that the police department has done a phenomenal job reducing the crime rate, which is something that gets lost in this. In a morning news conference outside City Hall across from the Green, Campbell provided an update, noting the department has a history with the third man who is charged in connection with the overdoses. Weve been trying to get the word out to make sure people understand please not to use this K2, it is clearly contaminated, he said. One of the chemicals is Fubinaca, which is really supposed to be, for whatever reason, knocking people down and taking them out. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, AB-FUBINACA was introduced as a Pfizer patent in 2009, but there are no medical or commercial uses for the drug. Campbell said three people were are in critical condition as of 10 a.m. Friday. The total of more than 100 overdoses includes some people who received treatment, then returned to the Green still wearing their hospital bracelets, Campbell said and overdosed again, some up to four or five times. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also spoke earlier in the day about what he sees as a need to address the crisis through legislation. We need new tactics to address synthetics, he said. Blumenthal said amateur chemists who are primarily from China and Mexico are creating synthetic marijuana and synthetic heroin. At the end of the day, we need more resources, meaning money, he said. Blumenthal recommended the federal administration put aside the trade wars to start a multinational crackdown on synthetic drugs. Later Friday, U.S. Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont toured Fair Haven Community Health Care at 374 Grand Ave. and talked with staff members about addiction. Speaking to the opioid crisis, Lamont said, What I want to learn today from you is how the governor, how the state, can be a greater, better partner for you. How perhaps if we raise the urgency of what this epidemic is, that has killed more people than Vietnam, killed more people than AIDS at its peak. Its an epidemic that is hitting us suddenly in sporadically different places. I think its a place where you want your governor to take a lead, and thats what I will do, Lamont said. First and foremost, not just shining a light on the problem, but finding ways to coordinate the best comprehensive response. Maybe that means a Cabinet-level person, a czar, somebody who helps bring together mental health, addiction services, public health, [Department of Social Services] ... work with the clinics, look at best practices around the state, work with police and fire and make sure that we have those folks at the table and we have the most comprehensive response we can. Murphy said the federal government must not cut back money for substance abuse prevention and treatment, noting that Congress in a heartbeat approved $4 billion in 2014 to fight Ebola, when there were less than six people in the United States that had Ebola. ... We fought and clawed over three years to finally get the Congress to put up $6 billion in the last budget for an epidemic that is killing a thousand people every year in a state that represents one percent of the nations population. So I am so fearful that this president is taking us backward, just after we made progress moving forward, by cutting Medicaid and by promoting junk insurance plans that dont cover mental health and addiction treatment. And he has ripped the guts out of the Affordable Care Act, driving rates up by double digits all over the country. Dr. Douglas Olson, vice president for clinical affairs, mentioned barriers to bringing treatment to those suffering from addiction, such as prescribers needing special registration with the state. Even saying, Hey, you want to help with this crisis? You dont have to pay your DEA fees for three years, Olson said, adding that such a step would pay for itself in bringing more people into treatment. Dr. Krystn Wagner, director of HIV and infectious disease services at the clinic, said the national and statewide focus on opioid addiction more than 1,000 people died of opioid overdoses in 2017 in Connecticut shouldnt take the focus off other drugs, such as the synthetic cannabinoid that felled so many in New Haven this week. One of her patients, she said, drinks alcohol, uses cocaine and PCP but was one of those who overdosed on K2. It points to the need to diversify our substance abuse treatments, she said. The opioid epidemic has the risk of reducing our awareness of other things, including marijuana, which she said young people view as safe but which can be laced with more dangerous drugs. Lamont asked, How has the crisis changed and how has your response change in the last few years? Maya Spell, a substance abuse care coordinator at the Fair Haven clinic, said, Its been getting worse, unfortunately. She said there is a lack of inpatient and detoxification beds in the health care system. Its one of my biggest obstacles, Spell said. Many of those who overdosed were treated and released and some overdosed again. What good is that if theyre not getting any care ... afterwards? she said. Officials said there were 17 more overdoses as of Thursday evening, bringing the total to 114 by Friday morning. For many in the community, however, the weeks overdoses appear to be a flashy presentation of an ongoing problem. This has been happening for a long time, said a man who identified himself only as David. David sat on a bench on the Green Thursday in front of an American Medical Response mobile response center parked just off Temple Street. On Friday, riding his bicycle through the Green, he said it would take community support to truly eradicate addiction in the city. All the medics, thats a lot of money for the city, he said. I want people in the community helping one another. David said he has lived in New Haven for three years after moving here from Philadelphia, and it was the Section 8 housing-assistance program that helped him in his own journey to making responsible decisions. People dont understand that these people are sick, and they would do the right thing and look for a job, he said. Now I can be a professional person, too. Sylvia Cooper, a coordinator of a new federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-financed program called Imani Breakthrough, said aftercare is just as important in beating addiction as treatment. Imani Breakthrough, a program created by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services with SAMHSA federal funds, is a 12-week program for people with addiction that is based in four black churches in New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford and Bridgeport. In New Haven, the location is Varick Memorial AME Zion Church on Dixwell Avenue. What happened on the Green is so devastating, but its not new to the folks who live around it every day, Cooper said. Poverty and disparities, people will always be exposed to it, so we have to cope with it by dealing with the issues like lack of job opportunities and housing. Cooper said more than 40 people participated in the inaugural Imani Breakthrough program, and 28 completed all 12 weeks. Now we have to do aftercare. We want to follow people after the fact, she said. Some people already have housing, but the addiction doesnt go away. The second session of Imani Breakthrough begins later this month, she said. The Rev. Kelcy Steele, senior pastor at Varick, said he believes the community and the church can no longer ignore drug addiction. Because my church is on the corner of Dixwell, it takes nothing for me to walk out the door and look on the ground and see syringes or bags used for drugs, Steele said. Its very common; its not hidden. Steele said he is grateful for the response of city police, especially as the department struggles with budget issues. Now, he said, he believes light has been shed on the issue. Its just tragic and were definitely praying, he said. Anything were able to do on our end, were going to do that as community servants. Sam Tracy, director of the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, said revising the states drug policies could play a role in preventing future mass casualty events. Everyone calls it synthetic marijuana, but it is very much a misnomer, he said. Its really a different product, a completely different drug. Tracy said people turn to cheap and accessible substitutes for marijuana because of marijuana laws. No one would be using these weird and significantly more dangerous drugs like K2 if marijuana was legal and regulated and available, he said. Tracy said many addictions, particularly to opiates, begin with painkillers or otherwise by treating pain. For many folks, medical marijuana can be a good alternative for chronic pain and for pain relief, he said, and there is zero risk for a fatal overdose. Tracy said that, although marijuana is decriminalized in Connecticut, many users have other points of contact with the criminal justice system, including potentially violating terms of probation if they smoke marijuana. Because marijuana prohibition is criminal law, its impossible to separate from these larger issues of criminal justice and mass incarceration, he said. Its impossible to wage war on an inanimate object, so the war on drugs is really waging a war on marijuana users and drug users, and there unfortunately do end up being serious racial implications. Tracy said a crucial step in treating addiction would be reforming the states medical marijuana laws, which are among the most restrictive in the country, he said. In addition to national headlines, the weeks rash of overdoses generated attention from regional addiction and treatment center specialists traveling to the city. Susan Shaw, a treatment specialist with Addiction Campuses, which owns four rehabilitation centers across the country, arrived in New Haven Thursday. She said her job is to reach into communities to connect with local service providers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut and to help connect people with addiction to resources. With such a large response from emergency personnel on Thursday, Shaw said she had not found anyone to help in her first hour in the Elm City. Our job is to place people, no matter what area of life they come from, she said. We have a network of people that just want to see people get better. Harp said she did not yet know the cost to the city of having emergency personnel working virtually around the clock for two days , but were going to have to find the resources to pay for it. She said she had been in contact with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to request help from state police to cut down on local costs. Additionally, she said she has a commitment from the commissioner of the DMHAS to place addiction specialists on the Green. We are in the infancy of treating addiction in our country, Harp said. Harp said the APT Foundation methadone clinic has a responsibility to screen its patients and to provide more behavioral supports. As it stands, addicts from across the state are traveling to New Haven but are not receiving holistic services they need for recovery, she said. Blumenthal credited Harp for her compassion, saying she is a mayoral leader across the nation on battling addiction. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com. Ed Stannard and Luther Turmelle contributed to this story. Cambodian political commentator Kim Sok was released from prison on Friday morning after serving an 18-month jail term for defamation and incitement to cause social disorder, and was quick to slam the countrys ruling party for using tricks to obtain a victory in last months general election. Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service after being freed, Kim Sok suggested that Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) had done nothing to earn a landslide victory in the July 29 ballotwidely dismissed as unfree and unfair, following a ban of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in November and the arrest of its president, Kem Sokha, two months earlier. I am disappointed with politicians who know only how to brag [without doing] anything, he said. They used force, threats, and tricks to get all 125 parliamentary seats [in play] from the election. Its unfortunate for Cambodia that it has a leader who doesnt care about dignity and honor, and only boasts about himself. Kim Sok said he will be meeting with Buddhist monks and other organizers to collect funding that can be used to assist poor people in Cambodias remote provinces, who he said receive little support from the government, and also plans to work on promoting rule of law, democracy and justice in the country, which he believes has suffered under Hun Sens rule. Kim Sok was jailed on Feb. 17, 2017 after Hun Sen accused him of implying that the CPP had orchestrated the July 2016 murder of popular political pundit Kem Ley, though he says that he had only been repeating what many Cambodians believe. Kem Ley was shot dead in broad daylight on July 10, 2016, when he stopped in a convenience store beside a gas station in Phnom Penh. Though authorities charged a former soldier with the murder, many in Cambodia dont believe the governments story that Kem Ley was killed by the man over a debt. Just days before he was gunned down, Kem Ley had discussed on an RFA Khmer Service call-in show a report by London-based Global Witness detailing the extent of the wealth of the family of Hun Sen. Earlier this year, Hun Sen filed another defamation suit against Kim Sok for allegedly claiming that the government routinely sponsors the murder of its critics, and the Phnom Penh Municipal Court had questioned him about the new claims on Aug. 15. The suit came amid a general crackdown orchestrated by Hun Sen on the countrys opposition, NGOs and the independent media, in what was widely seen as part of a bid to muzzle disapproval of his governments policies and secure a win for the CPP ahead of the general election. On Friday, Kim Sok denied that he had said the government was the mastermind of a system that eliminates its critics, but instead suggested a system was allowed to exist under the current government that led to their deaths and which protects their killers from being brought to justice. What I meant was that the government has been careless in being unable to find any of the killers, he said. In that sense, I dont understand why Prime Minister Hun Sen has brought this [new] case against me in court and is defending this bad system. Soeung Senkaruna, a spokesman for local rights group Adhoc, said that Kim Soks release cannot be celebrated until the courts drop the new charge against him and charges against all political prisoners, so that a door can be opened for freedom of expression, respect for human rights, and the democratic process. He also applauded Kim Soks bravery for continuing to speak out after being freed because he is more concerned about the nation, which is drifting towards a lack of rule of law, democracy and the protection of rights. UN weighs in Kim Soks release came as the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement Friday expressing concern over the environment around last months election. In a briefing note, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that the dissolution of the CNRP had left a significant proportion of the population without chosen representation, causing concern for their rights to political participation. Citizens were reportedly intimidated or paid to vote, she noted, while civil society organizations faced harassment in the run up to the ballot. Shamdasani also highlighted restrictions placed on the freedom of expression of individual voters and political opponents who called for a boycott of the election, including through threats, fines and legal action. OHCHR urged Cambodias government to refrain from using the courts in such cases, adding that individuals are entitled to abstain from voting in a non-compulsory election, under human rights law. Following the announcement of the official results of the election on Aug. 15, the rights body advised Hun Sen to instead create an environment for open and inclusive political debate that allows all voices in Cambodia to be heard. We urge the government to release political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders and ordinary citizens who have been detained for exercising their human rights, in particular their right to freedom of expression. We also call on the government to lift the ban against opponents taking part in political activity, and protect and expand space for civil society. It warned that respect for human rights and a vibrant civil society that can debate controversial issues are essential ingredients if the conflict of the past is to be avoided, and if development is to be peaceful and sustainable. The OHCHR is the latest group to express concerns over last months ballot, and joins a growing list of rights organizations and governments that have condemned Hun Sen for his crackdown. On Thursday, the U.S. announced an expansion of visa bans on individuals seen as limiting democracy in the country, as part of a series of concrete steps aimed at pressuring Cambodia to reverse course that included a decision to withdraw funding for last months elections. The European Union, which was the second biggest trade partner of Cambodia in 2017, also withdrew support ahead of the ballot and is currently reviewing a preferential trade scheme for Cambodian exports based on the countrys election environment. Royal decree Also on Friday, Cambodias King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree formally reappointing Hun Sen as prime minister, following a request from the CPP and Heng Samrin, the National Assemblys most senior elected lawmaker. Hun Sen wrote to the king, expressing gratitude for his appointment, which officially adds another five-year term to his 33 years in office. The prime minister will now turn to forming a cabinet, and will be required to seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly, or parliament, at its opening session on Sept. 5a vote he will undoubtedly receive, given his partys domination of the legislature. The new government will be formed on Sept. 6, and the Council of Ministers will meet the following day. Last month, ahead of the election, several senior members of the CNRP had written an open letter to Sihamoni, urging the king to intervene in the Supreme Courts decision to dissolve their party and ban their members from taking part in the upcoming election. The monarchy has come under considerable pressure from the CPP during Hun Sens rule, and the prime minister once threatened to change the countrys form of government to a republic if the king refused to sign a supplemental treaty administering Cambodias border with Vietnam. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is gradually preparing for a possible invasion of the neighboring democratic island of Taiwan, according to a military analysis published by the Pentagon in Washington. Armed forces under the ruling Chinese Communist Party "continued to develop and deploy increasingly advanced military capabilities intended to coerce Taiwan, signal Chinese resolve, and gradually improve capabilities for an invasion," the U.S. Department of Defense said in an annual report on China's military capabilities. "These improvements pose major challenges to Taiwans security." The report said Taiwan's military security has largely depended on the PLAs inability to project power decisively across the 100 nautical-mile Taiwan Strait, as well as on the technological superiority of Taiwans armed forces, and the possibility that the U.S. may intervene in any conflict. But it said that the Communist Party, which has never ruled Taiwan, has become increasingly intolerant of what it calls "foreign interference in Taiwan's affairs." It cited a warning last year by Chinese embassy official Li Kexin, who said any visit to Taiwan by the U.S. Navy would prompt China to take Taiwan by force. According to the report: "PLA services and support forces continue to improve training and acquire new capabilities for a Taiwan contingency." But it there are no signs of preparations for an imminent invasion. "There is no indication [the PLA] is significantly expanding its landing ship force necessary for an amphibious assault on Taiwan," the report said. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said its current strategy of coastal defenses and deterring attack "effectively ensures national security." Taiwan boosts military spending It pointed to a recent increase in the island's military budget to boost its military defense and preparedness. "The Ministry of National Defense emphasizes that the national army has the ability to defend national security, continue to promote national defense autonomy, integrate defense resources, invest in military preparation priorities, and build highly mobile, high-quality, high-performance and high-precision strike capabilities to ensure national security and regional peace and stability," the statement said. Taiwan was ruled as a Japanese colony in the 50 years prior to the end of World War II, but was handed back to the Republic of China under the nationalist KMT government as part of Tokyo's post-war reparation deal. When the KMT regime fled to Taiwan in 1947 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communist troops, the Republic of China ceased to control most of China, but has kept its name on Taiwan. Taiwan began a transition to democracy following the death of Chiang's son, President Chiang Ching-kuo, in , starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of a president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996. Recent opinion polls indicate that there is broad political support for self-rule in Taiwan, where the majority of voters identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. But Beijing regards the island as part of China, and has threatened to invade if Taiwan seeks formal independence. Beijing has succeeded in isolating Taiwan diplomatically by insisting that its diplomatic partners break off ties with Taipei, under the "One China" policy. New Power Party lawmaker Hsu Yung-ming said mainland China has been preparing for a possible invasion of Taiwan for a long time now, and its spies are very active on the island. "They have been collecting information from inside Taiwan, as well as strengthening their influence on Taiwan," Hsu told RFA. "I think invasion is their long-term goal." "China has always gathered intelligence on Taiwan, and we have seen its pervasive influence during election time," he said. Economic vulnerability In Beijing, Peking University international studies expert Liang Yunxiang said China is indeed developing its military capabilities. "Actually, yes, China is developing, and it has very different ideology to American values," Liang said. "China has repeatedly said it has no intention of challenging the United States, so why doesn't Washington believe that?" "Actually, clashes aren't inevitable, because both sides take great care ... to use diplomatic channels to communicate, as well as boosting their military hardware," he said. "It's possible to figure out what the other side is actually doing, if you have a dialogue." Taiwan military analyst Erich Shih said the policies of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under President Tsai Ing-wen had contributed to heightened political tensions, however. Tsai's refusal to sign up to a 1992 agreement with Beijing on the "One China" policy could trigger hostilities on the basis that the Communist Party believes that any possibility for peaceful "reunification" has been exhausted, Shih said. "Strictly speaking, Taiwan's military can effectively resist the mainland," he said. "This would be no problem for 10 days, or two weeks, but it is unrealistic to say that they could continue to hold them off for a year and a half." According to Shih, the PLA has a lot of options for using force against Taiwan, including blockades and embargoes. Taiwan's economy depends on foreign air and sea transportation links, and the island could suffer serious problems if it were blockaded for just two weeks, he said. According to the Washington report, Taiwan remains the PLAs main strategic direction, one of the geographic areas the leadership identifies as having strategic importance. It added that China continues to develop capabilities to "dissuade, deter, or if ordered, defeat third-party intervention" during a large-scale military campaign. Reported by Chung Kwang-cheng for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Parents of children sickened or disabled by substandard vaccines vowed to continue their protests in the Chinese capital on , as the government vowed to sanction dozens of officials in the unfolding scandal. China fired senior provincial food and drug administration official Jin Yuhui on , and is investigating a former top drug regulator after a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology in the northeastern province of Jilin. More than 40 government officials, including seven at the provincial level, have been held sanctioned over the scandal by various administrative punishments, including removal from their posts, state news agency Xinhua reported. But He Fangmei, known by her online nickname Shisanmei, said parents would continue their protests and petitions in Beijing. "We haven't had any sort of resolution; not even a response," He said of the parent campaigners' protests outside the State Health and Family Planning Commission complaints office. "They took our statements at the [local] police station ... and wrote down the hometowns of all of the parents," she said. "Of course I don't know whether they were doing this to stall us, or whether they were in good faith." Not all the parents protesting have children affected by Changchun Changsheng rabies shots, however. He, who has become a vocal advocate for families hit by substandard vaccines, said her daughter developed gray matter spondylitis from a substandard diptheria-tetanus-whooping cough vaccine made by Wuhan Bio at the age of three months. She wants the government to face up to its responsibilities in the wake of wave upon wave of vaccine scandals in recent years, and give the families hit by faulty vaccines some kind of response, including compensation to help with mounting medical bills. A campaigning parent surnamed Wang called on the government to mete out harsh punishments to anyone responsible for substandard vaccines. "In my view, these companies have broken the law, and they should have to pay back the debt they owe us," Wang said. "This is a crime relating to public health and safety, and ... it should draw the death penalty." "But parents like us don't care about that sort of thing: what concerns us is how many vaccines were in the substandard [batches], and how many child victims have they created?" he said. "[We care about] how the government is going to recognize the children who have been harmed by them, and how they plan to pay compensation and cure them." Outsourcing faulted Chen Bingzhong, former director of the China Institute of Health Education, said private companies shouldn't be licensed to make vaccines in the first place. "That was originally in the rules, until the government started outsourcing manufacture to these pharmaceutical companies," Chen told RFA on . "It's the health ministry that buys them, so who in the health ministry has been responsible for buying them? There are also people directly responsible for such things in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) at every level of government," he said. Meanwhile, state media said investigators from the anti-corruption watchdog are also probing the role of Wu Zhen, a former deputy head of the China Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "The case is a serious offense, in which the vaccine producer violated the law and relevant standards and regulations in pursuit of profits and fabricated false production inspection records," Xinhua reported. "A number of local government officials and supervisory departments were found in dereliction of duty. The case resulted in a negative impact and exposed many loopholes, such as inadequate supervision, and reflected institutional defects in the production, circulation and use of vaccines," it said. The Changsheng recall was the latest in a string of tainted or substandard vaccine scandals to hit China, with commentators hitting out at endemic corruption and profiteering in the country's biotech industry. State-owned vaccine maker Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co and Changchun Changsheng had previously been found to have sold ineffective or harmful DPT vaccines to inoculate children against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Changchun Changsheng has apologized and said it is cooperating fully with the investigation, warning that the halt in production of its rabies vaccines could result in its delisting from the stockmarket. The company is believed to have produced nearly 500,000 sub-standard vaccines for children, official media reported this week. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. More than 5,000 Laotians living in temporary camps in Attapeu province following displacement by flooding from a dam collapse last month in neighboring Champassak province have appealed to the Lao government for more food, basic necessities, and cooking utensils, saying that officials have failed to deliver on a pledge to help them. The appeal comes as the province is getting hit by additional monsoon rains that have prompted Lao officials to open dam floodgates in parts of the country to prevent another breach like the one that occurred on July 23 at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower project in southwestern Laos Champassak province. About 35 people died as a result of flooding caused by the breach, and scores remain missing. More than 13,000 residents of 13 villages in Champassak and Attapeu provinces were affected by the flooding from the dam collapse. Authorities have placed 7,000 of them in five main temporary camps in Attapeus Sanamxay district, while the rest have sought shelter in other districts or are living with relatives in Attapeu or other provinces. Large numbers of people living in the camps say they still need rice, beef, fish, and cooking implements because they lost all their possessions in the flood. The Lao government is still behind in providing humanitarian aid to those living in displacement camps despite a promise from Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to help them in a timely manner, said a villager who declined to be named. They need dry goods, raw material for cooking, and cooking utensils so in the future they can cook by themselves as they will stay here many months before permanent housing has been built, said a provincial disaster relief official who declined to give his name. [There are] many people in the camp, and we cannot cook enough food, he said. We are transporting food from Attapeu and raw materials from Pakse [in Champassak province], but it is not enough. Aid workers say they are short of manpower, volunteers, and vehicles to deliver food to the camps, and that damaged roads have hindered them from reaching the areas. There are also not enough makeshift kitchens in the camps to prepare meals for displaced villagers, they said. Many people have submitted requests to authorities for rice, stoves, pots, and kitchen equipment so they can cook by themselves, but we cannot supply these items to them, said Amkha Sihalath, director of Attapeu provinces Labor and Social Welfare Department. International aid groups depart International aid organizations that set up food donation and distribution centers have left the area and returned to their home countries, he added. Local authorities must now buy raw meat, fresh vegetables, and uncooked rice from markets in Pakse, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) away, because the flood destroyed all agriculture products in Attapeu province. More than 52 families with about 300 members in one camp told an RFAs Lao Service reporter on Thursday that they didnt eat breakfast because of the food shortage and because the international aid groups have left. This is a volunteer organization so we get money from donations to cook food for the flood victims, said an official from a Thai aid agency who did not give his name. If we run out of money, there will be no food. The same day a group of volunteers from Laos canvassed villagers and businesses in nearby districts in Attapeu province for donations to buy food for those in the camps while they wait for more help from the government. Local government officials have donated money from their limited budgets for food purchases. One camp official told RFA aid groups were unprepared to deal with the scope of the situation after various international organizations wrapped up their work suddenly and quickly. Soldiers and volunteer aid workers staff a warehouse of supplies for Lao villagers displaced by flooding in Paksong district, southwestern Laos' Champassak province, July 28, 2018. Credit: RFA More shelters needed Dam authorities, meanwhile, are continuing to build more temporary shelters for displaced villagers who may be stuck in the camps for up to two to three years until new permanent housing and new roads and power networks are built. They are building temporary shelters in Donbak, Hadyao, Dongbok, Pindong and Tamoyoth villages and plan to build new permanent housing in Tamayoth, Pindong, Nonthasengchanh and Dongbak villages as well as essential infrastructure, also being planned, according to local authorities. The displaced villagers also require medicine, basic health care, and sanitation facilities, a health official said. Were concerned about peoples health, and weve told them to take care of themselves every day, said the official who did not provide his name. We dont have enough toilets, but we urged them not to urinate or defecate in different places because its unsanitary and it spreads disease, he said. Some of the children under 10 years of age who have diarrhea, chronic cough, or other maladies resulting from crowded conditions in the displacement camps have been sent to hospitals in the district, while those with more serious ailments have been transferred to a provincial hospital. Floodgates opened Parts of Laos, including in Attapeus Sanamxay district, continue to be inundated with heavy rainfall, forcing hydropower operators to release water from six dams. Water released from six dams the Sekamane 1 in Attapeu province; the Nam Khan 1 and Nam Khan 2 in Luang Prabang province; the Nam Theun 2 in Khammouane province; the Nam Ngum 5 between Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang provinces; and the Nam Ngum 1 in Vientiane province have affected 37 villages downstream to different extents, official said. Attapeus governor Leth Sayaphone issued notices to 15 villages to prepare for possible flooding before the operators of the Sekamane 1 dam opened the floodgates on Thursday, releasing 200 cubic meters of water per second. This caused water in the Sekong and Sekaman rivers to rise to dangerous levels, complicating the search for the roughly 100 missing people from the July 23 disaster. Transportation from Attapeu [capital of Attapeu province] to Sanamxay district is difficult because roads and bridges have been cut off, and pickup trucks cannot pass through, said a provincial official who denied to be named. As of Thursday, the rescue teams searching for the missing were ordered to withdraw from flood-affected areas that again have been inundated with water following bouts of heavy rain. When dam operators released water at 3,500 cubic meters per second at the Nam Theun 2 dam in late July, about 1,100 families in 22 villages in Khammouane provinces Nakhay district were affected, and their farmlands and rice fields were damaged, a local official from the districts Agriculture and Forestry Office. In Luang Prabang province, operators of the Nam Khan 2 and 3 dams released 600-1,300 cubic meters of water per second from their reservoirs on Aug. 15-18, flooding 11 villages. The flooding runs from Donmo, Samakkhysay, and Xieng Ngun villages to nine other in the town center, an official from Xieng Nguns agriculture and forestry office told RFA. But the affected areas are located near the riverbank. Operators of the Nam Ngum 5 dam are releasing more than 3,000 cubic meters of water per second from July 30 to Oct. 25, which has so far flooded Xiengdeath and Namting villages, affecting more than 1,000 families, district officials said. Water released by the operators of the Nam Ngum 1 dam in Vientiane province has affected 40 families in Nam Ngum and Keo-Oudome villages in Keo-Oudom district. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya and Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Authorities in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have detained a prominent ethnic Uyghur philanthropist, his brother, and two of the brothers business partners, according to a family member, who said they were targeted for their perceived ties to a Uyghur education fund. Ablimit Hoshur Halis Haji, 65, his younger brother Abdureshit Hoshur Haji, and the brothers business partnersWeli Haji and another manwere taken into custody from their homes in the XUAR capital Urumqi around two and a half months ago by a unit of the State Security forces, known as the Guobao, Halis Hajis half-brother Erkin Molla Esya recently told RFAs Uyghur Service. Esya, a Canadian citizen, said Halis Hajis detention was directly linked to his establishment in 1994 of the Halis Foundation, a charitable organization whose goal was to help elite Uyghur students attain higher education and financial aid for study abroad. They [were] detained two and half months ago, Eysa said in a telephone interview from his home in Montreal, adding that the three men had been transferred to a facility in the Ili Kazakh (in Chinese, Yili Hasaake) Autonomous Prefectures Ghulja (Yining) city, near Chinas border with Kazakhstan. According to Eysa, Halis Hajis brother Hoshur Haji operates the Miraj Restaurant in Urumqi and Weli Haji is a shareholder in the business, but had no ties to the Halis Foundation. A second business partner of Hoshur Haji was also detained, he said, but he did not know the mans identity. [Hoshur Haji and Weli Haji] had zero connection with the foundation, Eysa said, adding that they had been living in Atush (Atushi) city, in Kizilsu Kirghiz (Kezileisu Keerkezi) Autonomous Prefecture when the organization was formed. But the authorities linked them to the foundation and detained Halis Haji, Hoshur Haji, Weli Haji, and another partner of [Hoshur Hajis], who came from [Kashgar (Kashi) prefectures] Beshkerem townshipa Uyghur town near Kashgar city, he said. They were all taken to Ghulja and that is all I have heard. Eysa, who has been blocked from contact with his half-brothers since last year, said he had learned of their detention in early August from a family friend and a Uyghur Turkish national, who visited Ghulja in recent months. Authorities have not provided family members with any explanation for the detention of the four men, he said, and have said nothing about their whereabouts or condition. Staff at local police stations overseeing the detainees residential neighborhoods in Urumqi and Ghulja refused to provide any information about them when contacted by RFA, and said any inquiries would have to be made in person. According to Eysa, the Halis Foundation was initially viewed favorably by local officials, but authorities forced its closure in the aftermath of the Feb. 5, 1997 Ghulja Incidentprotests sparked by reports of the execution of 30 Uyghur independence activists that were violently suppressed by authorities, leaving nine dead, according to official media, though exile groups put the number at as many as 167. After closing the foundation, authorities froze its assets and placed Halis Haji under supervision, he said, and the men may have been accused of hiding the organizations remaining money. Halis Haji initially donated 400,000 yuan (U.S. $58,165) and there was another 1.2 million yuan (U.S. $174,480) donated by local Uyghur businessmen at the time that the foundation was first established, he said. Eysa said that the foundation used the money to buy ownership stakes in around a dozen stores, but when the authorities forced the foundation to shut down in 1997, Halis Haji sold the stores and purchased jade, which he made a big profit from. When I visited my brothers in 2013, [Halis Haji] told me that he was saving that money for the future, for the same purpose [of using it to fund Uyghur students], he said. It seems the reason the authorities detained him was because of the foundations money. Camp network 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 recent editorial in the official Global Times dismissed international coverage of the political 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. In early August, 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 and translated by Jilil Musha for RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Tens of thousands of supporters of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian rallied in central Yerevan's Republic Square on August 17 to mark his first 100 days in office, an event the premier called a "demonstration of national unity." Pashinian came to power unexpectedly in May after organizing massive anticorruption protests that led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. One was a Soviet soldier during the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, the other was imprisoned for protesting it. Now they meet in Prague. This report is based on a documentary, Spring '68, by RFE/RL's Ukrainian service. Three months after a "Velvet Revolution" of sorts toppled President Serzh Sarkisian and brought opposition leader Nikol Pashinian to power, Armenians remain optimistic about the future. The problem is, now comes the hard part. The 43-year-old prime minister and former journalist Pashinian called on Armenians to mark his first 100 days in office by returning on August 17 to Republic Square in central Yerevan, where tens of thousands rallied to protest against corruption and cronyism, forcing the ouster of Sarkisian in May. Since taking power, Pashinian has publicly made a priority of peeling back the layers of the old guard that had basically ruled the country since it left the Soviet Union in 1991, including the detention of former President Robert Kocharian, who is awaiting trial on charges of "overthrowing Armenia's constitutional order." He's also traveled to Brussels and other foreign capitals to meet with key leaders to assure them Armenia has a stable administration that is interested in more than just settling old scores with previous regimes. But even Pashinian knows the real work is yet to come. "At this stage, you need very fast and effective reforms for the country's economy to be launched with a new spirit, new speed, and within the context of the budget discussions," Pashinian told journalists on August 16. "We are entering a new phase, the main essence of which is to make major reforms in order to open new room for our country and economy," he added, giving no details on the next policy stage. Observers suggest Pashinian needs to enact deep structural reforms to an economy that has been hampered by decades of graft and to stem a trend of rising national debt that reached $6.5 billion at the end of the first half of the year, or about 56 percent of economic output, compared with $1.5 billion a decade earlier. Olesya Vartanyan, a South Caucasus analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), says that while officials are calling for business to be done "in a clean way," the task is proving difficult for many businesspeople because few laws have been amended, while other regulations are failing to make the system more transparent. "This just indicates the amount of work that Mr. Pashinian and his team have still to do," she told RFE/RL. "So far, they have opened high-profile investigations into officials and their affiliated businesses. But this cannot distract them from structural reforms that are still essential." Pashinian also must walk a fine line as he cleans house. Armenia is dependent on Russia for security through a defense pact in the Caucasus region, where simmering tensions can boil over at any moment. Armenia is geographically locked between Iran, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, with which it fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in the 1990s and where a fragile cease-fire agreement barely manages to keep a lid on hostilities. The previous administrations of both Kocharian and Sarkisian, who led Armenia into the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in 2015, were in close contact with Russia, which has a military base in Armenia. Moscow is also Armenia's main arms supplier. Unlike its angry reactions to unrest that unseated leaders in Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine, publicly at least, the Kremlin has so far raised no major objections to the change of administrations in Armenia. Pashinian has also insisted there was no shift in loyalties, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Sochi in May that "nobody has ever questioned the strategic importance of Armenian-Russian relations, or ever will." However, eyebrows were raised when Armenian authorities charged Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov, the Armenian head of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), with overthrowing the country's constitutional order in connection with a 2008 crackdown against protesters. Khachaturov, who was deputy defense minister in 2008 and has denied any wrongdoing, reportedly returned to Moscow after being freed on bail. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov weighed in on the matter on August 1, expressing "concern" over the arrest warrant. Despite the daunting tasks ahead, the spirit of the revolution seems alive and well on the streets of Yerevan. Vahagn Movsisian participated in the protests that brought Pashinian to power and says the biggest change so far is in the mood of regular citizens. "People are instilled with more hope, they feel positive," the 28-year-old told RFE/RL's Armenian Service. Pensioner Volodya Minasian also marched through the streets during the protests, and echoed Movsisian's thoughts. "There is no feeling of being psychologically depressed; there is a feeling of confidence in tomorrow," the 65-year-old said. "Now we want to continue to live in Armenia. We are in a good mood and feel optimistic about the future." German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to visit the Caucasus states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan following her meetings outside of Berlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin. German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on August 17 that Merkel will begin the Caucasus trip with a stop in Georgia on August 23. She will then proceed to Armenia and finally to Azerbaijan, he added. The trip will come after Merkel is scheduled to meet with Putin at the German government's guest house outside Berlin on August 18. Pro-Western Georgia has aspirations of joining the European Union and NATO as protection against Russian aggression. Georgia fought brief a war with Russia 10 years ago, and Moscow's continued military presence on the country's territory adds to tensions in the region. The conflict, which Tbilisi and Moscow accuse one another of starting, left hundreds dead and drove thousands from their homes. After the war, Russia left thousands of troops in South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, and recognized both as independent countries. Last month, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated support for Georgia's membership at a meeting in Brussels, but he did not provide a time frame. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a stern warning to NATO that Georgia's joining the Western military alliance could lead to a "horrible" new conflict. Merkel's stops in Yerevan and Baku are likely to take up topics such as Azerbaijan's energy resources and efforts to secure deals to maintain supplies to Europe and the often-bloody dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh between the two neighbors. Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked for years in hostilities over the Azerbaijani territory that was seized by Armenian-backed forces during a war that killed more than 30,000 people before a 1994 cease-fire. Sporadic fighting continues and three decades of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, whose claim to independence has not been recognized by any country, have brought little progress. Merkel's visit to Yerevan will also allow the German leader to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, the former anticorruption campaigner and opposition politician who was elected to the premiership in May after weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism. With reporting by dpa, Vestnik Kavkaza, and RFE/RL's Armenian Service Hassan Rahimi recalls the last time he saw Farzana and Atta, his twin daughter and son. He had just ended a grueling shift at a local bakery. It was around noon when he arrived at the family's cramped, one-room home in Dasht-e Barchi, a poor neighborhood in the Afghan capital. His wife was working over a portable stove, boiling lentils. Farzana and Atta were agitated. They did not want to be late for class. "I urged them to eat lunch before leaving," Rahimi says, his soft voice breaking. "They drank some leftover tea and took a few bites of bread. They left with their bags slung over their shoulders. 'Goodbye, Dad.' That's the last thing they said to me." Just a few hours later, Rahimi learned via telephone that his 19-year-old twins were dead. They were among the 34 high-school graduates who were killed when a suicide bomber entered their packed classroom at the nearby Mawoud Academy and detonated his explosives. All the dead were under the age of 20. The students, including the 56 who were wounded, were attending extra lessons to prepare for university entrance exams that were just weeks away. "They were both so excited to take their exams," Rahimi says. "They would be up until 2 a.m. every night studying. I would plead with them to sleep, but they wouldn't listen." Rahimi says he fell to his knees on the concrete floor of their home, overcome by grief. Loss soon gave way to anger. "My children weren't fighting in a war; they were students who had gone there to study," Rahimi tells RFE/RL via telephone, as the wails of children and women echo in the background. "What crime had they committed to deserve such a horrific death?" The blast that killed the twins was claimed by the militant group Islamic State (IS). It was the latest IS attack to target members of Afghanistan's minority ethnic Hazaras -- a Shi'ite community that has in the past been targeted by similar large-scale attacks. It was also the latest attack to target Afghanistan's education sector. At least 86 others have been destroyed by militant attacks this year alone, according to UN data, and more than 1,000 schools across Afghanistan remain closed for security reasons. "We no longer have any expectations of the government," Rahimi says, a reference to disillusionment with the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, which has struggled to curb mass unemployment and escalating violence plaguing the country. The Rahimi family moved to Kabul almost 10 years ago from their village in the southeastern province of Ghazni, a Taliban stronghold. "There weren't any schools in our area," says Rahimi, who has three other children. "There wasn't any development and [there were] no jobs. We left so that my children could have a brighter future." Farzana and Atta were the first in the family to finish school. Rahimi, a laborer in Ghazni, and his wife only studied the first few years of elementary school. Life for the Rahimi family was difficult in the Afghan capital, an overcrowded city of 4 million people at risk of near-constant militant attacks and mass unemployment. The family rented a room in their predominately Hazara neighborhood in western Kabul where running water and electricity worked only sporadically. But for Rahimi, the sacrifice would almost certainly be worth it -- his children would have a better life. Farzana and Atta had big dreams. "Farzana was always saying she wanted to be a teacher and give back to her country," he recalls. "Atta was writing articles for a news agency and wanted to become a lawyer. He was interested in social and cultural issues." "It's an unbearable loss for us," Rahimi says. "But these children who were killed, including my own, were the future of the country. They are also Afghanistan's loss. They were the next generation of doctors, engineers, and teachers." Atta, who worked for the Farhang news agency, became the 12th reporter killed in Afghanistan this year -- the "bloodiest reporting period" ever for journalists in that country, the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, a local watchdog, said. Farzana and Atta were buried in a funeral service atop a dusty hill in Kabul on August 16, their wooden caskets lined next to dozens of others. When Rahimi went to the hospital morgue to identify his children, he says, he could barely recognize them. "Their bodies were shattered," Rahimi says, pausing for a moment before continuing, "Their faces had been disfigured beyond recognition. I recognized them only because of the clothes they were wearing." The twins had been inseparable since birth. They were born only 15 minutes apart and spent most of their short lives together. "They were best friends," Rahimi says. "They laughed, cried, and dreamed together." They were also hunched over the same desk, studying to carve out a brighter future, when they were killed together. Senior Iranian officials found themselves in hot water after the recent signing of an eagerly anticipated, five-party deal on the Caspian Sea. While the so-called Convention On The Legal Status Of The Caspian Sea that was signed on August 12 appeared to postpone some of the most intense disputes between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran, it also appeared to ditch one of Tehran's strongest cards in any negotiations: the Soviet-era characterization, in multiple treaties, of the Caspian as a sea shared between two parties -- the Soviet Union and Iran. That recognizes the de facto situation, which is that the breakup of the Soviet Union created five littoral states instead of two. But it could also leave Tehran the biggest loser in the long run for Caspian resources, particularly oil and gas and other valuables on or below the seabed. Due in part to Moscow's outsize role in shaping the Caspian negotiations, criticism of the deal also appears to illustrate Iranian mistrust of Russia despite recent cooperation that has included joint efforts in Syria to keep Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power. It even led some people to compare this Caspian Sea convention to the 1828 Turkmenchay Treaty between Persia and tsarist Russian, under which the Persians ceded control of territories in the South Caucasus. After three days of back-and-forth in Iranian media and social media, Iranian President Hassan Rohani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif finally took the plunge themselves, describing the new deal reached in Aqtau, Kazakhstan, as a win for Iran. At a cabinet meeting on August 15, Rohani reportedly said the negotiations marked important "achievements" for Iran, particularly on the security front. "Under this agreement, creating military bases and the presence of foreign [ships] in the Caspian Sea has been banned," he said, suggesting that the United States and NATO had "plotted" to deploy troops to the sea. Zarif, who is expected to brief the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee next week, said, "Iran's territorial integrity has been preserved." "This agreement is an honor for Iran, and we shouldn't allow this honor to be turned into despair and frustration," Zarif was quoting as saying during an interview with state-run television. 'Halo Of Ambiguity' While the agreement establishes rules for each country's territorial waters and fishing zones, the delimitation of the oil- and gas-rich seabed remains subject to further negotiations. "Is it true that Iran's 50 percent share fell to 11 percent?" lawmaker Mahmud Sadeghi asked via Twitter on August 12, a reference to seemingly abandoning any appeals to the dual control ("Soviet and Iranian sea") argument. Sadeghi also suggested the deal was capped "in a halo of ambiguity." "Is another Turkmenchay on the way?" Sadeghi asked, adding that lawmakers were not informed of "behind-the-scenes agreements." The daily Ghanoon suggested that Iran could not trust Russia, which the daily alleged had demonstrated that it can "betray" Iran and "bail out" on the country. "For that matter, we have to be vigilant while signing an agreement with [Russia] so that future generations won't curse the signatories while reviewing it," it said. Afshar Soleimani, a former Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, accused Russia of playing a "double game" with Iran. "On the one hand, Russians emphasize that any decision should be made by consensus, on the other hand, they have held negotiations and reached agreements with individual countries," Soleiman said in comments published by Iranian media. Political scientist and former lawmaker Elahe Koulaei suggested that the timing of the deal -- following the Donald Trump administration's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the reimposition of U.S. sanctions -- was against Iran's interests. "The important point is that Iran is under pressure from the U.S. and its allies in the region and such, a situation shows that it's not a suitable time for negotiations on the legal status of the Caspian Sea," Koulaei said in an interview with the semiofficial news agency ILNA. High Sensitivity, Low Transparency In an August 13 op-ed piece titled Foggy Caspian, the daily Ebtekar suggested a lack of transparency on the talks leading to the deal had resulted in ambiguity and a public backlash. "Public opinion's lack of information, on the one hand, and serious uncertainty about the legal regime of the [Caspian Sea], on the other hand, have created very negative analysis and reactions," the daily said. In another report, Ebtekar said the majority of experts the daily had contacted to discuss the agreement declined to comment "because they didn't know what the convention was about." The daily added that the government should explain the "decrease of Iran's share to 11 percent" due to the "high sensitivities" that have been created. Analyst Hossein Aryan suggested that some of the criticism was based on a lack of knowledge about more than two decades of negotiations over how to divide the Caspian Sea among its five littoral states. "The idea of 50 percent share of Iran that has been floating around has no legal basis. Iran's suggestion of dividing the sea into five equal parts evaporated when Russia under bilateral agreements with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan divided the northern section of the sea," Aryan said. Rohani said on August 15 that "some issues remain regarding the southern section of the sea" without providing details. Zarif, for his part, suggested that Iran would share about 20 percent of the Caspian Sea's resources. "The illusory 11 percent line is no longer valid. Of course, some tried to revive this illusory historical procedure that had been forcibly imposed on Iran during the former regime, but the Islamic republic rejected it," Zarif was quoted as saying in his televised interview. Who Wins? A close observer of events around the Caspian, Stanislav Prichtin, tells RFE/RL that such official comments are an attempt by the Iranian government to ease tensions. He says Iran's share of the sea's resources will be decided after negotiations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. "The main point of the convention is that all territorial issues should be resolved through bilateral negotiations among countries, as was done for the north part of the Caspian Sea," Prichtin said. Touraj Atabaki, a senior research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, tells RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Iran's final share is likely to be between 11 and 13 percent of Caspian resources. "At a time when Iran faces its worst situation regarding international ties, this is definitely not to the benefit of the Iranian people and the country's national interests," Atabaki says. Prichtin, a fellow at Chatham House and a research fellow at the Institute for Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy Of Sciences, says that after more than 20 years of negotiations, "It's difficult to talk about winners and losers." But he says he believes the convention's prevention of foreign militarization is a win for Russia as well as Iran. "When we're talking about the regional security system, it was of course the idea of Russia and Iran -- from this perspective from the point of view of geopolitics, Russia and Iran are winners," he says. Roya Karimimajd of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report Kazakh human rights activist Vadim Kuramshin has been released on parole after serving more than 6 1/2 years in prison on extortion charges that his supporters say were politically motivated. Kuramshin's mother, Olga Koltunova, told RFE/RL that her son was released on August 17 from a penal colony in Kazakhstan's northeastern city of Oskemen. A court in Oskemen granted Kuramshin the early release on August 1, saying he would be released after 15 days if the ruling was not appealed and overturned. Kuramshin has become known for his efforts to raise awareness of violations of inmates' rights in Kazakh prisons, including the one where he served his term. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2012 on an extortion conviction. He denies wrongdoing. In December 2013, while behind bars, Kuramshin was awarded the prestigious Ludovic-Trarieux international human rights prize. The first Ludovic-Trarieux prize was awarded to South Africa's Nelson Mandela in 1985 while he was imprisoned. Pakistani media are reporting that two suspects have been detained in Peshawar after a transgender woman was shot dead and her body mutilated. Police Superintendent Cantt Waseem Riaz told Dawn newspaper on August 17 the victim had been shot dead the night before and that her body was then hacked to pieces. The newspaper reported that one of the suspects was arrested early on August 17 carrying a bag of body parts that were determined to belong to the victim, identified only as Nazo. Geo News reported that the shooting occurred during a wedding ceremony when a person opened fire after the victim asked one of the guests to stop harassing her. TransAction Pakistan, an activist group supporting the rights of transgender persons, condemned the brutal attack and said Nazo's death was the 62nd killing of a transgender person in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since 2015. The group added that at least 1,133 incidents of other forms of violence had been committed against the transgender community in the province from 2015 to 2017. Earlier this year, activists said a transgender person and friend were shot dead in Peshawar after unidentified persons opened fire as the two were riding in a rickshaw. Based on reporting by Dawn, The Daily Times, Geo TV, and Pakistan Today YEREVAN -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has rallied tens of thousands of supporters in central Yerevan's Republic Square to mark his first 100 days in office, calling it a "demonstration of national unity." Pashinian, who came to power unexpectedly in May after organizing massive anticorruption protests, earlier on August 17 led marchers to a street where he said he had been "kidnapped" by security forces during one of the street demonstrations in April that led to the eventual resignation of then-Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. Pashinian was briefly arrested during the antigovernment protests earlier this year, only to be released and eventually elected to the premiership by a parliament still controlled by the ruling Republican Party. Pashinian has vowed to speed up the pace of reforms in the country, and he told the crowd at Republic Square that the government would soon reduce the number of ministries and bureaucrats. He also urged the large Armenian diaspora to contribute to the country's economic health. "I call on our compatriots living abroad to invest in Armenia. I assure you that Armenia is a country of law," he said. Pashinian also defended his government's track record during its first days in office, touting its crackdown on corruption and the establishment of people's "direct rule" in the country. "One hundred days ago, your will prevailed and the international community still does not understand what happened in Armenia, why, and how it happened," Pashinian told the crowd, describing himself as a "direct representative of the will of the Armenian people." "In Armenia, supreme power directly belongs to the people, and the people carry out direct rule. This is the key meaning of the revolution that took place in Armenia," he said in a speech that lasted more than one hour. During a live broadcast on Facebook earlier in the day, the 43-year-old reformist said there were no longer "dividing lines" in the South Caucasus country. "This is going to be a demonstration of national unity, because there are no dividing lines today -- the police, the National Security Service, the public, the people, the army, the armed forces, the state government bodies, the government are all on the same side, and no line divides us today," he said. Pashinian urged all citizens to maintain public order and not to respond to possible aggression from possible "implanted" troublemakers. He also told the crowd he was planning a speech later on August 17 in which he would address issues that have come up during his first days in office along with his plans for the future. Kocharian Case Since Pashinian's assumption of office, law enforcement bodies have carried out a number of high-profile actions involving former leaders and those connected to them. Former President Robert Kocharian was charged with "overthrowing the constitutional order" for actions during unrest after the 2008 presidential election that left 10 people dead. Kocharian, 63, was arrested in July and held briefly, but he was released on August 13 on the orders of an appeals court in Yerevan, which cited an article in the constitution that states a president cannot be prosecuted for "actions deriving from his or her status." The head of the Special Investigative Service (SIS), Sasun Khachatrian, on August 16 said the authorities would challenge the court ruling, calling it "illegal," and would attempt to have Kocharian rearrested. Khachatrian also said Sarkisian would be questioned as part of the investigation into the 2008 postelection crackdown against protesters. Pashinian told the rally that everyone responsible for violating the country's constitution during the "bloody" events of March 2008 would be punished. Longtime ally Moscow last month strongly criticized the criminal charges brought by the government against the former Armenian officials for their alleged role in the 2008 protests, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing them as politically motivated. Pashinian said, though, that ties with Moscow had not been damaged. "I can say for sure that Russian-Armenian relations are not only not bad but...are good and will get even better," he said. MINSK -- Prosecutors are seeking sentences of five years of "restricted liberty" in the high-profile trial in Belarus of two officials of an independent labor union that played an organizing role in street protests in 2017. Prosecutor Liliyana Litvinyuk also asked the Lenin district court in Minsk on August 17 to confiscate the property of union leader Henadz Fyadynich and union accountant Ihar Komlik and bar them from occupying management positions for five years. "Restricted liberty" is a suspended custodial sentence with parole-like restrictions. Fyadynich and Komlik were charged with tax evasion in August 2017. Komlik was taken into pretrial custody at that time, but was released in October. The two were ordered not to leave Minsk. Fyadynich and Komlik reject the charges, saying they are politically motivated punishment for the union's role in organizing protests in February-March 2017 against legislation that would impose a tax on the unemployed. Critics of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian leader who has held power in Belarus since 1994, say his government routinely uses the justice system to suppress dissent. BELGRADE -- Serbian police have closed a paramilitary youth camp organized by Russian and Serbian far-right groups on a mountain in western Serbia following complaints from the public. Authorities say the summer camp on Mount Zlatibor included children as young as 12 and adults up to age 23. They were being trained by Russian and Serbian instructors on how to use guns and knives. Altogether, a total of 34 males and 10 females were attending the weeklong Youth Patriotic Camp Zlatibor 2018. The camp attendees were from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on August 17 that the camp was dismantled "because of possible abuse of children" and that participants were sent home. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Belgrade will not tolerate such camps where "children in uniforms" are taught combat skills. Serbia's Defense Ministry said that it was not involved in organizing the camp. Camp organizer Zeljko Vukelic, a Serbian war veteran who heads the Association of Participants in Armed Conflicts on Former Yugoslav Territory, told RFE/RL that the camp only used old rubber, training replica rifles. Vukelic also told RFE/RL the so-called Patriotic Youth camp received support from Russia's embassy in Serbia and that a Russian military attache had visited the facility. The Russian ultranationalist group ENOT Corp, a co-organizer of the camp, described the project as a "military patriotic" camp. In April, about 30 Serbian teenagers traveled to Russia to attend a similar paramilitary training camp organized by ENOT Corp. Valery Sambarov, one of ENOT's leaders, told RFE/RL their goal was to help young people "become real men and warriors in order to defend their country." Such camps have proliferated in Russia since 2015, when the Kremlin called for an increase in "patriotic youth" -- children who grow up to be soldiers -- by sending them to paramilitary training facilities. Serbia has declared its goal of joining the European Union. But it has been under strong pressure from Russia to reverse its pro-Western course. With reporting by AP TASHKENT -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has visited Uzbekistan for talks seen as an important step toward mending a tense and complicated bilateral relationship. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev met Rahmon at the Tashkent airport on August 17, and the two presidents discussed bilateral relations behind closed doors later in the day. The Uzbek presidential press service quoted Mirziyoev as saying at the talks that his country wants Rahmon's visit "to be historic," stressing that the two Central Asian nations "had managed in a short time to resolve issues that had been topical for many years." Rahmon noted that Mirziyoev visited Dushanbe in March, saying that visit "restored ties between our nations and boosted the development of bilateral cooperation." Rahmon's official visit to Tashkent was the first by the Tajik leader since 1998. Uzbekistan's relations with its neighbor were marred by Tashkent's role in Tajikistan's devastating 1992-97 civil war and the use of Tajik territory by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) militants in the late 1990s. Mirziyoev, who came to power following the death of his predecessor Islam Karimov in 2016, has said forging better relations with Uzbekistan's neighbors is a priority for his government. During the autocratic Karimov's 27-year rule in Central Asia's most-populous nation, its relations with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan were strained by disputes over transit routes, border security, water resources, and other issues. An estimated 2 million Muslims will gather in Saudi Arabia next week for the hajj, which will feature the return of pilgrims from Iran, whose government boycotted the event in recent years after a 2015 stampede that killed hundreds of Iranians. One of the five pillars of the world's fastest-growing religion, the hajj this year runs from August 19 to 24 and is expected to draw 2 million of the world's estimated 2 billion Muslims. Every Muslim is required to complete the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so. By August 16, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia. Thousands could be seen arriving in Mecca, with groups from different countries wearing distinct colors to set them apart. Some pilgrims pushed their elderly relatives on wheelchairs, while others stopped to call family members back home on video chat or buy ice cream as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius. For many pilgrims, it is their first time away from home. This year, the Saudis launched a "smart hajj" initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care. Based on reporting by AFP Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has visited the city Ghazni, a week after Taliban fighters launched a surprise attack on the strategic provincial capital and captured several neighborhoods. With Taliban fighters still positioned on the outskirts of the city, the Afghan president on August 17 arrived by helicopter rather than traveling the 120 kilometers southwest from Kabul on Afghanistan's main "ring road" highway. Reports say two rockets were fired into the city as Ghani met at a nearby mosque with tribal elders and local security officials. A third rocket landed in a nearby river. Afghan authorities say nobody was injured by the rockets and Ghani was never in any danger. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack. Ghani's visit came hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the situation in Ghazni has become "much more stable" since most Taliban fighters withdrew to the outskirts of the city. But Mattis also confirmed that someTaliban fighters remain in Ghazni and are "trying to get resupplied." "They have not endeared themselves, obviously, to the population of Ghazni," Mattis said during an August 16 visit to Colombia. "They use terror. They use bombs because they can't win with ballots." Mattis also said the Taliban is trying to "up the ante" ahead of an expected cease-fire offer from the Afghan government and elections scheduled for October. But he said the militants failed to achieve any of their "six objectives" in their assault on Ghazni, which began on August 10. "It's been principally an information operation to grab a lot of press attention," Mattis said. "They've been successful [at that]." Afghan officials say more than 100 Afghan security forces and about 30 civilians were killed in five days of fighting, along with dozens of Taliban militants. With about 270,000 residents, Ghazni is Afghanistan's seventh-largest city. The International Committee of the Red Crescent (ICRC) says it is organizing the delivery of emergency water supplies for about 18,000 people because the city's water system shut down when the recent fighting began. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa A top UN official has sharply criticized Bosnian Serb legislators for annulling a government report acknowledging the massacre of thousands of Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica. The statement by UN Special Adviser Adama Dieng on August 16 came one day after the United States also denounced the move by Republika Srpska legislators. Dieng called the legislature's vote on August 14 "a step backwards for Bosnia and Herzegovina" and said it "undermines the rule of law and national and international efforts to achieve justice for victims of crimes committed against people of all ethnicities during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War." Dieng warned that "given the timing of this decision, it is likely to exacerbate tensions" ahead of an October 7 general election and "damage prospects for long-term stability and reconciliation" in Bosnia. The vote to revoke the report by a previous Republika Srpska government acknowledging the Srebrenica massacre was initiated by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and was widely seen as an attempt to boost his campaign ahead of the October elections. Dodik, an advocate of the Serbian region's secession from Bosnia with Russian backing, has rejected rulings by war crimes courts which have determined that the Srebrenica atrocity was a genocide. While acknowledging that a crime occurred, Dodik says the numbers of those killed was exaggerated in the 2004 report and it should have included Serbian victims. Dieng, the UN official, during a visit to the Balkans in February said: "It is evident that events of the past are being used for political purposes." He warned at the time that "mistrust and outright hostility between political leaders representing different constituencies is preventing any significant progress towards reconciliation." The Bosnian war killed an estimated 100,000 people, and the Dayton Agreement that ended it split the country into two semiautonomous regions along ethnic lines, one for Bosnian Serbs and the other shared by Bosniaks and Croats. The Srebrenica Commission, set up by the Republika Srpska government, reported in 2004 that between 7,000 and 8,000 Bosniaks went missing from Srebrenica in July 1995 after Bosnian Serbs overran the enclave, and over 1,000 were killed, in what constituted a serious violation of international law. All of the missing are presumed to have been killed and, more than two decades later, experts are still excavating victims' bodies from hidden mass graves throughout Bosnia. Two international courts, the International Court of Justice and the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia, have determined that the massacre constituted genocide. The UN war crimes tribunal sentenced Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic and his military commander Ratko Mladic over the Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities. But many Bosnian Serbs have never admitted that their troops committed war crimes and nationalist politicians have portrayed Mladic and Karadzic as heroes. "The Srebrenica crime is a staged tragedy with an aim to 'satanize' the Serbs," Dodik said in comments that outraged Srebrenica victims and survivors. In revoking the 2004 report, the Bosnian Serb legislature endorsed Dodik's call for establishing what he called an "unbiased" international investigation into the Srebrenica massacre to stop "manipulation" of the number of victims. With reporting by AP, dpa, and RFE/RL's Balkan Service The jury in the fraud trial of U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort ended its first day of deliberations after asking the judge to answer several questions, including how he defines "reasonable doubt." The questions came after seven hours of deliberation on August 16 and were delivered in a handwritten note to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. In a U.S. criminal case such as Manafort's, the jury must find a defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt." Any reasonable doubts among jurors usually result in acquittals of the defendants. Ellis told the jury that "reasonable doubt" is "a doubt based on reason." He added that "the government is not required to prove [guilt] beyond all possible doubt." The jury also asked the judge questions about the list of exhibits used during the trial, rules for reporting foreign bank accounts, and the definition of "shelf companies" -- a term for some of the foreign companies used by Manafort to hold income he earned from political consulting work in Ukraine. Ellis told the jurors they need to rely on their collective memory of the evidence to answer most questions. The jury is charged with reaching verdicts on 18 counts of tax and bank fraud that prosecutors leveled against Manafort, who they alleged earned $60 million advising pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine, hid much of it from U.S. tax authorities, and then lied to banks to get loans when the money dried up. Manafort's defense countered that he wasn't guilty because he left the details of his finances to bookkeepers and accountants on his staff. Manafort's trial is the first to emerge from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters The United States says it will suspend $230 million set aside for stabilization projects in Syria, citing the aid pledged by other coalition partners for recovery efforts in areas liberated from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in northeast Syria. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had "redirected" the funds after coalition partners committed $300 million of their own, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on August 17. The decision was made based on the additional pledges and "the already significant military and financial contributions made by the United States to date," Nauert said. According to Nauert, Saudi Arabia had contributed $100 million and the United Arab Emirates had pledged $50 million toward the new funding. Nauert said that the decision "does not represent any lessening of US commitment to our strategic goals in Syria." President Donald Trump had frozen the funds in March while his administration reassessed Washington's role in the Syrian conflict. Nauert said Trump "has made clear that we are prepared to remain in Syria until the enduring defeat of ISIS, and we remain focused on ensuring the withdrawal of Iranian forces and their proxies." Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, is expected to discuss arms control treaties and Iran's role in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev in Geneva next week. The meeting between Bolton and Patrushev, secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, would be the first official follow-up to the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki in July. Trump drew widespread criticism after the summit, in part, because he never disclosed what was discussed or decided during his two-hour-long, one-on-one meeting with Putin. But Reuters, quoting an unnamed U.S. administration official on August 16, reported previously unannounced details about the meeting. The official said the main topic of the Putin-Trump meeting was the war in Syria, including Iran's role there, and the humanitarian situation in the country. Reuters said the two presidents agreed in principle that Iranian military forces should exit Syria, as Israel has demanded. But Russia maintained this would be difficult to achieve. Since the summit, the Kremlin's envoy to Syria has said it would be "unrealistic" for Israel to expect all Iranian-allied fighters to leave Syria. But Russia recently announced an agreement with Israel aimed at keeping Iranian fighters at least 85 kilometers from Israels border with Syria. Reuters said Trump and Putin also discussed arms control issues during their meeting -- including the New START treaty and the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of up to 5,500 kilometers. The official told Reuters that the leaders did not agree on a way forward on arms control. Bolton is a critic of the New START treaty, which was reached during President Barack Obama's administration. While meeting with Putin, Trump also raised the issue of Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline to Germany, which he has criticized sharply, the official told Reuters. Directly after his talks with Putin, Trump spent about 15 minutes briefing Bolton, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Jon Huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Reuters reported Many topics they discussed were raised again in a larger group meeting that followed, the official said. The official said Trump also told Putin that Russian interference in its elections must stop ahead of the 2018 U.S. congressional elections. While Putin insisted the Russian state did not interfere in the U.S. election, the U.S. official told Reuters that his response left a "big expanse" of other Russian actors that could have been involved. With reporting by Reuters The World Bank says it is preparing a $650 million guarantee to help Ukraine obtain funding in global-debt markets, but Kyiv must first comply with economic reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund. The World Bank's Country Office for Ukraine said in a Facebook posting on August 16 that, at the request of Ukrainian authorities, it will provide Kyiv with an International Bank for Reconstruction and Development guarantee so it can raise about $800 million in funding, once the IMF's demands are met. "Once appraised and approved, the proposed operation would provide a $650 million IBRD guarantee that is expected to help Ukraine raise about $800 million through a private transaction in the lending market," the global development lender said. For Ukraine to obtain the guarantee, the IMF must first "confirm the completion of all reform actions and the adequacy of the macroeconomic framework" established by Kyiv, it said. Especially "critical" will be the enactment of banking and credit-reform laws passed in July by Ukraine's legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, the World Bank said. Ukrainian authorities must also reach agreement with the IMF on a fourth review of its program in Ukraine, "without which the proposed operation will be unable to proceed," the bank said. Satu Kahkonen, the World Bank's country director for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine, recently said that the bank has invested about $5.5 billion in Ukraine since 2014, including $2.5 billion allocated for various investment projects, $2 billion to support regional budgets and pursue reforms, and $500 million for purchases of natural gas. An IMF mission is planning to visit Ukraine from September 6-19. Based on reporting by UMIAN, Ukrinform, and TASS Jeff Hill of South Kingstown, right, and his 10-year-old son Jeffrey shoot arrows in an inflatable archery range during Saturdays festivities. 11-year-old girl found dead in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Q.R. UPDATED: The Office of the Attorney General of the State continues to investigate the death of an 11-year-old girl in Playa del Carmen. The Specialized Prosecutors Office for Attention to Crimes Against Women has taken up the case after an 11-year-old Guatemalan girl was found murdered Thursday. Head of the Crimes Against Women unit, Guadalupe Reyes Pinzon, said that they are carrying out all areas of research to find who is responsible, adding that they are still waiting for the autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary information says the girl was raped and beaten at a home in the Colosio neighborhood of Playa del Carmen, however, authorities have not confirmed the allegations. They have said that forensic experts found marks on her neck that suggest suffocation, but further details were not released. The body of the child was found by her parents in their house on Calle 58, between Avenidas 15 and 20 of the populated colony Luis Donaldo Colosio. Authorities are still investigating. UPDATE: The 11-year-old girl found dead in a home in Playa del Carmen died from asphyxiation by hanging. An autopsy revealed the girl hung herself. Guadalupe Reyes Pinzon, head of the Specialized Prosecutors Office for the Attention of Crimes against Women, confirmed that the girl had only one injury, which was found around her neck and was not beaten or sexually abused. With the help of a translator, the brother of the girl said she became angry after her parents locked her in a room while they went out to work. When she was unable to open a window to reach the outside, she became even more upset. The girl, Caty, was buried Monday. Mexico, US team up to create special force to combat organized crime Mexico City, Mexico After meeting for two days in the city of Chicago, the governments of Mexico and the United States agreed to implement new mechanisms to combat drug cartels on both sides of the border. Central to this action is attacking the financial structures of the organizations and establishing a joint research team based in Chicago, to identify new leaders of organized crime. Anthony Williams, chief of operations of the DEA, said in a joint press conference with Mexican officials that the key to the fight against the cartels is to attack their finances because their sole purpose is money. He warned that Mexico continues as the main route of distribution of cocaine to the United States and is an important supply source of heroin and methamphetamines, generated by an increase in addicts in the US. Head of La Procuraduria General de la Republica (PGR) Alerto Elias Beltran, said that with the agreements in these meetings they emphasize concrete strategies to attack the financial structures of the criminal groups. It was emphasized that the actions include forceful measures in all the value chains of organized crime in order to have a comprehensive strategy that weakens all the points of these groups based on more effective and immediate actions, he said. I note that proof of these actions is the publication of the reward of 30 million peso that is being offered to anyone leading to the location and arrest of Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, who is presumed responsible for organized crimes among others. He also said that they intend to give extensive cooperation at all levels to stop the flow of arms into Mexico. The authorities of Mexico and the United States acknowledged the work of Mexico to fight the main organized crime groups, including actions taken toward the Jalisco Cartel Nueva Generacion (CJNG), one of the most prominent cartels in the country. According to the PGR, both countries have agreed that the meetings be continual as part of their binational relationship in an attempt to deal with organized crime. At a press conference, DEA, Brian M. McKnight said with a new special group composed of elements of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Police of Mexico, both countries will fight the financial infrastructure of the Mexican cartels. We have implemented innovative action plans to solve this problem, he noted. New police operations base inaugurated in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A new Operations Base of Public Security Secretariat (SSP) for Playa del Carmen was inaugurated Thursday which will now provide the municipality of Solidaridad with police assistance 24 hours a day. During the inauguration, governor Carlos Joaquin delivered the first 250 certificates of the Single Police Certificate to elements of the state police that met the requirements. For this year, he says the goal is to certify another 300 police. We have advanced in the professionalization of our police, in their training, their provision of tools and the improvement of their living conditions so that they offer and give better results. Upon receiving the administration, the state police was alone in Chetumal in precarious conditions, but today we have bases in Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum and Playa del Carmen that allows us to reach all municipalities, the governor announced. Photo: Municipality of Solidaridad Carlos Joaquin also announced that he is about to open the new base of operations of the Military Police in Cancun with 3,200 members that will be added to the surveillance of the city. In addition to police, Joaquin said 2,000 surveillance cameras will also be added and connected to the citys new C5 Command Center opening later this year. Any action against the criminals was unfeasible because we did not have instruments to prevent, stop and punish. Today, things have changed and we begin to have the capacity to respond with a process of coordination to work closer with society. Together we move forward with more and better opportunities to recover the lost tranquility and live with the peace we desire, he added during his public speech. Public Security Secretary Rodolfo del Angel Campos, said that Quintana Roo is one of the first four states to have certified police, noting that each member of the force was evaluated and trained. Special prosecutors office says progress being made against Borge administration Cancun, Q.R. The special prosecutors office says they have recovered over 50 million peso, 231 properties and linked 21 former officials to corruption during the Roberto Borge Angulo administration. Rosaura Villanueva Arzapalo Rosaura Villanueva Arzapalo, head of the Special Prosecutors Office in Combat against Corruption, says that of the 21 former officials, they range from the former secretary of the government to the former municipal president of Solidaridad, Mauricio Gongora Escalante. Of the confiscated properties, a hotel in the Cozumel Hotel Zone with a value in excess of 150 million peso was part of what they have been able to reclaim so far. Aside from properties, more than 198,000 square meters of land was recovered in Mahahual, which she pointed out, was voluntarily returned by 90 percent of those who acquired it irregularly in the previous government. Land in the Cancun Hotel Zone has also made the recovered list. Roberto Borge Angulo, former state governor and Mauricio Gongora Escalante, former mayor of Playa del Carmen, both remain in separate prisons after being arrested for numerous crimes while in public office. Former Borge lawyer, Cesar Gonzalez Melgarejo, was also arrested in July after admitting himself to a Cancun hospital under a false name. The fight against Cancun, Riviera Maya sargassum will be continual Cancun, Q.R. The fight against sargassum will be a continual one that has already cost the state millions. Since the problem will persist in coming years, the local government will seek to obtain an additional 610 million peso for the purchase of specialized equipment and cleaning personnel. The strategy to combat the sargassum that lurks on the coasts of Quintana Roo will cost about 540 million peso this year alone, according to calculations by the state government. Of this total, 280 million peso are expected to be contributed by the federal administration. Of that figure, 62 million have already been used in the cleaning processes of the beaches and the remaining 218 million peso were recently requested by the Government of Quintana Roo from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, but have not yet received a response. Alfredo Arellano, secretary of Ecology and Environment of the state says these last 218 million peso will be allocated to labor for the cleaning of the alga on the beaches, rent services and boats for clean offshore and to place sea fences in coastal areas to prevent the arrival of macro algae to tourist the sites. The Government of Quintana Roo will contribute 260 million peso for the short and long term strategy for handling sargassum, of which 120 thousand cubic meters has already been removed in the last three months alone. Of the total state resources, 20 million peso have already been allocated to immediate actions, mostly to clean the coasts, with another 240 million peso being committed for the installation of 27 kilometers of maritime barriers that will prevent the seaweed arriving on tourist beaches, officials explained at a conference. Arellano explained that for now, 300 meters of these sea fences, measuring between 30 and 50 centimeters wide, are being installed as part of a pilot test. The idea is that in 15 days, or at most three weeks, the barrier is already fully placed, the Quintana Roo official said. This chain of fences, which will be divided into fractions of approximately 4 kilometers throughout the state, will remain in operation until November and will be placed annually, as they assume it will be a recurring problem over the next few years. Sargassum on the beaches of Quintana Roo will be a problem that the state will have to continue to deal with, Quintana Roo officials said at a press conference, which they say is fueled by factors such as climate change. Therefore, they will look for 610 million extra peso for the purchase of equipment, such as boats and pumps to extract the algae, in order to permanently attend to the arrival of algae, which is not an exclusive problem in Mexico. Scientists say the sargassum is also affecting coasts of the United States, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Barry 'Chuckle' Elliott ROTHERHAM will say goodbye to one of its best-loved sons this afternoon. Barry Elliott one half of the legendary comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. The public are invited to join his family at Barrys beloved New York Stadium at 12.55pm to pay their respects to the entertainer. The 73-year-old died on Sunday, August 5, from cancer. A statement from the family said: Family and close friends we will be celebrating Barry Elliotts life inside the New York Stadium on August 17 at 12.55pm. As a family we would welcome fans to celebrate his life and pay their respects with us, outside of the New York stadium. There is an event for invited family and close friends which respectfully is private and by invite only. We are overwhelmed with the love and support we have received over the last few days. COUNCIL bosses have pulled the plug on a care home over serious safeguarding concerns about the facility - which was branded like a prison camp by the daughter of one resident. Rotherham Borough Council said it planned to move more than 30 elderly residents out of Greasbrough Residential and Nursing Home (pictured) after the home was rated as inadequate across the board by inspectors. Deborah Egley, whose dad Alan Richardson has been at the home for two years, claimed examples of poor care included residents being barred the use of fans, left with woollen blankets during a heatwave and being left unattended to soil themselves - claims the home denies. The Care Quality Commission (CQC), who rated the facility as good just two years ago, said it was now inadequate in all areas. And the borough councils director of adult care, Anne Marie Lubanski said: Following an inadequate CQC rating in all five areas of assessment, and a number of significant safeguarding concerns, we have no option but to terminate our contract with Greasbrough care home. When issues were identified by the CQC during their inspection in May the council and our health partners offered support to the home to resolve their issues but the situation has not improved. We will now work with residents and their families to assess their needs and find alternative accommodation. Council staff would visit the home daily to ensure residents moving went smoothly. Ms Egley, of Aughton Road in Swallownest, said she had been so concerned for her 70-year-old dad that she complained to the council. On the hottest day in July no fans were used because, she was allegedly told, the homes director thought they look ugly. Ms Egley said the home suffered from a lack of staff, adding: One day I went in and my father needed the toilet. There were three staff in. He urinated twice within the hour and I had to change him myself. Care home director Dr Mohammed Husain said Ms Egleys allegations were untrue and he was not aware of any complaint. Inspectors had to point out residents who needed attention, as carers were too task-orientated, the report found. They noted that care plans, risk management and medicine protocols were not always followed, putting residents at risk of harm from choking and falls. A bath which had been condemned by maintenance workers in 2017 was still in use this year, they discovered. Inspectors found many errors in medicine administration, including medicine storage which did not lock, leaving drugs accessible to anyone who entered. Residents were often left alone, without any stimulation, they found. Ms Egley added: It feels like a prison camp. There is nothing there to like and nothing to do there. Theres no way for residents to sit outside and no minibus hired to take them anywhere. Its just the bare necessities. Dr Husain said he was very disappointed by the inspection but had no intention to close and urged concerned residents and relatives to get in touch with the manager. He said the home had always had an excellent reputation and welcomed the opportunity to address any imperfections. Dr Hussain added: The service has been working with the CQC and Rotherham Council to bring about improvements and to address specific anomalies, adding that a plan was in place to make improvements. Royal Asscher has opened a new flagship boutique in Fukuoka Tenjin, the leading downtown shopping district in the Kyushu region.The collection lineups include the new limited edition European Architecture Collection, high jewelry and diamond jewelry featuring bridal jewelry. Replicas of Great Britain's Crown Jewels will be on permanent display in the store.Royal Asscher has a 55 year history in the Japanese diamond and jewelry market with over 150 retail doors. The company opened their first flagship store in Tokyo's prestigious Ginza district in November 2017. The Fukuoka location is the company's second Japanese stand alone store, in its fifth largest city.Mike Asscher says, "Fukuoka is a short flight from Hong Kong and Taiwan, a ferry ride from South Korea, and closer to Shanghai than Tokyo and is seeing year on year record tourism numbers. It's another rich milestone moment for us to celebrate. With our international retail strategy we are giving consumers across the world a richer experience of our brand than ever before and gaining market share with the right audience consumer and retail audiences." Homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Thousands of people gathered outside the BJP headquarters today and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the poet-politician who wove together pragmatism and a vision for an inclusive India. Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after prolonged illness. The young and old, men and women, some with children, jostled outside the gates of the BJP headquarters, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader before the state funeral at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna later in the day. Inside, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders. The air was solemn as Vajpayee's body, draped in the tricolour, was placed on a platform draped in white flowers. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee -- a BJP flag on either side -- in the backdrop. Opposition leaders like CPI's D Raja and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury were among those who visited the BJP headquarters to pay their respects. Advertisement Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office. A decorated gun carriage carrying his mortal remains left his home on Krishna Menon Marg around 10 am and reached the party's headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, about five kilometres away, around 11 am. The funeral procession will leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites will be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm. Advertisement The funeral procession will go through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti van before reaching Smriti Sthal, Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet. Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP's right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. I have lost a father figure. Atal Ji taught me vital facets of both Shaasan and Sangathan. His noble thoughts will live on and we will fulfil his dreams for the country. pic.twitter.com/qr755OQ72o Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018 Advertisement His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. In view of the funeral procession, several roads in the national capital have been closed for the public later in the day. Some roads closed from 8 am include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said. Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. Thousands of people today joined the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Thousands of people today joined the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains. BJP chief Amit Shah, several union ministers and party leaders also walked sombrely behind the carriage as it made its way to the Rashtriya Smirti Sthal where the last rites would be performed. Last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Advertisement Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after a prolonged illness. A huge crowd of people showered petals at the funeral procession and jostled to get a glimpse of the former prime minister. [NEW DELHI] Indian agriculture officials have launched an awareness campaign among farmers about the fall armyworm moth and its management following the confirmation late last month that the voracious maize-eating pest has reached India. Indian authorities have this month (August) begun exploring ways to contain the fast-moving pest which is native to North and South America. In Africa, after its first detection in Nigeria in January 2016, fall armyworms have rapidly spread across almost 22 million square kilometres in Sub-Saharan Africa. Current trade and transportation routes reveal Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand face high threat of fall armyworm invasions originating from Africa Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International The caterpillar of the Spodoptera frugiperda moth goes unnoticed in its early stages but turns voracious as it grows, destroying entire fields of maize (corn) overnight. The moth can fly long distances overnight to attack maize and a variety of valuable crops such as cotton, rice, peanuts, apples and oranges. An official pest-alert issued on 30 July by the nodal Indian Council of Agricultural Research said that based on surveys carried out earlier in the month, S. frugiperda infestation was found in more than 70 per cent of the maize fields of Chikkaballapur in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Source: CABI An alert has been sent to all states and I feel all is not lost. Till now, we did not have this problem as far as maize is concerned. But now we have it and we have to be aware of it, Murali Mohan, associate professor of entomology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and one of the scientists tasked with investigating the presence of the pest, tells SciDev.Net. The non-profit Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI, which is the parent organisation of SciDev.Net) has warned of possible crop losses across Asia unless urgent action is taken. In a recent report, CABI, which has a presence in India and has experience in managing the pest in Latin America and Africa, warns that current trade and transportation routes reveal Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand face high threat of fall armyworm invasions originating from Africa. Dr. Malvika Chaudhary at CABI tells SciDev.Net that while the pest could easily fly to neighbouring countries, it wont be going out of India through trade channels as we only export maize as flakes or grains.* Chaudhary says she will be attending a national-level meeting being convened on 20 August to finalise an action plan to contain the spread of S. frugiperda. Management options include biological control using insect-eating fungi as well as safe and effective chemical pesticides, she says. Experts are concerned that the moth could find its way into the neighbouring countries of South Asia and into China, which is the second largest maize grower in the world. This has prompted the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to offer support to India in containing the pest.According to Kavitha Kuruganti, a well-known agricultural activist based in Bangalore and who heads the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture , a network of agriculture rights organisations, says there is no immediate danger to food security as the crop is mostly used to produce starch and ethanol besides animal feed. However, failure of maize crops can cause serious economic loss. *This piece was amended on August 21, 2018, to correct the spelling of the name of Malvika Chaudhary from Malvika Chaudhry. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk. The deadly Nipah virus and others like it assemble themselves in a much more haphazard manner than previously thought, new UBC research has found. The discovery could allow scientists to develop more effective vaccines and rule out many approaches to fighting these viruses. Chemistry professor Keng Chou and his team of researchers from UBC and Cornell University used a super-resolution microscope patented by UBC to observe whether viruses actually assemble in the way scientists have hypothesized. "We looked at hundreds of images, and we couldn't find anything that supported the current model," said Chou. "For some of these deadly viruses, the replication process is actually not as complicated as some thought." Nipah is an example of an "enveloped" virus, which gets its outer wrapping from the infected host cell, much like the viruses that cause influenza, rabies, measles and AIDS. Nipah can cause severe diseases and fatal brain swelling in both humans and animals. Yearly outbreaks in southeast Asia kill 40 to 90 per cent of those infected. In 2018, only two out of 19 people infected by Nipah in India survived an outbreak. Nipah virus has three structural proteins: a matrix protein that provides structure, and two envelope proteins that enable the virus to attach and fuse with host cells. Scientists have believed that matrix proteins "recruit" envelope proteins, sending out some sort of signal so they can all join together on the cell membrane and become a functional virus. Researchers have tried to identify this signal in hopes of finding ways to disrupt the process. However, Chou and his team observed that envelope proteins tend to be scattered randomly on the cell membrane. They now believe these proteins are picked up purely by chance when they are incorporated into a virus. This produces virus particles more quickly than previously envisioned, but many matrix proteins don't pick the envelope proteins up at all, and don't become functional viruses. This observation has implications for vaccination, not just against Nipah but potentially against influenza, HIV and other enveloped viruses. Vaccines work by exposing a person to a small amount of modified virus or viral proteins, which rallies the body's natural defense. Currently, there is no Nipah vaccine approved for human use. One of the potential strategies under development is to use virus-like-particles, which are protein-based structures that mimic viruses, to stimulate immune response. "If a vaccine contains a large percentage of virus-like particles that have only the matrix protein but not the envelope proteins, it won't trigger a strong immune response to the proteins that are most essential for helping a virus enter cells," said Qian Liu, a postdoctoral fellow in UBC's chemistry department who was lead author of the study. "Vaccines could be made more effective if we find a way to exclude those non-functional particles from the mix." The study, supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, was published earlier this month in Nature Communications. Adversity is part of life -- Loved ones die. Soldiers deploy to war. Patients receive terminal diagnoses. Research on how adults deal with adversity has been dominated by studies claiming the most common response is uninterrupted and stable psychological functioning. In other words, this research suggests that most adults are essentially unfazed by major life events such as spousal loss or divorce. These provocative findings have also received widespread attention in the popular press and media. The idea that most adults are minimally affected by adversity worries Frank Infurna and Suniya Luthar, of the Arizona State University Department of Psychology, because it disagrees with other research on how adults respond to adversity and could negatively affect people living through adversity. Infurna and Luthar closely examined the research studies and found problems with how studies were designed and how the data were analyzed. The researchers summarize the problems and re-evaluate adult resilience research in a Clinical Psychology Review, which is in press and now available online. A dip and recovery Infurna and Luthar are an ideal team to tackle the discrepancy between studies on adult responses to adversity that contradict 80 years of research in child development. Infurna, an associate professor of psychology, is an expert on using complex statistical models to study health and well-being in adulthood and old age. Luthar, a Foundation Professor of Psychology, is an international expert on resilience in children, with 30 years of experience and highly influential publications on the concept of resilience and how best to study it. "As experts, the onus is on us to be careful about how research is conducted and communicated," Luthar said. "There has been a message percolating in the popular press that most people are unaffected by major life events like bereavement or a deployment, but that is not the whole picture." The project started over two years ago, when Infurna downloaded publicly-available data for re-analysis. The data had been analyzed using "growth mixture modeling" -- a statistical model that can classify how different people in a population respond to adversity. After classifying the study participants into groups based on their response to adversity, the model outputs the response patterns for each group. advertisement Infurna and Luthar noticed the results depended on how the model was set up in the software used for statistical analysis. Setting up a model for data analysis requires a researcher to define some assumptions, or educated guesses about aspects of the model like how the data are organized or how much error was included in the experimental measurements. The assumptions identified as problematic by Infurna and Luthar were that the variations in the data were the same for the entire participant group and that the psychological functioning of all participants changed at the same rate. These assumptions also corresponded to the default settings in several software programs commonly used for statistical analysis. When the default software settings were used to run the growth mixture model, the most common response pattern was a flat line, which indicated stable and largely uninterrupted psychological functioning after adversity. When the growth mixture models were set up with more appropriate assumptions, the researchers found the most common response pattern was a temporary decrease followed by an increase. Such a response pattern indicates a decline in psychological functioning followed by a return to normal, which agrees with 80 years of resilience research in children. This response pattern also agrees with the conventional wisdom that in general, most people struggle to some degree after a major life event and recover after a period of time. "The idea that 'it is okay to not be okay' following adversity is important," Infurna said. "Sometimes it can take months or years to recover after a traumatic or upsetting event because resilience depends on the person and the resources they have available to them, their past experiences and the type of adverse event." Life is multidimensional and so is resilience How adults respond to adversity has typically been measured with longitudinal assessments, or surveys that are repeated over a time interval like once a year. Many research studies have tracked just one psychological outcome, such as life satisfaction, positive or negative emotions or general physical health. advertisement "How do you define doing well?" Luthar asked. "An individual's response to adversity is multidimensional, so that success in one area can coexist with considerable trouble in others. Just because a person is effectively meeting deadlines at work does not mean she is not struggling at home, perhaps crying herself to sleep or estranged from her partner." Infurna and Luthar recently examined how resilience depended on measures such as life satisfaction, negative or positive emotions, general health or physical health. When just one measure was considered, the percentage of people classified as resilient was high, ranging from 19-66%, but when all measures were considered, only 8% of the adult participants were resilient. Child development researchers have solved the problem of defining resilience by qualifying different types. For example, children who have lived through adversity and are functioning well in school are described as having "academic resilience." Researchers are also careful not to generalize a child's performance in school to how they might be functioning in other aspects of their lives. The way forward for adult resilience research and its applications In the Clinical Psychology Review paper, the main goal of Infurna and Luthar was to prevent the misinterpretation of what a common response to adversity looks like: it is typically some decline followed by an increase back towards normal. Infurna and Luthar made several recommendations to improve adult resilience research in the future, in addition to changing the assumptions used with growth mixture modeling. They also encourage researchers to assess more than one measure of psychological functioning and to administer longitudinal surveys at more frequent time intervals. "It is very important for the public and for policy-makers to know what a normal or common response to adversity is," Luthar said. "This knowledge can help people avoid self-blame when they are hurting or have a set-back in the aftermath of a major loss or other traumatic event. And it can help clinicians and policy-makers continue to provide support resources that are often critical in helping adults overcome major life adversities." Ant-Man knows: the quantum realm holds shocking revelations and irrational solutions. Taking a page from the Marvel Universe, researchers based at the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Tokyo, Japan, designed a more efficient quantum transport system by adding even more noise to it. They published their results on July 24 in Quantum Information, a Nature Partner Journal. "Energy transport is at the core of natural life, as well as our current technology," said Kae Nemoto, a professor at the National Institute of Informatics and an author of the paper. "Many technological improvements have been achieved by better device-engineering to reduce the effects of noise and imperfections, which seems like a perfectly logical approach. We found -- although nature already knew this -- that energy transport can actually be enhanced by adding environmental noise." Within quantum mechanics, energy behaves like a child in a mirror funhouse. The child's face stares back from a maze of reflective surfaces, and it's almost impossible for her to find the exit until she moves. As she moves, the faces move across the mirrors. Once she finds the exit, she moves through, and her reflection is gone from the mirrors. The scientists examined how bacteria manage to efficiently harvest energy from light sources through photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, the energy moves throughout the cell all at once, looking for where it should go. Once it finds the spot, all of the other versions collapse in. The energy doesn't expend itself bouncing all over the cell -- it splits the work. However, this process cannot be exempted from environmental effects. Usually, environmental noise is considered as a negative factor. For example, interference from physically close neighbors tends to slow down the process significantly. The researchers designed a computer simulation based on this process, but added a correlated noise to the path where energy is going through. Surprisingly, the energy transfer was significantly accelerated with anti-correlated noise. "There is now clear evidence that noise can help in energy transport," Nemoto said. "This can be applied to more complex networks, and we are working on designing more realistic energy transport systems. If we can speed up energy transport, we must also be able to slow it down, too." The researchers plan to continue studying exactly how noise influences the speed of energy transport with the goal of gaining control over the system to precisely fine tune its efficiency. Study co-authors include Chikako Uchiyama, professor at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Yamanashi and a visiting professor at the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo, Japan, and William Munro, the head of the Research Center for Theoretical Quantum Physics at NTT Basic Research Laboratories. This work was funded in part by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS). NII is one of the four research institutions associated with the ROIS. Americans' views of possible uses of genetic engineering in animals vary depending on the mechanism and intended purpose of the technology, particularly the extent to which it would bring health benefits to humans, according to a new study released today by Pew Research Center. Presented with five different scenarios of animal genetic engineering that are currently available, in development or considered possible in the future, Americans provide majority support only for the two that have clear potential to pre-empt or ameliorate human illness. Seven-in-ten Americans believe that genetically engineering mosquitoes to prevent their reproduction -- thus limiting the spread of some mosquito-borne diseases -- would be an appropriate use of technology, and a 57% majority considers it appropriate to genetically engineer animals to grow organs or tissues that could be used for humans needing a transplant. However, other uses of animal biotechnology are less acceptable to the public, according to the nationally representative survey of 2,537 U.S. adults conducted April 23-May 6. Those applications are the creation of more nutritious meat for human consumption (43% say this is appropriate) or restoring an extinct animal species from a closely related species (32% say this is appropriate). And one use of animal biotechnology that is already commercially available is largely met with resistance: Just 21% of Americans consider it an appropriate use of technology to genetically engineer aquarium fish to glow, while 77% say this is taking technology too far. Those who objected to the use of genetic engineering of animals often raised the possibility of unknown risks for animals, humans or the ecosystem. Some saw these technologies as humankind inappropriately interfering with the natural world or raised general concerns about unknown risks. For instance, when invited to explain their views, those who opposed the idea of reviving extinct species often raised concerns about unintended harm to the ecosystem. About three-in-ten of those who said genetic engineering of mosquitoes would be taking technology too far explained that humankind would be disrupting nature (23%) or interfering with God's plan (8%). Some 24% raised concerns about the possible impact on the ecosystem. Other findings include: Men tend to be more accepting of animal genetic engineering than women. About two-thirds of men (65%) see genetic engineering of animals to grow human organs or tissues for transplants as appropriate, compared with about half of women (49%). 54% of men say that using biotechnology to produce more nutritious meat is appropriate, compared with 34% of women. But roughly equal shares of men (72%) and women (68%) say genetic engineering of mosquitoes to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses is appropriate. Those with high science knowledge tend to be more accepting of animal genetic engineering than those with medium or low science knowledge. Americans with high science knowledge (72%) are more inclined than those with medium (55%) or low (47%) science knowledge to say that genetic engineering of animals to grow human organs or tissues for transplants is appropriate. High-science-knowledge adults also are more inclined (47%) than those with medium (28%) or low (26%) science knowledge to say that genetic engineering of animals to revive extinct species is appropriate. Those low in religious commitment tend to be more accepting of animal genetic engineering than those with medium or high levels of religious commitment. A larger share of Americans with low religious commitment (68%) than with medium (54%) or high (48%) religious commitment consider genetic engineering of animals to grow human organs or tissues for transplants to be appropriate. Those with low religious commitment (44%) also are more likely than those with medium (29%) or high (21%) religious commitment to consider it appropriate to genetically engineer animals to bring back extinct species. The survey also finds that the 52% of Americans who oppose the use of animals in scientific research are also more inclined to consider genetic engineering of animals as taking technology too far. To read the report, see: http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/08/16/most-americans-accept-genetic-engineering-of-animals-that-benefits-human-health-but-many-oppose-other-uses/ With a new groundbreaking technique, researchers from University of Copenhagen have managed to identify a protein that is responsible for cellular memory being transmitted when cells divide. The finding is crucial for understanding development from one cell to a whole body. The cells in our body divide constantly throughout life. But how do cells remember whether to develop into a skin, liver or intestinal cell? It's a question that has puzzled scientists for many years. Now, scientists from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Copenhagen have come a little closer to understanding this process. They have developed a technique that gives new insight into the so-called epigenetic cellular memory. With the new technique, called SCAR-seq, the researchers have been able to address how epigenetic information stored in histone proteins is transmitted when DNA is copied and cells divide. The new study has just been published in the scientific journal Science. "We have developed a new tool to look at the transmission of protein-based information in general and how it contributes to epigenetic memory of mammalian cells. For the first time, we can see which proteins are on the two new DNA strands that are formed when DNA is copied during cell division. Thus, we can now investigate how protein-based information is inherited and propagated to daughter cells." "This is the first time we have direct evidence that a specific protein is linking the transmission of epigenetic information on histones with the replication of genetic information in DNA. We knew that histone-based information had to be transmitted to both new DNA strands in one way or another, but we did not know how," says Anja Groth, professor at the Biotech Research & Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, and co-author of the study. Inside the human cell, our DNA is wrapped around histone proteins. Together they form a structure called chromatin. When a cell divides, it is crucial that both the DNA and the entire chromatin structure are copied accurately. Chromatin stores epigenetic information that affects which genes are to be expressed. That is, the epigenetic information in our cells helps to control which genes are "turned on" and "off." MCM2 is responsible for proper segregation of histones to daughter cells In the new study, the researchers have studied embryonic stem cells from mice. With SCAR-seq, it has become possible for the researchers to identify a protein that is responsible for transfer of histone proteins from the old DNA strand to the two new DNA strands during replication -- namely MCM2. The researchers have had MCM2 in their working model for a long time, but it was not possible to determine its exact function before the development of the SCAR-seq technology. "It has been a recurring question whether the transfer of histones with their chemical modifications was completely random during DNA replication. In our study, we show that it is not a random but a highly controlled process. Our data show that the histones have a preference for one DNA strand, the so-called leading strand, but that MCM2 counteracts this bias and ensures that there is almost symmetry between the two new DNA strands, that is, an even distribution of histone-based information." "When we disrupted that mechanism, all histone-based information was transferred to one DNA strand, namely the leading strand, and not to the other, lagging strand. This means that this function by MCM2 is essential for the two new DNA strands to receive the same information stored in histones," says co-author of the study Robin Andersson, assistant professor at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The researchers do not yet know how the ability of embryonic cells to form other cell types is affected when the function of MCM2 that ensures proper segregation of the histones is disrupted. This meaning whether these cells still can contribute to the formation of an entire mouse. Among scientists it is frequently discussed how important histone information actually is for a cell identity and cell fate decisions. This will be the next question the researchers will investigate. "Understanding this first part of the mechanism for how daughter cells inherit histones and their modifications from the mother cell has a lot of potential. Now, we can start to address what significance this transfer of protein-based information actually has for the cell and for the development of the organism. That is our long-term perspective," says professor Anja Groth. Flowering plants are well known for their special relationship to the insects and other animals that serve as their pollinators. But, before the rise of angiosperms, another group of unusual evergreen gymnosperms, known as cycads, may have been the first insect-pollinated plants. Now, researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on August 16 have uncovered the earliest definitive fossil evidence of that intimate relationship between cycads and insects. The discovery came in the form of an ancient boganiid beetle preserved in Burmese amber for an estimated 99 million years along with grains of cycad pollen. The beetle also shows special adaptations, including mandibular patches, for the transport of cycad pollen. "Boganiid beetles have been ancient pollinators for cycads since the Age of Cycads and Dinosaurs," says Chenyang Cai, now a research fellow at the University of Bristol. "Our find indicates a probable ancient origin of beetle pollination of cycads at least in the Early Jurassic, long before angiosperm dominance and the radiation of flowering-plant pollinators, such as bees, later in the Cretaceous." When Cai's supervisor Diying Huang at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, first showed him the beetle trapped in amber, he was immediately intrigued. He recognized that its large mandibles with bristly cavities might suggest the beetle was a pollinator of cycads. After cutting, trimming, and polishing the specimen to get a better look under a microscope, Cai's excitement only grew. The beetle carried several clumps of tiny pollen grains. Cai consulted Liqin Li, an expert in ancient pollen at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who confirmed that the pollen grains belonged to a cycad. The researchers also conducted an extensive phylogenetic analysis to explore the beetle's family tree. Their analysis indicates the fossilized beetle belonged to a sister group to the extant Australian Paracucujus, which pollinate the relic cycad Macrozamia riedlei. The finding, along with the current disjunct distribution of related beetle-herbivore and cycad-host pairs in South Africa and Australia, support an ancient origin of beetle pollination of cycads, the researchers say. Cai notes that the findings together with the distribution of modern boganiid beetles lead him to suspect that similar beetle pollinators of cycads are yet to be found. He's been looking for them for the last five years. The challenge, he says, is that older Jurassic beetles are generally found as compression fossils not trapped in amber. Scientists have confirmed that the 3.4-billion-year-old Strelley Pool microfossils had chemical characteristics similar to modern bacteria. This all but confirms their biological origin and ranks them amongst the world's oldest microfossils. The work is presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Boston, with simultaneous publication in the peer-reviewed journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters. A team of scientists, led by Dr Julien Alleon (IMPMC, Paris, France; and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA) have been able to show that the chemical residuals from ancient microfossils match those of younger bacterial fossils, and so are likely to have been laid down by early life forms. They compared the results of synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis of the Strelley Pool microfossils with more recent ones from the Gunflint Formation (1.9 billion years old, found on the shores of Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada) and with modern bacteria. All showed similar absorption features, indicating that the residual chemicals were made from the same building blocks, thereby supporting a biological origin (see illustration below). Dr Jullien Alleon said: "There are a couple of important points which come out of this work. Firstly, we demonstrate that the elemental and molecular characteristics of these 3.4 Ga microfossils are consistent with biological remains, slightly degraded by fossilization processes. This effectively supports the biological origin of the Strelley Pool microfossils. There are competing claims over which microfossils are actually the world's oldest, this analytical strategy needs to be applied to other ancient samples to help settle the controversy. Secondly, it is remarkable that these echoes of past life have survived the extreme conditions they have experienced over the last 3.4 billion years: we know from the molecular structure of the microfossils that they have been exposed to temperatures of up to 300 C for long periods. And yet we are still able to see signs of their original chemistry. This is a step forward to confirming that these are indeed the oldest fossils yet discovered." Commenting, Professor Vickie Bennett (Australian National University) said: "This is exciting work with the new types of analyses providing compelling evidence that the cherts contain biogenic microfossils. This is in line with other observations for early life from the Strelley Pool rocks, including stromatolites interpreted as microbial mats, and further confirming that the minimum age for life on Earth is 3.4 billion years. The techniques used here are not applicable to the older rocks that host the claims for the oldest terrestrial life, as these rocks were exposed to much higher temperatures. These samples include the 3.7 billion year old stromatolites from Isua, Greenland and the 4.1 billion year old Canadian microfossils. However, this work shows how quickly the field is developing and that new capabilities for testing and confirming earlier evidence of life are in reach." The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team Thursday left for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. A J-10 fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team is seen at an airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. [Photo: Xinhua] As the only foreign aerobatic team invited, the August 1st team, which includes seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets and two Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, will give two performances during the forum. The Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum will be held from Aug. 21 to 26. It consists of a series of programs including business meetings and contract signings in addition to exhibits of equipment and weapons. Three J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team leave from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. [Photo: Xinhua] The August 1st team, which left from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Thursday morning, will arrive at Kubinka Airport, near Moscow, on Friday. Established in 1962, the team has staged more than 600 aerobatic performances for over 700 delegations from 168 countries and regions. This will be the second time that it will perform in Moscow. The Grafton Group is raising millions of pounds through an alternative form of financing. The parent company of Selco, Buildbase, Plumbase and Leyland SDM is raising 144 million in the US to pay off its euro-denominated bank debt. It will do this next month through issuing unsecured bonds in the US, with ten and 12-year maturities, which is when the debt must be repaid to the investor and interest payments stop. The bonds have an annual interest payment of 2.5%. In 2017, Grafton had a net debt of 56.3 million, down from 86.2 million the year before. Its revenues reached 2.4 billion, which was a 9% increase on the previous year. the move is not expected to affect merchants. SACRAMENTO California could no longer require those accused of crimes to post bail while awaiting trial under a bill to overhaul the bail system that moved forward in the Legislature Thursday. Under SB10, local courts would create their own evaluation system for deciding who can be safely released while awaiting trial or sentencing. While ankle monitors or other conditions could be required for a persons release, those conditions must be nonmonetary. Democratic lawmakers who have been pushing for years to eliminate cash bail said SB10 would create a system focused on a persons risk to the community, instead of their ability to pay bail. It has been challenging (to make) this fundamental sea change in the criminal justice system in California that (currently) discriminates against people who are poor, said state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, who authored the bill. We have a system that punishes people, takes away their liberty, just because they have less money. The bill was one of 600 pieces of legislation voted on Thursday, with lawmakers in two fiscal committees one in the Assembly and one in the Senate weeding through what is known as a suspense file. Bills placed on suspense generally cost the state at least $150,000 and are dealt with in a rapid-fire session. More Information Other bills moving forward SB1045 by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco: Would expand conservatorship laws in San Francisco and Los Angeles County. SB905 by Wiener: Extends the time businesses can serve alcohol until 4 a.m. under a five-year pilot program that starts in 2021 in nine cities. AB2923 by Assemblymen David Chiu, D-San Francisco, and Tim Grayson, D-Concord: Would require BART to zone its vacant property for housing and retail while limiting the ability of cities to obstruct or delay that development. AB3118 by Chiu: Would require law enforcement agencies and crime labs to report to the state Department of Justice how many untested rape kits they have on storage shelves. SB1421 by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley: Would make police disciplinary records public when an officer has been found to have committed sexual assault or lied on the job, such as falsifying reports or planting evidence. The bill would also ensure that investigations and reports related to an officer's serious or deadly use of force would be subject to the state's Public Records Act. SB1449 by Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino (San Bernardino County) : Would require law enforcement agencies to submit evidence from a rape kit for testing within 20 days and mandate that labs complete their analysis within 120 days. SB1437 by Skinner: Would no longer allow a person to be charged with murder if they were an accomplice and did not actually commit the murder. The bill allows those previously convicted as an accomplice to petition to be resentenced. Failed to pass AB2578 by Chiu: Would have allowed as much as $250 million in state taxes from developments along the San Francisco waterfront to be used to reconstruct the Embarcadero seawall. See More Collapse The 135 bills held by the committees are effectively dead for the year. The fate of SB10 was among the most closely watched Thursday, with Democratic lawmakers who have been pushing for the reforms smiling triumphantly after it was moved to the Assembly floor for a vote this month. Moving the bill forward came at a cost, however. It was heavily amended to give county courts the authority to determine who should be released and who should be detained. That caused some groups that previously supported the bill to pull their backing out of concern that biases will lead to more minorities being detained, negating the gains of ending money bail. This is not at all the bail reform our communities deserve and have long fought for, said Gina Clayton-Johnson, executive director of Essie Justice Group, an organization representing women with incarcerated loved ones. The group initially was part of the coalition pushing the bill before pulling its support. Under SB10, people accused of nonviolent misdemeanors would be released within 12 hours after being booked. That would not include those detained in domestic violence cases, people recently convicted of a serious or violent felony and those with multiple instances of failing to appear for previous cases. Local courts would decide how to assess who is a low, moderate or high risk when determining whether someone should be released after an arrest. The American Civil Liberties Union of California also withdrew its support of the bill after the amendments were announced. The group applauded the end of an exploitative and abusive commercial bail industry, but said SB10 needs to go further to ensure the pretrial assessments are applied equally, regardless of race or region. The California Public Defenders Association dropped its support as well, and San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachis office opposed the bill. Deputy Public Defender Chesa Boudin said abolishing cash bail would be a positive step, but I think (SB10) would dramatically increase the pretrial jail population across the state. The California Bail Agents Association has aggressively fought the bill, saying it will lead to more people behind bars and that it puts the public at risk. The bill would end the bail industry, which makes its money through a 10 percent fee charged to defendants for a surety bond. This bill does nothing to allow people in poverty or of color to get out of detention easier, as was its original stated intent. Now it simply detains everyone, said David Quintana, a lobbyist for the California Bail Agents Association. It should be retitled as the Mass Incarceration Act of 2018. ... Im half-expecting the Trump administration to endorse it. State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, a supporter of the bill, said there are legitimate concerns that the pretrial evaluation process could be tainted by judicial bias, with some people held when others accused of similar crimes are not. Skinner said lawmakers will be watching and ready to address any issues that arise. 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. We will fix that, Skinner said. The bill now heads to the Assembly floor and will return to the Senate for a vote on the amendments. If passed by both houses by Aug. 31, the bill would land on Gov. Jerry Browns desk. Our office is open to legislation that reforms Californias pre-trial system in a cost-effective manner that protects public safety and preserves the rights of the accused, Browns office said in a statement. The bill would take effect Jan. 1, 2020. This will advance justice, said Jessica Bartholow of the Western Center on Law and Poverty. Being poor, people in your community, people in institutions, whether they mean to or not, treat you different ... our laws should not. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Bob Egelko contributed to this report. Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency officials said Thursday they will beef up background checks on potential contractors following revelations that a hired contractor, Shimmick Construction, had a history of safety violations. The move comes at the direction of Mayor London Breed, less than a week after a signal technician was killed while working on the construction of the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Today I instructed SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin to sit down with the City Attorneys office to review and revise the current policy, Breed said in a statement. When it comes to awarding multi-million dollar contracts that impact the safety of our residents, there needs to be a better system of checks and balances. Until now, SFMTA officials said their application process counted on potential bidders to truthfully respond to a prequalification questionnaire. The SFMTA uses an industry-wide standard that takes into account their workers compensation claims compared to the size of its overall operations, SFMTA spokesman Paul Rose said in an email. These contractors represented that they met those requirements. Rose pointed to a pre-bidding document that asked Shimmick Construction officials and a business partner, In the past ten years, has the Potential Bidder been cited for any serious and willful safety violations by Cal-OSHA? The company checked the box for no. But Cal/OSHA records show that the agency cited Shimmick 39 times on safety violations stemming from nine incidents in the past decade, including one that resulted in a fatality. Shimmick, however, is appealing many of the citations. In one case its appealing, a Shimmick Construction employee lost control of a forklift in November 2016 and died after getting ejected and pinned against a dirt wall, according to OSHA. Shimmick Construction was cited for six violations three of which were serious resulting in a fine of $48,400. Records show at least one serious/willful violation was upheld by an appeals board following what Cal/OSHA described as a dangerous excavation in 2011. Shimmick Constructions history was first reported by the San Francisco Examiner and NBC Bay Area. In an email Thursday afternoon, Rose said the department will now start fact-checking the bidders safety backgrounds. Rather than rely on information from potential contractors, we are taking steps now to change the policy and ensure that we verify details in the pre-bid documents going forward, he wrote. Last Friday, 51-year-old Patrick Ricketts was struck by a steel beam at the West Portal side of the 2.3-mile Twin Peaks Tunnel, officials said. Ricketts was pronounced dead at San Francisco General Hospital. Cal / OSHA citations against Shimmick Construction Nov. 16, 2016: A forklift employee died when he was ejected and pinned between the vehicle and a wall. Cal/ OSHA cited Shimmick for six violations and imposed a $48,400 fine. Shimmick is appealing the case. July 8, 2015: Cal/ OSHA issued three citations for violations of its Injury and Illness Prevention Program for construction workers, and imposed a $26,770 fine, which Shimmick is appealing. April 21, 2015: Cal/ OSHA issued three citations for violations of its Injury and Illness Prevention Program for construction workers and imposed a $15,775 fine, which Shimmick is appealing. Jan. 12, 2015: An employee's hand was severely injured during an excavation that Shimmick and another construction company were working on. Both companies were cited with two violations and fined $9,450. The case is still open. Feb. 6, 2014: Cal/ OSHA issued three citations for violations of a standard that requires testing and examination of cranes and other hoisting equipment. Shimmick was fined $2,700 and the case was closed a year later. May 9, 2012: An employee was severely injured by a pipe, resulting in a citation for a health and safety violation and a $450 fine. The case closed two years later. Jan. 25, 2012: Cal/ OSHA imposed a $750 fine for six safety violations by Shimmick and another company in a case that closed more than a year later. August 2011: Cal/ OSHA fined Shimmick and another company $67,500 for a "willful" violation of a standard related to a bridge, tunnel, and/or elevate d highway construction. The case closed in 2015. March 2011: Cal/ OSHA fined Shimmick and another company $197,375 for 14 violations, including some related to heavy construction and control of hazardous substances. The case remains open. Source: Cal / OSHA See More Collapse Work inside the 100-year-old light rail tunnel was suspended while the accident was investigated, and resumed the following day. The tunnel has been closed for service since June 25, and is scheduled to reopen this month. Rose said SFMTA plans to complete the $41 million project on time, and will continue to use Shimmick Constructions services. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. In a statement released this week, the spokesman for Oakland-based Shimmick Construction said the companys responses to the citys questionnaire were accurate, and that safety is core to everything we do. That said, we do not take these matters lightly and ensure thorough investigation so they can be prevented in the future, the statement by John Gallagher read. Our priority right now is supporting Mr. Ricketts family and fellow employees during this difficult time. Bidding qualification standards in San Francisco may differ by department, but officials from at least one other city entity said theyre also reviewing their policies. In the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission questionnaire, contractors are required to sign under penalty of perjury that their answers are true to their knowledge, according to press secretary Will Reisman. Reisman said PUC staff review all responses and verify portions of those answers, but added: We are currently updating our processes to ensure that all safety answers on the questionnaire are verified. The review process began in July, and was not in response to the Muni death, Reisman said. Megan Cassidy and Lauren Hernandez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com and lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy @LaurenPorFavor San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed a lawsuit against real estate developer Michael Johnson on Thursday in an effort to recover $5.5 million Johnson borrowed from the city to build out commercial space at the Fillmore Heritage Center. Johnson borrowed the money from the city in 2005 to spruce up portions of the building that would eventually house a 6,300-square-foot restaurant, 1300 on Fillmore, and the ill-fated San Francisco outpost of the Oakland jazz club Yoshis. The San Francisco Yoshis closed in 2014, and Johnsons attempt to resurrect the jazz club under a new name, the Addition, failed a year later. The lawsuit is emblematic of the long-running struggle to activate the heritage center. Once heralded as a modern nexus for African American culture and commerce and a celebration of the rich jazz history in the Fillmore District, the mixed-use center has been beset by problems. The building, which houses 50,000 square feet of commercial space, now sits empty. According to Herreras suit, Johnson struggled to make payments on the money he borrowed from the city, despite efforts to renegotiate the terms of the loan to make it easier for Johnson to pay the money back. With interest, fees and other penalties, Johnson is now responsible for more than $6.5 million, the suit says. The city made this loan in good faith and has given Mr. Johnson every chance to pay back San Francisco taxpayers, Herrera said in a statement announcing the suit. San Francisco has worked with Mr. Johnson at every turn. Mr. Johnson has never held up his end of the bargain. The years of excuses are over. Times up. San Francisco taxpayers need to be made whole. In an email, Johnson said he had not yet received the lawsuit and could not comment on it. But, he added, We did everything we could from a period of 2004-2014 to make that project a success. In 2015, he told The Chronicle that the business model didnt really work. Johnson has been a part of several development projects over the years in San Francisco, but he is a better-known figure in Oakland, where his business, UrbanCore Development, is headquartered. UrbanCore is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with other companies Johnson controls. Over the years, some of Johnsons development deals in Oakland and the public money he took for them have come under scrutiny. Back in 1999, cost overruns at the 78-home Palm Villas redevelopment project in East Oakland forced Johnson to request additional funds from Oakland over several years on top of an initial $3.3 million loan. The city ended up forgiving that loan and lending Johnson and his partners an additional $3 million. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The Fillmore Heritage Center, which opened in 2007, was built as a public-private partnership. About 35 percent of its $80.5 million cost came from public funds. The Mayors Office of Community Development borrowed the $5.5 million it loaned to Johnson from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. In February 2017, two years after Yoshis closed, San Francisco officials began searching for a new operator to breathe new life into the center. Nine months later, the city announced that no suitable bidders had come forward that met the standards set by the city and the Fillmore community. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa As with pretty much any possible solution to San Franciscos stubborn homeless problem, building tiny homes has been talked about for ages. And then talked about some more. But now theres gasp an actual plan! Granted, the plan exists only because one department head is tired of the inaction. And he doesnt yet have the support of, well, anybody else he would need to move the plan forward. But still. In talky, hand-wringing San Francisco, thats further than most city officials get. The plan maker in question is Mohammed Nuru, director of public works. In an interview in his office the other day, he showed me little white plastic boxes, models for his tiny homes. His team is crafting prototypes of the units, each of which would measure about 100 square feet, smaller than a parking space. He said hes eyeing plots of land on the Embarcadero and the Great Highway for Navigation Centers shelters with counselors and services where the residents would live in tiny houses, though he wouldnt say where specifically. He wants 80 to 150 tiny homes to be grouped together, with residents sharing communal kitchens and bathrooms and each person having a storage locker. Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle He said each home could be built for $50,000 to $75,000, which is far less expensive than the eye-popping $750,000 to build one traditional affordable housing unit. Nuru said plenty of homeless people living in tents on the streets reject offers of traditional homeless shelters because they crave privacy, and these little houses could give them that. Thats where were going to as a city, he said of the tiny home movement. If theyre willing to live in a tent, they should be willing to live in a nice cubicle, right? Its much better than being on the streets. Tiny homes have become a trend nationally as real estate prices skyrocket and more people fall into homelessness. Dozens of villages exist around the country, and more are planned, including one in Santa Rosa set to open this year. San Francisco officials have considered the idea for years but have run into stumbling blocks, including resistance from organized labor. Unions want to ensure their workers build the homes, not workers in far-off factories. Mayor London Breed didnt grant a request for an interview on tiny homes but sent a statement reading: I am considering all options, ideas and innovative approaches that will help (get) people off the street and get them inside. I am looking at everything, from changes to state legislation to various types of housing. We are currently exploring various ideas for housing and assessing their feasibility. Nuru, who has ruffled feathers at City Hall before by plunging ahead with his own plans to tackle homelessness, is convinced tiny homes could be a game changer and wants quick action. We need to change some of our attitudes and really try to solve the problem, he said. Lets stop saying no. Lets do a little bit more yes. Circle of defeat: It seems the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency cant get anything right these days. Its improvement project in the Twin Peaks Tunnel went horribly awry, causing major delays on bus lines all over the city. Then theres the $2 million project to improve the intersection at Diamond and Bosworth streets in Glen Park, which was supposed to have been completed two years ago. Crossing through is still a nerve-jangling exercise, and the agency is still making changes to the signals in hopes of getting it right. Sometimes, the agency just gives up, like on the traffic circle that was recently installed at McAllister and Steiner streets at a cost of $80,000. The agency also removed the stop signs at the intersection. The idea was to allow 5-Fulton buses to travel through the intersection without stopping and save them an average of nine seconds. But it seems San Franciscans just dont get roundabouts and would stop their cars midway through the circle in confusion. This, shockingly, didnt help the buses at all. Loud honking ensued, neighbors blood pressure spiked, and it seems nobody was happy. So the agency is going to remove the traffic circle and reinstall the stop signs for an additional $40,000. Ed Reiskin, the citys director of transportation, personally emailed the neighbors to tell them the good news. That email was forwarded to me, and a neighbor wrote: The city listened! I know. Astounding, but true! It could be argued that $120,000 for nothing is whats astounding, but at least the neighbors can get some peace. Broken: San Franciscos vehicle break-in epidemic has gotten so bad, foreign governments are issuing warnings about it. The Italian consulate general in San Francisco recently emailed Italian American organizations in the Bay Area, as well as Italians living here. 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. WARNING! the note began ominously. Car break-ins hit a historic high in San Francisco. ... If you have been robbed of your Italian passport and must urgently return to Italy or your country of residence, the consulate general of Italy in San Francisco is here to help. It then goes on to tell people whose passports have been stolen to get them replaced quickly. I heard this telling tidbit from Ken Borelli, chair of the cultural committee for the Italian American Heritage Foundation of San Jose. Hes relaying the information to the groups 1,500 members in hopes they notify people visiting from Italy to leave nothing in their cars while touring San Francisco. In all my life, Ive never had an alert like that from the consulate general, he said. A few months ago, Borelli was at the San Francisco Jazz Center when he returned to his car, parked on Hayes Street. He saw a man just a couple of feet away use a small tool to break the window of the next car over. I said, Hey! Borelli said, recalling that the burglar looked right at him and carried on with the theft. I was completely shocked! He just looked at me defiantly and got into his car. As is standard, the getaway car had no license plate so it couldnt easily be identified. And when Borelli found a police officer nearby to report the crime, the officer said, We dont really enforce car break-ins anymore. Welcome to San Francisco. Update: I told you last week about a San Francisco Superior Court judge indicating hell release a serial car burglar, putting him on probation yet again despite a grand jury indicting him in April on 20 charges, including 11 felonies, for car burglaries and a hit-and-run committed while on a previous probation. The final sentencing had been set for Aug. 17, but its been continued to Aug. 31. Ill keep you posted. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento are moving quickly on legislation to overturn a court ruling that would require the state to use $331 million to aid homeowners hit with foreclosures, money from a nationwide settlement with banks accused of abusive foreclosure practices. A state appeals court in Sacramento ruled last month that Gov. Jerry Brown had wrongly used the $331 million to pay off deficits of state agencies that handle state housing bonds and consumer programs. The money for Browns actions has been appropriated for three years, each time with legislative approval, but the court said the administration had violated a 2012 state law directing use of funds from the mortgage settlement. The ruling said the state must spend the funds on programs directly assisting foreclosed homeowners. This week, however, legislative Democrats rewrote two budget-related bills and moved them through fiscal committees in both houses on party-line votes. Both bills declare that Brown had properly cleared his funding decisions with the Legislature and had complied with the 2012 state law by using the money to bail out state agencies overseeing housing and consumer services. In the heart of the recession, the state did the best it could in allocating money toward housing measures, Joshua Gauger, a budget analyst with Browns Finance Department, told the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on Thursday in a hearing on one of the bills, AB1829. He said it was aimed at clarifying that Finance operated within the intent of the original (2012) legislation. Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber (Tehama County), told Gauger he had no trust that Browns administration would use the funds to help homeowners victimized by the banks. But the committees Democratic majority voted to send AB1289 to the Senate floor, a day after an Assembly budget panel advanced a similar bill, SB861, to the Assembly floor. The deadline for final passage is Aug. 31. A lawyer for the organizations that challenged the states use of the funds, led by the National Asian American Coalition, promised another legal battle if the legislation passes. Even if the Legislature attempts to somehow retroactively endorse the states past use of the funds, those actions were still illegal, and the governor remains under an obligation to use the National Mortgage Settlement Funds as the appellate court found they were intended to help struggling homeowners, said attorney Neil Barofsky. The settlement was reached in 2012 by the nations five largest mortgage servicers Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and GMAC in a suit by the federal government and every state except Oklahoma. The banks paid more than $20 billion in direct aid to foreclosed homeowners and an additional $2.5 billion to the states, including $410 million to California. Then-Attorney General Kamala Harris, now a U.S. senator, was responsible for allocating the states share, after helping to negotiate the settlement and gain increased funding for California. She directed $331 million to a fund devoted to programs assisting homeowners who had been harmed by a wave of foreclosures from 2008-09 onward. The programs included housing counselors, legal and consumer education, and efforts to investigate and combat financial fraud. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Lawyers for the state argued that Browns use of the $331 million to bail out state agencies was consistent with the mortgage settlement and was not subject to judicial review. The Third District Court of Appeal disagreed. The money was unlawfully diverted from a special fund in contravention of the purposes for which that special fund was established, the court said in a 3-0 ruling July 10. Finance Department spokesman H.D. Palmer said Friday the Brown administration would appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko San Francisco is still pondering which companies will get to rent out electric stand-up scooters here. A dozen contestants are vying for up to five permits. But theres a good chance that the city could blackball Lyft and Ubers Jump subsidiary, as well as Bird, Lime and Spin, the companies that deluged streets with scooters last spring. They may get tripped by a provision in the citys new scooter law that considers an applicants past experience, including compliance with applicable laws and its efforts to ensure compliance by its users with applicable laws. The scooter application asks companies that previously rented scooters in the city to describe how they and their users complied with the law, suggesting that scrutiny of past behavior might be limited to scooters. But past experience can apply to any previous company behavior, sources said. Sources familiar with the process, who spoke under anonymity because the permits have not been issued yet, said Lyfts application scored high in San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency staff ratings of factors such as access for low-income riders, sharing data with the city, insurance, and ideas to address sidewalk riding and parking, but the ride-hailing company was dinged over past experience. The exact nature of its alleged transgressions wasnt clear. Likewise Jump, the electric bike company that Uber bought in April, scored well until its relationship with Uber was factored in, the sources said. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle The MTA is weighing a range of criteria and doing due diligence to carefully review and evaluate each application and give each one a fair shake, spokesman Ben Jose said. Uber and Lyft tussled with regulators nationwide when they began service several years ago in cities, including their San Francisco hometown, that lacked legal frameworks for paid rides in private cars. California has regulated them at the state level since 2013. Both companies are political targets for some San Francisco lawmakers, who say their cars clog the streets and their drivers are underpaid. Uber is embroiled in lawsuits with San Francisco over the citys requests that it share data on its local operations. Lyft has been providing that information since February. Bird, Lime and Spin incurred San Franciscans wrath when they burst into business without permission last spring. Although the advent of dockless motorized scooters delighted those who appreciated a quick, cheap way to get around, it irritated residents who logged 1,863 calls to the citys 311 line in just five weeks over issues such as scooters blocking sidewalks and buzzing past pedestrians. The city impounded wayward scooters, issued the companies cease-and-desist letters, and required them to stop operations on June 4. San Francisco designed a pilot program that will allow up to five companies to operate 1,250 scooters in its first six months, with the number potentially doubling in the second six months. A dozen companies submitted lengthy applications in late June. MTA records reviewed by The Chronicle showed transportation planners asking the Department of Public Works whether the three scooter companies still owed fines to the city. As of July 2, Bird owed $13,910 and Lime owed $15,784, and Spin had paid its fines of $14,189, the department replied. Lime said Thursday it had paid the outstanding fines. Bird also said it had paid its fines. We are waiting to hear more about the status of our application and are hopeful that we can once again provide our traffic- and carbon emissions-reducing vehicles to San Francisco, a company representative said in an email. None of the other scooter applicants commented on the permit process, citing its sensitive nature. The MTA said a decision will come this month. Staff members have pored over hundreds of pages of applications, but the ultimate decision is up to Ed Reiskin, MTA director of transportation. We will make the information public as to what criteria was used, MTA spokesman Jose said. We want to ensure that were transparent. Two companies that reportedly scored well in the process appear free of past experience baggage. San Francisco startup Scoot Global has rented red mopeds in San Francisco since late 2012; it has 650 of the red Vespa-like sit-down scooters here. It worked closely with the MTA to craft a permit for its then-new business. Weve earned the trust of the city, CEO and founder Michael Keating said in an interview in May. It pays for a network of street and garage parking spaces for its fleet. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle 2018 San Franciscos Skip, started by the founders of electric skateboard company Boosted, noted in its application that it has legally been operating rental scooters in Washington and that unlike Lime, Bird and Spin, it has never received a cease-and-desist order. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Many cities are struggling with how to regulate the new breed of scooter startups. Santa Monica said last week that Lyft and Ubers Jump were its top candidates for a pilot program allowing up to four companies to operate e-bikes and e-scooters. In response, Bird and Lime cooperated on the A Day Without a Scooter campaign, temporarily disabling their vehicles and mobilizing users to meet outside Santa Monica City Hall before a City Council meeting Tuesday night. They want to give the entire e-scooter sharing business to car-based rideshare corporations, Bird said in a statement. Neither Lyft nor Uber has ever operated a scooter sharing service. In San Francisco, Bird has set up a website where its users can click to email city leaders that theyre eager for Bird to return to the city. Lime had previously urged its users to write to the city about their enjoyment of the two-wheeled motorized ride. Bird board member Roelof Botha, a partner in the Sequoia venture capital firm that led a recent $300 million funding round in Bird, has been tweeting Please bring Bird back to San Francisco! to Reiskin, Mayor London Breed and other city leaders. Uber and Lyft are eager to branch beyond car-only transportation to become one-stop transportation providers offering multimodal ways of getting around, including scooters and bikes. In July. Lyft bought the nations largest bike-share operator, Motivate, which operates Ford GoBike in the Bay Area. Uber, in addition to its April Jump acquisition, invested in Lime in July and said Lime scooters will be available in the Uber app. Note: This story has been updated to clarify details of Skips application. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid A state law that protects children from steep tax increases on inherited property is likely contributing to the shrinking inventory of homes for sale in many parts of California. As Baby Boomers the oldest of whom are 72 die and leave homes to offspring who convert them to other uses, the shortage could get worse. Without the law, I think there would be notably more housing turnover, said Brian Uhler, a fiscal and policy expert with the Legislative Analysts Office. The tax break, passed in 1986, lets parents transfer a primary residence of any value, plus a generous amount of other property, to their children without it being reassessed at market value for property tax purposes. In California, where long-held homes are typically assessed at a fraction of their current value, this can save children thousands or tens of thousands of dollars per year. Rather than lose this tax shelter, many children who inherit homes they dont want to occupy convert them to rentals or vacation homes rather than selling them. Data from Los Angeles County over the past decade support this, according to a report last fall by Uhler. This may help renters, but makes it harder for buyers to break into the tight housing market. It also has exacerbated (property tax) inequities among owners of similar properties, Uhler wrote. About 60,000 to 80,000 properties in California pass between parents and children each year without being reassessed, Uhler estimated. Thats about 10 percent of all property transfers. In 2015-16, this reduced property tax revenue by about $1.5 billion, 2.5 percent, statewide. Some, including Uhler, say its time to revisit this break. Santa Clara Assessor Larry Stone said he would not vote for the measure if it was on the ballot today. Its just a way for people to transfer wealth to another generation, he said. The California Association of Realtors is preparing an initiative for the November 2020 ballot that would scale it back, in part to pay for another property tax break the group is pushing for in this years election. The parent-child tax break amended Proposition 13, the landmark law passed by voters in 1978. Under Prop. 13, real property in California is generally reassessed at market value only when it is sold or transferred. In between changes of ownership, the assessed value can go up by no more than 2 percent a year, plus the value of improvements. Property taxes, including local ones, average about 1.2 percent of assessed value. Normally, when long-held properties change hands, taxes soar. But voters have excluded some transfers from reassessment. Proposition 58, the law passed in 1986, excluded transfers between spouses. It also excluded transfers by gift, sale or inheritance between parents and children of a primary residence and up to $1 million in assessed value for other property. Its most often claimed by children who inherit property, but the parent doesnt have to be dead, and it also applies to transfers from children to parents and can be used by an unlimited number of generations. Escape hatch In 2016-17, about 16,200 Bay Area homes and other properties escaped tax increases thanks to state laws that exclude from reassessment transfers between parents and children (and between grandparents and grandchildren if the parents are deceased). This is how many exclusions each county granted that year: County Exclusions granted Alameda 3,113 Contra Costa 3,393 Marin 726 Napa 415 San Francisco 1,079 San Mateo 1,669 Santa Clara 3,201 Solano 1,028 Sonoma 1,579 Total 16,203 Source: California Board of Equalization See More Collapse Proposition 193, passed a decade later, exempts transfers between grandparents and grandchildren, but only if the grandchildrens parents are dead. These exclusions are pretty rare. For simplicity, well assume children are inheriting property from a parent. If they are inheriting the parents primary residence, there is no dollar limit on the exclusion, and children can rent it out without triggering a reassessment. However, if two children inherit the home and one sells or transfers his or her share even to the other sibling that share will be reassessed for tax purposes. If one child wants the home and the other doesnt, parents should consider leaving the home to one and other assets to the other, said Terri Lyders, an estate planning specialist with Fidelity Investments in Burlingame. Each parent can transfer up to $1 million in other property such as a vacation home, rental unit or strip shopping center to one or more children combined. The $1 million limit applies to the assessed value, not the market value. Say I have a $1 million assessed value on a shopping center Ive owned for 30 years and now its worth $25 million. I can transfer that assessment, plus the low assessment on my house, to children, the assessor Stone said. James Zapata applied for and received the exclusion on a Mountain View home he inherited from his father, who died last fall. His grandparents bought the modest, 1,017-square foot home around 1962 and gave it to his father as a wedding present. His father was a machinist whose business went belly-up during the manufacturing exodus of the early 1980s, and he never recovered financially or emotionally, Zapata said. A decade ago, Zapata quit his job as a cable lineman to care for his father, who developed multiple sclerosis at a young age, and his mother, who died in 2013. The home is assessed at about $54,000, and the property tax last year was $948. Homes in his neighborhood are selling for around $2 million and often being torn down to make way for larger ones. Had Zapatas home been reassessed at $2 million, his taxes last year would have been close to $24,000. Zapata said he never anticipated getting the tax break, but it has helped him stay in the home hes lived in since birth. He also got the exclusion on an inherited home in Sunnyvale his family had purchased around 1972. He rents it to his sister at a deep discount. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes In 2016-17, county assessors excluded about 62,000 properties from reassessment under Props. 58 and 193. That is seven times the number they excluded under Propositions 60, 90 and 110. These three measures let homeowners who are 55 and older or permanently disabled sell their primary residence and transfer the tax assessment from that home to another one in the same county or in one of 11 counties that accept incoming transfers. However, the replacement home cant cost more than the original home, and homeowners can only do this once. The Realtors association says those restrictions keep empty-nesters in their homes and has placed an initiative on the November ballot that would loosen them. Proposition 5 would let seniors and disabled homeowners transfer their property tax base to a replacement home of any price, in any California county, any number of times. If they bought a more expensive home, the difference in price between the old and new home would be added to the old homes assessment. If they bought a less expensive home, their assessment would actually be reduced. The Legislative Analysts Office estimates that if Prop. 5 passes, local governments and public schools would each lose $150 million a year in tax revenue in the early years, growing over time to $1 billion or more per year. Needless to say, governments and schools are against it. While pushing ahead with Prop. 5, the association is hedging its bets by submitting another initiative to the attorney general for the November 2020 ballot. It would do the same things as Prop. 5, but offset the cost by capping the parent-child exclusion on a primary residence, eliminating it if the child does not live in the house, and abolishing it on other property. It also would rein in the shenanigans big businesses use to avoid reassessment on property transfers, said the associations lobbyist Alex Creel. He called this provision a reasonable alternative to a more sweeping split-roll initiative that would require reassessment of commercial and industrial property, but not homes and small businesses, at least every three years. Although Zapata benefits from the parent-child tax break, he could see limiting it on high-end homes and eliminating it on other property. The top 1 percent doesnt need another break, he said. We have all these people who need help; if a little higher property tax would help Im willing to chip in. What I dont want my money going to is pension obligations for government employees. Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer said he thinks the exclusion is fine the way it is. People voted on it. In fact, it got 76 percent of the vote in 1986. Where its most useful is when someone with special needs had a home modified for them and is able to keep it, Kramer said. Or sometimes you have a child who is not as successful as the rest, theyll never be able to buy a home. You can transfer it to them so they have somewhat affordable housing. Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender Firefighters are stopping the progression of a vegetation fire just west of Madrona Manor on West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg that prompted mandatory evacuations on Thursday afternoon. At least two helicopters dropped fire retardant on the vegetation blaze, said Rhea Borja, a spokeswoman for Healdsburg. Bulldozers are also being used to contain the fire, which is estimated to be between 5 and 10 acres, according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. Brennans, the decades-old family-owned Berkeley hangout, will close on Sept. 15. Brennans is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The hofbrau-style joint joins a growing list of East Bay landmarks that have shuttered over the last few months Hs Lordship closed after 50 years in July, and Oaklands Mexicali Rose lasted 91 years before bidding farewell in June. According to Margaret Wade, the granddaughter of John Brennan who built the Berkeley hangout in 1958, the closure is a sign of the times. We have a 25 percent rent increase coming in October, Wade said. Everything when it comes to the expenses associated with running a business just goes up and up. Wade has operated the Brennans with her brother Barney Wade for the last two decades. Brennans moved to its current location in the Southern Pacific Railroad building in 2008, down the block from its original, charming space on the corner of Fourth and University. Now Playing: Here are some beloved San Francisco businesses that have closed over the years. Video: Ted Andersen, SFGATE Over time, Wade said the demographics of the city have shifted. Brennans used to be a place populated during the day by blue collar workers from around the neighborhood. Crowds would come in during lunch, before returning after 5 p.m. Now, not so much, she said. Ive been around here for decades and Ive gone from seeing regulars that would come five days a week to the ones that would come once a week and order just a sandwich, she said. There was a time where there would be like 20 or 30 people who wander in after work. Its different now. Brennans currently employs roughly 20 people, all of whom Wade said shes going to help find other employment. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Wade said Brennans was her first job in high school. She left and chased a few different careers, then returned to the business in 1992 where shes remained ever since. Looking back, she said the industry shifted, making the business untenable. Even if she had a million dollars to pour into the business, it wouldnt be enough in the current climate, she said. I would have needed like $3 million to keep this place going, she said with a laugh. Restaurants are really expensive for low returns on the investment. But I can say I am happy that we were able to contribute to the neighborhood over the years from hiring locals to working with local purveyors. Thats what matters most. Justin Phillips is San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips As wildfires continue to pose an increasing risk to residents of the state of California, some are beginning to worry: How vulnerable is my home? The answer varies significantly, of course, on its surroundings. As a new study by Verisk Analytics, an insurance data provider, found, around two-thirds of homes in seven counties in Northern California are potentially in wildfire territory. Verisk's findings relied on three factors: First, the company looked at how close a given home is to shrubbery and forest land; next it considered if it's on mountainous or hilly terrain; and finally, it looked at how accessible it might be to emergency responders. RELATED: Mendocino wildfire explodes into raging monster nearly the size of LA Now Playing: Tips on how to prepare for wildfire evacuations. Wildfires can lead to sudden and rapid evacuations. Have a checklist and pack ahead of time so you can evacuate quickly and safely. Video: Edited by Katie Wood / SFGATE Some northern counties, like Alpine, Tuolumne and Nevada, have the highest concentration of vulnerable homes, due to their proximity to dry forest land. But other southern counties, like San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura more populous areas have the largest number of vulnerable units. RELATED: Historic California resort burns in raging Donnell Fire north of Yosemite San Francisco is one of the least at-risk counties in the state, with just 2 percent of housing units about 8,300 homes of 386,755 units citywide in "high to extreme risk." The picture is slightly, but not much bleaker elsewhere in the Bay Area. Napa County is the Bay Area's only outlier, with 44 percent of housing units in high to extreme risk. In Santa Cruz County, however, 50 percent of housing units 52,400 of them are in high to extreme risk. Statewide, around 15 percent of all housing, equal to about 2 million dwellings, could be at risk of wildfire damage. 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. However, that's not necessarily because fires naturally spread from one house to another next door. Rather, as Lenya Quinn-Davidson, a Eureka-based fire adviser for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune, it's because of flammable debris around properties. "If you get an ember landing on your rain gutters and your rain gutters are packed with leaves, that's a sure way to have your house burn down," she said. "That's how we're losing these homes. It's not from the fire actually burning over the house." RELATED: The worst human causes of wildfires Wildfires are caused by things as simple as a car backfire, and exacerbated and sustained by natural forces like high winds and dry climates. Experts disagree on the best ways to tackle the issue on a broad scale, but note that the best ways for private citizens to prevent fires is to avoid discarding lit cigarettes on the ground, to follow local laws around burning yard waste and to have a shovel on hand to snuff out any new fires. See collected data from all Northern California counties in the alphabetized gallery above. Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. Over 6,000 has been raised this year for local good causes from weekly quiz nights held at Burnham-On-Seas Ritz Social Club. The popular weekly Friday quizzes have been well supported throughout 2018 for local charities, clubs and societies. The club in Victoria Street is now calling on community groups to come forward to book quiz nights during 2019. Paul Hale, general manager at the Ritz Social Club, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: We have been really pleased with the amount raised this year and all the support that the local people give to the charities and organisations. Over the last three years we have raised over 22,000, which is a staggering amount of money! The Ritz have already begun taking bookings for next year and the dates for Friday nights are filling up quickly so if you are looking to raise money for your organisation you are advised to make contact with Mike Barsby, quiz coordinator on 07936 538263. Emma Zhou, the woman who was paralyzed from the waist down when she was struck by a 100-pound tree limb in San Franciscos Washington Square Park in 2016, has reached a tentative $14.5 million settlement with the city. San Franciscos Recreation and Park Commission discussed the proposed settlement with the city attorneys office in closed session during its meeting Thursday. The settlement discussion and the proposed amount were listed on the commissions agenda. A person with knowledge of the discussions confirmed that the commission approved the $14.5 million settlement proposal, which means Zhou would drop the lawsuit she filed in November 2016, three months after the incident. The limb that struck Zhou was shed by a 50-foot pine tree maintained by the Recreation and Park Department. It was located by a small childrens playground in the northwest corner of the park. John Cote, a spokesman for the City Attorneys Office, declined to comment on the park commissions closed-door discussions but said in an email that the $14.5 million payout was appropriate. Ms. Zhou and her family suffered a terrible tragedy, and as a city we are heartbroken for them, Cote said. Whenever the city may be responsible for an accidental injury, we do everything we can to work in good faith to reach a fair resolution. Given all of the circumstances in this matter, we think this proposed settlement is appropriate. The proposed settlement still needs the approval of the Board of Supervisors. Its next meeting is on Sept. 4. Recreation and Park Commission President Mark Buell could not be reached for comment late Thursday. Zhou had been watching her children play in the parks playground when the limb fell, fracturing her skull and severing her spinal cord. At the time, doctors estimated that Zhou would have to spend a year in the hospital rehabilitating and said she would not walk again. Zhous husband, Tony Tan, referred questions to the familys attorneys, who could not be reached for comment. In her lawsuit against the city, Zhou said the park department had negligently pruned the tree in a way that allowed large, weakly attached branches to grow back. Zhous lawyers also asserted that the city was aware of previous reports of branches falling in the parks playground. In 2014, the city agreed to pay $15 million to the family of Christine Svanemyr, who was killed in Holly Park in the Bernal Heights neighborhood after she was run over and killed by a Recreation and Park employee who veered the truck he was driving onto the lawn where Svanemyr was lying with her 11-month-old baby. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa For the second time in a week, a social media company has banned a California Republican House candidates biographical ad because it contained what the company deemed inappropriate content. The content was footage of the 1970s Cambodian genocide that the parents of Central Valley congressional candidate Elizabeth Heng survived. Last week, Facebook banned the four-minute ad for five days before restoring it after facing public pressure. Twitter also banned the ad, before restoring it Thursday. We had momentarily rejected the ad for breaking our Inappropriate Content policy, Laura Pacas, a Twitter spokeswoman, told The Chronicle. We reverted this decision, and the ad is no longer banned. Twitters inappropriate content policy says ads can be banned if they are seen as threatening, violent, gruesome, abusive, shocking, disturbing, offensive, vulgar, obscene, distasteful or if they contain, Inflammatory or provocative content which is likely to evoke a strong negative reaction. Heng, who is running against Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, opened the ad with black-and-white photos of the Cambodian genocide under the Pol Pot regime of the 1970s, then explained how her parents narrowly avoided death and later came to the U.S. Her campaign was trying to determine Thursday how long the ad was banned. Heng believes that the removals are rooted in the political partisanship of Silicon Valley companies. Im deeply disappointed in the liberal tech giants trying to control my ability to tell my story, Heng told The Chronicle Thursday. All voters should be extremely concerned that these companies can control the information that you receive. My only desire is to tell my story and to tell voters that we can make a difference to make your lives and our country better. What is more American than that? Twitter declined to respond to Hengs comment. The ads removal and replacement underscores how social media platforms are struggling to adapt to a political world in which they have become major players and the balancing act they must do to sift out content that may be objectionable. This week, Twitter removed some of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones privileges on the site, banning him from sending tweets or retweets for a week. Last week, Facebook, YouTube and Apple iTunes removed Jones content, saying it violated its rules against hate speech. Hengs four-minute ad, however, was designed to be uplifting and personal, making Facebooks initial decision to pull the ad difficult for the company to explain. Initially, Facebook said the ad was banned because the company doesnt permit content that is shocking, sensational, disrespectful or excessively violent. Facebook restored the ad after reviewing the ad and deciding that it contained historical imagery that was relevant to Hengs story. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli No one will take your dollars at the Financial District locations of the Organic Coup and Bluestone Lane. Your quarters are useless at Senor Sisigs food trucks, no matter where they park; the same goes for SoMas popular lunch stop HRD. At a growing number of food businesses in the Bay Area, cash has become obsolete. Youd think the movement to accept only debit cards, credit cards and mobile payment apps would belong to cashless restaurant chains like Sweetgreen and Eatsa, which target a more moneyed Financial District clientele and think about efficiencies on a grand scale. But independent restaurants and food trucks are also making the decision to stop taking bills and coins. Their reasons are so varied that the only throughline may be Bay Area customers who seem to be increasingly willing to give up cash or, lets be clear, Bay Area customers who can afford to do so. The issue of efficiency is a big one, particularly for restaurants in the business corridor. HRD, a Korean American diner located in Little Silicon Valley near AT&T Park, is slammed at lunchtime. Our lines are 30 to 40 deep for two hours straight, says team lead Steve Yung. Processing a credit card takes 15 seconds; counting cash, much longer. When Evan Kidera, co-founder of Senor Sisig, realized that one of his senior staff members was spending her days counting the cash flowing in from the companys five food trucks, he started looking through sales figures. By 2017, he says, cash represented only 19 percent of the companys payments, down from 70 percent when he started nine years ago. Yet he was still paying for staff time, armored cars and even bank deposit fees. I dont want to run a bank. We want to run food, Kidera says. According to a 2016 Gallup poll, cash usage in the United States is shrinking rapidly. Only 24 percent of respondents told pollsters they used cash for all or most of their purchases, down from 36 percent just five years before. For people between the ages of 23 and 34, those figures were even lower. A separate 2016 poll commissioned by the Federal Bank of San Francisco found that people used cash for 60 percent of purchases costing less than $10, but when it came to spending more than $25, that figure dropped to just 20 percent. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle Some cashless restaurants shared their worries over germ-ridden bills and coins does anyone really take off their food-safety gloves to ring up a sale? as well as concerns over missing cash. In addition, the current generation of sales software makes it possible to track every cent from the moment the customer swipes her finger across the screen to the monthly sales-tax payments. Efficiency is only part of the picture. When Kidera was 10, his fathers restaurant was robbed at gunpoint, and staff and customers were forced to hand over all their money. Kidera remembers the fear he felt the morning after and in the days to come. I was lucky. My dad wasnt harmed. But it struck me that were putting ourselves in jeopardy. (In particular, food trucks across the country are reporting a wave of robberies.) Last month, the SoMa location of Icicles, a small Bay Area chain of rolled-ice-cream shops, posted a sign on the door announcing that it had stopped taking cash. According to a cashier, the register had been installed in sight of the large windows, which someone broke one night in a burglary attempt. Just a few years ago, food trucks and small shops like Icicles had no infrastructure, let alone incentive, to take credit cards. One of the major factors that has changed this has been Square, which in 2010 began offering a card reader that any individual or small business could connect to a mobile phone. Since then, the San Francisco company has expanded into point-of-sale systems allowing small businesses to track all their purchases. Matt Cohen, founder of Off the Grid, which organizes 50 food-truck markets every week, says the company required its 250 vendors to accept credit and debit cards several years ago; most use Square. In January, Off the Grid automated its entire system so vendors pay the company all their event fees and commission electronically. Now Cohens team is working to extend that to people who attend events so they can pre-order food online and use Off the Grid gift certificates at any truck. Theres one main concern, Cohen says: Were concerned about not wanting to create an event where (people) dont feel welcome. Ah. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s most recent Economic Inclusion Study, in 2015 just 2.1 percent of people in the Bay Area had no bank, and another 16.5 percent were underbanked, meaning they had an account but had to do most of their money management through check-cashing services and microloans. Those figures are much lower than the national figures of 7 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Still, the study found that 15 percent of Bay Area residents dont have credit cards. Most of the restaurateurs I talked to said that few customers complained, particularly in San Francisco. The Organic Coup found that customers in Berkeley, Oakland and Pleasanton protested the fast-casual chains cashless policy most vociferously, so they rolled it back in those locations, while San Francisco customers never uttered a peep. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. HRDs Yung sometimes accepts cash from a customer who has the exact amount and then covers the expense with his personal credit card. Kidera has comped the occasional meal. Both reiterate those have been rare occasions. Only the cashier at Icicles says that approximately 10 customers a day spot the stores cashless sign and walk out they tend to be young kids who dont have their own cards. The people who protest may be a vocal minority. But how many more spot the sign and never come in? Going cashless seems like just one more way that San Francisco quietly reinforces the divide between the very, very poor and the middle class and rich. Diners serving inexpensive all-day breakfasts are disappearing. According to Hoodline, coin-operated laundromats are vanishing in astounding rates. Visiting all these cashless restaurants, I began wondering: What is the value of using cash? Cash is private throw away the register receipt, and there is no other record of the transaction, a rarity in an era of data aggregators that can trace our purchases and add them to our purchasing profile. It is democratic, available to the very young and the very geriatric, to the citizen as well as the undocumented worker, to those whose income is below poverty levels as well as one-percenters. Cash transactions do not depend on electricity or the Internet. If we as a society give up cash in favor of a plastic card or a wave of the smartphone, will all those virtues take on a slightly suspect taint? Why isnt he using a card to pay for his food? What is she trying to hide? Off the Grids Cohen envisions setting up a reverse ATM if his events go cashless. Senor Sisigs Kidera who, incidentally, says his cash-counting employee is much better employed running operations for the trucks thinks about the customers hes leaving out. That was the hard part, he says. He thinks that one solution may be to work with younger people to help them understand how to use credit and debit cards without racking up crippling debt. All these things are true: Cash is dangerous. Cash is inefficient. Cash does not let us down. For the moment, customers can walk out of a place that doesnt accept the form of payment they have in hand. But as fewer Bay Area businesses accept cash, it will be critical for us to find ways for the sizeable chunk of the population who doesnt use plastic to pay for goods and services. The city that enabled the cashless movement should be the one to examine its consequences as well. The line at San Franciscos Four Barrel Coffee threatens to spill onto Valencia Street on most mornings. The same goes for its sister cafe, the Mill on Divisadero, which is equally bustling as people flock to buy the cafes espresso and $8 avocado toast. The apparent normalcy at the Four Barrel outposts comes eight months after an explosive sexual harassment lawsuit forced the divestment of the coffee companys founder, Jeremy Tooker, and spurred a vow from its remaining owners, Tal Mor and Jodi Geren, to make the specialty roaster employee-owned. The lawsuit was settled a week after it was filed for an undisclosed amount of money. But seven months after it was made, the promise to shift ownership to employees remains unfulfilled. In the wake of the scandal, Four Barrels pledge to change ownership was viewed by many as a way to make reparations, and perhaps, too, a measure to retain customers. Yet neither of the two remaining owners plans to divest from the company in the foreseeable future, they said earlier this month, though they say they are not ruling out the possibility further down the line. Former employees are not convinced that the companys management has adequately addressed its past. I feel like people have the impression that the harm that was caused there has been fixed or taken care of, said Umeko Motoyoshi, who worked for the company from 2013 to 2015 and was one of the eight women named in the sexual-harassment lawsuit. Thats just not the truth. During the fallout of the January lawsuit, Four Barrels profits drastically declined while debts mounted, according to the company. Cafes and restaurants that previously did business with Four Barrel rushed to distance themselves from the disgraced roaster. By February, Mor said the company had lost 50 percent of its wholesale business. Due to the decline, Mor and Geren laid off seven employees. In recent months, the company turned a corner, financially, according to Mor. Four Barrels three cafes in San Francisco are now operating very close to where they were in previous years, and their once-robust wholesale business has been quietly recovering, according to Mor. Despite the increase, Mor said the company accumulated too much debt earlier this year to become employee-owned. Furthermore, he said that because both he and Geren had invested their own resources to keep the company alive over the past few months, they do not currently plan to divest from Four Barrel. He said the change remains a possibility in the future. While wed initially planned to transition into an employee-owned co-op, the financial reality of our business hasnt allowed for that, he said. It would be unfair to hand off the substantial debt liability weve incurred since January to our employees. Geren and Mor said if Four Barrel becomes profitable in 2018, they will share profits with employees who have worked for the company the entire year. The company currently has 45 employees. Emily Haddad, a former employee who, according to the lawsuit, was once reprimanded for speaking out about the companys offensive merchandise, said that Four Barrel hasnt earned the right to go back to business as normal, or fall back on promises. They want the public to forget about the lawsuit and forget about their actions. I refuse to let that happen, she said. The practice of divesting is not uncommon, said San Francisco real estate attorney Martin Orlick, although rarely is selling a business especially one saddled with debt ever simple. You have to take into consideration the leases, the equipment, the debt, whether there is any litigation against the company, Orlick said. An attractive exit strategy can become unattractive if the employees are saddled with the debt. In Oakland, Charlie Hallowell has reportedly made deals to sell two of his three Oakland restaurants after more than 30 former employees accused him of sexual harassment. New York restaurateur Ken Friedman, who was also accused of sexual misconduct, split his nationwide empire with former partner April Bloomfield, who now runs North Beachs Tosca Cafe on her own. Meanwhile, Mario Batali reportedly remains a partner in his empire, despite promises to the contrary. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Mor and Geren said theyve focused on rebuilding the companys culture since the lawsuit. The entire staff, they said, has completed harassment training, along with trainings on inclusivity and bias. They said leadership positions have increased. Now, 30 percent of the overall workforce are in such positions, and 50 percent of the posts are filled by women. An outside consultant has also been brought on to carry out leadership training that allows for improvement in employee decision-making and feedback. We understand the importance of empowering every employee and shifting the balance of power in our business away from the top, Mor and Geren said in a joint statement. We take responsibility for not having given our managers the proper training and tools to be proactive problem solvers, to create a healthy work environment, and to support all employees. For past employees however, like Motoyoshi, the coffee company has underperformed when it comes to addressing its past. Even current efforts fall short. Increasing the leadership roles and hiring consultants is, she said, like putting lipstick on a pig. Former workers believe that Mor and Geren have been less than forthcoming with workers, pointing out that, between January and March, the companys online blog became the primary platform through which Mor and Geren discussed Four Barrels future. The last blog entry to directly reference the lawsuit and how the company was transitioning was posted Jan. 29. Meanwhile, Haddad said she still wants Geren and Mor to formally divest from the company, financial woes or not. I want Jodi and Tal to also publicly acknowledge their part in all of it, she said. I want Jodi and Tal to divest from the company completely and for Four Barrel to become employee-owned, like they promised. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips BUDAPEST, Hungary Across rural Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban dominates the media landscape. His allies control the major regional newspapers, which provide supportive coverage of Orbans anti-immigrant agenda and his methodical erosion of the countrys democratic checks and balances. Critical, independent outlets are mostly absent. But in November, that looked set to change, if modestly, as the State Department announced a $700,000 grant to help nurture independent media outlets in rural Hungary. To the State Department, the grant would continue a long-standing U.S. effort to promote free speech. To the Orban administration, it was another provocation from the United States, a country that had treated the prime minister like a pariah since 2012. Finalists for the grant were identified. But then, unexpectedly, the selection of a recipient was deferred in July, and the State Department announced that the money might instead be used in other parts of Europe. A huge victory, declared Andras Simonyi, Orbans former envoy to NATO and later the Hungarian ambassador to Washington. This sends a message that Hungary is OK, that Hungary is a democracy. For years, Orbans government has craved validation from Washington, spending millions of dollars on lobbying, mostly in vain. The Obama administration largely ostracized Orban, avoiding high-level, bilateral contacts as punishment for his creeping authoritarian tendencies. U.S. diplomats criticized Orbans crackdown on civil society as did President Barack Obama himself. But now the Trump administration is pivoting, signaling a new engagement with Hungary, as well as nearby Poland. The shift has alarmed many campaigners for democracy and the rule of law, even as others argue that the Obama strategy of trying to isolate Orban had failed, and created openings for Russian and Chinese influence. President Trump has made no secret of his fondness for strongman leaders, yet his praise for them has sometimes been out of step with the policies of his administration. Toward Orban, at least, U.S. policy seems to be following Trumps lead. President Trump thinks that he is a very strong leader, David B. Cornstein, a longtime friend of Trumps who became the U.S. ambassador to Budapest in June, said in an interview. And our president admires strong leaders and looks forward to this relationship going forward. To some European diplomats and analysts, Trumps pivot in Hungary deepens their belief that his administration is trying to divide the European Union, a bloc that he regards as a powerful trade competitor. Trump has frequently criticized the union, even describing it as a trade foe, while praising the Continents insurgent, populist forces. His former senior adviser Steve Bannon is trying to create a Europe-wide alliance of far-right politicians before European Parliament elections next year, and his new ambassador to Germany, Richard A. Grenell, has said he hopes to empower conservative forces across the Continent. I think theyre using Hungary like theyre using other countries in Europe with nationalist leaderships to divide the European Union, said Jiri Pehe, the chief of cabinet to Czech President Vaclav Havel in the 1990s. It is nice that theyre putting up this facade in Washington on their opening with Hungary, saying that this is an effort towards keeping Hungary in the Atlantic alliance but this certainly doesnt contribute to Hungary becoming more Euro-Atlantic. It legitimizes Russian influence in Hungary, added Pehe, who is now the director of New York Universitys campus in Prague. With a program to build what he calls an illiberal democracy, Orban is the most influential populist leader in Europe. He has cultivated ties with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, called for a countercultural revolution inside the European Union, and anointed himself as the protector of Europes Christian identity. His critics argue that he has undermined the countrys checks and balances, gerrymandered the electoral map and placed the judiciary under the management of one of his oldest friends. This record is why Orban struggled for influence in Washington during the Obama years, despite making a real effort. His government donated millions of dollars to dozens of U.S. research groups, cultural foundations, scholarship funds and lobbyists, much of it funneled through the Hungarian Initiatives Foundation, which is registered as a company in Delaware but owned, according to Hungarian law, by Orbans office. The Hungarian government has endowed the foundation with $15 million, according to official records. Small donations were made to U.S. foreign policy think tanks, including two payments totaling $20,000 to the Center for European Policy Analysis, a Washington-based research group led at the time by A. Wess Mitchell, whom Trump has since appointed as assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia. Trump, of course, has been sharply critical of the U.S. news media, repeatedly describing reporters as the enemy of the people. And the pressures on independent news outlets in Hungary are well documented: Not long after the U.S. grant was deferred, a magazine critical of Orban, Heti Valasz, announced that it would shut down. The private television channel HirTV was taken over by an Orban ally. I dont think you can separate this policy decision from an administration that has clearly downplayed support for human rights and democratic institutions abroad, said Robert G. Berschinski, who served as deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy and human rights from 2016 to 2017. This administration is simply not prioritizing these issues. 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. He added, Both Trump and key officials at the State Department seem willing to give the Hungarian government a pass on its abandonment of liberal democracy, if for slightly differing reasons. Yet others disagree, including some critics of Orban and Trump. As Obamas aggressive tactics failed to rein in Orban, it was worth trying a more quietist strategy, said Simonyi, the former Hungarian ambassador to Washington. I want to see the U.S. make a real effort to keep these guys in our Western orbit, he said. We might not like it, a lot of my liberal friends in Budapest might not like it, but its got to be done. He added, Its in Western interests to talk to this guy. Since becoming ambassador to Budapest in June, Cornstein has defended the Central European University, an American institution in the city that Orban has tried to shut down because of its connections to George Soros, the American-Hungarian financier and philanthropist whom Orban has portrayed as an enemy of the Hungarian state. Cornstein promised in an interview to speak out strongly in private if he personally reached the conclusion that the Orban government was a threat to the rule of law. If you see something is not democratic, something is hurting the Hungarian government and people, you should say something about it, he said. But it should be done in private. You dont voice that opinion first and foremost in the media. Patrick Kingsley is a New York Times writer. Many leaders of public companies in the United States have complained about the negative aspects of filing quarterly financial reports, citing the time they consume and their excessive emphasis on short-term results. Those complaints appear to have a receptive audience in the White House. In a tweet early Friday, President Trump wrote that he had directed the Securities and Exchange Commission to study moving corporate America from reporting earnings on a quarterly basis to doing so twice a year. In speaking with some of the worlds top business leaders I asked what it is that would make business (jobs) even better in the U.S. Stop quarterly reporting & go to a six month system, said one. That would allow greater flexibility & save money. I have asked the SEC to study! Trump wrote. A move to twice-a-year reporting would be an important shift for U.S. financial markets, where investors and analysts have come to rely on quarterly updates of profits and sales from public companies. At the very least, the presidents message is likely to renew a debate about whether U.S. companies are overly focused on short-term results at the expense of long-term goals. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was the latest corporate chieftain to raise the issue. In a message to employees last week explaining why he has proposed taking the company private, he wrote, Being public also subjects us to the quarterly earnings cycle that puts enormous pressure on Tesla to make decisions that may be right for a given quarter, but not necessarily right for the long-term. But it is not just business leaders who have criticized the quarterly earnings requirements. Investors have as well. BlackRock, the $6 trillion firm that is the worlds largest asset manager, has urged companies to stop providing quarterly earnings estimates. Todays culture of quarterly earnings hysteria is totally contrary to the long-term approach we need, Laurence Fink, BlackRocks chairman, wrote in a letter to 500 chief executives in 2016. Martin Lipton of the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, one of the most ardent defenders of big corporations, has already called on the SEC to consider letting companies step off the quarterly reporting treadmill. Some investors are less likely to support the idea floated by Trump, which would cut down on information available about how the companies they invested in are performing. Investors and other stakeholders benefit when regulations ensure that important information is promptly and transparently provided to the marketplace, said Amy Borrus, deputy director of the Council of Institutional Investors, a group representing large investors such as pension funds and endowments. Investors need timely, accurate financial information to make informed investment decisions. Jim Chanos, a well-known investor who specializes in shorting stocks, agreed. Im in the camp of more disclosure is better than less. And the U.S. financial disclosure is the best in the world, Chanos said. He added, however, that some elements of the quarterly reporting process should be re-examined, including the rampant release of quarterly numbers that do not conform to the standard set of accounting rules used in the United States, which often make a companies financial results look better. Even those who sometimes criticize the focus on quarterly earnings may not think that abolishing quarterly reports altogether is the right approach. In an essay published in the Wall Street Journal this summer, Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, and billionaire investor Warren Buffett said that they favor eliminating quarter-earnings guidance, not quarterly earnings results. Transparency about financial and operating results is an essential aspect of U.S. public markets, they wrote. We support being open with shareholders about actual financial and operational metrics. Michael J. de la Merced is a New York Times writer. TEHRAN The band gathers in a small carpentry shop on the outskirts of Irans capital, with sawdust still in the air but the buzzing of the jigsaws now exchanged for the soft feedback of an amplifier. A drummer strikes his snare four times and Hakim Ebrahimi opens with the first dreamy notes of Afghanistan, the groups Metallica-inspired rock ballad. The four rockers who make up the band, known as Arikayn, are Afghan refugees, and their struggles mirror those of millions of other Afghans who have fled to Iran during decades of war. They once had to sneak through a Taliban checkpoint to play a gig in their home country, and they face discrimination in Iran, but they say that hasnt stopped them from playing the music they love. This is very hard for all of us, but when we play a song, we become the person that we want to be, bassist Mohammad Rezai said. Iran is home to one of the worlds largest and most-protracted refugee crises. More than 3 million Afghans, including over 1 million who entered without legal permission, live in the Islamic Republic, according to United Nations estimates. Three of the bands four original members were born in Iran, including female guitarist and vocalist Soraya Hosseini, drummer Akbar Bakhtiary and Rezai. Ebrahimi came to Iran as a child. They formed the band Arikayn, which is Dari for Lantern, in 2013. Arikayns music recalls Metallicas work. Ebrahimi, who said his idol is Metallica frontman James Hetfield, evokes his guitar work in Afghanistan. By day, Ebrahimi works in the carpentry shop. Other band members have day jobs as well, though Hosseini relies on help from her mother. Like other Afghans, they face challenges in finding work in a country that had high unemployment even before President Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and began reimposing sanctions. That stress multiplied when the band decided to play a show at a 2015 music festival in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, where Ebrahimi lived until age 10. They had looked forward to performing beneath the ruins of the great Buddha statues of Bamiyan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. To get to the area west of Kabul, however, the band had to cross through Taliban-held territory. It was wonderful, and words cannot describe our feelings when we performed in a large plain in front of the statues of Buddha and more than 2,000 Afghans, Hosseini said. In the time since, however, reality has come crashing down. Some Afghans in Iran are beginning to leave the country. Bakhtiary left Iran, hoping to reach Europe. After a time in Turkey, he made it to Italy, where he is now jobless. Rezai prefers his work at a nearby tailor shop to practicing. For now, Arikayns only audience is those who work in Ebrahimis carpentry shop. On a recent night, the band tore into its song Stand Up, which challenges the Taliban. Amir Vahdat is an Associated Press writer. MIAMI An Alaska man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the January 2017 Florida airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded, a federal judge ordered Friday. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom accepted a plea deal in which Esteban Santiago, 28, agreed to admit to the shooting if prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Santiago pleaded guilty in May to 11 charges of causing death and violence at an international airport. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, admitted he opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after traveling there on a one-way ticket. He retrieved a box containing a Walther 9mm handgun from checked luggage, loaded it in a restroom and came out firing 15 shots. Judge Bloom called the rampage 85 seconds of evil and said she found it difficult to separate the evil of the acts from the evil in the man. You destroyed families in this senseless attack, the judge said. An Iraq war veteran, Santiago was diagnosed after the shooting as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Doctors say he has improved with antipsychotic medication. Santiago initially told the FBI after the shooting he was under government mind control, then switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of the Islamic State extremist group. Several family members of victims spoke in court Friday, describing their deep sense of loss for those who died and some discussing the health struggles of shooting survivors. Santiago, a native of New Jersey, has family in Puerto Rico and a young son in Alaska, court records show. He did not speak in court Friday, and no family members spoke on his behalf. Curt Anderson is an Associated Press writer. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A group called the Satanic Temple temporarily placed a bronze statue of a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet at the Arkansas State Capitol during a rally to call for the removal of a Ten Commandments monument already mounted on Capitol grounds. About 150 Satanists, atheists and Christians attended the First Amendment rally Thursday. The Satanic Temple says the Ten Commandments monument violates constitutional freedom of religion rights and that the installation of their 7-foot-tall statue showing the 14th century idol seated and accompanied by smiling children would demonstrate religious tolerance. ALEXANDRIA, Va. The judge in former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manaforts fraud trial refused Friday to release the names of jurors, saying he has received threats and fears for their safety as well. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III revealed his concerns in explaining why he doesnt intend to make jurors names public at the end of the trial, now headed into its third day of jury deliberations on Monday. Shortly after the hearing, the jury sent a note to the judge asking to stop their second day of deliberations a half hour early on Friday, at 5 p.m., because a juror had an event to attend. The judge agreed. A coalition of media organizations filed a motion requesting the names of jurors, as well as access to sealed transcripts of bench conferences that have occurred during the trial. Jury lists are presumed to be public unless a judge articulates a reason for keeping them secret. Eliis said during a hearing Friday afternoon said he is concerned for the peace and safety of the jurors. Ive received criticism and threats, Ellis said. I imagine they would, too. The judge said he is currently under the protection of U.S. marshals. He declined to delve into specifics, but said hes been taken aback by the level of interest in the trial. Also Friday, President Trump issued a fresh defense of Manafort, calling him a very good person. Manafort is accused of hiding from the IRS millions that he made advising Russia-backed politicians in Ukraine, and then lying to banks to get loans when the money dried up. He faces 18 felony counts on tax evasion and bank fraud. The financial fraud trial is the first courtroom test of the ongoing Russia probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller. While allegations of collusion are still being investigated, evidence of bank fraud and tax evasion unearthed during the probe has cast doubt on the integrity of Trumps closest advisers during the campaign. Matthew Barakat, Stephen Braun and Jeff Horwitz are Associated Press writers. The 18-year-old who shoved her teenage friend off a 60-foot bridge near Vancouver, Wash., causing her to suffer serious injuries, was charged Friday with reckless endangerment. Taylor Smith faces a punishment of up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000. ABC News reported that prosecutors cited a statement by the arresting officer: "It is clear that Taylor Smith engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of death and resulted in serious physical injury to Jordan Holgerson." Holgerson, 16, was standing on the ledge of bridge over the Lewis River in Moulton Falls Regional Park on Aug. 7 when Smith suddenly pushed her off. The younger girl hit the water in a belly flop, the impact breaking six ribs, puncturing her lung and air bubbles in her chest, according to officials. The incident was captured both on cellphone video and on surveillance camera video. Both show Smith pushing Holgerson. During an interview Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Smith said, "She wanted to jump and she was scared and she had asked me to give her a push, and I didn't think about the consequences." Smith told "Good Morning America" that she reached out immediately to apologize to Holgerson and tried to visit her at the hospital, but was turned away. --- 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. LONDON After an emergency landing on a Swiss glacier, the group of 12 Americans drank melted snow and survived on rations of one chocolate bar a person until daring pilots shuttled them to safety after five days marooned on the ice. Relics of that harrowing adventure and the successful rescue of all those onboard, including an 11-year-old girl and the captains mother, resurfaced after 70 years this month when scorching summer temperatures in Europe caused the glacial ice to recede. The melting uncovered a large part of the wreckage of the U.S. Air Force transport plane, including a wing and items from the cabin, like canned food and clothes hangers. Parts of the C-53 aircraft, also known as a Dakota, had already been discovered over the past 20 years. But the heat waves washing over much of the continent this year, which many have linked to climate change, have permitted the retrieval of many more artifacts that recount the death-defying story of the 1946 flight. The plane had been heading to Marseille, in the south of France, from Munich, carrying American officers and family members. The pilot, Capt. Ralph Tate, found himself navigating among snowy peaks in turbulent weather and was forced to make a risky landing on the glacier to avoid crashing. One passenger, a sergeant, broke his knee in the crash, but the others had relatively minor injuries. Snow covered the plane and formed a kind of igloo that helped them survive, Swiss rescuers said, adding that the plane had miraculously missed a crevice 250 feet wide and 50 feet deep. The rescue operation was extensive. About 150 U.S. troops stationed in Italy arrived in the village of Meiringen, at the foot of the glacier, to climb the mountain in search of survivors. But it was two Swiss pilots who became the missions heroes, flying German-made reconnaissance planes fitted with skis to land on the ice and pick up the stranded Americans. The planes could carry only two of the stranded passengers at a time, however, so numerous gut-wrenching trips were needed to transport everyone to safety. The operation the first time the Swiss air force used planes to carry out a mountain rescue became a milestone in Swiss aviation history. The survival of everyone onboard after the plane careened into a glacier at 170 mph continues to amaze experts. It was the most improbable story in the history of international aviation, for a passenger aircraft cruising at a speed of 280 kilometers per hour, to hit the ground with everyone on board unhurt, Peter Brotschi, a Swiss aviation expert, told the state broadcaster SRF after the recent discovery. Palko Karasz is a New York Times writer. | BY Ricki Green | Starcom client business director Elizabeth Vaz clocked up a rare milestone in the advertising industry celebrating 30 years with Starcom this week. Vaz began her media industry career with Masius Advertising before she joined what was then Total Media in 1988 as personal assistant to the managing director. In 2001, Starcom and Total Media merged to create what was Australias second largest agency. She has worked in various roles at Starcom, including media buying, planning and strategy. Her 30-year anniversary was celebrated at Starcom with speeches and accolades, led by Melbourne managing director, Stuart Jaffray, and surrounded by staff. Her daughter, Andrea Vaz, is continuing in her mothers footsteps and works at Publicis Media as research systems manager. Says Vaz: I love what I do and I love Starcom, especially the people. Starcom attracts wonderful people, who are proud of their work and very talented. It is a very caring place. My advice to anyone is that people forget a lot of things in life, but people never forget how you made them feel. So make everyone feel good about having met you. The Eastern Villa Apartments are two rows of slate-gray buildings in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Sacramento. On Wednesday morning, residents awoke to their parking lot filling with black SUVs and FBI agents swarming toward the corner unit of the apartment complex. The heavily armed federal authorities, with help from the Sacramento Sheriffs Office, arrested Omar Ameen, 45, an Iraqi citizen whom they accused of being a longtime member of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. We were all looking and saying, What is this?' said Greg Hutson, 65, an Uber driver who was one of Ameens neighbors. He didnt do anything while he was here that hinted that he was part of a terrorist organization. | BY Ricki Green | UnLtd, the media, marketing and creative industrys social purpose organisation, has announced a total industry contribution of $10.5m to social impact in FY18. To celebrate and showcase the fantastic positive impact our industry has generated, UnLtd has also announced the launch of the inaugural Big Dream event in partnership with the MFA. The total value of funds, services, inventory and time donated by the media, marketing and creative industry increased by 21% compared to the previous financial year due to a growth in corporate partners, and an increase in fundraising through events and media inventory donations. Says Chris Freel, CEO, UnLtd: Weve seen a surge in demand from individuals and organisations wanting to get involved and give back to the community, which has resulted in the biggest year yet. Since our launch, we have now generated over $45m to social impact and our aim is to make it $100m by 2021. We are proud of everyone in the industry who has helped us achieve this result and feel that we are really starting to gain momentum with much more to come. The impact these donations have had on changing the lives of children and young people at risk is huge. We joke about not saving lives in our industry but through the support of UnLtd and our charity partners that is exactly what we are doing. Highlights of the impact our industry has made in FY18 include: Helped keep kids out of prison and off the streets through funding a critical outreach program for Whitelion, supporting over 100 young people living rough on the streets of Sydney each week Gave rural young people disengaged from education valuable life and employment skills by funding a welding training program and building a mobile office at BackTrack Provided children suffering from severe trauma access to critical trauma therapy through the funding of the Be Centre Arts Club project Helped batyr smash the stigma around mental health by running 25 school programs reaching over 3,700 high school children, funded by UnLtd corporate partners Launched the UnLtd: Talent Rise program to tackle youth unemployment, with 6 young people already placed into employment within the media, marketing and creative industry Supported Mirabel in breaking the cycle of drug abuse by funding an alumni program to provide mentoring for children orphaned or abandoned due to drug abuse Funded creative writing workshops by Sydney Story Factory for 70 marginalised teenagers in Shalvey in Blacktown to develop their writing skills and confidence to find their voice and shape their future Raised brand awareness and funds for batyr, HeartKids, Pyjama Foundation, Sydney Story Factory, Mirabel, Weave and Youth Off The Streets through national campaigns Through setting up and managing successful corporate partnerships, helped charities grow and scale up to support thousands of vulnerable children and young people The Big Dream event on 15 November will bring the entire industry together to celebrate the impact weve generated as an industry, hear from some of those young people whose lives have been transformed and to raise funds to help even more children and young people at risk. Says Sophie Madden, CEO, MFA: There is so much generosity in our industry and its something that should be acknowledged and celebrated. The MFA has been a long-term supporter of UnLtd and we are delighted to be partnering with UnLtd to showcase some of the amazing work our industry has done to make a positive change in the society. Says Danny Bass, CEO of IPG Mediabrands and Board Member of UnLtd: Once again, our industry has shown its generosity with another record-breaking year in contributions to UnLtds charity partners. The Big Dream allows us to showcase the positive social impact were making each day and reward those that have truly made a difference. I encourage everyone in the industry to join the Big Dream to celebrate as an industry and to continue to make a difference in the lives of young people at risk. Legislative wrangling has drastically changed California's bail reform proposal Senate Bill 10 in the last week, spurring co-sponsors to withdraw their support and instead actively oppose the legislation. The proposed bill "completely misses the point of ending money bail," says Raj Jayadev, co-founder of Silicon Valley De-Bug, a grassroots community organization. Jayadev's organization has gone from being an original co-sponsor of SB 10 to being firmly opposed to the updated bill. He said the proposed bill could potentially increase, not decrease, the number of arrestees detained pre-trial release in California. Other original co-sponsors, including the Essie Justice Group and the ACLU of California have withdrawn their support for the revised bill. The revised bill would allow "preventative detention" -- meaning that many arrestees who previously would have been released on bail, now would be held indefinitely, without the possibility of release. If SB 10 is written into law this week, even misdemeanor charges could lead to 'preventative detention." Criminal justice reform advocate and public defender of San Francisco Jeff Adachi said the revised bill gives judges too much power, allowing them to "lock people up on minor charges [and] misdemeanors with very little due process." Adachi also is concerned that the new bill leaves decisions about who should be ineligible for release up to boards of supervisors in individual counties, which could mean that people arrested in different counties face different chances of being detained for the same crime. Not everyone sees judicial discretion, or differences between counties as a bad thing. The way that the revised bill gives boards of supervisors decision-making power "responds to the need of individual communities" says Judge Scott M. Gordon, who is a Los Angeles County Superior Court supervising judge and a member of the Judicial Council Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup. If a county has access to ankle bracelets, Gordon says, that county may be able to release more people than another county that has less resources to keep track of arrestees awaiting trial. Previous iterations of the bill, sponsored by state Sen. Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, also specified that any risk assessments that replace cash bail would have to ensure gender and racial equality. The new version of SB 10 does not require that counties collect the kind of information needed to test if pretrial risk assessments are biased in how they treat minorities and women. Hertzberg has not yet given comment about the changes to the bill. Under the current system, defendants can post bail, which will be returned to them upon their appearance in court, so long as they aren't arrested in the meantime. More often, however, defendants can't afford bail, which can be set as high as $1 million for serious felony offenses. In those cases, a defendant pays a bail bond company around 10 percent of the full bail amount. The bail agent keeps that 10 percent, in exchange for posting the full bail amount. The initial bill would have replaced cash bail with a system of release or detention based upon a "pretrial risk assessment score." Risk assessments essentially add together factors to predict whether a certain defendant is likely to skip town, or commit another offense. But critics of risk assessments say that the tools may be biased against minorities, because the predictive tools are built off of arrest data, which may be skewed towards minorities. A coalition that included the ACLU, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Color of Change released a statement this month raising concerns about risk assessment. According to Sakira Cook, director of the Criminal Justice program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights based in Washington, D.C., the statement was framed around decarceration, while also highlighting the potential for racial bias in pretrial risk assessment. An updated version of SB 10 released today has minimized the role of assessment tools in favor of allowing judges greater discretion, and counties to make decisions about what kinds of defendants to release or detain. 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) San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera today filed a lawsuit against a developer accused of failing to repay a $5.5 million loan granted by the city in 2005 for the Fillmore Heritage Center. According to Herrera, developer Michael Johnson used the loan to help build the center, a development with both housing and commercial businesses, in the city's historic Fillmore Jazz Preservation District. The lawsuit it seeking the repayment of the loan as well as interest and late charges, which add up to a total of more than $6.5 million as of last month. The suit also seeks compensatory damages. In addition to Johnson, the suit also names three companies that Johnson controls: Fillmore Development Commercial, LLC; EM Johnson Interest, Inc.; and Urban Core Development LLC. "The city made this loan in good faith and has given Mr. Johnson every change to pay back San Francisco tax payers," Herrera said in a statement. "San Francisco has worked with Mr. Johnson at every turn. Mr. Johnson has never held up his end of the bargain. The years of excuses are over. Time's up. San Francisco taxpayers need to be made whole." The San Francisco Mayor's Office of Community Development gave the loan to Johnson's company, Fillmore Development Commercial LL, for the project, which housed the famed - and now closed - Yoshi's jazz club. SAN JOSE (BCN) A former music teacher at The Harker School was arrested for allegedly having inappropriate sexual communication with a 16-year-old girl, San Jose police reported. Christopher Florio, 39, who is currently a youth symphony instructor in Palo Alto, taught instrumental music at the private school for grades nine through 12 at the time of the offense, according to police. Police said Florio had inappropriate sexual conversations with the girl during school-related functions and communicated with her on social media to receive sexually explicit photos. He was arrested at his home Thursday and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of communicating with a minor to commit a specified felony and annoying or molesting a minor. Anyone with information about the alleged crimes is asked to contact Det. Chris Mendoza at (408) 537-1379. 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. After an Alameda County Superior Court judge last week rejected a plea deal for the two defendants in the case of the deadly 2016 Ghost Ship fire in Oakland, prosecutors have told the two men's attorneys they will no longer accept or entertain any more plea deals. "I don't expect there will ever be another deal offered to me and my client," Tony Serra, an attorney for Derick Almena, said Thursday. "The DA has taken a hard position and said, 'We're not negotiating with either defendant any longer,'" Serra said. Almena and co-defendant Max Harris are scheduled to appear at a hearing Friday, where Serra said he will ask for a change of venue if the case goes to trial, which he now expects will happen. Almena was the Ghost Ship warehouse's master tenant before the December 2016 fire that destroyed the warehouse-turned-artists' space in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood, killing 36 people inside who had come for a concert. Harris was the Ghost Ship's creative director. Almena and Harris had been expected to each plead no contest to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter at an Aug. 10 sentencing hearing. Under the deal, Almena would have been sentenced to nine years in jail, and Harris to six years. But Judge James Cramer said at the Aug. 10 hearing that he didn't feel Almena had expressed sufficient remorse for what had happened at the warehouse. Cramer said the plea deal was for both men, and that rejecting it for one of them would be rejecting it for the other, too. Serra said Thursday he hopes Cramer will opt to call for an "open plea" from the defendants that prosecutors would not have to approve. As for that change of venue request, Serra said, "I don't know where we will get a fair trial. "I expect many things to be ironed out in judge's chambers (Friday)," Serra added. Attorneys for Harris were not immediately available to comment. President Donald Trump Thursday nominated a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner in a corporate law firm in San Francisco as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California. David Anderson, 55, a partner in the San Francisco office of Chicago-based Sidley Austin LLP, must be approved by the U.S. Senate before taking office. The Northern California U.S. attorney supervises 135 federal lawyers in civil and criminal cases concerning the U.S. government in a district that encompasses the Bay Area and coastal Northern California to the Oregon border. The U.S. Attorney's Office is based in San Francisco and has branches in San Jose and Oakland. Anderson previously worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office as a prosecutor from 1998 to 2002 and later as first assistant U.S. attorney, or second in command, under U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello from 1998 to 2002. He graduated with honors from San Jose State University in 1985 and Stanford Law School in 1990. In 1991-92, he served as a law clerk to recently retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. As a private lawyer, Anderson represented companies and individuals in civil and criminal cases. His corporate clients have included AT&T Inc., Facebook Inc., Genentech Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co., according to Sidley Austin. Anderson said in a statement, "I am honored and grateful to have received this recognition. "If officially nominated and confirmed, I would love to re-enter government service and lead the team of professionals in the U.S. Attorney's office," he said. If approved by the Senate, Anderson will replace Acting U.S. Attorney Alex Tse, who was temporarily appointed to that position by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in January. Tse previously served as first assistant U.S. attorney. Tse stated, "I have known Dave Anderson for almost three decades and I am certain he will be an outstanding U.S. attorney. I am honored to continue in the role of U.S. attorney until he is confirmed and I look forward to a smooth transition to his leadership." A suspect wanted on suspicion of killing a woman last week in Fairfield turned herself in to law enforcement Thursday evening, police reported. Iyesia James, 43, of Woodland, was identified Thursday morning as a suspect in the Aug. 6 homicide of Letha Bell Portis, 51, of Fairfield. James was arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail on suspicion of murder Thursday evening, police reported at 8:25 p.m. The two women knew each other and were involved in an altercation immediately before Portis was assaulted, according to police. Portis was found bleeding in a parking lot in the 1700 block of North Texas Street at about 11 p.m. and later died at the hospital. James allegedly fled the scene after the woman's death, and police said the suspect might have been a transient in Fairfield. A dozen alleged members of an MS-13 gang in Santa Cruz have been accused in a revised indictment by a federal grand jury in San Jose of charges including murder, drug trafficking and racketeering. The revised indictment handed down Thursday is the third to be filed against the defendants. The first was issued in February 2017 and an amended version was filed in April. The gang allegedly operated between 2012 and 2017 and was known as Santa Cruz Salvatrucha Locos 13, or SCSL13, according to prosecution documents. It allegedly was a branch of the larger Mara Salvatrucha 13, or MS-13, and was made up primarily of immigrants and descendants of immigrants from El Salvador. Acting U.S. Attorney Alex Tse said in a statement, "MS-13 has presented a violent threat in the Santa Cruz area for years." "The gang targeted many, including other immigrants from El Salvador, and they instilled fear in everyone who experienced or witnessed their brutality," he said. All 12 defendants are accused of conspiring to racketeer, or conduct an organized-crime enterprise. The charge carries a potential life sentence upon conviction. Six are accused of conspiring to murder rival gang members and three of those defendants are accused of murder in aid of racketeering, according to an indictment summary prepared by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The defendants accused of murder in aid of racketeering are Erick Escalante-Torres, 23; Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar, 28; and Alexander Martinez-Flores, 29. That charge could carry a potential death penalty if local federal prosecutors seek approval to pursue a death penalty and the U.S. attorney general allows it. Otherwise, it carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Seven defendants are charged with conspiring to extort payments from local drug dealers by threatening violence against the dealers, their families or friends. Other charges against various defendants include conspiring to sell methamphetamine and using guns in crimes of violence. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police are seeking a suspect who allegedly attacked a man using brass knuckles before robbing him of his belongings early Thursday morning in San Francisco's Mission District. Just after midnight, a man walking near 19th and Mission streets felt someone put their hand on them, police said. When the victim turned around, a suspect punched him with brass knuckles. The victim, a 48-year-old man, then discovered that his cellphone and credit cards were missing. The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to police. Officers were unable to locate the suspect, described by police as a man in his mid 20s. 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. UNION CITY (BCN) An Uber driver has been charged with four felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Union City after he picked her up in San Francisco last month, prosecutors said today. San Francisco resident Kevin Saballas, 30, was charged on Thursday with forcible oral copulation, kidnapping, false imprisonment and sexual battery, according to court documents. He is being held in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $270,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court to enter a plea this morning, according to jail records. Saballas was arrested by Union City police on Tuesday. Police said that on the morning of July 14, he picked up a woman in San Francisco, took her to Union City and sexually assaulted her on the way. The police investigation identified Saballas as a suspect and police obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody on Tuesday at his workplace in South San Francisco. The proposal of setting up a childbirth fund to cover expenses of families having second child has drawn a wave of criticism. A family with two children [File photo: IC] An article published Tuesday on Xinhua Daily, a Party-run newspaper of Jiangsu province, suggested establishing a childbirth fund which collects a portion of salary from employees under the age of 40 to cover costs incurred during breaks of female workers on maternal leave. The article was written jointly by Liu Zhibiao and Zhang Ye from the Yangtze Institute of Industrial Economy of the Nanjing University. The article said families having a second baby are allowed to draw money from the fund as subsidy for their child rearing. If a family does not have a second child, it can withdraw the money deposited in the fund upon retirement. The article said as the number of Chinese women of child-bearing age is expected to drop dramatically in the next decade, and the positive effect of loosening family-planning policy to wane, China faces a grim prospect of low birth rate and declining working population. The proposal has drawn a wave of criticism from internet users and scholars. "Do you know how much pressure we working people between the ages 25 to 30 suffer? We pay thousands of yuan each month on housing mortgage and car mortgage and social security premiums. We have to empty out our pockets to make the ends meet. Now you reach your hands into our pocket to collect childbirth fund?" commented an internet user on wallstreetcn.com. He Yafu, a demographer, told Caixin.com that Chinese employees already pay a relatively high level of social insurance premiums - around 39 percent of the total income. Paying for the proposed childbirth fund will push up the cost of employers, which goes against the guideline of the central government to ease burden on enterprises and let employees have more cash in hand. He said to encourage more people to have child, the country should implement more measures to ease financial burdens on families, such as tax break and subsidy for families with new child. According to statistics of National Bureau of Statistics, the total birth rate of China was 1.7 in 2016, below the level needed for population replacement, which is 2.1 by recognized international standard. To reverse the trend of low fertility rate, China loosened its decades-long family-planning policy in 2016, allowing couples to have a second child, and extended maternity leave to parents with new babies. However, the number of newborns in 2017 has dropped by 630,000 from the previous year, which indicates that the "two children policy" has not increased the birth rates. To raise the birth rate, local governments have rolled out preferential policies for families with new child. Xianning city in Hubei province announced policies this month to give subsidies of up to 30,000 yuan to families with difficulties in having baby and exempt a portion of fees for their children to attend kindergarten, and grant priority to families with a second child in applying for low-income houses. In June, Shaanxi province pledged to allow women to give birth to as many children as they want. | BY Lynchy | Wunderman has named former Accenture Digital Executive, Shannon Dix, as CEO of Wunderman Singapore (pictured left). Dix will report to Wunderman APAC Chief Executive Officer Caspar Schlickum. Dix brings two decades of marketing, digital, and technology experience, having built teams and run businesses in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia. Throughout his career, Dix has won, developed and implemented award-winning work for clients such as Unilever, Mars, McLaren, Volvo, Moet Hennessy, Emirates and HTC, across industry verticals such as CPG, Automotive, Travel and Tech. Dix joins Wunderman from Accenture Digital where he led the consultancys ASEAN digital hub based in Singapore. Prior to Accenture Digital, Dix served as Director of Global Clients at Publicis.Sapient in China, where he helped evolve, transform, and reposition Publicis.Sapient to be an experience-led and digital transformation offering agency. Dix will be supported by Singapore Chief Operating Officer Nimesh Desai, who will also continue to manage the integration of Wundermans business in South East Asia, and take on additional responsibility developing Wundermans fast growing ecommerce capability in the region. Schlickum said, We are very excited to welcome Shannon to the Wunderman leadership team in Singapore and the APAC region. Shannon joins us at a pivotal time for our business as we continue to bring together the top talent in the industry to deliver a Creatively Driven, Data Inspired business in the region. On screen in the dark theater, a shot of the Baltic Sea came on screen. The water was pea-green in color. When the shot panned out to show a family playing in the cyanobacteria-filled beach, an audible gasp rippled through the full theater. It was a sight that hit a little too close to home for south Floridians. The audience was alive and engaged for the full length of Toxic Puzzle: Hunt for the Hidden Killer, screened at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater Tuesday. With coordination from the Calusa Waterkeeper and District 78 Representative Heather Fitzhagen, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater scheduled a screening of the cyanobacteria-focused documentary a few weeks ago. Will Prather, theater owner, said he originally planned to host the screening in the theaters smaller room until the event sold out three days before the showing, with more than 450 people in attendance. Prather said he was very surprised but that interest in the topic has been growing as Floridas waters are subject to both cyanobacteria and red tide blooms this summer. Its exploded in the past few weeks, he said. I turned away 100 people in the last hour (before the showing). Tickets were $10; proceeds are being donated Calusa Waterkeeper and Captains for Clean Water. Waterkeeper Executive Director KC Shulberg said hes planning to have another showing in Naples, based on the high demand. The documentary was produced by Bo Landin, a Swedish biologist and videographer. It focused on the health risks of contact with a toxin produced by cyanobacteria, an amino acid called beta-methylamino-L-alanine, or BMAA. Landin follows the research of Paul Cox, an ethnobotanist who found a potential connection between the neurotoxin BMAA and diseases like ALS and Alzheimers. Cox traveled the globe, finding cyanobacteria throughout the world, including in the desert of Kuwait, inside plants in Guam and in the rivers of Australia. Stuart and Lake Okeechobee got a mention for the 2016 blooms, too. The cyanobacteria present in the dust of Kuwait is believed to be linked to the spike in American military members who developed ALS after returning from conflict in the area in the 1990s. Researchers in the documentary had also found hotspots of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS where there were toxic cyanobacteria blooms. During the segment about Stuart and Lake Okeechobee, Cox said he contacted Martin County commissioners for a public meeting about the health risks but that no health officials attended. He said something political was blocking public health awareness, and cheers arose from the theater crowd. After the film, Director of Natural Policy for Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, Rae Ann Wessel, led a Q&A panel discussion with John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper, and three researchers featured in the film: Dr. Walter Bradley, Dr. James Metcalf and Dr. Larry Brant. Questions were collected from the audience who cheered when the researchers said something they agreed with. Many questions related to the presence of BMAA in Florida but the toxin isnt specifically tested for here. Bradley said some hotspots of ALS have been identified in Florida; the 2016 blooms tested with low ranges of BMAA. BMAA is a different toxin than microcystin, which is tested for and is prevalent in Florida cyanobacteria blooms. There are thousands of species of cyanobacteria, and they can coexist in the same water body. Weve had two blue-green algae blooms in two years perhaps the most toxic, pervasive red tide since 2006, Cassani said. We should have learned more from the 2016 bloom. I hope we can learn from this. Another question was if people should be asking their doctors for any specific tests related to cyanobacteria, but the answer was no. It can take a long time for ALS to become present. Others asked if the fish in Florida was safe to eat and if it could contain BMAA. Metcalf said some species accumulate BMAA, especially blue crab in Maryland, and some fish had tested positive for BMAA in Florida Bay and the Caloosahatchee. But, its still unknown how long BMAA could stay in the fishs system or how high levels of BMAA need to be to affect people. Killing or diminishing cyanobacteria was another common thread. But Brand said trying methods to kill cyanobacteria would prove difficult, as its a tough bacteria and what could kill it would probably kill other species of organisms, too. Also, when cyanobacteria dies, it re-releases the nutrients it fed upon back into the water. Brand said Lee Countys pilot program of sucking up the cyanobacteria mats in canals could be a viable solution, but only on a localized scale. The high concentrations in canals, that might make sense to suck up a small area, he said. But a large scale area, no. The four panelists agreed: the best way to stop the blooms is to stop the nutrient loading in the water. Brand said more regulation was needed or current regulations needed to be enforced more stringently. You really need to stop nutrients at their source, Brand said. At the end, Wessel allowed each to make a few points to the audience. All fours advice to everyone about cyanobacteria? Not to panic, but to become educated, and: Dont swim in green, mucky algae, Bradley said. Early voting for the Aug. 28 Primary Election starts tomorrow at 10 a.m. and runs through Aug. 25 at 10 locations across Lee County, three of which are located in Cape Coral. The Cape Coral locations include Cape Coral Elections Office, 1039 SE 9th Avenue, Cape Coral Lee County Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace and Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Boulevard, North. The polls are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day during early voting. We had our logic and accuracy test today. Everything tested fine, Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said Wednesday afternoon. The office started opening the vote-by-mail ballots Wednesday. The total ballots cast so far was 49,497. The Lee County Elections Office mailed 123,164 domestic mail ballots at the end of July. Voters who wish to request a mail in ballot still have time to do so before Election Day. Individuals still have time to request your mail ballot all the way up to the Wednesday before the election, Doyle said, adding that if individuals wait that long they will have to drop off their mail ballots because they need to be received by 7 p.m. Election Day, Aug. 28. He said the Post Office recommends that the vote-by- mail ballots should be sent seven days prior to Election Day. Doyle said if they are not received by 7 p.m. they are not counted and will never be opened. Doyle said they anticipate 50 percent of voting to be done by mail, 30 percent done via early voting and the remainder will be done on Election Day. With that said, he anticipates only 25 percent of the voters will cast their votes during the Primary Election. The turnout is not going to be that great in the Primary when not a presidential primary, Doyle said. Voters should have received a sample ballot in their mailbox, which is inclusive to them. He said there are three ballot styles, Democratic, Republican and Non-Partisan. You can go online and see your custom ballot that you would get on Election day, or by mail, or early voting, Doyle said. Those ballots can be viewed at lee.vote. One hundred and twenty-seven polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 28. The local races on the Primary ballot include: ** County-wide Republican primary races (only Republicans may vote on the contests): * United States Senator: Roque Rocky De La Fuente and Rick Scott * Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Don Baldauf; Ron DeSantis; Timothy M. Devine; Bob Langford; John Joseph Mercadante; Bruce Nathan; Adam H. Putnam and Bob White * Attorney General Fiscal General: Ashley Moody and Frank White * Commissioner of Agriculture: Matt Caldwell; Denise Grimsley; Mike McCalister and Baxter Troutman * State Attorney 20th Judicial Circuit: Chris Crowley and Amira Fox * * District-only primaries * Representative in Congress District 17 (Only Republicans residing in District 17 may vote) Bill Akins; Julio Gonzalez and Greg Steube * State Representative District 79 (only Republicans residing in District 79 may vote) Matthew Shawn Miller and Spencer Roach ** County-wide Democratic Primary races (only Democrats may vote): * Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Andrew Gillum; Gwen Graham; Jeff Greene; Chris King; Philip Levine; Alex Lundy Lundmark and John Wetherbee * Attorney General Fiscal General: Sean Shaw and Ryan Torrens * Commissioner of Agriculture: Nicole Nikki Fried; Jeffrey Duane Porter and Roy David Walker * * District-only primaries * Representative in Congress District 19 (Only Democrats residing in District 19 can vote): David Holden and Todd James Truax * Representative in Congress District 17 (only Democrats residing in District 17 may vote) April Freeman and Bill Pollard * State Representative District 76 (Only Democrats residing in District 76 can vote): Neilson Croll Ayers and David Bogner ** County-wide, all voters regardless of party affiliation: * Circuit Judge 20th Judicial Circuit Group 8: James Wesley Chandler and John Owen McGowan * County Judge Group 7: Maria E. Gonzalez and David McElrath * School Board Member District 6 (at large; everyone votes): Nicholas Alexander; Lori Fayhee; Betsy Vaughn and Karen Putman Watson ** School Board races, non-partisan, district voters only * School Board Member District 1, (Only voters residing in District 1, mostly Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel; regardless of party affiliation): Charles B. Dailey and Mary Fischer * School Board Member District 4, (Only voters residing in District 4, mostly Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Dunbar, regardless of party affiliation:) Don H. Armstrong; Debbie Jordan; Louis Navarra and Geraldine Gerri Ware * School Board Member District 5, (Only voters residing in District 5, mostly Lehigh Acres, regardless of party affiliation): Gwynetta Gwyn Gittens; Moses Jackson; Pamela LaRiviere; Taruas Pugh and Jon Larsen Shudlick Residents across all of Southwest Florida are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Irma that blew through almost one year ago. In its wake, among many, many things, have been trees and vegetation destroyed by 100-plus mph winds, torrential downpours and lightning strikes. Occasionally, trees may appear to be healthy, but are really dying inside. These trees are sometimes referred to as zombie trees. These zombie trees can be quite hazardous, especially if in the vicinity of a house or building. Dan Powell, arborist and district manager for The Davey Tree Expert Company in Naples, said it could take up to a month or more to see the effects of a decaying tree, especially after a storm such as Irma. High winds take moisture out of leaves and needles on trees, called wind desiccation, he said. In Florida specifically, the wind can blow salt all over, which creates more dryness and stress. Davey Tree Experts removed at least 5,000 dead trees across Southwest Florida after Irma. Some of the things to look for on a tree to identify if it may be losing life, are cracks, decaying of wood, leaf loss and a lack of re-foliation after a storm. Depending on the severity of stress, your tree should have regained some growth in around 30 days; if they dont, thats an issue, Powell said. Other causes can be secondary invaders such as insects and borers. Borers burrow into tree trunks and plant stems, eating their way through vital structural components of a tree. They can be beetles, months, or larval stages of other insects. Along with hurricane force winds and pesky insects, an over-saturation of water can also lead to a trees death. The length of time the water sits on the root zone can deplete oxygen to the tree, sometimes called wet feet,' said Powell. It cant move energy. The soil is saturated. In the case of Irma, we had severe rain prior to the storm and the soil was already saturated. Combine that with 130-plus mph winds, it caused uprooting. Powell said his crew found trees with 30-foot root plates that were pulled from the ground. The trees were huge, he told. The guideline used by Powell is that if 30 percent of the trunk is decayed, they would recommend it comes down, particularly near a target like a school or building. Trees such as the Cuban laurel, banyan trees and ficus took a beating during Irma, said Powell. Especially those that werent pruned well. Another major cause of tree damage during Irma were lightning strikes Powell said. Palm trees looked as if they had exploded, and stronger, hardwood trees were left with staggering cracks down the middle. Some trees can survive these strikes, though usually weakened internally and susceptible for future decay, you just need to monitor its growth following the event. Poor maintenance of trees prior to big weather occurrences can lead to a higher possibility of damage or death. Proper pruning and trimming of trees helps a lot. It gives more air the opportunity to flow through the crown of the tree, Powell said. Other steps you can take to prepare your tree is to mulch around the trunk or base. Proper mulching can help. It wakes up the soil to mulch around the base, he advised. People can often overlook the trees in their area, more notably the condition of those trees. People dont always look up, they really should, Powell said. Being unaware of zombie or already clearly dead trees can be a costly mistake. A few months back, two journalists were killed by falling trees during post-storm coverage in South Carolina. Powells team took part in Storm Restoration Pruning after Irma, where they inspected trees across Lee County, among others, to check for limbs that could compromise trees and to keep as many energy-producing leaves as they could. If you are in need of tree removal, or are unsure about the status of your tree, Powell said to call a Tree Care Industry Association accredited company, such as Davey, or a International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist. For inquiries to Davey about tree removal or services, call 866-244-8014 or visit www.davey.com/local-offices/southwest-florida-tree-service/. Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj Lee County Commissioner John Manning opted out of a trial and submitted a no contest plea on a charge of willful wanton reckless driving with alcohol as a factor. Manning was originally charged with driving under the influence, as well as two counts of DUI with property damage. The plea arrangement was accepted by County Judge Archie Hayward Jr. Manning was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to court costs, cost of prosecution, a $500 fine, 12 months of probation, no possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs and must undergo random screenings, six months business purpose only drivers license restriction, DUI school, 50 community service hours, victim impact panel or Lee Memorial high risk drivers course and restitution to the driver of the vehicle into which he crashed. Restitutions are as follows: * $19,158.08 to Justine Maher with minimum monthly payments of $1,550. * $3,876.32 to Conduent Payment Integrity Solutions or Bank of America. Maher did provide a statement to the court and also confirmed on the record that she was in agreement with the plea offer, according to Samantha Syoen, State Attorneys Office spokesperson. The other charges were nolle prossed, or not prosecuted. The incident took place last September when Manning ran a red light and struck Mahers car with his before driving into a light pole in a Bank of America parking lot, the crash report states. A Cape Coral Police Department officer responded to the crash and noticed that Manning showed signs of impairment, according to the arrest report. Manning stated he was returning from dinner where, he told the officer, he had a glass and a half of wine the document said. Field sobriety tests were initiated that Manning performed poorly on and a breathalyzer test was conducted in which he blew a 0.105, which is above the limit at which a person is legally deemed impaired, according to the report. The impairment level in Florida is .08. Manning was transported to Lee County Jail where he later bonded out. Initially, Manning had pleaded not guilty and was going to try the case in court, but ultimately decided to forego trial. His attorney, Sawyer Smith, did not return a phone call made as of press time Thursday afternoon. Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj The price of an extraordinary chateau on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean has been slashed by $2 million. The four-bedroom, six-bathroom estate with terraces, turrets and towers at 118 Reed Ranch Rd. in Tiburon was originally listed for $16 million in February. Now the property is priced at $14 million. Real estate site Curbed says it's the second-highest priced home in Marin County right now, topped by another Tiburon estate listed for $15 million. The property is owned by Gene and Tove Hiller, who traveled to France often during the design and construction of the house with Eugene Anthony of Eugene Anthony Design Group, as reported previously on SFGATE. The process lasted four years and was finally completed in 1989. "We made several trips to Paris to purchase furnishings, but more importantly to study the authenticity of a French home," Anthony says. The Parisian mansion of Nissim de Camondo, which was built in 1911 by a banker and patterned upon the Petit Trianon at Versailles, was an inspiration. "This was very influential for me particularly to see the authenticity of an early-18th-century home that was built with the passion of the owner of its time," says Anthony. "He appointed it to the epitome of 18th-century France." A grand limestone staircase winds up three floors to a dome hand-painted with a garland of flowers. Crystal chandeliers dazzle in nearly every room, the eight fireplaces were all made in Italy or France, and the drapes are silk and custom made. "The drapery is all from Scalamandre and was woven for them," Anthony says. "The carpets are all copies of original French carpets, and they were custom made to fit in the rooms." He adds: "It was a canvas that I was allowed to paint on. I was given a free hand to make this as authentic a French home as you possibly can and I did. There were certain things that were way over the top and that's what they wanted and that's what made them happy. And I have to say it's one-of-a-kind. It's like a fine diamond. It's an art piece." ALSO: $1 million price cut: Why isn't this styled-out San Francisco home selling? While the style of the home is old world, it still features all of the modern conveniences. There's a gym off the master suite, the heating is radiant and the wine cellar holds 1,000 bottles. The Hillers are selling the home to downsize after living there for 28 years. WASHINGTON The Trump administration is ending funding for Syria stabilization projects as it moves to extricate the U.S. from the conflict, citing increased contributions from anti-Islamic State coalition partners. The State Department said it had notified Congress on Friday that it would not spend some $230 million that had been planned for Syria programs and would instead shift that money to other areas. Most of that money, initially pledged by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in February, had been on hold and under review since he was fired in March. A small fraction of that amount was released in June. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the cut, which was authorized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and does not include humanitarian aid funds, will be more than offset by an additional $300 million pledged by coalition partners, including $100 million that Saudi Arabia announced it had contributed late Thursday. As a result of key partner contributions by coalition members, Secretary Pompeo has authorized the Department of State to redirect approximately $230 million in stabilization funds for Syria which have been under review, she said in a statement. Nauert said Pompeos decision took into account the White Houses desire to increase burden sharing with allies. The funds will be redirected to support other key foreign policy priorities, said Nauert, who rejected suggestions that the elimination of the funds showed diminishing U.S. interest in Syria. Still, the U.S. move is a sign the administration is heeding Trumps demand to end U.S. involvement in Syria and reduce its commitment there. In a bid to reassure its partners in the coalition against Islamic State as well as opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, officials said the administration is appointing veteran diplomatic troubleshooter, James Jeffrey, to be a special envoy for Syria. Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Iraq and Albania who also served as a deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush, will hold the title of special representative for Syrian engagement and will report to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Jeffrey, who retired in 2012, also holds the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service: career ambassador. Yet Fridays funding cut is the latest Trump administration retreat from Syria. In May, the State Department announced that it had ended all funding for stabilization programs in Syrias northwest. Matthew Lee is an Associated Press writer. I dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and caring. An India, that reigns a place of honor in the comity of great nations. The dreamer of this golden India was no one else but Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a man of great honor who redefined political governance during his reign. Unforgettable is his Shakti series of nuclear tests, inspiring poems and powerful political career that gives us all strong reasons to call him the Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Politics. The BJP stalwart breathed his last at the age of 93 at 5:05 pm on August 16th, 2018 (Thursday). Though former prime minister was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition for over two months, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) reports state that his condition continued to remain critical since the last two days. Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayees demise is a loss to the nation, especially for the political fraternity. Elected as Indias prime minister thrice, he chiseled nations epithet in multiple historic events and made India proud beyond boundaries. Stepping in the political arena back in 1942, Vajpayee gained his first exposure during the Quit India Movement. However, in 1951, the veteran was appointed a national secretary of free Indias newly formed Bharatiya Jana Sangh wherein he exhibited utmost dedication towards the political system. Impressed by his superlative oratory skills, the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru predicted that he would someday become Indias Prime Minister. A Man with No Enemies Another golden moment in Indias history was when Late Vajpayee was appointed the Minister of External Affairs in 1977 and became the first person to deliver a speech in United Nations General Assembly in Hindi. Within a couple of years, he established himself as an adept statesman and honorable political leader. Not once or twice, but thrice was he appointed the Prime Minister of Independent India on the timeline of 1996, 1998-99 and 1999-2004. Within his reign, Vajpayee conducted five underground nuclear tests in Pokhran. Though many international sanctions tried endorsing these nuclear tests through foreign investment, Vajpayees steady rejections paved wider ways for domestic testing, making India a strong Nuclear Weapon state. All thanks to his intellectual experience and undying nationalism. We also witnessed Late Vajpayees intense contribution in the Lahore summit and Kargil War. While in the former conclave he initiated a new peace process with Pakistan through the historic inauguration of Delhi-Lahore Bus and consequently eased the tensed situations between the two nations with mutual camaraderie and esprit de corps. However during the latter stitch, the respected leader played smart tactics to curtail military tension by partnering with United States and writing a secret letter to then US President Bill Clinton stating we will get them out, one way or the other that directly indicated that he did not rule or used nuclear weapons by crossing Line of Control (LoC). And the result was clearly, Pakistans heavy losses with US and China army withholding their military support. No wonder, the victory is designated to Atal Bihari Vajpayees quality leadership! An Intellectual Soul Besides being a political trailblazer, Padma Vibhushan Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a well-renowned, experienced writer. Editor of two monthlies Rashtradharma & Panchjanya and two news dailies Swadesh & Veer Arjun, he gave lingual vocal to multiple books and poems including National Integration, Rajaniti ki Rapatili Rahem, Decisive Days, Sakti Se Santi, Meri Ikyavana Kavitaem, Sreshtha Kabita, Nayi Disha, Samvedna, Twenty-One Poems and many more. A reputed prime minister, dexterous leader, skilled orator, adept pragmatist, impressive writer, inspirational chairman and a proud Indian, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee will always remain the best exemplar of sharp politics with a gentle portrayal of wisdom. Read more news: Top 3 Courses That a High School Graduate in Science Should Avail India will put man in space for seven days: ISRO Chairman STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police released a new photo Thursday night of a man sought for questioning in connection to a knifepoint robbery that happened Aug. 10 in Concord. An unidentified man allegedly entered New Targee Cleaners on the 1100 block of Targee Street around 5:25 p.m., brandished a knife, and demanded cash, according to a media release from the NYPD. He then ordered a female employee, and two other victims to get down on the floor. A struggle between the employee and the knifepoint ensued, and she received a small laceration to her abdomen, according to police. The man, who is described by police as a black male between the ages of 20 and 25 approximately 6 feet tall, made off with approximately $500 in cash. Police released a surveillance image of a man sought for questioning in the incident. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the implementation of the newly redesigned Staten Island express bus network rapidly approaches implementation on Sunday, Aug. 19, the MTA continues to respond to commuter inquiries. During Monday's live Twitter chat, hosted by the MTA and the Advance/SILive.com, New York City Transit President Andy Byford responded to a host of questions from local residents. Questions ranged from new bus stop locations and gaps in scheduling, to bus lane enforcement and New Jersey construction projects. Some questions required additional research or could not fit into the 280-character tweet limit. The MTA provides answers to four such questions below: The SIM7 at 13th & Broadway doesn't leave NYC until 3:30 p.m. Last off-peak SIM1x leaves at 2:07 p.m. That means an hour and a half without bus service. Can you fix this gap? #AskNYCT You still have options in this window for a faster trip home than waiting for the 3:30pm SIM7: The SIM10 stops at 23 St/Broadway at 2:24 pm and the regular SIM1 begins at 2:40 pm at Broadway and Chambers Street. From 13th Street and Broadway the SIM10 can be reached by walking 10 blocks north to 23rd Street or by taking the R or W trains or the M1, M2, or M3 bus uptown. The SIM1 can be reached by taking the N, R, 4, or 5 trains or the M55 bus downtown. You can make a free transfer between Staten Island express buses and subways or local buses. We will also monitor service once it launches and adjust schedules as needed. I work in the early morning and have to be at work by 6 a.m. According to the new schedule, you have eliminated the X1 that I took to work to make it to work by 6 a.m.! Why doesn't the SIM1/SIM1c run 24/7 like it used to? Because of this, I have no way to make it to work!#AskNYCT This was an error that will be corrected in the online schedules. There will be weekday SIM1c trips starting from Eltingville Transit Center at 4:10 a.m., 4:26 a.m., 4:41 a.m., and 4:56 a.m. These trips will be operating when weekday service starts on August 20. #AskNYCT What bus will stop at Woodrow and Arthur Kill Road? I take the X21 to work from Arthur Kill Road and Woodrow Road and return home on the X17 which was eliminated as a drop off only at this stop. Why was this changed? I now have almost a mile walk home! You will still have a bus stopping in the same place, and schedule extensions give you more trip options, too. The SIM22 (similar to the X21) will pick up and drop off on Arthur Kill Road at Woodrow Road. The SIM22 begins its last trip in Midtown at 7:00 p.m., which is one hour later than the X21 operates today. Additionally, the SIM8 (similar to the X17J) will drop off on Woodrow Road at multiple locations. The SIM8 will begin its last trip in Midtown at 9:00 p.m., which is more than two hours later than the X17J operates today. @NYCTBus Are there plans for a Park-and-Ride on Hylan Boulevard to supplement the loss of the South Beach Park-and-Ride for SIM7 riders? This is an extremely heavily traveled route to Downtown and would cause at least 75% of the current cars to jockey for spots in residential streets. Will not work in winter and bad weather! There are currently no plans to acquire a Park-and-Ride lot on Hylan Blvd, but given that customers drive to Park-and-Ride lots from various locations, we think that many customers who drive today may find that walking to a new SIM route is faster and more convenient, and as we've said we will monitor the new network and make adjustments as necessary and feasible. MTA Mobile Information Centers In addition to responding to questions from the Twitter chat, the MTA is continuing its outreach campaign by staffing customer ambassadors at key bus stops throughout Staten Island and Manhattan to answer questions and distribute information. The mobile information centers will be at the following locations throughout August, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Eltingville Transit Center: Thursday, Aug. 16 Monday, Aug. 20 Wednesday, Aug. 22 Tuesday, Aug. 28 Thursday, Aug. 30 College of Staten Island Campus (near Administration Bldg. 1A): Thursday, Aug. 23 Monday, Aug. 27 Staten Island Mall, on Marsh Avenue at Richmond Hill Road: Tuesday, Aug. 21 Wednesday, Aug. 29 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! Proponents of smart building products are targeting the aged and special care sectors with wireless technology to improve the day-to-day living of vulnerable residents as well as monitor their behaviour and movements. Smart devices are spreading into the aged care sector. While most new commercial buildings are fitted with at least some internet of things capacity such as remote monitoring of lighting and power, supported care facilities have lagged even though the technology is highly applicable to the $20 billion sector. But this is fast changing. The listed Quantify Technology, which makes wireless power point and light outlets, recently signed a proof of concept deal with St John of God Accord, the disability services arm of the countrys third biggest private hospital group. These technologies not only unlock great opportunities for how we care for our patients now and into the future, but they will also make a real difference in the day to day lives of Australians living with disabilities, St John of God Accord CEO Tony Hollamby said. Global industrial property giant Goodman Group will go vertical in Australia to cater for the increasing demand of warehouses in densely-populated suburbs at a time when land values are at a premium. Goodman has $10 billion worth of developable land across the country that will underpin its forecast 7 per cent earnings growth in the coming year. The focus will be on the gateway cities in Australia, Asia and the United States with Brazil in the longer term. Goodman chief executive Greg Goodman said with the geopolitical turmoil around the world, companies need to be agile and flexible. Amazon's new distribution centre/ warehouse in Moorebank, Sydney. ''It is about business confidence and being agile, and working in local markets for local customers,'' Mr Goodman said. The Pitt Street Metro station has moved a step forward with the community consultation process now open on the plans for an office and hotel atop the site. Under the scheme, there are two over-station development proposals for Pitt Street Station. Some of the biggest developer names have been shortlisted for the project which is part of the NSW government's multibillion-dollar sale of the state's train stations to help fund its vast infrastructure program. Artist impression of the Pitt Street Metro station development The three groups shortlisted are Grocon (Pitt Street) Developments Pty Ltd; Lendlease Development Pty Limited and Brookfield Properties (Devco) Australia Pty Ltd. Homeware giant Victorias Basement has moved to sell three of its five Sydney stores as it looks to redirect capital towards business expansion across Australia and increase its online presence. No price was disclosed but price expectations, for all three combined, could reach about $100 million. The Sydney-based retailer has appointed CBREs Shaun Timbrell and Peter Vines to market for sale its outlets in Castle Hill and Auburn, while Hugh Anderson and Brad Sutton, of Sutton Anderson, are marketing its Artarmon store. The properties are all being offered for sale with an opportunity for short to medium-term leaseback to Victorias Basement. Victorias Basement director Sam Kalanderian said the group had owned and occupied the sites for more than 15 years and was now seeking to capitalise on ''their development potential and to expand the business across the country into every state, with the purchase of new, strategically located retail and distribution centres''. The Castle Hill site is in a large-format retail precinct at 5 Victoria Avenue. The property comprises a substantial freestanding building spanning close to 8000 square metres on an underdeveloped 17,200 sqm site. At Auburn, 99-101 Parramatta Road, consists of a more than 4000 sqm building on a 4330 sqm parcel of land. Underground mines are unforgiving and unpredictable workplaces that, through accidents or acts of nature, can and still do claim lives of the miners who work in them. However thanks to the ingenuity of two WA blokes 20 years ago more than 40,000 miners across the globe have a better chance at returning home to their families in the event of a toxic gas outburst, rock fall or fire. Geoff Whittaker and Gerald Ness started their mine refuge chamber manufacturing business Minearc Systems in 1999 after seeing glaring deficiencies in the 'safe havens' miners were expected to run to in an emergency. Mine Arc refuge chamber Those havens amounted to nothing more than a sea container that had no cooling, no gas detection and no protection. President Donald Trump brought a long-simmering debate on Wall Street to the surface on Friday when he prodded regulators to look into scaling back how often publicly traded companies report financial results. Trump's proposal, released via Twitter, would do away with the decades-old tradition of obligating companies to file quarterly reports and move to a semi-annual system. Trump picked a good moment to put the idea forward: Elon Musk is in the midst of a dramatic push to take Tesla private in large part, he says, to remove the pressures of having to report quarterly earnings. To those across the investing community in favour of less-frequent reporting, the move is just what's needed to reduce corporate costs, boost a flagging IPO market and get companies to move away from the sort of short-term focus that can harm long-term growth. To its detractors, it is, in the words of Hilton Capital Management's Dick Bove, "a horrible idea." Federal Labor has confirmed a pledge to introduce a legal definition of casual employment, following a landmark Federal Court decision to grant a casual truck driver annual leave. Tony Maher, national president of the Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union, supported Labor's plan to introduce a definition of casual employment in the Fair Work Act which was consistent with the Workpac v Skene decision and the common law definition of intermittent work. Bill Shorten has pledged there will be no such thing as a permanent casual under a future Labor government. Credit:Grant Wells The full federal Court on Thursday found Queensland truck driver Paul Skene was entitled to be paid accrued annual leave on termination of his employment. A spokesman for Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek said Labor is clear it will "call time" on the exploitation of so-called permanent casuals. Food delivery company Foodora has gone into voluntary administration in a move it says will put legal action against it on hold. Foodora Australia, which is fighting a landmark test case on the rights of workers, said voluntary administration would give it "essential breathing space", including a suspension of claims against it. Foodora has announced it is going into voluntary administration in Australia. Credit:Jason South Foodora said it had planned to wind down its affairs in Australia "in an orderly fashion and with the support of its parent company to meet all known liabilities". However, the company faced "significant external challenges", which had impeded its ability to implement a solvent wind-down. "The voluntary administration process offers the company essential breathing space, including a statutory moratorium on claims against the company, with a view to ensuring that the affairs of Foodora are administered in a way which results in a better return for creditors of Foodora than would result from its immediate liquidation," the company said. The ATAR will be gone in less than 10 years, a Sydney principal has predicted, and the heads of major companies, policymakers and educators have all criticised the HSC curriculum as "dire" and unfit for the future. "The HSC curriculum is so boringly prescriptive that we cannot breathe to do our jobs ... it's so prescriptive in how you do it and I'm not sure to what end, other than to get an ATAR mark," said principal of Wenona Briony Scott. Kellie Parker from Rio Tinto says many big businesses no longer look at ATARs. Credit:Aaron Bunch Rio Tinto's managing director of planning, integration and assets, Kellie Parker, said many big businesses no longer look at students' ATARs and the HSC may be limiting students in what they choose to study. "I think we've got to sit back [and look at] what actually happens in year 11 and 12 and how it's a cookie cutter to get into university, rather than a mind-expanding opportunity," Ms Parker said. The review of the NSW curriculum currently under way will involve a major re-evaluation of many fundamental parts of the schooling system, including whether students should continue to be grouped by age. It will also look at how the radically different approaches to early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling and tertiary study can be brought together to create a "much more seamless, continuous process", Geoff Masters, who is leading the review, has revealed. 'What we currently have is just a product of history ... the brick wall's built of all different bricks,' said Geoff Masters, who is leading the NSW curriculum review. Credit:James Davies "We group students by age essentially and we develop a curriculum for age groups, and yet we know very well that within any age group ... the most advanced 10 per cent of students are about five to six years ahead of the least advanced 10 per cent of students," Professor Masters, who is chief executive of the Australian Council for Educational Research, said. "So we run with this fiction that students of the same age and in the same year of school are more or less equally ready for the same learning experiences and this has all sorts of consequences." It's often said that the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale could only happen in Japan. In terms of sheer scale it is the largest contemporary exhibition in the world, spread across 760 square kilometres of the mountainous regions of Niigata prefecture. This year is the seventh incarnation of a project intended to help revitalise an area that has suffered a steady decline due to depopulation a peculiarly Japanese problem, everywhere apart from Tokyo. Welcome by Barthelemy Toguo. Credit:Osamu Nakamura Visitors travel around all day in buses or in cars, covering vast distances between works. It's a long haul in heatwave conditions, but the scenery is spectacular and the art, inspirational. The Triennale was the brainchild of Fram Kitagawa, the most dogged of art entrepreneurs, who has spent years convincing villagers to accept works of art, persuading artists to participate, and sponsors to cough up. There are now 200 works of art installed permanently in the Echigo-Tsumari region, with a further 180 new pieces being created specifically for this year's show. It's a good job that Tim Winton's latest novel, The Shepherd's Hut, was published a few months ago because for the forseeable future he will have little time to talk books; instead he will be dusting off his environmental activist hat to lobby for Ningaloo Reef, which lies off the north-west coast of WA. The reef, for which he campaigned in the early 2000s, is again facing the threat of a potentially damaging development, this time in the form of a pipeline-assembly facility on the shores of Exmouth Gulf. Tim Winton has donated prize money from his book The Boy Behind the Curtain to help protect the Ningaloo Reef. Winton puts his money where his mouth is. When he won the non-fiction award at Adelaide Writers Week in March for his memoir, The Boy Behind the Curtain, he donated the $15,000 to the campaign. "I feel like I'm back in 2001/2 when I couldn't get any work done for two years because I spent so much time organsing." At least, he says, it was his money unlike the recent donation of $444 million by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation: "One was a personal gesture and personal commitment and the other is a political act with the funds of the Commonwealth taxpayers' money." Present and former Sydney Morning Herald hacks and readers came together on Monday night to celebrate the launch of journalist Helen Pitt's new book, The House. Helen Pitt at The House book launch in the Utzon Room of the Sydney Opera House on Monday. Credit:Anna Kucera Loading After a drinks reception, Pitt was joined on stage at the Utzon room of the Sydney Opera House by Richard Walsh, consultant publisher at Allen and Unwin, to discuss the stories of the people behind the magnificent white sails of the world-renowned building designed by the gifted but controversial Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who was born a century ago this year. Pitt, who wrote the book in two years while working as an opinion page and letters editor, described the night as "magical" when speaking to the Social Seen. In a week when Disney was slammed for casting a straight man, Jack Whitehall, as its first openly gay character, the question of authenticity in casting is once again a hot topic. And its one that American actor and writer Alia Shawkat has strong views on. Im working on pulling away masks and trying to reveal my personal, authentic self, the 29-year-old, best know for her roles in Arrested Development, Broad City and Transparent, says. Thats how I want to work. Shawkat, who identifies as queer and whose father is Iraqi, stars in and co-wrote, with director Miguel Arteta, the Netflix film Duck Butter, about two women who meet in a nightclub and agree to have sex every hour for 24 hours as an antidote to what they see as inauthenticity in relationships. At the risk of sounding sentimental, the Herald would like to use this space not for the usual discussion of some policy or world event but to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin who died aged 76. She was among the most influential artists of the past 100 years who took the already powerful tradition of African American music and reinvented it for all women. Aretha Franklin in 2009 at Barack Obama's inauguration. Credit:Ron Edmonds Hers was a universally recognisable voice of a strong woman whose power lay not in her sex appeal to men but in herself. Every female performer since then, from Madonna to Taylor Swift, owes her a huge debt and ordinary women all over the world from Memphis to Mosul can recognise themselves in her music which is still played 50 years after her first huge hit song Respect. Others will pay tribute to her extraordinary voice and technical artistry in songs like Natural Woman and Think but the Herald would like to note that she was a quintessentially American success story. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on medical workers to carry forward the humanitarian spirit to save lives, and make further contributions to improving the people's health. Chinese President Xi Jinping [File photo: Xinhua] Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave the instruction ahead of China's first Medical Workers' Day, which falls on Sunday. In his instruction, Xi expressed appreciation for the country's medical workers' devoted and humanitarian spirit and their efforts in wholeheartedly serving the people's health. He also acknowledged their achievements in preventing and treating diseases, fostering medical talents and promoting scientific and technological development in this regard. A great number of distinguished doctors have come out during this process, he said. He also gave praise to the courageous and self-giving spirits medical workers demonstrated while facing threats of serious epidemics and natural disasters. He said that designating Aug. 19 as Medical Workers' Day showed the CPC Central Committee's attention to health-related work and its acknowledgment of the outstanding service of medical workers. Xi urged Party committees and governments of all levels as well as the whole society to care for and respect medical workers and called on medical workers to serve the people wholeheartedly and promote the humanitarian spirit of saving lives. Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited Beijing Haidian Hospital on Friday, extending greetings from Xi and holding talks with medical workers, among whom five gave speeches. Set in England of the 1800s, the story follows the machinations of the Bennet family matriarch to marry off at least one, possibly two of her daughters to two gentlemen who move into their area. The clashes between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had already set the standard for romantic drama of for more than a century. But on screen and with Jennifer Ehle and Firth in the roles, things were taken to a whole new level and a generation fell in love with the intricacies of a period piece. Ripping adventure: Adelaide Kane in Reign. For a more European flavour, try Reign (starring Australias own Adelaide Kane). Ignoring the Kiwi guardsman, this look at the early life of Mary Queen of Scots is a true bodice ripper of an adventure. Starting in 1557 France we meet Mary as she is about to marry Prince Francis, a man she barely knows despite having been engaged to him since she was six. Through his reign we see Mary slowly come to be a ruler in her own right, waking a fine line between lovers, power and a burning ambition that could see her take the royal worlds biggest prize the throne of England. And if that struggle for political power gets your attention, move on next to Wolf Hall, where the corridors of Englands royal houses make the prime ministers and presidents of modern politics look like kindergarten kids. Mark Rylance plays Thomas Cromwell, the lowborn boy who became one of the Tudor worlds most influential men in the court of Henry VIII. Keep in mind as you watch him navigate the murky waters of an absolute monarch who didnt think twice about beheading a wife (or two) if it freed him up to pursue someone new that this is based very much in real events and on real people. So too is The White Queen (and its sequel The White Princess), set in the time of Britains War Of The Roses when two sides of the same family battled for years to assume the throne. A long, drawn out and very bloody battle that reshaped the world at the time, this (again based on truth) story has to be seen to be believed. And of course, if youre a period piece fan with a sense of humour, dont miss the utterly brilliant Another Period. One of the few series of this genre to come out of America, this takes skewers the ever-present tropes of the genre in a beautiful way. In the opening episode for example, we meet the insanely rich (and possibly just insane) Bellacourt family of the colonys upper-class enclave, Newport Rhode Island. Hilarious: Another Period is a comical twist on the genre. In a Kardashian-esque mockumentary we first meet the family as they prepare to host the Marquis de Sainsbury and possibly make their way into the coveted society list. At the same time a new servant girl arrives, the beautiful Celine. As the Marquis is greeted with open arms, Celine is renamed Chair and the family blunders on in a way that will be hilariously familiar to any period fan. Be warned, youll never watch another period piece the same way again. Take a step back in time to these period dramas now on Stan. https://www.stan.com.au/watch/tv-shows Stan is Australias leading local SVoD service, providing unlimited access to thousands of hours of entertainment for the whole family. Get access to the biggest Hollywood shows, blockbuster movies, cult classics and popular kids content on your favourite device. Start your free 30-day trial at Stan.com.au. Honey, I shafted the kids some Australian retirees plan to bequeath no money to their children. Credit:Getty Images "I don't believe in inheriting money. It's an initiative-sucker a curse." That's what CNN star anchor Anderson Cooper, the son of Gloria Vanderbilt estimated fortune: $US200 million declared in a US radio interview. "Who has inherited a lot of money that has gone on to do things in their own life?" Er, billionaire Rupert Murdoch, who built a global media empire from a failing Adelaide newspaper inherited from his father. And US President Donald Trump, who according to US Senator Marco Rubio would be "selling watches in Manhattan" if it weren't for the early payday from his dad, developer Fred Trump. But Cooper is right: history is pockmarked with wealthy kids who squandered their inheritance and self-destructed, such as Christina Onassis, who died from an overdose at 37. This helps explain why so many billionaires, from Mark Zuckerberg and Warren Buffett to Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, and super-rich celebs like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sting and Elton John, say they're not bequeathing their vast fortunes to their kids, at most only small slivers of them. It's a trend that has caught on in Australia, too, with multi-millionaires like investment banker Simon Mordant and businessman Graham Tuckwell very vocal about their intentions not to leave the bulk of their fortunes to their offspring. Gina Rinehart the richest woman in Australia has launched legal action against the trust fund containing her four children's inheritance. Even those without mega bank accounts are getting in on the act, albeit often for radically different reasons. According to a report by wealth consultant Mercer, at least 60 per cent of Australian retirees will run out of money before they die, outliving their savings by five years on average. "Ski" holidays Spending the Kids' Inheritance are becoming popular among retirees, with some even taking out holiday loans against the equity in the family home. The ACT's work safety watchdog has told Calvary Hospital to overhaul its protections for staff against bullying after an investigation brought on by a coronial inquiry into the suicide of an emergency department nurse. Hospital safeguards against bullying came under the scrutiny of WorkSafe ACT in a probe lasting several months after the coroner's office investigated the death of Andrew Earl in June 2017. The WorkSafe inquiry findings follow a call from a senior ACT government minister to investigate bullying and harassment at Calvary Hospital, and an internal investigation into Mr Earl's suicide. Calvary Hospital has come under pressure over its protections for staff against bullying after allegations emerged of a toxic culture for hospital employees. WorkSafe ACT has told the hospital to reform its policies with an overhaul forcing it to improve reporting so that bullying, harassment and psychological incidents are separately identified. The ACT government has backed a specialist school that created a fenced-off facility to isolate a student with high needs from his peers. Abdul-Ghani Ferkh, who has complex autism, was suspended from the Woden School in early April after running off campus to the local shops, and had since waited more than four months to return to class. Safaa Ferkh's son Abdul wasn't allowed to go back to school for four months after a suspension. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos This month, his family were told he could only come back under strict new conditions that ban him from interacting with other students and some staff and restrict his movements in the school to a specially-built classroom encircled by fences and a floor-to-ceiling security gate. The school said this was the only way to ensure the safety of its staff and Abdul, but his family have labelled the set-up as inhumane and advocates have also raised concerns about Abdul's isolation. Going through a high risk pregnancy, Claire Hooker never expected to have to fight just to be in hospital for the last half hour of her labour. Mrs Hooker, who lives an hour away from Canberra Hospital at Captains Flat, was due to give birth to her ninth child and had previous complicated births. Captains Flat mum Claire Hooker and six month old son Michael speaks about her botched childbirth experience at the Canberra Hospital. Credit:Karleen Minney Because of this, she was told by clinicians throughout her pregnancy how important it was to get to the hospital at the first signs of contractions. But after approaching the hospital at different stages of labour over an 18-hour period, she said she was only given a bed less than 40 minutes before the birth of her son Michael. The ACT government could move thousands of its casual and contracted staff into permanent jobs after bowing to pressure and promising a taskforce to investigate how many it should employ in secure roles. A dramatic fall in the territory public service's estimated ranks of nearly 6000 casuals, temporary staff and contractors could follow the probe, announced after the Community and Public Sector Union directed attacks at the government, accusing it of a damaging over-reliance on insecure work. The union mounted a campaign against the growth in ACT government agency staff employed on casual terms or under contracts, raising fears that the trend would diminish health services and impose hardship on workers. In a turnaround that could see a bonanza of permanent, ongoing jobs for casual and contracted staff inside the territory's agencies, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith have said the government would open a taskforce to identify workers who could be permanently employed. ACT government public servant numbers swelled last year but temporary workers were its fastest-growing legion of staff, adding 217 to the territory public service workforce, which reached 22,000. Permanent employees grew by 233, and casuals (81) made up the rest of the increase. The dark times were never far off, and would eventually become permanent. When Drumgold was 11 or 12, and his twin brothers were babies, the family relocated to Taree, on the mid north coast. Not long after, one of the twins, three-year-old Casey, died after contracting encephalitis from the swimming pool where their dad was in rehab. Then life went really crazy for Dad, says Drumgold. The guilt got him and there was a fairly rapid downward spiral for the next five years, and then he ended up taking his own life, probably as a result of that. I always felt that I was reasonably intelligent... and I always felt that I could do something if I turned my mind to it. As is often the case with family trauma, the pain spiralled outwards. Drumgold's remaining siblings are still in Taree, unemployed and doing it tough. Ron, the surviving twin, began his own downward march, and today, in his 40s, has advanced alcohol dementia, and has frequent seizures, losing parts of his brain every time. And yet, says Drumgold, he can remember a time growing up when Ron would explain the meaning of certain words to him. Like their father, he had spark, and charm. Hes a long way from that now, and that kind of embeds in you, Drumgold says. Theres no classes of people, theres people on a journey, and some people are jolted off that axis. And that feeds into my next belief, which is that they can be jolted back onto an axis. Its a perception that colours almost everything Drumgold does now, whether its prosecuting criminals or reflecting on his own life. He doesnt for one moment attribute his own good fortune to anything other than what he describes as 90 per cent luck, and 10 per cent management. And Drumgold sure did get lucky, possibly even from birth. For starters, he never got into drugs, or alcohol. He never even got in trouble with the law. But in the years between Caseys death and his fathers suicide, Drumgold dropped out of school and left the family home. He was 15 and had only finished grade 9. I always felt that I was reasonably intelligent, that I was capable of things, and I always felt that I could do something if I turned my mind to it. I just needed to space to do it, he says. Thats what was in my mind during those years...I was not about to live a life of the people I had seen growing up. He drifted for a few years, sleeping rough here and there, eventually marrying very young and having two children by the time he was 19. The marriage was short-lived, and he later moved back to the mid north coast, living close to Taree to keep an eye on his mother and brother, who were by then dealing with the full force of his fathers grief and despair. Looking back, it was never going to finish well - the question was how badly it was going to finish, he says. I think it was always the fear that he would meet his end, the question was whether or not he would take other people with him. By then, he had been working for several years at Australia Post, another stroke of luck, as it would turn out. In the early 1990s, then prime minister Bob Hawke introduced tax incentives for large companies to invest in training their employees. The Australia Post introduced a Certificate in Management or something, and it was just four units, at a university, Drumgold says. I tried to get into that and got rejected. The difficulty was that I didnt have a year 10 certificate. But Drumgold did have something else, an unquenchable thirst for reading, having discovered Plato, of all people, by chance at 16. It was a paperback of the Phaedo, and it was making sense out of things that didnt make sense, he says. At 16, I was absolutely gobsmacked. To this day, he has a lasting obsession with logic and philosophy. But back then, he saw the Australia Post training certificate as a baby step into the world of reading and ideas, with no idea of what would lie at the end of it. As it happened, he eventually wore down the recruitment staff, got into the certificate program at Charles Sturt University when someone else dropped out, and aced his way through, earning enough credits to study an economics degree by distance. By the time he finished his degree, he had taken a management position with Australia Post at Parliament House in Canberra, and began studying law at the University of Canberra, marrying a second time and having two more kids along the way. He says a career in the law appealed to him on several levels. It sounds very altruistic, but I knew I had potential, and I suspected that I had a perception of the world that many lawyers didnt have, he says. I dont know many people from Lethbridge Park Public School who have become lawyers. And I think on some level it was just to be a long way from where I was, I think thats probably the most honest answer. He began his career at the Aboriginal Legal Service, but soon fetched up at the DPP, where he has since had the job hed always dreamed of - working on big trial cases with a diverse range of people. In 2003, he spent time in Canada studying the traditional legal customs of some of the countrys indigenous communities. The visit both confirmed what he knew from his childhood, and informed the way he sees the Australian legal system today. The Marcus Rappels of the world notwithstanding - like most of the people Drumgold prosecutes these days, Tara Costigans killer will spend the next decades in prison - he believes most people are capable of leading a good life. I think its possible for people to go into jail and come out and lead not just successful lives, but successful lives with a lived experience that other people might not have, he says. I know that theres a stigma attached to people who have been in prison, that they have obstacles, but I think we need to get over that. Theres this perception that people only go to prison if theyre inherently bad people, and Im not bound to that premise. And although he deals with the most horrific cases and sees the full gamut of human sadness, he says he couldnt be happier with where hes ended up. I know thats weird after 17 years, but I am stoked with the job that Im doing, he says. I know that theres a stigma attached to people who have been in prison, that they have obstacles, but I think we need to get over that. I imagine there will be a time when emotionally it will wear on me. Doing this sort of work, theres a hidden cost and a hidden benefit that you dont know until you get here. Im obviously exposed to horrendous facts, and you see things in this job that you cant unsee. Prosecutor Shane Drumgold leaves the court after the sentencing of Maged Al-Harazi. Credit:Karleen Minney But for every bereaved, grief-paralysed parent or child he comes across, he feels a boost in his own sense of good fortune - the ancillary benefit in seeing first hand the strength and determination of people who would otherwise be broken victims. The Costigan family, for example, campaigning against family violence, or the quiet, steely humanity of the family of another murdered woman, Sabah Al-Mdwali Theyre the parameters for your own perception of lucky. You cant hang around with these people and not fundamentally feel lucky, he says. You feel luckier than them. You certainly dont feel superior to them. These people are inspiring[and] far superior to me. I turn up and say stuff in court, but these people live these things and turn them into positives. Theyre phenomenal people. In many ways, Drumgolds past is always present, if only through the prism of experience through which he views the world. And he does occasionally wonder where hed be if he hadnt found Plato. It could have easily happened - thats the 90 per cent luck that leads us to wherever we are, he says. ACT Policing has renewed an appeal for the publics assistance to find missing 23-year-old man Matthew Curtis. He was last seen at his home in Waramanga on Friday, August 10 and was described as 170cm tall, with a slight build, fair complexion, short brown hair and brown eyes. Mr Curtis may have travelled to NSW and possibly the Central Coast region. Police and his family have concerns for his welfare. ACT Policing is urging anyone who may have any information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Quote reference 6298044. Information can be provided anonymously. Not only is he regularly swamped by fans requesting a cheeky snap but his own ABC online forum is touted as the first known recording of the term - by an Australian posting proof of his injuries after a night out. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki takes a selfie with students from Lanyon High School and Marist Collage on Friday. Credit:Lawrence Atkin But in his new life as one of Australia's most renowned science communicators, there's one hard-won skill that's proven essential: taking selfies. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been a mechanic, a filmmaker, a taxi driver, and a roadie. "When you're taking a selfie, you're painting with light," says Dr Karl, who is always ready with a Charlie's Angels pose when the cameras appear. On Friday, a captive audience of 1500 high schoolers gathered in Canberra to hear more from the science guru as part of National Science Week. Shalina Do of Lanyon High School and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki strike a pose. Credit:Lawrence Atkin Eager young fans lined up for signings of Dr Karl's 43rd book, The Universe and Everything, before firing questions at the scientist, from the astrophysical to the personal. "My wife makes all my shirts," he confessed to curious students. How one would love to have a dollar (better still a golden doubloon) for every time one is hearing the expression keep the lights on during the current debate about the NEG (the National Energy Guarantee). The previous spike in uses of the expression came in 2016 when shameless conservative politicians and fossil fuel entrepreneurs exploited South Australias tornado-caused blackout. The shameless accused that then SA premier Jay Weatherill and his government, in their ideological commitment to green and trendy renewables (as opposed to dear old reliable coal) had failed to keep the lights on in their state. There comes a reminder this week of how electric light and electricity per se are very mixed blessings. Credit:Fairfax Media But there comes a reminder this week, this intense week of NEG debate, of how electric light and electricity per se are very mixed blessings. For this week up there has popped in the online Aeon magazine Professor Richard G Bugs Stevens challenging and fact-packed essay How the marvel of electric light became a global blight to health. The cerebral Bugs is a professor of community medicine and health care in the School of Medicine at the University of Connecticut. Here is a glimpse of what is worrying him. Australia's most decorated soldier has issued defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media in the Federal Court over a series of articles that he says brought his reputation into disrepute. On Friday, Mr Roberts-Smith issued defamation proceedings in the Federal Court against Fairfax Media publications The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, which also named each of the three journalists involved in the story. Ben Roberts-Smith in front of his portrait at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Credit:Jay Cronan The proceedings relate to a series of articles published by Fairfax Media and journalists Nick McKenzie, David Wroe and Chris Masters over several months about the actions of SAS soldiers who fought in Afghanistan. Mr Roberts-Smith, who is one of four living recipients of the Victoria Cross, the nations highest military honour, has emphatically denied the allegations contained in the stories. Martin Royds used to take what he now calls "the moron approach" to farming. "I used to go out and spray and kill everything," the Braidwood farmer says. Braidwood farmer Martin Royds beside his new dam, dug two weeks ago, which immediately started to fill up with groundwater. Credit:Karleen Minney "When you look at the way Australian farmers developed, it was fighting the land, fighting droughts, fighting fires, fighting weeds. "Ive now realised that if we work with it, the land will work with you and it really gets a lot easier." A 24-year-old man from the Illawarra region who drove a car off a cliff in Western Australia, killing one passenger and seriously injuring another, has been charged. Tahlee De Clouett and Baxter Woodger were seriously injured. Credit:Facebook Baxter Woodger was behind the wheel of the car when it plunged about 20 metres over a cliff in Lyndon, near Carnarvon, about 3.30am on Saturday, August 11. Pictures from the crash site show the roof of the white Toyota LandCruiser had caved in on impact. The car came to rest on a rock shelf, the ocean lapping at its wheels. A formidable alliance of local residents including famed Mad Max director George Miller and former top civil servant John Menadue is campaigning to stop the conversion of part of Sydneys South Head national park into a commercial function and wedding centre which could service up to 800 guests each weekend. The proposal is being driven by businessman Christopher Drivas, head of Dockside catering group, which runs large function centres at Cockle Bay, and has a key stake in the $32 million redevelopment underway at the old Campbell's Stores building in The Rocks. Director George Miller at Green Point, next to one of the contested National Parks and Wildlife cottages above Camp Cove. Credit:Louise Kennerley Opponents say the South Head proposal would fatally compromise the small but iconic headland park, planting a high-volume commercial operation in a sensitive area of heritage significance. But Mr Drivas says the plan will allow him to restore six dilapidated buildings owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, two of which had previously been used for functions. Of the $14 million it has received in mostly private donations in those five years, $6 million has been spent or donated, according to accounts provided to the charity watchdog and the Herald. Mr Egan, in his Facebook post addressing financial questions, said cash in the bank was to fund ongoing programs. He told the Herald it was important to have reserves for unforeseen natural disasters such as floods, safeguard the long-term sustainability of the charity, and provide the ability to invest in projects like Virtual Psychologist. Aussie Helpers charity founder, Brian Egan. Credit:AAP We dont just use money because weve got it, he said. You dont know whats going to happen tomorrow, or the next year or the next year or the next year. On Facebook, Mr Egan also addressed property assets, saying YES we have some before referencing warehouses and depots in multiple states, vehicles and a new national headquarters. Aussie Helpers owns upwards of $2.5 million in property, plant and equipment, which also includes a small home for the Egans in Charleville and two other homes in the town which Mr Egan said were to house volunteers. A $399,000 home near Bundaberg with four bedrooms and a pool had been bought as a holiday spot for farmers last year, Mr Egan said, but they had decided to sell it as too few farmers could leave their properties. Aussie Helpers employs the Egans' daughter Sam Price and another part-time staff member, spending about $75,000 on wages. Neither Mr Egan nor his wife had ever received any wages or payments, he said, although he often worked from 6am to 10pm. Another charity forced to defend itself was Rural Aid, sponsored by Woolworths, Qantas, the Commonwealth Bank and the Penrith Panthers, which faced qustions about wages. Rural aid CEO Charles Alder. Mr Egan said after a farmers meeting in Canberra this week, he expressed concerns to Senator Jim Molans office about expenditure by Rural Aid, which he said has used intellectual property meant to belong to Aussie Helpers. Rural Aid, which denies any wrongdoing, was founded by Charles Alder, who used to do marketing work for Aussie Helpers. Mr Alder told the Herald his charity now employed 17 people, and had taken in more than $5 million in the past six months, much of it in recent weeks. His Facebook post addressing financial questions on Thursday said Rural Aid had that day allocated $300,000 in gift and fuel cards from Woolworths and Caltex and organised 15 hay drops. At the moment, all charities are trying to run as fast as they can to provide assistance in what is almost a panic state in our rural communities, he said. But questions have been raised about 2016-2017 employee expenses - $354,000 of the total $951,000 taken in that year. That money went to six full-time employees, including $110,000 to key management personnel, according to accounts. Mr Alder said the $110,000 was paid to him as chief executive, a salary the charitys board considered fair given his skills and hard work. He would not say how much his wife Tracey, also a full-time employee, earned but said the pair worked 120 to 130 hours a week. We certainly dont overpay ourselves, thats for sure, he said. As the sole shareholder and director of another entity, Charity Hub Pty Ltd, Mr Alder earns more income from Rural Aid. Charity Hub, a company providing shared or temporary work spaces for not-for-profits, subleases part of its Brisbane premises to Rural Aid for about $4000 a month, which Mr Alder said was board approved and at market rates. A dispute between Mr Egan and Mr Alder arose over the trademark Buy a Bale, the name of a scheme that allows donors to purchase hay for farmers for $20 a bale. Rural Aid now runs the scheme. But Mr Egan said Mr Alder, after undertaking marketing work for Aussie Helpers, trademarked it in his own name without permission. Loading There was absolutely no truth to that, said Mr Alder, who told the Herald he had created the logo as well as domain names for the tagline. Mr Alder also went on to register Buy a Bale of Hale Pty Ltd, which was owned by another Alder company, The Give Back Campaign Pty Ltd. The parent company, which ran a platform meant to incentivise donations from businesses, went into liquidation in 2016 owing $29,000 to a digital advertising company. Before last Friday's alleged fatal samurai sword attack in Forest Lodge in Sydney's inner west, Hannah Quinn seemingly had her life on track. The product of a somewhat disjointed childhood spent between Sydney, Brisbane and Lismore, Ms Quinn had never been in trouble with the law before Sydney rapper Jett McKee's violent death allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend Blake Davis. Hannah Quinn with mother Megan in Redfern on Friday. Credit:Wolter Peeters Ms Quinn is the eldest of three siblings, and her parents separated after she was born. Her father, Dean Hintz, remarried and moved to Hong Kong where he set up a cafe before returning to Queensland. Her mother Megan lay down roots in Sydney's inner west where she now lives. Ms Quinn attended East Sydney High, a school for year 9 and 10 students who have struggled with mainstream education. The Berejiklian government is stalling on some of Sydneys largest residential development schemes, torn between a desire to increase housing supply and community concerns about over-development. After nominating housing affordability as her foremost priority as Premier on her first day, Gladys Berejiklians government is increasingly either deferring, or referring to councils, initiatives it had recently declared critical to boosting the supply of affordable dwellings in the city. Crows Nest is set for more development around the new metro station. Credit:Nick Moir One example is the lack of recent movement on so-called planned precincts once dubbed priority precincts and before that, urban activation precincts in which higher-density housing would be partly master-planned by the state. In the Premiers north shore heartland, for instance, a plan for increased development around St Leonards and Crows Nest was to have been available for community consultation early this year but has remained unreleased. Central bank chief Philip Lowe has used Sydney's troubled $2.1 billion light rail project as a way to draw attention to poor oversight of major infrastructure projects. Speaking to a parliamentary committee on Friday, the Reserve Bank governor said Australia had still not got right the governance of infrastructure, and the selection of projects was not all that it should be to maximise productivity and welfare. I've got an example of that at the moment. I live in Randwick, so I am living with that continuously with the tram, he told the House of Representatives standing committee on economics. Dr Lowe said better governance was needed to combat insidious scepticism in the community. A south coast man with mental health issues who was denied entry to his local RSL because of his companion animal has won a human rights case against the club. Federal Court judge Brigitte Markovic found Club Jervis Bay discriminated against Vincentia resident Peter Reurich on eight occasions in 2014 and 2015 by not allowing him to enter the club or ride the courtesy bus while in the company of his bearded collie, Boofhead. Peter Reurich with his companion dog Boofhead. "The old saying goes that a dog is a mans best friend but, as this case demonstrates, sometimes a dog can be more than that, Justice Markovic said in her ruling on Friday. Boofhead, sometimes referred to as Boofy or Boof, has been with Mr Reurich since his birth in 2007. If you recently bought a Powerball ticket at Narwee in Sydney's south, you could be $50 million richer. Lottery authorities are searching for a mystery buyer whose unregistered ticket was one of two to get a slice of the $100 million Powerball prize on Thursday night. The winner of an unclaimed $50 million prize bought their ticket at Narwee. One of the division one winners in draw 1161, a man from Melbourne, has already stepped forward. But all that is known about the other is that they bought their ticket from Broadarrow Newsagency on Broadarrow Road in Narwee. Three men have been charged over the shooting death of former Comanchero boss Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi after a major police operation in Sydney. Hawi, 37, died after being shot multiple times in a daylight execution outside the Fitness First gym in Rockdale on February 15. Hawi had just climbed into his car at about midday that day and shut the door when a man ran up to the window and shot at him for several seconds before sprinting away. Hawi died later that day in St George Hospital. Late on Friday, police arrested and charged three men over the killing. A man will be extradited from Queensland after being charged with the murder of a man whose remains were found in a wheelie bin in Melbourne last month. John Christianos went missing in 2001. Credit:National Missing Persons Register John Christianos, a talented graphic and caricature artist, had been in Melbourne for only six months when he vanished in mid-June of 2001 from his home in Bentleigh East. The then 40-year-old's belongings were left at home, his bank and Centrelink accounts untouched, and car and motorcycle left behind. Cleaners found his body 17 years later, on July 13 in a bin at a storage facility in Oakleigh South. Kew private school Trinity Grammar. Credit:Joe Armao Melbourne private school Trinity Grammar says it will join the national redress scheme for victims of institutional child sex abuse after it paid $500,000 to a former student who was abused by a teacher in the 1970s. The scheme was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse and caps payouts to child abuse survivors at $150,000. The move comes after The Age this week revealed that Trinity had settled with a former student for just over $500,000. The ex-student, now in his 50s, was abused by senior teacher Christopher Howell twice in 1973. A young Melbourne man has won $50 million with a lottery ticket he bought at the last minute before the draw closed. The man, aged in his 20s, was one of two division one winners from Thursday nights $100 million Powerball draw. There were two division one winners in Thursday's $100 million Powerball draw. He said he knew he had become a multimillionaire when he checked his entry before going to bed. Im trying to remain as calm as possible, he said. A Supreme Court jury has heard how a young woman accused of murdering her mother - whose body was found in a suitcase in the Swan River - was psychologically abused by Annabelle Chen, who once slid a knife under her daughter's bedroom door. Tiffany Wan, 25, and her father Ah Ping Ban, 65, are both on trial in the WA Supreme Court accused of murdering Mosman Park's Ms Chen in 2016. Annabelle Chen's only daughter and her ex-husband have been charged with her murder. Ms Chen, 58, was found dumped in a suitcase in the Swan River by two fishermen on July 2, 2016. An 83-year-old former priest has had yet more charges laid against him as WA Police continue to investigate historic child sex abuse. Police on Friday announced the Subiaco man had been charged with three counts of indecent assault on a female over a series of incidents alleged to have taken place between 1969 and 1972, while the man was a priest at a Catholic Church in Carlisle. It is alleged the man indecently assaulted a young girl over the period of three years; the girl was just six years old at the time of the first offence. The man was first charged with historic child sex abuse offences in April over a series of alleged incidents involving seven children both girls and boys believed to have taken place between 1979 and 1992, when he was a priest at a Shenton Park Catholic church. Police in July laid even more charges against the man over a series of alleged incident assaults on another young girl in 1970, again while he was a priest at the Catholic Church in Carlisle. WAs Corrective Services Minister has called on Amnesty International Australia to apologise for a concerted and false campaign of allegations by the human rights organisation following the release of a report into their claims. Fran Logan referred to a social media campaign aimed at drawing attention to allegations of mistreatment of offenders at the states only juvenile detention facility as disgraceful. The entrance to Banksia Hill detention centre in the southern suburb of Canning Vale. Credit:File image. The report released this week found no evidence to support the majority of the human rights organisations complaints, but it did find two youths at the centre of the allegations of ill treatment had probably been held in conditions that amounted to solitary confinement under international law. Amnesty first wrote to Mr Logan on December 14, 2017. Dr Quentin Van Meter, who headlined an event at Old Parliament House on Tuesday night. Credit:Facebook Just days after defending a decision to allow a talk on transgender gender identity with a controversial US doctor to continue, the University of Western Australia has voided the event's booking. The university cited safety concerns over a "higher level" of risk over the decision on Friday. The event was to be hosted by the Australian Family Association in the Octagon at UWA's Crawley campus on Friday, with US paediatric endocrinologist Quentin Van Meter as the main speaker. Dr Van Meter is the co-author of the scientific paper Gender ideology harms children, which claims "conditioning children into impersonating the opposite sex is child abuse". Motorists on Tonkin Highway escaped serious injury on Friday afternoon after a man and women drove a stolen car the wrong way down the busy motorway. Armadale Detectives charged the pair after the high speed chase came to an end in Armadale. Police will allege they tried to stop the Volkswagen Golf as it left an address in Maddington early Friday afternoon. But the vehicle wouldn't stop and led police on a chase, heading down Tonkin Highway a short time later. It's 20 metres wide, hand-woven and held together by velcro. In the Great Hall of Parliament House hangs one of the world's largest tapestries. Earlier this year, the mammoth work of art was quietly taken off the wall for the first time since 1999. Then last week, it turned up somewhere rather unexpected - unfurled on the floor of the Members Hall. Experts and University of Canberra students toiled for five days to inspect and clean the huge Great Hall tapestry at Parliament House. Jon Burchill and Lilly Vermeesch inspect the velcro backing. Credit:Parliament House Art Collection Armed with vacuums, a team of conservation experts, Parliament House staff and students from the University of Canberra had gathered for a delicate operation. Time stood still for Matthew Brookhouse when he finally had the chance to examine a scan of an ancient portrait of Henry VIII. He has been able to date the oak panel painting to 1525, using specialised scanning technology and his own expertise in annual tree-rings. ANU academic Dr Matthew Brookhouse examining the portrait of Henry VIII. Credit:Simon Ives The portrait had been a source of mystery for the Art Gallery of NSW, which approached Dr Brookhouse, a lecturer at the Australian National University Fenner School of Environment and Society, to help date the work. Dr Brookhouse had initially examined the work several years ago using standard methods, but was unable to date it without sanding the edge of the panel or otherwise altering the work. The station could have been underground, with talk of building a parallel tunnel to the State Circle tunnel, with the lift appearing on Federation Mall on the side of the road, in the area taken up with small parking spots. He had no objection to that route, which made sense for commuters, he said. He called on the government to reconsider its stop at King George Terrace, which was more than 800 metres from Parliament House and would discourage a great many users, he said. After 400 metres peoples usage of public transportation really starts to drop off, he said. I know that rail enthusiasts will say that people walk further for rail but the examples around the world show that after 400 metres it drops off fairly quickly." The planned Barton stop did not create a clear pathway for pedestrians, he said, suggesting the tram could run around State Circle rather than crossing into Capital Circle. That would allow a stop at Melbourne Avenue, just 300 metres to walk to Parliament House. The National Capital Authority told the inquiry it would need to employ extra staff and a bigger budget to assess the project and it expected the ACT government to pay its costs. An artist's impression of the tram in front of Old Parliament House. Authority chief executive Sally Barnes said the ACT had not provided its definition design until February, when the plan was to take over a traffic lane on Commonwealth Avenue for the tram. The authority was concerned about the impact on the wider city road network as well as the ceremonial routes and the ACT had now changed its model to build a new, separate Commonwealth Avenue bridge and use the median strip. The authority had only seen a "schematic" of the new plan, with no detailed drawings or engineering or traffic work. Loading "So we havent at the moment got anything to assess, Ms Barnes said. Rather than just have the schematic we really want to be quite certain about things like furniture the details around lighting. Well need a lot more of that detail about the project before we can assess it. Chief planner Andrew Smith said the ACTs latest images were very different to the technical material provided earlier. So at this stage we are not clear on what the proposal really is, he said. Despite the authority's reservations about Commonwealth Avenue, the ACT government has discounted the Kings Avenue route. The ACT government has indicated that it would be unlikely to invest in the project if its forced to go down Kings Avenue," ACT Transport deputy director Duncan Edghill told the hearing. "So there might not be a whole lot of benefit in spending time and resources on examining different route options. It would make more sense to us if it was, is this particular route going to be acceptable or not? Mr Edghill said the ACT was open to "tweaks, including switching from Capital Circle to State Circle but wholesale changes would become less attractive to the ACT government. Inquiry chairman Ben Morton (Liberal) said it made no sense for the ACT to produce a large amount of detailed work on the Commonwealth Avenue route before the National Capital Authority had even agreed to the option. Ms Thomas said detailed design work would be done by the private sector consortium after the tender. Asked about the plan discussed with Mr Guida to head up Commonwealth Avenue to State Circle, the ACT authorities said the option ran into trouble with the heritage stone wall at the cutting, and with traffic and intersections on State Circle, as well as access to the national institutions closer to the lake. Inquiry member Julian Leeser (Liberal) asked why the ACT hadnt considered underground rail, to which Ms Thomas said the project was not only a transport solution but an urban-renewal land-use solution. To deliberately use the term final solution in a prepared speech shows that he is unfit to be in the Senate, whether he is knowingly dog-whistling to fellow racists or is just a bona fide ignoramus. Bring on the half-Senate election. David Jenkins, Casey Ire on phrase misplaced Sorry about the poor understanding of English blatantly displayed after Senator Fraser Annings maiden speech. Our English and maths teachers taught us that final solution meant: to solve the problem; get to the end of the discussion; solve the problem and move on; fix it so no more time is wasted; advance probing the limits; converge; equation completed; project completed; complete a sequence and so on. Much has been written of recent about the pathetic decline in education and low English literacy skills. Now very evident. It is overdue to get to the end of the immigration problem and stop migration from countries of fanaticism and disrespect for democracy, our laws, traditions and people: Return to European migrants who share common values and who enjoy and appreciate our land. A referendum asking What migrants do you want coming to Australia, would solve the immigration confusion rampant with politicians. G. J. May, Forestdale Cities clogged I am disgusted with those who purport to represent the citizens of Australia, but who are too lily-livered to support Fraser Anning in his maiden speech to the Parliament. He is dead right in what he says. Our major cities are becoming clogged, all our taxes are going into new roads for the influx of migrants from all over the world. If Angela Merkel was wrong to say let them all come our politicians are just as bad. Cant they see that the average Melburnian or Sydneysider is fed up to the back teeth of fighting the traffic every morning to get to work. Our immigration population has got out of hand, we need to stop letting any more refugees or economic migrants into this country for at least five years. Fraser Anning was right, we should not be increasing the Muslim population into Australia, their religion, their customs and their inability to integrate is never going to change. The Australia we knew is gradually becoming a place we no longer wish to know, since politicians are more attached to their seats in Parliament than ensuring that the citizens of this country are listened to. They must move out of their cosy little nests and see for themselves what has happened to this country from the point of view of its inhabitants who used to take pride in being Australian but who now are no longer so enthusiastic. Patricia M. Smith, Mount Martha, Vic Speech appalling I am appalled at the maiden speech in the Senate by Fraser Anning, he is not worthy to be called a senator in the Australian Parliament. Nor are the senators who cheered and shook his hand after the speech. One and all should be ashamed of themselves. A censure motion by the Senate should be held against Senator Anning. He is only there because Malcolm Roberts of One Nation couldnt get his act together with his citizenship, 19 votes is all Senator Anning received, think on that one. Then Senator Anning defected to Bob Katters party who has roundly defended Senator Anning. We cannot sit idly by while people such as these are elected to our Parliament. Our democracy is eroded day by day, our once great multicultural country is being vilified in favour of white supremacy. These are not crackpot views any more, day by day we see more and more of it. Jan Gulliver, Lyneham Katter in wrong spot Despite Parliament being in session, Bob Katter chose to be in Cairns to conduct the press conference in which he supported the maiden speech of Senator Anning 1000 per cent. Is Mr Katter unaware winter recess is over or is he continuing with his arrogant disregard for the parliamentary process by having one of its worst ever attendance records? It says little about his willingness to represent Kennedy. I. De Landelles, Murray Beach, NSW Democracy MIA So the Senate has narrowly defeated a repeal of the Andrews bill to allow the territories to decide conscience issues like euthanasia. Whos for thinking of moving to Cambodia or North Korea where there appears to be more democracy? Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla Warming evidence indisputable The huge bushfires near Nowra, Ulladulla and Bemboka (north-west of Bega), as well as at least 80 other fires in NSW represent the earliest start to the bushfire season and to total fire bans on record (August in flames as earliest total fire bans on record enforced, August 16, p8-9). It has so far been an unusually dry year in NSW, all of which has been declared drought affected. Having lived in the Canberra almost all of my life, this winter has also seemed unusually windy. My strongest memories of winter in Canberra are of frosty nights and calm, sunny days. As anyone who is well informed and has an open mind will agree, the evidence that Earth is warming is incontrovertible. We can therefore expect warm and perhaps dry winters to become more common and bushfire seasons to tend to start still earlier and be more severe. It has been reported that there is likely to be an El Nino episode during the coming months. If so, this will add to background global warming and result in still warmer weather and a continuation, if not a worsening, of the dry episode that we are suffering. An El Nino will also further increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires. These, of course, add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, not all of which (depending on the intensity of the fires) will be absorbed by regrowth of trees and will add albeit only very slightly in any one year to global warming. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin On wrong track over climate Many Canberrans would have been appalled by the comments from Doug Hurst (Letters, August 12). Mr Hurst suggested that those concerned about overheating the planet were ignoramuses. This is completely unacceptable. I am aware that people sometimes resort to strong language to hide weak arguments. Mr Hurst was right the climate has always changed but this has always been through natural causes based on changes to the Earths orbit, asteroid impacts, volcanoes and different cycles in the climate system. Todays warming is different. It is due to artificial causes that cannot be undone. Mr Hurst was wrong there are no inconvenient facts that have been ignored. His citing of a lack of correlation between CO2 and temperature in the geological record is false. There is correlation but the correlation in the geological record is different to the correlation today. Mr Hurst was correct some 8000 years ago the Earth was warmer by around 2 degrees. But if we dont control greenhouse gas emissions we will be back into these conditions but, sadly, any ongoing further emissions must then thrust our climate even further towards a plausible unmitigated disaster. Mr Hurst is wrong the recent amount of sea level rise is not minuscule. It amounts to around one foot every century and the rate of rise is increasing. Mr Hursts imputation against scientists as alarmists seeking to prop up study grants was equally false and objectionable. Chris Warren, Aranda Private school rant Parents and grandparents who make considerable financial sacrifices to send children to independent or faith-based schools should be grateful to Anthony V. Adams (Letters, August 14) who, in his rant against private schools, displays all the qualities of envy, authoritarianism and tall poppy syndrome that one hopes are avoided by providing children with better life-models to which to aspire. Sadly, despite Gonski, the majority of public schools have not provided the academic and aspirational values parents seek. One wonders if Anthonys vituperation against what he termed religious brainwashing and his puerile insults against the Christian faith would also be levelled against Muslims and the Koran? There are as many devout and painstaking Muslim teachers in Koranic schools as there are in Christian ones. But of course, for those like Anthony, Christianity is a much easier target so much less likely to issue fatwas. Australians of all backgrounds (mine happens to be Asian-born) usually recognise race-baiting for what it is, and the undertone of class-malice and corrosive jealousy of letter writers such as Mr Adams, who perhaps would be happier with Soviet-ideology. Christina Faulk, Swinger Hill Bus lurk running too long Why have Canberra taxpayers allowed the government to run so many buses to transport private school students all these years? Rich parents surely could drive their children to school in the Alfa Romeo or maybe the Bugatti? On alternate days, perhaps? Freesia B. Orlzov, Flynn Festival a cruel sham The Eid al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) begins on August 21. This means that in less than a weeks time 100 million camels, goats, sheep and cattle many of them Australian-exported animals will have their throats agonisingly sawn open. This festival, portrayed as a time of peace is actually a time of monstrous cruelty. Up until recently the Nepalese people similarly sacrificed up to 250,000 animals a year during their Gadhimai festival. In 2015 they made the compassionate decision to end all animal sacrifice. Its high time Muslims did the same and abolished this cruel and archaic ritual. After all, if this is meant to be a time of sacrifice, shouldnt they be sacrificing something that affects them personally? Slaughtering millions of innocent animals then feasting on their tortured corpses turns this entire festival into a sham. Jenny Moxham, Monbulk Peoples wishes the priority Anne Prendergasts dystopian future (Letters, August 16) where anyone with an illness or disability, feeling lonely or simply past their best before date is compulsorily euthanised by reluctant medical staff all sounds very scary indeed, but Im a little curious as to how such a situation would come about. Surely the people wouldnt elect anyone espousing such a heinous policy, so wouldnt it have to be imposed upon them against their will by politicians who think they know better? Democracy is highly inefficient most of the time and all the compromises and concessions rarely deliver optimal outcomes, but we can maximise the benefit to everyone by quickly implementing policy changes that the vast majority agree upon when they do arise. If politicians cant or wont bend to the will of the people when its so clear-cut, and try to confuse and delay with expensive and unnecessary plebiscites, introduce legislation that creates a veneer of decisive political action but in fact does little else than maintain the status quo, and at every opportunity engage in endless obfuscation by prolonging the debate and leading it around in circles, then they have no business being in politics. James Allan, Narrabundah TO THE POINT PUB TALK POLICY FLAWED It is surprising and worrying that a member of the Australian Parliament should recycle pub talk into a call for a reversion to the White Australia policy and a banning of Muslim migration. Our parliamentary members should surely show better leadership and wisdom by rejecting such ignorant and ill-informed suggestions, which can only encourage division, hatred and misunderstandings, and risk fragmenting Australias postwar socio-economic success story. Trevor Wilson, Chifley MESSAGE TWISTED The main point in Fraser Annings speech is his anti-Muslim racism. His use of final solution was clearly related to Muslims and non-white immigration and not the Holocaust. For the Minister of the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg, and others, to twist Annings words to avoid condemning his anti-Muslim bigotry and address this serious racism issue is appalling, opportunism and hierocracy to say the least. Shame. Ali Kazak, Narrabundah ANOTHER LEMMING Jim Molan, a man who showed so much promise, has proved to be just another politician, by following the other Liberal lemmings and supporting the NEG. Owen Reid, Dunlop LEAST WE SHOULD EXPECT Lets not go overboard in congratulating our MPs and senators on their response to Senator Annings vile maiden speech. Given this countrys proud multicultural heritage and support of the fair go it is the absolute least that we should expect of them. M. Moore, Bonython Australians should look unflinchingly at the actions of Australian soldiers in war zones, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us, say military historians who have strongly criticised comments this week by War Memorial director Brendan Nelson. Dr Nelson, a former Liberal defence minister, said allegations contained in articles in Fairfax Media about Victoria Cross winner and former SAS trooper Ben Roberts-Smith were an attempt to "tear down our heroes". Brendan Nelson and Ben Roberts-Smith, VC MG, at the Australian War Memorial. Credit:Katherine Griffiths Reporting of an alleged domestic violence incident was "one of the lowest blows I have ever seen," he said, adding in comments to The Australian, "I am very concerned that if the media pursuit of Ben Roberts-Smith and others continues we run the risk of becoming a people unworthy of such sacrifice. Of Mr Roberts-Smith's war service, Dr Nelson told radio 2GB, I dont doubt that what you and I might think, in the cold, hard light of day, that bad things have happened. War is a messy business. Australians are paying a heavy price for a decade of uncertainty on national energy policy. As some of our older coal-fired power plants have closed, the investment needed to replace their generation capacity has been stifled. As a result we now pay some of the highest power prices in the world despite having an abundance of energy resources at our disposal. Australians are paying a heavy price for a decade of uncertainty on national energy policy. Credit:James Alcock This investment wont happen without agreement on our national energy policy direction. In the absence of anything else, agreement on the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) is needed. Right across NSW, small businesses and larger industries like mining and manufacturing are calling on the Parliament to support the NEG as a way to move forward with a degree of clarity. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has approved a radical redesign of his flagship energy policy to put a priority on price cuts rather than climate change targets in a bid to prevent a backbench revolt that could threaten his leadership. The drastic changes will make consumer prices a key factor in deciding the scale of future cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, removing one of the biggest obstacles to a Coalition consensus on the National Energy Guarantee. The controversial target at the heart of the policy, a 26 per cent cut to emissions by 2030, will be set by ministerial regulation rather than being cemented in legislation to avoid forcing Liberals and Nationals MPs to vote for a climate change target they cannot support. The new approach also meets demands from Labor governments in Victoria and the ACT to allow the target to be changed by regulation, improving the odds of a deal with the states and territories to approve the NEG by October. The revised approach will make affordability an essential consideration in any change to the target, with an expert panel or other measures being considered to put a check on a future governments ability to raise the target with the ministerial stroke of a pen. Cabinet ministers are trying to quell new talk of a leadership challenge to Malcolm Turnbull as government MPs threaten to cross the floor on energy policy, pulling the trigger on a wider debate over the Prime Ministers authority. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann played down speculation about a backbench approach to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to recruit him as leader to replace Mr Turnbull in a showdown over energy and climate change. The speculation came after Mr Dutton acknowledged in a radio interview on Thursday that if he did not support a government policy he would have to quit the ministry and move to the backbench. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Credit:Andrew Meares Senator Cormann, a close friend of Mr Dutton, said the remarks were a statement of fact rather than a signal of intent. A rapist who preyed on 14 teenage girls and young women whom he met through Facebook, Tinder and Snapchat has been jailed for a maximum of 40 years in one of the worst cases of serial sexual assault in the history of the NSW Hunter region. Andrew James Benn, now 29, of North Rothbury, was ordered on Thursday to serve a non-parole period of 30 years in jail for 33 offences, including 21 counts of rape. Andrew James Benn was jailed for a maximum of 40 years on Thursday. Credit:NSW Police He will be 57 and will have spent more than half his life behind bars when he first becomes eligible for parole in 2047. The public gallery in Newcastle District Court was packed with victims and their supporters as Judge Roy Ellis read a lengthy judgment that detailed Benn's depraved acts, which included repeatedly raping women, forcing himself on girls using "extreme violence", sex with girls as young as 15, blackmailing and threatening victims that the "Hells Angels" would "make them disappear" if they went to police and laughing in the face of desperate and crying victims. NSW Multicultural Affairs Minister Ray Williams has been accused of politically interfering in a water investigation, after an independent report revealed he repeatedly lobbied his own government for one of his constituents to be given a free water licence and favourable treatment over an illegal dam. Mr Williams wrote six letters to the Minister for Water between 2014 and 2017 on behalf on a constituent, Garry Bugeja, who was being investigated by water compliance officers over an illegal dam on his property at Glossodia in north-west Sydney. The details of Mr Williams' level of intervention into the matter - which included attending a site visit on Mr Bugeja's property with senior water officials - are contained in an Ombudsman's report into water compliance, tabled in NSW Parliament on Friday. Ray Williams continued to write letters even after he ceased being the local member Credit:Wolter Peeters Neither Mr Williams nor Mr Bugeja are named in the report, but the case was first revealed publicly in the media last year. The judicial watchdog dismissed a bullying complaint against a judge accused of laughing at the case of a vulnerable complainant because the incident was too long ago and the recording of the case had been destroyed. The complainant, who was suffering from a serious psychological impairment at the time his case was heard, was also told by members of the Judicial Commission of Victoria that his complaint was "too remote" because it happened in December 2013, documents show. The investigation into the March 2018 complaint was impeded, the members said, because the court recordings of the interaction no longer exists, as most Victorian courts' policy is to destroy recordings 12 months after the hearing. The Supreme Court. Credit:Penny Stephens The complainant says he halted his workplace compensation claim because the judge's conduct discouraged and traumatised him. With all the subtlety of a bull shopping for new dinner plates, Fraser Anning has put immigration and population growth back on the front pages. In fact, for an issue that we are constantly told we cant talk about, its striking how many column inches and airtime is taken up with talking about who and how many are allowed to live in Australia. Sydney's diversity is a strength. Credit:Michele Mossop Rather than dive into how appropriate it is to refer to a "final solution" with regards to immigration, we should consider the underlying factors that allow such comments to be spoken in our public discourse. Loading Below the rhetoric sit two fears that rural and regional areas lose out to our cities, and that the population of cities like Sydney are growing at an unsustainable rate, that they are full to bursting and that our communities are cant keep up. Because 80 per cent of Australias migrants move to either Sydney or Melbourne, these issues become conflated with each other, and immigration gets the blame. I wonder if our readers think we reviewers are off with the pixies from time to time. For example we can say, without a hint of vacillation, that speakers costing $250,000 are good value. And we inhabit hallowed environments. If something sounds interesting we fire off an email and its delivered to us. Okay, only for a week or so, but thats a week or so longer than our readers get. Panasonic's OLEDs look great, but how to compare them in the store? After years of this some of us become forgetful about the act of actually spending our own hard-earned on such stuff, and this is where readers probably get frustrated. I read a review of an OLED television recently in which the reviewer waxed lyrical (I agreed with his every word) before saying that he couldnt make a ready comparison of the telly with its major competitors because he hadnt seen them side-by-side. Readers would point out that if he simply walked into a big box shop, something they do whenever they buy stuff, hed see entire walls of televisions, all side-by-side with their major competitors and often all showing the same programming. Comparing them couldnt be simpler. Rukmini Callimachi, a reporter for The New York Times, doesn't escape the online vitriol that is so often directed at female journalists. The difference, in her case, is that she covers terrorism, and her online trolls are Islamic State members and sympathisers. "I think they figured out that I'm sensitive about my weight," she tells producer Andy Mills in the first episode of their podcast. Rukmini Callimachi, who has covered al-Qaeda and IS since 2014, seems as unflappable as you'd expect of someone who is in daily contact with terrorists. She explains, laughing, that their insult of choice is "Oinkmini Fatmachi". "There's something ironic about being fat-shamed by IS." Callimachi (pictured), who has covered al-Qaeda and IS for The NYT since 2014, seems as unflappable as you'd expect of someone who is in daily contact with terrorists. Her job, of course, is fraught with risk. The FBI has told her she was named by IS in a "targeted threat". The 10-part Caliphate podcast series offers a deeper dive into some of Callimachi's incredible reporting, including on the "IS files" 15,000 pages of documents unearthed over five trips to Iraq and a moving episode about Yazidi women who escaped after years of enslavement by IS. Central to the series is the story of a young IS recruit, who has since returned to Canada. He bluntly recounts his life in Syria; it's gripping, but not easy, listening. Raised in a moderately religious middle-class family, he epitomises the growing problem of online radicalisation and the issues Western countries face in dealing with returning recruits. Although IS has lost large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, the terror group continues to grow internationally. Capitulation, in Callimachi's view, is temporary. Violent extremists are easy to overcome with military force; defeating an ideology, less so. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald or The Age. Some 42 percent of South Korean legislators are undecided about whether to approve the sweeping free trade agreement reached Monday with the United States, a poll showed Wednesday. About 31 percent of the National Assembly members are in favour and some 23 percent opposed, acording to the poll of 282 of the current 296 legislators by Hankook Ilbo and its sister newspaper The Korea Times. The rest gave no response. The agreement must be ratified by the legislatures of both countries, and President Roh Moo-Hyun acknowledged Tuesday that this would not be easy in his country. "The bottom line is that the government has to persuade the people," he said. Washington: A judge presiding over the fraud trial of Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, disclosed he had received threats and was under police protection. District Judge T S Ellis III also told a court on Friday that he feared for the "peace and safety of the jurors". Sketch depicts Rick Gates, right, testifying during questioning in the bank fraud and tax evasion trial of Paul Manafort at federal court in Alexandria, Va. US district Judge T.S. Ellis III presides at top right. Credit:AP In the US, jury lists are presumed to be public unless a judge gives a reason for keeping them secret. The judge said he would not be revealing the jurors' names because of his safety concerns. Jurors have been deliberating for two days following a two-week trial in which Mr Manafort faces 18 charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. Part of the reason we took pity on her was because she was clearly so petrified by Manhattan's claustrophobic mayhem: the burping fire trucks, screaming squad-car sirens, underground subway clatter and Gatling thud of nearby construction sites. Alas, nine months on, the city still has a paralytic effect. The novelist Tom Wolfe once observed: "One belongs to New York instantly. One belongs to it as much in five minutes as five years." But Lucky would cock her leg to that. Though Hollywood has earned millions over the years from its fish-out-of-water formula showing improbable new arrivals falling under this city's spell, Lucky has yet to be seduced. I doubt she ever will be. We first encountered Lucky on a fresh autumnal morning in the West Village, on a footpath crowded with waifs, strays and sharp-elbowed families competing to take possession of them. Most of the dogs on offer were victims of the hurricane season, homeless mutts from Texas, Florida and even Puerto Rico. Lucky, though, had been trucked in overnight from Kentucky, a hillbilly transplant who had involuntarily swapped the Appalachians for the Big Apple. Eventually we decided to name her Lucky, an appellation that worked on a number of levels. It captured our delight at welcoming into our home such a lovable pooch a border collie/labrador cross, with a shimmering jet-black coat and also our relief that the Hunger Games-style ordeal of the New York pet adoption system was finally behind us. When we learnt that our rescue dog had been born on Donald Trump's inauguration day, we thought of calling her American Carnage. As well as recognising the historical import of her birthdate, it neatly described her destructive wake of chewed stilettos, nibbled linen, mangled Lego bricks and shredded copies of the New York Review of Books. Then we pondered the reaction at the local dog park, and the collateral effect of bellowing the most memorable phrase from Trump's introductory speech as president. This kind of dystopianism is generally frowned upon in our Brooklyn neighbourhood, where kombucha bars outnumber Trump supporters, and where you are more likely to chance upon a faded McGovern-Shriver bumper sticker than a scarlet Make America Great Again cap. My stock response to the question of what it's like to live in New York goes like this: I'm fortunate to inhabit the most charismatic city on the planet. After all, what other metropolis boasts such riches as the Met, the Guggenheim, Broadway, the theatre of the street, not to mention the cronut? But increasingly I wonder, as I look at the construction sites that make her cower, whether Lucky is onto something. Maybe New York is becoming harder to love. Take the cityscape. After repairing the skyline in the years after 9/11, the planners and developers now seem hell-bent on its ruination. New skyscrapers clog the air, obstructing sight lines and disfiguring much-loved urban contours. Matchstick towers are popping up, weed-like, in what has long been a low-rise stretch between Wall Street and Midtown. Super-rich residential towers, dubbed "safety deposit boxes in the sky" because so many units remain unoccupied by their owners, cast shadows over Central Park. Architectural showstoppers such as the Chrysler Building, are being crowded out. Entire new urban hubs, such as the gargantuan Hudson Yards development in Hell's Kitchen, look like tumorous growths. In the places of hurried development, gentrification is robbing characterful enclaves of their appeal. My own neighbourhood, once a no-go area, has improved immeasurably. But not so long ago we watched our local second-hand bookstore shut down, its owner playing his upright piano to shoppers right up to the very end in what sounded like a requiem for a lost city. Now the space is occupied by a high-end fashion boutique. In Lucky's rejection of New York, it is also tempting, if fantastical, to see something more psychic and profound: the hillbilly adrift in hostile terrain; the mongrel made to feel like an exile in her own land; the creature of a red state turning her nose up at the blue. When I first came to New York, the city seemed to stand as a monument to US universality. The American Dream distilled in steel, glass, flesh and blood. The true capital. The perfect home for the Statue of Liberty. Now, though, Manhattan is increasingly cast as the eastern home of a bicoastal elite, a bubble sequestered from Middle America not just by water but also by an entirely different political and moral mindset. As for Lady Liberty, for many New Yorkers she stands not as a reminder of all that is good but as a remembrance for much of what has turned bad. Our puppy, of course, is oblivious to all this or at least I think she is. But in being transported to this city from Kentucky, she crossed an invisible border that delineates the two Americas. Lucky's country feels like a nation no more. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, Brennan said Trump's decision, announced on Wednesday, to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mueller's investigation. Brennan, who served under President Barack Obama and has become a vocal Trump critic, called Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia "hogwash." The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," Brennan wrote. Later Thursday, the retired Navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden called Trump's moves "McCarthy-era tactics." Writing in The Washington Post, William H. McRaven said he would "consider it an honour" if Trump would revoke his clearance, as well. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," McRaven wrote. That was followed late on Thursday by a joint letter from 15 former senior intelligence officials calling Trump's action "ill-considered and unprecedented." They said it "has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances - and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech." The signees included seven former CIA directors, six former CIA deputy directors and two former national intelligence directors, James Clapper and retired Navy Admiral Denny Blair. Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Then on Friday, 60 former CIA officials issued their own statement, joining a chorus of opposition from the intelligence community to Trump's decisions to threaten to or actually pull clearances. They said former government officials have a right to express unclassified views on national security issues without fear of being punished for doing so. They said they did not necessarily concur with all the opinions expressed by Brennan, or the way in which he expressed them. But they said they believe the "country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views." Trump on Wednesday openly tied his decision to strip Brennan of his clearance - and threaten nearly a dozen other former and current officials - to the ongoing investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump again called the probe a "rigged witch hunt" and said "these people led it!" "So I think it's something that had to be done," he said. The president's comments were a swift departure from the official explanation given by the White House earlier Wednesday that cited the "the risks" posed by Brennan's supposed "erratic conduct and behavior." It marked the latest example of the president contradicting a story his aides had put forward to explain his motivations. Says Trump has disgraced the nation: Retired US Navy Admiral William H. "Bill" McRaven Attorneys said the revocation appeared to be within the president's authority. But they noted the power play also could be used to reinforce a case alleging obstruction of justice, following the president's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his repeated tweets calling for the investigation to end. Patrick Cotter, a former assistant US attorney in the Eastern District of New York and a longtime white-collar defence attorney, said that while a prosecutor could argue that Trump's targeting of clearances was intended as a warning that "if you contribute to, participate in, support the Russia probe and I find out about it, I'm going to punish you," it is likely not obstruction in itself. But, he said the move would be a "powerful piece of evidence" for prosecutors as part of a pattern to demonstrate an intent to use presidential power in connection with the probe. Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor agreed. "What it shows is that the president is fixated on the Russia investigation, he's angry about it, and he wants to do everything he can to discourage or slow down the investigation," he said. Mueller and his team have been looking at Trump's public statements and tweets as they investigate whether the president could be guilty of obstruction. "I don't think it advances the criminal obstruction case, but I think it's factually relevant," said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. "I think it shows the state of mind and intent to interfere or impede any unfavorable discussion of his potential connection to Russia." ADAS 2018 - Asian Defence, Security & Crisis Management Exhibition & Conference ADAS 2018 is the only dedicated Defence and Security Exhibition held in Philippines to serve the Republic and the wider Asia Pacific region. A 15-year Modernisation Program is being underway and offers international exhibitors an ideal opportunity to discuss various requirements in the programs and forge new commercial relationships with government agencies and local industry. The Philippines is considered an open market with few restrictions. President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a 2017 national defence budget of PHP137.2 billion (USD2.76 billion) last December 2016, effective from 1st January 2017 and represented a small increase on the PHP134.2 billion that was initially proposed for defence spending by the government in August. This 2017 military expenditure is an approximate 18% increase against spending in 2016. It also amounts to about 4% of total government spending in the year and 1% of GDP. However, the new budget does not include spending for major military procurement, which is covered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernisation Program. Companies wishing to supply equipment and systems in Disaster Response and Management (HADR) will note that no other country experiences the same level of natural disasters as the Philippines. Ongoing terrorism problems in the South are some of the most serious in Asia. The government is therefore updating its law enforcement capabilities and modernising its special forces and army to meet these challenges. World navies have been given greater access to Philippine Naval Facilities, creating an additional demand for navy-related systems and equipment for facility upgrades and enhancements. With the huge investment the Philippines is making to increase its tourism numbers, there is a significant increase in counter terrorism and paramilitary equipment to assist the control of the various regional problems. The police, customs and civil defence forces are also undergoing significant upgrades in capability. Key regional VIP delegations and decision makers from the armed forces, (army, navy, and air force), who will be invited by the Philippine government, Department of National Defence, and their agencies. ADAS remains your access to the defence and security opportunities in the Philippinesfast developing into a major regional player. Key statistics Following the very successful launch in 2014, the second edition in the series, ADAS 2016 achieved even greater success, and grew by 42%, reaffirming its position as The Philippines Flagship Defence and Security Event. Homeland Security (HLS) Indonesia 2018 - Strategically dealing with the landscape of terrorism in the country Homeland Security (HLS) Indonesia 2018, an exciting new Conference and Exhibition covering the full spectrum of homeland security and law enforcement is set to open its doors in Jakarta from 19-20 September 2018. HLS Indonesia 2018 is projected to attract at least 100 leading exhibitors plus the trade visitors, offering an unparalleled trade and networking platform for industry to meet officials from the nations key security, police, and paramilitary agencies and address their challenges and requirements. HLS Indonesia 2018 has the official Indonesian Government support from - Ministry of Law and Human Rights National Counter Terrorism Agency Republic of Indonesia (BNPT) Indonesian National Police Republic of Indonesia (INP) National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Crime and terrorism in Indonesia The conference will aid attendees in strategically dealing with the nexus of crime and terrorism in Indonesia. HLS 2018 will cover the entire terror landscape in the country, including topics like - Effective Detection Financing Terrorism & the Use of Crypto Currencies Handling Non Combatant and Vulnerable of Terrorism The Entire Spectrum of Cyber Terrorism Effective Rehabilitation in Prison (Is Prison a Terrorist University?) The Sustainability and Risk of Economic Empowerment in Counter Terrorism Regional Architecture in Counter Terrorism When FTF Return: Prosecution and Rehabilitation Post-ISIS South East Asia The Exceptionalism of South East Asia in Terrorism Among the above mentioned topics, the conference will also cover other important terror related emergencies. HLS 2018 is expected to attract delegates from government agencies, industry professionals, and academia. From left, Joseph W. Holliday III, Betty Holliday McLeod, J. William F. Holliday, Coastal Carolina University President David A. DeCenzo, and Cheryl and Judson J. Holliday stand with the portrait of one of the founding fathers of CCU, Joseph W. Holliday. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Partly cloudy skies. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Located about four miles north of Andrews, the Big Dam Swamp fire station is now under construction and is expected to be complete in December 2018. The twin telescopes at the W.M. Keck Observatory are the largest optical and infrared telescopes in the world, according to the observatory's website. Because of the size and location of the telescopes, they are in high demand among professional astronomers. (The observatory is not open to the public.) Keck has participated in several notable discoveries. The observatory is located atop Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii. Because it is so near the equator, Mauna Kea makes an excellent astronomical observation site. "In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii Island is surrounded by thousands of miles of thermally stable seas," the Keck Observatory wrote on its website. "The 13,796-foot Mauna Kea summit has no nearby mountain ranges to roil the upper atmosphere. Few city lights pollute Hawaiian night skies, and for most of the year, the atmosphere above Mauna Kea is clear, calm and dry." Both telescopes, named Keck I and Keck II, measure 10 meters (32.8 feet) across. The mirrors for each telescope are made of 36 lightweight segments that work together similarly to a single mirror. The telescopes are housed in insulated domes of 700,000 cubic feet. Giant air conditioners run all day to keep the temperature at or below freezing. This helps reduce deformation of the telescopes' steel and mirrors, according to the Keck website. The primary mirror assembly of the 10-meter Keck II telescope is made of 36 parts that can adapt to atmospheric conditions. (Image credit: Andrew Cooper/W. M. Keck Observatory) History Funding for the telescopes comes from a philanthropic organization known as the W.M. Keck Foundation. The entity was created in 1954 by William Myron Keck, who founded the Superior Oil Company, according to the foundation's website. "Mr. Keck envisioned a philanthropic institution that would provide far-reaching benefits for humanity," the foundation said. "By taking a bold, creative approach to grant making, he created a legacy that the foundation proudly upholds today." The foundation's mandate includes funding science, and in 1985 it granted $70 million ($155 million in 2014 dollars) to construct the first telescope, Keck I. During construction, $68 million came through for the second telescope, Keck II. The telescopes began their science work in 1993 and 1996 respectively, according to the Keck website. [Related: Keck Observatory: Cosmic Photos From Hawaii's Mauna Kea] The telescopes' arsenal of instruments includes several for optical wavelengths and others for infrared. Keck II houses DEIMOS (Deep Extragalactic Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph), which can pick up spectral information from 1,200 objects simultaneously. Keck I has HIRES (High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer), which can examine the colors of starlight. Examples of infrared instruments include the laser adaptive optics system (available with certain instruments on both telescopes), and Keck II's NIRSPEC (The Near Infrared Spectrometer). Some of NIRSPEC's scientific investigations include looking at radio galaxies that are very far from Earth (which means they are older according to the Big Bang Theory, which says the universe arose from a singularity and is expanding ever since.) NIRSPEC can also be used to learn more about brown dwarfs, which are objects that are considered "failed stars" immense gas giants that are not quite large enough to start nuclear fusion. Beaming up sharp images According to the observatory website, the Keck II telescope is the first in the world to use an adaptive optics system; Keck I later had one installed as well. This type of a system is intended to change the shape of the mirror to account for changes in the atmosphere. The atmosphere can blur the appearance of distant stars, making it difficult for astronomers to make accurate measurements unless they rise above the air. (This is one reason that scientists enjoy using telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope or the Spitzer Space Telescope.) Because the atmosphere changes so quickly, the telescopes need to change form rapidly as well. Both telescopes can alter its mirror 2,000 times each second, making images 10 times clearer than they would be without the system. They rely on a laser to make the measurements on how to change, which is an improvement over the old method: using a bright star, which isn't easy to achieve as this is only possible in about 1 percent of the sky. "Astronomers developed laser guide star adaptive optics using a special-purpose laser to excite sodium atoms that sit in an atmospheric layer 90 kilometers above Earth," the observatory said. "Exciting the atoms in the sodium layers creates an artificial 'star' for measuring atmospheric distortions and allows adaptive optics to produce sharp images of celestial objects positioned nearly anywhere in the sky." Notable discoveries Keck's twin telescopes have made a host of discoveries since construction finished. Keck has participated in several other discoveries: [Related: 10 Amazing Space Discoveries by the Keck Observatory] [Related: Keck Observatory: Cosmic Photos from Hawaii's Mauna Kea] In 1999, the observatory assisted another observatory with watching the first exoplanet transit across its parent star. This occurred after Keck did measurements of star HD 209458 and noted that the star appeared to wobble, as though there were a planet altering its movements. The science team then asked other astronomers at the privately funded Fairborn Observatory in Arizona to watch for a transit across the star's face, which occurred as they predicted. Another discovery was figuring out how stars move in the Andromeda Galaxy, a prominent galaxy that is 2.5 million light-years from Earth, making it a very close neighbor. This was important because it helped astronomers understand just how immense this galaxy is. Keck also participated in a research project involving several telescopes, which looked at supernovas (star explosions) across the universe. The aim was to use them to calculate how fast the universe is expanding. Results showed that the universe is actually accelerating as it grows, perhaps pushed along by "dark energy" a little-understood concept that may (along with dark matter) make up most of the universe. [Related: 10 Amazing Space Discoveries by the Keck Observatory] In 2015, Keck helped track down what was then called the most distant galaxy ever found EGSY8p7, which is about 13.2 billion light-years from Earth. Its extreme distance means the galaxy dates from just 600 million years after the Big Bang that created the universe. Examining such galaxies helps astronomers learn more about the history of the universe, especially the ancient universe. The next year, astronomers revealed early work from examining galaxies that date back from the end of the Dark Ages, referring to a time when light could not penetrate the universe's opacity. Additional resources There's a sort of radio wave that bangs its way around Earth, knocking around electrons in the plasma fields of loose ions surrounding our planet and sending strange tones to radio detectors. It's called a "whistler." And now, scientists have observed bursts like this in more detail than ever before. Whistlers, typically created during certain lightning strikes, usually travel along Earth's magnetic-field lines. Humans first detected them more than a century ago, thanks to their ability to make a "whistling" sound (really more like a ghostly recording of laser blasts in a "Star Wars" movie) when picked up by a radio receiver. Yesterday (Aug. 14), researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles reported that they've produced whistlers in a plasma a very electrically active, difficult-to-control, gas-like state of matter in their laboratory, and observed their shapes. When scientists studied whistlers in the past, they typically relied on data from a handful of widely spaced radio receivers distributed all over the planet. That sort of data is useful but is also incomplete. It tells researchers only so much about how the waves form, how they're shaped and how different kinds of ambient magnetic fields in the atmosphere influence them. (Detections of whistlers near Jupiter back in 1979 were also the first evidence scientists had that the giant planet has lightning storms like those on Earth.) [Electric Earth: Stunning Images of Lightning] In this smaller-scale study, the researchers were able to control both the magnetic-field lines of the plasma and the whistlers themselves, which they created with a magnetic device. "Our laboratory experiments reveal three-dimensional wave properties in ways that simply cannot be obtained from observations in space," Reiner Stenzel, a co-author of the paper and a professor at UCLA, said in a statement. "This enabled us to study continuous waves, as well as the growth and decay of waves, with amazing detail. This produced unexpected discoveries of wave reflections and of [other strange whistler behaviors]." The researchers showed that whistlers don't necessarily bounce and reflect inside magnetic fields the way physicists might expect, often following the lines of magnetic fields rather than bouncing off magnetic obstacles. Whistlers, the researchers found, are less subject to influence from outside sources of magnetic energy than researchers expected, and they can penetrate magnetic regions that theories suggest should be unbreachable for the wave fronts. That means scientists now know more about how to shape a whistler than ever before. And that turns out to be a very big deal: Back in 2014, a team of Italian researchers proposed that whistler waves could be used as the driving force of a plasma thruster to drive a craft through space, thanks to their ability to push on matter. A plasma thruster of this sort would, in theory, require very little fuel mass to push a spacecraft along at high speeds. But if a machine like that is going to work, the researchers wrote, scientists will first need studies like this to understand whistlers well enough to use them. Originally published on Live Science. Scientists using NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory have found evidence that hundreds of possible midsize black holes lurk at the cores of smaller galaxies in the universe. These mid-sized black holes, formally known as "Intermediate-mass" black holes (IMBHs), are notoriously elusive, yet an area of great interest because they could help astronomers better understand how some of the largest black holes in the early universe formed, according to a statement from NASA. IMBHs contain between about a hundred and several hundred thousand times the mass of the sun. They are larger than frequently studied "stellar mass" black holes but smaller than "supermassive black holes," which can be found at the center of most galaxies. Using the Chandra COSMOS-Legacy survey, researchers discovered a treasure trove of IMBHs in dwarf galaxies, both distant and nearby, according to the statement. The scientists detailed the results in two new studies. [The Strangest Black Holes in the Universe] "We may have found that dwarf galaxies are a haven for these missing middleweight black holes," Mar Mezcua, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences in Spain and the lead author of one of the studies, said in the statement. "We didn't just find a handful of IMBHs we may have found dozens." Dwarf galaxies contain less than 1 percent the mass in stars as our Milky Way does. COSMOS (short for "Cosmic Evolution Survey") characterizes these galaxies based on data from Chandra and other telescopes, which detect X-ray emissions coming from the centers of the dwarf galaxies "a telltale sign" that a black hole is present, according to the NASA statement. Using this data, Mezcua and her team identified 40 growing black holes lurking in dwarf galaxies, most of which are believed to be IMBHs with masses ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 times that of the sun, according to the statement. Data from the COSMOS Legacy Survey provided evidence that there are intermediate-mass black holes. (Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/ICE/M.Mezcua et al.; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Illustration: NASA/CXC/A.Hobart) Twelve of the X-ray sources identified are located more than 5 billion light-years from Earth. In fact, one of the black holes discovered resides 10.9 billion light-years away, making it the most distant growing black hole ever found in a dwarf galaxy, according to the statement. What's more, the team also identified the least-massive galaxy ever found to host a growing black hole at its core, according to that study, published Aug. 1 in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Another team, led by Igor Chilingarian of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, identified a whopping 305 possible IMBH candidates most of which reside no more than 1.3 billion light-years away, according to the statement. "This is the largest sample of intermediate-mass black holes ever found," Chilingarian said. Using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the researchers studied galaxies with properties suggesting an IMBH was lurking at their core. A closer look with Chandra and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton X-ray space observatory showed that only about half of the 305 candidates are likely to be valid IMBHs, according to the study, published Aug. 6 in The Astrophysical Journal. "This black-hole bounty can be used to address one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics," Chilingarian said. Specifically, learning more about these elusive IMBHs could help astronomers better understand how supermassive black holes formed so quickly after the Big Bang. Currently, scientists think that these behemoths form either from smaller black-hole "seeds" that merge to form IMBHs, or that they grow rapidly following the collapse of giant clouds of gas that are hundreds of thousands of times the mass of the sun, according to the statement. The two studies offer evidence that supports both of these theories. Therefore, more robust samples of black holes are needed to confirm exactly how supermassive black holes form, the researchers said. Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in California's history, releases clouds of smoke in new photos from NASA, and fires blazing over Canada are visible from a million miles away in space. The Mendocino Complex Fire, spurred onward by high temperatures, low humidity and winds, has continued to expand. As of Tuesday (Aug. 14), the fire had burned 354,410 acres and was 68 percent contained, according to a statement from NASA. The blaze is made up of two different fires, the River Fire and the Ranch Fire as of Tuesday, the River Fire was contained but the Ranch Fire continued to spread north, NASA officials said. [In Photos: The 2018 California Wildfires as Seen from Space] A view posted on Aug. 14, 2018, of the Mendocino Complex Fire in California, which is continuing to grow. It was captured by the Aqua satellite. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project) The crew of the International Space Station have been posting photos of the fires visible on Earth, but they're not the only eyes from the sky: NASA's image releases come from Goddard Space Flight Center's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project, which pulls together satellite observations from Earth and makes it available to the community. Another set of images, taken by the Suomi NPP satellite on Aug. 15, run jointly by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows the far-ranging effects of smoke over North America from fires across the western U.S. and Canada. Smoke above North America as seen Aug. 15, 2018, by the Suomi NPP satellite. (Image credit: Lauren Dauphin/NASA Earth Observatory/ GSFC/Suomi NPP) The smoke mostly rises high into the atmosphere and doesn't cause an immediate threat, NASA officials said in another statement, but it can be pulled back down as it moves east and affect the Earth's surface. And the fires can cause sooty black-carbon pollution, which creates problems when breathed in. "Plenty of smoke and airborne particles have been measured near the ground, where it affects the air that people breathe," NASA officials said in the statement. "According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, the air quality in Washington state on August 15 was the worst in the country due to winds carrying smoke from surrounding fires." The next day, wind swept the smoke out somewhat, likely improving conditions. Air quality also was recorded as unhealthy in parts of Northern California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, they added. More than 500 wildfires in British Columbia added to bad air-quality conditions in Canada's Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba provinces. Canada's fires can even be seen from 1 million miles away (1.5 million kilometers), by a NASA instrument on NOAA's DSCOVR satellite, which launched in 2015 to give a long view of Earth's sphere and also track space weather. Smoke visible from Canadian fires 1 million miles away (1.5 million kilometers) is captured by NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera on NOAA's DSCOVR satellite on Aug. 15, 2018. (Image credit: Lauren Dauphin/NASA Earth Observatory/GSFC/DSCOVR EPIC) Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A short comment before I review "Good Mudding". Last week, Louis suffered a terrifying attack that left him shaken. Gretchen, Samantha, and Harvey each played a part in helping him process that incident. It is confusing that in this episode not a trace of Louis's ordeal or the emotional fallout is addressed. For now, I can only assume that the episodes are perhaps being aired out of the order in which they were filmed. I withhold an opinion on that episode until it is clear if that is the case or not. End comment. Family was the focus in "Good Mudding". Harvey's brother Marcus called for him to help with a sensitive issue that threatened to open old wounds. Louis and Sheila discovered a bump in the road to parenthood. And Alex brought his daughter Joy to work after she was suspended. These three stories can almost be neatly classified as the moving one, the funny one, and the almost-became-annoying one.It's safe to assume at this point that Alex must either fuss at or about Samantha once per episode. It's in danger of becoming his defining character trait. At the beginning of "Good Mudding", Alex is deep in the universal frustration of parenting a teenager. When Gretchen suggests Joy would benefit from interacting with a "cool" grownup, Alex asks Samantha to take on job. Samantha, to her credit, does not metaphorically toss this babysitting request into the wastebasket. After the two exchange suspension stories (Samantha says she was only suspended once, as in "once from three different schools."), Samantha brings Joy along to learn the art of bluffing. The plan was to just act confident in front of an opposing attorney and his client to convince them she had something that could be used against them in court. But while standing in line, Joy overhears their shady conversation and records it. Samantha uses the information to back the opposition into a corner.Alex finds out and loses his mind at Samantha involving his daughter inere Samantha's. Not cool, Alex. What happens next speaks volumes about Samantha though. When Joy comes back to her, angry at her "asshole" father, Samantha corrects her. "Don't call him that." She tells Joy the truth about her high school suspension, how close she came to wrecking her future because there was no one to look out for her. "Telling you what to do IS looking out for you." While I didn't appreciate Alex flying off the handle, I did like that this interaction with him and his daughter revealed another layer of Samantha to us. In addition, Iman Benson, who plays Joy, has a fantastic snappy rapport with Katherine Heigl that endows their scenes with a fun energy.The gist of Louis and Sheila's story was that they both got checkups to see why they haven't gotten pregnant yet. The doctor told Louis he would need to give up mudding. A humorous sequence of events followed, which felt so jarring after the mugging (it was JUST LAST WEEK) it was hard to enjoy. His interactions with Sheila felt like their pre-season premiere relationship though. However, I can say that Rick Hoffman brought his A-game again, especially in the comedic moments, and the beautiful scene where Donna gifted him the mug that read "World's Greatest Dad".Harvey's quandary made up the heart of the episode though. He revisited all the worst parts of his child, when family drama sucked him in and demanded a pound of flesh.His brother Marcus said he had cheated on his wife Katie, so now she was suing him for divorce and full custody of their children. Though appalled at Marcus hurting his family like that, Harvey didn't want to see him be separated from his children. He agreed to represent Marcus and try to work something out. But that wasn't the truth. Marcus had gone back to gambling, and, even worse, when his little girl saw him making a bet, Marcus told her to not tell her mom about it. Knowing firsthand the toll exacted by being made to keep a parent's dirty secret, Harvey packed his bags to leave. His mother reached out though, asking him to not be too hasty. To not let how she failed him as he was growing up mess things up for Marcus and Katie. There's nothing like carrying the emotional burden of your family members' sins.Harvey sets aside his own pain and comes up with a good plan. First, he presents Marcus a strategy for beating Katie, a list of times she "endangered" the children due to being busy with work. It's the dirtiest of dirty lawyer tactics. But one that could be effective and devastating in court. Katie declares the list "bullshit" when Harvey shows it to her. It absolutely is. It's despicable and vile. And he's able to tell her that Marcus forbid him to do any such thing. A test he gave his brother, one that he passed, one that definitely moves Katie and may at least make the next steps for her and Marcus less tumultuous.Also the scene in the bar with Marcus, it's physically agonizing to watch Harvey desperately hoping that Marcus will make the right decision, wanting that bit of confirmation his brother genuinely cares about his family. I didn't realize I was holding my breath alongside him until he exhaled.Later, Harvey confides in Donna."I swear it took a piece of me."She responds thoughtfully: "You could look at it that way, or you could look it that you gave a piece of yourself."Gabriel Macht delivers an outstanding performance in this episode, navigating a pile of emotions equivalent to a family reunion. That moment near the close when Harvey sits on the end of his hotel bed, completely drained, with his limbs just hanging there, his face etched with exhaustion of the soul, is so simple, yet undeniably poignant.Even without following up on the events of last week, "Good Mudding" packed in the punches. A bit uneven in transitioning among story lines but some great character beats.Afterthought:I had several strawberries/tomatoes/button-down black shirt paragraphs that did not make it into this review. Boumerdes (Algeria) August 16, 2018 (SPS) the Venezuelan Ambassador to Algeria Jose Jesus on Wednesday expressed, on behalf of the accredited diplomatic corps in Algeria his country's support for the right of Saharawi people to self-determination and freedom in his speech during the closing ceremony of the ninth edition of the Summer University The great Latin American revolutionary Simon Bolivar said that science and ethics are the foundation of freedom, which the Saharawi people posse, calling on the Saharawi youth to equip theme self with the knowledge in order to liberate and build their homeland. The closing ceremony of the University has seen the presence of Venezuela, Vietnam, South Africa, Angola, Cuba and Ecuador. SPS 125/090/TRA Dana Ferraro has been named the new community development specialist in the Brookfield Land Use Department and will work closely with the Economic Development Commission to grow the towns economy and bring in new businesses. Ferraro, 23, grew up in Brookfield and said her youth can serve as a positive in the role. Im able to bring in young people and fresh ideas, she said. Im ready for this role, but also ready to learn, too. Ferraro replaces Betsy Paynter, who left the position this summer to become the director of CityCenter Danbury. Ferraro graduated from Brookfield High School and attended Endicott College. She has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry in planning and marketing, as well as at town hall in various capacities. More Business Paynter named director of CityCenter Danbury The Economic Development Commission is thrilled to have Dana Ferraro hired as Brookfields new community development specialist and I look forward to working with her on the towns behalf, said Jim Fisher, chairman of the EDC. Ferraro said the mission of the land use department, economic development commission and first selectman office are to make Brookfield a wonderful place to raise a family, receive a great education, work, and enjoy the abundant recreational facilities and town parks. I love Brookfield; its a great town, she added. Continuing to expand and enhance Brookfield Town Center, also known as Four Corners, will be a main area of attention for Ferraro. Brookfield Village, a mixed-used development in the area, has completed two of its four phases and the residential and retail availabilities have filled quickly. With the new developments and sidewalks and (Still River) Greenway, it just opens up the whole center, she said. Its beautiful. Ferraro is also excited about maintaining the momentum along Federal Road, which is bustling with retail businesses along the southern part of the road and coming to life on the northern end with several new shopping plazas being built. Federal Road has a lot of people moving in and out, she said. Anything you can think of is on that strip. The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338 STAMFORD With an upset in citys only contested Democratic primary in the 146th state House of Representatives district, and a former Democrat drubbing a Darien Republican for the GOPs spot in the northern 147th, primary day had some local surprises, but unofficial results show the city otherwise mirrored statewide trends. In the governors races, where Ned Lamont beat Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, both Democrats, by eye-popping margins, the victorious Greenwich businessman won by similar totals in Stamford 5,608 votes to Ganims 1,189. Susan Bysiewicz, who won the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor by a 24 percent margin, also won Stamford with more than 67 percent of the vote. The city also backed statewide Democratic winners in the treasurers race, and the attorney general contest. State Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, won the statewide primary handily, beating out the other two Democrats by tens of thousands of votes and with more than 5,300 coming from his home city, where he drubbed Paul Doyle and Chris Mattei with nearly 75 percent of the local vote. In the statewide GOP races, where Bob Stefanowski handily won the state, he only narrowly pulled out a Stamford victory beating the endorsed Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton, by only one vote. The other three primary contestants lost the city by similar margins to how they lost the state. Not enough lower Fairfield County favoritism played out in the lieutenant governor contest, where Stamford like the state decided against giving Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson the nod. State Sen. Joe Markley, of Southington, carried the sate with 47 percent of the vote to Stevensons 20 percent. The race was closer in Stamford, but Markley still beat Stevenson with a 4.5 percent margin. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart came in second statewide with 33 percent of the tally, but lost Stamford with fewer than half the votes than Stevenson and Markley. In the GOP primary to see who would face U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy in November, Stamford too reflected the state, as it did in the comptroller, attorney general and treasurer races. State Sen. Art Linares, in his run for treasurer, didnt see a Stamford connection his wife state Rep. Caroline Simmons represents the city pay off Tuesday, losing the city by a larger margin than he lost the state. Thad Gray got the GOP spot over Linares by a 12 percent margin statewide, but beat Linares by a nearly 30 percent margin in the Lock City. barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton A teen lost a contact lens after being hit in the eye during a badminton game. Doctors found the lens 28 years later. The discovery was entirely expected. The patient, now a 42-year-old woman, visited an ophthalmologist due to swelling and drooping in her left eye, according to a report of the case published this week in the journal BMJ Case Reports. The doctor felt a small lump under the skin of her eyelid, which an MRI determined was a cyst. Surgeons removed the growth and sliced it open, revealing the nearly three-decades-old contact lens in excellent condition. Doctors inferred "that the lens migrated into the patient's left upper eyelid at the time of trauma," where it remained for 28 years, they wrote in the report. The woman said she never wore contact lenses again after the teenaged shuttlecock incident, though she had noticed her eye drooping for some time. Upon removal of the cyst, the patient's problems subsided. Losing a contact lens is an incredibly common occurrence for those who wear them, though it's uncommon for the body to encapsulate lenses as foreign objects. Nonetheless, in one extreme case, also reported in BMJ Case Reports, doctors found 27 contact lenses in the eye of a woman last year. Doctors say symptoms of a trapped contact lens include sharp pain as well as sensitivity and redness. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@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. I t has been decades since my exam results day , yet even now, when those words are uttered I am back at college again draped in false bravado but secretly terrified. I can see my acne, smell Lynx Africa from every orifice, feel the cut of my Chipie chinos and I am convinced that failure would be the worst thing that could ever happen, that there would be no point in continuing. I would have let myself and my family down so deeply that the shame would be too much to bear. I believed then that being 17 was for ever. I never spoke about these memories, even when I was invited to schools to address young adults. Instead I would do the usual: a self-aggrandising snore-fest of how great the next few years would be and a dont forget to have fun with a PS work really hard because getting a first-class degree is really important if you want to do law, etc, etc. I trotted this script out to young people and parents who had invested everything in getting their children to do well by successfully jumping them through the obligatory academic hoops. By using this language I ended up playing an unfortunate part in spreading the toxic myth that a CV full of starry A-levels is the automatic gateway to a future of eternal joy. I was doing my usual schmaltzy pep talk recently when I came to those two words results day and I stopped. I flashed back to myself as an unhappy, spotty teenager of limited academic success and wondered what I wished someone had said to me at that moment. I could think of only one simple message: none of it matters. Not one tiny bit. I reminded that room (and myself) of some of the extraordinary men and women who have been leaders in politics, commerce and law who havent got an A-level, GCSE or a 10-metre swimming certificate to rub together. There are the obvious ones, of course, such as Richard Branson , self-proclaimed the dumbest person at school until he dropped out. But how many young people know that Jo Fairley, the co-founder of Green & Black chocolate, the youngest-ever UK magazine editor and health entrepreneur, left school at 16 with the modest ambition of becoming a secretary? Former Prime Minister John Major left school at 16 with a mere three O-levels, and even Einstein was expelled for being a rebel and a dunce. I confessed to that audience that I hadnt the foggiest what I got in my own exams. Whatever they were, they fell short of me getting into Oxford, which I was convinced was the end of my world. It wasnt, of course. It was just the start. I told the truth at that moment because I am convinced that the more pressure we place on the single moment of exam results, the more we detract from nurturing the intellectual and emotional range that turns young people into successful adults and good citizens. More than exam results, what matters most is their character, their capacity to recognise when their feelings of hurt, rejection and failure are getting in the way, to acknowledge them and move on. I am, of course, genuinely pleased for those who have done well. It is fantastic to have worked hard and to have seen the results. But education is also about things that cannot be graded; most importantly, about how young people can weave their talents, identity and personality into the baffling and ever-evolving world around them. Whether its a place at the university of your dreams or a daunting period of confusion that lies ahead of you, the most important thing is your capacity to be resilient and determined. If, like me, you didnt get what you were hoping for, it might just be the best thing that has ever happened to you. Now Strictly really is the cheesiest show Its that time of year again when the names of the Strictly celebs are being released. The secrecy surrounding whos in the line-up this time is so tight that each of the contestants are given codenames before the announcement. Faye Tozer / SplashNews.com In my year there was a Shakespearean theme: my pseudonym was Brutus, as I recall. I thought it was most appropriate and turned out to be rather prescient (a butch character who ended up surviving almost to the end of the play). This year the cast have all been given codenames relating to cheese an odd choice. Being a big fan of Steps (who isnt? They sold more than 20 millions records) I am especially excited to see Faye Tozer in the line-up but I cant imagine what theyve been calling her at the glittery MI6-style Strictly HQ. I reckon shes a Roquefort: classy, a little bit exotic and liked by discerning types. My money so far is on Faye. T he New York Times, the Gray Lady, has had to reach for her smelling salts many a time since Donald Trump rolled into town. The two could not be different. The Times is meticulous to the point of pedantic, and refined to the point of mockery. Trump tweets with such a brutish disregard for fact and the English language as to make many a NYT sub-editor shudder. You can see why they dont get on. But Trumps campaign against the Times and broadcaster CNN has now widened to characterise all news media as the enemy of the people . Yesterday, in a co-ordinated effort, more than 300 US newspapers from The Elizabethtown Advocate (circulation 6,000) to the NYT and campaign leaders The Boston Globe printed editorials condemning Trump for his attacks on them. Who would have thought that in the US, with press freedom enshrined in the constitution, it would even need to be stated? But it is a sign of how embattled those who back rational, if wordy, discourse have become when the vernacular of Trump bellows over it. There is one big voice missing from this Twitter, Trumps chosen platform. The past 24 hours have been an opportunity for the site, already mired in the controversy of Infowars Alex Jones, to restate the American values that allows it to operate in the first place: freedom of the media and its sister value, freedom of speech. Where is the tweet from @jack, the founder of Twitter Jack Dorsey, in which he composes his own 280-character editorial on the subject, that both defends Trumps right to the latter, while defending the former? Ironically, like the Gray Lady, he has a piety to him he believes he cannot intervene, just grab his own smelling salts. But when the old media is under attack and journalists feel threatened by the dog-whistle insults, it is time for the new media to stand up, or they too are part of the problem. Post-EU, the cult of learning German Every so often I load up Duolingo on my phone and brush up on my German. Just after the referendum I noticed a number of friends and acquaintances did the same a reflexive act of solidarity with the EU. It seems we British German- speakers will soon die out, given how few of this generation of school-leavers have taken the A-level a mere 2,000, schade! It is neither an easy language, nor one that travels well. Still, I quite like the thought that we will all meet in a little cafe to practise our transitive verbs on each other, a linguistic cult over Kaffee und Kuchen. Instagram #cash is stronger than #love There are 1.3 billion people with the hashtag #love on Instagram. As of today there are 6.5 million posts with the hashtag #ad, but expect that number to start rising fast. The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating whether the platform has too many users passing off paid promotions as just pictures from their glitzy lives. Cara Delevingne / Getty Images Household names such as Cara Delevingne do use the ad hashtag, and top players like the Kardashians make a significant part of their hefty living out of it. But as with any nascent industry which is what Instagram promotions are it is difficult to regulate. The social media app has produced a number of stars who exist only there, in a parallel universe all of their own, where our earthly rules dont apply. I like to think their other universe is infused with a lot of #love, but whats becoming apparent is that it is as mercenary as our analogue planet when it comes to #cash. Some grouchiness at the Groucho Farewell to Matthew Hobbs, the managing director of Sohos Groucho Club for eight years, who quit last Friday. What a circus to have been a master of. The Groucho, started in 1985 amid the ad and film world of Soho, was a haunt of Damien Hirst in his wilder days as well as the A-list of British music. C ongratulations to the many students who, despite having dealt with the stress and pressure of rushed-in exam reforms, have done so well in their A-levels. It is encouraging that more students are studying maths and sciences Boys outperform girls as major exam shake-up sees number of A*s drop . And good that entries to Stem subjects continue to rise although it would be good if more girls chose to study these subjects. But the continued fall in students studying French, Spanish and German, and this year English, is worrying as these are all important in a global market. However, changing the assessment of A-levels so they focus on high-stakes exams taken at the end of two years of study does not allow students to demonstrate their ability properly and puts them under huge pressure. Coursework and other non-exam assessments are a better way for students to demonstrate their skills, are less of a memory test, and help lower-attaining students and those with special educational needs and disabilities show their achievements. Teachers report increases in mental health issues among students who have multiple qualifications assessed through end-of-course exams. We are also seeing the narrowing of the options available to students. Decoupling AS-levels from A-levels has led to most students now only studying three subjects post-16 , which gives them a less broad curriculum than previously. Mary Bousted, Joint general secretary, National Education Union Anne Davis, Education Editor, replies Dear Mary Sitting a high-stakes exam that tests two years worth of knowledge and will determine whether you can go to university is the stuff of many peoples nightmares. This year students were asked to do just that in 11 more toughened-up subjects where coursework has been scrapped and modules replaced by a final exam. You are right to say students are under huge pressure. But some people thrive in this environment and prefer an all-or-nothing test to spending months endlessly perfecting their coursework. Some have suggested that the reforms have put boys at an advantage. Since results from the new exams were first published last year boys have started to score slightly more A* and A grades than girls although girls continue to outperform boys in all other grades. The reforms, brought in by former Education Secretary Michael Gove, were designed to make A-levels more rigorous and better prepare students for university. Only time will tell who benefits from this, and what impact the reforms will have on this guinea pig generation. Anna Dismay on homes Green Paper On Tuesday the Government published its long-awaited Green Paper on social housing. It was not the step-change that many people had expected. After the Grenfell Tower fire the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said the culture towards people living in public housing had to change. What didnt change was the Green Papers failure to include any funds to build the homes that the capital so badly needs. What the document did contain was a proposal to make it easier for council tenants to buy their homes by slashing the minimum amount of equity for shared ownership schemes from 10 per cent to one per cent. The previous day the Government made a commitment to end homelessness, yet the proposed measure will result in more homelessness as tenants will have trouble keeping up the increased payments. Review at a glance I don't need to tell you that we are living in the age of the sequel: so far, they account for seven of 2018s 10 highest-grossing films internationally. So be it, but cant studio executives at least get more inventive with their titles? Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was a break from an endless factory line of blandly numbered sequels, including this grim-faced follow-up to a Denzel Washington shoot-em-up you almost certainly havent thought about since its release in 2014. Would it have killed them to call it The Sequelizer? These are the thoughts that occupied my brain for much of Antoine Fuquas lengthy, initially generic rehash of a rehash adapted from that creaky Eighties vigilante TV series of the same name before the sheer, scrambled strangeness of its storytelling took precedence. Its an urban revenge thriller that eventually climaxes with a cat-and-mouse showdown in an abandoned, village in the midst of a hurricane, just so the cinematographer gets to use his full palette of moody blues. Its a modern action enterprise that bizarrely tosses in an irrelevant Holocaust-survivor subplot because, well, it cant be a Denzel Washington movie without some gravitas, right? And why not kick off with Washington in Muslim dress thwarting kidnappers on the Turkish railways, before spending a good 20 minutes on his day job as a Lyft driver? The film is more than two hours long: weve got time to fill. First among equalisers: Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) and Miles Whitaker (Ashton Sanders) / 2018 CTMG, Inc Once you put such disconnected diversions aside theres not a lot of movie left to discuss, though what remains is business as before. Washington returns as former CIA operative-turned-street-justice warrior Robert McCall, doling out arse-kickings and Ta-Nehisi Coates quotes in equal measure as he avenges the death of a beloved colleague. A notch less reactionary and unpleasant than its one-star predecessor, its still clunky, over-processed cement-mixer cinema, given some consistency by Washingtons screen presence and even a fleeting lick of humanity by yet another plot strand, detailing McCalls quasi-paternal mentoring of a young tenement tough. A riana Grande recently became the latest megastar to appear on Carpool Karaoke. Four years ago, she was still appearing in the Nickelodeon show Sam & Cat. Inbetween, shes released three number one albums and embarked on successive arena tours - as well as performing an intimate show at London's KOKO this week. Her remarkable rise has given rise to a passionate fanbase (known as Arianators), but her career is remarkable for more than just her music. While shes established herself as a household name with hits like Dangerous Woman, Side To Side And God Is a Woman, it's her off-stage actions have helped make her one of the most culturally significant artists working in 2018. Her positive attitudes towards LGBT rights and feminism, as well as her stoic response to the tragic Manchester Arena attacks in 2017 and her involvement with the One Love benefit concert are all things worth celebrating. Her latest album, Sweetener, looks set to cement her status as one of the most popular artists making music in 2018 too, but it hasnt always been this way for Grande. Role model: Ariana Grande performs live (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) / Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia During the early days of her musical career she was accused of diva-like behaviour during fan meet and greets in 2014 in a blog post. However, the biggest and most bizarre scandal of Grandes young career came in 2015 when security camera footage captured her licking display doughnuts and shouting I hate America in a Californian bakery. Where others might have withdrawn and hoped the controversy would blow over, Grande publicly apologised and later owned up to the mistake on a 2016 episode of Saturday Night Live, joking: "A lot of kid stars end up doing drugs, or in jail, or pregnant, or get caught looking at a doughnut they didn't pay for." More often, though, her actions have been met with wide-spread praise. Her well-publicised views on feminism, for example, were well received by her contemporaries back in 2015. It came after Grande wrote a feminist essay, hitting out at misogyny and double-standards in the industry, leading Taylor Swift to write, Im so proud of you, always. But especially today, on Twitter at the time. Grande has also been praised for her support of LGBT rights over recent times and was hailed a "gay icon" by Billboard in 2017. While the fact that Grande doesnt identify as LGBT caused Twitter users to criticise the tag at the time, Grande has long been vocal about the issue of gay rights. Having been raised as part of the religious family, she previously revealed how she'd left the church due to attitudes towards homosexuality, inspired by the experiences of her gay half-brother and Celebrity Big Brother star Frankie Grande. Its outrageous to me when I see people hate on someone because of their sexuality, she said during an interview with American Horror Story and Glee creator Ryan Murphy for V magazine in 2015. I hate the intolerance. I hate the judgment. I hate it so much. Most of my favourite people in my life are gay. Her notable appearances on US talk shows have also helped to inform perceptions of her music career. For many casual observers, her musical impressions on a 2015 episode of the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon were a standout moment. The viral clip racked up over 118m views and highlighted her vocal talents to a wider audience than one of her singles ever could. Her flawless, unerringly accurate impressions of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion converted a new legion of admirers pretty much overnight and proved that this one-time children's TV star was the real deal. Sadly though, Grande was subjected to the most tragic of circumstances in 2017: the devastating Manchester Arena attack, which took place after her show at the venue on May 22, saw 22 people lose their lives and 139 more injured. Putting aside unimaginable emotional trauma, Grande visited victims in hospital, sent emotional messages to fans and helped to organise and perform at the One Love Manchester tribute concert in the weeks that followed. Stars who performed with Ariana Grande at Manchester Benefit Concert 1 /11 Stars who performed with Ariana Grande at Manchester Benefit Concert Ariana Grande Getty Images Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj Getty Images Miley Cyrus Getty Images Niall Horan Getty Images Katy Perry Getty Images Justin Bieber Getty Images Usher Getty Images Chris Martin of Coldplay Getty Images Take That Getty Images Pharrell Williams Getty Images Ariana Grande Getty Images She was rightly praised around the world and her deeply emotive performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow proved to be one of the concert's most abiding moments. Incredibly, the event went on to raise $23m to help victims. The grace she embodied during that difficult time showed her cultural and social significance more than her music ever could. Grande later channeled her experiences in the single No Tears Left To Cry. The lyrics are an exploration of grief (Right now, I'm in a state of mind I wanna be in all the time. Ain't got no tears left to cry), which are ultimately filled with an overriding sense of hope, not despair. 15 months after the events of May 2017, she has come to mean far more than your typical pop star among fans all over the world. Her new album is one of the most high-profile releases of 2018, but Grandes embodiment of positivity, equality and stoicism away from the stage have always proved to be just as influential as her music. W ho needs to wake and bake, when you can wake and scoop? Health-conscious dessert purveyors Yogland have concocted the worlds first frozen yoghurt that is infused with cannabis. The vegan Hemp Matcha which is infused with Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD has gone on sale at its Westbourne Grove location. Vegan "Hemp Matcha" While you wont quite be getting high off this supply, the servings vegan matcha base (yes, its vegan too) is laced with 40% CBD oil. CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant, but is a non-psychoactive compound, unlike cannabiss other main component Tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC). Legal CBD oil is used by some in the UK to combat health problems ranging from joint pain to anxiety. Sadly, servings aren't being sold at 4.20, but at 4.95 for an eight ounce scoop instead. Move over avocado there might just be a new green food trend on the horizon. F eminism is just as vital today as it was in 1963. Its been more than 50 years since Betty Friedan wrote her landmark book, The Feminine Mystique, which sparked the second wave of feminism in America. Yet despite making huge progress in the workplace and at home, gender issues are still very much prevalent in todays society - just take a look at the the thousands of people who turned out for the Women's March on London last month for proof. As this week, 8 March, marks International Women's Day, there's really no better time to start being part of the discussion. But if youre confused about where to start on the whole issue of feminism, this list focuses on the seminal texts every person should read: whether young or old, male or female. Whether compelling, poignant, funny or factual, a good feminist read can make us feel eager for change, empowered with knowledge, or simply give us an insight into how the womens rights movement has developed over the past century. So put the kettle on, grab a blanket and get stuck into these ten brilliantly provocative books. 1. The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood Set in the near future, Canadian author Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel follows the story of Offred, a young handmaid to a powerful commander, who is a lynchpin in a totalitarian Christian theocracy which has overthrown the United States government. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. What unfolds is a story of female subjugation at the hands of a male dictatorship, and the desperate hope of a young woman who clings to the memories of her former life and identity. As unpleasant as it is brilliant, this cruel and bone-chilling story will stay with your for the rest of your life - not just because its terrifying, but because its terrifyingly possible. 2. Why We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies 49-page call to arms asks the question what does feminism mean today? Drawing on her own experiences, she aims her literary harpoon at discrimination, and the institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world. So important, is her essay, that every 16-year-old in Sweden will receive a copy to read as part of a new government initiative. My own definition of a feminist is a man or a woman who says, Yes, theres a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better, writes Adichie in the essay. All of us, women and men, must do better. 3. How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran Britains funniest feminists memoir helps women who are too knackered and confused to work out if they are a womens rights advocate (i.e the vast majority of us) to easily figure it all out. Less of a glossy manifesto on womens rights and more of an honest attempt to decode what it means to be female, this book is a great read for anyone whos intimidated or confused by the shifting parameters that define feminism. While no stone is left unturned - from bikini waxing and plastic surgery to objectification and Katie Price - the crux of the books argument essentially boils down to this quote: Put your hand in your pants. a) Do you have a vagina? and b) Do you want to be in charge of it? If you said 'yes' to both, then congratulations! You're a feminist." 4. Men Explain Things To Me by Rebecca Solnit Ever had something mansplained to you? Then youll want to know about this book. Rebecca Solnit's essay 'Men Explain Things to Me' is credited with kickstarting the term - radically addressing the issues that a patriarchal culture may not deem as issues at all. Exploring everything from rape culture to the nuclear family, Solnits prose reminds us of the basic right we all should have to a voice and an opinion. 5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker This Pulitzer-winning novel is set in Georgia in the 1930s and looks at the racism and sexism facing Celie, our heroine, as a black woman at the time. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls 'father', she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery - a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. A violent and explicit insight into the issues facing African-American women in the US, this book is a surprisingly uplifting and comforting reminder that strength can be found even in the most tragic conditions. 6. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay In these witty and intelligent essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of the evolution of modern woman - from the writers own experience with growing up to the wider popular culture influences that subtly define what it means to be a woman in todays society. Bad Feminist should sit on every informed readers bookshelf - a sharp, biting and hilarious look at the ways in which our consumption shapes the person who we are. 7. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld This young adult novel is a brilliant starting point for teenagers who are interested in the topic of feminism. It is set in a future dystopian world in which everyone is turned "Pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching age 16. We meet our heroine Tally Youngblood, who rebels against society's enforced conformity, after her newfound friends Shay and David show her the downsides to becoming a "Pretty". This is a brilliant read for any young reader, or indeed fully fledged adult, who is beginning to question the meaning of beauty, identity and individuality in the age of vanity and social media. 8. The Second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir No feminist should go without reading French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir's ground breaking study of women. Perhaps the most extensive and enduring feminist book, The Second Sex is at once a work of anthropology and sociology, of biology and psychoanalysis - a book that will make you question the worth of the woman in 2016 just as much as it did upon its release in 1949. 9. The Female Eunuch - Germaine Greer When Germaine Greer penned the Female Eunuch in the early 1970s, a woman's role in society was still set by male expectations. While women were expected to work and be educated, they were still paid less than men for the same work, and were encouraged to marry and become housewives. The Female Eunuch called on women to reject their traditional roles in the home, and explore ways to break out of the mould that society had imposed on them. It also encouraged women to question the power of traditional authority figures and to explore their own sexuality. 10. The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin The American dream suburb of Stepford, Connecticut, has perfect houses, perfect lives, and perfect wives. This satirical thriller concerns Joanna Eberhart, a photographer and young mother who begins to suspect that the frighteningly submissive housewives in her new idyllic neighborhood may be robots created by their husbands. At once a psychological nightmare and a terrifying commentary on a media-driven society that values the pursuit of youth and beauty at all costs, The Stepford Wives will make you rethink the societal pressure to settle down, get a husband and have it all. G et Pally Time for a little more al fresco feasting, this time in N22 as Streatlife comes to Alexandra Palace with food from Mamas Jerk and Mother Clucker, craft beer galore and a DJ set from Jazzie B. 18 Aug (streatlife.alexandrapalace.com) Olympic Raving Idris Elba on the decks, Fatboy Slim and an awful lot of confetti it can only be Elrow Town (above), the crazy silly fun dance party which returns to Olympic Park this weekend. Tickets 57.50. 18-19 Aug (elrowtown.com) Wine all you want Very important cultural event: the brilliant wine tasting party that is Wine Car Boot kicks off at St Jamess Market, with bucketloads of deliciousness from Londons best indie shops and merchants to try and buy. 18 Aug (winecarboot.com) Bear necessity Everyones favourite bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, returns alongside Ewan McGregor in Christopher Robin, the summer family flick about what happens when an older Christopher is reunited with his childhood companion. Cute doesnt even cover it. In cinemas 17 Aug Image supplied by Capital Pictur Surreal salutations Pose before a masterpiece, as Tate Modern hosts a Saturday morning yoga brunch with Frame your look around the Picasso 1932 exhibition will be much more satisfying after an hour of downward dogs. Tickets 41. 18 Aug (tate.org.uk) Getty Images/VisitBritain RM Diamond girl Celebrate the grande dame of chic at Proud Galleries, as it presents Audrey Hepburn: Beyond the Screen, an exhibition of rarely seen portraits taken by the likes of Norman Parkinson (above) and Eva Sereny on the 25th anniversary of her death. Until 30 Sep (proudonline.co.uk) Norman Parkinson / Iconic Images Cirque du southbank T his month has seen both London Craft Beer Festival and Great British Beer Festival hit the town, so its safe to say weve got beer on the brain. And looking around, its clear there are some changes brewing. If craft beer brings to mind deep, amber, spicy ales and a bearded crowd, well, youre only half-right. While beards are still very much in, when it comes to the drinks, a new style is on the rise as fruity, light and sessionable picks take centre stage. Those same things that made craft beer really popular a few years ago - powerful, hoppy IPAs and big robust flavours, are the same things were now turning away from. Having flavour-bombed our palates, these days were looking to lighter, more elegant flavours, but still with plenty of complexity, body and length. Dare we say our tastes have become more sophisticated? That means sours, saisons and lagers are on the up, and the same trends were seeing in food - think local, seasonal flavours, natural ingredients, and even foraged fruits - are finding their way into cans, bottles and taps across the country. Here are some of the styles and trends to look out for. Sour Beer This soured beer is aged for 24 months / Supplied These tart, refreshing beers are thirst quenching, palate cleansing, and work well with food, due to their higher acidity. With mouth-puckering punchiness, sour beers are niche and can be love em or hate em, so try starting light with a gose: a lighter style characterised by coriander seasoning and salt. Italys Birrificio del Ducato Kiss Me Lipsia is a golden ale blended with gose and Himalayan pink salt (no less!), its nicely mellow on the acidity, with a mineral lick from the salt. From Bethnal Green, Redchurch Brewerys Urban Farmhouse Barrels 1&2 is a sour beer aged for 24 months in Chardonnay barrels, and is tart and juicy with a nice hoppy complexity. Saison Lindheim ferments fruits from their orchards for their beers / Supplied This light ale is modelled on the southern Belgian farmhouse style, with dryness and aromatics, together with hoppy, maltier flavours. In the early days in Belgium, they used to brew the beer ready for harvest, explains Tim Toovey from Kicking Horse craft beer merchants, so that farmhands had something to drink during harvest season. Look out for the dry, pepperiness, thats really important. Saisons natural tartness works well with fruits and you can find great infusions. Lindheim lkompani brewery in Norway ferments fruits from their own orchards into their beers. Try Farmers Reserve Raspberry Brett , barrel fermented with wild yeasts and then infused with raspberries. Its fresh and vibrant on the nose, and this fruit-driven style of saison is more gentle than a sour beer. For hyper local, seasonal flavours, try Burning Sky Saison L'ete , brewed with gooseberry and fresh elderflower picked from the hedgerows around the brewery in Sussex. Lager Not your average pub lager / Supplied The humble lager is making a big comeback. This isnt your average pub lager though - forget about flat, flavourless, bitter pints; the new style is all about long-lasting flavours, elegance, and complexity. Look out for Braybrooke Beer Co Keller Bier , its unpasteurised, and unfiltered, so its a bit hazy and keeps more flavour in the glass. With a rich, malty flavour, its a perfect lager to convert ale drinkers, and its extra body and richness means it works well with food. Although rich, its still got that signature lager crispness. Wild Ferments Tart, fresh and acidic / Supplied People are coming back to traditional methods, says Andy Weir, from east Londons Marksman Public House. Were at a point in the industry where weve done the IPAs and big, juicy flavours, and were looking towards brewing something different, so wild ferments are coming in. Thats where fermentation happens naturally with yeasts that are already in the atmosphere, and isnt controlled. The exciting thing about them is they brew a slightly different beer each time, meaning theyre absolutely tied to that moment in time, and have bottle variation, so each one is unique. An example of that is Mills Brewing , Gloucestershire. Its tart, its fresh, its acidic, and a great example of the current styles. No and Lo Finally, dont be surprised to see no-and-low-alcohol beers making an appearance, as the trend for less alcohol but (almost) equal taste spreads across all areas of booze. Try Schofferhofer Grapefruit Radler at 2.5%, or Nirvana Brewerys Karma Pale Ale at 0% . A disruptive man dressed as Tinkerbell caused delays on a Ryanair flight after armed police were called to Stansted Airport to remove him. The passenger was kicked off the flight to Krakow along with another man after the pair refused to settle down before take-off and caused delays. Police confirmed one man was dressed as the Peter Pan fairy, while witnesses claimed his fellow passenger was wearing a Bob the Builder costume. One passenger on the plane to Poland, Dan May, tweeted to say the flight was being held at Stansted because of a man dressed as Tinkerbell. He added that armed police had arrived and one officer has adjusted the mans wings. "Meanwhile, the man dressed as Bob the Builder has been exceptionally well behaved," he added. A picture from the scene appeared to show police on the ground with a bald man wearing a green Tinkerbell dress and wings. Ryanair said it would not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour and renewed a call for airports to prohibit the sale of alcohol before 10am. A spokesperson said: Police removed and detained two passengers ahead of this flight from London Stansted to Krakow (17 Aug) who were disruptive, before the aircraft departed to Krakow. We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police. An Essex Police spokesperson said the pair had become disruptive on the plane but were scheduled on a later flight after cooperating with officers. She added that all of the forces officers at Stansted are armed. T his shocking image shows the horrific injuries inflicted on a south London pensioner by a thugs who robbed him of 300 in a callous daylight attack. Albert Wright, 88, was left with a swollen black eye and bruised face after his attackers targeted him for his pension on Monday morning. Mr Wright was targeted in Oakland Avenue in Norbury, Croydon , as he returned home with his cash. The pensioner, who recently was fitted with a pace-maker, was knocked to the ground during the attack and smashed his face on the pavement. One suspect left Mr Wright lying in the road and sped off in black Mercedes with an accomplice, police said. He told the Standard: I went down to Norbury to collect my pension. As I got off the bus I felt weak so I sat down on a bench at the bus stop for a while. When I felt well enough I turned in to Oakland Avenue. All of a sudden I heard a bang, they threw me to the floor and I hit my face, they stole my bag, my phone and 300 in cash. I was so shocked, it all happened very suddenly. It was scary, anything could have happened to me. Nigel Hackett, a close friend of Mr Wright who met the pensioner at a local karaoke night, has set up a fundraising page to raise back the money that was stolen We all go to a karaoke venue in Norbury on Fridays, we are like a big family. When we found out about the attack we were shocked an angry, I spoke to my partner and we decided to do something about it. They could have killed him all for the sake of 300. So far the Go Fund Me page has raised 354, but Mr Hackett said he hopes that the total will reach its 1000 goal. The Metropolitan police are currently investigating the incident, so far no one has been arrested. A spokesman said: A robbery took place at 10.50am on August 13 on Oaklands Avenue. A man in his late 80s was approached from behind by a man who grabbed his bag and threw the victim to the ground. The man then fled in a waiting black Mercedes driven by another man. The victim received a head injury as a result of falling. "Both suspects were black. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue. Donate to Mr Wrights Go Fund Me page here. A former stockbroker has been jailed for a year after pocketing 7,500 raised to help sick children, while he was in charge of a Rotary Club charity skydive and dinner. Akbar Siddiqi, 29, offered to organise the fundraising events in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital , going on the radio to promote the Tooting clubs charity endeavours. But he was secretly spending the money on shopping, Tube travel, meals out and hotel stays. He withdrew 4,105 in cash, and even spent 638 of the charity funds on internet dating. Siddiqi admitted fraud in January and was given a chance to get a job and start paying back the money, but admitted at Kingston crown court this week that he had failed. Jailing him for a year, Judge Judith Coello told Siddiqi: It was a mean, despicable and devious offence. You persuaded other members of the club to fundraise for charity, but unbeknownst to the other signatories and members you obtained a cash card for that account and took money destined for charitable purposes. The judge said the fraud had been embarrassing for the club, and that Siddiqi had made a half-hearted attempt to return the funds. She added: No real effort was ever made to pay back the money and it was a classic case of avoiding what you had done. Siddiqi carried out the fraud between April 27, 2014, and August 3, 2015, after being made a signatory to the clubs charity fundraising bank account. He proposed the skydive and a dinner at the exclusive Connaught Rooms in central London, helping to raise a total of 15,725 for Gosh. Prosecutor Alexander Boshell said Siddiqi took money for himself throughout the fundraising, then stopped attending the club once the events were over. Club president Len Saker told the court members felt cheated and had suffered a great deal of distress when they realised the money was missing. My initial reaction was amazement and confusion, he said. I couldnt believe what I was seeing. Akbar had been a trusted member of the club. Gudrun Fama, mitigating, told the court Siddiqi, of Thornton Heath, was a troubled young man, adding: He was an alcoholic and did take the money during a difficult time in his private life he no longer drinks. P olice chased a pair of suspected moped muggers across London in a dramatic pursuit that ended when the riders crashed into a van in Camberwell. The two men were reportedly attempting to snatch phones from members of the public in Hackney on Friday lunchtime. Police were called shortly before 1pm and began pursuing the suspected thieves in Bethnal Green. A helicopter joined the chase as the suspects moped sped through east London via East India Dock Road and on to Tower Hill. They then crossed Tower Bridge and drove into Southwark with police vehicles still on their tail. Officers managed to forensically tag the suspects with a solution which meant they could be linked to the incident as they sped through south-east London. The chase eventually came to a climax when the moped collided with a van in Camberwell and the men attempted to escape on foot. Police officers chased them down and arrested the pair on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and driving offences. Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Head of Community Engagement, said the incident showed the Mets determination to stop offenders who think they can use vehicles to commit crimes with impunity. He added: The Met is working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds and motorbikes for theft and robbery offences. A murder investigation has been launched after a 42-year-old man was stabbed to death in north east London. Police officers found the victim suffering stab injuries at an address in Flaxen Road, Waltham Forest, around 4.40am on Friday. He was pronounced dead at the scene an hour later. A schoolboy, 16, and a 35-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder and the mans next of kin have been informed of his death. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: Enquiries are ongoing. At this stage, police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation. The death came following an unrelated quadruple stabbing in Camberwell, south London, on Thursday evening amid a surge in knife violence in the capital. Four men were stabbed in horrifying scenes on the Elmington Estate. Four teenage boys, aged between 15 and 16, were rushed to hospital after being found suffering knife wounds near playing fields outside Landor House shortly before 5.30pm. Police have asked for anyone with information about the Camberwell attacks to call Southwark CID by dialling 101 and quoting reference CAD 5391/16 AUG. Anyone with any information to the Waltham Forest death, has also been urged to make contact with the police quoting CAD 0921/17 August or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. C ampaigners are calling for better training for schools to deal with children with autism. It follows a surge in the number of pupils with the condition who have been suspended, and a legal ruling this week which found students were being too easily removed from schools. Figures released by charity Ambitious About Autism show a 61 per cent increase in pupils with autism temporarily excluded in the capital since 2011. It rose from 315 in 2011/12 to 515 in 2015/2016. Ten pupils were expelled in each of the two academic years. Nearly half of pupils excluded on both a permanent and temporary basis have special educational needs (SEN), official figures show. Alison Worsley, director of external affairs at Ambitious About Autism, said children with autism were the most likely SEN group to be suspended. She said: This is a disproportionate and alarming rise and a worrying sign that children with autism are being let down by our education system. The current independent review into school exclusions must examine why pupils with autism are so much more at risk of missing vital education time. The charity was today joined by the National Autistic Society in calling for urgent change after a judge this week branded the current policy of excluding autistic children for aggressive behaviour repugnant. Upper Tribunal judge Alison Rowley said schools should not treat aggressive behaviour as criminal or antisocial when it was a result of a childs condition and not a choice. Ruling in favour of a boy identified as L, who was temporarily excluded in 2016 for hitting a teaching assistant, she said a regulation under the Equality Act that allows schools to exclude pupils for aggression was incompatible with human rights legislation. Jane Harris, director of external affairs at the National Autistic Society, said that before this ruling schools were able to exclude pupils who have a tendency to physical abuse, even if that behaviour came about because a school had failed to make adaptations for their condition. She called the ruling a powerful recognition of the rights of autistic children. A Department for Education spokesperson said it would be considering the judgment and its implications. Mothers battle with school after son lashed out The mother of a boy with autism temporarily excluded from school said staff needed to better understand the condition to help prevent aggressive behaviour. Reece Earle was temporarily excluded from Acton High School after lashing out when targeted by bullies. His mother, Sarah Earle, explained that Reece, 13, who is a top-level sprinter in his age group, had reacted in self-defence. It was only after Ms Earle repeatedly complained to the school that they agreed to attach to his file a note explaining that Reece had autism and had been provoked by another child. Ms Earle explained that Reece often got into trouble when he did not understand things and shut down, a term used to describe how autistic children can become unresponsive when pressurised. Children like Reece, when they shut down, will not reflect on their actions. You cannot deal with it at that time, you need to give them time to calm down or come home, she said. O ne of the countrys most renowned headteachers today publicly revealed that she has the same incurable brain cancer that killed Tessa Jowell. Bernice McCabe, a friend and aide to Prince Charles, spoke of her diagnosis of a grade 4 glioblastoma as she backed a campaign to make immunotherapy available on the NHS for brain tumours. After undergoing neurosurgery to remove 90 per cent of the tumour, Mrs McCabe, 65, has received the life-extending drug ipilimumab privately at University College London Hospital, with promising results. The size of the remaining tumour has shrunk by more than half and her quality of life has improved. She says it is her mission to help raise 250,000 to run the first NHS trials, which are due to start in October. This is the next stage of my life, she told the Evening Standard. Its the next chapter. You have got to learn to write the story of your own life. Bernice McCabe receiving her OBE earlier this year Its blindingly obvious to me that this is something that ought to be trialled and developed. Its a terrible diagnosis but Im feeling well. I have had treatment since February 23 and I have seen my quality of life increasingly improve. With glioblastoma, you have got between two months and two years to live, on average. I wanted something more optimistic than that. That is what the immunotherapy has given me. Mrs McCabe stepped down as head of North London Collegiate School, an independent fee-paying girls school in Edgware, after 20 years last August but remains a consultant. Adored: Dame Tessa Jowell, who died earlier this year from brain cancer, with daughter Jessie Mills and granddaughter Ottie The schools former pupils include Anna Wintour, Rachel Weisz and Esther Rantzen. Mrs McCabes tumour was discovered in January when she fell ill on returning from the schools sister institution in South Korea. She received a marriage proposal from long-term partner Rod MacKinnon, 59, also a headteacher, the day before surgery at Addenbrookes hospital, Cambridge, in February. They married at St Brides church, Fleet Street, in April. She was awarded an OBE in the New Years honours list and was well enough to receive it from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in June. She is co-director of the Princes teaching Institute charity. Mrs McCabe said: I have never shed a tear or felt the slightest bit of anger about what has happened to me. What is the point? These few months that I have had are priceless. Ive had hundreds of wonderful cards from colleagues and former students. They have been enormously bolstering. I want to show them that its possible to fight a good battle against cancer. A lot of people feel that the treatment is utterly terrifying and appalling. I have not found that to be so. I have suffered very, very few side effects. Its never been presented to me as a cure. Its been presented to me as something that could potentially work to improve the length of life and quality of life. Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive brain tumour, with about 2,200 UK cases a year. Baroness Jowell, the former Olympics minister, died in May aged 70. Ipilimumab is already successfully used to treat melanoma skin cancer. A London black cabbie has accused two rickshaw drivers of drinking on the job in central London. The 41-year-old taxi driver told the Standard he noticed the men sitting in a pedicab with a can of lager on Tuesday. He had pulled into a taxi rank next to them on Wardour Street near to the M&M store. After confronting the pair, he claimed they accused him of being racist for targeting them, and his ability to speak English was criticised. It was not clear who was the driver of the pedicab. One of the rickshaw drivers appeared to be drinking in the clip / Twitter The black cab driver posted the video on Twitter, commenting: "There it is, you can see London is lawless. "Rickshaw 'drivers' drinking alcohol outside M&M store waiting to pick up children and their parents." In the clip, one of the alleged drivers is seen from behind the pedicab drinking what appears to be a can of Stella Artois. The driver approaches the pair and asks: "Are you for real with this drinking? "And you are supposed to now pick up people and take them on rides while drinking the alcohol?" The driver claimed one of the men was seen drinking from what appeared to be a can of lager / Twitter/Tom One of the pair replies: "You know what's perfect, racism is perfect." Speaking after the incident, the driver told the Standard: "I arrived at Wardour Street. I had seen them drinking and I just thought that's wrong." "[They] were about to pick children up and take them for a ride," he claimed. He added that there was "plenty" of children nearby going in and out of the M&M store. He said: "They just didn't care. "The one in the back of the video said I was being racist because I accused them of drinking alcohol." He claimed that the driver later said: "When you come to Europe you need to learn the language." The cabbie said it was "dangerous" for someone under the influence of alcohol to drive the rickshaws. He said: "If something happens these poor people, usually tourists, will be in a bad position." Some 1,400 pedicabs are estimated to be in use on London's roads, where they work predominantly in central London and Camden. Authorities have voiced concern over unregulated riders and pedicabs, some of whom are uninsured and charge high fares, being allowed to operate on the capitals streets. In May 2016, the Department for Transport announced the Governments plans to regulate pedicabs in the capital. Steve Burton, TfLs Director of Compliance, Policing and On Street Services, said: Pedicabs are the only form of unregulated public transport in London and as such have the potential to pose public safety risks, as well as the well-documented rip-off fares. A n overnight counselling service for Grenfell Tower survivors living in hotels has been cut back just weeks after it was praised by the leader of Kensington & Chelsea council. Survivors of the fire have spoken of their concerns after the council reduced the support service, despite 34 affected households still living in hotels. Since the disaster in June last year, a worker from London charity Hestia had been staying up throughout the night in lobbies of London hotels to help survivors suffering flashbacks or other mental or physical problems. Hanan Cherbika, 36, who lost her home in the fire, told the councils housing, communities and local government committee: When my daughter was in the middle of a panic attack, Hestia was downstairs in the hotel reception. They came up and helped my daughter. Nightmares: council leader Elizabeth Campbell has praised the counselling support for families still living in hotels (Nigel Howard ) / Nigel Howard Hestia has been there since day one. They have been helping my daughter so much. They have taken that service away. I told them straight away that Hestia has been there to help. Clarrie Mendy-Solomon, who lost her cousin and her cousins daughter in the disaster, said: I was speaking with people in the hotels, and they were saying that the Hestia staff have had their hours in the hotel cut down to four. Concerns: Clarrie Mendy-Solomon said the service should not be cut / PA She added that survivors have confidence in the people they are working with, whose services should not be dwindling. Hestia will now only provide support between 6pm and 10pm. In a recent interview with London radio station LBC, council leader Elizabeth Campbell praised the service. She said: If you know someone is there, you might wake up in the middle of the night with sort of nightmares. But if you know you could go down and have a hot chocolate with someone or talk it through, it means sometimes you might think maybe you dont need to. A spokeman for Hestia said: The demand for numbers of people in hotels has decreased as more families have been rehoused, and therefore the overnight counselling service was reduced. T he most dangerous places to use a cash machine in the capital have been revealed in a new report. Tourist hotspot Westminster was named as the London borough with the highest number of thefts and robberies close to an ATM over the past decade. Police recorded 265 incidents in the borough out of a total of 1,386 recorded across the capital since 2007. Westminster was followed by Camden, Lambeth, Newham and Kensington & Chelsea. Data was not available for the City of London. Bexley, in south east London, saw the lowest number of incidents with just four logged over ten years. Greater Manchester Police recorded the most cash point muggings with 1,497 incidents logged in the force's jurisdiction. The Met Police came in second and Nottinghamshire Police ranked third recording 1,175 thefts. Data revealed by FOI request shows the most dangerous areas of London to withdraw cash. / MoneySuperMarket The area with the most incidents compared to population size was Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk where statistically one in 415 people had been mugged. A MoneySuperMarket survey found Britons are still making 1.5 cash transactions each day, and a third of people believe cash will always have a role to play in society. Londons top five safest boroughs to use a cash machine Total incidents / Incidents per capita Bromley (8 - 40,861pc) Kingston (8 - 22,013pc) Richmond (8 - 24,481pc) Sutton (5 - 40,444pc) Bexley (4 - 61,190pc) And despite the lower use of cash in general, the number of thefts near ATMs has continued to grow London saw 58 per cent more incidents in 2017 than in 2007. The data was acquired through Freedom of Information requests, submitted to police forces, asking for the numbers of thefts from a person and thefts of property close to cash machines over the last 10 years. But when broken down into the number of incidents per capita, London ranked 153rd on a list of 273 areas that responded to requests. Here is the full list of London Boroughs: London Borough # of Thefts/Robberies at ATMs Westminster 265 Camden 132 Newham 111 Lambeth 88 Tower Hamlets 64 Redbridge 49 Hackney 48 Islington 48 Brent 47 Southwark 47 Barking & Dagenham 46 Ealing 43 Kensington & Chelsea 40 Haringey 39 Hillingdon 33 Waltham Forest 31 Harrow 30 Barnet 26 Hounslow 24 Havering 23 Wandsworth 20 Croydon 18 Enfield 18 Hammersmith & Fulham 18 Lewisham 18 Greenwich 16 Merton 9 Bromley 8 Kingston Upon Thames 8 Richmond upon Thames 8 Sutton 5 Bexley 4 Heathrow 2 Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: Cash is still king as far as many criminals are concerned, and ATMs are their ideal hunting ground. This police data highlights the importance of being vigilant and cautious when using an ATM, even in a quiet market town where you might not expect to encounter a problem. If someone robs your cash or steals your card, you should immediately report it to the police. Report a stolen credit or debit card and cancel it immediately, and keep an eye out for fraudulent transactions on your account. Commander Amanda Pearson from the Met's Front Line Policing team said: Cash point theft can be a very traumatic experience which can have a long-lasting impact on victims. "The Met is continually working hard to prevent offences occurring, arrest offenders and support victims of crime. Please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious contact police with a description of the people and any vehicle they are using. In the event you witness a crime in progress call 999 immediately. The sooner police are notified that a theft is taking place, the greater the likelihood of solving the crime. The Evening Standard has approached Westminster, Camden, Newham, Lambeth, and Kensington & Chelsea councils for comment. MoneySupermarkets tips for staying safe at ATMs Avoid tourist hotspots: Consider moving away from the main tourist areas to get cash out. Pickpockets target busy areas with larger numbers of tourists, such as Westminster in London, so be alert if you have to withdraw funds in these areas. Know who's around: Always make sure no one is looking over your shoulder and cover the keypad when entering your pin know your surroundings and use a different cashpoint if someone nearby is acting suspiciously. Secure your cash: Make sure youve secured your withdrawn money in your wallet, purse or bag, zipped up if possible, to reduce the chances of someone attempting to steal it. Small town risks: Dont assume that because youre not in a major city theres no risk when taking cash out. Its worth being aware wherever you are in the country. Hidden traps: Look out for cameras installed on the cashpoint, or anything else that seems suspicious thieves have many methods of stealing your card details. Block stolen cards: If you do become the victim of a theft or robbery and your bank card is stolen, call the police and then block the card so no money can be spent especially if it is a credit card. Some banks offer features on their mobile apps that mean you can freeze and unfreeze your card at the touch of a button. S ix teenagers arrested over a fight in Camberwell that left four boys with stab wounds have been released on bail. The boys were injured after violence broke out outside Landor House on Thursday. Two of the four victims remain in hospital, both in a stable condition. Five teenagers were released without charge while one, a 15-year-old has been charged with possessing a blade and cannabis, according to Scotland Yard. Police guard the scene following the stabbings / PA They had all been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and grievous bodily harm. The crime scene was left littered with bloodied clothing, trainers and medical equipment after the clash. The boys, all thought to be 15 or 16, were attacked as fighting between two gangs broke out on a Camberwell estate, just minutes away from where drill rapper Sidique Kamara, known as Incognito, was stabbed to death earlier this month. Residents said they saw a group of up to 30 boys during the violence on the estate. Four teenagers knifed in south London She said: "My friend and I came downstairs and we saw boys running across the grass. Then we heard someone screaming and we followed the sound. We saw two police officers who were first ones there and helping a young guy. One of the officers asked for my friends jacket to put pressure on the boys abdomen. There was a great amount of blood. Detective Inspector Luke Williams appealed for the public's help to "bring those responsible to justice". Four youths were injured after violence broke out at a housing estate / PA "This incident saw another act of serious violence on our streets and is unacceptable," he added. The boy who was charged will appear at Camberwell Youth Court on September 5 while the others must return to a south London police station in mid-September, the force said. Harriet Harman, MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said she was very concerned by the quadruple stabbing and was in contact with police and councillors. J eremy Corbyn is moving quickly to adopt in full the international definition of anti-Semitism after senior union leaders warned they are not prepared to die on the hill of an unwinnable row with the Jewish community. Sources said today that the Labour leader is drawing up a compromise, in which he will accept all the examples of unacceptable conduct which have divided his supporters, but add in guarantees on free speech. Mr Corbyns approach was supported this morning by Mick Whelan, leader of the train drivers union Aslef, who sits on the partys ruling National Executive Committee. His spokesman said Labours new code of conduct, which sparked the row, amounted to an advance on the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Association] document. But a retreat became inevitable when the powerful Unite leader Len McCluskey last night joined Unisons Dave Prentis and GMB boss Tim Roache in calling for the IHRA document to be accepted in full. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Jeremy Corbyn for attending the ceremony honouring Palestinian terrorists / AP A union source said: Len and others do not want to die with Seumas [Milne] on a hill called anti-Semitism. It is an absurd position to be in and eventually there is going to have to be a retreat. The compromise will go to an NEC vote on September 4, a day before Labour MPs are set to stage a vote that will demand the IHRA document be accepted. Corbyn explains role in Palestinian wreath laying Mr Corbyns strategist and media adviser Mr Milne is believed to be the most vehement opponent of a retreat despite damaging clashes with Jewish leaders and backbench MPs. Karie Murphy, his combative chief of staff, is said to be backing Mr Milne. But other close allies, including shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Momentum founder Jon Lansman, have begged Mr Corbyn to settle the issue or risk it overshadowing the party conference next month. The row continued as Mr McCluskey meanwhile turned on Jewish community leaders for what he called intransigent hostility to Mr Corbyn. Dame Margaret Hodge, the MP for Barking, hit back: I find that offensive. I think thats trivialising the issue of anti-Semitism to pretend that somehow were using that for cheap party political purposes. Earlier this month, an investigation into her was dropped after she confronted Mr Corbyn in the Commons, accusing him of being an anti-Semite. She has since come under fire for comparing the disciplinary action to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. Dame Margaret told Sky that she felt that feeling of fear that her Jewish father felt when fled to Britain. A Labour Party spokesman said: The comparison of the Labour Partys disciplinary process with Nazi Germany is so extreme and disconnected from reality it diminishes the seriousness of the issue of anti-Semitism. T he scale of potential disruption from a no-deal Brexit became clear today as a leaked Government document listed areas of concern ranging from driving licences to pet passports. Among the 84 topics the Government is planning to issue advice to businesses and the public about are aviation safety, food labelling, maritime security and workplace rights. At the same time the head of the British pharmaceutical industry association, Mike Thompson, said Brexit should be treated as a health security issue because of the risk of drugs becoming unavailable in some countries. Denmarks finance minister this morning warned that the chances of a no-deal Brexit were around 50-50 and he called for more effort by Britain and the EU to secure an agreement this autumn. Every force who wants there to be a good deal needs to put in some effort in the months to come, otherwise Im afraid time will run out, said Kristian Jensen. Asked about Mrs Mays blueprint on Today, Mr Jensen praised it as a realistic proposal for good negotiations and a very positive step forwards. Big mistake: Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said a messy divorce would be very damaging / Getty Images Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was criticised by Brexiteers last night for saying a messy divorce would be harmful. Mr Hunt clarified his remarks with a tweet this morning that said Britain would survive and prosper even in a no-deal situation, but warned: It would be a big mistake for Europe because of the inevitable impact on long-term partnership with UK. This came as the 84 topics where the Government plans to issue papers setting out consequences and preparations for no-deal were leaked to Buzzfeed. Downing Street plans to publish the papers in batches, starting next week, to try to avoid accusations that it has embarked on a Project Fear operation. Mr Hunt visited countries in northern Europe this week to seek support for the Chequers proposal from those who see Britain as a key military ally. On his return he made clear that the Government would accept European environmental and social legislation if it led to a free trade agreement. Im getting a strong sense that, not just in Holland but in many of the places that Ive visited, they do want to engage seriously to try and find a way through to try and get a pragmatic outcome, he told ITV News. Asked about claims that Brussels negotiators were being bugged by British spies, he said: Foreign secretaries never comment on such matters but you are a journalist and you dont have any trouble finding out what is going on in those meetings, just like you have no problems in finding out whats happening in our London meetings. Formal Brexit talks resumed in Brussels between UK and EU officials yesterday. Earlier this week, Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics said there was a very considerable risk of a no-deal scenario, but stressed he was optimistic that the sides could come together. A n airport check-in worker who won a landmark battle against British Airways, allowing her to wear a cross to work, has launched legal action against airline bosses. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2013 that Nadia Eweida had been victim of religious discrimination after she was sent home for wearing a silver crucifix around her neck. In a new employment tribunal claim, she accused airline managers of victimisation and harassment. She claimed bosses treated her rudely and harshly after she returned to work in 2007. The tribunal will also hear whether the company punished her for whistle-blowing, withheld pay and targeted her with new uniform rules. British Airways CEO Willie Walsh(C) poses with two of the firm's employees at John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport, 2008. Ms Eweida is suing her managers for 'victimisation, harassment, and punishment for whistle-blowing', PA reports. / AFP/Getty Images Among the reported episodes was an incident in March 2017 when Ms Eweida claims to have been denied a break after experiencing strain on her eyes after an operation. She was instead told to cover a flight gate - and given a written warning by management when she refused to do so. A further uniform policy introduced in July 2017 required female staff to tuck their cravat into their blouse, meaning Ms Eweida had to wear her crucifix on top of her cravat - a move she claimed was designed to affect her. She hopes to win compensation, a declaration and recommendations from her claim, which is due before Watford Tribunal Hearing Centre on October 26 for a preliminary hearing. Ms Eweida, who still hopes to remain at the company, told the Press Association: "It is victimisation over the years as a result of the cross case; they have never forgiven me and they never let it go. "I want my day in court. For me, it's for my self-respect." She added: "It is my heartfelt wish that a positive outcome for this case will set a precedent ensuring the protection of others in the workplace." Ms Eweida has launched a CrowdJustice fundraising page n the hope of raising 30,000 to help cover legal costs. She wrote on the campaign page: "I was suspended from British Airways for wearing a cross which was and is no bigger than a five penny piece. I was supported by my MP, politicians and clergy of all faiths. "I was very pleased when I was reinstated back to my job after a period of unpaid suspension. But even though I won the Cross case, my Company have never apologised to me and have never admitted any wrong-doing." A spokeswoman for BA said: "We strongly deny all of these claims. "We work hard to ensure that all 42,000 staff who work for British Airways are treated fairly and consistently. "We actively encourage staff to report concerns that they have about safety or their wellbeing, so that these can be discussed with managers." T his summer could end up being the UKs hottest on record with the race for the top spot still wide open - despite the threat of a washout this weekend. The Met Office said the mean temperature for this summer so far is 16.1C: exactly the same as it was at this point during the record-holding summer of 2006. Whether 2018 beats the record could come down to a matter of tenths or even hundreds of difference in Celsius. The final figure for summer 2006 was 15.78C - a fraction above the two years in second place, 2003 and 1976, which tied on 15.77C. Children cool off in the fountains by the River Thames in London / EPA But even if 2018 misses out on topping the chart, the Met Office believes it is still likely to finish in the warmest top five. This summer's average maximum temperature could also end up a record-breaker. Londoners enjoy the water at Hampstead Heath bathing ponds / AFP/Getty Images At present the figure stands at 21.1C - ahead of the equivalent figure in 1976 (20.7C), which is the year that holds this particular record. Britain's hottest summers Based on mean temperature 2018 - 16.1C (so far) 2006 - 15.78C 2003 - 15.77C 1976 - 15.77C The Met Office says it "remains to be seen" whether the rest of August 2018 will be cool or warm, meaning it is "impossible to say" which year will end up as the record. Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: "Looking at maximum temperatures might seem to chime more with our perceptions, as our memories tend to focus on those hot days when the temperatures really peaked, rather than the mild nights. Sunbathers relax on Hampstead Heath / AFP/Getty Images "However, by including night and daytime temperatures, the mean temperature measure gives a fuller picture of what the UK climate is doing. Two women take a selfie during a hot day in Trafalgar Square / PA "On this measure it's clear that the meteorological summer of 2018 is exceptional, simply for the consistent levels of warmth seen throughout the period so far." Croyde Beach in North Devon / PA Rainfall across the UK this summer is currently running at 54.0 per cent of the long-term average. Scorched London Parks - In pictures 1 /23 Scorched London Parks - In pictures Wimbledon Common Chris Gorman Bushy Park SplashNews.com Greenwich Park EPA St James Park PA Windsor Castle Jeremy Selwyn Greenwich Park AP Hampstead Heath PA Hampstead Heath PA St James's Park Reuters Green Park EPA Green Park EPA Hyde Park AFP/Getty Images Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn Regents Park Anne-Marie Sanderson Richmond Park Chris Gorman/Big Ladder Richmond Hill Gareth Richman Greenwich Park Reuters Greenwich Park Reuters Greenwich Park AP Greenwich Park EPA Hampton Court Park Rex Features Primrose Hill AP Regents Park EPA An average of 130.1mm has fallen over the country, which is already more than the total average for the whole of the famously dry summer of 1976 (104.6mm). And the country is braced for more rain this weekend, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England expecting showers. A presenter on American news show Fox & Friends was left red-faced when she falsely claimed on live TV that America "defeated communist Japan." The bizarre comment was made by Ainsley Earhardt when she leapt to the defence of America after Governor Andrew Cuomo claimed the country wasnt that great on Wednesday. The governor made the comment during a bill signing in new York City. He said: We're not going to Make America Great Again'." "It was never that great. We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged. Her co-host Steve Doocy attempted to cover Ms Earhardts error saying: Communism and Japan and so many other things. During the Fox & Friends segment, Ms Earhardt hit back at his comments and began to list the ways in which she believed America was great including claiming that the US defeated communist Japan" in the past. She said: We defeated communist Japan, radical Islamists... Were the most generous country in all of the world. Yes, we have our faults, but because of this country our world is definitely a better place. We are great. Her co-host Steve Doocy attempted to cover Ms Earhardts error saying: Communism and Japan and so many other things. Many people pointed out Earhardts error online. One man called Brad Buttner wrote: Thanks for reminding us about the American defeat of communist Japan, I had forgotten. I talians will this weekend be enjoying the Ferragosto summer break, escaping the hot towns and cities for the seaside, lakes and mountains. But this year the disaster of the Morandi bridge in Genoa has cast a shadow over the holiday season. A general view of the collapsed Morandi bridge the day after the disaster in Genoa / EPA The bridge collapse has raised uncertainties about the Italian superhighways, the autostrade, on which so many will travel to their holiday destinations. The crisis over Italys transport infrastructure, the highways especially, has been coming for a long time. Genoa Bridge Collapse - In pictures 1 /40 Genoa Bridge Collapse - In pictures A green lorry stopped just short of the point of collapse on the bridge Reuters A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa EPA Firefighters work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa AP A general view of the collapsed Morandi Bridge in the port city of Genoa, Ital REUTERS Rescuer workers continued to search for possible survivors EPA Devastating images showed the aftermath of the bridge collapse Getty Images A helicopter arrives at the scene of the tragedy AFP/Getty Images Rescue teams search for survivors among the rubble AP An injured person is winched from the rubble AFP/Getty Images Emergency services are desperately searching for survivors Getty Images Helicopter crews arrive on the scene of the collapse Getty Images A map shows where the bridge is Reuters An injured man talks to reporters as he leave the site where the Morandi highway bridge collapsed in Genoa, northern Italy AP A truck pictured after falling from the bridge Getty Images The Morandi Bridge collapsed in torrential rain Reuters Fire crews released images of rescuers on site EPA A desperate search for survivors is underway EPA Rescue workers are seen at the collapsed Morandi Bridge in the Italian port city of Genoa, Italy Reuters Rescuers at the site of the collapsed bridge in Genoa EPA A collapsed section of a viaduct on the A10 motorway in Genoa AFP/Getty Images The middle section of the main bridge collapsed, with dozens of motorists feared to be dead EPA A truck is pictured at the end of the surviving bridge section Reuters Rescue work among the debris of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa AP Rescuers at the site of the collapsed bridge in Genoa, Italy EPA A view of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy AP Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy AP The bridge is located near the northern Italian port city of Genoa Polizia di Stato A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA Rescue teams on the site of the collapsed bridge EPA Rescuers at work amid the rubble after a highway bridge collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa EPA The collapsed Morandi Bridge is seen in the Italian port city of Genoa Reuters A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA A collapsed section of a viaduct on the A10 motorway in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern ItalY AP Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy, AP Rescue teams work at the site of the bridge collapse EPA The bridge was built in the 1960s EPA A motorway bridge which collapsed on Tuesday near the northern Italian port city of Genoa is seen in this pic Polizia di Stato Polizia di Stato A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA The infrastructure is terrible a real worry for the tourist business, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, a pioneer of the agriturismo farm stays, told me. The highways are falling apart. The autostrada networks are a crucial part of Italys development since the war, as it became one of the top seven industrial nations. In engineering and innovation, the autostrada systems, the high bridges and viaducts, the deep tunnels from the Brenner and Mont Blanc to the Gran Sasso tunnel in Abruzzo, have been works of genius. A view of the collapsed Morandi bridge the day after the disaster in Genoa / EPA In the last century Italy produced some of the most inventive structural engineers and architects. But transportation, the autostradas in particular, has seen more than its share of the political intrigue, patronage and corruption that have plagued post-war Italy. It has led to bad planning, short-termism and accusations of contracts being given to political pals and Mafia-friendly businesses using inferior concrete. Clean-up operation begins after Genoa bridge collapse The Morandi disaster was the fifth major collapse of a bridge or viaduct in recent years. Ten years ago there were serious concerns about the huge pillars holding up stretches of the A1 Autostrada del Sole, the highway to the sun. The Morandi bridge stretch of the A10 autostrada in Genoa, and 1,800 miles of autostrada besides, is run by a company belonging to the Benetton franchise. Autostrade Per lItalia, the managing company itself, is accused of putting profit before safety and now faces criminal investigation. The sadness is that questions about Morandis design had been known for years. For the past 10 it was a main topic of criticism in the civil engineering course at Genoa university. Italys new prime minister Giuseppe Conte has offered an immediate 5 million fund and put Genoas road system into a state of emergency for a year. T he Italian government has launched an official investigation into the operator of the collapsed Genoa bridge and given it 15 days to prove it acted properly. The countrys ministry of transport said it wanted Autostrade per lItalia to show it had met all its contractual obligations to ensure the proper functioning of the Morandi bridge and avoid accidents. It added that it wanted the company to re-build the bridge at its own expense. They say that 10 to 20 people might still be unaccounted for and the death toll is expected to rise. A supermarket delivery driver stopped just yards from the edge of the collapsed bridge / EPA Ahead of the probe being launched, Autostrade said it made regular thorough safety checks on the viaduct, part of a motorway linking Genoa with southern France. It added that it had used world-leading experts to conduct tests and inspections. A government source separately suggested that Italy may impose a fine rather than withdraw Autostrades contract. Dropping the company could involve a long legal fight and risk the government being ordered to pay compensation to it. Clean-up operation begins after Genoa bridge collapse But under the terms of its contract it can be fined up to 150 million (135 million). While the disaster in Genoa was the deadliest in recent years, Italy has seen other bridge and highway collapses that have raised alarm about its ageing transport infrastructure. Meanwhile, excavators began clearing large sections of rubble in the continuing search for victims. Genoa Bridge Collapse from Space - In pictures 1 /6 Genoa Bridge Collapse from Space - In pictures Pictures from European Space Imaging show the aftermath of the Genoa bridge collapse as seen from space. EPA The Ponte Morandi in northern Italy served motorists on the A10 travelling from France and Milan, and towers over a railyard and industrial zone. EPA The viaduct collapsed under the weight of rainwater - operators are being investigated for failures in maintenance and building flaws. EPA Genoa's Morandi bridge, shown before the tragic collapse which killed 39 people on Tuesday, August 14. EPA Search and rescue teams are still working to find survivors in the rubble, with dozens of people reportedly missing. EPA Ministers have pointed fingers at Autostrade per lItalia, which operated the bridge as a toll road. EPA A large vertical section was removed, clearing a new area to probe. Workers have spent the last few days tunnelling through tons of jagged steel, concrete and crushed vehicles that plunged nearly 150 feet to the road below. Recordings of emergency calls of the moment witnesses reported the bridge had collapsed have also emerged. They can be heard making panicked calls about the incident, before one responder replies: What do you mean, its collapsed? The first picture has emerged of the supermarket delivery driver who stopped just yards from the edge of the collapsed bridge. Father of four Luigi Fiorillo, 37, had a miracle escape when he slammed on the brakes of his lorry as the road crumbled before his eyes. Every other vehicle ahead of him plunged off the bridge, and he said: I stared death in the face... I saved myself by a miracle. Over 3,000 rescued by armed forces So far, during the rescue mission, over 3,000 people have been evacuated thanks to the armed forces. Defence Minister of India, Raksha Mantri, has been steadily tweeting live updates about the efforts to save those stranded. She said "more than 3,000 persons have been rescued by the armed forces since the start of the operation" More than 750 people, she said, have also been provided medical care by the armed forces. She said that "temporary bridges" had been constructed by the army and medical camps are also being set up for those in need, in various places. More than 160 people are now confirmed dead in floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in India's Kerala, in what is said to be the southern state's worst monsoon in almost a century. Indian volunteers and rescue personnel evacuate local residents in a boat in a residential area at Kozhikode, in the Indian state of Kerala, on August 16, 2018. [Photo: AFP] The death toll in rain-related incidents since Aug. 8 in the state now stands at 164, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media Friday. "The situation is serious, but we will overcome it," he added. Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Air Force have pushed in more forces in the state, apart from the already stationed troops and personnel of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF). "Some 16 Army teams, 28 Navy teams, 39 NDRF teams are involved in the relief and rescue operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people. And by this evening, all marooned people will be saved," the Chief Minister said. Apart from the casualties, over 200,000 people have been displaced, and more than 10,000 km of roads and hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged across the state. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister Friday morning and would visit the state later in the evening to take a first-hand look at the grim situation due to floods. Indian volunteers and rescue personnel evacuate local residents in a boat in a residential area at Kozhikode, in the Indian state of Kerala, on August 16, 2018. [Photo: AFP] Among the worst hit districts are Idukki, Wayanad, Pallakad, Malappuram, Kochi and state capital Thirvananthapuram. In a fresh statement, authorities have said that the Kochi airport, one of the busiest in southern India, will remain shut till Aug. 26. "Kochi Airport operations are temporarily suspended up to 2 p.m. (local time) on Aug. 26 due to very high flood situation and key essential facilities like runway, taxiway and apron are under submerged condition," an airport statement said. The weather department has predicted more rains in the next one week and sounded a fresh alert. People living on river banks in the rain-hit districts have been asked to relocate, while fishermen urged not to venture into the Arabian Sea. Officials said that several dams, particularly the Idukki dam, the biggest arch dam in Asia, have been opened to release excess water. All the shutters of the Idukki dam were opened last week for the first time after a gap of 26 years. The state's Chief Minister had last week announced a compensation of 400,000 rupees (5,600 U.S. dollars) to families of those killed in floods and rainslides who lost their loved ones, and up to 1 million rupees for those who have lost both their land as well as house. The state is witnessing its worst monsoon rains since 1924. Photo: Kevin Rothwell Bristiles from BBQ brushes continue to cause harm. There is a renewed call to ban wire barbecue brushes, after another incident in Ontario where a man required surgery after ingesting a loose wire from a brush. Health Canada has issued a warning about the brushes, but so far an outright ban hasn't been enforced. In less than five years, Health Canada has received reports of 46 injuries caused by tiny metal bristles, which fall off the brushes used to clean grills and then end up being eaten. Dr. Leigh Bishop, a surgeon in Guelph, Ont., says hes seen metal bristles cause perforations in the stomach, the small intestine and esophagus. A lot of people dont recognize that they may have ingested a bristle at all, he said. It may be something completely symptomless until it perforates later in their digestive tract. Dr. Bishop said he thinks the metal bristles should be banned. "One of the main problems is with cheap plastic head brushes that heat up and release the bristles which can get stuck on the grill," said Richard White owner of Whites BBQ & Fireplace Centre in West Kelowna. "For those who don't want the brush at all, there are lots of good wood cleaners mainly cedar, obviously with no danger of getting any bristles into your food." There are other products on the market, like the looped brush and brillo pad type cleaners. "The main thing is to inspect your brush and clean your grill properly, and you won't have any problems." White adds. "A good quality wooden or composite wire brush is still a viable option, just avoid the cheaply made ones." To see the Health Canada advisory on BBQ brushes click here. with files from CT Vancouver T he New York University School of Medicine has announced plans to offer full tuition scholarships to all current and future students. The medical school's trustees, leaders and faculty delivered the news to first year medical students to close the annual White Coat Ceremony - when new students receive a white lab coat as they begin studying, on Thursday. The yearly tuition costs covered by the scholarship are $55,018 (43,222). Students will still have to cover their own accommodation and living expenses. Robert I Grossman the Dean of NYU School of Medicine, said: "This decision recognises a moral imperative that must be addressed, as institutions place an increasing debt burden on young people who aspire to become physicians." According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 75 per cent of all doctors in the US graduated with debt in 2017. Recent figures showed that the median cost of medical education, including tuition and fees, for private medical school is $59,605 (46,870). The universitys statement indicated that due to "staggering student loans" many medical school graduates choose higher paying specialties which ultimately draws talent away from less lucrative fields like primary care, pediatric and gynecology. "By making medical school accessible to a broader range of applicants, we will be a catalyst for transforming medical education nationwide," the statement read. The move closely follows the universitys decision in 2013 to join a select group of US medical schools offering an accelerated three-year curriculum. This allowed physicians to get into the field of their choice earlier, during their most productive years and with less debt. C hilling emergency calls have been released revealing the shocking moment witnesses reported that a motorway bridge had collapsed in Italy, leaving at least 39 people dead. The horrific incident took place on Tuesday when the Morandi Bridge in Genoa crumbled to the ground during a storm. Emergency services in Italy have released audio clips of panicked exchanges between witnesses and operators as they reported the scenes of horror at the site of the disaster. Horrified witnesses can be heard telling the responders that the bridge has collapsed. Satellite image of the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa (European Space Imaging/EPA) / EPA The clips reflect the initial shock and confusion caused by the freak incident. Responders can be heard saying: What do you mean its collapsed? Worried witnesses can be heard desperately begging call handlers to issue an alert to emergency services. A general view of the collapsed Morandi bridge the day after the disaster in Genoa / EPA One man described how he saw the bridge come down from his window. I live here and I saw the bridge coming down. Everything trembled and the two central spans came down, he said. Satellite images also revealed the extent of devastating aftermath of the disaster which the Italian Prime Minister described as an immense tragedy. Devastation: the bridge collapse as seen from space (European Space Imaging/EPA) / EPA Pictures from European Space Imaging put the scene in chilling context when seen from miles above the earth's surface. The bridge, which is operated as a toll-road, crumbled under the weight of heavy rain during a storm on Tuesday morning, covering an industrial zone and railway yard below. Italy has declared a 12-month state of emergency in Genoa amid a fierce backlash from the city with 630 evacuations of people who live near the highway bridge. There are fears that the sections of Morandi Bridge that are still standing could come crashing down. Investigators were today carrying out work to establish how the massive structure came crashing down / EPA Authorities continue to search for the missing and have said that up to 20 bodies could still be buried in the rubble. Genoa Bridge Collapse - In pictures 1 /40 Genoa Bridge Collapse - In pictures A green lorry stopped just short of the point of collapse on the bridge Reuters A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa EPA Firefighters work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa AP A general view of the collapsed Morandi Bridge in the port city of Genoa, Ital REUTERS Rescuer workers continued to search for possible survivors EPA Devastating images showed the aftermath of the bridge collapse Getty Images A helicopter arrives at the scene of the tragedy AFP/Getty Images Rescue teams search for survivors among the rubble AP An injured person is winched from the rubble AFP/Getty Images Emergency services are desperately searching for survivors Getty Images Helicopter crews arrive on the scene of the collapse Getty Images A map shows where the bridge is Reuters An injured man talks to reporters as he leave the site where the Morandi highway bridge collapsed in Genoa, northern Italy AP A truck pictured after falling from the bridge Getty Images The Morandi Bridge collapsed in torrential rain Reuters Fire crews released images of rescuers on site EPA A desperate search for survivors is underway EPA Rescue workers are seen at the collapsed Morandi Bridge in the Italian port city of Genoa, Italy Reuters Rescuers at the site of the collapsed bridge in Genoa EPA A collapsed section of a viaduct on the A10 motorway in Genoa AFP/Getty Images The middle section of the main bridge collapsed, with dozens of motorists feared to be dead EPA A truck is pictured at the end of the surviving bridge section Reuters Rescue work among the debris of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa AP Rescuers at the site of the collapsed bridge in Genoa, Italy EPA A view of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy AP Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy AP The bridge is located near the northern Italian port city of Genoa Polizia di Stato A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA Rescue teams on the site of the collapsed bridge EPA Rescuers at work amid the rubble after a highway bridge collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa EPA The collapsed Morandi Bridge is seen in the Italian port city of Genoa Reuters A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA A collapsed section of a viaduct on the A10 motorway in Genoa AFP/Getty Images Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern ItalY AP Rescuers work among the rubble of the collapsed Morandi highway bridge in Genoa, northern Italy, AP Rescue teams work at the site of the bridge collapse EPA The bridge was built in the 1960s EPA A motorway bridge which collapsed on Tuesday near the northern Italian port city of Genoa is seen in this pic Polizia di Stato Polizia di Stato A large section of the Morandi viaduct upon which the A10 motorway runs collapsed in Genoa, Italy EPA D ani Dyer has branded Jack Finchams ex embarrassing after it was reported that he still has feelings for her. A friend of Ellie Jones, who dated Fincham before he moved into the Love Island villa, claimed the pen salesman is watching Jones Instagram stories despite unfollowing each other on the asocial media app. Dyer has now broken her silence on the reports, telling Jones to move on after a fan branded the story the biggest load of bull ever. Dyer tweeted: Oh its embarrassing aint it! #moveonhun. Her tweet came hours after Jones friend said she believes Fincham will soon slide into Jones DMs. They unfollowed each other on Instagram but she has noticed he still watches her stories, they told The Sun. Shes 100 per cent certain hes going to contact her soon. Ex-girlfriend: Ellie Jones came face-to-face with Dani Dyer in the Love Island villa / ITV Hes watched every single one since he unfollowed her. They also claimed Fincham has been grilling Jones prospective love interests, including former Love Island star Charlie Frederick. At the Love Island wrap party Jack went up to Charlie and asked if he is seeing Ellie, they said. Love Island: Danni reveals details of Jack's first meeting with father Danny Dyer He was overheard saying, Is she your new bird? Standard Online has contacted a representative for Fincham for comment. Love Island Live 2018 event at ExCel - In pictures 1 /27 Love Island Live 2018 event at ExCel - In pictures PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Fincham came face-to-face with Jones after moving into Casa Amor on Love Island. Dyer was left in tears after she saw footage of the moment on her phone which sparked more than 2000 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. But Fincham stuck by Dyer and refused to have his head turned with the pair going on to win the 50,000 prize money and be crowned Love Island 2018 winners. D avid and Victoria Beckham sent their children off to do a day at school despite it being their summer holiday. Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 13, and seven-year-old Harper helped teach English and play with students at the Kerewei Learning Centre on the island of Sumba. The power couple were praised for taking time out of their luxury holiday to help out at the Sumba Foundation, which alleviates poverty by providing education and clean water. Victoria posted snapshots from the day including one of Brooklyn handing his camera over to a budding photographer and Romeo high-fiving a group of students. Another shot sees Harper posing with a group of girls. Victoria also stepped in front of the camera to take a photo with the students. One fan commented: Kudos for taking always time to help those in need great to see the children part of this great work! Another wrote: Omg..so cute.y'all beckham's family are Very humble. A third posted: Really great @victoriabeckham teaches her child about life, and doesn't see differences. So proud of them. Brooklyn Beckham fails to rub his sunscreen in One hailed the Beckhams cracking parenting, posting: You should be so proud of your children they are all so happy and give their time to others less fortunate. Cracking parenting. The famous family have been holidaying at Nihi Sumba, one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. David yesterday shared some candid shots of his four children with his 50.2 million followers as they enjoyed time on the beach. But the power couple have also made sure to fit in some time to themselves and last week enjoyed a date night at their resort. They posted pictures of red petals spelling out their initials on their bed. B eing gay is the fifth most interesting thing about Alan Cummings latest role. In new TV crime series Instinct the Scottish actor plays Dr Dylan Reinhart, a sweater-vest-wearing CIA operative turned psychology professor (keep up) who happens to be married to a man a former lawyer who now runs his own cocktail bar (played by The Crowns Daniel Ings). When Cumming, 53, heard about the role, he was shocked because Reinhart is a TV milestone hes the first openly gay lead of an American broadcast drama, ever. Cumming, who is bisexual, had read the James Patterson book its based on and was intrigued by Reinhart. Hes an interesting character, a musical prodigy who rides a motorbike, is gay, married a lot of disparate things, so its a great challenge for an actor. In the show, which starts on Sky Witness next Thursday, Reinhart is lured back to his old life after NYPD detective Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic) appeals to him to solve a string of murders based on a book he wrote. He cant resist a mystery and its good material for his new book. First look: Alan Cumming in character We meet Reinhart at a stage where he is trying to relocate his mojo (cue jokes about how it could be under the extra pounds he has piled on). His agent (Whoopi Goldberg) finds the first draft so boring that it sent her to sleep and longs for dangerous Dylan to return. A gay character is less of a deal in Britain but in America its a symbolic thing. Cumming enjoyed playing someone for whom sexuality wasnt the main focus. Its hardly ever mentioned. That, to me, is the important thing and something I would like to see more of, not just in America. If you are a gay person on TV sexuality is probably one of the main thrusts of your narrative, and thats getting a bit old for me. Reinhart has a Sherlock-style ability to get the measure of a person. When he meets his partner in crime Needham he does an arch rundown: hardly any make-up, dont-give-a-f*** suit hiding a massive gun. Hes trying to cut down on carbs but still brings friends pizza to cheer them up, and is attuned to modern issues, telling Needham: I was afraid that kicking down a door for you would be disempowering. Theres a female, Indian mayor too (Sarita Choudhury from Homeland) this is a taboo-busting show. In his research for the role Cumming spoke to former spies. My idea of being a spy is quite James Bond but its changed radically since then. Could he do it? I can do the dressing up and pretending to be different people bit but sacrificing your entire life is such a commitment. On screen: Alan Cumming stars in Instinct "I dont know how they have relationships or kids. I dont think there are many stats about gay spies. Having grown up in Angus, Cumming now lives in New York with his husband, illustrator Grant Shaffer, and their dogs, Jerry and Lala. He was married to actress Hilary Lyon and had a relationship with actress Saffron Burrows (now married to a woman). TV is mirroring an overdue change in attitudes. For the past few years networks have had pressure on them about the lack of diversity, not just LGBT people but people of colour. [Instinct is] an example of how they are making an effort to reflect change. But why has it taken so long to have a gay lead on TV? Cumming has been touring his cabaret Legal Immigrant around the US and has seen a country very backward in terms of social issues. Recent strides forward have been a long time coming. The country is racked with a white minority holding back others, and the scary thing is that it is happening again. And its still a puritanical country; certain quarters are still shameful about sex. He has a second home in the Catskills and has registered to vote there instead of in New York so he can help swing it. I was here when Bush was in and everyone was like: Lets move to Canada. But Ive made my roots and feel its important to stay and fight. It was heartening when I did concerts in Midwestern states that voted for Trump to see people who were horrified this had happened, gathering to hear negative things about him. Just because a state went republican it doesnt mean everyone there supports him. Despite being an honorary American Cumming still has a Scottish work ethic. I like having a regular gig, he says. Working on Instinct meant 15-hour days, getting up at 5am, so I tried to get fit and I stopped drinking during the week. Its a shock to the system. He realised that he likes routine while playing charming master manipulator political strategist Eli Gold in The Good Wife. I was going to go back onto The Good Fight, the spin-off, but it didnt work out. But Im sanguine about moving on. I dont think there will be a film or a reunion. When I realised how popular Eli was it was a great thing and a scary thing it makes you want to run for the hills when you get known for one character. A n Australian teenager with a love of Apple decided to hack his favourite company and is now facing criminal charges. According to Australian newspaper The Age, the 16-year-old accessed Apples backend network multiple times over last year and managed to download 90GB of secure files and customer accounts. The files were stored in a folder on his laptop labelled hacky hack hack. Apple has come out and said that no user data was compromised in the attacks. We want to assure our customers that at no point during this incident was their personal data compromised, a spokeperson told Reuters. The tech giant called in the FBI after noticing the attacks were happening. The FBI then passed on the allegations to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP carried out a search on the teens home last year and seized two Apple laptops, a mobile phone and a hard drive, which all matched the serial numbers and IP addresses that had intruded into the organisation. How did the teen carry out the Apple hacks? When the AFP searched the teenagers devices, the agency found the laptop's boosted hacking software. This software was used to access authorised keys, which grant log-in access to the Apple mainframe. The AFP reported that the teen used WhatsApp to boast about his misadventures to others. According to The Age, the teenagers lawyer said he hacked Apple because he was such a fan of the company. Following his hacks, he has become so well known in the international hacking community that even mentioning the case in detail could expose him to risk. The teen pleaded guilty to the charges, however, he will not be sentenced until next month due to complexities surrounding the case. Teenager hackers is a sub-category all on its own. Last year, Adam Mudd was jailed for two years after creating a computer hacking business when he was 16. After selling this software to cyber criminals, around 1.7 million attacks were carried out on websites such as Minecraft, Xbox Live and Microsoft. Photo: The Canadian Press Residents of a tiny northwestern British Columbia town ravaged by a massive wildfire are determined to extinguish the flames and rebuild their community, family members say. Dan Edzerza Sr. and his daughter Kristina Michaud are collecting donations of money and dried goods for evacuees after a 360-square-kilometre blaze destroyed more than 40 homes and properties in Telegraph Creek. "There's been a lot of devastation there," said Edzerza, speaking from Prince George. "A lot of my family members lost their homes. It's still not over yet, they're still trying to stop that fire." The provincial government declared a state of emergency Wednesday as more than 560 wildfires burn in every corner of the province. Residents of about 1,500 properties have been forced to evacuate, while 9,500 more must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Many people connected to Telegraph Creek are pitching in to help those displaced and save the town. Edzerza's son is among those fighting the fire in Telegraph Creek, while Michaud's sister is collecting donations in nearby Dease Lake. "That's their home. They're going to go back and set up tents if they have to," said Michaud. "We're going to do everything we can to make sure they have a home to go back to. That land is our roots." Smoke has triggered air quality advisories across Western Canada, and Michaud said it was so smoky in Prince George that it was dark at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. When she went looking for masks, they were sold out everywhere. "It's just awful here," she said. About 250 members of the Tahltan Nation and non-Indigenous residents live in Telegraph Creek. All have been evacuated, but some members of the First Nation have stayed behind to fight the fires, said Chief Rick Mclean. Most Tahltan members who lost homes have been notified, he said, adding about 21 of the destroyed structures are on the reserve. "It's heart-wrenching and worrisome, thinking about how we're going to rebuild," he said. "It's going to take some time. There's a lot of work that needs to be done to make it safe. We're still under evacuation order and fighting the fight." The federal government has promised to send 200 Canadian Armed Forces members to B.C. to help. A first team of 100 was deployed early Thursday to an area west of Kelowna to start the mop-up of contained fires. The Department of National Defence said it's still working with the BC Wildfire Service to determine where and when the other troops will be needed. Photo: The Canadian Press Ian Giles relaxes outside his trailer at the Boler 50th anniversary celebration weekend in Winnipeg. Angela Durand sits outside her camper which is decorated to look just like the yellow submarine in the well-known song by The Beatles. In a lawn chair beside the blue-and-yellow 1968 camper painted with pictures of John, Paul, George and Ringo a little yellow propeller attached to the back Durand strums her ukulele and sings about the community that's developed around the small moulded fibreglass Boler. "I bought it. Then I did research on the Boler. Then I became addicted to Bolers," she said. "I love it." Hundreds of the unique trailers have descended on Winnipeg to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Manitoba invention. The Boler camper became famous on highways throughout North America as the "egg on wheels," said event organizer Ian Giles. About 10,000 of the ultralight fibreglass trailers were manufactured and sold between 1968 and 1988. Giles describes it like two bathtubs joined together to form a hollow container. "What is unique about them is most of them have no wood inside of them at all, so there is nothing to rot. They have no seams, so there is no possibility of leaks," he said. "They are like a boat a fibreglass boat so you can repair them. That is why so many of them are still around today." Giles said it's not just the way the camper is built that makes it special. It's the community it inspires. He picked up his Boler, named Buttercup, eight years ago because it fit his and his wife's camping needs. He wanted to make a couple of changes to his camper, but struggled finding fixes online or anywhere in Calgary where he lives. Giles created a website to share what he'd learned about modifying his Boler and soon enthusiasts from across North America were reaching out with tips or asking questions. It quickly became a large and entertaining online community. A plan hatched to get together. "When you buy one of these trailers, you are almost joining a sorority," he said. All of the 450 campers parked at Red River Exhibition Park for the weekend are either an original Boler or a trailer inspired by the Boler's design. Some still have the original paint job but others have been redesigned with bright colours and flowers. 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They'll see bigger insurance hikes drivers elsewhere in the province because of the higher crash risk in the region, documents show. Metro Vancouver drivers are expected to pay almost 11 per cent more than those in Kelowna, Prince George or smaller cities. ICBC president Nicolas Jimenez says the changes are aimed at high-risk drivers and also on those regions with the highest crash rates, although it will need to update its mapping of those territories. There are many factors, and territory is only one of them. Its not that big. The biggest is crashes, he told CTV. Is there an opportunity to do more to fine-tune the territory structure? Absolutely. Do we have time to do that today? No. Will we get to that in the future? Yes, thats something we will look at, he said. Based on todays rates, in the first year of this transition, an estimated two-thirds of customers would see lower basic insurance premiums, while the remaining third of customers would see an increase, Attorney General David Eby said when he announced the changes. Figures from ICBC show drivers in the Lower Mainland will pay about one per cent more a year until 2028. Meanwhile, those in the Okanagan would see a 13 per cent decrease. In the Kootenays, the decrease would be 27 per cent, and as much as 40 per cent in Peace River. That's not taking into account drivers' own crash history and any increases associated to it. with files from CTV Vancouver Employment agencies have brokered and arranged the foreign employment in H1 2018 of 19,070 Romanian citizens, finding them jobs mainly in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain and the UK, shows data centralized by the Labor Inspection Office. As many as 282 Romanian workers landed employment contracts abroad via the EURES network in the first half of the year, the Labor Ministry told AGERPRES. A breakdown of job numbers by countries is as follows: Spain - 88 with hired Romanians; Denmark - 58; Portugal - 49; the UK - 46; the Netherlands - 17; Germany - 10; Finland - 6; Belgium - 4; Slovakia, Malta, Hungary and France one Romanian worker each."The numbers could be even higher as vacancies advertised on the EURES job mobility portal may have been filled by Romanians following the promotion of the jobs by the National Labor Employment Agency - ANOFM, but they are not required to notify to county agencies the conclusion of a work contract. EURES is a EU-wide cooperation network between the EC, the member states of the European Economic Area (EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and other partner organizations involved on the labor market (trade unions, employers' organizations, private recruitment companies). The purpose of the network is to facilitate the free movement of the workers in the EU, ensure the transparency of vacancies across the EU and increase employment rates," the representatives of the Labor Ministry said.According to data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in the International Migration Outlook 2017, as of mid-2015, over 3.5 million Romanians were living outside homeland in Germany, Spain, Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Malta, San Marino, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, the UK, Greece and Cyprus. Premier Viorica Dancila sent President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans a letter, the EU executive body confirmed on Friday. We can confirm having received the letter and the answer will follow in due time, a spokesperson of the European Commission said on Friday, at the request of AGERPRES. Romania media wrote that the head of the Romanian government sent the two top EU officials a letter about the August 10 anti-government rally in Bucharest that was marred by violence between the gendarmes and protesters.The Commission is closely following developments in Romania. The protesters have criticized the steps back in judicial reform and the fight against corruption, the Commission said on Tuesday after the blunt-force intervention of the Gendarmerie at the Bucharest protest."Peaceful protests ended in violence. Violence can never be a solution in politics," the spokesperson added.EU authorities are facing calls to defend the rule of law in Romania, as the co-leaders of the European Parliament's Green Group request the European Commission to launch its rule-of-law mechanism, which is being deployed against Poland and debated for Hungary, The Guardian wrote on Friday."The people in Romania are looking for help from the European Union and I think we should give that," Ska Keller, the German co-president of the Green Group, told The Guardian.While the group is not looking to copy the high-stakes legal action against Poland, which risks losing its voting rights in the EU over the controversial judicial reforms passed last year, the group wants the Commission to start talks with Bucharest over the judicial changes and the anti-corruption drive."There is a whole escalation ladder and we should start with procedure at the lower level," Ska Keller said.As the Greens are only the fifth-largest group in the European Parliament, their influence is rather limited and the party's call for a European Parliament debate on Romania runs little chance to win broad support, less so from Socialist MEPs, who are believed to be reluctant to criticise their party allies in the Romanian government.However, Romania is likely to face growing scrutiny as it prepares to take up the EU's rotating Presidency for the first time in 2019, the British paper concludes. Photo: The Canadian Press Hundreds of mourners lined up in downtown Fredericton on Thursday for an emotional public visitation for two city police constables killed in the line of duty. Constables Robb Costello and Sara Burns were gunned down at an apartment complex on Fredericton's north side Friday, in a shooting that also claimed the lives of civilians Bobbie Lee Wright and Donnie Robichaud. Inside a dimly-lit ballroom at the Fredericton Convention Centre, the families of Costello and Burns stood near large framed photographs of the fallen officers as a steady stream of visitors paid their respects to the grieving families. Two large projectors on either side of the room played slide shows with pictures of the officers at different stages of their lives, from what appeared to be a high school graduation and prom night to cradling a newborn baby and apple-picking. Many people left the solemn ceremony in tears, struggling to cope with the aftermath of the violent shooting that has gripped the community for the last week. "There's some young families up there that lost a loved one," said Supt. Sheldon Currie with Corrections New Brunswick. "It's really important to be here today to support the families. We're all one big family and we're always here for each other." Sophie-Anne Lalonde, an elementary teacher in Fredericton, said she taught French immersion to Burns' youngest son. "It's definitely tough knowing that he's going through that that all of the children have lost a parent. It's devastating," she said. The Burns family issued a public statement Wednesday saying "we have heard one common theme since the passing of Sara and Robb." Burns' husband, Steven Burns, said people have repeatedly told the family, "They were two of the most positive people anyone had ever met." An obituary said the 43-year-old Burns fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a police officer three years ago, after more than 14 years as a stay-at-home mom of three boys. "Not a day would go by when she didn't say aloud, for everyone to hear, 'I love my job,'" the obituary published on the McAdam's Funeral Home and Crematorium website said. Steven Burns said his wife could "brighten a room with her smile in an instant, and make anyone feel at ease seconds later with just a few words. "Sara was put on this Earth to help people and everything she has ever done in life was to help people," Burns said. "We are so proud of the person and human being that she was, and we will miss her dearly." An obituary for Costello said he loved being a police officer, and though he spent time in specialized units, he eagerly went back to patrol, which the obituary published on the Bishop's Funeral Home website called "his true love. "He was away at the police academy while his first daughter (Kassie) was an infant," the obituary said. "He joined the Fredericton Police Force immediately after finishing the academy. His daughter Kaitlyn was born in Fredericton, and Robb had a strong connection to the city he served." Costello was "so proud of both his girls and the women they were becoming," the obituary said. "To his step-children he was known as 'Faux Pa,' and he loved them like they were his own." On Saturday, thousands of police officers and first responders from across the country are expected to attend a regimental funeral for the two officers. Photo: The Canadian Press Judge Brandon Birmingham A former Texas police officer accused of killing a black teenager was angry, out of control and "trigger happy" when he fired at a car full of teenagers while responding to a house party, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday during the ex-officer's murder trial. Ex-Balch Springs officer Roy Oliver's actions were unreasonable on the night he fatally shot 15-year-old Jordan Edwards last year, said Michael Snipes, a Dallas County assistant district attorney. Snipes said Edwards was an "innocent child" and that his last words were "duck, get down." Oliver, who is white, fired his gun into a moving car carrying five black teenagers while responding to a report of underage drinking at the party. Oliver has said he and his partner feared for their lives as the car sped toward them. But Oliver's partner, Tyler Gross, testified Thursday that he did not fear for his life as the vehicle went by and that he never felt the need to fire his weapon. During opening statements, Snipes told jurors Oliver fired at the car after it passed Gross and that Gross was in no danger. Snipes said the prosecution will also show that Edwards and others in the car had nothing to do with shots that were heard outside the house. No guns were found inside the teens' car. Defence attorneys did not make an opening statement on Thursday. They have previously said Edwards' death was a tragedy but evidence would show Oliver "reacted properly." Oliver, 38, joined the Balch Springs department in 2011 but was fired after the fatal shooting, which was thrust into a national conversation about police killings of African Americans. The trial is expected to last about two weeks and highlights the heightened role video evidence plays in high-profile police shootings that have stirred discourse and protests nationwide over issues of race and law enforcement. Its importance was on display Thursday as jurors saw footage captured by body cameras worn by Oliver and Gross the night of the shooting. Footage shows the two officers breaking up a house party, with high-school age kids streaming away from the residence and attempting to avoid mud outside. Police were having a friendly conversation with the party's host when gunfire, later found to be fired near a nursing home, cut the exchange short. Footage shows people screaming outside. Video shows Oliver getting a rifle from his patrol car and going toward Gross, who was trying to get the vehicle to stop. Police footage played for jurors shows the car slowly backing up before driving forward. After firing on the car containing Edwards and the other teens, Oliver can be heard asking Gross if he's all right. Oliver then says the driver of the vehicle tried to hit Gross. Gross testified Thursday that he didn't feel like the vehicle was trying to hit him. Following the shooting, the Balch Springs police chief reported that police video had contradicted his agency's original statement on the incident. Police first said the vehicle backed up toward officers "in an aggressive manner," but police later said video showed the vehicle was moving forward as officers approached. Gross estimates there were dozens of kids coming out of the residence. Gross testified he saw no drunk teens and only saw one beer bottle. He also said there were no indications of violence. Photo: intellectualventures.com Uncertainty, upheaval and unrest, whether caused by politics, economics or forest fires, offer a great opportunity to practise being comfortable with discomfort. Having our lives turned upside down is a wonderful chance for growth. Our default position is security, but Life demands that we be out in the wind and if we insist on hiding, it rips apart our hiding places. Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood dimm'd tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Thats how Irish poet William Butler Yeats described Europe after the First World War, when empires fell, 16 million were killed and another 50 million or so died in the flu pandemic that followed. While were being whipped by hurricane winds, especially if we lose our jobs and homes, we dont appreciate that creation always follows destruction, as the new growth after forest fires so vividly testifies. When we find a situation we like, we want to stop, and resist the upward thrust of life, even when we know were stagnating. Our worms eye view doesnt let us see much beyond our tempest of the moment. All growth is from within, Charles F. Haanel wrote in the Master Key System in 1912. This is evident in all nature. Every plant, every animal, every human is living testimony to this great law, and the error of the ages is in looking for strength or power from without. As the baby boomers stagger into older age, as Donald Trump turns the world political order and the stock market into a frenzy with each tweet, now is a good time to take Haanels advice. Many boomers have examined bank accounts, checked RRSPs, scrutinized pensions. We debated whether we could continue to live the way we planned, keep the old car and visit the in-laws instead of taking a cruise. But did we examine our spiritual investments? Did we dust off our priorities to see if the investments in our beliefs and relationships are giving us the return we want? We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get too tired, read too little, watch too much TV, and pray too seldom, said comedian George Carlin. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. Weve learned how to make a living, but not a life. Political and financial disasters can do wonders for our spiritual life because were often more willing to flow with the universe instead of insisting on doing things our way. When were flying as high as the surging economy or at ease with the political system and the state of world affairs, were too busy having a good time to worry about the inner life, but our attitude quickly changes when the outer world crumbles. Once you deprive a person of their security blanket of materialism, they are left with only themselves, said author Stuart Wilde. Theres a martial arts concept that is effective, but counter-intuitive and difficult to accept: when pushed, pull; when pulled, push. By moving with what is happening, we reduce the threat. But usually we resist even when logic and common sense say surrender. Of course, aging baby boomers staring in horror at their dwindling investments have the experience to accept the new order because they were formed by foment. They came of age in the turmoil of the 60s and 70s when the birth-control pill, the Vietnam War and the civil-rights movement changed the worldview. A song of protest then can be an anthem now. The sentiments Bob Dylan expressed way back then is still true today. The line it is drawn/The curse it is cast The slow one now/Will later be fast As the present now/Will later be past The order is/Rapidly fadin And the first one now/Will later be last For the times they are a-changin Photo: Contributed A North Okanagan man is facing numerous charges stemming from an incident earlier this month. Jordan McCann, 28, of Falkland, has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of motor vehicle, flight from peace officer, driving while prohibited/licence suspended, escape from lawful custody and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said on Aug. 7, just before 7:30 p.m., an RCMP officer conducting routine patrols in Enderby observed a vehicle being driven by a man he believed to be a prohibited driver. The officer radioed other officers in the area, one of whom attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver allegedly veered around the stopped police vehicle onto the shoulder and drove off at a high rate of speed. Police did not pursue, Shoihet said in a press release. The vehicle and driver were located at a residence in the 1900-block of George Street approximately 20 minutes later, where the man was arrested. While being escorted to the police vehicle, the man allegedly broke free from the officers hold and fled on foot, before being captured once again a short distance away. He is scheduled to appear in a Vernon Provincial Court on Aug. 23. Waikato Are you ready for that next step in your career, well we have the job for you! The civil industry is going strong and about... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz On the death of the three-time Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pakistan's PM-designate Imran Khan mourns and paid his condolence, who died on Thursday in AIIMS after suffering from prolonged illness. Remembering Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Politics, Khan said Vajpayee was the tallest leader of the subcontinent who will also know for his efforts to improve India and Pakistan's relationship. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a tall political personality of the subcontinent. His attempts for the betterment of India-Pak relationship will always be remembered. Mr Vajpayee, as a foreign minister, took responsibility of improving India-Pak ties," said Pakistan PM-designate Imran Khan as reported by ANI. #AtalBihariVaajpayee was a tall political personality of the subcontinent.His attempts for the betterment of India-Pak relationship will always be remembered. Mr Vajpayee,as a foreign minister,took responsibility of improving India-Pak ties: Pak PM designate Imran Khan (file pic) pic.twitter.com/NQCWOzLOsw ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018 Not only Pakistan's Imran Khan but condolences also came from Islamabad. In a press release, a spokesperson said: "We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi." "Mr Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. The Government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India," added the press release. 93-year-old Atal Ji was admitted to the AIIMS of 11 June following kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and low urine output, died on Thursday evening at 5:05 pm. His death was confirmed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Mr Vajpayee was kept on life support since last two days in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Atal Ji was a diabetic patient and had only one kidney functional. After the stroke that hit him in the year 2009, his cognitive abilities have also weakened. Later, he also developed dementia. Also read: Video: When late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hugged BJP worker Narendra Modi Bay of Plenty We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz New Zealands newest music, dance and drama showcase for schools, Showquest, has been staged at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua last week marking the fifth regional event nationwide. The Raukura Kapa Haka team, made up of Rotorua Boys and Girls High Schools, opened the evening, presenting the piece that won them the Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition. The other performances featured on the night were St. Marys Primary School in Putaruru, the Rotorua Lakes Performing Arts Company, St. Marys Primary School in Rotorua, and a guest performance from the Brylee Mills Creative Team. The teams choreographed their pieces around themes that are important to them, such as resilience and the poaching of endangered animals. Brylee Mills, who brought the Brylee Mills Creative Team from Auckland for a guest performance, says her team was very proud of their performance on the night. They are super passionate about dancing and performing, and they love any chance they get to do that, she says. To come to the Energy Events Centre and be a part of Showquest was really amazing. Everyone was so welcoming and the team absolutely loved being on stage. The S.T.A.R Award for overall spirit, as voted by Showquest crew on the night, went to John Paul College, whose high school students had helped prepare the pieces for both St. Marys Primary School in Putaruru and St. Marys Primary School in Rotorua. Showquest is being staged in Northland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Auckland. A national online final will name the top entry nationwide in September. Rockquest Promotions, which has 30 years of success with the countrys only live, nationwide school music contest, won the contract from the Ministry of Education earlier this year for a dance and music performance event for schools. Showquest lines up with the curriculum and with NCEA standards across several subject areas, inspiring students to put what theyve learnt into practice in a professional stage setting, with a live audience. GEORGETOWN, N.Y. -- A Liverpool man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Madison County, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Brian L. Livingston, 59, of Liverpool, died at the scene of the accident Wednesday on Route 26 in Georgetown, deputies said in a news release Friday. At approximately 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to a crash at 1769 State Route 26, deputies said. John Anderson, 77, of Georgetown, was driving his 2012 Jeep Patriot northbound on State Route 26 and tried to turn left into a driveway, deputies said. Livingston was riding his 2011 Suzuki motorcycle southbound when Anderson turned in front of him, the two collided, deputies said. Anderson was taken to Community Memorial Hospital, deputies said. The accident is still being investigated, deputies said. BALDWINSVILLE, NY -- New York's biggest brewery is once again opening its doors so visitors can drink some beer, taste some barbecue and mingle with the world's most famous horse team. The Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) plant in the Radisson Business Park off Route 31 near Baldwinsville hosts an open house called the Backyard BBQ from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The family-friendly event is open to all ages. Highlights include the appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdale team from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the opportunity to take a brewmaster-led tour of the brewery. Walk-ins are welcome for the tours. Beer samples, food trucks and live music are available through the day. Music is by The Sisterhood Ban and Levon. At 2 p.m., there's a toast to veterans and members of the armed forces. It's rare for the big brewery near Baldwinsville to open to the public. It hosted a similar open house last year. Of the 12 Anheuser-Busch breweries in the United States, only six are open for regular tours, including the historic original brewery in St. Louis. All are manufacturing facilities, which can make inviting visitors inside difficult. The seldom-visited Baldwinsville plant opened in 1976 as a Schlitz brewery before being taken over by A-B in the early 1980s. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch was taken over by InBev, a Belgium-based global beer conglomerate, creating the new company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. The Baldwinsville brewery makes beers like Budweiser and Bud Light, along with more than 60 others products, from Goose Island and Blue Point "craft" beers to Lime-A-Ritas, Spiked Seltzers and the non-alcoholic Teavana bottled teas. The plant has about 500 employees. Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. The Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse in that state - more than 800 pages detailing the most horrifying and unholy crimes against more than 1,000 children by 300 priests, and the systemic effort to cover it up - shows why the Catholic Church has not been able to put this scandal behind it. The church hierarchy has yet to be held accountable, by itself or by civil society, and survivors of clergy sexual abuse continue to struggle to be seen and heard. The grand jury's review of half a million secret church documents reveals the Pennsylvania church's abject failure to protect children and to punish the clergy members who harmed them. It catalogs a well-oiled strategy for hiding abusers from the faithful and the law, deflecting blame onto the targets of abuse, and denying them the opportunity to seek justice by running out the clock on the statute of limitations. The grand jury called it "a playbook for concealing the truth." The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" in an unusually strong statement calling for accountability "for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops apologized, and said it would change its policies in response to this "moral catastrophe." It was already reeling from a sexual abuse scandal involving Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington, D.C. Sorrow and apologies are not enough. The church must stop standing in the way of legal reforms. Despite the overwhelming evidence of crimes hidden for decades in church archives, the Pennsylvania grand jury could not bring charges against the vast majority of perpetrators. The window for criminal and civil claims had closed long ago. Jurors called for changes in Pennsylvania law to get rid of the criminal statute of limitations, which currently runs out when victims turn 50, to open a window for civil claims against abusers, and to ban non-disclosure agreements. It is even worse in New York, where survivors of child sexual abuse have only five years from the time they turn 18 to bring a criminal complaint, and until age 21 to bring a civil lawsuit. The Pennsylvania grand jury heard from survivors in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, still traumatized by the crimes committed against them. Again, we call on the New York state Legislature to pass the Child Victims Act, which would allow criminal prosecution anytime of a sexually related felony that was committed against a child under age 18. It would extend the statute of limitations for civil claims to 50 years from the date of the offense. The bill also would open a one-year window to allow past victims who were shut out by the statute of limitations to sue. In the past, the Catholic Church vigorously opposed these reforms. It must rethink that position in light of the Pennsylvania grand jury report. The church has shown itself incapable of policing itself. The legal system must step in to the breach. Justice demands it. As the Pennsylvania grand jury wrote, "We want future victims to know they will always have the force of the criminal law behind them, no matter how long they live. And we want future child predators to know they should always be looking over their shoulder -- no matter how long they live." Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to . Read our If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at Roy S. Gutterman is an associate professor and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. By Roy S. Gutterman | Guest columnist When Facebook kicked Alex Jones off its platform last week, it may have opened a new, potentially dangerous door in the digital world where free speech conflicts with good taste, legitimate information and even downright human decency. Jones shot to notoriety through his far-right wing website, InfoWars, which touted outrageous conspiracy theories, misinformation and vitriolic material that many have interpreted as hateful. Though hate speech is neither illegal nor well-defined in the United States, Jones' outrageous and offensive postings have found him removed from Facebook's community of 2.2 billion users. YouTube, Apple and Spotify also excised him last week, and on Tuesday, Twitter suspended Jones for a week after he tweeted a potentially threatening message calling on his supporters to get their "battle rifles" ready. It is not easy to defend Jones' brand of vitriol and conspiracy theories. In the ever-evolving debate over "fake news," misinformation and hate speech, Jones contributes to all three. Some argue that this sort of content adds nothing to the discussion of important public issues and should not have a place in the marketplace of ideas. Elements of that argument may be valid, but it also diminishes the role of such material in the marketplace. It fuels debate, forces us to confront varying and sometimes ugly viewpoints and counter them with more speech. Jones is also the subject of a defamation lawsuit in Texas, brought by families of two children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, which Jones said never happened. Though that is a topic for another day, Jones' banishment from Facebook and other social media platforms raises numerous questions about how far speakers can go in these privately operated, publicly accessible venues. It is important to note that because these social media platforms are not the government, there is no First Amendment issue at play. But social media's ubiquity, its role in our lives and the marketplace of both commerce and ideas, there are questions of what role free speech plays in these online communities. This is not a new argument. In the 1990s, social media's predecessors -- chat rooms and listservs -- portended the future of discourse when speakers and posters began to test the boundaries of both decency and the law. Early legal questions of defamation, harassment and hate speech reared their heads in these new online venues, with some cases reaching the courts. These messy cases often proved difficult to litigate, and speech even more difficult to censor or prevent. Further, Congress granted wide latitude to interactive computer services, sites that would eventually become our social media. In 1996, the Communications Decency Act's Section 230 immunized such websites from a range of liability for the content published by its users. This protection allowed social media to operate without the need for these private companies to monitor every post published by their users. This allowed speech to flourish, explode ... and degenerate. Even with the Facebook ban, Jones will not be without an audience or devoted followers. He still has his website, app and radio platforms and a legion of fans. But Facebook's ban raises concerns, regardless of how civil society may view Jones. By trying to make Facebook a safe space, devoid of offensive or hateful speech, founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is almost single-handedly deciding to silence unpopular speech. In another era, it might not have been so unusual to freeze out a host of speakers and ignore some hot-button, controversial or political issues by not covering them in the newspaper or on television, or closing down editorial pages sympathetic to their causes. This was a dominant tactic in the South during the fight for civil rights, where speakers were both censored and punished for their political views. The internet, however, has equalized the media landscape, providing speakers, writers and consumers with innumerable platforms for expression and communication. Social media is an integral part of the equation. But when a social media behemoth like Facebook decides to ban certain players, no matter how offensive, we are treading precariously close to the slippery slope. Once these platforms start excluding some speakers today, the question is, who will be excluded tomorrow? It has been almost 100 years since Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes brought the marketplace of ideas into wider application in a dissenting opinion in a case involving a small group of socialist-anarchists who were convicted for disseminating material critical of U.S. involvement in World War I. Holmes acknowledged that because of human nature, "persecution for expression of opinion seems to me perfectly logical." Later, he added that debaters "may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas - that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market ..." If we truly believe in free speech, the marketplace of ideas must be open to even the most offensive speakers. More from our guest columnists Filipino Bill Would Extend Corporate Tax Perks For Schools, Hospitals by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 17 August 2018 Filipino non-profit private schools and hospitals that adhere to high standards will continue to enjoy a corporate tax rate of 10 percent if a bill before the House of Representatives is adopted. Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the bill, dubbed the "Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) Bill, would "incentivize" private hospitals and educational institutions to upgrade their quality of service in order to be granted this special tax rate. The bill does not cover religious schools, which are exempt under the Constitution from paying income tax provided they are organized as non-stock, non-profit corporations and no part of their net income belongs or benefits any member, organizer, officer, or person. Chua said the Department of Health will establish the criteria for private hospitals to assess their performance and eligibility for the tax incentive. The TRABAHO Bill provides a transition period for schools and hospitals to improve the quality of service they provide, before subpar institutions are taxed at a higher rate. Switzerland, India To Share Tax Data, Conclude FTA by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 17 August 2018 Officials from Switzerland and India have discussed the automatic exchange of tax information and free trade. Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with Sushma Swaraj, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, in Delhi. The ministers welcomed the entry into force this year of the agreement on the automatic exchange of tax information. Switzerland and India signed a joint declaration on this issue in 2016 and the first exchanges are expected to take place in 2019. According to the Swiss Federal Council, the agreement "is expected to bring an end to recurrent allegations of Switzerland harboring undeclared assets." Switzerland is also seeking a free trade agreement with India through its membership of the European Free Trade Association. India is Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in Asia. Foreign dignitaries have started arriving in India to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will be cremated today with full state honour at Smriti Sthal. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrived in Delhi on Friday morning to attend the funeral of the former Prime Minister. Subsequently, Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali also reached Delhi to pay homage. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on his arrival told ANI, "We remember him for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War and strong support to the people of Bangladesh. He had a great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became the Foreign Minister." Sri Lanka's acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella also reached India. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is also expected to arrive in the national capital to pay their homage to the 'Iron Man' Vajpayee. Mortal remains of the first president of the Bharatiya Janata Party are kept at party headquarters in the capital for people to pay their homage to the departed leader. --ANI Why it matters: If analysts are correct, we could be seeing very significant price drops in SSD and perhaps even DRAM in 2019. The industry is currently facing a very large surplus of NAND flash memory. They say to expect a price correction over the next several quarters. Jim Handy, a market analyst with Objective Analysis, predicts that the flash memory industry is headed for a downward pricing correction in 2019, if not a full-on collapse. If prices crash, we could be looking at NAND prices as low as eight cents per gigabyte. At last weeks Flash Memory Summit, Handy said that even without a full collapse, the downturn will be the biggest price correction in the history of semiconductor products. The Register reports that currently, NAND flash prices are hovering around $0.30/GB. A 66-percent dip would bring SSDs into a more competitive range to HDDs causing cannibalization leading to a downturn for some manufacturers like Seagate and Western Digital. Manufacturers could allocate more NAND to producing DRAM, but this, in turn, would result in an oversupply in that sector. Some 70 percent of total industry flash is 3D NAND, with the remainder the older 2D or planar NAND. This manufacturing capacity could be migrated to making DRAM instead this could result in DRAM capacity over-supply in the future. Howard Marks, chief scientist with Deep StorageNet, who also spoke at the summit said that a five-times differentiation in the cost per gigabyte between enterprise SSDs and HDDs would be sufficient to cause cannibalization. [Currently,] enterprise SSDs stand at ~15-17x $/GB premium relative to nearline/high-cap enterprise HDDs, Marks pointed out. If Handys predictions pan out, the industry could be in for a 25-percent price reduction in NAND and a 75-percent drop for nearline/high-cap SSDs. This could result in significant stock valuation shifts for some manufacturers. For instance, Seagates revenues come primarily from disk drive and nearline/high-cap sales. Currently, its shares are selling for $51.42. A Goldman Sachs analyst told The Register, cannibalization could cause its stock to dip to around $44/share. Western Digital derives about half its revenue from flash, so is less susceptible to disk cannibalization. However, it is more exposed than Seagate to a NAND pricing collapse, said the analysts. No matter what it looks like the SSD consumer will be the winner in the end. I, for one, welcome lower SSD prices. What just happened? For all the years that its been riding high in the Steam and console charts, GTA Vs online element has been plagued by cheaters. Its a problem Rockstar has fought back against in various ways. Now, parent company Take-Two Interactive has been granted a preliminary injunction to stop a man selling GTA V cheat programs. From outright bans to emptying perpetrators' virtual bank accounts, Rockstar has used different ways to tackle those who break the rules, but Take-Two decided to go after one of the sources. It accused David Zipperer of selling the Menyoo and Absolute programs that help GTA V players cheat by giving them extra benefits and allowing the alteration of other players gameplay. Take-Two said Zipperer ceased communications with the company when it asked him to stop selling the programs. It then sued the Ellabell, Georgia, man in federal court back in March. Yesterday, District Judge Louis Stanton in Manhattan sided with the gaming giant. As per Reuters, Stanton said Take-Two was likely to show that Zipperer infringed its Grand Theft Auto V copyright. He added that the programs could damage the companys sales and reputation as people could be discouraged from buying its games. The judge said the injunction was appropriate as the unemployed Zipperer could not afford to pay damages. An unfair competition claim against Zipperer was dismissed. In its original complaint, Take-Two said Menyoo and Absolute have resulted in it losing at least $500,000. The company has promised to take legal actions to avoid disruptions to its online gaming community. Abuse & Cancer Survivor Turns Misery into Ministry Contact: Debbie Roth, 952-412-6311, debbie@restinhimministry.com ENUMCLAW, Wash., Aug. 17, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Debbie Roth suffered abuse, neglect, rape, and betrayal at the hands of people she trusted. Drenched in pain and anger, she hid her misery for years, refusing to acknowledge its existence. When a fresh storm raged through her life, the dam holding back the pain of her past broke open. In her new book, Drenched: Only Hope in the Storm, Roth shares stories from her life and the scriptures that helped her persevere toward healing and hope. "Perseverance is not just gritting our teeth," she says. "Perseverance involves action." Through examples and applicable Bible passages, Roth instructs readers in how they can: recognize and acknowledge pain; understand God's forgiveness, grace, and mercy; apply God's forgiveness to those who may never ask for it; trust God's promises of comfort, peace, rest, and hope; be refreshed and enabled to truly worship God; and turn misery into ministry. Moments of guided reflection in each chapter invite readers to seek God's presence, experience release from pain, anger, and unforgiveness, and be drenched instead by the healing comfort of God's love. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Debbie Roth is the founder of Rest In Him Ministry as well as a paraprofessional who works in a transitional school for young adults with special needs. A vocal coach, singer, speaker, author, wife, mother, and grandmother, Debbie lives in Rosemount, Minnesota, with her husband and two dogs. Connect with Debbie Roth on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/debbieroth.restinhimministry Twitter: twitter.com/Hope55Deb Instagram: www.instagram.com/dabldo2004/ Blog: debbieroth.wordpress.com/ For review copies and media interviews, contact: Debbie Roth (952) 412-6311 debbie@restinhimministry.com NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, a former Republican congressman, conveys his full support of the future military Space Force as proposed by President Donald Trump in June. Trump has appointed Bridenstine as NASA administrator in 2017. The senate confirmed his appointment in April. On Aug. 9, Vice President Mike Pence officially announced that the Defense Department will establish a sixth branch of the armed forces the U.S. Department of the Space Force by 2020. The One Condition Bridenstine was with the president when the latter first called for the establishment of a new military unit that would be known as the Space Force. On Aug. 13, the NASA administrator reiterated his backing of the proposed new military tranche. He, however, highlighted an important demarcation. While a Space Force will be beneficial for the United States, he believes that the military unit should have a role completely separated from NASA. The space agency should be entirely focused on science missions, space exploration, and technology development, he said. NASA should maintain its independence from defense capabilities and national security issues, Bridenstine underscored. The NASA administrator was speaking in New Orleans while touring the Michoud Assembly Center, where crews are working in support of the next moon and Mars mission. Meanwhile, President Trump had mentioned the importance of the Space Force as he signed the $716 billion defense policy bill for the fiscal year 2019 on Monday. In his speech for the occasion, he said the United States lags behind its rivals in terms of technological capabilities. The president alleged that China and other nations have already established their respective military space organizations with technologies that can disrupt satellites, jamming transmissions during battlefield operations. "Our foreign adversaries and competitors have already begun weaponizing space. I've seen things that you don't even want to see, what they're doing, and how advanced they are," Trump said. Sixth Branch Of The Armed Forces During his Aug. 9 announcement, Pence said Defense will follow critical steps toward establishing the Space Force. First, a U.S. Space Command will be created. This will be followed by the establishment of the Space Operations Force and then the Space Development Agency. The vice president noted that advances in space technology displayed by other nations were clear indications that space is the new battlefield for the 21st century. Through the Space Force, the country will hopefully address threats brought by the emerging new battlefield. "For many years, nations from Russia and China to North Korea and Iran have pursued weapons to jam, blind and disable our navigation and communications satellites via electronic attacks from the ground. But recently, our adversaries have been working to bring new weapons of war into space itself," Pence highlighted in his speech. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Scientists have figured out how to rapidly create lab-made magnesite, a mineral capable of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a possible global warming solution. People simply need to look at nature to see the signs of global warming, and how the phenomenon is affecting them. Magnesite will likely not prevent climate change by itself, but as things worsen for the Earth, scientists continue to desperately seek solutions. Cheap And Quick Way To Make Magnesite Magnesite, which is capable of sucking and storing carbon dioxide, has the potential to be a global warming solution. The mineral may remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for long-term storage, and combined with measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, may slow or even reverse the effects of climate change. Magnesite may be combined with carbon sequestration, a process in which carbon is injected and stored underground, usually in depleted gas and oil fields. A tonne of natural magnesite may remove half a tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but the problem is that magnesite's rate of formation in the environment is very slow. According to project leader Ian Power, a professor from Trent University in Ontario, magnesite's natural formation takes hundreds to thousands of years on the Earth's surface. To make magnesite a more feasible global warming solution, Power and his team discovered a way to make the mineral in the lab cheaper and faster. Using polystyrene microspheres as the catalyst, the researchers were able to create magnesite within 72 days. The microspheres themselves do not undergo any changes in the process, so they can be reused to make more magnesite. Finding a way to create magnesite on an industrial scale is still a far cry from deploying the mineral to help the fight against global warming. However, reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is considered the most effective way of preventing the worsening of climate change, so the research into magnesite is an important step in preserving the Earth. Global Warming Getting Worse In July, a new study suggested that global warming may be twice as hot as climate models have previously projected, with the polar ice caps collapsing and the Sahara Desert turning green. A more recent study, meanwhile, claimed that Earth is falling into a "hothouse" state that will threaten the planet's habitability for humans, with sea levels that rise up to 200 feet higher than current levels. Magnesite will not solve all the climate change problems, but the Earth will need all the help that it can get. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Heat waves do not just happen on land. Even the oceans are not spared from the phenomenon and are currently experiencing breaking temperature records. Scientists reported that off the coast in San Diego, they have found record-breaking seawater temperatures, which is the highest it has been since daily measurements began in 1916. "Just like we have heat waves on land, we also have heat waves in the ocean," stated Art Miller of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Increased Heat Wave Cases The number of "marine heat waves" almost alarmingly doubled between 1982 and 2016. A study published on Aug. 15 affirmed that similar cases are expected to be more prevalent and high as the Earth becomes warmer. "This trend will only further accelerate with global warming," said Thomas Frolicher, author of the research. Frolicher is also a climate scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland. According to Frolicher's team, marine heat waves are intense events that happen when the sea-surface temperature goes beyond the 99th percentile of measurements for a certain location. Oceans notably absorb and release heat slower rate than air. Because of this, heat waves in the ocean last for several days, or even for weeks at times. "We knew that average temperatures were rising. What we haven't focused on before is that the rise in the average comes at you in clumps of very hot days -- a shock of several days or weeks of very high temperatures," confirmed Michael Oppenheimer, a Princeton University climate scientist. Dangers Of Marine Heat Waves Although many sea critters, bat rays, lobsters, and other free-swimming animals can get away with it, heat waves still pose a threat to the ocean because long warm periods can still be very damaging to stationary marine life such as kelp forests and coral reefs. Notably, around half of the Great Barrier Reef's shallow water corals died because of the high ocean temperatures in 2016 and 2017. The coral reefs are crucial for the lives of many creatures. The research has based its findings on a satellite data and records of sea-surface temperatures that were obtained from buoys and ships. However, it did not involve the intense 79.5 degrees Fahrenheit that was measured off Scripps Pier in San Diego. Miller spotted a school of bat rays off the pier this month. These animals usually gather in warm water. This drove the researcher to speculate that something was already happening. Furthermore, variations in ocean circulation in warm water surfaces usually result in decreased production of phytoplankton, the important organisms that shape the basis of the food web in the sea. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple, known for its obsession for security in its devices, was hacked by a high school student who was able to steal 90 GB of secure files and accessed customer accounts in the process. The 16-year-old hacker, who happened to be a huge fan of Apple, then stored the proof of his activities in a folder named "hacky hack hack." Australian High School Student Hacks Apple Apple's servers are considered to be unhackable, but apparently, a 16-year-old student from Australia has proven everybody wrong. He even went on WhatsApp to brag about it. The teenager was able to infiltrate Apple's servers for around a year and steal 90 GB worth of secure files, which he then placed in a folder named "hacky hack hack" in one of his laptops. The young hacker, who may not be identified by name due to legal reasons, as he is still a minor, hacked Apple because he was a big fan of the company, his lawyer said, according to a report by The Age. He used VPNs to hide his identity and had access to authorized keys that granted log-in access to users. When Apple detected the repeated incidents of unauthorized access, it reported the security breach to the FBI. The investigation traced the source of the hacks to Australia, prompting the Australian Federal Police to join the case. The authorities were able to acquire a warrant to raid the teenager's home, where they found evidence of his hacking activities. A prosecutor at the teenager's hearing stated that the police found two MacBooks with serial numbers that matched the devices that were able to access Apple's servers. The police were also able to seize a hard drive and a mobile phone, which also had an IP address that matched the security breaches. The 16-year-old, who is well known in the hacking community, has pleaded guilty and is now facing criminal charges. However, after everything passes, it may be wise for Apple to give the teenager a job offer. Apple's Future Plans Apple has not revealed what kind of files the 16-year-old hacker was able to steal. Could they be related to the company's future plans? Recently reported Apple rumors include dual-sim iPhones and cheaper MacBooks slated for release this December. Famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also recently predicted that Apple will release augmented reality glasses by 2020 and the Apple Car between 2023 and 2025. With the stolen files kept under wraps, we may never know if the teenager was able to acquire information that will confirm or debunk these rumors. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Accessibility features are a crucial yet often neglected part of developing effective user interfaces for all. Apple has arguably been the most prominent of all manufacturers on this front, having included special interface tweaks back in the early years of iOS. Not only that, but Apple also developed technology in 2013 to let iPhone users pair third-party hearing aids via Bluetooth, which means users with hearing impairments have been able to use their iPhones without hassle for half a decade now. Android Accessibility Features The same thing can't be said for Android, on the other hand. The Verge notes that fragmentation the fact that not all users are running the latest version of Google's operating system has made it difficult for hearing aid manufacturers to provide support outside of iPhones. That changes now. Google has announced that it's working to bring native hearing aid support on Android, and is trying to make it easier for manufacturers to bring their hearing aid devices work seamlessly on the platform. Google Announces ASHA Protocol For Hearing Aid Support On Android The Mountain View company is working with Danish hearing aid company GN Hearing to develop a new hearing aid protocol for Android phones called Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids, or ASHA. The protocol aims to provide high-quality audio streaming with low latency, but also be battery-efficient at the same time. "ASHA is designed to have a minimal impact on battery life with low-latency while maintaining a high quality audio experience for users who rely on hearing aids," said Google. "We look forward to continually evolving the spec to even better meet the needs of our users." With ASHA, deaf users will be able to pair their hearing aids with Android without using a middleman device. Think of it as Bluetooth but for hearing aids, and connecting these devices to one's phone will be as easy as connecting Bluetooth headphones. Google has provided details of the ASHA protocol online for any developer's perusal. ReSound LiNX Quattro and Beltone Amaze will be the first hearing aid devices to come with native Android support, GN Hearing has confirmed, to be enabled via an upcoming software update. Google notes that nearly 500 million in the world currently have disabling hearing loss, citing data from the World Health Organization. This number is expected to balloon to 900 million by 2050. As such, it's crucial that the most used operating system in the world offers an easy way to support hearing aids. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When a man tried to illegally catch an alligator by hand, the reptile fought back and sent the poacher to the hospital, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Barry Pedigo, 59, of Pensacola, Florida, and Logan Madere, 28, of Westwego, had been in Burns Point Park in St. Mary Parish. Pedigo was bitten "multiple times" by a 4-foot, 8-inch alligator as he tried to capture it with his bare hands, LDWF officials wrote in a news release. Madere was able to kill the animal, and Pedigo was taken for treatment at Lafayette General Hospital. Wildlife agents were tipped off to the incident and found the dead alligator. LDWF did not indicate when the incident happened. Both men were cited Wednesday for possessing an alligator during the closed season, which is punishable by up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. The state may also impose a civil restitution of $375.80 "for the replacement value of the alligator," the release states. Opponents of giving industries breaks on their school property taxes in Louisiana have publicly requested a meeting with the CEO of ExxonMobil and asked that he withdraw all pending tax exemption requests. The tax exemptions in question would cost East Baton Rouge Parish public schools $6.2 million in lost revenue, yet would play no role as an incentive, seven groups said in a letter to Darren Woods, chief executive officer and chairman of the energy giant. The projects for which these exemptions are being sought already were completed in March 2017, nearly 18 months ago. The seven groups announced the letter to Woods at a news conference Thursday in front of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Office. Were operating at a deficit. Teachers did not get a pay raise and have not gotten one in 10 years, said Angela Reams-Brown, president of one of the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers. The letter was signed by Reams as well as the heads of Together Baton Rouge, the East Baton Rouge Association of Educators, the Baton Rouge Education Coalition, One Community One School District, the Louisiana School Bus Operators Association Inc., and Service Employees International Union. The outstanding exemption requests cover $152 million worth of property. In a response Thursday, ExxonMobil noted that $152 million is just part of $269 million in total investment the corporate giant has made in Baton Rouge, helping to preserve its status as the largest taxpayer in the parish and the state. Out of the total 2017 investment, we anticipate to generate new property tax revenue of $7.9 million over 10 years, $15.2 million over 20 years, and $20.6 million over 30 years, said Stephanie Cargile, a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil. Cargile acknowledged that the projects in question are finished, though she said they were completed not in March 2017 but in late 2017: They are crucial to the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Complex staying competitive for future capital investment and growth in the Gulf Coast region. 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 ExxonMobil is retaining 2,500 direct jobs with its 207 ITEP-eligible projects as well as spurring the hiring of 3,000 private contractors, Cargile said. Together Louisiana, a coalition of faith-based groups and community activists, is the only group in the coalition not exclusively devoted to education issues. It has led a campaign to scale back the states 81-year-old Industrial Tax Exemption Program, or ITEP. Adam Knapp, CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, in a written statement Thursday night blasted the coalition: "The continued irresponsible, anti-business rhetoric from organizations like the Federation of Teachers is damaging to the job climate in Baton Rouge. Its also disingenuous. Statewide officials, local elected leaders, and citizens value the many investments of ExxonMobil in the Baton Rouge community are supportive of their continued growth and success here locally and throughout Louisiana." For years under ITEP, state government relieved corporations from having to pay for up to 10 years the property taxes that parish and municipal governments use to fund local services. And the state did so without much input from local officials. +2 What do new Industrial Tax Exemption Program rules mean? More power to states, tax authorities A state board gave final approval Wednesday to changes in the handling of a controversial 80-year-old tax break for manufacturers. Under new ITEP procedures, the state still vets ITEP applications, but local taxing authorities can say yea or nay to the tax breaks within a 30-to-60-day window. The new rules also allow local governments to start collecting at least some property taxes immediately rather than waiting six years, as they do now, or 11 years, which was what ITEP had imposed for decades. +2 Teachers union says industrial tax exemptions costing too much for East Baton Rouge schools Telling stories of busted printers, teachers paying for fields trips out of pocket, and parents fundraising all the time for their schools, a Brod Bagert, lead organizer with Together Baton Rouge, said he got a call Thursday afternoon from an ExxonMobil representative, the first time more than in a year. We agreed to meet and talk about this locally, he said, but he said he and others are willing to go further and travel to Irving, Texas, and talk to CEO Woods directly in hopes of bridging the impasse on this issue. PORT ALLEN A judge on Friday cleared the way for West Baton Rouge Parish to complete its 5-mile walking/bike trail on the Mississippi River levee, a project that some landowners have tried to stop from going forward. "The levees are open for business," attorney Tony Clayton said shortly after walking out the courtroom Friday with a permanent restraining order to keep the adjacent property owners from blocking access to the levee. West Baton Rouge Parish President Riley Pee Wee Berthelot said he's pleased with the decision and thinks the case will set legal precedent going forward as more town, cities and governing bodies seek to turn their levee tops into recreational trails. Clayton was one of two attorneys representing the parish, which in October asked the court to intervene after after several landowners used their vehicles and locked gates and made verbal threats to block contractors from accessing the parts of their properties that abutted the levee system. The section of the levee involved is south of the Intracoastal Canal. The parish sought a permanent injunction to prevent the landowners from interfering with the work, which Judge Alvin Batiste granted on Friday in a ruling from the bench. Batiste said the parish was within its rights to build the path through a cooperative endeavor agreement it brokered with the Atchafalaya Basin Levee District, which is the governing authority that oversees the maintenance of the levee system within its eight-parish jurisdiction. And the public has a right to access and use the path since the state Legislature wouldn't have bestowed the levee board with the authority to construct walking trails and bike paths along the levee top without the intention of them being used, Batiste said. Levee board seeks clearer legal picture in allowing bike paths, walking trails along Atchafalaya Basin levee The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District board is temporarily backing off from approving construction for bike paths and/or walking trails along t "The judge was spot on," Clayton said after Friday's hearing. "This is a great day for West Baton Rouge Parish. Now kids and their parents can safely walk and bike on probably one of the safest and most beautiful sites in the parish. And no one can interfere, harass or intimidate anyone from enjoying the top of the levee." Attorney John Crawford, who represents plandowners Joseph Tullier, Rae Tullier, Barton Tullier and Phillip Debenedetto, said he was disappointed with the judge's ruling. He gave no indication as to whether they had plans to appeal the decision. 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 will respect his decision," Crawford said. Judge's ruling may doom West Baton Rouge's plans for levee trail and bike path PORT ALLEN There's a chance West Baton Rouge Parish won't be able to complete its 5-mile recreational trail and bike path along the Mississi The legal arguments in the case touched on conflicting state law and attorney general opinions regarding the rights of landowners with property along the Mississippi levee system. Crawford characterized the state law concerning bike/walking trails along the levee as an infringement on the constitutional rights of landowners. Although levee board are granted certain rights with respect to the upkeep and maintenance of the Louisiana levee system, Crawford said, the levees are still private property. Crawford also contended the parish did not meet the requirements of its 2012 agreement with the levee board specifically the part that required the parish get permission from the landowners before it began the work on construction of the trail. Berthelot said that it was never the parish's intention to take anyone's property. We just wanted to provide a safe recreational space for our residents to bike and walk, Berthelot said. Batiste's ruling now gives the parish authority to put the finishing touches on the trail, which extends through parts of Brusly and Addis, and open it fully to the public. The judge who ordered a Baton Rouge woman to spend 40 years behind bars in the horrific 2014 bedsore-related death of her 82-year-old mother has refused to reduce the sentence. State District Judge Mike Erwin in May sentenced Joleslie Looney, 56, to the maximum prison time possible for manslaughter in the death of Bessie Looney. This week, the judge signed an order denying her motion for reconsideration of the sentence. +4 Baton Rouge woman seeks reduction of 40-year sentence in bedsore-related death of 82-year-old mom A Baton Rouge woman sentenced to 40 years in the horrific 2014 bedsore-related death of her 82-year-old mother is asking a state judge to redu Looneys trial attorney, Stephen Sterling, argued that the 40-year term was excessive for a woman who had never before been in trouble with the law. The judge, who said he seriously considered all the evidence presented at her trial and sentencing hearing, wrote that the punishment he imposed is within the statutory parameters for the crime of manslaughter. Joleslie Looneys daughter, Lauren Looney, 21, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and was sentenced in April to five years in prison. She was 17 when her grandmother died. +2 Granddaughter sentenced in 82-year-old Baton Rouge woman's bedsore-related death A 21-year-old Baton Rouge woman was sentenced to five years in prison Friday in the horrific, bedsore-related death of her 82-year-old grandmo Bessie Looney was found dead in their North Acadian Thruway West home strapped in a wheelchair. She was caked in human waste and covered with severely infected bedsores. 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 Sterling said Friday the Louisiana Appellate Project will handle Joleslie Looneys appeal of her conviction and sentence. He said the conviction sets a bad precedent, but he believes a higher court will give her some relief. Sterling said Bessie Looneys daughter and granddaughter were trying to take care of a loved one, but because that care was deemed inadequate they were held criminally liable. When Sterling filed the sentence reconsideration motion, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III responded by saying Joleslie Looneys actions and neglect amounted to a death sentence for her mother. We believe that the court made the appropriate decision based on the facts of this case, Moore said Friday in response to Erwins ruling. +2 Baton Rouge woman sentenced to 40 years in 82-year-old mother's bedsore-related death The judge who sentenced a Baton Rouge woman to 40 years in prison Thursday in the gruesome 2014 bedsore-related death of her 82-year-old mothe East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark classified Bessie Looneys death as a homicide, saying she died from a blood infection caused by the infected bedsores. He also determined that malnutrition, dementia and heart disease were contributing factors in her death. At Joleslie Looneys sentencing, Erwin said the case affected him more than any other case in his 27-plus years on the bench. A new Innovation Network that aims to turn around the lowest-performing public schools in Baton Rouge now has an executive director and it has a Boston-based consulting firm to help shape what the network is going to look like. Cleo Perry is leading the new network, in the process giving up his longtime job as principal of Crestworth Elementary School. +2 Brusly, North Vermilion educators win top honors in state teacher, principal of the year awards Teachers from high schools in Brusly and Hammond, and principals of schools in Vermilion Parish and in Baton Rouge were among 48 educators who Perry, the 2017 elementary school principal of the year, has presided over steady improvement at the north Baton Rouge elementary school, which has a B academic letter grade from the state. Perry will work initially with 13 schools with D and F letter grades. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my colleagues to share strategies and help create successful schools, Perry told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, which gave him a warm reception Thursday. The board, however, was less welcoming to Empower Schools. After much discussion, the board agreed to give the Boston consulting firm a one-year $160,000 contract. The vote was 5-1-1, with board member Vereta Lee voting no and board member Kenyetta Nelson-Smith abstaining. Board member Connie Bernard and Dawn Collins were absent. Nelson-Smith asked a lot of questions from Quentina Timoll, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, but did not come away satisfied with the answers. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up I dont know what the goal is for this company, said Nelson-Smith. Timoll said the firm will work solely with leaders of district-run schools to help them improve their schools. She said they wont work with the handful of charter schools in town with D and F letter grades. (Empower Schools) are facilitators of a process to develop the constructs of the Innovation Network, Timoll said. East Baton Rouge considers how best to spend over $2 million on its lowest performing schools As it readies to start spending millions on improving its lowest-performing schools, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board received a lot o Hiring the consulting firm is a requirement for $2.2 million in federal funds the school system was awarded in June for improving the districts lowest-performing schools. The state Department of Education provided districts a menu of consultants with track records of success for applicants to choose from. Timoll said Empower Schools is one of three consultants that specialize in transformation zones in urban school districts. Timoll said the grant contemplated paying Empower more money, but the school district narrowed the scope of work and the price. She said they visited Thursday with school leaders and will come back once a month. Nelson-Smith expressed concern about what she viewed as Empowers limited experience. Timoll said the schools Empower worked with are similar to the schools it will work with in Baton Rouge. She promised to give Nelson-Smith more information on the companys track record and what it plans to do in Baton Rouge. Former Gov. Bobby Jindal says he thinks that the media is treating President Donald Trump unfairly, as the president continues to ramp up his anti-press rhetoric. "The media has gone so shrill with President Trump ... They are so shrill that the only people watching and reading some of these networks now are liberal activists," Jindal said during an appearance on Your World with Neil Cavuto on Thursday. "You wake up the next day and things are going fine." More than 350 newspapers across the country published editorials Thursday refuting Trump's labeling of the news media as the "enemy of the people." That prompted another early-morning series of tweets from the president swatting at what he deems as "fake news." Did ex-Gov. Bobby Jindal narrowly escape Borat-like mockery in new Showtime show? Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal may have luckily escaped the embarrassment that Sarah Palin is facing this week after the former Alaska gov But Jindal, who also sought the GOP nomination for president and was known to take personal jabs at Trump (At one point in the campaign, Jindal said of Trump's signature coif: "He looks like he's got a squirrel sitting on his head."), said that he thinks the media has saturated the airwaves with breathless reports of bad news. "It's like living in 'Groundhog Day' -- It's the same thing every day," Jindal said. "I think when the media attacks Trump, his voters look at him and say 'I'm glad you're fighting back.'" Jindal, 47, was a regular fixture on Fox News programs during his time as governor, but he has maintained a relatively lower profile since leaving office in January 2016. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up He now works for a global investment firm, writes monthly policy columns for the Wall Street Journal and is a paid speaker. The Cavuto appearance may be another signal that Jindal, once seen as a GOP policy wunderkind, is growing more eager to court the national spotlight again. Jindal told Cavuto on Thursday that he agrees with Trump's decision to revoke security clearance for former CIA director John Brennan. Ex-Gov. Bobby Jindal: Trump's 'style is part of his substance,' GOP needs to focus on voter priorities For the second time in as many weeks, former Gov. Bobby Jindal has graced the pages of the Wall Street Journal's opinion section to give his t "I think a lot of these former officials should give up their clearances," Jindal said. "The government will go on just fine without them." Jindal also addressed the ongoing probe into Russia's meddling in the presidential election. He said he believes that Russia tried to impact the outcome, but he doesn't believe it's been proven that the efforts were successful. "I've not seen evidence of that," he said. "For the left they have already made up their minds. They want to impeach him before the facts are in." United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and Mexico's Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal turns away after greet each other after opening statements of the First Round of NAFTA negotiations held at Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C., United States of America on Aug, 16, 2017. (Ting Shen/Xinhua/Sipa USA) ORG XMIT: 1222365 A food supplier that had its brand name featured at local restaurants and had started making Louisianas wild boar problem into a promising new menu item has shut down. In the wake of the closure, the owners of a LaPlace andouille purveyor that had invested in the business are accusing its owner of fraud. Two Run Farm became a prominent player in the regions modern farm-to-table movement, supplying beef, lamb and other meats to top-tier restaurants in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The brand was marketed as sustainably raised, grass-fed meat. Chefs frequently touted the Two Run Farm name on their menus to signify local sourcing for their burgers, lamb shanks and steaks. More recently, the brand pivoted to become Charlie Sausage. It made a smoked sausage with meat from wild hogs under a new state program designed to help combat the ecological havoc caused by the invasive species. But Two Run Farms and its affiliated Springfield Slaughter House in Livingston Parish have gone out of business, according to state records, and Charlie Sausage is off the market. The closure means no facility is now producing commercial boar meat in Louisiana. Charlie Munford, the founder of Two Run Farm and namesake of Charlie Sausage, could not be reached for comment. Now, the owners of a company affiliated with Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse & Restaurant in LaPlace have filed a lawsuit against Munford in federal court. Theyre accusing him of fraud and breach of contract, and theyve asked for a jury trial to determine damages. The suit was filed by Jarred Zeringue and Mathew Moreland, who also own the French Quarter restaurant EAT, which had been a longtime client of Two Run Farms. In 2015, the two bought Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse & Restaurant, part of a circuit of traditional butcher shops around LaPlace known for andouille sausage. (Others in close proximity are Bailey's Andouille and Jacob's World Famous Andouille, which is unrelated to Wayne Jacob's.) Andouille is a staple ingredient for many Louisiana dishes, and the style produced in the River Parishes is a prized regional heritage product. Much thicker and smokier than the versions commonly available in groceries, it imparts deep flavor to gumbos, jambalayas and stews. Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse, which dates to the 1950s, uses shed-like cypress smokehouses to finish its andouille. That is part of its traditional process, but with modern regulation it also limits its distribution. The butcher shop is permitted by the state to sell its sausage at its own retail location, but it does not have the U.S. Department of Agriculture certification needed to distribute more broadly. In a bid to expand, Zeringue and Moreland created a separate company, Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse Distribution. Through this company they bought a 20 percent equity stake in Forest Free Range, owned by Munford, for $320,000. In an interview, Zeringue said their goal was to create a wholesale line of sausage through Munfords operation that would be sold at restaurants and groceries, while maintaining their own retail sausage production at their own LaPlace shop. The operation at Wayne Jacob's Restaurant & Smokehouse remains unchanged. The expansion plans with Munford, however, soon went awry. In their lawsuit, Zeringue and Moreland tell the court their investment was based on Two Run Farms client list of 200 restaurants, its fleet of five delivery vans and Munfords claim to them that his Springfield Slaughter House was fast tracked for USDA approval. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The Two Run Farm business model they invested in changed in 2017 as Munford shifted from restaurant distribution to making Charlie Sausage. He sold the delivery trucks, they say, and the USDA approval never came through. In September, Wayne Jacobs Distribution did get two batches of andouille through the deal. This was distributed around New Orleans to Theos pizza restaurants, Dorignacs Food Center and Breaux Mart grocery stores. But the Springfield Slaughter House where it was produced soon shut down. When we invested there were over 200 restaurants on his client list, but 18 months later he was out of business, said Zeringue. The Springfield Slaughter House, tucked away in piney woods about halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is a throwback to the days of small rural processing plants that once served local farmers. For a time, however, Munford turned it into the hub of an innovative state program designed to monetize wild hog meat and encourage trappers to catch more of the animals. Feral hogs ransack crops, and as they root for underground food their burly snouts can damage delicate coastal marshland. They were blamed for an estimated $74 million in damage to Louisiana farms in 2013, according to an LSU AgCenter study. In 2015, the state created a new inspection system to get wild hog into the commercial marketplace. Munford worked with the state to set up the process. Trappers could sell live wild hogs directly to his facility, where they were killed and their meat was packaged for sale to restaurants and markets. In the culinary realm, wild hog is generally called wild boar (though boar technically refers to the male only). This Louisiana product found an eager audience among restaurant chefs, who often praise its rich flavor. It began to appear on more local menus, baked onto pizzas, cooked into pasta sauces and made into charcuterie. In October, a message posted to a Facebook page for Springfield Slaughter House explained it was unable to continue the wild hog slaughter program at Springfield due to business concerns, though the message left the door open to possibly resuming production elsewhere. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture & Forestry, which created the boar program, confirmed that with the closure there are no state-inspected facilities processing wild boar in Louisiana. Local chefs who used the boar products say theyre now trying to find other suppliers. For instance, the New Orleans restaurant Carmo went all in for boar, using it to replace practically all the domesticated pork on its menu. Chef Dana Honn said he's now looking at sources in Texas, which has similar programs to bring wild hogs to market. Meanwhile, Zeringue said he and his partner are still looking at other avenues to get wider distribution for their andouille. Aretha Franklin was not from New Orleans. But that didnt make her ineligible for a memorial second-line parade Thursday night in the Treme neighborhood. At 8 p.m., hours after the world learned the 76-year-old Queen of Soul had died in Detroit of pancreatic cancer, the procession set out from trumpeter Kermit Ruffins Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge on North Claiborne Avenue. Ruffins himself was not there; hes on tour. But a variety pack of musicians drawn from multiple brass bands New Birth, the Stooges, the Truth joined forces to propel the procession, which was promoted on social media by the Sidewalk Steppers Social Aide & Pleasure Club. Can't see video below? Click here. As a light sprinkle threatened, the musicians fired up the second-line standard Ill Fly Away underneath the Interstate 10 expressway. A rendering of the late Ernie K-Doe, the Mother-in-Law Lounges previous proprietor, gazed down from an overpass column. The procession headed south on Columbus Street, then turned right on North Robertson. Three hundred or so marchers filled the narrow street. Whats this for, bruh? asked a man on the sidewalk. With such short notice, most marchers didn't have time to create memorial banners or signs specific to Franklin. However, Donald Isom and Cedrick Sweetwyne wore matching memorial shirts bearing her likeness, which they'd had printed up that afternoon. Otherwise, there was no indication of the event's honoree. That didnt stop the half-dozen occupants of a short-term rental property in the 1200 block of North Robertson from gleefully assembling on their porch, smiling, dancing and filming the procession with their cellphones from behind a locked fence. This was a spontaneous second-line of the sort usually reserved for local musicians or Saints owner Tom Benson. There was no parade permit or police escort. The majority of the marchers seemed to come from the surrounding neighborhood. After crossing Esplanade Avenue, the marchers turned north on St. Philip Street. As they ended up back on North Claiborne, the music and dancing intensified with the Mardi Gras Indian anthem Lets Go Get Em. A man in a wheelchair rocked back and twirled in tight circles. Someone else grooved on crutches. Another man rolled along Esplanade Avenue, stopping just before he crossed into the traffic lanes of Claiborne. On a humid night, most everyone sported a sheen of sweat. After 45 nonstop minutes of music, the musicians including trumpeter Derrick Shezbie and trombonist Revert "Peanut" Andrews paused briefly, before firing up Ill Fly Away again for the final stretch back to the Mother-in-Law Lounge. In the center of the scrum of brass was vocalist Tonya Boyd-Cannon, singing the second-lines unofficial refrain: Roll for Aretha! As the parade disbanded outside the lounge, New Birth Brass Band snare drummer Kerry Hunter, a veteran of more than 30 years on the streets and stages of New Orleans and beyond, explained his motivation for spending Thursday night drumming in Franklins honor. She was the Mahalia Jackson of our era, Hunter said. I never caught Mahalia Jackson, but I caught Aretha. Years ago, the New Birth Brass Band performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands on the same day as Franklin. They encountered the Queen of Soul backstage; she invited them to her dressing room. As Hunter recalled, When she found out we were from New Orleans, she said, Yall come on in, boys. Thursday nights parade was almost certainly not the last second-line in Franklins honor, Hunter said: Itll probably be bigger tomorrow. Charles Rice, the president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, will step down after eight years at the helm as the utility's parent company looks to repair its bruised reputation among local residents and officials. A source familiar with the situation on Thursday confirmed Rice's impending departure, which follows this spring's revelation that one of Entergy's contractors hired actors last year to voice support at City Council meetings for plans to build a new power plant in New Orleans East. Rod West, Entergy Corp.'s group president for utility operations, made a rare appearance before the council's Utility Committee on Thursday, detailing Entergy New Orleans' plans to address frequent power outages and add solar power capacity, steps council members have been demanding. Asked about Rice's status after the meeting, West declined to comment, and it remained unclear what Rice's departure date might be. Neither Rice nor Entergy's public relations team responded to requests for comment. Judge delays ruling on whether N.O. City Council broke laws, asks for Entergy actors probe The question of whether the New Orleans City Council broke the state's open meetings law when considering Entergy's controversial proposal to Rice was hired to lead Entergy New Orleans in 2010, succeeding West, in part because of expectations that his experience in local politics would help smooth relations with the council, which acts as the company's regulator. Rice, who served as city attorney and chief administrative officer under Mayor Ray Nagin, had worked in Entergys legal department before going into city government. But the company's approach to winning approval for a new gas-fired power plant in New Orleans East has soured its relationship with local officials. Watch: John Oliver's segment on astroturfing includes Entergy's appearance at City Council On yesterday's Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Oliver went deep on the topic of "astroturfing" corporate interests ginning up support fo Grace Notes: From late night's John Oliver, not one but two local hits Every now and then, a segment on a late night talk show starts, and you just know that Louisiana is about to take a hit. And usually, its wel Entergy executives have insisted they did not know about plans to hire actors who would pose as supporters of the power plant proposal, blaming a contractor for the move. But emails among Entergy's top brass showed that the company requested specific numbers of supporters and deliberately tried to hide its role in turning them out for council meetings. Rice also signed off personally on the plans, in which Entergy officials even bought T-shirts for power plant backers and approved what types of remarks they would make at meetings. The council has hired a former federal prosecutor one who led the corruption case against Nagin to look into whether the company was more closely involved in hiring the actors than it has acknowledged. That investigation is ongoing. At the same time, Entergy has upset the council by moving what council members consider too slowly to install large-scale solar panels and for a spike in power outages that came after the company cut funding for equipment repairs. The latest disagreement came this month, after Entergy proposed to increase its overall profitability rate and specifically to raise rates on Algiers customers. The company yanked the plan this week in response to criticism from council members and said it will submit a new one next month. Entergy pulls plans to hike Algiers customers' rates after pushback from City Council Entergy New Orleans is scrapping plans to sharply hike rates for Algiers customers and to improve the company's overall profitability after Ci Rice was absent from Thursday's Utility Committee meeting at which West, who preceded Rice as CEO of Entergy New Orleans, personally apologized to the council for the utility's recent failings. He pointed to three solar agreements that have recently been finalized: for a 20-megawatt solar facility on NASA property in New Orleans East that Entergy will build itself, a purchase agreement for another 20-megawatt installation in St. James Parish and a 50-megawatt solar facility in Washington Parish. Those three projects, combined with Entergys other projects, will bring the utility's total of renewable power sources to 98 megawatts close to the 100 megawatts it promised in 2016. They are expected to be completed by 2020 or 2021. To improve power reliability, Entergy has allocated an additional $5 million for repairs to power lines and poles this year, on top of the $9.4 million it had set aside for repairs previously, West said. It will deploy five electricity grid modernization projects, including 500 smart grid devices and 42 self-healing networks on the grid that are expected to reduce outages' frequency and duration by more than half, he said. Entergy New Orleans wants to be a good and constructive business partner for this city, West said. We intend to earn back your trust and respect. Asked by Councilwoman Helena Moreno why West showed up instead of Rice, West responded that Entergy Corp. wanted to reinforce (its) commitment to New Orleans. All of the heads of the operating companies report to me and are part of my responsibility, and I felt that given the seriousness (of this matter) you needed to hear from the corporation today, West said. Paul Murphy of WWL-TV contributed reporting. The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office on Thursday fired a deputy recently linked to the far-right group called the Proud Boys, saying that the organization's values are contradictory to those of the law enforcement agency. The deputy, Brian Green, also violated an internal policy prohibiting employees from engaging in social media activity "that negatively affects the public perception" of the agency, the Sheriff's Office said. A furor erupted on social media earlier this month when people noticed that Green described himself as a member of the Proud Boys and was an administrator of the Facebook page for the group's local chapter. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks right-wing organizations, characterizes the Proud Boys' views as anti-woman and anti-Muslim. Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes established the group during Donald Trump's victorious 2016 presidential campaign. The group dismisses the SPLC's characterization of it as false. Denying ties to the so-called "alt-right," Proud Boys leaders say they consider themselves a fraternity standing in opposition to "white guilt" and political correctness. In one video online, Green shares some of his beliefs, saying, "I'm a proud Western chauvinist who refuses to apologize for creating the modern world." Green was working as a patrol deputy at the Sheriff's Office when someone contacted the agency on Facebook and complained about his ties to the Proud Boys on Aug. 8. Sheriff Gerald Turlich said then he would ask the feds to help his office investigate whether the Proud Boys are "a hate or supremacy group," and Green was placed on indefinite paid leave. Last week, the social media platform Twitter suspended the accounts of both McInnes and the Proud Boys, saying they had violated the company's anti-extremism standards. Turlich stopped short of calling the Proud Boys a hate group in announcing Green's termination on Thursday. But the sheriff said Green's decision to promote his ties to the Proud Boys on at least one social media page showing him in his agency uniform had "inevitably affected the public trust bestowed upon him" and the Sheriff's Office. "Green's decision to utilize the ... uniform to promote the views of the Proud Boys, whose values are contradictory to the values and the vision of the (Sheriff's Office), will not be tolerated," Turlich said in a statement. He added that the office "does not support the organization or its ideals, and law enforcement in general has an obligation to treat all people equally, fairly and impartially." Turlich did note that Green, a five-year veteran, had not previously been disciplined or been the target of any public complaints. 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 But, he said, aside from avoiding social media activity that negatively affects the agency's image, Sheriff's Office employees are also expected to refrain from speech "that would reasonably be considered reckless or irresponsible." Activists and some segments of the news media have sought to expose members of organizations that are accused of being hate groups, particularly those who work for government agencies. Recent reporting by ProPublica and Frontline identified a U.S. Marine and an employee of the defense contractor Northrop Grumman as having participated in last year's rally of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, which turned deadly. Vasillios Pistolis was later ordered at a court-martial to spend four weeks in prison and was kicked out of the Marine Corps. Michael Miselis soon left Northrop Grumman. Also, last month, the Clark County, Washington, Sheriff's Office fired Erin Willey as a deputy after she was photographed wearing a hooded Proud Boys sweatshirt. A few days after that, the Proud Boys were again the subject of unflattering news stories when members of the group, along with those of the right-wing Patriot Prayer organization, clashed with left-wing "antifa" protesters in the streets of Portland, Oregon. Legally, government employees do not relinquish their rights to free speech, but they are not necessarily protected if they express views that are seen as undermining their employers' operations or trustworthiness, according to Lexipol, which offers consulting services to public safety agencies. In Louisiana, sheriff's deputies serve on an at-will basis, meaning the sheriff can fire them at any time. As Green's story gained attention, a message on a Facebook page dubbed "Proud Boys Louisiana" accused the SPLC of wrongful accusations and threatened to sue "anyone caught going after someone's employment or business." Attempts to contact Green weren't immediately successful Thursday. The 40-year-old single mother met Ansell at the bank's Christmas party in 2014 and the married man became infatuated with her; on one occasion he seized an opportunity when he saw her crying in her office. "What good fortune! Now I had another reason to talk to you," he wrote in a letter to McLaughlin last year, contained in her court filings and reported on by Bloomberg in November before Macquarie successfully applied to have it sealed. Their relationship lasted from 2015 to 2017, during which time Ansell became her boss. He sent her photos of his penis, copies of which were included in her now-sealed complaint. "No one had ever said no to me in a long time," he wrote in a 2017 letter. "You tried so many times to reset the boundaries, but we just couldn't do it." Khristina McLaughlin won an award for women in finance. Credit:MarketsMedia.com After Ansell's wife discovered messages on his phone last October, the affair ended and McLaughlin complained to the bank that she had been coerced into the relationship, fearing Ansell would take revenge if she ended it. A week later, Ansell, then the head of cash equities, left the company. In November, McLaughlin launched a lawsuit, alleging sexual discrimination and harassment, and claiming colleagues in the "mostly male, Aussie-dominated rough and sexist trading floor environment" had retaliated against her, including leaving her out of meetings and avoiding eye contact. Macquarie argued that the "inflammatory" case was launched for publicity and should be thrown out because McLaughlin signed a contract for her $US400,000-a-year job that said any grievances were to be resolved by confidential arbitration. The bank said it had conducted its own investigation, going through 32,000 text messages the pair exchanged over 811 days and concluding it "painted a diametrically opposing picture, that of a completely consensual relationship". She had sent roughly half, making "her strong emotional attachment and physical attraction to Ansell quite clear". An extract from Macquarie Bank's response to Ms McLaughlin's court filing. McLaughlin launched an impassioned argument that confidential arbitration was yet another tool to silence women and favour powerful corporations or individuals, such as Harvey Weinstein. "With Weinstein being just one of hundreds of thousands of 'bosses', as ... Robert Ansell in this case is, it is easy to see the direct dangers of allowing cases involving sexual harassment ... to remain confidential under the guise of arbitrations," McLaughlin's lawyer, Jonathan Sack, wrote in one of dozens of court filings collated by Fairfax Media. Five months later, after McLaughlin had spent $US6000 on failed mediation, the case took another dramatic turn. While she was on holiday in April, McLaughlin was told that another staff member would conduct her end-of-year appraisals as some of her team had complained about her. She shot back an email: "This is a set up and you know it. And because I did not simply accept the paltry 1/2 severance policy of $73,000 to go away, I need to suffer the indignation of this blatant retaliation?" She met the bank's US head of human resources, Austin Dowling, who, according to Dowling's affidavit, outlined complaints against her including using negative nicknames, making an ageist comment and making a junior female worker uncomfortable by talking about Ansell. "Their complaints ... were outright lies," McLaughlin wrote in an affidavit. "To date in my over six years at Macquarie, this was the very first I was hearing of any such concerns." The bank said McLaughlin's "extortionary approach came to a head" in the meeting with Dowling; she warned that she wasn't going away for a "measly" severance package. McLaughlin said she was made a pariah in Macquarie Bank's "mostly male, Aussie-dominated rough and sexist trading floor environment". Credit:Tamara Voninski Dowling claimed she asked verbally to be put on paid leave, backed up by an employee who heard her shouting "I cant work here any more." A week later, Dowling emailed to say her leave had been approved and her IT and office access would be suspended. McLaughlin replied that she had been emotional during the meeting due to the "lies" he had shared and she made no leave request. Her lawyer advised her she should keep turning up for work, she wrote. "I made no such formal request ... This was a total setup," she emailed from her personal account. "These actions are being taken totally against my will." Dowling argued that it was clear she held contempt for the bank and didn't want to be there. The following day, she arrived for work and, despite being locked out, managed to get into the morning sales meeting. After the meeting, a manager took her aside and said: "It's best if you go home." Macquarie said she then sat in the lobby, creating a "public spectacle". "I sat in the ... lobby because I was not sure what to do next," McLaughlin said in her affidavit. "I was waiting to get in touch with my lawyer. I was probably there five minutes." Her clients in the US equities market have since learnt she is no longer covering them, she said. "This causes rumours to swirl, and my good standing in the industry ... to be adversely and irreparably damaged." The competition watchdog has fired a shot at Australias emerging electronic property e-transfer system, warning it is being investigated for monopolistic practices. The watchdogs probe may unravel the countrys decades-long quest for digital conveyancing to become the norm across the property sector, which settles $300 billion of transactions annually. The two largest east coast states are set to make e-conveyancing compulsory for all property title and mortgage transfers - shredding 150 years of paper title history from this October in Victoria and next year in NSW. ACCC chairman Rod Sims is concerned about a monopoly in e-conveyancing. Credit:AAP But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is shining a spotlight on the new e-conveyancing system which is controlled by a private monopoly player, Property Exchange Australia (PEXA). Australia's funeral businesses are facing a difficult truth: not enough people are dying. To be more exact, vendors are saying numbers point to "softer" market conditions in recent months - meaning a drop off in death that hasn't been great for business. Priscilla Nelson Feaver's family has been in the funeral business for five generations. The teacher of embalming and says the sector has become "more competitive". Credit:Jusin McManus On Thursday, ASX-listed funeral home giant InvoCare reported a 50 per cent drop in half-year profit that sent its share price down by more than 12 per cent to sit at $12.73 on Friday afternoon InvoCare's data, drawn from Births, Deaths and Marriages in the states where it operates, suggests a drop in the number of deaths of 1.2 per cent for the first half of the year, and down 1.5 per cent for the second quarter, compared to the same time last year. From the mezzanine overlooking the National Gallery of Victoria's Great Hall, you feel you might reach up and touch the glowing cut-glass lozenges of Leonard French's famed ceiling. The coloured chunks seem almost edible, like the lolly windows of the fairytale cottage Hansel and Gretel nibbled. Yet French's ceiling remains tantalisingly out of reach, like the blue of the sky. Victorians love to settle on the floor beneath this artwork, showing out-of-towners how it's perfectly acceptable even expected to lie down and gaze dreamily up at its suggested heavens. Lisa French, one of the late artist's daughters, and NGV senior curator of Australian art David Hurlston, agree this is a Melbourne rite of passage, as much as running one's hands through the waterwall at the gallery's entrance. Coloured glass samples for Leonard French's Great Hall ceiling, National Gallery of Victoria. Credit:NGV Fifty years ago, on August 20, 1968, the NGV (founded in 1861) opened at its present site in the hulking blue-grey building designed by Sir Roy Grounds, who won the architectural job for the old Wirth's Circus site in 1959. The building's signals of being a forbidding fortress bluestone walls, high windows, the moat have always been a trick: the archway is inviting and inside, there is art, light, excitement, especially since the 1999-2003 refurbishment. The waterwall is the playful welcome; the Great Hall's ceiling is the soul. Two years before the refurb, Lisa French appeared on the front of The Age, alarmed at an idea to move her father's ceiling to the front entrance, where foot-traffic would have prevented visitors from lying on the floor. Happily, good sense and an honouring of tradition prevailed (saving the waterwall, too). Jimmy (Damian Hill) with the love of his life - his classic Fairlane. But for Ty who had never acted before his stepfather suggested him for the part of Alex it was all new. "I always thought acting was a lot easier than it is," he says. "I thought you do it once, there you go, it's done, move onto the next thing. But you do it heaps of times and I didn't expect that." What was the greatest number of takes on a single scene? "I don't know, too many," Ty says. "I was very energetic at the start of each day but by the end I was very tired." Jason Raftopoulos (second right) directs Kat Stewart in a scene from his movie. It was all new too for Raftopoulos, who has, at 47, finally made his first feature. "I came to it quite late," he says. "I started as an actor and worked and studied in that field for years. When I went back to film school it felt like I found my spot finally." Ty Perham and Damian Hill relax in between scenes during the 18-day shoot in a stifling Melbourne summer. He spent a decade in New York, landing small parts off-off-Broadway and an even smaller one on. "It was a real struggle, a real grind," he says. He stuck at it because "I knew there was an artistic beast within me" but it wasn't until he went back to film school a decade ago "that I felt finally I am in the seat I need to be sitting in. I realised I wanted to be the painter, not the paint." The picture he has given us with his unfashionably short (78 minutes) feature is of a father and a son forced to spend a day together, sometimes fractious in each other's company, sometimes distracted, but finally grateful for the opportunity if not the circumstances. It was shot in 18 days in February 2017, with a skeleton crew and a minuscule budget that Raftopoulos confirms only as being "under $1 million". It is, he says, "a response to my meditations on fatherhood" (Raftopoulos has an eight-year-old son), and the Venice Film Festival pre-selectors who looked at his film in Melbourne while it was still at rough-cut stage spotted it immediately. "The Italians were the first ones to be explicit about it, saying it was great to see men going through this process of learning, of finding insight into themselves," he says. "The idea that even having some crappy times with your children is better than having no time at all. "And I reckon that's the take-home for me. It's about time, and how we use this time we've got here, when our children are taking on the stresses and anxieties of their parents we're so stressed out about our own lives that we don't even see how that's playing into our children's lives." Though it's his first feature, Raftopoulos has visited the subject matter before. In 2010 he made the short film Father's Day, which similarly featured a father with a gambling addiction driving around all day with his son. That one, though, ended rather badly. "It was a fear-based response to fatherhood, quite dark," says Raftopoulos, who was at the time on the brink of becoming a parent. "The boy dies in the end." He had always imagined developing it as a feature, but life got in the way. As a new parent, he says, "you're just in the trenches, completely shell shocked having had three hours' sleep, up to your elbows in poop. Trying to be creative while you're in that space is quite hard." Not that it's all bad. The time away from the film and the time spent immersed in parenthood allowed a different take on the experience to emerge. What he thinks of as a more "hopeful" perspective. "From there to here it evolved into notions of love and surrender and dealing with the structures, both external and internal, that get in the way of being present." Raftopoulos is the son of a renowned Melbourne tailor, Denis, who emigrated from Greece after the war (there's a little nod to the family business in the film, when Jimmy does a delivery to a tailor; though Jason's brother now runs the show, he didn't get to play the part of the tailor because Jason feared that if he stuffed it up he would never want to speak to him again). After coming to Australia, Denis didn't see his own parents for 25 years. He was, Jason says, "an amazing dad", but "I was conscious of the fact that there was a great loss there, and so it's something that permeates my thinking about family". West of Sunshine certainly buzzes with a sense of the preciousness, and fragility, of the tie between a parent and a child. But also its resilience. And that's something Hill knows all about. He is stepfather to Ty and his younger brother Jay and has a young daughter with their mother Beth. But he also has an older daughter, Jordie, who is 24. "She's beautiful," he says, "and our relationship is great now, but I was 17 when I had her and parenting was not my strong suit. It's very different from how I parent these ones." He says his own approach is much gentler than that of Jimmy, who lets fly at Alex in frustration as his chances of being able to repay his gambling debt by the end of the day grow ever slimmer. "That part was horrible," says Hill, who says that in between takes, "I gave Ty cuddles. I don't want to be that kind of person around him." With wordsmith Mercury back on track in the sign of the Lion, there's less roaring and growling, much more purring LEO: Mercury turning direct in your sign takes the last week of Leo birthdays out on a high, handing you the mic to MC this week's proceedings. If that means dealing with an unexpected turnaround in your private or professional life, then lead by stylish example. In differences of opinion, demonstrate what it means to be a class act. Aquarian writer Eckhart Tolle suggests changing the situation if possible. VIRGO: Been feeling a bit lacklustre, pedestrian and uninspired? With Mercury your mentor planet in forward gear again and Venus inviting your inner artist out to play, this week sees your creative imagination fabulous, fierce and free-ranging. Joint efforts get an energy boost too, even more if they're for a cause. LIBRA: Communication tensions loosen and rapport with others expand this week, as love magnet Venus encourages precisely what you do best: join forces, team up, work in tandem all the better if it's to make a difference. Compliments are, as always, your best social accessory, and there might even be a windfall. It's not unusual to look out your office window and see traffic speeding down the street. But it is unusual when the traffic takes the form of about 15 kangaroos, as it did outside Matt Bailey's Canberra office on Tuesday. Mr Bailey captured video of the mob bouncing down Strickland Crescent in Deakin, and the 19-second clip has since captured the world's imagination. It shows the kangaroos crossing the road and heading off around the corner as Mr Bailey's colleagues voice their shock in the background. A bushwalker who failed to return to his accommodation overnight has been located after sparking a large search in the Blue Mountains. David Lustina set out alone on a bushwalk from the Katoomba area about 10am on Thursday, telling his friends he was heading to the Ruined Castle rock formation. David Lustina failed to return home after going for a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains. Credit:Police Media The 27-year-old from the Czech Republic, who is in Australia on holiday, failed to return to his hostel and was reported missing just before midnight on Thursday. A preliminary search involving local police, police rescue, PolAir and members of the SES was conducted overnight and continued into Friday. Police arrived a short time later and arrested him. A search of his backpack revealed a parcel containing 20 packets of White Ox tobacco and two packets of cigarette papers. When asked what he had put in the bin, he said he had placed two parcels there. The police located the parcels and found them to contain: 10 packets of White Ox tobacco, four packets of Tally Ho papers, three mobile telephones, six lighters, five compact discs, two balloons filled with methyl-amphetamine weighing 5.5 grams, gel caps containing Anavar steroids, 10 diazepam tablets and a small plastic bag of cannabis weighing 3.37 grams, three SIM cards, two memory cards, one memory card reader and 5.7 grams of buprenorphine wafers. When police interviewed O'Brien, he told them that he had attended a number of locations that day and collected the parcels from unknown people. He had bought the 30 packets of White Ox for $2100 and five CDs for $100, he said, but conceded he had received $3100, which was deposited into his bank account as payment for the goods, his time and petrol. In court on Wednesday, O'Brien's solicitor said his client had a history of drug abuse and that this had caused his offending. "He started on cannabis at [age] 13, ecstasy at 15 and ice at 21," the solicitor said. "He was a problem child, but despite that he still attained his Certificate III in tiling from TAFE and has worked as a tiler. "In 2013, he stopped using drugs because his son was born, but a home invasion in which he was knee-capped' precipitated his return to drug use." She said O'Brien had been in custody since his arrest. "He was heavily into drug use when he received a communication that he could earn $1000 from the venture, so he went to the jail and made his misguided attempt to get in," the solicitor said. "It was not a very sophisticated plan to get his items into the complex, but it was done for money to finance his drug habit. "The people he associated with are a large factor in his reoffending." Brett Diggins, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said it was a serious offence and called for a sentence that would assist in the general deterrence of people taking drugs into jail. "He drove 190 kilometres to do this and he did it for money," Mr Diggins said. "Taking drugs into jail is a danger to prisoners and to staff who control them." He said O'Brien's prospect for rehabilitation from drug use was unlikely. "He has had access to rehabilitation programs over a number of years," he said. "These do not reflect any change in his life." Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said O'Brien had attempted to deliver a large quantity of prohibited items to inmates. "You were doing it for money," she said. "What you did was of great concern to the community. It is not uncommon for people to secrete items and attempt to get them into the jail, but you were effectively breaking into it to deliver these goods." She said the maximum sentence for such an offence was seven years' jail, but that she was limited to a two-year sentence in the Local Court jurisdiction. "Noting the variety of items such as drugs, tobacco and phones, they are items that would clearly be valuable in the prison," she said. Officials have narrowed down the search for Sydney's Powerball winner after two division one entries won equal shares in the $100 million prize on Thursday night. Sydney's $50-million winning entry was bought in the Canterbury-Bankstown region, in Sydney's south-west, but, as the ticket was not registered, NSW Lotteries officials have no way to contact the winner. Thursday's $100 million Powerball draw is the largest in Australian history. The Lott spokesman Matt Hart encouraged those who bought an entry in the region to check their tickets. Make sure you check your entry as soon as possible because you may not have to go to work on Monday," Mr Hart said. About 120 kilometres north of London, in the Oxfordshire town of Banbury, sits a building that tells us a great deal about the West's relationship with China. The Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre also known as "The Cell" was established in 2010, and inside its walls employees of the Chinese telco work to ensure security concerns regarding Huawei products across Britain are addressed, with oversight from the United Kingdom's intelligence agencies. The question of Australian reliance on Chinese communications technology has grown more pressing. Credit:Reuters This year came the fourth annual update to the British government on the centre's work, and for the first time the report card was blemished. Depending on who you asked, this was either a sign that the oversight system was working exactly as it should or that the fox had entered the henhouse. Even as Malcolm Turnbull seeks to assure us that Australia's diplomatic relationship with Beijing is on a sound footing, the question of Australian reliance on Chinese communications technology grows more pressing, with The Age revealing this week the extent of Chinese Communist Party involvement with those companies bidding to supply Australia's 5G network. Jonathan Davis will run in the seat of Bean, covering Tuggeranong and Woden areas, and Andrew Braddock will challenge Labor's Andrew Leigh in Fenner, which covers Belconnen and Gungahlin. In introducing the federal candidates, Greens leader in the Legislative Assembly Shane Rattenbury said he was glad to quash the rumours he would run for a seat on the hill. The ACT Greens have announced their candidates to run in the next federal election. Jonathan Davis will run in Bean, Tim Hollo will represent the party in Canberra, lead Senate candidate Penny Kyburz, supporting Senate candidate Emma Davidson, and candidate for Fenner Andrew Braddock. Credit:Lawrence Atkin The ACT Greens have announced Tim Hollo will represent the party in the seat of Canberra at the next federal election, where the party will attempt to elect its second lower house MP. The new electorate boundaries of Canberra were created in the Australian Electoral Commission's recent redistribution of electorates, where the ACT gained a third lower house seat. Canberra will take in both the inner south and inner north, and with no incumbent MP from Labor, the Greens believe they can pull off a large swing to win the seat. Mr Hollo said the party was inspired by campaigns outside the ACT like Melbourne federally and at state level, and Newtown in NSW when looking at how to mount a viable challenge against the Labor party. "When new seats have been declared in areas which really do share Greens values, the Greens have won those seats with swings of 12 to 14 per cent," Mr Hollo said. It's not clear yet if the campaign will have the same financial resources and focus used in those recent campaigns. "It's very early days but certainly the federal Greens are very interested in the seat, looking at it with a great deal of interest, and we certainly expect that we'll have some good resources to take on this campaign," Mr Hollo said. It is the derisive adage that renders all Australians smug only in America. And this week these words were firmly in mind amid my ab-crunching, leg-crossing convulsions of laughter at our allys expense. Sacha Baron Cohen in character on Who Is America? I can thank Sacha Baron Cohen, the genius that brought us Borat, Grimsby, Bruno and Ali G for my late-night belly laughs, courtesy of his new not so much as biting but savaging series, Who Is America?. Oh, where to begin with the hilarity and what is inflicted on unsuspecting Americans in this latest series, which purports to explore the countrys divide in the time of Trump? Im still tittering as I type thinking about the morals crusader and anti-porn advocate Republican Assembly national director David Pyne, a man who believes in compulsory prayer in public schools and abstinence-only sex education, being read a childrens book. Only in this book, written by Cohens so-left-hes-off-the-ledge self-hating white male character Dr Nira Cain-NDegeocello, the bunny rabbits are engaging in sordid group sex with baby bunnies looking on. A senior advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has posted inflammatory comments sledging elected Liberal MPs over their opposition to live exports, including calls for Western Australia to secede over the issue. Colin Bettles, an aide to the Nationals leader and supporter of the live export trade, has retweeted multiple posts criticising Victorian Liberal MPs Sussan Ley and Sarah Henderson, who are co-sponsoring a private members' bill to ban the live sheep export trade. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The MPs hit back, telling Fairfax Media momentum for a ban was unstoppable. When contacted, Mr Bettles pointed to his Twitter bio which lists his job as senior advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister but also notes his views as his own. But the survey also reveals stark differences among Victorians about the issues that matter most to them, depending on age. For while roughly two-thirds of those surveyed in the groups aged 54 to 72 (the boomers) and 73 to 90 (the so-called "silent generation") believe crime is a major issue, the level of concern drops off dramatically among younger survey respondents. Among generation X (aged 38 to 53) slightly less than half of those surveyed said crime was one of the states top three issues. Among millennials (adults aged 22 to 37), it was a third. Nail Aykan is a leader in Victorias Islamic community and part of Generation X. He says Melbournes violent crime problem is more media-fabricated fiction than fact. Unless the issue is domestic violence. Family violence can be a crime, but when people hear of crime they are led to think of African gangs, Mr Aykan says. The survey, conducted between January and June by social research company Ipsos, puts crime comfortably above all other issues including housing, the economy, health care, transport and cost of living. It found that 48 per cent of Victorians listed crime as one of the three biggest issues facing the state. HOUSING If 22-year-old university graduate Nic Gould thinks about housing, it is mostly to scratch his head at how he could ever possibly afford a home. As a recent graduate, issues such as housing affordability are at the front of my mind housing prices have given first-home buyers like myself a pretty bleak prospect of obtaining a house, Mr Gould says. Mr Gould's concerns are common among his age group, with younger Victorians are more worried about this issue than their parents and grandparents. While housing was second on the list of concerns for Victorians, the survey again showed significant differences between age groups. For millennials, it is the biggest issue, Ipsos' polling found, with 37 per cent of respondents putting it in their top three concerns. The figure was 35 per cent among Generation X, 26 per cent for boomers and 21 per cent for the silent generation. Earlier this year Melbournes median house price ticked above $900,000 for the first time and the median unit price rose above $500,000. The average weekly full-time wage for a Victorian is $1545, according to figures released on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or about $80,000 a year. The median Melbourne house now costs more than 11 years average full-time earnings. COST OF LIVING Aline Dunn is 77 and no longer earns a wage, but continues to work as a volunteer in an op-shop in the seaside town of Portarlington. She believes the rising cost of living is the biggest issue of concern in Victoria. In that regard, she is an outlier among her generation. Just 12 per cent of those surveyed aged 73 and over listed the cost of living as one of the states three biggest concerns, and just 13 per cent of boomers said they were worried about it. The issue is much more on the radar among millennials (33 per cent put it in their top three) and gen X (35 per cent). But Ms Dunn worries less for herself than the growing number of customers she meets in her shop who she says are clearly failing to make ends meet. Many are parents. We have a lot of people come in that dont make ends meet and they shop here, Ms Dunn says. If we think that theyre really destitute we pass them onto other people that can help them and they dont have to pay for anything. Daniel Evans is deputy managing director at Ipsos, and says the survey results reflect how Victorian society has become more diverse, more unequal, and more challenging for the major political parties to tailor policies for. He said Victorians' heightened concern about crime was undeniable, but commanded a more sophisticated response than simply boosting police numbers. "With community concern related to crime so high for so long, all Victorians will be more woke to what Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy place on the table in the lead-up to November and for beyond," Mr Evans said. "While law-and-order has historically been more fertile ground for the Coalition than the ALP, selling a credible crime reduction and community safety plan will be more complex this time around." Nic Gould, Milliennial Biggest issue: Housing Nic Gould is concerned about housing and the cost of living. Credit:Darrian Traynor Recent university graduate Nic Gould is looking to move out of his parents home, but he fears he will be financially incapable of buying a house. As a recent graduate, issues such as housing affordability are at the front of my mind housing prices have given first home buyers like myself, a pretty bleak prospect of obtaining a house, Mr Gould says. Mr Gould also sees crime as a significant issue in Victoria and something that the state government arent doing enough about. He is worried about one-punch attacks and violence, and says the Andrews government is doing the bare minimum about the issue. Rather than resting on media campaigns, it would be beneficial if they had actual reform, he says. For example, in response to Eurydice Dixon wouldnt it be good to have educational reform whereby male high school students learn about respecting women? Respect for women was something he was not taught in his own high schooling, he says. Nail Aykan, Generation X Biggest issue: Population Nail Aykan says nobody is in control of Victoria's population growth. Credit:Simon Schluter Mr Aykan is concerned that Victorias population is growing at an unchecked rate. We arent leading this critical agenda which shapes our future, we are just observing and its just unfolding on its own, he says. It needs to be properly managed. That word, manage, is one Mr Aykan returns to. Victorias contemporary political leaders are not really leaders, he says, they are managers. The state hasnt had a visionary leader since Jeff Kennett was premier, he said. At the last election, the key issue was level crossings, he says. Thats a management issue. Fixing level crossings is not a vision. A senior secretary of a department could come up with that. Mr Aykan, who heads the Islamic Council of Victoria, wants to see politicians put forward real solutions to housing affordability and the rising cost of energy, issues where he believes ordinary people are being crunched so a few corporations can make big profits. Just dont tell him Victoria has a crime problem. Crime is a political stunt to stir up an overreaction in the population prior to an election, he says. Gillian Franklin, Baby Boomer Biggest issue: Crime Gillian Franklin is worried about crime and says the justice system is too lenient. Credit:AFR Businesswoman Gillian Franklin fears Melbourne is no longer the safe place it once was, particularly for women. A mother of three daughters, Ms Franklin fears for their safety as well as her own, and believes sentences for convicted criminals are not tough enough. We are very lenient and more interested in being politically correct than doing due justice, she says of violent crime. I talk to many people about it and they are afraid. Melbournes congested transport system is another issue that vexes her, as increased travel times cut into peoples working days. Lost productivity is a large drain on business, I get so many texts from staff saying they are late due to traffic jams, she said. It also affects peoples sense of general well being as many staff arrive at work stressed and anxious about their ride in. Aline Dunn, silent generation Biggest issue: Cost of living Aline Dunn says the cost of living is rising and more people are struggling to make ends meet. Credit:Joe Armao Ms Dunn volunteers in an op-shop in seaside Portarlington, where many customers are on low incomes. She says the number of people she sees who are struggling to get by, and who the shop refers on to charities for help, is growing. We have a lot of people come in that dont make ends meet and they shop here, Ms Dunn says. For herself, she spends more than $2000 a year on private healthcare, something she wouldnt consider doing without, because she lacks faith in the ability of the public system to help when she needs it. The public system is pretty much congested and I need to know that if I took sick that I could get looked after pretty much straight away. She worries about crime, but less for herself than for her children and grandchildren in Melbourne. Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could resign to make way for the son of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos if a legal challenge to the 2016 vice presidential election is upheld. Duterte, 73, who has often raised the possibility of stepping down, thinks Ferdinand Marcos jnr "is one of the better qualified leaders to succeed him," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a briefing on Thursday. Tired: President Rodrigo Duterte combs his hair after reviewing the police under a sudden downpour at a parade last week. Credit:AP If Marcos "becomes vice president, perhaps the President will make true his word that he will step down," Roque said. Marcos won 14.1 million votes in the 2016 vice presidential race, an election that is conducted separately from the presidency in the Philippines, narrowly losing to the opposition Liberal Party candidate Leni Robredo. Marcos claims the vote was tainted by massive cheating. Toyota Plans To Ramp Up China Production and Sales BEIJING 8/17/2018; Reuters reported that Toyota Motor Corp. is likely to make 120,000 more cars a year in the Chinese port city of Tianjin as part of a medium-term strategy that's gathering pace as China-Japan ties improve, said four company insiders with knowledge of the matter. The Japanese automaker's plan to boost annual production capacity by about a quarter in the port city will lay the foundation to increase sales in China to 2 million vehicles per year, a jump of more than 50 percent, the four sources said. The Tianjin expansion signals Toyota's willingness to start adding significant manufacturing capacity in China with the possibility of one or two new assembly plants in the world's biggest auto market, the sources said. Light-vehicle imports could also increase, they said. The move comes at a time when China's trade outlook with the United States appears fraught and uncertain. Toyota plans to significantly expand sales networks and focus more on electric vehicle technologies as part of the strategy, the sources said, declining to be identified as they are not authorized to speak to the media. Toyota sold 1.29 million vehicles in China last year and while sales are projected to reach 1.4 million this year, "capacity constraints" have restricted stronger growth, the sources said. Toyota's manufacturing hub in Tianjin has capacity to produce 510,000 vehicles a year, while Toyota, between two joint ventures, has overall capacity to churn out 1.16 million vehicles a year. Manufacturing capacity data provided by automakers refer to straight-time capacity without overtime. With overtime, a given assembly plant can produce 20 to 30 percent more than its capacity. According to two Tianjin government websites last week, Toyota has been given regulatory approval by the municipal government's Development and Reform Commission to pursue an expansion. The two websites -- including the official website for the Tianjin development district where Toyota's production hub is based -- said the Japanese automaker plans to expand its Tianjin base to be able to manufacture 10,000 electric vehicles and 110,000 plug-in hybrids annually. It wasn't immediately clear when Toyota will be able to start producing additional vehicles. A Beijing-based Toyota spokesman declined to comment. The Tianjin sites, which produce cars such as the Toyota Corolla and Vios, are owned and operated by one of Toyota's joint ventures in China. The venture with FAW Group Corp. in Tianjin plans to invest 1.76 billion yuan ($257 million) for the expansion, according to the two Tianjin websites. Historical backlash China is sometimes a difficult market to navigate for Japanese companies for cultural and other reasons. In 2012, cars sold by Toyota and other Japanese automakers were battered when protests erupted across China after diplomatic spats over disputed islets known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. Since then, Toyota has emphasized steady growth rather than taking on risky expansion projects. According to the four sources, Toyota's attitude toward China began changing markedly after an official visit to Japan by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in May. During the visit, Li toured Toyota's facilities on the northern island of Hokkaido, and was escorted by Toyota's family scion and CEO, Akio Toyoda. Toyoda has since sought to boost the company's presence in China, a vision that had culminated in an active effort to identify specific ways to do just that, according to the four sources. They said aside from boosting capacity, Toyota is also looking at the possibility to significantly expand its distribution networks for the mainstream Toyota and premium Lexus brands. It wasn't immediately clear how significant a distribution network expansion Toyota is planning for both brands. Toyota has more than 1,300 stores for the Toyota brand and nearly 190 for its Lexus luxury cars. The timing for the China expansion couldn't be better. Earlier this year, Toyota was able to finally launch a couple of much anticipated, potentially high-volume subcompact crossovers -- two China-market versions of the Toyota C-HR crossover which hit showrooms in the United States last year. The C-HR variants are relatively small crossovers that other manufacturers, most notably Japan's Honda Motor Co., have leveraged to expand sales rapidly and sell more vehicles in China than its much bigger rival Toyota. Honda sold 1.44 million vehicles in China last year. Lexus is also expected to benefit from a windfall from growing trade tensions between China and the United States. In retaliation for U.S. trade actions, China raised tariffs on automobiles imported from the United States in early July to 40 percent, which, among other things, has forced Tesla Inc., BMW, as well as Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz to raise prices on certain U.S.-built vehicles, such as the hot-selling BMW X5 and X6 SUVs. One likely consequence for those brands is lower sales, a squeeze on profits, or both. By contrast, all Lexus cars Toyota sells in China are brought in from Japan and benefit from a much lower tariff rate of 15 percent levied on non-U.S. produced car imports. Consortium For Automotive Education Presents AUTO LAB Call-in Radio Saturday August 18, 2018 7-9 AM Auto Lab Talk Radio on New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 and Streamed Worldwide On TheAutoChannel.Com This Weeks Show: Broadcast Date: August 18, 2018; Car Question or Concern? Automotive Career Opportunity, Call Toll Free 888-692-7234 To Speak With An Expert Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York City radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Featuring an in-studio panel of experienced hands-on automotive experts sharing accurate, honest, practical and street-smart car repair, automotive career opportunities and vehicle and repair buying advice. Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format. Listeners can find the past 20 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on The Auto Channel. Auto Lab Page includes Audio-on-Demand Archives, Auto Programs at Community College Database, Guests Pictures This Weeks Show: August 18, 2018; IN STUDIO PANEL: Real World Auto Experts, Educators, Technicians, Shop Owners, Insurance Experts, Lawyers Will Answer Your Automotive Questions: Repairs, Second Opinions, Regular Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Insurance, Ombudsmen Suggestions Harold Bendell - Major Auto Tim Cacace - Master Mechanix David Goldsmith - Urban Classics Jerry Pastore - D & J Diagnostics Johanna Pastore - D & J Diagnostics Joanne Porcelli, Esq. Michael Porcelli - Automobile Services Nicholas Prague - MTA Auto Lab Correspondents Remote Interviews: Featuring Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That Will Effect You! Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England 3D PRINTING John Russell Senior Correspondents BMW X2.2 . 2 8i Russ Rader,Senior Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2019 ACURA RDX EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK + AWARD Robert Sinclair AAA Northeast MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF OLDER DRIVERS AREN'T TALKING ABOUT DRIVING SAFETY Anthony Norton, Vice President, Americas Technical Operations, Altar INNOVATORS HONORED WITH 2018 ALTAIR AWARDS Great Drives - End Of The Road Alaska But First Snide's Remarks: Twenty years ago when this wonderful and fanciful series of Great Drive articles authored by travel writer Steve Wilkinson was first published here on The Auto Channel there was no talk or even a thought (except for Jetson Fans) of ever having to consider giving up our freedom of mobility and the many pleasures of driving, in exchange for a robotic ride controlled by a bundle of (made in China) silicon valley invented chips and a fear of the implementation of a government run "Central Traffic Control Administration" with the ability and political potential to make us safe by eliminating our hard earned freedom of mobility. Those of you who are regular readers of The Auto Channel know that for the past few years the boys and girls from the digital world with the backing of investment bankers have been hot and heavily pushing "Autonomous Vehicles"...transportation appliances that will eliminate, and replace Driving with Riding. In the hope to counter the myriad autonomous vehicle propaganda, The Auto Channel management has decided to republish and spotlight these evergreen Great Drive articles which can stimulate the daydreams of experienced drivers and awaken the appetites of those modern youngsters who have never experienced just how exhilarating and fulfilling the freedom of a Great Drive on an open road can be... enjoy! by Stephan Wilkinson YOU KNOW YOU aren't in Kansas anymore when a front-page story in the biggest city for well over a thousand miles around features two teenagers jailed for killing a pair of majestic Dall rams. Worse, they got two months "for wanton waste of the animals' meat." The city is Anchorage, and the state, Toto, is Alaska. It is a territory that often seems American in name only; more than once, I found myself thinking, "Gee, they take dollars and even drive American cars." One of them is mine--a ptarmigan-white Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with equally appropriate Yukon-gold trim. Short of a Cessna 185 on amphibious floats, a Grand Cherokee may be the ultimate Alaskan traveling machine. It has four-wheel drive for gravel bogs and the chance of snow; an optional V8 with enough torque to clear the stumps from a homesteader's woodlot; and high, many-windowed orchestra seats perfect for taking in what may be the world's most concentrated play of scenic grandeur. The car's instrumentation even provides a constant readout of compass heading and outside temperature--two items that are always amusing in Alaska. Day One, Anchorage to Homer via the Portage Glacier (245 miles) Beat the snow and you'll see Alaska in one of its two prime, tourist-free seasons: between Labor Day and late September, when the mountains and alpine meadows are gloriously, briefly autumnal and the roads are free of the curse of AARPers' ferries--wallowing Winnebagos rowed along by golden-agers. Most of the state's seasonal tourist facilities close on October 1st, to reopen in April or May, which makes spring another good choice. "The animals are hungry after a cold winter, and they're more liable to be out where you can see them," one hunter confided, "and the foliage isn't yet thick enough to obscure them. Besides, you can get in to Denali [Mt. McKinley, to cheechakos from "Outside"]. During the summer, tourists come thousands of miles and are horrified to find they have to wait days to get a reservation on the Park Service buses," which are the only passsenger vehicles allowed on the 91-mile road into the park. Denali is still astern, hidden in cloud, for my navigator and I are first heading south on the Seward Highway toward Homer, near the tip of the spectacular Kenai Peninsula. Ahead is the fjord-like gut of Turnagain Arm, barely behind is Anchorage, a briefly urban world immediately forgotten. Fog tattered by the September sun still wreaths the peaks, halos some of the lower strata and lies smoky on the slopes as though they're coldly afire. The pewtery water of the inlet glints and hints of winter to come, and streams of water pour down mountainsides, more like vertical creeks than waterfalls. The continuous, where-do-I-look-next display makes this leg of the Seward the single most spectacular way to dive straight into Alaska. Barely 50 miles southeast of Anchorage is the Portage Glacier, Alaska's most accessible icepack and in fact the most visited spot in the state, since it's an easy-on/easy-off tourist attraction ideal for those who want their wilderness at arm's length. Like through a heated, glassed-in walkway, in the Visitor Center, that allows shirtsleeved viewing of icebergs, their interiors the luminous, artificial blue of toilet-bowl cleaner. Homer, a Northern Exposure Monterey, is literally at the end of the line, past a series of reminders of Russia's role in the opening of Alaska--Nikisky and Ninilchik, Kasilof and Kalifornsky, villages established back in the harsh days when bored Russian adventurers would idly line up Aleuts back to belly to see how many bodies a musket-ball would penetrate. (Nine out of 12 seems to have been the record.) Contemplating the best of Homer can be done from a highway turnout on a promontory high above the fishing village/seaport/arts-and-crafts colony, with a postcard view across Cook Inlet at mountains that anchor the Aleutian chain. Down on four-mile-long Homer Spit, which pokes like an appendix into Kachemak Bay, life is grittier. "Last winter was my first up here, and I haven't recovered yet," the room clerk at our motel says. "You talk about hey let's develop an attitude, 20 hours a day of darkness will do it. Funny thing is, some people are more bothered by the 20 hours of summertime daylight. My boss, he's got all his windows taped up, covered with aluminum foil, and if one little sliver of light gets in, it's like oh God I couldn't sleep a wink." The Salty Dog is Homer Spit's local--a fisherman's bar with all the charm of a gopher hole. I push--gently--my way to the bar to get a beer, and while my back is turned, a merchant seaman ashore from the bulkship hove to in the harbor has hit on my wife, buying her a can of Foster's the size of a small garbage pail. She doesn't drink, but Ron, a large, red-eyed, light-skinned black man, will figure out something to do with it. He'd like to figure out something to do with me, as well, and he displays all the raving fantasies of the typical career mariner. His parents are a surgeon and a lawyer, he says. His sister is a famous psychiatrist. His hobby is restoring classic cars. His four-year-old daughter has already been approached by MIT. "Uh, what does she want to be?" I stupidly ask. "What do you mean, what does she want to be? She's only four, for Chris-sake," Ron answers in a strange moment of lucidity. "Yeah, I should have been a yuppie, driving a...what do yuppies drive these days?" Ron asks. "Jeep Grand Cherokees?" I hint helpfully. "Yeah, that's it, a yuppie driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Shit." Good night, Ron. We take the long way around the parking lot rather than driving past the open door of the Salty Dog. Day Two, Homer to Valdez (180 road miles, plus 12 by rail and 90 by sea) Bumper sticker: "In Alaska, You Don't Lose Your Woman, You Lose Your Turn." There are 10 men--11, including Ron--for every woman in Alaska. Valdez can be reached by road, but to avoid a lot of back-tracking, a ferry across Prince William Sound from Whittier is an attractive option. People pay to take cruise ships and tour boats out into the sound simply to see the Columbia Glacier, we get it as part of our trip. There is no road to Whittier, however, so at Portage, we drive the Grand Cherokee onto a creaky railroad flatcar, set the brakes and settle in for the world's weirdest train ride--a 12-mile rumble through two hand-dug, single-track mountain tunnels into which not a single photon of light has penetrated. You'd have to be a spelunker to experience such utter darkness, for not even the neural flashes and sparkles that attend tightly closed eyes intrude. Up and down the length of the train, headlamps and dome lights occasionally flutter as nervous passengers check to make sure the world still exists. The Columbia Glacier is a nasty piece of work, and the ferry Bartlett's helmsman works us in so close, dead-slow through the icefield, that small growlers groan and clunk along the hull as he maneuvers the 193-foot motorship toward its low, trashy face. That face in the mid-1970s towered 300 feet, but now it is nearly awash, for the glacier has been retreating rapidly, sinking from atop its terminal moraine--an enormous ridge of gravel--into the deeper water closer to shore. A report displayed on a bulkhead in the Bartlett's main lounge reads, "Commercial shippers are...keeping a close watch on the glacier. A drastic retreat of the Columbia could vastly increase iceberg hazards to shipping, especially to large, unwieldy vessels." The report was published in 1984. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez rearranged Bligh Reef while maneuvering to avoid Columbia bergs. Near the end of the seven-hour voyage, as the Bartlett cautiously approaches the Valdez Narrows, Susan and I visit the bridge. Introductions done, the chat settles down to mountain biking and grizzly bears, the sticker price of Grand Cherokees and the attractions of Valdez. "Anything interesting to do there tonight?" Susan asks. "Well, you can go sit on the same barstool that Joe Hazelwood sat on," Captain Klabo muses. Day Three, Valdez to McCarthy (180 miles) The most dangerous place to be in Alaska is not Captain Hazelwood's barstool but the spot immediately behind any road-sign. They've all been well-ventilated by high-caliber rifles, and it's a wonder nobody has yet holed the Alyeska oil pipeline, which parallels the Richardson Highway north from Valdez. The Richardson matches the Seward Highway's splendor, particularly in the 50-odd miles north from Valdez. The prelude is its passage along the floor of the wide, glacier-flattened valley, then suddenly it darts into Keystone Canyon, along a river between towering, near-vertical cliff faces with wispy waterfalls skeining down from the heights, so close to the road they splash it. The road winds up and up to treeless Thompson Pass, site of Alaska's record snowfalls: five feet two inches in one 24-hour period, and 974 feet--that's nearly a fifth of a mile deep--in one year. The roadside markers to guide snowplows are a good 15 feet high. Descending again, the Richardson slides through enormous, sweeping hills of low, stunted greenery, behind them new peaks only geologically recently polished to sharp edges by glaciers. The pipeline pops up here and there as a distant, silvery trace, an oddly metallic accent amid the vivid autumn reds and purples, greens and yellows. The population of Chitina is 49, which we increase by eight percent by stopping for lunch supplies. The state provides the satellite dish for the town's TV, but the residents share the expense of electricity, heating and maintenance to run it. There's a conspicuous list of who hasn't yet anted up posted in the town's sole store. "Doesn't seem to bother them, though," the lady behind the counter grumbles. Our destinations, the old copper-mining towns of McCarthy and Kennicott, are at the end of a long, wooded, one-lane gravel road, and it's literally a shakedown cruise for the Grand Cherokee. Chosen straight off an Anchorage dealer's lot with a dozen miles on its odo, we're putting it over a punishing potholes-and-washboard road at speeds of up to 70, and we'll do in an hour and 40 minutes a trip that guidebooks warn will take three or four hours. The big Jeep handles superbly, with none of the longitudinal pitching and stutter-step rear-end looseness that other sport-utility vehicles sometimes display. It feels like not a quasi-truck but a very stable, large, relatively tautly sprung sedan. The day's final conveyance, however, feels like a small steel cage suspended high above a raging river on a springy, well-worn rope, for that's exactly what it is. The only way to reach McCarthy, on the far bank of the Kennicott River, is to park the car and pull yourself hand over hand across the glacier-fed rapids in "the tram." Has anybody ever made it this far and then balked? "My mother," says Betty Hickling, who with her young husband Gary runs the marvelously basic McCarthy Lodge. "She refused to get on the tram, but she wanted so badly to get here that I drove her four miles back down the road and rented her an airplane. She flew in." (It should be admitted that the Hicklings speak approvingly of the rather fancier nearby Kennicott Glacier Lodge, and have sent it guests they could see wouldn't be happy with the elemental congeniality that their saloon, dining room and sparse bedrooms could provide. "They're Polo shirts and Courvoisier, we're tee shirts and beer," Gary admits.) The Hicklings and a handful of others live year-round in McCarthy, largely cut off amid the 40-below cold from the rest of the world. Gary tells stories of boyish adventures that would bring out the National Guard in the Lower 48. "A few years ago, at Christmastime, it took us 39 hours to make the 60 miles to Chitina in two pickup trucks," he recalls. "Two grandmas, three kids, mom, dad, an uncle, Betty and me...it took us three hours to get the trucks started, by heating the oilpans with propane weedburners, and then a whole lot of getting stuck and pulling each other out from there on. That Christmas was so nice, but the only thing we talk about today is that damn 39-hour trip," Gary laughs. Day Four, McCarthy to Summit Lake (203 miles) The huge, barn-red buildings of the played-out copper mine at Kennicott, a four-mile walk from McCarthy, are on the table as a potential National Monument, which will make a nice piece of change for the investors who currently are trying to sell them to the Park Service. The owners are patching up the crumbling buildings in an attempt to forestall further deterioration, but everyone wonders what such official cachet might mean. Today, the occasional visitors trip across rotting trestles; peer into dark, weary buildings and gaping mineshafts; and wander under all manner of perilous-looking mechanisms held in place by rotting ropes and rusted cables last tended in 1958. But if Kennicott--already smack in the middle of the enormous new Wrangell-St. Elias National Park--is enfranchised, you can say farewell to the towns' remoteness and the hand-powered tram across the river. At the least, a pedestrian bridge will rise, and platoons of lawyers, OSHA experts, handicapped-access architects and EPA regulators (in fact, the asbestos insulation is currently being stripped from the old buildings) will sanitize the place. Is there anything wrong with this? You'd have to be pretty selfish to say so, but I'm glad I saw the mines in raffish, lonely, unapproved splendor. Day Five, Summit Lake to Circle Hot Springs (302 miles) The ruler-straight Richardson Highway invites the Grand Cherokee to stretch its legs, and we get an indicated 120-plus mph--hard to tell, since the speedometer is only graduated to 100--before the electronic fuel cutoff kills the power. (Manufacturers use such devices to avoid the need for expensive tires, since a car must be originally fitted with tires rated for whatever top speed the car can attain.) A comfortable cruising speed seems to be 80, at which pace the built-in computer tells me we're getting 16 miles per gallon. As an experiment, I slow to 55, and mpg goes up to 18. Life is too short to save two mpg by creeping along an empty highway at what feels like the pace of a fast bicycle. Again we're headed for the end of a gravel road, this time barely 80 miles below the Arctic Circle. The sparse spruce are beginning to look more like fuzzy pipecleaners than pine trees, and steep alpine meadows are so vivid with autumn-colored scrub against deep-purple groundcover that they seem to be hanging, two-dimensional tapestries. At Circle Hot Springs, a restored 1920s miner's hotel built atop a geothermal outlet that keeps its outdoor pool steaming at about 104 degrees even during 40-below winters, we see our first moose. Unfortunately, he's gone all to pieces, hacked up in the back of a pickup. My copilot, a confirmed vegetarian, regards the enormous, empty-eyed moosehead and the muddy meat--and the drooling, friendly dog sharing the truckbed--with entirely feigned interest. "That meat'll last us for a couple of years," says Gary Musick, a young bushplane mechanic. "I'll hang it up for a week or so and rub it with vinegar before I cut it up and freeze it. You've got to get all the hair off, though--that's what gives it the gamy taste." "I told Gary don't bring the rifle, this is just supposed to be a nice family trip," his wife, Caroline, gripes. "But he did, and wouldn't you know it, he spotted just the horns way off the highway--darned if I could see a thing. Took us eight hours for him to track it, shoot it, dress it and get the pickup deep enough into the woods that we could load it." Meanwhile, Caroline and their two young children waited patiently in the truck. She and Gary are Alaskans. You'll share Circle Hot Springs with Alaskans rather than tourists, for it is 136 dead-end miles northeast of Fairbanks, and the more resort-y Chena Hot Springs is less than half that distance from the city. Fond memories of agricultural-college houseparties might be your best preparation for the hardy crowd and the simple accommodations, in a state that hasn't yet had time to develop a tradition of any craftsmanship but welding. The hotel's frontier-Victorian rooms are delightful, but don't expect Little Nell's or Telluride North; Alaskans dump their detritus--old cars, junked mobile homes, pipeline parts, crashed airplanes, vintage mining equipment--right outside the front door, so they won't have to walk far in the snow when they need spare parts. Day Six, Circle Hot Springs back to Fairbanks (136 miles) At breakfast, Bob Cacy, a local prospector living at the hotel, slides over from another table and teaches me the Second Rule of courtesy when visiting a goldmine: never look into a working sluicebox, where the gold is separated from gravel by waterflow. (The First Rule is to never, never visit a stake unless invited, which pretty much goes for all private property in Alaska. "Remember, the reason people have chosen to live up here is that they want to be alone," one young woman will tell me.) Why not peek into sluiceboxes, I ask? "I don't ask you how much money you have in your wallet, do I?" Casey responds. When we drive to his stake, just outside Circle Hot Springs, it is being worked by a pair of coveralled, hard-looking young miners to whom he's leased it. They are coolly courteous. "Yeah, help yourself," one says. "The sluice is clean." Casey fetches me a riffled plastic miner's pan and a fistful of unusually rich, black sand that has already been through a mechanical sluicebox once. In 10 minutes of awkward squatting on the streambank, I gentle forth perhaps $5 worth of dully gleaming, unmistakable gold dust and learn that being a sourdough was hard on the haunches. You never know who you'll run into in Alaska, but despite the space, it is life on an intimate scale. (One woman who travels on business frequently has told me, "Alaska's population is still so small that every time I get on an airplane to come home from Outside, there are 10 people aboard who I know.") At the Chatanika Gold Camp restaurant, just north of Fairbanks, the waitress, a distracted woman in huge-lensed, arabesque plastic fashion glasses, says, "Oh, my husband's from New York too. His family used to run that 21 Club? The Kreindlers? Oh, he turned his back on quite a fortune, yes he did," she says with a trace of regret. Day Seven, Fairbanks to Talkeetna, 273 miles Winter comes quickly to Alaska, and as wet snow begins to splat the windshield, I remember a seaman on the Bartlett laughing, "Yeah, fall was on a Saturday last year, too." The outside-air-temperature gauge has plummeted rapidly from 40 to 34, then 33, as the Cherokee hums comfortably down the George Parks Highway, the sole road between Fairbanks and Alaska. Tomorrow we'll hear that the highway was closed hours after we passed, and that the sea-level road across Homer Spit--our memorable route to Ron--was also impassable due to storm waves. Whatever scenic splendor there is along the Parks is hidden in low, thick cloud, and in some ways, our trip to Alaska has been a disappointment. The only moose we've seen was dismembered. I've found bear turds but no bear. The eagles are hiding. The aurora borealis was more spectacular than it had been in anyone's memory the night before we got to Circle Hot Springs. And Denali is invisible, looming 18,000 feet from base to summit, 20,320 feet total, the largest sheer height gain of any mountain in the world, a few miles to the west. We'll fix much of it tomorrow morning at Talkeetna, the grubby little town that exists entirely to service either mountain climbers or aerial sightseers bound for Denali. There are two airports, four feuding air-taxi services and--last season--nearly 1,100 visiting climbers in this town of 441 residents. For $140, we'll buy an hour's worth of seats in K2 Aviation's turbocharged Cessna 206 and do a Denali flyby on what will turn out, in the wake of yesterday's cold front, to be the clearest flightseeing day in a month. We'll climb over mustardy muskeg and shallow lakes through dissipating low clouds to emerge in the lee of an alp so massive that scale and perspective are incomprehensible: at our 12,500-foot altitude, we seem to be buzzing the peak, yet it is still a mile and a half above us. And on the way back to Talkeetna, pilot John Pafford will take the airplane down to animal-buzzing altitude and find us not only a moose but a nesting bald eagle. "It just goes to prove," Susan says, "when things aren't working out, the solution is to throw money at the project." Argentina at a Crossroads: Democracy or Corruption A new and widespread corruption scandal implicating businessmen alongside former Kirchner administration officials may have unforeseen consequences for Argentinas future as a democracy. The recent conviction of former Vice President Amado Boudou to five years and 10 months in prison for crimes committed while in office may still offer some hope for the country. Corruption certainly isnt new to Argentina. It has been chiseled into Argentinas political landscape since the beginning of the 20th century and acquired pandemic intensity after Gen. Juan Domingo Perons governments. Adolfo Perez Esquivel, the winner of the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize, spoke of the pervasive moral illness of Argentinas society. Cheating has been the unspoken public policy in school, on taxes, and when paying bills and fines. This social conduct has infected the roots of the countrys political system and produced its most spectacular finale with the Kirchners governments: Nestor Kirchner was Argentinas president from 2003 to 2007 and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner served from 2007 to 2015. Nobody should be surprised, however. The germs were there, spreading in the basement, rotting the structures, preparing the final collapse. How can anybody explain, otherwise, the bloodthirsty repression carried out by the military during the 1970s without considering its previous acceptance by civilian political circles? How is it possible that people were made to disappear in broad daylight by military tactical commandos, without legal complaints, except by a few human-rights groups? How could it also be explained that the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) terrorist attack that killed 85 people in Buenos Aires in 1994 could occur, without considering the possible connivance by officials from former President Carlos Menems government? Or how could Alberto Nismans assassination also be explained? He was the special prosecutor in the AMIA case, and was assassinated the day before he was to testify in Congress, denouncing the Kirchner administrations corrupted agreement with Iran. In that agreement, Iran and Argentina reportedly exchanged oil for immunity for Iranians suspected to have been involved in the AMIA attack. Those disparate events were simply the consequence of corruption at all levels of Argentinas society. The policy of decade-long complicity between politicians and judges not only allowed these events to remain unpunished, but condoned bribery as a channel for resolving any investigation of a corrupted system. In the last scandal, it became known that the driver of one of the main officials in the Kirchner government filled eight notebooks with detailed explanations of meetings, people involved, places, and bags with money. The notebooks implicated not only major members of government but several wealthy businessmen. Is there any chance for Argentina to eliminate the chronic illness of corruption? After all, it seems easier to give up any resistance than to begin a disproportionate fight against a disease that has accomplices at all levels of society. However, as happens when we are confronted with injustice, we may either give up any hope or maintain our resistance, believing that we deserve a better future. Italy fought with success a similar corrupted system with Mani Pulite (clean hands). This was an Italian nationwide judicial investigation into political corruption that led to the demise of the so-called First Republic. Several politicians and businessmen committed suicide after their crimes were uncovered. Brazil has recently produced Lava Jato, a similar approach, which shows a chance to get rid of widespread corruption in that country. It is now up to Argentine judges to use this opportunity to put a stop to Argentinas endemic corruption. Opportunities like this one are rare, when the populations desperate voice is demanding justice. Alberto L. Zuppi, an Argentine attorney and professor of law, is author of AMIA: An Ongoing Crime (Red Penguin, 2018). Cesar Chelala is a co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award for Missing or Dead in Argentina: The Desperate Search for Thousands of Abducted Victims. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. British Spy to DOJ Official: Hope Important Firewalls Will Hold Former MI6 operative Christopher Steele, the author of the infamous dossier of unverified claims about the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, was worried about then-FBI Director James Comeys congressional testimony in March 2017, according to text messages between Steele and Justice Department official Bruce Ohr. As Comey was about to testify about the FBI counterintelligence probe into the Trump campaign and Steele, the former British spy was hoping important firewalls will holdapparently worried about what Comey might say. The texts were obtained by SaraACarter.com from an unnamed government source familiar with the ongoing investigation. Steele fed claims from his dossier to the FBI, who then used them to justify spying on the Trump campaign. When applying for the spying warrants, however, the FBI failed to mention that Steele was paid to produce the dossier by the campaign of Trumps opponent, Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic National Committee. Hi! Just wondering if you had any news? Obviously, were a bit apprehensive given scheduled appearance at Congress on Monday. Hoping that important firewalls will hold. Many thanks, Steele texted to Ohr on March 18, 2017. Sorry, no new news. I believe my earlier information is still accurate. I will let you know immediately if there is any change, Ohr replied later that day. Ohr has been twice demoted by the Justice Department after he failed to disclose that his wife, Nellie Ohr, also worked on the dossier and was paid through the same firm as SteeleFusion GPS. The firm was being paid by Russian interests for a different project at the time. Ohr is scheduled for a closed-door deposition to the House Judiciary Committee on Aug. 28. The Russia probe was handled by a small group at FBI headquarters led by recently fired special agent Peter Strzok. The group used Steele as an informant, but after he broke source rules by peddling the dossier to media, the FBI officially terminated him. But Steele kept relaying his information to the FBI through Ohr. Strzok spoke to lawmakers on June 27 and July 12, but declined to answer key questions on advice from FBI lawyers. California Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Oakland Warehouse Fire Two men accused of involuntary manslaughter in a California warehouse fire that killed 36 people were due back in court on Aug.17 to set a possible trial date after a judge rejected their plea deal. Families whose loved ones died in the Dec. 2, 2016 blaze in Oakland demanded a criminal trial for Derick Almena and Max Harris so they could learn more about how the tragedy unfolded, the Alameda County District Attorneys Office said. The cause of the fire remains unknown. The families emotional appeal prompted District Attorney Nancy OMalley to end plea discussions with defense attorneys for Almena, who ran the warehouse as an art collective and party space, and Harris, the creative director. Instead, she asked Judge James Cramer to set a trial date for the men, who are each charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. A trial date was expected to be set at a hearing in Alameda County Superior Court on Friday, DA spokesman Ray Casarez said. The grief of the families, the pain and shock of the community by the senseless and tragic deaths of 36 individuals caused by a fire that roared through the warehouse is as strong and deep today as it was in December 2016, OMalley said in a letter to the judge. These lives were lost at the hands of the two defendants, she wrote. After hearing two days of sometimes emotional testimony last week, Judge Cramer rejected the plea deal and scheduled the hearing for Aug. 17, when a trial date may be set. Under the plea deal, Almena, 48, and Harris, 28, would have been respectively sentenced to nine and six years in prison. If convicted at trial, they each face up to 39 years in prison. The fire destroyed the 10,000-square-foot (900-square-meter) Ghost Ship warehouse during an illegal dance party on Dec. 2, 2016. It was the deadliest fire in the United States since 100 people were killed in 2003 in a fire at a Rhode Island nightclub. The two men were accused of criminal negligence, with prosecutors pointing to the buildings lack of sprinklers and smoke detectors. A staircase between its two floors was built partially out of flammable wooden pallets. On the night of the party, the men blocked one of the two exterior doors. Defense attorneys for Almena and Harris were not immediately available for comment. By Barbara Goldberg Supporters take pictures with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) as he attends an inauguration of a new boat terminal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Aug. 1, 2018. (REUTERS/Samrang Pring) Cambodias Ruling Party Won All Seats in July Vote PHNOM PENHCambodias ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) won all 125 parliamentary seats in a national election in July, electoral authorities said on Aug. 15 as the opposition called the result illegitimate. Within hours of the National Election Committee (NEC) announcement, the United States said it was expanding visa restrictions on individuals responsible for anti-democratic actions in the run-up to the July 29 vote. Rights groups say the poll vote was neither free nor fair given the absence of a significant challenger to Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for more than three decades. NEC spokesman Dim Sovannarom said the CPP won all seats and took 4.8 million of 6.9 million votes. The only viable opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was dissolved last year by the Supreme Court and 118 of its 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. Authorities also launched a sweeping crackdown in the lead-up to the vote targeting non-governmental organizations, rights groups, and independent media. The CPP eventually contested the ballot along with 19 other parties, none of which were particularly critical of the government. The royalist Funcinpec party of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, once Hun Sens main rival but now aligned with him, came second with 374,510 votes. Mu Sochua, CNRPs vice president who lives in self-imposed exile abroad, called the new members of parliament illegitimate. The CPP is leading the nation to a one-party state with one man making all decisions for the entire nation through a sham election rejected by democratically elected governments, she said. Sham elections cannot produce a legitimate National Assembly. Voter turnout was 83 percent, the NEC said in a separate statement on Aug. 16, up from 69.6 percent in the previous election in 2013. Flawed Poll The CPP was banking on a high voter turnout to bestow a veneer of legitimacy on the election which many, including the United Nations and some Western countries, had criticized. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the poll was flawed and neither free nor fair. She said expanded visa restrictions may apply to individuals inside and outside the government responsible for the most notable anti-democratic actions in the run-up to the election and in certain circumstances to their immediate relatives. We reiterate our call for the Cambodian government to take tangible actions to promote national reconciliation by allowing independent media and civil society organizations to fulfill their vital roles, she said. Nauert repeated U.S. calls for the release of Kem Sokha and other political prisoners and for an end to a ban on the political opposition. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his congratulations to Hun Sen, saying that Cambodia has achieved political stability, fast economic growth and remarkable success under his leadership. We believe that the Cambodian Peoples Party will continue to unite and lead the Cambodian people to pursue a development path that suits its own national reality, Xi said, according to Chinas Foreign Ministry. Former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, in exile in France since 2015, accused the NEC of artificially inflating voter turnout and being under the ruling partys control. The NEC was able to play all sorts of tricks because, after the forceful dissolution of the CNRP, the election body was placed under the absolute control of the CPP, he said in an emailed statement. Sovannarom rejected the accusations. Following the official result, Hun Sen thanked his supporters in a message posted on Facebook. People have decided to choose peace, development and continue to democracy in the country, he said. By Prak Chan Thul An aerial view of the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 12, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Pentagon Analyst Who Flagged FBI Spy in 2016 Had Clearance Revoked, Pay Slashed An analyst at a secretive Pentagon think tank was stripped of his security clearance and had his pay slashed in what he claims was retaliation for his questioning of some suspicious contracts, including those for the informant the FBI used to snoop on the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. Adam Lovinger was a strategist for 12 years in the Office of Net Assessment (ONA), a strategy group that reports directly to the secretary of defense. James Baker, ONAs head, hired Stefan Halper to conduct foreign relations, a job Lovinger believed could only be lawfully done by government officials, not a contractor. Halper was to engage with foreign government officials on behalf of the United States, according to Lovingers attorney, Sean Bigley. In October 2016, shortly before the election, Lovinger sent an email to his supervisors, warning about the moral hazard of contracting with Halper. On May 1, 2017, supervisors stripped Lovinger of his security clearance and relegated him to administrative duties. A year later, they used his lack of clearance to justify cutting his pay. Hes been on administrative leave since. Lovinger filed a whistleblower reprisal complaint with the Defense Departments inspector general against Baker and others. They were looking to scapegoat him from the start and essentially find a reason to get rid of him in retaliation for his whistleblowing, Bigley said. The Defense Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Million-Dollar Spy Halper was de facto revealed as the informant that the FBI used to spy on the Trump campaign, in May 18 articles in The Washington Post and The New York Times, after others, such as blogger Jeff Carlson, suggested the same. Halper was hired by ONA four times since 2012 on contracts totaling over $1 million. The first contract, for around $198,000, was only described as direct labor. Bigley said it was a 562-page academic study, but that Halper wrote less than a half of it and paid other academics to do the rest. The second contract ($204,000) was described as research and studiesthe year 2030. The third contract (about $245,000) was described Russia-China Relationship Study and lasted from Sept. 24, 2015, to Sept. 27, 2016. A day before the previous one expired, Halper landed another contract for India and China econ study, which was extended on July 26, 2017, until March 29, 2018for almost $412,000. It was a topic of conversation within the office, Bigley said. What is Halper doing, and why is he being paid astronomically more than others similarly situated? Halper has links to the CIA and British intelligence agency MI6. Hes served in the Nixon, Ford, and Reagan administrations and is a professor at Cambridge University. Clinton Friend Lovinger also complained about contracts totaling some $11 million since 2007 to Washington consulting firm Long Term Strategy Group (LTSG). The firm is headed by Jacqueline Newmyer Deal, who is best friends with Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to a 2011 WWD interview. Lovinger questioned the benefit of LTSGs work. For one thing, the firms personnel lacked security clearance, Bigley said, so it could only base its analysis on publicly available information. Also, some study topics seemed rather inane, such as a study of whether Americans are war-like people or a study of whether there were enough coastal elites in the national security bureaucracy, Bigley said. Halper also lacked security clearance, Bigley added. Anti-Trump In January 2017, Lovinger was selected by the Trump team to work at the White House National Security Council. That didnt help Lovingers case as Baker held an animus toward Trump, Bigley said. In May 2017, after considering all available information, the Pentagons Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF) issued an unfavorable clearance determination and Mr. Lovingers clearance was revoked, a Defense Department spokesman told the Washington Times. The CAF is part of the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), the same Pentagon support agency that awarded the contracts to Halper and the Clinton friend, Bigley noted. The CAFs entire adjudication of this case was orchestrated by corrupt officials at WHS, which was demonstrated numerous times throughout the process, he said. Baker was appointed to lead the ONA in 2015 by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. Baker is a veteran of the department and a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. Allegations WHS Director Barbara Westgate was appointed in 2016. The WHS manages facilities, security, information technology, communications, human resources, contracting, financial, and other services for the Defense Department. Westgate stated in a memo to Lovinger regarding his clearance that she had concerns regarding your judgment, trustworthiness, and reliability while carrying out your official duties, specifically relating to your personal conduct, misuse of Information Technology systems, outside activities and your improper handling of and safeguarding of protected information. Bigley called the allegations ridiculous, saying Lovinger received the highest ratings in his performance reviews for the first half of 2016 and the second half of 2015. His supervisors appear to have only started to have a problem with him after he blew the whistle and began working for Trump. Lovinger acknowledged one incident where he inadvertently took a research paper marked classification pending to read on a plane. He was admonished for that infractionone of the lowest-level penalties in the military, The Washington Free Beacon reported in May 2017. Lovinger has four cases pending: one against the alleged whistleblower retaliation; one with the Pentagon criminal division against alleged inappropriate ONA contracts; an ethics complaint against the way Pentagon officials treated him; and an appeal against his security-clearance revocation. Did the FBI Use Formal Interviews With Ohr to Transmit Information From Steele? Information contained in FD-302s could be key to understanding how Steeles information was transmitted to the FBI News Analysis Bruce Ohr, the fourth-highest-ranking official at the Department of Justice (DOJ), actively shared information he received from former MI6 spy Christopher Steele with the FBI, after the agency had terminated Steele as a source. Interactions between Ohr and Steele stretched for months into the first year of Trumps presidency and were documented in a number of FD-302s, memos that summarize interviews with him by the FBI. The existence of the FD-302s that detail Ohrs interactions with Steele calls into question who at the FBIand possibly the DOJwas aware of his activities. As associate deputy attorney general, Ohr reported directly to Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Ohr first came to the publics attention on Dec. 7, 2017, when Fox News revealed that Ohr had been in repeated contact with Steele during the 2016 presidential campaignwhile Steele was in the process of constructing his dossier that contains unverified claims about Trump. Fox News also disclosed that Ohr met with Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson after the election. Fusion GPS had been hired by the Clinton presidential campaign and Democratic National Committee (DNC) to produce the dossier on Trump, for which the company had hired Steele. It was later revealed that Ohr met with Simpson prior to the presidential election, as well. On Dec. 11, 2017, it was revealed that Ohrs wife, Nellie Ohr, had worked for Fusion GPS during the 2016 election. Nellie Ohr was paid by Fusion GPS through the summer and fall of 2016. Bruce Ohr never publicly disclosed his wifes employment by Fusion GPS, despite a requirement to file financial disclosure forms regarding his wifes work. Ohr was demoted following the initial Fox News report, losing his title of associate deputy attorney general and his prestigious office on the fourth floor of the Justice Building. It appears the DOJ only took action after they learned of the Fox News investigation into Ohrs role. Newly released texts, emails, and handwritten notes have provided further insight into Ohrs interactions with Steele and Simpson. It appears that Ohr became the conduit between Steele, Fusion GPS, and the FBI after Steele was formally terminated by the FBI in late October or early November 2016. Steeles termination occurred after he revealedin violation of FBI policyhis relationship with the FBI in an Oct. 30, 2016, article in Mother Jones magazine by journalist David Corn. Interactions between Ohr and Steele are highlighted in a Feb. 28, 2018, letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), which makes reference to documents that the DOJ provided to Grassley. These documents have raised several serious questions about the propriety of the FBIs relationship with former British Intelligence agent Christopher Steele, the letter reads. The documents also raise questions about the role of Bruce Ohr, a senior Justice Department official whose wife worked for Fusion GPS, in continuing to pass allegations from Steele and Fusion GPS to the FBI after the FBI had terminated Mr. Steele as a source. Of importance is the specific wording by Grassley. Ohr was continuing to pass allegations from Steele and Fusion GPS to the FBI after the FBI had terminated Mr. Steele as a source. Grassley then provided specific evidence detailing his claims: Numerous FD-302s demonstrating that Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr continued to pass along allegations from Mr. Steele to the FBI after the FBI suspended its formal relationship with Mr. Steele for unauthorized contact with the media, and demonstrating that Mr. Ohr otherwise funneled allegations from Fusion GPS and Mr. Steele to the FBI. Grassley wasnt insinuating that Ohr might have served as the conduit between Steele and the FBI. He was stating these occurrences as fact. Grassley had seen the underlying 302s and listed them in his letter to Horowitz along with actual FBI interview dates: Ohr FD-302 12/19/16 (interview date 11/22/16) Ohr FD-302 12/19/16 (interview date 12/5/16) Ohr FD-302 12/19/16 (interview date 12/12/16) Ohr FD-302 12/27/16 (interview date 12/20/16) Ohr FD-302 1/27/17 (interview date 1/27/17) Ohr FD-302 1/31/17 (interview date 1/23/17) Ohr FD-302 1/27/17 (interview date 1/25/17) Ohr FD-302 2/8/17 (interview date 2/6/ 17) Ohr FD-302 2/15/17 (interview date 2/14/17) Ohr FD-302 5/10/17 (interview date 5/8/17) Ohr FD-302 5/12/17 (interview date 5/ 12/17) Ohr FD-302 5/16/17 (interview date 5/15/17) Contact between Steele and Ohr continued through to at least mid-May 2017six months after the election. We know that Steele and Fusion GPS continued their work following the 2016 election. Sometime in early 2017, Steele and Fusion GPS were hired by Daniel Jones, a former intelligence committee staffer for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) who runs the Penn Quarter Group. The stated purpose behind hiring Steele and Fusion was to continue exposing Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Ohrs role in this process is currently being investigated by Congress. Ohr is scheduled for an Aug. 28 interview before the House judiciary, and oversight and government reform committees. In advance of this interview, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) are requesting additional information regarding Ohr in the form of any and all FD-302sincluding any generated from previously undisclosed FBI interviews of Ohr: In anticipation of this interview, we request DOJ provide the Committee access to all FD-302s written as a result of any interviews conducted by the FBI of Mr. Ohr. These should include, but not be limited to, any 302s previously made available to other congressional committees, the letter reads. The existence of additional FD-302s could reveal that contact between Ohr, Steele, and Simpson was more prevalent than previously thought. The fact that Ohr was able to continue his communications with Steele and funnel information into the FBI through interviews formalized in FD-302s raises the question of who in the chain of command was aware of the interactions. Information provided by Steele, which the FBI itself said it was unable to verify, played a crucial role in the FBI obtaining a FISA warrant on Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page. Information provided by Ohr could have made its way into subsequent FISA renewals. Yates signed the original FISA warrant on Page in October 2016 along with the first FISA renewal in January 2017. Ohr reported directly to Yates. Yates was present at a Jan. 5, 2017, meeting with then-President Barack Obama, then-FBI Director James Comey, then-Vice President Joe Biden, and then-national security adviser Susan Rice in the oval office of the White House. That meeting was documented in an email sent by Rice to herself and was disclosed in a letter from Grassley. According to Grassley, that meeting reportedly included a discussion of the Steele dossier and the FBIs investigation of its claims. The FD-302s that detail the FBI interviews of Ohr might shed more light on the role that senior Obama officials played in the creation of the FBIs counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign based on Steeles information. Jeff Carlson is a CFA Charterholder. He has worked for 20 years as an analyst and portfolio manager in the high-yield bond market. He runs the website TheMarketsWork.com Dossier Author Worried Comey Firing Would Expose Operation, New Messages Reveal The former British spy who composed the infamous dossier of unverified claims about the presidential campaign of Donald Trump was very concerned that the firing of then-FBI Director James Comey in May last year would expose a clandestine operation. According to notes handwritten by senior Justice Department (DOJ) official Bruce Ohr on May 10, 2017, Christopher Steele, the dossiers author, was very concerned about Comeys firing, afraid they will be exposed. The content of the notes was first published by investigative journalist Sara Carter. Though it is unclear what covert operation Steele is referring to, less than two weeks prior to the message, on March 28, 2017, the FBI filed a report on a meeting with Daniel Jones, who heads Penn Quarter Group, a research and investigative advisory firm. The report stated that Jones had retained the services of Steele as part of a project to gather dirt on President Donald Trump. The project, run by Penn Quarter Group, was funded by 7-10 wealthy donors who provided approximately $50 million. Whether Steele was referring to the private dirt-digging operation or something else, Steeles message raises questions about Comeys role in clandestine activities against the president, the exposure of which Steele was very concerned about. Steele was growing nervous about the covert operation being exposed even before Comey was fired. Two days prior to Comeys March 20 testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Steele wrote to Ohr that he and his associates were apprehensive about the upcoming hearing and hoped important firewalls will hold. Hi! Just wondering if you had any news? Obviously, were a bit apprehensive given scheduled appearance at Congress on Monday. Hoping that important firewalls will hold. Many thanks, Steele texted to Ohr on March 18, 2017. Sorry, no new news. I believe my earlier information is still accurate. I will let you know immediately if there is any change, Ohr replied the same day. Lawmakers investigating FBI and DOJ actions surrounding the 2016 election have scheduled a closed-door hearing to question Ohr on Aug. 28. Trump said on Aug. 16 that he plans to remove Ohrs security clearance. I think Bruce Ohr is a disgrace, I suspect Ill be taking it [clearance] away very quickly, Trump said at the White House on Aug. 17. I think that Bruce Ohr is a disgrace with his wife, Nellie. For him to be in the Justice Department and to be doing what he did, that is a disgrace, that is disqualifying for [special counsel Robert] Mueller. At the time of those communications between Steele and Ohr, Steele had already been officially terminated by the FBI and was prohibited from gathering intelligence on the bureaus behalf. The FBI had terminated Steele on Nov. 1, 2016, for leaking to the media in violation of the bureaus rules for confidential human sources. Ohr became Steeles back channel to the FBI after the termination. Ohr continued to aid Steele as late as November 2017 despite having no official role in the Russia investigation. Ohr was demoted twice for concealing that his wife, Nellie Ohr, worked for Fusion GPS in 2016 on the same dirt-digging operation against the Trump campaign as Steele. Ohr would go on to hand all of his wifes research to the FBI, according to a House Intelligence Committee report. The Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) paid Fusion GPS $160,000 for Steeles dossier. A counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign codenamed Crossfire Hurricane would go on to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to surveil former Trump-campaign volunteer Carter Page. The officials who signed off on the FISA application failed to disclose that the Clinton campaign and the DNC funded the dossier, that the FBI knew of Steeles bias against Trump, and the connection between the Ohrs, Steele, and Fusion GPS. Comey signed the initial FISA application in October 2016, and two renewal applications in January and April 2017. DOJs Emails & Notes show Bruce Ohrs connection to (phony & discredited) Trump Dossier. A creep thinking he would get caught in a dishonest act. Rigged Witch Hunt! Trump wrote on Twitter on Aug. 16. The Epoch Times previously reported that while writing the dossier, Steele lobbied Ohr on behalf of a Russian billionaire. Ohr also worked to reinstate Steele with the FBI and engage him with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. Yongjin Wang, director of the Confucius Institute in the University of Lagos. April 6, 2016. (PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images) Florida University Latest to Cut Ties With Chinas Confucius Institute The University of North Florida will close a campus branch of a Chinese-run cultural institute, the latest U.S. college to do so amid criticism from U.S. legislators that China uses the institute to influence American higher education. The Jacksonville-based university said on Aug. 14 it had determined after careful consideration that the Confucius Institute, which opened a branch there in 2014 to promote language and culture, did not meet the universitys mission. After reviewing the classes, activities, and events sponsored over the past four years and comparing them with the mission and goals of the university, it was determined that they werent aligned, the university said in a statement. It did not elaborate on the reasons for ending the partnership, but said the institute would be closed in February, fulfilling legal obligations to provide six months notice for ending the contract. The Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing and Chinas foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other major U.S. colleges, including Pennsylvania State University and the University of Chicago, have cut ties with the institute after professors complained its programs were Chinese propaganda wrapped in culture and language education. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio welcomed the universitys decision. Rubio has been among U.S. lawmakers warning that the Confucius Institute was an effort by China to expand its political influence abroad and had contributed to censorship on U.S. campuses. I welcome the decision of @UofNorthFlorida to close its Confucius Institute. There is growing & well-founded concern about these Chinese Communist Party-funded Institutes. I continue to urge other FL universities to follow suit, Rubio said on Twitter. Rubio and other lawmakers have pursued legislation that would require universities to disclose major gifts from foreign sources, at a time when U.S. politicians, including President Donald Trump, but also many Democrats, have been pushing a harder line in dealing with China. U.S.-China relations have suffered in recent months, with the two countries locked in an increasingly bitter trade dispute. Several other universities in Florida still host the Confucius Institute, among more than 100 such centers around the United States. By Michael Martina The student union building at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, Florida on July 12, 2009. (The222/Creative Commons) Florida University Latest to Cut Ties With Chinas Confucius Institute BEIJINGThe University of North Florida will close a campus branch of a Chinese-run cultural institute, the latest U.S. college to do so amid criticism from U.S. legislators that China uses the institute to influence American higher education. The Jacksonville-based university said on Aug. 14 it had determined after careful consideration that the Confucius Institute, which opened a branch there in 2014 to promote Chinese language and culture, did not meet the universitys mission. After reviewing the classes, activities and events sponsored over the past four years and comparing them with the mission and goals of the university, it was determined that they werent aligned, the university said in a statement. It did not elaborate on the reasons for ending the partnership, but said the institute would be closed in February, fulfilling a legal obligations to provide six months notice for ending the contract. The Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing and Chinas foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) welcomed the universitys decision. Rubio has been among U.S. lawmakers warning that the Confucius Institute was an effort by China to expand its political influence abroad and had contributed to censorship on U.S. campuses. I welcome the decision of @UofNorthFlorida to close its Confucius Institute. There is growing & well-founded concern about these Chinese Communist Party-funded Institutes. I continue to urge other FL universities to follow suit, Rubio said on Twitter. Rubio and other lawmakers have pursued legislation that would require universities to disclose major gifts from foreign sources, at a time when U.S. politicians, including President Donald Trump, have been pushing a harder line in dealing with China. U.S.-China relations have suffered in recent months, with the two countries locked in an increasingly bitter trade dispute. Several other universities in Florida still host the Confucius Institute, among more than 100 such centers around the United States. Other major U.S. colleges, including Pennsylvania State University and the University of Chicago, have cut ties with the institute after professors complained its programs were Chinese propaganda wrapped in culture and language education. Reporting by Michael Martina Friend Who Found Bobbi Kristina Dead Dies of Overdose The close friend of Bobbi Kristina Brown who found her on the brink of death in a bathtub from a drug overdose has himself died of an overdose. Max Lomas was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friends house, TMZ reported, citing a law enforcement source in Mississippi. A syringe was reportedly found near his body. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Lomas is known to have spent a considerable amount of time with Bobbi Kristina and her boyfriend, Nick Gordon, in the days leading up to her death. He was the one who found 22-year-old Bobbi Kristina near-dead in a bathtub from an overdose. TMZ reported that he was believed to have procured drugs for Bobbi Kristina and Gordon, and that he spent several hours at her home before she died. Lomas repeatedly denied allegations of being a drug dealer but did tell People magazine in 2016 that he had been high on drugs on the night of Bobbi Kristinas overdose. He said he witnessed an argument between the couple, after which he said they made up. Sometime after that, Lomas found Brown floating face-down in a tub of cold water in the bathroom. I knocked on the door, and that is when I see her floating in the water, Lomas told the magazine. I pull her outthe water is freezingand lay her on her back. She wasnt breathing. He told People he called 911 as a hysterical Gordon performed CPR on his wife in an attempt to revive her. It was so traumatizing, Gordon told the Daily Mail. I dropped to my knees and kept giving her chest compressions and blowing into her mouth, he said. I thought she was going to come round but that never happened, Bobbi Kristina passed away on July 26, 2015, after spending months in a coma. Her father, Bobby Brown, said in a 20/20 interview that he felt he had let his daughter down. We failed Bobbi Kris. We could have been better. We should have been better. To be so young and have everything we wanted was a blessing and a curse, he said. The former frontman of R&B group New Edition and his wife, Whitney Houston, struggled with addiction, with Brown admitting to being once hooked on heroin and cocaine. Despite the birth of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, the couple still abused drugs. They would go on cocaine binges on one end of their mansion while Bobbi Kristina was tended to by nannies in another part of the home. In the interview, Brown admitted his relationship with Bobbi Kristina was on the rocks after the passing of Houston in 2012. Houston was found submerged in the bathtub of her Beverly Hills Hotel bathroom. Cocaine use played a role in her drowning. No charges have been filed in connection with Bobbi Kristinas 2015 death. The family won a civil suit against Nick Gordon for $36 million. From NTD.tv Gunman Who Killed Five at Florida Airport Sentenced to Life FORT LAUDERDALEA U.S. veteran of the war in Iraq who killed five people during a shooting spree in the arrivals area of a Florida airport last year was sentenced on Friday to life in federal prison for what the judge called 85 seconds of evil. Esteban Santiago, 28, had pleaded guilty in May to launching the attack, near a baggage carousel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Jan. 6, 2017. Under a deal with prosecutors, he escaped the death penalty and was instead sentenced to five consecutive life terms followed by 120 years in prison, without the right of appeal. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom had pushed back the sentencing hearing to allow families of victims to be present. A woman who was wounded and whose husband was killed told Santiago he was a coward, WFOR-TV in Miami reported. Bloom called the shootings, 85 seconds of evil, and Santiago chose not to speak at the hearing, the TV station reported. Santiago carried out the rampage after flying to Florida from his home in Anchorage, Alaska, then recovering a 9mm pistol and two ammunition clips from his checked baggage. In addition to killing five people, he wounded six others as he walked through the arrivals area, apparently opening fire at random, security camera footage showed. After running out of bullets, he placed his weapon on the floor and surrendered to police. A psychologist testified during a plea hearing in May that Santiago had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Judge Bloom ruled in March 2017 that he was mentally fit to stand trial. Santiago, who served in the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard, was deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011. At a previous hearing, when Bloom asked Santiago why he carried out the attack, he replied: I dont know. I wasnt thinking about it at the time There were a lot of things going on in my mind, messages. By Bernie Woodall Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a press conference in Baltimore, Md., on Dec. 12, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Justice Department Plans More Cuts to Opioid Manufacturing WASHINGTONThe Justice Department, through the Drug Enforcement Administration, plans to reduce 2019 opioid manufacturing quotas for the six most frequently misused opioids by an average of 10 percent from 2018 levels. The six targeted opioids are fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. The opioid manufacturing quota was heavily reduced in 2017, with four of the six target opioids reduced by 40 percent or more. The other two were each reduced by 27 percent. The Justice Departments 2019 plan lines up with President Donald Trumps Safe Prescribing Plan that seeks to cut nationwide opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement on Aug. 16 that the opioid cuts will make it harder to divert these drugs for abuse. In 2017, more than 71,500 Americans died from drug overdoses, according to provisional numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 15. The majority of opioid addicts start their addiction through prescription pillstheir own or those belonging to a friend or family member. Once hooked and the prescriptions run out, the addict turns to street pills or the cheaper options of heroin and fentanyl. Most of the illicit fentanyl is manufactured in China and most illicit opioids enter the United States through Mexico or via the postal service. During a cabinet meeting on Aug. 16, Trump asked Sessions to look into the opioids coming in from China and Mexico. In China, you have some pretty big companies sending that garbage and killing our people. Its almost a form of warfare, Trump said. Sessions said the department is currently returning indictments against distributors from China. Weve identified certain companies that are moving drugs from China, fentanyl in particular, he said. Sessions also agreed to look into bringing federal lawsuits against drug companies that supply opioids, rather than just joining state lawsuits. Nuro's R1 driverless delivery van packed with bags from Kroger's Fry's Food Stores, which will begin a test of the vehicle in Scottsdale, Ariz., his autumn on Aug. 15, 2018. Courtesy of Kroger/Handout via REUTERS Kroger Selects Arizona for Self-Driving Grocery Delivery Pilot Kroger Co. is bringing self-driving grocery delivery to Arizona. The largest grocery chain in the U.S. will start delivering groceries in autonomous-capable Toyota Prius cars starting Aug. 16 at a Frys Food Stores location it owns in Scottsdale. To start, there will be a driver in the vehicle, though the second phase of the testslated to begin late next monthwill include unmanned autos, according to a spokeswoman for the grocer. Kroger announced in June a partnership with the Bay Area autonomous vehicle startup Nuro to test the delivery of groceries in unmanned road vehicles that can steer from the store to a customers home. The grocer, which operates nearly 2,800 stores, has said unmanned cars would help cut down on delivery times and the costs associated with sending bags of food directly to customers houses. Ever since Amazon.com Inc. rattled the food world and sent grocers shares sliding with its purchase of Whole Foods, Cincinnati-based Kroger has been investing in its digital capabilities as the industry braces for a shift toward online grocery shopping. Startup Partner Nuro was founded about two years ago by a pair of former Google employees who spent years working on the technology giants autonomous vehicle project Waymo. Based in Mountain View, California, Nuro is developing a fleet of driverless vehicles specifically designed to carry things like groceries and pizza. The delivery pods, about half the size of a Toyota Corolla, currently top out at about 25 mph. Nuro has fitted Prius models in its fleet with its driverless software and sensors for the first Kroger pilot tests. Arizonas looser regulatory climate has made it a destination for tests of self-driving technology. The states welcoming approach came under scrutiny in March after what was likely the first pedestrian death linked to an autonomous vehicle, involving a self-driving Uber Technologies Inc. SUV. by Craig Giammona From Bloomberg London Breed at Mayors Annual Backpack Giveaway Mayor London Breed joined community members to hand out backpacks and school supplies to children as part of the Mayors annual Backpack Giveaway program. This years Backpack Giveaway was held at Holly Courts in San Francisco on August 16, 2018. Holly Courts is an affordable family property and is part of BRIDGE Housing Corporation. During the event, Mayor Breed met with local community members and took time to take pictures with the people attending the event. Mayor Breed also took the occasion to swear-in the new managers of the Holly Courts property, before handing out backpacks to the children. Its a great opportunity to meet the kids because they are our future, said Mayor Breed. Each summer, backpacks are distributed to youth throughout San Francisco to encourage learning and education. For the past 12 years, the Mayors Office of Neighborhood Services has partnered with various city agencies, community organizations and local businesses to distribute backpacks to local students. Each backpack comes equipped with school supplies and information on local resources that will help prepare students for the school year. Long-Distance Bus Overturns on German Highway, 22 Hurt BERLINA bus headed from Stockholm to Berlin came off a highway in northeastern Germany on Friday and overturned, injuring 22 people, authorities said. The accident happened about 6:30 a.m. at Linstow, near Rostock, on the A19 highway. The bus veered into a ditch next to the highway and ended up lying on its side. FlixBus, the main operator of long-distance buses in Germany, said the bus was heading from Stockholm to Berlin via Copenhagen. Ferries from Scandinavia arrive in Rostock. Police said there were 61 passengers and two drivers on board from 22 countries. They said 16 people sustained medium to serious injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals, while the remaining passengers were looked over at an aid station in the nearby city of Guestrow and six of them were taken to hospital with light injuries. It wasnt immediately clear why the bus left the highway. No other vehicles were involved. Police said the driver was questioned and a breathalyzer test showed an alcohol level of zero. Investigators were analyzing an on-board data recorder to try to understand the accident. Missing 74-Year-Old Alaskan Man Found in Good Health The content is not available due to expiration. Andrew Hastie, Liberal MP, speaks at Australian Parliament in May 2018. (Commonwealth of Australia) NEG Would Undermine Australias Economic Sovereignty, Liberal MP Says West Australian Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has confirmed that he cannot support the national energy guarantee (NEG) in its current form saying that the proposed changes, which include legislating Paris emissions reduction targets into Australian law, would undermine Australias economic sovereignty. In an interview with Sky News on Aug. 16, Hastie stressed that his opposition to the policy was a matter of principle, rejecting suggestions that it was aimed at calling into question Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls leadership, as had been reported in local media. Economic Sovereignty Hastie said the planned legislation under the NEG for a 26 percent reduction in CO2 emissions to meet targets agreed to under the Paris Climate agreement would undermine our economic sovereignty. I think sovereignty is back in a big way, he said. Weak nations get trampled on, so we need to stay strong. And thats I think why we need maximum flexibility when it comes to energy policy, which is a central of national power. Hastie pointed to the growing CO2 emissions by major countries in our region. The USA and Asia Pacific, they account for 65 per cent of the worlds global emissions. Australia is only 1.2 per cent. And the US has walked away [from the Paris agreement]. Chinas emissions are growing. Indias emissions are growing. Coal has gone up in consumption in the last year, he said. Why would we hurt ourselves economically when no-one else is? So, thats my economic sovereignty case. Power Prices The MP also said he did not think the NEG would bring about cheaper power prices for consumers, challenging the modelling that projected a $550 a year saving on household power bills under the policy. He said families and seniors should be able to pay for power without sacrificing their standard of living, and was sceptical of the NEGs ability to deliver lower prices given that renewables are forecast to increase from the current 17 percent to 36 percent of the energy generation by 2030. Australian industry and our manufacturing sector would also be impacted if cheap and reliable energy could not be delivered, Hastie said. We have bountiful reserves of coal, gas, uranium. We are an energy superpower, he said. But for some reason, we have the highest prices in the world. PM To Target Big Three Energy Companies Prime Minister Turnbull, in a bid to placate rebel MPs, has promised to ensure that the Big Three energy companies wont deliberately inflate power prices, The Australian reported on Aug. 17. Turnbull will announce a crackdown against Australias three largest vertically integrated energy companiesAGL, Origin, and Energy Australiafrom selling energy between its generation and retail businesses at inflated prices. The measures aimed at ensuring low prices for consumers will also include a review of the bidding process in the wholesale market and what has been the use of secret contracts between businesses, the paper reported. This move, however, may not be enough to shore up support from some Coalition MPs who oppose legislating the 26 percent Paris agreement target. Ten coalition MPs have reserved their right to cross the floor to vote against the NEG. Queensland Liberal MP George Christensen confirmed to the paper that he would cross the floor if the Paris target was not removed from the legislation. Tony Abbott has also indicated he would not vote for the NEG in its current form. The NEG legislation is currently slated to be introduced to parliament next week. From NTD.tv Watch next: Alex Epstein and Dave Rubin Discuss the Climate Change Debate File photo: Peru's President Martin Vizcarra speaks during an interview with Reuters in Pucallpa, Peru August 9, 2018. (Reuters/Guadalupe Pardo) Ecuador, Peru Tighten Entry Requirements for Venezuelans as Influx Swells QUITO/LIMAVenezuelans entering Ecuador and Peru will soon be required to show their passports, rather than national identity cards, the Ecuadorean government and Peruvian official sources said on Thursday, amid concerns over an influx of economic migrants. Ecuador and Peru have hitherto allowed Venezuelans to enter using national ID cards, providing desperate Venezuelans with an easier route out of their crisis stricken homeland. As of this Saturday the government will require that anyone entering Ecuador present his or her passport, Ecuadors Interior Minister Mauro Toscanini said. The Foreign Ministry later said it would apply specifically to Venezuelans. Ecuador declared a state of emergency in three provinces this month after a spike in Venezuelan migrants crossing the Ecuadorean-Colombian border high in the Andean mountains. Authorities said up to 4,500 Venezuelans were crossing daily, compared with around 500 to 1,000 previously. An official at Ecuadors Foreign Ministry told local radio that some 600,000 Venezuelans had entered the country so far this year, with around 109,000 staying on. Unable to afford flights and often earning a minimum wage of just a few dollars a month, Venezuelans have been taking days-long bus rides across South America, many passing through Ecuador on their way south to Peru or Chile. Peru is also planning to require passports from Venezuelans soon, two government sources said on condition of anonymity ahead of a pending announcement. Immigration officials estimated that there are nearly 400,000 Venezuelans in Peru, most of whom entered this year. About 20 percent of Venezuelans enter Peru without a passport, Perus interior minister said earlier this week. Venezuelans selling food or knick-knacks on the streets have become a common sight in Lima and Quito, raising fears among locals that the migrants could take their jobs and increase crime. Ecuadors President Lenin Moreno is left-wing like his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, but he has distanced himself from Caracas since taking office last year. Centrist Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra took office in March after his predecessor, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a vocal critic of Maduro, resigned in a scandal. Reporting by Mitra Taj Taiwan Bakery Chain Disappears From Major Chinese Food Apps Amid Taiwan Presidents Visit to US SHANGHAI/TAIPEIChinese food delivery platforms Meituan-Dianping and Ele.me have taken down listings for Taiwans 85 Degrees Celsius Bakery Cafe, checks on their apps showed, amid boycott calls from social media users who said the chain supported Taiwan independence. The move by the Chinese companies comes after 85 Degrees, which has 628 stores in mainland China, was hit by calls for a boycott on Chinese social media. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen had been photographed on Aug. 12 visiting one of its Los Angeles stores during her visit to the United States. Taiwan is Chinas most sensitive territorial issue and Beijing, which considers it a wayward province, has in recent months become increasingly critical of how international companies refer to the self-ruled, democratic island. Checks on Tencent-backed Meituan-Dianping and Alibaba-owned Ele.mes apps on Aug. 16 showed that the option for users to order food deliveries from 85 Degrees stores was no longer available. The Dianping app, which lists reviews and locations for restaurants and shops, displayed the message unable to find appropriate merchant when one tried to search for 85 Degrees stores. Meituan-Dianping declined to comment while Ele.me and 85 Degrees did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not clear when 85 Degrees listing was taken down from the apps but Chinese state media reported it on Aug. 16. On Aug. 15, 85 Degrees issued a statement on its mainland Chinese website in response to criticism about Tsais visit, saying that it firmly supported the one China policy and encouraged the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait. Huang Chung-yen, a spokesman for Taiwans Presidential Office, said 85 Degrees was subject to unwarranted pressure and forced to release a humiliating statement, adding that Taiwan condemned such actions against freedom of speech. Shares in Gourmet Master Company Ltd, 85 Degrees parent company, dropped 7.5 percent to their lowest in more than a year, compared with a 0.3 percent fall in the broader market. Companies from airlines, such as Air Canada, to retailers, such as Gap and Muji, have apologized for or changed the way they refer to Taiwan in recent months after complaints from Beijing. Many mainland Chinese social media users said on Aug. 16 that they supported the removal of 85 Degrees from the food delivery apps, but some lamented that customers were also penalized. Politics is politics and business is business, but us people are innocent, we should not wrap it all up in each other, said one with the username shengxiaomei. By Brenda Goh and Yimou Lee Tesla on Track to Make 8,000 Model 3S per Week, Evercore Says Tesla Inc is on its way to make 8,000 Model 3 cars per week even as it burns more cash, Evercore analysts wrote in a note on Thursday, August 16, following their visit to the electric-car makers California facility. Tesla produced 5,031 Model 3 electric cars in the last seven days of the second quarter, the company said in early July, meeting its long-elusive production target after several hiccups. Tesla seems well on the way to achieving a steady weekly production rate of 5 to 6k units per week, Evercore analysts said after a two-day visit to the Tesla facility. In addition, the capex required and constraints that need to be overcome to reach 7 to 8k units per week seem well within reach. The company is under pressure to prove it can increase the production of Model 3, its lowest-priced car, amid production challenges and cash burn, as it seeks to become a mass-market automaker. Evercore had earlier forecast production of 123,000 Model 3s during the second half of the year, but the analysts said they may need to boost that amount by as much as 7 percent after the tour. Meanwhile, Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk last week said he wants to take the company private, creating a whirlwind in the market, drawing lawsuits and attention from U.S. regulators for the unorthodox disclosure of critical company news. Reporting by Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru. US Hits Burma Military With Sanctions for Human Rights Abuses The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on four Burma military and police commanders and two army units for involvement in what it called ethnic cleansing and other human rights abuses against the countrys Rohingya Muslims, the Treasury Department said. Burmese security forces have engaged in violent campaigns against ethnic minority communities across Burma, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights abuses, said Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker. Treasury is sanctioning units and leaders overseeing this horrific behavior as part of a broader U.S. government strategy to hold accountable those responsible for such wide-scale human suffering, Mandelker said. The sanctions marked the toughest U.S. action so far in response to Burmas crackdown on the Rohingya minority. The Trump administration earlier imposed sanctions on the chief of Burmas western military command, Gen. Maung Maung Soe, who stands accused of ordering ethnic cleansing. Today, the United States is taking a strong stand against human rights abuse and corruption globally by shutting these bad actors out of the U.S. financial system. Treasury is freezing their assets and publicly denouncing the egregious acts theyve committed, sending a message that there is a steep price to pay for their misdeeds, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a Dec. 21, 2017, U.S. Department of the Treasury press release. Following last years actions, human rights groups and lawmakers continued to call on the administration to impose more sanctions in the wake of ongoing atrocities. Brutal Burma army operations that began in August 2017 have displaced more than 700,000 Rohingya, who have fled to neighboring Bangladesh, leaving thousands of dead behind. Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigators accuse the Burmese army of carrying out a systematic campaign of killing and rape in the Rohingya village of Tula Toli in Rakhine State on Aug. 30, 2017. Violence erupted on Aug. 25 when a group of Rohingya militants torched police checkpoints in Rakhine. An HRW report released on Dec. 19, 2017, detailed victims numbering in the hundreds. Hassina and other survivors described to Human Rights Watch how the soldiers had then separated the women and children from the men, confined the women to the shallow water of the river, and systematically murdered the men over the course of several hours, the report reads, referring to an account by Hassina, a female villager who was raped by soldiers and then knifed and left for dead. The soldiers then turned to the women and children. Soldiers took some women and children away as soon as the men were killed, and others while the soldiers were still digging the pits and disposing of the bodies. They began killing some of the children at the beach, tossing young children into the river, the report said. HRW released satellite footage on Feb. 22 that it said showed the destruction of Rohingya villages in Maungdaw, Burma, between Jan. 8 and Feb. 19. According to HRW, the video demonstrated that the Burmese regime had been bulldozing scores of depopulated Rohingya villages. HRW said that while most of the 55 villages that had been cleared were among the 362 villages that had been damaged by arson since August 2017, at least two of the cleared villages were undamaged and were probably inhabitable. Despite widespread evidence of violence, it has been the subject of debate within the U.S. government whether the actions of the Burmese military should be qualified as crimes against humanity or genocide. Burmas military has denied accusations of ethnic cleansing and said its actions were part of a fight against terrorism. The U.S. Treasury action blocks any property the military members subject to the sanctions own within U.S. jurisdictions and prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with them. Reuters contributed to this report. US and Mexico to Set up Joint Team to Fight Drug Cartels CHICAGOU.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities will set up a joint team based in Chicago targeting the leaders and finances of drug cartels that ship opioids into the United States, aiming to stanch a spike in overdose deaths, officials said on Aug. 15. The new effort comes amid strained ties between the neighbors and about four months before Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a left-leaning nationalist, is due to take power. Lopez Obrador has vowed to shake up Mexicos war on drug cartels and wants to rewrite the rules, aides have said, suggesting negotiated peace and amnesties rather than hardline strategy critics blame for perpetuating violence. He has also said he wants to reset relations with the United States. We are sure the next president of the republic will be willing to collaborate in the fight against organized crime, Felipe de Jesus Munoz Vazquez, Mexicos deputy attorney general for the specialized investigation of federal crimes unit, told a joint U.S.-Mexican news conference in Chicago. Lopez Obradors team offered no immediate comment, but his future security minister, Alfonso Durazo, has said all co-operation pacts between the neighbors will be reviewed. A spokeswoman of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said the co-operation was the first of its kind since a Mexican delegation of this size had never before combined forces and traveled to the United States to publicly discuss ways to battle transnational criminal networks. Since the 1970s, the DEA and the Government of Mexico have cooperated on combating the flow of illegal drugs through exchange of information and intelligence, the spokeswoman, Cori Rizman, wrote in an email. These efforts had aimed to disrupt and dismantle cartels affecting both sides of the border, she added. They include the decade-old $2.9-billion Merida Initiative that directs aid from U.S. agencies to Mexico to fight organized crime and drug trafficking, Durazo said this month. Lopez Obrador wants to refocus aid to social and economic projects, he added. The sole purpose of these entities is one thing and one thing onlymoney, said Anthony Williams, chief of operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, so that targeting cartel finances is crucial to stop the flow of drugs. Mexico remains the principal highway for cocaine to the United States and has become the top source of heroin, which is fueling a surge in opioid addiction. It is also a major supplier of methamphetamines. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Mexican cartels were responsible for much of the illegal drugs flowing into the nations third-largest city, which has been plagued by gang violence and shootings. Officials and security experts in the United States have applauded long-running two-way efforts to crack down on drug gangs during the administration of outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and earlier. For the past 12 years, Mexico has deployed thousands of police, soldiers and intelligence officers to fight the violent cartels. On Aug. 15, Mexico said it was offering a reward of 30 million pesos ($1.6 million) for information leading to the arrest of Nemesio Oseguera, whose cartel is blamed for driving heroin shipments to the United States. Known as El Mencho, Oseguera has become Mexicos most-wanted drug lord after Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was extradited for trial to the United States last year. In March, U.S. agents in Chicago named El Mencho public enemy No. 1 and blamed his gang for using extreme violence to expand its share of the heroin trade. The United States is offering $5 million for information leading to his capture. By Karen Pierog An aerial view of the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 12, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) US Bars Pentagon From Funding China-Backed Confucius Institutes The Department of Defense has been barred from funding Chinese Communist Party-backed Confucius Institutes located at universities across the United States. When President Donald Trump on Aug. 13 signed the defense budget bill for the next fiscal year, the measure included a provision added by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that bars the Pentagon from using any funds on Chinese-language programs offered by Confucius Institutes. Sen. Cruz is very concerned about Chinas ongoing efforts to infiltrate American higher education, and worked to secure an amendment to the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] that prohibits universities from using Pentagon money for Confucius Institutes, which Communist China uses as propaganda arms on American campuses, a spokesman for Cruzs office said in an email to The Epoch Times. The provision further prohibits funding for Chinese-language programs at universities that even host a Confucius Institute. These programs, though not directly affiliated with the institute, may be influenced by it. The endorsement of the provision was the first action taken to address the issue both for Congress and for the White House, after years of warnings about the institutes being an extension of the Chinese Communist Partys soft power and intelligence-gathering operations, Since 2004, China has installed a vast number of Confucius Institutes at universities around the world. In the United States, 107 universities and colleges host branches of the organization. Meanwhile, the programs high school equivalent, Confucius Classrooms, has spread to more than 500 primary and secondary schools in the United States as of April 2017, according to a report by the National Association of Scholars. The Confucius Institutes describe themselves as language and cultural exchange programs. But their true purpose isnt benign, according to the CIA, FBI, lawmakers, and experts. Teachers at Confucius Institutes are employed by China and are subject to Chinese laws, including tight restrictions on speech. As a result, American students are taught a sanitized version of Chinese history that omits the communist regimes human-rights abuses and atrocities. The programs present Taiwan and Tibet as undisputed territories of China, and American professors teaching on campuses hosting Confucius Institutes have reported pressure from the institutes faculty to self-censor. Similar to the Chinese Communist Party, the Confucius Institutes operations and finances are secret. Hiring practices and funding arrangements have rarely been made public, and host universities have gone to great lengths to keep the information secret. Though no public financial disclosures exist, it is known that American universities benefit from the programs and are reluctant to close them as a result. The CIA issued a classified report in March on Chinas influence operations in the United States. On a single declassified page of the report obtained by The Washington Free Beacon, the agency warned that China is using financial incentives to permeate American universities as a way of promoting a positive view of Beijing and deterring research that could cast China in a negative light. [The Chinese Communist Party] has used this tactic to reward pro-China viewpoints and coerce Western academic publications and conferences to self-censor, the report states. The CCP often denies visas to academics who criticize the regime, encouraging many China scholars to preemptively self-censor, so they can maintain access to the country on which their research depends. In February, FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that the bureau was investigating Confucius Institutes. We do share that concern about the Confucius Institutes. Weve been watching that development for a while, Wray said. We have seen some decrease recently in their own enthusiasm and commitment to that particular program, but it is something we are watching warily, and, in certain instances, have developed appropriate investigative steps. The institutes are just one tool in Beijings arsenal of a broad spy operation in the United States, Wray said. I would just say that the use of nontraditional collectors [of intelligence], especially in the academic setting whether its professors, scientists, studentswe see in almost every field office that the FBI has around the country, Wray said. Its not just in major cities; its in small ones, as well. Its across basically every discipline. I think the level of naivete on the part of the academic sector about this creates its own issues. [The CI is] exploiting the very open research and development environment that we have and which we all revere. But theyre taking advantage of it. An agency of Chinas Education Ministry called Hanban provides teachers, textbooks, and funding for the Confucius Institutes. Chinas propaganda chief, Li Changchun, said in 2009 that the institutes are an important part of Chinas overseas propaganda setup. The Confucius Institute is an appealing brand for extending our culture abroad, Changchun said. It has made an important contribution toward improving our soft power. The Confucius brand has a natural attractiveness. Using the excuse of teaching Chinese language, everything looks reasonable and logical. In February, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) sent a letter to five Florida schools urging them to cut ties with the Confucius Institute. I remain deeply concerned by the proliferation of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in the United States, Rubio wrote. Given Chinas aggressive campaign to infiltrate American classrooms, stifle free inquiry, and subvert free expression both at home and abroad, I respectfully urge you to consider terminating your Confucius Institute agreement. The universities of Chicago and Pennsylvania have terminated their Confucius Institute contracts. In Canada, McMaster University parted ways with a Confucius Institute over its hiring practices, which blatantly discriminate against Falun Gong, a traditional Chinese spiritual practice that spread widely in China in the 1990s and whose adherents have been brutally persecuted by the communist regime since 1999. The Hanban website dictates that Chinese-language instructors be aged between 22 to 60, physical and mentally healthy, with no record of participation in Falun Gong and other illegal organizations, and no criminal record. The Confucius Institutes are one way the regime exports the persecution overseas. Human-rights lawyer Clive Ansley has argued that the Confucius Institute hiring practices violate human rights and anti-discrimination codes. Marci Hamilton, chair in public law at Yeshiva University, called this policy unethical and illegal in the free world. The Defense Department didnt respond to a request for comment. Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience at Aula Paolo VI (Paul VI Audience Hall) at the Vatican on Aug. 1, 2018. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) Vatican Responds With Shame and Sorrow on Predator Priests Report The Vatican on Aug. 16 broke its silence and responded for the first time on the Pennsylvania grand jury report that detailed widespread and decades-long sexual abuse by clergy, as well as the systemic coverup efforts of church officials. The response from the Roman Catholic Church came two days after the report was publicly released on Aug. 14. Pope Francis had faced mounting criticisms for his glaring silence. There are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow, Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke said in a statement. The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible. Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith. The Church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur. The 884-page report lists 301 predator priests who are credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 child victims, the majority of whom were boys. Due to continuing legal battles, more than a dozen names and related information remain redacted. Chuch administrators were also accused of routinely covering up the claims of abuse by dissuading victims from reporting it, pressuring law enforcement to terminate investigations, or conducting their own biased investigations. Burke said the Holy See condemns unequivocally the sexual abuse of minors and treats with great seriousness the work of the investigative report, which was led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The statement also reiterated the call to create a safe environment for minors in the Church. Shapiro stressed that the investigation into clergy abuse is still continuing. But many of the identified priests will not face the criminal justice system as most are deceased and for those still alive, the alleged crimes are too old to be prosecuted. The findings cover abuse by the clergy dating back as far as 70 years in six of eight Pennsylvania dioceses. A Walmart logo above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell on Aug. 16, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson Walmart Posts Biggest U.S. Sales Rise in a Decade, Shares Soar NEW YORKWalmart Inc. posted its best quarterly U.S. sales growth in a decade and upped full-year sales and profit outlooks on Aug. 16, sending shares surging as a jump in online and grocery purchases showed it can hold its own against Amazon.com Inc. The worlds largest retailer is known for its sprawling stores, a factor that could have worked against it as shoppers migrate online. But Walmart is also the top U.S. grocer, providing a lure for customers to visit stores, where they may also make other impulse buys. Walmart has also overhauled its website and worked to use physical locations as distribution points for online orders of groceries and other goods, helping retain buyers who increasingly expect quick, cheap shipping. Consumers spent more on categories like grocery, apparel and seasonal merchandise in the second quarter, helping sales rebound after a slow start in April. Walmart has recorded four straight years of U.S. growth, unmatched by any other retailer. We saw strong performance in fresh food, U.S. Chief Executive Greg Foran said on an earnings conference call, praising sales in produce, meat, and bakery. Grocery sales rose the most in nine years. Walmart benefited from improved weather in May, the first month of the quarter, seeing the biggest quarterly gain in customer traffic in more than six years, Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs said. Rising wages, lower unemployment and tax cuts that have put more money in U.S. consumers pockets this year also helped. (This) is a reflection of Walmarts various in-store and online initiatives, and likely an indication of solid market share gains, and an overall healthy consumer backdrop, Credit Suisse analysts said in a note. Walmarts U.S. e-commerce growth ticked higher than previous quarters, driven by a website redesign and continued expansion of online grocery offerings. Sales growth has come at some cost, however, with the company citing continued margin pressures driven by cutting prices, higher freight costs due to a shortage of truck drivers and e-commerce investments. Walmarts shares were up 10 percent at $99.08. The companys stock had fallen around 9 percent since the start of the year. String Online Sales Walmart raised its sales and earnings outlook for the full year, excluding any impact from its acquisition of Indian e-commerce company Flipkart, which it is still in the process of closing. E-commerce sales grew 40 percent in the quarter, up from 33 percent growth in the previous period, and the retailer said U.S. online sales are on track to rise 40 percent for the full year. Walmart now offers curbside pickup of online grocery orders in 1,800 U.S. stores, and the service is bringing in new customers, Biggs said. A sharp online sales slowdown during the crucial holiday months had spooked investors, who worried the retailer would not be able to keep pace with Amazon. Cowen & Co estimates that 86 percent of Walmart shoppers also shop on Amazon. Still, e-commerce losses could be higher this year than last year as it continues to invest in the business, Walmarts e-commerce chief Marc Lore said on the call. Gross margins fell for the fifth consecutive quarter and were down 17 basis points, the company said. Overseas Sales Jump International sales were up 3.1 percent at $29.2 billion on a constant currency basis, helped by strong comparable sales in Mexico, Britain, Canada, and China. Separately, Asda, Walmarts British supermarket arm, reported a 2.6 percent rise in quarterly sales on Aug. 16, ahead of an expected takeover by bigger rival Sainsburys. Walmart sold a majority stake in ASDA to Sainsburys in April. In June, Walmart sold an 80 percent stake in its Brazilian operations to private equity firm Advent International. It paid $16 billion for a majority stake in Flipkart. The retailer also reached agreements to sell its banking operations in Walmart Canada and Walmart Chile. Sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 4.5 percent, excluding fuel price fluctuations, higher than analyst forecasts of 2.38 percent, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Excluding one-time items such as a loss related to the sale of a majority stake in Walmart Brazil, Walmart earned $1.29 per share, ahead of analysts expectations of $1.22 per share. Total revenue increased 3.8 percent to $128 billion, beating estimates of $125.97 billion. For the full year, Walmart expects to earn between $4.90 and $5.05 per share, up from a range of $4.75 to $5 a share. The retailer said same-store sales in the United States should rise about 3 percent in fiscal 2019, up from a prior target of at least 2 percent. by Nandita Bose Jordan Holgerson suffered five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and other internal injuries on Aug. 7, 2018. (Screenshot/KGW) Washington Bridge Teenager Asked For a Push, Friend Says The teenager who pushed her friend off a 60-foot-tall bridge has said that her friend asked for the push. Taylor Smith, 18, pushed Jordan Holgerson, 16, off the bridge in Moulton Falls Regional Park on Aug. 7. Holgerson suffered six broken ribs, punctured lungs, and internal injuries after the fall into the East Fork of the Lewis River. She wanted to jump and she was scared, and she had asked me to give her a push, said Smith in a televised interview on ABCs Good Morning America show. The pushing incident was captured on video, showing Holgerson hesitant on the top of a bridge before someone pushes her. Jail Time Smiths comments follow Holgerson speaking about how she thought her friend should spend time in jail for her action. Well at first I didnt really want Taylor to get in trouble, but now that Ive thought about it more, Im kind of wanting her to sit in jail and think about at least what she did, Holgerson told NBCs Today on Aug. 16. I kind of got mad because the rest of my summers gone and Im probably going to be recovering for the rest of the school year, Holgerson said. I thought she would be fine, Smith said in the ABC interview. She wanted to jump, she just was scared she wouldnt be able to. I didnt think about the consequences, she added. Clark County prosecutors office said it is considering criminal charges for Smith. She Could Have Killed My Daughter Holgersons mother told CBS News that the person who pushed her daughter off the bridge should turn herself into the police. My daughters going to have a long road to recovery and I think that [the person responsible] should probably just turn herself inrealize what she did wrong. This is not OK. She could have killed my daughter, Genelle Holgerson said. Smith said that it was a little shocking but understandable that her friend would like to see her behind bars. Shes probably going through a lot of confusion, she said, saying that Holgerson had forgiven her at first. At the beginning she was like, Youre fine, I know you didnt mean to hurt me, and now she just doesnt answer, she said. She said she was scared to be facing charges for the incident. I accept whatever the prosecutor thinks is best for me considering I caused not only bodily harm but emotional trauma as well, Smith said. But I just hope for the best, and Ill accept whatever the prosecutor, I guess, gives me. Lauren Baer, a former Obama administration foreign policy adviser, has been buoyed by a string of endorsements from Democratic Party officials and national House leaders in her first-time bid for Congress. But for all the attention on her race in South Florida - one of the most competitive in the country - Baer has one significant disadvantage in her campaign to unseat Republican Brian Mast: money. "I know that we have a message that resonates in our community," said Baer, who had raised less than half as much as Mast by the end of June. "But I also know that my viability, at the end of the day, depends on the amount of money that exists in my campaign coffers." Even as a record number of women run for office this year, female congressional candidates overall are lagging behind their male counterparts when it comes to pulling in campaign cash, according to a Washington Post analysis of federal campaign finance reports. Men running for the House had collected almost 17 percent more on average than their female counterparts by the end of June, The Post found in its examination of candidates who showed viability by raising at least $50,000. One driving factor: Many female candidates lack relationships with longtime political donors who work in traditionally male-dominated industries such as finance. That is a particular challenge for women this cycle, because the majority are newcomers to politics and, like any non-incumbent, must build donor networks from scratch. But their task is often more difficult, some female candidates said, because of skepticism about their potential, based on their gender. "The assumptions that are built into our political system is that the candidate is male," said Baer, who said she has frequently been asked by donors and supporters about who is caring for her young child. One group of female candidates who outraised their male counterparts: Democratic women seeking office in districts that lean left - a sign of the enthusiasm in the base to support women this year. In those districts, women collected an average of $97,000 more than men, The Post found. In Minnesota, for example, state legislator Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee who would be one of the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, handily outraised two of her three Democratic challengers - including a male opponent - before winning her primary Tuesday. Female candidates in some marquee toss-up races are also seeing a flood of cash. That has been the case for Katie Hill, a 30-year-old nonprofit-group executive from Santa Clarita, Calif., who is seeking to dislodge Rep. Steve Knight, the last Republican who still holds a congressional seat in Los Angeles County. Hill had raised $2.5 million to Knight's $1.7 million by the end of June - a remarkable feat in a district that has been held by a Republican for 25 years. In a sign of grass-roots enthusiasm for her bid, one-quarter of her campaign cash came from donations of $200 or less. Such donations made up just 1.4 percent of Knight's haul. Hill, who is bisexual, has attracted backers from an array of constituencies, including LGBTQ advocacy groups, a Los Angeles-area women's network and Hollywood celebrities such as actress Kristen Bell, whom she met through her work advocating for the homeless. "I met people who took me under their wing, and then it sort of spread . . . into this Venn diagram of relationships that you have to keep building and building," Hill said in an interview after a recent campaign event in her district. "That is something I couldn't have really anticipated before I was a candidate - how much the momentum builds on itself, like a snowball." But such a dramatic financial windfall is the exception for female candidates. Men raised an average of $849,000 by June 30 - according to the most recent data available - while women pulled in an average of $728,000, The Post found. Republican women posted a higher average of $941,058, largely driven by huge hauls by GOP incumbents and millions in contributions that have poured into several high-profile races. Overall, female candidates in general did better in fundraising in the 63 competitive House races tracked by the Cook Political Report but still trailed male candidates by an average of $63,516, The Post found. The gap reflects a widespread hurdle that could hobble women hoping to make history in November, largely because just 71 of the 476 women who launched House bids this cycle are incumbents, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics, a nonpartisan research center at Rutgers University. In Illinois, nonprofit executive and first-time candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan has raised $1 million less than Rep. Rodney Davis, the three-term GOP incumbent she is challenging. She said she has logged nearly 50,000 miles on her car driving around the 13th District to make her case to voters and donors. "We don't have any Hollywood actresses in Springfield, Illinois, but we do have a lot of people who are equally as excited and equally as committed," Londrigan said. Londrigan, who co-founded Women Rising, a group working to support female candidates, hopes to draw on the donor networks of her three male primary opponents, who she said have all offered to help her raise money. Still, for all the inspiration she gets from the stories of first-time female candidates, Londrigan said she worries that voters may overestimate their chances of winning in November. "I don't want a repeat of 2016, frankly," Londrigan said. "I don't want anyone making the assumption that the woman in the race is going to win or that they can stay home that day." One factor that has slowed fundraising for some women: competition. Of the 272 female candidates still in the running for House seats, 207 are Democrats, according to the tally by the Center for American Women and Politics. That has led to crowded primary contests in many states - and prompted one major potential ally on the left, Emily's List, to hold off giving its endorsement in some races until the general election. The advocacy group, which supports female candidates who back abortion rights, is sitting out the 18th District in Florida, where Baer is facing off against former naval officer and lawyer Pam Keith in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary. Baer said that the absence of early backing by Emily's List "disadvantages one as a candidate, not having that stamp of approval." Emily's List considers a number of factors when weighing whether to endorse early - mainly whether the "bones of the campaign are strong," according to spokeswoman Julie McClain Downey. "We consider having this many women running a good problem," she added. Meanwhile, many female candidates on the left have pledged not to take contributions from corporate PACs, which have long been reliable and early sources of campaign cash. "That does obviously create more of a challenge," said Kara Eastman, a nonprofit executive who has raised $1 million less than incumbent Republican Don Bacon in Nebraska's 2nd District. "We are dedicated to this being a people-powered campaign." There are some signs that female candidates on the left are generating more enthusiasm among grass-roots donors than men. Women running for federal office, on average, received contributions from 10 percent more first-time donors this cycle than male candidates, according to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform. They spurred an even greater increase in first-time female donors, drawing donations from 23 percent more than male candidates. "Folks are legitimately excited by all the first-time candidates who are running," said Erin Hill, ActBlue's executive director. "We've never seen this type of influx of growth." In Connecticut, Jahana Hayes, a history teacher and political novice, raised nearly $40,000 in less than 24 hours after clinching Tuesday's Democratic primary - mostly in small donations under $200, according to her campaign. For Katie Hill, that excitement is translating into donations and volunteers. At a recent training session for volunteers before they went door-to-door to speak to voters, several supporters said they were drawn to Hill because she has proved her viability with her robust fundraising. "I'm out here because I want to make sure that communities are aware there are other options," said Ashley Orozco, a 27-year-old campaign volunteer who wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "The Future is Female." Hill said she is sharing the lessons she has learned about fundraising with other female candidates and hopes to see mentorship programs develop to help other first-time candidates build donor networks. In May, Vice News aired a 30-minute documentary featuring Hill and her campaign team's fundraising strategies, including how her team leveraged her Emily's List endorsement to broaden its network of wealthy female donors in the Los Angeles area. "I want this to get out. I'm not shy about my 'secret' about how we fundraise. I've talked about it from early, early on," Hill said. "I want to learn from other women who can look at this and share what did they do and, frankly, what we could have done better." On May 2, 2018, Apple became the first company to reach $1 trillion in stock market value. This is a massive accomplishment and a historic milestone; Apple has become the worlds most valuable company and has been widely influential in many industries, from technology to music to movies. But what are some lessons that even small businesses or solo entrepreneurs can take away from Apples latest success? The truth is, there are certain components to Apples massive growth and dominance that any business can learn from. Related: Apple CEO Tim Cook to Employees on $1 Trillion Milestone: 'It's Not the Most Important Measure of Our Success' Here are a few of the key lessons from the success of the worlds first trillion-dollar company: 1. Innovation is an ideal. Apple has become an iconic company because of their culture of innovation. Starting with Steve Jobs and his visionary strategies for the company, and the Think Different ad campaigns, Apple sought to identify itself as being a company for iconoclasts and people who arent afraid to defy the conventional wisdom. Every company nowadays wants to think of itself as an innovative company with the restless ambition and scrappy culture of a tech startup. Apple helped to popularize these concepts and create this new ideal for corporate America. Of course, not every company can invent the next iPhone, but what if you could bring some of the spirit of Apples innovation into your own business? Re-imagine your existing processes, take a risk on a new product, challenge your employees to be artists in residence, not just workers on an assembly line. If Apple can inspire lots of other companies to be more creatively ambitious, that will be a good thing for the world. 2. Design matters more than ever. Starting with its candy-colored iMac computers, Apple has built a reputation not just as a tech company, but as a designer of sleek, beautiful consumer products. One lesson from Apples success is that aesthetics are valuable. People want to buy stuff that works well and that makes them look good. People pay a premium for Apple products not just for the technology, but for the design -- and the design touches on every stage of the customer relationship with Apple, from buying on the website to walking into an Apple store to opening the box at home. Related: 3 Key Factors That Led to Apple Becoming the World's First Trillion-Dollar Company How can you make your company a more design-oriented business? Today, we are all in the business of creating memorable and valuable customer experiences, no matter what industry youre in. If youre not offering a well-designed, carefully curated customer experience, your customers might go with a cheaper competitor or a commodity alternative. 3. Build emotional connections with the customer. Apple buyers are notoriously loyal, and not just because they're trapped by contracts and by Apples occasionally criticized strategy of planned obsolescence. People tend to keep buying Apple products again and again because they like the way they work, and they like the way they feel. They have a strong emotional connection with Apple that goes beyond other gadgets or devices. In the same way, your business can create a stronger emotional bond with your customers. What do you do better than anyone else? What is unique about the experience of working with you or buying from you? How can you deliberately encourage people to keep coming back for repeat purchases? Apple does it, and so can you. 4. Speak to your customer's higher value needs. People pay a premium for Apple products because they're sexy and elegant and make people feel like more productive, better versions of themselves. As Scott Galloway describes in his book The Four, Apple has become synonymous with sexiness, with creative life force. People will pay more for higher-level needs -- not just mere survival like food and drink, but elevated needs like the need to be loved, the need to be desired, the need to be educated and self-actualized. Related: Need a Business Plan Template? Here Is Apple's 1981 Plan for the Mac. Make sure you're creating a premium experience so you can charge a premium price. Re-think the value proposition of your products and services. Can you position your offerings differently so that they speak to peoples core fundamental emotional needs? What is the real reason people are buying from you? Can you change your marketing in such a way that it makes your product stand out as the sexy option in your category? Even if youre not in a sexy industry, what can you do to be the Apple of your industry? Just like Apple didnt make it to $1 trillion overnight, becoming more like Apple doesnt just happen. You have to decide to pursue this as a strategy and then back it up with smart marketing and product design. Find the elements of Apples success that work for your company and make sense for your customers. By being more innovative, focusing on design -- not just product design, but customer experience design -- building stronger emotional relationships with your customers, and speaking to your customers higher value needs, you can achieve great things. Related: Marketing and Lead Generation Inspiration From Apple, the First Trillion-Dollar Company You Need a Mentor. Here's Where to Find One for Free I Doubled My Revenue in 12 Months by Analyzing These 3 Types of Data Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved NORWALK Eversource electric cables wont be the only utility lines needing relocation due to the Connecticut Department of Transportations upcoming replacement of the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River. This month, the Norwalk Common Council authorized Mayor Harry Rilling to write the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Connecticut Department of Transportation, expressing the citys support for the temporary and permanent relocation of Metro-North Railroads transmission, communication and signal cables. Theyre going to put in temporaries now one for the communications for Metro-North, the other for power of the bridge so it will continue to work, said Norwalk Director of Public Works Bruce Chimento. Afterward the temporary cables will be removed, except for power to the bridge. That will stay to the north (of the bridge). As part of the Metro-North communications-and-signal systems upgrades along the New Haven Line, a new submarine cable crossing the Norwalk River will be installed. The project is part of the CP243 project, an upgrade to track and signals being done in advance of the Walk Bridge replacement. Like the overarching Walk Bridge program, the installation of this submarine cable is one more element of the project designed to enhance reliability along the New Haven Line corridor, said Judd Everhart, DOT spokesman. We have learned the hard way what happens when this bridge fails to open and close properly. Our customers expect good service and we want them to have confidence that were working hard to improve the overall customer experience. This is one small piece of that effort. The proposed submarine cable will comprise seven 4-inch diameter individual cables that will be bundled and placed within a trench, excavated seven feet below the riverbed, north of the Walk Bridge. Maps provided to the council show the proposed new submarine cables placed in the same location as the existing cable just north of the bridge. The anticipated construction schedule is between Dec. 1, 2018, and Jan. 31, 2019, or alternatively, between Dec. 1, 2019, and Jan. 31, 2020. Dredging is restricted to those periods under U.S. Army Corps guidelines. During the construction, the contractor will block one or more navigation channels. Emergency vessels, including police and fire along with small boats, will be able to pass through the one open channel. Any vessels requiring opening of the Walk Bridge will require four hours advance notice, according to a summary of the project provided to the council. The trench excavation and cable laying will occur only during incoming and slack flood tides as requested by the Norwalk Shellfish and Norwalk Harbor commissions. That was the principle concern of the Shellfish Commission and the Harbor Commission to avoid any contaminated sediment being carried downstream, said Geoffrey Steadman, planning consultant for the harbor commission. The DOT adjusted their plan to do that. The estimated $1.24 million submarine cable project is separate from Eversource Energys plan to relocate 115,000-volt transmission lines that now run atop the Walk Bridge. The plan to run those below the riverbed, south of the bridge and through the area of the Norwalk Visitors Docks at Veterans Memorial Park has caused concern among harbor commissioners. Norwalk Police Department / Contributed NORWALK A Bridgeport man stole more than $22,000 from his employer to pay off outstanding credit card debt, police said. The Norwalk Police Departments Detective Bureau got involved in the case in February when an unidentified business reported that an employee was stealing money. 11 hours ago 3 Stock Picks for Conservative Investors These 3 High-Quality Stocks Are Ideal for Conservative Investors When it comes to investing, putting capital at risk is simply unavoidable. Thats why it's so important to consider your own personal levels of risk tolerance before making any moves in the stock market. Read Article At 88, Patricia Carter John has done thousands of art pieces that have been featured nationally and internationally. Her accolades havent stopped her from wanting to both learn about new forms of art and teach what she knows to others around the mid-Michigan area and beyond. Over the years, her work has been featured on TV and has been owned by several notable people. Some her paintings can be found in the Shepherd Village Office and in a display in Kalamazoo. She also said that she has paintings on display at an art display in Paris, France. Her passion for art started when she was in Kindergarten. From there, it grew. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Dunbar, had a parade at Ganiard Elementary, John said. She was also an art teacher, as well as a second grade teacher. The parade featured animals that were painted by the students. That year, they said that no one but John could paint those pictures. They put the pictures in a wagon and pulled them like they were in a circus, she said. Combined with her mother being a painter, that experience led her to become the 60-year art veteran she is today. Her love for art has never diminished over the years and she wanted to share that love with others, John said. I just love it, she said, I love teaching people how to paint. John said that she has taught both locally, as a private instructor and an instructor in schools in Clare, Shepherd and Mt. Pleasant, as well as nationally, taking her skills with her beyond the mid-Michigan area. The private lessons were never really private because there was always so many people around, she said as she laughed. Recently, she said that shes not able to teach anymore, but would love to teach again if she could. One of her prized works is a painting of an oil well that her father invested in in Oil City. The painting was from when she was 10 or 11, in 1940. He owned a barber shop and pool hall near the area of Rubbles, She said. He also invested money into oil, which he invested in one of the largest oil wells in the state. Johns father originally lost his old barber business in Pontiac as a result of the Great Depression. After his success with oil, he moved on to a house on Broadway in downtown Mt. Pleasant. She went to school at Ganiard Elementary and Mt. Pleasant High School, which was located where Sacred Heart Church is currently, according to John. At the time, the high school started at seventh grade and went up to the 12th grade, she said. Thats how they did it back then. After she graduated, she got married to her first husband, had four children and moved up to Lansing, where she went back to school at Lansing Community College. I went back to school and I took the kids with me, she said. I couldnt find a babysitter so I brought them with me. She said that she really wanted to be a nurse, but she ended up with an art degree from the school. After that, she still yearned for more techniques and ways of creating art. Ive been taught by some world famous artists, including Gary Jenkins. Jenkins was a world-renown painter who hosted his own show on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Jenkins Art Studio. He also was featured on another PBS art show, The Beauty of Oil Painting. She was also taught by William Alexander, who created The Beauty of Oil Painting. As she was being taught by Alexander she recalled painting with someone who also had a PBS painting show. That person happened to be renowned painter and pop culture icon Bob Ross. I knew him when he was with his first wife, John said. I knew all his kids, too. She used that knowledge to teach many people in classes of around 20-25, according to John. She also said that she tried to teach her daughters to paint, but they never really had an interest. The grandkids tend to be more interested, John said. John said that she taught both oil and watercolor paintings, but switched over to acryllics after she started experiencing headaches from the oil paint. Another prized piece for John is a picture with a small self-portrait of herself, surrounded by portraits of her artist friends who have always stood by her. They always stuck with me no matter where I taught, she said. These are all of my special friends. According to Lowe and House, the group would always get together, bring food to share and paint together. John shed a tear when talking about them, remembering the fond times she had with them. I love every single one of them and some of them are gone, John said. That sense of community, friendship and sharing of knowledge is what John said she loves most about art. After she stopped teaching and her mobility limited, her love for art kept her creating new pieces frequently. I cant sit still, she said. Im so used to staying busy that I keep on making art to keep myself active. Her daughters, Sue Lowe and Tammy House, said that she donates some of her pieces to auctions for benefits for causes like cancer. There are times where somebody needs something, so I donate to them, John said. At her home, she works in her own bedroom or in the living room, according to house. She has a bedroom where she does all of her paintings, House said. Its packed full of paintings. I get ideas from drawings I do in my notebook, She said. She also does art revolving around her family, including painting of her sons fishing at their old home on the Chippewa Pathway and pictures of Lowes dog, Brooklyn Im hoping to write a childrens book one day about Brooklyn, Lowe said. (John) already drew all of the pictures for it. The future holds more pieces of art and learning even more, according to John. Shes always buying new books, paintbrushes and canvases, Lowe said. Thats her Christmas presents. For new artists John has one piece of advice: Dont give up, no matter what. I taught of people who said they couldnt paint at all, but Ive seen people with a lot of problems who could paint well, she said. Art gives people an interest thats outside of themselves. Ongoing FEMA has closed some of its Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), established last month to assist residents and businesses whose property was damaged by Tropical Storm Ida. However, face-to-face assistance is still available. Residents can find their nearest DRC online at fema.gov/drc,... Dot Property Thailand Awards honours industrys best BANGKOK: A total of 24 awards were bestowed upon developers, projects, real estate agents and companies during the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 exclusive presentation ceremony at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok last night (Aug 16). propertyconstruction By Sponsored Friday 17 August 2018, 04:10PM Pattaya Foreigner Service was among Thailands Best Real Estate Agencies 2018 presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Photo: Supplied All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the nights big winners that also saw the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand announced. Photo: Supplied All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the nights big winners that also saw the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand announced. Photo: Supplied All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the nights big winners that also saw the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand announced. Photo: Supplied All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the nights big winners that also saw the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand announced. We are incredibly proud to announce the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 winners. These are truly the countrys best real estate developers, projects, companies and agents and they should all be applauded for their commitment to excellence. Our awards program continues to grow and this years presentation ceremony is a testament to that, Ben Neve, Dot Property Business CEO and founder, proclaimed. The ceremony was an event the teams from All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon will remember for years to come. The former was presented with Best Developer Bangkok while the latter garnered honours for Best Developer Phuket. It was one of three awards on the night for Blue Horizon. The firms Grand Himalai development scored Best Investment Project Phuket and Best Mixed-Use Project Phuket. The most anticipated moment of the evening came when the winner of the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer was revealed. All Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 winners were eligible for this honour which was voted on by the public in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. The votes were tallied and All Inspire Development was presented with the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand this year. Developers and agents from Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, Hua Hin, Krabi and Isarn were honoured. Phuket-based Utopia Development took home a pair of awards while Mai Khao Beach Condotel also claimed two honours on the night. Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 list of winners: Developer Categories: Best Developer Bangkok All Inspire Development Best Developer Phuket Blue Horizon Development Categories: Best Investment Project Phuket Grand Himalai Best Mixed-Use Project Phuket Grand Himalai Best Condotel Phuket Mai Khao Beach Condotel Best Affordable Condominium Phuket Mai Khao Beach Condotel Best Villa Architectural Design Phuket Utopia Maikhao Seaview Villas Best Villa Architectural Design Phuket Utopia Maikhao Seaview Villas Best Mid-Range Condo Development Bayview Paradise Best Waterfront Development Krabi Koh Jum Beach Villas Best Luxury Villa Development Hua Hin Sivana HideAway Best Villa Development Hua Hin Red Mountain Real Estate Contributors Category Best Construction Company Phuket Utopia Development Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand All Inspire Development Thailands leading real estate agents celebrated The Dot Property Thailand Awards also launched a new addition to the awards series; Thailands Best Real Estate Agencies presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. This special section of the awards highlighted 11 leading real estate agencies and pays tribute to the important role they play in the property market. Thailands Best Real Estate Agencies 2018 presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World winners: Accom Asia Bangkok Residence 88 Century 21 Skylux Horizon Homes Isan Real Estate Pattaya Foreigner Service Pattaya Realty Phuket Buy House PhuketCondo.Net St. James Properties Vauban Real Estate The Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 are organised by Thailand Property and Dot Property Thailand in conjunction with Dot Property Magazine. The Dot Property Awards series spans Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. More than 100 winners were honoured in 2017. With the addition of the Peoples Choice Award for Best Developer and Thailands Best Real Estate Agencies 2018 presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 has established itself as the cant miss awards series in the Kingdom, Adam Sutcliffe, Dot Property managing director, Thailand, says. We salute all of this years winners for being the best. We would also like to thank Leading Real Estate Companies of the World for helping us provide Thailands real estate agents with a platform to shine, he says. For more information on the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018, visit www.dotpropertyawards.com In Paris, eco-friendly urinals spark sniggers and seething FRANCE: In the heart of Paris, a radical experiment in urine management is taking place: new eco-friendly urinals which are prompting titters from some and furious complaints from others. cultureenvironment By AFP Friday 17 August 2018, 11:58AM A man stands at an uritrottoir public urinal on the Saint-Louis island in Paris, as a bateau mouche tourist barge cruises past. Photo: Thomas Samson / AFP In a city where men are regularly seen urinating on the street with wanton abandon, some have welcomed the arrival of the uritrottoirs (pavement urinals) as an innovation that might help rid the French capital of unpleasant sights and smells. But some residents have complained that the bright red boxes are a blight on the picturesque streets of the city. Others say there is something more than a little distasteful about encouraging men to urinate right on the street, even if its into a box. Its a little weird... but if you need to go its better than going on the street, admitted Jonathan, a tourist from New York. Its a little bit in the open, some people might be uncomfortable, he said as several boats packed with tourists floated past along the Seine. Topped with plants, these dry, organic urinals do not use water but are filled with straw which can be easily composted, according to Faltazi, the small French company behind them. Three of the urinals were quietly installed around Paris under a pilot scheme in the spring. But the more recent arrival of one of the boxes on the exclusive Ile Saint-Louis, not far from Notre-Dame cathedral, has met with a more robust response. Local resident Francoise said she was outraged by its presence, describing it as really not very attractive. I like it, but putting it here is a bad idea, said Gregory, a 43-year-old photographer who has lived on the island for the past three years. They should put them right by the waterside, he complained. But the urinals must be reachable by vehicle so that they can be emptied and to change the straw once every three weeks. Paris City Hall said it had installed them at the request of residents, adding the project was still in a trial phase. We are totally ready to discuss the location, said Evelyne Zarka, a senior official at the local town hall in the fourth arrondissement, which is home to Ile Saint-Louis. The once pretty plants which topped the uritrottoir outside the Gare de Lyon, a major rail train station, appear lifeless, their appearance not helped by the cigarette butts and plastic bottles on top. Other critics charge that the uritrottoir near the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret is an unnecessary addition, just a few paces from one of the citys free-to-use public toilets. Along with these 400 automatic facilities and pop-up urinals in nightlife hotspots, Paris has experimented with other innovative means of stopping the scourge of public urination. One wall near the Gare du Nord station has been lined with mirrors intended to inspire modesty in men tempted to relieve themselves against it. Laurent Lebot, one of the two designers behind Faltazi, acknowledged that the prominent location of some of the uritrottoirs was grating for some residents. As for the lack of privacy, he said that police didnt want them to provide too much space to hide, to avoid problems with drugs and sex that can happen with enclosed urinals. But the biggest criticism so far is that the uritrottoirs only cater to men. For reasons of privacy, women need to be in a cabin, so the aim is to free up existing toilets for them, the company says. Phuket heavy weather warning extended PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has extended its heavy weather warning for Phuket and the Andaman coast through to Monday (Aug 20), with waves two to three metres tall reaching up to four metres in height in thunderstorm areas. weathertourismmarineSafety By The Phuket News Friday 17 August 2018, 10:37AM The heavy weather warning is in effect through to Monday (Aug 20). Image: TMD) The heavy weather warning is in effect through to Monday (Aug 20). Image: TMD) The heavy weather warning is in effect through to Monday (Aug 20). Image: TMD) The strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand leading to 2-4 meters high in the Andaman Sea but above 4 meters high in thundershower areas, and 2-3 meters high in the Gulf, TMD Director-General Wanchai Sakudomchai said in the warning issued earlier today (Aug 17). The weather warning also forecast winds gusting up to 45km/h over the weekend. All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore lasting 20 August. Residents along the coast beware of the inshore surge. Stay tuned for the weather update and beware of the severe condition due to a possible flash flood, Mr Wanchai added. Wiwat Chitchertwong, who is currently the Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office, issued a notice yesterday warning all boat owners, captains and crews of the impending weather and advising small boats to stay ashore. The notice included the standing order for all boats to observe instructions from officials at piers and for all passengers to be wear life jackets while the boat is in transit. Phuket law office raided over nominee land deals for foreigners PHUKET: Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Thailands Board of Investment (BoI) raided a legal consultancy in Phuket on Wednesday (Aug 15) on suspicion of using nominee shareholders and breach of the Foreign Business Act by transacting land transfers. landpropertycrime By The Phuket News Friday 17 August 2018, 05:47PM Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI Raids on the law offices in Phuket and Samui were to obtain evidence of Thais being used to transfer money for foreigners buying and selling land, houses and villas. Photo: DSI The office, located in Soi Bangtao 1 in Cherng Talay, was the Phuket branch of DFDL, which promotes itself as Unique value propositions and innovative solutions DFDL specializes in regional legal, tax and investment advisory expertise focused on South and Southeast Asia. The companys websites notes it has offices in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia. However, the Thailand operations, notably the companys office in Phuket and on Koh Samui, are under investigation for illegal use of nominee shareholders and hence for illegally engaging in the sale and transfer of land to the tune of B2 billion in the past year alone. Acting under orders by DSI Director-General Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang and Deputy Director-General Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol and armed with court-issued search warrants, the joint taskforce, which included investigative staff from the Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand in Bangkok, carried out four co-ordinated raids. The raid on the Cherng Talay office in Soi Bangtao 1 was led by Piyasirivat Wattanavrangkul, a specialist in investigating fraudulent loans. The office was believed to operate by using Thai employees and foreign shareholders, and to have false documents to cover up the true investor details on the premises. The second raid, led by Special Case Special Investigator Worapot Kamiam, targetted the premises at 123/9 Moo 5, Cherng Talay, which was the accounting office for foreign clients, said the DSI in its report. The third raid, led by Special Case Special Investigator Jakrapob Khaosak, targetted the office at 17/10 Moo 1, Thawat Phakdee, in Bophut, Koh Samui, which was also believed to operate by using Thai employees and foreign shareholders, and to have false documents to cover up the true investor details on the premises. The fourth raid, led by Deputy Head of Security Division Taweevat Surasith, targetted the companys head office on the3rd Floor of the Rattanakan Building on Sathorn Rd in Bangkok. Documents, computers and electronic data storage devices were seized as evidence in the raids. A preliminary review of the information seized provided evidence that foreigners had engaged in the trading of more than 80 plots of land in the area, including villas and detached houses. The company engaged in land transactions involving foreigners in Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi that totalled more than B2bn per year, the DSI noted. The firm is under investigation for allegedly having Thai representatives invest money in one company then transferring the funds to other companies in order to carry out the sale of land and other forms of real estate. The DSI noted that under the Foreign Business Act BE 2542 (1999) it is illegal for foreigners to trade land. Phuket Town unofficial parking crew cleared by police to collect tips PHUKET: Police have pulled in for questioning a motley crew of four men who have been collecting money from people parking their cars and motorbikes near the Robinson department store in Phuket Town, but say they the men at this stage have done nothing wrong. transport By The Phuket News Friday 17 August 2018, 01:30PM The motley crew of unofficial parking attendants are clear to collect tips say police. Photo: Phuket City Police (faces obscured at police request) Lt Col Pongpob Prasobphichai of the Phuket City Traffic Police told The Phuket News today (Aug 17) that he and a team of officers went to the scene yesterday evening after receiving complaints from the public that the men were collecting money as if they were city council workers. We arrived there at 6:15pm and saw the four men waving drivers in and out of parking spaces, Col Pongpob said. The men did not threaten anyone and made no claims to be working for the city municipality. One of them had an ID tag around his neck, but it was only his Thai citizen ID card, he said. Col Pongpob noted that none of the complaints received reported any acts of intimidation, but officers took the four men in for questioning. The men were named as Sombet Prasatsan, 47, Adisak Reuthong, 34, and Apichart Na Nakorn, 20, all from Phuket; and Jakkri Niemthong, 25, from Phang Nga. We brought them to Phuket City Police Station and made a record of the incident. We also checked their backgrounds, but none of them have criminal records, he said. The men explained that they were just making some extra money by chance after they finish full-time jobs each day, as there are no municipal workers there for collecting parking fees after 6pm,he added. As such, Col Pongpob said police were powerless to take any action against the men. All they do is help people to park. People dont have to pay them anything, and if they do intimidate anyone, people can call 191 and we will charge them, he said. Small Waves? Big Trouble! Enjoying our waters, and when not to go out The waves dont look that big. I will only go out up to my knees. Im a strong swimmer. Ill be fine. As a veteran ocean lifeguard, I have heard the above statements time and time again from beach-goers wanting to swim in dangerous conditions. Friday 17 August 2018, 09:00AM Observe the conditions before heading out Now that Phuket's waves have temporarily become smaller, it is tempting to take a jump into the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Is it safe to do so? That depends on your swimming ability and experience with the ocean. Read on to learn more. Long or Short Period Whats the difference? Over the last two weeks, two-to-three meter waves have pounded Phuket's west coast beaches. As big as that sounds, the real danger lies not only in the size of the waves, but their frequency, or how often they break. "Long period" swells hit Phuket's west coast shores only occasionally. This type of wave is created by far-away storms and the winds they spin up over the distant ocean. The waves created by these winds arrive at Phuket's beaches 14 or more seconds apart. As they approach the shore and 'feel' the shallower water, the top of the wave eventually overtakes the bottom, and the wave breaks. For surfers, these are dream waves. For swimmers, these waves can be powerful, and should be approached with caution. However, the longer period in-between waves provides time to take a few breaths, and get ready to dive under the next wave. These waves also come in groups, with long, calm lulls in between. While these lulls can provide tired swimmers time to recover before the next group of waves arrive, they can also be deceptive. Inexperienced ocean swimmers may only watch the ocean for a minute or so, before deciding the waves look very small, and then enter the water. In reality, they have observed the ocean during a lull when no long-period waves are arriving. Then, once they are out in the water, another group of large set waves arrives, which can overwhelm them. Wind Swell Unfortunately, Phuket's prevailing and dominant source of waves are "short period" wind swell. These waves are whipped up by the local winds of the SW monsoon. They blow towards the northeast right across Phuket's beaches. The result? These waves are spaced only six to eight seconds apart. When local wind waves reach over two metres, they are extremely dangerous, because swimmers in distress have very little time to surface and breathe before the next wave hits them. Plus, short period wind waves have few lulls in-between sets of larger waves. Once tired, inexperienced ocean swimmers, and even strong pool swimmers can become quickly overwhelmed by the frequency of the turbulent whitewater waves. Plus, there is almost always a background long period swell 'hiding' in the near constant short-period wave train. When these hidden long period waves combine with the already strong wind swell, the power of the surf becomes very intense, and wave heights increase suddenly and unpredictably. Flash Rip Currents This combination of waves also creates Phuket's infamous flash rip currents. These pulsing, outward-going currents can reach incredible strength and speed. They can form suddenly in one area of the beach, where anyone in the water above their knees could suddenly be in danger. As soon as these waves begin to break, the water can suddenly rise. Those who were previously wading suddenly find the water over their waist and pulling strongly outward. Then, these currents suddenly dissipate, only to reappear in a few minutes in another area of the beach. Even the fastest and strongest swimmers can not make forward progress swimming against these currents. Unaccompanied children are especially vulnerable to this type of sudden, outgoing current. Anyone entering the sea on Phuket's west coast beaches, where consistent, breaking waves are present, should only do so in swimming areas marked by red-and-yellow flags. If these flags are not present, or if red flags are flying, swimmers should stay out of the water completely. Always respect the power of Mother Ocean. If in doubt, don't go out. Daren Jenner is a the Thailand Section Chief at the International Surf Lifesaving Association. www.islasurf.org Phone: +66817477733 +17144654200 De Smet leads 2021 All-Dakota Valley Conference football team De Smet won the league title, swept the top awards and put four players on the 2021 All-Dakota Valley Conference football team. A Kiwi restaurant manager had one too many beersies during a flight between Auckland and Kuala Lumpur, then attempted to open the door of a Malaysia Airlines aircraft. The battler has narrowly avoided a prison sentence. Harry Frazer Cranwell, 32, was on his merry way to Vietnam, and put back five cans of beer and another glass of presumably stronger booze MH0130 on Sunday night, reports Bernama, a Malaysian news provider. Allegedly a stewardess saw Cranwell holding the handle of the emergency door of the aircraft and attempting to open it. There be might more foot room with the emergency door seat, but with more foot room comes great responsibility. Cranwell was then deemed unfit to hold the responsibility of sitting in the ol' emergency door seat and was moved. The captain was informed, and Cramwell was in some serious trouble upon landing. He was arreested and charged with endangering an aircraft and the lives of those onboard by attempting to open the emergency door. The maximum sentence for this offence is three years in prison. Cranwell had a court hearing on Wednesday, and plead guilty. Fortunately, the Malaysian's charged him 6000 Ringgit(or $2,226 NZD) instead of the 12 month sentence he was facing. What a bloody silly bugger. BERLINBayer vowed to step up its defence against a wave of U.S. lawsuits over the herbicide Roundup as it began the formal integration of Monsanto Co., acquired for $66 billion in June. The German drug and chemical giant said it will formally absorb the U.S. company after selling some crop-science businesses to competitor BASF to resolve regulatory concerns. Because U.S. authorities insisted that the businesses operate separately until that sale was complete, Bayer said it previously had been barred from steering Monsantos legal strategy. That will now change as the stakes mount in the U.S. battle over Roundup. Bayer is facing $289 million in damages after Monsanto lost the first court case stemming from claims that the weed killer causes cancer. Even if a judge overturns or reduces the award, the trial will probably be the first of many: more than 5,000 U.S. residents have joined similar suits. Read more: Bayer shares drop after Monsanto loses Roundup cancer trial Bayer to stop selling contraceptive implant Essure after threats by FDA Bayers potential acquisition of Monsanto would create crop-chemical giant Bayer did not have access to detailed internal information at Monsanto, the Leverkusen, Germany-based company said in a statement. Today, however, Bayer also gains the ability to become actively involved in defence efforts. The move to integrate the companies came as Bayer shares continued their slide in the wake of the court ruling, falling as much as 6.6 per cent on Thursday. The company has lost about 16 billion euros (approximately $23 billion Canadian) in market value this week, since the jurys award in the Roundup case. Bayer said it believes U.S. courts ultimately will find that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, wasnt responsible for the cancer of the California school groundskeeper who was the plaintiff in last weeks case. Its planning an appeal. Monsanto has insisted for decades that glyphosate is safe. The latest fall in the shares came after Monsanto failed to block Californias move to list Roundup as a known carcinogen. The states Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to hear the U.S. companys arguments as to why Roundup, the worlds most widely used weed killer, doesnt belong on the states list of chemicals known to cause cancer. An appeals court had rejected the companys arguments in April. Bayer said on Thursday its considering its options for further legal action regarding the California listing, saying it requires judicial intervention and correction. Bayer is also facing lawsuits in the U.S. over dicamba, another herbicide in Monsantos portfolio. The German company said it will also take an active role in any claims for damages over dicamba. Bell Media has signed a new long-term agreement that will see it become the exclusive Canadian broadcaster for new programming from Vice Medias U.S. network Viceland. The shows will debut on multiple Bell Media platforms, including CraveTV, in the fall, the companies said. They say new Vice shows will exclusively air on television on Bell Media channels, while it has also acquired the rights to more than 650 hours of Vice library programming. The companies declined to provide further details on the deal including financial terms or the length of the agreement. The deal follows the end of a three-year partnership between Rogers Media Inc. and Vice in March that saw the two produce original content through Vice Studio Canada. Rogers said it had alone invested $100 million through the joint venture on the creation of over 130 hours of original Canadian programming, a dedicated studio, and the TV channel before announcing an end to the deal in January as it realigned its content strategy. The partnership ended without either party disclosing specific viewership numbers for the channel. Bell Media and Vice said they will also explore co-production opportunities. The two companies signed a deal last September to have Vices new program Vice News Tonight air on Bells Much station. The latest deal comes as competition remains high with online competitors like Netflix and Amazon Prime investing heavily in original programming. Read more about: Donald Trump often tweets about the many ways he dislikes Amazon.com Inc. and its founder Jeff Bezos from the presidents contention that the online merchant has a sweetheart deal with the Postal Service to Bezoss ownership of what Trump calls the Amazon Washington Post. Yet Trump hasnt tweeted a word about the $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract that technology rivals complain Amazon is favoured to win. The impulsive president could weigh in anytime, but theres probably a good reason for his reticence so far: Criticism from the commander-in-chief probably wouldnt derail the deal, and it might even help deliver it to Amazon. If it were demonstrated that Amazon was denied the opportunity based on the presidents business interests or inappropriate criteria, that would raise eyebrows, said Steven Schooner, a professor at George Washington University Law School with expertise in government procurement. Strict regulations govern what federal agencies can consider when awarding a competitive contract. If Amazon lost the deal after Trump interfered, the Seattle-based company could have grounds to challenge the decision, according to Schooner and other government-contracting experts. The Pentagon is sticking with its plan to pick a single winner for the contract that it calls the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud, or JEDI, in a hat-tip to the fictional heroes of Star Wars. Proposals from contractors are due in September, and a contract award isnt expected until next April. The Defense Department has said using a single provider is the best way to deliver advanced, secure cloud services to warfighters who now depend on multiple outdated platforms. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who has championed the project as a priority, has praised the Central Intelligence Agencys cloud project, which is run by Amazon. Read more: Amazon to open Caledon fulfilment centre, creating more than 800 jobs Amazon staff decry companys ICE ties The privacy paradox: face recognition is Techs next moral dilemma Oracle Corp., International Business Machines Inc. and Microsoft Corp. lobbied unsuccessfully for the Defense Department to split the broad contract among multiple suppliers, and Oracle lodged a challenge with the Government Accountability Office to the final request for proposals that the Defense Department issued last month. Read More: Oracle Protests Pentagon Cloud Plan as Threat to Innovation While Amazon could protest any intervention by Trump, no law flatly prohibits a president from publicly or privately urging a federal agency to choose a particular vendor for a contract or change the requirements of a solicitation, procurement experts said. The president can basically speak to anyone in the government he wants to, Schooner said. Trump hasnt been shy about his opinions on other multi-billion-dollar defence contracts. He shocked the contracting world a month before he took office by criticizing Boeing Co.s deal with the Pentagon to build a new Air Force One. He also tweeted that he asked Boeing to determine a price for an alternative to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that Lockheed Martin Corp. is building for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, a project that Lockheed won over a competing bid from Boeing in 2001. In both those cases, Trump was tweeting critical remarks about a deal after the company won the contract, when the risk of tainting the procurement process was less, said Rick Holgate, a research director for consulting firm Gartner Inc. Im not sure the president would be likely to weigh in on this at this point, Holgate said of the JEDI contract. Hes probably going to wait to see how this plays out. Under the law, federal agencies have to make clear in the final request for proposals the requirements and criteria they will use to choose a winning bid. While agencies have a lot of latitude to make their vendor choices, losing bidders can challenge a decision to the GAO or in the Court of Federal Claims contending that the ground rules set in a solicitation werent followed. Theres obviously some judgment calls involved in how proposals are rated, but those judgments have to at least be defensible and consistent with the factual record, procurement lawyer Frank Murray Jr. said in an email. If the evaluation shows that Amazon is the best value and should win the award, it would be a violation of procurement law for Trump or another high-ranking official to say, You cant award to Amazon, pick again. The GAO can confirm or deny protests and make recommendations to a federal agency overseeing a contract. The court can similarly intervene in the contract process. The procedure is set up to wall off political influence, Schooner said. Political influence is normally exerted at the time the requirements are determined. That might be one reason why some of Amazons critics sought Trumps help well before the Pentagon released its final solicitation. Conservative activist Seton Motley launched an advertising campaign in the New York Post earlier this year goading Trump not to let the Pentagon give the cloud contract solely to Amazon. The campaign showed photos of Bezos laughing and chatting with Mattis as well as a fictional letter from Bezos telling Trump that the contract will really help my many efforts to oppose your Administrations policies. Motley said he paid for the ads himself and had no contacts with Amazons competitors. Even if Trump missed Motleys campaign, theres little doubt the president is aware of the pending cloud contract and Amazons potential stake in it. In April, Oracle chief executive officer Safra Catz criticized the bidding process in a private dinner with Trump, complaining that it seemed designed for Amazon to win, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump heard her out and said he wants the contract competition to be fair, but made no indication hed interfere in the bidding, the people said. At the time of the dinner with Catz, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Trump isnt interfering in the cloud contract decision. The Defense Department runs a competitive bidding process, she told reporters. Read more about: CALGARYPotential delays in the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline following a U.S. judges order mean that Western Canadian oil producers could suffer current price discounts for a longer period of time, industry spokespeople say. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ordered additional environmental study of the altered route through Nebraska for TransCanada Corp.s proposed pipeline. The potential setback illustrates how difficult it has become to relieve market access woes that have resulted in larger-than-usual price discounts for Western Canadian crude, said Chris Bloomer, CEO of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. Read more: Keystone XL oil pipeline sent back for new environmental review Opinion | Sears: The perpetual perils of pipeline politics in Canada Notorious Russian troll farm targeted Trudeau, Canadian oil in online campaigns We need the pipeline, we need it yesterday and we need more market access across the board, he said in an interview. Were not getting a fair price for our crude in the U.S. because of a lack of capacity. Thats just fundamentally an issue. The difference between Western Canadian Select and New York benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude was about $25 (U.S.) per barrel on Wednesday, down from peaks over $30 earlier this year but higher than historic averages in the mid-teens. These (decisions) need to continue to be calls to action for Canada to get its own house in order and get a diversified customer base, said Tim McMillan, CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. He pointed out almost all Canadian exports go to the U.S. even though Canada has the largest coastline in the world, lamenting that pipelines to take oil to tidewater such as Northern Gateway and Energy East projects were cancelled. Crude-by-rail exports from Canada reached an all-time record high of 199,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May, up from about 131,000 bpd in May 2017, despite higher costs and a poorer safety record than pipeline shipments, Bloomer pointed out. The U.S. lawsuit was brought by plaintiffs including the Indigenous Environmental Network and Northern Plains Resource Council after Nebraska state authorities approved an alternative route to the one TransCanada had proposed through the state. The groups argued the U.S. State Department violated several acts in issuing a presidential permit for the pipeline without a proper environmental assessment of the changed route, but the judge rejected their request to revoke the permit issued by U.S. President Donald Trump soon after he took office last year. TransCanada spokesman Terry Cunha said the company was studying the ruling and had no immediate comment. Environmental groups cheered the decision and called for TransCanada, which has not officially sanctioned the project, to abandon it. Todays ruling is a victory for clean water, climate, and communities that would be threatened by the Keystone XL pipeline, Sierra Club senior attorney Doug Hayes said in a news release. This proposed project has been stalled for nearly a decade because it would be all risk and no reward, and despite the Trump administrations efforts, they cannot force this dirty tar sands pipeline on the American people. The proposed 1,897-kilometre, $10-billion Keystone XL pipeline would carry crude from Hardisty, Alta., to Steel City, Neb. Two other export pipelines, the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline being sold to the federal government and Enbridge Inc.s Line 3 pipeline replacement, also face uncertainty. In 2017, Canadas oil supply was 4.2 million bpd, which exceeded existing available pipeline capacity, according to CAPP. In June, CAPP predicted total Canadian oil production will increase to 5.6 million bpd by 2035 mainly due to a rise in oilsands production to 4.2 million bpd from 2.65 million bpd in 2017. Read more about: EDMONTONLocal environmental activists are standing in solidarity with protesters arrested Thursday near the Trans Mountain pipeline terminus in Burnaby, B.C., though other activists are happy to see them go. Two members of Climate Justice Edmonton were among the anti-pipeline activists evicted Thursday from Camp Cloud a makeshift protest site set up at the gates of Kinder Morgans tank farm facility at Burnaby Mountain confirmed an Edmonton-based environmentalist involved with the group. We are incredibly grateful for the work that theyve been doing up on Burnaby Mountain, and from this end of the pipeline we stand with them, said Emma Jackson, an organizer with Climate Justice Edmonton. We will continue to resist this project all along the route. The camp became a rallying point for demonstrators opposed to the pipelines expansion, which would more than triple the amount of bitumen and other oil products moving from near Edmonton to Burnaby for shipping overseas by tanker. On Aug. 10, Burnaby got the go-ahead from a B.C. judge to remove structures and prevent camping at the site. An update posted on social media by the Burnaby RCMP detachment said 11 people were removed. Five were subsequently arrested and have since been released from custody, the post said. Rick Peterson, an investment banker from Spruce Grove, Alta., who founded the pro-pipeline group Suits and Boots, lauded the efforts of police to dismantle the camp. The court had already ordered these guys to leave, and they hadnt left and they dragged it on, said Peterson, who ran for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada last year. He said the pipeline extension has received the necessary regulatory approvals and should proceed. Im glad to see that the RCMP have enforced the rule of law. Suits and Boots has been holding rallies across British Columbia over the summer to drum up support for the resource sector. Its goal, Peterson said, is to counter the attention that anti-pipeline protesters have been receiving. So far, the stage has been hogged by people dangling off bridges, Peterson said, referencing the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge protests in Vancouver last month. Its about time that somebody stood up in a very visual and publicly visible way counter the argument coming from the anti-resource people. Jackson was one of three Albertans arrested in July for scaling the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. It can be extremely difficult to be arrested, she said. They dont want to be taking this level of action; it feels as if though its an obligation now. Camp Cloud grew substantially since last November, when opponents of the pipeline expansion parked a single trailer at the gates of the Kinder Morgan tank farm. The camp recently included two-storey structures, several vehicles and a makeshift shower. The RCMP said theyve arrested 217 people since March under a court-ordered injunction that restricts protests within five metres of sites in Burnaby where pipeline expansion work is underway. As opposition continued to build, the federal government offered $4.5 billion to purchase the project. Kinder Morgan is presenting that offer to its shareholders and expects the sale will be approved later this month or in September. The purchase price, which includes the existing pipeline, pumping stations, rights of way and the Westridge marine terminal in Burnaby, does not cover the construction costs of building the new pipeline, previously estimated at about $7.4 billion. Jackson said protesters across Alberta and B.C. will remain steadfast in their opposition to the project one she said will accelerate a climate crisis. Weve spent the past week smothered under the smoke from the wildfires in B.C., she said. It makes no sense to build pipelines in an era where we already cant see the skies above our heads. With files from Tessa Vikander and The Canadian Press Read more about: They were called ghost rapes. You might remember them. About a decade ago, an isolated sect of Mennonites in Bolivia made headlines around the world when a group of men were convicted of secretly sedating then raping women and girls in their community as young as 9 years old. I dont like this term, the ghost rapes, because it really demeans and belittles exactly what happened, the severity and the gravity of it, the writer Miriam Toews says in an interview. Ghosts werent raping these women; men from the community were. The trial offered a rare and sordid glimpse into the lives of these people, an event that inspired Toews compelling new novel Women Talking, out Aug. 21. Initially, some male members of the community, she says, dismissed the horrific assaults as the result of wild, female imagination. These Mennonite communities, these colonies, are self policed. This was one of the few, few times that the cops were called in, and from what I understand it was basically to protect the men from revenge attacks, etc. So my book is an imagined response to these attacks and the questions that (the women) have and the choices that theyre faced with. As the book begins, most of the men in the community are away in the big city dealing with the court case, leaving the women to experience an unusual bit of freedom. With no men around to silence them, they are able to talk freely to meet and decide how theyre going to deal with the situation. Over two days they only have two days until the men return they meet in a hayloft, one of the few private places they know, to wrangle over three choices: do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. They also have three things they want to achieve: to protect their children, keep their faith, and think. These apparently simple choices give plenty of scope for the women to explore some fundamental issues that concern us all: What is freedom? What is forgiveness? What does it mean to be a good Mennonite or, broadly, to live by your principles? Women Talking is no ordinary book, and even before hitting the shelves its got people talking. Some who received advance copies, including Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, have placed it firmly in the camp of feminist books that will become part of a canon that questions the patriarchy. This amazing, sad, shocking, but touching novel could be right out of The Handmaids Tale, enthused Atwood on Twitter. I have yet to read a more scathing indictment of patriarchal violence, wrote Laura van den Berg, author of The Third Hotel. Its hard to say what I make of it, Toews says about this early reaction. I dont really think in those terms. I write the book that I need to write, and people readers, marketing people, reviewers will describe it in their own way. The women in the hayloft dispute the idea that they are part of a resistance, or that theyre trying to develop a manifesto political words that make some of them bristle. Yet thats exactly what theyre talking about. Women Talking becomes an interesting lesson in the historically pacifist Mennonite people, and the revolutions and massacres that drove them from Russia to Canada and then South America. Especially the older women, they dont want to think of themselves as revolutionaries, says Toews. To them that means armed, violent and sinful. The women, in the end, make their decision. One of the characters, Salome (pronounced, Toews corrects me laughingly, SAH-loam after a friend of her mothers, not Sah-lo-MAY as in the bible), uses some of the mens tactics to keep the women quiet. Certainly the idea of spraying women in their sleep with an animal anaesthetic and then raping them is wrong, Toews says. But what (Salome) did? Its just another question and Im curious. Hopefully itll create some kind of discussion. That discussion might include questions that hit home for todays #MeToo movement, such as, is she corrupted by power? Or is she simply using the means at her disposal to get by in a world that she has to live in but had no voice in creating? Interestingly, the book is narrated in the first person by a man named August. The conceit is that the resulting book is the minutes of the meeting. A man taking down the words of these women, all things considered, seems a strange choice. But Toews points out that most of these women, while not unintelligent, are uneducated and illiterate. And the language they speak, Low German, is unwritten. She needed a character who was able to write and translate, and whom the women could trust. The creation of August is also a way for her to show that men suffer under the pressures of an authoritarian system. What is it to be a man in a community like this? Certainly August is considered suspect because hes a teacher, hes a bit effeminate, hes not like the other men of the colony and hes mocked. Despite its weighty subject matter, Women Talking is not without humour though thats no surprise to those who know Toews writing. All My Puny Sorrows, her fictional yet autobiographical last book about her sisters suicide, was brimming with humour that helped lighten some of the darker themes and moments. That one won the Writers Trust fiction prize and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Shes also won other awards, including the Governor Generals Award for her novel about growing up in a Mennonite community, A Complicated Kindness. She opened up, in Puny Sorrows, channels to talk about mental illness, suicide and assisted death. In Complicated Kindness, ways of talking about growing up in and rebelling against a restrictive society. These are my people, essentially, and Ive been to these colonies and I grew up in the original Russian Mennonite settlement in Canada, the most conservative Mennonite community in Canada, says Toews. Ive seen the damage that this authoritarianism and fundamentalism can do. But she also points out that there are beautiful things about the Mennonite religion: ideals including pacifism, charity and collective living. While she is a secular Mennonite herself, she misses the singing. I enjoyed inserting those songs, the hymns, and the prayers too, and even the scripture, some of the beautiful scripture, into Women Talking, she says. In the end, this is a personal story. I had an amazing childhood, she says. But as she grew up, she started seeing the hypocrisy, the uncharitableness, the lack of freedom, the lack of voice, the lack of agency, especially for girls and women, the rules, the culture of shame and silence and guilt and punishment. Against these things, she says, you either end up toeing the line or fighting. And I suppose Ive been fighting for a very, very long time now. Toews, now 54, recently became a grandmother for the second time. She lives in Toronto; her mother lives here, too, and is an elder for a very liberal, very nurturing, very supportive church. The women in the loft are based on women she knows. These are, after all, her people. As to the book, Id say its just a bunch of women talking, about important things, things that are very, very profoundly important to them. Despite the intention not to be political, there is an imperative about the book that illustrates what good art is and should be: because she wrote the book, Toews and I are talking about it. And so we, too, are talking about these issues art imitates life. Women Talking becomes an invitation for the rest of us to engage in dialogue and ask some fundamental questions of ourselves. And, perhaps, to laugh and keep fighting against hypocrisy, uncharitableness, and a lack of voice, especially for girls and women. HALIFAXA Halifax judge has acquitted a former Saint Marys University groundskeeper of an alleged sexual assault last year. Matthew Albert Percy was charged with sexual assault, voyeurism and overcoming resistance by choking. It was alleged the 35-year-old man sexually assaulted a woman at a home in the Armdale area on Sept. 3, 2017. Following a lengthy trial earlier this year, a provincial court judge found Percy not guilty of all three counts Friday. Even with the acquittals, though, Percy remains behind bars hes facing three additional and separate sexual assault trials. In this case, the court heard that Percy and the complainant met a few times before they exchanged numbers and met downtown one night in September 2017. The womans name is protected under a publication ban. The 22-year-old complainant said she and Percy went to a few bars, then decided to leave. They were going to share a cab home. While recapping the case, Judge Bill Digby said the pair ended up at Percys home. The complainant said he was massaging her feet and then starting kissing her before lifting her up and carrying her into his bedroom, where she said he preformed non-consensual sex acts on her. Some of what happened was recorded and played during his trial. When rendering his decision, the judge said there was no reason to question the complainants motives but said at one point during the recorded video, there was giggling and that some actions seemed voluntary. Digby said the complainant holds the belief she was sexually assaulted but that the Crown failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The video itself from our point was never consensual and it took different forms. It didnt video the entire event, said Crown attorney Rick Woodburn. It was cut up in certain ways, in our view at least, to make it look like it was consensual. Despite the not guilty verdicts, Woodburn said he applauded the victim, and that she did an excellent job coming forward. After talking to her, she was happy that she was able to tell her story. Even to come forward and tell her story was something she wanted to do, even before the verdict came. When she was finished, she felt justice had been served through the process, he said. Woodburn said sexual assaults are always difficult to prosecute. The standard is high, its beyond a reasonable doubt. It applies to all people, he said If anybody is charged with a crime, the level of proof that the Crown has to go through in order to make sure somebody is found guilty is high and in Canada, thats the level of proof that we want for each person. Woodburn said both the Crown attorneys office and the police take sexual assault allegations very seriously and spend a lot of time with the victims to ensure they are part of the processes, so they can tell their story. An acquittal does not mean that you are not telling the truth, said Woodburn. It just means that we havent proven it beyond a reasonable doubt. Read more about: Theres a growing backlash among craft brewers against Premier Doug Fords buck-a-beer challenge, and some companies are brewing up a challenge of their own. One brewer is hoping to make a point that fees and taxes for beer are too high. Another brewer is offering the buck to help refugees. And another brewer is taking a stand for the craft movement. After Cool Beer Brewing in Etobicoke announced on Monday it would take part in the buck-a-beer promotion, Silly Sir Brewing, a craft brewery that uses Cools facilities for production purposes, announced Thursday it was ending its relationship with Cool. Read more: Opinion | Ricardo Tranjan: The buck-a-beer challenge Ontario deserves Buck-a-beer by Labour Day weekend, Doug Ford says Despite their experience and professionalism, we cannot in good conscience continue brewing with a company that plans to embrace brewing beer that is antithetical to the craft movement, Silly Sir co-founder Matt Cowan wrote in a statement. And last week Dominion City brewing in Ottawa announced it would be offering a beer called Buck a beer but at $3.55 per 355 mL can with $1 going to Refugee 613, an organization that helps refugees build a new life in Ottawa. On Thursday, Dominion City co-founder Josh McJannett said the response to the beer has been so positive, that the $1 per can donation has grown to $1.30 after some suppliers offered to help the charity by giving them a break on materials needed to make the beer. We figured nothing pairs better with a cold beer than a warm welcome, McJannett said. Cool is the second brewery to announce it would be producing a buck-a-beer brew after Premier Fords announcement on Aug. 7, at Picton-based craft brewer Barley Days, which has pledged to offer Loon Lager in select LCBO stores by Aug. 27. But Cool Brewerys corporate development officer Kevin Meens says craft brewers are missing an opportunity to have a dialogue with government about the taxes and fees breweries are subject to. He says Cools plan to offer a buck-a-beer is an entry point to get the government to look at other solutions to offer more affordable beer. We want to get in a room with Mr. Ford and say, Weve done our part, weve given up our margins, now lets take a look at taxes and fees, Meens explained. If nobody stepped up and took this opportunity that Mr. Ford is presenting, that discussion would never happen, Meens said. He explained that the taxes and fees that Cool would be paying for its buck-a-beer brew added up to about 33 per cent, once you add together the 8 per cent excise tax paid to the federal government, 12 per cent provincial tax and 13 per cent harmonized sales tax. Meens says he also wants the province to revisit regulations that govern on-site sales at breweries. Beer in Ontario is subject to provincial pricing, which means all retail channels must sell at the same price. One way Mr. Fords government can encourage small brewers to rise to their Buck-a-Beer Challenge is to modify provincial pricing and allow breweries to sell their beer (for less) at their brewery, Meens, said in a statement released by Cool on Aug. 13. Every day our customers ask why they cant buy Cool Beer cheaper when they buy direct from the brewery. Ford said in the announcement on Aug. 7 that throughout the year, brewers who do drop prices will be eligible for time-limited discounts, ads in LCBO flyers and in-store promotions such as end-of-aisle features or extended shelves. But Silly Sirs Cowan argues that price shouldnt be the central issue. The pendulum has been swinging towards changing the idea of what beer can be and this nonsense is bringing it back, Cowan said. With files from Kris Rushowy Serena Willoughby is a deputy life editor based in Toronto. She is also a Star contributor. Follow her on Twitter: @serwilloughby Read more about: OTTAWA Justin Trudeau will huddle with his cabinet ministers this week to craft the political narrative they will take to Canadians ahead of next years federal election. But the reality is that heading into an election year, the Liberals face political risks beyond their control the uptick in asylum seekers coming across the border, a tempestuous president in the White House and emerging opposition in key provincial capitals. How governments handle events not of their making often shapes their mandate and determines their success. In this case, the outside forces exerting pressure on Trudeaus Liberals are huge and so are their potential impacts on defining issues like trade and climate policy. With a federal election now just over a year away, the wedge issues that could define the campaign are taking shape: the environment and carbon pricing; refugees, immigration and broader issues of diversity. Wednesdays gathering will be the first cabinet meeting since Trudeau shuffled his ministerial lineup in July, moving some politicians to new portfolios and bringing in several new faces to better grapple with the political challenges now facing his government. The appointment of former Toronto police chief Bill Blair as minister of border security and organized crime reduction signalled the governments intention to make border integrity and security a top priority, Trudeau said on the day of the shuffle. Read more: Opinion | Tim Harper: Conservative eruptions are a gift for Justin Trudeaus Liberals Opinion | Susan Delacourt: Can the drifting Liberals find a future in their past? Justin Trudeau vows to speak out on human rights, refuses to back down in Saudi Arabia dispute The asylum seekers entering Canada from the United States has become a political flashpoint, with opposition Conservatives, Quebec and Ontario and municipal leaders in Montreal and Toronto all clamouring for federal action on the file. The Conservatives have been sharply critical of the government on the issue, charging that the Liberals are mismanaging the border. In response, Trudeau says the opposition is playing a very dangerous game around the politics of fear, politics of division. Last month he accused them of raising anxieties that frankly dont help solve problems but actually hinder them. David Coletto, chief executive at Abacus Data, warns that such strong language while potentially in line with the perspective of most Canadians risks enflaming a significant minority of voters who feel insecure about their economic position and changing demographics. Trudeaus defence of diversity could come across as condescending, he said. That said, Coletto argues the same message, if communicated the right way, could rally voters away from the Conservatives, as in the 2015 election when the party proposed creating a barbaric cultural practices snitch line. Youre playing with fire, on both sides, when you get into this kind of discussion, Coletto said in an interview. And I dont think its easily controlled once its lit. Ministers are also expected to discuss measures to curb gun violence, such as last months shooting on Torontos Danforth Ave. that left two people dead and 12 wounded. The suspected gunman also died. Torontos cit council has called for a ban on handguns and Montreal may add its support for the move. Trudeau said last week that recent tragedies have lawmakers considering ways to do more. There are things we need to hear and we need to reflect more on next steps. Certainly hearing what Toronto is proposing and probably Montreal as well, that certainly will help us, he told reporters. On the day of the cabinet shuffle, Trudeau said the changes were motivated by new realities facing the government at home and abroad, a reminder how much has changed since his party took office in 2015. At that time, Barack Obama was in the White House, giving rise to quips about a bilateral bromance with Trudeau. Kathleen Wynne was Ontarios premier, giving her backing for federal initiatives such as the national climate change strategy and Ottawas ambitions for a national pharmacare plan. Trudeaus world is now considerably more difficult. The Canada-U. S. relationship has soured under President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, prompting retaliation from Ottawa. The personal relationship also appears strained, with Trump lashing out at Trudeau in the wake of the G7 summit for making what he called false statements and calling the prime minister very dishonest and weak. This friction has added another layer of complication to what was inevitably going to be a treacherous negotiation with the United States over a new North American Free Trade Agreement. Talks now appear to be in limbo, with more blunt talk from Trump. Their tariffs are too high, their barriers are too strong, so were not even talking to them right now, the president said last week. The cabinet moves are meant to help deal with all that, Trudeau said on the day of the shuffle, with the appointment of Manitoba MP James Carr to the renamed post of minister of international trade diversification. I think theres no question that the international context is constantly changing, Trudeau said, discussing the need to diversify export markets to ensure that we are not as dependent on the U.S. The prime minister acknowledged changes on the domestic front too, most recently the Progressive Conservatives taking power at Queens Park, led by Premier Doug Ford. Its early days, but already the relationship seems fraught. Fords first act was to eliminate the provinces cap-and-trade carbon pricing program, putting him at odds with Ottawas national strategy to reduce emissions. Ottawa and Queens Park have squabbled over the issue of asylum seekers. Gaining Ontarios support for a national pharmacare plan is now a question mark. Trudeau said he expects to have strong and positive conversations with the premiers. With elections yet to come in New Brunswick, Quebec and Alberta in the coming year, the shuffle was an acknowledgement Ottawa will face opposition among new premiers to its agenda. They had a fabulous honeymoon period ... then starting this year, things started to get away from them. You saw that in their approval ratings and their popular vote, said Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research. The Liberals seem to be getting their act together, acting in a more concerted manner and starting to deal with issues, he said. Everything they do now is really geared to the next year. Jason Lietaer, president of Enterprise Canada, a communications firm, and veteran Conservative strategist, expects the Liberals will highlight a centrist agenda over the coming months and a renewed emphasis on the middle class. But there are dangers for the party. Elected on promises to improve Indigenous affairs, tackle climate change and renew foreign affairs, there are questions about how much progress theyve made in each of those areas, Lietaer said in an interview. Coletto said the wild card at play is Jagmeet Singh. The NDP Leaders performance in the coming months which includes a potential byelection run in Burnaby, B.C. could determine whether the social democratic party shaves votes from the Liberals left flank, or whether Trudeau hits the hustings without a credible progressive challenger. Historically, when the NDP is strong, like in the 1988 and 2011 elections, the Liberals are weakened and the Conservatives win, Coletto said. We really dont know how voters are going to react to Jagmeet Singh, he said. He still has, at least on paper, the potential to be a real threat. One thing, at least, is certain there will be no snap election this fall. There had been speculation that the Liberals would go for an early election, ahead of the October 2019 date prescribed by legislation, to secure a new mandate on issues such as trade and climate change. But the prime minister said there would no early vote, at least not in the next few months. It has never been in our plans and it is not in our plans, there will be no federal election this fall, he said Thursday during a stop in Quebec. When the election does come, the political skirmishes so far on border security, climate change and economic issues could be a preview of what voters might see come the campaign, Coletto said. Were starting now to see where potential ballot questions might be in that election, Coletto said. And which ones benefit the parties. And so, more than one year out from voting day, campaign season is already upon us. Read more about: As far as investors are concerned, Premier Doug Ford is rapidly emerging as Canadas great disrupter. First, he rattled the utilities sector by following through with his campaign promise to fire the CEO and board of directors of Hydro One. The stock plunged to an all-time low of $18.57 on the day after the announcement was made and continues to trade well below its original issue price. Now Fords government has socked the fledgling cannabis sector with the news that the retail sale of legalized recreational marijuana will be entrusted to the private sector and delayed until April. Some industry experts think it will be even longer than that. Shares in cannabis companies plunged on the announcement, which had been rumoured weeks before. Canopy Growth, the largest Canadian producer by market cap, dropped to a low of $32.01 on Tuesday, down 13.5 per cent from the close on Aug. 10. But what a difference a day makes. On Wednesday, U.S. beverage alcohol giant Constellation Brands announced it was increasing its investment in Canopy by $5 billion by acquiring 104.5 million shares from the company at $48.60 each. Canopy stock recovered all its recent losses and more, rising over $10 to $42.20. Such is life for investors in cannabis stocks. Its been a wild roller coaster ride. The Canadian Cannabis Composite Index, which tracks the performance of 16 leading producers and distributors, rose from 1,028 at the start of 2017 to a high of 3,465 on Jan. 9 a gain of 237 per cent just over in two years. On Tuesday, after the Ontario government announcement, it was down to 2,275, off 34 per cent from its high. But the Constellation announcement Wednesday propelled it back to 2,563, a gain of almost 13 per cent in a single day. Whether investors have made or lost money in pot depends entirely on timing. You could have bought Canopy Growth for $8.36 a share a year ago at this time. If you did, youve quintupled your money. But if you bought at the peak in June, youre still in the red, despite the boost from the Constellation investment. This volatility is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. No one knows at this point exactly what the new recreational cannabis industry will look like or the size of the potential market. And more surprises are likely before it all shakes out. Ontarios decision to turn pot sales over to the private sector (the original Liberal plan was to sell recreational marijuana through the LCBO) will almost certainly ignite a rush to acquire desirable retail space, even before licences are handed out. We have already seen this in Alberta, which announced months ago that pot sales would be privatized. This is a high-risk gamble for potential distributors because the Ontario plan allows municipalities a one-time opportunity to opt out of allowing cannabis sales in their communities. That could leave would-be retailers on the hook for expensive leases if a large number of cities and towns decide they want nothing to do with weed. Despite the uncertainty, many people believe it is worth the gamble. A report by Deloitte released in June said Canadians are expected to spend $7.17 billion on cannabis products in 2019. Legal recreational cannabis would account for up to $4.34 billion of that, although that figure will probably drop given Ontarios delay. The illegal market wont disappear, but will shrink to $1 billion per year. The report also found that legalization would probably create a change in the demographics of users with an increasing number of older people trying the drug (aged 35 to 54 versus 18 to 34). New users will be better educated (university or graduate school education versus high school or college education), less of a risk taker and likely to consume cannabis less frequently (less than once a month versus several times a week.) About two-thirds of customers will buy through brick-and-mortar stores (a boon for shopping mall owners stuck with huge empty spaces after the shutdown of major tenants such as Target and Sears). One-third will buy online. The Ontario government will hold that monopoly in this province, at least initially, opening an internet outlet when recreational pot sales become legal Oct. 17. Although there is significant profit potential, only investors who have a high risk tolerance level should put any money here. Rather than focus on a single company, I suggest choosing an ETF such as the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF, which was launched April 2017 and has attracted almost $700 million in assets. It tracks the North American Marijuana Index, which includes publicly traded companies from across the continent with an emphasis on Canada. It should not be surprising that the funds performance reflects the same pattern we have seen in individual stocks. It was issued at $10 per unit, dropped to a low of $8.21 in June of last year and then took off to reach a high of $25.56 Jan. 9. Since then it has been trading in the $14 to $20 range and was at $16.29 at the time of writing. Perhaps thats a bargain, or it could be a falling knife, as investors become more aware of the many unresolved issues in the sector. As one reader pointed out to me, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Constellation Brands seems to think so. But if you decide to invest, make sure your tummy is strong enough to handle all the ups and downs that lie ahead. Gordon Pape is editor and publisher of the internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters. Read more about: Days before city councillors decide how, or whether, to fight the provinces move to slash council nearly in half during an ongoing election, Premier Doug Ford wants to change the agenda for the special meeting. In a letter Friday, Ford urged Mayor John Tory and council to also discuss fatal shootings and gang violence at Mondays meeting, expected to be the last before the civic election. The public request, framed by former councillor Ford as a needed response to an urgent Toronto problem, appears to have fallen flat. The city clerks office said adding guns and gangs to Mondays agenda is impossible because long-established rules dictate special meetings must be confined to the topic for which they were called. Ford critics say the request is an attempted distraction and bid to further divide a council already split on the controversial move from 47 wards to 25 three months after candidates started campaigning. Once again, Doug Ford is attempting to divide Torontonians, asking them to choose between community safety or defending democracy, Toronto Centre New Democrat MPP Suze Morrison told the Stars Rob Ferguson. Mr. Fords reckless decision to trample on democracy and meddle in ongoing municipal elections is wrong and New Democrats will continue to stand against it. But Ford said the number of fatal shootings Toronto has experienced this year (31 by mid-August, the same number as in 2005, the notorious Year of the Gun) is unacceptable and requires immediate action from all levels of government without reservation. The people of Toronto and by extension Ontario need and deserve to feel safe in the city and our great province. What do you think? Tory wrote back that adding gun violence to the agenda would be unnecessary even if it were possible council has already approved hiring more police officers and applying for $32.6 million in funding for community programs. It has also urged Ottawa to ban the sale and possession of handguns in Toronto, which Ford opposed. As you would remember from your time on city council, special meetings are confined to the issue for which they were called, so as to ensure their efficiency, accountability and transparency on behalf of the people of Toronto, Tory wrote to Ford, whom he defeated in the 2014 mayoral election. On Friday, the city clerk said the provinces move to slash council, which Ford framed as a cost-saving measure, is costing the city an unanticipated $2.5 million. The clerk also said that, with the city scrambling to prepare for a 25-ward election, reverting to the 47-ward election in time for election day on Oct. 22 should any legal challenge succeed raises unacceptable levels of risk and undermines the trust and confidence of candidates and voters. She also outlined that she is concerned she won't be able to do the necessary due diligence required to run the election. Read more: How the Tories move to shrink Toronto council could be turned on its head Opinion | It may seem unfair, but Doug Ford has the legal right to shrink city council Is U.S.-style gun violence really new to Canada? Experts say our problems are not that different The brewing breakdown in Toronto-Ontario relations started July 26, when the Star broke the news of Fords plan to cut the number of councillors to 25 in mid-election. The news apparently surprised Tory, who later told reporters Ford had mentioned the plan in passing at the end of a meeting a few weeks before, but that he hadnt taken Ford seriously. Sources at Queens Park say Fords plan was a closely held secret. Most of Fords cabinet ministers didnt know about it until it was raised as an add-on at the end of the July 25 cabinet meeting. In Fords office, senior aides were deeply divided on the wisdom of the move, sources said. Some doves worried it was a needless provocation at a time when the new government has many pressing challenges. Some hawks believed Ford should act swiftly during his honeymoon with voters. That honeymoon is not happening in Toronto, where the NDP won more than 40,000 votes more than the PC party in the recent provincial election. Ford did not suggest cutting any other municipal council. Anger reverberated through city hall in the days following. Candidates who had been running for a council seat under the citys 47-ward system and concerned residents protested outside council chambers during what was supposed to be the last meeting of the term. Torys initial response to Fords move was to call for a referendum before the election, which some deemed tepid and helped push a high-profile challenger, former Toronto chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat, into the mayors race. With Torys support, but by a small majority of 24-17, council agreed to convey its opposition to the province, request a binding referendum on council size and consider legal options. Fords letter Friday noted passage of Bill 5 makes him very pleased city council will be able to conduct business for citizens of Toronto more efficiently and effectively. Councillors received a confidential report from the city solicitor Thursday to prepare for their Monday meeting, viewed by the Star, which told them there is no obvious legal path to beat Bill 5 but there are a couple of possible gambits. First, they could start a legal challenge to Bill 5, and join or support other legal proceedings aimed at stopping the switch to 25 wards. If the city fails in the legal proceedings, however, solicitor Wendy Walbergs recommendation is to not pursue an appeal due to the timing of the election. The other option is for council to take no action to challenge Bill 5 and take no position in any legal proceedings aimed at stopping the switch, other than perhaps to have friend of the court status to provide it with information. Within Walbergs report is a suggestion that council could, if it decides 25 wards is the only or best option, direct city legal to support the Ontario government fighting any court actions a very unlikely proposition given councils stated determination to stand up to Premier Ford. I think we have to have a thoughtful and constructive discussion about how we can continue to make sure people understand that we feel so strongly about the lack of consultation and the lack of proper process, that we might be in a position to pursue legal remedies, Tory said Friday, ahead of Mondays meeting. Were going to get advice from our solicitor as to what remedies might be best that we can seek and what the chances are and how we go about that. I hope its a very thoughtful discussion because it is a serious matter. With files from Robert Benzie and Rob Ferguson David Rider is the Stars City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering Toronto politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider Read more about: Toronto police are looking for a suspect after an 8-year-old boy was sexually assaulted in the toy section of a department store. Police say officers responded to a sexual assault call Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Islington Ave. and Rexdale Blvd. area. The incident happened when a woman was shopping at the Walmart with her son, police say. Police say the boy was sexually assaulted when an unknown man followed him into the stores toy section. The suspect is described as clean shaven, 5-foot-9, with a medium build and short black hair. Police say he was wearing a bluish-grey button-up shirt, blue jeans and a dark backpack. Police have a surveillance image of the suspect on their website. Clarification Aug. 17, 2018: This story has been updated from a previous version to specify in what part of Toronto the boy was sexually assaulted. The 140th Canadian National Exhibition opened Friday morning amid labour controversy as union members representing locked-out stagehands shouted over the premier and mayors remarks at the opening ceremonies. The voices of picketing union members could be heard nearby as Mayor John Tory acknowledged the protest ahead of the opening. Even though visitors may have to cross the picket lines, he told the crowd, Many, many families are going to come down here and have a good time. I just thank God we live in a country where people can come and express their views, he later told reporters, adding he knows the union would agree with me that we all want to make sure the 140th CNE is very successful. At one point in the ceremony, a large inflatable rat puppet named Scabby by the locked-out union members could be seen rising above the backdrop. About 400 workers, represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union, were locked out by the Exhibition Place board of governors on July 20, after months of bargaining. Picketers stretched along Strachan Ave. Friday, carrying signs and shouting into megaphones. Scabby and another puppet of a grotesque mans face and hands joined them on the picket line. Were out here trying to get our message to those who are coming to the CNE that this kind of attack on Toronto workers in not acceptable, said IATSE Local 58 president Justin Antheunis. And that the City of Toronto needs to get back to the table and negotiate it so that workers who have been doing the CNE forever can come back and do that work that they love to do. Have your say: Over 200 locked-out workers were at the picket line Friday. They did not block Ex attendees from crossing the picket line. Many carried signs saying dont take away our jobs, we wont entertain bad negotiations, stop corporate takeover of Ex Place and locked out didnt walk out. The board has said it wants to update the workers contract to reflect the highly competitive marketplace and that it thinks the dispute should be settled at the bargaining table rather than in arbitration like the union has suggested. The union says the city flew in workers from Quebec and Alberta to do their members jobs at the CNE. This city council should be about protecting Toronto jobs, not necessarily trying to make a profit on the backs of Toronto workers, Antheunis said. The union has said the board refuses to bargain in good faith and that its workers will continue to picket through the duration of the CNE if the dispute isnt resolved. Im feeling angry, Im feeling scared, Im feeling frustrated ... because this is where I used to work, stagehand Pierre Quinn said at the picket line. Quinn said hes angry about what is being done, and how its being done, and by whom its being done. CNE attendee George Mareczko said the locked-out workers have the right to assemble and voice their demands and concerns. Its not that they walked off the job, they were basically told to get out, so I dont mind them doing that at all. He said that going through the Ex, you cant help but notice the picketers. They picked a good place for it theyre on the sidewalk, I dont see them going out, spilling out onto the road, Mareczko said. And their comments that theyre making, to get the crowd going, are in their eyes, true to fact. So theres nothing there thats inciting any kind of trouble. The Ex is known as a showcase for extravagant fast food trends. This years Ex features a $100 burger covered in 24-karat gold, fit for a king. The burger includes a five-ounce patty with maple bacon, peameal bacon, cheddar, onion rings, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo in an edible gold bun. Other offerings include cotton candy-and-ice cream burritos, deep-fried Ferrero Rocher chocolates and another gilded treat: a gold-covered ice cream bar. Everyone will be taking photos of gold, Instagrammer Fred Bkayleh told the Stars Evelyn Kwong. Selling hamburgers for $100 with gold in them and then locking out workers, I dont see irony, its ridiculous, really, Quinn said. The CNE, Canadas largest annual community event, expects to attract 1.6 million people over 18 days. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Premier Doug Ford also announced plans to rejuvenate Ontario Place, the nearby site of a former waterfront theme park. Ontario Place was spectacular, he said. Well bring it back to life. Correction Aug. 17, 2018: This article has been edited from an earlier version that incorrectly said the CNEs board of governors had locked out the union. It was, in fact, the board of governors for Exhibition Place that did so. With files from the Canadian Press, Samantha Beattie, Inori Roy and Evelyn Kwong Read more: Quebec replacement workers brought in for CNE setup, union says Union pickets Exhibition Place after board locks out technical and stage workers How to be a #foodstagrammer? We went to the Ex to take photos of crazy food Read more about: As Premier Doug Fords decision to cut council almost in half reignites talk of the urban-suburban divide, the Star finds the old differences arent what they used to be. In a new occasional series, One Toronto, we take a look at what divides us and what we share, no matter where the ward lines fall. Faced with moving out of a mouldy basement apartment, Jesse and Joanna James wanted to find something above ground they could afford in the same neighbourhood, which they love for its diversity, parks and walkability. The couple, in their early 30s with two kids, had been paying $1,750 for a six-bedroom house, subletting the rooms upstairs to help pay the bills. Theyd hoped to find an apartment on their own for around $1,300, something that didnt seem outlandish the last time they were house-hunting, a little more than six years ago. They quickly realized times had changed. They were up against an astonishing price jump of about 20 per cent, said Jesse, and worried they might be priced out of the area altogether. The Jameses live not on Queen West or in Liberty Village, but in Ward 23 Willowdale, in North York. Its a formerly affordable neighbourhood where tenant households now pay the most on average in the city, at $1,592 a month, for shelter costs (rent and utilities), according to 2016 Statistics Canada data. As an occasional series this summer, the Star is looking at what unites and divides Torontos megacity 20 years after amalgamation. Its clear the search for affordable housing once a problem for the old city of Toronto is something people now struggle with in every neighbourhood. In every ward of the city, from Etobicoke to Scarborough, at least 40 per cent of renters are putting 30 per cent or more of their income towards rent, a common benchmark for unaffordable housing. In Ward 23, that number is 58 per cent, according to 2016 census data. It used to be that if you were looking for more affordable rent, if you felt like you were priced out of, what Id call just the subway line, anything along there, youd go to certain areas of the city, said Geordie Dent, executive director of the Federation of Metro Tenants Associations (FMTA). But increasingly were hearing that there is no help. After Ward 23 Willowdale, the second highest average monthly shelter cost for rentals (a figure which includes utilities and all kinds of rentals regardless of bedrooms or type), is downtowns Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina, at $1,583 a month, says census data. But wards in North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough all have averages over $1,000 and only five wards in the city out of 44 have averages under a grand. The lowest is in Ward 43 Scarborough East, at $895 a month. A place slightly out of the core might save renters $10 or $20 a month but overall the affordability crisis has basically spread to every corner of the city with rent eating up a huge share of Torontonians disposable income, Dent said. Maize Blanchard has little left over after putting more than half of her fixed income from her pension towards rent for her apartment near Jane and Finch. Where am I going to get the money to eat properly and pay my rent at the same time? asked Blanchard, a member of housing advocacy group ACORN, which recently launched a campaign calling on the city to build more affordable units. Thats my beef, thats my story, and a lot of my friends are just like me, she said. Even in suburban Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest almost half (46 per cent) of tenants are putting more than 30 per cent of their income towards rent, according to census data. Forty-five per cent of renters are doing the same in Ward 43 Scarborough East. Housing affordability challenges are not a downtown problem, said Shauna Brail, director of the University of Torontos urban studies program. Though the suburbs have traditionally been associated with homeowners, Blanchard and the Jameses are not the exception. According to 2016 census data, at least 35 per cent of residents in 39 of the citys 44 wards are renters. The highest rates of renters are found downtown (70 per cent) in Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park and the lowest in Ward 44 Scarborough East (17 per cent). But almost half of residents in adjacent suburban Ward 43 Scarborough East and Ward 1 Etobicoke North are renting (both 46 per cent). The Jameses didnt want to leave their community, where they have deep roots and are close to families Jesse works with as a community organizer but owning was out of the question. Even for a tiny studio condo in Willowdale, they were looking at $400,000 to $500,000. We would have been preapproved for a mortgage that would have only afforded a house in the Yukon or Windsor, said Jesse, with a laugh. The Jameses eventually lucked out. They found a four-bedroom house for about $2,350 a month plus utilities. They make it work through leasing spare bedrooms to international students, and the landlord added another bedroom. To get their rental, they wrote a letter to the landlord to explain how much they loved the neighbourhood, hoping theyd stand out against 18 other aspiring tenants. Theyre grateful for their situation but realize it wouldnt work for many families that are being forced out of the city due to high rents and unaffordable home prices. Joanna called the search bewildering as they werent finding anything in their price range. Nobody really had any answers, she said, adding they had to think of a creative solution themselves to stay in the neighbourhood. I felt like we had to blaze a new trail. Ward 23 Councillor John Filion said what tilts the number for rent in Willowdale is the influx of newer investor-owned condos that are more expensive to lease. The ward also has more larger houses than many downtown neighbourhoods, which may skew the average monthly shelter costs for rentals somewhat higher families like the Jameses are likely to seek larger units than what are available downtown. But, Filion said, its clear Willowdale is not the reasonably priced place it once was. The councillor, who has lived in Willowdale since 1978, said it used to be a very affordable area with a lot of postwar housing where you could raise a family and your kids could then buy a house nearby. Now even if your kids are doing very well financially theyre unlikely to be able to buy a house a couple of streets over, and its difficult for them to even pay rent in the area, he said. Dent believes Toronto needs a tenant city plan with billions of investment dollars to build affordable housing, adding its a problem that transcends an urban-suburban divide. Officials should also look at zoning, and consider making rental-only zones in some areas, offer incentives like no property tax for the first five years on affordable buildings or just build affordable units on land thats already publicly owned. Otherwise, he said, soon only the very rich will be able to afford to live in the city. If things keep going the way they are, Toronto as we know it is done, he said. Read more: One Toronto: An occasional series: Are Torontos elites really downtown? Its not so simple Read more about: The victim of the citys latest homicide has been identified as Toronto police gave an update on their investigation in the drive-by shooting in Rexdale. Andre Phoenix, 33, of Toronto, was shot and killed Wednesday night as he was heading to a plaza near Martin Grove Rd. and John Garland Blvd. Although he does not live in immediate neighbourhood, he does have ties to the neighbourhood, homicide Det. Jeff Tavares told a news conference Friday. Tavares would not specify what the ties were, only that Phoenix was visiting a friend at the time of the shooting. Phoenix and a woman were walking towards the plaza at around 11:30 p.m. when a vehicle approached them, Tavares said. Surveillance video showed that shots were fired at Phoenix after a brief interaction, the detective said. There are two or more suspects, along with the driver of the vehicle. The video footage has no audio, Tavares said, so its not known if there was a conversation between any of the parties. No motive is known at this time, he said. Police are looking for a light-coloured, four-door sedan. Theres a great deal of concern within the community, given the number of shootings that have occurred in the area, said Supt. Ron Taverner, who noted that there were three in northwest Toronto on Tuesday. Police stats from last week show that three people were shot and killed this month in 23 Division, which includes the area of the latest homicide. There have been five people shot and killed this year in the division, and 35 shootings overall. There is a great sense of uncertainty and (of) not being safe, not being allowed to have your children out, Taverner said. Were hearing that a great deal from community members within the past couple of days. Taverner said this is unprecedented in his opinion. This is very concerning and very frustrating for police as well as the whole community, when we see these individuals who are perpetrating these crimes, who have total disregard for life, for innocent peoples lives, Taverner said. There is no known connection to any of the other shootings, which makes it more troubling, Taverner said. That means theres more people out there with guns and more of these individuals who are so cavalier in the things that theyre doing, targeting people, with disregard for the life of innocent people, he said. Taverner said he believes this year is different, as the number of daylight shootings has increased, because the criminals appear not to be concerned they will be caught. He said the long-term vision is to have officers dedicated to neighbourhoods, staying maybe four years in a particular neighbourhood, getting to know the people and showing the community that they care. And we certainly do care, Taverner said, but we only have limited resources to do these things, and its going to take time to get this program out and running across the city. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det.-Sgt. Susan Gomes at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. RIO DE JANEIRO A celebrity plastic surgeon has been charged in the death of a patient, in a case that has drawn attention to the dangers posed by risky elective cosmetic procedures in a country that is generally seen as being obsessed with beauty. Prosecutors said the surgeon, Denis Furtado, who is known on social media as Dr. Bumbum, or Dr. Backside, injected the patient, bank manager Lilian Calixto, 46, with a far larger dose of PMMA a synthetic resin that is also known as acrylic glass, and is used in cosmetic surgery to reduce wrinkles than is considered safe. The surgeons mother, Maria de Fatima Furtado, was also charged with assisting Furtado during the July 14 procedure known as a buttock lift. Also facing charges were his girlfriend and an assistant, who acted as a surgical technician despite having no medical training. Read more: Plastic surgeons sharing procedures on social media raises ethical concerns Brazilian says he performed cosmetic surgery on Gadhafi Prosecutors said that neither Furtado nor his mother had a license to practice medicine in the state Rio de Janeiro, where the procedure took place. According to the charge sheet, Calixto arrived in Furtados penthouse apartment, which was used as a makeshift clinic, on Saturday afternoon. About six hours later, once the procedure was over, she started feeling sick and was taken to a nearby private hospital. She died within six hours, of cardiac arrest. The procedure, prosecutors wrote, was carried under the false promise of immediate beauty, selfishly motivated by greed and an easy profit. Furtado, who has made repeated appearances on Brazilian television programs and has 650,000 followers on Instagram, took to social media to defend himself, maintaining that he had a doctors license in other states and that he had performed 9,000 procedures without incident. I havent committed any crime, he said. As elsewhere, many people in Brazil consider beauty essential, not only to secure a partner, but also for career development and even social ascent. One of the countrys best-known poets and composers, Vinicius de Moraes, who co-authored the song The Girl From Ipanema, also wrote a widely cited poem called Woman Recipe that begins: May the very ugly ones forgive me, but beauty is fundamental. It is not uncommon for jobs in Brazil to require candidates to have good appearance. Women often cite workplace pressure in explaining their willingness to take risks and spend considerable portions of their income on esthetic procedures. Brazil and the United States are among the countries with the highest number of cosmetic surgeries. While breast implants and liposuction are still by far the most popular procedures, the demand for buttock augmentation has been sharply rising. Silicone implants or fat transfers are safer means of attaining the similar results, but they are also more expensive procedures that require hospital care and greater recovery time, said Dr. Niveo Steffen, president of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery. People are seduced by the promise of cheap, immediate results, he said. They see ads claiming theyll walk out of a one-hour consultation with a new backside. But its a lie, and they end up paying the price. While the use of PMMA injections in buttock lifts is not illegal in Brazil, there are limits on the amount that can be applied, and the Society of Plastic Surgery has issued repeated warnings against performing the procedure. The chances of having complications are extremely high, Steffen said. Its dangerous. There are 6,400 accredited plastic surgeons in Brazil but another nearly 12,000 doctors and self-titled specialists perform these procedures without proper medical training, according to the Society of Plastic Surgery. The results are shocking: in one year alone, the injection of PMMA caused complications or deformities in nearly 17,000 patients in Brazil, according to a survey published by the association in 2017. This substance, PMMA, grabbed headlines in 2014 when Andressa Urach, a runner-up in a Miss Bumbum beauty pageant, was hospitalized in septic shock after injections to build more voluptuous thighs. I had plastic surgery like I going to the supermarket, she said at the time. I wanted to take out ribs to have a slimmer waist. I wanted to cut off my toes to wear smaller shoes. She said that limiting the amount of PMMA allowed wouldnt have stopped her: I would have gone to four or five doctors, getting a little bit from each one. Since Furtados case was publicized, other cases of false doctors have come to light. Daniela Terra, a police commissioner who heads a precinct in charge of crimes against consumers in Rio de Janeiro, is working on the cases of a massage therapist and a nurse who used social media to advertise cosmetic procedures they werent legally allowed to perform. Terra said that prosecuting these cases was difficult because patients tend not to come forward unless they have a severe complication, and because many unregulated procedures are carried out in private locations, such as apartments and hotel rooms. The police are also investigating the case of another woman, Mayara Silva dos Santos, who died on July 20, after undergoing a similar procedure in a hotel room. The victims, Terra said, are low- and middle-income women looking for cosmetic procedures that promise the same results as surgeries that would cost 10 times more if performed legally. Unauthorized practitioners can charge $500 to $1,000 for a procedure on the backside, she said. The low price draws patients from other states and even other countries. Its an obsession, she said. The cult of beauty is bigger than peoples concern for their health. The latest death might draw attention in Brazil to the dangers of PMMA and other risky procedures, but is unlikely to solve the problem, said Steffen. In theory, state health authorities are tasked with ensuring laws are followed and doctors are accredited. But with Brazil only beginning to recover from its worst recession on record, state budgets are depleted and officials have been swamped by a string of health crises, including outbreaks of Zika and yellow fever. Educating patients can also be difficult. While many prospective patients are tempted by the cheap price tag, Steffen said the main allure of PMMA is the speed and relative ease with which it can be applied. They want a miracle, he said. Read more about: MILANCollapsed concrete, twisted metal, crushed cars. While the disaster in Genoa was the deadliest in recent years, Italy has seen other bridge and highway collapses that have raised alarm about the state of its aging transportation infrastructure. The 51-year-old Morandi Bridge was a key artery that linked highways to Milan and France, a vital lifeline for both commercial traffic as well as vacationers bound for the mountains and famous Mediterranean beaches. When it was inaugurated, it was vaunted as an engineering achievement, representing the most advanced technology and a model that Italy spread throughout the world, said Antonio Occhiuzzi, president of Italys CNR society of civil engineers. It was a project that was constantly under surveillance, he said. Notwithstanding all these efforts, it came down. It is a little metaphor for the country. Read more: At least 26 dead after highway bridge collapses during violent storm in Italy Toronto train travellers just missed deadly Italian bridge collapse Italy declares state of emergency in Genoa after bridge collapse kills 39 Designed by Italian engineer Riccardo Morandi, its unusual features included concrete-encased stay cables, which he used in several of his bridge designs instead of the more common steel cables. Experts say the concrete can deteriorate relatively quickly. About the project, there were a lot of concerns since the very beginning, said Enrico Musso, a professor of transport economics at Genoas University of Studies. On this kind of project, only three bridges were built around the world, and the other two already had serious problems. One built in Venezuela partially collapsed two years after its opening after being struck by a tanker, killing seven. Another built in Libya and opened in 1972 was shut down in October 2017, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. Many technicians had advised replacing the Genoa bridge, too. In the wake of Tuesdays collapse, prosecutors are investigating both its possible design flaws as well as maintenance, although they have not identified any targets. Some in the government blame Italys partially privatized highway system, alleging that too much emphasis is put on profits. The disaster, in which dozens of vehicles plunged 45 metres when part of the bridge collapsed, is spurring calls to retrofit or replace others in Italy that are operating well beyond their expected lifespan and despite technological advances. On Wednesday, Premier Giuseppe Conte told reporters that 39 people had died. But on Thursday, the Genoas prefect office, which reports to the interior ministry lowered the number of confirmed dead to 38. Prefect Office official Raffaella Corsaro attributed the lowered number to a misunderstanding about information supplied by ambulance dispatchers. A survey published this week by the CNR engineering group cited four other major highway overpass collapses in the last two years alone all related to structural weakness. They caused three deaths and four injuries. The survey excluded smaller incidents that did not cause injury, but Italian media counted three more highway collapses going back to 2004 that caused four deaths and four injuries. What are worrisome are the ones built in the 1950s and 1960s, most of which are at the end of their lifespans, Occhiuzzi said, adding that they often are difficult to retrofit efficiently and probably cheaper to replace. He also noted that the recent collapses occurred in northern, central and southern Italy, defying stereotypes of a well-maintained, wealthy north versus a neglected south. The government is focusing blame for the Morandi Bridge collapse on the Autostrade per lItalia company operating the A10 highway that includes the bridge, citing a lack of maintenance, and is pledging to revoke Autostrades highway concession. Cabinet ministers have said there was a cosy relationship between the knitwear-making Benetton family that controls Autostrade and previous governments that prevented proper oversight. In a statement Thursday, Autostrade said it was prepared to take rigorous action, beyond any criminal charges, if it emerges that any of its managers or workers were in any way responsible for the disaster. It said it was conducting its own internal inquiry and co-operating with authorities. The company expressed its closeness to the families of the victims and the injured, and added that our apologies are in our words and deeds. The government has granted two dozen companies the right to manage Italys 6,003 kilometres of highway and more than 1,034 kilometres of bridges and viaducts and 865 kilometres of tunnels. Another 26,000 kilometres of provincial and toll highways and interchanges are controlled by the state-run ANAS agency. Autostrade, by far the biggest of these private companies, controls 3,020 kilometres of highway. The Morandi Bridge was scheduled for a major retrofit. The business daily il Sole 24 Ore said the 20-million-euro project aimed to reinforce two vertical support structures on the span, including one that collapsed. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini also has blasted European Union spending rules. But the EU says that not only has it encouraged investment in infrastructure, but also has approved 2.5 billion euros for Italian infrastructure, including roads, in the 2014-2020 budget, and that it approved in April another 8.5 billion euro investment plan for Italian motorways, including the Genoa area. Still, figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development show that Italian investments in roads sank most dramatically among the top five European economies after the 2008 economic crisis, never fully recovering. From a level of just under 13.6 billion euros a year in 2007, second only to France, Italy dropped to 3.8 billion euros in 2014. In that period, Occhiuzzi said, Italy pulled back dramatically on both infrastructure and research investment. But he said retrofitting old projects hasnt been prioritized because it is not glamorous and requires studies of old technology that no longer exists. He also said assigning blame for collapses always involves more than one factor. Building roads, bridges and viaducts on the 1,200-kilometre Italian peninsula and two major islands are part of the complexity of resolving the infrastructure issue. The Morandi Bridge embodied this geographical challenge. Genoa is tucked picturesquely between the mountains and the Mediterranean, and motorists exiting a tunnel near the city make a gentle descent toward the Ligurian coastline. Everyone loves the Italian panorama characterized by a rugged landscape and green vistas near the sea. But that beauty is also its weakness, Occhiuzzi said. VATICAN CITYThe Vatican has called the sex abuse described in a grand jury report in Pennsylvania criminal and morally reprehensible. In a statement released late Thursday, Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke said those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and faith. He said that victims should know that Pope Francis is on their side. Read more: Rape, then holy water: Report details how hundreds of priests abused children in Pennsylvania, and the church covered it up Opinion | Star Editorial Board: The Catholic Church should confess all its sins on sexual abuse Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy when theyre ordained, but when they break that-vow, their children are left to live a lie NEW YORKThe U.N. official focusing on preventing genocide on Thursday sharply criticized the Bosnian Serb legislatures decision to revoke support for a government report acknowledging the massacre of thousands of Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica. Special Adviser Adama Dieng called the National Assemblys decision on Tuesday a step backwards for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The legislatures vote undermines the rule of law and national and international efforts to achieve justice for victims of crimes committed against people of all ethnicities during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, he said in a statement. Read more: Ex-Bosnian Serb chief Ratko Mladic found guilty of genocide, sentenced to life in prison The war killed an estimated 100,000 people and the Dayton Agreement that ended it split the country into two semi-autonomous ministates along ethnic lines, one shared by Bosnian Muslims and Croats and the other for Bosnian Serbs. The Srebrenica Commission, set up by the Bosnian Serb government, reported in 2004 that between 7,000 and 8,000 Bosnian Muslims went missing from Srebrenica in July 1995 after Bosnian Serbs overran the enclave and over 1,000 were killed, constituting a serious violation of international law. All of the missing are presumed to have been killed, and more than two decades later, experts are still excavating victims bodies from hidden mass graves throughout Bosnia. Two international courts, the International Court of Justice and the U.N. war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia, have determined that the massacre constituted genocide. The U.N. war crimes tribunal sentenced Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic and his military commander Ratko Mladic over the Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities. But Bosnian Serbs have never admitted that their troops committed the ultimate crime and nationalist politicians have viewed Mladic and Karadzic as heroes. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik told a parliamentary session of the autonomous Bosnian Serb republic before Tuesdays vote that genocide was not committed in Srebrenica and support for the commissions report should be withdrawn. The Srebrenica crime is a staged tragedy with an aim to satanize the Serbs, Dodik said without elaborating. He called for the forming of an unbiased international investigation into the Srebrenica massacre in order to stop manipulation with the number of victims. It is widely believed that Dodiks reopening of the debate over Srebrenica is intended to secure the support of hard-line Bosnian Serbs ahead of the Oct. 7 general election in Bosnia. Dodik has had the support of Russia, which has close ties to Bosnias Serbs, for his separatist stands. Dodiks comments and the legislatures action outraged Srebrenica victims and survivors. Dieng said the vote is likely to exacerbate tensions ahead of the Oct. 7 election and damage prospects for long-term stability and reconciliation. When he visited the Balkans in February, Dieng said It is evident that events of the past are being used for political purposes. He warned that mistrust and outright hostility between political leaders representing different constituencies is preventing any significant progress toward reconciliation. Read more about: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., is facing a storm of criticism and calls for his resignation after becoming entangled in two major sexual abuse scandals roiling the church that he has served with distinction since 1966. A scathing grand jury report this week accused Wuerl of helping to protect some child-molesting priests while he was bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006. Wuerl is also facing widespread skepticism over his recent insistence that he knew nothing about years of alleged sexual misconduct by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, his predecessor in the nations capital. The Washington Archdiocese, home to more than 630,000 Catholics, is considered an important power centre for the church in the U.S., and Wuerl has been ranked by commentators as one of the most influential of the 10 active American cardinals. Read more: Rape, then holy water: Report details how hundreds of priests abused children in Pennsylvania, and the church covered it up Opinion | Star Editorial Board: The Catholic Church should confess all its sins on sexual abuse Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy when theyre ordained, but when they break that-vow, their children are left to live a lie The two scandals represent a stunning turn for the 77-year-old leader, who over the decades earned the respect of fellow bishops across the U.S. and prided himself in taking tough steps to combat clergy sex abuse during his 18 years in Pittsburgh. Some conservative Catholics are calling for his resignation or ouster, and a petition is circulating to remove his name from a parochial high school in suburban Pittsburgh. Wuerl has said he has no plans to resign. He apologized this week for the damage inflicted on the victims but also defended his actions in Pittsburgh. The Diocese worked to meet or exceed the requirements of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the reporting requirements of Pennsylvania law, Wuerl said. We showed pastoral concern by reaching out to victims and their families, while reporting allegations to the authorities so they could investigate crimes. The Vatican has yet to comment on the Pennsylvania grand jury report or the difficulties facing Wuerl. On Thursday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced an investigation into the McCarrick scandal and said it would invite the Vatican to participate. Wuerl has not been charged with any wrongdoing but is named numerous times in the grand jury report, which details instances in which he allowed priests accused of misconduct to be reassigned or reinstated. In one case, Wuerl acting on doctors recommendation enabled priest William OMalley to return to active ministry in 1998 despite allegations of abuse lodged against him in the past and his own admission that he was sexually interested in adolescents. Years later, according to the report, six more people alleged that they had been sexually assaulted by OMalley, in some cases after he had been reinstated. Cardinal Wuerl does not contest the facts. He should resign, tweeted Matthew Schmitz, senior editor of the conservative Catholic magazine First Things. Many of Schmitzs online followers expressed agreement. In Wuerls defence, the archdiocese has released documents that include a detailed account of a case admirers cite as evidence of Wuerls strong stand against sex abuse. The case surfaced in 1988, when a 19-year-old former seminarian, Tim Bendig, filed a lawsuit accusing a priest, Anthony Cipolla, of molesting him. Wuerl initially questioned Bendigs version of events but later accepted his account and moved to oust Cipolla from the priesthood. In 1993, the Vaticans highest court ordered Wuerl to restore Cipolla to the ministry, but Wuerl resisted and, after two years of legal procedures, prevailed in preventing Cipollas return. Wuerl made a lot of enemies, but he persisted, said author and journalist Michael Sean Winters, who writes for the National Catholic Reporter. He risked his career over five years of battling. Looking more broadly at Wuerls career, Winters described him as kind of exemplary. When he gets up and goes to the microphone, everybody listens, Winters said of bishops conferences he has covered. Hes not an old lefty, hes not a right-wing culture warrior. To use a word thats out of currency, hes a churchman. The Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest who writes for Religion News Service, described Wuerl as an ideological moderate, not someone who was part of one camp or another. He was totally enthusiastic about John Paul II, and then Pope Benedict, and now hes totally enthusiastic about Pope Francis, Reese said. There are not many people in the church who are totally enthusiastic about all three of them. Numerous conservative Catholic activists and commentators, though, consider him too tolerant of the LGBTQ community and too liberal on some other issues. They resent his pivotal role a decade ago in resisting a push by some of his fellow bishops to deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support the right to abortion. However, the dismay over the latest scandals goes beyond conservative circles. The US Catholic Church is very close to becoming a decapitated Church, tweeted Massimo Faggioli, a relatively liberal theologian at Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia. What Napoleon and Stalin couldnt do, the hierarchy of the Church itself did. Wuerl was born in Pittsburgh, attended Catholic University in Washington and received a doctorate in theology from the University of Saint Thomas in Rome. He joined the priesthood in 1966, was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1986, and served briefly as auxiliary bishop in Seattle before going to Pittsburgh. Earlier this month, Wuerl proposed that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops create a new process, involving bishops and lay people, to evaluate any allegations or rumours of sexual misconduct against bishops. On Thursday, the conference moved in that direction, announcing plans for new and confidential channels for reporting complaints. I apologize and humbly ask your forgiveness for what my brother bishops and I have done and failed to do, said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, conference president. This is a moral catastrophe. On Wednesday, Wuerl celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington and referred to the horror of child sexual abuse detailed in the grand jury report. The pain, the suffering is something that we need to accept responsibility for, he said. While we work to restore confidence in the ability of the church ... to treat this problem, we need constantly to be there for survivors. MIAMIAn Alaska man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the January 2017 Florida airport shooting that left five people dead and six wounded, a federal judge ordered Friday. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom accepted a plea deal in which Esteban Santiago, 28, agreed to admit to the shooting if prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Santiago pleaded guilty in May to 11 charges of causing death and violence at an international airport. Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, admitted he opened fire with a handgun in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after travelling there on a one-way ticket. He retrieved a box containing a Walther 9 mm handgun from checked luggage, loaded it in a restroom and came out firing 15 shots. Judge Bloom called the rampage 85 seconds of evil and said she found it difficult to separate the evil of the acts from the evil in the man. You destroyed families in this senseless attack, the judge said. An Iraq War veteran, Santiago was diagnosed after the shooting as schizophrenic but was found competent to understand legal proceedings. Doctors say he has improved with anti-psychotic medication. Santiago initially told the FBI after the shooting he was under government mind control, then switched to unfounded claims he acted in support of Daesh. Several family members of victims many of whom were on their way to cruise ship vacations spoke in court Friday, describing their deep sense of loss for those who died and some discussing the health struggles of shooting survivors. Among those was Julie Beauchamp, whose mother Mary Louise Amzibel was killed in the attack and father, Edward Amzibel, who was seriously wounded. You dont get a chance to say one last I love you, mom, Beauchamp said. I can no longer hug her and feel her hug me back. James Steckley, speaking on behalf of his wounded wife, Julie, said he blamed in part what he said was a lack of concern for military veterans once they return from combat zones. Santiago served in the National Guard in Iraq. Im truly sorry for you in my heart because I truly dont believe you were a born killer, Steckley told Santiago. Prosecutor Rick Del Toro said the family members supported the decision not to seek the death penalty for Santiago, in part to avoid what would be a lengthy, emotionally wrenching court case. Many preferred that Santiago sit in prison for decades rather than face execution, he added. Potential attackers need to know they will never again go free if they conduct an attack such as this, Del Toro said. Technically, Santiago was sentenced to five consecutive life prison sentences for the five deaths and an additional 120 years for the six people he wounded. Prior to the shooting, Santiago was briefly treated at an Anchorage mental institution after showing up at the local FBI office claiming to be hearing voices, then was released with no restrictions on owning a gun, authorities have said. Santiago later claimed in court he was getting messages in his head prior to the shooting. Santiago, a native of New Jersey, has family in Puerto Rico and a young son in Alaska, court records show. He did not speak in court Friday and no family members spoke on his behalf. Del Toro said Santiagos mental illness may have worsened because he had been regularly taking hallucinogenic drugs, including LSD and mushrooms. But he added that Santiago meticulously planned the attack. This isnt a situation where a person with mental illness just snaps, the prosecutor said. ANKARA, TURKEYA detained American pastor has become a symbol of a growing rift between Turkey and the United States, but problems in the Cold War-era alliance as well as Turkeys own financial crisis are unlikely to dissipate even if he is released and Washington eases economic penalties. The fate of Andrew Brunson, charged with terror offences by a Turkish court, also overshadows the predicament of a Turkish-American scientist from NASA and several Turkish workers for the U.S. diplomatic mission who were arrested in Turkey. Turkey, meanwhile, is frustrated by the refusal of the U.S. to extradite a Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkish authorities of engineering a 2016 coup attempt. The conflict between NATO allies is even more personalized because of U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose uncompromising statements contribute to a sense that the tension will ratchet up before any possibility of a climbdown. The two countries already disagree over U.S. support for Kurdish fighters in Syria, as well as a plan by Turkey to buy Russian missiles. Dashing hopes for a quick solution to the dispute, a Turkish court on Friday rejected an appeal for the evangelical pastors release from house detention. It upheld a lower courts decision against the lifting of a travel ban on Brunson. Also Friday, in more verbal sparring, Turkeys trade minister said her government would respond in kind to any new trade duties from the United States after U.S. Treasury chief Steve Mnuchin said the U.S. could put more sanctions on Turkey if the pastor is not released soon. We have responded to the measures the United States has taken, and will continue to do so based on our international trade law rights and in accordance to World Trade Organization rules, said the minister, Ruhsar Pekcan. The United States has imposed sanctions on two Turkish government ministers and doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports. Turkey retaliated with tariffs on some U.S. imports and said it would boycott U.S. electronic goods. Turkey is struggling to stabilize its currency after it plunged to a record low in a crisis that spurred fears of bankruptcies and a spillover effect in other emerging markets if Turkish firms cant pay back high foreign debt. Many financial experts say Turkey should raise interest rates to reduce inflation and attract investment, but Erdogan has so far opposed a move he says would curb growth. The leader of Turkeys main opposition party said Erdogan was using the standoff over the evangelical pastor as a pretext, blaming the United States for economic problems and diverting attention from his own alleged mismanagement. The feud over Brunson, who was detained in October 2016, has added to the jitters over an economy that grew quickly, with the help of heavy borrowing, in past years. Do you think the lira will gain against the dollar if Brunson is released? Would the amount of Turkeys debts decrease? Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the Republican Peoples Party, said Thursday in Ankara, the capital. Supporters of Brunson, who ran a small church in the Turkish coastal city of Izmir, say allegations that he was linked to Kurdish rebels as well as Turkish cleric and alleged coup plotter Fethullah Gulen are absurd. Erdogan previously suggested a swap in which Brunson is released in exchange for Gulen, though U.S. officials have said Turkey must present convincing evidence for any extradition proceeding to be considered. We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey! Trump tweeted on Thursday. He criticized Turkey for holding our wonderful Christian Pastor. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has compared the Brunson case to that of Serkan Golge, a NASA scientist who was arrested at the time of the coup attempt and was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for alleged links to Gulens group. A one-dollar American bill was found in Dr. Golges possession when arrested. It was presented to the judge as the incriminating evidence against him. The serial number of the bill allegedly represented Golges place in the hierarchy of the Gulen organization, the committee said in an Aug. 6 letter urging U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to campaign for 36-year-old Golges release. American officials have also protested the detentions of several Turkish employees of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Turkey, including Metin Topuz, Hamza Ulucay and Mete Canturk. Turkey, in turn, criticized the prosecution in the U.S. of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a top official at Turkeys state-controlled Halkbank who was convicted of helping Iran avoid U.S. sanctions. It says the case against Atilla, sentenced to 32 months in prison, was politically motivated. If convicted, the American pastor faces up to 35 years in jail. Read more about: LONDONAfter an emergency landing on a Swiss glacier, the group of 12 Americans drank melted snow and survived on rations of one chocolate bar a person until daring pilots shuttled them to safety after five days marooned on the ice. Relics of that harrowing adventure and the successful rescue of all those on board, including an 11-year-old girl and the captains mother, resurfaced after 70 years this month when scorching summer temperatures in Europe caused the glacial ice to recede. The melting uncovered a large part of the wreckage of the U.S. air force transport plane, including a wing and items from the cabin, like canned food and clothes hangers. Parts of the C-53 aircraft, also known as a Dakota, had already been discovered over the past 20 years. But the heat waves washing over much of the continent this year, which many have linked to climate change, have permitted the retrieval of many more artifacts that recount the death-defying story of the 1946 flight. The plane had been heading to Marseille, in the south of France, from Munich, carrying American officers and family members. The pilot, Capt. Ralph H. Tate Jr., found himself navigating among snowy peaks in turbulent weather and was forced to make a risky landing on the glacier to avoid crashing. One passenger, a sergeant, broke his knee in the crash, but the others had relatively minor injuries. Snow covered the plane and formed a kind of igloo that helped them survive, Swiss rescuers said. The passengers used wooden parts of the aircrafts structure and mixed gasoline and oil to light a fire. About 150 U.S. troops stationed in Italy arrived to climb the mountain in search of survivors. But it was two Swiss pilots who became the missions heroes, flying German-made reconnaissance planes fitted with skis to land on the ice and pick up the stranded Americans. The planes could carry only two of the stranded passengers at a time, however, so numerous trips were needed to transport everyone to safety. The operation the first time the Swiss Air Force used planes to carry out a mountain rescue became a milestone in Swiss aviation history. At a main crossroad of downtown Newmarket is an invitation to take a seat and literally reflect on kindness. Ironically, this is the riding of the health minister, Christine Elliott, who last week suspended funding for three new overdose prevention sites in the province. This week, Toronto Police reported seven fatal overdoses in 12 days, all in the same area of the city where one of the sites was set to open. The health minister cited a need to review the merit of overdose prevention sites despite experts in the field warning that a pause in services could mean well have a lot more dead people. Now that the bodies are indeed piling up, and the evidence remains that safe injection and overdose prevention sites are cost-effective, there should be no reason to prevent these emergency services from opening except a lack of kindness. No evidence has been provided for the decision to suspend the opening of the new sites. It appears to be a decision made by the Progressive Conservative government based on values, or perhaps more disconcertingly, their concern with the value of focusing on saving lives of people at risk of overdosing. Premier Doug Ford announced in his election campaign that he was dead set against safe injection and opioid overdose prevention sites. Elliott said the premier wants to know that continuing with the new sites is going to be of benefit to the people of Ontario. Given that over 400 lives have been saved by two sites in Toronto this year alone, the question is: Exactly which people of Ontario does the government think will benefit from its decision to prevent new sites from opening? In addition to the mounting death toll, the danger of the government stopping in the midst of the opioid crisis to weigh the value of preventing overdoses with upholding Fords populist stance on the issue, is the deepening of a public divide around the suggestion that there is a choice to be made about the merit of offering people who use drugs timely life-saving support. It is a disturbing precedence, to say the least. Read more: Do supervised injection sites bring crime and disorder? Advocates and residents disagree Don't open more drug injection sites here, downtown city councillor says Toronto overdose deaths highlight need for prevention sites, advocacy group says The health minister has the opportunity now, in light of the seven preventable deaths in the last 12 days, to instead help mobilize more people in the province around a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all of its citizens, including those who are struggling the most to survive every day. As well, the government could consider thanking Ontarians on the front lines of this terrible form of chemical warfare who have been relentless in trying to mount a successful emergency response in spite of numerous setbacks like this one. Safe injection and opioid overdose prevention sites are a matter of life or death, an ethical imperative and not a political option. Any further deaths because of failure to provide these essential services can only be viewed as irresponsible and cruel. Linda Juergensen is a faculty member of the School of Nursing, York University specializing in public health nursing research. Read more about: Well before they took to their machetes in 1994, Hutu extremists on hate radio in Rwanda had a dehumanizing name for the Tutsis: they were called the inyenzi or cockroach. When the time came, the call for action was broadcast on radio, ordering Hutus to rise up and kill the cockroaches. That equating of humans to insects or vermin was important to aid the majority group into rationalizing the genocide that was to happen, leaving 800,000 people dead. History has well documented this pre-genocidal step of dividing people into us and them. In recent days, weve heard the U.S. president whose racist rhetoric is too long to list here dehumanize various people by calling them dogs and resort to racist stereotypes by calling Black congresswoman Maxine Waters an extraordinarily low IQ person. In continued debasing of the language, Toronto Mayor John Tory used the words anti-social sewer rats to describe suspects of gun violence. Then this past weekend, Ward 7 Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti escalated anti-Black rhetoric by voicing again a term he had used earlier in August, while urging the eviction of killers and drug dealers from community housing in the Jane and Finch area. People living in poverty live in community housing and, in Toronto, poverty disproportionately impacts Black communities. The 2016 census data shows the Jane and Finch neighbourhood is predominantly populated by Black people. I see it like spraying down a building full of cockroaches, he said on Rebel Media. The cockroaches are just going to scatter, right? So start evicting them. Let them scatter. Cockroaches. I dont know whether Mammoliti knows the deadly significance of that word that he doubled down upon on Wednesday. His intention is not under discussion here. The outcome of his language is. In the context of rising white extremism, and provincial and municipal governments favouring increased policing and surveillance of Black communities, Mammolitis language is chilling for those listening closely. Equally chilling is the lack of alarm in mainstream media and therefore wider society; the lack of censure, the indifference. After all, many of the blase folks will point out, why take seriously a man with one of the worst attendance records at city council, a man the integrity commissioner found had violated the councillors code of conduct by accepting $80,000 in relation to a fundraiser? Shrugging off this latest transgression as bombast, however, shrugs off the harm caused by hate speech. The brushing off of Donald Trumps candidacy on those very grounds is not that far back in history, but we just dont like to learn. According to the international organization Genocide Watch that lists the eight stages of genocide, No. 3 is dehumanization. Cockroaches. Dogs. Gangsters. No. 5 is polarization. The needless optics of two white men (Mammoliti and Corrections Minister Michael Tibollo) parading around Jane and Finch in bulletproof vests in July. No. 7 is preparation: victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. Members of victim groups are forced to wear identifying symbols. Their property is expropriated. Evict them. Can we see why this language and the subsequent indifference are frightening? Mammoliti may well say he simply wants to evict the bad guys. That would make it the worlds first homelessness-as-rehabilitation policy. Even if you were to follow this puerile logic, how would he identify the bad guys? Those with criminal records? They cannot be punished again if theyve served their time. Those dealing drugs? Theres legal recourse for that. Those hanging around? Loitering? Of course Mammoliti is a proponent of carding: the police system of stopping, questioning and documenting the information of disproportionately more Black and brown-skinned citizens, even if they are not suspected of criminal activity. Already Torontos plan to place 200 more officers in priority areas in the evening is going to place restrictions on the movement of Black people at night. Never mind that experts have said over-policing of communities and unfairly criminalizing its members work against policing crime in the long run. An open letter this week by a group of physicians and public health researchers says dehumanizing language not only engenders racism but also poses a public health risk for racialized communities. This is no time for discomfort with confronting racism. This is the time to build empathy, to organize and stand up for the most vulnerable among us. Lets be clear: they are under attack. Earlier this year I wrote a column asking how should the media cover Doug Ford, who has a long history of being openly hostile to most mainstream media outlets, and the Toronto Star in particular. In it I noted how over the years Ford has repeatedly lashed out at reporters, often suggesting they are liars or liberal hacks and now he hated how the media covered his late brother Rob Ford during his wild term as mayor of Toronto. The bad news is that since he became premier in June, Ford is worse than ever when it comes to dealing with reporters, bringing media relations at Queens Park to lows never seen before. Like his political idols Donald Trump and Stephen Harper, Ford has tried to corral and control the media. His tactics include allowing government staffers to clap loudly as he and cabinet ministers left news conferences to drown out reporters questions, keeping reporters behind ropes far away from him, limiting reporters to a single question, having aides control microphones and remaining silent as a senior cabinet minister falsely accused the media of fake news when it accurately reported the Tories broke an election promise. The good news, though, is these bully-boy tactics may actually backfire on him. Thats because while the media is still trying to figure out how best to cover Ford, they are finding the way by working harder, working more creatively by not relying so heavily on government favouritism and handouts, and by fighting back against the unprecedented efforts to prevent them from simply doing their jobs. Fords attacks on the media have led to much introspection in newsrooms. Its a needed discussion because our job is to hold politicians accountable for their actions. Today, that job is harder than ever with the fragmentation of the media and with fewer reporters covering Queens Park because of the economic challenges facing all news organizations. It is more difficult to find the time to dig behind the scenes and to keep vital issues in front of the public. Back in 2013, through such coverage, the Star won the prestigious Michener Award, presented annually for Canadian journalism that makes a significant impact on the public good, for its coverage of the behaviour of Rob Ford. It resulted in a police investigation and Ford being stripped of all powers. In making the presentation, then Gov. Gen. David Johnston, said the best journalists are seekers of truth shining a light on the news that matters, not just the news that sells. You hold those in positions of power to account. You expose wrongdoings, waste and inefficiencies. And you do what you can to make this a better country and a more just world. In keeping with that tradition, journalists covering Ford today can still do their job from the outside looking in, not needing to play nice with the premier to gain favour when it comes to access. Being rejected by Ford isnt a bad thing. It will mean the press will find stories elsewhere, in the offices of public servants and from outside experts and the public at large. In the past few days, even Ford seems to realize hes gone too far. Tory staffers have been told no more clapping. Children, Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod has apologized for her fake news comment and on Wednesday Ford actually answered reporters questions for 16 minutes, far longer than almost any time since his election. Everybody happy? he said at the end. Still only a naive, overly confident politician would believe he can control the media by holding reporters behind ropes and having 20-something aides clap so loudly they drown out questions. All that does is inspire journalists to work harder, to investigate him and his government more closely, to compare his performance with the previous Liberal government more critically and to detail the impact of his actions on average Ontario residents more thoroughly. If that happens, then Fords oh-so-smart media tactics will have backfired badly on him and his team at Queens Park. Read more about: Sometimes, even Abraham Lincoln needs a GoFundMe campaign. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, which supports Lincoln's museum in Springfield, Ill., has found itself $9.7 million in debt on a loan it took out 11 years ago to purchase a collection of rare artifacts from a private collector. Now, hundreds of Lincoln's personal possessions, including a beaver fur stovepipe hat that Lincoln purportedly wore, as well as letters and other artifacts, are at risk of ending up on the auction block if the foundation can't pay off the hulking debt through state funding or private donations. Or even a GoFundMe campaign titled, "Save Lincoln Artifacts. Donate NOW!" ON THE DRAWING BOARD: What's planned for the Obama presidential library On Wednesday, the foundation and its board members agreed to begin hunting for prospective auction houses. The move is a necessary precaution in the event the foundation cannot make the payment deadline in October 2019, the foundation said. As of early Friday morning, the Lincoln Museum's GoFundMe page to help save the collection from auction has raised $10,239, still well short of the $9.7 million goal. "It's certainly not a day any of us wanted to see come to pass," Carla Knorowski, the foundation's CEO, told The Washington Post about Wednesday's decision. "Having said that, it's something that we internally have been preparing for just in case. But every day that I wake up, that my colleagues wake up and our board wakes up, we are working to figure out how we can raise money towards this, and how we can successfully bring this campaign to a conclusion." Perhaps the most recognizable item at stake is a beaver fur stovepipe hat that Lincoln purportedly wore as a state lawmaker in Springfield. The famous top hat is just one of three of its kind preserved over time, Knorowski said, although some have questioned its authenticity. The collection offers rare items, such as bloodstained white gloves the president had in his pocket the night he was assassinated, as well as his billfold, eyeglasses and presidential seal, still checkered with red chips of wax wedged into the cracks. Knorowski said there's also a page from his 1824 "sum book," in which Lincoln scribbled long division and wrote a poem in the top corner, bearing the earliest known example of his handwriting. "Abraham Lincoln is my name," 14-year-old Lincoln wrote, "and with my pen I wrote the same. I wrote in both haste and speed, and left it here for fools to read." UNITED: Presidents past and present join Bush 43 for library opening The artifacts are all part of the Louise and Barry Taper Collection, one of the most comprehensive collections of Lincoln's personal belongings. In 2007, the foundation acquired more than 1,000 artifacts valued at $25 million from the Taper collection. The money came in the form of a $2 million donation and a $23 million loan, which the foundation expected to pay back in private donations. At the time of the purchase, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was still relatively new, having opened its doors in 2005. The library offered tourists a chance to see rare copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment and the Gettysburg Address. But what it lacked, Knorowski said, were Lincoln's everyday belongings or prized possessions that would make the museum come to life. That's why the Taper collection was so important, she said, as it brought so many of Lincoln's possessions out of private hands and into the public realm. "Abraham Lincoln is our nation's greatest export," she said. "People might say it's corn or the U.S. dollar or whatever. But it's Abraham Lincoln." Since the foundation acquired the collection, private philanthropists have donated more than $13 million to pay off the loan, Knorowski said. But donor fatigue in the 11 years since the purchase of the collection has left the foundation and its supporters wondering what's next. Once the loan is paid off in full, the state of Illinois, with license plates that proudly say, "Land of Lincoln," is expected to become the owner of the collection once the loan is paid off in full, according to the foundation. This move would come despite the state not providing funding to the foundation. "Many of the donors or prospective donors have come to us and said, well, what is the state doing to help?" Knorowski said. The foundation met with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's office in May to talk through their options, but the governor's office "made no financial commitments," the foundation said at the time . A spokeswoman from the governor's office told the State Journal-Register that it would continue to work with the foundation and is "listening to their business plan," but wouldn't elaborate on any help the state might offer. The foundation is hoping for a $5 million grant from a state tourism fund, believing it could then challenge private donors to match the rest. However, state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, who represents the same area that Lincoln once did, told the Associated Press that state funding would be a last resort and questioned whether shopping for auction houses at this point was necessary. "This is a really bad sign that they've started these proceedings," he told the AP. "I realize they've got to do some planning, but I would hope that the foundation wouldn't move to that step until the absolutely last minute." The foundation has already sold some items from the collection at auction - specifically, items that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. She ended up in the Taper collection because of her fascination with the president, Knorowski said. Taper's collection included a dress that belonged to the star that sold for $50,000 at auction and a bust of Carl Sandburg, who Monroe befriended after reading his biography of Lincoln. Knorowski said the Las Vegas-based auction featuring the Monroe items took more than 10 months to arrange. "He is the standard-bearer for our nation, and it's important that we honor him, and it's our job at the foundation to honor his legacy every day," Knorowski said. "That's why we bought this collection and that's why we're committed to retaining it." A pair of new records, including one by a Morgan County animal, were set at the 2018 Governors Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair. In addition to being spotlighted before a full crowd at the Livestock Center, these grand champion and reserve grand champion exhibitors receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their animal. Many exhibitors use the money for their college education or invest it back into projects for next year. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Joe Biden bowed out as keynote speaker but Illinois Democrats matched the verbal salvos from Republican opponents at their annual state fair rally on Thursday that marked the informal start of the fall campaign. Biden, the former vice president, did not attend the Democratic County Chairs Association brunch because of illness. His pinch-hitter, a rising Democrat from Indiana, stepped up with his own critique of President Donald Trumps America and the state of Illinois after nearly four years of GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner. Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said that Rauner, a private equity investor, had promised to bring a business approach to government. This governor was handed lemons, and he took those lemons and miraculously turned them into a Dumpster fire, Buttigieg said. Who runs a business like that? Rauners challenger is J.B. Pritzker, the Democratic billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel chain whom the Republican campaign has tried to link to the powerful Democratic House speaker, Michael Madigan of Chicago. Madigan has been primarily responsible for blocking Rauners agenda of business-friendly, anti-union changes that the governor unsuccessfully demanded in exchange for a state budget agreement. We know that the promise of Illinois outweighs the problems of Illinois, Pritzker said to a crowd of about 3,000. We know that we have to fight to put Springfield back on the side of working families. Rauner has said that Pritzker is Madigans pawn and that the two plan to increase income taxes further. Pritzker has said he wants to change the Constitution to allow a graduated income tax that will produce more revenue through higher rates on higher incomes. We should reverse the damage that Bruce Rauner has done to the state, Pritzker told reporters after the brunch. Were $11 billion further in debt in this state as a result of his intransigence and his unwillingness to compromise. Pritzker accused Rauner of attempting to drive a wedge between Democrat-heavy Chicago and the rest of the state, saying, Hes so divisive that hes divided his own party. Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison responded, Republicans are united to defeat J.B, Pritzkers agenda of higher taxes and more corruption. Its Pritzker and the Democrats who are divided since none of them have the courage to mention Mike Madigans name. Democrats downplayed the fact that Madigan, also the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, ducked out before the end of Thursdays program, not mentioning House candidates in his speech or posing for photos. In his speech, Madigan noted that there are differences among Democrats but the party must be united to win in November. Basic rule of Illinois politics: The political party that remains united wins the election, he said. In the race for attorney general, Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul defended his record of protecting children against a charge Thursday from his opponent, Republican Erika Harold, that Raoul argued in a 1997 case that two children removed from a home where their baby sibling had been shaken to death should be returned to their mother. Raoul said he was a court-appointed defense attorney and that a lawyers job is to zealously represent your client. That differs, Raoul said, from comments Harold, who was Miss America in 2003, made when she was a 19-year-old contestant for Miss Illinois three years earlier. Harold answered a judges question by saying she would put a foster child in the home of a heterosexual couple of known abusers over a loving gay couple. Harolds campaign said Harold does not recall the exchange but supports same-sex adoption and foster-care placement. GLEN CARBON Brandon J. Madison, 32, of Florissant, Missouri, is facing a charge of unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon after he was taken into custody on a federal warrant. An officer stopped the vehicle Madison was driving on Aug. 13. Details of the case became public Wednesday when authorities filed a suit asking for possession of $605 in suspected drug money in Madisons possession. The week of Aug. 13-17 as seen through the lens of Telegraph photojournalist John Badman. About 50 years ago, the telephone rang in our New Jersey home. My father answered the phone and said it was a long-distance call for my grandmother, who was born in 1883 and lived with us at the time. She was wheeled up to the wall phone in the kitchen and Dad handed the receiver to her. She looked at it warily, as if it were a satanic creation, then yelled into the receiver apparently believing that shouting loudly would push her voice through the wires. After all, it was a long-distance call. I grew up with phones, and viewed them as just another ordinary household appliance, but to my grandmother they were infernal, new-fangled gadgets. I was reminded of that incident from half a century ago as I entered an establishment where I didnt know the language or customs of the inhabitants and virtually everyone there was far younger than I am. I was told by an expert some weeks ago that my laptop computer was old and may even be dying. I bought my laptop computer in 2011, which means its of an age in human terms when kids would just be entering second grade, but in computer terms my laptop is ancient. I tried everything to keep my old computer alive, to forestall the dreaded day when I would have to buy and then learn how to use (gulp) a new-fangled gadget. I was in denial. Eventually I would have to go to a computer store, be forced to converse with someone who is just barely older than my ancient second-grader computer, and acknowledge that the young kid on the sales floor knows far more about computers than I do. He was raised with computers, while I still cant understand half of the apps on my old decrepit laptop. Last week, I finally broke down and bought a new computer. The kid on the sales floor was polite and tried to be helpful, but he spoke a different language, the language of up-to-date computer users, making references to things about which I know nothing. When I was his age or possibly younger, I remember watching William Shatner on TV as Captain Kirk opening his communicator, requesting to be beamed up to the ship on Star Trek. At the time, the idea of a small phone without wires that could function anywhere was science fiction. Today, I own a phone that does things that was mere fantasy in 1968 and now its out-of-date. When the young salesman started referencing some of the features and capabilities of my new computer, I could only understand a fraction of what he was talking about. I swallowed my pride and clarified the situation with a single admission, Please understand, I still own a flip phone. He laughed. I was careful not to mention that I once owned a rotary dial telephone. There I stood with my edition of Captain Kirks communicator, no doubt seen as a relic of a bygone age, as hopelessly lost as my grandmother was on the phone 50 years ago. I now face the ordeal of finding where everything is on my new computer and how everything works. I may bring amusement to floor walkers in tech stores, but at least with my ancient flip phone Im unlikely to walk into a pole or get hit by a car while staring obliviously at a smartphone. Jacksonville resident Jay Jamison writes each Friday for this page. AMREF Health Africais an international African organization founded in Kenya in 1957. OurHeadquarters are in Nairobi with major programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya, SouthSudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and two regional nubs in Southern and WesternAfrica based in South Africa and Senegal Respectively. Working with and throughAfrican communities, health systems and governments, Amref Health Africa aimsto close the gap that prevents people from accessing their basic right tohealth. Amref Health Africa is committed to improving the health of people inAfrica by partnering with and empowering communities. Our Vision is LastingHealth Change in Africa. All suitablyqualified and interested candidates with a desire to work with the BaylorCollege of Medicine Childrens Foundation should send their cover letters withdetailed updated CVs, names and addresses of three referees, copies ofprofessional/Academic documents, email address, and daytime telephone contact.You must have at least a credit 6 in MATH and ENGLISH. Mandated by theUganda Cancer Institute Act of 2016, the UCI is an autonomous body, with themandate to, among others, undertake and coordinate the management of cancer andcancer-related diseases in Uganda. It is critical to the evolution of aNational Centre of Excellence, providing specialized treatment and care for alltypes of cancer using all the available subspecialty expertise possible, aswell as engineering oncology-centered research and training. It was Sir William Jones who first translated poet Kalidasa's drama Abhijnanasakuntalam into English, in 1789. Europe was surprised that India had its share of plays and dramas. Jones even compared the great Sanskrit poet and dramatist to Shakespeare for a European audience. In the next 100 years, some 46 translations of Abhijnanasakuntalam were believed to have been undertaken in 12 European languages. Abhijnanasakuntalam, a Sanskrit play, draws from an episode in Mahabharata and dramatises the thorny love story between a powerful and virtuous king, and a forest-dwelling maiden named Sakuntala. In 1791, Georg Forster, German explorer, scientist and litterateur, brought out the prose translation of Jones' Sakuntala. He even sent a copy to Goethe who enthusiastically lapped it up and praised it so: If in one word of blooms of early and fruits of riper years, Of excitement and enchantment I should tell, Of fulfillment and content, of Heaven and Earth; Then will l but say Sakuntala and have said all. And thus, Indian divinity, myths, and Sanskrit began trending in Germany at the time. The fictional forest-maiden, Sakuntala, became a symbol of angelic grace and innocence. An Austrian physicist, librarian and poet by the name of Johann Philipp Neumann adapted Forster's translation into a libretto for an opera. He counted among his friends a composer none other than Franz Schubert himself. He could definitely set to music this timeless literary masterpiece from a faraway land. Thus Schubert began composing his Sakuntala opera around 1820 at a time when he was hired by two opera houses, Karthnerthof Theatre and Theater an der wein. He finished two acts and the original manuscript has 400 pages of unspecified music as its orchestral score. There were vocal parts for the text and nothing more. He did not complete composing the full text and no one really knows why. He could have lost interest; his opera compositions were not as well received as his songs anyway. And his financial situation was strained. He wrote around six operas and only two were staged in his lifetime, with not much success. In 2006, a Danish composer revisited the unfinished Sakuntala opera and reconstructed it for the stage in Stuttgart. Come October and Schubert's Sakuntala's opera will visit its country of origin, thanks to an Austrian-Indian ensemble with musicians, dancers and a narrator. On October 2, Lotus Temple in Delhi will host the concert version of the opera, to celebrate Austrias presidency of the European Union this year. This concert has been arranged and completed by the composer, conductor and president of the Vienna Boys Choir, Professor Gerald Wirth, and will be performed by an Austrian Chamber Orchestra, specially commissioned for the Sakuntala performances. They will collaborate with the renowned Indian Shillong Choir. Thespian and former Doordarshan newsreader Sunit Tandon will be the narrator or sutradhar, and Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan will interpret the musical text with dance. It was a only few months ago that Tandon was asked by the Austrian embassy to come on board, as he has already done shows with Narayan earlier as narrator. He is also the president of Delhi Music Society which runs the Delhi School of Music, a leading centre for Western classical music. As director of India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, he has been bringing opera screenings every month for the last five years. "Abhijnanasakuntalam is a masterpiece of world literature. One of the greatest plays ever written," says Tandon. "Schubert left a lot of unfinished work. He died very young [at 31]. My engagement will be to make it clear to the audience how the action proceeds in this particular version of the Sakuntala story. It will be sung in German and I will narrate in English," says Tandon, who is now looking forward to working with all the performers next month. Shakuntala will be staged on October 2 in New Delhi at the Lotus Temple, followed by Kolkata and Mumbai. It was in July 2016 that eight Humboldt penguins arrived from Seoul, South Korea, at the Byculla zoo in Mumbai. Back then Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had revealed that it would cost Rs 45 crores over a period of five years to maintain these endearing flightless marine birds in a tropical country as exhibits in the zoo. They were eventually named Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive, Flipper (oldest female), Bubble, Mr Molt (youngest male) and Dory, although Dory died in October 2016 due to bacterial infection. Around 8pm on Wednesday, Mr Molt and Flipper became proud parents. Last month Flipper laid an egg at the Veermata Jijabai Udyan, popularly known as Byculla zoo. The egg hatched on the 72nd Independence Day and India got its first penguin born in captivity. The newborn penguin has been named "Freedom Baby" for now. Humboldt penguins are native to the coasts of Chile and Peru and inhabit warmer climes when compared to Emperors and Adelies which reside in the continent of Antarctica. Humboldt current is a cold-water ocean current off the coast of South America. Humboldt penguins are thinner, medium-sized, about 56-70cm tall, and are blackish grey and white for the most part. BMC has invested in a 35,000 sqft penguin house, a rocky, climate-controlled enclosure where the temperatures range anywhere between 14-16 degrees Celsius, and holds 40,000 litres of water for the penguins to swim. The cost of the enclosure is estimated to be around Rs 113 crore. On August 15, the 40-day incubation period of the egg had ended. In the run-up to this day, Flipper had forgotten to eat and would stay close to the egg, guarding it closely and letting it go only when Mr Molt would step in. In fact, a team of doctors had been put on stand-by the whole week to keep an eye on the egg. Now the baby penguin will be kept under close scrutiny for three months when the parents will feed and nourish the baby. The first time the proposal was even made to bring in penguins to the Mumbai zoo was back in 2009. When they were finally brought in, there was a huge ruckus and media furore in the city, with opposition parties and animal right activists alleging corruption and raising grave concerns about the birds' survival in a tropical country. Penguins in the Mumbai zoo have contributed to a spike in its footfall and revenue. This Independence Day also saw a new member at the Delhi zoo. Two cubs were born to white tigress Nirbhaya and a five-year-old Royal Bengal tiger called Karan, a result of an inbreeding experiment after 27 years. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a sweet rapport with Lucknow. When I first saw Vajpayee in 1984, I was a student; at that time, I had never thought in my wildest dreams that one day, I would be attending Vajpayee's press conferences as a journalist in Lucknow's Raj Bhawan and he would be prime minister! Vajpayee believed that there should be a good rapport between two Ps' (press and politicians) and both are sine qua non to each other. Even as a prime minister, whenever Vajpayee visited Lucknow, he made it a point to interact with the press. Not only this, he had good sense of humour that reflected in his political speeches and personal interactions. In 1984, then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated and elections were announced. At many places, furious Congress workers resorted to stone pelting in Lucknow and in one such incident, Vajpayee got injured. Because of an injury on his foot, he was limping. On the same day, Vajpayee had a series of public meetings organised by his party, the BJP, in Lucknow. When he reached to address a public meeting in Jhendewala Park in Lucknow, it was late at night and some BJP workers helped him climb up the podium. Since Vajpayee had injured his foot, he started delivering his speech sitting in a chair. The initial couple of sentences were full of puns. He said, Congress has compelled me to address you in a sitting position, because I always put my leg in their arbitrary policies. They do not like this, so they thought that they should break my foot that I do not put my foot in their matters. And the audience burst into laughter. Vajpayee represented Lucknow five times in the Lok Sabha. Once after the Kargil war, when Vajpayee had come down to Lucknow as prime minister, he was addressing a press conference in Raj Bhawan. The hall was packed with scribes and questions were being bombarded at him. In between, a scribe asked about Indian forces not being properly equipped with equipment for fighting at such a high altitude: What is your comment on this, Atalji? The question was not very palatable. Vajpayee closed his eyes and suddenly said, Let us go to have Lucknavi chaat! Every one present in the room started laughing and the attention was diverted. This was his acumen to deflect and dilute a question he did not want to answer. Unlike the present-day politicians, who get furious at those question that they do not like. After that, I too covered Vajpayee's activities many times, whenever he visited Lucknow. During the 2004 general elections coverage, I had an opportunity to visit Balrampur, an eastern UP district, from where Vajpayee had contested elections in the 1950s. His contemporaries recalled an interesting incident, which shows that he was a go-getter kind of leader. Those days, campaigning was simply devoid of SUVs, choppers and other high-profile means of today. In rural areas, it was mostly done with bicycles, tractors and even bullock carts. During one such campaign, while Vajpayee was in the area, it was found that there was no glue to paste the posters in the villages and time was running out and like today, there were not many shops from where it could be procured quickly. Vajpayee came up with a novel ideahe asked for cow dung from the villagers to stick the posters on walls of houses from where he was campaigning. Within no time, enough cow dung was arranged and he himself pasted many posters with it. In 2007, I had a chance to visit Bateshwar, a small town about 70km from Agra, where villagers narrated an incident that shows that how simple a man Vajpayee was. About 40 years ago, when Vajpayee once visited Bateshwar, he was quite thirsty. That time, he was a member of Parliament. He visited a house and asked for some water; when the head of the house started drawing water from the well, Vajpayee offered to draw the water himself. As an MP, too, he did not have an iota of ego. A very senior BJP leader from Lucknow, Lalji Tandon, who had been Vajpayee's protege says, Atalji was a simple man sans ego, but a great politician who never knew to quit. This article originally appeared in the issue of THE WEEK dated May 9, 1999 How they have matured in a year! Last year, it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee's political charisma against Sonia Gandhi's family charisma. One was unspoiled by power politics, save for a 13-day stint as prime minister; the other appeared the least interested in power and was only there to save her late husband's party from sinking. Now both have declared their ambitions unabashedly. In post-Pokhran India, abstinence is no longer a virtue, be it in nuclear doctrine or political conduct. The BJP and the Congress fronts are planning a direct strike at each other, kicking up a mushroom cloud that will blind others. But there are many who still bet on a dark horse. Within a week of foul mouthing the CPI(M) for playing the Congress's power game, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party openly declared that the third front should fight the polls projecting Jyoti Basu as its prime ministerial candidate. For the first time since 1991, Congress has been able to project an undisputed prime ministerial candidate. "Who is their leader?" used to be the BJP's one-line barb at the Congress and the United Front in 1998. The Congress has overcome the handicap. Ironically, the Congress's gainof a leadershiphas also been the BJP's gain. The moment its allies realised that the enemy is no longer leaderless, they rallied behind Vajpayee hoping to strengthen him. In fact, the BJP front's biggest success after its one-vote defeat in the Lok Sabha has been the front's consolidation. This time, not only the BJP but its allies also will ask for votes for prime minister Vajpayee. As BJP spokesman K.L. Sharma puts it, "The last elections proved our prime minister's ability. In this election, the focus will be on the Lok Sabha's stability." He claims that there is a consensus among the allies to fight the election projecting Vajpayee. Old allies like the Samata Party and the Akali Dal would not mind it, but what about the new friends like the DMK, which had been opposing the government's policies for the last 13 months? Says a senior BJP leader: "As far as the new allies are concerned, it may be difficult for them to ask for votes in Vajpayee's name. But their strategies won't clash with ours." BJP leaders believe that Jayalalithaa's walkout and the toppling operation have not only cemented the alliance, but also silenced Vajpayee's critics within the BJP. So much so that the BJP is pretty warm to George Fernandes's idea of a common manifesto. Party insiders say that it is the BJP's hardliners who are now more interested in a common manifestoan updated version of the unfinished National Agenda for Governancethan the moderates. Party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu, considered a moderate, was cautious while reacting to Fernandes's suggestion. "It is a suggestion from a well-meaning person," he said. "The national executive of the party will discuss this." But insiders say that the hardliner party chief Kushabhau Thakre started selling the Fernandes idea to party elders days before the executive was to meet. The BJP strategy is to leave the ideological baggage behind and fight as a party of governance. Instead of Ram temple, common civil code and scrapping of Article 370, the alliance leaders will be talking of atom, Agni and Lahore. The three issues, the BJP believes, would keep the enemy cautious. For unlike the ideological peaceniks in the Left combine, the Congress cannot question the bomb and missile for fear of attracting a charge of pandering to videshi interests. The Congress campaign rather would be against the BJP government's conduct after the bomb, especially on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) talks. On its part, the Congress is expected to sell itself from its two traditional planksstability and secularism. The party believes that the BJP front's ability-stability plank is not going to sell since the facts militate against it. After all, a ragtag government, which fell four years before its term has no right to talk of stability. On the contrary, the Congress could point out that no Congress prime minister, even when in minority, had to quit before the end of his or her term. In other words, the Congress would put it across that it alone has the skill to govern. If the Congress brings the issue round to governance, the BJP alliance would have much to be defensive about. Even BJP admirers agree that it was sheer political ineptitude that allowed every issue in the last 13 monthsfrom Bhagwat to budgetary rollbacksto snowball. The Congress believes that its plank of being the largestand thus strongestsecular party should sell, given the insecurity felt by the minorities. The BJP's answer to this is that the communal versus secular fight is no longer relevant, with many of the so-called secular fighters having no qualms about flirting with the BJP. On the contrary, the BJP might raise a new conflict theme swadeshi versus videshi. But the battle line on this is yet to clear up with the third fronters giving their own definitions to this. Mulayam Singh Yadav seems to agree with the BJP and Samata that "Videshi forces are trying to destabilise India", but his CPI(M) friend Prakash Karat says "It is not the foreign individual, but foreign-dictated policies that should be fought against". As far as foreign origin of economic policies is concerned, the third fronters like him blame both the Congress and the BJP. Head start versus caution The BJP believes that it does have an initial advantage over the Congress to the extent that the Congress is yet to recover from the shock of having been denied power after being so close to it. But then a head start in an election campaign has not always been to any advantage. "In every election since 1991,"points out a Congress leader, "the BJP had a head start, but that has not always worked to their advantage. As the election approaches, you will see that the fight is over a host of other issues, mostly local." The 1998 elections were caused by the Jain Commission report, but as the battle started, it was pushed into oblivion. That is why the BJP and allies are pushing for an early election in which the voters would be going to the booth when the events of the cruel April are still fresh in their minds. Within hours of the president ordering the dissolution of the 12th Lok Sabha and calling for general elections, the alliance leaders were knocking at Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill's door giving every reasonfrom the constitutional aberration called caretaker government to cyclones on the Bay of Bengal coastfor an early poll. The Congress, on the other hand, is believed to be silently praying for a post-cyclonic poll by which time a hundred local issues would crop up. And by then, a few stable alliances could also be formed. As Congress spokesman Arjun Singh puts it: "An unequal alliance takes place either in haste or under compulsion." It is this caution that is keeping the Congress from tying up with Jayalalithaa. In fact, Jayalalithaa's parting words before she left Delhi after operation goof-up were: "Once again, we hope to be part of a new government, which will have the supreme national interests at heart." But the Congress idea is to keep talking to G.K. Moopanar of the Tamil Maanila Congress who cannot join the BJP camp. Another prospective ally is the Bahujan Samaj Party. Now that a tie-up with Mulayam is out of the question, the Congress feels that the BSP should become its natural ally. But then the Congress also realises that its bargaining strength with Mayawati has been reduced, now that it can look forward only to her as an ally in Uttar Pradesh. The spoilers Incidentally, there is one common desire on both sidesto reduce the now-nebulous third front to irrelevance. Both believe that India has reached a stage of two-front, if not two-party, political system. The Congress front on the one side and the BJP front on the other. But it is on the alliance strategies that the third front can spoil the dreams of both. In its cautious way, the Congress so far has responded warmly only to Lalu Prasad Yadav. The party also seems to have learnt its lesson from the Mulayam episode and has begun to treat its ally with respect. A few days after the Operation Topple failed, Sonia Gandhi sent a sweet thank-you letter to Lalu Yadav. But the third front the communists and Mulayambelieve that Lalu can still be sweet-talked into breaking off with Sonia. Thus Mulayam still swears by his Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha partnership with Lalu. "There is only one point of difference between us," says Mulayam. "The RLM remains and it is strong." The CPI(M) does not want Lalu to break off with the Congress if that would prevent the BJP-Samata alliance from sweeping Bihar. Yet it is still in touch with Lalu. "We are talking to the Janata Dal and the Rashtriya Janata Dal," admits Karat. The CPI(M) line is to break off with those who have flirted with the BJP, especially Chandrababu Naidu, while it is softer towards the DMK. But Uttar Pradesh is where one expects the bitterest fight between all threeand perhaps even four if the BSP fights alone. George Fernandes's recent overtures towards Mulayam have put him in deep trouble. Already Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Salman Khurshid is going round the Gangetic plain saying that Mulayam had always been helping the BJP. Now Mulayam is expected to be more strident towards the BJP and, at least to reassert his secular credentials, work harder towards a third front. In a house where every vote counts, the Left and the SP hope to be able to tilt the balance even as the Congress and the BJP fronts attempt to reduce the third front's ability to get into mischief after the polls. The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was desperate to reach Delhi in the morning of August 16 itself. Death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee had not been announced yet. This was her show of devotion to the man who saved her political career 16 years ago. The West Bengal chief minister is at the peak of her political career now, but there was a time when she was left without a portfolio despite being a minister, and it was Vajpayee who saved her. Banerjee, who was the the railway minister in 2001, jumped off the BJP ship alleging corruption in defence ministry's coffin purchase for Kargil martyrs. She demanded the resignation of then defence minister George Fernandez. Fernandez, who wielded power, tried to get in touch with Banerjee at the insistence of Vajpayee. But Banerjee refused to pick up his calls, sources said. The defence minister then called up Mamata Banerjee's trusted lieutenant, Sudip Bandyopadhya. Sudip assured Fernandez of a hearing with Banerjee, but by then Fernandez had to resign. Known to be another honest and legendary socialist, Fernandez's ouster from the NDA government did not go down well with his associates like Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan. The trio put huge pressure on Vajpayee not to accept the resignation of Fernandez. But something had transpired between Vajpayee and Fernandez, which doused the fire for sometime and Fernandez agreed to resign. The resignation of the defence minister was not enough for then railway minister Mamata Banerjee. She broke the alliance with the BJP and joined the Congress before the 2001 assembly election in Bengal. This was at a time when Jyoti Basu had hung up his boots to pave way for Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in West Bengal. After her exit, Fernandez was taken back to the NDA government. Banerjee calculated that with the change of guard in the BJP and the Basu charisma missing in the election, it will be her opportunity to break the jinx in Bengal in 2001. And, the BJP could prove to be a burden for her in a state which has 28 per cent of Muslim population. But her calculations were wrong. The alliance of the Congress and Trinamool Congress was routed in the election. Ajit Panja, who was the minister of state for external affairs in Vajpayee's ministry, had resigned from the ministry with Mamata Banerjee. After Banerjee's election rout, Panja revolted against Banerjee calling her "power-hungry" and "desperate". When I met Panja at his house in Kolkata, he told me, "Mamata's biggest problem is she wants power. But she can't carry it." He went on to say, "I am sure if she goes back to Vajpayeeji, she would be re-inducted into the party. But she will lose the grace she perhaps would have had otherwise. It was a big blunder on Mamata's part." Panja's outburst got him suspended from the Trinamool Congress. Banerjee was reclusive after the defeat in 2001. Many of her partymen deserted her for her decision of severing ties with Vajpayee. Banerjee had no other option but to go back to NDA in December 2003. But there was huge resistance from the NDA partners and leaders made a beeline to Vajpayee's office not to re-induct Mamata Banerjee into the coalition. Fernandez was the first to oppose. Nitish Kumar, who replaced Banerjee as railway minister, strongly disapproved Banerjee's return. Even L.K. Advani sided with the lobby against Mamata Banerjee. Vajpayee then engaged his man Friday Promod Mahajan. Mahajan brought peace and Banerjee was re inducted into the NDA government after Vajpayee made a special appeal to all NDA partners. Banerjee got a life in national politics but had to stay as a minister without portfolio for many months. Only four months before the general election in 2004, she was made minister for coal and mines. After the defeat in 2004 election, Atal Bihari Vajpayee said goodbye to politics. Things became hard for Banerjee to continue in the NDA as leaders were unhappy with her outbursts against one of the most respected seniors, George Fernandez. Even today many find it difficult to accept it. Finally, Mamata Banerjee quit NDA again and apparently for the last time. Today she is at the forefront of the opposition's war against the BJP. However, none could deny the fact that it was Vajpayee who gave her much needed oxygen to come back to politics at a desperate time. As Kerala reels under the worst flood in close to a century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Thiruvananthapuram to take stock of the situation. He will reach the capital city at 10.50 pm on a special flight. The prime minister will leave for Kochi on Saturday morning, accompanied by Governor S. Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas. After holding a meeting with the chief minister and other officials in Kochi later in the day, he will leave for Delhi in the evening. Meanwhile, the death toll in rain-related incidents in the state has gone up to 324. Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts are the most affected. Rescue operations are going on in full swing across the state. At least 2,23000 people from around 52,856 families have been forced into relief camps. Weathermen have predicted heavy rains in Ernakulam and Idukki districts on Saturday. All districts barring Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram will continue on high alert. Sajitha Jabeel (25) was in the final stretches of her pregnancy when her house at Aluva in Kochi was flooded due to heavy rains that have been battering entire Kerala for more than a week. She was airlifted with a leaking water bag by the Indian Navy as part of their Operation Madad. Hours after she was shifted to the Navy hospital, Sanjivani, in Kochi, Sajitha gave birth to a baby boy. Both mother and baby are doing well. Before rescuing Sajitha from the rooftop, the Navy had lowered a doctor to examine the woman. It was a successful operation, says the Navy. Navy has released the video of the rescue operation and pictures of the woman and the new-born baby. In a favourable decision for Kerala, the water level at Mullaperiyar dam will soon be reduced by two or three feet, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court on Friday. Water will be released from Mullaperiyar dam only in phases, the Disaster Management team informed the Supreme Court. "The dam's safety is of utmost importance," the Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday. The water level should also be monitored in real-time, said the Supreme Court on Friday. The decision comes as Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Tamil Nadu government to consider lowering the water level at Mullaperiyar dam to 139 feet from the current 142 feet. The Supreme Court also ordered the National Crisis Management Committee to meet on Friday over Mullaperiyar Dam storage and management. The committee was asked to file a report by 2 pm on Friday. Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami had on Thursday expressed his unwillingness to act on the request of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to reduce water level of Mullaperiyar Dam. EPS stated that the SC had permitted the water level to be maintained at 142 feet. The Supreme Court took up the case for hearing after a Kerala resident, Russel Joy, who filed an urgent petition in the matter. As the news of death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee broke on Thursday evening, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia stopped his speech midway and converted the political rally into a condolence meeting at Gairatganj, 90km away from Bhopal. Cancelling his tour and state election committee meeting at Bhopal, he rushed to New Delhi and paid tributes by prostrating himself before the departed leader. Scindia is titular head of the erstwhile Gwalior royal family and Vajapyee was born in Gwalior. Vajpayee had always enjoyed good relations with the Scindias since his childhood days. The last ruler of Gwalior, Jiwajirao Scindia, personally adored him. When Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia quit Congress in 1967 to form the first non-Congress Samyukta Vidhayak Dal (SVD) government in Madhya Pradesh, it was Vajpayee who brought her to the BJP (then Jansangh) fold. Rajmata was one of the important pillars of the right wing party during the days when it had limited resources. Though Vajpayee was a native of Madhya Pradesh, he chose to make Uttar Pradesh his political arena. He fought his first Lok Sabha election in 1957 from Balrampur. He had been member of Lok Sabha 10 times but he represented Gwalior Lok Sabha just once between 1971 to 1977. He again took a plunge from Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh in 1991 but quit in favour of Lucknow from where he had won simultaneously. He handed over the reins of Vidisha to present Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who happens to be the inheritor of 'Vajpayee style of politics' in the BJP. Rise of Chouhan in BJP politics is attributed to Vajpayees decision of vacating Vidisha seat. Chouhan represented Vidisha for five times in a row before becoming chief minister of MP in 2005. In 1984, when BJP was reduced to two seats in the Parliament after death of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee contested from Gwalior. At the eleventh hour Madhavrao Scindia switched his seat from Guna and became a candidate from Gwalior. Vajpayee was taken aback as he never wanted to contest against anyone from the Scindia family. In his book titled Na Dainyam, Na Palayanam (a Geeta shloka which means neither will I beg nor quit) Vajpayee wrote that he was cornered under a dual strategy of certain political people who wanted him to get busy in Gwalior so that he could not campaign for others in rest of India. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia paying his last respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi | ANI In that election, Vajpayee fought very gracefully against Madhavrao Scindia (father of Jyotiraditya) Maharaja of Gwalior and lost only to garner more respect among masses. Vajpayee did not utter a single word which was disrespectful to the Scindia family. When people asked why he did not fight the election in same acrimonious way like his predecessors, he did not reply. Later in his book, he wrote that his higher education in 1945 would not have been possible had the Scindia family not come forward to support him. He wrote Jiwajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior knew me since my school days. When the question of my higher education was looming large on the family, which was already burdened under the marriage of my two sisters, and limited resources due to retirement of father, the royal family sanctioned me monthly scholarship of Rs 75. With this scholarship support, Vajpyaee went to DAV college, Kanpur, for his law education. This turned into a big opportunity for Vajpayee where he came into contact with Arya Samaj and later joined the RSS. Vajpayees visit to Kanpur brought him close to several right-wing leaders and he later became editor of Rashtradharm where he worked closely with the BJP (then Jansangh) ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. After Rashtradharm he was made editor of Panchajanyathe mouthpiece of RSS. In 1952 when Jansangh was established by Shaymaprasad Mukherji, Vajpayee was affiliated with Deendayal Upadhyaya who was partys general secretary. Vajpayee always acknowledged the support of the Scindia family towards his personal life and party. When Rajmata Scindia and her son Madhavrao Scindia were embroiled in an ugly family feud, Vajpayee never meddled. The respect from Scindias to Vajpayee was unequivocal except for the 1984 elections when the two contested Lok Sabha polls against each other. When Madhavrao Scindia died in a plane crash in September 2001, Vajpayee as prime minister wrote in the condolence book, "Lightning has fallen. Can fate be so cruel. My salute". He not only visited Gwalior for the cremation but deputed his senior most minister Arun Jaitley to accompany dead body of Scindia in an Air Force aircraft. He was given a state funeral. Monica: John, Its late. Go to sleep. Me: [Furiously pounding keyboard.] I cant! Somebody is wrong on the internet! Gun rights. Abortion. Immigration. Race. Gender. Trump. Putin. Trump and Putin- together! I have opinions on all that stuff. Opinions that I hope are informed, educated, and articulate. I love dialoguing and discussing the important issues of the day. Heres the thing, I definitely prefer doing it in person- where attention spans are longer, there is no character limit, I can read body language, hear tone and inflection, and look people in the eye. There is definitely a downside to social media that I have zero interest in. I love embodied conversation- not screeds mediated by screens. I love relationships- not rants made up of ones and zeros. Social media, by its very nature, severely limits or obliterates the most vital elements of conversing. Thats why Im only on social media to keep up with friends, family, and former students- and the cat videos. Im here for the memories and the memes. Theres something deeper though. When I see posts on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, et al drift into the political and the religious, it seems like it is all heat and no light. I wonder how much of it leads to any real learning or growth. Genuinely curious- has any comment on social media ever really changed your mind on an issue? There are obviously other uses for social media besides arguing politics. Despite not being a joiner and being very skeptical of social media, I dove in about a month ago. I have been delighted by the real relationship possibilities provided by social media! Family members who are hundreds of miles away feel closer. I have caught up with high school friends that I havent talked to in over two decades. As far as former students go, class is still in session! I love your questions! Dear friends in far flung places like Canada, Romania and Latvia dont feel so far away any more. I feel genuinely closer to the people who I care about. Thanks social media! But there is a definite dark side to social media. Lets be honest, most of the time on social media, we arent looking to exchange ideas about these hot button critical issues. Im suspicious we are doing something else entirely, something tribal. Our posts function as declarations that we have the right thoughts and values to fit into the right Tribe. Our comments announce that we can identify those that belong outside the Tribe. (And we do it with such bold certainty! Just once Id love to read a comment where someone says, Im actually not sure what I think about X, I need to read up on it...") In other words, we are not really trying to engage other people empathetically, exchange ideas, and evolve. We are not, -in good faith- participating in dialogues that equip us to adjust our perspectives and refine our opinions so that we become well-rounded and balanced people. Nobody is changing anybody's mind out there. We are only convincing the already convinced. And ourselves. Cmon, youve seen it- when it comes to the hot topics, nobody is trying to learn. Nobody has time for nuance or context. People cant be bothered by the facts because its really about their faction. Tribal solidarity is what we are signaling. Social media is a tool. If there is a problem, it doesnt lie with social media but lies within us. We can use digital platforms to rant and rave. We can also use social media to connect, empathize, learn, and grow. And share cat videos. John Daum Relationship Educator, First Things First john@firstthings.org A Sikh man has been stabbed to death at his store in the US state of New Jersey, the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Terlok Singh was discovered dead by his cousin yesterday in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. The Essex County Prosecutor's office is calling the incident a homicide, according to a report in ABC7NY. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known. Singh, described as a very kind person, is survived by his wife and children who live in India. He owned the store to support his family. His family closed the store as a deeply-saddened community watched in horror. The news report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his work place. Civil rights organisation the Sikh Coalition, in a Facebook post, expressed condolences to Singh's family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York University's Center for Religion and Media and a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, tweeted about Singh's tragic death, saying "this is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness." On August 6 in Manteca, California, 71-year-old Sahib Singh was brutally attacked by Tyrone McAllister and a juvenile when the elderly man went on a morning walk. McAllister, who is this son of a local police chief, and the juvenile were charged with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign signs in support of incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Denham and other local Republican candidates. While beating Malhi, the attackers yelled "Go back to your country!" and spray painted the same message, along with hate symbols, on his truck. Following the two incidents, the Sikh Coalition had urged members of the community to know their rights, remain vigilant and report cases of bias, bigotry and backlash in the wake of the attacks. "We are deeply troubled by these two recent attacks and strongly encourage increased vigilance nationwide as we work to support the Central Valley, California community during this difficult time," Sikh Coalition Legal Director Amrith Kaur had said. (With PTI input)A Sikh man has been stabbed to death at his store in the US state of New Jersey, the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Terlok Singh was discovered dead by his cousin yesterday in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. The Essex County Prosecutor's office is calling the incident a homicide, according to a report in ABC7NY. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known. Singh, described as a very kind person, is survived by his wife and children who live in India. He owned the store to support his family. His family closed the store as a deeply-saddened community watched in horror. The news report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his work place. Civil rights organisation the Sikh Coalition, in a Facebook post, expressed condolences to Singh's family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York University's Center for Religion and Media and a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, tweeted about Singh's tragic death, saying "this is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness." On August 6 in Manteca, California, 71-year-old Sahib Singh was brutally attacked by Tyrone McAllister and a juvenile when the elderly man went on a morning walk. McAllister, who is this son of a local police chief, and the juvenile were charged with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign signs in support of incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Denham and other local Republican candidates. While beating Malhi, the attackers yelled "Go back to your country!" and spray painted the same message, along with hate symbols, on his truck. Following the two incidents, the Sikh Coalition had urged members of the community to know their rights, remain vigilant and report cases of bias, bigotry and backlash in the wake of the attacks. "We are deeply troubled by these two recent attacks and strongly encourage increased vigilance nationwide as we work to support the Central Valley, California community during this difficult time," Sikh Coalition Legal Director Amrith Kaur had said. (With PTI input) New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Ranveer Singh proudly flaunts the badge of being quirky and unconventional as the actor believes there has always been an "attarangi" streak in him. The 33-year-old actor, who endorses fashion brand JACK & JONES, says "edgy" is his middle name. "I have always been 'attarangi' (unique), as my school friend put it. I make authentic choices when it comes to my style. "I have always been attracted to fashion, music, personalities, attitudes that are edgy. That is why I relate to JACK & JONES on every level. The brand and I share the same personality, values and are extremely expressive," Ranveer told PTI in an email interview. Known for his out-of-the-box style statement and delivering immersive performances, the "Padmaavat" star says he does not fear being judged by people for his choices - be it fashion, films or life. "I express myself with vibrant colours, printed blazers, ripped denims. I have zero filters as I don't fear anyone judging me. I don't hold back. With anything or anyone, in any situation," he says. On the work front, Ranveer will next be seen in "Simmba", which releases later this year. He is also attached with projects such as "Gully Boy", "83" and the recently-announced "Takht". PTI RDS SHD SHD Mumbai, Aug 17 (PTI) Women-oriented films are gaining momentum in Bollywood but Kajol says it would be restrictive as an actor to limit herself to just one genre. "There are lots of films coming your way that are being written with a female central character in mind. It also has to do with whether you want to do that kind of film or not. I don't want to do only that kind of film. I want to do everything," she told PTI in an interview. "There is very little good content being written. I think it is the fact that there are not many good scripts that are coming to you. But generally there is not much good writing happening per se," she added. After her last outing "Dilwale" in 2015, Kajol is excited about her forthcoming release "Helicopter Eela", in which she plays the role of a single mother. The Pradeep Sarkar directed film addresses the issue of parenting and generation gap but Kajol says the film also talks about "who we are as women". Being a mother, Kajol said, there were times when she missed out things individually as she was busy fulfilling her responsibility as a parent. "We have parts of our personality that are subdued, lost, sacrificed along the way to be a wife, to be a mother. Two and three years after Nysa was born, I had not sat down and heard music for years because there was no time for it. "I love my music. Nobody stopped me from it but it just happened. I got back to it later. We should get back to the things that we love as it will make us better as people, make us complete." The 44-year-old actor is thankful to her mother Tanuja for giving her a childhood that prepared her to face life in a better way. "My mother was very forward thinking. I don't think I have the guts to be like my mother. For her, life is meant to be looked at and not faced. We used to discuss everything, success, failure, charity, souls, death, etc ..nothing was taboo. "She used to encourage us to talk, like, 'we are in a safe place and we can tell her anything that we want to and she will not hold it against us'. We did not understand it then but when certain situations came in life, I understood what my mother was preparing us for." Kajol said she and husband Ajay Devgn try to follow a similar parenting style. "Both Ajay and I believe in having open dialogue with our children. We talk to our kids a lot and keep telling them to express themselves." The actor is confident that "Helicopter Eela", which releases on September 7, will connect with the audiences. "...I know it is not going to be 'Avengers' but I would love it to be. A film has to be entertaining. The story is told in a humorous way, with big dollop of fun put into it and at the same time, there is content. We have achieved every goal that we had for making a good film." PTI KKP BK BK Port Louis, Aug 17 (PTI) Mauritius announced today that as a mark of respect to India's former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee the national flags of both the countries will fly half mast at all government buildings. The announcement was made in an official release issued by the Mauritian Prime Minister's Office. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar shared a copy of the release on Twitter. Vajpayee died yesterday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in Delhi following prolonged illness. He was 93. In a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth condoled Vajpayee's death and paid a tribute to the departed leader. He said he was pained by Vajpayee's demise and felt a sense of personal loss. "I express my deepest condolences to Vajpayee's family," the Mauritian leader said. Jugnauth said Vajpayee shaped India's future through his bold leadership and deep-rooted sympathy for the common man. "Today, as India shines as a beacon of progress and development on the global stage, we cannot forget the strong and able stewardship of Shri Vajpayee. His leadership was characterised by determination, perseverance, fairness and equity," he said. Vajpayee will always be a guiding light not only for politicians in India, but for those across the world, he added. The Mauritian leader said Vajpayee's deep affection for people of Mauritius became clear when he visited the country in March 2000 as the chief guest for the National Day celebrations. Jugnauth credited the former prime minister with taking the relations between India and Mauritius to new heights under his leadership. He said Vajpayee's proficiency in Hindi, which was evident in his speeches and poems, will be remembered when Mauritius hosts the 11th World Hindi Conference. Vajpayee strongly believed in the power of Hindi as a symbol of unity, a means of binding history, common values and common cultures, Jugnauth added. The World Hindi Conference will be held at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Mauritius. The three-day conference will commence on August 18 and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to arrive here by tomorrow morning. The conference will be inaugurated by Jugnauth and chaired over by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi. The main hall and other rooms at the venue have been named after Hindi authors like Abhimanyu Unnuth, Gopaldas Neeraj, Bhanumati Nagdan and Suraj Prasad Mangar Bhagat. PTI NP DIV DIV Additional police deployment at Goa bridge to ease traffic woes Panaji, Aug 17 (PTI) The Goa government has deployed two platoons of the state police's India Reserve Battalion to decongest a section of the national highway connecting the North and South districts of the state, a senior official said today. Heavy traffic jams have been witnessed for the past few days at Agassaim village on the national highway near Zuari bridge, about 15 kilometres from here, the official said. The issue had drawn protests from political parties as well as people who had missed their flights as the highway is the sole access road for people of North Goa to the international airport. "Two platoons of IRB have been deployed. Police have issued detailed instructions to field formations for continuous monitoring of traffic situation," a senior Chief Minister's Office official told PTI today. He claimed that since the deployment of the two IRB platoons at the site, traffic had been moving smoothly on the highway. The official said that, as instructed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is currently in the United States for a medical check-up, senior state officials had visited the site of the traffic bottleneck. "As per the instructions of the chief minister, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, Director General of Police Muktesh Chandar, Principal Secretary to CM P Krishnamurthy, accompanied by traffic police and PWD officials, visited both sides of the bridge," the official said. The official informed that the state PWD department had been directed to construct a slipway from Cortalim junction at the south of the Zuari bridge to ease the flow of traffic moving towards Margao. "Traffic police has been directed to deploy additional manpower to ensure lane driving and regulate smooth movement of traffic," the official added. PTI RPS BNM BNM BNM Bhopal, Aug 17 (PTI) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's home state Madhya Pradesh played a huge role in shaping his political career as he was elected to the Lok Sabha two times from the state and was also declared the BJP's prime ministerial face for the first time at a rally 22 years ago. Vajpayee, who was born in Gwalior, was elected from the city famous for its palaces and forts to the Lok Sabha in 1971 as the Jan Sangh candidate. Gwalior, in fact, also has a temple built as a tribute to the former prime minister by an admirer. The BJP stalwart, who died in New Delhi last evening, was also elected from another Lok Sabha seat in the state -- Vidisha. It was at a rally at Manawar, in tribal-dominated Dhar district, that Vajpayee was first projected as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, a party leader said. "Yes, I stand witness to the historic meeting attended by a large number of tribals in Dhar district. At the meeting, BJP patriarch L K Advaniji, for the first time in 1996, announced that Vajpayee will be prime minister in the event of the BJP coming to power at the Centre," BJP national vice- president Prabhat Jha told PTI. "That news was flashed across the country. That Vajpayee eventually became prime minister (in the same year) proved that Advaniji was a visionary leader," said Jha, the then media in-charge of the state BJP. "Advaniji sprang a surprise by choosing to make that announcement from a remote tribal area, Manawar in Dhar district, but it was carried well the next day in the media across the country," Jha, a Rajya Sabha MP, said. Advani's words proved to be correct as Vajpayee first served as prime minister for a period of 13 days in 1996, second time for 13 months and then for a full five-year term (1999-2004), state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said. Vajpayee was born in Gwalior on December 25, 1924 to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee in the Shinde Ki Chawni area. The initial education of the poet-politician took place at Sheopur, then part of the Gwalior region. He later came to Gwalior, where he took admission in the Government Gorkhi Higher Secondary School, a party leader said. Moved by Vajpayee's love for Hindi, his admirer Vijay Singh Chouhan, an advocate, built a temple in 1995 in Satya Narain Ki Tekri area of Gwalior as a tribute to the former prime minister. Chouhan said, "I was highly impressed with Vajpayeeji for his chaste Hindi address at the United Nations to promote the language. I used to perform his 'aarti' daily by keeping a photo of Vajpayee inside the temple." "Besides celebrating the Hindi Day every year on September 14, I also celebrate Vajpayee's birthday on December 25," he said. Vajpayee lost from Gwalior in 1984 to Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia. In 1991, he contested from Vidisha and Lucknow, and won from both the places. However, he retained Lucknow and vacated Vidisha. PTI MAS LAL RSY AAR AAR Kolkata, Aug 17 (PTI) Following are PTI's top stories from the eastern region at 4.30 pm. CAL1 CBI-LD SHELTERHOME CBI raids former Bihar minister's home, properties linked to Thakur in shelter home case Patna: The CBI today raided nearly a dozen properties in four districts of Bihar, including residences of former state minister Manju Verma in Patna and in her native place Begusarai, in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case, officials said. CES1 WB-VAJPAYEE-MOURNING WB govt declares half-day holiday following Vajpayee's death Kolkata: The West Bengal government has declared a half-day holiday in its offices and educational institutions today as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday evening in New Delhi at the age of 93. CES3 OD-MAOIST-SURRENDER Maoist carrying reward on head surrenders in Malkangiri: Police Malkangiri: A woman Maoist, who carried a reward of Rs one lakh on her head, has surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district, the police said today. CES5 JH-LIGHTNING 3 killed by lightning in Jharkhand Khunti: Three persons including a couple were killed after being struck by lightning at a village in Khunti district, a district official said today. CES6 WB-MP-ACCIDENT TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee injured in road accident Kolkata: Senior Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee today sustained injuries when a taxi rammed into his car in south Kolkata, a police officer said. CES7 OD-FOOD-KERALA Odisha urges Kerala to provide food to 130 flood-hit Odias Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today urged its Kerala counterpart to provide minimum assistance like food and water to the people from the state taking shelter at a flood ravaged place, official sources said. CES8 JH-BRIBE Two Jharkhand cops suspended for demanding bribe Hazaribag: Two police officers have been suspended here for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the owner of a sand-laden tractor, a senior officer said. PTI JM JM JM New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Hundreds of people queued up here outside the residence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee this morning to pay their last respects to the departed leader. Heavy security arrangements, including deployment of police, traffic and paramilitary personnel, were in place around the 6-A Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in the Lutyens Delhi. According to security officials present here, the gates of the residence would be thrown open at 7.30 am for the public to pay homage to Vajpayee. The mortal remains would later be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party's national headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. The final journey to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal would begin around 1 pm. Vajpayee died at the AIIMS hospital here yesterday at the age of 93, following a prolonged illness. A 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, arrived here with a group of people from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The group covered a distance of around 500-km overnight in the hope to have one last glimpse of their beloved leader, Kumar said. "I had met Vajpayee ji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi en route to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of the Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along the Gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "I believe we have lost a great leader in him," he said. PTI KIS MRJ MRJ New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced Rs 10 crore relief for flood-ravaged Kerala, where 106 people died on a single day yesterday as the state plunged deeper into misery with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry. Kejriwal appealed to the public to make donations to the crisis-hit state. The Delhi CM also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Spoke to Kerala CM. Del govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Punjab government had also announced Rs 10 crore immediate relief for Kerala. According to a statement issued by the Punjab government, a total of four sorties, each carrying 30 tonnes ready-to-eat food items, would be sent to Kerala. This is the deadliest deluge in Kerala in close to a century, which has claimed 173 lives since August 8. Further, a body blow has been dealt to the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit. PTI BUN BUN IND IND New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) A man blew a conch in the swelling crowd and a group of youth chanted 'Atal Bihari Amar Rahe', as the carriage bearing his mortal remains gently made its way through a sea of mourners to a funeral site in the heart of Delhi. A large number of people flooded the streets in front of the BJP headquarters, where his body was kept from morning till around 2 PM for people to catch a last glimpse of the leader. Amid chanting of Vedic mantras, his body was then taken in a procession to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where he was accorded a state funeral. A galaxy of personalities and public figures and commoners alike paid their last respects to the former prime minister before his mortal remains were consigned to flames. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, several chief ministers, including Shivraj Chauhan, Yogi Adityanath, Vijay Rupani, and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Harsh Vardhan, among others, paid tribute to Vajpayee at the party headquarters. The 93-year-old veteran politician died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) last evening after prolonged illness. Men and women, young and old, had converged from places near and far, to bid farewell to Vajpayee. An official from the Fijian Embassy here had also come, carrying a wreath in his hand. Some had even clambered on trees outside the BJP office, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside. Huge hoardings bearing pictures of Vajpayee and his famous poetic lines were erected near the BJP headquarters and the procession route, while giant cut-outs of the former prime minister could also be seen at various places along the way. Around 2 PM, the carriage bearing his body in a special glass case decorated with flowers and tucked to a military vehicle left the place for the picturesque cremation site, as his admirers showered petals and hailed Vajpayee. A giant portrait of him adorned the side of the military vehicle. Personnel from the three services -- Army, Air Force, Navy -- moved in the vanguard of the carriage. Chants of 'Atal Bihari Amar Rahe' rent the air, even as a man blew a conch ('shankh') as the procession began. Hordes of people ran along on the other side of the Deendayal Upadhaya Marg and jostled to take pictures as the cortege made its way forward. Modi, Shah and Chauhan walked behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains of the former prime minister from the BJP headquarters to Smriti Sthal. Amid sultry weather conditions, a large number of people walked along the over seven km-long route. Heavy security was deployed along the route of the procession. The crowd was so massive that the people spilled over makeshift barricades put along the road-divider and jostled to get a glimpse of the former prime minister. Along the way, few shopkeepers, downed shutter as the carriage passed by while many onlookers folded their hands in a mark of respect. Mourners walked and ran along the procession as it moved on, chanting slogans like 'Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega', punctuated by patriotic cheers of 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. At the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to flames in the evening, as the sun set on the life of the poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness. Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of 'Atal Bihari Amar Rahe' reverberated in the air. PTI KND JTR KND KJ KJ Challenge Mahadayi river tribunal verdict in SC: Goa Congress Panaji, Aug 17 (PTI) The Congress has asked the BJP- led government in Goa to challenge in the Supreme Court a tribual's verdict on sharing the Mahadayi river water with neighbouring states. Parting away with water of the Mahadayi river ((known as Mandovi in Goa) will have a "long-term impact" on Goa, the main opposition party has said. The Mahadayi River Water Tribunal (WRWT) on August 14 ruled that Karnataka will get 13.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the river, while Goa and Maharashtra will be allowed to use 24 TMC and 1.33 TMC of water, respectively. The BJP-led government should challenge the verdict (award) of the MRWT in the the Supreme Court, Goa Congress spokesman Yatish Naik said at a press conference here yesterday. Naik accused the Manohar Parrikar government of "miserably failing" to protect Goa's interest before the tribunal. Soon after the verdict, the Goa government had claimed it was a victory for the state. "The Goa government had approached the tribunal with a plea that Karnataka should not be allowed to divert water from the Mahadayi basin. "However, the tribunal, through its verdict, allowed Karnataka to utilise 13.42 TMC of water as against their demand of 36.5 TMC," the Congress leader said. "On the other hand, Goa had demanded 122 TMC of water, but the tribunal allowed it to use only 24 TMC of water. The tribunal's award is completely against the contentions of the state government and Goa can't claim victory," Naik added. He said in all 92 villages are located around the Mahadayi river basin, having a cultivable land of 91,072 hectares, and the verdict will have a far reaching long-term impact on the state. "We, therefore, demand that the state government challenge the award of the tribunal before the Supreme Court without any delay so as to ensure justice is done to Goa," Naik said. The three states had been for decades locked in a dispute over sharing of water of the Mahadayi river, which originates in Belagavi in Karnataka. PTI RPS RSY RSY RSY RYS RYS RYS AI,AI Express to operate Kochi flights from T'puram, Kozhikode (Eds: Updating with AI Express new schedule & penalty waiver) Mumbai, Aug 17 (PTI) National carrier Air India and its low-cost arm Air India Express, today said their flights scheduled to depart from the Kochi airport, which has been shut down till August 26 due to floods, will operate from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. While Air India said the new schedule, from Thiruvananthapuram, is for the August 18-20 period, AI Express said the new schedule will be effective till August 26, and the flights will depart from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. The rescheduled flights for Air India are AI 933 to Dubai, AI 047 to New Delhi, AI 682 to Mumbai, AI 511 to New Delhi and AI 510 to Chennai, a release said. Kochi-based Air India Express operates seven daily flights to the Middle East from the now-flooded airport. Of these, five services connecting Muscat, Salalah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha will be operated from Thiruvananthapuram, while those to Sharjah and Bahrain will be from Kozhikode airport in the north. AI Express also announced waiver of all penalties for modifications/cancellations/no-show/sector change, along with full refund for cancellations. This facility will be applicable to all flights to and from all the Kerala airports till August 26. The airline deploys 60 per cent of its total capacity from the state. Against this, most private carriers have altogether cancelled their services to the commercial capital of Kerala, which is also the seventh busiest airport in the country, despite the government asking them to divert the flights to Thiruvanathapuram or Kozhikode. Kerala is facing the worst rain fury and deluge in a century with 13 of the state's 14 districts under a red alert for the fifth day today. Floods and landslides have already taken the lives of over 247 people, where 2.11 lakh people in 14 districts have been badly hit by the rains and floods and over 32,500 hectares of crops damaged, according to the home ministry's National Emergency Response Centre. PTI BEN IAS BEN SS SS SS RDS RDS RDS Five-year-old rescued; one held for kidnapping Mumbai, Aug 17 (PTI) Police have rescued a five-year-old boy and arrested a man who had allegedly kidnapped him in the western suburb of Sakinaka here. Akram Khan (19), a juice-seller, has been arrested in the case, said senior inspector Kishor Sawant of Sakinaka police station. According to police, Khan, who knew the boy's family, visited them yesterday afternoon. He asked the boy's mother to make tea, and asked the boy to go out and buy biscuits. When the boy stepped out of the house, Khan's girlfriend, who is 16 years old, allegedly abducted him. As the boy did not return, the family started searching for him in the neighbourhood. Khan told the family that he will search for the child in another area and left the house. In the afternoon, the boy's father Shakir Ali Suleman Shaikh received a call from an unidentified person who demanded a ransom of Rs 1 lakh to release him. Police tracked down the location of the caller and traced it to Khan who was in Jarimari area of Sakinaka. He was arrested. Khan revealed that the boy was with his girlfriend, following which the child was rescued immediately, inspector Sawant said. Khan's girlfriend, being a minor, was apprehended under the Juvenile Justice Act. Khan allegedly told police that he hatched the kidnapping plan as he had to repay a loan and needed money. Further probe is underway, the police officer said. PTI DC KRK KRK KRK RDS RDS RDS New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) A satellite mobile phone was seized from a 35-year-old Italian national during security check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, a police official said today. CISF personnel detected the satellite phone in the hand baggage of a passenger identified as Luca De Giorgi at the security hold area of Terminal-3 (T3) of the airport, he said. The passenger was supposed to travel to Amsterdam, the official said, adding that he was later offloaded and handed over to the Delhi Police. The seized satellite mobile phone will be presented in the court and further legal action will be taken, the official added. PTI AMP SNE SNE New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Two men, who had claimed responsibility for the attack on JNU student leader Umar Khalid and said that they would surrender in a village in Punjab, did not turn up today, police said. A team of Delhi Police's Special Cell visited the village of Sikh revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha where the duo, Darwesh Shahpur and Naveen Dalal, had said they would surrender. A senior police officer said the two did not turn up there and have not been seen in their native village Jhajjar in Haryana for the past few days. In a video uploaded on Facebook on August 15, the duo claimed the attack on Khalid was supposed to be an "Independence Day gift" to the citizens. Police are verifying the authenticity of the video and trying to trace the IP address from where it was uploaded. "We respect our Constitution. But there is no provision in our Constitution to punish mad dogs. By mad dogs, we mean the JNU gang that is making the country weaker and their number is increasing. Our elders in Haryana have taught us that such people should be taught a lesson," Shahpur had said in the video message. The duo also requested the police to not trouble anyone and said they would surrender at the village of Sikh revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha on August 17. Khalid was attacked on Monday when he was on his way to take part in an event at the Constitution Club here. He, however, escaped unhurt. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police handed over the case to its Special Cell, which incidentally is already probing a sedition case against Khalid and two other JNU students. The police had also said that they were not "intimated" about Monday's event attended by Khalid. A police officer, privy to the probe, said the police had seized the weapon used in the crime and preliminary forensic examination suggested that the pistol had jammed when it was used against Khalid. He said they were yet to ascertain whether shots were fired as no empty cartridges were found at the spot. A case of attempt to murder has been registered by police in the incident. PTI SLB SRY SRY 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. 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.. The following companies are subsidiares of HP: 3Com, 3PAR, ABB CADE, AOME Holdings Ltd., Alpha Holding One B.V., Alpha Holding Two B.V., Anatolus Holding B.V., Antila Holding B.V., Apogee, Apogee Corp, Apollo Computer, AppIQ, Applied Optoelectronic Tech, Aptitude Management Consulting W.L.L., Aquarius Holding S.C.A., ArcSight, Arteis, Artivision Technologies, Aruba Networks, Atos Origin, Atos Origin Middle East group, Aurasma Limited, Autonomy Corporation, Avantek, BT & D Technologies, Bitfone Corporation, Bluestone Software, Boonton Radio, Bristol Technology Inc., Bromium, CEC Europe Service Management, CGNZ, CaLan, Caleum Holding B.V., Callisto Holding B.V., Colorado Memory Systems, Colubris Networks, Colubris Networks, Columba Holding B.V., Compaq Cayman Holdings Company, Compaq Cayman Holdings General Partnership II, Compaq Cayman Islands Vision Company, Compaq Information Technologies, Compaq Information Technologies LLC, Computer Insurance Company, Computing and Printing Global Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Professional Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Consera Software, ConteXtream Inc, Convex Computer, Crater Holding B.V., David Vision Systems GmbH, Dazel, Division, Dorado Holding B.V., EDS (Electronic Data Systems), EEsof, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, Elara Holding B.V., ElseWare, Eon Systems, Eucalyptus Systems, Eunomia Holding B.V., ExcellerateHRO, Exstream Software, Extreme Logic, F&M Scientific Corporation, F.L. Moseley Company, Flame Holding B.V., Fortify Software, Four Pi Systems, Gram Global Operations Limited, Gram Inc., HP Austria GmbH, HP Belgium BVBA, HP Bermuda Holding One L.P., HP Bilgisayar ve Bask Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, HP Bilgisayar ve Bask Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi Ankara Subesi, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 01 (Tambore), HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 2 (Sorocaba), HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 3 (Porto Alegre), HP Canada Co., HP China Holding B.V., HP Colombia SAS, HP Computing and Printing Middle East FZ-LLC, HP Computing and Printing Nigeria Ltd, HP Computing and Printing Systems India Private Limited, HP Computing and Printing d.o.o. (Beograd), HP Computing and Printing d.o.o. (Zagreb), HP Deutschland GmbH, HP Deutschland Holding GmbH, HP Europe B.V. Regional Dubai Branch, HP Europe BV Amsterdam Meyrin Branch, HP Finland Oy, HP France Holding SAS, HP France SAS, HP France SAS Bahrain Branch, HP Global Trading B.V., HP Global Trading B.V. Kazakhstan Branch, HP Hewlett Packard Group LLC, HP Holdgate Co., HP Inc (Thailand) Ltd., HP Inc AP Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Argentina S.R.L., HP Inc Bulgaria EOOD, HP Inc Chile Comercial Limitada, HP Inc Costa Rica Limitada, HP Inc Czech Republic s.r.o., HP Inc Danmark ApS, HP Inc Gulf, HP Inc Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Magyarorszag Kft., HP Inc Polska sp. z o.o., HP Inc Romania SRL, HP Inc Slovakia s.r.o., HP Inc Tunisie SARL, HP Inc UK Holding Limited, HP Inc UK Limited, HP Inc. Peru SRL, HP Information Technology R & D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., HP International Sarl, HP International Sarl (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, HP International Trading B.V., HP International Trading B.V. (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, HP Italy Holding S.r.l., HP Italy S.r.l., HP Japan Inc., HP Korea Inc., HP Luxembourg S.C.A., HP Nederland B.V., HP New Zealand, HP Norge AS, HP PPS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Australia Pty Ltd, HP PPS Costa Rica Limitada, HP PPS India Operations Private Limited, HP PPS Israel Ltd, HP PPS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Maroc SARL, HP PPS Multimedia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Philippines Inc., HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Services India Private Limited, HP PPS Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Sverige AB, HP Pakistan (Private) Limited, HP Panama S. de R.L., HP Printing and Computing Solutions S.L.U., HP Printing and Personal Systems Hellas EPE, HP Production Company Limited, HP Puerto Rico LLC, HP Schweiz GmbH, HP Solutions Creation and Development Services S.L.U., HP South Africa Proprietary Limited, HP Taiwan Information Technology Ltd., HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Chengdu Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Nanjing Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, HP Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Dalian Branch, HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Zhangjiang Branch, HP WebOS LLC, HP-PPS Ecuador Cia. Ltda, HPCP-Computing and Printing Portugal Unipessoal Lda., HPI Bermuda Holdings LLC, HPI Brazil Holdings LLC, HPI CCHGPII LLC, HPI CCHGPII Sub LLC, HPI Federal LLC, HPI J1 Holdings LLC, HPI J2 Holdings LLC, HPI Luxembourg LLC, HPQ Holdings LLC, Hadar Holding B.V., Handspring Corporation, Heartstream, Hewlett Packard Distribution Center Panama S. de R.L, Hewlett-Packard (Chongqing) Co. Ltd, Hewlett-Packard (Chongqing) Manufacturing Export Procurement and Settlement Co. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Japan NK) Holdings C.V., Hewlett-Packard Angola Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Arabia LLC, Hewlett-Packard Cambridge B.V., Hewlett-Packard Company Archives LLC, Hewlett-Packard Copenhagen B.V., Hewlett-Packard Danube B.V., Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Hewlett-Packard Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Europe BVAbu Dhabi Branch, Hewlett-Packard G.K., Hewlett-Packard Global Holdings B.V., Hewlett-Packard Global Investments B.V., Hewlett-Packard India Sales Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V., Hewlett-Packard Indigo Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Solutions Europe BVBA, Hewlett-Packard International Pte Ltd, Hewlett-Packard International Pte Ltd Taiwan Branch, Hewlett-Packard Ireland (Holdings) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Ireland 1 Limited, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Limited, Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd, Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd. Qatar Branch, Hewlett-Packard Lisbon B.V., Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC Libya Branch, Hewlett-Packard Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard Mercator B.V., Hewlett-Packard Munich B.V., Hewlett-Packard Products B.V., Hewlett-Packard Products C.V., Hewlett-Packard Products CV 1 LLC, Hewlett-Packard Products CV 2 LLC, Hewlett-Packard Services Saudi Arabia Company, Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Private) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sunnyvale B.V., Hewlett-Packard Vietnam Ltd., Hewlett-Packard West Indies Limited, Hewlett-Packard World Trade LLC, Hiflex Software, HyperX, IBRIX, IndiGo, Indigo America Inc., Kale Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V. (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, Knightsbridge Solutions, Lefthand Networks, Limited Liability Company HP Inc, Logoworks, Lyra Holding B.V., MacDermid ColorSpan, ManageOne, Melodeo, Mensa Holding B.V., Mercury Interactive, Metrix Network Systems, NUR Macroprinters, Neoware, Nihon HP Nin-I Kumiai, Novadigm, NuView ManageX, Nur do Brasil Ltda, OOO "Hewlett-Packard RUS", Opelin, Opelin, Open Skies, Opsware, Opsware, Optimization Systems, Optotech, OuterBay Technologies, OuterBay Technologies, PERSIST Technologies, PFE Investments Ltd., PIXACO, PROLIN, PT Hewlett-Packard Indonesia, Palm, Palm, Palm Asia Pacific Limited Taiwan Branch, Palm Comercio de Aparelhos Eletronicos Ltda., Palm Europe Limited, Palm Global Operations Limited, Palm Inc., Palm Ireland Investment, Palm Latin America Inc., Palm South America LLC, Palm Trademark Holding Company LLC, Pearl Holding Cooperatief U.A., Peregrine Systems, Perseus Holding B.V., Phoenix Holding L.P., PipeBeach, Polaris Holding One L.P., Polaris Holding Two L.P., PolyServe, Propus Holding B.V., Qosnetics, Quartz Holding Co, RLX Technologies, Regor Holding B.V., SPI Dynamics, Samsung Printing Solutions, Scitex, Scitex Vision, Scope Communications, Scorpius Holding B.V., Security Force Software, Shoreline Investment Management Company, Shunra Software, Shunra Software, Silverwire Holding, Snapfish, StorageApps, Stratavia, Synstar, Tabblo, Talking Blocks, Tall Tree Insurance Company, Techink International Pte. Ltd., Technology Partners, Telegra, The Technology Partners, Tourmaline Holding B.V., Tower Software, Tower Software Engineering Pty Ltd, Transoft Networks, Trellis Software & Controls, Triaton, Trinagy, TruLogica, Trustgenix, Turquoise Holding L.P., VeriFone, Verifone, Versatest, Vertica Systems, Vesta Holding B.V., Vital Technology Pte Ltd, Voltage Security, VoodooPC, and ZAO Hewlett-Packard A.O.. The Jarmuls prepared financially for a few years before they joined the Peace Corps. David stayed in his job long enough to qualify for the retirement health plan, which they'll use now that they've returned. They also accelerated their monthly mortgage payments before they left so they could pay off their house, which they rented out while they were gone. Rensselaer The New York Naval Militia practice loading a vehicle on board its new landing craft on the Hudson River on Friday. According to a press release from the state: The bow of the LC "Landing Craft" 350 vessel is a ramp that can be dropped to give people or vehicles access to the shore. The boat, built by William E. Munson Co. of Burlington, Wash., cost approximately $317,000. Three-quarters of that cost was paid through a 2016 federal grant for port security. The boat can also be transported on a trailer to any location in the state when needed. It was bought the result of lessons learned during the New York Naval Militia's response following Superstorm Sandy in New York City and Long Island. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The 35-foot vessel weighs 15,000 pounds and has a draft of 30 inches, which allows it to work close to shore. The crew of three can beach the boat at unimproved landing sites to load or off-load people, vehicles or supplies over the bow ramp to otherwise inaccessible locations. The Naval Militia's Military Emergency Boat Service, known as MEBS, operates nine other watercraft and responds to state emergencies, helps law enforcement agencies and supports the Coast Guard. The State Police are in the initial stages of purchasing other Munson Boat landing crafts. ALBANY A female attorney who was demoted and later fired from her job as a law clerk after accusing an acting state Supreme Court justice of sexual harassment filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing New Yorks top judicial officials of ignoring her complaints and condoning a widespread culture of silence and retaliation. The 118-page complaint alleging civil rights violations, including retaliation and harassment, was filed in U.S. District Court against the Manhattan judge she accused of harassment, acting state Supreme Court Justice Douglas Hoffman, and 16 other officials, including the states chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, and the states chief judge, Janet DiFiore. The female attorney, Alexis Marquez, alleges that multiple officials within the Office of Court Administration, including Marks, failed to address her 11-page complaint that she filed against Hoffman last fall. The lawsuit also claims the state court system has no process for investigating sexual harassment by judges. The complaint further accuses Marks of deleting approximately half of the court systems statewide sexual harassment policy last December, about nine days after Marquez filed her complaint alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation by Hoffman. Anthony Vassilev, Marquez's attorney, said OCA's response to the lawsuit "is emblematic of the court system's approach toward its own policies ... (which) are meaningless and broken right now and hopefully this lawsuit can help address that in some way." He filed a 776-paragraph complaint that outlined his client's allegations of retribution and also assailed the state court system for its hiring practices and failure to update and implement meaningful sexual harassment policies. The timing of Marks' decision to abruptly adjust the Office of Court Administration's sexual harassment policy is a focus of the lawsuit. All of the revisions to the court systems sexual harassment policy were related either to the substance of plaintiffs complaints or to the manner in which plaintiff reported or pursued her complaints, the federal lawsuit states. It accuses Marks of revising the policy in response to Marquezs formal complaint and alleges that he made the deletions in secret and without authorization. "It remains the court systems policy not to comment on pending lawsuits no matter how frivolous, poorly crafted or nonsensical," said Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration. "Our updating of the court system's sexual harassment policy had nothing to do with these allegations." The lawsuit alleges the Office of Court Administrations inspector generals office, which operates largely in secret, has been compromised and misused to conduct politically motivated investigations to shield administrators from complaints. The portions of the harassment policy that were deleted included detailed explanations on how to address sexual harassment, communicate with an accused person and document the steps taken to stop the alleged harassment. A large section on retaliation was also removed, including that it is "absolutely forbidden." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Marquez is a Fordham Law School graduate who had previously worked as a law clerk to state Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla, who is also named as a defendant in the case. Marquez's lawsuit said the alleged harassment by Hoffman began almost immediately after she started work as his law clerk on Sept. 13. She said Hoffman told her stories about past, unrelated cases involving sexual relationships and extramarital sex, including a story about a porn-star couple, and another story about a couple who had mutually agreed to engage in extramarital affairs. She said he once asked her to imagine you and I are married and suggested she have lunch alone with him in their office and to walk him to his car each day after work. She alleges Hoffman also would ask her to be physically closer to him and to remove her suit jacket and put it in his personal closet. She said he became angry when she declined to remove her coat. Hoffman exhibited an obsessive need to speak to plaintiff, get her attention, cause her to laugh, and obtain her approval, the lawsuit states. This was so persistent that, when Hoffman and plaintiff were in chambers together, Hoffman seemed incapable of leaving plaintiff alone. The federal complaint alleges DiFiore, who also serves as chief judge of the Court of Appeals, condoned the alleged misconduct of Marks and other top officials in the state court system by not intervening. Marquez said DiFiore did not respond to her complaints and communications, and that the chief judge allegedly relayed a message to her that the only appropriate forum to discuss the agency's sexual harassment policy was in court. TROY City detectives are investigating a complaint filed by the Democratic candidate for Rensselaer County district attorney that claims a party committeeman filed a Working Families Party petition with three allegedly fraudulent signatures. The case was assigned in the detective bureau and the investigation has started, Assistant Police Chief Daniel DeWolf said. Details about the progress of the investigation were not available. Democratic candidate Mary Pat Donnelly, a former East Greenbush town justice, filed the complaint against Democratic Committeeman Anthony Isopo of Lansingburgh in late July with the city police department. I had hired a private investigator who conducted an investigation immediately after I found out about the fraud," Donnelly said Friday. Donnelly said she followed the recommendation of the investigator that, based on his findings, she should go to the Troy Police Department. She has not yet heard from Troy detectives about their findings. Donnelly is running to unseat Republican incumbent District Attorney Joel E. Abelove of Rensselaer, who is seeking a second four-year term. Donnelly, an Independence Party member, and Abelove are both on the Sept. 13 Independence Party primary ballot. Republican County Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield said Friday the county Board of Elections turned over copies of Democratic and Working Families Party petitions to detectives. Schofield said since handing over the petitions, he has not heard anything from investigators. Schofield said the board has not yet met on the complaint regarding the petitions submitted by Isopo. The petitions had five signatures. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Isopo also submitted a similar nominating petition for Democratic candidate Carole Claren-Weaver, who is running for a seat on the County Legislature. Claren-Weaver, the former Troy Democratic Committee chairwoman, will face County Legislator Kim Ashe-McPherson, C-Troy, in the Working Families Party primary. Ashe-McPherson, a former city councilwoman, was appointed earlier this year to fill the vacancy created by the death of County Legislator Edward Manny, D-Troy. Its not going to change anything, Schofield said the impact of the three signatures on any party petitions. County Republicans and Democrats are aware of the identities of voters in the minor parties, many of whom have ties to the two main parties. The Democrats and Republicans usually battle in every primary to secure the additional minor party lines to gain marginal advantage in the November elections. The issue of fraudulent signatures recalls the 2009 Working Families Party primary, in which scores of voter signatures were forged on absentee ballots for Democratic candidates in Troy. To be or not to be a socialist hellhole, that is the question. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Last weekend, Trish Regan, a Fox Business host, created a bit of an international incident by describing Denmark as an example of the horrors of socialism, right along with Venezuela. Denmark's finance minister suggested that she visit his country and learn some facts. Indeed, Regan couldn't have picked a worse example or, from the point of view of U.S. progressives, a better one. For Denmark has indeed taken a very different path from the United States over the past few decades, veering (modestly) to the left where we've veered right. And it has done just fine. American politics has been dominated by a crusade against big government; Denmark has embraced an expansive government role, with public spending more than half of GDP. American politicians fear talk about redistribution of income from the rich to the less well-off; Denmark engages in such redistribution on a scale unimaginable here. American policy has been increasingly hostile to organized labor, and unions have virtually disappeared from the private sector; two-thirds of Danish workers are unionized. Conservative ideology says that Denmark's policy choices should be disastrous, that grass should be growing in the streets of Copenhagen. Regan was, in effect, describing what her employers think must be happening there. But if Denmark is a hellhole, it's doing a very good job of hiding that fact: I was just there, and it looks awfully prosperous. And the data agree with that impression. Danes are more likely to have jobs than Americans, and in many cases they earn substantially more. Overall GDP per capita in Denmark is a bit lower than in America, but that's basically because the Danes take more vacations. Income inequality is much lower, and life expectancy is higher. The simple fact is that life is better for most Danes than it is for their U.S. counterparts. There's a reason Denmark consistently ranks well ahead of America in measures of happiness and life satisfaction. But is Denmark socialist? The libertarian Cato Institute says no: "Denmark has quite a free-market economy, apart from its welfare state transfers and high government consumption." That's some qualification. It's true that Denmark doesn't at all fit the classic definition of socialism, which involves government ownership of the means of production. It is, instead, social-democratic: a market economy where the downsides of capitalism are mitigated by government action, including a very strong social safety net. But U.S. conservatives like Fox's Regan continually and systematically blur the distinction between social democracy and socialism. In 2008, John McCain accused Barack Obama of wanting socialism, basically because Obama called for an expansion of health coverage. In 2012, Mitt Romney declared that Obama got his ideas from "socialist democrats in Europe." In other words, in American political discourse, anyone who wants to make life in a market economy less nasty, brutish and short gets denounced as a socialist. And this smear campaign has had a predictable effect: Sooner or later, if you call any attempt to improve American lives "socialism," a lot of people will conclude that socialism is OK. A recent Gallup poll found that majorities both of young voters and of self-identified Democrats prefer socialism to capitalism. But this doesn't mean that tens of millions of Americans want the government to seize the economy's commanding heights. It just means that many people, told that wanting America to be a bit more like Denmark is socialist, end up believing that socialism isn't so bad, after all. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The same may be said for some Democratic politicians. Much has been made of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, not just because of her upset primary victory, but because she's a self-proclaimed socialist. Her platform, however, isn't socialist at all by the traditional definition. It's just unabashedly social-democratic. And that puts her in line with the rest of her party. Whenever I read articles questioning what Democrats stand for, I wonder if the writers are paying any attention to what candidates are saying about policy. For today's Democratic Party is actually impressively unified around social-democratic goals, far more so than in the past. True, there are differences over both policy and rhetorical strategy. Should the push for universal health coverage involve Medicare for all, or simply the right for everyone to buy into an enhanced Medicare program? Should Democrats simply ignore Republican slander of their social-democratic ideas, or should they try to turn the "socialist" smear into a badge of honor? But these aren't very deep divisions, certainly nothing like the divisions between liberals and centrists that wracked the party a couple of decades ago. The simple fact is that there is far more misery in America than there needs to be. Every other advanced country has universal health care and a much stronger social safety net than we do. And it doesn't have to be that way. Paul Krugman is a New York Times columnist. Saratoga Springs On a quiet sunny Saratoga morning, Rodolphe Brisset stood outside the stall of a curious 3-year-old filly named Talk Veuve to Me. The dark brown horse poked her head out of her enclosure looking well, begging might be the better word for a peppermint. "I don't have any," Brisset said with a laugh as the horse continued to sniff and search. Finally, a visitor came through with the candy and Talk Veuve to Me was happy. And keeping her happy has been the priority for the Brisset barn ever since the Saratoga meet opened on July 20. Talk Veuve to Me is Brisset's big horse and the big horse is running Saturday in the Grade I, $600,000 Alabama, the premier race of the Spa season for 3-year-old fillies. Talk Veuve to Me is the 5-2 second choice on the Alabama morning line, trailing only Midnight Bisou at 7-5. A win in the Alabama would be the biggest of Brisset's short training career, which started a year ago last April. And a win would likely mean a heavy dose of champagne. "That's for sure," Brisset said. And he laughed some more. Explanation please. That's because Talk Veuve to Me is all about champagne. Brisset, who is a former jockey from France, says there is a French champagne called Veuve Clicquot. "In America, it is a very well-known champagne," Brisset said. "We call her Talk Veuve to Me. That means talk champagne to me. It was a group of friends, and we picked that name." It was Brisset who picked out the filly, who is a daughter of Violence. Brisset was still an assistant trainer and exercise rider for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott when he and his wife, Brooke Baker, took a shot and bought Talk to Me Veuve for $60,000 at a private sale just before he went out on his own. "We liked the way she was acting," Brisset said. "You could see there was something about her." Since Brisset was still working for Mott, he didn't have any stall to put Talk Veuve to Me in. So, he asked the consigner to keep the filly for three weeks. Once he broke away from Mott, after an 11-year run, he had his first horse. And, three weeks after he bought her, he had his first barn at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Ky. "She's special," Brisset said when asked if there was a soft spot in his heart for the filly. She can also run. Talk Veuve to Me has won two of five career starts and has been second in the other three. In her latest start, she won the Grade III Indiana Oaks at 11/16 miles on July 14. In the start before that, she was second, beaten two lengths by Monomoy Girl in the Grade I 1-mile Acorn at Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes Day. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. And now comes the biggest test of all. None of the eight fillies entered in the Alabama have ever run at the 11/4-mile distance. All of the trainers and owners of the horses in this race are hopeful that their horses will not have any trouble with the distance. Brisset is no exception. "We don't know how it's going to go, but we like our chances," Brisset said. Brisset gets on Talk Veuve to Me every morning for her exercise. He said that the filly is one of the smartest horses he has ever been around. "She's got a pretty big brain," said Brisset, who has eight horses with him at the Spa, 20 more at Keeneland and six others stabled at Churchill Downs. "She knows when she breezes; she knows exactly where the half-mile pole is. You don't have to do too much. You just sit there and she picks up the pace and she knows what she has to do. It's pretty amazing." If Brisset were to win the Alabama, it would be the biggest win of his career. It would trump the Tampa Bay Derby which was won by Quip earlier this year. Talk Veuve to Me will be ridden by fellow Frenchman Julien Leparoux. "Ah, it would mean everything to win it," Brisset said. "She's my favorite horse in the barn!" twilkin@timesunion.com 518-454-5415 @tjwilkin A Thurles author has published the first volume in her historical fiction series, with five more books planned in the series. Susie Murphy is known locally as Susan Bourke. She attended the Ursuline Secondary School from 1999 to 2005 and returned there in 2009 to become a piano teacher at St Angelas Academy of Music, where she has continued to teach for the past nine years. Susie has kept a writers blog on www.susiemurphywrites.com since April 2013. On 10th July 2018, she published her first novel, 'A Class Apart'. An historical fiction set in Ireland in 1828, it follows heiress Bridget and stable hand Cormac who are on opposite sides of the class divide and because of that, society says they shouldnt fall in love. 'A beautifully written historical novel with characters who linger long after the last page is turnedI look forward to reading more from this bright new voice in historical fiction.' - Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home. 'A Class Apart' is available to purchase on Amazon, and also in Bookworm on Liberty Square and Easons in Thurles Shopping Centre. 'A Class Apart' is the first volume in Susies historical fiction series 'A Matter of Class'. There are five more books planned in the series, with the next instalment due for publication in 2019. For more details, visit www.susiemurphywrites.com. 'A Class Apart' is set in 1828, with Ireland in turmoil as Irish tenants protest against their upper-class English landlords. Nineteen-year-old Bridget Muldowney is thrilled to return to the estate in Carlow shell inherit when she comes of age. But since she left for Dublin seven years earlier, the tomboy has become a refined young lady, engaged to be married to a dashing English gentleman. Cormac McGovern, now a stable hand on the estate, has missed his childhood friend. He and Bridget had once been thick as thieves, running wild around the countryside together. When Bridget and Cormac meet again their friendship begins to rekindle, but its different now that they are adults. Bridgets overbearing mother, determined to enforce the employer-servant boundaries, conspires with Bridgets fiance to keep the pair apart. With the odds stacked against them, can Bridget and Cormacs childhood attachment blossom into something more? The creative work of the pupils of Newtown National School in Solohead, Co. Tipperary will go on display as part of National Heritage Week in Limerick City from Saturday, 18th to Saturday 25th August. Hosted by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), Making Places is a public showcase of the work from the DCCoI primary schools progamme CRAFTed, and will include that of pupils from Newtown N.S. in Solohead who worked with silversmith Marie-Therese Walker. The showcase will open in Narrative4, Limerick City on Saturday, 18th August with drop-in activities taking place from 12 noon to 4pm on that day. The showcase itself will run at the venue each day until Saturday, 25th August. As part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH), schools across Ireland who took part in the CRAFTed programme had the option to respond to the theme, Making Places: Sharing Heritage. The work of 24 primary schools from across Ireland, from Ballyshannon in Donegal down to Bere Island in West Cork, will form the basis for a showcase of creativity and young craftsmanship. The pieces produced explore heritage, craft skills and stories.CRAFTed is DCCoIs national primary school programme which is run in partnership with the Association of Teachers/Education Centres in Ireland (ATECI). The programme aims to provide skills for life through positive, collaborative and joyful engagement with craft and design processes. Narrative4 is located in the old Limerick library building at 58 OConnell Street, a fitting venue as the theme for Heritage Week 2018 is Sharing Stories. A number of events will take place in the space for the duration of the week, including an object story exchange led by Narrative4, and craft- and design-based workshops with local makers ceramic artist Mary Conroy and silversmith Fergus Grant Stevenson. These workshops embrace discovery, creativity and experimentation. All events are free of charge. Speaking about the event, John Tynan, Head of Education, Training & Development at DCCoI, commented: We are very excited to showcase the work produced on our primary schools programme CRAFTed. The creativity and imagination of the pupils who took part is truly inspiring and we hope that many people will get the opportunity to visit the showcase and take part in our workshops. Heritage Week is a great opportunity to try new things, find out more about Irelands heritage and make connections with new people and stories. DCCoI is also delighted to be partnering on this showcase with Narrative4. Coordinated by The Heritage Council, National Heritage Week runs from 18th to 26th August when over 570,000 people are expected to participate in over 2,000 heritage events around the country. One of the highlights of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, this years Heritage Week will also include many activities which explore and celebrate connections with our European neighbours and promote a sense of belonging to a common European space. For a full listing of all National Heritage Week events around the country, visit www.heritageweek.ie [August 16, 2018] TAL EDUCATION 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 TAL Education Group - TAL ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have only until August 17, 2018 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL). Investor losses must relate to purchases of the Company's securities between April 26, 2018 and June 13, 2018. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Get Help TAL Education investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-tal-education-group-securities-litigation or call to speak to our claim center toll-free at (844) 367-9658. About the Lawsuit On June 13, 2018, a report by Muddy Waters Research alleged a wide range of illicit activity by TAL, including that it "has been fraudulently overstating its profits since at least FY2016," and that "TAL combines the old school China fraud playbook of simply penciling in more favorable numbers with the more sophisticated asset parking fraud of Enron." On this news, the price of TAL's shares plummeted. 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/20180816005689/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Trina Solar secures US$30 million credit facility from VietinBank CHANGZHOU, China, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar (Vietnam) Science & Technology Co., Ltd. recently signed a comprehensive bank-enterprise cooperation agreement and a credit facility agreement with VietinBank Bac Giang Branch in the province of Bac Giang, Vietnam. The US$30 million credit will be primarily used to fund and finance the production and operation of Trina Solar's plant in Vietnam. It is VietinBank's first credit facility provided to a Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) company, reflecting the Vietnamese market's confidence in Trina Solar. Trina Solar (Vietnam) Science & Technology Co., Ltd. General Manager Tong Bin and VietinBank Bac Giang Branch president He Chunchang signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. VietinBank Head Office deputy General Manager and Executive Director Tran Minh Binh said, "We have witnessed Trina Solar plant's entire development journey from starting construction to going into mass production in Bac Giang. We atboth the head office and the Bac Giang branch are confident in the partnership with Trina Solar, which is renowned for its operational efficiency and brand excellence. With the favorable new energy policies enacted by Vietnamese government, we have reasons to believe that Trina Solar will be a great success in Vietnam." Founded in 1988, VietinBank was listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange in July 2009 and is one of Vietnam's four largest commercial banks. VietinBank ranks 13th on the VNR500 (Top 500) list. Trina Solar Treasury Director Tian Hong added that Trina Solar will continue to increase its investment in Vietnam and extend the partnership with VietinBank to include investment in local downstream power stations and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, with the aim of taking the partnership to the next level. Trina Solar is one of the first Chinese firms to invest in Vietnam's PV industry. The solar PV cell plant, in which Trina Solar is the controlling shareholder, went into operation at Van Trung Industrial Park in Bac Giang in early 2017. The plant at that time became the largest solar PV cell manufacturing facility with a single-site capacity exceeding 1GW in the country. About Trina Solar As a leading global solar energy total solutions provider, Trina Solar is committed to becoming a worldwide leader in the world of energy IoT (internet of things). As of the end of 2017, Trina Solar's module shipments had exceeded 32GW, ranking first in the world. The company leverages smart applications to develop and roll out extensive proprietary energy solutions, including smart modules, energy storage systems, smart systems and smart operation and maintenance services. Trina Solar also provides its customers with one-stop system integration solutions encompassing project development, financing, design, construction, management and maintenance. SOURCE Trina Solar Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] This serves a purpose: it makes Lowe a relatively safe go-to stop on an artists promotional campaign, a handy trait when your radio station is part of a modern music store. Nicki Minaj, then gearing up for the release of her album Queen, unveiled her return on Lowes show, where she appeared this spring to showcase two new songs. Thus, Lowe appears to view his role less as a cultural tastemaker like the disc jockeys of yore and more as a partner to labels and artists. [August 17, 2018] Genesis Group Completes Strategic Upgrade by Launching First Deep Incubation Project "Blockcloud" Genesis Group Strategic Upgrade Press Conference & 1st Blockcloud Appreciation Conference in China was held in Four Seasons Hotel Beijing on August 16, 2018, gathering cooperation agencies, media and big shots in this industry. Genesis Group, the leading investment agency in the field of Blockchain, has fulfilled the comprehensive upgrade from single investment to digital fund, deep incubation as well as Investment Banks. "In this depressed market, money investment alone is bound to be knocked out. Investment agencies need to provide mother-like support including operating mode, service and resources," Feng Chi, CEO of Genesis Group, interpreted this upgrade at this conference. As Genesis Group's firs deep incubation project, Blockcloud has a world-class team composed of scientists from top research institutes such as Princeton, Tsinghua University and Tokyo University and partners such as Morgan Stanley, BAT and Huawei (News - Alert) . This advantage in research will help the team optimize TCP/IP for the current network. Yet how to get through from lab to market and present the project value? These are problems Genesis Group and Blockcloud shall face together. Fortunately, with strengths in their respective fields and their joint efforts, Blockcloud was highly recognized worldwide and is ranked top 5 on the global project assessment list. As its CEO Ming Zhongxing introduced at this Appreciation Conference, Blockcloud has completed its private equity fund and it is much better than expected. At the end of this conference, Genesis Group expressed its determination to give more support to Blockcloud in the field of economy system, strategic plan, talent pool, community system and marketing, and thus ensuring the continuous growth of the Blockcloud. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005095/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Glance Technologies Announces Appointment of Sascha Williams as COO VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glance Technologies Inc. (Glance or the Company) (CSE:GET.CN) (CSE:GET.WT) (OTCQB:GLNNF) (FKT:GJT) today announced the appointment of Sascha Williams as Chief Operating Officer of Glance. Before the appointment, Mr. Williams served as senior advisor to the CEO. Mr. Williams is an executive leader with more than 20 years experience in global corporate management, strategic project development, and developing strategies high-growth strategies for technology startups. Mr. Williams also specializes in business scaling, operational efficiency, and the software-as-a-service space. Saschas insights will be very valuable to us, given his deep experience in senior roles with companies such as Disney, Microsoft and Electronic Arts, says Glance CEO Desmond Griffin. Mr. Williams has helped several technology companies successfully scale up and execute on their strategies. He will be a tremendous asset to Glance as we go forward with our rapid-growth strategy. Prior to joining Glance, Mr. Williams served until the end of 2017 as President and COO of Vancouver-based software developer Unbounce. I have really enjoyed working with Desmond and the talented Glance team. I am delighted to now be joining the company as COO, says Mr. Williams. The teams track record speaks for itself and the company is very well positioned to revolutionize the mobile payment space, which is incredibly exciting. Prior to Unbounce, Mr. Williams held senior management positions in Canada at The Walt Disney Company, Microsoft (BigPark), and Electronic Arts. Before that he was Chief Operating Officer of U.K.-based web developer BlueWave, helping it grow into one of the largest independent web agencies in Europe. About Glance Technologies Inc. Glance owns and operates Glance Pay, a streamlined payment system that revolutionizes how smartphone users choose where to shop, order goods and services, make payments, access digital receipts, redeem digital deals, earn great rewards & interact with merchants. lance offers targeted in-app marketing, geo-targeted digital coupons, customer feedback, in-merchant messaging and custom rewards programs. The Glance Pay mobile payment system consists of proprietary technology, which includes user apps available for free downloads in iOS (Apple) and Android formats, merchant manager apps, a large-scale technology hosting environment with sophisticated anti-fraud technology and lightning-fast payment processing. Glance has also recently purchased a blockchain solution and is working on a rewards-based cryptocurrency, the whitepaper for which can be found on the companys website. For more information about Glance, please go to www.glance.tech. For more information, contact: Paola Ashton VP Business Development 604-839-0337 investors@glancepay.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: may, "believe", thinks, "expect", exploring, expand, could, "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", plan, pursue, "potentially", projected, should, will and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. These forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to, among other things, the discussion of Glances business strategies and its expectations concerning future operations (including advancing its technological roadmap), the expectation that Glance will accelerate growth and scale, and that Glance will go forward with a rapid-growth strategy. Although Glance considers these forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among other things, risks related to expansion. The forward-looking information in this press release is also based on certain estimates, forecasts and projections, as well as expectations, beliefs and assumptions, including, among other things, that Glance will be able to achieve its business objectives, that Glance will be able to develop proprietary software to implement its plans, and that Glance will be successful in obtaining and retaining clients and licensees for its software. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this press release, see the section entitled Risk Factors in the most recent Annual Information Form and Prospectus of Glance, which may be accessed through Glance's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Glance cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Glance is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] ServiceMaster Marks Fifth Anniversary of National Employee Volunteer Event #WeCareDay Today, more than 3,000 employees from ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services, will volunteer with community organizations across the United States as part of its fifth annual We Care Day. ServiceMaster will coordinate more than 50 simultaneous volunteer projects in seven different metropolitan areas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005043/en/ "We are one of the country's largest service providers and we strongly believe in caring for the communities we serve," said Nik Varty, chief executive officer of ServiceMaster. "We serve because we care. Whether it is delivering outstanding customer service or volunteering in our communities, this commitment is just part of our DNA." We Care Day has grown significantly in its first five years, starting with just a few hundred employees in 2013 working on a dozen projects. The signature event has also been recognized by public officials and citizenship organizations as a prominent example of how corporate citizenship efforts bolster employee engagement and community support. "We Care Day is about being a part of something special. It's one of the reasons ServiceMaster is a great place to work and it's at the heart of everything we do," said Velvet Graham, senior director of events, community relations and diversity and inclusion. "We celebrate our employees' passion for serving others and their dedication to our communities across the country." The day's work is expected to deliver more than 12,000 volunteer hours in the communities where employees live and work. ServiceMaster employees will volunteer in a variety of activities, which include beautifying local neighborhoods, preparing meals for the homeless, and partnering with Make-A-Wish Mid-South to grant a child's wish to go to Disney (News - Alert) World. Local volunteer efforts include projects to support: Carroll Iowa: Department of Human Services, Family Resource Center, Opportunity Living, Family Development Center, Catholic Charities, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Operation Gratitude Department of Human Services, Family Resource Center, Opportunity Living, Family Development Center, Catholic Charities, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Operation Gratitude Dallas, Texas: Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County La Grange, Ga.: The Thread, Ault Academy, Personal Aide, Harmony House, West Georgia Hospice, Twin (News - Alert) Fountains, Active Life Center The Thread, Ault Academy, Personal Aide, Harmony House, West Georgia Hospice, Twin (News - Alert) Fountains, Active Life Center Memphis, Tenn.: American Red Cross, Clean Memphis, DeNeuville Learning Center, FedEx Family House, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, Hope House, Junior Achievement of the Mid-South, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Mid-South, Memphis River Parks Partnership, Mid-South Food Bank, MIFA, National Civil Rights Museum, Neighborhood Christian Center, Operation Gratitude, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, Salvation Army, Soulsville Charter School/Stax Academy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Su Casa, UrbanArt Commission, Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, Youth Villages American Red Cross, Clean Memphis, DeNeuville Learning Center, FedEx Family House, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, Hope House, Junior Achievement of the Mid-South, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Mid-South, Memphis River Parks Partnership, Mid-South Food Bank, MIFA, National Civil Rights Museum, Neighborhood Christian Center, Operation Gratitude, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, Salvation Army, Soulsville Charter School/Stax Academy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Su Casa, UrbanArt Commission, Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, Youth Villages Phoenix, Ariz.: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, Phoenix Children's Hospital Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, Phoenix Children's Hospital Salt Lake City, Utah: Operation Gratitude Operation Gratitude Tampa, Fla.: Metropolitan Ministries For more information on ServiceMaster We Care Day and to watch volunteer projects live, follow the company on Facebook (News - Alert) at facebook.com/ServiceMaster and Twitter (News - Alert) at twitter.com/ServiceMaster. About ServiceMaster ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner's dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands include American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration), Terminix (residential termite and pest control) and Terminix Commercial (commercial termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005043/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Wolters Kluwer, SettlementOne Form Credit Services Partnership Wolters Kluwer is pleased to announce a credit services partnership with SettlementOne. This partnership will help lenders streamline their credit valuation processes with prospective customers during the mortgage loan application process. The partnership links SettlementOne's credit and data verification capabilities with Wolters Kluwer's flagship ComplianceOne Mortgage and Lending platforms. ComplianceOne Mortgage and Lending platforms are industry-leading origination and workflow solutions that help lenders enhance their loan and document preparation processes in a secure, fast, and cost-effective manner. SettlementOne offers credit and data verification solutions that include credit reports, flood certifications, Social Security Number (SSN), and income tax verifications. Lenders can now offer a more expedited and seamless application process using the functionality embedded directly into the ComplianceOne Mortgage and Lending software. This connects a lender's core processor with an easy-to-manage user interface helping to optimize loan transactions efficiently and in a compliant manner. "We are thrilled to partner with Wolters Kluwer-just one example of our commitment to providing our clients wit the solutions they need to work more efficiently and effectively," said Tom Hurst, Chief Executive Officer at SettlementOne. "The ComplianceOne Mortgage and Lending platform is a key component of our efforts to provide community banks and credit unions with integrated offerings that fill as many gaps as possible in the lending process." "Both SettlementOne's and Wolters Kluwer's clients are already reaping the benefits of more profitable and automated lending operations," said Samir Argarwal, Vice President, Wolters Kluwer GRC Banking Solutions. "Our premier partnership with SettlementOne is an important part of our mission to ensure that our clients' processes allow them to close their loans quickly, as well as remain competitive with cost to originate." About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, stay competitive and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. About SettlementOne SettlementOne provides credit reporting, property valuation, flood certification, fraud and verification services to U.S. banks, mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers and credit unions. Its specialty is providing convenient bundles of these services to mortgage industry clients. Established in 1999, SettlementOne is one of the nation's largest suppliers of mortgage data, providing financial institutions and consumers with secure, efficient and cost-effective solutions that streamline the mortgage origination and lending process. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005017/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Laureen Cortez Joins Presidio Bank Palo Alto Team Presidio Bank (OTCBB: PDOB), a Bay Area business bank, today announced that it has hired veteran banker, Laureen Cortez, as Senior Vice President/Relationship Manager in the Palo Alto (News - Alert) Office. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005010/en/ Laureen Cortez joins Presidio Bank as SVP/Relationship Manager (Photo: Business Wire) Laureen Cortez has over 25 years' experience in the banking industry, with particular expertise managing and growing client relationships with small and mid-size companies and financially sophisticated individuals. She most recently worked as SVP/Senior Relationship Manager for Bank of America's Business Bank division. She was at Bank of Aerica for 17 years, working in the Commercial Banking Group and Private Banking as well as Business Banking. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Business Economics with an emphasis in Finance. She spends considerable free time volunteering at Sacred Heart Schools, Alameda Food Bank and Junior Achievement. "Laureen brings not only strong market knowledge, but also valuable expertise in credit analysis and wealth management," said Luke Farley, Presidio Bank Palo Alto Market Manager. Clay Jones, Presidio Bank President added, "We look forward to having Laureen on our Presidio Bank team. She is driven, goal-oriented, and a problem-solver. Her knack for developing deep and lasting business relationships will blend nicely with the Presidio Bank team." Laureen Cortez is located at Presidio Bank's Palo Alto office located at 325 Lytton Avenue, Suite 100 and her direct phone number is (650)321.1740. About Presidio Bank Presidio Bank provides business banking services to small and mid-size businesses, including professional service firms, real estate developers and investors, and not-for-profit organizations, and to their owners who desire personalized, responsive service with access to local decision makers. Presidio Bank offers clients the resources of a large bank combined with the personalized services of a neighborhood bank. Presidio Bank is headquartered in San Francisco, California and currently operates five banking offices in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, San Rafael, San Mateo and Palo Alto. More information is available at www.presidiobank.com. Presidio Bank is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005010/en/ [August 17, 2018] Judge Alfred C. Harrell to Receive the 2018 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Tenth Circuit Judge Alfred C. Harrell has been recognized with the prestigious 2018 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Tenth Circuit. He will be presented with the award by the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha at the Tenth Circuit Judicial Conference in Colorado Springs in August. Harrell was a judge on the Denver County Court in Colorado from 1985 to 2016. After his retirement, he and a colleague founded the Symposium on Race, a monthly conversation among concerned citizens about matters relating to rae and class issues in the United States. He continues to host a regular Thursday morning breakfast for judges, lawyers, and students. Harrell was instrumental in helping to establish five American Inns of Court in Colorado, including, most recently, the Justice Sonia Sotomayor American Inn of Court. He is a Master of the Bench in the Robert C. Rhone-Ava M. Brackett American Inn of Court, and an Emeritus Member of the Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court, both in Denver. He served two terms on the American Inn of Court Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1996 and 2000 to 2004. A volunteer instructor at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Harrell donates his time to lead general public programs as well as those for lawyers in public service. He is also a lecturer at the University of Colorado and the University of Denver (News - Alert) College of Law. Harrell has received many honors during his career, which include the Sam Cary King Trimble Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Robert H. McWilliams Alumni Professionalism Award in 2016. Harrell completed his undergraduate education at the University of Colorado, which honored him with its George Norlin Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He earned his JD at University of Denver School of Law. The American Inns of Court, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, inspires the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. The organization's membership includes more than 31,000 federal, state, and local judges; lawyers; law professors; and law students in nearly 380 chapters nationwide and more than 100,000 alumni members. More information is available at www.innsofcourt.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005003/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Cybersecurity Threats on the Rise in 2018: BEC Attacks Increase 55% and CHA Up 37% Gulf Breeze, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through the first half of 2018, cybersecurity threats increased with AppRivers filters catching more than 180 million phishing messages and over 92 million emails containing malware attachments, according to the Mid-Year Global Security Report issued by AppRiver. The report, based on global data compiled by AppRivers threat-detection analysis, provides details and examples of the most prolific cybersecurity threats to-date in 2018, including an influx of spear phishing, Business Email Compromise attacks (BEC), conversation hijacking attacks (CHAs), common vulnerabilities & exposure (CVE) exploits, cryptocurrency theft and mining, and weaponizing obscure file extensions. In the first half of 2018, email remained a favorite vector for attackers to gain a foothold into businsses, whether for the purpose of malware infection, data theft or financial fraud. This includes many forms of generalized phishing attacks, such as brand impersonation. Even more concerning is that a good number of these attacks are being launched from trusted sources whose accounts have been compromised. These types of attacks look to disarm email security measures designed to focus on sender validation. These attacks also have great success in subverting well-trained end users who might otherwise be cautious enough to avoid emails from an unknown sender. Spear phishing tactics have been on an upward trend throughout 2018, continuing to net huge sums as BEC attacks and other fraud techniques become more widely adopted by attackers. Common vulnerabilities and exposures have continued to be leveraged in email attacks in 2018, and attackers are continually looking for different file types to deliver their payloads. In the first six months of 2018, AppRiver quarantined more than 1 million BEC attack messages up from 653,000 during the previous 6-month period, an increase of 55 percent. The report also finds Conversation Hijacking Attacks increased 37 percent over the previous six-month period, with 169k quarantined CHA messages up from 123k the prior six-month period. In the annual Global Security Report published earlier this year, AppRiver predicted that CVE exploits will continue to be a top malware vector. This has been true during the second quarter of 2018 with CVE2017-11882 being the most utilized attack by malicious actors. CVE 2017-11882 is typically exploited via Office files saved in Rich Text Font (RTF) format and utilizes the Word Equation Editor. As spoofing detection and sender verifications have improved, attackers have adapted their techniques to find ways around them. In 2018, attacks have become more personalized, customized, and targeted, said Troy Gill, security analyst for AppRiver. The Mid-Year report provides insight into how attackers continue to find ways to monetize activities and pivot quickly to new techniques when previous tactics become obsolete. With absolute certainty, more zero-day exploits are on the horizon. The report provides insights to help IT leaders better protect against attacks. A full, complimentary copy of the Mid-Year Global Security Report is available HERE About AppRiver AppRiver provides cloud-based cybersecurity and productivity services to over 60,000 companies worldwide. Launched in 2002, the company uses advanced proprietary technology and machine learning in combination with expert human analysts to block phishing, spear-phishing, business email compromise, and other forms of malware before they reach customer networks. AppRiver also provides web-based malware protection, email encryption, secure archiving, and email continuity solutions. Recognizing that user email is the largest area of vulnerability, AppRiver established itself among the worlds top providers of Office 365 and Secure Hosted Exchange solutions. All services are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis and are backed by award-winning 24/7 white-glove Phenomenal Care customer service. AppRiver is headquartered in Gulf Breeze, Florida and maintains offices in Georgia, Texas, Canada, Switzerland and Spain. For more information, please visit www.appriver.com. Jim McClellan AppRiver 850-932-5338 jmcclellan@appriver.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Top Influencers in the Military and Veteran Communities Join Forces with National Brands at Military Influencer Conference 2018 Hundreds of entrepreneurs, influencers and leaders from the military and veteran community will connect with experts from national brands and top media conglomerates at the second annual Military Influencer Conference (MIC), September 23-25 in Orlando, Florida. At this largest event of its kind, veteran and spouse participants have a unique opportunity to take part in immersive, hands-on workshops and learn proven strategies and techniques for growing their own brands and businesses. MIC is managed by its founder, retired Army veteran Curtez Riggs, who saw an opportunity to bring together business people who are passionate about supporting 'vet-entrepreneurs' and want to help them cultivate new audiences, tell their stories and build communities. "The Military Influencer Conference is the best place for emerging and seasoned entrepreneurs to network, learn and grow their brands and skillsets. We're proud to provide this platform for veterans and spouses to help them transition into being leaders in business and entrepreneurship by offering expert speakers and the best advice and resources available," said Curtez Riggs. Keynote speakers have a deep connection with and desire to support the military and vetran community. They include: Jim Koch, Founder and Brewer of Samuel Adams; Mark L. Rockefeller, CEO and Co-founder StreetShares; Evan Hafer, President Black Rifle Coffee Company; Janine Boldrin, Managing Editor, Military Spouse Magazine; Tony Perez, VP of Product Management GoDaddy; and David Gale, Co-Founder & CEO We Are The Mighty. This year, the conference also will include The Veteran Small Business Award: Food & Beverage Edition, a Roundtable for Military and Veteran Service Organizations, and an Influencer Marketplace where brands will have a chance to connect with, interview and hire influencers. Educational sessions include How to Start and Grow Your Business, Launching and Monetizing Digital Projects and Building Your Personal Brand. Presented by USAA, this year's conference will be hosted at Rosen Shingle Creek. Ticket information is available at militaryinfluencer.com/register. Follow #MICOrlando for ongoing updates. MIC Orlando is also sponsored by Comcast (News - Alert) NBCUniversal, Aetna, StreetShares Foundation, Samuel Adams, Military By Owner, GovX, Crosby Marketing Communications, The Veterans Trust, Military Fresh Network, Life Flip Media, Amazon, Blue Star Families, Team RWB, US Vet Life, Codeup, and Sucuri. About Military Influencer Conference The Military Influencer Conference is an exciting, dynamic event that brings together hundreds of spouses, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers united by a passion for the military. For more information about MIC, please visit https://militaryinfluencer.com/. Please direct all media and interview requests to Curtez Riggs, curtez@militaryinfluencer.com 210-797-7118. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005301/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Navy Federal Earns "Credit Union of the Year" for the 12th Consecutive Year Navy Federal Credit Union's branch located on Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa, was named the Department of the Navy's Distinguished Credit Union of the Year Tuesday during the Defense Credit Union Council's (DCUC) Annual Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is the 12th consecutive "Credit Union of The Year" award Navy Federal has received for one of its branches from the United States Navy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005338/en/ Mark Lawton, SVP Regulatory Compliance and Public Policy, Steve Romano, EVP Branch Operations, Lieutenant General Mark A. Brilakis, Annette Nieves, AVP Business Relationship Management, Cuter Dawson, President/CEO, and David Jones (News - Alert) , Regional Manager Branch Operations. (Photo: Business Wire) "This is one of our most unique branches, literally serving on the frontlines in Djibouti," said Jeffrey Johnson, the Navy Federal branch manager. "Whether we are overseas, or in the U.S., our goal is to always provide our members with the best possible experience and help them achieve their financial goals. This recognition is a testament to that purpose." Navy Capt. Nancy S. Lacore, Commanding Officer of Camp Lemonnier, nominated the branch for the distinguished award. In her nomination package, Lacore pointed out that over 2,500 servicemembers were positively impacted by the education that Navy Federal provided throughout 2017. Additionally, Lacore recognized the Camp Lemonnier branch for the following efforts: Navy Federal provided Blended Retirement System training, as well as other financial literacy education, to roughly 500 Marines that were temporarily placed at Camp Lemonnier. When the Personal Finance Management position with Fleet and Family was vacant in 2017, Navy Federal stepped up to make sure there were no gaps in financial education. Provided emergency loan services to servicemembers who were impacted by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria. "We are proud of the relationship we have built with Camp Lemonnier," said Johnson, "and this award only motivates our team to continue providing exceptional service." About Navy Federal Credit Union: Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving over 8 million members globally and is the world's largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Dedicated to its mission of service, Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 17,000 and has a global network of 319 branches. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Employer. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005338/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Paul Quinn College Breaks Ground on Trammell S. Crow Living and Learning Center, First New Building on Campus in 40 Years Paul Quinn College (Paul Quinn), the creator of the Urban Work College Model and one of the nation's most innovative colleges, broke ground on its first new building on campus in 40 years, the Trammell S. Crow Living and Learning Center. The Trammell S. Crow Living and Learning Center will be LEED-certified and will feature 30,000 sq. ft. of residential space and 10,000 sq. ft. of classroom and office space. The building will also include a dance studio and a 1,500-person capacity competitive gym. "As Quinnites, we are charged to live by the standard of Isaiah 58:9-12, which, among other things, commands us to be the restorers of streets and dwellings," said Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College. "Today, thanks to the generosity of Trammell S. Crow, the Simmons Foundation, the Hillcrest Foundation, Houston's Church Without Walls, our National Alumni Association, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and others, we live up to those words. The Crow Living and Learning Center will be the first of many new structures built on this campus." More than $7 million in donations and pledges has been raised for the development of the Trammell S. Crow Living and Learning Center by partners Mr. Trammell S. Crow, the Simmons Foundation, the Hillcrest Foundation, the Paul Quinn College National Alumni Association, Houston-based Church Without Walls, and others. "I have been committed to the vision of Paul Quinn College for many years and believe in the college," said Trammell S. Crow, Founder of EarthX (formerly Earth Day). "Michael Sorrell is a true leader and has brought together an incredible team of partners to build a place for Paul Quinn College and its students to thrive. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with President Sorrell and Paul Quinn College on this milestone." The Trammell S. Crow Living and Learning Center will be designed by RBA Architects. Crimson Building Company and Burchfield & Partners will serve as the developers for the project. The Texas Mezzanine Fund (TF), a Community Development Financial Institution and Community Development Entity promoting economic growth in low and moderate-income communities throughout Texas, has allocated $11.5 million of its $75 million in new market tax credits to the project. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program is a federal tax credit program that is designed to stimulate commercial investment in low-income communities. Through TMF's NMTC program, it is able to provide low-cost, flexible capital to support large-scale capital investment in low-income census tracts throughout Texas. Partners in the new market tax credits from TMF include PNC (News - Alert) Bank, Butler Snow, and Renaissance Capital Partners. In a second ceremony, Paul Quinn College unveiled the Bishop and Dr. John Hurst Adams and Family Lecture Hall and Auditorium. The state-of-the-art lecture hall/auditorium, which is housed in the Adams Administration Building, was funded in part by the friends and the Family of Bishop and Dr. John Hurst Adams. The new auditorium will be used for classes, speaking engagements, movie screenings, assemblies, and meetings. The new building groundbreaking and the lecture hall/auditorium unveiling follows the announcement of PQC-Plano, the first site in the planned national expansion of Paul Quinn College's Urban Work College Model ("Model"). The Model aims to eradicate poverty through combining higher education with access to quality jobs, secure housing, and reduced student loan burden. For more information on how to partner with Paul Quinn College, contact Shayna Stonom at SStonom@pqc.edu or visit http://www.pqc.edu/invest/. ABOUT PAUL QUINN COLLEGE Paul Quinn College, one of the most innovative small colleges in America, is a private, faith-based, four-year, liberal arts-inspired college that was founded on April 4, 1872 by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers in Austin, Texas. The school's original purpose was to educate freed slaves and their offspring. Today, Paul Quinn has become a model for urban higher education by focusing on academic rigor, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship. The College proudly educates students of all races and socio-economic classes under the banner of its institutional ethos, WE over Me. Its mission is to provide a quality, faith-based education that addresses the academic, social, and Christian development of its students. The College's president, Michael Sorrell, was recently named one of Fortune magazine's World's 50 Greatest Leaders and the HBCU Male President of the Year by HBCU Digest for a record third time. For more information on enrollment in either the Plano or Dallas campus or for how to partner with Paul Quinn College, please visit http://www.pqc.edu/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005352/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Heres the rub: Some crucial changes have been made to avoid the tricky taint of the patriarchal savior. Andy Karls Edward is a man with daddy issues who Vivian teaches to unleash his inner child and contribute to society instead of selling it for parts. He now also is far more of a mess than his paid-for lover, who has much more agency than was the case in the movie. [August 17, 2018] Minister Bains to visit Nanaimo, British Columbia Innovation Minister to meet with innovators and members of the business and academic communities OTTAWA, Aug. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will visit Nanaimo, British Columbia, between August 20 and August 22 to hold discussions with business representatives, entrepreneurs, First Nations members and academic leaders. During his visit, Minister Bains will participate in a roundtable discussion on digital and data transformation at Innovation Island, an organization that helps entrepreneurs start and grow technology companies. This conversation is part of the Government's ongoing National Digital and Data Consultations. The Minister will also meet with innovators and entrepreneurs from the Sustainable Opportunity Uniting People (S.O.U.P) community, members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, representatives of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and members of the business community. Throughout the trip, Minister Bains will reinforce the Government's commitment to diversity and to advancing the Innovation and Skills Plana plan that will make Canada a global centre for innovation and create well-paying jobs across the country. Quotes "We are making great strides in realizing our ambitious Innovation and Skills Plan. Looking ahead, we are focused on using data strategically to help build a strong and inclusive economy while striking the appropriate balance between supporting innovation, safeguarding privacy and maintaining consumer trust. I look forward to meeting with members of British Columbia's innovation ecosystem and discussing how we can leverage digital innovation to ensure that Canadian firms become the next generation of globally competitive companies." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Associated links Follow the department on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [August 17, 2018] Five Students Receive Guaranteed Removals Scholarship To Help Change The Cyber World North America's most successful online reputation management company announces its five scholarship winners. BURLINGTON, ON, Aug. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Five students have been chosen to receive Guaranteed Removals scholarships for their efforts in helping making online communities safer. Guaranteed Removals had an outstanding number of applications for students looking to earn five scholarships worth $1,000.00 each. "We were overwhelmed by the number of submissions we received. We reviewed some really great essays about making the cyber community safer for everyone," said Rachel Swiednicki, Public Relations, Guaranteed Removals. Students looking to earn a scholarship had to submit a 500 word essay about how and why they want to improve the worldwide web and be studying computer science, criminology or law. "We are proud to support students pursuing their education with goals of helping people online." continued Swiednicki. This year's winner's are: ul type="disc"> Dominika Wojtowicz , Illinois, U.S.A. Mackenzie Wilson-Juszkiewicz , Ontario, Canada Phillip Pham , Ontario, Canada Patrick Vaughan , Ontario, Canada Christopher Langlois , Ontario, Canada "I'm grateful to Guaranteed Removals for selecting my submission, as this money will help support my education. I'm looking forward to studying criminology in my first year of university this fall." said Mackenzie Wilson-Juszkiewicz, from Smithville, Ontario. "We need more young people to help make change in the online world. So many of our clients come to us in crisis because of what is being done and said about them online. We need to change the way the online world operates." said Swiednicki. Guaranteed Removals looks forward to continuing the scholarship program and adding an internship program as well to support student development. About Guaranteed Removals Guaranteed Removals is North America's largest and most successful online image management company, helping people defend and protect their image online. Guaranteed Removals has been offering online reputation management services out of its Burlington, Ontario, Canada location. Guaranteed Removals has successfully removed negative content for clients across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates and New Zealand. The company has helped more than 2,500 clients improve their online image. With a team of 58 employees, Guaranteed Removals has assisted businesses and individuals who have been victimized online, to rebuild and restore their online reputation. For more information visit GuaranteedRemovals.com. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/five-students-receive-guaranteed-removals-scholarship-to-help-change-the-cyber-world-300698874.html SOURCE Guaranteed Removals [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] DiDi Unveils Voice Assistant and AR Navigation Programs; Launches AI for Social Good Initiative at Tech Day in Beijing Didi Chuxing ("DiDi"), the world's leading mobile transportation platform, shared its latest developments in AI technology applications with students, engineers and academic and industry partners, at the DiDi Tech Day in Beijing on Thursday. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005378/en/ Test demo of the interactive, app-based AR navigation service at Beijing Capital International Airport (Photo: Business Wire) At the event, DiDi's tech executives, led by Bob Zhang Bo, Chief Technology Officer, shared details of breakthroughs in the company's popular Express Pool service. When machine learning algorithms deliver a good user experience, carpooling is the most effective mobility option for drivers to increase their income, for passengers to reduce costs, and for cities to enjoy a high level of efficiency in the transportation system. Operating across more 100 cities in China, Express Pool now accounts for over 20% of all trips in many core markets. DiDi also debuted two pilot projects slated for street testing, its indoor augmented reality (AR) navigation and a driver voice assistant. The interactive, app-based AR navigation service, which is built on computer vision positioning and 3D scene reconstruction technology, can help passengers seamlessly navigate through large buildings, such as airports, train stations and malls, to reach a vehicle pick-up location. The driver voice assistant, which is voice activated via an in-vehicle smart device, is designed to provide a full spectrum of services ranging from audio and video content search, information inquiry and temperature adjustment, to passenger communications, customer service, and even refuel, recharging or repair services. During the event, DiDi also announced the launch of its AI for Social Good project in conjunction with more than 10 founding partners. DiDi believes that as we develop more powerful AI capabilities, tech companies need to work more closely with communities to fully understand AI's social impacts and to reinforce its social commitments. Tech Day 2018 marked the launch of DiDi's AI for Social Good Initiative. Together with 10 founding partners, DiDi will seek joint technological and social solutions to environmental, safety, health and accessibility challenges. The 10 founding partners to the DiDi AI for Social Good initiative, include: CCF - DiDi Big Data Joint Lab China Cultural Information Service Center for the Visually Impaired China Research Center of Information and Accessibility for Disability IEEE (News - Alert) China Information Center of China Disabled Persons' Federation National Engineering Laboratory for Big Data Analysis and Technique Research Center for Ubiquitous Computing Systems of Institute of Computing Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences School of Environment, Tsinghua University Shenzhen Information Accessibility Research Association Special Education College of Beijing Union University About DiDi Chuxing Didi Chuxing ("DiDi") is the world's leading mobile transportation platform. The company offers a full range of app-based transportation options for 550 million users, including Taxi, Express, Premier, Luxe, Hitch, Bus, Minibus, Designated Driving, Enterprise Solutions, Bike Sharing, E-bike Sharing, Car Sharing and food delivery. Daily rides have reached 30 million, allowing over 30 million drivers on the DiDi platform to find flexible work and income opportunities. DiDi is committed to collaborating with cities, the taxi industry and communities to solve the world's transportation, environmental, and employment challenges with smart transportation innovations. The company is working with a growing alliance of car industry players to build out an auto-solution and operation platform. Globally, DiDi is in a partnership network with Grab, Lyft, Ola, Uber, 99, Taxify, and Careem, reaching over 80% of the world's population and covering more than 1,000 cities. In 2018, DiDi launched its own-branded mobility services in Mexico and Australia, and a joint venture with SoftBank Corp. to offer taxi-hailing service in Japan. By continuously improving the user experience and creating social value, DiDi strives to build an open, efficient, and sustainable transportation ecosystem. For more information, please visit: www.didiglobal.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005378/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Clarizen Hires Former Dell and Marketo Executives to Help Shepherd the Company Through Its Next Phase of Growth Clarizen, the global leader in enterprise collaborative work management, is pleased to announce and welcome Shiri Kerman as Vice President of Research & Development, and Mike Telem as General Manager New Business. Both will play lead roles in the development of new features to Clarizen's flagship enterprise collaborative work management solution, as well new stand-alone solutions that are scheduled for release this year. Kerman has over 25 years of experience in building and leading engineering teams that produce high quality enterprise-class products. Before joining Clarizen, she spent the last seven years in senior engineering management positions at Dell (News - Alert) . "I am very impressed by the culture of innovation that drives Clarizen's commitment to create new products and capabilities, and leading the R&D department will be invigorating and rewarding," said Kerman. "The global market for Clarizen's collaborative work management solution is growing rapidly, and that presents us with the opportunity to also build new products that will enable enterprises to achieve their business agile gols." "Shiri has a track record of building and managing outstanding product engineering teams, and that is critical to our ability to continue developing new solutions that enterprises can use to drive business agility," said Clarizen CEO Boaz Chalamish. Telem will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of new Clarizen products, including overall go-to-market plans and key business operations. Mike was previously Vice President of Product Innovation and Product Marketing at Marketo (News - Alert) , and also managed Marketo's Israeli Development Center. He joined Marketo in 2014 after the company acquired Insightera, a startup he co-founded in 2009. "Mike brings proven entrepreneurship experience and a strong background in B2B software sales and marketing, and he will be instrumental in expanding the Clarizen product portfolio," added Chalamish. For more information, subscribe to Clarizen's blog and visit Clarizen.com. About Clarizen Clarizen delivers a cloud-based enterprise collaborative work management solution built on the vision of business agility. Clarizen's PPM (News - Alert) solution adapts to business processes, facilitates purposeful collaboration and provides efficiency through powerful workflow automation. It is built for enterprises that need to respond faster to changing market conditions and execute efficiently against its business goals. Over 2,000 customers across 120 countries already rely on Clarizen. To learn more, visit clarizen.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005409/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of Glencore Plc Investors National securities litigation law firm Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired the securities of Glencore Plc ("Glencore" or the "Company") (OTC: GLCNF, GLNCY) between September 30, 2016 and July 2, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Glencore investors have until September 7, 2018 to file a lead plaintiff motion. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. Investors that sufered losses on their Glencore investments are encouraged to contact Lesley Portnoy of GPM to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 310-201-9150 or by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com. On July 3, 2018, Glencore disclosed that it received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting production documents and other records related to the Company's compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and United States money laundering statutes. On this news, Glencore's share price fell approximately 9% on July 3, 2018, thereby injuring investors. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Glencore's conduct would subject it to heightened scrutiny by U.S. and foreign government bodies resulting in investigations into the company's compliance with money laundering and bribery laws, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about Glencore's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert) : twitter.com/GPM_LLP. If you purchased shares of Glencore during the Class Period you may move the Court no later than September 7, 2018 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180817005418/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 17, 2018] Canada and Quebec support the move to electric public transport in the Laval region LAVAL, QC, Aug. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in electric public transport is crucial to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to public services and job opportunities. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Andre Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, and Francine Charbonneau, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region, are pleased to announce that the Societe de transport de Laval (STL) will move forward with the procurement of 10 fully electric, 40-foot long buses with the intention of establishing its first line of entirely electric buses by the year 2020. In total, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will provide more than $9.6 million in financial support under the federal Gas Tax Fund and Quebec's contribution. Quotes "I am pleased to see that the Societe de transport de Laval will be using the funding allotted to them under the federal Gas Tax Fund to purchase electric buses, which will ensure a cleaner and greener future for Laval. Investing in public transit infrastructure plays an important role in developing our communities and supports growth that benefits everyone. Through projects like this one, the Government of Canada is helping communities improve residents' mobility and meet growing demand for public transit." Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities "The Government of Quebec is firmly committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable transport, in order to become North America's leader in this field. The support announced today for the procurement of these fully electric buses for the Societe de transport de Laval reaffirms our commitment and falls in line with the Plan d'action en electrification des transports 2015-2020." Andre Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification "Today's announcement will help support transport authorities transitioning to fully electric public transport systems. I am proud tht the region has become a leader in public transport and innovation. Residents of Laval will benefit from modern transportation infrastructure, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat islands, and respond to the needs of future generations." Francine Charbonneau, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region "Today, the STL is taking a significant step toward creating its electric bus fleet by awarding the most important contract in Canada for the procurement of electric buses. A leader in electric transport since 2012, the STL is committed to keeping this momentum. By 2023, the STL will only purchase electric buses." David De Cotis, President of the Societe de transport de Laval Quick Facts Following the call for tenders, which was launched in February of 2018, New Flyer Industries Canada won the contract, having had the lowest bid that met both the technical and commercial requirements of the call. The STL received support from the Association du transport urbain du Quebec (ATUQ) at the conclusion of the call for tenders. won the contract, having had the lowest bid that met both the technical and commercial requirements of the call. The STL received support from the (ATUQ) at the conclusion of the call for tenders. This project is funded through the Programme d'aide aux immobilisations en transport en commun of the Societe de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec (SOFIL), which aims to provide financial support to public transport authorities, and to municipalities providing these services, to support the maintenance, improvement and development of their assets. of the (SOFIL), which aims to provide financial support to public transport authorities, and to municipalities providing these services, to support the maintenance, improvement and development of their assets. The federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) provides more than $2 billion each year to Canadian municipalities, which represents a long-term, ongoing, predictable and indexed source of funding. each year to Canadian municipalities, which represents a long-term, ongoing, predictable and indexed source of funding. Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $28.7 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. infrastructure plan, the Government of will invest more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. of this funding will support public transit projects, including that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Over the next 10 years, the Government of Quebec plans to invest over $100.4 billion from the province's infrastructure plan in education, health and transportation to improve families' quality of life and create the conditions that support innovation and economic growth. Associated Links Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html First annual instalment of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) in Quebec: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2018/08/building-stronger-communities-across-quebec-with-federal-gas-tax-fund.html To read the Federal Gas Tax Fund Agreement between Canada and Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/agreements-ententes/gtf-fte/2014-qc-eng.html For more information on how the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) is administered in Quebec, please consult the website of the Societe de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec (SOFIL): http://www.sofil.gouv.qc.ca To learn more about the Programme d'aide aux immobilisations en transport en commun of the Societe de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec and how the program is implemented: https://www.transports.gouv.qc.ca/fr/aide-finan/transport-collectif/Pages/transport-collectif-personnes-SOFIL.aspx SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- After a full day of deliberation, the 12-person jury in the financial crimes trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has yet to reach a verdict, meaning the panel will reconvene Friday to continue considering Manaforts fate. Jurors first day deliberating the special counsels case against Manafort, who faces 18 counts of tax- and bank-related fraud, ended with questions not answers. Before leaving the courtroom on Thursday, jurors sent a note to the judge asking four questions about nuances of the case, including the definition of "reasonable doubt." Judge T.S. Ellis the federal judge overseeing Manaforts case in Alexandria, Virginia, clarified to jurors that the government is not required to find "guilt beyond all possible doubt," but defined reasonable doubt as a "doubt based on reason." Jurors also asked the court to define "shelf company," and for more information on foreign bank account records. Jurors also asked for the special counsels indictment of Manafort to be included in their exhibit list. Judge Ellis told jurors to rely on their collective recollection based on testimony to answer those questions. Leaving the courthouse after learning of the jurys questions, Manaforts lead attorney Kevin Downing told reporters that the jurys questions are "good news" for Manafort. "Well we just got some good news. The jurys been deliberating. They had some questions which the judge addressed, and theyve asked to come back tomorrow to continue deliberation," Downing said. "So, overall a very good day for Mr. Manafort." Manafort has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) Several companies are sending their pitches to become the third telecommunications player, with the potential to break the duopoly of Globe and PLDT. According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) at least ten local and foreign telecommunications firms have expressed interest. In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines' Business Roundup, DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said that these firms include one Chinese, two South Korean, one Vietnamese and and one Norwegian. "The most known would be China Telecom. We have two from the Republic of Korea - Korea Telecommunications and LG U+. We have a telco from Vietnam, Viettel, and a telco from Europe, Telenor," Rio told CNN Philippines. Because the Constitution restricts foreign owned corporations from the telecommunications space, these corporations need a local partner to operate in the Philippines. "Who are the local players? PT&T, Converge, Now, Easy Call and Trans-Pacific Broadband. More or less these are the five," Rio said. China Telecommunications Corporation or China Telecom is one of the largest state-owned telco firms in China. As of 2017, it posted a net profit of nearly CNY 18.6 billion, or 144 billion. Viettel Group, from Vietnam, is also a state-owned enterprise under the Vietnam Ministry of Defence. It's net income for 2017 was VND 44 trillion, or 101 billion. Telenor is a Norwegian telco firm with a strong base in Scandinavia and Asia. As of last year, its net income was at NOK 12 billion, or 76 billion. KT Corporation, formerly Korea Telecommunications, is the largest telco firm in South Korea. It has a net income of KRW 476 billion, or nearly 22 billion. LG U+, the cellular carrier leg of LG Electronics, is another South Korean firm that has shown interest in becoming the third Philippine telco player. Its net income is KRW 547 billion, or around 26 billion. These foreign companies, the DICT said, will back up local companies who need capital to enter the telecommunications fray. According to its latest finance statement, Easycall Communications Philippines has a 10.37 million net income last year. Now Corporation reported a net income of 6.97 million last year while Transpacific Broadband Group International recorded a net loss of 4.58 million. PT&T and Converge ICT Solutions have yet to release their latest income statements. "We are considering to bid for the third telco player in the country to enable Filipinos greater participation in the digital economy," PT&T President James Velasquez told CNN Philippines in a text message, adding that new investors to the former telco giant has enabled it to return to its once held spot. For his part, Rio is confident that these telco players will be strong enough to compete with Globe and PLDT. "Basically, this is part of, why we give so much premium on their highest committed level of service," Rio said. Based on the terms of reference of the DICT, local firms interested in bidding should possess a congressional franchise. Whether stand alone, or as a consortium, it should have a net worth of 10 billion and should have a proven technical capability of operating a telco service for the last 10 years on a national scale. CNN Philippines' business anchor Mike Alimurong and digital producer Luchi de Guzman contributed to this report. The museum is very interactive all of our exhibits are designed to be touched and engaged with, program director Allison Sansone said. Once theyre here, we want to inspire students to write. They can find writers who look like them, who have similar backgrounds, who address similar topics that theyre addressing. Were here to help them make those connections. Facebook is fighting the U.S. Justice Department over a demand that the social-networking service decrypt Messenger voice conversations in a California case related to the MS-13 gang, Reuters reported earlier today (Aug. 17). (Image credit: Jaktraphong Photography/Shutterstock) The case is being kept under seal, but Reuters said three separate individuals who were not named had told the news agency that a judge heard arguments Tuesday (Aug. 14) about whether Facebook should be held in contempt of court for refusing the government's demands. The government wants to listen to voice conversations involving a single individual in Fresno as they happen over Messenger, which lets users make encrypted voice calls. Messenger voice calls are encrypted end-to-end, and not even Facebook is supposed to be able to listen in on them. Creating a method by which the company, or the authorities, could eavesdrop on such calls would require fundamentally weakening the encryption model and placing Messenger users at the mercy of online criminal and repressive governments. MORE: Best VPN Services and Apps The case is broadly similar to that of Apple fighting the U.S. government over an encrypted iPhone two years ago. But in that case, the data the authorities wanted was stored on the iPhone, and considered "data at rest." Here, the Feds want to listen to "data in motion" the digitized voices of the participants in the voice calls as it's being transmitted in real-time. The laws governing data in motion are different from and, in some ways, clearer than those governing data at rest. In almost all cases, a judge's search warrant is sufficient to wiretap someone, and Facebook might have less of a legal leg to stand on than Apple did. For several years, the FBI has been warning of what it calls the "going dark" problem. Many of the online and mobile communications to which law enforcement agencies had easy technical access since the mid-1990s are no longer accessible, even with a warrant, as service after service becomes strongly encrypted. The FBI and some Justice officials want "backdoors" that would give law enforcement exclusive access to encrypted data. But Apple, Google and now, apparently, Facebook, have pushed back, stating that "backdoors" would be impossible to conceal from determined hackers and foreign intelligence agencies. If the judge does rule against Facebook, and the inevitable appeals to higher courts go the same way, then the implications for services that encrypt data communications end-to-end might be vast. Other services, such as Signal, Apple's iMessage, BlackBerry Messenger or WhatsApp, might be required to also "dumb down" their messaging services' security. Kansas City, MO - Police officers are looking for two people connected to a homicide at 35th and Prospect on Tuesday, August 14th. They've released images of two people crossing a street. The two are considered possible "subjects of interest". Amusing Fare To Be Eventually Discarded Under The Roller Coaster Worlds of Fun to build new restaurant - Kansas City Business Journal Worlds of Fun is adding what it says is the park's largest restaurant - with seating for more than 300. The Kansas City theme park said it soon will break ground on Boathouse Grill. The 9,000-square-foot restaurant, to be located in the park's Americana section, will offer porch-style seating and a patio. Mayor Sly Tax Talk Today To Protect Picnic Baskets Efforts underway to hire Park Rangers for KCMO Last year, Kansas City Parks and Recreation took a comprehensive look at its safety plan after a series of violent crimes, including murders around trails in south Kansas City, and decided to restart the the park rangers program, which was shut down two decades ago amid budget cuts. KCMO Confrontation Aftermath 3 arrested after standoff near 45th and Tracy Three people have been arrested after a standoff with police in Kansas City early Friday morning. Sound Of Local Tribute Kansas City remembers the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Music legend Aretha Franklin died Thursday in her Detroit home at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer. Her world-famous songs included "Natural Woman," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "Chain of Fools" and "Respect." People were certainly showing the "Queen of Soul" plenty of respect Thursday. Secret KCMO Captivity Kansas City Zoo's rhino with vitiglio can't be on display | The Kansas City Star Visitors to the Kansas City Zoo may spot Werikhe the rhinoceros doing his thing out in the African plain, or maybe newcomers Zuri and Ruka having their turn out in the open. But there is another, mystery rhino that the public never sees and the zoo rarely talks about. JoCo Consumer Alert Olathe family's minivan catches fire while driving; not covered by warranty An Olathe family says they are disappointed in Toyota's final response to a fire which totaled their 2017 Sienna minivan. "I have a warranty! It's supposed to be under warranty," Janna Klinkhardt said. Toyota says the fire is not covered under that bumper to bumper warranty because they can't find any defect. The McTavish Weekend List 6 'Whatever Happened To?' Things To Do In Kansas City This Weekend They come and they go, these things that put smiles on our faces and springs in our steps. And sometimes...they come back. While I have no idea whatever happened to my childhood snow sled (sniff), this weekend proposes rewarding access to things that went away, but won't stay in the past. Quickie hottie advice . . .Closer to home, these news links are also overflowing with important information . . .is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . Delivered on the occasion of the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Windhoek, 17 August 2018 On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Namibia, I am delighted to accept the Chairmanship of SADC at a time when a New Africa, The Africa We Want, is on the rise. Africa is on the march, driven by unity of purpose, the pursuit of common objectives and an unwavering determination to bring about shared prosperity. I have accepted this responsibility knowing well that the leaders of the SADC nations have bestowed full confidence in Namibia to steer the work of this esteemed organisation to greater heights. We are privileged to host the 38th Ordinary Summit here in Windhoek, the birthplace of SADC, where the SADC Treaty was adopted in 1992. Permit me to commend the outgoing Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, for the sterling leadership he has provided to our organisation since assuming the Chairmanship. I further wish to thank the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency Joao Lourenco, President of the Republic of Angola, for providing steady leadership in the promotion of peace and security across our region. My appreciation also goes to the Executive Secretary and her dedicated staff, for the effective manner in which they continue to manage the affairs of the SADC Secretariat. The Theme for this Summit, Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development, attests to SADCs commitment in taking the agenda of infrastructural development forward, and the need for the youth to be at the center of what we do. The theme is a continuation of the industrialization trajectory of the last four Summits, starting with Zimbabwe in 2014, Botswana in 2015, The Kingdom of Eswatini in 2016 and South Africa in 2017. The theme guides us towards the attainment of the goals and aspirations of the Region, as espoused in the pdf Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015-2020 (1.04 MB) and the pdf SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, 2015-2063 (2.34 MB) . Infrastructural development is a catalyst for youth empowerment and job creation. It is one of the avenues through which we can address the issue of youth unemployment in the region. It would be remiss of me, at this stage, not to mention the important role that our women are playing and must continue to play in pursuit of SADC objectives and integration agenda. Namibia has a fervent commitment to Gender Equality, which is evident in the important role women play in politics. They are well represented in our Executive and Legislature. The participation of women at the highest levels of governance has been consolidated when the ruling SWAPO Party took a principled decision at the 1997 Congress to increase the proportion of female delegates to the Partys congress up to 50 percent. This was the genesis of the now constitutionally mandated SWAPO Party, Zebra style 50/50 policy. Due to our significant progress in the area of Gender Equality, Namibia was awarded the prize for being the top performing country in Africa by the African Gender Forum, within the context of the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC). I had the pleasure to receive this award on behalf of our country, from Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of the Republic of Liberia. During its Chairmanship, Namibia intends to accelerate progress in terms of the empowerment of women. Namibia shall encourage the harmonization of gender responsive legislation, policies and programmes and projects, as outlined in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. We are all aware that our aspirations of industrialization and subsequent sustainable development cannot be pursued without the existence of robust governance architectures within our respective countries. It is imperative that we build on the significant progress made in our region by adopting a modern approach to Governance, characterized by robust processes, systems and institutions and no longer centered on personalities. This approach is also part and parcel of the The Africa We Want, which is characterized by fair and transparent Processes; Systems and the ethos of Institutions that are beyond reproach. Processes, systems and institutions are indispensable in buttressing democracy and effective governance. I am confident that we will continue to make significant progress in the area of governance, especially given the outstanding work of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in entrenching democracy in the region. During its chairmanship, Namibia promises to intensify discussions on the establishment of a SADC Parliament. We believe that the SADC Parliament will not only help buttress the governance architecture of the region, but will also be a key driver of our integration and development efforts. We are pleased to note that in SADC, we have a legacy of peaceful transition of power. Following our successes against the forces of colonial occupation, many of our countries were ushered into the era of independence by extraordinary personalities. We are proud to have in our midst, some of those extraordinary personalities. We therefore acknowledge the presence of Comrade Sam Nujoma, the First President and Founding Father of the Republic of Namibia; Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, Second President of Namibia and His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, Second President of Mozambique. Their presence here today is testament to the legacy of peaceful transition of leadership within SADC. In the SADC Treaty, which I should remind was adopted here in Windhoek; we committed to ensure, through common action, the progress and wellbeing of the people of Southern Africa. I want to reassure this summit that during my Chairmanship, Namibia will ensure that SADC pulls together in the same direction, and works harder in order to succeed in its agenda of development, economic cooperation and regional integration. We will continue to promote the SADC Agenda in order to realize sustainable development, poverty eradication, food security, peace, youth and gender empowerment. And additionally, a conducive environment for economic development, shared prosperity and enhancing the quality of life of the people of this region is a mandate we should fulfill. This year, we are celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela, a great statesman of our region and the world at large. Nelson Mandela had the ability to inspire. He reminded us, There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. As a people of this region, we should draw inspiration from these words, from the wise Madiba. We can no longer play small. Our vision of a common future driven by a conviction that the people of this region will no longer settle for a life that is less than the one they are all capable of living. Even when we encounter difficulties, we should persevere and remain committed to the lofty goals of regional integration. Integration is a sine qua non condition for the economic advancement of our region. Today, we stand at the crossroads as a region and as a continent. It is time for us to take a great leap forward by harnessing the opportunities provided by regional value chains and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. At a time when artificial intelligence and robotics are defining the way we live and work, we must ensure that we collectively utilize these technologies as a means to catalyze our development agenda. I wish to underscore the importance of unity in our pursuit to enhance the living standards and wellbeing of our people. When we move forward as a united force and as a coordinated team, we will overcome challenges and accomplish our goals of ensuring that the citizens of SADC, and of Africa in general, realize the benefits of socio-economic and political integration. At this juncture, I wish to express my appreciation for the progress made so far in ensuring that intra-Africa trade and investment, which has the greatest potential for building sustainable economic development and integration in Africa, is at the core of our discussions. One of the objectives of SADC, as stated in Article 5 of the SADC Treaty, is to promote self-sustaining development on the basis of collective self-reliance, and the inter-dependence of Member States. To spur inter-dependence and intra-Africa trade, some SADC Member States signed the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement. The main objective of the TFTA Agreement is to strengthen and deepen economic integration of the southern and eastern Africa regions, and to harmonise policies and programmes across the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the areas of trade, customs and infrastructure development and movement of goods and people. It is disheartening to learn that some citizens are encountering difficulties moving across borders within our region. South Africans, who should benefit from the five flights a day that take place between Johannesburg and Windhoek, are hindered by the fact that they are required to apply for an entry Visa for every single visit. This is a barrier to business and ultimately, our aspirations of integration. This is why we have taken a decision that Africans carrying diplomatic passports can come to Namibia without visa requirements. Eventually we plan to do away with visa requirements for all passports. Only then, will we walk the talk. Staying on the topic of integration, I note that SADC countries have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is a flagship project of Agenda 2063, where goods and services will move freely among member states of the African Union (AU), with the objective of boosting intra-African trade. The Agreement, which will bring together a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of over $2.5 trillion, reinforces our commitment to the multilateral trading system. During my tenure as Chairperson, I will strive to ensure that SADC remains focused on the promotion of intra-Africa trade. I plan to work closely with my peers to ensure that our economic growth and industrialisation agendas are supported by infrastructure development. The aim is to foster the consolidation of synergies that will result in the effective implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap. We should not falter in our pursuit of industrialization. As a Regional Economic Community we have contributed meaningfully to the African Union Institutional Reform process. And we shall continue to make our voice heard. The decision for all African Union Member States to implement a 0.2% levy on eligible imports to finance the African Union is understandable, since Africa should finance its own institution. Its embarrassing when we ask the very people we condemn, to fund our own organization. We therefore support the decision to ensure that African countries should be responsible for funding the AU. We also welcome the flexibility allowed with regards to remittance of Member States financial contributions, and the linkage of the 0.2% Levy to the assessed contributions. However, in SADC, most of our countries are net importers of finished products including food. We are import dependent countries. Furthermore, some of our countries are classified as upper-middle income, using the World Bank method of dividing GDP by the population. Namibia and Swaziland among others are classified as Upper-Middle Income countries, notwithstanding the fact that we still face many challenges at the socio-economic level. I am sure that over the course of this summit, we shall interrogate some of these matters. We therefore thank His Excellency Paul Kagame for the leadership and exemplary work ethic displayed in spearheading the AU Institutional Reform Process. Without peace and stability, economic growth and development will remain nothing but a dream on the horizon. So far, the SADC Region is currently one of the most stable and secure regions in Africa. The political and security situation in the region remains relatively calm and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency Emerson Mnagagwa and the people of Zimbabwe, for having organized the Harmonized General Elections on July 30, 2018. We are aware that the matter regarding the outcome of those elections is in the courts, and we are confident that whatever the result of the case, peace will prevail. I note with satisfaction progress made in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Madagascar, following interventions and mediation efforts by SADC and international partners. I would like to thank His Excellency Joseph Kabila Kabange for having carried out the groundwork for elections to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as scheduled in December 2018. Colonialism represents a serious violation of national sovereignty and is in breach of international law. While colonialism has ended in the large majority of Africa, there is still one area that is outstanding. It is only fitting for the people of SADC to reaffirm their unwavering support and solidarity with the people of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in their struggle to achieve their inalienable rights to self-determination. In this regard, I wish to commend the Republic of South Africa for offering to host the SADC Solidarity Conference with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic before the end of this year. When the SADC Treaty came into force in 1992, our leaders made a commitment on behalf of the people of our region. That commitment was, Underdevelopment, exploitation, deprivation and backwardness in Southern Africa will only be overcome only through economic cooperation and integration. Namibias chairmanship of SADC will reaffirm this core commitment. Under our chairmanship, we shall leave no stone unturned in working with all of you in promoting economic cooperation and integration within SADC. For we believe in a SADC without underdevelopment, a SADC without exploitation, a SADC without deprivation and a SADC without backwardness. With that being said, I wish the Summit successful deliberations. I thank you. Remarks at the official opening of the 38th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, Windhoek Your Excellencies, It is indeed an honour for me to address you for the first time as the President of the Republic of Botswana. It is therefore befitting that I should express my gratitude to my predecessor, His Excellency Lt. General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, for his selfless contribution towards the SADC agenda during his tenure as the President of the Republic of Botswana for the last ten years, particularly, as the Chair of SADC from August 2015 to August 2016. Distinguished Guests, I wish to take this opportunity to pledge my unwavering commitment to the SADC regional integration agenda. I am aware that tremendous progress has been made in the areas of trade, peace and security. In this respect, I am happy to note that one of the major achievements in the region include the development of a Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan focusing on the six (6) sectors of Energy, Water, Transport, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Tourism and Meteorology. I am happy to inform you that in pursuit of these goals, Botswana is undertaking several infrastructure projects which have a regional dimension. This includes the construction of the Kazungula Bridge in collaboration with the Republic of Zambia, which will connect Botswana to the northern part of the SADC region; the Nata Pandamatenga road and the Palapye-Martins Drift Road that connects Botswana to South Africa. Other future projects include the expansion of the Morupule Power Plant; as well as the Mosetse-Kazungula railway line for the transportation of goods to the northern part of the SADC region. Another achievement worth noting, is the approval of the pdf SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map (2015-2063) (2.34 MB) as well as the pdf Costed Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy and Roadmap (1.51 MB) focusing on the first fifteen (15) years (2016-2030). I am also happy to note that currently, work is in progress to develop value chains for leather, soya beans, aquaculture, iron and steel, copper, cement, Antiretroviral Drugs, Malaria medicines and bed nets as well as the profiling of the regional agro-processing sector. These, I must say, are steps in the right direction towards the realization of our goal of regional economic transformation, which will facilitate the process of our industrialization. The implementation of the Strategy will transform our economies to be productive, efficient, diversified and competitive. It should be noted that some of the enablers of regional integration include; well-developed financial systems; adequate human capital; supporting infrastructure; and the necessary finances, among other things. I am, however, aware that the SADC region is grappling with financial constraints and impediments to resource mobilization. I am informed that work is ongoing to develop a resource mobilization framework as well as other initiatives such as the creation of a fund to bridge the resource gap. It is for this reason that we must strengthen collaboration with regional and global development financing institutions, to fast-track infrastructure development in the region. Your Excellencies, Opportunities also exist through Public Private Partnerships to further boost development financing in the SADC region. Therefore, it is my wish that the SADC region should effectively take advantage of these opportunities. Distinguished Guests, You will agree with me that youth unemployment remains a serious challenge in the region. In our quest to pursue regional integration and enhance productivity and competitiveness of our economies, there is need to prioritize the empowerment and capacitation of the youth. It is worth noting that peaceful and democratic elections continue to be held in the region, which is very commendable indeed. This is a clear sign of our unwavering commitment to achieve peace and political stability which are key to socio-economic development in the region. Let us remain committed to upholding democratic principles and let us also continue to provide the necessary support to Member States that are undertaking efforts to achieve durable peace and political stability for their peoples. Your Excellencies, Let me reiterate the fact that we must remain committed to the implementation of agreed SADC priorities and principles in order to improve the livelihoods of our people. Finally, allow me to take this opportunity to commend the successive leadership of SADC for its visionary leadership and exceptional guidance to drive the organisations policies and programmes. I also wish to recognize the Secretariat for its work in facilitating the implementation of the aspirations of our people. With the guidance of the leadership of SADC, and with the support of our people, the region has the potential to become a highly successful economic community. I thank you for your attention. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Patiala, August 16 The district police on Thursday claimed to have unearthed a spurious milk manufacturing factory at a border village, Mehon, near Devigarh. The Patiala police, along with a team of the Health Department, raided the factory and seized 7,000 litre of spurious milk from its premises. During the raid, the police also seized 20 quintals of adulterated cheese, 24 quintals of adulterated desi ghee, 272 packets of dry milk, 300 detergent packets, 51 chemical containers (30 litre each), 15 chemical containers (50 litre each), 15 packets of caustic soda and some other chemicals. The police also impounded seven vehicles from the premises, which were used to supply the products. After seizing material at Singla Milk Chilling Centre, the police raided the house of the owner; during the raid at the owners facility, police seized 4 lakh cash. During the preliminary investigation, it has come to light that the seized spurious milk was being supplied to surrounding towns, and to the neighboring state Haryana. Investigation discovered that the spurious milk and milk products were reportedly supplied to the big sweet shops in Patiala city. Interestingly, on Tuesday, Patiala Health Department and Dairy Development Department had raided and collected samples from Singla Milk Chilling Centre. The said milk factory was manufacturing adulterated milk and milk products reportedly for the last four years. The owner of the Singla Milk Chilling center has been arrested and being questioned about the supply of the spurious milk, says the police. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police, Mandeep Sidhu, said, It is a major crackdown against the food adulteration as part of Tandrust Punjab Mission. The Patiala police will not spare such defaulters and will keep on raiding in the district. Raid followed tip-off After a tip-off, District Police raided the factory today and caught, red handed, preparing the spurious milk. The SSP informed that police was keeping a close watch on the movement of the vehicles into the factory. After hours of vigil, police raided the factory when it realised that no milk was brought into the factory from outside. What health experts say? Health experts say that detergents (including caustic soda) cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal complications. The other synthetic compounds impair the functioning of various organs of the body, cause heart problems, cancer, and sometimes death. The immediate effect of drinking adulterated milk containing urea, caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis, but the long-term effects are known to be far more serious. District Health Officer, Krishan Singh, said, The owner has admitted that he was adding skimmed milk powder for the cost reduction of milk. We have found detergent packets which were, reportedly, used to whiten the milk and milk products. The seizure rchopra@tribunemail.com New York, August 17 A Sikh man has been stabbed to death at his store in the US state of New Jersey, the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Terlok Singh was discovered dead by his cousin on Thursday in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. The Essex County Prosecutors office is calling the incident a homicide, according to a report in ABC7NY. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known. Singh, described as a very kind person, is survived by his wife and children who live in India. He owned the store to support his family. His family closed the store as a deeply-saddened community watched in horror. The news report said Singh ran his store for at least six years and a neighbour said he should not have had to worry about being attacked in his workplace. Civil rights organisation the Sikh Coalition, in a Facebook post, expressed condolences to Singhs family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York Universitys Centre for Religion and Media and a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, tweeted about Singhs tragic death, saying, This is the third attack on a Sikh in the last three weeks. So tired of all this sadness. On August 6 in Manteca, California, 71-year-old Sahib Singh was brutally attacked by Tyrone McAllister and a juvenile when the elderly man went on a morning walk. McAllister, who is this son of a local police chief, and the juvenile were charged with attempted robbery, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On July 31, 50-year-old Surjit Malhi was attacked while putting up campaign signs in support of incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Denham and other local Republican candidates. While beating Malhi, the attackers yelled Go back to your country! and spray-painted the same message, along with hate symbols, on his truck. Following the two incidents, the Sikh Coalition had urged members of the community to know their rights, remain vigilant and report cases of bias, bigotry and backlash in the wake of the attacks. We are deeply troubled by these two recent attacks and strongly encourage increased vigilance nationwide as we work to support the Central Valley, California community during this difficult time, Sikh Coalition Legal Director Amrith Kaur had said. PTI harinder@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Shimla/Manali, August 16 The scenic village of Prini, located on the banks of the Beas on the outskirts of Manali, is in mourning. It has lost its most illustrious resident, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who gave the village its identity and drew inspiration from the snow-capped mountains and cascading river waters for his poetry. The former PM last visited his house in Prini in 2006, his health having deteriorated by then. But the villagers would never skip Nav Griha puja on his birthday on December 25. He considered Himachal his second home and would extend liberal assistance to the hill state, never declining a request, said former Chief Minister PK Dhumal. Fifteen residents will attend his cremation in Delhi, said Roshan Lal, Up Pradhan of the Prini panchayat. Despite his busy schedule as PM and later as MP, Vajpayee would visit the village every summer, accompanied by his daughter Namita and son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya, until his health declined. editorial@tribune.com Vikram Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 16 Senior BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta, who was Civil Aviation Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, described Vajpayee as a politician who had high democratic ethics. He said not only he kept promises to his own party men but also to members of the opposition. Chaman Lal said Vajpayee wanted all political parties to join a peaceful developmental movement to make the country self-reliant. He wanted a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue while taking Pakistan also on board. He always looked upon Jammu as the gateway that connected the state with the rest of country, he said. The BJP leader, who was Civil Aviation Minister in the National Democratic Alliance government in 1999 when the Kandahar hijacking took place, said Vajpayee was not cowed down by the episode, but finally he had to concede to public demand for the release of three terrorists in exchange for passengers. Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was en route from Kathmandu to Delhi on December 24, 1999, when it was hijacked. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, with the support of Pakistans ISI, was accused of the incident. After touching down in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai, the hijackers finally forced the aircraft to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan, which at the time was controlled by the Taliban. The hijacking was the worst episode during his government. Though political pressure remained constant on him to free the terrorists, he resisted it, said Chaman Lal. After a few days, public pressure grew on him as people started restricting his movements by lying on roads while demanding an end to the hijacking incident, said Chaman Lal. The hostage crisis lasted for seven days. It ended after India agreed to release three militants Masood Azhar, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. rajivbhatia82@gmail.com Jasmine Singh Who doesn't know or talk about the drug problem in Punjab? Just about every Punjabi across the globe has expressed concern about the menace. Many Punjabi films and documentaries have tried to highlight the problem, but now we have a Punjabi film that has raised the issue in an easy and light-hearted manner. Mr and Mrs 420 Returns, directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary, talks about the problem of Punjab in comic, nonetheless, informative manner. A sequel to Mr and Mrs 420, the film starts with a completely new storyline and content. Apart from story and direction, the comic dialogues are the USP. The punches are bang on and immensely hilarious, the credit for which goes not only to the dialogue writer but also the actors. Director Ksshitij Chaudhary has already proved with his previous projects that he knows how to make the audience laugh and also subtly push forward a message, and with Mr and Mrs 420 Returns he proves it yet again. There is no dull moment and what is more interesting is that while watching the sequel not for once does one remember the prequel. The storyline is fresh. So much so every Punjabi family that is facing the issue of drug can relate to the various scenes, especially the one where one sees all the household items of a house tied to a chain so that they are not stolen to procure drugs. It wouldn't be wrong to say that the film belongs to three artistes, Ranjit Bawa, Jassie Gill and Karamjit Anmol. Ranjit Bawa takes charge of the film from the very beginning. His comedy is subtle and rightly timed. Ranjit is establishing himself as a comic actor who can bring the house down with his 'soft' punches. Next up are the 'pretty ladies' Jassie Gill and Karamjit Anmol, who are entertaining from the word go. Jassie has an image of a romantic chocolate hero and in Mr and Mrs 420 Returns he tries something completely different by cross dressing as a lady and he nails it. The same holds true for Karamjt Anmol, who is witty to the tee. This is one odd Punjabi film that has generous amount of non- Punjabi dialogues (Haryanavi) which gel well. Two brilliant actors, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Jaswinder Bhalla are good but we expected a lot more from them. Anita Devgan as always is entertaining. A fat share of credit for punch-lines generously goes to Naresh Kathooria. As for the real ladies of the film, it's nice to hear some dialogues from them. The film's music is peppy. Rrupaali Gupta opens her innings in Punjabi film with Mr and Mrs 420 Returns and well, she can act and produce films as well, in the near future too. The drug problem in Punjab might take some time to solve but till then the film gives an all new perspective on it, one that can be laughed about without undermining the seriousness of the issue. jasmine@tribunemail.com uttara@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, August 17 The Supreme Court on Friday asked the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and a sub-committee set up by Kerala to deal with the flood situation in the state to coordinate and explore the possibility of reducing the water level at the Mullaperiyar Dam by three feet. A Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice DY Chandrachud asked Kerala and Tamil Nadu to abide by the directions given by NCMC on the rehabilitation of displaced people and the reduction of water level from the existing 142 feet to 139 feet at the dam. The Bench observed that it was not an expert to deal with such severe natural calamity and was leaving to the executive to contain the crisis. The top court asked Kerala to submit the report on the steps taken on disaster management and rehabilitation measures. The death toll in the monsoon fury in the southern state has crossed 167, while rains and floodwater have caused extensive damage. Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of the shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir and Idamalayar, have severely affected the lives of people in downstream areas. PTI The Dutch Reach encourages drivers and passengers to use the hand farthest from the door to reach across the body to open the door after parallel parking. This prods people in motor vehicles to look back for cyclists and other traffic, and can help prevent sometimes-fatal dooring crashes, said the Active Transportation Alliance, a bike, pedestrian and transit user advocacy group. It is called the Dutch Reach because it is taught and used in the Netherlands. pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, August 17 The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL against the cap on free-of-charge withdrawals by banking customers from own bank ATMs, saying it was a policy decision. A Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao yesterday said the ATM facility provided by banks have lot of overhead costs, like salary of guards and power consumption charges, and therefore, there cannot be unlimited free ATM transactions. They have to maintain the ATMs and there would be establishment costs, the court said, adding that it would be disastrous if banks close the ATMs due to its interference in the issue. As per the Reserve Bank of Indias new guidelines, bank customers in six metrosDelhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluruare allowed to withdraw money free of charge only five times a month from the ATMs of their banks and will be charged Rs 20 for every subsequent transaction. The court said Rs 20 for every additional transaction in a month can be afforded by a banking customer and dismissed the petition, filed by lawyer Swati Aggarwal, seeking directions to allow unlimited number of free transactions for banking customers at the ATMs of their banks. In her PIL, Aggarwal claimed that the guidelines were issued at the behest of a few banks and IBA (Indian Banks Association) which had approached the RBI seeking changes in the extant instructions regarding free transactions at other banks Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). It alleged that levying charges was highly arbitrary and unjustified besides being discriminatory and against good banking practices and reforms and a backward move. In almost all modern economies of the world, there is no cap on the number of transactions one can make on own bank ATM and unlimited number of transactions remain free of charge on their own bank ATMs, the petition said. It contended that the RBI decision contradicts its own circular dated March 10, 2008, whereby it had justified and given directions allowing the free usage of ATMs for unlimited number of transactions on own bank ATMs. PTI singhking99@yahoo.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 17 The IAF on Friday evacuated a 50-year-old French woman who was seriously injured in a road mishap while on a road trip to Leh on bikes along with her husband. Bresson Florence was taken to a nearby Army hospital and shifted to the ICU at SNM Hospital in Leh. Her condition was critical while her husband, Christophe, suffered minor injuries. The Embassy of France at New Delhi requested immediate evacuation of the patients to Chandigarh or Delhi on Thursday. A C-17 Globemaster aircraft was prepared with a Patient Transfer Unit, a mobile ICU. However, the weather at Leh on Thursday did not allow the aircraft to land. Early on Friday, a C-17 aircraft from Chandigarh landed at Leh with the PTU. Bresson was transferred to the PTU. Simultaneously, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from Hindon reached Leh and took off with the patient accompanied by her husband and other medicare personnel and landed in New Delhi. Due to bad weather we could not launch the aircraft last evening. Our medical team was in touch with the doctors at Leh and at the first opportune moment, both the aircraft were launched and the mission was executed successfully, said Air Cmde S Srinivasan, Air Officer Commanding, 12 Wing Chandigarh. rohitb@tribuneindia.com Sreevalsan Thiyyadi The sun on Friday occasionally peeped through the dark menacing clouds over Kerala, lending a ray of hope to the people caught in a deluge that has submerged vast swathes of the coastal state, claiming 173 lives in a week. The state had last witnessed floods of such severity in 1924. There were signs of a let-up in the monsoon fury in several parts with the water level in most of Keralas 41 rivers receding below the danger mark. However, hill tracts along the Western Ghats in upstate Malabar continued to report random landslips. With rescue operations strengthened owing to better deployment of Central forces and 2.23 lakh people shifted to 1,568 relief camps, charity organisations and private enterprises have begun collecting funds and clothes for the affected many of them stranded atop homes, hostels and even hospitals. Forty-two teams of the Indian Navy and 16 of the Army have been pressed into service. The IAF has chipped in too with 23 helicopters. As many as 250 motorised boats are providing help to those marooned in the worst-affected districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur. The boats are lined along major rivers the Periyar, Bharatapuzha and Pampa. The police and disaster management personnel are working round the clock. Twelve of the states 14 districts continue to be under red alert. However, the fear of heavy weekend rain has waned with the weather office announcing that a low-pressure trough on the Odisha coast has changed course and is now moving towards Madhya Pradesh. State officials on Friday put the death toll at 173. He said the authorities were striving to restore road and train traffic. While the states busiest airport near Kochi was yet to start operations, the citys elevated Metro rail was running free service. The situation in the south-central districts of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta is grim too. The 170-km Achankovil river continues to be in spate along the Pathanamthitta stretch. The pilgrim town of Pandalam is entirely under water. Deep south Kerala is relatively calm with Thiruvananthapuram largely escaping the natures onslaught. Even as PM Narendra Modi arrived in Thiruvananthapuram late Friday evening to undertake an aerial view of the flood-hit areas, the Supreme Court has asked the state to ensure the water level at the Mullaperiyar dam on the Periyar does not exceed 139 feet. Godavari in spate in Andhra, Tgana The Godavari is in spate in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; the government machinery has been put on high alert in three districts Second flood warning issued as the discharge from Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage crosses 13.15 lakh cusecs at 9.30 pm The first level warning issued as water flow at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowaleswaram crosses 12.1 lakh cusecs Emergency rescue and relief teams positioned in East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh for any eventuality Coastal state submerged 2.23 lakh people lodged in 1,568 relief camps On rescue mission 42 teams of the Navy 16 of the Army 23 IAF helicopters 250 motorised boats Rs 10 crore worth relief by Punjab High alert in 12 of Keralas 14 districts Worst-hit districts: Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta rchopra@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 17 Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers gave a gun salute and silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees mortal remains were consigned to the flames on Friday evening, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness. Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of Atal Bihari Amar Rahe reverberated in the air and a light drizzle fell, piercing the sombre silence. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were among the thousands of people at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna, the BJP patriarchs final resting place along the stretch which also houses the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Several foreign dignitaries, including Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Pakistans Law Minister Ali Zafar were present as Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours. Thousands of mourners poured into the streets of the National Capital as Vajpayees cortege made its way from his home to the BJP headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and then to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Modi, who along with BJP president Amit Shah walked behind the gun carriage decorated with flowers for the entire route of nearly 3.5 kilometers, later said people came from all parts of India and from all sections of society to pay tributes to an extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation. India salutes you Atal Ji! Modi tweeted. The Tricolour draping Vajpayee, who died yesterday at the age of 93 following prolonged illness at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was folded and handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. It was a sea of white, with most mourners dressed in the colour of mourning to remember the man who wove together pragmatism and his vision for an inclusive India. Some could be seen wiping their tears. The intensity of the moment and the heat led to some mourners fainting. Among them was Khush Chaturvedi. I am not politically inclined but I wanted to meet (former president) Kalam and Vajpayee once. I couldnt manage to meet them when they were alive, but I had to be here today, the 27-year-old from Siwan in Bihar said. There were people everywhere, covering the roads along the route from the BJP headquarters to the Smriti Sthal from side to side, with security personnel maintaining strict vigil to ensure that nothing goes wrong. These were extraordinary scenes last seen when Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 and his funeral procession was taken from Teen Murti Bhavan to the banks of the Yamuna, said old-timers. The crowds had begun gathering from last night itself as news came in of the death of the three-time prime ministerwho joined the RSS in 1947, rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. They first gathered at the hospital, then at his Krishna Menon Marg home and then at the BJP headquarters. The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP office, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader. Some clambered on a neem tree outside, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside. Inside, Modi and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, hailed by them and the Opposition as one of Indias tallest leaders. Hundreds of people were also seen with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayeea BJP flag on either sidein the backdrop. Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted Atal Bihari Amar Rahe as Vajpayees cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office about five kilometres away. Mourners walked and ran beside the carriage, also chanting slogans like Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega (Till the sun and moon endure, so will Atal jis name), punctuated by patriotic cheers of Bharat Mata ki jai and Vande Mataram. In the crowd were Ganeshan, 38, and Chennaiah Nadesan, 45, who had flown in from Tamil Nadu, who described Vajpayee as achcha politician, achcha parliamentarian, pure man in a mix of Hindi and English after paying his homage. Aakash Kumar, 25, rode his scooter from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, about 70 km away. I was probably in Class 3 or 4, when I heard one of his speeches and got drawn towards him. I really liked his poems, Aakash said. As eulogies were written, analysts took stock of the politician and the man and the city returned to normalcy, BJP leader Anurag Thakur said the massive turnout showed he resided in the hearts of people. Not only has India has lost a leader, a son, the world has lost a statesman, Thakur told reporters. Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJPs right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence. His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months. Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004. In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence. In view of the funeral procession, several roads in the national capital were closed for the public. Some roads closed from 8 am included Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road. DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) were also closed, the traffic police said. Commuters had been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi. Those travelling between east and west Delhi were advised to use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road. Highlights 5:00 pm: Vajpayee cremated. His foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya performs last rites. 4:30 pm: Tricolour wrapped around mortal Atal Bihari Vajpayee's remains handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. 4:25 pm: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 4: 20 pm King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays last respects. 3:57 pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh at the funeral. 3:45 pm: Convoy reaches Smriti Sthal. 3:05 pm: Former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi for Vajpayee's funeral. 2:00 pm: Atal Bihari Vajpayee begins on final journey to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where he will be laid to rest. Accompanied by top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. 1:45 pm: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP HQ. 12:50 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. 12:45 pm: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays last respects to the former prime minister. 12:20 pm: Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali arrives in Delhi,.He will attend the funeral. 12:10 pm: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrives in Delhi. He will attend the funeral. 12:00 pm: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at the BJP Headquarters. 12:00 pm: Veteran BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani pay last respects to former prime minister Vajpayee. 11:40 pm: UP Chief Minister Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP Headquarters. 11:30 pm: DMK leader A Raja, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh pay last respects to the former prime minister. 11:25 pm: Union Minister Suresh Prabhu and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav pay last respects to the former prime minister. 11:25 pm: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays last respects to the former prime minister. 11:00 pm: The mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been brought to BJP Headquarters. With agencies Muslim cleric, students wait for a glimpse As Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession wound its way through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, a man wearing a skull cap and sporting a flowing beard, led a group of madrassa students chanting in praise of the departed leader as a mark of gratitude for the ex-PM who once helped him settle a dispute over a mosque. The students from a nearby Muslim seminary said they had been waiting near a busy crossing close to ITO since early morning on a sultry Friday. These children got ready in the morning. They have been waiting since then to get a glimpse of Vajpayeeji. They said when his funeral procession will pass through the road, they would salute him. He was a man of truth. And such men live forever, Ameen-ud-Din said. For a man who stood behind each one of us, we say Jab tak sooraj chaand rahega... Atalji ka naam rahega. He always remembered Vajpayee as a genuine human being. IANS Ashes to be immersed in all 75 UP districts Lucknow: Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees ashes will be immersed in rivers in all 75 Uttar Pradesh districts. The UP Government has put out a list of rivers, big and small, for the purpose. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said this was being done because UP had been Vajpayees karmabhoomi and its people would get an opportunity to be part of his final journey. Vajpayee represented the states national capital in the Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms. TNS Volunteers clear litter along funeral route New Delhi: While a large number of overwhelmed people accompanied Vajpayee on his last journey, there were groups amidst them who voluntarily engaged themselves in removing bottles and other waste along the route as a homage to the departed leader. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Road to ITO Crossing was most littered. Ram Sharan (67), who had come from Bagpat (UP), said: We are removing the waste as we want the road used by Atalji for his last journey to remain clean. TNS Sir, you will be missed: Vajpayees guards New Delhi: It was a poignant moment for the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel to bid goodbye to the man whom they had protected all these 14 years. The body guards of Vajpayee on Friday stood in queue, away from cameras and crowd, and took turns to silently offer their homage to the departed leader. He was a tall leader. We will miss him, said an SPG officer. The team of 20 people in each shift of eight hours (total 60) used to guard Vajpayee at his 6A Krishna Menon Marg Road residence. ANI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 17 The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) dealing with devastating floods in Kerala has decided to reduce water level in Mullaperiyar dam to check additional inflow to avert further disaster. Additional Solicitor General PS Narasimha informed a Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the situation was being monitored every minute. He said Kerala and Tamil Nadu were cooperating with the efforts to deal with floods that claimed around 324 lives and damaged property worth crores of rupees. On Thursday, the top court had asked the government to call an urgent meeting of NCMC and a sub-committee constituted under Section 9 of The Disaster Management Act, 2005, with representatives of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to see if it was possible to reduce water level in the dam at least to 139 feet. On Friday, it asked NCMC and the sub-committee to coordinate with the committee on Mullaperiyar Dam to explore possibility of bringing down water level from 141 ft at present to 139 feet. CJI Misra said judges were no experts to measure the dangers of water levels in the dam. We are leaving it to the Executive. How can we do all this? he said. However, it said NCMCs directions on rescue, relief and rehabilitation will be binding on Kerala. The idea was to deal with the calamity, rescue and rehabilitate people caught in floods, he said. The court was dealing with a petition by a man from Kerala who wanted the structural safety of the dam to be entrusted to a statutory committee till the flood waters receded. There was no cooperation between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and people living near the dam were under fear of getting washed away, the petitioners counsel alleged and demanded measures to ensure safety of those living downstream. The Bench asked TN to scrupulously follow the directions of the committees and directed the Kerala Chief Secretary to file an affidavit detailing the rescue and rehabilitation measures. On behalf of Tamil Nadu, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade said if water is released now, it will create more havoc as it will flow into Kerala only. As the CJI suggested exploring the possibility of storing the water somewhere else, Naphade said it was not possible as the water level had already reached the maximum. Its an act of God, he said. gspannu7@gmail.com Ravi S Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 17 Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced Rs 10 crore worth of immediate relief for the flood-ravaged state of Kerala. The structural composition of the help include transfer of Rs 5 crore from Punjab Chief Ministers Fund to Kerala CM Fund. The balance amount will be in the form of ready-to-eat food material and other supplies which will be flown out with the help of the Defence Ministry. Punjab Governments official spokesperson said here that the first Air Force sortie was expected to take off tomorrow to deliver 30 tonnes of ready-to-eat foods, such as biscuits, rusks, bottled water, and milk powder, to the flood-hit state. About one lakh food packets are to be sent in the first consignment. The remaining will be dispatched as and when requisitioned by the Kerala Government. A total of four sorties, each carrying 30 tonnes, would be undertaken. Worried about the #KeralaFlood situation. Ordered release of Rs 10 cr in relief aid - Rs 5 cr from my relief fund to Kerala CMs relief fund and rest as food and other supplies, to be flown out there in @IAF_MCC sorties beginning tomorrow. Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 17, 2018 The spokesperson added that the Punjab Financial Commissioner Revenue had earlier spoken to his Kerala counterpart to assess the flood situation and the kind of support required by the Kerala Government to deal with the large scale flood-induced disaster. He further informed that acting on the chief ministers appeal, members of the Punjab IAS Officers Association have decided to donate one days salary each to the CMs Relief Fund to support the Kerala relief measures. The chief minister has also appealed to other government employees to extend similar help. Also, appeal has been made to private bodies for support to the southern state. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also announced Rs 10 crore help to Kerala. After speaking to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, CM Arvind Kejriwal shared it on Twitter: Delhi govt is making a contribution of Rs 10 cr. I sincerely appeal to everyone to donate generously for our brothers and sisters in Kerala. pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, August 17 The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear in October a plea by one of the convicts in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, regarding the status of probe by the CBI-led Multi Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) into conspiracy behind the murder. The MDMA, set up in 1998, has been investigating the larger conspiracy behind Rajiv Gandhis assassination on the night of May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally. Fourteen others, including Dhanu herself, were also killed in the blast. Gandhis assassination was perhaps the first case of suicide bombing which had claimed the life of a high-profile leader. The MDMA, which was established on the recommendations of Justice M C Jain Commission of Inquiry that had probed the conspiracy aspect of Gandhis assassination, is headed by a CBI official and comprises officers from IB, RAW and Revenue Intelligence and other agencies. The matter today came up for hearing before a Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Navin Sinha and K M Joseph. We will have to hear it, the bench said, adding that the case would be listed for hearing in October. 45-year-old A G Perarivalan, who is serving life sentence, had earlier moved the apex court seeking suspension of his jail term till the completion of the probe by the MDMA. The MDMA, in its report filed in the apex court earlier, had said that probe was still open and Letters Rogatory were issued to various countries, including Sri Lanka, where some of the persons required to be investigated were residing. On March 14, the top court had dismissed Perarivalans plea seeking recall of the May 11, 1999 verdict upholding his conviction in the case. The court had asked the MDMA to file a report with regard to the status of a letter rogatory sent to Sri Lanka for examining one of the accused Nixon alias Suren, who is lodged in Colombo jail. Recently on August 10, the Centre had told the apex court that it does not concur with the Tamil Nadu governments proposal to release seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, saying remission of their sentence will set a dangerous precedent and have international ramifications. On January 23, the apex court had asked the Centre to take a decision within three months on a 2016 letter by the Tamil Nadu government seeking its concurrence on releasing the seven convicts. The letter, written on March 2, 2016, had said the state government has already decided to release the seven convicts, but it is necessary to seek the Centres concurrence as per an apex court order of 2015. The convicts, V Sriharan alias Murugan, T Suthendraraja alias Santham, A G Perarivalan alias Arivu, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, P Ravichandaran and Nalini, have been in jail for 25 years. In its May 1999 order, the top court had upheld the death sentence of four convictsPerarivalan, Murugan, Santham and Naliniin the assassination case. In April 2000, the Tamil Nadu Governor had commuted the death sentence of Nalini on the basis of state governments recommendation and an appeal by former Congress president and Rajiv Gandhis widow Sonia Gandhi. The apex court had on February 18, 2014, commuted death sentence of three convicts - Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan - citing inordinate delay by the executive in deciding their mercy plea. PTI editorial@tribune.com GS Paul Tribune News Service Attari, August 16 The smart fence along the India-Pakistan border to thwart any vulnerable element to cross the border is priority of the Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF Director General (DG), KK Sharma, said this while presiding over the Independence Day programme here on Wednesday. The BSF presented sweets to their Pakistani counterparts, who had gifted sweets on their Independence Day on August 14. The smart fence project, christened as the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), is part of the Centres ambitious plan to seal Indias border with Pakistan and Bangladesh in a few years. The susceptible spots at the border are covered with infra-red cameras, radars and other sensor-operative equipment. A software integrates all gadgets and pass on round-the-clock feed to the monitor of BSF personnel sitting in the Border Out Post (BoP). If any suspicious activity is detected, it will raise an alarm to alert the troops. The pilot project has already been tested along a riverine stretch with Bangladesh, where there is negligible scope of erecting the fence or setting up a permanent BoP. The maiden testing in Assams Dubri area with technical surveillance and alarm gadgetry was operationalised in the 55-km-long Dubri stretch across the Brahmaputra where the traditional surveillance was impossible. Its success has encouraged the BSF to implement the technology in the Jammu sector. The Punjab border is next in line, Sharma said. gspannu7@gmail.com Phagwara, August 17 A gunman of Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Phagwara Som Prakash was critically injured after he was hit by a bullet fired from his own gun, a police official said on Friday. Nirmal Kumar (45), gunman of the MLA, sustained bullet injuries in the incident last night, Sadar SHO Inspector Shiv Kanwal Singh said. Kumar was first rushed to a civil hospital from where he was referred to Jalandhar as his condition was critical, Singh said. He said Kumar was alone in his police quarter at the time of incident. It is being ascertained whether the incident was an accident or if it was a suicide bid. This will become clear only after Kumar is fit to give a statement, he added. PTI "I am disturbed that someone would show up to an event and try to harass and intimidate me and my family, but he is sorely mistaken if he thinks that it is going to slow me down one bit," she said. "Nasty, divisive politics do nothing for our community. I will continue to hold public town halls, campaign with civility, and show this office and voters the respect they deserve." Success is measured not by having a degree but by how you impact the lives of others. This was the message to graduates of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Faculty of Social Sciences yesterday by construction magnate Sieunarine Coosal. Coosal, who is the executive chairman of the Coosals Group of Companies, was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) by The UWI during the virtual graduation ceremony. Prastaavofferings of prayer, musical upliftment and renewed hope during one of the darkest times in this countrys history. Thats the positive energy emanating from the National Council of Indian Cultures (NCIC) 2021 Divali Nagar, in Chaguanas, this Festival of Lights, says organiser George Singh. 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 But on cross-examination, Wards attorney hammered away at the fact that about a dozen days after Hadiyas slaying, Abdul had given a much less confident identification. Abdul, then 18, had picked Ward out of a lineup but only because he said Ward was similar to the gunman in stature, skin color and the way he stood. It has been a good week for heritage art. Two different sets of stolen cultural treasures were returned to their rightful owners earlier this week from the countries which had stolen them. The most famous of the lot was the Benin Bronze depicting Oba, the King of Benin, which was looted by British soldiers in 1897. The sculpture, valued at US$4 million, was returned to Nigeria by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. The Azul is a hybrid resort with a small adult section and a much larger family section. If you are traveling as an adult and are able to get a room in the adult section: this section includes two rooming blocks that overlook the adult swim up pool bar. In the evening, there is an adult lounge adjacent to the adult pool. There are no adult only eatery and there is no adult only beach. While some of the rooms in the newly built prestige rooms are for 2 adults only, those rooms are in the family section. You will probably find the house wines as adequate; the resort has an up sale wine list that some may find expensive as many are knocking on the US$100 cost. The resort is located on a quieter section of Long Bay beach, the 5 mile section of the 7 Mile beach. This is a satellite image of that venue: To the south is a newly developed tourist park that has barely been discovered called Island Lux Beach Park ( ); it contains interesting eateries, a vegan eatery (called Ital), excellent ice creme shop, clothes shopping well you will see). To the north are two local pubs called Boardwalk Village and Our Past Time. If you are looking for a freshly cooked Caribbean lobster, visit the Fireman's Grill he will deliver to your beach lounger, if desired. Further north the the adult couples resort called Sandals Negril and then the adults only Hedonism II. You can walk along the beach from place to place, you just cannot enter into an all inclusive resort for a drink or a meal (meaning Sandals Negril and Hedonism). If you are traveling as an adult or as an adult couple or group, would you like some suggestions for a pure adult resort rather than a hybrid? Edited: 3 years ago Can you get a data only sim for a mobile phone? . My understanding is you can't. Phone plans tend to have quite a small data allowance, and are expensive for what you get. Data only plans come with 100 -200 gig and more for around $1 per gig or less I think for long term use you'd find MiFi more convenient. No idea about Indonesia, but you'd need a local sim there also. My husband and I will be traveling to Costa Rica for the first time in December. Have booked our flights and working on the itinerary. Flight arrives in the evening so will be spending the night near the airport and having a rental car dropped off the next morning. We are planning on going to 3 locations in 13 says Arenal Volcano, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio. Thinking about staying in either MA or in B & B in Playa Matapalo. Would like some beach time combined with hiking/wildlife. Drake bay & canon island snorkling sound fun too. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Hi there, I appreciate any feedback you may be able to offer from your experiences. We are a family group of seven people travelling to Vietnam in November, December 2018. We have 13 days on the ground (excluding departure days). Five of the group are under 26, with two in their late forties. A mixture of interests to plan around. Due to time constraints due to work commitments we only have 13 days with the aim of just visiting 3 main areas. Just wondering if you think we have the balance of days right, would really appreciate any feedback. We will be flying between these centres. I'm using this fantastic forum to research the detailed programme. Is the following balance of days in each area about right? Days 1 - 3 Ho Chi Min include day trips to Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta and Vung Tau (family reasons) Days 4 - 9 Hoi An & Hue Days 10 - 13 Hanoi include day trip to Ninh Binh Thank you Gang membership in and of itself cannot be a basis for conviction or acquittal in this case, he told the separate juries deciding the fate of Ward and Williams. None of you are litigating who is or is not in a gang. I do not know anything about Vietnam. Honestly, I have no interest in Vietnam. However, my dad is a U.S. Vietnam Veteran and he wants to make a trip with my son who is 26 years old. Because my dad has some health issues, he needs to go at a slower pace. To help me start my research: 1) What are the best cities/areas to visit? 2) Are there any tour companies you would recommend? 3) What is the best month or season to visit. Of course, they do not want to go in the hottest month. 4) What are the best hotels? Price is not an issue, looking for most comfortable and in best location. 5 Star hotels are fine. I think they are looking at maybe 3-4 days? But that can change. They would be flying in from South Korea to Vietnam as he lives in South Korea now. Once, I Have looked at these items, I can research more about the cities. I have read a few post, and all of the names of the towns and areas are unfamiliar to me. Since dad is retired, they can go for a few days or a few weeks. Give me the best options for someone who does not have any budget restrictions. Thanks! Edited: 3 years ago Well, Nikko is really great because of Autumn Colors in October there, but it's very popular so I don't know if you can book a good Onsen Ryokan there. If you go there in October, you should go early in the morning on weekdays, and take a Tobu bus from JR Nikko or Tobu Nikko Station early in the morning and go straight to Lake Chuzenjiko through Irohazaka Winding Road, because this Road are going to be very crowded in the late morning. Come back to Nikko and go to Toshogu Shine in the afternoon to avoid crowds. It is good to stay at an Onsen Ryokan in Oku-Nikko Lake Yumoto Area or Lake Chuzenji Area. Please read these and check if you can still book an Onsen Ryokan there. Alternatively, Bandai is also a nice place to go for Autumn Colors in October in Fukushima Prefecture with a little bit less people than Nikko, as follows. You can move by bus, but it's great if you rent a car at JR Inawashiro Station. Alternatively, Autumn Color is great at Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture and at Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture in early October, while it is great at Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture and Fuji 5 Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture in late October, as follows. How do I get from the airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Manhattan? What To Do During Layovers? Vacation Apartment Rentals Violate NYC Laws Hotels: Kitchenettes and kitchens in 100+ Manhattan Hotels Hotels: Two queen beds plus a kitchen/kitchenette Hotels: Guests under 21 years old (but at least 18) Hotels: Which ones charge an additional Resort or Facilities Fee Hotels: When is the best time to go for cheaper rates? What are the Must-See's and Must-Do's? How Do I Ride the Subway (UPDATED)? Tips, Hint and Suggestions for First Timers SCAMS to avoid in NYC What Will the Weather Be Like During My Trip? Any Good Websites for Researching My Trip? How Safe is New York? Where to Eat in NYC Where to eat in NYC - Part 2 Celiac in the City? (gluten free) Which Area Should I Stay In? Is There Cheaper Lodging Outside Manhattan? How Much Do I Tip People? Are the New York Pass, Explorer Pass or CityPass worth it? How Do I Hail a Taxi? Public restrooms/toilets. Where do you go when you GOTTA GO? Where are the best areas for shopping? How do I find Discount Tickets for Broadway Shows? What are the NYC Halloween events for 2021? Thanksgiving 2021 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat Christmastime in NYC 2021: Dates for the Trees-Windows-Markets-Ice Skating+MORE! Christmas Day 2021 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat What Should I Do on New Year's Eve? How Will I Survive the Cold Weather? Where are the Farmers Markets and Street Fairs? What is there to see and do near WTC/SOL/Brooklyn Bridge/SI ferry? What should I know about visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum? What Is There to See and Do in Brooklyn? How Do I Get to the Brooklyn Bridge? What Is There to See and Do in Queens? Exploring neighborhoods - where should I go and what should I see? Which is the best? ESB or TOTR or OWO? Which are the significant churches in Manhattan? Hidden Gems in the city - not so touristy How do I get from NYC to the Meadowlands and back? I'm Getting Married in NYC...what do I need to do? Should I Buy Knock-Off Purses? What to Do with Kids and How to Do It? What should we do at night -- especially with kids or under 21's? Places to eat (and drink) with a view Where is the Old FAQ? Trip Reports: Families with Young Kids - Add yours! Trip Reports: Groups of Friends - Add yours! Trip Reports: Couples - Add yours! Trip Reports: Families with Teenagers - Add yours! Trip Reports: Solo Travelers - Add yours! Trip Reports: Families of Adults - Add yours! Looking to book a vacation to celebrate hubby's 55th in Jan 2019. Seems several resorts are already booking up! Normally I would look at Secrets or another adults AI.(This will be our first time in CR and have spent a bazillion visits to Mexico AI's. I know CR is way different but really looking for a different experience!) Secrets is pretty much booked up so after doing a little research I'm running across some really great boutique resorts. Maybe fate had a different plan for me!! :-) Looking for recommendations for Papagayo or Tamarind and want to be in a 4/5 star property. Obviously Papagayo is closer to the Liberia airport but looking for the best option with a great beach too! Thanks for the help!! :) The value that many Kenyans place in their community is deeply ingrained and encoded in our society. This fact is supported by the manner in which we protect and fight for our own. For the most part, I tend to believe that Kenyans are not tribal, but everyone wants their community to be associated with a hero. Kanze Dena, being a gorgeous, young and successful lady has become just this; a hero in every sense of the word! Kanze Dena is ever full of surprises; from her humble upbringing to being one of the top leading media personalities on our TV screens, and now, the Deputy State House Spokesperson. Although many details about her life have surfaced since she rose to prominence, it is fact that some interesting details about her are still scanty. Case in point, which community does she hail from? Is she even Kenyan? Well, whether Kenyan-bred or not, all this, will be settled in a short while. Also in this article, learn about her formative life as a young girl to heartbreaking experiences as a teenager. Kanze Dena tribe The lovely Kanze Dena was borne out of Duruma parents who initially resided in Mazeras in Kwale. The Duruma, tribe of Kanze Dena comprises one of the nine tribes that make up the Mijikenda community. The tribe calls the coast of the Indian Ocean as their ancestral land. Kanze Dena profile Kellen Kanze Dena is the full name of the sassy news anchor now Kenyan Government spin doctor. We can confirm her age to be 38 years. She claims Nairobi and Mombasa to be among areas she grew up in. Her family comprises eight siblings, five of them being her step-siblings. Kanze Dena education Kanze insists she had an unsettled relationship with her mother when she was still a teenager partly because she was naughty at school. Strained was their interaction that her mother resorted to sending her to Kianjokoma Primary School, today St. Matthews Mixed Boarding Primary School in Embu. The decision to be taken to a faraway school further strained the daughter-mother bond. After sitting for her primary school exams, she proceeded to Kieni Girls High School for her O-levels, graduating later in 1997. Every child has a glowing passion for a particular career. For Dena, it was the love to grace the white outfit worn by nurses. Every year she tried her luck to join the premier Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) without success. Her mother convinced her to be a journalist. She gave in and enrolled at Foundation College of Professional Studies for her Journalism and Mass Communication training. Looking back, she was indeed good at creative arts having partaken in drama and poetry while still a student. Kanze Dena mother Although Kanze aserts she had a shaky relationship with her mother, she still adored her. Mrs. Zainabu Kiwasi was her name. After getting pregnant, she ensured she kept it a secret from her mother. Even after concealing her pregnancy her mom later found out just a day after she delivered. As if by design, the mother volunteered to take care of the newborn Natasha as Dena concentrated on her college studies. Kanze Dena mom passed away eleven years ago after developing cancer. The condition went undetected until she fell sick while still residing in upcountry. She was rushed to Nairobi for specialized treatment where the medics uncovered she had colon cancer. In 2016, the media personality showered her late mother with a glowing tribute on social media. She captioned the picture with heartfelt gratitude to her mother for raising them with values of humility. Kanze Dena life highlight Before she could chart a way forward after high school, she secured a gig at her grandfathers restaurant. She got her first job at her grandfathers restaurant in Nairobi; initially as a potato peeler and dishwasher, but rose to be a waitress. Soon she would put to use her furnished academic accomplishment. Finally, she joined Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as an intern and rapidly rose the ranks to be a news anchor. While still waiting to join college, she gave love a chance. The man she once loved, impregnated her and soon developed cold feet after learning of her pregnancy. Staring a brick future, she settled on giving up the child for adoption immediately after birth. An unprecedented turn of events at the delivery room changed her earlier plan. It turned out she had forgotten to give directions that her unborn child was destined for adoption. Without, a blink of an eye she embraced her newly born daughter who she named Natasha. Unfortunately, her bundle of joy died of unconfirmed illness at just 3 months in her mothers care. Just when she thought everything, was behind her back, her mother passed away. Losing her mother was indeed a double tragedy after her infant daughter succumbed to death. Without an answer on the reason for the heart-wrenching tragedies, Kanze Dena sunk into depression. Suicide crossed her mind as the ultimate comfort to deal with the grief and stress. As if that was not enough, just when she had healed from the wounds, her close companion died of cancer. This loss led her to an extreme level of low-esteem, and she later attempted to take her own life the second time. In 2005, Kenyans got unwind of news that the damsel was expecting a child. Rumors turned true when the baby bump became conspicuous. A threat of miscarriage threated her second pregnancy after she experienced unusual bleeding. Fortunately, she was able to carry the child to full term culminating in a birth of a baby boy she named Nathaniel Amani. Although she is not married to the baby daddy, she was quick to lay bare the details of their relationship. Through Instagram pictures while on a trip to Nyeri, Kanze Dena acknowledged that she co-parents her son with the baby daddy. Humanity is all about the search for the source of energy behind the universe we live dwell on. Kanze Dena is not left behind in the course of spiritual enlightenment. She threw her weight behind Christ and joined fellowship at Nairobi Baptist Church. Through counseling and dedicated Bible study, she is sure on the right track with her maker. It seems the former news anchor anticipates more accomplishment in future. Two months ago, the Uhuru-led Government awarded Kanze with a plump job as the Deputy State House Spokesperson and likewise a deputy head of the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU). All is not lost as Kenyans continue to miss the face of Kanze Dena on the screens. After all she will occasionally address the same audience, albeit in a different capacity and jurisdiction. For sure Kanze Dena tribe has no bearing on her job description or future endeavors in possible politics or diplomatic attache. We wish her well with her new lucrative job undertakings as a Deputy State House Spokesperson. READ ALSO Is Kanze Dena pregnant? Online affiliate marketing in Kenya How to write a business proposal Source: Tuko News - Majority of participants in the poll said demolishing Weston Hotel would prove the law is not biased - Some however felt the demolition exercise was intentionally targeting Ruto - Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General Gilbert Kibe said Ruto grabbed their plot on which Weston Hotel was build - The hotel was on the spot after its owner allegedly attempted to grab the playground of Lang'ata Road Primary school Majority of Kenyans want the prestigious Weston Hotel owned by Deputy President William Ruto demolished, a poll conducted by TUKO.co.ke has established. According to the Facebook poll conducted between Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16, 71% of Kenyans said the hotel should be demolished while 21% believed it should be spared. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Picha 5 za Sheila Wetangula, binti mrembo wa Seneta Moses Wetangula Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Gilbert Kibe said they are legal owners of the parcel of land on which DP Willim Ruto's Weston Hotel sits on. Photo: Geoffrey Mosoku/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Aviation Authority confirms DP Ruto grabbed its land to build Weston Hotel In the poll in which 3,000 Kenyans participated, the dominant view was that demolition of the Weston Hotel would be inevitable because it occupies Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)'s land. Majority participants said many buildings occupying riparian lands, road reserves and public land have alredy been demolished and it can only be proved the law has not been applied selectively if Weston which is on a parcel claimed by KCAA is brought down. READ ALSO: If you want to demolish, go ahead, I dont care - Taj Mall owner Ruto's hotel has been the subject of public scrutiny and discussion since 2015 when it was alleged he wanted to extend the premises to occupy Lang'ata Road Primary school's playground. Other respondents however felt the demolition exercise was intentionally targeted at Ruto. In 2015, Deputy President William Ruto was the subject of public rebuke over alleged attempt to grab the neighbouring Lang'ata Primary School to expand Weston Hotel. Photo: Wakili Cherargei/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: 6 Nyamira MCAs in soup for defying Raila Odinga's party orders Discussions surrounding the hotel regularly used by Kalenjin politicians during their monthly gatherings only resumed recently with commencement of massive public land reclamation exercise synonymous with demolition of prestigious premises. The KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe on Wednesday, August 15, alleged Ruto grabbed its plot L.R. No. 209/14372 situated opposite Wilson Airport where Weston Hotel sits on. 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: Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Arraigned in Court Over Corruption Charge| Tuko TV: Source: Tuko - Waititu confirmed he owns the building which is still under construction on Koinange street - He bought the said building at a cost of KSh 250 million even though the initial selling price was KSh 230 - His wife was arrested for supervising the building's construction yet it lacked necessary approvals - She was later released on a KSh 80,000 bail Very little is known about one of the buildings owned by Kiambu county Governor Ferdinand Waititu which saw his wife arrested on Wednesday, August 15, and released on a KSh 80,000 bond. Well, the seven-storey building is erected on Nairobi's Koinange street housing a number of business among them Jamii Bora bank. READ ALSO: Picha 5 za Sheila Wetangula, binti mrembo wa Seneta Moses Wetangula Well the seven storey building is erected on Nairobi's Koinange street housing a number of business. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Waititu pleads with Mike Sonko to have wife released following arrest over illegal buildings Waititu's wife, Susan Wangare Ndungu, was arrested while supervising alterations to extensions of the building which the governor confirmed he had acquired from the bank at a cost of KSh 250 million. We are undertaking some repairs and alterations on it. We can talk later about other things because Im in a meeting at the moment, Waititu was quoted by the Star on Thursday, August 15. Susan was arrested alongside 14 other people who were working at the site for allegedly doing the repairs without having the necessary documentation. READ ALSO: Waititu's wife, 14 others arrested over illegal buildings in Nairobi Susan was arrested alongside for allegedly constructing a building without having considered set laws. Source: UGC She was later charged at the Nairobi City magistrates court with occupying a building without an occupation certificate, contrary to the City Physical Planning Act. Wangare was charged alongside developer Robert Rukwaro who was accused of erecting a building without approval from the county government. It was her arrest that prompted the governor to contact his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko to intervene so she could be released, only for the conversation to end up on the interwebs after it was leaked. 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: Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Arraigned in Court Over Corruption Charge| Tuko TV: Source: Tuko - The five were coming from a family gathering when the accident happened - Their car swerved and rolled over before hitting a matatu after its tyre burst while speeding - Among the dead were two children and two women - Eight other passengers sustained serious injuries Five family members perished in a grisly road accident on the night of Thursday, August 16, at Kianungu area on the Nyeri-Nyahururu road. They were traveling in a personal vehicle and were from Nyeri where they had attended a family gathering. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha 5 za Sheila Wetangula, binti mrembo wa Seneta Moses Wetangula Five family member returning from family gathering perish in grisly road accident Source: Depositphotos READ ALSO: Ferdinand Waititus 7-storey multi million shillings Nairobi building which had his wife arrested According to Daily Nation, eight other people were injured in the collision that involved a 14-seater matatu and the personal vehicle. Among the dead was a man, his two children, a boy and a girl, and two women who were traveling in the same car. READ ALSO: Parents should stop dumping children in school but instead raise them - Uhuru Five family member returning from family gathering perish in grisly road accident Source: UGC The tragic incident was confirmed by Nyandarua North OCPD Timon Odingo who said the vehicle was speeding before its tyre burst. We suspect that the vehicle was speeding before one of its tyre burst. It then swerved and rolled before hitting the matatu that was heading to Nyeri, said Odingo. READ ALSO: Media Council of Kenya warns Jeff Koinange for questioning Francis Atwoli's bedroom ability on Live TV The mans wife sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Nyahururu County Referral Hospital alongside the others who were hurt. Wreckage of the two vehicles were towed to Nyahururu Police Station. 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: Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Arraigned in Court Over Corruption Charge| Tuko TV Source: Tuko Newspaper A normal conversation is measured at 60 decibels a decibel is how sound is measured and noise at 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing damage if someone is listening to it for an extended period of time, according to Fruendt and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A jet engine at takeoff is 140 decibels. At that level and depending on how close you are damage can happen within minutes, according to experts. Fortunately most of the jets will take off far from the crowds gathered along the lakefront to see the show. Many Kenyans agree with Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli's that President Uhuru Kenyatta deserves a third term as Head of State, a poll by TUKO.co.ke has established. TUKO.co.ke understands Uhuru's second and last term as president would end in 2022 according to the Constitution but Atwoli said it was possible to amend the supreme law of the land and grant the Head of State for another term. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: We will have a referendum and give Uhuru another term as president - Francis Atwoli President Uhuru Kenyatta took over office from former President Mwai Kibaki in 2013 and was reelected in 2017. Constitutionally he is serving his second and final term to end in 2022. Photo: The Star. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Rais Uhuru aonekana na mlinzi wa kike kwa mara ya kwanza In the Facebook poll conducted between Thursday, August 16 and Friday, August 17, 62% of 1,200 total voters supported the reelection of Uhuru for the third time anchoring their support on the Head o State's unwavering resolve to eliminate corruption in the country. The other 38% opposed Atwoli's proposal saying it was impossible to have Uhuru in the ballot as president again because the Constitution did not permit and also he would have served enough and it would be fair to have another leader take over. Proponents of Uhuru's reelection for the third time said the move was welcome provided the law was amended to permit the occasion and if his deputy William Ruto is allowed to continue deputising him. READ ALSO: 48 youths below 24 years get infected with HIV every day in Kenya - National Aids Control Council Those who opposed the proposal were critical that the law must never be changed for the sake of allowing few people to retain power and even dismissed Atwoli's narrative that Uhuru had done excellently in fighting corruption and required another term to take the good job to completion. Some Kenyans who commented on the poll shared varied opinions which included allowing Uhuru to contest again as the deputy of Opposition leader Raila Odinga, William Ruto or vie for the top seat with a provision of a prime minister. 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 Untold Stories: Rejected For Naming Son Uhuru Kenyatta | Tuko TV Source: Tuko KTN sultry news anchor Mary Kilobi is determined to spend her entire life with her husband Francis Atwoli, the Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) secretary general. Kilobi revealed she dated a couple of younger men before, but everyone of them left her heart bleeding with pain before she found true love in Atwoli Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: I bought my watch at KSh 5 milion - COTU boss Francis Atwoli READ ALSO: TV girl Mary Kilobi defends affair with COTU boss Francis Atwoli "I have dated so many young people I have talked about one I regret so much about but then Atwoli showed me genuine love. He treats me so well and respects me too," she said in a viral video seen by TUKO.co.ke on Friday, August 17. The beauty dismissed claims there was no true love between them and that she was attracted to the flamboyant trade unionist because of his money and status. She said she was not aware Atwoli was wealthy when they first met eight years ago while she was working for a TV station in Uganda. However, she acknowledged money was an important factor in marriage for partners looking to secure their future and that of their children. "If people doubt there is no love, those who hang around me believe there is love. And being his status, people think it is about his money. I have met people with money before who do not respect anyone," she added. It isalleged the news presenter who is already pregnant, was bought a bungalow and a state of the art vehicle by Atwoli. The two are also said to be planning to exchange marriage vows soon. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Socialite Bridget Achieng wants to be Kenya's next president - on TUKO TV Source: Tuko The only person who will perfectly understand the definition of a hand-me-down is a last born. It is obvious none of them likes the fact that used items have to be passed down to them. Well, being the 'last born' in President Uhuru's appointments to State House, Kanze Dena is doing perfectly fine in picking up her duties, and just maybe receiving what all last borns do, hand-me-downs. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Uhuru appears in public with first ever assistant female aide-de-camp, Racheal Nduta Kanze Dena leaves tongues wagging after wearing shirt resembling Uhurus Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Uhuru excites the internet again with his favourite shirt(s) (photos) So the new Statehouse spokesperson joined Uhuru at the Kenya Music Festival Winners' State Concert in Nyeri on Friday, August 17, and one thing was conspicuous, her red paisley shirt. Kanze sat behind the president while following the events of the day but not even her being in the background could block Kenyans from drawing a similarity of her shirt to that of Uhuru. So, did a hand-me-down happen here? That is for you to conclude. READ ALSO: All you need to know about Uhuru Kenyatta's favourite shirt and how much it costs Kanze Dena leaves tongues wagging after wearing shirt resembling Uhurus Source: Facebook Flash back to 2017, Uhuru was spotted in a number of rallies with his two paisley shirts. One has red and silver botehs while the other has silver and blue botehs. It so happens Uhuru liked the red and silver botehs more than the blue one, and we all know what colour was Kanze's paisley shirt, right?. READ ALSO: Photo of Raila appearing to stare at Wavinya Ndeti's goodies excites Kenyans on social media While all this sinks in, how about some of the reactions from cheeky Kenyans who think she should return the shirt to the rightful owner, while I check on the price of the shirt for you. Lol! Nosy Kenyans will be the end of us. But we still love you Kanze, we seriously do! 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. Phenny Awiti Story: Meet HIV Positive Mom Raising HIV Negative Kids | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko Newspaper - The two leaders turned the burial into a mini political rally - Raila set the tone when he revisited events that led to nullification of Uhurus win - The ODM leader insisted he had won but decided to work with Uhuru to end a political crisis - DP Ruto jumped in and told off the former premier saying time for politics was over - Ruto insisted Kenyans had made their decision and no amount of bickering would change Politics took centre stage at the burial of former Cabinet minister Henry Obwocha at his Siranga home in Nyamira county on Friday, August 17, when leaders revisited the 2017 disputed presidential election. It all started when Raila Odinga who was flying the NASA presidential flag narrated the events leading to the nullification of President Uhuru Kenyatta' election victory, insisting some people scuttled the Opposition journey to the promised land. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: I demanded Uhuru not to include Ruto in our handshake talks - Raila Odinga Raila arriving at Henry Obwocha's burial in Nyamira county. Photo: William Ruto/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Raila has brought problems in Jubilee - Joshua Kuttuny "When we reached River Jordan on our way to Canaan, we discovered there were crocodiles right in there but that is water under the bridge now. You all know what happened after we proceeded to the Supreme Court," he said amidst thunderous applause from mourners. But Deputy President William Ruto who was listening albeit nervously, asked Raila to embrace democratic ideals and respect decisions made by Kenyans during elections. Lets be democratic and respect decisions made by Kenyans during elections. We went to elections last year looking for positions in different political parties and that Kenyans finally made their choices on the government and leaders they wanted. We should respect their decisions, said the DP. READ ALSO: Raila must apologise to Ruto following attacks from ODM MPs - MP Ngunjiri Wambugu He urged leaders to put aside their political differences and focus on issues affecting the common man adding the government was committed to working with everyone irrespective of their political affiliations. This is a government of all Kenyans whether one was in Jubilee, NASA or any other political party. Issues of political parties are now behind us because we are one as people of one great country called Kenya, he said. This was the second time the two friends turned foes shared a podium together after they shook hand during the 2018 National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 31, at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi. 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. Ruto is Behind The Sugar Scandal - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke On Wakandacons social media accounts, Barthwell said he posted an invitation for anyone interested in watching the movie and created a Google document to keep a tally. Those who signed up will get the free ticket from him at the theater. As of Friday, there were only a few tickets left for Saturdays screening, he said. Is (Trump) a factor? Sure, in at least 96 counties, a lot of folks love Trump, Dodge said during Republican Day festivities at the state fair. You get into the collar counties, folks are not happy with his mannerisms, may or may not give him some points on policy. But lets face it, the way he does things, hes not engendering a lot of favor in the suburbs. After appointing several heads of mission last week, at least one has taken up duties. Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Ihor Rainin and Minister of Environmental Protection, Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister of Israel Ze'ev Elkin discussed practical steps to accelerate the signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries. The press service of the Ukrainian president reported this following a meeting of the head of the Presidential Administration with the Israeli minister. "During the talks, the parties noted the high level of a political dialogue between Ukraine and Israel and the close coordination of the two countries in the international arena. The sides also noted the growth of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Israel and discussed practical steps to accelerate the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries," the report reads. Elkin thanked the Ukrainian authorities for effective actions to ensure the possibility of Israelis to visit Jewish holy shrines in Uman and other Ukrainian cities. Rainin invited the Israeli side to take part in the celebration of the 27th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and in the 10th International Economic Investment Forum, which will be held in Kharkiv on September 28. ish Signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Ukraine and Israel by the end of the year is a priority issue for both countries. The press service of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine reported this following a meeting between Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin and Minister of Environmental Protection, Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister of Israel Ze'ev Elkin. "During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the vital issues of bilateral cooperation. In the context of trade and economic cooperation, the parties focused on the priority of signing the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Israel by the end of the current year," the report reads. The Foreign Ministry informed that in order to resolve the issue of non-admission of a significant number of Ukrainian citizens to Israel at the Ben Gurion Airport, the parties decided to hold consular consultations in Jerusalem in the near future. The ministers also discussed the prospects for ratification by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the agreement on social security between Ukraine and the State of Israel, signed in New York on September 28, 2012. ish Lviv region has received 36 new school buses assembled in Ukraine. In particular, new vehicles will be transferred to 17 districts, 11 merged territorial communities and three municipal institutions of regional subordination. The transfer of the buses took place with the participation of Ukrainian Education and Science Minister Lilia Hrynevych, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Fifty hub schools have currently been formed in Lviv region. When we looked at the results of external independent testing, it is children from rural areas in Lviv region who show the best results among other regions. This shows that people care about education here. I congratulate all those who managed to do this, as well as children and teachers who will have an opportunity to come to study with comfort and receive better education," Hrynevych said. Buses were purchased as part of the program for the development of education in Lviv region for 2017-2020. According to the results of the procurement conducted in the ProZorro electronic bidding system, the cost of buses amounted to UAH 63.68 million. "All 36 buses were assembled in Ukraine, without Russian components. This was the principled position of Lviv Regional Council and Lviv Regional State Administration. Last year there was a discussion about this. This year we understand that a Ukrainian commodity producer also began to dominate in this market," Head of Lviv Regional State Administration Oleh Syniutka said. Some 68 school buses were purchased for Lviv region last year. op OHare is an economic engine not only for the city but it has people from all parts of the city working there, the mayor said at an unrelated event. If one of the main goals is to make sure theres economic opportunity or in this case mentoring, and bringing in investments into our neighborhoods and the residents that make up our neighborhoods, I think it would behoove that we understand a lot of people who live in our neighborhoods in all parts of the city rely on OHare and Midway for their economic opportunities and their job opportunities. At the end of October, a number of international agricultural exhibitions will take place in Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan and India, and Ukrainian agricultural producers are invited to visit them. This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry. On October 17-19 and 18-19, 2018, the exhibition VIETSTOCK 2018 Expo & Forum and the conference AQUACULTURE 2018 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. On October 20-23, 2018, the third exhibition of export opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran "Iran Expo 2018" will be held in Tehran, Iran, in the areas of food industry, agriculture, etc. On October 24-26, 2018, the ninth international agricultural exhibitions "KazAgro" and "KazFarm" will be held in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exhibitions unite more than 300 powerful and world-famous agricultural companies from 32 countries representing livestock, meat and dairy, machine-building and food industries, as well as agriculture in general. On October 25-27, 2018, the international trade and technology fair "AgroWorld 2018" will be held in New Delhi, the Republic of India. ish In the second half of October, a conference on de-occupation of Crimea will be held in France. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France Oleh Shamshur said this in an interview with Ukrinform. "In the second half of October 2018, a conference will be held together with the think tank Europa Nova, within the framework of which the issues of illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and their de-occupation will be discussed. French leading politicians, members of parliament, scientists, and representatives of business circles and media outlets will take part in the event," the diplomat said. He notes that the issues of Crimea, its de-occupation and the situation of human rights on the peninsula are constantly in the center of attention of the Ukrainian Embassy in France, and many media and public events are devoted to this. In addition, the Ukrainian diplomatic mission harshly reacts to cases of incorrect presentation of information about Crimea in France. ish Berlin hopes for a humanitarian solution to the issue of Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who has been on hunger strike for 96 days in a Russian colony. German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said this at a briefing on Friday, Ukrinform's correspondent in Germany reports. "We, like many governments in the world, including the French government, would also like to achieve a humanitarian solution to this case [with Oleg Sentsov]," he said. According to him, the issue of human rights is always raised during negotiations with the Russian side, in particular, at a meeting of the German chancellor with the Russian president. At the same time, he did not specify whether the issue of Sentsov would be raised during talks between Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin this Saturday. Seibert noted that the negotiations would focus on bilateral cooperation, as well as "major international challenges." He said that the situation in Donbas would also be a topic of discussion. The spokesman said that the issue of the possibility and necessity of deploying a peacekeeping force to the region had been constantly discussed in recent months, but no agreement had yet been reached on the formulation of its mandate. From the point of view of the German government, Seibert said, the deployment of such a mission "could be expedient." He also said that the Russian leader would arrive in Berlin with a small delegation. Earlier, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it planned to ask Merkel to raise at a meeting with Putin the issue of illegally imprisoned Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov and assist in his release. Merkel is scheduled to meet with Putin in Berlin on August 18. op Children of the ATO soldiers killed in Donbas are on holiday in a children's camp on the peninsula of Halkidiki in Greece. This was reported by the Department of Family, Youth and Sport of the Donetsk Regional Military Civil Administration on Friday. "At the invitation of the Consulate of Ukraine in Thessaloniki (Greece) and the Nadiya Charitable Foundation, nine children of our region from the families of the ATO soldiers killed in Donbas left for Greece," the report reads. Children are on holiday in the children's camp from August 15 to 27. ish Ukrainian diplomats are confident that the emergence of new Russian equipment in the occupied Donbass confirms Russia's intention to continue aggravating the situation in eastern Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine wants the international community to toughen sanctions against the Russian Federation after the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission revealed new Russian electronic warfare systems in Donbas. Sanctions against the aggressor state must be toughened, "Ukrainian diplomats stressed. "As reported by @OSCE_SMM, 4 modern and sophisticated electronic warfare systems, which are in service of Russian Armed Forces, is another evidence that #Russia resorts to escalation," MFA Ukraine wrote in Twitter. "Ukraine is going to present confirmed by OSCE SMM facts of the modern Russian electronic warfare systems presence in Donbas to the partners at all levels. Sanctions against aggressor-state must be reinforced." Read alsoPeacekeepers may be deployed in Donbas as early as 2019 Interior Ministry Earlier, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission said in its August 11 report that on July 28 in Chernuhine, Luhansk region, the SMM's unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time recorded four electronic warfare systems "Leer-3 RB-341B," "1L269 Krasuha-2," "RB 109A Bylina," and an anti-UAV e-warfare complex Repellents-1. In response to this information, the State Department called on the Russian Federation to withdraw their troops from Donbas. U.S. president claims dozens of restraints in military spending bill are unconstitutional Donald Trump has said he can override a directive from congress preventing him from recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea. The U.S. president quietly issued a statement on Monday evening, hours after signing a military spending bill, claiming dozens of the bills statutes to be unconstitutional intrusions on his powers as commander-in-chief, The Independent reports. Among the provisions in the $716 billion bill is a ban on spending Department of Defense money on any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, a region in Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014 during a period of regional political upheaval. The bill, titled the John S McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, does allow for the directive to be waived, but only on condition the secretaries of defense and state provide explanations to relevant senate and house committees. Read alsoAttacking Ukraine, the Washington Times destroys its reputation - InfoResist However, in a statement published on the White House website, Mr Trump said the provision was an attempt to dictate the position of the U.S. in foreign military affairs. He would treat the directive consistent with the presidents exclusive constitutional authorities, which Mr Trump claimed included the authority to determine the terms upon which recognition is given to foreign sovereigns. During the signing ceremony at Fort Drum, New York state, on Monday, Mr Trump pointedly failed to mention John McCain, the Republican senator whom congress named the bill in honour of. Read alsoAzov Sea could become Russian, and NATO won't help British expert It appeared to be another slight in the long-running feud between the pair, which was first sparked in 2016 when Mr Trump said the military veteran was not a war hero because he was captured during the Vietnam war. Mr McCain, who is battling brain cancer, last month branded Mr Trumps meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki as one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. Kaplan says it is unlikely that someone will be able to influence the Russian authorities and make hem release Sentsov. Moscow-based journalist Natalya Kaplan, a cousin of Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov, who has been on hunger strike in a Russian penal colony, says Russian President Vladimir Putin may agree to pardon her brother if he grows weary of worldwide efforts demanding the release of the Ukrainian filmmaker. In an interview with Dozhd, she said it is unlikely that someone will be able to influence the Russian authorities and achieve Sentsov's release. "It is possible just to exhaust Putin. I've talked about this with Akhtem Chiygoz, a former Ukrainian political prisoner. He believes it is possible just to exhaust Putin and he will understand it all makes no sense and say: 'Ok, take him, just leave me alone.' This option is possible," Kaplan said. Read alsoMoscow responds to Sentsov mother's pardon appeal for her son The woman also said she did not rely on any agreements with the Russian president. "As for bargaining, as far as I know, Putin was offered a lot and there has been always either silence or refusal. In general, as for Oleh, Putin almost always keeps silent about him," Kaplan said. UNIAN memo. Sentsov was arrested in Russian-occupied Crimea in spring 2014 and in August 2015 he was sentenced to 20 years in prison following an unfair trial where he faced "terrorism" charges stemming from his opposition to Russia's occupation of Crimea. He has been serving his term in a penal colony in the town of Labytnangi, Russia's Yamal. Sentsov began his hunger strike on May 14, 2018, in protest against the politically motivated jailing of dozens of Ukrainians in the Russian Federation. Tymchuk called the pseudo-exposures by Cyberberkut "dumb and stupid fake news by the FSB." Russia is preparing to shift responsibility for the radiation contamination of water in the occupied parts of Donbas on "Ukrainian saboteurs," according to People's deputy Dmytro Tymchuk who made such conclusion from the analysis of fake news spread by Kremlin propaganda. The politician drew attention to the fact that Russian media are actively discussing the data, allegedly obtained by hackers from the Cyberberkut group, on Ukraine plotting a sabotage act in Donbas. The propaganda outlets claim Ukrainian spec-ops forces allegedly have at their disposal a container with radioactive waste from the Vakulenchuk nuclear waste repository in Zhytomyr region, aiming to poison the water in the occupied territory, TSN reports. Tymchuk called the pseudo-exposures by Cyberberkut "dumb and stupid fake news by the FSB." The deputy noted that in the "documents" hackers claim to have been "leaked" there is nothing that could confirm their authenticity - no registration numbers and other necessary data. Read alsoUkraine's SBU foils attempt to sell nuclear material (Photo, video) "There is no hint at what kind of Ukrainian agency even drafted this 'act'," the deputy says, adding that the text was written in the interests of the FSB, and is now being spread by Russian propagandists. At the same time, he noted that the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine had liquidated the Vakulenchuk radioactive waste repository back in January 2017. The deputy says one could simply laugh off such clumsy propaganda reports if not for the situation at the "Yunkom" coal mine, located in the occupied territory, where in the Soviet era nuclear tests were carried out. It is necessary to regularly drain water from the site while occupation forces stopped doing this. Ukrainian authorities, in particular Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak, has already addressed the issue at the meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. He said: "In the 'DPR' a few months ago they stopped pumping water from the mine, which must be done constantly, and if the mine waters rise to the level that was formed as a result of the explosion of the cavity, radioactive substances could get there and be transferred to two neighboring mines, flooded in a similar way, and pollute drinking water. Russian experts deny the existence of such a threat, while independent experts are not allowed there." Therefore, it appears that Russian-controlled militants are now trying to use disinformation to shift responsibility for the possible radioactive contamination, Tymchuk said. Some 17% of Lviv residents, 32% of those in Odesa and 39% of the residents of Kharkiv see the Independence Day celebration as a tribute to the tradition. Most residents of three Ukrainian cities with a population of over one million consider themselves patriots and are proud of being Ukrainians. As evidenced by data from a public opinion poll conducted in Lviv, Odesa and Kharkiv on the eve of Independence Day by the Social Monitoring Center and the Ukrainian Institute for Social Research, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports. Answering a question whether they consider themselves patriots of Ukraine, 86% of Lviv residents, 64% of Odesa residents and 62% of Kharkiv residents answered in the affirmative. Some 85% of Lviv residents, 68% of respondents from Odesa and 65% of Kharkiv residents are proud to be Ukrainians. Only 2% of Lviv residents, 10% of respondents in Odesa and 8% of respondents in Kharkiv think opposite. Read alsoNumber of happy people in Ukraine up 10% over year survey According to the poll, Lviv residents feel more like citizens of Ukraine than residents of their city (59% and 26% respectively), while Kharkiv and Odesa residents feel more like residents of their city than citizens of Ukraine (45% and 39% respectively in Kharkiv, and 43% and 38% in Odesa). Regarding the meaning of the Independence Day celebration, 40% of respondents in Odesa and 31% in Kharkiv residents agree with an idea that this is about celebrating independence from any other states, 39% of respondents in Lviv, with this. Some 17% of Lviv residents, 32% of those in Odesa and 39% of the residents of Kharkiv see the Independence Day celebration just as a tribute to the tradition. At the same time, 38% of polled Lviv residents, 48% of Odesa respondents and 59% of Kharkiv residents agreed that there is no need to seek any "deep meaning" in the celebration of Independence Day. A total of 57% of respondents from Lviv, 44% from Odesa and 28% from Kharkiv disagree with this statement. The survey was conducted on August 8-13, 2018 through personal formalized (face-to-face) interviews. The margin of error is +/- 4.5%. Some 600 respondents aged 18 and above were interviewed in Odesa and Lviv each and 800 people in Kharkiv. According to Lublin Governor Przemyslaw Czarnek, Kupriyanovych could ignore the Polish people with his statements. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar has urged Poland to stop the persecution of Chairman of the Ukrainian society in Lublin Hryhoriy Kupriyanovych. "I called to stop the criminal prosecution of historian Kupriyanovych, the chairman of the Ukrainian society in Lublin," Bodnar wrote on Twitter, saying he talked about that during a meeting with Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Pieklo. According to Bodnar, the parties also discussed the ways of solving urgent issues of the Ukrainian-Polish relations. Read alsoUkrainian activist deported from Poland after criticizing right-wing government As reported earlier, the district prosecutor's office in Zamosc, Lublin province, opened an investigation into the statements of Chairman of the Ukrainian society in Lublin Hryhoriy Kupriyanovych, made at a commemorative event in Sahryn, dedicated to honoring Ukrainians killed there during the actions of the Polish armed underground in 1944. According to the deputy district attorney in Zamos, it is about an article of the Criminal Code concerning public insult to the Polish people or the Republic of Poland, which provides for imprisonment for up to three years. Kupriyanovych has not yet been formally charged. The prosecutor's office will study a footage with his speech and find out all the circumstances of his statements. According to Kupriyanovych, Lublin Governor Przemyslaw Czarnek appealed to the prosecutor's office, saying that the chairman of the Ukrainian society compared the events in Sahryn in 1944 with the events in Volhynia in 1943 and, and as Czarnek said, "equaled 130,000 victims (Poles) of the genocide (committed by Ukrainian nationalists) with several hundred civilian Ukrainians who died in Sahryn on March 10, 1944," "which could be a crime." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said there's "pork" barrel or discretionary funds totaling hundreds of billions of pesos hidden in the proposed 2019 national budget. "Ang na-scrutinize namin (sa 2019 budget) na probable o probably good for pork mga P130+ billion," he said in a forum at the Inquirer on Thursday. The Supreme Court has ruled that pork barrel is unconstitutional, but Lacson said it still exists and merely hidden in the budget. "If you think pork has left, no, it hasn't left," he said. Lacson said this could be the reason the House of Representatives is strongly opposing the proposed cash-based system for the 2019 national budget. This requires spending funds within the budget year. Lawmakers are in favor of an obligation-based budget, which can extend funding for up to two years. The House has suspended budget deliberations to allow the Budget Department to make changes. "Hindi sila makakakuha ng malaking appropriation for their districts. Pag sinabing appropriation for their district ang interpretation ko lagi dun PDAF... Hypothetically, kaya gusto na obligation based, kasi kapag cash based, some congressmen, kung may contractor eh ang ibibigay ko sayong commission ay good for one year lang," he said. On the other hand, the Senate has agreed to support the Budget Department's proposal of a cash-based system. The new system would only allot resources for projects that could be initiated and finished within the year. Lacson questioned some congressmen's opposition to the proposal if they will not be directly affected. "It's an open secret. 'Di ba sa budget process ang nag-iimplement ay executive, kami nag-lelegislate. Now why would the new speaker announce na walang maze-zero budget na congressmen? Diba project yun? Bakit concerned na concerned ang mga congressmen sa cash based against obligation based? Anong pakialam nila sa project?" he said. He said the ones who should be voicing out their opinions on the proposals are the heads of government agencies as they are the ones who will be most affected by the new budget system. Malacanang and the House of Representatives on August 15 finally agreed to reconcile conflicting version of the proposed budget. House Majority Leader Rolanda Andaya said the reconciled hybrid budget system will be signed into law by December 30, 2018. This hybrid budget system, which consolidates the cash-based budget sought for by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) with the obligation-based budget sought by lawmakers, will not completely scrap the current setup where projects can be funded beyond one year. President Rodrigo Duterte in July approved the P3.757-trillion national budget. No casualties among the Ukrainian troops have been reported over the past day. Russian-led forces mounted 30 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in the past day, using heavy weapons in five instances, including Grad MLR systems. "No casualties among the Ukrainian troops have been reported over the past day. According to intelligence reports, two occupiers 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 17, 2018. Read alsoJoint Forces Commander: Ukraine army advances 15 sq km since JFO begins The Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the towns Svitlodarsk, Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Krymske, Novozvanivka, Luhanske, Novhorodske, Hnutove, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Shyrokyne. In certain areas, the enemy engaged Ukrainian troops using weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles. Along with this, the enemy shelled the defenders of Svitlodarsk, using Grad multiple rocket launchers and 120mm mortars, while the defenders of Krymske, Luhanske and Novhorodske came under fire from 82mm mortars. "Since Friday midnight, Russian-led forces have mounted six attacks on the Ukrainian positions near Novoluhanske, Maryinka, Vodiane and Lebedynske," the report says. The enemy did not use heavy weapons, resorting to intense provocative shellings from grenade launchers and small arms. Spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Dmytro Hutsuliak, says Russian-led forces have mounted 11 attacks on the Ukrainian positions in Donbas since midnight. "Ukrainian defenders have already recorded 11 attacks by the Russian occupation troops since midnight. The enemy did not use heavy weapons, resorting to intense provocative shellings from grenade launchers and small arms. There have been no casualties among the Ukrainian troops," he said at a briefing on Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoDonbas militants use Grad MLR systems against Ukraine troops According to Hutsuliak, the enemy opened aimed fire on the units of the Joint Forces in the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Novoluhanske, Novozvanivka, Pavlopil, and Shyrokyne. The defenders of the villages of Vodiane and Lebedynske came under fire three times. "We have to understand the nature of this regime in Russia. I don't need to go through the full laundry list: Crimea, Ukraine, the chemical attack in the UK," the U.S. defense official says. The U.S. is warning the Philippines to think very carefully about its plan to purchase military equipment from Russia, including diesel-electric submarines, and stressing that Russia is an unsavory partner. The Philippines, a U.S. ally in East Asia, is interested in acquiring its first batch of submarines to strengthen the navy amid tensions with China in the South China Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in June that his country needs submarines to keep up with neighboring states, according to Business Insider. "We are the only ones that do not have [undersea capabilities]," Lorenzana explained at a flag raising ceremony, the Manila Times reported. "We are looking at [South] Korea and Russia and other countries [as source of the submarines]," he further revealed. Russia is reportedly willing to sell the Philippines Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines and offering soft loans if the Philippines cannot afford the desired vessels. Read alsoU.S. Congressman compares Putin's attempt to grab Ukraine with Stalin policies "I think they should think very carefully about that," Randall Schriver, United States Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said in Manila Thursday. "If they were to proceed with purchasing major Russian equipment, I don't think that's a helpful thing to do [in our] alliance, and I think ultimately we can be a better partner than the Russians can be." "We have to understand the nature of this regime in Russia. I don't need to go through the full laundry list: Crimea, Ukraine, the chemical attack in the UK," he added, "So, you're investing not only in the platforms, but you're making a statement about a relationship." Schriver encouraged the Philippines to consider purchasing U.S. systems, as interoperability is key to cooperation between U.S. and Philippine forces. After his meeting with Schriver, Lorenzana reportedly flew to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials, according to the Philippine Star. During his time in Manila, Schriver assured the Philippines that the U.S. would be a "good ally" and have its back in the spat with China over the South China Sea. "We'll be a good ally there should be no misunderstanding or lack of clarity on the spirit and the nature of our commitment," he said at a time when the Philippines is charting an independent foreign policy that is less aligned with U.S. interests. The U.S. has been putting pressure on allies and partners to avoid purchasing Russian weapons systems. Turkey's interest in purchasing Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system recently tanked a deal for the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter. The U.S. has also issued warnings to India, Saudi Arabia, and others to reconsider plans to acquire Russian systems. All of the planes were declared free of explosives, and at least one plane was later allowed to resume its flight. Nine planes were forced to make emergency changes to their routes within Chilean, Argentine and Peruvian airspace on Thursday because of bomb threats issued to Chile's civil aviation authority, its director general told journalists. At least two of the planes were operated by LATAM Airlines and three by Sky, a low-cost Chilean airline, the companies confirmed, as reported by Reuters. Victor Villalobos Collao, the director general of Chile's civil aviation authority (DGAC), said 11 threats were made in total on Thursday, two of which were "fictitious" and nine of which related to existing flights. All of the planes were declared free of explosives, and at least one plane was later allowed to resume its flight, he said. Read alsoRussia rejects Poland's crash reconstruction bid in Kaczynski probe He said calls warning of bombs onboard flights were made to LATAM's offices, and the civil aviation authority, and police were now trying to trace their origin. "We always have an abandoned suitcase or two, that's normal," he told journalists in a briefing at Santiago airport. "But this is a totally exceptional case." For four of the flights, Santiago, Chile's capital, was either the origination or the destination, the DGAC added in a statement. Chilean police did not respond to a request for comment. His comments come against a backdrop of a clampdown on freedom of expression online, with a growing number of Russians being prosecuted for their posts and comments, and even for their shares and likes. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that there is not enough positive content on social media. Speaking at a youth forum held in southern Russia, he also reiterated his reluctance to build his own social media presence, CodaStory reported citing the RIA Novosti news outlet. His comments come against a backdrop of what critics say has been a clampdown on freedom of expression online, with a growing number of Russians being prosecuted for their posts and comments, and even for their shares and likes. Putin made his call for more positive content as he met a group of Russian media students involved in a television project, who told him that their work is largely transmitted via social media. Read alsoFacebook uncovers active influence operation Its particularly good that you work with social media, Putin told his audience at the annual Mashak youth gathering. Because, as I understand it, your message is very positive. Social media needs positive content one hundred percent. The Russian leader did not make clear what he believed qualifies as positive content. But he stays well-informed about what is being said on social media networks, according to his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Vedomosti in a separate story. Repeating his past refusal to create his own social media profile, Putin told the youth forum he did not think it would be possible for someone else to manage such an account for him. There hasnt yet been a response on whether Washington will agree to a move that would be expensive and sure to infuriate Moscow. Polands President Andrzei Duda voiced hope for a permanent U.S. military presence in his country, speaking as the nation put on a large military parade on its Armed Forces Day holiday this week replete with tanks and people marching in historic uniforms. Permanent presence by the U.S. Army would deter every potential aggressor, Duda said, according to the Associated Press. The U.S. military, on its own and as part of a NATO effort, began rotating troops in and out of Poland and other nervous countries on NATOs eastern flank, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, after Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Read alsoWar in Ukraine answers question why NATO must expand - media Poland has recently been lobbying for a permanent U.S. base and more American forces. There hasnt yet been a response on whether Washington will agree to a move that would be expensive and sure to infuriate Moscow. Some of the troops from the U.S. and other allied countries also marched in the parade. Poland considers the U.S. its key protector, with some doubts about whether Europes NATO members really would ever come to its defense. Duda said if the economy allows, he also wants Poland to increase its own defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2024, above the current 2 percent NATO target, which Poland already meets. On Saturday, the Russian leader will make the highest-profile Germany visit since 2013. The whirlwind tearing through international relations that is U.S. President Donald Trump may be forcing Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin to come together after years of confrontation. Merkel has been Putins most implacable critic since he annexed Crimea in 2014, plunging relations to their worst in decades. On Saturday, however, the German chancellor will welcome the Russian president to an 18th century Baroque palace near Berlin for their first bilateral meeting in Germany in more than five years, handing Putin a major breakthrough in ending Russias isolation and reaffirming Merkels pivotal role in Europe despite election setbacks, according to Bloomberg. Merkel is hedging and Putin is exploiting, said Josef Janning, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. After Trump met Putin while attacking Merkel and the German economy, she needs to have her own contact with Putin. She doesnt want to give up the chance of keeping Putin within a margin that is manageable for Germany. This is Putins highest profile bilateral trip to Germany since 2013, though he and Merkel have met at international events including last years Group of 20 summit in Hamburg. Merkel has visited Putin in Russia several times, most recently in May. Shes advocated engagement principally to deliver blunt messages rather than being a bridge between the European Union and Russia. Read alsoUkraine furious over Putin's plans to attend wedding of Austria's top diplomat While officials from both countries played down the significance of the invitation to Putin, it comes after Trump last month slammed Germany as totally controlled by Russia because of its dependence on Moscow for natural gas supplies. Work on a new gas pipeline linking the two countries, the Gazprom PJSC-backed Nord Stream 2, began in May amid a U.S. threat of sanctions targeting the project. The conflicts in Syria and Ukraine are on the agenda for discussion as well as big commercial projects in the context of threats that are being made by third countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Friday. Therell be no breakthrough over Ukraine, though its advantageous for Putin to play along with Merkel because theres no-one else in Europe to rely on, said Andrey Kortunov, head of the Russian International Affairs Council, a research group set up by the Kremlin. Merkel understands that its now time to look for opportunities with Russia, said Alexander Rahr, a former member of the German Council of Foreign Relations whos now a senior adviser to Gazprom. If its possible to take a step forward on Syria, energy issues or Ukraine, it will be good for Germany as the leader of Europe. Read alsoPolish PM says Russia, Nord Stream-2 among main threats to his country Merkels suffering domestically after a political backlash against her 2015 decision to leave the border open and allow more than 1 million refugees, most of them Syrian, into Germany. She needs an end to the war in Syria to allow migrants to return home, while shes also under pressure from German businesses to allow the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. Exchanges between Germany and Russia have increased markedly in recent months, Wolfgang Buechele, head of the German Eastern Business Association in Berlin, said in a statement. Thats a welcome development. Germanys seeking a political solution on Syria that would create conditions for refugees to return, though were still a long way away from that, Seibert said on Wednesday. As president, Trump has the power to pardon Manafort on the federal charges. Weighing in even as a Virginia jury deliberates for a second day, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called the bank and tax fraud trial of his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort "very sad" and described the defendant as a "very good person." Manafort's trial in federal court in Alexandria is the first stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 15-month-old investigation of Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election, Reuters said. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, presiding over the case, said he personally had received threats related to the trial and was being protected by U.S. marshals. The judge also rejected a motion by some news organizations to make public the names of the jurors, saying he was concerned about the jury's "peace and safety." "I had no idea this case would excite these emotions ... I don't feel right if I release their names," the judge said. In an indication that the six women and six men of the jury may not reach a verdict on Friday, they sent the judge a note asking that they be permitted to finish their work for the day at 5 p.m. (2100 GMT) because one juror has a social engagement. Read alsoReuters: Accountant of ex-Trump aide Manafort testifies she helped falsify documents In remarks to reporters at the White House, Trump again called Mueller's investigation, which had cast a cloud over his presidency, a "rigged witch hunt," but sidestepped a question about whether he would issue a presidential pardon for Manafort. "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad, when you look at what's going on there. I think it's a very sad day for our country," Trump said. "He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." Trump made his comments while the jurors deliberated behind closed doors on Friday morning. The jurors met for about seven hours on Thursday without reaching a verdict on 18 criminal counts with which Manafort is charged. As president, Trump has the power to pardon Manafort on the federal charges. He has already issued a number of pardons, including for a political ally, former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. Asked by a reporter on Friday if he would pardon Manafort, Trump said, "I don't talk about that now." The charges largely predate Manafort's five months working on Trump's campaign during a pivotal period in the 2016 presidential race, including three months as campaign chairman. Manafort, 69, faces five counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of failing to disclose his offshore bank accounts and nine counts of bank fraud. If convicted on all counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Prosecutors accused Manafort of hiding from U.S. tax authorities $16 million in money he earned as a political consultant for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine to fund an opulent lifestyle and then lying to banks to secure $20 million in loans after his Ukrainian income dried up and he needed cash. The dividend payout period ending in the Russian market in August is generally neutral for the ruble, but exchange rate fluctuations seen in June and July could be partly caused by this factor, the Russian Central Bank said in a document. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The dividend payout period ending in the Russian market in August is generally neutral for the ruble, but exchange rate fluctuations seen in June and July could be partly caused by this factor, the Russian Central Bank said in a document. "The period of payment of dividends comes to an end in the Russian market in late July-early August. This year, the volume of approved dividends was approximately 30 percent higher than the previous year's payments. Large dividend payments can lead to a significant change in the ruble exchange rate," the document said. In June-July, the Russian Currency saw numerous fluctuations, trading between 61.8 rubles per US Dollar to 64 rubles. The bank attributed this to the fact that some export-oriented companies sell currency in order to finance the payment of dividends, which in turn leads to the strengthening of the ruble. At the same time, a significant portion of shareholders of Russian companies are foreign investors, who convert them into currency after receiving dividends, thereby contributing to the weakening of the ruble. "According to the estimates of the Bank of Russia, these two effects compensate each other, and the overall process of paying dividends is neutral for the ruble. It means that after making all payments and conversions, the ruble rate remains at the same level as before this process," the document said. Last week, the Russian ruble sank to multi-month lows on Moscow Exchange (MOEX) after the introduction of new US sanctions against Russia. On Sunday, the US dollar traded at 67.7 rubles, while the euro traded at 77.2 rubles, according to MOEX figures. Pakistani students and scholars proceeding to abroad for study are 'ambassadors of Pakistan' in actual and the responsibility lies on their shoulder to portray soft image of the country to the world. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :Pakistani students and scholars proceeding to abroad for study are 'ambassadors of Pakistan' in actual and the responsibility lies on their shoulder to portray soft image of the country to the world. This was stated by the Chairman Higher education Commission (HEC) Prof Dr Tariq Banuri, during a send-off ceremony held here in honor of 200 students selected for Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship under the Bilateral Higher Education and Scientific Exchange Programme. The Chairman informed the students that Hungary is not only a place characterised by rich culture, history and creativity but it is also a place of science, technology and innovation. Prof Dr Tariq Banuri, urged the students to make maximum use of the tremendous opportunity and experience it to the fullest. Bring knowledge and expertise back to Pakistan, he stressed. He advised students to forge academic and cultural linkages, as these relations will last a lifetime. He further advised students to live with utmost respect, integrity and generosity in Hungary and pave way for other Pakistani students to avail themselves of the opportunity to study in Hungarian universities in the coming years. Dr Banuri assured his full support to Hungarian students, professors and researchers to come to Pakistan and work in the areas of mutual interest. Both stakeholders are on the same page as far as this objective is concerned, he underlined. Counselor, Embassy of Hungary Sandor Mihalko, Deputy Head of Mission Tivadar Takcs, Embassy of Hungary were guests of honour on the occasion, while Executive Director, HEC Dr Arshad Ali, Adviser HRD HEC Waseem S. Hashmi Syed, were also present. Describing the background of the scholarship programme, Sandor Mihalko said that the aim of this programme is to contribute to the development of Pakistan. He urged the students to develop professional contacts during their stay in Hungary as person to person contacts will help build bilateral relations. He mentioned that the Hungarian government is investing $3 million a year for this programme, while more budget is allocated every year. He also informed that out of 200 scholarships, 125 scholarships have been awarded for BS studies, 50 for MS studies and 25 for PhD programmes. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Arshad Ali said that it is a matter of great pride and pleasure to host this send-off ceremony. He said that the programme earlier focused on undergraduate scholarships, adding that postgraduate programmes were also included. Addressing parents and teachers, the Executive Director congratulated them and said thatgoing to Hungary for study is a momentous opportunity as well as a challenging task. He advised the students to remain connected with their faculty and fellow students and actively participate in academic as well as extracurricular activities. In the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and amid protests of the Vietnam War, Democrats came to Chicago for their national convention in August 1968. Inside the convention hall, demonstrations erupted and angry words were traded among attendees. Outside the convention hall, rioting by "hippie" protesters took over Chicago and images of police beating the demonstrators were broadcast around the world. (Chicago Tribune) The Controller of Examinations (Annual) University of Sindh Jamshoro informed here on Friday that the date for submission of forms for Post Graduate Examinations 2017 (M.A, M.Sc. and M.Com Previous and Final) has been extended. HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :The Controller of Examinations (Annual) University of Sindh Jamshoro informed here on Friday that the date for submission of forms for Post Graduate Examinations 2017 (M.A, M.Sc. and M.Com Previous and Final) has been extended. The candidates now can submit the examination forms up to September 10, 2018 without late fee, from September 11 to 20, 2018 with the late fee of 2000 and from September 21 to October 01, 2018 with the late fee of 4000. This extension has been made to facilitate the candidates as they would be losing a few days on account of Eid-ul-Adha, the university spokesman informed. (@FahadShabbir) Minister for Energy Barrister Syed Ali Zafar while chairing a meeting with officials of the Ministry presented guidelines for power sector for consideration of the incoming Government. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :Minister for Energy Barrister Syed Ali Zafar while chairing a meeting with officials of the Ministry presented guidelines for power sector for consideration of the incoming Government. He said that during his very short tenure as a Minister of Energy he felt that to solve the energy crisis in the country, immediate reforms are required in the energy sector, says a press release issued here. Zafar said that the guidelines are prepared with the help of private and public experts in the field who are fully conversant with the present energy crisis of Pakistan. He said that as a first step there was an urgent need of constituting an Advisory board within the energy sector whose role would be to design comprehensive policy on energy and advising whether the policy was being properly implemented. While also discussing the issue of total generation capacity of energy in Pakistan, he said that an independent audit should be carried out to determine what was the exact total generation of electricity so that the future need of the energy requirement could be determined and necessary steps and measures be initiated beforehand. He also said that rather than depending on the total generation capacity, it is essential that we should rely on the available generation capacity because as an estimate the total generation capacity of Pakistan is around 33,000 MW however this total generation capacity is not always available for various reasons such as lack of water or fuel, breakdowns, plant maintenance, de-rating in the capacity due to lack of maintenance etc. The available capacity is however less than the demand which results in load shedding. He stated that there is a dire need to increase the generation capacity in the coming years. Barrister Zafar also said that the role of AEDB has to be increased and rather than using R-LPG and coal as fuel to generate electricity, preference should be given to wind and solar projects. He quoted the example of Germany and while stressing upon the need of harnessing wind and solar resources, he said that Pakistan is a country which has great potential for solar and wind projects. He also said that the issues of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams have to be resolved immediately and once and for all and run of the rivers projects like Sukki Kinari have to be implemented. Zafar also pointed out that the most serious flaws in the system relates to transmission and distribution system. He said that the transmission system does not have the capacity to transmit the electricity because of three main reasons, (i) there is no integrated planning which results in electricity loss (ii) the network is outdated and (iii) there is utter lack of maintenance. He suggested that capital injection in the transmission system is necessary so as to revamp with integrated planning. The Minister further pointed out that due to leakages in distribution system at least 30% of the economic cost of delivery of power to the consumers is caused. The reasons for leakages in the system are use of obsolete equipment (which include overloaded transformers and under-capacity conductors), theft, non-collection of bills etc. He suggested stepwise procedure to correct the system which includes breaking up of DISCOs into smaller units for example LESCO, GEPCO and FESCO can be broken up into 3 to 4 units each. He also suggested that legislation should be passed to remove theft and non-payment of bills. He also stressed upon the need of privatizing the DISCOs in a manner where the substantial interests of the Government of Pakistan are retained. He also pointed out that to end energy crisis in Pakistan one of the key issue is conservation of electricity. (@ChaudhryMAli88) RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :A hotline contact was made between Pakistan and Indian Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) on Thursday. Both the DGMOs felicitated each other on Independence Day, said a press release issued here by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army. Expressing general satisfaction over the situation along the Line of Control (LOC) and Working Boundary (WB) since their communication on May 29, this year for reinvigorating ceasefire agreement. However, DGMO Pakistan raised concern over Indian violations and deliberately targeting innocent civilians, which has resulted into four Shahdats (martyrdom) and 32 injuries including sniping of eight individuals since May 29, especially in broad daylight on August15-16, 2018 in Leepa sector. It was conveyed that such actions are extremely detrimental for peace along LOC. The DGMO Pakistan also expressed concern over unusual movements of weapons and forces along LOC and cautioned Indian DGMO over any provocation which had the potential to vitiate the environment along LOC. Indian DGMO assured that no such move had taken place. Indian allegation of infiltration and abetment of terrorism along the LOC were strongly rejected and Indian DGMO was informed that effective measures were in place and no such presence or movement had been observed by Pakistani forces. However, if any actionable intelligence is available, the same may be shared for investigation. The DGMO Pakistan expressed commitment to peace, however, indicated that if such aggressiveactions continue same would be effectively responded, which would have detrimental effects on peace and tranquility along the LOC. (@FahadShabbir) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in pursuance of section 73 and 102 of the Elections Act, 2107 has called upon the electors to nominate their candidates for one National Assembly and nine constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for by-polls. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in pursuance of section 73 and 102 of the Elections Act, 2107 has called upon the electors to nominate their candidates for one National Assembly and nine Constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for by-polls. A notification issued here Friday that the returning officer would issue public notice on August 27, while submission of papers would start from August 28 and would continue till August 30. It said that by-polls in the constituencies were being held as these became vacant due to death of contesting candidates, resignation under Article 223 and postponement under Articles 218(3) of the Constitution. The constituencies included NA-35 Bannu, PK-3 Swat-II, PK-7 Swat-IV, PK-44, Swabi-II, PK-53 Mardan-VI, PK-61 Nowshera-I, PK-64 Nowshera-IV, PK78 Peshawar-XIII, PK-97 DIKhan-III and PK-99 DIKhan-V. (@rukhshanmir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :Chairman National Vocational Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Pakistan Dr Zulfiqar Cheema said Sector Skill Council will act as a bridge between textile industry, training centers and government due to the ever growing need of skilled force in the Pakistan textile industry and the rising economy. An MOU was signed under the leadership of Executive Director Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema in a meeting attended by industrialists and specialists belonging to textile industry including Mian Muhammad Ghafoor, CEO Sitara Group of Industries, Muhammad Ayub, Secretary Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturing Association (PHMA), Sohail Afzal Sheikh, Executive Member Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and Hamid Tufail, Secretary General All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), said a press release on Thursday. In the session Ayesha Khan, Chairperson Hospitality Sector Skill Council and Khalid Abdur Rehman, Chairman of Technical Committee Construction Sector Skill Council expressed their views and shared their experience. Addressing the session, Executive Director Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema said that our textile sector is facing a shortage of skilled labor. In this regard, the establishment of Sector Skill Council is a great step which will result in the formation of trained skilled labor force. This will not only help the industry but it will also aid in the progress of the country's economy. He said the technical sector has the potential to change the destiny of our nation and Sector Skill Council will act as a bridge between Government and those providing trainings. He further added that by the end of this month the Textile Sector Council will become operational. He praised TVET Support Program and said that the cooperation from European Union, Germany and Norway is highly appreciated. On this occasion Muhammad Ayub, Secretary Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturing Association (PHMA) appreciated this step by NAVTTC to activate the industry and promised his full support. He said that due to this platform of Sector Skill Council, we will be able to overcome this serious issue of providing skilled labor force to the textile sector. Kamran Sindhu, Marketing Director Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) said that the establishment of Sector Skill Council is a welcome sign and it will help in the overall performance and increase the production of textile industry manifold. Imran Ghafoor, CEO Sitara Group of Industries said our textile sector is very vast and we will work with all stakeholders to make it stronger. Hamid Tufail, Secretary APTMA said on this occasion that the establishment of Sector Skill Council is a golden opportunity for the Textile Industry to train skilled workforce on priority basis and to play a major role in the betterment of nation's economy. Ayesha Khan, President Hospitality Sector Skills Council while declaring the establishment of Skill Council a historic moment said that this will help strengthen the TVET Sector of Pakistan. She further added that she will fulfill her responsibilities regarding the progress of TVET Sector of Pakistan. Khalid Abdur Rehman, Chairman Technical Committee Sector Skill Council congratulated Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema on this important milestone and conveyed his hope that by establishment of Skill Council, they will be able to fulfill the requirements of the market by providing skilled workforce to them which will also stabilize the nation's economy. On this occasion Zubair Hashmi, Director General NAVTTC briefed the participants on the future goals and vision of the Sector Skill Council. (@rukhshanmir) LAHORE, Aug 15 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Aug, 2018 ) :Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for making efforts for stable, prosperous and economically strong Pakistan. The seminar titled "Importance of internal harmony in national freedom", was organized by Department for South Asian Studies, Punjab University (PU) in collaboration with PINA at Undergraduate department here on Wednesday. Addressing the seminar, PINA Secretary General Altaf Hassan Qureshi said, "We should remember the objective behind the creation of Pakistan." He said that Pakistan was a fortress of islam and struggle for independent state was based on Two Nation Theory, adding that internal integration was needed to compete in all the fields and fulfill the dreams of Pakistan Movement leaders and the founders of the country. He said, "We got independence after rendering so many sacrifices, adding that from its very inception, Pakistan faced a large number of problems, but the country bravely overcome the difficult situation. " Qayyum Nizami said, "We can make country more developed and progressive if we succeeded in forging unity, integration and faith. He said that equal standard and facilities should be ensured to all citizens of the country. Addressing on the occasion, Justice (Retd) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar said that social and economic justice should be ensured in order to make the country prosperous. He urged the youth to play their effective role in development of Pakistan, as it had given us recognition and shelter. Former VC University of Sargodha Akram Chaudhry also stressed the need to do more for maintaining the atmosphere of peace and harmony in the society and to build the passion of patriotism among the people. The speakers included Ahsaan Wain, senior columnist Rauf Tahir and others, whereas the seminar attended by the faculty members, students, senior analysts and others. (@rukhshanmir) The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued more than 1.7 million visas for this year's Haj, according to a ministry official. Tamim Al-Dosary, undersecretary for consular affairs at the ministry, told the Saudi Press Agency that as many as 1,720,680 visas have been issued by the ministry's foreign missions for the coming Haj. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued more than 1.7 million visas for this year's Haj, according to a ministry official. Tamim Al-Dosary, undersecretary for consular affairs at the ministry, told the Saudi Press Agency that as many as 1,720,680 visas have been issued by the ministry's foreign missions for the coming Haj. The last batch of pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah on Wednesday. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has completed successfully its operation plan for the arrival phase of the pilgrims for the current Haj season. There has been an increase of two percent in the number of pilgrims this year, according to Abdul Hakeem Al-Tamimi, president of GACA. The duration for completion of travel procedures of the pilgrims at the Jeddah Haj terminal has been reduced to 25 minutes from three hours, he said. Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, director general of Passports, announced the arrival of 1,684,629 pilgrims during this year's Haj season through all the Kingdom's land, sea and air ports, noting that 1,584,085 pilgrims arrived via air ports, while 84,381 pilgrims through land entry points and 16,163 pilgrims through sea ports. The arrival of the last flights under the 'Makkah Road' initiative, implemented this year at Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta airports, was completed on Thursday, benefiting 103,057 pilgrims through 240 flights, including 137 flights at Jeddah airport and 103 flights in Madinah. Maj. Gen. Al-Yahya, who is also head of the team for the initiative, said that this uniform electronic path service represents one of the initiatives that the Supreme Haj Committee is developing with direct follow up by Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif. This was in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to continuously improve services being provided for pilgrims. The 'Makkah Road' is one of the initiatives of the National Transformation Program of 2020 being implemented as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Under the system, the entire travel process of the pilgrims, including their immigration checks, customs clearance, verification of whether fulfilled health requirements and encoding of baggage tags in accordance with the transport and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom were held at the point of departure. The last batch of a total of 1,300 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom as the guests of King Salman on Thursday. Around 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims who are relatives of martyrs also arrived in Makkah. Meanwhile, the 43th session of the grand Haj symposium came to an end in Makkah on Thursday. The two-day meeting was held in the presence of Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Benten. A large number of Islamic scholars, thinkers, and writers from the Islamic world attended the event. LAHORE, Aug 15 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Aug, 2018 ) :Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has embraced a long-term collaboration with Sichuan International Chamber of Commerce, Halal food Commission to establish Pakistan-Chengdu Economic Trade Center for creating joint business activities between China and Pakistan, especially for establishment of Special Economic Zones in Pakistan under CPEC. In this connection, an MOU has been signed as final phase of the efforts taken by PCJCCI trade delegation in a current visit of China under leadership of PCJCCI President S.M. Naveed, who signed the MoU on behalf of his Chamber. From Sichuan International Chamber, Mr. Ma Zhijun, President of the Sichuan International Chamber of Commerce, Halal Food Commission signed the MOU, according to PCJCCI spokesperson here Wednesday. She said that S.M. Naveed, while addressing the signing ceremony, expressed deep gratitude to Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, Consul General of Pakistan in Chengdu, China, who played a pivotal role in concluding this MOU. He hoped that the MOU would pave way to further expand friendly relations between Pakistan and China as a sustainable support initiative. It would benefit both the countries by developing trade relations and all-round cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding that Pakistan-Chengdu Economic and Trade Center would prove to be a strong organ in promoting economic, commercial, financial and industrial collaboration between Pakistan and the Western China. He hoped that the Center would play a significant role in introducing Pakistani citizens to the vast and alluring areas of Western China. On the other hand, he said, it would also help the Pakistani businessmen by providing them a platform for consultancy services, accommodation, catering in Western region of China. S.M. Naveed met with people from tourism industry and said, "We are eager to take the plunge for the Chinese tourism in Pakistan and make use of the natural revenue in the best way we can." He was confident that the development of tourism industry could do wonders for Pakistan's economic development and also cultivate good will and soft image of the country at global level. S.M. Naveed assured that the agenda of Pakistan-Chengdu Economic and Trade Center would also be promoted in Pakistan as a part of PCJCCI development activities to bring the business communities of the two nations closer not only economically but also socially so as to flourish the bilateral relations. The trade of sacrificial animals including buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep has picked up momentum in Khyber Pakthunkhwa ahead of Eidul Azha celebrations amid complaints of high prices by people at cattle markets on Thursday. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Aug, 2018 ) :The trade of sacrificial animals including buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep has picked up momentum in Khyber Pakthunkhwa ahead of Eidul Azha celebrations amid complaints of high prices by people at cattle markets on Thursday. As only six days left in Eidul Azha, sale of sacrificial animals gained momentum in all cattle markets where cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels were brought by inter-provincial dealers in large scale to take full advantage of the situation. A survey to the different cattle markets by this scribe on Thursday revealed that sacrificial animals has started pouring in from Punjab, Sindh and different for flung districts of KP in a bid to get maximum profit in the lucrative market of Peshawar. Camels were also brought from Southern Punjab and Sindh province by inter-provincial traders as it was being the preferred choice for Qurbani of many families especially in Interior City of Peshawar. The businessmen of Punjab and Sindh provinces besides domestic traders have brought their stock in large quantity to Peshawar attracting buyers not only from KP but also from neighbouring Afghanistan to fulfill people's needs on the occasion of holy Eidul Azha. The inter-provincial traders are earning two times high this year compare to last year due to improvement of the law and order situation in the country. "I have brought 12 trucks from Sahiwal and my brother will send eight more trucks shortly to Peshawar to get maximum profits here," Wahid Ali, an inter-provincial exporter of Sahiwal told APP at Lalla Kala cattle market near Peshawar. "I had refused an offer of Rs150,000 for my ox 'Qalandar' as I was demanding Rs180,000 for it," he added. The people are seen visiting different localities for buying sacrificial animals at Lala Kala market, Pajagai and Ring Roads in Peshawar. In these cattle markets, it was observed that the visitors were more in number than buyers as most of them came to markets to have an idea about the prices these days, however, traders are expecting increase of sale in last there days of Eidul Azha. "I have sold only 10 oxen out of 30 available with me in Pachagai cattle market since last Tuesday as buyers mostly comes these days to markets to take an idea about the prices and then return empty hands," said Mosa Khan, a cattle trader in Pachagai road told APP. "High cost of fodder, transportation of animals and high fee of cattle market owners were contributing to an increase in cattle prices on occasion of Eidul Azha," he said. In these markets, it was observed that most of buyers were showing interest in purchase of buffaloes, cows, oxen instead of goats, sheep and camels to performing collective 'Qurbani' (sacrifice) due to high prices of small animals. The traders have also started roaming in streets and villages with their beautifully decorated animals to attract buyers. "The prices of sacrificial animals are sky high this year in Peshawar compare to last year and are beyond purchase power of middle, salaried and low income groups," said Khurshid Alam, a buyer from Nowshera district who was asking prices of sacrificial animals at Lala Kala market. "My prefer choice for Eidul Azha is ox or buffalo and I will visit again to the market during last two days of Eid with a hope that their prices may go down," Khurshid maintained. He demanded of district administrations to ensure a close check on the prices of sacrificial animals and award strict punishment to the profiteers as regulating and maintaining check on prices was the prime responsibility of Deputy Commissioners. Dr. Aftab Khan, a veterinary doctor told APP that we have no choice but to import cattle from the Punjab to ensure availability of sacrificial animals on reasonable rates to people, adding around 65 to 75 percent cattle are being brought form Punjab to bring the prices down in KP. He said several checkpoints were established at various places on highways and roads connecting KP with FATA to control the menace of cattle smuggling and decided to take strict action against cattle smugglers in the province. Dr Aftab urged people to bring their sacrificial animals to nearest DVM doctors for medical examination if see any complications in them. (@mahnoorsheikh03) Orders ECP to ensure full proof arrangements in this regard with the help of Nadra. Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News 17th August, 2018) The Supreme Court of Pakistan has given the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis. Hearing the case in Supreme Court Lahore Registry, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar said that the overseas Pakistanis have been granted the right to vote. The overseas Pakistanis will now be able to cast their vote in the by-elections to be held in the country. CJP Nisar ordered the Election Commission to ensure full proof arrangements in this regard with the help of Nadra. He directed that the election result of E-voting should be kept completely separate. The chief justice said that the election result of E-voting should be presented before the Parliament and should be included in the result of by-elections. The CJP congratulated the overseas Pakistanis as their right to vote has been endorsed. Now its time for implementation. The Election Commission is responsible for holding elections. The pilot project should be completed according to the laws and operation plan of ECP, he said. The CJP thanked the ECP and Nadra for preparing the pilot project. The overseas Pakistanis were deprived of the right to vote in the General Elections 2018 as the online system needed more work to be functional. The office did not immediately respond to emailed questions on what else the office will do to try to determine the cause of death, but a prosecutor said no charges regarding the death are imminent because officials don't know how the boy died. To promote bilateral trade and exchange of technology, a three-day single country Thailand Exhibition is being organized from 01-03 September 2018 at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :To promote bilateral trade and exchange of technology, a three-day single country Thailand Exhibition is being organized from 01-03 September 2018 at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi. The exhibition is organized by Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government with the support of Royal Thai Consulate-General Karachi and being managed by Event and Conference International Pvt. Ltd. Rashid Ul Haque, Director, Event and Conference International and Event Manager informed that Thai companies will display their products from more than 10 categories of different products as foods & beverages, home textiles, health and beauty, hardware, machinery, household items, footwear, party accessories, jewelry cleaner, electrical appliances etc. He said that this event is particularly focused to enhance bilateral trade between the two friendly nations in different fields. By organizing Thailand Exhibition 2018, DITP is playing its active role to expand opportunities to the business communities of both countries and this will also strengthen the economical relations, he added. Rashid Ul Haque hoped that this exhibition will provide more engagement opportunities and new markets for investors from Pakistan and Thailand. Besides, the exhibition is supposed to be a meeting forum open to all interested traders and importers as well as top-end consumers, and the public at large. We are expecting around 50,000 visitors from all walks of life duringthree days event, he added. The Monitoring Team of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267/2253/2368 Sanctions Committee in its recently published 22nd report lauded Pakistan's counter terrorism efforts by acknowledging that extensive counter-terrorist operations (in the country) have led to a reduction in the terrorism in the country. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :The Monitoring Team of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267/2253/2368 Sanctions Committee in its recently published 22nd report lauded Pakistan's counter terrorism efforts by acknowledging that extensive counter-terrorist operations (in the country) have led to a reduction in the terrorism in the country. This is not the first time that the Monitoring Team has acknowledged Pakistan's counter-terrorism gains. Earlier, in February 2018, the Monitoring Team in its 21st Report had also noted with appreciation that Pakistani military operations have "denied space for ISIL to establish an organizational structure in the area, a foreign office statement issued here Friday said. Terrorist attacks claimed by ISIL are mainly carried out by members of local groups with cross-border planning and support by ISIL. "Besides UNSC Monitoring Team, the improvement in overall security situation in Pakistan has also been acknowledged by many neutral observers, including the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) of the Institute for Economics, which in its 2017 report also acknowledged the decrease in terrorism incidents in Pakistan," the statement added. It said the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee oversees the implementation of the 1267 sanctions regime, adding, the Committee is supported in its work by Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team which is also responsible for publishing periodic reports on implementation of the sanctions measures by member states. Pakistan remains committed to defeat terrorism at immense human and economic cost. Pakistan's widely recognized successes against terrorism were possible due to its unwavering resolve and indiscriminate counter terrorism efforts, the statement concluded. The Syrian Foreign Ministry criticized the decision of Saudi Arabia to allocate $100 million to the international coalition led by the United States for "stabilization efforts" in the northeast of Syria, local media reported Friday citing a diplomatic source. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The Syrian Foreign Ministry criticized the decision of Saudi Arabia to allocate $100 million to the international coalition led by the United States for "stabilization efforts" in the northeast of Syria, local media reported Friday citing a diplomatic source. Saudi Arabia has reportedly pledged to provide $100 million to the US-led coalition for stabilization and recovery efforts in northeastern Syrias regions liberated from the Islamist State terrorist groups (IS, banned in Russia) control. "[This is] a covert attempt to prolong the crisis in Syria and to support those who threaten its territory and people . .. Syria condemns this vile policy of the Saudi regime and demands to end it," the source said as quoted by the Syrian state news agency SANA. The source from the Syrian Foreign Ministry also urged all countries to withdraw from the US-led coalition, which "serves only terrorists and threatens peace and security in the region." The US-led coalition of more than 70 members is conducting military operations against the IS in Iraq and Syria. The coalition's strikes in Iraq are conducted in cooperation with the Iraqi government, but those in Syria are not authorized by the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad or the United Nations Security Council. (@FahadShabbir) Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking. La Libertad, El Salvador, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking. They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated as a result of the US government's "zero tolerance" policy against migrant families who illegally cross the country's southern border. Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Border Patrol officers on March 17 after crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid $6,000. They were soon split up and sent to detention centers in different states, with the infant becoming just one of 2,000 Central American and Mexican children that US authorities forcibly removed from their parents between April 19 and May 31 this year. Israeli police officers shot on Friday an Arab who tried to stab one of them in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Israel Police said. TEL AVIV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Israeli police officers shot on Friday an Arab who tried to stab one of them in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Israel Police said. "Attempted terror attack in the Old City of Jerusalem: A suspect came out of the Temple Mount, saw @IL_police officers & tried to stab one of them with a knife. After a struggle, the terrorist (a 30-year-old resident of Umm al-Fahm) was shot by the police force & neutralized," the police wrote on its official Twitter. No police officers or passerby had been injured during the incident, the statement added. According to media reports, the assailant died. The wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, which will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be held at the Gasthaus Tscheppe restaurant, located in the Austrian southern Styria state, local media reported on Friday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, which will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be held at the Gasthaus Tscheppe restaurant, located in the Austrian southern Styria state, local media reported on Friday. The wedding will be held on Saturday. Kneissl and her fiance, businessman Wolfgang Meilinger, will arrive at the restaurant, located in the Gamlitz municipality, from the local Gasthof Wratschko hotel, the Kurier daily reported. The hotels owner Johann Wratschko refused to comment on this information, the outlet added. Security has been boosted at the restaurant where the wedding will take place, with German and Russian security personnel preparing the site for the event, the newspaper pointed out, citing the restaurants chef, Heinz Preschan. The chef said that the wedding dinner would be served for 100 people. According to the chef, the restaurant will offer fresh fish and meat to the guests, while the bride will enjoy a vegetarian dish. Moreover, Styrias specialties will also be served during the dinner. "I hope that I will not put too much salt in the dishes. And I would like to take a selfie with Putin," Preschan said. The chef said that he focused on the preferences of Kneissl and Meilinger when drafting the dinner menu and did not think of a special menu for Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Putin was invited to Kneisls wedding during his latest visit to Vienna on June 5. The spokesman noted that the Russian president would visit the wedding on his way to Germany, where he was scheduled to hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Russia hopes that the improvement of relations between Eritrea and Somalia will contribute to the stability and security in the Horn of Africa region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Russia hopes that the improvement of relations between Eritrea and Somalia will contribute to the stability and security in the Horn of Africa region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday. "Moscow hopes that the improvement of good-neighbor ties between Eritrea and Somalia will have a positive impact on the overall situation on the Horn of Africa, as well as contributing to further strengthening of stability and security in the subregion and to the deepening of the integration in the framework of the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development [IGAD]," the ministry said in a statement. On July 28-30, the Somalian president paid an official visit to Eritrea for the first time in 15 years. The Somalian and Eritrean presidents agreed to restore diplomatic relations and bilateral relations. The implementation of the agreements was discussed during the Eritrean foreign ministers visit to Somalia on Monday. The agreements were reached two weeks after Ethiopia and Eritrea had declared that their decades-long "state of war" was over. (@FahadShabbir) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reiterated that Entezami with his masterpieces played a major role in promoting art in the country. TEHRAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reiterated that Entezami with his masterpieces played a major role in promoting art in the country. In his message released on Friday, he wished health and patience for the bereaved family of the renowned Iranian stage and screen actor. Meanwhile, a number of Iranian cabinet ministers including the Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the United Nations office in Tehran extended condolences over Entezami's death in separate messages. Entezami was born in Tehran on June 21, 1924. He graduated from a theater and cinema school in Hanover,Germany in 1958. He had been acting in movies since 1969. He was known as one of the most prominent and actor in Iranian cinema. The Romanian Prosecutor General's Office has received over 200 complaints from people affected by security forces' violent actions during the recent anti-government protests in the country, local media reported on Friday. CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The Romanian Prosecutor General's Office has received over 200 complaints from people affected by security forces' violent actions during the recent anti-government protests in the country, local media reported on Friday. According to Mediafax news outlet, as of Friday, a total of 211 complaints were registered and 92 people made their statements to prosecutors. The prosecutors will continue to receive complaints and information regarding the rally on Saturday and Sunday. On August 10 and 11, Bucharest saw mass anti-government protests over unpopular tax, pension and social security reforms. Tens of thousands of protesters called for the dissolution of the parliament, a snap election, an establishment of a unicameral parliament with 300 senators, and also for closer coordination with the European Union and NATO. The protests left 450 people injured, 70 of whom were hospitalized, including 11 police officers. On August 11, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis demanded that the prosecution investigate police actions during the rally which reportedly included use of tear gas and water cannons on peaceful protesters. The president denounced the law enforcement actions as too harsh. Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon will start on Friday his two-day state visit to neighboring Uzbekistan, during which 23 documents are planned to be signed, the presidential administration told Sputnik. DUSHANBE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon will start on Friday his two-day state visit to neighboring Uzbekistan, during which 23 documents are planned to be signed, the presidential administration told Sputnik. "The visit will begin on Friday morning with the wreath-laying ceremony at the Independence Monument in Tashkent, after which, the one-on-one talks between [Rahmon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev] will be held in the Uzbek presidential residence Kuk-Saroy," a representative of the administration said. Rahmon and Mirziyoyev are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements, including on strategic partnership, complete demarcation of state borders and countering external aggression. The two sides also plan to ink documents on cooperation in cinematography, weather services and other areas. The bilateral agreements would be concluded during a special ceremony, the representative added. The two presidents will attend Friday afternoon an exhibition of industrial goods made in Tajikistan and visit an Uzbek household devices plant Artel. The first day of Rahmons trip to Uzbekistan will finish with a concert. On Saturday, Rahmon plans to meet with Nuriddinjon Ismailov, the speaker of the lower house of the Uzbek parliament, and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The talks will be followed by Rahmons visit to the city of Samarkand. Mirziyoyev held a state visit to Tajikistan in March. During his trip, 27 bilateral documents, including a deal introducing a visa-free regime, were signed. Similarly, the president said he did not know retired Navy Adm. William McRaven, former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who in a Thursday op-ed in The Washington Post called Trump's tactics "McCarthy-era" and said it would be an honor to have Trump lift his security clearance "so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency." (@FahadShabbir) The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged on Friday the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tawergha, a week after Libyan militias forcibly evicted some 1,900 people from a camp on the outskirts of Tripoli. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged on Friday the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tawergha, a week after Libyan militias forcibly evicted some 1,900 people from a camp on the outskirts of Tripoli. Last week, the Tariq Al Matar camp, which hosted some 370 families who had fled fighting in the town of Tawergha in 2011, was raided by GNA-linked militias. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which cited witnesses, the militia detained 94 people and threatened to rape some of the female residents of the camp, forcing people to abandon their homes. The UNHCR expressed its concern over the incidents on Tuesday, adding that 12 of the detained residents had not been released. "We call on the Libyan Government of National Accord, the GNA, to take all necessary measures to protect Tawerghan internally displaced persons from further displacement, torture and other human rights violations following last weeks forced eviction of some 1,900 people from an IDP camp in Tripoli," OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said at a press briefing. The OHCHR reminded that it was the country's obligation to deal with the problems of displaces persons and prevent further displacement when possible, she added. Since 2011, the Triq Al Matar IDP settlement has been home to hundreds of families from the town of Tawergha close to Misrata. Tawergha residents, known for their darker skin, were ethnically cleansed from the town after its capture by anti-government militias from Misrata during the Libyan civil war. The residents have been accused of leading the siege of Misrata by forces loyal to late leader Muammar Gaddafi and have since been persecuted and prevented from returning home. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a total of 197,000 Libyans were internally displaced as of 2017 after the breakout of the first civil war in 2011. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Nine passenger planes made emergency landings Thursday in Chile and Peru over bomb threats issued to the Chilean civil aviation authority DGAC, its director said. "Today we received 11 threats, of which two were rejected as fake and nine were acted on," DGAC Director Victor Villalobos said at a press conference. The affected flights were operated by Chilean air carriers LATAM and Sky, according to Chile's military police cited by Radio Biobio. Nine planes were in the air when the threats were issued. The calls grounded domestic flights in Chile, as well as those flying to Peru and Argentina, and at least two returning flights. The planes were diverted for security checks and passengers were evacuated. Police are reportedly conducting investigations into who made the disruptive calls. Several bomb threats have since been confirmed as fake on media, but no official statements have been issued to this effect. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The Trump administration has welcomed the $100 million that Saudi Arabia has pledged to provide for stabilization and recovery efforts in regions liberated from Islamist State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia) control in Syria, the State Department said in a press release. "The United States applauds todays announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of its generous contribution of $100 million for ongoing, Coalition-supported stabilization efforts in areas liberated from ISIS [IS] in Syria," the release said on Thursday. The Saudi contribution followed a request from President Donald Trump for partners to share the burden of promoting stability in Syria, the release added. Some 150,000 internally displaced people have returned to the city of Raqqa and US partners are restoring essential services to residents of northeast Syria, the State Department said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi discussed efforts to stabilize conflict-torn Syria in a phone conversation on Thursday, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a readout of the call. "The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed efforts to bring peace and stability to Syria and the broader middle East, Nauert said. The two leaders also spoke about regional developments, the spokesperson noted. The Secretary also thanked the Foreign Minister for Jordans continued role in helping to alleviate humanitarian suffering in southern Syria, Nauert added. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. The United States and its allies have been engaged in a military operation against terrorists in Syria since 2014. However, the United States' operations in Syria have been conducted without the authorization of the Syrian government or the United Nations Security Council. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The United States on Thursday cautioned the Philippines against buying military equipment from Russia, saying it would not be helpful to their decades-long alliance. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Aug, 2018 ) :The United States on Thursday cautioned the Philippines against buying military equipment from Russia, saying it would not be helpful to their decades-long alliance. Affirming its commitment as Manila's strongest defense ally, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver visited the country to meet with top Filipino defense and military officials. "I think they should think very carefully about that," Schriver said as quoted by local media. Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana last week revealed Manila's plan to procure two submarines from Moscow. "If they were to proceed with purchasing major Russian equipment, I don't think that it's a helpful thing to the alliance, and ultimately, I think we can be a better partner than the Russians can be to the Philippines," he added. Schriver noted that the move does not only mean buying a capability but investing in a relationship. "Finding U.S. platforms and U.S. solutions helps us continue our interoperability, helps us improve our ability to operate in all kinds of scenarios," he said. Washington also assured Manila of its support should conflict in the disputed South China Sea erupt. "We'll be a good ally, and we'll help the Philippines respond accordingly," he said. He also commented on recent reports about a U.S. Navy plane flying above the South China Sea which was asked by the Chinese military to leave. "We'll fly, sail and operate where international law allows," Schriver said. "We'll not allow them to rewrite the rules of the road or change international law."Aside from the South China Sea, Schriver's discussions with Filipino officials included the bilateral defense and military relationship, counter-terrorism and the U.S.' plan to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Uzbekistan will take part in the construction of two hydroelectric plants in Tajikistan with a power generation capacity of 320 megawatts, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Friday after holding talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Uzbekistan will take part in the construction of two hydroelectric plants in Tajikistan with a power generation capacity of 320 megawatts, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Friday after holding talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. The use of water and energy resources is one of the key disputes in Central Asia due to their shortage. "Today we are ready to announce joint construction of two hydroelectric plants with the overall capacity of 320 megawatts on the Zarafshan River in Tajikistan," Mirziyoyev said after the negotiations with Rahmon. The Uzbek leader also pointed out that the parties had discussed the use of fresh water of the Sarez Lake. "I think that the project of the hydrotechnical construction will be a very serious issue within our regional cooperation," Mirziyoyev said. Rahmon echoed his Uzbek counterpart saying that the parties had discussed the use of 17 billion cubic meters of fresh water. "I have many times said and will say once again that we will never leave our neighbors without water," Rahmon said. Rahmon started on Friday his two-day state visit to neighboring Uzbekistan, during which 23 documents are planned to be signed. The Sarez Lake is located in Rushon District of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan province. The lake emerged in 1911 after an over 7-magnitude earthquake caused a landslide, blocking the Murghab River and resulting in landslide dam, known as Usoi Dam. Scientists fear that possible collapse of the Usoi Dam may result in a devastating flood. "I think that the right to have an independent judge tell you what the law is, no matter who you are, is one of the great liberties and genius of the constitutional design," Gorsuch said. "It's something that's very real today for the immigrant, the criminal defendant, the unpopular, the minority." Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) are marking the 10th anniversary of the anti-Christian carnage with a Mass on August 25 at St Joseph Convent School in Bhubaneswar. By Robin Gomes Christians in India will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrible massacre and atrocities inflicted on Christians in the eastern state of Odisha, with a Holy Mass in the state capital Bhubaneswar on August 25. Archbishop John Barwa together with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) are organizing the Holy Mass on the theme, Reconciliation, Thanksgiving and Grace, appealing for secularism, democracy, justice and peace and brotherhood. Black day - August 25, 2008 It was on August 25, 2008, that hell broke loose on the Christians of Kandhamal District, with Hindu extremists attacking them for the August 23 murder of Hindu leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, even though Maoist rebels claimed the assassination. Considered to be Indias worst anti-Christian persecution in 300 years, the outrage that followed for months, forced an estimated 56,000 Christians to flee to the safety of forests and homes of friends and relatives. Some 5,600 houses and 415 villages were raided and set on fire. According to government figures, 38 people were killed and two women raped, though activists give a higher number. Scores of people were injured and permanently maimed. The inhuman attack on innocent people caught unaware in the middle of the night of August 25, 2008 will always remain a black spot in the history of the traditionally peace loving people of Odisha and Independent India, Archbishop Barwa said in a press statement announcing the August 25 anniversary Mass at St Joseph Convent School in Bhubaneswar. What was heartbreaking, he said, was that the massacre of the innocents continued unabated for months. "What happened in Kandhamal, should have never happened and should never ever happen again, he appealed. Church close to the victims Speaking to Vatican news, Archbishop Barwa said that in the past 10 years his archdiocese has remained close to the victims. Listen to Archbishop John Barwa The Church, the archbishop said, has been the prime diving force for the legal process to seek justice and relief for those who have suffered. In this regard the archdiocese organized rallies, submitted memoranda to government authorities and is fighting for justice in the courts of law. Archbishop Barwa said that in all these efforts, Christians have surrendered themselves to God, trusting that what is impossible to human beings is possible with God. He said Christians are praying for true forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. Below is the full text of Archbishop John Barwa's press release: MASS FOR RECONCILIATION, THANKSGIVING AND GRACE St Joseph Convent School ground, Bhubaneswar at 10.00 am, August 25, 2018 Ten years ago, what happened in Kandhamal, Odisha should have never happened and should never ever happen again. We recall with greatest pain and agony the barbaric events that occurred particularly in 2008. The inhuman attack on innocent people caught unaware in the middle of the night of August 25, 2008 will always remain a black spot in the history of the traditionally peace loving people of Odisha and Independent India. What was heartbreaking that the massacre of the innocents continued unabated for months. The attackers snuffed out human lives, destroyed and demolished churches, homes, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, offices, and centers working for the uplift and development of the poor and marginalized people especially the tribals, dalits, OBC and others. Women and young girls were gang raped and thousands had to flee to the jungles in fear and despair. The people of Odisha however want to turn over a new leaf and want a renewed society filled with peace and social harmony. The Christian community believes in a God who is the God of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. We remember even after ten years how much harm hatred and anger can do to our society. We wish to remember what happened so that it never happens again. We have no enmity with anyone. We believe like the Apostle St. Paul that trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged, we are left without answer, but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed, (2Cor. 4: 8-9). Over the past one decade, the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar has remained close to the victims, and has been the prime driving force for the legal processes to seek justice for the victims and relief for those who have suffered. For the purpose we organized several rallies, submitted memorandums and are still fighting in the courts for justice. Today more than ever before we wish to surrender everything to our God in prayer and supplication believing as the Bible tells us that for humans it may seem impossible, but for God all things are possible (Mt. 19:26). The Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) is organizing a Solemn Holy Mass for Reconciliation that there might be genuine feeling of goodwill, Thanksgiving for those who witnessed the faith with their heroic life, and Grace that the Church may further be strengthened to live its faith, on August 25, 2018 at St Joseph Convent School ground, Bhubaneswar at 10.00 A.M. We want to pray for true forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. We take this opportunity to thank the Government of Odisha which has shown commitment to work for the growth and progress of everyone irrespective of caste, creed and color. We hope and pray that complete relief be granted to those who are still seeking it. The Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and CBCI are organizing the Holy Mass for RECONCILIATION, THANKSGIVIING & GRACE with a humanitarian and clarion call to everyone of good will, especially those who believe in secularism, democracy, justice and peace and brotherhood. We implore Gods blessings on all men and women of good will. Archbishop John Barwa SVD Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese Mesquite Gaming, owner of the Casablanca Resort and Virgin River Hotel, is excited to host the wildly popular three-day barbecue extravaganza, the 2018 CasaBlanca Rib Fest. Beginning Friday, Sept. 7 and concluding on Sunday, Sept. 9, the Casablanca Rib Fest will feature some of the countrys best barbecue vendors cooking up delicious ribs and barbecue. Last years event was a hit among our guests and we cant wait to bring all the delicious food and family-friendly activities back for the 2018 Rib Fest Christian Adderson, corporate sales manager at Mesquite Gaming This event is one of Mesquites most enjoyable events every year because the entire Mesquite community gets involved, which makes for a great weekend. The CasaBlanca Rib Fest runs from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9. In addition to the food vendors, this years festivities will include daily food eating contests and a DJ to keep the energy high all weekend long. The rivalry between the Mesquite Police Department and Mesquite Fire Department will be renewed again this year for another eating competition between the two organizations. The winning department will receive a $1,000 donation from Mesquite Gaming to a charity of their choice. The Mesquite Police Department took home the title in 2017 and selected St. Judes Childrens Hospital as the recipient of the prize. A detailed daily schedule is available here. Notable food vendors: Austins Texas Lightning: Austins Texas Lightning was created after the owner, Nikki, had spent years working with her father, Tom Ferguson. After she was bitten by the BBQ bug, she went out on her own and started Austins Texas Lightning. Nikki has more than 30 years of experience serving award winning BBQ. The Austins Texas Lightning team has won numerous awards on both the national and local level including first place at the 2018 Mankato Ribfest, fifth place at the 2017 Best in the West Rib Off and has taken home Best Ribs and Peoples Choice awards twice at Ribs on the River. Austins Texas Lightning was created after the owner, Nikki, had spent years working with her father, Tom Ferguson. After she was bitten by the BBQ bug, she went out on her own and started Austins Texas Lightning. Nikki has more than 30 years of experience serving award winning BBQ. The Austins Texas Lightning team has won numerous awards on both the national and local level including first place at the 2018 Mankato Ribfest, fifth place at the 2017 Best in the West Rib Off and has taken home Best Ribs and Peoples Choice awards twice at Ribs on the River. Chicago BBQ Company: Owner and BBQ expert Tom Ferguson, after retiring from owning a chain of Italian restaurants in suburban Chicagoland, had a vision of creating Chicagos ultimate BBQ experience. In 1985 Tom started competing in national rib cook-offs. One year later, in 1986 he won the title of Best Ribs in The World at the Richmond World Invitational Rib Cook-Off. He has been going strong ever since with over 300 national and local competition awards, including placing No. 1 at 2017s Best in the West Rib Festival, widely considered the best rib festival in the nation. Owner and BBQ expert Tom Ferguson, after retiring from owning a chain of Italian restaurants in suburban Chicagoland, had a vision of creating Chicagos ultimate BBQ experience. In 1985 Tom started competing in national rib cook-offs. One year later, in 1986 he won the title of Best Ribs in The World at the Richmond World Invitational Rib Cook-Off. He has been going strong ever since with over 300 national and local competition awards, including placing No. 1 at 2017s Best in the West Rib Festival, widely considered the best rib festival in the nation. Texas Outlaw BBQ: Best known for its ribs, Texas Outlaw BBQ boasts more than 250 first place awards in its 25 years. Awards include five-time, first place winner at Naperville Rib Fest, five-time, first place winner at the Nugget Best in the West Rib Cook-Off and the only team to take first place at Pig in the Pines five times. Oddly enough, breakfast cereal, backyard birds, pasta salad and pet guinea pigs have something potentially dangerous in common. All four have been linked to salmonella, which the Mayo Clinic defines as a group of bacteria thats one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the U.S. Barely a day passes without a public health alert being issued about a salmonella outbreak connected to restaurant food and grocery items. And theres good reason to pay attention to these alerts: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates salmonella triggers about 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths every year in this country. Food is blamed for about 1 million of these cases. Given how much we hear about salmonella, we figure youd benefit from these 12 facts and figures about it, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic, the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the New York State Department of Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health. 1. How is salmonella spread? Person-to-person transmission of salmonella happens when an infected persons feces contaminates food while its being prepared or the feces come into direct contact with another person. Animal-to-person transmission also can occur. 2. What are some of the common food sources of salmonella? Contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, cheese, contaminated raw fruits and vegetables (like alfalfa sprouts and melons), spices and nuts. 3. What are some of the common animal-related sources of salmonella? Reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards), amphibians (frogs), birds (baby chicks), and pet food and treats. 4. What are the symptoms of salmonella infection? Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after theyre infected. 5. Whos especially susceptible to salmonella infection? Older adults, infants and people with chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. 6. How long does the illness typically last? Four to seven days. 7. What should someone do to recover from salmonella infection? Drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest. 8. Is medical treatment required? Most people bounce back from salmonella infection without medical treatment. However, if you cant drink enough fluids to hold off dehydration or if your symptoms get worse, you should seek medical attention. 9. When is it OK to go back to work after salmonella infection? After someones diarrhea has stopped. 10. When can salmonella infection lead to death? When it moves from the intestines to the blood stream and isnt treated with antibiotics. 11. How do you detect salmonella contamination? Salmonella-contaminated foods usually look and smell normal, so you likely wont notice anything out of the ordinary. 12. How do you prevent salmonella infections? Simply put, cooking and pasteurization kill salmonella. The best way to minimize the chance of salmonella outbreaks is to ensure that food from animal origins, such as eggs, meat or chicken, is properly cooked, says Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics. If you are at a restaurant and the food you are served is undercooked, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the waiter to send it back to the kitchen to be cooked longer. Other salmonella prevention tips: Avoid eating foods that put you at high risk for salmonella infection, such as raw eggs, undercooked chicken and unpasteurized milk. Keep food refrigerated at the proper temperature before its cooked. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling food. and warm water before handling food. Clean surfaces, such as kitchen countertops, before fixing food on them. Make sure cooked foods are kept separate from ready-to-eat foods. Dont use utensils on cooked foods that were already used on raw foods. Dont put cooked foods on plates that had raw foods on them unless those plates have been cleaned well . that had raw foods on them unless those plates have been . Cook foods to the suggested internal temperature. Wash your hands after youve had contact with animals, their food or treats or their habitats. There is no reason to be overly fearful of salmonella if you are taking reasonable precautions to avoid salmonella outbreaks, Backe says. Vy Phalla has a deep attachment to her hometown in Cambodias Koh Kong province, a land where mangroves ring the sandy coast and the waters teem with fish and crabs, providing sustenance to generations of villagers. So when large-scale sand dredging off the coast of her village, Koh Srolao, began to destroy fish stocks and other aspects of the natural environment, Phalla, a 31-year-old fisherwoman, was deeply distressed. I felt that my blood, life, and soul had been taken away from me. Still, she felt powerless against the large business interests that have for years been removing huge quantities of sand off Cambodias coast, much of which is sold to Singapore for the city-states land reclamation efforts. Thats why Phalla jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with the award-winning Cambodian-American filmmaker Kalyanee Mam on a new short film, Lost World, which deploys striking images of daily life in Koh Kong to show how dredging is devastating local communities. (Courtesy of Emergence Magazine) The film had no script, Phalla told VOA in a recent interview. Instead, she simply spoke from personal experience, narrating the story of her community and helping Mam capture images that would convey the urgency of the situation. She said that since the dredging began, many children have dropped out of school to help their families, as it is so much harder to make a living from fishing. Some natives of Koh Srolao have been forced to leave the village and become laborers in Thailand or Phnom Penh. The problems happened in my community one after another, said Phalla. So I was able to tell the story from my heartpain, disappointment, and sorrow. She said she worked with Mam for about three or four months in Koh Sralao. The film shows her going about her daily life, digging for shellfish and singing songs about the beauty of the coastal mangroves. In some islands, we used to get more from fishing, she said. I felt pain when we couldnt fish anymore, and we lost fishing areas. I shed a tear when I arrived in Singapore. The film also follows Phalla on a visit to Singapore, one of the worlds wealthiest countries. While many visitors enjoy the vibrancy of Singapores urban landscape, Phalla said she found it depressing. I shed a tear when I arrived in Singapore," she said. Phalla said she wished she could tell Singaporeans how the land beneath their feet had been purchased with Cambodian livelihoods. When I arrived in Singapore, I felt so much pain, even more than how I felt in my village, she said. I felt that my blood, life, and soul had been taken away from me, she added. Phallas family was worried about the possible consequences of her increasing outspokenness against sand dredging, because many local activists had faced threats, intimidation and even jail time. The founder of the environmental group Mother Nature, Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, was forced to flee Cambodia, while two members of Mother Nature were sentenced to prison terms this year for filming a sand-dredging ship off the coast of Koh Kong. For my family, because people who were involved in the sand dredging issue were imprisoned, when they learned that I had been filming, they were afraid that I would be arrested, said Phalla. Some of Phallas neighbors also warned her that her work on Lost World could cause trouble. They told me that I shouldnt be too brave to be the main character in the film, because if something happened, the director would run away and I would be responsible for that, she said. But she said she had no fear of getting involved, because everything she did was grounded in truth. I am not afraid because I told myself that, no matter what happens, I'll accept the consequences because I haven't manipulated anything, and it is a true story and true life, she said. Phalla has high expectations for her work. She hopes that Lost World will introduce viewers abroad to the beauty of Koh Srolao, and raise awareness of the serious effects of sand dredging on Cambodian communities. I hope that the coastal area will be preserved, and the mangroves will still be beautiful without any damage, she said. Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, met his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn during the Asean Regional Forum earlier this month, to send a clear message: Cambodia is under Chinas protection. According to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang expressed Beijings public endorsement of the general election on July 29, in which the long-ruling Cambodian Peoples Party is claiming all 125 seats in the National Assembly with a voter turnout of about 83 percent a figure provided by the National Election Committee. The Chinese side has always firmly supported Cambodia's efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and stability and opposed any foreign forces interfering in Cambodia's domestic affairs, and will continue to provide assistance for Cambodia to maintain stability and development, the statement adds. Soon after the official result was announced on Wednesday, Chinese leaders Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang sent their letters congratulating Hun Sen for the triumphant election. Chinas endorsement and support for Cambodias ruling party comes amid mounting pressure from western democracies that have questioned the credibility of the election after a sweeping crackdown on political dissidents and the exclusion of the main opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was controversially disbanded in November and saw 118 senior members banned from politics until 2022. After the election concluded with the CPP announcing an overwhelming victory, the White House said that the poll was neither free nor fair, vowing additional measures against the Cambodian leadership. Canada, Australia, Germany, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom and Sweden followed with similar statements condemning the election process and the prolonged jailing of CNRP President Kem Sokha, who is awaiting trial on treason charges. One-Party Rule The CNRP, with many of its senior members fleeing abroad fearing arrest, has called the election a sham. Just a day after Sokhonns meeting with Chinas Wang and citing high voter turnout, Prime Minister Hun Sen was quick to announce a new government would be formed in September. Hun Sen said earlier this month that the new government and the National Assembly would be legitimate with the blessing of King Norodom Sihamoni and did not need approval from foreign powers. After a meeting with King Sihamoni at the royal residence on August 7, Hun Sen said that the king would open the new parliament on September 5. Hang Vitou, a Phnom Penh-based political commentator who leads the Young Analyst Group, said Cambodia was now firmly on track to become an entrenched one-party state. No matter what, there can be no other political party running Cambodia besides the CPP in this [five-year] electoral term and there is only him [Prime Minister Hun Sen], Vitou said. In an op-ed published by the leading pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea earlier this month, Environment Minister Say Sam Al, a member of the ruling partys younger generation of leadership, said it would be a democracy in the context of a single-party parliament. CPP spokesman Sok Eysan claimed that the country was still a multi-party democracy, despite the ruling party controlling every institution of government, from the National Assembly to the thousands of local commune offices. This result [on July 29] is also characteristic of multi-party democracy, reflecting the will of the people who vote despite being run by only one political party, Eysan told journalists in a joint online news digest. This is only a special case in this sixth election. In the coming elections, other political parties can still join the democratic competition to grab the power from the CPP. Chinas Support The Foreign Affairs Ministry has dismissed Western criticism of the election. In a statement dated July 31, the ministry said the criticisms were politically-motivated assessments. Such an [approach] undermined the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has been enhanced thus far and cast doubt on the genuine sincerity to witness Cambodia further progressing in its irreversible democratization while enjoying the longest peace in modern history and consistent sustainable development, it said. A number of countries have sent their congratulations on the electoral process, including China, Laos, Vietnam, Russia, and the Philippines. Chinas support now is more important than ever for Cambodias ruling elites, says Po Sovinda, an independent political commentator. No doubt, Cambodia will soon form a new government regardless of the condemnations ... by the West and the U.S., Sovinda says. China is and will always stand at the Cambodian side as long as Cambodia under the present leadership continues to be supportive of Chinese political and strategic positions in Asia, he adds. China has become the leading donor and investor in Cambodia. Its official development assistance bilateral and multilateral have so far met the governments need for investment in infrastructure projects to sustain its economic growth. One way that China helps contribute to strengthening the legitimacy of the Cambodian People's Party in the aftermath of the election is through financial support, Sovinda says, adding that the CPP may need to deal with Western pressure as well. But the disagreement over the democratic process in Cambodia is already putting the countrys non-tariff export access under the Everything But Arms scheme to the E.U. market at risk. Cambodias exports to the E.U. reached about $5.8 billion in 2017. In June, a special mission led by a prominent lawyer and government adviser, Sok Siphana, was tasked by the government to meet decision-makers in Brussels, justifying the crackdown as internal issues and seeking to rescue Cambodias trade agreement status. An E.U. fact-finding mission also visited Cambodia in July to re-evaluate the Kingdoms eligibility. This took place as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Cambodia Democracy Act, urging the Trump Administration to impose targeted sanctions on Hun Sen and his inner circle. Sek Sophal, a researcher at the Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) in Japan, says that China is positioned to provide security to smaller countries like Cambodia in case of mounting international pressure to democratize. In the worst case scenarios, including the refusal by the international community to recognize the new government, or warnings of imposing sanctions like they say in previous statements, a small country may be able to find its way out if it can at least secure strong ties with an economic and military power [like China], he said. The extent to which China can step in in the case of the sanctions imposed by the West, however, is up for debate. Bradley Jansen Murg, a professor of political science and Asian studies at the Seattle Pacific University, says China would not be able to replace the U.S. and the E.U. overnight as the destination of Cambodias garment exports. It's just not going to happen, Jansen Murg said in an email. Cambodia's garment exports to China remain minimal, comprising roughly 3 percent of all garment exports. The market has simply not developed, despite the establishment of the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) through which Beijing's tariffs for Cambodian garments/footwear dropped to nearly zero, he added. There are simply not many tools at China's disposal to further support the Cambodian garment industry and offset the impacts of a suspension of [the EBA], he says. Xiong Bo, Chinas ambassador to Cambodia, said during a lecture last month that the E.U. should not take political considerations into account when assessing Cambodias membership of the preferential trade scheme. So I think in terms of the trade relations between the EU and Cambodia, I think these trade relations should be conducted according to the economic and trade rules but should not be changed according to any political reasons, Xiong said. No matter what the EU will do the Chinese will stand firmly in expanding and deepening our cooperation with Cambodia in all fields, especially in terms of trade and economic relations, he added. In return, China is seen winning Cambodias supports on some hotly-contested regional issues. On various occasion at ASEAN platforms, Cambodia is also endorsing Chinas stance to not internationalize the South China Sea issues and to keep ASEANs hands out of the dispute. A Political Solution? The CPP has maintained that it has only been enforcing laws against wrongdoing by the CNRP leaders, but critics hit back that its actions were really due to the oppositions rising political clout after the 2013 election and local elections in 2017, which posed a threat to the political establishment. Vitou, the analyst, said it was time for political reconciliation and concessions, which would help de-escalate a confrontation with the West and avert any form of sanctions. The CPP needs to find a solution based on reason, not emotion. Stop the blame game We feel the need to move forward by finding solutions as soon as possible. VOA Global English gives you the latest news and information around the clock The international community is cautiously welcoming the conditional release of an Azerbaijani opposition leader after five years in prison on what human rights activists have described as trumped-up charges. While encouraged by the release of Republican Alternative (REAL) Party chairman Ilgar Mammadov, activists and the U.S. government are calling on the Azerbaijani government to end all remaining restrictions on the political figure. "Mammadov's conviction and imprisonment for over five years raised serious concerns about the rule of law in Azerbaijan," said a statement issued by U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert. The United States urged the Azerbaijani government to drop all charges against Mammadov "in keeping with its international obligations and the rulings of the European Court for Human Rights." Mammadov was arrested in February 2013 after traveling to Ismayilli, where residents were protesting alleged abuses by the local governor. He subsequently was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of "incitement to violence." On Monday, a regional court reduced Mammadov's remaining two-year jail sentence to a suspended term while imposing limitations on his movements. "This is not a complete, but a partial victory," Mammadov told a group of supporters immediately after his release. Giorgi Gogia, Europe and Central Asia deputy director of Human Rights Watch, spoke to VOA about the treatment of Mammadov and the terms of his release. "Obviously, this is a conditional release that puts restrictions on his freedoms, which are totally unjustified under international norms," he said. International pressure Gogia argued that Mammadov was released only because of growing international pressure. "There have been at least a dozen calls by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for his immediate release," he said, noting the committee had decided to launch unprecedented legal proceedings against Azerbaijan. The Baku government maintains that no one is persecuted in Azerbaijan on political grounds, and that the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens are respected. But Gogia said dozens of people have been arrested in the course of a brutal crackdown by the government of President Ilham Aliyev. "There are dozens and dozens of others who have been arrested under a very vicious government crackdown against critics in Azerbaijan. Authorities have jailed dozens of human rights defenders, political activists, journalists," he said. Gogia called on Azerbaijan to end the crackdown on dissent and uphold its obligations as a country that aspires to a closer partnership with European institutions. Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe, an organization founded after World War II "to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law." For years, the Baku government ignored demands by the Council's leadership to release Mammadov. A potential ban on the popular herbicide glyphosate in Brazil over concerns it may cause cancer in humans would be a "disaster" for the country's agricultural industry, Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said on Thursday. A Brazilian court ruled on Aug. 3 that new products containing the chemical could not be registered in the country and existing registrations would be suspended starting from September, until health authority Anvisa issues a decision on its re-evaluation of glyphosate's safety. Maggi said that glyphosate is used on around 95 percent of soy, corn and cotton harvested in the country and that there is no readily available substitute. Brazil is the world's top exporter of soy and a major producer and exporter of corn. "Glyphosate makes it viable for us to plant and grow crops. What is the alternative?" Maggi said at an event in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's Solicitor General's office has said it is preparing an appeal to the court decision with the Agriculture Ministry's backing. Maggi said he is confident the ruling will be overturned on appeal. The Brazilian court case is part of a global pushback against the chemical. A U.S. judge ruled last week that Monsanto must pay $289 million in damages to a man who alleged its glyphosate-based products like Roundup caused his cancer. Monsanto, taken over earlier this year by Bayer AG , said in a statement that more than 800 reviews, including those by the U.S. environmental and health authorities, support that glyphosate does not cause cancer. The company is appealing the U.S. court ruling. Brazil federal prosecutors brought the case to force Anvisa to make a decision in its re-evaluation of glyphosate, which it started in 2008, said Marco Antonio Delfino de Almeida, a member of a prosecutors' working group on pesticides. A 2015 assessment by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer determined glyphosate probably causes cancer in humans, which provides a basis for reconsidering its safety, Almeida said. If the Brazil ban on existing product registrations goes into effect, it could disrupt farmers who are set to begin planting soy in September. The sale of glyphosate products would be halted and farmers who use products with suspended registrations could face legal risks, said Brazil-based agribusiness lawyer Frederico Favacho. Anvisa told Reuters it is prioritizing its re-evaluation of glyphosate but did not give a timeframe for announcing its findings. Twelve former senior intelligence officials have issued a statement on what they call the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House regarding the removal of John Brennans security clearances. The statement is a reaction to U.S. President Donald Trumps decision Wednesday to strip former CIA Director Brennan of his security clearance. The presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech, the statement released late Thursday said. It was signed by six former CIA directors, five former CIA deputy directors and a former director of National Intelligence. WATCH: John Brennan Accuses Trump of Trying to Silence Those Who Challenge Him We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool as was done in this case. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to the former and current officials, the statement said. An honor to lose security clearance In another development, the former U.S. Navy admiral who led the operation to kill terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is challenging Trump to revoke his security clearance. In an open letter to Trump in The Washington Post, retired Admiral William McRaven wrote he would consider it an honor. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation, McRaven wrote. The retired admiral was reacting to Trump stripping former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance Wednesday. McRaven called Brennan one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Trump contradicts explanation Trump contradicted the official White House explanation of why he took the action against Brennan. He told The Wall Street Journal, for its Thursday editions, he believes Brennan is one of those responsible for special counsel Robert Muellers probe into possible collusion between his campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump obstructed justice by trying to derail the investigation. Trump repeated his belief the probe is a rigged witch hunt ... a sham ... and these people led it, referring to Brennan and nine other past and current government security officials whose clearances he is considering revoking. So, I think its something that had to be done, Trump said of taking away Brennans clearance. The president said he does not trust many of those people on that list and does not think they are good people. On Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders denied that Brennan and others are being singled out because they are critics of Trump. She cited what she called Brennans erratic conduct and behavior that has tested and far exceeded the limits of any professional courtesy that may have been due to him. She also questioned Brennans objectivity and credibility. Brennan responds Brennan said he believes Trump stripped his security clearance for political reasons and wants to silence others who might dare to challenge him. He wrote in Thursdays The New York Times that Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him. He called Trumps assertion there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia hogwash. The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of Trump Incorporated attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets, Brennan wrote. The White House said Wednesday security clearances are under review for former U.S. National Intelligence director James Clapper, former FBI director James Comey, former Obama administration National Security Adviser Susan Rice, former National Security Agency director Michael Hayden and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Brennan has been a familiar face on television news shows where he has made scathing attacks on the president. He called Trumps performance at a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki treasonous. Brennan on Twitter described Trumps action Wednesday as part of a broader effort to suppress freedom of speech and punish critics, adding that it should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. Tensions between the U.S. intelligence community and the White House are ratcheting up, with President Donald Trump and former, high-ranking intelligence official locked in a heated war of words over security clearances. Trump on Friday threw another punch in the ongoing battle, threatening to revoke the security clearance of a current Justice Department official and adding his decision to strip former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance has gotten a tremendous response. Later in the day, former CIA officers punched back, with more than 60 signing a statement condemning what they described as a political litmus test for intelligence and security experts. The subject of Trumps ire Friday was the Justice Departments Bruce Ohr, named earlier this week by the White House as one of nine former and current officials in danger of having their security clearances yanked. Ohr has been under intense scrutiny for his contacts with Glenn Simpson, whose opposition research firm, Fusion GPS, was involved in producing the so-called Steele Dossier on Trumps ties to Russia. For a time, Fusion GPS also employed Ohrs wife. I suspect Ill be taking it away very quickly, Trump told reporters outside the White House regarding Ohrs security clearance. For him to be in the Justice Department and to be doing what he did, that is a disgrace. Trump also linked Ohr to special counsel Robert Mueller, calling the link disqualifying for Mueller. Mueller has been investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, which Trump on Friday called a rigged witch hunt. You know that, Trump told reporters. Mr. Mueller is highly conflicted. Trump renewed his criticism of Brennan on Saturday, asking rhetorically on Twitter if anyone has "looked at the mistakes that John Brennan made while serving as CIA Director?" without elaborating, and labeled him as a "loudmouth, partisan, political hack who cannot be trusted with the secrets to our country!" Growing outrage over revocation Trumps comments, along with the threat of stripping security clearances from other former and current officials, have sparked a growing outrage. By early Friday, at least 15 former senior intelligence officials had also signed onto a statement criticizing what they call the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House regarding the removal of John Brennans security clearances. The officials, including former CIA directors Robert Gates, George Tenet and retired Gen. David Petraeus, said, We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool as was done in this case. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to the former and current officials. They were joined late Friday by a group of 60 former CIA officers and analysts, some of whom said they did not agree with the opinions of former Director Brennan or how he expressed them, issued a statement of their own. [It] is our firm belief that the country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views, the statement said. All of us believe it is critical to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure, it continued. But we believe equally strongly that former government officials have the right to express their unclassified views on what they see as critical national security issues without fear of being punished for doing so. Others have also taken a stand against the presidents actions. Retired admiral's challenge On Friday night, Democratic Senator Mark Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said on social media, I will be introducing an amendment next week to block the president from punishing and intimidating his critics by arbitrarily revoking security clearances. Retired Admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the operation to kill terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, on Thursday challenged Trump to revoke his security clearance, saying it would be an honor. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation, McRaven wrote in a letter published by The Washington Post. No comment from Haspel, Coats Former CIA Director James Woolsey, who was part of Trumps transition team before resigning, released his own statement Friday on the issue of security clearances. While Woolsey did not mention either the president or Brennan by name, he called it imperative that those involved use reasonable discourse in discussing and making their decisions. A source close to Woolsey told VOA that while the statement was carefully worded, it should be interpreted as a criticism of the president. Neither current CIA Director Gina Haspel nor Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats have commented publicly on the security clearances. But when asked about the decision to strip Brennan of his clearance, an official with knowledge of the process told VOA that senior intelligence officials had no hand in this, no role in this, despite reports from the White House to the contrary. Fears of abuse of power Since the White House announced the decision to strip former CIA Director Brennan of his security clearance, the number of former intelligence officials willing to publicly express concern has grown. Some have called the presidents actions an abuse of power, while others say they fear the politicization of the security clearance process will serve to silence anyone in intelligence who has information the president might not like to hear. What were concerned about is the message and the precedent that it sets, Mark Zaid, an attorney who specializes in national security matters, told VOA. What this action shows is that anyone who has a politically different viewpoint to a sitting president of the United States is vulnerable. Those concerns were amplified Wednesday when Trump told The Wall Street Journal the reason he pulled Brennans security clearance was because of the role he believed Brennan played in prompting the Mueller investigation. Despite the growing criticism, President Trump Friday rejected allegations he was using the issue of security clearances to intimidate or silence his critics. Theres no silencing (of critics). If anything, Im giving them a bigger voice, he said. Thats OK with me, because I like taking on voices like that. 3 Dahab Island on the Nile is one of many informal neighborhoods in Cairo where the shortage of homes has prompted many to build without permits and caused many to build on what were fertile, highly productive farmlands along the Nile. Oscar-winning British actress Emma Thompson, now starring at age 59 as a family court judge in the dramatic movie "The Children Act," said on Thursday that older women still need more opportunity on the big screen. Known for period dramas such as "Howards End" and "Sense and Sensibility," Thompson plays a judge who struggles with a legal decision while also dealing with trouble in her marriage. At the movie's red-carpet premiere, Thompson said she was drawn to the role of a woman who has gained power in "a very male bastion." "I'd never seen a story about a female judge, and I think in our patriarchal world, when you hear the word judge, you automatically think, 'Oh, it's a man,'" Thompson said. She also said the lack of good film roles for older women remains a long-running problem. "Men don't have any problem with that," Thompson said. "It's something that hasn't yet properly changed. "We are seeing some really good and interesting new roles, so one's got to be hopeful," she added. Dejen Ande Hishel was an elite Eritrean fighter pilot. He trained in Russia and flew twin-engine MiG-29 Soviet jets during Eritreas war with Ethiopia in the late 1990s. But in 1999, Eritrean authorities arrested him, for reasons that remain unclear. He was never formally charged with a crime or faced trial, but nonetheless he spent 15 years in a maximum-security prison before escaping in 2014. Today Dejen lives in Sweden and is speaking out on behalf of others imprisoned in Eritrea, many of whom have been held incommunicado, without a trial or hearing, for more than a decade. I feel a sense of responsibility to speak not only for myself, but for all of those left in prison, Dejen told VOA, speaking in Tigrigna. End of war The timing of Dejens call is no coincidence. Eritrea and Ethiopia recently negotiated an end to their 20-year border conflict, which the Eritrean government has said necessitated tight restrictions on its citizens, including indefinite, compulsory military service and limitations on movement, both within and outside the country. As dynamics in the region change, activists are hoping the government will loosen those restrictions or free prisoners. In July, Radio France International reported that Eritrean authorities released 35 Christians who belong to denominations not recognized by the state. The 35 had been arrested for illegally practicing their faith. Berhane Asmelash, an advocate for Eritreans facing religious persecution, told RFI that the releases had already been planned and werent prompted by Eritrea and Ethiopias new peace deal. The government has yet to acknowledge the reported releases. VOA reached out for comment from Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritreas minister of information, but did not hear back. When a reporter with The Economist met Yemane recently in Asmara, the capital, he said people should give the government time to institute domestic changes. I see myself as if I am still in prison Although hes no longer detained, Dejen said his freedom has not been complete because so many remain in prison, including high-ranking officers. Semhar Habtezions father, Brigadier General Habtezion Hadgu, founded the Eritrean Air Force, Semhar told VOA. He was incarcerated in 2003. He had direct altercations with the president, Semhar said. Those disagreements concerned how the air force was managed and why colleagues like Dejen had been imprisoned. He had the fancy of owning and running his own farm in the countryside where he was born, Semhar said, and would have been content to simply step away from the air force. But Habtezion never got that chance. He has been held incommunicado for 15 years, and his familys attempts to even learn about his health have gone nowhere. The fate of compatriots like Habtezion occupies Dejens mind. Even when I speak to you from outside the country, I see myself as if I am still in prison, because all of my colleagues are still there, Dejen said. Thats led to a sense of responsibility, he added, to speak for himself along with those still imprisoned. Conditions in prison were harsh and remain difficult to articulate, Dejen said. The food was unpleasant and, at times, inedible. Inmates often were moved between facilities, and some prisons are better than others. For Dejen, the overall experience was dire. There are times where you might die due to hunger or sickness. There are times when they wont allow access to medical care, he said. Law and order But Dejen doesnt want to focus on the past. Hes more interested in what happens next. It doesnt matter to us if we were arrested or not, he said. What concerns us is the status of where the country is at the moment. Many advocacy groups, along with the United Nations, have documented widespread human rights concerns in Eritrea. Government officials have dismissed those reports as biased and politically motivated, but stories like Dejens suggest the judicial system needs sweeping reform. In its latest country report, Human Rights Watch concluded that Eritreans face arbitrary arrest and indefinite imprisonment. In a statement released in June by the U.N., the special rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea said arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention have continued to persist. What Dejen most hopes to see is due process. Whether we solve it through the rule of law or peace, we need to sit down and discuss. If that is the discussion, I would go back to my country tonight. I would stand trial and even go back to jail if there is law and order, Dejen said. Although he has been away for many years, Dejen feels a yearning to return to Eritrea. I do wish to go back, and, yes, I have a plan for sure, Dejen said. I can learn, work and grow here [in Sweden], but I wont find full satisfaction without going back home and serving my country. Six months after Brazil sent in federal forces to take control of security in Rio de Janeiro state, murders and the number of people killed in police confrontations have risen, official data shows, raising questions about the strategy. President Michel Temer on Feb. 16 announced emergency measures authorizing the army to take command of police forces in Rio de Janeiro state, where warring drug gangs and militias have driven a sharp rise in violence. In the first six months of the federal intervention, however, there were 3,479 murders in the state, up nearly 5 percent compared with the same period last year, according to official state data. Between February and the end of July, 738 people were killed in confrontations with police, the data examined by Reuters shows, up more than 35 percent from the previous year. Between February and last month, 16 police officers were killed, one fewer than in the 2017 period. Worrying scenario Its very worrying, this scenario, in which the most sensitive indicators are getting worse, and we have a security policy that is focused on deepening the very issues that cause violence, such as confrontations and gun battles, said Silvia Ramos, a coordinator of the Center for Security and Citizenship Studies in Rio de Janeiro. Growing violence has become a key issue ahead of October elections, with candidates from across the political spectrum seeking to play up their crime-fighting credentials and appeal to an electorate fed up with a weak economy and endemic graft. Although polls show most people in Rio de Janeiro state support the federal intervention, few discern much improvement since it began, and it has been widely criticized for a lack of transparency and unclear goals. Feds urge patience In a statement, the federal intervention office highlighted crime statistics that had fallen, such as cargo and car thefts, adding that the tendency is for the reduction of the indices to proceed in the coming months. In an interview before the six-month anniversary, the federal interventions spokesman, Roberto Itamar, said much of the governments work had focused on administrative and logistical fixes that would take longer to be perceived. He added that the hardest part of the governments work in the state was to repair relations between the people and their police. Over the course of various years (that relationship) has been weakened, he said. Mutual trust needs to be built. Afghanistan has alleged hospitals in neighboring Pakistan are receiving and treating Taliban insurgents who had been injured in recent fighting with Afghan forces in the southeastern Ghazni city. President Ashraf Ghani, while speaking to a gathering of officials, clerics and residents in Ghazni Friday, also said that militants came from the Pakistani side of the border to participate in the fighting. Ghani visited the embattled city just days after Afghan forces, backed by U.S. airpower, evicted insurgents from Ghazni to prevent it from falling to the Taliban, though clashes were still continuing in the surrounding districts. Ghani asserted that Pakistans military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had assured him cross-border insurgent activity would not be allowed. "General Bajwa, you signed a document with us and told me repeatedly in our conversations over the phone that when the elections [in Pakistan] are over you will pay attention to it. I need answers now. ... From where they came and why are they receiving treatment in your hospitals?" Ghani asked, referring to the July 25 elections in Pakistan. Pakistan rejects charges General Bajwa responded to Ghani's allegations late Friday, reiterating that Pakistan is not supporting any terrorist activity inside Afghanistan. "The alleged return of injured/dead terrorists from Ghazni is incorrect," an official statement quoted the general as saying. However, Bajwa explained, there are scores of Pakistanis, mostly laborers, working in the neighboring country "who periodically fall victim to terrorism acts alongside their Afghan brothers inside Afghanistan." Terming such victims as terrorists is unfortunate, Bajwa lamented. The general added different factions of the outlawed Pakistani Taliban are also hiding in sanctuaries inside Afghanistan and transported into Pakistan for medical help under Afghan identities after they are injured or killed in fighting with rival factions or Afghan forces. Bajwa re-emphasized that the Afghan leadership "needs to look inward as the problem resides inside Afghanistan." On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Faisal, denied as baseless reports circulating in social media linking Pakistan to the Ghazni conflict, including allegations that insurgents were being brought to Pakistani hospitals. "We have not received any evidence to back up these spurious accusations and we reject these baseless allegations," Faisal told reporters in Islamabad. Ghazni attack The Taliban assaulted Ghazni, the capital of the province also called Ghazni, a week ago and the subsequent several days of clashes reportedly killed around 500 people, including government forces, insurgents and civilians. The Afghan military at the time alleged foreign militants, including Arabs, Chechens and Pakistanis participated in the fighting, though no proof has been offered to media so far. Current and ex-Afghan officials twitted a video showing villagers receiving a body of a fighter allegedly killed in the Ghazni fighting and being buried in the middle of the night on the Pakistani side of the border. However, it was not clear from the footage exactly when and where it was filmed. Speaking Thursday, Faisal explained the steps Pakistan is taking to promote peace and stability to the neighboring country and underscored the need for finding a negotiated end to the Afghan war. "Pakistan is fencing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with the objective of regulating the movement of men and material, including narcotics, as part of our counterterrorism efforts," Faisal noted. The effort, he said, will be important for the long term regional stability and improvement of bilateral relations. The unilateral fencing of the nearly 2,600-kilometer Afghan frontier will be completed by the end of 2018, according to military officials who are supervising the construction effort. Bilateral dialogue Pakistan and Afghanistan have recently launched a wide-ranging bilateral dialogue to improve cooperation between their military and intelligence institutions to help counter terrorism on both sides of the border. Pakistani officials say both sides in meetings under the mutual engagement process, called Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), have emphasized the need for sharing proof of any illegal cross-border activities instead of indulging in a blame game through media. The discussions had significantly eased mutual tensions between Islamabad and Kabul and decreased allegations against each other until the Ghazni fighting broke out last week. Faisal said his country together with Afghanistan is also developing a "time-bound" plan for an early and complete repatriation of nearly three million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan. Pakistani military officials maintain security forces in recent years have eliminated all militant sanctuaries on their soil but they blame the Afghan refugee camps for serving as hiding places for "facilitators and abettors" of the insurgents fighting in Afghanistan. Google is planning a return to China. But the project is shrouded in secrecy, and employees are demanding transparency. According to a report by The New York Times on Thursday, August 16, a petition calling for more oversight and accountability in the project racked up more than 1,000 signatures. Reuters reported this month, the app is a bid to win approval from Beijing to provide a mobile search engine in China. However, employees are concerned the app would support China's restrictions on free expression and ultimately violate the company's 'don't be evil' code of conduct. The petition, seen by Reuters says, "We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we're building." The company declined to comment. Sources say the project - codenamed Dragonfly - would block certain websites and search terms. It would also stand in stark contrast to eight years ago, when Google left China in protest of Beijing's censorship. Company executives have not commented publicly on Dragonfly. But in a transcript seen by Reuters, Google's Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told employees "it's all very unclear" whether Google would return to China at all. He also said that development is still in the early stages, and that sharing information too early could quote "cause issues". Editor's note: We wanted a way to keep you updated with the top immigration, migration and refugee stories every week the ones that will most affect you, our international readers, viewers and listeners. We want you to know what's happening, why and how it could impact your life, family or business, so we created a weekly digest of the top original immigration reporting from across VOA. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com. Mediterranean migrant shift More clandestine travelers are reaching Europe from Africa through Spain rather than Italy, a change of course that is also resulting in fewer migrant deaths, according to the U.N. Despite thousands more arrivals on the Iberian peninsula this year, the highest number of fatalities continues to be the stretch of Mediterranean en route to Italy. U.S. migrant shift? Immigrants from India are becoming increasingly common at the U.S.-Mexico border. They are now the fifth-largest group after immigrants from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, forcing U.S. officials to make accommodations. Ugandan police: Slain refugee camp pastor called 'witch' Three people have been arrested in the slaying of a female pastor at a Uganda refugee camp. A police spokeswoman tells VOA jealousy from other religious leaders at the success of Bunia Margaret's congregation is at the root of her killing. U.N. mitigates Ebola risk from DRC refugees As an increasing number of residents from two DRC provinces where Ebola is present flee violence in their home country to neighboring Uganda, health agencies are trying to keep up with the need to monitor for the disease. Dozens of Ebola deaths have been reported in eastern DRC. U.S. politicians to Trump: We want more refugees Hundreds of local and federal lawmakers and elected officials are pleading for the Trump administration to increase the number of arrivals in the coming fiscal year. But there's little chance the president will budge. Frequent fliers make skies friendlier for migrants A U.S. charity is connecting travelers who want to donate airline reward miles with immigrant and refugee families who couldn't afford to be reunited otherwise. Science teacher gets last-ditch attempt to avoid deportation VOA has been following the case of an undocumented science teacher in Kansas facing deportation and this week, he learned he will have the chance to argue his case in front of an immigration judge. An indigenous leader has been found murdered in Brazil, exposing the growing threat to tribes fighting illegal logging in the Amazon, campaigners and authorities said. Jorginho Guajajara was found dead in the northern state of Maranhao with his neck broken, rights group Survival International said. Police in Maranhao confirmed on Thursday they were investigating the case. He was a leader of the Guajajara people, who call themselves the Guardians of the Amazon and have faced repeated threats from a powerful logging mafia operating on their territory. "This is just one of many murders in Maranhao... due to the indigenous people's work to protect their land against loggers," said Sonia Guajajara, an indigenous leader who is standing to be Brazil's next vice president. "Our people can no longer afford to stand by while the government does nothing, and they are paying for that with their lives," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. South America's largest country is grappling with scores of deadly land conflicts, illustrating the tensions between preserving indigenous culture and economic development. Up to 80 members of the Guajajara tribe have been killed since 2000, according to rights groups estimates. Brazil's indigenous affairs agency, Funai, said in a statement it was aware of the murder and was cooperating with police. The Arariboia territory where the Guajajara live is also home to the Awa Indians, hunter-gatherers Survival International has described as the most threatened tribe in the world because they have nowhere to go if their forest is cut down. Brazil's government has struggled to protect the vast territory amid budget cuts and increasing political pressure to open up indigenous reserves to mining, the group said. That has led the Guardians of the Amazon to take matters into their own hands. In May, Brazil sent in armed back-up from the environmental protection agency Ibama after the group captured a logging gang and burned their truck. "What is really needed is proper enforcement on the ground that is continuous," said Fiona Watson, research director at Survival International. "Ibama may go in from time to time, but that's not the solution." An Iranian news outlet focusing on Irans Gonabadi Dervish minority says two of its editors have received lengthy prison sentences for involvement in anti-government protests in February. In a tweet posted Thursday, Majzooban Noor said a Tehran Revolutionary court sentenced news editor Reza Entesari to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in the northeastern city of Khaf, a two-year ban on leaving the country and a two-year ban on political and media activity. In an earlier tweet published Wednesday, the news outlet said another of its editors, Mostafa Abdi, received an even tougher punishment from a Tehran Revolutionary court. It said Abdi was sentenced to 26 years and three months in prison and 148 lashes, in addition to two years of exile in the southeastern province of Sistan Baluchistan and two-year bans on leaving the country and engaging in political and media activity. Iranian authorities arrested Entesari and Abdi, both Dervishes, during anti-government street protests by Iranian Dervishes in Tehran. The February 19-20 protests escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, who arrested more than 300 people. Five security personnel were killed in the clashes. Majzooban Noor said Entesari and Abdi were beaten by plainclothes security forces at the protests before being interrogated and detained at the Great Tehran Penitentiary. Dervishes involved in the February protests had been demanding the release of arrested members of their community and the removal of security checkpoints around the house of their 90-year-old leader, Noor Ali Tabandeh. Members of the Sufi Muslim religious sect long have complained of harassment by Irans Shiite Islamist rulers, who view them as heretics. In a phone interview with VOA Persians Late News program on Thursday, a Turkey-based editor of Majzooban Noor said six of the news outlets contributors recently have received prison terms totaling 71 years. There is no reason for them to have been given such heavy sentences other than the fact that the Iranian government is trying to apply pressure on us to shut down Majzooban Noor, which is the central news source of the Dervishes, said Alireza Roshan, an Iranian Dervish writer and poet. Roshan said Majzooban Noor has brought international attention to what it sees as human rights violations by Iranian authorities against the Dervishes, including dozens of women detained in Februarys crackdown on the Dervish protests. He said the Iranian government has not accused Majzooban Noor of any illegal activity that could warrant the apparent effort to silence the news outlet. There was no comment on the sentencing of the Majzooban Noor news editors in Iranian state-run media. This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian Service. Former CIA Director John Brennan is accusing President Donald Trump of trying to silence him over his allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow. The White House revoked Brennan's security clearance Wednesday, arguing that the former spy chief's remarks exhibited what it called "erratic conduct." White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara has more. A Kansas science teacher has been given the opportunity to argue his deportation case after months of legal battles and support from his community, his attorney said Tuesday. According to a statement released by Syed Ahmed Jamal's lawyer, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that reopening his case was warranted, which will allow Jamal and his wife, who is also undocumented and has been a rider on his case, the opportunity to argue their case and ask an immigration judge to review numerous opportunities for them to gain legal status in the United States. "We're all very, very relieved that at the end of the day what we've been saying from day one, which is give them a fundamentally fair hearing, was a matter that the board recognized," Sharma-Crawford told VOA. "To that end, I think it is a clear win to the process. Certainly, the clients are much relieved ... although at this point cautiously so since it is not completely over." The threat of deportation is "no longer imminent," according to Sharma-Crawford, but the couple awaits their first court date, which could be as far away as early 2019. "We're all focused on whether the children will be impacted in an unusual or exceptional way," Sharma-Crawford said of Jamal's three children, who are all American citizens by birth, and whose future lies in the hands of the court should their parents be deported. Jamal, an adjunct instructor at Park University at the time of his arrest, was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention on March 20, as VOA reported at the time. He had been held since his arrest Jan. 24 for overstaying his visa. Since a district court judge allowed his release, Jamal has been awaiting a decision on his appeal to a deportation order at his home with his family. Jamal first came to the United States on a student visa in 1986, and later obtained an undergraduate degree, as well as master's degrees in molecular biology and pharmacology. In recent years, he has taught numerous local universities as an adjunct instructor most recently at Park University in Missouri. The United Nations reports landmines and other explosive devices are making it too dangerous for aid agencies to enter the Afghan city of Ghazni, where civilians there are in need of food and water after nearly a week of intensive fighting. The Taliban, which attacked August 11, reportedly moved to the outskirts of the city and is slowly withdrawing to surrounding villages. Afghan military forces are said to be engaged in mop-up operations in the city of 270,000 people. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Afghan Red Crescent reports 200 to 250 civilians have been killed during the weeklong assault. OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke says aid agencies inside the city report that conditions are desperate. "We expect that there will be a very big need for psycho-social support among the residents, including for children," he said. "There are reports of unaccompanied minors turning up at the hospital looking for their families. Many shops and markets have reportedly been burned or looted. Some shops have reopened, but the effect of this has been the prices for basic commodities have gone up." Laerke says parts of the water system in Ghazni are functioning again and mobile phone networks are gradually coming back. But, he adds, electricity is mostly out and must be restored to ensure the water supply can start up again. Civilians and humanitarian workers will not be able to enter the city until the mines and improvised explosive devices are cleared away. However, Laerke says, aid agencies already on the ground are doing their best to assist people. UNICEF aid workers are in the process of using chlorine to flush the water system, he said, adding that the World Food Program is ready to deliver food aid as soon it can safely access the area. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has predicted more violent attacks from Taliban fighters in Afghanistan after insurgents failed to seize any of their objectives during a recent attack on Ghazni, the countrys second-most populated city. Speaking to reporters aboard a U.S. aircraft Thursday, Mattis said the Taliban had targeted six locations during the assault but did not take them from the Afghan Armed Forces. Attack a week ago Taliban fighters launched the attack last Friday and managed to make their way to the city center before being beaten back in the days that followed. Fighting in densely populated areas caused as many as 150 civilian deaths, along with the deaths of hundreds of Taliban fighters and security personnel, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Mattis called the assault a deadly ploy to grab a lot of press attention and warned the Taliban would likely continue murdering innocent people ahead of a proposed cease-fire and the upcoming Afghan elections. They use terror, they use bombs, because they cant win with ballots right now, he said. Taliban hiding Some Taliban fighters are hiding out in houses in Ghazni while clearance operations continue, Mattis said, but commerce has returned to the assaulted city, about 150 kilometers southwest of Kabul. The deadly clashes lasted about five days, with many city buildings set ablaze during the fighting, according to families who fled immediately after the insurgents attacked. Ayaz Gul contributed to this report from Islamabad. U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Craig Faller, the senior military aid for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, will be nominated to lead the U.S. militarys Southern Command, which overseas military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Members of the media overheard Mattis telling the news to the president of Chile and officials in a Chilean delegation in Santiago ahead of a public announcement by the Pentagon. When asked why Faller was chosen, Mattis told reporters that he understands the mix of diplomacy and high-level decision making, which is important, he said, because the role of the military is to provide options. This officer has commanded an aircraft carrier strike force (and) hes been the operations officer of U.S. Central Command in the midst of heavy fighting in various locations, Mattis said. Hes been in my office (and) hes been one of the officers who was responsible for legislative affairs to the secretary of the Navy. Fallers nomination requires confirmation from the U.S. Senate before he can take up the command post and the promotion to four-star admiral. More than 100 cases of measles have been diagnosed this year in 21 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. As of July 14, 107 people had contracted the viral infection in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and the nation's capital. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air via coughing and sneezing. The illness starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a sore throat. It's followed by a rash that spreads over the body. While the disease is treatable, the CDC said, one or two out of every 1,000 children who get measles die from complications. This year's outbreak is on pace to surpass last year's, when 118 people from 15 states and the District of Columbia were reported to have measles. In 2016, 86 people from 19 states contracted the illness. The CDC said the majority of people who contracted measles were unvaccinated. Prevention is key, because the virus can be spread easily. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed, according to the CDC. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of unimmunized people in close contact with the infected person will also become infected. In 2015, the United States experienced a large, multistate measles outbreak linked to an amusement park in California. The outbreak most likely started with a traveler who became infected overseas, then visited the park. The source of the infection was never identified. The CDC recommends children get two doses of the vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Lifetime effectiveness means adults vaccinated as children don't need to be revaccinated. A majority of U.S. states has adopted technology that allows the federal government to see inside state computer systems managing voter data or voting devices in order to root out hackers. Two years after Russian hackers breached voter registration databases in Illinois and Arizona, most states have begun using the government-approved equipment, according to three sources with knowledge of the deployment. Voter registration databases are used to verify the identity of voters when they visit polling stations. The rapid adoption of the so-called Albert sensors, a $5,000 piece of hardware developed by the Center for Internet Security, illustrates the broad concern shared by state government officials ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, government cybersecurity experts told Reuters. CIS is a nonprofit organization based in East Greenbush, N.Y., that helps governments, businesses and organization fight computer intrusions. "We've recently added Albert sensors to our system because I believe voting systems have tremendous vulnerabilities that we need to plug; but also the voter registration systems are a concern," said Neal Kelley, chief of elections for Orange County, California. "That's one of the things I lose sleep about: It's what can we do to protect voter registration systems?" As of August 7, 36 of 50 states had installed Albert at the "elections infrastructure level,"according to a Department of Homeland Security official. The official said that 74 individual sensors across 38 counties and other local government offices have been installed. Only 14 such sensors were installed before the U.S. presidential election in 2016. "We have more than quadrupled the number of sensors on state and county networks since 2016, giving the election community as a whole far greater visibility into potential threats than we've ever had in the past," said Matthew Masterson, a senior adviser on election security for DHS. The 14 states that do not have a sensor installed ahead of the 2018 midterm elections have either opted for another solution, are planning to do so shortly or have refused the offer because of concerns about federal government overreach. Those 14 states were not identified by officials. But enough have installed them that cybersecurity experts can begin to track intrusions and share that information with all states. The technology directly feeds data about cyber incidents through a non-profit cyber intelligence data exchange and then to DHS. "When you start to get dozens, hundreds of sensors, like we have now, you get real value," said John Gilligan, the chief executive of CIS. "As we move forward, there are new sensors that are being installed literally almost every day. Our collective objective is that all voter infrastructure in states has a sensor." Top U.S. intelligence officials have predicted that hackers working for foreign governments will target the 2018 and 2020 elections. Maria Benson, a spokesperson for the National Association of Secretaries of States, said that in some cases installations have been delayed because of the time spent working out "technical and contractual arrangements." South Dakota and Wyoming are among the states without Albert fully deployed to protect election systems, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The South Dakota Secretary of State's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Wyoming Secretary of State's office said it is currently considering expanding use of the sensors. Members of a commission established by Myanmar's government to investigate human rights violations in western Rakhine state, where 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority fled brutal army operations, addressed critics Thursday with a pledge to be impartial. The Independent Commission of Enquiry held its first formal meeting Thursday in the capital, Naypyitaw, a day after holding talks with the country's leader, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The commission's chairwoman, former Philippine diplomat Rosario Manolo, said at a news conference that the panel would be "independent, impartial and neutral.'' She said it would "seek accountability'' and deliver its recommendations for steps to be taken to ensure peace and stability in the state to Myanmar's president by August 15, 2019. The commission stressed that its investigation would "abide by the laws of Myanmar,'' taking international law into consideration "where applicable'' during its investigation. The commission was established after rights groups called for the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged abuses by the army against the Rohingya, including murder, mass rape and the destruction of villages. The government which is not a member of the court last week rejected any participation in its proceedings, and included the establishment of the commission as one of the reasons there was no justification for the court in The Hague to take up the issue. The military operation last year followed attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya villagers fled to neighboring Bangladesh, where they are staying in squalid refugee camps while arrangements for them to return to Myanmar proceed at a snail's pace, with continuing concerns that their safety will not be guaranteed. Myanmar's own probes Myanmar authorities, including the army, have already conducted their own inquiries and declared their forces free of criminal actions, leading critics to treat the latest government-formed commission as an effort to whitewash what U.N. officials have characterized as ethnic cleaning of the Rohingya community by Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. Manolo hit back at the skeptics, castigating those who "think maliciously.'' "What I can assure you is we are going to be independent, impartial and neutral, because truth is the only way forward,'' she said. The three other people on the panel are former Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Kenzo Oshima and two Myanmar officials. "I imagine that the government has felt a need to set up a commission such as this one with the participation of foreign members with the desire to bring in more balance, set the record straight,'' Oshima said, referring to reports previously released by both the Myanmar government and international organizations. "There are still some facts and information that have not fully come out.'' The Rohingya have long faced severe discrimination and were the target of violence in 2012 that killed hundreds and drove over 140,000 people predominantly Rohingya from their homes to camps for the internally displaced, where most remained until last year's violence. The government refuses to recognize the Rohingya as a legitimate native ethnic minority, and most Rohingya are denied citizenship and other rights. The panel said it would travel to Rakhine state, with the military providing security, to talk to affected communities. But it said it had not yet decided whether its members would travel to Bangladesh to talk to refugees in the camps. Leaving the hundreds of thousands of refugees out of their investigations could fuel skepticism over how independent and credible their findings can be. The Hickey report is equally unstinting and demanding in its long list of recommendations for reforms. The district gave principals too much discretion in how to handle accusations of abuse, the report says. CPS should train its employees better, and make sure they follow much tougher centralized policies and procedures. Proposed fixes include performing better background checks on prospective hires; training employees, vendors and volunteers how to prevent, identify and report sexual misconduct; and making sure that those accused of abuse dont leave the school system only to prey on children in other schools outside of Chicago. The Trump administration's new special representative for Iran says his team will focus most of its work on changing Tehran's behavior on issues of nuclear weapons, terrorism and detention of Americans. Brian Hook was speaking Thursday at the State Department, where U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Hook's appointment to the role that heads a new U.S. team known as the Iran Action Group. Hook said the group would work to pursue changes in 12 aspects of Iran's behavior as outlined by Pompeo in May. He said the issues of Iran's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, its perceived support for terrorism and what he called its arbitrary detention of Americans would get most of his team's attention. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism and has said its recent detentions of Americans occurred in response to national security offenses allegations that Washington says have been fabricated Hook, who had been the State Department's director of policy planning since February 2017, said the Iran group would begin with several permanent personnel, and that additional experts would be detailed to it later. In introducing Hook, Pompeo told reporters the Trump administration hoped it could reach a new agreement with Iran "one day soon." "But we must see major changes in the [Iranian] regime's behavior, both inside and outside of its borders," Pompeo said. Exit from deal In May, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 deal that the United States and five other world powers signed with Iran regarding its nuclear program. Trump said the deal did not do enough to curb what he and U.S. allies have said are "malign" Iranian behaviors, such as its support for militant groups in the Middle East and development of ballistic missiles. He also ordered a phased reimposition of U.S. financial sanctions against Iran sanctions that had been suspended under the 2015 deal. Trump later offered to speak with Iranian leaders without preconditions in the hope of securing a new U.S.-Iranian deal. Iranian leaders have rejected the idea, saying the U.S. first must scrap the reimposition of the sanctions. "If the Iranian regime demonstrates a commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior, the president is prepared to engage in dialogue in order to find solutions," Hook said. "But sanctions relief, re-establishment of full diplomatic and commercial relations with the U.S. and economic cooperation with the U.S. can only begin after we see the Iranian regime is serious about changing its behavior." Asked by a reporter if his call for an Iranian commitment to change behavior represented a condition for engaging in dialogue, Hook said the president's offer of talks and the U.S. maximum economic pressure campaign against Iran were "parallel tracks" of the Trump administration's policy. Tougher sanctions coming The U.S. reintroduced a first set of financial sanctions on Iran earlier this month and is due to reimpose a second, tougher set of sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports and central bank in November. Hook reiterated the U.S. call on all nations to reduce any purchases of Iranian oil to zero by November 4 a move that would deny Iran a key source of revenue. He also issued a warning to governments that do not comply. "In our sanctions regime, we are prepared to impose secondary sanctions on other governments that continue this sort of trade with Iran," Hook said. This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian service. If Europe wants to halt migrant boat arrivals on its shores from Africa it must end the state of chaos in Libya, Nigers President Mahamadou Issoufou told Reuters Thursday, warning that the stability of neighboring countries was at stake. Niger is a country of transit for migrants seeking to reach Europe by boat from Libya, and Issoufou is an ally of the West in its fight against Islamist insurgents based in Mali and Nigeria. On Wednesday, Issoufou said in a statement before talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel that his administration wanted more European assistance for Niger in the fields of security and development. On Libya for example, I expressed my wish that the chancellor support us so that together we can quickly find a solution to get out of the crisis in Libya because as long as Libya remains in the current chaos, the stability and the security of the Sahel countries is at stake, he said. He praised his countrys efforts to fight smugglers who make fortunes from sending people on the perilous journey to Europe, saying that clandestine migration had dropped from 100,000 people a year in 2016 to 10,000 this year. But he said the success could not last as long as Libya remained in chaos. The nation splintered following the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled Moammar Gadhafi, and since 2014 has been divided between competing political and military groups based in Tripoli and the east. Southern Niger, which borders Nigeria, has been the target of frequent deadly raids by Islamist Boko Haram militants. It also shares borders with Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, where al-Qaida-linked groups are active. Libya, home to Islamic State affiliates, lies on its northern border. Between 2,000 and 3,000 protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad threatened to surround and pelt the Dutch embassy with stones for allowing a far-right member of parliament to hold a cartoon contest depicting Islam's Prophet Mohammad. The protesters broke through several barriers put up by the police, though they could not get close to the embassy, which is housed in a highly protected diplomatic enclave along with most other embassies. Led by local leaders from an Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the demonstrators demanded that their government break their diplomatic relationship with the Netherlands. "We want the Dutch embassy to be closed, the ambassador to be sent back, and to call the Pakistani ambassador back from the Netherlands," said Zaheer Sultan, who had come from out of town for the protest. He said he was not called by any political party. "I do not belong to any party and no one asked me to come here," he said. "I use Facebook where I saw a couple of videos and then contacted those pages to find out about today's protest." At one point, protesters demanded their government write a letter to the United Nations asking the organization to extract an apology from the Dutch government. Dutch MP Geert Wilders announced in June he would hold a competition at his party's parliamentary offices later this year. He said the country's counterterrorism agency had approved his plans. Famous for his anti-Islam rhetoric, Wilders previously has called for the Quran to be banned, and he declared Islam a totalitarian ideology. Many Muslims consider visual depictions of their prophet blasphemous. Cartoons of the prophet have caused violence in the past. In 2015, Islamist gunmen attacked a French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris for printing cartoons of Prophet Mohammad. Twelve people were killed. Ten year earlier, protests broke out around the world when Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten first published cartoons of Prophet Mohammad. One of the cartoons showed the prophet with a bomb in his turban. The party leading the protest, TLP, gained nationwide fame last year when it blocked the capital for almost a month over an issue related to the prophet. In elections last month, the party fielded hundreds of candidates on national and provincial assembly seats. While it only won two seats in the provincial assembly of Sindh and none in the national assembly, the high number of votes it received in many constituencies surprised pundits. In Pakistan's most populous province, Punjab, TLP emerged as the third-largest party according to the number of votes counted. Police have questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of their investigation into corruption allegations against him. Police arrived at Netanyahus residence Friday morning where demonstrators had mounted a protest against the prime minister, waving a large banner reading Crime Minister. Netanyahu was questioned about whether he promoted favorable regulations that profited the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his wife on a news site owned by Bezeq. Police have recommended indicting Netanyahu in two other corruption cases. The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing accusations as a media witch hunt. The scientific community has long acknowledged that vaccines work and have saved millions of lives. However, a vocal community, particularly in the U.S., believes that vaccines expose children to health risks and can cause harm. It can be easy to write off these opinions, but psychology researchers have long known of many cognitive biases that can lead people to make poor judgments. Several of these researchers are interested in how people end up receiving and believing fallacious ideas as they relate to vaccines. Cognitive misers The human mind isn't like a computer. Our brains aren't composed of truth values coded as ones and zeros. Emotion, confidence and memory can all impact how we form beliefs. The problem is we often don't recognize when we aren't thinking logically. Gordon Pennycook, a researcher at Canada's University of Regina, said he's interested in "the tendency for people to be lazy in the way that they think." Essentially, he said, high-level reasoning takes a lot of mental effort, and we humans are cognitive misers. If we don't have to think that hard, we won't. "Part of the problem, though," Pennycook told VOA, "is that when it comes to more complicated domains, like in the realm of science, our intuitions are often wrong. So we need to spend more time thinking about it." In 2015, Pennycook published a paper titled On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bulls**t that focused on whether people find meaning in statements randomly made up of common buzzwords. One example: "Hidden meaning transforms unparalleled abstract beauty." He found that people who ascribed meaning to these nonsensical statements were more likely to believe in complementary and alternative medicine, which Pennycook asserts are the same people who are less likely to get vaccines. "I don't want to call it open-minded, but it's a so-open-minded-that-your-brain-kind-of-falls-out type of situation," he said. Cognitive biases The unwillingness or inability to think critically is somewhat tied to another well-known psychological phenomenon, the Dunning-Kruger effect. First formally identified in 1999 by its namesakes, the cognitive bias refers to a broken link between actual knowledge and perceived competence. As Pennycook puts it, "The incompetent are too incompetent to recognize their incompetence." For example, people with little knowledge of vaccines may feel extra certain about the little information they have, whether it's correct or not. Pennycook noted this can create the frustrating situation where "the people we want to help the most are the least aware of how much help they need." And when people feel confident, they aren't likely to try to challenge those beliefs or ideas. This phenomenon is referred to as confirmation bias. Panayiota Kendeou, an educational psychologist at the University of Minnesota, said the pre-existing belief that vaccines are dangerous "influences how [anti-vaccine parents] evaluate any information that they come across, and they view the information in alignment with their pre-existing beliefs." Confirmation bias creates a filter on new information. Information that a person agrees with is strengthened, while evidence to the contrary is ignored. In Kendeou's opinion, "that's the major or main bias when it comes to vaccinations." Misconceptions and misinformation Kendeou studies reading comprehension and learning, but is particularly interested in what those messages contain. She is an expert in misinformation and has researched how inaccurate or totally misleading information is assessed by a person reading it. She decided to test whether she could change the way people engage with written misinformation. Kendeou had participants read messages about vaccination, but some of the participants were told to pay special attention to who made claims and whether those claims made sense. Kendeou found corrective measures like this did help those participants recognize misleading information. And, she told VOA, "what we find a month later is that we get some maintenance of the effect." It wasn't a large difference, but participants were still better at correctly rejecting bad information about vaccines than they were before the test. When reflecting on how to reach anti-vaccine people, Kendeou said, "Having good logical arguments, it's a great first step. But also alerting [people] that they need to pay attention who provides those logical arguments is even more important." Fear as double-edged sword Unfortunately, accepting new correct information can be difficult if a person is feeling fearful. "What we know from our work is that negative emotions like fear and anxiety narrow your attention," Kendeou said. "And when you end up in that state of mind, you do end up focusing on certain information and not other [information] because of that narrowness in attention." Fear of an immediate threat, even one that's not real like getting the flu from the influenza vaccine restricts a person's ability to see the whole situation. That metaphorical tunnel vision can limit people's ability to think critically. But Derek Powell, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University, suggests that fear could also change the minds of people who don't support vaccines. "At root, that [fear] is kind of the thing that's driving this, for good or ill," he said. Rather than focusing on the oft-disproven idea that the MMR vaccine causes autism, Powell and his colleagues wanted to test if a message about the severity and risk of contracting measles, mumps or rubella convinced parents that vaccines are necessary. In a 2015 experiment, they did just that. Powell assigned participants to one of three groups. The "fear" group was told about the chances of catching an immunizable disease and the resulting severe symptoms. In a second group, participants heard about studies proving vaccines don't cause autism. A third group was given no additional information. Powell said the idea was "even if you thought there was a little bit of risk to a vaccine, if we persuaded you there was a lot of risk to not vaccinating, that might kind of overall tip the scale in favor of vaccination." As expected, participants who learned about the risks of contracting preventable diseases were more supportive of vaccines. Interestingly, Powell noted that "emphasizing the safety of vaccines in scientific research showing there was no autism link between MMR vaccine and autism wasn't really effective." Sticky beliefs It seems that just refuting an existing belief about vaccines isn't enough. Powell said that some beliefs can be "sticky," in that they are difficult to dismiss. Kendeou, the University of Minnesota educational psychologist, agrees, saying while there are ways to combat bad information on vaccines, "there is no magic 'erase and replace' strategy." Misconceptions, she said, never fully go away, but we can lessen their impact by reminding people to think critically and seek good evidence to refute bad arguments. Researchers and communicators still find it difficult to keep that advice in mind. "There's a tendency to want to shake somebody until they start acting sensible, and I totally understand it," Powell said. "I've felt it myself, but I don't think it's actually going to work in terms of changing their minds." For at least one previously anti-vaccine mom, Powell is correct. Carli Leon, a mother of two children and previously self-described "loud voice" against vaccinations, said insulting comments online didn't change her mind. "When people would ridicule me and call me a bad mother, it only made me dig my heels in more. What helped me was people asking me questions [that] got me to think. That got me to recognize the hypocrisy of the anti-vaxx community and my own hypocrisy with my own beliefs that I had," Leon said. "You never know who is reading these posts online," she added. "It might just change somebody's mind." Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in Belize Thursday as she seeks to shore up dwindling alliances in the face of pressure from China to stamp out the islands international recognition. Belize is one of 18 countries that recognize Taiwan, with Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic shifting diplomatic ties to China earlier this year. The Caribbean countrys decision to ditch Taiwan came after Panama, which turned from Taiwan to Beijing in June 2017. Order of Belize Tsai arrived in Belize for her first state visit to the tiny Central American country after a stop in the United States and Paraguay. She met privately with Belizes foreign minister and other government officials. Later she was expected to receive the Order of Belize, an honor awarded to foreigners, before speaking Friday to Belizes House of Representatives. In a statement issued before Tsais visit, the Taiwanese embassy emphasized that the trip would reaffirm the strength of the islands relationship with Belize, with which it has maintained diplomatic ties since October 1989. Belize remained Taiwans staunch ally in its bid for participation in U.N. agencies, the statement said, adding: Taiwan is Belizes loyal and trustworthy ally. Comfortable relationship Belizes Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington told Reuters this month that he was very content with the relationship we have with Taiwan. Taiwan offers Belize financial aid in the hundreds of millions of Belize dollars, ranging from scholarships to agricultural aid and health care, Elrington said. Taipei has struggled internationally to maintain diplomatic relations with an increasingly assertive China, despite efforts in recent years to strengthen ties with generous aid packages. The judge overseeing the trial of U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort says he has received threats and is being guarded by deputy U.S. Marshals. U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis told reporters Friday the marshals "go where I go," adding, "I don't even go to the hotel alone; I don't give the name of the hotel." Reporters on Friday pressed Ellis to release the names of the jurors, but the judge rejected that request, citing security concerns. Ellis said if he released their names, the jurors could be threatened as well, and said he wants to protect their "peace and safety." Jurors ended their second day of deliberations Friday a half-hour early, without reaching a verdict. They sent a note to the judge asking to wrap up at 5 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m. because a juror had an event to attend, the Associated Press reported. They return Monday morning. Trump said Friday that the trial of Manafort is "sad." "I think the whole Manafort trial is very said, when you look at what's going on there," Trump told reporters Friday at the White House. "He worked for me for a very short period of time, but you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort." Trump was asked about a possible pardon for the 69-year-old Manafort, but the president declined to answer that question. The six-man, six-woman jury began their deliberations behind closed doors Thursday in a Virginia courthouse, during which they asked the judge four questions, including clarification of the meaning of "reasonable doubt." Under U.S. law, the guilt of the accused must be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt" or there can be no conviction. Other questions delved into specific details of the tax and bank fraud case. Prosecutors and defense lawyers presented their closing arguments Wednesday, the prosecution arguing Manafort's life was "littered with lies" as he bought palatial mansions, expensive suits, cars, electronics and other high-priced items. "Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it, and he lied to get more money when he didn't," prosecutor Greg Andres said. But defense attorney Richard Westling told the jury Manafort should be acquitted because the government had not met its burden to prove that Manafort was "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Westling said that is the reason the defense decided to rest its case without calling any witnesses to testify, including Manafort himself. Westling attacked the government's contention that Manafort hid millions of dollars in offshore accounts to avoid U.S. taxes so he could fund the luxurious purchases. He said Manafort had an adjusted net worth of $21.3 million at the end of 2016. "Given this evidence, how can we say he didn't have money?" Westling said. Westling also attacked the prosecution's star witness Manafort's former deputy chairman in the Trump campaign, Rick Gates as a liar and a thief. Gates had already pleaded guilty before Manafort's trial to helping him hide millions in income from U.S. tax authorities and is awaiting sentencing. Prosecutor Andres alleges that overall, Manafort "failed to pay taxes on more than $15 million" in income. Much of the money, the government alleges, came from Manafort's lobbying for deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was toppled in a popular 2014 uprising in Kyiv before fleeing to exile in Russia. The case has drawn particular interest in the U.S. because it is the first trial conducted by Mueller's prosecutors in their wide-ranging investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. They are probing whether Trump associates conspired with Russia to help Trump win the White House and whether Trump, as president, obstructed justice by trying to thwart the investigation. However, the case against Manafort, a long-time Washington lobbyist, only peripherally touched on the campaign. Instead, it dealt almost totally on accusations about his financial transactions and what he did with the money from Yanukovych and the bank loans. Turkish jets late Wednesday targeted a convoy of militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the Iraqi Yazidi town of Sinjar, killing a top commander and several of his guards, local sources told VOA. The attack, confirmed by the Turkish military and the PKK, killed the Kurdish rebel groups local commander Ismail Ozden, also known as Mam Zeki Sinjari. In a tweet Wednesday, the Turkish General Staff said the operation was conducted in cooperation between the Turkish Armed Forces and the countrys intelligence services. Dawid Shex Jundy, a member of Nineveh provincial council, told VOA the raid targeted the militant convoy in western Sinjar as they were driving back to their bases from a local Yazidi ceremony on the fourth anniversary of the Islamic State massacre in the Yazidi village of Koco. Jundy said at least five other militants were killed in the attack. He added that the attack was a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and that it happened as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was on an official trip to Turkey earlier this week. It is a disrespect to Iraq when Turkey crosses our border at the same time as the Iraqi prime minister was visiting them, Jundy said. During a joint press conference Tuesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, al-Abadi said his government would work with Turkey to control their shared border, adding that Iraq rejects the launch of any assault towards Turkey from inside the Iraqi territory. Border treaty Turkey and Iraq signed the Border Security and Cooperation Treaty in 1983 that allows cross-border operations between the two countries in pursuit of militant groups. Turkey has since launched more than 20 military operations and conducted hundreds of airstrikes inside Iraq against PKK militants. Turkeys latest target, Ozden, 66, is considered to be seventh in PKKs leadership command and has been on the Turkish governments most wanted red category list. He was arrested in Germany in 1996 for alleged ties to PKK but was released in 1998. A statement from the PKKs political wing, the Kurdistan Communities Union, Thursday accused the Turkish government of trying to obliterate the Yazidis and threatened to retaliate. We vow to establish a free Kurdistan and Yazidi land, which was his long-pursued dream, the statement said. PKK PKK is a Kurdish rebel group that has been attempting to establish Kurdish autonomy in Turkey for nearly 40 years. The group is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, including the U.S. and the EU. The Turkish-based group, which has been operating widely on the ungoverned mountains of Qandil in northern Iraq, sent hundreds of its fighters to Sinjar in 2014 to support Iraqi Kurdish forces against IS. When IS fled Sinjar in late 2015, the PKK refused to withdraw and started training local militias. Thursdays statement from PKKs Kurdistan Communities Union said Ozden helped hundreds of Yazidis flee IS to Syria, where they were hosted by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG. The U.S. considers the YPG to be a key ally in the ongoing campaign against IS in Syria, despite strong opposition from Turkey. Turkey claims the YPG is the Syrian wing of the PKK. Ukraine's prosecutor general's office on Thursday said had it demanded a 15-year prison sentence for former President Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him of "betraying his nation" to Russia. Pro-Moscow Yanukovych has lived in exile in Russia since he was ousted in a Western-backed popular uprising in 2014, and it is highly unlikely he will ever face trial as the two countries remain locked in a bitter standoff. "Viktor Yanukovych betrayed his nation. He betrayed his army. At the most difficult time for the country and the people," prosecutors said in court, according to a statement. "He left the country at the mercy of fate and fled into the arms of the aggressor," it said. "Without a drop of remorse, in order to please the enemy, he did everything in his power for Ukrainian territory to be seized by the aggressor." Yanukovych sparked massive protests when he ditched an association accord with the European Union and then fled to Russia in early 2014 after a bloody crackdown in Kyiv failed to quell the demonstrations. Russian President Vladimir Putin later revealed this was made possible by a special operation organized by Moscow to exfiltrate Yanukovych. After Yanukovych fled Ukraine, Moscow annexed the country's Crimean Peninsula and war erupted between Kyiv and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country. Since then, the fighting has cost 10,000 lives despite repeated international efforts to forge a lasting cease-fire. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chilean counterpart have signed an agreement pledging closer cooperation in combating cyber threats. Mattis and Defense Minister Alberto Espina held a signing ceremony Thursday after meeting to discuss a range of security issues, including military exercises and cooperation in science and technology. Cyber defense is a topic of growing interest throughout the Western Hemisphere. Banco de Chile, one of the country's biggest commercial banks, has said a hacking operation robbed it of $10 million in June. Santiago was the fourth stop for Mattis on a tour of South America that began in Brasilia on Sunday. He also visited Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and is scheduled to hold talks in Bogota, Colombia, on Friday. The children of 32-year-old Demarco Kennedy had been taught to hit the floor when they heard gunfire outside their Rosemoor apartment. They were in the living room in the summer of 2016 getting ready for a movie night when their father, who had been sitting at the table paying bills, crumpled to the floor. Bullets fired from a parking lot blasted through a window behind him, striking him in the head and neck. He died right there, his wife said, as she held his hand. A federal court in New York has charged 22 Chinese importers with smuggling nearly half-a-billion dollars in counterfeit goods into the United States from China. The fake products include such popular luxury items as Louis Vuitton bags, Michael Kors wallets, and Chanel perfume. Twenty-one of the defendants were arrested Thursday. U.S. attorneys say the suspects allegedly smuggled the China-made counterfeit goods in large shipping containers disguised as legitimate products and brought them into ports in New York and New Jersey. The defendants apparently intended to sell the fake products across the United States with a street value of nearly $500 million. Along with smuggling and trafficking in counterfeit goods, the suspects are also charged with money laundering and immigration fraud. The illegal smuggling of counterfeit goods poses a real threat to honest business, assistant attorney general Brian Benczkowski said. The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit our borders by smuggling counterfeit goods for sale on the black market. Leaders from both parties on a powerful Senate committee vowed Thursday to push back if President Donald Trump moves ahead with plans to bypass Congress and roll back billions of dollars from the U.S. foreign aid budget, including funds for programs in Syria and the West Bank and Gaza. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has asked the State Department and USAID to submit information for a rescission package targeting foreign assistance, an administration official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trumps focus on his America First agenda has meant fewer funds for foreign assistance, and his administration has pushed repeatedly to cut the amount of money sent abroad since he took office in January 2017. Cutting money Congress appropriated The rescission process cuts money that has been appropriated by Congress but has not been spent. The nearly unprecedented move by Mick Mulvaney, the former Republican congressman who heads the OMB, would cut foreign assistance already approved by Congress. Several administration officials said OMB was targeting roughly $3.5 billion in funds that were no longer needed for their original purpose. The cuts could include more than $200 million that Trump froze in March for recovery efforts in Syria. Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bob Menendez, the panels ranking Democrat, both said they would seek to stop the move. I dont know how they can do that legally, but we certainly look forward to seeing how to counter that, if thats the case, Corker said during a Foreign Relations Committee hearing. Nominations could suffer Menendez said the latest plan would be a devastating blow to the State Department and the U.S. governments main aid agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development. Menendez later told Reuters he would consider blocking nominations by the Trump administration if the plan went ahead. If they do it in the way that theyre going to ... in essence it effectuates a cut without Congress being able to act, then I have to look at the nominations in a whole different light, Menendez said. The State Department and USAID were not immediately available to comment. The OMB said it did not comment on alleged leaks and will not discuss deliberative and pre-decisional information. Cuts attempted earlier According to a cable obtained by Reuters, in which the OMB advised the department and USAID of its plans, the package will focus on expiring international assistance funds that the administration considers unnecessary. If Congress fails to take action to release the funds they will remain on hold until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, at which point they will expire and be returned to the treasury, the cable read. The Trump administration tried to slash foreign aid in this years budget, but lawmakers objected and Trump ended up signing a budget that did not include the cuts. Earlier this year, the administration tried to slash $15 billion in domestic spending, including $7 billion for a childrens health insurance program, using the rescission process. That plan failed to pass Congress. U.S. service members will begin training Turkish forces for joint patrols near the volatile Syrian city of Manbij within the next three days, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. I would say within 72 hours actually. Very soon, could be sooner, Mattis told reporters aboard a U.S. aircraft Thursday. Mattis said U.S. training gear and equipment, along with the training officers, were now in Turkey. The training is needed before U.S. and Turkish forces operating near Manbij can combine their patrols. Right now, the two forces are conducting coordinated but independent patrols, according to the Pentagon. It is unclear when U.S. and Turkish forces would start conducting the joint patrols in Syria once training of Turkeys troops is complete. The city of Manbij houses Kurdish militia fighters. Washington supports the Kurdish fighters there, while Ankara says they are anti-Turkey terrorists. The Pentagon says the purpose of the patrols are to support long-term security in Manbij and uphold its commitments to NATO-ally Turkey. The Vatican has called the sex abuse described in a U.S. grand jury report in Pennsylvania "criminal and morally reprehensible" and said "the church must learn hard lessons from its past." The report about clergy who raped and molested children in six dioceses was made public Tuesday. The Vatican broke its silence with a long statement that used unusually strong language, two days after the publication of a detailed Pennsylvania grand jury report on 70 years of sexual abuse by the clergy in that state. The statement by the director of the Vaticans communications office, Greg Burke, said the Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" at the revelations that 300 priests in Pennsylvania abused at least 1,000 children over seven decades. "The acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith," Burke said. "The church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur." Pope Francis has been very clear there will be zero tolerance of sexual abuse by the clergy and cover-ups by the church hierarchy. He recently accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington, who is accused of sexual misconduct. Now there are also demands in the United States that the current Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, step down. In the statement, Burke added that: "The Holy Father understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers, and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults." "Victims should know that the pope is on their side," the statement added. "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent." The Church has been facing accusations of sexual abuse by the clergy in many countries. Just recently, five bishops resigned in Chile in a sexual abuse scandal there. And next weekend Pope Francis will be travelling to Ireland, which is also no stranger to sex abuse by priests. Survivors there will also no doubt expect to hear from Pope Francis on what concrete measures and action the Church will take to ensure the complete eradication of sex abuse by members of the clergy. A deadly airstrike by a Saudi-led coalition killed at least 40 children in northern Yemen last week, prompting international outrage. The U.S. State Department has called on the coalition of Gulf Arab states to investigate the incident, one of the deadliest in the three-year-old war. While the media and the American presidency have long had a symbiotic but frequently antagonistic relationship, since Donald Trump took office it has largely turned toxic. Trump has repeatedly termed the media the "enemy of the people." He has called the press "dangerous and sick" and even alleges journalists can "cause war." Some American media outlets are declaring they have had enough of the president's rhetoric, which they decry as dangerous. Newspapers across the country pushed back Thursday with an unprecedented and coordinated editorial campaign, led by The Boston Globe, which declared "the dirty war on the free press must end." The Globe said nearly 350 news organizations have pledged to participate. The New York Times' editorial page editor, James Bennet, told his newspaper that "our publisher has put a stake in the ground on this issue, and at a time when newspapers around the country are under real commercial and political pressure, we think it's important to show solidarity." WATCH: News Outlets Denounce Trump's 'Dirty War' on Media According to Trump, who made public an off-the-record meeting last month with Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, the two discussed "the vast amounts of fake news being put out by the media." Sulzberger subsequently issued a statement, saying he found the president's language "not just divisive but increasingly dangerous." "News reporters and editors are human, and make mistakes. Correcting them is core to our job," the Times' editorial Thursday says. "But insisting that truths you don't like are 'fake news' is dangerous to the lifeblood of democracy. And calling journalists the 'enemy of the people' is dangerous, period." Every participating newspaper in Thursday's campaign which includes large and small newspapers across the political spectrum will write its own editorial, not necessarily using the same rhetoric as the politically left-of-center Globe. "What I like about the coordinated effort is not so much that we're going to have a message that aligns with them, because they may have a much more aggressive message," said David Plazas, the opinion and engagement editor of The Tennessean in Nashville. "Our message is one that's consistent with our values, which is to defend the First Amendment, to stand for civility and to give voice to the voiceless people." At The Tennessean, one of the largest newspapers in a state that voted 2-to-1 for Trump in 2016, Plazas emphasized that Thursday's editorial would not target the president. 'Beyond one person' "I may not even mention President Trump in my particular editorial," he told VOA. "This is beyond one person. This is about defending our values and institutions." The Dallas Morning News wrote in its editorial that while previous U.S. presidents have had grievances with the media, Trump has publicly challenged the legitimacy of the country's major news organizations at an unprecedented level. "The crucial difference is that rather than taking issue with one story or even a series of stories, the intention seems to be to undermine the credibility of the press as a whole with a large swath of the citizenry," it wrote. "We see this as dangerous for the simple reason that by diminishing the press, those who hold high office gain a greater ability to govern without the steadying force of public scrutiny." Not only newspapers are participating in the campaign. The Radio Television Digital News Association is asking its 1,200 members to dedicate airtime, post online editorials and share information on their social media platforms about the role they play in preserving the public's right and need to know about government. "I have covered White Houses myself. I've watched this for a very long time. I have never seen and I cannot imagine a situation where there is more tension, hostility between the press corps and the president, mostly coming from the president," said professor Frank Sesno, a former CNN White House correspondent who is now director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Some conservative media critics, however, contend the media are overreacting. The Globe's campaign "shows how thin-skinned the media is in this case," according to Don Irvine, chairman of Accuracy in Media, a nonprofit media watchdog organization. "While Trump's attacks on the media have been more pronounced than any president since [Richard] Nixon, he is well within his rights to express his opinion," Irvine told VOA. "The press seems to be under the impression that there is some unwritten rule that the president can't attack the media, even if they are wrong. Trump knows that public trust in the media is at an all-time low, and he is taking advantage of it." The president "took advantage of a pre-existing negative attitude towards the media," concurred Gallup Poll editor in chief Frank Newport. However, "I have to reinforce that we've seen very negative attitudes towards the news media for a number of years, long before Donald Trump thought about running for president," he told VOA. "There is no doubt about it: A lot of Americans, when we interview them and other pollsters interview them, say the media are biased." Difference by party A Quinnipiac poll, conducted by telephone August 9-13, found 51 percent of Republican voters expressing an opinion that the media are the enemy of the people rather than an important part of democracy. Just 26 percent of voters overall felt that way, according to the poll. The survey also revealed that 44 percent of American voters were concerned that Trump's criticism of the news media would lead to violence against people who work in media. Breaking it down by party affiliation, 76 percent of Democrats felt that way, while 80 percent of Republicans did not. Fifty-five percent of those with no party affiliation expressed such concern. Such attacks could occur at one of Trump's frequent rallies where the crowd is stoked by the president's anti-media rhetoric, according to Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. "So far, there's been intimidation but no violence. But that line can easily be crossed, and anyone who's seen the videos of some of these rallies knows we're very close up against that line," Weissman told VOA. The Trump administration contends many American mainstream media outlets treat it unfairly. While journalists note that being the target of presidential criticism is often part of the job, for some, being labeled enemies of the people a phrase equated with the brutality of Stalinism goes far beyond the pale. The frustration was palpable at a briefing on August 2 when CNN's Jim Acosta pressed White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to declare on the spot that the media are "not the enemy of people. I think we deserve that." Sanders demurred, instead noting that she is the first in her position to require Secret Service protection, partly blaming reporters for that. "The media has attacked me personally on a number of occasions, including your own network, said I should be harassed as a life sentence, that I should be choked," Sanders replied to the CNN White House correspondent. For some critics, the blame for the lack of civility falls squarely on the president's shoulders. "If you're a true conservative, you're supposed to respect American institutions like the free press, the judiciary and law enforcement that have stood us so well over the centuries. And he's just tried to tear them down," Allan Lichtman, a professor of history at American University in Washington, told VOA. "And that really is, hopefully, not a new normal, but certainly something we haven't seen for some time in America." Elizabeth Cherneff, Jim Malone and Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: Impressions from our Tour to Kamchakta during Sep 2018: northern group of volcanoes, Karymsky, and the southern plateau with Mutnovsky and Gorely. We offer a broad variety of tours to volcanic areas: volcano expeditions and specials, discovery tours with hiking, photography, nature and culture, pilot tours and private custom tours. We're proud to present our 2020 volcano calendar: 13 different and attractive images of volcanoes, volcanic landscapes and phenomena taken during volcano tours over the past two years. The Canary islands boast spectacular scenery, wild nature, great culture and gorgeous cuisine. Get to know 4 jewels on one tour: Lanzarote, La Palma, El Hierro, and Tenerife., and discover some world-class geology with an expert! Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. 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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: The seven former CIA directors, five former deputy directors and one former director of national intelligence wrote that we all agree that the presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. You dont have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information. We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday that he will invoke the Alunan doctrine on what constitutes a private army in the upcoming months in preparation for next year's elections. "Sabihin ko sa COMELEC, i-deputize personally ako. There will be voting and the votes will be counted correctly," Duterte said during a speech in Davao City Friday. He was the guest speaker in the convention of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago political party of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. [Translation: I will tell COMELEC, deputize me.] The Alunan doctrine limits the number of a politician's armed guards. It considers two or more armed men as a private army that should be disarmed by the government. "Checkpoints will be established and kung may baril (if there are guns) arrest the candidate confiscate the firearms," Duterte said. The President, who considered himself "a leftist", said that he would not lend his support to any candidate who sides with the New People's Army (NPA). He warned the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, that he would not tolerate the collection of revolutionary taxes. "Wag kayong makialam at manghingi ng taxation. 'Wag kayong makialam kasi eleksyon 'to," Duterte said. [Translation: Don't meddle and ask for taxes. Don't meddle in the elections.] He said that he would personally be there to enforce the law should he hear news about terrorism during the elections. "Maski saan pag may narinig ako na terrorism ako talaga pupunta. And I will enforce the law," he added. [Translation: No matter where, if I hear that there's terrorism, I will go there. And I will enforce the law.] Making no secret of women being his "weakness", something that he has repeatedly admitted in his speeches, Duterte joked that he might be lax if the armed bodyguard of the politician is a beautiful woman. "Kung ang bodyguard ninyo maganda, palusutin ko kayo pero iwan ninyo ang bodyguard," he quipped. [Translation: If your bodyguard is beautiful, I'll let you go as long as the bodyguard stays.] I beg to differ and would say it's as much about the village as it is about the parent. Let's look at two villages: East Aurora, with a 6 percent kindergarten readiness score, and Naperville, with a 35 percent kindergarten readiness score. These two school districts are only about five miles apart, but light years apart in terms of what the parents can actually accomplish on their own for their child because of the generational poverty trap that, in the majority of the cases, cannot be escaped from without early outside interventions directed at both the child and the parent. The companys shares fell more than 27 percent to $1.75, the lowest since it listed on the New York Stock Exchange a week before the onset of the Great Depression in 1929. Chief financial officer Jeffrey Davis said the chain might have undermined its traditional customer base of women over the age of 45 by revamping fashion lines to chase younger shoppers. We were no longer necessarily having the broad array of merchandise silhouettes that is most important for her [our core customer], Davis said on a post-earnings call. For the next year, she spent 40 hours a week, sometimes more, sitting in a cubicle and voting on peoples outfits. Her mission was twofold: to provide real-time feedback to consumers who sought Amazons advice on what to wear and to teach the companys algorithms how to assess clothing for fit, trend, silhouette and, eventually, style. (The outfit compare feature on Amazons app allows Prime members to ask for guidance on which of two outfits looks better. Trying to decide between a blue blouse and a purple one? Amazon promises human judgment within minutes.) Because Im older than 70, Im required to take distributions, which are fully taxable, from my retirement accounts. But if I ask Vanguard to make out distribution checks to charities, to which I then mail the checks, I get to exclude those amounts from my federally taxable income. The limit is $100,000 per recipient. We are trying to find points where we can penetrate these incredibly heavy slabs. Then the earthmoving equipment moves in to create a passageway where the [search] dogs can enter, firefighter Stefano Zanut said at the scene. Rescuers are hoping the large chunks of debris may have created a triangle of survival when they fell, where someone could still be alive, he said. Polk portrays women and girls in clothing that hints Eisenhower is still president, with them often doing domestic tasks as traditional as the artists printmaking style. Some are clearly trapped in their roles, whether by the girdle worn in Hergatory or by the expectations that caused the woman in Caught in the Act to have the word guilty literally written all over her face. Some of Polks subjects toil so hard that theyve grown an extra arm or two. What does all this mean for Illinois and Chicago? No doubt, there will be instant voices screaming that they don't want to become another California. They like their world just as it is. It's the attitude that drove George Lucas and his Star Wars museum from Chicago and that attitude may be what keeps Chicago from becoming the second headquarters for Amazon (with its 50,000 employees earning its triple-digit salaries) despite its obvious advantages of location, location and location. Pampelonne uses white wine imported from France as its base. In early years, it used Melon de Bourgogne (the grape of Muscadet) from the Loire Valley, switching in 2017 to ugni blanc, a grape widely grown in Gascony. Both are fairly neutral whites, without much inherent flavor but with good acidity to make a refreshing base for a blended drink. At the company facility in Modesto, Calif., the base wine is blended with sparkling wine and natural flavorings. The Negroni Sbagliato resembles its namesake cocktail with flavors of bitter orange, if not gin. (The can lists Italian bitters and orgeat to mimic the botanicals in gin.) Rose Lime is another refreshing flavor, and the company has introduced a Harvest Pear Palmetto blend for fall. This wine looks for all intents and purposes to be a rose, but it technically isnt. Pinot gris, or pinot grigio in Italy, is a dark-skinned white grape, and when the juice is left on the skins for a time after pressing, some of that color remains in the wine. Most pinot grigio that we know as the ubiquitous crisp, refreshing white wine is made from juice separated from the skins at pressing. The Attems Ramato has a glorious copper-orange color resulting from 24 hours of skin contact with the must (ramato means coppery), an effusive aroma, and a tannic grip that gives the wine heft. ABV: 12.5 percent. The trouble with flaunting which means, by the way, either dressing or behaving in a provocative way or displaying something ostentatiously in order to provoke envy is that it implies everything women do is sexual. Designed to conjure lust. Jennifer Garner flaunted her toned figure when she took her son for a walk, but when her ex and co-parent Ben Affleck was himself photographed in a bathing suit, the New Yorker published a melancholy essay comparing him to a defeated Roman senator, or an early-19th-century oil painting. In 2014, the average application took about five months to go through the naturalization process. Now it takes almost twice that. In the past four years, the number of pending applications has more than doubled it was 753,352 as of March 31, the most recent date for which data is available. Officials said he told a Marine veteran in Alexandria that his company would take the man to court, claiming that the man owed money for more than 200 magazine subscriptions. The veteran, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, sent $98,000 in personal checks before his death last year. Some formerly reliable Democratic voters may have been bamboozled into voting for a man they knew to be crude, greedy and contemptuous toward huge swaths of Americans who have the audacity to have non-European ancestors because they were sure he would return the U.S. to economic dominance. As long as he give us jobs, who cares how many women he may have groped? they may have well have thought to themselves, as they punched the ballot for Donald Trump and Mike Pence. During the early years of the epidemic, Redfield opposed public health messages that emphasized condom use to protect people from HIV. In recent media interviews, he said he has rethought his opposition and that condoms should be part of the fight against AIDS. He elaborated on that in a statement in July to KHN, saying he supports programs that encourage people who are not sexually active to delay sex and have fewer partners an approach hailed by conservative activists. First, this is clearly retaliation for public criticism of the president, and it appears designed to intimidate others who might consider doing the same. Brennan has been a fierce Trump detractor, and now he is being punished. Brennan himself will not be deterred, of course, but the president seems intent on sending a message to millions of current and former government officials that their clearances now depend on good behavior as defined by Trump's personal preferences. As the grand jury report notes, Mr. Paone was neither recalled nor suspended following an allegation, in 1994, that he had abused a boy several decades earlier; both options were available to Mr. Wuerl in his capacity as bishop. In 1996, when church officials in San Diego asked Mr. Wuerl to swear an affidavit, for insurance purposes, that Mr. Paone had not had any problems involving sexual abuse of minors, he declined, directing a diocesan official to respond that all appropriate material had already been conveyed. In truth, the Pittsburgh diocese had mentioned only the 1994 allegation about Mr. Paone, along with the information that a psychiatric evaluation of the priest had not produced a diagnosis that he was a pedophile. Other allegations from Mr. Paones Pittsburgh file were not shared with the diocese in San Diego, where he taught seventh- and eighth-grade students for nearly 20 years. North Korean officials confirmed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month that they want to resume joint recovery operations north of the demilitarized zone. Bringing back U.S. soldiers remains is a worthy endeavor in its own right and could result in the identification of hundreds of missing Americans, giving their families closure. As a nation, we commit to those who serve that we will not leave anyone behind enemy lines, alive or dead. 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 Im worried for those who are just getting by, whose lives are more chaotic than mine and for whom a grotesquely punitive, regressive fine for not promptly renewing a sticker that other big cities dont even require is a real blow. WBEZ and ProPublica Illinois have done excellent reporting on this topic recently, pointing out that those who must park their cars on the street are subject to multiple expired-sticker tickets, even on the same day, and that expired-sticker tickets disproportionately go to drivers on Chicagos West and South sides, neighborhoods where the majority of the residents are low-income and black. The multifamily-rental industry receives billions in public subsidies for transportation, infrastructure and economic development, as well as tax breaks and other incentives that increase the overall value and profitability of their holdings. For these benefits, the housing industry owes the public responsibility and accountability for the quality, affordability and stability of rental housing communities they build and own. Drug companies, airlines and toy companies are legally obligated to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of the products and services they provide. Why not the rental housing industry? So if Kavanaugh is confirmed, Roe almost certainly goes. But what if that is not enough for antiabortion forces? Each year, to mark the anniversary of the Roe decision, these activists gather in Washington for the so-called March for Life. These marchers do not carry signs saying Federalism Now or Let the States Decide; they march under banners reading Stop All Abortion and Abortion Kills. Why would anyone believe they will be satisfied with a mere reversal of Roe, followed by a 50-state scramble over abortion laws? Why shouldnt we expect that, as soon as Roe goes, they will petition the Supreme Court to ban all abortions as a violation of a fetuss right to life under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution? Manigault Newman nailed it in Unhinged: An Insiders Account of the Trump White House. Trump, she wrote, built himself up as a law-and-order candidate who would wage war against terrorism, street crime and illegal immigration. But he blamed the countrys problems completely and specifically on certain subsets of the population: black and brown people. It was hard to miss the racial undertones of his speech. When he railed against criminals, terrorists, and gangs, many figured he was not talking about white people, Manigault Newman wrote. He said, I am your voice. And by your, he meant steel workers and coal miners in the Rust Belt. It was classic dog-whistle racism. The first is an age-old problem. Since its alliance with the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Catholic hierarchy has been tempted by power. It has cloaked itself in mystery to rule by edict rather than by example. At root, this scandal springs from idolatry: Bishops employ secrecy and deceit to promote the heresy that the priesthood is superior to the people in the pews. The words of John A. Hardon, a Jesuit priest, are as true now as when he wrote them 20 years ago: Most of the chaos in the Catholic Church today is due to the pride of priests. The 2013 Tobacco Road case illustrated the complex international dimension. Basel Ramadan and 15 co-conspirators all with close ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, and one a supporter of Omar Abdel Rahman, mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center attack in New York were arrested in Virginia and New York and charged with more than 200 counts of corruption, money laundering and tax crimes. Their ring smuggled about 20,000 cartons of cigarettes a week from Virginia to New York, pocketing at least $10 million in illegal profits. New York lost an estimated $80 million in sales-tax proceeds, and the group sent several million dollars overseas, though it was never disclosed to whom. But the phrase is typically shorthand for a figure that companies must report in their proxies summary compensation tables and doesnt necessarily reflect the amount a CEO deposits in his or her bank account. The table represents the estimated fair value of the huge buckets of stock options and equity awards CEOs receive when they are granted; these are often multi-year awards that will be available to CEOs only over time, depending on performance and tenure. Because of those vesting schedules, and because stocks rise and fall, the listed figures can differ wildly from a CEOs realized pay, especially during booming market periods. For instance, an analysis by Axios found that Netflix CEO Reed Hastingss listed pay was $24.4 million, but what Axios called his actual pay for 2017 was $178.8 million. It can also work in the reverse: Broadcom CEO Hock Tans compensation for 2017 was listed at $103.2 million, thanks to a new stock grant that will pay out over several years, but his actual pay, according to Axioss analysis, was $42.1 million. At first glance, it looks to be any other Fourth of July parade in the faded Kodachrome photos. That is, until subtle details begin to pop: the uniformed marchers handing out pamphlets, the yin-yang emblem adorning banners, the fleet of identical gray automobiles driving in slow procession. Operation Golden Gate was the name of a 1948 plan among the followers of a political movement known as Technocracy Inc. to converge on the San Francisco Bay area. These self-described Technocrats gathered from around the country to educate the public in their central belief: that politicians lacked the ability to effectively manage the complexities of the modern world and that the public should delegate decision-making instead to a small group of technological experts. To be fair, from the Turkish perspective, the United States is not much of an ally, either. A staggering number of Turks believe that Washington was complicit in the attempted 2016 coup detat. One poll conducted online in 2016 by a Turkish newspaper found that almost 7 in 10 Turks blamed the CIA. This patently false idea (which Erdogan and other officials have nurtured) along with Trumps tweet makes Erdogans latest accusation that the United States is attempting an economic coup all the more plausible to the Turkish public. Meanwhile, Washingtons Syrian Kurdish allies are directly linked to a Turkish Kurdish terrorist organization, the Kurdistan Workers Party, that has carried out a violent campaign against Turkey since the mid-1980s. So its easy to understand why U.S. approval ratings in Turkey hover between the low and high teens. Similarly, the president said he did not know retired Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who in a Thursday op-ed in The Washington Post called Trumps tactics McCarthy-era and said it would be an honor to have Trump lift his security clearance so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency. This whole narrative is a fabrication driven by hackers who want to undermine me, Broidy said in a statement to the Times. Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit against Qatar and Qatari officials, alleging that the country hacked his email accounts in retaliation for his allegations that Qatar supports terrorists. A spokesman for the Qatari government has called the suit without fact or merit, and a federal judge dismissed the country as a defendant in the suit earlier this month, citing jurisdictional issues. The letter from Harder is separate from the arbitration action filed by Trumps campaign against Managault Newman earlier this week. Manigault Newman, who has also been releasing a steady stream of audio recordings of her conversations with Trump and White House and campaign officials, has said she does not believe she has violated the agreement and contends the Trump campaign is trying to silence her. Whoever told you that is probably smoking something that is legal in my state but not in most states, Mattis said, referring to his home state of Washington. Im not dignifying that number with any reply. I would discount that. And anybody who said that, I almost guarantee you one thing, they probably said, I need to stay anonymous. No kidding, because you look like an idiot. And No. 2, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. Ill just leave it at that. But I dont know who wrote it. I havent seen it. But I guarantee you theres been no cost estimate. If you did all this in one day, it would have a Saturday night massacre odor to it, said Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution fellow who oversees the Lawfare Blog on national security issues, referring to the 1973 move by Nixon that prompted resignations by the Justice Departments top two officials. But you spread it out and get people used to the first one, then you do the second one over a long period of time, it becomes the new normal. Those who were born in India after 1971 or who dont have legacy documents were asked to show links to parents or relatives who passed the test for citizenship and thats where many people, especially women, stumble. Many who sought Husseins help had proof that their fathers had voted in an election in 1966 but no birth certificates to show that they were their fathers daughters. Women are especially vulnerable because land is usually passed down to male heirs and so they dont appear on documents proving ownership or inheritance. Canada and the European Union sanctioned seven Myanmar military and police leaders in June over similar accusations. Stronger action against Myanmar from Congress, meanwhile, has stalled as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has blocked any punitive action that could be perceived as directed toward Suu Kyi. Provisions that would bar U.S. cooperation with or assistance to Myanmars military and impose sanctions on generals overwhelmingly passed the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, but they were left out of the final bill because of opposition from McConnell, people familiar with the negotiations said. The Freedom Party came to power in Austria at the end of last year as the junior partner in a coalition with the center-right. The party was founded by former SS officers in the 1950s, and has ridden anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric to new heights of popularity in recent years. Some of its members have been revealed to share a nostalgia for Hitlers Third Reich. Assad, aided by Russia and Iran, has claimed victory over Syrian opposition fighters once backed by the United States and others in most of the western two-thirds of the country. Russia has spearheaded an international campaign to declare Assad firmly in power and persuade the rest of the world to solidify the peace by paying to reconstruct the country and repatriate the millions of Syrians who fled the fighting. I know its just a small percentage of kids who ride their bikes now, and were not going to be like Amsterdam, Medsker said. But if teens know they can ride to school, theyll be more likely to do it. The new directive, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes as Gen. Paul Nakasone, who heads both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, has recommended to Pentagon leaders that the two organizations remain under one head for at least two years. The call to end this dual-hat arrangement dates to the Obama administration, but the effort was delayed, and when Nakasone took over he gave the matter a fresh look. The Chicago Bulls could use some help with Patrick Williams out for four to six months with torn ligaments in his left wrist and a tough schedule on deck. Can they talk Joakim Noah out of retirement? The corporate regulator says it is poised to launch legal action against major financial institutions over the still-unfolding "fees for no service" scandal, the compensation for which may exceed $1 billion, it has been revealed. Peter Kell, deputy chairman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, told the Hayne royal commission on Friday that there was "a very high likelihood of proceedings commencing in the near future" on the scandal, which has so far embroiled the big four banks, AMP and a clutch of smaller financial institutions. ASIC deputy chair Peter Kell leaves the banking royal commission hearing. Credit:AAP Mr Kell also confirmed, in response to a question from Commissioner Kenneth Hayne, that ASIC had considered submitting at least one brief to the Commonweath Director of Public Prosections over the "fees for no service" matter - a necessary first step for criminal action. And when asked by counsel assisting Michael Hodge, QA, about "substantial civil penalties" that could deprive institutions of "any profit they might have hoped to have made from the conduct", Mr Kell said "that has been obviously one of the key issues that we have been considering... in relation to a number of the entities [involved in the] fees for no service issue. And I think you will expect to see that." Kochi, India: Rescuers used helicopters and boats on Friday to evacuate thousands of people stranded on their rooftops following unprecedented flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala that killed more than 320 people in the past nine days, officials said. With heavy rains stopping after a week, rescuers moved quickly to take those marooned by floods to 1500 state-run camps. They used more than a dozen helicopters and about 400 boats across the state, relief officials said. The state's top elected official, Pinarayi Vijayan, told reporters that at least 324 people had died and more than 220,000 had taken refuge in the camps. Heavy rains over the past eight days triggered flooding, landslides and home and bridge collapses, severely disrupting air and train services in Kerala state, a popular tourist destination with scenic landscapes, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. Pope Francis reaches out to hug Cardinal Archbishop emeritus Theodore McCarrick in 2015. Credit:Washington Post In the United States, Francis accepted the resignation in July of one of the church's most prominent clerics, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, after allegations emerged he had abused an altar boy in the 1970s and adult seminarians in the 1980s. This 1974 photo provided by a man who agreed to be identified only by his first name, James, shows him in California with Theodore McCarrick, a Roman Catholic priest who eventually became a cardinal. As part of what appeared to be a coordinated response intended to stem a spiralling crisis within the Roman Catholic Church in America, the head of the American bishops also released a statement on Thursday that contained the first outlines of how the bishops planned to reform the church in reaction to the abuse revelations, as well as emotional pleas for forgiveness. Mirroring the language of the Vatican, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed shame and remorse, acknowledging that much of the blame lay on the shoulders of bishops and promising there would be change. "I apologise and humbly ask your forgiveness for what my brother bishops and I have done and failed to do," DiNardo wrote. "Whatever the details may turn out to be regarding Archbishop McCarrick or the many abuses in Pennsylvania (or anywhere else), we already know that one root cause is the failure of episcopal leadership. The result was that scores of beloved children of God were abandoned to face an abuse of power alone." Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick speaks during a memorial service in South Bend, Ind. McCarrick was removed from public ministry on June 20. Credit:South Ben Tribune/AP To address what he called a "moral catastrophe," DiNardo called for a Vatican-led investigation into the abuses of McCarrick and questions surrounding them. He also called for improved channels to report complaints against bishops, including new review bodies that would be able to operate with independence, and "substantial leadership by laity." Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Virgin Mary and a crucifix that will be taken to Panama for the next World Youth Day, in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. Credit:AP American Catholics have been deeply shaken by the recent abuse revelations, which come after years in which the church insisted the problem of clergy sex abuse had largely been dealt with after reforms passed in 2002. "I'm hopeful that they will follow through with everything, but we'll see what happens," said Ian McMeans, 32, a churchgoing father of four who lives outside of Pittsburgh. The revelation that McCarrick, who was first removed from ministry June 20 after a substantiated complaint of abuse against an altar boy, was able to rise to the highest levels of the church in America despite repeated warnings he was routinely sleeping with seminarians generated deep anger among American Catholics. Then a man, known only as James, came forward to accuse McCarrick, a close family friend, of molesting him over two decades, beginning when he was 11. Compounding the sense of hypocrisy, McCarrick had been a prominent voice for adopting the 2002 reforms. When the clergy sex scandal broke 16 years ago, some staunch Catholics defended the church, calling the outpouring of abuse stories anti-Catholic. This time, Catholics across the political spectrum in America are united in the belief that something must be done, prominent Catholics said. Brian Burch, the president of Catholic Vote, a Catholic organisation for supporting conservative social causes, said that conservatives "understood there was a problem, and we knew that it hadn't been totally resolved since 2002." "But having now seen the evidence of how bad it really is, it is even worse than we thought. And this has caused an unbelievable amount of discouragement and despair on the part of the laity about what the future holds for the institution of the church." "In terms of having watched this over 15 years, I have never seen a reaction like I saw over the grand jury report, even among bishops," said Rocco Palmo, a well-known Catholic commentator and blogger based in Philadelphia. "Just a sense of complete horror and disgust." Massimo Faggioli, a theology professor at Villanova University, said he saw in Thursday's coordinated statements that the seriousness of the crisis appeared to be creating emergency alliances among the bishops, who have been divided over the past five years into pro- and anti-Francis factions, largely along liberal and conservative lines. "This is worse than 2002, and they know that," Faggioli said. "They know that the future of the US church is not clear. Because if you look at the rage that there is out there, you don't know what kind of trust there is left between the people and the leaders. And this is not something that can be played according to the usual rules." Francis seemed to acknowledge the depth of the crisis in the Vatican statement, which was released by Greg Burke, the director of the Holy See Press Office. "The Holy Father," the Vatican said, "understands well how much these crimes can shake the faith and the spirit of believers and reiterates the call to make every effort to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults in the church and in all of society." The last three popes have all met with survivors of sexual abuse on numerous occasions. Just this year, Francis invited several victims from Chile to the Vatican to ask for their forgiveness. Critics have rebuffed these overtures as big on gesture but short on substance. In its statement, the Vatican noted that the grand jury mostly referred to cases dating back decades, a sign that headway had been made in the United States when it came to this blight. "By finding almost no cases after 2002, the grand jury's conclusions are consistent with previous studies showing that Catholic Church reforms in the United States drastically reduced the incidence of clergy child abuse," the statement said. In its recommendations, the grand jury report called for lifting the criminal statute of limitations on sex abuse crimes and giving all victims an opportunity to sue the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Bishops in Pennsylvania have been actively lobbying against those reforms, a fact not lost on the official who investigated the church's actions. "I appreciate the validation of our work in Pennsylvania and the expression of remorse on behalf of Pope Francis," said Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania's attorney general, reacting to the pope's statement. "I hope that under the Holy Father's leadership, the church will now embrace and support the grand jury's recommendations." Officials could not even say how much money the city would get, although officials are asking for 25 percent of the advertising revenue. Feuerborn said city officials also are willing to give Smart City as much as a 10-year contract, in exchange for the company spending all the upfront money to install the kiosks. The theatre is by and large a cyclical profession. So, a year after Broadway saw Arthur Miller's The Price, a mid-career, middling work starring Mark Ruffalo and Danny DeVito, Jonathan Church now presents it in the Bath main house as part of their summer season. It may not be peak Miller, the writer of All My Sons and The Crucible feels slightly more muted here, as though he can't quite compose the scorching highs in a work so naturalistic and personal. But it still delves into the usual preoccupations Miller writes of; guilt, resentment, families tearing themselves apart and of the search for success, and its cost, in a heavily materialistic world. Beat cop Victor Franz waits in his father's old apartment for a dealer who will offer a price for all the old furniture and antiques. Victor was a once-promising scientist, who dropped out of college to look after his father after the Great Depression and is now after 25 years contemplating what's next as retirement looms large. He is resentful of his older brother Walter, the lesser student but one who stayed in college and has built a life as a successful surgeon. Over the course of an afternoon, played out in real time, secrets are revealed, grievances aired and the price all these characters faced becomes clear. In many ways, The Price came to be Miller's most heavily autobiographical work. Like the Franz family, his comfortable upbringing was shattered by the Depression, forcing his family to move and young Arthur to work menial jobs to support his college education. The certainties of the old world shifted in 1929 and man had to choose a path. Miller may have swum against the tide, but many with promise sank, a situation, you feel, Miller was acutely aware of. In a parallel world, he wouldn't have been the great American man of letters, but the everyman wondering what might have been. Victor and his wife Esther may be financially struggling with his NYPD pension, but brother Walter has paid his own price, turning cold against a world he doesn't trust and a society he doesn't believe in and losing his family as result. Staring out front and centre in all the publicity material is David Suchet, as antique dealer Gregory Solomon. It is, in truth, a supporting role, but one portrayed by Suchet with such star power and twinkly-eyed authority that it comes to feel like his play, the energy certainly sags when he spends most of act two off the stage. Solomon is the American dream made flesh, a Lithuanian Jew who immigrated to America, made his fortune, lost it and then made it again and is still chasing the right price in his late 80s. It's a gift of a role, one that has attracted actors of the calibre of Eli Wallach and DeVito Stateside and one that fits Suchet skillset like a glove. It's to the credit of the rest of the cast, in Church's meticulously acted production, that they aren't left in his taillights. Brendan Coyle as Victor has a thorough everyman decency mixed with a bottled anger that he has used to such effect as Mr Bates in Downton Abbey, while Sara Stewart as his wife and Adrian Lukis as his brother give equally telling performances in various forms of disappointment. Simon Higglett's set doesn't just accrue a lifetime of 'junk' but sends it skewering above the actor's heads as though the past is threatening to swallow them all whole. The Price may not be Miller at his very best, but even the average Miller is always worth spending an evening with. Following the announcement earlier this week of Andrew Polec's departure from the West End production of Bat Out of Hell, a new Strat has been confirmed. Jordan Luke Gage is to take over the role, originated by Polec, from 3 September. Gage has been performing as the alternate to Polec's Strat, and made his West End debut as Hoffman in the show. He said: "I'm overwhelmed to be taking over the iconic role of Strat in Bat Out Of Hell. Being part of this incredible show and company has been a life-changing experience for me and I have learned so much from working with the extraordinary talent that is Andrew Polec. I want to thank everyone at Bat Out Of Hell for giving me this opportunity and to thank Andrew for his support and friendship. He has been an outstanding Strat." Simon Gordon, who has been starring as Esquivel, will continue to be the alternative Strat. Bat Out of Hell opened at the Manchester Opera House before heading to the London Coliseum in 2017. It is currently playing at the Dominion Theatre, where it opened in April this year, and is booking through to 5 January. Polec's final show in London will be 1 September. Jim Steinman's musical features hit songs sung by Meat Loaf including "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad", "You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth" and "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)". Include a visit to The Dark Side of F Street in your Halloween hauntings! Take some canned foods and grocery ... When you see the flags flying at schools, you dont generally think about who put them up or how they... Amazon.com Inc. is in the running to acquire Landmark Theatres, a move that would vault the e-commerce giant into the brick-and-mortar cinema industry, according to people familiar with the situation. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Amazon.com Inc. is in the running to acquire Landmark Theatres, a move that would vault the e-commerce giant into the brick-and-mortar cinema industry, according to people familiar with the situation. The company is vying with other suitors to acquire the business from Wagner/Cuban Cos., which is backed by billionaire Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The chains owners have been working with investment banker Stephens Inc. on a possible sale, the people said. No final decisions have been made, and talks could still fall apart. Pushing into movie theatres would follow Amazons expansion into myriad other forms of media, including a film and TV studio and music service. With Landmark, it gets a chain focused on independent and foreign films with more than 50 theatres in 27 markets, including high-profile locations in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Landmarks theatres are known for art-house fare, and some high-end locations include coffee bars or lounges, setting them apart from the typical movie experience. "This is probably a move to get broader distribution of film content," said Leo Kulp, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets LLC. "Netflix had been discussed as a potential buyer of Landmark for a similar reason." Amazon, based in Seattle, declined to comment. Officials at Landmark did not respond. 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. Though the acquisition price for Landmark would likely be small, it would mark a significant new incursion by Amazon into the physical world. The online retailer shocked the supermarket industry last year by acquiring Whole Foods for US$13.7 billion, positioning the organic-food chain in the middle of its campaign to sell more groceries. The U.S. has previously barred film studios from the theatre industry. But the government said earlier this month that it was considering terminating a 70-year-old Hollywood settlement that halted the vertical integration of studios and theatres. The so-called Paramount decree may have prevented smaller films from getting wider distribution. "Its very possible that the Paramount decree gets overturned," said David Miller, an analyst with Imperial Capital LLC. "It will be interesting to see if Amazon could be the first to test the new rules." The theatre operators had been under pressure in recent years as the popularity of Netflix and other home streaming services fueled fears that audiences were less willing to go out to movies. "Id say this is a sign of good health for the industry," Miller said. Bloomberg News Unlike prisons in other countries, where the prisoners families must provide everything from bedding, clothing, food and medical care, all of that is provided to prisoners in our state and federal prisons. In addition, programs are available to provide access to a library, a day room (with TV and movies), an exercise room and equipment, social workers, psychologists, and classes to prepare for a job interview, obtaining a GED and even college degrees. There is even some job training and access to a store. In November 2017, three years after starting a small screen-printing business in an 800-square-foot shoebox on Portage Avenue, Cory Beal, the founder of Floodway Print Company, decided it was time to find a bigger space. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In November 2017, three years after starting a small screen-printing business in an 800-square-foot shoebox on Portage Avenue, Cory Beal, the founder of Floodway Print Company, decided it was time to find a bigger space. Beal went around the city to view two dozen storefronts, most of which were in industrial parks or areas that didnt exactly inspire creativity. But when he climbed the stairs to the fourth floor of the Glengarry Block, a 108-year-old neoclassical warehouse overlooking McDermot Avenue, and the cheapest listing on the docket, something felt right. "It just felt well-suited to the garment manufacturing industry," Beal says Thursday afternoon, as two employees meticulously apply white plasticol paint to a seemingly never-ending stream of tote bags and T-shirts. He probably sensed that because, for a long time, the building was at the core of the citys booming garment trade, often referred to as the "schmatta business." When Beal and his three co-workers started prepping the nearly 5,000-square-foot unit after acquiring it last fall, they slowly began to uncover hints at the buildings historical fabric, so to speak: under baseboards, and between floorboards, they found denim patches, old pins and sewing needles, and lots of buttons. Beal, 28, was fascinated by the findings. Whose were they? What were they used to make? "Its sort of an artifact of what was here," he says, holding up a business card bearing a five-digit phone number. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Floodway Print Co. in their new space in the exchange district in Winnipeg on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Winnipeg Free Press 2018. As it turns out, the Glengarry Block housed dozens of clothing-industry companies during the Exchange Districts heyday, including S. Groff & Son (which sold thread, fabric and buttons); Goodbolt, a shoe and boot operation; and J.K. Marshall, a milliner and silk manufacturer. What the Floodway employees have discovered is that the building is as conducive to the clothing business in 2018 as it was in 1918, and the significance of where they can print as many as 2,000 shirts a day isnt lost on them. "Im not big on history," says Riley Taylor, the companys 20-year-old production supervisor. "But you can really feel it in here. Its almost like were bringing that history back to life." Floodways comparatively short story started in 2014, when Beal, whod worked in screen-printing shops around the city, decided to strike out on his own. Hed been frustrated by the existing screen-printing options, lamenting their quality of product and of communication. He realized the barriers to entering the business independently were low, so he bought a pair of manual printing apparatuses online. "We started for less than $5,000," he says. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bram Keast prepares screens for printing in the darkroom at the Floodway Print Co. in their new space in the exchange district in Winnipeg on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Winnipeg Free Press 2018. Over time, through word-of-mouth and dedication to Instagram-based marketing, the floodgates opened for Floodway. In 2015, they scored a contract to print the shirts for ManyFest, and soon, other local businesses and players took note. The companys diverse and lengthy clientele now includes The Forks, Little Brown Jug, Siloam Mission, King + Bannatyne, and the Gimli Film Festival. Those "Winnipeg is Good" shirts youve seen everywhere? Floodway printed those, too. "They were a natural fit for (us)... Every good band needs a good shirt," said Gilad Carroll, a co-founder of Real Love Winnipeg, a local concert promotion company and one of Floodways earliest clients. "They are on top of everything and clearly have a desire to grow and do great things in Winnipeg." As more clients got in contact, Beal knew it was time to expand. In the move to the McDermot location, the company invested more than $100,000, most of which was spent on a brand-new automatic press capable of printing 10 shirts at once. "It can do 2,000 garments without breaking a sweat," he says. The manual press can do about 500. With one purchase, Floodway increased its production rate four fold. Last year, the company made about $400,000 in revenue. This year, Beal expects that figure to be near half-a-million dollars. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Riley Taylor works on printing tote bags at the Floodway Print Co. in their new space in the exchange district in Winnipeg on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Winnipeg Free Press 2018. But Beal said Floodway wasnt designed as a business to pump out as many shirts as possible. The shop prefers smaller orders over large ones, and does about 95 per cent of its business with clients in Manitoba. Of the companys roughly 15 garment distributors, a dozen are Canadian. "Doing business here is and always will be our priority," says Beal, who usually wears plain white T-shirts. Thursday, hes testing out a Gildan model, "seeing how it feels after a wash." One aspect of business Beal says he emphasizes is accessibility. Two of his employees, Taylor and Bram Keast, a 25-year-old fine arts graduate from the University of Manitoba, were hired through REES, a Winnipeg employment service agency for people with physical disabilities or other health conditions. Keast, who wears hearing aids, called the shop "an amazing place to work," and said the act of making T-shirts is a lot like painting or sculpting, only your work is on display all around the city. Photos by MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Owner of the Floodway Print Co. Cory Beal in the companys new space in the Glengarry Block, a 108-year-old warehouse that was once at the centre of Winnipegs schmatta business. "Clothing is one of the most basic human needs," says Taylor as he finishes another tote bag. "Making clothing for people speaks to me on a primal level." Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Beal says the screen-printing business in Winnipeg is a competitive one, with several more senior outlets. But he hopes potential clients continue to respond to his companys attention to detail. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Riley Taylor works on printing tote bags at the Floodway Print Co. in their new space in the exchange district in Winnipeg on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Winnipeg Free Press 2018. As Taylor and Keast man the presses, Beal sits at a table in the back, taking a moment to breathe a few feet from the production floor. He says hes satisfied with how the company has grown in such a short period of time, and hes happy to be doing it in a building that was built with clothing manufacturing in mind. "Every detail of this place was perfect," he says. "It makes me wonder why everybody isnt moving into the neighbourhood." ben.waldman@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @benjwaldman With the shiny new towers of True North Square dominating downtown development, Portage Place, once seen as the cornerstone for revitalizing the area, has become a forgotten stepchild. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. With the shiny new towers of True North Square dominating downtown development, Portage Place, once seen as the cornerstone for revitalizing the area, has become a forgotten stepchild. However, the malls fortunes may change now that it has been put up for sale. A walk through the mall just before stores opened on a weekday morning is unremarkable but not nearly the dysfunctional eyesore so many Winnipeggers love to hate. Peterson Group of Vancouver, the owner of the mall since 2005, has been actively trying to sell it for more than a year (some say its been much longer than that). Although officials from the company did not respond to requests for interviews, several sources have confirmed the Peterson Group "wants out." Bricks-and-mortar retailing is experiencing widespread disruption at the hands of e-commerce and Portage Place never really achieved the kind of destination-shopping status it aspired to in its original concept. Like many downtown malls, it has struggled over the years to find the right mix. Nowadays, you dont see much of the pizzazz at Portage Place that you might see at other malls. Theres no Apple store, no high-end apparel shops and no childrens amusement destinations. In the space Holt Renfrew once occupied to much acclaim, Stitches, the mid-market clothing store is now operating. There are sports-related shops, mid-market street apparel and a number of professional services office such as dentists, chiropractors and a number of social service agencies. There are plenty of discount stores and one of the biggest Dollarama stores in the city. The food court does not look much different than when it first opened. The Imax Theatre and tri-plex movie theatres closed years ago and those spaces remain dark. Yes, there are a few vacancies, but probably not as many as people think. You can still find mall standards such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Staples and the big three phone companies all have shops sides by side. Highly regarded industry professional, Avtar Bains of Vancouver-based Premise Properties (who also did not return phone calls) is marketing the property. Sources say there has been interest, but no deal has been closed. Many believe one of the things that has thwarted hopes of a straightforward market transaction is the complicated ownership structure of the property. The Forks North Portage Partnership owns the land, the underground parkade and the development air rights and derives about $3 million in revenue from those assets, funds that the mall owner might otherwise have to use at its own discretion on the property. Paul Jordan, CEO of The Forks, is matter of fact in his analysis of the situation. "He (the Peterson Group) cant sell his piece because he does not own the land, and we cant invest in the property because we dont own the mall," Jordan said. "Its a catch 22. It really is the roadblock to moving this thing along." North Portage Development Corp., the publicly owned entity that was charged with developing the area, still owns the land leases on the mall, Fred Douglas Place and Place Promenade. It merged with the Forks Renewal Corp. in 1994 to form The Forks North Portage Partnership. The merger was at least partially done to help provide financial stability to The Forks, which was on delicate financial footing at the time. The catch 22 scenario of the mall ownership also provides the underpinning that has led to the success of The Forks. Without the land lease and parking revenue from Portage Place, The Forks may not have been able to become successful. "Back in 1994, (The Forks was) borrowing money to pay salaries," Jordan said. "It was that bad. We were about to close. North Portage gave us new life with a revenue stream to develop The Forks." The irony there is that many believe the mall also needs new life. Some say the property, which had a mandate to revitalize North Portage, has failed. By most accounts, the value of the property has declined. When Cadillac Fairview opened the mall in 1987 at a cost of about $92 million, it was being was touted as the saviour of downtown Winnipeg. But when it was sold to Consolidated Properties in 1997, it reportedly went for about half the original development cost. The sale price to Peterson Group in 2005 was never disclosed, but its believed it was less than half of what Consolidated paid. Scott Hutcheson, executive director of Calgary-based Aspen Properties, the successor to Consolidated Properties, believes Portage Place has been unfairly maligned. "Is it the the gem of retailing on the planet? No. But look at what might have been there," said Hutcheson, chairman of Calgarys 2026 Olympic bid committee. "I would not say it failed. It wasnt the messiah, but it has been a good property for Winnipeg." It has been controversial since it opened. In hindsight, its not so surprising since the assembly of the land to build the mall was the result of public-sector expropriation to the tune of millions of dollars. Dayna Spiring, CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, said there has been interest from Toronto investors. At least part of the attraction to the property is the possibility of building towers on both the east and west ends of the mall, which were built to handle those structures. With True North Squares recent construction of the first new downtown office building in Winnipeg in 30 years, along with a new residential tower, demand for additional development would be questionable. "The problem is no one wants to do the improvement needed at Portage Place because you only own the building, you dont own the land," Spiring said. Jordan said there have been talks over the years and a full understanding that for a transaction to occur, some sort of arrangement will have to made between The Forks and the mall owner. The Forks conducted some studies a few years ago to see if it was feasible to buy the mall itself. "In any kind of sale, if and when it goes forward, the two of us are going to have to be married or arrange some sort of split," Jordan said. "We could sell the lease, but the mall owners are not interested. They have made it pretty clear they would like to sell and get out." 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. Although it might make it easier to sell, the property, the mall owners would have to double down on their investment in a mall that they are trying to sell. "All those options are available. Its just we have not found a successful one yet," he said. Some would say that the public-sector commitment to the revitalization of the neighbourhood was effectively accomplished with the construction of the mall and the housing developments Fred Douglas Place and Place Promenade immediately to the north of the mall. But some, such as Angela Mathieson, the CEO of CentreVenture, are not so convinced. "It (Portage Place) is such an important central feature in our downtown," she said. "We would be highly supportive of options that would see it renewed and brought back to a positive and active centre in the city." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Manitobas health minister says massage therapists are three to five years away from being provincially regulated or disciplined and an industry veteran says thats too long to wait. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1169 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitobas health minister says massage therapists are three to five years away from being provincially regulated or disciplined and an industry veteran says thats too long to wait. George Fraser, the executive director of Remedial Massage Therapists Society of Manitoba, was in court this week when Kenneth Wall of Blumenort was convicted on four counts of sexual assault. Wall claimed to offer therapeutic massages in which he rubbed womens breasts and vaginas without their consent in 2014, court found. Seven women reported him to police, saying he didnt ask their consent or explain why he was rubbing intimate parts of their bodies. Fraser said the Wall case underscores the pressing need for massage therapy to be brought under the provincial Regulated Health Professions Act as soon as possible. "Massage therapy sits out there doing over one million treatments (in Manitoba) per year with no public protection, no ability to give oversight and no ability to formalize a complaint and discipline process when things like this arise," he said. "Its disappointing to (approximately 1,400) registered massage therapists, and it should be disappointing to everyone who receives massage therapy treatments." Health Minister Cameron Friesen said there are 19 health professions that are self-regulating and waiting to be brought under the provincial regulation umbrella. The law was proclaimed in 2014 in hopes of providing consistent rules, governance, discipline and complaint mechanisms for all health-care professions. So far, only audiologists, speech language pathologists and registered nurses have made the transition, while paramedics have started the process. The health department has the capacity to transition two to three professions per year to the law, meaning it could take more than a decade for all 19 in the queue plus massage therapy, which isnt already regulated to fall under provincial jurisdiction. "The departments focus is on transitioning governance for medicine under the (law), following recently completed public consultations," Friesen said in a prepared statement. "After that is complete, we plan to move on to other professions, including psychology, paramedicine and registered psychiatric nursing." Referring to massage therapy, Friesen said, "The next steps for the profession are to work towards developing a policy draft of its regulations, with the governments goal to bring massage therapy under the act in the next few years." A government spokesperson clarified that "the next few years" means "three to five years." 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. Fraser isnt convinced of that timeline, since hes been urging the province to confirm a date for years. "It could be that massage therapy waits until the very end of the process, which could translate into 10 to 15 years based on the formula of two per year. The department will not answer this question," Fraser said in an email on Friday, discussing his correspondence with Manitoba Health. Fraser said he has asked for a meeting with Friesen, who was appointed in August, to get clarification. Jennifer Billeck, deputy registrar for the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba, said their group is also waiting patiently to be included in the law. "Weve been given some indication that well be in the next grouping, so we are working on it. Were hoping within the next couple of years well be done the work thats required," she said. "I think what the (law) allows us is consistency between all the colleges in some of the processes that we have. It will allow us to work collaboratively in health-care teams very easily... For Manitobans as a whole, were hoping thats exactly what it will do be beneficial to all of us." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu NEAR MORDEN A small army of Enbridge officials, politicians and Indigenous leaders descended on one of the construction sites for the Line 3 pipeline replacement project Thursday, just as a one-woman resistance stood her ground about 60 kilometres away. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. NEAR MORDEN A small army of Enbridge officials, politicians and Indigenous leaders descended on one of the construction sites for the Line 3 pipeline replacement project Thursday, just as a one-woman resistance stood her ground about 60 kilometres away. Journalists and leaders, including federal Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen; Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe; and Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation Chief Ken Chalmers, were invited by Enbridge to take a tour of the soon-to-be-bustling project. The Line 3 replacement is the largest project in Enbridges history, officials said, spanning 1,160 kilometres from Hardisty, Alta., to Superior, Wis. Last summer, it began twinning the initial pipeline, which was built in the 1960s. Its expected to cost about $5.3 billion for the Canadian portion and US$2.9 billion in the U.S. The Canadian portion of the line is expected to be done by December, while the whole project should be completed by spring 2019, said Leo Golden, vice-president of the Line 3 extension. Because Enbridges first pipeline can no longer safely transport as much crude oil as it once did, the energy company applied, and was granted permission, to decommission its former line i.e. clean and leave the old pipeline pieces in the ground, unless landowners ask otherwise in the U.S. and Canada, then build anew. Line 3 will carry 760,000 barrels of oil per day, about double the last lines capacity. John Woods/ The Canadian Press Enbridge workers weld pipe near Morden. The Canadian portion of the Line 3 replacement project is expected to be completed by December. As an Indigenous-led prayer camp opposing the pipeline took place a 40-minute drive away, Golden started Thursdays tour by acknowledging the event was taking place on the traditional territories of the Dakota, Ojibwa and Cree nations and the homeland of the Metis Nation. "Much like a highway, a bridge or an airport, this infrastructure is required for the country," Golden said, touting the pipelines necessity. Sohi reiterated the federal governments support, saying it takes a balanced approach to natural resources while investing billions of dollars in clean energy technology. "This is not a choice between natural resources and renewable (energy). This is going to continue to be a mix of our choices that we will make," Sohi said. "Theres not 100 per cent consensus among Canadians on pipelines, and that is true for the Indigenous communities as well," Sohi said, a sentiment echoed by Chalmers. The chief said he wants to see economic prosperity in his community, yet hinted at the catch-22 that pipeline projects present: a concurrent stream of money and environmental concerns. "First Nations need housing and our government needs that revenue. And theres a lot of promises and a lot of work to do with the poorest of the poor in our country," he said. "Mr. (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau has said many times, we need that revenue to help the Indigenous people and Indigenous communities. John Woods / The Canadian PressDerek Johnson, Supervisor/operator for Enbridge loads pipe at a storage facility just west of Morden, Man., Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. A press conference and tour of a Line 3 site for federal, provincial, municipal and indigenous leaders was held at the site. "There is concern. I see it every day, even in my community. But the big picture is as long as its safely done with our elders (watching)... its about revenue for our First Nations in the long run. (That is) the big picture there, and going green somewhere down the line. In the meantime, oil is what weve got and becoming part of this economy is huge for Birdtail Sioux." Geraldine McManus couldnt agree less. On July 11, the two-spirit Dakota woman from Long Plain First Nation set up a prayer camp near Gretna to oppose the pipeline replacement. Alongside a couple of friends and a rotation of daily visitors, shes parked her van and tents on a raised dirt road between the Canada-U.S. border and is literally taking back the land that belongs to her ancestors. "We dont all agree and I think that we need to take this opportunity to say to all Manitobans, this is going to affect us all, all the way up to Lake Winnipeg, the Red River, aquifers, our land," she said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "It all is in relation to us having to reconcile our differences and come together and agree on something very important." McManus isnt sure what will happen once Enbridges construction crews get close to her camp, dubbed Spirit of the Buffalo. Still, the former Standing Rock water protector, who was one of about 10,000 people who resisted building of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota, wont pack it in just yet. "Prayers are going to be harder and more tobacco going down the closer (crews) get," she said. "This is extremely important. Were getting to a place in humanity where if we dont start to try and protect Mother Earth a little bit more, were heading into disaster." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @_jessbu The rough and tumble of a municipal election campaign is not where youd expect to find a Hindu holy man, but thats exactly where Venkat Machiraju wants to be. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1169 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The rough and tumble of a municipal election campaign is not where youd expect to find a Hindu holy man, but thats exactly where Venkat Machiraju wants to be. The longtime priest at St. Annes Road Hindu Temple recently registered his campaign for the mayoralty. Machiraju, 52, said he can use his experience as a cleric to get things done at city hall. "In the temple, too, there is some level of politics but I think by being a soft voice you are heard more and you can make more friends," Machiraju said. "I have a lot of people in the community behind me because I talk very nice to everyone. You have to be tough sometimes, but you dont have to be rude." Machiraju is originally from India, where he studied mechanical engineering at university and worked in the profession for a few years before becoming a Hindu priest. He immigrated to Canada 22 years ago, he said, working first as a priest at a temple in Regina for seven years, and then here in Winnipeg for the past 13. He has four children three daughters and a son between the ages of 12 and 20. He and his wife are currently separated. Venkat Machiraju, known as Pundit Venkat, is the longtime priest at St. Annes Road Hindu Temple. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Machiraju said becoming a priest was a natural transition for him, as he had been interested in spiritual matters since childhood. "I always cared for peoples well-being and always tried to help people. I see the job as mayor as always trying to help people." As of the end of business Friday, there were eight candidates registered to challenge Brian Bowman for the mayors job on Oct. 24. 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. Machiraju said hes known in the local Hindu community as Pundit Venkat, which he said is the Hindu equivalent of Rev. Venkat, and hell be identifying himself that way for the campaign. His campaign website can be found at www.punditvenkatformayor.ca Despite being a man of faith, Machirajus campaign skips over social issues and focuses on dollars and cents; he says the city must complete the inner-ring road and expand its capacity to shorten commute times, reduce property taxes, encourage development and eliminate the impact levy and reform the public-tendering process. "My job is always to make sure I listen to peoples problems and do my best to solve them. Its not just faith alone, they have day-to-day life to deal with and a lot of that involves finances." Machiraju said his main goal when elected will be to convince Ottawa and the provincial government to allocate a greater share of the gasoline taxes to the city ($36 million in 2017), which would allow council to reduce property taxes. He estimates the two levels of government collect about $1.2 million in gas tax from Winnipeg motorists every day, explaining if city hall got all of those funds it would be more than enough to continue the record pace on street improvements and finance the completion of the inner-ring road. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Two Manitoba women face years in prison in the United States after being allegedly found with almost 40 kilograms of cocaine in South Dakota. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Two Manitoba women face years in prison in the United States after being allegedly found with almost 40 kilograms of cocaine in South Dakota. Brittany Babiuk, 26, and Bethlehem Halle Shah, 20, were charged last week with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Babiuk is listed as living in rural Manitoba while Shah is from Winnipeg. According to an affidavit by the arresting officer of both women, which was filed in Circuit Court in the Fourth Judicial District in South Dakota's Lawrence County, Babiuk was pulled over on Aug. 1. Special Agent Steve Ardis said State Highway Patrolman Stuart Griffith had spotted an eastbound vehicle driving 86 miles per hour in a 75 zone and cutting off another vehicle without signalling on Interstate 90. Ardis said when Griffith pulled the vehicle over, he saw a "extremely nervous" Babiuk and escorted her to his cruiser. While in it, the officer noticed the smell of marijuana and Babiuk told him she had a small amount she was bringing from Los Angeles and she would get it for him. Instead, the officer deployed his police service dog to the vehicle and, after the dog indicated drugs were there, he conducted a search, finding a suitcase filled with wrapped one-kilogram packages which were later confirmed as being cocaine. The officer handcuffed Babiuk, who said it was not her suitcase. 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. After the officer read Babiuk her rights, she agreed to speak and told the officer she had agreed to transport the cocaine from Los Angeles to Fargo to give to Shah in return for $10,000 in cash plus expenses. While investigating, officers confirmed, by listening to a phone conversation, that Shah was aware of the cocaine in the suitcase and would come to South Dakota to help Babiuk transport and deliver the drug. Ardis said a meeting was set up for Babiuk and Shah in Spearfish, South Dakota, on Aug. 2, at about 3:57 p.m., and when Shah arrived both women were arrested and later charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The charge carries the possibility of a prison term of several years. The two women are in custody and expected to have their trial in October. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Were aware of the incidents, and we know who is doing it, Arlington Heights Police Cmdr. Richard Sperando said on Friday . It is someone who is currently facing a felony case, so we will not be commenting on his identity right now. Drugs especially methamphetamine were behind the trigger of five firearm incidents in 24 hours in Winnipeg this week. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1169 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Drugs especially methamphetamine were behind the trigger of five firearm incidents in 24 hours in Winnipeg this week. "I think whats critical here is to point out in that in each and every one of these incidents, we believe that drugs were somehow underlying, or the basis, of the incident," Winnipeg Police spokesman Const. Rob Carver said on Friday. "And in every incident, what started with drugs ended up with firearms. We have people who were robbed, people who were shot, guns were pointed at people." Crimes in Winnipeg in a 24-hour period included: 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 14, two women with a rifle robbed a grocery store in a West Alexander neighbourhood; 11:20 p.m. on Aug. 14, a woman robbed a grocery store in Weston armed with a handgun; 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 15, a man high on meth walked into a Centennial neighbourhood restaurant with a loaded sawed-off shotgun; 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 15, a woman armed with a handgun robbed the same Weston grocery store listed above; 11:25 p.m. on Aug. 15, a 16-year-old boy was robbed by two suspects, one armed with a firearm and the other with a knife. Carver said meth was likely the drug of choice for these criminals: "This is just a 24-hours snapshot and this is what we are facing on a daily basis." Dr. Ginette Poulin, medical director of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM), backs up Carvers concerns. Poulin said when someone is addicted to crystal methamphetamine, "it kind of puts different chemicals in the brain into overdrive." "Its like food, clothes, normal pleasures for eating pizza, have no comparison. The brain needs to continue feeding it and it unfortunately can lead to violence and theft to get that substance to keep that brain going." Poulin said the fact that meth is cheaper than opioids or cocaine makes it a pressing problem for police and the public. "Its very highly addictive and persons have a lot of access to it right now." But Poulin said currently more people are coming to AFM for alcohol problems if they are an adult, and cannabis if they are a youth. Meanwhile, Jeremy Davis, a spokesman for Mayor Brian Bowman, said the mayor is "very concerned about the recent gun-related crimes in Winnipeg. "He supports the federal governments commitment to review regulations around the purchase and possession of firearms." But Davis said while Bowman knows Torontos city council has recently passed a motion to ask the federal government to ban handgun sales in the city and for the province to stop the sale of handgun ammunition there, he believes its best to leave the matter with the federal government "to ensure one set of rules applies equally across the country. "To legally own a handgun, in particular, is already very heavily regulated and restricted and whats required is a thoughtful review and consideration of how existing regulations can be strengthened." Davis also noted Bowman has previously called for an urgent need to put more resources into mental health and addictions treatment. Carver also said there was a sixth shooting incident, in which a man was taken to hospital in critical condition after being shot early on Aug. 16, but he had no other details and this one was just outside the 24-hour window. 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. For each of these incidents, Carver said, extra police resources are tied up with each call, as at least one other unit comes to serve as backup and help out. None of the incidents has been linked by police yet, but three people have been arrested, while four others are being sought. Carver said he wanted to make sure the public knows what police are facing every day now. "The message is this city is facing a lot of crime fuelled by drugs and methamphetamine," Carver said. "Those drugs, and the meth, lead to people bringing guns and a level of violence we havent seen. And that the draw on police resources is enormous." kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca What does reconciliation look like? Its a question that gets asked a lot. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1169 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion What does reconciliation look like? Its a question that gets asked a lot. Reconciliation is not here yet, but in columns published last week, I tried to show two small examples. The first piece, published a week ago, was about the removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald statue from the steps of city hall in Victoria. After entering a dialogue with two local Coast Salish First Nations on how to create a healthy, shared space, the City of Victoria heard that they couldnt participate meaningfully with an image of Macdonald greeting them every time they arrived. Its like asking someone who experienced violence to talk about it while looking at a picture of the person responsible for that violence. So, the city removed the monument. They didnt destroy it, they put it into storage. Many have decried the action. Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna called for a more "thoughtful way" to "address concerns with certain people in our history." "You cant erase history," McKenna said. Nothing about this removal "erased" Macdonald from history. For anyone worried about this, I suggest going to any tourist store in Ottawa and buying a Macdonald keychain for a dollar. Or, you could ride a train or read a textbook. The first prime minister of Canadas legacy is cemented. We live it every day. Removing Macdonalds statue was about fostering a space where people can talk and make some decisions together. Its not about "sorry" or "revenge" or "denying" anything. Its about creating a community. This is an uncomfortable and imperfect path, but one built by principles of inclusivity, compromise, and empathy. The real question might be why it took so long for this space of reconciliation to happen. The second column appeared Tuesday and featured Metis artist Kenneth Lavallees Star Blanket mural on the four sides of the Helen Betty Osborne Centre, which is on the campus of the University of Winnipeg. Created to honour murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, the mural is being unveiled Saturday. The Star Blanket project is evidence of citizens committing themselves to each other. Like the work inside the building where people can learn a language, develop job skills, or take a class the outside is adorned by a bright morning star and an image of hope. This kind of space didnt exist when I was a student at the University of Winnipeg, and its inspiring to see it now. I now wonder how many students, teachers, or professors will be wrapped in this Star Blanket and go on to influence hundreds of thousands throughout Winnipeg, Manitoba, and even Canada. No one decried the "erasure" of the previous mural on the building, which had become faded and neglected. History wasnt forgotten and no "sorry" was necessary. The project shows how a university, artists, and citizens are building a space together. It recognizes the achievements of the Helen Betty Osborne Centre, but far more importantly, encourages the hard work there to continue. The Star Blanket project is about creating a community. This is an uncomfortable and imperfect path, but one built by principles of inclusivity, compromise, and empathy. And here, in these two small examples, we see reconciliation in action. Reconciliation has become a buzz word, a word thrown around often until it loses meaning. Its become something used to mean everything from pipelines to promises. So I hesitate to call anything reconciliation. The term brings a lot of messy, heavy baggage. Well call that truth. Multi-layered, often messy, and always complex. Truth always complicates things. Its the hard stuff people sometimes feel fearful to share or hear, but it always comes out, eventually. Reconciliation is the action that comes from truth. Its the real work. Thats why treaty acknowledgements are important but how people act as a result of participating in them is what really matters. This is why its vital that workplaces talk about policies such as the Indian Act, but this means nothing unless employees examine how to change their practices and policies as a result. This is also why Winnipeg cant claim to be a city about reconciliation unless we include Indigenous peoples into the economic and administrative life of our city. Urban reserves are a start, but not the end of this. Reconciliation is about the hard work of sharing. It's about resources, time, space and land. This means commitment to change, in all its complicatedness. Canadas not used to this with Indigenous peoples. Taking space has been the Canadian way and taking without questions. When Indigenous peoples resist, force is used. In Macdonalds time, it was a Gatling gun on civilians. Then, he used treaties to starve people and move them onto unsuitable land. After, he enforced policies that entrenched debilitating legacies of poverty we can see into today. None of this means Macdonald didnt do some good things, its just he was the architect of a brutal, unrelenting genocide. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The most remarkable thing is that Indigenous peoples are simply asking that his likeness to be set aside when we talk about a future. Not destroyed, not erased, just set aside so we all can do some real work: the work of community. To change Canada, we have to change the spaces where we live, work, and grow, the city halls, the centres, the communities. We have to re-create them. Wrap them in hope. Empower them to continue. We can see this in some spaces; in others, we are still waiting. But this is what reconciliation looks like. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe and is a columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press. OTTAWA If you search Candice Bergens name on Twitter, youll find praise, questions and promotions for the Hollywood actor. The only problem is that most of these tweets are tagged for a Manitoba MP. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA If you search Candice Bergens name on Twitter, youll find praise, questions and promotions for the Hollywood actor. The only problem is that most of these tweets are tagged for a Manitoba MP. Bergen, the Conservative MP for Portage-Lisgar, was born just years before the actors Hollywood debut, to a humble family with Mennonite roots. "We didnt go to movies. We didnt have a TV until I was probably nine or 10. I didnt understand all this kerfuffle about Candice Bergen because that was my name," she said, recalling the occasional quip that was made while she was in her 20s. In 2000, Bergen married and took the name Hoeppner. Thats the name she had when she was elected MP for Portage-Lisgar. She separated from her husband and reverted to her maiden name in late 2012. "There were a few Murphy Brown jokes and Im like, Ha ha, thats original; never heard that one before," she said, dryly, in reference to the actors sitcom, which aired from 1988 to 1998. On Twitter, the MP would occasionally be tagged in posts from publicists or gossip magazines. In January, the CBS network announced it was reviving Murphy Brown after a 20-year hiatus. "Thats when it really kicked into high gear," the MP said. Actor Candice Bergen The actor doesnt have her own Twitter account, while the MP has 26,200 followers, making her the most popular person with that name on the social network. The mix-up has happened so many times that at one point, tagging the other three main actors from the film Book Club would automatically prompt a suggestion to include the MPs Twitter account. Bergen, who watched that film on a plane recently, called it "kind of funny." 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. Shes reluctant to complain, and only discussed the topic during an interview about tariffs and parliamentary protocol. "Its on Twitter. There are worse problems to have." Still, she admits its a constant occurrence when she goes on Twitter to vent about the Liberal government or see what her constituents are up to. "Twitter was pushing it, and that was annoying." The Free Press emailed the actors publicist earlier this week, but received no reply. The mix-up has had its advantages. Riverdale actor Luke Perry accidentally tagged the MP in a tweet two years ago. She replied that hed tagged the wrong one. "Close enough," he replied, and then followed her giving her a direct line to message his smartphone. "Id like to think were friends," she laughed. "And now, he can brag that he has direct access to Candice Bergen of course the member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, the best riding in the entire country." dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca A national statutory holiday to recognize the history of Indian residential schools not only has support in Manitoba, it has roots here. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A national statutory holiday to recognize the history of Indian residential schools not only has support in Manitoba, it has roots here. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau moved forward with statements in Quebec about Ottawas plans for a new national day of reconciliation, Indigenous leaders and advocates in Manitoba recalled how this province laid important cornerstones for it. Melissa Tait / Winnipeg Free Press Files Maeengan Linklaters push for a residential school memorial day in 2015 was a predecessor to the current push for a national statutory holiday. Manitoba First Nations were among the Indigenous leaders who backed a national day of reconciliation to commemorate the dark chapter of residential schools when the national Assembly of First Nations formally endorsed a Winnipeg MPs private members bill for it in 2016. The day will be aimed at remembering the legacy of residential schools and reflecting on a path toward reconciliation, Trudeau said in Saint-Eustache, Que., Thursday. Ottawa plans to use an opposition bill to make it happen. NDP MP Georgina Jolibois introduced a private members bill that proposes establishing a statutory holiday on June 21, which currently recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day. Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand said the Manitoba Metis support a statutory holiday, provided the provinces and territories support the federal government and also declare it. Provinces would have to amend their labour codes for the day to be considered a statutory holiday beyond the authority of the federal civil service, something the Manitoba government wasnt prepared to comment on until legislation is tabled in Ottawa. "In regards to the federal announcement, we will address this issue if and when the federal government proceeds," a provincial spokeswoman said by email Thursday. Outside the provincial corridors of power, the concept goes back decades in Indigenous circles here. Chartrand said hed favour setting aside June 21, the National Indigenous Peoples Day, as the date for a new national holiday that people and governments could plan on year after year. "June 21 is a date Canadians have accepted already and it should be something like Reconciliation Day, not just for one event, or to showcase First Nations, Inuit or Metis cultures," the Manitoba Metis leader said. "Theres an exchange coming, with more and more cultures moving to Canada, so this would be a date where everyone can get to know who Indigenous people are, what happened to us and why Indigenous people still find themselves living in Third World conditions," Chartrand said. The current incarnation of the bill Ottawa proposes to use is not unlike the one Liberal Winnipeg Centre MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette introduced two years earlier. It was a Manitoba initiative. Manitoba Indigenous community volunteer and writer Maeengan Linklater drafted the bill initially with the provincial legislature in mind. It echoed the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) call to action and exhaustively researched the links between residential schools and the genocide against Canadas Indigenous people. The community volunteer delivered it to the three political parties at the provincial legislature June 5, 2015. Linklater then redrafted the Manitoba Indian Residential Schools Genocide and Reconciliation Memorial Day Act, working with Ouellette who introduced it as a private members bill Oct. 31, 2016. The bill by Jolibois builds on the earlier efforts, Linklater said Thursday. "If the federal government is going to present this, its an opportunity to commemorate and reflect on the Indian residential school system. "Thats an opportunity for reconciliation and to make people remember and acknowledge this is Canadas past," Linklater said. On a more personal level, Linklater said the day would also be a way to acknowledge Indigenous families and give them a day to celebrate their lives together. The Indigenous leader credited as the architect for the billion-dollar court-ordered residential school settlement that established the TRC is former national chief Phil Fontaine from Sagkeeng First Nation, located 120 kilometres north of Winnipeg. 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. Also from Manitoba is the lead commissioner for the TRC, which made the statutory day an official call to action former judge and current Sen. Murray Sinclair. The other obvious provincial link is the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which is based at the University of Manitoba. Ryan Moran, the centres director, applauded the federal call in an email Thursday. "We are pleased to see the federal government moving ahead on this call to action. Each and every call to action is important, this particular one is critically important in terms of remembering and honouring the children and the families that were affected," Moran said. "It will give us a national opportunity to reflect on the harms done and the path of healing moving forward," he said. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca After just two months of living in Winnipeg, Syrian refugee Hasan Alkhalaf said this place is like paradise. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After just two months of living in Winnipeg, Syrian refugee Hasan Alkhalaf said this place is like "paradise." He, his wife and four of their children have a safe place to live. Nobody confronts them and demands to see their papers. The former farmer and commercial fisher from Raqqa has an anglers licence and loves to fish at Lockport. Their kids will soon start school and he and his wife are preparing for English classes. Theyve got everything they need except peace of mind. Their adult son, who is still in Lebanon, where the family fled from Syria, has just been told he will have to leave for the front lines of the war in Syria in less than six months. "I love him so much hes my son," an emotional Alkhalaf said of his son Mohammed, who is married with a 10-month-old daughter. Through an interpreter, the father talked about how young Syrian men who took refuge in Lebanon are being used as cannon fodder in a losing war against Syrias Assad regime. "Its very, very hard," said Mohammeds mother, Amina Al Issa, who hasnt slept much since they found out about their son last week. Her family has survived a lot. Until a few years ago, they had a simple, happy life in Syria before the war broke out and fighting moved closer to them. "When ISIS came, I took my family and went away," Alkhalaf said. "I expected to come back." They made it to Lebanon with their four younger children and three older children, including Mohammed and his two older sisters, who are also married now with kids of their own. They were all living in a refugee camp when the middle-aged couple was offered refugee protection in Canada for themselves and their four children under 18. Theyre very glad they accepted the invitation to Canada. "People are very kind," Al Issa said. She knows her four youngest sons twins aged 17, a nine-year-old and a five-year-old will be OK and so will her grown daughters with their families in Lebanon. But the woman with seven kids has a sick feeling about her eldest son being sent back to Syria. She shared that gut feeling with a friendly Canadian woman she met at a community event in St. Boniface last week. Her new-found friend, who did not want to be identified, told her that the only way they could bring their eldest son and his family to Canada was for a group called a Group of Five to sponsor them. Someone with a lot of experience with privately sponsored refugees and Group of Five applications said it requires a commitment of money and time. "Its five people who are all permanent residents or Canadian citizens, and between them they have to pledge enough money to sponsor them for one full year," said Karin Gordon, settlement director at Hospitality House Refugee Ministry. It requires more than money, Gordon said. The group finds and furnishes a home for the family, gets them winter wear and things like health cards. "It includes a lot of running around," she said. Gordon said Mohammeds parents are not alone in asking for refugee sponsorship. Hospitality House has been overwhelmed with pleas from refugees whom they cant help because the federal government is allowing so few private sponsorships. 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. "We have to send out these heartbreaking letters of refusal to four or five new email inquiries every day," Gordon said. She said the government "closed the door" on private sponsorships and "opened a window" in allowing Group of Five sponsorships. In Winnipeg, theres still interest in helping sponsor refugees for now, Gordon said. "Theres still lots of people who want to help, but the public attitude is souring much more than it was four years ago," she said. She thinks the "souring" began with the election of U.S. President Donald Trump and his anti-refugee rhetoric pushing asylum seekers in the U.S. to cross into Canada. Having lived only two months in Canada, Mohammeds Syrian mom doesnt know anyone with time or money to form a Group of Five to sponsor her son and his family. Aside from worrying and praying, Al Issa doesnt know what to do but ask for help. "I want someone to help me see my son." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Since coming to power in 2016, Manitobas Progressive Conservative government has moved to privatize a number of services, including home care, road and bridge maintenance and public housing. The target of the governments most recent privatization is Manitoba Government Air Services, which includes its air firefighting fleet, air ambulance and general transport services for Manitoba Hydro and other government entities. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Since coming to power in 2016, Manitobas Progressive Conservative government has moved to privatize a number of services, including home care, road and bridge maintenance and public housing. The target of the governments most recent privatization is Manitoba Government Air Services, which includes its air firefighting fleet, air ambulance and general transport services for Manitoba Hydro and other government entities. This isnt the first time the government has looked at privatizing parts of the air service. In 1992, a task force under the Filmon government examined contracting out emergency air ambulance service but chose to keep it a public service. For the current minister in charge of air services, exploring privatization is about cost savings, or "smart shopping." However, the minister has made a strong commitment to ensuring that the quality of these life-saving services is the same as or better than the current public model before signing a deal with a private firm. In a recent study conducted for the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, we examine the potential effect of privatization on these essential services. Our research shows that the government will be hard-pressed to achieve cost savings without compromising the high standard of service. Challenges around service quality, working conditions and responsiveness often arise when the government gives up control over these types of services. The ongoing costs of privatization can also be very high and will require the government to develop new ways to monitor and regulate for-profit private companies and ensure public needs and expectations are met. Our analysis reveals that privatization would likely negatively impact patient care. If services are privatized, the emergency air ambulance jet service for many remote communities would likely be replaced with more rudimentary, slower turboprop aircraft, leading to compromised service. This would mean a patient being transported from a remote community would take up to two hours longer to get to Winnipeg in a slower, more turbulent and noisy aircraft. This time is critical when treating seriously ill patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack or other life-threatening condition. The governments request for proposals also sets pilot qualification requirements well below those of current government pilots. These pilots are highly experienced, have developed innovative new technologies, and train pilots from other provinces and countries. This high standard for training and experience has led to Manitoba having a near-perfect safety record with no serious injuries or fatalities. The decision to lease out the air firefighting fleet to a private company also raises questions of protection outside of Manitobas forest fire season. These risks raise the question as to why the province is proceeding with this proposal to privatize a service that has served Manitobans well. The province already has a model that builds on the strengths of both public and private delivery. Private companies provide mostly non-emergency flights, with the government mostly providing more specialized and technically challenging services. This allows the government to tap into existing networks for more basic service, while directly delivering critical-care air ambulances and fire suppression. It is in these areas where cost-effective, high-quality service is more challenging to obtain from private companies. Unfortunately, due to austerity measures and the resulting staff vacancies at government air services, Manitoba is already relying more and more on these costly private replacements. 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. In the end, privatization of these services is a risky proposition, especially given that the current model appears to be a balanced approach and is performing well. The minister himself has said they are getting "very good service right now" and that they are just being smart shoppers. Unfortunately for the minister and Manitobans, "shopping around" does have costs. The governments "shopping around" has required the hiring of external privatization consultants and has been blamed for worsening staff shortages and more government aircraft being grounded. It is undermining the provinces main competitive advantage: a dedicated workforce that we found is proud to serve in the public interest safeguarding Manitobans. While it is not too late to reverse course and adequately staff the public model, privatization once completed will be very difficult to undo, if things do not go as planned. This should also weigh heavily in the governments final decision. Jesse Hajer teaches economics and labour studies and Jennifer Keith is a PhD candidate with the native studies department at the University of Manitoba. Both are members of Breakwater Group, a consulting co-operative focusing on public policy research and project management based in Winnipeg. To be treated by a massage therapist is to make ourselves vulnerable. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 17/8/2018 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion To be treated by a massage therapist is to make ourselves vulnerable. The reason we seek such therapy is usually that were in physical discomfort, even pain. And we often dont know the therapist whom we permit to touch and rub our bodies. In Manitoba, we dont even necessarily know whether the person is actually a qualified massage therapist. They could be a quack. "Its the Wild West out there, anyone in Manitoba can call themselves a massage therapist," said Tricia Weidenbacher, managing director of the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba, the largest of five massage associations in the province. The issue of regulation or the lack thereof rose to prominence in a Winnipeg courtroom this week with the conviction of a Manitoba man in a case that bears disturbing parallels to the crimes of Dr. Larry Nassar, who was the U.S. national gymnastics team doctor when he abused girls and women under the guise of invasive medical exams, including ungloved digital penetration. The Winnipeg court heard Kenneth Wall of Blumenort offered a procedure that he called "inguinal massage," a term the judge said he may have coined himself. It included massaging the breasts and vaginas of female clients. He called it a therapeutic massage. Seven of his female clients called it sexual assault and reported him to police. During the trial, women testified Wall didnt properly explain his technique, never used the words breast or vagina, and didnt get their consent. Walls professional training consisted of one instructional session a week for a year in 2010, the court heard. He remains on bail awaiting sentencing. A reason Wall was able to sexually assault women who came to him for help was that, in Manitoba, massage therapy is not a regulated profession. He didnt have to be accredited. He didnt have to meet a minimum level of professional training. He wasnt responsible to a professional body to which his victims could complain. The alarming truth is that, as it currently stands, anyone in Manitoba can hang out a shingle calling themselves a massage therapist and tell trusting clients to disrobe and lie on the table. It doesnt work that way in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick or Newfoundland and Labrador. These provinces have regulated their massage therapists, which has given a measure of professionalism to legitimate therapists and given clients added reassurance that their therapist is an adept professional, not a creep. In Manitoba, an effort to regulate the profession has been underway for years. When representatives of the industry last met with former health minister Kelvin Goertzen in January, they confirmed massage therapy will be regulated, but based on government resources, this likely wont happen until 2020-21, Weidenbacher said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The regulation will be accomplished under the Regulated Health Professions Act, which came into force in Manitoba in 2014 and will eventually replace the current acts of 22 health professions. The admirable goal is that all health professions in Manitoba will eventually be governed by consistent legislation with a focus on patient safety. The reason for the delay in bringing massage therapists into the fold is that, because the process entails a vast amount of bureaucratic work, only two or three professions are being admitted into the law each year. Paramedics were the latest entry, gaining accreditation in June. In the queue to get into the law, massage therapy is in line behind at least five other professions: psychiatric nursing, licensed practical nursing, psychology, physiotherapy and medical laboratory technicians. The other professions ahead of massage therapy already have regulatory bodies that maintain educational standards and offer a governing body to hear the concerns of patients and discipline practitioners as needed. Theyre just being brought into the law for the purpose of uniformity. The difference with massage therapy, and the reason it should be brought into the law ahead of other professions, is that it currently has no regulatory body. Among health professions in Manitoba, it is alone in not having safeguards that ensure practitioners are qualified and act ethically. There can be no reversing the sexual assaults against the women who trusted Wall because he called himself a massage therapist. But it might be some consolation if their suffering highlights the need for the province to put a priority on regulating massage therapy. Its crucial to stop quacks from taking advantage of patients. Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board. 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The Education Technology, Services and Payment Processing segment provides products and services to help students and families manage the payment of education costs at all levels, as well as school information system software for private and faith-based schools that help schools automate administrative processes such as admissions, scheduling, student billing, attendance, and grade book management. The Communications segment is the operation of Allo Communications LLC which provides pure optic service to homes and businesses for internet, broadband, television, and telephone services. Th Read More 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. China Mobile Limited provides mobile telecommunications and related services in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The company offers local calls; domestic and international long distance calls and roaming services; and value-added services, such as caller identity display, call waiting, conference calls, and others. It also provides wireless Internet service, as well as digital applications comprising music, video, reading, gaming, and animation; wireline broadband services; and wireline voice services. In addition, it offers dedicated line and IDC services to corporate customers in a range of industry sectors; and basic corporate communication products comprising corporate VPMN and SMS, and tailor made solutions. Further, the company provides international telecommunications services, which includes IDD, roaming, Internet, MNC, and value added business services. Additionally, it offers telecommunications network planning, design, and consulting services; roaming clearance, IT system operation, and technology support services; value-added platform development and maintenance services; mobile data, and system integration and development services; network construction and maintenance, network planning and optimizing, and training services; electronic communication products design and sale of related products; and non-banking financial services. It also provides mobile cloud research and development services; call center services; e-payment, e-commerce, and Internet finance services; and mobile Internet digital content services, as well as operates a network and business coordination center. The company serves 950 million mobile customers and 187 million wireline broadband customers. The company was formerly known as China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and changed its name to China Mobile Limited in May 2006. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. China Mobile Limited is a subsidiary of China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited. Read More Wall Street analysts have given HighPoint Resources a "Sell" 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 HighPoint Resources 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 Short Maturity 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 BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. It wasnt just the familiarity Weaver had with the building and the people, she said, or the fact that she had been a longtime volunteer. It was also that so many of the staff seem to just love their jobs. MAXIMUS, Inc. engages in the operation of government and human services programs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Services; U.S. Federal Services; and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers a variety of business process services, and appeals and assessments for state, provincial and national government programs. The U.S. Federal Services segment includes process solutions, program management, as well as system and software development, and maintenance services for various United States federal civilian programs. The Outside the U.S segment comprises of national, state, and county human services agencies with a variety of business process services, and related consulting services for welfare-to-work, child support, higher education institutions, and other human services programs. The company was founded by David V. Mastran in 1975 and is headquartered in Reston, VA. Read More Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Quaker Chemical: AC Products Inc., Applied Surface Concepts Holdings Ltd. , Binol AB, Binol Biosafe OY, Commonwealth Oil Corporation, DA Stuart India Private Limited, DA Stuart Shanghai Co, ECLI Products LLC, EFHCO LLC, Engineered Custom Lubricants, Engineered Custom Lubricants GmbH, Epmar Corporation, G.W. Smith and Sons, GH Holdings Inc., GHG Lubricants Holdings Limited, GHGL London Ltd., GHI Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Global Houghton Ltd., Houghton (Shanghai) Specialty Industrial Fluids Co. Ltd, Houghton Argentina S.A., Houghton Asia Pacific Co. Limited, Houghton Australia Pty. Ltd., Houghton Benelux BV, Houghton CZ s.r.o, Houghton Canada Inc., Houghton Denmark AS, Houghton Deutschland GmbH, Houghton Europe BV, Houghton Holdings Limited, Houghton Iberica S.A. , Houghton International, Houghton International Inc., Houghton Italia S.p.A., Houghton Japan Co. Ltd., Houghton Kimya Sanayi AS, Houghton Magyarorszag Kft, Houghton Mexico S.A. de C.V., Houghton Oil (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Houghton Polska Sp. Zo.o., Houghton Romania S.R.L., Houghton S.A.S., Houghton Sverige AB, Houghton Taiwan Co. Limited, Houghton Technical Corp., Houghton Ukraine ToV, Houghton do Brazil Ltda., Houghton plc, Internationale Metall Impragnier GmbH, Lubricor Inc, Lubricor Inc., Lubricor Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Lubricor USA Inc., MIH Acquisition Company LLC, MX Systems International Ltd, Maldaner GmbH, NP Coil Dexter Industries, New Houghton Brazil Inc., Norman Hay Engineering Ltd., QH Chemical Limited, QH Europe BV, QH Holdings Limited, QH International Limited, Quaker (Thailand) Ltd., Quaker Australia Holdings Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical B.V., Quaker Chemical CV, Quaker Chemical Canada Holdings Inc., Quaker Chemical Canada Limited, Quaker Chemical Europe B.V., Quaker Chemical Holdings South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quaker Chemical India Private Limited, Quaker Chemical Industria e Comercio Ltda., Quaker Chemical Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical Limited, Quaker Chemical MEA FZE, Quaker Chemical Operacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical Participacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical S.A., Quaker Chemical S.r.l., Quaker Chemical Services EURL, Quaker Chemical South Africa (Pty.) Limited, Quaker China Holdings B.V., Quaker Denmark ApS, Quaker Houghton (Finco) Ltd., Quaker Houghton Holdings Limited, Quaker Houghton Holdings Ltd., Quaker Houghton International LP, Quaker Houghton Ltd., Quaker International Holdings LLC, Quaker Italia S.r.l., Quaker Russia B.V., Quaker Sales Europe BV, Quaker Shanghai Trading Company Limited, Quaker Spain Holding SLU, Quaker Specialty Chemicals (UK) Limited, SB Decking Inc., SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts (UK) Ltd, SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts LLC, SIFCO Concepts Sarl, SIFCO Concepts Sweden, Sterr & Eder Industrieservice GmbH, Summit Lubricants Inc, Summit Lubricants Inc., Surface Technology (Coventry) Ltd, Surface Technology (Dalian) Co Ltd, Surface Technology (East Kilbride) Ltd., Surface Technology (Leeds) Ltd, Surface Technology Aberdeen Ltd, Surface Technology Australia, Surface Technology Holdings Ltd., TecniQuimia Mexicana, Tecniquimia Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Thai Houghton 1993 Co. Ltd., Ultraseal Asia Limited, Ultraseal Chongqing Limited, Ultraseal Germany GmbH, Ultraseal International Group Ltd, Ultraseal Machinery Dongguan Ltd, Ultraseal Shanghai Limited, Ultraseal USA Inc., Unitek Servicios De Asesoria Especializad S.A de C.V., Verkol S.A.U., Verkol SAU, Wallover Enterprises Inc., Wallover Oil Company Incorporated, Wallover Oil Hamilton Inc., and Wuhan Quaker Technology Co. Ltd. Sanchez Energy Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of U.S. onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources. It engages in the horizontal development of resources from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. It also holds an undeveloped acreage position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) in Mississippi and Louisiana. As of December 31, 2017, the company had assembled approximately 285,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale; and owned approximately 37,000 net acres in the TMS. Sanchez Energy Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More When Lansing police arrived at the scene, Mason let Brunson up from the ground and told his colleagues he did not wish to press charges against the teens for trespassing, reports show. He told the responding officers that hed detained the teens because he thought they might have been committing burglaries in the area since both had backpacks and Brunsons friends backpack contained a BB gun, according to reports. The following companies are subsidiares of Caterpillar: Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems LLC, Anchor Coupling Inc., Asia Power Systems (Tianjin) Ltd., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd., Banco Caterpillar S.A., Berg Propulsion International Pte Ltd., Bucyrus, Bucyrus Australia Surface Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Holdings Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Limited, Bucyrus International (Chile) Limitada, Bucyrus International (Peru) S.A., Bucyrus Mining Australia Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Mining China LLC, Bucyrus UK Limited, Cat Rental Kyushu LLC, Caterpillar (Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar (China) Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Machinery Components Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (HK) Limited, Caterpillar (Huainan) Machinery Service Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Langfang) Mining Equipment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Luxembourg) Investment Co. S.a r.l., Caterpillar (NI) Limited, Caterpillar (Newberry) LLC, Caterpillar (Qingzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Logistics Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar (U.K.) Limited, Caterpillar (Wujiang) Ltd., Caterpillar (Xuzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Zhengzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar Acquisition Holding Corp., Caterpillar Americas C.V., Caterpillar Americas Co., Caterpillar Americas Funding Inc., Caterpillar Americas Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Asia Limited, Caterpillar Asia Pacific L.P., Caterpillar Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Asset Intelligence LLC, Caterpillar Belgium S.A., Caterpillar Brasil Comercio de Maquinas e Pecas Ltda., Caterpillar Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Brazil LLC, Caterpillar Castings Kiel GmbH, Caterpillar Centro de Formacion S.L., Caterpillar China Limited, Caterpillar Commercial Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Commercial LLC, Caterpillar Commercial Northern Europe Limited, Caterpillar Commercial S.A., Caterpillar Commercial S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Commercial Services S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Communications LLC, Caterpillar Corporativo Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Cote DIvoire, Caterpillar Credito S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., Caterpillar DC Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Digital Services & Solutions SARL, Caterpillar Distribution International LLC, Caterpillar Distribution Services Europe B.V.B.A., Caterpillar East Real Estate Holding Ltd., Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH, Caterpillar Energy Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions S.A., Caterpillar Energy System Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Engine Systems Inc., Caterpillar Equipos Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Eurasia LLC, Caterpillar FS (QFC) LLC, Caterpillar Finance France S.A., Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, Caterpillar Financial Acquisition Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Aftermarket Solutions Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Australia Leasing Pty Limited, Caterpillar Financial Australia Limited, Caterpillar Financial Commercial Account Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Corporacion Financiera S.A. E.F.C., Caterpillar Financial Dealer Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Caterpillar Financial Leasing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial New Zealand Limited, Caterpillar Financial Nordic Services AB, Caterpillar Financial Nova Scotia Corporation, Caterpillar Financial OOO, Caterpillar Financial Receivables Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Renting S.A., Caterpillar Financial SARL, Caterpillar Financial Services (Dubai) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services (Ireland) plc, Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Argentina S.A., Caterpillar Financial Services Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Financial Services CR s.r.o., Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Services GmbH, Caterpillar Financial Services India Private Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Leasing ULC, Caterpillar Financial Services Limited Les Services Financiers Caterpillar Limitee, Caterpillar Financial Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Caterpillar Financial Services Netherlands B.V., Caterpillar Financial Services Norway AS, Caterpillar Financial Services Philippines Inc., Caterpillar Financial Services Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, Caterpillar Financial UK Acquisition Funding Partners, Caterpillar Financial Ukraine LLC, Caterpillar Fluid Systems S.r.l., Caterpillar Fomento Comercial Ltda., Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., Caterpillar France S.A.S., Caterpillar GB L.L.C., Caterpillar Global Investments S.a r.l., Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Equipamentos De Mineracao do Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Expanded Products Pty Ltd, Caterpillar Global Mining Germany Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong AFC Manufacturing Holding Co. Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Global Mining SARL, Caterpillar Global Mining U.S. Parts LLC, Caterpillar Global Services LLC, Caterpillar Group Services S.A., Caterpillar Holding (France) S.A.S., Caterpillar Holding Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Holdings Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Hungary Components Manufacturing Ltd., Caterpillar Hydraulics Italia S.r.l., Caterpillar IPX LLC, Caterpillar IRB LLC, Caterpillar Impact Products Limited, Caterpillar India Private Limited, Caterpillar Industrial Inc., Caterpillar Industrias Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Industries (Pty) Ltd, Caterpillar Insurance Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Insurance Company, Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc., Caterpillar Insurance Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Finance Designated Activity Company, Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg I S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg II S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Product SARL, Caterpillar International Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Services del Peru S.A., Caterpillar Investment Limited, Caterpillar Investment One SARL, Caterpillar Investment Two SARL, Caterpillar Investments, Caterpillar Japan LLC, Caterpillar Latin America Services S.R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Panama S. de R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Servicios de Chile Limitada, Caterpillar Latin America Support Services S. DE R.L., Caterpillar Leasing (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar Leasing Chile S.A., Caterpillar Leasing GmbH (Leipzig), Caterpillar Leasing Operativo Limitada, Caterpillar Life Insurance Company, Caterpillar Logistics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Logistics (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Logistics Inc., Caterpillar Logistics ML Services France S.A.S., Caterpillar Logistics Services China Limited, Caterpillar Luxembourg Group S.ar.l., Caterpillar Luxembourg LLC, Caterpillar Luxembourg S.a r.l., Caterpillar Machinery Nantong Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence, Caterpillar Marine Power UK Limited, Caterpillar Marine Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Maroc SARL, Caterpillar Materiels Routiers SAS, Caterpillar Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Mexico S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Mining Canada ULC, Caterpillar Mining Chile Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Motoren (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Caterpillar Motoren Henstedt-Ulzburg GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Rostock GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Verwaltungs-GmbH, Caterpillar Netherlands Holding B.V., Caterpillar North America C.V., Caterpillar Operator Training Ltd., Caterpillar Overseas Credit Corporation SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Investment Holding SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Limited, Caterpillar Overseas SARL, Caterpillar Panama Services S.A., Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Paving Products Xuzhou Ltd., Caterpillar Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Limited, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems L.L.C., Caterpillar Power Systems Inc., Caterpillar Power Ventures International Ltd., Caterpillar Precision Seals Korea, Caterpillar Prodotti Stradali S.r.l., Caterpillar Product Services Corporation, Caterpillar Propulsion AB, Caterpillar Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Italy S.R.L., Caterpillar Propulsion Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB, Caterpillar Propulsion Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Singapore Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar R&D Center (China) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe LLC, Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe Servicios S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Reman Powertrain Indiana LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Drivetrain LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Renting France S.A.S., Caterpillar Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar SARL, Caterpillar Services Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Servizi Italia Srl, Caterpillar Shrewsbury Limited, Caterpillar Skinningrove Limited, Caterpillar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., Caterpillar Special Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Switchgear Americas LLC, Caterpillar Switchgear Holding Inc., Caterpillar Tianjin Ltd., Caterpillar Torreon S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Tosno L.L.C., Caterpillar Transmissions France S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Tunneling Canada Holdings Ltd., Caterpillar Tunnelling Canada Corporation, Caterpillar Tunnelling Europe Limited, Caterpillar UK Employee Trust Limited, Caterpillar UK Engines Company Limited, Caterpillar UK Group Limited, Caterpillar UK Holdings Limited, Caterpillar Undercarriage (Xuzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Used Equipment Services Inc., Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc., Caterpillar Work Tools B.V., Caterpillar Work Tools Inc., Caterpillar World Trading Corporation, Caterpillar Xuzhou, Caterpillar of Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar of Canada Corporation, Caterpillar of Delaware Inc., Centre de Distribution de Wallonie SPRL, CleanAir Systems, Downer Freight Rail, ECM Railway Evolution Romania s.r.l., ECM S.p.A., EDC European Excavator Design Center GmbH, EMC Holding Corp., EMD International Holdings Inc., ERA Information & Entertainment (BVI) Limited, ERA Mining Machinery Limited, Electro-Motive Diesel Limited, Electro-Motive Locomotive Technologies LLC, Electro-Motive Technical Consulting Co. (Beijing) Ltd., Energy Services International Limited, Equipos de Acuna S.A. de C.V., Eurenov S.A.S., F. G. Wilson (Proprietary) Limited, F. Perkins Limited, FG Wilson (Engineering) Limited, GB Holdco (China) Inc., GFCM Comercial Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., GFCM Servicios S.A. de C.V., Gremada Industries - Assets, Hong Kong Siwei Holdings Limited, Inmobiliaria Conek S.A. de C.V., JCS Co., Kemper Valve & Fittings Corp., Leo Inc., Locomotive Demand Power Pty Ltd., Locomotoras Progress Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Lovat, M2M Data Corporation, MGE Equipamentos & Servicos Ferroviarios, MWM, MWM Austria GmbH, MWM Benelux B.V., MWM Energy Australia Pty Ltd, MWM France S.A.S, MWM Real Estate GmbH, MaK Americas Inc., MaK Americas Inc. (Canada), Magnum Power Products LLC, Marble, Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH, Mec-Track S.r.l., Metalmark Financial Services Limited, Motoren Steffens GmbH, Nippon Caterpillar LLC, P. T. Solar Services Indonesia, PT Caterpillar Finance Indonesia, PT. Bucyrus Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia Batam, PT. Caterpillar Remanufacturing Indonesia, Perkins Engines, Perkins Engines (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, Perkins Engines Group Limited, Perkins Engines Inc., Perkins Group Limited, Perkins Holdings Limited LLC, Perkins India Private Limited, Perkins International Inc., Perkins Japan LLC, Perkins Limited, Perkins Machinery (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Perkins Motores do Brasil Ltda., Perkins Power Systems Technology (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines LLC, Perkins Small Engines Limited, Perkins Technology Inc., Progress Metal Reclamation Company, Progress Rail Arabia Limited Company, Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd, Progress Rail Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Equipamentos e Servicos Ferroviarios do Brasil Ltda., Progress Rail Equipment Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Holdings Inc., Progress Rail Innovations Private Limited, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems GmbH, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems S.r.l., Progress Rail International Corp., Progress Rail Leasing Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Progress Rail Locomotivas (do Brasil) Ltda., Progress Rail Locomotive Canada Co., Progress Rail Locomotive Chile SpA, Progress Rail Locomotive Inc., Progress Rail Maintenance de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Progress Rail Manufacturing Corporation, Progress Rail Raceland Corporation, Progress Rail Rocklin Corporation, Progress Rail SA Proprietary Limited, Progress Rail Services Corporation, Progress Rail Services Holdings Corp., Progress Rail Services LLC, Progress Rail Services UK Limited, Progress Rail Switching Services LLC, Progress Rail Transcanada Corporation, Progress Rail Welding Corporation, Progress Rail Wildwood LLC, Progress Rail de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pyroban Group, Pyroban Group, Pyrrha Investments B.V., Pyrrha Investments Limited, S&L Railroad LLC, SCM Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., SPL Software Alliance LLC, Sabre Engines, Servicios de Turbinas Solar S. de R.L. de C.V., Shandong SEM Machinery Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines (Beijing) Trading Services Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines (Thailand) Ltd., Solar Turbines CIS Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Canada Ltd./Ltee., Solar Turbines Central Asia Limited Liability Partnership, Solar Turbines EAME s.r.o., Solar Turbines Egypt Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Europe S.A., Solar Turbines India Private Limited, Solar Turbines International Company, Solar Turbines Italy S.R.L., Solar Turbines Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Solar Turbines Middle East Limited, Solar Turbines New Zealand Limited, Solar Turbines Saudi Arabia Limited, Solar Turbines Services Company, Solar Turbines Services Nigeria Limited, Solar Turbines Services of Argentina S.R.L., Solar Turbines Switzerland Sagl, Solar Turbines Trinidad & Tobago Limited, Solar Turbines West-Africa SARL, Tangshan DBT Machinery Co. Ltd., Tecnologia Modificada S.A. de C.V., Towmotor Corporation, Traction & Mining Motor Repairs Pty Ltd, Turbinas Solar S.A. de C.V., Turbinas Solar de Colombia S.A., Turbinas Solar de Venezuela C.A., Turbo Tecnologia de Reparaciones S.A. de C.V., Turbomach, Turbomach Endustriyel Gaz Turbinleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited, Turbomach France SARL, Turbomach GmbH, Turbomach Netherlands B.V., Turbomach Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbomach S.A. Unipersonal, Turbomach Sp. Z o.o., Turner Powertrain Systems Limited, UK Hose Assembly Limited, Underground Imaging Technologies Inc, United Industries LLC, VALA Inc., Vasky Energy Ltd., Wealdstone Engineering, Weir - Oil & Gas Division, West Virginia Auto Shredding Inc., Western Gear Machinery LLC, Wetland Sustainability Fund I LLC, Williams Technologies, Yard Club, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Sales Co. Ltd., and okyo Rental Ltd.. Wall Street analysts have given PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Exchange-Traded Fund a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Exchange-Traded Fund wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Vivint Solar, Inc. provides distributed solar energy primarily to residential customers in the United States. It owns and installs solar energy systems through long-term customer contracts. The company also sells photovoltaic installation products, as well as solar renewable energy certificates. As of December 31, 2019, it had an aggregate capacity of 1,294.0 megawatts covering approximately 188,300 homes. The company was formerly known as V Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Vivint Solar, Inc. in April 2014. Vivint Solar, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Read More For those exiting I-80 westbound, is a view of the empty K-Mart store. A few blocks east at Nelson Road is the closed FIM store. Beyond that was Papa Joes and a block further east is the vacated Pizza Hut restaurant at Vine Street. All are within less than a mile and a half of the interstate. In early August, 16 migrant agricultural workers were killed in two separate vehicle crashes in Southern Italy. All of the victims are non-European Union farm labourers working as pickers in the tomato fields near Foggia, in the region of Puglia. The first crash happened on August 4 when a van driving four African migrants home from their shift collided with a truck carrying picked tomatoes. The second crash occurred August 6 when a passenger van carrying 14 migrants crashed head-on with a tomato lorry. Twelve migrants died on impact and three people were injured, including the vans driver. The causes of the crashes have not yet been determined, but witnesses of the August 6 crash report bodies were thrown all over the road, suggesting that the van wasnt safe probably due to modifications to accommodate more passengers. The van, registered in Bulgaria to avoid paying the Italian road tax, was originally designed to carry nine passengers but was carrying 14 people. In response to these deaths, hundreds of migrant workers marched to protest their dire working and living conditions, putting forth demands that contract rights of work be respected and calling for an end to slave-like conditions of migrants. They chanted, No more deaths at work and never slaves! Many wore shirts bearing the image of African migrant worker Soumaila Sacko, who was murdered on 2 June while collecting scrap metal to use for his shanty in a local migrant ghetto. It is estimated that more than 50,000 day labourers live in the province of Foggia during the harvest season, and officials believe that 50 percent of farmers in Foggia employ seasonal workers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Italy under illegal conditions. Unofficial surveys by local migrant charities put the number as high as 90 percent. Recruited to work by word of mouth and social media, such as WhatsApp, the vast majority of migrants live in ghettos without running water and electricity and inundated with mud when it rains and with little protection against the scorching summer sun. The ghettos are run in connection with the local mafia or caporali (gangmasters), which hire labourers out to local farmers, taking a hefty cut of the labourers pay in return for precarious and underpaid employment. For each 300-kilo box of tomatoes filled by the workers, the landowner gives 5 to a middleman who then pays the gangmaster. After they both take their cut, the worker gets 3. Migrants are then charged 5 for transport to and from the fields and 5 or more for food. Laws passed in recent years call for prison sentences for those recruiting and exploiting migrant workers, and yet it is estimated that up to 300,000 workers are employed illegally. Farmers argue that they are squeezed by the retail market, require a fully flexible workforce, and dont speak the same language as migrants, thus the need to maintain low wages, zero-hour contracts, and the caporalato system. The right-wing policies of the Lega/Five Star movement coalition government support the arguments of the farmers. The government denies migrants every protection and fundamental right and sends a strong signal to enterprises and landowners that in dealing with the migrant workers they have a free hand and nothing to fear from the authorities. The deadly vehicle crashescaused by sheer greed for profit at the expense of the labourersare by no means separated from the extremely right-wing course of the government in Rome. Even before Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was appointed in June, the coalition announced that Italy will deport half a million refugees within 18 months and imprison in detention centres all refugees who are without proper permits. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister and the head of Lega, proclaimed: We tell all illegals: The party is over! They should pack their bags. After the deaths last week, Conte, who was born and raised near Foggia, also announced a visit to Foggia to personally assess the situation but offered no progressive plan to address the dire circumstances of migrants. Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policies Luigi Di Maio issued the usual hollow promises to address migrant issues, saying that he would deploy more inspectors to fight the caporalato. President of the Puglia region, Michele Emiliano (Democratic Party), echoing Di Maio, hypocritically described the ghettos as being controlled by criminal organizations dedicated to prostitution, drug dealing, and caporali, and said he intends to close them and move evicted migrants into structures provided by the local government. However, there is not nearly enough public housing to accommodate thousands of migrants should they be evicted. Closing the ghettos merely serves to criminalise poverty. For their part, the trade unions have done nothing to end the exploitation of migrant workers, let alone, address the most basic needs of workers contract rights, health and safety regulations, humane accommodation, and the construction of public transport. The unions only serve to create illusions of pressuring the government to reform the exploitative agricultural system. The main migrant union, Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), which proclaims it is an incorruptible, left alternative to the established trade unions, is dominated by petty-bourgeois groups, including one wing of Rifondazione (PRC), Maoists and the organisation Sinistra Criticaaffiliated to the Pabloite United Secretariat. At its demonstration in 2010, the UBS even tolerated the presence of the former minister of social solidarity in the Prodi government, Paolo Ferrero (PRC), who had agreed to legislation wiping out traditional pension rights and personally drew up the first deportation lists for Sinti and Roma. North and South Korea held high-level talks on Monday in preparation for a third summit between the Norths chairman, Kim Jong-un, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in next month in Pyongyang. A specific date has not yet been announced, but the meeting will most likely take place in mid- or late-September. Moon will be only the third sitting South Korean leader to make such a trip. Kim Dae-jung and Noh Moo-hyun each visited Pyongyang in 2000 and 2007 respectively. Moon hailed the future summit and the further development of North-South relations during Wednesdays Liberation Day speech, which marks the end of Japanese rule in 1945. Even though a political unification may be a long way from here, establishing peace between the South and the North and freely visiting each other, and forming a joint economic community is true liberation to us, he claimed. The peace and liberation Moon is offering for the Korean Peninsula is far different from what many in the South have imagined. It does not include an end to the division of Korea, allowing workers and farmers to travel unrestricted across the current border, for families to reunite, and for people to visit their ancestral homes. Instead, Seoul is advocating the maintenance of the two states and the continuation of the Stalinist police-state regime in the North. Under the proposed arrangement, Kim Jong-un and the ruling clique in Pyongyang would serve as highly paid compradors, enforcing the brutal exploitation of North Korean workers for South Korean and transnational corporations. Moon called for the establishment of special economic zones in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces along the border, which would exploit cheap North Korean labor and lead to the suppression of South Korean wages in the name of remaining competitive. Moon also stated that the two sides would begin to link up roads and railways by the end of the year and proposed building a new East Asia Railroad Community connecting the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia, Mongolia, and the United States. The South Korean president made sure to show that he was not departing from the line of the Trump administration, which has insisted there will be not be any lifting of harsh economic sanctions on North Korea until it dismantles its nuclear weapons program. Echoing Washington, Moon declared: Economic cooperation can really take off when peace is established on the Korean Peninsula, along with its complete denuclearization. Despite Moons assurances, the Economist this week expressed broader concerns in US strategic circles that South Korea is pursuing its own agenda. It wrote: [Moons] promise on August 15th of road and railway links with North Korea speaks to his hopes of shared prosperity. But it generated unease in Washington. South Korean and American interests are undoubtedly diverging. Before long, Mr. Trump might interpret that as a personal betrayal by Mr. Moonwith unpredictable consequences. Both sides have downplayed any sort of rift. During a phone discussion following Mondays meeting, South Koreas Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (Gang Gyeong-hwa) spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and re-affirmed the two governments alliance, while calling for continued denuclearization efforts and the need to maintain pressure until we achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK as agreed by Chairman Kim. While the differences between Washington and Seoul may not be expressed publicly, the Moon administration is still working to carry out its own economic strategy by attempting to play the role of mediator between North Korea and the US. Yet the Trump administration in Washington has a far different agenda in mind. Trumps peace overtures towards North Korea this summer were, in fact, an ultimatum: flip into an alignment with the US against China or be annihilated. Washington, as it escalates its economic and military confrontation with China, is continuing to ramp up pressure throughout the region. On Wednesday, Washington placed additional sanctions on companies in China, Russia and Singapore for supposedly doing business with North Korea. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated that Washington will continue to implement existing sanctions on North Korea and that consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place until we have achieved the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea. Washington though had only warm words for South Korea, calling it a faithful and reliable partner in the maritime implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions, despite three firms being discovered to have imported North Korean coal on at least seven occasions last year. UN sanctions bar the North from exporting coal. North Korea responded this week by denouncing the existing sanctions, particularly their impact on cross-border relations. Rodong Sinmun, the official organ of the Norths ruling party, stated: If the (South) joins and blindly follows sanctions pressure by foreign forces maneuvering to deter inter-Korean exchanges, the North-South relations cannot be advanced in the interests of the Korean people and the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration cannot be pushed, Pyongyang is demanding a formal declaration ending the 19501953 Korean War before giving up its small arsenal of nuclear weapons. The regime is well aware that it cannot trust Washingtons word, having seen Trump tear up the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the US bomb countries like Libya that gave up their nuclear programs. Without North Koreas complete subjugation, however, a declaration ending the Korean War would cut across Washingtons primary objective, which is to undermine Chinas strategic and military interests. Joseph Yun, a former leading US State Department diplomat on North Korea, told the New York Times: For the United States, an end-of-war declaration or a peace declaration or a peace treaty has always had a broader context. US ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris stated that it was too early for such a declaration. The standoff between Pyongyang and Washington continues, with the potential for the Trump administration to return to its threat to totally destroy North Korea if it does not bow down to US dictates. Students who arrive early at any of the three high schools in New Lenox and Frankfort must go through the main entrance. When the crowds arrive for the first period, three doors will be open, with administrators at each one. All doors will be locked after the first bell rings, he said. Other doors now have keyless locks, requiring staff to swipe a card to gain entry. Monday evening, the English language page of the television network Telesur, which is published by the Venezuelan government, was taken down by Facebook in a direct act of censorship of content critical of US government policy. After administrators received a notice that the Telesur English page had violated Facebooks Terms of Use, the page reappeared two days later, with Facebook claiming, in an unserious and unconvincing manner, that there was instability on the platform, which caused this problem, but now everything should be in order. The Facebook page of another media outlet aligned politically with the Venezuelan government, Venezuela Analysis, which is based in New York, was also temporarily taken down on August 9, only four days before, for allegedly violating Facebook Pages Terms. The sites administrators, however, have not received any explanation about the suspension. Since last year, Facebook has been carrying out a campaign to censor information and perspectives at odds with the official narrative of the US government by expunging, intimidating and threatening users that publish such content. Facebook has justified these actions by charging users with arbitrary terms like being divisive, extremist and inauthentic, while not presenting any evidence to substantiate these charges. The administrator of the popular Facebook page Revolution News, James Wood, received a publishing authorization requesta threat to shut down the page unless Wood confirmed his country location by August 28seconds after posting an article about the removal of the Telesur English page. Several other Facebook pages that publish content critical of US policy, including Anti-Media, have reported receiving the same notice. On July 31, Facebook announced that it was deleting 32 pages, including an event page promoting an anti-fascist demonstration and the page of a group organizing a rally against Trumps separation of undocumented families, both in Washington D.C. The Atlantic Council, a think tank tied to the US intelligence apparatus that has been working closely with Facebook in conducting its censorship campaign, charged, without presenting any evidence, that the pages removed sought to advance Russian information operations and to trigger standoffs between genuine Americans, bringing the risk of real-life violence from false stories. Such censorship measures, however, seek only to block the development of opposition to US militarism, the governments fascistic attacks against immigrants, police violence, inequality, and other forms of social reaction. While some of the pages censored by Facebook pertained to far-right groups, such as that of Alex Jones in the United States and accounts of the Free Brazil Movement, these steps seek fundamentally to establish the precedent for attacking freedom of speech and expanding censorship against left-wing political views and movements. On the same day Telesur was suspended, Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act, which defines a United States-based foreign media outlet as one that produces or distributes video programming that is transmitted, or is intended for transmission, by a multichannel video programming distributor to consumers in the United States, suggesting that the outlet doesnt need to be physically based in the US. It adds that such an outlet would be considered a foreign agent and be required to provide the Federal Communications Commission with a description of its relationship with any foreign government. News commentators have suggested that the Qatar-based Al Jazeera will be the first target. However, in the case of Telesur, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions received a letter from South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson in February requesting that he investigate whether Telesur can be required to register as a foreign agent. Last November, the network RT America, which is also critical of US foreign policy and receives funding from the Russian government, was forced to register as a foreign agent. While not an independent media outlet, Telesur has reported critically on the catastrophes wrought by US foreign policy around the world. Currently, the Trump administration is escalating the use of trade war measures, economic sanctions, regime-change operations and military confrontations to advance US geopolitical interests worldwide, pushing entire economies into the abyss, including in Venezuela, Turkey, and Iran, and destroying entire societies, as in Yemen, Libya, Syria and Iraq. Created in 2005, Telesur is based in Caracas, Venezuela, and is financed directly by the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Uruguay. The Argentine and Ecuadorian states stopped funding the network after the election of right-wing governments more closely aligned with Washington, respectively those of Mauricio Macri and Lenin Moreno. The censorship by Facebook of the Chavista media outlets comes amid an intensified campaign by Washington to undermine the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro. The US government has imposed economic sanctions against the financial operations of individual military and government officials and PDVSA, the state oil company, the main source of government income, deepening the social catastrophe in the already crisis-ridden economy. In a statement last week, Venezuela Analysis inferred that Facebooks suspension was a response to its recent coverage of the apparent drone assassination attempt against Maduro on August 4. Two days before being temporarily censored, the site charged the Venezuelan opposition, its northern masters and the latters regional puppets, with responsibility for the incident. Meanwhile, top US administration officials have held increasingly frequent meetings this year with Latin American leaders to strengthen military ties, highlighting in each session efforts to coordinate further actions against the Maduro government, with reports that Trump himself has suggested to regional presidents a direct military intervention to overthrow the Venezuelan government. As the crisis in Venezuela deepens, the Maduro administration has become increasingly dependent on loans from Chinese and Russian firms in exchange for shares in PDVSA and its subsidiaries and rights to exploit the petroleum deposits in the Orinoco River Basin, the largest in the world. Not only would US-based oil conglomerates like to regain control over these vast resources, but the Pentagon has made explicit its priority of undermining the economic interests of Beijing and Moscow in region, considering them revisionist powers that challenge the US-led international order. The specific provision in the recent Defense Authorization Act calling for the identification of foreign media outlets that distribute content to consumers in the United States is significant. As opposition to capitalism, and interest in socialism and militancy grow among workers and youth in the United States, the ruling corporate and financial oligarchy fears above all a massive mobilization against the domestic and foreign policy of US imperialism. In response, it has moved ever more aggressively to censor left-wing, progressive, socialist and anti-war media outlets, targeting, in particular, the World Socialist Web Site. While this process has been spearheaded by the US intelligence and political establishment, regimes across the world, including the Maduro government in Venezuela, have been implementing their own online censorship against political opposition, with the collaboration of the same technology corporations. This underscores the urgent and essential character of the fight against internet censorship and for the defense of all democratic rights as the international working class enters into struggle against the policies of the capitalist ruling class. About WTC Mission Statement Western Texas College is committed to excellence as it challenges students to reach their full potential. The institutional goals of Western Texas College are to: Provide quality education for pre-professional, general, career, technical, workforce, and foundational students Enhance student life through campus activities Provide support services that help students, staff, and faculty succeed Provide a safe learning environment that encourages and facilitates social, cultural, economic, and community development Promote life-long learning that encourages critical thinking, skill development, communication proficiency, art, and cultural appreciation, and civic responsibility Courses of Study Western Texas College offers programs of study that qualify students for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree and junior standing in a senior college or university, and programs that qualify students for the Associate of Applied Science Degree. Programs are also offered that qualify students for certificates of completion which are awarded to students who successfully fulfill the requirements of a program of less than two years' duration. Since degree requirements of various colleges and universities vary considerably, students preparing for transfer to senior colleges and universities should check carefully the catalog of their chosen institution and confer with the counselors, registrar, or faculty advisor concerning specific courses to be taken at Western Texas College. In general, all students working toward a Bachelor of Arts Degree will need basically the same courses in the first two years with a few selected electives. Most students planning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and especially those students who are undecided about a major field, are advised to follow a liberal arts curriculum. Recognition and Accreditation Western Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees and certificates. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Western Texas College. The college is also approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Western Texas College is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, Texas Association of Community Colleges, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Students or prospective students who wish to review accreditation documentation may request this file from the Presidents Office. An Equal Opportunity Institution Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities. Equal opportunities include, but are not limited to, employment, upgrading, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay, and selection for training. Equal Educational Opportunity With respect to the admission and education of students, and the availability of student loans, grants, and scholarships, and to student activities conducted on premises owned by the Scurry County Junior College District, WTC shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. Further, WTC does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the educational programs or activities in which it operates, as required by Title IX. For information about the policies of Western Texas College, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Director of Human Resources at Western Texas College, Snyder, TX, 79549, 325-574-7602, or the Section 504 Coordinator, Director of Human Resources at Western Texas College, Snyder, TX, 79549, 325-573-8511. In accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794, as amended), college programs and activities shall be conducted in such a manner that no otherwise qualified individual shall, solely by reason of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any such program or activity. The Director of Human Resources is the Handicap Compliance Coordinator as well as the Coordinator, Americans with Disabilities Act. Western Texas College is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, the counselors at Western Texas College may be contacted concerning special courses of study or facilities for the disabled. A request for special assistance must be directed, in writing, to the Director of Counseling Services, who, in turn, will formulate a procedure for procuring the needed assistance. Students who are physically disabled and are enrolled, or will be enrolled, should contact the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, 1969 Industrial Blvd., Abilene, TX 79602, 325-690-3800. Western Texas College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title II states, in part, that no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity. The Director of Human Resources has been designated to coordinate ADA compliance, and complaints should be addressed in writing to that office. A copy of the ADA grievance procedure is posted in the Administration Building. Students who feel they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age may file a grievance with the Student Welfare Committee for relief. The contact person for the grievance procedure is the Dean of Student Services. Counseling & Advising Due to CDC regulations per COVID-19, all face-to-face testing has been moved online. Proctored exams have been moved to Smarter Proctoring. Please see your online classroom or get information from your instructor. To register for the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI test), please submit an Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI test), please submit an online request form or email testing@wtc.edu To ensure an effective and accurate advising experience, please have the following items submitted to the Western Texas College Admissions Office at admissions@wtc.edu before you come for advising: To ensure an effective and accurate advising experience, please have the following items submitted to the Western Texas CollegeOffice atyou come for advising: WTC College Application or Texas Common Application (ApplyTexas) Online Application (quickest and easiest) ApplyTexas.org Application (if you are applying to more than one state school in Texas) PDF Application (printable and fillable) Official high school and/or all college transcripts Exemption or placement college entrance scores Examples of these scores include: SAT, ACT, TAKS, PSAT, PLAN, STAAR. If you have not taken or submitted these tests, you need to take the TSI. Western Texas College Counseling Services provides students with a range of resources to assist them in formulating plans and making decisions in various phases of their academic, personal and vocational development. Academic Advising Western Texas College encourages all students to participate in academic advisement throughout their tenure here. The Academic Advisement process includes meeting with a counselor, academic advisor or faculty advisor to choose courses and make appropriate decisions concerning students academic goals. The following populations of students are required to be advised each semester prior to registration: Students enrolling at WTC for the first time Students who are not TSI met Students on scholastic probation Student athletes The Counseling Services staff, as well as faculty advisors, is available year round to guide students regarding prerequisites, course transferability, career choices, and many other aspects that concern student development. Information is also available at the Counseling Center in printed form on drug and alcohol abuse, study skills, AIDS, pregnancy, military service, and many other concerns. Disability Services For information regarding Disability Services please contact the ADA Accessibility Coordinator in the Counseling Office located in the Learning Resource Center or with the contact information below. Advising Hours of Operation Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm Summer: Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm PRIORITY DEADLINE . The goal of the Financial Aid Office at Western Texas College is to provide aid to all students who may be eligible for need assistance to pursue higher education. Much of the financial aid available to students is awarded on a first come, first served basis. March 15th is the priority deadline for the Fall Semester and October 1st is the priority deadline for the Spring Semester for students to have completed error-free financial aid file. Students completing files after these dates may not have financial aid available for use at registration. For Direct Loans, students must have a complete financial aid file and complete the Direct Loan process one week prior to the last day of final exams for the term. Residence Halls Information: Forms: Western Texas College recognizes an obligation to all out-of-town students and provides beautiful and spacious housing facilities. The College offers two separate forms of housing: Glover Hall and Clinton Hall. All unmarried students under 21 not living with relatives are required to live in campus housing as long as rooms are available. Exceptions will only be made by the Dean of Student Services. Priorities for off-campus residence will be given to sophomore students. Western Texas College does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, veterans status, or disability. Important Dates for Housing: July prior to Fall Semester Housing Forms Deadline (Application, Deposit, Shot Records, Meningitis Shot Record, Proof of Insurance). Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226, require that students, faculty, and staff be aware of the Western Texas College program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students and employees on school premises or as a part of any of its activities. Western Texas College recognizes that drug and alcohol abuse is a persistent social and health problem of major proportions in our society. Members of the college community, as members of the greater society, may have social, environmental, and personal characteristics that could foster such abuse. Western Texas College is committed to taking positive steps to address drug and alcohol abuse through education, treatment, and enforcement. Alcohol The college prohibits the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus. Controlled Substances (Drugs) Western Texas College requires that all students be in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws regarding controlled substances to include, but not limited to their use, sale, possession, or manufacture. Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Smoking and/or the use of smokeless tobacco is strictly prohibited in all buildings on campus. For more information contact: Ralph Ramon, Vice President & Dean of Student Services rramon@wtc.edu 325-574-7625 Nancy Hernandez, Asst. Director of Housing nhernandez@wtc.edu 325-574-7649 David Madore, Asst. Director of Housing david.madore@wtc.edu 325-574-7618 Texas Tech Teaching Degree Opportunity Texas Tech University is offering a teaching degree opportunity in coordination with Western Texas College. We are currently gathering interested students for the next Cohort beginning in July 2016. The more >> Students who receive Pell and are interested in Federal Work-Study positions are asked to stop by the Financial Aid Office (Bldg. 20 Rm. 116) SNYDERArea residents requiring live scan electronic fingerprinting will no longer need to drive to another city to have it done. Startin... Some say everything is bigger in Texas, and its community college system seems to follow suit. Nearly half of Texas' 2013 college student population attended community colleges that translates to more than 710,000 stu... SNYDERWestern Texas College Radio students earned honors for the fifth consecutive year in a row. They are the most recent Texas Intercollegiate Press Association award recipients for Western Texas College in the Previously Published Radio category. The awards were announced a... Graduation Pictures Available Online more >> Graduation Pictures can be purchased online at: http://www.baymoments.com/ Event Name: WTC Graduation Password: westerners Dual Credit Instructor and Students Combat Cyberbullying Sweetwater Western Texas College faculty member David Newman knows about cyberbullying. "Each fall has seen a disturbing and pe... more >> Roscoe Collegiate High School Seniors Receive Degrees From WTC On Friday, May 15, 2015, 18 of the 20 Roscoe Collegiate High School (Roscoe, Texas) seniors will receive the Associate Degree from Western Texas College one day prior to receiving their high school diplomas on Saturday,... more >> Final Exam Schedule - May 11-14 *If a student has more than two finals scheduled for the same day, that student may request that one of the finals be moved to another day. Final exams may not be taken earlier than the scheduled exam time. Students who travel must keep this in mind when making travel arrangements. ... more >> Campus Infrastructure Improvements Timeline Infrastructure improvements will result in demolition of key areas on campus. Please be aware of the areas that will be affected and use caution when approaching. (These are projected timelines and are subject to change). HPE: 4/13/15 - 4/29/15 Social Science... more >> WTC Announced As Grantee For Texas Regional STEM Degree Initiative Educate Texas recently announced Western Texas College as a grantee for the Texas Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degree Accelerator initiative. Launched in January of 2015, the purpose of the Texas Regional STEM Degree Accelerator (TRSDA) initiative i... more >> Meats Judging Team Competiton Congratulations to the WTC Meats Judging Team that finished in 5th place at the National Western Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest held in Greeley, CO this past weekend. The team finished 5th in beef grading, 4th in lamb judging, 5th in pork judging, 3rd in beef judging, 3rd in total placi... more >> WTC Boasts Excellent Graduation Rate The latest data shows Western Texas College excelling in their graduation rate. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a system of survey components that collects data from about 7,500 institutions that provide postsecondary education across the United States. IPEDS coll... more >> WTC Partners With Texas Tech In Fast-Track Teaching Program more >> Western Texas College is excited to announce a new teaching degree opportunity. "Tech Teach Coat and Blanket Drive Wanted coats, blankets and winter clothing, in good condition, to help our WTC students, in need, stay warm this winter. As many of you know we have students who travel many miles to come here and they might not think about packing clothes for the winter months. If youre willing to donate, p... more >> Western Texas College Donates to Scurry County United Way Western Texas College donated over $4,000 to the Scurry County United Way. The funds were presented at a ceremony on Tuesday by WTC president, Dr. Barbara Beebe. Accepting the donation was Scurry County United Way President, Kellye Starnes and Rachael McClain, Secretary of the Scurry County Un... more >> Tutoring Schedule Fall 2014 more >> Western Texas College Announces New Director Of College Advancement Western Texas College introduces their new Director of College Advancement, Kat Neilson of Ft. Collins, Colorado. Neilson comes to WTC after serving for 5 years as the Curator and Operations Manager of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, CO. In addition to the his... more >> Graduation Portraits Now Available Graduation Portraits are now available to view and purchase online . more >> VA & Active Military Veterans eligible for assistance under one of the Veterans Administration programs should apply through the regional VA office which serves their area. The certification of enrollment required at the beginning of each academic year will be submitted to the VA by the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar will assist veterans and eligible dependents with problems relating to their training program. The Registrar handles the certification of attendance. Twelve semester hours are considered a full load by the Veterans Administration. Veterans who were residents of Texas at the time of enlistment in the Armed Forces and who are not eligible for Federal assistance may apply for exemption from payment of tuition under the Hazelwood Act. A certified copy of the veterans discharge papers must be filed when the application is made through the Office of the Registrar. In order to maintain Veterans Administration assistance, a student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C Average) each semester on all work needed for graduation. Links Checklist for Students Using Veterans Affairs Assistance (pdf) GoArmyEd - GoArmyEd is the virtual gateway for all eligible Active Duty, National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online, anytime, anywhere for classroom and distance learning. It allows Soldiers to manage their education records including college classes, testing, on-duty classes and Army Education Counselor support. https://www.goarmyed.com/login.aspx Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) - was created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the Department of Defense, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary education opportunities for servicemembers worldwide. SOC is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) through a contract with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The contract is managed for DoD by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). Texas Veterans Commission - The Texas Veterans Commission is a State agency assisting veterans and their families with federal and state veterans benefits and services. United States Department of Veterans affairs Hazelwood Act - The Hazlewood Act provides qualified veterans, spouses, and children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition and fee exemptions at state-supported colleges or universities. For more information or assistance, contact: Donna Morris dmorris@wtc.edu 325-574-7914 New Student Checklist Welcome to the New Student Checklist page at Western Texas College. To enroll as a student at WTC, the Admissions Office needs you to submit several documents to the Admissions Office so that you can register for classes. All documents should be submitted one of the following ways: admissions@wtc.edu Email to Fax to 325-574-6524 Mail to: Western Texas College ATTN: Admissions 6200 College Avenue Snyder, Texas 79549. The staff at WTC knows that launching your college journey can be intimidating. If you have questions at any time, please call the Admissions Office at 325-573-8511. You can also email the admissions office with your questions at admissions@wtc.edu. If you are a Dual Credit student, an Online student, or an International Student, please use the following links to apply: If you are a returning WTC Student, please contact your advisor to register for classes or email counseling@wtc.edu. If you have not attended classes in over a year, you need to complete the steps below that apply to you. If you are a Veteran or Active Military, please complete the Checklist for Students Using Veterans Affairs Assistance. Steps to Apply 1. Fill out the Application for Admission. The Application for Admission asks for information about you and your educational background. There is no application fee. There are three different ways to submit an application to WTC. Choose one of the following: Online Application (quickest and easiest) ApplyTexas.org Application (if you are applying to more than one state school in Texas) (if you are applying to more than one state school in Texas) PDF Application (printable and fillable) 2. Submit your Official Final High School transcript. Contact the high school that awarded you a diploma and request your official high school transcript with that includes the final graduation date. Many high schools now offer online transcript requests. Check with your high school. Phi Theta Kappa Spring 2021 Inductees Psi Zeta Chapter Charter Date: February 11, 1972 Eligibility Requirements: 3.5 Cumulative GPA Co-Advisors: Keely Green & Jimmy Fancher Brief History of PTK: At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa. Eight colleges chartered the first chapters; now, of those eight, only Cottey College still maintains an active chapter. In 1924, the Constitution was amended to provide for chartering of chapters in coeducational and all male colleges. On November 19, 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges. November 19 is now celebrated as Phi Theta Kappa Founders Day. The Psi Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered at Western Texas College on February 11, 1972. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest international honor society in American higher education with more than 3 million members and almost 1300 chapters in all 50 states and nine nations. Mission: The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold: One of the women has since died. The other two read victim-impact statements in court on July 31 when the sentencing hearing began. Luna faces 32 to 80 years in prison for 12 counts related to the violent sexual assaults of the two surviving women. Security Welcome to the Western Texas College Security Department web page. Our goal is to provide the community with a safe and secure academic environment. It is our desire to create a community in which citizens can safely reach their academic and social potential. Our department provides all security services to the Western Texas College community. This web page is an integral part of our safety and security program. We use it to provide citizens with timely security information and as an educational resource. We encourage citizens to provide our department input regarding the services we provide. More importantly, we want them to feel confident that they will receive professional customer service from each member of our department. The Security Department maintains monthly and annual crime statistics as mandated by The Clery Act. All rules and regulations are clearly discussed and presented in written form to the students. Disciplinary issues are handled with fairness, enhancing the personal guidance and social growth function of the institutional mission. We are pleased to boast an admirable record of peace and safety for our campus environment. The OPE Campus Security Statistics Website is brought to you by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education. It was authorized by Congress with the 1998 amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to help potential college students and their parents research criminal offenses on college campuses. The Department of Education is committed to assisting schools in providing students with a safe environment in which to learn and to keep parents and students well informed about campus security. We pledge our commitment to provide the highest level of security services that all citizens deserve. REPORT A CRIME Crime(s) in progress should be reported immediately to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency. ON-CAMPUS EMERGENCIES - Students, faculty, staff, and visitors should DIAL 911 from any campus phone to notify the Snyder Police Department. Non-emergency calls on-campus should be placed to the Western Texas Security Department 325-574-7906. Residence Hall students are also encouraged to report crimes to their RA. OFF-CAMPUS EMERGENCIES - Students, faculty, and staff should DIAL 911 to notify the Snyder Police Department. In the event that you are not near a campus phone, you may DIAL 911 from your cell phone. Your call will be answered by the Snyder Police Department. You will need to provide them with your name, cell phone number, and location. CONTACT US Western Texas College Security Department Offices Bldg. 15 Rm. 113 325-574-7906 Jamie Redwine - Director of Safety and Security Bldg. 2 Rm. 113 6200 College Avenue Snyder, TX 79549 325-574-7905 jamie.redwine@wtc.edu Bldg. 2 Rm. 1136200 College AvenueSnyder, TX 79549 Western Texas College Ralph Ramon Vice President and Dean of Student Services 325-574-7625 Sexual Harassment Awareness & Prevention Brad Keller Title IX Coordinator 325-574-7602 hr@wtc.edu Western Texas College is firmly committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming campus environment free from any form of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, here collectively referred to as sexual harassment. What is Title IX? Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault. Who is affected? Title IX protects any person from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Female, male, and gender non- conforming students, faculty, and staff are protected from any sex-based discrimination, harassment or violence. WTC prohibits discrimination against, or harassment of, students on the basis of sex in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, and other programs of the College, whether they take place in the facilities of the College, at a class or training program sponsored by the College at another location, or elsewhere. This policy applies whether the alleged harasser is a WTC employee, a fellow student, a visitor to the College, or a vendor of the College. (Please refer to Policy FFDA (Local), Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation; Sex and Sexual Violence, for further information.) Understanding Title IX Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence such as rape, sexual battery and sexual coercion, is a form of gender-based discrimination prohibited by Title IX. It creates a hostile environment that has no place on our campus. And it's something we take very seriously as we work to keep you safe and to respond effectively and immediately if you're in trouble. The WTC Title IX Coordinator is: Name: Brad Keller Position: Director of Human Resources Office: Building #15, Rm. 106 Address: 6200 College Ave, Snyder, Texas 79549 Telephone: 325-574-7602 Email: brad.keller@wtc.edu Our Title IX Coordinator is available to you and is responsible for: Overseeing all Title IX complaints and investigations to provide prompt, fair and equitable resolutions Identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise Being available to meet with students, provide support and answer questions Coordinating training, education and communication pertaining to Title IX Ensuring that our institution carries out its Title IX responsibilities WTC prohibits discrimination or harassment of all forms, including, but not limited to sex discrimination, sexual violence, or sexual harassment (including intimidating and/or bullying behavior based on gender). The College shall exercise reasonable care to prevent and promptly correct discriminating, violent, or, harassing behavior and shall develop preventative or corrective measures to address these behaviors. WTC also prohibits retaliation against anyone for reporting discriminating, violent, or harassing behavior or for participating in discrimination or harassment investigations or lawsuits. What is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct (conduct that is not requested or invited and is reasonably regarded as undesirable or offensive) of a sexual nature which can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature and: 1. Affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile or offensive educational environment; 2. Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with the student's academic performance; or 3. Otherwise adversely affects the student's educational opportunities. There are two types of Sexual Harassment: a. "Quid Pro Quo Harassment" occurs when a campus employee causes a student to believe he/she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to participate in a college program or activity, or causes a student to believe that the employee will make an educational decision based on whether or not the student submits to unwelcome sexual conduct. It doesn't matter whether the student resists and suffers the threatened harm, or submits to and avoids the threatened harm, for it to be considered harassment. b. "Hostile Environment" is when an atmosphere is infused with unwelcome sexual conduct/behavior that is so severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual's academic performance or learning environment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Examples of unwelcome sexual conduct can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical in nature and can include, but are not limited to: Making sexual propositions or pressuring students for sexual favors; Touching of a sexual nature; Inappropriately displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written materials; Performing sexual gestures or touching oneself sexually in front of others; Telling sexual or dirty jokes; Name calling and slurs; Spreading sexual rumors or rating other students as to sexual activity or performance; Circulating or showing e-mails or Web sites of a sexual nature; or Intentionally interfering with or physically restricting the movement of another individual. What Constitutes Sexual Assault? Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not, or cannot consent. It also refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person's will where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim's use of drugs or alcohol. An individual also may be unable to give consent due to an intellectual or other disability. Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender or relationship or age of victim. People of all genders can be victims of sexual harassment, and the harasser and the victim may be of the same or different sexes. Sexual harassment and sexual violence can be perpetrated by other students, visitors, college employees, or non-employee third parties, such as a visiting speaker, contracted by the college. Notice of Student Rights and Complaint Process Any student who believes he or she has observed or has been the object of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence has the right to file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator: Name: Brad Keller Position: Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator Office: Building #15, Rm. 106 Address: 6200 College Ave, Snyder, Texas 79549 Telephone: 325-574-7602 Email: brad.keller@wtc.edu All complaints of alleged sexual harassment, sexual assault or discrimination will be promptly investigated under the oversight of the College's Title IX Coordinator. Students may also file a complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights by using the online complaint form at the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights website. Please refer to Policy FFDA (Local), Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, Sex and Sexual Violence, for further information. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act ("VAWA") imposes obligations on colleges and universities under its Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act ("SaVE Act") provision, Section 304. Although it is called the "Violence Against Women Act," people of all genders are protected under this federal legislation. People of all genders can be perpetrators as well. The Clery Act requires annual reporting of statistics for various criminal offenses, including forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and aggravated assault. VAWA's SaVE Act provision adds dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to the categories that, if the incident was reported to a campus security authority or local police agency, must be reported under Clery. Dating violence means violence by a person who is or has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Dating violence can take place in person or via technology, such as repeated texting or posting sexual photos of a partner online without consent. Domestic violence includes asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim's current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 18007997233 Stalking means a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for her, his, or others' safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Western Texas College, in accordance with the VAWA, has a prescribed standard for investigation and conduct of student discipline proceedings in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases. WTC security and the Dean of Student Services are trained to listen, take your report and guide you to appropriate resources. You'll receive information about support options and the student disciplinary process, plus how to pursue a criminal complaint - if YOU choose to do so. Under the federal Clery Act law, WTC must report where and when a crime occurred, but not necessarily who was involved. When it comes to confidentiality, our college will balance the need to keep the campus community safe with protecting your request for confidentiality to the maximum extent possible. Access to policy, procedures, and related materials Information regarding the College District's policies and any procedures, as well as relevant educational and resource materials concerning Title IX and Sexual Violence, shall be distributed annually to College District employees and students in a manner calculated to provide easy access and wide distribution, such as through electronic distribution and inclusion in College District publications. Information regarding the policy, procedures, and related materials shall also be prominently published on the College District's website. Copies of the College District's policies and procedures shall be readily available in the College District's administrative offices, and shall be distributed to a student requesting copies or filing a report. If you experience sexual harassment, gender discrimination or sexual violence, we encourage you to reach out right away we are here to help. Contact: Name: Dr. Barbara Beebe Position: WTC President Address: 6200 College Avenue, Snyder, TX 79549 Office: Building #20, Rm. 122 Telephone: 325-574-6501 Name: Ralph Ramon Position: Vice President & Dean of Student Services Address: 6200 College Avenue, Snyder, TX 79549 Office: Building #20, Rm. 104 Telephone: 325-574-7625 Name: Brad Keller Position: Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator Address: 6200 College Avenue, Snyder, TX 79549 Office: Building #15, Rm. 106 Telephone: 325-574-7602 Name: Jamie Redwine Position: Director of Safety & Security Address: 6200 College Avenue, Snyder, TX 79549 Office: Building #2, Rm. 113 Telephone: 325-574-7905 Community Resources: Gateway Family Services Inc. P.O. Box 1394 Snyder, Texas 79550 325-573-1822 Noah Project Inc. Email: office@noahproject.org Crisis Email: crisishelp@noahproject.org Hotline: 325-676-7107 or 1-800-444-3551 West Texas Center for MHMR 3100 37th Place, #3 Snyder Texas, 79549 325-573-5621 Technology Department WTC Technology provides technical support for Western Texas College. Working closely with many divisions and departments on and off-campus, Technology provides support to students, faculty, staff, and administration. WTC Technology manages the information systems that support the core business processes of the college. These systems include student information, financial aid, human resources, facilities, instruction, library/reference, and many other systems. For service: Email: support@wtc.edu Submit a Support Request at https://westerntexascollege.on.spiceworks.com/portal/tickets Call the Technology Help Desk at 325-574-7668 Offices for WTC Technology are located in the Learning Resource Center (Building 2). WTC Technology cannot provide repair or maintenance services for any personal computers, laptops, handhelds or networking devices that are not owned and operated by WTC. Note: Service is not provided 24/7. Service is provided during staffed hours, the IT Department follows the campus holiday schedule. Hours of Operation Fall and Spring Semesters Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm Summer Sessions Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 5:00pm Friday CLOSED Information & Support: During those last days, when she was in hospice, Nadia said, We talked with her about what she wanted her foundation to do. She said, I dont want any kid to have to go through what Im going through. So thats how we decided to honor her. What happens if Mueller decides to subpoena President Trump? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Picture this: Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his agents sitting face to face with President Donald Trump, questioning the commander-in-chief before a grand jury that could determine the fate of both the ongoing probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and, with it, the Trump presidency. Could it happen? For the past several months, the presidents personal lawyers, Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekulow, have been publicly chronicling their version of back-and-forth negotiations over a voluntary interview with the Office of the Special Counsel. After teasing a number of supposed deadlines for a decision, they have most recently suggested that the outcome will be known by September 1, though even that date seems elastic. If Trump refuses to submit to an interview, Mueller will be faced with a momentous decision of whether to seek to compel President Trump to testify. If Mueller should choose to issue a subpoena, the ensuing power struggle could represent an inflection point in the Special Counsels investigation. Attorneys for President Trump contend they would contest a subpoena all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Such a move would push the country into unchartered territory and lead to a potential constitutional showdown between the executive and judicial branches of government A subpoena for live testimony has never been tested in court as to the president of the United States, Sekulow said earlier this month on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos. There have been similar confrontations in recent history, but each stopped short of settling the fundamental question of whether a sitting president can be required to testify before a grand jury in a criminal investigation. There are cases that have come close, said Alex Whiting, a Harvard Law School professor and former federal prosecutor. But theres been no case that directly resolves that point. Story continues PHOTO: President Donald Trump hosts state leaders for a discussion on prison policy at his golf resort in Bedminster, N.J., Aug. 9, 2018. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times via Redux) (MORE: Special counsel Mueller wants to ask Trump about obstruction of justice: Sources) In 1974, President Richard Nixon was ordered to comply with a subpoena for audio tapes in the Watergate case decided by the Supreme Court. Special prosecutor Leon Jaworski sought the tapes as evidence in a criminal trial against seven Nixon aides and advisors, and Nixons claims of executive privilege over the recordings were rejected by the justices in a unanimous decision. Nixon, however, was never subpoenaed for testimony. He resigned the presidency a few weeks after the Supreme Court ruling, rather than face almost certain impeachment. In 1998, President Bill Clinton avoided a court fight after Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr issued a grand jury subpoena to the president for testimony about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton relented and agreed to testify via video from the White House. In exchange, Starr agreed to withdraw the subpoena. A year earlier, Clinton had been ordered by the Supreme Court to testify under oath in a civil lawsuit by Paula Jones, who had accused Clinton of sexually harassing her while he was the Governor of Arkansas. Clintons sworn testimony in the civil case deposition and during his grand jury appearance eventually led to articles of impeachment, accusing the president of perjurious, false and misleading testimony, among other charges. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Clinton, but the Senate failed to convict him. It is well established that the president has to comply with a grand jury subpoena for stuff, like documents and tapes, and has to comply with a subpoena for testimony in a civil context, said Kimberly Wehle, a law professor at the University of Baltimore, who was an associate independent counsel for Starr. What's not clear is: does the president have to comply with a grand jury subpoena for testimony? The prospect of a protracted legal battle over that unanswered question is now hanging over President Trump and the mid-term elections that could shift the balance of power in Congress. Even as he continues to publicly excoriate the investigation as a politically orchestrated witch hunt, Trump has said he would like to answer Muellers questions, but has indicated he will ultimately defer to the advice of his attorneys. Mueller, meanwhile, has been characteristically silent. To get a sense of how a court fight over a subpoena might shake out, ABC News spoke with Whiting, Wehle, and four other legal scholars to get their thoughts on whether Mueller could, or should, seek to compel the president to testify, and who would most likely prevail in court. PHOTO: In this Wednesday, June 21, 2017 file photo, Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs the Capitol after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo, FILE) (MORE: President Trump claims 'nasty and contentious' relationship with Mueller amounts to conflict of interest) Is it smart strategy for Mueller to issue a subpoena on the president? Peter Shane, professor, Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law: I would say, yes. Because the evidence that the president could give would be, in my judgment, directly relevant to the plausibility of charges that involve not only the president but other people involved in his campaign, including family members. And I think that as a prosecutor and former FBI director that Mueller believes in dotting as many I's and crossing as many T's as possible. I don't think he would want to leave this particular stone unturned. Whiting: There are risks for [Mueller] in terms of whether to seek a subpoena. The first is delay. It would be litigated, and it would take several months to be litigated. So he'd have to decide whether and how the delay would affect his investigation. And the second thing is, he could lose in court. I don't think he would lose in court. But there is always a risk of losing in court. And so he would have to calculate how important it was for him to get the interview versus the risks. That's why this has dragged on for so long. Both sides are negotiating in the shadow of these risks and trying to press their positions and see who will blink first. Stephen Saltzburg, George Washington University professor of law, former associate independent counsel: Better not to [subpoena the president] because it could be litigated for 18 months or more. [Mueller] has sufficient statements by the president to know why he did what he did. Wehle: I'm confident that what's going on inside the [Mueller] investigation is only remotely related to what we know about, at this point. So it's possible he has what he needs and doesn't absolutely need the president's testimony. So he could walk away from it or he could issue a subpoena. PHOTO: Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, delivers a speech as he attends the National Council of Resistance of Iran, meeting in Villepinte, near Paris, France, June 30, 2018. (Regis Duvignau/Reuters) (MORE: Tangling with Mueller, Giuliani may have to face his past words) What would prompt Mueller to issue a subpoena to the President? Saikrishna Prakash, professor of Law, University of Virginia: Giuliani has been all over the press about how the president wants to testify but not with respect to all of these questions [about obstruction of justice]. This has been going on for months. Perhaps Mueller believes that he just has to ask these questions and play this out to see what the presidents response is. Whiting: Mueller would have to decide either that Trump's team is not serious about sitting down for an interview or that the conditions they are seeking to impose are so restrictive as to make the interview not worthwhile. And if Mueller decides that one of those two things has happened, then that's when he would have to make a decision about whether or not to seek a subpoena. Wehle: This is all really just a game of chicken. We can go around and around and around, and what all of this comes down to is, the president is saying, 'make me. Paul Rosenzweig, Senior Fellow, R Street Institute, Professorial Lecturer in Law at George Washington University: One of the best arguments against wasting time on subpoenaing the president is that, since there is a [Justice Department] policy that says the president can't be indicted - and Mueller has probably decided in his mind that he's going to follow that policy - it doesn't really make that much difference what the president says. If you're not going to charge him with a crime, who cares what he has to say, right? I think that I care what he has to say, even if it's not capable of being criminally prosecutable, because I think that the truth value of knowing what happened is greater. PHOTO: In this file photo dated Oct. 23, 2015, Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice at Regent University, in Virginia Beach, Va. (Steve Helber/AP, FILE) (MORE: Awkward! Donald Trump Jr. and special counsel Bob Mueller spotted together in airport) If and when Mueller decides to subpoena President Trump, what happens next? Wehle: That's the federal government basically saying, you do this, or else. That's what a subpoena is. It is saying to the president of the United States, If you don't comply we, the government, are going to make you comply. Saltzburg: The president could comply, or he could file a motion to quash [the subpoena] on the ground that it is a burden on the presidency. Shane: The reasons for objecting to the subpoena have to do with whether a president may be subpoenaed for testimony at all. What [the presidents lawyers] are going to say, Im virtually certain, is that the court has no authority to demand that the president give personal testimony. Prakash: I think the president would then invoke executive privilege. And I think the special counsel at that point would try to contest the invocation, saying it doesn't apply, and therefore the president has to testify. And so that would be litigated, and the court would have to decide whether the special counsel could actually contest the president's claim. If they decide that he couldn't, that would be the end of the subpoena. He wouldn't be able to enforce it. Rosenzweig: If they are at an impasse and Mueller issues a subpoena, the president has a decision to make. He can comply with the subpoena. That means showing up in the grand jury and answering questions like any other human being who is subpoenaed to testify. Option two is the one that President Clinton chose in the 1990s, which was when he was subpoenaed by Ken Starr. That was when [Clintons] team finally sat down and negotiated. The third thing the president could do is fight. He could go to court and say, I'm the president, you can't subpoena me, I refuse to come. That fight would start in the District of Columbia where the grand jury is meeting and, pretty obviously, it would go all the way up to the Supreme Court. Whiting: The other thing that could happen is Mueller could issue the subpoena and then that could start negotiations again. If they see that Mueller is willing to issue a subpoena, then they might reassess their risks. PHOTO: Early morning sun shines on the U.S. Supreme Court building, July 9, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (MORE: Democrats warn Trump's SCOTUS pick could impact Mueller probe) How long might a Court battle over a subpoena take? Prakash: The president will try not to comply with any order until he gets a decision from the [appellate] court or from the Supreme Court. If a district court ordered him to testify, I suspect he'd say, I am going to appeal this, and try to prevent the testimony from being given. Whiting: It would certainly be expedited because this is an ongoing investigation. So there is a pressing need to resolve it. And also I think the judge would know that both sides have fully thought through their arguments, because this is no surprise. It's an unresolved legal issue. There are a number of different dimensions to it, but a relatively narrow issue. Rosenzweig: I would expect everybody would work very hard to expedite it as rapidly as possible. And so three months would not be unreasonable. It could take four, could take five. Shane: [Theres] an interesting question as to strategy because there are two elements of strategy. Two objectives. One is winning. The other is delaying. It may be that the president will think, we have such great likelihood of succeeding at the Supreme Court, let's get there quickly. It may be that Mueller will think it's actually as much in his interest, or maybe more in his interest than the president's, to get this to the Supreme Court quickly. Because he may be relatively confident that, even with a conservative majority on the court, this subpoena will be upheld. PHOTO: President Richard Nixon addresses the nation on television about the Watergate investigations, April 30, 1973. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images) (MORE: With closing arguments wrapped, Manafort case goes to jury) If the subpoena fight reaches the Supreme Court, who is likely to prevail? Prakash: Unlike the {Nixon] case, they are not asking for evidence, for documents or tapes. They're asking for the president's testimony. I don't know what the court would say about trying to get the president to testify as to whether he had the requisite state of mind for obstruction of justice, or whatever else the special prosecutor is investigating. And I dont know what the court would say about the applicability of executive privilege in that context. As far as I can tell, the Special Counsel doesnt have any [explicit] litigating authority to contest presidential assertions of executive privilege. That was a feature of the regulations in place in the Watergate era. It wasnt re-adopted, for whatever reason, when the Clinton administration put out these special counsel regulations. Shane: I would be a little surprised if the Supreme Court were to take the position that executive privilege with regard to testimony was absolute. The accountability of any one branch of government to any other branch depends on access to information. And my guess is that the Supreme Court will be mindful of the president's accountability to law in resolving the subpoena question, if it ever gets that far. Whiting: I dont think there is any way that the court is going to find that a president is categorically protected from responding to questions from a grand jury in a criminal investigation. I think what's going to happen is - the decision is not going to be, you can never subpoena the president. And it's not going to be, you can subpoena the president just like any other citizen. It's going to be somewhere in the middle. Rosenzweig: In the end my prediction is, 75 to 25 [percent], that Mueller wins. And the reason is that all of the cases have said that the president cannot resist subpoenas except in cases of grievous national security and very particular reasons not to. This aint that. So I think Trump loses in the end. PHOTO: President Bill Clinton walks out to make a statement to the media in the Rose Garden at the White House on Feb. 12, 1999. (AFP/Getty Images, FILE) (MORE: Trump cites Russia probe as motivation for revoking former CIA director John Brennan's clearance) Could Trump defy a court order to testify? Rosenzweig: What if he just says, no? If he just says, in the parlance, [expletive] you? People who ignore subpoenas are held in contempt by the judge and the grand jury. And then, in the normal course of business, the judge orders the US Marshals Service to go out and arrest that person. You can immediately see why that would be a bit of a problem. Wehle: Who is going to push back if this president doesn't play ball? Who actually would enforce a contempt order for non-compliance with a grand jury subpoena? It would be the United States Marshals Service, which is within the executive branch, Article 2 of the Constitution. Who is in charge of executive branch of Article 2 of the Constitution? It's the President of the United States. Prakash: Forget for a moment the obstruction of justice [allegations] and the Russia stuff. If you fail to obey a decision of the Supreme Court, he could be impeached for that by itself. Id be very surprised if he said, Im just not going to do it. Even if the court says, executive privilege just doesnt apply here, Mr. President, you lose on this, the president always has the Fifth Amendment [right] against self-incrimination. Invocation of the Fifth Amendment would be politically damaging, because many people assume that if you are invoking [it], you must have done something wrong. Rosenzweig: I could imagine a confrontation in which a court holds him in contempt. But I cant imagine that anybody would actually send the marshals to arrest him. So then it would probably become really just a political question. At what point do the political factors engage themselves in a way that forces the president to comply? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday hit back at a top U.S. Official who discouraged the Philippines from purchasing submarines from Russia. "You meet me in a forum and I will invite everybody interested. You state your case why you are against my country acquiring submarines. Give me a reason why and make it public," Duterte said in a speech in Davao City. "You want us to remain backwards?" he demanded, pointing out that Asian neighbors Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia all have submarines. U.S. Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver on Thursday told reporters he did not think buying equipment from Russia would be "a helpful thing to the alliance" of the Philippines with the U.S. But Duterte shot back, "Is that the way you treat an ally?" He also criticized the U.S. for selling used helicopters to the country, noting that three out of six have already crashed. The President ruled out any possibility of the Philippines buying submarines from the U.S. as these would just "implode," just like the helicopters. "Who are you to warn us?" Duterte said. The Duterte government plans to acquire the country's first submarines and Russia is among the possible suppliers. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said the purchase is "still under study and nothing is final at this point," but added that the government is ready to buy equipment to modernize the Armed Forces. "We will acquire equipment from any country as long as the procurement follows the proper process as provided for under Philippine laws, and the equipment meets the requirements of its end users. In the case of the planned submarine purchase, we will consider any and all offers," he said in a statement. CNN Philippines' David Santos and Ina Andolong contributed to this report. Sound silly? Thats how most of the beer business has functioned since the 1930s. Illinois is no different. And the 100-or-so licensed beer distributors in the state have a major stake in making sure that remains the case. This set-up is called the three-tier system. The producer is the first tier, the distributor is the second tier, and the final point of sale is the third tier. There are a bundle of special laws ensuring the tiers shall not cross. 18-year-old seen on video pushing her friend off 60-foot bridge pleads not guilty (ABC News) 18-year-old who pushed friend off 60-foot bridge now facing charges originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com The 18-year-old who pushed her teenage friend off a 60-foot bridge in Washington state, leaving her with multiple injuries, has been charged with one count of reckless endangerment. Prosecutors filed the charge Friday, with a declaration of probable cause from the arresting officer stating in part, "it is clear that Taylor Smith engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of death and resulted in serious physical injury to Jordan Holgerson." Reckless endangerment is considered a gross misdemeanor that is punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000. "I accept the charges maturely and all I can do is hope for the best for Jordan and myself," Smith told ABC News late Friday. Smith pushed Holgerson, 16, off a bridge over the Lewis River at Moulton Falls Regional Park near Vancouver, Washington, Aug. 7. Holgerson plunged the equivalent of three stories before belly-flopping into the water below. She suffered "significant injuries" including six broken ribs, a punctured lung and air bubbles in her chest, officials said. The incident was captured on a cellphone video that went viral on social media but has since been removed. Surveillance camera video also shows the moment Smith shoved Holgerson off the bridge ledge. PHOTO: Jordan Holgerson, 16, was pushed off the bridge in Vancouver, Wash. (KATU) According to the complaint filed in Clark County district court, Holgerson told authorities that Smith was the one who pushed her and that it was unwanted. Smith admitted to pushing Holgerson off the bridge but told authorities she did so in an attempt to help her friend overcome her fear and not to injure her. Earlier Friday, in an exclusive interview with ABC News' "Good Morning America," Smith said she didn't consider the repercussions beforehand. "She wanted to jump and she was scared and she had asked me to give her a push, and I didn't think about the consequences," Smith told "GMA" co-anchor Michael Strahan. "I thought she would be fine." Story continues In an interview last week with ABC Portland, Oregon, affiliate KATU from her hospital bed, Holgerson described the moments leading up to the push. She had initially wanted to jump off the bridge after seeing a friend do it, she said "I went to the top of the bridge and my other - my friend ... she came up to the bridge with me," Holgerson told KATU Aug. 9. "And so, she was counting down but I didnt think anything of it. And I was like, 'No, dont count down, like, I wont go if you count down. Im not ready.' And then she pushed me." Holgerson said she didn't feel any pain but adrenaline kicked in after she hit the water. "And then an EMT that was off-duty helped me onto the rocks and just a whole bunch of people surrounding me were helping me, calming me down," she told KATU. "I am happy to be OK." (MORE: Teen pushed from bridge speaks out from hospital) PHOTO: Jordan Holgerson, 16, who was pushed off the bridge in Vancouver, Wash., suffered five broken ribs and lung injury. She talks to ABC News's affiliate KATU on Aug. 9. 2018. (KATU) Smith told "GMA" that she immediately reached out to Holgerson after the incident and "apologized several times," and even tried to visit her in the hospital but was "asked to leave." Holgerson has since stopped communicating with her, Smith said. The two were "pretty close" friends for years, she added. "I love that girl," Smith said during Friday's interview. "I never intended to hurt her ever, nor would I intend to hurt anyone. I'm really sorry it turned out that way. I just pray that she heals and gets better." (MORE: Prosecutors mulling charges against woman who pushed friend off bridge) PHOTO: Jordan Holgerson and Taylor Smith in an undated photo. (Courtesy Taylor Smith ) Investigators from the Clark County Sheriff's Office wrapped up their probe of the incident earlier this week and turned over their finding to prosecutors, who announced the reckless endangerment charge Friday afternoon. Earlier, Smith told "GMA" that the prospect of facing charges is "scary" but she will "accept whatever the prosecutor gives me." "I accept whatever the prosecutors think is best for me, considering I caused not only bodily harm but emotional trauma as well," she said. "But I just hope for the best." ABC News' Michael Harris, Santina Leuci and Jim Vojtech contributed to this report. The community in Shasta County, California has come to the aid of the couple whos road mishap accidentally started the Carr Fire, one of the states biggest wildfires this year. On July 23rd, a spark from a flat tire rim hitting the pavement started the wildfire. As the fire blazed through the county, it grew first by igniting dry bush and then by setting nearby homes aflame. The fire is now the states eighth worst in history with a seven dead, a burn area of more than 214,527 acres as of Wednesday evening, and the state and White House declaring the fire an official disaster. When Redding resident Rachel Pilli read about the accident that started the blaze, it was compassion and not anger that took over. Posting on a Facebook group for the community, Pilli asked for support for the couple whose trailer was responsible for the tragedy. According to one post, the elderly pair is devastated that their vehicles mishap caused the fire. I was thinking if I could send a card, maybe my friends would also send a card, Pilli told local news station KRCTV. We learned that his wife is blaming herself for the #CarrFire, because she asked him to take the trailer in the first place, a post on the Carr Fire Stories Facebook page says. She has been crying day and night on her couch. Do you think we can show some grace and extend kindness (and even forgiveness) for the shame and despair that she is experiencing? Would you like to send a note that we will include in a card for them? Soon, notes were pouring in for the couple, with hundreds writing to let the couple know that they shouldnt feel guilty for the accident that started the fire. Please do not blame yourselves as accidents happen through no fault of anyone, one commenter wrote. No one in my family blames them, wrote another. I hope they can forgive themselves, as it truly was an accident. Cant imagine the weight they must carry. Story continues The administrator for the Facebook group, Hope Seth, says that she will be printing out the kind notes shared on social media and add them to the letters and flowers that will be sent to the couple who own the trailer. We had firefighters out there fighting the fire send notes, weve had counselors saying they would be willing to meet with the couple, weve had people whove lost everything and they are even saying its not your fault, Seth told KRCTV. Although the couple remains anonymous, Pilli says that the accident that started the fire has actually done some good for Shasta County by forcing the community to get together in a time of devastation. I think the fire has forced us to look into each others eyes and discover the human kindness we have in us, she told reporters. I think its so beautiful what came out of this. (Photos via Carr Fire Stories Facebook Page + Terray Sylvester/Getty Images) You Might Also Like Photo credit: KXII Fox News 12 From Cosmopolitan A school in Oklahoma closed for two days this week in response to an offensive Facebook post, and related threatening comments, about a transgender student. Jamie Crenshaw, a mother in the Achille area, wrote on Facebook last week that she was upset a transgender girl was using the women's restroom at her children's school. The transgender is already using the girls bathroom, she wrote. GLAAD, a LGBTQ rights advocacy group, explains in their resources that "transgender" should never be used as a noun, as Crenshaw did here. We have been told how the school has gone above and beyond to make sure he has his own restroom yet he is still using the girls. REALLY.... Looks like its gonna be a long year. She also misgendered Maddie by using the pronoun "he." 12-year-old Maddie, the student, typically uses the faculty restroom to avoid any harassment or unwanted attention from other kids. She started in a new building this year, her mother Brandy Rose said, so she used the women's bathroom because she didn't know where the faculty one was. Up until last year, there was a policy that allowed transgender students to use whichever bathroom fit their gender identity, giving legal protection to students. The Trump administration repealed that policy last February. The Facebook group was for parents of students in the area, but it was not affiliated with the school. The group has been taken down but screenshots of Crenshaw's posts were widely shared on social media. The New York Times reached out to the Crenshaws for comment but did not get a response. Maddie told the Times that despite the threats (which included one father saying he hopes his son "whips" Maddie's ass until she doesn't return to school) she doesn't want to leave. Im going to keep my head held up high and stay strong and go to school, she said on Tuesday. And wont let those bullies drag me down. Story continues The threats also included, according to the Times, one adult calling for Maddie to be castrated with a "a good sharp knife," and another saying Maddie should be beat up in the girl's bathroom so that "it doesn't come back." (It isn't clear whether all the adults in the group have children at the school or are from the Achille area.) You would expect children to bully other children, Rose said. These are adults bullying a child and threatening a child and theyre claiming to be doing it in the name of God. How in the world is that Christlike? Maddie's mom had to take out a restraining order against Crenshaw's husband because he had also confronted both her and her husband on separate occasions. The incident is being investigated by the county's sheriff's office. The sheriff in charge, Johnny Christian, said most of the response has been in support of Maddie, but some has been negative, which is why they're taking it very seriously. The school was shut down for two days for security reasons because of potential protests-in the end, people did protest, but in favor of Maddie. More than two dozen people marched in the rain with silver duct tape over their mouths as a sign of silent support. Maddie's family moved to Oklahoma from Texas a few years ago to get a "fresh start" after students in her last school assaulted her and told her and her brother to commit suicide, her mom explained. She was already living as transgender when she moved to Oklahoma. Despite that, she's still just as religious and positive as ever, her mom said. We call her our prayer warrior, Ms. Rose said. All these people are saying she needs Jesus. Well, she has Jesus. Follow Emma on Instagram. ('You Might Also Like',) Enemy of the people: Its an expression President Trump has repeatedly used to describe the news media. He has also repeatedly tweeted about it: 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 They asked my daughter Ivanka whether or not the media is the enemy of the people. She correctly said no. It is the FAKE NEWS, which is a large percentage of the media, that is the enemy of the people! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2018 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! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2018 This week, more than 300 news publications from around the country from liberal to conservative denounced the presidents attacks on the media and defended the role of a free press in society. Led by the editorial page journalists at the Boston Globe, the collective effort involved editorial boards addressing the attacks in their own words. The president was quick to respond THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country.BUT WE ARE WINNING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 There is nothing that I would want more for our Country than true FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The fact is that the Press is FREE to write and say anything it wants, but much of what it says is FAKE NEWS, pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. HONESTY WINS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 A Quinnipiac poll released this week says 51 percent of Republicans surveyed agree with Trumps assertion that the news media is the enemy of the people. Story continues This month, CNNs Jim Acosta urged White House press secretary Sarah Sanders to acknowledge that the president shouldnt refer to the news media as the enemy of the people which she failed to do. As the New York Times describes it, enemy of the people is an expression typically used by leaders to refer to hostile foreign governments or subversive organizations. What the president may not realize is that the phrase has also been used repeatedly by dictators over the course of history. Where did the term enemy of the people come from? Its earliest use appears to date to the rule of the disastrous and careless Roman emperor Nero, who was declared an enemy of the people by his own people the Roman senate. The phrase was also used during the French Revolution, when ennemi du peuple referred to those who disagreed with the new French government and, in some cases, were executed. The phrase was used prominently in Nazi Germany, when Adolf Hitlers administration described Jews as a sworn enemy of the German people who posed a risk to his vision for the country. Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin used the phrase during the early years of the Soviet Union to describe those who disagreed with the ideologies of the Bolshevik government. And Venezuelas former socialist president, Hugo Chavez, has referred to political dissenters as enemies of the homeland. Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano, Switzerland Glide past blue lakes, snowy mountains and huge viaducts from behind panoramic windows on whats believed to be the steepest railway journey in the world. [Photo: Flickr/mstefano80] When trying to get from A to B in England, Brits dont see forking out for a pricey train journey as fun, exactly. But for a holiday? Dont underestimate them; you can see some of the most awesome landscapes the world has to offer while sat in a comfy seat. You dont have to fly to Vietnam or Australia to do so, either; some of the worlds most epic journeys are on our very own doorstep in Europe. Theres still time to hop aboard one of these before summer ends or why not book one for Autumn and take a train through the falling leaves? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK. Read more from Yahoo Style UK: This is how much the average family holiday costs, apparently Why taking a gap year can be such a good decision after all Windsor Castle has become the most popular UK tourist spot since the royal wedding The Navy admiral who oversaw the 2011 mission to kill Osama Bin Laden has criticized President Donald Trump for revoking former CIA director John Brennans security clearance saying the President has humiliated and divided America. Retired Adm. William H. McRaven, a former Navy SEAL and commander of Joint Special Operations Command, wrote an open letter in the Washington Post Thursday in which he asked Trump to revoke his security clearance, as well. McRaven adds to the growing chorus of criticism over Trumps targeting of Brennan and other former intelligence and security officials who have spoken out against him. On Thursday and early Friday, 13 former intelligence chiefs including former CIA director General David Petraeus and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates released a statement backing Brennan and calling Trumps attacks ill-considered and unprecedented. McRaven, in his letter in the Post, said Brennan was one of the finest public servants I have ever known, adding that he would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency. He added: Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. The White House announced Wednesday that Trump had revoked Brennans security clearance, with the President citing erratic conduct and outrageous allegations. Brennan hit back on Thursday, saying that his involvement in the investigation into Russian involvement in Trumps 2016 election victory was the reason for his dismissal. Trump said he was also considering revoking security clearance for others, including former FBI Director James Comey, former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe. All of the names on Trumps list have either been publicly critical of him, or were involved in the investigation of the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Story continues Below is the full text of the letter signed by 13 former senior intelligence officials: As former senior intelligence officials, we feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House regarding the removal of John Brennans security clearances. We know John to be an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Insinuations and allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Brennan while in office are baseless. Since leaving government service John has chosen to speak out sharply regarding what he sees as threats to our national security. Some of the undersigned have done so as well. Others among us have elected to take a different course and be more circumspect in our public pronouncements. Regardless, we all agree that the presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. You dont have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information. We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to other former and current officials. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticize us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable. Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views. William H. Webster, former Director of Central Intelligence (1987-1991) Robert M. Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence (1991-1993) George J. Tenet, former Director of Central Intelligence (1997-2004) Porter J. Goss, former Director of Central Intelligence, (2005-2006) General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2009) Leon E. Panetta, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2009-2011) General David H. Petraeus, USA, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2011-2012) James R. Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence (2010-2017) John E. McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (2000-2004) Stephen R. Kappes, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2010) Michael J. Morell, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2010-2013) Avril Haines, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2013-2015) David S. Cohen, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2015-2017) Luther Younger walks six miles, each way, to visit his wife in the hospital. (Photo: Spectrum News) Luther Younger, a 98-year-old Korean War veteran, walks about six miles each way, rain or shine, to visit his paralyzed wife in the hospital, according to Spectrum News Rochester. Luther and his wife, Waverlee, have been married for over 50 years. I aint nothing without my wife, Younger told Spectrum News. Its been a rough pull. Its been tough. Luther Younger and his wife, Waverly, have been married more than 50 years. Due to health issues, she's been hospitalized for nearly two weeks. Even in the rain, he walks to be by her side. pic.twitter.com/O1NbFS9hOP Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) August 17, 2018 They both live with me, the couples daughter, Lutheta Younger, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. I moved them out of their house, moved them in with me. Along with her sister Joyce Johnson, the two have been taking care of Waverlee and Luther, in the same way her mother always took care of her and her siblings, Lutheta says. According to Lutheta, her father has been walking to and from the hospital for a long time. He doesnt have to, but he wants to. I can drive him. He just doesnt want to wait; hes impatient. Luther Younger kisses his wife, Waverlee. (Photo: Courtesy of Lutheta Younger via Facebook) Waverlee has suffered from brain cancer since 2009, but Luther fondly remembers their years together. Shes the best cup of tea I ever had, the devoted husband told Spectrum News. She would come in and kiss me and say baby and feed me in the bed, and this is what I need right here. The whole time she was sick, he would stay overnight [in the hospital], Lutheta says. He wouldnt leave her. When asked what her father thinks of all the attention hes receiving, Lutheta says, You know, he just wants the best for my mom. A GoFundMe page was recently set up for the family to help with hospital expenses and the cost of rides to and from the hospital. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Warfare History Network History, Asia On the American battleships, the young sailors marveled that despite a night of sound and fury their battleships had suffered nothing. They were all alive to greet the new day. The loudspeakers blared, Now hear this. Secure from general quarters. Set torpedo defense watch. How America's Old-School Battleships Got Revenge for Pearl Harbor Everybody in the American force was eager for battle. Five of the battleships in Oldendorfs line had been present at Pearl Harbor: Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, California, and Tennessee. Their crews were eager to avenge that humiliation. The sixth battleship was the veteran USS Mississippi.Some of the American cruisers were new warships, like Denver, Columbia, and Cleveland, while others trailed lengthy records of combat. Portland had been at Midway, Minneapolis at Guadalcanal, Phoenix had steamed boldly out of the carnage of Pearl Harbor, while Boise survived overwhelming Japanese power in the defeats in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies. The Australians aboard HMAS Shropshire had bitter memories of the fiasco at Savo Island, having served aboard and survived the sinking of HMAS Canberra before she could fire a shot. In the distance, they could see the jagged flashes of lightning, an incoming squall in the dark. Just before the rain arrived, so did St. Elmos Fire, and the gun barrels and radio antennas on the PT boats crackled with blue sparks and streamers of static electricity. Then there was another lightning flash, and suddenly Lieutenant (j.g.) Terry Chambers, the executive officer of PT-491 saw thema column of seven Japanese warships advancing in the dark, headed for Surigao Strait and the waiting U.S. Seventh Fleet. It was the extremely early morning of October 25, 1944, and two battleships and a heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy were steaming toward what would become one of the most one-sided battles in naval history, and the last duel between battleships of the line. Story continues The Battle of Surigao Strait was a major portion of the titanic Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest and last major naval battle ever fought, an epic engagement that saw the use of every type of naval warfare except the mine. The Leyte Gulf battle began with the American decision on July 27, 1944, to target the Philippines instead of Formosa as their next invasion site. General Douglas MacArthur would redeem his pledge to return to the Philippines. The initial objective was the invasion of the island of Leyte to secure air and sea bases for the next stages: seizing Mindoro and the climactic assault on the main island of Luzon. Codenamed King II, the invasion of Leyte would involve two U.S. fleets, the 7th, under Vice Admiral Thomas Cassin Kinkaid, and the 3rd, under Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Sho-1: The Imperial Navy Strikes Back The 3rd Fleet was the offensive arm of the invasion, with nine fleet carriers, eight light carriers, and six fast battleships at its heart. The 7th Fleet was the amphibious force, with more than 100 transports and other vessels (including the British minelayer HMS Ariadne), protected by a swarm of cruisers, destroyers, and escort carriers for close air support, backed by six old battleships configured for shore bombardment, in a Fire Support Force, headed by Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf, flying his flag in the heavy cruiser USS Louisville. Among his ships were the Australian cruiser HMAS Shropshire and the destroyer HMAS Arunta. A-day for the invasion was to be October 20, 1944. The invaders were not spotted by the Japanese until October 17, when the whole American armada appeared at the mouth of the Gulf of Leyte. When they did so, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, who headed the Imperial Japanese Navy, ordered their long-planned response, Victory Operation One, or Sho-1, into operation. Sho-1 was one of four plans the Japanese had prepared in anticipation of Americas next offensive move, and they all called for the same reaction: the bulk of the Imperial Japanese Navy steaming forth to attack and destroy the U.S. fleet, regardless of losses to themselves. Sho-1 was like most Imperial Japanese Navy plans of World War II: a decoy force would lure the Americans in one direction, while the real punch would come from other directions in a complex series of coordinated movements. This time, the decoy force was Japans surviving aircraft carriers, under Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, steaming down from the home islands. With barely 100 planes between them, these carriers lacked offensive punch, but the Japanese believed the aggressive Halsey would race after them with his entire 3rd Fleet. While Halsey was drawn off, the powerful battleships and heavy cruisers of the Imperial Navy, mostly based at Lingga Roads near Singapore and the Borneo fuel stocks, would strike east and ravage the 7th Fleets amphibious forces while they lay in Leyte Gulf. The surface ships would pound the 7th Fleet to death with torpedoes and shells, isolating the American invaders on shore. The combination of a trapped army in the Philippines and a smashed navy in the Pacific might at least buy Japan time, or even persuade America to make peace. The Task Forces of Kurita and Nishimura The battlewagons at Lingga were commanded by Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita and consisted of a powerful force. They were headed by two immense dreadnoughts, the Yamato and Musashi, sister ships that packed the heaviest armament ever loaded on a battleship, 18.1-inch guns. They were supported by five more dreadnoughts and a screen of cruisers and destroyers, all of which brandished the legendary Type 95 Long Lance torpedo, one of the best in the world. The Imperial Japanese Navy may have been worn down by hard war, but it was still a powerful force with highly skilled sailors and officers well trained in night fighting. Recommended: North Koreas Most Lethal Weapon Isnt Nukes. Recommended: 5 Worst Guns Ever Made. Recommended: The Worlds Most Secretive Nuclear Weapons Program. Toyoda and Kurita planned a pincer attack on Leyte Gulf with their battleships. Kurita would take one force, with five battleships, including Yamato and Musashi, through the San Bernardino Strait to hit Leyte Gulf from the north. A second force, under Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura, a veteran seadog, would steam through the Surigao Strait and smash into Leyte Gulf from the south, the anvil to Kuritas hammer, just before dawn.A Naval War College graduate of 1911, Nishimura had commanded destroyers in the invasion of the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies in 1941. His son, Teiji Nishimura, a naval aviator, had been killed in the former invasion. In 1942, Nishimura commanded cruisers in the grueling struggle for Guadalcanal, suffering some bad luck but displaying skillful planning and lion-like fury in battle.On September 10, 1944, Nishimura was given command of Battleship Division 2, which consisted of the dreadnoughts Fuso and Yamashiro and their destroyer escorts. The two battlewagons, sister ships, dated back to 1911 and were known throughout the fleet for their tall pagoda masts44 meters above the waterlineand for having sat out most of the war in home waters, mostly as training vessels. The emperors brother had served on Fuso twice. These battleships had never fired their guns in anger. They were the first battleships built with Japanese engines and guns, the most powerful dreadnoughts in the world at the time. But Fuso and Yamashiro were slow and outdated by 1944s standards, armed with six 14-inch guns each. They were sister ships, but not twins, and regarded as the ugliest ships in the Imperial Navy. Both had crews of about 1,600 officers and men. Yamashiro flew Nishimuras flag. To support Nishimuras force would be four destroyers, Michishio, Yamagumo, Asagumo, and Shigure, and a veteran heavy cruiser, the Mogami. Failed Coordination With the Second Striking Force Studying his war maps, Toyoda did not think that Nishimura had quite enough punch, so he added a second task force to the southern wing, under Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima, swinging down from the Pescadore Islands off Formosa. The second striking force would consist of the heavy cruisers Nachiand Ashigara, both veteran ships; the light cruiser Abukuma, which had escorted Japans carriers to Pearl Harbor; and four destroyers, Shiranuhi, Kasumi, Ushio, and Akebono. Unlike Nishimura, Shima was a desk sailor. Like Nishimura, Shima had graduated from the Naval War College in the class of 1911. He had served in a variety of shore posts, mostly in communications. Neither force commander coordinated his movements with the othernor were any orders given to do so. Neither commander was fully briefed about the others operations. As far as historians could tell, Nishimura was to clear a path with his battleships so that the cruisers and destroyers behind could finish off the transports with torpedoes. Nishimuras group was to be called the Third Section, while Shimas group was the Second Striking Force. With the Americans moving on Leyte, the Japanese launched their intricate countermoves. Ozawa sortied from Japan, Shima from the Pescadores, and Kurita and Nishimura from Lingga Roads, headed for a refueling stop at Brunei. On October 20, the Americans invaded Leyte with massive power. Landings began at 10 am, and General MacArthur strode grimly ashore four hours later, making his famous I have returned! speech from the invasion beach amid a steady downpour. Spotted in the Sulu Sea The next day, Kurita summoned his senior officers to a conference on his flagship, the heavy cruiser Atago. Kurita explained his plans to the assembled admirals, including the decision to split off Nishimuras force to head for the Surigao Strait. If the complex ship movements worked, the two forces would slam into the American 7th Fleet just before dawn on October 25. The next morning, the Imperial Japanese Navys battle line headed out for sea for the very last time, with Kurita and his five dreadnoughts steaming north to the Sibuyan Sea and the San Bernardino Strait. At 3:30 pm, Nishimuras ships put to sea. Shimas ships were already en route. All through the afternoon and night, the two forces steamed along unimpeded into the Sulu Sea. Not so Kuritas force, which was spotted by two American submarines, which slapped torpedoes into three of Kuritas cruisers, sinking twoincluding his flagship Atagoand damaging the third. Kurita shifted his flag to the battleship Yamato and sailed on. At 6 am on the morning of October 24, the nearest carriers to Nishimura, the veteran USS Enterprise and the new USS Franklin, launched reconnaissance planes to fan out over the Sulu Sea, hunting for Japanese warships. At 8:30 am, an Enterprise search team under Lieutenant Raymond E. Moore spotted Nishimuras battleships and identified them correctly. A strike group of 12 bombers and 16 fighters headed for the dreadnoughts. For Enterprise Ensign Robert J. Barnes, seeing the massive battleships beneath him was something you dream about as a dive-bomber pilot. The antiaircraft fire was terrific. On the Japanese ships, signal halyards and bugle calls summoned everyone to battle stations; the 14-inch guns loaded Type 3 antiaircraft ammunition and opened fire. The barrage of shells shook Asagumos chief engineer, Tokichi Ishii, in his engine room. On Fuso, Yeoman 2nd Class Hideo Ogawa, in the powder magazine, considered that if the battleship were hit his end would be quick, as he was surrounded by main battery powder canisters. The American planes swooped down on the Japanese warships, subjecting them to bombing, strafing, and rockets. On Yamashiro, 20 men died from strafing. A bomb scored a direct hit on Fuso,bouncing No. 1 turret on its barbette. It crashed through the deck and killed everyone in the secondary battery. Another bomb hit Fusos quarterdeck, setting two floatplanes ablaze and gutting the wardroom. Another bomb grazed the Shigures No. 1 turret. Lieutenant Commander Fred Bakutis, skipper of Enterprises fighter squadron, was shot out of the sky during the battle and had to ditch. Luckily, the Japanese did not spot him, and he spent seven days in a life raft before he was spotted and picked up by the submarine USS Hardhead, dehydrated, hungry, blistered, but otherwise in good shape. He recovered to resume flying. The American planes flew off, and damage control parties on the Japanese ships went to work. Both battlewagons suffered from burst seams and minor damage. Nishimura ordered his ships to proceed with their mission. He fired off Mogamis scout planes to check on the enemy. One of them reported four battleships, two cruisers, four destroyers, 15 aircraft carriers, 14 PT boats, and 80 transports in Leyte Gulf, a close approximation of the defense. At 4 pm, Nishimura blinkered his battle plan. Mogami and the four destroyers would steam ahead and mop up the enemy PT boats, then reassemble, and all ships would charge up Surigao Strait. Oldendorfs Advantages and Disadvantages Meanwhile, the Americans, aware of Nishimuras advance, made their preparations. Rear Admiral Jesse C. Oldendorf was a burly Californian and a member of the Annapolis class of 1909. Known as Oley to his pals, he had commanded the heavy cruiser USS Houston before the war, which had carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt on his voyages. In 1942 and 1943, he was in charge of countermeasures in the Caribbean against U-boats and screening big transports on convoy duty. He took over the Pacific Fleets gunfire support battleships in 1944, flying his flag on the heavy cruiser USS Louisville. With short notice, Oldendorf planned his defenses with skill. He summoned his subordinate admirals aboard his flagship in the early evening to lay out his plans. He had several advantages: large numbers of ships, new fire-control radar, combat information centers to channel information flow in and orders out, and above all the narrow geography of Surigao Strait, which offered opportunities for ambushes. He set up a gauntlet for the Japanese. PT boats would be the opening screen, alerting Oldendorf to the enemys location, size, and movements. Then Oldendorf would harry them with destroyers armed with torpedoes. The Japanese would be worn down by the time they reached his battle line of six older battlewagons and 10 cruisers, which included Australias HMAS Shropshire. The crowded nature of Surigao Strait would enable Oldendorf to form a battle line crossing the T of the Japanese advance, the dream of every naval commander, which would hammer the Japanese ships. Still, the U.S. Navy had not shown a good record in night naval engagements up to this point, losing battles or suffering heavy casualties in the Solomons. His destroyers lacked replacement torpedoes. The American battleships were not the Navys first team of fast dreadnoughts, but older, slower vessels, built just after World War I. At least two lacked modern radar. Most importantly, Oldendorfs ships ammunition scales were for providing support fire for ground troops. They had been doing so for days. Some of the destroyers were down to 20 percent of their ammunition. The battleships were loaded with 77 percent bombardment shells for ground targets and 23 percent armorpiercing ordnance for enemy shipsand they had been on the bombardment line for days, shooting off 58 percent of all their ammunition. Oldendorf told his battleship men to hold fire until the Japanese had closed to 17,000 to 20,000 yards, use armor-piercing shells to rip open the enemy hulls, and high explosive ordnance thereafter. Oldendorf took other precautions. Remembering that at Savo Island in 1942, Japanese shells blasted American cruisers seaplanes to start fires, he ordered his ships to park their seaplanes in hangars and rely on PT boats, radar, and good communications to track the enemy. The destroyers and cruisers took up positions on the right and left wings of the battle line to minimize the risk of friendly fire. All afternoon, Oldendorfs ships took on additional ammunition. PT Boats Make Contact Everybody in the American force was eager for battle. Five of the battleships in Oldendorfs line had been present at Pearl Harbor: Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, California, and Tennessee. Their crews were eager to avenge that humiliation. The sixth battleship was the veteran USS Mississippi.Some of the American cruisers were new warships, like Denver, Columbia, and Cleveland, while others trailed lengthy records of combat. Portland had been at Midway, Minneapolis at Guadalcanal, Phoenix had steamed boldly out of the carnage of Pearl Harbor, while Boise survived overwhelming Japanese power in the defeats in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies. The Australians aboard HMAS Shropshire had bitter memories of the fiasco at Savo Island, having served aboard and survived the sinking of HMAS Canberra before she could fire a shot. Captain Jesse G. Coward, a Guadalcanal veteran commanding Destroyer Squadron (Desron) 54, a fresh addition to Oldendorfs force, signaled his boss: In case of surface contact to the southward I plan to make an immediate torpedo attack and then retire to clear you. With your approval I will submit plan shortly. Oldendorf gave the aggressive Coward the green light 15 minutes later. The Japanese were going in, too. Nishimura intended to hit the American transports at 4 am. The night wore on, with Japanese lookouts peering into the dark as the two forces moved separately through the Mindanao Sea and toward the island of Leyte. Waiting in the dark for Nishimuras split force were 39 PT boats in 13 groups of three, engines idling, ready to fire torpedoes and crash start their main engines to escape. There was no wind, a flat sea, and visibility only about three miles. Aboard Louisville, Oldendorf could only see two ships in front of and behind him. At 10:36 pm, Ensign Peter R. Gadds PT-131 spotted the Japanese force on its radar. Gadd throttled up and closed in to attack, joined by other PT boats. To their amazement, they saw the immense bulks of Nishimuras capital ships heading north. The PT boats headed in to loose torpedoes, and lookouts on Shigure spotted the American vessels. Shigure opened fire and illuminated with starshells. Realizing they were attacking a force many times their power, the PT boats turned away, making smoke to obscure their exits. The battleships joined in with their secondary armament. One 6-inch shell struck a glancing blow right against the forward torpedo in its rack on PT-130, smashing the nose, splintering the deck. The shell knocked out the PT boats radio and flew out of the bow without detonating. The PT boats reported their contact up the chain of command, and Oldendorf got the messages an hour and a half after the Japanese were sighted. The PTs Continue Their Harassment Meanwhile, the terrier-like PT boats kept connected with the advancing Japanese force. Two PT boats fired torpedoes at Nishimuras ships but missed. Neither side scored hits, but the scrapping frayed Japanese nerves. Nishimura was afraid that Mogami would mistake him for the enemy in the deteriorating visibility. Sure enough, at 1:05 am, Fuso lookouts saw a suspicious silhouette off the port bow. Trained in recognizing enemy ships, but not to distinguish Japanese vessels, they reported the silhouette as American. The battleship hurled 6-inch shells in that direction and got an angry voice-radio message back, Cease firing, cease firing! Friendly ships! It was Mogami. Unfortunately, just as the message got transmitted, another 6-inch shell hit the cruiser, killing three sailors who were lying in sickbay, wounded in the mornings American air attack. Nishimura ordered his ships to cease fire, and the entire Japanese formation regrouped and resumed heading north with the battleships in the lead and Mogami behind. Some distance behind them, Shimas cruisers followed, his intentions vague. Shima had no plan to cooperate with Nishimura, merely to follow along. The American PT boats were still harrying the Japanese, though. Next up, PT-134, commanded by Lieutenant Edmund F. Wakelin, got to within 2,500 yards of Nishimuras ships before coming under Japanese searchlights and gunfire. Wakelin fired torpedoes at Fuso, but they passed harmlessly astern of the battleship. Three more PT boats popped out, and Nishimura had to do some fancy maneuvering to avoid the American fish. PT-490 found itself a bare 400 yards from the Japanese ships and was hit by two shells. Other shells hit PT-493, damaging the engine, tearing a hole in the boats bottom. PT-491 moved in to evacuate the crew, and the wounded PT-493 drifted free and sank after sunrise. American casualties on the fragile PT boats numbered three killed and 20 wounded. At 2:11 am, Nishimura ordered his ships into battle formation for the dash up the strait. As they did so, another group of PT boats sprinted in from the southeast, hurling six torpedoes at the Japanese. The torpedoes all missed. Nishimuras ships steamed on at 20 knots. Brilliantly Conceived and Well Executed Now came Captain Cowards Desron 54. The sea was glassy and the temperature about 80 degrees Farenheit, and only the wind made by the tin cans speed brought relief to the men topside. All hands were served coffee and sandwiches after midnight. Moving in two flanking groups south through the strait, Cowards five destroyers plotted the Japanese approach with their radar. At 2:58 am, Shigure illuminated Cowards eastern group with a searchlight, and Coward assigned targets as his tin cans cranked up to 30 knots for an attack. His plan was to use torpedoes only, so as not to give away his ships positions with gun flashes. At 3 am, the American destroyers loosed 27 torpedoes at a range of 11,500 yards at the Japanese. As the torpedoes powered through the water, Fuso opened up with her 14-inch guns at a surface target for the first time in her life. Petty Officer Hideo Ogawa removed cordite charges from flash-proof storage canisters and loaded them onto the powder-cage elevator, and at 3:07 Fuso let loose at her targets. Japanese shells flew at the American destroyers. A minute later, two American torpedoes from Melvin slammed into Fusos starboard side with towering explosions and cascades of water. The dreadnought slowed down and began listing to starboard. The starboard boiler rooms flooded rapidly. The dreadnought sheered out of line, her starboard side blazing. Incredibly, her skipper, Rear Admiral Masami Ban, did not radio a damage reporthe may have been unable to do so or coping with too many crises at onceand her companions continued steaming north. Mogami slipped into the position Fuso vacated. Nishimura was unaware that he had just lost 50 percent of his dreadnought strength and pressed on, radioing orders to an unresponsive Fuso. Cowards destroyers charged in, illuminated by a Japanese parachute flare from one of Yamashiros floatplanes. As their torpedoes streaked off, Chief Petty Officer Virgil Rollins, manning McDermuts No. 2 torpedo mount, calmly remarked, It is about time for something to happen. At that instant, 3:20 am, explosions and fireballs lit up the night. Two torpedoes crashed into Yamagumos port side, and the destroyer exploded immediately, the blast seen as far away as Oldendorfs battleships. The hits apparently cooked off Yamagumos torpedoes, and the destroyer sank rapidly. The destruction was only beginning. At 3:22, a torpedo slammed into Yamashiros port side. At 3:25, Asagumo took a torpedo hit forward. A startling vibration shook up Chief Engineer Tokichi Ishii. He phoned the bridge to find out what was going on but got no answer. Seconds later, a runner from the bridge appeared bearing word from the skipper, Commander Kazuo Shibayama, to check on a torpedo hit to the port bow. At the same time, torpedoes smacked into Asagumo. She rapidly took on water, her bows shredded. The Japanese now had only one battleship, one cruiser, and one destroyer ready to hit back, and as Michishio prepared to launch torpedoes, she suddenly heaved and shuddered violently, slowing to a dead halt, the recipient of more American torpedoes from McDermut and Monssen. All power on the Japanese destroyer went out, and the machinery spaces began flooding rapidly. For the American destroyers, it was a grand slam unmatched in nautical history: three Japanese destroyers and a battleship crippled by a single onslaught of torpedoes. Oldendorfs report on the attack was blunt and accurate: Brilliantly conceived and well executed. Disaster on the Radio Chatter In the strait, Japanese warships blazed and began to founder. On Yamashiros flag bridge, Nishimura tried to make sense of the rapidly unfolding disaster. He reported by radio to his superiors: Enemy DDs and torpedo boats are stationed at the northern entrance to Surigao Strait. Two of our DDs have received torpedo damage and are drifting. Yamashiro has been hit by one torpedo, but her battle integrity is not impaired. Tokyo got the word. So did USS Denver, which picked up the message at 3 am. It clearly indicated that Nishimura was losing control of the situation. He seemed to assume that Fuso was still following him. The surviving Japanese pressed on. On Fusos bridge, Rear Admiral Ban took stock of disastrous damage control reports: No. 1 powder and shell magazines filling with water the ship making only 10 knots her bow drooping into the water communications out. At 3:20, Fuso wobbled onto a westerly course. Behind this scene of nautical destruction, Shimas force continued to steam north at maximum battle speed. On the flag bridge of Nachi, Shima listened uneasily to the tactical radio and Japanese voices announcing disaster. He peered out his windows into darkness and rain, wondering what was out there. Shimas Task Force Struck What was out there was Panaon Island. His ships were steaming through rain and mist on the wrong course. At the last minute, lookouts saw mountains looming and heard waves crashing ashore and shouted warnings. Shima ordered his ships to a maximum port turn, and he evaded both navigational embarrassment and disaster. At 3:20, they faced disaster at enemy hands as torpedoes crashed out of the night and into the light cruiser Abukumas port side just forward of the bridge, ripping open the flimsy ships hull. A thousand tons of water cascaded in. Shima had just met the American PT boats that had not engaged Nishimuras ships, and they were eager to tear into the Japanese. Abukuma and her escorts fired back, but to no avail. It was clear Abukuma could not proceed, and the old cruiser pulled out of formation with 37 dead. The cruisers escorts sprinted on in the night, leaving Abukuma behind to tend her wounds. Up ahead, Nishimuras force continued north. The next set of picadors was Captain Kenmore McManess Destroyer Squadron 24 (Desron 24), which included HMAS Arunta, her white ensigns snapping in the wind. Unlike seadogs of old, McManes fought this battle not from his flag bridge but in his combat information center hunched over a radar screen. McManes cranked his ships up to 25 knots, and at 3:23 am, Arunta opened up with five torpedoes. USS Killen launched her fish a minute later, all aimed at Shigure and Yamashiro. At 3:31, one of Killens torpedoes smacked into Yamashiros port side amidships. The battleship began to list to port and cut speed to a perilously slow five knots. Determined damage control on the dreadnought patched the holes, and soon Yamashiro was back at a decent 18 knots. South of the flagship, Fuso was in agony, still moving on a wobbly course, probably trying to beach on Kanihaan Island. But the ship was so far down at the bow, Chief Engineer Captain Eiichi Nakaya could not maintain navigability. In No. 1 turret, Yasuo Kato saw water flooding in from the hatch above him. Kato sent a messenger to the bridge to report his predicament. The messenger saluted, scrambled out of the listing turret, and was back moments later. He could not walk the deck. It was spouting steam, oil, and seawater. Below Kato, Hideo Ogawa and his pals watched seawater trickle into their space. The turret captain ordered Ogawa and 10 of his buddies to evacuate upward. They climbed into the projectile room above, closing the steel hatch behind them to preserve watertight integrity. Once there, Ogawa and his shipmates kept climbing, joining 15 more men to evacuate through another steel door of the hoist. Then came orders from the bridge: all hands of No. 1 and No. 2 turrets were to assemble at the center starboard upper deck as reserves for damage control. Abandon Ship! McManes and his tin cans of Desron 24 were still harrying Nishimuras battered ships. Radar screens were full of pips, from both friend and foe. While the Americans held the initiative, the Japanese fought back. Asagumo fired torpedoes at USS Daly, which sizzled just under the Americans bow. The sound and fury in this portion of the engagement signified nothing as both sides missed each other, but Fusos nightmare was coming to an end. Hideo Ogawa watched his ships forecastle slide underwater. Crewmen struggled out of No. 1 turret onto the slanting foredeck, her gunhouse parting the seas with its shield. Yasuo Kato wiggled out of the turret and was struck by the fact that complete silence prevailed on our ship. Then the thin sound of gurgling water and the distant rumble of explosions were broken by the strident notes of a bugle blaring Abandon Ship! Kato and his buddies started jumping into the water. As they hit the Surigao Strait, they heard a grinding clatter. Everyone looked up and saw Fusos bridge tilt at an angle of 45 degrees to the left and [make] a terrible noise it hit the water with a huge splash. With her bow submerged, Fuso was listing heavily to starboard. Suddenly she corkscrewed to port and upended. Kato, who had scrambled over the starboard rail, had found himself standing on the hulls side and sliding along the blister. When Fuso spun to port he was flung into the sea on his back. He swam away. Finally the old battleship rolled over and sank, spewing out unstable Borneo oil from her tanks, turning the sea into a gooey and deadly slime, trapping sailors. As the oil spread, it connected with flaming wreckage and started new fires. The hissing sound created by the fires reminded Ogawa of roasting beans. Sailors caught in the goo were killed in the inferno. Fuso had sunk within 15 minutes of being torpedoed, between 3:40 and 3:50 am. She went to the bottom of Surigao Strait, taking most of her crew of 1,630 officers and men with her. Only a mere 10 members of the old battleships crew would survive. As Fuso departed the scene, so did Michishio, at about 3:38 am, sinking into the strait. Only four members of her crew survived. This Has to be Quick. Stand by Your Torpedoes. Incredibly, Nishimura plowed on with the courage of a samurai, joined by Shigure, Mogami, and the bowless Asagumo. So did Shimas vessels, barely 40,000 yards behind Nishimuras. Hounded by McManess destroyers, Nishimura continued to steam north. The Japanese hurled shells at their tormentors, who used smokescreens with considerable effectiveness. On Mogamis bridge, officers struggled to make sense of radar screens, trying to separate land masses from Japanese and American warships. By now the opposing destroyers were in gun range, and Hutchins opened fire on Asagumo, hitting her and setting fire to the Japanese ships torpedo tubes. On Louisville, Oldendorf watched the flashes of explosions and the beams of searchlights, awaiting the moment he could cut loose. From listening to the radio chatter, he determined he was up against two battleships, not four. The Japanese were now 26,900 yards away from his dreadnoughts. West Virginia led the parade of battleships, followed by Maryland, flagship Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and California. At 3:34 am, Destroyer Squadron 56 (Desron 56) Captain Roland Smoot on USS Newcomb led the next U.S. charge against Nishimuras force, with nine destroyers maneuvering in three sections to corner the enemy. At 3:46, Captain Thomas Conley, commanding Smoots second section, signaled his destroyers, This has to be quick. Stand by your torpedoes. Smoot and Conley logically were worried that their tin cans would be at risk to both Japanese fire and American guns in this close-range encounter. Their attack would go in bare minutes before the American battleships would open fire. 18-Minutes of Vengeance The Japanese kept closing in ragged formation. On the American dreadnoughts, radar operators and communicators chanted off steadily decreasing ranges. At 3:50 am, the range dropped to 15,600 yards. Oldendorf barked, All right, give the order to open fire. TBS (Talk Between Ships) radios and soundpowered phones repeated the admirals order. On the battleships and cruisersexcept Louisville, whose gunners cut loose before the order was givenbuzzers sounded and gongs rang, and the battle line spewed forth massive shells with a titanic roar. Louisvilles deck and bulkheads rattled from the opening salvo. The light cruisers fired their 6-inch guns rapidly, the heavy cruisers their 8-inch guns more deliberately. At 3:53 am, West Virginia opened fire on Yamashiro, 22,800 yards away, in full broadside. Her 16-inch guns, two gun turrets officered by men on their first sea voyage, exacted revenge for the Pearl Harbor humiliation by hitting Yamashiro on the first salvo. Yamashiros forecastle spouted flame, and her 14-inch gun turrets erupted with answering shells. Two minutes later, California opened up with the first of 63 rounds of 14-inch shells. At 3:56, Tennessee joined the dinthree American battleships that had survived Pearl Harbor blasting a single Japanese dreadnought. On Mogami, the American barrage shone in distant flashes like light rows of a switchboard turning on one after another in a dark room. The light show was followed by the whistle and hiss of incoming shells. Those shells that missed sent up huge walls of white water. Those shells that hit Yamashiro impacted near her bridge, rocking the giant ship, starting fires, disabling the radar, but missing the compass and flag bridge. Nishimuras T had been fully crossed, but it did not matter. The previous hits to his ship had flooded the magazines for his No. 5 and No. 6 turrets, knocking them out of action, and he was about to unmask his No. 3 and No. 4 turrets. All of Mogamis guns bore forward because of her wartime rebuildings, and Shigures primary weapons were her torpedoes. Furthermore, head-on targets were tougher to hit. Under fire, poorly informed as to his situation, Nishimura radioed for Fuso to open fire on the Americans, unaware that his second battleship was sunk. Nor was Nishimura aware of Shimas location behind him. The two Japanese forces would enter battle completely uncoordinated. American shells rained down on Yamashiro. At 3:56, HMAS Shropshire finally had a firing solution and hurled 32 8-inch broadsides of eight guns at Yamashiro. At 3:59 am, Maryland located Yamashiro on her radar and ripped loose with her main battery. The American heavy guns thundered for only 18 minutes, but it was time enough to avenge the humiliations of Pearl Harbor and Savo Island, raining destruction on Yamashiro. A direct hit exploded the officers wardroom, serving as a sickbay, killing medical lead Lieutenant Buntaro Kitamura and staff along with the wounded they were attending. Other heavy shells ripped open Yamashiros armor and shredded her superstructure. A Sudden Promotion for Chief Petty Officer Yamamoto While Yamashiro absorbed the shelling, Mogami, and Shigure struggled to fight. Mogami turned to port to unmask starboard torpedo tubes under heavy enemy fire. The Americans did not ignore the cruiser. McManess destroyers spotted Mogami, illuminated by Yamashiros fires, bearing down on the onrushing Hutchins. The destroyers Daly and Bache opened fire on Mogami. On the cruiser, Captain Ryo Toma wondered if he was steaming toward Japanese or American ships in the confusion. To be sure, he flashed two large searchlights and a red Very star. The Americans answered his signals with a hail of shells. Mogami took a hit on her mainmast, and the steel structure began to sag. Other shells blasted her two radio rooms and antiaircraft mounts. Toma decided to make a wide loop away to try to launch torpedoes from his port side. But the fire and smoke drew a fusillade of 6-inch and 8-inch shells from Oldendorfs cruisers, which added to Mogamis pain with hits on No. 3 turret, knocking it out of action, and another on the deck near the starboard after engine rooms air intake, which sent smoke into the engine room and forced the crew to evacuate. On Mogamis bridge, Toma and his officers argued over what they should do, continue the attack or withdraw? Toma wanted to withdraw, but his officers believed they could still fight their way past the Americans. Toma yielded to their Bushido spirit. Mogami turned around and headed north at 4 am. At 4:02, two shells from Portland smashed Mogamis compass bridge, and a third tore into the air defense center, killing almost all hands at both positions, including Toma. Only four signalmen who happened to be on the signaling platform were left alive and standing. Mogami was steaming along out of control, nobody in command. Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Shuichi Yamamoto, the chief signalman, took the reins. He ran onto the smashed bridge and found the steering mechanism power had failed. He contacted the armored wheelhouse two decks below his feet on the sound-powered phone and called for manual steering and for someone to find the ranking senior officer. Shuddering from repeated hits, Mogami swung out of line just as heavy shells slammed into the cruisers forward No. 1 engine room, sending high-pressure steam spewing in all directions, killing trapped engineers. Flames spread to the No. 9 boiler room, and choking black smoke poured out. Boiler tenders shut down the furnace. At 4:03, another shell knocked out all lights in the port after engine room. Mogami had lost three engine rooms in as many minutes. The engineers in the port forward engine room ignored smoke and heat to provide Mogami with engine power. As the shaking cruiser rattled away, Lt. Cmdr. Giichiro Arai, the gunnery officer, was told he was in command. But with the ships guns firing, he could not report to the bridge. Yamamoto would have to keep the conn. One Destroyer Against an Armada Amid all this shellfire and destruction, the destroyer Shigure sailed on, straddled but not hit. There were so many near misses that the gyro compass was out. Her skipper, Commander Shigeru Nishino, barked requests into his radio to the other ships to find out where they were or whom he should shoot at. On his bridge, Nishino summed up the situation rationallyone destroyer against an armada. At 4:03 am, he aborted his northward charge and started arcing a starboard reverse turn, heading south and out of the battle. On Yamashiro, fires blazed from the dreadnoughts pagoda mast, looking like ceremonial lanterns back in Sasebo. The fires burned so brightly that the Americans could make out Yamashiros 6-inch turrets standing out against the glare of the flames. An American shell destroyed No. 3 turret and its two 14-inch guns in a violent explosion. The ships communications and two aft turrets were out. The only good news was that paymaster Ensign Yamauchi was standing guard over the emperors portrait in the conning tower. Incredibly, Yamashiro fought on. The battleship made a wide, slow turn to unmask her 14-inch guns and hurled a broadside at the six American dreadnoughts. Japanese gunners continued to load and train turrets amid intense heat, smoke, and fires. Yamashiro traded shots with HMAS Shropshire with her main battery while firing secondary armament at the pesky destroyers. At 4:01 am, the American battle line turned to starboard, and the dreadnoughts wheeled 150 degrees, heading back west across Surigao Strait. As the battleships turned, they were nearly parallel and steaming in the same direction as Yamashiro, broadside to broadside. Incredibly, as they made their turns, Tennessee and California started heading right at one another. Tennessee Captain John B. Heffernan fired off a series of orders and with deft ship handling avoided collision. On California, Captain Henry P. Burnett realized what was happening and took his dreadnought out of line. The four battleships that had been shooting checked fire. Mississippi and Pennsylvania, unable to acquire radar locks, never fired a shot. All Ships Cease Firing Meanwhile, Oldendorfs cruisers kept up the heat on Yamashiro. As they swapped salvoes, Desron 56, under Captain Roland Smoot, raced in at top speed to launch torpedoes. At 4:04 am, at a range of 6,200 yards, the American destroyers cut loose. The Japanese responded with a flurry of 6-inch shells. The Americans maneuvered to avoid the shells, which brought Albert W. Grant directly into Denvers radar picture. Denver mistook Grant for the Japanese Shigure, presumably racing in to fire torpedoes, and the American cruiser opened fire on Grant. Near misses scattered shrapnel. An American shell hit Grants fantail, knocking out the No. 5 5-inch turret. More shells from both sides punched into the forward stack and the forward boiler room, the forward engine room, the No. 1 40mm gun, the scullery room, and the port motor whaleboat. The lights, telephones, radios, and radars were blown out. Grants skipper, Commander Terrell A. Nisewaner, reacted quickly. He fired off his five torpedoes at the enemy, then turned away. Simultaneously, Captain Smoot, in Newcomb, seeing the tragedy, shouted a TBS radio warning to Oldendorf, You are firing on ComDesron 56! We are in the middle of the channel! Oldendorf got the message. At 4:09 am, he grabbed the voice radio on Louisvilles flag bridge and issued a blanket order, All ships cease firing. The American ships checked fire, and Newcombcame alongside Grant to tow away her damaged sister. Aboard Grant chaos reignedher lifeboats were wrecked, engines gone, the ship dead in the water at 4:20 am. She would have to be towed to safety. When the final tally was taken, it was determined that five Japanese and at least 11 American cruiser shells had impacted the destroyer. Six officers and 28 enlisted men lay dead. Ninety-four men were wounded. Nishimura Goes Down With His Ship The last shells and torpedoes flew at Yamashiro, scoring more hits. One of themfrom the unlucky Grantsmashed the dreadnoughts starboard side at about 4:09, near the starboard engine room. The dreadnought slowed down then cranked back up to 12 knots at 4:09 am. On Yamashiros flag bridge, Nishimura told his chief of staff to report to Kurita: We proceed to Leyte for the main attack. We will proceed until totally annihilated. I have definitely accomplished my mission as pre-arranged. Please rest assured. Now, with the firing ceased, Surigao Strait again reverted to blackness lit only by the raging fires on Yamashiro, Mogami, and Grant. The Japanese checked fire, too. Silence descended on the battlefield. Naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote, Admiral Nishimura and the officers and crew of Yamashiro must have regarded this cease-fire as Gods gift to the Emperor. Nishimura decided to meet Shimas force and regroup. The blazing battleship commenced a wide turn to port, heading southwest. On the American ships, everybody stared down at the radar plots, separating out the various blips. As the Japanese dreadnought retreated, the Americans figured out which one was Yamashiro. For the last time in the history of warfare, a battleship fired its ordnance at another such vessel, as the flagship Mississippi unleashed her first and only broadside of the night, doing so at Yamashiro at a range of 19,790 yards. With the American battle line in some disorder and the Japanese apparently retreating, Oldendorf turned the pursuit over to his cruisers and destroyers, ordering them to resume fire at 4:19 am. Before they could comply, the fattest pip on the American radar screens abruptly vanished. It seemed that Yamashiro had sunk, probably by capsizing, according to the later Naval War College report. The War College was right. Four torpedoes hit Yamashiro, possibly from Newcomb, and the stricken battleship went dead in the water, keeling over to port. Fires amidships silhouetted the pagoda superstructure in a lurid glow as it heeled over like a collapsing sand castle. On the bridge, the skipper, Rear Admiral Katsukiyo Shinoda, calmly passed the word to abandon ship. He and Nishimura remained on their bridges. Within two to five minutes, the blazing dreadnought keeled over and capsized. Nishimura, his staff of 20 officers, Shinoda, and nearly all of Yamashiros crew of 1,636 officers and men went to the bottom of Surigao Strait. While a large number of sailors survived the sinking, only two warrant officers and eight petty officers returned to Japan, the same number as from Fuso. The Last Japanese Torpedo Salvo Shigure and Mogami were now the only vessels of Nishimuras force left afloat, and both were withdrawing. Shigure took an 8-inch shell in her fantail, and her skipper logged decided to retire. The battered cruiser and destroyer headed south, and at 4:15 their lookouts were astonished to see a destroyer racing toward them at 30 knots. It was Shimas lead ship, the Shiranuhi. Behind her was Shimas flagship, Nachi, starting the next phase of the battle. Shimas ships had gone through an interesting journey, passing by raging oil fires and wreckage belonging to Nishimuras shattered vessels, hearing and seeing gunfire to the north. They advanced through smoke screens. Oil fires blazed on the ocean. The ships passed by the badly damaged and helpless Asagumo. Then radar spotted two contacts dead ahead, at 4:15 am. Figuring it was the enemy, Shima ordered, All ships attack! Shimas four destroyers and two cruisers dashed forward, unmasked their torpedo batteries, and fired their Long Lance torpedoes, which had caused so much havoc in the grueling struggles for Guadalcanal. The torpedoes had eight miles to run. As it happened, their target was Oldendorfs flagship Louisville. But the torpedoes missed. Shima and his men peered into the smoke and mist to observe resultsand out of the smoke came Mogami, her No. 3 gun turret a ruin, barrels blackened, forecastle riddled with holes, flames smoldering from her flight deck aft. With Chief Petty Officer Yamamoto still on the bridge, the blasted Mogami was retiring at last. Crewmen on Nachi howled banzais of encouragement as the two ships closed the range. On Nachis bridge, Captain Enpei Kanooka thought that he would pass Mogami a little too close, figuring that Mogami was dead in the water. But to everyones amazement, Mogami was actually steaming alongjust barelyand right for Nachi. Kanooka shouted Full reverse! and right rudder to avoid Nachis sister. Too late. At 4:23, Nachis anchor deck converged with Mogamis starboard at No. 1 turret, and the two ships collided with a sickening, jarring crunch. The collision added more dents to Mogamis battered hide, wrecked Nachis No. 2 antiaircraft mount, and ripped a 15-meter gash in Nachis port bow at the waterline. Flooding alarms went off, and the two cruisers pulled themselves apart. On Mogamis bridge, Yamamoto bawled through a megaphone, This is Mogami! Captain and XO killed! Gunnery officer in charge. Steering destroyed. Steering by engine. Sorry! Shima and Kanooka, exasperated, accepted the blame. Nachi began crawling southward at five knots. Mogami struggled to get in line behind her two sisters. Everyone listened for explosions from the 16 torpedoes fired, but there was no sound. While Shimas cruisers maneuvered in clumsy fashion, her destroyers tried to attack, torpedo tubes ready. There was no American gunfire to trackGrants mishap had silenced Oldendorfs guns. At 4:35, Shima signaled his destroyers, Reverse course to the south and rejoin. The irritated destroyer skippers did so, pulling out of American range. A Fighting Retreat On Nachi, Shima was assessing the situation. His flagship was damaged from the collision but could still do 18 knots. But it was clear disaster already reigned, as exemplified by the battered Mogami. Shima and his officers conferred. Torpedo officer Kokichi Mori said to Shima, Admiral, up ahead the enemy must be waiting for us with open arms. Nishimuras force is almost totally destroyed. It is obvious that we will fall into a trap. We may die anytime. In any case, it is foolish to go ahead now. Shima got the point. Time to withdraw. On Louisville, Oldendorf studied the smoke, oil fires, and silence through his binoculars and ordered a cautious pursuit of his beaten enemy. He had no idea if there were more enemy ships out thereintelligence suggested there might be as many as three battleships, five cruisers, and six to eight destroyers beyond the smokeready to ambush him with shells and Long Lance torpedoes. And his battle line was increasingly short on ammunition. At 4:37 am, Louisville, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, and Columbia headed south. At 4:41, Shima ordered his ships to follow behind Nachi. Hobbling along at 20 knots, they were retreating at a slow speed. On the battered Mogami, ammunition started cooking off, hampering repairs and endangering the crew. Arai ordered his men to jettison torpedoes to prevent them from exploding, but four of them exploded, adding to the smoldering fires. Incredibly, the engines kept turning, and Arai used hand steering to maneuver his ship. The battle still sputtered on. As the Japanese ships retreated, they met up with the PT boats that had not expended their torpedoes earlier in the struggle. Lieutenant Carl T. Gleasons Section 11, consisting of three PT boats, attacked the destroyers Shigure and Asagumo. The Japanese fire was ragged and off target, but one American torpedo detonated prematurely. Another slithered out of its tube on PT-326 and clattered to the deck, a defective hot run. The blazing fish provided the Japanese with a target, and the Japanese hurled 5-inch shells at the PT boats. Shrapnel injured one man before the burning torpedo could be rolled overboard. The Japanese ships continued to withdraw, now hooking up with the Abukuma, which had repaired its damage and was ready to attack. Shima declined the offer but was happy to add another escort to his damaged force. Oldendorfs Pursuit Called Off By 5:20 am, Louisville was eight miles west of Esconchada Point, where Nachi and Mogami had collided an hour earlier. Oldendorf studied the scene through his binoculars and told his column to turn right and prepare to shell the fleeing Japanese with full broadsides. The open fire gongs rang at 5:29, and the Americans hurled more shells at the Mogami, scoring several direct hits. Yet the cruiser survived this latest bombardment, cranking up to 14 knots. Other American shells rained down from Minneapolis on Asagumo, starting a fire, holing her oil tanks. Barely able to make seven knots, the destroyer was on fire, spreading and menacing its torpedoes. At 6 am, Asagumos skipper, Commander Kazuo Shibayama, ordered his men to abandon ship. Worried about Japanese torpedoes, Oldendorf ceased fire at 5:39 am and swung back north. Now the American destroyers began nosing into the wreckage in the growing dawn to pursue survivors of the two battleships and two destroyers sunk in Surigao Strait. Oldendorf ordered his ships, Do not overload your ships with survivors. Search each man well to see that he does not have any weapons. Anyone offering resistanceshoot him. Proceed independently to pick up survivors. By now Shimas weary collection of ships was heading out of Surigao Strait into the Mindanao Sea, enduring further brushes with PT boats. First up was PT-491, which charged Mogami, firing torpedoes. Mogami hit back with 8-inch shells, and PT-491 retreated. Back in Surigao Strait, American destroyers slowly steamed into debris-strewn waters filled with Japanese survivors who refused American entreaties to surrender. Other ships pursued the crippled Asagumo, whose bows had been torn open. PT-323 hurled a torpedo into the immobile tin can, throwing men on her weather decks into the water. Hearing word of this target, Oldendorf sent in the cruisers Denver and Columbia and six destroyers to polish off Asagumo. Oldendorf was beginning to receive frantic messages from his bosses at 7th FleetKuritas battleships had steamed through the unguarded San Bernardino Strait and were bearing down on the poorly defended escort carriers off Samar. The fox was among the chickens, and Oldendorf had to steam to the rescue, despite his shortages of ammunition. Nishimura had succeeded in one thingdrawing off Kinkaids heavy warships to expend ammunition and energy against the attack from the south instead of Kuritas thrust from the north. Attacked from the Air Meanwhile, Shimas retreating ships, heading home in the early morning, awaited the one certainty of the dayAmerican air attack. Shima radioed for fighter cover but instead received an attack of nine Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers and four Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters from the escort carrier USS Santee and two Avengers and six Hellcats from USS Sangamon, launched at 5:45 am. They pounced on Shimas battered vessels and incorrectly reported them as two battleships. That happened often. Japanese heavy cruisers had massive superstructures and looked like battleships to airmen. The Americans swooped in to attack. Strafing killed nine and wounded 25 on Shiranuhi, and the luckless Mogami took yet another torpedo hit. Ten Avengers and five Grumman FM-2 Wildcats from USS Ommaney Bays VC-75 came next, storming down on the smoking Mogami, scoring two more hits, starting fires, and bringing the ship to a halt. The destroyer Akebono sprayed hoses on the cruiser. Everyone but the antiaircraft crews fought the fires. The American bombs smashed into the cruisers oil tanks, setting them ablaze. Gunnery officer and acting commander Arai ordered the three forward 8-inch magazines flooded to prevent an explosion. But the warped bulkheads meant that the valves for the No. 1 gun room would not open. The cruiser was blazing and could sink at any moment. In tears, Arai ordered his men to abandon ship at 10:30 am. With her davits broken, Mogami could not use her cutter, so Akebono closed Mogamis port quarter to take aboard the cruisers crew. At 9:33 am, Shima faced his last attack of the day: 13 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, which strafed the Japanese ships, punching holes in the destroyer Ushio. On Mogami, the exhausted crew mustered topside on weather decks to abandon ship after three hours of desperate fire fighting, shuffling aboard Akebono. At 12:56, Akebono fired a Long Lance into Mogamis port side, and the cruiser began to sink, her demise hastened by an explosion in No. 1 magazine. At 1:07, as her crew stood by on Akebono watching and crying, Mogami slipped beneath the waves. All but 20 officers, 171 enlisted men, and one civilian of Mogamis 850-man crew were saved by Akebono. At 1:33, Shima got more bad newsa message from Kurita that the main force was canceling its planned attack on the Leyte anchorage and was retreating, having failed in its mission. Shimas reaction is unrecorded, but he continued his retreat. Shigure headed for Brunei and ultimate safety in Japan. But when Shigure tied up at Sasebo on November 14, her skipper, Nishino, faced relief of command at the end of the month, accused of lack of aggressiveness in Surigao Strait. The fallout continued. Abukuma was caught a day later, on October 26, by U.S. Army Air Forces Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the 33rd Squadron, which hammered her. Japanese antiaircraft gunners knocked down three B-24s, but flames spread across Abukumas decks, igniting torpedoes. Her skipper, Captain Takuo Hanada, ordered the ship abandoned. He and 25 officers and 257 enlisted men of her 438-man crew survived. One of the Most One-Sided Naval Actions in History What had happened was simple enough. Nishimura and Shima had steamed into a gauntlet of gunfire and had been defeated in one of the most one-sided naval actions in history. The Japanese could not count their dead, but they numbered in the thousands, including Nishimura. Two battleships, a heavy cruiser, and three destroyers were lost in the action, and the light cruiser Abukuma was lost shortly after. The Americans lost exactly 39 killed and 114 wounded, most of them on Albert W. Grant due to friendly fire, and a single PT boat. More importantly, the southern portion of the Japanese plan to smash the American invasion fleet with a double pincer movement had failed completely. The northern pincer nearly defeated a much weaker American force off Samar, mostly due to Vice Admiral Halseys controversial decision to leave the San Bernardino Strait unguarded. But Oldendorfs cool, meticulous planning and courageous men had crushed the southern pincer. Why the Japanese attack failed was even easier to answer. The Japanese underestimated American power and resilience, as they had all through the war, and overestimated their own resolve. Bushido code was not enough against American technology and determination. Japanese gunnery and torpedo efficiency was far below the glorious standards of 1942. Even Japanese seamanship, as evidenced by the collision of Nachi and Mogami, was faulty. Nishimura and Shima did not coordinate their forcesthey did not even seem to know where their own ships were. Probably the single most intelligent Japanese decision in the entire battle was Shimasto withdraw. The surviving Japanese blamed their late boss, Nishimura. Hiroshi Tanaka of Yamashiro described survivors as saying that Nishimuras strategy was that of a warrant officer, not an admiral. Still, it was difficult to see what else Nishimura could have done. His orders were clear and specificsteam into Surigao Strait, punch through the American defenses, and savage the American transports. He had tried to do so with every ship at his command and fiber of his being, paying the price with his own life. The very cause was hopeless, but Nishimura and his sailors did their best to carry out their orders with full and hopeless valor. The End of the Battle Line Era It was also the end for a style of warfare that dated back to 1655, when Britains Duke of York defeated the Dutch Admiral Obdam in the Battle of Lowestoft the battle line. It had translated from the age of sail to that of steam. Now the battle line had been rendered obsolete by the development of air power, the brawling night surface actions of Guadalcanal, and the unsporting but deadly submarine. The even more deadly power of guided missiles and atomic weaponry were yet to come. Such thoughts probably did not occur to the victorious American sailors as the sun rose over the smoking wreckage, fuming muzzles, and oil fires in Surigao Strait. Aboard Louisville, Oldendorf assessed the desperate messages from Samar and ordered his officers to start plotting courses and formations to support the endangered escort carriers. On the American battleships, the young sailors marveled that despite a night of sound and fury their battleships had suffered nothing. They were all alive to greet the new day. The loudspeakers blared, Now hear this. Secure from general quarters. Set torpedo defense watch. This article by David Lippman originally appeared on Warfare History Network. Read full article Luanda (AFP) - Thirteen separatists in an oil-rich enclave on Africa's west coast ruled by Angola have been acquitted of charges of crimes against state security, local media said Friday. The activists are members of a small secessionist group, the Cabinda Independence Movement, whose organisation is seeking "dialogue" with Luanda on holding a referendum on self-determination. They were arrested last Friday during a meeting to organise a public debate on the enclave's autonomy. They were charged with crime against state security. The interior ministry said "hostile propaganda material" had been seized. In court, the activists said they had informed the authorities of the planned debate and even invited Cabinda's provincial governor, political parties and churches to participate in it. The judge ruled that the meeting was not illegal. "Angolan police should stop treating activists as enemies of the state," Zenaida Machado, Angola specialist at Human Rights Watch, told AFP. "Raiding peaceful meetings to arbitrarily arrest people is not only a shameful abuse, it is also an embarrassment for the Angolan government," she said. Machado said the decision to drop the charges was "encouraging." "We hope this trend is here to stay," said Machado. A lawyer for the activists, Arao Bula Tempo, also hailed "the independence of the court". Cabinda is a coastal exclave with the status of a province of Angola. It produces 60 percent of Angola's oil. It shares a northern border with the Republic of Congo, and a southern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has a narrow strip of territory giving it access to the sea. Cabinda has been rocked by a separatist insurgency since it officially became part of Angola at independence. The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), is by far the largest separatist movement. It has been fighting for the independence for four decades. After having more than 20 surgeries over four years, Katie Stubblefield finally has a new face. In May of last year, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic helped the then 21-year-old become the worlds 40th face transplant recipient, and the youngest in U.S. history. Today, Stubblefield, whose story was first told in National Geographics September cover story, is recovering well and adjusting to the novel life, identity and reality that come with her new appearance. Im starting over in a lot of ways, Stubblefield says through her parents, Robb and Alesia. (Her speech is still recovering after jaw and tongue surgery last month.) I feel like Im a toddler again. Im having to learn everything all over again. Dr. Brian Gastman, a plastic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic who was part of Stubblefields care team, says the next chapter of her story will be about embracing this new normal. As a face transplant patient, you have a new identity. Shes going to influence people in ways she could never have done before. Its a different outlook, Gastman says. I think she can rebuild; thats what shes doing. For a while, rebuilding didnt look like a guarantee. Stubblefield lost a large portion of her face, and nearly her life, after shooting herself in a 2014 suicide attempt. In the aftermath, the then-teenager underwent surgery after surgery first to save her life, then to try to repair the damage. At first, Gastman says a face transplant was sort of pie-in-the-sky, a distant second priority to Stubblefields more pressing medical needs. But eventually, as Stubblefield stabilized, the operation began to look possible. The team knew it would be difficult. Stubblefields injuries were extensive. Her youth meant that her immune system was particularly strong, potentially increasing her chances of rejecting a transplant. Her prior suicide attempt raised mental health concerns. And the chances of finding a suitable face donor who would need to be female and of similar age and complexion were slim. But after a lengthy evaluation period, which involved many, many months of ensuring that Stubblefield understood the risks and demands of the procedure, Gastman and his team pressed forward. Story continues She was just about to start true womanhood: being able to have children, finding a mate, going to college, getting a job, being a homeowner, all those things. She had not had any of that experience. [Not getting a face transplant] would just freeze her in time, Gastman says. As a father myself of a daughter who is her age, I felt really strongly that she was an even better candidate because of the potential of a face transplant and what it can do for a young person. In May 2017, after 14 months of waiting and one false start, doctors found a match in Adrea Schneider, a 31-year-old from Ohio who died of a drug overdose, and whose family opted to donate nearly all of her organs. Over the course of a 31-hour operation, Gastman and his Cleveland Clinic colleagues worked to attach Schneiders face to Stubblefields body. Its so important for people to be a donor to help other people out, Stubblefield says now. So many people are still waiting for donors; theres thousands of people that are in need of organs or tissue. People are dying every day because they dont have a donor. Six years ago, thanks to a different donor, Richard Norris got a similar second chance. Norris, now 43 and living in Louisiana, had a full facial transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2012, 15 years after a serious gun accident. After the surgery, he says, his outlook and quality of life changed almost immediately. For 15 years I walked around having no face, having a surgical mask, living as a recluse. After the transplant, I was able to walk down the sidewalk just like a normal person. Thats a huge change, Norris says. The first time I walked outside of the hospitalthe first thing I could smell was freshly cut grass. I hadnt been able to smell for 15 years. The relief of that return to normal life, Norris says, was enough to overshadow any difficulties of adjusting to his new appearance. I dont think I really had an identity crisis, because I lived so long disfigured. You go from looking like a very normal person, to one day you wake up and youre completely disfigured and you dont look nothing like you did before, Norris says. Thats when the identity crisis really starts. Every time I looked in the mirror, I didnt see myself. After the transplant, I started to see myself. Dr. Sheila Jowsey-Gregoire, an associate professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic who has worked with several of the hospitals face transplant candidates or recipients, says thats not an uncommon reaction. While patients like Stubblefield and Norris must start over, thats something theyve already had to grapple with, Jowsey-Gregoire says. Often, these patients have facial trauma, and theyve already gone through that [adjustment] process once before, Jowsey-Gregoire says. Thats kind of an example of how resilient people can be, that they can go through such a traumatic experience and be able to adapt to it and carry on. And while adjusting to a new face in the mirror may breed some self-consciousness, Jowsey-Gregoire says building that resilience is often one of the only significant ways transplant patients personalities change after the procedure. (Nonetheless, patients go through extensive post-operative counseling to ease the transition, she says.) We stay fundamentally who we are, despite whatever happens to the exterior of us. These folks have a core personality that remains the same, she says. What differs over time is they often have to build resilience, and they become more resilient in problem-solving and coping and adapting. They still remain the person that theyve always been. In Stubblefields case, thats a person dedicated to helping others, and using her experience for good. As she recovers from her transplant, Stubblefield says shes looking forward to eventually going to college and getting the training necessary to help others, either through teaching, counseling or raising awareness about suicide prevention. Life is precious and life is beautiful. Life is a gift, Stubblefield says. No matter what you are walking through, there is someone that you can talk to. Theres always help available when you hit that low point. Im very thankful to be in a position to share about that. That didnt stop him, though, from feeling a little bit scared last year because we were meeting new friends, new people. He ended up playing and making friends with classmates so it ended up being just fine, he said. Ariana Grande happened to be a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the day one of her idols, Aretha Franklin died. And the pop star paid tribute to Franklin by performing her hit A Natural Woman. Grande was a big fan of Franklin, whom she met a few times. We sang at the White House, and she was so sweet, Grande said. And she was, like, so cute. And I was like, How are you a real person?' In doing her tribute, Grande joined millions of celebrity and regular fans mourning the loss of the Queen of Soul. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs weeknights at 11:35 on NBC. Watch clips and full episodes of The Simpsons for free on Yahoo View. Watch: Ariana Grande has hilarious response to crazy tabloid rumor on Carpool Karaoke: 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. SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian teenager has pleaded guilty to hacking into the main computer network of technology giant Apple Inc , downloading big internal files and accessing customer accounts, because he was a fan of the company, local media reported. The boy, 16, from Melbourne city, broke into the United States company's mainframe from his suburban home many times over a year, The Age newspaper reported, citing statements by the teenager's lawyer in court. The teen downloaded 90 gigabytes of secure files and accessed customer accounts without exposing his identity. When Apple became aware of the intrusion it contacted the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the newspaper said, quoting statements made in court. The AFP declined a Reuters request for comment on the grounds that the matter was before the court. An Apple representative in Australia was not immediately available for comment. The report said that an AFP raid on the boy's family home produced two laptops, a mobile phone and a hard drive which matched the intrusion reported by Apple. The sensitive documents were saved in a folder called "hacky hack hack," the report added. The report said the boy had boasted about his activities on the mobile messaging service WhatsApp. The boy's name could not be made public because he was a juvenile offender. The report said the boy would be sentenced next month. (Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Leslie Adler) Legal battle Nadia Eweida, who won a landmark legal battle against British Airways, plans to launch fresh action against the airline (Picture: PA) A British Airways employee who won a landmark legal battle to wear a cross at work is planning to launch fresh action against the airline. Airport check-in worker Nadia Eweida won a claim of religious discrimination against BA in the European Court of Human Rights in 2013 after she was sent home for wearing a silver crucifix necklace. She had been locked in the legal battle that was sparked by a new employee clothing policy in 2006, leading to a case that was rejected by the British courts but then saw her victorious in Europe. Victimisation Ms Eweida says she was victimised following the publicity surrounding her previous case (Picture: PA) She eventually returned to work in February 2007 when BAs policy was changed to permit the display of religious symbols, with the cross and the star of David permitted. But the 67-year-old, who still works for BA, says the publicity that came with her case led to mistreatment when she returned to her role and is launching a new employment tribunal claim accusing airline managers of victimisation, harassment and punishing the 67-year-old for whistleblowing. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system It is alleged that bosses treated her rudely and harshly in the wake of the furore. In one alleged incident in March 2017, Ms Eweida says she was denied a break after experiencing strain on her eyes in the wake of an operation and told to cover a flight gate instead, then given a written warning by management when she refused to do so. Precedent Ms Eweida said she hopes her new case will ensure the protection of other people in the workplace (Picture: PA) A further uniform policy introduced in July 2017 required female staff to tuck their cravat in their blouse, meaning Ms Eweida had to wear her crucifix on top of her cravat a move she claimed was designed to affect her. Story continues She is hoping to win compensation, a declaration and recommendations from her claim, which is due before Watford Tribunal Hearing Centre on October 26 for a preliminary hearing. Ms Eweida, who has launched a CrowdJustice fundraising page to help raise 30,000 to cover legal costs, told the Press Association: It is victimisation over the years as a result of the cross case; they have never forgiven me and they never let it go. I want my day in court. For me, its for my self-respect. She said she hoped that the case would set a precedent ensuring the protection of others in the workplace. The bodies of two missing Colorado girls who disappeared along with their mother were allegedly discovered inside oil and gas tanks not far from where their mom's body was found, according to KMGH. High-ranking sources with knowledge on the case told the outlet on Thursday evening that the bodies of 4-year-old Bella Watts and 3-year-old Celeste Watts were found inside of "mostly full" oil and gas tanks owned by Anadarko Petroleum. Their mother, Shanann Watts, was also found dead on Thursday on land owned by the same company, where her husband and the girls' father, 33-year-old Chris Watts, had been employed. Shanann Watts, 34, was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy at the time of her death. Photos of the family: Watts was arrested on Wednesday night but has not been formally charged with any crimes in relation to the case. However, law enforcement sources allegedly told KMGH that he confessed to killing his wife and daughters and showed them where he hid their bodies. The outlet reports that Chris Watts is being investigated on one count of first-degree murder after deliberation, two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. Weld County prosecutors have until Monday to file formal charges against Watts. He is being held without bond until his next court appearance. Watts made a chilling television appearance on Wednesday to plead for his family's safe return. "My heart is racing a mile a minute," Watts told reporters just hours before he was arrested. "It's not something I could ever, ever fathom would happen in my lifetime, and I have no inclination of where she is. She said she was going to a friend's house with the kids and thats the last thing I heard, and that was it. It was very vague." "My kids are my life. Those smiles light up my life," he added. By Andrew Hay TAOS, N.M. (Reuters) - A child's body found at a New Mexico compound has been identified as Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, a missing 3-year-old boy whose father is one of five adults charged with child abuse at the remote settlement, the Taos County Sheriff said on Thursday. The condition of the body made identification difficult and the cause and manner of death remained unclear, the statement said. The finding came two days after a Taos County judge received death threats and Islamophobic abuse for granting bail to the five defendants, who are all black and Muslim. The severely ill toddler went missing in Georgia in December. His mother, Hakima Ramzi, told police her husband, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, took the boy and never returned. Authorities unearthed the boy's body at the compound on Aug. 6, three days after they raided the ramshackle home near Amalia, New Mexico, where they found 11 children in "filthy conditions" with no food or clean water. The children were taken into protective care and their four parents, along with another adult family member, were charged with child abuse on Aug. 8. Marie Legrand Miller, an attorney for one of the defendants, said she feared for her client's safety after threats of violence, "Islamophobia" and "overt racism" directed at judge Sarah Backus after her decision to grant bail. "The ongoing issue is whether my client can get out of here safely," Legrand Miller said outside the Taos County jail after meeting her client Hujrah Wahhaj, the sister of Ibn Wahhaj. Prosecutors allege the boy died in February as Ibn Wahhaj carried out a faith-healing ritual on him at the compound. Prosecutors have accused Ibn Wahhaj of leading firearms training for two teenage boys at the compound to carry out attacks on schools, banks and police. Lawyers for the five defendants say they are being discriminated against because they are black Muslims who practised faith healing and taught their children how to shoot. Neighbors and relatives dispute allegations that the children were starving. Ibn Wahhaj must remain in custody while he faces a warrant for his arrest in Georgia for child abduction. His wife Jany Leveille, a Haitian national, is in immigration custody and faces possible deportation for living illegally in the United States for more than 20 years, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Defendants Lucas Morten, his wife Subhannah Wahhaj and her sister Hujrah Wahhaj remain in Taos County jail. (Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, N.M.; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Paul Tait) Geneva (AFP) - The UN Human Rights Committee ruled Friday that Brazil's imprisoned leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cannot be disqualified from upcoming presidential elections because his legal appeals are ongoing. The committee issued the finding following an urgent request filed by Lula's lawyers on July 27. In a statement, the panel "requested Brazil to take all necessary measures to ensure that Lula can enjoy and exercise his political rights while in prison, as (a) candidate in the 2018 presidential elections." Lula, who served as Brazil's president from 2003-2010, began serving a 12-year sentence for corruption in April, but remains the front-runner ahead of October's election. The committee said Lula cannot be barred as a candidate "until his appeals before the courts have been completed in fair judicial proceedings" in order to avoid inflicting "irreparable harm" on the 72-year-old. Committee member Olivier de Frouville told AFP that Lula's appeals at Brazil's superior and supreme courts could lead to the cancellation of his conviction. Given this legal uncertainty, Lula should be able to "organise and campaign, even from the jail," he said. The government in Brasilia responded saying that "the conclusions of the Committee have the character of a recommendation and do not have legally binding effect." It said it would forward its findings to the judiciary. The UN panel's announcement came as Brazil's Attorney General Raquel Dodge presented a request to the Brazil's top court for election matters, the Superior Electoral Tribunal, to invalidate Lula's candidacy. She asked the court for a speedy decision, given the proximity of the October 7 vote. Dilma Rousseff, who succeded Lula in office before she was herself impeached in 2016, offered her support. "Lula is innocent," she said on Twitter. The Geneva-based committee monitors a member state's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, as well as a supplementary text called the Optional Protocol. Story continues Because Brazil has ratified both texts, it is technically obligated to abide by the committee's findings. In a statement, the foreign ministry said that Brazil "faithfully complies with the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights" and that its principles "are also Brazilian constitutional principles applied with zeal and absolute independence by the judiciary." - Broader case pending - De Frouville explained that Lula's lawyers had asked for urgent action on three issues: that he be immediately freed from jail, that he be granted access to the media and his political party, and that he be allowed to run in the election. The panel rejected the first request but sided with Lula on the two other issues. Lula's lawyers filed a broader complaint with the rights committee in 2016 over his treatment by the Brazilian authorities. That case is ongoing and may take a year or more to resolve. The committee underscored that Friday's emergency decision was not an indication that it would ultimately side with Lula in the larger case. But de Frouville noted that panel members would not have requested urgent action on Lula's behalf unless they believed his broader complaint had merit and that there was evidence Brazil violated his rights while prosecuting him over corruption. Miami Herald In a decision that could have far-reaching free speech implications for faculty at universities and colleges across Florida, the University of Florida has refused to allow three political science professors to continue to serve as expert witnesses in a case that challenges a new state law that restricts voting access. Quito (AFP) - Ecuadoran authorities said Friday that a Colombian bus that crashed near Quito, leaving 23 people dead, was carrying at least a half a ton of marijuana hidden in its floor. Nearly 600 plastic-wrapped packages of the drug were found by a sniffer dog in the wreckage of the bus, which crashed on Tuesday, national anti-narcotics police director General Carlos Alulema said. He told reporters that three buses from Colombia had already been stopped this year and "more than 400 kilos of cocaine and 600 of marijuana were found in similar circumstances." The South American countries share a border regularly used by drug-trafficking gangs to ship cocaine to the United States. Colombian prosecutors said Thursday that 80 kilos of cocaine had been recovered from the bus. But Ecuadoran prosecutor Ruth Palacios told the press conference "marijuana was found, solely and exclusively." Colombia said Wednesday that 19 of the 23 victims were its citizens. Palacios said the authorities would question the 22 injured passengers, mostly Colombians, to try to determine "who is responsible" for the drug-trafficking. "Then it will be determined who stays and who is allowed to leave," she said. The bus overturned and crashed into three houses after a collision with an all-terrain vehicle near Quito. Ecuador transport colonel Julio Barba said the driver "probably overused the brakes... which produced an overheating of the brake system leading to a loss of control of the vehicle." One of the two drivers, who was injured in the crash, has been arrested. Traffic accidents are among the leading causes of death in Ecuador, averaging seven deaths and 80 injuries a day. By Barbara Goldberg (Reuters) - Two men accused of involuntary manslaughter in a California warehouse fire that killed 36 people were due back in court on Friday to set a possible trial date after a judge rejected their plea deal. Families whose loved ones died in the Dec. 2, 2016 blaze in Oakland demanded a criminal trial for Derick Almena and Max Harris so they could learn more about how the tragedy unfolded, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office said. The cause of the fire remains unknown. The families' emotional appeal prompted District Attorney Nancy O'Malley to end plea discussions with defense attorneys for Almena, who ran the warehouse as an art collective and party space, and Harris, the creative director. Instead, she asked Judge James Cramer to set a trial date for the men, who are each charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. A trial date was expected to be set at a hearing in Alameda County Superior Court on Friday, DA spokesman Ray Casarez said. "The grief of the families, the pain and shock of the community by the senseless and tragic deaths of 36 individuals caused by a fire that roared through the warehouse is as strong and deep today as it was in December 2016," O'Malley said in a letter to the judge. "These lives were lost at the hands of the two defendants," she wrote. After hearing two days of sometimes emotional testimony last week, Judge Cramer rejected the plea deal and scheduled the hearing for Friday, when a trial date may be set. Under the plea deal, Almena, 48, and Harris, 28, would have been respectively sentenced to nine and six years in prison. If convicted at trial, they each face up to 39 years in prison. The fire destroyed the 10,000-square-foot (900-square-meter) Ghost Ship warehouse during an illegal dance party on Dec. 2, 2016. It was the deadliest fire in the United States since 100 people were killed in 2003 in a fire at a Rhode Island nightclub. Story continues The two men were accused of criminal negligence, with prosecutors pointing to the building's lack of sprinklers and smoke detectors. A staircase between its two floors was built partially out of flammable wooden pallets. On the night of the party, the men blocked one of the two exterior doors. Defense attorneys for Almena and Harris were not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York) Guadalajara (Mexico) (AFP) - A Canadian man was killed and a Mexican-American badly wounded in a gun attack at a shopping center in Mexico's second city Guadalajara, prosecutors said. A group of four people was entering the shopping center Wednesday night when gunmen approached them in three cars, got out and opened fire, said Jalisco state prosecutor Raul Sanchez Jimenez. Canadian national Bugget Giuseppe was killed and a dual Mexican-American citizen identified only as Alfredo M was wounded, he said. A woman with them was unharmed, while the fourth person has not been located. Alfredo M was taken to hospital in a serious condition and has undergone four surgeries so far, said Sanchez. A security guard and a passerby were also wounded by bullet fragments. Local television stations showed images of shattered shop windows in the aftermath of the shooting. Violence has increased in Guadalajara since March 2017 as the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel has been riven by infighting, according to authorities. Mexico registered a record 28,711 murders last year, in violence driven mainly by its powerful drug cartels. Since 2006, when the government deployed the army to fight drug trafficking, more than 200,000 people have been murdered. Another 30,000 are missing. The situation involving Clements started the evening of March 11 when police attempted to stop her when she was driving in town and she refused to pull over, according to police reports. When they saw her again shortly after midnight March 12, she pulled on to westbound Interstate 90 and when they got her to pull over, she refused to come out of her vehicle, reports said. Officers attempted to persuade her to exit the vehicle for more than an hour before she set the SUV on fire. A 61-year-old man who was bitten by a shark in Massachusetts has suffered puncture wounds to his torso and legs, officials say. The unidentified victim was swimming on the Long Nook Beach in Truro, on Cape Cod, a peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean, at approximately 4pm local time when the attack happened. According to the Truro Police Department, the 61-year-old reported to be standing in shallow waters, approximately 30 yards (27 metres) offshore when he was bitten. He was transported by a medical helicopter to a hospital in Boston. A recent nursing school graduate, who was among a group of people that rushed to the mans aid, told USA Today there was clearly a shark bite on his leg. A bunch of people helped carry him down the beach, then we gave him towels, wrapped his leg up because there was clearly a shark bite there, she said. We sent him off with great people who seemed like they really knew what they were doing. Chris Meyers, who survived a 2012 shark attack in Truro, was swimming with his then 16-year-old son off Ballston Beach when he was bitten. He was reportedly first bitten in his left leg and suffered puncture wounds on his right leg when he kicked the shark in the snout. Mr Meyers' injuries required 47 stitches. Seashore Chief Ranger Leslie Reynolds told The Cape Cod Times that the shark had yet to be identified but noted that encounters with white sharks are as terrifying as they are rare. The population of great white sharks in the region has risen due in part to the abundance of seals, which sharks feed on, the Times reported. Truro Fire Chief Timothy Collins told The Times the man was conscious and talking as he prepared to fly in the medical helicopter. The US National Park Service rangers are investigating the incident. New Mexico authorities Thursday said the remains found Aug. 6 at a makeshift compound in Amalia are those of a missing Georgia boy whose father was arrested and charged with child abuse. The search for Abdul-ghani Wahhaj, who would have turned 4 years old on Aug. 6, began in December when his mother reported him missing from their home in Jonesboro, Georgia. Our thoughts and prayers go to Wahhajs family, said Alex Sanchez, the public information officer for the University of New Mexicos Health Sciences Center, in a statement Thursday. We certainly understand the heartbreak this news will cause and want to stress our commitment to investigating this death to serve the living. The medical investigators office said in a previous statement the remains were found in a state of decomposition that has made identification challenging. Sanchez noted on Thursday that investigators used several means to finally make a positive identification. The boys father, Siraj Wahhaj, was found along with four other adults and 11 children at a filthy, makeshift compound in northern New Mexico during a police raid on Aug. 3. Wahhaj and the other adults arrested at the compound are facing child abuse charges. The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department took the children, ages 1 to 15, into protective custody. The FBI had been surveilling the compound for two months after local residents reported potential child endangerment at the site. Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a statement that police didnt have enough evidence to get a search warrant for the compound until earlier this month, when they received a third-party message from someone on the compound that said, We are starving and need food and water. Both the adults and the children were filthy and malnourished when police apprehended them, Hogrefe said. Wahhajs son was not among the 11 children initially found, but police on Aug. 6 announced the discovery of a childs remains buried at the site. Story continues The boys grandfather, a well-known New York City imam also named Siraj Wahhaj, told reporters last week that he learned from family members that his grandsons remains had been discovered at the compound. The time and cause of the childs death have yet to be disclosed. Related Coverage Police Locate 11 Children Living In Decrepit New Mexico Compound Boy's Remains Found At Raided New Mexico Compound New Mexico Compound Suspects Released On Bail, Judge Receives Death Threats Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Christopher Bing and Jack Stubbs WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Hackers operating from an elite Chinese university probed American companies and government departments for espionage opportunities following a U.S. trade delegation visit to China earlier this year, security researchers told Reuters. Cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said the group used computers at China's Tsinghua University to target U.S. energy and communications companies, as well as the Alaskan state government, in the weeks before and after Alaska's trade mission to China. Led by Governor Bill Walker, representatives of companies and economic development agencies spent a week in China in May. Organizations involved in the trade mission were subject to focused attention from Chinese hackers, underscoring the tensions around an escalating tit-for-tat trade war between Washington and Beijing. China was Alaskas largest foreign trading partner in 2017, with over $1.32 billion in exports. Recorded Future said in a report to be released later on Thursday that the websites of Alaskan internet service providers and government offices were closely inspected in May by university computers searching for security flaws, which can be used by hackers to break into normally locked and confidential systems. The Alaskan government was again scanned for software vulnerabilities in June, just 24 hours after Walker said he would raise concerns in Washington about the economic damage caused by the U.S.-China trade dispute. A Tsinghua University official, reached by telephone, said the allegations were false. "This is baseless. I've never heard of this, so I have no way to give a response," said the official, who declined to give his name. Tsinghua University, known as "China's MIT," is closely connected to Tsinghua Holdings, a state-backed company focused on the development of various technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics. Story continues China's Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Recorded Future gave a copy of its report to U.S. law enforcement agencies. The FBI declined to comment. It is unclear whether the targeted systems were compromised, but the highly focused, extensive and peculiar scanning activity indicates a "serious interest" in hacking them, said Priscilla Moriuchi, director of strategic threat development at Recorded Future and former head of the National Security Agency's East Asia and Pacific cyber threats office. "The spike in scanning activity at the conclusion of trade discussions on related topics indicates that the activity was likely an attempt to gain insight into the Alaskan perspective on the trip and strategic advantage in the post-visit negotiations," Recorded Future said in the report. The targeted organizations included Alaska Communications Systems Group Inc, Ensco Plc's Atwood Oceanics, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska governor's office and regional internet service provider TelAlaska. Alaska Communications declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Alaska Governor's Office said "everyday, the State of Alaska, like most state governments, has anonymous activity on the perimeter of our networks that amounts to someone checking if the door is locked. The activity referenced here is not unique." The other targets did not respond to requests for comment. U.S.-China trade tensions have escalated in recent months with both sides imposing a series of punitive tariffs and restrictions across multiple industries, and threatening more. The economic conflict has also damaged cooperation in cyberspace following a 2015 agreement by Beijing and Washington to stop cyber-enabled industrial espionage, Moriuchi said. "In the fall of 2015, cybersecurity cooperation was seen as a bright spot in the U.S.-China relationship," she said. "It was seen as a topic that the U.S. and China could actually have substantive discussions on. That's not really the case anymore, especially with this trade war that both sides have vowed not to lose." (Reporting by Christopher Bing in Washington and Jack Stubbs in London; Additional reporting by Gao Liangping and Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Dan Grebler) Colorado authorities have found the bodies of two children who were allegedly killed by their father, Chris Watts. The discovery came just hours after police found remains believed to be the girls' pregnant mother, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, at her husbands place of work on Thursday. While we will not disclose the location as to where these bodies were located, police can say that they were found in close proximity to the other body whom officers strongly believe is Shananns, the Town of Frederick said in a statement on its Facebook page. Chris Watts was arrested by police Wednesday night after allegedly confessing to the murders and is being held is being held without bond at the Weld County Jail. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. This is absolutely the worst possible outcome that anyone could imagine, said John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. "As horrible as this outcome is, our role now is to do everything we can to determine exactly what occurred." Watts allegedly admitted to killing his wife and daughters after initially giving a TV interview on Tuesday saying he had no idea what happened to them and begging for their safe return. Nickole Utoft, a friend of Shanann's, said she dropped her off at her home at 2 a.m. on Monday and watched her walk inside after they both returned from a work trip, Fox31 Denver reported. Utoft also told the station they had planned to meet up later that day, but the mother didnt show up or call. Utoft then contacted police. Shananns family told CBS4 in a statement that they are devastated by the loss. It is with deep hurt, confusion and anger to confirm our beautiful cousin Shanann Watts, her unborn child, and her two angelic daughters, Bella (4), Celeste (3) were viciously murdered by husband Chris Watts; who confessed to the killings. Please keep Shananns parents and brother in your prayers, the statement said. Story continues RELATED STORIES Police Find Mother Falsely Believed She Had Cancer After Family's Murder-Suicide Police Investigating Billionaire Found Dead With Wife as Murder-Suicide: Report Father Kills 2 Young Children in Murder-Suicide Related Articles: By Keith Coffman DENVER (Reuters) - A Colorado man, who earlier this week pleaded for the safe return of his pregnant wife and their two young daughters after they went missing, has been arrested on suspicion of killing them, police said on Thursday. The body of a woman, believed to be the spouse of Christopher Watts, 33, of Frederick, Colorado, was discovered on a property owned by Anadarko Petroleum Corp, police said. Watts worked at the property, according to media reports. The search for the bodies of the couple's two daughters, Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4, turned up human remains that were believed to belong to the two children, Frederick police said on Twitter on Thursday. Their bodies were found in the same area as their mother, Shanann Watts, 34. Christopher Watts was taken into custody late on Wednesday for the suspected murder of his wife and two daughters. "This is absolutely the worst possible outcome that any of us could imagine," John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, told a news briefing about the incident in Frederick, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Denver. Officials also declined to comment on media reports that Watts had confessed to the killings. Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke told reporters his office had until Monday to file formal charges against Watts. Watts made a brief appearance in court and was ordered held without bail until at least his next court appearance next week, Weld County assistant district attorney Robert Miller said by phone. Watts, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and in shackles, did not speak to reporters. Prosecutors said in court they believed Watts' wife and two daughters were killed at their home, TV station Denver 7 reported from the courthouse. Watts said in an interview with Denver 7 on Tuesday he was torn up inside about his family going missing and pleaded for their return. "I just want them to come back," Watts told the broadcaster. "My kids are my life. Those smiles light up my life. I want everybody to just come home." (Additional reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Texas and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Paul Tait) Almost as soon as Norma Jeane Dougherty signed a contract with 20th Century Fox on August 24, 1946, the search for her new stage name was underway Its been 72 years since studio executive Ben Lyon suggested she change her name to Marilyn Monroe, the actress whose name became synonymous with blonde bombshells she played in films. And now her fans can see and even own proof of the origins of her name. An autographed photograph of Marilyn Monroe and Ben Lyon The above photograph inscribed by Marilyn Monroe to Lyon: Dear Ben, You found me, named me and believed in me when no one else did. My thanks and love forever. Marilyn will be on display at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles, beginning this Saturday Aug. 18 until Sep. 30. The photo of the duo, taken during the filming of The Seven Year Itch (1955), is expected to hit the auction block at the end of October. Considered to be one of the most important photographs in Hollywood history because it debunks myths about how she got her iconic stage name, it could fetch more than $100,000, according to Profiles in History CEO Joseph Maddalena, who runs the auction house that specializes in Hollywood memorabilia. He said photos autographed by Monroe usually fetch between $20,000 and $30,000. So how was the name Marilyn Monroe chosen? It was a team effort, according to one account of how it happened by Monroe biographer Donald Spoto. At the time, Lyon thought there were too many possible pronunciations of Dougherty, the surname of her soon-to-be ex-husband. The 20-year-old model who was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and later baptized Norma Jeane Baker suggested Monroe, another surname on the mothers side of the family, while Lyon came up with Marilyn because she reminded him of Marilyn Miller, the Ziegfeld Follies Broadway musical star who starred with him and W.C. Fields in Her Majesty, Love. (Miller and Lyon were also thought to have been romantically involved at one point ) It would be apt that the two performers would share the same name, in more ways than one. Spoto points out that not only were they similar on the surface both blonde in appearance but also because they both had complicated personal lives, including failed marriages. Story continues Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter It would also end up being an eerily prescient name choice because Miller died at 37, while Monroe died at 36. But the story doesnt end there, as many people continued suggesting other names before she settled on Marilyn Monroe. In an Oct. 1946 letter to a friend, she wrote that Clare Norman was also being considered as a screen name, and the names Meredith and Carol Lind were also reportedly floated, according to another Monroe biographer Lois Banner. Marilyn Monroe clearly won out. However, it would be another decade before she legally changed her name to her stage name, which was in Feb. 23, 1956 (four months before she would marry Death of a Salesman playwright Arthur Miller). Correction: Sep. 5 The original version of this article misstated the name that appeared on the Aug. 24, 1946, contract with 20th Century FOX. It was Norma Jeane Dougherty, not Marilyn Monroe. It may seem like an alarmist local news story to declare your breakfast could kill you, but a new independent study claims that some of your favorite cereals could contain unsafe levels of a chemical used in a popular weed killer. The report, from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), was published online Wednesday and outlines the levels of the chemical glyphosate they found in various breakfast cereals and snacks. Glyphosate is the major ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp and one at the center of an ongoing tug-of-war. The World Health Organization (WHO) has ruled the chemical is "probably carcinogenic to humans," and the state of California has categorized it as a chemical linked to cancer. Meanwhile, in late 2017, the EPA concluded an assessment that declared "glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. And its with that intersection in mind that one has to look upon the new EWG report which wasn't peer reviewed by independent scientists with quite a bit of scrutiny. EWG versus the EPA For the study, the EWG tested dozens of samples, looking for levels of glyphosate that were above 160 pars per billion (ppb)/0.16 mg, which the organization considers the upper range of safe levels of the chemical for children to be exposed to. You can see their full results here but a few items stand out: Quaker Dinosaur Eggs, Brown Sugar, Instant Oatmeal had readings of 620 ppb/0.62 mg and 780 ppb/0.78 mg. Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal had readings of 470 ppb/0.47 mg, 490 ppb/0.49 mg, and 530 ppb/0.53 mg. Quaker Old Fashioned Oats had readings of 390 ppb/0.39 mg, 1100 ppb/1.1 mg, and 1300 ppb/1.3 mg. Those numbers seem not so great if you use the EWG's threshold. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a much higher bar for how much glyphosate is safe for a person. According to a 1993 EPA report, the safe exposure level could be as high as 2 mg a day, well above any of the rates that the EWG uncovered in their studies. Story continues For what it's worth, The Guardian recently published a report showing that the FDA has been investigating the use of glyphosate for years but has yet to issue any public findings. The ongoing research into glyphosate is important because It's a hugely popular pesticide, with hundreds of millions of gallons being used on U.S. crops each year. And, per The Guardian's report, "the FDA has had trouble finding any food that does not carry traces of the pesticide." Not that eating pesticides is a great thing, but the large discrepancies between the EPA numbers and the EWG numbers can be confusing for consumers trying to determine how much, exactly, is still safe. "Finding glyphosate in food is residue," Kaitlin Stack Whitney, an environmental studies scholar, said in an interview. "Residue limits are a subset of exposure limits as eating pesticides residue is one route of potential exposure." "So finding non-zero amounts isn't unexpected; it's's planned for and limited under current law," Stack Whitney, who also worked as a staff biologist for the EPA, added. There's also the issue of "spray drift," as Stack Whitney notes, pointing to EWG finding traces of the chemical on products labeled organic likely due to some of the pesticide drifting to those organic crops on the wind. "The current pesticide review process struggles to account for this because agencies can't know what anyone and everyone's neighbors may grow and which chemicals they may apply," she said. "So whether residues are from direct application or drift is critical to understanding how to address if you think the amount is unsafe." A question of methodology For Lori Hoepner, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, it's about methodology. She notes that "it's hard enough to have consensus among scientists when you're talking about using the same methods." "So to go from something that would determine the limit of exposure, and try to extend that information to telling consumers about what it means to find glyphosate in their food, I think it can be perceived as something of a stretch," Hoepner said. Noting that she's familiar with the EWG's work and has vouched for them as a good resource for consumers, Hoepner still expressed some reservations about they way they presented their work for this study. "It always concerns me when science is presented in a way that is not peer-reviewed, doesn't have the oversight of additional researchers who can validate or question the method." Stack Whitney echoed Hoepner's sentiment: "[The EWG] study is like a white paper or other reports from think tanks, well researched and written but not peer reviewed. It would be useful to review their actual data and methods but those aren't available." Hoepner also wanted to see more about how they took their samples. "What was their method? Was it randomized? Was it all from one box? How many different boxes were used? Where did they buy them?" Hoepner said. Noting the wide ranges in some of the results, Hoepner says, "that definitely creates a question mark in my mind for validity." The corporations defend their products As for the companies identified in the study, they're standing by the quality of their products. A statement sent via email from the Quaker brand maintained the brand's stance they're products are perfectly safe and included a passage that denied the use of glyphosate in the making of their products. A spokesperson for General Mills, producers of Cheerios, echoed this sentiment in a statement. Corporate behemoth Monsanto, which produces RoundUp, has been under fire lately for the chemical, including a recent California verdict that ordered the company to pay $289 million to a school groundskeeper who claimed his constant and prolonged exposure to the chemical was to blame for him developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In the wake of the EWG's report, Monsanto posted a rebuttal on their website accusing the EWG of "publicizing misleading information." Additionally, in an email exchange, a spokesperson for Monsanto highlighted this portion: Additionally, Monsanto Vice President Scott Partridge told the New York Times in response to EWG study, [The EWG] have an agenda. They are fear mongering. They distort science. For consumers, there's no right or wrong answer at the moment. While buying different brands may seem like an option, the prevalence of the pesticides used makes it nearly impossible to completely avoid. The opposing sets of data can only sow more confusion and consumers are left to decide who they trust more: groups like the EWG, government agencies like the EPA, or corporations. Donald Cowboy Cerrone said he is simply happy to be alive after experiencing a total silt-out on Friday while diving in a cave in Cozumel, Mexico. (Getty Images) Donald Cerrone, better known in the MMA world as Cowboy, experienced what he called a worst case scenario while diving in a cave in Cozumel, Mexico, on Friday and hes just happy to be alive. Cerrone said he experienced a total silt-out, which is when either divers or conditions cause sediment to fill the water column, creating a massive cloud underwater. It is almost impossible to see in those situations, and there is very little to do until the silt settles. Cerrone wrote that he it was so dark, he couldnt see his own hand in front of his face, lost track of where his friend was at underwater and lost the cave line. Thankfully, everyone found a way out of the cave. Today I can honestly say Im happy to be alive, Cerrone wrote. We had catastrophic worst case scenario on our dive. Total silt out, lost the cave line and lost my buddy, couldnt see my own hands. (It) was the most scariest moment to this day in my life. I remember kissing Danger and Lindsay and saying Ill see yall soon. Dont worry daddys coming home! Told the grim reaper, Not today Mother F. Im figuring this the f out and coming home! Cerrone holds a 33-11 career record, though has lost four of his last five bouts. He is currently scheduled to take on Mike Perry in UFC Fight Night 139 on November 10 in Denver. More from Yahoo Sports: ESPN wont air national anthem during MNF broadcasts Robinson: Elways comments on Kaepernick lack context J.J. Redick has frightening encounter in car ride Tigers honor Aretha Franklin in style Ljubljana (AFP) - Slovenian MPs approved centre-left candidate Marjan Sarec for the post of prime minister Friday, putting an end to weeks of political uncertainty after inconclusive elections in June. The 40-year-old former comedian and satirist won a parliamentary vote by 55 to 31 and will become Slovenia's youngest prime minister since independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. He struck a pro-European note when addressing MPs during Friday's session, saying he was committed to seeing the eurozone member "remain a part of the so-called core states" of the EU. Sarec's LMS party came second in the June 3 election, but he plans to form a government with four other centre-left parties, which will be supported by the far-left Levica party in parliament. The biggest single election winner was the anti-migrant centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), headed by Janez Jansa. It won the most seats, 25, but failed to gather enough allies to form a ruling majority. Jansa was criticised by Sarec and other more centrist parties for his strident anti-migration rhetoric, which was partly inspired by his ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Sarec told MPs on Friday: "I am aware of my faults and mistakes but I have courage and persistence". He described Slovenia's membership of the EU and NATO as "two great achievements" for the country, drawing a contrast with Levica, whose platform included leaving the US-led alliance. - Down-to-earth image - After graduating from Ljubljana's Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television as an actor, Sarec started a succesful career as a comedian and satirist often impersonating Slovenian and foreign politicians. But he has long since swapped mocking politicians for becoming one. In 2010 he launched himself as an "anti-establishment" politician and unexpectedly won the mayoral race in the northern town of Kamnik on a left-leaning programme. Story continues However, he began to tire of the limits placed on local authorities by central government and in 2017 ran for president to advance his agenda. After his narrow defeat to incumbent Borut Pahor, Sarec announced his LMS party would run for parliament. Since his entry into politics, Sarec has rarely made public use of his gifts as a comedian, instead cultivating an image of a down-to-earth Catholic family man, who prefers to spend his free time tending to his farm or working as a volunteer firefighter. During the most recent campaign he was criticised for lacking a clear programme but recently told AFP that his party "has many things in common with (French President Emmanuel) Macron's position, a sensible, centrist orientation". - 'More than just a comedian' - Analyst Vlado Miheljak said that despite his relative political inexperience, Sarec has already shown himself to be pragmatic and has handled demanding coalition talks with unexpected efficiency. "He is more than just 'a comedian' as his adversaries like to call him," Miheljak said. He warned that Sarec may face particular problems with two of the other party leaders in his unwieldy new coalition who are themselves former prime ministers -- Alenka Bratusek and outgoing premier Miro Cerar -- and who may be tempted to be "patronising toward the newcomer". There will also be the relationship with the far-left Levica party to manage, although Sarec has already committed to some parts of their platform, such as raising the minimum wage and pensions. But Sarec's first order of business will be addressing more pressing problems raised on the campaign trail, primarily much-needed reform the health system. Miheljak said that Jansa's attempt to appeal to anti-migration sentiment fell foul of a tradition of moderation in Slovenian society. "Although a large number of voters are conservative and not open to migrant flows... they are not overly attached to these beliefs," he said. Despite being a majority Catholic country, religiously oriented parties have struggled to gain popularity. "Voters go to mass and then cast their votes for the centre-left," Miheljak said. The appeal of apartment living to young people is a positive for employers looking to hire from a pool of recent college graduates who dont want the long commutes to get to jobs. The building can appeal to local residents who want a view of the Fox River and to be able to stay close to family and friends. By Neha Dasgupta NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is being hit by a wave of steel from producers in Japan and South Korea, a government document showed, as mills there redirect supply after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped an import duty on the alloy earlier this year. During the first quarter of the fiscal year starting in April, India's steel imports from South Korea rose 31 percent from a year earlier, while those from Japan climbed 30 percent, according to an internal document from the Ministry of Steel that was reviewed by Reuters. The flood of imports is so big that the government in New Delhi is considering measures to control imports, Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh told Reuters. "The concern is there, of course, and if we are to take some measures, we will not hesitate on that account," Singh said in an interview. Between April and June, India became a net importer of steel, with foreign supplies reaching 2.1 million tonnes, 15 percent higher than a year earlier, according to the note. With the increase, the South Asian nation has now passed the United States as South Korea's third-largest market for steel, according to data from the Korea Iron & Steel Association. New Delhi could look at imposing safeguards, said a senior government official, who did not wish to be identified in line with government policy. Under World Trade Organization rules, safeguards are temporary restrictions on imports of a product to protect a domestic industry. However, renewed government measures would take place despite India's domestic steel industry being unable to meet the country's demand for high-end steel products needed for railroads and structural steel used in construction projects. India's imports of steel products used by railways rose to more than 18,000 tonnes during the April to June period compared with 500 tonnes a year earlier, the Steel Ministry note said. Imports of steel products used in construction more than doubled to nearly 22,000 tonnes during the same period, the note said. Story continues The United States imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium imports in March. South Korea was the fourth-biggest steel exporter to the United States and Japan the 10th largest, the Steel Ministry said in a report in April. Indian steel manufacturers are also impacted by the tariffs and the country will retaliate with duties on U.S. products that will take effect next month. (Reporting by Neha Dasgupta in NEW DELHI; Additional reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr in MANILA; editing by Mayank Bhardwaj and Christian Schmollinger) Over a dozen counties in upstate New York are under a state of emergency due to severe flash floods. Many roads have been blocked off due to flooding around Elmira, New York, and emergency workers warn residents to use extreme caution if you must go out. Kochi (India) (AFP) - The flood toll in India's southern tourist hotspot of Kerala jumped to 67 after another 25 deaths were reported Wednesday, with more than 50,000 people seeking shelter in relief camps, a state official told AFP. Kerala, famed for its pristine palm-lined beaches and tea plantations, is battered by the monsoon every year but the rains have been particularly severe this season, flooding hundreds of villages and prompting the authorities to suspend flights in and out of the region. "Twenty five deaths were confirmed earlier in the evening. The situation is bad in many parts of the state and the number (of deaths) will likely increase," a senior official from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority told AFP. Unconfirmed local media reports mentioned a much higher toll and cited ongoing efforts to reach many flooded areas. The official added that authorities had issued a "red-alert" warning in all 14 districts of the flood-ravaged state, with heavy downpours expected over the next 24 hours in many of the worst affected areas. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office announced on Twitter that Kochi International Airport -- the main gateway to the region -- would be closed until Saturday "due to heavy rains and resultant flooding". Vijayan held emergency meetings with rescue officials in the state late Wednesday and discussed the situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister has requested the deployment of additional personnel from the Indian army, navy and other emergency forces who are already working across the state, which is home to around 33 million people. "Our state is in the midst of an unprecedented flood havoc," Vijayan said earlier this week. "The calamity has caused immeasurable misery and devastation." Authorities have opened the gates of 34 reservoirs as water reached dangerous levels. Vijayan's office on Wednesday said that the authorities were also worried about rising water levels in the massive Mullaperiyar dam, and urged officials in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu to release water from the reservoir. Story continues Hundreds of villages have been flooded, more than 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) of roads and thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged across the state, officials said. "We have asked all airlines, domestic and foreign, to reschedule their Cochin flights either from Trivandrum or from Calicut," Suresh Prabhu, India's civil aviation minister said on Twitter. "For international flights, this will require special dispensation which has been granted considering the emergency DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) is coordinating," he added. The US embassy last week advised Americans to avoid Kerala, which drew more than one million foreign tourists last year, according to official data. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who ordered nuclear tests to make India a nuclear weapons power and traveled by bus to Pakistan in a grand diplomatic gesture, died on Thursday, the hospital where he was being treated said in a statement. He was 93. A poet-politician, Vajpayee was one of the most popular leaders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But unlike Modi, who critics say is a polarizing figure despite his pledge of inclusive development for India's 1.3 billion people, Vajpayee was the moderate face of Hindu nationalism, admired even by prominent political foes. Vajpayee served as prime minister briefly in 1996 then again from 1998 to 2004. "Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him," Rahul Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party, tweeted. Vajpayee was one of the few leaders of the BJP to express anguish when hundreds of Muslims were killed rioting in 2002 in the western state of Gujarat, which Modi governed. Vajpayee called the 1992 destruction of a 16th-century mosque on a disputed site by Hindu fanatics India's darkest hour. However, he also defended a Hindu campaign for construction of a temple on the disputed site, which Hindus believe was the birthplace of god-king Rama. Modi said Vajpayee's stewardship had put India on a fast track to growth. "It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century," Modi said in a tweet. Vajpayee suffered a stroke in 2009 and retreated from public view. Leaders of the BJP were gathering at his home in New Delhi to pay their respects. As premier, Vajpayee was not afraid to take risks. He gave the go-ahead for underground nuclear tests in 1998 believing nuclear weapons would be deterrent against China and Pakistan. Pakistan responded to those tests with six of its own, forever altering South Asian security, launching both countries on a race to amass the weapons. But a year later, Vajpayee rode on the first bus to begin a new service from Delhi to the Pakistani city of Lahore in a rare trip by an Indian premier to mend ties with the neighbor. (Writing by Sanjeev Miglani and Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Robert Birsel) Around 50 teachers from the Atlanta area went on a two-week long hunger strike this week to call attention to the issue of school funding ahead of the 2018-2019 school year. Georgias schools were fully funded this year for the first time in almost two decades and the teachers are afraid state legislators may try to backtrack next year. The unorthodox protest, launched by Alex Robson, Gwinnett Countys Middle School Teacher of the Year, and the organization Hungry for Education. ADVERTISEMENT Throughout the 14-day fast, which lasts until August 26, the teachers will only drink water, lemon juice, vitamins, and one Gatorade a day. Other teachers have chosen to only fast from sunup to sundown. Although a hunger strike is an unusual way to demand education funding, not to mention change the way politicians view public schools, teacher strikes in general over the past year have become widespread and effective in red states across the country. Georgias educators are simply joining those in states like West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Arizona, where teachers have had varying levels of success in securing raises and increased funding. A recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics has shown that teachers spend around $480 dollars a year on school supplies for their students, well beyond the $250 federal tax deduction provided to teachers. Many teachers say that the burden of classroom spending would be decreased if their salaries were restored or if the hundreds of millions of tax revenue cut from public schools over the past few decades were restored. Featured Video Loading Video Content Related Articles: The post Georgia Teachers Go On Hunger Strike To Secure Education Funding appeared first on Fatherly. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has reached an agreement with Greece to send back migrants to the Mediterranean country if they have already applied for asylum there, the German Interior Ministry said on Friday. Last week Germany and Spain sealed a similar deal on returning migrants. Both deals come after a dispute between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Bavarian allies over returning migrants that nearly split them and brought down the government. "The signature of an administrative agreement with Greece is a further step on the way to more orderly conditions in European migration policy," German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said in a statement. Ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann told a news conference the Greek agreement, like the one with Spain, would allow Germany to send migrants entering via Germany's border with Austria to Greece within 48 hours. In exchange, Germany agreed to deal with a backlog of family reunification applications by the end of 2018, and to reconsider disputed cases, the ministry said. Petermann said Germany was also in "very advanced" negotiations on a similar deal with the Italian government and she expected a deal to be struck. Last Friday Petermann said both Italy and Greece had made counterdemands. The deals are not likely to affect many refugees. Figures from the Interior Ministry last week showed that since mid-June around 150 people who had already applied for asylum in another EU country had been detected entering Germany from Austria. More than 1.6 million migrants have arrived in Germany since mid-2014, provoking tensions and propelling the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) into the national parliament. Merkel has repeatedly defended her 2015 decision to admit hundreds of thousands of migrants as a humanitarian necessity, but has since vowed to prevent a re-run of such a migrant influx. Speaking about the deal with Greece, she told a news conference: "It's good that we've got a result." (Reporting by Joseph Nasr and Thorsten Severin; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alison Williams) TV stars and comedy fans united in mourning on Friday to say goodbye to Chuckle Brother Barry Elliott as his brother Paul tearfully carried his brothers coffin. Barry, 73, one half of the much-loved Chuckle Brothers, passed away earlier this month after a secret battle with bone cancer. Fans lined the streets in the pairs hometown of Rotherham for Barrys funeral, with many wearing Rotherham United shirts before the sombre service outside the clubs New York Stadium. Paul Elliott (right) carries the coffin of his brother Barry Chuckle, 73, (real name Barry Elliott) at the New York Stadium, Rotherham. The cortege carrying the coffin of Barry Chuckle, 73, (real name Barry Elliott) arrives at the New York Stadium, Rotherham, for his funeral following his death on Sunday August 5. Famous famous who arrived to pay tribute to Barry included Roy Chubby Brown, Linda Nolan, Tommy Cannon, Bernie Clifton and John Altman. Members of the public watched his brother Paul, 70, carry the coffin into Rotherhams stadium, where the two brothers were honorary life presidents. Four men carried the coffin in through the players entrance, including Paul, who had described Barry as his very best friend after his death on August 5. Four men carried the coffin in through the players entrance, including Paul, who, after Mr Elliots death on August 5, said he was totally devastated at the death of my brother, partner and my very best pal. Paul Elliott arrives at the New York Stadium, Rotherham. Don Maclean from Crackerjack arrives at the New York Stadium in Rotherham for the funeral of Barry Chuckle. Comedian Roy Chubby Brown arrives at the New York Stadium in Rotherham for the funeral of Barry Chuckle. Barry Elliott found fame alongside his brother Paul as one half of the Chuckle Brothers in BBC comedy show ChuckleVision, which ran for 21 series from 1987 to 2009. Members of the public, who mainly turned out in Rotherham United shirts, watched on as some of Mr Elliots close friends and family made their way inside for a private service. Barbra Garston, 86, said she had come to the stadium to support Barrys brother, Paul. She said: Id also like to watch him go because he has been such a big thing for Rotherham and everywhere by making people happy. Ive got three generations which have grown up with them. So one by one, theyve all watched them. So Ive been involved anyway, whether I wanted to watch them or not. Sophie and Pete Sandiford from Gogglebox arrive at the New York Stadium in Rotherham for the funeral of Barry Chuckle. Maureen and Linda Nolan (right) arrive at the New York Stadium in Rotherham for the funeral of Barry Chuckle. Actor John Altman who played Nick Cotton in EastEnders arrives at the New York Stadium in Rotherham for the funeral of Barry Chuckle. Ms Garston made a sign to bring to the stadium, which read: To a Yorkshire lad from a Yorkshire lass, goodbye from me to you. Story continues A young Chuckle Brothers megafan travelled all the way from Birmingham to pay his respects to Barry Chuckle. Alfie, 10, said: I first went to see them at the pantomime in Wolverhampton around two years ago and I just became a megafan of them. I just love their episodes and every morning Im watching their episodes of Chucklevision, and it has never gotten old. Everybody loves them. Theyve got a really good comedy, theyre funny and they just made people laugh. Read more Barry Chuckles brother reveals cancer battle Paul Chuckle pays tribute to his best friend Barry Chuckle Chuckle Brothers deny they drifted apart Pledge Prisons minister Rory Stewart has vowed to resign if his 10 million scheme to improve struggling prisons doesnt work (Picture: Getty/PA) The prisons minister has vowed to quit if a 10 million cash injection to tackle violence and drugs in struggling prisons fails. Rory Stewart told the BBC he would resign if his package of measures fails to raise standards in 10 prisons that have been hit by acute problems. The blitz is aimed at fighting issues including drugs and mobile phones in prisons as well as improving conditions. It includes providing each one with new scanners capable of spotting packages inside bodies and sniffer dogs trained to detect new psychoactive substances (NPS) as well as carrying out repairs to basic infrastructure such as broken windows. Announcing the 10 million package, Mr Stewart vowed: I will quit if I havent succeeded in 12 months in reducing the level of drugs and violence in those prisons. He told BBC Breakfast: I want to make a measurable difference. Thats what this investment is around. I believe in the prison service, I believe in our prison officers. I believe that this can be turned around and I want you to judge me on those results and I will resign if I dont succeed. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system Mr Stewart told BBC Radio 4s Today programme he expected the success of the new drive to be measured by its impact on assault statistics. Figures published last month showed self-harm incidents and assaults in prisons were at record levels, while finds of drugs and mobile phones increased by 23% and 15% respectively in the year to March. Hull Prison is among the ten prisons selected for the programme (Picture: Getty) He said: In these 10 prisons in particular violence is a real problem so the fundamental thing that I want to do and Id like to be judged on over the next 12 months is reducing that violence, reducing the number of assaults. Story continues Asked how much of a reduction he would consider a success 25% or 10% Mr Stewart said it would be something of that sort. He added: Im not talking about a minor reduction, Id want you to feel that this had been a substantial reduction and that it was going in the right direction. The 10 prisons selected for the programme are Hull, Humber, Leeds, Lindholme, Moorland, Wealstun, Nottingham, Ranby, Isis and Wormwood Scrubs. The Ministry of Justice said they have all struggled with acute problems including high drug use, violence and building issues. The package of measures includes: 6 million earmarked to bolster physical security with drug-detection dogs, body-scanners and improved perimeter defences; 3 million to improve the fabric of the jails themselves and 1 million on bespoke training programmes and interventions to give governors support to drive improvement. A staff college model inspired by the military will be developed for governors, while more junior staff will be given support and confidence to challenge disruptive behaviour. Officials said the scheme will be up and running in all 10 prisons by the end of the year, with tangible results expected within 12 months. Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: The governors of the 10 prisons will be pleased to have a little more money, wherever it comes from. He said Mr Stewart must concentrate on the job only he can do matching the demands on the system to the resource Parliament is prepared to make available for it, adding: It was a catastrophic failure to provide that balance which caused the collapse of prison safety after 2012 trying to tell governors how to run prisons is not going to put it right. But shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said the Government should go much further, adding: It must set out an emergency plan across the prisons estate with substantial new funding to put an end to this crisis and make our prisons safe and humane for staff and inmates. Harley CEO Calls Trump Anti-Harley Hectoring Misinformation The CEO addressed his people rather than the (social) media Earlier this week, President Trump encouraged current Harley-Davidson customers to boycott the Motor Company in the midst of the ongoing tariffs saga. In the wake of this latest presidential broadside, H-D CEO Matt Levatich reached out to his people in the hopes of clarifying the situation and probably to appease growing concerns. THE BEGINNING: Trump Attacks Harley Over Possible Overseas Production Levatich said that the uproar surrounding the company's earlier announcement that it would move some of its production overseas "misinformation". He reminded employees and dealers that the purpose of this move is to keep their products competitive on their second biggest market. Until now, H-D has been absorbing the steel and aluminum tariffs at the cost of up to $100 million annually, but this cannot be a long-term solution. The other option would have been to increase the price of the motorcycles up to $2,200 in the European market where the bikes are already selling at top price. That would have hurt the company further. Harley-Davidson is dealing with slowing sales and this isn't a blow it can afford. The maker has yet to announce which of its factories abroad will produce the bikes destined to the European market. THE SOLUTION: Harley Finally Enters the 21st Century with Big News Trump has been consistently attacking the company since the decision was announced in the wake of the tariffs imposition. The latest chapter of the saga had Trump show his support to the H-D riders interviewed at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally who said this was their last Harley. Levitch has since been level-headed and addressed the issue with his people rather than with the media. Source: Bloomberg Getty Images/iStockphoto Officials have announced a state of emergency in New Haven, Connecticut after at least 76 people overdosed on a synthetic marijuana alternative. The harrowing incident is just the latest in a wave of synthetic marijuana overdoses nationwide, in which hundreds of victims have suffered a myriad of side effects, from bleeding out of their eye sockets to delusional thinking and repeated vomiting. The synthetic drug is known as K2; it looks similar to marijuana and is smoked the same way as cannabis, but can cause deadly side effects due to its unregulated and varying mixture of chemical compounds. Researchers and police believe the recent string of K2 overdoses may have been caused in part by mixing the drug with opioids, fentanyl, or unknown compounds imported from Russia and China. "Its really hard to say what causes these big outbreaks, because people dont really know what theyre getting when they buy K2 spices," said Paul Prather, a principle investigator for the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services. "These products are made specifically to evade detection, so what may be going on is that were seeing the introduction of new compounds into the market that have never been tested on animals or humans." Police arrested a 37-year-old man believed to be connected to the overdoses at New Haven Green, a city park near Yale University. There were nearly 25 overdoses in a three-hour period at the park on Tuesday, with dozens more continuing throughout the night and into Wednesday. Victims began collapsing in broad daylight and convulsing on the floor, as paramedics rushed to the scene. Its not the first time an outbreak of overdoses occurred at "the Green," as locals refer to the city park known for attracting drug users and the homeless. Nearly a dozen victims overdosed at the park on 4 July this year. City officials warned residents about the dangerous drug after numerous victims were hospitalised with life-threatening conditions, telling locals not to buy K2 at the Green or anywhere, for that matter. Story continues "Today New Haven was on the front lines of a coast-to-coast struggle to combat the public health menace of illicit distribution and use of what appear to be tainted street drugs," New Haven Mayor Toni Harp said in a statement. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy also echoed that warning, saying in a statement, "The substance behind these overdoses is highly dangerous and must be avoided." Mr Prather, whose conducted years of studies into K2 and its potentially lethal side effects, described a black market system behind K2 in which street dealers are buying and mixing unknown chemicals themselves. "Its mostly nefarious people trying to make a buck, who maybe have a chemistry degree or know a little about this or that they order the chemicals off the internet," he said. "The powders are ordered from China and Russia, then people who want to sell them dissolve the compounds with acetone and spray them on plant material to usually sell them for $10 or $20 dollars a bag." There are hundreds of types of varying synthetic marijuana drugs typically called "spices" or K2. They derive from research conducted by John W Huffman, a Clemson University professor who developed the first synthetic cannabinoids in the early 1990s to test the brains regulation of appetite, nausea, mood pain and inflammation. Synthetic cannabinoids have since found their way into recreational drugs like K2, which began being seen in overdoses in the US and UK around 2009. The effects of taking K2 are far different from that of actual marijuana because weed includes mitigating compounds that reduces its toxicity on brain receptors. Whats more, whereas marijuana has just one compound that causes psychoactive effects, synthetic marijuana typically has between three to five. And unlike weed, K2 is designed to activate 100 per cent of a brain receptor, whereas cannabis has a much weaker effect. K2 is meant to fully activate the receptors, so theyre much more efficacious at activating those than THC, Mr Prather continued. "Its a much bigger activation, no mitigating compounds to remove toxicities and an overall much bigger bang." Outbreaks of synthetic drug overdoses have become a constant news story, with thousands of people being sent to the emergency room each year across the country for issues related to ingesting K2 and other products. At one point two years ago, New York City was seeing nearly 40 people hospitalised on a daily basis due to K2. Research indicates the use of K2 has increased in recent years, with nearly 500 cases of highly toxic effects caused by synthetic cannabinoid drugs between 2010 and 2015 according to one study. Photo credit: Craigslist - Car and Driver From Car and Driver With the annual Woodward Dream Cruise nearly upon us in the greater Detroit-area, there is the expected surge of Craigslist ads promising last-minute cruisers a classic ride for the show. Few of these would-be Dream Cruisers are as crushingly brown, bland, and yet so intriguingly right as this 1978 Chrysler LeBaron we found for sale locally on Detroit's Craigslist. The ask? A way-too-tempting $2750. Photo credit: Craigslist - Car and Driver Let's start with the paint. The Chrysler is brown, as any late-1970s-era American luxury sedan should be. The vinyl top, similarly, is brown-though, here's the exciting part, it's a lighter shade of brown-and the interior is very nearly the same light brown, but different. As the seller notes, the leather interior "stretches for what might seem like a mile." Great stuff. Photo credit: Craigslist - Car and Driver Interred under that flat hood is a 318-cubic-inch V-8 that, when new, put out 145 horsepower. Today, who knows, but in our 1978 test of a Dodge Diplomat coupe-essentially the two-door, Dodge-branded version of this LeBaron, which also was offered in coupe form-the combination of that V-8 with a three-speed automatic transmission could be leaned on for an ice-cold 19.4-second quarter-mile time. Given this LeBaron's low mileage (the odometer shows a believable 43,000 miles), it might only be slightly slower than watching paint dry. Photo credit: Craigslist - Car and Driver Speaking of dry, however, the seller notes the car came from Colorado and has no rust, an assertion backed up by the photos that depict possibly the cleanest LeBaron we've ever seen. Are there dreamier cars you could buy and cruise Woodward in? Absolutely, but they're not this cheap nor do they have this much 70s chic. Photo credit: Craigslist - Car and Driver ('You Might Also Like',) La Libertad (Honduras) (AFP) - Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking. They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated from his father after they attempted to illegally cross United States's southern border with Mexico. Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Customs and Border Protection officers on March 17 after crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid $6,000. They were soon split up and sent to detention centers in different states, with the infant becoming just one of thousands of Central American and Mexican children that US authorities have separated from their parents. Bueso ended up being deported back to Honduras on April 5 -- before the US government's "zero tolerance" policy against migrants who illegally cross the country's southern border came into effect in May. But his family was nevertheless separated -- his son remained in US custody until he was finally returned to his family on a flight that landed on July 20, a few weeks after President Donald Trump demanded an end to the family splits. Johan's parents discovered that he had grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word -- "agua" (water) -- while away, had been badly affected by his months of detention. "Everything we give him to eat he has problems with. And he gets up and sleepwalks at night," said his mother Adalicia, 21, who is eight months pregnant with another child. She added bitterly that US authorities had sent him back without all his papers, with his birth certificate and vaccination record missing. The Bueso family blamed the US government's "zero tolerance" policy for the separation -- but US Customs and Border Protection reiterated that the policy was announced after Bueso's deportation. It also added that separation and deportation were justified in Bueso's case under a previous and long-standing US statute, because Bueso had a felony conviction for multiple previous attempts to illegally enter the US. Story continues "There are instances where a child may be separated from an adult/parent solely for the child's welfare and not because of zero tolerance policy," a spokesman said. According to the Honduran government, most Honduran children taken away from their parents inside the US earlier this year have still not been returned. The foreign ministry said only 146 Honduran children taken between April 18 and May 31 had been reunited with their families as of August 10, and 313 were still being held by US authorities. So far this year, again up to August 10, Honduras has accepted 17,573 Hondurans deported from the United States and 27,334 from Mexico. - Giving up the dream - Bueso said the experience had convinced him to give up on trying to illegally enter the United States. The Americans, he said, "are too rough." Johan "might be traumatized for life," he said, watching over his son who was playing with a black and white cat. He and his son were caught on his fourth attempt to reach what Central Americans call "the American dream": a land where work is relatively well paid and easy to come by and violent gangs don't rule neighborhoods. Each time, Bueso was deported, earning him a US criminal record. Honduran officials admit that many of their citizens risk the voyage into the US with young kids because they believe it enhances their chances of being legally allowed to stay. Bueso's two brothers, who live in the US state of Maryland, had shown that it was possible to make it. But Trump, whose anti-immigration ambitions include building a wall along the border with Mexico, is changing some calculations. In Bueso's case, it was a harsh readjustment. As an assistant on a bus servicing the La Libertad-San Pedro Sula route he can hope to earn $8 on a good day. In the US, as a laborer, he could expect to make $10 per hour. The small, concrete-block and tin-roofed home he and his wife live in is owned by one of his brothers who lives in the US, Adrian, who also supplied the $6,000 to pay the smuggler. Bueso said while he won't try again to reach the US, "no matter how many walls they put up there are always people who are going to try because they are looking to survive." Bueso acknowledged that La Libertad was a relatively peaceful village that didn't suffer from the corrosive gang violence or drug trafficking that blighted so much of Honduras. But he pointed out that the country's economic situation was dire -- something he blamed on government corruption. More than a million Hondurans live in the United States. Most of them lack documents to legally stay, yet they represent a pillar holding up Honduras' economy. Each year $4 billion in remittances are sent to Honduras, accounting for 20 percent of gross domestic product. This year, thanks to a strong dollar and taut US labor market, remittances have grown nine percent, according to the central bank. Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov is "losing hope" and no longer believes that he will be freed after almost 100 days on hunger strike in a Russian prison, his cousin told AFP. Natalia Kaplan insisted in an interview that Western leaders had "leverage" to bring about the release of the 42-year-old Kremlin opponent who was convicted on terrorism charges. "He's losing hope," Kaplan said Thursday, a week after she received a letter from Sentsov in which he told her he felt the "end is near". "In his letter, he wrote to me that we mustn't tell him any more that freedom is coming. He doesn't believe it any more," she said. According to Kaplan, Sentsov's health has dramatically declined since he started a hunger strike on May 14 to demand the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia. "He has a very weak heartbeat of 40 beats per minute. He complains that his heart hurts, that he's weak, and he tries not to get up too often to preserve his strength," she said. Activist and journalist Zoya Svetova, who visited the filmmaker in his Russian Arctic prison this week, told AFP he had lost 17 kilogrammes (28 pounds), though prison medics said he had lost 11 kilos. Svetova said however that Sentsov had no intention of ending his hunger strike. He is receiving supplements in a drip usually meant for people unable to eat, she said. - Celebrity support - Sentsov was convicted of arson attacks on pro-Moscow party offices in Crimea after Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Amnesty International denounced the trial against him as "Stalinist". G7 ambassadors as well as major figures from the world of cinema, from director Jean-Luc Godard to Hollywood star Johnny Depp, have called for his release. Last Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discussing the need to find "an urgent humanitarian solution" in Sentsov's case. Story continues Kaplan said she was waiting for Western leaders to put pressure on Moscow and "find some sort of leverage to free Oleg and other political prisoners". "Such leverage does exist, I am sure of it," she said. "We can't put down our arms while Oleg is continuing his fight. It would be a betrayal both of Oleg and the people who are making such huge efforts to secure his release," Kaplin added. Sentsov's case may be raised on Saturday when Putin visits Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday called for his immediate release during a telephone conversation with the German leader. The filmmaker's mother, Lyudmila, in June wrote directly to Putin to ask him to pardon her son, according to Russian media. The Kremlin has so far remained unresponsive to calls for his release, saying that a request for a pardon can only be filed by the prisoner himself, which Sentsov has refused to do. The Indian Coast Guard has continued its efforts to save locals displaced by the flood waters in the southern state of Kerala that have left at least 164 people dead. This footage is described as showing the India Coast Guard Disaster & Relief Team No. 22 carrying out rescue operations in Kerala. A group of stranded people are led through waist-high waters in the first video and a child and an elderly woman are escorted to a relief camp in the second video. As many as 1,568 relief camps have been built for people displaced by the floods, the Times of India reported. Credit: Indian Coast Guard via Storyful Republican Chris McDaniel, running to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate, got a history lesson on Wednesday night one he probably didnt want. It came after McDaniel posted a revisionist tweet about Robert E. Lee that whitewashed the Confederate generals view of slavery. Its a good thing there wasnt a test, because McDaniel would have failed, according to Princeton historian Kevin M. Kruse, who challenged McDaniels statement. Lee owned slaves and brutalized them. Lee led an armed revolt against the United States to preserve slavery. And during it, Lee's army captured free blacks in the North and enslaved them. But you were saying something about the "historically illiterate"? https://t.co/1oNaM4Q2Ok Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) August 16, 2018 And unlike McDaniel, Kruse backed up his account with documentation. Historians have documented this in great detail and anyone who's functionally literate can read their many works on Lee's support for slavery etc. This fantastic piece by @AdamSerwer lists several of them and does an excellent job of explaining it all. https://t.co/JkxRw7me4b Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) August 16, 2018 Others were quick to pile on, joining the criticism of McDaniels revisionism. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. He had several *amazing* ways of being against slavery. Like owning slaves. And commanding the army that fought to maintain slavery. The Glare (@TheGlare_TM) August 16, 2018 False. Robert E. Lee was a slaveowner and an unrepentant bigot. Even on the worst day of his life, when he surrendered his Army (+ the Confederate cause), what bothered him most was that his surrender was transcribed by what he thought was a Black man. From Chernow's "Grant": 1/2 pic.twitter.com/HhSfcIWMCr M.S. Bellows, Jr. (@msbellows) August 16, 2018 Lee did not begin pretending his real cause was "states' rights" (not slavery) until long after the war. Even after the war, Lee signed a petition calling for Black citizens to be returned to slavery, because it was kinder to them. In short: Lee was an evil traitor. Id: (2/2) pic.twitter.com/zKnWb6vqar M.S. Bellows, Jr. (@msbellows) August 16, 2018 The truth is that you are brutally historically ignorant, Lee was a traitor. Like, an actual traitor, not how the term is tossed about these days. It's only by the grace and forgiveness of Lincoln that he wasn't lined up and shot. Remember Scalia (@469Matt) August 16, 2018 Benedict Arnold was also once a highly decorated officer in the United States Army Stat Politics (@StatPolitic) August 16, 2018 Lets talk Senator because I teach this stuff. Lee owned slaves. He never freed them while he lived and he brutalized them. During the war, his army captured free blacks in the North and sold them into slavery as a terror tactic. So, what, pray tell, made him anti slavery? aderson francois 14A (@abfrancois) August 16, 2018 Youre part of the reason Mississippi is unable to progress, mainly because you insist on elevating traitors who believed in ownership of human beings. This state is being run by fossils. Leigh Crosby (@teaandmagnolias) August 16, 2018 Even CNNs Jake Tapper joined in on the history lesson, asking McDaniel to read a New York Times story about a letter Lee sent the paper in 1858 discussing slavery. Story continues Also on HuffPost I am taking action to relocate the Confederate statues. We have thoroughly examined this issue, and heard from many of our citizens. Mayor Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017 Citing events in #Charlottesville #Baltimore City Council adopts resolution calling for immediate destruction of confederate monuments #WBAL pic.twitter.com/9IiiGpfr99 Vanessa Herring (@VanessaWBAL) August 14, 2017 I'm sending a letter to @NatlParkService & will intro a resolution calling for the removal of Gen. Pike statue once we're back in session https://t.co/NuoFDTXNgr David Grosso (@cmdgrosso) August 14, 2017 JUST IN: Jacksonville City Council President calls for starting process of moving confederate monuments/memorials off public property. pic.twitter.com/AVJGqZ9CPs Stephanie Brown (@SBrownReports) August 14, 2017 Its time to move forward. These monuments should come down. - RC https://t.co/Lw9m6ZYbQJ Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) August 15, 2017 JUST IN: City of Franklin to remove Robert E. Lee monument in Warren County. @Enquirer Jason Williams (@jwilliamscincy) August 16, 2017 A look at the now covered Confederate Monument in Linn Park. Mayor Bell ordered the statue covered this afternoon. @WBRCnews #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/VbqYLSwZ1t Jamiese Price (@ThePriceReport) August 16, 2017 This article originally appeared on HuffPost. (Photo: Instagram via Fatboy Sse) Target shoppers got a pleasant surprise this week when a guardian Instagrammer swooped in to pay their bills. Instagram star and rapper Fatboy Sse aims to spread love and make the world smile, and he does so by handing out cash. The New Jersey local was in California this week for the premiere of The After Party, and apparently took some time to do a little Target shopping. He shared videos on Instagram of customers in shock as he approaches them with a wad of cash, handing bills to the cashiers and saying, its on me today. In the first video, a customer can be heard saying, are you serious? before Fatboy Sse pays her $100+ bill. Young boys filling her cart inform her that hes from the internet. He pays another womans $56.75 bill, and doesnt even use her coupons. Fatboy Sse, who just made his acting debut in The After Party, paid for at least three Target shoppers. SPREADING LOVE EVERYDAY MAKE THE WORLD SMILE , he captioned the post. The post has 540k likes. While most of the commenters are amazed by his generosity, some are finding fault in the act. The major problem people have is with who he chose to donate to. idk about this tho. Giving money to white people so they can like us. I mean not all white ppl hate us and I dont think she didnt have enough money, I think fat boy just came out of nowhere and said Im paying. Cool thing to do but is it necessary, eh probably not, one person wrote. My dawg targeted all the milfs you aint slick lmao, said another. Why all white women? another follower commented. Man start helpin black people bro these mfs already got it. Many fans came to his defense, saying things like, Spreading love knows no race, color, ethnicity or sex. Love shit like this. This is the norm for Fatboy Sse, whos known to hand out money from time to time. In May, he showed up at a high school prom in New Jersey and gave money to a few lucky teens. Hes shared videos in which hes handing out money to students in Jamaica, and money and new underwear to homeless men and women. In April, he showed up at Paterson mayoral contender Pedro Rodriguezs campaign headquarters during a rally for Fetty Waps endorsement giving out $20 bills. Hes a social media celebrity, Rodriguez told NewJersey.com. Its part of his act. Its something he has done many times. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. A couple looks from the top of Milad Tower in Tehran October 18, 2010. REUTERS/Caren Firouz James Phillips Security, Middle East Tehran has no real defense against U.S. sanctions. Iran's Economy Can't be Shielded from U.S. Sanctions EU efforts to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions are doomed to fail, but could help undermine the effectiveness of sanctions. The EU is trying to salvage the Iran nuclear deal by assembling a package of economic incentives to induce Iran to remain in the nuclear agreement. On June 6, the European Commission updated its Blocking Statute to prohibit EU firms from complying with American sanctions and protect European companies trading with Iran from secondary sanctions imposed by Washington. The updated Blocking Statute, which entered into force on August 7, allows EU companies to recover damages arising from U.S. 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 authorized to do so by the European Commission But individual companies are more likely to avoid doing business with Iran than invoke this protective measure. U.S. sanctions will force them to choose between conducting business with the United States, the worlds largest market, or with the much smaller Iranian market. Total, Maersk, Siemens and other major European companies already have signaled that they will pull back from Iran. In addition, the EU would abort its pushback against U.S. sanctions if Iran decides to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement. Such a decision would lead European states to re-impose their own Iran sanctions. On May 23 Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave Iranian President Hassan Rouhani permission to negotiate with the EU to gain protection from U.S. sanctions. But he set several onerous conditions for staying in the nuclear agreement. Khamenei insisted that the EU: compensate Tehran for oil revenue lost due to U.S. sanctions; guarantee that European banks will continue financing bilateral trade with Iran, and not raise the issue of Irans ballistic missiles or it regional interventions. He even stipulated that the Europeans must vote for a UN Security Council resolution criticizing Washington for withdrawing from the JCPOA. Story continues It is hard to believe that European leaders, who resent being told what to do by the United States, will swallow these conditions laid down by a theocratic dictator. Even worse, Iran was caught red-handed last month in a foiled plot to bomb an opposition rally staged by Iranian exiles near Paris, France. Belgian authorities announced on July 2 that an Iranian diplomat was one of the four suspects arrested for the foiled bomb plot. Iran has orchestrated a long list of political assassinations and terrorist attacks in Europe. At Irans direction, Hezbollah also mounted terrorist attacks in Europe in the 1980s to punish countries perceived to be supporting Iraq in the 198088 Iran-Iraq war. More recently, Hezbollah carried out a suicide bombing of a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Burgas, Bulgaria. The 2012 attack killed six people. In addition to Irans terrorist activities, the regimes repression, human-rights violations and arrests of European/Iranian dual citizens on trumped up charges will continue to undermine and raise questions about misguided European efforts to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration should reach out to European allies, disgruntled over the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, and seek to minimize rifts that Tehran could exploit. It should explain how the withdrawal and restoration of sanctions advances a broader strategy for rolling back Irans baleful influence and containing its threats. European allies played a key role in ratcheting up sanctions pressure in 201213, and they remain an important vector for restoring sanctions pressure now. European cooperation will be important for reducing Irans oil exports, particularly because China and Turkey, two of Irans biggest oil and gas customers, have announced that they will not comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran. Tehran also may be counting on China, Irans leading oil customer and trading partner, to protect it from U.S. sanctions. Beijing complied with the 2010 UN sanctions and reduced its oil imports from Iran by up to one quarter. But U.S. officials expect China to actually increase its imports of Iranian oil this year to take advantage of discounted prices. Beijing will channel its payments through a Chinese bank that has a limited exposure to the global financial system, thereby evading U.S. secondary sanctions. China, however, cannot rescue Iran from the damaging impact of U.S. sanctions. Many Chinese companies that do business in the United States or conduct business in dollars will be just as deterred from trading with Iran as European companies are. Not only is China unlikely to make up for the loss of Western investment and trade, but Beijing cannot match the sophisticated technologies offered by western companies, particularly for Irans crucial oil industry. The bottom line is that the EU and China can mitigate the impact of U.S. sanctions, but they cannot offer Tehran immunity from the sanctions. Ultimately, they also are unlikely to offer enough inducements to keep Iran from withdrawing from the nuclear agreement. James Phillips is The Heritage Foundations senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs. Image: A couple looks from the top of Milad Tower in Tehran October 18, 2010. REUTERS/Caren Firouz Read full article A suspected member of ISIS was arrested Wednesday in Sacramento on charges that he murdered an Iraqi police officer in 2014. Omar Abdulsattar Ameen, 45, appeared in federal court Wednesday to start the proceedings to extradite him to Iraq, where he will face trial on charges of premeditated murder. Court documents allege that Ameen was a member of Al Qaeda and later ISIS. He is accused of killing a police officer in the Rawah District on June 22, 2014, a day after ISIS took control of the area, the Justice Department alleged. According to court documents, Ameen was part of a four-vehicle convoy that opened fire at the victims home. In response, the victim returned fire. Ameen then shot the man while he was on the ground. A death certificate from the Rawah hospital confirmed he died by gunshot to the chest, documents say. Ameen then fled Iraq and landed in Sacramento, claiming to be a refugee. Court documents say he concealed his associations with Al Qaeda and ISIS in his refugee application and fabricated parts of his background, including a misrepresentation of his fathers death. He lied about his background and the circumstances of his departure from Iraq in order to evade detection, seeking to blend into the flow of legitimate refugees fleeing the conflict zone, court papers say. Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israel troops on Friday shot dead two Palestinians taking part in protests along the Gaza border, the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave said. The ministry named the dead men as Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, shot near the central Gaza Strip town of Bureij and Sadi Moamer, 26, killed near Rafah, in the south. It said that both men were shot in the head. At least 270 other Palestinians were wounded, 70 of them by gunfire, the ministry said. The Israeli military did not know of any deaths but said that troops had opened fire in border incidents. At least 171 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire since late March, mostly during border clashes and protests. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including its Hamas rulers, have fought three wars since 2008 and tensions since late March have led to fears of yet another full-blown conflict. There have been three intense flare-ups since July, the latest on Thursday, when Israel responded to some 180 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza with widespread air strikes. An Israeli official said on condition of anonymity Wednesday that truce talks mediated by Egyptian and United Nations officials had reached an initial set of "understandings" leading to calm on the border over the past few days. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told AFP on Friday that a durable truce with Israel was near. "In my opinion, yes, we are nearing an agreement," he said. He added that the UN and Egyptian talks taking place in Egypt with various Palestinian factions have "taken a big step forward towards understandings with the occupation... and the possibility of restoring calm". A freeway bridge collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 39 people. In the aftermath, Rome decided to immediately revoke the road management concession from Autostrade. Shares of its mother company Atlantia fell by as much as 23 percent on Thursday morning. Italy is embroiled in a blame game that will ultimately discourage many international investors, an economist told CNBC Friday. A freeway bridge collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 39 people, in the city of Genoa. In the aftermath, Rome came under special scrutiny by international investors after deciding to immediately revoke the road management concession from Autostrade a company that is responsible for 3,000 kilometers of toll roads in Italy without waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. Shares of its mother company Atlantia fell by as much as 23 percent on Thursday morning. "The responsibilities still have to be determined by the judiciary, (but) the most striking thing of this story is mostly the initial reaction of the government after the disaster," Davide Oneglia, economist at TS Lombard, said. "The fact they have immediately taken Atlantia and investor as a scapegoat, or they are trying to bring in the European Commission, which is their usual target, might end up in the long run undermining the confidence of investors on Italian institutions," Oneglia told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." "If this proceeds, it has long lasting effects on investor sentiment," he said. The country's political parties have apportioned blame for the disaster to, variously, previous governments, the European Union (EU), the road management company and even the mafia . Even though, many analysts have pointed out that, for example, one of the coalition partners the leftist Five Star Movement ignored warnings back in 2013 that the collapsed bridge was in danger. At the same time, the other coalition partner, the right-wing Lega, has blamed the EU for not giving enough funds to Italy to invest in infrastructure. Story continues The European Commission replied to the criticism on Thursday, saying it was time "to make a few things clear." "For the record, under the agreed fiscal rules member states are free to set specific policy priorities, for instance the development and maintenance of infrastructure," a spokesperson said, adding that Brussels has in several occasions recommended Italy to put more money in infrastructure projects. "This episode is just one of a series," Oneglia said. "For example, we can see more or less the same approach in the way they (government) have been dealing with ILVA, the steel plant in Puglia with ArcelorMittal." ArcelorMittal bought a steel plant in the region of Puglia, which previously belonged to the government. Apart from workers protesting against job cuts, politicians in Puglia opened a legal challenge and opposed decisions from a previous government on the grounds the buyout plan didn't curb pollution from the area fast enough. Earlier this month, the company said it is confident of reaching a deal with the unions on its new environmental clean-up plan. Investors are also tracking the upcoming budget as a way to know better if they should look for opportunities in the southern European country. The document, which needs to be completed before mid-October, will be closely scrutinized, as investors look for clues on whether European fiscal commitments are respected and on whether the coalition government is working side by side. Both populist parties in government have promised to increase public spending a risky decision given the high amount of government debt about 130 percent of its growth domestic product. "More than ever, this budget plan is a key event for the market. First, the budget will spell out the new government's economic policies and clarify the implementation timeline of the announced reforms," Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note last week. "Second, it will define the new administration's stance on the fiscal discipline requirement. This is especially important in light of the busy calendar with the rating agencies' review of Italy's outlook." More From CNBC A no-deal Brexit would be a mistake we would regret for generations, Jeremy Hunt has said. The Foreign Secretarys comments came in an interview with ITV News after a meeting with the Dutch foreign minister as part of a three-day tour of Northern Europe. Asked whether he was presenting the Governments Brexit plan as take it or leave it, he said: No, but it is a framework on which I believe the ultimate deal will be based and Ive been to several countries and met seven foreign ministers and am meeting more in the weeks ahead and Im getting a strong sense that not just in Holland but in many of the places Ive visited that they do want to engage seriously to try and find a way through to try and get a pragmatic outcome. Discussing the risk of no proper negotiated deal he said: It would be a mistake we would regret for generations, if we had a messy, ugly divorce and would inevitably change British attitudes towards Europe. Important not to misrepresent my words: Britain WOULD survive and prosper without a dealbut it would be a big mistake for Europe because of inevitable impact on long term partnership with UK. We will only sign up to deal that respects referendum result Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) August 17, 2018 He also revealed that the Government would consider EU proposals that demanded accepting European environmental and social legislation, in order to facilitate a free trade agreement. As his comments hit the headlines, Mr Hunt later tweeted that Britain would survive and prosper without a deal, but it would be a big mistake for Europe, adding: We will only sign up to deal that respects referendum result. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system Story continues Asked to compare himself with Boris Johnsons approach as foreign secretary he said: I think the role of the foreign secretary is to go around foreign capitals and point out the implications of not getting a deal are profound in terms of our friendship and corporation with foreign countries across a whole range of areas. Mr Hunt also responded to reports that Brussels Brexit negotiators were concerned they were being bugged by British spies. Mistake Mr Hunts comments followed his meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen (Picture: Reuters) The Daily Telegraph reported that officials had raised security concerns after the UK obtained sensitive documents within hours of them being discussed. Sabine Weyand, the EUs deputy chief Brexit negotiator, reportedly told officials that it could not be excluded that British intelligence had penetrated their meetings. Asked about the rumours, Mr Hunt said: Im Foreign Secretary and foreign secretaries never comment on such matters but you are a journalist and you dont have any trouble finding out what is going on in those meeting just like you have no problems in finding out whats happening in our London meetings. Jose Mourinho is very happy with Paul Pogba despite reports of a rift. Jose Mourinho has rubbished fresh reports of a breakdown of his relationship with Paul Pogba and insists he has never been happier with the player. The Manchester United superstar told journalists there were things he could not say about his situation at Old Trafford because he would be fined. A report in The Sun newspaper on Thursday even went as far as to claim Mourinho had told the midfielder he should hand in a transfer request rather than speaking to the media. Barcelona are said to be interested in signing Pogba before the end of the month and his agent Mino Raiola has held talks with the Catalan giants. However, Mourinho set the record straight in his weekly press conference and confirmed there were no issues between the pair and he would retain the captaincy for now. READ MORE: Shearer predicts how Mourinhos row with Pogba will end READ MORE: Darmian staying at United, says Mourinho Pogba in discussion with Mourinho. Mourinho said: The truth is we are together for two years and a couple of weeks and Ive never been so happy with him as I am now, thats the truth. READ MORE: Man City confirm De Bruyne out for 3 months READ MORE: Stokes named in England XI to face India I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him, he came here on a Monday, trained three days, I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties. He did it better and for more time than we could expect, when he says he did it for the fans and for the team is exactly what I want, is exactly what I demand from my players, hes working well, playing well, he does for the fans, he does for the team and thats what I want, to play for the team and I couldnt be happier than what I am. I want him to play well, I want him to play for that team, the fans, and that is what it is. Hes working extremely well here but I have to say in his defence, write what you want about him, me, please dont say lies, dont put him in a situation that people can think hes not a polite, educated guy, he is. He never had a fight with me. We never had a harsh exchange of words, everything is respected, I have no problems at all. Story continues Mourinho was bemused left by Pogbas comments about the prospect of being fined following Fridays win over Leicester in their opening game. READ MORE: Spurs send out an SOS for electricians READ MORE: Chelsea could tear up entire contract structure The Special One says he has never fined the midfielder during his time at the club, instead revealing Anthony Martial was the only star to have been disciplined. Mourinho added: You have to ask Paul [why he said that]. Im here for two years and a couple of months and the only player that was fined was Anthony Martial. It is not easy to be fined here, so you have to ask him. Im not going to ask him. I want him to work the way he is doing and play the way he is doing and thats all that matters. A Manhattan judge issued a ruling on Thursday that thwarted the Trump campaigns attempts to keep a lawsuit out of open court, with potential implications for the looming battle over fired Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newmans slow-motion revelations of her experiences in the Trump campaign and White House. The decision came in a lawsuit filed by Jessica Denson, a former campaign staffer who filed a complaint last November that alleged she was subjected to harassment and sexual discrimination while she worked on Trumps White House bid in 2016. Lawyers for the Trump campaign tried to force the case into private arbitration based on an agreement signed by staffers that included nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions. In her decision, Judge Arlene Bluth of New York State Supreme Court disclosed flaws in the wording of the agreement that she said limited its scope. The ruling exposes potential weaknesses in the non-disparagement and non-disclosure agreements that staff at Trumps White House, his campaign, and the Trump Organization have been made to sign. These documents have made headlines this past week as Manigault Newman, a former White House staffer, claimed the White House was trying to use them to silence her after she went public with a tell-all book and a series of embarrassing tapes from her time in the West Wing and from working on Trumps campaign. Jessica Denson (Publicity photo) Denson is suing the Trump campaign in state court for $25 million, alleging she was subjected to severe and pervasive slander, aggravated harassment, attempted theft, cyberbullying, and sexual discrimination and harassment by her former supervisor, Camilo Sandoval, and other campaign staffers after she received a promotion to mobilize the campaigns Hispanic engagement effort in September 2016. The Trump campaign and Sandoval, who is currently the acting chief information officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, did not respond to requests for comment on this story. According to Densons complaint, which was filed in November 2017, the harassment included being routinely overworked, the mysterious disappearance of her laptop charger, being treated in a demeaning and abusive matter, and being subjected to a conversation with Sandoval where he laid down on a couch in front of her in a physical, sexual posture. Story continues Trump campaign attorneys responded a month later by filing a request for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association, and demanding damages of $1.5 million because Denson publish[ed] certain confidential information and disparaging statements in connection with a lawsuit she filed against claimant in New York Supreme Court. On March 19, lawyers for the campaign from the firm of Larocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg & Blaha moved to take the case out of court and have it heard in private arbitration. In the motion, the Trump campaign lawyers argued Denson was bound to private arbitration because, before joining the presidents White House bid, she signed a written employment agreement in which she expressly agreed to arbitrate any dispute arising under or relating to her employment. Arbitration is an alternative to trial, a hearing before arbitrators (often retired judges) in which the records may be sealed from the public. The parties involved also have some ability to decide who will hear the case, unlike the random assignment process typical of the courts. The motion from the Trump campaign attorneys included a copy of the agreement Denson signed, which was similar to documents that have reportedly been signed by White House staffers . Then presidential candidate Donald Trump and aide Omarosa Manigault attend a church service in Detroit, September 2016. (Photo: Carlo Allegri/Reuters) Bluths ruling noted flaws in the agreement Denson was required to sign. The judge suggested the document was worded badly, and implied it could have done what the campaigns attorneys wanted if it had been written better. As an initial matter, the Court observes that the arbitration clause confines arbitration to any dispute arising under or relating to this agreement, Bluth wrote, adding with emphasis, It does not require arbitration for any dispute between the parties or even any dispute arising out of plaintiffs employment. Bluth even took aim at the title of the document prepared by the Trump campaign. In the motion to compel arbitration, the campaigns attorneys described the document signed by Denson as an employment agreement. The judge noted this wasnt actually written down. The agreement is simply titled Agreement not Employment Agreement, Bluth wrote. The judge also found that the agreement only covers a specific list of five prohibited acts rather than all aspects of Densons employment. The document provided for no disclosure of confidential information, no disparagement, no competitive services, no competitive solicitation, and no competitive intellectual property claims. There is simply no way to construe this arbitration clause in this agreement to prevent pursuing harassment claims in court. The arbitration clause could have been written to require any disputes arising out of employment to go to arbitration. But it did not, wrote Bluth. Bluths ruling became public today when Denson tweeted a copy of the order . It is notable because Denson is representing herself and still defeated the Trump campaigns lawyers. The judges decision represents a rare victory for a pro se litigant, the legal term for a person proceeding in court on their own behalf against a party represented by licensed attorneys. Denson, a young actress, declined to comment on this story. In an ironic twist, President Trump was personally a party to the New York case that establishes the legal principle controlling Bluths decision. That 1993 case, Trump v. Refco Properties, Inc., concerned a dispute among the partners who own the Grand Hyatt near Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan; it established that a party may not be forced into arbitration unless their agreement to arbitrate expressly and unequivocally encompasses the subject matter of the particular dispute. President Trump sought to avoid private arbitration in that case, and won the issue on appeal. Bluth specifically cited that decision in her ruling against Trumps campaign. The dispute between Denson and the Trump campaign now spans several different public and private forums. In addition to the action Denson brought in 2017 in New York State Supreme Court, she filed a complaint in federal court seeking to have the entire nondisclosure agreement declared null and unenforceable. The Trump campaigns attorneys may stand a better chance of prevailing in the motion to compel arbitration filed in conjunction with the federal court case, because Densons complaint is more likely to be viewed as arising under or relating to the agreement than Densons harassment claims in state court. These questions may bear, if indirectly, on the attempt by Trumps lawyers to silence Omarosa Manigault Newman. That issue has mostly been discussed as a First Amendment matter, in which a citizens right to criticize the president is at stake. But Densons dispute hasnt reached the level of Constitutional rights, at least not yet. It is being litigated, so far, on the wording of the forms crafted by Trumps lawyers. Bluth, who also ruled to allow Denson to amend her complaint, repeatedly described her decision as being put simply. It is clear that the limited agreement is not applicable to the current dispute, the judge wrote. _____ Luppe B. Luppen is a lawyer and a writer in New York City. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he graduated from Stanford University (2005) and Washington & Lee School of Law (2008). He is @nycsouthpaw on twitter. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Rick Gates (left) and Paul Manafort, seen on the floor of the Republican National Convention in July 2016. A jury is deliberating Manafort's fate in his tax and bank fraud trial. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters) WASHINGTON As jurors in Alexandria, Virginia, deliberate in the tax and bank fraud trial of Paul Manafort, a potentially even bigger question looms: How will President Donald Trump react if his former campaign chairman is convicted? Trump offered a hint in comments to reporters on Friday morning at the White House as he prepared to board Marine One. I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad, Trump said. When you look at whats going on there, I think its a very sad day for our country. He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what, he happens to be a very good person. And I think its very sad what theyve done to Paul Manafort. Trump was asked about pardoning Manafort, which he said he wasnt going to talk about. But his answer made clear that a grant of presidential clemency could be on the table. And thats good news for Manafort, who seems unlikely to be acquitted on all 18 counts in his first trial and is still facing another trial in Washington, D.C. Manaforts attorney Kevin Downing said Friday that Manaforts team really appreciate the support of President Trump. Trump has had no qualms about using presidential clemency to benefit his political allies. He pardoned former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, conservative provocateur Dinesh DSouza, former George W. Bush administration official Scooter Libby, a former Navy sailor who suggested pardoning him would be a good way to troll Hillary Clinton, and a pair of convicted arsonists whose treatment sparked the occupation of a federal wildlife ranch by right-wing extremists in 2016. (Trump has also said he has the right to pardon himself, a claim few Republicans were willing to contest.) Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as his daughter Ivanka Trump and Manafort look on during the Republican National Convention in July 2016. (Photo: Rick Wilking/Reuters) Presidential clemency might be Manaforts best hope. The prosecution team led by Robert Mueller presented a compelling case against Manafort over the past few weeks, detailing how he tried to keep millions of dollars he received from Ukrainian oligarchs out of Uncle Sams pocket. Story continues Prosecutors told jurors how Manafort tried to skirt taxes by paying for luxury items like ostrich jackets through foreign wire transfers from accounts he controlled overseas (and failed to disclose to the government), and how he had his accountants believing that transfers from his overseas accounts were actually direct payments from his clients. They walked jurors through how Manaforts finances were spiraling when he joined the Trump campaign and how he allegedly resorted to bank fraud to keep himself afloat, perhaps until he could somehow cash in on his unpaid Trump campaign role. Attorneys representing Manafort, on the other hand, rested their case on Tuesday without calling any witnesses or offering any evidence. During closing arguments on Wednesday, they mostly resorted to attacking Rick Gates, the former Manafort deputy (and Trump campaign official) who flipped on Manafort in exchange for a plea deal. Trump, while distancing himself from the man who ran his 2016 campaign during critical months of his candidacy, has also regularly attacked the Mueller investigation. He recently tweeted that the Witch Hunt his nickname for Muellers Trump-Russia probe wouldnt even have started if hed had a real Attorney General, hes routinely disparaged Muellers team, and hes said investigators should instead be looking into the activity of Hillary Clinton. Trump returned to his attacks on the Mueller probe before he boarded Marine One on Friday, claiming that the former FBI director has a lot of conflicts (Mueller was granted a conflicts-of-interest waiver by DOJs top career official) and that former FBI Director James Comey is like his best friend (they were friendly as colleagues but have never been to each others homes). If Trump does decide to pardon Manafort, hell likely claim his former campaign chairman was treated unfairly and again emphasize that the charges Manafort is facing dont directly relate to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Whats unclear is how much of a political price Trump will pay for pardoning Manafort for a wide number of criminal offenses, as granting Manafort clemency would be a direct strike at the Mueller investigation from a president who has recently attacked the Mueller probe rhetorically and with the help of his allies in conservative media and in Congress. Trump does, however, seem resigned to the notion that Mueller will issue some sort of report on Trumps actions, as Mueller is likely to follow the long-standing DOJ view that a sitting president cant be indicted. The successful campaign by Republicans to convince Trump supporters that the FBI is out to get him will certainly blunt the impact of any report Mueller writes. Let him write his report, Trump said Friday. We did nothing. Theres no collusion. This story has been updated with comment from Downing. Related Coverage A Trump Pardon Is Starting To Look Like Paul Manafort's Best Hope Two Of Trump's 'Best People' Face Off In Federal Court. Nobody Ends Up Looking Great. Trump Campaign Chair 'Not Above The Law,' Mueller Team Says As Manafort Trial Closes Ryan Reilly is HuffPosts senior justice reporter covering the Justice Department, federal law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs. Have a tip? Reach him at ryan.reilly@huffpost.com or on Signal at 202-527-9261. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Curt Mills Politics, Americas A close examination reveals a plan to lower tariffs everywhere except, perhaps, China. Are Larry Kudlow and Donald Trump Secret Free Traders? Personnel has been the story of this presidency. A candidate who ran an unorthodox campaign based on America First became a president whose White House was largely staffed by conventional Republicans and national-security hawks. There was no Trumpist think tank, and hardline populists, like Stephen K. Bannon, starved of such a resource, focused on trying to win early policy fights, such as the travel ban, rather than filling out senior staffing roles. A former senior defense official who has been floated for high-level positions in the White House before, including national-security advisor, told me when he first met Jeff Sessions, who some consider the intellectual godfather of Trumps movement, the future Attorney General asked, Where have you been? A case in point in this contradiction is Larry Kudlow, the presidents economic point man. Kudlows ascension to that rolebut most importantly, into Donald Trumps inner circleis emblematic of several factors that help tell the story of this administration. Kudlow took over the job earlier this year after Gary Cohn, the former Goldman deputy, resigned essentially in protest over the administrations plan to go ahead with tariffs. But, paradoxically, Trump replaced Cohn with Kudlow, an evangelist for open markets. As late as March, Kudlow, along with Reagan economist Art Laffer and Steve Moore of the Heritage Foundation, with whom Kudlow has long partnered, were writing in CNBC: Mr. President, tariffs are really tax hikes. On the one hand, some in the presidents orbit reject the notion that Kudlow is some sort of free-trade wolf in protectionists clothing. A veteran conservative activist friendly with the White House told me Friday that Kudlow is the guy. Everyone who thinks hes a globalist is just plain wrong, this person told me. The moniker is a nod to the slur that befell Cohn: Globalist Gary. Breitbart News would mockingly put globes around his name when they wrote him. The populist pressure helped to thwart not only his tenure at the National Economic Council but also his bids for Fed chair and White House chief of staff. Story continues But in contrast with Cohn, Kudlow, who has a much more robust record of free-trade proselytization, has played team ball. Cohn did himself no favors with this contingent by cavorting with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, now scourges of the base. And after the Charlottesville tragedy in August of last year, Cohn criticized the president in the Financial Times. Kudlow has avoided conflict with Trump. And yesterday, Kudlow joined most Republicans in defending the revocation of former CIA Director John Brennans security clearance. There is actual policy here, however. Some former critics are taking notice. A former senior administration official described the long-time free marketer as coming around to the Trump approach. But thats only half the story: Trump is coming around to the Kudlow approach. For the most part for this White House, tariffs are the means, not the ends. The goal is still free trade, Kudlow told C-SPAN earlier this month. Kudlow says that Laffer, who has warned about the use of tariffs, basically thinks Trump is right to make the fight. . . . And I do too. For Kudlow, the goal is to use tariffs to coerce even lower barriers with most partners, not usher in an age of autarky. The approach actually mirrors language Trump used on the campaign, which at the time was labeled by critics labeled as contradictory. The fact that I'm negotiating trade will mean that we're going to make good trade deals, Trump said in the spring of 2016. But we are absolutely going to keep trading. I am not an isolationist. And they probably think I am. I'm not at all. I'm a free trader. He's definitely changed his tune from his pre-administration days. Back then, several times when I appeared with him on CNBC, he would always acknowledge that China's trade and related predation were unacceptable, but would insist that unilateral tariffs represented a poor response, Alan Tonelson, a fellow at the U.S. Business and Industry Council Educational Foundation and founder of the popular economics blog RealityChek, told me Friday. Kudlow, Tonelson says, has clearly . . . become a convert to such tariffsat least as bargaining chips, but not as ends in and of themselves. Working with the Rights more market-oriented figures, like Kudlow, is also consonant with Trumps recent tack: a rapprochement with many of the partys libertarians. As I reported earlier this week, Sen. Rand Paul has vaulted into the presidents circle on foreign-policy matters, and the small government House Freedom Caucus remains the principal bastion of Trump support on the Hill. It could be a boon for restrainers. About that libertarian moment so many are so sure is dead, libertarian writer Jack Hunter observed Thursday. Much of Stephen K. Bannons new movie, Trump @War, which I saw an advanced screening of this week, will focus on the Republicans as capitalist alternatives to the rising tide of democratic socialism. A return of sorts for the Tea Party? Based on his public statements and conversations with those familiar with his thinking, Kudlow sees the Trump doctrine as threefold: a surging economy that lifts all boats, occasional coercive tariffs to force lower barriers and a harder line on China. The Chinese question splits the restrainer foreign policy-community, generally. Some see Beijing as a principally an economic challenge. It is imperative to reframe our competition with China as an economic challenge, not a military one, Edward King, president and founder of Defense Priorities, told me in May. But for now, the Trump-Kudlow approach to the economy and China commands tenuous, but decided support among the conservative intelligentsia. Laffer lining up behind it is hugely telling. To always take Donald Trump literally is I think a huge mistake, Laffer told Vice earlier this week. Now can you get me to agree a year from now, after he causes the Great Depression? Yes you can get me to be opposed to [Trumps trade approach]. But right now, I just dont see that in him. Curt Mills is a foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest . Follow him on Twitter: @CurtMills. Top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Read full article The hidden wreckage of a U.S. World War II plane that crashed into a Swiss glacier 72 years ago has been revealed, thanks to a heat wave sweeping parts of Europe. The American C-53 Skytrooper plowed into the Gauli Glacier in the Bernese Alps on Nov. 19, 1946. All eight passengers and four crew members were rescued four days after the plane landed. At the time, it was the largest alpine rescue operation and was considered the birth of the Swiss air rescue team. The military transport airplane, known as the "Dakota," had been buried by ice until the summer's heat wave began melting the aircraft's snowy coffin. A propeller was found in 2012, but nothing else. After the ice began thawing, wings, propellers and a debris field was seen. Everyday items like tin cans and spoons were also uncovered. Swiss archaeologists aren't sure whether they will be able to completely recover the wreckage. The plane had been flying from Austria to Pisa, Italy, when bad weather forced the pilots to take a long detour so they would not have to cross the Alps. They were headed toward Switzerland when gusting wind and a snowstorm forced them to set down on the glacier. The Swiss Army sent a huge rescue team after hearing an emergency radio call from the aircraft. RELATED STORIES Newly Discovered Ancient Sea Creature Named After Obama Remains of Man Crushed by Rock Discovered at Pompeii Ancient Treasures Discovered in 2,000-Year-Old Shipwreck Related Articles: A woman was shocked after a server punched her in the face for touching her body without consent. (Photo: Tyler Gamble via Twitter) A recent viral video serves as a valuable lesson about consent: Make sure you get it. Simple enough, right? A bartender at Spirits on Bourbon in New Orleans was performing her job when a woman slapped her butt. Shocked, the bartender quickly spun around and hit the other woman in the face. Just wanted a shot of fireball pic.twitter.com/QVI3YEfO93 Tyler Gamble (@_Ty_Ga_) August 12, 2018 Spirits on Bourbon boasts a red barber chair, where customers sit to have a shot of liquor poured into their mouth. According to the bars website, the beloved chair belonged to a man named Edward DeBoire, who ran a successful barbershop in the building. The free-flowing drinks and beautiful Creole ladies called Edward in the most unnatural way, according to lore, and he met a tragic death at 33. The chair has since been kept in the bar to ease his spirit. The server was pouring a shot into a customers mouth when the assault happened. Meanwhile, the man just really wanted a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. After the woman, who looked shocked that she was attacked after she touched a person without their permission, was taken outside by security, the bartended finished pouring the shot and shimmied her breasts in the mans face. Tyler Gamble, the customer in the first video, confirmed to Yahoo Lifestyle that customers agreed to the actions of the bartender when they sat in the chair, including a shot pouring poured into their mouths and their face being brought into the womans chest. One Twitter user put it best by writing that the bartender had consent from the man, but becky no hands assumed she was entitled to touch the woman without consent. see, friend in the lace up pants had consent to rough up dude in the chair. becky no hands assumed she was entitled to touch friend and learned quickly verbal consent will save you a beating. fair. DanielleDASH GIFLord (@DanielleDASH) August 13, 2018 Apparently, another woman later tried to touch the bartender and was met with the same swift hook. Story continues Tyler told Yahoo Lifestyle that he thought [the bartender] was great and just doing her job, and that she wasnt being aggressive without just cause to the other women. Spirits on Bourbon did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyles requests for comment. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Sebastien Roblin Security, Because the United States couldnt get approval from mainland European countries for the raid, the Aardvarks took off from the UK and had to circumnavigate Spain, increasing total flight time to thirteen hours. In all, they would need to be refueled six times on the roundtrip. It was the longest fighter mission in history. Meet the F-111 Aardvark, The Plane Sent to Kill Qaddafi The F-111 remained in service with the Australian Air Force until 2010, where it was affectionately known as the Pig. Starting with a batch of 24 F-111Cs received in 1973, the Australians acquired an additional 15 FB-111s and four F-111As. Though never used in combat, the F-111s gave Australia the ability to project military force across the vast distances of the Pacific Ocean, enhancing its diplomatic clout. The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a low-altitude strike plane born out of a shotgun wedding between competing Air Force and Navy requirementswith Defense Secretary McNamara as the minister. Despite its troubled adolescence, it grew into a capable high-tech night bomber that lasted decades in service, noted for its sleekly elegant profile. (This first appeared in 2016.) Troubled Conception In the early 1960s, the Air Force came to realize that new, radar-guided surface-to-air missiles such as the Soviet SA-2 could reach its slow, high-altitude bombers. In response, it devised a new concept: a smaller long-range supersonic bomber that could skim close to the ground, below radar systems. At the same time, the U.S. Navy was looking for a fast, long-range carrier-based interceptor armed with air-to-air missiles that could take out Soviet bombers from a distance. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Robert McNamara was convinced that a single aircraft could satisfy both requirements, thereby saving on development costs. The Army and Navy were less keen on compromising their visions, but were forced to cooperate on the so-called TFX program. A contract was awarded to General Dynamics in 1962. Because the design was smaller than Air Force strategic bombers, and the service eschewed the attack designation used by the Navy, it was designated with an F for fighter. Story continues Revolutionary Design The F-111 was built around two powerful yet fuel-efficient TF30 turbofan engines with new afterburner technology. A capacious fuselage could accommodate bomb loads of up to 31,000 pounds and fuel for missions up 2,500 miles long, with external tanks adding another 1,000 miles. The large plane weighed twenty tons emptyor more than twice that loaded. The designers of the F-111 faced a challenge: they needed a plane that could fly at very high speeds, but still take off or land on a short runway. Using smaller wings would create less drag, allowing the aircraft to fly fasterbut also create less lift, requiring the aircraft achieve higher speeds before it take off, in turn necessitating a longer runway. For example, the other supersonic fighter-bomber of the era, the F-105 Thunderchief, had very small wingsand required airstrips over a mile long for takeoff, limiting which airfields it could operate from. The F-111s designers adopted the new technology of variable-geometry, or swing wings. These permitted the wings to swing out during takeoff to generate maximum lift, and then would tuck inward midflight to achieve higher speeds. The F-111 was the first of several major designs that used the technology. The two-man crew sat side by side in a cockpit pod. If they needed to escape, a rocket boosted the pod upward, which then floated to the ground on a parachute, just like a space capsule. A key innovation was the F-111s revolutionary new terrain-following radar, which mapped the ground directly in front of the plane and then automatically adjusted the flight path to avoid collision. This allowed F-111s to fly as low as two hundred feet above the surface and make precise adjustments at high speed without crashingeven when flying at night, or in bad weather conditions. The F-111s talent for hunting in darkness, nose close to the ground, was what earned it the appellation Aardvark. Early F-111s did show promise, capable of flying over the speed of sound at Mach 1.2 at low-altitude, or more than double that (Mach 2.5) at high altitudeall the while requiring only a 2,000 foot runway to land. It was the first tactical aircraft to cross from the United States to Europe without mid-air refueling. However, the F-111s design was biased in favor of the Air Forces specifications. The carrier-based interceptor version, the F-111B, performed abominably in trials, struggling to exceed Mach 1. The expensive forced compromise that was the naval version was finally scrapped, leaving everyone millions of dollars poorer. Many of the more promising design elements of the F-111B made it over to the F-14 Tomcat, however. Deployment in Asia The Air Force F-111s didnt have an auspicious debut in combat. After a detachment of six F-111As was deployed to Vietnam in 1968, three of them crashed in just fifty-five missions, all of them accidents linked to defective wing stabilizers. The Air Force was forced to withdraw the F-111 and correct the flaw at a cost of $100 million. Recommended: Why an F-22 Raptor Would Crush an F-35 in a 'Dogfight' Recommended: Air War: Stealth F-22 Raptor vs. F-14 Tomcat (That Iran Still Flies) Recommended: A New Report Reveals Why There Won't Be Any 'New' F-22 Raptors It wasnt until the Linebacker raids in 1972 that the F-Aardvark finally demonstrated its potential. Skimming beneath North Vietnams extensive radar network at night, F-111s blasted North Vietnamese airfields and air defense batteries, weakening the resistance to incoming B-52 raids. Aardvarks didnt require the fighter escort, electronic warfare support, or midair refueling that other bombers required, and could operate in inclement weather. Only six F-111s were lost in combat over the course 4,000 missions during the war, one of the lowest loss rates of the war. F-111s ended up participating in the last combat operation undertaken by the U.S. military in South East Asia, when the Cambodian Khmer Rouge seized the container ship S.S. Mayaguez in May 1975. Two Aardvarks diverted from a training flight were the first to locate the Mayaguez. Later, an F-111 sank a Khmer Rouge patrol boat escorting the seized ship. Variants 563 F-111s of all variants were built. After the F-111A, the F-111D and E models upgraded the Aardvarks electronics and engine inlets, and increased the thrust of the engines. Another variant, the FB-111, was designed as a strategic bomber with improved engines, stretched two feet longer to accommodate additional fuel. Seventy-five of these served in Strategic Air Command units. The F-111C was sold exclusively to Australia. It incorporated a mixture of design elements of the FB-111 and F-111E. The definitive F-111F sported engines with thirty-five percent more thrust, an upgraded radar and a Pave Tack infrared targeting pod that allowed crew to identify targets on the ground and hit them with precision-guided munitions. Starting in the mid1970s, forty-two F-111As were converted into unarmed EF-111A Raven electronic jamming platforms at a cost $1.5 billion. The EF-111s key system was an ALQ-99E jamming pod that emitted radiation that scrambled radars in the vicinity, permitting entire formations of aircraft to pass in its wake undetected. When active, the jammers current literally caused the hairs on the crews heads to stand as it crackled through the plane. Thus, the Raven was known as the Spark Vark to its pilots. The EF-111 is distinguishable by the receiver pod on the tail fin. El Dorado Canyon Raid The F-111 would return to the stage of world history in 1986, after the bombing of the La Belle nightclub perpetrated by Libyan agents in Berlin killed two U.S. servicemen. Reagan ordered an attack on Libyan dictator Muammar el-Qaddafis personal compound near Tripoli codenamed Operation El Dorado Canyon. It was an early attempt to assassinate a head of state by air attack. An array of twenty-five SAM sites defended Tripoli. A squadron of eighteen F-111Fs carried out the main attack, joined by four EF-111 Ravens to electronically scramble the defense radars. A separate Navy strike hit targets near Benghazi. Because the United States couldnt get approval from mainland European countries for the raid, the Aardvarks took off from the UK and had to circumnavigate Spain, increasing total flight time to thirteen hours. In all, they would need to be refueled six times on the roundtrip. It was the longest fighter mission in history. As a feat of logistics, the raid was impressivebut unfortunately, both F-111s performance and the conception of the operation as a whole left something to be desired. One F-111 was shot down, probably by a SAM, and its crew was lost. Four were unable to release weapons because of avionics failures, and one F-111 had to land in Spain because of an overheating engine. Seven missed their target, with several of the bombs landing in civilian areas, nearly hitting the French embassy. Qaddafi managed to escape thanks in part due to a last-minute warning from the prime minister of Italy. Eight of his children and his wife were wounded, and his infant adopted daughter Hanna reportedly killed. (There is some controversy as to Hannas identity and whether she survived). Though Qaddafi was shaken, he went on to instigate further terrorist attacks, notably the hijacking of Pan Am 73 and the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Aardvarks and Ravens Over Iraq On January 17, 1991, the opening night of Operation Desert Storm, Aardvarks zipped across the desert at a low altitude, targeting Iraqi air defenses and key military installations with laser-guided bombs. Meanwhile, EF-111 Ravens accompanied strike packages of coalition aircraft flying deep into Iraq, their jammers disabling Iraqi air-defense radars. In all, sixty-six F-111Fs and 18 F-111Es were deployed in the 1991 Iraq War, flying 5,000 missions. Contrary to popular belief, the Iraqi Air Force didnt make things a cakewalk on the first day. Two F-111s were hit by infrared-guided R-23 missiles fired by MiG-23s. Another was struck by an R-60 missile shot by a MiG-29. In all three cases, the hardy Aardvarks made it back to base. An EF-111 was not so lucky in February. While taking evasive maneuvers after detecting an enemy plane, it crashed into the ground, losing both crew members. However, a Raven piloted by James Denton went on to score one of the most unusual aerial victories of the conflict. On the opening day of Desert Storm, Dentons EF-111 was skimming just 400 feet above the ground in the morning darkness, leading the way for a strike package of F-15E fighter bombers with F-15C fighters for top cover. While passing the H3 airfield, an Iraqi Mirage F1 fighter fell in behind the Raven. Denton rolled sharply to the left, then to the right and pumped out chaff, evading a heat-seeking missile. As the Iraqi pilot attempted to match the Ravens evasive maneuvers, he lost situational awareness and his jet slammed into the ground. Thus, the unarmed Raven variant scored the only aerial victory for the F-111 fighter. As Iraqi defenses thinned out, the Aardvarks were redirected to hit ground forces. The F-111Fs Pave Tack system proved effective at tank plinkingidentifying Iraqi armored vehicles with its infrared scanner, and then precisely directing a laser-guided bomb on top of it. Over 1,500 Iraqi vehicles were plinked by F-111s. F-111s also targeted the oil manifold Saddam had sabotaged, stopping the flow of petroleum polluting the Persian Gulf. Desert Storm was the Aardvarks last hurrah. The F-111 was finally withdrawn from U.S. Air Force service in 1998. Though the Aardvark was good at its job, it had high maintenance costs, and the Air Force judged that its fleet of F-15E Strike Eagles could take care of shorter-range attack missions, while B-1 bombers could handle longer range strikes. The EF-111, however, had no replacement in the Air Force inventory. It was left to Navy and Marine EA-6B Prowlersand today, EA-18G Growlersto fulfill the jamming role. Pigs of the Pacific The F-111 remained in service with the Australian Air Force until 2010, where it was affectionately known as the Pig. Starting with a batch of 24 F-111Cs received in 1973, the Australians acquired an additional 15 FB-111s and four F-111As. Though never used in combat, the F-111s gave Australia the ability to project military force across the vast distances of the Pacific Ocean, enhancing its diplomatic clout. Pigs were the pride of Australian air shows, where they frequently performed a maneuver in which fuel was dumped and ignited with the afterburners, known as the Dump and Burn. Australia upgrades its F-111s to use anti-shipping missiles, and converted four into reconnaissance aircraft. Due to their high operating costs, however, they were finally replaced by twenty-four F-18F Super Hornets. While the F-111 has been retired, a similar aircraft remains in use today. The Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer was conceived shortly after the F-111, and is remarkably similar in appearance and role, down to the swing wings. Not quite the Aardvarks equal in terms of range, speed or weapons load, nearly three times more Su-24s were produced and over three hundred serve on today in various world air forces. They have been actively used in combat over Syria, Chechnya, Libya, Afghanistan and Ukraine. A Russian Su-24 attacking Syrian rebels was shot down in 2015 by a Turkish F-16, causing a major diplomatic incident. 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 After a Philadelphia teen took a cardboard cutout of actor Michael B. Jordan to prom in the spring, he surprised her in person. Audeva Agyeman, 17, and her date, a life-size cardboard cutout of the "Black Panther" star, caused a lot of laughs at St. Hubert Catholic High School prom back in April. But it looks like Agyeman got the last laugh as Jordan surprised the teen earlier this summer while filming another installment of "Creed." 'Creed' [staff] DMed me on Twitter and asked me if I wanted to be part of a fan type of interview thing, Agyeman told InsideEdition.com. They reassured me that Michael wouldnt be there, so I was kind of disappointed. The teen was driven to Sun Center Studios in Aston, Pennsylvania, where Jordan himself surprised her. They were asking me questions and I could tell something was off, but I wasnt sure what it was, Agyeman said. After a while they were like, Oh, so was the cutout about that tall?' referencing behind me and then I turned around and he was there and then I [was] freaking out. In a video of the moment, Agyeman appears absolutely stunned when she realizes the actor is behind her. When I first saw him it didnt register. the teen said. And then I was, Oh its Michael B. Jordan. I am, like, jumping around. I am falling over. And hes, like, over there waiting to hug me and I am all the way on the other side of the room freaking out. Agyeman said her friends now wish they'd taken cardboard cutouts of Jordan to prom too if it meant meeting the actor. The teen said she's planning to ask him to her senior prom in May of next year. Its not confirmed but I am definitely going to reach for it! she said. RELATED STORIES Colorado National Monument, the Site of Prehistoric Carvings, Defaced by 'Promposal' Barista With Down Syndrome Is Left Speechless By Surprise Promotion Teen Dressed as Spider-Man Hangs Upside Down to Ask Girlfriend to Prom Related Articles: Friday, August 17, 2018 What to watch today On Friday, investors will get a slower earnings and economic calendar to finish off the week, with Deere & Company (DE) set to be the only S&P 500 member reporting results. This report will be closely watched by markets for signs of how tariffs and the global economic environment is impacting the agricultural giant. In its May earnings call, Deere management said that, While global trade concerns weigh on farmers, overall sentiment is holding as commodity prices move upward and equipment demand shows broad-based improvement. Read More Top news (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) Turkey faces new US threats: After stabilizing its currency and staving off a full-blown crisis this week, Turkey faces the prospect of renewed turmoil with a looming court decision on the American detainee at the heart of a dispute with Washington. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to free American pastor Andrew Brunson or face more sanctions. [Bloomberg] Musks SpaceX could help fund take-private deal for Tesla: Elon Musks rocket company, SpaceX, could help fund a bid to take electric car company Tesla Inc. (TSLA) private, the New York Times reported, quoting people familiar with the matter. SpaceX would help bankroll the Tesla privatization and would take an ownership stake in the carmaker. [Reuters] Nvidia gives disappointing sales forecast on lower crypto demand: Nvidia Corp. (NVDIA), the biggest maker of graphics processors, gave a disappointing forecast and said that a greater-than-expected drop in demand for chips used by cryptocurrency miners had put a lid on sales growth. Shares fell as much as 6.4% in extended trading. [Bloomberg] China seen strengthening the yuan: China appears to be propping up the yuan just as the government prepares to restart trade negotiations with the U.S. After falling to a one-year low, the offshore yuan one of the worlds weakest currencies in recent months on Thursday surged the most since January 2017 as cash supply dwindled and the central bank set its daily fixings at stronger than expected levels. [Bloomberg] Story continues DoorDash raises $250M, now valued at $4B: Meal delivery service DoorDash Inc. raised $250 million in a new round of funding co-led by Coatue Management and DST Global, valuing the company at $4 billion. DoorDash, whose investors include Japanese holding conglomerate SoftBank, Sequoia Capital and Charles River Ventures, was founded in 2013 by Stanford students Andy Fang, Stanley Tang, Tony Xu and Evan Moore. [Reuters] NYU will offer a full ride to all medical students: Every student at the New York University School of Medicine is getting a full ride. The university announced Thursday that it will cover annual tuition costs of $55,018 for current and future students, regardless of need or merit. The announcement comes amid ballooning costs for medical education. [CNBC] For more of the latest news, go to Yahoo Finance Aretha Franklin performs at the world premiere of Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Franklin died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 at her home in Detroit. She was 76. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) Yahoo Finance Originals This is Chinas most dangerous trade-war weapon Walmart buys from US suppliers, but that doesnt protect it from tariffs Survey: 60% of people want Trump to stop tweeting about the NFL Analyst: J.C. Penney shares are currently worthless What hypergiant VC rounds tell us about startup market fear 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. A woman smokes a joint as he attends the World March for Cannabis legalization on May 5, 2018 in Manhattan, New York . (Photo by Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images) The cannabis industry has traditionally been dominated with male-centric marketing. Both recreational and medicinal use have focused on men and their needs. Search for cannabis and advertising and youll find images of Willie Nelson, Bob Marley and young men smoking up in arguably some of the most stereotypical depictions of cannabis use. But some cannabis companies are hoping to change that image by targeting their products exclusively to women. Fleurish Cannabis Inc. is a Canadian company hyper focused on women. They say womens needs are different and more specific than mens. Women indicate a higher interest in edibles, vaping and topicals than men do and a lower preference for consumption forms like smoking, says Fleurishs Chief Marketing Officer Mary Beth Williamson. Unique reasons women report consuming cannabis includes relief from cramps associated with PMS, mood swings related to hormonal fluctuations and topical products to enhance sexual intimacy. In addition, women report higher incidences of stress, anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain than men do, Williamson says. She says there are physiological differences in the way women and mens bodies process cannabis as well, making a female focussed company even more relevant. Women are truly different from men which means we need different products and forms, says Williamson. Our physiology is different with the endocannabinoid system found throughout our body with a heavy concentration of cannabinoid receptors in our uteruses. Women are more likely to report they consume cannabis to relax or to relieve stress and anxiety, pain or insomnia. Williamson says, Fleurish is developing our products by focusing exclusively on women which will enable us to serve women better. She says women also prefer different strains then men, which have more moderate THC levels to enable them to be more in control. As well she says women favour strains that contain CBD which does not cause euphoria or getting high. Williamson adds, women want fruity or floral terpenes which contribute to the taste and smell experience. Story continues For its part Fleurish is developing strains consistent with these profiles, says Williams. Forget the big pink bow Olivia Mannix is the Founder & CEO Cannabrand, a full-service cannabis marketing and consulting agency based in Denver, Colorado, where recreational use of cannabis has been legal since January 2014. Started in 2014, Cannabrand has worked with many Cannabis companies helping them promote their products, including those that target women. She cautions against companies putting a big pink bow on their marketing and making it woman friendly. She says women have specific wellness needs that men may not be as interested in. This includes facial lotions and creams and products to manage stress and anxiety. But, as Canada enters this space in the big way, she says a woman-focused cannabis businesses would be wise to make sure they are not cutting any one out. Its important to have products that are for women that can also be appealing to men and the LGBT community. Mannix says. Katie Pringle, co-founder of Marigold PR, says targeting woman also makes good business sense. Women hold the majority of the purchasing power and are most often the ones making the health and wellness decisions for the household. Cannabis isnt any different, Pringle says. Along with Marigold PR, Pringle also founded Canndora a community, shop and subscription box program targeting woman. Its website states woman have felt left out of the cannabis industry. They describe themselves a lifestyle brand, community and online shop for women who enjoy cannabis. The industry is still young and the potential of cannabis use in Canada is largely unrealized. By getting in now, as a company that recognizes womens cannabis needs, there is the potential to blaze a trail and become a leader in the industry. When it comes to marketing, its always advisable to be as targeted as possible, and really understand your consumer, Pringle says. It goes well beyond gender. Women are multifaceted, and have different purchasing behaviours, physiological makeup and wellness needs. Brands that understand their core consumer, and deliver on their brand promise, will win. Starting October 17 in Canada cannabis will be legal for recreational use in Canada. According to Government of Canada website that means adults who are 18 years of age or older will be able to: Legally possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis, dried or equivalent in non-dried form in public. Share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults. Buy dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially-licensed retailer, in provinces and territories without a regulated retail framework. Buy cannabis online from federally-licensed producers. Grow from licensed seed or seedlings, up to 4 cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Make cannabis products, such as food and drinks, at home as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products. Edible products and concentrates will be legal for sale in October 2019. Williamson says the potential is huge. One in five women indicate they have consumed cannabis in the past 12 months that is approximately two million consumers in the current grey market, Williamson says. Based on this level of usage, we conservatively estimated the current market to be $2 billion which is a huge opportunity. An additional 19 per cent of women indicated they are likely to try cannabis when adult use is legal after October 17. To put that in perspective, in my last role as CMO for Jamieson Vitamins, we competed in a total Canadian vitamin and supplement market that was less than $1 billion. Fleurish Cannabis recently announced that it is now officially licensed as a producer of cannabis under Health Canadas Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. Williamson says this puts even more pressure on the company to get it right. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt speaking to reporters in Denmark (Reuters) Theres a 50-50 chance of what Jeremy Hunt has described as a messy no-deal Brexit, according to one European government minister who met the Foreign Secretary this week. Hunt, who backed Remain in the referendum campaign, warned yesterday that a cliff edge Brexit would be a mistake we would regret for generations. Although, after coming under fire from Brexit supporters, today he has stressed that he went on to say that the UK would eventually find a way to prosper and thrive. Important not to misrepresent my words: Britain WOULD survive and prosper without a dealbut it would be a big mistake for Europe because of inevitable impact on long term partnership with UK. We will only sign up to deal that respects referendum result Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) August 17, 2018 He made the comments during a tour of four European capitals Helsinki, Riga, Copenhagen and Amsterdam in a bid to win support for a favourable Brexit deal. During the trip Hunt was asked to put a percentage chance on the possibility of a no deal Brexit but refused, saying rather than speculating on exact percentages, lets work hard to make sure that doesnt happen. But two of the ministers he met this week were willing to do so and both put the chances of the UK avoiding a no deal Brexit at a pessimistic 50-50. Danish finance minister Kristian Jensen gave his verdict on the likely outcome of negotiations today in an interview with BBC Radio 4. Danish finance minister Kristian Jensen has given Brexit talks a 50-50 chance of success (Getty) I also believe 50/50 is a good assessment because time is running out and we need to move really fast if were going to strike a deal which is positive both for the UK and EU, he said. So, every force who wants this to be a good deal needs to put in some effort in the months to come, otherwise Im afraid time will run out. His comments echoed the pessimistic prediction of Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics, who met Mr Hunt earlier in the week. Story continues MORE: EU says its working 24/7 for Brexit deal after Fox intransigence claim Speaking to the same programme on Wednesday, he said there was a very considerable risk of a cliff-edge Brexit and said: Frankly at this point, I would rate it 50-50. The deadline for a Brexit deal is currently Octobers European Council although there is open talk of the possibility of an extension to talks or even the Brexit process. Negotiations are continuing today, although not at the highest level. Dominic Raab and Michel Barnier are not attending this weeks Brexit talks (Getty) Neither EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier nor Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab are attending the latest round of negotiations in Brussels. Instead it has been left to senior civil servants from the two sides to hold technical level talks on the Irish border issue and the future relationship including Theresa Mays Chequers plan. The British side believe that Barnier and his team are being inflexible over proposals to maintain a single market in goods as well as the current level of security cooperation. Speaking on his visit to Helsinki this week, Hunt said the risk of a no deal Brexit is increasing and said: We do need to see a change in approach by the European Commission. MORE: Revealed: The full list of gifts given to EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier Asked today whether Denmark would push the EU to be more flexible, Jensen said: I do believe the EU should be flexible. But I have no reason to criticise Barnier. Hes doing what hes been asked to do by the EU27. We need to have a deal and Denmark is one of the countries that has always been close to the UK economically, in defence and foreign affairs so we want a deal as good and as solid as possible. Bamako (AFP) - Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who notched up a landslide re-election victory on Thursday, has built a reputation as an uncompromising leader. The 73-year-old won 67 percent of the vote pitting him against his former finance minister Soumaila Cisse in a run-off on Sunday, though the opposition has vowed to contest the outcome. "He believes in strong, centralised power, that is for sure," said former colleague Boubacar Bah. Keita, known universally by his initials IBK, is described variously by his entourage as generous, irascible and divisive. He is also surgically precise in his French, prone to using the imperfect subjunctive -- a mode usually only seen in high-flown literature -- in his speeches. The polls saw the native of Koutiala, a southern city near the border with Burkina Faso, fight off challenges by no fewer than 23 candidates, some of whom had served on his cabinet. On the campaign trail, opponents accused Keita of spending too much time accepting awards abroad while jihadist and ethnic violence raged in the north and centre of the country. "He did not manage to solve the country's major issues: the return to peace and the issue of insecurity," said Abdoulaye Cisse, who supported former prime minister and poll candidate Modibo Sidibe. Keita, who had five successive prime ministers during his first term, waved off criticism. "There is 'IBK-bashing' and 'Mali-bashing', which could last for awhile and to which I pay no heed," Keita told AFP in a pre-election interview. "Let me tell you, IBK is not a shrinking violet, he has no reason to be." Keita, who also garnered an overwhelming majority in his 2013 election, maintains that he has helped to stabilise the country in the heart of the fragile Sahel region. Mali has been gripped by violence since jihadists exploiting a 2012 ethnic Tuareg separatist uprising took over key cities in the north. Story continues The extremists were largely driven out in France's Serval operation launched in January 2013 -- but large stretches of the country remain lawless, and hundreds have died this year alone in inter-communal violence and jihadist attacks. But in the AFP interview the president said Mali faces only "pockets of violence and remnants of terrorism", defending Bamako's "colossal financial effort" in fighting the unrest. Speaking to reporters on the return flight from a tour of three African countries to woo diaspora voters, he said: "There's no more war-mongering in Mali today." - Rise to the top - After studying literature in his home country, Senegal and France -- his great-grandfather was a French colonial soldier who died in the Battle of Verdun in World War I -- Keita became an advisor for the EU's overseas development fund before heading a development project in northern Mali. He campaigned against general Moussa Traore, Mali's former president ousted in 1991 by a military coup. He then rose through the ranks under Alpha Oumar Konare, the country's first democratically elected president. As a socialist prime minister between 1994 and 2000, he quelled a series of crippling strikes, earning a reputation as a firm leader and helping to set up his landslide election in 2013. Rumours regularly surface about Keita's health, which he also dismissed: "It may surprise a lot of people, but I feel perfectly fine." Ohios secretary of state subtly condemned the right-wing websites, including Breitbart, that published stories last week alleging that 170 listed registered voters in the states 12th Congressional District were over the age of 116. The Breitbart piece accused the Left of seeking to create conditions favorable for voter fraud in Ohio. Other right-leaning publications, including the Daily Wire, the Western Journal and 100% Fed Up, also wrote up the allegations. Anytime you have a close election that receives intense local and national attention, like the one held last week for Ohios 12th Congressional District, there will inevitably be those who seek to sow seeds of doubt about the process and call into question how the election has been administered, Jon Husted said Monday in a statement. The election result remains too close to call, though Republican Troy Balderson led Democrat Danny OConnor by more than 1,700 votes. The district still needs to tally up absentee and provisional ballots before declaring a winner on Aug. 24. It also discovered an additional 588 uncounted votes last week. President Donald Trump decided to declare victory for Balderson regardless of the unsettled result. Husted addressed his comments to those who are attempting to mislead voters that county election officials are not counting all eligible ballots, or that somehow voter fraud is a problem in this election, specifying that all eligible ballots will be counted. Husted also dispelled any allegations of voter fraud. During my tenure, we have removed more than 680,000 deceased voters, reconciled nearly 2 million duplicate registrations, and now have complete information on over 90 percent of voters up from just 20 percent when I took office in 2011, he said. As I have always said, while voter fraud exists, it is rare and we hold those who commit it accountable. He concluded by asking the bad actors to stop trying to sow chaos. Ohio has aggressively purged voter rolls for several years, arguing that the measures are necessary to keep registration lists up to date. Critics have said that the practice violates a federal law that prevents this from taking place. The Supreme Court ruled in June that the procedure was in fact lawful. Story continues Related... Democrats Might Just Flip This GOP-Held House Seat In Ohio Ohio Special Election For U.S. House Seat Is Too Close To Call Ohio Finds Nearly 600 Uncounted Votes In Too-Close-To-Call Special Election Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Omarosa Manigault Newman has released yet another secretly recorded tape, this one featuring a phone call she had with the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump. In the tape, Lara appears to offer Manigault Newman a $180,000-a-year job to work for the presidents re-election committee. "And that all the money that we raise and that pays salaries is directly from donors, small-dollar donors for the most part. So, I know you, you were making $179 at the White House. And I think we can work something out where we keep you right along those lines," Lara says on the recording. "Specifically, let me see, I haven't even added up the numbers. But we were talking about, like, $15K a month. Let me see what that adds up to. Times 12. Yeah. So that's $180,000. Does that sound like a fair deal for you?" According to Manigault Newman, the tape was recorded just days after she was fired from the White House last year. Manigault Newman told Inside Edition that the plain and simple reason they offered her a job on the campaign was they thought they could silence me. In a statement Thursday after the tape was released, Lara hit back at Manigault Newman. "Woman to woman, I shared a connection with Omarosa as a friend and a campaign sister, and I am absolutely shocked and saddened by her betrayal and violation on a deeply personal level. I hope its all worth it for you, Omarosa, because some things you just cant put a price on," Lara said in a statement. "Thats why I reached out to offer her a position with the 2020 Trump campaign before we knew anything about the gross violations of ethics and integrity during her White House tenure." Another bombshell revelation from Manigault Newmans book "Unhinged is that first lady Melania Trump is "counting the minutes" until President Trump's term of office is over so she can divorce him. "I actually adore Melania, but what she has had to endure with her husband cheating on her with porn stars and Playmates and being unfaithful I am not standing from a position of judgment, I am saying that this is not something that a woman deserves," Manigault Newman told Inside Edition. Story continues The first lady's office struck back in a statement, saying, "Mrs. Trump rarely, if ever, interacted with Omarosa. In private, the first lady reportedly advised the president to ignore Manigault Newman, but he appears not to have heeded that advice, calling Manigault Newman a dog earlier this week on Twitter. Manigault Newman told Inside Edition she was unaware of the first lady telling her husband to ignore her. Vanity Fair magazine reports that the president is so upset about former Apprentice contestant's tell-all book he wants Attorney General Jeff Sessions to arrest her. "The question is, what is Donald Trump so afraid of?" Manigault Newman asked Inside Edition, adding she doesn't "fear anything," including his reported threats of arrest. "I am not an attorney and I cant even pretend to know what is in the mind of Donald Trump," she said when asked whether she believes he could order her arrest. Lara Trump is a former Inside Edition producer. RELATED STORIES Looking Back at Omarosa's Trump-Produced Dating Show 'The Ultimate Merger' President Trump Faces Backlash for Calling Omarosa 'That Dog' White House Staffers Reportedly Worry Omarosa Manigault Newman Used 'Spy Pen' to Record Them Related Articles: Barcelona (AFP) - A year after a jihadist rampage in Catalonia killed 16 people, Spain paid homage to the victims Friday without managing to set aside bitter divisions over the region's independence. Families of the victims had called for a "truce" in the political row over Catalonia's failed secessionist drive last October, which quickly overshadowed the bloody attacks that shook Spain. But right above the spot on Barcelona's famous Las Ramblas boulevard where a van came to a stop after ploughing into and killing 14 pedestrians on August 17, 2017, separatist activists unravelled a banner reading: "Free political prisoners. Without them this ceremony is a scam." Under the banner -- which refers to separatist leaders in jail over the failed secession attempt -- relatives of the victims laid flowers on a pavement mosaic designed by Barcelona-born artist Joan Miro. Further up the road on the central Plaza Catalunya, another large banner hung from a building reading in English: "The Spanish king is not welcome in the Catalan countries", with an upside-down picture of the monarch, who took a hardline stance against the secession bid. King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez joined families of the victims on the plaza for an emotional commemoration, to cries of "long live the king" and "long live Spain" by pro-unity onlookers sporting Spanish flags. "It was a complete disgrace, such a shame. In the end others took the limelight and not the victims," Jose Vargas, president of the Catalan association of terror victims told AFP. - Dark day for Spain - A year ago, tourists and locals in Barcelona were enjoying yet another sunny day in the city, perusing the many flower stands that line Las Ramblas. But around 4:30 pm (1430 GMT), everything changed. Younes Abouyaaqoub, a 22-year-old Moroccan man, drove his van into the crowds, killing 14 people, including two children aged three and seven. Story continues "I was really lucky as I had left half an hour before but my mother was still there and she's been really affected," said Fidel Poles, a 33-year-old florist. "The man from the flower shop opposite as well -- he saw a woman dying in front of him and he's having a really hard time." Abouyaaqoub fled, stabbing to death a young man before stealing his car. Hours later, a car carrying five of his accomplices sped into the seaside resort of Cambrils some 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Barcelona. The five occupants of the Audi A3 jumped out and went on a stabbing spree, killing a woman, before they were shot dead by police. Even then, at a defiant gathering against the attacks days after they happened, the king was jeered by supporters of independence. On Friday, separatist organisations staged their own commemorative marches to avoid being in the monarch's presence. - 'Thought I was dying' - On Twitter, Sanchez on Friday stressed the need for "the unity of all of Spanish society", which "makes us stronger in the face of terror and barbarism". Catalonia's pro-independence president Quim Torra said "we emerged stronger and more united and more convinced of our principles" after the attacks. He paid tribute to former Catalan police chief Josep Lluis Trapero and Joaquim Forn, the former regional interior minister who is in jail over the subsequent secession bid, and whom Torra described as "unjustly imprisoned". Ruben Guinazu, one of the victims in Cambrils, described the horror of a moment when he was convinced he would die. "I don't remember anything about the attacker, I only saw him stabbing me. He left the knife stuck in my face, it plunged 15 centimetres (six inches) into my head," the 55-year-old said. "He slashed my tonsils, my carotid, my vocal cords, my tongue." The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage but investigators have not found any evidence that the cell of young men who carried them out had any international links. They believe an imam in the Catalan mountain town of Ripoll indoctrinated a group of youths of Moroccan origin. They made explosives at an abandoned house which police believe they intended to use to strike the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, the city's Camp Nou stadium or even the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But these accidently went off on August 16, destroying the house, killing two of them including the imam, and prompting the remainder of the cell to improvise a vehicle attack similar to the ones carried out in other cities such as Nice and London. New York (AFP) - Over 7,000 New York City car-for-hire license applications were filed between the announcement of a one-year cap on new licenses -- a blow to the likes of Uber and Lyft -- and the measure coming into force, the city regulator said Thursday. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill into effect Tuesday, a first in the United States after a city council vote earlier this month. It stipulates a 12-month cap on all new for-hire-vehicle licenses, unless they are wheelchair accessible, as well as minimum pay requirements for app drivers -- regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. The city decided on the suspension to allow the TLC, which is a powerful force in New York politics, to study the impact of the ride-share industry on New York. The TLC told AFP that 7,434 aspiring drivers rushed to apply in the six days between the vote and the mayor's ratification. A TLC spokesperson said the applications were still under review and were not guaranteed approval. In 2010, before Uber emerged on the scene the following year, New York had about 37,000 for-hire vehicles and 13,500 taxis. Last year, while the number of taxis had not changed, the number of for-hire vehicles had more than doubled to 83,000. Many officials blame the rapid ride-share industry growth for causing the congestion that plagues Manhattan daily. Chinese-made A-5 attack aircraft drop bombs during exercises - AFP China's military has expanded its bomber operations in recent years while "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, according to a Pentagon report released on Thursday. The assessment, which comes at a time of heightened US-China tensions over trade, was contained in an annual report that highlighted China's efforts to increase its global influence, with defence spending that the Pentagon estimates exceeded $190 billion in 2017. "Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for China's People's Liberation Army. The report comes as China and the United States plan to hold trade talks, offering hope they might resolve an escalating tariff conflict that threatens to degenerate into an all-out trade war. The report said that while the PLA had continued to extend operations, it was not clear what message Beijing was seeking to send by carrying out the flights "beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities". An Ilyushin Il-76 strategic aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Credit: Tass via Getty Images The Chinese embassy in Washington could not immediately be reached for comment. This year Chinas air force landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region. In January the Pentagon put countering Beijing, along with Russia, at the center of a new national defense strategy. While Washington and Beijing maintain a military-to-military relationship aimed at containing tensions, this has been tested in recent months, notably in May when the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to join a multinational naval exercise. The Liaoning aircraft carrier is accompanied by navy frigates and submarines conducting an exercises in the South China Sea Credit: Xinhua via AP In June, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis became the first Pentagon chief to visit China since 2014. The Pentagon report said that despite a projected slowdown in economic growth, China's official defence budget would be more than $240 billion by 2028. Story continues The Pentagon report also said China's space program was progressing rapidly. "The PLA continues to strengthen its military space capabilities despite its public stance against the militarization of space," it said. This month, President Donald Trumps administration announced an ambitious plan to usher in a new "Space Force" as the sixth branch of the military by 2020. One of the arguments in favour of developing such a force is that American rivals like China appear increasingly ready to strike US space-based capabilities in the event of a conflict. A new class of pesticides positioned to replace neonicotinoids may be just as harmful to crop-pollinating bees, researchers cautioned Wednesday. In experiments, the ability of bumblebees to reproduce, and the rate at which their colonies grow, were both compromised by the new sulfoximine-based insecticides, they reported in the journal Nature. Colonies exposed to low doses of the pesticide in the lab yielded significantly less workers and half as many reproductive males after the bees were transferred to a field setting. "Our results show that sulfoxaflor" -- one of the new class of insecticide -- "can have a negative impact on the reproductive output of bumblebee colonies," said lead author Harry Siviter, a researcher at Royal Holloway University of London. As with neonicotinoids, sulfoxaflor does not directly kill bees, but appears to affect the immune system or the ability to reproduce. Foraging behaviour, and the amount of pollen collected by individual bees remained unchanged in the experiment. The study has been published amid legal challenges and shifting national policies on neonicotinoids, among the most commonly used insecticides in the world. In April, European Union countries voted to ban three neonicotinoid-based products in open fields, restricting use to covered greenhouses. Earlier this month Canada followed suit, announcing the phase-out of two of the pesticides widely applied to canola, corn and soybean crops. Neonicotinoids are based on the chemical structure of nicotine and attack insect nervous systems. Sulfoximine insecticides, while in a different class, act in a similar way. Unlike contact pesticides -- which remain on the surface of foliage -- neonicotinoids are absorbed by the plant from the seed phase and transported to leaves, flowers, roots and stems. They have been widely used over the last 20 years, and were designed to control sap-feeding insects such as aphids and root-feeding grubs. Story continues Past studies have found neonicotinoids can cause bees to become disorientated such that they cannot find their way back to the hive, and lower their resistance to disease. - Colony collapse - Other research has shown that crop pests have also built up resistance. "Sulfoximine-based insecticides are a likely successor and are being registered for use globally," Siviter noted. In 2013, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved two sulfoxaflor-based pesticides for sale under the brand names Transform and Closer. Sulfoxaflor is also registered in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, India, Mexico and a couple of dozen other countries. Experts not involved in the research praised its methodology and said the findings should sound an alarm. "This study shows an unacceptable scale of impact on bumblebee reproductive success, after realistic levels of exposure to sulfoxaflor," commented Lynn Dicks, an Natural Environmental Research Council Fellow at the University of East Anglia. Conducting such research should be a "mandatory requirement" before pesticide companies bring such products to market, he said. For Nigel Raine, a professor at the University of Guelph in Canada who holds a chair in pollinator conservation, "the findings suggest that concerns over the risks of exposing bees to insecticides should not be limited to neonicotinoids." Fears have been growing globally in recent years over the health of bees. Pesticides have been blamed as a cause of colony collapse disorder along with mites, pesticides, virus and fungus, or some combination of these factors. The United Nations warned last year that 40 percent of invertebrate pollinators -- particularly bees and butterflies -- risk global extinction. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seen here in Aurora, Ont., on July 20, 2018, is the subject of an online petition that has received thousands of signatures. Photo from The Canadian Press. He calls himself a feminist, a champion of the #MeToo movement and the prime minister of Canada. But can Justin Trudeau shake off the allegation that has been following him in recent months? Petition e-1787, which is sponsored by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel, was first launched online by Craig Rowe of Brockville, Ont., on Aug 1. It calls upon Trudeau to be held to the same standards as he has set for his caucus. The motion highlights the fact that Trudeau has said sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable. He has also taken a hard line against members of his own Liberal caucus who have been accused of sexual misconduct. The petition comes after a story about Trudeau emerged in national headlines in recent months. In August 2000, a 28-year-old Trudeau was accused of inappropriately touching a female reporter in her 20s while she was working on assignment for the Creston Valley Advance, a local newspaper based in British Columbia, and other publications. An unsigned editorial in the publication detailed the circumstances of the alleged encounter. It also includes an apology from Trudeau. As media outlets tried to verify the story, Trudeau was forced to deal with the backlash. On July 1, the prime minister said he did not recall any negative interactions from the event from 18 years ago. Later that week, Trudeau acknowledged that he apologized in the moment, adding that he did not feel he did anything that was in anyway untoward. He then said his experience of the incident might be different because of his gender. Story continues Often a man experiences an interaction as being benign or not inappropriate, and a woman, particularly in a professional context, can experience it differently, he said on July 5. PM addresses groping allegations stemming from a B.C. event in 2000: "Often a man experiences an interaction as being benign or not inappropriate and a woman particularly in a professional context can experience it differently and we have to respect that and reflect on that." pic.twitter.com/ADYHTp9aUw CPAC (@CPAC_TV) July 5, 2018 Faced with what she referred to as mounting media pressure, the alleged victim eventually issued a public statement on the matter. The incident referred to in the editorial did occur, as reported, Rose Knight wrote on July 6, CBC News reported. Mr. Trudeau did apologize the next day. I did not pursue the incident at the time and will not be pursuing the incident further. Knight, who no longer works in journalism, made it clear she does not want to be involved in this matter any longer. The debate, if it continues, will continue without my involvement, she said. The petition calls for Trudeau to be held to the same standards as members of his caucus. In 2014, Trudeau suspended two MPs (Massimo Pacetti and Scott Andrews) from the Liberal caucus after they were accused of sexual misconduct by two NDP MPs, as reported by CBC News. Both men denied the allegations, but at the time, Trudeau said the women deserved the benefit of the doubt. The action must be fair, but decisive. It must be sensitive to all affected parties, but, recognizing how difficult it is to do so, it must give the benefit of the doubt to those who come forward, Trudeau said in 2014, as reported by Global News. In January 2018, Liberal MP Kent Hehr resigned from cabinet after sexual misconduct allegations were made against him. Hehr had served as the federal minister of sport and disabilities. The prime minister clarified the reasoning behind the move in a statement. Harassment of any kind is unacceptable and Canadians have a right to live and work in environments free from harassment, Trudeau said on Jan. 25. As a government we take any allegations of misconduct extremely seriously, and we believe that it is important to support women who come forward with allegations and that is exactly what our government will do. With thousands of people calling for the prime minister to be held to the same standard for alleged actions, the question becomes: Whats next? MANILA, Philippines (AP) Passengers of a plane from China that veered off a runway at Manila's airport and lost an engine and a wheel after landing hard in a rainstorm recalled Friday their brush with the terrifying mishap, with some of the 165 people on board expecting the worst. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 157 passengers and eight crew from China's coastal city of Xiamen, managed to touch down close to midnight amid a downpour after aborting an initial attempt to land due to poor visibility, according to Philippine officials, who expressed relief that a disaster was avoided. The airliner lost contact with the tower as it rolled off the runway into a rain-soaked field, where one of the plane's engines and wheels got ripped off before everyone onboard scrambled out through an emergency slide, the officials said. A Filipino-American from California, Ruben Lopez Espinas, thought the plane would crash. "I surrendered myself. I said, 'Lord, I am yours if it's really my time,'" he said. Chinese passenger Wang Xun Qun embraced her teen daughter during the tense moments before the aircraft landed. When asked to describe their experience, the two repeatedly said, "Scary, scary." Chen Lei, who was on the plane with friends, said the plane touched down but pulled up steeply in a 90-degree angle a few seconds after it aborted the first landing. "My palm started to sweat," he said. When it did land, the plane glided for about five seconds then the wing and the engine under it hit the ground, with Chen witnessing the unfolding danger from a window. "The luggage fell down and many equipment inside the plane started to fall. I also smelled heavy smoke," he said. Then the plane suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Shaken by the experience and drenched by the downpour, the passengers and crew of Xiamen Air Flight 8667 were taken to an airport terminal, where they were given blankets and food before going to a hotel, airport general manager Ed Monreal and other officials said. Story continues "With God's blessing, all passengers and the crew were able to evacuate safely and no injuries except for about four who had some superficial scratches," Monreal said. The plane failed to land at first apparently due to poor visibility that may have hindered the pilots' view of the runway, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Jim Sydiongco told reporters. The plane circled before finally landing near midnight but lost contact with the tower, Sydiongco said. Investigators retrieved the plane's flight recorder and will get the cockpit voice recorder once the aircraft has been lifted to determine the cause of the accident, Sydiongco said. Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila's main international gateway, will be closed until Saturday morning while emergency crews use a crane to try to lift the aircraft, its belly resting on the muddy ground, away from the main runway, officials said. A smaller runway for domestic flights remained open. TV footage showed the plane slightly tilting to the left, its left badly damaged wing touching the ground and its landing wheels not readily visible as emergency personnel examined the aircraft. One of the detached engines and landing wheels lay a few meters (yards) away. A Xiamen Air representative, Lin Hua Gun, said the airline will send another plane to Manila to resume the flight. The Civil Aviation of China said it was sending a team to assist in the investigation. Nearly 80 international and domestic flights have been canceled or diverted due to the closure of the airport, which lies in a densely populated residential and commercial section of metropolitan Manila. Torrential monsoon rains enhanced by a tropical storm flooded many low-lying areas of Manila and northern provinces last weekend, displacing thousands of residents and forcing officials to shut schools and government offices. The weather has improved with sporadic downpours. ___ Associated Press journalists Bullit Marquez and Joeal Calupitan in Manila and Shanshan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report. Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis is on the side of victims of more than 300 "predator" priests in the United States who are accused of abusing over 1,000 children across seven decades, the Vatican said Thursday. "Victims should know that the pope is on their side," the Vatican said in a statement after a devastating US grand jury report published on Tuesday decried a systematic cover-up by the Catholic Church. "Those who have suffered are his priority, and the Church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent," the statement said. "There are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow," it said. The Vatican statement added that the church needed to learn "hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur". The report is thought to be the most comprehensive to date into abuse in the US church, since The Boston Globe first exposed paedophile priests in Massachusetts in 2002. But while Tuesday's report led to charges against two priests, one of whom has pleaded guilty, the majority of those responsible are dead and the vast majority of crimes happened too long ago to prosecute, officials said. The two-year investigation by a grand jury into all but two Pennsylvania dioceses turned up dozens of witnesses and half a million pages of church records containing "credible allegations against over three hundred predator priests." More than 1,000 child victims were identifiable, but the "real number" was "in the thousands," the grand jury estimated. - Hidden for decades - Victims were often traumatised for life, driven to drugs, alcohol and suicide, the grand jury said. The only recourse was to recommend changes to the law and expose what had happened to make sure such widespread abuse was never repeated. Story continues So far only two new priests are being charged with crimes that fall within the statute of limitations. The grand jury called for changes in the law that would scrap the statute of limitations for child sex abuse, give victims more time to file civil lawsuits and tighten legislation compelling people to report abuse they find out about. "Despite some institutional reform, individual leaders of the church have largely escaped public accountability," the report said. "Priests were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all. For decades." Church elders were instead promoted and predator priests allowed to remain in ministries for 10, 20, even 40 years after leaders learned of their crimes as the list of victims got longer and longer, Pennsylvania's Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Between 5,700 and 10,000 Catholic priests have been accused of sexual abuse in the United States, but only a few hundred have been tried, convicted, and sentenced for their crimes, according to the watchdog Bishop Accountability. Since the abuse crisis became public in the 2000s, the US church has spent more than $3 billion in settlements, according to Bishop Accountability. One estimate suggests up there were 100,000 US victims. - 'Zero tolerance' - Francis was elected in 2013 and vowed to take a "zero tolerance" approach to clerical sex abuse and rid the Church of the scourge of paedophilia, which has done enormous damage to its standing in many countries. But his credibility on the issue has been hit by a series of missteps and victims' organisations maintain that the Church remains reluctant to hand paedophile priests over to criminal justice authorities. Francis has compared sex abuse by priests to participating in a "Satanic Mass", but he has also been accused of being too soft on paedophiles, extending to them a general policy of mercy he is promoting in the Roman Catholic Church. There are widespread accusations that the Catholic Church ignored and covered up child abuse in countries from Australia to Chile. Theres no universally accepted definition of a near-death experience, but those who have come close to dying say that Hollywoods depictions arent too far off. Nearly dying usually involves travel through a dark void, a vision of bright light, and entrance into an unearthly realm. Inner peace follows, then the realization of survival gives way to gratitude. Forty years ago, Dr. Raymond Moody, who coined the term, discovered that near-death experiences are similar to the experience of taking powerful psychedelic drugs. New research on DMT, the spirit molecule, suggests he wasnt wrong. In a study published Wednesday in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Liege report that injections of DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) can indeed trigger the same emotions and perceptions that accompany near-death experiences (NDEs). DMT is a psychedelic molecule found naturally in some plants and animals and is a major compound within ayahuasca, a powerful brew that indigenous South Americans have been drinking for thousands of years. There, its known as the vine of the spirits or vine of the dead. DMT was nicknamed the spirit molecule after Dr. Rick Strassman, who conducted a massive, U.S.-funded study on the drug from 1990 to 1995, released a famous book of the same title, describing his studies on 60 people who experienced near-death and mystical experiences after being injected with DMT. The books controversial, often-referenced hypothesis posits that the body has natural (endogenous) DMT that is released when were born and when we die. The new study doesnt confirm this hypothesis, say science officers from the Beckley Foundation, which funded the study, but it does shed light on the roots of this idea. This confirms an idea thats been circulating for a long time about the DMT experience: That it is essentially identical to a naturally occurring near death experience, the officers tell Inverse. Of course, this doesnt confirm Strassmans spirit molecule hypothesis, which is that naturally produced DMT is what triggers naturally during near-death experiences. But it certainly lends that theory support. Story continues Ayahuasca is a potent psychedelic stew. In this study, 13 people went to a research facility at Imperial College London to take DMT. These six women and seven men were game for a bit of a surprise: They went in for two dosing sessions, separated by one week, but had no idea which session involved a saline solution placebo or an actual dose of DMT. Of course, it was pretty obvious when the DMT was administered. The patients, all of whom received different dosages of DMT, reported feeling the effects immediately after the 30-second injection. The experience peaked two to three minutes in, ending after roughly 20 minutes. All the while, the participants brains were monitored for electrical activity and blood flow. That data is a part of an upcoming neuroimaging study aiming to identify the neurological basis of the teams revelatory observations. Questionnaires revealed that every single one of the participants, regardless of the DMT dosage they were given, scored above a given threshold for determining a real NDE. Comparing their descriptions of the experience to those provided by 67 people who actually had a NDE, the responses aligned. Everyone experienced an encounter that felt mystical and dissolved their sense of ego, and everyone felt they transcended their body. The main difference was that the DMT users felt as if they were entering into an unearthly realm, while actual NDEs triggered feelings of coming to a point of no return. Taken together, the observations made it clear that DMT can trigger experiences that closely resemble what its like to die. Crystalline DMT is typically vaporized in small amounts (2-60 milligrams) out of a glass bulb-style pipe. Considering that we see such a remarkable overlap between the DMT and the near-death experiences, we highlight in our findings that, indeed, administering DMT to participants could help us better understand what happens in the dying brain, study co-author and Imperial College Ph.D. candidate Christopher Timmermann tells Inverse. However, he warns not to jump to conclusions. We still dont know whether or not they share the same neuroscientific basis. In our study we looked at what people felt on a psychological level, thus we cannot make direct inferences about what was happening at the brain. Thats what they hope to figure out in their next analysis, where they will examine only the brain scans of the volunteers on high dosages of DMT. Still, because scientists dont understand exactly what happens to the brain when we die, the comparison will be tricky to make. Because we dont know what happens in the brain when we die and this study only showed how exogenously supplied DMT produces an NDE-like experience this study cant be taken as confirmation that Strassmans hypothesis is correct. It does, however, suggest that further research will be worthwhile. Strassman, now a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, tells Inverse that the overlap of NDE and DMT symptoms produced by this study means that its even more important to understand the synthesis and role of endogenous DMT. For now, scientists know that DMT is released in the pineal gland of rats, but they cant say for sure whether its produced in the pineal gland of humans. One fascinating lead is the fact that in vitro, or in the test tube, DMT is neuroprotective in conditions of low oxygen, Strassman says. So one can hypothesize a coherent scenario: As one is dying, the brains oxygen levels drop, and elevated endogenous DMT is activated in order to protect the brain. Only future research will show whether thats true and whether that means DMT can be used therapeutically. Theres already ongoing research on whether it can be used to treat addiction and depression in the form of ayahuasca. DMT is closely related to psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, which is currently being studied by our team and others for its potential therapeutic effects for depression and substance abuse, says Timmermann. It is reasonable to speculate that DMT may have a therapeutic effect, but further studies exploring how DMT is given and in what contexts are required to help us understand this possibility. Theres a lot left to learn about this powerful psychedelic and what it means about the dying brain, but the current study represents an important step, both in terms of the science and the taboos surrounding it. This is a really interesting exploratory and well-carried study, suggesting that coping with death is an important aspect of the psychedelic experience, neuroimaging expert and ayahuasca researcher Draulio Araujo, Ph.D., who was not involved with the study, tells Inverse. It is really exciting to see science rigorously approaching these questions that are mainstream for some traditions, but a taboo for modern societies. Photos via Wikimedia/ Jlcoving , Pixabay (1, 2), Flickr / Apollo More From Inverse No parade for now, Donald Trump (Rex) US President Donald Trump has cancelled his plans for a 72 million military parade because the price was ridiculously high. The parade will take place in 2019 at the earliest, if it goes ahead at all, officials said in a statement. Trump took to Twitter to accuse local politicians in the American capital for inflating the price, although the projected $92 million cost was largely attributed to Pentagon costs for aircraft, equipment and personnel. President Trump tweeted maybe we will do something next year when the cost comes WAY DOWN. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 .attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 A Pentagon spokesman said in a statement that the Department of Defense and the White House have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019. The Defence Department had already said the parade would not happen this year. He added that the money saved from not holding the military parade could go to buying more jet fighters. Trump was apparently inspired after seeing the annual French Bastille Day display after being invited to Paris by Emmanuel Macron (Rex) MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system Story continues President Trump had called for the patriotic show of force last year after watching Frances Bastille Day celebration in the centre of Paris at the invitation of the French president. But the project has been beset with logistical hurdles, such as the damage heavy tanks would do to city streets and an exorbitant price tag. The parade was originally conceived to mark the centenary of the end of World War One, on 11 November this year. Originally the cost for the parade was estimated at $10m (7.8m) but in recent weeks that had grown to almost $100m. There had been many critics of the planned parade, including Washington local authority, the District of Columbia Council. Better late. Then: never. Tanks but no tanks. pic.twitter.com/57WR28RMyU Council of DC (@councilofdc) August 17, 2018 They had opposed it ever since the plan was announced, and critics said on Friday that it was the council which had pulled the plug on the parade, not the president. The council also tweeted in response President Trumps announcement. It read: Tanks but no tanks. Many in the Democratic Party also opposed the parade with some claiming the planned march was a celebration of the presidents ego, not the military (NEW YORK) Newspapers from Maine to Hawaii pushed back against President Donald Trumps attacks on fake news Thursday with a coordinated series of editorials speaking up for a free and vigorous press. The Boston Globe, which set the campaign in motion by urging the unified voice, had estimated that some 350 newspapers would participate. They did across the breadth of the country. The Portland (Maine) Press-Herald said a free and independent press is the best defense against tyranny, while the Honolulu Star-Advertiser emphasized democracys need for a free press. The true enemies of the people and democracy are those who try to suffocate truth by vilifying and demonizing the messenger, wrote the Des Moines Register in Iowa. In St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch called journalists the truest of patriots. The Chicago Sun-Times said it believed most Americans know that Trump is talking nonsense. The Fayetteville Observer said it hoped Trump would stop, but were not holding our breath. Rather, we hope all the presidents supporters will recognize what hes doing manipulating reality to get what he wants, the North Carolina newspaper said. On Thursday morning, Trump again took to Twitter to denounce fake news. He wrote: The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT! That followed this tweet from the president: THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country.BUT WE ARE WINNING! THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 There is nothing that I would want more for our Country than true FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The fact is that the Press is FREE to write and say anything it wants, but much of what it says is FAKE NEWS, pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. HONESTY WINS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018 The Morning News of Savannah, Georgia, said it was a confidant, not an enemy, to the people. Story continues Like any true friend, we dont always tell you want you want to hear, the Morning News said. Our news team presents the happenings and issues in this community through the lens of objectivity. And like any true friend, we refuse to mislead you. Our reporters and editors strive for fairness. Some newspapers used history lessons to state their case. The Elizabethtown Advocate in Pennsylvania, for instance, compared free press in the United States to such rights promised but not delivered in the former Soviet Union. The New York Times added a pitch. If you havent already, please subscribe to your local papers, said the Times, whose opinion section also summarized other editorials across the country. Praise them when you think theyve done a good job and criticize them when you think they could do better. Were all in this together. That last sentiment made some journalists skittish. Some newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle, wrote editorials explaining why they werent joining the Globes effort. The Chronicle wrote that one of its most important values is independence, and going along with the crowd went against that. Both the Chronicle and Baltimore Sun said that it plays into the hands of Trump and his supporters who think the media is out to get him. Nolan Finley, columnist and editorial page editor of The Detroit News, spoke up for the press but added a scolding. He said too many journalists are slipping opinion into their news reports, adding commentary and calling it context. Donald Trump is not responsible for the eroding trust in the media, Finley wrote. He lacks the credibility to pull that off. The damage to our standing is self-inflicted. The Radio Television Digital News Association, which represents more than 1,200 broadcasters and web sites, is also asking its members to point out that journalists are friends and neighbors doing important work holding government accountable. I want to make sure that it is positive, said Dan Shelley, the groups executive director. Were shooting ourselves in the foot if we make this about attacking the president or attacking his supporters. It remains unclear how much sway the effort will have. Newspaper editorial boards overwhelmingly opposed Trumps election in 2016. Polls show Republicans have grown more negative toward the news media in recent years: Pew Research Center said 85 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said in June 2017 that the news media has a negative effect on the country, up from 68 percent in 2010. ___ Associated Press correspondents Hannah Fingerhut, Skip Foreman, Amanda Kell, Jack Jones, Herb McCann, David Runk and Juliet Williams contributed to this report. A common misconception among those pursuing an advanced degree in psychology is that the degree will automatically lead to a career as a mental health care provider. While there are opportunities available to those interested in seeking a career to help people struggling with mental illness, there are also many nonclinical jobs available to those with a graduate degree in psychology. "There's a general impression, which is incorrect, that if you major in psychology, you immediately want to go into the health professions, and you immediately are going to be a psychotherapist or work with people with emotional problems and that sort of thing," says Donald Leitner, a professor and chair of psychology at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia who holds a Ph.D. "And that is only true of a branch of psychology, which is clinical psychology. There are many other branches of the modern discipline of psychology." For instance, some psychology degree holders become researchers, who use scientific experiments to clarify how the human mind works, while others design and administer IQ tests and personality assessments. Also, keep in mind therapists and counselors don't necessarily cater to individuals who suffer from serious mental health problems. "We're not only dealing with people with specific psychological, let's use the word, 'illnesses' or 'challenges,'" says William Gibson, an associate professor of psychology at Brandman University in Irvine, California who has a Ph.D. in psychology and specializes in marriage and family therapy. Gibson says psychologists sometimes help psychologically healthy individuals find happiness. [Read: What is a Psychologist?] The American Psychological Association offers an overview of the many types of jobs someone can get with a psychology degree in its online publication, " Careers in Psychology." The publication notes that the term psychologist is reserved for psychology degree holders who have doctorates, and identifies more than 15 types of psychologists. Story continues Here's a breakdown of different types: -- Clinical psychologists: These health care providers diagnose and treat mental health problems, including short-term issues and chronic conditions. -- Cognitive and perceptual psychologists: Psychologists in this field focus on how people see, understand and communicate with the outside world and how people remember their past experiences. Researchers look for treatments for people with various brain disorders, while clinicians provide support to those with brain disorders. -- Community psychologists: These psychologists advise communities that are facing significant crises, such as disease epidemics and crime sprees, on the psychological aspects of such problems. -- Counseling psychologists: These therapists and counselors help people cope with difficult personal situations and provide guidance on how to achieve life goals. -- Developmental psychologists: These are experts in how the human mindset changes over the course of a lifespan and often conduct aging-related research. As clinicians, these psychologists assist children and adolescents struggling with psychological growing pains. -- Educational psychologists: These professionals specialize in the psychology of teaching and learning and focus on improving student outcomes. -- Engineering psychologists: Often called "human factors specialists" or "human factors psychologists," these experts help design machines that are easy for people to use. -- Environmental psychologists: These are experts in how the physical and social environment surrounding an individual affects the way that person feels and thinks. -- Evolutionary psychologists: These experts examine how natural selection has shaped human brains and influenced the way we think. -- Experimental psychologists: These researchers conduct psychological experiments on humans and animals to answer scientific questions. -- Forensic psychologists: These professionals focus on issues with legal implications, such as whether a criminal defendant is psychologically fit to face a trial, and may help law enforcement solve crimes. -- Health psychologists: These psychologists figure out how people with poor health habits can maximize their well-being. -- Industrial-organizational psychologists: These professionals concentrate on the way human psychology impacts the performance of businesses and other organizations. -- Neuropsychologists: Sometimes called behavioral neuropsychologists, these are experts in how the biology of the brain and nervous system impacts human behavior, thoughts and feelings. -- Quantitative and measurement psychologists: These mathematically-inclined professionals ensure that data from psychological experiments and assessments are accurately interpreted, and create models that facilitate a precise data analysis. -- Rehabilitation psychologists: These professionals provide counseling and treatment to people with traumatic physical injuries or serious disabilities. -- School psychologists: These care providers offer psychological support to students and their families. -- Social psychologists: These psychologists focus on the ways that society influences the way people think and act, and study the way people in relationships interact with each other. -- Sport psychologists: These psychologists focus on helping athletes maintain motivation and resilience during competitions. Nonacademic, Nonclinical Psychology Careers Karen Stamm, the director of the Center for Workforce Studies at the American Psychological Association, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, says it's common for people with psychology doctorates to have jobs outside of academia and health care. "Only about half of psychology doctorates work in 'traditional' occupations (psychologist or psychology professor)," Stamm wrote in an email. "The other half work in a variety of occupations, such [as] professors in fields other than psychology, managers and administrators, writers, etc." Psychologists often conduct research for clients and serve as industry consultants, says Susann Doyle-Portillo, an associate department head of psychological science at the University of North Georgia who holds a doctorate. "For example, a human factors psychologist [an engineering psychologist] may work for an auto manufacturer to help design instrument panels in cars that promote safety and ease of use by consumers," Portillo wrote in an email. "A social psychologist may consult with trial attorneys on ways to best persuade juries. A developmental psychologist may help design educational toys or software and so on." [Read: Ask 6 Questions to Pick an Online Psychology Degree Program.] Job Opportunities Vary Depending on the Type of Degree Julie Gurner, a former professor of psychology who has a Psy.D. degree in clinical psychology and now works as a business consultant, says the jobs psychology degree holders are marketable for depends on their specific discipline. "For example, someone who is in experimental psychology would spend their career conducting research, while someone with a clinical psychology degree would likely be in academics or health care. There are so many different types of psychology that are not related to counseling that most do not realize," Gurner said via email. A Psychology Doctorate Can Lead to Lucrative Jobs Erin Reynolds, a Texas-based clinical director who holds a master's degree and Psy.D. doctorate in clinical psychology, says a doctorate in psychology is typically more marketable and profitable than a less advanced degree. "Only those with a doctorate in psychology can use the title 'psychologist,'" Reynolds wrote in an email. "This opens many more doors in terms of what you can do and how much autonomy you can have in the workplace. It also allows you to bill for services at a higher rate than a master's level clinician in many cases." Reynolds says a bachelor's degree in psychology "is a great generalist degree that allows you to apply to grad school, law school, or even medical school, but on its own doesn't amount to much more than a liberal arts degree." However, some psychology degree holders who only have a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology say that a psychology doctorate was not necessary for them to achieve their career goals. Meg Schmitz, a senior franchise consultant with FranChoice, a company that matches prospective franchise owners with a business that fits their skills and interests, says that her college degree in psychology provided her with training for her first job at a personnel agency. A Master's or Bachelor's Can Offer an Array of Career Paths "Many undergraduates find employment after graduation in areas such as human resources, law enforcement, employment counseling, insurance companies, nonprofit organizations, child care, mental health, health care settings, public affairs, business, sales, administrative support and so on," Doyle-Portillo wrote in an email. Julia Simens, a retired school counselor who has a master's degree in clinical psychology, notes that she did not need a doctorate in order to establish a fulfilling psychology career . "In my position, having a doctorate would have made no difference whatsoever," Simens says. The Difference Between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. Experts note an important distinction between a research doctorate in psychology, known as a Ph.D., and a clinical doctorate, known as a Psy.D. While the Ph.D. is the traditional degree for aspiring psychology researchers, the Psy.D. is designed for future psychology clinicians. "Ph.D. programs are the gold standard for those going into psychological research, and Ph.D. degrees are typically required or desired for most academic and high-level industry jobs," Nick Schweitzer, an associate professor at Arizona State University's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, wrote in an email. Sarah Gray, the founder of a Massachusetts psychology practice and a psychology instructor at Harvard Medical School who holds a Psy.D., says that she chose to get a Psy.D. as opposed to a Ph.D. because she was most interested in therapy. "I knew I would want to spend most of my time practicing psychology as opposed to working in a research lab." How to Choose a Psychology Program "It's important to note that a graduate degree in psychology does not, in and of itself, allow someone to provide psychotherapy services," says Carla Marie Manly, a California-based clinical psychologist who holds a Ph.D. "Internships and licensure are required to obtain the necessary accreditation to provide services to clients." Psychology degree holders say that a formal education in how the human mind works is useful for numerous career paths. Understanding how people think is especially useful in professions that involve understanding or influencing public opinion, such as advertising or politics, experts suggest. [See: Explore the 10 Best Graduate Clinical Psychology Programs.] According to Schweitzer, "Psychology is actually a very diverse field. While many people think of psychology as the study and treatment of mental health issues, the field is about understanding everything about human behaviors, thoughts and emotions." Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools. Ilana Kowarski is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering graduate schools. You can reach her via email at ikowarski@usnews.com. Several Deerfield High School parents and students spoke in opposition to the calendar shift prior to the school boards approval in February 2017. Some noted the district would be moving finals from one of the least busy and stressful months of the school year to December, one of the most scheduled months of the year. By Ilaria Polleschi GENOA (Reuters) - Rescue workers searched through tons of concrete and steel from the collapsed Genoa highway bridge for a fourth day on Friday as Italians prepared to bury the 38 victims of a disaster that has angered the public and rattled industry. A fire among the rubble held up part of the operation, sending clouds of white smoke up before being extinguished. A spark from metal cutting equipment was thought to have caused the blaze that started in a warehouse under the ruined bridge. The confirmed death toll from the collapse of a 200-meter (660-foot) stretch of the bridge on Tuesday that sent vehicles plummeting 50 meters (165 feet) to the ground, remained at 38, but officials have said there still may be 10-20 people missing. More than 600 people had to leave their apartments below the remaining spans of the bridge for fear of further collapse. Officials have decided the buildings will be demolished as it would be too dangerous to leave them there. A state funeral for most of the victims is due to be held on Saturday morning at the port city's Exhibition and Trade Centre, led by Genoa's archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, and attended by President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. But some families have said they will boycott the event and hold their own private services, as a sign of protest against what they say was negligence that caused the bridge to collapse. The government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning. The state funeral will be televised live and state broadcaster RAI said will not air any advertising as a sign of respect for the victims. Shares in the parent company of Autostrade per l'Italia which runs the highway plunged more than 30 percent in the days after the collapse, but were recovering slightly on Friday as investors said government threats to revoke its concessions might be political rhetoric rather than a likely outcome. Atlantia shares were up 6 percent on Thursday's close by 0900 GMT, still down almost 22 percent from their level the day before the disaster. The Transport Ministry has given Autostrade 15 days to show it had met all its contractual obligations, and wants the company to rebuild the bridge at its own expense. (Writing by Philip Pullella, additional reporting by Stephen Jewkes in Milan; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Vienna (AFP) - The expected attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Saturday's wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl sparked a row Friday over whether the visit was appropriate. "How is Austria's presidency of the EU meant to live up to the government's own claims of building bridges (between the EU and Russia) and being an honest broker, when Austria's foreign minister and chancellor are so obviously on one side?" asked MP Andreas Schieder of the opposition Social Democrats (SPOe). SPOe MEP Evelyn Regner said the invite sent a "shameful" image of Austria to its EU partners, branding it "a provocation of European proportions". The Greens called for Kneissl's resignation, pointing out that "Vladimir Putin is the EU's most aggressive enemy in matters of foreign policy". Kneissl, 53, who was nominated for the post by the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), will marry businessman Wolfgang Meilinger in a ceremony in a wine-growing village near the southeastern city of Graz. Putin confirmed he would be attending the wedding before heading to talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel near Berlin on Saturday evening. Putin's attendance was originally described as a "private event" by Kneissl's office but has since been upgraded to a "working visit". Several hundred police officers will take part in the security operation around the wedding. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) and FPOe Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache are also expected at the ceremony. In 2016, the FPOe signed a "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. The invitation to Putin has angered Kiev, which said it would prevent Austria playing a role in the Minsk agreements aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The foreign ministry has insisted that Putin's visit "will not change anything in terms of Austria's foreign policy positions". Story continues The invitation has even provoked some criticism from within Kurz's own OeVP party, with one of its MEPs Othmar Karas saying: "I can't grasp the logic and the purpose of making such a personal occasion political and open to misuse in this way". Russia has been accused of seeking to weaken and divide the EU, notably by maintaining links with populist parties in several European countries. Kurz's OeVP and the FPOe have been in coalition together since December after an election campaign in which both parties ran on anti-immigration platforms. Introducing The Royal Box, Yahoo UK's brand new show on all things royal. Presented by Kate Thornton, episode six features Diana's former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe. Charged with protecting the Princess for five years, until her separation from Prince Charles, Wharfe also oversaw William and Harrys protection during their early years. Wharfe discusses Dianas desperate, and ongoing, desire for normality and the royal familys hatred of the press. Elsewhere, royal correspondent Richard Palmer and journalist and royal biographer Claudia Joseph discuss the palaces handling of the latest Thomas Markle interview and what kind of Queen the Duchess of Cambridge will one day be. Plus, we look at what the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have planned for the remainder of the summer. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia on Friday pledged $100 million to reconstruct areas of northeastern Syria formerly held by the Islamic State group, in a move sharply criticised by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The kingdom said the 88-million-euro contribution would go towards a US-backed campaign to "stabilise" the one-time IS bastion and to help ensure the jihadists cannot re-emerge as a threat. The government in Damascus slammed the contribution as "morally unacceptable", in a statement carried by the official SANA news agency. A longtime foe of Riyadh, it accused Saudi Arabia's royal family of supporting "terrorism and those who contributed to the killing of the people of Syria and the destruction of its infrastructure." IS declared a "caliphate" after seizing swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, but has since been ousted from most of that territory including its former de facto Syrian capital Raqa and a pocket of Damascus. Saudi Arabia, the United States' most powerful Arab ally, is a member of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, another acronym for the jihadist group. Riyadh's contribution aims to support "stabilisation projects" and "will play a critical role in the coalition's efforts to revitalise communities, such as Raqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists," read a statement by the Saudi embassy in Washington. It said the money would "save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, and help ensure that IS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbours, or plan attacks against the international community." In April, reports emerged that the United States was looking to build an Arab force to replace its troops in northeastern Syria. The US government has not officially confirmed the reports. Despite the defeat of IS in Syria and Iraq, between 20,000 and 30,000 of its fighters remain in the two countries, according to a United Nations report released Monday. elon musk Getty Images/Joshua Lott The Securities and Exchange Commission has sent subpoenas to Tesla concerning the company's plans to explore going private and CEO Elon Musk's statements about the process, Fox Business first reported. The New York Times also reported that the agency has sent the company a subpoena. The Fox Business reporter Charles Gasparino said on Twitter that sources suggested the agency was moving into a formal investigation of Tesla. Gasparino also said SEC officials had concerns about how the agency's investigation could affect Tesla's ability to go private. Tesla and the SEC declined Business Insider's requests for comment. The Securities and Exchange Commission has sent subpoenas to Tesla concerning the company's plans to explore going private and CEO Elon Musk's statements about the process, Fox Business first reported. The New York Times also reported that the agency has sent the company a subpoena. The Fox Business reporter Charles Gasparino said on Twitter that sources suggested the agency was moving into a formal investigation of Tesla. Gasparino also said SEC officials had concerns about how the agency's investigation could affect Tesla's ability to go private. The Wall Street Journal reported last Wednesday that the SEC had made an inquiry into Tesla about whether one of Musk's tweets regarding the possibility of taking the company private was truthful. And on Thursday, Bloomberg reported that the agency was "intensifying" its inquiry. Tesla and the SEC declined Business Insider's requests for comment. On August 7, Musk expressed his desire to take Tesla private in a now-controversial tweet. "Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured," Musk said via Twitter. Some were confused in the hours and days following the tweet, since Musk did not initially disclose who might provide the funding he mentioned. Musk said in a statement on Monday that he used the phrase "funding secured" because he believed there was "no question" Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund would provide funding for a deal to convert Tesla into a private company. He made the announcement via Twitter, he said, because he wanted all Tesla investors to know about the possibility of Tesla going private at the same time. Story continues But Musk didn't mention any legally binding agreements that were in place at the time he sent the "funding secured" tweet, and he also said he was in discussions with other investors, which suggested some sources of funding may not have been settled before the tweet was sent. Musk said all relevant parties would be able to review a proposal before a decision was made about going private. He said a proposal would not be presented, however, until discussions with potential investors were finished. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund first met with Musk early last year about taking Tesla private, Musk said, adding that they'd met multiple times. After the fund purchased about 5% of Tesla's shares, it requested another meeting with Musk, which Musk said took place July 31. Musk said that during this meeting the fund's managing director "strongly expressed his support" to contribute funding to take Tesla private. Musk notified Tesla's board of directors of his desire to take Tesla private on August 2, he said. But The New York Times reported on Monday that Musk's "funding secured" tweet surprised the board, which it said had not approved the tweet. According to The Times, Musk told an informal adviser he sent the tweet because he had difficulty keeping information to himself and was frustrated with the company's critics. The Times later reported that some board members had hired lawyers to protect themselves from the potential legal fallout of Musk's statements and urged Musk to stop using Twitter. Three lawsuits have been filed against Tesla and Musk alleging securities fraud. On Tuesday, Tesla said its board of directors had formed a special committee to consider any forthcoming go-private proposals. Tesla has been public since 2010, but Musk has previously said he would like to take Tesla private. "I wish we could be private with Tesla," Musk said in an interview with Rolling Stone published in November. "It actually makes us less efficient to be a public company." Last week, Musk said taking the company private was "the best path forward." He said the pressures of being a public company created distractions and promoted short-term thinking that may not produce the best decisions in the long term. Musk has also said on multiple occasions that Tesla would become profitable by the end of this year and would not need to raise additional funds, despite its increased cash-burn rate in recent quarters. At the end of June, Tesla said it achieved its goal of making 5,000 Model 3 sedans in one week. Musk previously said that the company would hit that number by the end of 2017 and that sustaining such a production rate was critical for Tesla to become profitable. Have a Tesla news tip? Contact this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com. Read more about Tesla possibly going private: NOW WATCH: An early investor in Uber, Airbnb, and bitcoin explains why it's actually a good sign that no one is spending their crypto See Also: SEE ALSO: 9 reasons you should buy Tesla's new Model 3 'Performance' car instead of the standard Model 3 Yuri Andropov, Felix E. Dzerzhinsky and Vladimir Putin. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP, Getty) WASHINGTON In November 1921, Felix Dzerzhinsky, the head of the Soviet Unions secret police known as the Cheka, had a plan. Four years earlier, the Bolsheviks had expelled the Romanov dynasty and established the worlds first Communist government. Western European intelligence agencies, fearful of communism, sought to infiltrate the Soviet Union, while the powerful White Russians had fled to European capitals like Paris and Berlin, from where they hoped to plot the czars return. Dzerzhinskys plan involved a prisoner, Alexander Yakushev, then sitting in the infamous Lubyanka prison in central Moscow. Although Yakushev had worked for the Soviet government, the Cheka had discovered his secret allegiance to the czar, arrested him and threw him into the Lubyanka, where in future years alleged enemies of the people would be executed on the flimsiest pretenses. Dzerzhinsky wanted an indirect means of neutralizing the enemies of the Soviet Union, of fooling and confusing them so thoroughly that they would lose all sense of moral and political direction. Instead of executing Yakushev, Dzerzhinsky gave his prisoner what he wanted, if only as a cover: He made Yakushev the head of a czarist organization called the Trust and sent him to Europe as the groups emissary. Yakushev spread the message that anti-Bolshevik agents had penetrated into the higher levels of the army, the security service, and even the government, and would in time take power and restore the monarchy, as KGB defector Anatoliy Golitsyn described the Trust in his landmark 1984 study of Soviet security services, New Lies for Old. Polish-born Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Bolshevik secret police, the Cheka, later the KGB. (Photo: Laski Collection/Getty Images) Though little known today, the Trust is a predecessor of Russias operations in the United States during the 2016 election, a lesson in how Russia uses disinformation to discredit enemies foreign and domestic. Like the Russian bots tweeting about the Second Amendment or the fake Black Lives Matter pages set up from the Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg, the Trust was an operation that preyed on Western credulity. The Trust, as the spy-craft historian Michael Holzman has written, projected in the minds of its targets the White Russian leadership and various, especially British, secret intelligences an image they found congenial. In other words, they were fooled because they wanted to be. Story continues John Sipher, a 28-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency who worked for the agencys clandestine service and ran operations out of Moscow, says that officers assigned to Russia were made to study the Trust, which a declassified CIA history describes as a showcase of Soviet provocation. (A CIA spokesperson declined to discuss details of agent education.) To Sipher, the Trust is a perfect example of an active measures campaign of the kind the Kremlin directed during the 2016 presidential election. In his history of Russian spycraft The Sword and the Shield, Soviet intelligence historian Christopher Andrew writes that operations like the Trust, and others, became increasingly successful in penetrating the main imperialist powers of Europe. That was because while security in Moscow became obsessional, much Western security remained feeble. The White Russians wanted to believe that the collapse of the Soviet Union was at hand, just like some want to believe that Donald Trump is saving Western civilization from hordes of immigrants and refugees. Primed to believe these things, we may not look closely at the source or its motivations. Members of a unit of Russias state security, the Cheka, also called the Secret Police, in Moscow Feb. 2, 1921. (Photo: AP) John R. Schindler, a former National Security Agency analyst and counterintelligence who now runs the XX Committee , an intelligence website, says a CIA history of the Trust was initially commissioned in the 1950s by James Jesus Angleton, the CIA counterintelligence chief, and his deputy Raymond G. Rocca. According to Schindler, the Trust taught American agents about the Soviet reliance on kombinatsiya: multipronged campaigns involving traditional spy craft, disinformation and the cultivation of friendly voices in adversarial territory, sometimes through the use of compromising material, or kompromat, sometimes through something as simple as cash. Westerners are just not conditioned to be suspicious like Russians are, Schindler says. If you give them a pretty storyline, they are likely to fall for it. Thats what Yakushev did in the 1920s. According to historian Andrew, Yakushev won the confidence during visits to Paris of both Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, cousin of the late Czar Nicholas II, and General Aleksandr Kutepov of the [White] Russian Combined Services Union. Some did have their suspicions, but these eventually went away, and the Trust grew in influence. The Trust proved an effective means of identifying Russian members of the anti-Soviet resistance across Europe, including Boris Savinkov, a onetime leader of the Society for Defence of Motherland and Freedom who was now based in Warsaw. Lured to Moscow under the pretenses of helping an anti-Soviet group, he was captured in the summer of 1924 and sentenced to death, a fate he avoided by jumping from a fourth-story window in the Lubyanka. A photograph released on Sept. 21, 1964, shows the KGB building (aka Lubyanka) in Moscow with the monument of Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB) founder Felix Dzerzhinsky in front of it. (Photo: Nikolai Malyshev/AFP/Getty Images) In what spy-craft historian Jeffrey T. Richelson calls the Trusts most sensational operation, it managed to dupe Sidney George Reilly, the legendary British Ace of Spies. The Trust enticed Reilly to cross the Finnish border into the Soviet Union, heading for Leningrad. There, he was met by other Trust members, all of whom were, in fact, Chekists. They took Reilly into custody, interrogated him and then shot him in what is today Sokolniki Park, outside Moscow, in 1925. The assassination order may have been given by Josef Stalin himself. The CIA history argues that the Trust inflicted incalculable damage on the Russian anti-Bolshevik forces, rendering them insignificant. By feeding European intelligence services troves of disinformation, it caused numerous misunderstandings between various services which destroyed that mutual confidence which, at first, united them in their work against the Soviets. The Trust was exposed in 1927, and the Cheka morphed into what, by 1954, came to be known as the Committee for State Security, or the KGB. Revisionist historians of the 1990s revealed the extent to which the KGB and its antecedent agencies were little more than the murderous shock troops of a paranoid Kremlin. Despite that, modern Russia has seen a recrudescence of warm feeling for the henchmen of Lenin and Stalin who were responsible for the deaths of millions. For example, today in the middle of St. Petersburg, is the Dzerzhinsky District Court. How it came to be that the spies and murderers of the 20th century have been rehabilitated and, even worse, their methods deployed again by the Kremlin, has to do with another building in central St. Petersburg, just a couple of blocks from the courthouse named after Dzerzhinsky. Yuri Andropov, Soviet politician and general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Photo: TASS/ Getty Images) In 1960, a boy who had been born eight years before began attending School No. 193, which sits on nearby Baskov Lane. Somewhat slight, he began practicing judo at the age of 13. He continued to study martial arts in high school, also taking up German. The young man, Vladimir Putin, studied law at Leningrad State University and afterward joined the KGB. When Putin became an intelligence officer in 1975, the KGB was headed by Yuri Andropov, who had helped suppress populist, anti-Soviet uprisings in Budapest and Prague. He also used misinformation to weaken Soviet enemies. In 2013, a defector from Romanias security services revealed that Andropov had tried to stir up anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. Andropovs disinformation machinery was working around the clock to persuade the Islamic world that Israel and the United States intended to transform the rest of the world into a Zionist fiefdom, the former spy alleged , in his book entitled, Disinformation. In 1982, Andropov became the leader of the Soviet Union, ushering in what the Washington Post would later call an era of sophisticated Stalinism. Several months after he was elevated to the general secretariat, the New York Times reported that KGB spies were trying to influence or buy their way into groups trying to block deployment of new medium-range missiles in Western Europe by disguising themselves as disarmament activists. Thats remarkably similar to tactics Russia used in 2016, when it fixated on the Black Lives Matter protest movement as a means to widen divisions in American society. Nobody doubts that Russia will try again. Microsoft recently revealed that three 2018 political campaigns have been targeted by Russians, including that of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat. I dont think theyre coming back, says former CIA station chief Daniel Hoffman of the Russians. Theyre here. They never left. Putin has made no secret of his affinity for the Soviet security services. In 1999, when he was the prime minister, the former intelligence officer ordered a plaque commemorating Andropov restored to Lubyanka prison. The plaque had been removed in 1991, when Russian reformers were intent on effacing the legacy of communism. More recently, in 2014, Putin decreed that an elite internal security unit would be renamed the Dzerzhinsky Division. Russia may be a fading superpower, but it remains determined to weaken its greatest rival. And, in doing so, it is reaching back to a past of glories real and imagined. Last year, the city of Kirov, in Russias vast eastern hinterlands, unveiled a new statue of Dzerzhinsky. Russias then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, presents an award to a local police officer at a Russian military base in the mountains of the Botlikh region, Dagestan, Russia, Aug. 27, 1999. (Photo: AP) Read more from Yahoo News: Belgrade (AFP) - Serbian authorities on Friday ordered the closure of a controversial "patriotic youth camp", where teens were handling fake weapons and dressing in army uniforms as part of military-style training. Serbia's Interior Minister told reporters he had ordered the closure of the camp, which was run by Serbian and Russian veterans, a day before it was set to finish in response to a public backlash. "We ordered the dismantling of this camp because of possible exploitation of children and the reaction it provoked among the public," Nebojsa Stefanovic said. Since early August around four dozen boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 23 had been attending the "Patriotic Youth Camp" on Zlatibor, a mountain 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Belgrade. The camp, which organisers say focuses on survival skills, was run by veterans groups from Serbia and Russia. Last April, some 30 children from Serbia travelled to Russia for similar training. Local reports about this year's camp on Serbian soil drew criticism from rights groups and opposition parties, who slammed the training as indoctrination. Zeljko Vukelic, a Serbian veteran of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia and one of the camp's organisers, criticised the sudden closure. "The camp was organised like others that have existed for years in Russia and tend to reinforce patriotic feelings" among children, he told the press. He insisted a similar training would be organised in Serbia next year because "patriotism has no price". Russia and Serbia are key allies. Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin, while Moscow supports Serbia in denying the independence of Kosovo, a former southern province that broke away after a NATO bombing campaign in 1999. Suicide pact serial killer Joanna Dennehy has reportedly tried to kill herself in prison in a suicide pact with her inmate girlfriend (Picture: AP) Serial killer Joanna Dennehy has reportedly tried to kill herself in a suicide pact with her prison girlfriend. The Sun reported that Dennehy who is serving a whole life sentence for stabbing three men to death in March 13 and knifing two others was found with her throat slit. According to the newspaper, her lover is believed to have cut her wrists. The pair were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment before being returned to HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. The pair have reportedly been returned to HMP Bronzefield after receiving hospital treatment (Picture: PA) A source told The Sun: When the guards found them they were entwined on the floor, which was covered in blood. They think they need splitting up now to make sure it doesnt happen again. The newspaper reported that once back in prison Dennehy had tried a second suicide attempt which also failed. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system Dennehy is serving a whole life sentence for stabbing Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, John Chapman, 56, and Kevin Lee, 48, to death in 2013. The 35-year-old, who was branded cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative said she had committed the murders because it was moreish and fun. Aretha Franklins death on Thursday shook the world and her legions of fan, including former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who mourned the passing of the great Queen of Soul. The Obamas were noted admirers of Franklin; the music legend sang the national anthem at Baracks first presidential inauguration in 2009 and the former president was even caught wiping a tear away when Franklin performed a phenomenal rendition of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. In a statement from their office, the Obamas noted that Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect, they wrote. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. Both Barack and Michelle also shared personal memories of Franklin on their Twitter accounts. Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shadeour power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5 Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018 Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Arethas family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul. pic.twitter.com/NhHsbKijpl Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 16, 2018 Read the Obamas full statement on Franklin below. One of the posters in Barcelona (Twitter) Sick posters urging tourists to jump their deaths from balconies have popped across Barcelona. The posters, which claim that balconing IS fun, and prevents gentrification, have been spotted around the famous Spanish city. It is the latest, and most extreme example, of a long-running campaign to drastically reduce the number of visitors heading to Barcelona. Balconing is the practice of climbing between balconies or, if at a hotel, jumping into a swimming pool from a balcony. I've no doubt in my mind that if I were from Barcelona (God forbid), I would also be encouraging Brits to go balconing H.D. Alemann (@_Herbalis_) August 17, 2018 Dear tourist balconing is funhttps://t.co/4UgWyJf0NW Blanca Stopp (@blancastopp) August 14, 2018 Every year, several deaths of British tourists while balconing are reported and this summer has proved no different. Last month, Thomas Channon, 18, died after falling from a walkway at an apartment complex in Magaluf, Mallorca. The teenager from South Wales was on his first ever holiday with friends. Another youngster from Wales, Tom Hughes, 20, from Wrexham, also died in June following a fall. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY US media hits back at Donald Trump over claims of fake news with coordinated editorials Man jailed for making hoax bomb call because he was late for his flight Police tell shopkeeper to remove wanted poster because it breaches shoplifters rights Jeremy Hunt: No-deal Brexit would be a mistake wed regret for generations Nasa probe detects glowing wall around our solar system Tourists on Barcelonas Las Ramblas (Rex) The Barcelona posters have prompted a backlash and a Twitter account @BalconingisFun has been suspended. Story continues Others have taken to Twitter to say the posters were in bad taste. Anti-tourist protests have taken place in Barcelona in recent weeks. Masked demonstrators recently had to be cut free from a famous sculpture in the citys iconic Park Guell. They claim mass-tourism is creating misery for people who live in Barcelona, spoil the environment, cause housing problems and lead to the exploitation of cheap labour, while benefitting only a few. Hey, balconing people, this is not funny La Baliverna (@labaliverna) August 7, 2018 Figures show that almost 35 million people visited the city in 2016, one of the top 20 city destinations for visitors worldwide. While some protesters chained themselves to the Gaudi statue, other members of the group put up banners around the park and let off canisters of pink smoke. Officers had to use bolt-cutters to free those who had tied chains around their legs and sculptures. A spokesman said they chose the Park Guell and a Gaudi sculpture because of its iconic status. Ljubljana (AFP) - Slovenian MPs approved centre-left candidate Marjan Sarec for the post of prime minister Friday, putting an end to weeks of political uncertainty after inconclusive elections in June. Ex-comedian Sarec won the vote by 55 to 31 and will become Slovenia's youngest ever prime minister, at the age of 40. He struck a pro-European note when addressing MPs during Friday's session, saying he was committed to seeing Slovenia "remain a part of the so-called core states" of the EU. Sarec's LMS party came second in the June 3 election, but he plans to form a government with four other centre-left parties, which will be supported by the far-left Levica party in parliament. The biggest single winner in the election was the anti-migrant centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), headed by Janez Jansa. It won the most seats, 25, but failed to gather enough allies to form a ruling majority. Sarec told MPs: "I am aware of my faults and mistakes but I have courage and persistence". He described Slovenia's membership of the EU and NATO as "two great achievements" for the country, drawing a contrast with Levica, whose platform included leaving the US-led alliance. By Nomvelo Chalumbira JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A bill that would toughen anti-smoking legislation in South Africa has been submitted to parliament for review by lawmakers, a health ministry spokesman said on Wednesday, as a campaign against the proposed changes intensifies. The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill would restrict smoking in public places, introduce plain packaging, ban point-of-sale advertising and displays, and scrap the sale of single cigarettes. It is opposed by some businesses, including Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which paid for a radio advert aired this month that encouraged the public to protest against the proposals, published by the Department of Health in May. Health ministry spokesman Popo Maja told Reuters the bill, submitted to parliament for review last week, seeks to comply with standards set by the World Health Organization's (WHO) tobacco control framework, which South Africa signed in 2005. "Everything has been taken into consideration. What WHO and our country are saying is that it is important for us to make sure that we have a healthy workforce," he said. Smoking rates are high in South Africa, where estimates link tobacco to more than 40,000 deaths a year. As with previous changes to tobacco legislation in South Africa and around the world the bill is facing a backlash from businesses who may suffer from tougher anti-smoking rules. "What if your loved one got put in jail because they smoke? It is just one step of the bill controlling your lifestyle choices. Join us in saying #HandOffMyChoices," the radio advert broadcast by 702 Talk Radio and funded by JTI says. The radio station confirmed to Reuters News that Japan Tobacco International had paid for the advert. Website says the site and campaign are owned and operated by JT International South Africa. JTI did not respond to several requests for comment about the advert and the #HandOffMyChoices campaign. The Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG), which campaigns for tobacco control, has said it will make a complaint to regulators about the radio advert, which it believes breaches laws on tobacco advertising. Another pressure group, the National Council Against Smoking, has also criticized the advert. A group of business associations representing nearly 20,000 restaurants, taverns and small business traders and consumers have also said they oppose the bill, saying "over regulation" will affect jobs and the economy. They also say it will criminalize small businesses that sell tobacco products and that the proposed fines are excessive. "Steering emotions, encouraging people to complain, renting crowds to demonstrate are well known tactics by the tobacco industry," health ministry spokesman Maja said. "When people get sick, the tobacco industry is not there to foot the bill. It is public health that does because these people end up in public institutions." In 2011 British American Tobacco sued South Africa's Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi over previous tobacco legislation but lost the case. (Reporting by Nomvelo Chalumbira; Editing by Joe Brock and Catherine Evans) Who could turn down a spy mission from Poe Dameron? Definitely not Kazuda Xiono, the protagonist of Disneys new animated series Star Wars Resistance. In the first trailer for the show (watch above), which takes place shortly before the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, young Resistance pilot Kaz receives an unusual assignment from ace pilot Dameron (voiced in a cameo by Oscar Isaac). Blend in, find out whos loyal to the good guys and who isnt, Dameron instructs, dropping Kaz off on an outer-rim water planet full of strange new aliens and droids. Luckily, Kaz is not alone in his mission: Poe has dispatched his favorite astromech, BB-8, to lend a hand (or pop-out arm, as the case may be). As the Resistance spy finds work at a spaceship repair shop and practices his pilot skills in risky sky races, he struggles to keep his identity from his new friends and to gather Poes intel all while evading the powerful First Order. That was so fun, Isaac remarked to Yahoo Entertainment about his Resistance voiceover gig when we caught up with him to discuss the upcoming film, Operation: Finale. Its the first time that Ive had a character that lives outside of one movie, so that was pretty special, because I get to learn about the character through all these different mediums that have Poe in them. Star Wars Resistance (Image: Disney Channel) With an anime-inspired style conceived by Avatar: The Last Airbender artist and Lucasfilm animation veteran Dave Filoni, the aviation adventure series features the voice talents of Hawaii Five-0s Paul Narita, Scrubss Donald Faison (whose character is awesomely named Hype Fazon), and SNLs Bobby Moynihan, as well as appearances from Isaac and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma). Voice impressionist and former Americas Got Talent contestant Rachel Butera will play the late Carrie Fishers role of Gen. Leia Organa. Star Wars Resistance will premiere on Oct. 7 on the Disney Channel and DisneyNOW, followed by airings on Disney XD. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Ontario has been predictably divided on the PC Partys buck-a-beer plan since Premier Doug Ford announced his decision to lower the minimum price of beer to $1 on Aug. 7. Some, including the Green Party of Ontario and protesters who attended the announcement, say the plan to lower the current minimum price of $1.25 is a red herring; a distraction from more significant policy changes that are in the works. The Green Party charges Ford with distracting Ontarians with back-of-the-napkin policy ideas from the chaos surrounding his decision to shrink Torontos city council. Breweries across the province, like Dominion City Brewing Co. in Ottawa and Great Lakes Brewery in Toronto, have argued that they already dont sell beer at the current minimum price of $1.25 per bottle or can, and couldnt sell any decent beer at a dollar a pop. Ford touts the plan as a promise made, promise kept and insists it will encourage healthy competition among breweries and put dollars back into the pockets of beer-drinking Ontarians. For this weeks episode of Streeters in the Six, Yahoo Canada headed to Torontos Harbourfront area to ask visitors to the city for their thoughts on the buck-a-beer plan. I cant speak for Ontario, but in my own house we have things that are probably prioritized above that, one America visitor said of the plan. I think there should be a minimum for alcoholic drinks, and $1.25 seems low to me, so a dollar is even worse, said a Brit. Not all of the responses dismissed the plan though. People in Cleveland would love a buck-a-beer. They would probably get behind that and likely elect whoever had that as their platform, an Ohioan said. And one Ontarian argued that the plan itself doesnt distract from the other issues the provinces faces; media reports surrounding it do. See this weeks episode of Streeters in the Six for the full conversation. By Brenda Goh and Yimou Lee SHANGHAI/TAIPEI (Reuters) - Chinese food delivery platforms Meituan-Dianping and Ele.me have taken down listings for Taiwan's 85 Degrees Celsius Bakery Cafe, checks on their apps showed, amid boycott calls from social media users who said the chain supported Taiwan independence. The move by the Chinese companies comes after 85 Degrees, which has 628 stores in mainland China, was hit by calls for a boycott on Chinese social media after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was photographed on Sunday visiting one of its Los Angeles stores during her visit to the United States. Taiwan is China's most sensitive territorial issue and Beijing, which considers it a wayward province, has in recent months become increasingly critical of how companies refer to the self-ruled, democratic island. Checks on Tencent-backed Meituan-Dianping and Alibaba-owned Ele.me's apps on Thursday showed that the option for users to order food deliveries from 85 Degrees stores was no longer available. The Dianping app, which lists reviews and locations for restaurants and shops, displayed the message "unable to find appropriate merchant" when one tried to search for 85 Degrees' stores. Meituan-Dianping declined to comment while Ele.me and 85 Degrees did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not clear when 85 Degrees' listing was taken down from the apps but Chinese state media reported it on Thursday. On Wednesday, 85 Degrees issued a statement on its mainland website in response to criticism about Tsai's visit, saying that it firmly supported the "one China policy" and encouraged the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait. Huang Chung-yen, a spokesman for Taiwan's Presidential Office, said 85 Degrees was subject to "unwarranted pressure" and forced to release a "humiliating" statement, adding that Taiwan condemned such actions against freedom of speech. Story continues Shares in Gourmet Master Company Ltd, 85 Degrees' parent company, dropped 7.5 percent to their lowest in more than a year, compared with a 0.3 percent fall in the broader market. Long Mingbiao, a deputy minister at China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters in Beijing that China welcomed Taiwan companies to come to the mainland to invest and develop. "At the same time, we oppose and will not allow any Taiwan company to earn money in the mainland and then go and support Taiwan independence forces or activities," he said. He declined to elaborate. Companies from airlines, such as Air Canada, to retailers, such as Gap and Muji, have apologised for or changed the way they refer to Taiwan in recent months after complaints from the Chinese government. Many Chinese social media users said on Thursday they were supportive of the removal of 85 Degrees from the food delivery apps, but some lamented that customers were also penalised. "Politics is politics and business is business, but us people are innocent, we should not wrap it all up in each other," said one with the username "shengxiaomei". (Additional Reporting by Cate Cadell and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING and Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Robert Birsel) By Jose Sanchez BELIZE CITY (Reuters) - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in Belize on Thursday as she seeks to shore up dwindling alliances in the face of pressure from China to stamp out the island's international recognition. Belize is one of 18 remaining countries that recognize Taiwan, with Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic shifting diplomatic ties to China earlier this year. The Caribbean country's decision to ditch Taiwan came after Panama, which turned from Taiwan to Beijing in June 2017. Tsai arrived in Belize on Thursday for her first state visit to the tiny Central American country after a stop in the United States and ahead of a visit to Paraguay. She met privately with Belize's foreign minister and other government officials. Later she was expected to receive the "Order of Belize," an honor awarded to foreigners, before speaking on Friday to Belize's House of Representatives. In a statement issued prior to Tsai's visit, the Taiwanese embassy emphasized that the trip would reaffirm the strength of the island's relationship with Belize, with which it has maintained diplomatic ties since October 1989. Belize "remained Taiwan's staunch ally in its bid for participation in U.N. agencies," the statement said, adding: "Taiwan is Belize's loyal and trustworthy ally." Belize's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington told Reuters this month that he was "very content with the relationship we have with Taiwan." Taiwan offers Belize financial aid in the hundreds of millions of Belize dollars, ranging from scholarships to agricultural aid and healthcare, Elrington said. Taipei has struggled internationally to maintain diplomatic relations with an increasingly assertive China, despite efforts in recent years to strengthen ties with generous aid packages. (Writing by Delphine Schrank, editing by G Crosse) Let's check out the Yahoo Finance charts of the day. Tesla (TSLA ): Shares are down in early trade, at around 5.5%. According to a report by The New York Times, CEO Elon Musk's going-private proposal could be funded in part by Musk's rocket company SpaceX. Several people familiar with the matter were quoted in the paper as saying that the Space X idea is one of several under consideration and SpaceX would take an ownership stake in the automaker. Toyota (TM): Shares are down here, at around .06%. According to four company insiders with knowledge of the matter, Toyota Motor Corp is likely to make 120,000 more cars a year in the China as part of a medium-term strategy that's gathering pace as China-Japan ties improve Nordstrom (JWN): Shares are up here, around 9.9%. The department store posted second quarter results that topped Wall Street's forecasts led by a 23% jump in digital sales. Nordstrom added that digital revenue now accounts for more than a third of its overall sales. The company raised its earnings outlook for the remainder of the year. For more on today's big stock movers check out the Final Round, live at 3:30 p.m. ET, right here on Yahoo Finance. This story was published by NPR. A Medicaid committee in Texas is requiring those who comment at its meetings to disclose more details about their ties to pharmaceutical companies following a Center for Public Integrity and NPR investigation into the drug industrys influence on such boards. The Lone Star state is one of the latest to respond to the findings of the Medicaid, Under the Influence project. Already, officials in Arizona, Colorado and New York have taken action. The Texas committee, which helps decide which medicines are best for patients and should therefore be preferred by Medicaid, will now ask speakers to disclose verbally and in writing if they have directly or indirectly received payments or gifts from any pharmaceutical companies and to identify those firms, Texas Health and Human Services Commission spokeswoman Kelli Weldon said in an email. The board made the changes in response to the July investigation that detailed, among other things, how doctors who came before the Texas committee praised drugs without acknowledging their financial ties to the drugmakers that market them. One physician did not disclose more than $181,000 he had been paid to speak about certain drugs that he then recommended to the committee. The Texas board also revised its bylaws to require its members to abstain from votes that present possible conflicts of interest, complete training on state transparency laws and regularly sign an acknowledgment of the agencys ethics policy. The agency was already working on those additional measures when the investigation was published, Weldon said. This story is part of Medicaid, Under the Influence. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. Meanwhile, Colorados Medicaid drug committee received a lecture Tuesday on the states conflict-of-interest laws from a senior lawyer in the Colorado Attorney Generals office because of what she described as the questions that have come up recently and the nature of the boards work. Story continues We thought it would be a good idea to come back and remind everyone about conflicts of interest specifically, Senior Assistant Attorney General Corelle Spettigue told the committee. This is all in an effort to really ensure that were protecting the integrity of this process, the integrity of this board. Transparency is key. During the committees meeting, Dr. Alex Reish recused himself from two votes, The Colorado Sun reported. The Sun, in a follow-up to the Center for Public Integrity/NPR investigation, detailed how Reish had received more than $10,000 in perks from drugmakers, including more than $1,000 from a pharmaceutical firm whose product he later championed to the committee. Reish told the Center for Public Integrity his informational lunches and other interactions with drugmakers help him learn about new products that can benefit his patients and that he joined the board in order to share his expertise on how to minimize use of addictive opioids. My intentions in joining the board were not to try to get secondary gain from pharmaceutical companies, he said. It was to try to educate the board. The actions in Texas and Colorado come after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey fired a volunteer member of his states Medicaid drug board, asked for a criminal investigation into the members conduct and issued an executive order to toughen the committees conflict-of-interest rules. The Center for Public Integrity and NPR had found that the fired drug board member had earned more than $700,000 in perks from drugmakers yet still voted on their medicines. Before the story published, a New York Medicaid official divested his pharmaceutical stock after a Center reporters inquiries and a New York drug board member resigned, having failed to fully disclose his ties to drugmakers. Paul Blow Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. READ MORE: Arizona governor enacts transparency measures, calls for probe in wake of Medicaid investigation What is Medicaid? How we investigated drugmakers influence over Medicaid This story is part of Medicaid, Under the Influence. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Copyright 2018 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters from the White House on Aug. 17. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters) The Trump administration suffered seven major environmental setbacks in the past week as mounting losses in federal courts stall its ambitious deregulatory agenda. On Friday morning, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against the Environmental Protection Agencys June 2017 decision to delay Obama-era safety standards for chemical plants, arguing the action was arbitrary and capricious. On Thursday, the U.S. District Court in South Carolina issued a nationwide injunction against the EPAs delay of the 2015 Water of the U.S. rule, which extended federal safeguards to 2 million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands, securing the drinking water of more than 117 million Americans. Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who resigned in disgrace last month amid mounting ethical scandals, said in June that he planned to unveil a proposal to replace the rule. But Judge David Norton said the decision to delay the rule until 2020 allowing 26 states to opt out of the regulation violated rule-making procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act, or APA. As administrations change, so do regulatory priorities, Norton, a George H.W. Bush appointee, said in his ruling. But the requirements of the APA remain the same. The court finds that the government failed to comply with these requirements. That same day, the U.S. District Court in Fresno, California, overruled the Fish and Wildlife Services objection to considering evidence that shows proposed mitigation for the $15 billion WaterFix tunnel project under the San Francisco Bay Delta fails to protect endangered fish. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Montana ordered the State Department to complete an additional environmental review of TransCanadas Keystone XL pipeline, effectively halting the administrations attempt to railroad the controversial tar sands project. Demonstrators with the Animal Welfare Institute hold a rally to save the vaquita, the world's smallest and most endangered porpoise, outside the Mexican Embassy in Washington on July 5, 2018. (Photo: SAUL LOEB via Getty Images) In a 13-page ruling, the judge declined to vacate President Donald Trumps permit allowing Keystone XL to move forward, which reversed Barack Obamas 2015 decision to reject the pipeline. But he said the federal government had an obligation to analyze new information relevant to the environmental impacts of its decision. Story continues On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade affirmed an immediate embargo on seafood from Mexico caught with gillnets, a fishing method blamed for killing so many endangered vaquitas that as few as 15 of the porpoises remain. The decision ruled against a challenge from the departments of Commerce, Treasury and Homeland Security to a similar order in July. Federal courts across the nation are sending the Trump administration a pretty straightforward message: Stop breaking the law, Michael Wall, the litigation coordinator at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in an email. Last Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled in a 2-to-1 decision that the EPA offered no defense of its decision to delay a ban on chlorpyrifos, a widely used pesticide thats been linked to learning disabilities in children. Pruitt reversed plans to ban the chemical in one of his first and most widely reviled decisions in March 2017. That same day, the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles ordered the EPA to ban or regulate stormwater discharges from commercial and industrial sites, in a precedent-setting interpretation of the Clean Water Act. The spate of decisions adds to a string of losses for the Trump administration, particularly at the EPA. Last month, the D.C. Circuit temporarily blocked the EPAs decision to lift a limit on the number of super-polluting remanufactured semi trucks that could be sold a move seen as Pruitts parting shot hours before leaving the agency. New EPA chief Andrew Wheeler reversed course a week later after 16 state attorneys general sued to permanently overturn the decision. In March, the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, ruled that the EPA violated the APA when it delayed an Obama-era rule to tighten training requirements for farmworkers applying toxic pesticides. In July 2017, the D.C. Circuit blocked the EPAs decision to suspend an Obama-era rule to restrict methane emissions from new oil and gas wells. The malice with which the Trump administration is attempting to gut environmental protections is rivaled only by its frequent incompetence, a product of ignoring the clear requirements of the law, Pat Gallagher, the Sierra Clubs legal director, said Friday in an email. Its long past time for the Trump administration to start enforcing and strengthening our toxics, clean air and water laws, rather than trying to tear them down and getting swatted down by judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic administrations. In an email to HuffPost on Friday, the EPA said there are wins and losses in each administration. The law is clear that we are entitled to change regulations based on a shift in policy direction, Michael Abboud, an EPA spokesman, said in an email. We intend to continue to do that while respecting the rule of law and the role of the courts. The presidents tightening grip over the courts could also help reverse the tide. In July, Trump signed an executive order giving agency heads greater discretion over the selection of the roughly 2,000 administrative law judges employed in-house by federal departments. By the end of last year, he appointed four times as many federal judges in his first year as Obama. By last month, Trumps tally of appointees rose to 44 since taking office more appellate judges than any president in American history at this point in his tenure, according to the Boston Globe with another 88 nominees pending before the Senate. The Senate now seems poised to confirm ultraconservative Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, making him Trumps second selected justice and reshaping the high court for a generation. The story has been updated with comment from the EPA. Related Coverage New EPA Chief Faces First Major Lawsuit As States Challenge 'Super-Polluting' Trucks Rule Trumps Assault On Auto Pollution Rules Is The Latest Salvo In A War On States Rights Court Orders EPA To Ban Chlorpyrifos, A Pesticide Linked To Brain Damage In Kids Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. (Photo: Bob Strong / Reuters) UPDATE: Aug. 17 The Trump administration has scrapped its proposal to pawn off more than 1,600 acres of federal land that until recently were protected as part of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday. PREVIOUSLY: The Trump administration is considering transferring or selling more than 1,600 acres of federal land that until recently were protected as part of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, according to a draft resource management plan published Wednesday, despite repeated assurances from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that he would not sell or transfer federal lands. The lands identified for disposal in the draft Bureau of Land Management plan includes 16 parcels ranging in size from 8.5 to 591.6 acres. They are among the more than 850,000 acres that President Donald Trump stripped from Grand Staircase-Escalante late last year. One parcel a 120-acre piece of land east of Kanab sits adjacent to 40 acres that are owned by Utah state Rep. Mike Noel (R) and which were removed from the monument. A staunch opponent of the Clinton-era monument, Noel advocated for shrinking the protected site and applauded Trumps decision to do so. In fact, he unsuccessfully attempted to rename a Utah highway after Trump as a thank-you. As the Salt Lake Tribune reported in February, Montana-based conservation group Western Values Project argued that Noels failure to disclose his land ownership while pushing for a rollback of the monument was a conflict of interest a charge Noel dismissed. Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, a Colorado-based advocacy group, told HuffPost the proposal looks like an egregious attempt to sell public land for the benefit of one of Secretary Zinkes Utah cronies. Interior officials specifically carved out land around Mike Noels property last year, now theyve made it official theyre trying to give national monument land away to their friends, she said. Story continues On Friday, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, a nonprofit conservation group, posted a map that shows Noel also owns more than 200 acres south of the land that the BLM has identified for possible sale. The 120-acre federal parcel, if Noel were to purchase it, would give Noel a contiguous 420-acre chunk of land. .@SecretaryZinke said "not one square inch" of #publicland would be sold. Well, #ZinkeLied. He's recommending the sale of #GrandStaircaseEscalante land, some of which just happens to be immediately adjacent to land owned by one of his closest political allies. #InvestigateZinke pic.twitter.com/cxwDD9kdt5 SUWA (@SouthernUTWild) August 17, 2018 Reached by phone Thursday, Noel said he was unaware of the proposal but found it interesting. Hes all for having more taxable private land in Utah and said the total acreage proposed for transfer or sale struck him as low. Noel worked for the BLM in Utah for more than 20 years and resigned from the agency shortly after Grand Staircase-Escalante was established in 1996. Hes been a fierce opponent of the agency ever since. As the draft management plan notes, a tract of public land can be considered for sale if it meets certain criteria of the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act of 1976. Those criteria include being difficult and uneconomic to manage, it the land is no longer required for the specific purpose for which it was acquired, and if its sale would serve important public objectives, including the expansion of communities and economic development. The 1976 law also allows for the secretary of the interior to sell such lands with modified competitive bidding or without competitive bidding, and to give preference to adjoining landowners. Kimberly Finch, a spokeswoman for the BLM in Utah, told HuffPost via email that Zinke still opposes the sale or transfer of federal land, particularly federal lands now excluded from the monument boundaries, but that the agency is required by law as part of its land use planning process to identify lands potentially suitable for disposal. She noted that the draft plan includes various alternatives and no final decision has been made. It is the Secretarys preference that land remain under federal ownership, she said. The Secretary encourages the public to comment on the draft proposal. The BLM draft plan does not specify why the parcels were identified for possible sale, and Finch did not respond to HuffPosts questions about the selection process. The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday published a draft resource management plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Kanab-Escalante Planning Area. (Photo: Department of the Interior) Nada Culver, senior counsel for the nonprofit Wilderness Society, disputes Finchs claim that the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act requires BLM to identify lands for disposal. The actual direction in the law is for the BLM to keep public lands in public ownership unless it is otherwise in the national interest, she wrote in an email Thursday. And I think its safe to say that lands that are part of a national monument (even one that this administration wants to ignore) are ones that it is in the national interest to keep. Indeed, the law states that public lands be retained in Federal ownership, unless as a result of the land use planning procedure provided for in this Act, it is determined that disposal of a particular parcel will serve the national interest. Trump and Zinke have repeatedly said they oppose selling off federal lands. In fact, it was over this very issue that Zinke a former Montana congressman resigned as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2016. In a speech one day after arriving at his new post, Zinke made a promise to Interior Department staff: You can hear it from my lips: We will not sell or transfer public land. Zinke has also repeatedly hit back at environmental groups, namely outdoor retailer Patagonia, that have accused him and the president of stealing public lands by rolling back monument protections. Theres not one square inch, not one square inch, of land that is removed from federal protection, Zinke told Fox Business in December. Zinke repeated that point at a conservative event in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on Friday. It was federal land before, its federal land afterwards, he said. Late last year, on Zinkes recommendation, Trump cut the 1.87 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante, the largest land national monument in the country, roughly in half. The president also slashed the nearby 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent. The moves opened the door for oil, gas and other development. The BLM released draft resource management plans Wednesday for both revised monuments. In its plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante, BLM said that its preferred alternative emphasizes resource uses and reduces constraints while ensuring the proper care and management of monument objects. Compared to other proposed alternatives, however, it conserves the least land area for physical, biological, and cultural resources and is the least restrictive to energy and mineral development, the document states. The administration has repeatedly said the rollbacks were not about energy or mineral development, despite several media reports that suggest otherwise. In June, HuffPost reported on a Canadian firms plans to extract copper and other minerals from the site of a former mine that was previously within the boundary of Grand Staircase-Escalante and off limits to such development. This story has been updated throughout with additional comment and information on state Rep. Mike Noels land holdings in the area. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) The full implementation of the controversial driver-only car ban on EDSA is on hold. "Tuloy lang po ang dry run. Ang atin pong full enforcement on August 23 will be suspended until magconvene ang Metro Manila Council," MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in a media briefing on Friday. [Translation: The dry run continues. Our full enforcement on August 23 will be suspended until the Metro Manila Council convenes.] The new traffic rule also known as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) policy prevents cars with only the driver from the main thoroughfare during rush hour. The Metro Manila Council which groups mayors of all 16 cities and one municipality is expected to meet on the matter next week. This comes after a Senate resolution called for the scheme's suspension. Senators said there was no consultation before the policy was set in place. "Unanimously naman nagkausap-usap kami noong mga mayors, of course nirerespeto natin ang Senate," said Garcia. [Translation: We spoke with the mayors, and unanimously, we all respect the Senate.] The MMDA says the driver-only ban will take 40 percent of cars off the road and increase travel speed from 11.78 kilometers per hour (kph) to 31.29 kph. Garcia said the policy encourages carpooling. However, critics believe it will only clog up other roads and inconvenience motorists. Under the dry run, the MMDA spotted over 6,700 violators in two days. No apprehensions are to be made over this period. However, Garcia urged drivers to participate nonetheless. "Magparticipate lang tayo, subukan natin [Please participate, just try]," said Garcia. The MMDA said the policy was only a band-aid solution as big ticket infrastructure projects are still under construction. CNN Philippines Correspondent Rex Remitio contributed to this report. WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Thursday proposed that U.S. drugmakers cut production quotas of the six most abused opioids by 10 percent next year to fight a nationwide addiction crisis. In a statement, the U.S. Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said the proposed cut would be in keeping with President Donald Trump's effort to cut opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years. Trump on Thursday also pressed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to sue drug manufacturers over the opioid crisis. "Id like to bring a federal lawsuit against those companies," Trump said during a meeting of his Cabinet at the White House. He did not name the companies. Addiction to opioids - mainly prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl - is a growing U.S. problem, especially in rural areas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids were involved in more than 49,000 deaths in the country last year. The Justice Department and the DEA said they are proposing to cut production quotas for oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, morphine, and fentanyl by 7 percent to 15 percent, depending on the compound, in 2019. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by states, counties and cities against opioid manufacturers including Purdue Pharmaceuticals LP, Endo International Plc , Mallinckrodt Plc and Johnson & Johnson seeking to hold them responsible for contributing to the epidemic. Those companies were not immediately available for comment. In March, Trump unveiled a plan to get tough on opioids, including cutting opioid prescriptions by changing federal programs, funding for other initiatives and stiffer sentencing laws for drug dealers. He also suggested the death penalty for dealers, a proposal that has gained little support from drug abuse and judicial experts. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann and Steve Holland in Washington and Michael Erman in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Susan Thomas) President Donald Trump on Friday protested a decision to postpone his planned military parade, criticizing Washington city leaders and announcing that hell attend an Armistice Day parade in Paris in November. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 ....attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 The Pentagon said Thursday that it would postpone Trumps parade indefinitely because of ballooning costs. The Defense Department estimated the cost at $92 million, including $50 million for the Pentagon and $42 million for other government agencies, a Pentagon official told CNBC. The parade had been scheduled to coincide with Veterans Day this year. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, responded to Trumps broadside in a tweet that referenced the realities of the parades estimated $21.6 million cost to the city. Sad, the mayor remarked. Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad). https://t.co/vqC3d8FLqx MurielBowser (@MurielBowser) August 17, 2018 D.C.s estimate includes more than $13 million for police, and several million more for emergency medical services and traffic control, a spokeswoman for Bowser told HuffPost. Story continues A military parade has long been a desire of Trump, who admires the strongman practices of authoritarian leaders. He reportedly wanted military vehicles at his inauguration parade last year, and later expressed a desire for his own military parade after seeing one celebrating Frances Bastille Day during a visit to Paris. This article has been updated to include cost estimates from the D.C. mayors office. Related Coverage Trump's Team Said It Didn't Ask For Military Vehicles At Inauguration. Emails Show It Did. Trump Saw A Military Parade In France And Now He Wants One Of His Very Own Trump's Military Parade Postponed Indefinitely Amid Reports Of Overspending Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. US President Donald Trump: AFP/Getty Donald Trump has lashed out at more than 350 newspapers across the US who launched a coordinated defence of press freedom, by calling the media the opposition party. The campaign, led by the Boston Globe, came after a number of attacks from the president who has repeatedly labelled journalists the enemy of the people and derided much of the media as fake news. A central pillar of President Trumps politics is a sustained assault on the free press, said the editorial by the Globe. The greatness of America is dependent on the role of a free press to speak the truth to the powerful... to label the press the enemy of the people is as un-American as it is dangerous to the civic compact we have shared for more than two centuries. The Globe had initially published an editorial over the assault on the free press and called on editorial and leader writers across the US to do the same. Mr Trump was not happy with the response. THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY, he wrote on Twitter. It is very bad for our Great Country....BUT WE ARE WINNING! Mr Trump continued by taking aim directly at the The Globe accusing the publication of being in collusion with other papers. He also claimed The New York Times sold The Globe, after purchasing it, for $1. Although the publication and its affiliated websites and businesses were sold for $70m in 2013. He also wrote there was nothing he would want more for the United States than true freedom of the press, but that much of what the media published was fake news, Pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. HONESTY WINS, he said. The US President has frequently criticised the press since taking office. As a then president-elect, Mr Trump notably told CNNs Jim Acosta at press conference last year that he would not allow him a question because his news organisation was fake news. Earlier this year, the US President announced a highly-anticipated 2017 fake news awards in which he tweeted a link to a blog sharing the winners names of journalists and their affiliated news organisations of fake news. Story continues The introductory line on the GOP blog charged: 2017 was a year of unrelenting bias, unfair news coverage, and even downright fake news. Studies have shown that over 90 [per cent] of the medias coverage of President Trump is negative. But Mr Trumps strained relationship with the media goes deeper than blog-site-fake-news-awards the US president has repeatedly and publicly undermined the value of the media. Last month, Mr Trump told supporters in Kansas City to not believe the crap they read or see in the news. Just remember, what youre seeing and what youre reading is not whats happening, he said. The mass editorials were not welcomed by all sections of the media, with some believing it could backfire and play into the presidents narrative that the media is out to get him. However, most tried to portray journalists as human who can make mistakes. In its editorial, The New York Times said it was correct to criticise the news media for underplaying or overplaying stories or for getting something wrong. News reporters and editors are human, and make mistakes. Correcting them is core to our job, the Times said. But insisting that truths you dont like are fake news is dangerous to the lifeblood of democracy. And calling journalists the enemy of the people is dangerous, period. Mr Trump, who once publicly questioned whether to revoke White House press credentials from journalists, recently addressed his enemy of the people rhetoric on Twitter. After his daughter and top aide, Ivanka Trump, said she did not believe the press to be the enemy, Mr Trump purported to clarify his stance that FAKE NEWS which he accused is a large percentage of the media is the enemy of the people. As well as the editorials on Thursday, The Senate unanimously adopted a non-binding resolution that affirmed the vital and indispensable role played by the news media and declared that the press is not the enemy of the people. Reuters contributed to this report Donald Trump previously said the parade would be 'great for the spirit of the country': AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has said he cancelled a military parade he planned after seeing one in France, calling the reported cost for the event "so ridiculously high". The president announced that he would instead attend a military event in Paris on 11 November to commemorate the end of the First World War, as well as another parade at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. His comments arrived on Twitter a day after the US Defense Department announced it was postponing the Veterans Day parade and would "explore opportunities" with the White House to reschedule the celebration next year. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," Mr Trump tweeted on Friday morning. "When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up!" Officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the spectacle would cost the Pentagon at least $50m (39m), with some reports indicating the events total price tag could top $92m (72m) three times more the initial estimates. However, those reports were disputed by Defence Secretary James Mattis, who said the person leaking the figures to the press was "probably smoking something. The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 ....attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018 "I'm not dignifying that number with a reply," he told reporters. "I would discount that, and anybody who said it, I'll almost guarantee you one thing: They probably said, 'I need to stay anonymous.' No kidding, because you look like an idiot." Story continues "And number two, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources," the Pentagon chief continued. "I'll just leave it at that. The parade's cost has become a politically charged issue, particularly after the Pentagon cancelled a major military exercise planned for August with South Korea, in the wake of Mr Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The president said the drills were provocative and that dumping them would save the US a tremendous amount of money. The Pentagon later said the Korea drills would have cost $14 million. Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said earlier Thursday that Defence Department planning for the parade continues and final details are still being developed. Any cost estimates are pre-decisional. Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad). https://t.co/vqC3d8FLqx MurielBowser (@MurielBowser) August 17, 2018 Muriel Bowser, the Democratic mayor of Washington, replied to Mr Trump's tweet which criticised "local politicians," suggesting she had expressed concerns about the soaring prices for the parade to the White House. "Yup, Im Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)," she wrote. The $21.6m cost Ms Bowser stated in her tweet would have only covered certain aspects of the parade, including organising the nation's capital ahead of the event, and would likely need to be reimbursed to Washington by federal agencies. The parade was expected to include troops from all five armed services the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard as well as units in period uniforms representing earlier times in the nation's history. It was also expected to involve a number of military aircraft flyovers. A Pentagon planning memo released in March said the parade would feature a "heavy air component," likely including older, vintage aircraft. It also said there would be "wheeled vehicles only, no tanks consideration must be given to minimise damage to local infrastructure." Big, heavy tanks could tear up streets in Washington. Mr Trump originally came up with the idea of hosting an American military parade after attending one with French President Emmanuel Macron. He watched enthusiastically from a reviewing stand as the French military showcased its tanks and fighter jets, including many US-made planes, along the famed Champs-Elysees. Several months later Mr Trump praised the French parade, saying, "We're going to have to try and top it. Additional reporting by AP By Makini Brice WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he had canceled a planned military parade for November due to high costs and would instead visit Paris to commemorate the end of World War I, a day after the Pentagon postponed the event to at least next year. Trump had requested a parade to honor U.S. military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war, after marveling at the Bastille Day military parade he attended in Paris last year. But, on Thursday, a U.S. official said the cost of such an event could top $90 million, nearly three times as much as the White House had earlier estimated. The Defense Department ultimately postponed the event, originally planned for Nov. 10 in Washington. Trump, in a pair of tweets, said he would instead celebrate the occasion in Paris on Nov. 11, the U.S Veterans Day holiday. He also said he would attend a parade at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, but gave no date. A spokeswoman at the base was not able to immediately provide the date for the event. Critics had blasted the planned Washington parade, questioning the lofty cost and the need for it as the Pentagon has sought to stabilize an over-stretched military. But in Trump's tweets, the Republican president blamed local Washington officials for seeking a "windfall," and suggested they were inflating the parade's costs. Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, hit back at Trump, saying in a Twitter post that she was "the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad)." "A great celebratory parade costs money, Mr Trump, and it's YOUR Pentagon that's suggesting more than $90 million. Don't blame others," Washington, D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson, another Democrat, also tweeted. Republican lawmaker Scott Taylor backed the decision to cancel the parade, saying he did not think it was appropriate to hold such an event while U.S. troops were still fighting in wars overseas. "I don't agree that it's a good idea. We're still at war right now ... We're still out there, our people are still out there around the world right now, in harm's way," Taylor said in an interview with CNN. Military parades in the United States are rare and historically have been used to mark the end of a military conflict. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. The Elysee Palace, the official residence of French President Emmanuel Macron, had no immediate comment on Trump's planned visit. (Reporting by Makini Brice and Susan Heavey; Additional reporting by Richard Lough in Paris; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Twelve former CIA chiefs have denounced Donald Trump's decision to revoke John Brennan's national security clearance, condemning the move as "an attempt to stifle free speech". The US president on Wednesday removed the ability for Mr Brennan himself a former CIA director to access sensitive government information, citing the Russia investigation as the reason behind the move. But in an extraordinary joint statement on Thursday evening, the former US security officials said they felt "compelled" to respond to the "unprecedented" decision by the Mr Trump, whose allegations against Mr Brennan they branded "baseless". "We all agree that the president's action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech," the statement said. It continued: "We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to other former and current officials. "As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticise us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable. Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views." John Brennan has attacked Donald Trump on Twitter (REUTERS) The signees included seven former CIA directors, five former deputy directors and former director of national intelligence James Clapper. Two of the signees Mr Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden have appeared on a White House list of people who may also have their security clearances revoked. Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia, hailed the statement as "a big deal indeed". A big deal indeed. https://t.co/xcmbex6bwo Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 17, 2018 Mr Trump openly tied his decision to strip Mr Brennan of his clearance to the ongoing investigation into Russian election interference and possible collusion with his campaign. Story continues "I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham," Mr Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. "And these people led it!" "So I think it's something that had to be done." However, the connection to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation was not mentioned in an earlier Trump statement released by the White House. In the initial statement, the president denounced Mr Brennan's criticism of him and spoke of "the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behaviour." Mr Trump added he was fulfilling his "constitutional responsibility to protect the nation's classified information". The statement was dated 26 July upon its release on Wednesday, which prompted some to suggest it had been decided weeks in advance and but was saved to use as a political distraction. Moments later, a second statement was released with the date removed. Writing in The New York Times, Mr Brennan said Mr Trump's decision to deny him access to classified information was a desperate attempt to end Mr Mueller's investigation. Mr Brennan, who served under Barack Obama and has become a vocal critic of the current administration, called Mr Trump's claims he did not collude with Russia "hogwash." The only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," Mr Brennan wrote. Earlier on Wednesday, William H McRaven, the retired Navy admiral who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, called Mr Trump's moves "McCarthy-era tactics", adding he would "consider it an honour" if Mr Trump revoked his clearance as well. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," McRaven wrote in an opinion piece for The Washington Post. Attorneys said the revocation appeared to be within the president's authority, but they noted the power play could also be used to reinforce a case alleging obstruction of justice, following the president's firing of former FBI director James Comey and his repeated tweets calling for the investigation to end. Patrick Cotter, a former assistant US attorney in the Eastern District of New York and a longtime white collar defence attorney, said that while a prosecutor could argue Mr Trump's targeting of clearances was intended as a warning that "if you contribute to, participate in, support the Russia probe and I find out about it, I'm going to punish you," it is likely not obstruction in itself. But, he said, the move would be a "powerful piece of evidence" for prosecutors as part of a pattern to demonstrate an intent to use presidential power in connection with the probe. Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor agreed. "What it shows is that the president is fixated on the Russia investigation, he's angry about it, and he wants to do everything he can to discourage or slow down the investigation," he said. Mr Mueller and his team have been looking at Mr Trump's public statements and tweets as they investigate whether the president could be guilty of obstruction. "I don't think it advances the criminal obstruction case, but I think it's factually relevant," said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. "I think it shows the state of mind and intent to interfere or impede any unfavourable discussion of his potential connection to Russia." Former CIA directors and other top national security officials are typically allowed to keep their clearances, at least for some period. But Mr Trump said on Wednesday he is reviewing the clearances of several other former top intelligence and law enforcement officials, including Mr Comey and current senior Justice Department official Bruce Ohr. All are critics of the president or are people who Mr Trump appears to believe are against him. "You look at any of them and you see the things they've done," Mr Trump told the WSJ. "In some cases, they've lied before Congress. The Hillary Clinton whole investigation was a total sham." "I don't trust many of those people on that list," he said. "I think that they're very duplicitous. I think they're not good people." The episode was reminiscent of Mr Trump's shifting explanations for firing Mr Comey and the evolving descriptions of the Trump Tower meeting between top campaign aides and a Kremlin-connected lawyer both topics of interest to Mr Mueller. And it underscores why the president's lawyers are fearful of allowing Mr Trump to sit down for an interview with Mr Mueller's team, as Mr Trump has repeatedly said he is interested in doing. In announcing Mr Comey's firing, the White House initially cited the former FBI director's handling of the probe into Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's emails, seizing on the FBI director's decision to divulge details of the probe to the public during her campaign against Mr Trump. But a few days after Mr Comey was dismissed, Mr Trump told NBC's Lester Holt in an interview that he was really thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Mr Comey. Mr Trump later changed direction again, tweeting that he "never fired James Comey because of Russia!" Early this month, he admitted in a tweet that the Trump Tower meeting, which was arranged by his son, Donald Trump Jr, "was a meeting to get information on an opponent". That directly contradicted a July 2017 statement from Mr Trump Jr written with the consultation of the White House that claimed the meeting had been primarily about adoption. Additional reporting by AP President Trump on Friday said he is close to revoking the security clearance of a current Justice Department employee who had been in contact with the author of the controversial dossier alleging ties between Trump and Russia. I think Bruce Ohr is a disgrace with his wife Nellie, Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. For him to be in the Justice Department and to be doing what he did that is a disgrace. Bruce Ohr, the former deputy attorney general and ex-head of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, has come under fire in recent weeks for his contacts with Christopher Steele, the author of a controversial dossier containing allegations of compromising misconduct by Trump. A former British intelligence officer, Steele had been working for the research firm Fusion GPS, which had been retained to do opposition research on Trump by the Democratic National Committee. Ohrs wife, Nellie, is a consultant who had done work for Fusion GPS, though its unclear how much Ohr knew about Steeles connection to the firm. According to the Washington Post, Ohr apparently knew Steele through international police contacts. Earlier this week, the White House announced Trumps decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan a prominent critic of the president and review the clearances of nine other current and former officials who had served under the Obama administration, including Ohr. The others were former director of National Intelligence James Clapper; ex-FBI Director James Comey; former National Security Agency and CIA Director Michael Hayden; ex-deputy Attorney General Sally Yates; former national security adviser Susan Rice; ex-deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe; recently fired FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page. I know that Ive gotten tremendous response from having done that, Trump told reporters Friday. Because security clearances are very important to me. Very, very important. And Ive had a tremendous response for having done that. Story continues More than a dozen other former intelligence officials accused Trump of trying stifle free speech and silence his critics. Trump dismissed that assertion. Theres no silence, the president said. If anything, Im giving them a bigger voice. Many people dont even know who [Brennan] is, and now he has a bigger voice. And thats OK with me, because I like taking on voices like that. Ive never respected him. Ive never had a lot of respect. When asked by reporters about the status of Ohrs security clearance, Trump said: I suspect Ill be taking it away very quickly. President Trump speaks to reporters upon his departure from the White House in Washington, D.C., Aug. 17, 2018. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) In announcing the move Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Brennans erratic behavior was the reason Trump decided to yank his security clearance. But in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Wednesday night, Trump said he was revoking Brennans clearance and reviewing the others because they were the ones who gathered evidence that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, which led to special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. I call it the rigged witch hunt; [it] is a sham, Trump said. And these people led it! He added: So I think its something that had to be done. Trump continued to rail against Muellers probe. Look, I say it, I say it again, that whole situation is a rigged witch hunt, the president said. Its a totally rigged deal. They should be looking at the other side. They should be looking at all the people that got fired by them. All of the people that got fired. They should be looking at Bruce Ohr and his wife Nellie for dealing with, by the way, indirectly, Russians. They should be looking at Steele. They should be looking at all these FBI guys who got fired and demoted. Its not us. Trump said Ohrs contacts with Steele should be disqualifying for Mueller. The president also called the special counsel highly conflicted. Comey is like his best friend, Trump said. I could go into conflict after conflict. And sadly, Mr. Mueller is conflicted. But let him write his report. We did nothing. Theres no collusion. But if he was doing an honest report, hed write it on the other side. Because when you look at criminality and you look at problems, take a look at what they did, including colluding with the Russians. The other side. With Hunter Walker reporting from Washington _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Former CIA director John Brennan testifies before the House Intelligence Committee: Reuters Former CIA Director John Brennan has issued a fiery rebuke to Donald Trump's controversial decision to revoke his access to the nations top secrets, while calling the president's claims of no collision with Russia during the 2016 election "hogwash". Mr Brennan, who led the CIA for most of Barack Obama's second term, said that the president's actions an unprecedented move in American history were "politically motivated" and "an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him". The former intelligence official said that it was "critically important" that Special Counsel Robert Mueller be permitted to complete his investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with Trump campaign officials. Mr Trump has repeatedly called the probe a "witch hunt". Mr Brennan, a fierce critic of the president, wrote in the New York Times: "Mr Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him." "While I had deep insight into Russian activities during the 2016 election, I now am aware thanks to the reporting of an open and free press of many more of the highly suspicious dalliances of some American citizens with people affiliated with the Russian intelligence services," he added. The former CIA director said that the only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy" and "whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy". Mr Brennan also suggested that it must be investigated whether "members of Trump Incorporated attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets. This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent. https://t.co/TNzOxhP9ux John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 15, 2018 "Mr. Trumps claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash," Mr Brennan said. Story continues Ahead of the opinion piece, Mr Brennan had tweeted his displeasure via the medium used most by the president. "This action is part of a broader effort by Mr Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics... It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out," Mr Brennan wrote after the decision, made last month, was made public. "My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent." Mr Trump made the decision to remove Mr Brennans security clearance in a virtually unilateral move, bypassing the typical practice of having the FBI conduct security clearance reviews and making assessments on current and former officials who maintain access to classified intelligence. "The issue of Mr. Brennan's security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our nation's most sensitive secrets long after their time in government has ended," the president said in a statement announcing the decision. "Such access is particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks." Its typical for the former heads of the intelligence community to preserve their eligibility for clearances in order to advise new leadership on international developments and maintain continuity between administrations, among other reasons. Their ability to access information is only granted on a need-to-know basis, however, and would require the backing of a government agency or contracting company. Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he is also reviewing the security clearances of nine other former officials, including former FBI director James Comey, who the president fired last year leading to the appointment of Mr Mueller. All of the nine on the list have criticised the president or been targeted by congressional Republicans seeking to discredit the Russia probe. I call it the rigged witch hunt, Mr Trump told the Wall Street Journal about the the Russia probe and the revocation of Mr Brennan's security clearance . And these people led it. So I think its something that had to be done. As for Mr Brennan, he has said he will not be silenced and that Mr Trump still has questions to answer. He wrote that the president's call as a candidate in July 2016 for Russia to help find missing emails of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, who was being investigated for having used a private email server while secretary of state. Such a public clarion call certainly makes one wonder what Mr Trump privately encouraged his advisers to do and what they actually did to win the election, Mr Brennan said. In a joint statement Thursday, a dozen of the nations leading former intelligence officials slammed President Donald Trumps recent decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennans security clearance. The officials, who served under both Republican and Democratic presidents, include former CIA Directors Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta, William Webster, Porter Goss, David Petraeus and George Tenet, several of the agencys former deputy directors and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. We all agree that the presidents action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech, they wrote. You dont have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information. Robert Gates, a former CIA director and secretary of defense who has largely refrained from criticizing the Trump administration, signed onto the statement Friday. New: Statement from a dozen former top intelligence officials representing R and D admins (including ex-CIA chiefs) says yanking Brennans clearance has everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. pic.twitter.com/Qa7g7LgHAJ Elana Schor (@eschor) August 17, 2018 Trump announced Wednesday that he had revoked Brennans clearance, part of an ongoing effort to retaliate against those who have criticized the administration. Former top intelligence and law enforcement officials have traditionally been allowed to retain their clearances as a professional courtesy, which also allows future administrations to call upon them for their expertise. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday also read a list of several other former officials whose credentials are currently being reviewed, including two people who signed Thursdays statement. Story continues We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case, the 12 intelligence leaders wrote. The officials, who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, stressed that Brennan was an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Brennan himself fired back at the White House after the announcement, saying it was an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge Trump. Despite the outcry, The Washington Post reported Thursday that Trump felt bolstered by his decision and was eager to revoke the clearances of others in the near future, an effort sure to provoke the signers of Thursdays statement. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech even when that right has been used to criticize us that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable, the former intelligence officials wrote. This article has been updated to include Gates signing the letter. Related Coverage Trump Revokes Former CIA Director John Brennan's Security Clearance Commander Of Bin Laden Raid: Revoke My Security Clearance Too, Trump How Much Money Is Security Clearance Worth? Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Turkish economy faces severe economic troubles as Ankara readies for what could be a drawn-out fight with its ally the U.S. over the arrest of Pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey. However, do not expect the base of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to abandon him. No matter the troubles facing Turkey, Erdogans followers believe they have a historic mission to stand by the man they adoringly refer to as the Reis (meaning Leader or Captain in Turkish). To these supporters, Erdogan is under attack by external enemies like the U.S. because hes out to make Turkey great and Muslims proud again. These foreign adversaries want Erdogan to fail because they do not want to see Turkey nor the Muslims rise. That belief is bolstered by Turkeys media, which is almost entirely controlled by Erdogan, and pro-regime pundits who propagate a grand historical narrative where Erdogan is the principle protagonist. Call it Erdoganism. This narrative blends post-colonialist theory and anti-Westernism under the persona of Erdogan, centered on the axiom that he embodies the Turkish peoples will. It is rooted in the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War One, following which Mustafa Kemal Ataturk established Turkey as a modern republic. A romanticized notion of this collapse continues to shape Turkeys view of its place in the world. Nations that were once great empires often have a malleable, exaggerated sense of their glory days, and a readiness to be inspired and mobilized by exploitative politicians. Enter Erdogan. Take for instance, an Erdoganist pundits views on Turkeys transition from the Ottoman Empire to a republic after World War I, when Ataturk shifted to a pro-Western stance: If your state has been overthrown and the new government has befriended those that destroyed your old government, then the creators of the new state are traitors, and your country is a colony. In fact, Ataturk embraced Westernization, taking steps to make Turkey unconditionally European so that it could finally fulfil its quest to become a major power again. Ataturk Europeanized Turkey because European states were the great powers of the world in the interwar era when he was Turkeys president. If Brazil and Argentina had been great powers at the time, he might have followed a Latin American model of reform and modernization. Story continues But Erdoganism, which feeds on the politics of resentment, rejects Ataturks pro-Western legacy in its entirety. According to Erdoganists, Ataturks cohort of secular republican founders struck a deal with the Allies after WWI to subjugate Turkey under Western interests as a subaltern, in the words of Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci. This tradition of subjugating the peoples will to the West supposedly continued under various secular parties that governed Turkey until Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002. Those Muslims who believe they are caught up in the historic struggle of the Cross against the Crescent require a leader for victory. After the July 2016 coup attempt, Erdogan has proven himself to be that leader. This is why the West, which they see as pitted in a civilizational struggle against Islam, sees Erdogan as a threat. As pro-Erdogan Turkish daily Yeni Safak announced: The West has declared awar against Turkey, which it sees as a global threat [and] is openly supporting terrorist organizations. Erdogans recent election victory on June 24th, in which he received 52 percent of the vote, was the final stage in his transformation into the Reis. This date constituted an unmistakable break in Turkish historyone in which Erdoganism came to dominate the political landscape. The Turks who voted for him on Jun. 24 see Erdogan as their savior who will protect Turkey and make Muslims proud again. As Turkey faces a potential collapse of its economy, do not expect Erdogans base to change their mind so quickly regarding the Reis. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday sought to speed up the deportation of illegal immigrants, telling immigration judges they should only postpone cases in removal proceedings "for good cause shown." Sessions, in an interim order that was criticized by some lawyers, said the "good-cause" standard "limits the discretion of immigration judges and prohibits them from granting continuances for any reason or no reason at all." Unlike the federal judiciary system, U.S. immigration courts fall under the Department of Justice and the attorney general can intervene. Sessions, a Republican former U.S. Senator appointed by President Donald Trump, has been unusually active in this practice compared to his predecessors. Sessions has led efforts by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration, including a "zero tolerance" policy that separated immigrant parents from their children while they were in U.S. detention. Trump abandoned the separation policy in June under political pressure. Critical in showing "good cause" is whether a person is likely to succeed in efforts to remain in the United States, either by appealing for asylum or receiving some form of visa or work permit, Sessions said on Thursday. Stephen Kang, an attorney with the ACLU immigrants rights project, described Sessions' order as "troubling" and one of a series that "has moved in the direction of restricting due process rights for individuals who are in removal proceedings." Kang said Sessions seemed to portray immigrants seeking more time to prepare their cases as trying to "game the system and avoid deportation." Kang said removal proceedings were complex and people needed time "both to get lawyers to ensure that their due process rights are protected and time just to make sure their cases get a fair hearing." The Justice Department has been struggling to reduce a backlog of deportation cases. An analysis by the Government Accountability Office last year found the number of cases that drag on from one year to the next more than doubled between 2006 and 2015, mainly because fewer cases are completed per year. Story continues Department spokesman Devin O'Malley said more immigration judges had been hired, but "unnecessary and improper continuances ... continue to plague the immigration court system and contribute to the backlog." Sessions said on Thursday that the "use of continuances as a dilatory tactic is particularly pernicious in the immigration context" because people in the country illegally who want to remain have an incentive to delay their deportation as long as possible. Granting continuances solely for good cause would be an "important check on immigration judges' authority" and demonstrate public interest in "expeditious enforcement of the immigration laws," Sessions said. (Reporting by David Alexander; editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool) The U.S. announced new visa restrictions against Cambodian officials responsible for anti-democratic actions taken in the run-up to the countrys election last month, which was widely condemned by rights groups and international observers as flawed and illegitimate. The State Department said Wednesday that it was extending a previous round of travel bans passed against an undisclosed number of Cambodia officials in December. The sanctions came amid a crackdown on dissent that disbanded the countrys chief opposition party and left domestic media and independent institutions in tatters ahead of the July 29 national election. In a statement, the White House said the poll was neither free nor fair and failed to represent the will of the Cambodian people. The new visa restrictions will pick out individuals both within and outside the Cambodian government responsible for the most notable anti-democratic actions taken in the run-up to the flawed July 29 election, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press briefing on Wednesday. We reiterate our call for the Cambodian government to take tangible actions to promote national reconciliation by allowing independent media and civil society organizations to fulfill their vital roles unhindered, Nauert said, calling for the release of Cambodian political prisoners, including imprisoned opposition party president Kem Sokha. Read more: Dissenting Voices Stifled Ahead of Cambodias Contentious Election The announcement came the same day that Cambodias National Election Committee released the polls official results, which showed longtime Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) winning all 125 seats contested. The CPP also swept Senate elections in February. The number and identities of those included in the State Departments new round of visa bans were not released. The Cambodia Democracy Act of 2018, which the U.S. House passed last month, identified 17 figures as potential sanctions targets, including Hun Sen and two of his children, as well as five state ministers and the countrys anti-corruption chief. President Donald Trump has used tariffs as a weapon to negotiate better trade arrangements. It hasnt worked, so far and many economists say it never will but at least Trump is addressing an economic problem with an economic tactic. He veered outside those guard rails, however, when he doubled tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminum. Turkey is suffering a self-made financial crisis, with its currency plunging and foreign investors bailing out. Trump piled on with tariffs that will hurt Turkish manufacturers but not because it can plausibly generate some economic benefit to the United States. Instead, Trump seems to be trying to use tariffs to settle a personal score with Turkeys tough-guy president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and to score points with a political constituency Trump deems crucial to his base. Tariffs are dangerous enough as an economic tool. Its abusive and reckless to use them for political purposes. For that reason, this weeks Trump-o-meter reads WEAK, our third lowest rating. Source: Yahoo Finance Heres the backstory on the Turkish tariffs. Turkey is the worlds eighth-biggest steel producer, and it ships about $1 billion worth of steel to the United States each year, along with a small amount of aluminum. So the Trump tariffs now 50% on Turkish steel imports, and 20% on aluminum will hurt Turkey. And Trump knows it. American relations with Turkey have been deteriorating for some time, for a variety of reasons. Erdogan is irate at the United States for providing safe harbor to a Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, he blames for helping foment the 2016 coup attempt that almost swept Erdogan from power. Erdogan wants the U.S. to extradite the cleric, which it has refused to do. After the 2016 coup attempt, Turkish forces arrested an American pastor who lives in Turkey, Andrew Brunson, and charged him with participating in the plot. Brunsons supporters say he had nothing to do with the uprising and is a pawn Erdogan thinks he might be able to exchange for Gulen. Story continues Evangelical groups in the U.S. have taken up Brunsons cause (even though he has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years), and pressured Trump to find a way to free him. Trump regards evangelicals as a key part of his political base, so he has worked the problem with Erdogan. In July, Trump apparently thought he had worked out a deal to free Brunson, and appease his evangelical supporters. But the deal never materialized. An angry Trump responded by ordering sanctions on two Turkish government ministers, and threatening worse. Worse arrived on August 10, when Trump ordered the doubling of the steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey not even bothering to cite any economic reason for the move. He even seemed to gloat about Turkeys economic freefall, tweeting that the Turkish lira, slides rapidly against our very strong Dollar! The United States isnt responsible for Turkeys economic problems but it is now responsible for making them worse. Erdogan is one of the Middle Easts more repressive strongmen, charged with rampant human-rights abuses. But Turkey is also a NATO ally and an important customer of European banks. If anything, its in Americas interest to help stabilize the Turkish economy, rather than further weakening it. Turkey should free Brunson, but tariffs arent the right way to apply leverage. Diplomacy is. The tariffs, in a way, even help Erdogan, by giving a legitimate reason to blame Turkeys woes on the United States. Trump should holster his tariffs altogether, because there are better ways to address problems with trade. But if hes going to wield tariffs, he should at least limit them to economic disputes, not political ones. 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 Michael Peck History, The date was November 11, 1940, the place was the southern Italian port of Taranto, and the battle that ensued that night was the prelude to the Japanese raid at Pearl Harbor. This Is Where Japan Might Have Gotten the Idea for Pearl Harbor Indeed, a U.S. Navy observer, Lieutenant Commander John Opie, was aboard the Illustrious to witness the Taranto strike, and he lost no time in reporting back what he had learned, including that the Royal Navy now favored aircraft-delivered torpedoes over bombs. Yet while senior U.S. naval commanders were aware of Taranto and the danger posed by torpedo attack to Pearl Harbor, actual improvements to Hawaii's defenses were buried under memos and reports that meandered through the naval bureaucracy. It was the hour before midnight when the battleships slept. Snug in their harbor, cocooned behind layers of anti-aircraft guns and searchlights, the Italian fleet lay peacefully unaware of the fate droning towards them. (This first appeared several years ago.) Through the dark skies came waves of aircraft lumbering under the weight of the torpedoes they carried. The date was November 11, 1940, the place was the southern Italian port of Taranto, and the battle that ensued that night was the prelude to the Japanese raid at Pearl Harbor. In the fall of 1940, Britain was in trouble. France had fallen, Nazi Germany ruled Western Europe, and the British Empire stood alone. To make matters worse, Mussolini's Italy had entered the war. Though weaker than Germany or Japan, Italy had a priceless advantage: it was situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, athwart the sea routes to the Suez Canal and the vital island of Malta, which the British needed to supply as a thorn in Axis supply routes to North Africa. To avoid Italian naval and air forces, British convoys would have to forgo the direct route into the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar, and sail all the way around Africa to come up through the Suez Canal. Story continues The Royal Navy rightfully reckoned itself superior to the Italian Regia Marina. Fortunately, so did the Italians. Though the Italian fleet was smaller, the Royal Navy was badly overstretched guarding against a possible German amphibious invasion, watching for sorties by German surface raiders against Atlantic convoy routes, and battling the German U-boat menace. The Italian Navy was often accused of timidity, but they had some reason not to risk their precious and irreplaceable ships in a big Jutland-like naval battle. Like the German High Seas Fleet in World War I, they could stay in port, only sallying forth -- covered by land-based aircraft in Italy -- to pounce on an exposed British force. Nonetheless, if the Italian fleet wouldn't come out to fight, then the British -- in time-honored Royal Navy tradition -- would take the fight to them. After December 7, 1941, the idea of aircraft carriers striking a fleet in harbor seemed obvious. But just a year before, aircraft carriers were still a new and relatively untried weapon. Still, the British were studying a torpedo strike on Taranto by carrier-based aircraft as early as 1938. Compared to the six aircraft carriers and 400 aircraft with which Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the forces that Britain could muster for Operation Judgement seemed but a child's version of a carrier task force. The Royal Navy committed just the carrier Illustrious, two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and five destroyers. The Italian fleet at Taranto comprised six battleships, nine heavy cruisers, seven light cruisers and 13 destroyers. Had they intercepted the British flotilla, the outcome would have been a slaughter. The Fleet Air Arm -- the flying fist of the Royal Navy -- also seemed a joke. The Illustrious would launch just 21 aircraft, and these were Fairey Swordfish-- nicknamed "the Stringbag." Obsolete two-man biplanes that looked like First World War leftovers, they plodded through the air at about 140 miles per hour. Yet they could fly low and slow to accurately drop torpedoes, as they did to cripple the German battleship Bismarck. The British struck by night, when the vulnerable Swordfish could avoid Italian fighters that would easily swatted them from the skies. The Illustrious launched two waves of 12 and nine aircraft apiece, with half carrying a single torpedo each, and the remainder armed with flares to illuminate the ships and armor-piercing bombs to strike them. Not only did the British achieve surprise, they also had a lucky break: the Italians had laid some nets in the harbor to catch torpedoes, but the torpedoes weren't long enough to reach the seafloor, allowing the torpedoes to slip under them. As one of the British aviators later recalled: We turn until the right hand battleship is between the bars of the torpedo sight, dropping down as we do so. The water is close beneath our wheels, so close I am wondering which is to happen first the torpedo going or our hitting the sea then we level out, and almost without thought the button is pressed and a jerk tells me the fish is gone. The attack began just before 11 p.m., and concluded around midnight. The British lost two aircraft, with two crewmen killed and two captured. But those mere 21 aircraft and a handful of torpedoes (the bombs did no damage) sank or damaged three battleships. Three battleships were torpedoed. The Conte di Cavour partly sank to the harbor bottom and never returned to service. The Caio Duilio was saved only by running her aground, as was the Littorio, whose hull had been punctured by three torpedoes. For the price of just two aircraft, the Italian battleship force had been devastated. Just as important, the Italian Navy had taken a blow to its already fragile morale and aggressiveness. The Italians got their revenge later, when frogmen riding midget submarines planted limpet mines that badly damaged two British battleships docked at the Egyptian port of Alexandria on December 19, 1941. Nonetheless, in the autumn of 1940, when Britain seemed down and out, the Royal Navy demonstrated who ruled the waves. However, the real significance of Taranto was to come later. Several days after the Taranto raid, almost unnoticed in the confusion and destruction, a slight figure in an unfamiliar uniform studied Taranto harbor intently, inquiring about depths and distances, making careful notes, according to the book The Attack on Taranto: Blueprint for Pearl Harbor. This was Lt. Takeshi Naito, assistant air attache at the Japanese embassy in Berlin. The implications of those sunken battleships were not lost to him. One problem with assessing Taranto is that there is a tendency to blame Italian inefficiency for the disaster, even though no one else had ever experienced such an attack before. Nonetheless, if Taranto supposedly reflected some peculiarly Italian failing, what was the excuse of the Americans? Why didn't the U.S. learn from the Taranto raid that aircraft carriers could destroy a fleet in a port, namely Pearl Harbor? Indeed, a U.S. Navy observer, Lieutenant Commander John Opie, was aboard the Illustrious to witness the Taranto strike, and he lost no time in reporting back what he had learned, including that the Royal Navy now favored aircraft-delivered torpedoes over bombs. Yet while senior U.S. naval commanders were aware of Taranto and the danger posed by torpedo attack to Pearl Harbor, actual improvements to Hawaii's defenses were buried under memos and reports that meandered through the naval bureaucracy. Opie's request to visit Pearl Harbor and pass on his Taranto experience was ignored. In fact, the Navy opted not to install anti-torpedo nets at Pearl Harbor on the ground that the waters there were too constricted to allow, and too shallow for torpedoes to run without hitting the bottom. The Imperial Japanese Navy, and eight U.S. battleships sunk or damaged, would soon prove those decisions wrong. Michael Peck is a frequent contributor to the National Interest Read full article Dave Majumdar Security, Asia The United States Air Force would maintain an asymmetric advantage over potential adversaries--even if they get stealth fighters. Why China's Stealth Fighter Is No Match for the Air Force's One area that the Chinese are almost certainly lacking is what Air Combat Command commander Gen. Herbert Hawk Carlisle once described to me as spike management. Fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 have cockpit displays that indicate to the pilot the various angles and ranges from which their aircraft can be detected and tracked by various enemy radars. The pilots use that information to evade the enemy by making sure to avoid zones where they could be detected and engaged. It is a technology that took decades for the United States to masterthrough a lot of trial and error. (This first appeared in 2016). The United States Air Force would maintain an asymmetric advantage over potential adversaries in the Western Pacific even after the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force inducts the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter into operational service. Thats the contention of the services top uniformed officerwho was asked about the potential geopolitical implications of the introduction of the new Chinese warplane. When we apply fifth-generation technology, its no longer about a platform, its about a family of systems, Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Goldfein told reporters at the Pentagon on Aug. 10 . Its about a network and thats what gives us an asymmetrical advantage, so that why when I hear about an F-35 versus a J-20, its almost an irrelevant question. Indeed, as Goldfein noted, the Air Force will likely to continue its focus on a family of systems approach where networking and the sharing of data are key instead of fixating on the performance of individual platforms. A direct comparison of the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the J-20 in Goldfeins viewwould harken back to the his days of flying the Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighterwhich was almost entirely cut off from outside contact when buttoned down to penetrate enemy airspace. Youll see us focusing far more on the family of systems and how we connect them together and far less on individual platforms, Goldfein said. Story continues While Goldfein used the Nighthawk as a comparisonhe probably did not intend to suggest that the J-20s systems are quite as basic as the 1980s-era F-117. While accurate information about the J-20 is scarce, there are indications that the Chinese aircraft is equipped with a phased array radar, a robust electronic warfare systems and an electro-optical/infrared sensor that is similar in concept to the F-35s systems. However, while it is possible that the Chinese aircraft might have decent sensorsAir Force officials have suggested that the J-20 lacks the sensor fusion and networking to be as effective as the F-22 or F-35. One area that the Chinese are almost certainly lacking is what Air Combat Command commander Gen. Herbert Hawk Carlisle once described to me as spike management. Fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 have cockpit displays that indicate to the pilot the various angles and ranges from which their aircraft can be detected and tracked by various enemy radars. The pilots use that information to evade the enemy by making sure to avoid zones where they could be detected and engaged. It is a technology that took decades for the United States to masterthrough a lot of trial and error. Recommended: What Will the Sixth-Generation Jet Fighter Look Like? Recommended: Imagine a U.S. Air Force That Never Built the B-52 Bomber Recommended: Russia's Next Big Military Sale - To Mexico? Meanwhile, at the same press conference, Air Force secretary Deborah Lee James decried the possibility of facing another year where the Congress fails to pass a budget. Even if Congress passes a full year continuing resolution (CR)which maintains the previous years spending levelsit would massively disrupt the Air Forces procurement efforts because the service would not be able to award new start program contracts. We certainly hope that wont be the case, we know the Congressional staffs are working very hard even while their members are back home this summer, but we are hearing that either a six-month CR or one-year CR is at least a possibility, James said. Indeed, Congressional sources are not optimistic about the prospects for a new budget in the fall. Thus, the Pentagon faces additional budget turbulence even as it grapples with a readiness crisis. Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @davemajumdar . Read full article Robert Farley Security, Europe Nazi Germany could have developed nuclear weapons if it had won the war. It could not develop them as war-winning weapons, both because of the demands of the project and the limitations of early atomic devices. Why Nuclear Weapons Would Never Have Won World War II for Hitler Nazi Germany could have developed nuclear weapons if it had won the war. It could not develop them as war-winning weapons, both because of the demands of the project and the limitations of early atomic devices. Only the United States could combine the economic resources and the long-time horizon necessary to develop the bomb, while at the same time developing a fleet of bombers capable of delivering it. In the early years of World War II, it looked as if Germany might have the luxury to spend its time developing a new generation of super-weapons. The Nazis haphazardly pursued the idea of building an atomic bomb, with an eye toward eventual conflict with the United States. However, the immediate demands of war, combined with Western Allied sabotage, undercut the program, leaving it at the basic research stage by wars end. (This first appeared in 2016.) But what if the Germans had devoted more attention to the program, or had lucked into more substantial breakthroughs? What could the Nazis have done with an atomic weapon? Context for Construction: The American atomic weapons program cost an enormous amount of money, and took human capital away from other important projects. But the United States, unique among the great powers of World War II, believed that the war would last long enough to justify complex projects. Germany did not have this luxury, especially after it became apparent that the Soviet Union would not collapse in 1941. For Germany to seriously consider taking the atomic plunge, it needed favorable war conditions that would allow the development of long-term research projects. In the event, jets, submarines, and rockets took up a greater portion of the Reichs scarce engineering resources. Story continues The German program faced other obstacles. Western Allied attacks on the German industrial economy took their toll, even if they could not push Germany out of the war. Sabotage, like the attacks on heavy water processing plants in Norway, also curtailed German progress. The nature of the Nazi regime also made scientific progress difficult. Many of the best nuclear scientists disliked the Nazis, and took steps to escape Europe. The Germans could not draw on Europes scientific expertise to the same extent as the Americans. Nevertheless, the Nazi regime did make substantial progress on a number of engineering frontiers, and could have developed a weapon in time. Solving the basic theoretical and engineering problems wouldnt have suddenly turned Germany into a major nuclear power, however. The German program concentrated on enriched uranium, a simpler project that eliminated some of the more tricky problems faced by the United States. However, the need for stocks of uranium (some of which had been seized from Belgium), and the extensive industrial complex needed to enrich, would have made it difficult for the Germans to produce a large number of devices. Delivery: Even if the Germans had managed to develop an atomic weapon, delivery would have been a problem. For tactical use against ground targets, the Wehrmacht could have engineered a way to deliver the devices, but anything at longer range would have been a struggle. Recommended: Imagine a U.S. Air Force That Never Built the B-52 Bomber Recommended: Russia's Next Big Military Sale - To Mexico? Recommended: Would China Really Invade Taiwan? The Luftwaffe lacked an advanced heavy bomber capable of hitting targets in England or Russia, much less the United States. Designed to fight in support of the Wehrmacht, the German air force had toyed with the idea of heavy bombers in the 1930s, but concentrated on lighter, smaller planes as war approached. Surely, the German could have developed a strategic bomber given enough time; Junkers, Heinkel, and Focke Wulf all worked on large bomber projects during the war. But such aircraft were enormously complex and expensive, with long lead times. The B-29 program reputedly cost more than the atomic bomb itself, and even B-29s required modification in order to carry atomic weapons. The best candidate available to the Luftwaffe would have been the He 177, capable of carrying a device considerably smaller than the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Could submarines have delivered the devices? Conceivably. A nuclear torpedo was probably beyond the means of the Kriegsmarine, but a submarine sufficiently close to its target could probably deliver the warhead in a small boat. But getting into position was no mean task; by 1943, Allied anti-submarine warfare was devastating Germanys submarine fleet. Only the Type XXI submarines could have approached useful targets with any degree of certainty, and these boats did not appear until late in the war. The V-2 ballistic missiles represented the most obvious potential delivery vehicles. They could deliver payloads at range, with little chance of interception, and with enough accuracy for an atomic warhead. However, V-2s had a startling launch failure rate, making them a sketchy option for an atomic payload. They also lacked the ability to carry heavy payloads; reducing a warhead to sufficiently small size, and reinforcing it such that it could handle the rigors of launch, flight, and separation, were tasks likely beyond Nazi Germany in any useful timeframe. Use of the Weapon: How would the Germans have used the atomic bomb, if they had managed to construct it? It depends, naturally, on Germanys tactical situation when it developed the weapon, and on the delivery systems it had available. Obvious strategic targets include London and Moscow, and the Luftwaffe could probably have delivered them successfully with a fair degree of confidence. An attack on either would have proved devastating. In the case of Moscow, a surprise strike that decapitated the Soviet leadership might have caused very serious problems, although the Red Army would undoubtedly have continued to fight. In the West, the V-2 campaign had a serious impact on British morale, and an atomic device would have had an even more devastating impact. Its worth keeping in mind, however, that the Combined Bomber Offensive was delivering atomic levels of destruction to the Reich from 1943 on, and that this effort failed to force a German surrender. In any case, the center of gravity of the Western Allied war effort had passed to the other side of the Atlantic, and the United States was likely out of reach. If hard-pressed by the Red Army, Germany could have used its weapons for tactical effect. An atomic weapon could have had a devastating impact on armored columns, staging areas, or command centers, although with a small number of warheads the Germans would have had to take great care in target selection. The Red Army moved on such a massive scale that even an atomic attack might not have upset its grandest offensives. On the naval side, the Bikini atom bomb tests demonstrated that modern naval units could survive atomic attacks, if imperfectly. As with the war in the East, atomic bombs could have dented the Western Allied naval advantage, but likely not to the extent of severing the trans-Atlantic lifeline. Major amphibious operations, such as the Normandy Invasion, would have proven far juicier targets, although they would have required very judicious decisions on the part of the Germans. The Final Salvo: Nazi Germany could have developed nuclear weapons if it had won the war. It could not develop them as war-winning weapons, both because of the demands of the project and the limitations of early atomic devices. Only the United States could combine the economic resources and the long-time horizon necessary to develop the bomb, while at the same time developing a fleet of bombers capable of delivering it. Robert Farley, a frequent contributor to TNI, is author of The Battleship Book. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky. His work includes military doctrine, national security, and maritime affairs. He blogs at Lawyers, Guns and Money and Information Dissemination and The Diplomat. Read full article Female scientists, including therapist Hadia Zarzour, geneticist Yael Joffe, and Sophia Yen, co-founder of Pandia Health, are fronting a new skin-care campaign by Perricone MD called Born Seekers. (Photos: Jack McDonald/courtesy of Perricone MD) Movies such as Star Trek and Hidden Figures, as well as childrens picture books like Ada Twist, Scientist and Count Girls In, have helped to illuminate positive images of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields and encourage young girls who are curious about careers in these fields. Now one skin-care brand is doing its part to advocate for women in these male-dominated industries. Perricone MD has unveiled its Born Seekers campaign, which honors the trailblazing accomplishments of female scientists and coincides with the brands revamp of its popular skin-care collections, including High Potency Classics, Cold Plasma Plus, and Vitamin C Ester. It has also incorporated a philanthropic component, partnering with the Scientista Foundation to donate $100,000 in fellowship funding to pre-professional women in STEM fields. Putting money where its mouth is to support this cause isnt just a nice thing to do; research shows that the gender gap in STEM still exists. Although women hold nearly as many undergraduate degrees as men overall, they make up only about 30 percent of all STEM degree holders, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. And in 2015, they held only 24 percent of STEM jobs. According to Perricone MDs chief marketing officer, Robert Koerner, selecting scientists as the faces of the Born Seekers campaign made sense because scientific research has been a cornerstone of the brand for the past 20 years. The accomplished female scientists in this campaign share our passion to push the boundaries of science and positively impact the world. What also makes the Born Seekers campaign stand out is the fact that it features real women not models fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and all. Koerner says that for decades, beauty and skin-care brands have relied heavily on imagery that signifies perfection in order to market their products, and this type of imagery is still the norm. Story continues Everyone can spot an overly retouched model image from a mile away. Everyone knows these looks are unachievable overpromises, but we all seem to suspend disbelief and buy the promise anyway, he explains. Koerner admits that Perricone MD relied on model imagery in the past. Now, however, the brand is communicating in a way that is more holistic. Our new Born Seekers campaign features women who are doing amazing work in STEM-related fields, and their stories are what we want to bring to life with heroic imagery, says Koerner. We didnt feel the need to enhance these images, since our proof points our promises come from the proven results we deliver. Mental health therapist Hadia Zarzour wants to motivate women to do anything or be anyone they want. (Photo: Jack McDonald/courtesy of Perricone MD) Born Seeker and therapist Hadia Zarzour, who hails from Syria, doesnt take the visibility shell gain from sharing her journey lightly. She hopes it will inspire women to do anything they want. She tells Yahoo Lifestyle, There was a stigma against studying psychology in Syria, especially as a woman. However, my desire to help people has helped me to overcome this challenge and has allowed for the work I am doing to be rewarding and inspiring. Dietician and geneticist Yael Joffe wants to challenge the way nutrition is taught and practiced beyond the kitchen. (Photo: Jack McDonald | Courtesy of Perricone MD)) Fellow Born Seeker Yael Joffe, who is a pioneer in the scientific study of nutrition and genetics, believes changing societys idea of what constitutes an appropriate career for a girl to aspire to is one of the greatest challenges in breaking barriers in STEM. This starts when our children are very young and is reflected in their school curriculum and even their reading books, she says. We need to go back to the beginning and see through what lens our children are being exposed to STEM careers. Sophia Yen of Pandia Health believes the lessons of STEM education can be applied to almost every industry. There are lots of women in STEM. We welcome you and will support you, she says. (Photo: Jack McDonald/courtesy of Perricone MD) When asked what targeted actions need to be taken to support women and girls in STEM, Born Seeker Sophia Yen, MD, the CEO and co-founder of accessible birth control company Pandia Health, presents a list: 1) Show them the #SheHeroes in the world. 2) Make sure that for every panel you see, 50 percent are women. 3) Institute a policy that for every position, in the final two candidates, one is a woman. 4) Check out the companies that you support/buy from. Are they led/founded by women? 5) Ask what companies are doing to increase women in positions of leadership. 6) Have more family-friendly leadership meetings; for example, not at 8 a.m. when someone has to drop off or pick up. Dont have a meeting at 5 p.m., when families need to be eating. Do it at noon. Now this is a roadmap for advancing women and girls in STEM. The onus is now on those in positions of power who can make a change, and Perricone MD is proof that skin-care brands can really make an impact. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Axios Beauty brands are going after a huge new group of consumers: men.Why it matters: Redefining makeup as something anyone can wear chips away at the gender norms and beauty standards that women have dealt with for generations. And cosmetics companies see big dollar signs.Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeWhat's happening: The U.S. men's personal care market is expected to swell from $47 billion in 2019 to nearly $78 billion by 2027, Lalish (Irak) (AFP) - A young Yazidi woman who fled to Germany but returned home to northern Iraq says she cannot escape her Islamic State group captor who held her as a sex slave for three months. Ashwaq Haji, 19, says she ran into the man in a German supermarket in February. Traumatised by the encounter, she returned to Iraq the following month. Like many other Yazidis, she was kidnapped by IS when the jihadists seized swathes of Iraq in the summer of 2014. In their ancestral region of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq, thousands of Yazidi women were killed or sold off as sex slaves. The teenager was held from August 3 until October 22 of 2014, when she managed to escape from the home of an Iraqi jihadist using the name Abu Humam who had bought her for $100, she told AFP in the Yazidi shrine of Lalish, north of second city Mosul. The Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking religious minority that was brutally persecuted by the jihadists who despise them as heretics. Under a German government programme for Iraqi refugees, Ashwaq, her mother and a younger brother were resettled in 2015 in Schwaebisch Gmuend, a town near Stuttgart. Her refuge in Germany, where she took language lessons, was cut short on February 21 when a man called out her name in a supermarket and started talking to her in German. "He told me he was Abu Humam. I told him I didn't know him, and then he started talking to me in Arabic," she said. "He told me: 'Don't lie, I know very well that you're Ashwaq'," she said, adding that he gave her home address and other details of her life in Germany. After that experience, she immediately phoned the local police, who told her to contact a specialised department. - Living in fear back in Iraq - The judicial police in the Baden-Wuerttemberg region of southwestern Germany said an inquiry was opened on March 13 but that Ashwaq was not present to answer questions. A spokesman for the German federal prosecutor's office told AFP that so far the man's identity could not be confirmed "with certainty". Story continues Germany says it has opened several investigations over terrorism charges or crimes against humanity involving asylum seekers linked to jihadist groups in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan. Ashwaq said she had viewed surveillance videos filmed in the supermarket together with German police and was ready to keep them informed of her whereabouts. But she said that she was not willing to return to Germany for fear of seeing her captor again. She is back in northern Iraq with her mother and brother, but living in fear because she says Abu Humam has family in Baghdad. She wears black in a sign of mourning for five brothers and a sister still missing since their own capture by IS. At a camp for the displaced in nearby Iraqi Kurdistan where he has been resettled, her father, Haji Hamid, 53, admits returning was not an easy decision, even though the government proclaimed victory over IS at the end of last year. "When her mother told me that she'd seen that jihadist... I told them to come back because Germany was obviously no longer a safe place for them," he told AFP. Life in Iraq is also not easy for Ashwaq or for the 3,315 other Yazidis who escaped from the jihadists. A similar number are still being held or have gone missing, according to official figures. "All the survivors have volcanos inside them, ready to explode," warned Sara Samouqi, a psychologist who works with several Yazidis. "Ashwaq and her family are going through terrible times." He really loved art. He had a talent for drawing and a great eye, she said. Whenever we would come to visit, wed go to the Art Institute in Chicago, and hed always come with us. He loved it. Wed spend the whole day there. Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, a physician in Lakeland, Florida, was caught on a viral video yelling at police officers at an Orlando airport before he was arrested. (Photo: Jeremy Borash/WESH 2) A doctor says a viral video of him struggling with police officers and yelling, Youre treating me like a black person! was staged to prove a point about race relations. The recording shows Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, 59, a geriatric physician in Lakeland, Fla., scuffling with police officers at Orlando International Airport on Thursday after arguing with American Airlines employees who had reported him for disorderly behavior. According to a police report sent to Yahoo Lifestyle from the Orlando Police Department, officers found Epstein at the ticket counter where he began yelling that police had come to arrest him. When Epstein was informed that he lost his flying privileges due to his behavior, he went on a rant captured in a video and tweeted by WESH 2 News. As police escorted Epstein from the line, the doctor then removed his backpack, threw his hands in the air and told officers to make an arrest. Hes a law enforcement officer and hes trying to provoke me, Epstein says to an officer on the footage. Do you know how to de-escalate things, genius? Do you have training, genius? Do you want to test me? Dr. Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on four separate charges after a violent police scuffle that included what many are calling a racist rant. (Photo: Courtesy of the Orlando Police Department) Three officers moved in to restrain Epstein and hes tackled to the ground while screaming, Dont beat me up, you motherf***ers! and Theyre treating me like a f***ing black person! Epstein was handcuffed and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, trespassing on a property after a warning, and disorderly conduct. He was medically treated after complaining of chest pains and also told an officer he created a very big disturbance and I did it on purpose. Cannabis was also found in Epsteins pocket. "They are treating me like a (expletive) black person." Doctor arrested at OIA tells us why he did it: https://t.co/747uG93w0s pic.twitter.com/BygGbJQcy7 WESH 2 News (@WESH) August 16, 2018 Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach Epstein for comment, however, he told WESH 2 that his behavior was to prove a point about forceful police tactics. If youre going to do this to a white doctor, whos 59 years old, for doing nothing, then why would black people trust you? he told the news station. Story continues Im a conservative Republican, Im a Trump guy, he said. But until the police fix this problem, I dont blame black people for being upset when they get arrested. I was no danger, Epstein insisted. I was being loud because I wanted everyone to see. I wanted everything to be out in the open. Big companies have to take care of their customers, and when they call the cops in, they got to de-escalate, not escalate. Twitter didnt buy the doctors excuse. He wasnt making a point or taking a stand. Its the same unacceptable behavior white people believe they can get away with. The reference to blacks has nothing to do with wanting police training or equal treatment for Blacks. It was him feeling was being treated inferior. Carla (@CarlaNY15) August 17, 2018 But he made it out alive to tell his story so its not the same sorry Jeffrey Amatterasu (@thekidfromNYC) August 17, 2018 Drunk on privilege juice Charlie Whiskey (@BlueDogPatriot) August 17, 2018 Take him off as one of my healthcare options hes an moron!! Andrea Gillespie (@andeemarie13) August 16, 2018 Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For the very first time, the IDF's ground forces are implementing a four-dimensional 'combined battle' strategy in preparation for a possible war with Hezbollah. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Over the past few days, the IDF has been carrying out the most extensive training exercises conducted by the 36th Armored Division, including the 7th Armored Brigade. The "Gideon" battlgroupa combat brigade that includes thousands of IDF soldiersis training in the Golan Heights for a possible conformation with the modern Hezbollah terror group. Militarily, the Labenon-based group is an army in every sense. It is advanced, fast, mobile and combative. IDF prepares for an armed conflict with Hezbollah (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Hassan Nasrallah's organization, bruised and bleeding from the Syrian civil war in which thousands of Hezbollah fighters were killed and wounded, is slowly returning to Lebanon. Hezbollah also faces internal problems as well as a reduction in the annual Iranian support budget. Nevertheless, the organization has a high operational self-confidence and has gained rich experience from four years of fighting. Hezbollah now has new military capabilities, such as the ability to maneuver forces into enemy territory, drafting large forces in rapid speed, and more. The organization, recently described by a senior officer in the Northern Command as "the strongest army in the Middle East after the IDF," has received a new arsenal of weapons: special and high-quality night vision devices, electronic combat weapons, and hundreds of drones and UAVs, along with mortars carrying half a ton of explosives, and heavy rockets. Meanwhile, IDF ground forces are undergoing a major facelift that will be implemented in the coming years by additional standing army brigades, under the guidance of the four-dimensional 'combined battle' strategy. The IDF will practice fighting in the underground, cyber warfare, and prepare for shooting from rooftops or from high-rise building windows. . IDF training in the north (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) In addition, the Gideon battlegroup will implement an invisible network on the battlefield that includes 24 intelligence planes that can detect anything that emits a signal. Once a signal is detected and decoded, an exact location is found, and the "smart trigger" system turns it into a target in a matter of seconds or minutes. During training in the Golan Heights, the Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion fighters fired the first precision-guided mortar shell that has flight control capabilities and a five meter magin of error accuracy. Next year a similar conversion of artillery shells is expected. "Our goal is to convert 50 percent of the land-based ammunition stockpiles into precise weaponry," said a senior official from the ground forces. Following incidents such as the Kfar Giladi disaster in the Second Lebanon War, and the fighting in Shuja'iyya in Operation Protective Edge, each ground maneuver unit will be provided with an air defense battery to combat heavy mortar and suicide bombers threats, similar to the old antiaircraft batteries that protected IDF ground maneuver forces in the 60s, 70s and 80s. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) The battleground will include dozens of aircraftthe air force's rescue and evacuation helicopters, logistic drones, observation drones, and more. "Each air maneuver unit in the air force will have a small airport with an air control team that will manage everything that happens up to 1,000 feet," a source in ground forces explained. The ground forces, together with the air force, will cover the aerial territory above 1,000 feet, while the area above 3,000 feet would be covered by the air force alone. In one of the drills performed by the IDF, a helicopter landed without the inference of drones and UAVs. In fact, recent events in Gaza helped with this type of training. According to a senior officer in the ground forces, "this is not a fantasy, we are looking ahead each division will have its own communications and logistical capabilities." A revolution on the ground will also change the engineering capabilities of the brigades: an engineering battalion will include a special unit for handling enemy tunnels. The elite Yahalom unit will join each battalion and will cover difficult targets and situations such as penetrating bunkers. In addition, within a year, the IDF will be able to receive real-time intelligence from intelligence corps. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) "We are training the forces against the most updated and relevant enemy," said a senior officer in the ground forces. "We set up a special battalion that includes about 400 fighters, and deployed them throughout the Golan Heights in order to simulate the capabilities Hezbollah has today," the officer added. Carlos Barbar will never forget the moment he was saved from execution in the "Valley of Death" near Mosul, Iraq. On August 6, 2014, ISIS took control of his village Batnaya. The neighbors managed to flee, but Carlos' father wasn't able to walk and the family didn't have a car. The ISIS terrorists demanded that they decide whether to convert to Islam, pay huge fines or leave. Carlos asked his brother to leave, while he stayed behind to protect his parents. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter One of the ISIS terrorists ripped the cross from his neck, threw it on the floor and demanded that he step on it. "I told him, 'I'll put my foot on your neck, but never on the cross. I have my God and he's also your God,'" Carlos recalls. The barrel of a rifle landed on his head and he collapsed. When he woke up, he discovered that he was hanging from the ceiling by one leg. "They immersed my head in dirty water, beat me with a stick full of nails, tied me with wire and put salt on my wounds," he remembers and shudders. "I screamed in pain, they demanded that I promise to convert to Islam, but I said that I would be happy to die like a proud Christian." X He was brought to trial before an ISIS leader in the region who sentenced him to execution by firing squad. Six ISIS men took him to the "Valley of Death," the execution point. They blindfolded him and cocked their Kalashnikov rifles. But then, suddenly, the group's commander's cell phone rang. On the other side of line was the man who had sentenced him to death. "Leave him and return immediately," he instructed. They dropped him to the ground, left the site and he lost consciousness. When he awoke, everything around him was white: "I thought I was in heaven. But then I saw a nurse and she told me: 'You're in a medical clinic in a church in Baghdad.'" Carlos fled from Iraq and didn't return. Today, in a rented apartment in Amman, he's waiting for a response to his asylum applications, which he filed to Canada, Australia, and the US. His mother joined him, and they're paying for rent and food with the money they received for her jewelry. The money is running out. Like Carlos, there are 12,000 Christian refugees living in Amman, Jordan's capital, who fled from Iraq. Jordan is indeed one of the only countries that has agreed to accept them, but they can't work and they live in abject poverty. Many of them suffered torture, lost relatives, and saw death stare them in the face. This is also the case for Yitzhak Bahanam, a resident of the Christian village Bartella. In 2010, members of Al Qaeda kidnapped him because his brother was a soldier in the Iraqi army. He was beaten and thrown into a small, dark and filthy pit. "You'll never leave here alive," they told him before they closed and locked the cage with an iron door. They didn't leave him food or water. Miraculously, three days later, a group of American and Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers received a report about him, came to the site, and rescued him. The rescue was recorded on video and Isaac shows it to everyone as proof of the hell he experienced. In the video, you can see him being pulled out of the ground, handcuffed and trembling. He asks for a cigarette, lights it and cries. I met Carlos and Isaac at the "Mother Maria Church" in Amman. The church, surrounded by a wall, is the only place of refuge for the Christian refugees in Amman. The church takes care of them, and tries to help them find asylum in the West. Father Halil Jahar, a Palestinian from Bethlehem who once served as the priest at the church in Eilat, heads the "Mother Maria Church." "You, the Jews, have suffered, you know what persecution is," he says. Before the Christians arrived from Iraq, his church was empty. "On Sundays, 20-25 people would come for Mass, but today, thanks to the refugees, hundreds of Christian families come. The church has never thrived like this," he says. On Sundays, the church distributes food. The refugees eat in the church courtyard and take meals home. They're all poor, but in Iraq, at another time in their lives, they would come to church in their Sunday Best. They kneel on the wooden benches and pray to God who delivered them from their homeland. Envelopes with money at a church A few weeks ago, two important guests came to the church: Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of The Fellowship from Israel, and the British pastor Canon Andrew White, president of a charitable association that provides aid to persecuted Christians in the Middle East. In recent months, The Fellowship started assisting 12,000 Christian refugees from Iraq who live in Jorden. Through White's association, The Fellowship donated $125,000 in food vouchers, money for rent and funding for the operation of a medical clinic and medicine. Rabbi Eckstein visiting the Medical clinic in Amman (Photo: IFCJ) Eckstein came to Jorden to film videos that will help raise more donations for them. In the church, the priest called out the names of all those present, approximately 100 people, and they approached the rabbi, who gave each of them an envelope with $150 in it. At the same time, Rabbi Eckstein started a petition that will call on the UN Human Rights Council to recognize all of the 12,000 persecuted as refugees and grant them asylum in the West. "This issue is important to our donors, to US Vice President Mike Pence and to the Christian Evangelicals in the US," says Rabbi Eckstein. "This is my vision and the vision of The Fellowship: to build bridges of peace between Jews, Christians and Muslims. I believe that peace will come from small deeds." The Fellowship is one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Israel. It's funded by the donations of Christian supporters of Israel, many of them Evangelicals, and it raises approximately $140 million annually from donations. Two years ago, it began to assist persecuted minorities throughout the Middle East. In Jordan, there are close to 1.8 million Syrian refugees and another 300,000 from Iraq. Why are you focusing specifically on 12,000 Christians? "In Israel, we assist every Israeli, regardless of religion or ethnic or political affiliation. We began assisting Druze in Syria at the request of the leaders of the Druze community in Israel. The Christians are an important target audience for us, because our donors are mainly Christians who want to support the Jewish people, and we believe that we must assist the Christians when they are the ones being persecuted because of their religion." Rabbi Eckstein turns to the audience in the church and asks: "How many people sitting here fled from ISIS?" They all raise their hands. "Who wants to return to Iraq?" No hand is raised. Eckstein asks: "Did anyone in the audience know Jews in Iraq?" Ten hands are raised. The older ones remember the Jews well. "We got along with them very well," they tell the Rabbi. The Christian Likudnik from Baghdad There's no one in Iraq who knows the Jews better than Reverend Canon Andrew White. For 17 years, since 1997, he was the Anglican Vicar of Baghdad. He personally knew Saddam Hussein and Tariq Aziz, Saddam's foreign minister, who was a Catholic Christian. After Saddam's fall, the Shiites arrived, after them, Al Qaeda, and finally, ISIS. The result was a mass flight. Today there are between 180,000 and 200,000 Christians remaining in Iraq. Reverend White travels around Iraq surrounded by 35 bodyguards. He was wanted by ISIS, which set a $57,000 price on his head. In 2007, he was kidnapped and he paid $50,000 to be set free. In 2014, he was suspended from the church after it was revealed he was involved in the liberation of ISIS sex slaves with money donated by a Canadian Jew named Yossi Maman. White is in love with Israel. He did one of his three doctorates at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, while living for a whole year at an ultra-Orthodox yeshiva in Mea Shearim. He says that every Friday he was invited to a Tish (festive meal) with the Admor (Hassidic leader). His knowledge of Israel, Judaism and Hebrew attracted the few Jews of Iraq. "Every Friday I would teach them the Torah portion of the week, basic Hebrew and Judaism. I made a Passover Seder for them and celebrated the Jewish Holidays with them," he recalls. White witnessed the brutal acts of cruelty against the Christians. "If I tell you what they did, I'll start to cry," he says. "Nothing is like the Holocaust of the Jewish people, but the similarity is that they were persecuted for no reason, and that the world sat and did nothing. I think Israel is an amazing lesson for the world; I love you. I'm not one of the crazy Christian Zionists. I don't say what I say for Messianic reasons. I know that Israel isn't perfect." In your opinion, what needs to be remedied? "I won't tell you what you need to change, maybe I'm a Likudnik." White, who runs a clinic for Christian refugees in Jordan, says that without the help of Rabbi Eckstein and The Fellowship, he wouldn't have funding to operate it. "I prayed to God to send me help, and he sent me Rabbi Eckstein," he says. But not all the Christians know that the assistance comes from an Israeli-Jewish organization. Due to the instructions of the Jordanian authorities, The Fellowship was forced to remove the word "JEWS" from the sign in the medical clinic. Rabbi Eckstein was also asked not to walk around in Amman with a kippah, only with a hat. "I'm willing to dispense with honor in order to help these people," he says, "because I know our donors want us to do this and this is the most moral thing we're doing at The Fellowship. We have been helping one hundred Druze families in Jordan for the past two-and-a-half years. There they also told me not to wear a kippah, but they know that the donation comes from a rabbi in Israel." Eckstein believes that the State of Israel must take up the cause of the Christian refugees from Iraq, "Just as (Menachem) Begin had ordered the absorption of hundreds of refugees who fled the Vietnam War. In my opinion, Israel should consider absorbing Christian refugees who fled from ISIS," he says. A professor living in poverty The Iraqi refugees know that they won't be going home. More than anything, they want to be absorbed into a Western country and start to recover. Fatan Eltaun bursts into tears when she tells how members of ISIS killed her eldest son, Sinan, because he worked at a pub. "The gunmen came to him at the pub and opened fire," she says with tears." She, her husband Samir and their two remaining children, Asil and Suni, ran for their lives. "If I return," she says, "they'll kill my husband and my children. I miss Iraq, it's my country, it has good people and good food, but there are many murderers and criminals." Eckstein leaves the church and visits homes. Yosef Sapa-Isa is only 17 years old, but he can't leave his home because of what the members of ISIS did to him. After they threatened his family, they set him on fire. "I heard a terrible scream that I can't get out of my head; that was Yosef," his mother recalls in pain. "I called the neighbors, but no one came out. I tore my garment off and put out the fire." Rabbi Eckstein visiting a refugee family in Amman (Photo: IFCJ) Yosef was rushed to the hospital with severe burns, and after three days his family fled to Jordan. Rabbi Eckstein visited the meager apartment and brought them a food package. On the peeling wall hangs a picture of Yosef as a child in Baghdad, dressed up as Santa Claus. He must undergo a series of operations following the burns, but the family has no money. "My dream is simply to be like everyone else," says Yosef, his young face is full of sorrow. From there, the rabbi continues to the home of Najat Yaakub. In Iraq, she was a well-known philosophy lecturer at the University of Baghdad. Here she lives in a small, moldy and damp basement apartment. Najat is 80 years old, but at her advanced age, she serves as the adoptive mother to her nephew's three children, all of them suffering from mental disabilities. Their parents were murdered one night in 2016, when two ISIS terrorists broke into their home. "They wanted to take my nephew, to put an explosive vest on him and to send him out as a suicide bomber," says Najat in tears. "I begged them to leave the house. They left, but I knew they would return, so I decided to take everyone and to flee with them to Jordan. I don't believe that this is how I must live until the day I die." Eckstein listens with great agitation. "Like many of the Christian refugees, they're living in limbo," he says. "The world must wake up and help them." Saudi Arabia says it has contributed $100 million to northeast Syria for "stabilization projects" in areas once held by the Islamic State group. A statement early Friday from the Saudi Embassy in Washington says the money "will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and help ensure that ISIS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbors, or plan attacks against the international community," using an alternate acronym for the militant group. The statement says the money will go toward agriculture, education, roadworks, rubble removal and water service for the region, which is now largely held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The kingdom says the $100 million is part of a pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir during a conference in Brussels about the Islamic State group. The IDF Spokespersons Unit said on Friday morning that an initial investigation by the army and the Shin Bet into an incident on Thursday night during which a 42-year-old Israeli woman was killed after being hit by a Palestinian taxi near Havat Gilad was, most likely a car accident rather than a terror attack. That said, an investigation in another direction has not yet been ruled out, a statement said. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle during their latest meeting in Helsinki last month that Iranian forces should leave Syria, according to a report in Bloomberg. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter An official in the US administration who spoke on condition of anonymity divulged the information on the two leaders encounter, adding that Moscow had made it clear that removing Iranian forces from Syrian territory would prove a difficult task. The White House published few details about the meeting, but according to an official familiar with the details, a significant part of the discussions were dedicated to the ongoing civil war in Syria and the functions being carried out there by Iran. President Trump and President Putin in Helsinki (Photo: Reuters) In addition, the two leaders spoke about the campaign against ISIS, disputes over the Golan Heights, and the humanitarian situation in Syria, the official said. According to Bloomberg, the summit yielded few results when it came to extensions of arms control treaties, one of which expires in 2021. The official in the article says that the first subject raised by President Trump was the claims of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, an issue which has haunted the president since he took office. Trump apparently told his Russian counterpart that he expected the meddling to stop in the midterm elections scheduled for November. The official cited in the article also said that the two leaders discussed Iran and North Koreas nuclear programs. National Security Adviser John Bolton is expected to meet with Russian officials in Geneva next week as a follow-up to the Helsinki summit. Arms control and Syria are expected to be main talking points. But getting from Flatland to the top of a Fourteener, while doable for someone on the wrong side of 50, is an invitation to AMS Acute Mountain Sickness if certain precautions arent taken. And even then, you might find yourself waking up feeling like you overindulged during a night of drinking, even if you didnt drink anything but water. The Israeli woman killed by a Palestinian man on Thursday in what is suspected of being a hit-and-run car accident has been identified as 42-year-old Hava Roizin from Emanuel. Roizin was run over near Havat Gilad by a Palestinian man driving a taxi who later turned himself in to the Palestinian police in Nablus. He said he fled because he was afraid. Investigative police are expected to question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his official residence on Friday morning as part of the Bezeq-Walla corruption affair, also known as Case 4000. A statement made on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Bezeq-Walla corruption affair says that he never received positive media coverage from Walla! News, and therefore, the affair, also known as Case 4000, is crumbling. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The statement was issued following Netanyahu's questioning by police on Friday morning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "Following the police questioning, Prime Minister Netanyahu is certain that case 4000 has finally collapsed", the statement's read. "The facts unequivocally prove that Netanyahu's coverage in Walla when Shaul Elovitch was the majority shareholder remained as negative as when Walla was owned by Amos Schocken, and did not change in the slightest when Netanyahu became minister of communications," the statement continued. "On the other hand, other communications ministers received a tremendous boost in positive media coverage after taking officenot only by Walla, but by other major media outlets as well. "No one claims, and rightly so, that there is something wrong with that. However, Netanyahu did not receive such a boost in positive media coverage, and therefore, this is another explanation for the crumbling 4000 case," the statement concluded. According to recent reports, Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, gave a testimony regarding the case a few weeks ago. The police questioned him about his previous role as the communication minister, the way in which he conducted himself as opposed to Netanyahu, and asked about his policy toward Bezeq. Investigative police arrived on Friday morning at the prime minister's official residence to begin another round of questioning as part of the Bezeq-Walla corruption affair, also known as Case 4000. It is expected to be the final time that police officers question the prime minister at his residence on Balfour Street in Jerusalem as investigative teams begin wrapping up the case and assembling the final details. Anti-Netanyahu protesters rally outside PM's residence ahead of investigation (Photo: Amit Shabi) The investigation involves suspicions that Bezeq majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch and Netanyahu had a quid pro quo relationship in which Bezeq enjoyed regulatory benefits in return for favorable coverage of the Netanyahu family on Walla! News, which is owned by the telecommunications giant. As was published last week in Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu and Elovitch allegedly had a secret meeting in 2015 ahead of an important discussion at the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council on the merger of telecommunications giant Bezeq and satellite TV company Yes. Both Netanyahu and Elovitch concealed the conflict of interest and only later, under court order, revealed that they met several times. As part of the investigationalso known as Case 4000 or the Bezeq corruption affairpolice have collected testimonies according to which the 2015 meeting concerned the planned merger, and Elovitch, then the owner of Bezeq, was satisfied by the outcome of the meeting. Netanyahu was also questioned last month in the case and grilled for five hours at the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit in Lod, after which he released a statement saying that nothing new was presented during the extensive round of interrogation and denied having ever done any deal with Elovitch. PM Netanyahu and Shaul Elovitch (Photo: EPA, Yuval Chen) In May, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said that the investigation surrounding the affair was approaching its final stages, while asserting that the Israeli judicial system is under attack from coalition forces. The investigation into the case is in its latter stages. Hundreds of testimonies were gathered, some of them from across the sea. Many documents and exhibits were seized, Mandelblit said during a speech at the annual Conference of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat. According to the attorney general, police are also in the midst of wrapping up Case 1000 (the Gifts Affair) and Case 2000 (the Netanyahu-Mozes Affair) all of which focus on the prime minister. An IDF brigade commander who was filmed subduing a soldier who was attempting to abandon his post in the West Bank and go home without permission has provoked outrage from the soldiers family, but has garnered support from other soldiers. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Insisting that the soldier was not a criminal, the family said that the battalion commander had no right to raise his hand. In a video obtained by Ynet, the Givati brigade battalion commander can be seen pinning down a non-combat soldier serving under his command in an incident that took place one week ago in a settlement in the West Bank near to a military post between Nablus and Qalqilya. Footage of the incident X According to soldiers present, the skirmish erupted after three soldiers who served as cooks attempted to go home despite the fact that they were forbidden from doing so on a weekend all their comrades were to remain on the base. The soldier who was pinned down eventually managed to go home, while the other two cooks remained on base. Another officer from the unit expressed his support for the battalion commanders actions. Thanks to him two soldiers are not in prison right now and the soldiers had normal, hot food at the end of the week, the officer said. The battalion commander was reprimanded for his conduct after the incident by the IDF and the Military Police decided against launching a criminal investigation. The commander, who serves at the rank of lieutenant colonel, caught the soldiers as they attempted to leave the post where they were stationed. After disobeying the officers command that they stay put, the officer eventually grabbed one of the soldiers which led to the physical altercation. Throughout the short clip, the pinned-down soldier can be heard shouting and repeatedly telling the officer to release him, complaining that his jaw was in pain and protesting that physical force was being used against him. The officer tells the soldier that he will get into a vehicle back to his post and will not escape as the soldier replies by refusing the order. The video was passed on to the military criminal investigation division (CID) which decided not to take the matter further than a reprimand. According to an initial internal investigation, the unit remained on duty last weekend and one of the units cooks was among those caught trying to leave without permission. The soldier, along with two other cooks, attempted to leave the post and make their way to the bus stop nearby. After being spotted by a commander, the officer was called to the scene and arrived minutes later. After attempts to convince the soldiers to return to his post failed, the officer promised that he would speak to them in his office to solve whatever problem they may have been facing. He also reminded them that they bore responsibility for the units soldiers. Realizing that the soldiers were not heeding his warnings or commands, and with the bus approaching, the officer called the master sergeant and asked him to send a military police vehicle to the scene. Arriving late, the battalion commander sought advice on the phone of a military police officer and asked whether he was allowed to employ physical force in order to prevent the soldiers from going home. At that point, the officer pinned one of the cooks to the ground and prevented him from leaving. The officer did not hit or kick the soldier. By the end of the incident, the cook managed to go home and has yet to return to base. His two friends returned to the post for a private conversation with the officer. During the investigation, the battalion commander said that he acted for the sake of the units soldiers so that they would not be left without cooks and without hot food during the weekend. Moreover, he said that he had hoped to prevent further punishment being meted out against the cooks. Iraqi security officials say Iraq's air force carried out two airstrikes targeting Islamic State group inside Syria, killing at least 28 ISIS militants. They say one of the two airstrikes by F-16s targeted a meeting of would-be suicide bombers who intended to strike in Iraq during next week's Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. About 20 militants were killed in that airstrike, while eight died in the second one. Both targets were inside Syria near the Iraqi border. Iraq announced the strikes on Thursday but details on targets and casualties only emerged on Friday. The statement said the targets were identified by the Eagles Cell, Iraq's top counterterrorism agency. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. An unannounced search in a prison wing for Hamas inmates carried out on Wednesday evening sparked riots that ended with two cells being set on fire. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Hamas prisoners at the Gilboa Prison were angry over the fact the searches were carried out by the elite Metzada unit, which the prisoners accuse of causing the death of an inmate. Two of the prisoners were lightly wounded in the search carried out by the Metzada unit, one of five Israel Prison Service hostage and rescue units. (Photo: Ido Erez) Gilboa Prison, near the northern city of Beit She'an, holds 600 terrorists, the majority of whom are affiliated with Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and ISIS. The terrorists were locked up for carrying out serious crimes against Israel and 95 of the prisoners are serving life sentences. One of them was given 67 life sentences for hostile terrorist activity against Israel. (Photo: Ido Erez) There are prisoners here who are considered to be prominent figures in the field of terror, said the warden of the prison. In all, Wing 3 of the prison holds 110 Hamas terrorists. The Israel Prison Service decided on an unannounced search of the wing after receiving intelligence that there were cellphonesforbidden in the prisonshidden inside, which were being used by the prisoners to plan terror activities. (Photo: Ido Erez) The unexpected operation was planned in total secrecy and most of prison guards were unaware it was about to take place until half an hour before it commenced. (Photo: Ido Erez) At 8pm, the special prison units of Metzada, Yamar Dror and other units from the northern and central locality in Megiddo Prison, assembled for a pre-operation briefing. (Photo: Ido Erez) At 10pm they arrived at Gilboa Prison where, at a short distance from the wings, they prepared to storm Wing 3. Firefighters were stationed nearby in anticipation of a possible fire erupting in the riots expected to ensue. Twenty-three minutes later, the guards stormed the wing, and the prisoners immediately began shouting Search, search! in Arabic. (Photo: Ido Erez) They also vowed revenge, not because of the surprise search, but because the prison services had crossed what is considered a red line by allowing the Metzada unit to participate in the raid. A few hours later, two prison cells were set alight. (Photo: Ido Erez) A search operation is part to the norm. This was a surprise operation that was carried out because of information about cell phones in the wing where there are Hamas prisoners, the warden explained. (Photo: Ido Erez) Our goal is to clean the wing of telephones. We prepare with great strength out of concern that riots will break out, as well as resistance to the searches, or that cells will be lit on fire or forces harmed. The warden said that he was aware of the anger that Metzadas participation in the raid may spark. From the prisoners point of view, he added, it was an extreme step since they hold the force responsible for the death of a terrorist in Ktzi'ot Prison near Beer Sheva. (Photo: Israel Prison Service) We are not bothered by them and dont take into account what they want. We, and we alone, decide everything in order to serve the goals of the Israel Prison Service, he said. Metzada forces are the only ones armed with non-deadly weapons and are skilled in containing cases of serious unrest and riots, the warden said, justifying the units participation. After the wings inmates were dispersed into other prison following the blazes set in the two cells, the search was expanded and was set to continue throughout the next few days. No phones were discovered in the searches but other contraband items were found. IDF forces were deployed along the Gaza border on Friday in preparation for a possible resumption of violent riots. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman was briefed in the IDF headquarters in the Kirya in Tel Aviv and is following the developments on the border fence and in Gaza. Palestinian postal service employees are working overtime to sort through some 10 tons of letters and packages that were held by Israel for up to eight years, Palestinian officials said Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The parcels, dating from between 2010 and this year, had been prevented by Israel from entering the West Bank via Jordan but were released in a one-time deal, the officials said. Palestinian Telecommunications Minister Allam Mousa accused Israel in a statement of having blocked the delivery and of delaying the implementation of an agreement on postal services. Israeli authorities confirmed the packages had been transferred and said an agreement was in the works, but did not comment in detail. Ramadan Ghazawi, an official at the sorting centre in Jericho, said he understood some items had been blocked for security reasons, while others were barred on administrative grounds. "A few days ago Israel allowed more than 10 tons of postal parcels that were stuck in Jordan," he told AFP. He said it would take his staff another two weeks to sort through all the parcels and get them delivered to their recipients. Israel controls all entrances and exits to the West Bank and can prevent goods passing through as it sees fit. While the delays in the delivery of innocuous goods happen, Israel argues that the delays are necessary for security reasons, fearing that parcels can be used to deliver items used for terror activities. Palestinian officials say such control cripples their economy and freedom of movement. In the sorting centre, hundreds of bags were piled on top of each other as workers picked through them. Ghazawi said that the parcels and letters, mostly the former, had been sent from all over the world. COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for civilian coordination in the Palestinian territories, said the release was part of confidence building measures after the two sides agreed on a postal entry deal "about a year ago". It said while the deal had not yet gone into force for future deliveries, it had "allowed a one-time transfer of approximately ten and a half tons of mail that had been held in Jordan". According to the a Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) report, the number of Israelis who left Israel for more than a year at a time was lower than it had been in the decade leading up to 2016, but the number of Israelis who came back after residing abroad for more than a year was greater than the rate found between 2012-2016. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The 2016 report that was published earlier this week shows that while the statistics point to a decrease in the number of Israelis remaining abroad for more than a year, the difference between the number of Israelis who left Israel and those who returned stands at 6,300. Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Shutterstock) The report does not take into account new immigrants. The stats are similar to those compiled between 2010 and 2011, but form a more positive trend for the country than the numbers gatherd in 2015, which showd a difference between the number of those leaving and those returning stood at 8,200. According to the figures, the number of Israelis abroad at the end of 2016 was estimated between 560,000 - 596,000 residents, not including children born to Israelis abroad. The report also reveals that the length of the stay abroad of most of the returnees is relatively short. Around 65% returned to Israel after three years abroad at the maximum. 53% of all those leaving while married did so with their spouses, but only 38% of all the married returness came back with them. CBS noted that new immigrants tend to leave Israel at much higher rates than veteran Israelis. At the same time, the statistics illustrate that they return to Israel at a much higher rate than Israelis. Around a quarter of those who left in 2016 (26%) immigrated to Israel in the last decade, demonstrating a departure rate of 1.7%almost ten times higher that the average trend. Forty-two percent of those returning to Israel in 2016 immigrated to Israel in the past but left again for more than a year at a time. Ben Gurion airport Approximately 15,200 Israeli residents0.18% of the total populationleft the country in 2016 and remained there for more than a year. 11,100 of them were Jews,while 4,200 were of other ethnicities. By comparison, in the previous year 16,700 Israelis left the country, marking a 9% decrease the following year. The median age of those who leave the country is 28.5, 53% of whom are men. Among the men above age 15, half were single, compared to a third of the women who left Israel. Half of the women who left Israel at the age of 15 and above were married, compared to 40% of the men. In 2016, 8,900 Israelis returned to Israel (0.1% of the population) after residing abroad for more than a year, except those who went back for a visit for less than three months. This marks an increase of 5% compared to 2015, when the number of those who returned stood at 8,500. Among those who return to Israel, 6,700 were Jews and 2,200 were of other ethnicities. The median age of those returning stood at 29.1, 56% of whom were men. A comparison of the marital status of women who returned to Israel to women who left in 2016 shows that there were more single women who returned to the country (40% of the returnees compared to 33% of those who left) and fewer married women (45% compared to 50%). German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Friday that officials are looking into the possibility of a four-way meeting on Syria involving Turkey, Russia, Germany and France. The idea of such a meeting has been raised by Turkey. Asked about the possibility Friday, Merkel stressed that there are already two main formats for talks on Syria, both working closely with U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura. But she added that "nevertheless, a meeting between Germany, France, Turkey and Russia could make sense -- this must be well-prepared, so there is no date yet." She said leaders' advisers will do preparatory work to decide whether it's worth holding such a meeting. Syria is expected to be on the agenda when Merkel meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Germany on Saturday. Turkey and the United States exchanged new threats of sanctions Friday, keeping alive a diplomatic and financial crisis that is threatening the economic stability of the NATO country. Turkey's lira fell once again after the trade minister, Ruhsar Pekcan, said Friday that her government would respond to any new trade duties, which US President Donald Trump threatened in an overnight tweet. Trump is taking issue with the continued detention in Turkey of American pastor Andrew Brunson, an evangelical pastor who faces 35 years in prison on charges of espionage and terror-related charges. Dashing hopes for a quick solution to the dispute, a Turkish court on Friday rejected an appeal for the pastor's release from house detention. Upholding a lower court's decision earlier this week, it also ruled against lifting a travel ban imposed on Brunson. Trump wrote in a tweet late Thursday: "We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!" He also urged Brunson to serve as a "great patriot hostage" while he is jailed and criticized Turkey for "holding our wonderful Christian Pastor." According to the Police Spokesperson, a terrorist tried to stab a policeman on Friday. The police arrested the man at the scene, and no casualties were reporetd. According to the police, Ahmad Muhammad Mahamid, 30, tried to stab a policeman in Jerusalem's Old City on Friday. The attack took place at HaGai Street, near the Damascus Gate. The assailant was shot and killed by policemen. No one was hurt by the stabbing, except for a policewoman who is suffering from anxiety. A new video shows the terrorist took advantage of the officer's lack of attention when he jumped at him and tried to stab him. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The police released the documentation of the attempted attack on Friday which shows the policeman looking at his cell phone and whispering, when the terrorist approaches him. A video of the attack ( ) X The terrorist walked slowly, and when he recognized the policeman, he took the knife out of his pocket and tried to stab the officer. He did not succeed, and was soon shot and killed by the police. Following the attack, the police issued a statement saying that "a suspicious person arrived at a police station in the Old City and apparently tried to stab one of the policemen. The terrorist was neutralized by police officers." According to the police, the terrorist was a 30-year-old Israeli from Umm al-Fahm, and had no previous security charges filed against him. His relatives were questioned by the police and Shin Bet on Friday evening. The terrorist left the Council Gate at the Temple Mount at about 5:30pm. He then noticed a group of policemen stationed a few meters away, and tried to stab one of them with the knife he was holding. After a fight between the police and the suspect, he was shot and killed by police officers at the scene. The police responded to the incident by blocking the alleys surrounding the crime scene and opening an investigation into the identity of the terrorist. Under the guidance of the commander of the Jerusalem District, Major General Yoram Halevy, a search was conducted throughout the Temple Mount area, and police removed people from the area. Officers at the scene (Photo: TPS/ Daniel Gilo) Last week, police officers foiled another stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City. The officers arrested a 26-year-old Palestinian from Hebron who planned to stab Israeli civilians or security forces in the city. The Palestinian aroused the officers' suspicion and they detained him for questioning. During a search, police found a knife and a tear gas canister in his possession. His remand was extended by five days to allow police to complete the investigation. Security in Jerusalem's Old City (Photo: Yoav Davidkovich) "The efforts to locate, prevent and thwart attempts by attackers and terror organizations to carry out terror attacks continue at all times in the Jerusalem area and in the nearby crossings," police added. Chief Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Sharon Afeks decision to close the investigation into Rafah's Black Fridaywhich took place on August 1, 2014and several other incidents that took place during the fighting in Gaza that summer, is as outrageous as it is predictable. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Outrageous because it sweeps under the rug the wholesale killing of Palestinian civilians, which, according to Maj. Gen. Afek, was proportionate, non-criminal and non-negligent. A mass killing that no onefrom the prime minister to the commanders on the groundwill be held accountable for. Over the course of that Friday, soldiers killed 128 Palestinians. Most of them93did not participate in the fighting. Twenty-four of the dead were women, and 35 were minors. Yet the decision is also predictable because closing cases, whitewashing crimes and burying factsand with them any remnant of shameare what the Military Advocate Generals Corps does best. Palestinian man cries after seeing body of relative killed during Protective Edge (Photo: EPA) So, with respect to the mass killings in Rafah, the MAG found that the open fire policy during combat. was consistent with the provisions of Israeli law and the rules of international law. On the killing of five members of the a-Zwiedi family, including Ruayah, 6, and Nagham, 2, in Beit Hanun on July 19, 2014, the MAG ordered the inquiry into the incident closed without a criminal investigation. On the killing of nine women from the al-Qassas and Siyam families, including the girls Israa and Nasmah, 10, Arwa, 5, Yasmin, 7, Lamyaa, 12, and Samar, 3, in Gaza City on July 21, 2014none of whom had participated in the fightingthe MAG ordered the inquiry into the incident closed without a criminal investigation. The killing of more than 30 non-participants in Khan Yunis on July 29, 2014, was done, according to the MAG, in a manner consistent with the provisions of Israeli law and the rules of international law. The killing of nine non-participants at a beach cafe on July 9, 2014, was carried out in a manner consistent with the provisions of The killing of 17 non-participants in al-Bureij on July 29, 2014, was carried out in a manner consistent with and the list goes on. The MAG Corps may hide behind baseless legal interpretation to cover up the killings, but the facts tell a different story and expose the MAGs cynical take not only on the provisions of the law, but also on fundamental moral principles and common sense. The burning question is: how many times can one rely on accurate intel that turns out to be partial or wrong, and how many people have to be killed because of this reliance before the MAG draws the obvious conclusion? What does it take to realize that it is impossible to argue convincingly that what happened was unexpected when civilians were repeatedly disproportionately killed over the summer in nearly identical attacks? The killing of 2,202 Palestinianshundreds of whom were members of dozens of families who were wiped off inside their own homesat least 1,391 dead who did not take part in the fightingthe deadliest and most destructive assault on Palestinians by Israel since 1967was branded legal and proportionate before the first bullet was fired. And with the MAGs generous help, even the so called aberrations that did get investigated were ruled reasonable. Q.E.D. Add to that the fact that the person occupying the position of MAG is in an inherent conflict of interest with respect to the investigations he is charged with opening and running. When the incidents the MAG is now supposedly investigating took place during Operation Protective Edge, his predecessor, occupying the same office, gave the military legal counsel and approved its conduct. Does anyone really expect the MAG to order these incidents investigated? Palestinian man cries as he holds the dead body of his young brother shortly after he got killed by an Israeli naval bombardment in the port of Gaza City (Photo: EPA) Why does the military put so much effort into whitewashing? One of the main reasons for this is the desire to ward off international investigations against Israelis who are responsible for the killings. Israel produces this intricate morality play to show the outside world it is willing and able to investigate itself. Not buying it? Take it from the leadership itself. When former defense minister Moshe Yaalon appointed the current MAG, he stated explicitly the incoming officers experience would help protect the IDF from lawsuits around the world. This year, a senior official explained the importance of the general staff special investigation mechanismput in place to facilitate the whitewashing of incidents that took place during Operation Protective Edge and employed again in the context of killings of unarmed protestors during the "March of Return" proteststelling Israeli news website Walla: The important thing is that the mechanism protects IDF soldiers. Regardless of just how effective this whitewashing mechanism could be in warding off international investigations, the focus put on the utilitarian aspect of these investigations disregards the real reason accountability is necessarypreventing similar, or worse, crimes in future. This disregard shows that for Israel, any Palestinian is fair game and that the stage has already been set for the next assault. Amit Gilutz is the spokesperson for BTselem. A mayor in southern Italy has ordered the closure of a bridge designed by the same architect who created the collapsed Genoa highway bridge. The Italian news agency ANSA quoted Benevento Mayor Clemente Mastella as saying Friday about his precautionary measure that it is "better to have inconveniences than trouble" for bridge users. On Wednesday, the day after Genoa's Morandi Bridge collapsed, killing at least 38 people, Mastella asked experts to check his city's San Nicola bridge, which was also designed by architect Riccardo Morandi. That bridge was built in 1955 and had been reinforced in 2016. Genoa prosecutors are focusing their probe into the cause of the bridge collapse on a possible design flaw or inadequate maintenance. During a crucial moment in time, amid ongoing Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire deal, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated near the border fence on Friday afternoon. Following a few days of relative calm, the IDF killed two Palestinians demonstrators on the border fence, and fires erupted in the Gaza vicinity, one of them in the Beeri Forest. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Two Palestinians demonstrators were killed and another 60 injured at a protest along the Gaza border amid ongoing Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire, Gaza's Health Ministry said Friday. Demonstrations in Gaza (Photo: AFP) The protesters threw rocks and firebombs from behind clouds of black smoke of burning tires at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and sometimes live fire. Israel's military said some Palestinians also threw improvised explosives and firebombs at the fence and that several were spotted briefly crossing into Israeli territory. It said troops "fired live rounds selectively according to standard operating procedures." Earlier Friday, some 200 people came to support the family of the late Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held in the Gaza Strip for four years. Goldin's parents and brother arrived, for the 16th time, at the "Black Arrow" monument at the Gaza border. The father, Prof. Simha Goldin, criticized Netanyahu: "After the spin doctors were frightened by the term 'cease-fire', because Hadar was killed and kidnapped during a humanitarian ceasefire, they invented a new term 'arrangement'. So from here on out, I want to say to Netanyahuthis is not a ceasefire or an 'arrangement'- it's called 'appeasement.' Netanyahu knows exactly what it is; his father wrote a lot about it." "Appeasement is what Chamberlain did when frightened by a tyrant and an oppressorBibi is not ChurchillBibi is ChamberlainTo be Churchill he has to make the enemy understand the price he has to pay for his actions and we are not doing that," Simcha Goldin added. "Anyone who enters Gaza now wants to appease Hamas and Yahya Sanwar (Hamas new leader in Gaza), who is going to celebrate the folly of the prime minister's next week," Goldin stated. "Netanyahu turned all Israelis into the biggest fools of the Middle East, and we will pay for this with blood," he continued. "Residents of the Israeli periphery will pay for this after the Muslim holiday ends. Yihye Snowar has to report here and bring back Hadar and Oren and he will not get anything from me. "If this does not happen, the Israeli government, who has been feeding the monster for four years, will cause the next war, just like Chamberlain brought a war to England," Goldin concluded. An Israeli source confirmed Thursday that Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel as the guest of the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben Shabbat, and met with Netanyahu and Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman. Palestinian sources told Al-Hayat that Kamel discussed the final details of the arrangement with the Israeli side, including the completion of humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip and future negotiations with Hamas over the exchange of prisoners and captives. Meanwhile, Hamas officials have been meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo, hammering out details of a possible truce with Israel. The head of Egyptian intelligence visited Israel after two delegations of senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad figures attended the talks in Cairo in recent weeks. In addition, a Hamas delegation headed by Hamas deputy leader in the Strip, Khalil al-Hayya headed to Cairo Thursday. Almost all Palestinian factions sent representatives to Cairo, except for Fatah, whose members are still boycotting the talks. Palestinians demonstrate in Gaza (Photo: AFP) The Lebanese-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reported Thursday that the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas would include a one-year ceasefire and the establishment of a sea route between Gaza and Cyprus under Israeli security supervision. In addition, Qatar will pay the salaries of the officials in Gaza with the assistance of Egypt and will also pay the Gaza Strip's electricity bills in cooperation with Israel. The US State Department said on Friday it will redirect $230 million in frozen funding away from Syria and emphasized that the move did not signal a retreat by Washington from the conflict. The department said it had raised $300 million from coalition partners for recovery efforts in areas retaken from Islamic State militants in the northeast of the country and the US unds would be used to support other foreign policy priorities. US President Donald Trump froze the funds in March while his administration reassessed Washington's role in the Syrian conflict, saying he wanted the US to leave Syria. US officials insisted that Washington's efforts would be focused on defeating Islamic State in Syria. Sources involved in the case 4000 investigation said on Friday that the police have evidence that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezeq owner Shaul Elovitch discussed Bezeq's merger with Yes Satellite Firm. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The two discussed the merger at a meeting held at the prime minister's residence on Balfour Street in Jerusalem. According to testimonies gathered by the police, the meeting was set in a hurry, at the request of Elovitch, before an important meeting about the merger between Bezeq and Yes at the Cable and Satellite Council. Hefetz (L) with Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) Netanyahu and Elovitch, who were questioned Friday, did not deny the existence of the meeting or any other meeting, but each claimed separately that they had not discussed Bezeq. Shlomo Filber, former Communications Ministry Director and the second state witness was also invited to some of the meetings, in case issues need to be resolved. Shlomo Filber (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitch) According to recent reports, Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, gave a testimony regarding the case a few weeks ago. The police questioned him about his previous role as the communication minister, the way in which he conducted himself as opposed to Netanyahu, and also asked him about his policy toward Bezeq. The prime minister was confronted with this testimony during police questioning Friday. Bezeq owner Shaul Elovitch (Photo: Motti Kimchi) After Netanyahu was grilled by the police for four hours Friday morning, a statement made on behalf of the primes minister was released. "The facts unequivocally prove that Netanyahu's coverage in Walla! News when Shaul Elovitch's was the majority shareholder, remained as negative as when Walla was owned by Amos Schocken, and did not change in the slightest when Netanyahu became Minister of Communications," the statement read. "On the other hand, other communications ministers received a tremendous boost in positive media coverage after taking officenot only by Walla! News, but by other major media outlets as well. "No one claims, and rightly so, that there is something wrong with that, however, Netanyahu did not receive such a boost in positive media coverage, and so, this is another explanation for the crumbling 4000 case," the statement concluded. Contrary to the statement, the police say they continue to stick to the case and evidence they have. police chief Roni Alsheikh (Photo: EPA) The investigation involves suspicions that Bezeq majority shareholder Elovitch and Netanyahu had a quid pro quo relationship in which Bezeq enjoyed regulatory benefits in return for favorable coverage of the Netanyahu family on Walla! News, which is owned by the telecommunications giant. As was published last week in Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu and Elovitch allegedly had a secret meeting in 2015 ahead of an important discussion at the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council on the merger of telecommunications giant Bezeq and satellite TV company Yes Hamas leader Izzat Rishak said on Friday that ceasefire talks with Israel have ended. Rishak, a member of Hamas' delegation in the Cairo talks, and a senior official at the organization, added that the ceasefire round of discussions would resume at the end of the month, after the Festival of Sacrifice, an Islamic holiday. Ahmad Muhammad Mahamid, 30, from Umm al-Fahm, is the terrorist who tried to stab the policeman in the Old City of Jerusalem earlier on Friday. Police shot and killed the terrorist at the scene. No other casualties were reported. Security forces are expected to investigate Mahamid's relatives in the coming hours. Kieran and Kevin catch up to discuss the property stories that stood out this week. 1. Sky-high pool antics Some describe it as terrifying, others, exhilarating. One things for sure you will never forget your first time in a glass-bottomed pool. No longer satisfied with indoor or even rooftop pools, developers are designing pools to thrill... READ MORE 2. How many rooms is right? Australians are lusting after four-bedroom houses in their search for the perfect property, new data has revealed... READ MORE 3. London mansion for less than lunch money INSTEAD of grabbing a lotto ticket, why not use that money to try to hit the property jackpot on a marvellous $9.1m British mansion... READ MORE 4. Billionaire developers slug it out in court AUSTRALIAN casino giant Crown Resorts filed a lawsuit on Friday to protect its views of Sydney Harbour from a neighbouring development backed by two of the country's richest families and a Chinese billionaire... READ MORE Subscribe to Property News Update - and never miss an episode. With thanks to Real Estate Talk the only place where you hear all Australasias leading property experts. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Why should any resident of the 6th District believe Roskam wants to represent us? Not only are his votes in favor of tax cuts for wealthy Americans, against the Affordable Care Act and in virtual lockstep with the Trump presidency, which is at odds with the views of most constituents, but he disdains meeting with us or debating his challenger in our presence. - A pastor in Kumasi has abandoned the lifeless body of his 'daughter' in front of her family house -He had the body brought in from Accra to avoid a court action The Head Pastor of Spirit of Truth Ministry in the Ashanti Region, Bishop Kingsley Harrison, left many residents of Ayigya in the Ashanti Region in a state of shock after he abandoned a corpse in the area. According to reports, the man of God ordered for the lifeless body of a lady believed to be named Ataa Attivor who was christened Doreen Harrison, to be brought from Accra. The story had it that Doreen, a 26-year-old who had been adopted by the man of God died while still living with the pastor. Bishop Kingsley Harrison. Credit: GhPage.com READ ALSO: 5 'all over the place' celebs whose weddings took most Ghanaians by surprise It is reported that the man of God revealed that the lady died of asthma but family members of Doreen, have refused to accept the fact that the lady die of asthma. The family members of the deceased lady are reported to have mounted pressure on the pastor to return the mortal remains of Doreen to them or face them in court. The legal threats therefore forced the man of God to have the mortal remains of Doreen chauffeured from Accra in an ambulance with registration number BA 751-15. However, one family member of Ataa Attivor, (Doreen) believed to be the head of the family, Isaac Nsiah Foster, rejected the corpse and asked the pastor to come clean on the cause of death. Isaac Nsiah Foster asked Bishop Kingsley Harrison to provide documents which supported the fact that their relative died of asthma. Photo Credit: GhPage.com READ ALSO: Juliet Ibrahim sets the internet ablaze with her latest poolside photo They argued that the man of God refused to tell them that their daughter had been ill and even when she died, they had to learn of the unfortunate news from another family. A clash ensued over the lifeless body of the 26-year-old lady leaving many people injured. The body was therefore dumped in front of a drinking bar to prevent a court action. Police in the area have since intervened in the matter to settle it amicably. The remains have been taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) mortuary and Bishop Kingsley Harrison has been ordered to produce medical documents of the deceased to confirm the cause of death. READ ALSO: Government backs down on GFA dissolution Watch: In My Feelings Drake: Stop It! | #Yencomgh YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident? Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page. Source: Yen.com.gh - Lil Win has been accused of stealing another song - His accuser is Andy Odarky of TV3 Mentor fame Kumawood actor and musician, Lil Win has been caught in another 'song stealing' scandal as one Kumasi-based rapper has threatened to sue him over a song. Lil Win recently released a song titled 'Ayeyi' which features Andy Odarky, the 1st runner-up of the maiden edition of TV3's Mentor show. But according to Andy, Lil Win is not the rightful owner of the song as he had put it out. Speaking Zylofon FMs Showbiz Agenda on Thursday, Andy revealed that the song was composed by him as part of a proposed deal to sign him to Lil Win's Weezy Empire record label. READ ALSO: 7 photos that give a hint of how perfect Becca will be as a bride on her wedding day "We were supposed to sign a contract last year. It was Boss Nation now Weezy Empire but it was Boss nation that said they were going to sign me on their record label. So they wanted Kojo Nkansah and me to have something on our own so they can use it for song of the signing. "Kojo Nkansah cant write a song. All the songs he brought out was written by people. So I was told to record a song for him so when he gets back from his Europe tour, I can tell him his part. So I wrote the song it was a bit difficult because his timing was bad, Zionfelix reported Andy as saying. Explaining why he had decided to speak up now, Andy revealed that he felt cheated because Lil Win released the audio and video of the song online without even notifying him. READ ALSO: "Are you a fool?" - Badu Kobi wildly attacks Akufo-Addo over plan to tax churches (Audio) Andy had earlier released a press statement cautioning Lil Win and his team to "stop promoting and claiming ownership of the song written and owned by Andy Odarky of TV3 Mentor Fame with immediate effect or face lawsuit. This is not the first time Lil Win who is known in real life as Kwadwo Nkansah has been in the news over 'song theft'. It will be recalled that Swedru-based artiste, Patapaa once accused Lil Win of stealing his 'One Corner' song and releasing it as 'Corner Corner'. READ ALSO: Married Ghanaian pastor in trouble in Canada after getting member pregnant and denying it After some back and forth on the matter, Lil Win and Patapaa settled their differences and even performed together at Stonebwoy's concert at Ashaiman. In My Feelings Drake: Stop It! | #Yencomgh: READ ALSO: Yvonne Nelson promises something special for Becca at her wedding on Saturday 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 - Shatta Michy has stressed that Ghanaians are 'not serious' - Michy made this known after getting five thousands likes on a post on social media Empress of the Shatta Movement empire, Shatta Michy is simply not happy with the attitude of Ghanaians. According to the girlfriend of Shatta Wale, Ghanaians are not serious. Michy arrived at this conclusion after gaining only five thousand likes on a post announcing her women empowerment project. READ ALSO: NAM1 has been a blessing to the youth - Bulldog Shatta Michy who disclosed this during an interview with showbiz said: I dont think Ghanaians like serious things. They prefer controversies and scandals. I want them to support me and my new brand because I really want to get the message out there, so I need help and support. She said further that, Can you believe I shared the video of the woman who got beaten by a police officer at Midland Savings on social media and I got just a few likes?. But for example, a picture of me half naked and doing something controversial on my page will fetch me thousands of likes." READ ALSO: Becca is getting married on August 18 - Yvonne Nelson confirms? I even posted a picture depicting my women empowerment project and got just 5k likes and I was like,is this really my page because on a regular basis, I get about 50k likes on a post." The mother of one intimated that she has noted the pain women have had to suffer citing it as the reason why she intend to take up the challenge. YEN.com.gh previously reported the reunion of Michy and Shatta Wale after the dup broke up some months ago as they shared a kiss on TV to celebrate their reunion. READ ALSO: Canada-based pastor Martin Kofi Danso dragged to court for impregnating church member In My Feelings Drake: Stop It! | #Yencomgh: Read more: https://yen.com.gh Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page Source: Yen - Samini has branded Shatta Wale as a braggart - According to Samini, he is the originator of the term 'African Dancehall King' Dancehall artiste, Samini has revived his rivalry with competitor Shatta Wale. According to the My Own hitmaker, Shatta Wale is just bragging for claiming 'African Dancehall King Title.' Samini indicated that he is the originator and that he laughs anytime he sees other claiming ownership of it. READ ALSO: NAM1 has been a blessing to the youth - Bulldog Samini said this in an interview with Accra-based Happy FM. According to him: When I hear people bragging I laugh because I dont need to make noise about that. I appreciate everything that Ive done so far and if my fans are happy, Im happy because I appreciate them a lot." READ ALSO: Becca is getting married on August 18 - Yvonne Nelson confirms? The one-time MOBO award winner added, Ive never fought over the dancehall king title because I brought the term African dancehall king but someone is claiming it today but he has to give credit where it is due. Go listen to my African dancehall king track and you will realize it. My term in that song attracted people to claim that name upon themselves. Samini and Shatta Wale have always been at each others throat over who is the best. READ ALSO: Juliet Ibrahim sets the internet ablaze with her latest poolside photo With this shot thrown at Shatta Wale it is unknown whether the Gringo hitmaker will reply or not. Ghana News Today: Shatta Waly May Become A President Of Ghana | #Yencomgh Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page Source: Yen Newspaper The founder and leader of the Glorious Wave Chapel International, Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, has come under a barrage of attacks on social media over his recent criticisms of President Nana Akufo-Addo. YEN.com.gh reported on Thursday that Prophet Badu Kobi had literally insulted on Akufo-Addo and his government over plans to tax churches. The Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Kofi Nti, had indicated that his outfit is looking to tax church-ran businesses. This according to the GRA boss, was because many church leaders or owners leverage their churches to establish other businesses which generate enough money for them which must be taxed. READ ALSO: 5 powerful men Becca allegedly dated before meeting the man she's wedding tomorrow (Photos) But reacting to the development, Badu Kobi angrily rejected the idea describing it as nonsensical for the Akufo-Addo government to even think of taxing churches. According to him, the move contrasts promises Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made about taxes while they were campaigning for power in 2016. Badu Kobi thus challenged Akufo-Addo to declare his source of campaign funds and get it taxed too. "If they want to tax the church, we must tax their campaign money and if they don't want pastors to drive the best, they should go to campaign on trucks. Nonsense. "When they were doing their campaign, under's Ghana law, you don't take money from anywhere. Nana Akufo-Addo should come and tell me if they took money from somewhere or not because I know where they took their money from. "I know how the campaign money came to Ghana. I'm going to expose them," he said. Wondering why a party which came to power with the slogan 'The battle is the Lord's' was battling the church, he reiterated that he will expose the nonsense of our leaders on Sunday. READ ALSO: Canada-based Ghanaian pastor gets disgraced in court after DNA test revealed him as the father of a child he denied "Coming Sunday, Nana Akufo-Addo should listen to me. We are not afraid of them." Badu Kobi further charged at the government retorting "how can you be happy and say you want to tax the church, are you a fool?" But some Ghanaians have tongue-lashed the renowned 'man of God' for his outburst with many describing it as not worthy of a pastor. For many of them, it was just unacceptable and they responded with harsh criticisms of their own. Vera described Badu Kobi's outburst as madness: READ ALSO: Juliet Ibrahim releases wild poolside photo and fans cant stop talking about her raw body Kmedia also described it as nonsense and even called him fake: Kwame also described Badu Kobi in his own words: READ ALSO: 7 photos that give a hint of how perfect Becca will be as a bride at her wedding on Saturday Benjy had a very interesting point about churches in other countries paying taxes: Apos described Badu Kobi as a corrupt pastor: READ ALSO: Bullet threatens to expose Ebonys father on the deep things between him and his daughter Furkan thought Badu Kobi's words were too harsh: Meanwhile, Badu Kobi's position is in sharp contrast with the opinion of another popular prophet, Isaac Owusu Bempah who has given a thumbs up to government over the proposed tax. According to Owusu Bempah who was once the spiritual father of Badu Kobi, many of his colleague pastors do sell items in church which must be taxed. Moreover, Owusu Bempah said on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana, they go about flaunting their riches and must therefore not be crying if they are going to be taxed. In My Feelings Drake: Stop It! | #Yencomgh: 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 - A video has emerged online showing President Akufo-Addo walk past his vice president, literally ignoring his handshake - Social media users have since been talking, with many speculating bad blood The Ghanaian social media space has been filled with divided opinions following the emergence of a video in which President Akufo-Addo appeared to have snubbed a handshake from his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In the 15-second video sighted on Facebook which has since gone viral, shows the President walk past Dr. Bawumia who was anticipating a handshake but was left hanging as Akufo-Addo did not even notice him. The incident happened when some 1,350 businesses, from all 10 regions of the country who are first beneficiaries of the Presidential Business Support Programme, converged at the Jubilee House on Tuesday. READ ALSO: GHC5m was proceeds from a property sale not loan Kofi Amoabeng clarifies The Ministry of Business Development is expected to offer continuous training and capacity building, mentorship and business advisory services, free accounting services, access to business networking opportunities and seed capital ranging from GH10,000 to GH100,000, to each of the beneficiaries. President Akufo-Addo noted that there is the need to encourage high levels of investment in entrepreneur development if Ghanas economy is to grow at the required rate. However, in spite of the events purpose being clear, it was the Presidents snub of a handshake from Dr. Bawumia that has since made the headlines. READ ALSO: Badu Kobi under attack on social media for insulting Akufo-Addo Some communicators of the NPP have, however, dispelled any rumors of a rift between the President and his vice, describing the snub as a protocol mishap. Below are some of the social media comments; Ghana News Today: Is President Akufo-Addo's government becoming too big? | #Yenkasa READ ALSO: Mensa Otabil admonishes Ghana and Africa to adopt bold ideas 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.com.gh - Two prophets have cautioned Nana Poku Kwarteng, the father of Ebony Reigns, over his 'fight' with Bullet - Ebony's father has been in the news over recent attacks on Bullet and has even threatened a suit to protect what is due his daughter - But Prophets Cosmos Affran and Stephen Adom say Nana Kwarteng may lose his life or that of his son if he continues his fight The father of the late Ebony Reigns, Nana Poku Kwarteng has been in the news within the past few days over his tussle with Bullet that he had been cheating Ebony. And it seems the 'fight' is not ending anytime soon with both parties levelling accusations against each other at every opportunity granted them by the media. Nana Kwarteng who has now been nicknamed 'Starboy Kwarteng' for his media friendliness has even hinted of going to court over the matter. Ebony's father, Nana Poku Kwarteng (Photo source: YEN.com.gh) But the founder and leader of Cosmos Affran Ministries, Prophet Cosmos Walker Affran, has cautioned Nana Kwarteng to stop fighting Bullet over Ebonys properties and money. READ ALSO: 5 powerful men Becca allegedly dated before meeting the man she's wedding tomorrow (Photos) According to Prophet Affran, whose is known to have predicted deaths for Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, Ebonys father is walking the same path as his daughter walked and lost her life. In a Facebook post, Prophet Affran who often shares revelations on trending issues stated that if care is not taken Nana Kwarteng will lose his life and that of his son. "Because of money your daughter lost her life and now as a Father the mistake your daughter made that led to her death, and as a Father youre doing the same mistake. Dont exchange money with your life and your son life. Choose life because darkness is ahead of you and your son because of money. Pray. Thou saith the Lord prophecy by Prophet Cosmos Walker Affran," he posted. Prophet Affran's prophecy comes after that of the founder and leader of Zion Miracle Worship Centre (ZMWC), Prophet Stephen Kwadwo Adom, who made similar revelations in July. READ ALSO: "Are you a fool?" - Badu Kobi wildly attacks Akufo-Addo over plan to tax churches (Audio) In a video which was sighted by YEN.com.gh at the time, Prophet Adom stated that he foresaw Ebony's father engaging in a legal battle with Bullet over Ebony's properties. Prophet Adom who made many predictions including the collapse of Nana Ama McBrown's marriage cautioned that if care was not taken Ebony's father will also lose his only son. I see Ebonys family fighting over Ebonys properties in court, I would advise them to stop else they will lose their only son's life," he said in the video. Meanwhile Bullet has reacted to Nana Kwarteng's latest attack on his person saying he also has a mansion full of secrets to reveal. 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 - Nana Addo said his administration will be accomplishing its promises - The president says his government has succeeded in dealing with the rot of government President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured Ghanaians of more prosperous times ahead. President Akufo-Addo has revealed that his administration will soon be introducing new policies that will improve upon the economic welfare of Ghanaians. Speaking at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region, the president revealed that his administration used the first few months of his administration to access the mess that the previous administration left behind. READ ALSO: Badu Kobi under attack on social media for insulting Akufo-Addo My NPP government is focused more on investigating how our predecessors, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, managed the country when they were in political office for eight years," he revealed. Earlier, President Akufo-Addo patted himself on the back saying his administration has achieved so much in just two years. The president says his administration has succeeded in successfully implementing the free senior high school education. Nana Addo says even though his political critics argued that the funding of the free SHS was impossible, his administration was still able to weather the storm and get things running. Those who said we could not do it has been put to shame. Very soon, we will pass legislation that stipulates that every child in Ghana should go to school up to Senior High School level, at least. We dont want dropouts. This way, everyone can find meaningful employment in this country, he stated during his 5-day tour of the Ashanti Region. READ ALSO: 5 powerful men Becca allegedly dated before meeting the man she's wedding tomorrow (Photos) Nana Addo also claimed that almost all of his government policies have been achieved. According to President Akufo-Addo, the work that we promised to do, the promises I made during the campaign period, I believe that all Ghanaians can attest to the fact that they were not idle promises, but rather promises that I honestly believed that I could fulfill, once I won power.' Ghana News Today: Is President Akufo-Addo's government becoming too big? | #Yenkasa 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 - 2 student contestants of a beauty pageant have lost their lives in a drowning incident - The sad incident happened at a beach in Cape Coast - One of the bodies has been found with search still ongoing for the second body Two contestants of the Face of USAG (University Students' Association of Ghana), are reported to have drowned yesterday, Thursday, August 16 in Cape Coast during a photo shoot session. The two students, Lily Ampofowaa Asiedu and Sara Kwarteng were keenly contesting against other ladies for the chance to be crowned the 'Face of USAG'. The two contestants drowned at a Cape Coast beach during a photo shoot session as part of pageantry procedure. READ ALSO: Blakk Cedi confirms Becca's wedding will come off on Saturday? The incident is reported to have happened between 7 to 9 pm on Thursday. One body has so far been found with the other still missing according to the reports. Lily Ampofowaa Asiedu from the University of Ghana, Accra campus was found dead with Sara Kwarteng's body still missing. READ ALSO: Photo: Lilwin enstooled Nkosuohene of Duaponko in Ashanti Region Sara Kwarteng was a student at the University of Education, Mampong. Reports indicate trip to the beach was against the advice of the Dean of students of the host school University of Cape Coast where a USAG Congress is being held. The contest was scheduled to come off at 6PM on August 17. Not too long ago, YEN.com.gh reported that some 2 students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology got drowned in Germany. READ ALSO: Dr. Obengfo asked me to pay GHC 30k to help me reduce my 'Tundra' - Actress Watch: Shasta Story - The Life of a Lady Barber: Faces of Ghana | #Yencomgh 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 Dargis, who told trustees that PDQ now owns the property, indicated that the company was still committed to including a drive-thru, which generates approximately 40 percent of the restaurants business. He noted that the concerns officials raised would be true with any use, and said that a true fast-food restaurant on site would generate even more traffic than PDQ. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) Remember the adorable narcotics-sniffing dogs of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that were put up for adoption? They have all found their own families. The 13 retired hero dogs were turned over to their forever homes on Friday. The adoption ceremony was held on Friday at PDEA K9 Unit in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The applicants had to prove they can provide love and attention to the dogs. They also had to prove they can financially maintain the dogs' needs, such as food, healthcare, and grooming needs. PDEA said the 13 dogs nine Belgian Malinois, two Jack Russell Terriers, one German Shepherd, and one Labrador Golden Retriever will be checked by their officers from time to time. PDEA K9 Unit Laboratory Service Director Derrick Carreon said there are more retired dogs that are up for adoption. These dogs were used in the detection of illegal drugs in establishments, greyhound operations in jails and prisons, and checkpoint operations in airports and seaports. During the Plan Commission process, the Northbrook Police Department and facility representatives worked together to address security on the property, according to the report. After review, the police department approved staff training and alarm systems as adequate security measures, but if updates need to be made in the future the facility will work with the village to make improvements, according to the report. I think you could take a simple poll from people walking up and down the street in Maine Township and in Cook County for that matter and I think 90 percent of the people would say they dont want this tax, she said. I dont see why we need a referendum on the ballot. It was very loud and clear why it was repealed: People were not happy and rejected it and made a lot of noise about it. Thinking that this is going to resurrect itself, just because the election is over in November, I think is very speculative. Cardosi argued that he should not have been given a sentence of life without parole. The court considered factors it shouldnt have, the appeal states, including the brutality of the murders and that the acts were committed at a time of the day when the victims were most vulnerable when the victims were asleep and had no meaningful way to defend themselves and that the crimes were calculated with a co-perpetrator. St. Patrick Catholic Church: 638 N. Calumet Road Registration is open for the 2018 Northwest Indiana Catholic Men's Conference hosted by the Diocese of Gary and the Northwest Indiana Catholic Men's Fellowship Groups. Men ages 16 and older are invited to attend the one-day conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22. Check-in will begin at 7:45 a.m. The event includes Mass, small and large group discussion, breakfast and lunch, among other activities. The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for high school and college students. Register at www.nwicatholicmen.com/registration. Folks can pony up $10 and sit in the paved lot Saturday and Sunday to watch the U.S. Air Forces F-35, modestly considered the deadliest fighter jet on the planet. Or they can check out the Air Force Thunderbirds as they take flight for the Chicago Air & Water Show on Saturday and Sunday at the North Avenue Beach. If you see anyone working near a light pole in your neighborhood, please call 911 and inform them immediately, the post states. We believe that suspects may be attempting to blend in and (are) posing to be NIPSCO or other utility workers. At issue: Who should pay for the cleanup, and how extensive should it be? Many times, theres no one to hold accountable because the sites are left by bankrupt companies without the wherewithal to finance millions of dollars in mitigation. The sale will result in a slight decrease in monthly water bills for Lake Station residents and within the first five years of ownership, Indiana-American Water promised to switch customers to water from Lake Michigan instead of treated groundwater, which is the current supply. "If I were a single mom having to get all my kids on the bus with my laundry, going to the laundromat, having to use cash that maybe should be being used to feed my kids ... I don't like doing laundry enough at home even with a washer and dryer in my house, let alone with those types of struggles," Hunter said. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is now accepting nominations for The South Shore Wall of Legends to honor individuals or teams whose accomplishments resonate in and beyond Northwest Indiana. Nominations will close at 5 p.m. Sept. 4. Legends are those individuals who have lived or worked in Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski or Starke County and have had a substantial impact with lasting implications. New Legends will be inducted at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12th at the Indiana Welcome Center. Submit nominations to the South Shore CVA, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond. Multiple individuals engaged in the same activity can be nominated in one nomination. To obtain a nomination form, contact John Davies at john.davies1214@gmail.com or at 219-789-1214. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) A local court on Friday issued a hold departure order against alleged drug lord Peter Lim, whom it earlier ordered arrested. Makati Regional Trial Court Acting Presiding Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos ordered the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation to prevent the departure of the businessman from the country. The Makati RTC on Tuesday also issued an arrest warrant for Lim, who is facing raps of conspiracy to commit illegal trading for selling and distributing illegal drugs in Visayas. It has ordered the Mabolo Police Station in Cebu City to perform the arrest. Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Supt. Bong Durana, Jr. said authorities have already deployed 'tracker teams' to chase after Lim. "We have tracker teams, actually, running after him," Durana told reporters in a media briefing on the administration's drug-free campaign Friday. "So that's why we appeal to the public, if ever we have information that will lead to the whereabouts of Peter Lim, then I would be happy to look into it." Police hunt continues Lim's exact location remains unknown. It appears the businessman has left his house in Cebu City. He was last seen in public August last year, when he submitted a counter affidavit to the courts, insisting he was not linked to the drug trade. READ: Where is Peter Lim? Central Visayas police officials also admitted they were clueless on Lim's whereabouts. PRO7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Angelito Dumangeng confirmed local authorities in Cebu have received the arrest warrant, but urged the public to help in locating the businessman. Dumangeng also asked Lim to voluntarily surrender to the police. Meanwhile, Durana revealed police are also joining forces with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in hunting down the accused drug lord. NBI Spokesperson Atty. Ferdinand Lavin said all regional directors and district directors of the agency were already ordered to join the hunt. Lim's trial is set on August 28, as ordered by Judge Bibat-Palamos. Apart from Lim, the court also ordered the arrest of his co-accused, self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco, and Ruel Malindangan. It is clear that our new shelter facility is yielding very positive results, shelter director Toni Bianchi said in a release. Not only can we take in more animals, we now have a shelter that is designed to be less stressful on the animals and provides the functionality we need to better train and socialize them. And that results in more adoptions. There is a door on the outside of the building leading to the box where the baby can be placed. Once the door is opened an alarm goes off, alerting the fire stations within the department and 911 center, and a first responder comes to retrieve the baby within minutes and takes the infant for medical observation, officials said. The baby then becomes a ward of the state and is placed with a family. This is the first one that came to our attention but other ones will be getting notice soon, as soon as we figure out who they are, he said, adding those exemptions should be filed every year, though his office recently learned that wasnt happening. What they are opposed to, they said during a meeting on the proposal Thursday at Recovery Connection, a short distance from the two lots in the 300 block of Union Street that would house the facility, is the density of the project in both the size of the building and its number of residents, with 24 residents and three staff. The U.S. Senate just unanimously passed a resolution stating, The press is not the enemy of the people.Throughout history, only tyrants and dictators have used that term. Says a lot about Trump, doesnt it? Every Republican voted for that resolution, so the matter is settled. Trump fans, pay attention. Our Founding Fathers put freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the First Amendment because they are the most important rights in a democracy. Thanks, Post-Tribune, for the fine article on the topic. The project widened Townline Road to nine lanes in some areas and new lanes were added on both sides of Milwaukee Avenue. New stoplights also were added on Townline Road east of the intersection to allow easier access into shopping centers. But Susie Findlay said she is being prevented from doing so by Northfield officials. The village wont sign off on an Illinois Department of Transportation form, she said, that would allow the state to permit her to work on the property. How to get digital access to the Chieftain news Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) Lawyers of the owner of an alleged 'drug den' bar in Makati were arrested Thursday for stopping police from searching the premises. The lawyers, two male and one female, entered the Times in Manila bar without permission and started taking pictures and videos of the bar while police were conducting a search, a report from Southern Poilice District (SPD) Director PCSupt. Tomas Apolinario said Wednesday. Apolinario said the lawyers prevented police from searching the third floor of the bar, when they were warned that they will be arrested for obstruction of justice. The SPD chief said the lawyers were given three warnings before they were arrested. They are now detained at the Makati detention facility. Apolinario added some of the police personnel searching the bar were threatened and harrassed. "One of their companions only presented a certification later in the evening attesting that the 3 lawyers arrested represent Burton Joseph Server as their client," Apolinario said in a message. Server is the owner of the bar where 1.6 million worth of party drugs cocaine, capsules and tablets of ecstasy were seized in a buy-bust operation early Saturday. READ: Authorities close down Makati bar after seizing 1.6-M worth of party drugs Hong Kong an international business hub and a gateway to China for many foreign companies continues to be an attractive destination among foreign investors. This is particularly true as neighboring cities, such as Shenzhen continue to experience unprecedented growth in its economy, driven mostly by its expanding technology and innovation capabilities. In 2017, the World Bank ranked Hong Kong the third best destination for ease of doing business. Despite this ranking, however, Hong Kong has acquired a reputation for being a difficult place for foreign investors to open and maintain a bank account due mostly to its arduous de-risking process. Opening a bank account in Hong Kong is often a vital first step to establishing business presence in Hong Kong. It is therefore important for foreign investors to understand the procedures and documents required in order to be successful in doing so. Banking in Hong Kong In 2018 40 percent of the members of Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries believed it was more difficult to open a bank account in Hong Kong than in other jurisdictions such as mainland China, Dubai, India, Switzerland, Taiwan and UK. Further, over half of those surveyed believed the loss of business in Hong Kong was a direct outcome of the difficulties faced when opening a bank account. Common issues faced relate to: producing required documents (59 percent), purchasing insurance or other financial products (33 percent) and conditions on maintaining fixed deposits (23 percent). For many banks, it is also not uncommon to impose a monthly charge for failing to maintain a balance above a certain minimum amount. Others point out that the bank approval process is not transparent and that smaller-revenue generating customers are often met with higher procedural hurdles. Among those who have reported facing the most problems when setting up an account are: start-ups, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), and foreign customers. Step-by-step guide on setting up a bank account Internal policies usually dictate the internal practices of a bank, meaning that the procedure and requirements can vary from bank to bank or even branch to branch. However, generally the following procedure can be expected: Most banks will require you to make an initial appointment (for example, HSBC phone to general hotline; Bank of China phone to the branch; DBS email to bank manager for initial review). Following this, a preliminary review is usually conducted (for example, HSBC by phone interview with directors, Bank of China meet with originals supporting documents; DBS send supporting documents by email to bank manager). If the preliminary review is passed, both parties will meet to sign the relevant bank application forms and documents, as well as paying the initial deposit. Deposit: differs according to the bank and is subject to change from time to time. For HSBC, at the time of publication, the initial deposit required to open the account is 10,000HKD500 HKD of which is deducted for the service charge. Signatories: also differs according to the bank and time. While some banks accept certified and true copy of shareholders ID, others require the director/shareholder/ beneficial owner/ nominee to be physically present. In most cases, banks require the same number of people present as that forms quorum in a board meeting according to the Articles of Association to satisfy their Know Your Customer procedure. At this stage, the bank manager will send the application for a department review which normally takes approximately one to two months. It is not uncommon for the review department to require further supporting documents before finally opening a new bank account on your behalf. What are the documents required? Again, while each bank may adopt their own individual policies, the documents that are generally required are as follows: Company documents : Business Registration Certificate; Certificate of Incorporation; Articles of Association; and NNC1 form. : Business Registration Certificate; Certificate of Incorporation; Articles of Association; and NNC1 form. Proof of Business : documents required here are less clear, but generally include evidence of the nature of the business, experience in the industry etc. For example, issued/received invoices, business plan description, agreement with suppliers, bank reference letter and website. : documents required here are less clear, but generally include evidence of the nature of the business, experience in the industry etc. For example, issued/received invoices, business plan description, agreement with suppliers, bank reference letter and website. Personal documents: passport; and residency proof (e.g. utility bill, electricity bill or bank statement which are less than three months old and include your address and your name). Gradual improvements to the banking environment Gigi Wong, Manager of Business Advisory Services at Dezan Shira & Associates in Hong Kong, has had success in opening bank accounts for many of her clients. Wong explains that companies that have a physical office or employee located in Hong Kong usually have a much higher chance of success. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has recently announced that it has taken steps to improve its internal banking environment taking the time to engage with various stakeholders to gather details of specific incidents relating to difficulties around bank account opening. As a result, the HKMA has cautioned financial institution against a one-size-fits-all approach and encouraged them to take a risk-based approach that differentiates the risk levels of individual customers in accordance with their backgrounds and circumstances. Wong observes that, the situation is improving, but there is still a long way to go. Hong Kong needs to continue to ease its administrative red-tape in order to stay competitive with other international financial hubs in the region, such as Singapore which like Hong Kong, serves as a financial gateway to Asia, but benefits from a more relaxed banking environment for foreign businesses. A parallel session of the World Congress of Philosophy was held on Wednesday in Beijing, with experts discussing cross-cultural communication in relation to Dunhuang, an important ancient town of the Silk Road. "Dunhuang: Meeting Point of Cultural Exchange Along the Silk Road," organized by the China Academy of Translation and Sinological Development Charitable Foundation, is part of XXIV World Congress of Philosophy (WCP) hosted by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP) and Peking University in Beijing. More than 60 experts and scholars from 18 countries and regions participated in this international academic seminar and exchanged on "cross-cultural communication on Dunhuang." Wang Gangyi, vice president of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and executive president of the China Academy of Translation, and Dr. Elizabeth Woo Li, chairperson of the Sinological Development Charitable Foundation, attended the event and delivered keynote speeches. Wang pointed out in his speech that international communication in relation to Dunhuang studies has been one of The China Academy of Translation's major research areas. In 2016, the academy began to establish a large multi-lingual translation body on the theme of the Dunhuang culture, to better provide translation and inquiry services for global researchers. "The seminar today is our latest effort in this regard," he said. "Located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang is a critical stronghold on the ancient Silk Road, a historical witness to the exchanges between eastern and western civilizations." Yang Ping, council member of the International Federation of Translators and secretary general of the China Academy of Translation, pointed out that as an important town on the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang is the platform for cultural exchanges between contemporary China, India, Central Asia, West Asia and Greece. Dunhuang culture and art have thus become the crystallization of multiculturalism and the nation's precious world cultural heritage. "So, in this sense, as Dunhuang belongs to China, it belongs more to the world, and it has an inclusive, harmonious and diverse diversity. The cultural characteristics embody the spirit of the sea, the harmonious coexistence, the mutual exchange of ideas, and the innovation of the Silk Road," she said. She further stated that the China Academy of Translation is willing to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with scholars and institutions working on Dunhuang research at home and abroad on the basis of the pre-established multi-lingual digitalization of Dunhuang culture, the terminology digital library and the accumulation of preliminary work. The forum specially invited 12 experts of Dunhuang research and translation from all over the world to give keynote speeches on subjects spanning philosophical texts, astronomical traditions, heritage protection, cultural translation and cultural communication. The seminar is part of the efforts by the China Academy of Translation's multilingual Chinese character translation standardization terminology library. It has three parallel sub-forums on "the inheritance and protection of Dunhuang historical and cultural heritages from the perspective of science and technology," "Dunhuang cultural translation and dissemination," and "Dunhuang cultural heritages' historical and social interpretations." "When we carry out cross-cultural communication about Dunhuang today, we should stress the diversity of civilizations as the source of human progress. Diversity leads to exchange, exchange results in integration, and integration brings progress," said Wang. You are here: Arts This month, many women in Shilan, a small town in Hunan Province, are becoming embroiderers with support from the local government. They will become inheritors of Miao embroidery, a national intangible cultural heritage from the Miao people. During the 2018 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, the heritage was brought to the "Splendid China: China Intangible Cultural Heritage Fashion Show" by designer Wang Xiaolin, held at Prince Kung's Mansion in Beijing in June. Over the past two years, Wang and her team looked for and collected Miao embroidered pieces in Hunan, digging out many traditional embroidery crafts that were nearly lost. The designer was surprised to find animal and flower patterns printed with a strong local style. "I didn't expect people here could create such beautiful works," she said. "They almost took my breath away." Yet Wang breathed new life to the old heritage by infusing modern designs, with an addition of bamboo weaving, silver accessories and folk musical instruments. She aims for her designs to stand out with two strong features, one being the Miao people's embroidery. "We hope more people will know Miao embroidery and other intangible cultural heritages, and carry them forward." The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Thursday held a meeting to hear reports on the investigation of the defective vaccine case involving Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Limited. The meeting was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who attaches great attention to the case and has made important instructions over it on multiple occasions. He stressed that those involved in the case should be held accountable and punished severely according to the law. Xi also instructed all-out efforts to be made to ensure the bottom line of safety and safeguard the public interest and social stability, according to the meeting. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council has held several meetings and sent investigation teams to probe the case. "So far, the facts of the case and the performance of duties of relevant departments and officials have been basically ascertained," the meeting said. "Vaccines are something that concerns public health and national security. The case is a serious offense, in which the vaccine producer violated the law and relevant standards and regulations in pursuit of profits and fabricated false production inspection records. "A number of local government officials and supervisory departments were found in dereliction of duty. The case resulted in a negative impact and exposed many loopholes, such as inadequate supervision, and reflected institutional defects in the production, circulation and use of vaccines." Chinese leaders pledged concrete measures in response to the incident at the meeting. Participants at the meeting stressed that it is important to improve laws and rules, define and implement regulatory duties, step up on-spot production inspection, and prompt companies to fulfill their own responsibilities. They also emphasized the necessity of establishing mechanisms to trace product quality and safety, and target product risks. For vaccine production that contains high risks and requires expertise, the participants of the meeting also agreed that it was necessary to clarify the regulatory authority and special inspection agencies should be sent to assist local supervision. A more professional supervisory force will be formed. Law-breaking companies will pay a much higher price for their illegal activities, according to the meeting. Those who dare to "challenge the bottom line of morality and conscience" will face severe punishment and crackdown, with zero tolerance. People involved in cases that endanger public safety, such as defective vaccines, will receive severe punishment, including huge penalties and life-long bans in the sector. Officials will be motivated to earnestly perform their duties, with those derelict in their duties held accountable. The meeting stressed Party committees and governments at all levels should learn a lesson and take solid action to ensure vaccine quality and safety. The follow-up work of the incident should be conducted in a proper and orderly manner, including re-vaccination and compensation. The long-term vaccine management system will be improved. Participants at the meeting agreed to remove Jin Yuhui from his post as vice governor of Jilin Province, who was put in charge of supervisory work over food and drug administration in Jilin Province since April 2017, and asked Li Jinxiu to resign from his post as vice chairman of the Jilin Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Li was vice governor responsible for supervisory work over food and drug administration in Jilin from December 2015 to April 2017. The meeting asked Liu Changlong to resign from the post of mayor of Changchun, and Bi Jingquan to resign from the post of the Leading Party Members Group Secretary of the State Administration for Market Regulation and as deputy head of the administration. Bi served as the former head of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration from February 2015 to March 2018. It urged Jiang Zhiying, a standing committee member of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee and secretary of the CPC Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture Committee in Jilin, and Jiao Hong, head of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), to make profound self-examinations. A total of 35 non-centrally-administered officials will be held accountable. Wu Zhen, former deputy head of the now defunct China Food and Drug Administration and National Health and Family Planning Commission, will be investigated by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission, according to the meeting. It also urged the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Jilin provincial government and NMPA to make profound self-examinations to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Chinese police have arrested a man who allegedly used his influence on social media to extort money. Police in central China's Hunan Province said they had launched a criminal investigation into Chen Jieren, director of the board of Beijing Hualin Management and Consulting Co. Ltd., for allegations including extortion and illegal business operations. Chen was a self-proclaimed "internet celebrity," who built a massive following on Chinese social media, the police said. Investigation has showed he had published more than 3,000 disturbing articles, for clickbait and verbal attacks, for instance, and engaged in illegal activities such as blackmailing, accumulating tens of millions of yuan over the years. The police source said Chen's activities exhibited features of an online criminal gang, with the participation of his ex-wife, brothers, and a mistress. The victims of the blackmailing include business owners, government officials, and other individuals. Multiple victims said they knew the articles Chen used to blackmail were fake, but they were willing to give away the money to avoid trouble. Chen fabricated his college diploma and status as a university researcher. He whitewashed his experience of being fired by several media outlets for involvement in concocting fake news, according to the police source. "When Chen found that writing could be a lucrative business, he used it to make big money," said his mistress, who was only identified by her surname, Liu. "He knew how to write sensational pieces." Chen had confessed and regretted his acts, said the police source. An international team has produced the most comprehensive genome map of wheat, which paved the way for more nutritious and climate-adapted varieties of a staple crop that feeds over one-third of the global population. The study published on Thursday in the journal Science presented the reference genome of the bread wheat variety "Chinese Spring," including its 21 chromosomes, precise locations of 107,891 genes, more than 4 million molecular markers and sequence information between genes. The wheat has a large, complex genome with 16 billion base pairs or the building blocks of DNA, more than five times larger than the human genome. Sequencing the bread wheat genome is challenging also due to its complexity, comprising three sub-genomes and more than 85 percent repeated elements in its genome, according to the study. The repetitive elements means that vast parts of the genome are very similar to each other, making it difficult to distinguish each sub-genome and to put together the genome into its correct order. More than 200 scientists in 20 countries collaborated to work out the results in 13 years, according to the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC). "This will greatly speed up our efforts on identification of agriculturally important wheat genes, including those that would help to combat major fungal diseases," said Kostya Kanyuka with the IWGSC. "Completing this work means we can identify genes controlling traits of interest more rapidly," said Cristobal Uauy, Project Leader in crop genetics at the John Innes Center, one of the 73 research institutes participating in the study. "This will facilitate and make more effective the breeding for traits like drought or disease resistance," said Uauy. Wheat accounts for almost 20 percent of the total calories and protein consumed by people worldwide, more than any other single food source. It also serves as an important source of vitamins and minerals. To meet future demands of a projected world population of 9.6 billion by 2050, wheat productivity needs to increase by 1.6 percent each year. The majority of this increase has to be achieved through crop and trait improvement. Also, the method of producing the reference sequence and the principles and policies of the consortium provide "a model for sequencing large, complex plant genomes," said Kellye Eversole, Executive Director of the IWGSC.